Haberdasher, subs. (old colloquial: now recognised).—1. A dealer in small wares; specifically (1) a hatter, and (2, humorously) a publican (i.e., a seller of tape (q.v.). Now restricted to a retail draper.
1599. Minsheu, Dictionarie, s.v.
1632. Jonson, The Magnetic Lady, 'Induction.' Poetaccios, poetasters, poetitos. . . . And all haberdashers of small wit.
d. 1680. Butler, Remains (1759), ii., 107. He set up haberdasher of a small poetry.
1823. Moncrieff, Tom and Jerry, iii., 5. The haberdasher is the whistler, otherwise the spirit-merchant, Jerry—and tape the commodity he deals in.
Haberdasher of pronouns, subs. phr. (common).—A schoolmaster. For synonyms, see Bumbrusher.
1690. B. E., Cant. Crew, s.v.
1725. New Cant. Dict., s.v.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
Habit, subs. (old University).—See
quot.
1803. Gradus ad Cantabrigiam. Habit. College Habit, College dress, called of old, Livery: the dress of the Master, Fellows, and Scholars.
Hab-nab (or Hob-nob (q.v.)), adv. (old).—1. At random; promiscuously; helter-skelter; ding-dong.
1602. Shakspeare, Twelfth Night, iii., 4. His incensement at this moment is so great that satisfaction can be none but by pangs of death and sepulchre. Hob-nob is his word; give't, or take't.
1664. Butler, Hudibras, ii., 3. Although set down hab-nab at random.
1690. B. E., Cant. Crew, s.v. Hab-nab. at a Venture, Unsight, Unseen, Hit or Miss.
1725. New Cant. Dict, s.v.
2. (old).—By hook or by crook; by fair means or foul.
1581. Lilly, Euphues, 109. Philantus determined habnab to send his letters.
Verb (old).—To drink with; giving health for health.
1836. Horace Smith, The Tin Trumpet. 'Address to a Mummy.' Perchance that very hand now pinioned flat Has hob-and-nobbed with Pharaoh glass for glass.
Hack (or Hackney), subs. (old:
now recognised).—1. A person
or thing let out for promiscuous
use: e.g., a horse, a whore, a
literary drudge. Whence (2) a
coach that plies for hire; (3)
(stables') a horse for everyday
use, as offered to one for a
special purpose—hunting, racing,
polo. (4) (Cambridge Univ.), see
quot. 1803. Also Hackster.
1383. Chaucer, Canterbury Tales, 16,027. His Hakeney, which that was a pomele gris.
1540. Lyndsay, Satyre of the thri Estaits, 3237. I may finde the Earle of Rothus best hacknay.
