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A dab hand = one who is adept.
The Fraternity = a term highwaymen used to apply to themselves as a group
A gay dog = said of one who gets around and enjoys himself, esp. with the ladies (ironic, no?)
A dog in a manger = A mean-spirited person who will not use what is wanted by another, not let another have it to use.
~ from the Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase & Fable (1959, Centenary edition)
Note: You may think these phrases outdated, but perhaps not as far out of date as one might think. I never heard the term “gay dog” in Nova Scotia, but if you know old people in the Maritimes, you’ve probably heard the others. I’m not that ancient. It’s just that I have a good memory for the words of elders back home.
Filed under: Cool Phrases of the Day, cool phrases
