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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

PACK, adj. On intimate and friendly terms, linked by mutual feeling or understanding, in league, confederate (Sc. 1808 Jam.; Uls. 1953 Traynor; Per., Fif., Lth., wm. and s.Sc., Uls. 1965). Also used adv. as in 1882 quot. (Dmf. 1874 R. Wanlock Moorland Rhymes 187). Derivs. packness, n., friendship, harmony (Cld. 1825 Jam.), packlie, packlike, adv., in a friendly manner, familiarly (Ib.).Gall. 1701 Session Bk. Minnigaff (1939) 56:
Its reported of on John Roxborrough under mala fama with on Jean M'Kie, another mans wife, that they are too pack togethir.Ayr. 1786 Burns Twa Dogs 37–8:
Nae doubt but they were fain o' ither, An' unco pack an' thick thegither.Edb. 1791 J. Learmont Poems 333:
I'll down three guineas; whan he does them see He'll jump bauke hich, an' be fou pack wi' me.Sc. 1825 Scots Mag. (Jan.) 73:
Wha did he see but the twa Advocates, as thick and pack as dog-heads, laughing and gaffawing awa' at the hits they had gi'en ane anither.Dmb. 1844 W. Cross Disruption x.:
I couldna help speirin' . . . wha was the auld gentleman wi' the scuppit beaver ye were gaun wi' sae pack-like.Clc. 1882 J. Walker Poems 71:
Wi' thee I'se soon be pack acquantit.Ags. 1890 A. Lowson J. Guidfollow 34:
Fat can Wattie . . . mean by bein' sae thick an' pack wi' yon sow-mou'd whaup?Sc. 1893 Stevenson Catriona xxix.:
Him and me were never onyways pack; we used to girn at ither like a pair of pipers.Kcb. 1901 Alexander Trotter East Galloway Sketches 99:
Robert Cairnon and him were whiles as pack as dogs-heads; at other times they were at variance.Ayr. 1901 G. Douglas Green Shutters vi.:
But, for a' so pack's they had been, Gourlay never looked near him.Dmf. 1925 Cadger's Creel (Douglas) 82:
Ou ay — Rob an' me were aye fell pack.Ayr. 1999:
Unco pack and thick thegither. [very intimate and friendly]

[Prob. for *packt, ppl.adj. of Eng. pack, to enter into a private arrangement, to have secret dealings, phs. orig. the same word as Pack, v. Cf. Pack, n.2 and, for the loss of final -t, see P.L.D. § 63.2.]

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