Definition of the word bricklayer

The term "bricklayer" dates back to the Middle Ages, when bricks were used for constructing buildings for the first time. The origin of the word "bricklayer" is derived from two Old English words, "bric" and "lagan." The word "bric" or "bryce" means "building material" and referred to the bricks that were molded from clay and fired in kilns. The word "lagan" means "to lie or place" and referred to the process of laying the bricks in a wall or structure. Over time, the term "bricklayer" became more commonly used in the Middle English period, as brick became a popular building material for both residential and commercial buildings due to its durability and fire-resistant qualities. The term "bricklayer" is also alluded to by the famous children's nursery rhyme, "There Was an Old Man with a Beard," which describes the task of bricklaying using the phrase, "He dressed himself all in flannel, / With seven pairs ofst Vallies." The mention of "st Vallies," or bricklaying boots, is a clear indication that the old man in the rhyme was once a bricklayer.