Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SANG, int. Also saang, san (Fif. 1899 J. Colville Vernacular 18), and in phrs. (by) my sang(s), by saggs, san(g)[i]t, singan certy [ < sang and certie]. A mild expletive of asseveration or surprise, by Jove!, upon my word! (Per. 1915 Wilson L. Strathearn 265; Sh., Ork., Bnff., Ayr., Wgt., Kcb. 1969). [sɑŋ]Rnf. 1790 A. Wilson Poems 87:
But, by my sang! now gin we meet, We'll ha'e a tramp right clever.Sc. 1829 E. Logan Restalrig xiv.:
my sang(s), by saggs, san(g)′[i]t, singan certy.Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb i.:
Sang, that's nae vera easy deen.Rxb. 1873 Trans. Hawick Arch. Soc. 202:
Aye, ma sangs, en a good house it is.Lnk. 1881 A. Wardrop J. Mathison's Courtship 105:
The nicht is wearin' late.; An' mither she wad say “my sang”.Uls. 1886 W. G. Lyttle Sons of Sod iv.:
“It's freezin gie an' keen a'm thinkin'.“ “Sang, it is that, mem.“Mry. 1897 J. Mackinnon Braefoot Sk. 169:
“Is't a corn? “said Eppie, “Na, san't,“ replied San'ers.Sh. 1898 J. Burgess Tang 31:
Bi mi sang! I tink dat did him.Ags. 1898 A. H. Rea Divot Dyke 72:
Anither rug — by saggs, a muckle troot.Ork. 1908 Old-Lore Misc. I. viii. 317:
Bae me singan certy dat billy got siccan a gluff dat he gaed straight tae the tither ane.Arg. 1917 A. W. Blue Quay Head Tryst 24, 86:
My sang! it's droll tae think o' you an' me crackin' here. . . . “Sang! we'll risk it”.Sc. 1927 Scots Mag. (April) 3:
By sang! That took some daein'.