Hint about English lug (5)
I believe the answer is:
trace
'hint' is the definition.
(I know that hint can be written as trace)
'about english lug' is the wordplay.
'about' says the letters should be written backwards.
'english' becomes 'E' (abbreviation as in OED).
'lug' becomes 'cart' (both can mean to carry or transport).
'e'+'cart'='ecart'
'ecart' written backwards gives 'TRACE'.
(Other definitions for trace that I've seen before include "Discover whereabouts" , "Very small amount that can only just be detected" , "Element" , "Find - remnant of something" , "Vestige; manage to find" .)