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.
Quotation dates: 1815, 1931
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†KEN-NO, n. See quot. Only hist.Sc. 1815 Scott Guy M. Note A.:
A large and rich cheese was made by the women of the family [prior to a birth], with great affectation of secrecy . . . This was the ken-no, so called because its existence was secret . . . from all the males of the family, but especially from the husband and master. He was expected to conduct himself as if he knew of no such preparation . . . But the instant his back was turned the ken-no was produced.Fif. 1931 J. Wilkie Bygone Fife 111:
The ken-no, the great rich cheese specially made [for the groaning malt feast].
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"Ken-no n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 17 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/kenno>
