Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV). Includes material from the 1976 and 2005 supplements.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
GAIG, n., v. Also geg, gag; gyag (Cai. and Kcb.), gagger. [geg, gɛg, g(j)ɑ:g]
I. n. 1. A crack or chink, as in dry wood (Lnk. 1825 Jam.; Cai.7, Kcb., Dmf., 1953). Ags. 1993 Mary McIntosh in Joy Hendry Chapman 74-5 112:
He pit his ee tae the gaig. It wis the skimmer o a caunle, the low gien smaa licht. The har on the back o his craig prinkled at the pewlin soon cummin oot o that bleck pit.
2. A chap in the hands (Lnk. 1825 Jam.; Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 217, gaig; Dmf. 1925 Trans. Dmf. & Gall. Antiq. Soc. 26; Bnff.2 1946; Ayr. (geg), Kcb. (gag), Dmf. 1953).
3. “A deep, ragged cut, or wound” (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 225, gag(ger); Bnff.2 1946), a large, festering sore (Gregor, gagger).
II. v. †1. To crack, in consequence of heat or drought (Upp. Cld., Lnk. 1825 Jam., geg). Sc. 1726 Ramsay Poems (S.T.S.) III. 198:
Mind, O mind! ye're Made of Clay whilk if ye keepna blythy sappy ye'll gyssen geg & mool decay.
‡2. To chap (of the hands) (Ib.; Cai. 1900 E.D.D., gaig; ‡Cai.7, Kcb.10 1953).
3. “To cut or wound deeply, with the idea of a ragged edge” (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 225; Bnff.7 1927).
[O.Sc. has gaig, to split or crack, 1585, gaggit, cracked, chapped, c.1590; Gael. gàg, Ir. gág, a cleft, chink, chap.]
