or ski, subs. (Westminster).—1. See quot. [An abbreviation or corruption of Volsci: the Westminster boys being Romans.]
1867. A. P. STANLEY, Historical Memorials of Westminster Abbey, II. vi. 453. Conflicts between the Westminster scholars and the ‘SKYS’ of London, as the outside world was called.
2. See SKYROCKET.
Verb. (common).—1. To hang, throw, or hit high (e.g., a picture at the Royal Academy: whence THE SKY = the upper rows of exhibitors; a ball at cricket: hence SKYER, or SKYSCRAPER = a high hit). Whence (2) to spend freely till all’s BLUED (q.v.). TO SKY A COPPER = to spin a coin.
1801. R. L. EDGEWORTH and M. EDGEWORTH, Essay on Irish Bulls. ‘Billy,’ says I, ‘will you SKY A COPPER?’
1820. REYNOLDS (‘Peter Corcoran’), The Fancy, Glossary. Toss for sides—the seconds SKY A COPPER, before every battle, to decide which man shall face the sun.
1874. M. and F. COLLINS, Frances, xxvii. The ball had been struck high in air, and long-field had almost flown into air to meet it, catching it as it came down like a thunderbolt with his left hand only, and ‘SKYING’ it at once with triumphant delight.
1881. PAYN, A Grape from a Thorn, ii. His pictures of the abbey having been ‘SKIED’ in the Academy … made his humour a little tart that year.
1884. The Saturday Review, 31 May. The high wind made SKYERS difficult to judge.
1884. HAWLEY SMART, From Post to Finish, 134. Two or three more slashing hits, and then the Rector SKYED one which his opponents promptly secured.
1886–96. MARSHALL, Pomes, 40. With the takings safely SKYED.
1889. Pall Mall Gazette, 23 Sept., 2, 1. “Lost ball!” was cried…. When, overhead, supremely SKIED, I saw that awful ball descending.
1890. Globe, 7 May, 6, 1. It was SKIED at the Royal Academy last year.
2. (Harrow).—1. To charge, or knock down: at football. Also (2) to throw away.
IF THE SKY FALLS WE SHALL CATCH LARKS = a retort to a wild hypothesis: cf. ‘if pigs had wings they’d be likely birds to fly.’
1654. WEBSTER, Appius and Virginia [DODSLEY, Old Plays (REED), iv. 124]. If hap THE SKY FALL, WE MAY hap to HAVE LARKS.
