[Ads-l] Antedating to "dodge Pompey"

[Jonathan Lighter]

Naval. To evade work.  OED: 1929.

1836 Capt. F. Chalmier, R.N. _Ben Brace_  (Phila.: Carey, Lea, &
Blanchard)  I 131: We tried a signal or two; but it was of no use the
lanterns were playing 'dodge Pompey,' and the lights were out before the
signal could be made

1838  "Man-of-War's-Man" _Maritime Scraps_ (Boston: pvtly. ptd.) 97:  But
although a recruit in the service, / I learned the small ropes pretty quick
-- / Could _dodge pompey_ with any on board her-- / And work _Tom Cox's
Traverse_ quite slick.

1906 _Daily Province_ (Vancouver, B.C.) (July 3) 7:  Men can work eight
[hours], but for more they only dodge Pompey, and it takes the laborer all
his time to watch the boss instead of working under those conditions.

>From '38 to '06, silence. The '38 ex. refers to the U.S. Navy.

JL

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