slang "scotsh" = shirt, 1879;

[Cohen, Gerald Leonard]

   An unusual word has apparently turned up in an item drawn to ads-l attention by Barry Popik: "scotsh" = shirt.  I say apparently because Barry labeled this item "illegible" and my check of the microfilm shows it to be just barely decipherable.

 The initial "S" is clear; the "t" before the "sh" is semi-clear; and the two letters after "S" are very badly blurred but are of the shorter variety, i.e, they don't come up to the height of a "t", "h" or "k".)

   The definition of the term is "Shirt"; all the letters of this word are readily decipherable except for the "h" (which might conceivably be a "k").  But I looked very hard at this letter today and had the impression it's "h."

    I assume that "scotsh" is a variant of "Scottish" (OED presents a "Scot'sh," although not with a relevant meaning).  If any lexicographers have "scotsh" in their files, I'd be grateful to hear of it. I've prepared a reprinting of the article (plus glossary)  for publication in Studies in Slang, vol. 7, with Barry listed as the author.

    The 1879 item is: "Professional Slang of Ye Dramatic Artist, Ye Variety Performer and He Circus Man," (in _Cincinnati Enquirer_, 7 September 1879, p. 10, col. 7).

Gerald Cohen

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