joe miller Meaning, Definition & Usage

From Joseph Miller, a comic actor, whose name was attached, after his death, to a popular jest book published in 1739.

A jest book; a stale jest; a worn-out joke. Colloq.
It is an old Joe Miller in whist circles, that there are only two reasons that can justify you in not returning trumps to your partner's lead; i. e., first, sudden illness; secondly, having none. Pole.