subs. (popular).—1. A five-shilling piece. A variant is COACH-WHEEL, and both forms are often contracted into WHEEL. For synonyms, see CAROON.
1871. London Figaro, 15 Feb. ‘Mornings at Mutton’s.’ The coin of the realm in question was the largest that we have known in the present century—so large, that, in the slang language of thieves and costermongers, it is called a ‘CART-WHEEL,’ ‘coach-wheel’ and ‘thick-’un.’ It was, in fact, a crown-piece.
2. (popular).—A broad hint.
3. (popular).—A continuous series of somersaults in which the hands and feet alternately touch the ground, the appearance produced being similar to the spokes of a cart wheel in motion. Otherwise called a CATHARINE WHEEL.
1851. H. MAYHEW, London Labour and the London Poor, II., p. 562. We either do the CAT’UNWHEEL (sic) or else we keep before the gentleman and lady, turning head-over-heels. Ibid., p. 564. At night I go along with the others tumbling. I does the CAT’ENWHEEL. (sic)
1864. G. A. SALA, in Daily Telegraph, Dec. 23. I saw a little … blackguard boy turning CARTWHEELS in front of the Clifton House.
