Brewer's: Hansel

A gift or bribe, the first money received in a day. Hence Hansel Monday, the first Monday of the year. To “hansel our swords” is to use them for the first time. In Norfolk we hear of hanselling a coat —i.e. wearing it for the first time. Lemon tells us that superstitious people will spit on the first money taken at market for luck, and Misson says, “Its le baisent en le recevant, craschent dessus, et le mettent dans une poche apart. ” (Travels in England, p. 192.)

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