释义 |
ˈcorner-man 1. The end man of a row of ‘negro minstrels’.
1873Slang Dict. s.v., There are two corner men, one generally plays the bones and the other the tambourine. Corner-men are the grotesques of a minstrel company. 1884Sat. Rev. 7 June 740/1 At the ends are Bones and Tambo, the ‘end-men’, who are known in England, oddly enough, as the ‘corner-men’. 2. One who lounges about street-corners, a street ‘loafer’ or ‘rough’. Cf. corner-boy, c.-cove (corner n. 16).
1885Chamb. Jrnl. 28 Feb. 136 Curley Bond was well known in the district [in London] as a loafer and ‘corner-man’. 1886Sat. Rev. 13 Feb. 219 Processions of the most peaceful character are protected against corner-men and roughs. 1890Daily News 10 Apr. 5/1 The ruffianism of Birmingham is unfortunately the ruffianism of the entire kingdom.. If Birmingham has its claqueurs, Liverpool has its corner men. 3. Comm. One who makes a corner (n. 14).
1881Daily News 28 Sept. 4/7 A corner, properly speaking, may be called a secondary not a primary Speculation..Some one has taken liberties with the market by speculatively selling what he has not got; and the cornerman comes in and plays Prince Hal and Poins by spoiling the spoilers. 1887Guardian 23 June 925 The forestallers of the middle ages are reproduced in the corner-men of to-day. |