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 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

TEEGER, n., v. Also teager (Ags. 1883 J. M. Beatts Reminisc. (Ser. 2) 128), teegar, teegger (Sc. 1826 Wilson Noctes Amb. (1855) I. 135), teegur (Fif. 1894 J. W. McLaren Tibbie and Tam 32); tigger (Sc. 1911 S.D.D.). Sc. forms and usages of Eng. tiger. [′tigər]

I. n. 1. As in Eng.: lit. the animal, fig. a person with a fierce, quarrelsome nature, comb. tiger-tarran, “a waspish child” (Rxb. 1825 Jam.). See Tirran; jocularly, a female partner at a dance (Cai. 1972).Sc. 1834 Tait's Mag. (Oct.) 640:
But he's fairly at bay now, and a real Teeger.Sc. 1840 G. Webster Ingliston xxxvii.:
They fecht like twa teegars.Ags. 1894 J. B. Salmond My Man Sandy (1899) 91:
Girnin' an' skoolin' at him like a teegar.Kcb. 1901 R. Trotter Gall. Gossip 50:
She's an awful teeger yon.

2. Fig., a sandwich consisting of alternate layers of jellied ox-cheek and bread, popular with farm servants (Ags. c.1920), ? from its stripey appearance.

II. v. To look fierce; to clench the teeth and fists (e.Lth., Bwk. 1972).e.Lth. 1885 S. Mucklebackit Rural Rhymes 235:
Teegerin' wi' yer broos, and glowerin' aboot ye.