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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.

MUG, v.2 To thrash, to administer corporal punishment (Rnf. 1880 Jam.). Also in Eng. dial. Hence vbl.n. muggin, a beating (w.Lth., Lnk. 1963), in Heriot's school slang, esp. one administered by another schoolboy.Edb. 1898 J. Baillie Walter Crighton 112:
The tawnying sumph o' a teller, he deserves a proper muggin'.
Edb. 1906 C. B. Gunn G. Heriot's Hospital 75:
These were exempted from fagging and were only to receive a “muggin” or punishment from another boy upon exceptional provocation only.

[From pugilist slang mug, to strike on the mug or face.]

19007

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