To shove up, to lift up by pressure from below.
1825. Shall I give him a boost?—or no?—John Neal, ‘Brother Jonathan,’ ii. 101.
1828. The crooks, in danger of being boasted [sic], were compelled to knock under.—Mass. Spy, Nov. 29.
1833. I got a pretty good boost in Boston, as I writ you in my last, by the editors giving me recommendations.—Seba Smith, ‘Major Jack Downing,’ p. 132.
1833. When she’s safe, you may give me a boost if you like.—John Neal, ‘The Down-Easters,’ i. 119.
1834. [I will make them] do it, if I see it gives any on ’em a boost with his party.—‘Major Jack Downing, Letters,’ p. 119 (N.Y.).
1845. There is one poor fellow getting his comrade to boost him while he hangs on to the skirts of the one above.—Yale Lit. Mag., xi. 34 (Nov.).
a. 1847. Spit upon your hands,—lay hold of the rope of Faith,—let Hope give you a boost.—Dow, Jun., ‘Patent Sermons,’ i. 47.
a. 1847. It is remarkable what a boost the sudden possession of a few dollars can give a chap.—Id., i. 105.
a. 1853. Marriage sometimes gives a man a good boost towards the summit of earthly happiness.—Id., iii. 134.
1854. I thought each member of the choir imagined the songs of praise would never get to heaven if he didn’t give them a personal boost in the shape of an extra yell.—Weekly Oregonian, Dec. 9.
1855.
| Polygamy in Utah, by their bill, | |
| Is boosted from its slough upon a hill | |
| Or eminence, like gods of ancient Rome | |
| Dragged from its infernal Salt Lake catacomb. | |
Id., ‘Carriers’ Address,’ Jan. 6. |
1856. [He] had ‘boosted’ me along before him by the shoulders.—Knickerbocker Mag., xlviii. 286 (Sept.).
1857. It was with cheerful counsel that Hiram began to boost Sam up the tree of virtue.—Id., xlix. 42 (Jan.).
1860. We took off the wheels on one side of the wagon, and, proceeding much the same as persons who load saw-logs, we managed to boost the cage up, and, replacing the wheels and yoking up, started on our road.—T. H. Hittell, ‘Adventures of J. C. Adams,’ p. 306 (S.F.).
1862.
| Whereas old Abe ’ud sink afore he ’d let a darkie boost him, | |
| Ef Taney should n’t come along an’ hed n’t interdooced him. | |
Lowell, ‘Biglow Papers,’ 2nd. S., No. 3. |
1907. [At a book-auction] little disposition to boost the cost of this or that musty, dog-eared volume was apparent.—Philadelphia Inquirer, Nov. 28.
1909. A few days ago somebody in Kansas saw a $3,000 job melt from between his fingers because the President, in naming him, was described as having slapped this Kansas politician or boosted that one.—N.Y. Evening Post, May 24.
1910. Kindliness, optimism, the desire to say a good word for somebody or something, the national inclination to “boost” and not to “knock,” are admirable virtues. But the virtues must always keep a weather-eye open for the sense of the ridiculous.—Id., Feb. 24.
