Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1908-1952
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TOOSH, n., v., adj. Also toose, tousy. A nonsense word used with various applications in children's games, in counting-out rhymes or in ball-throwing as in highsie toosh, lowsie-toosh.Sc. 1908–12 Rymour Club Misc. I. 88, II. 24:
As irta, birta, stole a rock: as an, tan, toosh! Toosh, out, toosh in, toosh about the ravel pin. [E. Lothian] An, tan, toose Joe, Up the hill and doon ye go. [Aberdeenshire]wm.Sc. c.1930:
Arty party, taurie rope, An, tan, tousy Jock.Edb. 1952 Folk-lore LXIII. 230:
High si-toosh: The fingers are interlaced and the ball is caught between the palms with hands held outwards, and upwards. Low si-toosh: The fingers of both hands are interlaced; the ball is caught between the palms held inwards.
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"Toosh n., v., adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 17 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/toosh>
