Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

GANGYLS, n.pl. Also gyangals. Legs, in phr. a' gut(t)s an' gangyls, “fit for nothing but eating and walking” (E.D.D.; Bnff. ¹² 1930, gyangals). [′g(j)ɑŋəlz]Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 59:
Gangyls. I never heard this word but once, and from a cadger's wife when scolding a man who had incurred her displeasure. Among other compliments, she paid him the following: “Ye're like the pyot; ye're a' gutts an' gangyls.”Sc. 1900 E.D.D.:
Ye're like the cragget heron, a' guts an' gangyls.