Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1933
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RIG, n.3 Also wrig (Jam.) and dim. riggie. See also Wrig.
1. The smallest animal or weakling of a litter (Fif. c.1850 R. Peattie MS., 1926 Wilson Cent. Scot. 262; Ayr. c.1930; Sh., Cai., Ags., Per., Fif., m.Lth., Ayr., Gall. 1968); the feeblest bird in a nest (Sc. 1808 Jam.).
2. A term of contempt applied to a human being; a puny child (Sc. 1808 Jam.); a weakling, deformed person.m.Sc. 1933 J. Ressich Thir Braw Days 30:
Eicht-an'-twenty gallon [of lost whisky], laddie. 'Deed aye, nae wonner it brack the auld rig's hairt.
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"Rig n.3". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/rig_n3>
