shag, v.3
Etymology: Origin unknown, perhaps < shag v.1
coarse slang.
1. trans. and intr. To copulate (with).
1770 T. Jefferson Memorandum Bks. 27 Dec.
(1997)
I. 200
He had shagged his mother and begotten himself on her body.
1788 F. Grose Classical Dict. Vulgar Tongue
(ed. 2)
Shag, to copulate.
1879–80 Pearl
(1970)
258
A fellow who's had the mishap, To forget, when he shagged her, to button his flap.
1958 N. Levine Canada made Me iv. 102
You know what they're talking about? If they got shagged last night.
1969 J. Wood Three Blind Mice iii. 32
We..go and shag ourselves half-stupid all night..and pay them for it in the morning!
1973 Nation Rev.
(Melbourne)
24 Aug. 1417/4
The credo of the new fashioned mammy is if you shag, I shag.
1977 C. McCullough Thorn Birds xvii. 413
There are plenty of men who will shag anything if it's a virgin.
1980 R. Adams Girl in Swing xxi. 279
‘He's never absent.’ And the corporal next to Jack muttered, ‘Well, I 'ope 'e ain't 'angin' around when I'm shaggin' my missus.’
1770—1980(Hide quotations)
2. Used profanely in imprecations and exclamations. Cf. fuck v. 4, shag v.4 1.
1933 M. Lowry Ultramarine ii. 88
‘Paddy—give us Paddy McGulligan's daughter, Mary Ann.’ ‘Oh shag off!’
1971 R. Ludlum Scarlatti Inheritance iv. 43
‘Get four men and get out there.’ ‘Go shag, Captain.’ ‘Are you disobeying your superior officer?’
1973 G. Pinsent Rowdyman 135
‘Then shag you!’ I shouted, as he swaggered away.
1933—1973(Hide quotations)
Derivatives
ˈshagger n.
1971 B. W. Aldiss Soldier Erect 12
I could watch my reflection in the mirror of the wardrobe... Now there was a born shagger, if ever I saw one, given the chance.
1971—1971(Hide quotations)
ˈshagging n.2 and adj.
1772 R. Cosway Let. 24 Feb. (British Museum, Townley Archive, TY 7/2028)
With respect to shagging—it is much the same as when you left us (your part omitted)—but as to myself I stick as close to Radicati's Arse as a Bum Bailif to Lord Deloraine's.
1970 G. Greer Female Eunuch 41
All the vulgar linguistic emphasis is placed upon the poking element;..rooting, shagging are..acts performed upon the passive female.
1971 B. W. Aldiss Soldier Erect 9
God, what sodding, shagging, scab-devouring misery it all was!
1977 Zigzag Aug. 4/3
Plus the fact it gets hotter than shagging in the back of a car during the summer of '76.
1772—1977(Hide quotations)