/ · 1736 Universal Etymological Dictionary · w · To give one the Wall
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To give one the Wall
To give one the Wall a
compliment paid to the female sex, or those to whom one would show respect, by
letting them go nearest the wall or houses, upon a supposition of it’s being
the cleanest. This custom is chiefly peculiar to England, for in most parts
abroad they will give them the right hand, tho’ at the same time they thrust
them into the kennel.
Definition taken from
The Universal Etymological Dictionary,
edited by Nathan Bailey (1736)
Wall *
Waˊntonness