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: 1868-1927, 1995
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TEEOCK, n. Also teeack, -ick, -uck; teeou, teeoo, teaoo, teeauw (Ork. 1911 Old-Lore Misc. IV. iv. 185). [′tiək, ′tiu]
1. The lapwing, Vanella cristatus (Ork. 1877 Sc. Naturalist, teeuch, teeou, 1891 Buckley and Harvie-Brown Fauna Ork. 204, teeick, Ork. 1972, teeock, teeoo).Ork. 1868 D. Gorrie Orkneys 194:
The plaint of teeacks.Ork. c.1880 Mod. Sc. Poets (Edwards) VII. 248:
Teeocks bleatin skimmed alang.Ork. 1909 Old-Lore Misc. II. i. 29:
Like a doo or a teaoo.Ork. 1927 H. C. Jean's Garden 26:
The teeoos crying ower the brecks.Ork. 1995 Orcadian 26 Jan 4:
Yesterday morning I saw a solitary lapwing passing over, and wondered if it were a newcomer or a resident. January is rather early for the teeos to come 'home', unless this one has never left; ...
Comb. teeack snaa, teeoo-, a period of stormy wintry weather in March when the lapwings nest (Ork. 1972). Cf. teuchits' storm s.v. Teuchit.
2. The common tern, Sterna hirundo (Ork. 1930).
[Imit. of the bird's call, the form being assimilated to -Ock, and Ork. -O, suffs. Cf. Teewheet.]