Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
SKEET, v.2, n.2 Also ¶skeetch. [skit]
I. v. 1. tr. and absol. To squirt, eject (fluid) in short jets or streams (Sh., Cai. 1904 E.D.D.; I.Sc., Cai. 1970), to splash, bespatter. Hence derivs. skeeta, skeeto, a squirt, jet (Ork. 1929 Marw.), a water-pistol (Ork. 1970), a cuttlefish or squid, esp. Loligo forbesii (Ork. 1929 Marw., Ork. 1970), a sea-anemone, the common red rock anemone (Ork. 1929 Marw.) and fig. a bad-tempered child (Id.); also used as a nickname in Burness (Ork. 1900); skeetack, -ek, -i(c)k, a cuttlefish (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., -ack, 1908 Jak. (1928), -ek, 1956 Shetland Times (16 Nov.), -ick, Sh. 1970), also comb. hoskitek, id., a favourite food of the Hoe or dogfish (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)). Skeetack is also used as a nickname for a native or inhabitant of Lerwick (Sh. 1970); skeeter, the squid (Cai. 1904 E.D.D., Cai. 1970).Sh. 1886 J. Burgess Sketches 114:
Every platch 'at he med skeetit it up and doon ower every ane 'at cam' near.Sh. 1912 J. Nicolson Hame-Spun 45:
I was skeetit frae head ta foot, sae 'at I'm not onlookin'.
2. To jibe at, make a cutting insinuation on (Ork. 1970), to tease.Ork. 1956 C. M. Costie Benjie's Bodle 132:
A bunion that Mary hid skeeted her aboot.
II. n. 1. A squirt or syringe, a water- or pea-shooter, usu. made from the stems of umbelliferous plants (Cai. 1904 E.D.D.).
2. A squirt, a small amount, a few drops (of liquid); an ejaculation of semen (Sh. 1970).Sh. 1970 New Shetlander No. 93. 15:
Da cat wid come creepin, some skeetches [of milk] to stael.
3. Fig. An insinuation, a satirical jibe.Ork. 1880 Dennison Sketch-Bk. 107:
O! that's a skeet no wort 'a strae.
