corker

American  

[kawr-ker] / ˈkɔr kər /

noun

1. a person or thing that corks.

2. Informal. something that closes a discussion or settles a question.

3. Informal. someone or something that is astonishing or excellent.

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corker British  

/ ˈkɔːkə /

noun

1. slang

   1. something or somebody striking or outstanding

      that was a corker of a joke

   2. an irrefutable remark that puts an end to discussion

2. a person or machine that inserts corks

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Etymology

Origin of corker

First recorded in 1715–25; cork + -er ¹; corker defs. 2, 3 of unclear relation to corker def. 1 and perhaps of distinct origin

Example Sentences

With its lawyerly shenanigans and emotional poignancy, “A Case of Life and Limb” is a real corker, as a policeman who sometimes counsels Gabriel might say.

From The Wall Street Journal

It kicks off with a corker of a line — “Cheerful, grinning people, can’t stand ’em!” — and goes on to scorch everything on the block, from dogs in sweaters to baby clothes with pockets.

From Los Angeles Times

It is going to be a corker of a tie, but City boss Pep Guardiola always goes strong in the FA Cup and, with no Son, that gives the holders the edge.

From BBC

Shannon’s father’s deathbed sequence is an especial corker.

From New York Times

Wall Street has had a corker of a year, with the S&P 500 index up around 27%, with mega-tech companies driving gains.

From The Guardian