SNOOK

Published:
25 July 2025
Original:
1 July 1905

The English Dialect Dictionary. Edited By Joseph Wright, M.A., Ph. D., D.C.L., LL.D. Volume V. R-S. 1905. Page 591

Snook. v. To smell with a loud inspiration, to sniff; to smell out as a dog, to scent. Cf. snork, snowk.
Sc. (Jam.) ; .Snookin’ amang the snaw like mowdiewarts, Ford Thistledown (1891) 163. Ayr. They snoakit the breath of the battle from afar, Service Dr. Duguid (ed. 1887) 169. Lnk. The toon collies daurna snoke in as they pass, Rodger Poems (1838) 38, ed. 1897. SIk. After smellin, and snokin, and snortin at it for a while, Chr. North Noctes (ed. 1856) III. 98. Gall. Mactaggart Encycl. (1824) 425, ed. 1876. Uls. (M.B.-S.) Ant. Dogs watching for rats will be encouraged by the cry, ‘ Snoak it oot,’ Ballymena Obs. (1892). n.Cy. Grose (1790), Nhb., n.Yks.’ e.Yks. Marshall Rur. Econ. (1788). w.Yks. Hlfx. Courier (June 19, 1897); w.Yks’, s.Lan. Lin. The pointer will snook it out. Nhp. Rarely used.

Hence Snooker, sb. (1) a nostril; (2) one who smells at objects like a dog ; (3) a rake, a profligate fellow.

(1) Lan. [A Lan. riddle.] ‘Four stiff standers, Four diddledanders, Two hookers, two snookers, and a flip by.’ Answe: a cow, N & Q. (1865) 3rd S.viii. 493. (2)Sc.(Jam.) (3) Rxb. (ib.)