subs. (old).—A renegade, an apostate, ‘he that quits one and embraces another party’ (B. E.), ‘one who has changed his party from interested motives’ (GROSE). Hence TO TURN COAT (or A COAT) = to change, to pervert.
1579. TOMSON, Calvin’s Sermons, Timothy, 107. 2. We shall see these backesliders whiche knowe the Gospell, reuolt and TURNE THEIR COATES.
1600. SHAKESPEARE, Much Ado about Nothing, i. 1. 125. Beat. Courtesy itself must convert to disdain if you come in her presence. Ben. Then is courtesy a TURNCOAT.
d. 1674. MILTON, Answer to Salmasius, Preface, 13. Crafty TURN-COAT! Are you not asham’d to shift hands thus in things that are Sacred?
1849. MACAULAY, The History of England, viii. The Chief Justice himself stood aghast at the effrontery of this venal TURNCOAT.
1871. GRENVILLE MURRAY, Member for Paris, xx. They blackguarded him … said he only wanted to get into the House to finger the salary and then TURN HIS COAT.
1888. Westminster Review, cxxviii. 526. Mr. Bright should be the last man to charge a political opponent with ‘TURNING HIS COAT,’ for the change in his own position and sentiments is of the most sweeping character.
