welsh
[welsh, welch]
verb (used without object) Informal: Sometimes Offensive.
to cheat by failing to pay a gambling debt: You aren't going to welsh on me, are you?
to go back on one's word: He welshed on his promise to help in the campaign.
Also welch.
Origin of welsh
First recorded in 1855–60; perhaps special use of Welsh
Usage note
Use of this verb is sometimes perceived as insulting to or by the Welsh, the people of Wales. However, its actual origin may have nothing to do with Wales or its people; in fact, the verb is also spelled welch.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Related Words for welshed
fool, dupe, fleece, scam, shaft, cheat, bilk, stiff, gull, bamboozle, sting, trick, weasel, deceive, duck, dodge, flimflam, hoodwink, defraud, conwelsh
welch
verb (intr often foll by on) slang
Word Origin for welsh
C19: of unknown origin
Welsh
1adjective
noun
Also (rare): Welch
Word Origin for Welsh
Old English Wēlisc, Wǣlisc; related to wealh foreigner, Old High German walahisc (German welsch), Old Norse valskr, Latin Volcae
Welsh
2noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Welsh
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper