[Of uncertain origin.
(It might be connected with CRIMP v.1, if the primary sense were ‘to press or impress’ (seamen, etc.); but this is very doubtful, for the general notion running through the senses appears to be that of ‘agent, intermediary, broker, procurer.’)]
† 1. Of doubtful meaning: used in reproach or derision. Obs.
1638. Ford, Fancies, I. ii. Int. What? thou fatten’st apace on capon still? Spa. Yes, crimp; ’tis a gallant life to be an old lord’s pimp-whiskin.
2. An agent making it his business to procure seamen, soldiers, etc., esp. by seducing, decoying, entrapping, or impressing them.
Since the passing of the Merchant Shipping Act of 1854, applied to one who infringes sub-section 1 of this Act, i.e., to a person other than the owner, master, etc., who engages seamen without a license from the Board of Trade.
1758. J. Blake, Plan Mar. Syst., 44. When a master of a ship, suppose at Jamaica, hath lost any of his hands, he applies of course to a crimp,… who makes it his business to seduce the men belonging to some other ship.
1796. Stedman, Exped. Surinam, II. 28. Trepanned into the West India Company’s service by the crimps or silver-coopers as a common soldier.
1836. Marryat, Midsh. Easy, xxxviii. 144. Offering three guineas ahead to the crimps for every good able seaman. Ibid. (1842), P. Keene, xx. (1863), 173. I hear there are plenty of good men stowed away by the crimps at different places.
1839–40. W. Irving, Wolfert’s R. (1855), 235. Sallying forth at night … he came near being carried off by a gang of crimps.
1887. Spectator, 21 May, 691/2. In the high and palmy days of the crimp, the pirate, the press-gang.
b. transf. and fig.
1789. Wolcott (P. Pindar), Ep. Falling Minis., Wks. 1812, II. 115. That sends to counties, borough-towns, his Crimps Alias his vote-seducing Pimps. Ibid. (1794), Rowl. for Oliver, ibid. 198. Cupid’s trusty crimp, By mouths of vulgar people christen’d pimp.
c. 1860. Wraxall, trans. R. Houdin, xv. 207. Nothing … can shake off the grip of these skilful crimps [theatrical agents].
† 3. An agent or contractor for unloading coal-ships; a broker. Obs.
a. 1700. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, Crimp, one that undertakes for or agrees to unlade a whole ship of coals.
1754. Strype, Stow’s Surv., II. V. xiv. 319/1. Any Coal owner may employ … crimps or Factors, not being lightermen or buyers of Coals for sale.
1769. De Foe’s Tour Gt. Brit., II. 151. The Brokers of these Coals are called Crimps: The Vessels they load their Ships with at Newcastle, Keels.
1791. Huddesford, Salmag., 111. Crimps, and coalheavers.
† 4. To play crimp: see quots. Obs.
a. 1700. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, To play Crimp, to lay or bet on one side, and (by foul play) to let t’other win, having a share of it. Run a Crimp, to run a Race or Horse-match … knavishly.
1719. D’Urfey, Pills, II. 53. Let Jades that are founder’d be bought, Let Jockeys play Crimp to make sport. Ibid., 54. Another makes Racing a Trade … And many a Crimp Match has made, By bubbing another Man’s Groom.
5. Comb., as crimp-like, -match (see 4, quot. 1719).
1794. Wolcott (P. Pindar), Rowl. for Oliver, Wks. II. 307. Crimp-like, for other regions, troops engaging.
