Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1779-1904
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BROG, brogue, brug, n., v. Also browg (Cai. 1972 D. Omand Cai. Book 244). [brɔg, brog, brʌg Sc.; brʌug (Cai.7)]
1. n.
(1) A bradawl; a boring instrument; a goad. Gen.Sc.Bwk. 1811–1892 P. Coldwell in Minstrelsy of the Merse (ed. Crockett 1893) 337:
For David [a donkey] she seldom had reason to flog, Though gently she touched him at times wi' the brogue.Ayr. 1887 J. Service Dr Duguid 82:
He had . . . a lang brog or wummle to take a potatoe out of a cow's throat.
(2) “A job [jab] with such an instrument” (Sc. 1808 Jam.).
(3) Also brug. Anything pointed, e.g. the prickle of a thistle. Used fig. in quot.Sc. 1890 J. Kerr Hist. of Curling 347:
When, in 1879, the bannet [the stake in the game] was regained at last, every “brug” of the Thistle [a New York curling club] was assembled together at William Meikle's, and . . . there was great rejoicing.Fif. 1882 J. Hutton Poet. Musings 24:
There were nae rurals then to lay on the tawse; A bit brug in oor feet a' the dreein' o't.
2. v. To prick, pierce; “to pierce (a hole) with or as with an awl” (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.); to sting (Ork. 1975). Hence brogger, a bee, wasp, gad-fly, etc. Also fig. Known to Abd.2, Lnl.1 1936 Ork.(D) 1904 Dennison Orcad. Sk. 6:
De witless jads kent no' whar tae stick the fish. Sae they geed brogan wi' heuks on de hard heeds o' the whalls.Per. 1857 J. Stewart Sketches 38:
If he's dead, I'll be broggit wi' grief and repentance.Slg. 1841 R.M.S. The Harp of Strila 122:
His dog . . . wi' his teeth did sair them brug, And gart them bleat.Bwk. 1823 A. Hewit Poems 95:
I was ready maist to pou', Whan up the wicked broggers flew Wi' eerie biz.Lnk. c.1779 D. Graham Writings (1883) II. 16:
Jockey's mither was driven o're a kist, and brogget a her hips on a round heckle.
Hence †broggit-staff, a staff with a sharp iron point; a pikestaff.Sc. 1846 Anon. The Muckomachy (based on W. Drummond Polemo-Middinia) 35:
To wraik revenge; — Swinging he gaff [gave] Clark's broggit-staff Siccan a baff, As made it flee some ten yards aff.
