whaling

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.

A lashing; a beating.


But it is possible that we may, at some future time, go to war with England--her writers and speakers having spoken disparagingly of us, while her actors, half-pay officers and other travelling gentry carry their heads rather high in passing through our country--for which "arrogant" demeanor we are bound to give her a whaling!--N. Y. Tribune, Aug. 1847.

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