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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Quotation dates: 1816, 1898-1900

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BACK-HASH, BAGHASH, n. and v. [′bɑk′hɑʃ, bɑg′hɑʃ]

1. n. Abusive talk.Per. 1898 G.W. in E.D.D.:
Back-hash. In common use.

2. v. To abuse, to scold vigorously.Ags., e.Per. a.1900 (per Ags.6):
The form baghash is the one in use in Frf. and e.Per., and means "to annoy, molest," as well as "to abuse." "Ca'in' me ill names ahent my back, spoilin' my trade, an' baghashin' me in every possible manner."Per. 1816 J. Duff Poems 84:
Whan routhless whip-men, scant o' grace, Baghash an' bann them to their face.

[The form bag for back is prob. due to association of hash with hag, to torment — e.g. Stevenson's Catriona xv. "a hand in hagging and hashing at Christ's kirk." See also Hash, ribald talk, nonsense.]

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