Heading
Corpse, subs. (sporting).—A horse in the betting for market purposes alone; otherwise a stiff'un.—See Cock, subs., sense 4.
Verb (theatrical).—1. To confuse; 'to queer'; to blunder and so 'put out' one's fellows: to spoil a scene.—See Regular corpser.
1864. Hotten, Slang Dict., s.v.
1886. Graphic, April 10, p. 399. An actor who forgets his words is said to 'stick,' or be 'corpsed.'
1886. Cornhill Mag., Oct., p. 436. He expressed a hope that Miss Tudor 'wouldn't corpse his business' over the forge-door again that evening.
2. (common).—To kill (literally to make a corpse of one). A Fr. equivalent is parler sur quelqu'un. For synonyms, see Cook one's goose.
1884. Editor of Notes and Queries [in 'Answers to Correspondents' (6 S., ix., 120), says that]. 'To corpse . . . is one of many customary and coarse ways of menacing the infliction of death. It is horribly familiar in London.'
1887. W. E. Henley and R. L. Stevenson, Deacon Brodie, Act 4. Moore. And is he thundering well corpsed?. . . Then damme, I don't mind swinging.
Corpse-Provider, subs. (common).—A
doctor or physician. For
synonyms, see Crocus.
Corpse-Reviver, subs. phr. (American).—A
mixed drink.—See
Drinks.
1871. Birmingham Daily Post, 22 Dec. And our American refreshment bars, In drinks of all descriptions cut a dash, From corpse revivers down to 'brandy smash.'
1883. Daily Telegraph, March 8, p. 7, col. 1. In winter the dash into the open air or the standing for a few minutes in a line of comrades will certainly enhance the joys of the English equivalents for the Yankee corpse reviver.
Correct or K'rect Card.—See
Card.
Corroboree, subs. (Australian).—A
disturbance. [Properly a
tremendous native dance.]
Verb.—To boil.—See preceding.
Corsican, subs. (sporting).—Something
out of the common; a
'buster.' [A 'Burnandism.']
1889. Polytechnic Mag., 18 April, p. 232, col. 2. This heat was a Corsican.
Corybungus, subs. (pugilistic).—The
posteriors.—See Blind
cheeks, Bum, and Monocular
eye glass.
Cosh, subs. (popular and thieves').—A
'neddy'; a life-preserver;
a short, loaded bludgeon. Also
a policeman's truncheon.
Cosouse.—See Come Souse.
Cossack, subs. (common).—A policeman.
For synonyms, see
Beak and Copper.
1886. Graphic, Jan. 30, p. 130, col. 1. A policeman is also called a 'cossack,' a 'Philistine,' and a 'frog.'
Costard, subs. (old).—The head.
[Properly an apple.] For
synonyms, see Crumpet.
1534. N. Udall, Roister Doister, III., v., p. 58 (Arber). I knocke youre costarde if ye offer to strike me.
1605. Shakspeare, King Lear, Act iv. Sc. 6. Edg. . . . Nay, come not near th' old man; keep out, che vor ye, or ise try whether your costard or my bat be the harder.
1787. Grose, Prov. Glossary, Costard, the head; a kind of opprobrious word, used by way of contempt, probably alluding to a costard apple.
