Page:Farmer - Slang and its analogues past and present - Volume 4.pdf/106

 To kick the stuffing out of one, verb. phr. (American).—To maltreat; to take a rise, or the wind out of; to get the better of.

To kick (or cool) one's heels.—1. See Heels.

2. verb. phr. (old).—See quot. For synonyms see Aloft.

1598. Florio, Worlde of Wordes, Fare il pane, to dye, to kick vp ones heeles.

To kick the eye out of a mosquito, verb. phr. (Australian).—A superlative expression of capacity.

1888. Rolf Boldrewood, Robbery Under Arms, xi. He could kick the eye out of a mosquito.

A kick in one's gallop, subs. phr. (old).—A whim; a strange fancy.

Kicker, subs. (American).—1. An obstructionist; a protestant.

1888. Rochester Herald. The chronic kicker is always on hand when any improvement is proposed.

1888. Detroit Free Press, 20 Oct. I really and truly believe that the day will come when the kicker will be classed where he belongs and be entitled to the reverence due him.

Eclectic Review (Amer.), xiii. 6. There is, of course, a class of chronic kickers who are always finding fault.

2. in pl. (common).—The feet. For synonyms see Creepers.

3. (old).—A dancing master.

1838. Selby, Dancing Master, sc. 11. It is the kicker, sure enough: what am I to do? If I go out, I shall nap it.

Kickeraboo. See Kick the Bucket.

Kicking-in, subs. (Winchester College).—See quot.

1870. Mansfield, School-Life at Winchester College, p. 138. But football wasn't all beer and skittles to the Fags. There was an institution called kicking in, which, while it lasted, was much worse than 'watching out' at cricket, although it had the very great merit of not continuing so long; for, even on a whole holiday, we seldom had more than two hours of it.

Kicking-strap, subs. (tailors').—An elastic strap inside a habit.

Kickseys, subs. (old).—1. See Kick, subs. sense 7.

2. (old).—Shoes or 'highlows'. Also Kicksies.

1823. Bee, Dict. of the Turf, s.v. Kicksees.

Kickshaw, subs. (old: now recognised).—A trifle; anything fanciful or unsubstantial; something fantastical or with no particular name. [Skeat: a curious corruption of Fr. quelque-chose (pronounced kick-chose) literally, something; hence a trifle or small delicacy].

1598. Shakspeare, 2 Henry IV, v. 1. 29. A joint of mutton, and any pretty little tiny kickshaws, tell William, cook.

1601. Shakspeare, Twelfth Night, i. 3. Sir And I delight in masques and revels sometimes altogether. Sir To. Art thou good at these kickshawes, knight?

1611. Cotgrave, Dictionarie, s.v. Fricandeaux, short, skinlesse, and dainty puddings, or quelkchoses, made of good flesh and herbs chopped together, etc.

b.1625. Fletcher, Elder Brother, iii. 2. New kickshaws and delicate made things.

1630. John Taylor, The Great Eater of Kent, p. 12. All is welcome; whether it be sawsedge, mackeroone, kickshaw, or tantadlin.

1646. Featley, Dippers Dipt, p. 199. I made bold to set on the board kickchoses, and variety of strange fruits.

1753. Adventurer, No. 25. She has no taste for nicknacks, and kickshaws, and whim-whams.