stab-rag

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English

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Etymology

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From stab +‎ rag.

Noun

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stab-rag (plural stab-rags)

  1. (obsolete, military, British, slang) A regimental tailor.
    • 1841 August 21, “Fine Arts”, in Punch, or the London Charivari[1], volume 1, page 65:
      In conclusion, the bottom on the jacket, and the button-holes, companions thereto, would baffle the criticism of the most hyper-fastidious stab-rag; and the shirt collar, with every other detail—never forgetting the chiaro-scuro—are equal to any of the preceding.
    • 1943, Stella Gibbons, Ticky, London: Random House, published 2012, →ISBN, page 127:
      Corporal Target is at the stab-rag—tailor's, sir. Bein' measured for a new overcoat, sir.

Anagrams

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