1891. Licensed Vict. Gaz., 16 Jan., p. 43, col. 3. If you lot don’t hook it, I’ll stave in your blooming cocoa-nuts.
1891. Sportsman, 2 Apr., p. 2, col. 1. Plainly the worthy magistrate laid it down that a wife may hook it when and how she pleases.
1892. Anstey, Model Music Hall, 129–30. Take your ’ook while you can. Even now the outraged populace approaches.
1892. Milliken, ’Arry Ballads, p. 58. I went jest for a lark, and wos quietly slinging my ’ook.
1892. Kipling, Barrack-Room Ballads, ‘Loot.’ Before you sling your ’ook, at the ’ousetops take a look.
1892. Globe, 19 Oct., p. 3. Again from some neighbouring roof comes back the weird responsive cry, Hook it! hook it.
1892. Herbert Campbell, Broadside Ballad, ‘Then Up Comes I with My little Lot.’ And the houses shook and the copper took his ’ook, and down come all the tiles.
To drop (go, or pop) off the hooks, verb. phr. (common).—1. To die. For synonyms, see Aloft.
1837. Barham, Ingoldsby Legends, ‘Black Mousquetaire.’ I fear by his looks, Our friend, Francis Xavier, has popp’d off the hooks!
1842. Punch’s Almanack, Dec. 15. Death wandered by the sea And struck by Walton’s looks Broke Isaac’s line of life And took him off the hooks.