1833. BERNARD, The Kentuckian. [It is stated that ‘ABSQUATULATE’ was first used in this play. The ‘book,’ however, is ‘un-get-at-able’ this side of the Atlantic.]
1840. HALIBURTON (‘Sam Slick’), The Clockmaker, 3 S. xiv. What’s the use of legs but to ABSQUOTILATE with … when traps are sot for you?
1841. E. G. PAIGE (‘Dow, Jr.’), Short Patent Sermons, xviii. Hope’s brightest visions ABSQUATULATE with their golden promises before the least cloud of disappointment, and leave not a shinplaster behind.
1847. New York Herald [BARTLETT]. W. was surrendered by his bail … fearing he was about to ABSQUATULATE.
1861. LAMONT, Seahorses, xi. 179 He … heard us … and prepared to ABSQUATULATE.
1867. BROUGHTON, Cometh up as a Flower, xxix. You’d thank me to ‘ABSQUATULATE,’ as the Yankees say…. I will in a minute.
1879. Punch, 18 Jan., 23. 1. I hope I may be occasionally permitted to enjoy it again. Bows, and ABSQUATULATES.
1884. Daily Telegraph, 20 August, 6. 1. In Rabelaisian phrase, ‘absquashed and ABSQUATULATED.’
