[ad. L. Laurentius.] A Christian name, used to denote a personification of indolence. Laurence bids wages: a proverbial phrase meaning that the attractions of idleness are tempting. Also Lazy Laurence, a reproachful designation for an idle person.
Possibly the alliteration of the last-quoted phrase may sufficiently account for the use of the name; some, however, have suggested an allusion to the heat prevalent about St. Laurence’s day (Aug. 10). Another conjecture is that there was a joke to the effect that when the martyr St. Laurence told his tormentors to turn him round on his gridiron, it was because he was too lazy to turn himself. It is important to note that the equivalent G. der faule Lenz (Lenz = Lorenz) has been in use from the 16th c.; see Grimm s.v. Lenz.
1796. Pegge, Anonym. (1809), 348. Laurence bids wages; a proverbial saying for to be lazy; because St. Laurence’s day is the 10th of August, within the dog-days, and when the weather is usually very hot and faint.
1821. Clare, Vill. Minstr., II. 23. When the warm sun smiles And ‘Lawrence wages bids’ on hills and stiles.
1880. E. Cornw. Gloss., He’s as lazy as Larence. One wad think that Larence had got hold o’n.
