Why do we use the expression "to welsh on a bet" when speaking about the loser of a wager failing to pay up? Are Welsh people notorious for doing this?

Question

Why do we use the expression "to welsh on a bet" when speaking about the loser of a wager failing to pay up? Are Welsh people notorious for doing this?

Question #42456. Asked by shady shaker.

Related Trivia Topics: Idioms and Proverbs

Senior Moments
Answer has 6 votes

Currently Best Answer

Senior Moments

Answer has 6 votes.

Currently voted the best answer.

It is actually 'welch on a bet'

Then again I may be mistaken as I found that it was English bookies who, having too many long shot winners against them, fled over the border to 'boondock' Wales to become the original welshers and escape irate bettors looking for their payoff.

Dec 18 2003, 6:19 AM

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Answer 1

RickF
Answer has 2 votes

RickF
21 year member
227 replies

Answer has 2 votes.

My dictionary gives welch/welsh in this context as '19th C - origin unknown' so SM's explanation is probably as valid as any

According to the OED - "Welch - see welsh(2)" - but it doesn't say it has any connection with Welsh(1)

Dec 18 2003, 8:10 AM

Answer 2

mibmob
Answer has 4 votes

mibmob
22 year member
1273 replies

Answer has 4 votes.

Brewer's says:
Welsher One who lays a bet, but absconds if he loses. It means a Welshman, and is based upon the nursery rhyme, “Taffy was a Welshman, Taffy was a thief.”

Dec 18 2003, 11:03 AM

Why do we use the expression "to welsh on a bet" when speaking about the loser of a wager failing to pay up? Are Welsh people notorious for doing this?

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