1890. E. Lyttelton, Cricket, p. 36. The gentle and sensitive
lobster, whose success depends so largely on facts he is ignorant
of and conditions he cannot control.
Verb. (Winchester College).—To cry. [Notions: Probably a variation of
‘lowster’ or ‘louster’ = (Hants) to make any unpleasant noise].
To boil one’s lobster, verb. phr. (old). See quot. 1819: of churchmen
only. Cf. Japan.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v. Lobster.
1819. Moore, Tom Crib, 5. To boil one’s lobster means for a
churchman to turn soldier; lobsters which are of a bluish-black,
being made red by boiling. Butler’s ingenious simile will occur to
the reader:—When, like a lobster boiled, the morn From black to red
began to turn.
Lobster-box, subs. (common).—A barrack. Also a transport.
1836. M. Scott, Tom Cringle’s Log, ii. We landed in the lobster-box
as Jack loves to designate a transport.
Lobster-cart. To upset one’s lobster-cart. To knock one down. See
Apple-cart.
1824. Mack, Cat-fight [N.Y.], p. 153. Ready up to take his part,
I’d soon upset his lobster-cart; Make his bones ache, and blubber
smart.
Lobster-pot, subs. (venery).—The female pudendum. For synonyms see
Monosyllable.
Lobtail, verb. (nautical).—To sport or play: as a whale, by lifting his
flukes, and bringing them down flat on the water.
Local, subs. (American).—In pl.: an item of news of local interest; a
chip (q.v.).
Lock, subs. (old).—1. See quot. 1690.
1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v. Lock-all-fast.... The Lock, the
magazine or Warehouse whither the thieves carry stolen goods to be
secur’d.
1727. Gay, Beggar’s Opera, iii. 3. At his lock, Sir, at the Crooked
Billet.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.