member for Barkshire

English

Etymology

A pun on member for Berkshire, i.e. a Member of Parliament for that district.

Noun

member for Barkshire (plural members for Barkshire)

1. (idiomatic, archaic, rare) A person who has a cough which causes them to sound as if they are barking.

References

[Francis] Grose [et al.] (1811) “Member for Barkshire”, in Lexicon Balatronicum. A Dictionary of Buckish Slang, University Wit, and Pickpocket Eloquence. […], London: […] C. Chappell, […], →OCLC.