1840. R. H. Dana, Two Years before the Mast, ch. xvii. Marine is
the term applied more particularly to a man who is ignorant and
clumsy about seaman’s work—a green-horn—a land-lubber.
Tell that to the marines. See Horse marines, and add following quots.
1830. W. T. Moncrieff, ‘Old Booty,’ A Sailors Tale, p. 31. ‘So luff
there with your death-bed scenes And tell that tale to the marines;
Those lubbers may perhaps receive it, But sailors never will
believe it.’
1836. M. Scott, Cringle’s Log, ch. vii. I told them who I was, and
that curiosity alone brought me there. ‘Gammon, tell that to the
marines; you’re a spy.’
1846. Punch, v. p. 3. A New National Drama. Admiral. But I’ve bad
news for you, my boy. The Admiralty has forbidden smoking on board
... except in the galley. Tom. Tell that to the marines. What! your
Honour, forbid a sailor his pipe!
Mark, subs. (colloquial).—1. A preference; a fancy.
1760. Foote, Minor, ii. Did I not tell you old Moll was your mark?
Here she has brought a pretty piece of man’s meat already.
1887. Henley, Culture In The Slums. My mark’s a tidy little feed,
And ’Enery Irving’s gallery.
1883. Miss Braddon, Golden Calf, ch. xxv. Vernon was what Rogers
the butler called a mark on strawberries and cream.