sb., a. and adv. Obs. Also kicksie winsie, kicksy wincy, kicksee winsee, pl. kickshiwinshes. [app. a whimsical formation, suggested by kick and wince; but the recorded senses seem to connect it with kickshaws.]
A. sb. A fantastic device; a whim or erratic fancy. (In quot. 1635 app. used interjectionally.)
1599. Nashe, Lenten Stuffe, 74. The lousy riddle … with eight score more galliard cross-points, and kickshiwinshes, of giddy ear-wig brains.
1619. J. Taylor (Water P.), title, The Scourge of Basenesse; a Kicksey Winsie or a Lerry come Twang.
1635. Brome, Sparagus Gard., III. xi. Wife. [I long to be] here, and there, and here againe; and all at once. Brit. Hey kicksie winsie.
B. adj. Fantastic, whimsical, erratic.
c. 1650. ? Cleveland, Obseq. J. Prideaux, in R. Fletcher, Epigr., etc. (1656), 168. Perhaps an Ignis fatuus now and then Starts up in holes, stincks and goes out agen. Such Kicksee winsee flames show but how dear Thy great Light’s resurrection would be here.
a. 1652. Brome, Covent Gard., I. i. Wks. 1873, II. 17. This kicksy wincy Giddibrain will spoil all. I’le no more Italian tricks.
C. adv. ? Topsy-turvy.
1622. J. Taylor (Water P.), Farew. Tower bottles, Wks. (1630), III. 126/2. And (but for me) apparantly ’tis knowne You had beene kicksie winsie ouerthrowne.
