Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SNIG, n.², v.² Also sneeg.

I. n. A sharp jerk, a sudden pull (Cai. 1904 E.D.D., Cai. 1971). Also in Eng. dial.Cai. 1933 John o' Groat Jnl. (20 Oct). 8:
So up we gangs an', as luck wid hev id, 'ere's a mannie stannin' on a engine an' gies a sneeg til 'e han'le an' a jeeg til anither aine, an', boy, 'e engine gave twa blosts.

II. v. To pull sharply, to jerk (Cai. 1904 E.D.D.; Uls. 1953 Traynor; Cai. 1971). Also in Eng. dial.Cai. 1939:
He snigged the reins out of my hand.