⁂ A common proverb in this county is, “your tongue goes like A BAKER’S CLAP-DISH,” which is evidently a modern corruption of the beggars’ CLAP or CLACK-DISH mentioned in Measure for Measure. It was a wooden dish with a movable cover.
Claggum, boiled treacle in a hardened state, hardbake.—See [CLIGGY].
Clam, or clem, to starve.—North.
Clap, to place; “do you think you can CLAP your hand on him?” i.e., find him out. Clap is also a well-known form of a contagious disease.
Clapper, the tongue. Said of an over-talkative person, to be hung in the middle and to sound with both ends.
Clap-trap, high-sounding nonsense. An ancient theatrical term for a “TRAP to catch a CLAP by way of applause from the spectators at a play.”—Bailey’s Dictionary.
Claret, blood.—Pugilistic. Otherwise [Badminton]—which see.
Clashy, a low fellow, a labourer.—Anglo-Indian.
Class, the highest quality or combination of highest qualities among athletes. “He’s not CLASS enough,” i.e., not good enough. “There’s a deal of CLASS about him,” i.e., a deal of quality. The term as used this way obtains to a certain extent among turfites.
Clawhammer coat, an American term for a tail-coat used in evening costume. Also known as a steel-pen coat.