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Brewer's: Man of Wax
A model man; like one fashioned in wax. Horace speaks of the “waxen arms of Telephus,” meaning model arms, or of perfect shape and colour; and the nurse says of Romeo, “Why, he's a man of…Brewer's: Man of Whipcord
(A). A coachman. The reference is to his whip. He would not have suffered the coachman to proceed while the horses were unfit for service. ... Yet the man of whipcord escaped some severe…Brewer's: Man of the World
(A). One “knowing” in world-craft; no greenhorn. Charles Macklin brought out a comedy (1704), and Henry Mackenzie a novel (1773) with the same title. Source: Dictionary of Phrase and…Brewer's: Gombeen Man
(The). A tallyman; a village usurer; a money-lender. The word is of Irish extraction. “They suppose that the tenants can have no other supply of capital than from the gombeen man.” —…Brewer's: Green Man
This public-house sign represents the gamekeeper, who used at one time to be dressed in green. But the `Green Man' shall I pass by unsung, Which mine own James upon his sign-post hung? His…Brewer's: Best Man
(at a wedding). The bridegroom's chosen friend who waits on him, as the bride's maids wait on the bride. Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894Best ThingsBest A…Brewer's: Covetous Man
A Tantalus (q.v.). In the full flood stands Tantalus, his skin Washed o'er in vain, for ever dry within. He catches at the stream with greedy lips - From his parched mouth the wanton…Brewer's: Cross Man
(A). Not straightforward; ungain; not honest. “The storekeepers know who are their best customers, the square people or the cross ones.” —Boldrewood: Robbery Under Arms, chap. xvii.…Brewer's: Cunning Man
or Woman. A fortune-teller, one who professes to discover stolen goods. (Anglo-Saxon, cunnan, to know.) Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894CunoCuneiform…Brewer's: Deaths-man
An executioner; a person who kills another brutally but lawfully. “Great Hector's deaths-man.” Heywood: Iron Age. Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer,…Trending
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