c.1225, probably from a Scand. source (cf. O.N. vagga "a cradle," Dan. vugge "rock a cradle," O.Swed. wagga "fluctuate"), and in part from O.E. wagian "move backwards and forwards;" all from P.Gmc. *wagojanan (cf. O.H.G. weggen, Goth. wagjan "to wag"), probably from PIE base *wegh- "to move about" (see weigh). Wagtail is attested from 1510 as a kind of small bird; 18c. as "a harlot," but seems to be implied much earlier:
"If therefore thou make not thy mistress a goldfinch, thou mayst chance to find her a wagtaile." [Lyly, "Midas," 1592]
Wag-at-the-wall (1825) was an old name for a hanging clock with pendulum and weights exposed.
"person fond of making jokes," 1553, perhaps a shortening of waghalter "gallows bird," person destined to swing in a noose or halter, applied humorously to mischievous children, from wag (v.) + halter. Or possibly directly from wag (v.).
Wag\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wagged; p. pr. & vb. n. Wagging.] [OE. waggen; probably of Scand. origin; cf. Sw. vagga to rock a cradle, vagga cradle, Icel. vagga, Dan. vugge; akin to AS. wagian to move, wag, wegan to bear, carry, G. & D. bewegen to move, and E. weigh. [root]136. See Weigh.] To move one way and the other with quick turns; to shake to and fro; to move vibratingly; to cause to vibrate, as a part of the body; as, to wag the head. No discerner durst wag his tongue in censure. --Shak. Every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished, and wag his head. --Jer. xviii. 16. Note: Wag expresses specifically the motion of the head and body used in buffoonery, mirth, derision, sport, and mockery.
Wag\, v. i. 1. To move one way and the other; to be shaken to and fro; to vibrate. The resty sieve wagged ne'er the more. --Dryden. 2. To be in action or motion; to move; to get along; to progress; to stir. [Colloq.] "Thus we may see," quoth he, "how the world wags." --Shak. 3. To go; to depart; to pack oft. [R.] I will provoke him to 't, or let him wag. --Shak.
Wag\, n. [From Wag, v.]1. The act of wagging; a shake; as, a wag of the head. [Colloq.] 2. [Perhaps shortened from wag-halter a rogue.] A man full of sport and humor; a ludicrous fellow; a humorist; a wit; a joker. We wink at wags when they offend. --Dryden. A counselor never pleaded without a piece of pack thread in his hand, which he used to twist about a finger all the while he was speaking; the wags used to call it the thread of his discourse. --Addison.
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