subs. (old cant).—1. A constable: (also BEAKSMAN and HARMAN BECK); policeman, guardian of the peace: as far as is known, ‘beck’ is the oldest cant term for this class of men. In Harman’s A Caveat or Warening for Common Cursetors (1573), HARMAN BECK is explained as ‘the constable,’ harmans being ‘the stockes.’ Also (2) a magistrate: sometimes BEAK OF THE LAW (GROSE).
1609. DEKKER, Lanthorne and Candlelight [GROSART, Wks. (1886), iii., 203]. The Ruffin cly the nab of the HARMANBECK.
1610. ROWLANDS, Martin Mark-All, ‘Toure Out Ben Morts.’ For all the Rome Coues are budged a BEAKE.
1818. MAGINN, Vidocq’s Slang Song Versified.
| Tramp it, tramp it, my jolly blowen, | |
| Or be grabbed by the BEAKS we may. |
1821. W. T. MONCRIEFF, Tom and Jerry, ii., 6. Land. Gentlemen vagabonds; the traps are abroad, and half a thousand beadles and BEAKSMEN are now about the door. Billy. De BEAK! oh curse a de BEAK!
1824. P. EGAN, Boxiana, iv., 150. The Pope being nippered and brought to face the BEAK.
1834. W. H. AINSWORTH, Rookwood, 116 (ed. 1864).
| But my nuttiest blowen, one fine day, | |
| Fake away, | |
| To the BEAKS did her fancy man betray. |
1837. DICKENS, Oliver Twist, viii. ‘My eyes, how green!’ exclaimed the young gentleman. ‘Why a BEAK’S a madgst’rate.’
c. 1845. HOOD, A Tale of a Trumpet.
| The pies and jays that utter words, | |
| And other Dicky gossips of birds, | |
| Who talk with as much good sense and decorum, | |
| As many BEAKS who belong to the quorum. |
1840. THACKERAY, Catherine, x. But Mrs. Polly, with a wonderful presence of mind, restored peace by exclaiming, ‘Hush, hush! the BEAKS, the BEAKS!’… Mrs. Briggs knew her company: there was something in the very name of a constable which sent them all a-flying.
1855. TOM TAYLOR, Still Waters Run Deep, ii. 2. A fellow who risks his hundred on the spinning of a roulette ball, is a gambler, and may be quodded by the first BEAK that comes handy.
1881. Punch, 3 Dec., 258. ‘A PAIR OF ANTI-VIVISECTIONISTS.’ ‘Just got into trouble…. Going to be had up before the BEAK for it! Bow Street, you know!’
1889. Pall Mall Gazette, 12 Oct., 5, 2. Taken before some French BEAK whom he did not know, and an interpreter brought, the ‘cotched’ culprit was made to pay 20 f.
1897. MARSHALL, Pomes, 73. Called the BEAK “a balmy Kipper,” dubbed him “soft about the shell.”
3. (common).—The nose: see CONK.
1598. FLORIO, A Worlde of Wordes, s.v. Naso Adunco, a BEAKE-nose.
1854. THACKERAY, The Newcomes, I., 296. The well-known hooked BEAK of the old countess.
1865. E. C. CLAYTON, Cruel Fortune, I., xi. A large, fat, greasy female, with a prominent BEAK.
1876. GRENVILLE MURRAY, The Member for Paris, I. 80. It was not the most agreeable thing in the world to be suddenly interrupted in a mantelshelf conversation by a gentleman with a firm BEAK-NOSE and a red rosette in his button-hole.
4. (Eton and Marlborough Schools).—A master.
5. (old).—A thrust; a poke (1592).
7. See BEAKER.
BIRDS OF A BEAK. See BIRDS OF A FEATHER.
