Also 8 spitscock. [f. prec.]
1. trans. To prepare (esp. an eel) for the table as, or after the manner of, a spitchcock.
1675. Cotton, Burlesque upon B., 98. Sing’d like a Hog … And spitch-cock’t like a salted Eele.
c. 1700. T. Brown, Lett. fr. Dead (1707), II. 124. The first Course consisted of a huge Platterful of Scorpions Spitscock’d [etc.].
1736. Bailey, Household Dict., s.v. Eel, To spitchcock eels. Having cleans’d a large eel with salt and water,… then draw off the skin [etc.].
1791. G. Huddesford, in Salmagundi, 144. Raw sprats he swore were worth all fish beside, Fresh, stale, stew’d, spitchcock’d, fricassee’d or fried.
a. 1845. Barham, Ingol. Leg., Ser. III. Knt. & Lady. If you chance to be partial to eels,… Have them spitch-cock’d—or stew’d.
2. To deal with (a person) in a similar manner; fig. to handle severely.
1674. P. Whalley, Relig. Established by Law, 18. Had the Emperor given according to his quality … the Dr. had escaped Spitchcocking.
1694. Echard, Plautus, Amphitryon, 14. He designs to Spitchcock me, I believe. Wou’d Old Nick had these bloody-minded Fellows.
1721. Mrs. Centlivre, Artifice, IV. i. Oh! that I had her in Spain! I’d spitch-cock her like an Eel.
1814. Lamb, Corr., 264. But if they catch me in their camps again let them spitchcock me!
