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.
†SPANG-TADE, n. Also spung-. A torture applied to frogs and toads (see 1824 quot. and Spanghew above). Also attrib.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 432–33:
Spang-tade, a deadly trick played on the poor toad; a small board is laid over a stone, on the one end of which is put the reptile; the other end is then struck by a hard blow, which drives the toad into the air, and when it falls it is generally quite dead.s.Sc. 1899 Colville 125:
We never were Herods, such as the Border herd-boys with their “spung-hewet” or “spung-taed” pranks.
