Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 2005 (SND, online supplement).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
TONGSYABAS, n. Glasgow gang slogan.em.Sc.(a) 1991 Kate Armstrong in Tom Hubbard The New Makars 111:
A chiel
thocht vaunty, screivit in the derk
Thon's no ma name; cry me Hentool,
Tongsyabas, a yaird o reid an blue.Sc. 1993 Scotsman 29 May :
Nestling in Glasgow's east end, not far from the city centre, lies the notorious Calton.
Here, the scrawl of "Tongs Ya Bass" can still be traced on walls, in close mouths and alleyways.Sc. 1996 Sunday Times 31 Mar :
Hearing the gang war cry of ''Tongs, ya bass!'' would send a fearful chill through anybody unlucky enough to be caught among the flailing boots and the flashing blades.Sc. 1999 Herald 29 Jun 17:
The old Glasgow saying "Tongs Ya Bass" can still be seen 50 yards away in Mansfield Street, in the more traditional Partick quarter of the West End.Sc. 2004 Scotsman 2 Sep 24:
"Tongs, ya bass" became Glasgow's unofficial motto in the Sixties and was miles better than "Mr Smiley", dreamt up by Michael Kelly.
