subs. (old cant).—1.  A word (HARMAN, B. E., and GROSE): in pl. (modern) = patter, talk, jocular speech. Also (2) (Scotch) = a lie, fib; (3) (provincial) = a dispute or quarrel. As verb (Scots’) = to lie. Also TO CUT WHIDS = to talk, to speak; TO CUT BIEN WHIDS = to talk fairly, softly, kindly; TO CUT QUEER WHIDS = to abuse, swear, BULLYRAG (q.v.); also WHIDDLE = to talk, tell or discover (B. E. and GROSE): spec. to reveal secrets, or give the game away: hence WHIDDLER = an informer.

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  1567.  HARMAN, A Caveat or Warening for Common Cursetors, 116. What! stowe your bene, cofe, and CUT BENAT WYDDS.

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  1622.  R. HEAD, The English Rogue.

        This doxie dell can CUT BIEN WHIDS,
  And drill well for a win.

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  1787.  BURNS, Death and Doctor Hornbook.

        Ev’n Ministers, they hae been kenn’d
            In holy rapture,
A rousing WHID, at times, to vend,
            An’ nail’t wi’ Scripture.

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  1821.  SCOTT, Kenilworth, x. Credit me, the swaggering vein will not pass here; you must CUT BOON WHIDS.

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  1834.  W. H. AINSWORTH, Rookwood (1864), 230. Here I am, pal Peter; and here are my two chums, Rust and Wilder. CUT THE WHID.

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  1876.  C. HINDLEY, ed. The Life and Adventures of a Cheap Jack, 254 The ‘WHIDS’ we used to crack over them.

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