 |
An Abbey Laird
An insolvent debtor sheltered by the precincts of
Holyrood Abbey.
“As diligence cannot be proceeded with on Sunday, the Abbey Lairds
(as they were jocularly called) were enabled to come forth on that day
to mingle in our society.” —R. Chambers.
Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894 More on Abbey Laird from Infoplease:
- Abbey Laird - An Abbey Laird An insolvent debtor sheltered by the precincts of Holyrood Abbey. “As ...
- Dictionary of Phrase and Fable: A - Definitions, origins, and illustrative excerpts for words, phases, and literary allusions starting with "A"
|
|