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.
WHINGER, n. Also -ar (Sc. 1715 Acts 1 Geo. I c. 54 § 1); ¶whincer. [′ʍɪn(d)ʒər; also ′ʍɪŋər. See note.]
1. A short stabbing sword, a hanger, “which seems to have been used both at meals, as a knife, and in broils” (Sc. 1808 Jam.). Now only hist.Kcb. 1703 W. Mackenzie Hist. Gall. II. App. 43:
His wife took a dreadful stitch thro' her, as if she had been stricken with a whinger or knife.Sc. 1728 Trial J. Carnegie 15:
He aim'd a Stroke with a Whinger at the Defunct's Arm.Sc. 1815 Scott O. Mortality xiv.:
The pistol and the whinger in the tae hand, and the Bible in the tother.Kcb. 1895 Crockett Moss-Hags xxiii.:
His whinger in a leather tashe swingin' ahint him.Slg. 1949 W. D. Cocker New Poems 9:
On him louped a reiver band Ere whinger he could draw.
2. By extension: a stout doughty fellow. Cf. Eng. blade, with sim. development.Lnk. a.1779 D. Graham Writings (1883) II. 142:
I feed our John, whan he was a saft silly docus callan to ca' the pleugh, and keepit him three years till he turn'd a wally whincer and fain wad I had him, but he widna speak o't to me.
