Costard

At length, I suppose the lad either guessed the secret of his birth or something of it was communicated to him; and the disgust which the paughty Hieland varlet had always shown for my honest trade became more manifest; so that I dared not so much as lay my staff over his costard, for fear of receiving a stab with a dirk, as an answer in Gaelic to a Saxon remark. ❋ Unknown (2008)

The term, which derived from the words costard (a type of apple) and monger (a seller) is particularly associated with the original "barrow boys" of London who would sell their produce from these wheeled market stalls. ❋ Thatsnews (2008)

Freeshots Feilbogen in his rockery garden with the costard? ❋ Unknown (2006)

But tell me; how was there a costard broken in a shin? ❋ Unknown (2004)

Take him over the costard with the hilts of thy sword, and then we will chop him in the malmsey-butt in the next room. ❋ Unknown (2004)

As varieties of the Apple, mention is made in documents of the twelfth century, of the pearmain, and the costard, from the latter of which has come the word costardmonger, as at first a dealer in this fruit, and now applied to our costermonger. ❋ William Thomas Fernie (N/A)

A wonder, master! here’s a costard broken in a shin. ❋ Unknown (1914)

Take him over the costard with the hilts of thy sword, and then throw him into the malmsey-butt in the next room. ❋ Unknown (1914)

Nay, come not near th’ old man; keep out, che vor ye, or ise try whether your costard or my ballow be the harder. ❋ Unknown (1914)

I will knog his urinals about his knave’s costard when I have goot opportunities for the ’ork: pless my soul! ❋ Unknown (1914)

His look went from brooder's beard to carper's skull, to remind, to chide them not unkindly, then to the baldpink lollard costard, guiltless though maligned. ❋ James Joyce (1911)

My pitcher it is broken and this the reason is / A shepherd came behind me and tried to snatch a kiss / I would not stand his nonsense so ne er a word I spoke / But scored him on the costard, and so the jug was broke. ❋ Various (1902)

"Now, by the mass, you costard, you gave me a twist of the inwards with your lame joke." ❋ Unknown (1879)

Sometimes throughout a whole season all the swarms would alight on the lowest attainable bough -- such as part of a currant-bush or espalier apple-tree; next year they would, with just the same unanimity, make straight off to the uppermost member of some tall, gaunt costard, or quarrenden, and there defy all invaders who did not come armed with ladders and staves to take them. ❋ Unknown (1874)

Sometimes throughout a whole season all the swarms would alight on the lowest attainable bough — such as part of a currant-bush or espalier apple-tree; next year they would, with just the same unanimity, make straight off to the uppermost member of some tall, gaunt costard, or quarrenden, and there defy all invaders who did not come armed with ladders and staves to take them. ❋ Unknown (1874)

I'sh knock thee on the costard, I would thou it knew -- ❋ William Carew Hazlitt (1873)

But scored him on the costard, and so the jug was broke. ❋ Charles Dudley Warner (1864)

"There be five acres of garden, and save for foreign fruits and spices, you shall ask little of the costard-monger shortly." ❋ Emily Sarah Holt (1864)