adj. (old colloquial).—Young, unexperienced, callow: cf. SUCKER = a greenhorn, and SUCKING DOVE = a dupe or simpleton (GROSE and BEE). Cf. SUCKING-NELSON (= a midshipmite), POET-SUCKER, etc.
1678. DRYDEN, All for Love, Preface. My enemies are but SUCKING criticks, who would fain be nibbling e’er their teeth are come. Ibid. (1680), The Spanish Friar, iii. 2. This is no Father Dominic, no huge overgrown abbey-lubber; this is but a diminutive SUCKING FRIAR.
1849. C. BRONTË, Shirley, xiv. The very curates … she [Miss Ainley], in her pure, sincere enthusiasm, looked upon as SUCKING SAINTS.
1849. THACKERAY, Pendennis, xxv. Mr. Wagg … said, … ‘Rather a shy place for a SUCKING county member, ay, Pynsent?’ Ibid. (1855), The Newcomes, v. I suppose you’re a young barrister, SUCKING LAWYER, or that sort of thing. Because you was put at the end of the table and nobody took notice of you.
