1843. Thackeray, Irish Sketch Book, xiv. Half-a-dozen Peelers . . . now inhabit Bunratty.
1846. Punch, x. 163. And forth three peelers rushing Attempt to storm the Pass; Truncheons are thick, but fists are quick, and down they go to grass!
1850. Kingsley, Alton Locke, xxxv. He's gone for a peeler and a search warrant to break open the door.
1851. Mayhew, Lond. Lab., i. 22. As regards the police, the hatred of a costermonger to a peeler is intense.
1857. Lawrence, Guy Livingstone, iv. Six or seven peelers and specials.
1889. Encyclo. Brit., xviii. 453. His [Sir Robert Peel] greatest service to Ireland as secretary was the institution of the regular Irish constabulary, nicknamed after him Peelers.
1886-96. Marshall, Word of a Policeman ['Pomes,' 73]. The other peeler had a cut at him as well.
1889. Daily News, 24 July, 6, 1. The peelers seized it.
1892. Nisbet, Bushranger's Sweetheart, 64. When I heard him shout thieves, I thought it was the peeler, and knew it was time to walk.
1897. Punch, 23 Oct., 191, 1. He goes his way escorted by A single mounted peeler.
2. (pugilistic).—One ready to strip for the combat.
1852. L'Allegro; As Good as a Comedy, 56. Just you try it, then, with another sort of look in your face, and see if I ain't a peeler.
3. (American).—A very energetic person; a ripper (q.v.).
1869. H. B. Stowe, Oldtown Folks. She was spoken of with applause as a staver, a peeler, 'a roarer to work.'
Sir Peeler, subs. phr. (old).—A poverty-striking crop.
1557. Tusser, Husbandrie, xviii. 12. Wheat doth not well, Nor after Sir Peeler he loveth to dwell.
Peep, verb. (colloquial).—1. To speak.
2. (Old Cant).—To sleep.—B. E. (c. 1696).
Peeper, subs. (common).—1. A
spy-glass; (2) the eye; and (3),
in pl. = a pair of spectacles.
Hence painted peepers (or
peepers in mourning) = black
eyes.—B. E. (c. 1696); Dyche
(1748); Grose (1785).
English synonyms. Blinkers; daylights; glaziers; glims; mutton-pies (rhyming); ogles; optics; sees; winkers.
1656. Fletcher, Martiall, 1. 51. Thy peepers more than active friends delight.
1707. Ward, Hudibras Redivivus, ii. iv. 4. No sooner had they fix'd their peepers Upon the lifeless Whipper-Snappers.
1795. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v. Peeper. A spying glass.
1808. Jamieson, Dict., s.v. Peepers . . . a cant term for spectacles.
1818. Egan, Boxiana, ii. 43. His peepers were taken measure of for a suit of mourning.
1821. Egan, Life in London, ii. v. If you have even the good fortune to keep your peepers from being measured for a suit of mourning, you are perhaps . . . in more real danger among the refined heroes.
1822. Scott, Fortunes of Nigel, xvi. Chalk him across the peepers with your cheery.
1831. Almar, Pedlar's Acre, ii. 3. There's something to open your aged peepers.
1852. Judson, Myst. of New York, x. You just keep cool, and say nothing, but use your peepers.
1857. Thackeray, Virginians, xvi. Keep on anointing my mistress's dainty peepers with the very strongest ointment, so that my noddle may ever appear lovely to her.
1861. Pennell, Puck on Pegasus, 16. Slave! (I said) base Kitchen-creeper! (said I) I will stop your peeper! I will tap your claret.
1864. Times, 18 Oct. Which will at least, my gentle friends, open your peepers for the rest of time.
1891. Lic. Vict. Mirror, 30 Jan., 7, 3. Jones had one of his peepers . . . ornamented with a fringe of black.
