Pronunciation: [ɡˈa͡ɪzəz] (IPA) 
The word "guisers" is pronounced [ˈɡaɪzərz]. It refers to people who dress up in costumes, often with masks or painted faces, and go from house to house performing plays or songs in exchange for food or money, especially around Halloween or Christmas. The spelling of the word may seem confusing with the "u" and the "i" together, but this is a result of the word's origin from the Old Norse word "gisar", which meant "to dress up".
Guisers are individuals who participate in a traditional form of entertainment consisting of performances, often during festive occasions, where they dress in costumes or masks and engage in various activities such as dancing, singing, and acting. This term is particularly associated with the customs and traditions found in different regions, especially in Scotland, northern England, and parts of Ireland.
The word "guisers" is derived from the Scottish word "guise" meaning "disguise" or "appearance." These performers, known as guisers, typically wear elaborate costumes or masks that conceal their identities, allowing them to take on different personas or characters during their performances.
The activities of guisers may vary depending on the specific cultural or regional traditions. They often go from house to house or perform in public spaces, entertaining people with their lively performances. Guisers may engage in comedic skits, dances, storytelling, or other forms of entertainment to amuse their audience. In some cases, they may even act out ancient rituals or symbolic performances that hold spiritual or historical significance.
Guisers are integral to preserving cultural heritage and maintaining community bonds. They play a significant role in celebrations and festivals, adding a sense of excitement and joy to the events. By wearing costumes and assuming different identities, they transport the audience into a world of fantasy and make-believe, providing a break from everyday routines. The traditions of guisers are often passed down across generations, ensuring the continuation of these unique and cherished customs.
In Scot., persons, chiefly young persons, who go from house to house in a sort of masquerade, about Christmas time, singing songs and soliciting contributions for holiday purposes.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "guiser" has its origins in Scotland and is derived from the Middle English term "gysar", which means a person disguised in costume. The word can be traced back to the Old French "guisier" and ultimately finds its roots in the Proto-Germanic word "wisjan", meaning to dress or clothe. In Scottish traditions, "guisers" refer to individuals who dress up in costumes, often for seasonal celebrations like Halloween or Christmas, and go door-to-door performing plays, songs, or other entertainments in exchange for food or money.
