> as lemmas

1852 Arctic Misc. v. 131 A chapter will be also given on the most approved method of pulling a leg, or what is generally known and called getting it on a stretch.

1859 Always Ready xvii. 236 ‘I know you are pulling my leg,’ continued he, ‘but I'll tell you candidly what it is, Harry—we shall both miss you.’

1883 Wellsboro (Pa.) Agitator 20 Feb. 1/5 The Chinese giant once told me he had half a dozen wives at home, but I think he was pulling my leg.

1888 W. B. Churchward ‘Blackbirding’ in S. Pacific 216 Then I shall be able to pull the leg of that chap Mike.

1905 Athenæum 22 July 122/3 We..suspect that some Irish harper was ‘pulling the author's leg’ when he gave it.

1946 C. Bush Case Second Chance i. 8 I tried to pull his leg about the grave loss he had suffered when the Army had called me up.

1976 F. A. Hoffmann in V. Randolph Pissing in Snow ix. 18 (note) Everyone harbors the wish that he can be ready with an appropriate rejoinder when someone attempts to pull his leg or make him the butt of a joke.

2000 I. Welsh in N. Hornby Speaking with Angel 174 He punched me lightly on the shoulder.—C'mon Joe, I'm only pulling your leg,..he said.