A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Knag, n.1 Also: knagg. [ME. (c 1440) and e.m.E. knag(ge knob or projection on a tree, peg, knot in wood, crag, point of a stag's horn, LG. and G. knagge, and cf. Da., Norw., Sw. knag, knagg, knagge.]
A peg or knob for hanging things on (as fixed to a wall or beam, and normally of wood).1540 Lynd. Sat. 4033.
[Dissait:] Allace, maister, ȝe hurt my crag. [Sariand:] It will hurt bettir, … Richt now quhen ȝe hing on a knag [sc. the arm of the gallows] 1662 Crim. Trials III. 605.
An pictur of clay … of the lairdis sones … wes hung wp wpon an knag Ib. 618.
We took it owt of the fyre … and did lay [it] vp on a knag, and sometimes vnder a chist 1672 Sinclair Hydrostaticks 154.
[In a diving bell] several knags of iron may be fastened … to the sides within, to which a man fastning his hands, may keep his body fixed 1685 Soc. Ant. LVIII. 357.
In the laigh hall … knags for hinging of clocks & coats 1690 Brief Account Sufferings Church Scotland 13.
This clergy-poet was famous and well known by the name of Knaggs a Scotch word for a pin to hang any thing on 1693 Answ. Presb. Eloq. (1693) 64.
He told her that he had hung it upon a knagg
