Page:Farmer - Slang and its analogues past and present - Volume 2.pdf/194

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by dishonest cuts, doublings, twists, and turns. For synonyms, see Knowing.

To turn the corner, phr. (common).—To get over the worst; to begin to mend in health or fortune.

To be cornered, verbal phr. (common).—To be in a 'fix.' Fr., être dans le lac.

Corner-Man or Cove, subs. (common).—1. A loafer; literally a lounger at corners.

1851. H. Mayhew, Lon. Lab. and Lon. Poor, IV., 445. I mean by corner-coves them sort of men who is always a standing at the corners of the streets and chaffing respectable folks a-passing by!

1885. Chamb. Journal, Feb. 28, p. 136. Curley Bond was well known in the district as a loafer and corner-man.

2. (music hall).—The 'Bones' and 'Tambourine' in a band of negro minstrels.

Corn In Egypt, subs. phr. (colloquial).—Plenty of all kinds. [Biblical.]

Cornish Duck, subs. (trade).—A pilchard. Cf., Yarmouth capon.

Corn-Juice, subs. (American).—Whiskey. For synonyms, see Drinks.

1888. Detroit Free Press, May. Don't be for ever loafing whar the corn-juice flows.

Cornstalk, subs. (Australian).—Generic for persons of European descent, but especially applied to girls. The children of Anglo-Australians are generally taller and slighter in build than their parents. Originally a native of New South Wales; now general. Cf., Bananalander.

1885. Chambers' Journal, March 21, p. 191. The stockman—a young six-foot Cornstalk (or native of New South Wales).

1887. G. L. Apperson, in All the Year Round, 30 July, p. 67, col. 2. A native of New South Wales is known as a cornstalk.

1888. Colonies and India, 14 Nov. Auld Jamie Inglis has written 'anither buik, ye ken' for the delectation of the youthful Cornstalk's mind.

Cornstealers, subs. (American).—The hands. For synonyms, see Bunch of fives and Daddle.

1835. Haliburton ('Sam Slick'), The Clockmaker. 'How is you been, my old bullock?' and he squeezed his corn-stealers till the old gineral began to dance like a bear on red-hot iron.

Corny-Faced, adj. (old).—Red and pimply with drink. [From corn, to render intoxicated, + faced.]

Coroner, subs. (common).—A severe fall. [Literally a fall likely to produce a coroner's inquest.]

Corporal, To mount a corporal and four, verbal phr. (old).—To practice masturbation.—See Frig.

Corporation, subs. (colloquial).—A protuberant stomach. For synonyms, see Bread-basket and Victualling office.

1785. Grose, Dict. Vulg. Tongue.

1849. C. Bronté, Shirley, ch. xvi. The former, looming large in full canonicals, walking as became a beneficed priest, under the canopy of a shovel hat, with the dignity of an ample corporation.

1887. W. P. Frith, Autobiog., i., 49. Very stout men each possessing larger corporations than are commonly seen.