1598. Florio, Worlde of Wordes, Fare il pane, to dye, to kick vp
ones heeles.
To kick the eye out of a mosquito, verb. phr. (Australian).—A
superlative expression of capacity.
1888. Rolf Boldrewood, Robbery Under Arms, xi. He could kick the
eye out of a mosquito.
A kick in one’s gallop, subs. phr. (old).—A whim; a strange fancy.
Kicker, subs. (American).—1. An obstructionist; a protestant.
1888. Rochester Herald. The chronic kicker is always on hand when
any improvement is proposed.
1888. Detroit Free Press, 20 Oct. I really and truly believe that
the day will come when the kicker will be classed where he belongs
and be entitled to the reverence due him.
... Eclectic Review (Amer.), xiii.
6. There is, of course, a class of chronic
kickers who are always finding fault.