Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
HUGGERY-MUGGERY, adj., adv. Also huggry muggry, huggrie-mug(g)rie, hog(e)ry-mogery, and curtailed forms hug(ge)rie (Bwk., Rxb. 1825 Jam.; Ayr. 1957). Sc. forms of Eng. hugger-mugger, adj., furtive, disorderly, untidy (Lth. 1808 Jam., hogry-mogry; Rxb. 1925 E. C. Smith Mang Howes 21; Ags., m.Lth., Dmf., Rxb. 1957); adv., furtively, in a confused or disorderly state (Fif. 1808 Jam.; Bwk., Rxb. 1825 Jam.; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Dmf. 1957). Also as a n., clandestine conduct (Sc. 1818 Sawers).Ayr. 1823 Galt Entail lxxvii.:
He'll no daur to say a word to me about a huggery-muggery matrimonial.Ags. 1853 W. Blair Aberbrothock 46:
Than he huggry-muggry like crap awa.Per. 1857 J. Stewart Sketches 61:
I'm wae to see a puir man's chucky Turn out a huggry-muggry lucky.Fif. 1864 W. D. Latto T. Bodkin xxx.:
Mrs Clinkscales was but a hogery-mogery sort o' a body, wha didna care a winnelstrae hoo muckle dirt she carried aboot wi' her.Edb. 1876 J. Smith Archie and Bess 12:
Where hae ye been, ye huggry-muggry-lookin' trollop?Rxb. 1925 E. C. Smith Mang Howes 21:
Imagin iz: . . . rufflt claes, creest an huggery-muggery.
