knight of the post

English

Etymology

Suggesting that such a person would be familiar with the whipping-post or pillory.

Noun

knight of the post (plural knights of the post)

1. (archaic) A professional false witness.
   • 1663, Samuel Butler, Hudibras, part 1, canto 1:

     […] But with more lucky hit than those

     That use to make the stars depose,

     Like knights o' th' post, and falsely charge

     Upon themselves what others forge;

     As if they were consenting to

     All mischief in the world men do […]

   • Nash

     A knight of the post […] quoth he, for so I am termed; a fellow that will swear you anything for twelve pence.

Translations

professional false witness

• Russian: профессиона́льный лжесвиде́тель m (professionálʹnyj lžesvidételʹ)
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