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.
Quotation dates: 1778-1779, 1837, 1903-1959
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PISS, int., n., v. Also pis, pees(tie), pisk.
I. int. A call-name to a cat or kitten (Dmf. 1933–5 Trans. Dmf. & Gall. Antiq. Soc. 327, pees; Sh. (piss-piss, peestie), Cai., em.Sc.(a), wm.Sc., Wgt., Uls. 1966), to a dog (Ork. 1929 Marw., Ork. 1965); a cry to chase off a cat or dog (Cai. 1966). Phrs. pis tack it!, pisue!, id. (Cai. 1966). See Tak, Shoo. Deriv. pisker, a pet-name for a puppy (Ags. 1958).Lnk. a.1779 D. Graham Writings (1883) II. 229:
When we cry pisue, they ran awa' hame to Muir-edge.Rnf. 1837 Crawfurd MSS. XI. 322:
His mother cried Pistack it. But pousie continued still. Allan let fly his bonnet at it, saying the bonnet is worth twenty pistacks it.Cai. 1903 E.D.D.:
During the prayer the cat began to lap at a bowl of milk in the room, and one of those on their knees said Piss! Piss!! Piss!!!Sh. 1909 Shetland News (3 Feb.):
Pis, pis, pussy, come dee wis here.Sh. 1959:
We would often say as children: Poor kittie! talking to hens; poor kussie! to cows; poor geesie! to pigs; poor peestie! or poor poorie! to cats.
II. n. A pampered weakling, often as a pet-name (Ork. 1929 Marw.).
III. v. To incite a dog to attack (Cai., Abd., Dmb. 1966).Cai. 1903 E.D.D.:
To piss a dog at one.
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"Piss interj., n., v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 4 Apr 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/piss>
