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.

SIGG, int., v. Also sig; sikk. Cf. Suck, int. [Sh. sɪg; Cai., Per. sɪk]

I. int. An exclamation to incite a dog to chase or attack an animal (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), 1914 Angus Gl.; Sh., Per. 1970).Sh. 1891 J. Burgess Rasmie's Büddie 40:
Hiss! Sigg him! nobble dugs!Sh. 1899 Shetland News (22 July):
Sig dem, sig, Berry, sig, sig.Sh. 1949 J. Gray Lowrie 10:
I kushed an' kirred, cried “shug, shug” an' “sig him.”

II. v. To incite or hound on a dog to attack (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928); Sh., Cai. 1970); transf. to enrage, goad, infuriate.Sh. 1953 New Shetlander No. 35. 8:
He siggit on da dug an aff da rabbit.Ork. 1956 C. M. Costie Benjie's Bodle 68:
Mair than eence they sikkid the dogs on her.Sh. 1968 New Shetlander No. 84. 17:
Just wait till Girzie o Gundie sees dem dere an I tell her at du brocht dem ta me. “Dat'll sig her!”