Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A ranting preacher.

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word devil-dodger.

Examples

  • "All right, devil-dodger," said he wearily, after a long sullen silence.

    Slippy McGee, Sometimes Known as the Butterfly Man Marie Conway Oemler 1905

  • So, in the fading twilight of life, he smiled the smile of contentment, as became one who had emptied more quarts, had delivered more harrowing discourses, and had lived familiarly with more scoundrels than any devil-dodger of his generation.

    A Book of Scoundrels 1896

  • And the doctor gave him all that he had, the mean-spirited devil-dodger, and it was no more than eighteenpence.

    A Book of Scoundrels 1896

  • 'I have a great mind to tell him how you watch me, you infernal devil-dodger!'

    The Bishop's Secret Fergus Hume 1895

  • 'Come out, you devil-dodger!' he bellowed savagely.

    The Bishop's Secret Fergus Hume 1895

  • I'll have hundreds of pounds next week -- hundreds; 'and he broke out fiercely,' get me more brandy; don't mind that devil-dodger. '

    The Bishop's Secret Fergus Hume 1895

  • So, in the fading twilight of life, he smiled the smile of contentment, as became one who had emptied more quarts, had delivered more harrowing discourses, and had lived familiarly with more scoundrels than any devil-dodger of his generation.

    A Book of Scoundrels Charles Whibley 1894

  • And the doctor gave him all that he had, the mean-spirited devil-dodger, and it was no more than eighteenpence.

    A Book of Scoundrels Charles Whibley 1894

  • If I 'ave a weakness, Miss Susan, it's for the right word in the right place -- as the coster said to the devil-dodger as blowed him up for purfane swearin'.

    Stephen Archer and Other Tales George MacDonald 1864

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.

  • devil-dodger (n) a preacher, esp of the ranting kind; someone who attends churches of various kinds, to be on the safe side.

    December 28, 2015