Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
YIT, n. Also yitt; yait, yet(t) (Bwk. 1853 G. Johnston Botany E. Borders 218). Gen. in pl., em.Sc. (b) and s.Sc. forms of Ait, oat (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Bwk. 1942 Wettstein; Rxb. 1942 Zai.; em.Sc. (b), s.Sc. 1974). See Y, letter, 2.(2) and P.L.D. § 74.1. Hence combs. yitfield, yitmeal, yet- (Id.), -strae, etc. See also Ait, n.2 [jɪt, jɛt]Rxb. 1826 A. Scott Poems 106:
Farmers for the coming crap To saw the yits begin.Lnk. 1833 Whigs of Scot. I. vi.:
Yett straw rapes.Rxb. a.1860 J. Younger Autobiog. (1881) 102:
There's no aboon a stane an' a half o' the yitmeal left either.s.Sc. 1885 W. Scrope Salmon Fishing 257:
I bought yetmeal for the bairns' parritch wi' it.Hdg. 1892 J. Lumsden Sheep-Head 272:
Twa bushels o' barley, an' twa o' yaits.Lth. 1921 A. Dodds Antrin Sangs 7:
Beans and barley and yitts!Rxb. 1972 Hawick News (7 Jan.):
Making the porridge out of true yit-meal.
