My dictionary historical slang (penguin) -lurcher -a rogue-but' lurcher of
the law' 'a bum bailiff or his setter-Grosse 1780-1840
P lurcher P
-----Original Message-----
From: Poetryetc provides a venue for a dialogue relating to poetry and
poetics [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Roger Day
Sent: 14 December 2006 09:06
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: lurch merchant
A Lurcher is a dog - a grey-hound cross - used to hunt game. I don't
think it's illegal, but if memory serves, it's used by poachers.
Roger
On 12/14/06, Max Richards <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Quoting Robin Hamilton <[log in to unmask]>:
>
> > > Nobody yet has helped me with the odd phrase 'lurch merchant'...
> >
> > Max:
> >
> > Possibly "con-man".
> >
> > 20thC Australian slang has "lurcher", a rascal, a villain, from 16thC
> > "lurch" n a cheat or swindle / v to deceive, get the better of. (Green,
> > _Cassell/Slang_). Thus a lurch merchant (cf piss artist, spin meister,
> > bullshit merchant) would be one who engaged in cheating and swindling.
> >
> > Robin
>
> Thanks, Robin, that makes sense.
>
> I have to push aside the opening line of an Auden 30s lyric:
>
> O lurcher-loving collier...
>
> [=greyhound or whippet fancier, as I recall]
>
> [forget what comes after that]
>
> Max
>
>
>
>
>
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