Learn English – the entomology of “ligger”

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This answer on a prior question points out that ligger is defined by UrbanDictionary as:

Ligger

An individual who attends parties, openings, social gatherings and events with the sole intention of obtaining free food and drink – an arch blagger.

A similar definition can be found in Wiktionary:

ligger ‎(plural liggers)

(slang) A freeloader or hanger-on, especially in the music industry.

  • Peaches Geldof may be a top showbiz ligger – but now she’s got a group of her own. – "Peaches gets own band", The Sun, 29 Aug 2006

  • The ligger caused a scene when he begged one reveller to find him some gear – and offered sexual favours in return. – "Wicked Whispers", The Mirror, 29 Jan 2005

That is, ligger is apparently British slang for a mooch or freeloader, originally or especially in the music scene.

But while this sense is attested in crowdsourced dictionaries (which lends credibility to its status and usage as slang), I can't seem to find it in any dictionary produced by professional lexicographers (which probably means it's relatively new or relatively unpopular slang). Etymonline comes up dry, too.

In fact, the only clue towards etymology is from the same UD definition:

Popularised by the NME in the early nineties and possibly with it's entomological¹ roots in the fishing term for "baited line".

The NME is a popular music rag (h/t @Josh61), and while a baited line seems metaphorically apt, and ligger is indeed recorded in professional dictionaries as meaning "baited line", I'm left a bit skeptical because (a) I don't see a lot of opportunity for cross-pollination between anglers and scene kids, and (b) the ligger is the baited line, but liggers are those who pursue the bait. So there is a whiff of folk etymology here.

What are the origins of this freeloading sense of ligger? How widespread is it? Does it still have currency?

¹ I know what you're thinking, but no, there are no bugs in this question's title. We're talking about liggers, not chiggers.

Best Answer

It appears to come from a dialectal variation of the verb to lie: to idle or lie about:

Ligger:

  • ‘Hangers on’ such as ‘music groupies’ for LIGGERS is an example of what it can mean, but it’s not the whole story.

The Oxford English Dictionary provided the following:

  • LIGGER noun [from verb ‘lig,’ + ‘-er’]: One who gatecrashes parties, a ‘free-loader.’

  • LIG verb [from dialect variation of the verb ‘lie’]: To idle or lie about (colloquial); also (slang), to sponge, to ‘freeload’; to gatecrash or attend parties. LIE verb: To be in a prostrate or recumbent position.

Cassell’s Dictionary of Slang, however, isn’t so sure of the above derivation and offers some additional possibilities:

  • LIGGER noun (also LIG) [1960s and still in use]: A hanger on, especially, in show business, a ‘freeloader.’

  • Etymology debatable; either acronym of least important guest; or Standard English linger, to hang around; or Banffshire dialect lig, to gossip, to talk too much. Most likely it is dialect lig, to lie around. The term became widespread in the early 1970s, but dates at least to 1960 when Colin MacInnes (1914-76) used it in an essay on poncing (Britishism for pimping) – ‘The Other Man’.

An alternative origin is suggested in Brit Slang, by Ray Puxley, (2003):

  • A theatrical term from the 1960s when a gatecrasher or uninvited guest became a 'ligger'. Someone who likes to be seen in the company of the rich and famous, a hanger-on. Related to 'lig' (qv), which may be an acronym of Least Important Guest.

As for its usage, it appears to be still current: (from the Oxford Learner's Dictionary)

Ligger:

  • person who always takes the opportunity to go to a free party or event that is arranged by a company to advertise its products.

    • a roomful of liggers drinking free champagne
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