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A choking oyster, subs. phr. (old).—A reply that leaves one nothing to say.
d.1556. Udall, Apoph., 61. At an other season, to a feloe laiyng to his rebuke that he was over deintie of his mouthe and diete, he did with this reason give a stopping oistre.
1547. Heywood, Proverbs, xi. [She] therefore deviseth to cast in my teeth checks and choking oysters.
Old Oyster, subs. phr. (common).—A
vulgar, playful endearment.
1892. Milliken, 'Arry Ballads, 17. Life don't want lifting, old oyster.
The Oyster, subs. (venery).—The
semen. Whence oyster
catcher = the female pudendum;
and oyster-catching =
whoring.
Oyster-faced, adj. (streets').—In
need of shaving. [In allusion
to the oyster's beard].
