Dictionary

Sir John Lack-Latin en · NOUN

Etymology

From Sir John + lack-latin.

Meanings

1. (colloquial, obsolete) An uneducated priest, chiefly one who has little to no knowledge of Latin.
   • For every patron when he doth not diligently endeavour himself to place a good and godly man in his benefice which is in his hands; but is slothful, and careth not what manner of man he taketh; or is covetous and will have it himself, and hire a Sir John Lack-Latin, which shall say service, so that the people shall be nothing edified; no doubt that patron shall make answer before God, for not doing of his duty. 1550 October 9, Hugh Latimer, “A Sermon preached on Saint Andrew's Day”, in John Watkins, editor, The Sermons and Life of Hugh Latimer, volume 2, page 243:

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