E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Cutter’s Law.
Not to see a fellow want while we have cash in our purse. Cutter’s law means the law of purse-cutters, robbers, brigands, and highwaymen.
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“I must put you in cash with some of your old uncle’s broad-pieces. This is cutter’s law; we must not see a pretty fellow want, if we have cash ourselves.”—Sir W. Scott: Old Mortality, chap. ix
