subs. (colloquial).—A man or woman matrimonially desirable; formerly in a canting sense, a prize or booty [see quot. 1877]. A woman who is ‘no great CATCH’ is in French argot termed une grognotte.
1593. SHAKESPEARE, Taming of the Shrew, Act ii., Sc. 1, 333. Bap. The gain I seek is—quiet in the match. Gre. No doubt but he hath got a quiet CATCH.
1748. T. DYCHE, A New General English Dictionary (5 ed.). CATCH (s.) … also a cant word for a prize, booty, etc.
1842. The Comic Almanack, p. 333. Angelina Ampletin was one of the prettiest girls in Pimlico, and if there was any truth in rumour, very far from one of the worst CATCHES.
1877. W. H. THOMSON, Five Years’ Penal Servitude, iii. 244. Well, as it was her CATCH I thought as I’d consult along of her whether we should take the 200l.
