Nose

subs. (old).—1.  An informer. Fr., une riflette; une tante; une soulasse, and une sondeur.

  1780.  G. PARKER, Life’s Painter, 167, s.v. NOSE. Snitch.

  1819.  J. H. VAUX, Memoirs, s.v.

  1823.  GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue [EGAN], s.v.

  1828.  BADCOCK (‘Jon Bee’), Living Picture of London, 286. They are frequently made use of as NOSES by the officers.

  1836.  R. H. BARHAM, The Ingoldsby Legends, ‘The Dead Drummer’ (ed. 1862), 356.

  c. 1838.  G. W. REYNOLDS, Pickwick Abroad, ‘The Housebreaker’s Song.’ 223.

  2.  (police).—A paid spy; A SHADOW (q.v.); a NARK (q.v.). Also NOSER.

  1819.  J. H. VAUX, Memoirs, s.v. A person who seeing one or more suspicious characters in the streets, makes a point of watching them in order to frustrate any attempt they may make, or to cause their apprehension.

  1823.  GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue [EGAN], s.v. NOSE.

  1851–61.  H. MAYHEW, London Labour and the London Poor, i. 391. I live in Westminster, at a padding-ken. I’d rather not tell you where, not I’ve anything to fear, but people might think I was a NOSE, if anybody came after me.

  1862.  Cornhill Magazine, ii. 336. There are a few men and women among thieves called NOSERS. They are so called because they are in the secret pay of the police, giving information when the information will not lead to the crimination of themselves.

  1877.  GREENWOOD, Dick Temple, I. v. How could they know that there wasn’t a ‘NOSE’—that is, a detective p’leceman—there in disguise.

  1884.  The Saturday Review, 9 Feb., 178. To bring a hidden crime to light by means of the policeman’s NOSE.

  Verb. (old).—1.  See quots. 1598 and 1785.

  1596.  SHAKESPEARE, Hamlet, iv. 3. You shall NOSE him as you go up the stairs into the lobby.

  1598.  FLORIO, A Worlde of Wordes. Nasare, to smell, to scent, TO NOSE.

  1728.  BAILEY, English Dictionary, s.v.

  1785.  GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v. NOSE, TO NOSE a stink, to smell it.

  2.  (common).—To pry; to suspect; to discover.

  1651.  CARTWRIGHT, The Ordinary, v. 5. NOSING a little treason ’gainst the King.

  1662.  Rump Songs, i. 260.

  1664.  COTTON, Scarronides, or, Virgil Travestie (1st ed.)

  1819.  J. H. VAUX, Memoirs, s.v.

  1821.  P. EGAN, Life in London, II. v. You are determined no one shall NOSE your ideas. Ibid. Their ogles were on the roll, under an apprehension that the beaks were “on the NOSE.”

  1830.  Westminster Review, April, The Six Acts. The public that NOSED the ‘Six Acts’ gave the title that has stuck by them; and condemned them to everlasting remembrance by the energy of its simplicity.

  1830.  W. T. MONCRIEFF, The Heart of London, ii. 1. I NOSE: up to snuff.

  1838.  GLASCOCK, Land Sharks and Sea Gulls, ii. 103. Go to the landlord an’ ax if he knows the cove:—’t won’t do to be NOSED, you know.

  1889.  Detroit Free Press, 16 Feb. He said he didn’t like one NOSING around downstairs.

  3.  (thieves’).—To inform.

  1821.  P. EGAN, Life in London, 278. No, no, no! no NOSING.

  1823.  GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue [EGAN], s.v. NOSE. His pall NOSED, and he was twisted for a crack; his confederate turned king’s evidence, and he was hanged for burglary.

  1829.  The Lag’s Lament [FARMER, Musa Pedestris (1896), III.]. I adwise you TO NOSE on your pals.

  1834.  W. H. AINSWORTH, Rookwood, v. i. Nor was he ever known to NOSE upon any of his accomplices; or in other words to betray them.

  4.  (old).—See quot. 1775.

  1775.  ASH, Dictionary, s.v. NOSE. To bluster, to look big.

  1785.  GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v.

  5.  (old).—See quot.

  1819.  J. H. VAUX, Memoirs, s.v. NOSE. … TO NOSE UPON any one, is to tell of any thing he has said or done with a view to injure him, or to benefit yourself.

  [Many colloquialisms are here conveniently grouped: e.g., TO PUT ONE’S NOSE OUT OF JOINT = to supplant; TO WIPE ONE’S NOSE = (1) to cozen; (2) to affront; and (3) in medicine, to discover an error in diagnosis and alter treatment (the mistaken practitioner is said to have his NOSE WIPED); TO PUT ONE’S NOSE IN THE MANGER = to eat; TO FOLLOW ONE’S NOSE = to go straight forward; TO LEAD BY THE NOSE = to govern; TO PAY THROUGH THE NOSE = to pay extravagantly; TO PUT ONE’S NOSE INTO ANYTHING = to meddle; TO TURN UP ONE’S NOSE = to disdain; TO CAST IN (or TO PLAY WITH) ONE’S NOSE = to twit, or to ridicule; TO HAVE ONE’S NOSE ON THE GRINDSTONE = to be held at a disadvantage; TO BE BORED THROUGH THE NOSE = to be cheated; IN SPITE OF YOUR NOSE = in your teeth; TO BITE (or TO CUT OFF) ONE’S NOSE TO SPITE ONE’S FACE = to be revenged to one’s own detriment; TO TELL (or TO COUNT) NOSES = to appeal to numbers; TO MAKE A PERSON’S NOSE SWELL = to make jealous; TO MEASURE NOSES = to meet; TO TAKE PEPPER IN THE NOSE = (1) to take offence; and (2) to mistrust; AS PLAIN AS THE NOSE ON ONE’S FACE = beyond argument; A GOOD NOSE = a smell-feast; TO MAKE A BRIDGE OF SOMEONE’S NOSE = to pass in drinking, also to supersede; TO HOLD UP ONE’S NOSE = to be proud; A NOSE OF WAX = a complaisant or accommodating disposition; CANDLES (or DEWDROPS) IN THE NOSE = snots; ON THE NOSE = on the look out; A NOSE TO LIGHT CANDLES AT = a drunkard’s nose, a poop-lantern; YOUR NOSE UP MY ARSE = an expression of supreme contempt; A LONG NOSE IS A LADY’S LIKING (length above being held to indicate length below); TO SEE THE NOSE CHEESE FIRST = to refuse contemptuously; MY NOSE ITCHES! = a jocular invitation to kiss, the retort being ‘I knew I was going to sneeze, be cursed, or kissed by a fool,’ but see quot. 1708–10; and so forth].

  1542.  UDALL, The Apophthegmes of Erasmus, p. 65. A feloe had CAST HIM IN THE NOSE, that he gaue so large monie, to soche a naughtie drabbe.

  c. 1562.  W. ELDERTON, Lenten Stuff [HALLIWELL].

  1588.  R. TARLTON, Newes out of Purgatorie, 10. Myles, hearing him name the baker, took straight pepper in the nose, and, starting up … swore I by cockesbread, the baker; and he that saies to the contrary, heere stand I, Myles, the baker’s man, to have the proudest cardinall of you all by the eares.

  1581.  B. RICH, Farewell to Militarie Profession. Who … was very well assured that it could bee no other than his owne man, that had thrust HIS NOSE SO FARRE OUT OF IOYNT.

  1591.  NASHE, A Wonderfull Strange and Miraculous Astrologicall Prognostication [GROSART (1883–4), ii. 167]. Some shal be so sun burnt with sitting in the Alehouse, that their NOSES SHALL BEE ABLE TO LIGHT A CANDLE.

  1598.  FLORIO, A Worlde of Wordes, s.v. Montare su la Bica, to TAKE PEPPER IN THE NOSE, to be sore angrie.

  1602.  DEKKER, Satiromastix, in Wks. (1873), i. 216. Yonder bald Adams, is PUT MY NOSE FROM HIS IOYNT; but Adam I will be even to you.

  1604.  SHAKESPEARE, Winter’s Tale, iv. 4, 832. Though authority be a stubborn bear, yet he is oft LED BY THE NOSE with gold.

  1606.  Wily Beguiled [DODSLEY, Old Plays, 1874, ix. 242]. There is one Sophos, a brave gentleman; he’ll WIPE YOUR son Peter’s NOSE of Mistress Lelia.

  1607.  MARSTON, What You Will, Induction. He’s a chollerick Gentleman: he will TAKE PEPPER IN THE NOSE instantly.

  1607.  W. S., The Puritaine, v. 1. Now all the Knights NOSES ARE PUT OUT OF JOINT.

  1607.  T. WALKINGTON, The Optick Glasse of Humors, 52. A man is teasty and anger wrinckles his nose such a man takes PEPPER IN THE NOSE.

  1608.  ARMIN, A Nest of Ninnies (1842), 11. standing on tip-toe, looking toward the door to behold arriuall, that he would PUT HIS NOSE OUT OF JOINT.

  1612.  The Passenger: Of Benvenuto, 611. Strange children, TO WIPE HER HUSBANDS OWNE CHILDRENS NOSE of their share in his goods.

  1614.  BERNARD, Terence in English [NARES]. And why so, I pray you, but that you love him better than me? And fearing now least this wench which is brought over hither should PUT YOUR NOSE OUT THE JOYNT, comming betweene home and you, and so have such a trimme fellow her selfe.

  1614.  BERNARD, Terence in English [NARES]. But loe, nowe comes forth the very destruction of our substance: WHO WIPES OUR NOSES of all that we should have. Ibid. I’VE WIPED THE OLD MEN’S NOSES of their money.

  1639.  MASSINGER, The Unnatural Combat, v. 2.

  1642.  HOWELL, Forreine Travell, p. 44. I have known divers Dutch Gentlemen grosly guld by this cheat, and som English BOR’D also THROUGH THE NOSE this way.

  16[?].  Upon the Duke.

  1660.  HOWELL, The Parley of Beasts, p. 35. Those fears and jealousies appeared afterwards to every common man AS PLAIN AS THE NOSE ON HIS FACE to bee but meer forgeries and suppositious things.

  1659.  GAUDEN, The Tears of the Church, p. 105. The polle and number of the names … I think to be but the number of the Beast, if we onely TELL NOSES, and not consider reasons.

  1662.  PEPYS, Diary, 31 May. The King is pleased enough with her: which I fear, will put Madam Castlemaine’s NOSE OUT OF JOYNT.

  1662.  Rump Songs, i. 133.

  1664.  COTTON, Scarronides, or, Virgil Travestie (1st ed.), 60. There lies your way, FOLLOW YOUR NOSE.

  1675.  COTTON, Burlesque upon Burlesque: or, The Scoffer Scofft, in Wks. (1725), p. 182.

  1693.  WOOD, Fasti Oxoniensis, ii. Too easy, like A NOSE OF WAX, to be turned on that side.

  c. 1696.  B. E., A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew, s.v. NOSE. FOLLOW YOUR NOSE, said in a jeer to those that know not the way, and are bid to smell it out, as we say to smell a post. Ibid. He is LED BY THE NOSE. Of one that is easily imposed upon. Ibid. As PLAIN AS THE NOSE in your face. Ibid. He has a good NOSE. Of a Smell Feast. Ibid. You MAKE A BRIDGE OF HIS NOSE. When you pass your next Neighbor in Drinking or one is preferr’d over another’s head. Ibid. He HOLDS UP HIS NOSE, of one that is Haughty, and carries his Head high.

  1708–10.  SWIFT, Polite Conversation, I. FOLLOW YOUR NOSE; go, enquire among the Servants. Ibid. Neverout. Pray, my Lord, don’t MAKE A BRIDGE OF MY NOSE. Ibid. Miss. Anything for a quiet life; MY NOSE ITCH’D, and I knew I should drink wine, or kiss a fool.

  1725.  A New Canting Dictionary, s.v. NOSE.

  1731.  SWIFT, To Gay.

  c. 1731.  The Windsor Medley, 13. If you FOLLOW YOUR NOSE, can you miss of my B—m?

  1764.  O’HARA, Midas, i. 4. Dam. Aye, Pol, the hind PUTS OUT OF JOINT OUR NOSES.

  1767.  RAY, Proverbs [BOHN], 151, s.v. TO MAKE A BRIDGE OF ONE’S NOSE. i.e., To intercept one’s trencher, cup, or the like; or to offer or pretend to do kindnesses to one, and then pass him by, and do it to another; to lay hold upon and serve himself of that which was intended for another.

  1781.  COWPER, Truth. With slipshod heels, and DEWDROP AT HIS NOSE.

  1785.  GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v. NOSE; TO PUT ONE’S NOSE OUT OF JOINT, to rival one in the favor of any person. Ibid. TO FOLLOW ONE’S NOSE, to go straight forward. Ibid. He is LED BY THE NOSE, he is governed. Ibid. AS PLAIN AS THE NOSE ON YOUR FACE, evidently to be seen. Ibid. TO MAKE A BRIDGE OF ANYONE’S NOSE, to pass by him in drinking.

  1833.  BULWER-LYTTON, Godolphin, II. iii. To find their NOSES PUT OUT OF JOINT by that little mischief-making interloper!

  1838.  J. C. NEAL, Charcoal Sketches [DE VERE]. At all events he had his NOSE TO THE GRINDSTONE, an operation which should make men keen.

  1844.  BUCKSTONE, The Maid with the Milking Pail. Now MY NOSE IS PUT COMPLETELY OUT OF JOINT. No niceties—no pudding—no fresh salt butter—no cabbage soup—no nothing!

  1859.  H. KINGSLEY, Recollections of Geoffry Hamlyn, xxxiii. Lesbia gave herself the airs, and received the privileges of being the handsomest woman in those parts, till Alice came, and PUT HER NOSE OUT OF JOINT, for which she never forgave her.

  1860.  G. ELIOT, The Mill on the Floss, iii., 5. TO TURN UP HIS NOSE at his father’s customers, and to be a fine gentleman.

  1861.  T. HUGHES, Tom Brown at Oxford, vi. I like to see a fellow an honest grubber at breakfast and dinner; but you’ve always got YOUR NOSE IN THE MANGER.

  1869.  YEATS, Fairy Tales of the Irish Peasantry, 237. From this… he KEPT BILL’S NOSE TO THE GRINDING-STONE.

  1870.  Figaro, 26 Oct. The Prussians, to whom an immediate supply of these is necessary, have to pay what is vulgarly called THROUGH THE NOSE.

  1872.  DE VERE, Americanisms, 620, s.v. NOSE TO THE GRINDSTONE, a very expressive phrase, denoting the ill-treatment received at the hands of a successful adversary who takes full advantage of his triumph.

  1888.  BOLDREWOOD, Robbery under Arms, xxiii. These sort of men PAY THROUGH THE NOSE for everything.