Heading
adjectival form is carrotty. An analogous colloquialism is Ginger-hackled, which see for synonyms.
1685. S. Wesley, Maggots, 57. The Ancients . . . Pure carrots call'd pure threads of beaten gold. [m.]
1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew. Carrots: Red hair'd People.
1703. T. Baker, Tunbridge Walks, quoted in Ashton's Social Life in Reign of Q. Anne, I., 129. Jenny Trapes! What that Carrot-pated Jade.
1748. Smollett, Rod. Random, ch. xiv. Not to appear before Mr. Cringer till I had parted with my carroty locks.
1848. Thackeray, Book of Snobs, ch. vii. 'Blanche, with her radish of a nose, and her carrots of ringle s.'
1855. Newcomes, ch. xxii. 'Tom is here with a fine carroty beard.
1864. Mark Lemon, Jest Book, p. 205. Carrots Classically Considered. Why scorn red hair? The Greeks, we know (I note it here in charity) Had taste in beauty, and with them The graces were all [Greek: Charitai].
1882. Daily Telegraph, Oct. 6, p. 2, col. 1. The two elder of the party were a boy and a girl of unmistakably Irish parentage, and with unkempt and carrotty heads of hair.
Take a carrot! (common).—A vulgar insult; equivalent to calling one a fool, or telling one to 'go to hell.' The phrase was originally obscene [Cf., Et ta sœur! aime-t-elle les radis?] and applied to women only.
Carry Boodle, verbal phr. (American).—See
Boodle.
Carry Coals, verbal phr. (obsolete).—To
put up with insults; to
endure an affront or injury.
1593. G. Harvey, Pierces Supererog., in wks. II., 32. Because Silence may seeme suspicious to many: Patience contemptible to some . . . a knowne forbearer of Libellers, a continuall bearer of coales.
1595. Shakspeare, Romeo and Juliet i., 1. Gregory o' my word, we'll not carry coals.
1638. H. Shirley, Martyr'd Souldier, Act ii., Sc. 1. Hub. I can carry anything but Blowes, Coles, my Drink, and—the tongue of a Scould.
Carry Corn, verbal phr. (common).—To
bear success well and
equably. It is said of a man who
breaks down under a sudden
access of wealth—as successful
racing men and unexpected
legatees often do—or who
becomes affected and intolerant,
that 'he doesn't carry corn
well.'
Carryings On, subs. phr. (colloquial).—Frolicsome
or questionable
proceedings; a course of
conduct that attracts attention.—See
Carry on.
1663. Butler, Hudibras, I., ii., 556. Is this the end to which these carryings on did tend?
1859. Sala, Gaslight and Daylight, ch. xxi. Many have heard her stern demands for rent, and her shrill denunciation of the carryings on of her tenants.
1876. M. S. Braddon, Joshua Haggard, ch., iv. 'And what about the rest of the time when he wasn't with you? Fine carryings on indeed for a grocer's daughter!'
Carry-Knave, subs. (old).—A common
prostitute. For synonyms,
see Barrack-hack and Tart.
1630. Taylor's Workes. And I doe wish with all my heart that the superflous number of all our hyreling hackney carry-knaves, and hurry-whores, with their makers and maintainers were there.
Carry Me Out and Bury Me
Decently, phr. (general).—An
exclamation or objurgation generally
called forth by an incredible
story, or by something displeasing
to the auditor; varied
by 'let me die!' 'good
