or hemp, subs. phr. (old).—A scoundrel; one who badly needs a hanging: cf. CRACK-ROPE, WAG-HALTER; SCAPE-GALLOWS, etc.
1604. HEYWOOD, If You Know Not Me [PEARSON, Works (1874), I. 283]. Look here, I know this is the shop, by that same STRETCH-HALTER.
1629. The Schoole of Good Manners [quoted by NARES]. To mocke anybody by blabboring out the tongue is the part of STRETCH-HALTERS and lewd boyes, not of well mannered children.
