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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

HIVES, n.pl. Also hyves (Gall. 1825 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 278); and in sing. form (h)ive. [hɑevz]

1. A name given to any childish skin eruption, applied esp. in infants to red-gum or Strophulus (Sc. 1808 Jam.; Uls. 1880 Patterson Gl.). Still popularly applied to any childish ailment without distinctive symptoms. Gen.Sc. Hence hivie, adj., having hives (Sc. 1818 Sawers), out of sorts. For infleein and outfleein hives, see 1904 quot.n.Sc. 1739 W. Fraser Chiefs of Grant (1883) II. 389:
I have a sort of an ive or a scurvy that goes in and out in little spots over all my body.Sc. 1764 W. Smellie Midwifery III. 522:
A child . . . struck out all over the body with small red eruptions: which in London the nurses call the red-gum, but in Scotland is termed the hives.Rnf. 1788 E. Picken Poems 173:
Hives, pox, an' measles, a' at ance, Rheumatic pains athort the banes.Kcb. 1814 W. Nicholson Tales 3:
[Death] Stauk'd furth wi' a' his darts an' scythes, In shape o' measles, kinks an' hives.Slg. 1818 W. Muir Poems 265:
From hives on the outside, to ulcers within.Fif. 1904 Caled. Med. Jnl. V. 390:
If an infant is at all out of sorts it is said to be hivie: diarrhoea, vomiting, thrush — all these conditions come under the adjective. . . . Oot-fleein' hives is where we get a rash of any sort (short of the exanthemata) . . . In-fleein' hives [not corresponding to a known disease]. Sudden death is accounted for by the fact that the hives have “gaun inwan”.Gsw. 1904 H. Foulis Erchie xii.:
The hives went in wi' him, and the dregs o' the measles cam' oot.Fif. 1912 D. Rorie Mining Folk 406:
Eczema capitis is frequently described as starting with “a hive” on the brow, and the sudamina so common on neck and nose in the first few days of infant life are frequently looked on as a good sign, and called “the thrivin' hives”.Bte. 1922 J. Sillars McBrides xxxiv.:
“There is nothing,” says he, “will be taming a lass like skelping a wean, or curing him o' the hives.”

Phr.: to have the hives, fig. to be (very) young.wm.Sc. 1983 William McIlvanney The Papers of Tony Veitch 149:
'Well. Ah twig this could be bother. So Ah've just arrived, haven't Ah? Ah've still got the hives. Ah don't know what he's talkin' about, do Ah? But he follows me. Duffs me up a bit.'Edb. 1992:
The last time he smiled wis when he hid the hives.

2. (1) Inflammation of the bowels in children causing fever and diarrhoea (Inv. 1902 E.D.D.; Cai., Ags., Ayr., Kcb., Dmf. 1957), supposedly caused by the rash going inward instead of appearing on the skin. See also Bowel-hive. Ppl.adj. hivet, loose in the bowels (Kcb.⁴ 1900).

(2) Heartburn, flatulence (‡Abd., Ags. 1957).

3. Combs.: (1) bannock-hive, (see quot.); (2) bowel-hive, see Bowel-hive.(1) Fif. 1912 D. Rorie Mining Folk 406:
The bannock-hive is a term applied humorously and contemptuously to the person who is suffering from a gastric derangement as a result of over-eating . . . “Weel, if ye're hivie, it's the bannock-hive.”