Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

RAG, n.², v.² Sc. usages:

I. n. 1. A disturbance, a noisy dispute (Lth., Rnf. 1825 Jam.; Bnff. 1904 E.D.D.); a scolding (Cld. 1825 Jam.).

2. Phrs.: (1) geed at 'e rag, voluble in taunting and chaffing (Cai. 1904 E.D.D.); (2) to hae a rag oot o, to enjoy a joke at another's expense, to get a laugh out of (Sh., Cai., Bnff., Abd., m.Sc., Uls. 1967); (3) to tak the rag o, to make sport of, make a fool of (Sh., ne.Sc., Per., Fif., sm.Sc. 1967).(2) Kcb. 1897 A. J. Armstrong Robbie Rankine 5:
As Geordie was by nae means averse to a joke he thocht he wad at least hae a rag oot o' the auld fallow.(3) Abd. 1921 Swatches o' Hamespun 8:
Mony a begunk he got files wi eemirsome breets takin' the rag o' him.

II. v. To scold, rate, reproach severely (Sc. 1808 Jam.; Bnff., Abd., Ags., Fif., Uls. 1967). Colloq. or dial. in Eng. Vbl.n. raggin, the act of reproaching, a scolding; a debate, contention (Lth., Rnf. 1825 Jam.).Abd. 1901 Weekly Free Press (24 Aug.):
She's aye naggin', raggin' at the loon.