pouter pigeonn.

1793 J. Leslie tr. Comte de Buffon Nat. Hist. Birds II. 444 The Pouter Pigeons..are so called on account of their power of inflating their craw in respiration.

1858 ‘G. Eliot’ Mr. Gilfil's Love-story iii, in Scenes Clerical Life I. iii Almost as if a humming-bird were found perched on one of the elm-trees in the park, by the side of her ladyship's handsomest pouter-pigeon?

1886 J. K. Jerome Idle Thoughts (1896) ix. 105 Sticking out his chest, and strutting about the room like a pouter-pigeon.

1930 E. J. Hatfield tr. E. Rádl Hist. Biol. Theories ii. 23 Those in whom it is most strongly marked are again used for breeding, and so, by artificial selection, a new variety of pigeon is produced—the pouter pigeon.

1986 N.Y. Times 11 Jan. 23/6 Many successful novelists turn into pouter-pigeons, addicted to a constant deference.

1916 Washington Post 23 July 4/1 Right here I am going to you into a secret known to every successful athlete. The pouter pigeon chest and the big upper arm are a fake a fraud a delusion and a snare.

1936 Discovery Oct. 321/2 Voluminous pouter-pigeon cravats worn by the belles as well as the beaux of that day.

1960 E. Merriam Trouble with Love 40 Look at the ludicrous middle-aged lovers: Sir Dragon-Darer, minus half of his hair, and the blessed damozel with her pouter-pigeon stance.

1991 R. Pilcher Blackberry Day in Flowers in Rain 94 The shepherd's wife packed up her picnic, dusted shortbread crumbs from her pouter-pigeon bosom.