Why, yes, there is such a thing--at least, I'm looking at an example right now. However, I fear that the writer's grasp of effective imagery leaves something to be desired, if this sentence is representative: "'You know, sweet Lome, how he likes to "suck the Paltiel Nestor's brains," as he phrases listening to Father's entrancing narratives on history, literature, and science.'" Braiiiinnns, yes.
A full report will follow in due course. (No, I haven't forgotten 'Verts!)
Google Books shows some other cases where this is used in the way people more recently said "pick [someone's] brains". Not that that makes it great writing! But it seems less a desperate grab for an effective image, and more a mere cliché.
Posted by: Vance Maverick | May 27, 2011 at 08:30 PM
I can't think why this expression might have died out...
Posted by: Miriam | May 28, 2011 at 06:49 AM