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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BOUG, BOWG, n. “Stomach, belly. (Of children)” (Cai. 1907 D. B. Nicolson in County of Cai. 66, s.v. bowg: Cai.1 c.1920, boug). [bʌug, see P.L.D. § 55]Cai.(D) 1922 J. Horne Poems, etc. 11:
Filled yer bowg wi glory.

Hence bougsy, adj., ill-shaped, i.e. with distended stomach as a result of wrong feeding. Often applied to cattle.Cai. 1911 D.D. in John o' Groat Jnl. (3 Feb.):
An ill-fed calf may be described as a “bougsy moniment.”

[From Gael. balg, bolg, bag, belly; Irish bolg, id., O.Irish bolc; cogn. Goth. balgs, a wine-skin; O.N. belgr, a skin. Cf. Eng. belly.]

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