ppl. adj. (common).—In a wheedling, coaxing, or insinuating manner. Cf., CARNEY.
1851–61. H. MAYHEW, London Labour and the London Poor, vol. II., p. 566. When I tried to turn ’em off they’d say, in a CARNYING way, ‘Oh, let us stay on,’ so I never took no heed of ’em.
1869. H. J. BYRON, Not such a Fool as He Looks [French’s Acting ed.], p. 12. Sharp old skinflint, downy old robber as he is, he’s under Jane Mould’s thumb, and well he knows it. (In CARNEYING voice) With many thanks, sir, for your kind attention to my case.
1871. Daily Telegraph, 15 May, ‘Critique on Mr. H. J. Byron’s Play of An English Gentleman.’ Rachel does not like Brandon’s CARNEYING ways.
1884. R. L. STEVENSON in The English Illustrated Magazine, Feb., p. 305. The female dog, that mass of CARNEYING affectations.
1885. CLEMENT SCOTT, in Illustrated London News, 3 Oct., p. 339, 2. The change from the CARNEYING, wheedling sneak to the cowardly bully, is extremely clever.
