subs. phr. (common).—A shepherd: in contempt. Hence the proverbial sayings, ‘TO LOSE A SHEEP (erron. SHIP) FOR A HA’PORTH OF TAR’ (GROSE); and ‘To caper like a fly in a TAR-BOX.’
1672. RAY, Proverbs. Ne’er lose a hog for a HALFPENNY-WORTH OF TAR. A man may spare in an ill time; as some who will rather die than spend ten groats in physic. Some have it, Lose not a sheep, etc. Indeed, TAR is more used about sheep than swine. Others say, Lose not a ship, etc.
