Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1898-1929
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SLAG, n.3, v.3 Also slaag; sla. [slɑ:g]
I. n. 1. A slap, swinging blow, “slug”; a beating, drubbing (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)).Sh. 1898 Shetland News (24 Dec.):
I gae her a slaag wi' da eel.
2. A heavy swell in the sea (Ork. 1970).Ork. 1929 Marw.:
The're a filty slag in the sea the day.
3. A heavy clumsy person or thing, a great hulking object (Sh. 1970).Ork. 1929 Marw.:
A great slag o' a wife, a muckle slag o' a boat.
4. An indefinite number, a crowd, swarm (Sh. 1904 E.D.D., a slaag o bairns). Also in reduced form sla (Ib.).
II. v. To hit with a swinging blow, slap, “swipe”. Vbl.n. slagin, a beating, “thumping” (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), Sh. 1970).Sh. 1898 Shetland News (8 Jan.):
I wid tink little o' slaagin dee afore da mooth.Sh. 1900 Shetland News (10 March):
Doo'd no slaagid Tamy o' da Lees wi' a weet cob.
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"Slag n.3, v.3". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 6 Feb 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/slag_n3_v3>
