[f. WHIST int.1 or v.1]
† 1. An utterance of the interjection ‘whist!’ as a command for silence. Obs.
1601. W. Percy, Cuckqueanes & Cuckolds Errants, I. iii. (Roxb.), 15. With a whist and with a Hush Hast wee both Two to the Bush.
2. Silence: in phr. to hold one’s whist, to keep silence. Irish. (Cf. WHISHT sb. 2.)
1897. Barrère & Leland, Dict. Slang, s.v., ‘Hold your whist,’ i. e., hold your tongue, is an Irishism which has passed into English slang.
1898. MacDonagh, Irish Life, 237. ’Tis yer brother that’s spakin’ to yez, and askin’ yez to hould yer whist!
