Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
TASK, n., v. Sc. usages:
I. n. 1. As in Eng., a fixed quantity of work, piece-work. Deriv. tasker, one paid by the specified task he accomplishes, a piece-worker, esp. a flail-man, a thresher of corn (Lth. 1808 Jam.), in Eng. dial. gen. applied to a reaper.Lnk. 1708 Minutes J.P.s (S.H.S.) 18:
A tasker in mains, wher he getts constant thresheing all the winter tyme.Edb. 1721 A. Pennecuik Helicon 75:
The meikle Tasker, Davie Dallas, Was telling Blads of William Wallace.e.Lth. 1745 Trans. E. Lth. Antiq. Soc. X. 37:
John the tasker heentn upon 23 day of feburay his wages 10 lb. scots.e.Lth. 1795 Stat. Acc.1 II. 353:
The taskers are those employed in threshing out the corn; and they receive one boll of every 25 for their lahour.Sc. 1816 Scott Black Dwarf vii.:
Auld Cuddie the muckle tasker.Uls. 1907 Country-side (16 Nov.):
Two threshers or “taskers” usually worked opposite each other, and struck alternate blows.
2. A set lesson or other piece of school homework (Sh., n.Sc., Ags., Per., ‡wm.Sc. 1972). Ohs. or dial. in Eng.Edb. 1772 Edb. Ev. Courant (5 Sept.):
The scholars in going through their different tasks.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 330:
I could not learn it [French], because tasks were laid out.Kcd. 1844 W. Jamie Muse 94:
I soon was fit to spell and read, To get my tasks, and say the Creed.Bwk. 1898 Border Mag. (April) 72:
The school must go on with its “tasks” as usual.Abd.27 1950:
Ye hivna your task = You haven't learned your lessons.
II. v. As in Eng. to impose a task on, to work (a person, etc.) hard. Vbl.n. tasking, the imposing of set tasks, or piece-work; ppl.adj. taskit, -et, -ed, fatigued by hard work, exhausted (Sc. 1825 Jam.), stressed, harassed (Ork., ne.Sc., Ags., Ayr., Wgt. 1972); of cloth: hard-worn, shahby (Abd. 1932).Abd. 1804 W. Tarras Poems 133:
Right baugh, believe it as ye will, Leuks Scotland, taskit like, an' dull.wm.Sc. 1842 Children in Trades Report (2) K 3:
Three months' teaching was sufficient to enable an infant to accomplish the manufacture of 1000 nails per day — provided they were (as it is termed) tasked, of which “tasking” it may be necessary here to give some explanation: the first task is up to “porridge-time” (a general name for their first meal), during which time they have to complete bever less than 250, frequently 350 nails. The second task is up to “taturs and herring”, from 300 to 500 nails; and the third task up to broth or tea-time.Slg. 1862 D. Taylor Poems 62:
Thy owner's name I hinna askit, Or speer'd how sair ye [tea-pot] hae been taskit.Ags. 1873 T. Watson Poems 260:
Sair tasket she was to get siller to send awa to the laird.Abd. 1906 Banffshire Jnl. (26 June):
Upon their ribs a strong sleev'd weskit That wore for lang, tho' sairly taskit.Mry. 1949 Northern Scot (30 April):
Aathin' oothye is camsteerie an' raivelt, Ochone, bit Ah'm taskit.Abd. 1960:
I'm nae gaun tae be taskit wi ye. She was sair taskit wi him.
