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.
WIG, n.1 Also Sc. forms wigg; †wegg (Rnf. 1748 W. Hector Judicial Rec. (1878) 288); weeg (Sc. 1827 Wilson Noctes Amb. (1855) I. 354, a.1894 Stevenson New Poems (1918) 12), †weigge (Abd. 1701 Abd. Jnl. N. & Q. VI. 185). Sc. usages. [†wig]
1. As in Eng. Deriv. ¶wiger, dim. wiggie, as a nickname for a wigmaker or barber. See -Ie, suff., 2.Ayr. 1805 I. Pagan Songs 65:
Who but the wiger's block?Per. a.1843 J. Stewart Sketches (1857) 44:
Lat's a' be tip'ce to weet the whissle O' Wiggie Willie.
2. A rough hairy piece of cloth, hide, or the like, put on the head of a stupid or misbehaving school-pupil, a dunce's cap.Kcd. 1900 W. Gairdner Glengoyne I. 54:
“The wig,” with which the occupant of the cuttie stool was usually crowned when his offence was of a heinous nature.Bnff. 1925 W. Barclay Schools & Schoolmasters 136:
When a scholar was in the habit of coming to school with his lessons unprepared, “Mac” made him don the “fool's kep” or “wig”. This consisted of a bit of Highland sheep's skin tied below the chin with two strings.
3. A twist or screw of paper used as a bag by grocers, confectioners, etc. (Abd. 1882 Jam.).
4. See quot.Edb.6 1949:
In connection with gold beating the tangle of wire used when re-melting salvaged pieces of gold was called the “wig.”
