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: 1918-1957
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KUKKER, v. Also kuk(e)r (Jak.), kuiker, kjucker, kok(e)r (Jak.); quoickir. [′kjʌkər]
1. tr. (1) To cheer up, to comfort; to revive by kindness and good treatment (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), Sh. 1960); to stimulate. Vbl.n. kuikerin, stimulation, cheering up. See also Coocher, v.2, 1.Sh. 1918 T. Manson Peat Comm. I. 193:
It [porter] kind o curls aboot yir inside, as ye wid say, as if it wis wantin ta quoickir ye up, sort o wye.Sh. 1919 T. Manson Peat Comm. II. 76:
Da hert is hed a lok o hard wark fur mony a lang year, an shu's gettin kind o played oot, an needs a bit o kuikerin.
Deriv. kukkera in phr. kukkera maet, food prepared for a journey or for one sitting up all night, etc. (Sh. 1960).Sh. 1922 J. Inkster Mansie's Röd 19:
Is doo ta gie wis nae kukkera maet ta sit upon? Get wis hit, and geng ta bed.
(2) To fondle, caress (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)), to fuss over, to coddle.Sh. 1949 J. Gray Lowrie 11:
I wis kjuckerin aboot her an' doein me best ta revive her.
2. intr. To improve in health, to recover (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)). See also Coocher, v.2, 2.Sh. 1933 J. Nicolson Hentilagets 20:
An he it wis 'at got wir Eppie's egg Ta aet, as shön as he begood ta kukker.Sh. 1957 New Shetlander No. 45. 8:
The bairns are just cockerin up efter da measles.
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"Kukker v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 12 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/kukker>
