clishmaclaver

[ klish-muh-kley-ver, kleesh- ]

noun

, Scot.

1. gossip; idle or foolish talk.

clishmaclaver

/ ˌklɪʃməˈkleɪvə /

noun

1. idle talk; gossip

Word History and Origins

Origin of clishmaclaver¹

1720–30; clish(-clash) gossip (gradational compound based on clash ) + -ma- (< ?) + claver

Word History and Origins

Origin of clishmaclaver¹

C16: from clish-clash, reduplication of clash + claver

Example Sentences

There is more of good sense, sound judgment, truth, and good taste, in it, than in all the clishmaclaver which has been issued from the Popish presses and Jesuit quarterly reviews in the United States, during the last half century.

From Project Gutenberg

Clish-clash, klish′-klash, Clishmaclaver, klish′maklāv′ėr, n. gossip.

From Project Gutenberg

Noo, I’ve been a gude friend to ye always, Peter, and eef there’s iver been anything wrang, I’ve been like Sir Murray himsel’ to all ye sairvants, and paid yer wage, and seen ye raised, and that no ane put upon ye; so now tell me, like a gude laddie, has there been any clishmaclaver with Maister Norton and my laird here?”

From Project Gutenberg

Weel, weel, no to clishmaclaver about him.

From Project Gutenberg

Ye mind what he said o' Prince Geordie: 'Yet mony a ragged cowte's been known To mak a noble aiver; And ye may doucely fill a throne, For a' their clishmaclaver.

From Project Gutenberg