home ruler, n. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

home ruler n.

[? the stereotypical Irish diet of potatoes. The period saw a major agitation by the Fenians in favour of Irish Home Rule; however note cite 1897 (itself a possible anti-Irish joke)]

1. a baked potato, cooked and sold in the street.

[1897		Durham Co. Advertiser 2 Apr. 1/2: [advert] SEED POTATOES for SALE — Fen Regent, very early: Home Ruler, a heavy cropper.
1909		(ref. to 1882) in J. Ware Passing Eng. of the Victorian Era.

2. (Irish) a pint bottle of stout.

1997

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