subs. (old colloquial: now recognised).—1. A dealer in small wares; specifically (1) a hatter, and (2, humorously) a publican (i.e., a seller of TAPE (q.v.). Now restricted to a retail draper.
1599. MINSHEU, Dictionarie, s.v.
1632. JONSON, The Magnetic Lady, ‘Induction.’ Poetaccio’s, poetasters, poetito’s…. And all HABERDASHERS of small wit.
d. 1680. BUTLER, Remains (1759), ii., 107. He set up HABERDASHER of a small poetry.
1821. W. T. MONCRIEFF, Tom and Jerry, iii., 5. The HABERDASHER is the whistler, otherwise the spirit-merchant, Jerry—and tape the commodity he deals in.
HABERDASHER OF PRONOUNS, subs. phr. (common).—A schoolmaster. For synonyms, see BUMBRUSHER.
c. 1696. B. E., A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew, s.v.
1725. A New Canting Dictionary, s.v.
1783. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v.
