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.
WHIG, v.3 Also wheeg. [ʍɪg]
1. To go quickly (Lth. 1825 Jam.), to move at an easy, steady pace, to jog. Freq. with advs. alang, awa, etc.Sc. 1701 D. De Foe Trueborn Eng. I. 222:
Scots from the Northern Frozen banks of Tay, With Packs and Plods came Whigging all away.Sc. 1815 Scott Guy M. xxiv.:
I was whigging cannily awa hame.Dmf. 1836 A. Cunningham Lord Roldan II. iv.:
I just thought it best to come whigging alang wi' him.s.Sc. 1897 E. Hamilton Outlaws v.:
I must be whigging awa' now.
2. tr. To move (something) quickly, to whisk.Dmf. 1836 A. Cunningham Lord Roldan III. vii.:
To whig him awa on the back of twa dromedaries.
3. “To work nimbly and heartily” (Cld. 1882 Jam.); to frisk or dance about (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., whig, wheeg).
[O.Sc. whig, to spur, urge a horse on, 1666, to jog along, 1690, prob. chiefly imit. Cf. Wheech.]
