subs. (common).—1. That which closes an argument, or puts an end to a course of action; a SETTLER; a FINISHER (q.v.); specifically a lie. Cf., WHOPPER.
2. Anything unusually large, or of first-rate quality; remarkable in some respect or another; e.g., a heavy blow; a monstrous lie.—See WHOPPER.
1835. HALIBURTON (‘Sam Slick’), The Clockmaker, 1 S., ch. xix. ‘Then I lets him have it, right, left, right, jist three CORKERS, beginning with the right hand, shifting to the left, and then with the right hand ag’in.’
TO PLAY THE CORKER.—To indulge in the uncommon; to exhibit exaggerated peculiarities of demeanour; specifically in school and university slang to make oneself objectionable to one’s fellows.
1882. T. A. GUTHRIE (‘F. Anstey’), Vice Versâ, ch. vii. ‘Why, you’re sticking up for him now!’ said Tom … astonished at this apparent change of front. ‘If you choose to come back and PLAY THE CORKER like this, it’s your look-out.’
