I thought as I came across notable words from Wordnik's Word of the Day service, I'd post them here. Short and sweet. Here you go. Yes, I'm a little behind on this one.
The Wordnik Word of the Day for August 12, 2010 is was
couple-beggar
http://www.wordnik.com/words/couple-beggar
(noun) One who makes it his business to unite beggars in marriage; a hedge-priest.
A 'couple-beggar' was originally a person who officiated marriages between criminals in the notorious Fleet Prison in London.
Example:
"Casey's bodyguard, who tied Andy neck and heels, and in that helpless state he witnessed the marriage ceremony performed by the 'couple-beggar,' between Casey and the girl he had looked upon as his own five minutes before."
- Handy Andy, a Tale of Irish Life, by Samuel Lover
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