knock-offn.adj.
/ˈnɒkɒf/, U.S. /ˈnɑkˌɔf/, /ˈnɑkˌɑf/ A. n.
1. A contrivance for knocking something off, or point at which something is knocked off.
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1875 E. H. Knight Amer. Mech. Dict. II. 1240/1 Knock off (Knitting-machine), the piece which, at the proper moment, removes the loops from the tier of needles.
1883 W. S. Gresley Gloss. Terms Coal Mining Knock off. (1) The point upon an engine plane at which the set is disconnected from the rope, or where a jockey comes into play. (2) A joint for disconnecting the bucket sword from the pump rods.
2. The act of leaving off one's work or occupation; the signal for doing this. See sense A. 1.
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society > occupation and work > work > times or periods of work > [noun] > stopping work > signal for starting or stopping time
whew1869
hooter1878
knock-off1902
society > occupation and work > work > times or periods of work > [noun] > stopping work
knocking-off1883
knocking-off1883
knock-off1948
1902 Daily Chron. 13 June 6/3 Just at that moment the officer in charge gave what is technically known as the ‘knock-off’, or the signal to discontinue the play of water on the building.
1948 D. Ballantyne Cunninghams i. i. 5 From early morning to morning smoko, to lunch, to afternoon smoko, then to knockoff.
3. slang. A robbery; concrete (see quot. 1963). on the knock-off: engaged in stealing.
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the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > by or in manner of theft [phrase] > engaged in theft
on the game1839
upon (also on) the town1842
at or on the creep1928
on the knock-off1936
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > stolen goods > [noun] > property acquired by theft or fraud
picking1749
plunder1790
weeding dues1819
loot1839
take1888
knock-off1963
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > robbery > [noun] > act or instance of
robbinga1300
ravina1325
robberya1325
burgh-brechea1387
reif1533
hoist1714
jump1777
speak1811
trick1865
clean-up1928
heist1930
knock-off1969
hit1970
1936 ‘J. Curtis’ Gilt Kid x. 100 They [sc. gloves]..gave away the fact that he was still on the knock-off.
1963 Austral. T.V. Times 18 Apr. 10/2 Knock-off, loot or illegally found goods.
1969 J. Gardner Compl. State of Death vi. 94 The really profitable knock-offs, like the Train Robbery.
4. A copy or reproduction of a design, e.g. of a textile, china, etc. U.S.
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the world > relative properties > relationship > imitation > [noun] > action of repeating in a copy or making a copy > of furniture, textiles, etc.
apery1812
reproduction1912
repro1952
knock-off1966
1966 N.Y. Times 25 Jan. 44 Copying designs to sell for less has a name in the industry. It is called the ‘knockoff’.
1970 Washington Post 30 Sept. B. 14/1 People who appreciate genuine pate de foie gras..might like to serve it on a decently designed plate, and not on a knock off..of 18th Century English china.
1971 Time 25 Jan. 38 [Coco] Chanel had long since refused to join the cabal of Paris designers who tried to prevent style piracy... Private customers paid $700 for the original; buyers, intent on knockoffs, paid close to $1,500.
B. adj.
1. knock-off time, time to ‘knock off’ or leave off work. Also knock-off signal, knock-off whistle, etc. See sense A. 2.
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society > occupation and work > work > times or periods of work > [noun] > stopping work > stopping time
upwark15..
leaving-off time1834
quitting time1835
knocking-off1883
shutting-up time1889
knock-off time1899
thirty1929
1899 F. T. Bullen Log of Sea-waif 108 It was ‘knock-off’ time.
1902 Daily Chron. 13 June 6/3 After the ‘knock-off’ signal had been given.
1947 K. Tennant Lost Haven xvi. 249 The knock-off whistle blew at the mill.
2.
a. Machine-knitting. knock-off lap (see quot. 1957).
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the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture textile fabric or that which consists of > manufacture of textile fabric > [noun] > knitting > processes involved in > loop of yarn on needle > not pulled through previous loop
knock-off lap1884
1884 W. T. Rowlett tr. G. Willkomm Technol. Framework Knitting I. ii. 102 In the second lap..the loops are simply taken back into the throats of the sinkers with the old stitches. This second lap is called a ‘knock off lap’, because it does not form stitches.
1884 W. T. Rowlett tr. G. Willkomm Technol. Framework Knitting I. ii. 102 The purpose of such knock off laps is manifestly to bring as much thread as possible into the fabric, which thus becomes thick and soft, and suitable for underclothing or linings for shoes, &c.
1926 J. Chamberlain Hosiery, Yarns & Fabrics vii. 173 As a lap is formed without pressing and clearing the knock-off lap it is in every sense a parallel to the tuck-stitch of ordinary knitting.
1952 D. F. Paling Warp Knitting Technol. viii. 106 Knock-off laps can be used in conjunction with striped warps to produce purely vertical stripes on the face of the fabric without any overlap between adjacent colours.
1957 Textile Terms & Definitions (Textile Inst.) (ed. 3) 55 Knock-off lap (warp knitting), a length (or lengths) of yarn received by a needle and not pulled through the loop of the previous course.
b. Designating a mechanical part (e.g. of a vehicle) that may be removed or disengaged by knocking.
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society > occupation and work > equipment > machine > parts of machines > other parts > [adjective] > other specific parts
self-balancing1796
epicyclic1841
slotted1849
reversing1864
kinematic1876
self-aligning1889
knock-off1896
underslung1909
self-cancelling1933
knock-on1952
toleranced1953
select1974
1896 W. E. Hipkins Wire Rope 47 They are connected and disconnected..by means of suitable couplings. When the rope is under considerable tension ‘knock-off’ hooks have to be used.
1905 C. Hurst Valves (ed. 4) vii. 130 In high-class Corliss engines it is often necessary to fit an automatic knock-off gear in connection with the governer, so that should the speed of the engine exceed or fall below certain limits the trips will be thrown into such a position that will prevent engagement of the catches,..the engine thus [being] brought to rest.
1958 Sunday Times 26 Jan. 27/1 I would recommend that knock-off hubs are fitted in future; they can be changed in thirty seconds.
1963 A. F. W. Coulson et al. Man. Cotton Spinning II. ii. v. 122 The doffing cycle commences when the desired length of lap has been made; the measuring plate..on the measuring motion releases the spring-loaded knock-off lever, which..disengages the brake on the rack-shaft.
1967 Guardian 12 Sept. 3/4 Knock-off wheels with proper splined hub and graduated spokes.
c. Spinning. Associated with or bringing about knocking off (knocking-off n. (b) at knocking n. 1c (ii)).
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture of thread or yarn > [adjective] > spinning > processes involved in
knock-off1927
1927 T. Thornley Cotton Spinning (ed. 4) iii. 56 It is customary to apply a full lap automatic stop motion..to automatically stop the feed and delivery parts every time a lap is sufficiently full... The favourite..knock-off motion is worked from one of the calenders on the Hunter cog principle.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1901; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.adj.1875