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.
‡SMAIK, n. Also smaich-. A rogue, rascal, a contemptible and worthless fellow (Sc. 1776 D. Herd Sc. Songs Gl.; ‡Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.). Hence smaikit, adj., applied to children: “sly, cheerful and innocent; playful but good-natured and harmless” (Dmf. a.1838 Jam. MSS. X. 297), roguish. Phr. a smaikit beastie, a mischievous, playful child, a little rogue (Ib.). Deriv. smaicher, a term of endearment for a child, “a wheedler” (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.). [smek]Sc. 1822 Scott F. Nigel xxvii.:
Canna ye mak haste before these lazy smaiks come up?s.Sc. 1836 Wilson's Tales of the Borders III. 69:
To see the auld smaik smirkin owre the notion o' his honour.wm.Sc. 1837 Laird of Logan (1854) 536:
To instruct this smeddomless smaik in the divine art of minstrelsy.Fif. 1897 W. Beatty Secretar i.:
The vilest of smaiks.Ayr. 1927 A. Carruthers A Man Beset i. ii.:
He winna admit it, let alane marry me. He's a foul-farren smaik.
