or squasher, subs. (common).—1. A large foot: the term was popularised by Leech in Punch. Hence (2) = a large boot or shoe: also BEETLE-CASE; and (3) an infantry soldier (a cavalry term): cf. MUDCRUSHER. Whence BEETLE-CRUSHING (military) = route-marching.
1869. W. BRADWOOD, The O. V. H., xxi. Writhing yet striving to look pleasant on the infliction which the BEETLE-CRUSHER of a recent arrival had just inflicted on his pet corn.
1872. BROUGHTON, Red as a Rose Is She, XXXV. Yes, but what howible boots! Whoever could have had the atwocity to fwame such BEETLE-CRUSHERS?
1872. G. A. LAWRENCE, Anteros, I., p. 188. The possibility floated before him, now, of sending all his live and dead stock into the market,—of exchange into a sedate BEETLE-CRUSHING corps.
