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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.

KEEK-BO, n.comb., v., int. Also keek(-a-)boo, keekie-bo, keeky-; keek-bogle (cf. bogle keik s.v. Bogle, n., v.¹).

I. n. The game of bo-peep (Sc. 1787 J. Elphinston Propriety II. 106; Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 290; Abd.⁹ 1941, keekie-bo; Cai., ne. and em.Sc.(a), Lth., Lnk., Kcb., s.Sc. 1959; Sh., Bnff., Ags., Edb., Gsw., Ayr., Dmf. 2000s). Also fig. Phr.: ¶keek an' bo, prevarication, shilly-shallying, cat-and-mouse treatment.Sc. 1735 Groan from a True Blue Presbyterian 16:
They never mind that quick-sighted People see them playing Keek bo and Nive, nive, nick nack.Bwk. 1801 “Bwk. Sandie” Poems 53:
As for poor Don, his life 'twad cost, Should he but play keek boo, man.Bwk. 1823 A. Hewit Poems 99:
I'll no stand up to keek an' bo, Like faceless coof.Rnf. 1835 D. Webster Rhymes 11:
The Sun had just dipt his red cheek on the ocean, And seem'd as if playing keekbo wi' the moon.Kcb. 1895 Crockett Moss-Hags xliv.:
The burn . . . playing at keek-bogle among the heather and bent.s.Sc. 1959 Bulletin (7 March) 9:
Mrs McThingummy and Wee Shewie playing endless games of keek-a-boo. Sc. 1991 T. S. Law in Tom Hubbard The New Makars 33:
the ilka day, an sent doon ben
toom rakes o hutches inbye gaein
ginn piece-timm at the darg alow
whoere collier bodies wrocht awo
contrack, or oncost keekiebo.

II. v. As vbl.n.: spying, peeping.Ayr. 1821 Scots Mag. (April) 351:
As muckle cavie keek-bo-ing and pauntrie Smirkin.

III. int. The exclamation used in the game when the player in hiding has been seen or gives a hint of his whereabouts (Fif.¹³ 1941, keekie-bo; Ags., Per., Fif., wm.Sc. 1959); freq. also used in similar play with a young child (Abd., Slg., Kcb. 1959).Ayr. 1816 Ayrshire Mag. I. 287:
When keek-bo wha was sittin' there, But “A — w” and “G — y.”Edb. 1866 J. Smith Merry Bridal 24:
She's hidin' i' the coal-hole Cryin' “Keekybo!”Dmf. 1873 A. Anderson Song of Labour 51:
Noo, dinna shake your curly heid, an' shape your mooth for no, An' row yoursel' within my goon, an' lisp oot “keeky bo.”