(generally horse-chanter), subs. (common).—1. A horse-dealer who disposes of horses by means of fraudulent representations.
1821. W. T. MONCRIEFF, Tom and Jerry, Act. i., Sc. 6. Grooms, Jockies, and CHAUNTERS, to Tattersall’s bring.
1836. DICKENS, Pickwick Papers, xlii., 365. ‘He was a HORSE-CHAUNTER: he’s a leg now.’
1845. W. M. THACKERAY, Miscellanies, II. (‘A Legend of the Rhine’), p. 88. He is a cogger of dice, I twll thee—a CHANTER of horseflesh.
1857. DICKENS, Little Dorrit, bk. I., ch. xii., 88. The Plaintiff was a CHAUNTER—meaning, not a singer of anthems, but a seller of horses.
1884. Daily News, Aug. 23, p. 5, col. 1. It is for the CHANTER and his attendant bonnet, who officiates as groom, to place the stock.
1890. W. E. HENLEY, Views and Reviews, p. 137. An apple woman to mystify, a horse-CHANTER to swindle, a pugilist to study, etc., etc.
2. (vagrants’).—A street patterer. More commonly spelt CHAUNTER (q.v.).
3. (Scots’).—The penis. For synonyms, see CREAMSTICK and PRICK.
