Crockford

/ (ˈkrɒkfəd) /

short for Crockford's Clerical Directory, the standard directory of living Anglican clergy

Word Origin for Crockford

C19: named after John Crockford (1823–65), clerk to Edward William Cox (1809–79), a lawyer who devised the directory

This is not very clearly put, but the meaning is that much more money was lost at Crockford's than on the turf.

The Gaming Table: Its Votaries and Victims |Andrew Steinmetz
As it was impossible for me to return to camp that evening, the captain and Mr. Crockford offered me a bed on board.

Soyer's Culinary Campaign |Alexis Soyer
But the Emperor Napoleon—all ex-member of Crockford's as he is—sensibly declined the tempting bait.

The Gaming Table: Its Votaries and Victims |Andrew Steinmetz
"Crockford's" became the rage, and the votaries of fashion, whether they like play or not, hastened to enroll themselves.

The Gaming Table: Its Votaries and Victims |Andrew Steinmetz

Crockford's old bulk-shop, west of Temple-bar, was taken down in 1846.

Club Life of London, Vol. I (of 2) |John Timbs