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: 1790-1927
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SANG, int. Also saang, san (Fif. 1899 J. Colville Vernacular 18), and in phrs. (by) my sang(s), by saggs, san(g)[i]t, singan certy [ < sang and certie]. A mild expletive of asseveration or surprise, by Jove!, upon my word! (Per. 1915 Wilson L. Strathearn 265; Sh., Ork., Bnff., Ayr., Wgt., Kcb. 1969). [sɑŋ]Rnf. 1790 A. Wilson Poems 87:
But, by my sang! now gin we meet, We'll ha'e a tramp right clever.Sc. 1829 E. Logan Restalrig xiv.:
my sang(s), by saggs, san(g)′[i]t, singan certy.Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb i.:
Sang, that's nae vera easy deen.Rxb. 1873 Trans. Hawick Arch. Soc. 202:
Aye, ma sangs, en a good house it is.Lnk. 1881 A. Wardrop J. Mathison's Courtship 105:
The nicht is wearin' late.; An' mither she wad say "my sang".Uls. 1886 W. G. Lyttle Sons of Sod iv.:
"It's freezin gie an' keen a'm thinkin'." "Sang, it is that, mem."Mry. 1897 J. Mackinnon Braefoot Sk. 169:
"Is't a corn? "said Eppie, "Na, san't," replied San'ers.Sh. 1898 J. Burgess Tang 31:
Bi mi sang! I tink dat did him.Ags. 1898 A. H. Rea Divot Dyke 72:
Anither rug — by saggs, a muckle troot.Ork. 1908 Old-Lore Misc. I. viii. 317:
Bae me singan certy dat billy got siccan a gluff dat he gaed straight tae the tither ane.Arg. 1917 A. W. Blue Quay Head Tryst 24, 86:
My sang! it's droll tae think o' you an' me crackin' here. . . . "Sang! we'll risk it".Sc. 1927 Scots Mag. (April) 3:
By sang! That took some daein'.
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"Sang interj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/sang_interj>
