E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Ape.
The buf’foon ape, in Dryden’s poem called The Hind and the Panther, means the Free-thinkers.
1
“Next her [the bear] the buffon ape, as atheists use,
Mimicked all sects and had his own to choose.”
Part i. 39, 40.
He keeps them, like an ape, in the corner of his jaw; first mouthed, to be last swallowed (Hamlet iv. 2). Most of the Old World monkeys have cheek pouches, used as receptacles for food.
2
To lead apes or To lead apes in hell. It is said of old maids. Hence, to die an old maid.
3
“I will even take sixpence in earnest of the bear-ward, and lead his apes into hell.”—Shakespeare: Much Ado about Nothing, ii. 1.
Fadladin’da says to Tatlanthe (3 syl):
4
“Pity that you who’ve served so long and well
Should die a virgin, and lead apes in hell.”
H. Curey: Chrononhotonthologos.
“Women, dying maids, lead apes in hell.”—The London Prodigal, i. 2.
To play the ape, to play practical jokes; to play silly tricks; to make facial imitations, like an ape.
5
To put an ape into your hood (or) cap—i.e. to make a fool of you. Apes were formerly carried on the shoulders of fools and simpletons.
6
To say an ape’s paternoster, is to chatter with fright or cold, like an ape.
s.
