1500-13. Skelton, Works (Dyce), 121. When ye kyst a shepys ie.
1590. Greene, Francesco's Fortunes [in Wks. viii., 191]. That casting a sheepe's eye at hir, away he goes; and euer since he lies by himselfe and pines away.
1600. T. Heywood, 1 Ed. IV. [Pearson, Works (1874), i. 51]. Go to, Nell; no more sheep's eyes; . . . these be liquorish lads.
1611. Cotgrave, Dict. . . . Affectionate winke, a sheepeseye.
1614. Jonson, Bartholomew Fair, v. 3. Who chances to come by but fair Nero in a sculler; And seeing Leander's naked leg and goodly calf, Cast at him from the boat a sheep's eye an' a half.
1632. Massinger, Maid of Honour, iv. 5. His brother, nor his favourite, Fulgentio, Could get a sheep's eye from you, I being present.
1651. Cartwright, Ordinary [Nares]. If I do look on any woman, nay, If I do cast a sheepseye upon any.
1673. Wycherley, Gentleman Dancing Master, iv. 1. I saw her just now give him the languishing eye, as they call it, that is, the whiting's eye, of old called the sheep's-eye.
1675. Cotton, Scoffer Scofft [Works (1725), 192]. Observing what Sheeps-eyes he cast.
1708-10. Swift, Polite Conversation, i. Pray, Miss, how do you like Mr. Spruce? I swear I have often seen him cast a Sheep's Eye out of a Calf's Head at you.
1714. Spectator, No. 623. The steward was observed to cast a sheep's eye upon her, and married her within a month after the death of his wife.
1748. Smollett, Rod. Random, xvi. There was a young lady in the room, and she threw . . . many sheep's eyes at a certain person whom I shall not name.
1766. Old Song, 'The Butcher' [The Rattle], 3. Brisk Dolly, the Cookmaid . . . At whom the young Butcher soon cast a sheep's eye.
1837. Barham, Ingoldsby Leg., ii. 334. Her Charms will excuse one for casting sheep's eyes at her.
1864. G. A. Lawrence, Guy Livingstone, vii. He would stand for some time casting lamb's-eyes at the object of his affections—to the amorous audacity of the full-grown sheep he never soared.
1892. Tit-Bits, 19 Mar., 425, 1. Sowerbutt had a silent regard for Ethel, . . . on more than one occasion . . . furtively casting sheep's eyes at my darling.
Sheepskin, subs. (common).—1.
The diploma received on taking a
degree; also (2) a person who
has taken a degree; and (3) a
deed or similar document [engrossed
on parchment].
1843. Carlton, New Purchase, i. 203. I can say as well as the best o' them sheepskins, if you don't get religion and be saved, you'll be lost teetotally and forever. Ibid. This apostle of ourn never rubbed his back agin a college, nor toted about no sheepskins,—no, never! . . . How you'd a perished in your sins, if the first preachers had stayed till they got sheepskins!
1853. Dickens, Bleak House, xxxii. The entanglement of real estate in the meshes of sheepskin.
Sheepskin-fiddle, subs. phr.
(old).—A drum. Hence, sheepskin-fiddler
= a drummer
(Grose).
Sheepwalk, subs. (old).—A
prison.
1781. Messink, Choice of Harlequin, 'Ye Scamps, &c.,' i. In Tothill-field's gay sheepwalk, like lambs ye sport and play.
Sheepwash, verb. (Winchester).—To
duck.
Sheet-alley, subs. phr. (common).—Bed;
blanket-fair (q.v.).
Sheets, subs. (old).—Generic for
sexual intercourse: thus, the
shaking of the sheets = the
act of kind (orig. the name of an
old country dance). Also between
the sheets = in the act; white-
(or cold-) sheets = chastity;
stained (or foul) -sheets =
fornication; lawful sheets =
wedlock; to possess a woman's
sheets = to enjoy her.
