Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1836
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NOKKU, n. Also nuckie, -y, nukki(e) (Jak.); nicky-. [′nʌkɪ]
1. A twisting or tangle in thread (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)). Comb.: nokkisnor(re)l, knocksnurl (Jam.), nickysnarl (Ork. 1929 Marw.), a tangle or ravelling, as of yarn in spinning (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XI. 99, 1908 Jak. (1928), Sh. 1964). See Snorl; 2. A tassel on a woollen cap, as a night-cap (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), nokki, nukki); 3. A taboo-name for a fish-hook (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MS. XII. 156, 1908 Jak. (1928)). Comb.: bolnokki, a taboo-name for the fish-hook nearest to the sinker of a hand-line or long-line (Jak.); 4. Deriv. nokken (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.), (k)nokkin, noggin, nuggin, the head of a rafter where it joins the rafter from the other side of the roof (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)).2. Sh. 1836 Gentleman's Mag. II. 590:
Da nukkie o' his kepp bure stracht owr da hedd o' da rull.
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"Nokku n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 6 Feb 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/nokku>
