codger dial. and colloq.
(ˈkɒdʒə(r))
[perh. a dial. var. of cadger: the two words are now used quite differently in the colloquial language of London and the towns generally; but in some dialects they are identical, while in others codger had formerly a contemptuous sense which might easily arise out of cadger.]
1. dial. A mean, stingy, or miserly (old) fellow; sometimes, like cadger, a pedlar, tramp, or beggar.
| 1796 F. Burney Camilla ix. iv. (D.), He..said..nothing should induce him ever to help me again. What a mere codger that lad has turned out. 1818 Todd, Codger, contemptuously used for a miser, one who rakes together all he can. 1875 Parish Sussex Dial., Codger, a miser; a stingy old fellow. 1876 South Warwicksh. Gloss., Codger, a miser. 1877 E. Peacock N.W. Linc. Gloss., Codger, a dirty, mean old man. 1880 M. A. Courtney W. Cornwall Gloss., Codger, cadger, a tramp; a mean pedlar; a term of contempt. |
b. dial. A testy or crusty (old) man.
| 1880 Antrim & Down Gloss., Codger, a crusty old fellow. 1888 Lowsley Berksh. Wds., Codger, a testy old man: an old man having queer habits. |
2. low colloq. A familiar or jocosely irreverent term applied a. originally to an elderly man, usually with a grotesque or whimsical implication.
| 1756 Murphy Apprentice i. (1764) 16 Old Cojer must not smoke that I have any concern. 1775 Garrick Bon Ton 32 My Lord's servants call you an old out-of-fashion'd Codger. Ibid. 33 That for you, old Codger (snaps his fingers). 1789 Wolcott (P. Pindar) Subj. for Painters Wks. 1812 II, We want no proofs, old Codger, but your face. 1797–1805 S. & Ht. Lee Canterb. T. III. 267 The queer codger fancies them his new relations. 1807–8 W. Irving Salmag. (1824) 89 A gouty old codger of an alderman. 1821 Shelley Let. Mrs. S. Aug. (Camelot ed.) 355, I..sign the agreement for the old codger's house. 1834 M. Scott Cruise Midge (1863) 2 The old gentleman was rather a quiet-going codger. 1876 Robinson Whitby Gloss., Codger, a stout, comfortable looking old man. |
b. In more general application: Fellow, chap.
| 1839 Dickens Nich. Nick. lx, ‘I haven't been drinking your health, my codger’, replied Mr. Squeers. 1851 D. Jerrold St. Giles's 23 (Hoppe) And that's what they'll do with you, my little codger. 1883 Hampsh. Gloss., Codger, a name given when familiarly addressing an acquaintance. |