subs. (old colloquial).—1. In pl. = bluster, ostentatious or windy talk, SWAGGER (q.v.). [The ROARING BOYS (q.v.) of Elizabethan times, to provoke a quarrel, were wont flatly and swaggeringly to contradict everything said, even that to which a bully had previously assented (see JONSON, Bartholomew Fair, iv. 3).] Hence as verb = to boast, swagger, bully, with such derivatives as VAPOURED, VAPOURER, VAPOURISING, VAPOURISE, etc. Also (2), in the eighteenth century, a fashionable term for AIRS (q.v.), SIDE (q.v.): spec. an exaggerated affectation of ‘nerves’ or BLUES (q.v.): also (3) whims, fancies, MAGGOTS (q.v.), and as verb = to fuss, fidget, make TO DO (q.v.).
1552. STRYPE, Ecclesiastical Memorials, II. xvii. A VAPOURING sort (which that nation was then much addicted to).
1570. CAMDEN, The History of … Princess Elizabeth (1675), ii. 653. Thomas Stukeley, an English-man, a Ruffian, a riotous Spendthrift, and a notable VAPOURER.
1614. JONSON, Bartholomew Fair, ii. Nay, then pardon me my VAPOUR. I have a foolish VAPOUR, gentlemen. Any man that does VAPOUR me the ass…. I do VAPOUR him the lie. Ibid. (1630), The New Inn, iii. 1. Pierce. He’s Barst’s protection. Fly. Fights and VAPOURS for him.
1628. FORD, The Lover’s Melancholy, iv. 2. He VAPOURS like a tinker, and struts like a juggler.
1641. MILTON, An Apology for Smectymnuus. His designe was, if he could not refute them, yet at least with quips and snapping adagies to VAPOUR them out.
1665. PEPYS, Diary, 3 Dec., II. 331. My Lord Berkeley hath all along been … one that is the greatest VAPOURER in the world.
1706. VANBRUGH, The Mistake, iv. 1. Here, take thy satin pincushion, with thy curious half hundred of pins in’t, thou madest such a VAPOURING about yesterday.
1748. RICHARDSON, Clarissa, II. xcvii. You will not wonder that the VAPOURISHNESS which has laid hold of my heart should rise to my pen.
1749. W. WHISTON, Memoirs, 18. I was become so VAPOURED and timorous at home, that I was ready to faint away if I did but go a few Stones cast from our own House.
1751. FIELDING, Amelia, iii. 7. A man had better be plagued with all the curses of Egypt than with a VAPOURISH wife.
1759–67. STERNE, Tristram Shandy, ix. 3. The corporal gave a slight flourish with his stick—but not VAPOURINGLY.
1796. BURNEY, Camilla, V. vi. She VAPOURS me but to look at her.
1809. IRVING, Knickerbocker History of New-York, 355. All these valourous VAPOURINGS had a considerable effect.
1819. CRABBE, Tales of the Hall, xi. [Works, vii. 63].
| Nor to be fretful, VAPOURISH, or give way | |
| To spleen and anger, as the wealthy may. |
1886. Daily Telegraph, 7 April. Despite the VAPOURING of the Minister of War.
1888. Daily Telegraph, 7 Feb. He VAPOURED considerably.
