Heading
Catgut-Scraper, subs. (common).—A fiddler. [From catgut, the material of which fiddle strings are made, + scraper, one that rubs or scrapes. Sometimes simply scraper or catgut; the latter of which is also used to signify the music produced. Also Rosin-the-bow and Teaser of the Catgut.
1633. Massinger, Guardian IV., ii. Wire-string and catgut, men and strong-breathed heautbois. [m.]
1785. Burns, Jolly Beggars. Her charms had struck a sturdy caird, As weel's a poor gut-scraper.
1796. Wolcot ('P. Pindar'), Tristia, wks. (1812) V., 267. Behold! the Catgut-scraper with his croud Commands at will the house of hospitality.
1851-61. H. Mayhew, London Lab. and Lon. Poor, vol. I., p. 21. Or they will call to the orchestra, saying, 'Now then you catgut-scrapers! Let's have a ha'purth of liveliness.'
Cat Harping Fashion, adv. phr.
(nautical).—See quot.
1785. Grose, Dict. Vulg. Tongue. Drinking cross ways, and not as usual over the left thumb.
Cat Heads, subs. (old).—The
paps. For synonyms, see
Dairy.
Cathedral, subs. (Winchester College).—A
high hat. [So called
because only worn when going
to the Cathedral.] For synonyms,
see Golgotha.
Adj. (old)—Old-fashioned; antique.
1690. B. E., Dictionary Canting Crew. Cathedral: old-fashioned, out of Date, Ancient.
1755. Johnson. Cathedral: in low phrase, antique, venerable, old.
1785. Grose, Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue. Cathedral: old-fashioned, an old cathedral bedstead, chair, etc.
Catharine Puritans, subs. phr.
(University).—Members of St.
Catharine's Hall, at Cambridge.
[Puritan from the pun on the
words Catharine and [Greek: Kathaírein]
= to purify.] They were also
called Doves (q.v.).
Catherine Hayes, subs. (Australian).—See
quot. [The derivation
may presumedly be traced
to the immense popularity of the
Irish singer at the antipodes.]
1859. Frank Fowler, Southern Light and Shadows, p. 53. [A liquor consisting of] claret, sugar, and nutmeg.
Cat's, subs. (University).—A short
name for St. Catharine's Hall.
Cat's Men, subs. (University).—Members
of St. Catharine's Hall
Catherine Wheel.—See Cartwheel.
Cat-Lap, subs. (common).—Thin
potations of any sort, especially
tea. Such a beverage being so feeble
as to be only fit for women. For
synonyms, see Scandal broth.
1785. Grose, Dict. Vulg. Tongue. Cat-lap: tea, called also scandal broth.
1824. Scott, Redgauntlet, ch. xiii. We have tea and coffee aboard . . . You are at the age to like such catlap.
1864. M. E. Braddon, Aurora Floyd, ch. xvii. 'I've mashed the tea for 'ee,' said the 'softy'; 'I thought you'd like a coop.' The trainer shrugged his shoulders. 'I can't say I'm particular attached to the cat-lap,' he said, laughing.
Cat-Market, subs. (common).—A
number of people all talking at
once. 'You make a row like a
cat-market'—a general 'caterwauling.'
