(The), subs. (Oxford University).—New Inn Hall. [A punning allusion: also because the buttery is open all day long.]
1853. REV. E. BRADLEY (‘Cuthbert Bede’), The Adventures of Mr. Verdant Green, an Oxford Freshman, III. xi. Little Mr. Bouncer had abandoned his intention of obtaining a licet migrare to THE TAVERN, and had decided … to remain at Brazenface.
TO HUNT A TAVERN FOX (or TO SWALLOW A TAVERN TOKEN), verb. phr. (old).—To get drunk. Hence ‘the TAVERN BITCH has bit him in the head’ (or TAVERNED) = drunk: see SCREWED. Also TAVERNER = a tippler.
fl. 1340. DAN MICHEL OF NORTHGATE, The Ayenbite of Inwyt 51 [T. L. KINGTON-OLIPHANT, The New English, i. 30. We light upon the TAVERNYER or TAVERN-HAUNTER; this has given rise to an English surname].
1598. JONSON, Every Man in his Humour, i. 3. Cob. Drunk, sir! you hear not me say so: perhaps he SWALLOWED A TAVERN-TOKEN, or some such device.
1602. DEKKER, The Honest Whore, i. 4. A spleen not so big as a TAVERN TOKEN.
1630. TAYLOR (‘The Water Poet’), Old Parr [Harleian Miscellany, VII. 76].
| Else he had little leisure time to waste, | |
| Or at the alehouse huff-cap ale to taste. | |
| Nor did he ever HUNT A TAVERN FOX. |
