1897. Marshall, Pomes, 62. A most successful raid On a swell's discarded topper.
1900. Free Lance, 6 Oct., 4. 1. The origin of the topper. . . . The Baroness Cecile de Courlot, Lady-in-Waiting to the Princess de Lamballe, Princess of Savoy-Carignan, . . . writing from Paris, 19th Nivoise XL, says, 'The latest thing for gentlemen on the Corso at a review at Longchamps was the new high hats. . . . Thiery, who invented them, made a wager that he would introduce the very most absurd shape imaginable, and it would become fashionable. He won his wager.'
3. (common).—In pl. = top-boots: cf. smalls and trunks. Also (rarely) upper garments.
[1707. Farquhar, Beaux's Stratagem, iii. 1. He has tops to his shoes up to his mid-leg.]
1837. Dickens, Pickwick, xiv. In a green coat, knee-cords, and tops. Ibid. v. Mr. Weller's tops were newly cleaned.
Verb (Old Cant). 1. To behead (the usage still lingers in agriculture); to hang. Whence to be topped = to be hung: see Ladder; topping-cheat = the gallows: see Cheat; topping-cove (or topsman) = Jack Ketch (q.v.); also top, subs. = a dying speech, a croak (B. E. and Grose).
2. (colloquial).—Generic for superiority: to excel, surpass, cap (q.v.). Thus to top one's part = (a) to surpass oneself, and (b) to do zealously. As adj. (or topping) = prime, first-class, distinguished, thorough, extreme: e.g. Top (= the best) Ale; a top (= a principal) character, or part; the top of the tree = preëminent socially, in wealth, in a profession, etc.; a top (= a favourite) toast; a top (= a titled or well-to-do) family; top (= full) speed; and so forth. Toppingest (or topless) = the best, supreme; and toppingly = fine, very well; also (in a baser sense) arrogantly, assumingly, badly, vilely. Also topper (or top-sawyer) = anybody or anything exceptional: as the largest and best fruit: usually placed on top in packing: cf. Humphrey Toppers; an expert thief; a famous horse; a beautiful woman; a man of large means, exceptional influence, high position, or remarkable genius: also (of persons) topping man or topping fellow (B. E. and Grose). To come out on top = to be successful, to get there (q.v.); a little bit off the top = some of the best; the top of desire = the height of ambition, all that one cares for: cf. tip-top; top and top-gallant (orig. nautical) = in full fig (q.v.), rig, array, or force.
1557. Tusser, Husbandry, April: 'Lesson for Dairy-Maid.' These toppingly guests be in number but ten.
1594. Peele, Battle of Alcazar, iii. 3. He cometh hitherward amain, Top and top-gallant, all in brave array.
1602. Shakspeare, Troilus, i. 3. 151. Sometimes, great Agamemnon, Thy topless deputation he puts on. Ibid. (1605), Lear, i. 2. 21. To top the legitimate. Ibid. (1606), Macbeth, iv. 3. 57. To top Macbeth. Ibid. (1610), Coriolanus, ii. 1. 23. Topping all others in boasting.
1608. Brewer, Merry Devil of Edmonton [Dodsley, Old Plays (Reed), xi. 131]. He'll be here top and topgallant presently.
1682. Dryden, Mac Flecknoe, 167. But write thy best and top; and in each line Sir Formal's oratory will be thine.
1694. Motteux, Rabelais, iv. vi. They are . . . topping sheep, fatted sheep, sheep of quality.
c. 1696. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v. Topping-fellow, who has reacht the Pitch and greatest Eminence in any Art; the Master, and the Cock of his Profession.
