Swag vs. Wag — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 15, 2024
Swag often refers to promotional items or stylish confidence, whereas wag typically means to move back and forth, like a dog's tail.
Difference Between Swag and Wag
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Swag can refer to free promotional items given away at events, which are often branded and intended to advertise a product or company. Whereas, wag is a verb that describes the movement of an object or appendage, such as a dog's tail, in a side-to-side or up-and-down motion.
In modern slang, swag also denotes a sense of coolness or a stylish demeanor. On the other hand, wag is used informally to describe a humorous or mocking comment, as in "to wag one's tongue."
Swag can come in various forms like bags, t-shirts, or tech gadgets intended to create a lasting brand impression. Whereas, the action to wag is mostly associated with animals but can metaphorically apply to humans when indicating quick movements or shifts.
Often, companies use swag to build loyalty and recognition among customers, making it a strategic marketing tool. In contrast, wagging can be a natural, instinctive behavior in animals used to convey emotions or responses.
Swag, in historical terms, could also mean stolen goods or booty, a usage not common today. Wag, however, has maintained its relevance and meaning over time, particularly in describing animal behaviors.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Promotional items or cool demeanor
Movement back and forth, like a tail
Common Usage
Marketing, fashion
Animal behavior, informal speech
Associated Phrases
"swag bag", "swagger"
"wag the dog", "wagging tail"
Literal Use
Items meant to impress or advertise
Physical movement or indicative gesture
Figurative Use
Stylishness or appeal
Gossip or idle talk
Compare with Definitions
Swag
Stolen goods (archaic).
The pirates divided the swag after their raid.
Wag
Wag the dog (idiom).
They tried to wag the dog by distracting the public with a scandal.
Swag
Bundled or carried goods.
The traveler carried his swag on his back.
Wag
To make humorous remarks.
He's known to wag his tongue at parties.
Swag
Promotional gifts.
She got a lot of swag at the tech conference.
Wag
Shake or sway rapidly.
The branches wagged in the stormy winds.
Swag
Stylish confidence.
He walked into the room with an undeniable swag.
Wag
Move quickly or abruptly.
She wagged her finger at the children to scold them.
Swag
Decorative drapery or fixtures.
The swag of curtains added elegance to the room.
Wag
Move back and forth.
The dog's tail wagged excitedly.
Swag
A curtain or piece of fabric fastened so as to hang in a drooping curve.
Wag
(especially with reference to an animal's tail) move or cause to move rapidly to and fro
His tail began to wag
The dog went out, wagging its tail
Swag
Money or goods taken by a thief or burglar
Garden machinery is the most popular swag
Wag
Play truant from (school).
Swag
Bold self-assurance of style or manner
Adam had swag—he moved like a man who had the world at his feet
She's proved she's got swag with this sporty two-piece
Wag
A wife or girlfriend of a sports player, typically characterized as having a high media profile and a glamorous lifestyle.
Swag
A traveller's or miner's bundle of personal belongings.
Wag
To move briskly and repeatedly from side to side, to and fro, or up and down
The dog's tail wagged.
Swag
Arrange in or decorate with a swag or swags of fabric
Swag the fabric gracefully over the curtain tie-backs
Wag
To move rapidly in talking. Used of the tongue.
Swag
Travel with one's personal belongings in a bundle
We were swagging it in Queensland
Swagging my way up to the Northern Territory
Wag
(Archaic) To be on one's way; depart.
Swag
Hang heavily
The crinkly old hide swags here and there
Wag
To move (a body part) rapidly from side to side or up and down, as in playfulness, agreement, or admonition
Wagged his finger at the giggling students.
Swag
An ornamental drapery or curtain draped in a curve between two points.
Wag
The act or motion of wagging
A farewell wag of the hand.
Swag
An ornamental festoon of flowers or fruit.
Wag
A humorous or droll person; a wit.
Swag
A carving or plaster molding of such an ornament.
Wag
To swing from side to side, such as of an animal's tail, or someone's head, to express disagreement or disbelief.
Swag
Promotional items, especially when given for free, considered as a group.
Wag
To play truant from school.
Swag
(Slang) Stolen property; loot.
Wag
(obsolete) To be in action or motion; to move; progress.
Swag
(Australian) The pack or bundle containing the personal belongings of a swagman.
Wag
(obsolete) To go; to depart.
Swag
(Slang) See schwag.
Wag
An oscillating movement.
The wag of my dog's tail expresses happiness.
Swag
Chiefly British To lurch or sway.
Wag
A witty person.
Swag
(Australian) To travel about with a pack or swag.
Wag
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.
Every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished, and wag his head.
Swag
(ambitransitive) To (cause to) sway.
Wag
To move one way and the other; to be shaken to and fro; to vibrate.
The resty sieve wagged ne'er the more.
Swag
(intransitive) To droop; to sag.
Wag
To be in action or motion; to move; to get along; to progress; to stir.
"Thus we may see," quoth he, "how the world wags."
Swag
(transitive) To decorate (something) with loops of draped fabric.
Wag
To go; to depart; to pack oft.
I will provoke him to 't, or let him wag.
Swag
(transitive) To install (a ceiling fan or light fixture) by means of a long cord running from the ceiling to an outlet, and suspended by hooks or similar.
Wag
The act of wagging; a shake; as, a wag of the head.
Swag
To travel on foot carrying a swag (possessions tied in a blanket).
Wag
A man full of sport and humor; a ludicrous fellow; a humorist; a wit; a joker.
We wink at wags when they offend.
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.
Swag
To transport stolen goods.
Wag
A witty amusing person who makes jokes
Swag
(window coverings) A loop of draped fabric.
Wag
Causing to move repeatedly from side to side
Swag
A low point or depression in land; especially, a place where water collects.
Wag
Move from side to side;
The happy dog wagged his tail
Swag
(slang) Style; fashionable appearance or manner.
Swag
A shop and its goods; any quantity of goods.
Swag
Stolen goods; the booty of a burglar or thief; boodle.
Swag
Handouts, freebies, or giveaways, often distributed at conventions; merchandise.
Swag
The possessions of a bushman or itinerant worker, tied up in a blanket and carried over the shoulder, sometimes attached to a stick.
Swag
A small single-person tent, usually foldable into an integral backpack.
Swag
A large quantity (of something).
Swag
To hang or move, as something loose and heavy; to sway; to swing.
Swag
To sink down by its weight; to sag.
I swag as a fat person's belly swaggeth as he goeth.
Swag
To tramp carrying a swag.
Swag
A swaying, irregular motion.
Swag
A burglar's or thief's booty; boodle.
Swag
A tramping bushman's luggage, rolled up either in canvas or in a blanket so as to form a long bundle, and carried on the back or over the shoulder; - called also a bluey, or a drum.
He tramped for years till the swag he bore seemed part of himself.
Swag
Valuable goods
Swag
Goods or money obtained illegally
Swag
A bundle containing the personal belongings of a swagman
Swag
Droop, sink, or settle from or as if from pressure or loss of tautness
Swag
Walk as if unable to control one's movements;
The drunken man staggered into the room
Swag
Sway heavily or unsteadily
Common Curiosities
How do animals typically use wagging?
Animals wag parts of their bodies, like tails, to express emotions or reactions.
What does swag commonly refer to in marketing?
Swag in marketing refers to promotional items given away to advertise a brand.
Is swag still used to mean stolen goods?
The term is largely archaic but was historically used to mean stolen goods or loot.
What is the primary purpose of swag in events?
The primary purpose is brand promotion and customer engagement.
Can swag be a negative term?
It is usually neutral or positive, associated with perks or stylishness.
What does "wag the dog" mean?
"Wag the dog" is an idiom meaning to create a diversion from a serious issue.
Can swag be used to refer to someone's demeanor?
Yes, swag can describe someone's cool or impressive demeanor.
How does wag relate to human behavior?
Wagging, when referring to humans, often involves quick or mocking gestures or speech.
Do all dogs wag their tails when happy?
Most do, but tail wagging can also indicate other emotions depending on the context.
Are swag items usually free?
Yes, swag items are typically free and given away at events or promotions.
Can wag be used in a literal and figurative context?
Yes, wag has both literal (physical movement) and figurative (mocking or gossip) uses.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
