My wife and I are helping to direct a musical play at our town's high school. One of the characters makes the following declaration:
"The Oxford English Dictionary. Plaid: a cloth of woven fabric – traditionally worn over the left shoulder. This highlander material is comprised of a series of colorful squares and cross-barred patterns, signifying family and home."
I am skeptical of the OED origins of this definition. Would someone with OED access please corroborate or correct this definition?
Thanks,
Peter
You are skeptical of whether the OED authors something like that, or of the veracity thereof ?
No matter. It as the old Scottish 'shoulder wear' is pretty much indisputable. However, watch for this caveat: 'of unknown ultimate origin.' The symbolism about home, family, seems shaky.
I shouldn't have put the word origins in there, it's misleading. My question is whether or not this is the actual definition, word for word, that appears in the OED, and, if not, what does it actually say? If the character is going to quote the OED he should actually quote the OED. As it now appears, it doesn't sound like a dictionary definition to me.
No, it can not be word for word. Notice the sentence is cut off at " shoulder" - a dictionary would mention something about Scottish people.
Plus, the part about "home,family" is much too fluffy for dictionary.
The playwright, or the character, is just having fun.
I found this at Google Books:
Concise Oxford English Dictionary: Luxury Edition
edited by Angus Stevenson, Maurice Waite
plaid/plad/ n. chequered or tartan twilled cloth a long piece of plaid worn over the shoulder as part of Scottish Highland dress.
DERIVATIVES plaided adj.
ORIGIN C16: from Sc. Gaelic 'plaide' blanket, of unknown ultimate origin.
It is likely not as thorough as the full OED but it may be similar. Here is a link if you want to look at it.