beetle-crusher

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English

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Noun

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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

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