E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Finger-stall.
A hutkin, a cover for a sore finger. The Germans call a thimble a finger-hut, where hut is evidently the word hut or huth (a tending, keeping, or guarding), from the verb huten (to keep watch over). Our hutkin is simply a little cap for guarding a sore finger. Stall is the Saxon stœl (a place), whence our stall, a place for horses.
