TO SEE ONE'S HOOF IN (a thing), verb. phr. (common).—To detect personal influence or interference in a matter.
1863. THACKERAY, Roundabout Papers, 'On Screens in Dining Rooms' (1887, p. 58). I am informed by the same New York correspondent that . . . I once said to a literary gentleman, who was possibly pointing to an anonymous article as his writing, 'Ah! I thought I RECOGNISED YOUR HOOF IN IT.'
HOOF-PADDER,subs. (common).—A
pedestrian.
HOOFY, adj. (common).—Splay (or
large).
HOOK, subs, (thieves').—1. A finger.
(Cf., CUNT-HOOKS). For synonyms,
see FORK. In plural=the
hands. Also, HOOKS and FEELERS.
d. 1842. MAGINN, Vidocq Versified. To his clies my HOOKS I throw in.
1877. Five Years' Penal Servitude, ch. iv., p. 259. I one day asked a man . . . if the hard work of prison did not spoil his hands for delicate manipulations. 'Oh, bless you, no!' he replied; . . . In a week or two a man can bring his HOOKS and feelers into full working trim again and no mistake.'
2. (thieves').—A thief. Specifically, a pickpocket; a HOOKER (q.v.). For synonyms, see THIEVES.
1562. Jacke Juggler (DODSLEY, Old Plays, 4th ed., 1875, ii., 139). So, yonder cometh that unhappy HOOK.
1887. HORSLEY, Jottings from Jail. Take my tip and turn square, from a HOOK who is going to be lagged, would be, in common parlance, take my advice and get your living honestly.
1892. ANSTEY, Voces Populi (2nd Series). 'In Trafalgar Square.' A professional HOOK.
3. (common).—A catch; an advantage; an imposture.
Verb (old).—I. To rob; to steal. Specifically, to steal watches, rings, etc., from a shop by cutting a small hole in the window, and fishing for such articles with a piece of string with a hook at the end.
1615. Albumazar, iii., 3. Is not this braver than sneak all night in danger, Picking of locks, or HOOKING cloths at windows.
b. 1796. BURNS, Jolly Beggars. For mony a pursie she had HOOKIT.
1876. CLEMENS [Mark Twain], Tom Sawyer, p. 34. And while Aunt Polly closed with a happy Scriptural flourish, Tom HOOKED a doughnut.
1884. M. TWAIN, Huck. Finn, xxx., 312. Didn't you have it in your mind to HOOK the money and hide it?
2. (colloquial).—To secure, as for marriage; to marry.
1886. J. S. WINTER, Army Society, ch. xviii. I wonder if Mrs. Traff has contrived to HOOK him for her sweet Laura.
1892. MANVILLE FENN, New Mistress, ch. xxv. Have you I will—there now. Don't you think you're going to HOOK Lambent.
Intj. (Oxford Univ.).—An expression implying doubt. [Query from the note of interrogation (?) or connected with HOOKEY WALKER (q.v.).]
On the HOOK, subs. phr. (common).—I. On the thieve; ON THE CROSS (q.v.).
2. (old).—On the HIP (q.v.); at an advantage.
1694. CONGREVE, Double Dealer, iv., 18. Consider I have you ON THE HOOK; you will but flounder yourself a-weary, and be nevertheless my prisoner.
HOOK AND EYE, subs. phr.
(tailors').—Arm in arm.
TO TAKE (or SLING) ONE'S
HOOK (or TO HOOK IT), verb. phr.
(common).—To decamp; to run
away. For synonyms, see AMPUTATE
and SKEDADDLE.
