A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Twang, n.1 [e.m.E. twang (a1553), twange (1594).] Nasality, the quality of a sound articulated through the nose. —1692 Presb. Eloq. (1692) 7.
A person that hath the dexterity of whining, may make a great congregation of them weep with an ode of Horace … especially if he can but drivel a little either at mouth or eyes … The snuffling and twang of the nose, passes for the gospel sound
