as who should say en · ADP
Etymology
Probably a calque of French comme qui dirait/diroit.
Meanings
-
(dated) as if one should say, as if to say; so to say; in a manner of speaking.
He doth nothing but frowne, as who ſhould ſay, and you will not haue me, chooſe : he heares merrie tales and ſmiles not […]
c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene ii], page 165, column 1:As who ſhould ſay, I am ſir an Oracle, / And when I ope my lips, let no dogge bark.
c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene i], page 164, column 1:The clowdy Meſſenger turnes me his backe, / And hums; as who ſhould ſay, you'l rue the time / That clogges me with this Anſwer.
c. 1606 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene vi], page 143, column 2:
wikipedia: Brill Publishers · wikipedia: Florilegium (journal)