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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

†ARCHILAGH, -LOGH, -LOWE, n. Return drink or peace-offering.Sc. 1818 Scott Rob Roy III.i:
I propose that this good little gentleman . . . shall send for a tass o' brandy, and I'll pay for another, by way of Archilowe.Lth., s.Sc. 1825 Jam.2:
The return, which one, who has been treated in an inn or tavern, sometimes reckons himself bound in honour to make to the company. When he calls for the bottle, he is said to give them his archilagh.

[Origin uncertain. Jam. suggested Belgian (i.e. Flem.) her, again, and Du. gelag, a share or shot. Bense in his Dict. of Low-Du. Element in the Eng. Voc. considers Jam. derivation not improbable but also suggests O.E. ār = honour and Sc. lauch or lawin = the tavern-bill or reckoning, but this does not explain the first guttural (which Jam. describes as hard). He adds “Can it be the Du. arre, pledge (Sc. arles and Lat. arrha), and ghelagh?”]

799

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