subs. (old).—‘Old Ware, old Stuff, as old Hatts, Boots, Shoes, etc.’ (B. E.); ‘an old whore, or goods of no value, rubbish’ (GROSE): also TRASH AND TRUMPERY, and (proverbial) ‘For want of good Company, welcome Trumpery.’ Whence (modern) generic for showy trashiness, and as adj. = meretricious, worthless.
1609. SHAKESPEARE, Tempest, iv. 1. 186.
| The TRUMPERY in my house, go, bring hither, | |
| For stale to catch these thieves. |
1619. The Falles of Vnfortunate Princes, 204.
| Here to repeat the parts that I haue plaid, | |
| Were to vnrippe a trusse of TRUMPERY. |
1637. JOSEPH HALL, Sermons at Exeter, Aug. What a world of fopperies there are, of crosses, of candles, of holy water, and salt, and censings. Away with these TRUMPERIES.
d. 1699. STILLINGFLEET, Sermons, II. viii. All the TRUMPERY of the Mass and Follies of their Worship are by no means superstitions because required by the Church.
1749. FIELDING, Tom Jones, V. iv. If I was as Mr. Jones I should look a little higher than such TRUMPERY as Molly Seagrim.
1821. LAMB, The Essays of Elia, ‘The Old Benchers of the Inner Temple.’ Extinct be the fairies and fairy TRUMPERY of legendary fabling.
1835. HOOK, Gilbert Gurney, II. i. A very TRUMPERY case it is altogether, that I must admit.
1885. The Field, 26 Dec. Through the gate on to the road, over the TRUMPERY gap staring you full in the face.
