v. dial. and colloq. [Widely diffused in midland and southern dialects, from Whitby to Cornwall, but origin unknown.
(There have been numerous conjectures, e.g., referring to caro, carnem flesh, or cāra dear, but no evidence. Cf. blarney.)]
a. intr. To act in a wheedling or coaxing manner. b. trans. To wheedle, coax, cajole. Hence Carnying ppl. a.; also CARNY sb. ‘soft, hypocritical language’ (Slang Dict., 1874).
1811. Willan, West Riding Wds. (E. D. S.), Carny, to flatter, to coax.
1836–49. Smart, Carny v.n., to interlard discourse with hypocritical terms or tones of endearment. (Colloq.)
185[?]. Household Wds., That carneying old woman … who is pulling Mr. S. by the arm.
1867. A. Sketchley, in Cassell’s Mag., I. 479/2. What does put me in a rage is them ’umbugs as goes and carneys over good ladies and gets reg’lar supported.
1870. Reade, Put yourself, II. v. 91. ‘Well, sir,’ said Cole, in a carneying voice.
