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.
KNITCH, n., v. Also knitsch, nitch(e), neitch, knidge. [(k)nɪtʃ]
I. n. 1. A bundle, truss, as of hay or straw (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.; Cai. 1907 County of Cai. (Horne) 77; Ork. 1929 Marw.; Ork., Cai., Abd. 1960). Dim. (k)nitchie, nitcho (Marw.), nidgick (Ib.), id. Now mainly dial. in Eng.Sc. 1869 J. C. Morton Cycl. Agric. II. 1125:
Knitch, a bundle of unbroken straw, 34 inches in girth.Ork. 1920 J. Firth Reminisc. 31:
A bundle of heather such as could be compassed within the clasp of a man's arms was called a nitche of heather.Ork. 1930 Orcadian (13 Feb.):
Neitch was the name given to a windlin' o' strae tied up but not in hallow style.Abd. 1952 Buchan Observer (23 Sept.):
The brock was tied up in knitches, or bundles, and stooked by itself.
Hence dim. form knitshel, hnitshal, nøtskel(t) (Jak.), a number of things tied together in a bundle (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1908 Jak. (1928); Sh., Fif., (of sacks) 1960).
2. A big piece (Abd. 1929). Dim. knidget, a handful of meal dipped in water, kneaded, and roasted in the ashes of a kiln (Bnff. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 128). Cf. dry-goose s.v. Dry, I. 11.Bnff.2 1943:
The gweed-wife ga'e me a knidge aff o' the heel o' the kebbock.
3. A thick-set, sturdy person or animal (Cai. 1902 E.D.D.), an alert-looking old man (Abd. 1930). Hence knidgel, nidgell, a short, sturdy person (Cai. 1902 E.D.D., Cai. 1960), “a fat, froward young man; a stiff lover, one whom no rival will displace” (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 364); knidger, a robust child (Abd.4 1919); knidget, a cheeky, mischievous boy or girl (Mearns 1825 Jam.).
II. v. To make into a bundle, to tie up, to truss (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 98; Ork. 1880 Jam.; Bnff., Fif. 1960).Bnff.2 1943:
Knitch up that raw o' rakins an' tak' it intae the mull.
