


The glossary was unpublished when its author, White Kennett, an Anglican bishop, died in 1728. An entry for “gnag” in a glossary of contemporary provincial expressions defined it as “to gnaw, bite at something hard,” the OED says. However, Nomenclator appeared more than two centuries after “nagg” was used in that medieval household account cited above.Īs for the scolding sense of “nag,” it didn’t have quite the same meaning when it first appeared in the Yorkshire dialect of the late 17th century. The OED says Nomenclator, a 1567 dictionary by the Dutch scholar Hadrianus Junius, gives “nagge” as English for negge. Oxford cites the University of Michigan’s online Middle English Dictionary for the “neigh” origin, but adds that it “presents phonological difficulties.” The MED apparently agrees, since it introduces the etymology with a question mark.Īnother possible source for the equine “nag” is negge, a word for a small horse in early modern Dutch (spoken about 1500-1800). The usage is of uncertain origin, but it perhaps came from neighen, a Middle English verb meaning to neigh ( hnǣgan in Old English), according to the dictionary. The OED says “nag” originally meant “a small riding-horse or pony,” but now usually refers to “an old or feeble” horse. Published in Household Accounts from Medieval England (1992), by C.
#Nag nag nag pro
The earliest example in the Oxford English Dictionary for the older term is from a household account in England for 1336-37: “Item in i ferro anteriore pro le nagg” (“Item: 1 front shoe for the nag”). Their debut single was co-produced by The KLF's Jimmy Cauty.Q: Is the “nag” who’s constantly scolding people related to the “nag” that’s a tired old horse?Ī: No, the noun for someone who complains or criticizes isn’t related to the much earlier equine term, which referred to a small riding horse, not one on its last legs, when it showed up in Middle English in the 14th century. Jonny Slut and another of the club's DJs, Fil OK, released music on their own label called NagNagNag under the name Atomizer. The track is included on a double CD compilation of music that was played at the club, compiled by Jonny Slut, released in 2003. The club's name is derived from the song "Nag Nag Nag" by 1970s industrial band Cabaret Voltaire. Anyone who thinks club culture is dead should come and see my queue on Wednesday nights." It might not entertain 4,000 people at Ministry of Sound, but it certainly entertains my crowd. Jonny Slut told The Guardian in 2005 that "one reason I started the night was that music was becoming more interesting again. Popular among London's celebrities, stars such as Kate Moss, Alexander McQueen, Björk, Keith Flint, Gwen Stefani, Cilla Black, Zoë Ball and regular Boy George were documented partying there, and acts such as Ellen Allien, Vitalic, Miss Kittin and My Toys Like Me performed. In 2003, The Independent wrote that "it's the sort of place where students mix with celebs, where you wait your turn behind Kate Moss for the make-up mirror, and where the presence of Boy George, checking out Pink Grease last week, didn't even merit a double take." It was held every Wednesday night from 2002 to 2008. The Independent described the night as a "legendary electro midweeker" famous for its blend of subcultures and musical styles. The night is commonly associated with the ambisexual post- electroclash scene. Founded by DJ, promoter and musician Jonny Slut in 2002, it ran for six years. Nag Nag Nag was an influential London club night at Simon Hobart's Ghetto nightclub.
