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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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

Quotation dates: 1871-1921

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PACK, n.2 An agreement, plot, conspiracy, usu. secret and clandestine. Hence phr. in pack, in collusion, in league (Uls. 1901 J. Byers in Northern Whig; Ayr., Kcb., Uls. 1965).Sc. 1871 P. H. Waddell Psalms lxxxiii. 8:
Assyr as weel was in pack wi' them.Abd. 1887 W. Walker Bards Bon-Accord 71:
Between them twa there was a pack To enter bobbing Andrew.Sc. 1921 R. Bain James I. 19:
They're a' in the pack wi' one another.

[Orig. somewhat doubtful, phs. a survival of obs. Eng. pack, a secret agreement or plot, but the word might simply be the normal Sc. form of Eng. pact. See P.L.D. §63.2.]

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