gaberlunzie Sc.
(ˌgæbəˈlʌnzɪ, -jɪ)
Also 6 pl. (? or genitive) gabirlenzeis, 9 gaberloony.
[Of unknown origin; -lunzie is traditional Sc. spelling for -lunyie (see G), which would be pronounced (-ˈl{smY}njɪ).]
1. A strolling beggar or mendicant. Also, a beadsman (see beadsman 2 b).
| 1508 in Pitcairn Crim. Trials Scotl. I. i. 61 Nov. 19— Andrew Crossar, Convicted..of art and part of the Slaughter of Adam Turnbull of Chalmerlane-Newtoune, and Adam Turnbule, called Gabirlenzeis. 1794 Pickering ‘Keen blaws the Wind’ in Burns' Wks. (1856) IV. 91 The Gaber-lunzie tirls my sneck, And shivering tells his waefu' tale. 1816 Scott Antiq. xii, It just does its office in barking at a gaberlunzie like me. 1826 J. Wilson Noct. Ambr. Wks. 1855 I. 64 The political Economy creatures are a cruel set—greedier themselves than gaberlunzies. 1875 Gd. Words 280 Gaberlunzies, with blue coat and tin badge, still wandered from door to door begging. 1880 Blackw. Mag. Apr. 476 Crowds of sturdy beggars and gaberlunzies in the highest degree picturesque, assail him. |
| fig. 1856 R. A. Vaughan Mystics (1860) II. 265 That gaberlunzie, Memory (whose wallet has so many holes), would step in oftener. |
| appositively. ? a 1700 Song in Ramsay Tea-t. Misc., The Gaberlunzie-man. 1816 Scott Antiq. xxvii, There was never sic a braw propine as this sent..through the hands of a gaberlunzie beggar. 1824 ― Redgauntlet Let. xi, An auld gaberlunzie fiddler. 18.. Whittier Prose Wks. (1889) I. 337 We used to see one or more ‘gaberlunzie men’, pack on shoulder and staff in hand. |
| transf. 1830 Galt Lawrie T. i. ii, The gaberloony winter arose from the chumly-lug. |
2. App. the trade or calling of gaberlunzie.
It is perhaps from this instance that the sense of ‘wallet’ has been derived by editors.
| ? a 1700 Song in Ramsay Tea-t. Misc. (1733) I. 86 To follow me frae town to town And carry the Gaberlunzie on. |