or coddom, subs. (common).—A public-house game played three, four, or more a side. The only ‘property’ required is a coin, a button, or anything which can be hidden in the clenched hand. The principle of the game, which is simplicity itself, is that of ‘Guess whose hand it’s in.’ If the guesser ‘brings it home,’ his side takes the ‘piece,’ and the centre man ‘works’ it. If the guess be wrong, a chalk is taken to the holders, who go on again.
1884. GREENWOOD, Seven Years’ Penal Servitude. The convicts take advantage of that to the extent sometimes of playing a gambling game called CODDOM.
1885. Good Words, xxvi. Aug., p. 530/2. Some prefer ‘CODDAM,’ and risk their pint of beer on the discovery of the coin, while others wait in the forlorn hope of a look at the paper, or chew the cud of bitter reflection.
1890. Pall Mall Gazette, March 1, p. 5, col. 2. The boys were playing a game called CODDOM, a guessing game.
