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.
PIG, n.3 Also pieg, peag, peaig; peg (Jak.). Dim. pegi (Id.). A small, underdeveloped plant or animal, something of stunted growth (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1908 Jak. (1928), 1914 Angus Gl., Sh. 1965), specif. a stunted or diseased cabbage or kail plant (Id.); jocularly, the penis (Sh. 1965). [pig]Sh. 1877 G. Stewart Fireside Tales 144:
Gadder ye up da twa or tree peags o' kail, an' lay dem üdbe aside da lambs.Sh. 1897 Shetland News (25 Dec.):
Da kail is grown weel dis year, alto i' yon shaald shurgy bit i' da head o' da yard der naethin' bit peaigs.Sh. 1903 E.D.D.:
In early spring small shoots like tiny cabbages grow on the stems of cabbages, and these shoots are properly called “peaigs”. Hence comparatively any very small cabbage.
