Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
CLAUG, Claag, Klaag, Klag, n. and v. [klɑ:g (Jak.)]
1. n. “A clamorous sound of many birds or voices” (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., claag; 1914 Angus Gl., klaag), a cackling; “jabber, twaddle” (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), klag).Sh. 1898 Shet. News (12 Feb.):
Pit hit i' dy ain mooth, man, an' nae mair o' dy claug.Sh.(D) 1899 J. Spence Sh. Folk-Lore 240:
Da klaag o' wir klokkin flukner waukened me.
2. v. To cackle, clamour (of fowls); “applied to vociferous speaking” (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.); “to jabber, twaddle” (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)).Sh.(D) 1898 “Junda” Echoes from Klingrahool 22:
Up i da air da maas flee roond, An claug wi a most melodious soond.
Hence klaager, a hen (Sh. 1899 J. Spence Sh. Folk-Lore 121).
[O.N. klak, chirping of birds, klaka, to twitter, chatter (of birds) (Zoëga), prob. imitative. O.N. ă is lengthened in Sh. Norn before a single consonant (Jak. Intro. xliv.).]
