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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1960 (SND Vol. V). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

KNIDGE, v., n. Also nidge, knedge. Cf. Gnidge, Knudge. [(k)nɪdʒ]

I. v. tr. and intr. To rub, press, squeeze, press down forcibly with the knee (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 98; Cai. 1902 E.D.D.; Sh., n.Sc. 1960), to nudge, jog with the elbow (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.); specif. to squeeze through a crowd or narrow place with difficulty (Rxb. 1825 Jam.); to strain at stool in constipation (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.). Also fig. Vbl.n. knidgan, continuous severe pressure with the knee (Gregor). Also in Nhb. dial.Sc. 18th c. Merry Muses (1911) 55:
Come nidge me Tam, — come nodge me Tam, Come nidge me o'er the nyvle.Ork. 1880 Dennison Sketch-Bk. 68:
I saw a great black man knedgan' Inkster's trapple.Bnff. 1924 Swatches o' Hamespun 83:
I knidged him doon, an' gid 'im a baff.Rxb. 1925 E. C. Smith Mang Howes and Knowes 10:
Another road-injin nidgin ti dae the poween. m.Sc. 1988 William Neill Making Tracks 53:
I wes broucht
by bigger bairns doun tae the Laundry Pown.
Rin doon the hull, thay said, an tear et it;
(thay maun hae keeked and nidged et yin anither).

II. n. A forceful squeeze, an application of pressure, esp. with the knees (Cai. 1902 E.D.D.; ne.Sc. 1942; Sh.¹⁰ 1952, rare; Cai. 1960).Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 98:
He ga' 'im a knidge i' the breest it gart's behns crack.