Crossword clues for sockdolager
sockdolager
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Sockdolager \Sock*dol"a*ger\, n. [A corruption of doxology.]
That which finishes or ends a matter; a settler; a poser, as a heavy blow, a conclusive answer, and the like.
(Angling) A combination of two hooks which close upon each other, by means of a spring, as soon as the fish bites.
Something unusually large. [Slang, U. S.]
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
1830, "a decisive blow" (also, figuratively "a conclusive argument"), fanciful formation from sock (v.1) "hit hard," perhaps via a comical mangling of doxology, on a notion of "finality." The meaning "something exceptional" is attested from 1838.\n
\nSockdologising likely was nearly the last word President Abraham Lincoln heard. During the performance of Tom Taylor's "Our American Cousin," assassin John Wilkes Booth (who knew the play well) waited for the laugh-line "Well, I guess I know enough to turn you inside out, you sockdologising old man-trap." Amid the noise as the audience responded, Booth fired the fatal shot.
Wiktionary
n. 1 (context US slang obsolete English) a hard hit, a knockout or finishing blow 2 (context US slang obsolete English) something exceptional, a whopper 3 (context US angling English) A combination of two hooks which close upon each other, by means of a spring, as soon as the fish bites.
Usage examples of "sockdolager".
The design is an improvement on the Sockdolager and it works like a charm.