Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
PEE-HEE, int. The characteristic call of the Edinburgh chimney-sweep when identifying the chimney to be swept by calling down each in turn to his assistant in the house below (see quot.). Cf. Hooie.Edb. 1936 F. Niven Old Soldier xiv.:
He [sweep] puts his head to a chimney-top and, hand cupped to mouth, “Pee-hee!” he intones down it, then listens. If he is at the right one two sharp taps with a poker on the grate below advise him.
