释义 |
† Conger2 Obs.|ˈkɒŋgə(r)| [Of doubtful origin and form] See quots. To Kersey is due the statement (or suggestion) that the word was originally congress or F. congrès, subsequently treated as a plural, with singular conger. But it is to be noted that in most of the quots. conger is applied to the association, not to a member of it. Bailey refers it tentatively to conger the fish, which may indicate a contemporary joke.
a1700B. E. Dict. Cant. Crew, Conger, a Set or Knot of Topping Book-sellers of London, who agree..that whoever of them Buys a good Copy, the rest are to take off such a particular number..in Quires, on easy Terms. 1706Phillips (ed. Kersey), Congress or Congers, a particular Society of Booksellers, who put in Joynt Stocks for the Buying and Printing of Copies, and Trading for their common Advantage. 1721Bailey, Congre, a Society of Booksellers, who have a Joint Stock in Trade, or agree to Print Books in Co-partnership. Ibid. (1731) vol. II. Conger, Congre, a society of booksellers..of 10 or more..so called, because as a large conger eel is said to devour the small fry, so this united body overpowers young and single traders. 1754Connoisseur 31 Jan. No. 1. 3 That book in the phrase of the Conger is best, which sells most. Ibid., We must not however think the members of the Conger strangers to the deeper parts of literature. 1886F. H. Rivington in Athenæum 9 Jan. 67 If the statement..were in the book of a member of one of the London Congers, or societies of booksellers, it would be a copy of the usual statement sent to each shareholder by the managing partner. |