| 释义 |
† flap-dragon, n. Obs.|ˈflæpˌdrægən|
[f. flap v. + dragon.
The original sense may have been identical with a dialectal sense of snapdragon, viz. a figure of a dragon's head with snapping jaws, carried about by the mummers at Christmas; but of this there is no trace in our quots.]
1. a. ‘A play in which they catch raisins out of burning brandy and, extinguishing them by closing the mouth, eat them’ (J.); = snap-dragon. b. A dish of the material used in the game.
1599B. Jonson Cynthia's Rev. v. iii, From stabbing of armes, Flap-dragons..and all such swaggering Humors. 1604Dekker Honest Wh. xiii. Wks. 1873 II. 83 Give me that flap-dragon. Ile not give thee a spoonefull. 1622Fletcher Beggar's Bush v. ii, I'le go afore and have the bon-fire made, My fire-works, and flap-dragons, and good back-rack.
c. A raisin or other thing thus caught and eaten.
1588Shakes. L.L.L. v. i. 45 Thou art easier swallowed then a flapdragon. 1599Massinger, etc. Old Law iii. ii, I'd had..my two butter-teeth Thrust down my throat instead of a flap-dragon. 1791–1823D'Israeli Cur. Lit. (1866) 287 Such were flap-dragons, which were small combustible bodies fired at one end and floated in a glass of liquor, which an experienced toper swallowed unharmed, while still blazing.
d. As a type of something valueless.
1700Congreve Way of World iii. xv, A flap-dragon for your service, Sir!
2. A contemptuous name for a German or Dutchman. Also attrib.
1622Fletcher Beggar's Bush iv. i, You shall not sink for ne'er a sous'd flap-dragon, For ne'er a pickled pilcher of 'em all, sir. 1630J. Taylor (Water P.) Wks. ii. 264/2 As bumsie as a fox'd flapdragon German. 1644Nest Perfidious Vipers, etc. in Harl. Misc. (Malh.) V. 437 The Commons of England will remember thee, thou flap-dragon, thou butter-box.
3. slang. (See quots.)
a1700B. E. Dict. Cant. Crew, Flap-dragon, a Clap or Pox. 1785in Grose Dict. Vulg. Tongue.
Hence ˈflapdragon v. trans. (nonce-wd.), to swallow as one would a flap-dragon.
1611Shakes. Wint. T. iii. iii. 100 To see how the Sea flap⁓dragon'd it [the Ship]. |