subs. (common).—1. The appetite. Hence, a GOOD (or RARE) PECKER = a hearty eater. [Cf. PECK.]
2. (common).—Courage; spirits; good cheer: e.g., KEEP YOUR PECKER UP = ‘be of good heart.’
1853. REV. E. BRADLEY (‘Cuthbert Bede’), The Adventures of Mr. Verdant Green, an Oxford Freshman, I. 114. KEEP UP YOUR PECKER, old fellow … and don’t be down in the mouth.
1861. Punch, xl. 205.
| The times were bad, and Gladstone looked sad, … | |
| And puzzled to KEEP UP HIS PECKER. |
1866. The London Miscellany, 3 March, p. 57, 1, ‘London Revelations.’ ‘You’ll be better for something cheering, sir,’ said he, ‘just to KEEP YOUR PECKER UP.’
1869. Standard, 31 Aug. When a crew is taking very hard and rapid work, some slight stimulant is absolutely necessary; it KEEPS UP THE PECKER, and gives the digestion a timely fillip.
18[?]. GILBERT, The Haughty Actor. Dispirited because our friend Depressed his moral PECKER.
1880. G. R. SIMS, Zeph and Other Stories, 86. KEEP YOUR PECKER UP, old-man, and I’ll pull you through.
1892. SYDNEY WATSON, Wops the Waif, 16. Since that I’ve been a-trying to KEEP MY PECKER UP and git a honest livin’.
3. (venery).—The penis: see PRICK.
