husting

From Old English hūsting, from Old Norse húsþing (“house assembly”)[1], from hús (“house”) + þing (“council, meeting”).

husting (plural hustings)

Usually used in the plural (hustings) but with a singular verb.

1. A platform where candidates in an election give speeches.
2. (historical) An assembly, especially one of the retainers of a ruler.
   • 2003, John Hamilton Baker, The Oxford History of the Laws of England: c. 900-1216, page 819:

     In the Anglo-Norman period we hear of a sale of land taking place 'in the presence of the whole husting of London, in the House of Alfwin son of Leofstan' and of land deraigned 'by judgment of the husting'.

The plural hustings is used more often than the singular husting, even for a single platform. The plural hustings also has a metaphorical sense of an election campaign in general.

• hustings
• thing

• folkmoot

• Gutnish, tushing, unsight