subs. (old).—1. A fowl. [From CACKLE (q.v.) + ER.]—See also CACKLING-CHEAT.
1673. R. HEAD, Canting Academy, 192. A Prigger of the CACKLERS.
1730–6. BAILEY, English Dictionary, s.v. CACKLER … a humorous word for capons or fowl.
1749. R. GOADBY, The Life and Adventures of Bampfylde Moore Carew, ‘The Oath of the Canting Crew.’
| No dimber-damber, angler, dancer, | |
| Prig of CACKLER, prig of prancer. |
1811. GROSE and CLARKE, Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v. CACKLER. A hen.
2. (colloquial).—A noisy talker; a ‘blab.’—See CACKLE, verb.
1400. Coventry Mysteries, 131. Kytt CAKELERE and Colett Crane. [M.]
1598. FLORIO, A Worlde of Wordes, s.v. Gracchione … a chatter, a CACKLER. [M.]
1730–6. BAILEY, English Dictionary, s.v. CACKLER, a Prater, a Tell-tale, a noisy Person.
1878. BROWNING, The Two Poets of Croisic, xcii.
| If they dared | |
| Count you a CACKLER. |
3. (circus and showmen’s).—An actor or showman who has a speaking part.
1854. DICKENS, Hard Times, bk. I., ch. vi., p. 14 (H. ed.). ‘He has his points as a CACKLER still … a speaker, if the gentleman likes it better.
