| 释义 |
† ˈcony-catcher Obs.
For forms see cony.
[f. cony + catcher.]
1. One who catches rabbits.
1617in Minsheu Ductor.
2. One who catches ‘conies’ or dupes; a cheat, sharper, swindler. (A term made famous by Greene in 1591, and in great vogue for 60 years after.)
1591Greene (title), A Notable Discovery of Coosnage. Now daily practised by sundry lewd persons, called Connie-catchers, and Crosse-biters. ― Art Conny-Catch. (1592) 1 The coni-catchers apparelled like honest ciuel Gentlemen..attend onely to spie out a pray. 1602Rowlands Greene's Ghost 3 The name of Conicatchers is so odious, that now a dayes it is had vp, and vsed for an opprobrious name for euerie one that sheweth the least occasion of deceit. 1621Burton Anat. Mel. ii. iii. viii. (1651) 361 No sharkers, no cunnicatchers, no prolers. 1657S. Purchas Pol. Flying-Ins. 329 In this order are Cunnycatchers, who like the Devill are..still goeing up and downe seeking whom they may devoure. [1822Scott Nigel xxiii, ‘Marry, thou hast me on the hip there, thou old miserly cony-catcher!’]
fig.1607T. Walkington Opt. Glass 15 Whereof that old-english prophet of famous memory (whome one fondly tearm'd Albion's ballade maker, the Cunnicatcher of time)..G. Chaucer took notice. |