Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

KNOCKERTY-KNACK, n. See quot. (Fif., Lnk. 1975).Sc. 1966 Scotland's Mag. (March) 29:
Tin-can games played a prominent part in our evening ploys on the streets. Knockerty-knack, or kick-the-can, was the most popular. It was, I realise now, a variety of hide-and-seek. Instead of shouting “One, two, three!”. . . we kicked the tin-can away from the den and the keeper had to fetch it back while the den was freed.

[From knock, Knack.]