Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SCUTCH, v. ², adv., n.² Also skutch. [skʌtʃ]

I. v. 1. tr. To skim or graze the surface of one object by passing another over it, to flick, touch lightly, Scuff, to sweep, hoe or the like, esp. in a quick rather perfunctory manner (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 152; Cai., Bnff. 1969). Vbl.n. scutchan, the scuffling movement or sound so produced (Gregor). Agent n. scutcher, one who works in a casual slovenly or clumsy manner (Id.).Gregor:
Scutch't ben the fleer. Scutch the corn in our t' the bing.Cai. 1992 James Miller A Fine White Stoor 214:
The cow, when he milked her sleepily, stared at him with eyes like brown saucers and he did not swear when she scutched him with her sharny tail.

2. To walk quickly with a light scuffling step (Abd. 1919 T.S.D.C.; Cai. 1969); to bustle about (Cai. 1969 Cai. Courier (8 Jan.) 3); to slide on ice, skate, sledge (Bnff. 1919 T.S.D.C., Bnff. 1969). Cf. Skeetch. Hence scutchers, skates (Bnff., Abd. 1919 T.S.D.C.).Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 152:
She geed scutchin' ben the kirk.Bnff. 1917 E. S. Rae Private J. M'Pherson 30:
Skutchin' wi' their sleddies fin the winter fees the snaw.Cai. 1928 John o' Groat Jnl. (17 Feb.):
Skutchan 'cross 'e floor 'e ither nicht at 'e fox-trot.

II. adv. With a slight grating or scuffling sound (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 152).

III. n. 1. The act of scutching in sense 1. above, a grazing or scuffling movement or sound, a swift light motion over the surface of anything, as in sweeping, hoeing, harrowing, etc. (Cai. 1969); a smart turn in working, a bustle, active stir (Cai. 1904 E.D.D.), a flick (Cai. 1969).Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 152:
Lift yir feet, an' dinna keep that scutch wee thim o' the fleer.Cai. 1939:
She's a scutch wi' her; she gave it a scutch, i.e. a slight cleaning.Cai. 1961 “Castlegreen” Tatties an' Herreen' 12:
Far aal 'is skutch is goan' till eind is anybuddy's guess.

2. A slight layer or coating, a thin covering (Ork. 1929 Marw.), a sprinkling, small quantity (Cai. 1969).Cai. 1919 T.S.D.C.:
A scutch of snow.