Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
PEG, n., v. Sc. usages:
I. n. 1. The wooden block used as a ball in the game of Shintie (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 378).
2. A shilling (Sc. 1839 H. Brandon Dict. Cant). Sc. slang.
‡3. A policeman (Abd.17 1880; Bnff., Fif., w.Lth. 1965). Sc. slang.Gsw. 1862 J. Gardner Jottiana 17:
“Pegs” wi' beats In our auld-fashioned but our bonny streets.Ayr. 1883 W. Aitken Lays 104:
The “peg” was puzzled.
4. Dim. peggie, (1) the bat used in the game of tip-cat (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.); (2) the game of knifie (Ib.). See Knife, 1.
II. v. 1. To whack, beat, belabour. Vbl.n. peggin, a beating, drubbing (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; w.Lth., s.Sc. 1965), deriv. pegger, in phr. a pegger of a shower, a heavy downpour of rain (Rxb. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XI. 140).Gsw. 1867 E. Johnston Poems 181:
Wi' a hazel rung may ye ne'er peg her!Lnk. 1882 J. Orr Laigh Flichts 18:
Never seeking to find Who had pegg'd him behind.
2. With oot: to pay or give out (a line, etc.).Lnk. 1895 J. Nicholson Kilwuddie 160:
Let her gang — Grannie! peg oot the line!
