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.
Quotation dates: 1749, 1836-1885, 1950-1990
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SPICKET, n. Also spiket, speekit. [′spɪkət]
1. A spigot, a bung for stopping up a barrel or cask (m.Sc. 1971). Also in Eng. dial. Also fig.Lnk. 1749 in R. Wodrow Sufferings (1828) IV. 508:
He brought it [beer] up with great diligence, but in the other hand the spiket of the barrel.Gsw. 1836 Gsw. Journal (2 Jan.) 117:
In swallow-skirted coat, an' breckit In plush — a beckin' booin' spicket!Wgt. 1885 G. Fraser Poems 49:
Baith barrel an' spicket.
2. An outdoor tap, freq. one supplying water for a locality (Per., Ayr., Kcb. 1971). Also in Eng. dial.Per.4 1950:
Fix the hose tae the speekit.Per. 1990 Betsy Whyte Red Rowans and Wild Honey (1991) 45:
'Aye, aye, I ken that. Awa and wash your face, lassie, but no' in the horse's trough. You could get ring-worm. Wash it at the speekit.'
