or amen-curler, amen-snorter, subs. phr. (old).—A parish clerk: also (military) AMEN-WALLAH: see BLACKCOAT (GROSE).
d. 1704. T. BROWN, Works, ii. 16. Lower sells penny prayer-books all the week, and CURLS AN AMEN in a meeting-house on Sundays.
1858. A. MAYHEW, Paved with Gold, III. ix. He was nicknamed the ‘AMEN BAWLER,’ and recommended to take to the ‘hum-box.’
1888. Bulletin, 24 Nov. In Maori-land it is impossible to swing [a] cat without smiting some variety of AMEN-SNORTER. Still the saints are not happy.
1899. R. WHITEING, No. 5 John Street, xxi. ‘We represents the Musselbry branch o’ the Slav’ry Sersiety,’ says a sort of AMEN-CURLER, as was at the ’ead on ’em.
