Bark up the Wrong Tree, verbal phr. (American).—Of trapper and pioneer derivation, and idiomatically used to signify that a person is at fault as to his purpose, or the means by which he is endeavouring to attain his object. The expression arose in this way: the Western huntsman found that his prey gradually became more and more wily and cunning in eluding pursuit, and frequently he and his dogs were at fault, supposing they had 'treed' their game when in reality, especially in the case of opossums and squirrels and such-like animals, it had escaped by jumping from the boughs of one tree to another. The dogs consequently were left barking up the wrong tree.
1835. Richmond Enquirer, Sep. 8. 'You didn't really go to old Bullion,' said a politician to an office-seeker, 'Why, he has no influence there, I can tell you. You barked up the wrong tree there, my friend, and you deserve to fail.'
1888. Detroit Free Press, Oct. Professor Rose who 'hit' this town last spring is around calling us a fugitive from justice, and asking why the police don't do something. Gently, Professor. When we left Xenia, O., the Sheriff patted us on the back and lent us half-a-dollar. We are the only man in this town who doesn't turn pale when the stage comes in, and the only one who doesn't break for the sage brush when it is announced that the United States Marshal is here. We ain't rich or pretty, but we are good, and the Professor is barking up the wrong tree.
Barnaby. To dance barnaby,
phr. (popular).—To move
expeditiously; irregularly.
Barnacle, subs, (old cant).—1.
A pickpocket. For synonyms,
see Area sneak.
b. 1809, d. 1870. Mark Lemon, Leyton Hall. The man that stood beside thee is old Crookfinger, the most notorious setter, barnacle and foist in the city.
2. (old.)—A good job, or snack easily got.—Lexicon Balatronicum (1811).
3. (old.)—A gratuity given to grooms by the buyers and sellers of horses.—Lexicon Balatronicum (1811).
4. (old.)—A constant attendant; he who, or that which sticks to one like a barnacle to a ship's bottom.
1607. Dekker, Northward Hoe! III., wks., 1873, III., 39. Ile cashiere all my yong barnicles. [m.]
1868. Miss Braddon, Trail of the Serpent, I., i., 7. Slopper found him a species of barnacle rather difficult to shake off.
5. (old cant.)—A decoy swindler; from the pertinacity with which such a one fastens on to a victim, and will not be shaken off until the purpose in view is effected. Cf., senses 1 and 4.
1591. Greene, Notable Discovery of Coosnage (1859), 23. Thus doth the Verser and the Setter feign a kind friendship to the Cony . . . As thus they sit tippling, coms the barnackle and thrusts open the doore . . . steps back again: and very mannerly saith I cry you mercy, Gentlemen. I thoght a frend of mine had bin heere.
1608. Dekker, Belman of London, wks. (1885) III., 131. He that . . . before counterfeited the dronken Bernard is now sober and called the barnacle.
6. (old.)—An individual speaking with a nasal twang; one who speaks through his nose.
1591. Percivall, Sp. Dictionary. Gango, a barnacle, one that speaketh through the nose, Chenolopex. [Chenalopex in Pliny, a species of goose.] [m.]
Barnacles, subs. (popular).—1.
Spectacles. Formerly applied
