verbal phr., trs. and intr. (common).—To take to task; to scold; to keep in order. Sometimes to thrash, and generally ill-treat. Variants are TO COMB DOWN; TO COMB ONE’S NODDLE WITH A THREE-LEGGED or JOINT STOOL. [A.S. cemban; O.E. kemben; German, kämmen = to comb. Halliwell gives kemb (a Border form) = to comb; also COMB = to cut a person’s comb, to disable him. The word seems to have always involved the idea of personal castigation, either physical or figurative. In this connection, cf., quot., 1593.] Fr., donner une peignée and laver la tête; but for synonyms in the sense of ‘to scold,’ see WIG; and in the sense of ‘to thrash,’ see TAN.
1593. SHAKESPEARE, Taming of the Shrew, i. 1.
| Kath. … doubt not her cares should be | |
| To COMB YOUR NODDLE WITH A THREE-LEGG’D STOOL, | |
| And paint your face, and use you like a fool. |
1769. JOHN WALLIS, Antiquities of Northumberland. [Speaking of Wark Castle.] On the west side are the outworks, now called the Kemb, i.e., the camp of the militia designed to KEMB or fight an enemy; KEMB being a word often used by the borderers when they threaten in a passionate tone to beat an assailant,—they will KEMB him, i.e., drub him heartily.
1836. W. KIDD, London and All Its Dangers. ‘Magistrates,’ p. 12. The Magistrate of Hatton Garden has lately HAD HIS ‘HAIR COMBED’ by the Home Secretary for his brutal conduct.
1852. DICKENS, Bleak House, ch. xxvii., p. 236. ‘If you had only settled down, and married Joe Pouch’s widow when he died in North America, she’d have COMBED YOUR HAIR for you.’
1866. G. ELIOT, Felix Holt, ch. xliii. But you see, these riots—it’s been a nasty business. I shall HAVE MY HAIR COMBED at the sessions for a year to come.’
1869. …. Ino (played at Strand Theatre). ‘Since Ino’s COMBED MY WOOL it’s ceased to grow.’
