subs.—1. (in pl. old).—Fetters. For synonyms, see DARBIES.
c. 1696. B. E., A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew. CLINKERS: the Irons Felons wear in Gaols.
1785. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue. CLINKERS,… irons worn by prisoners.
1811. GROSE and CLARKE, Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
2. (old).—A crafty, designing man.
c. 1696. B. E., A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew. CLINKER: a crafty fellow.
1785. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v.
1811. GROSE and CLARKE, Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
3. (thieves’).—A chain of any kind, whether fetter or watch chain. Cf., sense 1.
4. (pugilistic).—A well-delivered blow; a ‘hot-’un.’
c. 1863. THACKERAY, Men’s Wives, ‘Mr. and Mrs. Frank Berry,’ ch. i. Berry goes gallantly in, and delivers a CLINKER on the gown-boy’s jaw.
5. (colloquial, chiefly sporting).—Any thing or person of first-rate and triumphant quality; also a CLINCHER (q.v.); a ‘settler.’ Cf., sense 4.
1733. SWIFT, Life and Character of Dr. Swift.
| A Protestant’s a special CLINKER; | |
| It serves for sceptic and free-thinker. [M.] |
1869. Daily Telegraph, 5 April. Despite the indifferent manner in which Vagabond cut up at the finish of the Metropolitan, quite sufficient was seen of him to prove that at a mile and a half he is a CLINKER.
1871. Daily News, 17 April, p. 2, col. 1. Ripponden and Cheesewring performed so indifferently as to strengthen the doubts whether they are really CLINKERS.
6. (common).—Deposits of fæcal or seminal matter in the hair about the anus or the female pudendum.
7. (common).—A lie. For synonyms, see WHOPPER.
TO HAVE CLINKERS IN ONE’S BUM, phr. (vulgar).—To be uneasy; unable to sit still.
