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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Quotation dates: 1788, 1853-1924

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HEGS, int. Also haigs, hages. An exclamation or mild oath (Ayr. 1825 Jam.; Cai. 1902 E.D.D.; Ork., Cai., Abd., Rxb. 1956), used to express emphatic assertion or surprise = faith, indeed!, by Jove!Rnf. 1788 E. Picken Poems 50:
Hegs, man, that's true, quo' Jock.
Lnk. 1853 W. Watson Poems 35:
But, hegs, when the Minister body cam in, The sorry a biddin' he needet but ane.
Fif. 1864 W. D. Latto T. Bodkin ii.:
Haigs it cheats me, . . . if the twa o' them hae na been haudin' their Hogmanay at Jeannie Gallowa's.
Lnk. 1885 F. Gordon Pyotshaw iii.:
By hages! Jean, it's weel kent aboot the raws that ye wear the breeks.
Abd. 1924 Swatches o' Hamespun 71:
Haigs, ay, cairryin a basket is gey het work!

[From Haith, id. on analogy with Fegs and faith.]

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