"Scrag" is a word that may cause confusion when it comes to spelling. Its IPA phonetic transcription is /skræɡ/. The "sc" at the beginning is pronounced as "sk", while the "a" has a short sound as in "cat". The "g" at the end is pronounced softly as in "age". "Scrag" can mean "a bony or scrawny person or animal", or the neck of a lamb or mutton. It's important to spell words correctly to avoid misunderstandings, and now you know how to spell "scrag" accurately.
Scrag, as a noun, refers to the lean or thin piece of meat, especially from the neck or shoulder region of a lamb, sheep, or similar animal. It is usually considered less tender and desirable compared to other cuts. The term can also be used to describe a scrawny or thin individual, often with a hunched posture, thin neck, or protruding bones.
Alternatively, scrag can also be a verb, meaning to wring or strangle someone by twisting their neck, leading to their death. This term typically carries a violent or brutal connotation and is often associated with fiction or crime stories.
Moreover, scrag can be used as a slang term to indicate the act of stealing or snatching forcefully. It can refer to a sudden and aggressive action to obtain something without permission or in an illicit way.
Scrag can also be employed as an adjective to describe something or someone as meager, haggard, or unattractive in appearance.
Overall, depending on its usage and context, scrag can refer to a lean cut of meat, a person who is thin or malnourished, an act of violence or theft, or an adjective depicting unattractiveness or leanness.
A body which is nothing but skin and bones; anything lean and rough.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "scrag" has a multifaceted etymology, evolving from various sources over time.
1. Old Norse: The word "skragg" in Old Norse meant a lean or scrawny person, which is one of the earliest senses of "scrag". This likely influenced the word's development in English.
2. Middle English: In Middle English, the word "scrag" referred to a neck or throat, specifically the lower part. This sense is related to the word "neck". It later extended to refer to an animal's neck, particularly the part that includes the vertebrae.
3. Dialectal Influence: There are suggestions that the word "scrag" may have been influenced by various dialectal words.