Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
SLAG, adj., n.2 v.2 Also slagg; slog; and deriv. slag(g)ie, slaga (Sh.). [slɑg]
I. adj. Wet, moist, soft under foot, as of ice in a thaw; of hail or snow (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)). Hence comb. slag-day, see quot.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 82, 427:
The land, or ice after a thaw, is said to be slaggie. A slag-day with curlers, is a day on which the ice is thawing.
II. n. 1. A marshy place, a slough, morass (s.Sc. 1802 J. Sibbald Chron. Sc. Poetry Gl.; Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), slag, slog; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., Rxb. 1970). Also in deriv. form slaga (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), a weet slaga).
2. Damp weather, fine rain, sleet.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
A weet slag; a slag o' a shooer.
III. v. To rain thinly, to sleet (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)).
[Mid.Eng. slag, wet, muddy. Of Scand. orig. Cf. Norw. dial., O.N. slag, dampness, seeping wetness, Sw. slagg, sleet. For n., 1., cf. Norw. dial. slågå, a broad hollow in the ground, Sw. dial. slaga, swamp.]
