"A hole in the ground" (1851, 1853)

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_LETTER  FROM "CURNILL JINKS."_
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J J J Jr. Spirit of the Times; A Chronicle of the Turf, Agriculture, Field
Sports, Literature and the Stage (1835-1861). New York: Nov 8, 1851. Vol.  21,
Iss. 38; p. 453 (1 page)
...
He couldn't tell the muzzle of a gun from a hole in the ground, and  how in
the name of sense could you spect him to teach the young idea how to  _shoot_?
...
...
...
28 July 1853, Kenosha (WI) Tribune:
8 August 1853, Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, PA), pg. 1, col. 4:
It would be very difficult to say whether Mr. Parker knew himself from "a
hole in the ground" about this juncture.

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