Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1825, 1882-1996
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SNICHER, v., n. Also snecher (Abd. 1932 D. Campbell Bamboozled 60) and in altered and deriv. forms snichle; snichter, snighter. Sc. forms of Eng. snicker, snigger. [′snɪç(t)ər]
I. v. To snigger, laugh in a suppressed way (Abd. 1825 Jam.). Gen.Sc.Sc. 1825 Aberdeen Censor 155:
Snighterin' an' laughin'.Ayr. 1882 J. Hyslop Poems 162:
I see Jeems ye snicher an' girn.Ags. 1887 A. D. Willock Rosetty Ends 33:
A hantle o' snicherin' amang the mair thochtless.Dmf. 1898 J. Paton Castlebraes 89:
Sneevilin' an' snichterin' and befulin' yersel' like that.Bnff. 1937 E. S. Rae Light in Window 14:
She's a sleekit, snichlin', inhaudin' snite.Abd. 1955 W. P. Milne Eppie Elrick xx.:
A snicherin kin' o' a lauch.Abd. 1996 Sheena Blackhall Wittgenstein's Web 7:
Neil Rannoch, the gamie's loon, an Jimmy Higgins frae the paper shoppie, war keekin ower at Davie an snicherin nesty-like. Davie reidened an turned awa, kickin a teem crisp pyock ben the tarred playgrun.
II. n. A snigger, a titter. Gen.Sc.Ags. 1892 A. Reid Howetoon 126:
A bit snicher ran roond the table.Gall. 1900 R. J. Muir Muncraig iii.:
A snicher and a smile went round the shop.Ayr. 1912 G. Cunningham Verse 69:
Monie a snicher and hearty guffaw.Abd. 1940 C. Gavin Hostile Shore ii.:
Wi' a white collar and a feart-like snicher.
