Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1869-1949
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CUSH, KUSH, KÖSH, Kuss, v. and int. Also koosh, coosh, køss (Jak.). [kʌʃ]
1. v. "To drive animals away" (Sh., Ork. 1866 Edm. Gl., kush); to shoo hens (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), kuss). Sh.(D) 1918 T. Manson Humours Peat Comm. I. 56:
We'll look ipu da [blown-away] hat laek a flock o sheep at we're caain ta da crü . . . we'll spread wirsells an sort o wye cush da hat itill some place whaar shu's bound ta lie still.Sh. 1949 P. Jamieson Letters on Shet. 78:
In Foula they do not "kaa" or "koosh" sheep . . . for fear of driving the animals over the high cliffs.
2. int. (1) Hush! (Sh., Ork. 1866 Edm. Gl.); (2) a cry to scare a fowl (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928); 1914 Angus Gl.); (a call) to scare birds, etc. (Sh. 1960). Also used as an excl. (gen. of surprise) in n.Eng. dial.(2)Sh. 1869 J. T. Reid Art Rambles 25:
The Papa Stourians believed that the beadle of the kirk had the power of "telling" the sparrows away so as never to return, for which they paid him a fee. The "Sparrow-Beadle" still lives in the island. . . . It must have been rather an amusing sight to have seen and heard him going round the corn-fields . . . crying "Coosh-sh-sh, Hoosh-sh-sh awa' fra dis toon, an' never come again."Sh. 1904 J. Nicolson Tales of Thule 14:
Mary advanced as close to the stone as she thought advisable, then threw up her arms, and shouted — "Kösh!"
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"Cush v., interj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 19 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/cush_v_interj>
