subs. (nautical).—1. Salt beef: also OLD (or SALT) HORSE. [From being tough as old rope].
1760–61. SMOLLETT, Sir Launcelot Greaves, II. i. ‘Whom I value no more than old JUNK, pork-slush, or stinking stock fish.’
1830. W. T. MONCRIEFF, ‘Old Booty.’ May the swabs live upon SALT JUNK.
1830. M. SCOTT, Tom Cringle’s Log, viii. I thought I could eat a bit, so I attacked the salt JUNK and made a hearty meal.
1837. MARRYAT, Snarleyyow; or The Dog Fiend, xii.
| So while they cut their raw salt JUNKS, | |
| With dainties you’ll be cramm’d, | |
| Here’s once for all my mind, old hunks, | |
| Port Admiral, you be d——d. |
1840. A. A. HARWOOD, U.S.N., Mess-Table Chat. A dry mahogany-looking lump of salt beef; acquaticé ‘JUNK,’ gallice ‘résistance.’
1891. R. L. STEVENSON, Kidnapped, p. 69. The meals were either of oatmeal porridge or salt JUNK.
