To surpass everything.

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1775.  

          And besides all the mortars, bombs, cannon and shells,
And bullets and guns—as the news-paper tells,
Our cargoes of meat, drink and cloaths beat the Dutch.
Now who wou’d not tarry and take t’other touch.
‘A Camp Song’ [The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, April 1857], p. 191.

2

1826.  The first remark in the pamphlet was, “It beats the devil.”—T. Flint, ‘Recollections,’ p. 46.

3

1837.  “That beats the Dutch,” saith the proverb; meaning that, as the Dutch beat Old Nick, it is something of an exploit to beat them.—Public Ledger (Phila.), Feb. 6.

4

1840.  Of all the goings on that I ever did hear of, this beats the Dutch.—Knick. Mag., xv. 127 (Feb.).

5

1840.  Well, if that don’t beat all my wife’s relations!—Id., xv., 378 (May).

6

1842.  That beats the Dutch.—Spirit of the Times, Phila., April 15.

7

1842.  That Beats the Bugs.—Heading, id., April 19.

8

1844.  [On seeing Niagara,] she exclaimed, ‘I declare, it beats the bugs.’——I fainted.—Yale Lit. Mag., x. 47 (Nov.).

9

1851.  Well, if these times don’t beat hoe’n’ [hoeing] taters, then I’m a sinner!—‘Polly Peablossom’s Wedding,’ &c., p. 108.

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1853.  “Heavenly marcies!” sez she, “if that don’t beat creation!”—Knick Mag., xlii. 122 (Sept.).

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1854.  Well, it does beat the Dutch, and the Dutch, you know, beat the d—l.—Id., xliii. 524 (May).

12

1858.  His first words were, “It beats the devil.” “What beats the devil?” said I.—Id., li. 26 (Jan.).

13

1862.  

        Guess she must a-had Secesh beaux
And gone to Jayhawker parties frum her youth up.
This bangs the Dutch of St. Louis,
And they kin swear some.
Id., lix. 392 (April).    

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