subs. (common).—1. A dram; a stiff glass of grog—generally applied to a finishing bumper. When this happens to be sherry and follows the drinking of red wines it is called a WHITEWASH (q.v.). [There are three suggested derivations: (1) that it is a punning reference to caulking, that which serves to keep out the wet; (2) because such a draught takes a deal of swallowing; and (3) that it is a corruption of CORKER (q.v.), a regular stopper.] For synonyms, see GO.
1808. J. MAYNE, The Siller Gun, 89 (Jam.).
| The Magistrates, wi’ loyal din, | |
| Tak aff their CAU’KERS. [M.] |
1836. M. SCOTT, The Cruise of the Midge, ch. vi. We … finished off with a CAULKER of good cognac.
1849. C. KINGSLEY, Alton Locke, ch. xxi. ‘Take a CAULKER? Summat heavy, then?’
1871. A. FORBES, My Experiences of the War between France and Germany, II., p. 201. The Mobile officer joins us heartily in a CAULKER, and does not need to be pressed to take a little supper.
1884. W. C. RUSSELL, Jack’s Courtship, ch. viii. The CAULKER of rum served out under the break of the poop by the light of a bull’s-eye lamp.
2. (popular).—A lie; anything surprising or incredible. For synonyms, see WHOPPER.
1884. W. C. RUSSELL, Jack’s Courtship, ch. xxxi. I also took care that she should never afterwards be able to charge me with having told her a real CAULKER.
