Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 2000
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SWEESH, n., v., adv. Also swush (Dmf. 1912 J. L. Waugh Robbie Doo 47). Sc. forms of Eng. swish, (to make) a hissing or splashing sound, to whistle, a wind, a dash of water, with a hiss or splash, etc. (Ags. 1855 “Robin” Rimes 48, 1894 J. B. Salmond My Man Sandy (1899) 69; Arg. 1896 N. Munro Lost Pibroch (1935) 113, Dmf. 1898 J. Paton Castlebraes 100; Fif. 1909 J. C. Craig Sangs o' Bairns 134; Sc. 1926 H. M'Diarmid Drunk Man 16, 1929 Scots Mag. (May) 148; Cai. 1961 “Castlegreen” Tatties an' Herreen 36; Sh., Cai., Ags., Kcb. 1972).Abd. 2000 Sheena Blackhall The Singing Bird 46:
The muckle beeches sooch an sweesh an swee.
Auld bodachs news aneth their reeshlin leaves;
Littlins toss breid tae spurgies neth the eaves:
