Kaffir, subs. (common).—1. A prostitute's bully; a ponce (q.v.). Hence a general term of contempt.
2. in pl. (Stock Exchange).—See quot. 1895.
1889. The Rialto, 23 March. Tintos climbed to 12-1/4, and even Kaffirs raised their sickly heads.
1895. Daily Telegraph, 1 April, p. 1, col. 6. Advt. Kaffirs, as South African Mining shares are euphemistically called by dealers in the London Stock Exchange have been the leading market for the past few months.
Kail. Kail through the reek,
phr. (Scots').—Bitter language or
hard usage. [In allusion to the unpalateableness
of smoky broth. To
give one his kail through the
reek = to reprove violently; to
punish with severity.]
1817. Scott, Rob. Roy, iii. 75. If he brings in the Glengyle folk, and the Glenfinlas and Balquhidder lads, he may come to gie you your kail through the reek.
1827-30. Scott, Tales of my Landlord, iii. 12. They set till the sodgers, and I think they gab them their kail through the reek.
Ka me, Ka thee, phr. (old Scots': now
general).—'One good turn deserves
another'; 'scratch my back
and I'll scratch yours.' Also Ka
and Kob.
1547. Heywood, Poems on Proverbs, E. 1 b. Ka me, ka thee, one good tourne asketh another.
1605. Jonson, etc., Eastward Hoe [Dodsley, Old Plays, iv. 221]. Thou art pandar to me for my wench, and I to thee for thy cousenage. K me, k thee, runs through court and country.
1608. Armyn, Nest of Ninnies. But kay me, Ile kay thee; give me an inch to day, Ile give thee an ell to morrow.
1611. Barry, Ram Alley [Dodsley, Old Plays, v. 494]. You know the law has tricks; Ka me, ka thee.
d.1625. Lodge, Satire, i. To keepe this rule—kawe me, and I kawe thee; To play the saints whereas we divels be.
1630. Taylor, Works, Ep. 6. Ka mee, ka thee. My muse hath vow'd, revenge shall have her swindge To catch a parret in the woodcocks sprindge, etc.
1634. Withal, Dict., p. 565. Manus manum fricat; ka me, ka thee, one good turne requireth another.
1653. Brome, The City Wit, in Wks. (1873), i. 444. Ka me, ka thee: an old kind of court service.
1658. Rowley, Witch of Edmonton, ii. 1. II you'll be so kind as to ka me one good turn, I'll be so courteous to kob you another.
1659. Massinger, City Madam, ii. 1. We cash-keepers Hold correspondence, supply one another On all occasions. I can borrow for a week Two hundred pounds of one, as much of a second, A third lays down the rest; and when they want, As my master's money comes in, I do repay it. Ka me, ka thee.
1672. Ray, Proverbs, p. 126, s.v. Lend me an oath or testimony; swear for me, and I'll do as much for you; or claw me, and I'll claw you; commend me, and I'll commend you.
