mutton fist

plural mutton fists · alternative mutton-fist · alternative muttonfist

1. archaicslangA big brawny fist or hand.

   Will he, who saw the soldier's mutton-fist, And saw thee mauled, appear within the list[…]?

   1693, Decimus Junius Juvenalis, John Dryden, transl., “[The Satires of Decimus Junius Juvenalis.] (please specify the satire number)”, in The Satires of Decimus Junius Juvenalis. Translated into English Verse. […] Together with the Satires of Aulus Persius Flaccus. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson […], →OCLC

   2 more examples

   One has no notion of him as making use of a fine pen, but a great mutton-fist; his style stuns his readers, and he 'fillips the ear of the public with a threeman beetle'.

   1821, William Hazlitt, “Character of Cobbett”, in Table-Talk

   The little gentleman saw the keeper's great mutton fist very near his head, and thought a second time; he did not like the look of that mutton fist. 'No, keeper,' said he, don't hit me - shake me.'

   1874, T.H.G. (author's initials, presumably), "Recollections of our Stale Contributor" in Baily's Magazine of Sports & Pastimes Volume 25