Also 7–9 knick-nack, knicknack; 8–9 nicknack, 9 nic-nac, nicnac. [Redupl. of KNACK sb., with first element lightened as in crick-crack, etc.]
† 1. A petty trick, sleight, artifice, subterfuge.
1618. Fletcher, Loyal Subj., II. i. If you use these knick-knacks, This fast and loose.
a. 1625. Fletcher, Hum. Lieutenant, I. i. These foolish mistresses do so hang about ye, So whimper and so hug…. Soft vows and sighs, and fiddle-faddles, Spoils all our trade [of war]! You must forget these knick-knacks.
1673. Marvell, Reh. Transp., II. 312. You by the advantage of some knick-knacks have got the ascendant over them.
2. A light, dainty article of furniture, dress or food; any curious or pleasing trifle more for ornament than use; a trinket, gimcrack, kickshaw.
α. 1682. N. O., Boileau’s Lutrin, I. Argt., Miss won’t come in to Buy, before She spies the Knick-knacks at the Dore.
1686. Goad, Celest. Bodies, II. ii. 179. Two Knick-nacks of the fair.
1725. Bailey, Erasm. Colloq. (1877), 377 (D.). He found me supporting my outward tabernacle … with some knick-knacks … at the confectioner’s.
1748. Chesterf., Lett. (1792), II. clvii. 61. Knicknacks, butterflies, shells, insects, &c. are the objects of their most serious researches.
1822. W. Irving, Braceb. Hall, iii. 25. The many little valuables and knick-knacks treasured up in the housekeeper’s room.
1866. Mrs. Stowe, Little Foxes, 27. Christian females sit and do nothing but crochet worsted into useless knick-nacks.
β. 1714. Mandeville, Fab. Bees (1725), I. 349. Watchmakers and others that sell toys, superfluous nicknacks, and other curiosities.
1820. W. Irving, Sketch Bk. (1849), 386. He is a plain John Bull, and has no relish for frippery and nick-nacks.
1823. W. Cobbett, Rural Rides (1885), I. 347. Two or three nick-nacks to eat instead of a piece of bacon and a pudding.
1836–9. Dickens, Sk. Boz, ii. (1850), 6/1. The little front parlour,… the little nicnacs are always arranged in precisely the same manner.
attrib. 1860. Sala, Lady Chesterf., v. 74. Not mere millinery and gloves and nicknack shopping.
b. A feast or social meal to which each guest contributes in kind.
1772. Foote, Nabob, I. Wks. 1799, II. 298. Robins has a rout and supper on Sunday next…. A nick-nack,… we all contribute, as usual.
3. An alternation of knacking sounds; an instrument that produces such, as the bones.
1650. H. More, Observ. Anima Magica (1655), 144. Some idle boy playing on a pair of Knick-knacks.
1708. Brit. Apollo, No. 56. 3/1 Death-Watches perplex, With repeated knick-knacks.
Hence Knickknacked a.
1891. Faith of Our Fathers, Sept., 201. Furnitured, and knick-knacked, as though its hospitable inmates had been in since Quarter-day.
