Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

GANGE, v., n. Also ganje, †gaunge, gaunzie  [gɑn(d)ʒ, ′gɑnzi]

I. v. 1. To show the gums, hence to grin (Mry.¹ 1925).

2. “To prate tediously” (Mry. 1825 Jam.; Bnff.⁴ 1927), to chatter; to gossip (Mry.¹ 1925; Abd.² 1949).Abd. 1898 J. R. Imray Sandy Todd 94:
That hug-ma-hush ganjin' clorach o' a deem, Eppie Mowatt, wha pat oot sic a spin aboot's.Abd. 1932 R. L. Cassie Scots Sangs 8:
The ganjin' kaes an' claikin' craws Are reddin' up their hoose.

†3. “To talk in a pert, silly manner” (Sc. 1880 Jam., ga(u)nge; Mry.² 1927), “to talk insolently” (Abd.⁶ 1913); sometimes with up (Abd. 1825 Jam.).

4. To brag, boast (Sc. 1880 Jam.); to exaggerate, fib.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 59:
He keeps an unco gaungean aboot's ain great deeans.Bch. 1941 C. Gavin Black Milestone i.:
He had long ago put the Frenchman down as having “a ganjin' tongue.”Abd.¹⁵ 1953:
Meggie's midder wis mairriet tull a weeshin o' a mannie, ca'ed Johnnie Shearer, a puffin' ganjin ted.

II. n. 1. A projecting or drooping lower jaw (Abd.²⁷ 1954). Hence gangie, -y, adj., having such a jaw; also used as n.Abd. 1835 Abd. Shaver (Oct.) 200:
The third, nicknamed “Gangy,” from a prominence of his under jaw.Per. 1916 T.S.D.C. II.: 
He has a gey gaunzie, i.e., a twisted or ill-shaped mouth.

2. “Pert, foolish speaking” (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 59), a gossiping tongue.Abd.⁸ 1917:
“Ye've a ganje that wid sair a wife o' sixty” — said to a young girl.

†3. Boasting (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 59, gaunge).