subs. (American).—A decoy: see STALE and STALL. Also (common) STOOL-PIGEON = a card-sharper’s accomplice: cf. PIGEON and ROOK.
TO FALL BETWEEN TWO STOOLS, verb. phr. (old).—To hesitate between alternatives and lose (or be disappointed in) both.
1546. HEYWOOD, Proverbs. BETWENE TWO STOOLS MY TAILE GOES TO THE GROUND.
1696. MOTTEUX, Rabelais, V. xliv. She ordered him to sit down, BETWEEN TWO STOOLS … his arse on the ground.
1748. SMOLLETT, Roderick Random, xxxiii. Between the pride of one and the insolence of another the enterprise miscarried, according to the proverb, ‘BETWEEN TWO STOOLS THE BACKSIDE FALLS TO THE GROUND.’
1867. A. TROLLOPE, The Last Chronicle of Barset, xxxv. Lily was aware … that she was like to FALL TO THE GROUND BETWEEN TWO STOOLS,—having two lovers, neither of whom could serve her turn.
TO LAY THE STOOL’S FOOT IN WATER, verb. phr. (old).—To make much preparation to receive a guest.
