Load of hay, subs. phr. (rhyming).—A day.
Like a load of bricks. See Like.
To lay on load, verb. phr. (old).—To thrash.
1537. Thersites [Dodsley, Old Plays (1874), i. 406]. I will search
for them both in bush and shrub, And lay on a load with this lusty
club.
c. 1550. Inglelend, Disobedient Child [Dodsley, Old Plays (1870),
ii. 305]. [Here the wife must lay on load upon her husband]—Stage
direction.
b. 1553. Wever, Lusty Juventus [Dodsley, Old Plays (1874), ii. 87].
But lay load on the flesh, whatsoever befall, You have strength
enough to do it with all.
Loaf, subs. (common).—1. A lounge; dawdle; idling: e.g., ‘to do a
loaf’.