Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
HEECH, int., v., n. Also hech; hich.
I. int. An exclamation of exhilaration uttered by the male dancers in a Highland reel. Cf. Hooch, id. [hi:]Sh. 1886 J. Burgess Sk. and Poems 114:
Naethin' ta be heard bit da smucksin o' feet ipo da fluir, an' noo an' dan a wild “heech!” frae some o' da young chaps.ne.Sc. 1887 G. G. Green Gordonhaven 71:
There was, however, little art in their dances, but a tremendous deal of “hooching” and “hiching,” stamping of feet, snapping of fingers.s.Sc. 1894 Scots Mag. (June) 20:
The reels are danced to spirited cries of “Hech!” which . . . has a curious effect when accompanied by the vigorous stamp of hob-nailed boots.
II. v. To shout heech.Ags. 1988 Raymond Vettese The Richt Noise 42:
The lads f'ae the Mairt
wi sharn on their feet
birl aboot the howff sawins,
(Tam on the moothie
Peem on the spoons),
heechin, skirlin, lowpin, fleein,
faain doon,
stotterin hame...
III. n. A cry of heech.Edb. 1994 Douglas McKenzie in James Roberston A Tongue in Yer Heid 10:
He wis suspeecious o her red face. If he'd seen the wee jig an the quiet heech behind his back, his suspeecions wad hae been confirmed.
