[Ads-l] Antedating to "dodge Pompey"

[Pete Morris]

Previous discussion from 2012

https://listserv.linguistlist.org/pipermail/ads-l/2012-June/120289.html



------ Original Message ------
>From "Jonathan Lighter" <wuxxmupp2000 at GMAIL.COM>
To ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
Date 07/10/2022 23:33:05
Subject Antedating to "dodge Pompey"

>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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