subs. phr. (old nautical).—A drunken roysterer. For synonyms, see ELBOW-CROOKER.
TO HANG OUT THE FLAG OF DEFIANCE (or BLOODY FLAG), verb. phr.—To be continuously drunk. [An allusion to the ‘crimson face’ (COTGRAVE) and the pugnacity of certain terms of inebriety.] For synonyms, see RINKS.
c. 1696. B. E., A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew, s.v. The FLAG OF DEFIANCE IS OUT (among the Tarrs) the Fellow’s Face is very Red, and he is Drunk.
1785. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v.
