1825. English Spy, i. 137. After partaking of some refreshment and
adjusting my dress, we sallied forth to lionise as Tom called it,
which is the Oxford term for gazing about, usually applied to
strangers.
1849. Thackeray, Pendennis, xviii. He would ogle the ladies who
came to lionise the University.
Lion’s provider, subs. phr. (colloquial).—A sycophant; a jackal (q.v.).
Lion’s share, subs. phr. (colloquial).—The bigger part.
Lip, subs. (common).—Impudence; sauce (q.v.). To give lip = to cheek
(q.v.).
1821. D. Haggart, Life, p. 20. Giving him plenty of lip. Ibid., p.
172. Lip, abuse.
1877. Five Years’ Penal Servitude, iv. p. 285. He looked out for a
‘cheeky answer,’ a ‘bit of lip,’ and had I given it to him he would
have reported me without fail.
1884. M. Twain, Huck. Finn, v. p. 31. ‘Don’t you give me none o’
your lip,’ says he.... ‘I’ll take you down a peg before I get done
with you.’
1888. F. R. Stockton, Rudder Grange, 99. I told him that I didn’t
want none of his lip.
Verb. (colloquial).—1. To sing. For synonyms see Warble. Fr.
rossignoler. (2) To speak.
1789. Geo. Parker, Life’s Painter, 124. But come, I’ll lip ye a
chaunt.
1841. Leman Rede, Sixteen String Jack, ii. 3. So thus I’ll trip it,
lip it.
1885. Punch, 10 Jan., p. 21. I had great power, millions lipped my
name.
To button up the lip (or mouth), verb. phr. (common).—To silence.
Button your lip! = hold your tongue; stow it (q.v.).
1747–8. Trapp, Explanatory Notes on the Gospels. Mathew xxii. 46.
How easily can God button up the mouths of our busiest adversaries.
1868. Notes & Queries, 4 S. 1. 603. At school it was thought quite
an accomplishment in the young gentlemen who were fast of tongue to
be able to silence a talkative comrade with the phrase ‘Button your
lip.’
To fall betwixt cup and lip. See Slip.
To keep (or carry) a stiff upper lip, verb. phr. (common).—To be
self-reliant under difficulties; to be unflinching in the attainment of
an object.
1833. Neal, Down Easters, ii. 15. Keep a stiff upper lip; no bones
broke—don’t I know?
1835. Haliburton, Clockmaker, 1st S. xxxii. He was well to do in
the world once, carried a stiff upper lip, and keered for no one.
1847. Chronicles of Pineville, 150. Tut, tut, major, keep a stiff
upper lip, and you’ll bring him this time.
1850. H. B. Stowe, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, xii. I hope you keep up good
heart, and are cheerful. Now, no sulks, ye see; keep a stiff upper
lip, boys; do well by me, and I’ll do well by you.
To make a lip, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To mock; to grimace.
1610. Shakspeare, Coriolanus, ii. 1. I will make a lip at the
physician.
Lip-clap, subs. (old).—A kiss. Also Lip-favor.
1592. Greene, Philomela [Grosart (1881–6), xi. 150]. Lutesio. Kinde
gaue the gentlewoman a kisse: for he thought she valued a lip
favour more than a piece of gold.
1693. Poor Robin [quoted by Nares]. Now the spring coming on, young
wenches will grow wanton, and rather than live under a mothers
nose, and a granams tongue, will venture a lip-clap and a lap-clap
to get them a husband, when a little while after the cuckow sings
at their door.
Lipey, subs. (common).—A mode of address: e.g. ‘Whatcher, lipey!’
Lip-labour (or -work), subs. (common).—1. Talk; jaw (q.v.). Also
flattery.
1575. Gascoigne, Steel glas [Haylitt (1869), Poems, ii. 205]. My
priests haue learnt to pray vnto the Lord, and yet they trust not
in their lyplabour.
1577–87. Holinshed, Chronicles, ed. I. Being but a little
lip-labour.
1592. Nashe, Pierce Penilesse [Grosart (1883), ii. 135]. Words ...
that are the vsual lip-labour of euerie idle discourser.
1630. Taylor, Works [quoted by Nares]. In briefe, my fruitlesse and
worthy lip-labour, mixt with a deale of ayrie and non-substantiall
matter, I gave his lordship, and the like requitall I bestowed on
the right worshipfull Mr. Thomas Squibb, maior of Sarum.
1653. Brome, Novella, iii. 1. Meere noyse and lip-labour, with loss
of time, I think with scorne upon such poore expressions.