Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Linsie-winsie, n. Also: linsie-wynsie, -vinsie, -wincé, linsiwinsie, -winschie, lincie-wincie, linchie-winchie. [Appar. assimilated form of Linsey-wo(o)lsey n., though recorded somewhat earlier. Also in the later dial. as linsie-winsie (whence 19th c. Sc. and subseq. Eng. winsey, -ie, wincey), linsey-wo(o)nsey, and in the later dialect of Cumberland as linsty-wu(i)nsty.]

a. Linsey-woolsey. b. Also attrib. as adj.a. 1586 Edinb. Test. XVI. 352.
Thrie ellis of blew linsie winsie at vj s. viij d. the ell 1595 Brechin Test. I. 128 b.
Ane geircull of blak linsie wynsie 1604 Glasgow Weavers 50.
Nane of thame sall work onie linchie winchie of the roundest sort bettir chaip nor xxx d. ilk ell, and fourtie pennyis the smallest sort ilk ell 1627 Edinb. Test. LIV. 54 b.
xviij ellis linsiwinschie pryce of all vij li. x s. 1645 Ib. LXI. 103 b.
Thrie elnes of linsiwinsie estimat all to j lib. x s. 1655 Ib. LXVIII. 152 b.
xviij ellis of blew lincie wince 1661 Ib. LXX. 10 b.
Of lincie wincie threttie elnes at viij s. the elneb. 1623 Brechin Test. IV. b.
Ane pair linsie vinsie courtinges with ane dornick pand 1630 Ib. V. 7 b.
Ane linsie vinsie govne 1663 Edinb. Test. LXXI. 143 b.
Tua old stand of linsiewinsie courteins