knight of the hammer

English

Noun

knight of the hammer (plural knights of the hammer)

  1. (humorous, archaic) An auctioneer.
    • 1887, Harriet W. Daly, Digging, Squatting, and Pioneering Life in the Northern Territory of South Australia, page 344:
      As there was no newspaper in the district, the local knight of the hammer engaged to post up written notices, and send round and tell the boys to "roll up." After breakfast the next morning we got in all our horses, and sorted guns, saddlery, &c., into lots for the auction sale.
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