A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1513, 1584-1681
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Mug, n. Also: mugg, mwg(g. [ME. mogge (1400), e.m.E. (north.) mugge (1570), of uncertain etymology: cf. Norw., Dan. mugge, -a, Swed. mugg, EFris. mukke, LG. muck, mock, Du. dial. mok, in similar uses.] An earthenware bowl, pot or jar. 1513 Doug. viii. Prol. 95.
Sum gowkis quhill the glas pyg [etc.] … thocht clay muggis crakkis a1585 Polwart Flyt. 796 (T).
Laisie luggis, leap iuggis, twm mwggis [H. toome the muggs] on the midding 1586 Edinburgh Testaments XV. 100.
Certane muggis and piggis estimat to x s. 1604 Dundonald Par. Rec. 55.
He brocht to the said Allexander … watter in ane mvg 1616 Edinburgh Testaments XLIX. 99.
Ane mekill butter mug with sum vther weschallis 1628 Master of Works Accounts MS. XXII. 4.
Half ane pund of glew iiij s., ane mug to melt it in viij d. 1641 Edinburgh Testaments LIX. 269.
Certane lame veshellis viz. … apothecar cannis, … littell mugis, possett cops [etc.] Colvil 1681 Whig's Suppl. ii. 9.
Ther clouts and papers little mugs stops
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"Mug n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/mug_n>
