Heading
by dishonest cuts, doublings, twists, and turns. For synonyms, see Knowing.
To turn the corner, phr. (common).—To get over the worst; to begin to mend in health or fortune.
To be cornered, verbal phr. (common).—To be in a 'fix.' Fr., être dans le lac.
Corner-Man or Cove, subs. (common).—1.
A loafer; literally a
lounger at corners.
1851. H. Mayhew, Lon. Lab. and Lon. Poor, IV., 445. I mean by corner-coves them sort of men who is always a standing at the corners of the streets and chaffing respectable folks a-passing by!
1885. Chamb. Journal, Feb. 28, p. 136. Curley Bond was well known in the district as a loafer and corner-man.
2. (music hall).—The 'Bones' and 'Tambourine' in a band of negro minstrels.
Corn In Egypt, subs. phr. (colloquial).—Plenty
of all kinds.
[Biblical.]
Cornish Duck, subs. (trade).—A
pilchard. Cf., Yarmouth
capon.
Corn-Juice, subs. (American).—Whiskey.
For synonyms, see
Drinks.
1888. Detroit Free Press, May. . . . Don't be for ever loafing whar the corn-juice flows.
Cornstalk, subs. (Australian).—Generic
for persons of European
descent, but especially applied
to girls. The children of Anglo-Australians
are generally taller
and slighter in build than their
parents. Originally a native of
New South Wales; now general.
Cf., Bananalander.
1885. Chambers' Journal, March 21, p. 191. The stockman—a young six-foot Cornstalk (or native of New South Wales).
1887. G. L. Apperson, in All the Year Round, 30 July, p. 67, col. 2. A native of New South Wales is known as a cornstalk.
1888. Colonies and India, 14 Nov. Auld Jamie Inglis has written 'anither buik, ye ken' . . . for the delectation of the youthful Cornstalk's mind.
Cornstealers, subs. (American).—The
hands. For synonyms, see
Bunch of fives and Daddle.
1835. Haliburton ('Sam Slick'), The Clockmaker. 'How is you been, my old bullock?' and he squeezed his corn-stealers till the old gineral began to dance like a bear on red-hot iron.
Corny-Faced, adj. (old).—Red
and pimply with drink. [From
corn, to render intoxicated, +
faced.]
Coroner, subs. (common).—A
severe fall. [Literally a fall
likely to produce a coroner's
inquest.]
Corporal, To mount a corporal
and four, verbal phr. (old).—To
practice masturbation.—See
Frig.
Corporation, subs. (colloquial).—A
protuberant stomach. For
synonyms, see Bread-basket
and Victualling office.
1785. Grose, Dict. Vulg. Tongue.
1849. C. Bronté, Shirley, ch. xvi. The former, looming large in full canonicals, walking as became a beneficed priest, under the canopy of a shovel hat, with the dignity of an ample corporation.
1887. W. P. Frith, Autobiog., i., 49. Very stout men . . . each possessing larger corporations than are commonly seen.
