verb. (thieves’).—1. To inform; TO PEACH; TO SQUEAK (q.v.). Hence SQUEALER = an informer: see NARK (GROSE).
1870. New York Tribune, 27 Oct. G. R—— is caught, and may SQUEAL on us.
1882. The Century Magazine, xxxv. 649. The first step … is to spread abroad the rumor that this, that, or the other confederate is about to ‘SQUEAL’;… it will be but a few days before one of the rogues will … anticipate the traitors by turning State’s evidence.
1896. LILLARD, Poker Stories, 52. The planter was clean ‘cornered,’ but he was working George on a dead sure thing and couldn’t SQUEAL.
1900. FLYNT, Tramping with Tramps, 128. If they ‘SQUEAL,’ as the tramp says, he is sure to be rewarded.
1902. LYNCH, High Stakes, xxiii. When he drew a fare and got well treated, he was not the man TO SQUEAL.
