More fully Hookey Walker. [Always written with initial capital; prob. a use of the surname Walker.
It is not unlikely that Hookey Walker may originally have referred to some hook-nosed person named Walker; but the various stories told to account for the origin of the expression have probably no foundation.]
An exclamation expressive of incredulity. Also occas. as sb. (= ‘humbug’), as in ‘That is all Walker.’
1811. Lex. Balatronicum, Hookee Walker, an expression signifying that the story is not true, or that the thing will not occur.
1812. J. H. Vaux, Flash Dict., Walker, an ironical expression synonymous with bender and used in the same manner.
1838. Bentley’s Misc., IV. 227. Professor Ketch suddenly interrupted the proceedings by exclaiming, with great excitement of manner, ‘Walker!’
1841. Barham, Ingol. Leg., Old Woman in Grey. For mere unmeaning talk her Parched lips babbled now—such as ‘Hookey!’—and ‘Walker!’
1887. Pall Mall Gaz., 18 Oct., 1/1. To which assurance … one may best reply ‘Walker.’
