subs. (old).—A mean wretch: also STINKER: a general term of contempt. Hence STINKARDLY = mean.
1598. DEKKER, Works (GROSART), i. 77. And no more Learning than the most errand STINKARD, that (except his owne name) could neuer find any thing in the Horne-book.
1601. JONSON, The Poetaster, iii. 1. You have Fortune and the good year on your side, you STINKARD. Ibid. (1609), Epicœne, or the Silent Woman, iv. 1. You notoriously STINKARDLY bearward.
1612. CHAPMAN, The Widow’s Tears, i. 4. Only your blockheadly tradesman … your unapprehending STINKARD, is blest with the sole perogative of his wife’s chamber.
1630. TAYLOR (‘The Water Poet’), Workes, ii. 145.
| For now the STINKARDS in their irefull wraths | |
| Repelted me with Lome, with Stones, and Laths. |
1633. MARMION, A Fine Companion, iii. 4.
| How? slave! and STINKARD! since you are so stout, | |
| I will see your commission ere I part. |
1677. E. COLES, English-Latin Dictionary, s.v. A STINKARD, homo fœtidus.
1700. CONGREVE, The Way of the World, iv. 11. Your Mussulman is a dry STINKARD. No offence, aunt.
1732. J. MORGAN, Phœnix Britannicus, 28, To the Reader. No more Learning than the most errand STINKARD, that (except his owne name) could neuer finde any thing in the Horne-booke.
1748. SMOLLETT, Roderick Random, xxxiv. He asked with great emotion if I thought him a monster and a STINKARD.
