Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SUSSIE, n., v. Also sussy; sushie; sizzie, syzzie. [′sʌse; ′sɪzi]

I. n. 1. Bother, trouble (Sh., Fif., Kcb. 1971), freq. in regard to the difficulty of dealing with a fractious drunk person (see also 1930 quot.).Kcb.⁴ 1900:
I had an unco sizzie wi' him or I got him to his ain fireside.Kcb. 1930:
Children used to find pleasure in “haein' a sizzie wi' ” a drunk man who was foolish enough to give chase and too drunk to do it properly.

2. Demur, dither, hesitation.Abd. 1768 A. Ross Works (S.T.S.) 143:
But an' my new rock were anes cutted an' dry, But onie sussie the spinning I'll try.

II. v. 1. intr. To care, be anxious or concerned (‡Lth. 1825 Jam.).n.Sc. 1710 T. Ruddiman Gl. to Douglas Aeneis:
I sussy not, i.e. I care not.Sh. 1971:
Boy, never sussie wi yon.

2. tr. To bother, perturb, trouble, upset, put about, freq. used refl.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 442:
He never syzzied me. The deil e'en couldna syzzie me.Abd. 1825 Jam.:
I wadna sussie mysell.

3. intr. To shrink, hesitate (w.Lth. 1825 Jam.; Sh. 1971); to dawdle, waste time.Sh. 1897 Shetland News (28 Aug.):
He güde in 'ithoot sussyin'.‡Kcd. 1954:
Dinna sussie noo!