Posted by Prue Eckett on January 10, 2003 at 02:51:13 from 210.86.76.54 user Prue_Eckett.
In Reply to: Drabbed Bawlor -- not directly AR-related posted by Dave Thewlis on January 09, 2003 at 20:43:32:
In the Common Oxford it says medieval English for bawl was baulare and Icelandic baula means low, such as cattle do. Drabbed/drab was used at the same time and for many years as a description of a hagged or poverty stricked person - the dregs of society.
Putting them together - maybe a drabbed bawlor is someone at the bottom of the heap - bedraggled and complaining.
Or maybe I'm putting two & two together to make five. Interesting subject though...