subs. (American thieves’).—1. A whip. A contraction of FLOGGER (q.v.). TO FLOG (now recognised), is cited by B. E. (1690), GROSE, and the author of Bacchus and Venus as cant.
TO BE FLOGGED AT THE TUMBLER, verb. phr. (old).—To be whipped at the cart’s tail. See TUMBLER.
c. 1696. B. E., A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew.
TO FLOG THE DEAD HORSE, verb. phr. (common).—1. To work up an interest in a bygone subject; to try against heart; to do with no will nor liking for the job. [Bright said that Earl Russell’s Reform Bill was a DEAD HORSE (q.v.), and every attempt to create enthusiasm in its favour was FLOGGING THE DEAD HORSE.]
2. (nautical).—To work off an advance of wages.
TO FLOG A WILLING HORSE, verb. phr. (common).—To urge on one who is already putting forth his best energies.
