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.
GUG, n., v. Also gugg, gog. [gʌg, güg]
I. n. The slime on fish (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), gog; Ork. 1929 Marw.; Sh., Ork. 1955). Also in pl. gugs (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.). Cf. Goog, n.Sh. 1911 “Viking” Fishcuring 68:
After heading and gutting they prefer to leave such fish spread out upon a pavement floor for a night or longer to let them “shoot the gug,” as it is termed — that is, to throw off the slime from the skin.
II. v. To besmear with slime from fish; to dirty, soil (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), ‡Sh. 1955). Cf. Goog, v.
[Partly imitative, prob. partly a back formation from Guggle, q.v. See note to Goog.]
