E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Corner (A).
The condition of the market with respect to a commodity which has been largely bought up, in order to create a virtual monopoly and enhance its market price; as a salt-corner, a corner in pork, etc. The idea is that the goods are piled and hidden in a corner out of sight.
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“The price of bread rose like a rocket, and speculators wished to corner what little wheat there was.”—New York Weekly Times (June 13, 1894).
