Obs. [App. a fanciful formation: cf. QUIZ.] a. A queer or absurd person or thing (also as pl.). b. Used as an ejaculation or retort, to express incredulity, contempt, etc.
1790. By-stander, 93. Mr. WORLD [the newspaper] might retort that Mr. HERALD was a Quoz, and a low print.
1796. Mme. D’Arblay, Camilla, VII. xiii. 200. ‘Upon my honour,’ cried Lynmere, piqued, ‘the quoz of the present season are beyond what a man could have hoped to see!’
1802. in Spirit Pub. Jrnls., VI. 197. At length it was announced, that Pic-Nic, like Quoz, which was chalked some years ago on windows and doors, really meant nothing, and was intended only to make folks stare.
1841. C. Mackay, Mem. Pop. Delusions, I. 325. Many years ago the favourite phrase (for, though but a monosyllable, it was a phrase in itself) was QUOZ.
