Hedge-note, subs. (old).—Low writing. [As Dryden: ‘They left these hedge-notes for another sort of poem.’]
Hedge-popping, subs. (sporting).—Shooting small birds about hedges. Whence Hedge-popper = a trumpery shooter; and Hedge-game = small birds, as sparrows and tits.
Hedge-priest (or parson), subs. (old: now recognised).—A sham cleric; a blackguard or vagabond parson; a couple beggar. [As Johnson notes, the use of Hedge in a detrimental sense is common. As Hedge-begot; Hedge-born; Hedge-brat; Hedge-found; Hedge-docked (q.v.); Hedge-tavern (= a low alehouse); Hedge-square (q.v.); Hedge-reared; Hedge-mustard; Hedge-writer (= a Grub-street author); Hedge-building, etc. Shakspeare uses the phrase ‘Hedge-born’ as the very opposite of ‘gentle blooded’ (1 Henry VI., iv., 1).] Specifically, Hedge-priests = (in Ireland) a cleric admitted to orders directly from a Hedge-school (q.v.) without having studied theology. [Before Maynooth, men were admitted to ordination ere they left for the continental colleges, so that they might receive the stipend for saying mass.]
1588. Marprelate’s Epistle, p. 30 (Ed. Arber). Is it any maruaile that we haue so many swine dumbe dogs nonresidents with their iourneimen the hedge-priests … in our ministry.
1594. Shakspeare, Love’s Labour’s Lost, v., 2. The pedant, the braggart, the hedge-priest, the fool, and the boy.
1598. Florio, Worlde of Wordes. Arlotto, the name of a merie priest, a lack-latine, or hedge-priest.
1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v. Hedge Priest. A sorry Hackney, Underling, Illiterate, Vagabond, see Patrico.
1725. New Cant. Dict., s.v.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue. s.v. [[296]]
1822. Scott, Fortunes of Nigel, ch. xvii. A hedge-parson, or buckle-beggar, as that order of priesthood has been irreverently termed.