subs. (old thieves’).—1. A watch (TUFTS, 1798).
2. (nautical).—A turn; a spell: e.g., ‘a TRICK at the helm.’
1835. R. H. DANA, Jr., Two Years Before the Mast, v. That night it was my turn to steer, or, as the sailors say, my TRICK at the helm for two hours.
3. (common).—In pl. = wantonness: spec. of women (BEE): whence TO GET UP TO TRICKS = to play the whore; BEEN PLAYING TRICKS = pregnant; TO DO THE TRICK = to get with child (see also PHRASES).
1681. A. RADCLIFFE, Ovid Travestie, 19.
| Had I been there, | |
| You would have had the other bout, I fear… | |
| Rise, said I, be very quick; | |
| This is no time for any wanton TRICK. |
PHRASES AND COLLOQUIALISMS.—A TRICK WORTH TWO (or A BETTER TRICK) = (1) a better way, a smarter expedient, and (2) a slightly sarcastic refusal: e.g., ‘No, thanks! It’s all right, but I KNOW A TRICK WORTH TWO OF THAT’; TO DO THE TRICK = (1) to accomplish one’s purpose, and (2) see TRICK, subs. 3; A TRICK WITH A HOLE IN IT (American), of anything extraordinary; TO TRICK AND TIE = (1) to be equal (sporting) and (2) to have something in reserve. Also (proverbial saying) ‘TRICK FOR TRICK, and a stone in thy foot besides, quoth one, pulling a stone out of his mare’s foot, when she bit him on the back, and he her on the buttock.’
1598. SHAKESPEARE, 1 Henry IV., ii. 1. 41. Soft: I KNOW A TRICK WORTH TWO OF THAT.
d. 1704. T. BROWN, A Dialogue between Two Oxford Scholars, in Works, i. 1. A. ‘Go turn Country-Parson.’ B. … ‘Thanks to my stars, I KNOW A BETTER TRICK THAN THAT.’ Ibid., iii. 31. They KNOW A TRICK WORTH TWO OF HIS, and have often experimented, that if one won’t another will.
1772. R. GRAVES, The Spiritual Quixote, III. xv. ‘Ah!’ says she, ‘it is as I feared; the key is gone!’ I was thunder-struck at this news; but she said, ‘SHE KNEW A TRICK WORTH TWO OF THAT.’ And, bidding me follow her,… she opened a door into the area.
1854–5. THACKERAY, The Newcomes, i. Hear what he says of you, sir? Clive, best be off to bed, my boy—ho! ho! No, no. We KNOW A TRICK WORTH TWO OF THAT. We won’t go home till morning, till daylight does appear.
1888. BOLDREWOOD, Robbery under Arms, xxiv. We KNEW A TRICK WORTH TWO OF THAT.
1900. GRIFFITHS, Fast and Loose, xxxi. ‘How many of you will there be?’ ‘Half a dozen TO DO THE TRICK.’ More might attract suspicion.
See BAG-OF-TRICKS.
