huckaback
(ˈhʌkəbæk)
Also 8 hucca-, hukka-, hugaback, hag-a-bag, hagabag, 9 huggaback, huck-a-back.
[Origin unknown.
Prof. Skeat has pointed out the close resemblance of the word to LG. hukkebak, Ger. huckepack, adv., in huckepack tragen to carry on the back, to carry (a child) pick-a-back, suggesting that it may have originally meant goods carried on the back, ‘pedlar's ware’. But there is no trace of the English sense in German, nor of the continental origin of the material, which was in 17th c. a noted product of the North of England; so that connexion cannot at present be assumed.]
A stout linen fabric, with the weft threads thrown alternately up so as to form a rough surface, used for towelling and the like.
| 1690 J. F. Merchant's Ware-ho. 12 A sort of Diaper made in England, and is very strong, called Huckaback. 1721 New General Atlas 230 Darlington..has a considerable Manufacture in Linen and the best Hugabacks. 1725 Ramsay Gentle Sheph. i. ii, Clean hag-a-bag I'll spread upon his board. 1758 Johnson Idler No. 13 ¶11 That they may spin hukkaback for the servants table. 1769 De Foe's Tour Gt. Brit. III. 162 Darlington..particularly excels in Huckabacks of ten Quarters wide, which are made no-where else in England. 1778 Eng. Gazetteer (ed. 2), Warrington..has a particular market every week for the linen called huckaback, the manufacture of its neighbourhood. 1795 J. Aikin Manchester 349 The weaving of sheeting, hagabag, window-sash and curtain line. 1876 M. E. Braddon J. Haggard's Dau. I. 6 With face smarting from the vigorous application of mottled soap and coarsest huckaback. |
b. attrib.
| 1707 Lond. Gaz. No. 4379/4 One Huckaback Table Cloth. 1823 Scott Peveril xxi, The table was covered with a clean huckaback napkin. 1851 Illustr. Catal. Gt. Exhib. 512 Tape and damask-bordered huckaback towels. |
c. as adj. fig. That will stand wear and tear.
| 1759 H. Walpole Let. to E. Strafford 30 Oct., All their good qualities are huckaback. 1765 ― Let. to Cole 9 Mar., As that furniture will not last above a fortnight..I shall prefer something more huckaback. |