1) A nickname applied throughout the West to a native of Illinois. The origin of this term is as follows:
The Western prairies are, in many places, full of the holes made by the "crawfish," (a fresh water shell-fish similar in form to the lobster,) which descends to the water beneath. In early times, when travellers wended their way over these immense plains, they very prudently provided themselves with a long hollow weed, and when thirsty, thrust it into these natural artesians, and thus easily supplied their longings. The crawfish-well generally contains pure water, and the manner in which the traveller drew forth the refreshing element gave him the name of "Sucker."--Let. from Illinois, in Providence Journal. A correspondent of the New York Tribune, writing from Illinois, says:
We say to all friends of association, come West; to the land of suckers, and liberal opinions.
2) A greenhorn; an awkward country fellow. Western.
3) A hard drinker; a drunkard.
4) A tube used for sticking sherry-cobblers. They are made of silver, glass, straw, or sticks of maccaroni.
5) A very common fish of the genus labeo, and of which there are many varieties, including the Chub, Mullet, Barbel, Horned Dace, etc. They are found in most of the lakes and rivers of North America.