welsh

See also: Welsh

English

Alternative forms

• welch
• Welsh

Etymology

Sometimes suggested to derive from disparaging stereotypes of the Welsh (“people from Wales”), though firm evidence of this derivation is lacking. Compare gyp (“swindle”) (probably from gypsy (“Roma”)), and jew (“defraud”), from Jew.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /wɛlʃ/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɛlʃ
• Homophone: Welsh

Verb

welsh (third-person singular simple present welshes, present participle welshing, simple past and past participle welshed)

1. (derogatory, sometimes offensive) To cheat or swindle someone, often by not paying a debt, especially a gambling debt.
2. (derogatory, sometimes offensive) To go back on one's word.
   • 2023 September 28, HarryBlank, “Hooking Up”, in SCP Foundation‎^[1], archived from the original on 25 May 2024:

     "He can weasel out if it." Ibanez massaged her knuckles. "He can say Couch welshed on a deal, and didn't show, and that's why Karen got got. It isn't conclusive. I have another thing I can lay on him, but even the two combined won't do. We need a third smoking gun if we're really gonna smoke this son of a bitch."

Usage notes

• The use of this term is sometimes considered offensive, especially by Welsh people, because it is taken as a negative stereotype of the Welsh.

Derived terms

• welsh-comb

 

See also

• gyp
• jew down