gatch

[Dave]

In the perennial quest to broaden our cultural horizons, I offer the following, which is recorded in the Shorter Oxford without any of those petty qualifications (archaic, technical, obsolete, etc) that spoil the pleasure of so many new discoveries:

gatch /gatʃ/ noun. L19.
[ORIGIN Persian gač.]

A type of plaster used in Iran for architectural decoration.

[Alan W]

An Irish Web page says:

A quick Google of the word “gatch” will return many different definitions ranging from “plaster as used in Persian architecture and decorative art” to “women’s undergarments that need to be cleaned”, not to mention “a laptop case with a built-in hood” or “someone who has a habit of bragging or showing off” …but as far as we ever knew it, here in Cork, “gatch” was used to described someone’s way of walking or moving.

In addition, there are many Web pages referring to the knee gatch, which is a piece of medical equipment, seemingly a feature of the Gatch bed - "A bed with divided sections for independent elevation of a patient's head and knees" - named for US surgeon Willis D Gatch (1878-1961).

So, with all these meanings, will we add it to our list? Natch!

[Binkie]

And let's not forget that wondrous composer, Gatchachurian, fondly known by his friends as Gatch.