E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Glaucus’ Swop (A).
A one-sided bargain. Alluding to the exchange of armour between Glaucos and Diome’des. As the armour of the Lycian was of gold, and that of the Greek of brass, it was like bartering precious stones for French paste. Moses, in Goldsmith’s Vicar of Wakefield, made “a Glaucus’ swop” with the spectacle-seller.
