subs. (colloquial).—An ignoramus; a dolt; a weakling. Cf., CALF LOLLY. For synonyms, see BUFFLE and CABBAGE-HEAD.
1553. UDALL, Roister Doister, II., iv., in DODSLEY, Old Plays (HAZLITT) III., 94. You great CALF, ye should have more wit, so ye should.
1627. DRAYTON, Nymphid (1631), 171. Some silly doting brainless CALFE.
1872. HAMILTON AÏDÉ, Morals and Mysteries, p. 60. She had a girlish fancy for the ‘good-looking young CALF,’ who had so signally disgraced himself.
TO EAT THE CALF IN THE COW’S BELLY, phr. (common).—A variant of ‘to count one’s chickens before they are hatched.’
1748. RICHARDSON, Clarissa [ed. 1811], III. 135. I ever made shift to avoid anticipations: I never would EAT THE CALF IN THE COW’S BELLY, as Lord M’s phrase is.
