1830. Marryat, King’s Own, ch. viii. He always carried in his
pocket a colt (i.e., a foot and a half of rope, knotted at one end,
and whipped at the other), for the benefit of the youngsters, to
whom he was a most inordinate tyrant.
1836. Marryat, Midshipman Easy, ch. xii. ‘He knocked me down—and
when I got up again he told me that I could stand a little more—and
then he took out his colt, and said he was determined to ride the
high horse.’
3. (thieves’).—A thief’s weapon; otherwise known as a billy (q.v.). For
synonyms, see Neddy.
4. (thieves’).—A man who hires horses to burglars. In America he is
called a colt-man. [Quoted by Grose, 1785.]