| E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898. |
| | | Deer. | | |
Supposed by poets to shed tears. The drops, however, which fall from their eyes are not tears, but an oily secretion from the so-called tear-pits.
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| “A poor sequestered stag … . | |
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| Did come to languish … . and the big round tears |
| Coursed one another down his innocent nose |
| In piteous chase.” | |
| 1 |
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Shakespeare: As You Like It, ii. 2. |
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Small deer. Any small animal; and used metaphorically for any collection of trifles or trifling matters.
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| “But mice and rats, and such small deer, |
| Have been Tom’s food for seven long year.” | |
| 2 |
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Shakespeare: Lear, iii. 4. |
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