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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.

MURG, n., v. Also morg. [mʌrg]

I. n. A mass or conglomeration, esp. of dirty or messy material; a heavy fall of snow.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
A morg o' dirt; . . . to be in a morg; . . . de station is in a morg o' fish.
Sh. 1956 New Shetlander No. 43. 23:
Aaprile patches of snow faans from the heavy murg that fell in Janniwirry still lie by the sides of the burn.

II. v. To work one's way painstakingly and perseveringly through a pile of work (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.); to work constantly with a pile of unpleasant material, such as in cleaning fish, potatoes, etc. (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), morg); to fiddle about with constantly (Ib.).Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
Du is morgin ut de fire, you are spoiling the fire, making it go out by poking it too much.

[Norw. dial. morke, mass, multitude, commotion, murka, to work industriously, to potter, poke.]

19090

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