coper

coper

A horse-coper leads a sturdy horse through the market square.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • Horse trader: "coper" refers to a person who deals in horses, especially one who engages in dishonest or sharp practices in buying and selling horses. This meaning is often associated with the term "horse-coper."
    • Floating bar: "coper" also denotes a floating tavern or bar that serves fishermen, particularly in the North Sea. This usage is sometimes spelled "cooper."
Usage Examples

  • Noun (horse trader):

    • The old coper tried to sell me a lame horse at a high price. (A dishonest horse dealer attempted to cheat the buyer.)
    • In the 19th century, a coper was often viewed with suspicion at village markets. (Horse traders were known for their cunning tactics.)

  • Noun (floating bar):

    • The fishermen stopped at the coper for a drink after a long day at sea. (A floating bar provided refreshments to fishermen.)
    • The coper anchored near the fishing fleet was a popular gathering spot. (The floating tavern served as a social hub for sailors.)
Advanced Usage
  • "to coper" (verb, rare): to trade or deal in horses, often with an implication of trickery.
    • He made a living by copering at the local fair. (He earned money by trading horses, sometimes dishonestly.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Horse-coper (n): a more specific term for a horse trader, emphasizing the dishonest aspect.

    • The horse-coper was known for his slippery deals. (A trader who often cheated customers.)

  • Cooper (n): an alternative spelling for the floating bar meaning, though "cooper" more commonly means a barrel maker.

    • The cooper served ale to the fishermen. (The floating bar served beer.)
Synonyms
  • Horse dealer: a person who buys and sells horses.
  • Jockey: a rider of horses, but sometimes used informally for a horse trader.
  • Tavern: a place where alcoholic drinks are sold (for the floating bar sense).
Phrasal Verbs
  • There are no common phrasal verbs directly derived from "coper."
Related Idioms

  • "To horse-trade": to bargain shrewdly, often with an element of deception.

    • The politician horse-traded for votes. (He engaged in shrewd bargaining, like a coper.)

  • "To sell a horse" (idiom): to sell something with exaggerated claims.

    • He sold the car like a true coper. (He used dishonest sales tactics.)