trencher-man

Mr. Wagg, the celebrated wit, and a led captain and trencher-man of my Lord Steyne, was caused by the ladies to charge her; and the worthy fellow, leering at his patronesses and giving them a wink, as much as to say, “Now look out for sport,” one evening began an assault upon Becky, who was unsuspiciously eating her dinner.

Vanity Fair 2006

To be the servant and companion of a fugitive, a soldier, and a murderer rolled in one -- to live by stratagems, disguises, and false names, in an atmosphere of midnight and mystery so thick that you could cut it with a knife -- was really, I believe, more dear to him than his meals, though he was a great trencher-man and something of a glutton besides.

The Bibliotaph and Other People Leon H. Vincent

He was a very valiant trencher-man; and yet he could not have been said to love eating for eating's sake.

The Bibliotaph and Other People Leon H. Vincent

For the first time in more years than he could remember he merely toyed with his food ... and he had always been a good trencher-man.

Man of Many Minds 1925

Bertram, in complaisance, ate a morsel or two; and Dinmont, whose appetite was unabated either by wonder, apprehension, or the meal of the morning, made his usual figure as a trencher-man.

Chapter LIII 1917

"Thou art indeed a valiant trencher-man," she said.

The Puritan Twins Lucy Fitch Perkins 1901

The Highlander hesitated after the first round of distribution, for there would be no means of revictualing that haversack until the next issuance of rations, and he was himself a "very valiant trencher-man."

The Frontiersmen Mary Noailles Murfree 1886

Mr. Fetherbee's spirits, and ten minutes later the valiant little trencher-man was climbing with cheerful alacrity into the wagon, which had been, in the interim, subjected to a judicious application of ropes and wires.

Peak and Prairie From a Colorado Sketch-book Anna Fuller 1884

I have tried his favorite restaurant here, the cuisine of which is famous far beyond the banks of the Seine; but I think if he, hearty trencher-man that he was, had lived in Paris, he would have gone to London for a dinner oftener than he came here.

The Complete Project Gutenberg Writings of Charles Dudley Warner Charles Dudley Warner 1864

I have tried his favorite restaurant here, the cuisine of which is famous far beyond the banks of the Seine; but I think if he, hearty trencher-man that he was, had lived in Paris, he would have gone to London for a dinner oftener than he came here.

Saunterings Charles Dudley Warner 1864