Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: <1700, 1700, 1896, 1949-1951
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ECHT, adj.2, numeral. Eighth (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Rxb.4 1949). Also aicht, †eight.
Hence comb. echt-pairt, the eighth part of an inch (Abd.27, m.Lth.1, Bwk.2, Arg.3, Kcb.10 1950), used in joiners' proverb "a mason's echt-pairt's an inch" (wm.Sc.1, Kcb.10 1949), and phr. a (common) five-aicht(s), -er, an average or ordinary specimen, of persons or things (Abd., Ags., Knr. 1951; Ayr. 1880–1949). See also Aucht, adj.2Gall. 1692 A. Symson Large Descr. of Gall. (1823) 99:
The halfe of this vessell they call an auchlet, qu. an eightlet, or little eight part.Ayr. 1896 H. Johnston Dr Congalton vii.:
Tak your common five-eicht woman, or man either.Bnff. 1949 Bnffsh. Jnl. (8 Nov.):
Such was his own proud boast, and it is certain that he was no mere "five-echter."Sc. 1951 Radio Times (2 March):
Willie's promotion from a common five-eighth to shipyard manager.
