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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.

CAG, KAG, Kagg, Kaig, Caug, n. [kɑ(:)g Sc.; keg Kcb.]

1. A keg (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), kagg). Known to Bnff.2, Fif.1 1938. Also in Eng. dial. (E.D.D.). Dims. caggie, cagy, caugie.Sc. 1818 Scott H. Midlothian xlv.:
There were at least a dozen of different preparations of milk, plenty of cold meat, scores boiled and roasted eggs, a huge cag of butter.
e.Rs. (Avoch) 1916 (per Mry.2):
Wan o' them wiz cumin doon the rod wi a full cag.
Mry. 1899 Elf Hill of Birnie in Courant 8:
They likit every kag and kirnie.
Ags.(D) 1890 Brechin Advertiser (7 Oct.) 3/5:
An' syne there's the robber's cave, faur we'll maybe fa' in wi' a weel seasoned caggie o' the mountain dew.
Ayr. 1822 H. Ainslie Pilgrimage, etc. 193:
What can ye expect frae me, wha I may say, lifted my mouth frae my mither's breast to the brandy cag!
Kcb. 1789 D. Davidson Seasons 71:
An' there some sat wi' licker In kaigs that day.

2. “The water barrel on board a fishing boat” (Mry.1 1925, caugie).

3. fig. Stomach, belly (e.Rs.1 1929; Bnff.2, Edb.1 1938).w.Dmf.7 1929:
Toom cagy, an empty stomach.

[O.Sc. cag, caig, kag, kaig, 1497, a small cask, a keg (D.O.S.T.); n.Mid.Eng. kag, 1452, E.M.E. cag; O.N. kaggi, keg, cask (Zoëga).]

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