subs. phr. (common).—A game common to race-courses and fairs: a wooden head is mounted on a pole to form a target; in the mouth is placed a clay pipe, which the player, standing at twenty or thirty yards, tries to smash.
[1860. Notes and Queries, 2 S. x. 117. AUNT SALLY is the heroine of a popular negro melody, in which the old lady meets with several ludicrous adventures.]
1861. Times, ‘Derby Day.’ AUNT SALLY … is rather overdone than otherwise.
1866. G. A. SALA, Gaslight and Daylight, i. They will … create disturbances on the course, and among the ‘sticks’ and AUNT SALLIES.
1883. Punch, 2 June, 264. 1. The average number of ‘chucks’ at cocoa-nuts before achieving success is six, and of ‘shies’ at AUNT SALLY, four.
1884. Pall Mall Gazette, 15 Aug., 4. 1. AUNT SALLIES and skittles for those who prefer such attractions.
