† ˈflaberˌgudgion, ˌflaberˈgullion Obs.
[The assonance of these forms with clapperdudgeon, slubberdegullion (also slabber-), and the similarity of sense, suggest that they may either be variants of one word, or at least belong to the same group of experiments in the invention of grotesque words.]
(See quots.)
| 1611 Cotgr., Baligaut, an unweldie lubber..mishapen lowt, ill fauoured flabergullion. Ibid., Trainquenailles, scoundrells, ragamuffins, base rascalls, flabergudgions. 1677 Miege Eng.-Fr. Dict., Flabergullion or (rather) Slaberdegullion, un sot, un impertinent. |