Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BELLMAN, n. Sc. usages: 1. A sexton of a church, who rang the bell for services, and acted as gravedigger, etc.Kcb. 1891 M.A.M. Halloween Guest 40:
Humphrey was so fortunate as to obtain the office of “bellman” or grave digger.
2. The name of a variety of blind-man's buff (see quot.).Inv. 1969 I. & P. Opie Children's Games 120:
In ‘Jingling’, known as ‘Jingle Chase’ in Edinburgh, and ‘Bell Man’ in Inverness, all the players but one are chasers, and the chasers are all blinded. A semblance of fairness is achieved by making the one who is chased carry a bell or rattle which he has to keep sounding; and the game is played in a confined space so that the jingler cannot move far away.
