1574–1637. Ben Jonson, The Gipsies Metamorphosed. A two-pence I had to spend ever and above; besides the harper that was gathered amongst us to pay the piper.
Have among you my blind harpers, phr. (old).—See quot.
1725. New Cant. Dict., s.v. Harpers.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v. Have among you my blind harpers, an expression used in throwing or shooting at random among a crowd.
Harridan, subs. (old, now recognised).—See quots. Also (colloquial) a disagreeable old woman. [A corruption of O. Fr. haridelle = a worn out horse, a jade.]
1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v. Harridan, one that is half Whore, half Bawd.
1705–7. Ward, Hudibras Redivivus, vol. II., pt. ii., p. 27. Old Leachers, Harridans, and Cracks.
1725. New Cant. Dict., s.v.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v. Harridan, a hagged old woman, a miserable scraggy worn out harlot, fit to take her bawd’s degree.
1815. Scott, Guy Mannering, ch., xxxix. ‘Now what could drive it into the noddle of that old harridan,’ said Pleydell.