1676. A. Rivetus, Jun. Mr. Smirke, 18. Bedawb’d with Addle Eggs of
the Animadverters own Cackle.
1887. Punch, 10 Sept., p. 111. If a feller would tackle a feminine
fair up to Dick, he ’as got to be dabs at the cackle.
Verb (old).—To talk idly, especially in the sense of telling secrets.
For synonyms, see Peach.
1785. Grose, Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue. The cull is leaky and
cackles; the rogue tells all.
1882. Punch, LXXXII., 177, 2. The old jokers in scarlet and erming
who lounge in their red bedroom-chairs, And the cinder-wig’d toffs
in alpaca who cackle and give themselves airs.
Cackle-Chucker, subs. (theatrical).—A prompter. [From cackle, the
dialogue of a play, + chucker, one who throws out (from the mouth).]
Cackle-Merchant, subs. (theatrical).—A dramatic author. [From cackle,
the dialogue of a play, + merchant. Cf., Caper-merchant, a
dancing-master.]
Cackler, subs. (old).—1. A fowl. [From cackle (q.v.) + er.]—See also
Cackling cheat.
1673. R. Head, Canting Acad., 192. A Prigger of the Cacklers.
1730–6. Bailey. Cackler ... a humorous word for capons or fowl.
1749. Life of Bamphylde-Moore Carew. Oath of the ‘Canting Crew.’ No
dimber damber, angler, dancer, Prig of cackler, prig of prancer.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum. Cackler: a hen.