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Bill W

Bill W 45,791

Posted (edited)

From Old English, in particular Scottish, meaning 'weapon show'. Was originally a gathering of troops in every district in Scotland to satisfy military chiefs that men were well trained and their weapons were in good shape. 

Word was adapted from Old Norse.  Wapenshaw is short for the Scottish term 'wapenshawing'.  

Edited by Bill W
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Bill W

Bill W 45,791

Posted (edited)

A wapenshaw jacket:  image.jpeg.dacdee86d30330bd131f147932d48b69.jpeg

Also described as a motorcycle jacket. 

Edited by Bill W
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Paladin

Paladin 7,831

Posted

What is interesting here is that today's word "wapenshaw" links to a previous word of the day, "wapentake". Both use the Old English "wapen" meaning weapon. They also have similar meanings when they refer to a gathering of people from a particular area, with their weapons. Yes "wapenshaw" refers to gatherings in Scotland and "wapentake" refers to gatherings in England. As "wapen" comes from Old Norse "vapn" it is not surprising that it would be used in both Scotland and England.

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Bill W

Bill W 45,791

Posted

John Faed (1820-1902) painted "The Wappenshaw: A Shooting Match" and it became his most important work.   It was displayed at the Royal Scottish Academy in 1863 and The Royal Academy in London in 1866. 

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sandrewn

sandrewn 22,178

Posted

Two plus hours on this word and I did it yet again, a stupid gesture and poof, all gone. So this is a very short version(read much) of what I had.

Not much to add on what has been said, but a lot of interesting reading on anything I found. Including this way out find, a Scottish reel?!?! :

ワーペンショウ　、ザ 　 （The Wapenshaw）　：カズのFDDB

One item of note, wapenshaw, was possibly a precursor to the formation of the Scottish territorial army.

 

Also found in: Dictionary.

A wapenshaw, or wapinshaw, (from the Old English for "weapon show") was originally a gathering and review of troops formerly held in every district in Scotland.[1][2] The object was to satisfy the military chiefs that the arms of their retainers were in good condition[1] and that the men were properly trained in their use.

Use of 'Wapenshaw' in Lawn Bowls

The term is still in use, to describe some competitions by bowling clubs[3][4] in Scotland.

Use of 'Wapenshaw' in Shooting

Wapenshaw is also occasionally used, in Scotland and elsewhere in the United Kingdom for rifle or other gun shows, particularly those involving historic weapons.[5][6]

The Woodcraft Folk

Wapenshaw is also widely used in the Woodcraft Folk to describe a daily ceremony when camping, which involves each camper removing all belongings from their tent and laying them out on a groundsheet in a fixed order. This serves two purposes: to air out the tent, and to ensure that no items have been lost.

References

  1. ^ a b 12px-Wikisource-logo.svg.png One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Wapenshaw". Encyclopædia Britannica. 28 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 304.
  2. ^ reference to wapinshaw at barracks in Glasgow
  3. ^ notice of wappenshaw competition at Prestwick Howie bowling club
  4. ^ report of Wapinshaw competition at Gourock Park bowling club
  5. ^ Report on Aberdeen shooting club Wapinshaw, 2011
  6. ^ Results of the Aberdeen Wapinshaw, 2013-2016

Further reading

 

Last, but not least. Depending on where and who you ask.

Scrabble does or does not recognize the use of this word, however you choose to spell it. I vote yes, if you are asking.

 

:cowboy:

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