subs. phr. (common).—The devil: see SKIPPER.
1762. SMOLLETT, Sir Launcelot Greaves, II. x. He must have sold himself to OLD SCRATCH; and, being a servant of the devil, how could he be a good subject to his Majesty.
1780. SOPHIA LEE, The Chapter of Accidents, v. 2. I be sick enough of passing for a lady; but, if OLD SCRATCH ever puts such a trick again in my head, I hope—your lordship will catch me! that’s all.
1857. A. TROLLOPE, The Three Clerks, xx. He don’t mean anything, and I said he didn’t all along. He’d have pitched me to OLD SCRATCH, while I was sitting there on his knee, if he’d have had his own way.
