To hunt the squirrel, verb. phr. (old).—See quot. [[384]]
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v. Hunting the Squirrel, an amusement practised by post boys, and stage coachmen, which consists in following a one-horse chaise, and driving it before them, passing close to it so as to brush the wheel, and by other means terrifying any woman, or person that may be in it. A man whose turn comes for him to drink, before he has emptied his former glass, is said to be hunted.
In, or out of, the hunt, adv. phr. (colloquial).—Having a chance, or none; in or out of the swim (q.v.). Admitted to, or outside, a circle or society.
Hunt-about, subs. (colloquial).—1. A prying gossip.
2. (common).—A walking whore.
Hunt-counter, subs. (old).—A beggar.
1623. Shakspeare, 2 Henry IV., i., 2. You hunt-counter, hence! Avaunt!
Hunters. Pitching the hunters, verb. phr. (costermongers’). See quot.
1851–61. Mayhew, Lond. Lab. and Lond. Poor, i., 390. Pitching the hunters is the three sticks a penny, with the snuff-boxes stuck upon sticks; if you throw your stick, and they fall out of the hole, you are entitled to what you knock off.
1876. Hindley, Cheap Jack, p. 235. When … there was no cattle jobbing to be done, he would pitch the hunters, that is, put up the ‘three sticks a penny’ business.