α. 1900s– varda, 1800s– vardo, 1800s– wardo.
β. 1900s– vurdon (apparently rare).
vardon.
/ˈvɑːdəʊ/, U.S. /ˈvɑrdoʊ/ A Gypsy caravan. Also more generally (cant): †a wagon (obsolete).
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > cart, carriage, or wagon > [noun]
carc1320
chara1400
charet?a1400
wagon1542
carry1600
rotan1676
messagerie1777
pillbox1789
bandy1791
Pennsylvania wagon1800
gharry1810
rath1813
vardo1819
rig1831
society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > other vehicles according to specific use > [noun] > vehicle used as living accommodation > used by gypsies
gypsy caravan1840
gypsy wagon1841
vardo1897
Reading wagon1940
1819 J. H. Vaux New Vocab. Flash Lang. in Memoirs II. 223 Vardo, a waggon.
1897 P. Kester Tales Real Gypsy 55 The chies must needs have the chals to assist them into and out of the vardo, playing at being great ladies, with much light discourse and idle chaffing.
1934 P. Allingham Cheapjack vi. 59 As me brother David pointed out to me in the vardo afterwards, this 'ere finger called me a bastard—and he was right.
1982 Times 30 Apr. 10/3 This 'ere Gorse Hill..was always too tiring for an 'orse after pullin' a varda..10 or 12 miles.
2016 Church Times 23 Sept. 39/2 Roly..had one of the vardo wheels in his porch.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2021; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
<
n.1819