I KIN EAT CROW.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2572, 5 January 1889, Page 2 (Supplement)

I KIN EAT CROW.

C'ronv is an unpalateable bird, and "cating crow" is one of the popular phrases to indicate the unforced doing of some unpleasant thing, especially thu enforced confession of error, and is analogous to "eating your own words," "eating humble pie," " eating dirt," Sα Indeed, somo wiaeaeres would derive it from tin , . French " malinger la crott," eating dirt or refuse), crott (pronounced cro) being the old spelling, thus : "The dirt and crott of Paris may be smelt miles off.' , (Howell's " Lomlonopolia," 3 SOI). But the American phrase is sufficiently intelligible, as it stands without any far-fetched foreign derivation. This story appeared in the Knickerbocker Magazine some 40 years ago, and concerns a thrifty boarding house-Ueeper on the Hudson, and an indigent patron. Whenever the latter remonstrated at the food lie was told he was "'too partiUlar." "I kiu eat anything," asserted the autocrat of the table, with a proud consciousness of superiority. " I kiu eat crow." The constant repetition of these words wearied the boarder. Finally he resolved to test the old man. Taking , his gun with him, ho succeeded in bagging , a fine fit old crow. By dint of soft words Mini filthy lucre he induced the cook to prepare that crow for the table. The cook was a Scolch woman and used snuff. I le borrowed all she had and sprinkled it liberally over tho crow, gave it an extra turn and brought it before the host, saying as ho set it down: "Now, iny dear sir, you have said a thousand times, if you have said it once, that you can eat crow; here is one very carefully cooked," The old man turned pale for a moment, but, bracing himself apaiuat the back of his chair, and with "I kin eat crow," he began cutting a big mouthful. He swallowed it, and, preparing for a second onslaught, looked his boarder straight in the eye, and ejaculated, " I've eat crow," and took a second portion. Ho lifted bis hands mechanically, as if for a third attack, but dropped them quickly over the region of his stomach, and, rising , hurriedly and unsteadily, retreated for the door, muttering as he went "but dang , mo if I hanker after it."—American Notes ami Queries.