postman's knockn.
/ˌpəʊs(t)mənz ˈnɒk/, U.S. /ˌpoʊs(t)m(ə)nz ˈnɑk/ 1. A knock on a door made by a postman delivering mail. Also in extended use: a sharp rap or blow similar to that typically made by a postman.
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the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > sound of blow or fall > [noun] > knock
frap1582
rapa1586
knick-a-knock1600
rat-tat1731
rap-tap1733
tat-tat1786
postman's knock1795
rat-a-tat1813
tattarrattat1922
1795 E. S. V.-R. Gooch Contrast I. xvii. 199 They were talking over this, and other matters, when the postman's knock announced letters.
1804 J. Minshull Merry Dames i. iv. 10 [stage direct. ‘a knocking at the door’] The postman's knock.
1837 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers xxix. 312 Sam Weller..was displaying that beautiful feat of fancy sliding which is currently denominated ‘knocking at the cobbler's door’, and which is achieved by skimming over the ice on one foot, and occasionally giving a two-penny postman's knock upon it, with the other.
1873 C. M. Yonge Pillars of House III. xxxii. 199 A postman's knock made her start.
1928 Daily Express 30 July 13/6 Rose's left glove was seldom out of his opponent's face, and he often brought off a punch which in the old days was called ‘The Postman's Knock’.
1986 P. Carter Bury Dead xiv. 136 He, as well as the rest of the family, found himself waiting with more than usual interest for the postman's knock.
2. British. A parlour game in which the participants take it in turns to play the role of postman and deliver letters which are paid for by kisses; (also) any of various similar games in which the forfeit is a kiss.
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society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > parlour and party games > [noun] > postman's knock
post office1851
postman's knock1894
1894 A. B. Gomme Trad. Games I. 138 General penances imposed upon the owners of the forfeits are as follows..:—Bite an inch off the poker... Measure so many yards of love ribbon. Postman's knock. Crawl up the chimney. Spell Opportunity.
1927 W. E. Collinson Contemp. Eng. 12 I was interested to see the kissing-forfeit game of postman's knock under the guise of ‘American post’.
1954 M. Sharp Gipsy in Parlour xii. 125 Postman's Knock found me..maladroit: to one pimply youth who called me out I presented such a face of scorn that he never kissed me.
1990 C. Francome Colin the Clown's Party Bk. (BNC) 51 Postman's knock... One boy is chosen and goes out of the room. The girls are all numbered... He chooses [a] number and the girl chosen goes outside to give him a kiss.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2006; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1795