A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Speakyng-drynk, n. Also: speak(e)ing- and -drink. [? Spekin(g vbl. n. and Drink n. Cf. Germ. freisprechen to release an apprentice from his articles.] One of the dues paid by a person at his entry into a craft as a freeman or apprentice. Cf. Say-drink n. and SND Drink n. 2 (4).1613 St. A. Baxter Bks. 80.
Thomas Dyksone payit to the deakin … for his speakyng drynk thrie lib. money, thaireftir before his in bewkyng, he payit to the said deakin [etc.] 1615 St. A. Baxter Bks. 81.
Thomas Powtye … is enterit and becum inbewkit prenteis to James Brown … and satisfeit and payit to the deakin and counsell of craft for his speakyng drynk thrie li. and for ane dinner to thame xxi merkis 1622 St. A. Baxter Bks. 85.
William Arthour … is admittit & receauit as freman vith the brethren of the baksters quha hes payit speaking drink, sey drink, and tuentie li., conforme to ane act maid of befoir insert in this buik 1643 St. A. Baxter Bks. 113.
It is … ordanit … that na man that hes bene prenteis to any brother of craft be ressauit to the friedome … of the craft … quhill first he pay to the fabrik … of the craftis hous … the sowme of ten pundis money [etc.] … by and atour the friedome siluer, sey drink, and speaking drink, and vther dewis 16… Dunferm. Weavers 77.
[This drink money is a payment in universal exaction among the guilds and crafts. Every occasion in the active life of these associations seems to furnish the necessary excuse for a short and mild indulgence. Sometimes the custom is called payment of] cans [or] canns [and sometimes] speaking drink 1670 Stirling Fleshers' Rec. in Stirling Archæol. Soc. (1920-21) 31.
Received James Stinson … who heth mairied with ane frieman's doughter … . Foir scor punds Scots, and for his speaking drink and other chairges twentie pund Scots 1670 Stirling Fleshers' Rec. in Stirling Archæol. Soc. (1920-21) 31.
Received John Duncasone younger sone to John Duncasone, cordener … who was preintic to the said John Duncason … . Ane hundreth and twentie pund Scots mony, the quilk soume is a prentice deue. Speaking drink twentie pund Scots 1703 St. A. Baxter Bks. 151.
Henry Tod, late prentise to … John Bruce … is admitted and receaved frieman to the … traid … who payed of speakeing drink eight pounds Scotts, of sey drink fourtein pounds, of bookeing money thrie pounds, [etc.]pl. 1729 Stirling B. Rec. II 209.
He shall be free of all other charges or expenses for speaking drinks
