dial. [? orig. a vbl. sb. expressing the act of carrying food in a bag, or transf. from a horse’s feed carried in a bag.] Used in the northern counties of England for food eaten between regular meals; now, esp. in Lancashire, an afternoon meal, ‘afternoon tea’ in a substantial form.
1750. J. Collier, in Lanc. Gloss. (E. D. S.), Hoo’ll naw cum agen till baggin’ time.
1850. Bamford, ibid., In the afternoon, oatcake and cheese or butter, or oatcake and buttermilk, sufficed for bagging.
1851. in Cumberld. Gloss.
1863. E. Waugh, Lanc. Songs, 29. Th’ baggin’ were ready, an’ o’ lookin’ sweet.
1879. in Temple-Bar Mag., Jan., 4. ‘Baggin’ is not only lunch, but any accidental meal coming between two regular ones.
b. Comb., as bagging-time.
1835. Ure, Philos. Manuf., 387. Thirst must be quenched with tea at bagging-time.
1884. Pall Mall Gaz., 11 Sept., 4/2.
