1724–40. Ramsay, Tea-t. Misc., 14. The Warld is rul’d by Asses, And
the Wise are sway’d by clink.
1789. Burns, Let. J. Tennant, May ye get ... Monie a laugh, and
monie a drink, An’ aye enough o’ needfu’ clink.
1817. Hogg, Tales and Sk., II., 2, 3. Such young ladies as were
particularly beautiful ... and had the clink. [m.]
4. (colloquial). Also bum-clink.—A very indifferent beer made from the
gyle of malt and the sweepings of hop bins, and brewed especially for
the benefit of agricultural labourers in harvest time.
1863. Sala, Capt. Dang., I., ix., 266. A miserable hovel of an inn
... where they ate their rye-bread and drank their sour clink. [m.]
To kiss the clink, verbal phr. (old).—To be imprisoned. [From Clink,
subs., sense 1.] For synonyms, see Cop.
1588. John Udall, State of the Ch. of England, etc., p. 22 (Arber’s
ed.) Diotr. Awaye, thou rayling hypocrite, I will talke with thee
no longer, if I catche thee in London, I will make thee kiss the
clinke for this geare. Paul. In deede the Clynke, Gate-house,
White-lyon, and the Fleet, haue bin your onely argumentes whereby
you haue proued your cause these many yeeres.
1889. Gentleman’s Magazine, p. 598. s.v.
Clinker, subs.—1. (in plural, old).—Fetters. For synonyms, see Darbies.
1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, Clinkers: the Irons Felons wear in
Gaols.
1785. Grose, Dict. Vulg. Tongue, Clinkers: irons worn by prisoners.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.