| E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898. |
| | | Oracle (Sir). | | |
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A dogmatical person, one not to be gainsaid. The ancient oracles professed to be the responses of the gods, from which there could be no appeal. | 1 |
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| “I am Sir Oracle, |
| And when I ope my lips let no dog bark.” | |
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Shakespeare: Merchant of Venice, i. 1. |
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To work the oracle. To induce another to favour some plan or join in some project. | 2 |
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“They fetched a rattling price through Starlight’s working the oracle with those swells.”—Boldrewood: Robbery under Arms, chap. xii. |
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