costard
The head. I'll smite your costard; I'll give you a knock on the head.
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costard
The head. A very old word, generally used in connexion with "cracked."
costard monger
A dealer in fruit, particularly apples.
coster
The short and slang rendering of "costermonger," or "costardmonger," who was originally an apple-seller. COSTERING, i.e., costermongering, acting as a costermonger would.
cosy up
To snuggle.
Cote d'Azur
The Mediterranean coast of France between Menton and Cannes, so named in 1887 by the poet Stephen Liegeard.
Cote d'Or
The department of France of which Dijon is the chief town. It is famous for its vineyards, fdr within its boundaries the whole of the best Burgundy is produced. The area extends south from Dijon, embracing Gevrey, Chambolle, Vougeot, Vosne, Nuits, Aloxe-Corton, Beaune, Pommard, Volnay, Meursault, Santenay, and ends at Chasne.
cotswold lion
Ah ironical name for a sheep, for which Cotswold hills are famous. Then will he look as fierce as a Cotssold lion. UDALL: Roister Doister, IV, vi (c. 1566).
cottage loaf
A loaf of bread in two round lumps, a smaller on top of a larger, and baked with a good crust.
cotton
To like, adhere to, or agree with any person; "to COTTON on to a man," to attach yourself to him, or fancy him, literally, to stick to him as cotton would. Vide Bartlett, who claims it as an Americanism, and Halliwell, who terms it an archaism; also Bacchus and Venus, 1737.
cotton lord
A Manchester manufacturer.
cotton to
to take a liking to something or someone
Cottonian Library
The remarkable library founded by the noted antiquary Sir Robert
cottonopolis
Manchester. A term much in use among the reporters of the sporting press engaged in that locality.
cotton’s
(Charles) Genuine Poetical Works, 12mo. 1771.
cough up
to pay or give something reluctantly
could not get elected dogcatcher
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
couldn't be more different
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
couldn't care less
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
couldn't carry a note in a bucket
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
couldn't happen to a nicer
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
couldn't organise a piss-up in a brewery
completely incompetent or inept
couldn't stop a pig in a passage
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
council pop
tap water
council-of-ten
The toes of a man who turns his feet inward.
counsel is no command
Advice does not have to be followed
Counsel is no command. (Strauss, 1994 p. 675)
English proverb; full definition pending editorial review.
count angels on pinheads
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
count in
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
count noses
to count the number of people present
count one's days
to await one's death or the end of something
count sheep
to try to fall asleep
count to five
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
count to ten
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
count to three
to pause briefly before acting
count your blessings
Appreciate what you have
counter
To hit back, to exchange blows. A cross COUNTER is a blow with the right hand given in exchange for one with the left, the counterer preferring to strike rather than to "stop" the blow.—Pugilistic.
counter-jumper
A shopman, a draper’s assistant.
Countercheck Quarrelsome
Sir, how dare you utter such a falsehood? Sir, you know that it is not true. This, in Touchstone's classification (Shakespeare's As You Like It> v, 4\ is the third remove from the lie direct; or rather, the lie direct in the third degree.
counterfeit crank
A general cheat, assuming all sorts of characters; one counterfeiting the falling sickness.
Countess de Lamotte
Partly by means of the queen's signatures, which were almost certainly
country dance
A corruption of the Fr. contre danse; i.e. a dance where the "partners face each other> as in Sir Roger de Coverley.
country mile
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
country put
An ignorant country fellow.
country-captain
A spatch-cocked fowl, sprinkled with curry-powder. A favourite breakfast dish with the captains of country-ships.—Indian.
country-ship
A ship belonging to the East Indies, and trading from port to port in that country.
county brownie
A sheriff.
county family
A family belonging to the nobility or gentry with an ancestral seat in the county.
county palatine
Properly, the -dominion of an earl palatine (see PALATINATE), a county Over which tfre count had royal privileges^ Cheshire and Lancashire are the only Counties
county work
Said of any work that advances slowly.
county-crop
(i.e., COUNTY-PRISON CROP), haircut close and round, as if guided by a basin—an indication of having been in prison. Since short hair has become fashionable the expression has fallen somewhat into disuse. In the times when long hair was worn, a man with his hair cut as described was said to have had it done with a knife and fork.
coup d'essai
A trial-piece ; a piece of work; serving for practice.
coup d'etat
A state stroke, and the term is applied to one of those bold measures taken by Government to prevent a supposed or actual danger; as when a large body of men are arrested suddenly for fear they should overturn the Government.
coup d'oeil
A view, glance, prospect; the effect of things at the first glance; literally "a stroke of the eye.
coup de grace
The finishing stroke; the stroke of mercy.
coup de main
A sudden stroke, a strata- gem whereby something is effected suddenly; a coup.
Coup de pied de Tane
Literally, a kick from the ass's hoof; figuratively, a blow given to a vanquished or fallen man; a cowardly blow; an insult offered to one who has not the power of returning or avenging it. The allusion is to the fable of the sick lion kicked by the ass.
coup de theatre
An unforeseen or un- expected turn in a drama producing a sensa- tional effect; a piece of clap-trap, something planned for effect. Burke throwing down the dagger in the House of Commons (see DAGGER SCENE) intended a coup de theatre.
coup manque
A false stroke, a miss, a failure. Shoot dead, or don't aim at all; but never make a coup manqug.— OUIDA: Under Two Flags, ch. xx.
couple-beggar
A degraded person, who officiated as a clergyman in performing marriages in the Fleet Prison.
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