We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website. By clicking 'continue' or by continuing to use our website, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. You can change your cookie settings in your browser at any time.

Continue
Find out more

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

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

SLIG, v., n. Also sleg-; skleg.

I. v. To lie, fib, practice deceit. Hence adj. sliggy, slegie, sly, deceitful, smooth, unctuous.Rxb. 1805 A. Scott Poems 83:
Soon the serpent's sliggy tongue . . . Did blast primeval pleasure young.
Dmf. 1836 A. Cunningham Lord Roldan II. xii.:
Is this a true matter, are ye no sklegging, think ye?
s.Sc. 1857 H. S. Riddell Psalms li. 21:
The wurds o' his mooth wer mair saft an' slegie nor butter.

II. n. A lie, a liar, deceiver.Gall. a.1900 “Mulciber Veritatis” Gallowa' Herds 6:
Ye let licht o' the Queen, as if Randie she'd been, Like the King, scape-grace skleg under-vallin.

[This form of the word seems unstable and it is uncertain whether all the variants belong to the same original. There may be some connection with Slaik, or Sleek, adj.]

24482

snd