Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
CHIT, n.1 [tʃɪt, tʃɪ̢t]
1. “A small bit of bread, or of any kind of food” (Sc. 1808 Jam.): “the substantial dry lunch carried by a labourer unable to return home for a mid-day meal” (Arg.1, Kcb.10 1940).Edb. 1845 F. W. Bedford Hist. G. Heriot's Hospital (1859) 345:
I'll gang wi' you to Royston . . . we will hain some of our chits.Edb. 1898 J. Baillie Walter Crighton 19:
At this point the bell rang for “chit and milk,” and the two lads made for the square.
Comb. chit-chows, tit-bits, tasty morsels (Abd. 1915 H. Beaton Benachie 189). See also Chow, v., n.1
2. “A dwarfed root or plant” (Kcb.4 c.1900). Cf. Chitterie, n.
[Prob. from the same root as Eng. dial. chit, a sprout, shoot (E.D.D.).]
