potwalloper

noun

pot·​wal·​lop·​er
ˈpäˌtwäləpə(r)
variants or less commonly potwaller
-lə(r)
: a voter living in an English borough before the Reform Act of 1832 and qualifying for suffrage as a householder by the boiling of his own pot at his own fireplace

Word History

Etymology

potwalloper alteration (influenced by wallop) of potwaller, from pot entry 1 + obsolete English wall to boil (from Middle English wallen, from Old English weallan) + English -er

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Dictionary Entries Near potwalloper

Cite this Entry

“Potwalloper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/potwalloper. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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