1667–1745. Swift, My Lady’s Lamentation. Hail fellow, well met, all dirty and wet; Find out, if you can, who’s master, who’s man.
1886. R. L. Stevenson, Kidnapped, p. 108. And at first he sings small, and is hail-fellow-well-met with Sheamus—that’s James of the Glens, my chieftain’s agent.
To be hailed for the last time, verb. phr. (nautical).—To die. For synonyms, see Aloft.
1891. W. C. Russell, Ocean Tragedy, p. 322. He’s been hailed for the last time.
Hair, subs. (venery).—1. The female pubes. Whence (2) generic for the sex: e.g., after hair = in quest of a woman; plenty of hair = lots of girls; hair to sell = a woman with a price; hair-monger = a wencher; bit of hair = the sexual favour. For synonyms, see Fleece.
To go against the Hair, verb. phr. (old colloquial).—To go against the grain, or contrary to nature. [From the texture of furs.]
1589. Nashe, Martin’s Months Minde (Grosart), i., 188. For hee euer went against the haire.
1596. Shakspeare, Merry Wives, ii., 3. If you should fight, you go against the hair of your professions.
1661. Middleton, Mayor of Queenborough, C. P. xi., 122. Books in women’s hands are as much against the hair, methinks, as to see men wear stomachers, Or night-railes.
Both of a Hair, adv. phr. (colloquial).—Very much alike. Also, two of a trade, and two in a tale.