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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

CHUG, n. ¹ and v. Cf. Teug. [tʃʌg]

1. n. A jerk, a pull “such as a fish gives at the line” (Fif.¹⁰ 1940); “a sharp jerk” (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.); Known to Slg.³, Edb.¹, Arg.¹, Lnk.¹¹ 1940.Sc. 1925 “Domsie” The Warsle in Sc. Poems:
A wee broon spug Warselt wi' a doo Rivin' wi' a chug At a bit o' 'oo.Edb. 1991 Gordon Legge In Between Talking about the Football 145:
'Now there's a guy with an incredibly high sex drive.' 'Fuck off, he's just a chug-merchant. ...'Ayr. 1927 J. Carruthers Man Beset 45:
Give a chug and ye'll pull loose.

2. v. To jerk or pull; “to tug as a sucking child at the breast” (Sc. 1898 E.D.D.; Ayr.⁴ 1928); “to tug at an elastic substance” (U.Clydes. 1825 Jam.²). Known to Slg.³ (usually of a fish), Edb.¹, Arg.¹ 1940. Also fig.Edb. 1894 P. H. Hunter J. Inwick ix.:
“Your kirk chuggin ye the tae road,” says he, no' heedin me, “an' your pairty the tither, an' you atween the twa like a hen on a het girdle!”Edb. 1898 J. Baillie Walter Crighton 179:
A goodly number of ponies were galloping up and down, and the knaps busied themselves “chugging” their tails in view of hair (fishing) lines.Gall. 1929 F. W. Nicholson in Gallov. Annual 58:
But I'm chuggin' at ma moorin'-rope To sail oot wi' the tide.