E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Duck’s Egg.
Broke his duck’s egg. Took his first school prize. In cricket a “duck’s egg” or 0 in a score is broken by a run.
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“What a proud and happy day it was to Lucy when little Herbert, in public-school parlance, broke his duck’s egg—otherwise, took his first prize.”—A Fellow of Trinity, chap. i.
