Chesterfield Letter 139 (1765) [ Concepts ]
… which in reality they never had. Their conversation is in the decisive and minatory tone; they are for breaking bones, cutting off ears, throwing people out of the window, etc., and all these fine declarations, they ratify with … unfavourable insinuations; as it makes them hope that they may in their turns find an advocate in you. There is another kind of offensiveness often used in company, which is to throw out hints and insinuations, only applicable to and felt by …
Wit | Gentleman
Anthology