Dictionary of the Scots Language
Dictionar o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology Cite this entry

DECK, Dek(k), Daek, n.³ Sh. variants of Dyke, a wall; also applied to “peats built like a wall” (Sh. 1913–14 J. M. Hutcheson W.-L.). Hence daek-end (Ib.). Sh. c.1733  Shet. Acts 6 in P.S.A.S. (1892) 197:
That they pay forty shillings Scots for each winter slap found in their decks after the first of May. Sh. 1836  Gentleman's Mag. II. 589:
Aboot twa bocht lent abùn da krù dekk o' Oxigill. Sh. 1919  T. Manson Humours Peat Comm. II. 236:
What's dis daek here fur? Wha is wantin' dis daek here? Sh. 1930  A.N.O.F. in Shet. Almanac 191:
He stumbled ta da faely dek Wi' head an' figer bent. Sh. 1948  New Shetlander (Jan.–Feb.) 6:
Yowes kruggin' closs i' da lee o' a daek-end, Creepin' frae a chill 'at bites ta da bon'.

Phr.: in-a-daeks, indoors, under cover. Sh. 1922  J. Inkster Mansie's Röd 58:
Dat pits hit i' my mind at doo'll dae ta tak wir quaiks in-a-daeks frae da day an' sae trow.