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Vole
He has gone the vole - i.e. been everything by turns. Vole is a
deal at cards that draws the whole tricks. The verb vole means
to win all the tricks. Vole is a French word Faire la vole- i.e. “Faire soul toutes les levées,” de voler- i.e. enlever.
“Who is he [Edie Ochiltree]? Why, he has gone the vole - has been
soldier, ballad-singer, travelling tinker, and now a beggar.” —Sir W. Scott: The Antiquary, chap. iv.
Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894 More on Vole from Infoplease:
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