Obs. [f. LICK v.] One who or that which ‘licks up’ the pennies; something that ‘makes the money go.’ Also attrib.
14[?]. ? Lydg. (title), London Lyckpeny.
c. 1600. Day, Begg. Bednell Gr., II. ii. (1881), 34. London lick penny call ye it,—t’as lick’d me with a witness.
1607. Dekker, Sir T. Wyatt, Wks. 1873, III. 116. Wiat. Sweet musicke, gallant fellow Londoners. Clo. Y faith we are the madcaps, we are the lickpennies.
1648. Gage, West Ind., xix. (1655), 151. Their Religion is a dear and lick-penny religion for such poor Indians.
1694. Dryden, Love Triumphant, I. i. She has two devils in her eyes; that last ogle was a lick-penny.
1824. Scott, St. Ronan’s, xxviii. Law is a lick-penny, Mr. Tyrrel.
