1596. Spenser, Fairy Queen, vi. ii. 10. Whenso she lagged, as she
needs mote so, He with his speare ... would thumpe her forward.
1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v. Lag-a-dudds. To lagg behind, or
come after with Salt and Spoons.
1725. New Cant. Dict., q.v.
1725. Pope, Odyssey, xiv. 245. My valour ... never lagg’d behind.
1785. Grose, Vulgar Tongue, s.v. Lag ... to drop behind, to keep
back.
1811. Lex. Bal., q.v.
Lage, see Lag, subs., senses 3 and 4.
Verb. (Old Cant).—To wash down; to drink.
1567. Harman, Caveat (1869), p. 85. The vpright cofe canteth to the
Roge: ‘I saye by the Salomon I will lage it of with a gage of
Benebouse; then cut to my nose watch.’
Lager Beer, To think no lager beer of one self, verb. phr.
(American).—See small-beer.
1888. Texas Liftings, 23 June. John Ruskin thinks no lager beer of
himself. He knows something about pictures and Venice stones. He is
boss on these points; but when he breaks out in bursts of opinion
on railroads and other modern inventions, his knowledge of the
spirit of the present age turns out to be mighty small pumpkins.
Lag-fever, subs. (old).—See quot.
1811. Lex. Bal., s.v. Lag-fever. A term of ridicule applied to men
who being under sentence of transportation, pretend illness, to
avoid being sent from gaol to the hulks.
Lagger, subs. (nautical).—1. A sailor.