pricklouse Now dial.
(ˈprɪklaʊs)
Also 8– prick-the(-a)-louse.
A derisive name for a tailor.
| 1500–20 Dunbar Poems xxvii. 5 Betuix a telȝour and ane sowtar, A pricklouss and ane hobbell clowttar. 1587 Durham Depos. (Surtees) 322 Pricklouse that thou arte. 1668 R. L'Estrange Vis. Quev. (1708) 151 The poor Prick-Lice were damn'dly startled at that, for fear they should not get in. 1709 O. Dykes Eng. Prov. & Refl. (ed. 2) 117 What an ignorant Presumption..for an impudent Prick-lowse to set up for a Lawyer, or a Statesman. a 1796 Burns Answ. to Tailor ii, Gae mind your seam, ye prick-the-louse, An' jag-the-flae. 1828 Craven Gloss. (ed. 2), Prick-a-louse, a contemptuous name for a tailor. |