subs. (common).—Thin potations of any sort, especially tea. Such a beverage being so feeble as to be only fit for women. For synonyms, see SCANDAL BROTH.
1785. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue. CAT LAP, tea, called also scandal broth.
1824. SCOTT, Redgauntlet, ch. xiii. We have tea and coffee aboard … You are at the age to like such CATLAP.
1864. M. E. BRADDON, Aurora Floyd, ch. xvii. ‘I’ve mashed the tea for ’ee,’ said the ‘softy’; ‘I thought you’d like a coop.’ The trainer shrugged his shoulders. ‘I can’t say I’m particular attached to the CAT-LAP,’ he said, laughing.
