Definitions
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun Australia, colloquial Something extremely good.
- noun UK, colloquial A
headlong fall or tumble. - noun UK, colloquial A
knockdown blow; a blow that causes a person to fall headlong.
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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Alex took a 'purler' above the Seelos Gully and had to chase his ski one hundred yards.
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Alex took a 'purler' above the Seelos Gully and had to chase his ski one hundred yards.
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All went well till, in trying to keep the track at the same time as my feet, on a very slippery surface, I came an awful 'purler' on my shoulder.
Scott's Last Expedition Volume I Robert Falcon Scott 1890
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Right in front of that Stand was an artificial bullfinch that promised to treat most of the field to a "purler," a deep ditch dug and filled with water, with two towering blackthorn fences on either side of it, as awkward a leap as the most cramped country ever showed; some were complaining of it; it was too severe, it was unfair, it would break the back of very horse sent at it.
Under Two Flags 1839-1908 Ouida 1873
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"On a very slippery surface I came an awful 'purler' on my shoulder.
The Worst Journey in the World Antarctic 1910-1913 Apsley Cherry-Garrard 1922
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Luka Modric Tottenham Hotspur v LiverpoolSuperb headers from Arsenal's Marouane Chamakh and Everton's Apostolos Vellios notwithstanding, the Croatia playmaker's vicious, curling seventh-minute purler deserves it for sheer Bobby Charltonesque oomph.51 League goals conceded from corners, free-kicks and penalties by Arsenal since the beginning of the 2009-10 season from a total of 100 goals scored against them in 81 games30 Most goals scored in a Premier League debut season – by Kevin Phillips in 2000.
Peter Reid sacked after auctioning FA Cup medal to help pay staff 2011
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The animal referred to above went a lovely purler with me this morning, turning a somersault and finishing by laying across my right leg.
A Yeoman's Letters Third Edition P. T. Ross
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Both saw the danger a few seconds before the collision occurred; both applied fierce brakes, but, nevertheless, Tam found himself on his hands and knees at the feet of the lady-driver, having taken a purler almost into her lap, despite the printed warning attached to this portion of the ambulance:
Tam o' the Scoots Edgar Wallace 1903
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Gel I know -- relative of mine she is, by marriage -- goes a purler with a chap. Knew something of the chap too -- so did you, I expect.
Rest Harrow A Comedy of Resolution Maurice Hewlett 1892
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It was precisely the attitude of one who has had a purler at football.
Tomaso's Fortune and Other Stories Henry Seton Merriman 1882
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