knocker

[nok-er] /ˈnɒk ər/
noun
1.
a person or thing that knocks.
2.
a hinged knob, bar, etc., on a door, for use in knocking.
3.
Informal. a persistent and carping critic; faultfinder.
4.
Slang: Vulgar. a female breast.
Idioms
5.
on the knocker, British Slang. canvassing or selling door-to-door.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English; see knock, -er1
British Dictionary definitions for knockers

knocker

/ˈnɒkə/
noun
1.
an object, usually ornamental and made of metal, attached to a door by a hinge and used for knocking
2.
(informal) a person who finds fault or disparages
3.
(usually pl) (slang) a female breast
4.
a person or thing that knocks
5.
(Austral & NZ, informal) on the knocker, promptly; at once: you pay on the knocker here
Word Origin and History for knockers

knocker

n.

late 14c., agent noun from knock. Sense of "door banger" is by 1590s. Knockers "a woman's breasts" is slang attested from 1941.

Slang definitions & phrases for knockers

knockers

noun

A woman's breasts; hooters: Dumb broads with big knockers, that's what guys go for (1941+)


knocker 1

noun

A consistently negative critic; detractor: that pack of knockers that have been howling (1898+)

Related Terms

apple-knocker


knocker 2

noun

A very important person; big shot, macher: Knocker means a big shot, either real or imagined, and you pronounce that first ''k''

[1960s+; fr Yiddish, literally ''one who cracks or snaps a whip'']