Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

KREX, v., n. Also krax, crax, kre(k)k(s), crex, kraiks. [krɛks, krɑks]

I. v. To clear the throat, to cough up phlegm, to hawk, to spit (Sh. 1908 Jak. 1928), 1914 Angus Gl., Sh. 1960).Sh. 1897 Shetland News (12 June):
Doo's gaun neesin' an craxin' aboot da hoos laek ane at da hicht o' a mort cauld.Sh. 1922 J. Inkster Mansie's Röd 17:
Kraxin' oot o' her craig, an' spittin' apo da flüer.Sh. 1949 New Shetlander No. 18. 14:
Pausing to light his pipe, the man sat eyeing me for some minutes. He then krekksd and said: “Boy, du's da livin' image a dee faidder!”

II. n. A clearing of the throat (Sh. 1960).Sh. 1891 J. Burgess Rasmie's Büddie 20:
Shü spak agen wi crex and hurr, I kno no wha's da faat is.