cheek n Cp OED ~ sb 10 'side-pieces of a pike-head' (1598-1635) for sense 2.
   1 Fleshy part of cod's head; FACE.
   1962 Nfld Fisheries Conf 219 [Using a splitting machine] there is a little loss of flesh on the cheek of the fish, not on the bone, it cleans the bone cleaner than a knife. Q 71-15 The cheeks of the cod [are] also known as sculps. 1975 The Rounder Sep, p. 12 Cheeks have a taste and texture all their own but are almost impossible to buy.
   2 Notch in a sealer's 'gaff' in which the iron hook is fastened.
   T 80/3-64 One end [of the plank is] jammed between the rising and the plank o' the boat; and t'other end, he'd be cut out like a cheek of a gaff so as your boat-hook'd bide unto un.
   3 Attrib cheek music: humming or singing nonsense syllables by one person to provide lively, rhythmic accompaniment for others to dance; CHIN MUSIC, MOUTH MUSIC.
   [1900 OLIVER & BURKE] 58 Cheek music, song for you, / Our repertory through. 1906 Nfld Qtly Dec, p. 4 The more lively lilt of the wordless songs, the jigging or cheek-music in which the airs of 'The pigeon on the gate' or the 'Wind that shakes the barley,' were very melodiously turned round the tongue while the younger folks danced jigs, reels, cotillions and 'setts.' 1924 ENGLAND 264 If instrumental music lacked, some old livyere might hold quid in hand and furnish 'cheek music' with a lively refrain of 'Tra-la-la, Toora-loo!' or of 'Ty-de-lit-lit-de! Do-de-do! Tiddle-do-do-dum!' 1968 DILLON 144 Someone there had [i.e. knew or used] cheek music.

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