Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
SWINGER. n.1 A kind of crude assault weapon used by roughs (see quot.).Edb. 1952 Edb. Evening News (9 July):
St Patrick's Day had its unusual but regular features. That was a battle between street and street. “Scotch or Irish” Opponents went into the fray with what were called “swingers” — long poles, with a length of rope attached, at the end of which was tied a piece of metal, a stone, or something equally menacing.
