subs. (common).—1. A policeman: see BEAK. [First applied to the Royal Irish Constabulary established by Sir Robert Peel, when Irish Secretary (1812–18), and subsequently, for similar reasons (1828–39), to the Metropolitan Police: see quot. 1889 and cf. BOBBY.]
1842–3. Dublin Monthly Magazine [Notes and Queries, 7th S. vii. 392], ‘The PEELER and the Goat.’
| As some Bansha PEELERS were out wan night | |
| On duty and pathrollin’, O. |
1843. THACKERAY, The Irish Sketch-Book, xiv. Half-a-dozen PEELERS … now inhabit Bunratty.
1846. Punch, x. 163, ‘The Fight of the Crescent.’
| And forth three PEELERS rushing, | |
| Attempt to storm the Pass; | |
| Truncheons are thick, but fists are quick, | |
| And down they go to grass! |
1850. C. KINGSLEY, Alton Locke, xxxv. He’s gone for a PEELER and a search warrant to break open the door.
1851. H. MAYHEW, London Labour and the London Poor, I. 22. As regards the police, the hatred of a costermonger to a PEELER is intense.
1857. G. A. LAWRENCE, Guy Livingstone, iv. Six or seven PEELERS and specials.
1889. Encyclopædia Britannica, xviii. 453. His [Sir Robert Peel] greatest service to Ireland as secretary was the institution of the regular Irish constabulary, nicknamed after him PEELERS.
1886–96. MARSHALL, Word of a Policeman [‘Pomes,’ 73]. The other PEELER had a cut at him as well.
1889. Daily News, 24 July, 6, 1. The PEELERS seized it.
1892. HUME NISBET, The Bushranger’s Sweetheart, 64. When I heard him shout thieves, I thought it was the PEELER, and knew it was time to walk.
1897. Punch, 23 Oct., 191, 1, ‘The Boom in Oom.’
| He goes his way escorted by | |
| A single mounted PEELER. |
2. (pugilistic).—One ready to strip for the combat.
1852. W. G. SIMMS, As Good as a Comedy: or, The Tennesseean’s Story, iv. Just you try it, then, with another sort of look in your face, and see if I ain’t a PEELER.
3. (American).—A very energetic person; a RIPPER (q.v.).
1869. H. B. STOWE, Oldtown Folks, x. She was spoken of with applause under such titles as ‘a staver,’ ‘a PEALER,’ ‘a roarer to work.’
SIR PEELER, subs. phr. (old).—A poverty-striking crop.
1557. TUSSER, Five Hundred Pointes of Good Husbandrie, xviii. 12.
| Too lustie of courage for wheat doth not well, | |
| nor after SIR PEELER he looueth to dwell. |
