Page:Farmer - Slang and its analogues past and present - Volume 5.pdf/124

 A choking oyster, subs. phr. (old).—A reply that leaves one nothing to say.

d.1556. Udall, Apoph., 61. At an other season, to a feloe laiyng to his rebuke that he was over deintie of his mouthe and diete, he did with this reason give a stopping oistre.

1547. Heywood, Proverbs, xi. [She] therefore deviseth to cast in my teeth checks and choking oysters.

Old Oyster, subs. phr. (common).—A vulgar, playful endearment.

1892. Milliken, 'Arry Ballads, 17. Life don't want lifting, old oyster.

The Oyster, subs. (venery).—The semen. Whence oyster catcher = the female pudendum; and oyster-catching = whoring.

Oyster-faced, adj. (streets').—In need of shaving. [In allusion to the oyster's beard].