1754. B. Martin, Eng. Dict., 2 ed. Castor: lat., 1, a beaver, a
beast like an otter. 2, a fine hat made of its fur.
1821. W. T. Moncrieff, Tom and Jerry, Act ii., Sc. 5. Jerry. (Walks
about, and, by mistake, takes Logic’s hat, which he puts on.) Damn
the cards! Log. (Following Jerry, and rescuing castor.) Don’t
nibble the felt, Jerry!
1857. O. W. Holmes, Autocrat of the Breakfast Table, ch. viii. The
last effort of decayed fortune is expended in smoothing its
dilapidated castor. The hat is the ultimum morieus of
‘respectability.’
1860. Morning Post, Jan. 30. Such as tin for money, castor for hat,
brick for good fellow, gemman for gentleman.
Cast Sheep’s Eyes, verbal phr. (common).—To ogle; to leer or ‘make
eyes’ at; formerly to look modestly and with diffidence, but always
with longing or affection. [Probably in allusion to the quiet, gentle
gaze of sheep.] The phrase has been varied by to cast lamb’s eyes. Fr.
ginginer; lancer son prospectus, and un oeil en tirelire = an eye full
of amorous expression.
1590. Greene, Francesco’s Fortunes, in wks. VIII., 191. That
casting a sheepe’s eye at hir, away he goes; and euer since he lies
by himselfe and pines away.
1614. Jonson, Bartholomew Fair, V., iii. Who chances to come by but
fair Nero in a sculler; And seeing Leander’s naked leg and goodly
calf, Cast at him from the boat a sheep’s eye an’ a half.
1748. Smollett, Rod. Random, ch. xvi. There was a young lady in the
room, and she threw ... many sheep’s eyes at a certain person whom
I shall not name.
1864. G. A. Lawrence, Guy Livingstone, ch. vii. He would stand for
some time casting lamb’s-eyes at the object of his affections—to
the amorous audacity of the full-grown sheep he never soared.
1881. Hawley Smart, Gt. Tontine, ch. xi. It isn’t to be expected a
well-bred lass like this is going to knock under the minute a young
fellow makes sheep’s-eyes at her.
Cast Up Accounts.—See Accounts, to which may be added the following.
French Synonyms. Jeter du cœur—or son lest—sur carreau (general:
literally to ‘throw hearts or diamonds’ or ‘throw one’s heart,’ here
meaning the stomach, ‘on the floor’); compter ses chemises (popular);
débecqueter (popular); deborder (popular); lâcher son goujon (general);
lâcher une fusée (popular).
1607. Dekker, Westward Ho, Act v., Sc. 1. Mist. Wafer. I would not
have ’em cast up their accounts here, for more than they mean to be
drunk this twelve-month.
1808. R. Anderson, Cumbrld. Ball, 26. The breyde she kest up her
accounts in Rachel’s lap. [m.]
Cat, subs. (old).—1. A prostitute. For synonyms, see Barrack-hack.
[1401. Pol. Poems, II., 113. Be ware of Cristis curse, and of
cattis tailis.] [m.]
1535. Lyndesay, Satyre, 468. Wantonnes. Hay! as one brydlit cat, I
brank. [m.]
1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew. Cat: a common Whore.
1748. T. Dyche, Dictionary (5 ed.). Cat (s.) ... also a cant word
for a lewd, whorish woman, or street-walker.