[See LIP sb. 6 a (b).] Service of the lip; service that is proffered but not performed.
1644. Direct. Publ. Worship, Pref. 2. Pleasing themselves in their lip-service in bearing a part in it.
1825. J. Neal, Bro. Jonathan, I. 419. No lip-service for me.
1850. Syd. Dobell, Roman, i. Poet. Wks. 1875, I. 15. They … subdued the world And with superior scorn heard its lip-service.
1891. Hall Caine, Scapegoat, xiv. People who had showed him lip-service when he was thought to be rich.
So Lip-server, one whose service is in profession only.
1860. Dickens, in All Year Round, No. 44. 419/2. Such a noisy lip-server as that pauper.
