subs. (old).—A soldier. [See quots.] Also BOILED LOBSTER in contradistinction to RAW LOBSTER (q.v.) which formerly = a sailor. UNBOILED-LOBSTER (q.v.) also = a policeman. For synonyms, see MUDCRUSHER.

1

  c. 1642.  SOMERS, Tracts (1811), v. 289. The nickname of LOBSTERS now misapplied to soldiers, seems to have been first applied to Sir A. Hazilrigg’s regiment of cavalry, completely armed with corslets,—the first body of cavalry on that side which would be brought to stand the shock of the king’s horse.

2

  1662.  Rump Songs, ii. 70.

        Sir William on Run-away-downs had a bout,
Which him and his LOBSTERS did totally rout,
And his Lady the conqueror could not help him out,
                Which no body can deny.

3

  c. 1696.  B. E., A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew, s.v. A red coat, a soldier.

4

  1748.  T. DYCHE, A New General English Dictionary (5 ed.). LOBSTER (S.) … also a mock name for a foot-soldier.

5

  1785.  GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v. LOBSTER, a nickname for a soldier, from the colour of his clothes…. ‘I will not make a LOBSTER kettle of my ——’: a reply frequently made by nymphs of the Point at Portsmouth, when requested by a soldier to grant him a favour.

6

  d. 1704.  T. BROWN, Works, i. 73. The Women on the other Hand, exclaim against LOBSTERS and Tatterdemallions.

7

  1819.  T. MOORE, Tom Crib’s Memorial to Congress, 5. LOBSTERS will be such a drug upon hand.

8

  1829.  BUCKSTONE, Billy Taylor, i. 3. Car. I … am no more a dull drab-coated watchman. Mary. … Thou UNBOILED LOBSTER, hence.

9

  1839.  THACKERAY, The Fatal Boots (April). I don’t think in the course of my whole military experience I ever fought anything, except an old woman, who had the impudence to hallo out, ‘Heads up, LOBSTER!’

10

  1845.  BUCKSTONE, The Green Bushes, i. 1. Geo. You must lead the soldiers to the very door…. Mur. … And where am I to meet the LOBSTERS!

11

  1848.  Punch, xiv. 256. He (a soldier) avoids a LOBSTER-shop, for fear of vulgar companions.

12

  3.  (cricket).—A bowler of LOBS (q.v.).

13

  1890.  E. LYTTELTON, Cricket, p. 36. The gentle and sensitive LOBSTER, whose success depends so largely on facts he is ignorant of and conditions he cannot control.

14

  Verb. (Winchester College).—To cry. [Notions: Probably a variation of ‘lowster’ or ‘louster’ = (Hants) to make any unpleasant noise.]

15

  TO BOIL ONE’S LOBSTER, verb. phr. (old).—See quot. 1819: of churchmen only. Cf. JAPAN.

16

  1785.  GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v. LOBSTER.

17

  1819.  T. MOORE, Tom Crib’s Memorial to Congress, 5, note. ‘TO BOIL ONE’S LOBSTER means for a churchman to turn soldier; lobsters, which are of a bluish black, being made red by boiling.’—Grose. Butler’s ingenious simile will occur to the reader:—

        When, like a LOBSTER BOILED, the Morn
From black to red began to turn.

18