Etymology: Extended form of pilch n., with apparently arbitrary ending. With sense 2 compare -er suffix³; this may represent an independent formation. Compare also pilcher n.³With use in quot. 1599 at sense 1 perhaps compare forms at pilchard n. (this use may perhaps pun on this word), or perhaps compare pilcher n.² In the Middle English period an agent noun pilcher maker or seller of pilches ( < pilch n. + -er suffix¹) is implied by a number of surnames and place names: see Middle Eng. Dict. s.v. pilcher(e, C. Hough in Notes & Queries 244 (1999) 6–7.

Etymology: Origin uncertain: perhaps a specific use of pilcher, variant of pilchard n.; perhaps < pilch n.+ -er suffix¹; or perhaps < pilch v. + -er suffix¹. It is possible that some of the uses illustrated below pun on more than one of these words.An etymology from pilch n. is perhaps supported by the evidence for an agent noun pilcher in Middle English (see note at pilcher n.¹). In the early 17th cent., the wearing of a pilch is occasionally a subject of mockery:1602 T. Dekker Satiro-mastix sig. G3^v Thou amblest (in leather pilch) by a play-wagon, in the high way. Dekker is here responding to Jonson's Poetaster (as quoted below), and possibly echoing Nashe's leather piltche ( Lenten Stuffe (1599) 27). Shakespeare's deprecatory use of pilcher for ‘scabbard’ (see quot. 1599 at pilcher n.¹ 1) is perhaps also related or influential (although compare note s.v. pilcher n.¹), and perhaps adds a level of sexual innuendo. An etymology < pilch v. is difficult to substantiate: A. Trumble Slang Dict. N.Y., London & Paris (1881) 27/1 has ‘Pilcher, a stealer; generally applied to fellows who steal pocket-handkerchiefs’, but further evidence is lacking, and this example is more likely to reflect an independent formation from pilch v., perhaps after filcher n. or pincher n. 1c. Perhaps likeliest is that the word is from pilcher , variant of pilchard n. Most of the quotations at least play on this sense, and dried or salt fish is elsewhere used proverbially for something insignificant, contemptible, or mean: see quot. a1616 at pilchard n. 1, Poor John n., stockfish n., etc. Again, a sexual innuendo may also be present (compare G. Williams Dict. Sexual Lang. & Imagery Shakespearean & Stuart Lit. (1994) s.vv. salt, fish). Perhaps related is Shakespeare's use of pilch as a humorous form of address for a fisherman, in Pericles v. 53 (1609 Quarto, as pelch ). Pilcher is a favourite word of Fletcher's, and in quot. a1625¹ various possible senses are apparently combined.

Etymology: Origin uncertain; probably related to pilch n.; compare pilcher n.¹ Compare German Deckfilz in the same sense.