Turlupin (terlupin)

[OF., appar. a particular use, in contempt, of turlupin, "a grub, mushrome, start-up, new-nothing man of no value" (Cotgrave, ed. 1611); origin unknown.] In eccles. hist., a name given to the members of a French sect of about the fourteenth century, which held views very similar to those of the Brethren of the Free Spirit. The Turlupins were first known by the names Beghards, or Beghins, and brothers and sisters of the free spirit. The common people alone called them Turlupins , a name which seems obviously to be connected with the wolvish howlings which these people, in all probability, would make in their religious ravings. Their subsequent name of the fraternity of poor men might have been the cause why the wandering rogues, called Bedlam beggars, as or of Turlupins or Turlygoods, sumedally thineeingscompanied by the gesticulations of madmen. IMG:content-1094.png:[blocks in formation]