subs. (venery).—1. The penis. For synonyms, see CREAMSTICK and PRICK.
1656. R. FLETCHER, Martiall, vii. 29.
| Why being a Roman lasse dost do thus? tell, | |
| Is’t cause no Roman-KNACK can please so well? |
2. (old: now recognised).—1. A trick; and (2) a trinket. [TYRWHITT: The word seems to have been formed by the KNACKING or snapping of the fingers made by jugglers.]
1383. CHAUCER, The Canterbury Tales, 4099, ‘The Reves Tale.’ The more queinte KNAKKES that they make (= the cleverer tricks they practise).
1611. COTGRAVE, Dictionarie. Matassiner des mains. To move, KNACKE, or waggle the fingers, like a jugler.
1653. R. BROME, The Novella, i. 2. Such rings, such things, such KNACKS, such knots and bobs.
1675. COTTON, Burlesque upon Burlesque: or, The Scoffer Scofft, in Wks. (1725), p. 163.
| And if they women meet do rout ’um, | |
| For the fine KNACKS they wear about ’um. |
c. 1696. B. E., A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew, s.v. KNACK, or Slight in any Art, the Craft or Mystery in any Trade, a petty artifice, or Trick like those upon the Cards. KNACKS, or Toies.
1731–35. POPE, Moral Essays, ii. 155. For how could equal colours do the KNACK?
1781. COWPER, Table Talk, 666. While servile trick and imitative KNACK.
1892. MILLIKEN, ’Arry Ballads, p. 5. Lots of good temper and NACK.
