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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

CHALKER, n. A long, white night-shirt. Not known to our correspondents.Edb. 1898 J. Baillie Walter Crighton i.:
Maggie More, . . . [having given] them a few kindly words of welcome and initiated them into the use of the “chalker,” they were tucked snugly into their beds.

[Prob. so named from the resemblance in colour to a piece of chalk. For -er as a common schoolboy slang termination, c.f. Eng. rugger, footer, etc.]

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