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.
SLEESH, n.1 and v. Also sleish-; slish; skleesh, sklysh (Mry., Abd. 1921 T.S.D.C. IV.). For -sh see P.L.D. § 67 and S, letter, 6. (3). [sliʃ; ne.Sc. + skliʃ, skləiʃ]
I. n. 1. A slice (Abd. 1970). Deriv. ‡sleeshack, sleishoch, n., a dish composed of sliced potatoes grilled (Rs., Inv. 1970); fig. , “mincemeat”, a thousand pieces.Sh. 1899 Shetland News (17 June):
Shü cuttid a sleesh or twa o' lof.Kcb. 1901 R. Trotter Gall. Gossip 284:
He dung “the great Anglo-Saxon Race” inta sleishoch, an conquer't the haill o' Englan.Inv. 1952 J. Tey Singing Sands vii.:
Sleeshacks were mashed potatoes fried in slices.
2. A swipe, cutting stroke; a lash or slash, as with a whip or the like (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Bwk. 1942 Wettstein).Ork. 1968 M. A. Scott Island Saga 71:
Wi' a swish, a slash, a slish, ye swore ye'd no be beat.
II. v. tr. and intr. To lash with a whip or the like, to make slashing or cracking gestures with a whip (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.). Vbl.n. sleeshin, a thrashing, lashing (Bwk. 1942 Wettstein). Ppl.adj. sleeshin, fig., outstanding, extremely good, “smashing”, deriv. sleesher, n., anything outstanding of its kind, a whopper (Bwk. 1942 Wettstein; Rxb. 1970).Slk. 1947:
We got a sleeshin denner yesterday.
