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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: 1873

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KECK, v.1 Also kick (Watson). To draw back from an offer, bid or undertaking, to resile (Rxb. 1825 Jam., 1923 Watson W.-B.).Sc.(E) 1873 D. M. Ogilvy Willie Wabster 12:
Welsh in a bargain winna keck — A gaffer that I weel respeck.

[Orig. doubtful. n.Eng. dial. has keck, to tilt backwards, to jerk oneself back, Norw. dial. keika, to bend backwards, swerve, twist. But the word may have become confused with kick, colloq. = to rebel, to object, and cf. also Cock, v.2, note, of which this may poss. also be an alternative onomat. form.]

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"Keck v.1". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/keck_v1>

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