Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1823-1875
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DEG, Daig, v., n., adv. [deg]
1. v.
(1) "To strike a sharp-pointed object into any thing, by means of a smart stroke" (Upp.Lnk., Ayr. 1825 Jam.2). Known to Bnff.2, Abd.2 1940.Upp.Lnk., Ayr.1825 Jam.2:
Deg the knife into the buird.
(2) "To pierce with small holes or indentations by means of smart strokes with a sharp-pointed instrument" (Ib.). Hence degger, "one who degs" (Ib.).
2. n.
(1) A sharp stroke, a dig (Bnff.2 1940; Upp.Lnk., Ayr. 1825 Jam.2). Also fig.Abd. 1875 G. Macdonald Malcolm II. xix.:
An' ilka ane as he said na, wad gie the stallion aneth him a daig wi' 's spurs, or a kick i' the ribs.Gsw. 1863 J. Young Ingle Nook 60:
It bad me think, at ilka deg aye, Hoo I'd disgraced my guileless Peggie.Ayr. 1823 Galt R. Gilhaize I. xi.:
Winterton, when he lay down, gave him a deg with his elbow, and swore at him to be quiet.
(2) "The hole or indentation thus produced" (Upp.Lnk., Ayr. 1825 Jam.2).
Phr.: to play deg, to poke, in a sexual sense. Ayr. 1841 J. Paton Songs 10:
He had a daughter named pork Meg And many o' ane at her played d-g.
3. adv. With a sharp blow.wm.Sc. 1835–37 Laird of Logan I. 281:
I could see the swurds sometimes come deg against the tender shanks of the leddies.
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"Deg v., n., adv.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/deg>
