a. Forms: α. 6–9 techy, 7 techie, teachy, -ie, 9 dial. teachy, teechy. β. 6– tetchy; also 7 tetchie, tecchy, titchie, tichy, 9 dial. titchy, tertchy. γ. dial. 8–9 tatchy, 9 tachy. [In form, a deriv. of TETCH, but that word being both less common and app. of later appearance, may be a back-formation from this. Derivation from TATCH sb.1 (in ME. tecche, 16th c. tetche) has been suggested; but there are difficulties both of form and sense.]
1. Easily irritated or made angry; quick to take offence; short-tempered; peevish, irritable; testy. (Cf. TOUCHY, which has been associated with this from early in the 17th c.) a. Of persons.
α. 1592. Shaks., Rom. & Jul., i. iii. 32 (Qos.). Pretty foole, to see it teachie, and fall out with the Dugge.
1639. W. Perkins, in Lismore Papers, Ser. II. (1888), IV. 55. Hee is as teachy as any wasp.
1642. Rogers, Naaman, 99. A techie toy, that is, his prejudicate and forestalled heart.
1674. Ray, S. & E. C. Words (1691), 117. Techy, i.e. Touchy, peevish, cross, apt to be angry.
1817. J. Gilchrist, Intell. Patrimony, 109. This pure and honourable body was very techy and ticklish on the point of privilege.
1853. W. Irving, in Life & Lett. (1864), IV. 159. I was a little techy under your bantering.
β. 1596. Harington, Ulysses upon Ajax, E vj b. For which cause you are waxt so tetchie.
1611. Cotgr., Se piquer, to be titchie, soone offended, quickly moued. Ibid., s.v. Poincte, Chatouilleur à la poincte … that readily answers the spurre; hence also, titchie, that will not indure to be touched.
1641. in ‘Smectymnuus,’ Vind. Answ., § 2. 29. We are sullen…, tecchy and quarrelsome men.
1642. Rogers, Naaman, 267. Jonas … was wondrous tetchy.
1733. Swift, Lett. to D’chess Queensberry, 20 March. You are grown very tetchy since I lost the dear friend who was my supporter.
1851. Trench, St. Aug. on Serm. on Mt., Introd. v. 69, note. Jerome … whom none can deny … to have been somewhat tetchy and prompt to take offence.
γ. 1746. Exmoor Scolding (E.D.S.), 21. Ya purting, tatchy,… mincing Theng.
1892. Hewett, Peas. Sp. Devon, 132. I niver zeed zich a tatchy, ill-contrived little twoad.
b. Of qualities, actions, etc.: Characterized by or proceeding from irritability.
1592. Nobody & Someb., in Simpson Sch. Shaks. (1878), I. 279. Nay, now youle fall into your techy humour.
1610. Guillim, Heraldry, III. vii. (1660), 134. The Nettle is of so tetchie and froward a nature.
1652. Mod. Policies, III. (1653). Colasterion, King-killing,… I know it a techy subject.
1841. Lever, C. O’Malley, xxx. Gradually increased to a sore and techy subject.
1864–5. Wood, Homes without H., xxiii. (1868), 425. A mere stinging creature with a tetchy temper.
2. fig. Of land: see quots. dial.
1847–78. Halliwell, Tetchy.… applied to land that is difficult to work or to manage.
1904. in Eng. Dial. Dict., If yer plough or roll when ’tis wet yer dew more harm nor good; that land’s wonnerful tetchy, I can tell yer.
Hence Tetchlly adv.; Tetchiness.
1647. Trapp, Comm. Ep., 664. As any man is more industrious and ingenious, so be teacheth more *teachily and painfully.
1755. Johnson, Techily.
1862. F. W. Robinson, Owen, IV. vi. ‘I’ll not touch bit or sup to-day,’ she cried, tetchily; ‘you can’t do better than leave me to myself.’
1623. Bp. Hall, Contempl., O. T., XIX. viii. Not the unjust fury and techiness of the patient shall cross the cure.
1793. Anna Seward, Lett. (1811), III. 246. The froward tetchiness; the unprincipled malice;… which generally darkened … the man’s brain.
1905. Times, 5 March, 10/3. Were it not for M. K——’s tetchiness … I should feel inclined to … issue … a classic excuse.
