beetle-crusher

English

Noun

beetle-crusher (plural beetle-crushers)

1. (dated, British, Australia, slang) A large, flat foot.

   Synonym: beetle-squasher

   • 1903, M. F. Hutchinson, Princess Kiku, New York: Dick & Fitzgerald, page 11:

     "Think of Arthur, his height! And those great beetle-crushers!"

2. (dated, British, Australia, slang, derogatory) A person with large, flat feet.
   • 1888 February 13, The Australian Star, Sydney, page 2, column 3:

     The Chinese New Year commenced in Sydney yesterday, the Mongolian Empire, and wherever the beetle-crusher of a native of the Flowery Land hops along beneath a bamboo stick and a pair of baskets.

   • 1918, Norman Lindsay, The Magic Pudding, page 88:

     [T]he Puddin' merely laughed scornfully, and called Bill a bun-headed old beetle-crusher.

   • 1922 October 26, The Farmer's Advocate, Melbourne, page 12:

     When was first torn from my native; element I was not the grey, worn-out "beetle-crusher" that you see me now.

References

• E. Cobham Brewer. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.