Obs. exc. dial. Forms: 6–7 ka, 6 kawe, 6–7 kaw, kay, k, 7–8 kae, 9 kaa. [Of obscure origin: the synonymous claw me, claw thee is found earlier (see CLAW 5 b).
The various forms agree curiously with the various names of the letter K, which is itself used in quot. 1605, where there is also a pun on key (then pronounced kē).]
A word found only in the phrases ka me, ka thee or ka me and I’ll ka (also kob) thee, which imply mutual help, service, flattery, or the like.
1546. J. Heywood, Prov. (1867), 34. Ka me, ka the, one good tourne askth an other.
1595. Lodge, Fig for Momus, Sat. i. B ij b. To keepe this rule, kaw me and I kaw thee.
1603. Florio, Montaigne (1634), 488. Now nature stood ever on this point, Kae mee, Ile kae thee.
1605. Chapman, etc. Eastw. Hoe, II. i. K. me, K. thee runnes through Court and Countrey. Secu. Well said…. Those K’s ope the dores to all this worlds felicity.
1608. Armin, Nest Ninn., E i b. But kay me Ile kay thee, giue mee an inch to day, Ile giue thee an ell to morrow.
a. 1658. Ford, etc., Witch Edmonton, II. i. If you’ll be so kind to ka me one good turn, I’ll be so courteous to kob you another.
1676. Marvell, Mr. Smirke, 42. Turn’d into Jackdaw, and grew as black as a Crow, Filching, and Kaw me and Ile Kaw thee, ever after.
1721. Kelly, Sc. Prov., 227. Kae me, and I’ll kae thee; Spoken when great People invite and feast one another, and neglect the Poor.
1893. Northumbld. Gloss., s.v., ‘Kaa me, kaa thee,’ or ‘Kaa mee an’ aa’ll kaa thee,’ a common saying.
