Dialect/Slang Word- "Lash!"

[Casiopea]

I wonder if lash and lush are related.

[stephen07]

Originally Posted by Casiopea

I wonder if lash and lush are related.

"Lush" was in The Sun newspaper today and it made me think this as well. I'd completely forgot about the term. My sister lives in England and a few years ago she came home saying lush instead of lash which we thought was weird!

I'd say "lash" could be a local version of lush perhaps influenced by Scots lash(an abundance of something) and Gaelic laise(glamour). How's that for detective work?! Or is it too far-fetched?

[Casiopea]

Originally Posted by stephen07

I'd say "lash" could be a local version of lush perhaps influenced by Scots lash(an abundance of something) and Gaelic laise(glamour). How's that for detective work?! Or is it too far-fetched?

I found these at Online Etymology Dictionary

lush (n.) 1890, "drunkard," from earlier (1790) slang meaning "liquor" (in phrase lush ken "alehouse"); perhaps a humorous use of lush (adj.) or from Romany or Shelta (tinkers' jargon).

lush (adj.) 1440, "lax, flaccid, soft, tender," from O.Fr. lasche "soft, succulent," from laschier "loosen," from L.L. laxicare "become shaky," related to L. laxare "loosen," from laxus "loose" (see lax). Sense of "luxuriant in growth" is first attested 1610; erroneously applied to colors since 1744.
What are your thoughts?

[stephen07]

Originally Posted by Casiopea

I found these at Online Etymology Dictionary

lush (n.) 1890, "drunkard," from earlier (1790) slang meaning "liquor" (in phrase lush ken "alehouse"); perhaps a humorous use of lush (adj.) or from Romany or Shelta (tinkers' jargon).

lush (adj.) 1440, "lax, flaccid, soft, tender," from O.Fr. lasche "soft, succulent," from laschier "loosen," from L.L. laxicare "become shaky," related to L. laxare "loosen," from laxus "loose" (see lax). Sense of "luxuriant in growth" is first attested 1610; erroneously applied to colors since 1744.
What are your thoughts?

From www.peevish.com/slang
lushAdj. Excellent, appealing, attractive.
Noun. A habitual, heavy drinker of alcohol. Derog.
The first meaning is more like our "lash",while the second is more like the historical sources you quoted. To "go out on the lash" is perhaps connected to the second meaning of "lush" though?

Found "lashin adjective, of a person or thing strapping; large" in the Concise Ulster Dictionary today. Think this is probably related to "lash" meaning excellent.

I also heard from an older person today who said lash meant fancy. This sounds very similar to the Irish "laise"(glamour).