or huff, subs. (old cant: still in use at Winchester College).—1. Strong ale. [‘From inducing people to set their caps in a bold and HUFFING style.’—NARES.]
1679. FULWELL, The Art of Flattery. Commonly called HUFCAP, it will make a man looke as though hee had seene the Diuel.
1688. HOLINSHED, Description of England. These men hale at HUFF-CAP, till they be red as cockes and little wiser than their combes.
1602. T. CAMPION, English Poesy (BULLEN, Works, 1889, p. 247). Hunks detests when HUFFCAP ale he tipples.
1614. GREENE, A Looking-Glass for London and England [DYCE], p. 127. Adam. Slain! why, [the] ale is strong ale, ’tis HUFFCAP; I warrant you, ’twill make a man well.
1630. TAYLOR (‘The Water Poet’), Workes.
| And this is it, of Ale-houses and Innes, | |
| Wine-Marchants Vintners, Brewers, who much wins | |
| By others losing, I say more or lesse | |
| Whose sale of HUFCAP liquor doe professe. |
1866. MANSFIELD, School-Life at Winchester College, p. 180. Washed down by libations of HUFF.
1878. H. C. ADAMS, Wykehamica, s.v. HUFF, the strong ale brewed by the College.
2. (old).—A swaggering bully; a HECTOR (q.v.).
1596. NASHE, Lenten Stuffe (GROSART, Works, v., 306). The HUFF-CAPPES to drink in that house, thou shalt be sure of always.
1630. TAYLOR (‘The Water Poet’), Workes.
| But ’tis a Maxime Mortals cannot hinder, | |
| The doughty deeds of Wakefields HUFFE CAP Pinder, | |
| Are not so pleasant as the faire Aurora, | |
| When Nimrod rudely plaid on his Bandora. |
1687. M. CLIFFORD, Notes upon Dryden, letter 2. Prethee tell me true, was not this HUFF-CAP once the Indian Emperour, and at another time did not he call himself Maximine?
1706. FARQUHAR, The Recruiting Officer, v., 6. You have made a fine speech good Captain HUFF-CAP.
Adj. (old).—Swaggering; blustering; rousing.
1597. JOSEPH HALL, Satires, i., 3. Graced with HUFF-CAP terms and thundering threats.
