E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Teague (A).
An Irishman, about equal to Pat or Paddy. Sometimes we find the word Teague-lander. Teague is an Irish servant in Farquhar’s Twin Rivals; in act iii. 2 we find the phrase “a downright Teague,” meaning a regular Irish character — blundering, witty, fond of whisky, and lazy. The name is also introduced in Shadwell’s play, The Lancashire Witches, and Teague O’Divelly, the Irish Priest (1688).
