cry carrots and turnips

English

Etymology

Probably referring to the vegetables which spectators would pelt at the person drawn on the cart.[1] Green's Dictionary of Slang suggests that the term is of onomatopoeic origin.[2]

Verb

cry carrots and turnips (third-person singular simple present cries carrots and turnips, present participle crying carrots and turnips, simple past and past participle cried carrots and turnips)

  1. (slang, obsolete) To be taken through the streets on a cart while being whipped, as a punishment for certain crimes. [18th c.]
    • 1895, H. B. Marriott Watson, “Of a Meeting at Fulham”, in The Chap-Book: Semi-Monthly, Chicago, I.L.: Stone & Kimball, page 483:
      I had a mighty queer adventure in communion with that foul toad, Titus Oates, whom I afterwards rejoiced to see crying carrots and turnips, with all London looking on.

Usage notes
  • The term has not been in current use since the 18th century, but has occasionally appeared since then in historical fiction.[1]

References
  1. “to cry carrots and turnips” under “turnip, n.”, in OED Online Paid subscription required⁠, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, launched 2000.
  2. Jonathon Green (2024) “cry carrots (and turnips)”, in Green’s Dictionary of Slang
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