Kiddier

Obs. exc. dial. Also kidder. [Origin obscure.] One who buys provisions from the producers and takes them to market to sell; = BADGER sb.¹ (q.v.).

  By the statute of 1552 the kiddier required a licence, and was forbidden to keep the provisions he bought for more than a month. Such carriers were commonly charged with regrating or forestalling, hence the def. quoted by Johnson from Ainsworth, ‘an ingrosser of corn to enhance its price’; cf. under BADGER.

1551–2.  Act 5 & 6 Edw. VI., c. 14 § 5. The buying of anye Corne Fyshe Butter or Chese, by any suche Badger Lader Kyddier or Carrier.

1562–3.  Act 5 Eliz., c. 4 § 5. Every person … not … being in Service w^th any Kyddyer or Carryo^r of any Corne Grayne or Meale.

1674–91.  Ray, S. E. Country Words, A Kidder, Badger, Huckster, or Carrier of Goods on Horseback.

1755.  Burn, Just. Peace s.v. Butter & Cheese, Licence to be a badger, lader, kidder, carrier, buyer, or transporter coastwise, of butter and cheese.

a. 1825.  Forby, Voc. E. Anglia, Kiddier, kidger, one who buys up fowls, eggs, pork, &c. at farm-houses … and carries them to market.

[1895.  E. Anglian Gloss., Kidder,… a pork-butcher, sausage-maker, a low dealer in poultry and provisions.]

  fig.  1603.  Harsnet, Pop. Impost., 26. Meeting with the Common badger or Kiddier for Devils, Mr. Peckham at the L.-Staffords house in London.