Phrases.—To be put to one's trumps = to be in difficulties (Grose), driven to the last shift, or full exertion of one's strength; to turn up trumps = to fall out fortunately: e.g. 'something may turn up trumps' = something lucky may happen (Grose): 'all his cards are trumps' = he is exceedingly fortunate.
1593. Peele, Edward I., iv. Ay, there's a card which puts us to our trump.
1609. Anim. Marc. Upon this strange accident, and for feare of some greater mischiefe to ensue, he was put to his trumpes.
1655. Brian, Pisse-Prophet, 27. Now I am like to have a hard task of it, and to be so put to my trumps, that if I play not my cards sure, I shall lose the set.
1694. Congreve, Double Dealer, ii. 3. Though marriage makes man and wife one flesh, it leaves 'em still two fools. . . . 'Tis an odd game . . . [but] since we've shuffled and cut, let's even turn up trump now.
Trumpery, subs. (old).—'Old
Ware, old Stuff, as old Hatts,
Boots, Shoes, etc.' (B. E.);
'an old whore, or goods of no
value, rubbish' (Grose): also
Trash and Trumpery, and
(proverbial) 'For want of good
Company, welcome Trumpery.'
Whence (modern) generic for
showy trashiness, and as adj. =
meretricious, worthless.
c.1574. Mir. for Mag. i. 397. Here to repeate the partes that I haue playd Were to vnrippe a trusse of trumpery.
1609. Shakspeare, Tempest, iv. 1. 186. The trumpery in my house go bring hither, For stale to catch these thieves.
1637. Hall, Sermons at Exeter, Aug. What a world of fopperies there are, of crosses, of candles, of holy water, and salt, and censings! Away with these trumperies.
d.1699. Stillingfleet, Sermons, 11. viii. All the Trumpery of the Mass and Follies of their Worship are by no means superstitions because required by the Church.
1749. Fielding, Tom Jones, v. iv. If I was as Mr. Jones I should look a little higher than such trumpery as Molly Seagrim.
1821. Lamb, Old Benchers. Extinct be the fairies and fairy trumpery of legendary fabling.
1835. Hook, Gilbert Gurney, 11. i. A very trumpery case it is altogether, that I must admit.
1885. Field, 26 Dec. Through the gate on to the road, over the trumpery gap staring you full in the face.
Trumpet. To blow (or sound)
one's own trumpet, verb. phr.
(old).—To praise (or talk about)
oneself, to brag (Grose). Hence
'His trumpeter is dead' (of a
braggart).
1871. Times, 4 Nov. When a gentleman began by blowing his own trumpet, it was not altogether jannock.
Trumpeter, subs. (various phrases).—King
of Spain's (or Spanish)
trumpeter = a braying ass, i.e.
Don Key (Grose); 'His trumpeter
is dead' (see Trumpet);
'He would make a good trumpeter,
for he smells strong'
(Grose): 'of one with fœtid
breath.'
Trundler, subs. (old).—In pl. =
peas (B. E. and Grose: 'obsolete').
Trundling-cheat, subs. (Old
Cant).—A wheeled vehicle; a
cart or coach: see Cheat.
1630. Jonson, New Inn, iii. 2. They'll steal to bed . . . in private . . . and pay the fiddlers . . . next morning . . . and pack away in their trundling-cheats like gipsies.
Trunk, subs. (old).—1. A blockhead,
a dunce (Blount, 1656).
