subs. (common).—Primarily old, but now also applied to new clothes. For synonyms, see TOGS.
1879. J. W. HORSLEY, ‘Autobiography of a Thief,’ in Macmillan’s Magazine, XL., 502. Having a new suit of CLOBBER on me.
1889. Answers, 11 May, p. 374, col. 3. The CLOBBER (old clothes) which have been presented by charitable persons are exchanged and sold.
1889. The Sporting Times, quoted in A Dictionary of Slang, Jargon & Cant, p. 255. If you are hard up always tell the dear things that you are a gentleman’s valet. This will account for your good CLOBBER.
Verb.—Also CLOBBER UP. 1. To patch; revive; or ‘translate’ clothes. [Properly applied to cobbling of the lowest class. Cf., CLOBBERER.]
1865. Cassell’s Illustrated Family Paper, 15 April, 181, Article, ‘Old Clo’.’ They are now past ‘CLOBBERING,’ ‘reviving,’ or ‘translating’; they are, in fact, at the lowest point of Fortune’s wheel, but the next turn puts them in its highest point again.
2. To dress smartly; to rig oneself out presentably. For synonyms, see RIG OUT.
1879. J. W. HORSLEY, ‘Autobiography of a Thief,’ in Macmillan’s Magazine, XL., 501. I used to get a good many pieces about this time, so I used to CLOBBER myself up and go to the concert-rooms.
1886. W. E. HENLEY, Villon’s Good-Night. You judes that CLOBBER for the stramm.
1889. Fun [quoted in A Dictionary of Slang, Jargon & Cant, p. 256]. ‘D’you know, if you were CLOBBERED UP I shouldn’t mind taking you out?’ She promised to be presentable. In her own words she said, ‘I’ll come CLOBBERED UP like a dukess.’
TO DO CLOBBER AT A FENCE, phr. (thieves’).—To sell stolen clothes. Fr., laver les harnais.
