Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. a trap; occas. attrib.

1864, 1867, 1870		Hotten Sl. Dict.
1866		Wild Boys of London I 248/1: I hopes, when I next sees yer, I shan’t have to find yer by going down a patent catch-’em-alive cupboard.
1890–1904		Farmer & Henley Sl. and Its Analogues.
1895		Crowe Aus. Sl. Dict. 16: Catch em Alive, sugared-paper to catch flies.
1905		Sporting Times 25 Feb. 5/2: Free fishers went sailing out on to the ‘Bank,’ / To the ‘catch-’em-alive,’ as the sun went down; / Each thought of the beauties who’d lay in the tank, / And the ‘stuff’ they would barter for, many a crown.

2. a tooth-comb.

1864, 1867, 1870		Hotten Sl. Dict.
1890–1904		Farmer & Henley Sl. and Its Analogues.