1566. Archbp. Parker, Correspondence (Parker Soc.), p. 252. To win him in time, by hook or crook.
1596. Spenser, Faery Queen, v., 2, 27. The spoyle of people’s euill gotten good, The which her sire had scrapt by hooke and crooke.
1598. Florio, Worlde of Wordes, s.v. Barocco, a shift made for good cheere, meate and drinke gotten by hooke or crooke.
1621. Burton, Anatomy of Melancholy, xi., 186 (1836). By hook and by crook he will obtain it.
1629. Fonseca [Eng. by J. M.]. Devout Contemplations. Bee it by hooke or by crooke, by right or wrong.
1678. Butler, Hudibras, iii., 1. Which he by hook, or crook, had gather’d.
1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v. By Hedge or By Style, by Hook or by Crook.
1725. New Cant. Dict., s.v.
1781. Cowper, Letter to Newton, 12 July. And by hook or crook, with another book, If I live and am here, another year.
1820. Reynolds [Peter Corcoran]. The Fancy. Father, ere our purpose cool, Get down by hook or crook to Liverpool.