Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1830, 1897-1956
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MIDGE, v., tr. and intr. To move, to shift position, esp. with a sideways movement, to budge, stir, nudge (Ork., Ags., Lth., Dmb. 1962).Per. 1830 Perthshire Advertiser (21 Oct.):
The dapper little waiter . . . midged the gentleman's shoulder with the bread-basket and whispered, “Tak a bit laif to ye'r egg, man”.Sc. 1897 W. Beatty Secretar xiii.:
Gif I had midged, he would have stuck me first.Edb. 1925 A. Muir Third Warning xxiv.:
“I want ma sleep”, retorted the man grimly, “midge off”.Edb. 1956:
To divide [in decimals] by a hundred ye midge the pint two places to the left.
