Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
SOSH, n. A Co-operative Society store (Ags., Fif. 1971). Dim. soshie, soashie, soschie, id.; the manager of a Co-operative store. See -Ie, suff., B. 2.(a). [soʃ, sɔʃ]Ags. 1888 Bon-Accord (3 March) 19:
The members of a certain “sosh” in Forfar.Ags. 1888 Barrie Auld Licht Idylls 105:
Willie Todd, making a bolt for it to the “Sosh”, was back in a moment with a handful of small change.Ags. 1896 A. Blair Rantin Robin 139:
Marget set oot wi' the biggest half o' her Soshie dividend.Ags. 1897 F. Mackenzie Northern Pine 70:
John Tosh was the “Soshie”, or head of the Co-operative Association in Glenbruar.Per. 1903 H. Dryerre Blairgowrie 172:
The newly-started Co-operative Boot and Shoe Society, known as the “Shoe Sosh”, for short.Ags. 1929 Scots Mag. (April) 74:
Suits sent from the ready-made department of the Sosh.Ags. 1990s:
"Uh goat ut otta the Soashie": "I bought it in the local Co-op". em.Sc.(a) 1999 Courier 14 Oct 10:
In a quiz, the nickname of the Co-operative was asked for and the answer given was "The Sosh." A reader says, "However, both my husband and myself had heard the Society called 'The Soschie' in Fife and Arbroath. Perhaps there are local variations of 'The Sosh'?"
