or -whistler, bencher, subs. phr. (old).—A tavern loafer: spec. one rollicking idly on a tavern bench: a reproach.
1542. BOORDE, Dyetary, viii. 245. Fye on the, BENCHE-WHYSTLER, wylt thou sterte away nowe.
1546. LELAND, Itinerary of England [T. L. KINGTON-OLIPHANT, The New English, i. 517. He applies fanatycal to the Anabaptists, calling them chymney prechers and BENCHE-BABLERS.]
1606. The Return from Parnassus, iv., 3 [DODSLEY, Old Plays, 1874, ix. 200].
| Philomusus. Their spendthrift heirs will [all] those firebrands quench | |
| Swaggering full moistly on a tavern’s BENCH. |
1607. CHAPMAN, All Fools [Plays (1873), I. 137]. Y’are but BENCH-WHISTLERS now a dayes to them that were in our times.
1618. HORNBY, Sco. Drunk (1859), 17. He that will not drinke off his whole scowre Is a BENCH-WHISTLER.
16[?]. DAVIES, Upon English Proverbes.
| ‘Hee’s a BENCH WHISTLER:’ that is but an ynche, | |
| Whistling an hunts-vp in the Kings Bench. |
