catolla, n. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

catolla n.

also catoller

[ety. unknown; ? Ital./Sp.; note Egan, Key (1819): ‘This phrase is a recently coined one, and may be termed a new reading for the old flash terms of “a precious sam — a spooney — a muff — a flat — a go-alonger, &c.” or in plain English, a fool. The original catolla (the name of a man who was in the habit of using the Castle [i.e. the Castle Tavern, Holborn, a celebrated sporting inn] was distinguished for his mar-plot qualities and stupid bets. Also in offering wagers, that when called upon to cover, it generally turned out that he had no blunt to stake. Catolla, from proving too annoying, was ultimately laughed out; but unfortunately his family are very numerous, and still continue to furnish amusement for [...] frequenters of the Castle Tavern’]

a noisy, foolish person, esp. one who makes foolish bets.

1819		P. Egan Key to the Picture of the Fancy going to a Fight 11: If the Catolla can stand the grin well, this sort of playful satire affords much laughter.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue n.p.: Catoller A noisy, prating fool: one who annoys the company with proposals for betting , and ultimately never makes a bet. Few evenings pass over at the Castle-Tavern, Holborn, without meeting with a Catoller: in fact, the pass word is, at this celebrated sporting house, that TOM BELCHER would be in danger of losing his licence, if he did not often have a fool or Catoller exhibit himself for the amusement of his visiters.
1832		Egan Bk of Sports 70: [as 1819].