Crispin. World English Historical Dictionary

Crispin. World English Historical Dictionary Dictionary Biographies Literary Criticism Welcome Terms of Service ⧏ Previous Next ⧐ Contents Slice Contents Key Bibliographic Record Murray’s New English Dictionary. 1893, rev. 2025. Crispin

A name given to a shoemaker, in allusion to Crispinus or St. Crispin, the patron saint of shoemakers; also sometimes adopted by the members of trades-unions or benefit societies of shoemakers. St. Crispin’s lance: a shoemaker’s awl.

1

[1611.  Cotgr., s.v. Crespin, Lance de S. Crespin, an Awle.]

2

c. 1645.  Howell, Lett. (1650), I. 417. A good shoemaker that can manage St. Crispin’s lance handsomely.

3

1726.  Amherst, Terræ Filius, x. 47. What a pretty set of tradesmen … should we have … if gentle crispin was appointed to teach the art and mystery of basket-making.

4

1756.  W. Toldervy, Hist. Two Orphans, IV. 7. In company with an honest crispin who dealt very considerably in politicks.

5

a. 1845.  Hood, My Son & Heir, xix. A Crispin he shall not be made.

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