Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
SHEEK, n., v. Also scheik, shiek, shick.
I. and nn.Sc. forms of Cheek, the side of the face, the post or jamb of a door, fireplace, etc. (Sh. 1898 “Junda” Klingrahool 14, 1933 J. Nicolson Hentilagets 25).
Comb. shick-blade, the cheek-bone (Cai. 1904 E.D.D.). Obs. in Eng. See S, letter, 6.
I. n. 1. Sh. usage, in pl.: voluble talk, chatter, garrulousness (Sh. 1904 E.D.D.), sometimes with the implication of insincerity (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., scheik).Sh. 1908 Old-Lore Misc. I. vii. 270:
If du doesna had de sheeks I'se gie de a gude lunder.Sh. 1916 J. Burgess Rasmie's Smaa Murr (Maerch 31):
It's no sheeks 'at shifts things, i da voar rig.Sh. 1951 New Shetlander No. 29. 8:
Dey wir makkin a goadliss kläg an sheeks.
2. Phr. a shick in the neck, a kind of twist or wryness in the neck (Cai. 1970).
II. v. 1. To set the head, as a bull does when threatening to butt or toss, sc. to turn the face round (Cai. 1904 E.D.D., Cai. 1970). Hence shickèd, ppl.adj., having a wry neck (Ib.).
2. In form sheeks (see I.), Sh. usage: to chatter endlessly, to prate. Hence ppl.adj. sheeksit, voluble, garrulous, derivs. sheeksie, ¶sheeksabister, a very talkative person, a chatterbox (Sh. 1970).Sh. 1894 J. M. E. Saxby Camsterie Nacket 44:
Ye're no' blate to even me to minding what the nacket sheekis.Sh. 1918 T. Manson Peat Comm. 124:
Sheeksin an shargin aboot da Govermint.Sh. 1958 New Shetlander No. 48. 13:
Maggie sheeksed an spak an better spak.
