Green’s Dictionary of Slang

be quiet!, also as n., silence; as adj., silent; as v., to be silent.

1542		Udall (trans.) Erasmus’ Apophthegms (1564) Bk II 381: At this sodain arriuall [...] the people being with feare astound were sodainly whished & weaxed dumme.
1590		Three Lords and Three Ladies of London D 1: Let us be whisht and we shall heare.
1607		Tourneur Revenger’s Tragedy (1967) III v: Whist, brother! music’s at our ear: they come.
1664		R. Howard The Committee II i: Whist, whist, Prethee have some pitty?
1684		A York-Shire Dialogue 53: Wheesht, wheesht, my Mother’s coming up I hear.
1802		R. Anderson ‘Barbary Bell’ Cumberland Ballads (1805) 4: I off wi’ my clogs, and as whisht as a mouse, / Claver’d up to the window, and tuik a peep.
1804		R. Anderson ‘Betty Brown’ Cumberland Ballads (1805) 3: But, whisht! here comes my titty Greace, / She’ll guess what we’re about.
1818		W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian (1883) 226: Whisht, whisht! here’s the Court coming.
1823		J.F. Cooper Pioneers (1827) II 262: ‘Whist, whist,’ said Natty, in a low voice.
1834		Marryat Peter Simple (1911) 75: ‘Whist, whist!’ cries Shaya, ‘you’ll wake the babby.’.
1841		‘Paddy Whack Of Ballyhack’ Dublin Comic Songster 140: Och! another tips the blarney, / With ‘whisht, my friend, and don’t offend / A gentleman of the army.’.
1845		D. Corcoran Pickings from N.O. Picayune (1847) 21: Well thin, why don’t ye whist?
1857		G. Lawrence Guy Livingstone 345: Whisht, whisht, I tell ye, and keep a quiet tongue.
1860		Poughkeepsie Jrnl (NY) 5 May 1/5: ‘Whist! whist! you thievin’ rogue,’ says the devil.
1879		C.J. Kickham Knocknagow 61: Arra whisht, Phil!
1884		R.C. Hartranft Journal of Solomon Sidesplitter 106: Whisht, Biddy, I’se trying an experiment.
1886		R.L. Stevenson Kidnapped 87: Wheesht, man! He’s paid the piper.
1891		B. Stoker Snake’s Pass 28: Whisht! Don’t ax me.
1907		J.M. Synge Playboy of the Western World Act II: Whisht! there’s someone inside the room. It’s a man.
1908		L. Doyle Ballygullion 108: ‘Wheesht, wheesht, man,’ sez the wife.
1913		A. Irvine My Lady of the Chimney Corner 155: ‘Whisht!’ Anna said. We listened.
1920		E. O’Neill Anna Christie Act II: Whisht, now me daisy!
1925		L. Doyle Dear Ducks 2: ‘Wheesht! Mr. Anthony,’ sez I.
1927		P. O’Donnell Islanders (1933) 88: ‘Whist, Sally,’ the mother remonstrated.
1934		O. Strange Sudden 92: Whist now, Whitey, don’t be after makin’ throuble.
1935		G. Blake Shipbuilders (1954) 29: ‘Wheesht!’ said Danny softly.
1952		B. MacMahon Children of the Rainbow 14: ‘Wheesh!’ said Galileo.
1953		L. Doyle Back to Ballygullion 165: ‘Wheesht! man, wheesht,’ sez he, lookin’ back over his shoulder, all scared.
1961		(con. 1930s) D. Behan Teems of Times and Happy Returns 123: Whist, will yis whist awhile!
1981		B. Behan ‘The Last of Mrs Murphy’ in After the Wake 22: ‘Oh, whisht your mouth,’ said my granny.
1985		T. Murphy Thief of a Christmas in Plays: 2 (1993) Act I: Whist! Is that ... ?
1996		D. Healy Bend for Home 119: Whisht! he said.
2001		G. Coughlan Everyday Eng. and Sl. 🌐 Ara be whist (v): shut up. [Ibid.] Whist (v): keep quiet.