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EAGLE-TAKERS, subs. (military).—The Eighty-Seventh Foot. [The title was gained at Barossa (1811), when it captured the eagle of the 8th French Light Infantry. Its colours also bear 'the plume of the Prince of Wales' and 'the harp and crown,' an eagle with a wreath of laurel.] It was also nicknamed 'The Old Fogs'; also 'The Faugh-a-Ballagh Boys,' from Fag an bealac! = 'Clear the Way,' the regimental march, and the war-cry at Barossa.
Ear. To send away with a flea in the ear, verb. phr. (common).—To dismiss peremptorily and with a scolding. Fr., mettre la puce à l'oreille = to get angry.
1764-1817. J. G. Holman, Abroad and at Home, ii., 1. I could not think of Miss Hartley being troubled with such a brute of a fellow . . . so, an't please you, my lady, I sent him away with a flea in his ear.
1841. Comic Almanack, p. 280. One thing is very clear, If they ain't off of their own accord, the Lord Mayor will soon help 'em off with a flea in their ear.
1884. Hawley Smart, From Post to Finish, p. 202. Her husband had with difficulty restrained her from sending Forrest away with what in homely language is denominated a flea in his ear.
To bite the ear.—See Bite and Break Shins.
To get up on one's ear, verb. phr. (American).—To bestir oneself; to rouse oneself for an effort.
1870. Richard Grant White. Words and their Uses. They called me bully boy, altho' I've seen nigh three-score years, And said that I was lightning when I got up on my ear.
1888. Puck's Library, May, p. 15. A man who walked on his ear out of a store said 'he came out on the Erie route.'
Earl of Cork, subs. phr. (Irish).—The ace of diamonds.—[See quots.]
1830. W. Carleton, Traits and Stories of the Irish Peasantry. 'What do you mean by the Earl of Cork?' asked Mr. Squander. 'The ace of diamonds, your honour. It's the worst ace, and the poorest card in the pack, and is called the Earl of Cork, because he's the poorest nobleman in Ireland.'
1864. Athenæum, 29 Oct. The ace of diamonds acquired the name of 'the earl of cork' because his lordship happened to be the poorest nobleman in Ireland.
