tubman, tub-man
(ˈtʌbmən)
[f. tub n. + man n.1]
† 1. = tub-preacher. Obs.
| 1642 P. Bland Royall Position 9 No Conventicling Tub⁓man should have made my words his text. a 1643 Ld. Falkland, etc. Infallibility (1646) 97 The meanest Seducer may doe mischiefe, as we finde by the effects of the Tub⁓men. 1651 Jane Εικων ακλαστος 213 Tubmen whose prayers not only want salt, but are besmeared with prophanes. |
2. † a. ? A maker of tubs, a cooper. Obs. b. At Christ's Hospital, formerly, one who had charge of the latrine tubs; subsequently, a lavatory attendant.
| 1677 (title) A Caution to Married Couples..how a man having beat his wife, murthered a Tub-man that endeavoured to stop him from killing her. 1723 Lond. Gaz. No. 6196/7 John Thumwood,..Tub-man. c 1865 Skit Christ's Hospital, Has she a round of butter'd toast to give to tubman Joe? |
3. A barrister in the Court of Exchequer whose place was beside the tub used as a measure of capacity in excise cases; the position conferred the right of precedence in motions, except over the ‘postman’ and in Crown business. Cf. postman3. Obs. exc. Hist.
| 1768 Blackstone Comm. III. iii. 28 note, In the court of exchequer two of the most experienced barristers called the post-man and the tub-man..have also a precedence in motions. 1841 Meeson & Welsby Rep. VII. 188 The Attorney-General moved in this case. The Postman and Tubman claimed pre-audience; but upon the Attorney-General's stating that it was the Queen's business in which he moved, the Court decided that he was entitled to be heard before the Postman and Tubman. 1882 Daily News 15 Dec. 2/1 With the appointment of Mr. Anstie as a Queen's Counsel, the ancient office of tubman to the Exchequer disappears. 1886 [see postman3]. |