Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Welscheman, Walisman, n. Also: Welsh man, Wealchman. Pl. Vellchiemen, (Waldmen). [ME and e.m.E. Welsce-, Wælsce-, Walsemen (all Layamon), Welshmen (1513), Wealch man (1598).] Welshman. b. To make ane Welsche manis hois of, to maik lyk a Wealchman hose, to muddle or confuse (something).(a) 1375 Barb. xiii 419.
Schyr Mawrice alsua the Berclay Fra the gret bataill held hys way With a gret rout off Walis-men 1533 Treas. Acc. VI 154.
To the Walisman quhilk come heir propynit, callit James Griffon j^c li.(b) 1397 Exch. R. III 428.
Et cuidam David Welscheman, de dono regis iiij li. xiij s. iiij d. Et soluti uni heraldo de Anglia … xij s. a1578 Pitsc. I 73/16.
In the reeir gaird was all the Waldmen [B. Welshmen, I. Vellchiemen] placedb. 1571 Disc. tviching estait B. iiij.
Mony ministeris … outher for feir or than flattrie keipis thame selfis sa indifferent, that of thair doctrine … thay may mak ane Welsche manis hois 1584 Sempill in Sat. P. xlv 737.
Of his auld sermon he had perqueir Bot they had never hard thame heir, Of omnigatherine now his glose: He maid it lyk a Wealchman hose 1675 Accompt Dispute betwixt the Students of Divinity and Quakers at Aberdene 76.
Have not some of our antagonists been observed to make a Welsh man's hose of the first chapter of Genesis?