Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1842-1874, 1955-1957
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WALGAN, n., v. Also walgin, walgon (Sc. 1911 S.D.D.), and in dim. form walgie. [′wɑlgən]
I. n. 1. A leather wool-sack, a calf-skin bag (n.Sc. 1808 Jam., walgie), a pouch, a wallet (Abd. 1825 Jam., Abd. 1951, obsol.). Also fig.Ags. 1842 Whistle-Binkie 92:
She took her cairds, an' cairdin' skin, Her walgie, fu' o' creeshie woo.ne.Sc. 1874 W. Gregor Olden Time vi.:
The writer's walgan is not empty.Abd. 1955 W. P. Milne Eppie Elrick iv.:
'At's a gey wechty walgin ye hae upo yer shooders.
2. An ill-fitting, and freq. a dirty garment (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 206; ne.Sc. 1925).
3. A large, clumsy, overgrown person (Bnff. 1951 Bnff. Herald (1 Dec.)) or thing (Abd. 1973).Kcd. 1957 Mearns Leader (30 Aug.):
Ye should see the tremendous walgan o' a cabbitch that Kirsty Skelloch is growin'.
II. v. “To go about in an idle, slovenly manner, dressed in too large, slatternly clothing” (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 206; Abd. 1925).
[Ad. Gael. bhalgan, aspirated form of balgan, a little bag, wallet.]
