The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #11483   Message #3897041
Posted By: Allan Conn
03-Jan-18 - 04:07 AM
Thread Name: Yan Tan Tethera - more words in the count?
Subject: RE: Yan Tan Tethera - more words in the count?
The Concise Scots Dictionary gives "hirsel" as in use in Scotland as you state from at least the late 14thC. It claims it derives from the Middle English "hirsill" and Old Norse "hirosla" meaning "safe keeping".