subs. (common).—A term of contempt applied to human beings. Cf., QUEER CATTLE, KITTLE CATTLE. The generic names of the lower creation are pretty generally used in such transferred senses; e.g., QUEER FISH, DOWNY BIRD, PIGEON, ROOK, SAD DOG, etc. In England mostly employed disparagingly, but in the U.S.A. BUG—here the name of one of the most offensive of vermin, but there the common term for all varieties of beetles—is used in a good sense; e.g., BIG BUG.
1579. GOSSON, The Schoole of Abuse, p. 27 (ARBER’S ed.). We have infinite Poets, and Pipers, and suche peeuishe CATTEL among vs in Englande.
1600. SHAKESPEARE, As You Like It, Act iii., Sc. 2, 435. Boyes and women are …. CATTLE of this colour.
1882. G. R. SIMS, Dagonet Ballads (‘Moll Jarvis o’ Morley’). Queer CATTLE is women to deal with? Lord bless ye, yer honour, they are!
[CATTLE is often used of horses. See W. H. Ainsworth’s Rookwood. Have you any horses? Our Cattle are all blown. Also Goldsmith’s She Stoops to Conquer, v., 2.
