1824. Hitchings and Drewe, Hist. Cornwall, ii., 214. The prior’s cross, on which is cut the figure of a hook and a crook, in memory of the privilege granted … to the poor … for gathering such boughs and branches of such trees … as they could reach with a hook or by a crook … whence … they will have it by hook and by crook.
1836. Michael Scott, Cruise of the Midge, p. 363. We must be manned by hook or crook, you know, however unwilling to distress running ships.
1868. Reade and Boucicault, Foul Play, p. 54. Several fellow-creatures have cheated me. Well, I must get as much back, by hook or by crook, from several fellow-creatures.
1883. W. Black, Yolande, ch. xlix. I should get you a ticket by hook or by crook, if I failed at the ballot; I heard that one was sold for £40 the last time.
1888. Rider Haggard, ‘Mrs. Meeson’s Will’ [in Illustrated News, Summer Number, p. 5, c. 1]. Somehow or other, it would go hard if, with the help of the one hundred a year that he had of his own, he did not manage, with his education, to get a living by hook or by crook.
With a hook at the end, phr. (common).—A reservation of assent; over the left (q.v.); in a horn (q.v.). Cf., hook, intj.: and Hookey Walker.
1823. Bee, Dict. of the Turf, s.v. Hookey Walker—and with a hook, usually accompanied by a significant upliftment of the hand and crooking of the forefinger, implying that what is said is a lie, or is to be taken contrary-wise.
1843. Moncrieff, Scamps of London, i., 1. Bob. Will you have some gin? Fogg. Gin—Yes! Bob (turning away). Ha—ha!—With a hook … I wish you may get it.
1870. Traill, Saturday Songs, p. 22. It’s go and go over the left, It’s go with a hook at the end.
Off the hooks, phr. (old).—Out of temper; vexed; disturbed; out of sorts. Fr., sortir de ses gonds = off the hinges (q.v.). For synonyms, see Nab the rust. [[344]]