1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v. Under the Hatches, in Trouble, or Prison.
1725. New Cant. Dict., s.v. Under the Hatches, in Trouble, or Prison.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v. Under the hatches, in trouble, distress, or debt.
1789. Dibdin, Tom Bowling, For though his body’s under hatches his soul has gone aloft.
1835. Buckstone, Dream at Sea. iii., 3. Good-bye, dame, cheer up; you may not always be under hatches.
1859. Matsell, Vocabulum, s.v.
Hatchet, subs. (tailors’).—1. An ill-favoured woman. For general synonyms, see Ugly Mug. [[279]]
2. (American).—A bribe received by Customs officers in New York for permitting imported dutiable goods to remain on the wharf when they ought to go to the general store-house.
To bury (or dig up) the hatchet.—See Bury.
To throw (or sling) the hatchet, verb. phr. (common).—1. To tell lies, to yarn; to draw the long bow (q.v.). Hence hatchet flinging (or throwing) = lying or yarning.