subs. (common).—A person or thing of great parts: as a very successful play; an exceedingly pretty woman; a crushing blow, a ‘monumental’ lie, etc. Also WUNNER.
1840. DICKENS, The Old Curiosity Shop, lviii. Do they often go where glory waits ’em and leave you here? Oh, yes; I believe you they do, returned the small servant. Miss Sally’s sich a ONE-ER for that, she is.
1861. DUTTON COOK, Paul Foster’s Daughter, x. Oh, I’ve got it at last—such a ONENER—clean off my legs—first blood—first knock down—everything.
1869. GREENWOOD, The Seven Curses of London. The watcher is generally hanging about, and he’ll ‘down’ you with a ONER in the back or side (he won’t hit you in the face, for fear of spoiling it).
1889. W. HAMILTON, comp. Parodies of the Works of English and American Authors, VI., p. 269, ‘The Menagerie.’ Before a-inviting of you to enter, and taste the joys of Elysium to be ’ad at the small charge of one penny, I will exhibit to your astonished and admiring gaze a few pictorual illusterations of the wonders to be shortly disclosed to you. Give the drum a ONE-ER!
1893. P. H. EMERSON, Signor Lippo, xi. Well, pal, forgive me, I always was a ONE-ER for the gab. Here’s off or the missus will be waiting. When you’re off the pitch there’s a bite and a sup at Duke’s cottage, Lea, for you. So ’long!
1895. F. BOYLE, in Idler, Aug. Mrs. Mumson is a ONER.
2. (common).—A shilling: see BLOW.
