wag

Everyday

1. To move quickly from side to side or up and down, especially a dog's tail. tree →
2. To shake a finger at someone to show you disagree. tree →
3. "Wag" or "wag school" means skip school without permission (Australian and New Zealand slang). tree →

In the lessons

In animal safety lessons, a wagging tail does not always mean a dog is friendly; a stiff or high wag can mean it is nervous or angry, so ask the owner before patting. In stories, a dog's wagging tail shows happiness. Phrases: wag its tail, tongues wag (people gossip), wag a finger.

Examples

• The puppy wagged its tail when I came home. tree →
• A wagging tail doesn't always mean a happy dog. tree →
• Grandma wagged her finger at me. tree →
• Tongues will wag if you do that. tree →
• The dog's whole body wagged with joy. tree →
• Always ask before you pat a dog. tree →

Note

Regular verb, double g: wagged, wagging. "Tongues wag" means people gossip. Safety: read the whole dog — ears, body and tail — not just the wag.

In Jewish tradition

In the Prophets, wagging the hand is a sign of scorn at a ruined city. The other verses use "wager" and mean a bet or a challenge.

Interpretation. Zephaniah's picture of a city mocked by passers-by is read as a warning about the fall of Nineveh.

Examples

• Every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and wag his hand. (Prophets ZEP.2.15, JPS 1917) tree →
• Now therefore, I pray thee, make a wager with my master the king of Assyria, and I will give thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them. (Prophets 2KI.18.23, JPS 1917) tree →
• Now therefore, I pray thee, make a wager with my master, the king of Assyria, and I will give thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them. (Prophets ISA.36.8, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Regular verb, double g: wagged, wagging. "Tongues wag" means people gossip. Safety: read the whole dog — ears, body and tail — not just the wag.