Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
‡FERGE, v., n. Also .†phairg (Gregor). [ferdʒ, ferg]
I. v. To work, do anything with vigour, to rub, beat hard, etc.; often implying with little result (Abd.14 1915). With at or up. Vbl.n. fergin, phairgan.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 125:
Phairg up the knife o' the stane. Phairg up's back till 'im.Abd.15 1950:
He's haudin a sad fergin at that dyke biggin up the slaps, an feyin the stank.
II. n. The act of rubbing (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 125).
[A variant of Ferk, q.v. The [dȝ] is due to palatalisation. Cf. ferky, s.v. Ferk.]
