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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

KNOG, n. Also nog, and dim. (k)noggie (Cai. 1915 John o' Groat Jnl. (25 June)). [(k)nɔg]

1. A small cask, keg, firkin (Cai. 1907 County of Cai. (Horne) 77, Cai.⁷ 1942, rare; Uls. 1960); fig. a person or thing having a short, thick, stout appearance.Edb. 1703 Act for quenching of Fires (21 April) (Broadsheet):
The Council appoints to be made twenty-four Says and thirty six Stings with Knogs, whereof six standing full of Water with the Stings hanging by them.Cld. 1825 Jam.:
A knog of a chield. A knog of a stick.Arg. 1841 T. Agnew Poet. Wks. 83:
And muscles plenty in a noggie.Cai. 1916 John o' Groat Jnl. (7 April):
These sids were used to make sowans. A sowan “knog” or barrel stood in every kitchen.

2. A small wooden dish with one stave extended to form the handle (Dmf. 1825 Jam.; Kcb.¹ 1900, noggie); hence fig. a small house with a chimney in one gable only (Kcb.¹ 1900).Bnff. 1787 W. Taylor Scots Poems 3:
Withoutten whawkie or a nog o' ale.Dmf. 1797 Carlyle till Marriage (Wilson 1923) 15:
A small wooden can — they called it a noggie (or noggin) — to eat my porridge from.

3. = Kneg, n.¹, 2., the hand-grip of a scythe.Wgt. 1883 D. MacWhirter Ploughboy's Musings 23:
Hayfield toilers busy gleaned, While I on Dunty's knogs me leaned My airms tae rest.