thigger Sc.
(ˈθɪgə(r))
[f. thig v. + -er1.]
One who thigs; a beggar, a cadger; an exactor of contributions; one who plants himself on others for assistance; ‘one who draws on others for subsistence in a genteel sort of way’ (Jamieson); a gaberlunzie or licensed beggar who went his regular rounds, and received a night's lodging and food at particular houses; also, any one who begged or solicited presents on certain recognized occasions, e.g. wedding-presents.
| 1424 Sc. Acts Jas. I (1879) II. 8 Þat na thiggar be thollyt to thyg noþer in burghe nor to land. a 1733 Shetland Acts 4 in Proc. Soc. Ant. Scot. (1892) XXVI. 196 That all thiggers of wool, corn, fish and others be apprehended wherever they come. 1822 Scott Pirate v, Ye wadna have me waste our substance on every thigger or sorner that has the luck to come by the door in a wet day? 1824 Mactaggart Gallovid. Encycl., Thiggers..are those who beg in a genteel way; who have their houses they call at in certain seasons, and get corn, and other little things. 1828 Scott F. M. Perth ix, Such exaction, which more resembles the masterful license of Highland thiggers and sorners. |
So ˈthigster [-ster] in same sense.
| 1710 Dict. Feudal Law 151 Thigsters, are a sort of gentle Beggars. |