adj. (common).—Either red or black; a term used in a cheating trick at cards. When the cards are being dealt, a ‘knowing’ one offers to bet that he will tell the colour of the turn-up card. ‘Done,’ says Mr. Green. The sum being named, Mr. Sharp affirms that it will be CHERRY-COLOUR; and as cherries are either black or red, he wins. Grose [1785] has CHERRY-COLOURED CAT for one either black or white in colour.
1834. W. H. AINSWORTH, Rookwood.
| And forth to the heath is the scampsman gone, | |
| His matchless CHERRY-BLACK prancer riding. |
1886. Illustrated London News, Jan. 23, p. 78, col. 2. A favourite hoax is the great exhibition, wherein a CHERRY-COLOURED cat and a rose-coloured pigeon (the meeting between Wellington and Blucher), etc., are to be shown. The former consists of a black cat and a white pigeon.
