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.
Quotation dates: 1932
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SNIG, v.3, n.3 Also snigg, sneeg, sneg(g), and freq. forms sneeger, snigger (Sh. 1881 Williamson MSS.). [snɪg, snig]
I. v. 1. Of a horse: to neigh, to whinny (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 206, 1866 Edm. Gl., 1914 Angus Gl.). Derivs. snigger, snegger (Sh. 1899 J. Spence Folk-Lore 121, 1908 Jak. (1928), Sh. 1971), sneggin, sniggin, (Jak.), snegram (Sh. 1962), sniggum (Sh. 1889 Chambers's Jnl. (26 Oct.) 675), a sea-taboo name for a horse. Cf. nechram s.v. Nicher.Sh. 1932 J. M. E. Saxby Trad. Lore 204:
A horse sneggs when he greets a friend.
2. To giggle, to simper, to sneer (Cld. 1880 Jam.; Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), 1914 Angus Gl., Sh. 1971). Also sneeger (Sh., Cld. 1880 Jam.; Sh. 1930 Sh. Almanac 193, Sh. 1971).
II. n. A neigh, a whinny (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1899 J. Spence Folk-Lore 164, Sh. 1971).
[Cf. Icel. hneggja, O.N., Norw. dial. gneggja, Sh. Norn negg, to neigh, with s prothetic or developed from h. Sense I. 2. is no doubt conflated with Eng. snigger.]
