subs. (American).—A story; a bon mot; spec. one worth telling. Also, ACCORDING TO THEIR TELL = ‘Upon their making out.’
1743. WALPOLE, To Horace Mann, 4 April. There, I am at the end of my TELL! If I write on, it must be to ask questions.
d. 1818. D. HUMPHREYS, The Yankee in England. In his dealings with the other sex, he is a little twistical, ACCORDING TO THEIR TELL.
1873. MARIETTA HOLLEY, My Opinions and Betsy Bobbet’s, 101–2. I told Josiah at the end of the week, that ACCORDIN’ TO THEIR TELL, I had got every disease under the sun, unless it was the horse distemper.
1888. EGGLESTON, The Graysons, i. Little Barb’ry ’s the very flower of the flock, accordin’ TO MY TELL.
