(1) He came safe from the East Indies, and was drowned in the
Thames. He encountered many dangers of great magnitude, but was at
last killed where he thought himself secure.
(2) To send to the East Indies for Kentish pippins. To go
round about to accomplish a very simple thing. To crush a fly on a
wheel. To send to the Chancellor of the Exchequer for a penny
postage-stamp.
Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
