or unlicked-cub, subs. (colloquial).—An awkward, sulky girl; a mannerless, uncouth lout of a boy. [In allusion to the clumsiness of bear cubs till their dam has ‘licked them into shape.’] Cf., BEAR-LEADER.
1602. SHAKESPEARE, Twelfth Night, Act v., Sc. 1. 167.
| Duke. O thou dissembling CUB! what wilt thou be, | |
| When time hath sow’d a grizzle on thy case? |
1693. CONGREVE, The Old Batchelor, Act iv., Sc. 8. A country-squire, with the equipage of a wife and two daughters, came to Mrs. Snipwell’s shop while I was there—— But, oh Gad! Two such UNLICK’D CUBS!
1762. FOOTE, The Liar, II., ii. I don’t reckon much upon him: for you know, my dear, what can I do with an awkward, raw, college CUB?
1773. GOLDSMITH, She Stoops to Conquer, Act iv., Sc. 1. ‘A poor contemptible booby that would but disgrace correction.’ … ‘An insensible CUB.’
1880. A. TROLLOPE, The Duke’s Children, ch. ix. And Tommy, you are an uncivil young,—young,—young,—I should say CUB if I dared, to tell me that you don’t like dining with me any day of the week.
1855. THACKERAY, The Newcomes, ch. xxix. I don’t see why that infernal young CUB of a Clive is always meddling in our affairs.
