subs. phr. (common).—1. A showy, over-dressed man; a fop.
1876. E. L. LINTON, Hallberger’s Illustrated Magazine, 72. No, not to men worthy of the name of men—men, not BARBER’S BLOCKS.
2. (common).—The head: see BLOCK, sense 2.
1823. SCOTT, Peveril of the Peak, v. (I., 67). Were I not to take better care of the wood than you, brother, there would soon be no more wood about the town than the BARBER’S BLOCK that’s on your own shoulders.
TO CUT A BLOCK WITH A RAZOR, phr. (old).—Inconsequent argument; futile endeavour; incongruous application of means or ability to the end in view.
1774. GOLDSMITH, Retaliation, 42. ’Twas his fate unemployed or in place, sir, to eat mutton cold and CUT BLOCKS WITH A RAZOR.
TO BLOCK A HAT, phr. (popular).—To crush a man’s hat over the eyes by a blow; TO BONNET (q.v.).
TO DO THE BLOCK, verb. phr. (Australian).—To promenade. THE BLOCK, the fashionable promenade in Melbourne, is the block of buildings in Collin’s Street lying between Swanston Street and Elizabeth Street.
AS DEAF AS A BLOCK, phr. (old).—As deaf as may be.
