subs. (common).—A large number; a quantity. [From CRY, a pack of dogs.] As in Shakespeare’s Coriolanus, Act iii., Scene 3. ‘You common CRY of curs.’
GREAT CRY AND LITTLE WOOL, phr. (general).—Much ado about nothing. The original text of the proverb was, ‘GREAT CRY AND LITTLE WOOL, as the devil said when he sheared the hogs.’ Hudibras alters it into ‘All cry and no wool.’
TO CRY CARROTS AND TURNIPS, verbal phr. (old).—See quot.
1747. CHARLES JOHNSON, Highwaymen and Pyrates, p. 254. He came off with CRYING CARROTS AND TURNIPS; a term which rogues use for whipping at the cart’s arse.
TO CRY [or CALL] A GO, verbal phr. (common).—To give in, as one unable to proceed. An expression borrowed from cribbage signifying that the player who makes use of it has nothing playable in his hand, and is compelled to ‘CRY A GO.’] Cf., PASS.
1880. Punch’s Almanack.
| Got three quid; have CRIED A GO with Fan, | |
| Game to spend my money like a man. |
TO CRY CUPBOARD, verbal phr. (common).—To be fasting, hungry, BANDED (q.v.). Fr., n’avoir rien dans le cornet; avoir le buffet vide; and danser devant le buffet.
1738. SWIFT, Polite Conversation (conv. iii.). Footman. Madam, dinner’s upon the table. Col. Faith, I’m glad of it; my belly began to CRY CUPBOARD.
CRY MATCHES! intj. phr. (American).—An exclamation of surprise. [Variously derived: (1) a corruption of ‘Crime hatches’; (2) CRY = XPI or Christ, no suggestion being offered to account for ‘MATCHES’; and (3) a conversion of the Fr. cré matin, presumably Canadian. Cf., CRIMINI.] Quoted in Notes and Queries, 5 S., viii., 491, and ix., 55, 318.
CRY OFF, verb (general).—To retreat; to back out from an engagement.
1866. The London Miscellany, 5 May, p. 201, 3, ‘London Revelations.’ ‘Why this gent told me to bid,’ said the dealer, patting his tingling fingers sharply, ‘and now he wants to CRY OFF.’
TO CRY STINKING FISH.—See STINKING FISH.
