a. (sb.) Also coshar, cosher, koscher. [Heb. kāshēr right.] Right, good; applied to meat and other food prepared according to the Jewish law.
1857. Mayhew, Lond. Labour (1861), II. 121. The meat killed according to the Jewish law is known as ‘Coshar.’
1864. Times, 4 Aug. Advt., They will be supplied with Kosher meat of the best quality.
1892. Zangwill, Childr. Ghetto, vi. (1893), 66. The butter and cheese were equally kosher, coming straight from Hebrew Hollanders.
1892. M. Williams, Round London (1893), 107. We [Jews] get our kosher meat killed in our own way by our co-religionists according to the law of Moses.
b. Hence of shops, houses, etc., where such food is sold or used.
1889. N. & Q., 7th Ser. VIII. 85. The defendant kept a ‘kosher’ shop.
1892. Zangwill, Childr. Ghetto, I. 250. I should have to keep a kosher house, or look how people would talk.
B. ellipt. as sb. ‘Kosher’ food; also, a ‘kosher’ shop.
1886. W. J. Tucker, E. Europe, 125. Would we have to feed her on ‘Koscher’?
1889. N. & Q., 7th Ser. VIII. 85. The Jews had to buy all the things they required for the Passover from a ‘kosher.’
1892. Zangwill, Childr. Ghetto, I. xii. (1893), 119. He was almost ashamed to ask whether he could eat Kosher there.
Hence Kosher v., to prepare (food) according to Jewish ritual.
1892. Zangwill, Childr. Ghetto, viii. (1893), 83. She … would never fail to light the Sabbath candles nor to kosher the meat.
