mutton fist

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to navigation Jump to search

English[edit]

Alternative forms[edit]

Pronunciation[edit]

  • (file)

Noun[edit]

mutton fist (plural mutton fists)

  1. (slang, archaic) A big brawny fist or hand.
    • 1693, Decimus Junius Juvenalis, John Dryden, transl., “[The Satires of Decimus Junius Juvenalis.] (please specify the satire number)”, in The Satires of Decimus Junius Juvenalis. Translated into English Verse. [] Together with the Satires of Aulus Persius Flaccus. [], London: Printed for Jacob Tonson [], →OCLC:
      Will he, who saw the soldier's mutton-fist, And saw thee mauled, appear within the list [] ?
    • 1821, William Hazlitt, “Character of Cobbett”, in Table-Talk:
      One has no notion of him as making use of a fine pen, but a great mutton-fist; his style stuns his readers, and he 'fillips the ear of the public with a threeman beetle'.
    • 1874, T.H.G. (author's initials, presumably), "Recollections of our Stale Contributor" in Baily's Magazine of Sports & Pastimes Volume 25
      The little gentleman saw the keeper's great mutton fist very near his head, and thought a second time; he did not like the look of that mutton fist.
      'No, keeper,' said he, don't hit me - shake me.'