boil v Cp DC boil the kettle (1785-), boil up (1933-). Phr boil the kettle, boil up: to brew tea, and sometimes to take a snack, during a rest from shipboard or outdoors work; to cook a 'lunch.' Cp MUG UP.
   [1663] 1963 YONGE 57 They bring the fish at the stage head, the foreshipman goes to boil their kettle; the other two throw up the fish on the stage-head. 1854 MARCH 23 In how many instances are they lounging on the beach, or hauling sticks to boil the kettle, or walking to the Government meal depot for provisions? 1869 MCCREA 260 Away you go, then, while Green and I make up the fire and boil the kettle. 1899 Tribune Christmas No 11 We then started on, and made such good time that we 'boiled the kettle' at the Greenwoods, instead of Coxswain's Brook, and without being footsore. 1930 Am Speech vi, 57 Boil a kettle—Not only to boil water for tea but also with meaning of 'take lunch.' 1933 MERRICK 30 At three we boiled up again. It's wonderful how a cup of tea and a smoke and a rest picks you up. 1975 BUTLER 64 They walked across over to Chapel Arm ... and they'd boil up the kettle on the way. 1979 TIZZARD 277 When my father boiled the kettle he usually put a couple of spruce buds in the kettle with the tea leaves and this made for a good cup of tea.

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