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: 1824-1838, 1894
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SLING, v., n., adv.
I. v. A. Forms: pa.t. slang (now only dial. in Eng.), sleng (Rxb. 1873 D.S.C.S. 207); pa.p. slung.
B. Usages: 1. intr. To walk with a long, vigorous stride, to swing along (Sc. 1808 Jam.; Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 169; Bwk. 1942 Wettstein; Rxb. 1942 Zai, Rxb. 1970).s.Sc. 1836 Wilson's Tales of the Borders II. 162:
His bairns slingin at a pleugh-tail frae mornin' till nicht.Slk. 1838 Hogg Tales (1866) 7:
I slings aye on wi' a gey lang step.
2. To saunter idly about (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)).
II. n. 1. The swivels, hooks and chains of the draught-harness of a cart (Abd., Per., Lth., Bwk., Wgt. 1970). Also in n.Eng. dial.Rxb. 1894 Hist. Bwk. Nat. Club 177:
One day in winter Hobbie travelled to Unthank to get a sling made.
2. A swinging vigorous gait, a long striding step (Lth. 1808 Jam.; Bwk. 1942 Wettstein; Rxb. 1942 Zai, Rxb. 1970); a long way to walk.Rxb. 1894 Hist. Bwk. Nat. Club 177:
He had a ferr road ta gang. . . . It's a lang sling.
¶III. adv. In phr. to gae sling, to be sent flying, to go with a swinging throw.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 402:
For fear we may oursells gae sling To hell's grim knight.
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"Sling v., n., adv.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/sling>
