it. Of course such a permission meant extra fees and payment to the coachman and guard, and was a direct fraud on the proprietors.
1888. Tristram [Eng. Ill. Mag., June, 623]. Shouldering in the tongue of coachmen and guards meant taking a fare not on the way-bill, and unknown to the proprietor.
A SLIP OF THE SHOULDER, subs. phr. (old).—Seduction.
See Cold Shoulder, Wheel.
Shoulder-clapper, subs. phr.
(old).—A bailiff; 'a member of
the hold-fast club' (B. E. and
Grose); shoulder-clapped =
arrested.
1593. Shakspeare, Com. of Errors, iv. 2. A back-friend, a shoulder-clapper, one that countermandes The passages of alleys, creeks, and narrow lands.
1604. Dekker and Webster, Westward Hoe, v. 3. What a profane varlet is this shoulder-clapper to lie thus upon my wife.
1611. Chapman, May-day, iv. 2. These . . . pewter-buttoned shoulder-clappers.
1839. Ainsworth, J. Sheppard (1840), 22. 'The shoulder-clappers!' added a lady, who . . . substituted her husband's nether habiliments for her own petticoats.
1886. Sala [Ill. L. News, 19 June, 644]. I do know that a sheriff's officer used to be called a shoulder-clapper.
Shoulder-feast, subs. phr. (old).—A
dinner given to bearers after
a funeral (Grose).
Shoulder-hitter, subs. phr.
(American).—A bully; a rowdy:
spec. a gambling tout.
1858. New York Tribune, 30 Sep. A band of shoulder-hitters and ballet-box stuffers.
1871. De Vere, Americanisms, 319. In the West a striker is not only a shoulder-hitter, as might be suspected, but a runner for gambling establishments, who must be as ready to strike down a complaining victim as to ensnare an unsuspecting stranger.
1874. N. Y. Commercial Advertiser, 9 Sept. So long as substantial citizens choose to leave politics to shoulder hitters, rum-sellers and bummers of every degree, so long will they be robbed at every turn.
1886. Sala [Ill. L. News, 19 June, 644]. A certain variety of the New York rough is a shoulder-hitter.
Shoulder-knot, subs. phr. (common).—A
footman.
Shoulder-of-mutton fist, subs.
phr. (common).—A coarse, big,
broad hand: in contempt.
1876. Hindley, Cheap Jack, 17. Sold again, and to a gentleman with a shoulder-of-mutton fist, that has never been washed since he had it.
Shoulder-pegged, adj.(common).—Stiff-limbed.
Shoulder-sham, subs. phr. (B. E.
c. 1696).—'A Partner to a File.'
Shout, subs. (formerly Australian:
now general).—A turn in paying
for a round of drinks. Hence as
verb. = to stand treat; shouting
= a general invitation to
drink; TO SHOUT ONESELF
hoarse = to get drunk. See
Charter the Bar.
1859. Kingsley, Geoffrey Hamlyn, xxxi. I shouted for him, and he for me, and at last I says, 'Butty,' says I, 'who are those chaps round here on the lay?'
1873. Braddon, Bitter End, xxxix. When the lucky digger was wont to shout—that is to say, pay the shot—for the refreshment of his comrades.
1881. Grant, Bush Life, 1. 243. He must drink a nobbler with Tom, and be prepared to shout for all hands at least once a day.
1889. Star, 3 Jan. Good-natured, hearty Welsh diggers thronged in, and were willing to shout for us as long as we would drink.
1900. Nisbet, Sheep's Clothing, 196. They shouted drinks for all who were present.
