subs. (old).—1. A bribe; e.g., a SOP TO CERBERUS = a doorkeeper’s or porter’s TIP (q.v.).
1513. DOUGLAS, Æneis, vi. 60.
| Cerberus the hidduous hound … | |
| Quham til the prophetes … | |
| Ane SOP stepit intill hony … gan cast. |
1663. SIR R. HOWARD, The Committee, iv. 1. C Bl. You unconscionable Rascal, are you angry that I am unlucky, or do you want some Fees? I’ll perish in a Dungeon, before I’ll consume with throwing SOPS to such Curs.
1695. CONGREVE, Love for Love, i. 4, 17. If I can GIVE THAT CERBERUS A SOP, I shall be at rest for one day.
1697. DRYDEN, Æneis, Postscript. Even Cerberus when he had received the SOP, permitted Æneas to pass freely to Elysium.
1733. SWIFT, On Poetry.
| To Cerberus they give a SOP, | |
| His triple-barking mouth to stop. |
1773. FOOTE, The Nabob, i. There is but one way of managing here: I must GIVE THE CERBERUS A SOP, I perceive.
1825. H. SMITH, Gaieties and Gravities, II., 238. I will throw down a Napoleon, as A SOP TO CERBERUS.
2. (old).—A small piece; a thing or matter of little value.
1362. LANGLAND, Piers Plowman (B), xiii. 124.
| For one pieres þe ploughman · hath inpugned vs alle, | |
| And sette alle sciences at a SOPPE · saue loue one. |
3. (common).—A simpleton; a ‘milk-SOP.’
A SOP IN THE PAN, subs. phr. (colloquial).—1. A dainty; and (2) a favour.
1621. FLETCHER, The Pilgrim, iii. 7.
| And stir no more abroad, but tend your business; | |
| You shall have no more SOPS I’ THE PAN else, nor no porridge. |
