Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1789, 1897-1925
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JICKER, v., n. Also jikker.
I. v. 1. To go quickly about anything, to walk along smartly (Gall., Dmf. 1825 Jam.; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.).Kcb. 1789 D. Davidson Seasons 39:
In sweat and fun how they did jicker.
2. To trot, ride or run smartly, “as in or with a springy conveyance” (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; m.Lth. 1948).s.Sc. 1897 E. Hamilton Outlaws xi.:
Yon strae-headit cuttie comes jickering up to Whithaugh Tower on the curple o' Sim's saddle.
3. With aboot: to flit idly from place to place (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.).Rxb. 1925 E. C. Smith Mang Howes 7:
An a wutchy-butterflei was makin the maist o its grand bat, jikkerin aboot theh flooer ti flooer.
Hence fig. in ppl.adj. jickering, “having a gaudy but tawdry appearance” (Gall. 1825 Jam.).
4. To dandle a child on the knee (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.).
II. n. 1. A walk at a smart pace, a smart trot in or with a springy conveyance (Ib.).
2. The dandling of a child on the knee (Ib.).
[Freq. form of Jick.]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Jicker v., n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 4 Apr 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/jicker>
