subs. (common).—A liar. Hence ANANIAS-BRAND = an imposture; ANANIAS-CLUB = an imaginary collection of liars; TO PLAY ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA (thieves’) = to keep back part of the swag.
1891. F. W. CAREW, No. 747. being the Autobiography of a Gipsy, 414. He ’cused me o’ playin’ ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA—pinchin’ the reg’lars, as we call it.
1896. LILLARD, Poker Stories. ‘Stories told at the ANANIAS CLUB’ [Title of chapter].
