E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Sheep.
Ram or tup, the sire; ewe, the dam; lamb, the new-born sheep till it is weaned, when it is called a hogget; the tup-lamb being a “tup-hogget,” and the ewe-lamb a “ewe-hogget;” if the tup is castrated it is called a wether-hogget.
1
After the removal of the first fleece, the tup-hogget becomes a shearling, the ewe-hogget a grimmer, and the wether-hogget a dinmont (hence the name “Dandy Dinmont”).
2
After the removal of the second fleece, the shearling becomes a two-shear tup, the grimmer a ewe, and the dinmont a wether.
3
After the removal of the third fleece, the ewe is called a twinter-ewe; and when it ceases to breed, a draft-ewe.
4
The Black Sheep (Kârâ-koin-loo). A tribe which established a principality in Armenia, that lasted 108 years (1360–1468); so called from the device of their standard.
5
The White Sheep (Ak-koin-loo). A tribe which established a principality in Armenia, etc., on the ruin of the Black Sheep (1468–1508); so called from the device of their standard.
6
To cast a sheep’s eye at one is to look askance, like a sheep, at a person to whom you feel lovingly inclined.
7
“But he, the beast, was casting sheep’s eyes at her.”—Colman: Broad Grins.
