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.
Quotation dates: 1778-1779
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SIKE, n. Found in n.Eng. dial. meaning a sigh or sob, but in the quot. below the word is more likely a misreading of fikes (see Fyke, n.), which preserves the alliteration with flay (Fley, v.). There is a sim. misreading in Ramsay Poems (1800) I. 219, line 18, nor is there any other authority for the forms sic, sik, given in 1887 Jam., for which see Sich, v.Lnk. a.1779 D. Graham Writings. (1883) II. 208:
I sud flay the sikes frae them, they anger'd you an' sham'd you baith.
