Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
HISK, int., n. Also hiskie, -y.
I. int. A call to drive off an animal, or to alert or incite a dog to pursue (Sc. 1787 J. Elphinston Propriety II. 197; Abd. 1825 Jam.); a call to a pig to come to food (Fif., Lth. 1926 Wilson Cent. Scot. 102). Cf. Isk.Dmb. 1777 Weekly Mag. (20 Feb.) 274:
Hisk! — Bauty, rise! an' Sandy tak your kent.Ags. 1857 “Inceptor” Tom of Wiseacre 75:
Hisk, hisk; worry them, Snap, — on them, laddie, on them.
II. n. 1. A hissing exclamation (Abd. 1902 E.D.D.).
2. By extension of I.: a dog (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 78, hiskie).
[Imit. Cf. Hish, n.1, Isk.]
