Knock-down (or knock-me-down), subs. (old).—Strong ale: stingo (q.v.). Also = gin.
1515. De Generibus Ebriosorum ect. [J. E. Hodgkin in Notes & Queries, 3 S. vii. 163]. In this treatise occurs a chapter on the various kinds of beer then in use in Germany. . . . The catalogue which follows shows that even the names of fancy drinks are not new under the sun; and that the 'Eye-openers' and 'Cocktails' of the Yankee bars had their prototypes in the mediæval tap-*rooms. I select a few of the most presentable: Cow's-tail, Calves-neck, Buffalo, Slip-slop, Stamp-in-the-Ashes, Knock-'em-down, Crowing-Cock, Wild-oats, Red-*head, Raise-head, Swell-nose, and Gnat's-mustard.
1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v.
1698. Sorbière, Journey to London in the Year 1698, p. 35 [quoted in Notes and Queries, 6 S. xii. 167]. He answer'd me that had a thousand such sort of liquors, as Humtie Dumtie, Three Threads, Four Threads, old Pharaoh, knockdown. . . .
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v. Knock.
1811. Lex. Bal., s.v. Knock-me-down.
1859. Matsell, Vocabulum, s.v.
1885. Notes and Queries, 6th S. xii. 232. A very strong ale or beer.
Adj. (old).—Rowdy.
1760. Foote, Minor, i. No knock-me-down doings in my house . . . no rioters.
Knock-down and Drag-out, subs.
phr. (pugilistic).—A free fight.
1848. New York Spirit of the Times, 30 Sept. There are good, quiet, easy people in the world who scarcely open their lips or raise their fingers, lest Dogberry So-and-so across the way might take it in high dudgeon, and forthwith demand an explanation or a knock-down and drag-out.
1852. Judson, Myst. etc. of New York, xii. p. 83. 'We must have a fight!' said Butcher Bill. 'What shall it be?' asked Mr. Shorter—'a genteel knock down, or a knock down and drag out?'
b. 1852. Traits of American Humour, p. 48. Mike . . . in a regular knock-down and drag-out tow was hard to beat.
Knock-'em-down business, subs.
phr. (common).—Auctioneering.
Knock-'em-downs, subs. (common).—Skittles.
1828. Jon Bee, Picture of London, 263. The charms of nine-pins—whether this be of skittles, knock-'em-downs, bowl-and-tip, dutch-pins, or the more sturdy four-corners.
1872. Fun, Sept. A man, the proud possessor of knock-me-downs, was brought up at Wandsworth police-court the other day for plying his trade on Putney Common.
Knocker, subs. (venery).—1. The
penis (Urquhart): see knock,
verb. sense 1. For synonyms
see Creamstick and Prick.
2. (venery).—See knock, verb. sense 1.
3. (common).—In pl., small flat curls worn on the temples; sixes (q.v.).
Up to the knocker, phr. (common).—1. Completely equal to; also, perfect in appearance, condition, fitness. Also see quot. 1870.
1844. Selby, London by Night, i. 2. Jack. How do you feel? Ned. Not quite up to the knocker.
1864. Derby Day, p. 110. It's a splendid turn out. Right up to the knocker, as they say. I don't do things by halves when I go out.
1870. Hazlewood & Williams, Leave it to Me, 1. Joe. If ever there was anybody else first, you're afore 'em. I 'dores you, to the werry knocker and half-way up the passage.
1889. Sporting Times, 6 July. 'I see here's a house to let in Toboggan Terrace, jest up by Sloane Street—how 'ud that suit us?' 'Up to the bloomin' knocker, Joey,' replied Mrs. M.
