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Sheep

Ram or tup, the sire; ewe, the dam; lamb, the new-born sheep till it is weaned, when it is called a hogget; the tup-lamb being a “tup-hogget,” and the ewe-lamb a “ewe-hogget;” if the tup is castrated it is called a wether-hogget.

After the removal of the first fleece, the tup-hogget becomes a shearling, the ewe-hogget a grimmer, and the wether-hogget a dinmont (hence the name “Dandy Dinmont”).

After the removal of the second fleece, the shearling becomes a two-shear tup, the grimmer a ewe, and the dinmont a wether.

After the removal of the third fleece, the ewe is called a twinter-ewe; and when it ceases to breed, a draft-ewe.

The Black Sheep (Kââkoin-loo). A tribe which established a principality in Armenia, that lasted 108 years (1360-1468); so called from the device of their standard.

The White Sheep

(Ak-koin-loo). A tribe which established a principality in Armenia, etc., on the ruin of the Black Sheep (1468-1508); so called from the device of their standard.

To cast a sheep's eye at one

is to look askance, like a sheep, at a person to whom you feel lovingly inclined.

“But he, the beast, was casting sheep's eyes at her.” —Colman: Broad Grins.

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894

Sheet Anchor

Shebeen