Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

CLASH-BAG, n.comb. A tale-bearer (Bnff.², Fif.¹⁰, Slg.³, Kcb.⁹ 1937; Bnff. 2000s) “a person full of low mean stories” (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 136).Ayr. 1879 R. Adamson Lays of Leisure Hours 103:
Yet, whether clash-bags bless or ban, It's present worth that mak's the man.sm.Sc. 1988 W. A. D. and D. Riach A Galloway Glossary :
clash 1. also clash-bag, clip-ma-clash, clish-ma-clash a tell-tale, rumour-monger; tittle-tattle.Uls. 1904 J. W. Byers in Victoria Coll. Mag. 35:
A man who unfairly reveals a secret on another is said to “discover” on him; a similar individual among boys at school is a “clash-bag.”