Brewer's: Slate One

(To). To criticise, expose in print, show up, reprove. A scholastic term. Rebellious and idle boys are slated, that is, their names are set down on a slate to expose their offence, and some punishment is generally awarded.

The journalists there lead each other a dance. If one man `slates' another for what he has done, It is pistols for two, and then coffin for one.

Punch (The Pugnacious Penmen), 1885.

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
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