A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Service man, n. [Service n. 3 b and Man n. 5 b. Also in the later dial. (of Ayr and Irvine) as ‘a builder’s or thatcher's labourer' (18th c. in SND, s.v. Service n. 2). In Older Sc., known only in St. A. Baxter Bks., where it is last noted for 1639: see, however, p. 179 note of that edition.] A journeyman, an assistant workman contracted to a master tradesman. —1582 St. A. Baxter Bks. 30.
That na brother of the craft nor service man sall sett vp ony meat or put owt ony bannokis in thair hows bot onlie to come to the baikhous 1583 St. A. Baxter Bks. 31.
That every seruice man within ilk baikhous of this citee sall pay ouklie ane penny to the positour of the craft … and that ilk furnisar of all baikhous … mak just compt [etc.] … to the dakin and bretherein … anis in the ȝeir of thir seruice men 1584 St. A. Baxter Bks. 36.
That na service man of that craft sall haiff ony dauch or maill for thair service … bot onlie siluer for thair service 1584 St. A. Baxter Bks. 37.
Item it is statut and ordinat that na seruice men sall grind ony quheit to sell flour in gryt or small 1606 St. A. Baxter Bks. 70. 1628 St. A. Baxter Bks. 89. 1632 St. A. Baxter Bks. 93. 1639 St. A. Baxter Bks. 105.
The said deacone and his counsall … ordaneit Johne Kaid … to come home as service man to Robert Walker and ordaneit him to pay fourtie schillingis for his entrie 1639 St. A. Baxter Bks. 107.
A wrong and offence [c]omittit be Johne Adie, ane vnfrieman, and als not ane service man, in helping of George Moffett to baik
