A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
John Thomson's man. Also: Johne Thomsounis, John Thomsones. [Origin not known.Jamieson suggested Joan Thomson's man, but, though this is conceivable (the masc. and fem. forms of the name John were not at first differentiated), there is no evidence for it.]
A proverbial appellation for a man who is ruled by his wife.c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxii. 4, 8, etc.
God gif ye war Johne Thomsounis man 1560 Rolland Seven S. 4825.
Efterwart ȝe sall repent Quhen ȝe ar maid Johne Thomsounis man a1598 Ferg. Prov. (1641) No. 459.
Of effeminate persons. He is John Thomsones man, coutching carle 1637 Monro Exped. II. 30 (J).
Here it may he some will alleage, he was John Thomson's man 1681 Colvil Whig's Suppl. (1687) 12.
So the imperious Roxalan Made the Great Turk John Thomson's man Ib. .
These we ken Have ever been John Thomson's men, That is, still ruled by their wives 1692 Presb. Eloq. (ed. 2) 79.
Of all the John Thomson's men that ever was, he [sc. Samson] was the foolest
