Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BACKGANGIN, BACK-GAUN, n. Still used (n.Sc., Fif., m.Lth., Bwk., wm., sm.Sc. 1975, back-gaun).
1. A relapse. [′bɑk′gɑŋɪn, -′gɑən]Ayr. 1819 Kilmarnock Mirror and Literary Gleaner 134:
Gif ony o' their bairns teuk a backgangin.Kcb.(D) 1877 “Saxon” (ed.) Gall. Gossip 98:
About fifteen she took a back-gaun, and turned as din as a djeuk's fit.
2. Returning, the way back. w.Lth. 1892 R. Steuart Legends 174:
We'll best mak' that oor first ca', and then ye can gang again i' the backgaun'.
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"Backgangin n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 29 Apr 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/backgangin>
