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.
SOSH, adj. [soʃ]
1. Sociable, frank, open (Sc. 1787 J. Elphinston Propriety II. 190; Lth., s.Sc. 1825 Jam.). Deriv. sosherie, sociability, conviviality, only in Galt.Ayr. 1822 Galt Entail lv.:
Preses and founder of that renowned focus of sosherie the Yarn Club.Ayr. 1823 Galt R. Gilhaize I. i.:
The monks in their conclaves of sloth and sosherie.Ayr. 1834 J. Galt Stories of Study III. 47:
Mr. Oakes, whom by this time we had become very sosh with.Sc. 1873 D. M. Ogilvy Willie Wabster 16:
I wat they were recht sonse and social; For Willie, ance he staps his crappie, Is rule-o'er-thoum and sosh and sappy.
2. (1) Of persons: plump, neat-looking, cheerful, contented (Rxb. 1825 Jam.; Dmf. 1894 Trans. Dmf. and Gall. Antiq. Soc. 156; Uls. 1953 Traynor); (2) of things: snug, comfortable (Ayr. 1825 Jam.; Uls. 1880 Patterson Gl.).
3. Sedate, sober, quiet (Sc. 1825 Jam.; Dmf. 1894 Trans. Dmf. and Gall. Antiq. Soc. 156).
4. Lazy, indolent (Lnk., Ayr. 1825 Jam.).
[A reduced form of sociable with extended meanings.]
