E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
White in the Eye.
It is said that the devil has no white in his eyes, and hence the French locution, “Celui qui n’a point de blanc en l’œil.” “Do you see any white in my eye?” is asked by one who means to insinuate he is no fool or no knave—that is, he is not like the devil with no white in the eye.
