"cheek music"

[Joel S. Berson]

Not in the OED?

As often with 18th century dates, I look in EAI.  I will need some
time to analyze an 1802 article, but here's an example from 1807
where the meaning appears to be "gossip":

Spirit of the Press [Philadelphia]; Date: 11-01-1807; Volume: I;
Issue: 30; Page: [3]; 2nd col. of article, near the end:

"The officers sometimes invite you to the ward-room, and you have a
good deal of cheek music together. I wish you would let me know
what's stirring among them as soon as you can."

Letter Introduced as "Union at sea, November 7, 1807"  To Richard
Folwell, boatswains's mate, Ship Union; signed Henry Hawser.  [A bit
inconsistent?  Were they both aboard the Union?]  The letter starts:

"Holloa, Dick, what cheer fore and aft?  Does the weather look squally?"

Perhaps the letter was sent from one part of the ship to another?  Or
perhaps it is invented.

Joel

At 8/21/2011 08:32 PM, Jonathan Lighter wrote:
>Means "whistling," but cf. later "chin music," yakking.
>
>1787 _The Adventures of Jonathan Corncob_ (London: ptd. for the author) 190:
>Does it not blow hard enough without your giving us your d----d cheek music,
>to bring on a squall, and be d----d to you."

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