Turn

subs. (old colloquial).—1.  A trick, stratagem, device. Hence as verb = to trick, beguile, cheat, GET AT (q.v.).

  1383.  CHAUCER, The Canterbury Tales, ‘The Canon Yeoman’s Tale,’ 160. Til he had TERUED him, he coude not blinne.

  c. 1400.  The Cokes Tale of Gamelyn, 244. Of alle the TORNES that he cowthe he schewed him but oon.

  2.  (old cant).—An execution: formerly, the criminal stood on a ladder which, at a given signal, was TURNED over (cf. NEW-DROP): also TO TURN OFF (q.v. infra) and TO TURN OVER. TURNING-TREE = the gallows: see NUBBING CHEAT.

  1542.  EDWARD HALL, Henry VIII., f. 224. And at the laste she and her husbande as they deserved, were apprehended, arraigned and hanged at the foresayed TURNYNGE TREE.

  1603.  SHAKESPEARE, Measure for Measure, iv. 2. 62. For your kindness I owe you a good TURN [DYCE: Here by TURN Pompey, with a quibble, means a TURN OFF the ladder].

  1664.  BUTLER, Hudibras, III. ii. 698.

  1705.  Flying Post, 11 Dec. Some minutes after he was TURNED OFF, a Reprieve came for him, and being immediately cut down he soon reviv’d, to the admiration of all spectators.

  3.  (colloquial).—A walk: spec. a short walk involving a speedy return to the starting-point: as a promenade on the deck of a vessel, round a garden, etc. [In quot. c. 1700 = an extended journey.]

  1601.  SHAKESPEARE, Henry VIII., v. 1. 94. You and I must walk a TURN together.

  c. 1700.  W. DARREL, The Gentleman Instructed, 14. Some years ago, I took a TURN beyond the seas, and made a considerable stay in those parts.

  d. 1704.  T. BROWN, Aristænetus’s Letters, in Works, i. 250. Last week Hippias and I were taking a TURN in the Park.

  1711–2.  ADDISON, The Spectator, No. 269, 8 Jan. His master … would be glad to take a TURN with me in Gray’s Inn walks.

  1849.  C. BRONTË, Shirley, xxviii. Moore left his desk, and permitted himself the recreation of one or two TURNS through the room.

  4.  (colloquial).—A spell of work or a job in rotation with others: e.g., (theatrical) = a public appearance on the stage, preceding or following others.

  1859.  LEVER, Davenport Dunn, v. Not able … to do a hand’s TURN for myself.

  1897.  MARSHALL, Pomes. ’Twas plain that ere her TURN had ceased, Her talent had, on him at least, Created a most palpable impression.

  5.  (conventional).—In pl. = menses: see DOMESTIC AFFLICTIONS.

  6.  (American).—A bonus over and above the legal rate of interest: charged by bankers on advances against stock when money is tight.

  7.  (colloquial).—A nervous shock, a qualm, nausea. As verb = to make sick, disgusted, silly: also TO TURN UP or TO TURN THE STOMACH. Whence TURNED UP = queasy, ill, sick, as from a shock, sea-sickness, drinking, smoking, etc.

  1605.  SHAKESPEARE, King Lear, iv. 6. 23.

  1709.  DAMPIER, Voyages, II. i. 30. They have many sorts of dishes that wou’d TURN THE STOMACH of a stranger, which yet they themselves like very well.

  1734.  POPE, Satires, Epil., ii. 182.

  1846.  DICKENS, The Cricket on the Hearth, ii. What a hard-hearted monster you must be, John, not to have said so at once, and saved me such a TURN!

  1860.  G. ELIOT, The Mill on the Floss, i. 7. Mrs. Tulliver gave a little scream as she saw her, and felt such a ‘TURN’ that she dropped the large gravy-spoon into the dish with the most serious results to the table-cloth.

  8.  (venery).—An act of coition. Hence TO TAKE A TURN (or TO TURN A WOMAN UP) = to copulate: see RIDE: also TO TAKE A TURN AMONG THE CABBAGES, UP ONE’S PETTICOATS (or AMONG ONE’S FRILLS), IN ABRAHAM’S BOSOM, IN LOVE LANE, BUSHEY-PARK, COCK-ALLEY, COCK-LANE, CUPID’S-ALLEY, CUPID’S-CORNER, HAIR-COURT, ON MOUNT PLEASANT, AMONG THE PARSLEY, THROUGH THE STUBBLE, or A TURN ON ONE’S BACK (of women).

  TO TURN UP, verb. phr. (old).—1.  To desist; abandon an object, pursuit, or quest; change one’s habits or course of life. Thus TO TURN UP (= to forsake) A MISTRESS, to BURY A MOLL (q.v.); TO TURN UP (= cut) AN ACQUAINTANCE; TO TURN UP (= cease dealing with) A TRADESMAN; TO TURN UP (= quit) A CROWD; TO TURN UP A FLAT SWEET = to leave a PIGEON (q.v.) in good humour after fleecing him, and so forth (GROSE).

  2.  (Marlborough School).—To chastise: with cane, stick, or fives-bat.

  A GOOD (ILL, SHREWD, etc.) TURN, subs. phr. (old).—A kind (spiteful or clever, etc.) act or deed: also proverbially, ‘One GOOD TURN deserves another’ (also ILL TURN, etc.).

  14[?].  Babees Book [E.E.T.S.], 106. In requyting a good TOURNE, shew not thy selfe negligent, nor contrarye: bee not an exactour of another man.

  1509.  BARCLAY, Ship of Fooles [JAMIESON, ii. 38]. One YLL TURNE requyreth another.

  1603.  SHAKESPEARE, Measure for Measure, iv. 2. 62. For your kindness I owe you a GOOD TURN [see same quot. subs. sense 2].

  1635.  HEYWOOD, The Hierarchie of the Blessed Angells, Lib. viii. 535. It is commendable in men to forget BAD TURNES done, but to bee mindefull of courtesies receiued.

  c. 1620.  FLETCHER, The Little French Lawyer, iii. One GOOD TURN requires another.

  TURN occurs in a multitude of phrases, all more or less colloquial. Thus TO TURN (= to perfect or polish) A PHRASE, SENTENCE, etc.; TO TURN OVER (= mentally consider) A MATTER: also TO TURN ABOUT; TO TURN THE CORNER = to begin to mend in health, pocket, prospects, etc.; TO TURN UPSIDE DOWN (INSIDE OUT, or THE HOUSE OUT OF WINDOWS, etc.) = to cause a commotion or disturbance, to search thoroughly; TO TURN OVER A NEW LEAF = to reform, to make a fresh start; TO TURN (= distract) ONE’S ATTENTION; TO TURN ONE’S HEAD = to unbalance the judgment, make crazy, flighty, or arrogant; TO TURN (or BE TURNED OF) FIFTEEN (or any age) = to pass (or have advanced beyond) one’s fifteenth birthday, to be older than; TO TURN AGAINST = to become unfriendly, hostile to; TO TURN ONE’S FLANK = to circumvent, outwit; TO TURN AWAY (or OFF) = to dismiss, SACK (q.v.); TO TURN (or SEND) DOWN (university) = (1) to rusticate, and (2) to snub, suppress (American); TO TURN OFF (= execute, accomplish, produce) A CONTRACT, DESIGN, or BOOK: see subs. 2, and TURN OUT, infra; TO TURN OFF (= marry) A COUPLE; TO TURN OFF (= foil, counteract, or ignore) A JOKE, SLIGHT, etc.; TO TURN ONE’S COAT (see TURNCOAT); TO TURN ONE’S HAND TO = to apply (or adapt) oneself; TO TURN OUT (= train) A SCHOLAR, SOLDIER, etc.; TO TURN OUT (= produce) so much in a week, month, etc.; TO TURN OUT (= show) ONE’S HAND: spec. at cards; TO TURN OUT (or BE TURNED OUT) = to dress (or be clothed by one’s tailor) with care: whence WELL TURNED OUT = WELL-GROOMED (q.v.): see TURN-OUT; TO TURN OVER (= transfer) A BUSINESS; TO TURN OVER (= sell) GOODS; TO BE TURNED OVER (thieves’) = (1) to be stopped by the police and searched, (2) to be remanded, and (3) to be acquitted for lack of evidence; TO TURN ONE’S BACK ON (see BACK); TO TURN CAT IN THE PAN (see CAT); TO TURN THE COLD SHOULDER (see COLD SHOULDER); TO TURN THE PAUNCH = to vomit; TO TURN THE STOMACH = to cause nausea: see subs. 7; TO TURN THE TABLES (see TABLE); TO TURN AN HONEST PENNY (see PENNY); TO TURN RUSTY (see RUSTY); TO TURN TO THE RIGHT-ABOUT = to dismiss summarily: see RIGHT; TO TURN TURTLE (nautical) = to capsize: of a boat or vessel; TO TURN UP ONE’S NOSE = to make a gesture of contempt, to show disgust; TO TURN UP ONE’S EYES = to make a gesture of (1) surprise, and (2) of mock sanctity; TO TURN UPON = (1) to retort, and (2) to show anger, resentment, or fight, to pay back as good as sent; TO TURN UP ONE’S TOES = to die: see TOE; TO TURN IN = to go to bed; TO TURN OUT = (1) to rise, to get out of bed, (2) to come abroad, (3) to come out on strike (workmen’s), and (4) to result, end, prove; TO TURN TO = to set to work; TO TURN TURK (see TURK); TO TURN UP = (1) to happen, to occur, (2) to arrest (thieves’), (3) to acquit (thieves’); TO BE TURNED OVER: see TO TURN UP, supra; NOT TO TURN A HAIR = to take things quietly; TO TURN A CARTWHEEL: see CARTWHEEL; TO TAKE A TURN = to join in: see subs. 8; TO TURN IT (or THE GAME) UP = to desist, quit, abscond, change one’s tactics; TO TURN UP A TRUMP = to meet with good fortune, to improve one’s chances (GROSE); TO A TURN = to a nicety: as a roasted joint cooked to a ‘TURN’ of the spit; TURNED-ROUND = at a loss, puzzled: spec. of that momentary mental ignorance of one’s exact whereabouts which sometimes occurs in a place that is normally perfectly well known; TURN AND TURN ABOUT = in regular succession, alternate duty, one resting while the other works.

  1380.  WYCLIF, Bible, Luke xv. 8. TURNETH VPSODOUN THE HOUS [Authorised Version, Sweep the house and seek diligently].

  1596.  SHAKESPEARE, Merry Wives of Windsor, i. 3. 4. I must TURN AWAY some of my followers. Ibid. (1598), 1 Henry IV., i. 11. This house is TURNED UPSIDE DOWN since Robin Ostler died.

  1605.  HEYWOOD, If You Know Not Me [Works (1874), I. 257]. Bones a me, Ile TURN ANOTHER LEAFE.

  1620.  FLETCHER, Philaster, ii. 1.

  1628.  EARLE, Microcosmographie, ‘A Shee Precise Hypocrite.’ Her devotion at the Church is much in the TURNING UP OF HER EYE.

  1640.  HOWELL, Familiar Letters, i. 5. 13. TURN HIM OVER TO ME again when I come back.

  1689.  SELDEN, Table Talk, 63. The Master of the House may TURN AWAY all his servants, and take whom he please.

  1695.  DRYDEN, Aurengzebe, iv. 1.

  1695.  CONGREVE, Love for Love, iii. 15. I mean to toss a can, and remember my sweetheart before I TURN IN.

  1703.  STEELE, The Tender Husband, ii. i. A good servant shou’d TURN HIS HAND TO everything in a family. Ibid. (1709), The Tatler, No. 127, 31 Jan. For the benefit of such whose heads are a little TURNED [with] … this dangerous distemper [pride]. Ibid. (1711–12), The Spectator, No. 264, 2 Jan. Irus, though he is now TURNED OF fifty, has not appeared in the world in his real character since five and twenty.

  1711.  ADDISON, The Spectator, No. 110, 6 July. He TURNED OFF his former wife to make room for this marriage.

  1729.  SWIFT, Directions to Servants, ‘General.’ The master storms, the lady scolds; stripping, cudgelling, and TURNING OFF is the word.

  1743–5.  R. POCOCKE, A Description of the East, II. ii. 227. When they [the miners] are TURNED OF thirty they begin to look thin, and are much subject to plurises and palsies.

  1749.  SMOLLETT, Gil Blas (1812), III. ii. I was deeply affected … resolving to TURN OVER A NEW LEAF, and live honestly.

  1759.  GOLDSMITH, The Bee, 2. The spirit of public fanaticism TURNED their heads.

  1777.  SHERIDAN, The School for Scandal, iii. 3. How your expectations will TURN OUT is more … than you can tell.

  1809.  MALKIN, Gil Blas [ROUTLEDGE], 54. We can TURN HIM ROUND OUR FINGER. Ibid., 91. I have already introduced to her three well-furnished gallants, but she TURNED UP HER NOSE at them. Ibid., 255. Pounding Lama’s fair face to a jelly, and TURNING HER whole HOUSE OUT AT WINDOW.

  1813.  SYDNEY SMITH, To John Allen, 24 Jan. Those accidental visitations of fortune are like prizes in the lottery, which must not be put into the year’s income till they TURN UP.

  1835.  R. H. DANA, Jr., Two Years Before the Mast, 8. I found that no time was allowed for day-dreaming, but that we must TURN TO at the first light. Ibid., 57. No man can be a sailor … unless he has lived in the fo’castle with them, TURNED IN and OUT with them, and eaten from the common kid.

  1837–8.  THACKERAY, The Yellowplush Papers, ix. I saw them TURNED OFF at igsackly a quarter past 12.

  1843.  DICKENS, David Copperfield, xi. I shall, please Heaven, begin to be beforehand with the world … if—in short, if anything TURNS UP.

  1851–61.  H. MAYHEW, London Labour and the London Poor, I. 353. I never had a wife, but I have had two or three broomstick marriages, though they never TURNED OUT happy.

  1851.  HAWTHORNE, The House of the Seven Gables, vii. She watched the fish … as if her own heart were on the gridiron, and her immortal happiness were involved in its being done precisely TO A TURN!

  1855.  GASKELL, North and South, xviii. ‘What do you say to a strike, by way of something to talk about?’ ‘Have the hands actually TURNED OUT?’

  1855.  LADY HOLLAND, Sydney Smith, viii. The struggle for his society, when on his visits to London, would have been quite enough to TURN any head less strong than his.

  1857.  T. HUGHES, Tom Brown’s School-days, ii. 6. Tom felt at once that HIS FLANK WAS TURNED.

  1860.  O. W. HOLMES, The Professor at the Breakfast-Table, viii. 244. Here is a boy that loves to run, swim, kick football, TURN SOMERSETS.

  1864.  TENNYSON, Enoch Arden.

  1869.  H. B. STOWE, Oldtown Folks, xxxi. Tina is a little TURNED OF fifteen; she is going to be very beautiful.

  1887.  J. W. HORSLEY, Jottings from Jail, i. ‘What catch would it be if you was to TURN ME OVER?’ So I took him into a pub which had a back way out, and called for a pint of stout, and told the reeler to wait a minute.

  1872.  C. D. WARNER, Backlog Studies, 125. Then from every house and hamlet the men TURNED OUT.

  1874.  FISKE, Outlines of Cosmic Philosophy, i. 54. If after three thousand years a black swan TURNS UP.…

  1877.  J. C. HOYT, Babes in the Wood, in Scribner’s Magazine, Aug., 492. We were thinking of TURNING IN for the night.

  1881.  G. S. HALL, German Culture, 306. The German official … is always appalled at the quantity of work his compeer here can TURN OFF in a given time.

  1885.  The Field, 4 April. Information that TURNS OUT to be hardly correct.

  1885.  G. R. SIMS, Rogues and Vagabonds, xlvi. Marston had long ago announced his intention to ‘TURN THE GAME UP.’

  1887.  Daily Telegraph, 28 Feb. We had not steamed two miles from that berg when it split in three portions with thunderous sounds, and every portion TURNED TURTLE.

  1887.  St. James’s Gazette, 19 Dec. The doctors hope I have now TURNED THE CORNER, which has been a sharp one.

  1887.  The Field, 19 Feb. [The manufacturers] TURN OUT somewhere about 5000 tons weekly.

  1888.  BESANT, Fifty Years Ago. 105. The schools TURNED OUT splendid scholars.

  1903.  The Sporting Times, 7 Sept., 1. 3. He had given instructions, when they came to a certain point, to let go the anchor. In the meantime he had ‘TURNED IN.’