Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BANGIE, n. A man specially appointed to watch the Solway and river Annan for salmon poachers. Gen. a civilian was employed but sometimes the duty devolved upon a policeman.Dmf. 1870 Notes and Q. 4th Ser. VI. 398:
In Annan, when threatening boys with the police for misconduct, it is said, “I'll send the bangie eftir ye.”m.Dmf.5 1933:
Bangie was never applied to ordinary policemen but only to the one delegated to watch the Solway and the river Annan.
Comb.: water-bangie, is still known in the district amongst old people (m.Dmf.5 1933).
[E.D.D. says that bangie is a contraction of Bang-the-beggar, q.v.]
