subs. (common).—Cards. [Of Presbyterian origin; in reproof of a synonymous term—KING’S BOOKS, or more fully, THE HISTORY OF THE FOUR KINGS (Fr., livre des quatre rois).] Also BOOKS OF BRIEFS (Fr., la cartouchière à portées).
1729. SWIFT, Intelligencer, No. 4, p. 43 (2nd ed.). Cards are the devil’s own invention, for which reason, time out of mind, they are and have been called the DEVIL’S BOOKS.
18[?]. THACKERAY, Character Sketches (Capt. Rook and Mr. Pigeon). I often think that the DEVIL’S BOOKS, as cards are called, are let out to us from Old Nick’s circulating library.
