Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
†CLUB, Clube, n.1 A member of the shoemaking trade who is neither apprentice nor journeyman; “probably a cobbler” (Dmf.10).
Also applied to other trades, of any young man who picks up the skills of the trade without a full and formal apprenticeship.Inv. 1815 Tailors' Incorp. Minute Bk. MS.:
The great injury to the trade by receiving young men from the country, commonly called clubs for a short space of time into their employment.Dmf. 1729 MS. Minutes Shoemaker Trade of Dmf. (11 June):
John Broun . . . desired that he might be booked as a Clube to serve Robert Blacklock presant Deacon of the Shoamaker traid.Ib. 1778 (22 Dec.):
Sundry lads from the country who pretends that they can work in the business of Shoemaking and apply to Freemen to receive them into their Service and get them booked as Journeymen or a Club to them without ever showing any evidence of their having served at the Trade.
