Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1703, 1787-1916
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KNOG, n. Also nog, and dim. (k)noggie (Cai. 1915 John o' Groat Jnl. (25 June)). [(k)nɔg]
1. A small cask, keg, firkin (Cai. 1907 County of Cai. (Horne) 77, Cai.7 1942, rare; Uls. 1960); fig. a person or thing having a short, thick, stout appearance.Edb. 1703 Act for quenching of Fires (21 April) (Broadsheet):
The Council appoints to be made twenty-four Says and thirty six Stings with Knogs, whereof six standing full of Water with the Stings hanging by them.Cld. 1825 Jam.:
A knog of a chield. A knog of a stick.Arg. 1841 T. Agnew Poet. Wks. 83:
And muscles plenty in a noggie.Cai. 1916 John o' Groat Jnl. (7 April):
These sids were used to make sowans. A sowan “knog” or barrel stood in every kitchen.
2. A small wooden dish with one stave extended to form the handle (Dmf. 1825 Jam.; Kcb.1 1900, noggie); hence fig. a small house with a chimney in one gable only (Kcb.1 1900).Bnff. 1787 W. Taylor Scots Poems 3:
Withoutten whawkie or a nog o' ale.Dmf. 1797 Carlyle till Marriage (Wilson 1923) 15:
A small wooden can — they called it a noggie (or noggin) — to eat my porridge from.
3. = Kneg, n.1, 2., the hand-grip of a scythe.Wgt. 1883 D. MacWhirter Ploughboy's Musings 23:
Hayfield toilers busy gleaned, While I on Dunty's knogs me leaned My airms tae rest.
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"Knog n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/knog>
