1755. Johnson, Dict. s.v. Horse. A wooden machine which soldiers ride by way of punishment. It is sometimes called a timber-mare.
Timber-merchant, subs. phr.
(common)—A street match-seller;
a spunk-fencer.
Timbered. Well (or clean)
timbered, adj. phr. (old).—(a)
Well made; and (b) well-hung
(q.v.): timber = strength, might.
Also, how's he timbered? =
how's he built? not timbered
up to my weight = not my style.
14[?]. Torrent of Portugal, 99. Sith thy dwelling shalle be here, That thou woldist my son lere, Hys tymber ffor to asay.
1594. Shakspeare, Love's Labour Lost, v. 2. I think Hector was not so clean timbered.
1605. Jonson, Volpone, iv. 2. That fine well-timbered gallant.
1637. Drayton, Poems, 299. Alanson, a fine timb'red man, and tall, Yet wants the shape thou art adorn'd withall: Vandome good carriage, and a pleasing eie, Yet hath not Suffolk's princely majestie.
Timber-taster, subs. phr. (trade).—A
dockyard official who examines
timber and decides on
quality and fitness.
Timber-tuned, adj. phr. (colloquial).—Heavy-fingered;
wooden.
Timber-yard, subs. phr.
(cricketers').—The wicket.
1853. Bradley, Verdant Green, 1. xi. Verdant found that before he could get his hand in, the ball was got into his wicket . . . and . . . there was a row in his timber-yard.
Timbrell, subs. (old).—The pillory
(Hollyband, 1593).
Timdoodle, subs. (provincial).—A
silly fellow (Halliwell).
Time, subs. (cabmen's).—See quot.
1864. Hotten, Slang Dict., s.v. . . . To express 9s. 9d. they say that 'it is a quarter to ten'; if 3s. 6d., half-past three; if 11s. 9d., a quarter to twelve. Cab-drivers can hardly have originated a system which has been in existence as long as the adage, 'Time is money.' They have, however, the full use of the arrangement, which is perhaps the simplest on record.
The time of day, subs. phr. (common).—1. The immediate trick; the latest dodge; the absolute aspect of affairs. Thus, to put up to the time of day = to initiate; to know the time of day = to be fully informed, on the spot (q.v.); to know what's o'clock (q.v.); that's the time of day = 'That's how we does it!'
1687. Brown, Works, i. 85. Your Dragons and flying Monsters won't go down at this time of Day.
1827. Maginn, Vidocq's Song: Who should I meet but a jolly blowen Who was fly to the time of day.
1834. Ainsworth, Rookwood, 'Nix my Dolly.' They put me up to the time of day.
1838. Dickens, Oliver Twist. Pop that shawl away in my castor, Dodger, so that I may know where to find it when I cut; that's the time of day!
2. (pugilists').—A knock-out blow.
3. (old).—See quot.
1823. Bee, Dict. Turf., s.v. Time of day . . . In the island (Wight) every good joke is 'the time o' day.'
4. (old colloquial).—A salutation; a greeting; 'Good morning.' etc.
1609. Shakspeare, Pericles, iv. 3. 35. Not worth the time of day.
1851-6. Mayhew, Lond. Lab., 11. 489. The police . . . are very friendly. They'll pass the time of day with me.
1899. Whiteing, John St., v. 'And the woman?' 'Back kitchen. Pass the time o' day with 'er sometimes. No bizness o' mine.'
1900. Sims, London's Heart, 4. I thought it was only right to pass the time o' day to an old pal.
