subs. phr. (old).—An Irishman. Camden, however (c. 1605), speaking of the ‘debateable land’ on the borders of England and Scotland, says, ‘both these dales breed notable BOG-TROTTERS: hence the original sense appears to = one accustomed to walk across bogs: a nickname for an Irishman, it dates at least from 1671. Hence BOG-TROTTING (in contempt) and BOG-TROT, verb.
1671. R. HEAD, The English Rogue, pt. I., xxvii. (Repr. 1874), 232. [Irishmen are spoken of as BOG-TROTTERS in this work.]
1677. MIEGE, Dictionary, s.v. BOG-TROTTER. An Irish robber.
c. 1696. B. E., A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew, s.v. BOG-TROTTERS, Scotch or North Country Mosstroopers or High-way Men formerly, and now Irish Men.
1740. R. NORTH, Examen, 323. It is a thousand times better, as one would think, to BOGTROT in Ireland, than to pirk it in preferment no better dressed.
1758–65. GOLDSMITH, On Quack Doctors (Essays and Poems, 1836), 127. Rock advises the world to beware of BOG-TROTTING quacks.
1849. THACKERAY, Pendennis, I., 169. The impudent, BOG-TROTTING scamp dare not threaten me!
1859. G. A. SALA, Gaslight and Daylight, xxix. Gaunt reapers and BOG-TROTTERS in those traditional blue bodycoats, leathern smalls, and bell-crowned hats, that seem to be manufactured nowhere save in Ireland.
1876. C. HINDLEY, ed. The Life and Adventures of a Cheap Jack, 191. ‘What do you mean by calling me Irish? it is you that are Irish, you ——.’ ‘Ha! ha! ha! ha!’ jerked out Fagan. ‘There I tould ye so. He can’t stand to be called by his true name; the BOG-TROTTING rascal denies his Ould Ireland for a mother.’
