Victoria College

FROM THE LIBRARY OF

L. E. HORNING, B.A., Ph.D.

(1858-1925)

PROFESSOR 01 TEUTONIC
PHILOLOGY
VICTORIA COLLEGE
Slang and Colloquial English
 BY THE SAME AUTHOR

AMERICANISMS, OLD AND NEW. 1 voL

SLANG AND ITS ANALOGUES. By John S.

Farmer and W. E. Henley, with the revised

Vol. L 7 vols.
MUSA PEDESTBIS, Slang Songs and Canting
Rhymes (1636-1896). 1 voL

MERRY SONGS AND BALLADS. 5 vols.

CHOICE OF VALENTINES, a hitherto unpublished
MS. of Thomas Nash. 1 voL
A SATYRICALL DIALOGUE. By William God-
dard. 1 voL
DICTIONARY OF THE CANTING CREW, a
photo-facsimile of the oldest Slang Dictionary
extant 1 vol.

THE PUBLIC SCHOOL WORD-BOOK. 1 voL

REGIMENTAL RECORDS OF THE BRITISH
ARMY. 1 voL
A Dictionary of Slang
and Colloquial English
Abridged from the seven-volume work, entitled

Slang and its

Analogues

BY JOHN S. FARMER
AND W. E. HENLEY

LONDON
George Routledge & Sons, Limited
New York: E. P. Button & Co.

1905
<3
 A LIST
OF

AND OTHER WORKS TO WHICH REFERENCE AND

ACKNOWLEDGMENT IS MADE

%* The figures in brackets, thus [1585], which occur in the text may be taken
as indicating, in most cases, the date of the earliest illustrative quotation
'

given in the larger work, Slang and its Analogues.

'

1440. GALFRIDUS GRAMMATICUS Promptorium Parvulorum sive

clericorum. The first English-
Latin Dictionary.
1530. PALSGRAVE, JOHN L'Esclarcissement de la Langue
Francaise.
1552. HULOET, RICHARD Abecedarium Anglico-Latinum pro
Tyrunculis
1553. WITHALS, JOHN . A Little Dictionarie for Children
(Latin and English).
1567. HARMAN, THOMAS Caveat or Warening for Common
Cursetors vulgarly called Vaga-
bones. The earliest Glossary of
the language of " the Canting
Crew."
1570. LEVINS (or LEVENS), PETER Manipulus Vocabulorum.
1575. AWDELEY, JOHN .
Vacabondes, the Fraternatye of, as
well as of ruflyng Vacabones, as
of beggerly, of Women as of
Men, of Gyrles as of Boyes, with
their proper Names and Qualities,
with a Description of the Crafty
Company of Cousoners and
Shifters, also the XXV. Orders
of Knaves; otherwyse called a
Quartern of Knaves, confirmed
by Cocke LorelL
 A List of Dictionarie* and Other Work*.

1686. WITHALS. JOHN . A Shorte Dictionarie in Latine and

English.
1593. HOLLYBAND, CLAUDIUS Dictionarie, French and English.
1595. FLORIO, JOHN A Worlde of Wordes ; a most copi-
ous Dictionarie of the Italian
and English Tongues.
1599. MINSHEU, JOHN . Dictionarie in Spanish and English
(Percivale's ed.).
1611. COTOBAVE, HANDLE Dictionarie de la langue franc aise.
1616. B[ULLOKAB], J[OHN] .
English Expositor of Hard Words.
1617. MINSHEU, JOHN . Guide into the Tongues, English,
British or Welsh, Low Dutch,
High Dutch, French, Italian,
Spanish Portuguese, Latin,Greek,
and Hebrew.
1656. BLOUNT, THOMAS .
Glofisographia, or Dictionary inter-
preting the hard words now used
in our refined English language.
1658. PHILLIPS, EDWABD The New World of English Words,
or a General Dictionary contain-
ing the interpretations of such
hard words as are derived from
other languages (Florio's Dic-
tionary revised).
1660. HOWKLL, JAMES . Lexicon Tetraglotton, an English-
French - Italian - Spanish Dic-
tionary.
1674. HEAD, RICHABD .
Canting Academy, with Compleat
Canting Glossary.
1677. MIEOE, GUY . A New Dictionary, French and
English, with another, English
and French.
c. 1696. E. B., GENT . A New Dictionary of the Terms,
Ancient and Modern, of the Cant-
ing Crew in its several Tribes
(the earliest Slang Dictionary,
per se).
1719. SMITH, CAPT. Lives of Highwaymen, containing
Canting Glossary.
1721. BAILEY, NATHAN . An Universal, Etymological English
Dictionary, comprehending the
Derivation of the Generality of
Words in the English Tongue,
either Ancient or Modern.
1724. SMITH, CAPT. Thieves' Dictionary.
1737. BAILEY, NATHAN Etymological English Dictionary.
A Collection of Ancient and
Modern Cant Words appears as
appendix to VoL ii.
1754. ANON The Scoundrel's Dictionary; or,
An Explanation of the Cant-
words used by Thieves, House-
breakers, Street - robbers, and
Pick-pockete about Town.
1769. FALCONER, WILLIAM A Marine Dictionary.
 A List of Dictionaries and Other Works.

1785. GROSE, FRANCIS . A Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue.

1786. TOOKE, JOHN HORNE Diversions of Purley.
1790. PORTER, JOHN Dictionary of all the Cant and Flash
Languages.
1803. Gradus ad Cantabrigiam, or a Dic-
tionary of the Terms Academical
and Colloquial, or Cant, which
are used at the University.
1808. JAMIESON, JOHN . An Etymological Dictionary of the
Scottish Language. 2vols.,with
supplement, 2 vols.
1812. VAUX, J. H. . Flash Dictionary.
1812. ANON .
Bang-up Dictionary, or the Lounger
and Sportsman's Vade-mecum.
1822. NARES, ROBERT . A Glossary of Words and Phrases,
etc., in the Works of English
Authors, particularly Shake-
speare and his Contemporaries.
(New ed., with considerable
additions by J. O. Halh'well and
Thomas Wright, 1876).
1823. BEE, GEORGE A Dictionary of the Turf, the Ring,
The Chase, the Pit, of Bon Ton
and the Varieties of Life, forming
the completest Lexicon Bala-
tronicum ever offered to the
Sporting World.
1829. GRIMSHAW, WILLIAM . The Ladies' Lexicon and Parlour
Companion.
1841. DANA, R. H., JTJN. Dictionary of Sea Terms.
1846. HALLIWELL, JAMES 0. . A Dictionary of Archaic and Pro-
vincial Words. 2 vols.
1848. BARTLETT, JOHN R. Dictionary of American Words and
-
Phrases (ed. of 1877).
1848. ANON * Sinks of London laid open ; a
Pocket Companion for the Un-
initiated, to which is added a
modern Flash Dictionary, con-
all the Cant Words, Slang
taining
Terms, and Flash Phrases now
in Vogue, with a list of the
Sixty Orders of Prime Coves.
1857. DUCANGE ANGLICUS The Vulgar Tongue. Two Glossaries
of Slang and Flash Words and
Phrases.
1859. A LONDON ANTIQUARY (JOHN A Dictionary of Modern Slang,
CAMDEN HOTTEN) Cant, and Vulgar Words after-
wards entitled The Slang Dic-
tionary, Etymological, Historical,
and Anecdotal (latest ed., 1885).
1859. [Edited by JOHN CAMDEN Liber Vagatorum: Der Betler
HOTTEN] . Orden, 4to. Translated into
English, with Notes, by John
Camden Hotten, as the Book of
Vagabonds and Beggars, with a
Til
 A List of Dictionaries and Other Worla.

vocabulary of their Language

(Rotwdeche Sprach) ; edited, with
preface, by Martin Luther, in
the year 1528.
1879-82. SKBAT, RBV. W. W. Etymological Dictionary of the
English Language, arranged on
an Historical Basis.
1880. BREWER, REV. E. COBHAM . Reader's Handbook of Allusions,
References, Plots, and Stories.
1881. KWONO KI CHIIT . A Dictionary of English Phrases,
with Illustrative Sentences.
1881. DAVTES, REV. T. L. O. . A Supplementary English Glossary.
1881. PASCOB, CHARLES Every -
day Life in our Public
Schools. (Contains a Glossary
of Public School Slang.)
1884-1904. MUBBAY, JAMES A. H. A New English Dictionary on
(withHENBY BRADLEY Historical Principles, Founded
and A. CRAIOIE) mainly on the Materials collected
by the Philological Society. In
Progress.
1886. YULE, COL. H., & BTTBNELL, Hobson-Jobson, being a Glossary
ARTHUR C. of Anglo-Indian Colloquial Words
and Phrases, Etymological, His-
torical, Geographical, and Dis-
cursive.
1886. OLIPHANT, W. KINOTON The New English.
1887. BARRKRE, ALBERT Argot and Slang.
1888. FARMER, JOHN S. . Americanisms, Old and New.
1889. BARRERE, A., and LELAND Slang, Jargon, and Cant.
CHARLES GODFREY .

1900. FARMER, JOHN S. The Public School Word Book.

Till
 Slang and Colloquial English

A. A per se. The best ; first-class ; Haron, a mountaineer.] (2) The

Al (q.v.) : see Tip-top. The usage leader of a gang of thieves ; always
became popular and was extended to '
'
with the as a prefix. (3) leader A
other vocables. As subs., a paragon o the church (1607).
(1470). Al. (1) Prime; first-class, A. B. An [ble]-b[odied] A
seaman.
of the best. The character A denotes Abba. A
term of contempt gen- :

New Ships, of Ships Renewed or Re- eric. As subs., a non-unionist: as adj.,

stored. The Stores of Vessels are de- vile, silly.
noted by the figures 1 and 2 1 signi- ; Aback. To take aback, to surprise,
fying that the Vessel is well and suffi- check :
suddenly and forcibly. [Orig.
ciently found (Key, Lloyd's Register). nautical in which sense (0. E. D.)
:

Also First-class, letter A Al ; copper- dating from 1754.]

bottomed and Al and no mistake
; : Abacter (or Abactor). Stealera
Fr. marque cl V A (money coined in of Cattle or Beasts, by Herds, or great
Paris was formerly stamped with an A). numbers and were distinguished
;

Cf. A per se (1369). (2) Sometimes from Fures (Blount).

(erroneously) No. 1. Atitlefor the com-
mander of 900 men in the army of the
Irish Republican Brotherhood obso-
lete Fenian. Not knowing great A (ora
K\ irnvn n 7)7/'*.//W tr>r n hnHloJ- \
Abaddon. A thief turned informer ;
a snitcher (q.v.). [Obviously a Jew
: fence's punning reference to Abaddon,
the angel of the bottomless pit ; Rev.
i-r n i

lannaad).
ana) thief.
:ewer A :

ma lad.]
pi., spec.
tten Row.
abstract ;
The late Mr. W. E. Henley, who died in
not responsible for errors . A bawd;
July, i go 3, is any 'q.v.) : cf.

in this volume abridged in 1904-5 from X5. (1770.)

bbey to a
Slang and Analogues, in seven volumes,
its o able to
ak it of an
edited by him and by Mr. J. P. Farmer
xpressions
jpence ; to
jointly. make of a
D thwite a
rick ; His
*> a nut-
-sister.
 A List of Dictionaries and Other Works.

vocabulary of their Language

(Rotwdsche Sprach) ; edited, with
preface, by Martin Luther, in
the year 1528.
1879-82. SKKAT, REV. W. W. Etymological Dictionary of the
English Language, arranged on
an Historical Basis.
1880. BREWER, REV. E. COBHAM . Reader's Handbook of Allusions,
References, Plots, and Stories.
1881. KWONO KI Cmu . A Dictionary of English Phrases,
with Illustrative Sentences.
1881. DAVIES, REV. T. L. 0. . A Supplementary English Glossary.
1881. PASCOB, CHARLES Every - day Life in our Public
Schools. (Contains a Glossary
of Public School Slang.)
1884-1904. MURRAY, JAMBS A. H. A New English Dictionary on
(with HENBY BRADLEY Historical Principles, Founded
and A. CRAIOIE) mainly on the Materials collected
by the Philological Society. In
Progress.
1886. YULE, COL. H., & BUBNELL, Hobson-Jobson, being a Glossary
ARTHUR C. of Anglo-Indian Colloquial Words
and Phrases, Etymological, His-
torical, Geographical, and Dis-
cursive.
1886. OLIPHANT, W. KINQTON The New English.
1887. BARRERE, ALBERT Argot and Slang.
1888. FARMER, JOHN S. . Americanisms, Old and New.
1889. BARRERE, A., and LELAND, Slang, Jargon, and Cant.
CHARLES GODFREY .

1900. FARMER, JOHN S. The Public School Word Book.

Till
 Slang and Colloquial English

A. A per se. The best ; first-class ; Haron, a mountaineer.] (2) The

Al (q.v.) : see The usage
Tip- top. leader of a gang of thieves ; always
became popular and was extended to with the ' as a prefix.
'

(3) leader A
other vocables. As subs., a paragon o the church (1607).
(1470). Al. (1) Prime; first-class, A. B. An [ble]-b[odied]Aseaman.
of the best. The character A denotes Abba. A term of contempt gen- :

New Ships, of Ships Renewed or Re- eric. As subs., a non-unionist as adj., :

stored. The Stores of Vessels are de- vile, silly.

noted by the figures 1 and 2 1 signi- ; Aback. To take aback, to surprise,
fying that the Vessel is well and suffi- check :
suddenly and forcibly. [Orig.
ciently found (Key, Lloyd's Register). nautical in which sense (0. E. D.)
:

Also First-class, letter A Al; copper- dating from 1754.]

bottomed and Al and no mistake
;
Fr. marque cl VA (money coined in
Pariswas formerly stamped with an A).
Cf. A per se (1369). (2) Sometimes
(erroneously) No. 1. Atitlefor the com-
mander of 900 men in the army of the
Irish Republican Brotherhood obso-
lete Fenian. Not knowing great A (ora
B) from a bull's-foot (or a battledore),
: Abacter (or Abactor). Stealera
of Cattle or Beasts, by Herds, or great
numbers ; and were distinguished
from Fures (Blount).
Abaddon. A thief turned informer ;
a snitcher (q.v.). [Obviously a Jew
: fence'spunning reference to Abaddon,
the angel of the bottomless pit ; Rev.
ix. 11.]

ignorant, illiterate see B.

: What Abandannad (or Abandannaad).
with A, and what with B see What. :
( 1) A handkerchief (or bandanna) thief.
To get one's A (Harrow), to pass a Hence (2) a petty thief.[Brewer A :

certain standard in the gymnasium: contraction (sic) ofa bandanna lad.]

the next step is to the Gymnasium Abandoned Habit. In pi., spec.
Eight. To A
(Felsted School), to
get the riding demi-monde in Rotten Row.
be (practically) free of all restriction as Abber (Harrow). (1) An abstract;
to bounds nominally the other bounds
:
(2) an absit (q.v.).
were, B, the ordinary limit, the roads Abbess (or Lady Abbess). A bawd;
about a mile from the school ; C, a stewardess of the stews (q.v.) : cf.
punishment bounds, confinement to the Abbot; Nun; Sacristan; etc. (1770.)
cricket field and playground ; and D, Abbey. To bring an abbey to a
confinement to the old school-house grange, squander toalso able to :

playground, one of the commonest buy an abbey (Say we speak it of an :

forms of punishment till 1876, when unthrift). Among kindred expressions

the present school-house was opened : are To bring a noble to ninepence ; to
:

D
C and were also known respectively make of a lance a thorn to make of a ;

as Mongrel and Quod. pair of breeches a purse ; to thwite a

Aaron (1) A
cadger (q.v.) ; a mill - post to a pudding - prick ; Hia
beggar mountain-guide. [Gesenius : wind-mill is dwindled into a nut-
prob. Heb. Aaron is a derivative of cracker ; from abbess to lay-sister.
 Abbey-laird. Abroad.

Abbey-laird. An insolvent debtor : Ablewhackets (or Abelwhackets).

pec.one sheltered in the sanctuary of A popular sea game with cards,
Holyrood Abbey. (1709.) wherein the loser is beaten over the
Abbey - lubber (or loon). An palms of the hands with a handkerchief
idler, vagabond :
orig. (prior to the tightly twisted like a rope. Very popu-
Reformation) a lazy monk or hanger-on lar with horny-fisted sailors (Smyth).
to a religious house. Hence abbey- Aboard. A gamester's term for
lubber-like, lazy, thriftless, ne'er-do- getting even in score.
well : see Lubber. (1509.) About See East, Right, Size.
Abbot. A bawd's man :
ponce Above. See Bend, Par, Hooka,
(q.v.) : see Abbess. Whence Abbot on Huckleberry, Persimmon.
the cross (or croziered abbot), the bully Abracadabra. (1) A cabalistic
(q.v.) of a brothel. Abbot (or Lord) of word, formerly used as a charm. Hence
Misrule, the leader of the Christmas (2), any word-charm, verbal jingle,
revels. Also (Scots) Abbot of unreason, gibberish, nonsense, or extravagancy.
and FT. AbbtdeLiease (Abbot of Joy). Abraham. 1. A cheap clothier's,
(1591.) slop or hand-me-down shop
(q.v.),
Abbotts' King's
Priory. The (q.v.).Hence Abraham work, ill-paid
Bench Prison Abbotfs Park, the rules
: work, sweated labour (see Abraham-
thereof (Grose, 1823, Bee). [Sir Charles man). 2. Auburn formerly written :

. Abbott, afterwards Lord Tenterden, abern and abron also Abram and:

was Lord C.-J. of the King's Bench, Abraham-coloured. (1592.) 3. See

1818.] Abraham- man.
ABC (The). 1. The A B C Abraham Grains. A publican
(Alphabetical) Railway Guide. 2. brewing his own beer.
(London). An establishment of the Abraham-man (Abram, Abram-
ASrated Bread Company: orig. bakers, man or Abram-cove). A sturdy
now refreshment caterers. Hence beggar (1567): also Bedlam beggar
ABC girl, a waitress therein. 3. (q.v.) and Tom of Bedlam. These
(Christ's), Ale, .Bread, and Cheese on sturdy beggars roamed the country,
going home night. 4. Generic for begging and stealing, down to the
beginnings :
thus, like (or as easy as) period of the Civil Wars.] Hence
ABC, facile, as simple as learning To sham (or do) Abram (or to Abraham
the alphabet ; down to the A BC, down sham), to feign madness, sham sick
to first principles, or the simplest rudi- (nautical). Also Abram, naked, mad,
ments. (1595.) shamming sick Abraham-work, shams
;

Abear. To endure, suffer. [O.E.D.: of all kinds, false pretences whence to :

A word of honourable antiquity ; go on the Abraham suit, to resort to

widely diffused in the dialects ; in trick or artifice. The mad of Tom
London reckoned as a vulgarism. King Lear is an Abram-man : see
(885 with a gap to c. 1836)]. Edgar's description, iii. 4.]
Aberdeen Cutlet A dried had- Abraham Newl and. A bank note.
dock : cf.
Billingsgate pheasant. [Abraham Newland was chief cashier
Abigail. A
waiting-woman, lady's to the Bank of England, from 1778 to
maid. [Abigail, a waiting gentlewoman 1807.] Hence To sham Abraham, to
in The Scornful Lady (1616) by Beau- forge bank paper.
mont and Fletcher also see 1 Sam. : Abraham's Balm. Hanging: see
xxv. 24-31.] Hence Abigailthip Ladder.
(Grose). Cf. Andrew, Acre*, etc. Abraham's - bosom. Dead and
(1663.) gone to heaven : cf. Luke xvi. 22.

Abingdon-law. Summary punish- Abraham's eye. A magic charm,

ment : cf. Stafford-law ; Lydford-law ; the application of which was supposed
Scarborough- warning, etc. [In 1645, to deprive a thief, who refused to con-
lord Essex and Waller held Abingdon, fess his crime, of eyesight.
in Berks, against Charles I. The town Abraham's Willing. A shilling:
was unsuccessfully attacked by Sir see Rhino.
Stephen Hawkins in 1644, and by Abroad. 1. Wide of
the mark, out
prince Rupert in 1645. On theae occa- of one's reckoning, perplexed. To
sions the defenders put every Irish come abroad (Winchester), to return to
prisoner to death without trial] school work after sickness ; to be on
2
 Abroaded. Ace.

the sick list is to be continent (q.v.). servants without characters, which are
Also to be furked abroad, to be sent back there concocted ; and gammoning-
to school after going continent: an academy, a reformatory (B. E., Grose,
implication of shamming. Bee, Matsell.)
Abroaded. A noble defaulter on Accident. ( 1 ) Seduction ; and (2)
the continent to avoid creditors was a bastard see By-blow. :

said to be abroaded ; also police slang Accommodate. 1. To equip, supply,

for convicts sent to a colonial or penal provide. [ Jonson, Discoveries : one of
settlement, but likewise applied by the perfumed terms of the time,
thieves to imprisonment merely. Halliwell the indefinite use is well
:

Abs (Winchester). (1) Absent: ridiculed by Bardolph's vain attempt to

placed against the name of a boy when define it (2 H. IV., iii. 2. 77) : cf. to
absent from school. Also (2) to take accommodate with a loan, or with cash
away. Formerly, circa 1840, to abs a for a cheque.] (1597.) 2. To part a bet,
tolly (candle), meant to put itout; now, or to let a person go halves (that is to
to take it away, whether lighted or accommodate him) in a bet that is likely
unlighted :the modern notion (q.v.) to come off successful. It is also, in an
for putting it out being to dump it. ironical manner, to believe a person
(3) To get (or put) away ; generally in when you are well assured he is uttering
the imperative e.g. abs
:
Hence, ! a lie, by observing you believe what he
to abs quickly, to stir one's stumps is saying, merely to accommodate him
(q.v.), or to put things away with (Grose).
speed. To have one's wind absed, to Accompany. To cohabit. (1500.)
get a breather (q.v.). Account. To cast up accounts
Abscotchalater. One in hiding (one's gorge, or reckoning). 1. To
from the police cf. Absquatulate.
: vomit, cat (or shoot the cat) (q.v.):
Absence (Eton). Names -
calling. orig. to cast, thence by punning exten-
(1856.) sion (Ray, Grose) also to audit one's
:

Absent. Absent without leave, of accounts at the Court of Neptune

one who has broken prison, or ab- (1484). 2. To turn King's evidence.
sconded. To go on the account, to join a fili-
Absentee. A convici. bustering or buccaneering expedition,
Absent-minded Beggar. Tommy turn pirate. [Ogttvie: probably from
Atkins (q.v. ) popularised by Kipling's
: the parties sharing, as in a commercial
verses in aid of the wives and children venture.] (1812.) To account for, to
of soldiers serving in South Africa dur- kill, literally to be answerable for
ing the Boer War. bringing down one's share of the shoot-
Absit. Every undergraduate wish- ing ; make away with. (1846.) To
ing to leave Cambridge for a whole day, give a good account of, to be successful,
not including a night, must obtain an do one's duty by : e.g. The stable gave
absit from his tutor. Permission to go a good account of their trainer.
away for a longer period ... is called (1684.)
an exeat. Accoutrement. In pi., fine
Abskize Abschize).
(or To de- rigging (now) for Men or Women,
camp : see Bunk. [Said to be of (formerly) only Trappings for Horses.
Western origin, circa 1833.] Well accoutred, gentilly dress'd
Absquatulate (or Absquotilate). (B. E.). [A recognised usage from the
To decamp, skedaddle (q.v.) see : middle of the 16th century.]
Bunk. (1833.) Accumulative. A sort of jour-
Academy. (1) A gang of thieves ; nalistic sparring match, codicil (q.v.).
(2) arendezvous for thieves, harlots, or Accumulator. A
backer, success-
gamesters; and (3) a prison. Hence ful with one horse,carrying forward the
Academician, (1) a thief, and (2) a stakes to another event.
harlot. Also buzzing academy, a train- Ace. The smallest standard of
ing school for pickpockets ; canting- value : also ambs-ace see Rap, Straw, :

academy, ( 1 ) a common lodging-house, etc. Hence To bate an ace, to make a

dossing-ken (q.v.), or house of call for slight reduction also bate me an ace,
:

beggars, and (2) a likely house for quoth Bolton, a derisive retort with- ;

working (q.v.) ; floating academy, the in an ace (or amb's-ace), nearly, within
hulks; character academy, a resort of a shade see Ames Ace. (1528.)
:
 Ace of Spades. Admired.

Ace of Spades. 1. A widow. 2. saw : When Adam delved and Eve

A black-haired woman. span, Who was then the gentleman ?
Ack (Christ's). No ! refusal of a Hence Adam's profession, spade work
request, e.g. Lend me your book. (i.e. gardening).
(1602.)
Ack! Adam Tiler (or Adam). An
Ackman (Ackpirate or Ackruff). accomplice. (1696.)
A fresh-water thief or pirate. [Cf. Add. To add to the list, to geld,
dialectic Acker, flood-tide, a bore, and add to the list of geldings in train-
Ark.] ing-
Acknowledge. To aclcntndedge the Addition. Colouring matter, or
torn, to confess, make an admission : cosmetics used for the face. ( 1 704. )
as to an accusation, failure, etc. Addition, Division, and Silence 1
(1846.) A Philadelphia catch phrase properly:

Acock-horse (or Acock). (1) multiplication, division, and silence a \

Triumphant; also (2) defiantly. reply given by William (Boss) Tweed

(1611.) when asked the proper qualification for
Acorn. Horse foaled of an acorn, a ring or trust (1872.)
the gallows see Ladder and Nubbing-
: Addle. To addle the shoon, to roll
cheat (Grose). (1694.) on the back from side to side : of
''Acquisitive. Plunder, booty, horses. [In the South a horse is then
pickings. said to earn a gallon of oats.]
Acreocracy. The landed interest : Addle-egg. Addle egg and Idle
cf. Snobocracy, Squattocracy, Mob- head, anything worthless, an abortion.
ocracy, Cottonocracy, Slavocracy, etc. (1589.)
Acres. A
coward see The Rivals, : Addle- brain (-cove, -head, or
v. 13. (1775.) -pate). A stupid bungler, dullard,
Acrobat. A glass [i.e. tumbler]. one full of Whimsies and Projects, and
Across. Across lots, (1) by the as empty of Wit (B. E. and Grose).
shortest way ;completely. (1848. )
(2) Hence addle-brained, etc. (1 580. )
Acteon. A
cuckold, also as verb : Addle-plot A marplot, spoil-sport,
whence Acieon's badge, the stigma Martin-mar-all (B. E. and Grose).
of cuckoldom (B. E., Grose, Bee). Adjective- Jerker. A writer for
(1596.) the press ; ink-slinger (q.v.).
Acting Dicky. temporary 1. A Adjutant's Gig. The barrack
appointment which may, or may not, roller :
usually drawn by men under
be confirmed by the Admiralty ; an punishment
acting-order. 2. A
man acting in the Admiral. Admiral of the Blue, a
name of an enrolled solicitor. tapster from the colour of his apron
:

Active Citizen. louse see A :

(Grose). (1731.) Admiral of the
Chates (Grose and Bee). Narrow Seas, a man vomiting into the
Act Parliament Small beer,
of lap of his neighbour or vis-b-vis (Grose).
by an act of Parlia-
five pints of which, Admiral of the Red, a sot see Lushing-
:

ment, a landlord was formerly obliged ton. Admiral of the Red, White, and
to give gratis to each soldier billeted Blue, a beadle, hall-porter, or similar
upon him. functionary when
sporting the livery
Actual. Money ; generic : see of office. of the White, a
Admiral
Rhino: also the actual. (1856.) white-faced person, coward, woman in
Ad (or Adver). An advertisement. a faint Yalow Admiral, a rear-
(1854.) admiral retired without service afloat
Adam. 1. A
bailiff (Comedy of after promotion. [Admirals of the red,
Errors, iv. 3). 2. A
master man, fore- the white, or the blue, were grades in
man : see Adam's Ale and Adam Tiler. naval rank prior to 1864, according to
Adamed. Married. the colour of the ensign displayed all :

Adam's- ale (-wine, or Adam). admirals now fly the white ensign, and
Water. (1643.) English synonyms, they rank as Admiral of the Fleet,
aqua pura ; aqua pompaginis ; fish Admiral, Vice-Admiral, and Rear-
broth ; pure element. Admiral.] To tap the Admiral, (1) to
Adam's-apple. The thyroid car- suck the monkey see quots. ; Germ.
:

tilage also Adam's- morsel.

:
(1586.) Den Affen saugcn. Also (2) to drink
Adam's -arms. A spade; cf. old on the sly. (1834.)
 Admiral's Regiment. Aggravator.

Admiral's Regiment (The). The urtica non pisci in herba, He that's

Royal Marines also nicknamed The; afraid of every nettle must not piss in
Little Grenadiers, The Jollies, and the grass) ; He that's afraid of leaves
The Globe Rangers. must not come in a wood (French, Qui
Adonis. 1. A dandy, exquisite. a peur des feuittes ne doit pas oiler au
Hence, to ad-onize, to dandify, dress bois : Ital., Nbn entri tra rocca e fuso
to kill : of men only. (1611.) 2. A chi non vuol esser filato) ; He that's
wig. (1760.) afraid of the wagging of feathers must
Adrift. Loose I'll turn ye adrift, keep from among wild fowl ; He
a Tar phrase ; I'll prevent ye doing me that's afraid of wounds must not come
any harm (B. E.); also (Orose) adrift, near a battle ; He's never likely to
discharged. Hence, astray, puzzled, have a good thing cheap that's afraid to
distracted. (1690.) ask the price ;Afraid of far enough
Adsum (Charterhouse). A response (fearful of what is not likely to happen)
in answer to a summons or names- Afraid of him that died last year
calling. (1821.) (fearful of a shadow) ; Afraid of the
Adullamites. 1. A nickname for hatchet lest the helve strike him ;
seceding Liberals who in 1866 voted Afraid of his shadow ; More afraid
Tory because dissatisfied with a Liberal than hurt.
measure for the extension of the Fran- After. A long way after, of a
chise. [See 1 Sam. xxii. 1.] The sketch, cartoon, or burlesque of aclassic
political party in question were picture, book, etc.
also known collectively as The After -clap. (1) Anything unex-
Cave. Hence (2) Adullamy, ratting pected (spec, disagreeable), after the
(q.v.). conclusion of a matter. Hence (2) a
Advantage. 1. A thirteenth: demand made over and above a
added to a dozen of anything (2) ; stipulated price, or for an amount
something in addition also vantage. :
already paid (Orose). (14th century.)
See Baker's dozen and Lagniappe. After - dinner Man (or After-
(1641.) To play upon advantage, to noon's - man). A man who drinks
cheat. (1592.) long into the afternoon it was the
:

^Egrotat (/Eger). 1. An excuse custom, formerly, to dine in the halls

for absenceon account of sickness ; (2) of our Inns of Court about noon, and
a medical or other certificate of indis- those who returned after dinner to work
position (Grose). [Mgritude, sickness; must have been much devoted to
Mgroiat, an invalid. (1532).] Hence business, or obliged to work at unusual
reading-cegrotant, leave taken to read hours by an excess of it. (1614.)
for a degree ; oeger-room (Felsted), the Afternoon-buyer. One who buys
sick room. Lat. he is sick.] Oradus not until after the market dinner,
ad Cantab., 1803. thereby hoping to buy cheaper.
Affidavit-man. false witness, A Afternoon - farmer. A laggard ;
said to attend Westminster Hall, and spec, a farmer late in preparing his
other courts of justice, ready to swear land, in sowing or harvesting his crops;
anything for hire (Orose). hence one who loses his opportunities.
Afflicke. thief. A
(1610.) Afternoon-tea (Roy. High Sch.,
Afflicted. Drunk : see Screwed Edin.). Detention after three o'clock.
(Say). After Twelve. See Twelve.
Afflictions. Mourning goods :
Against. Against the grain
e.g. Afflictions are quiet, there is little (collar, or hair), contrary to inclination,
demand for mourning. Mitigated unpleasant, unwillingly done (Grose).
afflictions, half mourning. (1589.) To run against, to meet by
Affygraphy. To an affygraphy, accident : e.g. I ran against him the
to a nicety, a T. In an affygraphy, other day in Brighton.
in a moment, directly. Agaze. Astonished, open - eyed
Afloat. Drunk: see Screwed: also (Hatsell.) (1400.)
with back teeth well afloat. -agger (Charterhouse). As in Com-
Afraid. colloquial Among and binaggers, & combination suit :
esp.
proverbial sayings are : He that's football attire.
afraid of grass must not piss in a Aggravator ( Aggerawator, or
meadow (Ital. Chi ha paura d"ogni Haggerawator). A lock of hair
 Agitator. Air.

brought down from the forehead, well regiment, viz. An Eagle with the
greased, and twisted in a spiral on the figure 8 below.]
temple, either toward the ear, or con- Aim. (B. E.) Endeavour or
versely toward the outer corner of the Design ... he has missed his Aim
eye. Usually in pi., once an aid to or end.*
beauty now rare. English synonyms
: : Ain't (Hain't or An't). That is,
bell-ropes beau-catchers ; cobbler's-
; are not, am not, is not, have not,
knots ; cowlicks ; lore-locks ; Newgate [0. E. D., in the popular dialect of
knockers ; number sixes ; spit-curls. London, Cockney speech in Dickens,
(1836.) etc.] See A'nt* (1701.)
Agitator. 1. In Eng. Hist., an Air. Castles in the air (the tines,
agent, one who acts for others ; a name in Spain, etc.), generic for (1) the
given to the agents or delegates of the impossible, (2) imagination, and (3)
private soldiers in the Parliamentary hope : see infra. To build castle*,
Army, 1647-9 ; in which use it varied (1) to attempt the impossible;
with" Adjutator (O. E. D.). J. A. H. (2) to dream of visionary project*,
Murray. Careful investigation satisfies indulge in idle dreams ; and (3) to be
me that Agitator was the actual title, sanguine of success. Hence in the air,
and Adjutator originally only a bad (1) uncertain, in doubt, and (2)
spelling of soldiers familiar with anticipated (in men's minds) a*
Adjutants and the Adjutors of 1641.] likely ; air-built, chimerical ; air-castle,
2. A
bell-rope, or knocker. To agitate the land of dreams and fancies;
the,communicator, to ring the bell. air-monger, a dreamer see Spain.
:

Agogare. Be quick a warning !

Analogous phrases [avowedly generic,
signal (New York Slang Dictionary). and inserted in this place because as
Agony. To
(or on) the
pile up convenient as any other the senses,:

agony, to exaggerate, use the tallest too, must obviously sometimes over-
terms in lieu of the simplest, cry Hell! lap]. 1. (the impossible), to square
when all you mean is Goodness the circle, wash a blackamore white,
gracious : as a newspaper when
! skin a flint, make a silk purse out of a
writing up murder, divorce, and other sow's ear, make bricks without straw,
sensations. Also to agonize. Hence weave a rope of sand, ex tract sunbeams
Agony-piler, a player in sensational from cucumbers, set the Thames on
parts: see Agony-column. (1857.) fire, milk a he-goat into a sieve, catch
Agony-column. A special column a weasel asleep, be in two places
in newspapers devoted to harrowing at once, plough the air, wash the
advertisements of missing friends and Ethiopian, measure a twig, demand a
private business orig. the second
: tribute of the dead, teach a pig to play
column of the Times. (1870.) on a flute, catch the wind in a net,
Agree. To
agree like pickpockets change a fly into an elephant, take the
in a fair, to agree not at all. Other spring from the year, put a rope in
similes of the kind are, To agree like the eye of a needle, draw water with
bells,they want nothing but hang- a sieve, number the waves ; also
ing ; To agree like cats and
and (French) prendre la lune avec Us dents ;
dogs (or like harp and harrow). rompre Farguille auge nou. 2. ( imagina-
Agricultural- implement A tion), to have maggots, or whimseys ;
spade a spade a spade and not
; call to see an air-drawn dagger, the flying
an agricultural implement, a direct Dutchman, the great sea-serpent, the
call to very plain speech. man in the moon to dream of Utopia,
;

Aground (Grose). Stuck fast ; Atlantis, the happyvalley, the isles of

stopped; at a loss; ruined; like a boat the West, the millennium, of fairyland,
or vessel aground. [This accepted the land of Prester John, the kingdom
figurative use of the nautical phrase was of Micomicon ; to set one's wits to
rare prior to the nineteenth century.] work, strain (or crack) one's invention,
Algiers (The). The
1st battalion rack (ransack, or cudgel) one's brains.
of The Royal Irish Fusiliers, late The 3. (hope), to seek the pot of gold (Fr.
87th Foot [At Barrosa they captured pot au lait), dream of Alnaachar, live
the Eagle of the 8th French Light in a fool's paradise ; see a bit of
Infantry, a fact now commemorated in blue sky, the silver lining in the cloud,
one of the distinctive badges of the the bottom of Pandora's box, catch at
6
 Air-and-exercise. AU.

a straw, hope against hope, reckon qualified swimmer. [The Alders, a

one's chickens before they are hatched. deep pool in the Chelmer see :

Air of a face or Picture (B. E., 1696), Farmer, Public School Word Book.']
the Configuration and Consent of Parts Blood and guts alderman : see Blood
in each. For this 1 8th century quots. and guts.
are given in 0. E. Z>.] To air one's Alderman Alder-
Lushington.
vocabulary, to talk for phrasing's sake, man Lushington concerned (or he has
is
flash the gab (q.v.). [One of the wite been voting for the Alderman), drunk.
of the time of George IV., asked Alderman's Pace. A leisurely
what was going on in the House of walking, slow gate (Cotgrave).
Commons, answered that Lord Castle- Aldgate. Draught on the pump at
reagh was airing his vocabulary.] To Aldgate, a worthless bill of exchange
air one's heels, to loiter, hang about : (Grose).
see Cool and Heels. Ale. (1) A merry-making; and
Air-and-exercise. (1) A whipping occasion for drinking. There were
at the cart's tail ; shoving the tumbler bride-ales, church-ales, clerk-ales, give-
(q.v.). Also (2) the revolving pillory ; ales, lamb-ales, leet-ales, Midsummer-
and (3), penal servitude (in America, ales, Scot-ales, Whitsun-ales, and
a short term of imprisonment) (Grose). several more. (2) An ale-house. Hence
Airing. See Out. alecie (or alecy), drunkenness ; ale-
Air-line. See Bee-line. blown (ale-washed or alecied), drunk ;
Airy (B. E.), Light, brisk, pleasant. ale-draper (whence ale-drapery), an
. . . He is an Airy Fellow. inn-keeper (Grose of. ale-yard) ; ale- :

Ajax
(or Jakes). privy ; a Jakes A spinner, a brewer ; ale-knight (ale-stake,
(q.v.): Sir John Harrington, in 1596, or ale-toast), a tippler, pot-companion ;
published his celebrated tract, called ale-post, a maypole (Grose); ale-passion,
The metamorphosis of Ajax, by a headache ale-pock, an ulcered grog-
;

which he meant the improvement of blossom (q.v.) ale-crummed, grogshot

;

a jakes, or necessary, by forming it in the face ; ale-swilling, tippling, etc.

into what we now call a water-closet, (1362). (3) In pi., Messrs S. Allsopp
of which Sir John was clearly the and Sons Limited Shares. See Adam's
inventor. Also a rm of abuse Ale.
(1551.) Alexander. 1. To hang. [Rogers :

Akerman's Hotel. Newgate From the harsh and merciless manner

prison. [The governor's name was in which Sir Jerome Alexander, an Irish
Akerman, c. 1787.] judge (1660-1674) and founder of the
Akeybo (Hotten). A slang phrase Alexander Library at Trinity College,
used in the following manner: He Dublin, carried out the duties of his
beats akeybo, and akeybobeat the devil. office.] 2. To extol as an Alexander
A-la-Mort. See Amort. the Great. (1700.)
Albany Beef. The flesh of the Alexandra Limp. An affected
sturgeon. [Some parts of the fish have lameness ; cf Grecian bend and Roman
.

a resemblance, in colour, and taste, to fall.

beef caught in large numbers as far
: Alfred David. An affidavit : also
up the Hudson River as Albany.] affidavy, davy, and (occasionally) after-
Albertopolis. The Kensington davy.
Gore district : out of compliment to Algerine. (1) A manager-baiter,
the late Prince Consort, who was closely espec. whenthe ghost (q.v.) will not
identified with the Albert Hall and the walk (q.v.). Also (2) a petty borrower.
Exhibition buildings of 1862. Alive. Alive occurs as an intensive
Albonized. Whitened [L, albus], and expletive :
e.g. alive and kicking,
Alderman. 1. A half -crown, 2s. very sprightly, there (q.v.) ; also all
all
6d. : see Rhino. 2. A long clay pipe ; alive ; man (heart, or sakes) alive (an !

a churchwarden roasted
(q.v.). 3. A emphatic address) ; to look alive, to
turkey garnished with sausages ; the make haste ; all alive, slovenly made
latter are supposed to represent the (of garments).
gold chain worn by these magistrates. All. In pi., belongings spec, tools : :

4.A jemmy (q.v.) : sometimes alder- also awls see Bens.

: Hence to pack
man jemmy : a weightier tool is the up one's alls ; ( 1 ) to begone, to desist ;
Lord Mayor (q.v.). 5. (Felsted). A (2) see All-nations. The five aMn, &
 Attacompain. All-standing.

country sign, representing five human The Alley, Change Alley : cf. House,
figures, each having a motto under him Lane, Street, etc. (1720.)
the first is a king in his regalia his ; All - fired. A general intensive :

motto, 1 govern all tho second, a :

e.g. (violent) abuse ; an all-
oil-fired
bishop in pontificals motto, I pray for ; fired (tremendous) noise ; an all-fired
all third, a lawyer in his gown ; motto,
:
(very great) hurry, etc. Also as adv.
I plead for all fourth, a soldier in his :
unusually, excessively.
regimentals, fully accoutred ; motto, I All-get-out That beats all-get-out,
fight for all fifth, a poor countryman
: a retort to any extravagant story of
with his scythe and rake ; motto, I pay assertion.
for all (Grose). At all ! The cry of All-harbour-light All right
a gamester full of cash and spirit, mean- Allicholly. Melancholy, solemn-
ing that he will play for any sums the cholly (q.v.). (1595.)
company may choose to risk against All Nations. 1. The
tap-droppings
him (HaUiwell). Alfa quiet on the, of spirts and malt liquors : also alls, or
Potomac, a period of rest, enjoyment, all sorts (Grose). 2. A parti-coloured
peace. [The phrase dates from the or patched garment ; a Joseph's coat
Civil. War; its frequent repetition in the All-night- man. A body-snatcher ;
bulletins of the War Secretary made it a resurrectionist (q.v.).
ridiculous to the public.] Phrases and Allot To allot upon, to count upon,
colloquialisms. All about in one's head, reckon (q.v.), calculate (q.v.). (1816.)
light-headed ; all about it, the whole of All-out A bumper, carouse. Hence
the matter ; all-around, thorough, all to drink all out, to drain a bumper.
round (q.v.) ; all at sea, uncertain, (1530.)
vague ; all face, naked ; on all fours, All-overish. An indefinite feeling
fairly, equally, holiday at exactly ; all of apprehension or satisfaction. Also
Peckham, hungry, done for ; all in to feel all over alike, and touch nowhere,
(Stock Exchange), slow, fiat (q.v.) : of to feel confusedly happy. Also as subs.
a market when there is a disposition to (1841.)
sell ; whence, all out, improving ; all All-over-pattern. A term used
over, thoroughly, entirely, exactly ; all to denote a design in which the whole
round my
hat, queer, all-overish (q.v.) : of a field is covered with ornament in
That's all round my hat, Bosh spicy ! contradistinction to such as have units
as all round my hat, sensational ; all only at intervals, leaving spaces of the
serene, all's well, O.K. You know ground between them.
what I'm after ; all up with, finished, Allow (Harrow). A boy's weekly
done for ; all T.H., of the best, very allo wance. Also, to admit, declare, in-
good indeed (tailors'), all there (q.v.). tend, think. (1580.)
See also Alive ; All-nations ; Along ; All-round (Amer. All-around).
Beat ; Betty Martin ; Blue ; Bandy ; Generally capable, adaptable, or in-
Caboose ; Cheek ; Dickey ; Fly ; clusive ; affecting all alike :
e.g. an all-
Gammon Gay Go Heap ; ; Hollow ;
; ; round (average) rent ; an all-round
Hough Jaw ; ; Lombard-street Mops- ; ( thorough ) scamp; an all-round cricketer,

and- brooms ; Mouth ; Out ; Pieces ; one good alike at batting, bowling, and
Sheep ; Shop ; Shoot Skittles Smash ; ; ; fielding. Hence all-rounder.
Smoke; There; Up; Way; Way- All-rounder. 1. A shirt collar;
down. spec, one the same height all round the
Allacompain. Rain: also alacom- neck, meeting in front, or (as in clerical
pain, alicumpane, elecampain : cf. collars) at the back. (1857.) 2. See
France and Spain. All-round.
All- (or I'm-) afloat. A coat. Allslops. Allsopp and Sons' ale.
All- bones. thin A bony person. [At one time their brew, formerly
(1602.) of the finest quality, had greatly de-
Alleviator. A drink, refreshment :
teriorated.]
see Go. All-sorts. See All-nations.
Alley (Ally or Alay). A superior Allspice. A grocer.
kind of marble. [Alabaster, of which All-standing. Fully dressed:
they are sometimes made.] Also Ally- hence to turn in all standing, to go to
tor (or taw) cf. stoney (q.v.) blood-
: bed in one's clothes. Also brought up
alley, and commoney (q.v.). (1720.) all-standing, taken unawares.
8
 Alma Mater. Ambidexter.

Alma Mater. Originally (and pro- (1696.) Also as intj., cut it short,
perly) one' s University; now applied to stow it (q.v.), stash it (q.v.).
any place of training ; school, college, \p. E. D. : Lat. altum, the deep, i.e.
or University. (1701.) the sea and AL. Dutch altermal.]
Alman-comb. The four fingers and Alter. To alter the Jeff's click, to
the thumb : see Welsh-comb. make up a garment without regard
Almighty. An intensive : mighty, to the cutter's chalkings or instruc-
great, exceedingly. (1824.) tions.
Almighty- gold (-money, or Altham. A wife : Old Cant.
[American] -dollar). The power or Altitude. In
one's altitudes, gen-
worship of money ; Mammon. (1616.) eric for high-mindedness. (1 ) In lofty
Almond -for- a- parrot. A trifle mood ; (2) in high spirits ; (3) hoity-
to amuse a silly person. (1529.) toity ; and (4) drunk (B. E. and Grose) ;
Aloft. To go aloft, to die: see Hop see Screwed. (1616.)
the twig. (1692.) To come aloft, to Altocad. A
paid member of the
vault, play tricks: as a tumbler. ( 1624. ) choir who takes alto (Winchester Col-
Along of. On
account of, owing lege).
to, pertaining to, about also (for- :
Altogether. A whole a tout-en- ;

merly) along on. [The 0. E. D. traces semble. The altogether, nudity ;

(1677.)
the phrase back to Anglo-Saxon times.] in the altogether nude popularised :

Along-shore (or Longshore) Boy byDu Maurier' s novel and play, Trilby.
(or Man). A landsman (Orose). Alybbeg. See Lybbege.
Aloud. An intensive e.g. to talk :
Alycompaine. See Allacompam.
aloud, to rave ; to think aloud, to talk ; Amazon. 1. A masculine woman ;
to walk aloud, to run ; to stink aloud, a vigaro. Also (the adjectival pro-
to overpower. ceded the figurative substantive usage)
Alphabet. Through the alphabet, Amazonian, manlike, bold, quarrel-
completely, to last.
first some. (1595.) 2. The Queen: chess.
Alsatia. Whitefriars :
1. a dis- (1656.)
trictadjoining the Temple, between the Ambassador. A trick to duck
Thames and Fleet Street. [Formerly some ignorant fellow, or landsman, fre-
thesiteof a Carmelite convent (founded quently played on board ship in the
1241) and possessing certain privileges warm latitudes. It is thus managed a :

of sanctuary. These were confirmed by large tub is filled with water, and two
a charter of James I. in 1608, where- stools placed on each side of it. Over
after the district speedily became a the whole is thrown a tarpaulin, or old
haunt of rascality in general, a Latin- sail, which is kept tight by two persons
ised form of Alsace having been jocu- seated on the stools, who are to repre-
larly conferred on it as a debateable sent the king and queen of a foreign
land. Abuses, outrage, and riot led to country. The person intended to be
the abolition of its right of sanctuary ducked plays the ambassador, and after
in 1697. Also Alsatia the higher. repeating a ridiculous speech dictated
Whence Alsatia the lower, the liberties to him, is led in great form up to the
of the Mint in Southwark ; Alsatian, a throne, and seated between the king
rogue, debtor, or debauchee ; a resident and queen, who rise suddenly as soon
in Alsatia : also, roguish, debauched ; as he is seated, and the unfortunate
Alsatia phrase, a canting term (B. E. ambassador is of course deluged in the
and Grose). [See Fortunes of Nigel, tub (Grose).
chaps, xvi.and xvii.]. (1688). 2. Ambassador of Commerce. A
Hence any rendezvous or asylum for commercial traveller ; bagman (q.v.).
loose characters or criminals, where im- Ambes-ace. See Ames-ace.
munity from arrest is tolerably certain; Ambia. Chewed-tobacco juice: also
a disreputable locality the term has
: the intensely strong nicotine, or thick
sometimes been applied (venomously) brown substance which forms in pipes.
to the Stock Exchange. Alsatian, an I have always supposed that it is
adventurer; a Bohemian. (1834.) merely a Southern variation of amber
Alt. In alt, in the clouds ; high- which exactly represents its colour.
flying dignified. \Altissimo, a musical
; (Bartlett).
termT] Cf. Altitude. (1748.) Ambidexter (or Ambodexter). (1)
Altemal (or Altumal). Altogether. A venal juror or lawyer, one taking a
9
 Ambree. AngeT 8 OH.

fee from both sides. Hence (2) a ants : And pussy - and
-
; Ann Passy
(1 on Me - dealer, vicar of Bray (q.v.). Ann ; anpasty ; andpaasy ; anparse ;

Aluo, deceitful, tricky. (1532.) apersie (a.v.) ampassy am-

; per-se ; ;

Ambree. Mary Ambree, generic passy-ana ampene-and ; ampus-and ;

;

for a woman of strength and spirit am pussy and ampazad amsiam ; ; ;

[Jfowl ampus - end apperse - and empersi-

; ;

Ambrol. Ambrol, among the Tan and amperzed ; and zumzy-zan.

for Admiral (B. E.). Amputate. To be off, to cut
Ambush. Fraudulent weights and (q.v.) and run, also to amputate one's
measured. [A
punning allusion to lie :
mahogany (or timber) see Bunk and :

in wait Le. lying weight.] Timber-merchant.

Amen. To finish a matter (as amen Amuse. To cheat, beguile, deceive.
does a prayer), approve, ratify. To say O. E. D. . . . Not in regular use,
Yet and Amen, to agree to everything before 1600. . . . the usual sense in
(Grose); amener, a general conformist. 17th and 18th centuries] spec. (B. E. :

(1812.) and Grose), to throw dust in one's

Arhen-bawler (-curler or -snorter). eyes by diverting one, to fling dust or
A parish clerk also (military) amen-
; snuff in the eyes of the person intended
wallah: see Black-coat (<?ra*e). (1704.) to be robbed ; also to invent some
Amerace. Near at hand, within plausible tale to delude shop-keepers
call and others, thereby to put them off
American Shoulders. A particu- their guard. Whence amuser, a cheat
lar cut in the shoulders of a coat : a snuff - throwing thief ; one that
they are padded and shaped to give the deceives (Ash and Grose). (1480.)
wearer a broad and burly appearance. Anabaptist. A thief caught in the
American Tweezers. An instru- act and disciplined at the pump or in
ment to unlock a door from the outside, the horse-pond (Grose).
nippers (q.v.). Anchor. To sit down. To let go
Ames-ace (Ambs-ace, Ambes-ace, an anchor to the windward of the law,
etc. ). ( 1 ) Orig. and lit. the throw of two to keep within the letter of the law.
aoee, the lowest cast at dice. Hence Ancient. See Antient.
(2) misfortune, bad luck, nothing. Ancient Mariner. A rowing don :

Within ames-ace, nearly, very near row as in bough (Oxf. Univ.).

(Grose): see Ace. (1297.) Andrew. 1. A broadsword also ;

Aminadab. A quaker : in contempt Andrew Ferrara: cf. Gladstone. [Cosmo,

(Grose). (1700.) Andrea, and Gianantonio Ferara, three
Ammuni tion. 1
Originally applied
. Italian cutlers of Belluno in Venetia.]
to every requisite for soldiers' use, as (1618.) 2. A
body-servant, valet cf. :

ammunition bread, shoes, hat, etc. : Abigail (1618.) 3. A ship, whether

now only of powder, shot, shell, and trading or man-of-war also Andrew :

the like. Whence colloquialisms such Millar, and (Grose) Andrew Miller's
as ammunition face, a warlike face ; lugger. Among Australian smugglers, a
ammunition wife, a soldier's trull revenue cutter. (1591.) See Merry-
(Grose) ammunition leg, a wooden leg,
; Andrew.
etc. (1658.) 2. Bum-fodder (q.v.). Angel. A child riding on the
Mouth-ammunition, food cf. Belly- : shoulders also Flying-angeL
: Angd
timber. (1694.) on horseback, oysters rolled in bacon,
Amoret (or Amorette). (1) Ori- and served on crisp toast, very hot.
ginally a sweetheart spec. (2) a mis-
:
Angel Altogether. A toper.
tress. [O. E. D. : Eng. Amoret having Angelic (or Angelica). A young
become obsolete, the word has recently unmarried woman. (1821.)
been from the French ; see Angeliferous. Angelic, super-
re-adopted
sense 4.] Whence (3) the concomitants excellent. (1837.)
of love e. g. a love-knot, a love- sonnet,
:
Angel's-food. Strong ale. (1597.)
love- books, and (in pi.) love-tricks, Angel's Footstool. An imaginary
dalliances (Cotyrave). (1400.) (4) square sail, topping the sky-scraper
Amourette, a love-affair, an intrigue. (q.v.), the moon-sail (q.v.), and the
(1865.) cloud-cleaner (q.v.).
1. The posteriors. Angel's Gear. Female attire.
Ampersand.
2. The sign & ; ampersand. Vari- Angel's Oil. A bribe also oil of :

10
 Angel's Suit. Anser.

angels. [Angel, a gold coin, value Ankle -spring Warehouse. The

6s. 8d., first struck by Ed. IV. in stocks. (1780.)
1465.] Ananias. A liar. Hence Ananias-
Angel's Suit. Acombination brand, an imposture
; Ananias-club, an

garment for men : the trousers were imaginary company of liars ; to play
buttoned to coat and waistcoat made Ananias and Sapphira, to keep back
in one. part of the swag (q.v.).
Angel's Whisper. The call to Anna Maria. A fire.
defaulter's drill :
usually extra fatigue Anne. See Bacon,Sight, and Thumb.
duty. Annex. To steal, convey (q.v.).
Angle. To get by stratagem, fish Anno Domini Ship. An old-
(q.v.) ; andan absolute sense, see
(in fashioned whaler (Century).
Angler) to cheat, steal. As subs., (1) a Annual. A holiday taken once in
lure or wile (2) a victim
; hence a : twelve months cf. annual, a mass
:

simpleton, one easily imposed on and ; said, rent paid, or a book issued yearly.
(3) a cunning or specious fellow, an Anodyne. Death also to kill. :

adventurer. To
angle one on, to lure.
(1535.) To angle for farthings, to beg
out of a prison-window, with a cap,
or box, let down at the end of a long
string. To angle with a silver hook, ( 1 )
to bribe, and (2) buy one's catch in the
market.
Angglers be peryllous and
'
Angler.
most wicked Knaues they custom-
ably carry with them a staffe of v. or vi.
foote long, in which within one ynch of
the tope thereof, ys a lytle hole ... in
which they putte an yron hoke, and
with the same they wyll plucke vnto
them quickly anything that they may
reche ther with (Harmon). To angle,
'
Anodyne necklace (or collar), a halter
(Grose) see Horse - collar,
:
Ladder,
and Nubbing-cheat. (1636.)
Anoint. 1. To flatter, butter (q.v.).
(1400.) 2. To bribe, grease the palm
(q.v.); creesh the loof. (1584.) 3.
To beat, thrash soundly ; also, anoint
with the sap of a hazel rod (North) :
. . . cf. strap-oil. Whence anointed, well
drubbed (see next entry). (1500.)
Anointed. Pre-eminent in rascality.
But in a French MS. ... is an
account of a man who had received a
thorough and severe beating: Quianoit
The English Version
este si bien oignt.

[Early English Text Society] translates

to steal; Angling-cove, a fence (q.v.) Which so well was anoynted
this :
'

(B. E. and Grose). indeed. From this it is clear that to

Anglomaniacs. A club in Boston ; anoint a man was to give him a sound
its members are opposed to everything drubbing, and that the word was so used
British. in the fifteenth century. Thus, an
Angry Boy. See Boy and Roaring- anointed rogue means either one who
Boy. has been well thrashed or who has
Angular Party. A gathering of an
'
deserved to be (Skeat ).
odd number of people three, seven, ; Anonyma. A fashionable whore
thirteen, etc. (c. 1 SCO- 60).
Animal. 1. A term of Another. You're another, a tu
contempt ;
a fool he is a mere Animal, he is a quoque i.e. another liar, fool, thief
:

very silly Fellow (B. E., c. 1696). 2. any imaginable term of abuse see :

A new cadet at the United States Nail. (1534.)

Military Academy, West Point ;
cf. Anotherguess (Anothergets,
Snooker. See Whole. Anothergaines, Anothergates,
Animule. A mule. A portmant- Anotherguise, Anotherkins).
eau-word (q.v.): i.e. animal-mule.] That is, another sort, kind, manner,
Ankle. To sprain one's ankle, to be fashion, etc. A phonetic re-
[0. E. D. :

got with child (Grose) Fr., avoir mal : duction from anothergete ((or another-
aux genoux. gates).] Hence anotherguess sort of
Ankle-beater. A boy-drover : man (woman, etc.), one up to snuff
they tended their animals with long (q.v.). 1580.)
wattles,and beat them on the legs to Another Place. The House of
avoid spoiling or bruising the flesh : Commons (Lord Granville).
also penny-boys (q.v.), because they Anser. Anser is Latin for Goose
received one penny per head as re- (Brandy, Candle, Fish, etc.). A pun-
muneration. ning catch or retort. (1612.)
11
 Anshum-scranchum. A-pigga-back.

Anshum-scranchum. A scramble: continuity in thought the same idea is

when provision is scanty, and each
e.g. repeated in synonymous terms. I'm
one is almost obliged to scramble for not taking any, a more or less sarcastic
what he can get, it is said to bearuhum- refusal, Not for Joe.
tcranchum work (HalliweU). Anybody. An ordinary individual :
An't (Aint). A contraction for are in depreciation ; cf. Nobody, Some-
not ; am not ; is not ; has not ; have body, etc. (1826.)
not (han't) chiefly Cockney ; cf.
:
Anyhow. All anyhow, carelessly ;
shan't, won't, can't see Ain't Also, : at random. Anyhow you can fix it, a
and may (1612.) it form of acquiescence : e.g. I don't
Ant. In an anfs foot, in a short time. know if you'll succeed, but anyhow
Antagonize. To oppose a ball, you can fix it
bill, measure, etc. [Properly, only
of Any-racket. A penny-faggot
contention or opposition between Anything. Like (or as) anything,
forces or things of the same kind.] an indefinite but comprehensive
Antarctic. To go to the opposite standard of measurement or value,
extreme: cf. lord, tree, etc. (1647.) like one o'clock (old boots, winking,
Amechamber. (B. E., e. 1696.) hell, etc.). (1542.)
Forerooms for receiving of Visite, as Anythingarian. An indifferentist,
the back and Drawing-rooms arc for Jack-of-both-sides. Hence anything-
Lodgings, anciently called Dining- arianism, the creed of All things to all
rooms. [Not in use in this sense until men. (1704.)
18th century, the earliest reference in Anywhere. Anywhere down there !

O. E. D. being 1767 the orig. meaning, : A workroom catch - phrase on any-

the room admitting to the royal bed- thing falling to the floor.
chamber.] Apart Apart, severally, asunder
An tern.See Autem. (B. E., e. 1696). [Except for an an-
Anthony. ( 1 ) To knock Anthony, to ticipation by Langland not in use till
walk knock-kneed, cuff Jonas (q.v.). long after B. E.'s time.]
Hence Anthony Cuffin, a knock-kneed Apartments. 1. Apartments to
man. Also (2) to keep warm by beat- let,empty-headed, foolish, crazy see :

ing one's sides see Beating the Booby

:
Balmy. 2. Said of a widow, also of a
(Grose). Anthony (or Tantony pig), woman given to prostitution (Ray and
see Saint and Tantony. St. Anthony's Orose.)
fire, Erysipelas from the tradition
:
Ape. 1. An antic, gull. Hence
that those who sought the intercession God's ape, a natural fool to play the ;

of St Anthony recovered from the ape, (1) to mimic and (2) to play the
;

pestilential erysipelas called the sacred fool to put an ape into one's hood (cap,
;

fire which proved extremely fatal in or hand), to befool, dupe also to make :

1089 (Brewer). one his ape. As adj. (or apish), foolish :

Antidote. A very homely hence ape-drunk, maudlin ape-u-are, ;

Woman (B. E.). counterfeit ware. (1230.) 2. An

Antient. At
for Ensign or sea, endearment (Malone) cf. monkey.
:

Flag (B. E.) [0. E. D.: a corrup- ( 1595. ) 3. In pL, Atlantic and North-
tion of Ensign, confounded with western First Mortgage Bonds. To
ancien.] Cf. Ancient Pistol, Othello's lead apes in hell, to die unmarried of :

Ancient (i.e. standard bearers). both sexes. Hence ape-leader, an old

Antimony. Type. [Antimony is a maid, or bachelor (Grose). (1579.) To
constituent part] say an ape's paternoster, to chatter with
Antrums. See Tantrum. cold. Fr., dire des pate-nitres de singe.
Anvil. On the anvil, in prepara- (1611.) Phrases. The ape claspeth her
tion, in hand, on the stocks (the young so long that at last she killeth
usual modern equivalent) [an iron] them An ape is an ape, a varlet's a
;

in the fire. Hence to anvil, fashion, varlet, Though they be clad in silk or
prepare. (1607). scarlet ; The higher the ape goes, the
Anvil-beater (-thresher, more he shows his tail.
-whacker, etc.). A smith. (1677.) A-per-se. See A.
Any. Any other man, a call to Aphrodisian-dame. A courtesan.
order addressed to a prosy or a dis-
:
A-pigga-back (or A-pisty-poll).
cursive speaker, or when from lack of See Angel and Pick-a-back.
12
 Apostles.
Apostles (Twelve Apostles).
Formerly when the Poll, or ordinary
B.A. degree list, was arranged in order
of merit, the last twelve were nick-
named The Twelve Apostles
Chosen Twelve, and the last, St. Poll or
St. Paul a punning allusion to 1 Cor.
xv. 9, For I am the least of the
Apostles, that am not meet to be called
an Apostle. The list is now arranged
alphabetically and in classes. At
Columbia College, D.C., the last
twelve on the B.A. list actually receive
the personal names of the Apostles.
(1785.) To manoeuvre the apostles, to
borrow of one to pay another, to rob
Peter to pay Paul (Grose).
Apostle's Grove. St. John's
Wood ; also the Grove of the Evan-
gelist.
Apothecary. Formerly a term of
contempt prior to 1617 the business
:
of grocer and chemist was combined,
and it was not till 1815 that the status
of an apothecary, as a medical practi-
tioner, was legally held by licence and
examination of the Apothecaries Com-
pany. Hence To talk like an apothe-
cary, to talk nonsense, use (Grose)
hard or gallipot words : from the as-
sumed gravity and affectation of know-
ledge generally put on by the gentlemen
of this profession, who are commonly
as superficial in their learning as they
are pedantic hi their language. Also
Apothecaries' -Latin, gibberish, dog-
(katchen-, or raw-) Latin (q.v.);
Apothecaries' bitt, a long undetailed
account cf. Bawdy-house reckoning.
:
Likewise proverbial sayings A broken
apothecary, a new doctor
Apothe-
caries would not give pills in sugar
unless they were bitter.
Appii (The) (Durham University).
The Three Tuns a celebrated Durham
: or who is the victim of asinine sport on
Inn. [A mis-reading of Actsxxviii. 15.]
Apple. In pi., a woman's paps
also Apple-dumpling-shop (Grose), the
bosom. (1638.) Phrases and proverbial
expressions : One rotten apple decays
a bushel ; To take an eye for an
apple ; As like as an apple is like
an oyster There's small choice in
; April and May, a simile of youth and
rotten apples ; Won with an apple,
lost with a nut ; How we apples
swim (What a good time we're
having ; a reference to the fable of
a posse of horse-droppings floating
down the river with a company of
apples). (1340.) See Adam's Apple.
April.
Apple-cart. The human body : cf.
Beer-barrel. To upset one's apple-cart,
to floor a man, to thwart (Grose). Also,
to upset the old woman's apple-cart ;
; also The to upset the apple-cart and spill the
gooseberries (or peaches).
Apple-pie Bed. A bed made
apple-pie fashion, like what is called
a turnover apple-pie, where the sheets
are so doubled as to prevent any one
from getting at his length between
them : a common trick played by
frolicsome country lasses on their
sweethearts, male relations, or visitors
(Grose). Fr., lit en portefeuille.
Apple-pie Day (Winchester). The
day on which Six-and-six (q.v.) was
played. It was the Thursday after the
first Tuesday in December. So called
because hot apple-pies were served on
gomers (q.v.) in College for dinner.
Apple-pie Order. The perfection
of neatness and exactness. (1813).
Apples-and-pears. A flight of stairs.
Apple Squire. (1) A harlot's con-
venience. Hence (2) a kept-gallant
(see Squire, Bully, and Fancy-man) ;
(3) a wittol (q.v.) ;and (4) a pimp
(q.v.). Also Pippin-squire, Squire of
the body, Apple-John, Apple-monger,
Apron-man, and Apron-squire. Apple-
wife, bawd. Occasionally Apron-squire,
groomsman. ( 1 500. )
Approach. To know carnally.
Hence approachable, wanton.
April. This month the poetical
type of verdure (see Green) and in-
constancy is frequently found in con-
temptuous combination. Thus April-
:
fool (or Scots April-gowk), cuckoo :
; Fr., poisson d'Avril), one who is sent
on a sleeveless errand (for strap -oil,
pigeon's milk, the squad umbrella,
the diary of Eve's grandmother, etc.),
April-Fools' (or All Fools') Day (1st
:
April). This has given rise to the sar-
castic April-day, a wedding-day ; and
April-gentleman, a newly-married hus-
band. Also April-fish, a pimp (Fr.,
maquereau) April-squire, a new-made
;
or upstart squire. ( 1592. ) To smell of
courtship. (1596.) Also proverbial say-
ings A windy March and a rainy
:
April make a beautiful May ; April
showers bring forth May flowers ;
When April blows his horn it's good
for hay and corn ; April cling good for
nothing ; April borrows three days
13
 Apron. Ariftippus.

of March, and they are ill ; A cold nent :

hence, ( 1 ) clever, crafty, roguish
April the barn will fill ; An April (B. E.) ; and (2) extreme, out-and-out
flood carries away the frog and her (q.v.). [0. E. D.: In modern use
brood ; April and May are the keys chiefly prefixed intensively to words of
of the year. bad or odious sense.] Thus, arch-
Apron. 1. A woman :
generic ; cf. botcher, a clumsy patch-worker ; arch-
Muslin ; Petticoat ; Placket, etc. Hence fool (or dolt), an out-and-out duffer ;
tied to one's apron strings (or apron- arch-knave, a rascal of parts ; arch-cove
led), ( 1 ) under petticoat rule, hen- (or rogue), spec, the ringleader of a band
-

pecked ; and (2) in close attendance ; of gipsies or thieves : whence arch-

apron hold (or apron string hold, or
- dell (or doxy), the same in rank among
tenure), a life-interest in a wife's estate the female canters of gipsies (Orose) ;
(Orose) ; apron
-
squire (see Apple- arch-whore, a bilking harlot (B. E.),
squire) ; apron husband, a domestic
- etc. Also, sharp, Keen, splenetic :
meddler ; apron-up, pregnant, lumpy usually with at or upon. (1551.) 2.
(q.vA Also (proverbial) Wise as :
Saucy, waggish. Thus arch- (witty)
her mother's apron-strings, dependent fellow (B. IS.); arch- (pleasant) wag
on a mother's bidding. (1542.) 2. (B. E.) ; arch duke, a comical or
Generic for one wearing an apron : eccentric fellow (Orose). (1662.) See
e.g. a shopkeeper, a waiter, a workman : Ark.
also apron-man, apron-rogue, aproneer. Archdeacon. (Oxford). Merton
[Spec, the Parliamentary party (many strong ale.
of whom were of humble origin) Archwif e. A masterful woman a ;

during the Civil War by Cavaliers :

virago. (1383.)
in contempt.] Hence (3), a cleric of Ard. Hot (Orose), ardent
rank, a bishop or dean (also Apron- Ardelio. A busybody, meddler.
and-Gaiters). As verb, to cover with (1598.)
(or as with) an apron ; and aproned, Area-sneak (or slum). A petty
of the working-class, mechanic. Hence thief spec, one working houses by
:

checkered-apron, a barber blue-apron ; means of an area-gate (Grose) see :

(q.v.); green-apron, a lay-preacher; Sneak, Slum, and Thief. ( 1865. )

white-apron, a prostitute. (1592.) Arg. To argue, grumble cf. Argle. :

Apron-washings. Porter. Argal. Therefore, ergo of which it :

Aqua. Water also Aqua-pompa-

: is a corruption. As subs., a clumsy
ginis (Orose, Dog-Latin). Hence, in argument See Argle. (1602.)
jocose combination, aquapote, aqua- Argent. Money
generic spec, : :

bib (Bailey, 1731), and aquatic, a silvermoney (Bailey) : see Gent

water-drinker; aqua -bob, an icicle. Hence argentocracy, the power of
(1704.) money; Mammon (q.v.). (1500.)
Aquadiente. Brandy. (1835.) Argle. To argue disputation/sly,
Aquatics. (Eton). 1. The wet-bob haggle, bandy words; also angle- bargle,
(q.v.) cricket- team
; and (2) the playing argol-bargol, or argie-bargie. Whence
field used by them see Sixpenny. :
argol-bargolous, quarrelsome : cf. Arg.
A qua- vitas. Formerly an alchemic (1589.)
term, but long popularly generic for Argot. The jargon, slang, or
ardent spirits ; brandy, whisky, etc. peculiar phraseology of a class, orig.
[L. water of life. Cf. French eau-de- that of thieves and rogues. See Slang
vie, and Irish usquebaugh.} Hence and Cant Whence argotic, slangy.
aqua-vitae man, (1) a quack, and (2) a (1611.)
dram-seller. (1542.) Argue. To argue out of (away, a
Arab. (1) A young street vagrant: dog's tail off, etc.), to get rid of by
also street arab and city arab. Whence argument: see Talk (1713.)
(2) an outcast (1848.) Argufy. (1) To argue, worry,
Arabian-bird. Anything unique. wrangle. Whence (2) to signify, prove
[Properly the phoenix.] Also Arabian of consequence, follow as a result of
nights, the fabulous, the marvellous. argument Argufitr, a contentious
(1605.) talker. See Arg and Argle. (1751.)
Arcadian -
nightingale (or bird), Aristippus. 1. Canary wine. (1627.)
An ass: see Nightingale. (1694.) 2. 'A Diet -drink, or Decoction of
Arch. 1.
Properly chief, pre-emi- Sarsa China, etc. Sold at certain
14
 Ark. Article.

Coffee-houses, and drank as T '

(B. E. Array. (1) To thrash, to dress

and Grose). down (q.v.); (2) to afflict, punish (q.v.) ;
Ark Arch).
(or (1) A boat; a and (3) defile. Hence as subs., a drub-
wherry :Let us take an Ark and
e.g. bing, pickle (q.v.), plight, a pretty
winns, let us take a sculler (B. E. and state of affairs. (1388.)
Grose). Hence arkman, a waterman. Arrow (or Arra). A
corruption of
Also (2), in Western America, a flat- e'er a, or ever a. (1750.)
bottomed market-produce boat (Bart- "Arry. That is Harry: a popular
lett) rarely seen since the introduction
: embodiment of the vulgar, rollicking,
of steam. 3. A barrack-room chest :
yet on the whole good-tempered rough
a lingering use of an old dialect of the metropolis. Whence 'Arriet,
word. 'Arry's young woman. [Popularised
Arkansas- toothpick. A large by Milliken in a series of ballads in
sheath knife orig. a bowie-knife (q.v.)
:
Punch.] 'Arryish, vulgarly jovial.
(1854.) (1874.)
Ark-floater. An actor well ad- Arst. Asked.
vanced in years. Arter. After.
Arm. Colloquialisms are To make : Artesian. A Gippsland (Victoria)
a long arm, to exert oneself ; as long as brew of beer manufactured with water
:

one's arm, very long ; to work at arm's obtained from an artesian well at Sale
length, to do awkwardly ; one- under hence artesian (generic), colonial
the arm (tailor's), an extra job ; in the beer see Cascade.
:

arms of Murphy (or Morpheus), asleep : Artful Dodger. 1. A lodger. 2.

see Murphy. An expert thief also a fellow who
:

Armful. A heap, a large quantity ; dares not sleep twice in the same place
spec, an endearment of a bouncing : for fear of arrest. [The Artful Dodger,
baby, a big cuddlesome wench, etc. a character in Dickens' Oliver Twiet.\
(1579.) Arthur. King (or Prince') Arthur.
Armine. A wretched person, a A sailor's game. When near the line,
beggar. (1605.) or in a hot latitude, a man who is to
Armour. In armour, pot-valiant; represent King Arthur, is ridiculously

primed ; full of Dutch courage

(q.v.). dressed, having a large wig made out
(q.v.) see Screwed (B. E. and Grose).
: of oakum, or some old swabs. He is
Armpits. To work under the arm- seated on the side, or over a large vessel
pits, to escape the halter by the skin of of water, and every person in turn is
one's teeth, to practise only such kinds ceremoniously introduced to him, and
of depredation as will amount, upon has to pour a bucket of water over him.
conviction, to whatever the law calls crying out, Hail, King Arthur ! If
single, or petty, larceny ; the extent of during the ceremony the person intro-
punishment for which is transportation duced laughs or smiles (to which hia
for seven years. [On the passing of majesty endeavours to excite him by
Sir Samuel Romilly's Act, capital all sorts of ridiculous gesticulations), he

punishment was abolished for highway changes places with, and then becomes
robberies under 40s. in value.] King Arthur, till relieved by some
Arm- pro p. A crutch ; a wooden- brother tar who has as little command
leg (q.v.). over his muscles as himself (Grose) cf. :

Arms-and-legs. Small beer : be- Ambassador.

cause there is no body in it (Grose). Artichoke. 1. A term of contempt.
Arm - slasher (or stabber). A (1600.) 2. A hanging also hearty :

gallant who bled his arm to toast his choak (Grose) whence to have an arti-
;

mistress ; hence to dagger (or stab) choke and caper sauce for breakfast, to
arms to toast a lady-love. (1611.)
Armstrong. See Captain Arm- Article. 1. A woman :
e.g. a prime
strong. article (Grose), a handsome girl, a hell
Arrah. An expletive, with no of a goer (Lex. Bal.). mildly 2. A
specialmeaning (Grose) an expletive ; contemptuous or sarcastic address :

expressing emotion or excitement,com- usually with such adjectives as pretty,

mon in Anglo-Irish speech (0. E. D.). nice, etc. Thus, You're a pretty
[Farquhar, who first used the term article, You're a beauty (q.v.) ;
(1705) was of Irish birth.] What sort of an article do you think
16
 Artide of Virtue. Atomy.

you arc T What's your name when out
for a walk? Also (HaUiweU) of a
wretched animal.
clothes (Grose).
Article of Virtue.
play upon virtue, and virtu.]
Artilleryman. A drunkard cf.
canon, drunk, and see Lushington.
Artist An adroit rogue, skilful
gamester. N. Y. 8. D.
As. See Make.
Asia Minor. The Kensington and
Angry as an an with a squib in his
breech (Cotgrave) ; Honey is not for
3. In pi., a suit of an ass's mouth (Shdton) ; An ass
laden with gold will go lightly uphill
A virgin. [A (Shdton) ; Asses have ears as well as
pitchers (Middleton) ; He will act the
: ass's part to get some bran ( Urquhart) ;
An ass in a lion's skin (Addison) ;
An unlettered king is a crowned ass
(Freeman) ; to plough with ox and ass,
to use incongruous means The ass ;
'
waggeth his ears (Cooper, 1563 a :

Bayswater district [Many Anglo- proverbe applied to theim, whiche,

Indians reside in this locality. The although they lacke learnynge, yet will
nickname is double-barrelled, for the they babble and make a countenance,
district is also the headquarters of the as if they knew somewhat'). 2. A
Greek community in the metropolis.] compositor used by pressmen the
: :

Cf. New Jerusalem, Black Hole, etc. tit- for- tat is pig (q.v.) : also donkey :

Asinego. (1) A little ass; hence Fr., mulet.

(2) a fool, donkey (q.v.), duffer (q.v.). Assassin. A breast knot, or similar
(1606.) decoration worn in front [Cen-
Ask. To proclaim in church : as a tury with allusion to its killing
:

marriage ; literally to ask for (or the) effect]

banns thereto. Formerly also of stray Assayes (The). The 2nd battalion
cattle, etc. [0. E. D. : The recognised (late 74th)Highland Light Infantry :
expression is now to publish the for distinction at Assaye, when every
banns ; but ask is the historical officer present save one, was killed or
word.] Whence asking, an announce- wounded, and the battalion was re-
ment in church of intended marriage duced to a mere wreck (Farmer, MH.
(1461). Ask another, a jesting or con- Forces of Ot. and Greater Britain).
temptuous retort to a question that Asses' Bridge (The). The fifth pro-
one cannot, will not, or ought not, to position in the First Book of Euclid's
answer also Ask bogy (q.v.).
: Elements ; the pons asinorum. ( 1 780. )

Askew. A cup: see Skew (Barman, Assig. An assignation (B. E. and

1567). Grose).
Aspasia. A harlot The name of Assmanship (or Asswomanship).
one of the celebrated courtesans of The art of donkey-riding: on the model
Athens, called Heterae (iraipai), many of horsemanship. (1800.)
of whom were highly accomplished and Aste. Money :
generic : see Rhino
were faithful to one lover. Repre- . . .
(Nares). (1612.)
sentative of a fascinating courtesan, Astronomer. A horse with a high
and more rarely, of an accomplished carriage of the head ; a star-gazer
woman. (q.v.).
Aspen-leaf. The tongue. (1532.) At See All Breeches Hand ; ; ;

Ass. Generic for stupidity, clumsi- Have Pickpurse Rest That You.
; ; ; ;

ness, and ignorance. Hence ( 1 ) a fool : Athanasian Wench. A forward

see Buffle. [0. E. D. now disused in :
girl ; Quicunque vult (q.v.) see Tart :

polite literature and speech.] Also ass- Athens. The Modern Athens. (1)
head : whence assheaded, stupid ; and Edinburgh ; and (2) Boston, Mass,
assheadedness, folly. To make an ass of, (also The Athens of America).
to stultify ; to make an ass of oneself, to Atlantic - ranger. A herring, a
play the fool ; Your ass-ship (a mock sea-rover (q.v.) see Glasgow magis-
:

title : cf. lordship). Also Proverbs and trate.

proverbial sayings : When a fool is Atkins. See Tommy Atkins.
made a bishop then a horned ass is born Atomy. 1. An anatomy, specimen,
therein ( 1 400) : Perhaps thy ass can tell skeleton ; also otamy : whence (2) a
thee what thou knowest not (Nash) ; very lean person, walking skeleton
To wrangle for an ass's shadow (1598). 2. A diminutive person, pigmy
(Thijnne) ; Go sell an ass (Topseli : a (1591). 3. An empty-headed indi-
charge of blockishness to a dull scholar). vidual
16
 Atrocity. Avast I

Atrocity. Anybody or anything aunts that made my uncle go a-begging

grievously below the ordinary stand- (or that my uncle never got any good
ard or out of the common e.g. a bad :
of). (1604.) 2. An endearment or
blunder, a flagrant violator of good familiar address ; also aunty spec. (1) :

taste, a very weak pun, etc. Hence in nursery talk, a female friend of the
atrocious, shockingly bad, execrable, family and (2) a matronly woman
;
:

and as adv. excessively. (1831.) hence aunthood cf. Uncle. (1592.) :

Attack. A
commencement of opera- 3. (Oxford and Cambridge obsolete.) :

tions ; as (jocularly) dinner, a upon The sister university. (1655.) Phrases.

problem, correspondence, etc. Also as If my aunt had been my uncle what
verb. (1812.) would have happened then ? (a retort
Attempt. To approach a woman ; on inconsequent talk) to go and see ;

to attack the chastity. Hence at- one's aunt, to go to the W.C. (see Mrs.
tempter, attemptable, and other deriva- Jones).
tives. (1593.) Aunt Sally. A game common to
Attic. The head, brain, upper race-courses and fairs ; a wooden head
storey (q.v.) is mounted on a pole to form a target ;
Attic-salt (style or wit). Well- in the mouth is placed a clay pipe,
turned phrases spiced with refined and which the player, standing at twenty
delicatehumour. (1633.) or thirty yards, tries to smash.
Attleborough. Pinchbeck, Brum- Au Reservoir Au revoir. I

magem (q.v.). [Attleborough is cele- Aurum Potabile. That is,'

Drink-
brated for its manufacture of trashy able gold ; of the
a medicine made
jewelry.] body of gold itself, totally reduced,
Attorney. 1. A knave, swindler ; without corrosive, into a blood -red,
'
an ancient (and still general) reproach. gummie, or honylike substance (Phil-
Whence attorneydom and attorneyism lips) also, some rich Cordial Liquor,
;

(in contempt or abuse). (1732.) 2. A with pieces of leaf gold in it (Kersey).

drumstick of goose, or turkey, grilled Australian Flag. A rucked - up
and devilled cf. Devil. (1828.)
: shirt-tail.
Attorney- General's Devil. See Australian Grip. A hearty hand-
Devil. shake.
Auctioneer. To tip (or give) the Autem (Autum, Autom, or An-
auctioneer, to knock a man down ; tem). A
church (Harman, B. E.,
Tom Sayers' right hand was nick- Grose). As adj., married ; also in
named the auctioneer. numerous combinations, thus autem- :

Audit-ale (or Audit). A special bawler (-cackler, -jet or -prickear), a

brew of ale orig. for use
: on audit days. parson spec, of Dissenters ; autem-
:

Univ. (1823.) cackle tub, (1) a dissenting meeting-

Audley. See John Audley. house, (2) a pulpit ; autum-cove, a
Aufe. See Oaf. married man autum-dipper (or -diver),
;

Auger. A prosy talker, bore (q.v.). (1) a Baptist, (2) a thief working
Aught. A common illiteracy for churches or conventicles, and (3) an
naught, the cyper 0. overseer or guardian of the poor;
Auld Hornie. The Devil : see autum-goggler, pretended French a
Blackspy. prophet (Grose) autum-mort, a mar- ;

Auld Reekie. The Old Town, ried woman, also the Twenty-fourth
Edinburgh; i.e. Old Smoky. (1826.) Order of the Canting Tribe, Travelling,
Auly Auly. (Win. Coll.: obsolete). Begging (and often Stealing) about the
A game played in Grass Court on Country with one Child hi Arms, an-
Saturday afternoons after chapel. An other on Back,and (sometimes) leading
indiarubber ball was thrown one to a third in the Hand ; autum-quaver, a
another, and everybody was obliged to Quaker autum-quaver tub, a Quaker's
;

join in. The game, though in vogue meeting-house.

in 1830, was not played as late as Author-baiting. Calling a play-
1845. wright before the curtain to subject
Aumbes-ace. See Ames-ace. him to annoyance yelling, hooting,
Aunt. 1. A bawd a harlot (B. E. ; bellowing, etc.
and Grose) hence (old sayings) My
: Avastl Hold! Stop! Stay!
aunt will feed me, She is one of my (1681.)
17
 Avering.

Avering subs. (old). Begging on ful (very unpleasant) lime ; awful (side-
the shallow (q.v.) dodge. (1695.) splitting) fun ; awfully (uncommonly)
Avoirdupois. Excess of flesh, fat. jolly, etc. Also penny-awful, a blood-
Avoirdupois- lay. Stealing brass curdling tale cf. Dreadful shocker,
:

weights of! the counters of shops Blood-and-guts story, etc. As adv.,

(Grose). exceedingly, extremely. (1816.)
Avuncular. Humorously employed Awkward. Pregnant, lumpy (q.v.).
in various combinations :
e.g. avun- Awkward-squad. Recruits at drill.
cular relation, a pawnbroker ; an uncle Awls. See Alls.
(q.v.); avuncular life, pawn broking ; Ax. This archaic form of ask, once
also avuncular, of or pertaining to an and long literary, survives dialectically
uncle ; to avunculize, to act as an [O. E. D. Ax, down to nearly 1600,
:

uncle. (1662.) was the regular literary form it was:

Awake. On the alert, vigilant, supplanted in standard English by ask,

fully appreciative see Fly. :
(1785.)
Away. Away
(forthwith, con-
tinuously) occurs in several colloquial-
isms, mostly imperative. Thus : Fire
away. Commence immediately ; Say
away, Spit it out ; Peg away, Keep
going ; Right away, at once Away
the mare, Adieu to care, Begone ; Far-
and-away, altogether ; Who can hold
that will away 1 Who can bind an un-
willing tongue ? To mistake away, to
pilfer and pretend mistake; Away back,
(1) long ago, and (2) see Way-back.
Awful. Monstrous hence a generic :
intensive great, long,
good, bad, pretty, etc.
originally the northern form.] Also ax-
my-eye, a cute fellow, a knowing blade.
(1380.) Phrases: To have an ax to
grind, to have personal interests to
serve ; to put the ax in the helve, to
solve a doubt, unriddle a puzzle ; to
: send the ax after the helve (or the helve
after the hatchet), to despair ; to hang up
one's ax, to desist from fruitless labour,
abandon a useless project ; to open a
door with an ax (said of barren or un-
profitable labour).
Axe wad die. To wallow. Hence
axewaddler (a term of contempt).
exceedingly Ayrshires. Glasgow and South-
Thus an aw- western Railway Stock.

B. 1. The title of a captain in the Babber-lipped. See Blabber-lips.

army of the Irish Republican Brother- Babble. Confused unintelligible
hood (H. J. Byron). 2. (Harrow). A talk such as was used at the building of
standard in Gymnasium the next the tower of Babel (B. E. and Grose).
below A (q.v.). 3. (Felsted). See A. Babbler, a great talker (B. E.).
Not to know B from a bull's foot (a [O. E. D. Common to several lan-
:

battledore, a broomstick, or any allitera- guages in none

: can its history be
tive jingle), to be illiterate or ignorant, carried far back ; as yet it is known as
unable to distinguish which is which : early in English as anywhere else
also affirmatively see A, Battledore,
: No direct connection with Babel can be
Chalk, etc. (1401.) B Flat (or B), a traced though association with that
;

bed bug, Norfolk Howard (q.v.): cf. may have affected the senses.]
F sharp. (1853.) Babbler. 1. A hound giving too
Ba. To kiss also as subs. : cf.
: much tongue. (1732.) 2. See Babble.
Buss. [0. E. D. probably a nursery
: Babe. 1. The last elected member
or jocular word ; Century, perhaps of the House of Commons : cf. father
the humorous imitation of a smack.] of the House, the oldest representative.
(1383.) 2. The youngest member of a class at
Baa. A bleat ; also as verb ; of a the United States Military College,
sheep. Hence baaling, a lambkin : West Point. 3. An auction shark (q.v. ) ;
also baa-lamb ; baaing, noisy silliness, a knock-out (q.v.) man for a con-
:

and as adj. (1500.) sideration these agree not to oppose the

Bab. The first word children use, bidding of larger dealers, who thus
as with us dad or daddie or bab (Florio): keep down the price of lota. 4. (Ameri-
Also babba. can). A Baltimore rowdy also blood
:

18
 Babe in the Wood. Back.

tub (q.v.), plug-ugly (q.v.) : see (2) any large city spec. London (also
:

Baby. Modern Babylon). Babylonian, (1) a

Babe in the Wood. 1. culprit A papist and (2) an astrologer (Chaldea
;

in the stocks or pillory (Grose). 2. In was the ancient seat of the craft) ;

pi., dice. babylonish, popish. (1564.)

Baboo (or Babu). In Bengal, and Babylonitish. (Winchester). A
elsewhere, among Anglo-Indians, it is is Babylonitish
dressing gown. [That
often used with a slight savour of dis- garment.]
paragement as characterising a super- Baby's-pap. A cap.
ficially cultivated, but too often effemi- Baby Wee-wees. Buenos Ayres
nate Bengali ; and from the extensive Water Works shares.
employment of the class to which the Bacca. Tobacco: Fr., perlot (from
term was applied as a title in the capa- perle). Also Bacco, Baccy, Backer,
city of clerks, in English offices the and Backey. (1833.)
word has come often to signify a native Bacca- pipes. Whiskers curled in
clerk who writes English (Yule). ringlets obsolete
: see Mutton-chops.
:

Hence baboo -English, superfine; grand- Baccare (or Bakkare), Go back !

iloquent English such as is written by Give place Away! (1473.)

!

a baboo also baboodom and babooism.

; Bacchus. 1. Wine, intoxicating
(1866.) liquor. Whence son of Bacchus, a
Baboon. A term of abuse : see Ape. tippler see
:
Lushington ; and Bacchi
Whence baboonery ; baboonish ; and ba- plenus, drunk see Screwed.
:
[In-
boonize, to monkey (q.v.). (1380.) numerable derivatives and combina-
Baby (or Babe). 1. A childish per- tions have been and are still in more or
son :
e.g. a great baby, a mere baby, less regular and literary use.] (1496.)
etc. Hence, to smell of the baby, to be 2. (Eton.) 1561) on
Verses written (c.
infantine or childish (in character or Shrove Tuesday in honour or dispraise
ability) cf. Baby-act. Also, to act (or
: of Bacchus because poets were con-
treat) childishly; babyhood (babydom sidered the clients of Bacchus. . . .
or babyism), childishness ; baby-bunt- This custom was continued almost into
ing, an endearment. (1596.) 2. In pi., modern days, and though the subject
pictures in books. [0. E. D.: perh. orig. was changed, the copy of verses was
the ornamental tail- pieces and borders still called a Bacchus.
with Cupids and grotesque figures in- Bach (or Batch). To live as a
terworked.] (1605.) 3. The minute re- bachelor.
flection of one gazing into another's eye. Bachelor. Then the town butt is a
Hence to look babies (or a boy) in the bachelor, the retort incredulous on a
eyes, to look amorously ; to cast sheep' s- woman's chastity (Bay).
eyes (q.v.). (1586.) 4. A doll, puppet, Bachelor's Baby. A bastard: see
a child's plaything also baby-clouts,:
Bye-blow and Bachelor's- wife. ( 1672. )
a rag - doll see Bartholomew - baby.
: Bachelor's Buttons. To wear
(1530.) As adj., small; tiny; e.g. a bachelor's buttons, to be a bachelor.
baby-glass, baby-engine, etc. (1859.) [Orey. Country fellows carried the
To kiss the baby, to take a drink ; to flowers of this plant in their pockets, to
smile (q.v.). know whether they should succeed
Baby Act. The legal defence of in- with their sweethearts, and they j udged
fancy hence to plead the baby act, (1)
: of their good or bad success by their
to plead minority as avoiding a con- growing or not growing there.]
tract and (2) to excuse oneself on the
; Bachelor's-fare. Bread and
ground of inexperience. cheese and kisses. (1738.)
Baby-farmer. A professional adop- Bachelor's- wif e . (1) An ideal wife;
ter of infants, minder (q.v.) spec, in : and (2) a harlot whence bachelor's :

an evil sense once the money is paid,

:
the children are frequently gradually
done to death. Whence Baby-farming.
Baby-herder. A nurse.
Babylon. Generic for luxury and
magnificence. Hence (1) the papal
power (formerly identified with the
mystical Babylon of the Apocalypse)
baby, a bastard. (1562.)
Back. 1. To espouse, advocate, or
a
support, matter, by money, influence,
authority, etc. : commonly, to back up.
Hence (2), in racing, to wager, or bet in
support of one's opinion, judgment, or
fancy ; to back the field, to bet against all
; horses save one, usually the favourite ;
19
 Back-and-belly. Backing On.

backed, betted on; backer, (1) a sup- phrases).

Hence to keep one back-and-
porter, back friend (q.v.), and (2) belly, to provide everything, feed and
-

a layer of odds : cf. bookie ; backing, clothe ; to beat one back-and-belly, to

support. (1548.) 3. To endorse, counter- thrash thoroughly, (c. 1300.)
sign e.g. to back a cheque ; also to
: Backare. See Baccare.
back a bill, to become responsible for Backbiter. 1. One who slanders
: cf. to foot an account ; another behind his back, i.e. in his
payment
backed, endorsed, accepted : for- absence (Grose). Also (2) His bosom
merly to direct or address a letter : friends are become his back - biters,
prior to the general use of envelopes, said of a lousyman.
the address was written on the back of Back-breaker. 1. A hard task-
the folded sheet (1768) : to be backed, master spec, the foreman of a gang of
:

to be carried for dead. Phrases and farm labourers ; and (2) any task that
colloquialisms : To give one the back, requires excessive exertion. Hence
to ignore ; behind one's back, out of back-breaking, arduous.
sight, hearing, or knowledge ; to give Back-cap. To depreciate, dispar-
back, to turn tail ; to turn one's (or the) age also to give a back-cap.
:

back on, (1) to go, (2) abandon, and (3) Back-cheat A cloak ; a wrap-
snub ; back ana side (back and belly, or rascal (q.v.).
back and edge), all over, completely, Backdoor. The fundament. Hence
through thick and thin to take the back ; backdoor -
trot, diarrhoea. As adj.,
on oneself, to run away ; with back to clandestine, speciously secret : also
the wall, hard - pressed, struggling backstairs : e.g. backdoor counsellor,
against odds ; to have by the back, to backstairs influence (or work), etc. ;
seize, lay hold of ; to break the back, orig. and spec, of underhand intrigue
(1) to overburden, (2) all but finish (a at Court, i.e. when the Sovereign is

task) to ride on one's back, to deceive ;

; approached secretly by the private
to get the back of, (I) to take in the rear, stairs of a palace instead of by the
and (2) have at an advantage ; on one's State entrance. (1611.)
back, (1) floored (q.v.), (2) at the end Back-end. The last two months of
of one's resources, (3) sick or indis- the racing season, commencing with
posed ; to have (put, get, or set) one's October also as adj. [Properly, the
:

back up, ( 1) to resist, rouse, and (2) get latter part of autumn.] Hence back-
(or be) angry (B. E. and Grose) : whence, ender, a horse entered for a race late in
don't get your back up \ Keep calm 1 the season. (1820.)
or Your back's up, a jeer at an angry Backfall. A trip or fall on the
hunchbacked man ; to back out, to re- back, as also backheel and backlock.
tire cautiously, escape from a dilemma; Also as verb. (1713.)
to give (or make) a back, (1) to lend a Back- friend. (1) A secret enemy;
hand, and (2) bend the body, as at leap- one who holds back in time of need.
frog ; to back down, ( 1 ) to yield or Also (2) an ally (see Back, verb, 2).
retire from a matter, and (2) eat one's (1472.) (3) A splinter of skin formed
words hence a back-down (or square
: near the roots of the finger-nail, a
back down), (1) utter collapse, and (2) a stepmother's blessing (q.v.).
severe rebuff ; to be on a man's back, to Back-gammon. See Backdoor.
chide, be severe upon ; to see the back of, Back-handed Turn. An unprofit-
to get rid of. Also His back is broad able bargain.
enough to bear jests (Kay) ; What Back-hander. 1. A glass of wine
is got over the devil's back is spent out of turn, the bottle being passed
under his belly. To back up (Win- back or retained for a second glass in-
chester), to call out : e.g. Why didn't stead of following the sun round the
you back up? I would have come and table. Hence backhand (verb) and
helped you. In College, times are backhanding. (1855.) 2. A blow on
backed up by Junior in Chambers : the face delivered with the back of the
such as Three quarters, Hour, hand ; hence an unexpected rebuff, a
Bells go single, Bells down. See set-down (q.v.). (1836.)
Beyond. Backing and Filling. Shifty,
Back-and-belly. All over, com- irresolute, shilly-shally : orig. nautical
pletely : also back-and-bed, and cf. (1854.)
back - and edge (supra, s. v. Back, Backing On. See Turning-on.
20
 Backings up. Bad.

Backings up (Winchester). The backward -

answer, a perverse reply ;
unconsumed ends of half - burned No back talk Shut up
!
(1605.) !

faggots : obsolete. Back-teeth. To have one's back

Back Jump. A back window : see teeth afloat, to be drunk see Screwed.
:

Jump (Grose). Back- timber. Clothes cf. Belly- :

Backmarked. be backmarked, To timber. (1656.)

in handicapping to receive less start Back Tommy. Cloth to cover the
from scratch than previously given. stays at the waist.
Back - paternoster. See Back- Backtrack. To take the back-track,
wards. to retreat, back out (q.v.).
Back - scratcher. 1. A wooden Back- trade. A
backward course.
toy on the principle of a watchman's (1640.)
rattle, which, drawn down the back, Back- trick. caperA backwards
sounds like the ripping up of cloth ; in dancing. (1601.)
much in favour at fairs and in crowds ; Backward. A few phrases fall
itsuse (in London) is now (1904) pro- into alphabet here ; To say (or sing)
hibited by police order. 2. A flatterer : the Te Deum (the Lord's Prayer or to
hence back-scratching, flattery cf. Ka :
spell) backwards, to mutter, curse also :

me, Ka thee. 1
as a charm : hence back-paternoster (or
Back- seam. To be down on one a prayer), an imprecation ; to go back-
back-seam, to be down on one's luck. wards, to go to the W.C. : see Mrs.
Back Seat. To take a back seat, to Jones ; to piss backwards, to defecate ;
retire into obscurity, confess failure, be to blow backwards, crepitate ; If I
left behind. [The colloquialism re- were to fall backwards, I should break
ceived an immense send off by my nose (Nay It., i.e. I am so foiled
:

Andrew Johnson in 1868 In the : in everything I undertake). See Bad

work of reconstruction traitors should talk.
take back seats.] Backwardation. A sum which a
Back-set (modern, Set-back). A seller pays for not being obliged to
rebuff, untoward circumstance, relapse. deliver the shares at the time before
Hence, to set back, to check. agreed upon, but to carry them over to
Back-slang. 1. A variety of slang, the following account cf. Contango.:

orig. costers, in which a word is Also Backwardization.

slightly veiled by being written or pro-
nounced as nearly as possible back-
wards :thus yob, boy ; cool, look ;
yennep, penny etc. 2. See Slum.
; Bacon. 1. Generic for rusticity. Thus
3. A back-room; also the back-entrance
to any house or premises thus, we'll
give it 'em on the back slum, means
we'Jl get in at the backdoor. As verb,
( 1 ) To enter or come out of a house by
the backdoor or to go a circuitous or
; fat, sleek ; bacon-picker, a glutton.
private way through the streets, in
order to avoid any particular place in
the direct road, is termed back-slanging
it (Grose.). (2) (Australian) to ask for
hospitality on the road a common and
recognised up-country practice.
Back -slum. See Slum 2,
Back-slang.
Backs tair. See Backdoor.
Backstaircase. A bustle,
improver : see Birdcage.
Back-stall. See Stale, subs. 5.
Back-talk. (1) A rude answer;
(2) contradiction (3) an insinuation ;
; When the devil is a hog, you shall eat
and (4) withdrawal from a promise or
an accepted invitation (Lane.) also
back-word and back -answer. Hence
Back-word. See Back-talk.
Backy. A shopmato working be-
hind another.
bacon-slicer (bacon-chops or chaw-bacon)
; a rustic ; bacon-brains, a stupid clod-
hopper : hence bacon-brained
(-faced or
-fed),clownish, dull (Bee and Grose) :
also bacon-faced (or -side), fat-jowled,
(1596.) 2. The human body. Whence
bacon, to save appearances,
to save one's
to escape injury or loss (B. E., Grose,
Bee) Fr.,
: sauver son lard ; to sell one's
:
bacon, (1) to work for hire and spec.,
(2) to play the harlot for bread.
and (1362.) To pvll bacon, described in the
Ingoldsby Legends : He put his thumb
unto his nose and spread his fingers
dress out, to take a sight (q.v.), to make
Queen Anne's Fan (q.v.). Phrases: A
good voice to beg bacon (said in jeer
of an ill voice) (B. E. and Grose) ;
bacon (Ray).
: Bad (or Badly). Very much,
greatly. Also colloquial phrases ; to
go
21
 Bad Bargain. Bad Way.

to the bad, to go to ruin ; to be [any- lington School) A member of the 2nd

thing] to the bad, to show a deficit, be XV. at football. [A badge is worn by
on the wrong side of an account to ; each individual : see sense 1.] 8. A
come back again like a bad penny, (1) brush ; spec, when made of badger's
of anything unwelcome, and (2) a hair. 9. See Badger State. As verb,
to worry unceasingly as a badger when
jocular assurance
of return ; not half :

bad, fairly good ; bad to beat, difficult baited ; to pester : usually of a helpless
to excel ; to want badly, the superla- victim (Bee). Hence
badgered, wor-
tive of desire ; cruel bad, very bad. ried, teased badgering,
; heckling,
Also Give a dog a bad name and you persecution: Fr., aguigner. (1794.)
may hang him. (1816.) To overdraw the badger, to overdraw a
Bad Bargain. See Q.H.B. banking account. (1843.)
Bad- break. A corruption of bad Badger-box (Australian). A bad-
outbreak. ger- box is like an inverted V in section.
Bad Crowd Generally. In sing., They are covered with bark, with a
a mean wretch, no great shakes thatch of grass along the ridge, and are
(q.v.). on an average about 14 X 10 feet at the
Bad-egg (-halfpenny, -hat, -lot, ground, and 9 or 10 feet high.
penny, etc.). 1. A ne'er-do-weel, Badgerly. Elderly, grey-haired :

loose fish in America more inde-

: cf. grey as a badger. (1753.)
finitely used than in England. Also Badger State. (1) The State of
(old), a bad or risky speculation Fr., : Wisconsin. [Badgers once abounded
mauvais gobet. (1363.) there.] Whence Badger, an inhabitant
Bad Form. Conduct not in keep- of Wisconsin.
ing with a conventional standard, Bad Give-away. See Give-away.
vulgarity. Bad-halfpenny. See Bad-egg.
Badge. 'A mark of Distinction Bad Job. An ill bout, bargain, or
among poor People as Porters, Water-
; business (B. E.).
men, Parish- Pensioners, and Hospital- Bad Man. A professional fighter
boys, Blew -coats and Badges being or man-killer, but who is sometimes
the ancient Liveries' (B. E.). Hence perfectly honest. These men do most
badge-cove (or -man), a parish pensioner of the killing in frontier communities ;
(Grose). To have one badge, to be yet the men who are killed generally
burned in the hand :
e.g. He has got deserve their fate. They are used to
his badge and piked, He has been brawling, are sure shots, and able to
burned in the hand and set at liberty draw their weapon with marvellous
(Grose). quickness. They think nothing of
Badger. 1. They that buy up a murder, are the terror of their asso-
quantity of Corn and hoard it up in ciates, yet are very chary of taking the
the same Market, till the price rises ; life of a man of good standing, and
or carry it to another where it bears will often weaken, and back down, at
a better (B. E.). [O. E. D. : Origin once if confronted fearlessly. Stock-
unknown Fuller derived it from L.,
: men have united to put down these
bajutare, to carry (as if a cant con- dangerous characters, and many locali-
traction baj., cf. the modern zoo, cab, ties once infested by bad men are
etc.), but evidence is required before now perfectly law-abiding (Boose-
this can be admitted for the 15c. . . .
veldt).
By Act 5 and 6 Ed. VI. o. 14. 7, Bad Match Twist. Red (or car-
Badgers were required to be licensed by roty) hairand black whiskers.
the Justices (the origin of the hawker's Badminton. 1. A kind of claret-
license).] 2. A
river desperado ; vil- cup claret, sugar, spice, soda-water,
:

lains who robnear rivers, into which and ice. [Invented at the Duke of
they throw the bodies of those they Beaufort's seat of the same name.]
murder (Grose) : see Ark-ruffian. 3. A (1845.) 2. Blood: cf. Claret, Rosy,
panel-thief (q.v.) : hence Badger-crib. etc.
4. A
red-haired individual. 5. com- A Bad Shot See Shot
mon prostitute. 6. The impersonator Bad Slang. Faked up monstrosi-
ofNeptune in the festivities incident to ties, spurious curiosities : see Slang,
Crowing the Lone ; also Badger-bag ; subs. 7.
see Ambassador and Arthur. 7. (Wel- Bad Way. See Way.
22
 Saff. Bagman.

Baff. See Buff. bagger ; Cat ; Green-bag ; Nose-bag ;

Bag. The womb. Hence as verb
1.
(or to be bagged), to become pregnant,
to get big with child bagged, lumpy
Wind-bag.
Bag-and- baggage. One's belong-
; ings hence to dear (or turn) out bag-
:

(q.v.) properly of animals ; bag-pud-

:
and-baggage, to make a good riddance :

ding, pregnancy cf. Sweet-heart and

: in depreciation. [0. E. D. Originally :

bag-pudding (Bay). (1598.) 2. The a military phrase denoting all the pro-
stomach hence as verb, to feed, fill the
:
perty of an army collectively, and of the
stomach bagging, food spec. (North)
; : soldiers individually; hence the phrase,
food eaten between meals, or (Lane.) a orig. said to the credit of an army or
substantial afternoon
repast, high general, To march out with bag-and-
tea; hence bagging -time. (1750.) 3. baggage (Fr., vie et bagues sauves) ; i.e.
In the paps, dugs (q.v.) properly
pi., : with all belongings saved ... to make
of animals. (
1 642. ) 4. In pi. Buenos , an honourable retreat.] Bag - and-
Ayres Great Southern Railway Bonds. baggage policy, wholesale surrender,
5. In pi., loosely-fitting clothes spec, :
general scuttling, peace at any price.
trousers ; also bumbags whence hold- :
(1600.)
ing bags, breeches of loud pattern or Bag and Bottle. Provisions, food
cut, and
go-to-meeting-bags, Sunday and drink : cf. Back and belly.
clothes, one's best wear see Kicks. :
Bagatelle. A trifle, matter of little
Hence baggy, stretched by wear ; bag- worth or consequence. As adj., trump-
gily, loosely ; to bag, to sag ; bag-sleeve, ery, trifling. [O. E. D. Formerly quite :

a sleeve baggy above, and tight at, the naturalised ; now scarcely so.] (1637. )
wrist. (1350.) 6. (Westminster School). Baggage. 1. Luggage, portable
In sing., milk. 7. The contents of a property ; belongings (q.v.) :
spec, the
game bag, the result of sport ; said of equipment of an army. Hence bag-and-
racing as of fishing, shooting, etc.; and baggage (q.v.). Whence baggage-check,
alike of a big game expedition as of a a luggage-ticket, cloak-room ticket ;
day in the stubble. As verb (or to baggage-man (or master), a guard in
bring to bag), (1) to shoot, to kill, to charge of luggage baggage-room, a ;

catch. (1814.) (2) To acquire, secure : parcels office or cloak-room baggage- ;

i.e. to seize, catch, or steal cf. Nab, :

smasher, a porter, station thief. ( 1430. )
Cop, Bone, etc. Whence (old) bagger, a 2. Generic for trash: e.g. encumbrances,
miser; bagged, (1) got, and (2) quodded rubbish, dirt, pus. Whence (spec. post-
(q.v.). (1740.) As intj.. Bags or I
Reformation), the rites and accessories
Bags I to assert a claim to some
\ of Catholic ritual cf. sense 3. As adj.,
:

article of privilege cf. Fains or Fain :

trumpery baggagely), corrupt,
(also
it (q.v.), a demand for a truce during vile. (1538.) 3. A good-for-nothing :

a game, which is always granted : man or woman spec, strumpet (B. E. :

:

Pike I (or Prior pike) likewise serves cf. Fr. bagasse, Sp. bagaza, Port, bgasa,
to lay claim to anything, or to assert It. bagascia). Also (4) a familiar ad-
priority also bar e.g. He wanted me
: \ dress to a woman, esp. a young woman :
to do so and so, but I barred not. usually qualified by cunning, saucy,
Phrases. To turn to bag and wallet, to pretty, little, sly, etc. (Grose) : cf. Puss,
turn beggar ; to give one the bag to hold Rogue, Wench, Drab, etc. As adj.,
(Hay), to slip off : also leave in the worthless (see sense 2), vile ; baggagery,
lurch ; to give the bag, (1) to leave with- the rabble, the scum of society. Heavy
out warning (Grose), also (2) dismiss, baggage (Grose and Bee), women and
and (3) cheat (Webster): see Canvas, children.
Sack, and Wallet ; to let the cat out of Baggy. Inflated ; high-falutin'
the bag, to disclose a trick or secret (see See Bag, subs. 3.
(q.v.).
Cat) ; to empty the bag, to tell all also :
Bagle. A prostitute (HattiweU).
lose an argument (Fr., vider le sac); Bagman. 1. A bag - fox, a fox
to put one in a bag, to vanquish, double caught and preserved alive to be
up to put (or get) one's head in a bag,
; hunted another day, when it is brought
to drink a pot of beer to take the bag, ; in a bag and turned out before the
to play the hare in Hare and Hounds ; hounds. 2. A commercial traveller,
to have the bags, ( 1 ) to come of age, and an Ambassador of commerce (q.v.) :

(2) be flush of money bag the over

; to formerly the usual epithet, but now in
(see Jockey). See Blue-bag ; Carpet- depreciation. (1766.)
23
 Bagnio. Baktr.

Bagnio. A brothel, a stew (q.v.). Baiting-stock. A laughing-stock.

[Orig. a bathing-house.] Also Bainos. (1630.)
(1541.) Bait land. An old word, formerly
Bag- of- bones. emaciated An used to signify a port where refresh-
person (or animal) a walking skeleton ments could be procured. (1725.)
(q.v.), shapes (q.v). Also (old) Bed- Bake (Winchester). To rest, to sit
full of bones, and Bagful of skin and (or lie) at ease. Hence
baker, (1) a
bones Fr., sacdos (i.e. sac d dos).
: cushion, and (2) anything to sit (or
(1621.) kneel) upon, as a blotting- book, etc.
Bag of Nails.Confusion, topsy- [Bakers were of two kinds that used :

turveydom. [Qy. from bacchanals.] in College was large, oblong and

Also, He squints like a bag of nails, green ; whilst the Commoners' baker
i.e. his
eyes are directed as many ways was much smaller, and
thin, narrow,
as the points of a bag of nails (Grose. ) red.] Whence baker-layer (obs.), a
Bag o' Moonshine. Nonsense : Junior who carried a Prefect's green
see Moonshine. baker in and out of Hall at meal-times.
Bag of Mystery. sausage (or A Also bakester (obs.), a sluggard ; bak-
Baveloy), a chamber of horrors (q.v.). ing-leave (obs.), (1) permission to bake
Bag-of- tricks. Usually the whole (spec, on a kind of sofa) in a study in
bag of tricks, every shift or expedient. Commoners or in a Scob-place (q.v.)
[See
fable of The Fox and the Cat] in College, and (2) leave to sit in
Hence the bottom of the bag of tricks another's toys (q.v.) ; baking-place,
(or the bag), a last resource, a card any place which to bake, or in
in
up one's sleeve. (1659.) connection with which baking leave
Bagpipe. A chatterbox, a wind- was given. [North, dial. : beek (or
bag (q.v.) cf. He's like a bagpipe,
:
beak), to expose oneself to the genial
he never talks till his belly's full. As warmth of sun, fire, etc., to bask.
adj., empty-headed, gutless (q.v.) ; and Jamieson : beik, beke, beek, to bask.]
as verb, to gas (q.v.). (1230.) Phrases : To bake one's bread,
Bag- pud ding. A clown: cf. Jack- to punish (q.v.), to do for (q.v.) ; As
pudding : see Bag, subs. 1. so let them bake (prov.
they brew,
Bag-wig. An eighteenth century saying), Let them go on as they have
wig ; the back hair was enclosed in an begun ; I must go and bake some bread
ornamental bag ; hence bag - wigged, (a jocular excuse for departure) ( 1 380. )
wearing a bag- wig. (1760.) Baked. Collapsed, exhausted, done
Ba-ha. Bronchitis. up e.g. toward tne end of the course
;

Bah. An exclamation of contempt the crew were regularly baked. Half-

or disgust: Fr., bah (1600.) !
(or dough-) baked, inconclusive, imper-
Bail. Straw-bail (or straw-shoes). fect Also dull-witted, soft (q.v.):
1. Professional bail see Straw. :Also see Half-baked. (1502.)
(2) insufficient bail (modern). To give Baker. 1. Bakers, against whom
(or take) leg bail, to escape, be indebted severe penalties for impurity of bread
to one's legs for safety see Bunk. Also : or shortness of weight were enacted
to take leg-bail and give land-security. from very early times, have been the
(1775.) subject of much colloquial sarcasm.
'
Bail up (or Bale up). (1) To se- I feare we parte not y6et, Quoth the
cure the head of a cow in a bail for baker to the pylorie.' (1562.) They
milking. (2) By transference, to stop say the owl was a baker's daughter.
travellers in the bush, used of bush- (1602.) Three dear years will raises
rangers. ... It means generally to baker's daughter to a portion ; 'Tis
stop. Like Stick up (q.v.), it is often not the smallness of the bread, but the
used humorously of a demand for sub- knavery of the baker ; Take all, and
scriptions, etc. (1844.) the baker ; Pull devil, pull baker.
Bain. See Bagnio. ryA loafer. [The word is generally
Bairn's- bed. The womb. (1549.) atthbutedto Baron de MandatGrancey,
Bait. 1. Anger, a wax (q.v.). who, in Cowboys and Colonels, inno-
2. A fee, a refresher (1603.) (q.v.). cently translated the word loafer as
Welsh (or Scotch) bait, a rest given to baker.] To spett baker, to attempt a
a horse at the top of a hill, a breather difficult task. [In old spelling booka
(q.v.). (1662.) Baker was often the first word of
24
 Baker-kneed. Ball.

two syllables to which a child came [Tyndale, Works (1530), ii. 224, s.v.].
when learning to spell.] 2. A young man who parts with his
Baker-kneed (or Baker-legged). blunt freely at gambling, and is rooked;
Knock-kneed, bow-legged, effeminate older persons also stay and get plucked
(Grose). (1607.) sometimes, until they have not a
Baker's Dozen (or Bargain). 1. feather to fly with. Such men, after
Thirteen counted as twelve sometimes : the plucking, become bald-coots (Bee).
fourteen (Grose and Bee). Hence 2. good Balderdash. (1) Froth or frothy
measure :
e.g. To give a man a baker's liquid ; (2) a jumble of liquors (B. E.
dozen, to trounce him well. Also and Grose) e.g. brandy
:
(or milk) and
Brown-dozen (q.v.), DeviPs-dozen (cf. beer, milk and rum, etc. : also as verb,
Baker 1, and Fr., boulanger, devil), to dash with another liquid, and
and Round-dozen (see Round). [Bakers hence to adulterate (Grose) ; (3) a
were (and are) liable to heavy penalties jumble of words, nonsense, trash and ;

for deficiency in the weights of loaves :
these were fixed for every price from
eighteenpence down to twopence, but
penny loaves or rolls were not specified
in the statute. They, therefore, to be
on the safe side, gave, for a dozen of
(4) lewd conversation (Grose), obscen-
ity, scurrility. [0. E. D. : From the
evidence at present the inference is
that the current sense was transferred
.... with the notion of frothy talk.
Century Of obscure origin, apparently
:

bread, an additional loaf, known as dial, or slang.] (1598.)

inbread. A similar custom was for- Bald -face. New whisky: war-
merly observed with regard to coal, ranted to kill at forty rods. Boldfaced,
and publishers nowadays reckon thir- neat (q.v.).
teen copies of a book as twelve. Bald-faced Shirt. A white shirt:
(1596.) cf. Boiled shirt.
Baker's Light Bobs. The 10th Bald-faced Stag. A bald-headed
Hussars. man, bladder of lard.
Bakes. 1. A schoolboy. 2. An ori- Baldhead (or Pate). A term of
ginal stake : chiefly schoolboys': e.g. contempt also Baldy. [Of Biblical
:

When I get bakes back I shall

my origin.] Hence baltititde, a state of
stop playing. [Barttett in reference : baldness ; his balditude, a mock title ;
possibly to a baker not always getting and baldheaded-row, the first row of
his bake safely out of the oven.] stalls at theatres, especially at leg-
Bakester, Baking-leave, Baking- shops (q.v.). (1535.)
place, etc. See Bake. Baldheaded. Eagerly ; with might
Balaam. Miscellaneous paragraphs and main. [Bartlett as when one :

for filling up a column of type, padding rushes out without his hat. (1848.)
(q.v.) applied either to MS. copy or
; To snatch baldheaded, to defeat a person
stereo. Hence Balaam-box (or -basket), in a street fight.
(1) a receptacle for such matter, and (2) Baldober (or Baldower). A
a waste - paper basket. [Webster a :
leader, a spokesman [Ger.].
cant term popularised by BlackwoocTa
; Bald-rib. A lean person, a walk-
Mag. See Numbers xxii. 30.] (1822.) ing-skeleton (q.v.). (1621.)
Balaclava- day. A soldier's pay Bal due turn. Nonsense, rubbish :

day. [Balaclava in 1854-6 was a base as adj., affected, trashy. (1577.)

of supply for English troops as pay : Bal four's Maiden. A covered bat-
was drawn, the men went down to tering-ram used by the Royal Irish
:

make their purchases.] Constabularly in carrying out evictions

Balance.The remainder, the rest : in Ireland (1888-89.)
cf.lave (Scots) and shank (as in the Ball. 1. The head: also Ball in
shank of the evening). ( 1 846. ) the hood, Billiard-ball, etc. (1300.)
Balbus. A Latin prose composition. 2. A ration, food or drink. 3. (Win-
[From the frequency with which Balbus chester) in pi., a Junior hi College :
is mentioned in Arnold's Latin Prose his duty is to collect footballs from
Composition.'] lockers in school and take them through
Baldcoot. 1. A term of contempt: to the Ball-keeper in Commoners to be
cf.Baldhead. [The frontal plate of blown or repaired, and who, for service
the coot is destitute of feathers.] in looking after cricket and footballs,
Hence bald as a. coot, as bald as may be. is exempted from kicking in (q.v.) and
26
 Ballad-basket. Banbury.

watching out (q.v.). Phrases. To Ball's-bull. Like BalT* bull, said

catch (or take) the ball before the bound,to of a person with no ear for music :
uiticipate to have the ball at one's foot
;
Ball's bull had so little that he kicked
(or before one), to have in one's power the fiddler over the bridge (HalliweU).
(or at one's finger-ends) ; to open the Bally. A generic intensive very, :

ball,to lead off, make a start ; to keep great, excessive. [A comparatively re-
the ball rolling (or keep up the ball), to cent coinage, it is said, of The Sporting
prevent a matter flagging or hanging Times from ballyhooly.]
fire ; to take up the bau, to take one's Ballyhack. Go to hollyhock, Get
turn :whence the ball's with you, along.
you're next (1589.) Call the ball Ballyrag. See Bullyrag.
(Stonyhurst), the Foul of Associa- ! Balm. A
(Duncombe). lie
tion football. Three brass (or golden) Balmy. The balmy, sleep as adj., :

balls : see Three Balls. sleepy: cf. balmy slumbers (Shake-

Ballad- basket. A street singer :
speare) and balmy sleep ( Young). To
see Street pitcher :
Fr., braillard. have a doze (or wink) of the balmy, to
Ballad-monger. A ballad-maker :
go to sleep see Bedfordshire and
:

in contempt hence Ballad- mongering.

:
Barmy.
(1596.) Balsam. Generic for money (Grose
Ballahou. A term of derision and Bee) : see Rhino.
applied to an ill-conditioned slovenly Bam (or Bamboozle). A hoax,
ship (Century) ; a West Indian clip- cheat as verb (bamboo, boozle, or 6am-
:

she may also

per schooner : apparently booze), to victimize, outwit, mystify
be a brig to judge from The Cruise of or deceive (Grose) also (HalliweU) to:

the Midge (Clark Russell). threaten : cf. hum from humbug,

Ballambangjang. The Straits of [Swift (1710), Toiler, Refinements of
BaUambangjang, though unnoticed by Twenty Years Past Certain words :

geographers, are frequently mentioned such as banter, bamboozle . now . .

in sailors' yarns as being so nanrow.and struggling for the vogue ; Johnson

the rocks on each side so crowded with (1755) : a cant word ; Boucher (1833) :
trees inhabited by monkeys, that the has long had a place in the gypsy
. . .

ship's yards cannot be squared, on ac- or canting dictionaries ; 0. E. D. :

count of the monkeys' tails getting probably of cant origin ; Century :
jammed into, and choking up, the [a slang word of no definite origin.]
brace blocks (Hotten). Whence numerous combinations, col-
Ballast. Money :
generic : see loquialisms and phrases : e.g. to bam-
Rhino. Hence wett-baUasted, rich. boozle away, to get rid of speciously;
Ball Face. A white man [Bartlett : to bamboozle into, to persuade artfully ;
applied at Salem, Mass., 1810-1820]. to bamboozle out of, to obtain by trick ;
Ball-keeper. See Ball, subs. bamboozled, mystified, tricked ; bam-
Ball of Fire. A
glass of cheap boozlement, tricky deception ; bam-
brandy (Grose.) boozler, a mystifier ; bambost, deceptive
Ball of Honour. See Beggar's humbug ; to bamblustercate, to bluster,
Ace. embarrass, or confuse : cf. conglomer-
Ball of Wax. A snob, or shoe- ate and comflogisticate ; bamsquabbled
maker. (or &itm*gtta6Wed),discomfited,defeated
Balloon. To brag, to gas (q.v.). squelched. See Banter. (1703.)
Also baUoonacy (cf. lunacy), a mania Banaghan. He beats Banaghan,
for ballooning ; baUoonatic (cf. lunatic), an Irish saying of one who tells
balloon - mad ; ballooning, inflating travellers' tales. [Banaghan (Grose)
prices by fictitious means, and as adj., was a minstrel famous for dealing in
high falutin' (q.v.). (1826.) the marvellous.]
Ballot-box Stuffing. Tampering Banagher. To bang.
with election returns ; a box is con- Bananaland, Bananalander.
structed with false bottom and com- Queensland, a native of Queensland.
partments so as to permit spurious bal- A large portion of Queensland lies
lots to be introduced by the teller in within the tropics to which the banana
charge. The most outrageous frauds (Musa sapientum) is indigenous.]
have been committed by this means Banbury. The inhabitants of this
Oxfordshire town (now noted for its
26
 Banco. Bang.

cakes) seem to have been the subjects speak like a bandog (or bandog and
of ridicule and sarcasm from very early bedlam), to rave, to bluster. (1600.)
times ; chiefly on account of their zeal 2. A bandbox (Grose).
for the Puritan cause. Thus Banbury- B. andS. Brandy and Soda. (1868.)
man (-blood or -saint), a hypocrite (cf. Bandy. See Bender.
popular saying A Banbury man will Bandy-legged. Crooked (B. E.)
hang on Monday for catching
his cat [The earliest quot. in 0. E. D. is dated
mice on Sunday) Banbury - wife, a ; 1787 ; but the word did not come into
whore Banbury story (or Banbury
;
-
general use until the second quarter of
tale of a cock-and-a-butt), an extremely the eighteenth century.]
improbable yarn (Grose), silly chat Bang. 1. Generic for energy and
(B. E.) ; Banbury-gloss, a specious dash a blow, thump, sudden noise,
:

reading Banbury-vapours, the stock-

; go (q.v.). As verb, to drub (B. E.
in-trade of a Puritan agitator Ban- ; and Grose), strike, explode, or shut
bury-cheese, the thinnest of poor cheese with violence. Hence to bang it out
(Heywood I never saw Banbury
:
(or about), to come to blows (or fisti-
cheese thick enough) hence a term :
cuffs), fight it out ; to bang (slam) a
of contempt. Also proverbs (Howett, door ; to bang (fire) a gun ; to bang
1660) Like Banbury tinkers, who in
:
(play loudly) a piano ; to bang into
stopping one hole make two ; As wise one's head, to convince by force to ;

as the mayor of Banbury, who would bang against, to bump (or thump) ;
prove that Henry III. was before to bang away at, to make a violent and

Henry II. (1535.) continuous noise to bang out, to go

;

Banco. (Charterhouse). Evening with a flourish to bang up, to sud-

;

preparation at House, under the denly throw oneself upon, to spring

superintendence of a monitor ; the up; bang (or bang off), at once, abruptly;
Winchester time e.g. bang went saxpence tn a bang, in
-
toy (q.v.). [See ;

Farmer : Public School Word Book.'] a hurry bang out, completely banging,
; ;

Banco-steerer. See Bunco- violent, noisy, and as subs, a drubbing :

steerer. see Wipe. 2. A fringe of hair (usually

Band. Our Lady's bands, accouche- curled or frizzed) cut squarely across
ment, confinement (an old abstract the forehead. As verb, to cut (or
meaning.) (1495.) See Banded. wear) the hair in this fashion also :

Bandanna. Orig. a silk handker- bang tail, bang-tailed, and bang-tail

chief with white, yellow, or other
coloured spots on a dark ground.
Also (loosely) a handkerchief of any
kind see Wipe. (1752.)
:
Bandbox (or Bandboxical). (1)
Precisely neat, fussy, finical ; and (2)
frailor small (as is a bandbox) e.g. a
bandbox thing ; She's just come out
muster (of horses, cattle, etc.) Every
third or fourth year on a cattle
station, they have what is called a
bang tail muster ; that is to say, all the
cattle are brought into the yards, and
have the long hairs at the end of the
: tail cut off square, with knives or
sheep-shears the object of it is ... to
:

of a bandbox (or glass case) ; You find out the actual number of cattle on
ought to be put in a bandbox (of any- the run, to compare with the number
one over particular). See Bandog. entered on the station books (Tyr-
(1774.) whitt). As verb (1) to excel, surpass,
Banded. Hungry ; also to wear beat cf. (Irish) that bangs Bannag-
:

the bands (Grose and Vaux). her and Bannagher bangs the world ;
Bandero. Widows' weeds. [Cf. (2) to outwit, puzzle, deceive banging :

Littrt/ : bandeau, anciennement, coiffure great, large, thumping (q.v.) : e.g. a

des veuves ; Kennett : bandore a widow's banging boy, wench, lie, etc. ; banger,
veil, and B. E., a widow's mourning anything exceptional bang-up, fine,
;

Peak ; Eng., banderol, a streamer first-rate, of the best (the root idea is
carried on the shaft of a lance near completeness combined with energy
the head.] and dash) ; occasionally (as verb), to
Bandog. 1. A bailiff, or his smarten up (3) to offer stock loudly
;

Follower, a Sergeant, or his Yeo- with the intention of lowering the

man (B. E. and Cfrose). [Properly price (Stock Exchange). To be banged
a bound - dog, because ferocious ; up to the eyes, to be drunk see Screwed :

hence a mastiff or bloodhound.] To to bang (or beat) the hoof see Hoof. :

27
 Bang-beggar. Bantling.

Bang- beggar. 1. A stout cudgel. 2. be so called by a Lord Chief Justice

A constable or beadle. 3. A vagabond :
through their being so frequently used
^ term of reproach. on Sunday jaunts by extravagant
Banger. A heavy cane, a bludgeon :
shopkeepers and tradesmen (Grose).
one of the Yale vocables (Hall). The Bankruptcy List To be put on the
Bangert, the First Life Guards. bankruptcy lift, to be completely
Bang- pitcher. A tippler: see Lush- knocked out of time (Grose).
Ington. Hence to bang the pitcher, Bank-shaving. Usury before banks
:

to guzzle see Lush.

: were regulated by Act of Congress, the
Bangs ter. 1. A bully, braggart. As least reputable purchased notes of
adj. turbulent. Bangstry, violence. hand and similar documents at enor-
2. A victor, winner cf. bang, verb.
:
mously usurious rates of discount :

3. A wanton. he who thus raised the wind was said

Bangstraw. A
thresher: also ap- to get his paper shaved.
plied to all servants of a farmer Bankside-lady (or wench). In
(Grose). 15th to 17th c. a harlot: in old London
Bang- tail. See Bang. the neighbourhood of the theatres was
Bangy (Winchester College).
Brown sugar. As adj., brown. Hence notably Bank-side, Southwark, and
bangy bags (or 6on0te),brown-coloured in later days, Covent Garden and
trousers the strong objection to
:
Drury Lane.
these in former times probably arose Bank-sneak. A bank thief (q.v.).
from Tony Lumpkin coming to school Banner. Money paid for board and
in corduroys (Wrench). Bangy -gate lodging the origin of the term is un-
:

(1) a brown gate leading from Grass known.

Court to Sick House Meads ; and (2) Bannister. A traveller in distress :

a gate by Racquet Court into Kings- the term occurs in the ancient accounts
gate Street. of the parish of Chudleigh, co. Devon.
Banian (or Banyan) -day. One Ban que t. Running banquet, a snack,
day (originally two) in the week on slight repast between meals ; running
which, in the Royal Navy, meat was banquet between beadles, a whipping.
withheld from the crews ; hence, a bad Banquet-beagle. A glutton, smell-
day, a disagreeable day : in reference feast (q.v.).
to the Banian's abstinence from flesh. Banter. Nonsense, raillery,
Banister. A balustrade : a cor- pleasantry, a jest or matter of jest.
ruption of baluster condemned by As verb, with numerous derivatives :
Nicholson as improper, by Stuart e.g. banter er, banter ee, bantering, ban-
and Gwilt (Diet. Archit. 1830) as vul- tery, etc. Swift says the word was First
gar, the term had already taken borrowed from the bullies in White
literary rank, and has now acquired Friars, then it fell among the foot-
general acceptance. men, and at last retired to the pedants
Banjo. A bed-pan, fiddle (q.v.), slip- (Tale of a Tub, 1710; of unknown
per (q.v.). etymology : it is doubtful whether the
Bank. 1. A lump sum, the total verb or the sb. was the earlier : ex-
amount possessed e.g. How's the
:
isting evidence is in favour of the verb :
bank ? Not very strong, about the sb. wad treated as slang in 1688
one and a buck. As verb, (1) to steal, (O. E. D.). 2. A challenge to a race,
make sure of
:
e.g. Bank the rags, shooting-match, etc. (Bartlett, 1484).
Take the notes ; (2) to place in safety ; Also as verb.
and (3) to share the booty, to nap the Bant. Orig. to follow the dietary
regulars (q.v.). 2. Spec. The Bank, prescribed by Dr. Banting for corp-
i.e.Millbank Prison; the site is now ulence ; hence to diet oneself, train.
(1903) occupied by an Art Gallery. Bantling. A bastard cf. brat ; :

Banker. 1. A horse, good at hence (modern), child (B. E., Grose) :

jumping on and off banks too high to spec, a young or undersized child ;
be cleared. 2. In pi., clumsy boots usually in depreciation with great
:

and shoes, beetle-crushers (q.v.): see probability,

a corruption of Ger.
Trotter-cases. oanlding, bastard, from bank, bench,
Bankrupt -cart. A one-horse i.e. a child begotten on a bench and
chaise of a Sunday (Bcc) : said to not in the marriage-bed (AfaAn).
28
 tianty. Bargain.

Banty. Saucy, impudent. barber's -

chair, a strumpet (because
Banyan- day. See Banian-day. common to all comers) barber' s-music,
;

Baptised. Mixed with water, rough music. Also (proverbial) Nos-

christened (q.v.) (Grose, Bee) spec, : trils wider than barbers' basins. As
of spirits when not taken neat (q.v.) : verb, to work off an imposition by
Fr., chretien, baptist. deputy also barberise tradition says
: :

Baptist. A pickpocket caught and that a learned barber, was at one

ducked (Bee). time employed as a scapegoat in
Bar. As verb and preposition bar, working off this species of punish-
of respectable lineage, is now more or ment. 3. See Barb and barberise.
lees colloquial. 1. Except, excluding, That's the barber, that's well done ;
save, but for : mostly used in racing, It's all O.K. (q.v.) a street catch- :

e.g. four to one bar one, four to one phrase about the year 1760 (Grose).
on the field, that is on all the horses Barberize. To shave, cut hair, play
entered excepting only the favourite. the barber cf. Barb. :

2.To exclude from consideration, take Barber's-knock. A double knock :

exception to. 3. To stop, cease. 4. To the first hard, and the second soft as if
frequent drinking-bars, to tipple. To by accident.
bar too much, to get drunk : see Bard. A term of contempt in :

Screwed. early Lowland Scotch used for a

Barabbas. A publisher. [Usually, strolling musician or minstrel, into
but erroneously, attributed to Lord which the Celtic bard had degenerated,
Byron, who is said to have applied it and against whom many laws were
to John Murray the elder, having sent enacted; in 16th cent., a term of con-
him a Bible in which the famous pas- tempt, but idealised by Scott to mean
sage in John xviii., 40, was altered an epic poet, a singer.
to Now Barabbas was a publisher. Bar' d cater tra. False dice: so
The reigning John Murray (1904) constructed that the quatre and trois
writes I have it on the authority of
: were seldom cast cf. fullams, high- :

my father, who was alive during all men, low-men, etc.

the time of his father's dealings with Bare-board. To go on bare-board, to
Byron, that there is not a word of play without putting down the stake.
truth in any detail of the story. The Bare-bones. A lean person, walk-
joke was in reality made by Thomas ing skeleton, rack of bones also (in :

Campbell in regard to another pub- Commonwealth times) a term of con-

lisher, the Mr Longman of his day]. tempt.
Baragan-tailor. A rough-working Bare-footed. Variously applied :

tailor. e.g. to take tea barefooted, to dispense

Barathrum. An extortioner, a glut- with sugar and milk ; to take a dram
ton. barefooted, to drink spirits neat (q.v.),
Barb. To shave, trim the beard : or naked (q.v.) ; barefooted on the top
also to barber : cf. Butch. 2. To clip of the head, bald.
gold, sweat (q.v.) : also applied to Bargain. Subs. (old). A catch,
clipping wool, cloth, etc. sell Hence, to sell a bargain,
(q.v.).
Barbadoes. To transport (as a con- to humbug, hoax, banter a species of :

vict) : Barbadoes was formerly a penal low wit, of ancient usage, but much in
settlement. vogue about the latter end of the reign
Barbar. (Durham School). A can- of Queen Anne. Swift remarks that,
didate for scholarship hailing from The maids of honour often amused
another school i.e. barbar-i&a,
: themselves with it. Dutch (or wet)
stranger. bargain, a deal clinched by a drink ;
Barber. 1. A thick fagot or bough :
Dutch-bargain also means a deal the
one was included in each bundle of fire- advantage of which is all on one side.
wood. 2. Any large piece of timber. 3. Also in various proverbial phrases :

A generic reproach thus, barber' s -block

: thus, To make the best of a bad
(cleric, or barber-monger), a fop, one bargain (Hay) At a great bargain
;

who spends much time in barbers' make a pause More words than one
;

shops spec, (mechanics) an over-

; go to a bargain ; A good bargain is a
dressed shopman or clerk ; barber's pick-purse (i.e. tempts people to buy
cat, a weak, sickly-looking person ; what they need not).
29
 Barge. Barmy.

Barge. 1. A fat, heavy person ; one the bark of a dog. 4. A

noisy (or
broad in the beam in contempt. 2.
:
assertive) disputant, spouting dema-
(Printers) (a) A case unduly loaded gogue, querulous fault - finder. As
with stamps not in frequent request verb, to clamour, menace, abuse. 5.
with a shortness of those most in use. (Univ.), a big swell (i.e. one assert-
Also (b) a card or small box for spaces : ing himself or putting on side (q.v.)
used while correcting away from case. 6. (American) A noisy coward, blatant
3. (Sherborne School). Small cricket :
bully, lamb (q.v.). 7. Whence to bark

played against a wall with a stump at (or against) the moon, to clamour
for bat. As verb, to abuse, slang ; uselessly, agitate to no effect, labour
cf. Bullyrag. Also (Charterhouse and in vain : cf. proverb, Barking dogs
Uppingham) to hustle, mob up, brick. bite not. 8. Generic for firearms, spec,
Bargee. A
barge- man or barger (in navy), a duelling pistol ; also a
(the dictionary terms): Cambridge lower deck gun. Barking iron is
wit (Grose). historically the older term (Grose).
Barge-pole (Winchester). large A English synonyms, blue lightning,
stick of thick bough, of which there dag, meat - in - the - pot, my uncon-
was one in each fagot also any large
: verted friend, one-eyed scribe, pop,
of wood cf. Barber.
: Not fit to peacemaker, whistler.
5 touched with the end of a barge-pole
Eiece Barkey. Any kind of vessel an :

(a pair of tongs, etc.), unapproachable endearment. [Bark for vessel is

through filth, disease, prejudice, or the never used by sailors (Clark Russell).]
like. Barla-fumble A call for truce or
!

Bark. 1. A native of Ireland : hence quarter also barley.

:

Barkshire, Ireland. 2. The skin. As Barley. In general colloquial use :

verb, to abrade (scrape, or rub off) thus, oil of barley (or barley - bree,
the skin, bruise. 3. A cough : spec, broth, -juice, -water, or -wine), (1)
when persistent and hacking: per- strong ale, and (2) whisky (Grose) ;
sons thus troubled are said to Have barley-island, an alehouse ; John Bar-
been to Barking Creek (or Barkshire). ley (or Barleycorn), the personification
As verb, to cough incessantly. Barker, of malt liquor cf. proverb, Sir John
:

one with a churchyard cough (q.v.) or Barleycorn's the

strongest knight ;
notice to quit (q.v.). 4. See Barker, barley
-
cap, a tippler
; barley-mood (or

Phrases: To bark against (or at) the
moon (see Barker) ; to take the bark off,
to reduce in value, rub the gilt off ;
the. word with the bark on it, without
circumlocution, no mincing matters,
the straight -tip (q.v.); between the
bark and the wood (or tree) (of a well-
adjusted bargain where neither party
has the advantage (BaUiweU) ; to bark
through the fence, to take advantage
of adventitious shelter or protection
to say or do that which would other-
wise entail unpleasant consequences ;
to bark up the wrong tree, to blunder, to
mistake one's object or the right course
to pursue, to get the wrong sow by the
ear to go between bark and tree, to
; beggar facetiously assenting.] Also
meddle spec, in family matters ; the
: as adj.
bark is worse than the btle (of one who
threatens but fails to do as he vows).
Barker. 1. A salesman's servant
that walks before the shop, and cries,
Cloaks, Coate, or Gowns, what d'ye
lack, sir T (B. E.). 2. A tout of any
description. Fr., aboyeur. 3.
attending a drover, helping him to
drive his sheep by means of imitating
sick) (1) drunk; and (2) ill-humour
caused by tippling ; also to have (or
wear) a barley-hat (-cap, or -hood)
(1500).
Barley-bun gentleman. A gent
(although rich) yet lives with
barley bread, and otherwise barely
and hardly (Minsheu).
Barley-straw. A trifle (1721).
Barmecide. Usually in the phrase
a Barmecide feast, short commons ;
lenten entertainment. [From the
Arabian Nights story of a prince of
that name who put a series of
empty
dishes before a beggar pretending that
they formed a sumptuous repast, the
Barmy (Balmy). Excited, flighty,
empty-headed (i.e. full of nothing but
froth) ; barmy-brained, crazy ; barmy-
froth, a simpleton, muddle-head ; to
put on the balmy stick (prison), to feign
madness. English synonyms: to be
A boy dotty, off one's chump, sappy, spoony,
touched, wrong in the upper storey,
half-baked, have a screw loose, a bee
30
 Barn. Ban ell's Blues.

in one's bonnet, no milk in the cocoa- Barn-stormer. A strolling player :

nut, rats in the upper storey (or cock- spec, a mouthing actor (see quot.
loft), a tile (screw or slate) loose. 1886) : also barnstorming.
Barn. See Parson's barn. Barnumese. The high-fabating (q.v.)
Barnaby. To dance Barnaby, to language so lavishly used by the late
move expeditiously, irregularly Grose): ( P. T. Barnum in advertising the
an old dance to a quick movement was greatest show on earth, exaggeration
so named. Barnaby-bright (or Long of style : cf. Telegraphese : hence to

Barnaby), St. Barnabas's Day, llth barnumize (1) to exhibit with a lavish
June, O.S. cf. old rhyme
:
display of puffing advertisement ; and
Barnaby Bright Barnaby Bright :
!
(2) to talk of (or assert) oneself bom-
The longest day and the shortest night. bastically in the style of Barnum.
Barnacle. 1. A close companion, a Baronet. A
sirloin of beef : cf.
follower that will not be dismissed, a Baron. (1749.)
leech ; hence a decoy swindler (1591) : Barrack. To jeer at opponents,
cf. Barnard. 2. One that speaketh interrupt noisily, make a disturbance ;
through the nose (Percivatt). 3. also with for, to support as a partisan,
A good job, or snack easily got generally with clamour an Australian :

(B. E. ). 4. A gratuity given to grooms football term dating from about 1880 :

by the buyers and sellers of horses the verb has been ruled unparlia-
(B. E.). 5. In pi., spectacles, bossers mentary by the Speaker in the Vic-
(q.v.),goggles (q.v.): Fr., persiennes: torian Legislative Assembly, but it is
formerly applied only to spectacles in very common colloquial use it is :

with side-pieces of coloured glass, and from the aboriginal word borak (q.v.),
used more as protectors from wind, and the sense of jeering is earlier than
dust, etc., than as an aid to the sight that of supporting, but jeering at one
(1571). 6. A
brake for unruly side is akin to cheering for the other
horses' noses (B. E.). 7. The irons (Morris). Hence barracking and bar-
felons wear in gaol (B. E.). rocker.
Barnard. A sharper's confederate ; a Barrack- (or Garrison) -hack. 1. A
decoy cf. Barnacle. (1532.)
:
young woman attending garrison balls
Barnburner. A member of the year after year. 2. A soldiers' trull :

radical section of the Democratic party see Hackney.

(U.S.A.). (1848.) Barred-gown. An officer of the law ;

Barndoor. A
target too large to
1.
spec, a judge broad stripes or bars of
:

be easily missed ( 1547) : hence barn- gold lace run across the front of the
door practice, a battue the quarry is :
gown.
driven within a radius from which it is Barrel. 1. A confirmed tippler :

impossible for it to escape ; 2. applied also beer-barrelwhence barrel-house

;
at cricket to a player who blocks (American), a low groggery barrel- ;

every ball. fever, drunkenness (or disease caused

Barndoor-savage. A country yokel, by tippling ) see Gallon-distemper ;
:

farm-labourer, clodhopper. barrel-boarder , a bar loafer. 2. Money

Barnet ! (Christ's Hospital : ob- used in a political campaign (Ameri-
solete). Nonsense !
humbug ! can politics) ; spec, that expended for
Barnet-fair (or Barnet). The hair. corrupt purposes cf. Boodle barrel- :
;

Barney. 1. Generic for humbug or campaign, an election in which bribery

deceit spec, (sporting) an unfair
: is a leading feature a wealthy candi- :

competition of any kind a race, prize
fight, or game ; the term is never ap-
plied to a fair contest ; hence a free
fight, or rough and tumble, in which
the rules of the game are not too
strictly observed. 2. A spree, lark
(q.v.), picnic (q.v.). 3. bad recita-
tion (Harvard College, c. 1810). As
verb, to recite badly.
Barn mouse.
- Bitten by a barn-
mouse, tipsy, screwed (q.v.) : see
Barley (Grose),
date for office (c. 1876) is said to have
remarked, Let the boys know that
there's a bar* I o' money ready for 'em,
or words to that effect. Never (or the
devil) a barrel the better herring, much
like, not a pin to choose between them,
A six of one and half a dozen of the
other. (1542).
Barrel-bellied. Well - rounded in
stomach, corpulent. ( 1 694. )
BarreU's Blues. The Fourth Foot,
now The King's Own (Royal Lanca-
31
 fiarrcs. Bates' Farm.

hire Regiment) : from its facings and cities were electrifying the world by
Colonel's name from 1734 to 1739. their barbarous cruelty.
Barres. Money lost at play, but not Bash-rag. ragamuffin. A
paid : a corruption of barrace, an Basil. A fetter usually fastened :

obsolete plural of bar. on the ankle of one leg only. (1592.)

B a r r i k i n. Gibberish, jargon, Basin. A schooner (q.v.).
jumble of words. (1851.) Baske t. An exclamation frequen tly
BarringOut half serious A made use of in cockpits where persons,
bat oftentimes jocular rebellion of unable to pay their losings, are ad-
schoolboys against their schoolmaster. judged to be put into a basket BUS-
[HaUiweil. An ancient custom at pended over the pit, there to remain
schools : the boys, a few days before till the sport is concluded (Grose). To
the holidays, barricade the school go to the basket, to go to prison poor :

room from the master, and stipulate
for *-he discipline of the next half year.
According to Dr. Johnson, Addison,
in 1683, was the leader in an affair of
this kind at Lichfield.]
Barrow- bun ter. A barrow-woman,
a female costermonger. (1771.)
Barrow-man. A man under sen-
tence of transportation.
Barrow- tram. A raw-boned person
properly the shaft of a wheelbarrow.
Barter (Winchester College). A Bass.
half volley as verb, to bit hard.
: for Bass' ale, brewed at Burton-on-
[From the Warden of that name
famous for disposing of them.] Hit-
ting barters, practice catching, full
pitches hit from the middle of Turf
towards Ball - Court for catching
prisoners in public gaols were mainly
dependent on the almsbasket for sus-
tenance (1632) ; to pin the basket, to
conclude a matter ; to be left in the
basket, to remain unchosen ; left to the
last ; the pick of the basket, the best,
choicest ; to bring to the basket, to re-
duce to poverty ; to leave in the basket,
to leave in the lurch.
: Basket-scrambler. One living on
charity, in receipt of alms.
A
familiar abbreviation
Trent.
Bass. A kiss: see Buss (1450).
Also as verb.
Basta. It is enough ! No more !
No matter !

practice towards the end of Long To thrash, beat soundly

Baste. :

Meads. cf. Anoint (1533). Basting, a cudgel-

Bartholomew Baby. 1. A gaudily ling, tanning (q.v.).
dressed doll, such as appears to have Baster. 1. A house thief (q.v.).
been commonly sold at Bartholomew 2. A stick, cudgel. 3. A heavy blow.
Fair. 2. A person gaudily dressed. (1726.)
Bartholomew-pig. Roasted pigs Bas t i 1 e. A workhouse. 2. A
were formerly among the chief attrac- prison, steel (q.v.).
tions of Bartholomew Fair, West Smith- Bat 1. A
prostitute : cf. Fly-by-
field, London they were sold pip-
:
night : Fr. hirondelle de nuit. 2. A
ing hot, in booths and on stalls, drunken frolic : see Batter. 3. Pace,
and ostentatiously displayed, to excite speed, rate, manner, style:
e.g.
the appetite of passengers. Hence a going off at a lively bat Off one's
Bartholomew-pig became a common own by oneself, through one's
bat,
subject of allusion : the Puritan railed own exertions, unaided (1845); to
against it bat the eye*, (1) to blink, wink ; (2) to
Bar ts. St. Bartholomew Hospital. look on, watch ; of a bystander not
Bash. To beat, thrash, crush out of playing ; to carry out one's bat, to
shape. Bashing, a flogging, spec, with outlast all opponents, secure result
the cat ; basher (1) a rough ; and (2) aimed at
a prize-fighter. Batch. To live single of both sexes : :

Bashaw. 1. A pasha. 2. A great (or a corruption of batchelor.'

'

imperious) man, grandee. (1593.) Batchelor's Son. A bastard.

Bashi Bazouk. A ruffian used
- : Bate. Bate me an ace, quoth Bolton,
loosely as a more or less mild term of an expression of credulity (1570),
opprobrium also applied to anything
; Excuse me !

bizarre in character or composition : Bates' Farm (or Garden). Coldbath

the expression came into vogue during Fields prison from a warder of that
:

the period when the Bulgarian atro- name and a certain appropriateness in
32
 Bat-fowler. Bayard of Ten Toes.

the initials, C.B.F., the prison initials, Battle. See Battels. Phrases, to
and used as a stamp, Charley Bates' give the battle, to acknowledge defeat,
farm. To feed the chickens on Charley grant the victory ; to have the battte, to
Bates' Farm, to be put to the tread- be the victor (1400) ; half the battle (of
mill. anything that contributes largely to
Bat-fowler. A
swindler, sharper, success).
victimiser of the unwary. Bat-fowl- Battledore. Not to know a B from
ing, swindling, rookery (1602). a battledore, to be utterly illiterate
Bath. Go to Bath, a contemptuous (1553) ; to say B (or Bo I) to a battle-
injunction to be off, Go to Blazes, dore, to open one's mouth, to speak :

Hull, Halifax anywhere the in- : cf. Bo to a goose (1592).

junction was intensified by, 'and get Battledore-boy. An abecedarian.
your head shaved,' a suggestion of Battle of the Nile. hat, tile: A
craziness. To go to Bath, to go beg- see Cady.
ging Bath in the latter days of the
:
Battle-royal. A
general squabble,
17th century was infested with the free fight : spec, of two termagant
cadging fraternity. women (1672).
Bathing Machine. A 10-ton brig. Battle- wright. A soldier.
Batie-bum (or Batie- bummil). Battlings. A weekly allowance of
A useless bungler, slowcoach, inactive money at Winchester it is Is., while
:

helpless fellow (1550), at Repton it is only 6d : also see

Bat-mugger (Winchester College). Battels, passim.
A wooden instrument used for rubbing Battner. An ox : The cove has
oil into cricket bats. hushed the battner, i.e. has killed
Bats. A
pair of bad or old boots. the ox (B. E.).
Elworthy, in West Somerset Words, Batty. Wages ; perquisites : from
gives this as a heavy laced boot with batta, an extra pay given to soldiers
hobnails. while serving in India. Col. Yule
Bats Down. How many bats says in Indian banking, batty means
down ? i.e. how many wickets have difference in exchange, discount on
fallen ? coins not current (or of short weight).
Battels. The weekly bills of students Baubee. See Bawbee.
at Oxford. Dr. Murray says much de- Bauble (Bable or Bawbell). toy, A
pends on the original sense at Oxford : trinket, trifle (B. E.). To deserve the
if this was food, provisions, it is baubel, to be foolish the baubel
:
being
natural to connect it with battle, the Court jester's baton surmounted
to feed, or receive nourishment. It by a carved head with ass' ears j to
appears that the word has apparently give the baubel, to befool.
undergone progressive extensions of Baulk. 1. A
false report (especially
application, owing partly to changes that a master is at hand), which is
in the internal economy of the colleges. sported (q.v.), not spread. 2. A false
Some Oxford men of a previous gener- shot, a mistake.
ation state that it was understood by Baum. To fawn, flatter, curry
them to apply to the buttery accounts favour (Hall).
alone, or even to the provisions ordered Bawbee (or Baubee). A halfpenny
from the buttery, as distinct from the (B. E.).
commons supplied from the kitchen : Bawcock. A burlesque term of en-
but this latter use is disavowed by dearment, my good fellow, my fine
others. Also as verb, and Battler, an fellow.
Oxford student, formerly used in con- Bawdy-baskets. The twenty-third
tradistinction to a gentleman com- rank of Canters, with Pins, Tape, Ob-
moner. scene Books, etc., to sell, but live
Batter. Wear and tear e.g. the ; more by stealing (B. E.).
batter is more than can be stood for Bawdy- house- bottle. A very
long. To go on the batter, to indulge small one (B. E.).
in debauchery of any kind drunken- Baw-waw. An exclamation of con-
ness, prostitution, etc. Battered, drunk :
tempt (1599). As adj., contemptibly
see Screwed. noisy.
Batterfang. To beclaw, attack with Bayard of Ten Toes. 1. The feet,
fists and nails (1630). Shanks mare, Marrowbone stage
B 33
 Bay State. Bean.

(1606). To ride bayard of ten toes, to Beaker-hunter. A poultry thief:

go OD foot as bold as blind Bayard (of
; also Beak-hunter.
those who do not look before they leap) ; Beak-gander. A judge of the High
hence generic for blindness, ignorance, Court of Justice.
or recklessness. Bayard was a horse Beaksman. A policeman.
famous in old romances. Be - all and End - all. The whole,
Bay State. The State of Massa- everything, the blooming lot (q.v.)
chusetts : orig. the Colony of Massa- (1606).
chusetts Bay. Beam. An authorised standard of
Bayswater Captain. A sponger criticism, manners, morals, etc. To
(q.v.), adventurer: cf. Dryland sailor. kick (or strike) the beam, to be over-
Bay Window. Fat, pregnant, lumpy powered, in a tight place (or corner).
.(q.v.)- Beam Ends. To be thrown on one's
Beach -
cadger. A beggar whose beam ends, ( 1 ) tobe in bad circumstances,
pitch is at watering - places and at one's last shift, hard-up a :
metaphor
sea-ports. drawn from sea - faring life a ship is :

Beach-comber. 1. A long wave roll- said to be on her beam ends when on

ing in from the ocean. 2. A settler on
islands in the Pacific, living by means
more or less reputable comprising
runaway seamen, and deserters from
whalers. 3. A sea-shore loafer, one
on the look-out for odd jobs. 4. A
river boatman. 5. A wrecker, water-
her side by stress of weather, or shifting
of cargo, as to be submerged (1830),
: 2. Also, less figuratively, to be thrown
to the ground, reduced to a sitting
or lying posture.
Bean (or Bien). 1. A sovereign, 20s.:
formerly a guinea in America five-
:

rat (q.v.). dollar gold pieces : see Half -bean and

Beach- tram per. A coastguards- Haddock of Deans in old French cant,
:

man, shingle smasher. biens meant money or property see :

Bead. To draw a bead, to attack Rhino. 2. pi., small coal (Newcastle).

an opponent by speech or otherwise
from backwoods parlance to raise a
bead, to bring to the point, ensure
success : from brandy, rum, or other
liquors, which will not raise a bead
unless of the proper strength ; to bid a
bead, to offer prayer ; beads-bidding,
: Full of beans, in good form (or con-
; dition), full of health, spirits, or capa-
city, aa a horse after a good feed of
beans. To give beans, to chastise,
give a good drubbing. Like beans, in
good form (style, time, etc.), with
force a general expression of ap-
:

prayer ; to say (tell, or count) one's proval ana praise cf. Like blazes,
:

beads, to say prayers ; to pray without (bricks, or one o'clock). Not to care
one's beads, to be out of one's reckoning. (or be worth) a bean, to hold in little
Beadledom. Red-tapism, formal- esteem, think lightly of, be of little
ity, stupid officiousness (1860). value the allusion is to the small
:

Beady. Full of bubbles, frothy worth or value of a bean, or the

(1868). black of a bean (1297). Beany, in
Beagle, subs. (old). A spy ; in- good humour a metaphor drawn from
former ; man-hunter, policeman also ; the stable. To know beans, to be well-
a general term of contempt (1559). informed, sharp and shrewd, within
Beak. 1 A constable (also barman -
. the charmed circle of the cultured
beck), policeman, guardian of the elect, fully equipped in the upper
peace as far as is known, this (as
:
storey. To know how many blue beans
beck) is the oldest cant term for one make five white ones, this is generally
of a class of men. In Harman's Caveat put in the form of a question, the
(1573), harman beck is explained as answer to which is Five, if peeled,
'the counstable, harmans being the and those who fail to get tripped by
stockes.' 2. A magistrate some- : the catch are said to know how many,
times beak of the law. 3. The etc. ;in other words to be cute, know-
nose : see (1598). Conk
4. (Eton and ing, wide awake. To draw a bean, to
Marlborough Schools). master : A get elected an allusion to the former
:

5. A thrust, poke (1592). Birds of a use of beans in balloting ; to have the

beak, birds of a feather (q.v.).
Beaker. A
fowl : also Beak.
ing-cheat (q.v.)
bean, to be first and foremost ; in re-
Cackl- ference to the custom of appointing
: Fr., estable, or estaphle as king of the company on Twelfth
34
 Bean Belly.
Night, the man in whose portion of
the cake the bean was found (1556).
Also proverbial, Hunger maketh
hard beans sweet ; It is
idleness that men sow beans
wind (i.e. labour in vain) Every ; 1744.
bean hath its black. Three blue beans
in a blue bladder, noisy talk, clap-trap,
froth (1600).
Bean Belly. A
Leicestershire man :
from a real or supposed fondness of the
inhabitants of this county for beans.
Bean-feast. An annual feast given
by employers to their work - people.
The derivation is uncertain, and, at
present, there is little evidence to go
upon. Some have suggested its origin
in the prominence of the bean goose, or
even beans at these spreads ; others
refer it to the French bien, good, i.e.
a good feast (by-the-bye, tailors call
all good feeds bean - feasts) whilst ;
others favour its derivation from the
modern English bene, a request or soli-
citation, from the custom of collecting
subscriptions to defray the cost also
called a wayzgoose (q.v.).
Bean-f caster. One who takes part
in a bean-feast (q.v.).
Beano. The same as bean
(q.v.).
Bean-pole (stick, or wood).
lanky person, lamp-post (q.v.).
Bean Trap. A swell mobsman,
stylish sharper.
Beany. Full of vigour, fresh, like a
bean-fed horse.
Bear (Stock Exchange). 1. Ap-
plied, in the first instance, to stock sold
by jobbers for delivery at a certain
date, on the chance of prices falling in
the meantime, thus allowing the seller
to re - purchase at a profit. At first
the phrase was probably To sell the
bear-skin, the buyers of such bar-
gains being called bear-skin jobbers,
in allusion to the proverb, To sell the
bear's skin before one has caught the
bear. So far, the origin of the phrase
seems pretty clear ; of the date of its in-
troduction, however, nothing is known.
It was a common term in Stock Ex-
change circles, at the time of the burst-
ing of the South Sea Bubble in 1720,
but it does not seem to have become
colloquial until much later. In these
transactions no stock was delivered,the
difference being settled according to
the quotation of the day, as is the prac-
tice now in securities dealt with for
Bearings.
the account. At present the term for
such an arrangement is time-bargain.
2. Hence a dealer who speculates for a
not for fall. The earliest instance noted of
in the this transferred usage is of the date
Fr., baissier : see Bull, Stag,
and Lame Duck. 3. A rough, un-
mannerly, or uncouth person ; hence
the pupil of a private tutor, the latter
being called a Bear - leader (q.v.);
also called formerly Bridled-bear. To
play the bear, to behave roughly and
uncouthly (1579). As verb, to act as
a bear (q.v.). Are you there with your
bears ? A greeting of surprise at the
reappearance of anybody or anything ;
are you there again ; What, again !
so soon ? The phrase is explained by
Joe Miller, as the exclamation of a
man who, not liking a sermon he had
heard on Elisha and the bears, went
next Sunday to another church, only to
find the same preacher and the same
discourse (1642). To bear the bell
(coals, palm, etc.), see the nouns to ;
: bear low sail, to demean oneself humbly
(1300) ; to bear a blow, to strike ; to bear
up, to cheat, swindle see Bonnet.
:
Bear a bob, (1) lend a hand, look sharp !
feast look alive (2) To aid, to assist, to
- !
take part in anything.
A Beard. In spite of one's beard, in
opposition or defiance to a purpose ;
to one's beard, openly, to one's face ;
to run in one's beard, to oppose openly,
face out ; to take by the beard,
to attack
resolutely ; to make one's beard, to out-
wit, delude ; to make one's beard without
a razor, to behead ; to put against the
beard, to taunt.
Bearded Cad (Winchester College).
A porter, employed by the College
to convey luggage from the railway
station to the school : the term origin-
ated in an extremely hirsute individ-
ual who at one time acted in the
capacity.
Bear-garden. A scene of strife and
tumult.
Bear - garden Jaw, subs. (old).
Rough, unmannerly speech talk akin ;
to that used in bear gardens and other
places of low resort (Grose).
Be-argered. Drunk: see Screwed.
Bearing. Acting as a bear (q.v.) ;
or using artifices to lower the price of
stock to suit a bear account.
Bearings. To bring one to one's bear-
ings, to bring one to reason, to act as
a check.
35
 Bear-leader.
Bear-leader. A travelling tutor.
Bear - play. Rough, tumultuous
behaviour.
Bearskin-jobber. See Bear.
Beast 1. Applied to anything un-
pleasant ; or, to that which displeases ;
e.g. It's a perfect beast of a day, for
it's an unpleasant day : see Beastly.
2. A new cadet at the U.S. Military
Academy at West Point 3. (Cam-
bridge University). One who has left
school and come np to Cambridge
for study, before entering the Uni-
versity: because he is neither man
nor boy.
Beastly. In modern colloquial usage
applied to whatever may offend the
taste :cL awful* everlasting, etc.
(1611).
Beat 1. This word is
ways, its precise meaning often depend-
ing on ita qualifying adjective. It is said
of both men and things ; for example,
a live beat is anybody or anything that
surpasses another, and the sense is
not derogatory in the least. dead
beat, on the other hand, is the name
given to a man who sponges on his
fellows. [Probably from that sense
of beat signifying to overcome; to
show oneself superior to, either in a
good or bad sense.] 2. A daily round,
duty, work, etc. ; and, figuratively,
a sphere of influence
adj. (1) overcome, exhausted, done
up: generally dead-beat (q.v.) ; (2)
hence baffled, defeated. As verb, to
swindle, deceive, cheat Daisy beat,
a swindle of the first water, a robbery
of magnitude. To beat hollow (to
sticks, ribands, fits, all creation, to
shivers, etc.), to excel, surpass (1759).
To get a beat on, to get the advantage of.
Other phrases are, to beat the air, to
strive to no purpose (1375) ; to beat the
rtreete, to walk to and fro ; tobeat over the
old ground, to discuss topics already
treated ; to beat about the bush, to act
cautiously, approach warily or in a
roundabout way (1572); to beat up,
to visit unceremoniously ; to beat the
brains, etc.), to think per-
(head,
sistently ; beat out, to exhaust,
to
overpower ; to beat the hoof, to
walk, go on foot, plod, prowl (1596) ;
to beat the rib (see Rib). To beat the
booby (or goose), to strike the hands
across the chest and under the arm pits
to warm them : formerly to beat Jonas ;
to beat the road, to travel by rail without
Bed.
paying. That beats the Dutch! (see
Dutch). To beat daddy mammy, to
tattoo, practise the elements of drum
beating. To beat down to bed-rock (see
Bedrock). To beat out, impoverished,
in one's last straits, hard up.
Beater-cases. Boots, shoes, now
nearly obsolete. Trotter-cases (q.v.)
being the usual term nowadays.
Beaters. The feet Barclay in Shyp :
of Polys (1509), speaks of 'night
watchers and beters of the stretes : '
see Creepers.
Beating-stock. A subject of fre-
quent chastisement : cf. Laughing-
stock.
Beauetry. Dandyism, dandy out-
fit : a humorous imitation of coquetry
(1702).
used in many Beau Trap. 1 A loose stone in a pave-
.
ment, under which water lodges, and
which, on being trodden upon, squirts
it up. 2. A well-dressed sharper, on
the look-out for raw country visitors
and such like. 3. A fop, well-dressed
A outwardly, but whose linen, person,
and habits generally are unclean.
B eau ty. A term applied, on the rule
of contrary, to the plainest or ugliest
cadet in the class at the United States
Military Academy at West Point It
great beauty, it was a fine sight ;
was
That's the beauty of it, That's just as it
(1788). As should be as affording special pleasure
:
or satisfaction.
Beauty-sleep. Sleep before mid-
night, the idea being that early hours
conduce to health and beauty ( 1850).
Beauty-spot. Ironically of a pimple
or other blemish on the face or other
exposed parts of the person.
Beaver, subs, (common). An old
term for a hat; goss, cady (1528):
at one time hats were made of beaver's
fur hence the name the term is still;
occasionally applied to tall chimney-
pot hats, but for many years silk has
replaced the skin of the rodent in their
manufacture. In beaver, in a tall hat
and non-academical garb, as distin-
guished from cap and gown (1840).
See also Bever.
Beck. 1. A constable see Beak. 2. :
A parish beadle ; apparently the term
was applied to all kinds of watch-
men : see Harman-beck. As verb, to
imprison amongst Dutch thieves
:
bfJcaan has the same signification.
Bed. To put to bed with a pickaxe
and shovel, to bury.
36
 Bedder. Been.

Bedder (Cambridge University). A tion of Virgil's JEneid. Hence, bee-

charwoman one who makes the beds
;
and performs other necessary domestic
duties for residents in college.
Bed-fagot. 1. Applied contemp-
tuously to a woman ; cf. hussy,
bonneted (or bee-headed) crazed ; bee-
head, a crazy pate : see Buffle.
Beef. 1. Human flesh (a trans-
ferred sense) ; i.e. obese, stolid, fleshy
like an ox. 2. By a further transi-

witch, etc. 2. A wanton. tion beef has also come to signify

Bedfordshire. Sheet alley (q.v.), men, strength, hands ; More beef I a
blanket fair (q.v.), the land of Nod bo' sun's exhortation to extra exertion.
(q.v.), etc. (1665). To be in a man's beef, to wound with a
Bedful of Bones. A skinny, bony, sword (Grose). To cry (or give) beef (or
bedfellow (1621). hot beef), to give an alarm, pursue, set
Bedoozle. To confuse, to bewilder :
up a hue and cry it has been suggested
:

that beef in this case is a rhyming

probably a corrupt form of the old
English verb bedazzle, used by synonym for thief. To be dressed
Shakespeare in Taming of the Shrew, like Christmas beef, to be decked out
IV. v.46 (1593). in one's best raiment. To make beef,
Bedpost. In the twinkling of a bedpost, to run away, decamp. Beef to the
instantaneously, with great rapidity : a Mullingar Heifer, said of a
heels, like
originally in the twinkling of a bedstaff stalwart man, or a fine woman ; i.e.
(1660). Among English synonyms one whose superiority is manifest from
may be included : in a jiffy, in two the crown of the head to the sole of the
two's, in a brace of shakes, before you foot ; literally, all beef down to the heels.
can say Jack Robinson, in a crack, in Beef up phr. Put on your strength !
I
the squeezing of a lemon. Between Give a long pull and a strong pull !
you and me and the bed-post, a humor- To beef it, originally a provincialism,
ous tag to an assertion i.e. between
;
but now common in the East End of
ourselves I know what you say, London to take a meat meal, more
:

but, between you and me, etc. the . . .

particularly of beef.
thing is absurd sometimes the last
: Beef - brained. Doltish, obtuse,
word is varied by post, door post, thickheaded.
or gate post any prop will serve Beef-head. A dolt ; a stupid, thick-
(1831). headed person : see Buffle.
Bedrock. To get down to bedrock, to Beefment. On the beefment, on the
get at the bottom of matters, thorough- alert, on the look out.
ly understand, get in on the ground Beef-stick. The bone in a joint of
floor (q.v.) : a miner's term, alluding beef. At mess it is First come, best
to the solid rock underlying superficial served ; and those who come last
and other formations. Bedrock fact, sometimes get little more than the
a chiel that winna ding, the incon- beef-stick.
testable and incontrovertible truth. Beef Straight See Straight.
Bedtime. The hour of death (Al- Beef - witted. See Beef-brained
ford). (1594).
Bee. 1. A sweet writer. 2. A Beefy. Fleshy, unduly thick, obese :
busy worker. A working party of
3. a run of luck and good fortune, gener-
neighbours and friends for the benefit ally, is likewise referred to as beefy.
of one of their number ; as when a Whence beefiness.
party of settlers combine to erect a Bee-line. To take (or make) a bee-
log-house for a newcomer, or when line, to go direct, as the crow flies,
farmers unite to gather one another's without circumlocution. Bees, when
harvests in succession e.g. apple-bee,
:
fully laden with pollen, make for the
raising bee, etc. ; hence, a social gather- hive in a straight, or bee-line. One
ing for some specific purpose, as spelling of theAmerican railways is called the
bee. To have a bee in the head (brains, Bee Line Road from the direct route it
garret, or bonnet,) to have queer ideas, takes between its termini (1849).
be half-cracked, nighty ; this phrase is Beelzebub's Paradise. Hell, the
of considerable antiquity, being traced infernal regions.
back to a Scotch writer, Gawin Been. Been in the sun, drunk see :

Douglas by name [1474-1521], Bishop Screwed. Been measured for a new

of Dunkeld, who used it in a transla- umbrella, said sportively of any one
37
 Beer. Before.

appearing in new, ill fitting clothes, one-half ofits front

page to notices of
or who has struck out a new line of publicans and tavern-keepers while ;

action, the wisdom of which is doubt- the other half was filled up with
ful the joke is an old one and refers to
: announcements of religious books,
a man of whom it was said that nothing and lists of preachers at the London
fitted him but his umbrella. Oh yes, churches and chapels. This gained
Pve, been there ; I know what I am for the paper the sobriquet of the Gin
about. A popular exclamation when : and Gospel Gazette.
it is said of a man that he has been Beer and Skittles. Generally, Not all
there, shrewdness, pertinacity, and beer and skittles, i.e. not altogether
experience are implied. pleasant, or couleur de rose.
Beer. To drink beer, also, to do a beer. Beer- barrel. The human body : cf.
To be in beer, drunk see Screwed. To
: Bacon.
think no email beer of oneself, to possess Beeriness (or Beery), pertaining to
a good measure of self-esteem (1840) : a state of (or approaching to) drunken-
see Small-beer. ness, intoxicated, fuddled with beer :

Beer an d Bi ble. An epithet applied see Screwed (1857).

sarcastically to a political party which Beer-jerker (or -slinger). A tippler:
first came into prominence during the see Lushington.
last Beaconsfield Administration, and Beerocracy, subs, (common). The
which was called into being by a brewing and beer-selling interest a :

measure introduced by the moderate humorous appellation in imitation of

Liberals in 1873, with a view to placing aristocracy : cf.
Mobocracy, Cotton-
certain restrictions upon the sale of ocracy, etc.
intoxicating drinks. The Licensed Beeswax. Poor, soft cheese,
1.

Victuallers, an extremely powerful sweaty-toe cheese (q.v.) (1821). 2. A

association whose influence extended
all over the kingdom, took alarm,
and turned to the Conservatives
help in opposing the bill. In the
bore ; one who button-holes another ;
generally Old beeswax.
for Beeswaxers (Winchester College).
Thick boots used for football prob-
: :

ranks of the latter were numbered the ably from being smeared with bees-
chief brewers the leaders of the asso-
; wax to supple them pronounced :

ciation, moreover, had mostly strong Beswaxers.

high -church tendencies, while one of Beeswing. A gauzy film or crust, in
them was president of the Exeter Hall port wines, the result of age, so called
organization. The Liberals, noting from its appearance when broken up
these facts, nicknamed this alliance in the process of decanting. Hence
the Beer and Bible Association ; the also Beeswinged ( 1846). Ola beeswing,
Morning Advertiser, the organ of the a nickname for any one, but especi-
Licensed Victuallers, was dubbed the ally for one who takes to his liquor
Beer and Bible Gazette ; and lastly, kindly.
electioneering tactics ascribed to them Beetle. Deaf (dumb, or dull) as a
the war cry of Beer and Bible I This beetle,a type of dulness or stupidity,
so-called Beer and Bible interest made blockishness beetle-brain (-or head), a
;

rapid strides in 1 870 the Conservatives

: term of contempt cf. Blockhead. :

were at their low-water mark among Bee tie-crusher (or bee tle-squasher),
the London constituencies ; but, in 1. A large foot the term was popu-
:

1 880,
they had carried seats in the City, larised by Leech in Punch. 2. A
Westminster, Marylebone, Tower Ham- large boot or shoe also Beetle-cases.
:

lets, Greenwich, and Southwark. A 3. An infantry soldier ; a cavalry term :

notable exception to this strange see Mud-crusher.

fellowship was Mr. Bass [afterwards
Lord Bass], of pale-ale fame, who held
aloof from opposition to the measure
in question. Anent the nickname
Beer and Bible Gazette, given to the
Morning Advertiser, it may be men-
tioned that it had already earned for
itself a somewhat similar sobriquet.
For a long time this paper devoted
38
Beetle-crushing. With solid tread,
such as comes from large heavy feet in
boots or shoes to match ; e.g. the
marching of infantry.
Beetles. Colorado mining shares.
Beetle-sticker. An entomologist.
Before. Before the wind, in prosper-
ous circumstances, out of debt or
difficulty.
 Begad ! Bell-topper.

Begad ! A corruption of By God !

burgh from the French bee jaune,
:

and, as such, a euphemistic oath yellow beak, in allusion to the colour

(1742). of the mandibles of young birds. The
Beggar. 1. A term of contempt ; term was adopted from the University
a mean or low fellow. 2. An endear- of Paris ; but, signifying a novice,
ment cf. baggage, dog, rogue, etc.
: it has been in more or less general use
Also phrases A beggar's wallet is
: for nearly three hundred years. At
never filled (1539) Beggars should ; Aberdeen, the second-class students
not be choosers (1562) ; A beggar are semi-bejans ; in the third tertians ;

may sing before a thief (1562) I ; while those in the highest rank are
know him as well as a beggar knows magistrands.
his bag ; Beggars mounted run their Belph. Beer, especially poor beer :

horses to death ; Rich when young, because of its liability to cause eructa-
a beggar when old ; As great as tion. One of Shakespeare's characters
beggars; Sue a beggar and catch a in Twelfth Night is Sir Toby Belch, a
louse ; Set a beggar on horseback reckless, roystering, jolly knight of the
and he'll ride to the devil. Beggar the Elizabethan period.
thing !confound it, or, hang the Belcher. 1. A neckerchief named

thing. after Jim Belcher, a noted pugilist the :

Beggared. Ptt be beggared if, etc., an ground is blue, with white spots also :

emphatic asseveration ; i.e. I'll give any handkerchief of a similar pattern

up everything, even to being reduced (1812). 2. A ring: with the crown
to beggary, if, etc. and V.R. stamped upon them. 3. A
Beggar-maker. A publican. beer drinker, a hard drinker (1598).
Beggars. The small cards from the Belial. Balliol College, Oxford.
deuce to the ten. Believe. / believe you, employed to
Beggar's Brown. Scotch snuff :
signify general assent ; Yes some- :

made of the stem of tobacco. times / believe you, my boy once a ;

Beggar's Bullets (or Bolts). Stones favourite catch-phrase of a well-known

(1584). actor.
Beggar's Bush. To go home by Bell. A song : a tramps' term : a
beggar's bush, to go to ruin (1686). diminutive of bellow. To bell a
Beggar's Plush. Corduroy (1688). marble, to run away with it the :

Beggar's Velvet. Downy particles action scarcely amounts to actual

which accumulate under furniture : theft. To ring one's own bell, to
otherwise called sluts'-wool (q.v.). blow one's trumpet, to sound one's
Begin. To begin upon a person, to own praises.
attack, assault. Bell - bastard. The illegitimate
Begosh B'gosh I An expletive
1 child of a woman who is herself
(probably of negro origin), a half veiled illegitimate.
oath. Bellmare. A political leader, mostly
Behind. 1. The posterior. 2. (Eton contemptuously.
and Winchester Colleges). A back at Bellows. The lungs (1615). Bellows to
football : at Eton called short behind mend, said of a broken-winded horse ;
and long behind, usually abbreviated likewise of a man whose lungs are
to short and long ; at Winchester, affected, or one who from any cause
second behind and last behind : these is out of health.
answer to the half-back and back of Bellows-blower. 1. One exciting to
Association football : at Winchester, strife. 2. An unskilled assistant, a
in the Fifteens, there is also a third mere hodman.
behind. Behind one's side (Winchester Bellowsed. Transported, lagged : cf.

College). Said of a man when nearer Bellowser.

the opponent's goal than the player of
his team who last touched the ball.
Beilby's Ball.
execution (Grose).
Bejan, Baijan (Scotch University).
A freshman student of the first year at
the Universities of St. Andrews and
Aberdeen it is now obsolete at Edin-
:
Bellowser. 1. A blow in the pit of
the stomach, a winder, that which takes
An Old Bailey the breath away. 2. A sentence of
transportation for life.
Bell-rope. Aggera waters (q.v.).
Bellswagger. See Belswagger.
Bell-topper. A silk hat : see Gol-
gotha.
39
 Bend.

Bell- we ther. 1 . A chief or leader : in until after accouchement : in practice,

contempt. 2. Clamorous person,
a it really means a commutation of the
mouther (q.v.). Henoe BeUwethering death penalty for life
imprisonment.
and Kdlwetherishneas. Belly- plum per. See Belly-bumper.
Belly-ache. A colic. Belly-sacrifice. A gluttonous feast.
Belly-bender. A boy's term for Belly- slave. A glutton.
weak and unsafe ice. Belly-swain. A glutton.
Belly- bound. Constipated costive. ; Belly-timber. Food, provisions of
Belly-bumper (or Belly-buster). all kinds like
:
many other words of its
To take a belly-butter, to ride downhill class (e.g. Back-timber, q.v.), once
in a sled lying on one's stomach an : in serious use, but now a thorough-
amusement of young America the :
going vulgarism, only surviving dia-
idea of tobogganing was derived from lectically,
and as slang Massinger and
:

this boyish pastime also Belly- bumbo,

: the older dramatists employed it
Belly-guts (or gutter). Belly-flounders, seriously, toward the end of the seven-
Belly-Sumps, and Belly-plumper. teenth century it began to be used in
Belly-button. The navel. a ludicrous and vulgar sense.
Belly-cheat (or Belly-chete). 1. Belly-up. Enceinte.
An apron. 2. Food (1609). Belly- vengeance. Sour beer: as
Belly-cheer (or Belly-chere). Food. apt to cause gastralgia Fr., pissin de
:

Belly-cheering, eating, drinking (1559). cheval.

Belly-critic. A connoisseur of good Belongings. 1. Qualities, endow-

living. ments, faculties. 2. Relations, one's

Belly-friend. A parasite, sponger kindred. 3. One's effects, possessions.

(q.v.). 4. Trousers.
Belly-full. A sound drubbing, a Belswagger,subs.(old). l.Alewdster,
thrashing (1599). pimp (1775). 2. A bully, hector (1592).
Belly-furniture. Food, something Belt. To strike below the belt, to act
wherewith to furnish the belly cf. :
unfairly ; to take mean advantage, to
Belly-timber, Back- timber, etc. (1653). stab a man in the back.
Belly-god. A glutton (1540). Bel tinker. A beating, drubbing. As
Belly - go-firster. An initial blow, verb, to thrash, beat soundly.
generally given, say some authorities, Bemused. Fuddled, in the stupid
in the stomach whence its classic stage of drunkenness : see Screwed :
name !
usually bemused with beer (Pope).
Belly-grinding. Colic, a pain in the Ben. 1. A benefit, performance of
bowels. which the receipts, after paying ex-
Belly-gut, subs. (old). A lazy, greedy penses, are devoted to one person's
fellow; slothful glutton (1540). special use or benefit. 2. A
fool : see
Belly-guts. 1. In Pennsylvania, Buffle (Orose). 3. A
shortened form of
molasses candy. 2. Belly - bumper Benjamin (q.v.), a coat ; also of Benjy
(q.v.). (q.v.), a waistcoat. To stand ben, to
Belly-hedges (Shrewsbury School). stand treat.
In school steeplechases, obstructions Benar. See Bene.
of such a height that they can easily Benbouse. Good beer (1567).
be cleared i.e. about belly-high. Bench-babbler (or whistler). A
Belly-metal. Food. loafer, one who sits idly on a bench :

Belly-mountained. Prominent in a generic reproach.

the belly, footy-gutted (q.v.). Bencher. A frequenter of taverns,
Belly- paunch. A glutton, a great one who hulks about public houses.
feeder. Ben Cull (or Cove). A friend,
Belly- piece. 1. An apron: cf. Belly- Pall (q.v.), companion.
cheat (1689). 2. A mistress, concubine Bend. To tipple, drink hard (Jamie-
(1630). son) (1758). Above one's bend, above
Belly-pinched. Hungry. one's ability (power or capacity), out
Belly Plea. A plea of pregnancy : of one's reach, above one s hook : in
urged by female felons capitally con- U.S. A. above my huckleberry (q.v.).
victed. The plea still holds good, Grecian bend, a craze amongst women
execution of female convicts in an which had a vogue from about 1872 to
interesting condition being deferred 1880: it consisted in walking with
 Bender. Bet.

the body bent forward. On the bend, A small ruler. 2. (thieves') A coat :

inan underhand, oblique, or crooked said to have been derived from a well-
way not on the square. Bend over known London advertising tailor of
(Winchester College), a direction to the same name. Upper Benjamin, a
put oneself into position to receive a greatcoat (1815).
spanking this is done by bending
: Ben Joltram. Brown bread and
over so that the tips of the fingers ex- skimmed milk a Norfolk term for a
;

tend towards the toes, thus presenting ploughboy's breakfast (Hotten).

a surface as tight as a drum for castiga- Benjy. 1. A low crowned straw hat
tion. having a very broad brim. 2. A
Bender. 1. A
sixpence see Rhino : waistcoat: also Ben (q.v.).
(1789). 2. A
hard and persistent Bens. Tools.
drinker, a tippler (1728). 3. In public Benship (or Beenship). Worship,
school phraseology a stroke of the goodness : this word, evidently from
cane administered by the master while Beneship (q.v.), is given by Bailey
the culprit bends down his back. 4. (1728),and by Coles (1724), As adj.,
The arm. 5. A drinking bout, spree. 6. very good (1567).
The leg. 7. The bow-shaped segment Beong. A
shilling see Rhino : :

of a paper kite. Over the bender, a from Italian bianco, white also the ;

variant of Over the left shoulder. name of a silver coin.

As intj., an exclamation of incredulity, Beray. To defile, befoul, abuse : old
also used as a kind of saving clause to cant.
a promise which the speaker does not Berkeleys. A woman's breasts.
intend to carry into effect. Bermudas. A district in London,
Bendigo. A rough fur cap named : similar to Alsatia in Whitefriars (q.v.),
after a notorious pugilist. and the Mint in Southwark, privileged
Bene, Ben. Good this belongs to :
against arrests. The Bermudas are
the most ancient English cant, and is thought to have been certain narrow
probably a corruption from the Latin : and obscure alleys and passages north
benar and benat appear to have been of the Strand, near Covent Garden, and
used as comparatives of bene (1567). contiguous to Drury Lane.
Stowe your bene, hold your tongue. Berthas. London, Brighton, and
Bene-bouze. See Benbouse. South Coast Railway shares.
Bene-cove. See Ben-cull. Berwicks. The ordinary stock of the
Bene Darkmans Good-night
! ! North Eastern Railway.
French thieves say sorgabon, an in- Besom. A low woman.
version of bonne sorgue. Besom-head. A blockhead, fool:
Benedick. A newly-married man ; see Buffle. Whence besom-headed.
especially one who has long been a Besognio. 1. A raw soldier. 2. A
bachelor. Apparently, however, there needy beggar. 3. A worthless fellow.
is some confusion in the usage, for it Bespeak-nigh t. A benefit.
also signifies a bachelor. Bess. See Betty.
Bene Feakers. Counterfeiters of Bess-o'- Bedlam. A lunatic vagrant.
bills (Grose). Best To best one. To obtain an
Bene Feakers of Gybes. Counter- advantage, secure a superior position
feiters of passes (Grose). in a contest or bargain, to worst, but
Bene (or Bien) Mort. A fine woman, not necessarily to cheat. To best the
pretty girl, hostess (1567). pistol, to get away before the signal for
Beneship. See Benship (1567). starting is actually given. To give one
Beneshiply. Worshipfully. best,to leave one, sever companionship.
Ben-flake. A steak. Bester. A cheat, swindler :
generally
Bengal Tigers. The Seventeenth applied to a turf or gaming blackleg.
Foot, now the Leicestershire regiment : Bet. 1. To bet one's eyes, to onlook,
from badge of a royal tiger granted
its but to take no part in, nor bet upon
for services in India from 1804-1823 : the game. You bet Be assured, cer-
!

also called The Lily- Whites from its tainly. 2. To bet round, to lay fairly and
facings. equally against nearly all the horses in
Bengi. An onion. a race, so that no great risk can be run :
Benish. Foolish. commonly called getting round (Hot-
Benjamin (Winchester College). 1. ten).
 Bethel. Biddy.

Bethel. In the year 1680 Bethel B Flat A bug : cf. F sharps : see
and Cornish were chosen sheriffs. The Norfolk Howards.
former used to walk about more like a Bib. To nap a
bib (or one'' a bib), to
corn-cutter than Sheriff of London. weep, blubber,snivel, Best bib
He kept no house, but lived upon and tucker, best-clothes.
chops, whence it is proverbial for not Bibables (or Bibibles). Drink, as
feasting to bethel the city (North). distinguished from food : a coinage
a place of worship other
Little Bethel, on the model of edibles, eatables,
than those of the established church :
drinkables, etc.
in contempt. Bib-all-night A
toper, confirmed
Be there. See There. drunkard see Lushington (1612).
:

Better. More : there is no idea of Bible. A

superiority : a depraved word, once
in good usage, but now regarded as a
vulgarism (1587). Better half, a wife
originally my better half, i.e. the more
than half of my being ; said of a very
close and intimate friend formerly also
applied to the soul, as the better part
of man (Murray) (1580).
Be t tor Roun d. One who is addicted
to betting round see Bet. :
Betty. 1. A man who occupies him-
self with household matters in con-
tempt. 2. A small instrument used
by burglars to force open doors and
pick locks also Bess, now called a
: to books (q.v. ) during his term of office.
Jenny (1671). 3. A Florence flask:
as used for olive oil. As verb (collo-
quial), to potter about, fuss about.
All betty a cry of warning, it's all up,
! week he pleases the rest take weeks
hand-axe, a small holy-*
stone (a kind of sand-stone used in
cleaning decks), so called from seamen
:
using them kneeling (Smyth). That's
bible, that's the truth, that's 1. A
Bible-carrier. running A
stationer
:
(q.v.) who songs without singing
sells
them: once often heard in the neigh-
bourhood of Seven Dials.
Bible-clerk (Winchester College). A
College prefect in full power, appointed
for one week. He keeps order in
: school, reads the lessons in chapel,
takes round rolls (q.v.), and assists at
floggings. He is absolved from going up
The prefect of hall need not act as
Bible-clerk unless he likes, and the
prefect of School may choose any
;

the game is lost ! in rotation, in the order of their

Betwattled. Surprised, confounded, Chambers in College see Bibler and :

out of one's senses, bewrayed (Grose). Bibling.

Between. Phrases: Bet vxen thebeetle Bible-pounder (sharp, or thumper).
and the block, in parlous state between ; A clergyman.
the cup and the lip, as near as a toucher Bibler (Winchester College).
(q.v.) ;between the devil and the Dead Now called Bibling (q.v.). BMer
(or deep blue) sea, at one's last resource, under nail, see Bibling under nail.
cornered (q.v.) ; between the bark and Bibling (Winchester College). For-
the wood (or tree), see Tree ; between you
merly called a bibler. A flogging of
and me and the bedpost
; see Bedpost. six cuts on the small of the back, ad-
1.
Drink, liquor. 2. A ministered by the head or second
Beyer.
potation, drinking bout, a time for master. So called because the person
drinking. 3. A small repast between to be operated upon ordered (q.v.) hia
meals, snack especially a snack
: name to the Bible-clerk (q.v.).
between mid-day dinner and supper Bibling-rod (Winchester College).
(1500). Also as verb. The instrument with which a bibling
Beverage (or Bevy). A tip, vail :
(q.v.) was administered. It consisted
equivalent to the FT., pourboire: money of a handle with four apple twigs in
demanded (Grose) of any one
for drink, the end, twisted together. It is re-
having a new suit of clothes. presented on Aut Disce. It was
Beware.
'
We
[strolling actors] call invented and used by Warden
first
breakfast, dinner, tea, supper, all of Baker in 1454. not used now.
It is
them, numyare ; and all beer, Bibling under Nail (Winchester
brandy, water, or soup, are beware' College). A bibling (q.v.) administered
(Mayhew). for very heinous offences after an
Beyond. The back of beyond, an offender had stood under nail (q.v.).
out-of-the-way place, ever so far off Biddy. 1. A chicken sometimes :

(1816). chick-a-biddy. 2. A young woman,

42
 Bidet. Big Wig.

not necessarily Irish in both these : drink, to partake of liquor from a large
senses the word appears in Grose (1785) glass.
Since that time it would seem to have Big-endian. Anybody or anything
changed somewhat in meaning as of importance.
follows. 3. A woman, whether young Big Figure. To go the big figure, a
or old. 4. (Winchester College). See variant of to go the whole hog, or
Bidet. 5. (American). A servant to go the whole animal.
girl generally Irish. Biggest. A superlative often used in
Bidet (or Biddy) (Winchester the sense of the best or the finest.
College). A bath. Biggest Toad in the Puddle. One of
Bidstand. A highwayman (1637). the many bold, if equivocal, metaphors
Bien. See Bene. to which the West has given rise.
Biff. A blow. To give a biff in the The biggest toad in the puddle is the
jaw, to smack one's face, to wipe one recognised leader or chief, whether
in the chops. in politics or in connection with the
Biffin. My biffin !
my pal ! A rougher avocations of pioneer life.
biffin is properly a dried apple, cf. B g g i t y.
i
Consequential, giving
Pippin. oneself airs a negro term.
:

Big. To talk (or look) big, to assume Big Gun. A person of consequence.
a pompous style or manner with a Big-head. To have a big-head. 1. To
view to impressing others with a sense be conceited, bumptious also applied
:

of one's importance ; to talk loudly, to those who are cocksure of every-

boastingly : Fr., se hancher (1579). thing, or affected in manner. 2. The

Big as all outdoors, an expression in- after effect of a debauch. To get the
tended to convey an idea of indefinite big-head, to get drunk see Screwed.
:

size,hugeness, enormous capacity. Big House. The workhouse some- :

Big- bellied. Advanced in preg- times called the Large House.

nancy (1711).
Big Ben. A nickname for the clock
in the tower of the Houses of Parlia-
ment at Westminster named after Sir
Benjamin Hall, the Commissioner of
Works, under whose supervision it
was constructed it was commenced
:
in 1856, and finished in 1857.
Big Bird. To get (or give) the big
Big Mouth. Excessive talkative-
ness, loquacity.
Big Nuts to crack. An undertaking
: of magnitude, one not easy to perform.
Big One (or Big "Un). A
man of
note or importance.
Big People. Persons of standing
or consequence.
Big Pond. The Atlantic also The :

bird, to be hissed on the stage or, ; big drink (q.v.).

conversely, to hiss. Big Pot. A person of consequence.
Big Bug. A person of standing (or Big-side (Rugby School). The com-
consequence) a common mode of
: bination of all the bigger fellows in
allusion to persons of wealth or other the school in one and the same game
claims to distinction variants are : or run ; also the ground specially
Big-dog, Big-toad, Big- wig, and Great used for the game so denominated :
gun (1854). also used at other public schools.
Big Country. The open country. Whence Big-side run, a paper chase,
Big Dog of the lanyard. A conse- in which picked representatives of all
quential, pompous individual; one houses take part, as opposed to a
who will neither allow others a voice in house run.
any matter, or permit dissent from his Big Take. That which takes the
own views. public fancy, a great success, etc.,
Big Dog with the Brass Collar. in short, anything that catches on.
The chief in any undertaking or Big Talk. Pompous speech, a
enterprise,a leader. pedantic use of long words.
Big Drink. 1. The ocean: more par- Big Wig. A person of consequence,
ticularly applied to the Atlantic also : one high in authority or rank used :

called the Big pond, Herring pond, the both contemptuously and humor-
Puddle (q.v.). 2. When a Western ously (1703). Big-wigged, pompous,
plainsman talks of the Big drink he is consequential. Big-wiggery, a display
always understood to mean the Mis- of consequence, or pomposity. Big-
sissippi river. To take a big (or long) wiggism, pomposity.
 Big Words.
Big Words. Pompous speech,
crack jaw words.
Bike. Short for bicycle : cf. Trike.
Bilbo (or Bilboa). (1) A sword:
Bilbao in Spain was once renowned for
well tempered blades. Hence a (2)
sword personified, especially that of a
bully. Bilbo's the word, Beware, a blow
will follow the word. Bilbo-lord, a
bully. Also (3) a kind of stock a long
iron bar with sliding shackles for the
ankle, and a lock by which to fasten the
bar at one end to the ground (1567).
Bile. A
vulgarism for boil.
Bilgewater. Bad beer.
Bilk. A word, formerly in general
use, to which a certain stigma of vul-
is now attached. Uncertain in
garity
derivation possibly a corrupted form
of balk it was first employed tech-
nically at cribbage to signify the
spoiling of an adversary's score in the
crib. Among obsolete or depraved
usages may be mentioned. 1. A state-
ment or string of words without sense,
truth, or meaning (1663). 2. A hoax,
imposition, humbug (1664). 3.
swindler, cheat : this is the most
familiar current use of the word in ita
substantive form, and is applied
mainly to persons who cheat cabmen
of their fares, and such like : also
Bilker (1790). 4. A person who
habitually spongesupon another, and
who never by any chance makes a
return or even offers to do so. As
adj., fallacious, without truth or
meaning (1740). As verb, to cheat,
defraud, evade one's obligations,
escape from, etc. (1677). To bilk the
bluet, to evade the police. To bilk the
schoolmaster, to obtain knowledge or
experience without paying for it ( 1821 ).
Bilker. A cheat, swindler : see Bilk.
Bilking. Cheating, swindling.
BUI (Eton College). 1. A list of boys
who have to go to the headmaster at
12 o'clock ; also of those who get off
Absence (q.v.), or names-calling e.g.
an eleven playing in a match are thus
exempt. 2. (Harrow School). Names-
calling. To hang up a bill, to pass it
through one or more of its stages, and
then to lay it aside and defer ita
further consideration for a more or
lees indefinite period. To rush a
to expedite the passing of
through the Senate and Congress.
To hold with bill in the water, to keep
in suspense. Long (or short)
long (or short) term of imprisonment.
To pay a bill at sight, said of a man or
woman who is always ready for action.
To bill up, to be confined to barracks.
Bill brighter (Winchester College).
A small fagot used for lighting coal fires
in Kitchen : so called from a servant
Bill Bright, who
was living in 1830.
Billet. A
situation, berth. To get a
billet, amongst prisoners to obtain
promotion to duties which carry with
them certain privileges.
Billiard Block. One who puts up
with disagreeables for the sake of
pecuniary or other advantages; also,
occasionally, a jackal (q.v.), a tame
cat (q.v.).
Billiard-slum. False pretences.
Billingsgate. Coarse language, scur-
rilous abuse from the evil reputation
:
which the market of the same name
has enjoyed for centuries. In the
seventeenth century references to the
violent and abusive speech of those
frequenting the place were very
numerous (1652). In French an
A analogous reference is made to the
Place Maubert, also long noted for
its noisy market To Billingsgate (or
talk Billingsgate), to scold, talk coarsely
(or violently), slang (q.v.)- So
also, You're no better than a Billings-
gate fishfag, i.e. rude and ill-mannered.
Billingsgatry, scurrilous language.
Billingsgate Pheasant. A red
herring (or bloater), a two-eyed steak.
Bill of Sale. Widow's weeds.
Billy. 1. A
pocket handkerchief
(or neckerchief) : chiefly of silk : the
various fancies have been thus
described :Belcher, darkish blue
ground, large round white spots, with
a spot in the centre of darker blue than
the ground : this was adopted by Jem
Belcher, the pugilist, as his colours,
and soon became popular amongst the
fancy ; Bird's - eye wipe, a hand-
kerchief of
any colour, containing
: white spots : the blue bird's-eye is
similar to the Belcher except in the
centre : sometimes a bird's-eye wipe
has a white ground and blue spots ;
Blood-red fancy, red ; Blue Billy, blue
ground, generally with white figures ;
Cream fancy, any pattern on a white
bill, ground ; King's man, yellow pattern
a bill on a green ground ; Randal's man,
green, with white spots named after :
the favourite colours of Jack Randal,
bill, a pugilist ; Water's man, sky coloured ;
 BUly Barlow. Bird's-eye.

Yellow fancy, yellow with white spots ;
Yellow man, all yellow. 2. Stolen
metal. 3. A weapon usually com-
posed of a piece of untanned cowhide,
as hard as horn itself, some six inches
in length, twisted or braided into a
sort of handle, and covered from end
to end with woollen cloth one ex-
tremity is loaded with lead ; to the
other is firmly attached a loop, large
enough to admit a man's hand, formed
of strong linen cord, and intended to
allow the billy to hang loose from the
wrist, and at the same time prevent
it being lost or wrenched from the
grasp of its owner. A policeman's 4.
Bing. See Bynge a waste.
Binge. A drinking bout.
:
Bingham's Dandies. The 17th
Lancers.
Bingo. Brandy, or other spirituous
liquor :
thought to be a humorous
formation from B. for brandy (cf. B.
: and S.) and stingo (Grose). Hence,
Bingo boy, a tippler, drunkard ; Bingo
mort, a drunken woman.
Bingy. Bad, ropy butter ; nearly
equivalent to vinnied (q.v.): in the
English Dialect Society's Chester
Glossary, bingy is given as a peculiar
clouty or frowsty taste in milk the
first stage of turning sour.

staff,truncheon. A bushman'a
6. Binnacle Word. A fine (or affected)
tea-pot or saucepan. 6. A companion, word, which sailors jeeringly offer to
comrade, mate (1505). 7. A fellow chalk up upon the binnacle (Grose).
(1774). 8. A brother hence Billyhood,
; Birch - broom. A room. Like a
brotherhood (1724). birch-broom in a fit, said of a rough
Billy Barlow. A street clown, towzly head.
mountebank from the hero of a slang
: Birchin Lane. To send one to
song Billy was a real person, semi- Birchin Lane, to castigate, flog cf. :

idiotic, and though in dirt and rags, Strap oil, etc.

fancied himself a swell of the first Birch-oil. A thrashing : cf. Strap-
water occasionally he came out with
; oil, Hazel- oil, etc.
real witticisms ; he was a well-known Bird. When a play is hissed the
street character about the East-end actors say The bird's there see Goose. !

of London, and died in Whitechapel As verb, to thieve, steal, look for

Workhouse (1851). plunder used by Ben Jonson.
: A
Billy blinder. Ahoodwinker. bird of one's own brain, one's own
Billy-boy. A vessel like a galliot, conception. The bird in the bosom,
with two masts, the fore-mast square- one's secret pledge, conscience. Birds
rigged they hail mainly
: from Goole :
of a feather, of like character. Also
also called Humber-keels. proverbs and proverbial sayings
Billy -button. 1. Mutton. 2. A Some beat the bush and others take
journeyman tailor. the bird A child's bird and a
;

Billy Buzman. A thief whose knave's wife lead a sore life ; The
speciality ia silk pocket- and necker- bird that fouleth its own nest is not
chiefs. honest, A bird in hand is worth three
Billy-cock. A round, low-crowned in the wood bush) ; An old
(or
hat generally of soft felt, and with a bird is not caught with chaff ; To
broad brim. The Billy-cock of the kill two birds with one stone ; The

Antipodean colonies differs from the early bird catches the worm.
English headgear known by the name Bird-cage. 1. A
bustle, an article
in being made of hard instead of soft of feminine attire, used for extending
felt, and in having a turned-up brim. the skirts of the dress at one time con- :

Billy-fencer. A marine store dealer. structed of such a size and in such a

Billy-goat. A
tufted beard ; similar manner as to be not altogether unlike
to that of a goat. an elongated bird-cage :
among Eng-
Billy-hunting. 1. Collecting and lish synonyms may be mentioned
buying old metal. 2. Stealing pocket- canary cage, backstaircase, false here-
handkerchiefs. after, bishop. 2. A four-wheeled cab.
Billy Noodle. A ladykiller, con- 3. The paddock at the Newmarket
ceited ass. race-course where saddling takes place.
Billy-roller. A long stout stick. Birdlime. 1. Time. 2. A thief
Bim, Bimshire. A Barbadian: the (1705).
island of Barbadoes this place is also
: Bird's -
eye (Bird's
-
eye Fogle,
jeeringly called Little England. Bird's-eye Wipe). A silk handker-
 Bvrdsnye.

chief spotted with eye-like markings : Bitch Booby. A country girl

see Billy (1665). (Grose).
Birdsnye. An endearment : cf. Bitch-daughter. The night-
Pigsnye. mare.
Bird-witted. Inconsiderate, Bitch-fou. Very drank, beastly
thoughtless, easily imposed on (Grose) drunk see Screwed.
:

(1605). Bitch Party. A party composed of

Birk. A crib (q.v.), i.e. a house. women :
originally an Oxford term for
Birthday Suit Nudity, buff a tea-party : cf. Hen-party (q.v.), and
(q.v.) FT., en sauvage (1771).
:
Stag-party.
Bishop. 1. A warm drink : wine, Bite. 1. Money :
generic : see Bit
orange (or lemon), peel, and sugar and Rhino. 2. An imposition, piece
but variously compounded (1703). 2. of humbug, sell, do cf. Bilk, Bam, :

A bustle (q.v.) a pad worn on the

:
Bargain, and Sell the sense runs
:

back part of the waist, and designed through all stages, from jocular hoax-
to give prominence to the skirt see :
ing to downright swindling also in ;

Bird-cage (1848). 3. A chamber- the sense of disappointment, as in the

pot, jerry, Jordan, it (q.v.). 4. (Win- old proverb, the biter bit (1711). 3.
chester College). The sapling with A sharper, cheat, trickster (1742). 4.
which a fagot is bound together. As Applied in a transferred sense to any-
verb, (1) to burn marks into a horse's body or anything suspected of being
teeth, after he has lost them by age ; different to what it appears, but not
or, by other deceptive arts to give a necessarily in a bad sense. 5. One
good appearance to a bad horse : by who drives a hard bargain, a close
bishopping, a horse is made to appear fist 6. A Torkshireman. 7. An
younger than he is the expression is:
irregular white spot on the edge or
derived from the name of a person who corner of a printed page, caused by
initiated the practice ; (2) to murder the frisket not being sufficiently cut
by drowning now obsolete like
: : out (1677). As verb, (1) to deceive,
Burke and Boycott from the name of cheat, swindle, do, or take in for- :

an individual ; a man named Bishop merly used both transitively and pas-
drowned a boy in Bethnal Green,. in sively ; now only in latter (1699) ; (2)
1831, to sell the body for dissecting to strike a hard bargain ; (3) to steal ;
purposes. e.g. to bite the roger, to steal a port-
Bismarquer. To cheat, play foul at manteau, to bite the wiper, to pur-
cards (or billiards) the policy of Prince
: loin a handkerchief. As intj., (1)
Bismarck, the German Chancellor, in formerly an equivalent to the modern
1865-66 roused the indignation of Sold! Done! etc. (1704); (2)
Europe. (Charterhouse). A warning Cave !
Bit, Bite, Byte, 1. Money: To do a thing when the maggot bites, to do
see Rhino (1532). 2. coin varying A it when the fancy takes one, at one's
in value according to locality usually, own sweet will. To bite one's hips, to
however, to the silver piece of the regret a word or action. To bite one's
lowest denomination. Four penny name in, to drink heavily, tipple, drink
pieces are still called bits in English, greedily. To bite on the bridle, to be
though more popularly known as pinched in circumstances, reduced,
Joeys (q.v.) (1748). 3. In disparage- in difficulties. Phrases To bite upon :

ment otto of girls, bits of children, the bridle, to wait impatiently, like a
of a place, bit of one's mind, candid restless horse ; To bite the dust (ground,
bit
(and uncomplimentary) criticism, sand), etc., to die ; to bite the tongue,
opinion, etc. Bitwise, little by little. to repress speech ; to bite the thumb at,
Bitch, subs. (low). 1. A woman :
(1) 'To threaten or defie by putting
not now in literary use, though for- the thumbe naile into the mouth, and
merly so (1400). 2. A man it has long : with a ierke (from the upper teeth)
since passed out of decent usage (1500). make it to knack ' (Cotgrave) ; (2) to
As verb, (1) to yield (or give up an insult ; to bite one's ear, to caress fondly ;
attempt) through fear (Grose). (2) to to bite the ear, to borrow.
spoil, bungle. To stand bitch, to make Biter. 1. A practical joker, hoaxer,
honours of the tea table,
tea, or do- the one who deceives, a cheat and trickster :
or to perform a woman's duty. the term now only survives in the
46
 Bite-up. Black-birders.

proverbial expression, the biter bit ber, blabbing, blabbing -

book, etc.
(1669). 2. A wanton. a taint of vulgarism now rests upon
Bite-up. An unpleasant altercation. them all.
Bit-faker (or Turner-out). A coiner Black. 1. A poacher working with
of bad money. a blackened face (1722). 2. A mute
Bit- faking. Manufacturing base (1619). Phrases: To
look black, to
coin, counterfeiting. frown, look angrily say black is
; to
Bi ting-up. Grieving over a loss (or any one's eye (eyebrow, nail, etc.), to
bereavement). find fault, lay to charge ; black-babbling,
Bit- maker. A counterfeiter. malicious talk.
Bit-o'-bull. Beef :
Fr., gobet ; for- Black Act. Black art (q.v.).
merly, a dainty morsel. Blackamoor. \. A negro, any dark-
Bit of blood. A spirited horse skinned person ; originally not in
thoroughbred (1819). depreciation, but now a nickname
Bit of cavalry. A horse (1821). (1547). 2. A devil, demon, evil spirit
Bit of ebony. A negro (or negress), (1663).
snowball (q.v.). Blackamoor's Teeth. Cowrie shells
Bit o f fat. 1. An unexpected the currency of some savage tribes
advantage in a transaction. 2. See (1700).
Fat. Black-and-tan. Porter (or stout)
Bit of jam. See Jam. and ale, mixed in equal quantities.
Bit of leaf. Tobacco. Black-and-tan country. The
Bit of muslin. A young girl, Southern States of North America.
a woman see Petticoat.
: Black and White. The black
Bit of mutton. A woman, characters of print or writing on white
cf. Laced mutton. paper. Hence, to put a thing down in
A corpse.
Bit of sticks. black and white, to preserve it in writ-
Bitofstiff. A bank-note (or ing or in print : black on white is a
other paper money), the equivalent of variant (1596).
money when not in specie, i.e. a Black -apronry. The clerical and
draft or bill of exchange (1854). legal professions (1832).
Hence, to do a bit of stiff, to accept a Black - art. 1. Picking of locks,
bill.
burglary (1591). 2. The business of
Bit of stuff. An overdressed an undertaker.
man, man with full confidence in his Black-ball. See Pill.
appearance and abilities ; also a young Blackballing. Stealing, pilfering :

woman. a sailor's word it originated amongst

:

Bitter. A
glass of beer. To do a the employees of the old Black Ball
bitter, to drink a glass of bitter : line of steamers between New York
originally (says Hotten) an Oxford and Liverpool the cruelty and scan-
term varied by, to do a beer.
: dalous conduct of officers to men, and
Bittock. A
distance of very un- sailors to each other, were so proverb-
decided length if a North country- :
ial, that the line of vessels in question
man be asked the distance to a place, became known all over the world for
he will most probably reply, a mile the cruelty of its officers, and the
and a bittock the latter may be con-
:
thieving propensities of its sailors.
sidered any distance from one hundred Blackbeetles. The lower strata of
yards to ten miles also of time. :
society (1821).
Biz. Business, employment, occu- Blackberry swagger. A hawker
pation : Good biz, profitable busi- of tapes, boot-laces, etc.
ness. Blackbird. Formerly a captive
B. K. S. Barracks : used by officers on board a slaver now generally
;

in mufti, who do not wish to give their understood as referring to a Poly-

address. nesian indentured labourer, who, if
Blab, subs, (vulgar). 1. A babbler : not by name a slave, is often one to all
a depraved word, once in common use, intents and purposes. As verb, to cap-
but rarely employed now, except ture negroes or Polynesians, to kidnap.
colloquially. 2. Loose talk, chatter. B 1 a c k - bir der s. Kidnappers for
Also as verb and in various com- labour purposes on the islands of the
pounds and allied forms, such as blab- Pacific.

47
 Black-book. Blackleg.

Black- book. To be in the black books, which the death penalty is carried
to be in disgrace, have incurred dis- out these events are (or were) gener-
;

pleasure, to be out of favour. ally arranged to fall on the day in

Black box. A
lawyer (Grow}. question.
Black- boy. See Blackcoat Black-gown. A collegian, learned
Black Bracelets. Handcuffs see : man (17 10).
Darbies (1839). Blackguard, subs, (common). A
Black-cattle. 1. Clergymen, par- man coarse in speech, and offensive in
sons. 2. lace, active citizens (q.v.), manner, scamp, scoundrel, disreput-
chates (q.v.). able fellow the term, as now used, is
:

Black-cattle Show. A gathering of one of opprobrium, and although a

clergymen. good deal of uncertainty hangs about
Black-coat A parson (1627). its history and derivation, it seems

Black-country. Parts of Stafford- pretty clear that a certain amount of

shire and Warwickshire blackened by
the coal and iron industries (1834).
Black-cuffs. The Fifty-eighth Foot:
now the second battalion of the North-
amptonshire Regiment ; from the
regimental facings, which have been
black since 1767 also nicknamed the
:
steel backs (q.v.).
Black Diamonds. 1. Coals (1849).
2. A rough (but clever or good) person
this has given place to rough diamond
(q.v.).
Black Dog. 1. Applied, circa 1702-
a counterfeit shilling and other
30, to
base silver coinage. 2. Delirium
odium has always been attached to
the word (1532). As adj., of or per-
taining to a blackguard, to the scum
or refuse of society, vile, vicious ( 1 760).
As verb, to act like a rufnan,use filthy
(or scurrilous) language, play the
vagabond (or scoundrel).
Black Hole. 1. Cheltenham, from
number of retired Anglo-Indians
the
: who live there cf. Asia Minor.
: 2. A
barrack punishment-cell (or lock-up),
guard-room : the official designation
till 1868.
Black Horse. The Seventh Dra-
goon Guards so called from the regi-
:

tremens, the horrors, jim jams : mental facings, black on scarlet :

black dog is frequently used for de-
pression of spirits, and melancholy:
when a child is sulky, it is said, the
black dog is on his back among
the ancients a black dog and its pups
were considered an evU omen. To
Hush like a black dog, not to blush
occasionally The Blacks. During the
reign of George II., the corps was
known as The Virgin Mary's Guard,
: and is often called Strawboots (q.v.).
Black House. A place of business
where hours are long, and wages at
starvation rates a sweating house.
;

at all, to be shameless (1634). Black-humour. Melancholy.

Black Doll. See Dolly shop. Black Indies. Newcastle-on-Tyne :

Black-eye. To give a bottle a from its trade, coal the term is now :

black eye, to empty it obsolete, but it was in common use

Black -eyed Susan. Texan for a at the latter part of the eighteenth
revolver : other slang equiva-
among century.
lents for this weapon current in the Black Jack. 1. A leathern jug for
Lone Star State may be mentioned, beer, usually holding two gallons
Meat in the pot, Blue lightning, The (1591). 2. A
black leather jerkin
peace-maker, Mr. Speaker, One-eyed (1512).
scribe, Pill box, and My unconverted Black job. funeral. A
friend. Blackleg. 1. turf swindler, A
Black-fellow. An Australian rook, welcher ; also one who cheats at
aboriginal (1831). cards or billiards origin unknown : :

Black- fly. A clergyman: see although many speculations have been

Devil-dodger (1811). hazarded, none are satisfactory (1771).
Black- foot A go-between, 2. A workman who, when his fellows
match-maker (1814). are on strike, is willing to go on working.
Blackfriars. Look out Beware ! ! 3. Also any one failing or refusing to
Black Friday. 1. The day on which join his fellows in combination for a
Overend, Gurney, & Co. suspended given purpose. As verb, to boycott,
pay mentr 10th May 1886: cf. Blue to make things so uncomfortable for a
Monday (1750). 2. The Monday on man that he is compelled to leave hi*
48
 Black-leggism. Blanket.

work or the town. To blackleg it, of sponging houses were unlocked :

amongst trades' union men to return also Locksmith's daughter.

to work before the causes of a strike Black-snake. A long whip-lash.
have been removed (or settled) to the Black- spice Racket. Robbing
satisfaction of the leaders. chimney sweepers of their tools, bag,
Black-leggism, Black-legger7. and soot (Lexicon Ealatronicum).
Cheating, swindling, the arts and Black Spy. The devil Fr., dache. :

practices of a blackleg (q.v.) (1832). Black-strap. 1. Thick, sweet port.

Black-letter Day. An inauspicious 2. Properly speaking, gin mixed with

day : cf. Red-letter day. molasses, but frequently applied to

Black Literature. That printed in a compound of any alcoholic liquor
black letter (1797). with molasses
beverages of this
:

Blackmail (or rent). An illegal description were

at one time the
tribute (1533). commonest of drinks among agricul-
Black - man (Black Gentleman). tural labourers. 3. A task of labour
The devil (1606). imposed on soldiers at Gibraltar as a
Blackmans. See Darkmans. punishment for small offences (Grose).
Black Maria. A prison van or Black-teapot. A negro footman.
omnibus used for the conveyance of
: Black Watch (The). The 42nd
prisonersthe origin of the phrase is
: Foot now the Royal Highlanders
; :

unknown. A variant is Sable Maria. from the colour of the dress.

Black Monday. A schoolboys' Blackwork. Undertaking waiters :

term for the Monday on which, after at public dinners are often employed
holidays, school re-opens. during the day as mutes.
Black Mouth. A foul-mouthed Blacky. A negro cf. Darky. :

person, a slanderer. Hence black- Bladder. A pretentious person,

mouthed, calumnious. windbag (q.v.).
Black - mummer. One unwashed Bladderdash. Nonsense, bunkum
and unshorn. (q.v.), spoof (q.v.): a portmanteau
Black-neb. A person of democratic word bladder balderdash.
sympathies at the time of the French Bladder of Lard. A bald-headed
Revolution. person.
Black -nob. A non-unionist, one Bladderskate. See Bletherskate.
who (while his fellows are on strike) Blade. A roysterer, gallant,
persists in working at his trade, a sharp, keen, free-and-easy man, good
blackleg (q.v.). fellow (1595).
Black Ointment. Uncooked meat. Blamed. Used to emphasize a
Black- pot. A toper, tippler, Lush- statement : it partakes of the nature
ington (q.v.) (1594). of an oath, being often used instead
Black Psalm. To sing the black of doomed or damned : in America
psalm, to cry a saying used to children
; the expression is more of a collo-
(Grose). quialism than it is in England (1835).
Blacks. See Black horse. Hence, Blame it I a round - about
Black Sal (or Suke). A kettle. oath.
Black Sanctus. A burlesque hymn Blamenation ! Damnation !

or anthem, rough music. Blandiloquence. Smooth, flattering

Black Saturday. A Saturday on speech, carneying (q.v.). Hence
which an artisan or mechanic has no Blandiloquous, smooth-speaking, flat-
money to take, having anticipated it tering (1615).
by advances. Blank (Blanked, Blankety).
Black Sheep. A scapegrace, bad Euphemistic oaths :
clearly an out-
lot; mauvais sujet also applied like
: come of the practice of representing
blackleg and black-nob to workmen an oath, for decency's sake, in printing,
who persist in working when their by a dash or blank space e.g. d a. ;

comrades are on strike. As verb (Win- Blank - charter. Liberty to do

chester College) when a fellow in
: as one likes.
Junior Part got above (or jockeyed) Blank cheque. Unlimited credit.
a fellow in Middle Part. Blanket. Lawful blanket ; a wife :

Blacksmith's Daughter. A key: see Dutch. Wet-blanket, any thing or

formerly the key with which the doors person that discourages, a damper
49
 Blanket Fair. Bless.

(q.v.) (1830). Born on the wrong side headache

; that so-and-so is a blazing
of the blanket, illegitimate (1771). that such a job is blazing hard
thief ;

Blanket Fair. Bed: cf. Bedford- work ; that it is a blazing hot day. 2.
shire,Sheet Alley, and Land of Nod. The brilliant habiliments of flunkeys :

Blanket-love. Illicit amours (1649). from the episode of Sam Weller and
Blarmed. A euphemism for the swarry. Old blazes, the deviL
blessed (q.v.) ; damned bio wed
; Go to blazes Go to the devil ; go to
!

(q.v.) ; or blamed (q.v.), of the last of hell used in imprecations (1851).

which probably a corruption.
it is Like blazes, vehemently, with extreme
Blarm me A euphemistic oath.
1 ardour. How (Who, or What) the
Blarney. Blandishment, soft blazes. How (What or Who) the
speech, or sawder, gross flattery, Dickens. Drunk as blazes (or blaizers),
gammon. [From Castle Blarney in very drunk, beastly drunk : see
Ireland, in the wall of which, difficult of Screwed.
access, is placed a stone. Whoever is Bleach (Harvard University).
able to kiss this is said thereafter to be To absent oneself from morning
able to persuade to anything (Grose).] prayers.
As verb, (1) to wheedle, coax, flatter Bleached Mort A fair complex-
grossly ; (2) to pick locks (American ioned wench (Grose).
thieves). Bleak. Handsome.
Blasted. Execrable, confounded : Bleater. The victim of a sharper
Grose has bloated fellow for an aban- or rook (1609).
doned rogue (1682). Bleating cheat A sheep (1567).
Blatantation. Noisy effusion, Bleating Cull. A sheep stealer.
swagger. Bleating Prig (or Rig). Sheep steal-
Blater. A calf :
probably a cor- ing-
ruption of bleater (1714). Bleed. 1. To be victimised, lose
Blather. Noisy talk, voluble non- or part with money so that the loss is
sense cf. Blether. As verb, to talk
: felt, be rushed (q.v.), have money
volubly, noisily, nonsensically. drawn or extorted from one (1668).
Blatherskite. 1. Boastful dis- 2. To plane down so that the edge
putatious swagger : cf. Bletherskite. of a printed book is cut away. 3. To
2. A swaggerer, boaster, one who talks letwater out (nautical). To bleed the
volubly and nonsensically. monkey, to steal rum from the mess
Blayney's Bloodhounds. The tub called the monkey the term :

Eighty-ninth Foot, now the second is exclusively naval, monkeys not

battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers :
being known on merchant ships also :

they obtained this nickname during the called sucking the monkey and tapping
Irish Rebellion in 1798. the admiral.
Blaze. Blaze-away Look sharp ; ! Bleeder (University). 1. A
stiryour stumps an injunction to duffer beyond compare, a superlative
renewed and more effective effort. fool : see Buffle. 2. sovereign : see A
Blazer. Originally applied to the Rhino. 3. A spur.
uniform of the Lady Margaret Boat Bleeding. An expletive : cf. (Shake-
Club of St. John's College, Cambridge, speare), bleeding new.
which was of a bright red and was Bleeding Cully. One who parts
called a blazer : now applied to any easily with his money, or bleeds freely
light jacket of bright colour worn at (Grose).
cricket or other sports. Prof. Skeat Blanker. To plunder : much used
[N. and Q., 7 S., iii. 436] speaking of during the Civil War.
the Johnian blazer, says it was always Bless. To curse, damn. To bless
of the most brilliant scarlet, and thinks oneself, to be surprised, vexed, mor-
it not improbable that the fact sug- tified : generally, God bless me !

gested the name which subsequently Bless my eyes ! Bless my soul !

became general. Lor' bless me

(1592). Not a!

Blazes. 1. The infernal regions. penny to bless oneself with, utterly im-
As a verb, to blaze is employed in a pecunious, without a sou (1843).
manner closely bordering on slang : To bless one's stars, to thank oneself,
thus one says of an action that it is a attribute one's good fortune to luck,
blazing shame that he has a blazing
; generally in a ludicrous sense (1845).
50
 Blessed. Block.

Blessed (Blest). An ironical collection at the Zoological Gardens,

euphemism often used like blazing
; which are supposed to receive care and
for cursed, damned, etc., or as a vow attention from persons fitted by
(1806). nature for such office and for little
Blessing. A curse : ironical. else. An idle and useless person is
Blether Blather. Nonsense, often told that he is only fit to lead
vapid voluble chatter (1787).
talk, blind monkeys. Another form is for
Hence Blethering, volubly, foolishly one man to tell another that he knows
talkative cf. Bletherskate.
: of a suitable situation for him. How
Bletherskate, Blatherskite. 1. much a week ? and what to do ? are
Boastful swagger: in talk or action. natural questions, and then comes
2. A boaster, noisy talker in Ireland, : the scathing and sarcastic reply, Five
Bladder skate, and Bladderum-skate bob a week at the doctor's you're
(1650). to stand behind the door and make
Blew. 1. To inform, peach, expose, the patients sick. They won't want
betray see Blow upon. 2. To spend,
: no physic when they sees your mug
waste generally of money ; when a
:
(Hotten).
man has spent or lost all his money, he Blindo. A drunken spree. As verb,
is said to have blewed it. to die : see Hop the Twig.
Blimey 1 Blind me ! Blind Side. The side that is
Blind. 1. A means or place of con- weakest, the most assailable side
cealment (1647). 2. A pretence, shift, (1606).
action through which one's real pur- Blind Story. A story without
pose is concealed, that which obstructs, point.
make - believe (1663). 3. A para- Blink. To drink see Lush. :

graph [in mark is so called ; from the Blinker. 1. The eye cf. Winker, :

eye of the reversed P being filled up. Peeper, Optic, etc. (1816). 2. In pi.
As adj., tipsy, in liquor see Screwed. :
Spectacles, barnacles (1732). 3. In
Blind as a brickbat, very blind men- Norfolk, a black eye. 4. A hard blow

tally or physically (1849). When the in the eye. Blank your blinkers, a
devti is blind, never : Fr., le trente six euphemistic oath.
du mols, and quand
ponies auront les Blink - fencer. A vendor of spec-
des dents. To go it blind,
to enter upon tacles.
an undertaking without thought as Blinko. An amateur entertain-
to the result, or inquiry beforehand : ment, a free-and-easy (q.v.); a sing-
from poker. song (q.v.).
Blind-drunk (or fou). So drunk as Blister. Euphemistic for damn:
to be unable to see better than a blind cf. Blamed (1840).
man see Screv/ed : Americans say,
: Blizzard. 1. A poser, stunning blow,
So drunk as not to be able to see unanswerable argument, etc., etc.
through a ladder. (1831). 2. A snow-gale, furious storm
Blinder. To take a blinder, to die : of frost-wind and blinding snow.
see Hop the Twig. Bloak. See Bloke.
Blind Half Hundred. The Fiftieth Bloat. 1. A drowned body. 2.
Regiment of Foot, now the first bat- A drunkard. 3. A contemptuous
talion Queen's Own (Royal West Kent name for a human being.
Regiment) many men suffered from
: Bloated Aristocrat. A man swollen
ophthalmia during the Egyptian cam- with the pride of rank or wealth also ;

paign [1801]. a general sobriquet applied by the

Blind Harper. A beggar coun- masses to the classes. Bloated
terfeiting blindness, playing on a has long been employed in a similar
fiddle (Grose). sense. Swift spoke of a certain states-
Blind-man's Holiday. Formerly, man as a bloated minister (1731).
the night or darkness now usually ; Bloater. See My bloater.
applied to the time between lights, Blob. Totalk, patter. Blob-
when it is too dark to see, but often tale, a tell-tale, tale-bearer (1670).
not dark enough to light up, and a Block. A stupid person, hard
holiday or rest from work is taken unsympathetic individual, one of
(1599). mean, unattractive appearance (1534) :

Blind Monkeys. An imaginary see Buffie. Barber's block (1), the

51
 Slackers. Bloody.

head (1637); (2) s fop.
tame (or old) block, a
exhibiting the same
that with which a comparison is made
(1627). At deaf <u a block, as deaf as
may be. To cut a block with a razor, in-
consequent argument, futile endeavour,
A chip of the Blood and Thunder. A beverage
man or thing of portwine and brandy mixed.
qualities as he or Blood and Thunder Tales.
Low class fiction, the term being
generally applied to works dealing
with the exploits of desperadoes cut-
throats, and other criminals also called :

incongruous application of means (or Awfuls, Penny dreadfuls, Gutter

ability) to the end in view (1774). To literature, Shilling shockers.
block a hat, to crush a man's hat over Blood-an'-'ouns. An abbreviated
the eyes, to bonnet (q.v.). form of an old and blasphemous oath.
Blockers. See Block ornaments. Blood-curdler (or Blood-freezer).
Blockhead (or Block- pate). A A narration or incident which makes
etupid fellow, woodenhead ; see the flesh creep, that which stirs one's
Buffle. feelings strongly (and generally re-
Block prison, house
House. A pulsively) said of a sensational
:

of detention see Cage (1624).

:
murder, a thrilling ghost-story, etc.
Block Island Turkey, subs. (Ameri- Blood for Blood. When
can). Salted cod-fish. Connecticut tradesmen exchange wares, setting
and Rhode Island. Slang delights in the cost of one kind off against another
naming fish as flesh. For some curious instead of making payment in cur-
examples, see Two-eyed Steak. rency, they are said to give blood for
Block Ornament (or Blocker). blood.
1. A small piece of meat of indifferent Blood-Freezer. See Blood-curdler.
quality, a trimming from a joint, Blood-red Fancy. A particu-
etc. as exposed for sale on the blocks
: lar kind of handkerchief sometimes
or counters of butchers' shops in cheap worn by pugilists and frequenters of
neighbourhoods, opposed to meat prize fights : see Billy.
hung on hooks (1848). 2. A queer- Blood Suckers. The Sixty-third
looking man or woman one odd in Regiment of Foot, now the first
appearance. battalion of the Manchester Regi-
Block- pate. See Blockhead. ment. 2. An extortioner, sponger
Bloke (or Bloak). A man, fellow (1668).
(1851). Blood-tub. A rowdy, blustering
Blood. 1. A fop, dandy, buck, or bully, rough : this nickname was
fast man originally in common use,
:
peculiar to Baltimore ; the Blood-tubs
but now obsolete from that legitimate
: were said to have been mostly butchers,
sense of the word which attributes the and to have got their epithet from
seat of the passions and emotions to having, on an election day, dipped an
the blood hence, a man of spirit ; one obnoxious German's head in a tub of
who has blood worth mention, and, in warm blood, and then driven him
an inferior sense, he who makes him- running through the town.
self notorious, whether by dress or Bloody, adj. (low). An intensive
rowdyism in the last century, especi- difficult to define, and used in a mul-
:

ally during the regency of George IV., titude of vague and varying senses, but
the term was largely in vogue to denote frequently with no special meaning,
a young man of good birth or social much less a sanguinary one generally :

standing about town ; subsequently, = an emphatic, very in general collo- :

it came to mean a riotous, disorderly quial use from 1650-1750, but now
fellow (1562). 2. Money: generic: vulgar or profane. The origin is not
see Rhino. As verb, to deplete of quite certain ; but there is good reason
money, victimise a figurative usage to think that it was at first a refer-
:

of to bleed ; i.e. surgically, to let or ence to the habits of the bloods or

draw blood by opening a vein. aristocratic rowdies of the end of the
Blood ana Entrails. The 17th and beginning of the 18th cent.
British ensign is so nicknamed by The phrase bloody drunk was ap-
Yankee sailors English salts return parently as drunk as a blood (cf.
;

the compliment by jokingly speaking as drunk as a lord) ; thence it was

of the American flag as The Gridiron extended to kindred expressions, and
and Doughboys (q.v.). at length to others probably in later ;

62
 Bloody Back. Slowed.

times, its associations with bloodshed Blossom-nose. A tippler, Lushing-

and murder a bloody battle, a
(cf. ton (q.v.). Blossom-nosed, red with
bloody butcher) have recommended tippling cf. Grog-blossom, Rum-bud.
:

it to the rough classes as a word that Blot.To blot the scrip, to put an
appeals to their imagination. Compare undertaking into writing the modern :

the prevalent craving for impress- phrase is, to put it in black and
ive or graphic intensives as seen in the white. Hence, To blot the scrip and
use of jotty, awfully, terribly, devil- jark it, to stand engaged, bound for
ish, deuced, damned, ripping, rattling, any one (Grose).
thumping, stunning, thundering, etc. Bloviate. To talk aimlessly
A soldier.
Bloody Back. and boastingly, indulge in high
Bloody Chasm. To bridge falutin' : said to have been in use
the bloody chasm,a favourite expres- since 1850.
sion with orators who, during the Blow. 1. A shilling see Rhino. :

years immediately succeeding the 2. A drunken froh'c, spree. As verb,

Civil War, sought to obliterate the (1) to boast, brag, gas, fume, storm
memory of the struggle. The anti- generally to talk boastfully or self-
thetical phrase is to wave the bloody assertingly of oneself or one's affairs
shirt (q.v.). (1400) ; (2) to inform, expose, betray,
Bloody Eleventh. The Eleventh peach (1575) ; (3) to lie ; (4) employed
Regiment of Foot, now the Devon- euphemistically for damn gener-
shire Regiment at the battle of Sala-
:
ally in the imperative Blow it I
manca (fought with the French) the hang it t
(5) to lose or spend money :
corps was nearly cut to pieces, whence cf. Blue ; (6) to indulge in a frolic or
its sanguinary sobriquet. At Fon- spree ; (7) (Winchester School), to
tenoy and Ostend also, it was hard- blush. To bite the blow, to steal
pressed and nearly annihilated. goods, prig.To blow a cloud, to
Bloody Jemmy. An uncooked smoke. To blow hot and cold, to
sheep's head. vacillate, be inconsistent ; to blow the
Bloody Shirt. To wave the bellows, to stir up passion ; to blow off,
bloody shirt, to keep alive factious to relieve one' s feelings, get rid of super-
strife on party questions. Primarily fluous energy ; to blow into one's ear,
it was the symbol of those who, to whisper privily ; to blow one's own
during the Reconstruction period at trumpet, to brag, sound one's own
the close of the rebellion of the South- raises ; to blow the coals (or the fire), to
ern or Confederate States, would not Ein the flame of discord, promote
suffer the Civil War to sink into oblivion strife ; to blow up, to scold, rate, rail
out of consideration for the feelings of at ; To blow great guns, to blow a
the vanquished. hurricane or violent gale : sometimes
Bloomer. A mistake said to be : to blow great guns and small arms
an abbreviated form of blooming (1839). To blow one's bazoo, to boast,
error. swagger, gasconade. To blow oneself
Blooming (often Bloomin'). This out, to eat heartily, gorge hence, :

word, similar in type to blessed,
blamed, and other words of the kind,
is, as used by the lower classes, a
euphemism, but it is also frequently
employed as a mere meaningless in-
tensitive (1726).
Bloss. Generic for a woman
girl, wife, or mistress : Shakespeare,
in Titus Andronicus (1588, iv. ii. 72),
employs it in the sense of one lovely
and full of promise Sweet blowse
blow out, a heavy feed (or enter-
tainment), a tuck in. To blow the
gab (or gaff), to reveal (or let out) a
secret, peach (Grose). To blow the
grampus, to throw cold water on a
man who has fallen asleep when on
duty. To blow together, to make gar-
ments in a slovenly manner. To blow
up sky-high, to do everything with un-
usual energy. To blow upon, to betray,
tell tales of, discredit, defame.

you are a beautious blossome sure ; Blowboul (orBloboll). A

Tennyson (1847) in the Princess (v. tippler : see Lusbington.
79), uses the expression, babe, My Blow-book. A book containing
' '
my blossom, ah, my
child ! indelicate or
smutty pictures (1708).
Blossom-faced. With red bloated Blowed. To be blowed, Slowed is
face. here a euphemism, frequently little
53
 Blue.

more than a thinly-veiled oath. To ively). Blues, Men in Blue, Blue-boys,

be cursed, sent about one's business.
Blowen (or Blowing). Origin-
ally a woman, without special refer-
ence to moral character, now a showy
courtesan or a prostitute (1688).
Blower. 1. A girl contemptuous
in opposition to jomer (q.v.) (Grose).
2. A good talker, boaster, gas-bag.
3. A pipe.
Blowhard. A Western term of
abuse a newcomer may, in one and
: Act to prevent the use of the Blue or to
the same breath, be called a blareted
Britisher, a coyote, and a blowhard.
Blowse (Blowsy, Blouze, Blowzy).
1. A beggar's trull, a wench. 2.
A slatternly woman, especially one
with dishevelled hair. Thought to be
of canting origin.
Blowze. 1. A beggar's trull, beg-
gar wench, wench (1573). 2. A fat,
rod faced bloated wench, or one
-
whose head is dressed like a slattern
(Bailey).
Blubber. 1.
Potato-trap (Grose).
breasts. verb, As
contempt (1400) : also Blab.
Blubber and Guts.
low term.
Blue-bottles, Blue-devils, Royal Regi-
ment of Foot-guards Blue. 2. Among
licensed victuallers and their customers
in certain districts of Wales a com-
promise between the half -pint and
: the
pint pot ;
it is not recognised as a
legal measure by the authorities, but
the Board of Trade has pointed out
to the local authorities that there is
nothing in the Weights and Measures
make its possessor liable to penalties,
always provided of course that the
vessel is not used as a measure. 3. A
scholar of Christ's Hospital : a blue-
coat boy : also derived from the colour
of the clothes a blue drugget gown or
body with ample skirts to it, a yellow
vest underneath in winter time, small
clothes of Russia duck, worsted
yellow stockings, a leathern girdle, and
a little black worsted cap, usually
carried in the hand, being the com-
The mouth: see plete costume ; this was the ordinary
2. A woman's dress of children in humble life in
to cry, weep in : Tudor times. 4. Short for blue-
stocking (q.v.) ; formerly a contempt-
Obesity; a uous term for a woman having (or
affecting) literary tastes (1788). 5.

Blubber-belly. A fat person. Female learning or pedantry (1824).

Blubber Head. A foolish, empty- 6. At Oxford and Cambridge a man is
headed individual see : Buffle. said to get his blue when selected as a
Blucher (ch. hard) (Winchester competitor in inter-university sports :

College). 1. A College praefect in half the University colours are, for Oxford,
power : their jurisdiction does not dark blue ; and for Cambridge, light
extend beyond Seventh Chamber blue : cf. said of a
to get one's silk,
passage, though their privileges are barrister when made King's
Counsel.
the same as those of other prefects . As adj., (1) applied, usually in con-
they are eight in number. 2. non- A tempt, to women of literary tastes :
privileged cab plying at railway FT., bleue celle-la ; (2) indecent ;
stations railway companies recog-
:
smutty ; obscene ; (3) gloomy,
nise two classes of cabs, called the Pri- fearful, depressed, low-spirited : cf. to
vileged .... and the Bluchers, non- look blue, blue funk, and in the blues.
privileged cabs, which are admitted to As verb, (1) to blush (1709); (2) to
stations after all the privileged have pawn, pledge, spend, actually to get
been hired, named after the Prussian rid of money quickly cf. Blew ; (3) to
:

Field - Marshal who arrived on the miscalculate, to make a mess of

field of Waterloo only to do the work anything, to mull ; (4) to steal,
that chanced to be undone. to be blued, to be robbed : see
plunder ;
Bludgeoner. A bully, pimp, Prig. By all that's blue, a euphemistic

ponce. oath probably

:
by Heaven : it
may
Bludger. A thief, who does not be compared with the French parbleu,
hesitate to use violence one ; literally synonymous with par Dieu. Till all
who will use a bludgeon. is blue, (1) to the utmost, the end, for
Bludget. A female thief, who an indefinite period : Smyth, in his
decoys her victims into alley-ways, Sailors' Word Book, says this phrase
etc., to rob them. is borrowed from the idea of a vessel
Blue. 1. A policeman from the :
making out of port and getting into
colour of the uniform ; also (collect- deep water ; (2) tipsy : see Screwed
 Blue Apron. Blue Murder.

(1616) : cf. Fr., avoir un coup cFbleu. Blue Dahlia. Something rare (or
To look blue, to be confounded, sur- seldom seen), a rara avis.
prised, astonished, annoyed, dis- BlueDevils. 1. Dejection, low-
appointed. Fr., en r ester tout bleu, en ness of spirits, hypochondria (1786).
lire bleu, en bailler tout bleu (
1 600). To 2. Delirium tremens (1818). Hence,
make the air blue, to curse, swear. such derivatives as Blue devilage, Blue
True blue, faithful, genuine, real : an devilry, Blue devilism ; and Blue
allusion to blue as the colour of con- devilly.
stancy (1383). Blue Fear. Extreme fright the :

Blue Apron. A tradesman (1721). same

as Blue funk (q.v.).
Bluebacks. 1. The paper money Blue Flag. A blue apron (q.v.)
of the Confederates : originating, as worn by butchers, publicans, and
in the case of United States paper other tradesmen (Grose).
currency greenbacks, in the colour of Blue Funk. Extreme fright,
the printing on the reverse. 2. The nervousness, dread (1856).
1. A loose woman
Orange Free State paper money. Blue - gown. :

Blue Bellies. A nickname be- a blue-gown was the dress of igno-

stowed by Southerners, during the miny for a harlot in the house of
Civil War, upon their opponents of correction (Nares). 2. A beggar,
the North, whose uniform was blue :
especially a licensed beggar who wore
also Boys in blue, Yanks, etc. The the dress as a badge.
Southerners, on the other hand, re- Blue Hen's Chickens.
ceived such names as The secesh, The inhabitants of Delaware. The
Rebs, and Johnny Rebs, the latter nickname arose thus Captain Cald-
:

being some times shortened to Johnnies.
The grey uniform of the Confederates
likewise caused them to be styled
Boys in grey, and Greybacks.
Blue Bills(Winchester College).
A tradesman's bills sent home to the
parents and guardians of students.
Blue Billy. A handkerchief
(blue ground with white spots) some-
times worn and used as a colour at
prize-fights : see Billy.
Blue Blanket. 1. The sky:
probably suggested by Shakespeare's
Blanket of the dark (Macbeth, i.
v.) (1720). 2. A rough overcoat made
of coarse pilot cloth.
Blue Blazes. See Blazes.
A venereal disease.
Blue Boar.
Blue Bottle. 1. A policeman,
constable, watchman (1598). 2. A
serving-man : blue was the usual habit
of servants (1602). 3.
proach for a servant.
well, an officer of the first Delaware
regiment in the American War of In-
dependence, was noted for his love of
cock-fighting. Being personally popu-
lar, and his regiment becoming famous
for their valour, they were soon known
as game - cocks ; and as Caldwell
maintained that no cock was truly
game unless its mother was a blue hen,
his regiment, and subsequently Dela-
wareans generally, became known as
blue hen's chickens, and Delaware as
the Blue Hen State for the same reason.
A boaster is also often brought to book
by the sarcasm Your mother was a
blue hen no doubt.
Blue Horse. The Fourth Dragoon
Guards (1746-88).
Blue- jacket. A sailor ; especially
used to distinguish seamen from the
marines.
A term of re- Blue Laws. Puritanic laws of
extreme severity originally of enact-
:

Blue Boy. A bubo, a tumour or ments at New Haven, Conn., U.S.A.

abscess with inflammation. Blue Lightning. A revolver.
Blue-boys. The police. Blue Monday. A Monday
Blue Butter. Mercurial ointment. spent in dissipation and absence from
Blue-cap. A Scotchman (1596). work.
2. A kind of ale (1822). Blue Moon. Once in a blue
Blue-coat. 1. A constable, moon, extremely seldom, an unlimited
guardian of public order. 2. A serv- time, a rarely recurring period an :

ing man, and, 3. (generally) one of the old phrase, first used in the sense of
lower orders : as wearing coats of blue something absurd ; a blue moon, like
(1600). 4. A blue-coat boy see Blue. : the Greek Kalends, is something which
Blued (or Slewed). Tipsy, drunk: does not exist (1526).
see Screwed. Blue Murder (or Blue Murders)
55
 Blueness. Bluey.

Cries of terror (or alarm), a great commanded by the Earl of Portland,

noise, an unusual racket: cf. Fr., the former being commanded by the
morbleu. Earl of Oxford ; subsequently the
Blueness. Indecency (1840). Fr., regiment was, during the campaign in
horreurt, bftises, gueultes. Flanders [1742-45], known as the
Blue Noses. The natives of Blue Guards.
Nova Scotia : in allusion, it is said, Blue Skin. 1. Formerly a
to a potato of that name which Nova contemptuous term for a Presby-
Scotians claim to be the best in the terian. 2. A half-breed the child of
world ; Proctor, however, hazards a black woman by a
white man.
the suggestion that the nickname Blue Squadron. Mixed blood ;
refers to the blueness of nose resulting properly one with a Hindoo strain :
from intense cold (1837). Eurasians belong to the blue squad-
Blue Peter. The signal or ron : cf. Touch of the tar brush.
call for trumps at whist : properly a Blue Stocking. A literary
blue flag with white square in centre, lady applied usually with the im-
:

hoisted as a signal for immediate putation of pedantry. The gener-

sailing. ally received explanation, is that the
Blue Pigeon. 1. Lead used for term is derived from the name given
roofing purposes : see Blue pigeon to certain meetings held by ladies in
flyer. 2. The sounding lead. the days of Dr. Johnson for conversa-
Blue Pigeon Flyer. A thief tion with distinguished literary men.
who from the roofs of
steals lead One of the most eminent of these
buildings. Hotten thus explains the literati was a Mr. Benjamin Stilling-
modus operandi. Sometimes a journey- fleet, who always wore blue stockings,
man plumber, glazier, or other and whose conversation at these
workman, when repairing houses, meetings was so much prized, that his
strips off the lead, and makes away absence at any time was felt to be a
with This performance is, though,
it. great loss, so that the remark became
by no means confined to workmen. common, We can do nothing without
An empty house is often entered and the blue stockings, hence these meet-
the whole of the roof in ite vicinity ings were sportively called blue-
stripped, the only notice given to the stocking clubs, and the ladies who
folks below being received by them on attended them blue-stockings. It is
the occasion of a heavy downfall of stated that the name specially arose in
rain. The term flyer has, indeed, of this way. A foreigner of rank refused
late years been more peculiarly ap- to accompany a friend to one of these
to the man who steals the lead parties on the plea of being in his
plied
in pursuance of his vocation as a thief, travelling costume, to which there was
than to him who takes it because it the reply, Oh we never mind dress
!

comes in the way of his work (1789). on these occasions ; you may come in
Fr., limousineur, gras-doublier, mas- bat bleus or blue stockings, with
taroufleur. To fly the blue, pigeon, to allusion to Stillingfleet's stockings,
steal lead from the roofs of houses. when the foreigner, fancying that bat
Blue Pill. A bullet; also Blue bleus were part of the necessary cos-
plum and lilue. whistler. tume, called the meeting ever after the
Blue Ribbon (or Riband). A first Bas-bleu Society. In modern slang
prize, the greatest distinction. the term blue-stocking is abbrevi-
Blue Ruin. Gin : see Drinks ated into blue. Derivatives are blue-
(1817). stockingism, bluc-stockinger, etc. (1738).
Blues. 1.
Despondency, hypo- Blue Stone. Gin (or whisky)
chondria, depression of spirits a : of so bad a quality that it can only be
shortened form of blue devils (q.v.). compared to vitriol, of which blue-stone
2. The 3. The Royal Horse is also a nickname in the north of
police.
Guards Blue are popularly so known England and Scotland.
from their blue uniform with scarlet Blue Tape. Gin see Drinks. :

facings the corps first obtained the

: Blue Water. The open sea.
name of Oxford Blues in 1690, to Blue Whistler. A bullet.
distinguish it from a Dutch regiment Bluey. 1. Lead: see Blue
of Horse Guards dressed in blue, pigeon. 2. A bushman's bundle, the

56
 Bluey-hunter. Bob.

outside wrapper of which is generally Newgate: but equally applicable to

a blue blanket hence the name : also any gaol New York thieves apply it
called swag (q.v.) and drum (q.v.). to the Tombs : see Cage.
Bluey-hunter. A thief who steals Boardman. A standing pat-
lead, as described under Blue pigeon terer :
they endeavour to attract at-
flyer (q.v.) (1851). tention to their papers, or, more
B1u ff . excuse, An
pretence, commonly, pamphlets ... by means
that which is intended to hoodwink or of a board with coloured pictures upon
blind. As verb, to turn aside, stop, it, illustrative of the contents of what

hoodwink, to blind as to one's real they sell this in street technology

:

intention. is board work sometimes called a :

Bluffer. 1. An innkeeper (Qrose). sandwich man.

2. Abo'sun. Board of Green Cloth. A card
Blunderbuss. A stupid blundering (or billiard) table.
fellow : see Buffle (Qrose). Boat. Formerly the hulks ;

Blunt. Generic for money, espe- latterly to see Cage. To

any prison :

cially ready money: see Rhino (1714). have an oar in another's boat, to
Blunted. Possessed of money, in meddle, busybody. To sail in the
comfortable circumstances, warm ( q. v. ) same boat, to pursue the same course.
Blunt-worker. A blunderer As verb, ( 1 ) originally to transport the :

(1440). Blunt-working, blundering. term is now applied to penal servitude.

B 1 u n t y. A stupid fellow, one
slow-witted see Buffle.:
Blur-paper. A scribbler (1603).
Blush. To blush like a black or
blue dog, to blush not at all (1579).
Blushet. A modest girl, a little
blusher (1625).
B. N. C. Brasenose : the initials
of Brasen Nose College, Oxford in
spite of the nose over the gate, the
probability is that the real name was
Brasinium; it is still famous for its
beer.
Bo (or Boh).
toa goose (battledore, bull,
one's mouth, to speak.
To get the boat (or to be boated), to be
sentenced to a long term of imprison-
ment equivalent to transportation
under the old system ; (2) to join as
partner : evidently a corruption of
to be in the same boat, i.e. to be in
the same position or circumstances.
To bail one's own boat, to be self-
:
reliant, to paddle one's own canoe.
Bob. LA
shilling: seeRhino (1812).
2. A
shoplifter's assistant ; one who
receives and carries off stolen goods :
Fr., nonne (or noune). 3. Gin: see
To cry (or say) Bo Drinks ( 1749). 4. An infantry soldier ;
etc.), to open generally Light-bob, i.e. a soldier of the
fight infantry (1544). 5. (Winchester

Boanerges. A loud, vociferous College). A large white jug contain-

speaker : i.e. a son of thunder ing about a gallon in measure, and
(Mark iii. 17). used for beer. As adj., lively, nice, in
Board. 1. To borrow. 2. To good spirits (1721). As verb, to cheat,
accost, ask of, make a demand ; i.e. trick, disappoint : also to 606 out of
to come to close quarters (1547). To ( As intj., Stop That's enough !
1605). !

board in the smoke, to take one un-
awares, or by surprise. On the board,
enjoying all the privileges and emolu-
ments of a competent workman when
an apprentice becomes a regular jour-
neyman he goes on the board tailors
usually work squatting on a low raised
platform hence possibly the expres-
Dry bob (Wet bob) (Eton College), the
first-named is one who devotes him-
self to cricket or football and other
: land sports ; the latter one who goes
in for rowing and aquatics generally
:
(1844). All is bob, All's safe, serene,
gay (1786). Bear a bob I Be
brisk look sharp
! To give the bob, ( 1) !

sion. To keep one's name on the board, to to give the door used by Massinger :

remain a member of a College. To sweep It can be no other but to give me the

the board, to pocket all the stakes. To bob; (2) to befool, mock, impose upon.
begin the board, to take precedence. S'help me bob, a street oath, equivalent
To go by the board, to go for good and to So help me God ; a corrupted form
all, be completely done for, ruined. of the legal oath : So help is pro-
To sail on another board, to change nounced swelp : also a'help the cot my
one's tactics. greens the toturs, etc. To shift one's
Boarding House (or School). bob, to go away.
67
 Bogus.

Bobber, l. \ follow- workman, which the bailiff captured the delin-

mate, chum. 2. A spurious plural quent. 2. A policeman. 3. A gener-
of bob (q.v.) =a shilling. ally objectionable individual also :

Bobbery. A noise, squabble, mean body tnatcher. 4. A violator of

disturbance, racket (1813). graves, resurrectionist : also Body-
Bobbish. Frequently
pretty lifter (1833). 5. An undertaker.
bobbish, i.e. hearty, in good health Bog. 1. The works at Dartmoor,
and spirits, clever, spruce (1819) ; also on which convicts labour during ;

bobbishly. recent years a large quantity of land

Bobby. A policeman : this nick- has been reclaimed in this way. 2. An
name, though possibly not derived abbreviated form of bog-house (q.v.).
from, was certainly popularised by As verb, to ease oneself, evacuate.
the fact that the Metropolitan Police Bogey. See Bogy.
Act of 1828 was mainly the work of Mr., Boggle- de- Botch ( Boggled y-
afterwards Sir Robert Peel. Long Botch). A bungle, mess, hash :
before that statesman remodelled the Boggle, however, is more frequently
police, however, the term Bobby the employed (1834).
beadle was in use to signify a guard- Bog-house (Bog-shop). A privy,
ian of a public square or other open necessary house (1671).
space. There seems, however, a lack Boglander. An Irishman : from
of evidence, and examples of its the boggy and marshy character of a
literary
use prior to 1851 have not considerable portion of the Emerald
been discovered. At the Universities Isle (1698).
the Proctors are or used to be called Bog Latin. A spurious mode
bobbies. of speech simulating the Latin in con-
Bobby- twister. A burglar or struction see Dog Latin.
:

thief (q.v.), who, when resisting pur- Bog-oranges. Potatoes : see

suit or capture, uses violence. Bogland, with an eye to the vegetable
Bob-cull. A good fellow, pleasant in question forming a very substantial
companion. food staple of the Irish peasantry.
Bob my pal. A girl, i.e. gal. Bog-trotter. An Irishman :

Bobstick. A shilling's worth. Camden, however 1605), speaking

(c.
Bob Tail. 1. A lewd woman. 2. of the debateable land on the bor-
A contemptible fellow Tag, rag, ders of England and Scotland, says,
and bobtail. See Tag. Both these dales breed notable bog-
Bocardo. A
prison : see Cage : trotters; so the original sense would
specially the prison in the old North appear to have been, accustomed to
Gate of Oxford, demolished in 1771. walk across bogs ; as a nickname for
Boco. 1. The nose : see Conk. 2. an Irishman, it dates at least from
Nonsense, bosh. 1671. Bog -
trotting, living among
Bodier. A
blow on the side of the bogs ; e.g. a bog-trotting Irishman
body. (1758).
Bodkin. Amongst sporting men, Bogus. Spurious, fictitious, sham,
a person who takes his turn between not what it professes to be : of
the sheets on alternate nights, when American origin. Dr. Murray, who,
an hotel has twice as many visitors while slily satirising the bogus deri-
as it can comfortably lodge ; as, for vations circumstantially given, says :

instance, during a race - week. A Dr. S. Willard, of Chicago, in a letter

transferred sense from To ride (or sit) to the editor of this Dictionary, quotes
bodkin, to take a place and be wedged from the Painesvitte (Ohio) Telegraph
in between other persons when the of July 6 and Nov. 2, 1827, the word
accommodation is intended for two bogus as a subs., applied to an ap-
only (1638). paratus for coining false money. Mr.
Body-cover. A coat. Eber D. Howe, who was then editor of
Body of Divinity Bound in Black that paper, describes in his Autobio-
Calf. A parson : see Devil-dodger. graphy (1878) the discovery of such a
Body-slangs. Fetters : see Dar- piece of mechanism in the hands of a
bies (1819). gang of coiners at Painesville, in May
Body-snatcher. 1. A bailiff or 1827 ; it was a mysterious-looking
runner : the snatch was the trick by object, and some one in the crowd
58
 Bogy. Bolter.

styled it a bogus, a designation adopted Boilers(or Brompton Boilers).

in the succeeding numbers of the
paper. Dr. Willard considers this to
have been short tanlrabogus, a
for
word familiar to him from his child-
hood, and which in his father's time
was commonly applied in Vermont to
any ill-looking object he points out;
that tantrabobs is given in Halliwell
as a Devonshire word for the devil.
[Bogus seems thus to be related to
1. The Kensington Museum and
School of Art, in allusion to the
peculiar form of the temporary build-
ings, and the fact of their being mainly
composed of, and covered with sheet
iron. This has been changed since the
extensive alterations in the building,
or rather pile of buildings, and the
term boilers is now applied to the
Bethnal Green Museum cf. Pepper- :

bogy, etc.] (1825). boxes. 2. (Royal Military Academy).

Bogy, Bogey. A landlord : Boiled potatoes : Fried potatoes are
Fr., Monsieur Vautour (vautour & called Greasers.
vulture). Ask Bogy, a reply to a Boiling (or i 1 i n g). B
Whole
question (Grose) modern God knows
: !
boiling (or bUing), the whole lot, entire
or Bramah knows under similar cir-
!
quantity: also whole gridiron (q.v.)
cumstances. As adj., sombre, dark and All the shoot (1835).
in tint said of a painting exhibiting
: Boke. The nose.
these characteristics. Bold. Bold as brass, audaci-
Bohemian. A
gipsy of society; ously forward, presumptuous, without
one who either cuts himself off, or is shame.
by his habits cut off, from society for Boler (or Bowler). A stiff felt
which he is otherwise fitted ; especi- hat (1861).
ally anartist, literary man, or actor, Bo11y (Marlborough College).
who leads a free, vagabond, or irre- Pudding.
gular life, not being particular as to Bolt. The throat (1821). As
the society he frequents, and despis- verb (at one period slang, now recog-
ing conventionality generally : used nised), 1. To escape, leave suddenly :

with considerable latitude, with or an instance of a word once orthodox,

without reference to morals (O.E.D.). subsequently fell into disrepute, but
Bonn (American College). A trans- which, after having for generations
lation, pony (q.v.) : the volumes of served as a mere slang term, is now
Bonn's Classical Library are in such nearly as respectable as when Dryden
general use among under-graduates wrote I have reflected on those
:

in American Colleges, that Bohn has who, from time to time, have shot into
become a common name for a trans- the world, some bolting out on the
lation. stage with vast applause, and others
Boil. To betray, peach (1602). hissed off. 2. The usage hi the
To boil down, to reduce in bulk by con- United States indicates the right
densing or epitomising. To boil the of the independently minded to
pot, to gain (or supply) one's liveli- revolt against partisan rule, as He
hood. To keep the pot boiling, to keep bolted the party nominations also :

going. The blood boils, of strong substantively, as He has organised a

emotion, anger, or resentment. To bolt. 3. To eat hurriedly without
boU one'slobster, to enter the army after chewing, swallow whole, gulp down.
having been in the church. To get the bolt, sentenced to penal
Boiled Shirt (Biled Shirt or servitude. To turn the corner of Bolt
Boiled Rag). A white shirt (1854). Street, to run cf. Queer Street.
: See
Boiler (Winchester College). Moon.
1. A plain coffee-pot used for heating Bolter. 1. One who hides
water called fourpenny and sixpenny
: himself in his own house, or some
boilers, not from their price, but privileged place, and dares only peep,
from the quantity of milk they will but not go out of his retreat (Dyche) :

hold :ro irav boilers were large tin the privileged places referred to were
saucepan-like vessels in which water such as Whitefriars, the Mint, Higher
for hot bidets (q.v.) was heated. 2, and Lower Alsatia, etc. 2. One who
See Pot boiler. bolts ; especially applied to horses,
Boiler -
plated. Imperturbable, but figuratively to persons in the sense
stolid, stoical. of one given to throwing off restraint ;
59
 Bolt-in-Tun. Bone-house.

in American parlance one who kick* Bone. 1. A bribe to a Custom!

(q.v.) (1840). 3. One who
exercises House officer. 2. Something relished
the right of abstention in regard to his (1884). As good, excellent;
adj.,
political party. O isthe vagabonds'
hieroglyphic for
Bolt-in-Tun. Bolted, run bone, or good, chalked by them on
away (1819). A
term founded on the houses and street corners as a hint to
cant word bolt, and merely a fanciful succeeding beggars. As verb, (1) to
variation very common among flash filch, steal, make off with, take into
there being in London a custody (1748); (2) to bribe, grease
persons,
famous inn so called ; it is customary the palm ; (3) to study : see Bonn. To
when a man has run away from his bone standing, to study hard. The ten
lodgings, broken out of jail, or made bones, the fingers as in asseveration,
:

any other sudden movement, to say, By these ten bones To have a bone
!

the Bolt -in -tun is concerned, or,
he's gone to the Bolt-in-tun instead
of simply saying, he has bolted, etc.
Boltsprit (Boltspreet, Bowsprit).
The nose : see Conk
(1690).
Bolus. An apothecary, a doctor.
Boman. A gallant fellow.
Bombay Ducks. 1.
regiments of the East India Company's
army. 2. A
well - known delicacy :
the Anglo - Indian relation of the
Digby chick ; alive, it is a fish called
the bummelo ; dead and dried,
becomes a duck.
Bombo, Bumbo. A
given to various mixtures, but chiefly
to cold punch Smollett, in a note in
; believe, or swallow.
Roderick Random, speaks of it as A
liquor composed of rum, sugar, water,
and nutmeg (1748).
B o n a. A girl, young woman,
belle a modern form, in a good sense,
: an old-time
of Bona-roba (q.v.). As adj., good.
Bonanza. A happy hit, stroke
of fortune, success from the Spanish,
: the realization of one's hopes never
a fail wind, fine weather, prosperous
voyage ; Bonanza was originally the
name of a mine in Nevada, which once,
quite unexpectedly, turned out to be
a big thing, and of enormous value ;
now applied to any lucky hit or suc-
cessful enterprise.
Bona-roba, subs. (old). A wench,
specially a courtesan, a showy wanton.
The term was much in use among the
older dramatists. Ben Jonson speaks
of a bouncing bona-roba ; and Cowley
seems to have considered it as implying
a fine, tall figure. Bona in modern
times is frequently employed to signify
a girl or young woman, without re-
ference to morals (1589).
Bonce. 1. The head (probably a
derivative of sense 2)
marble (origin unknown, but see Alley).
in the leg (arm, throat, etc. ), a humorous
reason for declining to do anything, a
feigned obstacle (1642). Hard (or
dry) as a bone, as hard (or dry) as may
be ( 1833). Bones of me (you, etc. ), an
exclamation (1588). To feel a thing
in one's bones, to feel acutely, under-
The Bombay stand perfectly. A bone to pick, a
difficulty to solve, nut to crack, a
matter of
dispute, something dis-
agreeable needing explanation, a
settlement to make. A bone of con-
it tention, a source of contention or
discord. To make bones of, to make
nickname objection to, have scruples of, hesitate.
To find bones in, to be unable to credit,
To put a bone
in one's hood, to break one's head. To
carry a bone in the mouth (or teeth), of
a ship when cutting through the water
making foam about One end is
her.
pretty sure to be bone,
saying equivalent to an admission
that All is not gold that glitters ; that
comes up to the ideal formed of them.
To be upon the bones, to attack (1616).
Bone-ache. The lues venerea ( 1 592).
Bone-baster. A staff, cudgel ( 1600).
Bone-box. The mouth : see
Potato-trap (Grose).
Bone-breaker. Fever and ague.
Bone-crusher. A heavy-bore
rifle used for killing big game.
Boned. See Bone, verb, sense 1.
Bone-grubber. 1. One who lives
by collecting bones from heaps of
refuse, selling his spoils at the marine
stores or to bone grinders (1750). 2.
A resurrectionist, a violator of graves :
Cobbett was therefore called a bone-
grubber, because he brought the
remains of Tom Paine from America.
2. A large Bone-house. 1. The human
body. 2. A coffin also a charnel- :

Bond. Our Lady' s bonds, pregnancy, house Americans generally call a

:

confinement cemetery a bone-yard (1836).

60
 Bone Musde. Boodle.

Bone Muscle. To practise Bonk.A short, steep hill.

gymnastics. Bonnering. Burning for heresy
Bone-picker. 1. A footman :
Fr., (1613) :cf. Boycott, Burke, Maffick, etc.
larbin. 2. A
collector of bones, rags, Bonnet. 1. A
gambling cheat,
and other refuse from the streets and decoy at auctions ; sometimes called a
places where rubbish is placed, for the bearer up the bonnet plays as though
:

purpose of sale to marine dealers and he were a member of the general

crushers : the same as bone -grubber. public, and by his good luck, or by the
Bone-polisher. The cat - o' - nine- force of his example, induces others to
tails. venture their stakes; bonneting is often
Boner (Winchester College). A done in much better society than that
sharp blow on the spine. to be found in the ordinary gaming-
Bones. 1. Dice, also called St. rooms a man who persuades another
;

Hugh's bones (q.v.) To rattle the to buy an article on which he receives

bones, play at dice (1386). 2.
to commission or percentage, is said to
Pieces of bones held between the fingers bonnet or bear-up for the seller (1812).
and played Spanish castanet fashion : 2. A pretext, pretence, make believe. 3.

generally an accompaniment to banjo A woman : cf . petticoat. As verb, ( 1 ) to

and other negro minstrel music act as a bonnet, cheat, puff, to bear up
(1592). 3. A member negro of a (q.v.) ; (2) to crush a hat over a man's
minstrel troupe ; generally applied to eyes (1835). To have a green bonnet,
one of the end men who plays the to fail in business. bee in one's A
bones (sense 2) (1851). 4. The bones bonnet, see Bee. To fill a person's
of the human body, but more generally bonnet, to fill his place, equal him.
applied to the teeth Fr., pUoches, : To rive the bonnet of, to excel.
ossdots. 5. A surgeon ; generally Bonnet- builder. A milliner (1839).
sawbones (q.v.). 6. (a) The shares Bonneter. 1. See Bonnet. 2. A
of Wickens, Pease and Co. (b) North ; crushing blow on the hat.
British 4% 1st Preference Shares, the Bonnet laird. A petty proprie-
-

4% 2nd Preference Stock being nick- tor in Scotland as wearing a bonnet

:

named Bonettas. One end is pretty like humbler folk.

sure to be bone : an old-time saying Bonnet-man. A highlander.
equivalent to an admission that All is Bonnets-so-blue. Irish stew.
not gold that glitters ; that the realiza- Bonny. Looking well, plump.
tion of one's hopes never comes up 2. Fine,good, very. To give a bonny
to the ideal formed of them. To be penny for, to pay a long price. A
upon the bones, to attack. bonny row, a jolly uproar.
Bonesetter. A hard riding Bono. Good from the Latin. :

horse, ricketty conveyance see Bone-

:
Booby. 1. A stupid fellow, lubber,
shaker (Grose). clown see Buffle. 2. A dunce, the last
:

Bone-shake. To ride a bone- in a class. To beat the booby, see Beat.

shaker (q.v.). Booby Hutch. A police station.
Bone-shaker. 1. A hard trotting Booby - trap. An arrangement of
horse see Bone-setter. 2. An ordin-
:
books, wet sponges, vessels of water,
ary, as distinguished from a safety, etc., so arranged on the top of a door
a type of bicycle in use prior to the set ajar that when the intended victim
introduction of india-rubber tires and enters the room the whole falls on him
other manifold improvements. (1850).
Bonettas. The 4% 2nd North Boodle. 1. A crowd, com-
British 2nd Preference Stock. pany, the whole boiling (q.v.) : often
Bong. See Boung. caboodle (q.v.). 2. Capital, stock-in-
Boniface. The landlord of a tavern trade : specially something secret,
or inn, mine host from Farquhar's :
peculiar and illegal ; also money used
play of The Beaux' Stratagem (1707). for bribery, money that comes as spoils,
Boning. Boning adjutant, the result of some secret deal, the profits
aping a military bearing. Boning of which are silently divided ; the term
muscle (q.v.) going in largely for is likewise used to cover the booty

gymnastics. Boning demerit, giving no of a bank robber, or the absconding

cause for complaint as regards one's cashier. Amongst the thieving fra-
conduct all West Point cadet slang.
:
ternity boodle is used to denote money
61

that is actually spurious or counterfeit,
and not merely money used for nefari-
ous purposes, but which as currency
isgenuine enough. 3. Generic for
money see Rhino.
: 4. A fool, noodle :
see Buffle. To carry boodle, to utter
base money. Fake - boodle, a roll of
paper over which, after folding, a
dollar bill is pasted, and another bill
being loosely wrapped round this,
it looks as if the whole roll is
made up of a large sum of money in
bills.
B o o d 1 e r. 1. One who bribes
or corrupts. 2. A man uttering base
money : swindlers of this type gener-
in couples ; one carrying the
ally hunt
bulk of the counterfeit money, and
receiving the good change as obtained
by his companion, who utters the
boodle piece by piece ; the game is
generally worked so that at the slightest
alarm the boodle carrier vanishes and
leaves nothing to incriminate his con-
federate.
Booge t. A travelling
basket (Harmon) (1567).
Book. 1. In betting (more
especially in connection with horse-
racing),an arrangement of bets made
against certain horses, and so cal-
culated that the bookmaker (q.v.) has
a strong chance of winning something
whatever the result (1836). By the
book, formally, in set phrase. In a
person's good (or bad) books, in favour
(or disfavour). Out of one's book,
mistaken, out of one's reckoning.
Without one's book (1) unauthorised,
(2) by rote. To drive to book, to
compel to give evidence on oath.
To bring to book, to bring to account.
To speak like a book, to speak with
authority. To talk like a book, to
speak in set terms, as a precisian. To
take a leaf out of a person's book, to
take example by him. 2. The first six
tricks at whist. 3. The copy of words
to which music is set, the words of a
play : formerly only applied to the
libretto of an opera (1768). To know
one's book, to have made up one's mind,
to know what is best for one's interest.
To suit one's book, to suit one's arrange-
ments, fancy, or wish.
Book Answerer. A critic
Booked. Caught, fixed, disposed
of, destined, etc. (1840).
Book-form. The relative powers
of speed (or endurance) of race-horses
Books.
as set down in the Racing Calendar or
book.
Bookie (or Booky). A book-
maker (q.v.).
Bookmaker. A professional
betting- man. The English Encyclo-
paedia says : In betting there are two
parties
one called layers, as the
bookmakers are termed, and the other
backers, in which class may be in-
cluded owners of horses as well as the
public. The backer takes the odds
which the bookmaker lays against a
horse, the former speculating upon
the success of the animal, the latter
upon its defeat and taking the case
;
of Cremorne for the Derby of 1872,
just before the race, the bookmaker
would have laid 3 to 1, or perhaps
1000 to 300 against him, by which
transaction, if the horse won, as he did,
the backer would win 1000 for risking
300, and the bookmaker lose the
1000 which he risked to win the
smaller sum. At first sight this may
tinker's appear an act of very questionable
policy on the part of the bookmaker ;
but really it is not so, because so far
from running a greater risk than the
backer, he runs less, inasmuch as it is
his plan to lay the same amount (1000)
against every horse in the race, and as
there can be but one winner, he would
in all probability receive more than
enough money from the many losers
to pay the stated sum of 1000 which
the chances are he has laid against the
one winner, whichever it is (1862).
Bookmaker's Pocket. A breast-
pocket made inside the waistcoat, for
notes of large amount (Hottcn).
Books. 1. A pack of cards ;
used mainly professional card-
by
players : called devil's books,
also
book of broads, book of briefs : Fr.,
juge de paix, cartouchiere a portces (a
prepared pack used by sharpers)
(1706). 2. (Winchester College), (a)
The prizes formerly presented by Lord
Say and Sele, now given by the govern-
ing body, to the Senior in each
division at the end of Half, (b)
The school is thus divided : Sixth
Book Senior and Junior Division ;
the whole of the rest of the School is
(1760). in Fifth Book Senior Part, Middle
Part, Junior Part, each part being
divided into so many divisions, Senior,
Middle, and Junior, or Senior, 2nd,
3rd, and Junior, as the case may require.
G2
 BoolcworJc. Boots.

Formerly, there was also Fourth on board ship prisoners on board

:

Book, but it ceased to exist about convict ships were chained to, or were
twenty -five years ago (1840). (c) made to crawl along or stand on the
Up at books, in class, repeating lessons : booms for exercise or punishment
now called Up to Books
books, (d) (Hotten).
chambers, on Remedies (a kind of Boon -
companion. A comrade
whole holiday), we also went into School in a drinking bout, a good fellow
in the morning and afternoon for an (1566).
hour or two without masters this was ; Boon -
companionship. Jollity,
called books chambers ; and on Sun- conviviality (1592).
days, from four till a quarter to five. Boong. See Bung.
(Mansfield), (e) To get or make books, Boorde. See Bord.
to make the highest score at anything. Boost. A hoisting, shove, lift,
Bookwork. Mathematics that push up a New England vulgar-
can be learned verbatim from books ism (1858). As verb, to hoist, lift up,
all that are not problems. shove.
Bookwright. An author. Boosy. See Boozy.
Boom. This word is a compara- Boot. To beat, punish with a
tively recent production in its slang strap the punishment is irregular and
:

sense ; and is used in a variety of com- unconventional, being inflicted by

binations as, The whole State is
;
soldiers on a comrade discovered
booming for Smith, or The boys have guilty of some serious breach of the un-
whooped up the State to boom for written law of comradeship, such as
Smith, or The State boom is ahead in theft, etc. :
formerly inflicted with a
this State, etc., etc. Stocks and money bootjack hence the name. To make
are said to be booming when active ; one boot serve for either leg, to speak
and any particular spot within a with double meaning. The boot is on
flourishing district is regarded as within the other leg, the case is altered, re-
the boom - belt. A
successful team sponsibility is shifted. To have one's
or party is said to be a booming squad, heart in one's boots, to be in extreme
and we even read of boomlets to ex- fear. Over shoes, over boots, reck-
press progress of a lesser degree. As less continuance of a course begun,
subs, commercial activity, rapid ad- in for a lamb in for a sheep. Like old
vance in prices, flourishing state of boots, vigorously, thorough-going. To
affairs synonymous with extreme die in one's boots, to be hanged.
vigour and effectiveness (1875). As Boot- catcher. A servant whose
verb, to make rapid and vigorous duty it was to remove a person's
progress, advance by leaps and bounds, boots.
push, puff, bring into prominence with Booth. A house. To heave a
a rush (1874). To top one's boom off, booth, to rob a house.
to be off (or to start) in a certain direc- Booth-burster. A loud and
tion. noisy actor, barn-stormer (q.v.).
Boomer. 1. One who booms or Booting. A
punishment ad-
causes an enterprise to become flourish- ministered with a strap.
ing, active or notorious. 2. Anybody Boot- Joe. Musketry drill.
(or anything) considerably above the Bootlick. A flunkey, hanger-
average a bouncing lie, a fine woman,
:
on, doer of dirty work, toady. As
a horse with extra good points, etc., etc. verb, to toady, hang on, undertake
Boomerang. Acts or words, dirty work.
the results of which recoil upon the Boots. 1. The servant at hotels
person from whom they originate the : and places of a kindred character who
boomerang is properly an Australian cleans the boots of visitors formerly :

missileweapon which, when thrown, called boot - catchers (q.v.), because

can be made to return to the thrower ; in the old riding and coaching days
or which, likewise, can be caused to part of their duty was to divest travel-
take an opposite direction to that in lers of their footgear. 2. The youngest
which it is first thrown (1845). officer in a regimental mess. 3. In

Booming. Flourishing, active, humorous (or sarcastic) combination :

in good form, large, astonishing. e.g. Clumsy-boots, Lazy-boots, Sly-

Boom-passenger. A convict boots, Smooth-boots, etc.
63
 Boots and Leathers. Botany Bay.

Boots and Leathers. See Com- analogously applied to horse -

racing
moner Peal. (1672).
Booty. Plunder, spoils, swag (q.v.). Born. All one't born days, one's
To play booty, to play falsely, dis- lifetime (1740). Born weak, said of
honestly ; or unfairly ; this with the ft vessel feebly built
object of not winning, a previous ar- Bosh.Nonsense, rubbish, stuff,
rangement having been made with a rot anything beneath contempt :

confederate to share the spoils result- Murray says from the Turkish both
ing from the bogus play : sometimes it lakerdi, empty talk ; the word became
takes the form of permitting the current in England from its frequent
victim to win small stakes in order occurrence in Morier's Persian novel,
to encourage him to hazard larger Ayesha [1834], an extremely popu-
sums which, naturally, he is not lar production. As verb, to num-
allowed to win (1575). Booty-fellow, bug, spoil, mar. As intj., nonsense 1

a sharer in plunder, illicit - gains, Rubbish !

my eye
It's all !

etc. Bosh Faker. A violin player.

Booze. 1. Drink, a draught : Boshing. A flogging, bashing.
the older forms are bouse or bouze Boshy. Trumpery, nonsensical.
(q.v.), but booze in its present form Bos-ken. A farmhouse : an old
appears as early as 1714. 2. A drink- canting term.
ing bout, tipsy frolic. As verb, to Boskiness. The quality of being
drink heavily, tipple, guzzle an old : fuddled with drink (or bemused), a
term employed in some sense of to state of drunkenness.
drink, as early as 1300. Boozed, Bosky. Drunk, tipsy, fuddled :
drunk, fuddled. Boozy, drunken, see Screwed (1748).
screwed (q.v.). Boozing, the act of Bosnian. A
farmer.
drinking hard. Boozer, a drunkard, Bosom-bird. An intimate friend.
a tippler. Bosom-mischief. The root
Boozing Cheat A bottle. of offending.
Boozing -ken. A drinking den: Bosom-piece. A bosom friend :

Fr., bibine see Lush crib (1567).

:
especially of a woman.
Bpozington. A drunkard, Bosom -sermon. One learnt by
Lushington q. v. ( )
heart
Borachio. A drunkard see : Bosom-slave. A mistress.
Lushington properly a akin for hold-
: Boss. 1. A master, head man,
ing wine (1599). one who directs from the Dutch boat,
:

B o r a k. To poke borak, to pour a master. 2. A short-sighted person ;

fictitious news into credulous ears, also one who squints also Bosser : cf.
:

stuff, kid. Boss-eyed. 3. A miss, blunder. As

Bord, Borde, Boorde. A adj., pleasant, first rate, chief. As
shillingsee Rhino (1567).
: verb, (1 ) to manage, direct, control ; (2)
Bordeaux. Blood cf. Claret and
: to miss one's aim, make such a shot as
Badminton. Bordeaux hammer, a a boss-eyed (q.v.) person would be ex-
vinous headache. pected to make. Boss-shot, a shot that
Bord You ! An expression used fails of its mark.
to claim the next turn in drinking. Bossers. Spectacles.
Bore (old slang, but now recog- Boss-eyed. Said of a person with
nised). Anybody (or anything) weari- one eye (or rather with one eye in-
some or annoying. As verb, (I) to jured), a person with obliquity of
weary or to be wearied : the word does vision, squinny-eyed (q.v.), swivel-
not appear in English literature prior eyed (q.v.).
to 1750 ; (2) push (or thrust) out of the Bostruchyzer (Oxford University).
course amongst pugilists it signifies
: A small kind of comb for curling
to drive an opponent on to the ropes the whiskers (H often).
of the ring by sheer weight, whilst Bot, Bott, Botts. The colic,
amongst rowing men it denotes the belly-ache, gripes (1787).
action of a coxswain in so steering a Botanical Excursion. Transporta-
boat as to force his opponent into tion the allusion is to Botany Bay ( q. v. )
:

the shore, or into still water, thus Botany Bay (University),

obtaining an unfair advantage; also 1. At Oxford, Worcester College : on
 Botany Bay Fever. Bounty-jumper

account of its remote situation as re- arrive at an unquestionable conclusion

gards other collegiate buildings. 2. concerning it, to get to the root of the
A certain portion of Trinity College, question also Bottom-rock.
:

Dublin for a similar reason.

: 3. B o 1 1 y. An infant's posteriors,
Penal servitude formerly convicts
:
Fr., tu tu. As adj., conceited, swag-
[1787-1867] were transported to Bot- gering: Fr., faire sa merde, faire son
any Bay, a convict settlement at the matador.
Antipodes. Hence to go to Botany Bough. The gallows see Tree :

Bay, to get a long term of imprison- (1590).

ment. Boughs. Up in the boughs, in a
Botany Bay Fever. Trans- passion (Grose).
portation, penal servitude. Bounce. Brag, swagger, boast-
1.
Botch. A tailor. ful falsehood,
exaggeration (1714).
Bottle. To turn out no bottle, 2. Impudence, cheek, brass (q.v.). 3.
not to turn out well, to fail. To pass A boaster, swaggerer, showy swindler,
the bottle of smoke, to countenance a bully (1812). As verb, (1) to boast,
conventional to cant. To look for a
tie, bluster, hector, bully, blow up (1633) ;
needle in a bottle of hay, to engage in a (2) to lie, to cheat, swindle ( 1762). On
hopeless search also, needle in a hay-
: the bounce, in a state of spasmodic
stack. To bottle up, to restrain temper movement, general liveliness. To get
(or) feelings, to hold (or keep) back the grand bounce, to be dismissed: spec.
(1622). in reference to government appoint-
Bottle - ache. Drunkenness see : ments.
Gallon distemper. Bounceable. Prone to bounc-
Bottle - arsed. Type thicker at ing or boasting, uppish, bump-
one end than the other a result of tious (1830).
wear and tear. Bouncer. 1. A bully, hector,
Bottle-head. A fool : see Buffle. blusterer, one who talks swagger-
Bottle-holder. 1. A second at ingly (1748). 2. A thief who steals
a prize-fight. 2. One who gives moral goods from shop counters while bar-
support, backer, adviser : in the Times gaining with the tradesman: Fr.,
of 1851, Lord Palmerston was reported degringoleur, and (the practice itself)
to consider himself the bottle-holder of degringoler h la carre. 3. lie, a A
oppressed states and in Punch of the
: liar (1762). 4. Anything large of its
same year, a cartoon appeared repre- kind, whopper, thumper, corker
senting that statesman as the judi- (1596). 5. Chucker-out (q.v.). 6. A
cious bottle-holder (1753). prostitute's bully. 7. A gun that
Bottle -
holding. Backing, sup- kicks when fired.
porting. Bouncing. Vigorous, lusty, ex-
Bottle of Brandy in a Glass. aggerated, excessive, big (1563).
A long drink, of beer. Bouncing Cheat. A bottle.
Bo ttle of Spruce. Twopence, Bounder. 1. A four-wheeled
deuce (q.v.). cab, growler (q.v.). 2. A student
Bottles. Barrett's Brewery and whose manners are not acceptable,
Bottling Co. Shares. one whose companionship is not cared
Bottle - sucker. An able - bodied for. 3. A dog - cart. 4. A vulgar,
seaman, the abbreviation is A.B.S. though well-dressed man, a superior
Bottom. 1.
posteriors : The kind of 'Arry, one whose dress and
not now in polite or literary use
(1794). personal appearance are correct, but
2. Capital, resources, stamina, grit whose manners are of a questionable
(1662). 3. Spirit placed in a glass prior character. The term is very often
to the addition of water. To knock the used in connection with bally (q.v.).
bottom out of one, to overcome, defeat. Boung. See Bung.
To stand on one's own bottom, to act Boung Nipper. See Bung-nipper.
for oneself, to be independent. Bounty-jumper. A man who,
Bottom Dollar. The last dollar. receiving a bounty when enlisting,
To bet one's bottom dollar, to risk all. deserts, re-enlists, and
receives a
Bottom Facts. The exact second bounty. The War of the
truth about any matter. To get to the Rebellion is responsible for this, as
bottom facts concerning a subject, to for many other colloquialisms ; as
65
 Bounty -jumping. Box.

the conflict lengthened out, men be- to be complaisant, become com-

came in great request, and large pliant.
bounties were offered by the North B o w-c a t c h e r. A kiss-curl see :

for volunteers. This bounty was Aggerawator a corruption of beau-

:

found to be a direct incitement to bad catcher.

faith and unfair
dealing. Men would Bowdlerize. To expurgate by
enlist, receive their bounty, join their removing words or phrases considered
regiment, and then decamp, to re- offensive or questionable from a book
appear in another State, to go through or writing from Dr. T. Bowdler's
:

the same performance, in some cases method in editing an edition of Shakes-

many times over. peare, in which, to use his own words,
Bounty- jumping. Obtaining a Those expressions are omitted
. . .

bounty by enlisting and then deserting. which cannot with propriety be read
Bourbon. 1. In American aloud in a family (1836).
politics a Democrat of the straitest Bower. A prison : see Cage.
sect ; a fire-eater applied, for the
:
Bowery Boy, Bowery Girl. The
most part, to the Southern Democrats 'Any and 'Arriet of New York of some
of the old school uncompromising years ago the Bowery was the farm of
:

adherents of political tradition be- Governor Stuyvesant

hind the age, and unteachable. 2. Bowlas. Round tarts made of
A superior kind of whisky originally :
sugar, apple, and bread (May hew).
that manufactured in Bourbon, Ken- Bowled. Croppled(q.v.).
tucky. Bowler. See Boler.
Bouse, Bowse, Booze. 1. Drink Bowles. Shoes see Trotter- :

or liquor of any kind (1667). 2. A

drinking bout, carouse. As verb, to Bowl Out To overcome, get the
drink to excess, tipple, swill : both better of, defeat (1812).
this and the substantive seem to have Bowl - the - hoop, subs, (rhyming
been known as early as 1300, but slang). Soup.
neither came into general use until the Bowman. All's Bowman, All's
sixteenth century, from which period well!
both forms have become more and Bowse. See Booze.
more colloquial see Lush. Hence,
:
Bowsing Ken. See Bousing ken.
bouser, a toper ; bousing, hard drink- Bowsprit. The nose. To have
ing ; and bousy, intoxicated or one's bowsprit in parenthesis, to have it
screwed. To bouse the jib, to tipple, pulled : cf. To have one's head in
drink heavily a different word from
:
Coventry.
bouse, to haul with tackle, i.e. to make Bow- window. A big belly, cor-
oneself tight see Screwed.
:
poration (q.v.). Bow-windowed, big-
Bousing Ken. A tavern, inn, bellied (1840).
drinking den now applied to a low
: Bow-wow. 1. A childish name for
public house see Lush crib (1567).
: a dog (1800). 2. A Bostonian :

Bouzy. See Boozy. in contempt. 3. A cavalier, lover, spec.

Bow. Two (or many) strings to a petticoat-dangler cf. Tame-cat. :

one's bow, an alternative, more re- Bow-wow Mutton. Dog's flesh.

sources than one (1562). To draw Bow- wow- word. A term applied
the long bow, to exaggerate, gas, sarcastically by Max Mullerto words
talk up (1819). To draw the bow claimed as imitations of natural sounds.
up to the ear, to do a thing with alac- B o w y e r. One who draws a
rity, put on full steam, exert oneself long bow, a dealer in the marvellous,
to the utmost. The bent of one's bow, a teller of improbable stories, a liar.
one's intention, inclination, disposi- Box. A prison cell. As verb
tion. To shoot in another's bow, to (Westminster School), to take posses-
undertake another's work, practise an sion of, bag. To be in a box, to be
art or profession other than one's own. cornered, in a fix, stuck (or hung)
By the string rather than the bow, in a up. To be in the wrong box, to be out
direct fashion, by the straightest way of one's element, in a false position,
to an end. To bend (or bring) to one's mistaken (1555). On the box, a man
bow, to control, compel to one's will when on strike and in receipt of strike
or inclination. To come to one's bow, pay is said to be on the box. To box
\ 66
 Box Hat. Brain-crack.

Harry (1)take dinner and tea

to commercial, public or private, with a
together ; dine out, i.e. to do
(2) to person, on account of political or other
without a meal at all. To box the differences, so as to punish or coerce
compass, to repeat in succession, or him. The word arose in the autumn
irregularly, the thirty-two points of of 1880 Capt. Boycott, an Irish land-
the compass beginners, on accom-
; lord, was the original victim to de-
plishing this feat, are said to be able scribe the action instituted by the Irish
to box the compass (1731). LandLeague toward those who incurred
Box Hat. A silk hat see Cady. : its hostility. It was speedily adopted
Box-irons. Shoes see Trotter- : into every European language (0. E.D.)
cases (1789). Brace. To get credit by swagger.
Box of Dominoes. The mouth. To brace it through, to succeed by dint
[From box + dominoes (q.v.), a slang of sheer impudence.
term for the teeth.] For synonyms, Bracelets. Handcuffs ; fetters
see Potato-trap. for the wrist: Fr., alliances (properly
Boy. 1. Champagne, fiz, Cham wedding rings), also tartouve and
(q.v.) : Fr., champ. [A story, ben lacets see Darbies (1661).
:

trovato, is told by the Sporting Times Brace of Shakes. moment, A

of June 30, 1882, as regards the origin jiffy, twinkling of an eye, etc. :
of the phrase At a shooting party: see Shakes.
in Norfolk once, a youth was told off Brace Up. 1. To pawn stolen goods
to supply the company with cham- to their utmost value. 2. To take a
pagne. The day being hot and the drink.
sportsmen thirsty, cries of Boy I Bracket- faced. Ugly, hard-
Boy !
Boy were heard
! all day long. featured (Grose).
This tickling the fancy of the royal and Bracket-mug. An ugly face.
noble party, the term boy became Brads. Generic for money : see
applied to champagne.] 2. A hump Rhino (1812). To tip the brads, to
on a man's back: itis common to speak pay, shell out.
of a humpbacked man as two persons Brag. Ausurer, Jew.
him and his boy. 3. (Anglo- Braggadocia. Three months' im-
Indian and colonial). A servant of prisonment as a reputed thief.
whatever age. Old boy (1) a familiar Brain. Cuteness, cleverness, nous
term of address spec, a father, the :
(q.v.). Hence brainy, smart, clever,
guv' nor, the boss; (2) The devil. Yellow up-to-date. Phrases To beat (break,
:

boy, a guinea also, one pound sterling

;
:
busy, cudgel, drag, or puzzle) one's
see Rhino. Angry (or roaring boys), brains, to exert oneself to thought or
a set of young bucks, bloods, or blades contrivance. To crack one's brains,
(q.v.), of noisy manners and fire- to become crazy. On the brain, crazy
eating tastes Nares says, like the : about (a matter). To turn one's
Mohawks (q.v.) described by the brain, to bewilder, flummox. dry A
Spectator, they delighted to commit brain, silly, stupid, barren brain. A
outrages and get into quarrels early ; hot brain an inventive fancy. Boiled
mention is made of such characters ; brains, a hot-headed person. To bear
Wilson, in his Life of James I. (1653), a brain, to be cautious. To suck (or
gives an account of their origin :
pick) a person's brains, to get and ap-
The king minding his sports, many propriate information. Of the same
riotous demeanours crept into the brain, identical in conception or
kingdom divers sects of vicious
; doing.
persons, going under the title of roar- Brain-pan (or Box.) 1. The skull,
ing boys, bravadoes, roysterers, etc., or skull-cap also Brain-canister ; the
:

commit many insolencies ; the streets Scotch equivalent is Hani pan 2,

swarm, night and day, with bloody The head (1520).
quarrels, private duels fomented, etc. Brain- trick. A cunning devio .

(1599). Boys of the holy ground, for- Brain - worm, A wriggling dis-
merly [1800-25] bands of roughs in- putant (1645).
festing a well known region in St.
- Brain - brat, A creature of the
Giles see Holy-land.
:
fancy (1630),
Boycott. To combine in refusing Brain-crack, A craze, crotchet,
to hold relations of any kind, social or bee (1851).
67
 "Brain-worm. freak.

Brain - worm. A wriggling dis- Brattery. A nursery ( 1 788).

putant (1643). Bratful. An apronful.
Bramble. A lawyer ; a tangle of Brazen-faced. Shameless, impud-
the law. ent, unblushing, with a face as of brass,
Bramble-gel der. An agricul- or as if rubbed with a brass candlestick
turist : a Suffolk term. (1571).
Bran. A loaf. Bread. Employment Out of
Branded Ticket A discharge given bread, out of work. Phrases : To know
to an infamous man, on which his on which side one's bread is buttered,
character is given, and the reason he to recognise one's interests. To
isturned out of the service (Smyth). take the oread out of one's mouth, to
Brandy. Brandy is Latin for goose deprive of the means of livelihood.
(or for fish), this punning vulgarism Bread buttered on both sides, the height
appears first in Swift's Polite Conversa- of good fortune, the best of luck. No
tion ; the pun is on the word answer. bread and butter of mine, no concern
Anscr is the Latin for goose, which (or business) of mine (1764).
brandy follows as surely and quickly Bread-artist One working merely
as an answer follows a question. to gain a living : cf. Potboiler.
Brandy Face. A tippler, drunkard : Bread and
Butter Warehouse,
spec, one whose favourite drink is phr. (old). Ranelagh Gardens.
brandy: see Lushington (1687). Bread-and-cheese. Plain living,
Brandy-faced. Red-faced, bloated. needful food.
Brandy Pawnee. Brandy and Bread and Meat The commis-
water (1816). sariat
Brandy Smash. An American Bread Bags. A nickname given
drink of brandy and crushed ice. in the army and navy to any one con-
Bran-mash. Bread sopped in coffee nected with the victualling depart-
or tea. ment, as a purser or purveyor in the
Brass. 1. Impudence, effrontery, commissariat at one time called
:

unblushing hardness, shamelessness, muckers :

Fr., riz-pain-sel.
etc. (1594). 2. Generic for money: Bread-barge. The distributing
see Rhino (1526). basket or tray containing the rations
Brass- basin. A barber, surgeon- of biscuits.
barber (1599). Bread-basket The stomach. Eng-
Brass-face. An impudent person. lish synonyms: bread-room, dumpling-
Brass-bound and Copper Fast- depot, victualling-office, porridge- bowl
ened. Said of a lad dressed in a (1735).
midshipman's uniform (W. Clark Bread-picker (Winchester Col-
Russell). lege). The four
senior prefects used
Brass-bounder. A midshipman. to appoint juniors to this office,
Brasser (Christ's Hospital). A which was nominal, but which carried
bully. with it exemption from fagging at
Brass Farthing (or Farde). The meal times. No notion book states
lowest limit of value (1642). in what the office consisted, but it is
Brass Knocker. Broken victuals, supposed that it relates to times when
the remains of a meal specially ap-
:
juniors had to secure the bread, etc.,

plied by beggars
to the scraps often
bestowed upon them in place of money.
Brass-plate Merchant A dealer
who merely procures orders for coal,
gets some merchant who buys in the
market to execute them in his name,
and manages to make a living by the
profits of these transactions (Mayhew).
Brassy. Impudent, impertinent,
shameless (1570).
Brat 1. A child almost invari-
:
ably in contempt (1505). 2. A rag,
shabby clothes, or other articles that
arc mere rags.
served out for their masters.
Bread-room. The stomach, bread-
basket (1760) (q.v.).
Bread -room Jack. A purser's
servant
Break. 1. A collection (of money)
usually got up by a prisoner's friends,
either to defray the expenses of his de-
fence, or as a lift when leaving prison.
2. Formerly and more generally ap-
plied to a pause in street performances
to enable the hat to be passed round :
cf. Lead. Tn l>rmk one's barl\ tobecome
bankrupt (1601). To break one's egg:
 Break-down. Bridge.

see Crack one's egg. Tobreak out all over on the reverse side of the coin. To
(or in a fresh spot), expressions in com- wear the breeches, to usurp a husband's
mon use in the one case conveying prerogative, be master (1450) cf.
:

an idea of completeness ; and, in the the grey mare is the better horse of
other, of commencing some new under- the two.
taking, or assuming a different posi- Breeching. A flogging (q.v.),
tion whether in an argument or action. formerly in general use (1520).
To break shins, to borrow money. Breef. See Brief.
To break the balls, to commence play- Breeze. A row, quarrel, disturb-
ing. To break the molasses jug, to come ance, coolness (Grose).
to grief, to make a mistake. To break Brekker. Breakfast.
the neck or back of anything, to ac- Brevet Hell. Athe term
battle :

complish the major portion of a task, originated during the American Civil
be near the end of an undertaking, be War.
past the middle of same. To break a Brevet-wife. A woman who takes
straw with, to fall out with. To break a man's name, and enjoys all the
a lance with, to enter into competition privileges of a wife.
with. To break Priscian's head, to Brew (Marlborough School). To
violate the laws of grammar. To make afternoon tea.
break the neck of a thing (or matter), to Brewer's Horse. A drunkard: see
get through the serious part of it. Lushington.
To break the ice, to commence, prepare Brian o' Linn. GUI see Drinks. :

the way. To break no squares, to do Briar, Brier. A

brier-wood pipe.
no harm. Brick. A good fellow ; one whose
Break-down. 1. A measure of liquor. staunchness and loyalty commend him
2. Anoisy dance, a convivial gather- to his fellows said to be of University
:

ing the term was, at first, specially

:
origin, the simile being drawn from
applied to a negro dance, but is now the classics (1835). As verb, to pun-
in general use in England in a humor- ish a man by bringing the knees close
ous sense. To break down, to dance up to the chin, and lashing the arms
riotously, be boisterous, spreeish. tightly to the knees a species of
Break-o'-day Drum. A drinking trussing. Like a brick (like bricks, or
saloon which keeps its doors open aU like a thousand of bricks), with energy,
night. alacrity, thoroughly, vehemently and
Breaky-leg. 1. Intoxicating with much display. Brick in the hat,
drink ; see Drinks. 2. A shilling. top - heavy, inability to preserve a
Breast Fleet. Roman Catholics ; steady gait: of drunken men.
from their practice of crossing them- Brick- duster. See Brick-fielder.
selves on the breast as an act of devo- Brickdusts. The Fifty-third
tion (Grose). Regiment of Foot, now The King's
Breath. Change your breath, an (Shropshire Light Infantry), from its

injunction to adopt a different manner facings.

or bearing. An offensive, slang ex- Brickfielder (or Brickduster). In
pression which, originating in Cali- Sydney the name given to a dust or
fornia, quickly ran its course through sand storm brought by southerly
the Union. winds from sand hills locally known
Breath-bubble. An empty thing, as the Brickfields hence the name :
trifle (1835). also the Buster or Southerly Burster.
Breath-seller. LA perfumer Bricklayer. A clergyman.
(1601). 2. A paid speaker. Bricklayer's Clerk. A lubberly
Breech. To flog formerly in
: sailor.
literary use, but now fallen into des- Bricks (Wellington College). A
uetude (1557). sort of pudding.
Breeched. Well off, with plenty of BrickWall. To run one's head
money ; well breeched, in good circum- against a brick wall, to pursue a course
stances: cf. Ballasted. Fr., deculotte obstinately to certain disaster, ruin,
(= bankrupt, i.e. unbreeched). or death.
Breeches. Ironically applied to the Bridge. A
cheating trick at
Commonwealth coinage suggested ; cards, by which any particular card
by the arrangement of two shields is cut by previously curving it by the
69
 Bridle-cull. Broiled Crow.

pressure of tho hand : Fr.,le pont gee. A method of cogging dice by inserting
To throw a person over the bridge, to bristles intothem, and thus influencing
deceive him by betraying the con- the position of the cubes when thrown
fidence he has in you. Betide (1562).
reposed
the bridge, off the track, astray. A Bristol Milk. Sherry formerly :

gold (or silver) bridge, an easy way of a large import of the city of Bristol :
escape. see Drinks (1644).
Bridle-cull. A highwayman (1754). Broach. To broach claret, to
Bridport (or Brydport) Dagger. draw blood.
The hangman's rope. To be stabbed Broad. Knowing, cute, smart :
with a Bridport dagger, to be hanged cf.Wide. Phrases In the broad or the
:

(16881 long, in one way or another. It's as

Brief. 1. A ticket of any kind broad as it's long, there's no difference,
railway pass, pawnbroker's duplicate, there's not a pin to choose between
raffle ticket 2. A pocket book. Hence them.
briefless, ticketless. Broad and Shallow. An
Briefs (or Breefs). Prepared cards epithet applied to the Broad Church
529 ). [Take a pack of cards and open
( 1 party, in contradistinction to the
them, then take out all the honours High and Low Churches : see High
.. and cut a little from the edges of
. and dry.
the rest so as to make the
all alike, Broadbottoms. A nickname of
honours broader than the rest, so that two Coalition Governments, one in the
when your adversary cuts to you, you last century [1741], and the- other in
are certain of an honour. When you 1807.
cut to your adversary cut at the ends, Broadbrim. A
Quaker : the origin
and then it is a chance if you cut him of this expression is to be found in the
an honour, because the cards at the hat once peculiar to the Society of
ends are all of a length. Thus you Friends (1712).
may make breefs end-ways as well as Broad - cooper. A person em-
side-ways] (Hotten). ployed by brewers to negotiate with
Brief -snatcher. A pocket-book publicans.
thief (q.v.). Broad Cove. A card -
sharper :

Brier (or Briar). In pi. difficulty, FT., bremeur (1821).

trouble, vexation. In the briars, in Broad-faking. Playing at
trouble (1509). cards spec, work of the three card
:

Brigh. A pocket, cly, skyrocket. and kindred descriptions.

Bright Bright in the eye, tipsy : Broad-fencer. A k'rect card vendor.
see Screwed. Broads. Playing cards ( 1 789).
Brighton Tipper. A particular Broadsman. A card-sharper.
brew of ale. Broady 1. Cloth: a corruption
Brim. A
prostitute : i.e. Brim- of broadcloth (1851). 2. Anything
stone (q.v.) (1730). 2. An angry, worth stealing.
violent woman, or a termagant, with- Broady Worker. A man who goes
out reference to moral character. round selling shoddy stuff under the
Brimstone. 1. A violent tempered pretence that it is excellent material,
woman, virago, spitfire (1712). 2. A which has been got on the cross, i.e.

prostitute. stolen.
Briney (or Briny). The sea ( 1856). Brock (Winchester College). To
English synonyms, herring pond, big bully, tease, badger.
pond, big drink, the puddle, Davy's Brockster (Winchester College). A
locker. bully.
Bring. To bring down the house, Brogues (Christ's Hospital).
to elicit loud applause ; and, figur- Breeches : in reality an obsolete old
atively, to be successful (1754). English which has survived
term
Brisket- beater. A Roman Catholic: among the Blues.
cf. Breast-fleet, and Craw-thumper Broiled (or Boiled) Crow. To eat
(Grose). boiled crow, a newspaper editor, who is
Bristle. To set up one's bristles, obliged by his party, or other outside
to show temper. influences, to advocate principles dif-
Bristle Dice or Bristles, subs. ferent from those which he supported
70
 Broke. Bruise.

a short time before, is said to eat Brother of the Brush. An artist, a

boiled crow. house- painter (1687).
Broke. Dead broke (or stone Brother of the Bung. A brewer ;
broke), ruined, decayed, hard up of one of the same trade.
health or pecuniary circumstances : Brother of the Buskin. A player,
Fr., pas un radis. actor one of the same profession.
Broken Feather in One's Wing. Brother of the Coif. A serjeant-
A blot on one's character. at-law the coif was a close-fitting cap
:

Broken-kneed (or legged). worn by the serjeants-at-law (Grose).

Seduced. Brother of the Quill. An author
An umbrella first used
Brolly. :
(1754).
at Winchester and subsequently Brother of the String. A fiddler.
adopted at both Oxford and Cam- Brother of the Whip. A coachman
bridge Universities. (1756).
Broncho. Unruly, wild, savage : Brother - smut A
term of famili-
from the name of the native horse of arity :
e.g. Ditto, brother or sister
California, a somewhat tricky and un- smut, tu quoque.
certain quadruped familiarly applied
;
Brpughtonian. A
bruiser, boxer,
to horses that buck and show other pugilist from Broughton, once the
:

signs of vice : the Spanish signification best boxer of his day.

of the word is rough and crabbed little Brown. 1. A
halfpenny : see
beast, and in truth he deserves this Rhino (1812). 2. Porter: an ab-
name. breviation of Brown Stout. As verb,
Broncho-buster. A breaker-in of (1) to do brown, to get the better of ;
bronchos, a flash-rider. (2) to understand, comprehend. To
Bronze John. A Texas name for do broum, to do well, take in, deceive,
yellow fever ; commonly called Yel- exceed bounds (1600).
low Jack (q.v.). Brown Bess. 1. Yes. 2. The old
Broom, subs. (old). warrant A regulation musket. 3. A prostitute

(1815). As verb,
to runaway: see Bunk. (1631). To hug broum Bess, to serve
Broomstick. A
sort of rough as a private soldier.
cricket bat, very narrow in the blade : Brown George. 1. A wig, of the
all of one piece of wood. To jump colour of over- baked ginger-bread :

the broomstick (hop the broom, jump modish during the latter half of the
the besom), to go through a quasi last century. 2. A jug :
generally of
marriage ceremony by jumping over brown earthenware cf. Black-jack. :

a broomstick (1774). 3. A coarse brown loaf, or hard biscuit

Broomsticks. Worthless bail, (1653).
straw-bail (1812). Brownie. The polar bear.
Brosier (or Brozier) (Eton Col- BrownJanet. A knapsack.
lege). A boy when he had spent all B r o n J o e. w No : cf. Brown
his pocket money brozier is Cheshire
:
Bess, Yes.
for bankrupt. Broziered, cleaned out, Brown -
paperman. A gambler
done up, mined, bankrupt (1796). in pence.
Brozier-my-dame (Eton College), eat- Brown-paper warrant. A warrant
ing one out of house and home when :
given by a captain this he can cancel
:

a dame (q.v.) keeps an unusually bad (Smyth).

table, the boys agree together on a Brown Stone. Beer see Drinks.
:

day to eat, pocket, or waste every- Brown-study. Mental abstraction,

thing eatable in the house. The musing, thoughtful absentminded-
censure is well understood, and the ness, idle reverie.
hint is generally effective (1850). Brown Talk. Conversation of
Broth. Breath. To make white an exceedingly proper character : cf.
broth of, to boil to death. A broth of Blue
a boy, a
downright good fellow. Browse. To idle, loll, take
Brother - blade. A soldier see :
things easy. A browse morning, one
Mudcrusher (Grose). in which there is little work.
Brother Chip. One of the same Bruise. To fight, box gen-
calling or trade formerly a fellow-
:
erally with the idea of mauling. To
carpenter (1820). bruise along, to pound along.

71
 Bruiser. Buck.

Bruiser. 1.
prize-fighter, A Bub. 1.
Strong drink of any
boxer ( 1
744). 2. prostitute's bully. A kind :
usually applied to malt liquor.
S. One fond of fighting. 4. Generic for To take bub and grub, to eat and drink
a rowdy or buDy sometimes, how- (1671). 2. A woman's breast:
:
gen-
ever, limited in its application to a erally in plural bubbles (q.v.). 3.

particular band of ruffians, as once A brother. 4. A

term of affection
in Baltimore. applied to a little boy also a familiar :

Bruising. Prize fighting, boxing

- address. 5. An abbreviated form of

(1767). bubble (q.v.). As verb, (1) to drink

B r u m. 1. A counterfeit com :
(1671) ; (2) to bribe, cheat: cf. Bub-
contracted form of Brummagem (q.v.), ble (1719).
spec, counterfeit groats (about 1691). Bubber. 1. A
hard drinker, con-
2. Anything counterfeit, not genuine. firmed tippler: see Lushington: FT.,
3.
Copper money struck by Boulton bibassier (1653). 2. drinking bowl A
and Watt at their works at Soho, ( 1696). 3. A
public-house thief (1 785).
Birmingham (1787). 4. An inhabit- 4. An old woman with large pendulous
ant of Birmingham. As adj. (Win- breasts.
chester College), mean, poor, stingy : Bubbies. A woman's breasts
the superlative is dead brum. (1686).
Brumby. A wild horse : the Anti- Bu bb i n g. Drinking, tippling
podean counterpart of the American (1678).
broncho. Bubble. A dupe, gull, caravan
Brummagem. Birmingham. 2. 1. (q.v.); and rook (q.v.) (1598). As
Base money of various denominations verb, to cheat, humbug, delude aa
especially groats in 17th century with bubbles, to overreach (1664).
hence anything spurious or unreal Bubbleable. That can be duped,
(1691). As adj., counterfeit, unreal, gullible (1669).
sham, showy, pretentious (1637). Bubble and Squeak. Cold meat
Brummagem Buttons. Counter- fried up with potatoes and greens
feit coin (1836). (Grose).
Brummish. Doubtful, counterfeit Bubble-buff. A bailiff.

(1805). Bubble Company. swindling A

Bu m s. rLondon and North association, or project :
enterprise,
Western Stock formerly the London : the South Sea Bubble will occur to
and Birmingham Railway. mind (1754).
Brush. See Brother of the 1. Bubbled. Gulled, deceived, be-
Brush. 2. A hasty departure (1750). fooled (1683).
3. A person who decamps hastily, or Bubbling-squeak. Hot soup.
who evades his creditors (1748). As Bubbly Jock. 1.A turkey cock,
verb, (1) to flog, thrash e.g. to brush :
gobbler (Grose). 2. A stupid boaster.
one's jacket: cf. Dust; (2) to run away, 3. A pert, conceited, pragmatical
decamp also to brush off (1696).
: fellow ; a prig ; a cad.
Brusher. 1. A full glass. 2. One Bubby. See Bub and Bubbies.
that gets or steals away privately Bucco. A
dandy, buck (q.v.).
(Dyche). 3. A schoolmaster. As Buck, In the first instance a
1.

verb, to humbug by flattery. To man of spirit or gaiety of conduct ;

brush tip a flat, to use mealy-mouthed later a fop, a dandy (1725). 2. An
words, lay it on thick, soft soap (q.v.). unlicensed cabdriver also a sham fare :

Brute. A man who has not yet (1851). 3. A thought to be

sixpence :

matriculated the play is evident A : a corruption of fyebuck (q.v.) rarely :

man, in college phrase, is a collegian ; used by itself, but denotes the sixpence
and as matriculation is the sign and attached to shillings in reference to
seal of acceptance, a scholar before cost, aa, three and a buck, three shil-
that ceremony is not a man, only a lings and sixpence see Rhino. 4. :

biped brute. A large marble. 5. A term used in

Brydport Dagger. See Bridport poker. As adj., at Princeton College
anything which is of an intensive
. T. I. An abbreviation of A big degree, good, excellent, pleasant or
thing on ice : cf. P.D.Q., O.K., N.G., agreeable, is called buck. As verb,
andQ.K. (1) to oppose, run counter to ; (2) Ap-
72
 Buck Bait. Bufe.

plied to horses this term describes the Buckish. Foppish, dandyish

action of plunging forward and throw- (1782).
ing the head to the ground in an Buck jump. - A jump made in
effort to unseat the rider. (3) To cook buck (q.v.) fashion.
(q.v.) : of accounts. (4) To play Buckle. 1. To marry (1693).
against the bank, usually, to buck the 2. To to undertake, grapple
buckle to,

tiger. (5) To put forth one's whole with, slip in, work vigorously (1557).
energy. To run a buck, to poll a bad To buckle down, to settle down, be-
vote at an election (Orose). To buck come reconciled to, knuckle down
(or fight) the tiger, to gamble. To (q.v.).
buck down (Winchester College), to be Buckle-beggar. A Fleet parson;
sorry, unhappy. To be bucked, to be also one who celebrated irregular
tired. To buck up (Winchester Col- marriages, a hedge priest, one who
lege), to be glad, pleased : the usual undertook similar offices for gipsies
expression is Oh, buck up, a phrase and tramps (1700).
which at Westminster School would Buckle- bosom. A catchpoll, con-
have a very different meaning, namely stable.
exert yourself ; at Uppingham to be Buckled. Arrested, scragged.
bucked (q.v.) is to be tired. Buckler. A collar.
Buck Bait. Bail given by a con- Bucklers. See Darbies.
Fetters.
federate. Buckram. Men
in buckram, non-
Buckeen. 1. A bully (Orose). 2. A existent persons : in allusion to Fal-
younger son of the poorer aristocracy. staff's four men in buckram.
Bucket. An anonymous letter. Bucksome (Winchester College).
As verb, hard, not to spare
(1) to ride Happy, in a state of buck-uppishness :
one's beast ; (2) to cheat, ruin, deceive see Buck-up.
(1812) ; (3) to take the water unfairly Bud. An endearment : of children
with a scoop at the beginning of the or young persons.
stroke instead of a steady even pull Budge.1. A pick -pocket (1671).

throughout. To give the bucket, to 2. An

dismiss from one's employment, send
a person about his business see Bag
and Sack. To kick the bucket, to die :
the bucket here is thought to refer to a
Norfolk term for a pulley ; when pigs
are killed they are hung by their hind
legs on a bucket (Grose).
Bucket-afloat. A coat.
Bucket Shop. 1. A stock gambling
den carried on in opposition to regular
exchange business, and usually of a
more than doubtful character. 2. A
low groggery, lottery office, gambling
den, etc.
Buckeye. A native of Ohio.
Buck-eye State, Ohio.
Buck Face. A cuckold.
accomplice who gains access to a
building during the day for the pur-
:
pose of being locked in, so that he can,
when night comes, admit his fellow
thieves: also sneaking - budge (1752).
3. Drink, liquor see Drinks. :
Budgy,
drunk. Budging-ken, a public house.
Cove of the budging-ken, a publican.
Budger, a drunkard (1821). As verb,
to move, to make tracks.
B u d g e - a - beake. To run away
(presumably from justice) : cf. to bilk
the blues (q.v.) (1610).
Budger. A
drunkard: see Lush-
ington.
Budget. To open one's budget, to
speak one's mind.
Budging - ken. A public house :

Buck Fitch. An old rou6. see Lush-crib (1821).

Buckhara. A cattle-driver, cow- Budgy. Drunk, intoxicated: see
boy. Screwed.
Buckhorse. A smart blow, box Bud of Promise. A young un-
on the ear from the name of a cele-
: married woman : see Rosebud and
brated bruiser of that name Buck- ; Bud.
horse was a man who either possessed Buenos Ayres. The Royal Crescent
or professed insensibility to pain, and at Margate at the extreme end of the
who would for a small sum allow any- town used to be so called the houses :

one to strike him with the utmost force remained unfinished for a very con-
on the side of the face his real name
; siderable time (H. J. Byron).
was John Smith, and he fought in Bufe. A dog: from the sound of
public 1732-46. its bark (1567).
73
 Bufe-nabber. Bug-juice.

Bufe - nabber (or napper). A dog Buffle- head. An ignoramus, stupid,

thief (q.v.) (Grose). obtuse fellow (1659).
Buff. 1. The bare skin (1054). Buffleheaded. Stupid.idiotic.foolish.
2. A man, fellow: also Buffer (q.v.) Buffo. A comic actor, singer in
(1708). 3. Foolish talk (1721). To comic opera (or burlesque) (1764).
buff it, (1) to swear to, adhere to a Buffs (The). The Third Regiment
statement hard and fast, stand firm : of Foot in the British army see Buff :

also to buff it home (1812) ; (2) to strip, Howards.

bare oneself to the buff or skin (1581). Buff y. Intoxicated : see Screwed.
In buff, naked, in a state of nudity Bug. 1. A
breast-pin. 2. An
(1602). To stand buff, to stand the Englishman (old Irish) Grose says, :

brunt, pay the piper, endure without because bugs were introduced into
flinching (1680). To say neither buff Ireland by Englishmen ! ! 3. In the
nor baff (not to say buff to a wolfs United States bug is not confined,
shadow, or to know neither buff nor as in England, to the domestic pest,
stye), to say neither one thing nor but is applied to all insects of the
another, to know nothing at all. Coleoptera order, which
includes what
B u ff a r d. A
foolish fellow : cf. in this country are generally called
Buffle. beetles. 4. A person of assumed im-
Buff - coat. A soldier, one who portance (1771) ; big bug (q.v.), a per-
wears a buff coat (1670). son of wealth or distinction ; thence
Buffer. 1. A dog: this term in cattle - bug, a wealthy stock - raiser ;

varying forms from 1567 down to the
present time Harman gives it as bufe
(1567) and bufa (1573) ; Rowlands as
buffa (1610) ; Head as bugher (1673) ;
whilst in The Memorials of John Hall it
first appears as buffer. 2. A man, fellow
gold -bug, a monied man. Fire-bug,
an incendiary. That beats the bugs,
a high mead of praise, that beata
cock - fighting. As verb, ( 1 ) among
journeymen hatters, to exchange dear
materials for others of less value :

sometimes with a slightly contempt-
uous meaning ; generally speaking a
familiar mode of address, as in Old
Buffer, although even this form may
be used disparagingly (1749). 3. A
boxer, one of the fancy (1819). 4.
A rogue that kills good sound horses
Hats were composed of the furs and
wools of diverse animals, among which
is a small portion of bever's fur
bugging is stealing the bever, and
substituting in lieu thereof an equal
weight of some cheaper ingredient
(Qrose). (2) to bribe bailiffs accept-
:

only for their skins (B. E.). 5. One ing money to delay service were said
who took a false oath for a considera- to bug the writ ; (3) to give, hand over,
tion. 6. 7. A smuggler,
A pistol (1824). deliver (1812).
rogue, cheat A
boatswain's mate,
8. Bugaboo. 1. A sheriffs officer
one of whose duties it is or was to (Grose). 2. A tally-man. 3. A weekly
administer the Cat. 9. A stammerer creditor.
(1382). Bugaroch. Pretty, comely, hand-
Buff Howards. The Third some (Grose).
Regiment of Foot, now the East Kent Bug- blinding. Whitewashing.
Regiment ; also The Buffs
from its :
Bugger. 1. A one
thief (q.v.),
facings and Colonel from 1737 to 1749 ; who from drunken
steals breast-pins
also the Nut-crackers (q.v.) and the ; men. 2. A man, a fellow a coarse :

Resurrectionists (q.v.), from its re- term of abuse with little reference to
appearing at the Battle of Albucra the legal meaning the French has an
:

after being dispersed by the Polish exact equivalent equivalent to bitch

:

Lancers ; also the Old Buffs, from its (q.v.), as to women (1719).
applied
facings, and to distinguish it from the Buggy. A leather bottle.
31st, the Young Buffs but the most
; Bugher. See Buffer.
ancient Old Buffs were the Duke of York Bug-hunter. 1. A thief who
and Albany's Maritime Regiments plunders drunken men. 2. An
raised in 1664, and incorporated into upholsterer (Lexicon Balatronicum).
the 2nd or Coldstream Guards in 1689. B u g j u i c e. 1. Ginger ale. 2.
-

Buffle. A
fool, a stupid person: The Schlechter whisky of the Penn-
Murray quotes it as occurring in 1655, sylvania Dutch a very inferior spirit :
but the term was in use in 1580. also bug-poison.
74
 Bugle.
Bugle. To bugle it. To
from going into class until the last
moment, i.e. until the bugle sounds.
Bug Walk. A bed.
synonyms Bedfordshire, Sheet Alley,
:
Blanket Fair, Land of Nod, doss, rip,
Cloth Market.
Bug-word. A word to cause terror,
swaggering (or threatening) language
i.e. Bugbear- word (1562).
Build. Properly, to build is to
construct, says Murray, for a dwell-
ing and by extension of meaning ... to
construct by fitting together of sepa-
rate parts ; chiefly with reference to
structures of considerable size . . (not, .
e.g., a watch or a piano). Therefore,
when build is applied to the make or
style of dress, it is pure slang It's a
tidy build, who made it ? A tailor is
sometimes called a trousers builder.
In the United States, as Fennimore
Cooper puts it, everything is built.
The priest builds up a flock, the specu-
lator a fortune, thelawyerareputation,
the landlord a town, and the tailor, as
in England, builds up a suit of clothes ;
a fire is built instead of made, and the
expression is even extended to in-
dividuals, to be built being used with
the meaning of formed. I was not
built that way ; and hence in a still
more idiomatic sense to express un-
willingness to adopt a specified course
or carry out any inconvenient plan.
To build a chapel, to steer badly, and
so cause a ship to veer round. Not
built that way, not to one's taste, in
one's line a general expression of
disapproval or dissent, whether said
of persons or things.
Bulgarian Atrocities. Varna and
Rustchuk Ry. 3 per cent, obligations.
Bulge. The legitimate meaning is
extended in many odd ways. Bags
(q.v.) bulge, but do not get baggy;
and in a similar fashion when a man is
allattention his eyes are said to bulge.
To go (or be) on a bulge, to drink
to excess see Screwed.
: To get the
bulge on one, to obtain an advan-
tage over, to get the drop on one
(1869).
Bulger. Large buster (q.v.).
Bulk. An assistant to a File
or Pickpocket, who jostles a person
up against the wall, while the other
picks his pocket (B. E. ).
Bulker. 1. A prostitute of a low
type, one who slept on a bulk, a kind of
Butt.
abstain sill projecting from a window (1691).
2. A thief(q.v.) : see Bulk (1669).
Bulky. A police constable: said
English to be a northern term (1821). As
adj. (Winchester College) rich, gener- ;
ous (or both) the opposite of brum
:
(q.v.).
Bull. 1. Formerly a blunder or
; mistake ; now generally understood
as an inconsistent statement, a ludi-
crous contradiction, often partaking
largely of the nature of a pun the :
term was current long before the form
Irish bull is met with (1642). 2. A
crown, five- shilling piece formerly :
bull's-eye (q.v.) (1812). 3. Originally
a speculative purchase for a rise i.e. ;
a man would agree to buy stock at a
future day at a stated price with no
intention of taking it up, but trusting
to the market advancing in value to
make the transaction profitable bull :
is the reverse of bear (q.v.) the term :
is now more frequently applied to
persons, i.e. to one who tries to en-
hance the value of stocks by speculative
purchases or otherwise also used as ;
a verb and adjective (1671) on the :
French Bourse a bull is haussier, in
Berlin he is known as liebhaler ; and
in Vienna contremine. 4. See Bull the
cask (or barrel). 5. A teapot with
the leaves left in for a second brew.
6. Prison rations of meat, an allusion
to its toughness also generally used
;
for meat without any reference to its
being either tough or tender: Fr.,
bidoche. 7. A locomotive sometimes :
buttgine. 8. (Winchester College).
Cold beef introduced at breakfast
:
about 1873. As verb, at Dartmouth
College, to recite badly, make a poor
recitation. Stale bull, stock held over
for a long period with profit. To
bull the cask (or barrel), to pour
water into a rum cask when empty,
with a view to keeping the wood
moist and preventing leakage ; the
water after some time is very intoxi-
cating, and the authorities, not looking
with much favour upon wholesale
brewing of grog hi this way, sometimes
use salt water as a deterrant, though
even this salt water bull, as it is called,
when again poured out, has often
proved too attractive for seamen to
resist :
again it is common to talk in the
same way of Bulling a teapot, coffee-
etc. ; that is, after the first brew
pot,
has been exhausted, by adding fresh
75
 Bidlace. Bui!'/.

water, and boiling over again, to make Bullfinch. 1. A stupid fellow. 2.

a second brew from the old materials. A high thick hedge ; one difficult to
Be may bear a bull that hath borne a jump or rush through: most authorities
calf, after little, big things are possible. agree that this term is a corruption of
A a china shop, a simile of reck-
bull in bull-fence, i.e. a fence capable of pre-
less destruction. To take the, butt by venting cattle from straying. As verb,
the horns, to meet a difficulty with to leap a horse through such a hedge
resolution and courage. To show the (18201
butt horn, to make a show of resist- Bull-flesh. Brag, swagger (1832).
ance. Bull -head. 1. Hair curled and
Bullace. A
black eye ( 1659). frizzled, worn over the forehead
Bull-and-cow. A row. (1672). 2. A fool, blockhead. Bull-
Bull-back. Pickaback (q.v.) headed, pig-headedly impetuous, block-
(1600). headed.
Bull -bait. To bully, hector, Bull-jine. A locomotive.
badger. Bull -nurse. A male attendant on
Bull -beef. Hard, stringy meat; the sick.
hence, As ugly as bull-beef ; As big as Bullock. 1. A cheat. 2. A
bull-beef ; Go and sell yourself for bull- countryman or bushman : cf. Bullock-
beef (1579). To bluster like butt-beef, puncher. As verb, to bully, bounce
to tear round like mad. over, intimidate (1716).
Bull-calf (or dog). great hulkeyA Bullock's Heart. See Token.
or clumsy fellow (Orose). Bullock's-horn. To pawn.
Bull-chin. A
fat, chubby child Bull Party. A party of men.
(Orose). Bull - puncher. A cow-puncher,
Bull -dance. A dance in which (q.v.).
only men take part: cf. Stag-dance, Bull's Eye. 1. A sweetmeat of
Gander-party, Hen-party, etc. which peppermint is an important in-
Bull-dog. 1. A sheriffs officer, gredient (1825). 2. A
five-shilling
bailiff (1698). 2. A pistol; in the piece, a bull (q.v.) (1696).
naval service a main-deck gun (1700). Bull's eye Villas.
-
nickname A
3. A sugar-loaf. 4. A proctor's assist- given to the small open tents used by
ant or marshal (1823). 5. A member the Volunteers at their annual gather-
of Trinity College, Cambridge : ob- ing.
solete. Bull's Feather. To give [or yet]
Bull-dog Blazer. A revolver. the butt's feather, verbal phr. (old). To
Bull-dose. A severe castigation cuckold. Fr., planter des plumes de
or flogging. As verb, to thrash, in- 6feu/(1600).
timidate, bully ; a term of Southern Bull's -head. A signal of con-
political originally referring
origin, demnation, and prelude of immediate
to an association of negroes formed execution, said to have been anciently
to insure, by violent and unlawful used in Scotland (Jamieson).
means, the success of an election : Bull's-noon. Midnight (1839).
now in general use, to signify the Bull -trap. A sham police con-
adoption and use of coercive measures stable.
(1876). Bully, subs. (old). 1. A fancy man
Bull-doser. 1. A bully, braggart, (q.v.) (1706). 2. (Eton College). A
swaggerer. 2. A pistol :
spec, one melee at football ; the equivalent of
carrying a bullet heavy enough to the Rugby scrimmage and the Win-
destroy human life with certainty. chester hot. 3. (nautical). A term
Bullet. To give the bullet, to dis- of endearment : orig. of either sex
charge an employe, give the bag (or sweetheart, darling now of men only
:

sack) (1841). Full bullet, full size. pal, mate. 4. A weapon formed

Every bullet has its billet (or lighting- by tying a stone or a piece of lead
place): see Billet. Bullet in mouth, in a handkerchief: used knuckle-
ready for action. duster fashion. 5. A bravo, hector,
Bullet-head. 1. A person with a swashbuckler ; now spec, a tyran-
round head like a bullet 2. An nical coward. As adj., fine, capital,
obstinate fellow, pig-headed fool, dull crack, spiff (1681). That's butty for
silly fellow (B. E.). you, Grand, fine, all right, OK.
76
 Bully Beef. Bum Fodder.

Sully boy (or bully boy with tlie glass Bumble-bath (or broth). A mess,
eye), a good fellow (1815). pickle, confusion ; as adj., clumsy,
Bully Beef. Tinned meat: iron unwieldy (1595).
ration (q.v.) : in the navy, boiled salt Bumble-foot. A
club-foot (1861).
meat. Bumble -
puppy.
Family whist,
Bully-boss. The landlord of a Le. unscientific whist. Also applied,
brothel or thieves' den. says Hotten, to a game played in
Bully-cock. 1. One who foments public houses on a large stone, placed
quarrels in order to rob the persons in a slanting direction, on the lower end
quarrelling (Grose). 2. low round A of which holes are made, and numbered
hat with broad brim, billy-cock (q.v.). like the holes in a bagatelle-table. The
Bully-huff. A
boasting bully. player rolls a stone ball, or marble,
Bullyrag (or Ballyrag). To revile, from the higher end, and according to
abuse, scold vehemently usually in the number of the hole it falls into the
vulgar or obscene language ; also to game is counted. It is undoubtedly
swindle by means of intimidation. the very ancient game of Trmde-in-
Bullyragging. Scolding, abuse, madame.
swindling. Bumbler. 1. An idle fellow. 2.
Bu 1 1 y - r ook
Bully - rock).(or A blunderer. 3. A Tyneside artillery-
Originally boon-companion ; later, a man.
swaggerer, bully, bravo (1596). Bumbles. Coverings for the eyes
Bully Ruffian. A footpad or of horses that shy in harness.
highwayman, who, to robbery, added Bumbo. A liquor composed of
coarse invective. rum, sugar, water, and nutmeg (Smol-
Bully-scribbler. A bullying lett) ; brandy, water, and sugar
journalist (1715). (Grose).
Bully Trap. A
man of mild out- Bum-brusher, subs, (schoolboys').
side demeanour who is a match for any A schoolmaster, an usher.
flogging
ruffian who may attack him (Grose). English synonyms, flaybottom, haber-
Bulrush. A
simile of delusive dasher of pronouns (1704).
strength. To seek a knot in a bulrush, Bum Charter. The name given
to cavil, find difficulties where there to bread steeped in hot water by the
are none : also in sarcasm, to take first unfortunate inhabitants of the

away every knot in a bulrush. English Bastile, where this miserable

Bum. 1. The posteriors (1387). fare was their daily breakfast, each
2. Bum bailiff (q.v.). 3. A
birching, man receiving with his scanty portion
hiding, tanning. As verb, to arrest. of bread a quart of boiled water from
Cherry bums, the llth Hussars: the the cook's coppers (Vaux).
obvious reference is to the scarlet Bum-court. The Ecclesiastical
trousers worn by this branch of the Court (1544).
service ; a similar nickname is given Bumclink. In the Midland
to the French Chasseurs, culs rouges. counties inferior beer brewed for hay-
To say neither ba nor bum, to say not makers and harvest labourers.
a word. Bum-creeper. One who walks
Bum-bailiff (also Bum-baily). A bent almost double.
bailiff or sheriff's officer (1602). Bum Curtain. An academical
Bum Bass. The violoncello. gown, worn scant and short especially ;

Bumbaste. To flog, thrash, beat applied to the short black gown worn
soundly (1571). till 1835 by members of Caius College.
Bum-
beating. Jostling, pushing Bumf. Toilet paper.
others off the pavement (1616). Bumfeague (Bumfeagle, Bumfeg).
Bumbee. A bailiff (1653). To flog, thrash (1589).
Bum-blade. A large sword Bumfhunt (Wellington College).
(1632). A paper-chase.
Bumble. A beadle. Bum Fiddle. The posteriors.
Bum-card. A marked playing-card. Bum Fidget. A restless individual.
Bumble-crew. Corporations, Bum Fodder. 1. Low-class worth-
vestries, and other official bodies. less literature once in literary use
:

Bumbledom. Petty officialism, (1653). 2. Toilet paper, curl paper

red tape, fussiness, pomposity (1856). (q.v.) (Grose).
77
 Bummaree. Bundling.

Bummaree. A Billingsgate middle- sufficient, on good terms with oneself

man these men, who are not recog-
: (1803).
nised as regular salesmen by the Bumptiousness. Self-assertiveness,
trade, are speculative buyers of fish arrogance, self-conceit.
(1786). Bum-roll. A pad or cushion worn
Bummed. Arrested. by women to extend the dress at the
Bummer. 1. A bum-bailiff (q.v.) back the equivalent of the modern
2. A heavy loss, severe pecuniary bustle or dress-improver (1601).
reverse. 3. An idler, loafer, sponger, Bumsquabbled. Discomfited,
looter the term came into general use
: defeated, stupefied (1620).
at the time of the Civil War, when Bum-sucker. A sponger, toady,
it was specially applied to a straggler, lick-spittle, hanger-on :
Fr., lechc-cul.
hanger-on, or free-lance, particularly Bum-trap. A bailiff (1750).
in connection with General Sherman's Bun. 1. A
sponger, one who
famous march from Atlanta to the sea ; cannot be shaken off. 2. A knob of
also a general term of reproach, as hair worn at the back of the head. 3.
with rascal, black-leg, etc. A term of endearment (1587). To
Bumming (Wellington College). take (or yank) the bun, to take first
A thrashing, licking. place, obtain first honours a variant :

Bump. When one boat touches of take the cake.

another in a race it is said to make Bunce (Bunse or Bunt). Originally
a bump, and technically beata its money see Rhino. 2. Profit, gain,
:

opponent see Bumping race.

: As anything to the good.
verb, to overtake and touch an op- B u n c e r. One who sells on
posing boat, thus winning the heat or commission.
race (1849). Bunch-of-fives. The hand or fist

Bumper. 1. Anything of super- (1845).

lative size a big lie, horse, house, Bunco (or Bunco-game). A
or woman. 2. A full or crowded house swindling game played either with
(1838). 3. (cards). When, in long cards or dice, not unlike three card
whist, one side has scored eight before monte. As verb, to rob, cheat, or
the other has scored a point, a bumper swindle by means of the bunco game ;
is the result. or by what in England is known as the
Bum -
perisher (or Bum-shaver). confidence trick, etc.
A short- tailed coat, a jacket. Bunco-steerer (Bunko-steerer). A
Bumping Race. Eight-oared swindler, confidence-trick man The :

inter-Collegiate races, rowed in two
divisions of fifteen and sixteen boats
respectively, including a sandwich
boat (q.v.), i.e. the top boat of the
second division, which rows bottom of
the first the boats in each division
:
start at a distance apart of 175 feet
from stern to stern in the order at
which they left off at the last preceding
race, and any boat which overtakes,
and bumps another (i.e. touches it in
any part) before the winning post is
reached, changes place with it for
the next race.
Bumpkin. The posteriors (1658).
bunco-steerer .... will find you out
the morning after you land in Chicago
or St. Louis. He will accost you
very friendly, wonderfully friendly
when you come out of your hotel, by
your name, and he will remind you
which is most surprising, considerin'
you never set eyes on his face before
now you have dined together in Cin-
cinnati, or it may be Orleans, or per-
haps Francisco, because he finds out
where you came from last ; and he will
shake hands with you ; and he will
propose a drink ; and he will pay for
that drink and presently he will take
;

Bumpology. Phrenology. Bump- you somewhere else, among his pals,

otopher, a phrenologist. and he will strip you so clean, that there
Bump-supper. A supper to com- won't be felt the price of a four-cent
memorate the fact of the boat of the
paper to throw around your face and
college having, in the annual races, hide your blushes. In London . . .

bumped or touched the boat of another they do the confidence trick (Besant
college immediately in front. and Rice).
Bumpsy. Drunk: see Screwed. Bundling (or Bundling up). Men
Bumptious. Arrogant, self- and women sleeping on the same bed
78
 Bung. Burn -crust.

together without having removed their cabbage, lettuce, and the like at the :

clothes. Royal Military Academy and other

Bung (Bong, Boung). 1. A purse schools, grass (q.v.).
(1567). A
pickpocket: also Bung-
2. Bunse. See Bunce.
nipper (1598). 3. A brewer, landlord Bun - struggle (or Bun - worry).
of a public house. Hence as adj., A tea : see Tea-fight.
tipsy, fuddled ; see Screwed. As verb, Bunt. See Bunce.
(1) generallybung up, i.e. to close or B u n t e r. A low vulgar woman,
shut up the eyes by means of a blow one who picks up rags and refuse in
that causes a swelling (1593); (2) to the street. 2. A woman who takes
give, pass,hand over, drink, to per- lodgings, and after staying some time,
form almost any action Bung over : runs away without paying the
the rag, hand over the money (3) ; rent.
to deceive one by a lie, to cram Bunting. An endearment to a
(q.v.). child : as in Baby bunting.
Bungay. Oo to Bungay I Go to Burden's Hotel. Whitecross Street
the deuce !
Prison, of which the Governor was a
Bung-eyed. Drunk, fuddled:
1. Mr. Burden : see Cage.
see Screwed (1858). 2. Cross-eyed, Burick (or Burerk). A woman;
unable to see straight, boss-eyed, spec, one showily dressed for- ;

squinny-eyed (q.v.). merly a thief's term for a prostitute

Bung-hole. The anus (1611). (1819).
Bungfunger. To startle, confuse : Burke. 1. To murder by strangul-
cf. Bumbsquabbled also used as adj., : ation as Burke did for the purpose of
:

confounded (1835). selling the bodies for dissection. 2.

Bung- juice.
Bung-knife
(or Boung-knife).
cut-purse's knife (1592).
Bung-nipper (or Boung-nipper).
A cut- purse, sharper.
Bung Upwards.
lying on his face.
Bunk. Hasty departure.
Beer. To hush up, smother a matter. 3. To
A dye the moustache and whiskers.
Burn. To cheat, swindle. To
be burned, to be infected with venereal
disease. To burn the parade, to warn
Said of a person more men for a guard than necessary,
and excusing the supernumeraries for
As verb, money this practice was formerly
:

( 1 ) to be off, decamp ; (2) (Wellington winked at in most garrisons, and was

College), to expeL a considerable perquisite to the adju-
Bunker. Beer see Drinks.
: tants and sergeant-majors ; the pre-
Bunkum (Buncombe, Buncome). tence for it was to purchase coal and
Talking for talking' s sake, claptrap, candle for the guard, whence it was
gas, tall talk the employment of the
: called burning the parade. Burn my
word in its original sense of insincere breeches A mild kind of oath. To
!

political speaking or claptrap is ascribed burn the ken, to live at an inn or tavern
to a member of Congress, Felix Walker, without paying for one's quarters.
from Buncombe County, North Caro- His money burns in his pocket, he is
lina, who explained that he was merely eager to spend (1740). To burn one's
talking for Buncombe, when his fellow boats behind one, to cut off all chance
members could not understand why of retreat. To burn the Thames, to
he was making a speech. That's oil perform some prodigy. To burn day-
buncombe, That's all nonsense, or, an light, to burn candles in the daytime.
absurdity. Also used attributively ; To burn fine weather, to fail to turn it
for example, a bunkum proclamation, to advantage. To burn the candle at
bunkum logic, bunkum politicians, both ends see Candle. :To burn the
etc. (1841). planks, to remain long sitting. To
Bunky (Christ's Hospital). Awk- burn one's fingers, to suffer through
ward, ill-finished. meddling. To b urn a stone, to displace
Bunnick. To settle, dispose of by accident.
(1886). Burnand. To pilfer plots of plays,
Bunny. An endearment : of novels, etc. ) : from the name of Mr. F.
women and children (1606). Burnand, the editor of Punch.
Bunny -grub (Cheltenham Col- Burn-crust. A baker cf. Master of :

lege). Green vegetables, such as the mint, a gardener ; Bung, a brewer ;

79
 Burner. Butcher.

Ball of wax, a shoemaker; Quill-driver, Business End [of a thing]. The

a clerk Snip, a tailor, etc.
; practical part.
Burner. A card-sharper. Busk. To busk it, to sell songs,
Burr. A hanger on, dependant, books, and other articles at bars and
sponger. As verb (Marl borough Col- tap-rooms of public houses also to :

lego), to fight, scrimmage, rag. work public houses and certain spota
Burst. 1. A spree, drunken frolic, as an itinerant musician.
big feed, blow out (q.v.) usually, On : Busker. See Busk.
the burst. 2. A sudden and vigorous Busnapper. See Buz-napper.
access (or display) of energy, a lively Buss Beggar. An old prostitute of
pace or spurt. the lowest type, a beggar's trull.
Bursted. Hard up. Bust 1. A corrupted form of
Burster. 1. A heavy fall, cropper. burst : also busting, busted. 2. A
2. See Buster. burglary. 3. A frolic, spree, drunken
Bury. Go bury yourself ! A debauch : on the bust. 4.
cf. to go
Califoruianism which has more of the A failure, fizzle.As verb, ( 1 ) to burst,
fortitcr than the auaviter in its com- explode, (2) to commit a burglary (3) ;

position : equivalent to, Go hide your ! to inform against an accomplice (4) ;

diminished head : cf. Carry me out to in business or transactions of

fail
and bury me decently. To bury (or dig any kind ; (5) to put out of breath,
up) the hatchet amongst Indian tribes
: wind ; (6) to indulge in a drunken
certain symbolic ceremonies are con- frolic, go on the spree ; (7) to destroy,
nected with the war- hatchet or toma- commit suicide, set aside, expose.
hawk, which are equivalent to a Bust me \ A mild oath Blow me !

declaration of war, or a compact of Jigger me !

peace To bury the hatchet is the em-

: Buster. 1. A new loaf; also a
blem of the putting away of strife and coarse cake or bun of large size that
enmity; on the other hand, the redskin, fills or blows out the stomach ( 1821). 2.
before he commences hostilities, digs up A burglar see Thief. 3. Anything of
:

afresh the fateful symbol. To bury a superior size, that has unusual capa-
moll, to desert a wife or mistress. To city, that causes admiration, a spurt.
buryaQuaker,to evacuate, ease oneself. To come a buster, to fall heavily, to come
To bury a vrife, to feast and make a cropper. In for a buster, prepared,
merry used in connection with the
:
ready (or determined) for a spree
jollifications frequently indulged in (1852). 4. A heavy storm from the

by apprentices on the completion of south, brick-fielder (q.v.).

their term of indenture, when they Busting. Informing against ac-
became full-blown craftsmen. complices, turning King's evidence.
Bus (or Buss). 1. Business Bustle. 1. A pad, roll, or wire

(q.v.) : pronounced biz. 2. Omnibus contrivance worn by women at the

( 1 832). As verb, to punch one's head. back in order to extend the dress, and
Bush. 1. To camp out in the bush, also with a view to setting off the
get lost in the bush. Hence, 2. to smallness of the waist (1788). 2.
be in a mental or a physical difficulty, Money : see Rhino. As verb, to con-
to be muddled. To beat about the fuse, confound, perplex.
bush, to prevaricate, avoid coming to Busy-head. A busybody.
the point, go indirectly to one's object. Busy-idler. A person busy about
Bushed. Hard up, without trifles.

money, destitute (1812). Busy-sack. A carpet-bag: in

Bushed On. Pleased, delighted. America a grip-sack.
Bushwhacker. A free-lance: during Butch, To follow the trade of s
the American Civil War deserters from butcher.
the ranks of both armies infested the Butcher. 1. The king in playing-

country, making raids upon defence- cards when card-playing in public

:

less houses and sacking whole towns. houses was common, the kings were
Bushy -park. A lark. To be in called butchers, the queens bitches,
bushy park, to be poor. and the knaves jacks: Fr., boruf. 2.
Business. Dramatic
action, A peripatetic vendor of varieties and
' '
bye-play (1753). To do
one's business notions on railway cars at once
for one, to kill, cause one's death. a convenience and a terror. 3. A

80
 Butcher' s-bUl. Buz.

prison doctor. 4. A malevolent critic. who unites the roles of a thief and
As verb, to murder a reputation, to prostitute (1671).
mangle an author's lines. To biitcher Buttock - and tongue. - A scold-
about (Wellington College), to make a ing woman, shrew.
great noise, humbug. Buttock-and-twang. A common
Butcher's-bill. The list of those prostitute, but who is no thief.
killed in battle. Button. 1. A shilling formerly :

Butcher's Mourning. A white hat good currency, now only of counter-

with a black mourning hat-band. feit coin see Rhino.
: 2. A decoy of
Butteker. A shop. any kind, whether the confederate of
Butter. Fulsome flattery, confidence- trick men, or a sham buyer
unctuous praise, soft soap: Fr., at an auction. As verb, to decoy,
cirage (1819). As verb, (1) to act as confederate in swindles : Fr.,
flatter fulsomely, indulge in rhodo- aguicher. Not to care a button (or brass
mantic praise: Fr., cirer (1700); (2) button), to care nothing. To have a
to increase the stakes every throw or button on, to have a fit of the blues
every game (1696). To look as if (q.v.), despondent. To button up,
butter would not melt in one's mouth, a when a broker has bought stock on
contemptuous saying of persons of speculation and it falls suddenly on his
simple demeanour (1475). Will cut hands, whereby he is a loser, he keeps
butter when it's hot, said of a knife the matter to himself, and is reluctant
when blunt. Butter and eggs, going to confess the ownership of a share :
down a slide on one foot and beating this is called buttoning up.
with the heel and toe of the other at Button-burster (or Button-buster).
short intervals. A low comedian.
Butter-bag (or Butter-box). A Button-catcher. A tailor.
Dutchman (1600). English synonyms:
snip, cabbage
Butter-boat. To empty the contractor, steel - bar, driver, goose
butter-boat, to lavish praise, to butter persuader, sufferer, ninth part of a
(q.v.). man, etc.
Buttercup. A pet name for a Buttoner. A card -
sharper's
child. decoy (1841).
Buttered. 1. Whipped. 2. Flat- Button-pound. Money :
generic :

tered. see Rhino.

Butter-fingered. Apt to let things Buttons. A page ; sometimes
fall, greasy (or slippery) fingered. boy in buttons ( 1860). Dash my buttons
Butter-fingers, one who lets things slip (wig, etc.) a mild oath; also employed
easily from a hold (1615). to express vexation or surprise. Not to
Butter-flap. A light cart, i.e. a have all one's buttons, to be deficient
trap. in intellect, slightly cracky, to have a
Butterfly. 1. A river
barge. 2. bee in one's bonnet. To have a soul
The guard for the reins affixed to the above buttons, to be above one's work
top of a hansom cab. or duty, to think one's ability superior
Butternuts. The sympathisers to one's position. To make buttons,
with the South in the North and the to look sorry, sad, to be in great fear
Middle States during the American (1593).
Civil War ; the term was derived from Butty. A comrade, partner.
the colour of the uniforms worn in the Buvare. Drink :
generic.
early part of the war by Confederate Buy. To buy a
prop, a term
soldiers in the West, which, being used to signify that the market has
homespun, were dyed brown with the gone flat, and that there is no one to
juice of the butternut. support it.
Butter-print. A child ; usually Buz (or Buzz). A parlour game
when illegitimate (1620). which is thus described by Hotten,
Buttock. A common prostitute who, however, erroneously limited it
(1674). to public-houses : The leader com-
Buttock - and - file. A prostitute mences saying one, the next on the
and her companion sometimes bulk
; lefthand two, the next three, and
and file occasionally buttock and
; when buz must be said
so on to seven, ;

file is used of a single individual one every seven and multiple of 7, as 14,
81
 Buz-bloke. Cabbage Plant.

17, 21, 27, 28 etc., must not be taken at other than meal - time*
mentioned bat buz instead ; whoever (1766).
break the rule pays a fine. As verb, ( 1 ) By George! An ejaculation sig-
some uncertainty exists as to whether nifying either surprise, or anger, or
to buz signifies to drain a bottle or used without any special meaning
decanter to the last drop, or whether (1731).
it means
to share equally the last of By Goldami A semi - veiled
a bottle of wine, when there is not oath.
enough for a full glass to each of the By Golly! Euphemistic for By
party ; (2) to pick pockets ; (3) to God (1743).
search for, look about one. By Gorram See By Goldam ! !

Buz-bloke, Buz-cove, Buz-gloak. By Gosh A euphemistic oath.

1

See Buz-napper. By Gum By Gummy intj. phr.

! !

Buz -man. 1. A pickpocket. 2. Expletives from the great American

An informer. Dictionary of Oaths and CUM Words,
Buz-napper. A pickpocket: compiled by descendants of the Puri-
see Thief (1781). tan Fathers.
Buz-napper's Academy. By hook or by crook. See Hook.
A training school for thieves figures :
By Hooky. A veiled oath.
were dressed up, and experienced B y n g, B i n g. To go. Bynge-
tutors stood in various difficult atti- awaste, to go away (1567).
tudes for the boys to practise upon ; By-scape (or slip). A bastard
when clever enough they were sent on (1646).
the streets : Dickens gives
par- full By the Ever -
living Jumping
ticulars of this old style of business Moses! An effective ejaculation
in Oliver Twist. and moral waste - pipe for interior
Buz-napper's Kinchin. A watch- passion or wrath is seen in the ex-
man. clamation, By the ever-living jump-
Buzzing (or Buz-faking). Pocket- ing Moses a harmless phrase,
!

picking. that for its length expends a con-

By-blow. An illegitimate child : siderable quantity of fiery anger.
also By-chop and By-slip (1594). HoUen.
By Cracky! ejaculation con- An By the Living Jingo (or By !

veying no idea beyond that of general Jingo !) See Jingo.

surprise. By the Wind. Hard up, in diffi-

Bye - drink. Liquid refreshment culties.

Cab. 1. An adventitious aid to eye (q.v.) (1638). 2. A tailor, also

study, a crib, a pony (q.v.). As verb, cabbager and cabbage contractor
-

to use a crib; cf. cabbage (1853). (q.v.) (1690). 3. A style of dressing

2. A brothel (1811). 3. A cavalier the hair : similar to the modern
(17th century) ; cf. Sp., caballero. 4. chignon: Fr., kilo (1690) 4. A
A cabriolet : also any vehicle to seat translation, crib (q.v.) also cab (q.v.) ;

two or four persons plying for hire. 5. A cigar: Fr., feuille de platane,
Whence, 5. A cabman (also Cabby): crapulos (or crapvlados) : see Weed.
e.g. Call a cab ! As verb, to travel by Cabbage - contractor. See Cab-
cat) : cf. foot it, hoof it, tram it, train bage.
it, 'bus it. Hence cobber, a cab-horse :
Cabbage -
gelder. A greengrocer
cf. Vanner, Wheeler, etc. or market gardener.
Cabbage. Pieces purloined by
1. Cabbage-head. A fool, soft-head,
tailors ; hence any small profits in the go-along (q.v.) see Buffle (1682).:

shape of material. [Johnson : a cant- Cabbage-leaf. A bad cigar also ;

ing term.] As verb, to purloin cabbage. (A popular theory of

material, to take toll (q.v.). Also, cold- material.] Fr., infectados. See Weed.
slaw (American) cf. Pigeon-skewings.
:
Cabbage Plant An umbrella,
Cabbage is stored in hell (q.v.) or one's gamp (q.v.), brolly (q.v.).
 Cabbager. Cody.

Cabbager. A tailor. lish synonyms mummery- cove, mug-

:

Cabbage-stumps. In pi., the faker, mummer, mugger (properly an

legs see Drumsticks.
: actor who makes free play with his
Cabbage - tree Mob. A larrikin face), tragedy or comedy merchant,
(q.v.). [A low-crowned cabbage-palm pro, stroller, cackle - faker, barn-
hat is affected by this section of Aus- stormer, surf.
tralian society.] Also Cabbagites. Cad. A term of contempt spec, :

Cabby. A cabman : Fr., hirondette an offensive or ill-bred person, irrespec-

and maraudeur (1852). tive of social position, but formerly
Cable. To send a telegram by of underlings and others performing
ocean (submarine) wire cf. Wire. To : menial offices. [0. E. D. apparently :

slip or cut one's cable, to die ; see Hop from cadet and the popular forms
the twig. cadee and caddie; cadator suggests a
Cable-hanger. An oyster dredger collateral, if an independent origin.]
not free of the fishery. The vocable has passed through a
Cab-moll. A prostitute. variety of meanings. 1. A passenger
Cabobbled. Confused, puzzled, taken up by coach drivers for their own
perplexed. profit. 2. A chum or companion. 3.
Caboodle. A crowd ; usually, the An assistant. 4. An omnibus con-
whole caboodle. [Boodle (q.v.) was ductor. 5. A messenger or errand boy.
frequently used in the same sense, 6. A non-school or non-university man.
which is indifferently applied] (1858). At Cambridge, snob (q.v.), the word
Caboose. Convivial quarters, a Thackeray used, has long been a
bachelor's snuggery, a den (q.v.), dig- common term for a townsman now ;

gings (q.v.). The whole caboose, a the undergrad says Townee or Towner
variation of caboodle (q.v.). (q.v.) (1831). 7. A vulgar, ill-man-
Cacafuego. A spitfire, braggart, nered person, a blackguard, i.e. a
bully (1625). person incapable of moral decency
Cachunk! An exclamation in- ( 1 849). Hence caddish, vulgar, offens-
tended to convey an imitation of the ively bred.
Bound of a falling body onomatopoeic: Cadator. A beggar apeing a
the bow-wow word of Max Miiller. decayed gentleman (1703).
Variants are, Caswash, Cawhalux, Caddie. An attendant at golf.
Chewallop, Casouse, Cathump, Ker- Cade. The Burlington Arcade cf. :

plunk, Katouse, Katoose, Kelumpus, Zoo, Proms, Pops, Cri.

Kerchunk, Kerswosh, Kerslosh, Cadge. The profession of cadging
Kerswollop, Kerblinkityblunk, and or begging. As verb, to obtain by
Kerblam. begging, to beg in an artful wheedling
Cackle. 1. The dialogue of a play, manner. Here cadging (or on the
spec, a clown's patter : whence cackle- cadge), on the make (q.v.) ; among
chucker, a prompter ; cackle-merchant, intimates to cadge a dinner or supper
a dramatist ; cockier (or cackling-cove), is often used without implied re-
an actor, preacher, or lecturer ; cackle- proach: see Cadger (1811). English
tub, a pulpit. 2. Idle talk, inconse- synonyms: to mump, pike, mouch,
quent chatter, a short spasmodic stand the pad, maund, tramp, mike.
laugh ; and as verb, to talk idly, fussily, Cadge-cloak (or Gloak). A
or loudly of petty things, as a hen after beggar (1791).
laying an egg see Cackler (1676).
:
Cadger. 1. Primarily a carrier,
Cackler. 1. A fowl also cackling
:
pedlar, or itinerant dealer. 2. whin- A
cheat (1672). English synonyms: ing beggar, sponger (q.v.), snide (q.v.).
beaker, cackler, margery prater, gal- Eng. synonyms Abram man, croaker,
:

eny, partlet, chickabiddy, rooster, Abraham cove, Tom of Bedlam, Bed-

chuck-chuck, chuckie. French syn- lam beggar, maunderer, moucher,
onyms becquant, ornichon, pigue-en-
:
pikey, traveller, turnpike or dry- land
terre (peck-the-ground), estable (or sailor, scoldrum, shyster, shivering
estaphle), bruantez (Breton). Whence James, silver beggar, skipper-bird,
cackling-fruit, an egg, and cackler's- mumper, paper-worker, goose-shearer,
ken, a fowl-house. 2. A
noisy talker, master of the black art, durrynacker.
blab (q.v.) (1400). C a d y. A hat, also cadey and
Cackling - cove. An actor. Eng- caddy see Golgotha.
:

83
 Caffan. Calf-country.

Caffan. See Caasan. bill(theatrical). In certain section!

Caffre's Tightener. A full of the U.S.A. cake walks have long
meal. had a vogue among the coloured
Cage. 1. A petty prison, a country people. The young bucks get them- '

lock-up English synonyms

(1500).
(generic) academy, boat, boarding-
: from one end of a hall to the other,
house, bower, block - house, bastille,
bladhunk, stone-jug, jug, calaboose,
cooler, coop, downs, clink, jigger, Irish
theatre, quod, shop, stir, clinch, steel,
sturrabin, mill, toll-shop, floating hell,
floating academy, dry room, House that
Jack Built, choakee. Special names
for particular prisons : Bates' s Farm or
Garden (Cold Bath Fields),
Hotel (Newgate), Castieu's Hotel (Mel-
bourne Gaol, Burdon's Hotel (White
Cross Street Prison), Ellenborough
Lodge, Spike or Park (the King's
Bench Prison, to which, as a matter of
fact, every Chief-Justice stood god-
father), Campbell's Academy (the
selves up regardless,' and walk
under the gaze of dusky beauty and
the critical glance of judges. The
marking is done on a scale of numbers,
and ties are walked off with the utmost
finish and rare attention to style. The
prize is a cake, and the winner takes it.]
Also to take (or yank) the bun, to slide
away with the Banbury, to annex the
Akerman's whole confectioner's shop : cf. to take
the kettle, to take the prize for lying.
Hurry up the cakes 1 Look sharp !
[Buckwheat and other oat cakes form a
staple dish at many American tables.]
Like hot cakes, quickly, with energy ; a
variant of like winking, or one o'clock.
Phrases You can't eat your cake
:

Hulks), City College and Whittington's and have it One's cake is dough,
;

College (Newgate), Tench, Pen, and one's project has failed Every cake ;

Smith's Hotel (Edinburgh). 2. A has its mate, make, or fellow.

dress-improver, bustle see Bird-cage : Cake -fiddler (or Fumbler). A
3. A bed ; also Breeding-cage. 4. The parasite.
Ladies' Gallery in the House of Cakes and Ale. A good time :

Commons, also called the Chamber of also Cakes and cheese.

Horrors, which, however, is properly Cakey-pannum Fencer. See Pan-
the Peeresses' Gallery in the Upper num-fencer.
House. Calaboose. A
common gaol.
Cagg. A term used by private [From the Sp., calabozo, through the
soldiers, a solemn vow or resolution French.] Also as verb, to imprison
not to get drunk for a certain time ; or, (1840).
as the term is, till their cagg is out, Calculate. To think, expect,
which vow is commonly observed with believe, intend : see Guess and Reckon.
'
the strictest exactness e.g. I have : Sometimes (New England) cal'late
cagg'd myself for six months. Excuse (1830).
me this time, and I will cagg myself Calends. See Greek Kalends.
for a
year.'
Common in Scotland, Caleys. Caledonian Railway Ordin-
where the vow is performed with divers ary Stock.
ceremonies (Groee). Calf. 1. An ignoramus, dolt, weak-
Cag - mag. 1. A tough old goose ; ling : Calf lolly (1653).
cf. For
hence, 2. refuse, rubbish, scraps and synonyms, see Buffle. 2. An endear-
ends (1769). ment cf. Puss, Ape, Monkey, etc.
:

Cain. To raise Cain, to be quarrel- 3. See Essex calf. To eat the calf in
some, make a disturbance also to : the cow's belly, to anticipate, to count
raise hate, hell (or hell and tommy), one's chickens before they are hatched
and to raise Ned (q.v.). To pay the ( 1 748). To slip the calf, to suffer abor-
cain, to pay the penalty. tion, to be brought to bed : properly
Cain and Abel. table. A of cattle. Calf-oed, a cow's matrix ;
Cainsham-smoke. The tears of a also parturition cf. Child- bed and
:

wife- beaten husband (Dunton) (1694). Bairn s-bed (q.v.).

Cake (or Cakey). 1. A fool, a -
Calf clinger. In pi., pantaloons,
dullard see Buffle (Grose), 2.
:
stupid A i.e. close-fitting trousers.
policeman. 3. (Christ's Hospital). A Calf - country (land or ground).
stroke with a cane also as verb, to
: One's birthplace ; the scene of early
take the cake, to rank highest, carry off life. Also Calf-time, the period of
honours, be the best of a kind, nil the youth.
84
 Calf. Camp-stool Brigade.

Calf, Cow, and Bull Week. Calves. Calves gone to grass, thin
Before the passing of the Factory Acts legs,spindle-shanks. There are many
itwas customary in manufacturing dis- ways of dressing calves' heads, many
work very long hours for three
tricts to ways of saying or doing a foolish thing,
weeks before Christmas. In the first, a simpleton showing his folly, or,
calf week, the ordinary hours were but generally, if one way won't do, we
slightly exceeded ; in the second, cow must try another. Calves' heads are
week, they were considerably aug- best hot,a sarcastic apology for sitting
mented and in the third, or bull
;
down to eat with one's hat on.
week, operatives spent the greater Calx (Eton). The goal line at foot-
portion of the twenty-four in their ball. [From a Latin sense of calx, a
orkshop. goal, anciently marked with lime or
Calf's - head. A stupid, witless chalk.] As Eton calx is a space so
individual (1600). See Buffle. marked off at each end of wall (q.v.) ;
Calf-lick. See Cow-lick. good calx is the end at which there is
Calf -lolly. An idle simpleton ; a a door for a goal bad calx the end ;

generic reproach (1653). where part of an elm tree serves the

Calf-love. A youthful fancy, purpose.
romantic attachment (1823). Cambridge - oak. A willow: of.
Calfskin-fiddle. A drum. Cotswold lion, Cambridgeshire night-
Calf - sticking. Selling worthless ingale, etc.
rubbish, on the pretence that it is Cambridgeshire Fen Night- (or
smuggled goods, to any foolish or ingale). A [The county is
frog.
unscrupulous person who can be in- scored with canals and dykes.]
veigled into purchasing it. Camd en-town. A halfpenny,
Calibogus. A mixture of rum and brown (q.v.) : see Rhino.
spruce beer, an American beverage Camel. A great hulking fellow.
(Grose). Camel's Complaint. Low spirits,
Calico. Thin, wasted, attenuated the hump(q.v.).
(Bailey, 1725). Camese. A
shirt, chemise, shimmy.
Calico - bally. Somewhat fast ; [Sp. camisa, It. camicia.~\ The word ap
one always on the look-out for amuse- pears in various forms from the begin,
ment. ning of the seventeenth century, e.g.
Californian. A red herring :see camisa, camiscia, kemesa, camise, and
Glasgow Magistrate. In pi., generic in a more genuinely English dress as
for gold pieces. commission, which in turn is shortened
Californian - widow. A married to mish.
woman whose husband absent, a
is Camister. A clergyman, a
grass- widow (q.v.). The least offensive blackgown (1851).
sense. [At the period of the Californian Camp. To
go to camp, to go to
gold fever many men went West, bed, take rest.[In early settler days
leaving their wives and families behind a camp was formed whenever a halt for
them.] the night was called.] To take into
Calk (Eton). To throw. camp, to kill. To camp, to surpass,
Call (Eton). The time when the floor.
masters do not call Absence (q.v. ). To Campbell's Academy. The hulks,
have or get a call upon, to have a pre- or lighters, on board which felons were
ference, get the first chance. To call condemned to hard labour. [Mr.
a go, to change one's stand, alter one's Campbell was the first director.]
tactics, give in at any game or business. Camp-candlestick. 1. An empty
See Coals, Put, Spade, Wigging. bottle, 2. a bayonet.
;

Calle. A cloak or gown (Grose). Camp-fire. A military social gather-

Calp (or Kelp). A hat: see Gol- ing.
gotha. Camp - follower. A prostitute,
Cal vert's Entire. The Fourteenth soldiers' trull.
Foot. its colonel's name ( 1 806-
[From Camp-stool Brigade. People who
1826) three entire battalions were
: wait outside a place of entertainment
kept up for the good of Sir Harry, for hours in order to secure seats.
when adjutant-general, with an eye on [Camp-stools, now prohibited by police
Calvert's malt liquors. ] order, formed part of the outfit.]
85
 Can. Canoe.

Can.1. A dollar light not their candle at once ; To hold

piece: see Rhino.
2.A general servant, slavey (q.v.). a farthing candle to the sun To hide ;

Canack, Canuck, Kanuck, one's candle under a bushel (Biblical :

K'nuck. A Canadian usually K'nuck.

: Matt. v. 15).
[Obscure, and limited in application : Candle-end. In pi., a thing of
within the Canadian frontier a Canuck little value (short duration, or small im-
is understood to be a French Canadian, portance), trifle, fragment. To drink
just as within the limits of the Union off (or eat) candle ends, a romantic
only New Englanders are termed extravagance in drinking a lady's
Yankees ; elsewhere the appellation is health, by which gallants gave token
used indiscriminately.] of their devotion.
Canary (or Canary-bird). 1. A Candle-keeper (Winchester). One
prisoner (1678). 2. A mistress. 3. of eight seniors in college by election
A sovereign, 20s. : formerly a guinea. who are not prefects. [Most of the
English synonyms yellow boy, gold-
:
privileges of prefects are enjoyed with-
finch, yellow hammer, shiner, gingleboy out their powers.] (1840).
monarch, couter, bean, foont, James Candlestick. 1. (Winchester). A
(from Jacobus), poona, portrait, quid, candidate (1840). 2. (London). In
thick 'un, skin, skiv, dragon, goblin a :
pi., the fountains in Trafalgar Square.
guinea was also called a ^ned. French Candle - waster. 1. A night-stu-
synonyms (twenty franc piece) jaunet : dent whence candle-icasting cf. To
: :

sigue (sigle, sigotte or cig), bonnet jaune, smell of the candle, to show traces of
bouion, mcdtaise, moule a boutons, me- study at night. 2. A small portion of
daille for. 4. A female watcher or burning wick that, falling on the
stall (q.v.), mollisher (q.v.) : cf. Crow, candle, causes it to run.
a male watcher : Fr. marque franche. Candy. Drunk see Screwed
:

5. (Salvation Army), a written promise (Grose).

of a donation or subscription. [At some Candyman. A bailiff, a process
of the meetings of the
Army, instead server. [In 1863, during a strike of
of sending round the plate, the officers miners at the collieries of Messrs.
distribute slips of paper on which those Strakers and Love, in Durham County,
present are invited to record their in- a hawker of candy and sweetmeats was
tentions : the original colour of the employed to serve writs of ejectment.]
slips was yellow.] Canister. 1. The head see :

Cancer. To
catch or capture a Crumpet (1811). 2. hat: also A
cancer. See Crab. (1857). canister-cap : see Golgotha.
Candle. In pi., mucus at the nose. Cank. Dumb, silent. [Curiously
Phrases : To hold a candle to another, enough, cank also signifies to chatter,
to help : see Devil ; not able (or fit) to cackle as a goose ; it only survives
hold a candle to, useless, nothing to be in this latter sense.] (1673).
compared to; to sell (or let) by the Cannibal (Cambridge). In Bump-
candle (or by inch of candle), to sell by ing races (q.v.) a college may be repre-
candle-auction: bids are received whilst sented by more than one boat, the best
a small piece of candle burns, the last talent being put into the first ; but it
bid before the candle goes out securing has sometimes happened that the crew
the article ; to smell of the candle, to of the second have disappointed the
show trace of study or night- work cf. :
prophets and bumped the first of ita
to smell of the lamp ; the game
(play, own It is thus termed a
college.
etc.) is not worth the candle, the end (or cannibal, having eaten up its own
result) does not justify the cost or kind, and a fine is exacted from it by
labour expended ; to light (or burn) the the University Boat Club.
candle at both ends, to consume (or Cannikin (or Canniken). The
waste) in two directions at once : cf. plague (1688).
Fr., Le jeu ne veut pas la chandelle Cannis-cove. A dog-fancier.
(Cotgrave). Also Proverbs and Pro- [Latin, canis, a dog.]
verbial sayings Set forth the bright-
: Cannon. See Canon.
ness of the sun with a candle ; He burns Cannon - balL An irreconcilable
one candle to seek another losing both :
opponent of free trade.
time and labour ; To set a candle in the Canoe. To paddle one's own canoe,
sunshine ; They grope in the dark that to make one's own way in life, exhibit
86
 Canon. Capetta.

and energy, succeed unaided of

skill : Canvasseens. In pi., sailors' can-
Western American origin, but now vas trousers : see Kicks.
universal. Also to bail one's own boat ; Canvas-town. The Volunteer
Fr., il conduit or U mene bien sa barque Encampment, formerly at Wimbledon,
(1845). now at Bisley, at the meeting of the
Canon (or Cannon). Drunk : see National Rifle Association also any :

Screwed. camp or baby-city.

Canoodle. 1. To fondle, bill and Cap. 1. A false cover to a tossing
coo. 2.(Oxford). To paddle a canoe. coin ; also cover-down :the cap shows
3. To share profits. 4. To coax. either head or tail as it is left on or
Canoodler. See Canoodle. taken off. 2. The proceeds of an im-

Canoodling. Endearments. provised collection cf. to send round :

Cant. 1. The secret speech or jargon
of the vagrant classes gipsies, thieves,
beggars, etc.; hence, contemptuously,
the peculiar phraseology of a particular
class of subject : see Thieves' Latin,
St. Giles' Greek, Peddlars' French,
etc. (q.v.).Also as verb, to whine, to
speak the jargon of gipsies, beggars,
and other vagrants, and
speak, to talk (1567).
toss. 3. Food : also
the cap or hat (1851). 3. (West-
minster). The amount of the collec-
tion at Play and Election dinners.
[The College cap is passed round on
the last night of Play for contribu-
tions.] As verb, (1) To stand by a
friend, take part in any undertaking,
lend a hand. (2) To take off (or touch)
(generic), to one's hat in salutation ; also to cap to,
A blow or
2. and to cap it (1593). To cap one's
Kant, but cf. lucky, to run away see Bunk to cap : ;

sense 4. (1851). 4. A gift. (or cast) one's skin, to strip naked ; to

Cantab. A student at Cambridge set one's cap at, to set oneself to gain

University : i.e.Cantabrigian (1750). the affections only of women (1773);

:

Cantabank. A common ballad to cap a quotation (anecdote, proverb,

singer. etc.), to fit with a second from the
Cantankerous. Cross-grained, ill- same, or another, author ; to go
humoured, self - willed, productive of one better, in the way of anecdote
strife. Hence cantankerously, can- or legend (1584) ; to pull caps, to
tankerousness, cantankerate (verb), wrangle in an unseemly way only of :

and cantankersome (1773). women (1763) ; to cast one's cap at, to

Cante. See Canter. be indifferent, give up as a bad job ;
Canteen-medal. A stripe for the to come (fall under, or lie) in one's cap,
consumption of liquor. to occur to mind, run in the head ; to
Canter. A vagrant, beggar, one put on one's thinking (or considering)
who cants (q.v.) or uses the secret cap, to pass under review, think out ;
language otherwise called Peddlars' the cap fits, the remark or description
French, St. Giles' Greek, etc. applies to have enough under one's cap,
;

Canterbury. In derisive allusion to be drunk see Screwed ; to throw

:

(old Puritan) to the see of Canterbury : up one's cap, to manifest pleasure by

e.g. Canterbury - tale (or story), a throwing one's cap in the air to kiss ;

tedious yarn, friars' tale or fable, cock- caps with to drink out of the same
and-bull story Canterbury-
(q.v.); vessel :hence kiss of a cap to drink ;

trick, mean dodge Canterbury pace

; cap out, to empty ; also (proverbial),
(rack, rate, trot, gallop), the pace of If your cap be of wool ; As sure as
a pilgrim on his way to the shrine of your cap is of wool My cap is better ;

St. Thomas a Becket, a half gallop. at ease than my head ; Ready as a

Canticle. A parish clerk (Grose). borrowed cap.
Canting. The jargon used by Cape Cod Turkey. Salted cod :
beggars, thieves, gipsies, and vagrants : also Marblehead turkey cf. Billings- :

see Cant (1547). gate pheasant, Yarmouth capon, and

Canting Crew. See Canter. Albany beef (1865).
Can't.See National Intelligencer, Capella. A coat [Italian],
Hole, Ladder. English synonyms benjamin, cover- :

Canuck. See Canack. me-decently, upper benjamin (a great-

Canvass. To receive the canvass, coat), Joseph, wrap-rascal, claw-ham-
to be dismissed, to get the sack (q.v.) : mer, swallow-tail, steel-pen (all three,
see Bag (1652). a dress coat), M.B. coat, panupetaston,
87
 Cape Nightingale. Card.

rock-a-low, reliever, pygostole, ulster, Captain Armstrong, to pull a horse

monkey-jacket : see Caster.
Cape Nightingale.
Cambridgeshire nightingale.
Capeovi. Sick, seedy (q.v.).
and prevent him from winning. Also
A frog: cf. Captain Armstrong, a dishonest jockey.
Captain Copperthorn's Crew.
All officers of a company where every-
:

Caper. A device, idea, perform- one wants to be first in command.

ance, occupation ; in America, a '
Captain Cork. A man slow in
racket (q.v.), e.g. the real estate passing the bottle.
'
racket' or caper' (1867). To cut a Captain Crank. The chief of a
caper upon nothing, or to eat caper gang of highwaymen.
sauce, to be hanged : see Ladder. Captain Grand. A haughty,
(1708). blustering fellow : see Furioso.
Caper-juice. Whisky. Captain Hackum. A hectoring
Caper-merchant. A dancing bully (Grose).
master, hop- merchant (q.v.) (Grose). Captain Lieutenant Meat
Capital. To work capital, to com- neither young enough for veal, nor old
mit an offence punishable with death. enough for beef. [Properly a brevet
Capivi (or Capivvy). To cry officer who, ranking aa captain, re-
capiwy, to be persecuted to the death, ceives lieutenant's pay (Grose).]
or very near it. Captain Queernabs. A shabby,
Capon. 1. A red herring ; but ill-dressed man see Guy. :

applied to other kinds of fish ; herrings Captain Quiz. A mocker.

now receiving the distinctive cogno- Captain Sharp. A cheating bully,
men of Yarmouth capons (1640). 2. one whose office it is to bully a 'pigeon'
A term of reproach dullard, fool: refusing to pay up (Orose).
Bee Buffle( 1542). 3. A eunuch (1594). Captain Tom. The leader of a
4. A billet-doux : cf. (Cotgrave) Fr., mob ; also the mob itself (Grose).

povlet,
a chicken, also a love letter, or Caravan. 1. A dupe, gull, subject
love message (1588). of plunder: see Bubble (1676). 2. A
Capon-justice. A corrupt judge large sum of money (1690). 3. A train
(1639). chartered to convey people to a prize
Cappadochio (Caperdochy, or fight. [Early in the present century
Caperdewsie). A prison : see Cage. caravan, now shortened to van, was
(1600). applied to a third class covered railway
Capper. 1. A confederate ; at carriage ; now a pleasure party is so
cards one who makes false bids in described also a gipsy's cart ; also
;

order to encourage a genuine player. the wheeled cages of a travelling

2. A dummy bidder whose function is menagerie.]
either to start the bidding or to run up Caravansera. A railway station :

the price of articles for sale. 3. A per- thus : The scratch must be toed at
son or thing who caps, or beats, all sharp five, so the caravan will start at
others ; a thing which beats one's four from the caravansera (Hotten).
comprehension (1790). Card. 1. A device, expedient, or

Capper -
clawing. See Clapper- undertaking :
e.g.
a good card, a
clawing. strong card, a safe card, a likely, or a
Capsick, Drunk see Screwed. : doubtful card (1537). 2. A character,
Captain. 1. A familiar and jesting odd fish, eccentric ; generally with
address cf.
: Governor, Boss, etc. knowing, old, queer, downy, rum,
(1598). 2. A
gaming or bawdy-house etc. : cf. Hamlet, v. ii. (from the
bully (1731). Captain is also a fancy card table, such expressions as, a
title for a highwayman in a good way sure card, a sound card, being of
of business : Fletcher uses the term very ancient use. Osrio tells Hamlet
copper-captain, as also does Washing- that Laertes is the card and calendar
ton Irving, for one who has no right to of gentry) (1835). 3. The ticket
the title, and, in modern athletics, we (q.v.), the figure, the correct thing.
have the captain of a club or crew, with Hence (American) a published note,
the corresponding verb, to captain. short statement, request, explanation,
3. Money : see Rhino. 4. A glandered or the like ( Webster). Phrases To give :

horse. one cards, to give one an advantage,

Captain Armstrong. To come to give points Fr., fairt. un bauf ;
:

88
 Cardinal.
on the cards, within
of probability, liable
Dickens popularised the expression
(1749) to pack (stock, or put up) the
; flattery, language covering a design ;
cards, to prepare cards for cheating
purposes ; to speak by the card, to
speak with precision, with the utmost
accuracy (1569) ; to face (or brag)
it out with a card of ten, to put on a
bold front ; a cooling card, anything
that damps one's ardour, a wet blanket
(q.v.) ; a leading card, an example,
precedent ; to play one's best card, to
stake all, do one's best to throw (or
fling) up one's cards, to abandon a pro-
ject ; to show one's cards, to make a
clean beast, full explanation, or to
reveal the extent of one's resources ; to
have (or go in) with good cards, to have
good grounds for expecting success ; to
cast (or count) one's cards, to take stack,
reckon chances ; a house (or castle) of
cards, an unsecure position,
etc.
Cardinal. 1. A red cloak
ladies circa 1740 and later.
red wine (1861). 3.
Some London brigades wear red tunics
that stationed in the City is now better
known as the City Reds. 4. A lobster
from its colour when cooked (Jules
Janin once made a curious blunder and
called the lobster le cardinal de la mer) ;
whence cardinal hash, a lobster salad.
6. A
new [1890] variety of red.
Cardinal's - blessing. A bene-
diction carrying with it no further
advantage (1720).
Care. Not to care or be worth a
fig, pin, rap, button, cent, straw, rush,
or hang, similes of indifference ; to
care not even so much as the value of a
fig, a pin, or a straw FT., s en battre :
Pceil : see Worth (1590).
if I do, & street phrase of no parti-
cular meaning ; also a form of accept-
ing an invitation to drink : Will you
peg ? I don't care if I do.
Careaway. An exclamation of
merriment or recklessness. Care
begone ! Away with care Hence,
a reckless fellow, anything
roisterer,
that drives away care (with a pun on
caraway) (1440).
Care-grinder. A
treadmill, also
vertical care-grinder (q.v.) : see Wheel
of life.
Cargo (Winchester). A hamper
from home (1840) ; the word is still in
use.
Carrion.
the range Carter. A clerk : see Quill-driver.
to turn up : Carlicues.See Curlycues.
Carney (or C a r n y). Seductive
as verb, to wheedle, coax, insinuate
oneself, act in a cajoling manner ;
hence carneying, wheedling, coaxing,
insinuating.
Carnish. Meat. [Ital., carne
flesh:through the Lingua Franca.]
Whence carnish-ken, a thieves' eating
house, prog-shop.
Caroon. A five-shilling piece : see
; Rhino. English synonyms bull (or :
bull's eye), cartwheel, coachwheel (or
simply wheel), tusheroon, dollar, thick
'un(alsoasovereign), case, caser,decus.
Carpet. To reprimand, call over
the coals, give a wigging (or ear-
wigging), etc. also to walk the carpet
:
(1823). As adj., generic for luxury and
effeminacy :
e.g. carpet consideration,
scheme, friend, gentry, toy, poet, soldier, knight
(q.v.), etc. To bring on the carpet, to
: worn by bring up or forward.
2. Mulled Carpet-bagger. A political adven-
A shoeblack. turer. [After the Civil War, numbers
: of Northerners went south ; they were
looked upon with suspicion. Originally
: a wild-cat banker (q.v.)].
Carpet-bag Recruit. A recruit of
better than ordinary standing, i.e. one
with more than he stands upright
in.
Carpet - knight. A stay-at-home
soldier,a shirker of practical work, a
petticoat dangler also in such com-
:
binations as carpet - captain, carpet-
squire ; all in contempt.
Carpet-swab. A carpet-bag (1837).
Carrier. A rogue employed to
look out, and watch upon the roads, at
1
inns, etc., in order to carry information
/ don't care to their respective gangs, of a booty in
prospect (B. E.).
Carrier-pigeon. 1. A cheat, spec,
a lottery office swindler (1781). [The
sharper attended the drawing of a lot-
lery in the Guildhall, and as soon as a
number or two are drawn, wrote them
! on a card a confederate, ready
;
mounted, rode full speed to some
distant insurance office, where another
of the gang, commonly a decent-
looking woman, insured for a con-
siderable sum, thus biting the biter
(Grose).] 2. A peripatetic commission
agent, a kind of tout.
Carrion. The human body ; for-
merly a corpse.
89
 Carrion-case. ("Won.

Carrion-case. A shirt, chemise: Thames mud, cow-oil, spread, scrape,

carrion, the human body: Bee Flesh- smear, ointment, sluter.
bag. Carts. A pair of shoes : see Trotter-
Carrion Hunter. An undertaker cases.
(1785). Cart - wheel. 1. A five-shilling
Carrots. In pL, red hair: also a piece, also coach-wheel, and wheel :

proper name (1685). Take a carrot I see Rhino. 2. A broad hint. 3. A

A contemptuous retort: originally continuous series of somersaults in
obscene. which the hands and feet alternately
Carry. To carry coals, to put up touch the ground, the appearance pro-
with insults, endure an affront or in- duced being similar to the spokes of a
jury (1593) to carry boodle, see Boodle;
;
cart wheel in motion ; also Catharine
to carry real estate, to neglect the finger wheel (1851).
nails ; to carry out one's bat, see Bat ; Carver and Gilder. A match-
bear success well and
to carry corn, to maker : cf. fingersmith, a midwife.
equably of a man who breaks down
: Casa. See Case.
under a sudden access of wealth, or Cascade. 1. Tasmania beer be- :

' '
who becomes affected and intolerant, it cause manufactured from cascade
is said, He doesn't carry corn well to ; water cf. Artesian. 2. A trundling
:

carry on, to make oneself conspicuous gymnastic performance in panto-

by a certain line of behaviour, conduct mime. As verb, to vomit (1771).
oneself wildly or recklessly, joke or Case. 1. A certainty in fact, an
frolic ; also, in a special sense, open to accentuated or abnormal instance in
flirt openly : whence carryings on, character. When two persons fall in
frolicsome or questionable proceedings, love, or are engaged to marry, it is said
a course of conduct that attracts atten- to be a case with them. An eccentric
tion (1663); carry me out and bury person is a case. 2. A bad five-shilling
me decently, a dovetail to an incredible piece. Half a case, a bad half-crown,
story, or something displeasing ; varied cf. Caser. 3. A house, respectable or
by Let me die Good - night ! etc., ! otherwise spec, a brothel, and, by
:

as also by Carry me home Carry !

transference, a water-closet (1678).
me upstairs Carry me out and leave
! 4. (Westminster School). The discus-
me in the gutter (a writer in Notes! sion by Seniors and Upper Election
and Queries (2 S., iii. 387) states it to preceding a tanning (q.v.), and the
have been in use circa 1780) ; to tanning itself. A case of crabs, a
carry the stick see Trip up.
: failure
; a case of pickles, an incident,
Carry-castle. An elephant a bad breakdown, a break up ; a case
(1598). of stump, impecuniosity.
Car s e y. A
house, den, or crib. Caseine. variant of A The cheese
[Lingua Franca casa, a house.] (q.v.) : cf. Cassan. (1856).
Cart To defeat : in a match, fight, Caser. Five shillings : see Case
examination, race, etc. e.g. we carted : and Caroon. (1879).
them home, we gave them an awful Case-vrow. A dress-lodger (q.v.).
licking. In (or carted), an
the cart Casey. Cheese see Cassan. :

employee is said to put an owner in the Cash. Equal to cash, of unquestion-

cart, when, by trick or fraud, his horse able merit ; to cash a prescription, to get
is prevented from winning : also in the a prescription made up cash or pass in ;

box ; 2. in the know, in the hunt ; one's checks, to die (in poker, counters
3. the lowest scorer at any point is or checks, purchased at certain fixed
said to be in the cart ; sometimes on rates, are equivalent to coin) ; to cash
the tailboard ; to walk the cart, to walk up, to liquidate a debt.
over a racecourse ; to cart off (out or C a s h e 1 s. Great Southern and
away), to remove ; to set (or put) the Western of Ireland Railway Stock.
cart before the horse, to reverse matters [Said to be derived from the fact that
(1520) ; to be left out of the cart's tail, the line originally had no station at
to suffer loss or injury through care- Cashel]
lessness (1541) ; to keep cart on wheels, Cask. A brougham, pill-box (q.v.) :
to peg away, keep things going. Fr., bagniole.
Cart - grease. Butter, spec, bad Cass. See Cassan.
butter. English synonyms: cow-grease, Cassan. Cheese ; also cass, casson,
00
 Cast. Catamount.

cassam, cassom, and casey. The old- phrase, To buy a pig in a poke, are
est form is cassan (1567). English said to originate in the bumpkin's
synonyms : caz, sweaty -
toe, choke - trick of substituting a cat for a young
dog. pig and bringing it to market in a bag :

Cast. See Accounts, Sheep's Eyes. if the customer were wary the cat was

Castell. To see, look (1610). let out of the bag, and there was no
Caster. 1. A cloak (1567). 2. A deal) ; who ate or stole the cat ? a
cast-off (1859). gentleman whose larder was frequently
Castieu's Hotel. Melbourne gaol : broken by bargees, had a cat cooked
so called from Mr. J. B. Castieu see : and placed as a decoy it was taken and
:

Cage. eaten, and became a standing jest

Castle -rag. A fourpenny piece, against the pilferers ; to lead a cat and
flag see Joey.
:
dog life, to quarrel night and day to'
;

Cast-off. 1. In pi., landsmen's turn cat in the pan, to rat,' to reverse

clothes see Togs.
: 2. A discarded one's position through self-interest,
mistress see Cast.
: to play the turncoat (the derivation is
Castor. A hat Latin, castor, a :
absolutely unknown the one gener-
:

beaver hats were formerly made of

:
ally received that cat is a corrup-
beaver's fur: see Golgotha. (1640). tion of cate or cake, is historically
Cat. 1. A prostitute (1401). 2. untenable) (1559) ; to feel as though a
A shortened form of Cat-o' -nine-tails cat had kittened in one's mouth, to
(q.v.) (1788). 3. A lady's muff. 4. have a mouth, after drunkenness.
A quart pot : pint pots are Kittens : Many other phrases and proverbial
cat and kitten sneaking, stealing pewter sayings will occur to mind A cat may :

pots (1851). 5. See Tame cat. 6. A look at a king, a retort on impertinent

fanciful monster infesting lodging or ill - placed interference, there are
houses, which devours with equal certain things which an inferior may
readiness cold meat and coals, spirits do in presence of a superior ; care
and paraffin, etc., etc. (1827). Fly- kitted the cat, the strongest will ulti-
ing cat, an owl (1690). To jerk, shoot, mately break down, even though one
or whip the cat (or to cat), to vomit had, like the proverbial cat, nine
(1609). To whip the cat (or to draw lives enough to make a cat speak (or
;

through the water with a cat). 1. To laugh), of something very extraordin-

indulge in practical jokes (1614):
hence cat-whipping or whipping the cat
A trick often practised on ignorant
country fellows, vain of their strength ;
ary or facetious (frequently of very
:
good drink) ; to fight like Kilkenny
cats, to engage in a mutually destruc-
tive struggle ; to bell the cat see Bell ; :

by laying a wager with them that they to grin like a Cheshire cat. Also pro-
may be pulled through a pond by a verbial sayings, Wisdom is great if the
cat ; the bet being made, a rope is cat never touched milk ; The cat
fixed round the waist of the party to winks when her eye is out ; The cat
be catted, and the end thrown across likes (or will eat) fish, but she will not
the pond, to which the cat is also wet her feet to catch them In the dark ;

fastened by a pack-thread, and three (or whenthe candle is out) all cats are
or four sturdy fellows are appointed grey ; Cats are not to be caught with-
to lead and whip the cat ; these, on a out mittens The cat will after kind ;
;

given signal, seize the end of the cord, Evil will abide as long as a cat is tied
and pretending to whip the cat, haul to a pudding ; As like as a cat and a
the astonished booby through the cart wheel ; Not room enough to
water (Grose) 2. To work at private swing a cat A cat and mouse game.
;

houses. Phrases : To see how the Catabaptist A denier of the ortho-

cat will jump, to watch events and act dox doctrine of baptism 16th and :

accordingly ; also (American) to sit on 17th cent. [Coined by Gregory Naz-

the fence (1827) ; you kill my cat and ianzen.]
Ptt kill your dog. Ca' me, ca' thee, Catamarin. A vixenish old woman
an exchange in the matter of scratch- a cross-grained person of either sex
ing backs :
FT., passez moi la casse, et (1833).
je t'envarrai la senne ; to let the cat out Catamount (Catamountain,
or Cat
of the bag, to reveal a secret, to put o'Mountain). A shrew. [Cf. Cata-
one's foot in it (this and the kindred marin and Beaumont and Fletcher's
91
 >
Cat and Mouse. Cat-o -nine-ta&8.

use of the word for a wild man ear, easily caught and remembered
from the mountains, a transferred (as a tune) (1831).
sense of catamount, a leopard or Caterpillar. A soldier: see Mud-
panther.] crusher.
Cat and Mouse. A house. Caterwaul. To make a noise like
Catastrophe. The tail or latter cats at rutting time, woo, make love
end cf. the Falstaffian I'll tickle
: (1899).
your catastrophe. Catever. A queer or singular
Catawampous (Catawamptiously). anything poor or bad. [Lingua
affair,
With aridity, fiercely, eagerly, or Franca, and Ital., cattivo, bad.]
violently destructive ( 1843). As subs, Catfish death. Suicide by drown-
pi., vermin, especially
those that sting ing.
and bite. Catgut - scraper. A fiddler : also
Catch. A man or woman matri- scraper or teaser of the catgut, rosin-
monially desirable ; formerly a prize or tin-- how (1633).
booty ( 1593). In combination anything Cat - harping fashion. Drinking
that catches e.g. catch-all, catch-bit,
: cross ways, and not as usual over the
catch-cloak, catch-coin, catch-credit, left thumb (Qrose).
catch -
fish, catch -
fool, catch -
penny Cat - head. In pi., the paps : see
(guinea, shilling, etc.) and so forth. Dairy.
To catch (or cut) a crab. (1) To turn Cathedral (Winchester). A high
the blade of the oar, or feather, under hat see Golgotha ; as adj., old-
:

water at the end of the stroke, and fashioned, antique (1690). [Because
thus be unable to recover ; (2) to only worn when going to the Cathe-
lose control of the oar at the middle of dral.]
the stroke by digging too deeply ; or Catharine Puritan. A member
(3) to miss the water altogether, also of St. Catharine's Hall, Cambridge.
[A
to capture a cancer, and (American) pun on Catharine and Kadoipuv, to
to catch a lobster ; to catch a tartar, purify.] Also Doves (q.v.)
to unexpectedly meet with one's Catherine Hayes. A liquor con-
superior, to fall into one's own trap, sisting of claret, sugar, and nutmeg
having a design upon another, to be (1856). [The derivation
may presum-
caught oneself : also to catch on a ably be traced to the immense popu-
snag (q.v.) (1682); catch that catch larity of the Irish singer at the an-
may (catch as catch can, etc.), to help tipodes.]
oneself, each as he can ; catch me I (or Cat's. St. Catharine's Hall whence :

catch me at it !), an emphatic denial Cat's men, members of St. Catharine's

(1780) ; to catch it, to get a thrashing Hall.
or scolding (1835); to catch on, to Catherine Wheel. See Cartwheel
understand, grasp, apprehend, quickly Cat - lap. Thin potations of any
seize an opportunity ; to catch the eye, sort, especially tea (1785).
to arrest attention ; to catch fire, to be- Cat-market. A number of people
come inflamed with passion, inspired alltalking at once e.g. You make a :

with zeal, etc. ; to catch on a snag, to row like a cat- market, a general cater-
catch a tartar (q.v.), meet with one's wauling.
superior ; to catch on the hop, to catch Cat - match. When a rook or
or have on the hip, as Gratiano catches cully is engaged amongst bad bowlers
Shylock see Hop ; to catch the wind
:
(Grose).
of the world, to quickly understand Catoller (or Catolla). A noisy,
the meaning of what is said. See prating fellow : a foolish betting man
Twig. (Egan).
Catch-'em-alive (or alivo). 1. Cat - o' - nine - tails
(or cat). A
A fly-paper. A tooth comb.2. nine-lashed scourge occasionallystill
Catch-fart A footman, page-boy. used on criminals, but until 1881 the
Catch - pole. A warrant officer, - authorised means of punishment in the
bum-bailiff :
formerly in respectable British army and navy. In prison par-
use, but employed contemptuously lance the cat-o' -nine- tails is Number
from the sixteenth century (1377). one, or the Nine- tailed bruiser (q.v.),
Catchy. Vulgarly or cheaply at- the birch being Number two (q.v.)
tractive, of a quality to take the eye or (1665).
92
 Cat-party. Caz.

Cat-party (Bitch party). A - A lie, anything surprising or in-

gathering of women. credible : see Whopper.
Cats. Atlantic Seconds for tele- : Caution. Anything out of the
graphic purposes. common, wonderful, staggering, to be
Cats and Dogs. To rain cats and avoided, that causes surprise, wonder,
dogs, and pitchforks and shovels, to rain fear. At Oxford, in 1865, a guy
heavily (1738). or cure (1835). Whence cautionary,
Cat's-foot. To live under the that which is a caution.
cafs foot, to be under petticoat gov- Cavaulting - school. A house of
ernment, hen - pecked : cf. Apron- ill-fame.
string. Cave (or Cave in). To give way
Cat's - head
(Winchester). The when opposition can no longer be
end of a shoulder of mutton. maintained, break up, turn up.
-
Catskin earls. The three senior English synonyms to knuckle under,:

earls in the House of Lords, viz. the knock under, give in, sing small, turn
Earls of Shrewsbury, Derby, and it up, chuck it
up, jack up, climb down
Huntingdon, the only three earldoms (q.v.), throw up the sponge, chuck it,
before the seventeenth century now go down, go out, cut it, cut the rope
existing, save those that (like Arundel, (pugilistic), etc. ( 1 877). Cave ! (Eton).
Rutland, etc.), are merged hi higher Beware ! a
byword among boys
titles, and the anomalous earldom of out of bounds when a master is in
Devon (1553), resuscitated in 1831. sight.
Cat's-meat. The lungs. Caviare. Obnoxious matter
Cat's - paw (or Cat's - foot). A blacked out by the Russian press
dupe, tool. [A reference to the fable censor. Every foreign periodical
(Bertrand et Baton) of a monkey using entering Russia is examined for ob-
the paw of a cat, dog, or fox, to pull jectionable references or irreligious
roasted chestnuts off the fire, current matter, the removal whereof is accom-
in the sixteenth century, but varying plished in two ways. If the items or
considerably in details. ] ( 1 657 ). articles are bulky, they are torn or cut
Cat-sticks. Thin legs (1785), out bodily. If they are brief, they are
Cat's-water. Gin. blacked out by means of a rect-
Cattie. An
imperfect or smutty angular stamp about as wide as an
look on a printed sheet, caused by an ordinary newspaper column, and
oily or unclean roller. cross-hatched in such a way that,
Cattle. A term of contempt : when hiked and dabbed upon the
human beings e.g. queer
applied to :
paper, it makes a close network of
cattle, kittle-cattle (1577). Cattle is white lines and black diamonds. The
often used of horses. peculiar mottled or grained look of a
Cattle-bug. See Bug. page thus treated has suggested the
Caudge-pawed. Left-handed attributive caviare a memory of the :

(Grose). look of the black salted caviare spread

Caught. Caught on the fly, caught upon a slice of bread and butter. As
hi the act,on the hop, or hip. verb, to black out.
Cauliflower. 1. A clerical wig Cavort. To prance, frisk, run or
supposed to resemble a cauliflower ; ride in a heedless or purposeless
modish in the time of Queen Anne. 2. manner. [Lingua Franca, cavolta,
The foaming head of a tankard of prancing on horseback.] (1848).
beer. In Fr., linge or faux-col. 3. In Cawbawn. See Cobbon.
pi. the Forty-seventh Regiment of Caw - handed (or Caw - pawed).
Foot from its white facings.
:
Awkward, not dexterous, ready or
Caulk. Sleep as verb, to sleep
1. ; : nimble (Grose).
also subs., caulking (1836). 2. To Caxton. A wig. [A corruption of
cease ; shut up i.e. stop one's talk, or
; caxon.]
leave off talking. C a y u s e. A nickname given by
Caulker. 1. A dram, stiff glass of Mormon girls to young Latter Day
grog generally a finishing bumper.
: Saints : the Yahoos of the Gentiles.
When happens to be sherry and
this [The cayuse is properly the common
follows the drinking of red wines, it is Indian pony.]
called a whitewash (q.v.) (1808). 2. Caz. Cheese: seeCassan. (1812).
93
 Cedar.

Cedar (Eton). 1. A pair -oared Chaffer. 1. A quizzer, banterer

boat, inrigged, without canvas, and (q.v.). 2. The mouth, the tongue
very crank. [From the material] (
1 v_' 1
) ; to moisten one's chaffer, to
2. A pencil.
drink : see Lush.
Celestial- poultry. Angela. Chaffing-crib. The place where a
Celestial. 1. In pi., The Ninety- man receives his intimates ; a den,
seventh Regiment of Foot. 2. A snuggery, diggings (1821).
turn - up or pug nose : see Conk. Chained (or Chain) Lightning.
3. A Chinaman. [The Chinese Empire Whisky of the vilest description :

is spoken of as the Celestial Empire.] warranted to kill at forty rods also :

Cellier. An out-and-out, unmiti- forty-rod lightning.

gated lie : an echo of the Meal-tub Chain - gang. Jewellers ; watch-
plot (1682). Cf. Burke, Boycott, chain makers: Fr., boguiste and chain-
Bishop, and Salisbury. iste.

Cellar-flap. A step or dance Chair. To put in the. chair, to

performed within the compass of (say) commit to prison of drivers neglect- :

a cellar-flap the Whitechapel artist

:
ing to pay hire for their cabs.
achieves as many changes of step as Chairmarking. Inserting the date
possible
without shifting his ground : in a cab-driver's licence in words in-
his action being restricted to the feet stead of figures or, endorsing it in an :

and legs also to cut capers on a

:
unusually bold, heavy hand a hint :

trencher : to double-shuffle. to possible employers that the holder

Cent. See Worth. is In other trades it is
undesirable.
Cent-per-cent. A usurer (Grose). understood that an unexceptionable
Centurion. A batsman scoring a character, with the adjectives care-
hundred runs. [From Centurion, the fully underlined, is to be read as imply-
'
commander of a century,' in the ing just the opposite of what' it appears
Roman Army.] to say.
Century. A hundred pounds or ; Ch'aldese. To trick, cheat, take
at cricket, etc., a score of a hundred. in (1G84).
[Originally a division of the Roman Chalk. 1. A
score, reckoning ;
Army numbering 100 men. In Eng- whence, by chalks, many
chalks, long
lish it was and is in common use to chalks, etc., i.e. degrees or marks ; also
signify a group of a hundred.] credit, tick (1529). 2. scratch or A
Cert. certainty A
also a dead : scar (1846). As verb, (1) To score
(or moral) certainty, a dead 'un, and a up, tick off. (2) To make one stand
moral (1859). treat, or pay his footing ; an old
Certainty. An infant of the female hand succeeds in chalking the shoes
aex see Uncertainties.
: of a green hand, the latter has to
Chafe. To thrash soundly, warm stand drinks all round. (3) To strike :
(1093). cf. chalkers, sense 1 (1822). Phrases:
C h a ff . 1. Ironical or sarcastic To chalk up (or chalk it up), to credit,
banter, fooling, humbug, ridicule. As take credit, put to one's account
verb, to banter, jest, gammon, or quiz ( 1 597) ; to beat by long (or many) chalks,

(1821). Chaffy, full of banter. 2. to beat thoroughly, show appreciable

(Christ's Hospital). A small article or superiority (1857) ; to icalk (or stump
plaything, e.g. a pocket chaff ; as one's chalks), to move or run away, be
adj. (Christ's Hospital), pleasant, glad : off ; to be able to walk a chalk, to be
sometimes chaffy. As intj. (Christ's sober (the ordeal on board ship of
Hospital), an exclamation signifying trying men suspected of drunkenness
joy or pleasure. Also phrases and is to make them walk along a line
proverbs neither corn
: nor chaff, chalked on the deck, without deviating
nondescript, neither one thing nor to right or left) ; making chalks, a
another (1835) ; To sett corn and eat term connected with the punishment
chaff, to deny oneself, play the miser of boys on board ship, and in the *
(1579) A grain of wheat in a bushel of
;
Royal Naval School : two chalk lines
chaff, poverty of result, much cry and are drawn wide apart on the deck or
little wool. floor, and a boy to be punished places
Chaff-cutter. A back-biter, a foot on each of these lines, and
slanderer. stoops, thereby presenting a con-
04
 Ckalker. Chappie.

venient section of his person to the with a blow or other rejoinder

of that ! :

boatswain or master ; to chalk the cf. Put that

in your pipe and smoke
lamp-post, to bribe see grease the palm
: it (1829); quick change artiste, a per-
!

(1857). Other expressions connected former, male or female, who sings one
with chalk are, to know chalk from song in one costume, retires for a few
cheese to chalk out, etc.
;
seconds and returns to sing another in
Chalker. 1. In pi., Men of wit another guise, and so on ; to change one's
in Ireland, who in the night amuse note (or tune), to pass from laughter to
themselves with cutting inoffensive tears, from arrogance to humility, to
passengers across the face with a knife. alter one's mode of speech, behaviour,
They are somewhat like those facetious etc. : see Breath. (1578).
gentlemen, some time ago known in Change-bags (Eton). Grey flannel
England by the title of sweaters and trousers for cricket, and knicker-
mohocks (Grose). 2. A milkman. bockers for football.
Chalk - farm. The arm. English Chant (or Chaunt). 1. A song;

synonyms: bender, hoop-stick, fin, to throw off a rum chaunt, to sing

daddle. a good song (1882). 2. A cipher,
Chalk - head. One with a good initials, or mark of any kind, on a
head for figures :
spec, a waiter piece of plate, linen, or other article ;
(1856). anything so marked is said to be
Cham (or Chammy). Champagne, chanted ; also an advertisement in a
(q.v.), boy. newspaper or handbill, etc. (1812).
Chamber Horrors.
of 1. The As verb, (1) to talk, sing praise, cry,
Peeresses' Gallery in the House of crack up: FT., pousser la goualante:
Lords cf. Cage, sense 4. 2. In pi.,
: street patterers and vendors chant
sausages. their songs and wares, oftentimes to
Chance. To have an eye to the main an extent not warranted by their qual-
chance, to keep in view that which ity. (2) To sell a horse by fraudulent
will advantage (1609). To chance the representation: Fr., enrosser (1816).
ducks, to risk what one may, take Hence chanter (generally horse-clianter,
every chance : also, to chance the (1) a fraudulent horse-dealer ; and (2)
arm. a street patterer :
commonly spelt
Chance r. A liar; also an in- chaunter (q-v-) ; chanting, selling
competent workman : i.e. one who unsound or vicious horses by a trick.
chances what he cannot do. Chantey (or Chanty). A song
Changery. In chancery, in pugil- sung by sailors at their work. The
ism, the head under the left arm of music is to a certain extent tradi-
an opponent so that he can pound tional, the words which are com-
away at it with his right ; also fig., in monly unfit for ears polite are
a parlous case, an awkward fix : traditional likewise. The words and
FT., chancetterie and coup de chan- music are divided into two parts the
cetterie, almost literal translations chanty proper, which is delivered by
(1819). a single voice, with or without a fiddle
Chaney-eyed. One-eyed : cf. obligato, and the refrain and chorus,
squinny-eyed. which are sung with much straining and
Change. To give change, to pay tugging, and with peculiar breaks and
out, give one his deserts ; whence, to strange and melancholy stresses, by a
take one's change out of, to get even number of men engaged in the actual
with, give tit for tat see infra ; to :
performance of some piece of bodily
have all one's change about one, to be labour.
clever, quick-witted, compos mentis, Chantie. A chamber-pot : see It.
with twelve pence to the shilling about Chapel (or Chapel of ease). A
one ; to put the change on, to deceive water-closet see Mrs. Jones. :

mislead (1667); to ring the changes, Chapel of little ease. The police
to change better for worse ; also to cells : see Little ease.
pass counterfeit money, to pitch the Chapped. Parched, dry, thirsty
snide (q.v.) : see Ring (1661) ; to take (1673).
the change out of [a person or thing], Chappie (or Chappy). The latest
to be revenged, take an equivalent, get variety (1890) of a man about town, a
quid pro quo : e.g. Take your change out dandy : a term of intimacy.
9o
 Character. Chaunter.

Character. A man or woman Charter. To charter the bar (or

exhibiting some prominent (and grocery). To buy all the liquor in
usually contemptible) trait, an eccen- stock and stand drinks round as long
tric, a case (q.v.) : generally with as it lasts this freak was not infre-
:

low, queer, comic, etc. (1773). quent in the West In Australia a

Charactered. Burnt in the hand, similar expression is to shout oneself
lettered (q.v.) (1785). hoarse (q.v.).
Charing-Cross. A hone see Prad. ; Chasing. Exceeding a given average
Chariot. An omnibus in the : standard of production.
sixteenth century a vehicle of any Chasse. To dismiss: Fr., chaster
kind, and in the eighteenth a light (1847).
four-wheeled carriage. Chat 1. A house. 2. The truth,
Chariot- buzzing. Picking pockets real state of a case, proper words
in an omnibus. to use, correct card (1819). 3.
Charity. Cold as charity, lacking Gabble, chatter, impudence ; e.g.
in feeling, perfunctory ; charity begins None of your chat As verb, to hang :
at home, ties of family, friendship, etc., aeeChates.
come first. C hates. 1. The gallows: also
Charley (or Charlie). 1. A Chattes and
Chats (1567): see
night-watchman. A popular name, Nubbing-cheat. 2. In pi., lice. Eng-
to the introduction by Sir R. lish synonyms active citizens, crabs,
:
prior
Peel, in 1829, of the present police crumbs, friends in need, back friends,
force ; since fallen into desuetude. grey backs, black cattle, Scots Greys,
The Charlies were generally old men gentleman's companions, creepers,
whose chief duty was crying the houron gold backed 'uns, German ducks,
-

their rounds. Boxing a Charley was dicky-birds, familiars, saddle-backs,

a favourite amusement with young Yorkshire Greys.
bucks and bloods when they found a
: Chat-hole. A hole in a wall, made
night-watchman asleep in his box, to carry on conversation (prison).
they would overturn it, leaving the Chats. 1. See Chates. 2. Seals,

occupant to escape as best he might. 3. London, Chatham, and Dover Rail-

Charles I. reorganised the watch way Stock.
system of the metropolis in 1640. 2. Chatterbox. An incessant talker ;
A small pointed beard, fashionable in contemptuously of adults and play-
the time of Charles I. cf. Imperial, :
fully of children. Also chatter-basket,
Goatee. 3. A fox. 4. A watch. 5. chatter-bones, chatter-cart, chatter-
(tailors') The nap on glossy-surfaced bladder, chatter-bag, chatter-pie, etc.
cloth, also a round-shouldered figure. Chatter - broth (or water), tea, scandal
Charley Bates' farm (or garden). broth (q.v.). Chitter chatter (or
See Bates' farm. Chatter-chitter), small talk, gossip.
Charley - Lancaster. A hand- Chatter-house, a resort for women
kerchief. (1611).
Charley- pitcher. A sharper Chatterer. A blow upon the
working the thimble-rig, three-card mouth, or a blow that tells (1827).

trick, prick the garter, etc. Chatterers. The teeth : see

Charley-Prescot A waistcoat Grinders.
Charley-wag. To play the Ch alter y. Cotton or linen goods
Charley-wag, to absent oneself from (1821).
school without leave, play truant ; Chatty. A filthy man : see Chat
figuratively to disappear : Fr., tailler As adj., filthy, lousy.
(or caler) Fecole. Chatty-feeder. A spoon.
Charlies. 1. The paps : see Chaunt See Chant To chaunt
Dairy. 2. (Winchester obsolete).
: the to explain the tricks and
play,
Thick gloves made of twine. [Intro- manoeuvres of thieves.
duced by a Mr. Charles Griffith.] Chaunter. 1. A street ballad
Charm. 1. A picklock (1785). singer, reciter of dying speeches, etc.
2. In pi., the paps: Fr., lea appas: Rarely heard now except in the poor-
once in literary use, but now impos- est neighbourhoods. The practice is
sible except as slang. 3. In pi., peculiar. One man gets as far as he
generic for money : see Rhino. can, and when his voice cracks a com-
 Chaunter -cove. Cheer.

See Cheat. Generic for a thing, spec,

panion takes things up. 2.
Chanter, sense 1. the gallows ; also the Nubbing, Top-
Chaunter-cove. reporter. A ping, or Treyning-cheat. The word
Chaunter-cull. writer of bal- A is variously spelt chet, chete, cheate,
lads and street literature for the use of cheit, chate, cheat. The following com-
chaunters (q.v.). They haunted cer- binations illustrate its use Bdly- :

tain well - known public houses in chete, an apron Ueting-chete, a sheep

;

London and Birmingham, and were or calf ; cackling-chete, a fowl ; crashing-

open to write ballads to order on any cheats, the teeth ; grunting-chete, a pig 1
;

subject, the rate of remuneration hearing -chetes, the ears ; low ing -chete,
varying from half-a-crown to seven- a cow ; lullaby -
chete, an infant ;

and-sixpence. The chaunter having mofling - chete, a napkin ; nubbing-

practically disappeared, his poet has cheat, the gallows ; prattling -chete, the
gone with him (1781). tongue quacking -chete, a duck smell-
;
:

Chaunter upon the Leer. An ing-chete, the nose topping-cheat, the;

advertiser. gallows treyning-cheat, the gallows ;

;

Chauvering - donna (or

-
moll). trundling - cheat, a cart or coach all
A prostitute : see Tart. of which see (1567).
Chaw. 1. A countryman, yokel, Cheats. Sham cuffs or wristbands,
bumpkin. In common
use at publio half sleeves : cf. Dicky and Sham
schools (1856). 2.
mouthful, gob-, A (1688).
bet, what can be crammed in the Checks. Generic for money, cash
mouth at once, e.g. a quid of tobacco, [A poker term]. To pass (or hand) in
a dram of spirits, etc. as verb, to eat,
: one's checks, to die : see Hop the twig.
chew noisily, and roughly bite : once Cheek. 1. Insolence, jaw ; e.g.
literary, now specifically to chew None of your cheek, None of your
tobacco (1749). 3. A trick, device, jaw. Equivalents are lip, chat,
sell ; to deceive.
also Phrases : To imperance, mouth, chin, chirrup, and
chaw over, to create ridicule by repeat- nine shillings (nonchalance) (1840).
ing one's words ; to chaw up, to get the 2. Audacity, confidence, impudence,
better of, demolish, do for, smash or brass, face. Formerly brow was used
finish;
chawed up, utterly done for in the same sense (1642). Also as
(1843) ; to chaw up one's words, to verb in both senses. To one's own
retract an assertion, to eat one's words. cheek, to one'sown share, all to oneself
Chawbacon. countryman, a A (1841) ;cheek up, to answer saucily.
to

bumpkin (q.v.). Other nicknames are Cheek -ache. To have the cheek-
bacon-slicer, clod-hopper, barn-door ache, to blush, to be abashed.
savage, clod-pole, cart-horse, Johnny, Cheekiness. Impudence, effront-
cabbage-gelder, turnip-sucker, joskin, ery, cool audacity (1847).
jolterhead, yokel, clod - crusher, etc. Cheekish (or Cheeky). Audacious,
(1811). impudent, saucy.
Cheap. On the cheap, at a low rate Cheeks. 1. The posteriors. 2. An
[ofmoney], economically, keeping up a accomplice (1857).
showy appearance on small means ; Cheeks and Ears. A kind of
cheap and nasty, of articles pleasing to head-dress (1600).
the eye, but shoddy in fact cf. Cheap : Cheeks the Marine. Mr. Nobody :

and nasty, like Short's in the Strand, popularised by Captain Marryat. Also
a proverb applied to the deceased a sarcastic rejoinder to a foolish or
founder of cheap dinners, now a well- incredible story, Tell that to Cheeks
known wine-bar to feel cheap, to have
; the marine (1833).
a mouth on, suffering from a night's Cheer. To change cheer, to exhibit
debauch dirt cheap or dog chaep, in-
; emotion, change countenance ; to make
expensive, as cheap as may be dog : a cheer, to assume a look of anger, fear,
cheap is the earliest form in which shame, etc. ; what cheer ? how are
this colloquialism appears in English you ? with good cheer, readily,
literature (1577), dirt cheap not being gladly ; to be of good cJieer, to be hi
found earlier than 1837. good fettle, stout of heart, courageous ;
Cheapside. He came home by way the fewer the better cheer, the fewer
of Cheapside, i.e. he gave little or there are, the more there is for each
nothing for it, he got it cheap. to eat.
97
 Chic.

Cheese. 1. The cheese, any thing first- at cards. [When cards are being dealt,
rate or highly becoming ; the expres- a knowing one offers to bet that he
sion runs up and down the whole will tell the colour of theturn-up card.
gamut of cheese nomenclature, from Done, Mr. Green.
says The sum
the Stilton, Double Gloster, to the being named, Mr. Sharp affirms that
pure Limburger (1835). 2. An adept, it will be cherry - colour ; and as
one who takes the shine out of cherries are either black or red, he wins
another at Cambridge an overdressed
:
(Qrose). Cherry -coloured cat, one either
dandy is a howling cheese. Hard black or white in colour (1785).
cheese, what is barely endurable, hard Cherry- merry. 1. Convivial,
lines, bad luck ; tip-cheese, probably slightly inebriated: see Screwed
Tip-cat (q.v.); cheese it I leave off! (1602). 2. A present of money.
have done be ! off !
(1811). To make Cherry-merry-bamboo, a beating.
cheeses (Fr., faire des fromages), a Cherry-pickers. See Cherubims.
schoolgirl's amusement : turning Cherry-pie. A girl.
rapidly round and round, the figure- Cherry-ripe. 1. A woman also :

maker suddenly sinks to the floor, cherry-pipe. 2. A Redbreast (q.v.),

causing the petticoats to inflate some- Bow Street runner. A scarlet waist-
what in the form of a cheese also : coat formed part of the uniform. 3.
a deep curtsey (1867). See Bread, A footman in red plush. 4. A pipe.
Chalk, Moon. Cherubims (vulgo, Cherry-bums).
Cheese-box. A Confederate nick- 1. The Eleventh Hussars. [From the
name for a vessel of the Monitor crimson overalls.] Also Cherry-
type (1860-65): cf. Tinclad. breeches and Cherry - pickers. 2.
Cheese - cutter. 1. A prominent, Peevish children an allusion to the Te
:

aquiline nose see Conk.

: 2. A large, Deum, To Thee cherubin and seraphin
square peak to a cap Fr., Zouave :
continually do cry. 3. Chorister boys.
abatjour. 3. In pi., bandy-legs see : To be in the cherubims, to be in good
Drumsticks. humour, in the clouds, unsubstantial,
Cheese - knife. A sword : also fanciful (1542).
Cheese-toaster. Cheshire - cat To grin lite a
Cheesemongers. The First Life- Cheshire cat [chewing gravel, eating
guards. [Bestowed, it is said, on cheese], to laugh broadly, all over one's
account of veterans declining to serve face (1782).
when the corps was remodelled in Chest. To chuck out one's chest,
1788, on the ground that the ranks to pull oneself together, stand firm,
were no longer composed of gentle- keep a stiff upper lip.
man, but of cheesemongers.] Also Chestnut.
'
A stale joke or
story,
The cheeses. an old Joe,' something frequently
Cheeser. An eructation. said or done before.
Cheeses. See Cheesemongers. Chete. See Cheat
Cheese - toaster. A sword. Eng- Chew. A
small portion of tobacco,
lish
synonyms Toasting-fork, toast-
: a quid. To chew oneself,
to get angry ;
ing iron, sharp, knitting-needle, iron, to chew the cud, to chew tobacco ; also
cheese-knife, tool, poker (1785). to think, to turn over in one's mind
Cheesy. Fine, showy: the reverse to chew the rag (or fat), to grumble.
of dusty (q.v.) (1858). Chewallop !
Onomatopoeia : re-
Chemiloon. Chemise and drawers presenting, it is thought, the sound of
in one, a combination (q.v.). an object falling heavily to the ground
Chepemens. Cheapside Market or into water: see Cachunk (1835).
(1610). Chewre. To steal.

Cheque. To
have seen the cheque, Chic. Finish, elegance, spirit, dash
to know positively, be possessed of style any quality which marks a per-
exact knowledge concerning a matter. son or thing as superior. [Originally a
Cherrilet A nipple (1599). French slang term of uncertain origin,
Cherry. A young girl : cf. cherry Littre being inclined to trace it to chic-
ripe and rosebud. ane, tact or skill. The French chic
Cherry-breeches. See Cherubims. originally signified subtlety, cunning,
Cherry - coloured. Either red or skill; and, among English painters,
to
black ; in allusion to a cheating trick chic up a picture, or to do a thing from

98
 Chickabiddy. Chippy.

chic, to work without models and out Chimney - chops. A negro : see
of one's own head] (1856). As adj., Snowball.
stylish, elegant, up to Dick. Chimney-pot. The silk hat worn
Chickabiddy. A young girl cf. :
by men, and sometimes by women
Chick-woman (Much Ado, i. iii.). on horseback beaver, bell- topper,
:

Chickaleary-cove (or bloke). An etc., but see Golgotha :

Fr., cheminee
artful member, a downy cove (q.v.). (1861).
Chicken. A pint pot cf. hens :
Chimney - sweep. 1. A black
and chickens, and cat and kittens draught cf. custom - house officer.
:

(1851). No
chicken, elderly (1720); 2. A clergyman vice versa sweep =
:

to count one's chickens before they are clergyman.

hatched, to reckon beforehand upon Chin. A child. As verb, to talk,
a successful issue (the Latins said, chatter spec, to talk loudly, impu-
:

Don't sing your song of triumph dently, or abusively. To hold up by

before you have won the victory the chin, to support, encourage, save
ante victoriamcanere triumphum) from disaster (1562) ; of the first chin,
(1579). with sprouting beard ; up to the chin,
Chicken - butcher. A poulterer ; deeply engaged, involved, over head
also (sporting), any one shooting im- and ears.
mature game (1811). Chinas. Eastern Extension Aus-
Chicken-fixings. Properly a hash, and China Telegraph Shares.
tralasian
stew, or fricassee of chicken, but the Chin-chopper. A drive under the
term is now applied to any fare out chin : see Dig.
of the common ;
also to show of any Chinese -
compliment. Seeming
kind :
Fr., gueulardise : cf. common deference to others, one's mind being
doings. already made up.
Chicken-flesh. Goose-flesh (q.v.). Chink. Generic for money, ready
Chicken-pecked. Governed by a cash also chinkers, or jink
: see :

child : cf.
hen-pecked. Rhino (1557).
Chicken-thief. A petty thief. Chinker. In pi., handcuffs : see
Chi-ike (or Chy-ack). A street Chink.
salute, a word of praise (1869). Also Chin music.-
Talk, chatter, ora-
as verb, to salute or hail, and (tailors') tory also chin-wag : Fr., casser un
:

to chaff unmercifully. To give chi-ike mot. Chinning, talking, chatting ;

with the chill off, to scold. chinny, talkative see Chin. :

Child. See This child. Also in Chin qua soldi. Fivepence Ital. :

and proverbial phrases, The Chinse (Winchester). A chance.

Eroverbs
urnt child dreads the fire (1400). Chip. 1. An item of news spec, a :

The child unborn (a type of inno- local (q.v.). 2. A reporter who col-
cence. Children, drunkards, and fools lects chips. 3. A sovereign
see :

cannot lie. Once an old man, twice Rhino. As verb, to understand

see :

a child. Many kiss the child for the Twig. To chip in, to contribute one's
nurse's sake. share in money or kind, join in an
Child-crowing. Croup. undertaking, interpose smartly ; not
Child-geared. Childish, silly. to care a chip, to care naught, not
Child - queller. A severe discip- even the value of a counter see Cent, :

linarian. Fig, Rap, Straw, etc. ; brother chip,

Children' s-shoes. See Make. brother smut, one of the same trade
Chill (or take the chill off). or profession ; chip of the same (or the
To warm. With the chill off, an ex- same old) block, a person reproduc-
pression of (1) dissent, (2) depreciation, ing certain familiar or striking char-
or (3) disbelief : cf. over the left (q.v.). acteristics ; chip in porridge, broth,
Chime. To praise, extol, puff, a thing of no moment, nonentity
canoodle (q.v.), especially with a view (1686). Also Chip, & man or thing :

to personal advantage. To chime in, a bloke, cove, cheat (1628).

to agree, endorse, spec, to break into Chipper. Fit, active, ready to
an argument with a note of approval :
chip in.
also to chime in with (1838). Chippy, unwell, seedy :
usually of
Chimney. A
great smoker : Fr., over-indulgence hi eating, drinking,
locomotive. etc.

99
 Chips. Cftop.

Chips. 1. A carpenter (1785). 2. hunt about, throw or pitch about

Counters used in games of chance : cf. (1831).
checks. 3. Cards. 4. Money. 5. Chiving-lay. Cutting the braces of
( Wellington College). A kind of grill : coaches behind, whereupon, the coach-
from its hardness. To hand in one't man quitting the box, an accomplice
chips, to die. broke and robbed the boot Also
Chirp. To talk :
spec, to inform cutting through the back of the coach
(thieves). to snatch the large and costly wigs
Chirper. 1. A singer. 2. A glass then fashionable (Grose).
or tankard ( 1 802). 3. The seemouth :
Chivy (or Chevy). The face. As
Potato trap. 4. A
stage door black- verb, to scold, bullyrag.
mailer: if money be refused them, they Choakee. See Chokey.
go into the auditorium and hoot, hiss, Chock. To strike a person under
and groan at the performer. the chin.
Chirping-merry. Exhilarated with Checker. A man : generally old
liquor (Grose). checker, but not necessarily in con-
Chirpy. Cheerful, likely (1837). tempt
Chirrup, verb (music-hall). To Chocolate. To give chocolate with-
cheer or applaud a public singer, out sugar, to reprove (Grose).
speaker, etc., for a consideration FT., : Choke- doe. Cheese ; especially
daguer. Hence chirruper and chirrup- hard cheese made in Devonshire.
ing. Choke. To choke off, to get rid of,
Chisel (Chizzle, or Chuzzle). put a stop to, run contrary to. English
To cheat, defraud, swindle ( Jamieson) synonyms, to shut off, shunt, fub off,
(1808). Hence, chiselling, cheating. rump, cold shoulder (1818).
To go full chisel, to go full speed, or Choker. 1. A cravat ;
spec, the
full drive, show intense earnestness, large neckerchief once worn high round
use great force, go off brilliantly the neck ; also white choker (q.v.), the
(1835). neckgear peculiar to evening dress.
Chit 1. A letter (1785), corrup- English synonyms neckinger, tie (now :

tion of a Hindoo word. 2. An order technical, but formerly slang), crum-

for drinks : in clubs, etc. 3. A girl :
pler (1845). 2. An all-round collar:
under age and undersized. 4. Food cf. all-rounder. 3. A garotter ; see
eaten in the hand aa a thumber :
Wind-stopper. 4. Prison, lock up,
(q.v.), a workman's lunch, and a quod see Chokey.
: 5. The hangman s
child's piece (q.v.). rope, squeezer, halter. White-choker,
Chit-chat Chatter, familiar con- a parson.
versation : cf. tittle - tattle, bibble- Chokey (Choky, Chokee, or
babble, etc. [Johnson: only used in Checker). 1. A prison. Queen's (or
ludicrous conversation.] King's) Chokey, the Queen's (or King's)
Chitterlings. Shirt frills cf. : Bench Prison : obe. 2. A cell :
spec,
Ger., Gekrose. a punishment cell.

Chitty. An assistant tailor's cutter Chonkey. A species of mince-meat

or trimmer. cake (1851).
Chitty - faced. Thin, weazened, Chop. 1. A blow once (sixteenth :

baby-faced (1601). and seventeenth centuries) literary,

Chiv. See Chive. and still respectable in some senses:
Chive (or Chiv). A knife. Eng- e.g. a chopping (i.e. beating) sea, 2.
lishsynonyms Arkansas toothpick
: An exchange, barter, and as verb, to
(a bowie knife), cabbage - bleeder, barter, buy and sell, change tactics,
whittle, gully, jockteleg (a clasp knife : veer from one side to the other,
a corruption of Jacques de Liege) vacillate see Chop, verb (1485) ; e.g.
:

snickersnee (nautical), cuttle, cuttle- to chop

logic, to give argument for
bung, pig-sticker (1674). As verb, to argument ; to chop stories, to cap one
stab, to knife (q.v.) anecdote with another. 3. To change
Chive - fencer. street hawker A quarters :
e.g. the wind chopped
of cutlery. round to the north (1554). 4. To eat
Chi vey (or Chivvy). A shout, a chop (1841). Chop and change, ups
greeting, cheer : cf. Chi-ike. As and downs, vicissitudes, changes of
verb, to guy (q.v.), chase round, fortune (1759) ; to chop the whiners, to
100
 Chop-chop. Cinch.

say prayers FT., manger sa paillasse.

: a new arrival in a colony, greenhorn,
See First chop, Second chop. tenderfoot (q.v.) (1861).
Chop-chop. Immediately, Chummage. Money procured by
quickly. chumming together but various ex- ;

Chopper. 1. A
blow, struck on the tensions ofmeaning appear to have
face with the back of the hand. Men- been in vogue at different periods.
doza claims the honour of its inven- Thus (1) quartering two or more
tion, but unjustly ; he certainly re- collegians in one room, and allowing
vived, and considerably improved it. the richest to pay his companions a
It was practised long before our time stipulated sum to go out and find
Brougham occasionally used it and ; quarters elsewhere. (2) Money paid
Slack, it appears, struck the
also by the richer sort of prisoners in the
chopper in giving the return in many Fleet and King's Bench to the poorer
of his battles. 2. A sausage maker. for their share of a room ... A
To have a chopper (or button) on, to be prisoner who can pay for being alone,
miserable, down in the dumps, in a fit chooses two poor chums, who for a
of the blues. stipulated price, called chummage, give
Chopping. Wanton, forward. up their share of the room (Grose).
Chopping - block. A man who Chummery. Chumhood ; also
takes an immense amount of punish- quarters occupied by chums.
ment (q.v.) in fight without the science Chummy. 1. A chimney-sweep's
or the strength to return it. climbing [A corruption of
boy.
Chops. To lick the chops, to anti- chimney through chumley] (1635).
cipate a matter with zest or relish 2. A diminutive form of chum
(1655) ; down in the chops (or mouth), (q.v.) 3. A low-crowned felt hat:
Bad, melancholy : see Chopper (1830). see Golgotha. As adj., very inti-
Chortle. To chuckle, laugh in mate, friendly, sociable Fr., chouette, :

one's sleeve, snort. [Introduced by chouettard, chouettaud.

Lewis Carroll in Through the Looking Chump. 1. A blockhead. 2. A
Qlass.] variant of chum : Fr., vieitte branche.
Chosen Twelve. See Apostles. 3. The head spec, in the phrase off
:

Chuck-farthing (Chuck, Chuck- one's chump (q.v.) see Crumpet. :

and - toss, or Pitch - and - toss). A Chump of wood, no good also a block- :

game played with money, which is head ; off one's chump, insane to get ;

pitched at a line, gathered, shaken in one's own chump, to earn one's own
the hands, and tossed up into the air so living.
as to fall heads and tails until the Chunk. 1. A thick piece, lump :

stakes are guessed away a parish : of wood, bread, coaL etc. (1691). 2.
clerk was formerly named chuck-far- school-board officer.

thing (1690). Church. To take out the works of

Chucking-out. Ejection. a watch and substitute another set, so
Chucks. A
boy's signal on a that identification is impossible ( 1859).
master's approach. Fr., Vesse I To talk church see Talk ; to talk shop,
:

Chuff it. Be off ! Take it away ! see Shop to go to church, to get married.
;

Chum. 1. A
close companion, a Churchwarden. A clay pipe with
bosom friend, intimate. Formerly a a long stem. English synonyms,
chamber-fellow or mate. [Johnson :
alderman, steamer, yard of clay.
a term used in the Universities.] Churl. To put a churl upon a
(1684). English synonyms: gossip, gentleman : see Gentleman.
pal, pard (American), marrow (north- Cider. Att talk and no cider, pur-
country), cully (theatrical), cummer, poseless loquacity, much cry and little
ben cull, butty, bo' (nautical), mate or wool, much ado about nothing.
matey, ribstone, bloater. 2. A Cider-and. Cider mixed with some
brother-in-arms. As verb, to occupy a other ingredient cf. cold without,
:

joint lodging, or share expenses, on hot with, etc. (1742).

the closest terms of intimacy with
'
Cig. A cigar : see Weed.
another, to be thick as thieves,' or Cinch. To get a grip on, corner,
' '
thick as hops : Fr., etre dans la put the screw on also, in the passive :

chemise de quelqu'un, du dernier bien sense, to come out on the wrong side
avec quelqu'un (1730). New chum, in speculations.

101
 Cincinnati-olive. CJfcu*.

Cincinnati- olive. A pig. [A Clack. 1. Idle or loquacious talk,

spurious olive manufactured
oil is prattle (1440). As verb, to
gossip,
from lard, and Cincinnati is one of the gabble. 2. The tongue. A more
largest centres of the pork packing
- ancient form was clap, dating back to
industry in America.] Cincinnati 1225. English synonyms: glib, red-
oyster, a pig's trotter. rag, clapper, bubber, velvet, jibb,
Cinder. 1. Any strong liquor, as quail - pipe. Hence, clack - box, (1)
brandy, whisky, sherry, etc., mixed the mouth : see Potato-trap. (2) A
with a weaker, as soda-water, lemon- chatterbox.
ade, water, etc., to fortify it. 2. A Clack-loft A
pulpit
running path or track. Claim. To steal see Prig. To :

Cinder - gar bier. A female ser- a

jump claim, to take forcible posses-
vant (Grose). English synonyms mar- :
sion, to defraud specifically to seize
:

chioness, slavey, cinder-grabber, cin- land which had been taken up and
derella, can (Scots), piss-kitchen, Julia. occupied by another settler, or squat-
Circle. To give the lie in circle, to ter (1846).
lie indirectly, circuitous! y (1610). Clam. 1. A blockhead : cf. Shakes-
Circling- boy. A
swindler, rook. peare (Much Ado, 'Love may
ii. iii.),

[Nares : a species of roarer ; one who transform me to an oyster but I'll ;

in some way drew a man into a snare, take my oath on it, till he hath made
to cheat or rob him.] an oyster of me, he shall never make
Circs. Circumstances. me such a fool.' 2. The mouth or
Circumbendibus. A roundabout, lips : also clam-shell : Shut your clam-
spec, a long-winded, story (1681). shell, shut your mouth. The padlock
Circumlocution - office. A centre now used on the United States mail-
of red-tape, a roundabout way. A bags is called the clam-shell padlock.
term invented by Charles Dickens and See Potato-trap. (1825).
applied at first in ridicule to public Clam- butcher. A man who opens
offices, where everybody tries to clams the attendant at an oyster bar
;

shuffle off his responsibilities upon isan Oyster butcher.

some one else.] Clink. A pewter tankard : for-
Circumslogdologize. See Stock- merly a silver one (1785).
dollagize. Clinker. 1. A great lie (Grose):
Circumstance. Not a circum- see Whopper. plate whence
2. Silver :

stance, etc., not to be compared with, clink-napper, a thief whose speciality

a trifle, of no account unfavourable was silver plate.
To whip [something] Clap Clapper). 1. The
comparison. (or
into a circumstance, to surpass. tongue ( 1225). 2. To dap eyes on, to get
Circus- cuss. A circus-rider. a sight of, spot (q.v.) ; to clap on, to
Citizen. A wedge for prising apply oneself with energy, set to, peg
open safes used before the alderman
:
away.
(q.v.) or jemmy (q.v.) are brought Clapper - dudgeon. A whining
into play. Whence citizen's- friend, a beggar (1567).
smaller wedge than the citizen. The Clap-of-thunder. glass of gin : A
order in which the tools are used is see Flash of lightning (1821).
(1) citizen's friend, (2) citizen, (3) the Clap-shoulder. A sheriffs officer,
alderman (i.e. a jemmy), and some- bum-bailiff (1630).
times (4) a Lord mayor. Claras. Caledonian Railway De-
City College. Newgate in New ; ferred and Ordinary Stock.
York, The Tombs see Cage. : Claret Blood : variants are bad-
City-stage. The gallows for- : minton, bordeaux, and cochineal-dye :

merly in front of Newgate see Nub- : FT., vermeil (or vermois) (1604). To
bing cheat. tap one's claret, to draw blood. Hence,
Civil Reception. See House of claret jug, the nose.
Civil Reception. Clarian (Cambridge University).
Civil-rig. A trick to obtain alms A member of Clare Hall, Cambridge :
by a profuse show of civility and see Greyhound.
obsequiousness. Class. The highest quality or com-
Civvies. Civilian clothes, as bination of highest qualities among
opposed to regimentals. athletes. He's not class enough, i.e.

102
 Claw. Clip.

not good enough. There's a deal of at a shop-door and invite customers

class about him, i.e. a deal of quality. in, as salesmen and shoemakers do
Claw. A lash of the cat-o'-nine- (Dycke). To dick a nab, to snatch
tails hence clawed off, severely beaten ;
: a hat.
daws for breakfast, a bout of the cat Clicker (or Klicker). 1. A shop-
(q.v.). keeper's [Formerly a shoe-
tout.
Claw-hammer. A dress coat : also maker's doorsman or barker (q.v.),
steel-pen coat and swallow-tail. but in this particular trade the term
Clay. A clay pipe cf. Yard of : is nowadays appropriated to a fore-

clay. To moisten (soak or wet) one's man who cuts out leather and dis-
day, to drink (1718). penses materials to workpeople a ;

Clean. 1. Entirely, altogether, e.g. sense not altogether wanting from

clean gone, clean broke, etc. 2. Expert, the very first] (1690). 2. A knock-
smart. To dean out, to exhaust, strip, down blow. 3. One who apportions
'
rack, or ruin Fr., se faire lessiver.
: the booty or regulars.'
Clean - potato. The right thing : To steal see Prig.
Clift. :

of an action indiscreet or dishonest, it Climb. To dimb down, to abandon

is said that It's not the clean potato. a position as subs., downward or re-
:

Clean-straw (Winchester College). trograde emotion, the act of surrender.

Clean sheets. [Before 1540 the beds Clinching. A prison cell hence to :

were bundles of straw on a stone floor. get (or kiss) the dinch (or dink), to be
At that date Dean Fleshmonger put imprisoned.
in oaken floors, and provided proper Clincher (or Clencher). 1. That

beds, such as existed in 1871 in Third, which decides a matter spec, a :

and later in the case of the Prefect of retort which closes an argument, a
Hall's unused beds in Sixth. The finisher, settler, corker (1754). 2.
term has never been used in reference An unsurpassed lie, stopper-up : see
to mattresses of any kind, straw or Whooper.
other.] Cling-rig. See Clink-rig.
Clean- wheat. Ifs the dean wheat, Clink. 1. A prison, lock-up spec, ;

i.e.the best of its kind see Al. :

applied, it is thought, to a noted gaol
Clear. (1) Thick with liquor. [Ap- in the borough of Southwark ; subse-
parently on the lucus a non lucendo quently to places like Alsatia, the
principle.] (1688). Clear as mud, Mint, etc. privileged from arrests ;
not particularly lucid to dear out (or
; and latterly, to a small dismal prison,
off), to depart (1825) ; (2) to rid of or a military guard room (1525) : see
cash, ruin, clean out (1849). Cage. 2. Silver plate : also Clinch
Clear - crystal. White spirits, as (1781). 3. Money: cf. Chink (1724).
gin and whisky, but also extended to 4. A
very indifferent beer made from
brandy and rum. the gyle of malt and the sweepings of
Clear-grit. 1. (Canadian). A hop bins, and brewed especially
for the
member of the colonial Liberal party. benefit agricultural labourers in
of
2. (American). The right sort, having harvest time : also barn clink. To
-

no lack of spirit, unalloyed, decided. kiss the dink, to be imprisoned

Cleave. To wanton. (1588).
Clegg. A horse-fly. Clinker. 1. In pi., fetters (1690).
Clencher. See Clincher. 2. A
crafty, designing man (1690). 3.

Clergyman. A chimney sweep - : A chain of any kind fetter or watch :

see Chimney-sweep. St. Nicholas' derk chain. 4. A well - delivered blow, a

(or dergyman), a highwayman (1589). hot-'un. 5. Any thing or person of
Clerked. Imposed upon, sold first - rate and triumphant quality :
(q.v.) (1785). also clincher, a settler (1733). 6. A
Clerk's blood. Red ink
a com- : lie see Whooper.
:

mon expression of Charles Lamb's. Clinkerum. See Clink.

Clever-shins. One who is sly to Clinking. First-rate, extra good,
no purpose. about the best possible cf. clipping, :

Cleyme. An artificial sore made :

thumping, whooping, rattling, etc.
by beggars to excite charity. Clink-rig (or Cling-rig). Stealing
Click. A blow also a hold in : silver tankards (1681).
wrestling (1819). As verb, to stand Clip. A smart blow :
e.g. a clip
103
 Clipe. Clumperton.

in the eye. As verb, to move quickly a clothes -line, capable of sleeping any-
(1833). where or in any position of those :

Clipe. To tell tales, split, to able and willing to rest as well upon
preach (q.v.). the roughest shake - down as upon
Clipper. A triumph in horses, the most comfortable bed. [Cf. Two-
men, or women (1836). penny-rope and Plank-bed.] Also
Clipping (or Clippingly). Excel- in a transferred sense, a synonym for
lent, very showy, first-rate. See Al. general capacity and ability.
(1643). Clothes - pin. That's the sort of
Cloak. A watch case. clothes-pin I am, that's the sort of
Cloak-twitcher. A cloak thief Fr., : man I am also of women : That's the
:

tirelaine (i.e. wool-puller) : see Thief. tort of hair-pin (q.v.).

(1785). Cloth-market. A bed : FT., haUe,
Clobber. Primarily old, but now aux drops (1710).
applied to clothes of any kind. As Cloud. See Blow a cloud.
verb (or to clobber up) (1) to patch, Cloud-cleaner. An imaginary sail
'
'

revive, or translate clothes. Old jokingly assumed to be carried by

clothes that are intended to remain in Yankee ships : cf.Angel's footstool
this
country have to be tutored and Clout. 1. A blow, a kick, whence
transformed. The clobberer, the re- clouting, a beating, basting, tanning
viver, and the translator lay hands (q.v.) see Bang, Dig, and Wipe (1783).
:

upon them. The duty of the clob- 2. A

pocket-handkerchief (1621). 3.
berer is to patch, to sew up, and to A woman's under-clothes, from the
restore as far as possible the gar- waist downwards : also her complete
ments to their pristine appearance. (2) wardrobe, on or off her person. 4. A
To dress smartly, rig oneself out pre- woman's ' bandage,' diaper,' or
'
sentably (1879). To do clobber at a sanitary.' As verb, ( 1) to strike : Fr.,
fence, to sell stolen clothes : Fr., laver jeter une mandole (1576) ; (2) to patch,
let harnais. tinker.
Clock. A watch. A red dock, Clouter. A pickpocket spec, a :

a gold watch ; a while clock, a silver handkerchief thief. Also as verb, to

watch :
usually red 'un and white prig a wipe (q.v.).
'un. To know who? a o'clock, to be on Clover. In clover, well-off, com-
the alert, in possession of one's
full fortable, like a horse at grass in a
senses, a downey cove : generally clover field.

knowing (q.v.). Also to know the Clow (Winchester College). Pro-

timeo' day (1835). nounced do a box on : the ear. Also as
Clod-crusher. 1. A clumsy boot. verb, to box the ear : itwas customary
2. A large foot. 3. country yokel A : to preface the actiou by an injunction
see Clodhopper. to Hold down.
Cloister - roush (Winchester Col- Clowe. A rogue (Grose).
lege : obsolete). There were some Cloy (Cligh, or Cly). To steal:
singular customs at the commence- see Prig (1610). As subs., a thief : cf.
ment of Cloister time. Senior part Clow. Cloying, stealing.
and Cloisters, just before the entrance Cloyer. A
thief who intruded on
of the Masters into School, used the profits of young sharpers, by
to engage in a kind of general claiming a share (1611).
tournament ; this was called Cloister Club. In manoeuvring troops, so
roush. to blunder the word of command that
Clootie. The DeviL the soldiers get into a position from
Cloots. Hooves (1786). which they cannot extricate them-
Close. Close as toax, miserly, selves by ordinary tactics.
niggardly, secretive. Clump. A blow spec, a thumper :

Close -
file. A
person secretive or with the hand. As verb, to strike,
close ; not open, or communica- give a heavy blow t Fr., faire du bifleck.
tive. dumper. 1. A thick, heavy boot

Cloth. The cloth, generic for for walking see Clump, verb, and
:

clergymen, also the members of any Clumping. 2. One that clumps, a

particular profession. basher.
Clothes-line. Able to sleep upon Clumperton. A countryman.
104
 Clumping. Cob.

Clumping. Walking heavily and to blow hot coals, to rage ; to stir coals,
noisily as in hobnails or in clogs.
: to excite strife ; to blow at a cold coal,
C 1 y. LA
pocket, purse, sack, or to undertake a hopeless task.
basket (1714). 2. Money : old cant Coal - blower. An alchemist, or
(1748). As verb, to take, have, re- quack : in contempt.
ceive, pocket, to cop (q.v.) (1567).
'
Coal - box. A '
chorus :
obviously
' '
To dy off, to carry off : spec, in a sur- music-hally or circussy : a cross
reptitious manner (1656). To dy the between rhyming slang and a clown's
jerk (or gerke), to get a whipping ( 1567). wheeze (q.v.) (1809).
Cly-faker. A
pickpocket see Cly : Coal- carrier. A low dependant
and Fake. (1565) to carry coals.
; cf.

Clyster- pipe. An apothecary Coaley. A coal-heaver, or porter.

'

(1785). Coaling (or Coally). Among pros,'

Co. (Old Cant).
1. A man 2. a coally or coaling part is one that is
Short for Company, County. acceptable to the player.
Coach. 1. A
private tutor ; also Coal- scuttle. A poke bonnet :

in a transferred sense one who trains once modish, later reserved for old-
another in mental or physical ac- fashioned Quakeresses, and now ob-
quirements, e.g. in Sanskrit, Shakes- solete except with Hallelujah Lasses
peare, cricket, or rowing analogous :
(1838).
terms are crammer, feeder, grinder, Coarse-account. To make of coarse
etc. (1850). Also as verb, to prepare account, to slight (1579).
for an examination by private instruc- Coat. Cloth
(q.v.), profession,
tion, to train in general use both by
:
party : common
hi seventeenth cen-
coacher and coachee (1846). Coach- tury. See Tread. To get the sun into
ing, special instruction, training, a horse's coat, to improve its condition
grinding (q.v.) Fr., barbe. 2. The:
by feeding, exercise, etc. ; a trainer's
people in a coach. To drive a coach term, to express fitness. Phrases, etc. :

and four (or six) through an Act of To baste (coil, or pay) one's coat, to
Parliament, to make the law a dead thrash, tan (1530) ; to be in any one's
letter, take the law into one's own coat, in any one's place, stand in one's
hands (1700). shoes (1569) ; to cut the coat according
Coachee. A coachman : cf. Cabby. to the doth, to adapt oneself to circum-
See Coach. (1790). stances ; to turn one's coat see Turn- :

Coach - fellow. A companion, coat ; to wear the king's coat, to serve

mate (1598). as a soldier. To sit on one's own coat-
Coaching. 1. (Rugby School). A tail, to live or do anything at one's per-
flogging : obsolete. 2. See Coach. 3. sonal expense ; Who'll tread on the
(commercial). Putting up to pretended tail of my coat ? (attributed to Irishmen
auction, thereby hoping to receive at Donnybrook Fair), to purposely
fancy prices by fictitious bidders. assume a position in which some one
Coachman. A fly-fisher's rod. may intentionally or unintentionally
Coach-wheel. A crown-piece, five afford a pretext for a quarrel, provoke
shillings : also (B. E.)=2s. 6d. : see attack so as to get up a row ; / would
Cartwheel (1785). To turn coach not be in some of (heir coats for (any
wheels (see Cartwheels). definite or indefinite sum), proverbial :
Coach-whip. 1. long thin strap.A cf. (modern) I would not stand in
Also, 2. in shreds, tatters.
pi., So-and-so's shoes (1549) ; Near is my
Coal. See Cole. To take in one's coat, but nearer is my shirt (or skin),
coals (or winter coals), to contract proverbial (1539).
venereal disease. Precious coal I an Coax. 1. To dissemble in the
obsolete exclamation (1596) ; to carry shoes the soiled or ragged parts of a
(or bear) coals, to do dirty work ; to pair of stockings (Grose). 2. Orig.
haul over the coals, to reprimand ; to to befool, whence to gull by petting,
carry coals to Newcastle, to do the wheedle, flatter. [Johnson A low :

superfluous ; black as a coal, as black word.] As subs. (1) a wheedler also :

as may be (1000) ; to heap (cast, etc.) coaxer ; (2) wheedling.

coals of fire, to produce remorse by Cob. 1. A punishment cell : see
returning good for evil (Rom. xli. 20) ; Clinch. In
generic for money:
2. pi.,
to blow the coals, to fan the
passions ; spec, a Spanish coin formerly current
105
 Cockalorum.

in Ireland, worth about 4s. 8d : also (q.v.). 6. In gambling or playing

'
the name given at Gibraltar to a
still with quads,' a cock is when one (or
Spanish dollar (1805). 3. (Winchester more) of the nine pieces does not fall
College). A hard hit at cricket : of flat, but lodges crosswise on another :

modern introduction cf. Barter. 4. : the player is then given another

A chief,
a leader. 5. A wealthy man : chance. 7. A night watchman, and fig.
hence a miser. 6. A huge lumpish a parson. 8. Good cock (or poor cock),
person. 7. A testicle. As verb, ( 1 ) to a good (or bad) workman. As adj.,
hit hard: cf. Cobb (2) To detect,
; chief, first and foremost (1676). As
catch, etc. (3) To humbug, deceive, verb, to smoke. To cock the eye, to
gammon (q.v.) : whence, cobbled, shut or wink one eye, leer, look in-
caught, spotted (q.v.). credulous Fr., cligner desceUlets: cf.
:

Cobb. To spank, smack the pos- Cock-eyed also to cock the chin Fr.,
: :

teriors with (say) a tailor's sleeve- a'aborgner (literally, to make oneself

board, fives- bat, etc. (1830). blind of one eye by closing it) (1751) ;
Cobber. A prodigious falsehood, to cock up one's toes, to die ; That cock
a thumper, a whopper (q.v.). won't light, that will not do (or, go
Cobble - colter. A turkey : Fr., down) ; of things problematical or
orne de batte, J (suite (1785). doubtful ; knocked a cock, knocked
Cobblcrs'-knock (or Knock at the ' '
all of a heap,' or out of time.' Also
Cobbler's Door). A sort of fancy proverbs and proverbial phrases :

sliding in which the artist raps the Every cock is king on his own midden
ice in triplets with one foot while pro- (1225); The young cock learneth to
gressing swiftly on the other (1836). crow of the old (1509) also, as the old :

Co b biers' -marbles. A corrupt cock crows so does the chick (1589).

pronunciation of Cholera morbus, or Cock-a-doodle-do. A conventional
Asiatic cholera. representation of the crow of the cock ;
Cobbler's-thumb. The bull-head, a a name for this, and hence, a nursery
small fish which in England is called or humorous name for the cock (also
the Miller's thumb. Cock-a-doodle). Also as verb.
Cobble-text. A prosy person, Cock-a-doodle Broth. Eggs beat
ignorant preacher. up in brandy and a little water (1856).
Coblative. Cobbled, patched up. Cock-a-hoop (or Cock -on, or
Cobweb-morning. A misty morn- -in) a-hoop. Strutting ; triumphant ;

ing. -
high spirited ; uppish. (the) To set
Cobweb - throat. A dry parched cock on (the) hoop, cock a hoop, (1) to
throat, hence to have a cobweb in the drink without stint, make good cheer
throat, to feel thirsty. with reckless prodigality ; also (2) as
Cocard. An old fool, a simple- intj., an exclamation of reckless joy
ton. Cocardy, folly. or elation, to abandon oneself to reck-
Cochineal-dye. Blood see : less enjoyment, cast off restraint,
Claret (1853). become reckless, give a loose to all
Cock. 1. A
chief or leader ; spec, disorder, set all by the ears.
in such phrases as Cock of the walk, Cockalare. A comic or ludicrous
school, etc. ; orig. a victor (1711). representation, a satire lampoon, a
Hence, to cry cock, to acclaim a victor, disconnected story, discourse, etc.
acknowledge a chief, etc. 2. A familiar Cockaloft. Affectedly lofty,
address :
e.g. Old cock, or Jolly old stuck up.
cock: Fr., mon vieux zig, mon lapin Cockall. One that beats all, the
1
( 639). 3. A
horse not intended to win '
perfection.'
the race for which it is put down, but Cockalorum or Cockylorum.
kept in the lists to deceive the public. 1. Acontemptuous address of any-
4. A fictitious narrative in verse or thing undersized and self-important.
2. A rough - and - tumble game the
prose of murders, fires, etc., produced :

for sale in the streets. [Famous players divide into two opposing bands
manufactories of cocks were kept by of from twelve to fourteen each in
' '
Jemmy Catnach and Johnny Pitts, fact, the more the merrier. One side
'
called the Colburn and Bentley of goes down,' so as to constitute a long
' '
the paper trade hence anything
:
hogsback the last boy having a
fictitious or incredible.] 6. Cockney couple of pillows between himself and
108
 Cock-and-breeches. Cockle.

' '
the wall, and each boy clasping his stitute ; also a mistress or keep
front-rank man, and carefully tucking (1600). 2. A baby.
'
his own cocoa-nut
'
under his right Cock-a-wax. 1. cobbler see A :

arm, so as to prevent fracture of the Snob. A

familiar address.
2.
vertebrae. When the hogsback is thus Cock- bawd. male brothel keeper A
formed, the other side comes on, leap- (Grose).
frogging on to the backs of those who Cock-brain. A lighthearted,
are down, the best and steadiest foolish person. Also cock - brained,
jumpers being sent first. Sometimes thoughtless, silly.
the passive line is broken quite easily Cockchafer. The treadmill : see
by the ruse of a short high jump, Wheel of life.

coming with irresistible impulse on a Cocked. Half - cocked, full-cocked,

back not expecting weight. Some- etc. Various degrees of drunken-
times a too ambitious leap-frogger ness : see Screwed.
ruins his party by overbalancing and Cocked-hat. Knocked into a
falling off. It is, however, as the last cocked enough to be
hat. Limp
two or three leap-froggers come on doubled up and carried flat under the
that the real excitement more gener- arm [like the cocked hat of an officer].
ally begins. There is absolutely no Also, fig. stupefied, speechless. Syno-
back space belonging to the other
-
nyms doubled up knocked into the
:
;

party left to them ; and they are middle of next week spifflicated ; ;

obliged to pile themselves one upon beaten to a jelly knocked a-cock ; ;

another Pelion on Ossa, as it is wiped out sent all of a heap bottled

; ;

called. When the last man is up it is

'
up ; settled
; beans, or snuff ;
full of
his duty to say, High cockalorum sent, done, or smashed to smithereens.
jig Jig jig nigh cockalorum jig jig ijg Cocker. A pugilist, quarrel-
high cockalorum jig jig jig off, off, some, contentious man, wrangler.
off,' and then alone is it permissible to According to Cocker, according to rule ;
fall in one indistinguishable heap to properly, arithmetically, or correctly
the ground. The repeater of the done. [Old Cocker was a famous
shibboleth often falls off himself as he writing master in Charles II. 's time,
is uttering the above incantation and the author of a treatise on
thus losing the victory for his side. arithmetic probably popularised by
:

Cock - and - breeches. A sturdy, Murphy's The Apprentice (1756), in

under- sized man, or boy. which the strong point of the old
Cock-and-bull-story, subs, (collo- merchant Wingate is his extreme
quial). An idle or silly story. [Pre- reverence for Cocker and his arith-
sumably from some old legend of a metic.] In America, according to
cock and a bull, a propos to which it Gunter (q.v.).
should be noted that the French Cockerel. A pert young man.
equivalent is coq-d-l'dne, a cock-and- Cockerer. A wanton.
ass] (1603). Hence, disconnected, Cock-eye. A squinting eye. Cock-
misleading talk, incredible story, a eyed, squinting, boss-eyed (q.v.).
canard. Cock-fighting. That beats cock-
Cock - and - hen - club, subs, (com- fighting, phr. (common). A general
mon). 1. A free and easy (q.v.), a expression of approval up to the
sing
-
song, where females are ad- mark Al ;That surpasses everything
;

mitted as well as males (1819). 2. A else. [From the esteem in which the
club for both sexes e.g. the Lyric.
; sport was held.] (1659). To live
Cock-and- pinch. The old-fashioned like fighting-cocks, to have the best
beaver of forty years since. food and plenty of it, be supplied with
Cockapert. Impudent, saucy. As the best.
subs., a saucy fellow. Cock-horse. Triumphant; in full
Cockatoo - farmer (or Cockatoo). swing cock-a-hoop.
;

In Victoria and New South Wales a Cock-laird (Scots). A small

small farmer or selector in contempt, : farmer or proprietor cultivating his
and used by large holders of agri- own land, a yeoman.
cultural squatters with small capital Cockle. Whimsical. Hence,
(1865). cockle-brained (headed, etc.), flighty,
Cockatrice. 1. A common pro- fanciful, whimmy.
107
 Cockles of the Heart. Cock-up.

Cockles of the Heart. A jocose of Essex and Waller, with their pro-
vulgarism encountered in a variety of digious number of cockneys.'] Hence,
combinations ; e.g. that will rejoice, Cockney-shire, London.
or tickle, or warm, the cockles of your Cockpecked. Masculine home-
heart, etc. [It is suggested (N. and Q. , rule :
spec, of a tyrannical kind : cf.
7 8., iv. 26) that a hint as to its origin Hen-pecked.
may be found in Lower, an eminent Cock quean. A man who interest*
anatomist of the seventeenth century, himself in women's affairs : a common
who thus speaks in his Tractates de form is cotquean.
Corde (1669), p. 25, of the muscular Cock-robin. A soft, easy fellow
fibres of the ventricles : ' Fibre quidem (Grose).
rectis hisce exteri oribus in dextro Cock-robin Shop. A small printing
ventriculo proxime subject* oblique office a place where the cheapest
:

dextrorsum ascendentes in basin cordis work is done at the lowest price cf. :

terminantur, et spirali suo ambitu Slop shop.

helicein sive cochleam satis apte Cock's comb. 1. A cap as worn
-

refcrunt.' The ventricles of the by a buffoon or professional fool. 2.

heart might, therefore, be called The head. 3. A fop, conceited fool
cochlea cordis, and this would easily Cock's-egg. To send one for a cock's
be turned into Cockles of the heart.] egg. To send on a fool's errand ;
Fr., Ifcheras la face (that'll rejoice to gammon (q.v.) : cf. pigeon's milk,
the cockles of your heart) (1671). oil of strappum, strap oil, the squad
To cry cockles, to be hanged : see umbrella, etc.
Ladder. Cock - shy. mark, butt, or
1. A
Cockloche. A mean fellow, silly target ; any person or thing that is
coxcomb: a generic reproach (1611). the centre of jaculation (1834). 2. The
Cock-loft. The head: cf. old establishment of a strolling proprie-
All his gear is in his cock- tor, where sticks may be thrown at
proverb,
loft ; i.e. All his wealth, work, or coconuts or the like, for payment.
worth is in his head (1642). Cocksure. Confidently certain ;
Cock-mate. A familiar, intimate, arrogantly sure. [Probably a corrup-
best friend. tion of cocky sure.' Shakespeare
Cockney, subs, (colloquial). ( I Henry IV., n. L) employs the
One born within the sound of Bow- phrase in the sense of Sure as the
bells. [The origin of cockney has cock of a firelock. steal as in a We
been much debated ; but, says Dr. castle, cocksure: and still earlier
Murray, in the course of an exhaustive usages imply its derivation from the
statement (Academy, May 10, 1890, fact that the cock was much surer
p. 320), the history of the word, so far than the older - fashioned match.]
as it means a person, is very clear and (1549).
simple.
'
We have the senses (1)'
Cocksy. Impudent, bumptious,
cockered or pet child,' nestle-cock,' saucy: cf. Cocky.
1
mother's darling,'
'
milksop,' the Cocktail. 1. A prostitute ; a
name being applicable primarily to the wanton. 2. A coward. 3. An up-
child, but continued to the squeamish start, one aping gentility. 4. (Ameri-
and effeminate man into which he can). A drink composed of spirits
grows up. (2) A nickname applied by (gin, brandy, whisky, etc.), bitters,
country people to the inhabitants of crushed ice, sugar, etc., the whole
great towns, whom they considered whisked briskly until foaming, and
milksops,' from their daintier habits then drunk 'hot.' As adj., (1) under-
and incapacity for rough work. York, bred, wanting in 'form' (chiefly of
London, Perugia, were, according to horses). (2) Fresh, foaming: of beer
Harman, nests of cockneys.
all (3) (see subs. 4). (3) (army). Unsoldier-
By about 1600 the name began to be like; anything) unworthy of the
attached especially to Londoners, as regular army, e.g. at one time the
the representatives par excellence of Volunteer auxiliaries were described
the city milksop. One understands as a cocktailed crew.
the disgust with which a cavalier
'
Cock-up (printers'). A
superior ;
in 1641 wrote that he was obliged e.g. the smaller letters in the
to quit Oxford at the approach following examples : Yc Limt*-
108
 Cocky. Cold-cco"k.

Compy- ; J no -
Smith, Sen'- ; N ; Codling. A raw youth.
London' : also a large -
type initial Cod- preserves. The Atlantic.
letter. Cod's-head. A stupid fellow, a fool :

Cocky Cocking). 1. Pert, saucy,

(or see Buffle (1675).
forward, coolly audacious, over con- Cofe. See Cove.
fident, 'botty' (1711). 2. (Stock C o ff e e. Beans. Greased coffee,
Exchange). Brisk, active. As subs, pork and beans.
(old), a term of endearment see also : Coffee - house (or Coffee - shop).
Cockatoo-farmer. 1. A water-closet. 2. In India, a place
Cockyolly-bird. A nursery endear- at which the residents of a station
ment birds (esp. in Upper India) meet to talk over
of cf. -
: ; dickey bird,
chickabiddy. a light breakfast of coffee, toast, etc.,
Cocoa-nut. The head : Fr., coco : at an earlier hour than the regular
see Crumpet (1834). That accounts breakfast of the day the name is also ;

for the milk in the cocoa-nut, a rejoinder applied to the gathering, and so the
upon having a thing explained. No halt of a regiment for refreshment on
milk in the cocoa nut, insane, silly, an early march, etc.
cracked. Coffee-mill. The mouth ; a
Cocum (Kocum). 1. Shrewdness, grinder itself, and furnished with
ability, luck, cleverness. [Yiddish.] grinders.
2. (publishers'). A sliding scale of Coffee-milling Grinding (q.v.); ' '

[Publishers sometimes issue working hard. Also taking a sight

Cfit.
ks without fixing the published by putting the thumb of one hand to
price, leaving the retailer to make the nose and grinding the little finger
what he can.] To fight or play cocum, with the other, as if working an imag-
to play double, be wary, cunning, inary coffee mill (1837).
artful (1857). C o ffi n s. 1. A piece of live ooal
Cod. 1. Apparently
orig. generic thrown out explosively from a fire, and
for a man bloke, cove, fellow, etc.
: cf. supposed to represent a coffin and
Hence in several specialised senses : presage death cf. Winding-sheet,
:

e.g. 2. A fool, a humbug, an imposi- Thief, etc. 2. An ill-found unsea-

tion (B. E.), and as verb, to hoax, worthy vessel. 3. In pi. (Stock Ex-
chaff, take a rise out of. 3. A pal, or change), the Funeral Furnishing
friend ; generally prefixed to a sur- Company's Shares. A nail in one's
name ; at Charterhouse, a pensioner coffin see Nail.
:

(see Thackeray, Newcomes, 333). ii. Cog. A

tooth.
[Here cod probably = codUn,' an old
'
Coke. Qo and eat coke, a contemp-
endearment.] 4. A purse a cod of ; tuous retort.
money, a large sum of money. [A.S. Coker. A lie (Grose) see Whopper. :

cod or codd, a small bag.] Colchester-clock. A

large oyster.
Coddam Coddom). A game
(or Cold. To leave out in the cold, to
played three, or more a side. four, neglect, shut out, abandon.
'
The only property required is a '
Cold- blood. A house licensed for
coin, a button, or anything which can the sale of beer, not to be drunk on
be hidden in the clenched hand. The the premises.
principle is simplicity itself
'
Guess Cold-coffee. 1. A sell, hoax,
whose hand it's in.' If the guesser trumpery affair. 2. Misfortune, ill-
'

brings home,' his side takes the

it luck : also cold gruel ; to have one's
and the centre man works it. comb cut, to experience a run of ill-

the guess be wrong, a chalk is taken

S'eoe, luck Fr., etre abonne au guignon.
: 3.
to the holders, who go on again. A snub for proffered kindness.
Codding. Nonsense, humbug, Cold- comfort. An article sent out
chaff see Cod.
: on approval and returned.
Codger. familiar address, A Cold-cook. An undertaker.
especially old codger, a curious old English synonyms carrion hunter, :

fellow, odd fish, rum character ; a body snatcher, death hunter, black
precise, and sometimes mean or worker (see Black work). Hence,
miserly man (1760). cold-cookshop, an undertaker's work-
Cod 1 an d. Newfoundland : cf. shop. Cold meat, a corpse cf. :

Cod-preserves. pickles (q.v.), specimens direct from

109
 ObU-ctak Colt.

the subject. To make cold meat of one,
to kill. Cold - meat box, a coffin.
Cold-meat cart, a hearse. Cold-meat
train, a funeral train to Brook wood
to extremities, come to the end of
one's resources. To wear the cottar, to
be subject to control not altogether
to one's liking the antithesis of, to
:

and other cemeteries but specifically

: have the whip hand, and, to wear the
a late night train to reach Aldershot breeches ; etc.
in time for morning duty properly : Collar. See Big Bird.
a goods train, but a carriage is attached Collar-and-elbow. A peculiar style
which is known as the Larky Sub- of wrestling the Cornwall and Devon
'
altern : this particular train carries style.
nothing more dreadful than a portion of Collar - day. Hanging day also :

the beef and mutton for the morning Wry-neck-day (q.v.) Fr., jour de la :

ration to the troops in camp ; and, as St. Jean Baptiste.

stated, a few belated officers. Collared. Unable to play one's
Cold-deck. A prepared pack of usual game owing to temper, funk,
cards: also a good hand obtained on or other causes.
first dealing, and without drawing Collared Up. Kept close to busi-
fresh cards. ness cf. Out of collar.
:

Cold Pig. To give cold pig, to Collar-work. Laborious work.

waken a sleeper by sluicing him with Collector. A highwayman or
cold water, or by suddenly stripping footpad.
him of bed-clothes (1818). As subs., College. A prison ; the inmates
1. A person robbed of his clothing. are called Collegians or Collegiates
2. A corpse. 3. The empty re- (q.v.) ; Newgate was formerly called
turns sent back by rail to wholesale the CityCollege (1703). Ladies'
houses. College, a brothel : see Nanny-shop.
Cold - shivers. The effect of ill- Colleger. A
square cap, a mortar-
ness, intense fear, or violent emotion : board (q.v.) : see Golgotha.
also cold shake, which may refer alike Collogue. To confer confidenti-
to a period of cold weather, or an ally and secretly, conspire, wheedle,
attack of fever and ague. flatter (1596).
Cold Shoulder. Studied coldness, Colly-molly. Melancholy : cf.

neglect, or contempt (1816). Solemoncholy and (Dr. Marigold's

Cold- tea. Brandy (1690). Prescriptions) Lemonjolly.
Cold-water Army. The world of Colly-wobbles. The stomach-
total abstainers. ache, flatulency.
Cold - without. Spirits and cold Colour. 1. A handkerchief worn as
water without sugar cf. Cider and, : a badge by prize-fighters and other
Hot with, etc. (1837). professional athletes. Each man
Cole (or Coal). Money generic : : see chose his own, and it was once a
Rhino (1671). To post or tip the cole, practice to sell them to backers to be
to hand over money, shell or fork worn at the ring-side : see Billy. In
out. racing circles the colours are the
Colfabias (or Colfabis). A Latinized owner's, and are shown in the jockeys'
Irish phrase signifying the closet of caps and jackets. 2. Payment e.g. :

decency, applied as a slang term to a
of resort in Trinity College,
B'ace
ublin (Hotten).
C o 1 i a n d e r (or Coliander Seeds).
Money : generic (Orose) : see Rhino.
Collar. To seize, appropriate,
steal. To cottar the bun
bury, or confectioner' a shop), to be
easily first, to surpass. Out of cottar,
out of work, of cash, training. Con-
versely, in collar, in work, comfort-
I have not seen the colour of his
money = I have not received payment
Coloured on the card, having the colours
in which a jockey is to ride inserted
on the card of the race. Off colour,
exhausted, run down, seedy. To
(cake, Ban- colour one's meerschaum, to get brandy-
faced, to drink one's nose into a state
of pimples and scarlet.
Colquarron. The neck: see Scrag.
Colt. 1. One new to the office, the

able circumstances, fit or in form. exercise of any art, etc. e.g. a pro- :

Against collar, uphill, working against fessional cricketer during his first

difficulties, against the grain. To be season, a first- time juryman, a thief

put to the of the cottar, to be driven in his novitiate. 2. A rope, knotted at
pin
UO
 Colt's Tooth. Come-down.

one end, and whipped at the other. 3. any more lies Fr., As-tu fini tes
!

A thief's billy (q.v.). 4. A burglar's manieres (or magnes) ? ne fais done

livery
- stable keeper a colt :
- man pas ta Sophie, and ne fais done pas ton
(Grose). 5. An attendant on a ser- fendart. To come out (1) to make -an
jeant at his making. As verb, (1) appearance, display oneself, express
to thrash : colting, a thrashing. (2) oneself vigorously, make an impress-
To cause a person to stand treat by sion sometimes in an intensified form.
:

way of being made free of a new to cf. Come it strong

come out strong :

place, to make one pay one's footing. (1637); (2) to turn out, result: e.g.
Hence, collage, the footing paid by How did it come out ? (3) to make a
colts on their first appearance. first appearance in society. To come
Colt's Tooth. To have a colt (or out of the little end of the horn, to fare
coifs tooth), to be fond of youthful badly. To come over, to influence,
pleasures ; in the case of elderly overreach, cheat. To come the old
persons, to have juvenile tastes ; to be soldier (or any person or thing) over
of wanton disposition and capacity. one, to imitate, overbear, wheedle,
[In allusion to a supposed desire to rule by an assumption of authority :
shed the teeth and see life over again.] Fr., essay-er de monter un bateau d
(1500). quelqu'un ; or monter le coup or un
Columbine. A prostitute. battage (1713). To come round, to
Columbus. Failure. A regular influence, circumvent, persuade : cf.
Columbus, an utter failure, a dead
'
Come over and come about, sense 1.
frost' Fr., II pleut/=the play is a
: To come the gum game, to over-reach
failure. by concealment. To come through a
Comb. To comb one's hair, to take side door, to be born illegitimately.
to task, scold, keep in order. Some- To come to stay, to be endowed with
times to thrash, and generally ill-treat :
permanent qualities. To come to (or
also to comb down, to comb one's noddle up to) time, to answer the call of
' '
with a three-legged (or joint) stool ( 1593). Time ! after the thirty seconds'
Comb -
brush. A lady's maid restbetween round and round, hence
(1750). by analogy, to be on the alert, ready.
Combie. A Combination room, To come up smiling, to laugh (or grin)
the parlour in which college dons at punishment hence (generally) to
;

drink wine after Hall also see Com- : be superior to rebuff or disaster, face
bination. defeat without flinching. To come
Combination. A woman's under- up to the chalk see Scratch. To come
:

garment, shift and drawers in one. the artful, to essay to deceive ; To

Also Combie, and (American) Chemi- come the heavy, to affect a vastly
loon (chemise and pantaloon). superior position ; To come the ugly, to
Come. 1. To practise, understand, threaten ; To come the nob (or the don),
act the part of cf. Come over and
: to put on airs ; To come the lardy-dardy,
Come tricks. 2. To lend e.g. Has :
'
to dress for the public and look up to
he come it ? To make drunk come, '

your clobber ; To come the serjeant,

to become intoxicated see Screwed. : to issue peremptory orders ; To come
To come about one, to circumvent cf. : the spoon, to make love ; To come the
Come over and Come round. To come gipsy, to try to defraud ; To come the
down from the walls, to abandon a Rothschild to pretend to be rich ; and
position. To come it, (1) to proceed To come the Traviata (prostitutes, now
at a great rate, to make a splash and obsolete), to feign consumption, to put
dash (in extravagance), to cut a on ' the Traviata cough ' (q-v.) with
figure. (2) To inform; (3) to show a view to beguiling charitable males.
fear ;(4) to succeed spec, in You : Come-down. A fall, whether of
can't come it, i.e. you cannot succeed. pride or worldly prospects, an aban-
To come it strong, to exaggerate, lay donment of something for something
it on thick,
carry to extremes. To else of less value or moment. As verb,
come John (or Lord Audley), see John used either independently or in com-
Audley. To come off, to happen, bination e.g. To come down, to come
:

occur, result from (1609). Come off down handsome, or to come down with
grass), None of your
the grass (or the tall the dust, dues, dibs, ready, oof, shiners,
airs ! Don't put it on so 1 Don't tell blunt, needful, (1) to pay, i.e. to
111
 Comedy-merchant. Condog.

*
part or to lay down (as in pay-
; work in a companionship, or ship
ment) ; fork out see Shell out
to :
(q.v.).]
(1701) ; (2) to abate prices. Company. To tee company, to
Comedy-merchant. An actor see : live by prostitution.
Cackling-cove. Competition - wallah. One who
Comflogisticate. To embarrass, put enters the Indian Civil Service by
out of countenance, confuse, hoax, of. examination.
Bamblustercate. C o p o. m A sailor's monthly ad-
Comf oozled. Overcome, exhausted vance of wages.
(1836). Compy shop.
- A truck shop.
Comfortable-importance (or Com- [Probably a corruption of company-
fortable-impudence). A wife ; also shop workmen, before the passing of
:

a mistress in a wife's position Fr., : certain Truck Acts (q.v.), having been
gouvernement see Dutch. :
frequently compelled to make their
Comical. A napkin. To be struck weekly purchases at shops either kept
comical, to be astonished. by, or worked to the profit of, their
Coming. Wanton, forward, sexual employer.]
(1750). don (Winchester College). A rap
Commercial. 1. A tramping rogue on the head with the knuckles, or
or vagabond cf. Traveller.
: 2. A anything hard, such as a cricket ball.
commercial traveller. As verb, to rap with the knuckles.
Commission (or Mish). A shirt. [The derivation formerly accepted at
[From the Italian.] Winchester was from Kovlv\ov=s*
Commister. A clergyman : also knuckle, but the editors of the Wyke-
camister (q.v.). hamist suggest its origin in the North
'
Common-doings. Every-day fare: Country con, to fillip," with which the
cf. chicken-fixings. [A phrase of French se cogner exactly corresponds.]
Western origin, at first restricted in Concaves and Convexes. Cards
its meaning, but now including ordi- prepared for cheating. All from the
nary transactions as compared to eight to the king are cut convex, and
those either large or peculiarly profit- all from the deuce to the seven, con-
able ; applied to men, actions, and cave ; so that by cutting the pack
'

things. What shall we do ? says broadwise you cut convex, and by

a poor frontiersman's wife, when she cutting them lengthwise you cut
hears of a Federal officer who is to concave. Sometimes they are shaped
take up his quarters at her cabin for the reverse way, so that, if suspicion
a day ; ' I can't give him common- arises, a pack so treated may be sub-
doings.'] stituted for the other to the same
Commoner-grub (Winchester Col- effect In this trick the sharper has
lege). A
dinner formerly given by less in his favour than in others, be-
Commoners to College after cricket cause the intended victim may cut in
matches. [Commoners are boys not on the usual way, and so cut a low card
the foundation.] to the dealer. But the certainty of
Commoney. A clay marble : cf. being able to cut or deal a high or low
Alley. card at pleasure, gives him an advan-
Common- jack. A prostitute. tage against which skill is of none
Common plug. An ordinary avail. Other modes of sharping are by
member of society. means of Reflectors (q.v.) ; Longs and
Commonsensical. Marked with shorts, (q.v.); Pricked Cards (q.v.);
common sense. The Bridge (q.v.) Skinning (q.v.) ;
;

Common- sewer.
'
A drink, dram ; Weaving (q.v.) The Gradus (or Step)
;

or go.' [From common sewer, a (q.v.); Palming (q.v.); and The

drain.] Telegraph (q.v.).
Communicator. To agitate the Concerned. Drunk : see Screwed.
communicator, to ring the bell. (1686).
m
C o p. A compositor. [An ab- Concher. A tame or quiet beast.
breviated form of companion now Condiddle. To purloin or steal
peculiar to compositors, but originally (1825).
applied to pressmen who work in Condog. To agree with : of.

couples, as well as to compositors who concur.

112
 Confab. Continental.

Confab. Familiar talk (1778). smeller, bowsprit, claret- jug, gig,

As verb, to talk in a familiar manner,
to chat.
Confectionery. A drinking bar : cf .
Grocery, and Lush-crib.
Confidence Trick (Dodge, or
Buck). A process of swindling,
obtaining trust with the deliberate
intention of betraying it to one's own
advantage. A greenhorn meets (or
rather is picked up by) a stranger who
invites him to drink. The stranger
admires him openly, protests his
confidence in him, and to prove his
sincerity hands him over a large sum
of money [snide, q.v.)] or valuables
muzzle, cheese-cutter, beak, snuff-
box, snorter, post-horn, paste-horn,
handle, snout, nozzle, smelling-cheat,
snotter, candlestick, celestial, snottle-
box, snuffler, trumpet, snorer, peak.
Conoodle. See Canoodle.
Conscience. A kind of association
in a small theatrical company for the
allotment of shares in the profits, etc.
The man who is lucky enough to have
a concern of his own, generally a very
small affair, however badly he may
act, must be the leading man or first
low comedian, perhaps both. He
becomes the manager, of course, and
'

[bogus, q.v.] with which to walk off thus has one share for fit-up,' one for
and return. The greenhorn does both, scenery, one and a half for manage-
whereupon the stranger suggests that ment, one for wardrobe, one and a
it is his turn next, and being favoured half as leading man and
; the same is
with certain proofs of confidence, given to the wife, who, of course, will
which in this case are real, decamps, not play anything but the juvenile
and is no more seen. This is the sim- lead, but who at any other time would
plest form of the trick, but the confid- be glad to play first old woman.
ence man is inexhaustible in devices. Considerable Bend. To go on the
In many cases the subject's idiosyn- considerable bend, to go in for a bout
crasy takes the form of an idiotic of dissipation.
desire to overreach his fellows ; i.e. Consonant- choker. One that clips
he is only a knave, wrong side out, and his G's and muffles his R's.
it is upon this idiosyncrasy that the Constable. To out- (or over-run)
operator works. He offers a sham the to live beyond one's
constable,
gold watch at the price of a nickel one ; means and get into debt ; also, in a
he calls with presents from nowhere figurative sense, to escape from a bad
where none are expected ; he writes argument, to change the subject,
letters announcing huge legacies to to talk about what is not understood
persons absolutely kinless ; and as his (1663).
appeal is addressed to the sister pas- Constician. A member of an
sions of greed and dishonesty, he orchestra.
seldom fails of his reward. FT., Constitutional. A walk undertaken
mener en bateau un pante pour le re- for the sake of health and exercise
fair e=to stick a jay and flap him. [i.e. for the benefit of the constitu-
Conflab berated. Bothered, up- tion] : Fr., tronchiner (1850).
set, flummoxed (q.v.). Contango (Stock Exchange).
Conflabberation. A confused A fine paid by the buyer to the seller
wrangle, a hullabaloo. of stock for carrying over the en-
Confounded. Excessive, odious, gagement to another settling day, and
detestable, e.g. a confounded nuisance, representing a kind of interest for a
lie, humbug, etc. cf. Awful, Beastly,
: fourteen days' extension. [Thought
' '
and other strumpets of speech to be a corruption of continuation.]
(1767). (1853.)
Confubuscate. To confuse, Content. Dead : see Hop the
perplex, astonish : cf. Confusticate. twig.
Coniacker. A counterfeiter, Continent (Winchester College).
smasher, (q.v.), 'queer -bit' faker. Ill ; on the sick list. [From continent
[Obviously a play upon coin, money, cameram vel lectum,keeping one's
and hack, to mutilate.] Fr., un room or bed.] See Abroad.
tnornifteur tarte. Continental. To care (or be worth)
Conish. Genteel (1830). not a continental or continental damn,
Conk. The nose. English syno- to be worthless ; to care not in the
nyms: boko (or boco), proboscis, least degree.
113
 Continuations. Cop.

Continuations. Trousers: see Kick*. Cool. 1.

Impertinent, audacious,
[Of analogous derivation to inexpres- calmly impudent 2. (In refer-
sibles ; unmentionables ; mustn't- men- ence to money ; e.g. a cool hun-
tion' ems ; untalkabou tables, etc.] dred, thousand, etc.). Commonly
(1841). expletive ; but sometimes used to
Contraptions. Small articles, tools, cover a sum a little above the figure
and so forth (1838). stated (1750). As verb (Eton Col-
Convenience. A water-closet or lege). To kick hard. Hence, Cool-
chamber-pot. kick, when a Behind (q.v.), or back,
Convenient A mistress (1676). gets a kick with no one up to him.
Convexes. See Concaves, Cool as a cucumber, without heat ; also,
Convey. To steal (1596). Hence metaphorically, calm and composed.
conveyance, a theft (1592). Convey- To cool one's coppers, to allay the
ancer, a thief : also conveyer. Con- morning's thirst after a night of drink.
veyancing, thieving. Cool-crape. A shroud, or winding
Cony (or Tom Cony). A simpleton. sheet (Grose) (1742).
Conycatch. To cheat, deceive, Cooler. 1. A woman (1742).
trick, bite (q.v.) (1593). Hence, 2. A prison : see Cage. 3. Ale or
cony-catcher, a cheat, sharper, trick- stout after spirits and water some- :

ster. Cony-catching, cheating, trickery, times called Putting the beggar on

swindling after the manner of Cony- the gentleman ; also Damper (q.v.)
catchers (q.v.). (1821).
Coo-e-e-e or Coo-ey. A signal cry Cool-lady. A female camp fol-
of the Australian blackfellow, adopted lower who sells brandy (Grose).
by the invading whites. The final Cool-nantz. Brandy: see Drinks.
Coon. 1. A man. 2. A nigger, e.g.
' '
e is a very high note, a sort of pro-
longed screech, that resounds for a coons' bawdy house, house where
miles through the bush, and thus none are kept but girls of colour.
enables parties that have lost each Oone coon, one in a senous or hopeless
other to ascertain their relative difficulty. To go the whole coon, to go
positions. the whole hog.
Cook. 1. To tamper with, garble, or Coon's - age. A long time, a blue
falsify accounts are cooked when so
: moon.
altered as to look better than they are ; Coop. A prison: see Cage. Hence,
pictures
are cooked
dodged-up when Cooped up, imprisoned.
for sale ; painters say that a picture Cooper (or Cooper up). 1. To
will not cook when it is so excellent as destroy, spoil, settle,or finish. 2.
to be beyond imitation (1751). 2. To forge. 3. To understand. Hence,
To swelter with heat and sweat. To Coopered, hocussed, spoiled, ruined,
1
cook one 8 goose, to settle, worst, kill, e.g. a house is said to be coopered
ruin. English synonyms to anodyne, : when the importunity of many tramps
to put to oed, to snuff out, to give (or has caused its inmates to cold-shoul-
cook) one's gruel, to corpse, to cooper der the whole fraternity ; a coopered
' '

up, to wipe out, to spiflicate, to settle horse is a horse that has been got at
(or settle one's hash), to squash, to with a view to prevent its running.
shut up, to send to pot, to smash, to Coored. Whipped (D. Haggart,
finish, to do for, to put one's light out, Life, Glossary, p. 171 [1821].)
to stop one's little game, to stop one's Coot A stupid fellow ; generally
galloping, to put on an extinguisher, to a silly, or mad, old coot stupid :

clap a stopper on, to bottle up, to as a coot is a common English pro-

squelch, to play hell with, to rot, to vincialism : see Buffle.
squash up, to stash, to give a croaker. Cooter. See Couter.
For synonyms in the sense of circum- Cop. A policeman. As verb. 1.
vention see Floored.
: To seize, steal, catch, take an unfair
Cookeyshine. An afternoon advantage in a bet or bargain. [Cop
meal at which cookies form a staple has been associated with the root of
dish cf. Tea-fight, Muffin-worry.
: the Latin cap-io, to seize, to snatch ;
Cook-ruffian. A bad or indifferent also with the Gipsy tap or top = to
take ; Scotch kep ; and Gallic ceapan.
'
cook, one who would cook the devil
in his feathers.' Probably, however, its true radix ia
1U
 Copbusy. Corner.

to be found in the Hebrew eop=a draw a cork, to draw blood ; to tap

hand or palm. Low-class Jews em- one's claret (1818).
ploy the term, and understand it to Cork-brained. Light headed,
refer to the act of snatching.] Cop foolish.
like Chuck (q.v.), is a sort of general Corker. 1. That which closes an
utility verb thus to cop the needle, to
:
argument, or puts an end to a course
get angry ; to cop the bullet (or the of action a settler a finisher (q.v.) ;
; ;

door), to get the sack ; and to cop the specifically a lie cf. Whopper. : 2,
brewer, to be drunk. 2. To arrest, Anything unusually large, or of first-
imprison, betray, ensnare. English rate quality ; remarkable in some
synonyms to give the clinch, to make
:
respect or another ; e.g. a heavy
one kiss the clink, to accommodate, to blow a monstrous lie. To play the
;

nobble, to bag, to box, to fist (old), corker, to indulge in the uncommon,

to scoop, to take up, to victimize, to exhibit exaggerated peculiarities of
run in, to give (or get) one the boat, demeanour : specifically in school and
to buckle, to smug, to nab, to collar, to university slang to make oneself ob-
pinch, to nail, to rope in, to snake, jectionable to one's fellows.
to pull up. Corks. 1. A butler: cf. Burn-
Copbusy. To hand over booty to crust, a baker ; Master of the mint, a
a confederate. gardener; Cinder-garbler, a maid-of-
Copper. A policeman. all-work, etc. 2. (nautical). Money :

Copperheads. A nickname applied see Rhino.

to different sections of the American Corkscrewing. The straggling,
nation first to the Indian then to
; ; spiral walk of tipsiness.
the Dutch colonist (see Irving, Knicker- Corkscrews. Very stiff and formal
bocker) lastly, during the Civil War,
; curls, once called Bottle-screws.
to certain Northern Democrats who Corky. Sprightly, lively. Shakes-
sympathised with the South. peare uses it in King Lear, m. vii.
Copperman. A policeman. Com., Bind fast his corky arms but ;

Copper-nose. A swollen, pimply with him (1605) it = withered.

nose, a jolly or bottle nose ; Fr., Corn. 1. Food, sustenance, grub
bette-rave, piton passe d I'encaustiqw :
(q.v.). 2. An abbreviated form of
of. Grogblossom (1822). corn -juice (q.v.), i.e. whisky (1843).
Copper's-nark. A police spy, one To acknowledge the corn see Acknow- :

in the pay of the police. ledge.

C o p u s. A wine or beer cup : Corned. 1. Drunk : see Screwed
commonly imposed as a fine upon (1785). 2. (sailors'), pleased.
those who talked Latin in hall or com- Corner. 1. Tattersall's Subscrip-
mitted other breaches of etiquette. tion Rooms, once situate at the top of
Dr. Johnson derives it from episcopus, Grosvenor Place, near Hyde Park
and if this be correct it is doubtless the Corner now removed to Albert Gate,
;

same as bishop. but still known by the old nickname.

Copy- of - countenance. A sham, 2. Short for Tattenham Corner, a
humbug, pretence (1579). point on the Derby course on Epsom
Core (C o r e i n g). Picking up Downs. 3. A share an opportunity ;

small articles in shops (1821). of standing in for the proceeds of a

Corinth. A brothel
Hence, Corinthian. 1. A rake, loose
liver,sometimes specifically, a fashion-
able whore. Shakespeare has it, a
lad of mettle,' but in another place
he uses Corinth as above. 2. A dandy,
(1609). robbery. As verb, to get control of a
stock or commodity and so mono-
polize the market applied to persons,
;
'
to drive or force into a position of
difficulty or surrender, e.g. in an
argument also as subs., a monopoly,
;

specifically applied in the early part a controlling interest. Fr., etre en fine
of the present century to a man of pfgr&ne, and se mettre sur les fonts de
fashion ; e.g. Corinthian Tom, hi bapteme. Tailors speak of a man as
Pierce Egan's Life in London. cornered who has pawned work en-
Cork. 1. A bankrupt. 2. A trusted to him, and cannot redeem it.
general name
in Glasgow and neigh- To be round the corner, to get round
bourhood for the head of an establish- or ahead of one's fellows by dishonest
ment, e.g. of a factory, or the like. To cuts, doublings, twists, and turns. To
115
 Corner-man. Counter-jumper.

turn the corner, to get over the worst, writers, and is American by survival"
begin to mend in health and fortune. To die with cotton in one's tars : Many
To be cornered, to be in a fix : Fr., of the most hardened and desperate
etre dans le lac, offenders, from the kindness, attention,
Corner-man (or Cove). 1. A loafer; and soothing conduct of the Rev. Mr.
literally a lounger at corners (1851). Cotton [the chaplain at Newgate,
1821], who is indefatigable in admin-
' ' ' '
2.The Bones and Tambourine in
a band of negro minstrels. istering consolation to their troubled
Corn-in- Egypt Plenty of all kinds. minds, have become the most sincere
[Biblical.] penitent* (Egan, Tom and Jerry).
Cornish-duck. A pilchard: cf. This was by no means the only instance
Yarmouth capon. of a popular punning allusion to the
Corn- juice. Whisky : see Drinks. name of Cotton. The Jesuit Father
Cornstalk. Generic (Australian) Coton, having obtained a great
for persons of European descent, ascendency over Henri IV., it was
but especially applied to girls. The remarked by that monarch's subject*
children of Anglo - Australians are that, unfortunately, hi* ears were
generally taller and slighter in build stuffed with cotton.
than their parents. Originally a native Cotton-lord (or king). A wealthy
of New South Wales ; now general. cotton manufacturer.
Cf. Bananalander. Cottonopolis. Manchester :cf.
Cornstealers. The hands. Albertopolis, Cubitopolis, Hygeia-
Corny-faced. Red and pimply with polis.
drink Cottons (Stock Exchange). Con-
Coroner. A severe fall. federate Bonds. [From the staple of
Corporation. A protuberant the Southern States.]
stomach see Bread-basket (1785).
: Cotton - top. A woman loose in
Corpse. A horse in the betting for fact, but keeping up some sort of
market purposes alone ; otherwise a appearance. [In allusion to cotton
stiff un. Verb,
confuse, queer,
1. To stockings with silk feet.]
blunder, and so put out one's fellows, Couch. To couch a hogshead, to lie
to spoil a scene. 2. To kill (literally down and sleep (1569).
to make a corpse of one). Fr., parier Councillor of the Pipowder Court.
sur quelqu'un. A pettifogging lawyer. [The Pi-
Corps e- provider. A doctor or powder Court was one held at fairs
physician see Crocus. : where justice was done to any injured
Corpse-reviver. A mixed drink. person before the dust of the fair was
Correct (or K'rect Card). See Card. off his feet ; the name being derived
Corroboree. disturbance. A from the French pie poudrf. Some,
[Properly a tremendous native dance.] however, think that it had its origin
Verb, to boiL in pied-poiddreux, a pedlar, and
Gorsican. Something out of the signifies a pedlars' court.
common ; a buster. [A Burnand- Council-of-ten. The toes of a man
ism.] who walks Duck- footed (q.v.) cf.:

Corybungus. The
posteriors. Ten commandments Fr., arpiom.
:

Cosh. A '

neddy,' a life-preserver ; Counsellor. A barrister: Fr.,

a loaded bludgeon. Also a
short, gerbier.
policeman's truncheon. Count. A man of fashion, a swell.
Cossack. A policeman. Counter. To strike while parry-
Costard. The head. [Properly an ing. Figuratively, to oppose, to cir-
apple.] See Crumpet (1534). cumvent. Another lie nailed to the
Cotch. To catch. [A corruption.] counter : see Another.
'
Also ppL adj., Co tohed. Counterfeit-cranke. These that do
Cot (Christ's Hospital). A shoe- coimterfet the cranke be yong knavea
itring. and yonge harlots, that deeply dis-
Cotsold (or Cotswold Lion). A '
semble the falling sickness (Harmon).
iheep : see Wool-bird (1615). Hence, a cheat.
Cotton. To take a fancy to, unite Counter-jumper (or skipper).
with, agree with. In the last sense it is A draper's assistant, a shopman Fr., :

found occasionally in the Elizabethan chevalier du metre : see Knight of the

116
 Count. Cows-and-kisses.

yard : also Counter- jump, to act as a Covent

-
garden Abbess. A pro-
shop-assistant, and Counter- jumping, curess. [Covent Garden at one time
verbal subs. (1855). teemed with brothels as Fielding's :

Count. See Noses. Covent Garden Tragedy (1751-2) sug-

Country. That part of the ground
at a great distance from the wicket ; Covent-garden Ague. A venereal
thus, a fielder at deep-long-off, or
long-on is said to be in the country, Covent -
garden Nun. A pro-
and a ball bit to the far boundary, is stitute.
hit into the country. Coventry. To send one to (or to
Country- put. An ignorant, country be in) Coventry, to exclude from social
fellow: see Joskin. (1717). intercourse, or notice; to be in dis-
County-crop. The hair cut close grace.
to the skull ; a mode once common to Cover. A ' pickpocket's confed-
all prisoners, but now to convicts only : erate :one who fronts,' i.e. distracts
also prison-crop. the attention of, the victim ; a stall
Couple (or Buckle) beggar. A (q.v.). As verb, 1. To act as a pick-
celebrant of irregular marriages as pocket's confederate. 2. To drink :
the Chaplain of the Fleet ; a hedge see Lush.
priest (1737). Cover-arse Gown. gown with- A
Coupling- house. A brothel. out sleeves (1803).
Couranne. See Caroon. Cover-down. An obsolete term for
Court-card. A beau, swell. a false tossing coin see Cap. :

Court Holy Water (or Court Pro- Cover- me -decently. A coat

mises). Fair speeches without per- (1821).
formance. Covess. A woman : see Cove. (1789).
Cousin Betty. A half-witted Covey. A man : a diminutive of
person : see Buffle. cove (q.v.).
Cousin-trumps. One of a kind, Cow. 1. A woman. The term is
Brother smut, Brother chip. now opprobrious but in its primary;

Couter (or Cooter). A sovereign : and natural sense the usage is ancient.
'
see Rhino. Howell [1659] says There are some :

Cove (Covey, Cofe, Cuffing, and, proverbs that carry a kind of authority
in the feminine, Covess). 1. A with them, as that which began in
"
person ; a companion. Cove enters Henrie the Fourth's time. He that
'
into many combinations : e.g. Cross- bulls the cow must keep the calf."
cove, a robber ; Flash-cove, a thief or 2. A prostitute. 3. A thousand pounds :
swindler ; Kinchin-cove, a little man ; see Rhino. To talk the hind leg off a
Flogging-cove, a beadle ; Smacking- cow (or dog) : see Talk. Tune the cow
cove, a coachman
Narry - cove, a
; died of : see Tune.
drunkard Topping-cove, a highway-
; Cowan. A sneak, a Paul Pry.
man Abram-cove, a beggar Queer-
; ; Cow- and- calf. To laugh.
cove, a rogue ; Nubbing-cove, the Coward's- castle (or Corner). A
hangman Gentry-cove, a gentleman
; ; pulpit.
Downy-cove, shrewd man Rum-cove,
; Cowcumber. A corruption of
a doubtful character Nib - cove, a
; cucumber.
gentleman, etc., etc., etc., all which Cow-grease (or Cow-oil). Butter :

see. English synonyms boy, chap, : see Cart-grease.

cull, cully, customer, kiddy,
(or homo Cow- juice. Milk.
omee), put, bloke, gloak, party,
fish, Cow-lick. A
lock of hair, greased,
cuss, codger, buffer, gaffer, damber, curled, brought forward from the ear,
duck, chip. [For examples of the and plastered on the cheek once :

use of Covey and Covess, see same.] common amongst costermongers and
2. In up - country Australian, the tramps see Aggerawators.
:

master, boss, or gaffer of a sheep Cow-oil. Cow-grease.

station. Cove of dossing-ken, the land- Cow-puncher. A cowboy or herds-
lord of a common lodging-house : Fr., man.
marchand de sommeti. Cow- quake. The roar of a bull.
Covent Garden. A '
farden
'
or Cows-and-kisses. The missus, or
farthing. mistress ; also women generally.
117
 Cow'a-baby. Cracksman.

Cow's -
baby (or babe) A calf, To forge or utter worthless paper. 4.
Bleating-cheat (q.v.). To fallto ruin, to be
impaired (1631).
Cow-shooter (Winchester College). 5. To inform ; to peach (q.v.). To
A deerstalker hat only worn by prse- : crack a bottle (or a quart), to drink
fecte and candle-keepers. (1598). To crack a crib (sway, or ken), to
Cow's-spouse. A bull (Orose). commit a burglary ; to break into a
Cow - with - the - iron - tail. '
A house. English synonyms : to stamp
pump ; the source of the cooling a ken or crib, to work a panny, to
' ' '
medium for regulating milk : also jump a house (also applied to simple
Black - cow, One - armed man, and robbery without burglary), to do a
Simpson's oow (q.v.). crack, to practise the black art, to
Coxy. Stuck up, conceited, im- screw, to bust a crib, to flimp, to buz,
pudent (1856). to tool, to wire, to do a ken-crack-lay.
Coyduck. To decoy. [A blend of To crack a crust, to rub along in the
conduct *nd decoy.] (1829). world: a superlative fordoing very well
Cozza. Pork. is, to crack a tidy crust. To crack a whid,
Crab. 1. The same as bonnet (q.v.) to talk. To crack on, to put on speed,
subs., sense 1. 2. In pi., the feet. increase one s pace. To crack up, to
3. A pair of aces, or deuce-ace the praise, eulogize a superlative is to
:

lowest throw at hazard ( 1 768). Verb, crack up to the nines : Fr., faire F article,
to expose, inform, offend, insult ; and and faire son boniment (or son petit
especially to interrupt, to get in the boniment). The crack (or all the crack),
way of, to spoil. To turn out crabs the go (q.v.), the thing, the kick, the
(or a case of crabs), a matter turns out general craze of the moment. In a
crabs when it is brought to a dis- crack, instantaneously, in the twink-
agreeable conclusion. To catch a ling of an eye (1725).
crab (to cut a crab, to catch or cut a Cracked (or Cracked-up). 1.
cancer or lobster), there are various Ruined, bust up, gone to smash (or
ways of catching a crab, as, for ex- to pot). 2. Crazy. 3. Deflowered :
also Cracked in the ring.
ample ( 1 ) to' turn the blade of the oar
or feather under water at the end Cracker. Anything approaching
of the stroke, and thus be unable to perfection used in both a good and
:

recover ; (2) to lose control of the oar bad sense ; e.g. a rattling pace, a
at the middle of the stroke by dig- large sum of money, a bad fall, an
ging too deeply ; or (3) to miss the enormous lie, a dandy (male or female)
water altogether. of the first magnitude, and so forth.
Crab-louse. The pulex pubis, the Cracky. See Crickey.
male whereof is called a cock, the Crack - halter (or Crack - rope).
female a hen (Grose). A vagabond an old equivalent of
;

Crabshells. Shoes. jail-bird: cf. Hemp-seed (1566).

Crack. 1. A crazy person : soft- Cracking. House-breaking.
head see Buffle (1609).
: 2. pro- A Crackish. Wanton, said only of
stitute (1698). 3. lie also Cracker. A : women cf.
Coming.
:

4. A burglary. 5. burglar (1749). A Crack-jaw Words (Names, etc.).

6. An approach to perfection (1825). Long words difficult to pronounce.
7. Aracehorse eminent for speed, and
'
Crackle (or Crackling). The velvet
(hunting), a famous
mount.' 8. bars on the gowns of the Johnian
Dry firewood. approachingAdj., 'hogs' (q.v.).
perfection used in a multitude of
: Crackmans (or Cragmans). A
combinations. A crack hand is an hedge (1610).
adept or dabster; a
crack corps, a Crack for Break) One's Egg (or
brilliant regiment ; a crack whip, good Duck. To begin to score. [To
coachman; etc. (1836). Verb, 1. make no run is to lay, or make, a
To talk to, boast. [The verb was duck's egg ; to make none in either
once good English, and in the sense of innings is to get a double-duck, or
to talk or gossip is still good Scots. to come off with a pair of spectacles.]
The modern form to crack up, is well Crack- pot. A pretentious, worth-
within the borderland between literary less person.
and colloquial English (1597). 2. To Crack-rope. See Crack-halter.
force open, to commit a burglary. 3. Cracksman. A housebreaker.
118
 Cradle. Creeper*.

'
Cradle, Altar, and Tomb Column. mixed ; technically known as pi.'
The births, marriages, and deaths Verb, 1. To hang to be cropped, to ;

column in a newspaper: also Hatch, be hanged. 2. To ease oneself by

Match, and Dispatch column. evacuation see Mrs. Jones. :

Crag. See Scrag. Crapping - casa (case, castle, or

Cram. 1. A lie ; also Crammer. 2. ken). A water-closet.
Hard, forced study. 3. One who Crapping - castle. A night stool :

prepares another for an examination, see previous entry.

a coach, a grindstone. 4. An adven- Crash. 1. Entertainment: prob-
titious aid to study, a translation, ably a cant word (Nares). 2. The
a crib. Verb, 1. To study at high machine used to suggest the roar of
pressure for an examination also to : thunder a noise of desperate (and
;
'

prepare one for examination (1803). unseen) conflict an effect of alarums ;

2. To lie, deceive (1794). excursions' generally. Verb, to kill.

Crammer. 1. A liar, one who tells Crashing - cheats (or chetes).
Crams (q.v.). 2. A lie the same as ; 1. The teeth (1567). 2. ' Appels,
cram. 3. One who prepares men for
'

peares, or any other fruit (Harmon).

examination, a coach, grinder (q.v.) Crater (Cratur, or Creature).
(1812). Formerly, any kind of liquor, now,
Cramming. The act of studying Irish whisky. [Fuller speaks of
hard for an examination. water as
'
a creature so common and
Cramped (or Crapped). Hanged ; needful,' and Bacon describeslight as
'
also killed. God's first creature.' Transition is
Cramping-cull. The hangman. easy.] The skin of the creature, the
Cramp in the Hand. Meanness, bottle see Drinks (1598).
:

stinginess. Crawl. A workman who curries

Cramp -
rings. Bolts, shackles, favour with a foreman or emp )oyer, a
fetters. [Properly a ring of gold or lickspittle.
silver, which after being blessed by Crawler. 1. A cab that leaves the
' '
the sovereign, was held a specific for rank and crawls the street in search
cramp and f ailing-sickness. ] (1 609 ). of fares. 2. A term of contempt,

Cramp - words. 1. Hard, unpro- lickspittle.

nounceable vocables, Crackjaw words Crawthumper. 1. Roman
' '

(q.v.) (1748). 2. Sentence of death Catholic, the Pope's cockrels

(1748). (1629) also Brisket-beaters and, col-
:

Cranberry-eye. A blood-shot eye ; lectively, the Breast - fleet. 2. In

the result of alcoholism. America an Irishman or Dick, i.e. an
'
Crank. 1. These that do coun- Irish Catholic (1782).
terfet the cranke be yong knaues and Cream Cheese. To make believe the
yonge harlots, that deeply dissemble moon is made of cream (or green) cheese,
the falling sicknes. For the crank in to humbug, to deceive, to impose upon.
'
their language is the fallinge evill Cream
-
jugs (Stock Exchange).
(Harmari). Also Cranke and Crank- 1. Charkof - Krementschug Railway
cuffin. 2. Gin and water (Orose). 3. Bonds. 2. The paps.
An eccentric, a crotcheteer. Adj., Cream - of - the - valley, (also Cold
Easily upset :
e.g. The skiff is very Cream). Gin cf. Mountain Dew, :

crank. whisky.
Crank- cuffin. One of the canting- Creamy. Excellent, first-rate : see
crew whose specialty was to feign Al.
sickness : see Crank. Creation. To beat (or lick) creation,
Cranky. Crotchetty, whimsical, to overpower, excel, surpass, be in-
ricketty, not to be depended upon, comparable.
crazy. English synonyms dicky, : Creeme. To slip or slide anything
maggotty, dead-alive, yappy, touched, into the hands of another (Orose).
chumpish, comical, dotty, rocketty, Creeper. One who cringes and
queer, faddy, fadmongering, twisted, curries favour, a skunk, a snide (q.v.).
funny. Creepers. 1. The feet. English syn-
Crao. 1. Money; sometimes crop :
onyms: dew-beaters, beetle-crushers,
see Rhino. 2. The gallows see :
understandings, trotters, tootsies,
Nubbing Cheat. 3. Type that has got stumps (also the legs), everlasting
119
 Creeps. Crocus.

hoes, hocks, boot-trees, pasterns, Crinoline. A woman.

arda (Old Cant now used as an adj. = 1. A
' '

Cripple. snid (Scots) or

hot), double- breasters, daisy-beaters, sixpence: see Rhino (1785). 2. An
kickers, crabs, trampers, hockles, awkward oaf, a dullard : Fr., mala-
hoofs, pudseys. 2.Lice see Chates.
:
patte. Go it, you cripple* I A sarcastic
Creeps. The
peculiar thrill re- comment on strenuous effort ; fre-
sulting from an undefinable sense of quently used without much sense of
dread : Goose - flesh, Cold shivers, fitness ; e.g. when the person ad-
Cold water down the back (1836). dressed is a capable athlete. Wooden
Crevecosur. See Heart - breaker. legs are cheap, is sometimes added as
Cxi. The Criterion, theatre and an intensitive.
restaurant, at Piccadilly Circus. Crisp. A
banknote see Rhino. :

Crib. 1. The stomach (1656). 2. Crispin. A shoemaker. [From

Generic for a place ; e.g. a house, Saints Crispin and the
' Crispianus,
place of abode, apartments, lodgings, patrons of the gentle craft,' Le. shoe-
shop, warehouse, den, diggings, or making.] 8t. Crispin's lance, an awL
snuggery (1598). 3. A situation, place, Crispin's holiday, Monday spec. 25th :

or berth*. 4. A literal translation sur- of October, being the anniversary of

reptitiously used by students ; also a Crispinus and Crispianus.
theft of any kind ; specifically, any- Croak. A dying speech, especially
thing copied without acknowledg- the confession of a murderer. Also
ment (1841). 5. A bed. Verb, (1) the same as printed for sale in the
to steal, pilfer ; used specifically of streets by a flying stationer (q.v.).
petty thefts see Prig (1748). (2) To
:
Verb, to die : see Hop the Twig.
use a translation ; to cheat at an Croaker. 1. A sixpence see Rhino. :

examination ; to plagiarise. To crack 2. A beggar. 3. A dying person. 4.

a crib, see Crack. A corpse. 6. The flesh of an animal
Cribbage - face
(and Cribbage- which has died a natural death. 6.

faced). Pock - marked and like a A doctor. 7. A person who sees

cribbage-board, Colander-faced, Crum-
pet - faced, Pikelet - faced, Mockered
(q.v.) (1785).
Crib her. A grumbler.
Cribbeys (or Cribby - Islands).
Blind alleys, courts, and bye-ways.
Cribbing. 1. Food and drink, grub
and booze (1656). 2. Stealing, pur-
loining, using a translation.
Crib- biter.An inveterate grum-
bler. [Properly a horse that worries
his crib, rack, manger, or groom, and
at the same time draws in his breath
so as to make the peculiar noise
called wind-sucking.] FT. gourgousseur,
un rcme, rendcleur, and renaudeur.
Crib-cracker. A housebreaker.
Crib-cracking Housebrcaking.
Crikey! (Cracky! or Cry!) For-
merly, a profane oath ; now a mere
expression of astonishment. [A cor-
'
everything en noir, and whose con-
versation is likened to that of the
raven, the bird of ill-omen : see Gold-
smith's Good Natured Man. Fr., glas.
Croakumshire. Northumberland.
[Grose : from the particular croaking
in the pronunciation of the people of
that county, especially about New-
castle and Morpeth, where they are
said to be born with a burr in their
throats, which prevents their pro-
'
nouncing the letter r.']
Crock. A worthless animal, a
fool, rotter.
Crocketts (Winchester College).
A kind of bastard cricket, sometimes
'
called small crochette.' Five stumps
are used and a fives ball, with a bat
of plain deal about two inches broad,
or a broomstick. To get crocketts, to
fail to score at cricket, to make a

ruption of Christ.'] duck's egg.

Crimini (Criminey, or Crimes!) Crocodile. A girl's school walk-
See Crikey. [Possibly influenced by ing two and two.
crimen meum, my fault] (1700). Crocus (Crocu s- metallorum
Crimson. To make things look or Croakus). A doctor ; specifically,
crimson, to go on a drunken frolic, a quack. English synonyms: pill,
paint the town red (q.v.). squirt, butcher, croaker, corpse-pro-
Crincle - pouch. A sixpence see : vider, bolus, clyster, gallipot. [Several
Bender (1593). of these terms also=an apothecary.]
Crinkums. A venereal disease. (1785).
120
 Crocus-chovey. Crow.

A doctor's shop.
Crocus-chovey. Cross-cove, Cross-chap, squire (knight,
A quack ambulant.
Crocus- pitcher. or lad) of the cross, etc. Literally a
Crocussing-rig, subs. (old). man on the cross (see sense 1).] As
Travelling from place to place as a verb, to play false in a match of any
quack doctor. kind. Hence to thwart, baffle, spoil
Crone. A clown or buffoon. (1709). Cross in the air, a rifle carried
Crook. 1. A sixpence : see Rhino. butt-end upwards. To shake the cross,
2. A swindler, one who gets
thief, to quit the cross (sense 1) and go on
things on the crook. On the crook, the the square (q.v.). To be crossed, thus
antithesis of on the straight (q.v.) : cf. explained in a University Guide :

Cross. To crook (or cock) the elbow (or For not paying term bills to the bur-
the little finger), to drink. [Fr., lever sar (treasurer), or for cutting chapels,
le coude ; a hard drinker is un adroit or lectures, or other offences, an
du coude.} See Lush. undergrad can be crossed at the but-
Crook-back. A sixpenny piece, tery, or kitchen, or both, i.e. a cross is
many of names of which
the slang put against his name by the Don, who
suggest a bashed and battered ap- wishes to see him, or to punish him.
pearance ; e.g. bender, cripple, crook : On the cross, the opposite of on the
see Rhino. square (q.v.): cf. On the crook.
Crooked. Disappointing, the Cross- belts. The Eighth Hussars.
reverse of straight (q.v.), pertaining [The regiment wears the sword belt
to the habits, ways, and customs of over the right shoulder in memory of
thieves. Crooked as a Virginia (or the battle of Saragossa, where it took
snake) fence, uneven, zig-zag, said of the belts of the Spanish cavalry.
matters or persons difficult to keep This privilege was confirmed by the
straight. To make a
Virginia fence, King's Regulations of 1768.
to walk unsteadily, as a drunkard. Cross- bite. See Cross- biting. As
Virginia fences zigzag with the soil. verb, to cheat, scold, hoax. [Nares
Crooky. To hang on to, lead, walk thinks it a compound of cross and
arm-in-arm, court, or pay addresses bite. It has suffered a double ab-
to a girL breviation, both its components being
Crop. See Crap. used substantively and verbally in the
Cropped. Hanged see Ladder, : same sense.] See Stiff (1581).
and Topped (1781). Cross - biter. A cheat, swindler,
Cropper. A heavy fall or failure hoaxer Fr., goureur (1592).
:

of any kind generally; to come a

'
Cross- biting. A deception, cheat,
cropper.' [Originally hunting.] hoax (1576).
Croppie (or Croppy). Originally Cross- buttock. A throw in wrest-
applied to a criminal cropped in ears ling. Also as verb and verbal subs.
and nose by the public executioner ; (1690).
subsequently to convicts, in allusion to Cross - crib. A thieves' dossing-
closely cropped hair ; hence any person ken (q.v.) : or Lush-crib (q.v.) also:

with hair cut close to the head ; e.g. Cross-drum.

the Puritans and the Irish Rebels of Cross- fan (or Cross- fam). Robbery
1789. from the person done with one hand
Croppled. To be croppled (Winches- (fam) across, dissembling the action
ter College), to fail in an examination ; of the other. As verb, to rob from
to be sent down at a lesson. the person.
Croppy. See Croppie. Cross kid (or Cross- quid).
- To
Crops. To go and look at the crops, question, cross-examine Fr., faire la
:

to consult Mrs. Jones (q.v.). jactance, also faire saigner du nez.

Cross. 1. A pre-arranged swindle. Cross-patch, subs, (colloquial).
In its special sporting signification a An ill-natured, ill-tempered person :
'
cross is an arrangement to lose on the cf. old nursery rhyme Cross-patch,
:

part of one of the principals in a fight, draw the latch, Sit by the fire and
or any kind of match. When both spin' (1785).
principals conspire
that one shall win, Crow. 1. A confederate on
it is called a Double cross (q.v.). watch whilst another steals generally :

[Obviously a shortened form of Cross- a man, but occasionally a woman :

bite. 2. A
thief; also Cross -man, the latter is also called a Canary (q.v.).
121
 Crou-<L Cry.

2. A piece of unexpected luck ; a Crumb-and-crust Man. A baker:

duke :
generally a regular crow. cf. Burn-crust and Master of the
[Originally billiards, in which it<=a rolls FT., marchand de larton.
:

hazard not played for, i.e. a fluke ; no Crummy. 1. Fat, plump, well-
doubt a corruption of the Fr., raccroc.] developed especially said of high-
:

3. A parson. To eat crow see Broiled : bosomed and full - figured women :
crow. A crow to pluck (putt, or pick) e.g. a crummy piece of goods.
with one, something demanding ex- Fr., en mie (an almost literal
fort
planation : a misunderstanding to translation) (1748). 2. (American),
clear ; a disagreeable matter to settle : comely. 3. Lousy. Hence, Crummy-
sometimes, a bone to pick (1593). dost, a lousy bed. 4. (thieves').
Crowd.A fiddle. Plump in the pockets.
Crowder. 1. A large audience. Crump (Winchester College).
2. A fiddler. A hard hit, a fall as a verb, to cob :

Crow-eater. A lazybones who pre- (q.v.).

fers subsistingupon what he can pick Crumpet. The head. English
up, as crows do, to putting himself to synonyms brain-pan, nut, chump,
:

the trouble of working for it. jazey, steeple, tib or tibby, weather-
Crow- fair. A gathering of clergy- cock, turnip, upper extremity, top
men. end, twopenny, upper storey, canister,
Crown. To inspect a window with attic, garret, costard, sconce, bonce,
a view to burglary. nob, lolly, lobb, knowledge-box, block,
Crown-office. The head (1785). cocoa-nut, Crown - Office, calabash,
Crow's foot. The Government
-
top-knot, crust, chimney-pot, onion,
broad arrow also (in pi.) wrinkles at
;
chevy, cockloft, top-fiat, gable, pump-
the outside corners of the eyes. kin, hat-peg, billiard ball, upper-orust,
Cruel (or Cruelly). Extremely, mazzard, cabaza, dome. Balmy in
very, great (1662). one's crumpet see Balmy. :

Cruelty van for Booby Crumpet-face. A pock-pitted face,

- -
hutch).
A four-wheeled chaise. a cribbage-face (q.v.).
Crug (Christ's Hospital). 1. At Crumpet- scramble. A tea party,
Hertford, a crust ; in the London tea-fight, muffin-worry, muffin-fight,
school, crust and crumb alike (1820). bitch-party, or cooky-shine (q.v.).
Hence, 2. a Blue (q.v.): especially an C rum pier. 1. A cravat 2. A falL
old boy. Crush. A large social gathering
Cruganaler (Christ's Hospital). A (1854). As verb, to run away, de-
on St. Matthew's Day.
biscuit given camp: seeBunk. To crush down
[Orthography dubious. Blanch in- sides, to keep tryst, also to run to a
clines to the following derivation :
place of safety. To crush (or burst)
'
The biscuit had once something to do a pot (cup, or bottle) to drink in com-
with those nights when bread and beer, pany.
with cheese, were substituted for Crusher. 1. A policeman cf. :

bread-and-butter and milk. Thence Crush once a favourite signal of the

!

"
the term crug and aler." The only pea, thimble, and other race-course
argument against this is the fact that sharps warning of the approach of the
the liquid was never dignified with the police. 2. Anything large, fine, or
name of ale, but was invariably called extraordinary cf. Whopper, Stinger,
:
" the
swipes." By another deriva- Corker, Bouncer, etc. (q.v.).
tion=" hard as nails." It is then Crushing. Excellent, first-rate.
spelt Cruggy-nailer.'] Crust (or Upper Crust). The
C r u g g y (Christ's Hospital). head see Crumpet. Upper-crust (q.v.).
:

Hungry. Crusty- beau. One that uses paint

Cruisers. 1. Beggars, or highway and cosmetics to obtain a fine com-
spies : those who traversed the road plexion (Grose).
(Grose) to give intelligence of a Cry. A large number, a quantity.
booty ; also, rogues ready to snap [From cry, a pack of dogs.] Great
up any booty that may offer. 2. In cry and little wool, much ado about
sing., a street- walker. nothing. The original text of the
Crumb. A pretty woman: cf. proverb was, Great cry and little wool,
Crummy. as the devil said when he sheared the
122
 C.T.A. Curbstone- sailor.

hogs. Hudibras alters it into All Cue. To swindle on credit.

cry and no wool. To cry carrots and Cuff. 1. A foolish
old man. Prob-
turnips, a term which rogues use for ably a contraction of Cuffin (q.v.)
whipping at the cart's arse (Johnson, (1678). 2. (tailors'). religious man. A
1747). To cry (or call) a go, to give in, To cuff Anthony see Anthony.: To
as one unable to proceed. An ex- beat or cuff Jonas see Beat. :

pression borrowed from cribbage signi- Cuff er. 1. A lie, an exaggerated

fying that the player who makes use and improbable story. Hence, to
of it has nothing playable in his hand, spin cuffers, to yarn, draw the long
and is compelled to cry a go. To bow (q.v.). 2. A man see Cove. :

cry cupboard, to be famished, hungry, C u ffi n (C u ff e n, or Cuffing). A

banded (q.v.) : FT., rien dans le cornet, man (Harmon, 1567). Queer-cuffin, a
le buffet vide, and danser devant le magistrate (1609).
buffet. Cry matches ! an exclamation Cuff - shooter. A beginner, one
of surprise. [Variously derived: (1) who gives himself airs ; literally one
' '
a corruption of Crime hatches ; (2) who shoots his cuffs having a greater :

cry=XPI or Christ, no suggestion '

regard for the display of his linen than
being offered to account for matches' ; for his work.
and (3) a conversion of the FT. ere Cule (Cull, Culing, Culling).
matin, presumably Canadian cf. : To purloin eepec. from the seats of
:

Crimini.] To to retreat, back

cry off, carriages ; the act of snatching hand-
out from an engagement. See Stink- bags and other articles. [Probably an
ing fish. abbreviation of reticule.]
C.T.A. (Circus and showmen's). Cull (or Cully). A man, com
The police. panion, partner. Specifically, a fool,
Cub (orUnlicked-cub). An awk- one tricked or imposed upon. Grose
ward, e^lky girl; a mannerless, uncouth seems to make a distinction, for he
quotes cull = a man honest or other-
'
lout of a boy. [In allusion to the
wise,' and cuDy = a fop, fool, or dupe
'

supposed shapelessness of bear cubs

till their dam has
'
licked them into to women,' in which sense it was cur-
shape.'] rent in the seventeenth century. Hum
Cubitopolis. The Warwick and cull, the manager of a theatre ; also
Eccleston Square districts. [From the a Cully-gorger.
name of the builders.] Cf. Alberto- Culls. The testes ( 1 600).

polis, Mesopotamia, Asia Minor, The Culminate. To mount a coach-bol

New Jerusalem, Slopers' Island, etc. (1803).
(q.v.). Cummer. An intimate.
Cuckoo. 1. A fool: see Buffle. Cup-and-saucer Player. term of A
(1598). 2. A cuckold (1594). 3. In derision applied to players of the late
pi., generic for money : see Rhino. T. W. Robertson's comedies.
(1612). Cupboard-love. Interested affec-
Cucumber-time. The dull season. tion : cf. The way to a man's
old saw,
[A correspondent of Notes and Queries heart is through his stomach (1661).
says it is of German origin, and Cups. In one's cups, drunk cf. :

originated among London tailors of Cup-shot and Screwed (1593).

German nationality. The German Cup-tosser. A juggler.
phrase is die saure Ourken Zeit (pickled Curate. A small poker, or
gherkin-time). Hence, it is said, the tickler (q.v.), used to save a better
'

expression Tailors are vegetarians,' one ; also a pocket-handkerchief in

' '
because they live now on cucumber actual use as against a flimsy one worn
'
and now on cabbage'] (Orose). for show. The better article is a
Cud. A chew of tobacco, a quid. Rector. Similarly when a tea-cake
As adj., (Winchester College). 1. is split and buttered, the bottom half,

Pretty, handsome. 2. (Christ's Hos- which gets the more butter, is the
pital), severe see Cuddy.
: Rector, and the upper half the Curate.
Cuddie. A donkey. Curb. To steal see :
Prig. (1615).
Cuddling. Wrestling. Curbstone - broker. See Gutter-
Cuddy (Christ's Hospital). snipe.
Hard, difficult, said of a lesson. Also Curbstone- sailor. A prostitute : see
Hertfordic6 for Passy (q.v.). Tart.
123
 Cure. Cut.

Cure, subs, (common). An eccen- These conflicting views were discussed

tric, fool, funny fellow. Originally at length in Notes and Queries, 1 8.,
applied in many connections, we L 61, 90 ; iii. 22, 253, 423, 483 ; v.
Punch, xzxL 201 (1856). 619 ; 3 S., xii. 24, 96 ; 4 S., vi. 194,
Curious. To do curious, to act 289 ; also, see Chambers' Encyclopaedia.]
strangely. Cursitor (or Cursetor). A tramp or
Curl. Out of curl, out of aorta ; vagabond.
out of condition. To curl up, to be
'
Curtain - raiser. A short
'

piece
'

silent, shut up.' To curl one's Jiair, to bring up the curtain : Fr., lever de
' '
to administer chastisement, go for rideau.
one. To curl one's liver (or to have Curtail (or Curtail). A vagabond
one's liver curled), to make one feel or thief
'
A curtail is much like to the
:

intensely. Vpright man, but hys authority is not

Curie. Clippings of money fully so great. He vseth commonly to
(Grow). go with a short cloke, like to grey
Curl-paper. ' Paper for the W.C.,' Friars, and his woman with him in like
liuery, which he calleth his altham if
-
toilet paper, wipe
'
bummatory
' ' '

(Urquhart), or sanitary paper, she be hys (Awddey, 1560). Thieves

bumfodder, bumf, ammunition. who cut off pieces of stuff hanging out
Curly cues (or Carlicues). Fantastic of shop windows ; the tails of women's
ornaments worn on the person or used gowns, etc. ; also thieves wearing
'
in architecture ; also, by implication, short jackets (Grose, 1785). As verb,
a strange line of conduct. to cut off.
Currants - and - plums. A
three- Cuse (Winchester College). A
penny bit, thrums (q.v.). book in which a record is kept of the
Currency. A colonist born in
' '
marks in each division its name to :
' '
Australia, those of English birth being dons is classicus paper also used ;

sterling (q.v.). for the weekly order.

Curse. Not to care (or be worth) a Cushion. To hide, conceal, Stall
curse, to care (or be worth) little or off (q.v.), Stow (q.v.), Slum (q.v.).
nothing at all (1362). To deserve the cushion, on the birth of
Curse-of-God. A cockade (Lexicon a child a man was said to deserve the
Balatronicum). cushion ; i.e. the symbol of rest from
Curse of Scotland. The nine of labour.
diamonds. The suggested derivations Cushion- smiter
(or
-
thumper).
are inconclusive. [The locution has A clergyman.
nothing to do with Culloden and the Cuss. A man, Cove (q.v.), or Cull
Duke of Cumberland, for the card was (q.v.) generally, but not necessarily,
:

nicknamed the Justice-Clerk, in al- disparaging. To cuss out, to talk

lusion to the Lord Justice-Clerk down, flummox by the lip (q.v.).
Ormistone, who, for his severity in Cussedness. Generally in such
suppressing the Rebellion of 1715, was phrases as, pure cussedness, the cus-
called the Curse of Scotland. Other sednees of things, etc. Mischievous-
suggestions are ( 1 ) That it is derived
: ness, or resolution, or courage may
from the game of Pope Joan, the nine be
implied
but in the Coventry plays
;

of diamonds there (being called the cursyanesse signified sheer wickedness

'pope,' of which the Scotch have and malignity.
always' stood in horror. (2) The Customer. A man, fellow, cove,
'
word curse is a corruption of cross, cuss, or chap with a certain qualifi-
:

and the nine of diamonds is so ar- cation, e.g. an ugly customer = a

ranged as to form a St. Andrew's dangerous opponent a queer customer ;

Cross. (3) That it refers to the arms =a

suspicious person, one to be sus-
of Dalrymple, Earl of Stair (viz. or, pected ; a rum customet = an odd
on saltire azure, nine lozenges of the fish.

field), who was held in abhorrence for Custom-house Officer. An

the massacre of Glencoe ; or to Colonel aperient piU : cf. Chimney-sweep.
Packer, who attended Charles I. on the Cut. 1. A stage or degree : e.g.
scaffold, and had for his arms nine a cut above one. 2. A refusal to

lozenges conjoined, or in the heraldic acknowledge acquaintance, or to

language, gules, a cross of lozenges. associate with another person ; a snub.
124
 Cut. Cutting.

A cut direct (or dead cut) is a conspicu- the sense of to correct in a less formal
ous non-acknowledgment of an ac- manner than Tunding (q.v.). To
quaintance. 3. Mutilation of the cut it, to move off quickly, run away,
book of a play, opera, etc. (1779). cut dirt (q.v.). As intj., Cease !

As adj., tipsy on the cut, on the spree

;
: Stow it! Stash it! A forcible
see Screwed (1748). As verb, 1. To talk injunction to desist and be off. Also
(1567): To cut benle, to speake cut that ! or simply cut I To cut it fat,
gentle ; to cut bene whydds, to speake to show off, make a display, come it
or give good words ; to cutte quyer strong, put on side, cut a dash (q.v.).
whyddes, to geue euil words or evil To cut mutton, to partake of one's
language. 2. To disown, ignore, or hospitality, to break bread with one.
avoid associating with, a person : To cut off one's head (American polit-
sometimes cut dead. An article in ical) used of an term
official when his
the Monthly Magazine for 1798 cites of office has come
an end through to
cut as a current peculiarity of ex- change of Government, or superces-
pression, and says that some had tried sion in other ways. The cut of one's
the general appearance. To cut
'
to change it into spear,' but had jib,
failed. 3. To depart more or less one's cart, to expose a trick. To cut
hurriedly and perforce. Also to cut one's comb, to snub, lower conceit
and run, cut it, cut one's lucky, cut (1593). To cut one's eyes, to get
one's stick, cut off, cut away, etc. suspicious. To cut one's eye (or wis-
[Originally nautical to cut the cable dom) teeth, to learn what's what. To
and run before the wind.] (1570). cut one's own grass, to get one's own
4. To compete in business ; to under- living, paddle one's own canoe. To
sell. A cutting one where
trade is cut out, to debar, deprive of advan-
profits are reduced a minimum. to tage, supersede (1779). To cut out of,
Also cut under. 5. To excel. Also to do out of. To cut saucy see Saucy. :

cut out. 6. To strike out portions of To cut short (generally cut it short !) a
a dramatic production, so as to shorten common injunction not to be prolix,
it for representation. avoid, 7. To Stow it To cut the line (rope, or
!

absent oneself from. to cut Thus, string), to cut a story short, stop
lecture, to cut chapel, to cut hall, to cut yarning. To cut the painter (1) to
gates (1794) are common phrases. To decamp, make off secretly and sud-
cut a caper or capers, to play a trick or denly. (2) To die see Hop the twig.
:

prank, behave boisterously or fan- To cut up, to run down, to mortify

tastically ( 1 692). To cut a dash, splash (1759). (2) To come up, turn up,
(or shine), to make a show, attract at- become, show up. (3) To divide
tention through some idiosyncrasy of plunder, to share, to nap the regulars
manner, appearance, or conduct. In (1779). (4) To behave. To cut up
the United States to cut a splurge (or fat, to leave a large fortune ( 1 824). To
a swathe), Fr., flamber, faire du flafla, cut up rough (rusty, savage, stiff, ugly),
and faire flouer (1771). To cut a to become quarrelsome or dangerous.
figure, to make an appearance, good To be cut up, to be vexed, hurt, de-
or bad (1759). To cut and come again, jected sometimes simply cut. For-
:

to have plenty one cut does

: i.e. if merly, to be in embarrassed circum-
not suffice, plenty remains to come stances (1821).
at again (1738). To cut (or cut up) Cut-away. A morning coat. [As
didoes (shindies, shines, etc.), to play compared with a frock coat.] '
pranks or tricks, to cut capers. To Cute. Sharp, clever, fly to wot's
cut dirt (or cut one's stick, lucky), to wot.' Fr., avoir le nez creux (1748).
make off, escape. To cut fine, to Cuts. Scissors. 8matt-cuts=s
narrow down to a minimum. To cut button-hole scissors.
in, to join in suddenly and without Cutter. A thief, bully. This
ceremony, intrude, chip in (q.v.). ancient cant word now survives in
Also substantively (1819). To cut the phrase, to swear like a cutter
into (Winchester College), originally (1589).
'
to hit one with a ground ash.' The Cutting. 1. The process of under-
office was exercised by Bible-clerks selling; competition of the keenest
upon a man kicking up a row when
' '
kind. 2. Disowning or ignoring a
'

up to books.' Now generally used in person.

125
 Cutde. Daisy-cutter.

Cuttle (or Cuttle- bung), Cutty. A short pipe, a nose-

A knife used by cut -
purses warmer (q.v.).
(1692).
*
C u z. A workman free of the
Cutty - eyed. Suspicious looking, chapel.'
leering. Cymbal. A watch.

D. 1. A
penny, or (in pi.) pence ; Daddy. The superintendent of a
1.

e.g. two
d, three d, etc.,=two-pence, casual ward generally an old pauper.
;

three- pence, etc. 2. detective ; A 2. A stage manager. 3. A confederate

among thieves, any policeman. To of workers of mock raffles, lotteries,

use a big d, to swear ; the d stands for etc. ; generally the person selected to
damned. The two fa, army regula- receive the prize.
tions enact that a soldier's pay must Daddyism. (American). Pride of
not be so docked in fines as to leave birth.
him than two - pence a day.
less Daffy (or Daffy's Elixir). Gin.
Hence, if a man, from any cause, is [From a popular medicine sold as
put on short pay, he is said to be on early as the beginning of the eighteenth
the tun fs. century.
Dab. 1. An expert, a dabster. Daffy - down - dilly.
'
A dandy,
[Thought to be a corruption of adept one got up regardless.'
(Latin odeptus) a dep ; a dap a dab.] ; Dagen. An artful member.
Cf. dabbler, one who meddles Dagger - cheap. Dirt
cheap.
without mastery ; a superficial med- [From an ordinary of low repute in
dler. Fr., dob, dobe, or dode (1733). Holborn, notorious for the coarseness
2. A
bed, bug-walk, kip. 3. The of its entertainment (see Johnson's
drowned corpse of an outcast woman. Alchemist, v. 2, and Devil is an Ass, i.
4. A trifle (1745). As adj., 1. Clever, 1).
skilled, expert. 2. Bad. A dobheno, Dags. A feat, performance, work,
a bad market, day, or sale. Doogheno e.g. 1 11 do your dags=.&r\ incitement
=a good day, etc. ; dob frcw=.bad to emulation.
sort. JRum-dobe, the same as doh, Daily Levy (The}. The Daily Tde-
subs., sense 1 see Rum. :To dob graph. [This London daily is the
down, to pay, hand over, poet, property of Mr. Edward LevyLawson.]
shell out. To dob it up, to pair off ; Dairy. The paps. To air the
to agree to cohabitation. dairy=to expose the breast. Eng-
Dabster. An ex pert or ddb( q.v.). lish synonyms: bubs bubbles), (or
Dace. Two-pence ; in America, charlies, blubber, butter-boxes, but-
two cents. [From deuce.] ter-bags, berkeleys, cat-heads, diddies,
Dacha-saltee. A franc; ortenpence globes, dugs, milk-walk, milk-shop,
English. [From the Italian died milky way, dumplings, udder (Brown-
'

MML] ing), Nature's founts ', feeding bot-

Dad binged (also blamed, -fetched)
-
, tles, charms, hemispheres, apple-
gasted, -goned, -rotted, or -snatched
'
dumpling shop, meat market, poonts,
(American), half-veiled oaths, whips titties, cabman's rests (rhyming),
to beat the devil round the stump. baby's bottom.
Dad-dad, (Mum-mum or Daddy- Daisies. Boots also Daisy- :

mammy). A beginner's practice on the roots. To

turn up one's toes to the
drum. daisies, to die : see Hop the twig.
Daddle. The hand ; or fist. To Daisy. A man or thing first-rate
tip the doddle, to shake hands. English of a kind. As adj., first-rate, Al.
synonyms : chalk-farm, claw, clutch, Daisy- beat. See Beat
cornstealer, duke, fam, famble, feeler, Daisy- beaters. See Creepers.
fin, flapper, flipper, forceps, forefoot, Daisy-cutter. 1. A horse, good or
fork, grappling-iron (or hook), goll bad : also daisy-kicker :
Fr., rase tapis
(old), oar, paddle, palette, paw, pber, (1785). 2. A ball bowled to travel
shaker, wing, Yarmouth mitten. more than half the pitch along the
126
 Daisy -kicker. Dandy.

ground without rising, a sneak, Dance. A staircase, flight of steps :

and (Wykehamice), a ramrod. a contraction of the older form

Daisy-kicker. 1. A horse. 2. An Dancers. As verb, 1. To be hanged :

ostler (1781). also to dance upon nothing, and to

Daisy - roots. Boots. To pick a dance the Paddington frisk see :

lisy, to evacuate in the open. Ladder. 2. Type dances if letters

Daisyville. The country, the drop out when the forme is lifted.
monkery : also Deuseaville (1622). To dance Barnaby, see Barnaby.
Dakma. To silence. Dance of Death. Hanging.
Darn. To care or be worth not a Dancers. 1. Stairs, flight of
dam, to care or be worth nothing. steps: Fr., les grimpants (1671). 2.
Damage. The cost of anything, (sing.) Also dancing master. A thief
the sum total in the sense of recom- whose speciality is prowling about the
pense. What's the damage (or roofs of houses and effecting an
swindle) ? What's to pay ? (1800). entrance through attic and upper
Damaged. Drunk, Screwed (q.v.). storey windows ; a garreteer (q.v.) :

Damber. A man, Cove, or Cull, in also dancing -master.

the fraternity of vagabonds. Dancing-master. 1. A species of
Damme (Dammy or Dammy-boy). Mohock or dandy, temp. Queen Anne.
A sixteenth and seventeenth century [Who made his victims caper by
roysterer, a blusterer. running his sword through the legs ;

Dam -
nasty Oath (American). A for detailed description, see Spectator
corruption of amnesty oath. [South- (1712), No. 324.] 2. See Dancers,
erners, at the close of the Civil War, sense 2. 3. The hangman, Jack
were required, as an outward sign of Ketch (q.v.).
submission to the Union, to subscribe D-and-D. Drunk and disorderly.
to certain conditions, upon which a Dander. Anger. To raise one's
free pardon was granted. The terms dander (or get one's dander up, or riz),
were deemed unpalatable.] to make or get angry. Hence Dan-
Damned - soul. A Custom House dered, angry, mad.
clearing clerk. [To avoid perjury he D a n d o. A great eater, glutton,
was alleged to have taken a general wolfer ; specifically a sharper who sub-
oath never to swear truly in making sits at the expense of hotels, restaur-
declarations.] (Lexicon Balatroni- ants, or oyster bars. [From one
cum, 1811). Dando, a bouncing, seedy swell,
Damp (generally Something damp). hero of a hundred ballads, notorious
A drink, go (q.v.). To damp one's for being charged at least twice a
mug, to drink see Lush. To damp
: month with bilking.]
the sawdust, to crack a bottle with Dandy (formerly slang, now re-
friends for luck on starting a new cognized). 1. A fop, coxcomb, man
house. who pays excessive attention to dress.
Damper. 1. A till, Lob (q.v.). The feminine forms, '

dandilly
'
and
'
Drawing a damper, robbing a till, dandizette,' did not catch on.
Lob-sneaking. 2. A sweater ; one who Dandy was first applied half in admira-
takes as much as possible out of work- tion, half in derision to a fop about the
men for a minimum of pay. 3. He or year 1816. John Bee (Slang Diet.,
that which damps, chills, or dis- 1823) says that Lord Petersham was
courages. 4. Ale or stout after spirits the chief of these successors to the
and water, a Cooler (q.v.). 5. A departed Macaronis, and gives, as
snack between meals. 6. A suet their peculiarities, French gait,
'

pudding served before meat. 7. Un- lispings, wrinkled foreheads, killing

leavened bread made of flour and king's English, wearing immense
water and baked in thin cakes, in a plaited pantaloons, coat cut away,
frying pan or on a flat stone in wood small waistcoat, cravat and chitter-
ashes (Australian). lings immense, hat small, hair frizzled
Damp- pot. The sea ; specifically and protruding.' In common English
the Atlantic. dandy has come to be applied to such
Damson-pie.
' '
A Birmingham '
as are neat and careful in dress-
and black country term for Bil- ing according to fashion. English
Ungsgatry.' synonyms :
beau, blade, blood, buck,
127
 Dandy-matter. Davy.

chappie, corinthian, count, court-card, Dark-horse (or Dark'un). A horse

cheese, daffy-down-dilly, dancing- whose pace is unknown to the backers ;
master, dude, dundreary, exquisite, figuratively, one about whom little is
flasher, fop, gallant, gommy, gorger, known.
Jemmy Jessamy, Johnny, lounger, Dark-house, subs. (old). A mad-
macaroni, masher, mohawk, nerve, house. Shakespeare (Alfa Well, etc.,
nicker, nizzie, nob, oatmeal, scourer, n. iii.) used it to denote the seat of
smart, spark, sweater, swell, toff, tip- gloom and discontent.
topper, tumbler, yum-yum. 2. A Darkmans (Darks, Darky). The
base gold coin. [In allusion to its night, twilight (1567). English syno-
careful make and composition, this nyms: blackmans, bund, blindman's
coin containing a certain proportion holiday (twilight).
of pure gold.] 3. A Darkman's - budge. A burglar's
'
small whisky.'
4. Anything first-rate; a Daisy (q.v.). confederate he slips into a house
:

Also used adjectively. The Dandy, all during the day, hides there, and opens
right, your sort, the ticket a north- : the door at night (Grose).
country song has the line, The South
'

'
Darky (or Darkey). 1. A dark
Shields lasses are The Dandy 1
lantern, bull's eye. 2. The night,
Dandy-master. The head of a gang twilight: also (nautical) Darks. 3,
of counterfeiters, one who makes the A negro : see Snowball.
coin but does not himself attempt to Darn (Darned). Euphemistic for
pass it : see Dandy 2. damn and damned used ; to
'
Dandypratt for Dandipratt). Prim- avoid cussing bar' -foot.' Also Dor-
arily a dwarf, page ; by implica- nation, Dangnation, Darn burn it,
tion a jackanapes. In all likelihood, and Darn (or Dash) my buttons (or
'
the etymon of the modern dandy,' wig).
erroneously derived from the French Dart. A straight-armed blow.
dandin, a fool, as in Moliere, Georges D.A.'s. The menstrual flux: an
Dandin (1580). abbreviation of Domestic afflictions
Dang it I A euphemism for Damn (q.v.)
it ! Also Dang my buttons I and Dash. 1. A tavern waiter. 2. (com-
Dang me I mon). A small quantity, a drink ;
Danglers. A bunch of seals. a go (q.v.). Also a small quantity
Dan Tucker. Butter. of one fluid to give a flavour to another
Darbies. 1. Handcuffs. English e.g. a lemon and a dash, a bottle of
synonyms : black-bracelets, buckles, lemonade with just a suggestion of
Father Derbie's bands, ruffles, wife, bitter beer in it. As verb, to adulterate
snitchers, clinkers, government se- Dash it I (or dash my buttons, wig,
curities, twisters, darbies and Joans timbers, etc.) Expletives employed
(
= fetters coupling two persons). 2. euphemistically, i.e. to damn. To
Sausages, bags of mystery, chambers cut a dash : see Cut. To have a dash
of horrors (q.v.). on, to speculate largely or wildly, to
Darb 1 e. The devil. [A corrup- go it strong.
tion of French diable.] Dasher. 1. A showy prostitute.
Darby. Ready money. [One (1790). 2. An ostentatious or extra-

Derby is supposed to have been a vagant man or woman, an impetuous

noted sixteenth century usurer.] person, clipper ; also latterly, a
a
Darby Allen (Lancashire). Ca- man or woman
of fashion, a person of
jolery, chaff, gammon. brilliant qualities, mental or physical :
Darby - roll. A
gait peculiar to Fr., genreux-se.
felons of long standing : the result of Daub. 1. An artist 2. A bad
shackles- wearing. picture.
Darby's - dyke. The grave ; also David. 1. See Davy. 2. (Ameri-
death. can). A torpedo.
Darby's-fair. The day of removal David's Sow. Drunk as David's
from one prison to another for trial. (or Davy's) sow, beastly drunk see :

Dark. To get the dark, to be con- Screwed.

fined in the punishment cell. Davy. 1. An affidavit: e.g. So
Dark-cull (or -cully). A married help (or s'wdp) me
davy, or Alfred
man with a secret mistress (Orose). Davy (q.v.): Fr., Je fen foiu mon
128
 Davy's-dust. Dead-head.

billet or mon petit turlututu, I'll take form a kind of settee in front of the
my davy on it Jones,
(1764). Davy fire. [Probably in allusion to the
Davy, or Old Davy, the spirit of the seats round a pulpit, facing the con-
sea, specifically the sailor's devil gregation, reserved for deacons.]
(1751). Whence, Davy Jones' locker, Deacon's Hiding-place. A private
the ocean, specifically, the grave of compartment in oyster saloons and
them that perish at sea. The popular cafes ; Fr., cabinet particulicr.
derivation ( = a corruption of Jonah's Dead. An abbreviation of dead
locker, i.e. the place where Jonah certainty. As adj., stagnant, quiet
was kept and confined, and by im- (of trade), flat (as of beer or aerated
plication the grave
of all gone to the waters after exposure), cold, good,
bottom, drowned or dead) is con- thorough, complete (1602). Dead as
jectural. Davy putting on the coppers a door nail (mutton, a herring, a tent-
for the parsons, the indications of a peg, Julius Ccesar, etc.), utterly, com-
coming storm. Davy Jones' natural pletely dead. Dead as a door-nail is
children, smugglers, sea-rovers, pirates. found in Langland's Piers Plowman
Davy's-dust. Gunpowder. 3^ [1362] ; all other forms are modern.
Dawb (or Daub). To bribe. In dead earnest, without doubt, in
Daylight. A
glass that is not a very truth. Dead against, decidedly
bumper, skylight (q.v.): obsolete. opposed to. Dead alive (or Dead-
To burn daylight, to use artificial and-alive), dull, stupid, mopish, for-

light before it
is really dark, to waste merly deadly -
lively. Dead -
amiss,
time (1595). To let (or knock) day- incapacitated through illness from
light into one (into the victualling de- competing in a race of horses. Dead- :

partment, or into the luncheon reservoir), beat, a sponger, loafer, sharper. 2.

to stab in the stomach, and, by im- A pick-me-up compounded of ginger,
plication, to kill Fr., bayafer.
:
soda, and whisky. As verb, to
Daylights. 1. The eyes. To sponge, loaf, cheat. As adj., ex-
darken one's daylights, to give a black hausted. Dead broke, utterly penni-
2. In
eye, sew up one's sees (1752). less, ruined also flat (or stone) broke ;
:

sing., the space

in a glass between used verbally, to dead break. Eng-
liquor and brim inadmissible in
: lish synonyms: wound up, settled,
bumpers at toasts the toast-master :

'
cries no daylights nor heeltaps
Deacon. To pack fruit, vegetables,
etc., the finest on the top cf. Yankee
proverb, All deacons are good, but
there is odds in deacons. To deacon
a calf, to kill. To deacon land, to
filch land by gradually putting back
one's fences into the highway or other
common property. To deacon off, to
give the cue, lead in debate. [From
a custom, once universal but now
almost extinct, in the New England
Congregational churches. An im-
portant function of the deacon's
office was to read aloud the hymns
given out by the minister one line at a
time, the congregation singing each
'
coopered, smashed up, under a cloud,
! cleaned out, cracked up, done up, on
one's back, floored, on one's beam
:
ends, gone to pot, broken-backed, all
U. P., in the wrong box, stumped,
feathered, squeezed, dry, gutted,
burnt one's fingers, dished, in a bad
way, gone up, gone by the board,
made mince meat of, broziered, wil-
lowed, not to have a feather to fly
with, burst, fleeced, stony, pebble-
beached, in Queer Street, stripped,
rooked, hard up, broke, hooped-up,
strapped, gruelled.
Dead-cargo. Booty of a disappoint-
ing character.
Dead-certainty. That which is sure
to occur usually contracted to Dead
;

line as soon as read. This was called or Cert, both of which see. Dead cut,
deaconing off.] see Cut.
Deacon - seat. In log cabins the Dead-duck. That which has depre-
sleeping apartment partitioned off is ciated to the verge of worthlessness.
by poles. The bed is mother earth, Deader. 1. A funeral, black job -

the pillow is a log, the foot-board a (q.v.). A corpse.

2.

long pole six feet from the fire and in Dead frost.- A fiasco, Columbus
the centre of the cabin. The deacon (q.v.) :
Fr., four noir,
seat is a plank fixed over and running Dead-head (Dead-beat or Dead-
parallel with the footboard so as to hand). One who obtains some*
129
 Dead-heat. Dean.

thing of commercial value without occupied or enjoyed by a person

special payment or charge spec, a ; who is dead and buried. Waiting for
person who travels by rail, visits dead men's shoes, looking forward to
theatres, etc., by means of free paaiei. inheritances (1584).
Also as verb. Dead-nap. A thorough-going
Dead-heat A race with an equal rogue.
finish formerly dead (1635).
: Dead -
nip. A plan or scheme of
Dead-horse. 1. Work, the wages for little importance which has turned out
which have been paid in advance ; a failure.

by implication, distasteful, or thank- Dead-oh. In the last stage of intoxi-

less labour Fr., bijouterie. To pull
: cation : see Screwed.
the dead horse, to work for wages al- Dead - on (or Dead nuts on).
ready paid Fr., manger du soli ( 1651 ).
:
Originally, having some cause of
2. (West Indian). A shooting star. complaint or quarrel ; also, very fond
Among Jamaican negroes the spirits of, having complete mastery over,
of horses that have fallen over pre- sure hand at
cipices are thought to re-appear in Dead-set A pointed and persist-
this form. To flog the dead hone, to ent effort or attempt (1781).
work no purpose, dissipate one's
to Dead Sow's-eye. A badly worked
energy in vain, make much ado button-hole.
about nothing. Dead-stuck. Said of actors who
Dead-letter. Anything that has break down in the midst of a perform-
lost its force or authority by lapse of ance through sudden lapse of memory.
time or other causes (1775). Dead-swag. Dead stock, or dead
Deadlights. The eyes. cargo (q.v.) ; plunder that cannot be
Dead lurk. The art of entering
-
disposed of.
dwelling-houses during divine service Dead-to-rights. Certain, without
(May hew). doubt.
Deadly. Very, extremely, ex- Dead-'un. 1. An uninhabited
cessively : e.g. So deadly cunning house. The cracksman who confines
a man (Arbuthnot).
' '
his attentions to busting of this
Deadly-lively. Jovial against the kind is, in Fr., un nourrisseur. 2. A
grain and to no purpose. half -quartern loaf. 3. horse des- A
Deadly-nevergreen. The gallows, tined to be scratched or not intended
The leafless tree, The tree that bears to win, and against which odds may
fruit all the year round see Nubbing- : be safely laid; a safe 'un (q.v.). 4.
cheat. An empty bottle. 5. An unpaid
Dead-man. 1. An emply bottle: super.
said to bear Moll Thompson's mark Dead-unit for (or against). Collec-
(i.e. M.T.=empty). English syno- tive advocacy of (or opposition to) a
nyms camp-candlestick, fellow-com-
: subject, principle, or line of action.
moner, corpse, dummy, dead marine, Dead- wo od earnest Quite earnest,
dead recruit, dead 'un. 2. A loaf, dead on.
over-ch irged, or marked down though Dead Wrong-'un. See Wrong 'un.
not delivered. In London, dead 'un Deady (or Dead-eye). Gin a ;

is a popular term for a half-quartern specialbrand of full proof spirit, Stark-

loaf. by implication, a baker
Also, naked (q.v.). [From Deady, a well-
(1819). 3 (tailors'). In pL, Misfits ; known gin-spinner.] (1819).
hence, a scarecrow. Deal. There's a deal of glass about,
Dead man's - lurk. Extortion of said of men and things ; used as a
money from the relatives of deceased compliment^ showy, it's the thing.
persons. To wet the deal, to ratify a bargain by
Dead - meat. A corpse. English drinking, to shake.'
'
To do a deal, to
synonyms cold meat, pickles (medical
: conclude a bargain.
students' for specimens direct from
: Deal-suit A coffin ; especially one
the subject), croaker, stiff, stiff 'un, supplied by the parish.
dustman, cold pig. See Cold-meat Dean (Winchester College). A
train. small piece of wood bound round a
Dead - -
e n's shoes. m
A situa- Bill-brighter (q.v.); that securing a
tion, property, or possession formerly faggot is called a Bishop.
130
 Deaner. Deuce.

Deaner. A shilling see Rhino.
Death. To be death on, very fond
of, thoroughly master of a metaphor
of completeness ; the same as Dead
on, Mark on, or Some pumpkins on.
To dress to death, to attire oneself in
: their goods consumed with fyre. They
wyll most lamentable demaunde your
charitie, and wyll quicklye shed salte
teares, they be so tender harted.
They wyll neuer begge in that Shiere
where their losses (as they say) was
'

the extreme of fashion. In America (Barman).

to dress within a inch of one's life ; to Demi -doss. A penny sleep.
dress up drunk, and to dress to kill. An Demi-rep. A woman of doubtful
old Cornish proverb has dressed to repute. [A contraction of demi-
death like Sally Hatch (N. and Q., 3 reputation. ] (
1 750).
ser., vi. 6). Demnition Bow-wows. The
Death hunter. 1. A vendor of the
' '

dogs which spell

'
ruin.' Originally a
last dying speeches, or confessions of Dickensism.
criminals ; a running patterer or Demon (Australian prison). 1.
stationer (1738). 2. An undertaker. A policeman. 2. An adept ; e.g.
Death or Glory Boys. See Bing- the demon bowler Mr. Spofforth ;
ham's Dandies. the demon /oc&ez/ Fordham or Fred
Debblish. A penny : see Rhino. Archer, and so forth.
Decent (Decently, Decentish). Den. A place where intimates are
Moderate, tolerable, passably, fairly received ; one's diggings, or snug-
good. gery.
Decoy-bird (or duck). One em- Dennis. A small walking stick.
ployed to decoy persons into a snare ; Dep. 1. A deputy; specifically the
a Buttoner or Bug-hunter (q.v.) FT., :
night porter or chamberlain at padding
allumeur, chatouilleur, or arrangeur. or doss-kens. 2. (Christ's Hospital).
D
e c u s. A
crown piece : see A deputy Grecian, i.e. a boy in the
Rhino. [From the Latin motto, form below the Grecians.
Decus et tutamen on the rims of these D e r r e y. An eyeglass. To take
coins.] (1688). the derrey, to quiz, ridicule.
Dee. 1. A pocket-book or reader. Derrick. The gallows. [A cor-
2. A
detective ; also 'tec (q.v.). 3. ruption of Theodoric, the name of the
See D, sense 2. public hangman at the end of the
Deeker. A thief kept in pay sixteenth and the beginning of the
by a constable (Haggart). seventeenth centuries.] Now the name
Deep. Artful, e.g. a deep one: of an apparatus, resembling a crane.
cf. Wide (1672). Also as verb, to hang (1600): see
Deerstalker. A felt hat : see Gol- Nubbing-cheat.
gotha. Derwenter. A convict. [From the
Deferred-stock. Inferior soup. penal settlement on the banks of the
Degen (Degan, or Dagen). A Derwent, Tasmania.]
sword (1785). Despatchers. False dice with two
Delicate. A lurker's (q.v.) false sides, double four, five, and six.
subscription book. Desperate (and Desperately),
Dell. A young girl, virgin, generic for excessiveness ; e.g. des
young wanton : later, a mistress : cf. perately mashed, over head and ears
Doxy (1567). in love.
Delog. Gold : see Rhino. Detrimental. An ineligible suitor ;

Delo-nammow. An old woman. also a male flirt.

Delve. To delve it, to hurry with Detrimental-club. The Reform

one's work, head down and sewing fast. Club.
'
Demaunder for Glymmar. These Deuce (Dewce, or Deuse). 1. The
Demaunders for Glymmar be for the devil ;perdition. Also used as an
moste parte wemen for glymmar in ; ejaculation, e.g. the deuce ! what the
their language, is fyre. These goe deuce ! who the deuce I deuce take you I
with fayned lycences and counter- etc. 2. Twopence see Rhino (1714). :

fayted wrytings, hauing the hands and 3. The two at dice or cards. To play
seales of suche gentlemen as dwelleth the deuce (or devil) with, to send, or
nere to the place where they fayne be sent, to rack and ruin. The deuce
them selues to haue bene burnt, and to pay, unpleasant or awkward con-
131
 DevU-dodger.

sequences to be faced : see Devil to of Venice,' act n.

'
sc. vi.), employs
pay. What ! must I hold a candle to my
Deuced. Devilish, excessive, con- shame,' in much the same sense. Not
founded. Also adverbially. fit hold a candle to the devil, a simile
to
Deusea - ville. The country : see of inferiority. To hold a candle to
Daisyville. another, to assist in, occupy a sub-
Deusea-ville Stampers. Country ordinate position, or to compare to
carriers. another (1461). The devil (or the
Devil. 1. Formerly,a barrister devil and all) to pay, a simile of fruit-
who devils, or gets up, a case for a less effort ; awkward consequences
leader; as in A Tale of Two Cities, to be faced. [Nautical originally, :

Sydney Carton for Mr. Stryver. Now There's the devil to pay and no pitch
common for any one hacking for hot ; the devil being any seam in a
another. 2. An errand boy or young vessel, awkward to caulk, or in sailor's
'

apprentice ; in the early days of the language to pay.' Hence by con-

craft, the boy who took the printed fusion, The deuce to pay (q.v.).]
sheets as they came from the press :
(1711). Talk of the devil and you'll
Fr., attrape-acienee (1754). kind 3. A see his horns or tail, said of a person
of sharpened anchor, at the bows of a who, being the subject of conversation,
trawler, for cutting the nets of drifters unexpectedly makes an appearance.
in the North Sea. 4. A firework Fr., parlez des anges et vous en voyez
(1742). 5. Gin seasoned with capsi- les ailes (1664). Devil may care,
cums. 6. A grilled bone seasoned with rollicking, reckless, rash (1822). DevU
mustard and cayenne. 7. A sand- take (fetch, send, snatch, or fly away
storm. 8. A species of firewood with) you, me, him I an imprecation
soaked in resin. The (or a) devil of [a of impatience. Fr., le boulanger
thin*}], an indefinite intensitive : e.g. fentrotte en son pasclin. There's the
devil of a mess, of a woman, of a devil among the tailors, a row is going
row, etc. (1602). American devil, a on. [Edwards Originating in a :

steam whistle or hooter used in : riot at the Haymarket when Dow-

place of a bell for summoning to ton announced the performance, for
work. Blue devils: see ante. Little his benefit, of a burlesque entitled
(or young) devil, a half playful, half
'
The Tailors a Tragedy for : Warm
sarcastic, address ; a term of endear- Weather.' Many thousands of jour-
ment ; e.g. You little deviL As verb, neymen tailors congregated, and
1. To act as a Devil (q.v.), to perform interrupted the performances. Thirty-
routine or regular work for another. three were brought up at Bow Street
2. To victimize. What who, when, next day. See Biographica Drama-
'

where, or how the devil, an expletive of tica under Tailors.'] When the
wonder, vexation, etc. To play the devil is blind, never, i.e. in a month
devil with, to ruin or molest. To of Sundays said of anything unlikely
;

pull the devil by the tail, to go headlong to happen see Greek Kalends.
:

to ruin ; also to be reduced to one's Devil -dodger. A clergyman also, :

last shift. To whip the devil round by implication, any one of a religious
the stump, to enjoy the sweets of turn of mind (1791). English syno-
wickedness and yet escape the penalty. nyms devil catcher (driver, pitcher,
:

Haul devil, putt baker, to contend with
varying fortunes. And the devU knows
what (or who), a term used vaguely
and indefinitely to include
not specifically mentioned or known
(1717). To go to the devil, to go to
rack and ruin. Go to the devil I Begone
a summary form of dismissal with no
heed as to what may become of the
person who is sent about his business.
To hold a light or candle to (or burn a
candle before) the devil, to propitiate
through fear, to assist (or wink at)
wrongdoing. Shakespeare (' Merchant
or scolder), snub devil, bible pounder,
duck that grinds the gospel mill, corn-
mister, camister, sky-pilot, chimney-
details sweep, rat, rum (Johnson), pan tiler,
cushion smiter (duster, or thumper),
couple (or buckle) beggar, rook, gospel
!
grinder, earwig, one-in-ten (tramps =
a tithe-monger), finger-post, parish
prig, bull, holy Joe, green
parish
apron, black cattle (collectively),
white choker, patrico, black coat,
black fly, glue pot, gospel postilion,
prunella, pudding-sleeves, puzzle-text,
schism - monger, cod, Black Bruns-
132
 Devil-drawer. Dew-beaters.

wicker, spiritual flesh-broker, head- bed too. Now

clerk of the Doxology Works, Lady
Green, fire-escape, gospel sharp, padre
(Anglo-Indian), pound-text.
Devil-drawer.
artist.
Devilish. Used intensively
Awfully, beastly (1755).
Devil's Bed-posts
poster). The four of clubs ; held
to be an unlucky turn up.'
'
they have turned
their flocks into powder, to play the
false thieves with it.' Popularised by
Mr. Ferrand in a speech before the
An indifferent House of Commons, March 4, 1842
(Hansard, 3 S., Ixi. p. 140), when he
: cf. tore a piece of cloth made from devil's
dust, into shreds to prove its worth-
(or Four- lessness.] Also Shoddy (q.v.) (1840).
2. Gunpowder.

Devil's-guts. A surveyor's chain

Devil' s-bones. Dice ; also Devil's (1785).
teeth, Devil's books (1664). Devil's Own (The). 1. The Eighty-
Devil's-books. Cards. [Of Pres- Eighth Foot. [A contraction of The
byterian origin ; in reproof of a syno- Devil's Own Connaught Boys, a name
nym King's books, or more fully, bestowed by General Picton for
The History of the Four Kings (Fr., gallantry in action and irregularity in
lime des quatre row).] Also Books of quarters during the Peninsular War,
Briefs (Fr., la cartouchiere d parties) 1809-14.] 2. The Inns of Court
(1729). Volunteers [in allusion to the legal
Devil's-claws. The broad arrow on personnel] (1864).
convict dress. Devil' s-paternoster. To say the
Devil's-colours (or livery). Black devil's paternoster, verb. phr. (old).
and yellow. To grumble (1614).
Devil's-daughter. A shrew. Devil's-playthings. Cards : also
Devil's-delight. To kick up the Devil's books.
devil's delight, to make a disturbance Devil's-sharpshooter. A cleric who
(1854). took part in the Mexican War.
Devil' s-d o z e n. Thirteen ; the Devil's - smiles. April weather,
original of baker's dozen (q.v.). alternations of sunshine and rain.
[From the number of witches sup-
'
-
Devil's tattoo. Drumming the
posed to sit down
together at a Sab- fingers or tapping the floor with one's
bath.' Fr., boulanger = the devil.] feet, in vacancy or impatience (1817).
Devil's -dung, subs. (old). Asa- Devil's-teeth. See Devil's-bones.
f oetida :the old pharmaceutical name [Also to note in this connexion are
(1604). Devil's own boy, a young blackguard ;
Devil' s-dust. 1. Old cloth shredded imp of the devil, idem ; Devil's own
for re-manufacture. [In twofold al- ship, a pirate ; Devil's own luck, un-
' '
lusion to the swindle and to the dust common, or inexplicable good fortune.
' '
or flock produced by the disinteg- To lead one. the devil's own dance, to
'

rating machine called a devil.' The baffle one in the pursuit of any object ;
practice and the name are old. Lati- The devil a bit, says Punch, a jocular
mer, in one of his sermons before Ed- yet decided negative ; and Neat but
ward the Sixth, treating of trade not gaudy, as the devil said when he
rascality, remarked that manufac- painted his bottom pink and tied up his
turers could stretch cloth seventeen tail with pea green, a locution em-

yards long, into a length of seven-and- ployed of aged ladies dressed in flam-
twenty yards When they have
:
'

ing colours.]
brought him to that perfection,' he
'
Deviltry. A vulgarism for
continues, they have a pretty feat devilry.
to thick him again. He makes me a D e v o r (Charterhouse). Plum
powder for it, and plays the pothicary. cake. [From the
Latin.]
They call it flock-powder, they do so Devotional -
habits.
'
Said of a
incorporate it to the cloth, that it is horse that is apt to say his prayers,'
wonderful to consider ; truly a good i.e. to stumble and go on his knees.
invention. Oh that so goodly wits Dew-beaters (dusters, or
should be so applied ; they may well treaders). 1. Pedestrians out
early
deceive the people, but they cannot in the morning, i.e. before the dew
deceive God. They were wont to is off the ground (1692). 2. The
make beds of flocks, and it was a good feet : see Creepers. 3. Shoes.
 Dew-bit.

Dew-bit. A snack before break- deuce (q.v.) (1596), used interchange-

(-t. ably. [A corruption of nick (q.v.).]
Dew -drink. A drink before break- For synonyms, see Skipper.
fast Fr., goutte pour tutr It ver, i.e.
: Dicker (or Dickering). Barter,
to drown the maggot, or, to crinkle swap (q.v.) :
generally applied to trade
the worm. Not, of course, the early in small articles.
worm of the proverb, but his spiritual Dickey. 1. A woman's under pet-
cousin, the worm that never dies. ticoat 2. A donkey (1766). 3. A
Dewitt. To lynch. [The two De sham shirt front, formerly a worn-out
Witts, opponents of William of Orange, shirt. [Hotten : originally tommy
were massacred by the mob in 1672, (from the Greek, ropy, a section), a
without subsequent inquiry.] Cf. word once used in Trinity College,
Boycott, Burke, Cellier (1690). Dublin.] Also, by implication, any
Dewse-a-Vyle. The country : see sham contrivance (1781). 4. shirt A
Daisyville(1567). collar (De Fere). 6. ship's officer A
Dewskitch. A thrashing. or mate ; second dickey, i.e. second
Dial (or Dial-plate). The face. To mate. 6. A Dandy. As
swell : see
turn the hands on the dial, to disfigure adj., 1. Sorry, inferior, paltry and poor
the face. English synonyms frontis- : in quality. Dickey domus (theatri-
piece, (the jaws), chump (also
gills cal), a poor house. 2. Smart cor- :

the head), phiz, physog, mug, jib, ruption of Up to dick (q.v.). Att
chivy (or chevy), roach and dace dickey with [one'], queer, gone wrong
(rhyming), signboard, door plate, up with (1811).
- all
front-window. Dickey-bird. 1. A louse: see
Dials. Convicts and thieves hailing Chates. 2. (pi.) Professional singers
from Seven Dials. of all grades. 3. A
prostitute ; gener-
Diamond -
cracking. 1. Stone- ally naughty dickey-bird.
breaking. 2. Coal mining. Cf. Black A linen-draper.
Dickey-diaper.
diamonds. Dickey-dido. An idiot see :

Dibs (or Dibbs). Generic for money : Buffle.

see Rhino. [Said to be a corruption Dickey-lagger. bird-catcher. A
of diobs, i.e. diobolus, a classic coin= Dickey-sam. A native of Liverpool.
2Jd. Another derivation is from the Diddies. The paps.
hucklebones of sheep, popularly dibbs, Diddle. 1. Gin see Drinks.
: 2.
used for gambling ; Scots
'

chuckies.'] A swindle, do. As verb, 1. To

To brush with the dibs, to abscond with cheat (1811). 2. (Scots colloquial).
the cash To tip over the dibs, to pay
;
To shake.
down or shell out ; To flash the dibs, Diddle-cove. A landlord.
to show money, etc. Diddler. A cheat, a dodger. [Cf.
Dice. To box the dice, to carry a Jeremy Diddler, in Kenny's liaising
point by trick or swindle. the Wind.} Also a chronic borrower.
Dick. 1. A
dictionary, a Richard Didoes. Pranks, tricks, fantastic
(q.v.) ; implication, fine
also, by proceedings.
language or long words. 2. riding A Die (or Dee). A pocket book. To
whip. 3. An affidavit. 4. An Irish die in one's boots (or shoes). 1. To be
Catholic : see Crawthumper. As verb, hanged: see Ladder (1653). 2. To
' '
to look, Pipe (q.v.) ; e.g. the bulky's die standing at work, in harness,
:

dicking, the policeman is watching in full possession of one's faculties.

you : Fr., gaffer : see Pipe. Dick in See Cotton.
the green, weak, inferior : cf. Dicky. Die - by - the - Hedge. The flesh
In the reign of Queen Dick, never, of animals deceased by accident or of
when two Sundays come in a week : disease ; hence, inferior meat.
see Greek Kalends. To swallow the Die - Hards. The Fifty-Seventh
Diet, to use long words without know- Foot. [From the rallying call at
ledge of their meaning, to high falute Albuera (1811) its
'
Colonel (Inglis)
(American). Up to Dick, not to be calling to the men, Die hard, men, my
taken in, artful, fly, wide - awake. die hard,' when it had thirty bullets
Also, up to the mark, i.e.
perfectly through the King's Colour, and only
satisfactory. had one officer out of twenty-four, and
Dickens. The devil (q.v.) or one hundred and sixty-eight men out
134
 Dig. Dip.

of five hundred and eighty-four, when Dinahs. Edinburgh and Glasgow

left standing.] Railway Ordinary Stock.
Dig. 1. A blow, thrust, punch, or '
Dinarly (or Dinali) Money gen- :

poke in pugilism, a straight left-

;
eric see Rhino.
: Nantee (or Nanti
'
hander delivered under the guard on Dinarly), no money Sp., dinero :
;

the 'mark' (1819). Also as verb. Lingua Franca, niente dinaro, not a
English synonyms :
auctioneer, biff, penny.
bang, buck-horse, buster, chatterer, Dine. To dine out, to go dinnerless.
chin - chopper, chopper, clip, click, To dine with Duke Humphrey, Take a
clinker, clout, cock, cork, comber, Spitalfields breakfast (or an Irishman's
cuff, cant, corker, dab, downer, douser, dinner), go out and count the railings.
ding, domino, floorer, ferricadouzer, Fr., Se coucJier bredouUle (to go to bed
fibbing, facer, flush - hit, finisher, supperless) oiler voir de filer lea dragons
;

gooser, hot 'un, jaw-breaker, lick, (to go and watch the dragoons march
mendoza, muzzier, noser, nobbier, past) ; diner en ville (to dine in town :

nose-ender, nope, oner, punch, stock- i.e. to munch a roll in the street or to

dollager, stotor, spank, topper, twister, eat nothing), lire le journal.

whack, wipe. 2. A
diligent student :
Ding. To knock, strike down,
(by implication from the verb (q.v.) ; pound, or give way also to get rid
:

also study ; e.g. to have a dig at Caesar of, pass to a confederate, steal by a
or Livy ; as verb, to work hard ; especi- single effort. To ding a castor, to
ally to study. To dig a day under the snatch a hat and run with it the :

skin, to make one shave serve two booty being dinged if it has to be
days. To dig up the hatchet : see Bury. thrown away. Going upon the ding, to
See Patent digester.
Digester. go on the prowl. Ding the tot run !

See Jigged.
Digged. away with the lot (1340). !

Diggers. 1. Spurs, persuaders Ding-bat. Money : see Rhino.

(1789). 2. The spades suit: also Ding-boy. A rogue, bully (Grose).
Diggums. Big digger, ace of spades. Ding-dong. To go at it (or to it)
3. Thefinger nails. ding-dong, to tackle with vigour, or in
Diggers' -delight. A wide-brimmed right good earnest. Formerly, helter-
felt hat see Golgotha.
: skelter (Grose, 1785).
Diggings. A
place of residence or Dinge (Royal Military Academy).
employment. [First used at the A picture or painting.
Western lead mines in the U.S.A. to Dinged. Darned (damned), some-
denote whence ore was dug.] Eng- times Ding-goned.
lish synonyms birk, box, case, crib,
:
Dinger. 1. A thief who throws

chat, den, dry-lodgings, drum, place, away his booty to escape detection :

pig-sty, pew, cabin, castle, chafimg- see Ding. 2. In pi., cups and balls ;
crib, caboose, sky-parlour, shop, ken, Fr., gobdets et muscades.
-
dossing ken, hole, rookery, hutch, Ding-fury. Huff, anger.
hang-out. Ding-goned. See Dinged.
Diggums. 1. A gardener. 2. Dingle. Hackneyed, used up
The suit of spades ; also Diggers (q.v.). (1786).
Dilberries. Fcecal and seminal Dining - room. The mouth : see
deposits : clinkers. Potato -
trap. Dining room chairs, -

Dilly. A night cart ; formerly the teeth ; also Dinner-set (q.v.) : see
a coach. [Fr., diligence.} Grinders.
Dilly-bag. A wallet, scran-bag. Dining-room Post. Petty pilfering
Dilly - dally. To loiter, hesitate, by sham postmen.
trifle (1740). Dink. Dainty, trim ( 1 794).
D i mbe r.
Pretty, neat, lively, Dinner-set. The teeth. Your
scrumptious, natty. Fr., batif, fignole, dinner-set wants looking to, you need
girofte. Dimber cove, a sprightly man, to go to the dentist.
a gentleman. Dimber mort, a pretty Dip. 1. A pickpocket ; also Dip-
girl. per and Dipping-bloke see Stook- :

Dimber - damber. A captain of hauler. 2. A stolen kiss, especially

thieves or vagrants. one snatched in the dark. 3. (West-
Dimmock. Generic for money : see minster School). A pocket inkstand-
Rhino. 4. A candle made by dipping the wick

135
 Dipe. Do.

in tallow. As verb ( 1 ) To pick pockets Dispatches. False dice; con-

To dip a lob, to rob a till : also to go on trived always to throw a nick. See
the dipe, to go pocket-picking see : Doctor.
Frisk. (2) To pawn, mortgage ( 1 093). Garments re-
-
Dissecting job.
(3) To be convicted, get into trouble. quiring extensive alterations.
To dip one's beak, to drink : see Lush. Distiller. A man easily vexed,
Dipe. See Dip. and unable to dissemble his condition.
Dipped. Dipped in the wing. Ditto-blues (Winchester College).
Worsted. A suit of clothes all of blue cloth :

Dipper. 1. A baptist (Grose). 2. cf. Dittoes.

See Dip. Ditto Brother (or Sister) Smut.
Dipping-bloke. See Dip. See Brother Smut.
Dips. 1. A purser's boy. 2. A Dittoes. A complete suit of clothes
grocer. of tLe same material. Fr., un com-
Dipstick. A gauger. plet. Occasionally applied to trousers
Dirt. generic : see Rhino.
Money :
only.
To eat dirt, to submit to insult, eat Ditty-bag. A handy bag, used by
'
broiled crow, or humble pie (q.v.) ; to sailors as a huswife.' [Deft, Dight
retract. To fling dirt (or mud), to = neat, active, handy.]
abuse, vituperate (1689). To cut Dive. A drinking saloon ; also a

dirt. See Cut. brothel. As verb, to pick pockets :

Dirt-baillie. An inspector of see Frisk. Diving, picking pockets
nuisances. (1631). To dive into one's sky, to put
Dirt - scraper. An advocate who one's hands into one's pockets. To
rakes up unpleasant facts in a witness's dive into the woods, to conceal oneself.
past. Diver (or Dive).
'
A pickpocket (as
Dirty -dishes. Poor relations. Jenny Diver in The Beggar's Opera ')
Dirty Half-Hundred. The Fiftieth dip (q.v.): see Thief (1608).
Foot. [From the fact that, in action, Divers. The fingers see Forks. :

during the Peninsular War, the men Divide. To divide the house with
wiped their faces with their black fac- one's wife, to turn her out-of-doors.
ings.] Also the Blind Half- Hundred. Diving-bell. A cellar- tavern cf. :

Dirty-puzzle. A slut (Orose). Dive and see Lush-crib.

:

Dirty -shirt March. On Sunday Do. 1. A fraud (1812). 2. One'*

mornings the male population of Drury duty, a success, performance of what
Lane, Whitechapel, and other crowded one has to do; once literary (1663).
districts loaf about the streets, before As verb, (1) to cheat: see Gammon
attiring themselves in their Sunday (1789). 2. To punish (q.v.). 3. To
clothes. This promenade is called a visit a place do ; Italy, to do
e.g. to
Dirty-shirt march. the Row, to do the High (at Oxford),
Dirty-shirts. The Hundred etc. Fr., faire is used in the same
and First Foot. [They fought in sense ; faire ses Acacias, i.e. to walk
their shirt-sleeves at Delhi in 1867.] or drive in the AUee des Acacias. 4.
Disgruntled. Offended colloquial : To perform, to come (q.v.) ; to do the
in U.S.A. Undisgruntled, unoffended. polite,to be polite ; to do a book, to write
Disguised. Drunk see Screwed
: one ; to do the heavy (the grand, or the
(1622). genttel), to put on airs (1767). 6. To
Dish. To
cheat, circumvent, dis- utter base coin or Queer (q.v.). Do
appoint, to ruin (1798). as I do, an invitation to drink. See
Dish-clout. A
dirty-puzzle, Drinks. To do a beer (or a bitter, a
slattern. To make a napkin of one's drink, or a drop), to take a drink. To
dish-clout, to marry one's cook, con- do a See Bilk. To do a bill,
bilk.
tract a mesalliance (Orose). to utter an acceptance or bill of ex-
Dished. Said of electrotypes when change. To do a bishop, to parade at
the centre of a letter is lower than short notice. To do a bit, to eat some-
its edges. thing cf. to do a beer.
: To do a
Dismal-ditty. A psalm sung by a bunk (or shift), to ease nature : see
criminal at the gallows. a
Bury quaker, and Mrs. Jones. Also,
Dispar (Winchester College). See to go away. To do a crib, to break
Cat's-head. into a house, to burgle Fr., maquiUcr :

136
 Do. Dodder.

une cambriole see Crack a crib. To

: man's or street artists'), to go through
do a guy (1) to run away, make an a performance To do a mouch (or a ;

escape. (2) To absent oneself when mike), to go on the prowl ; To do a

supposed to be at work. To do a nob, grouse, to go questing for women ; To
to make a collection. To do a pitch : do a doss, to go to sleep ; To do a
see Pitch. To do a rush, see Rush. cadge, to go begging ; To do a scrap,
To do a snatch see Snatch. To do : to engage in combat ; to do a rural, to
a star pitch, to sleep in the open air :
' '
rear by the wayside ; etc. Do tell !
Fr., loger d la belle ctoUe see Hedge :
intj. A useful interjection, for lis-

Square. To do a brown see Brown : teners who that some remark is

feel
and Bamboozle also to do brown and
:
expected ; equivalent to the English
to do it up brown. To do for (1) to Really ? and Indeed ? A similar
ruin: also to kill (1650). (2) To phrase in the South is the old English,
attend on (as landladies on lodgers). You don't say so ? which a Yankee
(3) To convict, sentence. Done for, will vary by, I want to know Do !

convicted. To do or play gooseberry : tell is also used with inexperienced

see Gooseberry. To do gospel, to go to Munchausens who by its means may
church. To do the handsome (or the often be lured to repeat themselves
handsome thing), to behave extremely (1824).
well to one. To do it away, to dispose Doash. A cloak : see Capella.
of stolen goods also To do the swag
: Dobbin. Ribbon. Dobbin rig,
(q.v.), Fence (q.v.). To do it on the stealing ribbon.
B. H., to perform with ease. To do Dock. 1. The weekly work bill or
it up, to accomplish an object in view, Pole (q.v.). 2. The hospital. Aa
obtain one's quest. To do it up in verb, (1) (Winchester College), to
good twig, to live an easy life by one's scratch out, tear out (as from a book) ;
wits. To do one proud, to flatter : also to strike down. To go into dock,
e.g. Will you drink ? You do me to undergo salivation.
proud. To do out, to plead guilty and Docker. 1. brief handed to A
exonerate an accomplice. To do over counsel by a prisoner in the dock.
(1) to knock down, persuade, cheat, Legal etiquette compels acceptance if
ruin (1789). (2) To search a victim's marked with a minimum fee of
' '

pockets without his knowing it cf. :

1, 3s. 6d. 2. A dock labourer.
run the rule over. To do potty, to Dock -walloper. A loafer one who ;

pick oakum in gaol. To do one's about docks and wharves also

loiters ;

business, to kill : see Cook one's goose. an unemployed emigrant.

Also (vulgar), to evacuate. To do the Dockyarder. A skulker cf. Straw- :

downy to lie in bed.

Downy flea pas- yarder (q.v.).
ture, a bed. To do the swag, to sell Dockyard-horse. An officer better
stolen property Fr., laver la camelote
: at correspondence than at active
or les fourgueroles. To do the trick, to service.
accomplish one's object. To do time, Doctor. 1. A false die sometimes ;

to serve a term of imprisonment. To a manipulated card. To put the

do to death, to repeat ad nauseam. To doctor on one, to cheat. 2. An adulter-
do to tie to, to be fit to associate with ; ant. To keep the doctor, to make a
trustworthy. To do up, to use up, of adulterating liquor. 3.
finish, quiet. Done up, tired out, rown sherry. [Because a doctored
gractice
ruined, sold up: see Floored (1594). (q.v). wine.] 4. ship's cook. 6. A
For the rest, do, like Chuck and Cop, (Winchester College). The head
is a verb-of-all-work, and is used in master. 6. The last throw of dice or

every possible and impossible connec- ninepins. As verb, (1) to patch, adul-
tion. Thus, To do reason and To do terate, falsify, cook. (2) To poison a
right, to honour a toast To do a bit of ; horse.
stiff, to draw a bill To do a chuck, to
; Doctor Draw-fart. A wandering
eject, or to go away To do a sip ; quack.
(back slang), to make water To do a ; Doctored. Patched, adulterated,
cat, to vomit To do a hall (or a
; falsified, cooked.
theatre), to visit a music hall or a play- Dod-burn it I A euphemistic oath ;

house ;To do a fluff (theatrical), to on the model of Dadbinged (q.v.).

forget one's part ; To do a pitch (show- Dodder. Burnt tobacco taken
137
 Dodderer. Dog's-eared.

from the bottom of a pipe and placed chiding ; e.g. a sad dog, gay dog, old
on the top of a fresh plug to give a dog, etc. see Cove. Sometimes
:

stronger flavour. adjectively male ; An old dog at

Dodderer. A meddler; always in it, expert, or accustomed to (1596).

contempt. Sometimes doddering old 2. A burglar's iron see Jemmy. To :

sheep's head, which also=a fool. go (or throw) to the dogs, see Go and
D o d d y. In Norfolk a person of Demnition Bow-wows. Hair of the
low stature. Sometimes hodmandod dog that bit you see Hair. To blush :
'
and hoddy-doddy, all head and no like a blue dog see Blush. Dog biting
:

body.' Dodman (dialect), a snail. dog, said of actors who spitefully

Dodfetched. A euphemistic oath. criticise each others' performance.
Most of its kind have originated in Dog in a blanket, a pudding of pre-
New England, where the descend- served fruit spread on thin dough,
ants of the Puritans form the largest rolled up, and boiled ; also Roly-poly
portion of the population. and Stocking. Like a dog in shoes, a
Dodgasted. See Dodfetched. pattering sound ; as the noise of a
Dodge. To trick, swindle, elude. brisk walk. Dog in the manger, a
Used in various combinations The : selfish churl who does not want
;

pious dodge, a pretence of piety The
tidy-dodge, begging in the streets with
tidily but poorly dressed children,
etc. Also, Nart (1708) see Lay.
; himself, yet will not let others enjoy.
[From the fable.] (1621). To go to
the dogs see Go.
: To let sleeping dogs
: lie see Sleeping dogs.
:

'
Dodger. 1.
'
A
trickster : e.g. the Dogberry. A magistrate or stupid
Artful Dodger (Dickens, Oliver constable see Beak and Copper.
:

Twist, ch. viii.) FT., etre ficelle, to be

:
[From Much Ado about Nothing.]
a dodger (1611). 2. A dram; pro- Dog-cheap. Very cheap, of little
vincially, a nightcap see Go. 3. A :
worth, foolish. [Skeat from Swed., :

hard-baked cake or biscuit usually :

dog, very ; Latham the first syllable :

corn - dodger, or when mixed with is god =

good, transposed + cheap,
beef, beef-dodgers. 4. A handbill. from chapman, a merchant hence,
Dodo. A stupid old man. a good bargain.] Fr., bon marchc
Dodrotted. A euphemistic oath. (1598).
Does. Does it ? A sarcastic Dog-collar. A stand-up shirt
retort. Does your mother know you're collar, an all-rounder (q.v.).
out ? A popular locution, vague as Dog-drawn (old), adj., phr. Said
to meaning and inexact in application of a bitch from which a dog baa been
an expression expressive of con- removed by force.
tempt, incredulity, sarcasm, anything Dogger (Charterhouse). To
you please. English variants: Has your cheat, sell rubbish.
mother sold her mangle ? Not to- Doggery. 1. Transparent cheating :

day, or it won't do, Mr. Ferguson ! cf. Dogger. [Carlyle in Frederick uses
Sawdust and treacle Draw it mild ! !
doggery = the doings of a scurvy set of
And the rest Who are you T All
!
soldiers.] 2. A low drinking saloon.
round my hat Go it, ye cripples
! !
Doggoned. A euphemistic oath.
Shoo, fly How does the old thing
!
Doggy. A batty in the mining
work ? Well, you know how it is districts is a middleman ; a doggy is
yourself ! How's your poor feet ? his manager. As adj., (1) Connected
Why, certainly your
! I'll have with, or relating to dogs. (2) Stylish.
whelk ! Not to-day, baker, call to- Dog - Latin. Barbarous or sham
morrow, and we'll take a crusty one ! Latin ; also Kitchen, Bog, Garden, or
Do you see any green in my eye ? Apothecaries' Latin.
Put that in your pipe and smoke it !
Dogs. 1. Sausages; otherwise bags'
Where are you going on Sunday T of mystery (q.v.), or chambers
Go to Putney Who stole the donkey
! : of horrors (q.v.). 2. Newfoundland
the man in the white hat Cough, ! Land Company's shares; now amal-
Julia ! Over the bender There you !
gamated with the Anglo - American
go with your eye out etc., etc. !
United, and called Anglos.
Dog. 1. A man; sometimes used
'

Dog's-body. Pease pudding.

contemptuously (cf. Cat, a woman), Dog's-eared. Crumpled, as the
but more frequently in half-serious leaves of a page with much reading.
138
 Dog's-meaL Donkey.

Dog's-meat. Anything worthless : schoolmaster. [Latin dominus, a lord

as a bad book, a common tale, a or master.] (1616).
villainous picture, etc. Dominie Do-little. An impotent
Dog-shooter. 1. A volunteer. 2. old man.
(Royal Military Academy). Cadets Domino ! An ejaculation of com-
thus term a student who accelerates, pletion e.g. for sailors and soldiers
:

that is, who, being pretty certain of at the last lash of the flogging ; and
not being able to obtain a commission for 'bus conductors when an omnibus
in the engineers, or not caring for it, is full inside and out ; also, by im-
elects to join a superior class before plication, a knock-down blow, or the
the end of the term. last of a series. [From the call at the
Dog's -nose. A mixture of gin and end of a game of dominoes.]
beer : see Drinks. Domino - box. The mouth : see
-
Dog's paste. Sausage or mince- Potato-trap.
meat. Dominoes. 1. The teeth see :

Dog's -
portion. A lick and a Grinders. To sluice one's dominoes,
smell, i.e. next to nothing. to drink. 2. The keys of a piano.
Dog's-sleep. The lightest possible Domino-thumper. A pianist.
form of slumber. Dommerar (Dommerer, or Dum-
Dog's-soup. Water: see Adam's merer). A beggar feigning to be deaf
ale and Fish broth. and dumb; also, a madman (1567).
Dog's-tail. The constellation of Don. An adept a swell also ; ;

Ursa minor or Little Bear. a swaggerer, a man putting on

Dog - stealer. A dog-dealer : sar- side. At the Universities a fellow
castic. or officer of a college whence the ;

Doldrums. Low spirits; the dumps vulgar usage. [Latin, dominus, a lord,
or hump (q.v.). [Properly parts of through the Spanish title.] (1665).
the ocean near the Equator abounding As adj., clever, expert, first-rate.
in calms and light, baffling winds.] Dona (Donna, Donny, or Doner).
Dole (Winchester College). A A woman see Petticoat.
:

stratagem or trick. [Latin dolus.'] Donaker. A cattle-lifter (1669).

D o 1 i fi e r (Winchester College). Done ! An interjection of accept-
One who contrives a trick. See ance or agreement (1602). As adj.,
Dole. exhausted, ruined, cheated, convicted.
Dollar. A five-shilling piece. [See Do in most of its senses.]
Half-dollar, half-a-crown, or two Done-over. Intoxicated : see
shillings : see Caroon. Screwed.
Dollop. A lot. All the dollop, the Donkey. 1. A compositor; press-
whole thing. In Norfolk to dollop, to men are Pigs (q.v.). English syno-
dole out ; also to plank.'
'

Dolloping, nyms: ass, moke, galley-slave. 2. A

throwing down. sailor's chest. 3. blockhead : see A
Dolly. 1. A
mistress. 2. piece of A Buffle. A penny (twopence or three-
cloth use as a sponge. As adj , silly. .
pence) more, and up goes the donkey,
Dolly-mop. A harlot. an exclamation of derision. [Street
Dolly - shop. A marine store : acrobats' the custom was to finish off
:

really an illegal pawn-shop and fence the pitch by balancing a donkey at the
(q.v.); also leaving-shop. No ques- top of a ladder on receipt of tuppence
'

'
tions are asked ; all goods are received more which sum, however often
;

on the understanding that they may subscribed, was always re-demanded,

' '
be repurchased within a given time ; so that the donkey never went up
so much per day is charged no ; at all.] donkey ? A
Who stole the
duplicalo is given and no books are
; street cry once in vogue on the ap-
kept. From the sign of the Black pearance of a man in a white hat.
Doll (q.v.).] With a similar expression Who stole
Dome. The head : see Crumpet. the leg of mutton ? applied to the
Domestic-afflictions. A woman's police, it in a case of
had its rise
flower-time. larceny. To ride the donkey, to cheat
Dome-stick. A domestic servant. with weights and measures also :

Dominie. A clergyman also ; Donkey-riding. To talk the hind leg

(modern Scots), a pedagogue or off a donkey see Talk. :

139
 Donkey-drops. Mb,
Donkey - drops. Slow roundhand Dose. 1. A sentence of imprison-
bowling, such as is seldom seen in good ment ; specifically three months' hard
matches, but is effective against boys, labour. English synonyms :
spell,
is known by the contumelious desig- time, drag, three moon, length,
stretch,
nation of donkey-drops. seven- pennorth, sixer, twelver, lagging.
Donkey's-ears. An old-fashioned 2. Aburglary. 3. beating. A
4. As
shirt-collar with long points. much liquor as one can hold. To have
Donna. See Dona. a dose of the balmy, to do a sleep. To
Donnish (Donnism, Donnishness) take a grown man's dose, to take a very
(University). Arrogant, arrogance large quantity of liquor.
(1823). Doss (or Dorse). A bed, lodging ; also
Donny. See Dona. asleep, or lib (q.v.) (1789). As verb,
Donovans. Potatoes : cf. Murphy. to sleep. English synonyms : to go to
[Donovan, like Murphy, is a common the arms of Murphy (q.v.). have forty
Irish patronym.] winks, go to Bedfordshire, take a little
Don's-week. The week before a (or do a dose) of the balmy, chuck (or
general holiday. do) a doss, snooze, go to by- by, read
Don't-name-'ems. Trousers: see the paper, shut one's eyes to think,
Kicks. retire to the land of Nod.
Don't. Don't you insh you may get Dosser. One who frequents a
it, a retort forcible. doss - house (q.v.). 'Appy dossers,
Doodle. A dolt see Buffle. : houseless vagrants who creep in, sleep
Doodled. Cheated, done (1823). on stairs, in passages, and in empty
Doodle -doo -man. A cockfighter or cellars. The dosser, the father of a
breeder. family.
Doog. Good. Doss-house (Dossing-crib or ken).
Do ok i e. A penny show or un- A common lodging house : Fr., baa-
-

licensed theatre tengue and garno. Doss money, the

: cf. Gaff. -

Dookin (Dookering). Fortune- price of a night's lodging (1838).

telling (1857). Dookin-cove, a fortune Dossy. Elegant, spiff (q.v.).
teller. Dot. A ribbon. Dot-drag, a watch
Door -nail. Dead as a door-nail : ribbon (1821).
see Dead. Dot - and -
Carry -
(or Go-) one.
Doorsman. See Barker and Clicker. 1. Properly, a man with a wooden leg ;
Doorstep. A thick slice of bread by implication, a Hopping-giles or
and butter Fr., :
fondante. Lira ping- Jesus (q.v.): Fr., banban. 2.
Dooteroomus (or Doot). Generic A writing-master or teacher ' of arith-
'
for money : see Rhino. metic (Orose). As verb, to hirple ;
Dope. To drug with tobacco also :
especially applied to a person with
doping, the practice. one leg shorter than the other, or,
Dopey. 1. A beggar's trulL 2. with an uneven keel.
(old). The podex. Dot. 1. An item of news. 2.
Dor (Old Westminster School). Money see Rhino.
:

1. Leave to sleep awhile (Kersey, D o 1 1 e r. A reporter, penny-a-

1715). 2. An affront. liner : see Dot.

Doras. South-Eastern Railway Dottle. The same as Dodder (q.v.).

Deferred Ordinary Stock, sometimes Dotty. 1. Feeble, dizzy, idiotic ;
applied to the A Stock.
' '
e.g. Dotty in the crumpet, weak in the
D o r b i e. An initiate. The Dor- head ; Dotty in the pins, unsteady on
bie's knock, a peculiar rap given by the legs. Also 2. subs., a fancy man
masons as a signal amongst themselves. of prostitutes of the lowest type.
It may be represented by the time of Doubite. A street.
the following notes : Double. A 1.2. An actor
trick.

playing two parts in the same piece ;

also as a verb (1825). 3. A turning.

. rc;r!
Dorcas. A sempstress ; especially
4. Repetition of a word or sentence.
Double, adj. and adv., is also used
one employing herself for charitable as an intensitive in many obscene or
purposes. offensive connotations : e.g. Double-
Dorse. BM D.'---. arsed, large in the posteriors ; Double-
140
 Double-back. Down.

duggs (and Double-dugged or diddied), Double-tongued. Mendacious,

heavy breasted ; Double - guts (and given to change opinions in changing
Double - gutted), excessively corpu- company.
lent Double-hocked, abnormally thick
; Double-tongued squib. A double-
ankled ; Double - mouthed, Mouth- barrelled gun.
almighty (q.v.) ; and so forth.] To D o ub 1 e - u p. 1. To punish.
put the double on, to circumvent. To Doubled-up, collapsed (1819). 2. To
tip (or give) the double, to run or slip pair off, chum with.
away openly or unperceived ; to Dough. Pudding.
double as a hare ; formerly to escape Dough-baked. Deficient in intel-
one's creditors. Also to Tip one the lect. In U.S.A., easily moulded said :

Dublin packet see Amputate (1781).

: of politicians (1675).
Double-back. To go back upon Doughy. A baker : see Master of
oneself, an action, an opinion. the rolls.
Double-barrel. A field or opera Douse. See Dowse.
glass. Dover. A made-dish, hash, re-
Double-bott omed . Insincere, chauffe.
saying one thing and meaning another. Dovers. South Eastern Railway
Double-breasted feet. Club feet :
Ordinary Stock.
also Double-breasters. Dove. A member of St. Catharine's
Double-cross (or Double-double). College, Cambridge. It is said that
Winning or doing one's best to win the members of St. Catharine's Hall
after engaging to lose or Mike (q.v.). were first of all called Puritans,
Double-distilled. Superlative :
e.g. from the derivation of the name of
a double - distilled whopper, a tre- their patroness from KoQuipeiv. The
mendous lie. dove being the emblem of purity,
Double - dutch. Unintelligible to change a name from Puritans to
speech, jargon, gibberish. It was all doves was but one short step. Soiled
Double - dutch to me, I didn't under- dove, a high-class prostitute.
stand a word of it. Dove-tart. A pigeon-pie. (Doo-
Double-event. Backing a horse for tairt is excellent Scots for the same
two races. thing.) Cf. Snake-tart, eel pie.
Double - firm. A 10 note : see Dowlas. A draper. [From dowlas,
Finn. now a kind of towelling, but mentioned
Double-header. A false coin with a by Shakespeare (' 1 Henry IV.,' m. in'.,
head on the obverse and reverse, made 1597) as a material for shirts. Popu-
by soldering two split coins. larised as a sobriquet by Colman's
Double-juggs. The posteriors Daniel Dowlas in The Heir at Law.
(Burton). Dowling. A compulsory game of
Double-lines. Ship casualties: from football. [ow\oe. ]
the manner of entering at Lloyd's. Down. 1. a
Suspicion, alarm,
Doubler. A blow in the side or diversion. no down, all is
There is
stomach, causing a man to bend from quiet, safe to go on (1821).
it is 2.
pain or lack of wind. Small beer. Up, bottled beer. As
Double - ribbed. Pregnant see : adv. (1) dispirited, hard-up, in dis-
Lumpy. grace. Found in various combina-
Double-shotted. Said of a whisky tions e.g. Down in the mouth (or
:

(or brandy) and soda, containing dumps), dejected Down on ;

one's
twice the normal quatity of alcohol. luck, reduced in circumstances ; Down
Double-shuffle. 1. A hornpipe step at heel, shabby ; Down at one's back-
in which each foot is shuffled twice in seam, out of luck Down to
;
bed-
succession, the more rapidly and rock, penniless, etc., etc. (1608). (2)
neatly the better. 2. A trick or fake- acquainted with, Fly (q.v.), Up to
ment. (q.v.). Also in combination: down
Double-slang. See Slangs. to, down on, and down as a hammer
Doublet. A doctored diamond (1610). (3) Hang-dog. As verb, to
or other precious stone. The face is put on one's back ; whether by force or
real and this is backed up by a piece of by persuasion. To be down a pit,
coloured glass. Cf. Triplet. to be very much taken with a part.
Double-thumber. A prodigious lie. To be (or come) down upon one, to be-
141
 Dral.

rate, attack, oppose. Sometimes with Doxology - works. A church or

a tag e.g. like a thousand (or a load) of
:
chapel.
bricks ; like one o'clock ; like a tom- Doxy. A
mistress, prostitute, oc-
tit on a horse turd, etc. To be down casionally, a jade, a girl, even a wife.
pin, to be out of sorts, despondent. In West of England, a baby (1567).
To drop down on one, to discover one's Dozing-crib. bed : see Kip. A
character or designs. To put a down D.Q. On the D.Q., on the dead quiet :

upon one, to peach so as to cause detec- cf. Strict Q.T., etc.

tion or failure. To put one down to Drab. 1. Poison; also medicine.
[a thing], to apprize, elucidate, or Also a verb. 2. A strumpet.
as
explain ; to coach or prime ; to let Drabbing, strumming.
one into the know. To take down a Drabbut. A vague and gentle
peg : see Peg. Down the road, vulgarly form of imprecation. Drabbut your
showy, flash. Down to dandy : see back, confound you.
up to Dick. Down to the ground, en- Draft. Draft on Aldgate pump, a
tirely, thoroughly, to the last degree fictitious banknote or fraudulent bill.
(1642). See N. and Q., 7 S., i. 387-493
Downed. Tricked, beaten, sat (1760).
upon. Drag. 1. A cart of any kind ; now
Downer. 1. A sixpence : see usually applied to a four-horse coach.
Rhino. In U.S.A., a five-cent, piece. 2. A chain. 3. A street or road. Back

[Cf. Deaner (q.v.) now corrupted ; drag, aback street. 4. Three months'
into Tanner (q.v.).] 2. A knock- imprisonment also Three Moon see
; :

down blow cf. Bender, Doubler, etc.

: Dose. Done for a drag, convicted of
Down-hills. Dice cogged to run Dragging (q.v.) see Drag, a term of
:

on the low numbers (Grose). imprisonment. 6. Feminine attire

Downs. Tothill Fields prison : see worn by men. To go on (or flash) the
Cage. drag, to wear women's attire for im-
Downstairs. HelL moral purposes. 6. A lure, trick,
Downy. A bed also:
Downy flea- stratagem. 7. A fox prepared with
pasture. As adj., artful, knowing herring or aniseed and brought to
(q.v.) (1823). To do the downy: see covert in a bag. 8. See Dragging.
Do. To put on the drag, to ease off or go
Downey-bit. A half-fledged girl. slow ;also to
put on pressure. To
Downy-cove (or bird). Aclever drag the pudding, to get the sack
rogue : in pi., the downies. English just before Christmas-time.
synonyms :
mizzler, leary bloke or Drag-cove. A carter or driver of
cove, sly dog, old dog, nipper, file, a Drag (q.v.).
Greek, one that knows what's o'clock, Dragging. Robbing vehicles.
one who knows the ropes, or his Drag -
lay. The practice of rob-
way about, don, dodger, dab, doll's bing vehicles (Grose).
eye-weaver, dam - macker, shaver, Dragon. A sovereign, 20s. : see
dagen, chickalcary - cove, ikey bloke, Rhino. To water the dragon, to urinate,
' '
artful member, one that is up to the pump ship,' rack off.'
time of day, fly cove, one that's in Dragsman. A coachman ; also a
the know, one that has his eye-teeth Drag-sneak (q.v.).
skinned, or that has cut his wisdoms. Drag -sneak. thief who makes aA
Dowry. A lot, a great deal ; speciality of robbing vehicles (1781).
dowry of parny, a lot of rain or water. Drain. 1. A
drink : see Go. To
Dowse Douse). A verb of
(or do a drain (wet, or common sewer), to
action e.g. Dowse your dog vane,
: take a friendly drink (1836). 2. Gin.
take the cockade out of your hat ; [From its diuretic qualities.]
Dowse the glim, put out the candle; Drains. A ship's cook ; The
Dowse on the chops, a blow in the Doctor (q.v.).
face. Drammer. See Drummer.
Dout. to do out as
Literally, ; Draper. See Gammon the Draper.
Dup do up, and Don, to do
(q.v.), to Drat (Dratted). A mild and in-
on. See Hamlet, iv. Then up he definite imprecation of contempt, or
rose and donned his clothes, and impatience. [A corruption of God
dupped the chamber door. rot it.]
142
 Draught. Drinks.

Draught. A privy : see Mrs. Jones Dredgerman. A river thief under

(1602). pretence of dredging up coals and such
Draw. 1. An undecided contest. like from the bottom of the river.
'

[An abbreviation of drawn game.'] They hang about barges and other
2. An attraction e.g. an article, ;
undecked craft, and when opportunity
popular preacher, successful play, and serves, throw any property they can
so forth. 3. A
stroke with the surface lay their hands on overboard: in order,
of the bat inclined to the ground. As slyly, to dredge it up when the vessel
verb, (1) to attract public attention. isgone. Sometimes they dexterously
(2) To steal, pick pockets. To draw a use their dredges to whip away any-
wipe (or ticker), to prig a handkerchief thing that may lie within reach. Some
or watch ; to draw a damper, to empty are mighty neat at this, and the ac-
a till (Grose). (3) To tease to vexation, complishment is called Dry dredging.
take in, make game of. (4) To bring Dress (Winchester College). The
out, cause to act, write, or speak, by players who come next in order after
flattery, mis-statement, or deceit. Six or Fifteen. [So called because
Also, to draw out ; Fr., tirer les vers du they come down to the matches ready
nez. (5) To ease of money e.g. I : dressed to act as substitutes if re-
drew him for a hundred ; She drew quired.] To dress a hat, to exchange
me for a dollar ! To draw on [a man], pilferings : e.g. to swap pickings from
to use a knife. To draw a bead on, to a hosier's stock with a shoemaker's
attack with revolver.
rifle To or assistant for boots or shoes. To
draw a straightto live up- furrow, dress down, to beat, scold (1715). To
rightly. To draw plaster, to fish for be dressed like Xmas beef : see Beef.
a man's intentions. To draw straws, To dress to death (within an inch of
to be almost asleep, drowsy. To draw one's life, or to kill), to dress in the
teeth, to wrench knockers and handles extreme of fashion.
from street doors. To draw the Dress-house. A brothel : cf. Dress-
badger see Badger. To draw blanks, to
:
lodger.
fail, be disappointed. To draw the Dressing (or Dressing -down).
bow up to the ear : see Bow. To draw Correction, manual or verbal ; also
(or pull) the long bow : see Bow. To defeat.
draw the cork, to make blood flow ; to Dress -lodger. A woman boarded,
tap the claret (q.v.). To draw the fed, and clothed by another, and pay-
King's (or Queen's) picture, to manufac- ing by prostitution.
ture base money. To draw wool (or Dressy. Fond of dress.
worsted), to irritate foment a quarrel ; : Drilled. Shot through the body.
cf. Comb one's hair. Draw it mild ! Drinks. The subjoined lists will
an interjection of (1) derision ; (2) in- be of interest. Invitations to drink
credulity; (3) supplication : cf. Come What'll you have ? Nominate your
it strong. Draw boy, a superior pizen Will you irrigate ? Will you
!

article ticketed and offered at a figure tod ? Wet your whistle ? How'll
lower than its value. you have it ? Let us stimulate !

Drawer-on. appetiser : used An Let's drive another nail What's !

only of food, as Puller-on (q.v.) of your medicine ? Willst du trinken ?

drink. Both are in Massinger. Try a little anti-abstinence ? Twy
Drawers. Embroidered stock- (zwei) lager Your whisky's wait-
!

ings (1567). ing. Will you try a smile ? Will you

Draw-fart (or Doctor Draw-fart). take a nip ? Let's get there. Try a
A wandering quack. little Indian
? Come and see your
Draw - latch. A thief ; also a pa Suck some corn juice ? Let's
?
loiterer (1631). liquor up. Let's go and see the baby.
Draw - off. To throw back the Responses to invitations to drink.
body to strike ; He drew off, and Here's into your face Here's how ! !

delivered on the left peeper. A sailor Here's at you Don't care if I do.
!

would say, He hauled off and slipped Well, I will. I'm thar Accepted, !

in.
unconditionally. Well, I don't mind.
Dreadful. A sensational story, Sir, your most. Sir, your utmost.
newspaper, or print : see Awful, and You do me proud Yes, sir-reo ! !

Shilling Shocker. With you yes !

Anything to oblige.
143
 Drinks. Drop.

On time. I'm with you. Count me water, frog's wine, juniper, jackey,
in. I subscribe. Synonyms for a lap, max, misery, old Tom, ribbon,
drink [i.e. a portion], generally, or satin, soothing-syrup, stark-naked,
when taken at specified times. Anti- strip me naked, tape, white satin,
-

lunch, appetiser, ball, bullock's eye tape, or wine : see Satin. Synonyms
(a glass of port), bead, bosom friend, for champagne. Cham or chammy,
bucket, bumper, big-reposer, chit- boy, fiz, dry, bitches' wine. Synonyms
chat, cheerer, cinder, corker, cobbler, for port. lied fustian (q.v.). Syno-
damper, or something damp, dannie, nyms for sherry Bristol milk, white
drain, dram, deoch-an-doras, digester, wash. Terms implying various degrees
eye-opener, entr'acte, fancy smile, of intoxication : eee Screwed. See
flash, flip, facer, forenoon, go, gill,
also lists under Elbow - crooker,
heeltap, invigorator, Johnny, joram, Lush, Lushcrib, Lushington, Gallon
morning rouser, modicum, nip, or Distemper.
nipperkin, night cap, nut, pistol shot, Dripper. A gleet.
pony, pill, quantum, refresher, rouser, Dripping. A cook ; especially an
reposer, shout, smile, swig, sleeve- indifferent one FT., fripier and
:

button, something, slight sensation, daube cf. Doctor and Slushy (q.v.), a
:

shant, sparkler, settler, stimulant, ship's cook.

soother, thimble-full, tift, taste, tooth- Drive. A blow. To lei drive, to aim
full, Timothy see Go. General syn-
: a blow, strike. Four rogues in buck-
onyms for drink. Breaky leg, bub, - ram let drive at me. Shakespeare,
crater ( also = whisky), fuddle, gargle, As verb, to send a ball off the bat with
grog, guzzle, lap, lush, neck-oil, nectar, full force horizontally. To drive at,
poison, slum-gullion, swizzle, stingo, to aim at :
e.g. What are you driv-
tipple, tittey, toddy : see Tipple. ing at T What do you mean T (1697).
Synonyms for beer (including stout). To a bargain, to conduct a
drive
Act of Parliament ; artesian, barley, negotiation, make the best terms
belch, belly-vengeance, bevy or bevvy, one can, dispute a condition or a price,
brownstone, bum-clink, bung-juice, succeed in a deal (1580). To drive a
bunker, cold-blood, down (see Up) ; humming (or roaring) trade, to do well
English burgundy (porter), gatter, in business (1625). To drive oneself
half-and-half, heavy-wet, John Bar- to the wash, to drive in a basket-chaise.

leycorn, knock-down or knock- me- To drive pigs to market, to snore. Fr.,

down, of barley, perkin, ponge,
oil jouer d la ronfle (or de Forgue), also
pongelow, or ponjello, rosin, rot-gut, fumer. To drive turkeys to market, to
sherbet, stingo, swankey, swipes, reel and wobble in drink. To drive
swizzle, up (bottled ale or stout) see : French horses, to vomit. From the
Swipes. Synonyms for Brandy. Hue done of French carters to their
Ball of fire, bingo, cold-tea, cold- teams.]
nantz French elixir or cream see
; : Driver's pint. A gallon.
French Elixir. Synonyms for whisky. Driz. Lace: Fr., miche (in allusion
Aqua vitas, bald - face, barley - bree, to the holes in a loaf of bread).
breaky - leg, bottled - earthquake, Driz-fencer. A street vendor of
bum - clink, caper - juice, cappie, lace, also a receiver of stolen material.
curse of Scotland, family-disturbance, fc
Droddum. The
posteriors (1786).
farintosh, forty-rod lightning, grapple- Dromaky. A
prostitute : north of
the-rails, hard stuff, hell-broth, in- England, particularly N. and S.
fernal compound, kill -
beggar, the - Shields. [From a strolling actress
lightning, liquid fire, moonlight, moon- who personated Andromache.]
shine, mountain-dew, old man's milk, Dromedary. A bungler ; specifically

pine top, railroad, red eye, rotgut,

- - a bungling thief : also Purple drome-
screech, Simon pure, sit - on - a - rock dary.
(rye whisky) soul destroyer, square
-
Drop. See Drop game. As verb,
face, stone-fence, tangle-foot, the real (1) to lose, give, or part with (1812).
thing, the sma' still, white-eye : see (2) To relinquish, abandon, leave : e.g.
Old man's milk. Synonyms for gin. to drop an acquaintance, to gradually
Blue ruin, blue-tape, Brian O'Lynn withdraw from intercourse cf. Cut. :

(rhyming), cat-water, cream of the To drop the main toby, to turn out of
valley, daffy, diddle, drain, duke, eye- the main road (1711). (3) To knock
144
 Drop-game. D. Ts.

down cf. To drop into, to thrash. (4)

: A commercial traveller ; also Ambas-
To bring down with a shot. To drop sador of Commerce or Bagman (q.v.) ;
anchor, to pull up a horse. To drop Fr., gaudissart or hirondette. See
one's anchor, to sit (or settle), down. Drum, a Old - time pedlars
road.
To drop a cog, see Drop-game. To announced themselves by beating a
drop one's flag, to salute ; also to sub- drum at the town's end.] (1827). 4.
mit, lower one's colours. To drop A trousers' maker, Kickseys' -builder
(hang, slip, or walk) into, to attack : (q.v.).
also cf. Drop on to. To drop off the Drumstick - cases. Trousers : see
hooks, to die see Hop the twig. :To Kicks.
drop one's leaf, to die : see Hop the Drumsticks. 1. The legs especially
twig. To drop on one, to accuse or of birds. English synonyms cheese- :

call to account without warning. Also cutters (bandy-legs), stumps, cabbage-

to thrash. To drop the scabs in, to stumps, pins, gams, notches, shanks,
work button-holes. To drop one's stems, stumps, clubs, marrow-bones,
'
wax, to evacuate or rear.' To get cat-sticks, trap-sticks, dripping-sticks,
(or have) the drop on, to hold at dis- trams, trespassers, pegs, knights of the
advantage, forestall. To have a drop garter.
in the eye, to be slightlydrunk see : Drunk. A debauch ; by implica-
Screwed (1738). Drop it\ Cease! tion, a drunkard, i.e. a drunk and
Cut it Cheese
! it !
disorderly person. On the drunk, on
Drop -game. A variety of the con- the drink, i.e. drinking for days on
fidence trick The thief picks out his
: end. Drunk as Davy's sow, excessively
victim, gets in front of him, and pre- drunk see Screwed.
:

tends to pick up (say) a pocket-book, Drunkard. To come the drunkard, to

(snide) which he induces the green- feign drunkenness ; also to be drunk.
horn tobuy for cash. The object is a To be quite the gay drunkard, to be
Cog, and the operator a Dropper or more or less in liquor.
Drop-cove. Drunken-chalks. Good conduct
Dropped-on. Disappointed. badges see Chalk.
:

Dropper. A specialist in the Drop- Drury - Lane Ague. A venereal

game (q.v.) : also Drop-cove (1669). disease see Ladies' Fever.
:

Dropping. A beating I'll give ; Drury-Lane Vestal. prostitute. A

you a good dropping, i.e. I'll thrash Dry. See Lime-basket.
you severely. Dry-boots. A dry humorist (Grose).
Droppings. The excrement of Dry-hash. A miser ; also, by im-
horses and sheep. plication, a loafer.
'
Drown. See Miller. Dry-land! (rhyming). You
'
Drudge. Whisky in its raw state. understand !

Drug. To administer a narcotic. Dryland - sailor. See Turnpike

A drug in the market, anything so Sailor.
common as not to be vendible. Dry-lodging. Accommodation
Drum. 1. An entertainment now a ; without board.
tea before dinner a Kettle-drum (q.v.) ; Dry - nurse. A guardian, bear-
(1750). 2. A road, street, or highway. leader, tutor ; a junior who instructs
English synonyms: drag, toby, high (or an ignorant chief in his duties (1614).
main) toby, pad, donbite, finger and Dry-room. A
prison : see Cage.
thumb (rhyming). 3. The ear. 4. A Dry - shave. Rubbing the chin
building ; Hazard - drum, a gambling with the fingers ; also as a verb. The
hell Flash - drum, a brothel
; Cross- ; action implies a certain effrontery.
drum, a thieves' tavern In U.S.A., a ; Dry - up. LA
failure, Columbus
drinking place. 5. A bundle carried (q.v.); contrast with Draw, sense 2.
on tramp generally worn as a roll
; As verb, to cease talking, abandon a
over the right shoulder and under the purpose or position, stop work. As an
left arm : also Bluey and Swag (q.v.). interjection, Hold your jaw !

6. A small workshop. Dry-walking. A hard-up soldier's

Drummer. 1. A horse, the action of outing.
whose forelegs is irregular (Grose). 2. D. T's. Delirium tremens : see Jim-
A thief, who before robbing, narcotises jams. The D. T., The Daily Tele-
or otherwise stupefies his victim. 3. graph.
145
 Dub. Dugs.

Dub. 1. A k ey specifically a master

; (q.v.) ante. To make ducks and
key see Locksmith's daughter (1789).
: drakes of one's money, to squander
As verb, to open. Dub your mummer money as' lavishly as stones are squan-
Open your mouth. Dub the, jigger, dered at ducks and drakes.' [In al-
open the door. Also by confusion, to lusion to the childish game.] (1605).
shut or fasten (1567). Dub at a Duck's- bill. A tongue cut in a
Knapping Jigger, a turnpike keeper. piece of stout paper and pasted on
To dub up, to hand over, pay, fork out. at the bottom of the tympan sheet.
FT., foncer, abouler.Formerly, to lock Ducky (or Duck of Diamonds).
up, secure, button one's pocket. See Duck.
Dub her. 1. The mouth or tongue ; Dudder (Dudsman, or Duffer).
mum your dubber ; hold your tongue. A pedlar of pretended smuggled wares
2. A picklock (Grose). gown-pieces, silk waistcoats, etc.
Dub-cove. See Dubsman. The term and practice are obsolete,
Dub-lay. Using picklocks. though in a few seaports, London
Dublin-dissector. A cudgel. especially, they survived till recently
Dubs (Winchester College). in a modified form. Fr., marottier.
Double. Dude. A swell, fop, masher: see
Dub mans (or Dubs). A turnkey, Dandy. Dudette (or Dudinette), a
gaoler. English synonyms :
jigger- young girl affecting the airs of a belle ;

dubber, screw. Dudine, a female masher.

Ducats. 1. Money see : Rhino. Dude-hamfatter. A wealthy pig-
'

[Probably from Shylock in The Mer- jobber.

chant of Venice.'] 2. Specifically a Duds. Clothes ; sometimes old
railway ticket also pawnbroker's
; clothes or rags (1440). Doddery, a
duplicate, raffle-card, or Brief (q.v.). clothier's booth (De Foe's Tour of Ot.
Also Ducket. Brit., p. 125). In America applied to
Du c e. Twopence : see Rhino. any kind of portable property. To
[Latin.] angle for duds, see Anglers ; To sweat
Duck. 1. Scraps of meat ; other- duds, to pawn.
wise Block-ornaments, Stickings, Fag- Dudsman. See Dudder.
gots, Manablins, or Chuck (q.v.). Dues. Money see Rhino spec, : :

2. (Winchester College). The face. a share of booty. To tip the dues, to

To make a duck, to make a grimace. pay, to hand over a share.
3. A draw or decoy. [An abbreviation Duff. 1. Specifically, to sell flashy
of decoy-duck.] 4. A term of endear- goods as pretended contraband or
ment ; also used in admiration ; e.g. stolen hence to cheat. Duffers (or
;

a duck of a bonnet. Also ducky : Men at the duff), pedlars of flash.

duck of diamonds being a superlative. Duffing, the practice ; as an adjective,
5. A metal-cased watch ; i.e. old spurious ( 1 78 1 ). 2. To rub up the nap
watch movements in German silver of old clothes to improve their ap-
cases. To make a duck (or duck's pearance. Duffer, one who performs
egg), to make no score, to crack one's this operation, whilst the article
egg, get a pair of spectacles. The operated upon is also a duffer by
duck that runs (or grinds) the gospel virtue of the fact itself.
mill, a clergyman see Devil-dodger.
: Du ff e r. 1. A pedlar ; specific-
Lame duck (q.v. post). Oerman allya hawker of brummagem (q.v.),
duck (q.v. post). To do a duck, to hide and so-called smuggled goods. In
under the seat of a public conveyance the population returns of 1831 duffer,
with a view to avoid paying the fare. one who gets a living by cheating
Ducket. See Ducat. pawnbrokers. 2. Anything worth-
Duck-footed. Said of people who less or sham. 3. A female smuggler.
walk like a duck ; i.e. with the toes Duffer-out. To get exhausted.
turned inwards. D u m n g. False, counterfeit,
Ducking. To go ducking, to go worthless.
courting. Dugs. The paps ; once used
Ducks. 1. Linen trousers generally ; without reproach, of women ; now
White ducks: see Kicks. 2. Aylesbury only in contempt except of animals :

Dairy Co. shares. 3. An official of the see Dairy. [From same stem as
Bombay service. To chance the ducks daughter.]
146
 Duke. Dust.

Duke. Gin
see Drinks.
1. 2. A
:
Dumpling -shop. The paps : see
horse. 3. transaction in the
Any Dairy.
shape of a burglary ; e.g. I was Dumps. Money : see Rhino. In
jemming to their duke, I was privy the dumps, cast down, ill at ease, un-

to the robbery. pleasantly situate (1592).

Duke Humphrey. See Dine. Dun. An importunate creditor ;
Duke - of - Limbs. An awkward, as verb, to persist in demanding pay-
uncouth man ; specifically one with ment. FT., loup. Also Dunner and
ungainly limbs (Grose). Dunning (1663).
Duke - of - York (rhyming slang). Dunaker. A cattle-lifter (1650).
To walk ; also, to talk. Dunderhead. A fool : see Buffle.
Dukes. The hands of : see Bunch Dundreary. a stam-
Specifically,
fives. To grease the dukes, to bribe ; mering, foolish, and long-whiskered
also to pay. To put up the dukes, to fop the Lord Dundreary of Our
put up one's hands for combat. American Cousin (1858) generally,
Dukey. See Dookie and Gaff. a foppish fool.
Dulcamara. quack doctor. A Dundrearies. A pair of whiskers
[From the name of a character in cut sideways from the chin, and
Donizetti's V Elixir d? Amour (1845).] grown as long as possible. A
Dull. Dull in the eye, intoxicated : fashion (now obsolete) suggested by
see Screwed. Sothern's make-up in Our American
Dull -swift. A
sluggish messenger. Cousin.
Dumb-fogged. Confused. Dung. An operative working for
Dum b -f o ozled. Confounded, less than society wages. Formerly,
'

puzzled. according to Grose, a journey-

Dumbfound (Dumfound, Dumb- man taylor who submits to the law
founding, Dumbfounded or Dum- for regulating journey-men taylors'
foundered). To perplex, confound, wages, therefore deemed by the
etc. (1690). Flints (q.v.) a coward.'
Dummacker. A knowing person. Dung-fork (also Dung-cart). A
Dummerer. See Dommerar. country bumpkin : see Joskin.
Dummock. The posteriors. Dunnage. Baggage ; clothes.
Dummy. 1. A deaf mute also ; an [Properly wood or loose faggots laid
idiot; sometimes a duffer, sense 2. 2. across the hold of a vessel, or stuffed
Generic for shams e.g. empty bottles : between packages, to keep cargo from
and drawers in an apothecary's shop, damage by water or shifting.]
wooden half-tubs of butter, bladders Dunnakin (or Dunnyken). A
of lard, hams, cheeses, and so forth ; privy in U.S.A., a chamber-pot
;
: see
dummies in libraries generally take the Mrs. Jones (Grose).
form of works not
likely to tempt the Dunop (back-slang). A
pound.
general reader. 3. The open hand at Dup. To open (1567).
an imperfect game of whist. 4. A '
Durham -man. A knock-kneed man.
pocket book. Duria. Fire.
Dummy-daddle Dodge. Picking Durrynacker. A female lace
pockets under cover of a sham hand hawker generally practised as an
;

or Daddle (q.v.). introduction to fortune-telling. Also

Dummy - hunter. A pickpocket Durrynacking.
whose speciality is pocket-books. Dust. Generic for money : see
Dump. A metal counter. As Rhino (1655). To dust one's jacket, to
verb, (1) to throw down :
e.g. to dump thrash to criticise severely. To get up
;

down coals. (2) (Winchester College). and dust (or to dust out of), to move
To put out. Dump the tolly ! Ex- quickly, leave hurriedly see Bunk. :

tinguish the candle. To have dust in the eyes, to be sleepy,

Dump -fencer. button-merchant. A draw straws (q.v.). Said mainly of
Dumpies. The nineteenth Hus- children : e.g. The dustman is coming.
sars. [From the diminutive size of the To kick up (or raise) a dust, to make a
men when the regiment was first disturbance, or much ado (1759). To
raised.] throw dust in the eyes, to mislead, dupe.
Dumpling -depot. The stomach : To bite the dust, to knock under, be
see Bread-basket. mortified, or shamed.
147
 Dust-bin. Earl of Mar's Grey Breeks.

Dust-bin. A grave. stalenews cf. Queen Bess (or Queen

:

Dusted. Drubbed, severely criti- Anne) is dead ; The Ark rested upon
cised. Mount Ararat, etc.
Duster. A sweetheart see Jomer. : Dutch-auction (or sale). A sale
Dust-hole. 1. The Prince of Wales' at minimum a mock-auction.
prices,
Theatre in Tottenham Court Road. Dutch-bargain. A bargain all on
'

[From the fact that, fifty years ago, one side. In matters of commerce
under the management of Mr. Glossop, the fault of the Dutch, Is giving too
the sweepings of the house were little and asking too much !

deposited and suffered to accumulate Dutch-clock. 1. A wife: cf. Dutch.

under the pit.] 2. Sidney Sussex 2. A
bed-pan.
College, Cambridge. Obsolete. Dutch
- concert
(or medley). A
Dustman. 1. A personification of sing-song whereat everybody sings
sleep : the dustman coming, you and plays at the same time a hubbub. ;

are getting sleepy. 2. A head man. Dutch-consolation. Jobs comfort,

Dusty. Not so dusty, a mark of unconsoling consolation.
approval, not so bad, so-so. Dutch -courage. Pot- valiancy.
Dusty-bob. A scavenger. Dutch -defence. Sham defence.
Dusty poll (or Dusty -
nob). A Dutch - feast. An entertainment
miller. where the host gets drunk before his
Dutch. An epithet of inferiority.
An echo, no doubt, of the long-stand- Dutch-gleek. Drinks.
ing hatred engendered by the bitter Dutchman. I'm a Dutchman if
fight for the supremacy of the seas I do, a strong refusal. [During the
between England and Holland in the wars between England and Holland,
seventeenth century. As subs., a Dutch was synonymous with all that
wife. [Probably an abbreviation of was false and hateful therefore, I ;

Dutch clock.] English synonyms : would rather be a Dutchman, =the

mollisher,rib, grey-mare, warming- pan, strongest term of refusal that words
splice, lawful blanket, autem-mort, could express.]
comfortable impudence, comfortable Dutchman's - breeches. Two
importance, old woman, evil, missus, streaks of blue in a cloudy sky.
lawful jam, yoke-fellow, night-cap, Dutchman's - drink. A draught
legitimate, or legiti, weight-carrier, that empties the pot.
mutton-bone, ordinary, pillow-mate, Dutch - treat. An entertainment
supper-table, Dutch clock, chattel, where every one pays his shot.
sleeping-partner, doxy, cooler, mount, Dutch
- uncle.
you / will talk to
bed-faggot. To do a dutch, to desert, likea Dutch uncle, I will reprove you
run away : see Bunk. That beats the smartly. [The Dutch were renowned
Dutch, a sarcastic superlative (1775). for the brutality of their discipline.]
To talk Dutch (Double- Dutch, or High- Dutch-widow. A prostitute
Dutch), to talk gibberish ; or, by (1608).
implication, nonsense (1604). The Dutch -wife. bolster. A
Dutch have taken Holland, a quiz for

Eagle-takers (The). The Eighty- mental march, and the war-cry at

Seventh Foot. [The title was gained Barossa.
at Barossa (1811), when it captured Ear. To send away with a flea in the
the eagle of the 8th French Light ear, to dismiss peremptorily and with
Infantry. Its colours also bear the a scolding : Fr., mettre la puce d Voreille
plume of the Prince of Wales and tho (1764). To bite, the ear : see Bite. To
harp and crown, an eagle with a get up on one's ear, to bestir oneself, to
wreath of laurel.] It was also nick- rouse oneself for an effort.
named The old Fogs; also The Earl of Cork. The ace of diamonds.
Faugh-a-Ballagh Boys, from Fag an Earl of Mar's Grey Breeks (The).
bealac I Clear the Way, the regi- The Twenty- First Foot [In allusion
14S
 Early.

to the colour of the men's breeches ably Dickensonian, influenced by the

and to the original title of the regi- proverbial saying, To eat one's heart
ment, The Earl of Mar's Fuzileers.] out to undergo intense struggle,
Obsolete. and also To eat one's head off (q.v.).
Early. To
up early, to be
get To eat one's terms, to go through
astute, ready, wide awake -
cf It's : . the prescribed course of study for
the early bird that catches the worm admission to the bar. [In allusion
(1738). to the dinners a student has to attend
Early - riser. An aperient cf. : in the public hall of his inn.] To eat
Custom-house officer, and Two gunners one's words, to retract a statement,
and a driver. own a
lie. To eat up, to vanquish,
Early-worm. A man who searches ruin. [Originally Zulu.]
the streets at daybreak for cigar Eaves. A
hen-roost.
stumps. Eavesdropper. A
chicken thief ;
Earth - bath. A grave. To take also generally, any petty pilferer.
an earth -
bath, to be buried ; cf . Ebenezer (Winchester College).
ground sweat. A
'
stroke at fives when the ball hits
'
:

Earthquake. Battled earthquake, at such an angle as to rise

line
intoxicating drinks. perpendicularly into the air.
Earth-stoppers. Horse's feet. Ebony. 1. A
negro ; otherwise
Earthy. Gross, common, devoid Blackbird and Black Ivory.
(q.v.)
of soul. Thomas Fuller (1608-1661) spoke of
Ear-wig. A private prompter or the negro race as God's images cut in
flatterer; also (thieves') a clergyman. ebony. 2. The publisher of Maga :

[From the popular delusion that the i.e. Blackwood.

ear- wig lodges itself in the ear with a Ebony-optics. Black eyes. Ebony-
view to working its way into the brain, optics albonized, black eyes painted
when causes death.] (1639). As
it white.
verb, to prompt, influence by covert Edgabac (back slang). Cabbage.
statements, whisper insinuations. Edge. Stitched off the edge, said of
Ease. To rob; Fr., soulager: cf. a glass not filled to the top. Side-
Annex and Convey. To ease a edge, whiskers. Short top edge, a
bloke, to rob a man (1630). turn-up nose or Celestial (q.v.). Edge
Eason. To tell. in, to slip in, insinuate, e.g. to edge
East-and- South (rhyming slang). in a word (or a remark). Edge off
The mouth ; also Sunny south : see (or out of), to slink away, gradually
Potato trap. desist. To take the edge off [a thing,
Eastery. Private business. or person, or idea], to become ac-
Easy. To make easy, to gag or kill quainted with, enjoy to satiety : see
'

(Grose). Easy as damn it (or as my Hamlet, m. ii. It would cost you a

eye), excessively easy, Easy as lying groaning to take off my edge.'
[Shakespeare]. Easy An does it !
Edgenaro (back slang). An
exclamation encouragement and
of orange.
counsel, Take your time and keep Edge-ways. Not able to get a word in
your coat on. Easy over the pimples edge-ways, having but the barest
(or over the stones), an injunction to go opportunity of taking part in a dis-
slow, or, mind what you're about. cussion.
Easy Virtue. See Lady of Easy Eel - skins. Tight trousers : see
Virtue. Kicks.
Eat. To provision: e.g. a steamer is E-fink (back slang). A knife,
said to be able to eat 400 passengers Efter. A theatre thief.
and sleep about half that number. Egg. See Bad egg. Egg on, to
Eat coke see Coke. Eat crow : see
:
encourage. Sure as eggs is eggs, of a
Crow. Eat a fig (rhyming slang), certainty, without doubt. [From
the formula, x is x.'] To teach one's
'
to crack a to break a house.
crib,
To eat one's head off, to be retained for grandmother to roast (or suck) eggs, to
service and stand idle ; also to cost lecture elders and superiors ; Fr., lea
more in keep than one is worth. Eat oisons veulent mener les oies pattre
one's head (hat, boots, etc.), a locu- (the goslings want to drive the geese
tion of emphatic asseveration. [Prob- to pasture).
149
 Egham. Errand.

Egham, Staincs, and Windsor loose : sometimes, To see the King.

A three-cornered coachman's hat. |>, 2. To be seduced ; Fr., avoir vu le loup.
Egyptian-hall (rhyming slang). A Elephant-dance. See Cellar-flap
ball. and Double-shuffle.
, Eighter. An eight-ounce loaf. -
Elephant's-trunk (rhyming slang).
Ek a me (back slang). A Make Drunk see Screwed,
:

(q.v.), swindle. r Elevated. Drunk see Screwed. :

Ekom(back slang). A Moke (q.v.) (1664).

or donkey. To walk lightly, go on tiptoe.
Elf en.
Elbow. To turn a corner, get out Ellenborough - Lodge (Spike, or
of sight. To shake the elbow, to play Park). The King's Bench Prison.
dice. [From the motion of the arm [From Ld. Chief - Justice Ellen-
in casting.] (1680). To crook the borough. Ellenborough' s teeth, the
elbow, to drink : see Lush. chevaux de frize round the prison
Elbow-crooker. A hard drinker. wall.
English synonyms borachio, boozing-
: .
Elrig (back slang). A girl.
ton, brewer's horse, bubber, budger, .
Elycampane (or Elecampane).
mop, lushington, worker of the cannon, See Allacompain.
wet -
quaker, soaker, lapper, pegger, Emag (back slang). Game :
e.g.
angel altogether, bloat, ensign-Dearer, I know your little emag.
fiddle - cup, sponge, tun, toss - pot, Embroider. To exaggerate, add to
swill-pot, wet subject, shifter, pot- the truth.
ster, swallower, pot-walloper, wetster, Embroidery. Exaggeration the :

dramster, drinkster, beer-barrel, gin- American sass and trimmins (q.v.).

nums, lowerer, moist 'un, drainist, Emma. See Whoa Emma.
boozer, mopper-up, piss-maker, thirst- Emperor. A drunken man.
ington. [An intensification Drunk as a of,
Elbower. A runaway. lord ; whence, Drunk as an em-
Elbow-grease. Energetic and con- peror.] Fr., saoul comme trente mille
tinuous manual labour e.g. Elbow- : homines, or un fine..

grease is the best furniture oil Fr., :

Empty the Bag. See Bag.
huile de bras or de poignet ; du foulage Encumbrances. Children see :

(1779). Certainties and Uncertainties.

Elbow -
scraper (or Jigger). A End. To be all on end, to be very
fiddler. angry, irritated. Also expectant. At
Elbow-shaker. A
gambler (1748). loose ends, neglected, precarious.
Elbow-shaking. Gambling. End on, straight, full-tilt. To keep
Electrified. 1. Moderately drunk : one's end up, to rub along.
see Screwed. 2. Violently startled. Enemy. Time :
e.g. How goes the
Elegant. Excellent. enemy, what's o'clock ? To kill the

Elegant Extracts. 1. The Eighty- enemy, to kill time.

Fifth Foot. [This regiment was re- English Burgundy. Porter : see
modelled in 1812, after a long Drinks.
sequence of court - martials when : Enif. Fine.
the officers were removed, and others gen. Nine shillings. Enin
Enin -
set in their room.] 2. (Cambridge yanneps, ninepence.
University). Students who, though Eno (back slang). One.
'

plucked,' were still given their Ensign - bearer. A drunkard ;

degrees. A line was drawn below the especially with red nose and blotchy
poll-list, and those allowed to pass face: see Lushington.
were nicknamed the elegant extracts. Ephesian. A boon companion,
There was a similar limbo in the spreester : cf. Corinthian.
honour - list, called the Gulf : for Epip (back slang). A pipe.
'
Between them (t'n the poll) and us Epsom-races (rhyming slang). A
(in the honour lists) there is a great pair of braces.
gulf fixed.'] Equipped. Rich, well-dressed, in
Elephant. A wealthy victim. good circumstances.
To see the elephant, 1. To see the world, Erif (back slang). Fire.
go out for and come home
wool Eriff . A young thief.
shorn; by implication, to go on the Errand. To send a baby on an
150
 Error. Eye-water.

errand, to undertake what is pretty Exasperate. To over-aspirate the

sure to turn out badly. letter H.
Error. See No error. Exce11e r s. The Fortieth Foot.
Erth (back slang). Three. Ertli [A pun upon its number, xl + ers.]
gen, three shillings. Erth-pu, Three- Excruciators. Tight boots ; especi-
up, a street game, played with three ally with pointed toes.
halfpence. Erih sith-noms, Three Execution-day. Washing day.
months' imprisonment ; a drag. Erth Exes. 1. An abbreviation of ex-
yanneps, Threepence. penses. 2. An abbreviation of ex-
E s c 1 o p (back slang). A police- officials, ex-ministers, and so forth.
constable ; esclop is pronounced slop
' '
As in Tom
Moore's We x's have '

the c is never sounded see Beak. :

proved ourselves not to be wise.'
Es-roch (back slang). A horse :
Exis-evif-gen (back slang). Six
see Prad. times five shillings, i.e. 30s. All
Essex-lion. A calf e.g. as valiant : monies may be reckoned in this
as an Essex-lion cf. Cotswold Lion,
:
manner, either with yanneps or gens.
Cambridgeshire Nightingale, etc. Exis-evif-yanneps, literally, sixpence
Essex-stile. ditch. A and fivepence, elevenpence. Exis gen,
Esuch( back slang). Ahorse: seeKen. six shillings. Exis sith-noms, six-
Eternity-box. A coffin. English months. Exis yanneps, sixpence.
synonyms: cold meat box, wooden Expecting. With child.
surtout, coffee-shop, deal suit. Experience Does it. A dog-
Evaporate. To run away, to dis- English rendering of Experienta docet.
appear see Bunk.
:
Explaterate. To hold forth, ex-
Evatch (back slang). To have :
plain in detail. [From O.E. Expiate
e.g. Evatch a kool at the elrig, Have ==to unfold.]
a look at the girl. Explosion. A delivery in childbed.
Everlasting-shoes (also Everlast- Exquisite. A fop see Dandy. :

ings). The naked feet : see Creepers. Extensive. Formerly applied to a

Everlasting-staircase. The tread- person's appearance or talk rather ;

mill. extensive that intimating that the

!

Everton - toffee (rhyming slang). person alluded to is showing off, or

Coffee. cutting it fat.

Everything is lovely and the Extinguisher. A dog's muzzle.

goose hangs high. Everything is Ex Trumps (Winchester College).
going swimmingly. [An allusion to Extempore. To go up to books ex
the sport of gander pulling. A gan- trumps, to go to class without pre-
der was plucked, thoroughly greased, paring one's lessons.
especially about the head and neck, Eye. See All my eye. To putt wool
and tied tight by the feet to the over tlie eyes see Wool.
: To keep the
branch of a tree. The game was eyes dean (skinned, or peeled), to be
then to ride furiously at the mark, watchful, alert, with all one's wits
catch it by the head or neck, and about one. To have a drop in the
attempt to bear it away. With every eye, to be drunk see Screwed. :In
failure the fun would get more up- the twinkling of an eye : see Bedpost.
roarious.] To bet one's eyes : see Bet. My
Evif (back slang). Five. Evif- eyes I An
expression of surprise.
gen, a crown, or five shillings. Evif- Eyelashes. To hang on by the eye-
yanneps, fivepence. lashes (or eyebrows), to be very tena-
Evil. A wife see Dutch.: cious also by implication, to be in a
;

Evlenet-gen (back slang). difficulty cf. Hang on by the splash

:

Twelve shillings. Evlenetsithnoms, board.

twelve months :
generally known as Eye-limpet. An artificial eye.
a stretch. Eye-opener. 1. Drink generally ;
Ewe. See White-ewe and-Old ewe. specifically, a mixed drink. 2. Any-
Ewe-mutton. An elderly strumpet, thing surprising or out of the
or piece. way.
Exalted. Hanged see Ladder.
:
Eyeteeth. To have cut one's eye-
Exam. An abbreviation of Ex- teeth, to have learned wisdom.
amination. Eye-water. Gin see Drinks. :

151
 Fa.;-.
Faggot-briefs.

Face. 1. Confidence, boldness, it is now confined to the streets]

also (more frequently) impudence :
(1596).
e.g. I like your face, I like your F a d g e r. A glazier's frame, a
'
cheek. Once literary ; cf. Cheek, frail.'
Jaw, Gab, Brow, Mouth, Lip, etc. Fadmonger. A Faddist (q.v.).
(1610). 2. Credit To push one's Fadmongering, dealing as a Faddist
face, to get credit by bluster (1765). with fads.
3.A qualification of contempt : e.g. Fag. 1. A boy doing menial work
Now face where are you a-shoving
! for a schoolfellow in a higher form.
of T
'
As verb, to bully (1593) : also As verb, to act as a fag. 2. Christ's
to face (or outface) with a card of ten, Hospital). Eatables. 3. A lawyer's
to browbeat, bluff. [Nares : derived clerk. 4. A cigarette.
from some game (possibly primero) Fag. See subs. To
beat
wherein the standing boldly upon a F agger (Figger, or Figure). A
ten was often successful.] (1460). To boy thief employed to enter houses by
face the knocker, to go begging see : windows and either open the doors to
Cadge. To have no face but one's own, his confederates as Oliver Twist with
to be penniless, or (gamesters') to Bill Sykes), or hand out the swag to
hold no court cards Fr., n''avoir pas : them ; also Little snakesman (q.v.) :

une face, to have not a sou. To cf. Diver.

make faces, to go back, or round ' '

Fagging (or F a g g e r y).

upon a friend. To face the music, to Waiting upon and doing menial work
meet an emergency, show one's hand. for a schoolfellow in a higher form.
Face - entry. Freedom of access, Also used adjectively.
the personal appearance being familiar Faggot. 1. A woman, baggage: in
to attendants. contempt. [Once a popular symbol
Facer. 1. A blow in the face of recantation heretics who had thus
:

(Grose). 2. A sudden check, spoke escaped the stake were required either
in one's wheel. 3. A dram. 4. A to bear a faggot and burn it in public,
bumper (Orose). 5. A tumbler of or to wear an imitation on the sleeve
whisky punch. 6. An accomplice, as a badge.] Also Bed- (or Straw-)
stall (q.v.), fence (q.v.). faggot, a wife, or mistress Tumble- ;

F
a c e y. A
fellow vis-d-vis, work- faggot, a whore-master ; Carry faggot,
-

man. Facey on the bias, one in front a mattress. 2. A sort of cake, roll,
either to right or left ; Facey on the or ball, a number being baked at a
two thick, one working immediately time,made of chopped liver and lights,
behind one's opposite. mixed with gravy, and wrapped in
Facings. To be put (or go), pieces of pig s caul It weighs six
through one's facings, to be called ounces, so that it is unquestion-
to account or scolded, to exemplify ably a cheap [it costs Id. hot] and, to
capacity ; to show off. Silk-facings, the scavenger, a savoury meal, but
stains upon work caused by beer to other nostrils its odour is not
droppings. seductive (Mayhew). 3. A dummy
Fad-cattle. Easy women. soldier ; one hired to appear at a
Faddist (orFadmonger). A muster to hide deficiencies. Many
person (male or female) devoted to the names of dummies would appear on
pursuit of public fads as social : the muster-roll : for these the colonel
purity, moral art, free - trade in drew pay, but they were never in the
syphilis, and so-forth. ranks obsolete, see Widow's - man
:

F addle. toy, To
trifle : as a subs., (1672). As verb, to bind hand
'
a busybody, a nancified,' affected, and foot, to tie [as sticks into a
male. Also Faddy, full of fads. faggot] Fr., tm fagot, a convict, be-
:

Fadge. A farthing. English syno- cause bound to a common chain on

nyms :
fiddler, farden, gig, (or grig), their way to the hulks.
quartereen. As verb, to suit, fit, Faggot-briefs. Bundles of
agree with,come off. [Nares prob- :
dummy papers sometimes carried by
ably never better than a low word : briefless barristers.

152
 Faggot-vote. 'Fan

Faggot - vote. A vote secured by Fakement - Charley. An owner's

the purchase of property under mort- private mark.
gage, or otherwise, so as to constitute .- Faker. 1. One who makes, does,
a nominal qualification without a sub- or fakes anything ; specifically a
stantial basis. thief. Found in many combinations :

Fains! (Fainits! Fain itl) A e.g. Bit faker, Flue faker, Grub-
- -

call for truce during the progress of faker, Sham-faker, Twat-faker, etc.
a game without which priority or place 2. A circus rider or performer.
would be lost ; generally understood to Fakes and Slumboes. Properties,
be preferred in bounds, or when out accessories ofany kind.
of danger : see Bags !
Faking. The act of doing any-
Fair-gang. Gypsies. thing :
Fr., maquillage (or goupinage),
Fair-rations. Fair dealings. Fall. 1. To be arrested. 2. To
Fair-shake. A good bargain : see conceive see Lumpy.
:

Shake. Fall of the Leaf (The). Hanging :

Fair-trade. Smuggling. see Ladder.

Faithful. One of the faithful (1) A False - hereafter. A bustle see :

drunkard: see Lushington(1609). Bird-cage.

(2) A tailor giving long credit (Grose). F a m. See Fambling-cheat and
Faithful Durhams. The Sixty- Famble.
Eighth Footh. m
F a b 1 e (Fam, or Fem). The
Fake. An action,
proceeding, hand see Fambling-cheat see Bunch
: :

manoeuvre, mechanical contrivance of fives and Daddle. As verb, to

an affair of any kind irrespective of touch, to handle, especially with a
morals or legality generally used in
: view to ascertaining the whereabouts
a sense specifically detrimental. In of valuables. Also To fam for the
America, a swindler. As verb, (1) plant see To
: run a rule over.
to do anything ; to fabricate, cheat, Famblers (Fambling - cheats, or
deceive, devise falsely, steal, forge : a Fam-snatchers). Gloves.
general verb-of -all-work. In America, Fambling- cheat (Famble, or
fix (q.v.) is employed much in the Fam). A
ring ; also (about 1694)
same way Fr., faire.
:
Also, To fake gloves, which later still were also
a screeve, to write a begging letter to ; called Fam-snatchers (q.v.) (1560).
fake one's slangs, to file through one's Fam-grasp. To shake hands also :

fetters ; to fake a dy (q.v.), to pick a subs., hand-shaking.

pocket ; to fake the sweetener, to kiss ; Familiars. Lice : see Chates.
to jake the duck, to adulterate, dodge ; Familiar -way. With child.
to fake the rubber, to stand treat ; to Family-disturbance. Whisky see :

fake the broads, to pack the cards, or to Drinks.

work the three-cark trick ; to fake a Family - hotel. A prison : see
line (theatrical), to improvise a speech ; Cage.
to fake a dance (a step, or a trip) thea- Family-man. A thief ; specifically,
trical), to perform what looks like, but a fence [In allusion to the
(q.v.).
isnot, dancing. (2) To
hocus, nobble, fraternities into which thieves were at
tamper. (3) To paint one's face, make one time invariably banded.] (1749).
up a character. Also to fake up. (4) Family-plate. Silver money see :

To cut out the wards of a key. Fake Rhino.

away! an ej aculation of encouragement. Family-pound. A family grave.
Fake-boodle. See Boodle. Fam -lay. Shoplifting.
Faked. Counterfeit sometimes : Fam-snatchers. Gloves cf. :

Faked-up Fr., lophe.

:
Fambling-cheat.
Fakement. 1. A
counterfeit signa- Fam-squeeze. Strangulation.
ture, forgery : specifically a begging Fam-struck. Baffled in ascertain,
letter or petition : Fr., brasser des ing the whereabouts of valuables on
faffes,to forge documents, i.e. To the person of an intended victim also ;

screeve fakements. 2. Generic for handcuffed.

dishonest practices ; but applied to Fan. A waistcoat said by Hotten ;

any kind of action, contrivance, or (1864) to be a Houndsditch term, but

trade see Fake.
: 3. Small properties, quoted in Matsell (1859) as American.
accessories. English synonyms ben, benjie, M.B. :

153
 Fancy. Fnth-r.

*
waistcoat, Charley Prescot. As verb, grease as equivalent to a small
(1) to beat, to be-ratc. (2) To feel, quantity.
handle (with a view to ascertain if a Fast. 1. Embarrassed, hard-up,
victim has anything valuable about in a tight place. 2. Dissipated, ad-
his person). Also to steal from the dicted to going the pace : e.g. a fast
person. Queen Anne's fan see post. : man, a rake-hell, or spendthrift ; a
Fancy. The fraternity of pugilists : fast woman, a strumpet ; a fast life, a
prize-fighting being
once regarded aa life of debauchery ; a fast house, a
The fancy, par excellence. Hence, by brothel, or a sporting tavern ; to dress
implication, people who cultivate a fast, to dress for the town ; to live
special hobby or taste. fast, to go the pace, and so forth
Fancy-bloke. 1. A sporting man. (1751). 3. Impudent, cheeky: e.g.
2. See Fancy-man. Don't you be so fast, Mind your own
Fancy-house. A brotheL business. To play fast and loose, to be
Fancy-Joseph. An Apple-squire variable, inconstant, say one thing
(q.v.), Cupid. and do another.
Fancy-lay. Pugilism. Fastener (or Fastner). A warrant.
Fancy-man (or bloke). A Fat. 1. Money: Fr., graisse: see
prostitute's lover, husband, or pen- Rhino. 2. Composition full of blank
sioner. English synonyms! apple- spaces or in short lines. Verse is
squire, faker, bully, ponce, pensioner, frequently fat, while this dictionary,
Sunday-man, fancy-Joseph, squire of with its constant change of type, is
the -
body, apron squire, petticoat lean (q.v.). Hence, work that pays
pensioner, prosser, twat-faker, twat- well : Fr., affaire juteuse. 3. good A
master, stallion, mack, bouncer, part ; telling lines and conspicuous or
bruiser, buck. commanding situations :
Fr., des
Fancy-piece. A
prostitute. cotelettes. As adj., (1) rich, abundant,
Fancy-work. To take in fancy profitable. (2) Good. Cut it fat: see
work, to play the harlot. Cut. Cut up fat: see Cut up. All
Fang-faker. A
dentist. the fat's in the fire, said of failures and
Fanning. 1. Stealing ; Cross- of the results of sudden and un-
fanning, robbery from the person, the expected revelation, disappointments :

arms of the manipulator being folded. i.e. it is all over or up with a

2. A beating. person or thing. A late equivalent is,
Fanny Adams. Tinned mutton. And then the band played. Fat as
Fanny Blair. The hair. a hen's forehead, meagre, skinny (q.v.).
Fantail. A sort of round hat Fat- (Barge-, Broad- or Heavy-)
with a long leathern fan-shaped flap arsed. Broad in the breech and, ;

at the back ; worn by coal-heavers by implication (in Richard Baxter's

and dustmen; a Sou'-wester (q.v.). Shove to Heavy Arsed Christians),
Fanteague. On the Fanteague, on thick-witted and slow to move.
the burst, or loose. Fat- (or Thick-) chops. A con-
Far - back. An indifferent work- tumelious epithet.
man, ignoramus. Fater (Faytor, or Fator). A
Farden. A farthing : see Rhino. fortune-teller. In Spencer, a doer ; in
Fadge. Bailey, an idle fellow, vagabond : Fr.,
Farm. 1. An establishment where faiteur.
pauper or illegitimate children were Fat-flab (Winchester School).
lodged and fed at so much a head. A cut off the fat part of a breast of
Also verbally, to contract to feed and mutton : see Cat's-head.
lodge pauper or illegitimate children. Fat- (or Full-) guts. An oppro-
2. The prison infirmary. To fetch the brious epithet for a fat man or
farm, to be ordered infirmary diet woman.
and treatment see Fetch.
: Fat-head. A dolt Fat -headed
Farmer. 1. An alderman. 2. (-skulled, -thoughted, -paled, -grained,
One who contracts to lodge and feed or -witted), dull, stupid, slow.
pauper or illegitimate children. Father. 1. A receiver of stolen
Farthing. To care not a brass property, fence (q.v.). 2. A chief in
farthing, to care
nothing. Chaucer authority, elder e.g. The father of
:

the house, the oldest member of the

'
uses the expression no farthing of
154
 Father Derbies Bands. Feet.

House of Commons (cf. Babe) ; the blade horizontally, with the upper
among printers, the chairman of the edge pointing aft, as it leaves the
Chapel (q.v.), tne intermediary be- water, for the purpose of lessening the
tween master and men ; in naval resistance of the air upon it. To
circles, the builder of a man-of-war show the white feather, to turn cur,
'
or Government bottom.' prove oneself a coward. [Among
Father Derbie's Bands. See game cocks a cross-bred bird is known
Darbies. by a white feather in the tail. Of old
Father's Brother. A pawnbroker, the breed was strictly preserved in
My uncle (q.v.). England, for though birds of all
Fat Jack of the Bone-house. A con- descriptions were reared in the farm-
tumelious epithet for a very stout man. yard, special care was taken that game
Fatness. Wealth Fat, rich. : fowls did not mix with them ; but this
Fatten - up. To write Fat (subs., would occasionally happen, and while
sense 3) into a part. the game birds were only red and
Fat - *un. An emission of peculiar black, white feathers would naturally
' '
rankness, roarer (Swift). appear when there was any cross.
Fatty (Fatymus, or Fattyma). The slightest impurity of strain was
A jocular epithet for a fat man ; a said to destroy the bird's courage, and
comic endearment for a fat woman. the half-breeds were never trained for
Faugh - a - Ballagh Boys. The the pit. It became an adage that any
Eighty-Seventh Foot ; also known cock would fight on his own dunghill,
as the Eagle-takers (q.v.), and the but it must be one without a white
Old Fogs (q.v.). [From Fag an bealac, feather to fight in the pit.]
Clear the Way, the .

regimental Feather-bed and pillows. A fat

march.] >'* l^t.TC^W^ woman.
Faulkner. A tumbler, juggler.!?! Feather-bed Lane. A rough or
Fawney (or Fauney).ring : 1. A stony lane.
Fr., brobuante, broquille, chason. 2. Feather-bed Soldier (old col-
A swindle (also Fawney'-dropping, or A practised and determined
loquial).
rig), worked as follows A ring : loose liver.
(snide) is let drop in front of a passer- Feck. To discover a safe way of
by, whopicks it up, and is confronted stealing or swindling.
by the dropper, who claims to share. Feed. A meal, Spread (q.v.),
In consideration of immediate settle- Blow-out (q.v.): Fr., lampie. As
ment he offers to accept something less verb (1), to support, backup. (2) To
than the apparent value in cash. prompt. (3) To teach or cram (q.v.) for
Also done with pocket-books, meer- an examination. At feed, at meat.
schaum pipes, etc. Fawney -dropper, To be off one's feed, to have a distaste
one that practices the ring-dropping for food. To feed the fishes, to be sea-
trick; Fawney -bouncing, selling rings sick ; also to be drowned. To feed
for a pretended wager ; Fawnied, the press, to send up copy slip by slip.
ringed (1789). Feeder. 1. A spoon ; among thieves
'

Feager. One that beggeth with a silver spoon. To nab a feeder, to

2. A tutor,
'
counterfeit writings (Rowlands, steal a spoon (Grose).
1610). crammer (q.v.). coach (q.v.) (1766).
Feague. To send
packing, whiff Feeding - bottle. The paps see :

away. ^f- j$ Dairy.

Peak. The fundament. Feel. See Bones.
Feather. 1. Kind, species, com- Feele. A girl or daughter : see
pany cf. Birds of a feather see
: : Titter: Fr., fille ; It., figlia. Feeles,
Kidney (1608). 2. In pi., money, mother and daughter.
wealth see Rhino. In full feather ( 1 ),
: Feeler. 1. A device or remark
rich. (2) In full costume ; with all designed to bring out the opinions
one's war paint on. In high (or full) of others. 2. The hand : see Bunch
feather, elated, brilliant, conspicuous. of Fives.
To feather one's nest, to amass money ; Feet. Making feet for children's
specifically to enrich oneself by in- stockings, begetting or breeding chil-
direct pickings and emoluments (1590). dren. Officer of feet, an officer of
To feather an oar, in rowing, to turn infantry (Grose). How's your poor
155
 Fetth.

feet ?a street catch phrase in the Fencing-cully. A receiver of stolen

early part of the' sixties. [Henry' goods.
Irving's revival of The Dead Heart Fen - nightingale. A frog : also
revived this bit of slang. . . When the .
Cambridgeshire, and Cape Night-
play was brought out originally, ingale.
'
where one of the characters says, My
'
Ferguson. You can't lodge here,
heart is dead, dead, dead a voice ! Mr. Ferguson, a street cry, popular
from the gallery nearly broke up the about 1846-50 used in derision or
;

drama with How are your poor feet ?

'
denial. [Mr. J. H. Dixon, writing to
The phrase lived.] Mr. John Camden Hotten, under date
Feet-casements. Boots or shoes : Nov. 6, 1864, says the phrase originated
see Trotter-cases. thus : A young Scotsman, named
Feeze (Feaze, Feize, or Pheeze). Ferguson, visited Epsom races, where
To beat. he got very drunk. His friends
Feint. A pawnbroker: see My uncle. applied to several hotel keepers to give
Feker. Trade, profession. him a bed, but in vain. There was
Fell. Fell a bit on, to act craftily, no place for Mr. Ferguson. He was
in an underhand manner. accordingly driven to London by his
-and -didn't. Said of a man
Fell companions, who kept calling out,
walking lame. Ferguson, you can't lodge here. This
Fellow. See Old fellow. was caught up by the crowd, repeated,
Fellow - commoner. An empty and in a week was all over London, and
bottle: see Dead man (1794). in a month all over the kingdom. Mr
Felt. A hat of felted wool : see Dixon states he was introduced to
Golgotha (1609). Mr. Ferguson, and that two of his
Fern. See Famble. companions were intimate friends.]
Fen. A prostitute (Grose). As verb Perm. A hole : with Spencer, a
(also Fend, Fain, Fainits, etc.), a term prison (1632).
of warning, or of prohibition as to : Ferret. 1. A barge-thief. 2. A
prevent any change in the existing dunning tradesman. 3. A pawn-
conditions of a game ; e.g. at marbles, broker : see My uncle. To ferret ovt,
Fen-placings, no alteration in position to be at pains to penetrate a mystery
of marbles is permissible ; Fen-clear- of any kind by working under-
ances, removal of obstacles is for- ground.
bidden. Ferricadouzer. A knock - down
.Fence. A
purchaser or receiver
1. blow, a thrashing.
of stolen goods. English synonyms : F e s s. To confess, own up : FT.,
fencing master (or cully), billy-fencer, norguer. As adj., proud.
angling cove, stallsman, Ikey, family- Festive. a kind of
Loud, fast ;
man, father (1714). 2. A place general utility word. Gay and festive
where stolen goods are purchased or cuss (Artemus Ward), a rollicking
received FT., moulin. As verb, ( 1 ) to
:
companion.
purchase or receive stolen goods (1610). Fetch. 1. A stratagem ; indirectly
(2) To spend money (1728). To be bringing something to pass ( 1576). 2.
or ride) on the fence, to be neutral,
(ait, A success. 3. A likeness :
e.g. the
ready to join the winning side, to very fetch of him, his very image or
wait to see how the cat will jump : spit (q.v.) : also an apparition. As
also, to sit on both sides of the hedge. verb, ( 1 ) to please, excite admiration,
Those who thus seek to run with the arouse attention or interest (1607).
hare and hunt with the hounds are (2) To get, do. Some combinations are
called Fence-men. The operation is To fetch the farm, to get infirmary
Fence-riding, which sometimes quali- treatment and diet to fetch a stinger,
;

fies for rail-riding (q.v.). (colloquial), to get in a heavy blow ;

Fencer. A hawker of small wares, to fetch a lagging (thieves'), to serve
tramp generally used in connection
: one's term ; to fetch a howl, to cry ; to
with another word ; thus, Driz-fencer fetch a crack, to strike ; to fetch a cir-
(q.v.), a pedlar of lace. cumbendibus, to make a detour ; to

Fencing-crib (or ken). A place fetch the brewer, to get drunk. To

where stolen goods are purchased or fetch away, to part ; e.g. fool A and
secreted. his money are soon fetched away. To
156
 Fettle. Fieri Facias.

fetch up, 1. to stop ; to run against. 2. make much cry and little wool.
To startle. 3. To come to light. 4. (1761). Also Fiddle - faddler, one
To recruit one's strength after illness. inclined to Fiddle-faddles.
Fetching, attractive (as of women), Fiddle head.
- A plain prow as
pleasing (as of a dress or bonnet). distinguished from a figure - head :
Fettle. In good (or in proper) Hence Fiddle-headed, plain, ugly.
fettle, drunk. Fiddler. 1. A trifler, a careless,
Few. A few (or Just a few), origin- negligent, or dilatory person. 2. A
ally a little. Hence, by implication, sharper, cheat ; also Fiddle (q.v.). 3.
on the lucus a non lucendo prin- A prize-fighter ; one who depends
ciple, considerably ; e.g. Were you more on activity than upon strength
alarmed ? No, but I was astonished or stay. 4. A
sixpence. [From
a few i.e. I was greatly surprised
! : the old custom of each couple at a
cf. Rather, a good deal (1778). dance paying the fiddler a sixpence : cf.
Fib. 1. To beat, specifically (pugil- Fiddler's-money.] 5. A farthing : see
ism) to get in a quick succession of Rhino.
blows, as when you get your man Fiddlers' -fare. Meat, drink, and
round the neck (i.e. in chancery) and money (Grose).
pommel his ribs and face (1665). 2. Fiddlers' -green. A sailor's elysium
To lie (1694). Also, used substan- (situate on the hither and cooler
tively, (1) a lie, (2) a liar (1738). side of hell) of wine, women, and
Fibber. A liar (1748). song.
Fibbery. Lying. Fiddlers' -money. Sixpences : see
Fibbing. 1. Pummelh'ng an op- '
Rhino. [From the custom at country
ponent's head while in chancery,' merry-makings of each couple paying
drubbing Fr., bordee de coups de
: the fiddler sixpence.] Also generic-
poings. 2. Lying. ally, small silver.
Fibbing-gloak. A pugilist. Fiddlestick! Nonsense: sometimes
Fibbing-match. A prize-fight. Fiddlestick's end and Fiddle-de-dee
Fibster. A liar. (1610). As subs., A spring saw. 2. A
Fiddle. 1. A sharper ; sometimes sword.
Old fiddle : see Rook. 2. A swindle :
Fiddling. 1. A livelihood got on

see Sell. 3. whip. A

fiddle on
'
4. A the streets, holding horses, carrying
which to play a tune called Four parcels, etc. 2. Buying a thing for
'
pounds of oakum a day a piece of a mere trifle, and selling it for double,
rope and a long crooked nail. 5. or for more. 3. Idling, trifling. 4.
(Stock Exchange). One sixteenth Gambling. As adj., trifling, trivial,
part of a pound. 6. A watchman's fussing with nothing (1667).
(or policeman's) rattle. 7. A six- Fid - fad. A
contracted form of
pence see Rhino, and cf. Fiddler's
: Fiddle-faddle (q.v.) ; also applied to
money. As verb, (1) to trifle, especi- persons (1754).
ally with the hands (1663). (2) To Fidlam-bens (or coves). Thieves
cheat, specifically, to gamble. (3) To who steal anything they can lay
earn a livelihood by doing small hands on also St. Peter's sons.
:

jobs on the street. (4) To intrigue. Field. To chop the field, to win
(5) To strike. Scotch fiddle, the itch. easily.
To hang up the fiddle, to abandon Fielder. A backer of the field
an undertaking. To play first (or i.e. the ruck as against the
(q.v.),
second) fiddle, to take a leading or favourite]. At cricket, a player in
a subordinate part. Among tailors the field as against those at the
second fiddle, an unpleasant task. wickets.
Fit as a fiddle, in good form or con- Field-lane Duck. A baked sheep's
dition. See Fiddle-de-dee. head.
Fiddle-faced. Wizened, also sub- Fient (Scots colloquial). An ex-
stantively. pression of negation e.g. Fient a hair
:

Fiddle-faddle. Twaddling, trifling, care I, Devil a hair I care.

'little nothings,' rot (q.v.): Fr., oui, Fieri Facias. To have been served
lea landers ! (1593). As adj., trifling, with a writ of fieri facias, said of a red-
fussy, fluffing (1712). As verb, to nosed man. [A play upon words.]
toy, trifle, talk nonsense, gossip, (1594).
157
 Fiery Lot. Filch wav.

Fiery Lot. Fast (q.v.), rollicking, Fighting Fifth (The). The Fifth
applied to a hot member (q.v.). Foot. [So distinguished in the Pen-
Fiery Snorter. A red nose. insula.] Other nicknames were the
Fifer. 1. A waistcoat hand. 2. Shiners (in 1764, from its clean and
A native of the Kingdom (q.v.), i.e. smart The Old Bold
appearance) ;

the county of Fife. Fifth (also and Lord

Peninsular) ;

Fi-fi (or fie-fie). Indecent, blue, or Wellington's Body Guard (it was at
smutty. headquarters in 1811).
Fifteener. A book printed in the Fighting Ninth (The). The Ninth
15th century. Foot Also Holy Boys (Peninsular),
Fifth Rib. To hit (dig, or poke) from its selling its Bibles for drink.
one under the fifth rib, to deliver a Fighting-tight Drunk and
heavy blow, dumbfound. quarrelsome : see Screwed.
Fig. 1. A gesture of contempt made Fig-leaf. An apron. In fencing,
by thrusting forth the thumb between the padded shield worn over the
the fore and middle fingers ; whence lower abdomen and right thigh Fr., :

the expression, I do not care, or would petite bannette.

not give, a fig for you : FT., je ne Figs (also Figgins). A grocer.
voudrais pas en donner un ferret Figure. 1. Appearance, conduct ;

d'aiguillette see other similes of

:
e.g. to cut a good or bad figure, a mean
worthlessness, Curse, Straw, Rush, figure, sorry figure, etc. (1712). 2.

Chip, Cent, Dam, etc. ( 1599). [Italian :

Paps and T posteriors said only of ;

When the Milanese revolted against women. A o figure, wanting in both

the Emperor Frederick Barbarossa particulars. As verb, to single out, spot
they set his Empress hind before upon (q.v.). Figure, like Fetch, comes in for
a mule, and thus expelled her. Fred- a good deal of hard work in America.
'
erick afterwards besieged and took the It is colloquially equivalent to count
'

city, and compelled all his prisoners, upon ; as, You may figure on getting
on pain of death, to extract with his a reply by return mail ; also, to strive
(or her) teeth a fig from the funda- for. To figure on [a thing], to think it
ment of a mule and, the thing being over ; to figure out, to estimate ; to
done, to say in announcement, Ecco figure up, to add up ; to cut a figure, see
la fica. Thus far la fica became a Cut ; to go the whole figure, to be
universal mode of derision. Fr., thorough ; to go the big figure, to launch
faire la figue ; Ger., die Feigen weisen ; out ; to miss a figure, to make a mis-
It., far le fiche ; Dutch, De vyghe setten. take.]
2. Dress. In full fig, in full dress. Figure-dancer. A manipulator of
As verb, to ginger a horse. To fig the face value of banknotes, cheques,
out, to show off, dress ; don one's war and paper security generally (Grose).
paint (q.v.). To fig up, to restore, I, Figure-head. The face see Dial, :

reanimate (as a gingered horse). i Figure-maker. Awencher.

Figaro. A barber. [From Le Figure (or Number) Six. A lock of
Nozze di Figaro.] hair brought down from the forehead,
Figdean. To kill : see Cook one's greased, twisted spirally, and plastered
Goose. on the face : see Aggerawator.
Figged. See Jigged. Filbert. Cracked in the filbert,
Figger (or Figure). See Fagger. crazy ; a variant of Wrong in the nut
Figging- (or Fagging-lay). Pocket- (q.v.) or Upper storey.
Filch. 1. To steal :
picking. specifically to
Fight. A party ; e.g. Tea fight, pilfer (1567). 2. To beat As subs.,
Wedding-fight, etc. : cf. Scramble, a thief.

Worry, Row. To fight or play Filcher (or Filch). A thief.

eoeum: see Cocum. To fight (or Filchman '
(or Filch). A thief s
buck) the tiger see Buck. : One that hooked staff : He carries
a short
can fight his weight in wild cats, a staff in his hand, which is called a
brilliant desperado. filch, having in the nab or head of it a
Fighting - cove. A professional
' '
ferme (that is to say a hole) into which,
one wno boxes upon any piece of service, when he
pugilist, specifically
for a livelihood at fairs, race-meetings, goes a filching, he putteth a hooke of
etc. iron, with which hooke he angles at
158
 File. Fire-eater.

a window in the dead of night for Fine-drawing. Accomplishing an

shirts,smockes, or any other linen or end without discovery.
woollen (Dekker).
'
Fineer (and Fineering).
File. 1. A pickpocket : also file Running into debt ; getting goods
cloy (or bung nipper) :
Fr., poisse a la made in such a fashion as to be unfit
detourne (1754). As verb, to pick for every other purchaser, and if the
pockets. 2. A man : i.e. a cove (q.v.). tradesman refuses to give them on
Thus silent lime sourde), a
file (Fr. credit, then threatens to leave them
dumb man; a miser, or a
dose -file, upon his hands (Goldsmith).
person not given to blabbing hard- ; Fine-madam. An epithet of envy or
file, a grasper (q.v.) ; old file, an elder ; derision for one above her station.
and so forth. Finger. A '

nip,' usually ap-

Filing-lay. Pocket -
picking plied to spirituous liquors. Thus,
(1754). Three fingers of clear juice, Three
' '

Filling at the Price. Satisfying. goes of whisky. To put the finger

Fill.Fill one's pipe. To attain to in the eye, to weep (Grose).
easy circumstances. Fill the bill, to Finger - and - thumb. A road or
excel in conspicuousness as a star :
highway, i.e. drum.
actor whose name is
'
billed
'
to the Finger-better. A man who bets on
exclusion of the rest of the company. credit ;
one who points out cards.
also
Hence, implication, out of the
by Finger-post. A clergyman.
common run of things ; e.g. That fills Finger - smith. 1. A pickpocket.
the bill, that takes the cake, for a lie, 2. A midwife Fr., Madame tire- :

an an appearance anything.
effect, monde (or tire-pouce, tire-m6mes).
Fill the bin, to be beyond question, Finish. To kill.
come up to the mark e.g. Is the news ; Finisher. Something that gives
reliable Yes, it fills the bin.
? the last, the settling touch to any-
Fillupey. Satisfying. thing: see Corker, Clincher, etc.
Filly. A girl ; specifically a (1788).
wanton :
among thieves, a daughter F i n j y (Winchester College).
!

(1668). An exclamation excusing one from

Filth. A prostitute (1602). participation hi an unpleasant or un-
Fimble - f amble. A lame excuse, acceptable task, which he who says
prevaricating answer. the word last has to undertake.
Fin. The arm ; also the hand : Finnuf. See Finnup.
Fr., nageoire : To tip the fin, to shake Finnup (also Finnip, Finnuf
hands (Grose). Finnif Finnic, Finn, or Fin)
,
A five .

Find (Harrow). A mess of three pound note or Flimsy (q.v.) [A

or four upper boys which teas and Yiddish pronunciation of German
breakfasts in the rooms of one or ficnf, five.] Also Finnup ready,
other of the set. Find-fag, a fag who ready money hi America, Finnup, a
:

provides for, or finds, upper boys. five dollar bill. Double finnup, a ten
Finder. 1. A thief; specifically a pound note.
meat- market thief. 2. (Oxford Uni- Fippenny. A clasp knife see Chive. :

versity). A waiter ; especially at Fire. Danger. Like a house on

Caius'. fire, easily and rapidly cf. House, :

Fine. Punishment, a term of im- Winking, One o'clock, Cake, Brick,

prisonment. To fine, to sentence. etc. To fire a slug, to drink a dram
To cut it fine, see Cut fine. To get (Grose). To fire a gun, to introduce
one down fine and dose, to find out all a story by head and shoulders, lead
about a man, deliver a stinging blow. up to a subject (Grose). To set the
All very fine and large, an interjection Thames on fire, to do some next-to-
of (1) approval, (2) derision, and (3) impossible task, to be exceptionally
incredulity. [The refrain of a music- clever ; used negatively in sarcasm.
hall song excessively popular about Fire and Light. A master-at-arms.
1886-88.] Fine as fivepence : see Fired. Arrested, turned out, and
Fivepence. Fine day for the young (among artists) rejected.
ducks, a very wet day. Fine words Fire-eater. In Old Cant a quick-
butter no parsnips, a sarcastic retort worker ;
and in modern English, a
upon large promises. duellist or bully : also Fire-eating.

159
 Fire-escape. Fix.

Fire-escape. A clergyman. scrubbing brush, and set to work.

Fire-prigger. A thief whose venue To put up one's fist, to acknowledge a
is a conflagration (Grose). fact : cf. Fill the bin and acknowledge
Fire-spaniel. A soldier who the corn.
nurses the barrack-room syn- fire : Fit. Suitable, in good form. Fit
onyms are: fire-dog, fire- worshipper, as a perfect condition.
fiddle, in To
chimney ornament, fender guard, fit like a ball of wax, to fit close to the
- -

and cuddle-chimney. skin. To fit like a sentry box, to fit

Firewater. Ardent spirits. badly. To fit like a glove, to fit per-
Fireworks. A state of disturb- fectly. To fit to a T, to fit to a nicety.
ance, mental excitement e.g. Fire- :
[In reference to the T square used in
works on the brain, a fluster. drawing.] To fit up a show, to ar-
Firk. To beat (1599). range an exhibition.
Firkytoodle. To caress. English Fitch's Grenadiers. The Eighty-
synonyms to canoodle, to fiddle, to
: Third Foot. [From the small stature
mess (or pull) about, to slewther of the men and the name of the first
(Irish), to spoon, to crooky, to fam. colonel.]
Firmed. See Well-firmed. Fits. To beat into fits : see Beat
First - chop. First rate. [From and Creation.
Hind., chaap, a stamp, an official A burglar's locksmith.
Fitter.
mark on weights and measures ; Fit-up. A small company: also
hence used to signify quality.] Also used adjectively : see Conscience.
Second-chop (q.v.). Five-fingers. The five of trumps
First-flight. In the first flight in the game of Don or Five Cards
those at the finish ; in fox-
first in (1611).
hunting those in at the death. Fiver. Anything that counts as
First-nighter. An habitue five ; specifically a five- pound note :

of theatrical first- performances. cf. Finn.

First-night Wrecker. See Wrecker. Five over Five. Said of people
Fish. 1. A man ; generally in con- who turn in their toes.
tempt or disparagement, as Odd fish, Fivepence. As fine (or as grand),
Loose fish, Queer fish, Scaly fish, Shy as fivepence (or as fippence), as fine as
fish. 2. Pieces cut out of garments to possible cf. As neat as ninepence
:

make them fit close. As verb, to (1672).

attempt to obtain by artifice, seek in- Fives. 1. The fingers. Bunch of
directly, curry favour. Pretty kettle fives,the fist see Forks (1629). Also
:

of fish, a perplexing state of affairs, the feet. 2. A fight

quandary. To have other fish to fry, to Fix. A dilemma ; frequently in con-
have other business on hand. To be junction with Awful (q.v.) and Regu-
neither fish nor flesh, to be neither one lar (q.v.), e.g. An awful fix, a terrible
thing nor another ; said of waverers position. Variants are Cornered, Up
and nondescripts ; sometimes ex- a tree, Up a close, Under a cloud, In a
tended to Neither fish, flesh, fowl, nor scrape :avoir des mots avec les
FT.,
good red herring (1598). sergots, to run amuck of the police.
Fish-broth. Water : see Adam's As verb, (1) to arrest (1789). (2) A
ale (1599). general verb of action. Everything is
Fisher. A lick-spittle ; only used fixed except the meaning of the word
contemptuously. itself. The farmer fixes his fences,
Fishhooks. The fingers see Forks. : the mechanic his work- bench, the
Fishmarket. The lowest hole at seamstress her sewing-machine, the
bagatelle, Simon (q.v.). fine lady her hair, and the schoolboy
Fishy. Effete, dubious, or seedy his books. The minister has to fix
(of persons) unsound, or equivocal
: his sermon, the doctor to fix his
(of things). Also Fishiness, unsound- medicines, the lawyer to fix his brief.
ness. Dickens was requested to un-fix his
Fist. 1. Handwriting : FT., la straps ; eatables are fixed for a meal ;
cape. 2. A workman. Good fist, a a girl unfixes herself to go to bed, and
good workman. 3. An index hand. fixes herself up to go for a walk. At
As verb, (1) to apprehend (1598). 2. it is fixed who are to
public meetings
To take hold e.g. Just you fist that
: be the candidates for office ; rules are
160
 Fixings. Flannels.

fixed to govern an institution, and (cap, apron, uniform, etc.) when off
when the arrangements are made the duty.
people contentedly say, Now every- Flag-about. A strumpet.
thing is fixed nicely. To fix the Flag -flying. See Flag.
ballot box, to tamper with returns. Flag of Distress. 1. A card an-

Anyhow (or nohow) you can or can't nouncing lodgings, or board and
fix it : see Anyhow. To fix one's lodgings. Hence, any overt sign of
flint, to settle one's hash see Cook
:
poverty. 2. A flying shirt-tail; in
one's goose (1835). To fix up, to settle, America, a letter in the post-office
arrange. (q.v.).
Fixings. A noun of all work :
Flagger. A street-walker.
applied to any and everything. Flags. Linen drying and flying in
Fiz (or Fizz). Champagne; some- the wind.
times lemonade and ginger-beer see :
Flag Unfurled. A man of the
Boy. world.
Fiz-gig. A firework. Flag-wagging. Flag-signal drill.
Fizzer. Anything first-rate : cf. Flam. 1. Nonsense (for synonyms,
Fizzing. see Gammon), humbug, flattery, or
Fizzing. First-rate.
English a lie as a regular flam (1598). 2.
: A
synonyms: Al, cheery, clean wheat, single stroke on the drum (Orose). As
clipping, crack, creamy, crushing, adj., false. As verb, (1) to take in,
first chop, first-class, first-rate, or (in flatter, lie, foist or fob off. Flamming,
America) first-rate and a half, hunky, lying. (2) (American University). To
jammy, jonnick, lummy, nap, out- affect, or prefer, female society.
and-out, pink, plummy, proper, real Flambustious. Showy, gaudy,
jam, right as ninepence, ripping, pleasant.
rooter, rum, screaming, scrumptious, Flamdoodle. Nonsense, vain
ship-shape, slap-up, slick, splenda- boasting. Probably a variant of
cious, splendiferous, to rights, tip-top, Flapdoodle (q.v.).
true marmalade, tsing-tsing. Flame. A
sweetheart, mistress
1.
Fizzle. A
ridiculous failure, in keeping. Old flame, an old lover,
flash in the pan : in many of the cast-off mistress (1664). Also, 2. a
United States colleges, the term=a venereal disease.
blundering recitation. To hit just Flamer. A man, woman, thing, or
one third of the meaning constitutes incident above the common.
a perfect fizzle. Asin verb, to fail Flames. A red-haired person :

reciting, recite badly. Also (said of cf. Carrots and Ginger.

an instructor) to cause one to fail at Flaming. Conspicuous, ardent,
reciting. At some American colleges stunning (q.v.) : see Al (1738).
Flunk (q.v.) is the common word for Flanderkin. A very large fat
an utter failure. To Fizzle, to stumble man or horse also natives of Flanders
;

through at last. (B. E.).

Flabbergast. To astound, stagger, Flanders-fortunes. Of small sub-
either physically or mentally (1772). stance (B. E.).
Flabberdegaz. Words interpolated Flanders - pieces. Pictures that
to dissemble a lapse of memory, Gag look fair at a distance, but coarser
(q.v.). Also, imperfect utterance or near at hand (B. E.).
bad acting. Flank. 1. To crack a whip also, ;

Flag. 1. A groat, fourpenny piece : to hit a mark with the lash of one.
also Flagg, and Flagge see Rhino : 2. To deliver a blow or a retort,
(1567). 2. An apron ; hence a badge push, hustle, quoit (Shakespeare) :
Fr.,
of office or trade cf. Flag-flasher.
: 3. flanquer. A plate of thin flank, a
A jade (1539). To fly the flag, to post sixpenny cut off the joint. To
a notice that hands are wanted. flank the whole bottle, to dodge, i.e. to
Flag of Defiance. A drunken outflank, to achieve by strategy.
roysterer see Lushington.
: To hang Flanker. A
blow, retort, kick.
out the flag of defiance (or bloody flag), Flankey. The posteriors.
to be continuously drunk. Flannel. See Hot flannel.
Flag-flasher. One sporting a Flannels. To get one's flannels,
or other ensign of office to get a place in the school football
161
 Flap. Flash.

or cricket teams, or in the boats of. :

lingo of thieves and th<-ir associates.
to get one's colours, or, one's blue. To patter flash, to talk in thieves'
Flap. 1. Sheet- lead used for roof- lingo. The derivation of Flash, like
ing: Pr..doussin, noir cf. Bluey. 2. : that of French argot, is entirely specu-
A blow (1539). As verb, (1) to rob, lative. It has, however, been gener-
swindle. 2. To pay, fork out. To ally referred to a district called Flash
flap a jay, to swindle a greenhorn, sell (the primary signification as a place
a pup (q.v.). To flap the dimmock, to name is not clear), between Buxton

pay. Leek and Macclesfield there lived :

Flapdoodle. 1. Transparent many chapmen who, says Dr. Aiken

nonsense, kid. Also Flamdoodle, (Description of Country round Man-
Flamsauce, or Flap-sauce see : Gam- chester),
'
were known as flash- men . . .

mon. To talk flapdoodle, to brag, using a sort of slang or cant dialect.']

talk nonsense. (1718). 2. Hence, at one period,
Flapdoodler. A braggart agitator, especially during the Regency days,
one that makes the eagle squeal (q.v.), the idiom of the man about town, of
Flap-dragon. To gulp down Tom and Jerrydom. 3. A boast,
hastily, as in the game of flap-dragon brag, or great pretence made by a
(1604). spendthrift, quack, or pretender to
Flap man. A convict promoted more art or knowledge than he really
for good behaviour to first or second has. 4. A showy swindler (e.g. Sir
class. Petronel Flash) a blustering vulgar-
;

Flapper. 1. The hand ; also Flap- ian (1605). 5. A

peruke or perriwig.
see Daddle. 2. A little 6. A portion, a drink, go (q.v.). As
per-shaker :

girl. [Also a fledgling wild duck.] adj., (1) relating to thieves, their
3. A very young 4. A habits, customs, devices, lingo, etc.
prostitute.
dustman's or coalheaver's hat, a (2) Knowing, expert, showy, cf. Down,
Fantail (q.v.). 5. (in pi.). Very Fly, Wide-awake, etc. Hence (popu-
long- pointed shoes worn by nigger larly), by a simple transition, vul-
minstrels. 6. A parasite ; a remem- garly counterfeit, showily shoddy :

brancer. possibly the best understood mean-

Flapper- shaking. Hand-shaking. ings of the word in latter-day English.
Flap-sauce. See Flapdoodle. To put one flash to anything, to put him
Flare. 1. Primarily a stylish on his guard ; to inform. (3) Vulgar,
craft ; hence, by implication, anything blackguardly, showy, applied to one
out of the common. 2. A row, dispute, aping his betters. Hence (in Aus-
drunk, or spree. As verb, (1) speci- tralia), vain-glorious or swaggering.
fically to whisk out ; hence, to steal (4) In a set style. Also used sub-
actively, lightly, or delicately. 2. stantively. Hence, in combination,
To swagger, go with a bounce. All Flash-case (crib, drum, house, ken, or
of a flare, bunglingly. panny ) see Flash - ken Flash - cove
:
;

Flaring. Excessive: e.g. a flaring (q.v.); Flash-dispensary (American),

lie, flaring drunk see Flaming.
: a boarding house, especially a swell
Flare-up (or -out). An orgie, fight, brothel ; Flash-gentry, the swell mob
outburst of temper. Also a spree. or higher class of thieves ; Flash-girl
English synonyms: barney, batter, (moll, -mollisher, -piece, or -woman), a
bean-feast, beano, breakdown, burst, showy prostitute ; Flash-jig (costers),
booze (specifically a drinking - bout), a favourite dance ; Flash-kiddy, a
caper, devil's delight, dust, fanteague, dandy ; Flash-lingo (or song), patter,
fight, flare, flats -yad (back slang), or song interlarded with cant words
fly, gig, hay-bag, hell's delight,
high and phrases; Flash man (q.v.);-

hooping up, hop, jagg, jamboree,

jinks, Flash-note, a spurious bank-note ;
jump, junket ting, lark, drive, randan, Flash-rider (American) : see Broncho-
on the tiles, on the fly, painting the buster ; Flash toggery, smart clothes ;
town (American), rampage, razzle- Flash vessel, a gaudy looking, but
dazzle, reeraw, ructions, shake, shine, undisciplined ship. As verb, (1) to
spree, sky-wannocking, tear, tear show, to expose. Among combina-
up, toot. As verb, to fly into a tions may be mentioned To flash
passion. one's ivories, to show one's teeth, to
Flash. 1. The vulgar tongue; the grin (Grose); To flash the hash, to
1C2
 Flash-case. Flats.

vomit (Grose) To flash the dicky, to

; e.g. Insipid, tame, dull as in Mac- :

show the shirt front To flash the ; aulay's Flat as champagne in de-
dibs, to show or spend one's money ; canters. On the Stock Exchange,
To flash a fawney, to wear a ring To ; flat, without interest stock is bor- ;

flash one's gab, to talk, to swagger,

to rowed flat when no interest is al-
brag ; To flash the bubs, to expose the lowed by the lender as security for the
paps ; To flash the muzzle (q.v.) ; To due return of the scrip. As verb, to
flash one's ticker, to air one's watch ; jilt. To feel flat (1), to be low-
To flash the drag, to wear women's spirited, out of sorts, Off colour (q.v.).
clothes for immoral purposes ; To (2) To fail, also used sub-
give way :

flash the white grin : see Grin ; To flash stantively. a flounder (or
Flat as
the flag, to sport an apron ; To flash pancake), very flat indeed also, flat :

the wedge, fence the swag, etc.

to as be blowed. To brush up a flat :

To flash the muzzle, to produce a pistol. see Brusher. To pick up a flat, to

To flash it about (or to cut a flash or find a client Fr., lever or faire un
:

dash), to make a display ; to live miche.

conspicuously and extravagantly. Flat-back. A bed-bug : see Nor
Flash-case (-crib, -house, -drum, folk Howard.
-ken, -panny, etc.) 1. house A Flat-broke. Utterly ruined,
frequented by thieves, as a tavern, Dead-broke (q.v.).
lodging-house, fence (q.v.) (1690). Flat-catcher. An impostor.
2. A brothel, any haunt of loose Flat-catching. Swindling.
women. F 1 a t c h (back slang). 1. A half.
Flash - cove (also Flash Com- Flatch-kennurd, half drunk ; Flatch-
panion). A thief, sharper, fence yenork, half-a-crown Flatch-yennep, a ;

(q.v.). half-penny. A half-penny see

2. :

Flash - man.
Primarily a man Rhino. [An abbreviation of Flatch-
talking Flash hence, a rogue, thief,
; yennep.] 3. A counterfeit half-
the landlord of a Flash-case (q.v.). crown : see Rhino.
Also a Fancy-Joseph. In America, a Flat - cap. A citizen of London.
person with no visible means of sup- In Henry the Eighth's time flat round
port, but living in style
and showing caps were the pink of fashion ; but
up well. when their date was out, they be-
Flash-of-lightning. 1. A glass of came ridiculous. The citizens con-
gin, dram of neat spirits : see Go tinued to wear them long after
and Drinks. Latterly, an American they were generally disused, and
drink. 2. The gold braid on an were often satirized for their fidelity.]
officer's cap. (1596).
Flashy (Flashily, or Flashly). Flat-cock. A female (Orose).
Empty, showy, tawdry, insipid Flat - feet. Specifically the Foot
(1637). Guards, but also applied to regiments
Flash-tail. A prostitute. of the line. Also (generally with
Flasher. A high-flyer, fop, pre- some powerful adjective), applied to
tender to wit (1779). militiamen to differentiate them from
F 1 a s h e r y. Inferior, vulgar : linesmen.
hence by inversion, elegance, dash, Flat-fish (generally, a Regular
distinction, display. Flat-fish). A dullard.
Flash yad (back slang). A day's
- Flat-footed. Downright, resolute,
enjoyment. honest. [Western : the simile ia
Flashy Blade (or Spark). A common to most languages.]
Dandy (q.v.) now a cheap and noisy
;
Flat-head. A greenhorn, a Sammy-
swell, whether male or female cf. : soft (q.v.) : see Buffle.
Flasher (1719). Flat-iron. A
corner public house.
Flat. 1. A greenhorn, noddy, gull :
[From the triangular shape.]
see Buffle (1762). 2. An honest Flattie (or Flatty). A gull :
man. 3. A lover's dismissal, jilting. see Buffle.
As adj., downright, plain, straight- Flat - move. An attempt or pro-
forward : as in That's flat a flat lie, !
ject that miscarries folly and
; mis-
flatburglary, etc. (1598). There are management generally (Grose).
other usages, more or less colloquial Flats. 1. Playing cards : see King's
163
 FlcUs-and-aharps. Flesh-pot.

Books. 2. False dice: see Fulhams. Flear. To grin. A /tearing fool,

3. Base money. Mahogany flat*, a grinning idiot.
bed-bugs : see Norfolk Howards. Fleece. An
act of theft : cf. old
Flats-and-sharps. Weapons. proverb, To go out to shear and
Flatten. To flatten out, to get the come home shorn. As verb, to
better of (in argument or fight). Flat- cheat, shear or be shorn (as a sheep)
tened out, ruined ; beaten. (1593). Hence fleeced, ruined ; dead-
Flatter - trap. The mouth : FT., broke (q.v.).
menteuse : see Potato-trap. Fleecer. A thief (1600).
Flatty-ken. A house where the Fleeter-face. A pale-face, coward :
landlord is not awake, or fly to the cf. Shakespeare's Cream-faced loon.
moves and dodges of the trade. (1647).
Flawed. Half - drunk, a little Fleet-note. A forged note.
crooked, quick-tempered (Grose) see : Fleet-of-the-desert. A caravan :
Screwed. see Ship of the desert, camel.
Flay (or Flay the Fox). 1. To Fleet-street. The estate of jour-
vomit from the subject to the effect,
: nalism, especially journalism of the
says Cotgrave for the flaying of so
;
baser sort. a journalist
Fleet-siretter,
stinking a beast is like enough to make of the baser sort a spunging Prophet
;

them spue that feel it. Now, To
shoot the cat. 2. To clean out by
unfair means. To flay (or skin) a
flint, to be mean or miserly see
Skinflint.
Flaybottom (or Flaybottomist)
A schoolmaster, with a play on the
word phlebotomist, a blood - letter
(q.v.) ; a sharking dramatic critic ; a
Spicy (q.v.) paragraphist ; and so on.
Fieet-streetese, the so-called English,
: written to sell by the Fleet-streeter
(q.v.), or baser sort of journalist: a
. mixture of sesquipedalians and slang,
of phrases worn threadbare and
phrases sprung from the kennel of ;

(Grose). FT., fouette-cul ; and (Cot- bad grammar and worse manners ; the
grave) Fesse-cul, a pedantical whip- like of which is impossible outside
arse. Fleet-street (q.v.), but which in
Flavour. To catch (or get) Fleet-street commands a price, and
the flavour, to be intoxicated : see enables not a few to live.
Screwed. Fleg. To whip (Bailey).
Flax. To beat severely ; to give it Flemish - account. A remittance
hot (q.v.). less than expected hence, an un-;

Flax-wench. A prostitute satisfactory account. [Among the

(1604). Flemings (the merchants of Western
Flea. To send away with a flea in Europe when commerce was young)
the ear, to dismiss with vigour and accounts were kept in livres, sols, and
acerbity. To have a flea in the ear, pence ; but the livre or pound onlv=
(1) to fail in an enterprise; and (2) 12s., so that what the Antwerp mer-
to receive a scolding or annoying chant called one livre thirteen and
suggestion. To sit on a bag of fleas, to fourpence would in English currency
sit uncomfortably ; on a bag of hen be only 20s.] (1668).
fleas, very uncomfortably indeed. To Flesh - and - blood. Brandy and
catch fleas for, to be on terms of ex- port in equal proportions.
treme intimacy : e.g. I catch her Flesh - bag. A shirt or chemise.
fleas for her, She has nothing to refuse English synonyms biled rag (Ameri-
:

me: cf. Shakespeare (' Tempest,' n. ii.), can), camesa, carrion-case, commis-
'
Yet a tailor might scratch her sion, dickey (formerly a worn-out
where'er she did itch.' In a flea's shirt), gad (gipsy), lully, mill tog,
leap, in next to no time, instanter mish, narp (Scots'), shaker, shimmy
(q.v.). (=a chemise, JUarryat), smish.
Flea-and-louse (rhyming slang), Flesh-broker. 1. A match-maker

A house see Ken.

: (1690). 2. A procuress (Grose).

Flea-bag. A bed FT., pucier. :

Flesh-fly (or Flesh-maggot). A
Flea-bite. A trifle (1630). whoremaster.
Flea-biting. A trifle. Flesh-pot. Sighing for the flesh-pots
Flea- (or Flay-) Flint. A miser : of Egypt, hankering for good things
cL Skinflint (q.v.) (1719). no longer at command. [Biblical]
164
 Flesh-tailor. Floater.

Flesh - tailor. A surgeon see :

( 1592). As
verb, (1) to cheat, get the
Sawbones. best Do
(q.v.) or diddle (Grose).
of,
Fleshy (Winchester College) :
(2) To dance. To fling out, to depart
see Cat's Head. in a hurry, and, especially, in a temper.
Fletch. A spurious coin cf. Flatch.: In a fling, in a spasm of temper. To
Flick (or Flig). 1. A cut with a have one's fling, to enjoy full liberty of
whip-lash ; hence, a blow of any sort. action or conduct (1624). To fling
A flicking is often administered by dirt see Dirt.
:

schoolboys with a damp towel or Flinger. dancer. A

pocket - handkerchief. 2. jocular A Fling-dust. street-walker. A
salutation ; usually Old Flick. As Flint. A
man working for a
verb, 1. To cut (1690). 2. To strike Union or fair house ; non- Union-
with, or as with, a whip. ists are Dung (q.v.). Both terms
Flicker. A
drinking glass. As occur in Foote's burlesque, The
verb (1) to drink (Matsett). (2) To Tailors : a Tragedy for Warm Weather,
laugh wantonly ; also to kiss, or and they received a fresh lease of
lewdly fondle a woman. Also Flick- popularity during the tailors' strike
ing, drinking, and (2) wanton
(1) of 1832. Old Flint, a miser one :

laughter. Let her flicker, said of any who would skin a flint, i.e. stoop
doubtful issue : let the matter take its to any meanness for a trifle. To
chance. fix one's flint see Fix. To flint in,
:

Flicket-a-Flacket. Onomatopoetic to act with energy ; stand on no cere-

for a noise of flapping and flicking mony, pitch into, tackle. verb of A
(1719). action well-nigh as common as Fix
Flier (or Flyer). 1. A
horse or boat (q.v.).
of great speed ; also (American rail- Flip. 1. Hot beer, brandy, and

way) a fast train ; hence, by implica- sugar ; also, says Grose, called Sir
tion, anything of excellence. 2. A Cloudesley after Sir Cloudesley Shovel.
shot in the air. 3. A
small hand- 2. A bribe or douceur. 3. A light blow,
bill, Dodger (q.v.). To take a flier, or snatch. As verb, to shoot. To
to make a venture ; to invest against flip up, to spin a coin.
odds. Flip flap.
- 1. flighty creature A
Flies (rhyming). Lies. Hence, (1702). 2. A
step-dance; a Cellar-
nonsense, trickery, deceit. There are flap (q.v.). Also (acrobats'); a kind
no flies on me (or him), I am dealing of somersault, in which the performer
honestly with you ; He is genuine, throws himself over on his hands and
and is not humbugging. In America, feet alternately (1727). 3. kind of A
the expression is used of (1) a man of tea-cake. 4. The arm see Bender. :

quick parts, a man who knows a Flipper. 1. The hand. Tip ux

thing without its being kicked into your flipper, give me your hand see :

him by a mule and (2) a person of

; Daddle. 2. See Flapper. 3. Part of
superior breeding or descent. a scene, hinged and painted on both
Fligger (also Flicker). To grin sides, used in trick changes.
(1720). Flirtatious. Flighty.
Film. See Flimsy. Flirt-gill (Flirtgillian, or Gill-flirt).
Flim-flam. An idle story, sham, A wanton, a chopping - girl (q.v.) ;

Robin Hood tale (q.v.) (1589). As specifically a strumpet (1595).

adj., idle, worthless (1589). Flirtina Cop - all. A wanton,
Flimp. To hustle or rob. To put young or old a men's woman (q.v.).
;

on the flimp, to rob on the highway. Float. The footlights before the :

Flimping, stealing from the person. invention of gas they were oil-pans
Flimsy (or Flim). 1. A bank-note. with floating wicks. // that's the way
Soft-flimsy, a note drawn on the
'
the stick floats : see Stick.
Bank of Elegance,' or The Bank of Floater. 1. An Exchequer bill ; ap-
'

Engraving.' 2. News of all kinds, plied also to other unfunded stock. 2.

Points (q.v. ). First used at Lloyd's. A suet dumpling in soup. 3. vend- A
Flinders. Pieces infinitesimally ible voter. 4. A
candidate represent-
small. ing several counties, and therefore
Fling. 1. A fit of temper. 2. A not considered directly responsible to
jeer, jibe, personal allusion or attack any one of them.
165
 Floating-academy. Flop.

'

Floating -
academy. The hulks ; the betting. 2. To finish,get outside
also Campbell's academy (q.v.), and of :
e.g. I floored three half- pint*
Floating hell (q.v.). and a nip before breakfast 3. To
Floating - batteries. 1. Broken pluck. Plough (q.v.). To floor a
bread in tea ; also Slingers (q.v.). 2. paper (lesson, examination, examiner),
The Confederate bread rations during to answer every question, master,
the Secession. ^^ prove oneself superior to the occasion.
Floating-coffin. A rotten ship. To
1 one's ticks, to surpass one-
floor
Floating -hell (or Hell afloat). self. Cut-around (q.v.). To have
A ship commanded by (1) a brutal (hold, or take) the floor, to rise to ad-
savage, or (2) a ruthless disciplinarian. dress a public meeting ; in Ireland, to
Flock. A clergyman's congrega- stand up to dance ; and, in America,
tion. Also any body of people with a to be in possession of the House.
common haunt or interest e.g. a : Floored. 1. Vanquished,
brought
family of children, a company of under, ruined. English synonyms:
soldiers, a school of girls or boys, basketed, bitched, bitched-up, bowled
a cabful of molls, and such like. To out, broken up, buggered up, busted,
fire into the wrong flock, to blunder : caved in, choked-off, cornered, cooked,
see To bark up the wrong tree. coopered up, dead-beat, done brown,
Flock-of-Sheep. 1. A hand done for, done on toast, doubled up,
at dominoes set out on the table. 2. flattened out, fluffed, flummoxed,
White-crested dancing waves on the frummagemmed, gapped, gone through
sea, White horses (q.v.). St. Peter's needle, done under, grav-
Flog. A whip a contraction of
: elled, gruelled, hoofed out, in the last
Flogger (q.v.). To flog (now recog- of pea-time, or last run of shad,
nised), is cited by B. E. (1690), and jacked - up, knocked out of time,
Orose. To be flogged at the tumbler, to knocked silly, looed, mucked - out,
be whipped at the cart's tail : see petered out, pocketed, potted, put in
Tumbler. To flog the dead horse, 1. To his little bed, queered in his pitch,
work up an interest in a bygone sub- rantanned, sat upon, sewn up, shut-
ject, try against heart, do with no up, smashed to smithereens, snashed,
will nor liking for the job. [Bright snuffed out, spread-eagled, struck of
said that Earl Russell's Reform Bill a heap, stumped, tied up, timbered,
was a dead horse (q.v.), and every treed, trumped, up a tree. 2. Drunk ;
''

attempt to create enthusiasm in its in Shakespearean put down ; as Sir

'
favour was flogging the dead horse.] Andrew Aguecheek, Never in your
2. To work off an advance of wages. life, I think, unless you see canary
To flog a willing horse, to urge on one put me down' ("Twelfth Night," i.

who is already putting forth his best see Screwed. 3. Hung low at an
iii.):

energies. exhibition ; in contradistinction to

Flogger.1. A whip: Fr.,6ouw. 2. Skyed (q.v.), and On the line (q.v.).
A mop (i.e. a bunch of slips of cloth on Floorer. 1. An auctioneer (q.v.),
a handle) used in the painting room to or knock-down blow. Hence, sudden
whisk the charcoal dust from a sketch. or unpleasant news, a decisive argu-
Flogging. Careful, penurious. ment, an unanswerable retort, a
Flogging-cove. 1. An official decisive check: Sp., peso (1819). 2.
who administers the Cat (q.v.). 2. A question or a paper too hard to
See Flogging cully. master. 3. A ball that brings down
Flogging-cully. A man addicted all the pins. 4. A thief who trips his
to flagellation, a Whipster (q.v.). man, and robs in picking him up ; a
Flogging-stake. A whipping post. Ramper (q.v.).
Flogster. One addicted to flog- Flooring. Knocking down : hence,
ging. Specifically (naval) a nick- to vanquish in all senses.
name applied to the Duke of Clarence Floor -walker. A shop-walker.
(afterwards William IV.). Flop. 1. A Bite (q.v.), a successful
Floor. 1. To knock down. Hence dodge (1856). 2. A sudden fall or
to vanquish in argument, make an flop down. 3. A collapse cr break-
end of, defeat, confound (Grose). To down. 4. (For Flap or Flip). A
floor the odds, said of a low-priced light blow (1662). As verb, (1) to
horse that pulls off the event in face of fall, or flap down suddenly : FT.,
166
 Florence. Flummox.

prendre un billet de parterre (1742). see Beggar's Velvet. 3. contrac- A

(2) To knock down. As adj., An tion of influenza. As verb, to put
onomatopoeia expressive of the noise in pawn. In (or up) the flue, pawned.
of asudden and sounding fall. Often Up the flue (or spout), dead ; collapsed,
used expletively, as Slap (q.v.) is, and mentally or physically. To be up
the American, Right (q.v.) (1726). one's flue, to be awkward for one.
To flop over, to turn heavily ; hence That's up your flue, that's a facer, or
(in America), to make a sudden that's up against you.
change of sides, association, or Flue-Faker (or Scraper). A
allegiance. Flop up, a day's tramp, chimney-sweep : see Clergyman.
as opposed to a Sot-down, half a Fluff Fluffings).(or 1. Short
day's travel. Flop up time, Bedtime. change given by booking-clerks. The
Flop, too, is something of a vocable of practice is known as Fluffing : see
all-work. Thus, to flop round, to loaf, Menavelings Fr., des fruges ( = more or
:

to dangle ; to do a flop (colloquial), to less unlawful profits of any sort). As

sit,or to fall, down: to flop out, to verb, to give short change. 2. Lines
leave the water noisily and awk- half learned and imperfectly deli vered.
wardly ; a flop in the gills, & smack in Hence, To do a fluff, to forget one's
the mouth. part also as verb, to disconcert, to
:

Florence. A wench that has been floor (q.v.). Fluff it ! an interjection

touzed and ruffled (B. E.). of disapproval : Be off ! Take it
Floster. A mixed drink sherry, :
away !

-
noyau, peach leaves, lemon, sugar, F 1 u ff e r. 1. A drunkard see :

ice, and soda-water. Lushington. '

2. A player rocky on
'

Flouch. To fall (or go) flouch (or his lines given to forgetting his
; i.e.

floush), to come to
pieces, sag sud- part. 3. A
term of contempt.
denly on the removal of a restraining Fluffiness. 1. Drunkenness see :

influence, as a pair of stays. Fluffy and Fluffer. 2. The trick, or

Flounce. To move with violence, habit, of forgetting words.
and (generally) in anger. Said of Fluffy. Unsteady, of uncertain
women, for whom such motion is, or memory.
rather was, inseparable from a great Fluke. In billiards, an accidental
flourishing of flounces. winning hazard in all games a result ;

Flounder. 1. A
drowned corpse : not played for; a Crow (q.v.). In
see Stiff. 2. To sell, and afterwards yachting, an effect of chance a result ;

re-purchase a stock, or vice-versd. in which seamanship has had no part.

Flounder-and-Dab. A cab. Hence, a stroke of luck. As verb, (1)
Flour. Money :
generic : see to effect accident.
by (2) To shirk.
Rhino. To cut out, to mutiny, turn
flukes
Flourish. To be in luck :
e.g. I sulky and disobedient. To turn
flourish, I am well off Do you flourish,
; flukes, to go to bed ; i.e. to Bunk (q.v.),
or Are you flourishing ? Have you got or turn in.
any money ? Flourishing, a retort to Fluky (or Flukey). Of the
the inquiry, How are you ? The nature of a Fluke (q.v.) i.e. achieved ;

equivalent of Pretty well, thank more by good luck than good guid-
you ! ance. Hence Flukiness, abounding in
Flowery. Lodging, entertain- Flukes.
ment ; Square the omee for the Flummadiddle. 1. Nonsense,
flowery, pay the landlord for the Flummery (q.v.).
sea-dainty. 2. A
lodging. [Lingua Franca,'} Flummergasted. Astonished, con-
Flowery Language. Blasphemous founded. A
variant of Flabber-
and obscene speech. gasted (q.v.).
Flowing - hope. A forlorn hope. Flummery. 1. Nonsense, Gammon
Flub-dub-and-Guff. Rhetorical (q.v.), flattery (Grose). 2. A kind of
embellishment ; High-falutin' (q.v.). bread pudding (Nordhoff). 3. Oat-
Flue. The Recorder of London
1. meal and water boiled to a jelly
or any large town. 2. The filth, part (Grose).
fluff, part dust, which
hair, part Flummox (Flummocks, or Flum-
collects under ill-kept beds, and at mux). 1. To
perplex, dodge, abash,
the junctures of sofas and chairs : silence, victimize, Best (q.v.), dis-
167
 Flwnmocky. Fly.

appoint. AlsoConflummox. To flum- fib,to

flap,
to flick, to flop, to jerk, to
mox (or conflummox) by the lip, to out- give one ballast, to hide, to lamin, to
slang (q.v.), talk down; to flummox larrup, to paste, to punch, to rub
the coppers, to dodge the to down, to swinge, to swish, to switch,
police ;
flummox the old Dutch, to cheat one's to trounce, to thump, to tund (Win-
wife, etc. 2. To confuse, Queer (q.v.). chester), to wallop. (2) To clean by
3. Used in the passive sense, to abandon filling full,and emptying, of water :

a purpose, give in, die. As subs., a e.g. to flusha sewer ; to wash, swill, or
bad recitation, failure. Flummoxed, sluice away. Also, to fill with water :
spoilt, ruined, drunk, Sent down e.g. to flush a lock. (3) To start or
(q.v.), Boshed (q.v.), defeated, dis- raise a bird from covert e.g. to flush
:

appointed, silenced,
Floored (q.v.). a snipe, or a covey of partridges. To
Flummocky. Out of place, in bad come flush on one, to come suddenly
taste. and unexpectedly (Marvell) to over- ;

Flummut. A month in prison : see whelm (as by a sudden rush of water).

Dose. Flushed on the horse, privately whip-
Flump. To fall, put, or be set down ped in gaol.
with violence or a thumping noise: Flush-hit. A clean blow, a hit
onomatopoeic. Also to come down full on the mark and straight from
with a flump (1840). the shoulder. As adj., full, straight,
Flunk. 1. An idler, Loafer (q.v.), Right on (q.v.).
Lawrence (q.v.). 2. A failure, especi- Fluster. To excite, confuse, abash,
ally (atcollege) in recitations ; a Flummox (q.v.), upset, or be upset,
backing out of undertakings : also with drink (1602).
Flunk-out. As verb, to retire through Flustered (or Flustrated).
fear, fail (as in a lesson), cause to fail. Excited by drink, circumstances,
Flunkey. 1. A
ship's steward. 2. another person's impudence, etc.;
An ignorant dabbler in stock, inexperi- also mildly drunk cf. Flusticatod
:

enced jobber. 3. One that makes a and see Screwed (1686).

complete failure in a recitation ; one Flusticated (or Flustrated). Con-
who Flunks (q.v.). 4. A man-serv- fused, in a state of heat or excite-
ant, especially one in livery. Hence, ment :cf. Flustered (1712).

by implication, a parasite or Toady Flustration. Heat, excitement,

(q.v.): FT., larbin (1848). Whence, bustle, confusion, Flurry (q.v.) (1771).
Flunkeyism, blind worship of rank, Flute. The recorder of a corpora-
birth, or riches : Fr.. larbinerie. tion (1598).
Flurry. To milk,
flurry one's Flutter. 1.An attempt or Shy (q.v. )
to be worried, angry, or upset : see To at anything, a venture in earnest, a
fret one's kidneys (q.v.) ; To tear one's spree, a state of expectancy (as in
shirt (or one's hair), (q.v.). betting) : hence gambling. 2. The

Flunyment. Agitation, bustle, con- act of spinning a coin. As verb, ( 1 ) to

fusion, nervous excitement. spin a coin (for drinks) ; also to gamble.
Flush. A
hand of one suit. As adj., (2) To go in for a bout of pleasure.
(1) with plenty of money, the reverse To flutter the ribbons, to drive. Flutter,
ofHard-up (q.v.) ; Warm (q.v.). Also if not a word of all-work, is a word

abounding in anything e.g. Flush of
his patter, full of his talk ; flush of
the lotion, liberal with the drink ;
flush of his notions, prodigal of ideas ;
flush of her charms, lavish of her person ;
and so forth (1603). (2) Intoxicated
(i.e. full to the brim) ;
also Flushed :
see Screwed. Level: e.g. Flush
(3)
: with plenty to do. Thus, to have (or
do) a flutter, to have a look in (q.v.), to
go on the spree ; to be on the flutter, to
be on the spree ; to flutter a Judy, to
pursue a girl ; to flutter a brown, to spin
a coin ; to flutter (or fret) one's kidneys,
to agitate, to exasperate ; to flutter a
skirt, to walk the streets and so forth.]
;

with the top, with the water, with the Flux. 1. To cheat, cozen, over-
road, with the boat's edge, etc. As reach. 2. To salivate (Grose).
verb, ( 1 ) to whip. English synonyms :
Fly. A familiar ; hence, by im-
to bludgeon, to bumbaste, to breech plication, a parasite or Sucker (q.v.).
(Cotgrave), to brush, to club, to curry, [In the sixteenth and seventeenth
to dress with an oaken towel, to drub, centuries it was held that familiar
to dry-beat, to dry-bob, to drum, to spirits, in the guise of flies, lice, fleas,
168
 Fly. Flying.

etc., witches, who for a

attended on a wheel, to make a mountain of a
molehill cf. To crack a nut with a
price professed to dispose of the :

Power for evil thus imparted.] 2. A Nasmyth hammer, to lavish force or

printer's devil ; specifically a boy who energy. The fly on the wheel, one
lifted the printed sheets from the who fancies himself of mighty im-
press. [Now the vibrating frame portance. [From the fable.] / don't
used for the same purpose.] (1688). rise to that fly, I don't believe you ;
3. Acustomer. 4. The act of spinning you won't catch me with such bait as
a coin : cf. Flutter. 5. public A that. Off the fly, on the quiet, laid
waggon afterwards (colloquial) a four-
:
up in dock, doing nothing. On the fly,
wheel hackney coach Fr., mouche
:
(1) walking the streets, out for a Lark
(fly)=a public boat on the Seine. 6. (q.v.), Off out on the
work (q.v.),
A policeman. As adj., (1) knowing, spree (q.v.). In motion e.g. I
(2) :

Artful (q.v.), up to every move, cute. got in one on the fly, I landed a blow
Also fly to, a-fly, fly to the game, and while I was running.
fly to what's what cf. Awake, and,
:
Fly-blow. A bastard ; cf. Bye-
see Knowing. (2) Dextrous. As verb, blow.
(
1 ) To toss, raise ; to fly the mags, to toss Fly-blown. 1. Intoxicated see :

up halfpence. (2) To give way as, : Screwed. 2. Cleaned-out, without a

china flies in the baking. To fly around, rap, Hard-up. 3. Used, done-up,
to bestir oneself, make haste. Also to Washed-out (q.v.). 4. Deflowered,
fly around and tear one's shirt. To fly known for a wanton, suspected of
the flag, to walk the streets. See also disease.
Flag. To fly high (or rather high), (1) Fly - by - 1. A sedan chair
night.
to get, or be drunk see Screwed. :
(2) on wheels ;a usage of the Regency
To keep the best company, maintain days. 2. A defaulting debtor, one
the best appearances, and affect the who shoots the moon (q.v.). 3. A
best aims i.e.
: to be a High-flier prostitute. 4. A noctambulist for
( q. v. ). Also, to venture for the biggest business or for pleasure : i.e. a
stakes in the biggest way. To fly burglar or a common spreester (q.v.).
low, to make as little of oneself as 5. A term of opprobrium,
spec, 'an
possible ; to sing small (q.v.) ; and old woman,signifying that she was a
(among thieves) to keep out of the witch, and alluding to the nocturnal
way when Wanted (q.v.). To fly off excursions attributed to witches who
the handle, to lose fail of a
temper, were supposed to fly abroad to their
'

promise, jilt, die ; also to slip off the meetings mounted on brooms (Grose).
Handle (q.v.); to disappoint in any Fly - catcher. An open-mouthed
way. [In pioneer life for an axe to ignoramus, a Gape-seed (q.v.) Fr., :

part company with its handle is a gobe-mouche.

serious trial to temper and patience.] Flycop. A sharp officer ; one well
To fly out, to get angry, scold (1612). broken in to the tricks of trade.
To make the fur (or feathers) fly, to Fly-disperser Soup. Oxtail.
attack effectively, make a disturbance, Flyer. 1. See Flier in all senses.
quarrel noisily like two torn cats on the 2. A shoe see Trotter-case.
: 3. (Win-
tiles,who are said (in American) to pull chester). A half-volley at football,
fur, or to pull wool. To take on the A made-flyer is when the bound of
fly, to beg in the streets ; a specific the ball is gained from a previous
usage of adverbial sense. To fly a kick, by the same side, against canvas
kite, to raise money by means of or any other obstacle, or is dropped,
accommodation bills, raise the Wind as in a drop - kick. This is now
(q.v.). (3) To go out by the window. confused with a kick-up.
(4)To evacuate from a window. (5) Fly-flapped. Whipped in the stocks,
To attempt, set one's cap at. To fly or at the cart's tail (Grose).
the blue pigeon, to steal lead from Fly -
flapper. A
heavy bludgeon.
roofs see Blue-pigeon.
:
Fr., faire Fly-flat. A
would-be connoisseur
la mastar au gras-double (or la faire and authority.
au mastar) (Grose). To let fly, to Flying. To look a# if the Devil
hit out from cock-fighting.
: Not a had spued on him (or her) flying, said
feather to fly with, penniless, ruined, in derision of one odd -looking, filthy,
Dead-broke (q.v.). To break a fly or deformed.
169
 Flying-angel. Fogram.

Flying-angel. See Angel. from the fob. As verb, (1) to rob,

Flying Bricklayers. The mounted cheat pocket also to fob off (1700).
:

Royal Engineers. (2) To deceive, trifle with, disappoint,

Flying - camps. Couples or gangs put off dishonestly or unfairly (1598).
of beggars. To gut a fob, to pick pockets.
Flying -
caper. An escape from Fobu s. An opprobrious epithet
prison, Leg-bail (q.v.). (1677).
Flying-cat See Cat Fodder. Paper for the closet,
Flying-country. A country where Bum-fodder (q.v.).
the Going (q.v.) is fast and good. F ce t u s. To tap the foetus, to
Flying - cove. An impostor who procure abortion.
gets, or tries to get, money from Fog. Smoke (Grose). In a fog,
persons who hare been robbed by in a condition of perplexity, doubt,
pretending to give such information difficulty, or mystification as,| I'm :

as will lead to recovery. Formerly, quite in a fog as to what you mean.

Flying-porter (Grose).
Flying-dustman. See Stiff-'un.
Flying - Dutchman. The London
and Exeter express (G.W.R.). See
also Flying Scotsman and Wild
Irishman.
Flying horse (or mare). The
throw by which an opponent is sent
over the head. Introduced, says
Bee, by Parkins (1754).
Flying - jigger (or gygger).
turnpike gate.
Flying - man. A skirmisher good
at taking, and running with, the ball.
As verb, ( 1 ) to smoke. (2) To mystify,
perplex, obscure.
Fogey (Fogy, Fogay, or Foggi).
An invalid or garrison soldier or sailor.
Whence the present colloquial usages :
(
1 ) a
person advanced in life, and (2)
an old-fashioned or eccentric person ;
generally Old fogey. So also Fogey-
ish, old-fashioned, eccentric. Fogey-
dom, the state of fogeyishness ; and
A fogeyism, a characteristic of fogeydom.
F o g g a g e. Fodder, especially
green-meat (Grose).
Fogged. 1. Drunk see Screwed. :

Perplexed, bewildered, at a loss.

- mare. See Flying-horse. 2.
Flying
Flying-pasty. Excrement Fogger. 1. A huckster, a cringing,
wrapped in paper and thrown over a whining beggar, a pettifogger. 2. A
neighbour's wall (Grose). farm-servant whose duty is to feed
Flying-porter. See Flying-cove. the cattle; i.e. to supply them with
Flying-stationer. A hawker Foggage (q.v.).
of street ballads, Paperworker (q.v.),
'
Foggy. 1. Drunk, clinched,
or Running patterer (q.v.). Printed Hazy (q.v.) : see Screwed. 2. Dull,
'
for the Flying-stationer is the im- fatwitted, Thick (q.v.).
primatur on hundreds of broadsheets Fogle. A silk handkerchief ; also
from the last century onwards (Grose). generic. [Cf. Ital., foglia, a pocket
Fly my. Knowing, Fast (q.v.), a purse : Fr., fouittt, a pocket]. A
roguish, sprightly. cotton handkerchief is called a clout
Fly-my-kite (rhyming). A light English synonyms bandanna, belcher, :

Flymy-mess. To be in a fiymy-mess, billy,clout, conch-clout fam-cloth,

to be hungry and have nothing to eat. flag, kent-rag, madam, muckender,
Fly - slicer. A cavalry-man see : mucketer (Florio) ; nose-wipe, pen-
Mudcrusher. French lancers are allum- wiper, rag, sneezer, snot-tmger or
curs de gaz, their weapons being snot-rag, stock, wipe see Billy. :

likened to a lamplighter's rod. Fogle - hunter.thief whose A

Fly-the-garter. Leap frog. speciality is Fogies (q.v.) Fr., blavin- :

Fly-trap. The mouth : see iste or chiffonier : see Stookhauler

Potato-trap. (1827).
Foaled. Thrown from a horse :
Fpgle-hunting (or drawing).
Fr., faire parache. Stealing pocket-handkerchiefs ; i.e.

Fob (or Fub). 1. Acheat, trick, prigging of wipes.

swindle. To come the fob, to impose Fogram (or Fogrum). A fussy
upon, swindle: cf. Come over (1690). old man see Fogey. As adj.,
:
fogey-
2. A breeches pocket, watch pocket ish, stupid (1777). Hence Fogram-
(1678). 3. A watch-chain or ribbon, ity, (1) Fogeyism (q.v.), and (2) the
with buckle and seals, worn hanging state of Fogeyishness.
170
 Fogue. Foot-wobbler.

Fogue. Fierce, fiery. total (of a bill); to Tot up (q.v.).

Fogus. Tobacco
(1671). Hence, to pay, discharge one's obliga-
Foiler. thief (1669). A tions, Reckon up (q.v.) ; to summarize
Foist (Foyst, or Fyst). 1. cheat, A both merits and defects, and strike a
swindler, sharper (1592). 2. trick, A balance. Footing-up, the reckoning,
swindle, imposture also Foyster and : the sum total
Fr., gomberger.
: To
Foister (1605). As verb, to trick, put one's best foot (or leg) foremost, to
swindle, pick pockets (1607). use all possible despatch, exert one-
Foister (or Foyster). A pick- self to the utmost (1596). To put
pocket, a cheat (1598). one's foot into anything,,io make a mess
Follower. A maid-servant's of it, get into a scrape. The bishop
sweetheart, a beau : see Jomer. (i.e. the Devil) has put his foot in it
Follow-me-lads. Curls or ribands (Old English proverb) is said of burned
hanging over the shoulder: Fr., suivez- porridge or over-roasted meat (Orose) :

moi-jeune-homme also Followers. :

Fr., faire une gaffe. To have one foot
Follow-on. A team eighty runs (or leg) in the grave, on one's last legs,
behind the other in the first innings measured for a funeral sermon also :

is obliged to follow on ; i.e. to take to as adj. (1825). To pull foot, to make

the wickets a second time. A run haste also To take one's foot in one's
:

more, and it saves the follow on. hand, and To make tracks. To take
Follow your nose! A retort on Mr. Foot's horse, to walk, Go by
asking the way. The full phrase is, Shank's mare (q.v.) see Pad the :

Follow your nose and you are sure hoof. To know the length of one's
to go straight (1620). foot, to be well acquainted with one's
Foo-foo. A person of no account character (1581).
an insignificant idiot, a Poop (q.v.). Footer (Harrow). 1. Short for
Fool. A
dish of gooseberries, football. 2. A player of football
boiled with sugar and milk also Gull :
according to Rugby rules.
(q.v.) (1720). No fool, a phrase Foot-hot. In hot haste, Hot-foot
laudatory. To make a fool of, to (q.v.).
delude specifically to cuckold, or to
:
Footing. Money paid on entering
seduce under promise of marriage. To upon new duties, or on being received
fool about (or around), to dawdle, trifle into a workshop or society as at sea :

with, be infatuated with, hang about, when a comrade first goes aloft.
defraud. Formerly Foot-ale :
Fr., arroser set
Fool-finder. A bum-bailiff galons, to christen one's uniform
(Grose). (1777).
Fool -monger. A person, male Footle. To dawdle, trifle, potter,
or female, living by their wits, e.g. Mess about (q.v.).
a Promoter (q.v.), a betting-man, Footlicker. A servant, a lickspittle
a swindler also Fool - catcher and
:
(1609).
Fool-trap (q.v.). Footlights. To smett the footlights,
Foolometer. A
standard, positive to acquire a taste for theatricals. To
or neuter, whereby to gauge the smett of the footlights, to carry thea-
public taste. trical concerns and phraseology into
Fool's Father. The pantaloon or private life, to Talk shop (q.v.).
Old 'un (q.v.). Footman's Inn. A poor lodging,
Fool's-wedding. A party of a jail Fr., H6tel de la modestie the
: :

women : see Hen party. Poor Man's Arms (1608).

Fool -trap. A Fool-monger. Footman' s-maund. An artificial
F o o n t. A sovereign see Rhino. :
sore, as from a horse's bite or kick :

[Probably a corruption of Ger., Pfund.~\ the Fox's bite of schoolboys. Also

Foot. 1. To
acknowledge pay- Scaldrum dodge, or Maund (q.v.).
ment ; e.g. To foot a bill. 2. To Foot-riding. Walking and
'
kick, to Hoof Merchant of
(q.v.) : cf.
wheeling one's machine instead of
Venice,' i. iii. 'You, that did void your riding it.
rheum upon my beard, And foot me, Foot-scamp. A footpad (Parker).
as you spurn a stranger cur.' To foot Footstool.See Angel's footstool.
it, to walk, to dance see Pad the : Foot-wobbler. An infantry-man :

Hoof. To foot-up, to sum up the see Mudcrusher.

171
 Form.

F o o t y. Contemptible, worth- Fork. 1. A pickpocket: Fr.,

less : Fr., joutu (Grose). Avoir let main* crochuu, to be a light-
Foozle. 1. A boggle, a miss. 2. fingered or lime -
fingered filcher ;
A bore, a fogey ; (in America) a
and every finger of his hand as good as
fool, a green 'un : see Buffie. As verb, a lime-twig (Cotgrave). 2. A finger.
to miss, boggle, Muff (q.v.). Foozled The fork*, the fore and middle fingers ;
(or Foozley), blurred in appearance cf. (proverbial) Fingers were made
and effect, fuzzy, Muffed (q.v. ). Often before forks. English synonyms :

said of badly painted pictures, or parts claws, fish-hooks (Oro*e), daddies,

of pictures. (also the hands), divers, feelers, fives,
Fop-doodle. An insignificant man, flappers, grapplers, grappling irons,
a fool (1689). gropers, hooks, nail-bearers, pickers
Fop's Alley. The gangway run- and stealers (Shakespeare), corn-steal -
ning parallel to the footlights, between era, Ten Commandments, ticklers,
the last row of the stalls and the pinkies, muck - forks. 3. The hands.
first row of the pit in Her Majesty's 4. A gibbet in the plural, the gallows.
;

Theatre, and in its palmiest days it 5. A spendthrift. 6. The Crutch (q.v. ),

was always graced by the presence of a or Twist (q.v.) Fr., Fourcheure, that
:

subaltern of the Guards in full uniform, part of the bodie from whence the
daintily swinging his bearskin. thighs depart (Cotgrave). As verb,
Forakers (Winchester Col- to steal ; specifically to pick a
lege). The water-closet see Mrs. :
pocket by inserting the middle and
Jones. [Formerly spelt foricu* and forefinger : also To put one's forks
probably a corruption of foricaa, an down : Fr., vol rt la fourchette. To
English plural of the Latin /on'ca.] fork out (or over sometimes to fork),
Force (The). The police. To to hand over, pay, to shell out (q.v.).
force the voucher, it is customary for To fork on, to appropriate cf. Freeze :

sporting tricksters to advertise selec- on to. To pitch the fork, to tell a piti-
tions and enclose vouchers (similar to ful tale. To eat vinegar with a fork, a
those sent out by respectable com- person either over -shrewd or over-
mission agents) for double or treble snappish is said to have eaten vinegar
the current odds. The correspondent with a fork : Fr., avoir mange de
is informed that, in consequence of

early investments, the extra odds can F o r k e r. A dockyard thief or

be a remittance is requested ;
laid ; Fence (q.v.).
the voucher is forced ; and then the Forking. 1. Thieving. 2.
firm dries up, and changes its name Hurrying and Scamping (q.v.).
and address. Forkless. Clumsy, unworkman-
Forcemeat - ball.
Something en- like, as without Forks (q.v.) (1821).
dured from compulsion : as ( 1) a rape :
Foreloper. A teamster guide.
(2) going to prison transporta- ; (3) Forlorn-Hope. A last stake (Oro*e).
tion ; (4) an affiliation order ; (5) ab- Form. 1. Condition, training,
stention (from drink, pleasure, etc.) fitness for a contest. In (or out of)
through impecuniosity. form, in or out of condition, i.e. fit or
Forceps. The hands : see unfit for work. Better (or top) form,
Daddle. etc. (in comparison) cf. Colour. 2. :

Fore-and-after. Anybody or any- Behaviour (with a moral significance :

thing good all round. as good form, bad form, agreeable to

Fore - buttocks. The paps see :
good manners, breeding, principles,
Dairy. taste, etc., or the opposite). This
Fore-coach-wheel. A half- usage, popularised in racing circles, is
crown : see Caroon. good literary English, though the
The hand (1598).
Forefoot. wordis commonly
printed in inverted
Foreman
of the jury. babbler ; A commas (' ') Shakespeare (' Two:
'
one with the Gift of the gab (q.v.) Gentlemen of Verona,' 4), says, Can
(1696). no way change you to a milder form,'
Fore-stall. In garotting, a look- i.e. manner of behaviour. 3. Habit,
out in front of the operator, or Ugly- Game (q.v.) e.g. That's my form,
:

man the watch behind

(q.v.) ; is the That's what Fm in the way of doing ;
Back-stall (q.v.) see Stale. : or That's the sort of man I am.
172
 Forney. Four Seams.

Forney. A ring ; a variant of called from its accommodating that

Fawney (q.v.). number of persons at once (Hotten).
Fortune-biter. A sharper (1719). [Long a thing of the past.]
Fortune - teller. A magistrate Forty - winks. A short sleep or
(1696). nap see Dog's sleep.
:

Forty. To
talk forty (more com- Fossed. Thrown.
monly nineteen) to the dozen, to chatter Fossick. To work an abandoned
incessantly, gabble. To walk off claim, or to wash old dirt hence to ;

forty to the dozen, to decamp in quick search persistently. [Halliwell, to

time. Roaring forties, the Atlantic take trouble, but cf. fosse, a ditch
between the fortieth and fiftieth or excavation.] Also Fossicking, a
degrees of latitude ; also applied to the living got as aforesaid ; Fossicker, a
same region in southern latitudes. man that works abandoned claims ;
Forty -faced. An arrant deceiver : Fossicking about (American), Shinning
e.g. a forty-faced liar, a forty-faced around, or in England, Ferreting (q.v.).
flirt, and so forth. Fou (or Fow). Drunk ; variants are
Forty-five. A revolver : see Bitch fou, greetin' fou,
- -
piper-fou,
Meat in the pot. roaring-fou, fou as barty (Burns),
Forty-foot (or Forty-guts). fat, A pissing-fou, and so forth : see Screwed.
dumpy man, or woman : in contempt. Also (Scots), full of food or drink.
English synonyms All arse and no : Foul. A
running into or down.
body, arse-and-corporation, all-belly As verb, to run against, run down ;
(Cotgrave) all guts (idem), bacon-
; also to come (or fall) foul of. [Foul,
belly, barrel-belly,'belly-god, bladder- adj. and verb, is used in two senses :
figured, bosse-belly, Bosse of Billings- (1), dirty, as a foul word, a foul shrew
gate (Florio, a fat woman), chuff (Dickens), to foul the bed, etc. ; and (2)
(Shakespeare), Christmas beef, double- unfair, as a foul (i.e. a felon) stroke, a
guts, double-tripe, fat-cock, fat-guts foul blow, and so forth.] To fold a
(Shakespeare and Cotgrave), fatico, plate with, to dine or sup with (Grose).
fattymus or fattyma, fubsy, fat Jack A purse.
Foulcher.
of the bonehouse, fat-lips, flander- Foul-mouthed. Obscene or
kin, fustiluggs (Burton), fussock, gor- blasphemous in speech.
belly, grampus, gotch-guts, grand-guts Found. Found in a parsley-bed :

(Florio), gulche (Florio), gullyguts, see Parsley-bed and Gooseberry-bush.

gundigutts, guts, guts-and-stomach, Four - and - nine (or Four - and
guts-and-garbage, guts-to-sell, hoddy- ninepenny). A hat. [So - called
doddy, dumpty-dumpty, hogshead, from the price at which an enterpris-
hopper-arse,Jack Weight, loppers, ing Bread Street hatter sold his hats,
lummox, paunch, pod, porpoise, pot- circa 1844, at which date London was
guts, princod, pudding-belly, puff- hideous with posters displaying a
'

guts, slush-bucket, sow (a fat

ribs, large black hat and 4s. and 9d.' in
woman), spud, squab, studgy-guts, white letters.]
tallow-guts, tallow-merchant, thick- Four -bones. The knees.
in - the - middle, tripes, tripes and Four - eyes.
'
A person in spec-
trullibubs, tubs, waist, water-butt, tacles : a chap that can't believe his
walking-ninepin, whopper. own eyes.'
Forty-jawed. Excessively Four - holed
Middlings (Win-
talkative. chester Ordinary walking
College).
Forty -lunged. Stentorian ; given shoes cf. Beeswaxers
: obsolete. :

to shouting ; Leather-lunged (q.v.). Four Kings. The history (or book)

Forty-rod (or Forty-rod Light- of the four kings, a pack of cards ;
ning). Whisky, specifically, spirit otherwise, A child's best guide to the
so fiery that it is calculated to kill
gallows, or The Devil's picture books :

at Forty Rods' distance, i.e. on Fr., livre des quatre rois.

Bight: cf. Rotgut. Cf. Florio (1598), Four - legged burglar - alarm. A
'

Catoblepa, a serpent in India so watch dog.

venomous that with his looke he kils Four - poster. A four-post bed-
a man a mile off.'] stead.
Forty - twa. A common jakes, Four Seams and a Bit of Soap.
or Bogshop (q.v.) : in Edinburgh, So A pair of trousers : see Kicks.

173
 Four Ita.

Four (or Three) Sheets in the Foxed, stained or discoloured. 7.

Wind. Drunk ;
cf. Half seas over : To criticise a brother pro's perform-
see Screwed. ance. 8. To mend a boot by capping
Fourteen Hundred (Stock it. To a fox to keep one's geese, to
get

Exchange). A warning cry that a entrust one's money, or one's circum-

stranger is in the House. The cry stances, to the care of sharpers. To
issaid to have had its origin in the fact make a fox paw, to make a mistake or
that for a long while the number of a wrong move specifically (of women)
;

members never exceeded 1399 ; and to be seduced. Fr., faux pas.

itwas customary to hail every new (Grose).
comer as the fourteen hundredth. Foz's-sleep. A state of feigned yet
It has, in its primary sense, long since very vigilant indifference to one's
lost significance, for there are now surroundings. [Foxes were supposed
nearly three thousand members of to sleep with one eye open.]
the close corporation which has its Foxy. 1. Red-haired : cf. Car-
home in Capet Court. roty. 2. Cunning, vulpine in char-
Fourteenth Amendment Persua- acter and look. Once literary.
sion. Negroes. [From the number Jonson (1605) calls his arch-foist
of the clause amending the Constitu- Volpone, the second title of his play
tion at the abolition of slavery.] being The Fox; and Florio (1598)
Fourth (Cambridge University). defines Volpone as an old fox, an old:

A Rear (q.v.) or jakes. [Origin un- reinard,an old, crafty, sly, subtle,
certain said to have been first used at
; companion, sneaking, larking, wilie
St. John's or Trinity, where the closets deceiver. Repaired with new toe-
3.
were situated in the Fourth Court. caps. A
term applied to prints
4.
Whatever its derivation, the term is and books discoloured by damp. 5.
now the only one in use at Cambridge, Inclined to reddishness (1792). 6.
and is frequently heard outside the Strong-smelling of a red-haired man
:

University.] The verbal phrase is or woman.

To keep a fourth (see Keep). On his Foy A cheat, swindle (1615).
.

fourth, hopelessly drunk see Screwed. :

Foyl-cloy. A pickpocket ; a
Fourth Estate. The body of rogue (B. E.).
journalists ; the Press. [Literally Foyst. See Foist
the Fourth Estate of the realm, the Foyster. See Foister.
other three being the Queen, Lords, Fraggle. To rob.
and Commons.] Fragment (Winchester College).
Four-wheeler. 1. A steak. 2. A A dinner for six (served in College Hall,
four-wheeled cab a Growler (q.v.).
; after the ordinary dinner), ordered by
F o u s t y. Stinking [probably de- a Fellow in favour of a particular boy,
rived from foist, sense 3]. who was at liberty to invite five others
Pouter (Foutering). To meddle, to join him. [Obs. fragment was A
importune, waste time and tongue ; supposed to consist of three dishes.
the act of meddling, importunity, Winchester Ward-book 1891].
wasting time and tongue e.g. Don't : Framer. A shawl (1859).
come foutering here From the ! Frater. A beggar working with
French the sense of which is intensi-
: a false petition (1567).
fied in a vulgarism of still fuller Fraud. A
failure, anything or
flavour]. body disappointing expectation e.g. ;

Fox. A
sword specifically, the
; an acquaintance, a picture, a book,
old English broadsword (1598). As a play, a picture, a bottle of wine.
verb, 1. to intoxicate. Foxed, drunk ; Actual dishonesty is not necessarily
to catch a fox, to be very drunk while ; implied.
to play the fox (Urquhart), to vomit, Fraze. See Vessel.
to shed your liquor, i.e. to get rid of the Freak. A living curiosity as the :

beast (1611). 2. To cheat, trick, Siamese Twins, the Two-headed Night-

rob (colloquial at Eton) see Gammon :
ingale. [Short for Freak of nature.]
(1631). 3. To watch closely also to : Free. Impudent, self-possessed.
fox about. 4. To sham. 6. To play As verb, to steal ; cf. Annex and
truant. 6. To stain, discolour with Free of fumbler't im-
Convey. hall,
damp ; said of books and engravings. potent. Free, gratis, for nothing, a
174
 Free-and-easy. Freshmanship.

pleonastic vulgarism. Free of the house, and forwards in parallel bands, so that
intimate ; privileged to come and go it may run easily.
at will. For the rest, the commonest French-gout (disease, or
sense of free is one of liberality e.g. :
fever). Sometimes gonorrhoea, but
Free of his foolishness, full of chaff ; more generally and correctly syphilis,
Free-handed, lavish in giving ; free- the Morbus Gallicus of older writers
hearted, generously disposed ; free of (1598).
his patter, full of talk. French Leave. To take French leave,
Free-and-easy. A
social gathering (1) to decamp without notice; (2) to
where smoke, drink, and song is the do anything without permission (3) ;

order of the day :

generally held at a to purloin or steal (4) to run away (as
;

public house. from an enemy). [Derivation ob-

Freebooker. A' pirate '
book-
'
scure ; French, probably traceable to
seller or publisher ; a play on free- the contempt engendered during the
booter.' wars with France ; the compliment
Free fight. A
general mellay. is returned in similar expressions.]
Freeholder. 1. prostitute's A (1771).
lover or fancyman. 2. man whose A French-pigeon. A
pheasant killed
wife insists on accompanying him to by mistake in the partridge season, a
a public house (1696). Moko or Oriental (q.v.).
Free-lance. An habitual adulteress. French -
pig. A venereal bubo ; a
Also said of a journalist attached to Blue boar (q.v.), or Winchester goose
no particular paper. (q.v.).
Freeman. A married woman's French-prints. Generic for indecent
lover. Freeman of bucks, a cuckold. pictures.
Freeman' s Quay. To drink (or lush), French -vice. A euphemism for
at freeman's quay, to drink at another's all sexual malpractices.
expense. [Freeman's Quay was a Frenchy. A Frenchman.
celebrated wharf near London Bridge.] Fresh. 1. Said of an under-
Freeze. 1. The act or state of graduate in his first
(1803).term
freezing, a frost. 2. Hard cider (Grose). 2. Slightly intoxicated, elevated see :

As verb, (1) to long for intensely Screwed. (Scots, sober). 3. Inex-

e.g. to freeze to go back, said of the perienced, but conceited and presump-
home-sick ; to freeze for meat. (2) tuous ; hence, forward, impudent
Hence, to appropriate, steal, stick to. (1596). 4. Fasting ; opposed to eating

(3) To adulterate or Balderdash (q.v.) or drinking. Fresh as paint (as a

wine with Freeze (q.v. sense 2) rose, as a daisy, etc.), full of health,
(Grose). To freeze to (or on to), to take strength, and activity ; Fit (q.v.).
a strong fancy to, cling to, keep fast Fresh on the graft, new to the work.
hold of and (of persons) button-hole
;
Fresh -bit. A beginner.
or shadow. To freeze out, to compel Freshen. To freshen one's way, to
to withdraw from society by cold and hurry, quicken one's movements. To
contemptuous treatment from busi- ; freshen up, to clean, vamp, revive,
ness by competition or opposition ; smarten.
from the market by depressing prices Fresher. An undergraduate in his
or rates of exchange. first term. The freshers, that part of
Freezer. 1. A tailless Eton jacket: the Cam which lies between the Mill
cf.
Bum-perisher. 2. A very cold and Byron's Pool. So called because
day. By analogy, a chilling look, it is frequented by Freshmen (q.v.).
address, or retort. Freshman (or Fresher). A
French -
(cream, lace, or
elixir University man
during his first year.
article). Brandy. [The custom of In Dublin University he is a junior
taking of brandy with tea and coffee freshman during his first year, and a
was originally French. Whence senior freshman the second year. At
French Cream. Laced tea, tea dashed Oxford the title lasts for the first term :

with spirits]. English synonyms ball- :

Ger., Fuchs (1596). As adj., of, or
of-fire, bingo, cold tea, cold nantz, pertaining to, a freshman,[or a first year
red ribbon. student.
French fake. The fashion of Freshmanship. Of the quality or
coiling a rope by taking it backwards state of being a freshman ( 1 605).
175
 Freshman's Bible. Froudacious.

Freshman's Bible. The Univer- after arrest, for evidence of char-

sity Calendar : cf. Post-office Bible. acter, antecedents, or identity. Hence,
Freshman's - church. The careful examination of any kind
Pitt Press at Cambridge. [From its (1781). 2. To pick pockets, rob.
ecclesiastical architecture.] To frisk a cly, to empty a pocket. To
Freshman's - landmark. King's dance the Paddington frisk, to dance
College Chapel, Cambridge. [From on nothing i.e. to be hanged
; see :

the situation.] Ladder. [Tyburn Tree was in Pad-

Freshwater -mariner (or seaman). dington.]
A beggar shamming sailor, a turnpike Frisker. A dancer.
sailor (q.v.) (1567). Frivol (orFrivvle). To act
Freshwater-soldier. A raw recruit frivolously, trifle. [A resuscitation
( 1598). of an old word used in another sense,
Fret To fret one's
gizzard (guts, viz. to annul, to set aside].
giblets, kidneys, cream, etc.), to get Frog. 1. A policeman : see Beak.
harassed and worried about trifles, 2. AFrenchman. Also Froggy and
Tear one's shirt (q.v.). Frog-eater. [Formerly a Parisian ;

Friar. A pale spot in a printed the shield of whose city bore three
sheet :
FT., moine (monk). toads, while the quaggy state of the
Frib. A stick : see Toko (1754). streets gave point to a jest common
Fribble. A trifler, a contempt- at Versailles before 1791 Qu'en di- :

ible [From the character in sent les grenouilles ? i.e. What do

fop.
Carriers Miss in her Teens (1747)]. the frogs (the people of Pahs) say ? ]
Friday-face. A gloomy, dejected- 3. Afoot see Creepers.
: To frog on,
looking man or woman: Fr., figure de to get on, prosper. Frogging-on,
carfme. [Probably from Friday being, success.
ecclesiastically, the banyan day of Frog - and - Toad (rhyming). The
the week.] (1592). Whence, Friday- main road.
faced, mortified, melancholy, sour- Frog-and-Toe. The city of New
featured (Scott). York.
Friendly- lead. An entertain- Froglander. A Dutchman cf. :

ment (as a sing-song) got up to assist Frog, sense 2. (1696.)

a companion in Trouble (q.v.), or to Frog-salad. A ballet ; i.e. a Leg-
raise money for the wife and children piece (q.v.).
'
of a quodded
pal.' Frog's-march. To give the frog's
Friends-in-need. Lace : see march, to carry a man face down-
Chates. wards to the station ; a device adopted
Frigate. A woman. with drunken or turbulent prisoners.
Frightfully. Very. An expletive Frog's-wine. Gin see Drinks. :

used as are Awfully, Beastly, Bloody, Frolic. A merry-making.

etc. (q.v.). Frosty-face. A pox-pitted man
F
r i g - p i g. A finnicking trifler (Orose).
(Grose). Front To
conceal the operations
Frillery. Feminine under- of a pickpocket to cover (q.v.).;

clothing : see Snowy. Frontispiece. The face see Dial :

Frills. Swagger, conceit ; also Front-windows. The eyes also the ;

accomplishments (as music, languages, face.

etc.), and culture. To put on one's Frost 1. A complete failure: of.
frills, to exaggerate, chant the poker, Fr., four noir, temps noir. 2. A dearth
swagger, put on side (q.v.) ; sing it of work, to have a frost, to be idle.
(q.v.): Fr., se gonfler le jabot, and Froudacious (Froudacity). The
'

faire son lard. word Froudacity,' invented by Mr.

Print. A pawnbroker : see Darnell Davis in his able review of
Uncle. The Bow of Ulysses, by Mr. T. A.
Frisco. Short for San Francisco. Fronde, reached the height of popu-
Frisk. 1. A frolic, outinp. Lark larity in the Australasian Colonies,
(q.v.), mischief generally (1697). 2. where it was in everyday use, the
A dance (1719). As verb (thieves'), author being accused of ignorance,
(1) to search,run the rule over (q.v.). misleading, and careless treatment in
Especially applied to the search made, his book on the Australasian colonies.

17.
 Froust. Full.

Froust (Harrow School). 1. as an exclamation of contempt. As

Extra sleep allowed on Sunday morn- verb, (1) to fabricate, interpolate,
ings and whole holidays FT., faire du : contrive without proper materials.
lard. 2. A stink, stuffiness (in a (2) To copy, to crib. (3) To botch,
room). bungle, muff (q.v.). (4) To advance
Frousty. Stinking. the hand unfairly at marbles.
Frou t (Winchester College). Fug (Shrewsbury School). To stay
Angry, vexed. in a stuffy room. As adj., stuffy.
Frow (Froe, or Vroe). A woman, Fuggy. A hot roll.
wife, mistress. [From the Dutch.] Fugo. The rectum (Cotgrave).
(1607). Fulhams (or Fullams). 1. Loaded
' ' '
dice ; called high or low Fulhams
'

Frummagemed. Choked, strangled,

spoilt (1671). as they were intended to turn up
Frump. 1. A contemptuous speech high of low. [Conjecturally, because
or piece of conduct, sneer, a jest manufactured at Fulham, or because
(1553). 2. A slattern ; more com- that village was a notorious resort
monly a prim old lady ; the correlative of blacklegs.] (1594). 2. A sham, a
of Fogey (q.v.): Fr., graitton. 3. A Make-believe (q.v.) (1664).
cheat, a trick. As verb, to mock, in- Fulham -
virgin. A prostitute :

sult (1589). cf. Bankside lady, Covent Garden nun,

Frumper. A sturdy man, good St. John's Wood vestal, etc.
blade (1825). Fulk. To use an unfair motion of
Frumpish. Cross-grained, old- the hand in plumping at taw (Grose).
fashioned and severe in dress, manners, F u 1 k e r. A pawnbroker see :

morals, and notions also ill-natured, : Uncle (1566).

given to frumps. Also Frumpy (1589). Full. 1. Drunk : see Screwed. 2.
Frushee. An open jam tart. Used by bookmakers to signify that
Fry. To translate into plain they have laid all the money they wish
English cf. Boil down.
: Go and fry against a particular horse. Full guts,
your face, a retort expressive of in- a swag - bellied man or woman. A
credulity, derision, or contempt. full hand, five large beers. Full in the
Frying - pan. To leap (or jump) belly, with child. Full in the pasterns
from the frying-pan into the fire, to go (or the hocks), thick ankled.
- Full
from bad to worse cf. from the smoke :
team, an eulogium. A man is a full
into the smother ('As You Like It,' I. team when of consequence in the
ii.
)
:
Fr., tomber de la poele dans la community. Variants are whole team,
braise (1684). To fry the pewter, to or whole team and a horse to spare :

melt down pewter measures. cf. One-horse=mean, insignificant, or

F-sharp. A flea cf. B-flat. :

strikingly small. Full in the waist-
Fuant. Excrement. coat, swag-bellied. Full of 'em, lousy,
Fub. To cheat, steal, put off with nitty, full of fleas. Full to the bung,
false excuses. Also Fubbery, cheat- very drunk see Screwed.
: To have
ing, stealing, deception. (or wear) a full suit of mourning, to
Fubsey (or Fubsy).
Plump, fat, have two black eyes. Half -mourning,
well -
Fubsy dummy, a well-
filled. one black eye see Mouse. To come
:

full bob, to come suddenly, full tilt.

- book
filled
pocket ; fubsy wench, a
plump girl (Grose). Full against, (1) dead, or decidedly
Fubsiness. Any sort of fat- opposed to, a person, thing, or place.
ness. Full-flavoured, peculiarly rank as a :

Fuddle. 1. Drink. [Wedgwood: story, an exhibition of profane swear-

A corruption of Fuzz.] (1621). 2. A ing. Full-gutted, stout, swag-bellied.
drunken bout ; a Drunk. As verb, Full of emptiness, utterly void. Full
to be drunk: see Screwed. on, set strongly in a given direction,
Fuddlecap (or Fuddler). A especially in an obscene sense. At
drunkard, boon companion see Lush- :
full chisel, at full speed ; with the
ington (1607). greatest violence or impetuosity.
Fuddled. Stupid with drink see : Also Full drive ; Full split. In full
Screwed (1G61). blast (swing), etc., in the height of
Fudge. Nonsense, humbug, ex- success ; in hot pursuit. In full dig,
aggeration, falsehood (1700). Also on full pay. In full feather : see

177
 Fuller's Earth. Furk.

Feather. In full: see Fig.

fig Full To funk the cobbler, to smoke out a
of it, with child.
Pull of guts, full of schoolmate a trick performed with
:

vigour, excellently inspired and done : asafoetida and cotton stuffed into a
as a picture, a novel, and BO forth : hollow tube or cow's horn the cotton ;

see Guts. Full of beans : see Beans. being lighted, the smoke is blown
Full of bread : nee Bread. through the keyhole (1698). See also
Fuller's Earth. Gin see Satin. : Peter Funk.
To be fullied, to be com- 1. A
Fullied. k'Funker. pipe, a cigar; a fire.
mitted for trial Fr., i-tre mis tur la
: 2. A low thief. 3. A coward.
planche au pain. [From the news- Funking - room. The room at
the Royal College of Surgeons where
paper expression, Fully committed.]
Fulness. There's not fulness the students collect on the last even-
enough in the sleeve top, a derisive ing of their final during the addition
answer to a threat. of their marks, and whence each is
Fu m
b 1 e r. An impotent man summoned by an official announcing
(1690). failure or success.
Fumbles. Gloves. Funkster (Winchester College).
Fun. LA cheat, a trick. As A coward one that funks (q.v.).
;

verb, ( 1 ) to cheat, trick also (2) To put

:
Funky. Nervous, frightened, timid
the fun on. 2. The or (1845)-
posteriors,
Western End (Marvett). Probably Funnel. The throat : see Gutter
an abbreviation of fundament. To Alley.
poke fun at, to joke, ridicule, make Funniment. A joke, either practical
a butt. To have been making fun, or verbal.
intoxicated : see Screwed. Funny. A clinker-built, narrow
Functior (or Puncture) (Win- boat for sculls. To feel funny, to be
chester College). An iron bracket overtaken with (1) emotion, or (2)
candlestick, used for the nightlight in drink e.g. to wax amorous, or get the
:

college chambers. [The word, says flavour (q.v.); to begin to be the

Winchester Notions, looks like fulc- worse for liquor.
tura, an earlier form of fulture, mean- Funny Bone. The elbow, with the
ing a prop or stay, with phonetic passage of the ulnar nerve connecting
change of I into n.] the two bones the extremity of the
:

Fundamental -features. The humerus (1837).

posteriors (1818). Funny - man. A circus clown.
Funds. Finances ; e.g. My Also a joker in private life.
funds are very low. Fur. To make the fur fly see :

Funeral. It's not my (or your) Fly. To have one's fur out, to be
funeral, it is no business of mine, or angry.
yours : Fr., nib dans mes blots (that is Fur - and - feathers. Generic for
not my
affair). Also used affirm- game.
atively. Furioso. A blusterer. Ital.,
Fungus. An old man. furioso = raving (1692). English
Funk. 1. Tobacco smoke ; also a synonyms: barker, blower, bodadil,
powerful stink. 2. A state of fear, bouncer, bulldozer (American), caca-
trepidation, nervousness, or cowardice, fogo, Captain Bounce, Captain Bluff,
a stew (q.v.). Generally, with an Captain Grand, Captain Hackam,
intensitive, a mortal, awful,
e.g. cutter, fire-eater, hector, huff-cap,
bloody, or blue funk Fr., guenette, :
humguffin, gasser, gasman, mouth,
flubart, frousse. 3. A coward. As mouth - almighty, pissfire, pump-
verb, (1) to smoke out see Funk the :
thunder, ramper, roarer, ruffler, shite-
cobbler. (2) To terrify, shrink or fire, slangwhanger, spitfire, swash-
quail through nervousness or coward- buckler, swasher, teazer, Timothy
ice. (3) To fear, hesitate, shirk ; and Tearcat.
(among pugilists) to come it (q.v.). Furk (Ferk, Firk) (Winchester
English jynonyms : to come it, to lose College). To expel, send (as on a
one's guts, to get the needle (athletic), message), drive away. Also To furk
(4) To be nervous, lose heart. (5) To up, and furk down. [Old English
move the hand forward unfairly in fercian, High German ferken. Middle
playing marbles; to fudge (q.v.). English, to lead or send away.]
178
 Fur men. Gaffer.

Furmen. Aldermen. From their 2. Wine. White fustian, champagne ;

fur-trimmed robes. red fustian, port.

Furmity-f aced. White-faced e.g. : Fustilarian. A
low fellow, a
to simper like a furmity kitten (Grose). common scoundrel (1598).
Furnish. To fill out, improve in Fustilug (Fustilugs). piece of A
strength and appearance. grossness male or female, a coarse
Furniture-picture. A picture sold and dirty Blowzalinda, a foul slut, a
not as a piece of art but as a piece fat stinkard (1696).
of upholstery, such things being turned Future. To deed in futures, to
out by the score, as pianos are, or speculate for a rise or fall.
three - legged stools the worst and ; Fuzz. 1. To shuffle cards min-
cheapest kind of Pot-boiler (q.v.). utely ; also to change the pack (Grose).
Furry - tail. A non-unionist ; a 2. To be, or make, drunk (1685).
Eat (q.v.). Specifically, a workman Fuzziness. The condition of
accepting employment at less than being in drink. Hence blurredness,
Society wages : cf. Dung, Flint, incoherence, bewilderment.
etc. Fuzzy. 1. Drunk : see Screwed.
Further. Til see you further Hence blurred (as a picture), tangled,
a denial.
first, incoherent or inconsequent. 2. Rough,
Fur-trade. Barristers. as in a fuzzy head, a fuzzy cloth, a
F u s s o c k (or Fussocks). Op- fuzzy bit (a full -
grown wench), a
probrious term for a fat woman (1690). fuzzy carpet, etc.
Fust (or Fust out). To end in Fuzzy-wuzzy. A Soudanese tribes-
smoke, go to waste, end in nothing : man.
cf. Fizzle. Fye-buck. A sixpence see Rhino :

Fustian. 1. Bombast, bad (1781).

rhetoric, sound without sense, bom- Fylche. See Filch.
bastic ranting : now accepted (1598). Fyst. See Foist.

Gab. 1. The mouth ; also Gob : Gad. An i.e. Gad-

idle slattern :

see Potato trap. 2. Talk, idle babble : about (q.v.). As

an abbrevia-
intj.,
also Gabb, Gabber, and Gabble (1712). tion of By Gad On the gad, 1. on the
!

As verb, to talk fluently or brilliantly, spur of the moment. 2. On the move,

to lie (1383). Gift of the gab (or gob), on the gossip. 3. On the spree (especi-
the gift of conversation, the talent for ally of women) and, by implication,
;

speech: Fr., ri" avoir pas sa languedans on the town. To gad the hoof, to walk
sa poche. To blow the gab, to inform, or go without shoes, Pad the hoof
peach (q.v.). Also to blow the gaff (q.v.). Also, more loosely, to walk or
(q.v.). To flash the gab, to show off roam about.
(q. v. ) in talk ; cf. Air one's vocabulary. Gadabout. A trapesing gossip as ;

Gabble. 1. A
gossip also : a housewife seldom seen at home, but
Gabbler, Gabble -
grinder, Gabble- very often at her neighbours' doors.
merchant, and Gabble - monger. 2. Also as adjective ; e.g. A Gad-about
A voluble talker. hussey.
Gabble-mill. 1. The United States G a ff. 1. A fair (1754). 2. A
also Gabble-manufactory. cheap, low music hall or theatre ;
-
Congress :

2. A
pulpit see Humbox.
: 3. The frequently Penny-gaff. 3. A hoax,
mouth see Potato-trap.
: an imposture. 4. (American cock-
Gable. The head also Gable- :
pit) A steel spur. 5. (anglers') A
end see Crumpet.
:
landing spear, barbed in the iron. As
Gabster. A voluble talker, whether verb, (1) to toss for liquor. (2) To play
eloquent or vain one having the Gift
; in a gaff (q.v. sense 2). To blow the
of the gab (q.v.). gaff (or gab), to give information, let
Gab-string. See Gob-string. out a secret (1185).
Gaby (also Gabbey and Gabby). G a ff e r. 1. An old man ; the
A fool, babbler, boor : see Buffle. masculine of Gammer (q.v.). Also a
179
 Gaffing. Call <i,.t.

title of address: e.g. Good day, suffering imposes on the credulity of

gaffer! Cf. Uncle and Daddy. people.
Also, by implication, a husband. 2. G a g g e r. A player dealing in
A master, employer, BOBS (q.v.) ; Gags (q.v.), sense 2. Also Gaggist,
a pedestrian trainer and
(athletic) Gag- master, and Gagster.
'farmer'; and (navvies') a gang- Gaggery. The practice of Gag-
master or Ganger (q.v.) (1719). 3. ging (q.v.), sense 3.
A toss-penny, a gambler. Gagging. 1. Bluff (q.v.) ; speci-
G a ffi n g. A mode of tossing for Bunco-steering (q.v.), the art of
fically,
drinks, etc., in which three coins are talking over and persuading a stranger
placed in a hat, shaken up, and then that he is an old acquaintance. 2.
'
thrown on the table. If the party to Loitering about for fares, crawling.'
call, calls heads (or tails) and all 3. Dealing in Gags (q.v.), sense 1.
three coins are as he calls them, he Also as ppl. adj.
wins ; if not, he pays a settled amount Gaggler's-coach. A hurdle.
towards drinks (Kgan). Gail. A horse : see Prad.
Gag. 1. A joke, invention, hoax. Gaily - like.
Showy, expensive,
Also as verb, to hoax, puff ( 1 78 1 ). 2. Bang-up (q.v.).
Expressions interpolated by an actor Gain-pain. A sword ; specifically, in
in his part especially such as can be
: the Middle Ages, that of a nired soldier.
repeated again and again in the course FT., gagner = to gain + pain, bread.
of performance. Certain plays, as 'The Cf. Breadwinner and Potboiler
Critic,' are recognised 'gag-pieces,' (artists').]
and in these the practice is accounted Gait Walk in life, profession,
of making a living, Game (q.v.).
'

legitimate. Cf. Hamlet,' m. ii. 'And mode

let thosethat play your clowns, say no Gaiters. Half boots, shoes.
more than is set down for them.' Cf. Gal. 1. A girl, servant-maid, sweet-
Wheeze. A typical example is the heart. Beatgirl, favourite flame. 2.
'
I believe you, my boy of the late !
'
A prostitute. 3. A female rough.
Paul Bedford. Occasionally gag = Galaney. See Galeny.
patter (q.v.). Also as verb. 3. A Galanty- (Gallanty- or Gal an tee-)
commonwealth of players in which show. A shadow pantomime silhou- :

the profits are shared cf. Conscience. : ettes shown on a transparency or

4. A fool i.e. a thing to laugh at
; see : thrown on a white sheet by a magic
Buffle. 5. (Christ's Hospital). Boiled lantern :
specifically, the former.
fat beef. Gag-eater, a term of reproach Gal-boy. A romp, Tom-boy (q.v.).
(1813). 6. (Winchester College). An Galen. An apothecary : see
exercise (said to have been invented Gallipot
by Dr. Gabell) which consists in Galena. Salt pork. [Galen,
writing Latin criticisms on some 111., a chief hog-raising and pork-
celebrated piece, in a book sent in packing centre.]
about once a month. In the Parts Galeny (or Galany). The domestic
below Sixth Book and Senior Part, the hen ; now (West of England) a guinea
gags consisted in historical analysis. fowl see Cackling - cheat
:
[Latin,
[An abbreviation of gathering.] As goliina.]
verb, (1) see supra, and (2) to in- Galimaufrey. 1. A medley, jumble,
form, Round on (q.v.); also to blow chaos of differences. [Fr. gaUimaufree, ,

the gag. On the high gag, on the a hash.] (1592). 2. A hodge-podge

whisper, telling secrets. On the low of scraps and leavings (1724). 3. A
gag, on the last rungs of beggary, ill- mistress (1596).
luck, or despair. To strike the gag, to Gall. Effrontery, Cheek (q.v.),
cease from chaffing. Brass (q.v.) ; e.g. Ain't he got a
Gage (Gauge, or Gag). 1. A quart gallon him ? (1789).
pot (i.e. a measure) : also a drink or Gallant A Dandy (q.v.), ladies'
Go (q.v.). (1567). 2. (18th century). man, lover, cuckold-maker, whether
A chamber-pot 3. A pipe (1696). 4. in posse or in ease. (Shakespeare). As
A man see Cove.
:
adj., (1) valiant ; (2) showy ; (3) amor-
Gagers. The eyes : see Glims. ous. As verb, to sweetheart, squire,
Gagga. A cheat, who by sham escort, pursue, or enjoy. To
pretence and wonderful stories of gallant a fan, to break with design.
180
 Gallant Fiftieth. Galoot.

to afford an opportunity of presenting gagemonger, Galen (from the great

a better (B. E.) (1690). physician), jakes- provider, pill- box,
Gallant Fiftieth. The Fiftieth pill
-
merchant, pills, squirt, salts-
Foot. [For its share in Vimiera, and-senna, squire of the pot.
1808.] Also, Blind half - hundred Gallivant. 1. To gad about
(q.v.); and Dirty half-hundred (q.v.). with, or after, one of the other sex,
Gallantry. (1) Sparkishness play the gallant, do the agreeable.
(q.v.), dandyism; and
(2) the habit, 2. To Trapes (q.v.), fuss, bustle about.
or pursuit, of sexuality. life of A Gallivate. To frisk, figure about:
gallantry, a life devoted to the other cf. Gallivant.
sex. Gallon. What's a gallon of rum
Gallery (Winchester College) among one ? The retort sarcastic ;

A commoner bedroom. [From a tra- applied, e.g. to those with eyes too
'

dition of galleries in Commoners.] big for their stomach,' to dispro-

See Gallery -nymphs. To play to the portionate ideas of the fitness of things,
gattery, to act so as to win the applause and so forth.
of the vulgar i.e. to abandon distinc-
: Gallon -
distemper. 1. Delirium
tion and art for coarseness of means tremens ; 2. the lighter after-effects of
and cheapness of effect. Said indif- drinking. English synonyms : ( 1 ) For
ferently of any one in any profession the former barrel-fever, black-dog,
who exerts himself to win the suffrages blue-devils, blue Johnnies (Australian),
of the mob ; as a political demagogue, B. J. (idem), blues, bottle-ache, D. T. ;
' ' '
a popular
'
preacher, a fashion- horrors, jim-jams, jumps, pink-spiders,
able painter, and so on. Hence, quart - mania, rams, rats, shakes,
Gattery -hit (shot, stroke, etc.), a snakes in the boots, trembles, triangles,
touch designed for, and exclusively ad- uglies. (2) For the latter a head, hot-
dressed to, the non-critical. To play coppers, a mouth, a touch of the
the gallery, to make an audience, ap- brewer, a sore head (Scots).
plaud. Galloper. 1. A blood horse, a
Gallery-nymph (Winchester Col- hunter. 2. An aide-de-camp.

lege). A housemaid see Gallery. :

Gallow-grass. Hemp [i.e. halters
Galley. Put a brass galley down in the rough.] (1578).
your back (printers'), an admonition to Gallows. 1. A rascal, a wretch

appear before a principal, implying deserving the rope (1594). 2. gener-

that the galley will serve as a screen. ally in. pi., Gallowses, a pair of braces.
Galley-foist. The state barge, used As adv., excessively cf. Bloody,
:

by the Lord Mayor when sworn in at Bleeding (q.v.), etc. As adj., great,
Westminster (1609). uncommon, real (1551).
Galley - growler (or stoker). Gallows-bird (also Newgate-
A loafer, Malingerer (q.v.), Grumble- bird). 1. A son of the rope, habitual

guts (q.v.). criminal, vagabond or scoundrel old

Galley - halfpenny. base coin, A or young, crack-rope or wag-halter
temp. Henry IV. Because commonly (Cotgrave ; a gallows clapper ( Florio) :

imported in Genoese galleys.] FT., gibier de Cayenne (or de potence).

Galley-slave. A compositor : see 2. (common). A corpse on, or from,
Donkey (1683). the gallows.
Galleywest. An indefinite super- Gallows-faced. Evil-looking, hang-
lative cf. About-east.
:
dog also Gallows-looking (1766).
:

Galley-yarn (or news). A lying Gallows - minded. Criminal in

story, a swindle or Take-in (q.v.). habit and idea, evil-hearted.
'

Frequently abbreviated to G.Y.' Gallowsness. Rascality, reck-

Gallied. Harried, vexed, over- lessness, mischievousness.
fatigued, perhaps like a galley-slave Gallows-ripe. Ripe for the rope.
(Grose). In Australia, frightened. Callus. See Gallows.
Gallinipper. A large mosquito. Gally-foist. See Galley-foist.
Gallipot. An apothecary. Eng- Gallyslopes. Breeches: see
lish Kicks.
synonyms: bolus, bum-tender,
clyster-giver, clyster-pipe, croaker, Galoot (also Galloot and Geeloot).
crocus, drugs, OUapod (from a crea- A man (sometimes in contempt) ; also
tion of the
Younger Coleman's), (in America) a worthless fellow (or
181
 Galoptious. Gammon.

thing), rowdy, Cad (q.v.)- On the gay officers could be corrupted

by bribes to
galoot, on the spree. allow the cargo to be stolen (Clark
Galoptious (or Galuptious). Rwtsell). Cock of the game, a champ-
Delightful a general superlative.
:
ion, an undoubted blood, a star of
Galore (also Gallore and Golore). magnitude (cock-pit) (1719). To mate
In abundance, plenty. game of, to turn into ridicule, delude,
Galumph. To bump along ono- :
humbug (1671). To die game, to
matopoeia. maintain a resolute attitude to the last,
Galvanised-Yankee. A Greyback to show no contrition. To get against
(q.v.) who took the oath to the North the game, to take a risk, chance it.

and served in its armies. [From the game of poker.] To play

Gam. 1. Pluck, gameness. 2. the game, to do a thing properly, do
Stealing ( MaUdl, 1859). As verb, (
1 ) what is right and proper.
to steal. (2) To engage in social inter- Gamecock. Hectoring, angry,
course, make a call, have a chat. valiant out of place.
Gamaliel. A pedant, a person Gameness. Pluck, endurance, the
curious of the letter and the form : mixture of spirit and bottom.
e.g. these Gamaliels of the theory Gamester. 1. A prostitute (1598).
= these ultra- puritans, to whom the 2. A ruffler, gallant, wencher ; a man

spirit is nothing. fit and ready for anything ; also a

Gamb (or Gam). A leg: an heraldic player (1639).
term. gambe Fr., jambe prob-
[It., ; ; G a e y. m 1. High - smelling,
ably through Lingua Franca.] offensive to the nose, half-rotten. 2.
Gamble. A venture, Flutter (q.v.). Frisky, plucky.
Gambler. A guinea - dropper
'
; Gaminess. The malodorousness
one class of sharpers (Bailey). A ' '

proceeding from decay and by im-

tricking gamester (Grose). A cant' '

plication filthiness.
word, I suppose. A knave whose Gaming-house. A house of ill-re-

practice it is to invite the unwary to pute tavern, or stews (1611).

hell,
Gammer. An old wife : a familiar
'

game and cheat them (Johnson).

Gambol. A railway ticket address the correlative of Gaffer
Gam-cases. Stockings. (q.v.) (1551).
Game. The proceeds of a
1.
Gamming. A whaleman's term for
robbery, Swag (q.v.). 2. A company visits paid by crews to each other at
of harlots. A game - pullet, a young sea.
restitute. 3. A simpleton see
gull, : Gammon. 1. Nonsense, humbug,
B uffle. 4. Specifically, the game, deceit : sometimes Gammon and
thieving ; also (nautical), slave trading. spinach. No gammon, no error, no
Hen of the game, a shrew, a fighting lies Also as verb, English
(1363).
woman (1639). 5. A source of amuse- synonyms to bam, to bamblustercate,
:

ment, Lark Barney (q.v.)

(q.v.), ; as, to bamboozle, to bambosh, to barney,
e.g. It was such a game ! 6. A to be on the job, to best, to bilk, to
design, trick, object, line of conduct :
blarney, to blow, to bosh, to bounce,
e.g. What's your little game, What to cob, to cod, to cog, to chaff, to come
are you after ? Also, None of your little over (or the artful, or Paddy, or the
games None of your tricks As adj.,
! ! old soldier over) one, to cram, to do,
( 1 ) plucky, enduring, full of spirit and to do brown, to doctor, to do Taffy,
Bottom (q.v.). [Cock-pit and pugil- to fake the kidment, to flare up, to
ists. The word may be said to have flam, to flummox, to get at (round,
passed into the language with the rise or to windward of) one, to gild the
to renown of Harry Pearce, sur- pill, to give a cock's egg,
to gravel,
named the Game
Chicken.] (1747). to gull, to haze, to jimmify, to jaw,
(2) Beady, willing, prepared. [Also to jockey, to jolly, to kid, to make
from cock-fighting. See sense 1.] believe the moon is made of green
(3) Lame, crooked, disabled as in : cheese (Cotgrave). to mogue, to palm
Game leg. (4) Knowing, wide-awake, off on, to pickle, to plant, to plum, to
and (of women) Flash (q.v.) :
e.g. poke bogey (or fun) at, to promoss,
Qame-cove, an associate of thieves ; to put the kibosh on, to put in the
Game-woman, a prdstitute; Game-ship chair, cart, or basket, to pull the leg,
(old), a ship whose commander and to queer, to quiz, to roast, to roor-
 Gamtnoner. Gapeseed.

back, to run a bluff, or the shenani- Fingersmith (q.v.). Mrs. Sarah

gan, to sell, to send for pigeon's milk, Gamp, a character in Martin Chuzzle-
to sit upon, to send for oil of strappum, wit (1843).] Also a fussy and gossip-
etc., to shave, to slum, or slumguzzle, ing busybody. 2. An umbrella ;

to smoke, to snack, to soap, soft soap, specifically, one large loosely and
sawder, or soft sawder, to spoof, to tied, Lettuce (q.v.). [The original
stick, to stall, to string, or get on a Sarah always carried one of this said
string, to stuff, to sawdust, or get on pattern.] Sometimes a Sarah Gamp.
sawdust and treacle, to suck, to suck Mrs. Gamp, The Standard. As adj.,
up, to sugar, to swap off, to take a rise bulging also Gampish.
:

out of, to rot, to tommy-rot, to take Gamut. Tone, general scheme,

in, or down, to take to town, to take Swim (q.v.). Thus in the gamut, a
to the fair, to tip the traveller, to try picture, a detail, or a shade of colour,
it on, to throw dust in the in tone with its environment.
eyes, to
throw a tub to a whale, to pepper, Gan (also Gane). The mouth :

to throw pepper in the eyes, to use the occasionally, throat, lip see Potato :

pepper box, to whiffle, to work the trap (1572).

poppycock racket (Irish-American). Gander. A married man ; in
[Note. Many of the foregoing are America one not living with his wife,
used substantively.] 2. A confederate Grass- widower (q.v.). As verb, to
whose duty is to engage the attention ramble, waddle (as a goose). Also, to
of a victim during robbery, Bonnet quest for women. Gone gander see :

(q.v.), Cover Also as verb,

(q.v.). Gone coon. To see how the gander
to humbug deceive, to take in.
: As hops, to watch events, see how the cat
intj., nonsense, Skittles (q.v.). Gam- jumps. What's sauce for the goose is
mon and Patter, (I) the language used sauce for the gander, a plea for consist-
by thieves ; (2) (modern), a meeting, a ency.
Palaver (q.v.) ; (3) commonplace talk Gander-month. The month after
of any kind. To give (or keep) in confinement ; when a certain license
gammon, to engage a person's atten- (or so was held) is excusable in the
it
tion while a confederate is robbing male. Also Gander-moon, the hus-
him (1719). To gammon lushy (or band at such a period being called a
queer, etc.), to feign drunkenness, Gander-mooner of. Buck-hutch, and
:

sickness, etc. To gammon the twelve, Goose-month (1617).

to deceive the jury. Gander - party. A gathering of
Gammoner. 1. One who Gam- men, Stag-party (q.v.) also Bull- ;

mons (q.v.), a nonsense-monger: Fr., dance, Gander-gang, etc. cf. Hen- :

bonisseur de loffitudes, blagueur, man- party, an assembly of women.

geur de frimes. 2. A
confederate who Gander-pulling. See Goose-riding.
covers the action of his chief, Bonnet Gander 's-wool. Feathers.
Cover, Stall, all which see. Gang. A troop, a company (1639).
Gammy. 1. Cant. 2. A nick- Ganger. An overseer or foreman
name for a lameter ; a Hopping Jesus of a gang of workmen, a superin-
(q.v.). 3. A fool : see Buffle. As tendent.
adj., (1)bad, impossible. Applied to Ganymede. A pot-boy (i.e.
householders of whom it is known a cup-bearer) : the masculine of Hebe
that nothing can be got. Gammy- (q.v.) (1659).
vial, a town in which the police will Gaol-bird. A person often in gaol,
not allow unlicensed hawking. (Vial, an incorrigible rogue : Fr., chevronnt.
Fr., ViUe). Forged, false, spurious
(2) : Gaoler's - coach. A hurdle to the
as a gammy -moneker, a forged signa- place of execution (1785).
ture ;gammy-lour, counterfeit money, Gap. To blow the gap, to blow the
(4) Same as Game,
etc. (3) Old, ugly. Gaff (q.v.).
sense 3 e.g. a gammy arm, an arm
:
Gapes. A fit of yawning ; also the
in dock.
Gammy-eyed, blind, sore- open mouth of astonishment (1818).
eyed ; or afflicted with ecchymosis in Gapeseed. 1. A cause of aston-
the region of the Gammey-leg, ishment, anything provoking the
eyes.
a lame leg. Also (subs.) a term of
ignorant to stare with open mouth :

derision for the halt and the maimed. also to seek a gape's nest ( 1598). 2. An
Gamp. 1. A monthly nurse, open-mouthed loiterer.

183
 Gapped.

Gapped. Worsted, Floored (q.v.). windows : also Dancer and Dancing-

Gar. See By gar ! master. 2. An impecunious author,
Garble. Garbling the coinage, a literary hack.
practice amongst money-lenders of Garret-master. A cabinet - maker
picking out the newest coins of full working on his own account, and selling
weight for export or re-melting, and his manufacture to the dealers direct.
passing the light ones into circula- Garrison-hack. 1. A woman given
tion. to indiscriminate flirtation with
Garden (The). 1. (greengrocers', officers at a garrison. 2. A prostitute,
fruiterers', Covent Garden
etc.), a soldier's trull.
Market ; 2. (theatrical), Covent Gar- Garrotte. A form of strangula-
den Theatre 3. (diamond merchants'),
; tion (see verb). [From the Spanish
Hatton Garden. Cf. House, Lane, la garrota, a method of capital punish-
etc. The Garden (Covent Garden) ment, which consists in strangulation
was frequently used for the whole by means of an iron collar.] As verb,
neighbourhood, which was notorious ( 1 ) a method of robbery with violence,
as a place of strumpets and stews. much practised some years ago. The
Thus, Garden house, a brothel ; victims were generally old or feeble
Garden-goddess, a woman of pleasure ; men and women. Three hands were
Garden-gout, venereal disease ; Gar- engaged the Front-stall who looked
:

den-whore, a low prostitute, etc.] To out in that quarter, the Back-stall at

put one in the garden, to defraud a the rear, and the Ugly or Nasty- man
confederate, keep back part of the who did the work by passing his arm
Regulars (q.v.), or Swag (q.v.). round his subject's neck from behind,
Gardener. An awkward coach- and so throttling him to insensibility.
man : cf. Tea-kettle Coachman. (2) To cheat byconcealing certain
Garden-gate (rhyming). A cards at the back of the neck.
see Beak.
magistrate : Garrotte r. A practitioner of
Garden Latin. Barbarous or garrotting (under verb, sense 1).
sham Latin ; also Apothecaries', Bog, Garrotting. 1. See Garrotte (verb,
Dog, and Kitchen Latin. sense 1). 2. Hiding a part of one's
Garden - rake. A tooth - comb : hand at the back of the neck for
also Scratching-rake, or Rake. purposes of cheating.
Gardy-loo. A warning cry ; Garter. In pi. the irons, or
take care !
[Fr., gardez (vous de) bilboes : see Darbies. To fly (or
Veau 1 Used before emptying slops prick) the garter : see Prick.
out of window into the street. Hence G a r v i e s. 1. Sprats some- :

the act of emptying slops itself.] times Garvie-herring. 2. The Garviest

Gargle. drink A
generic cf. : : the Ninety-fourth Foot. [From the
Lotion, and see Go. As verb, to small stature of earlier recruits.]
drink, liquor up see Lush. : Gas. Empty talk, bounce, bombast.
Gargle-factory. A public house : As verb, (1) to talk idly, brag, bounce,
see Lush-crib. talk for talking' s sake Fr., faire son :

Gam. A corruption of Go on Get I cheval de corbvUard (in American, To

away with you ! be on the tall grass) see Long Bow. :

Garnish. 1.
Footing (q.v.) ; A
specifically when exacted by gaolers
and old prisoners from a newcomer.
The practice was forbidden by 4 Geo.
IV., c. 43, sec. 12. Also Garnish-
money (1592). 2. Fetters, handcuffs
see Darbies.
handcuff.
Garret 1. The head, Cockloft
(q.v.), Upper storey (q.v.) see
Crumpet (1625). 2. The fob-pocket.
fee, (2) To imposeon, to Pill t (q.v.), to
Splash (q.v.) : see Gammon. To take
the gas out of one, to take the conceit
out of, take down a peg. To turn on
the gas, to bounce, Gas (q.v.). To
: turn off the gas, to cease, or cause to
As verb, to fetter, cease, from bouncing, vapouring, or
Gas (q.v.). To gas round, to seek
information on the sly, Gas (q.v.).
:
Gas-bag. A man of words or Gas
(q- v -) gasconader also Gasometer.:

To have one's garret unfurnished, to be Gash. The mouth sea Potato- :

crazy, stupid, lumpish Balmy (q.v.). :

trap.
Garreteer. thief robbing LA Gashly. A vulgarism for Ghastly.
houses by entering skylights or garret- G a s k i n s. Wide hose, wide
181
 Gasp. Gawk.

breeches. From Galligaskins, An in Oath, to be a Philistine (q.v.) of the

old ludicrous word (Johnson). firstmagnitude ; to prevail against Oath,
Gasp. A
dram of spirits : see Go. to smite the Philistines hip and thigh,
As verb, to drink a dram, e.g. Will you as becomes a valiant companion of
gasp ? Will you take something neat. the Davidsbund ; and so forth. Tell it
G a s p i p e. 1. An iron steamer, not in Oath, an interjection of derision,
whose length is nine or ten times her signifying that the person exclaimed
beam. [At one time a ship's length against has done something the know-
but rarely exceeded four and a half to ledge of which would bring on him
five times the beam.] 2. A bad roller. the wrath, or the amazement, of his
3. A rifle, specifically the old Snider. friends.
Gaspipe- crawler. A thin man : see Gather. To gather up, to lead
Lamp-post. away. To gather the taxes, to go from
Gasser. A braggart. workshop to workshop seeking employ-
Gassy (or Gaseous). 1. Likely ment. Hence, Tax gatherer, a man
to take umbrage or to flare up. 2. out of work and looking for a job :

Full of empty talk or Gas (q.v.). cf. Inspector of public buildings. Out
Gaster. A
fine and curious eater of gathers, in distress : cf. Out at
(Thackeray). In Rabelais, the belly elbows.
and the needs thereof : a coinage Gatherings. See Gags.
adopted by Urquhart. Gatter.Beer also liquor gener-
;

Gat. A quantity ; e.g. a gat of ally. Shant of gatter, a pot of beer :

grub, plenty to eat : also Gats. Fr., moussante see Drinks.

:

Gate. 1. The attendance at a race Gaudeamus. A feast, drinking bout,

or athletic meeting, held in enclosed any sort of merry-making. [German
grounds ; the number of persons who students', but now general and popu-
pass the gate. 2. Money paid for ad- lar.] From the first word of the
mission to athletic sports, race course, mediaeval (students') ditty.
etc., the same as Gate-money (q.v.). Gaudy (or Gaudy-day). A feast
3. in. pi.(University). The being for- or entertainment specifically the
:

bidden to pass outside the gate of a annual dinner of the fellows of a

college : as verb, to confine wholly college in memory of founders or
or during certain hours within the benefactors or a festival of. the Inns
;

college gate for some infraction of of Court (Lat., gander e, to rejoice).

discipline. To break gates, to stay out (1724). As adj., good, frolicsome,
'
of college after hours. The gate, festive cf. Shakespeare's Let's have
:

among fishmongers, Billingsgate ; one other gaudy night ('Ant. and Cleo.,'
among thieves, Newgate cf. Lane, : m. xiii.). Neat but not gaudy, as the
Row, Garden, etc. To be at gates devil said, of ancient ladies dressed in
(Winchester College). To assemble in flaming colours.
Seventh Chamber passage, prepara- Gauge. See Gage. To get the
tory to going Hills or Cathedral. On gauge of, to divine an intention, to
the gate, on remand. read a character, to Size (or Reckon)
Gate-bill.The record of an under- up (q.v.). Hence, That's about the
graduate's failure to be within the gauge of it, That's a fair descrip-
precincts of his college at, or before, a tion.
specified time at night. Gauley. See By golly.
Gate -
money. The charge for Gawf. A red-skinned apple.
admission to a race -
meeting: see Gawk. A simpleton, especially
Gate. an awkward fool, male or female : see
G a t e r (Winchester College). A Buffle. [Scots Gowk, a cuckoo, fool ;
plunge head foremost into a Pot (q.v.). whence, to gowk, to play the fool. As
Derision of Wanton Women
' '
Gate - race (or meeting). For- in the
'

merly, a contest not got up for sport (Bannatyne, MS., 1667), To gar them
but entrance money now a race or ; ga in gucking,' to make them play the
athletic meeting to which admission As verb, to loiter round ; to
fool.]
is by payment. Play the goat. [The same verb is
Gath. A city or district in Philistia used by Jonson (Magnetic Lady, iii.
(q.v.); often used, like Askelon (q.v.)for 4, 1632) in the sense of amazed, or
Philistia itself. Hence, to be bamboozled, i.e. absolutely befooled :

185
'

Nay, look how the man stands, as he Fad ; or members of Parliament in re-
were gowked '] !
cess, when both sides go about to say
Gawkiness. Awkwardness, silli- the thing which is in them.
ness, Greenness (q.v.). Geewhilikens 1 An exclamation of
Gawking. Loitering and staring, surprise : also Jeewhilikens.
Gathering hayseed (q.v.). Geezer. An appellation, some-
Gawky. An awkward booby, a times, but not necessarily, of derision
fool e.g. Now squire gawky, a chal-
: and contempt ; applied to both sexes,
lenge to a clumsy lout : see Buffle but generally to women usually, Old :

(1686). As adj., lanky, awkward, geezer.

stupid (1759). Gelding. A eunuch. To enter
Gawney (or Goney). A fool : see for the geldings' stakes, to castrate a
Buffle. man ; also used to describe a eunuch.
Gay. 1. Dissipated, specifically, Gelt Money, Gilt (q.v.), Gelter :
given to venery as in the French,
:
generic: see Rhino.
avoir la cuisse gate. Hence Qay Gemini (Geminy ! or Jiminy !)
!

woman or bit), a strumpet ; Gay

(girl, An exclamation of surprise, a mild
house, a brothel ; To be gay, to be in oath also O Jimminy
: O Jimminy !

continent, etc., etc. (1383). 2. In Figs O Jimminy Gig ! etc. for

! :

drink see Screwed.

: All gay (or the phrase has pleased the cockney
all so gay), all right, first-rate, All mind, and been vulgarised accordingly
serene (q.v.). To feel gay, inclined for (1672).
sport. Gemman. A contraction of gentle-
Gay-tyke Boy. A dog fancier. man (1550).
Gazebo. A summer-house com- Gen. A shilling see Rhino. Back :

manding an extensive view. [Dog- slang, but cf. Fr., argent.}

Latin, Gazebo, I will gaze.] Generalize. A shilling : see
Geach. A thief. Rhino and Gen.
Gear. Work, Business (q.v.). Thus: Geneva Print Gin : see Drinks and
Here's goodly gear, Here's fine doings ; Satin (1584).
Here's a pretty kettle of fish (' Romeo Gen-ne t (back slang). Ten
and Juliet,' n. ii. 106). shillings.
Gee. See Gee-gee. As verb, (1) Gennitraf (back slang). A
to go or turn to the off -side used as a ; farthing.
direction to horses. (2) To move Genol (back slang). Long.
faster : as a teemster to his horses, Gent 1. A showily-dressed vul-
Gee-up! (3) To stop: as Gee garian. [A contraction of gentle-
whoa To gee with, to agree with,
!
man.] (1635). 2. Money: see
fit, be congenial, go on all fours with, Rhino [Fr., argent.} 3. A sweetheart,
do (1696). mistress :
e.g. My gent, my particular
Gee-gee (or Gee). 1. A horse : see friend. As adj., elegant, comely,
Prad. 2. The nickname among jour- genteel (1383).
nalists(of the interviewer type) of Gentile. Any sort of stranger,
Mr. G(eorge) G(rossmith), better native or foreign ;among the Mormons,
known, perhaps, as the Society Clown. any person not professing the Gospel
Gee-gee Dodge. Selling horseflesh according to Joe Smith. Hence, In
for beef. the land of the Gentiles, (1) in foreign
Geekie. A police-station. \ parts ; and (2) in strange neighbour-
Geeloot. See Galoot hoods or alien society.
Geese. All his geese are auxins, Gentle. A maggot ; vulgarly,
he habitually exaggerates, or Embroi- Gentile.
ders (q.v.) ; or, He is always wrong in Gentle-craft 1.
Shoemaking.
his estimates of persons and things. [From the romance of Prince Crispin.]
The old woman's picking her geese, said 2. Angling.
of a snowstorm : the other leg of the Gentleman. A crowbar : see
couplet (schoolboys') runs: 'And Jemmy. To
put a churl (or beggar)
selling the feathers a penny a piece.' upon a gentleman, to drink malt liquor
Like geese on a common, wandering in a immediately after wine (Grose).
body, aggressive and at large e.g. : Gentleman of the (three, four, or five)
as Faddists (q.v.) in pursuit of a outs (or ins), a varying and ancient
186
 Gentleman Commoner. Get.

wheeze, of which the following are alsoYellow George : see Rhino. 3. A

representative Out of money, and
:
penny see Rhino.
: Brown George.
out of clothes ; Out at the heels, and See Ante. By fore (or By George).
out at the toes ; Out of credit, and in See By George.
debt. A man in debt, in danger, and George Home. derisive retort A
in poverty ; or in gaol indicted, on a piece of stale news : also G. H. !
and in danger of being hanged. Out [From a romancing compositor of the
of pocket, out of elbows, and out name.]
of credit. Without wit, without Georgy-porgy. To pet, fondle, be-
money, without manners. Gentleman slobber.
of fortune, an adventurer. Oentleman German. The German, a round
of observation, a tout. Gentleman of dance.
the round, an invalided or disabled German Duck. 1. Half a sheep's
soldier, making his living by begging head, stewed with onions (Grose). 2.
(1596). Gentleman of the short staff, a A bed bug see Norfolk Howard.
:

constable. Gentleman of the fist, a German - flutes

(rhyming). A
prize-fighter. Gentleman in brown, a pair of boots.
bed bug see Norfolk Howard. The
: Germantowner. A pushing shot
little gentleman in brown velvet, a mole. when balls in play jar together : cf.

[The Tory toast after the death of Whitechapel.

William III., whose horse was said to Gerry. Excrement (1567).
have stumbled over a mole hill.] Gen- Gerry Gan. A retort forcible,
tleman of the green baize road, a card Stow it (q.v.)
!
(1567).
sharper. Gerrymander (the g hard as in
Gentleman Commoner. 1. A get). To arrange the electoral sub-
privileged class of commoners at divisions of a State to the profit and
Oxford, wearing a special cut of advantage of a particular party. The
gown and a velvet cap. 2. An empty term, says Norton, is derived from the

bottle; alsoFellow-commoner (q.v.). name Governor Gerry, of Massa-

of
Gentleman - ranker. A broken chusetts, who, in 1811, signed a Bill re-
gentleman serving in the ranks. adjusting the representative districts
Gentleman 's-companion. A louse : so as to favour the Democrats and
see Chates. weaken the Federalists, although the
Gentleman's - master. A high- last-named party polled nearly two-
wayman (Grose). thirds of the votes cast. fancied A
Gentleman's (or Ladies'-) piece. resemblance of a map of the districts
A small or delicate portion, a Tit-bit. thus treated led Stuart, the painter, to
Gentlemen's - sons. The three add a few lines with his pencil, and say
regiments of Guards. to Mr. Russell, editor of the Boston
Gently An interjection, Stand
! Sentinel,
'
That will do for a Sala-
still (q.v.) ; hence, colloquially, don't mander.' Russell glanced at it :
' '

get into a passion, Go slow (q.v.). Salamander,' said he, call it a

Gentry-cove (or cofe). A
gentle- Gerrymander
'
The epithet took at
!

man, Nib-cove (q.v.) : Fr., messire de once, and became a Federalist war-
la haute (1567). cry, the caricature being published as
Gentry-cove's Ken (Gentry-ken). a campaign document.
A gentleman's house (1567). Gerund-grinder. A schoolmaster,
Gentry-mort. A lady (1567). especially a pedant (1759).
Genuine (Winchester College). Get. 1. A cheating contrivance,
Praise. As adj., trustworthy, not a Have (q.v.). 2. A child :
e.g. One
false nor double-faced. As verb, of his gets, one of his making ; Whose
to praise. He
was awfully quilled get is that who's the father ? It's
?
and genuined my task. his get, anyhow ; at all events he got it
G e o r d i e (North Country). 1. ( 1570). Get I (or You get .') Short for
A pitman also (generally), a North-
; Get out !
Usually, Git To get at,
!

umbrian. 2. A North-country col- (1) to quiz, banter, aggravate, take a

lier. 3. See George. rise out of : also To get back at.
George (or Geordie). 1. A half- (2) To influence, bribe, nobble (of
crown also (obsolete), the noble (6s.
:
horses), and to corrupt (of persons) :
8d.), temp. Henry VIII. 2. A guinea :
applied to horse, owner, trainer, jockey,
187
 Get.

and vet. alike. To get back at, to Measure, Mitten, Needle, Religion,
satirise, call to account. Get back Rise, Run, Scot, Swot or Scrape, Set,
into your box I an injunction to silence, Shut of, Straight, Sun,
Silk, Snuff,
Stow it! (q.v.). To get encored, to Ticket of Leave, Wool, Wrong box.]
have a job returned for alterations. Getaway. A locomotive or train,
To get even with, to take one's revenge, Puffer (q.v.).
give for tat.
tit To get it, to be Getter. A sure getter, a procreant
or physically), to male.
punished (morally
be called over the coals. To get off, Get-up. Drees, constitution
to (1) escape punishment, be let off ; and appearance, disguise see Get-up. :

(2) to utter, deliver oneself of, per- As verb, phr., (1) to prepare (a part,
petrate as to get off a joke ; and (3) a paper, a case) ; (2) to arrange (a
get married. To get on, (I) to back a concert) ; (3) to dress (as Got up
horse, put a Bit on (q.v.). (2) To regardless (to the nines, knocker,
succeed, or, simply, to fare. Thus, to kill, within an inch of one's life) ;
How are you getting on ? may signify (4) to disguise (as a sailor, a soldier,
( 1 )
To what extent are you prospering ? Henry VIII., a butcher, a nun) : see
or (2) How are you doing ? To get one alsoGet into.
in the cold, to have at an advantage, G.H. See George Home.
be on the Windward side ( q. v. ). Have Ghastly. Very a popular inten- :

on toast (q.v.). To get one on, to sitive : cf. Awful, Bloody, etc.
land a blow. To get down fine (or Ghost. One who secretly does
close), to know all about one's ante- artistic or literary work for another
cedents ; and (police) know where to who takes the credit and receives the
find one's man. To get over, to seduce, price : cf. DeviL [The term was
fascinate, dupe : also To come over and popularised during the trial of Lawes
To get round. To get outside of, to v. Belt in 188(?).] As verb, to prowl,
eat or drink, accomplish one's pur- spy upon, shadow (q.v.). The ghost
pose. To get out of bed on the wrong walks (or does not walk), there is (or is
aide, to be testy or cross-grained. not) money in the treasury. The
[A corruption of an old saying, To rise ghost of a chance, the faintest likeli-
on the right side is accounted lucky ; hood, or the slightest trace : e.g. He
hence the reverse meant trials to hasn't the ghost of a chance.
temper, patience, and luck.] (1607). Ghoul. 1. A spy ; specifically a
To get out (or round), to back a horse man who preys on married women
against which one has previously laid, who addict themselves to assignation
Hedge (q.v.). To get set, (1) to warm houses. 2. A newspaper chronicler of
to one's work, get one's eye well in. the small talk and tittle-tattle.
To get there, to attain one's object, Gib. 1. Gibraltar once a penal :

succeed, make one's Jack (q.v.), station whence, 2. a gaol.

: To hang
To get there with both feet, to be very one's gib, to pout : see Jib.
successful ; (2) to get drunk : see Gibberish (Gebberish, Gibberidge,
Screwed. To get through, to pass an Gibrige, etc. ). Originally the lingo of
examination, to accomplish. To get up gipsies, beggars, etc. Now, any kind
and dust, to depart hastily see Ske- : of inarticulate nonsense (1594).
daddle. To get up behind (or get Gibble-gabble. Nonsense, Gibber-
behind) a man, to endorse or back a ish (q.v.) (1600).
bill. To get up the mail, to find Gib-cat. A tom-cat. [An ab-
money (as counsel's fees, etc.) for breviation of Gilbert^ 0. FT., Tibert
defence. Oct enters into many other the cat in the fable of Reynard the
combinations : see Back teeth, Bag or Fox.] (1360).
Sack, Bead, Beans, Beat, Big bird, and Gibe. To go well with, be accept-
Goose, Big head, Billet, Bit, Boat, able.
Bolt, Books, Bulge, Bullet, Bull's Gibel. To bring.
feather, Crockette, Dander and Mon- Gib-face. A heavy jowl, Ugly-mug
key, Dark, Drop, Eye, Flannels, Flint, (q.v.).
Game, Grand Bounce, Gravel - rash, Giblets. 1. The intestines gen-
Grind, Grindstone, Hand, Hang, Hat, erally, the Manifold fat
(q.v.). 2. A
Head, Hip or Hop, Home, Horn, Hot, man, Forty-guts (q.v.) of
: also Duke
Jack, Keen, Length of one's foot, Giblets. To fret one's giblets: see Fret.
1SS
 Gibraltar. Gilt.

Gibraltar. A party stronghold : or given to immoderate or senseless

e.g. the Gibraltar of Democracy laughter.
- 1. see
(Norton). Gig lamps. Spectacles :

Gibson Sir
John Gibson).
(or Barnacles. 2. One who wears spec-
A rest to support the body of a build- a Four eyes (q.v. ). [Popularised
tacles,
ing coach. by Verdant Green.]
Gibus. An opera, or crush hat : G i g 1 e r (Giglet, Goglet, Gigle,
Fr., accordeon. [From the name of the Gig). A wanton, a mistress.
inventor.] Giglet (West of England), a giddy,
Giddy. Flighty, wanton :
e.g. romping ; and in Salop a flighty
girl
To play the giddy goat, to live a fast person called a Giggle (1533).
is As
life, be happy-go-lucky. adj., loose in word and deed also :

Giffle-gaffle. Nonsense ; a variant Giglet-like, and Giglet-wise, like a

of Gibble-gabble (q.v.). wanton (1598).
Gif-gaf (or Giff-gaff). A Gild. To make drunk, flush with
bargain on equal terms whence the : drink (1609). To gild the, pill, to say
proverb Gif-gaf makes guid friens
: :
(or do) unpleasant things as gently
Fr., Posse-mot la casse et je t'enverrai as may be, impose upon, Bamboozle
la senne. (q.v.).
Gift. 1.
Anything lightly gained Gilded-rooster. A man
or easily won. 2. A white speck on of importance a Howling swell (q.v.) ;
;

the finger nails, supposed to portend sometimes the Gilded rooster on the
a 3. See Gift-house.
gift. As full of top of the steeple cf. Big- bug, Big :

gifts as a brazen horse of farts, mean, dog of the tanyard, etc.

miserly, disinclined to Part (q.v.). G i 1 d e r o y 's -k i t e. To be hung
Gift of the gab : see Gab. higher than GUderoy's kite, to be
Gift-house (or Gift). club, A punished more severely than the very
a house of call ; specifically for the worst criminals, The greater the
purpose of finding employment, or crime the higher the gallows, was at
providing allowances to members. one time a practical legal axiom.
Gig (Gigg, Gigge). 1. A wanton, Hence, out of sight, completely gone.
mistress, flighty girl : cf. Giglet. 2. Giles' Greek. See St. Giles'
A jest, piece of nonsense, anything Greek.
fanciful or frivolous : hence, generally, G i 1 g u y. Anything which hap-
in contempt (1590). 3. The nose see :
pens to have slipped the memory ;

Conk. To snitcheU the gig, to pull the equivalent to What's - his - name or
nose. Grunter's gig, a hog's snout. Thingamytight.
4. Alight two-wheeled vehicle drawn Gilkes. Skeleton keys (1610).
by one horse : now recognised. 5. A Gill (or Jill). 1. A girl (1) a ;

door : see Gigger. 6. A fool, an over- sweetheart e.g. every Jack must have
:

dressed person : see Buffle. 7. Fun, his Gill (2) a wanton, a strumpet (an
;

frolic, a spree. Full of gig, full of abbreviation of Gillian) (1586). 2.

laughter, ripe for mischief. 8. The a drink, a Go (q.v. ). 3. (in pi. g hard).
mouth : see Potato-trap. 9. far- A The mouth, jaws, or face see Potato- :

thing : see Rhino. 10. See Policy trap (1622). 4. in. pi. A very large
dealing. As verb, to hamstring. By shirt collar also Stick-ups and Side-
;

gigs ! an oath (1551). boards: Fr., cache-bonbon- d-liqueur. To

Gigamaree. A thing of little grease the gills, to have a good meal,
worth, a pretty but useless toy, a to Wolf (q.v.). To look blue (queer, or
Gimcrack (q.v.). green) about the gill-s, to be downcast,
Gigantomachize. To rise in revolt dejected ; also to suffer from the
against one's betters : Gr., Oiganto- effects of a debauch. Hence, con-
machia, the War of the Giants against versely, To be rosy about the gills,
the Gods. [Probably a coinage of to be cheerful. A cant (or dig) in the
Ben Jonson's.] gills, a punch in the face.
Gigger. LA sewing machine. Gill-flirt. A wanton, flirt (1598).
[In allusion to noise and movement). Gilly. A fool : see Buffle.
2. See Jigger. Gilly -
gaupus. A tall, loutish
Giggles - nest. Have you found a fellow.
giggles-nest ? Asked of one tittering, Gilt. 1. Money :
generic : see
189
 Gilt-dubber. Git.

Rhino. [Ger. : Geld ; Du. :

Gelt.] 2. has the gingerbread, he is rich (1696).
A thief, pick-lock; also Gilt- (or rum-) 2. Brummagem (q.v.), showy, but
clubber, gilter, etc. 3. Formerly a worthless ware. As adj. showy
pick-lock or skeleton key ; now a but worthless, tinsel :
Fr., en pain
crow-bar: (1671). To
see Jemmy d"epice. Gingerbread work (nauti-
take the gilt off the gingerbread, to cal), carved and gilded decorations ;
destroy an illusion, discount heavily. Gingerbread quarters (nautical), lux-
Gilt-dubber. See Gilt, sense 2. urious living (1757). To take the gilt
Gilt - edged. First-class, the best off the gingerbread : see Gilt.
of its kind see Fizzing. :
Gingerly (old : now recognised)
Gilter. See Gilt, sense 2. delicate, fastidious, dainty, as adv.,
Gilt-tick. Gold : see Rhino. with great care, softly (1533).
Gi m
b a 1- (or gimber-) jawed. Ginger - pop. 1. Ginger- beer. 2.

Loquacious, talking Nineteen to the (rhyming), A policeman, Slop (q.v.).

dozen (q.v.). [Gimbals are a com- Ginger-snap. A hot-tempered per-
bination of rings for free suspension.] son, especially one with carroty hair.
Gimcrack (Gincrack, or Jim- Gingham. An umbrella ; speci-
crack). 1. A showy simpleton, fically one of this material see Mush- :

male or female see Buffle (1618). 2. : room.

A showy trifle, anything pretty but of Gingle -
boy. A coin ; latterly a
little worth (1632). handy man,3. A gold piece : also ginglers : see Rhino
Jack - of - all - trades (q.v.). As adj., (1622).
trivial,showy, worthless. Gin-lane (or Trap). 1. The throat:
Gimcrackery. The world of Jim- see Gutter-alley. Gin- trap also = the
crack (q.v.). mouth: see Potato-trap (1827). 2.
Gimlet-eye. A squint-eye, Generic for drunkenness.
Piercer (q.v.) :
Fr., des yeux en trou de Gin-mill. A
drinking saloon : see
pine. Lush-crib.
Gimlet-eyed. Squinting, or Ginnified. Dazed, stupid with
squinny-eyed, cock-eyed as in the :
liquor.
old rhyme Gimlet eye, sausage nose,
: Ginnums. An old woman :
spec,
Hip awry, bandy toes. one fond of drink.
G i mme r. An old woman : a Ginny. A housebreaker's tool ; an
variant of cummer. instrument to lift up a grate or grating
Gin. 1. An Australian native (1690).
woman. 2. An old woman see Geezer. :
Gin-penny. Extra profit :
gener-
To gin up, to work hard, make things ally spent in drink.
Hum (q.v.): see Wire in. Gin-slinger. A tippler on gin : see
Gin - and - Gospel Gazette. The Lushington.
Morning Advertiser as the organ of : Gin - spinner. distiller; a A
the Licensed Victualling and Church dealer in spirituous liquors cf. Ale- :

of England party also the Tap-tub :

spinner (1785).
and Beer-ana- Bible Gazette. Gin-twist. A
drink composed of
Gin - and - tidy. Decked out in gin and sugar, with lemon and water
best bib and tucker a pun on neat :
(1841).
spirits. Gip. 1. A thief. 2. (Cambridge
Gin-crawl. A tipple (q.v.) on gin. University) a college servant see :

Gingambobs (or Jiggumbobs). Gyp.

Toys, baubles (1696). Girl-and-boy. A saveloy.
Ginger. 1. A showy horse, a Girl-getter. A mincing, womanish
beast that looks Figged (q.v.). 2. male.
A red-haired person ; Carrota (q.v.). Girl - show. A ballet, burlesque,
[Whence the phrase, Black for beauty, Leg-j>iece (q.v.).
ginger for pluck.] 3. Spirit, dash, Git ! (or You Git ) Be off with you ! !

Go (q.v.). To want ginger, to lack an injunction to immediate departure,

energy and Pluck (q.v.). As adj., Walker !
(q.v.). Sometimes a con-
red-haired, Foxy (q.v.), Judas-haired traction of Get out Also Get out
!

(q.v.); also ginger-pated, ginger- and dust (1851). To hare no git up

hackled, and gingery (1785). and git, to be weak, vain, mean, slow
Gingerbread. 1. Money: e.g. He generally deprecatory.
190
 Give. Glib.

'l^To lead to, conduct, open

Give. Gladstonize. To talk about and
upon e.g.
:The door gave upon tiie round, evade, prevaricate, speak
streji. Cf.French, aonner. (> Ah much and mean nothing.
aff round auxiliary to active verbs : Glanthorne. Money : see Rhino.
e.g. To give on praying, to excel at (1789).
prayer To give on the make, to be
; Glasgow Greys. The 70th Foot,
clever at making money, etc. To give now the 2nd battalion East Surrey
it to, (1) to rob, defraud (Grose) ; (2) to regiment in the beginning it was
:

scold, thrash also To give what for,

:
largely recruited in Glasgow.
To give it hot, To give something for Glasgow Magistrate. herring, A
oneself, To give one in the eye, etc. : fresh or salted, of the finest (from
Fr., oiler en donner (1612). To give the practice of sending samples to the
in (or out), to admit defeat, yield, be Bailie of the River for approval) also :

exhausted throw
the sponge up Glasgow bailie. English synonyms
(1748); to give away, to betray or (for herrings generally); Atlantic
expose inadvertently, Blow upon ranger, Californian, Cornish duck,
(q.v.), Peach (q.v.) also to Give :
Digby chicken, Dunbar wether, gen-
dead away largely used in
: com- darme, Gourock ham, magistrate,
bination e.g. give-away, an ex-
:
pheasant, (or Billingsgate pheasant),
posure ; give-away cue, an underhand reds, sea-rover, soldier, Taunton
revelation of secrets ; to give one best, turkey, two-eyed steak, Yarmouth
(1) to acknowledge inferiority, defeat :
capon :
Fr., gendarme.
also (thieves') to leave, To cut (q.v.) ; Glass. An hour an abbreviation of
:

to give the collar, to seize, arrest, hour-glass. There's a deal of glass

Collar (q.v.) : see Nab ; to give the about, (1) applied to vulgar display,
bullet (sack, bag, kick-out, pike, road, It's the thing (q.v.) ; (2) said in answer
etc. ), to discharge from an employ ; to an achievement in assertion a :

give us a rest ! cease talking ! an in- memory of the proverb, People who
junction upon a bore to give, ; nature, a live in glass houses should not throw
fillip, verb. phr. (old), to indulge, in stones. Who's to pay for the broken
wine, etc. (1696). Other combina- glass ? (stand the racket) ; been
tions will be found under the following ; looking through a glass, drunk : see
Auctioneer, Back cap, Bag, Bail, Screwed.
Baste, Beans, Beef, Biff, Black eye, Glass-eyes. A man wearing spec-
Bone, Bucket, Bullet, Bull's feather, tacles, Four-eyes (q.v.), Gig-lamps
Clinch, Double, Fig, Gas, Go by, (q.v.) (1811).
Gravy, Hoist, Hot beef, Jesse, Ken- Glass-house. To live in a glass
nedy, Key of the Street, Land, Leg house, to lay oneself open to attack
up, Lip, Miller, Mitten, Mouth, or adverse criticism.
Needle, Office, Points, Pussy, Rub of Glass-work. An obsolete method
the thumb, Sack, Sky-high, Slip, of cheating at cards a convex mirror
:

Tail, Taste of Cream, Turnips, Weight, the size of a small coin was fastened
White alley, Word. with shellac to the lower corner of the
Giver. A good boxer, an artist in left palm opposite the thumb, enabling
punishment (q.v.) (1824). the dealer to ascertain by reflection
G i x i e. A wanton, strumpet, the value of the cards he dealt.
affected mincing woman (1598). Glaze. A window (1696). As
Gizzard. To
fret one's gizzard, to verb, to cheat at cards by means of
worry To ; stick in one's gizzard, to glass-work (q.v.), or by means of a
remain as something unpleasant (dis- mirror at the back of one's antagonist.
tasteful or offensive), be hard of To mill (or star a glaze), to break a
digestion, disagreeable or unpalat- window (1823) ; on the glaze, robbing
able ;
To grumble
in the gizzard, to be jewellers' shops by smashing the
secretly displeased ; Hence, Grumble- windows: see Glazier (1724).
gizzard (q.v.). Glazier. 1. The eye see Glims Fr., : :

Gladstone. 1. Cheap claret (Mr. les ardents ( 1567). 2. window thief :A

Gladstone, when in office in 1869, see Thief.
reduced the duty on French wines) : Gleaner. A thief (q.v.): cf.
see Drinks. 2. A travelling bag Hooker, Angler, etc.
(named in honour of Mr. Gladstone). Glib. The tongue :
e.g. Slacken
191
 flfjfc, Go.

your glib, looseyour tongue aee : G 1 o p e (Winchester College). To

Clack. 2. A
ribbon (1754). As adj., spit : obsolete.
smooth, slippery, voluble ; Ql\b- Glorious. Excited with drink,
tongued Glib-gabbit), talkative,
(or in one's altitudes, Boozed see Screwed :

ready of speech (1605). (1791).

Glibe. Writing ; spec, a written Glorious-sinner. A dinner.
statement. Glory. The after life, Kingdom
Glim (or Glym). 1. A candle, dark come (q.v.): usually, the coming
lanthorn, fire, or light of any kind. glory. In one's glory, in the full flush
To douse the glim, to put out the light : of vanity, pride, taste, notion, or idio-
FT., estourbir la cabande ; also short for syncrasy.
Glimmer or Glymmar(q.v.)( 1696). 2. Gloves. To go for the gloves, to bet
A sham account of a fire, sold by the recklessly, bet against a horse without
Flying stationers (q.v.). 3. In pi., the having the wherewithal to pay if one
eyes. English synonyms : blinkers, loses the last resource of the
plung-
daylights, deadlights, glaziers, lights, ing turfite : the term is derived from
lamps, ogles, optics, orbs, peepers, the frequent habit of ladies to bet in
sees, squmters, toplights, windows, pairs of gloves, expecting to be paid if
winkers. 4. In. pi., a pair of spectacles, they win, but not to be called upon to
Barnacles (q.v.). As verb, to brand, pay if they lose.
burn in the hand (1696). To puff Glow. Ashamed.
the glims, to fill the hollow over the Glue. Thick soup : which sticks
eyes of old horses by pricking the skin to the ribs. English synonyms: de-
and blowing air into the loose tissues ferred stock, belly-gum, giblets-twist,
underneath, thus giving the full effect gut-concrete, rib-tickler, stick-in-the-
of youth. ribs.
Glim-fenders. 1. Andirons, fire- Glue - pot A parson see Devil- :

dogs (1696). 2. Handcuffs (a pun on dodger and Sky-pilot (1785).

sense 1). Glum. Sullen, down in the mouth,
G 1 i m fl a s h1y (or Glim-flashey ). stern Fr., faire son nez, to look glum ;
:

Angry : see Nab the Rust (1696). also, n'en pas mener large (1712).
Glim -
jack. A link boy, Moon- Glump. To sulk hence glumpy, :

curser (q.v.) ; but, in any sense, a glumping, and glumpish, sullen,

thief (1696). stubborn (1787).
Glim -lurk. A beggars' petition, Glutman. An inferior officer of
based on a fictitious fire or Glim the Customs, and particularly a super-
(sense 2). numerary tide waiter, employed temp-
Glimmer (Glymmar). Fire. orarily when there is a stress or
Glimmerer. A beggar working hurry of business. These glutmen were
with a petition giving out that he is generally without regular employment,
ruined by fire also Glimmering mort,
: and also without character, their prin-
a female glimmerer (1696). cipal recommendation the fact of being
Glimstick. A candlestick :
Fr., able to write (1797).
occasion. Glutton. 1. A horse which lasts
Glister. Glister of fish hooks, a well, Stayer (q.v.). 2. A pugilist who
glass of Irish whisky. can take a lot of
punishment (q.v.).
Glistner. A
sovereign : 20s. : see Gnarler. A watch dog.
Rhino. Gnasp. To vex: see Rile. (1728).
Gloak (or Gloach). A man : see Gnoff. See Gonnof.
Chum and Cove. Gnostic. A knowing one, Downy
Globe. 1. A pewter pot, pewter cove Whipster (q.v.) (1819). As
(q.v.),
(1704). 2. In. pi., the paps: see adj., knowing, Artful (q.v.) ; whence
Dairy. Qnostically, knowing.
Globe-rangers. The Royal Marines. Go. 1. A drink ; specifically a
Globe-trotter. A traveller ; prim- quartern of gin formerly Go-down
:

arily one who races from place to place, (1690). English synonyms: bender,
with the object of covering ground caulker, coffin nail, common - sewer,
or making a record Fr., pacquelineur.: cooler, crack, cry, damp, dandy, dash,
Whence, Olobe-trotting, travelling after dewhank, dewdrop, dodger, drain,
the manner of Globe-trotters (q.v.). dam, facer, falsh, gargle, gasp, go-
192
 Go. Go.

down, hair of the dog, etc., Johnny, act with vigour and daring, advocate
liquor up, livener, lotion, lounce,
lip,
or speak strongly, live freely also to :

modest quencher, muzzier, nail from go it blind, fast, bald-headed, strong,

one's coffin, night-cap, nip or nipper, etc. (1689). As intj. phrase, Keep
nobbier, old crow, a one, a two, or a at it keep it up
! a general (some- !

three out, peg, pick-me-up, pony, times ironical) expression of encourage-

quencher, reviver, rince, sensation, ment also Go it ye cripples, crutches
:

settler, shift, shove in the mouth, are cheap (or Newgate's on fire), Go
!

slug, small cheque, smile, snifter, it, my tulip, Go

it, my gay and festive

something damp,
something short, cuss (Artemus Ward), or (Ameri-
!

swig, thimbleful, tiddly, top up, tot, can), Go it boots go it rags I'll hold ! !

warmer, waxer, wet, whitewash, yard. your bonnet g'lang (usually to a ! !

2. An incident, occurrence e.g. a : man making the pace on foot or horse-

Rum go, a strange affair, queer start ; back) go out, to fall into disuse ;
; to
a Pretty go, a startling business ; a to 1 ) to desert from one side to
go over, (

Capital go, a pleasant business (1803). another : specifically (clerical) to join

3. The fashion, the Cheese (q.v.), the the Church of Rome, to 'Vert (q.v.) ; (2)
correct thing generally in the phrase : to die, i.e. to go over, to join the
All the go. 4. Life, spirit, energy, majority also to go off, to go off the
:

enterprise, impetus e.g. Plenty of : hooks (go under, go aloft, to go up) ;

go, full of spirit and dash : Fr., du (3) to attack, rifle, rob ; to go off,
chien (1825). 5. turn, attempt, A (1) to take place, occur; (2) to be
chance : cf. No go : hence, to have a go disposed of (as goods on sale, or a
at, to make essay of anything as a : woman in marriage) ; (3) to deteriorate
man in a fight, a shot at billiards, etc. (as fish by keeping, or a woman with
6. A
success hence To make a go of it,
:
years) ; (4) to die see Hop the twig :

to bring things to a satisfactory termin- (1606) ; Go as you please, applied to

ation. 7. The last card at cribbage, or races where competitors run, walk,
the last piece at dominoes : when or rest at will : e.g. in time and
a player is unable to follow the lead, distance races hence, general freedom :

he calls a Go ! 8. A dandy (q.v.), a of action ; to go to Bath, Putney, etc.

very heavy swell, one in the extreme (see Bath, Blazes, Hell, Halifax, etc.) ;

of fashion. As verb, (1) to vote, be to go through, to rob i.e. to turn :

in favour of cf. Go for ; (2) to succeed,

: inside out hence, to master violently
:

achieve, cf. Go down ; (3) to wager, and completely, make an end of ; to

risk hence to stand treat, afford
:
go up (or under), (1) to go to wreck and
(1768) ;
hounds (5) to be
(4) to ride to ; ruin, become bankrupt, disappear
pregnant, be anticipating child-
to from society also (2) to die to go up, ; ;

birth (1561). Phrases: Go down, (1) to die specifically to die by the rope ;
;

to be accepted, received, swallowed, to to go up for, to enter for (as an exam-

Wash (q.v.) (1609) (2) to be under ; ination) ; to go with, to agree, har-
discipline, rusticated ; (3) to become monise with ; on the go, on the move,
bankrupt ; also, To go under ;
To go restlessly active ; no go, of no use,
due north, to go bankrupt (i.e. to go not to be done, complete failure :

to White-cross Street Prison, once frequently contracted to N.G. ; a

situate in north London) to go on ; little bit on the go,
slightly inebriated,
the dub, to house-break, pick locks elevated see Screwed.
: For other
(1696) to go to the dogs, to go to ruin ;
; combinations see Abroad, All fours,
to go off on the ear, to get angry, fly into Aloft, Aunt, Baby, Back on, Bad,
a tantrum see Nab the rust to go for,
: ; Bail, Baldheaded, Bath, Batter, Bed-
(1) to attempt, tackle, resolve upon, fordshire, Beggar's bush, Better,
to make for (q.v.) ; (2) to attack vio- Blazes, Blind, Board, Bodkin, Bulge,
lently and directly, by word or deed ; Bungay, Bury, Bust, By-by, Call,
(3) to support, favour, vote for (4) ; Camp, Chump, College, Cracked,
to criticise; specifically,
to run down ; Dead broke, Devil, Ding, Ding-dong,
to go in for (or at), to enter for, apply Dock, Doss, Drag, Flouch, Flue,
oneself to (e.g. to go in for honours) ; Gamble, Glaze, Glory, Gloves, Grain,
also to devote oneself to (e.g. to pay Grass, Ground, Hairyfordshire, Hall,
court), to take up (as a pastime, pur- Halves, Hang, Hell, High fly, High
'.t, hobby, or
principle) ; to go it, to toby, Hooks, Hoop, Jericho, Jump,
193
 Good. God's-mercy.

Kitchen, Man, Majority, Mill, Murphy, to seize, capture, appropriate : also

Pace, Pieces, Pile, Pot, Queen, Raker, gob: e.g. Gob that! (1602).
Range, Rope-walk, Salt river, Shallow, Gobbler. 1. A duck (Harmon) ;

Shop, Slow, Smash, Snacks, Snooks, 2. A turkey cock, Bubbly-jock (q.v.) :

Spout, Star - gazing, Sweet violets, also Gobble -cock (1785). 3. The
Walker's 'bus, West, Whole mouth see Potato-trap.
: 4. A greedy
Top,
animal, Woodbine, Woolgathering, eater hence gobbling, gorging.
;

Wrong. Go between. A pimp or bawd :

-
Goad. 1. A decoy at auctions, a now an intermediary of any kind
horse- c haunter, a Peter funk (q.v.). (1596).
2, In pi., false dice. Goblin. A sovereign, 20s. : see
Goal (Winchester College). (1) Rhino.
At football the boy who stands at the Gob-box. The mouth : see Potato-
centre of each end, acting as umpire ; trap (1773).
and (2) the score of three points made Gob-stick. A silver table-spoon
when the ball is kicked between his (in America, either spoon or fork) ;
legs, or over his head, without his also (nautical), a horn or wooden
touching it. spoon.
Coaler's Coach. See Gaoler's Gob - string (or Gab-string). A
Coach. bridle (Orose).
Go -
along. A fool, Flat (q.v.) :
Go-by. The act
of passing, an
see Buffle. evasion, To give one
a deception.
Goat. A lecher (1599). As verb, the go-by, to cut, leave in the lurch.
to thrash. To play the goat, to play Go-by-the-ground. A dumpy man
the fool, Monkey (q.v.) Fr., jaire: or woman (Orose).
Voiseau ; to ride the goat, to be initiated God. 1. In pi., the occupants of a
into a secret society (the vulgar error theatre gallery (said to have been first
is that a live goat, for candidates to used by Garrick because they were
ride, is one of the standing properties seated on high, and close to the sky-
of a Masonic lodge). painted ceiling Fr., paradis, also
:

Goatee. A tufted beard on the poulaiUer (1772). 2. In pL, Quadrate

point of a shaven chin (in imitation used in Jeffing (q.v.). 3. block A
of the tuft of hair on a goat's chin). pattern. Gods of cloth, classical
English synonyms (for a beard gener- tailors (Orose). 4. A boy in the sixth
ally): charley, imperial, Newgate (or form (Eton). A tight for the gods, a
sweep's) frill, or fringe. matter of wonderment God pays ! an ;

Goater. Dress. expression at one time much in the

Goatish adj. (old, now recog- mouth of disbanded soldiers and
nised). Lecherous [as vicing with a sailors (who assumed a right to live
goat in lust.] Hence Goatishly, adv., on the public charity) the modern :

and Ooatishness, subs. form is, If I don't pay you, God Al-
Go-away. A
railway-train. mighty will (1605); God (or Bramah)
Gob (or 1.
Gobbett).
portion, A knows, I don't ; an emphatic rejoinder
mouthful, a morsel ;
also a gulp, (1598).
Bolt (q.v.) (1380). 2. The mouth: Goddess Diana. A sixpence,
e.g. Shut your gob, an injunction Tanner (q.v.) : see Rhino.
to silence : Gab
see ; a spank on the Godfather. A juryman (1598).
gob, a blow on the mouth ; gob-full of To stand Godfather, to pay the reckon-
claret, a bleeding at the mouth gift ; ing (godfathers being the objects of
of the gab (or gob) see Gab. :
(1696.) much solicitude and expectation)
3. A mouthful of spittle: Fr., copeau: (1811).
It.,tmalzo di cavio (gutter-butter). As Go-down. draught of liquor,
1. A
verb, (1) to swallow in mouthfuls, Go (q.v.). 2. (American), a cutting
gulp down: also Gobble (q.v.). (2) in the bank of a stream for enabling
to expectorate Fr., glaviotcr, molar der.
: animals to cross or to get to water.
Gobbie. A coastguardsman ; God-permit. A stage coach (which
whence gobble ship, a man-of-war
- was advertised to start Deo volente)
engaged in the preventive service. (Orose).
Gobble (or Gobble-up). To swallow God's-mercy. Ham (or bacon) and
hastily or greedily ; hence (American) eggs (There's nothing in the house but
104
 God's-penny. Gone.

God's mercy at one time a common

:
Golgotha.1. The Dons' gallery at

answer in country inns to travellers in Cambridge also applied to a certain

;

quest of provant). part of the theatre at Oxford (that is,

God's-penny. An earnest penny The place of skulls cf. Luke xxiii. 33, :

(1696). and Matthew xxvii. 33, whence the

Go-easter. A portmanteau, pun : Dons being the heads of houses)
Peter (because seldom used
(q.v.) (1730). 2. A
hat. English synonyms :
except in going city- or east-wards). battle of the Nile (rhyming, i.e. a
Goer. 1. The foot see Creepers, tile
:
(q.v.), bell-topper, bUly-cock,
2. An expert or adept ; as in drawing, beaver, box-hat, cady, canister cap,
talking, riding one well up to his ; castor, chummy, cathedral, chimney,
(or her) work generally with an ad-
:
chimney-pot, cock, colleger, cock-and-
jective, as e.g. a fast goer, a good pinch, cowshooter, David, deer-stalker,
workman. digger's delight, fantail, felt, Gibus,
Goff. See Mrs. Goff. gomer (Winchester), goss, moab,
Goggles. 1. A molocher, mortar-board, muffin-cap,
goggle-eyed person :

also Goggler (1647). 2. In pi. The mushroom, nab, nap, napper, pantile,
eyes also Goggle-eyes.
:
Goggle-eyed, pimple-cover, pill-box, plug-hat, pot,
squint-eyed (1598). 3. In pi. spec-, shako, shovel, sleepless hat, sou'-
tacles, Barnacles (q.v.). As verb wester, stove-pipe, strawer, thatch,
(Goggle), to roll the eyes, stare (1577). tile, topper, truck, upper-crust, wash-
Gogmagog. A goblin, monster, a pot, wee-jee, wide-awake.
frightful apparition (Hood). Goliath. 1. A big man. .2. man A
Going. The condition of a road, of mark among the Philistines (q.v.).
piece of ground, cinder-path i.e. the :
[Mr. Swinburne described the late
accommodation for travelling :
e.g. Matthew Arnold as David, the son
the going bad. is of Goliath.]
Goings on. -
Behaviour, proceed- Goll. The hand ; usually in pi.
ings, conduct cf. Carryings on. : See Daddle (1601).
Goldarned (Goldurned, Gol- G o 1 1 o p. To swallow greedily,
dasted, etc.). A mild form of oath. gulp see Wolf.
:

Gold-backed 'Un. louse also A :

Gollumpus. A clumsy lout
Grey-backed 'un see Chates. :
(Grose).
Gold-bug. A man of wealth and Golly. A contraction of By
(inferentially) distinction, a million- Golly !
(q.v.).
aire : see Bug. Goloptious (or Golopshus).
Gold-dropper. sharper old- A : an Splendid, fine, delicious, luscious.
time worker of the confidence trick : Gombeen-man. A usurer, money-
also Gold-finder (1696). lender, sharking middleman.
Golden-cream. Rum. Gomer (Winchester College). 1.
Gold-end Man. An itinerant jewel- A large pewter dish used in college.
ler, a buyer of old gold and silver : Also, 2. A new hat.
alsoGoldsmith's apprentice (1610). Gommy. A dandy :
Fr., gommeux.
Golden Grease. A fee, a bribe see : 2. One who Gladstone a
calls Mr.
Palm oil. G.O.M. [Grand Old Man], and thinks
Goldfinch. 1. well-to-do man, A he has made a good joke. 3. A fool :

a Warm 'un (q.v.) (1696). 2. A see Buffle.

guinea, a sovereign; see Rhino (1700). Gomus. A fool : see Buffle.
Gold - finder. 1. An emptier of Gondola. 1. A railway plat-
privies : also Gong-man, and Night- form car, sideless or low-sided also a
:

man: Pr., fouillemerde, fifi (1611). 2. flat-bottomed boat.

A thief, Gold-dropper (q.v. ) :see Thief. Gondola of London. hansom A
Gold Hat band. A nobleman
- cab, Shoful (q.v.). [The description
undergraduate, Tuft (q.v.) (1628). is Lord Beaconsfield's.]
Goldie - locks. A flaxen - haired Gone. 1. Ruined, totally undone :
woman. Ooldu-locked, golden haired also, adv., an expression of complete-
(1598). ness :
e.g. Gone beaver, corbie,
Gold Mine. A profitable investment, coon, gander, or goose, a man or an
store of wealth material or intel- event past praying for (1406). Gone
lectual (1664). on, enamoured of, infatuated with,
195
 Cutler.

Mashed v on T ( Sweet on (q.v.):

q.v.), Goodman. 1. A gaoler, Dubs-
generally in contempt Fr., aimer
: man (q.v.) (1721). 2. The devil.
comme sea petite boyaux. Goodman - turd. A contemptible
Goner (Gones, Gonus, or Goney). fellow,
Bad-egg (q.v.) (1598).
1. A fool, simpleton ; also Gauney Good Night! The
dovetail to an
(q.v.) see Buffle.
: 2. A person past incredible statement or surprising
recovery, utterly ruined, or done for piece of news.
in any way. Good-people. The fairies (1828).
Gong (or Gong-house). A privy : Good (or Good old) Sort. A
see Airs. Jones. man of social or other parts.
Gong-farmer (or Gong-man). Good Thing. Something worth
An emptier of cess-pools, Gold-finder having or backing, a bon mot, Good
(q.v.) (1598). goods (q.v.) in racing a Cert (q.v.)
:

G
o n o f (Gonnof, Gonoph, or (1844).
Gnof). 1. A thief (q.v.) ; specifically Good Time. A carouse, friendly
a pick - pocket, and especially an gathering, enjoyable bout at any-
adept. [Prom the Hebrew. Ancient thing. Hence, To have a good time,
English a legacy from the old time
; to be fortunate or lucky, enjoy oneself,
Jews. It came into use again with make merry (1596).
the moderns who employ it commonly. Good 'un. 1. A man, woman, or
Cf. gonov, thief in Ex. xxii. 2 and 6, thing of decided and undoubted
viz. If the gonov be found.] 2. A merit. 2. An expression of derisive

bumpkin, churl, clumsy hand, shame- unbelief e.g. a lie.

:

less simpleton (1383). As verb, to Good-wooled. Of unflinching cour-

wheedle, cheat, steal Hence, gonoph- age, the greatest merit, thoroughly
ing, picking pockets. dependable.
Gooby. A simpleton, blockhead: Goody. 1. A
matron the corre- :

see Buffle. lative of goodman, husband used :

G o o d 1 An abbreviation of like auntie, mother, and gammer, in

Good-night As adj., responsible,
!
addressing or describing an inferior
solvent principally with for ; e.g.
:
(1598). Hence goodyship, ladyship.
He is good for any amount : also, 2. A religious hypocrite male or
expert (1598). Good goods, in pi., female, the 'unco guid' of Burns; hence
something worth trying for, a success : oody - goodyism, sentimental piety.
in superlative, best goods. Bit (or Generally in pi., sweetmeats, bon-
.

piece) of goods, a woman see Petti- : bons, cakes and Duns. 4. The kernel
coat. Good old A familiar ... of a nut. As adj., well-meaning but
address, derisive or affectionate ac- petty, officiously pious : also Goody-
cording to circumstances. To fed goody.
good, to be jolly, comfortable, in form, G o o k. A low prostitute : see
on perfect terms with oneself ; to Tart.
be in one's good books, to be in favour, Goose. 1. A tailor's smoothing
in good opinion conversely, to be in : iron (whose handle is shaped like the
one s bad books, to be in disfavour ; neck of the bird) hence the old ditton,
:

good at it (or at the game), an expert, A tayler be he ever so poor is sure to

male or female ; to have a good swim : have a goose at his fire (Grose) Fr., :

Bee Swim ; for good (or for good gendarme (1606). 2. A simpleton:
and all), completely, entirely, finally usually only of women : also Goose-
(1672); good as wheat: see Wheat; cap (q.v.) (1591). 3. A reprimand,
good as a play see Play ; good as gold, :
Wigging (q.v.). 4. See Wayz goose.
very good ; as good as they make 'em, 5. A woman. As verb,( 1 ) to hiss, con-

see Make 'em ; good-bye, John, it's no demn by hissing also to get the goose
:

go ; all's U.P. ; good cess, good luck or the big bird (q.v.) Fr., appeler (or
:

(probably an abbreviation of success : siffler) Azor (to whistle a dog, Azor

bad cess, the reverse. being a common canine appellation),
Goodfellow (Good-boy, or Good- boire une govtte (to be goosed) ; (2) to
man). 1. A roysterer, a boon com- ruin, spoil : see Cook one's goose ;

panion(1570). 2. A
thief (q.v.) (1608). (3) to mend boots by putting on a i

Good Girl (or Good One). A front half-way up, and a new bottom ;

wanton (1611). otherwise to L foot boots : cf. Fo

196
 Goose-and-gridiron. Gorger.

Goose without gravy, a severe but Goosecap. A booby male or

bloodless blow see Wipe ; to be tound
:
female, Noodle (q.v.) : see Buffle
on the goose, before the civil war, to be (1593).
sound on the pro-slavery question ; Goose-egg. No score, Love (q.v.):
now, to be generally staunch on party also Gooser.
matters, to be politically orthodox ; to Goose-flesh (or Goose-skin).
find fault with a fat goose, to grumble A peculiar tingling of the skin pro-
without rhyme or reason (1690); to duced by cold or fear, etc., the sensa-
kill the goose for the golden eggs, to tion described as Cold water down the
grasp at more than is due, over-reach back, the Creeps (q.v.) (1824).
oneself (from the Greek fable) ; every- Goose -
gog (or Goose -
gob). A
thing is lovely and the goose hangs gooseberry.
high see Everything ;
: he*tt be a man Goose - month. The lying
- in
among the geese when the gander is month Gander-month.
: cf.

gone, ironical, He'll be a man before Goose-persuader. A tailor : see

his mother ; Go I shoe the goose, a retort,
derisive or incredulous, the modern
To hell and pump thunder.
tosay boh ! to a goose, said of a bashful,
person (Orose) ; see also Wild goose
-
Snip.
Gooser. 1. A settler, knock-
Unable out blow, the act of death. 2. No
score, a Goose-egg (q.v.).
Goose-riding. See Gander-pulling.

chase. Goose's Gazette. A lying story,

Goose-and-gridiron. The American flim-flam tale that is, a piece of
:

eagle, and the United States flag see :

Gridiron.
Gooseberry. 1. A fool see Buffle.
2. A chaperon, one who takes third
place to save appearances or play
propriety (q.v.), a daisy- or goose-
reading for a goose.
Goose-shearer. A beggar.
:
Goose-step. 1. Balancing
on one foot and moving the other
back and forwards without taking a
step a preliminary in military drill,
:

berry-picker. 3. A marvellous tale, the pons asinorum of the raw recruit.

a Munchausen (q.v.), flim-flam also :
Also, 2. (more loosely) marking time :

gigantic and giant gooseberry. Hence that is, lifting the feet alternately
Gooseberry season, the dull time of without advancing.
journalism, when the appearance of Goose - turd Green. A light
monstrous vegetables, sea serpents, yellowish green (Cotgrave).
showers of frogs, and other portents Goosey -
gander. A fool see :

is chronicled in default of news : Buffle.

also Silly season (q.v.). To play (or Gopher. 1. A young thief ;

do) gooseberry, to play propriety ; also spec, a boy employed by biirglars to

to sit third in a hansom : cf Bodkin ; to
. enter houses through windows, sky-
flay old gooseberry, to play the deuce, lights, etc. (in natural history, Gopher,
upset, spoil, throw everything into a burrowing squirrel). 2. A rude
confusion ; also (Lex. Bal.), said of a wooden plough Southern! States. :

person who, by force or threats, sud- G o r e e. Money ; spec, gold or

denly puts an end to a riot or dis- gold-dust Fort Goree is on the Gold
:

turbance ; Old gooseberry, the devil Coast see Rhino (1696).

:

1. A
(see Skipper). Gorge. heavy meal, Tuck-
Gooseberry-eyed. Grey-eyed (Lex. in (q.v.), Blow-out (q.v.) (1553). 2.
Bal., 1811). A theatrical manager an abbrevia- :

Gooseberry-grinder. The breech. tion of Gorger (q.v.). As verb, to eat

Gooseberry -
lay. Stealing linen voraciously also to gulp as a fish does
;

from a line. when it swallows (or gorges) a bait :

Gooseberry -
picker. 1. A person see Wolf (1572).
whose labour and is credited
profits, Gorger. 1. A voracious eater,
to, another, a Ghost (q.v.). 2. A Scruncher (q.v.). Rotten gorger, a
chaperon see Gooseberry.
: lad who hangs about Covent Garden or
Gooseberry-pudding. A woman : other markets, eating refuse fruit. 2.
see Petticoat. A well-dressed man, a gentleman FT., :

Gooseberry-wig. A large frizzled un grating. Gipsy, gorgio, gentle

wig; Perhaps (Orose) from a supposed men.] 3. An employer a principal : :

likeness to a gooseberry bush. spec, the manager of a theatre also :

197
 Gorgonzola Hall. GraJ>.

Cully-gorger : Fr., amendicr. 4. A person ; one behind the times or

neckerchief (1320). ignorant of the ways of society (171-').
Gorgonzola Hall. Formerly the Hence Gothic, rustic, rude, uncultnro'l.
New Hall of the Stock Exchange ; now Gotham. New York city :

the corporation generally. [From the hence, Gothamite, a New Yorker :

veinings of the marble.] first used by Washington Irving in
G o r m. To Gorge (q.v.) see :
Salmagundi (1807).
Wolf. I'm gormed, a profane oath : Go - to - meeting bags (clothes,
see Gaum (1849). dress, etc.). Best clothes as worn :

Gormagon. 'A monster with on Sundays, or holiday occasions

six eyes, four arms,
three mouths, (1837).
eight legs, five on one side and three Gouge. An imposture, swindle,
on the other, three arses, two tarses, method of cheating (1845). As verb,
and a cunt upon its back: a man on ( 1 ) to defraud ; also (2) to squeeze out
horseback with a woman behind him
'
a man's eye with the thumb, a cruel
(Grose). practice used by the Bostonians in
Gormy-ruddles. The intestines. America (Orose).
Gorram (or Goram). See By Gouger. A cheat, swindler, rook.
goldam. Gourd. Hollow dice filled with
Gorry. See By Gorry ! lead to give a bias (1544).
Goschens. The 2} per cent Gourock ham. A salt herring
Government Stock created by Mr. (Gourock was formerly a great fishing
Goschen in 1888. village) see Glasgow Magistrate.
:

Gosh. See By gosh. Government-man. A convict.

Gospel. I. Anything offered Government - securities. Hand-
as absolutely true : also Gospel-truth. cuffs, fetters generally : see Darbies.
To do gospel, to go to church. Government - signpost The gal-
Gospel - gab. Insincere talk con- lows: see Nubbing-cneat
cerning religion, cant. Governor (or Guv). 1. father, A
Gospel-grinder (postilion, sharp, relieving officer, old 'un, pater, nibso :
or shark). A paison, devil-dodger, also applied to elderly people in
sky-pilot. general :
Fr., gtniteur and Fancien
Gospeller. An Evangelist (the old 'un) (1836). 2. mode A
preacher : in also Hot-
contempt : address : Fr., bourgeois. 3. master A <

gospeller, a preaching fanatic. superior, an employer. English 8}

Gospel-mill (or shop). church A onyms: boss, captain, chief, color
or chapel, Doxology - works (q.v.) commander, head-cook and bot
(1785). washer, gorger, omee, rum-cull.
G o s s (or Gossamer). A hat : Governor 's-stiff. A pardon.~'
at first a make of peculiar light- Gower-street Dialect See
ness called a Four-and-nine (q.v.) : Greek.
occasionally, a white hat : see Gol- Gowk. A simpleton (Scot
gotha (1836). To give (or get) goss, to Gowk, a cuckoo) see Buffle. Also
:

requite an injury, kill, go strong, get countryman see Joskin.

: To hit
an opportunity, put in big licks (q.v.) : the gowk, to go on a fool's errand.
sometimes ejaculatory, as Give me Gowler. A dog spec, a howler.
;

goss and let me rip ! Gown (Winchester College)

Gossoon. A boy : Fr., garron. 1. Coarse brown paper obeolet
:

Gotch-gutted. Pot-bellied; a 2. (University). The schools as

gotch in Norfolk, signifying a pitcher tinguished from the Town (q.v.) :
e.j
or large round jug (Grose). Town and gown. Hence,
Got 'em bad. A superlative of a student
earnestness or excess e.g. any one : Grab. 1. A sudden clutch.
doing his work thoroughly, a horse A robbery, steal (q.v.): cf. Grab-s
straining every nerve, a very sick 3. A body steaJer, resurrectac
-

person, spec, a subject of the Horrors (q.v.). 4. A boisterous game

(q.T.). cards. Asverb, (1) to pinch (q.v.
Got 'em on on). Dressed
(all seize, apprehend, snatch or
in the height of fashion, rigged out. Grabbed, arrested (1811); (2) to
Goth. A
frumpish or uncultured on, get along, live.
 Grab-ail, Grass.

Grab-all. 1. An avaricious mother (or grannie) how to suck eggs,

person, greedy-guts (q.v.). 2. A bag to instruct an expert in his own
to carry odds and ends parcels, particular line of business, Vtalk old
books, and so forth. to one's seniors (1811). My Grand-
Grabber. In pi., the hands : mother's Review, the British Review :

see Daddle. the nickname was Lord Byron's.

Grabble. To seize, grab (q.v.) Grand -strut. The Broad Walk
(1811). in Hyde Park (1823).
Crabby. An infantry - man :
Granger. 1. A member of the
in contempt by the mounted arm : Farmers' Alliance ; a secret American
Fr., marionnette. society, nominally non- political, but
Grab-gains. The trick of snatch- really taking a hand in politics when
ing a purse, etc., and making off. occasion offered to favour agricultural
Grab -
or racket).
game (coup, interests during the decade of years
:

A mode the sharpers

of swindling :
ending 1870 it attained to great
start by betting among themselves ; numerical strength, and extended
then the bystanders are induced to throughout the United States see :

join, stakes are deposited, and lastly, Agricultural wheel. 2. Hence, a

there is a row, when one of the gang farmer, countryman, any one from
grabs the stakes and decamps. the rural districts.
Grace - card. The six of hearts Grangerise. To fill out a book
(for origin see N. and Q., 5th Series, with portraits, landscapes, title-pages,
iv. 137). and illustrations generally, not done
Gracemans. Gracechurch Street for it. Hence Grangerism, the prac-
Market (1610). tice of illustrating a book with
Graduate. 1. A horse that has been engravings, etc., from other sources :

2. An
adept, artful member from the practice of illustrating
(q.v.). As verb, to seek and acquire Granger's Bibliographical History of
experience in life, love, society, or England. Also Grangerite, a practi-
rade ; and so on. tioner in Grangerism.
Gradus. A mode of cheating : Grannam. Corn (1563).
particular card is so placed by the Grannam 's-gold. Inherited wealth.
luffler that when he hands the pack Granny. 1. A bad knot with the
be cut, it projects a little beyond second tie across ; as opposed to a reef
lie rest the chance being that it forms
; knot in which the end and outer part
lie
turn-up. Also called the step are in line also Granny's knot or
:

(q.v.). Granny's bend. 2. Conceit of super-

Gradus - ad -
parnassum. The ior knowledge. As verb, to know,
eadmill : see Wheel-of-life. recognise, swindle (1851).
Graft. Work, employment, lay Grape-shot. Drunk see Screwed. :

(q.v.) :
e.g. what graft are you on Grape-vine. A hold in wrestling.
low ?
Great-graft, profitable labour, Grape - vine Telegraph. News
biz (q.v.).
1 As verb, (1) to work : mysteriously conveyed during the :

bausser, membrer ; (2) to steal ; civil war bogus reports from the
(3) to cuckold, plant horns (1696) ; (4) front were said to be by the grape-vine
sole old boots cf. Goose and :
telegraph also clothes-line telegraph.
:

ranslate. Grapple. The hand also :

Grampus. fat man : see Forty- A grappler see Daddle.

:

its. To blow the grampus, to drench ; Grapple-the-rails. Whisky : see

Iso to sport in the water. Drinks (1783).
Grand. Short for grand piano, Grappling - irons (or hooks),
adj., a general superlative. To do 1. Handcuffs: see Darbies (1811).
;
grand, to put on airs. 2. The fingers see Fork : : also grap-
Grand Bounce. See Bounce. plers and grappling-hooks.
Grandmother. To see one's Grass (Royal Military Academy).
to have a nightmare.
indmother, 1.
Vegetables bunny - grub
:
Fr., :

I'o shoot one's grandmother, to be gargousses de la canonniere. 2.

listaken, find a mare's nest, be Fresh mint (American). 3. Short for
lisappointecl commonly, You've shot :
sparrow-grass (q.v.), asparagus. 4.
jrour grannie. To teach owe'a grand- A temporary newspaper hand ; hence
199
 dross-comber. Grayhound.

the proverb, A grass on news waits
dead men's shoes (Australian printers).
Grass-hand, a raw worker, green hand.
As verb, to throw (or be thrown),
bring (or be brought) to ground
hence, to knock down, defeat, kill.
To give grata, to yield ; to go to grass,
(1) to abscond, disappear: also to
hunt grass ; (2) to fall sprawling, be
may rather be from the Scand. source
than from the German ; only with a
translation of the word enka into its
English equivalent. Dan. D., grots-
:
enka, is a female whose betrothed
lover (fast man) is dead ; nearly
equivalent to which is German,
strohwittwe, literally straw - widow.
See N. and Q., 6 8 viii., 268, 414 x. :

ruined, die; (3) to waste away (as 333, 436, 526; xi. 78, 178.] English
of limbs) ; to hunt grass (1) to decamp ; synonyms Calif ornian widow, widow-
:

(2) to field, to hunt leather (q.v.) ; bewitched, wife in water colours

(3) to fall, go to ground ; hence, to be (1700).
puzzled or bewildered ; to cut one's Grass - widower. A man away
own grass, to earn one's own living ; from his wife.
to be sent to grass, to be rusticated, Gravel. 1. To confound, puzzle,
receive a travelling scholarship (q.v.) ; floor (q.v.). 2. To go against the
go to grass I be off You be hanged f
!
grain.
to let the grass grow under one's feet, Gravel-crusher. A soldier doing
to proceed or work leisurely Fr., : defaulter's drill.
limer. Gravel - grinder. A drunkard :

Grass comber.
- A countryman see Lushington.
shipped as a sailor. Gravel - rash. The lacerations
Crasser. A fall. caused by a fall To have the gravel
Grasshopper. 1. A waiter in a rash, to be reeling drunk see Screwed. :

tea-garden. 2. A policeman, copper Gravesend-bus. A hearse.

3. A thief
(q.v.). (q.v.) Gravesend- sweetmeats. Shrimps.
Grassing. Casual work away Gravesend - twins. Solid lumps
from a printing office. of sewage.
Grassville. The country ; cf . Grave -
yard. The mouth
see :

Daisyville. Potato-trap. To keep a private grave-

Grass - widow. 1. An unmarried
yard, to affect ferocity, bluster.
mother, a deserted mistress (1696). Gravy - eye. A derisive epithet :
2. A married woman temporarily e.g. Well Old gravy -eye.
separated from her husband. [The Crawler. A beggar see Cadger. :

usually accepted derivation that Gray. 1. A coin showing either

grass is Fr., grdce, is doubtful. Hall two heads or two tails, pony (q.v.)
(says J. C. Atkinson, in Glossary of (1828). 2. See Grayback. 3. In pL,
Cleveland Words) gives as the defini- yawning, listlessness cf. Blues. :

tion of this word, An unmarried Grayback. A louse 1. :

woman who has had a child ; in Scots Greys Fr., grenadier

: :

Moor's Suffolk Words and Phrases, Chates. 2. A Confederate soldier:

Grace-widow, A woman who baa had from the colour of the uniform :

a child for her cradle ere she has had Blue-belly.

a husband for her bed; and corre- Gray-beard. 1. An old man:
sponding with this is the N. 8. or Low mostly in contempt (1593). 2. Origin-
Ger., gras-wedewe. Again, Sw. D., ally a stoneware drinking jug now ;

gras - anka, or -enka grass widow, a large earthenware jar for hold-
-

occurs in the same sense as with us :

ing wine or spirits with a bearded:

A low, dissolute, unmarried woman face in relief.

living by herself. The original mean- Gray-cloak. An alderman above

ing of the word seems to have been A the chair his proper robe
: is a cloak
woman whose husband is away, furred with grey amis.
either travelling or living apart. The Gray-goose. A big field stone on
people of Belgium call a woman of this the surface of the ground (1816).
description haeck-wedeive, from haecken, Grayhound. 1. A fast Atlant
to feel strong desire It seems liner ; one especially built for speed :

probable, therefore, from the ety- also ocean grayhound. 2. (Cam-

mology, taken in connection with the bridge University). A member
Clcvel,signification, that our word Clare College, a Clarian (obsolete).
200
 Gray-mare. Green.

Gray - mare. A wife ; spec, one Great-house. See Big House.

wearing the breeches (q.v.) (1546). Great- Joseph. An overcoat.
Gray-parson (or Gray-coat Great Scott An exclamation
1

parson). A lay impropriator, or of surprise an apology for an oath :

lessee of tithes (Grose). possibly a memory of the name of

Grease. 1. A bribe, palm- Gen. Winfield Scott, a presidential
oil (or grease), boodle (q.v.): greasing, candidate whose dignity and style
bribing. 2. Well-paid work, fat were such as to win him the nickname
(q.v.): printers'. 3. Fawning, flat- Fuss-and-Feathers.
tery. As verb, (1) to bribe, corrupt Great Shakes. See Shakes.
by presents, tip (q.v.): also, to Great Smoke. London.
grease the fist, hand, or palm : Fr., Great Sun. An exclamation.
coquer la boucanade (1557). (2) To Great - unwashed. The lower
fawn, to flatter formerly, to grease
:
classes, the rabble also the un- :

one's boots ( 1598). (3) To gull, cheat, washed first used by Burke ; popul-
:

do (q.v.). To grease a fat sow, to arised by Scott.

bribe a rich man (Grose) ; to grease Great Whipper-in (The). Death,
one's gills, to make a good or luxuri- >Old floorer (q.v.).
ous meal. Grecian. 1. A roysterer, Greek
Greased Lightning. An express (q.v.). 2. (Christ's Hospital). A senior
train. Like greased lightning, very boy. 3. An
Irishman. Hence Grecian
quick. accent, a brogue.
Greaser. 1. A Mexican also ; Grecian-bend. An affected
a Spanish American. The Mexicans stoop in walking (1821) : cf. Alexandra
are called greasers from their greasy limp, Roman fall, Italian wriggle,
appearance, by the Western people Kangaroo droop.
(Buzton) : Greasers, Californian slang Greed. Money : see Rhino.
for a mixed race of Mexicans and Greedy-gut (or guts). A
Indians (Bret Harte). pi. 2. In voracious eater, a glutton as in the :

(Royal Military Academy), fried pot- old (schoolboys') rhyme Guy-hi, :

atoes, as distinguished from boilers, Greedy-gut, Eat all the pudding up :

boiled potatoes. To give one Fr., un glafdtre (1598).

greaser (Winchester College), to rub Greek. 1. Slang, or Flash (q.v.) ;
the back of the hand hard with the usually St. Giles' Greek (q.v.): cf.
knuckles. Cant, Gibberish, etc. 2. A card-
Grease-spot. The imaginary sharper, cheat (1528). 3. An Irish-
result of a passage at arms, physical man (1823). 4. A gambler; also a
or intellectual (1844). highwayman. Merry Greek, a roy-
Greasy - chin. A dinner (Grose). sterer, drunkard (Cotgrave) (1602).
Great Cry and Little Wool. See Greek-fire. Bad whisky,
Cry. rotgut (q.v.).
Great Go (or Greats). The Greek Kalends. Never. To
final examination for the B.A. degree defer to the Greek Kalends, to put off
at Cambridge cf. Little-go :
: at sine die the Greeks used no kalends
:

Oxford, Greater. in their reckoning of time (1649).

Great Gun.
person of dis- 1. A English synonyms in the reign of :

tinction, a importance.
thing
English synonyms big bug, big dog of :
the tanyard, big dog with the brass
collar, big gun, big head, big one,
big (or great) pot, big wig, biggest
toad in the puddle, cock of the walk,
don, large potato, nob, rumbusticator,
stunner, swell, swell-head, topper,
top-sawyer. 2. A peculiar practice,
trick of particular usefulness and
importance, favourite wheeze (q.v.).
To blow great guns, to blow a gale ;
also, to blow great guns and small
arms (1839).
of Queen Dick, when the devil is bund,
when two Sundays come in a week,
at Domesday, at Tib's eve, one of
these odd-come-shortly's, when the
ducks have eaten up the dirt, when
pigs fly, in a month of Sundays, once
in a blue moon.
Green. Rawness, simplicity.
Generally in the phrase, Do you see
any green in my eye ? Do you take me
for a fool ? As adj., simple, in-
experienced, gullible, unsalted (q.v.)
(1596). As verb, to hoax, swindle:
at Eton to green up see Gammon. :

201
 Green-apron. Gridiron.

To send to Dr. Green, to put out to grass Green Howards. The Nine-
(1811). 8" dp me greens I (or taturs /) teenth Foot, now the Princess of
a veiled oath of an obscene origin. Wales's Own Yorkshire Regiment:
Just for greens, for no reason in from its facings and its Colonel's
particular. name (1738-48), and to distinguish it
G
r e e n-a p r o n. A lay preacher : from the Third Foot, also commanded
also as adj. by, a Col. Howard. Also Howard's
Green-back. 1. A
frog. 2. Garbage.
One of Todhunter's series of mathe- Green Kingsman. A silk pocket-
matical text-books bound in green
: handkerchief any pattern on a
:

cloth : cf. Blue-ruin. 3. The paper green ground.

issue of the Treasury of the United Green Linnets. The 39th Foot,
States ; first sent out in 1862 during now the first battalion Dorsetshire
the civil war, the backs are printed Regiment from the facings.
:

in green. Hence green - backer, an Greenly. Like a greenhorn,

advocate for an unlimited issue of foolishly (1596).
paper money. Greenmans. 1. The fields, the
Green-bag. A lawyer robes and ; country (1610). 2. In sing., a con-
briefs were carried in a green bag the ; tractor who speculates with other
colour is now blue, or, in cases of people's money.
presentation from seniors to juniors, Greenness. Immaturity of
red (1696). English synonyms: black judgment, inexperience, gullibility
box, bramble (provincial), devil's (1748).
own, gentlemen of the long robe, land- Green-rag. See Greeny.
shark, limb of the law, mouth-piece, Green-river. To send a man up
Philadelphia lawyer (q.v.), quitam, six Green-river, to kill from a once famous :

and-eightpence, snipe, sublime rascal. factory on Green River, where a

Green-bonnet. To have (or favourite hunting knife was made.
wear) a green bonnet, to fail in busi- Green-sickness. Chlorosis.
ness, go bankrupt a green cloth cap : Green - turtle. To live up to
was once worn by bankrupts. green-turtle, to do, and give, one's
Green Cheese. See Cream Cheese best
and Moon. Greenwich Barber. A retailer of
Green Cloth. See Board of sand from the Greenwich pits a :
pun
Green Cloth. upon shaving the banks (Grose).
Green Dragoons. The Fifth Greenwich -
goose. A pensioner
Dragoon Guards also known as the ; of Greenwich Hospital (Grose).
Green Horse from their green
:
Greeny. 1. The curtain : from
facings. the colour : also green-rag (1821). 2.
Greener. A new, or raw hand ; A freshman (q.v.). 3. A simpleton,
spec, an inexperienced workman intro- greenhorn (q.v.) : see Buffle.
duced to fill the place of a striker. Greetin* Fu'. Drunk: literally
Green-goods. Counterfeit crying drunk : see Screwed.
greenbacks ; hence green-goods man G r e e z e (Westminster School).
(or operator), a counterfeiter of green- A crowd, push (q.v.).
backs, snide-pitcher (q.v.). Gregorian. A kind of wig worn
Green -goose. 1. A cuckold. 2. in the 17th century after the inventor :

A prostitute. one Gregory, a barber in the Strand.

Green -
gown. To give a green Gregorian The gallows
- tree. :

gown, to rough and tumble with a therewas a sequence of three

girl- men of the name see Nubbing-cl :

Green - head. A greenhorn : see Gregorine. A louse ; specifically

Buffle (1696). head vermin see Chates. :

Greenhorn (Green-head, or Greshamite. A fellow of the '.

Greenlander). A simpleton, fool, Society (1690).

gull (q.v.) ; also a new hand : see Grey. See Gray, paseim.
Buffle. To come from Greenland, to be Griddle. To sing in the street
fresh to things, raw (q.v.) ; Green- Whence, griddling, street-singing ;

lander, sometimes an Irishman (1753). griddler, a street singer (1851).

Greenhouse. An omnibus. Gridiron. 1. The United St
202
 Grief, Grip.

flag
; the Stars and Stripes : also
Gridiron and Doughboys ; also speak-
ing of the Eagle in conjunction with
the flag, the Goose and Gridiron. 2.
A County
Court Summons originally
Magog Halls) grind. 2. Daily routine,
hard or distasteful work (1853). 3.
Study, reading for an examination;
also a plodding student, i.e. a grinder.
4. A demonstration
'
: as (1) a public
:

applied to writs of the Westminster grind,' given to a class and free to all ;
Court, the arms of which resemble a and (2) a private grind, for which a
gridiron (1859). 3. The bars on a student pays an individual teacher:
cell window Fr., ler gaules de Schtard.
: in America, a quiz (q.v.).
5. (Oxford
The Gridiron, the Graf ton Club: the University) Athletic sports also, :

grill was a speciality. On the gridiron, a training run. The grind (Cambridge
troubled, harassed, in a bad way, on University), the ferry-boat at Chester-
toast (q.v.). The whole gridiron: see ton. As verb, (1) to prepare for
Whole animal. examination, study, read, teach, in-
Grief. To come to grief, to come to struct, coach (q.v.), do a round of
ruin,meet with an accident, fail. hard and distasteful work, apply one-
Griffin (or Griff). 1. A new- self to daily routine ; (2) to vex, put
comer, raw hand, greenhorn (q.v.). out. To grind an axe, see Axe. To
Specific uses are (Anglo-Indian), a get a grind on one, to play practical
new arrival from Europe ; (military), jokes, tell a story against one, annoy
a young subaltern (Anglo-Chinese), ; or vex. To grind wind, to work the
an unbroken horse. Griffinage (or treadwill see Everlasting staircase.
:

Griffinism), the state of greenhornism Grinder. 1. A private tutor,

(1859). 2. A woman of forbidding Coach (q.v.) : cf. Crammer (1812). 2.
manners or appearance, a Gorgon :
Usually in pi., the teeth. English
also a caretaker, chaperon, or sheep- synonyms :
bones, chatterers, cogs,
dog (q.v. ). [A reflection of the several crashing cheats, dining-room furni-
griffins of ornithology and of heraldry : ture (or chairs), dinner-set, dominoes,
the former a feeder on birds, small front-rails, Hampstead Heath (rhym-
mammals, and even children ; the ing), head-rails, ivories, park-palings
latter (as in Milton) a perfection of (or railings), snagglers, tushes (or
vigilance.] 3. A
signal : e.g. to tip tusks), tomb-stones (1597). To take
the griffin, to warn, give the office a grinder, to apply the left -thumb to
(q.v.),or tip (q.v.) ; the straight griffin, the nose, and revolve the right hand
the straight tip. 4. In pi. the scraps round it, as if to work a hand-organ
and leavings from a contract feast, or coffee-mill ; also to take a sight
which are removed by the purveyor. (q.v.), to work the coffee mill (q.v.) :

Griff-metoll. Sixpence, a tanner a street retort on an attempt to impose

(q.v.) : see Rhino (1754). on good faith or credulity (1836).
Grig. 1. An active, lively, and Grinding - house. The House of
jocose person : as in the phrase Correction see Cage (1614).
:

Merry as a Grig (1611). 2. A farthing, Grinding-mill. The house of a

a gigg (q.v.) :see Rhino (1696). As tutor or coach (q.v.) where students
verb, to vex, worry (1855). are prepared for an examination.
Grim. A skeleton : also Grin. Grind-off (or Grindo). A miller :

Whence Old Mr. Grim, death.
Grin. To strike on plates with
knives and forks, beat with the feet,
and shout at the top of the voice, in
an effort to make the victim To
grin.
grin in a glass case, to be shown as an
anatomical preparation : the bodies
and skeletons of criminals were once
preserved in glass cases at Surgeons'
Hall (Grose).
the
A Grinagpg,
.grinning simpleton (Grose).
Grind. 1. A walk, constitutional :
e.g. to take a grind, or (University)
to go on the Grandchester
(or Gog
from a character in The Mitter and
his Men.
Grindstone. A tutor, a coach
(q.v.). To bring (hold, put, or keep)
one's nose to the grindstone, to oppress,
harass, punish, treat harshly. To
have one's nose kept to the grindstone, to
be held to a bargain, or task (1578).
To have the grindstone on one's back,
said of a man going to fetch the
Cat's Uncle. monthly nurse (Grose).
Grinning-stitches. Slovenly
sewing, stitches wide apart, ladders
(q.v.).
Grip (or Gripsack). A hand-bag,
203
 Gripe. Grow.

satchell. To lose one's grip, to fail, Grog-blossom. A pimple caused

lose one's control. by excessive drinking also copper- :

Gripe. 1. A miser, usurer : nose and jolly-nose Fr., nez culottt, :

also griper or gripe-fist (q.v.). Qrip- and nez de pompettes (1811).

ing, extortion. 2. In pi., the colic, Grog-fight A drinking party : cf.
stomach ache, collywobbles : see Tea-fight
Jerry-go-nimble (1684). Groggery. A public bar, grog
Gripe-fist A miser, grasping shop.
broker : also gripe-penny. Groggy. 1. Under the influence
Grist. A large number or quan- of drink: see Screwed (1829). 2.

tity : Swift uses grist, a supply ; a (stable) Moving as with tender feet
provision. To bnng grist to ike mill, 3.(pugilists') Unsteady from punish-
to bring profitable business, be a source ment and exhaustion Fr., locher :

of profit (1719). (1831).

Grit. 1. Character, pluck, spirit, Grogham. A horse, daisy-
sand (q.v.): also clear grit. No grit, kicker (q.v.): now mostly in con-
lacking in stamina, wanting in courage tempt: see Prad (Grose).
(1826). 2. A
member of the Liberal Grog-shop. The mouth : see
party (Canadian political). Potato-trap (1843).
Gritty. Plucky, courageous, Grog-tub. A brandy bottle.
resolute, full of character. Groom. A croupier.
Grizzle. To fret ; also to grizzle Groomed. See Well-groomed.
one's guts. Groovy. A sardine. As adj.,
Grizzle -guts (Grizzle- or Glum- settled in habit, limited in mind.
pot). A melancholy or ill-tempered Groper. 1. A
blind man, Hood-
person, sulking ton (q.v.). man (q.v.) (1696). 2. A pocket
Groan er. A thief (q.v.) plying (Grose). 3. A midwife, fingersmith
his trade at funerals or religious (q.v.) (Grose).
gatherings. Ground. To suit down to the
Groaning. The act of parturition :
ground, to be thoroughly becoming or
also adj., parturient, or appertaining acceptable. To wipe (or mop) up the
to parturition: as in groaning -malt ground (or floor) with one, to adminis-
(Scots'), drink for a lying-in ; groaning ter the soundest of thrashings, prove
pains, the pangs of delivery; groaning oneself absolutely superior to one's
wife, a woman ready to lie-in (1594). opponent To go (or get) well to the
Groats. A
naval chaplain's ground, to defalcate, rear (q.v.) see :

monthly allowance. To save, one's Mrs. Jones (1608).

groats, to come off handsomely : at Grounder. A ball with a ground de-
the University nine groats were livery, sneak, grub ; and (in America)
formerly deposited in the hands of an at base ball, a ball struck low, or
academic officer by every person stand- flying near the ground.
ing for a degree, which, if obtained Ground-floor. To be let in on the
with honour, were returned to him ground-floor, to share in a specula-
(Grose). tion on equal terms with the original
Grocery. 1. Small chance (1728). promoters.
2. A drinking bar ; also confectionery Ground-squirrel. A hog, grunter
and groggery. 3. Sugar a restricted :
(Lex. Bal.).
use of a colloquialism. Ground-sweat. To have (or take) a
Grog. Spirits and water, strong ground-sweat, to be buried (1696).
drink generally till Admiral Vernon's
: Grouser. 1. A grumbler rusty -
time (1745) rum was served neat, but gute (q.v.). 2. A rowing man, wet-
he ordered it to be diluted, and was bob (q.v.).
therefore nicknamed Old Grog, in G
r o u t e (Marlborough and
allusion to his grogram coat a phrase : Cheltenham Colleges). To work or
that was presently adapted to the study hard, swot (q.v.).
mixture he had introduced Groggy, : Crabbed, sulky.
Grouty.
drunk see Screwed.
: As verb, to Grove the Evangelist
of St
dilute or adulterate with water. To John's Wood also Apostle's Grove,
;

have grog on board (or to be grogged), and the Baptist's Wood.

to be drunk see Screwed.: Grow. To be accorded the privi-
204
 Growler. Gudgeon.

lege of letting one's hair and beard Grub - shop (crib, trap, etc.).
grow also to grow one's feathers.
: 1. The mouth ; and 2. a grubbery
Growler. A four-wheeled cab :
(q.v.): see
Potato-trap. 3. See Grub-
cf. Sulky. English synonyms bird- :
bing-crib in both senses.
cage, blucher, bounder, fever- trap, Grub stake.
- Food and other
flounder and-dab (rhyming), four-
- necessaries furnished to mining pro-
wheeler, groping hutch, mab (an old spectors in return for a share in the
hackney), rattler, rumbler. To rush finds. Hence, to grub-stake, to specu-
(or work) the growler, to fetch beer late after this fashion.
(workman's). Grub Street. The world of cheap,
Grown -man's -dose. A lot of mean, needy authors : originally a
liquor: also a long drink (q.v.) : see street near Moorfields, changed in 1830
Go. to Milton Street (1696).
^ Grown-up. An adult : also (under- Gruel. 1. A beating, punish-
takers') a grown (1864). ment (q.v.). Hence, to get (or give)
Grub. 1. Food. English synonyms : one's gruel, to castigate, be well
belly-cheer (or chere), belly-furniture, beaten, killed. In the prize ring, to
belly- timber, Kaffir's tightener (speci- knock a man out for good. Gruetted,
fically, a full meal), chuck, corn, floored; also gruetting (1815). 2.
-
gorge grease, manablins (broken Coffee.
victuals), mouth harness, mungarly, Crueller. A knock - down blow,
peck, prog, scoff (S. African), scran, settler (q.v.), a floorer (q.v.).
stodge, tack, tommy (specifically Grumble guts.
- An inveterate
bread), tuck, yam. Also, verbally, to croaker: also grumble-gizzard.
bung the cask, to grease the gills, to Grumbles. To be all on the
have the run of one's teeth, to yam. grumbles, to be discontented, cross, on
2. Ashort thick-set man, a dwarf : the snarley-yow (q.v.).
in contempt : see Hop-o'-my-Thumb. Grumbletonian. A pattern of
3. A sloven, generally of elderly people. discontent, one ever on the grumble.
4. A careful student, hard reader. Grumbleton (during the reigns of
5. Roots and stumps whatever is : the later Stuarts), an imaginary centre
grubbed up. 6. A ball delivered of discontent ; hence, Grumbletonian,
along the ground, grounder (q.v.), a nickname of the County party, dis-
daisy-cutter (q.v.): see Lob-sneak. tinguished from the Court, as being in
As verb, (1) to take or supply with opposition.] (1690).
food (1725). Whence grubbing, eat- Grumpy (or Grumpish). Surly,
ing. (2) To beg, ask alms, especially cross, angry.
food. (3) To study, read hard, sweat Grundy. A short fat man, forty-
(q.v.). To ride grub, to be sulky, guts (q.v.) : see Mrs. Grundy.
crusty (q.v.), disagreeable (Grose). Grunter. 1. A pig, grunting-
To grub along, to make one's way cheat (q.v.) : also
pork (1656). 2.
as best one can, rub along. A sixpence :
formerly (Grose) Is. see :

Grubbery. (1) An eating-house: Rhino. 3. A policeman, trap (q.v.):

also (2) a dining-room, and (3) the pig (q.v.). 4. A constant grumbler,
mouth. grumble-guts (q.v.).
Grubbing-crib. 1. An eat- Grunter 's - gig. A smoked pig's
ing-house. Orubbing-crib faker, the chap (Grose).
landlord of a cheap cookshop Fr., :
Grunting-cheat. A pig (1567).
nourrisseur. English synonyms : Grunting-peck. Pork or bacon.
grubbery, grubby (or grubbing-ken), Gruts. Tea.
grub-shop, guttle-shop, hash-house, G. T. T. Gone to Texas abs- :

mungarly casa, prog-shop, slap-bang conded moonshining gentry used

;

shop, tuck-shop, waste-butt. 2. A to mark G. T. T. on the doors of their

workhouse sometimes Orubbiken :
: abandoned dwellings as a consolation
see Spinniken. for inquiring creditors :
Fr., otter en
Grubble. To feel for at random, Belgique.
or in the dark. Guage. See Gage.
Grubby. Food a diminutive of
: Gubbins. Fish offal (1611).
grub (q.v.). As adj., dirty, slovenly. Gudgeon. 1. A bait, an allure-
Grub-hunting. Begging for food. ment hence,
: to gudgeon (or to swallow)
205
 Guerrilla. Gummy.

a gudgeon, to be extremely credulous (1596). 2. A

fraud, trick cheat,
or gullible (1598). 2. An easy dupe, ( 1 600). 3. A swindler,
(Oxford Univ. ).
trickster. As verb, to cheat,
buffle (q-v.) (1785).! *
dupe, vic-
Guerrilla., appliedThis (name is timise, take in (q.v.) in any fashion
by gamblers^ to fellows \ who skin and to purpose (1596). Hence,
any
suckers when 7 and where they can, gullible, adj., easily duped.
who do not like the professional Gu 1 1 ag e. The act of trickery,
gamblers, but try to beat them, the state of being gulled (1605).
sometimes inform on them, and tell Gull-catcher (Culler, Gull-
the suckers that they have been sharper, etc.). A trickster, cheat
cheated (Matsell). (1602).
Guff. Humbug, bluff, jabber : see Gullery. Dupery, fraud, cheat's
Gammon. device.
G u ff y. A soldier : see Mud- Gullet. The throat: see Gutter-
crusher. alley (1383).
Gu i s.d e r
1. Reins, ribbons Gull - finch. A simpleton, fool :

(q.v.). Sinews, leaders (q.v.).

2. see Buffle (1630).
Guinea. A guinea to a goose- Gull-groper. A gamester's money-
berry, long odds. lender (1609).
Guinea-dropper. A sharper : J Gully. 1. The throat
: see Gutter-
spec, one who let drop counterfeit alley. 2. A knife: see Chive (1633).
guineas in collusion with a Gold- As verb, to gull (q.v.), dupe,
finder (q.v.) (1712). swindle.
Guinea-hen. A
courtezan (1602). Pocket-filth, beggar's
Gully-fluff.
Guinea -
pig. 1. general re- A velvet (q.v.)also flue (q.v.).
:

proach (1748). 2. Any one whose Gully-gut. glutton : see A

nominal fee for professional services Stodger(1598).
is a guinea : as vets; special jurymen, Gully-hole (or Gully). The throat :

etc. Now mainly restricted to clergy- see Gutter-alley.

men acting as deputies, and (in Gully -raker. (1) A cattle- whip;
contempt) to directors of public also (2) a cattle-thief.
companies : hence guinea -
trade, Gulpin. A simpleton, gape-seed
professional services (1821). 3. A (q.v.): Fr., gobemouche, eponge: see
midshipman. Buffle.
Guise's Geese. The Sixth Foot, or Gulpy.Easily duped.
Saucy Sixth, now the Royal Warwick- Gu 1 To hold one's gulsh, to
s h.
shire Regiment from >ts Colonel's : hold one's tongue, keep quiet.
name (1735-63). Gum. 1. Chatter, talk, jaw (q.v.),
Guiver. 1.Flattery ; 2. Artfulness abuse (1751). 2. A trick, piece of
(q.v.). As smart, fashionable,
adj., dupery, sell (q.v.): also gummation.
on it (q.v.). Quiver lad, a low- 3. A golosh, india-rubber overshoe :
classdandy also an artful member
; short for gum-shoes. As verb, to
(q.v.). As verb, to humbug, fool cheat, take in (q.v.), roast (q.v.),
about (q.v.), show off. quiz : see Gammon. Old Mother Gum,
Gulf. 1. The throat, the maw: an old woman in derision. By :

see Gutter-alley (1579). 2. (Cam- gum ! a mild oath. Blest your (or
bridge Univ.). The bottom of a list his, her, its, etc.) gums, a piece of
of passes, with the names of those banter : a facetious way of saying
who only just succeed in 'getting their Bless your soul !

degree. (Oxford Univ.). A man

3. Gummagy. Snarling of a scolding :

who, going in for honours, only gete habit.

a pass. As verb (Cambridge Univ.), Gummed. Said of a ball close to
to place in the gulf ; to be gulfed, to be the cushion.
on such a list men so
placed
: were Gummy. 1. A toothless person ;
not eligible for the Classical Tripos : i.e. with
nothing but gums to show :
cf. Pluck and
Plough. generally, Old Gummy. 2. Medicine :

Gulf-spin. A rascal, worth- also gummy-stuff. 3. A dullard, fool :

less fellow, beat (q.v.), shyster see Buffle. As adj., puffed, swollen,
(q.v.). clumsy (Grose). To feel gummy, to
Gull. 1. A ninny : see Buffle perspire.
 Gump. Gutter-attey.

Gump. A dolt : see Buffle (1825). groin). 2. In pi. the stomach and

Gumption. Cleverness, under- intestines (1609). 3. In pi. a fat

standing, nous (q.v.) also: rum man, forty-guts (q.v.) : also guts-and-
gumption (Orose). garbage. More guts than brains, a
Gumptious. Shrewd, intelligent, fool (1598). 4. Spirit, quality, a
vain. touch of force, energy, or fire : e.g.
Gum - smasher (or Tickler). A a picture, a book, an actor. With
dentist: snag-catcher (q.v.). guts, a strong thing; put your guts
Gum-suck. To flatter, humbug, into (aquatic), row the very best
it

dupe see Gammon.

:
you can. He (or it) has no guts in
Gum-sucker. 1. A native of Tas- him (or it), he (or it) is a common
mania, who owes his nickname to the rotter (q.v.). Hence, gutsy, adj.,
abundance of gum-trees in the Tas- having guts, and gutsiness, subs., the
manian forests cf. Corn-stalk.
: 2. condition of being gutsy (1738). As
A fool : see Buffle. verb, (1) to plunder, or take out all
Gum-tickler. 1. A drink spec, : or most of the contents (i.e. intes-
drop of short, or a dram see Go :
tines) of a place or thing, drain,
(1814). 2. See Gum-smasher. clean out e.g. to gut a house (thieves'),
:

Gum-tree. To be up a gum-tree, to to rifle it ; to gut an oyster, to eat it ;

be on one's last legs, at the end of to gut a book, to empty it of interest-
one's rope He has seen his last gum-
:
ing matter ; to gut a quart pot, to drain
tree, It is all up with him. at a draught. Whence, gutted, dead-
Gun. 1. A lie (New Cant Diet., broke ( 1696). (2) To eat hard, fast, and
1725). 2. A thief (q.v.); spec, a badly, wolf (q.v.). To fret one's guts,
Magsman (q.v.) or street-artist : also to worry to have plenty of guts but no
;

gun-smith and gunner. Gunning, bowels, to be unfeeling, hard, merci-

thieving. 3. A revolver see Meat-in- : less ; my great guts are ready to eat my
the-pot. 4. A
toddy glass. As verb, little ones, I am very hungry also, :

(1) to consider with attention. (2) To my guts begin to think my throat's cut,
strive hard, make a violent effort : e.g. my guts curse my teeth, and my guts
to gun a stock, to use every means to chime twelve (Grose); not fit to carry guts
produce a break ; when supplies are to a bear, to be worthless, absolutely

heavy and holders would be unable to unmannerly, unfit for human food.
resist. In the gun, drunk see Screwed : Gut-foundered. Exceedingly
(1696). Son of a gun: see Son. Sure hungry (1696).
as a gun, quite certain, inevitable Gut-pudding. A sausage (Nomen-
(1633). clator).
Gundiguts. A fat man, forty- Gut-puller. A poulterer, chicken-
guts (q.v.) (1696). butcher (q.v.).
Gunner's-daughter. To kiss Gut - scraper. A fiddler also :

(or marry) the gunner's daughter, to be catgut-scraper and tormentor of cat-

flogged. Gunner's daughter, the gun gut see Rosin-the-bow (1719).
:

to which boys were lashed for punish- Gutter. Porter (Matsell) : prob-
ment (Grose). ably a corruption of gatter (q.v.).
Gunpowder. An old woman (1696). As verb (Winchester College), to fall
Gunter. See Cocker. in the water flat on the stomach Fr., :

Gup. Gossip, scandal. To be a piquer un

platventre. To lap the
gup, to be easy to take or steal. gutter, to be in the last stage of in-
G u r t s e y. A fat man, podge toxication see Screwed. Carry me
:

(q.v.) : see Forty-guts. out and leave me in the gutter: see

Gush. The expression of affected Carry me out.
or extravagant sentiment. As verb, 1. The
Gutter-alley (or lane).
to overflow with extravagant or throat. All goes down gutter-lane,
affected sentiment. Hence gusher, He spends all on his stomach. Eng-
a practitioner of gush also Gushing- : lish synonyms: Beer Street, common
tion ; gushing, extravagant, affected sewer, drain, funnel, Gin Lane, gulf-
or irrational in expression, demonstra- gullet, gully-hole, gutter, Holloway,
tively affectionate also gushingly.
: Peck Alley, Red Lane, the Red
Gut. 1. The vice or habit of
glut- Sea, Spew
Alley, swallow, thrapple,
tony ; the belly (as opposed to the throttle, whistle. 2. A urinal.

207
 Hack.

Gutter-blood. (1) A ragged Josh (q.v.); (2) to escape, hedge

rascal (1822). Also (2) a vulgarian; (q.v.), run away : also to do a guy
an upstart from the rabble. (which alsoto give a false name see, :

Gutter-chaunter. A street singer. Burk. (3) To spoil, muddle, disfigure,

Gutter-hotel. The open air: see distort (4) To damn, bias, slate (q.v. ),
Hedge-square. give the bird (q.v.).
Gutter-literature. See Blood-and- Guzzle (or Guttle). 1. An insati-
thunder, and Awful. able eater or drinker. 2. A debauch.
Gutter - master. A term of re- 3. Drink. As verb, to drink greedily,
proach (1607). or to excess (1607).
Gutter - prowler. A street thief Guzzle-guts. A glutton, a
(q.v.). hard drinker (Lex. Bal., 1811): see
Gutter-snipe. 1. street arab A : Guzzle.
also gutter-slush. 2. poster for A Guzzler. A hard drinker, a coarse
the kerb. 3. An outside broker who voracious feeder see Guzzle (1760).
:

does business chiefly in the street ; a Guzzling. Eating or drinking

kerbstone broker (q.v.) : Fr., loup- to excess, also eating or drinking in a
cervier. coarse unmannerly fashion (1696).
Guttie. 1. A gutta-percha ball. Guzzum. Chatter, noise.
2. A glutton, stodger (q.v.). 3. A G. Y.All a G.Y., crooked, all on
forty-guts (q.v.). one side, all of a hugh.
Guttle. To eat greedily, Gormand- Gybe. A written paper (1567).
ize (q.v.). Also to drink: e.g. to As verb, to whip, castigate : e.g.
guttle a pint, to take off, or do, a gybed at the cart's tail, whipped at
pint ; He's been guttling swipes, he's the cart's tail (1696).
been drinking beer. Hence guttler, Gybing (also Gibery). Jeering
a coarse or greedy eater, a sturdy (1696).
pot-companion, gorger (q.v.) cf. :
Gyger. See Jigger.
Thackeray's Book of Snobs for Guttle- Gyp (Cambridge University).
bury Fair see Guzzle (1672).
: 1. A college servant at Oxford, a :

Guttle -
shop. A pastry
-
cook's, scout (q.v.) ; at Dublin, a skip (q.v.)
tuck-shop (q.v.). Etymology doubtful according to :

Guv. An abbreviation of/governor Sat. Rev. an abbreviation of Gipsy

(q-v.). Joe according to Cambridge under-
;

Guy. 1. A Fifth of November graduates from the Greek yi'>4

effigy, whence, 2. an ill-dressed per- (Gups), a vulture ; from the creature's
son as in the old street cry, Hollo,
:
rapacity.] (1794). 2. A thief (q.v.).
boys, there goes another guy English !
Gypsies of Science. The British
synonyms: caution, Captain Queer- Association (1846).
nabs, chivey, comic bird, ragamuffin, Gyrotwistive. Full of evasions
sight. 3. A dark lantern obviously : and tricks, a portmanteau word.
a reminiscence of the Gunpowder 1. A child : in
Gyte. contempt 2.
Plot 4. A
expedition. As
jaunt, A first year's pupil in the Edinburgh
verb, (1) to quiz, chaff, roast (q.v.), High School

Haberdasher. A
dealer in Hab-nab (or Hob-nob). 1. At
small wares ; specifically (a) a hatter, random, promiscuously, helter-skelter,
and (6), (humorously) a publican (i.e. a ding-dong (1602). 2. By hook or by
seller of tape, q.v.) ; now restricted to crook, by fair means or foul (1581).
a retail draper (1599). Haberdasher Hack (or Hackney). (1) A per-
of pronouns, a schoolmaster (1696). son or thing let out for promiscuous
Habit (Old
University). College use e.g. a horse, harlot, literary
:

habit, College dress, called of old, drudge. Whence (2) a coach that
Livery : the dress of the master, plies for hire ; (3) (stables') a horse
fellows, and scholars (Qradus ad Canta- for everyday use, as offered to one for
brigiam). a special purpose hunting, racing,
JOS
 Hackle. Half-breed.

'

polo. (4) (Cambridge Univ.), Hacks ; atically, to defeat, kill ; to keep one's
Hack preachers exhibi-
; the common hair, to escape a danger. To comb
tioners at St. Mary's, employed in the one's hair, to castigate, monkey (q.v.).
service of defaulters and absentees.' To hold (or keep) one's hair (or wool)
Also huckster. As verb, to kick on, to keep one's temper, avoid excite-
shins. Hacking, the practice of kick- ment, take things calmly :
also, to
ing shins at football. keep one's shirt on, or, pull down one's
Hackle. Pluck, spirit, bottom jacket (or vest) Fr., etre calme et
:

(q.v.). To show hackle, to show fight. inodore. A hair of the black bear (or
Hackslaver. To stammer, splutter, b'ar), a spice of the devil. To make
hesitate in speech. one's hair stand on end, to astonish
Hackum (Captain Hackum, or (1697). A hair of the dog that bit one, a
Hackster). A bully, bravo : see pick-me-up after a debauch. [Ap-
Furioso (1657). a
parently memory of the superstition,
Had. See Have. which was and still is common, that,
Haddock. purse. Had- 1. A being bitten by a dog, one cannot do
dock of beans, & purse of money better than pluck a handful of hair
(1598). 2. In pi., North of Scotland from him, and lay it on the wound.]
Ordinary Stock. (1531).
Hag (old : now recognised). (.1) Hair-butcher. A barber.
A witch. Whence (2) an ugly old Hair-pin. An individual, male or
woman ; a she-monster. Also (3) a female e.g. That's the sort of hair-
:

nightmare. At Charterhouse, a pin I am, that's my style.

female of any description at Win- ; Hairy. 1. Difficult. 2. Splendid,
chester, a matron. Hence, Hag- famous, conspicuous, uncommon.
ridden, troubled with nightmare ; hag Halbert. To get the halbert, to
born, witch born ; hag-seed (Shakes- rise to sergeant's rank
(the weapon :
' '

peare, Tempest ), spawned of a witch ; was carried by sergeants of foot).

hag-faced, foul-featured (1529). Your To be brought to the halberts, to be
hag-ship! in contempt (of women). flogged ; to carry the halbert in one's
Hag-finder. A
witch finder (1637). face, to show that one rose from the
Hagged. Ugly, gaunt, hag - like ranks (of officers in .commission)
(1696). (1785).
Haggisland. Scotland. Half. It's half past kissing time
Haggle. To bargain keenly, and time to kiss again, the retort im-
stick at (or out for) trumpery points, pudent females) when asked
(to
debate small issues (1696). the time a snatch from a ballad.
:

Haggler. Formerly a travel- [In Swift, Polite Conversation, an hour

ling merchant, a pedlar : now (in past hanging time.]
London vegetable markets) a middle- Half - a - crack (jiffy, or tick).
man (1662). Half a second.
Hail. To raise hail (Ned, Cain, Half-and-half. Equal quantities
or Hell), to make a disturbance ; to of ale and porter : cf.Four-half and
kick up a row. To be hail fellow well Drinks (1824). As adj., half-drunk,
met, to be on very easy terms : also half-on (q.v.): see Screwed. Half-
at hail fellow (1574). To be hailed and-half-coves (men, boys, etc.), cheap
for the last time, to die see Aloft, Hop : or linsey-woolsey dandies, half -bucks
the twig. (q.v.), half -tigers (q.v.).
Hair. To go against the hair, to Half-an-eye. To see with half
go against the grain, contrary to an to discern readily, be quick
eye,
nature (1589). Both of a hair, very at conclusions.
much alike, two
of a trade, two in a Half-baked (or Soft-baked). Half-
tale. Not worth a hair, utterly worth- witted, cracked, soft (q.v.), doughy
less cf. Cent, Rap, Dump, etc.
: To (q.v.), half -rocked (q.v.): Fr., n' avoir
a hair, exactly, to a nicety to fit to ; pas la tte bien cuite (1825).
a hair, to fit perfectly ( 1697). To split Half-breed. A
nickname ap-
hairs, to cavil about trifles, quibble, plied to certain New York Republicans
be over-nice in argument (
1 693). Suit who wavered in their allegiance
of hair : see Head of hair. To raise during an election to the Senate in
(or lift) hair, to scalp ; hence, idiom- 1881 (Norton).
209
 Half-cocked.

Half - cocked. Half-drunk : see one's jib well bowsed, Three sheets
Screwed. To go off at half-cock (or in the wind, Channels under, etc.]
half -cocked), to fail through hasty and Half-slewed. Parcel drunk see :

ill-considered endeavours. Screwed.

Half-cracked. Lacking in intel- Half - snacks (or Half - snags).
ligence. Half -shares (1683).
Half-crown Word. A difficult Half-'un. Half a glass of spirit*
or uncommon vocable, jaw-breaker and water, half-a-go (q.v.).
(q.v.), crack-jaw see Sleeveboard.
: Half - widow. A woman with a
Half - crowner. A publication lazy and thriftless husband.
costing 2s. 6d. Halifax. Go to Halifax, be off!
H a 1 f - c u t. Half -drunk : see The full text is Go to Hell, Hull,
Screwed. or Halifax: cf. Bath, Blazes, Hull,
Half -fly Flat ( 1 ) A thief s jackal ; Putney, etc. (1599).
(2) a man (or woman) hired to do Hall. 1. Specifically The Hall,
rough of dirty work. Leadenhall Market cf. Garden Lane,
:

Half - grown Shad. A dolt see : etc. 2. (Oxford Univ.). Dinner:

Buffle. which is taken in College halL To
Half Laugh and Purser's Grin. hall, to dine. Go and hire a hall, a
A sneer, a half - and - half meaning retort upon loquacious bores. Hall by
(Clark Russell). the sea, the Examination Hall of the
Halflings. Betwixt and between: conjoined Board of the Royal Colleges
usually of a boy or girl just past of Physicians and Surgeons: situate
childhood (1818). on the Embankment at the foot of the
Half - man. A landsman rated Waterloo Bridge. Hall of delight, a
asA.B. music hall.
Half - marrow. 1. A faithless Hallan-shaker (or Hallen-shaker).
spouse ; also a parcel husband or wife A vagabond, sturdy beggar (1503).
(1600). 2. An incompetent seaman. Halliballo. See'Hulhballo.
Half-moon. A wig (1611). Hallion (or Hallyon). (1) A rogue,
Half - mourning. A black eye. a clod, a gentleman's servant out of
Putt-mourning, two black eyea, deep livery ; also (2) a shrew.
grief. Halloo. To halloo with the under
Half-nab (or nap). At a venture, dog, to take the losing side.
unsight unseen, hit or miss (Moore Halo. To work the halo racket, to
Carew). grumble, be dissatisfied from the :

Half-on. Half-drunk. story of the saint in Heaven who got

Half-rocked. Half-witted, silly: dissatisfied with his nimbus.
a West Country saying is that all idiots Haltersack. A gallows - bird :

are nursed bottom upwards. a general term of reproach and con-

Half-saved. Weak-minded, shallow- tempt (1598).
brained. Halves (Winchester College) :
(pro.
Half-screwed. More or less in Haves). Half -
Wellington boots,
liquor see Screwed.
: which were strictly non licet (obs.).
Half-seas Over. Loosely applied Notions. To go (or cry) halves, to
to various degrees of inebriety for- : take (or claim) a half share or chance :

merly, half way on one's course, or in America at the halves (1831),

towards attainment : see Screwed. Ham. 1. (in. pi.) Trousers also :

[In its specific sense Gifford says, A Ham-cases: see Kicks (1725). 2. A
corruption of the Dutch op-zee zober, loafer also Ham-fatter also (Ameri-
: :

over-sea beer, a strong

heady beverage can Slang Diet.), a tenth-rate actor
introduced into Holland from Eng- or variety performer. No ham and
land. Up-zee Freese is Friezeland all hominy, of indifferent quality, no
beer. The German zauber means great shakes, all work and no play,
strong beer, and bewitchment. Thus much cry and little wool.
(1610) in Jonson, Alchemist, iv. 2. Hamlet. A
high constable, a
I do not like the dulness of your eye, chief of police (American).
It hath a heavy cast, 'tis upsee Dutch. Ham-match. A stand - up
Other nautical terms drunk are luncheon.
Water-logged, Sprung, Slewed, With Hammer. 1. A hard-hitter :

210
 Hammer-and-tongs. Handbasket-portion.

especially a right-handed slogger, like advantage, get to windward (q.v.) ;

Hammer Lane also Hammerer and: to hand up (Winchester College), to
Hammer- man. 2. An unblushing Jlie. give information against, betray
As verb, (1) to beat, punish (q.v.) ; (Notions) hands up 1 an injunction
;

(2) to bate, to drive down (prices, etc.); to desist, stow it (q.v.) also (police),
! :

one a defaulter. Down

(3) to declare a command to surrender, bail up
as a hammer, (I) wide-awake, know- (q.v.). Amongst other colloquial
ing (q.v.), fly (q.v.) ; (2) instant, usages of hand are the following :

peremptory, merciless cf. Like a : At hand, readily, hard by, At any

thousand of bricks also To be down : hand (Shakespeare), on any account,
ora ... like At (or under)
a hammer. At no hand, on no account, For one's
the hammer, for sale at auction. That's own hand, for one's own purpose or
the hammer, an expression of approval interest, From hand to hand, from one
or assent. To be hammers to one, to to another, in hand, in a state of
know what one means. To hammer out preparation, under consideration, or
(or into), to be at pains to deceive, to control ; Off one's hands, finished, On
reiterate, to force to hear (1596). hand, in possession, In one's hands, in
Hammer - and - tongs. Violently, one's care, Out of hand, completed,
ding-dong (1781). without hesitation, To one's hand,
Hammer - headed. 1. Oafish^ ready, Hand over head, negligently,
stupid (1600). 2. Hammer-shaped: rashly, Hand to mouth, improvident,
i.e. long and narrow in the head. Hands off I stand off, Heavy on hand,
Hammering. 1. beating, ex- A hard to manage, Hot at hand, difficult
cessive punishment (q.v.); 2. over- to manage, Light in hand, easy to
charging time-work (as corrections). manage, To ask (or give) the hand of,
Hammering-trade. Pugilism. to ask, (or give) in marriage, to be
Hammersmith. To go to Hammer- hand in glove with, to be very intimate
smith, to get a sound drubbing. with, To bear a hand, to help, To
Hampered (old : now recognised). bear in (or on) hand, to cheat or mock
Let or hindered, perplexed, entangled. by false promises, To change hands, to
Hampstead Donkey. A louse : see change owners, to come to hand, to be
Chates. received, To get hand, to gain influence,
Hampstead-heath. 5,The teeth : see To give a hand, to applaud, To give the
Grinders. hand to, to be reconciled to, To have a
Hampstead - heath Sailor. A hand in, to have a share in, To have
landlubber (q.v.) freshwater sailor
; one's hands full, to be fully occupied,
(q.v.) Fr., marin d'eau douce or
: To hold hands with, to vie with, to
amiral Suisse (Swiss admiral Switzer- : hold one's own, To lay hands on, to
land having no seaboard). assault, to seize, To\lend a hand,to help,
Hanced. In liquor: see Screwed. To make a hand, to gain an advantage,
(1630). To put (or stretch) forth the hand
Hand. Properly a seaman now
1. :
against, to use violence, To set the hand
a labourer, workman, agent (1658). to, to undertake, To strike hands, to
2. A light touch, sleight, knack, skill. make a bargain, To take by the hand, to
Phrases A good (cool, neat, old, fine,
: take under one's guidance, To take
etc.) hand, an expert (1748). A hand in hand, to attempt, To wash one's
like a foot, a large coarse hand ; also hands of, to disclaim responsibility,
vulgar or uneducated
handwriting A heavy hand, severity, A light hand,
(1738). A hand like a
a hand full fist, ,
gentleness, A slack hand, idleness, care-
of trumps ; also (in derision) a hand lessness, A strict hand, severe discip-
there's no playing ; to take a hand with line, Clean hands, freedom from guilt,
the outside music, to join in a free To stand one in hand, to concern, to
fight ; to get a hand on, to suspect, be be of importance to, Hand to fist,
distrustful ; to get one's hand in, to tete-a-tete, hip to haunch, Hand over
practise with a view to proficiency ; to hand, easily, To get a hand, to be
bear a hand, to make haste ; to stand applauded.]
one's hand, to treat (q.v.), to stand Hand - and -
pocket Shop. An
Sam (q.v.) to hand in one's chips (or
; eating house, where ready money is

checks), see Cash one's checks ; to have paid for what is called for.
(or get) the upper hand, to have at an Handbasket - portion. A woman
211
 Handbinder.

whose husband receives frequent well, be civil ; handsome is that hand-

present* from her father, or family, some does, actions, not words, arc the
is have a hand-basket portion.
said to test of merit ; also ironically of ill-
Handbinder. A wrist - chain see : favoured persons (1811); handsome-
Darbies. bodied in the face, jeering commenda-
Hander. A stroke on the hand tion of an ugly follow ; handsome as a
with a cane, a palmie (q.v.). a sarcastic compli-
last year's corpse,
Handicap. An arrangement in ment handsomely I gently a cry to
;
!

racing, etc., by which every com- signify smartly, but carefully. Abo
petitor is, or is supposed to be, brought handsomely over the bricks, go cauti-
on an equality as far as regards ms ously.
chance of winning by an adjustment of Handsome - reward. A horse-
the weights to be carried, the distance whipping.
to be run, etc. extra weight or dis-
:
Handsprings. To chuck hand-
tance being imposed in proportion to springs, to turn somersaults.
their
supposed merits on those held Handy. Handy as a pocket in a
better than the others. [A handicap shirt, very convenient also derisively. :

is framed in accordance with the Fisti-

Handy-blows (or cuffs).
known performances of the competi- cuffs ; hence close quarters (1603).
tors, and, in horse - racing, with Handy-man. A servant or work-
regard to the age and sex of J the man doing odd jobs (1847).
entries. The term is derived from the Hang. 1. General drift, tendency
old game of hand-in-cap, or handicap.] or bent as in to get the hang of, to get
:

(1660). As verb, (1) to adjust or conversant with, to acquire the trick,

proportion weights, starts, etc., in or knack, or knowledge of (1847). 2.
order to bring a number of competitors A little bit, a bit see Care. As verb,
:

as nearly as possible to an equality ; (generally Hang it !), an exclamation of

(2) to make even or level, equalise vexation, disgust, or disappointment ;
between ; (3) to embarrass, burden, also, more forcibly, a euphemistic
hinder, or impede in any way. oath (1598). To hang in, to get to
Handle. 1. The nose see Conk. :
work, do one's best, wire in (q.v.);
2. A title : Fr., queue, as Monsieur to hang in the bettropes, to defer
Sansqueue, Mr. Nobody (1865). 3. marriage after being asked in church ;
Occasion, opportunity, means (1753). to hang on by one's eyelashes, to persist
As verb, (1) to conceal cards in the at any cost, and in the teeth of any
palm of the hand or up the sleeves, discouragement ; to hang on by the
palm (q.v.) ; (2) to use, make use of, splashboard, to catch a tram, omnibus,
manage ( 1606). To handle the ribbons, etc., when on the move ;
it is hence
to drive ( 1857). To fly off the handle : to succeed by the skin of one's teeth :

see Fly. Fr., arcpincer V omnibus ;t to hang

'
Hand-me-downs (or Hand- around (or about), to loiter, loaf, haunt ;
em-downs). Second - hand clothes. to hang out, to live, reside also (subs.), :

Hand-me-down shop (or Never-too-late- a residence, lodging ; and (American

to-mend-shop), a repairing tailor's : University) a feast, entertainment ;
Fr., decrochez-moi-ra. English syno- to hang out a shingle, to start or carry

nyms :
reach-me-downs, translations, on business ; to hang one's latchpan, to
wall-flowers. be dejected, to pout Fr., faire son
:

Hand-out Food to a tramp at the aquilin ; to hang it out, to skulk, mike

door. (q.v.) ; to hang up, (1) to give credit,
Handpiece. A handkerchief, score (or chalk) up said of a reckon-
:

wipe (q.v.). ing also to put on the slate, or (Ameri-

:

Handsaw. A street vendor of can) on the ice (q.v.) (1725); (2) to

knives and razors, chive- fencer (q.v.). bear in mind, remember ; (3) to pawn ;
Handsome. Sharp, severe, con- (4) to rob with violence on the street,
venient, fit, neat, graceful, dextrous, hold up (q.v.) : Fr., la faire au pere
skilful, ready, ample, generous, liberal, Francois ; (5) to be in extremis,
manageable, in good or proper style, know not which way to turn for relief :

and (in America) grand or beautiful e.g. a man hanging, one to whom
(1553). To do the handsome (or the any change must be for the better ;
handsome thing), to behave extremely (6) to postpone, leave undecided ; to
212
 Hang-bluff. Happy Hunting-grounds.

hang on, (1) to sponge, and (2) to work, cheating, any manner of double-
pursue an individual or a design dealing or intrigue. Hanky - panky
(1601) to hang off, to fight shy off; to
; business, conjuring; hanky-panky work
hang up one's fiddle, to retire, desist ; (or tricks), double-dealing. A bit
to hang up one's fiddle anywhere, to of hanky
-
panky, a trick ; a piece
adapt oneself to circumstances; to of knavery (1841).
hang up one's hat (1) to die see Hop :
Hanky-panky-bloke. A conjurer.
the twig ; (2) to make oneself per- Hanky-spanky. Dashing, nobby
manently at home. (q.v.) :
specifically of well-cut clothes.
Hang-bluff. Snuff. Hannah. That's the man aa
Hang-by. A hanger-on, parasite, married Hannah, That's the thing :

companion (1598). used of a thing well begun and well

Hang-dog. A pitiful rascal, only ended or as an expressive of certainty.
;

fit for the rope for the hanging of Varied sometimes by That's what's
superfluous curs : cf. Gallows - bird the matter with Hannah.
(1732). As adj., vile, suspicious in Hansel Handsel).
(or The first
aspect, gallows-looking (q.v.). money taken in the morning, lucky
Hang - gallows. thievish, A or money. Hence earnest money, first-
villainous appearance (Grose). fruits, etc. Hansel-Monday, the first

Hanger. A side-arm short Monday in the new year, when pre-

sword or cutlass hanging from the sents were received by children and
girdle. Also in pi., (1) ornamental servants (1587). As verb, (1) to
loops from the girdle to suspend the give handsel to ; also (2) to use for
sword and dagger (1596); (2) gloves, the first time.
specifically gloves in the hand : (3) see Hanseller. A
street vendor,
Pothooks. cheap Jack.
Hang-in-chains. A vile, desperate Hans-en-Kelder. A child in the
fellow (Grose). womb literally Jack - in - the - cellar
:

Hanging. Fit for the halter. (q.v.) (1647).

Hanging bee. - A gathering Hansom. A chop.
lynch-lawmongers, bent on the appli- Hap - harlot. A
coarse stuff to
cation of the rope. make rugs or coverlets with, a rug :

Hangman. A jocular endear- cf. Wrap-rascal, an overcoat (1577).

ment (1600). Ha'porth o' Coppers. Habeas
Hangman 's-day. Monday, and Corpus.
(in America) Friday. Ha'porth of Liveliness. 1.

Hangman's - wages. Thirteen- Music. 2. A loitering Lawrence,

pence-halfpenny. [The fee for an slowcoach (q.v.).
execution was a Scots mark the :
Happify. To please (1612).
value of which piece was settled, by Happy. Slightly drunk, elevated
a proclamation of James I., at 13d.] (q.v.): see Screwed.
(1602). Happy - despatch. Death, speci-
Hang - slang about. To abuse, fically a sudden or violent end.
slang (q.v.), Billingsgate (q.v.). Happy-dosser. See Dosser.
Hank. 1. A
tie, hold, advantage, Happy Eliza. A female Salva-
difficulty. In a hank, in trouble tionist as in the Broadside Ballad
:

(1696). 2. A spell of rest, easy time. (1887-8),They call me Happy Eliza,

As verb, to worry, bait, drive from and I'm Converted Jane We've been :

pillar to post. two hot 'uns in our time.

Hanker. To desire eagerly, fret Happy - family. Assemblages of
after, long or pine for generally with : animals of diverse habits and pro-
after. Also, hankering, an impor- pensities living amicably, or at least
tunate and irritating longing (1696). quietly, in one cage.
Hankin. The trick of putting off Happy-go-lucky. Carelese,thought-
bad work for good cf To play hanky-
: .
less, improvident.
-
panky. Happy Hunting grounds. 1.

Hanktelo. A silly fellow, a The future glory (q.v.) from

state ;
:

mere Codshead (B. E.), the North-American Indian's con-

Hanky-panky. (1) Legerdemain ; ception of heaven. 2. A favourable
whence (2) trickery, underhand (q.v.) place for v/ork or play.
213
 Happy-land. Hard-up.

Happy-land. The after life, Hard-drinking. Drinking to excess

glory (q.v.). (1696).
Happy-returns. Vomiting. Hard-head. A man
of good parts,
Hard. 1. Hard labour. 2. See physical, intellectual, or moral (1824).
Hard-shell. 3. Third-class : aa op- Hard-hit To be hard hit, (1) to
posed to soft (q.v.). Thus : Do you have experienced a heavy loss, as over
go hard or soft T Do you go Third a race, at cards, etc. ; (2) to be deeply
or First ? As
adj., (1) applied to in love, completely gone on (q.v.).
metal of kinds e.g. hard (cole or
all : Hard-lines. Hardship, difficulty,
stuff), silver or gold as compared to an unfortunate result or occurrence.
cheques or soft (q.v.) (1825). (2) Hard-mouthed. Difficult to deal
sour or souring, as in hard-cider ; (3) with, wilful, obstinate also coarse in
:

hard drinks (American), intoxicating speech (1686).

liquors, as wine, ale, etc., while lemon-
ade, soda-water, ginger-beer, etc., are
soft (1696). Phrases: Hard as a
bone (nails, etc.), very hard, austere,
unyielding ; hard at it, very busy, in
the thick of a piece of work ; to die
hard, to sell one's
Hard - neck. Brazen impudence,
monumental cheek (q.v.).
Hard-pan. The lowest point,
bed-rock (q.v.). To get down to hard
pan, to buckle to, get to business.
Hard - puncher. The fur cap as
lifedearly ; e.g. worn by the London rough formerly :

The Die-hards (q.v.), the 59th Regi- worn by men in training a modi- :

ment, so called from their gallantry fication of the Scotch cap with a peak.
at Albuera ; also in many combina- [From the nickname of a noted
tions, generally with an unplea- pugilist]
sant intention, thus Hard-fisted (or Hard-pushed. In difficulties, hard-
handed), very niggardly ; hard - bit up (q.v.).
(or hard-mouthful), an unpleasant ex- Hard put to. In a difficulty
perience ; hard-driven (or hard-run), monetary or other e.g. He'd bo
:

sore bested ; hard-faced (favoured, hard put to it to find a sovereign (or

or featured), grim, shrewish, or bony ; a word, or an excuse), It would take
hard-headed (or hard-witted), shrewd him all his time, etc.
and intelligent, but unimaginative Hard-row. See Row.
and unsympathetic hard-hearted, in- ; Hard - run. In want of money,
capable of pity ; hard-lipped, obstinate, hard-up (q.v.).
dour ; hard-master, a nigger - driver ; Hard - shell. 1. A member of an
hard -
nut, a dangerous antagonist ; extreme section of Baptists holding
hard-on, pitiless in severity ; hard- very strict and rigid views. [The
riding, selfish and reckless equestra- Soft-shells are of more liberal mind.]
tion ; hard -
service, the worst kind Also Hards and Softs (1848). 2.
of employment ; hard-wrought, over- (political American). A division of
worked, etc., etc. the Democratic Party in 1846-48,
Hard-a-weather. Tough, weather- when the Hunkers (q.v.) received the
proof. name of Hards and their opponents,
Hard -bake. A sweetmeat made the Barnburners (q.v.), that of Softs
of boiled brown sugar or treacle with (1847). As adj., extremely ortho-
blanched almonds. dox, unyielding, hide-bound.
Hard-baked. 1.
Constipated. 2. Hard-stuff. 1. Money. 2. Intoxi-
Stern, unflinching, strong. cating liquors see Hard (adj., sense
:

Hard -
bargain (or Case). 1. A 2).
lazy fellow, bad-egg (q.v.), skulker. Hard -tack. 1. Ship's biscuits:
One of the Queen's hard bargains, a bad specifically ordinary sea-fare as dis-
soldier. 2. A defaulting debtor. 3. A tinguished from food ashore, or soft-
brutal mate or officer also Hard-horse. :
tommy (q.v.) (1841). 2. Coarse or
Hard - bitten. Resolute, Game insufficient fare.
(q.v.), desperate (1815). Hard - up. 1. A
collector of cigar-
Hard-cheese. Hard lines, bad luck
a topper-hunter (q.v.).: The
ends,
specifically at billiards. refuse, untwisted and chopped up,
Hard-cole. See Hard and Cole. is sold to the very poor : sometimes

Hard-doings. ( 1 ) Rough fare ; and Hard-cut: FT., mfgottier. 2. A poor

(2) hard work (1848). man, a stony-broke (q.v.) (1857).
214
 Hard-upness. Harum-scarum.

As adv. phr., 1. very badly in want of Harlotry. A wanton (1529). As

money, in urgent need of anything: adj., disreputable.
also Hard - run and Hard - pushed Harman-beck (or Harman).
,

(1809). English synonyms: many An officer of justice : see Beak (1567).

of the synonyms for floored apply Harmans. The stocks : the suffix
equally to hard-up others are,
;
at mans is common lightmans, dark-
low - water - mark, cracked up, dead- mans, roughmans, etc. (1567).
broke, down on one's luck, fast, in Harness. In harness, in business,
Queer Street, in the last of pea time, at work as, to die in harness, to die at
:

in the last run of shad, low down, one's post ; to get back into harness, to
low in the lay, oofless, out of favour resume work after a holiday.
with the oof - bird, pebble - beached, Harp. Harp is also the Irish ex-
seedy, short, sold-up, stony-broke, pression for woman or tail, used in
strapped, stuck, stumped, suffering tossing up in Ireland, from Hibernia
from an attack of the week's (or being represented with a harp, on the
month's) end, tight, on one's uppers, reverse of the copper coins of that
under a cloud, on one's beam ends. country, for which reason it is in hoist-
2. Intoxicated : see Screwed. 3. ing the copper, i.e. tossing up, some-
(Winchester College). Out of counten- times likewise called music (Grose).
ance, exhausted (in swimming). To harp on, to dwell persistently and
Hard - upness (or Hard - uppish- at any cost upon a subject (1596).
ness). Poverty, a condition of im- Harper. A brass coin current in
poverishment. Ireland, temp. Elizabeth, value one
Hardware (or Hard). Counter- penny from the Irish Harp figured
:

feit com (Matsdl). upon Have among you my blind

it.

Hardware bloke.
- A native of harpers, an expression used in throw-
Birmingham, a Brum (q.v.). ing or shooting at random among a
Hardy-annual. A bill that is crowd (Grose).
brought before Parliament every year, Harridan. Orig. a foundered
but never passed into law; hence wanton :
hence, a miserable, scraggy,
(journalistic), any stock subject. worn-out woman (Grose).
Hare. To dodge, double, be- Harrington. A brass farthing.
wilder (1719). To hare it, to retrace [Lord Harrington obtained a patent
one's steps, double back from the : of manufacture under James I.]
way of a hare with the hounds ; to (1616).
make a hare of, to make ridiculous, Harry. 1. A countryman, clown,
expose the ignorance of any person Joskin. 2. See 'Arry. Old Harry, the
(1830) ; to swallow a hare, to get very devil (1693). Harry of the West,
drunk see Screwed (1696) to hold
: ; Henry Clay. To play old Harry, to
with the hare and hunt with the hounds, annoy, ruin, play the devil. Tom,
to play a double game, keep on good Dick, and Harry, generic for any and
terms with two conflicting parties everybody, the mob.
(1696). To
kiss the hare's foot, to be Harry-bluff. Snuff.
late, be a day after the fair, kiss the Harry-common. A general wencher
post. (1675).
Hare-brained (or Hair-brained). Harrysoph (Cambridge Univ.
- :

Reckless, nighty, impudent, skittish : obsolete). A Harry or errant Soph, I

'

also, substantively, hare-brain, a hare- understand to be either a person, four-

brained person (1534). and-twenty years of age, and of an
Hared. Hurried. infirm state of health, who is per-
Hare-sleep. Sham slumber, foxes' mitted to dine with the fellows, and
sleep (q.v.) (1696). to wear a plain, black, full-sleeved
Harking. Whispering on one side gown ; or, else, he is one who, having
to borrow money (B. E.). kept the terms by statute required
all
1. A sovereign see
Harlequin. :
previous to his law-act, is hoc ipso
Rhino. 2. (Winchester College), the facto entitled to wear the same gar-
wooden nucleus of a red indiarubber ment, and, thenceforth, ranks as
ball. 3. A patchwork quilt. Har- bachelor, by courtesy' (Gent. Mag.).
lequin china, sets composed of several Harum-scarum. 1. Giddy, care-

patterns and makes. less, wild, a thoughtless or reckless

215
 flair.

fellow (1740). 2. Four bones driven Hatch. To be under hatches, to be

in a line, suicide (q.v.). in a state of trouble, or de-
poverty,
Has-been. Anything antiquated :
pression also dead (1606).
:

spec, in commendation, aa the good Hatchet. 1. An ill-favoured

old Has-beens of. Never was. : woman. 2. A
bribe received by
Hash. 1. A mess ;
spec, in the Customs officers in New York for per-
phrase To make a hash of sixes- :
mitting imported dutiable goods to
ancl sevens (1747). 2. Clandestine remain on the wharf when they ought
preparation for supper after hours to go to the general store-house. To
(American cadets). 3. A sloven, bury (or dig up) the hatchet see Bury. :

blockhead (Burns). As verb, (1) to To throw (or sling) the hatchet, ( 1 ) to tell
spoil, jumble, cook up and serve lies, yarn, draw the long bow (q.v.) ;
again (2) to vomit
; also to flash : hence hatchet flinging (or throwing),
the hash (q.v.). To go back on one's lying or yarning (1789). To sulk.
hash, to turn, succumb, weaken (q.v.) Hatchet - faced. Hard - favoured,
Hash - house. A cheap eating- ugly (B. E.).
house, grubbing -crib (q.v.). Hatch, Match, and Dispatch
Haslar-hag. A nurse at Haslar Column. The births, marriages,
Hospital and announcements
deaths : also
Hastings. To be none of the Cradle, Altar, and Tomb Column.
Hastings sort, to be slow, deliberate, Hatchway. The mouth : see
slothful (1696). Potato-trap.
Hasty. Rash, passionate, quick to Hate -out. To boycott, send to
move (1696: now recognised). Hasty Coventry.
O., hasty generalisation (Cambridge). Hatfield. A drink : the chief in-
Hasty pudding. 1. A bastard. 2. gredients are gin and ginger-beer.
A muddy road, a quag (1811). Hatful. A large quantity, heap
Hat (Cambridge Univ.). 1. A (1859).
gentleman commoner (who is per- Hatpeg. The head: see Crumpet
mitted to wear a hat instead of the Hatter. A
gold-digger working
regulation mortar-board) : also Gold- alone. Who's your hatter f a catch-cry
Hatband prostitute of
(1628). 2. A long out of vogue. Mad as a hatter,
long standing. Phrases : To eat one's very mad.
hat (or head), generally in phrase, FU Hat-trick. Taking three wickets
eat my used in strong emphasis ;
hat, with three consecutive balls which :

to get a hatsee Hat-trick ; tb get into

: feat is held to entitle the bowler to a
the hat, to get into trouble ; to have a new hat at the cost of the club.
brick in one's hat, to be
top-heavy Hat- work. Hack work, such stuff
with drink see Screwed ; to hang up
: as may be turned out by the yard
one's hat see Hang to pass (or send)
:
; without reference to quality.
round the hat, to make a collection ; Haulable (University). Used of
to talk through one's hat, to rag, huff, a whose society authorities deem
girl
bluster ; all round my hat, a derisive undesirable for the men e.g. she's :

retort from a broadside ballad, popu- haulable, a man caught with her will be
lar c. 1830 All round my hat I wear a
:
proctorised.
green willow, All round my hat for a Haul-bowline. A seaman.
twelvemonth and a day, And if anyone Haul-devil. A clergyman, devil-
should ask you the reason why I wear dodger, sky-pilot. Haul devil, pull
it, Tell them my true love is gone far baker see DeviL
:

away sung to a tune adapted from a

; :Haut-boy (or Ho -boy). A
night
number in Zampa also, all over, com- :
scavenger, jakesman, gold finder
-

pletely, generally shoot that hat I &

; (q.v.).
derisive retort also Fll have your hat I
: Have. 1. A swindle, take-in
well, you can take my hat / Well, that (q.v.), do
(q.v.): see Sell. 2. In pi.,
beats me, i.e. that is past belief ; The moneyed classes, as opposed to
what a shocking bad hat, said to have the have-nots, their antipodes. 3.

originated with a candidate for (in pi.) (Winchester College). Half-

parliamentary honours, who made boots pronounced Haves. Is that
:

the remark to his poorer constituents a catch or a have ? a formula of ac-

and promised them new head-gear. knowledgment that the speaker has
216
 Havercake-lads. Head.

been had if the person addressed be

: service at the lowest grade, rise from
unwise enough to answer with a defini- the forecastle (1830).
tion, the dovetail is a vulgar retort. Hay. To make hay, to throw into
As verb, to cheat, take-in, do. To confusion, turn topsy-turvy, knock to
have (or take) it out of one, to punish, pieces in argument or single combat :
retaliate, extort a quid pro quo, give also to kick up a row. To dance the
tit for tat ; to have it out with one, to hay, to make good use of one's time.
speak freely in reproof, complete an Hay - bag. A woman :
Fr., pail-
explanation, settle a dispute with laisse.
either words or blows ; to have on, to Hay-band. A common cigar, a
secure a person's interest, attention, weed.
sympathy generally with a view to
:
Haymarket-hector. A prostitute's
deceiving him (or her) to have towards ; bully.
(or with or at), (1) to pledge in drink- Haymarket - ware. A common
ing, toast (1637) (2) to agree with ;
; prostitute.
to have on toast, (1) to take in; (2) Hay-pitcher (or Hay seed). A -
worst in argument to have on the ; countryman cf. Gape-seed (1851).
:

raws, to teaze, touch to the quick ; Hays An injunction to be gone,

!

to let one have it, to punish severely ; Git (q.v.).

to have up, to bring before the authori- Haze. Bewilderment, confusion,
ties ;
to summons (q.v.). fog (q.v.). As verb, (1) to play
Havercake-lads. The Thirty-third tricks or practical jokes, frolic hence :

Foot, now the first battalion of the Hazing also to mystify, fog (q.v.),
:

Duke of Wellington's (West Riding (2) To harass with overwork or paltry

Regiment). [From the circumstance orders : also to find fault (1840).
that its recruiting sergeants always Hazel-geld. To beat any one with
preceded their party with an oatcake a hazel-stick or plant (B. E.).
on their swords.] Hazy. Stupid with drink, mixed
Havey-cavey. Uncertain, doubtful, (q.v.) : see Screwed (1824).
shilly-shally (1811). He
(Charterhouse). A cake. A
Havil. A sheep, wool-bird (1811). young he, a small cake : see She.
H a v o c k. Devastation, waste Head. 1. A man-of-war's privy.
(B. E.). 2. The obverse of a coin or medal.
Hawcubite. A
roysterer, street Heads or tails ? Guess whether the coin
bully. [After the Restoration there spun will come down with head upper-
was a succession of these disturbers most or not (the side not bearing the
of the peace first came the Muns, then
:
sovereign's head has various devices :
followed the Tityre Tus, the Hectors, Britannia, George and the Dragon, a
the Scourers, the Nickers, the Haw- harp, the Royal arms, an inscription,
cubites, and after them the Mohawks etc. all included in the word tail, i.e.

(q.v.).] the reverse of head. The Romans said

Hawk. 1. A card-sharper, rook Heads or ships ?) (1680). 3. An
(q.v.) (1696). 2. Abailiff, constable :
arrangement of the hair, a coiffure
see Beak. As verb, To spit up the (1773). Phrases: To have at one's
thick phlegm, called oysters, whence it head, to cuckold (1640) to take one ;

is wit upon record to ask the person
so doing whether he has a license, a
punning allusion to the act of hawkers
and pedlars (Grose).
warning: look sharp! (1529).
Hawk-a-mouthed. Foul-mouthed.
in the head, to come into one's mind
(1609); to do on head, to act rashly
(1559); to do on one's head, to do
Ware hawk ! A easily and with joy ; to fly at the head,
to attack, go for (q.v.) (1614); to
eat one's head see Hat ; to eat one's
:

Hawker. A pedlar : now re- (or if a) head off, to cost more than the
cognised (1696). worth in keep (1703) ; to run on head,
Hawk-eye state. Iowa : after the to incite (1556) ; to give one's head (or
famous Indian chief. one's beard) for washing, to yield
Hawse. To fall athwart one's tamely and without resistance Fr., :

hawse, to obstruct, fall out with, laver la tele, to reprimand, admonish

counter and check. with point, energy, and force (1615);
Hawse-holes. To come (or creep) to put a head (or new head) on one, (1)
in through the hawse-holes, to enter the to change a man's aspect by punching
217
 Head. Heap.

his head : hence, to get the better sieve, to be unreliable, forgetful ;

of Bone's opponent, annihilate also
to put a new face on (2) to froth
malt liquors e.g. Put a head on it,
:
Miss, addressed to the barmaid, is a
request to work the engine briskly,
and make the liquor take on a cauli-
flower (q.v.) ; heads I win, tails you
lose, a gage of certainty In no case
can I fail I hold all the trumps ; to
: Head-bloke. See Head-screw.
get the head into chancery, to get the
other fighter's head under one arm
: heads out I a warning cry on the ap-
; proach of a master ; mutton-head (or
headed) : see Mutton-head ; fat (or
soft) in the head, stupid ; off one's head,
stupid, crazy ; shut your head, hold
your jaw.
Head-beetler. ( 1 ) A bully ; and (2)
a foreman, ganger (q.v.).
Head bully (or cully).
- Head
'

bully of the pass or passage bank, The

and hold it there hence Chancery, a
:
Top Tilter of the Gang, throughout
position of helplessness (1819); (2) the whole Army, who Demands and
hence to get, or be got, into a posture receives Contribution from all the
'
of absolute helplessness ; to knock on Pass Banks in the Army (B. E. and
the head, to Mil, destroy, put an end to ; Grose).
to get (or put) the head in a bag : see Head - cook and bottle - washer.
Bag ; to get (or have) a swelling in the 1. A general servant : in contempt.
(or a big-) head, to be or become con- 2. One in authority, boss (q.v.).
ceited, put on airs ; to hit the right nail Head -clerk. Head clerk of dox-
on the head, to speak or act with pre- ology works, a parson.
cision and directness, do the right Header. A notability, big- wig
thing : the colloquialism is common to (q.v. ). To take a header, ( 1 ) to plunge,
most languages the French say,
: or headforemost, into water
fall, :

Vous avez frappe au but (You have hit and (theatrical), to take an apparently
the mark) the Italians, Havete dato
; dangerous leap in sensational drama.
in brocca (You have hit the pitcher : Hence (2), to go straight and directly
alluding to a game where a pitcher for one's object (1856).
stood in the place of Aunt Sally, q.v.) : Head-fruit. Horns (1694).
the Latins, Rem acu tetigisti, (You Head-guard. A hat :
specifically a
have touched the thing with a billy-cock.
needle :
referring to the custom of Heading. A pillow, any rest for
probing sores) (1719); to argue (or the head. Heading 'em, tossing coins
talk) one's head off, to be extremely in gambling in allusion to the head
:

disputative or loquacious, to be all on the coin.

jaw (q.v.) ; to bundle out head (or neck) Head-marked. Horned. To know
and heels, to eject with violence ; to by head-mark, to know a cuckold by
have no head, (1) to lack ballast, be his horns.
crack-brained: hence, to have a head on, Head-rails. The teeth: see
to be cute, or alert, have sand (q.v.) ; Grinders (Grose).
(2) to be flat (of malt-liquors) ; to Head - robber. 1. A plagiarist.
have a head, to experience the after- 2. A butler.
effects of heavy drinking (cf. Mouth) ; Head-screw (or bloke). A chief
also to have a head-ache see Screwed : ; warder.
to give one his head, to give one full and Heady. 1. Heady, strong liquors
free play, let go to nave maggots in
; that immediately fly up into the
the head, to be crotchety, whimsical, noddle, and so quickly make drunk
freakish, have a bee in one's bonnet ; (B. E.). 2. Restive, full of arrogance
to hurt in the head, to cuckold, cornute ; and airs, opinionated.
to lie heads and tails, to sleep packed Heady-whop. A person with a very
sardine fashion, i.e. heads to head- large head.
rail and foot-rail alternately over ; Healtheries. The Health Exhibi-
head and ears (in work, love, debt, etc.) tion, held at South Kensington :
completely engrossed in, infatuated others of the series were nicknamed
with, to the fullest extent (1589); The Fisheries, The Colinderies, The
without head or tail, incoherent, neither Forestries, etc.
one thing nor the other e.g. I can't :
Heap. A large number, lots, a
make head or tail of it, I cannot make great deal (1371). As adv., a great
it out (1728); to have a head like a deal. AU of a heap, astonished, con-
218
 Heaped. Hedge.

fused, taken aback, flabbergast (q.v.); on (or ahead), to make haste, press
and (pugilists') doubled up (1593). forward.
Heaped. Hard put to it, Heaven. See Wheelbarrow.
floored (q.v.). Heavenly-collar (or lappel). A
Hear. To hear a bird sing, to receive collar or lappel that turns the wrong
private communication : in modern way.
parlance, A
little bird told me so Heaver. 1. The bosom, panter
(1598). (q.v.) (1696). 2. A person in love :

Hearing. A scolding, lecture, i.e. sighing, or making play with the

wigging. heaver. 3. A thief cf. Heave.
:

Hearing-cheats. The ears (1567). Heavy. See Heavy wet. As

English synonyms: drums, flappers, adj., large : e.g. a heavy amount, a
leathers, lugs (Scots'), taps, wattles. considerable sum of money. To
Heart. Next the heart, fasting come (or do) the heavy, to affect a
(1592). Other colloquial usages are vastly superior position, put on airs
at heart, in reality, truly, at bottom ; or frills (q.v.). The Heavies, the
for one's heart, for one's life ; in one's regiments of Household cavalry, 4th
heart of hearts, in the innermost re- and 5th Dragoon Guards, and 1st
cesses of oneself ; to break the heart of, and 2nd Dragoons from their equip- :

(a) to cause great grief, or to kill by ment and weight.

grief, and (&) to bring nearly to com-
-
Heavy Cavalry (or Dragoons).
pletion ; to find in one's heart, to be Bugs Light infantry, fleas also
: cf. :

willing ; to get or learn by heart, to Heavy horsemen, the Heavy troop,

commit to memory ; to have at heart, and the Heavies.
to feel strongly about ; to have in the Heavy-grog. Hard work.
heart, to design or to intend ; to lay Heavy-grubber. 1. A hearty eater,
or take to heart, to be concerned or glutton : cf. Stodger.
anxious about ; to set the heart at rest, .
Heavy-plodder. A stockbroker.
to tranquillize ; to set the heart on, to be :
Heavy- (or Howling-) swell. A
desirous of, to be fond of ; to take heart man or woman in the height of fashion,
of grace, to pluck up courage. spiff (q.v.).
Heartbreaker. A pendant curl, love Heavy-wet. 1. Malt liquor :
lock (q.v.) : Fr., crevecceur (1663). specificallyporter and stout : also
Heartburn. A bad cigar. Heavy: see Drinks (1821). 2. A
Heartsease. 1. A
twenty - shilling heavy drinking bout.
piece (B. E.). 2. Gin see Drinks
: Hebe. A
waiting maid, a bar-
(B. E.). maid, waitress (1603).
Hearty. Drink, drunk : see Drinks Hebrew. Gibberish, Greek (q.v.).
and Screwed. My hearty, a familiar To talk Hebrew, to talk nonsense,
address. gibberish (1705).
Hearty - choke. To have a hearty Hector. A
bully, blusterer (1659).
choke and caper sauce for breakfast, to As verb, to play the bully, bluster :
be hanged cf. Vegetable breakfast,
: also to play the Hector (1677). To
and see Ladder (Grose). wear Hector's cloak, to receive the
Heat. A bout, turn, trial by :
right reward
for treachery when :

thismeans the field is gradually re- Thomas Percy, Earl of Northumber-

duced cf. Handicap (1681).
: **', \ land, was routed in 1569, he hid him-
Heathen - philosopher. A sorry '
self in the house of Hector Armstrong,
poor tatter'd Fellow, whose Breech of Harlaw, who betrayed him for hire,
may be seen through his pocket- and prospered so ill thereafter that he
'
holes (B. E.). died a beggar by the roadside.
Heave. 1. An attempt to deceive Hectoring. Bullying, blustering.
or cajole ; a dead-heave, a flagrant Hedge. To secure oneself
1.

attempt. 2. In pi., an attack of in- against (or minimise) loss on a bet by

digestion or vomiting. As verb, (1) reversing on advantageous terms, To
to vomit ; (2) to rob : old English ; has get out (q.v.) : thus if a man backs A
survived, in Shropshire, as a pro- to win him 100 at 5 to 1, he will if
vincialism : e.g. the heler (hider) is possible hedge by laying (say) 3 to 1
as bad as the heaver, the receiver is to the amount of (say) 60 against
as bad as the thief (1567). To heave him ; he will then stand thus if A
219
 Hedge-bird. Heel-taps.

wins he gains on the first bet 100, tion ere

and loses on the second 60, leaving
a net gain of 40 if A loses he gets
; stipend for saying mass (1688).
on the first bet 20, and wins on the
second 20, thus clearing himself also,
as subs. ( 1616). 2. To elude a danger.
To die by the hedge, to die in poverty ;
to hang in the hedge, of a lawsuit or
anything else Depending, Undeter-
mined (B. E.) ; <u common as the
hedge (or highway), very common ;
by hedge or by crook : see Hook.
they left for the continental
colleges, so that they might receive the
Hedge - school. A school in the
; country parts of Ireland formerly
conducted in the open air, pending
the erection of a permanent building
to which the name was transferred.
Hence, hedge-schoolmaster.
Hedge-square. To doss (or snooze)
in Hedge-square (or street), to sleep in
the open air. English synonyms to :

Hedge - bird. A scoundrel, vaga- skipper it,

doss with the daisies, be
bond, vagrant (1614). under the blue blanket, put up at the
Hedge-bottom Attorney (or Gutter Hotel, do a star pitch.
Solicitor). A person who, being Hedge- tavern (or ale-house).
not admitted, or being uncertificated A jilting, sharping tavern, or blind
(or, it way be, admitted and certi- alehouse (B. E.).
ficated both, but struck off the rolls Heel. To bless the world with one's
for malpractices), sets
up in the name heels, to be hanged see Ladder ( 1566).
:

of a qualified man, and thus evades To cool (or kick) the heels, to wait
the penalties attaching to those who a long while at an appointed place
act as solicitors without being duly (1614). To lay by the heels, to confine,
qualified : all the business is done in fetter, jail (1601) ; to lift one's heels, to
another name, but the hedge-bottom lie down ; to turn (or topple) up the
is the real principal, the partner being heels (or toes), to die : see Hop the
only a dummy. twig ( 1592) ; to take to (or show) a
Hedge -
creeper. A
hedge-thief, pair of heels, to take flight, run
skulker under hedges, pitiful rascal away : see Burk (1593) ; his heels, the
(1594). knave of trumps at cribbage or all-

Hedge -
marriage wedding).
(or fours hence, two for his heels, two
:

An irregular marriage performed by a points scored (at cribbage) for turning

hedge- priest (q.v.), a marriage over up this card ; to tread upon (be at, or
the broom. upon) the heels, to follow close or hard
Hedge - note. Low writing : as after, pursue (1596) ; to go heels over
Dryden, They left these hedge-notes head, to turn a somersault, be hasty,
for another sort ofpoem. fall violently : also top over tail
Hedge - popping. Shooting small (1540) ; to have (or get) the heels of, to
birds about hedges. Whence, hedge- outrun, get an advantage (1748);
popper, a trumpery shooter ; and down (or out) at heel, slipshod, shabby,
hedge-game, small birds, as sparrows in decay (1605).
and tits. Heeled. Armed from the steel
:

Hedge -
priest
(or parson). A spur used in cock-fighting.
sham a blackguard or vaga-
cleric, Heeler. 1. A follower or hench-
bond parson, a couple beggar. As man of a politician or a party. 2.
Johnson notes, the use of Hedge in a A bar, or other loafer ; also any one
detrimental sense is common hedge- on the lookout for shady work. 3.
begot, hedge-born, hedge-brat, hedge- An accomplice in the pocket-book
found, hedge-docked, hedge - tavern racket (q.v.) : the heeler draws
(a low ale-house), hedge-square (q.v.), attention, by touching the victim's
hedge-reared, hedge-mustard, hedge- heels, to a pocket-book containing
writer (a Grub Street author), hedge- counterfeit money which has been
building, etc. Shakespeare uses the let drop by a companion, with a view
phrase hedge-born as the very opposite to inducing the victim to part with
of gentle-blooded (' 1 Henry VL,' iv. L). genuine coin for a division of the find.
Specifically, hedge-priest (in Ireland) 4. (Winchester College). A plunge, feet
is a cleric admitted to orders directly foremost, into water FT., chandeUe.\ :

from a hedge-school (q.v.) without Heel-taps. 1. Liquor in the bottom

having studied theology before May- : of a glass. Bumpers round and no
nooth, men were admitted to ordina- heel taps, fill full, and drain dry ! Fr.,

220
 Heifer. Hen-house.

musique (1795). 2. A dance peculiar Hellophone. The telephone from :

to London dustmen. Halloo !

Heifer. A woman ; old heifer Help. A hired assistant. Lady-

(in Western America), a term of en- help, a woman acting as a companion
dearment. and undertaking the lighter domestic
Heifer-paddock. A ladies' school. duties with or without wages (1824).
Heigh - ho. Stolen yarn : from So help (or s'elp or s'welp) me God
the expression used to apprise a fence (Bob, never, or say-so), an emphatic
that the speaker had stolen yarn to asseveration.
sell. Helpa. An apple.
Helbat. A table. Helpless. Drunk : see Screwed.
Hell. 1. Generic for a place of Hemp (or Hemp-seed, Stretch-
confinement, as hi some games hemp, Hemp-string, or Hempy).
(Sydney), or a cell in a prison speci- : 1. Arogue, candidate fit for the gal-
fically, a place under the Exchequer lows frequently used jocularly see
: :

Chamber, where the king's debtors crack-halter (q.v.) FT., graine de :

were confined ( 1593). 2. A workman's bagne. 2. A halter (1754); as verb,

receptacle for stolen or refuse pieces, to choke, strangle. To wag hemp in

as cloth, type, etc. ; one's eye (q.v.) ; the wind, to be hanged (1532).
also hell - hole and hell - box. Hell- Hempen-bridle. A ship's rope or
matter and battered
(printers') old rigging.
type (1589). 3. A
gambling house: Hempen Collar (candle, circle,
whence silver-hell, a gambling house cravat, croak, garter, necktie, or
where only silver is played for. Danc- habeas). The hangman's noose, a
ing-hell, an unchartered hall ; and so halter : also hemp, and the hearty-
forth (1823). Heaven, Hell, and Purga- choke (1530).
tory,three ale-houses formerly situ- Hempen Fever. To die of a
ated near Westminster Hall (1610); hempen fever, to be hanged : see
hell brokeextreme disorder,
loose, Ladder (Grose).
anarchy (1623); of a lark, goer,
hell Hempen-fortune. Bad luck : also
row, and so forth), very much of the gallows.
a ,
a popular intensitive ; all to Hempen-squincy. Hanging : see
hett (or gone to hell), utterly ruined ; Ladder (1646).
to hope (or wish) hell, to to desire Hempen-widow. A woman
intensely ; to play (or kick up) hell and widowed by the gallows (1696).
tommy, to ruin utterly also to play : Hen. 1. A woman specifically, a :

hett and break things, to raise hett, to wife or mistress (1811). 2. Drink
make heirs delight (1837) ; to lead money : see Hen drinking.
verb, As
apes in hett, to die an old maid from : to funk, turn tail ; to hen on, to fear
a popular superstition (1599) ; to give to attempt. Cock and hen club, club
hett, to trounce, abuse, punish severely: open to both sexes. Hens and
also (American), to make one smell chickens, pewter measures quarts
hell hett for leather, with the utmost
;
and pints cf. Cat and kittens
:
(1851).
energy and desperation ; like hett, Hen-drinking. A Yorkshire
desperately, with all one's might; go marriage-custom on the evening of :

to hett ! an emphatic dismissal ; hett the wedding day the young men of
and scissors I an ejaculation of sur- the village call upon the bridegroom
prise and ridicule. for a hen meaning money for re-
Hell-bender. A drunken frolic, freshments .... should the hen be
a tremendous row : also hell-a-popping refused, the inmates may expect some
and hett's delight. ugly trick to the house ere the festi-
Hell - broth. Bad liquor : see vities terminate.
Drinks. Hen Frigate. A
ship commanded
Hell-cat (hag, hound, kite, by the captain's wife cf. Hen-pecked :

etc.). A man or woman of hellish (Grose).

disposition, a lewdster of either sex : Hen-fruit. Eggs.
cf. Hallion (1606). Hen- Chicken-) hearted.
(or
Hell-driver. A coachman (1696). Timorous, cowardly (1529).
Hellite. A professional gambler Hen-house. A house under petti-
(Ducange). coat government (Grose).
221
 Hen-party. High-fly.

Hen-party (convention, or tea). Hie Jacet. A tombstone ; also

An assemblage of women for political a memorial inscription (1598).
or social purposes. Hick. A man ; specifically a
H e n-p e c k e d. Petticoat govern- countryman, a booby also (American :

ment, ruled by a woman (1696). thieves') hick-jo p and hicksam (1696).

Hen-snatcher. A chicken thief. Hickety - split. With all one's
Hens '-rights. Women's righto. might, at top speed, hammer and
Hen - toed. To turn the toes in tongs (q.v.), full chisel (q.v.).
walking, like a fowL Hickey. Drunk see Screwed. :

Here. Here's to you (at you, Hickory-shirt. A checked shirt,

unto you, now, or luck), an invitation cotton or wool
to drink, here's a health to you (1651). Hide. The human skin : once
Here's luck, I don't believe you. / literary, nowcolloquial or vulgar
am not here, I don't feel inclined to (1568). As verb, to flog, tan.
work, I wish to be left alone. Hidebound. Barren, intractable,
Here-and-Thereian. A rolling stone, niggardly, pedantic, utterly immov-
a person with no permanent address able (1606).
(Lex. Bal., 1811). Hiding. A
thrashing.
Hereford. White : Herefords Higgledy-piggledy. In confusion,
are white-faced. topsy - turvy, at sixes and sevens
Herefordshire- weed. An oak. (1598).
Her Majesty's Carriage. A High. 1. Drunk : see Screwed.
prison van, the King's 'bus see : 2. Stinking, gamey (q.v.) ; whence,
Black Maria: FT., omnibus A pegres. by implication, diseased, obscene in
Her Majesty's Tobacco pipe. intention and effect. The High and
The furnace where forfeited tobacco Dry, the High Church or Anglo-
from the Customs House was burnt : Catholic party in the Establishment,
now a thing of the past the tobacco: as opposed to the Low and Slow (q.v.),
being distributed to workhouses, etc. : or Evangelical section : cf. Broad
see Tobacco-pipe. and Shallow (1854). High and dry,
Herod. To out-Herod Herod, stranded, abandoned, irrecoverable ;
to out-do, specifically (theatrical) to high and mighty, arrogant, imperious,
excel in rant (1596). proud, on the high horse or the high
Herring. Neither fish, flesh, ropes (q.v.), full of side (q.v.) ; too high
fowl, nor good red herring, neither one for one's nut, out of one's reach, beyond
thing not the other (1682) ; to throw a one's capacity, over one's bend (q.v.) ;
sprat to catch a herring (or whole), to you cant get high enough, a derisive
forego an advantage in the hope of comment on any kind of failure ;

greater profit (1826) ; dead as a herring how is that for high ? what do you
(or shotten herring), quite dead : think of it T once a tag universal,
herrings die sooner on leaving the common wear now (1860).
water than most fish (1596); like High-bellied (or High in the belly).
herrings in a barrel, very crowded ; Pregnant also High-waisted.
:

the devil a barrel the better herring, all Highbinder. 1. A Chinese black-
alike, indistinguishable. mailer. 2. (political American). A
- thin
Herring gutted. Lanky, political conspirator (Norton).
1. A
(Grose). High-bloke. judge. 2. A
Herring -
pond. The sea speci- : well-dressed man, splawger (q.v.).
fically, the North Atlantip Ocean. To Highfalute. To use fine words,
be sent across the herring-pond, to be yarn (q.v.): FT.,faireCttroite. Whence
transported (1722). highfaluting, bombast, rant ; and as
Hertfordshire - kindness. An adj., bombastic, fustian, thrasonical
acknowledgment, or return, in kind, (1860).
of favours received : spec, drinking High-feather. In high feather, in
to him who has already toasted one. luck, on good terms with oneself and
Hewgag. The Hewgag, an undeter- the world.
minate, unknown, mythical creature. High-fly. To be on the high-fly,
Hiccius Doccius. A juggler ; also specifically, to practise the begging-
a shifty fellow or trickster (1676). As letter imposture, but (generally) to
adj., drunk. tramp the country as a beggar (1839).
222
 Highflyer. High-tide.

Highflyer. 1. Anything or any- High - kilted. Obscene or there-

body out of the common in opinion, abouts, full flavoured (q.v.).
pretension, attire, and so forth. 2. A Highland-bail. The right of the
dandy, male or female, of the first strongest, force majeure (1816).
water. 3. A fast coach (1690). 4. A High -
lawyer. A highwayman :

beggar with a certain style, begging- see Thief (1592).

letter writer, broken swell (1851). 5. High - liver. A
garrotter, thief
A swing fixed in rows in a frame much housed in an attic hence high-living,
:

in vogue at fairs. lodging in a garret (Lex. Bal. ).

High-flying. 1.
opinion, pretension, or conduct (1689).
2. Begging, the high-fly (q.v.), Stilling
(q.v.).
High-gag. A whisperer (Matsell).
The high gag, telling secrets (Matsell).
High-game. A mansion (thieves').
High - gig. In high gig, in good
fettle, lively.
High-go. A drinking bout, frolic.
High- heeled Shoes. To have
high-heeled shoes on, to set up as a
person of consequence, do the grand
Extravagance in High-men. Dice loaded to run
high: also, high-runners (1594).
High - nosed. Very proud in look
and hi fact, supercilious hi bearing
and speech, superior (q.v.).
High (or gay) old time (Game,
Liar, etc.). A general intensitive: e.g.
high old time, a very merry time
indeed ; high old liar, a liar of might ;
high old drunk, an uncommon booze
(q.v.).
High-pad (Toby, or High-Toby-
splice). 1. The highway also :

(q.v.). high-splice toby (1567). 2. high- A

High Horse. To go (or get) on wayman : also high - toby man (or
(or ride) the high horse, to give oneself -gloak). (1696). 3. Highway rob-
airs, stand on one's dignity, take bery (1819).
offence : Fr., monter sur ses grands High-pooped. Heavily buttocked.
chevaux : the simile is common to most High - rented. 1. Hot. 2. Very

languages (1716). well known to the police ; hot (q.v.).

High -
jinks. 1. An old game High-roller. A goer (q.v.), fast
variously played most frequently :
liver, heavy gambler, highflyer (q.v.).
dice were thrown by the company, High - ropes. To be on the high-
and those upon whom the lot fell were ropes, to be angry, excited also to :

obliged to assume and maintain for a put on airs, stand on one's dignity,
time a certain fictitious character, or to ride the high-horse (q.v.) (1811).
repeat a certain number of fescennine High-seasoned (or Highly-spiced).
verses in a particular order. If they Obscene : cf. Spicy.
departed from the characters assigned High- (or clouted-) shoon. A
.
they incurred forfeits, which were
. .
countryman, joskin (q.v.) (1696).
compounded for by swallowing an High-sniffing. Pretentious, super-
additional bumper (Guy Manner ing, cilious, very obviously better than
Note to ch. xxxii.) (1696). 2. A one's company, high-nosed (q.v.).
gambler at dice, who, having a strong High-stepper. An exemplar (male
head, drinks to intoxicate his adver- or female) of what is fashionable,
sary or pigeon. Under this head are swell (q.v.) also a person of spirit.
:

also classed those fellows who keep little Whence, high-stepping (or high-pac-
goes, take in insurances ; also, attend- ing), conspicuously elegant or gallant,
ants at the races, and at the E O in dress, speech, manner, conduct, any-
tables ; chaps always on the lookout thing.
to rob unwary countrymen at cards, High - stomached. Proud, dis-
etc. (Grose). 3. A frolic, row. To dainful, pot-valiant.
be at his high jinks, to be stilted and High-strikes. Hysterics (1838).
arrogant in manner, ride the high High-tea. Tea with meat, etc. :

horse (q.v.) : Fr., faire sa merde (or in Lancashire, bagging (q.v.).

sa poire). High-ti. A showy recitation
High-kicker. Specifically a dancer (American Williams Coll.)
: ; at Har-
whose speciality is the high kick vard, a squirt (q.v.).
or the porte d' armes ; whence, by meta- H i g h-t i d e (or water) . Rich for
phor, any desperate spreester (q.v.), the moment, the state of being flush
male or female. (q.v.) (1696). Up to high-water mark
223
 High-toby. Hittite.

in good condition : a general expres- Hip. To have (get, or catch) on

sion of approval. the hip, to have (or get) an advantage
High-toby. See High pad. ( 1591).

High-toned. Aristocratic also, ; H i p e. A throw over the hip.

morally and intellectually endowed, Hence, as verb, to get across the hip
beyond the common. High souled, before the throw.
Hip-hop. To skip or move on one
- toned
cultured, fashionable. High
nigger, a negro who has raised himself leg, hop a cant word framed by the
:

in social position. [Once literary ; reduplication of hop (Johnson) (1700).

now utterly discredited and never Hip - inside. An inner pocket
used, save in ignorance or derision. Hip-outside, an outer ditto.
Stokes, the maniac who shot Garfield, Hipped(or Hippish). Bored, melan-
described himself as a high-toned cholical,out of sorts (1710).
lawyer.] Hippen. A baby's napkin (i.e.
Highty-tighty (or Hoity-toity). A hipping cloth). Also (theatrical), the
wanton (1696). As adj., peremptory, green curtain.
waspish, quarrelsome. Hiren. 1. A prostitute: a cor-
High Wood. To live in high wood, ruption of Irene, the heroine in Poole's
to hide, dissemble of purpose, lie low, play (1584). 2. A sword: also a
keep quiet. roaring bully, fighting hector from :

Higulcion -
flips. An imaginary Irene, the Goddess of Peace, a lucus
ailment. a non lucendo.
Hike. To move about: also to Hishee - Hashee. See Soap-and-
carry arrest (1811).
off, bullion.
Hilding. A
jade, wanton, dis- His Nibs (or Nabs). See Nibs.
reputable slut (1593). Hiss. The hiss (Winchester Col-
Hill. Not worth a hill of beam, lege), the signal of a master's approach.
absolutely worthless. Historical- (Wrought-, or Illus-
Hills
(Winchester Coll.). 1. St. trated-) Shirt. A shirt or shift
Catharine's Hill. 2. (Cambridge Univ.) worked or woven with pictures or
The Gogmagog Hills a common morn- : texts (1596).
ing's ride (Gradus ad Cantab.). History of the Four Kings. See
Hilly. Difficult e.g. hilly reading, : Four Kings.
hard to read ; hilly going, not easy to Hit A success :
e.g. to make a hit,
do ; etc. to score, profit, excel (1602). As
Hilt. Loose in the hilt, unsteady, adj. (Old Bailey), convicted. Hard-
rocky (q.v.), lax in the bowels (1B39). hit,sore beset, hard-up (q.v.) : also
Hind-boot. The breech. deep in love (grief, or
anger). As
Hind-coachwheel. A five shilling verb, to arrive at, light on. To
Fr., roue de derriere, thune, or hit it, to attain an object,
piece :
light upon
palrt, a five franc piece : see Rhino. a device, guess a secret (1594) ; to hit
H i nd- 1 e g. To
kick out a hind off, to agree together, fit, describe
leg, to lout, make a
rustic bow. To with accuracy and precision (1857);
talk the hind leg off a horse (or dog) : to hit the flat, to go out on
the prairie
see Talk ; to sit upon one's hind legs (cowboy) ; to hit the pipe, to smoke
and howl, to bemoan one's fate, make opium ; one where he lives, to
to hit
a hullabaloo. touch in a tender part, hurt the
Hindoo. See Know -
nothing. feelings, touch on the raw (q.v.) ; hit
Hindoo punishment, more often called (or struck) with, taken, enamoured,
the muscle grind, a rather painful prepossessed also hit up with
: hit ;

exercise upon the bar, in which the in the teeth, to reproach, taunt, fling
arms are turned backward to embrace in one's face (1663).
the bar, and then brought forward Hitch. 1. To marry. Hitched,
upon the chest, in which position the married. 2. To agree also : to hitch

performer revolves. horses. To

hitch one's team to the
Hind - shifters. The feet : see fence, to settle down.
Creepers (1823). Hittite. A prize fighter. Eng-
Hinges. Off the hinges, in con- lish synonyms basher, bruiser, duke-
:

fusion, out of sorts, not quite the ster, fistite, knight of the fist, gem-
thing. man of the fancy, milling-cove, pug,
2-24
 Hive. Hodmandod.

icher, scrapper, slasher, slogger, Hob -

collingwood. The four of
jgger, sparring- bloke (1823). hearts considered an unlucky card.
:

Hive. To steal. To get hived, to Hob- jobber. A man or boy on

caught in a scrape : also to be the look-out for small jobs holding
idden. To be hived perfectly frigid, horses, carrying parcels, and the like.
ibe caught in flagrante delicto. Hob-nail. A countryman, joskin
Hivite. A
student of St. Bees' (1647).
amberland). Hobnailed. Boorish, clumsy, coarse,
Hoaky. By the hoaky, a popular ill-done (1599).
rm of adjuration. Hobson's-choice. That or none :
Hoax. A practical joke,
jest, i.e. there is no alternative popularly :

te-in : originally (Grose) University derived from the name of a Cam-

it. As verb, to play a practical bridge livery stable keeper, whose rule
, take-in, bite (q.v.). was that each customer must take
Hob (or Hobbinol). A clown (Grose). the horse next the door, or have no
Hob and Nob (or Hob Nob). horse at all.
To invite to drink, clink glasses Hock. 1. The last card in the
1756). 2. To give or take, to hit dealer's box at faro. Hence, from
miss at random (1577). 3. To be soda (q.v.) to hock, from beginning to
terms of close intimacy, consort end. 2. In pi., the feet. Curby
uniliarly together. hocks, clumsy foot see Creepers :

Hobbes's-voyage. A leap in the (Grose). Old hock, stale beer ; swipes

rk(1697). (q.v.). In hock, laid by the heels,
Hobbinol. Countryman, joskin fleeced, bested (q.v.); and (thieves'),
1663). in prison.
Hobble. In a hobble (or hobbled), Hock-dockies. Shoes : see Trotter-
trouble, hampered, puzzled also : cases (1789).
ieves'), committed for trial FT., :
Hockey. Drunk, especially on
ber dans la melasse (to come a stale beer : see Screwed.
ropper), and faitre (booked, q.v.). Hocus. 1. A
cheat, impostor :
lobbied upon the legs, transported or see Hocus-pocus (1654). 2. Drugged
the hulks (1777). liquor (1823). As adj., drunk: see
Hobbledehoy. A growing Screwed. As verb, (1) to cheat,
gawk as in the folk-rhyme, Hobble-
:
impose upon ; (2) to drug, snuff (q.v.)
dehoy, neither man nor boy. [For (1836).
derivation, see Notes and Queries, 1 S., Hocus-pocus. 1. juggler's A
v. 468, vii. 572; 4 S., ii. 297, viii. phrase hence a juggler's (or im-
:

451, ix. 47 ; 7 S., iv. 523, and v. 58.] postor's) stock in trade also Hocus- :

(1557). Hence Hobbledehoyish and trade (1639). 2. A trickster, juggler,

Hobbledehoyhood. impostor (1625). 3. A cheat, imposi-
Hobbledelee. pace be- A tion, juggler's trick (1713). As adj.,
tween a walk and a run, a jog-trot cheating, fraudulent (1715). As
(1811). verb, to cheat, trick.
Hobble r. coast-man A half Hod (or Brother Hod). brick- A
smuggler, half handyman ; an un- layer's labourer. Hod of mortar, a
licensed pilot also a landsman acting
:
pot of porter.
as tow-Jack (Smyth). Also (Isle of Hoddy-doddy (or Hoddie-doddie).
Man), a boatman. A short thick-set man or woman :
Hobby. 1. A hackney, a horse in see Forty -guts. Also a fool (1534).
common use (1606). 2. A translation. Hoddy-peak (or peke). A fool,
To ride hobbies, to use cribs (q.v.). cuckold (1529).
Sir Posthumous Hobby, one nice or Hodge. A farm labourer, rustic
whimsical in his clothes. (1589).
Hobby-horse. 1. A whim, fancy, Hodge-podge (or Hotch-potch).
favourite pursuit. Hence Hobby- A mixture, medley :
Sp., commis-
horsical, strongly attached to a par- trajo : see Hotch-potch ( 1553).
ticular fad (1759). 2. A rantipole Hodman. A scholar from West-
girl, wanton (1594). 3. A minster School
wench, admitted to Christ
witless,unmannerly lout (1609). As Church College, Oxford (1728).
verb, to romp. Hodmandod. 1. A snail in hia

225
 Hoe. Holborn HiU.

shell (Bacon): see Doddy (1663). 2. Hog-shearing. Much ado about

A Hottentot (1686). nothing, great cry and little wool
Hoe. To hoe in, to work with (1696).
rigour, swot (q.v.). To hoe one'* Hogs-Norton. To have been born at
own row, to do one's own work. Hard Hogs-Norton, to be ill-mannered( 1666).
row to hoe see Hard row. Hog-wash. 1. Bad
:
liquor ; speci-
Hoe-down. A negro dance, break- fically,rot-gut (q.v.). 2. Worthless
down (q.v.). newspaper matter, slush, swash, and
1. A shilling also a six-
Hog. : flub-dub (q.v.).
pence and (in America) a ten-cent
: Hoi Polloi. The candidates for
2. A foul-
piece: see Rhino (1686). ordinary degrees : from the Greek :

mouthed blackguard, dirty feeder : cf. Gulf.

also, a common glutton (1598). 3. Hoist. A
shop-lifter ; also a con-
(Cambridge Univ. obsolete), a : federate hoisting or helping a thief
student of St. John's also Johnian : to reach an open window. The hoist,
Hog see Crackle, Bridge of Grunts,
:
shop-lifting. To go upon the hoist, to
and Isthmus of Suez (1690). 4. A enter a house by an open window
yearling sheep (1796). 5. An inhabit- (Orose). As verb, (1) to shop-lift, rob
ant of Chicago that city being a :
by means of the hoist (q.v.) ; (2) to
notable pig-breeding and pork-packing run away see Bunk (3) to drink :
:
;

centre. 6. A Hampshireman (1770). e.g. Will you hoist ? will you have a
As verb, (1) to cheat, humbug, gam- liquor ? hoisting, drinking on ; the
mon (q.v.) ; (2) to cut short: e.g. to hoist, on the drunk also a hoist
: in.

hog a horse's mane. A hog in armour, To give a hoist, to do a bad turn.

a lout in fine clothes also a Jack-in- : Hoister. 1. A shop-lifter, hoist
office (q.v.) Hog-in-togs (in America),
:
(q.v.) : also a pickpocket. 2. A sot :
a well-dressed loafer (Grose). Hog and see Lushington.
hominy, plain fare, common doings Hoisting (or Hoist-lay). 1.
Shop-
(q.v.) pork and maize are the two
:
lifting, the hoist (q.v.) also shaking
:

cheapest food stuffs in the U.S.A.
To go the whole hog see Whole animal.
To bring one's hogs (or pigs) to a fine
market, to do well, make a good deal
(q.v.) also in sarcasm, the opposite
: he appeared in the field after being
(1696). To drive one's hogs (or pigs)
to market, to snore (1738).
Hog - age. The period between
boyhood and manhood cf. Hobble-
dehoy.
Hogan -
mogan.
General of the United Provinces were
officially addressed as High and
Mighty Lords, or in Dutch, Hoogmo-
genden hence English satirists called
;
them hogans - mogans, and applied
the phrase to Dutchmen in general.
Hog-grubber.
mean cuss (q.v.)
Hogmenay. New Year's Eve,
a man head downwards, so that his
:
money out of his pockets. 2. A
rolls
ludicrous ceremony, formerly per-
formed on every soldier the first time
married, as soon as the regiment, or
company, had grounded their arms,
to rest awhile ; three or four men of
: the same company to which the bride-
groom belonged, seized upon him, and
The States- putting a couple of bayonets out of
the two corners of his hat, to represent
horns, it was placed on his head, the
back part foremost, he was then
hoisted on the shoulders of two strong
fellows, and carried round the arms,
a drum and fife beating and playing
A
miser, niggard, the pioneers' call, named Bound-heads
(1696). and Cuckolds, but on this occasion
1. styled the Cuckold's March in passing :

which is a national festival the origin : the colours he was to take off his hat
of the term has been the subject of .... This in some regiments was
much discussion (1776). 2. Hence a practised by the officers on their
wanton the feast was celebrated with
: brethren (Orose).
much drink and not a little license. Hoit (or Hoyt). To be noisily or
Hogo. A flavour, aroma, relish. riotously inclined (1611).
Hence, in irony, and by corruption, a Hoity-toity. See Highty-tighty.
stink cf. Fogo
: from FT., haul gout :
Hokey-pokey. 1. A cheat, swindle,
(1569). nonsense from Hocus-pocus. 2.
: A
Hogshead. To couch a hogshead, to cheap ice-cream sold in the streets.
lie down to sleep (1567). Holborn HilL To ride back-
 Hold. Holy-land.

wards up Holborn Hill, to go to the to make a hole in one's reputation, to

gallows the way was thence to
:
betray, seduce ; to make a hole in the
Tyburn, criminals riding backwards silence, to make a noise, raise Cain
(Grose) (1614). (q.v.) ; too drunk to see a hole in a
Hold. To bet, wager see Do : ladder, very drunk see Screwed. :

you hold? infra (1534). Phrases: Hole-and-corner. Secret, under-

To hold on to, to apply oneself, be per- hand, out of the way e.g. hole-and- :

sistent generally, to hold on like grim

: corner work, shady business.
death; to hold up, (1) to rob on the Holiday. Unskilled, indifferent,
highway, bail or stick up (q.v.) also : careless (Grose). Blind man's holi-
as subs., a highwayman, road-agent day see ante. To have a holiday at
:

(q.v.) ; (2) to arrest : see ; to hold Nab Peckham, to go dinnerless. AU holi-

the stage, to have the chief place on the day at Peckham, no work and nothing
boards and the eye of an audience : to eat. To take a holiday, to be dis-
FT., avoir les planches to hold a candle ; missed, get the gag (q.v.), or sack
to (the devil, etc. ) see Devil ; to hold
:
(q.v.). a holiday, said of a
Gone for
a candle to, to vie with, be comparable flaw, lapse, or imperfection of any kind
to, assist in or condone ; to hold (or (as dropped stitches, lost buttons,
hang) on by the eyelids, eyelashes or eye- slurred painting, and so forth also :

brows, ( 1 ) to pursue an object desper- (Grose), any part of a ship's bottom

ately, insistupon a point, carry on a left uncovered in painting it, and
forlorn hope see Splash-board ; (2)
:
(Clark Russell) places left untarred on
said of a man aloft with nothing much shrouds, backstays, etc., during the
to lay hold of; to hold in hand, to operation of tarring them.
amuse, possess the attention of the Holler. To cry enough, give in,
mind, have in one's pocket; to hold the cave in (q.v.) (1847).
market, to buy stock and hold it to so H o 1 1 i s (Winchester College). A
large an extent that the price cannot small pebble (Notions).
decline ; do you hold ? have you money Hollow. Complete, certain, de-
to lend ? can you stand treat ? hold your cided as adv., completely, utterly
: :

horses, go easy, don't get excited a :

e.g. to beat or lick hollow (1759).
general injunction to calm in act and Holt. To take, take hold of.
speech hold your jaw, hold your
; Holus-bolus. The head also the :

tongue, stow your gab (q.v.) ; Hold neck. As

adv., belter skelter, alto-
hard (or on) wait a moment don't
! ! !
gether, first come first served.
be in a hurry (1761) to hold-stitch
!
;
:
Holy. More holy than righteous,
see Stitch ; to hold water see Water. : said of a person in rags, or of a tattered
Hold-out. An old-fashioned garment.
apparatus, in poker, for holding out Holy-boys. The Ninth Foot, now
desirable cards. the Norfolk Regiment from a trick of :

Hole. 1. A cell: cf. Hell, sense 1. selling bibles for drink in the Penin-
(1540). 2. A cock-robin shop, private sula.
rinting office where unlicensed books
:
Holy - father. A
butcher's boy
ere made (Moxori), (1683). 3. A of St. Patrick's market, Dublin, or
lifficulty, fix, hence (on the turf), to other Irish blackguard among whom ;

in a hole, to lose (a bet) or be de- the exclamation, or oath, by the Holy

ited (of horses) ( 1 760). 4. A place of Father (meaning the Pope), is common
ibode specifically, a mean habitation,
:
(Grose).
i
dirty lodging see Diggings. Phrases:
:
Holy Iron. See Holy Poker.
hole in one's coat, a flaw in one's Holy Joe. A pious person,
ae, weak spot in one's character. whether hypocritical or sincere : also
To pick a hole in one's coat, to find a nautical), a parson.
cause for censure ; to make (or burn) a Holy Jumping Mother of Moses.
le in one's pocket, said of money See Moses.
recklessly spent ; to make a hole in Holy - lamb. A thorough-paced
anything, to use up largely (1663) ; villain (Grose).
make a hole in the water, to commit Ho 1 y - 1 and (or G r o u n d). 1.
suicide by drowning ; to make a hole, to St. Giles's, Palestine (q.v.) (1819).
break, spoil, upset, interrupt ; to make 2. Generic for any neighbourhood
a hole in one's manners, to be rude; affected by Jews :
specifically, Bays-
227
 Holy Moses. Hook.

water, and Brighton : cf. New Jeru- Honest as the skin between the brows (or
salem, and Holy of Holies. horns), as honest as may be (1551).
Holy Moses. See Moses. Honest 1
Injun A
pledge of sincer-
Holy of Holies. 1. The Grand ity; honour bright (q.v.).
Hotel at Brighton which is largely:
Honey. 1. A good fellow. 2.
tenanted by Jews. 2. A private room ; Money : see Rhino. 3. A term of en-
a sanctum (q.v.). dearment. As verb, to cajole, ex-
Holy Poker (or Iron).
The maoe change endearments, deceive by soft
carried by an esquire bedel (of Law, words or promises (1596). To sell
Physic, or Divinity) as a badge of honey for a halfpenny, to rate at a vile
authority the term, which is applied
:
price (1592).
to the bedels themselves, is very often Honey-blobs. Large, ripe, yellow
used as an oath. gooseberries (1746).
Holy-water Sprinkler. A medi- Honeycomb. A sweetheart: a
eval weapon of offence ; a morning general term of endearment (1562).
star (q.v.). Honey-fogle (or fugle). To cheat,
Home. England. To get home, swindle, humbug see Gammon.
:

1. to achieve an
object, succeed per- Honour Bright !
Upon my honour
fectly, and (athletic) to reach the (1819).
winning post. 2. to get in (a blow) Hood. Two faces under one hood
with precision and effect, land (q.v.) :
(or double-dealing.
hat), To put a
also(old) to give a mortal wound (1559) bone in one's hood, to cuckold (1560).
3. To recover a loss, neither to win nor Hoodlum. A young rough of
lose, come out quits also, to bring : either sex : also (political), a low-
oneself home. To make oneself at home, class voter : originally Californian : cf.
to take one's ease, be familiar to the Arab.
point of ill-breeding. To come home Hoodman. A blind man, groper
to, to reach the conscience, touch (q.v.). As adj., blind; spec, drunk:
deeply. To go (send, or carry) home also hoodman blind, blind drunk : Fr.,
(or to one's last home), to die, kill, berlu and sans mirettes.
bury : the Chinese say, To go home Hoof. A foot see Creepers (1830).
:

horizontally : see Hop the twig (1598).
Home-bird. A hen-pecked hus-
band also a milksop : Fr., chauffe-
: see.
la-couche (warming-pan).
Home for lost dogs. large and
well-known medical school in London :
from the fact that the majority of its
inmates have strayed there from the
various hospital schools, as a last
resource toward taking a degree.
Home - rule. Irish whisky : see
As verb, to kick. Hence, to hoof out, to
eject, dismiss, discharge, decline to
To hoof it (to pad or beat the
hoof), to walk, tramp it, run away ;
A hence Hoof-padding (1596). To see
one's hoof in (a thing), to detect per-
sonal influence or interference in a
matter.
Hoof-padder. A pedestrian.
Hoofy. Splay, large.
Hook. 1. A finger see Fork. In :

Drinks. pi.,the hands also Hooks and Feelers

:

Homo. A man :
generally Omee (q.v.). 2. A thief (1562). 3. A catch,
(q.v.): from the Latin: see Cove. advantage, imposture. As verb, ( 1 ) to
Homoney. A woman, also a wife : rob, steal: specifically, to steal watches,
see Homo (1754). rings, etc., from a shop by cutting
Homo-opathise. To get bills (i.e. small hole in the window, and fish
petitions) through Legislature, Con- for such articles with a piece of st
gress, or City Council, by means of with a hook at the end (1615) ; (2)
bills (i.e. bank-bills). secure (as for marriage), marry.
Honest. 1. Chaste (1596). 2. intj. (Oxford Univ.), an exj
Not positively illegal : as honest penny implying doubt Phrases : On
or shilling, money earned by means hook, (1) on the thieve, on the
immoral (as by prostitution) but (q.v.); (2) on the hip (q.v.), at
within the law. To turn an honest advantage (1694) ; hook and eye,
penny, to make a profitable deal and arm ; to take (or sling) one's
( 1677). To mate an honest woman, to (or to hook it), to decamp, run ai
marry a mistress (1629). As honest see Bunk ; to drop (go, or pop) off i

man as when kings are out, knavish. hooks, (I) to die: see Hop the
 Hook and Snivey.
(1837) (2) to get married ; to hook
; him
on to attach oneself to, button-
to,
hole (q.v.), follow up; on one's own
hook, on one's own account (risk, or
responsibility), for one's own sake,
dependent on one's own resources (or
exertions) ; by hook or by crook, by
some means or other, by fair means
or foul, at all hazards : probably of
forestal origin (1298) ; with a hook at
the end, a reservation of assent, over
the left (q.v.), in a horn (q.v.) (1823)
off the hooks,out of temper, vexed,
disturbed, out of sorts Fr., sortir de
sea gonds, off the hinges
Nab the rust.
Hook and Snivey
vey). 1. An imposture: specifically
getting food on false pretences (1781).
2. An impostor as described in sense 1..
3. A contemptuous or sarcastic affir-
mation, accompanied by the gesture of
taking a sight (q.v.) or playing
hookey (q.v.). 4. A crook of thick
iron wire in a wooden handle, used
to undo the wooden bolts of doors
from without (1801).
Hooked. Over-reached,
trickt.
Hooker. 1.
angler (q.v.) also (modern) a watch-
: as a Cinderella (q.v.). Also (1579) the
stealer, dip (q.v.). 'These hokers or
Angglers, be peryllous and most
wicked knaues, .... they customably
carry with them a staffe of v. or vi.
foote long, in which, within one ynch
of the tope thereof, ys a lytle hole
bored through, [leaf 9] in which hole
they putte an yron hoke, and with
the same they wyll pluck vnto them
quickly any thing that they may
reche ther with' (Harman). 2. A
prostitute.
Hookey. To
play hookey, to play
truant,do Charley- wag (q.v.). To
do (or play) hookey (or hooky), to
apply the thumb and fingers to the
nose, take a sight (q.v.), coffee-mill
(q.v.).
Hookey Walker (or Walker !) ! knife and fork, to lose the number of
Be off go away ! also implying : one's mess, to mizzle, to pass in one's
doubt cf. With a hook. [Bee From
: :
John Walker, a hook - nosed spy,
whose reports were proved to be
cations.]
H o o k n g-c o w. A i
fight.
Hook-pole Lay. Pulling a man off
his horse by means of iron hooks at
the end of a long pole, and plundering
Hop.
(Smith, Lives of Highwaymen, III.
192, 1720).
Hook-shop. A brothel.
Hoop. 1. A ring. 2. See Bull-
finch. As verb, to beat. To well
hoop one's barrel, to thrash soundly,
tan (Grose). To hoop it (or go through
the hoop), (1) to pass the Insolvent
Debtor's Court ; to get hooped up,
whitewashed (q.v.) ; (2) to run away :
see Bunk.
; Hoop-stick. The arm.
Hoosier. A native of Indiana :
:
perhaps the most reasonable of several
(q.v.) : see ingenious explanations is, that in the
early days the customary challenge
(or Hookum Sni- or greeting in that region was, Who's
yer ? (who's here ?) pronounced
:
hoosier (Norton) (1843).
Hooter. 1. A steam-whistle,
American devil (q.v.). 2. A wooden
trumpet, so contrived as to make a
horrible noise. 3. A corruption of
iota: e.g. I don't care a hooter for
him.
Hooting-pudding. A plum-pudding
with such a paucity of plums that you
snapt, can hear them hooting after each
other (Slang, Jargon, and Cant).
A thief (q.v.), Hop. A dance generally informal,
:
motions of dancing. Hop - and - go-
kick, a lameter, hop-and-go-one cf. :
Dot-and-carry-one. To hop the wag,
to play truant, or Charley- wag (q.v.)
To hop (or jump) over the broom (or
broomstick), to live as husband and
wife, live (or go) tally (q.v.) (1811).
To hop the twig, ( 1) to leave, run away,
skedaddle (q.v.): see Bunk (1786);
(2) to die, kick the bucket (q.v.), to
peg out ( q. v. ) also to hop off. English
:
synonyms : to be content, to cock up
one's toes, to croak, to cut (or let go)
the painter, to cut one's stick, to give
in, to give up, to go to Davy Jones'
locker, to go off the liooks, to go under,
to go up, to kick the bucket, kickera-
boo (West Indian), to lay down one's
checks, to peg out, to put on a wooden
surtout, to be put to bed with a
fabri- shovel, to slip one's cable, to stick
one's spoon in the wall, to snuff it, to
cow showing take an earth bath, to take a ground
sweat. On the hop, (1) unawares,
at the nick of time, in flagrante delicto :
also on the h. o. p. ; (2) on the go, in
motion, unresting ; (3) See Hip. i
229
 Hopeful. Horsebreaker.

Hopeful (or Young Hopeful). A Hornswoggle. Nonsense, humbug

boy or young man in sarcasm or :
(q.v.): see Gammon. As verb, to
contempt (1856). humbug, delude, seduce.
Hop- (or Hap-) Harlot A coarse Horn-thumb. A pickpocket : from
coverlet cf. Wrap- rascal.
: the practice of wearing a sheath of
Hopkins (Hoppy, or Mr Hopkins). horn to* protect the thumb in cutting
A lameter see Dot- and -go -one -Giles
: out (1569).
(Qrose). Don't hurry, Hopkins I iron- Horrors. 1. Delirium tremens. Also
icalto persons slow to move or to low spirits, or the blues (q.v.). 2.
meet an obligation. Sausages see Chamber of horrors. 3.
:

Hop - merchant (or Hoppy). A Handcuffs see Darbies.:

dancing master, caper- merchant (q.v.). Horse. 1. A five- pound note see :

Also a fiddler (1696). Finnup. 2. Horsemonger Lane Gaol :

Hop-o'-my-thumb. A dwarf (1599).
English synonyms go-by-the-ground,
grub, grundy, Jack Sprat, little
breeches, shrimp, stump-ot-the-gutter,
torn-tit.
also the old horse. 3. A man, a term
: of high regard and esteem. As verb, ( 1 )
a workman horses it when he charges
for more in his week's work than he
has really done of course he has so
:

Hopper. The mouth : see Potato- much unprofitable work to get through
trap. To go a hopper, to go quickly. in the ensuing week, which is called
Hopper - Hipped. Large in the dead horse ; also (2) for one of two
breech also snaggy- boned
: : also as men who are engaged on precisely
subs. (1529). similar pieces of work to make extra-
Hopper-docker. A shoe : see ordinary exertions in order to work
Trotter-cases. down the other man this is some- :

Hop-picker. 1. A prostitute also : times done simply to see what kind

Hopping-wife. 2. In pi., the queens of of a workman a new man may be, but
all the four suits. often with the much less creditable
Hopping - Giles. A cripple : see motive of injuring a fellow workman
Dot-and-go-one (Qrose). in the estimation of an employer.
Hopping- Jesus. A lameter : see Phrases The gray mare is the better
:

Dot and-go-one. horse see Gray- mare ; horse foaled of

:

Hopping-mad. Very angry. an acorn, ( 1 ) the gallows see Nubbing- :

Hop-pole. A tall, slight person : cheat (1760); (2) the triangles or

male or female see Lamp- post. : crossed halberds under which soldiers
Horizontal Refreshment. Food were flogged old (or salt-) horse, salt
;

taken standing generally applied to a

; beef :also junk and salt-junk ; one-
mid-day snack at a bar. horse, comparatively small, insignifi-
Horn. 1. The nose also horney see : : cant, unimportant ( 1858) to be horsed, ;

Conk (1823). 2. A drink a dram of ; to be flogged (from the wooden-horse

spirit*: see Go (1849). Phrases: To used as a flogging-stool), to take on
draw in one's horns, to withdraw, one's back as for a flogging to fall away ;

retract, cool down (Qrose) ; to horn off, from a horseload to a cartload, ironically
to put on one side, shunt as a bull : of one considerably improved in flesh
or stag with their horns ; in a horn, a of a sudden ; to flag the dead horse see :

general qualification (implying re- Dead-horse and Horse ; to put the

fusal or disbelief), over the left (q.v.) ;
to come out of the little end of the horn,
to get the worst of a bargain, be
reduced in circumstances : also, to
make much ado about nothing : said
generally of vast endeavour ending
in failure :
through some unexpected
squeeze (q.v.) (1605).
Hornet. A disagreeable, cantanker-
ous person.
Hornie (or Horness). 1. A con-
stable or watchman also a sheriff. 2.
The devil : generally Auld Hornie
(q.v.).
cart before the horse, to begin at the
wrong end, set things hind-side before
(1696) ; to put the saddle on the right
horse, to apportion accurately (1696);
to ride on a horse with (or bayard of) ten
toes, to walk, use the marrowbone-
stage: cf. Shanks' s mare (1606); as
good as a shoulder of mutton to a sick
horse, utterly worthless (1596); as
itrong as a horse, very strong : a
general intensitive ; horse and horse,
: neck and neck, even.
Horsebreaker (or Pretty Horse-
breaker). A woman (. I860),
230
 Horse-buss. Hot-flannel.

hired to ride in the park ; hence a Horse "s-head. The boot-sole, heel,
riding demi-mondaine. and what is left of the front after the
Horse-buss. A loud-sounding kiss, back and part of the front have been
bite (q.v.) (Grose). used to fox (q.v.) other boots.
Horse -
capper
(coper, coser, Horse 's-meal. Meat without drink
courser, or chaunter). A dealer in (Grose).
worthless or faked horses originally : Horse - A twenty-
sovereign.
good English to cope, to barter : shilling piece with Pistrucci's effigies
see Chanter. Hence Horse-coping and of St. George and the Dragon.
Horse-duffing (1616). Hose. In my other hose, a quali-
Horse-collar. 1. An extremely long fication of refusal or disbelief, in a
and wide collar. 2. halter.ATo die horn (q.v.), over the left (q.v.) (1598).
in a horse's nightcap, to be hanged : see Hoss. See Horse.
Ladder. English synonyms :
anodyne Hoss-fly (or Old Hoss-fly). A
necklace, Bridport dagger, choker, familiar address see Horse. :

hempen cravat, hempen elixir, horse's Host. To reckon without one's

neckcloth, horse's necklace, neck- host, to blunder (1696). Mine host, a
squeezer, neck weed, squeezer, St. taverner.
Andrew's lace, Sir Tristram's knot, Hosteler. An oat-stealer (Grose).
tight cravat, Tyburn tiffany, Tyburn Hot (Winchester College). 1. A

tippet, widow. mellay at football ; and, 2. a crowd.

Horse-editor. A sporting editor. As adj., (1) of persons: sexually ex-
Horse-copy, sporting news. citable, lecherous of things (as books)
;

Horseflesh. See Dead horse and obscene, blue (q.v.), high -kilted
Horse. (q.v.) hot member, a male or female
;

Horse -
godmother. A strapping debauchee, a man or woman con-
masculine woman, virago :
Fr., femme temptuous of decorum ; hot as they
hommasse (Grose). make them, exceedingly amorous or
Horse-latitudes. A space in the reckless ; hot-blooded, lecherous : as (in
Atlantic, north of the trade -
winds, 'Merry Wives,' v. v.) the hot-blooded
where winds are baffling. gods assist me ; hot-house, a brothel
Horse-laugh. A loud, noisy laugh, (1383); (2) careless of decorum,
guffaw (1738). boisterous, utterly reckless, aban-
Horse - leech. 1. An extortioner, doned ; (3) well known to the police,
miser. 2. A horse - doctor ; also a dangerous, uncomfortable ; (4) violent,

quack (1594). sharp, severe, passionate; (5) alive,

Horse-marines. A
mythical corps, vehement, instant. As verb (Win-
very commonly cited in jokes and chester College), to crowd, mob. To
quizzies on the innocent. [The Jol- give (get, or catch) it hot, to thrash or
lies (q.v.) or Royal Marines, being reprove soundly, be severely beaten
ignorant of seamanship, have always or taken to task (1859). Like a cat
been the butt of blue- jackets.] Tell on hot bricks, uncomfortable, restive.
that to the marines (or horse-marines), Hot with, spirits with hot water and
the sailors won't believe it, a rejoinder sugar see Cider, and Cold without.
:

to an attempt at imposition or cred- Hot-beef. To give hot-beef, to cry

ulity often amplified with when
:
Stop thief also Beef (q.v.).
:

they're riding at anchor. Hot-cakes. To go off like hot cakes,

Horse - milliner. 1. A dandy to sell readily, be in good demand.
trooper (1778). 2. A saddler and Hot-foot. 1. Instant in pursuit.
harness-maker (1818). 2. Restless.
Horse-nails. see Rhino.
Money :
Hotch-potch. A medley, hodge-
To feed on horse-nails, to play so as not podge (q.v.) (1597).
to advance your own score so much Hot-coppers. The fever and parched
as to keep down your opponent's. throat, or mouth (q.v.), attending a
To knock into horse-nails, to knock to debauch see Cool one's Copper (1830).
:

pieces, be absolutely victorious. Hotel Barbering. Bilking.

Horse-nightcap. See Horse's-collar. Hotel warming-pan. A chamber-
Horse-protestant. A churchman. maid: also warming-pan (q.v.): Fr.,
Horse-sense. Sound and practical limogere.
judgment. '

Hot-flannel (or Flannel). Gin and

231
 Hot-Jtouse. HuWe-biWe.

beer, with nutmeg, sugar, etc., made comic endearment. Hence, too, House-
hot (1789). wifery and Housewife's tricks, wanton-
Hot-house. A brothel, stew (q.v.) MM (1408).
orig. a public bath (1596). Housey (Christ's Hospital). Belong-
Hot - place. Hell, a tropical ing to the Hospital.
climate. Housle (Winchester College). To
Hot-pot. Ale and brandy made hustle.
hot (Grose). Hoveller. A beach-thief.
Hot -potato. To drop like a hot How. How came you so? drunk: KG
potato, to abandon (a pursuit, a person, Screwed (1824). How much? What
a thing) with alacrity. do you say T What do you mean T
Hot-stomach. So hot a stomach as What price T a general request for
to burn the clothes off his back, said of explanations. How are you off for
one who pawns his clothes for drink soap, a street catch (1833). How the
(Lex. Bed.). blazes; see Blazes. How is that for
Hottentot. 1. A stranger (East high : see High. How's your poor
End). 2. A fool see Buffle. :
feet, a street catch : orig. a dovetail to
Hot - tiger. Hot-spiced ale and a gag. How'U you have it, an invita-
sherry. tion to drink : see Drinks. How we
Hot -water. To be in hot-water, to apples swim, (1) said in derision of a
be in trouble, in difficulties, worried parvenu, of a person in better com-
(1846). pany than he (or she) has any right
Hound (Ring's College, Cam- to keep, or of a pretender to honour or
bridge Univ.). 1. An undergraduate credit he (or she) does not deserve ;
not on the foundation, nearly the same also (2) what a good time we're having!
as a sizar. 2. A mean, contemptible Howard's Garbage. The Nineteenth
fellow, scoundrel, filthy sneak. Foot, now the Princess of Wales's
Hounslow-heath. The teeth see : Own (Yorkshire Regiment) : also
Grinders also Hampstead-beath.
: Green Howards.
Houri of Fleet Street. A pro- Howard's Greens. The Twenty-
stitute. fourth foot now the South Wales
:

House. An audience. To bring Borderers: from its facings and its

down the house, to elicit a general Colonel's name, 1717-37.
burst of applause : FT., avoir sa totd- How-do-you-do. A to-do, a kettle
ette boire du The House,
lait (1823). a pass (1835).
offish,
(1) The Stock Exchange; (2) The Howler. An unblushing falsehood,
House of Commons (3) Christ Church, ; enormous blunder, serious accident :

Oxford. House (or apartments) to let, and so forth. To come (or go) a
a widow (Lex. Bal.). Father of the howler, to come to grief, run amuck.
House, the oldest elected member of Howling. A general intensitive
the House of Commons. House that e.g. Howling swell, a man in the
Jack built, a prison see Cage. Like a
: extreme of fashion ; howling - lie, a
house on fire, quickly, with energy see :
gross falsehood ; howling-bags, trousers
Like. Safe as houses, perfectly safe. extravagant in cut or pattern ;
House -bit (or keeper, or piece). howling-cad, etc.
A servant-mistress. H oxter. 1. An inside pocket
House-dove. A stay-at-home. (1834). 2. (Royal Military Academy).
Household-brigade. To join the Extra drill :
corruption of extra : Fr. f
household brigade, to marry, get ML
spliced (q.v.). Hoys. See Hoist.
House of Civil Reception. A Hoyt. See Hoit
brothel : see Nanny-shop (Orose). Hub. 1. Boston also Hub of the :

House of Commons (or House of Universe; the description is Oliver

Office). A W.C. : see Mrs. Jones. Wendell Holmes' s since extended to
:

House - tailor. An upholsterer other centres or chief cities. 2. A

(1696). husband : see Hubby.
Housewife (Huswife, or Hussy). Hubble-bubble. 1. A confused noise
Primarily, a house keeper.
- Hence made by a talkative person, who
(a) a domestic servant (o) a wanton ; speaks so quick that it is difficult to
or a gad about wench ; and (c) a
- understand what he says or means
 Hubtte-de-shuff. Hum-box.

(Dyche). A
hubble-bubble fellow, a Huftie-tuftie. Swaggering, gallant
man of confused ideas, or one thick (1596).
of speech, whose words sound like Hug. Garrotting (q.v.): also verbally
water bubbling out of a bottle (Lex. and to put on the hug. To hug brown
Bal.). 2. A hookah, a pipe by which bess (q.v.) ; to hug the gunner's daugh-
the smoke ispassed through water ter, to cuddle a gun for punishment ;

(1811). to the ground, to fall, or be hit off

hug
Hubble-de-shuff. Confusedly. one's legs ; to give the hug (pugilists),
Hubbub. 1. A noise in the streets to close with and grapple the body ;
made by the rabble (B. E. 2. A noise, ).
to hug the shore (bank, or wall), to
riot, or disturbance (Grose). keep close to ; Cornish hug, a hold
Hubby (or Hub). A husband (1798). in wrestling ; to hug a belief (de-
Huck. To chaffer, bargain (1577). lusion, or thought), to cherish ; to
Huckleberry. Above one's huckle- hug one's chains, to delight in
berry (bend, or hook), beyond one's captivity.
ability, out of one's reach see Bend :
Hugger-mugger. Muddle, confu-
(1848). sion. As adj., closely or by stealth,
Huckle-my-but. Beer, egg, and under-board : To eat so, that is, to
brandy made hot (Grose). eat one's self (B. E.). As adj., con-
by
Huckster. 1. A retailer of small fused, disorderly, hap-hazard, hand-
goods, pedlar
(1696). 2. mean A to-mouth (q.v.). As verb, to meet by
trickster (1696). In huckster's hands, stealth, lay heads together. In hugger-
At a desperate pass, or condition, mugger, in secret (1565).
or in a fair way to be lost (B. E, ). Hugging. Garrotting (q.v.).
Hucksum (Huckle, Huckle-bone, Hugsome. Attractive.
or Huck-bone). The hip (1508).
'
Hulk (Hulky, or Hulking). A
Hue. The Cove was Hued in the fat person, a big lout generally,
:

Naskin, the Rogue was severely Lasht great hulk of a fellow ( 1 63 1 ). As verb,
inBridewel' (B. E.). to hang about, to Mooch (q.v.).
Huey. A town or village. Hull-cheese. Hull-cheese is much
'

Huff. 1. An outburst of temper, like a loafe out of a brewers basket,

peevishness, offence at some real or composed of two simples, mault
it is

imaginary wrong or Hence, slight. and water, in one compound, and is

to get (or take) the
huff, to fly into a cousin germane to the mightiest ale
passion (1599). 2. A bully, Hector in England' (John Taylor).
(q.v.), sharper also Captain Huff
: Hulverhead (Hulverheaded). A
(1569). 3. A dodge, trick. 4. A term fool : see Buffle.
in the game of draughts the penalty : 1. A kind of strong liquor :
Hum.
for not taking a piece. 5. (Winchester probably a mixture of beer and spirits,
College) see Huff-cap.
: As verb, (1) but also applied to old, mellow, and
to bluster, bounce, very strong beer also Hum-cap
swagger (1607) ; :

(2) to anger, cheek (q.v)., get angered (1616). 2. A

delusion, cheat,
trick,
(1708). As intj., an exclamation of a lie (1756). 3. A
church-goer. As
defiance : also Huffa and Huffa- verb, (1) to cheat, bamboozle, quiz
gallant ; the last probably the oldest (q.v. ) (1762) ; (2) to mumble. To hum
form of the word (1510). To stand and haw, to hesitate, raise objections
the huff, to stand the
reckoning (Lex. (1469). To make things hum, to
Bal.). Also huffy, easily offended ; force the pace, keep moving. To
huffed, annoyed ; huffily, testily, in a hum around, to call to account, call
tantrum. over the coals (q.v.).
Huff -cap (or Huff). 1. Strong Human. A human being.
ale from inducing people to set their
: Humber-keels. See Billy-boy.
caps in a bold and huffing style. Humble Pie. To eat humble pie, to
(Nares) (1579). 2. A swaggering bully, submit, apologise, knock under see :

Hector (q.v.) (1596). As adj., swag- Cave in.

gering, blustering, rousing (1597). Hum-box. 1. A pulpit (1725). Eng-
Huffer. A swaggerer. lish synonyms :
autem, cackle tub,
Huffle. To shift, hesitate, waver. clack loft, cowards' castle, gospel
Huff-snuff. A person apt to take mill (also a church), wood. 2. An
offence (1592). auctioneer's rostrum.
233
 Humbox Patterer. Hurly-burly.

Humbox Patterer. A parson, devil- bladder and string, and hurdy gurdy ;
dodger, sky-pilot. it isplayed on like a violin, which is
|^ Humbug. 1. A hoax, imposture, sometimes ludicrously called a hum-
swindle (1736). 2.
Deceit, pretence, strum sometimes instead of a bladder
;

affection. 3. A
cheat, impostor, pre- a tin canister is used (Grose).
tender : also (old), hummer (1783). As Hunch. To jostle, shove, squeeze
verb, to hoax, swindle, cajole (1751). (1696).
Hence, humbugging, hoaxing, swind- Hung. To be hung up, to come to a
ling humbugable, gullible ; humbug-
; standstill, be in a fix.

gery, deception, imposture ; humbug- Hungarian. 1. A hungry man, a

ger, cheat, hoaxer (1783). rare pecker (q.v.) (1608). 2. A free-
Humdrum. tiresome dullard,1. A booter.
steady - going, common place person Hunk. To be (or get) hunk or all hunk,
-

(1596). 2. Monotony, lameness, dull- (1) to hit a mark, achieve an object, be

ness (1823). 3. The same as humbug, safe. Also (2) to scheme from Dutch
:

(1596). 4. A wife; also a husband. honk, goal or home.

As adj., dull, tame, common - place, Hunker (or Old Hunker). In New
monotonous (1702). York (1844) a Conservative Democrat,
Humdurgeon. 1. An imaginary ill- as opposed to the Young Democracy or
ness (Grose). 2. Needless noise, ado Barn-burners (q.v.). Hence, an anti-
about nothing (1815). progressive in politics.
Humdurgeoned. Annoyed. Hunks. A miser, mean, sordid
Humguffin. A hobgoblin also a :
fellow,curmudgeon.
derisive address. Hunky. Good, jolly a general :

Humgumptious. A knowing sort of superlative also Hunkidorum.

:

humbug is humgumptious (Bee). Hunt. To decoy a pigeon (q.v.) to

Hummer. 1. Anything of magnitude the tables. Hence hunting, card-
or note (1696): spec. 2. a man or sharping, flat -catching (q.v.) (1696).
woman of notable parts, high stepper To hunt for soft spots, to make one-
(q.v.), good goer (q.v.) cf. Rustler. : self comfortable, seek one's ease. To
3. See Humbug. hunt grass, to be knocked down,
Humming. Strong applied to grassed (q.v.): also, to be puzzled,
drink ; brisk applied to trade ; hard dumfoundered. To hunt leather, to
applied to blows. Humming field at cricket To hunt the dummy,
October, the specially strong brew to steal pocket books. To hunt the
from the new season's hops, stingo squirrel, an amusement practised by
(q.v.) (1696). post boys and stage-coachmen, which
Hump. 1. To spoil, botch, do for. consists in following a one - horse
2. To shoulder and carry e.g. to :
chaise, and driving it before them,
hump one's swag, to shoulder one's passing close to it so as to brush the
kit. To hump oneself, to stir, prepare wheel, and by other means terrifying
for attack, fancy oneself (1847). To any woman or person that may be in
get (or hare.) the hump, to be despon- it a man whose turn comes for him
:

dent, hurt, put out, down in the to drink, before he has emptied his
mouth (q.v.) also to have the hump
: former glass, is said to be hunted
up (or on) (1599). (Grose). In (or out of) the hunt,
Humpey. A pile of buffalo robes. having a chance (or none) ; in (or out)
Humphrey. A coat with pocket holes of the swim (q.v.), admitted to (or
but no pockets (Mateett). To dine outside) a circle or society.
with Duke Humphrey see Dine, Sir : Hunt-about. 1. A prying gossip. 2.
Thomas Gresham, and Knights (1592). A street walker.
Humpty-dumpty. 1. A short and Hunt-counter. A beggar (1598).
thick-set person, grundy (q.v.), hunch- Hunters. Pitching the hunters, the
back see Forty-guts. 2. Ale boiled
: three sticks a penny, with snuff-boxes
with brandy (1696). As adj. and stuck upon sticks ; if you throw your
adv., short and thick, all of a heap, stick, and they fall out of the hole, you
all together. are entitled to what vou knock off
Hum-strum. A musical instrument (Lond. Lab.).
made of a mop-stick, a bladder, and Hurly-burly. A commotion, bustle,
some packthread, thence also called uproar (1509).
234
 Hurrays-nest. Image.

Hurra 's-nest. The utmost confu- Hustle. To bestir oneself, go to

sion, everything topsy -
turvy, sixes- work with vigour and energy : also to
and-sevens. hustle around.
Hurrah in Hell. Not to care a single Hustler. An active man or woman,
hurrah in hell, to be absolutely in- a hummer (q.v.), rustler (q.v.).
different. Hutch. A
place of residence or
Hurry. A quick passage on the employment, diggings (q.v.).
violin, or a roll on the drum, leading Hutter. See Hatter.
to a climax in the representation. Huxter. Money also Hoxter see : :

Hurry-durry. Rough, boisterous, Rhino.

impatient of counsel or control (1677). Huzzy (or Huzzie). A case: of
Hurrygraph. A hastily written needles, pins, scissors, bodkins, etc., a
letter. housewife's companion.
Husband's - boat. The Saturday Hypernese. A dialect of school crypt-
boat to Margate during the summer oepy. When spoken fast it defies an
season (1867). outsider's curiosity. If two consonants
Husband 's-tea. Weak- tea, water commence a syllable, the former ia
bewitched (q.v.). dropped, and W
substituted thus :

Hush. To kill (Grose). breeches would be wareechepes. If P

Hush -
money.Money paid for commences a syllable, G is interpolated:
silence, to quash a
case, or stay a wit- thus penny would be pegennepy ....
ness, a bribe, blackmail (1709). Bishop Wilkins described it, without
Hush-shop (or crib). An unlicensed mentioning it as a novelty, a couple of
tavern. centuries ago.
Husky (Winchester College). Goose- Hyphenated American. A natural-
berry fool with the husks in it obsolete : ised citizen, as German - Americans,
(Notions). As adj., stout, well built. Irish- Americans, and the like (Norton).
Husky-lour. A guinea : see Rhino Hypocrite. A pillow slip or
(1696). sham.
Hussy. A corruption of housewife Hyps (or Hypo). The blue devils
(q.v.). (q.v.) (1710).

Ice. A
big thing on ice, a profitable 111. Vicious, unpleasant, ill-tem-
venture, good thing ; also B.T.I. pered : cf. Religious. Also ill for,
Icken. Oak. Icken-baum, oak-tree : having a vicious propensity for any-
from the German (Matsdl). thing (Jamieson) cf. Neither is it ill
:

Ictus. A lawyer : see Green-bag. air only that makes an ill seat, but
[A corruption of juris consultas]. ill
ways, ill markets, and ill neigh-
Idea-pot (or box). The head: see bours (Bacon). To do ill to, to wrong
Crumpet (Grose). a woman.
Identical. Generally the identical, Illegitimate. 1. A counterfeit
the self-same person, point, argument, sovereign; young illegitimate, a half
or action (1664). sovereign (Bee). 2. A low grade coster-
I desire. A fire. monger. As adj., applied to steeple-
Ignoramus. A stupid and unlettered chasing or hurdle - racing, as distin-
person, male or female first applied to:
guished from work on the flat.
ignorant lawyers from Latin, we
: Ill-fortune. Ninepence : also the
ignore (it), the endorsement by which picture of til-luck (B. E. ).
a grand jury threw out a bill (1569). Illuminate. To interline with a
Ignoramus- jury. A Grand Jury. translation (1856).
(1696). Illustrated Clothes. See Historical
I k e
y. A Jew specifically a Jew
: Shirt.
fence (q.v.): a corruption of Isaac: I'm-afloat. 1. A
boat. 2. coat: see A
also Ikey Mo. As adj., smart, fly Capella.
(q.v.), knowing (q.v.). Image. An affectionate reproof :

He. See Oil. e.g. Come out you little image !

236
 Immense. Infant.

Immense. A general superlative : the plate, venereally infected. For

cf. Awful, Bloody, etc. (1771). all there's in it, to the utmost capacity
Immensikoff A fur-lined overcoat
. :
(of persons and things). To play
from the burden of a song, The Shore- one's hand for all it, to use
there's in
ditch Toff, sung (e. 1868) by the late fair means or foul to attain an object.
Arthur Lloyd, who described himself To get it in for one, to remember to one's
as Immensikoff, and wore an upper disadvantage. For combinations see
garment heavily trimmed with fur. Altitudes, Arms of Morpheus, Bad
Immortals.The Seventy-Sixth Foot: way, Blues, Bottom of the bag, Buff,
now the second battalion of the Duke Bunch, Cart, Click, Clover, Crack,
of Wellington's (West Riding Regi- Crook, Cups, Dead earnest, Difficulty,
ment). [Most of its men were wounded, Hole, Jiffy, Jug, Kish, Know, Laven-
but escaped being killed, in India in der, Limbo, Liquor, Lurch, Patter,
1806.] Also the Pigs, and The Old Pound, Print, Queer Street, Rags,
Seven and Sixpennies. Running, Shape, Shell, Skiffle, Slash,
Imp. A mischievous brat, a small State of Nature, Straw, String, Suds,
or minor devil originally a child.
: Sun, Swim, Tin-pot way, Town,
[Trench there are epitaphs extant
:
Twinkling, Water, Wind, Wrong box,
commencing, Here lies that noble imp ; etc.
and Lord Cromwell, writing to Henry In-and-out. The detail or intricacies
VIII., speaks of That noble imp your of a matter ; generally in pL, e.g. To
son.] 2. man A who gets up cases for know the ins-and-outa of a matter.
all
a devil (q.v.). As adv., unequal, variable : ap-
Imperence. Impertinence, impud- plied to the performances of a horse
ence, cheek (q.v.)- Also, inferentially, which runs well one day, and on
an impudent person ; e.g. What's another not.
your imperence about (1766). T Inch. To encroach, move slowly
Imperial. A tuft of hair worn on the (1696).
lower Up. [It was introduced by the Incog. 1. Unknown, in disguise :

Emperor Napoleon IIL] See Goatee. also as subs. [An abbreviation of

Implement (old). A Tool, a Pro- incognito.] (1696). 2. Drunk: i.e.
perty, or Fool easily engaged in any disguised in liquor : see Screwed
(tho' difficult or Dangerous) Enter- (1823).
prise (B. E.). Incognita. A high-class prostitute,
Importance. wife : also com- A anonyma (q.v.).
fortable importance (q.v.) (1647). Incumbrance. In pi., children.
- taker.
Impost gambler's and A Indentures. To make
indentures,
blackleg's money-lender, sixty-per- to stagger with drink (1622).
cent, (q.v.) (1696). Indescribables. Trousers : see Kicks
Improvement. That part of a (1835).
sermon which enforces and applies to Index. The face, dial (q.v.), phiz
everyday life the doctrine previously (q.v.).
Bet forth, the application. Indian. To prowl about, live like
Impure. A
wanton (1511). an Indian.
In. A person in, or holding an Indian-gift. An inadequate return or
office ; specifically (in politics), a exchange, a sprat for a whale. Indian
member of the party in office : cf. Out giver, one who takes back a gift.
(1768). As adv., various: cricketers, India-wipe. A silk handkerchief
at the wickets ; general, in season ; (Grose).
also, on an equality with, sharing, or Indies. See Black Indies.
intimate with, or fashionable ; poli- Indispensable s. Trousers: see
tical, in office thieves', in prison ; or
; Kicks.
quodded (q.v.). To be in (or in it) Indorse. To cudgel, lay cane on
with one, ( 1) to be even with, on guard Abel (Grose).
against ; (2) to be on intimate terms Ineffable. In pi., trousers; see
(or in partnership) with, in the swim Kicks.
(q.v.). To be in for it, (1) to be in Inexplicables. Trousers see Kicks. :

trouble ; generally to be certain to Inexpressibles. Trousers see Kicks :

receive, suffer, or do (something) (1790).

(1668) ; (2) To be with child. In for Infant See Woolwich Infant
236
 Infantry. Interloper.

Infantry. Children Fr., entrer dans

: Innocent. 1. A simpleton, idiot
rinfanterie, to fall with child (1623). (1598) : see Buffle. 2. A corpse,
Light infantry, fleas : cf. Heavy stiff (q.v.). 3. A convict. The mur-
dragoons. der (slaughter, or massacre) of the
Infare (or Infair). An installation innocents, the abandonment, towards
with ceremony and rejoicing : house- the end of a session, of measures
warming : more particularly an enter- whether introduced by the Govern-
tainment given by a newly married ment or by private members, when
couple on their return from the honey- they would have no chance of passing
moon (1375). (1859).
Inferior (Winchester College). Innominables. Breeches, trousers,
Any member of the School not a inexpressibles : see Kicks.
Praefect (q.v.). Inside. A passenger riding inside a
Infernal. An intensitive : detest- vehicle : see Outside (1816). As adj.
able, fit only for hell : cf. Awful, and adv., trustworthy, pertinent, in
Bloody (1602). touch with, bottom (q.v.). To know
Infra -
(Winchester College).
dig the inside of be well
everything, to
Scornful, proud e.g. He sported infra-
: informed. Inside of, within the limit,
dig duck, or I am infra-dig to it. in less time than. To take the inside
Ingle. An intimate, dear friend. out of (a glass, a book, etc.), to empty,
As verb, to caress, to make much of gut (q.v.) (1843). To be on (or to
(1599). have) the inside track, to be on the safe
Ingler. A fraudulent horse-dealer side, at a point of vantage, or (of a
(1825). subject) to understand thoroughly.
Ingotted. Rich, warm (q.v.), well- Inside and outside ! toast. A
ballasted (q.v.). Insider. 1. One in the know
Iniquity Office. Aregistry office. (q.v.). 2. One who has some special
Ingun. To get upon one's ingun, to advantage, as in a business enter-
get angry, turn savage. prise.
Ink. To sling ink, to make a Inside-lining. Food.
business of writing : see Ink-slinger. Inside-squatter. settler within the A
Inkhorn (or Ink-pot). Pedantic, bounds of civilisation : see Outside
dry, smelling of the lamp (1579). Squatter.
Inkle. To warn, give notice, hint Inspector of Pavements. 1. A
at, disclose (1340). man in the pillory (1821). 2. A man
Inkle-weaver. A close companion, out of work also inspector of public
:

chum (q.v.) (1725). buildings : Fr., Inspecteur de monu-

Ink-slinger (Inkspiller, or Ink- ments publiques.
waster). 1. A journalist, author, Inspire. To impart a tone, pos-
brother of the quill (q.v.) generally in :
sibly official, to the subject matter of
contempt of a raw hand :
Fr., marchand a newspaper or magazine article.
de lignes, Inspired. 1. Drunk: see Screwed.
Ink-slinging. Writing for the press : 2. See Inspire.
Fr., scribouillage, Institution. practice, idea, in-A
Inky. Used evasively e.g. of a :
vention, established custom or usage
question to which a direct answer is (1851).
undesirable or inconvenient. Int. A sharper (1621).
Inlaid (or Well-inlaid). In easy Intense. Serious, soulful, aesthetic
circumstances, with well-lined pockets, (q.v.) yearnest (q.v.).
;

warm (q.v.) (1696). Intimate. A shirt.

Innards. The stomach : also In- Interesting condition (or situation).
wards (1602). To fill one's innards, To be in a, to be with child (1748).
to eat. Interfere. maltreat. To
Inner-man. The
appetite. Interloper. An
unlicensed trader,
Innings. A
turn, spell, chance :
smuggler, one who interferes, or inter-
from cricket (1836). To have a good cepts unwarrantably. Also, Hangers
innings, to be fortunate : especially on, retainers to, or dependers upon
in money matters. To have a long other folks ; also Medlers and Busy-
innings, to die in the fulness of bodies, intruders into other Men's
years. Professions, and those that intercept
237
 It.

the trade of a Company, being not or prison windows (Grote). To have

'

legally authorised (B. E.). many irons in the fire (or on the anvil),
Into. To be into a man, to pitch to carry out many projects at the
into him, fight him. As prep., short same time, especially schemes for
of, wanting :
e.g. I thought I did making money (1593).
pretty well delivering all the load into Ironbark. See Ironclad.
one box (i.e. all but one box). Iron-bound. 1. Laced with metal.
Invite. An
invitation (1615). Iron-bound hat, a silver laced hat
Inward. 1. An
intimate (1603). 2. (Grose). 2. A hard-baked pie.
In pL, see Innards. Ironclad. 1. A paragon : as a
Irish.Irish whisky, Fenian (q.v.). severely chaste girl, popular play,
To get one's Irish up, to get angry : song, horse, etc. 2. An iron-cased
also to get one's dutch (or, in America, watch. As adj., strong, hard, un-
Indian) up. As adj., an epithet of yielding: also Ironbark (q.v.).
contempt and derogation as, Irish- : Iron-cow. See Cow.
arms (or legs), thick legs. No Irish Iron-doublet. 1. A prison see :

need apply, phr. (American). You're Cage. 2. Innocence.

not wanted, Git (q.v.). You're ! Iron-horse. 1. A locomotive. 2.
Irish, said of any one talking un- A tricycle or bicycle.
intelligibly. Ironmonger 's-shop. To keep an
Irish-apricot (apple, or lemon). ironmonger's shop by the side of a
A potato see Murphy (Grose).
:
common, where the sheriff sets one up,
Irish-assurance. A bold, forward to be hanged in chains : see Ladder
behaviour ; it is said a dipping in (Grose).
the Shannon annihilates bashfulness Iron-rations. Tinned meat :
speci-
fically boiled salt beef see
-
(Grose). :
Bully-
Irish-beauty. A woman with two beef.
black eyes (Grose). Iron-toothpick. A sword, poker
Irish-evidence. A false witness (q.v.).
(Grose). Irrigate. To drink, liquor up : also
Irishman 's-dinner. A fast. to irrigate one's canal (1708).
Irishman 's-harvest The orange Isabella. An umbrella, mushroom
season. (q.v.).
Irishman's -hurricane. A dead Island. To drink out of the island,
calm. 1
he drank out of the bottle till he saw
Irishman's - reef. The head of a the island : the island
the rising is
sail tied up (Clark Sussell). bottom of a wine bottle, which ap-
Irish-pennants. Fag ends of rope, pears like an island in the centre,
rope-yarns, etc. before the bottle is quite empty.' (Lex.
Irish-rifle. A small tooth-comb. Bal.).
Irish-rise (or promotion). re- A Island of Bermuda. See Bermudas.
duction in position or pay. Isle-of-fling. A coat : see Capella.
-
Irish theatre. guard room or A Issues. To pool one's issues, to
lock-up in barracks Fr., maison de : work in unison, come to an under-
campagne. standing for mutual advantage.
Irish-toyle. The Twelfth Order of
'
Isthmus-of-Suez. The bridge at St
Canters Rogues carrying Finns.
also
: John's College, Cambridge, leading
Points, Laces, and such like Wares, from the grounds to one of the Courts
and under pretence of selling them, familiarly known as the Bridge of
commit Thefts and Robberies' (B. E.), Sighs also The Bridge of Grunts.
:

Irish-wedding. The emptying of a [From its slight similarity to the

cesspool : see Goldfinder. To have Venetian example Sues, swine, in
danced at an Irish wedding, to have punning reference to the John! an
got two black eyes. hogs (q.v.) see Crackle and Hog.
:

Iron. 1. Money): see Rhino (Grose). I subscribe. A response to an invita-

2. Courage. 3. In pL, fetters see : tion to drink : see Drinks.
Darbies. As verb, to flatter (1823). I suppose. The nose see Conk. :

Bad iron, failure, misadventure, bad It A chamber-pot. English syno-

luck. To polish the king's iron with nyms: bishop, chantie (Scots'), jerry,
one's eyebrow, to look out of grated Jordan, jerker, jockum-gage, lagging-
23S
 Itchland. Jack.

gage, looking glass, member - mug,

- Billiard balls. To flash the ivories,
mingo, piss-pot, po, smoker, smoke- (1) to show the teeth (Grose)
; (2), to
spell, tea-voider, thunder-mug, twiss. be or anatomised after
dissected
Itchland (or Scratchland). 1. execution, the skeleton being taken
Wales (B. E. 1690) 2. Scotland (New
; to the College of Surgeons ; prison,
Cant Diet.). Itchlander, a Scot. (3) to be hanged. To sluice (wash
Itching-palm. See Palm. or rince) one's ivories, to drink see :

Item. A hint, piece of news (in : Lush.

gaming) a signal from a confederate ; Ivory-box. The mouth : see Po-
(American journalist) a paragraph of tato-trap.
news (thieves') a warning (1650).
; Ivory-Carpenter. A dentist, snag-
Ivories. 1. The teeth : see Grind- catcher (q.v.).
ers (1782). 2. Dice: also (cards') Ivory-thumper (or Spanker). A
checks and counters. English syno- pianist.
nyms (for both genuine and false Ivy-bush. Like an owl in an ivy
pieces), bones, cogs, fulhams, devil's bush, a simile for a meagre, or weazle-
teeth, devil's bones, gourds, rattlers, faced man, with a large wig, or very
tats, high men, low men, uphills. 3. bushy hair (Grose).

Jab (or Job). A

prod, poke, stab. As the Jack, to act the fool (or goat, q.v.) ;

verb, to handle harshly, hustle, prod, Cheap Jack, a peddling tradesman ;

poke, stab (with a pointed weapon). Jack- fool (Chaucer), a thundering
Jabber. Chatter, incoherent or idiot Jack- friar, a hedge-priest (q.v.) ;
;

inarticulate and unintelligible speech Jack-slave, a vulgarian ; Jack-brag, a

(as a foreign language heard by one boaster Jack-snip, a botching tailor ;
;

ignorant of it) (1706). As verb, to Jack-straw, a low-born rebel ; Jack-

Talk thick and fast, as great Praters
do, or to Chatter, like a Magpye (B. E.)
(1548) to speak a foreign language
; fellow ; Jack-in-the-box, the sacrament ;
(Grose). Hence, jabberer, one who
jabbers jabbering, nonsense, indistinct
; 9.
and rapid speech, patter
jabberment ; jabberingly,
nonsensically.
Jabbernowl. See Jobbernowl.
Jabers (or Jabez). Be (orby) jabers
(or jabez), an oath (1821).
Jack. 1. A farthing also (Ameri- ;
can thieves'), a small coin (1690). 2.
The small bowl aimed at in the game of
bowls (1605). 3. A contrivance to
assist a person in taking off his boots,
a bootjack (1696). 4. The knave in
any of the four suits in a pack of cards
Fr., galuchet, larbin savonne, mistigris
(1662). 5. A post-chaise (Grose). 6.
A pitcher varying in capacity (gener-
ally made of leather), blackjack (q.v.)
(1592). 7. A Jacobite. 8. term of
contempt. [The usage is common in
most modern languages
Jean-guetre, peasant, Jean-bete, cab-
bage-head, Jean-fesse or Jean-foutre,
scamp; It., Gianni, whence Zany Sp.,
Juan, as 6060 Juan, foolish John.
See also many combinations To play
sprat, a mannikin ; skip-jack, an up-
start ; Jack-at-warts, a little conceited
Jack-upaland (Chaucer), a peasant.
A counter resembling in size and
(q.v.) ; also appearance a sovereign ; also Half-
indistinctly, jacks. [They are all made in Birm-
ingham, and are of the size and
colour of the genuine sovereigns and
half - sovereigns .... Each presents
a profile of the Queen ; but instead of
the superscription Victoria Dei Gratia
of the true sovereign, the jack has
Victoria Regina. On the reverse, in
the place of the Britanniarum Regina
Fid. Def. surrounding the royal arms
and crowns is a device (intended for
: an imitation of St. George and the
Dragon) representing a soldier on
horseback horse having three
the
legs elevated from the ground, while
a drawn sword fills the right hand of
A the equestrian, and a crown adorns
his head. The superscription is, To
:
e.g. Fr., Hanover, and the rider seems to be
sociably accompanied by a dragon.
Round the Queen's head on the half
; jack is Victoria, Queen of Great
Britain, and on the reverse the Prince
of Wales's feather, with the legend
 Jack. Jacket.

The Prince of Wales' s Model Hall Jack-oj -all-trades, one who can (or
Sovereign.] 10. (a) A sailor also :
pretends to be able to) turn his hand
Jack-tar, English-jack, and Spanish- to any business now usually in con- :

jack ; (b) an attendant at a boat- tempt, as Jack - of - all - trades and

house; also Jack-in-the- water (q.v.) master of none (1633); Jack-of-legs,
(1788). 11. A stranger. 12. A male (1) an extra tall man, lamp- post
sweetheart: cf. GUI (1500). 13. The (q.v.); (2) a large clasp knife: see
Union Jack, the rag (q.v.) (1662). Jocteleg ; Jack-on-both-siaes, a neutral;
14. Aseal: see Jark. 16. police- A also one who hunts with the hounds
man see Copper.
: 16. See Jakes. 17. and runs with the hare, a fence-
A male : as in the compounds jack- rider (q.v.) (1594) ; Jack-out-of-doors, a
hare, crow,
jack
-
jack ass, jack- vagrant (1634); Jack-out-of -office, a
rabbit, etc. (1563). 18. An ape. 19. discharged official : in derision (1592) ;
A peasant (1513). As verb, (1) to Jack-the-painter, a much adulterated
brand an unmarked yearling or green tea used in the bush ; Jack-the-
maverick (q.v.). (2) to run away ; slipper, the treadmill, wheel of life
quickly see Bunk.
: Phrases To :
(q.v.); to jack the interim, to be re-
lay on the jack, to thrash soundly, manded ; to jack up, to clinch, abandon,
scold in good round terms, baste, chuck (q.v.); jacked-up, ruined, done
tan (1557); to make one's jack, to for.
succeed, gain one's point from the :
Jack Adams. A fool : see Buffle
game of faro ; to be coppered on the (1696).
jack, to fail, lose one's point from the :
Jack-a-dandy. 1. A little fop, cox-
game of faro ; to play the jack, to play comb, dandiprat also Jack
(q.v.):
the rogue (1609); to be upon their Dandy (1632). 2.
Brandy.
jacks, to have an advantage ; every Jack - a -
green. See Jack-in-the-
man jack (or every jack-rag), every green, under Jack.
one without exception (1845); Jack- Jack -a- lent. (1) A dapperling,
at-a-pinch, a person an employed in dwarf and (2) a simpleton
; also :

emergency, stop-gap; specifically, a Jack-o'-lent (1596).

clergyman who has no cure, but on Jackanapes. An absurd fop, whip-
occasion officiates for a fee cf. :
per-snapper a general term of re-
:

Guinea-pig (1696) ; Jack-in-a (or-the)- proach. Jackanapes - coat, a dandy-

box,(\) a sharper, cheat; (2) a child's coat (Pepys). [Originally, no doubt,
toy, consisting of a box out of which, a gaudy-suited and performing ape
on raising the lid, a figure springs (the word is still good Scots for a
(1570); (3) a game in which some monkey ; cf. Scott, Redgauntlet) ; and,
article, of more or less value, is placed hence, by implication, anybody at
on the top of a stick standing in a once ugly (or diminutive), showy, and
hole, and thrown at with sticks if the :
impudent. Also a Jack-of-apes was a
article be hit so as to fall clear of the man who exhibited performing apes]
hole, the thrower takes it ; (4) a small (1529).
but powerful kind of screw, used by Jackaroo. A fresh arrival from
burglars to open safes (1848) ; (5) see England, new chum (q.v.).
Jack-in-the- cellar ; (6) a street-pedlar Jackass. A stupid ignoramus see :

(1696); (7) the sacrament; Jack-in Buffle. Also Jackassism, stupidity.

an over-bearing petty official,
office, Jackass - Frigate. A small slow-
upstart, Jack - in - the - pulpit (q.v.) sailing frigate (1833).
(1696); Jack-in-the-cellar (or box), a Jack-cove. A mean low fellow,
child in womb, Hans-en-kelder
the snide (q.v.) (Matsell).
(q.v.) (1765); Jack-in-the-dust, a Jack (or Tom) Drum's
Entertain-
steward's mate Jack-in-the-green, a
; ment. Ill -
treatment, ignominious
chimney-sweep enclosed in a portable dismissal cf. Stafford law.
:

framework of boughs for the proces- Jacked. Spavined, lamed.

sions on the first of May : now mainly Jackeen (or Dublin Jackeen). A
a thing of the past ; Jack-in-the-pulpit, Dublin 'Arry (q.v.).
a pretender, upstart, Jack-in-office Jacken-closer. A seal.
(q.v.); Jack-in-the-water, an odd or Jackery. A favoured station hand
handy man at a boat-house or landing (Australian).
stage : also Jack (q.v., sense 10) ; Jacket. 1. The skin of an un-
24U
 Jacketing. Jakes.

pared potato generally in phrase

: shortest possible time, in two-two'a
boiled in their jackets. 2. pinafore A (q.v.).
roundabout 3.
(q.v.). folded A Jackrum. A marriage license
docket- paper. As
verb, (1) to cheat, (1825).
swindle, betray ; (2) to thrash, beat :
Jack-sauce. An impudent fellow,
also to trim (du#t or lace) one's jacket sauce-box (q.v.) (1571).
(1704); (3) to enclose (a document) Jack's Delight. A sailor's woman.
after scheduling within it other papers Jack-shay. A tin quart used for
relating to the same subject, docket ; boiling tea, and contrived to hold a
(4) to denote, point out. To give a tin pint.
red-laced jacket, to flog. To line one's Jack-sprat. An undersized man or
jacket, to eat or drink, fill one's boy (Orose) (1570).
stomach (1611). Pull down your Jack - straw. 1. A nobody and, ;

jacket (or vest), keep cool don't get ! 2. a dwarf see Hop-o'-my-thumb
:

excited hold your hair on (q.v.).

!
(1596).
To send in one's jacket, to resign, Jack Tar. 1. A sailor ; and, 2. a
up one's badge of office.
deliver hornpipe (1781).
Jacketing. A thrashing, reprimand. Jack Weight. A fat man, forty-guts
Jacket-reverser. A turncoat. (q.v.).
Jackey. Gin : see Drinks. Jack-whore. A large, masculine,
Jack Frost. A popular personifica- overgrown wench (Orose).
tion of frost : cf. John Fog and Tommy Jacob. 1. Rogues called Jacobs ;
Snow. these go with ladders in the dead of
Jack-gagger. man living A on his the night, and get in at the windows,
wife's immorality. one, two, or three pair, of stairs, and
Jack Ketch (or Kitch). A hang- sometimes down the area (1753). 2.
man or executioner, a dancing-master A ladder (1714). 3. A soft fellow,
(q.v.), topsman (q.v.). [From a spooney, fool see Buffle (Grose). :

famous practitioner of that name Jacobite. A sham shirt, dickey

(circa 1663-86). Before his time the (q.v.); also a shirt-collar (B. E.).

had been filled by men whose

office Jacob's Ladder. A longitudinal flaw
names each and all became popular in the leg of a pair of tights ; now
colloquialisms: e.g. Derrick (q.v.), applied to any rent of which only the
Gregory Brandon (Gregorian tree, woof threads are left (1859).
(q.v.), Dun (q.v.) (1676). As verb, to Jade. 1. An epithet applied to
hang. Jack Ketch's kitchen, a room in women : in contempt :
originally a
"fewgate, where the hangman boiled horse or man (Chaucer) especially (1) :

the quarters of those executed and one over-ridden or foundered ; and

dismembered for high treason. Jack (2) unsafe and full of tricks jadish :

Ketch's pippin, a candidate for the (Nashe), malicious, tricky, untrust-

"Jows, gallows-apple (q.v.). worthy (1560) 2. A long term of im-;

Jack-leg. Blackleg. prisonment, stretch (q.v.).

Jackman. See Jarkman. Jag. 1. A scrap, load, parcel, or
Jack-nasty. A sneak, sloven : cf. lot :
e.g. a fare, a catch of fish, etc.
Tack-nasty-face (1856). (1692). 2. A whim, fancy. 3. In-
Jack-nasty-face. 1. A sailor : specifi- toxication :
e.g. to have a jag on, to be
cally a cook (1811). 2. A filthy drunk. 4. A drunkard, Lushington
unpleasant-looking person cf. :
(q.v.).
lack-nasty (1823). Jagged. Drunk see Screwed. :

Jack-pudding. A serving merry- Jagger. l.A gentleman (1859).

idrew, low - class buffoon Fr., : 2. A hawker.
pottage (jack-soup), Germ., Jague. A ditch (1622).
ianswurst (jack - sausage), Dutch, jail-bird A prisoner, crack-
kel-herringe, It., macaroni. Hence halter (q.v.) (1603).
ck-puddinghood (Walpole), buffoon- Jakes. A
privy, house of office.
(1650). [Century : The occurrence of dial.
Jack Randall. A candle the name :
johnny, a jakes also called Mrs.
a famous pugilist. Jones by country people (Hattiwett),
Jack Robinson. Before one can say with dial. Tom, a close-stool, suggests
Jack Robinson, instantly, in the that jakes was originally Jake's or
241
 Jakes-farmer. Jawing.

Jack's, a humorous euphemism.] converted (MatseU). 3. To black

See Ajax (1550). one's boots: FT., sabouler (1712).
Jakes-farmer. An emptier of cess- Japanese Knife - trick. Eating
pools, goldfinder (q.v.) also jakes- : with one's knife.
raker (Skdton), and jakes-barreller Jap per s. See Jabera.
(1596). Jargoozle. To mislead, to lead
Jam. 1. A sweetheart, mistress : also astray, bamboozle (q.v.).
bit of jam. Lawful-jam, a wife. 2. Jark. 1. seal A
It., tirella also
: :

A certainty of winning, clear profit : Jack (1567). 2. A watch, ticker

also real jam. 3. Excellence, good (q.v.). 3. A
safe - conduct pass,
luck, happiness. Jam-up, the pink jasker (q.v.). To jark it, to run
of perfection, slap-up (q.v.), bang- away see Bunk.
:

up (q.v.): also real jam (1855). 4. Jarkman. A begging-letter writer,

A crush, crowd (1812).
ring 5. A fabricator of false characters, counter-
(Maxell). 6. The pool at Nap, into feit-passes, and certificates (1567).
which each dealer pays, the winner of Jarrehoe (Wellington College). A
the next nap taking the lot. As adj., man-servant.
neat, smart, spruce. As verb, to Jarvel. A jacket
hang (Grose). Jarvey
(or Jarvis). 1. A hackney
Jamboree (or Jimboree). A frolic, coachman (1811). 2. (old). A hackney
spree (q.v.). coach (1823).
James. A crowbar, jemmy (q.v.)
1. Jasey (or jazey). 1. A worsted wig.
;

FT., Jacques (1819). 2. A sovereign or Cove unth a jazey, a judge (1789). 2.

twenty shillings (1858). 3. A sheep's A man with an enormous quantity of
head: more frequently, when un- hair upon his head and face (Matsdl).
cooked, bloody jemmy (q.v.) (1827). Jasker. A seal (Matidl).
Jamie Moore. To have been talking Jason's fleece. A
citizen cheated of
to Jamie Moore, to be drunk see : his gold (B.
E.\.
Screwed. Jaum. To discover ( 1 82 1 ).
Jammed. To
jammed, to meet
be Jaw. Abuse, chatter, impudence,
with a violent death, by accident, any sort of talk. Hold (or stow) your
murder, or hanging. jaw, hold your tongue. All jaw, like
Ja m
- 1art
(Stock Exchange). 1. a sheep's head, nothing but talk. Eng-
Exactly the market, buyers and lish synonyms chin-music, gab (or
:

sellers at the same. 2. A wife or gob), lingo, lip, lobs, patter, snaffle
mistress. (1748). As verb, to chatter, abuse,
Jams. An abbreviation of Jim- use violent language FT., faire ptter :

jams (q.v.). son grelot, or jouer du mirliton (1748).

Jan. A purse (1610). To jaw on the toby (or drum), to go
Jane. A sovereign see Rhino. : on the road.
Jane-of-apes. A pert forward girl ; Jawbation. 1. A general confab
the counterpart of Jackanapes (q.v.) (q.v.), jawing- match : see Jobation.
(1624). 2. A scolding.
Jango. Liquor (1721). Jawbone. Credit, day (q.v.). To
Janizary.
'
The Mob sometimes call one's jawbone, to live on credit,
so called, and Bailives, Sergeants, run one's face (q.v.). English syno-
Followers, Yeomen, Setters, and any nyms to run one's face, to get a
:

lewd gang depending upon others' light, to give (or strike) on the mace,
(B. E.). to mace it, to get on sock, (or, on the
Jannock (or Jonnok). Sociable, nod), to go tick.
fair, just, straightforward, conclusive. Jawbreaker (or Jawtwister.) 1.
To die jannock, to die with bravado. A hard or many - syllabled word.
Janusmug. A go-between, inter- Jawbreaking, difficult. 2. A hard
mediary between a thief and a re- punch on the whisker.
ceiver. Jaw-cove. 1. An auctioneer ; and,
Jap. 1. A japanner (Purchas); 2. a lawyer (Matsett).
also, 2. a Japanese. Jawhawk. To abuse, vilify, jaw
Japan. 1. To ordain. To be (q.v.).
japanned, to take orders (1756). 2. Jawing- (or Jaw-) tackle. The
To convert. To be japanned, to be organs of speech. To have one's

242
 Jaw- smith. Jerry.

jawing tacks aboard (or to cast off one'* Jemmy O 'goblin. A sovereign: sea
jaw-tackle), to talk fluently ; jawing- Rhino.
match, wordy warfare (Clark Russell). Jenkins' Hen. To die like Jenkins'
Jaw-smith. 1. An
orator; also, 2. a hen, to die unmarried.
loud-mouthed demagogue originally :
Jeeny. 1. A
she-ass. 2. small A
an official orator or instructor of the crowbar; formerly betty or bess (q.v.) :
Knights of Labour (St. Louis Globe also a hook on the end of a stick
Democrat, 1886). (1696). 3. A
losing hazard into the
Jay (or simpleton: see
J). 1. A middle pocket off a ball an inch or
Buffle. To play (or scalp) one for (or two from the side cushion. 4. A hot-
to flap) a jay, to dupe, swindle FT., : water bottle.
rouler dans la farine. 2. A wanton. Jennylinda. A window.
It., putta (1596). 3. An amateur, a Jeremy Diddler. A shark (q.v.), a
poor actor. shabby swindling borrower (1803).
Jayhawker. A freebooter, a Jericho. 1. A place of concealment
guerilla: specifically a marauder or banishment ; latterly and speci-
during the Kansas troubles, and fically, a prison e.g. as in phr. go to
:

since extended to all bandits. Jericho, go to the devil genericafiy, a :

Jeames. A
footman, flunkey
1. place of retirement cf. 2 Sam. x. 4 :

(q.v.). 2. The Morning Post news- and 5 (1635). 2. A water-closet. 3.

paper. A low quarter of Oxford. From
Jeff. A rope. As verb, to gamble Jericho to June, a long distance.
with quads, as with dice. Jerk. 1. In pi., delirium tremens :

Jeffy. Lightning (Matsdl) (1859). see Gallon distemper. 2. In pi., reli-

In a jeffey see Jiffey.
:
gious paroxysm. 3.
retort, jest, A
Jegger. See Jigger. quirk (1653). 4. A stripe, lash with
Jehu. A coachman, driver : from a whip. Hence jerking (or yerking),
2 Kings, ix. 20 (1660). lashing, stinging ; jerk, verb, to lash ;
Jelly. A
buxom, good-looking girl : and to cly the jerk, to be whipped at
also all jetty : cf. Scots jelly, excellent the post (1557). 5. A common verb
or worthy. A jelly man well worthy of action, especially if rapid :
e.g. To
of a crown. jerk the cat, to vomit ; to jerk the
Jelly-belly. A fat man or woman, tinkler, to ring the bell ; to jerk one's

forty-guts (q.v.). juice or jetty (also to jerk off), to mas-

Jem. A gold ring, rum-gem, a turbate ; to jerk chin music, to talk ;
diamond ring (1725). to jerk a poem, article, or book, to

Jemima. A chamber-pot see It. : write ; to jerk a gybe, to counterfeit a

Jeminy! (or O Jeminy I). See licence ; jerked, or jerked to Jesus
Gemini. (American), hanged ; in a jerk, in-
Jemminess. See Jemmy. stantly ; Dr. Jerk, flogging school-
Jemmy (or Jimmy).!. A short crow- master.
bar, usually made in sections screwing Jerker. 1. tippler Asee Lush- :

together used by housebreakers

: :
ington. 2. A
chamber-pot see It. :

also James (q.v.) (1752). English 3. A

steward. 4. prostitute. A
synonyms :
bess, betty, crow, dog, Jerkey. A roughly-made vehicle,
Jack-in-the-box, James, jilt, lord- bone-shaker (q.v.).
mayor, persuading plate, pig's-foot, Jeroboam. 1. A four-fold measure of
the stick, screw (also a skeleton key), wine, a double-magnum (q.v.): one
tiwill, twist, twirl. 2. A sheep's head. especially apt to cause Israel to sin
3. A shooting coat ; also a great coat. (see 1 Kings, xi. 28). Also, 2. a large
4. A term of contempt. All jimmy, bowl or goblet. 3. See Jerry.
rot. As spruce, dandi-
adj., (1) Jerran. Concerned.
fied. Jemminess, spruceness, neatness Jerry. 1. A chamber-pot, jero-

(1754) ; (2) a term of contempt. boam see It. 2. A hat formerly

: :

Jemmy Ducks. The ship's poulterer: Tom and Jerry hat (q.v.); a hard
also Billy Ducks. round hat a pot-hat. 3. A celebra-
;

Jemmy Jessamy. A
dandy: also tion of the completion of indentures :

as adj. (1753). Jemmy and Jessamy, Fr., roulance. 4. A watch, ticker (q.v.)
a couple of lovers. Fr., babUlarde. 5. A fog or mist (De

Jemmy-john. A demijohn. Vaux). As adj., as an adjectival

243
 Jerry-builder. Jigger.

prefix Jerry is frequently used in con- were subject to great extortions, and
tempt :
e.g. jerry-go-nimble, jerry- many stories are related of eyes put
shop, jerry-builder (all which and out, or teeth drawn, to enforce pay-
others see). [An abbreviation of ment (1593).
Jeremiah perhaps a Restoration jibe
:
Jew-bail. Straw-bail (q.v.) (Grose).
upon the Puritan use of Old Testa- Jew-butter. Goose-grease.
ment names ; but see Jerry- builder.] Jew-fencer. A Jew street buyer (or
As verb, to jibe, chaff with malice. salesman), generally of stolen goods.
Jerry-builder. A rascally speculat- Jewhilikins A general exclamation
!

ing builder. Jerry built, run up in the of surprise.

worst materials. [The use of the Jewlark. To fool around : a port-
term arose in Liverpool circa 1830.] manteau verb of action (1851).
Jerrycummumble. To shake, Jew's-poker. A
woman, living by
tumble about, towzle (Orose). lighting the Jews' fires on Saturdays.
Jerry-getting (nicking or stealing). Jezebel. An objectionable woman,
Stealing watches. termagant, shrew from the wife of :

Jerry - go - nimble. 1. Diarrhoea, Ahab(1553).

back - door- trot (q.v.), the colly- Jib. 1. The face the cut af one's :

wobbles (q.v.). Formerly thorough -go- jib, the peculiar or characteristic ap-
nimble (q.v.) (1734). 2. An antic, pearance of a person (1825). 2. A
jack-pudding (q.v.). first-year's man. 3. A horse given to

Jerry Lynch. A pickled pig's- shying, jibber. As verb, (1) to shirk,

head. funk (q.v.), cut (q.v.) (Lex. Bal.) ;
Jerrymander. See Gerrymander. (2) to depart, be off see Bunk. To :

Jerry -
shop. A beer-house : also be jibbed (Christ's Hospital), to be
jerry. called over the coals, get into trouble,
Jerry-sneak. 1. A hen-pecked hus- be twigged (q.v.). Jib-of-jibs, an
band (1763). 2. A watch thief. impossible sail, a star-gazer (q.v.),
Jerry -
sprees ter
wag. A (q.v.) sky-scraper (q.v.).
especially half drunk
one (Bee). Jibb. 1. The tongue: hence, 2.
Jerrywag-shop, coffee shop. language ; speech.
Jersey-Lightning. Cider brandy. Jibber the kibber. See Kibber.
Jerusalem. An exclamation of sur- Jibe. To agree, live in harmony,
prise. Oo to Jerusalem I Go to Jericho jump (q.v.).
(q.v.). Jerusalem the golden. Brighton Jic k a j o g. A commotion, push
cf. Holy of Holies. (1614).
Jerusalem-pony. 1. An ass (1842). Jiffy (or Jeffey). The shortest pos-
2. A needy clergyman helping for hire. sible time : also jiff (1793).
Jessamy. See Jemmy Jessamy. Jiffess. An employer's wife.
(1684). Jig. 1. A
dance, gig (q.v.) (B. E.).
Jesse (Jessie, or Jessy). To give 2. An antic, nonsense, game, lay
(or raise) jesse, to rate with vigour, (q.v.) (1596). 3. See Jigger. 4.
thrash, baste, tan. Short for giglot (q.v.). 5. (Win-
Jester. 1. A general term of banter chester College). A clever man :
fifty
for a man, joker (q.v.), nice 'un (q.v.). years ago it meant a swindler the :

2. See Joker. word has now the meanings (i) a low

Jesuit. A graduate or undergradu- joke, (ii) a swindle, (iii) an object of
ate of Jesus College, Cambridge (1771). sport (Notions) (1610). As verb, (1)
Jet. A lawyer : see Green bag. to cheat, delude, impose upon ; (2) To
Autem-jet, a parson. As verb, to dance (1719).
strut, walk pompously see Jetter :
Jigamaree. A bit of chaff, nonsense,
(1557). any triviality, thingumbob (q.v.).
Jetter. A
pompous man, strut- Jigga-joggy. A jolting motion also :

noddy (q.v.): see Jet (1510). jig-jog (1605).

Jew. A
cheat, hard bargainer, Jigger. 1. A
door: also Jig,
sharking usurer (1659). As verb, to Jegger, and Oyger : Fr., fendante, guim-
drive a hard bargain, beat down also :
barde, lourde : It, diorta, introibo,
to cheat. Worth a Jew's eye, ex- turlante. (1567). 2. A doorkeeper,
tremely valuable, worth its weight in screw (q.v.), a jailer or turnkey : also
gold: in the Middle Ages the Jews jigger-dubber : Fr., due de guicnt. In
244
 Jigger-dubber. Job.

Hants, a policeman (1749). 3. A key. fake (q.v.). 4. A coal waggon. All

4.A whipping- post (1708). 5. A secret jimmy, (1) all nonsense; (2) exactly,
still. Jiggerstuff, illicitly distilled fit, suitable : cf. jemmy.
spirits Jigger-worker, a vendor of
; Jimmy Skinner. A dinner.
the same hence, also, a drink of
:
Jimplecute (or Jimpsecute). A
whisky (1823). 6. The bridge or rest sweetheart.
for the cue when a ball is beyond Jing-bang. A lot complete, boiling
arm's length. 7. The curtain, or rag (q.v.).
(q.v.). 8. A
guard-room FT., boite: :
Jingle. A hackney carriage (Dub-
also specifically an interviewing :
lin).
chamber (in Newgate) where felons, Jingle-box. A leathern jack tipped
on payment, saw their friends. 9. with silver, and hung with bells, for-
A fiddlestick. (Jigger or Jig is also merly in use among fuddlecaps
applied to many small mechanical (Grose).
contrivances or handy tools). 10. A Jingleboy. See Gingle boy (1658).
shifty fellow, trickster (1675). As Jingler. A swindling horse dealer.
verb, (1) To bet, wager ; (2) to shake, Jinglebrains. A wild, harum-scarum
jerk. Not worth a jigger, valueless. fellow (B. E.).
Jigger-dubber. See Jigger. Jingo. 1. Used in mild oaths : as
Jiggered. To be jiggered, used as a by Jingo ! or(Hdttiwett a
By Jings. :

mild imprecation as Blow it (q.v.), : !

corruption of St. Gingoulph or Gin-
Bust me (q.v.) also in astonishment.
! :
gulphus ; by others from Basque
Jiggered up. Used up, exhausted. Jinkoa, God the Living
: also By
Jiggery-pokery. Humbug, non- Jingo) (1691). 2. One of that party
sense. which advocated the Turkish cause
Jiglets. His jiglets ! a contempt- againstJRussia, in the war of 1877-78 :

uous form of address ; his nibs (q.v.). hence, one clamorous for war, one who
Jig-water. Bad whisky, rot-gut advocates a warlike policy. [In this
(q.v.) see Drinks.
: sense taken directly from the refrain
Jiggumbob (or Jiggambob) A of a popular music-hall song (c. 1874),
knick-knack, trinket, anything par- We don't want to fight, but by Jingo
ticular, strange, or unknown: cf. if we do, We've got the ships, we've

Thingumbob (1640). got the men, we've got the money

Jill. See GUI.
Jill-flirt. See
Jilt. 1. Specifically, a woman who
encourages, or solicits, advances to
which she designs there shall be no
too !]. Hence Jingoism, the theory
Gill-flirt. and practice of the Jingoes.
Jiniper-lecture. A scolding (B. E.):
cf. Curtain lecture.
Jink. 1. Coin, money, chink (q.v.).

practical end. Hence jilted and jilt, 2. See High Jinks. To jink one's tin,
verb. A crowbar, jemmy (q.v.).
2. to pay money, shell out, rattle or
In housebreaking tools generally.
pi., flash (q.v.) one's cash.
As verb, to get in on the sly or false Jinny. A Geneva watch.
pretences at the door, and sneaking Jipper. Gravy.
what can be found. Jo. See Joe.
Jilter. Thieves who work as de- Joan. A fetter specifically Darby :

scribed under Jilt. and'Joan, fetters coupling two persons:

Jim-Brown. Town. see Darbies. Homely Joan, a coarse,
Jimcrack. See Gimcrack. ordinary looking woman (B. E.).
Jimbugg. A sheep, woolly-bird Joan in the dark is as good as my lady,
(q.v.) (1854). a variant of, When you cannot kiss
Jim Crow. See Billy Barlow. the mistress kiss the maid, or When
Jimjams. 1. Delirium tremens, candles are out all cats are grey (B. E.).
The horrors (q.v.) :
also, the jams : see Job. 1. Specifically, robbery;
Gallon-distemper. 2. Distorted views generally, any unfair arrangement, or
kinks (q.v.). effect of nepotism : e.g. the obtaining
Jim-dandy. Superfine. of an office, or a contract, by secret
Jimmy. 1. See Jemmy. 2. A new influence, or the undertaking of a
chum (q.v.): specifically (Australian piece of business ostensibly for public
convicts), a free emigrant (1859). 3. but really for private ends (1667). 2.
A contrivance, concealed confederate, A piece of work, occurrence (fortunate
245
 Jobation. Joey.

or otherwise), situation, place of (2) (Winchester College ),(i) to supplant,

employment. A bad job, an unlucky (ii) to appropriate; (iii) to engage:
occurrence, misfortune, unsuccessful t-.v.. He jockeyed me up to books;
attempt. Hence jobber, one who Who has jockeyed my baker ; This
does piece or occasional work (1658). court is jockeyed probably an extended
:

3. A guinea : also jobe (B. E.). 4. As use of the word borrowed from turf
subs., patience ; as intj., take time, slang. Jockey not, the Commoner cry
don't be in a hurry !
(Matsell). 5. See claiming exemption, answering to
Jab (1827). As verb, (1) to do work feign at other schools of which the :

' '
(or perform duties), ostensibly pro college finge seems a translation :
bono publico but in reality for one's the opposite of jockey up, to lose down
private ends or advantage (1731); (Notions). To jockey (or bay) the over,
(2) to thrust violently and suddenly, to manage the running in such a
prod, jab (q.v.) (1557) ; (3) to chide, manner as to get all the bowling to
reprimand : also jobe. To be on the oneself.
job, to mean honestly, be genuine, run Jock Blunt To look like Jock
straight, work quickly and steadily, Blunt, said of a person who is out
achieve complete success, be bent on. of countenance at a disappointment
To have got the job, to have a commis- (1723).
sion to back a horse. To do the job Jock-te-leear.A small almanack,
for one, to finish, kill. i.e.Jock (or John) the liar, from its
Jobation (Jawbation). A tedious loose weather forecasts.
rebuke, prolonged scolding, dreary Jocteleg (or Jackyleg). A large
homily (1746). pocket-knife from Jacques de Liege,
:

Jobbernowl. 1. A fool's head see : a famous cutler see Chive (1730).

:

Crumpet (1562). 2. A fool: see Joe (or Joey). 1. A

fourpenny piece :
Buffle(1598). see Rhino : these pieces are said to
Jobber. 1. One who purchases have owed their existence to the
goods in bulk and is the medium of pressing instance of Mr. Hume, from
their distribution, a middleman (1662). whence they, for some time, bore
2. See Job. the nickname. See Joe Miller. 3.
2.
Jobber-knot (or Jobber nut). A A watercloset. A marine see 4. :

tall ungainly fellow (1823). Joseph. 5. A lobster too small for

Jobbery. The practice of political sale ; i.e. one under ten inches long.
corruption, employment of unfair 6. A gold coin worth 8 to 9 dollars :

means to public or private advantage also Double - joe see Rhino.

: 7. A
(1857). companion, sweetheart (1500). As
Jobe. See Job. verb, to deride, get at (q.v.), take
Job's-comfort. Reproof instead of liberties with text, business, or
consolation. Hence Job's-comforter, a audience. Not for Joe see Joseph. :

sharp- tongued friend also a boil (in : Joe Manton, a name given to fowling-
allusion to Job ii. 7). Job's news, pieces made by Joseph Manton, a
bad news Job's-poat, a messenger of
; celebrated London gunsmith : also
bad news as poor as Job's turkey, that
; Manton.
had but one feather in its tail, or, that Joe Miller. A stale joke, dull tale,
had to lean against a fence to gobble. chestnut (q.v.) : from a collection
Job's vrife, a whoring scold. Job's- entitled Joe Miller's Jest Book, pub-
dock, a hospital ; Job s-ward, a ward lished circa 1750, the term having been
for the treatment of venereal diseases used to pass off not only the original
(1738). stock, but thousands of jokes manu-
Jock. See Jockey. As verb, to factured long after. Hence Joe-
enjoy oneself. MUlerism and Joe-MUlerize,
Jockey. 1. A professional rider also ; Joe Savage. A cabbage.
a horse-dealer (1638) hence (1690) a :
Joey. 1. A hypocrite (Matsett). 2.
sharper also (colloquially) jock and
: See Joe. 3. A familiar name for any-
gentleman-jock and jocker. 2. In pi., thing young or small, and is applied
top -boot*. 3. A Scot (1529). As indifferently to a puppy, or a kitten,
verb, (1) to cheat, ride foul: gener- or a child. Wood-and-ioater-joey, a
ally.lto use dishonest means to a hanger about hotels, and a doer of odd
profitable end see Bamboozle (1748).
:
jobs. 4. A marine. 5. A clown :
246
 Jogger. Joker.

from Joey Grimaldi. As intj., a town. Also a sweetheart male or

warning cry also Jo : ! female: e.g. My Johnny (1724). 3.
Jogger. To play and sing, per- A half - glass of whisky. 4. See
form. Johnny Reb. Johnny - bum, a jack-
JoggeringOmey. [It., A musician. ass (Grose). Johnny - cake, a New-
and uomo, a man.]
giocar, to play, Englander. Johnny-haultant, a mer-
Jog-trot (or Job-trot). A slow chant sailor's name for a man-o'-
trot : hence a dull round, unvarying war's-man (Clark Russell). Johnny-
and uninteresting method as adj., ; Bates' -farm :see Bates' farm.
monotonous, easy-going. Hence, adv., Johnny-Bono, an Englishman. Johnny-
Jog-trotty (1709). Darby, (1) a policeman, (2) in pi.,
Jogue. A
shilling : see Rhino (Grose). handcuffs. Johnny Newcome, a new-
Jogul. To play up at cards or
: born child ; also (nautical) an in-
other games (Hotten). experienced youngster, landsmen in
John (Sandhurst). A first year's general (1857). Johnny Raw, (1) a
cadet. 2. A priest also Sir John and
: recruit, novice (1819); (2) a morning
Mess- (or Mass-) John (q.v.) (1383). draught. Johnny Reb (or Johnny), a
3. See Poor John. soldier in the Confederate ranks during
John 's silver pin. A piece of finery the civil war 1861-65: see Blue-
amongst sluttery and dirt. bellies.

John-a-nokes (John-at-the-oaks). John Roberts. A measure of drink

Anybody, Mr. Thingumbab (q.v.) ; enough to keep a man tipsy from
also John-a-stiles or John-at-the-styles Saturday to Sunday night, is univer-
(1529). sally known throughout Wales as a
John-a-dreams. A dreamer, man of John Roberts it derives its name from
:

sentiment and fancy as opposed to the author of the Sunday Closing Act.
action, futile person (1596). John the Baptist. A one cent piece.
John-among-the-maids. A lady's John Thomas. A flunkey.
man, carpet-knight (q.v.). John (or Joan) Thomson's Man.
John-and-Joan. An hermaphrodite. An uxorious, or faithful, husband
John-Audley. A signal to abridge (1513).
the performance when another
:
John Trot. A clown also John :

house (q.v.) is waiting, the word John Cream (1774).

Audley is passed round also John :
Join. To marry.
Orderly. Joint. 1. An opium den, gamb-
John-Barleycorn. Beer : see Drinks ling saloon, low-class drinking house
(1791). of any kind. 2. A
partnership of
John Blunt. A plain-spoken man : thieves. Hence, to work the joint, to
alsoJock Blunt. swindle by means of a faked lottery
John-Cheese. A clown : also John table.
Trot. Joker. 1. A
general term of
John Collins. A
mixture of soda banter, nice 'un as cove, codger,
water, gin, sugar, lemon, and ice. tulip (1665). 2. An extra card used
John Chinaman. A Chinaman, the hi certain games : it is blank or bears
Chinese collectively. some special device, is always a trump,
John Company. The Hon. East and generally the highest often called :

'
India Company (1808). jotty joker. 3. These little jokers were
John Davis. Money : otherwise attached to the left thumbs of certain
Ready John see Rhino. :
judges of election as the ballots were
Johnian. A student of St. John's being counted. These jokers are
College, Cambridge : also Johnian made of rubber and have a cross on
Pig or Hog. Also as adj. :
e.g. them. They are really rubber stamps.
Johnian blazer, Johnian melody, etc. As these judges picked up the ballots
(1785). they took hold of them in such a way
John Long the Carrier. To stay for that their left thumbs, with the
(or send by)John Long the carrier, to jokers attached thereto, pressed upon
wait a long time, postpone indefinitely. the squares opposite the name of the
Johnnie (Johnny). 1. A police- candidate whom they wished to aid.
man also Johnny Darby (1851). 2.
:
By thus pressing upon said squares
An acquaintance, young man about crosses were left in them '
(R. of Rev.).
247
 Jollock. Jug.

Jollock. A parson. An Arkansas man. As verb, to chaff,

Jolly. 1. The head : also Jolly nob quiz, make fun As intj., a word
of.

(1785). 2. A Royal Marine: cf. shouted at the New York Stock

Tame Jolly : Fr. f bigorneau (1833). 3. Exchange to wake up a slumbering
A dependent or confederate of a member (BartleU).
cheat 4. A pretence, excuse. 5. Joskin. A bumpkin, dolt : see
Praise, recommendation, chaff, abuse. Buffle.
To chuck a jolly, to set off an address Josser. 1. A simpleton, flat,
to one or other of these ends : see sponge (q.v.), old roue also as adj. :

Chuck. As
adj. and adv.,
(1) fine, 2. A parson (Australian).
excellent, very good, very, exceedingly J o s s o p. Syrup, juice, gravy,
(1369); (2) slightly drunk: see sauce (Hotten).
Screwed; (3) fat, fleshy. As verb, Jostle. To cheat
to joke, rally, vituperate (1610). Jounce. A jolt, shake. As verb, to
Jolly-boys. A group of small drink- jolt, shake by rough riding, handle
ing vessels connected by a tube, or carelessly, deal severely with (1833).
by openings one from another. To be jounced, to be enamoured of.
Jolly -dog. A boon companion Journey. Occasion, juncture, time.
(Grose). Journeyman Soul-saver. A scrip-
] oily- j umper . A light sail set above ture-reader, bible- woman:also jour-
a sky-scraper (q.v.) (Clark Russell). neyman-parson (London), a curate.
Jolly-nob. See Jolly. Jove. See By Jove.
Jolly-Roger. A pirate's flag, Death's Jowl (or Jole). The cheek; cheek
head and cross bones (q.v.). by jowl, close together :
jowl-sucking,
Jolt -Head (or Jolter-head). A kissing (1592).
blockhead: see Buffle (1593). Joyful. To be addicted to the O be
Jolt -headed (or Jolter - headed). joyful, to be confirmed in tippling.
Stupid, dull, chowder-headed (q.v.). Juba. A negro.
Jomer. A flame, sweetheart. Jubilee (Winchester College). A
Jonah. A person whose presence pleasant time e.g. The town was
:

brings bad luck specifically a clergy-

; all in a jubilee of feasts (Dryden).
man : of Biblical origin. Jonah-trip, Judas. 1. A traitor. Judas-
an unlucky undertaking (1594). coloured, red from the tradition that
:

J o n n i c k (or Jonnuk). Right, Judas had red hair (1384). 2. See

correct, proper. To be jonnuk, to be Judas-hole.
fair, share equally. Judas-hole. A spy-hole in a oell
Jardan. 1. A slop-pail see It. : door also Judas.
:

Short for Jordan bottle, a memory of Judge. The man most popular with
the Crusades. 2. Hence Jordan-headed his fellows (American cadet).
(Dunbar)&n opprobrious epithet ( 1 383). Judge and Jury. A mock trial, the
3. A stroke with a staff (1696). 4. The fines being paid in beer.
Atlantic, the ditch (q.v.), the herring- Judy (or Jude). 1. girl, A a woman,
pond (q.v.). As adj., disagreeable, especially one of loose morals also, :

hard of accomplishment. a sweetheart : in Anglo-Chinese circles

Jorum. A drinking- bowl ; also a native courtezan. 2. A simpleton,
a portion of liquor, a neddy (q.v.) fool to make a Judy of oneself, to play
:

(1796). the fool, act the giddy goat (q.v.) or

Joseph. 1. A cloak specifically :
saucy kipper (q.v.) (1824).
a lady's riding habit with buttons to Juff. 1. The cheek. 2. The pos-
the skirts also (American thieves') a
: teriors.
patched coat: cf. Benjamin (1671). Jug. 1. A also more fre- :
prison
2. A woman-proof male. To wear quently stone-jug (q.v.) see Cage : :

Joseph's coat, to defy temptation, as FT., boite aux cailloux ; 8p., tristura.
Joseph with Potiphar's wife (Grose). [Skeat : FT., joug, a yoke : the Eng.
Not for Joseph, a contemptuous re- jug, a cant term for a prison (also
fusal, a sarcastic dissent Joseph's called jocosely a stone-jug) is the same
coat, a coat of many colours, a dress word]. 2. A bank. A broken
jugged
of honour. one, a note from a broken bank hence, :

J o s e y. To go, hasten : see Bunk. jug-breaking, bank burglary. 3. A

Josh. 1. A sleepy- head, dolt 2. mistress hence a term of endearment.
:

248
 Jug-bitten. Jutland.

4. A term of contempt applied in- how the cat will jump, to watch the
differently to both the sexes: see course of events, sit on the fence (q.v.).
Juggins. As verb, (1) to imprison, To jump upon, to maltreat (physically
lock up, run in ; hence to hide (1852) ; or otherwise), criticise severely,
(2) to take in, do (q.v.). take it out of (q.v.), sit upon (q.v.).
Jug-bitten. Drunk : see Screwed To jump bail, to abscond. To jump
(1633). the broomstick see Broomstick.
: To
Jug-full. Not by a jug full, not by jump up, to get the best of one, or the
a good deal, by long chalks, by no reverse. To jump the game, to raid a
means (1834). gambling den. To jump up behind, to
Juggins (or Jug). A fool: see endorse an acceptance. To jump out
Buffle. of one's skin :see Skin. On the keen
J uggler s-box.
'
The branding-iron. jump, on the go, violently at work.
Juice. To stew in one's own juice Jump-down. The last place in
(gravy, or grease) : see Stew. course of erection on the outskirts of
Juicy. 1. Piquant, racy, bawdy ; what is called civilised life. Also
2. Amorous. jumping off place, a destination.
Jukrum. A licence ( B. E. ). Jumped-up. Conceited, arrogant,
Julius Caesar. Dead as Julius perturbed, upset.
Ccesar, dead past doubting. Jumper. 1. A tenpenny-piece (1821).
Jumbaree. Jewellery. 2. A thief who enters nouses by the
Jumbo. A clumsy, unwieldy fellow windows: cf. Jilter (1811). 3. One
(Bee). who appropriates a claim
illegally :

Jumble-gut-lane. A bad or rough cf. Bounty -jumper. 4. A short slop

road (B. E.). of coarse woollen or canvas.
Jumbuck. A sheep, woolly-bird Jumping- Jack. An antic, gull.
(q.v.) (1851). Jumping Jehosophat (Jupiter, or
Jummix. To jumble up, mix Moses). See By.
together : a portmanteau word (q.v.). Jumping Cat. The cult of the jump-
Jump. 1. A form of robbery see :
ing cat, the practice of waiting to see
Jilt. 2. A window: cf. Back jump. 3. the course of events before acting see :

(in pi.), The fidgets, delirium tremens. Cat.

4. Loose raiment : see Jumper (1762). Jumping-powder. A stimulant to
As verb, (1) to seize upon forcibly or give spirit and go to a person or
by stealth, cheat, supplant e.g. to : animal.
jump a man, to pounce upon and rob June. To go [Germ., gehen].
or maltreat to jump a house, to rob it
; ; Junesey. A sweetheart.
to jump a claim, to take possession of Junk (or Salt-junk). Salt beef.
a mining right in the absence of an Junket! (Winchester College).
owner FT., farguer a la dure (2) to try
: ; An exclamation of self-congratulation :

a medicine. From the jump, from the e.g. Junket, I've got a remi. As
start (1848). To jump at, (1) to verb, to exult over (Notions).
accept eagerly. To
(2) To
guess. Junt. A wanton.
jump (or be jump) with, to agree, co- Jupiter (or Jupiter- tonans). The
incide, tally (1567) ; to jump one's horse Times newspaper: see Thunderer.
over a bar, for a paltry sum, to sell Jupiter junior, The Daily Telegraph.
one's horse, saddle, bridle, and all, Jurk. A seal, jark (q.v.) (Matsett).
to the lambing-down landlord. To Jury. An assertion, profession.
go a jump, to enter a house by the Just. In truth, really, rather.
window (Matsett). To jump a bitt, Jybe. See Gybe.
to dishonour an acceptance. To see Jutland. The posteriors (1695).

249
 Kafir.
Kaffir. 1. A prostitute's bully,
ponce (q.v.) hence a general term
: A
of contempt. 2. In pi. South African
mining shares.
Kail. Kail through the reek, bitter
language or hard usage in allusion to
the unpalatableness of smoky broth.
To give one his kail through the reek,
to reprove violently, punish with
severity (1817).
Ka me, Ka thee. One good turn
deserves another, scratch my back
and I'll scratch yours also A'a and
Kangaroo. Kangaroo
feminine affectation (cf.
and Roman fall)hands are
: the
brought and set to
close to the breast
droop palm downward, as if mus-
cular action were lost. Kangaroo
voting, the Australian ballot system
adopted, with sundry modifications,
in many of the United States (Norton).
Kanits. A stink. Kanitseno, a
stinking one.
Kant See Cant
Kanuck. See Canack.
Karimption. A gang, mob, party.
Karplunk. See Cachunk.
(or Katey). 1. A picklock:
Kate
cf. Betty and Jenny (1696). 2. A
wanton: Dutch, Kat (Matsdl): see
Kitty (1721).
Keek-handed. Left-handed prov.
Eng. Keck, wrongly.
Kedger. A mean fellow, cadger
(q.v.): one in everybody's mess but
in no one's watch an old term for a
fisherman (Smyth).
Keek-cloy. See Kicks.
Keeker. In pi., the eyes:
Pintle-keek.
Keel. The posteriors.
come to
over, to grief.
Keelbully. A lighterman carrying
coals toand from ships (1696).
Keelhaul (or Keelrake). To punish
offenders by dragging them under
water on one side of a ship, and up
again on the other, by ropes attached
to the yard-arms on either side or
in small vessels, under the craft from
stem to stern. Hence, figuratively, to
treat roughly, chastise. Keelhauling,
a good rating, rough treatment (Grose).
Keen. Afunny story, joke : to get
off a keen, to make a witty remark.
Keep. 1. Board and lodging. 2.
salaried mistress. As verb, to
abide (1593). Phrases To keen one'*
:
eyet skinned (polished, or peeled, or
one's weather eye lifted, nose open, or
: end up, etc.), to take care, maintain a
position, be wideawake, or fly (q.v.) ;
tokeep company, ( 1 ) to go into society,
entertain often and be often enter-
tained (1658) ; (2) to sweetheart said :
of both sexes (1835); to keep a pig
(Oxford University), to have a lodger :
: the pig (q.v.) is usually a freshman
who, the college being full, is quartered
droop, a on a student whose rooms include two
Grecian bend bedchambers ; To keep a stiff upper
lip (or one's pecker up), to stand firm,
keep up a heart, chuck out one's
chest ; to keep the doctor, to retail
adulterated drinks cf. Doctor ; to
:
:
keep chapel (University), to go to
chapel ; to keep cave (Eton College),
to watch and give warning of a tutor's
approach ; to keep dark (or it dark, to
keep secret; to keep sloom, to keep
quiet ; to keep it up, to continue any*
thing vigorously (specifically to pro-
long a debauch) (1773); to keep dry,
to hold one's tongue, keep dark
(q.v.) ; to keep one back and belly, to
feed and clothe ; for keeps, to keep
for good ; to keep the door, to play the
bawd to keep the pot boiling, to go on
;
: with anything, keep the game alive ;
to keep (or hold) one's hair on see :
Hair ; to keep open house, to sleep in
the open air, do a star pitch see :
Hedge-square ; to keep up to the collar,
to keep hard at work ; to keep sheep by
moonlight, to hang in chains ; he can't
cf. keep a hotel, a phrase intimating lack
of administrative capacity.
To keel Keffel. A horse, prad (B. E.).
Keg. The stomach, victualling
office (q.v.).
Kegmeg. Intimate talk, chat
Ke-keya. The devil (Matsdl).
Kelder. The belly: see Hans-in-
kelder and Jack-in-the-cellar (1658).
Kelp. A hat: see Golgotha, To
; kelp, to raise one's hat in salutation
(1754).
Kelso-boots. Heavy shackles put
on the legs of prisoners by some sup-
;
posed to be a sort of stocks (Jamie-
son).
Kelter (or Kilter). 1. Order, con-
250
 Kdtie. Kick.

dition, form (q.v.) (1630). 2. Money: mess or confusion of any kind, muddle
see Rhino. (1750).
Keltic (or Kelty). A bumper im- : Kettledrum. 1. In plural, a woman's
posed as a fine on those who did not breasts also
Cupid's kettledrum.
:

drink fair said to be so called from a

: 2. An afternoon tea-party (1867).
famous champion drinker in Kinross- Kew. A week.
shire. Key. A translation, crib (q.v.).
Kemesa. See Camesa. To have the key of the street, to be
Ken. A house, place generally : locked out-of-doors, to have no home
in combination : e.g. Boozing-ken, (1836).
drinking house ; a bob-ken (or boioman- Key -hole. To be att keyhole (or
ken), a well-furnished house. To keyholed), to be drunk see Screwed.
:

bite (or crack) a ken, to rob a house. Keyhole-whistler. A night's lodger

English synonyms carsey (or case),
: in a barn or outhouse, skipper bird
castle, cat-and-mouse, crack, diggings, (q.v.).
hang-out, rootee, roost, shop, panny Keystone State. Pennsylvania :

(1567). when the names of the original Thir-

Ken-cracker (or Miller) A teen States were arranged archwise in
housebreaker (B. E.). their natural geographial order, Penn-
Ken - crack - lay. Housebreaking :
sylvania occupied the central position.
see Ken, Crack, and Lay. Kibosh. 1. Nonsense, anything
Kennedy. A poker. To give ken- worthless Kiboshery. 2. Snot
: also
nedy, to layon with a poker. (q.v.). 3. Style, fashion, form, the
Kennel-raker. A scavenger, one fit thing e.g. that's the proper kibosh.
:

only for low, dirty jobs (1647). As verb, to spoil, flummox (q.v.),
Kennurd. Drunk see Screwed. :
queer (q.v.), bewilder, knock out of
Kent (or Kent -rag, Kent -clout, time. To put the kibosh on, (1) to
etc. ) . A coloured cotton handkerchief. stop, silence ; (2) to wheedle, talk
Kentish -fire. A prolonged and over ; (3) to run down (1836).
ordered salvo of applause from the :
Kibsy. See Kypsy.
cheers bestowed in Kent upon the Kick. 1. The fashion (1696).
No-Popery orators in 1828-29. 2. Asixpence of compound sums :

Kent- street Ejectment. Removing only, e.g. three and a kick, 3s. 6d. :

the street door, a method practised see Rhino (1725). 3. A moment, jiffy
by the landlords in Kent Street, (q.v.). 4. A pocket. 5. A grudge. 6.
Southwark, when their tenants are The hollowin the butt of a bottle ( 1 85 1 ).
above a fortnight's rent in arrear 7. In pi., breeches, trousers : also
(Grose). kicksters and kicksies. English syno-
Kerbstone-broker. A stockbroker nyms: arse-rug, bum-bags, bell-bot-
doing business outside the Stock toms, bum-curtain, bags, calf-clingers,
Exchange, a guttersnipe (q.v.): Fr., canvasseens (q.v.), continuations,
courtier marron, and (collectively) don't-name-'ems, ducks, gam-cases,
coidissiers. hams, inexpressibles, ineffables, in-
Kerflop. Onomatopoeic in imita- :
imitables, kicks, kickseys, moles,
tion of the sound of a body falling flat mustn't-mention-'ems, peg-tops (q.v.),
or into water. Variants: cachunk pants, rice-bags, sit-upons, skilts (q.v.),
(q.v.), kerslap, kesouse, keslosh, ke- slacks, strides, trolly-wags, trucks,
swosh, kewosh, keswollop, kerchunk, trunks (q.v.), unhmtables, unmen-
kerplunk, kerthump, kershaw, ker- tionables, unutterables, unwhisper-
slash, kerslosh, kerswosh, etc. ables, whistling breeches (q.v.) (1696).
Kerry-security. Bond, pledge, oath, 8. Asudden and strong objection,
and keep the money (Orose). unexpected resistance. As verb, (1)
Ketch. A hangman, Jack Ketch to borrow, beg, break shins (q.v.);
(q.v.). As verb, to hang. (2) to protest, resist, resent (1611);
Kettle. 1. A watch; red -kettle, (3) to recoil : of fire-arms generally ;
gold watch ; 2. an iron-built vessel, (4) to jilt, give the mitten (q.v.);
ironclad. Pot calling the kettle black, (5) to die an abbreviation of to
:

on all fours, six of one and half-a- kick the bucket (q.v.) ; (6) to escape :
dozen of the other. A also kick it (1725). Phrases :
pretty (or
fine) kettle (or kiddle, basket) of fish, a kick in the guts, a dram of spirits
261
 Kirkrr. K id at- '/.

(Grose) ; to get more kicks than ha'- Kid. 1. A child hence, to kid, to :

pence (see Monkey's allowance) ; to lie in, get with child ; kidded (or with
kick over the traces, (I) to go the kid), pregnant. English synonyms:
pace
(q.v.) ; and (2) to resist authority ; brat, encumbrance, get, imp, infantry
to kick up a breeze (dust, row, diversion, (collectively), kinchin, limb, lullaby
lark, shindy, etc.), to create a disturb- cheat, monkey, papoose, youngster
ance, raise Cain (q.v.), paint the town (1599). 2. A man (1811). 3.
red (q.v.) (1750) ; to kick the wind, to policeman (1879). 4. A thief: speci-
be hanged see Ladder ; to get the kick
:
fically a young thief also Kiddy. :

out (or dirty kick out), to be summarily 5. A kidnapper. 6. Gammon (q.v.),

dismissed, discharged, kicked out ; devilry, chaff (q.v.). 7. In pL, Kid

to kick the bucket, to die : see Hop the gloves e.g. Kids cleaned for 2d. a
:

twig ; the allusion is thought to allude pair. As verb, to quiz, wheedle, to

to the way in which a slaughtered pig cheat (1811) ; To kid on, to lead on
by
is hung up viz. by passing the ends gammon or deceit (1851). To kid
of a bent piece of wood behind the oneself, to .be conceited. Hard kid,
tendons of the hind legs, and so hard lines, bad luck, hard cheese
suspending it to a hook in a beam (q.v.).
above this piece of wood is locally
: Kidden (Kid-ken, or Kiddy-ken).
termed a bucket, and so by a coarse A lodging house frequented by young
metaphor the phrase came to signify to thieves (1839).
die; to kick down the ladder, to treat with Kidder. 1. A forestaller. 2. A

contumely one's means of advance- glib and taking speaker, master of

ment to kick the clouds (or wind), to be
; chaff.
hanged see Ladder ; to kick at waist, to
: Kiddier.
misfit at the waist ; to kick for the boot,
to ask for money ; to kick for trade, to
ask work ; to have the kick, to be lucky,
havecocum (q.v.) ; to kick the stuffing
out of one, to maltreat, take a rise (or
the wind) out of, get the better of ;
to kick (or cool) one's heels, (1) see
Heels ; (2) to die ; to kick the eye out
of a mosquito, a superlative expression
of capacity ; a kick in one's gallop, a
whim, strange fancy.
Kicker. 1. An
protestant. In pi., the feet see
2.
Creepers. 3. A dancing master ( 1 838).
Kickeraboo. See ruck the bucket.
A pork-butcher.
K i dd i 1 y. Fashionably, showily,
flashily also Kiddy.
:
'
Kid-lay (or rig). One who meeting
a Prentice with a Bundle or Parcel of
goods, wheedles him by fair words,
and whipping Sixpence into his Hand,
: to step on a snort and sham Errand for
him, in the mean time runs away with
the goods' (B. E.).
Kiddleywink. 1. A raffle. 2. A small
village shop ; and, 3. specifically (in
obstructionist, the West country), an ale-house. 4.
: a woman of unsteady habits.
Kiddy. 1. A man, boy, young fel-
low a diminutive of kid (q.v.). Also
:

Kicking-strap. An elastic strap kidlct, a boy or girl. 2. A flash thief ;

inside a habit. rolling kiddy, a dandy thief ( 1 780). 3.

Kickseys. 1. See Kick. 2. Shoes or A dandy (1823). 4. A stage-coach

highlows also Kicksies.
: driver. As adj., fashionable, smart
Kickshaw. A trifle, anything fanci- (q.v.).
ful or unsubstantial, something fantas- Kiddyish. Stylish, up to date (q.v.).
tical or with no particular name : Kiddy Nipper. A thief who cuts off
Skeat : a curious corruption of Fr., the waistcoat pockets of tailors,
quelque-chose (pronounced kick-chose) when crosslegged on the board, there-
literally, something ; hence a trifle or by grabbling their bit (Grose).
small delicacy (1598). Kidleybenders. Ice which undulates
Kick-shoe. A dancer, caperer, under the feet of a skater.
buffoon. Kidment. 1. Humbug, gammon
Kicksies. See Kicks. (q.v.) also (cheap Jack's), professional
:

Kicksy. Troublesome, disagreeable. patter (1836). 2. A

pocket handker-
Kicksy-wicksy. A term of contempt chief pinned to the pocket for a trap.
for a woman (1598). As adj., fantas- As adj., comical (Matsett).
tic, restless. Kidnap. To steal children. Hence,
Kick-up. A row : also rowdiness Kidnapper, a child-stealer (1696).
(1794). Kidney. 1. Kind, disposition,
 Kidney -hit. Kip.

fashion Two of a kidney, two of a

:
as, Kind-heart. A tooth-drawer : from
mind ;a strange kidney, of an odd
of an itinerant dentist
so named, or
humour ; of a different kidney, of nick-named, in the time of Elizabeth
different habit or turn Fr., bouchon :
(1614).
(1596). 2. A waiter, grasshopper King Cotton. Cotton, the staple
(q.v.) (1710). A
fractional part of
3. of the Southern States of America,
a shilling : a corruption of Cadney, and the chief manufacture in England.
the name of the first dealer on 'Change Cotton-lord, a man enriched by cotton.
known to deal under JL. Kingdom Come. The future life ; to
Kidney-hit. A punch in the short go to kingdom come, to die Fr., para- :

ribs. douze (or part - a - douze a play on

Kid's-eye. A fippenny piece (1821). paradis), parabole It., soprano (higher)
;

Kidsman. A fellow that boards and Sp., claro (light).

lodges boys for the purpose of teach-
ing them how to steal, putting them
through a course of training, as a dog
trainer will train dogs for the hunt.
The kidsman accompanies the kid,
and though committing no depreda-
tions himself, he controls and directs
the motions of the others.
Kilkenny. A frieze coat (Grose).
Kill. A garment utterly spoiled.
Dressed to kill see Dressed and
: devil's books (q.v.)
Death.
Kill-calf (or cow). butcher, a
murderous ruffian : also Kill-buck.
King John 's Man. He is one of King
John's men, eight score to the hundred,
a saying of a little undersized man
(Grose).
King's (or Queen's) Bad Bargain.
A malingering soldier, deserter (Grose).
King 's-bencher. The busiest of the
galley orators, a galley-skulker($my<A).
King's Books. A pack of cards, The
history (or books) of the four kings,
(1653).
A seat formed by
King's Cushion.
A two persons holding each other's
hands crossed also Queen's cushion
:

Kill-devil. Rum
specifically new :
(or chair), cat's-carriage (or cradle).
spirit (1696). King's (or Queen's) Head Inn.
Killers. The eyes : see Peepers Newgate see Cage (1696).
:

(1780). King's Keys. The crow-bars and

Killing. Fascinating, bewitching, hammers used by sheriffs' officers to
irresistible: also Killingly (1619). force doors and locks. [Roquefort :

Kill-priest. Port wine. faire la clef du Roy, ouvrir les clefs

Kill - the - beggar. Whisky : see et les coffres avec des instruments
Drinks. de serrurier.]
Kill-time. A pastime. Kingsman. 1. A handkerchief : a
Kilmarnock-cowl. 1. A knitted yellow pattern upon a green ground
night-cap ; and, 2. by implication the the favourite coloured neckerchief of
wretch that wore one ( 1830). costermongers : sometimes worn by
Kilmarnock-whittle. A person of women thrown over their shoulders.
either sex, already engaged or be- 2. A memberof King's College, Cam-
trothed (Jamieson). bridge. 3. In
pi., the Seventy -eighth
Kilter. See Kelter. Foot, now the 2nd battalion, Sea-
Kilt. Killed. forth Highlanders : their motto is
Kimbaw. 1. To trick, cheat, cozen : Cuidich'r Rhi, Help the King.
also, 2. to beat, bully (1696). King's (or Queen's) pictures.
Kimbo(or . To set the arms
Kimbaw) Money : see Rhino. To draw the
akimbo, to set hands on hips with Icing's (or queen's) picture, to counter-
the elbows cocked (1606). feit money (1632).
Kinchin (or Kinchen). A child, King's Plate. Fetters (Lex. Eal.):
young man : also kinchen cove (q.v.). see Darbies.
(1567). Kingswood Lion. An ass, Jerusalem
Kinchin-cove. 1. A child : see Kin- pony (q.v.).
chin (1567). An undersized man.
2. Kink. A crotchet, whim (1846).
3. A man who robs or kidnaps chil- Kinky. Eccentric, short tempered,
dren: hence, kinchin lay, robbing twisty (q.v.).
children kinchin mort, a little girl.
; Kip. A brothel. To tatter a kip,
Kinder. As it were also Kinder : to wreck a house of ill-fame (1766). 2.
sorter. A bed. English synonyms breeding- :

263
 Kip-house. Kite-flying.

cage, bugwalk, bunk, cage, cloth- Kissing-crust. The soft-baked sur-

market, dab, doss, dossing cnb, downy, face between two loaves, the under
Feathers Inn, flea- pasture, latty, crust in a pudding or pie (1708).
letty, libb, lypken, perch, ruggins, Kissing-strings. Ribands hanging
shake-down, snooze. 3. A fool, silly over the shoulders, follow-me-lads
fellow he's a kip, he's dull-witted
:
(q.v.): Fr., svivez-moi-jcune-homme
(Matsell) see Buffle.
: As verb, (1) to (1705).
truant, do dolly ; (2) to sleep, Kissing-trap. The mouth, whisker-
Elay
tdge. bed (q.v.) see Potato-trap.
:

Kip-house. A tramps' lodginghonse. Kiss-me- quick. 1 A kiss-curl (q.v.). .

Kipper. To die see Hop the twig : : 2. The name of a very small, once
on the Trent a .-.ilnion is said to be fashionable bonnet (1855). 3. A
kipper when it is s^riousy out of con- compounded drink.
dition and has lost about half its Kist-o
'
An organ ( 1 640).
- whustles.

weight. Kit. A
dancing master (New
1.

Kipsy. See Kypsey. Cant Diet.). 2. A person's baggage

Kirjalis. fears ? Who
I fear not ; or impediments, an outfit, collection
come on (Matsell). ! of anything. The whole kit, the lot,
Kirkbuzzer. thief whose special-A the whole gridiron, or the whole boil-
ity is to ply in churches (Matsell). ing: in America, the kit and boodle.
Kirkling. Breaking into a house Kitchen. The stomach, victualling
while the occupants are at church. office (q.v.).
Kirk's Lambs. The Second Regi- Kitchener. A
thief frequenting a
ment of Queen's
Foot, now the thieves' kitchen (q.v.).
(Royal West Surrey Regiment): from Kitchenite. A
loafing compositor
the name of its first colonel and the frequenting the kitchen of the Com-
Paschal Lamb, the badge of Portugal, positors' Society house.
on its colours. Kitchen-Latin. Barbarous or sham
K i s k y. Drunk, fuddled : see Latin, dog- Latin (q.v.).
Screwed. Kitchen-physic. 1. Pot-herbs ; and,
Kiss. 1 . A drop of wax by the side of 2. victuals (1592).
a seal on a pi., Hotchkiss
letter. 2. In Kitchen-stuff. A female servant
Ordnance Co. shares. As verb, to touch (1658).
gently, brush in billiards and other: Kite. 1. A fool, sharper, cruel and
games the balls are said to kiss when rapacious wretch :
Fr., buse : see
they barely touch (1593). To kiss Buffle (1534). 2. An accommodation
the daws (or hands), to salute (1630). bill, fictitious commercial paper,
To kiss the counter, to be confined in (in Scotland) a windmill-bill (q.v.) :

the Counter prison also Clink (1618). : see Kite-flying. To fly a kite, (1) to
To kiss the dust, to die see Hop the : raise money or keep up credit by the
twig. To kiss the hare's foot, to be aforesaid means (181 7); (2) to put out a
too late for meals, to dine with Duke feeler before a definite announcement.
Humphrey (q.v.). To kiss the master, 3. Fancy stocks (Matsell). 4. letter A
to hit the Jack (q.v.) at bowls (1579). (Matsell). 5. The chief of a gang of
To kiss the post, to be shut out (1600).
'
thieves. 6. A
recruiting sergeant :
To kiss the maid, Kissing the Maid, an from Farquhar's Sergeant Kite in
Engine in Scotland, and at Halifax The Recruiting Officer. 7. The belly
in England, in which the Head of a (1554). As verb, (1) to keep up one s
Malefactor is laid to be Cut off, and credit by means of accommodation
which this way is done to a hair, said bills, obtain money by bills ; (2) to
to be invented by Earl Morton, who speculate wildly ; (3) to be restless,
had the Fate to Handsel it' (B. E.).
ill go from place to place, slate (q.v.)
Kiss-curl. A small curl twisted on (Matsett).
the cheek or temple, beau-catcher Kite-flyer. One who raises money or
,v.) cf. Aggrawator and Lovelock :
: sustains his credit by the use of
a' so Kiss-me-quick. accommodation bills.
Kisser. 1. The mouth, the drip- Kite-flying. The fabrication or
ping (or latch-) pan (q.v.) see Potato- :
negotiation of bills of accommodation
trap. 2. In pi., the lips, lispers (q.v.), or bills for which no value has been
mums (q.v.) :
Fr., balots. received, in order to raise money.
254
 Kitten. Knight.

Kitten. A pint or half-pint pewter knap the rust, to fall into a rage.
pot : see Cat. As verb, to be brought to Originally knap meant to strike :

bed, bust up, explode. whence knap (theatrical), a manual

Kittie (also Kittock). (1) Generic retort rehearsed and arranged to ;

for a girl ; (2) a romping wench ; (3) a take (or give) the knap, to receive (or
harlot (1513). administer) a sham blow ; and
Kittle-breeks. An irritable person. knapper, the head or receiver general
Kittle-pi tchering. jocular method A (q.v.) (1537). 2. To be in punish-
of hobbling or bothering a troublesome ment (q.v.) ; to catch it (q.v.). To
teller of long stories ; this is done by knap a hot 'un, to receive a hard blow.
contradicting some very immaterial 3. To arrest (MatseU). To knap the
circumstance at the beginning of the stoop, go hungry. To knap a
to
narration, the objections to which Jacob from a danna-drag, to steal the
being settled, others are immediately ladder from a nightman's cart, while
started to some new particular of like the men are absent, in order to
consequence, thus impeding, or rather an ascent to a one-pair-of-stairs
effect
not suffering him to enter into the window, to scale a garden wall (De
main story. Kittle-pitchering is often Vaux).
practised in confederacy (Grose). Knapper 's-poll. sheep's head: A
K
i 1 1 1 e r. One who tickles or see Sanguinary James.
Knapping- jigger. A
turnpike gate :
Kitty. 1. The Bridewell or prison i.e. a gate for the receipt of tolls.
at Durham : hence a prison or gaol Kn a r k. churl, A
flintheart,
generally. 2. In pi., effects, furniture, nark (q.v.). (1851).
stock-in-trade, marbles (q.v.). To Knat. (1) A difficult task ; (2) a
seize one's kitty s, to take one's effects tyrant ; and (3) one not easily hood-
(Lex. Bal.). 3. A pool. 4. In pi., The winked.
Scots Guards. Knave (Christ's Hospital). A
Kivey. A man, fellow a diminu- : dunce at Hertford, a knack.
:

tive of cove (q.v.) (1854). Knee. To offer (or give) the knee,
K. Legged. Knock-kneed, shaky to play the second in a fight (1856).
on the pins. Knee high to a mosquito (a toad, a chaw
K
1 o o p An imitation of the
!
of tobacco, etc. ), insignificant, of scant
sound of a drawing cork. account. To sit on one's knees, to
Klem. To strike, hit. kneel down.
Klep. A thief (q.v.): short for Knee-trick. Kneeling ( 1 632).

kleptomaniac. As verb, to steal see : Knick-knack. A trinket, toy : see

Prig. Nicknacks.
Knab the Rust. See Rust. Knife. A sword (1270). As verb,
Knack. (
1 )
A trick
and (2) a trinket. ; (1) to stab ; (2) to plot against the
\Tyrwhitt The word seems to have
: candidate of one's own party. To
been formed by the knacking or lay doum one's knife and fork, to die,
snapping of the fingers made by peg out (q.v.), to snuff it (q.v.) : see
jugglers.] (1383). Hop the twig. To knife it, to decamp,
Knacker. 1. An old horse. 2. A cut it (q.v.). Knife it I separate!
horse-slaughterer. 3. In pi., Har- leave off : go away ! To play a good
rison, Barber, Co., Ltd., shares & :
knife and fork, to eat with appetite.
an amalgamation of horse- slaughter- Before one can say Knife ! instanter,
ers. Knacker's brandy, a beating. in the twinkling of an eye (q.v.) : cf.
Knack-shop. A toy shop, a nick- Jack Robinson.
nackatory (1696). Knife-board. A seat for passengers
Knap. 1. To
steal, receive, accept, running lengthwise on the roof of an
endure, etc. Thus, to knap a clout, omnibus now mostly superseded by
:

to steal a handkerchief ; to knap the garden seats Fr., imperatrice (1853).

:

swag, to grab the booty ; to knap Knifer. A sharking sponge.

seven (or fourteen) penn'orth, to get Knifish. Spiteful.
seven or fourteen years'. In making Knight. An ironical prefix of pro-
a bargain, to knap the sum offered is fession or calling :
generic. Thus :

to accept it. Mr. Knap's been there, knight of the blade, a bully (B. E.
is said of a pregnant woman. To 1690) ; knight of the brush, an artist
255
 Knitting Needle.
or painter ; knight of the collar, a
gallows-bird ; knight of the cleaver,
a butcher ; knight of the cue, a
billiard-marker ; knight of the green
cloth, a gamester knight of Hornesy
; heap
(or of the forked order), a cuckold ;
knight of industry, a thief ; knight
of the knife, a cut-purse ; knight of
labour (in America), a working man ;
knight of the lapstone, a cobbler ;
knight of the napkin, a waiter knight
of the needle, a tailor ; knight of the
quill, an author or journalist ; knight
of the pencil, a book-maker knight of
the pestle, an apothecary ; knight of
the pit, a cocker ; knight of the
petticoat, a bawdy-house bully ; knight
of the piss-pot, a physician, an apothe-
cary ; knight of the post, a knight
dubbed at the whipping post or
pillory, also a rogue who got his
living by giving false witness or false
bail ; knight of the rainbow, a foot-
man (Grose, 1785) ; knight of the road,
a footpad or highwayman also
knight of the rumpad ; knight of the
shears or thimble, a tailor (Grose,
1785) ; knight of the spigot, a tapster,
a publican knight of the sun, an
; so much off the price ; (4) to die ; to
adventurer, a knight-errant knight
of the wheel, a cyclist ; knight of the
whip, a coachman knight of the
; frustrate, spoil, settle
yard, a shopman or counter-jumper.
To be knighted in Bridewell, to be
whipped in prison (1592).
Knitting Needle. A sword, cheese-
toaster (q.v.).
Knob. 1. The head, nob (q.v.)
Crumpet. One on the nob, a blow on
the head (Grose). 2. (workmen's.)
A knobstick (q.v.).
Knobby. See Nobby.
Knob-of-suck. A piece of sweet-
meat.
Knobstick (or Nobstick). 1. A
non-society hand, dung (q.v.), rat
(q.v.) also one who takes work under
: thrash, excel ; to knock the bottom
price,
or continues at work while his
fellows are on strike. 2. A master
who does not pay his men at market
rates (1851).
Knock. A lame horse,
able screw (q.v.) the horse-dealer in
: run amuck ; to knock out the wedges,
Jonson's Bartholomew Fair (1614), is
called Knockem. As verb, to make an
impression, be irresistible, fetch (q.v.),
floor (q.v.). Phrases : To knock acock,
to floor, flabbergast (q.v.), double up ;
to knock about (or round), to wander
here and there, lounge : also to see
life, go the pace (q.v.) ; to knock about
the bub, to pass round the drink : see
Bub ; to knock (or let) daylight into
one : see Daylight ; to knock all of a
: see Heap ; to knock at the
cobbler's door : see Cobbler's knock ;
to knock down, ( 1 ) to appropriate, em-
bezzle ; (2) to call upon, select (1758) ;
to knock down for a song, to sell under
intrinsic value to knock down a cheque;
; (or pile), to spend one's savings lavishly,
blew (q.v.) ; to knock down fares, to
pilfer fares : of conductors and guards ;
;
toknock it down, to applaud by ham-
mering or stamping ; to knock one
down to, to introduce (to a person) ;
to knock in (Oxford University), (1)
to return to college after gate is closed ;
(2), to take a hand at cards, chip in
(q.v.) ; to knock into fits (a cocked
hat, the middle of next week, etc.), to
confound, floor (q.v.), punish severely;
to knock (or take it) out of one, to
exhaust, empty, punish severely ;
: to knock off, (1) to leave off work,
abandon : FT., peter sur le mastic
(1662) ; (2) to dispatch with ease, put
out of hand ; (3) to deduct, knock
; knock one bandy, to astound, flabber-
gast (q.v.) ; to knock on the head, to
; to knock out,
(1) see to bet so
Knock-out; (2)
persistently against a horse that from
a short price he retires to an outside
place, drive out of the quotations ; (3)
to make bankrupt ; knocked out, un-
: see able to meet engagements ; (4) see
Knock out of time ; (5) (Oxford
University), to leave college after
hours : of out of college men only :
see Knock in and Knocking out ; to
knock out of time, to punish an op-
ponent so that he is not able to answer
the call of Time ; to knock the spots
off (or out of), to surpass, confound,
(stuffing, wadding, lining, filling, or
inside) out of, to confound, surpass,
floor (q.v.) ; thrash, finish off ; to
knock smoke out of, to try, vanquish
an incur- utterly ; to knock saucepans out of, to
to desert, leave in a difficulty ; to
knock round see To knock about ; to
:
knock under, to yield, give out, confess
defeat (1668); to knock up (Christ's
Hospital), (1) to gain a place in class :
e.g. I knocked up and I knocked
Jones up the Hertford equivalent is
:
 Knockabout. KnucUe-bone.

ox up (q.v.); (2) to achieve, accom- a warm member (q.v.) one

priety),
plish ; (3) to put together hastily, as who dpes outrageous things. 4. A
by nailing (4) to
exhaust, tire (1771) ;
; hit out of the guard on the point of
to get the (I) to drink, get
knock, the chin which puts the recipient to
:

screwed (q.v.); (2) to be discharged, sleep, and ends the fight hence, ;

get the sack or bag (q.v.) ; to take a champion of any sort and in any
the knock, to lose more to the book- walk of life. Knocker-out, a pugilist
makers than one can pay, be dead who is an adept at putting to sleep
broke (q.v.) to be knocked off one's
; (q-v.).
pins, to be flabbergasted (q.v.); that Knocksoftly. A fool, soft (q.v.):
knocks me, that confounds (or is too see Buffle.
much for) me ; to be knocked into the Knot. A crew, gang, fraternity
middle of next week, to be astounded, (1597). To knot it, to abscond see :

et badly beaten, be knocked into a Bunk. To tie, with St. Mary's knot,
cocked hat (1823). to hamstring. To tie a knot with the
Knockabout. An actor of violent tongue that cannot be untied with the
id noisy pantomime a special genre. : teeth, to get married.
Knockabout man. A Jack-of-all- Know. To know what's what
ies (q.v.), handy man. (what's o'clock, a thing or two, one's
Knock-down (or Knock-me-down). way about, etc.), to have knowledge
rong ale, stingo (q.v.), also, gin (taste, judgment, or experience), to
(1515). As
rowdy (1760).
adj., be wide-awake (q.v.), equal to any
Knock-down and Drag-out. A emergency, fly (q.v.). Not to know
B-fight. B from a battledore see B. In the :

Knock - 'em - down Business. know, having special and intimate

Auctioneering. knowledge, in the swim, on the ground
Knock - 'em - downs. Skittles floor All one knows, the ut-
(q.v.).
(1828). most. / want to know, Is it possible ?
Knocker. In pi., small flat curls You surprise me.
orn on the temples sixes (q.v.). Up
; Knowing. Artful, fly (q.v. ) (1712).
the
knocker, (I) completely equal Knowing bloke, a sponger on new
,
perfect in appearance, condition, recruits.
Itness ; (2) in the height of fashion. Knowledge-box. The head, nous-
Knocker-face (or Head). An ugly
"
box (q.v.) see Crumpet (1798).
:

person, ugly-mug (q.v.). Knub. To rub against, tickle

Knocker-out. See Knock-out. (1653).
Knock - in. 1. The game of loo. Knuck. A thief (q.v.): short for
A hand at cards. 3. A Knock- knuckle (q.v.) (1834). As verb, to
it (q.v.) steal : see Prig.
Knock-out. 1. A man frequenting Knuckle. One who hangs about the
action rooms and acting in concert lobbies of both Houses of Parliament,
buy at a nominal price. One of the Opera - House, and both Play-
gang is told off to buy for the Houses, and in general wherever a
and after a few small bids as great crowd assemble they steal :

ids, the lot is knocked down to watches, snuff-boxes, etc. (Parker,

tie knock-out
bidders, so that com- 1781). As verb, (1) to fight with
etition is made impossible. At the fists, pummel ; (2) to pick pockets :
ad of the sale the goods are taken applied especially to the more refined
ray and resold or knocked out or artistic branch of the art, i.e.
the confederates, the differ- extracting notes or money from the
ice between the first purchase and waistcoat or breeches pockets, where-
second or tap-room knock-out as buzzing (q.v.) is used in a more
-being divided. The lowest sort of general sense also to go on the knuckle.
:

aock-outs, with more tongue than To knuckle (knuckle down to, or

*pital, are called babes. Hence knuckle under), (1) to stoop, bend,
auction at which knocking-out yield, comply with, or submit to
practised. Also as verb and adj. :
(1748) ; (2) to apply oneself earnestly,
Jy a thing of the past. 2. In pi., engage vigorously.
3. A man or woman (used Knuckle-bone. Down on the knuckle'
ather in eulogy or in outraged pro- bone, hard-up, stony (q.v.).
257
 Knuckled. Ladies' Finger.

Knuckled. Handsome. Koniacker (or Cogniac -

er). A
Knuckledabs (or Knuckle-con- counterfeiter (MatscU).
founders). Handcuffs (Grose): see Kool. To look.
Darbies. Kotoo (or Kotow). To bow down
Knuckle-duster. 1. A knuckle-guard to, scrape to, lickspittle.
of iron or brass which, in striking, pro- Kosh (or Kosher). 1. A short iron
tects the hand from injury and! adds bar used for purpose of assault. 2.
force to a blow. 2. A large, heavy, A blow. As adj., fair, square from :

or over-gaudy ring. the Hebrew, lawful

Knuckler. A pickpocket. Krop. Pork.
Knuller. 1. A chimney-sweep Kudos. Glory and honour. To
who custom in an irregular
solicits kudos, to praise, glorify : from Gr.,
manner, by knocking at the doors of kudos, praised (1793).
houses and such like also kneller. 2.
:
Kye. Eighteen pence see Rhino.
:

A clergyman. Kynchen. See Kinchen.

K o k u m. Sham kindness : see Kypsey. A wicker basket also :

Cocum. kipsey (1754).

Kone. Counterfeit coin (Matsdl).

L. The three L's, lead, latitude,
look-out (Clark Russell).
Label. A postage stamp
Toadskin.
Labour. To beat
Labourer. An accoucheur, midwife.
Lace. Strong waters added to
coffee or tea also (by inference), sugar
:
(1712). As verb, (1) to intermix with
spirits FT., consoler son cafe, to brandy
: to trust, to be nubbed, to kick the
one's coffee (1677); (2) to flog: also
to lace one's coat (or jacket) (1599);
(3) to wear tight stays.
Lacedemonians. The Forty-sixth
Foot, now
the second battalion of the
Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
from its colonel making it a long
speech under a heavy fire about the
Lacedemonians and their discipline
also Murrays Bucksand The Surprisers.
Laced Mutton. A woman, especially
a wanton (1578).
Lacing. 1. See Lace.
bing, flogging, lashing (1696).
Lach. To let in.
Lack-Latin. An ignoramus speci-
fically an unlettered priest (1555).
Ladder. To mount a ladder (to bed
or to rest), to be hanged (1560). Eng-
and cravat, or a Newgate hornpipe with-
out music), to fetch a Tyburn stretch,
: cf. to die in one's boots (or shoes, or with
cotton in one's ears), to die of hempen
fever (or squinsy), to have a hearty
choke with caper sauce for breakfast,
to take a vegetable breakfast, to
marry the widow, to" morris (Old
Cant), to trine, to tuck up, to swing,
wind, to kick the wind with one's
heels, to kick the wind before the
hotel door, to kick away the prop, to
preach at Tyburn cross, to make (or
have) a Tyburn show, to wag hemp in
: the wind, to wear hemp (an anodyne
necklace, a hempen collar, a caudle,
circle, cravat, croak, garter, necktie,
: or habeas), to wear neckweed, (or St.
Andrew's lace), to tie Sir Tristram's
Knot, to wear a horse's nightcap (or
a Tyburn tippet), to come to scratch
2. A drub- in a hanging (or stretching match or
bee), to ride the horse foaled of an
acorn (or the three-legged mare), to
: be stretched (topped, scragged, or
down for one's scrag). To be unable to
see a hole in a ladder, to be hopelessly
drunk see Screwed.
:

lish synonyms to cut a caper upon

: Laddie. A lady.
nothing (or one's last fling), to catch Ladies' Cage. That portion of the
(nab, or be copped with), the stifles, gallery in the Commons which is set
to climb the stalk, to climb (or leap apart for ladies see Cage.
:

from) the leafless (or the triple) tree, to Ladies' Fever. Syphilis, French
be cramped (crapped, or cropped), to gout (q.v.).
cry cockles, to dance upon nothing Ladies' Finger (or Wish). A taper-
(the Paddington frisk, in a hempen ing glass of spirits, especially gin.
258
 Ladies' Grog. Lamb.

Ladies' Grog. Grog: hot, strong, Lage. See Lag. As verb, to wash
sweet,and plenty of it (Dickens). down, drink (1567).
Ladies Mile. Rotten Row in Hyde Lager Beer. To think no lager beer
'

Park the principal airing ground of oneself : see Small beer.

during the London season. Lag-fever. A
term of ridicule ap-
Ladle. To enunciate pretentiously ; plied to men who, being under sentence
to mouth (q.v.). or transportation, pretend illness, to
Lad of (or on) the Cross. See avoid being sent from gaol to the
Cross. hulks (Lex. Bal.).
Lad o' Wax. 1. A cobbler, cock o' Lagger. 1. A sailor. 2. An infor-
wax (q.v.). 2. A boy, doll of a man, mer, witness.
man wax, a proper man.
of Lagging. A term of imprisonment :

Ladron. A thief (q.v.) from the : also lag (q.v.). Hence, lagging
Spanish (1652). matter, a crime rendering persons
Lad's Leavings (A). A girl (1737). liable to transportation (Grose).
Lady. 1. A very crooked, deformed, Lagging-dues. When a person is
and ill - shapen woman (1696): cf. likely to be transported, the flash
Lord. 2. The reverse or tail (q. v. ) of a people observe, lagging-dues will be
coin: see Head. 3. quart or pint A concerned (Grose).
pitcher wrong side uppermost. 4. The Lagging-gage. A chamber-pot, it
keeper of the gunner's small stores :
(q.v.).
lady's hole, the place where such stores Lagniappe (or Lagnappe). The
are kept. 5. A
woman of any station ; equivalent of the thirteenth roll in
usually in combination, as fore-lady, a baker's dozen. It is something
sales -lady, cook -lady. 6. In pi., thrown in, gratis for good measure.
cards, devil's books. 7. A sweet- The custom originated in New
heart. Orleans city. When a child or
Ladybird. (1) A wanton and (2) a ; servant buys something he ....
term of endearment (1595). finishes the operation by saying,
Lady-chair. See King's cushion.
'
Give me something for Lagniappe.'
Lady Dacre's Wine. Gin (Lex. The shopman always responds . . .

Bal.): see Drinks. When you are invited to drink, and

Lady-feast. A bout of debauchery you say, I've had enough, the other
'
(1653). says, But just this one time more this
Lady Fender. A woman who spends is for lagniappe (Mark Twain).
'

her time nursing the fire. Lagranged. Vexed.

Lady Green. A clergyman; speci- Lag-ship. A convict transport.
fically a prison chaplain. Laid. See Lavender, and Shelf.
Lady-killer. A male flirt, a general Lala. A swell.
lover. Lady -
killing, assiduous gal- Lally. Linen, lully (q.v.) (1800).
lantry. Lallycodler. One eminently success-
Lady Pleasure. A prostitute:
of ful in any particular line.
FT., fUle de joie (1750). Lam. See Lamb.
Lady's Ladder. Rattlins set too Lamb. 1. A quiet easy going -

close. person, simpleton, juggins (q.v.)

Lady Ware. Trinkets, knick- (1669). Ironically used of a rough
2.
knacks, ribands. (cruel, or merciless) person : speci-
Lag. 1. Sentence of transportation, fically applied to Nottingham roughs,
penal servitude. 2. A returned trans- and hence to bludgeon men at elec-
port, convict, ticket of leave man tions the head-money given is called
- -
:

(1811). 3. Water: also Lage (1573). mint-sauce Engli sh synonyms :

( q. v. ).
4. (Westminster School), a fag. 5. A barker, blood-tub, bouncer,
basher,
dialogue or scene of extra length, also a bounder, boy of the Holy Ground,
wait. As verb, (1) to transport, send bruiser, dead duck, hoodlum, larrikin,
to penal servitude lagged, sentenced,
:
mug, plug - ugly, rabbit (or dead
imprisoned :
Fr., otter d la grotto ; To rabbit), ramper, roarer (or roaring-
lump the lighter (q.v.) (1819); (2) boy), rough, roustabout, rouster,
to steal, prig (q.v.) ; (3) to catch
rowdy, rustler, short-ear. 3. A term
(1580) ; (4) to urinate ; (5) to dally, of endearment (1595). 4. An elderly
wait, drop behind. person dressed or got-up young. 5.
259
 Lamback. Land- Security.

See Lamb. 6. See Kirke's

Pet Lanceman-prigger). A highwayman
Lambs. As verb, to beat also lamb :
(1591).
lambaste, lamback, and lambeake (1665). Lancepresado. One who has only
To akin the lamb. See Skin. twopence in his pocket ; also a lance,
Lamback. A blow (1591). or deputy corporal, that is, one doing
Lambacker. A bully, hector (q.v.) the duty without the pay of corporal ;

(1593). formerly a lancier or horseman, who

Lamb and Salad. To give one lamb being dismounted by the death of his
and salad, to thrash soundly. horse, served in the foot by the title
Lambaste. See Lamb. of lansprisado or lancepesato ; a
Lambasting. A thrashing. broken lance (B. E. and Grose).
Lamb-down. To spend drink, all in Land. 1. To deliver, get home
to charter the bar (q.v.), to knock (q.v.). 2. To bring or take a posi-
down one's cheque (q.v.), to blew the tion or place, set down, catch, arrive
lot (q.v.). (1850). To set up, make all right,
3.

Lamb-pie. A drubbing (B. E.). secure. To win, gain. To land

4.
Lambskin. To beat : see Lamb out, to decamp, bunk (q.v.). To
(1593). see how the land lies, to see how
Lambskin-man. A judge (B. E.). matters stand. Who has any land
'
Lamb's -wool. Hot ale, spiced, in Appleby, a Question askt the
sweetened, and mixed with t the pulp of Man at whose Door the Glass stands
roasted apples (1189). long' (B. E.).
Lame-dog. To help a lame dog over Land-broker. An undertaker (Mat-
a stile, to give a hand, help, bunk up sell).
(q.v.) FT., sauver la mise a quelqu'un
: Land-carack. A mistress (1629).
(1605). Land-crab. A landsman.
Lame duck. 1. A defaulter on '
Landed Estate. 1.The grave,
'Change, who has to waddle out of the Darby's dyke (q.v.). 2. Dirt in the
r
Alley cf. Bear, Bull, etc. (1766).
:
finger nails.
2. A scapegrace. Landie s (Winchester College).
Lame-hand. An indifferent driver, Gaiters : from tradespeople Landy
spoon (q.v.). and Currell who supplied them
Lammas. At later Lammas, never, (Notions).
at the Greek kalends (q.v.), at Tib's Landlady. To hang the landlady, to
eve (q.v.) (1576). decamp without payment, to moon-
Lammermoor Lion. A sheep : cf. shine, to stand off the tailor.
Cotewold and Essex lion.
lion, Landlubber (also Land-leaper and
Lammie Todd I would if I 1 could. Land-loper). A vagabond, one who
Lammikin. A blow (1622). fled the country for crime or debt ;
Lamming. A beating : cf. Lamb also (nautical) a landsman, in varying
(1619). degrees of contempt, for incapacity in
Lammy. A blanket :
originally a general or uselessness as sailors in
thick quilted frock, or short jumper particular Fr., jus de cancre, terrien,
:

made of flannel or blanket cloth, worn or failli chien de terrien (1362).

by Bailors aa an outside garment in Land of Nod. Sleep. To go to the
cold weather (Gentlemen's Magazine, land of nod, to go to bed, fall asleep
1866). (1818).
Lamp. 1. An spec-
eye. 2. In pi., Land of Promises. The fair expect-
tacles, giglamps (q.v.) see Peepers. : ation cherished by a steady novice at
To smell of the lamp, to show signs of Oxford (Orose).
labour or study (1615). Land of steady habits. Connecticut.
Lamp - post. A tall lanky person. Land of Sheepishness. School-
English synonyms clothes - prop,:
boy's bondage (Orose).
daddy-longlegs, Duke of Lankester, Land-packet An ox-team.
Duke of Lamos, gawk, gas-pipe, lath- Land-pirate (or Land-rat). 1. A
legs, long-ghost, Long-shanks, long- land thief: cf. Water-rat (1598). 2.
'un, rasher-of-wind, sky-scraper, sky- See Land-shark.
topper, spindle-shanks, split-up, tongs, Land-raker. A vagabond, land-
matches. lubber (q.v.) (1696).
Lanceman (Lance-knight, or Land Security. See Leg-bail.
260
 Land-shark. Larking.

Land-shark. 1. A boarding-house Lap-ear. 1. A student of a religious

keeper, runner, crimp any one living turn of mind. 2. A donkey.
by the plunder of seamen : FT., ver- Lap-ful. 1. A lover or husband ; 2.
mine (1838). 2. usurer. A
3. A land- an unborn child.
grabber, one who seizes land by craft Lapland. The
society of women.
or force. 4. A
custom-house officer Lapper. 1. Drink,
lap (q.v.) :
(1815). hence, 2. rare-lapper, a hard drinker.
Land-swab. A landlubber (q.v.), Lap-feeder. A silver table-spoon.
grasscomber (q.v.). Lappel. To ship the white lappel, to
Land-yard. A cemetery. be raised from the ranks.
Lane. 1. The throat see Gutter :
Lap-priest. A clerical apple-squire
alley Red lane and Red lion lane
: also (q.v.), a servant (q.v.) (1690).
(1534). 2. The course laid out for Lap-tea. An informal afternoon
ocean steamers between England and meal.
America there are two lanes, or
:
Lardy. Grand, rich, swell (q.v.).
lane-routes both narrowly defined the Lardy - dardy, affected, effeminate :

northern for westward bound, and the lardy-dah (or la-di-da), a swell or fop.
southern for eastern bottoms. The To do (or come) the lardy-dah, to dress
Lane, (1) Drury Lane Theatre; (2) for the public.
Mincing Lane ; (3) Mark Lane (4) ; Lareover. Lareovers for medlers, an
Chancery Lane (5) Petticoat Lane, and
; answer frequently given to children,
(6) the old Horsemonger Lane Jail, or young people, as a rebuke for
now demolished cf. Cade, House, : their impertinent curiosity, in en-
Garden, etc. Harriet Lane, tinned or quiring what is contained in a box,
preserved meat. bundle, or any other closed convey-
Langret. In pi., dice loaded so as to ance (Grose).
show 4 or 3 more often than any other Large. A vulgarism expressive of
number the opposite is bardquater-
: excess :
thus, to dress large, to dress
tray (1591). showily to go large, to go noisily ;
;

Lank. After a lank comes a to play large, to play high to talk large, ;

bank, said of breeding women to brag, etc. (1852). Large blue kind,
(1767). a general intensitive ; e.g. a mon-
Lank Sleeve. The empty sleeve of strous lie, bad headache, interesting
a one-armed man. A fellow with a book, and so forth.
lank sleeve a man ; who has lost an Large House. A workhouse. English
arm (Lex. Bal.). synonyms big-house, grubbing-ken,
:

Lanspresado (or Lansprisado). lump, Lump-Hotel, pan, spinniken,

See Lancepresado. wool-hole.
Lant. To make water, stale (q.v.) : Large Order. A difficult undertak-
also, subs., urine (Cotgrave). ing, something exaggerated (exten-
Lantern. To hang from a lamp- sive, or big).
post Fr., d la lanterne see Lanthorn.
: : Lark. 1. A
piece of merriment
Lantern- jaws. Lean, thin-faced (1811). 2. A
boat (Lex. Bal.). As
(1696). verb, (1) to sport, tease, spree (q.v.).
Lanthorn. Dark lanthorn, the ser- (2) See Larking. (3) A boy who
vant or agent that receives the steals newspapers from doorsteps.
bribe (at Court) (B. E.). Larking. 1. To clear a jump, go over
Lap. 1. Any sort of potable like a bird. 2. Exclusive of work for

(among ballet-girls), gin : also lapper horses when hounds are running, there
(1573). 2. One round of a course is another way of making use of horse-
(1861). As verb, (1) to drink: also, flesh in Leicestershireand that is, ;

to go on the lap (1819) ; (2) in running in coming home from hunting, or

a race in laps, to overtake : as, to be
one or more laps ahead ; (3) to pick up,
take, steal (Matsell) ; (4) to seat a girl
on one's knees ; (5) to throw candy,
papers, etc. into the laps of passen-
gers. To lap the gutter : see Gutter.
To lap up, to wipe out, put out of sight.
Cat-lap (see ante).
what in the language of the day is
called larking. One of the party
holds up his hat, which is a signal for
the start; and, putting their horses'
heads in a direction for Melton, away
they go, and stop at nothing till they
get there (Nimrod). 3. Frolicking.horse-
play, rowdyism. As adj , Larkish (q. v. ).

261
 Larkish. Lay.

'
Larkish (Larky or Larking). Frolic- Lather. To beat, thrash: also
some, rowdy. Leather (q.v.) (1849).
Larky Subaltern's Train. See Lathy. Thin (1748).
Cold meat train. Latitat An attorney (Grose) from :

Larrence. See Lazy Laurence. an obsolete form of writ (1771).

Larrey. Artful (MatseU). Latter-end. The breech.
Larrikin. A rough cf. Arab, cab-
: Lattice. See Red lattice.
'

bage-tree, mob, hoodlum, etc. It was Latty. See Letty.

in a Sydney newspaper that I read Laugh. To laugh on the wrong (or
about Larrikins, but the term would other) side of one's mouth (or face), to
appear to have spread throughout cry (1811).
Australia. H. de 8. tells me that Launch. A lying-in (Grose). As
larrikin was originally Melbourne verb, 'I had [at Sandhurst about
slang, applied to rowdy youngsters, 1815] to undergo the usual torments of
who, in the early days of the gold being launched, that is having my bed
fever,gave much trouble to the police. reversed while I was asleep of being ;

An Australian born spells the word thrown on the floor on my face, with
larakin .... Finally, Archibald Forbes the mattress on my back and all my
tells me A : larrikin is a cross between friends or foes dancing on my prostrate
the street arab and the hoodlum, with body' (Berkeley).
a dash of the rough thrown in to im- Laundress. A bed maker in
prove the mixture. It was thus the chambers.
term had its origin. A Sydney police- Laurence. See Lusty Laurence.
man of the Irish persuasion brought up Lavender. To lay (or put) in laven-
a rowdy youngster before the local der, (1) to lay up or put aside care-
beak. Asked to describe the conduct fully ; as
linen among lavender.
of the misdemeanant, he said, Av '
Hence (2) to pawn; (3) to leave in
it please yer honnor, the blaggard lodging for debt ; (4) to hide from the
wor a larrakin' (larking) all over the police ; and (5) on the turf, to be ill
place.' The expression was taken or out of the way (1592).
'
hold of and applied (Sola). As adj., Lavender - cove. A pawnbroker,
rowdy. Larrikinism, rowdyism. uncle (q.v.).
Larrup. To flog: Fr., cotter du Law. A
time allowance hence a :

rotate. preliminary notice, a chance of escape

Larruping. A thrashing : Fr., (Grose). To stab the law, to rail against
schlague (1844). authority.
Larry Dugan's Eye-water. Black- Lawful Blanket (or Jam). A
ing (Grose). wife : see Dutch
(Lex. Bal.).
Lash (Blue Coat School). To envy : Lawful pictures. Money see : Rhino
usually used in the imperative as a and cf. King's pictures (1607).
taunt (Blanch). Lawk !
(or Lawks !) An exclama-
Lashings (or Lashins). Plenty, tion of surprise.
abundance also lashin's and
: lavin's, Lawful Time (Winchester College).
plenty and to spare (1841). Recess, playtime.
Lask. A looseness of the bowels. Lawn. A
handkerchief (Grose).
Lass in a red petticoat. A wife The lawn, the lawn on the course at
with a good portion. Ascot cf. House, Lane, etc.
:

Last Compliment. Burial (1780). Lawrie (or Laurie). A fox (1567).

Last-feather. The latest fashion Lawyer. High (or highway)
(1607). lawyer, a mounted robber or high-
Latch. To let in (New Cant Diet. ). wayman (1592).
Latch-drawer. A thief (q.v.) who Lay. 1. A
pursuit, scheme, device,
stole into houses by drawing the lurk. Also in combination, kinchin-
latch (1362). lay (q.v.); avoirdupois-lay (q.v.);
Latch -pan. The under -lip; to ken-crack-lay, house-breaking ; fancy-
hang one's latch-pan, to pout, to sulk. lay, pugilism. English synonyms :
Late-play (Westminster School). A dodge, game, huff, job, knack, lay-out,
half-holiday or holiday beginning at line, lurk, lug, move, outfit, racket,
noon. shake, show, swim. 2. A
wager (1591).
Lath-and-plaster. A master. 3. Aquantity (1821). 4. Goods (18211
262
 Laycock, Leary-cum-Fitz.

5. On American whaling ships the a writhe or groan, which caused some

ciistom not to pay fixed wages,
is of those standing by to remark, How '

'
but a lay or proportion of the catch great must be his faith but his
'
!

which varies from a sixteenth to a pagan executioner said, It is not his

twelfth to the captain down to a three- faith, but his idleness ; he is too lazy
hundredth to the cabin - boy. As to turn himself.'
verb, (1) to wager ; to lay one's shirt, Lazy-man's load. More than one
to stake one's all. English synonyms : can carry.
to lump on, to plank down, to do a Lazy-tongs. An instrument like a
flutter, to wire, to slant, to snap, to pair of tongs to take anything off the
tot (1563). (2) To watch, search, lie in ground without stooping.
wait. On the lay, on the alert, at work : Lead. (1) A
leading or principal
also to lay for and to
lay by (1603). part; (2) the person who plays it.
Phrases to lay about, to strike on all
:
Friendly lead, an entertainment
sides, fight vigorously ; to lay at, to sing-song, dance, or drinking party
attempt to strike, aim a blow ; to lay by got up to assist a friend in trouble
the heels, to put in prison or the stocks :
(q.v.): Fr., bouline (1851). To lead
see Heels ; to lay down, to play cards ; apes in hell, the employment jocularly
1
to lay down one 8 knife and fork, to die, assigned to old maids in hell (1575).
go aloft (q.v.), hop the twig (q.v.); Leading Article. The nose see :

to lay a duck's egg (see Duck's egg) ; Conk.

to lay in, to attack with vigour ; to Leaf. Autumn cf Fall of the leaf.
: .

lay in one's dish, to object a thing to To go off with the fall of the leaf, to be
a person, make an accusation against hanged ; criminals hanged in Dublin
him (1615) ; to lay into, to thrash being turned off from the outside of
(1838) ; to lay it on (and superlatively, the prison, by the falling of a board,
to lay it on thick), to exceed in speech, propped up, and moving on a hinge like
splendour, expense, charges, praise, the leaf of a table (Grose).
etc. (1560) ; to lay off, to give over ; Leafless-tree. The gallows : see
to lay oneself forth (or out), to exert Nubbing-cheat Fr., sansfeuille.
:

oneself rigorously and earnestly ; Leak. 1. To impart a secret (Mat-

to lay oneself open, to expose oneself ; sett). 2. To make water (Grose).
to lay oneself out for, to be ready and Hence, to spring a leak, to urinate.
willing to take part in anything; to Leaky. 1. Inclined to blab (q.v.).
lay out, (1) to get the better of, dis- 2. Incontinent of urine.
able (as with a blow), kill, cook one's Lean. Unremunerative ; the re-
goose (q.v.) ; (2) to intend, purpose, verse of fat (q.v.): also as subs.,
;
to lay over, to excel ; a good unprofitable work.
y, an economical method of cutting,
E'opose Lean and- - fat. A hat : see Gol-
anything beneficial. gotha.
Laycock. See Miss Laycock. Lean-and-lurch. A church.
Layer. A bookmaker, a betting Lean-away. A drunkard see Lush- :

man.
Lay-out. A company,
spread (q.v.).
Layover. See Lareover.
Laystall (Leystall, or Layston).
A dunghill.
Lay-up. A drink, go (q.v.).
Lazy. Lazy as Ludlam's (or David
Laurence's) dog, excessively indolent
also Lazy as Joe the marine who laid
down his musket to sneeze (1670).
Lazy-bones. loafer; A
boots: Fr., loche (1593).
Lazy - Lawrence (or
An incarnation of laziness : a tradi-
tional tale has been handed down from
age to age that at the execution of St.
Lawrence he bore his torments without
ington.
outfit (q.v.), Leap. All safe (New Cant Diet.).
To take a leap at Tyburn (or in the
dark), to be hanged (1600). To leap
(or jump) the book (broomstick, broom,
besom, or sword), to marry in an in-
formal fashion, to dab it
up (q.v.) ;
to live tally : cf.- Bush
ring. Let
: the best dog leap the stile first, let the
worthiest take preference. To leap
over the hedge before you come at the
also lazy- stile, to be in a violent hurry (1670).
To be ready to leap over nine hedges,
Larrence). exceeding ready (1767).
Leaping-house. A brothel (1598).
Leary (or Leery). 1. Artful, downy
(q.v.). 2. Drunk: see Screwed.
Leary-cum-Fitz. A vulgarian actor.
263
 Legem pone.

Least. Least in sight, in hiding, out Leg. 1. A swindling gamester (1836).

of the way, scarce (Grow). 2. A chalk or point scored in a game.
Leather. 1. A
pocket book : see 3. In pi., a lanky-built man or woman,
Reader. 2. In pi., the ears, lugs (q.v.); lamp-post (q.v.). 4. A bow : sec Make
3. A cricket-, or foot- ball ; to hunt a leg ( 1596). As verb, ( 1 ) to trip up ;
leather (cricket), to field ; leather-hunting (2) see Leg it. To make (or scrape) a
(sabs.), fielding. As verb, to beat, tan leg, to bow, curtsey: also to leg it ( 1 592).
.(q.v.),dust (q.v.) (1763). To go to To leg it, (I) to run away : cf. Leg-bail
leather,to grasp hold of the horn of and to give legs ; (2) See Make a leg.
a saddle. To lone leather, to be saddle- To break a to be seduced (1684).
leg,
galled (Grose). Leathers, a postboy. To cut one's leg, to get drunk : see
Leatherhead. 1. A swindler see Screwed (1767). To a
:
get leg in, to
Rook (1696). 2. A policeman, watch- obtain one's confidence. A leg (or
man. leg up), help (1836). To have a bone
Leather-hunting. See Leather. in one's leg (arm, or throat), to be
Leathering. A thrashing. incapable of action : a playful refusal
Leathern-convenience. A stage- (1542). To shake a free (or a loose)
coach, carriage (1696). leg, to live as one likes, go on tramp
Leatherneck. A soldier: see Mud- (1834). To give (or show) legs (or a
crusher. dean pair of legs), to decamp, run
Leathernly. Clumsily, sordidly, away. Not a leg (or a leg to stand on),
poorly (1594). at the end of one's resources. In high
Leave. A favourable position for leg, in high feather. On one's last
a stroke (billiards). To take French legs, on the verge of ruin, at the end
leave (see French leave). To leave of one's tether (1763). To be (or
in the air (see Air). To leave in the get) on one's legs, to rise to speak, be
lurch (see Lurch). speaking. To stand on one's own
Leav ing- shop. An unlicensed legs, to depend on oneself. To set
pawnbrokery, dolly-shop (q.v.) : see one (or get) on one's legs, to restore or
Uncle (1867). attain to good circumstances. To
Led -
captain. A toady, sponge show a leg, to get out of bed. To have
(q.v.), pimp (1672). the legs of one, to outrun. To fight
Led-friend. A parasite (1710). at the leg, to take unfair advantages,
Leeds. Lincolnshire and Yorkshire it being held unfair by backsword

ordinary stock. players to strike at the leg. To fatt

Leek. The leeks are men who have
not been brought up to the trade of
chimney-sweeping, but have adopted
itas a speculation, and are so called
from their entering green, or inex-
perienced into the business (Mayhew).
Leekshire. Wales.
Leer. A newspaper ( 1 780).
Leery. On one's guard (Grose).
Left Over the left (or left shoulder),
used in negation of a statement, and
sometimes accompanied by pointing
the thumb over the left shoulder in
' '
Florio, in my other hose ( 1 682). To
get (or be left), (1) to fail, and (2) to be
placed in a difficulty. To be left in
the basket (see Basketed).
Left-forepart. A wife see Dutch.
Left-handed. Sinister, untoward,
evil: Ger., link (1620).
Left-handed Wife. A concubine
Fr., manage de la main
morganatic union (1663).
on one'slegs (or feet), to prosper (1841).
To have legs, to be reputed fast (as a
ship, a horse, a runner). To feel one's
legs, to be sure of one's ground. To
put one's best leg foremost, ( 1 ) to make
haste ; and (2) to exert oneself (1599).
As right as my leg, as right as may be.
To put the boot on the other leg, to turn
the tables. To stretch one's legs, to
take a walk : hence, leg-stretcher (q.v.),
a drink. To make
indentures with
one's legs, to be drunk : see Screwed.
: More belongs to marriage than four
bare legs in a bed, said of an engage-
ment or wedding of a portionless
couple.
Leg-and-leg. The state of the game
: when each player has won a leg (q.v.),
horse-and -horse (q.v.).
Leg-bags. 1. Stockings; and, 2.
: cf. trousers.
gauche, a Leg-bail (or Leg - bail and land
security). Escape from custody :

Left-hander. A blow delivered with Fr., lever le pied (\151).

the left hand. Legem pone. Money :
generic : see
 Leger. Letter-racket.

Rhino. [Nares The origin of the

:
phrase doubtless this
is The first
psalm for the twenty-fifth day of the
month has the title Legem pone, being
the first words of the Latin version.
This psalm is the fifth portion of the
119th psalm, and, being constantly
used on the first great pay day of the
year, March 25, was easily connected
with the idea of payment, while the
laudable practice of daily attendance
on the public service was continued.]
(1557).
Leger. A cant term for a Londoner
who formerly bought coals of the
country colliers at so much a sack, and
made his chief profit by using smaller
sacks, making pretence he was a
country collier. This was termed
legering.
Legerdemain. Sleight
(1535).
Legged. In irons.
Legger (or Sham Legger). A cheat
who pretends to sell smuggled goods,
but in reality only deals in shop-
keepers' old and damaged wares.
of one's foot, to fascinate, understand
: how to manage a person.
Lenten-faced. Starved, sad-looking
(1621).
Lenten-fare. Spare diet.
Ler-ac-am. Mackerel.
Lericompoop (Leripup, Leripoop,
or Luripup). Originally an academi-
cal scarf or hood. Hence (1) know-
ledge or acuteness ; (2) a man or
woman of parts ; (3) a swindle, jest, or
trick ; and (4) a cheat, buffon, or jester.
Thence, to play one's liripups, (1) to
undergo examination for a degree ;
and (2) to play the fool (from the con-
tempt into which scholastic subtle-
ties had in the end to fall). Also as
verb, to deceive, cheat (1584).
Lesson. See Simple Arithmetic.
Let. Let alone, much less, not men-
of hand tioning (1831). To let the cat out of
the bag, to reveal a secret, put one's
foot in it see Cat.
: To let daylight
into, to stab, shoot, kill. To let down
gently (or easy), (1) to be lenient
(1836) ; (2) to disappoint, rebuff. To
let drive, to aim a blow, attack (1593).

Leggings. Stockings. To let fly, to aim at, strike (1647). To

Leggism. The character, practices, let go the painter : see Painter. To
or manners of a leg (q.v.). let in, ( 1 ) to deceive, victimise, cheat ;

Leggy. Long-legged (1848). (2) to give custom to, patronise, consort

Legitimate. 1. Flat-racing as dis- with. To let into, to attack, beat,
tinguished from steeple chasing or
- abuse. To let off steam : see Steam.
hurdle-racing and, 2. drama especi-
;
To let on, to betray, admit, seem
ally the Shakespearean as opposed (1725). To let oneself loose, to speak,
to burlesque. launch out, abandon restraint. To
Leglin-girth. To cast a leglingirth, let out, (1) to disclose; (2) to speak
to be got with child. strongly ; (3) to strike out ; (4) to do,
Leg of mutton. sheep's trotter.A a general verb of action. To let out
As adj., leg-of-mutton shaped ; as in a reef, to loosen one's clothes after a
the case of sleeves, whiskers, sails, etc. meal Fr., Idcher un cran.
: To let
Leg of mutton Fist. See Mutton fist. rip : see Rip. To see Slide.
let slide :

Leg of the Law. lawyer: also limb A To let up, to stop

also (as subs.) let
:

of the law. up (q.v.). To let the finger ride the

Legs-and-arms. Bodiless beer : for thumb too often, to get drunk see :

synonyms, see Drinks and Swipes. Screwed. For combinations

other
Leg-shaker. A
dancer : Fr. , gamb U- see Disinfect, Flicker, In, Marks,
leur. Monkey, Play, Pockets, Slide, Stimu-
L e g s h i r e. The Isle of Man : in late, Tucks, Up, etc.
allusion to the heraldic bearings. Let-down. A decline in circum-
Leg-stretcher. A drink : i.e. an stances, come down.
inducement or a pretext for going Lets. No lets, no hindrances.
out : see Go. Letter. Letter - in - the -
post office :
Lemon See Colly molly.
Jolly. see Flag. To go on the letter Q, to play
Lend. A loan e.g. For the lend : billiards.
of the ass you might give me the mill Lettered. Branded, burnt in the
(Old Ballad). hand.
Length. 1. Six months' imprison- Letter-racket. Men or women of
ment : see Dose. 2. Forty- two lines genteel address, going about to re-
(theatrical) (1781). To get the length spectable houses with a letter or
266
 Letty. Lifer.

statement, detailing some case of beat (1573) ; (2) to surpass, vanquish,

extreme distress, as shipwreck, suffer- puzzle, astound Fr., bouler ; (3) to
:

ings by fire, etc., by which many sleek, tittivate (q.v.), smooth over,
benevolent but credulous persons (with varnish, rouge, and so forth),
are induced to relieve the fictitious fashion (1594) ; (4) to coax. To lick
wants of the impostors (Grose). into shape, to fashion, train from the :

Letty. A bed, a lodging : see Kip. roune are

Also verbally, to lodge. >rn shapeless and are licked into shape
Let-up. 1. A pause, breach. 2. by the dam ( 1663). To lick spittle, to
(Stock Exchange). A sudden dis- fawn upon :
hence, lickspittle, a para-
appearance of artificial causes of de- site or talebearer. A lick and a pro-
pression. mise, a piece of slovenliness. To lick
Levant. To abscond. To do the eye, to be well pleased. lick A
(throw, or run) a levant (gaming), to and a smell, a dog' s portion (q.v.). To
stake and skip (q.v.) Fr., /at re voile : lick the trencher, to play the parasite
en Levant : It., andare in Levante. (1608). To lick ants dish, to drink
Also (1714) to play without any money (Ray).
in one's pocket. Levant me I an im- Lick-box (dish, fingers, pan, pot,
precation : cf. Blow me (1760). sauce, or trencher). A
scullion,
Levanter. A defaulting debtor, sloven, parasite, toadeater : a general
welsher (q.v.) (1598). epithet of abuse (1571).
Level. To work (or act) on a broad Licker. Anything monstrous (ex-
level, to be stable, trustworthy. cessive, or unusual), whopper (q.v.),
Broad level price, the lowest fixed thumper (q.v.), spanker (q.v.).
price. Lickety-split Headlong, violently,
Level-best. The best one can do, full-chisel (q.v.).
the utmost of one's power. Licking. A thrashing, tanning
Level - headed. Well -
balanced, (1820).
steady, judicious. Lick-penny. An extortioner
Levite. 1. A parson, devil-doger (1450).
(q.v.) (1663). 2. A fashionable dress Lick-spigot. A tapster (1599).
for women (c. 1780): a man's bed- Lick-spittle. A
toady : Fr., ttchc-
gown bound round with a belt (Horace bottes : also as verb
(1629).
Walpole). Lie. See Whole cloth and White lie.
Levy. 1. A shilling. 2. Elevenpence : As verb, to be in pawn see Pop :

in the State of Pennsylvania, Mary- (1609). To lie low, to conceal one's

land, and Virginia, the Spanish real, thought, or intentions also to keep :

or eighth part of a dollar, or twelve to one's bed (1847). To lie off, to

and a half cents : sometimes called make a waiting race. To lie out of
an elevenpenny bit (Bartlett). one's ground, to lie off too long, so as
Leystall. See Laystall. to be unable to recover lost ground.
Liar. I'm something of a liar my- To lie around loose, to loaf, be out of
self, a retort upon a Munchausen employment. To lie flat see Lie low, :

(q.v.). To lie like truth, to lie with verisimili-

Lib. 1. Sleep. Long lib, death tude and propriety. To lie down, to
(1622). 2. A bank-note
see Flimsy. : be brought to bed (1582). To lie in,
As verb, (1) to lie down: also Lyp to keep one's room when supposed to
(1572) ; (2) To castrate (1598). be out on leave (Royal Military Aca-
Libbeg (or Lybbeg). A bed (1573). demy). Lie with a latchet (or lie
L i b b e n. A private house cf. : made of whole cloth), an out and out
Libken (1696). falsehood : also lie laid on with a
Liberty-hall. A house where every trowel. A
lie nailed to the counter, a
one can do his pleasure (1773). detected falsehood or slander.
Lib-ken (or Lypken). Orig. (Far- Lie-abed. A sluggard (1763).
man), a house to lie in, a lodging Life. See Bet and Death.
house. Life - preserver. A slung shot
Lick. 1. A blow: hence, his licks, (Matsett).
a thrashing (1701). 2. A stroke, Lifer. 1. Transportation for life :

effort :
big licks, hard work ( 1847). 3. Fr., fagot perte de vue, bonnet vert a
a
A drinking book As verb, (1) to perptte. 2. Penal servitude for life.

1266
 Lift. Lily-liver.

Lift. 1. A
thief (q.v.): also lifter cf. Mere piteuae fait sa fille rogneuse,
(1592). 2. A
theft, plunder, swag (q.v.): a tender mother breeds a scabby
also lifting (1592). 3. Assistance in daughter (Ray).
general as a lift in a vehicle ; a lift in Light-heels. See Light-skirts.
fife also lifting (1711). 4.
: kick. As A Light - house. A red - nosed man
verb, ( 1 ) to seal, convey (q.v. ) ; specific- (Grose). Thou art our Admiral, thou
ally to steal cattle and horses (1591) ; bearest the lantern in the poop (' 1
(2) to transfer ; (3) to help ; (4) to Hen. IV.,' m. iii.).
break (in a walking race) into an unfair Light-infantry. Fleas, F sharps
pace. To lift one's hand (elbow, little (q.v.) : cf. Heavy Dragoons : Fr., saute-
finger, etc. ), to drink also see Leg : : rette and sauteuse.
see Drinks (Qrose). To lift hair, to Lightmans. The day : cf. Dark-
scalp (1848). On the lift , on the move, mans, night :
Fr., matois ; It., specchio
ready to depart. (1573).
Lifter. 1. A
thief (q.v.) : see Lift. Lightness. Wantonness : see Light
2. In pi., a crutch (1696). (1614).
Lift-leg. Strong ale, stingo (q.v.). Lightning. Gin flash of lightning (or
:

Lig. 1. A
bed (New Cant Diet.). dap of thunder), a glass of gin see :

also a bedstead (Matsell). 2. lie. A . Drinks (1780).

Ligby. A bedfellow :
specifically a Light-o'-love. A wanton (1589).
concubine : cf. Ludby and Loteby Light-skirts. strumpet : also A
(1632). Lightheels (1602).
Light. 1. Credit to get a light, to :
Light-troops. Lice (1823).
get credit ; to have one's light put out, Light-weight. 1. Of little import-
to exhaust one's credit, go stony ance, weak. 2. Under twelve stone

(q.v.). 2. A model, example gener- :

(Qrose)
ally shining light. 3. In pi., the eyes :
Light- wet. Gin : see Drinks (1822).
also daylights (q.v.) and top-lights Like. This word enters into numer-
(q.v.) (1820). 4. In pi., a fool: see ous combinations indicating energetic,
Buffle. As adj., wanton :
hence, rapid, or intense action, motion, and
light
-
given, lewd of habit ; light- thought. The chief are Like (or :

love as) anything ; a basket of chips, beans,

heeled - o' -
(q.v.) ; light (q.v.) ;

light-skirts (q.v.) and so forth (1538). ; billy-ho, a bird, blazes, boots, or old
To put out one's light, to kill (1602). boots, bricks, or a thousand, or a cart-
To hold a light (or candle) to the devil : load, of bricks, a dog in a fair, fun,
see Devil. To light the lumper see : a house on fire, hell, hot cake, mad,
Lumper. To light out, to leave secret- one o'clock, shit to a shovel,*a shot, a
ly and hastily, as when pursued by streak, thunder, the very devil, winkey
an enemy. or winky (1542). Like one o'clock
Light - blue. Gin : see Drinks half struck, hesitatingly. Like a
(1820). whale see Whale.
: Like Christmas
Light - bob.
light infantry 1. A beef see Beef.
: Like a birch - broom
soldier see Mud-crusher ( 1785). 2. In
: in a fit see Birch - broom.
: / like
pi., The Forty-third Foot, now the first that I a derisive answer to a question-
battalion Oxfordshire Light Infantry. able statement e.g. I am a capital
:

Lighter. See Lump. pedestrian, I Like that ! You talk

Light-fantastic. Dancing e.g. to : like a halfpenny book (or penny book),
work the light fantastic, Come and trip said in derision of a fluent or affected
it as you go, On the light fantastic speaker.
toe (Milton) Fr., sauterie. : Likeness. A phrase used by thieves
Light-feeder. A silver spoon. when the officers are examining their
Light-fingered. Dextrous in steal- countenances as, the traps are taking
;

ing, given to thieving (1560). our likeness (Grose).

Light-frigate. A wanton (B. E.). Lil (or Lill). A book, document of
Light-heeled. 1. Wanton (1633); 2. any kind, a five pound note: in America
Slothful e.g. A light-heeled mother
: a dollar (1821).
maketh a heavy - heeled daughter : Lilliputian.A dwarf (1823).
because she doth all the work her- Lily-Benjamin. A white greatcoat :

self, and her daughter meantime sit- see Benjamin.

ting idle, contracts a habit 01 sloth: Lily-liver. A coward.
267
 Lily-livtred. Lingua Franca.

Lily-livered. Cowardly, dastardly one'* stomach, to eat ; to line one's

pockets, to take money. A line of
Lily of St Clements. See 8t Cle- the old author, a dram of brandy : see
ments. Go (1696). To yet into (or on) a line,
Lily-shallow. A white driving hat to engage in conversation while a
(Grose). confederate is robbing the person or
Lilywhite. 1. A negro, chimney- premises ; to banter or jest with a
sweep (1696). 2. In pi., the Seven- man by amusing him with false
teenth Foot, now the Leicestershire assurances or professions, is also
Regiment : from its
facings : also termed stringing him, getting him in
Bengal Tigers (q.v.). Also, 3. the tow, or on a line ; to keep anybody
Fifty-ninth Foot, now the second in suspense on any subject without
battalion East Lancashire Regiment. coming to a decision is called keeping
Lillywhite Groat A shilling see : him in tow, in a string, or in a tow-
Rhino. line : to cut the line, or the string, is to
Limb. 1. A mischievous child, imp: put an end to the suspense in which
also (in depreciation of older persons) :
you have kept any one, by telling him
e.g. Limb of Satan, etc. 2.
'
leg A : the plain truth, coming to a final
spec. American : if we know anything decision, etc. a person who has been
:

of English conversation or letters, we telling another a long story, until he is

speedily find out, even if stone blind,
that British men and women have
arms and legs, but in Canada .... one
would learn that both sexes have limbs
of some sort .... but we could not tell
whether their limbs were used to stand
'
on or hold by (Geikie). 3. In pi., a
gawk also Duke (or Duchess) of
: Come, I believe you want to string
Limbs (1785). As verb, to cheat.
Limb of the law, a lawyer or lawyer's
clerk: also Limb (1762).
tired, or conceives his auditor has been
all the while secretly laughing at him,
will say at last, I've just dropped
down, you've had me in a fine line or
string, I think it's time to cut it On
the other hand, the auditor, having the
same opinion on his part, would say,
me all night, I wish you'd cut it;
meaning, conclude the story at once.
To line one's jacket see Jacket The :

Limbo. 1. A prison, place of confine- devil's regiment of the line, felons,

ment from limbus patrum, purgatory
:
convicts, the police-van corps.
( 1 553). 2. A pawnshop, uncle's (q.v.), Line-age. Payment by line.
in limbo, in pawn (1693). Linen. The linen, the stage curtain,
Lime-basket To
a lime-
be dry as the rag (q.v.). To wrap up in clean
basket, to be very dry, spit sixpences linen, to deliver sordid or smutty
(q.v.): also to have hot coppers (q.v.) matter in decent language
(q.v.) (1838). (Ray). To cool in one's linen, to die.
Lime-juice. A young man newly Linen-arbor. A dormitory.
arrived in the colonies from the old Linen-armourer. A tailor see Snip :

country is styled a new chum or a (1696).

lime-juice. Linen-draper. Paper.
Limejuicer. A British ship or sailor : Linenopolis. Belfast: cf. Cotton-
in allusion to the lime-juice served out opolis.
as an anti-scorbutic. Liner. 1. A casual reporter, paid

Li metwig. 1 A snare, trick : hence,

.
by lineage (q.v.) : short for penny-a-
2. any means of swindling : also as liner. 2. A
picture hung on the line
adj. (1592). (q.v.).
Limlifter. A landlubber (q.v.) Lingo. A
foreign language, un-
(1598). intelligiblespeech (1699).
Limping-Jesus. A lameter, dot- Lingua Franca. Specifically the
and-carry-one (q.v.). corrupt Italian (dating from the period
Lindabrides. A wanton (1663). of the Genoese and Venetian suprem-
Line. 1. A calling, profession, acy) employed as the language of com-
lay (q.v.) (1655). 2. A hoax, fool- mercial intercourse with the Levant :

trap.
3. In pi., a marriage certificate. other examples of trade jargon are
4. In pi., reins; ribbons (q.v.). On Hindustani in India, Swahilli and
the line, hung on the line at the Royal Houssa in Africa, Pidgin in China,
Academy. Aa verb, to fill as to line : and Chinook in America (1619).
Hi
 Little Englander.

Lining. See Inside lining (1632). (or mouth), to silence. Button your
Link. To turn out a pocket (1821). lip I hold your tongue, stow it (q.v.)
Linsey-woolsey. Neither one thing (1747). To fall betwixt cup and lip:
nor the other (1592). see Slip. To keep (or carry) a stiff
Lint-scraper. A surgeon : cf. Crocus upper lip, to be self - reliant under
and Squirt also Lint (1763).
:
difficulties, unflinching in the attain-
Lion. 1. Polite men of the town ment of an object (1833). To make a
give the name of a lion to any one lip, to mock, grimace (1610).
that a great man's spy (Guardian,
is Lip-clap. A kiss : also Lip-favour
1713). 2. An object (animate or (1592).
inanimate) of interest. To see the Lipey. A mode of address :
e.g.
lions, to go sight-seeing (1590). 3. Whatcher, lipey !

The name given by the gownsmen of Lip-labour (or work). 1. Talk, jaw
Oxford, to inhabitants or visitors. (q.v.): also flattery (1575). 2. Kiss-
4. A hare We call it a lion because of
:
ing (1582).
'
the game laws (Lytton, Pelham '). 5. Lip -salve (or wash). Flattery
In pi., the Fourth Foot, now the (1594).
Bong's Own Royal Lancaster Regi- Liquid - fire. Bad whisky : see
ment from its ancient badge. As
: Drinks.
verb, to make a loud noise, substitute Liquor. A drink. As
verb, to drink,
noise for good sense, frighten, bluff. treat generally, to liquor up
: also :

Cotswold lion, a sheep see Cptsold and : to liquor one's boots (q.v.) (1607).
Lammermoor lion (1537). To tip the which also, among Roman Catholics,
lion, tosqueeze the nose flat to the means to administer the extreme
face with the thumb. To put one's unction. In liquor, the worse for
head into the lion's mouth, to put one- drink: see Screwed (1756).
self into a desperate position. As Liquor-pond Street. To come from
valiant as an Essex lion, as valiant as Liquor-pond Street, to be drunk see :

a calf (Say). Screwed (1828).

Lion-drunk. Now have we not one '

Lispers. The teeth : see Grinders

or two kinde of drunkards onely, (1800).
but eight kinde The second is lion
. . . List. See Add.
drunk, and he flings the pots about the Listeners. The ears (1827).
house breakes the glasse windows
. . . Listman. A ready-money book-
with his dagger, and is apt to quarrele maker, betting according to prices
with any man that speaks to him" on a list exhibited beside him.
(Nashe). Litter. A muddle (B. E.).
Lioness. 1. female celebrity, A Little. Mean, paltry, contempt-
woman of note (1825). 2. lady A ible (B. E.).
visitor at Oxford, especially at Com- Little Alderman. A jemmy (q.v.)
memoration. 3. A wanton (1596). made in sections : see Alderman.
Lion- (or Leo-) hunter. One who LittleBarbary. Wapping (B. E.).
runs after celebrities popularised by : Little Ben. A waistcoat : see
Dickens in the Mrs. Leo Hunter of Benjamin.
'
Pickwick.' Little Bird. See Bird.
Lionism. Attracting attention as Little Breeches. A familiar appella-
a lion (q.v.) ; also, sight-seeing. tion for a boy.
Lionize. 1. To go sight-seeing also : Little Church around the Corner.
To play the lion (q.v.). 2. To make A drinking saloon : see Lush-crib.
much of, to treat as a lion (q.v.). Little clergyman. A young
3. To show the sights of a place, chimney-sweep (Grose).
play the cicerone. 4. To go sight- Little Devil. See Devil.
seeing. Little-ease. The pillory, stocks (or
Lion's Provider. A sycophant, any similar mode of punishment),
jackal (q.v.). prison-cell.
Lion's Share. The bigger part. Little England. Barbadoes : see
Lip. Impudence, sauce (q.v.). Bim.
To give lip, to cheek (q.v.) (1821). As Little Englander. An anti-Jingo
verb, (1) to sing :
Fr., rossignoler ; (2) (q.v.); an opponent of the Imperial
to speak (1789). To button up the lip idea.

269
 Little Fighting Fours. Loblolly-boy.

Little Fighting Fours. The Forty- shot into the throat of a roaring or
fourth Foot, now the Essex Regiment : broken-winded horse this conceals :

from the prowess of ite men, who are the defect for a few hours, during
of small stature. which a sale is effected (2) (Stock ;

Little-finger. To cock one's little Exchange), to buy heavily to un- :

finger, to drink much and often see : load, to sell freely. Load of hay, a
Screwed. day. Like a load of bricks see Like. :

Little-go. The public examination To lay on load, to thrash (1537).

which students at the English Univer- Loaf. 1. A lounge, dawdle, idling :

have to pass in the second year

sities e.g. to do a loaf. 2. See Loaves and
of residence : also called the previous Fishes. As verb, (1) to lounge, idle,
examination (as preceding the final mike (q.v.): Yr.,louper and gouspiner ;
one for a degree), and, at Oxford, (2) to borrow, especially with no inten-
smalls (q.v.). tion of return. To be in bad loaf, to be
Little-go-vale. Orderly step to the in a disagreeable situation, in trouble
first examination (Grose). (Grose) (1786).
Little-guid. The devil, skipper Loafer. An idler. English syno-
(q.v.). nyms: baker, beat, bummer, crow-
Little- joker. The pea under the eater, draw-latch, flunk, ham-fatter,
thimble in the thimble-rigging game. hayseed, heeler, inspector of pave-
See also Joker, sense 3. ments, lamb, Laurence (or lazy
Little-side (Rugby). A term ap- Laurence), lazybones, miker, moucher,
plied to all games, organised between practical politician, Q.H.B., raff,
nouses only. scow-banker, striker, wood-and-water
Little-snakesman. A young thief Joey see Cadger.
:

passed into a house through a window Loaferish. Lounging.

so that he may open the door to the L o a fi n g. Aimless lounging Fr., :

gang (1781). loupe. As adj., lounging.

Little Spot. See Spot Leaver. Generic for money see :

Little William. A bill of exchange. Rhino.

Live. Energetic, active, intelli- Loaves and Fishes. Emolument,
gent. To live under the cafe paw : profit, temporal benefits: from John
see Cat's-paw. To live to the door, to vi. 26 (1787).
live up to one's means. Lob (or Lobb). 1. Any receptacle
Live-eels. The fields. box, till, etc. (1718). 2. A block-
Live-horse. Work done over and head, a lubber see Buffle (1577). 3.
:

above that included in the week's A large lump. 4. A slow underhand

charge-sheet : cf. Dead -horse. ball ; delivered low and falling heavily,
Live-lumber. Landsmen on board its course a decided curve at Win- :

ship (Orose). chester, fo6 = yorker (q.v.). See also

Livener. A morning dram, pick- snorter, undergrounder, trimmer, tea-
me-up (q.v.) : see Go. pot, swiper, stringer, grubber, yorker.
Liver. See Curl. 5. The head see Crumpet. To frisk
:

Liverpool-button. A kind of toggle (dip, pinch, or sneak) a lob, to rob a

used by sailors when they lose a till. To go on the lob, to go into a
button. shop for change and to steal some :
Liverpool Blues. The Seventy- hence lob - sneaking, robbing tills ;
ninth Foot (1778-84). lob -crawler, a till - thief (1742). As
Liverpool Tailor. A tramping verb, (1) to droop, sprawl (1599) ; (2)
workman, one who sits with his coat to bowl a ball as a loo (q.v.).
and hat on, ready for the road. Lobcock. A
blockhead see Buffle : :

Liverpudlian. A native or inhabi- also adj. (1534).

tant of Liverpool. Lobkin. A house, a lodging :

Live-stock. Fleas, bugs, lice all Lipken (1662).

body vermin (Orose). Loblolly. 1. A lubber, lout, fool:
Liza. Outside Liza I Be off ! see Buffle (1604). 2. Water-j
Load. An excess of food or drink :
spoon-meat (1621).
cf . Jag. Loaded, drunk also loaded for :
Loblolly-boy. A surgeon's
bears (or to the gunwales) (1767). As on board a man-of-war : in America,
verb, ( 1 ) to introduce well - greased a bayman or nurse (q.v.) (1617).
270
 Lobs. Lodging-slum.

Lobs. 1. An assistant watcher, business or conduct cf. Lurk. 4. See

:

under-gamekeeper. 2. An abbrevia- Lovelock.

tion of lobster (q.v.). As intj., a L o c k e e s (Westminster School).
signal of a master's approach. Lockhouse.
Lobscouse. A
hash of meat and Locker. 1. A thieves' middle-
vegetables, olio, gallimaufrey (q.v.) : man (1718). 2. A bar-room, groggery
see Soap-and-bullion. Other nautical (q.v.). To be laid in the locker, to die :

food names (mostly derisive) are see Hop the twig. For synonyms see
choke-dog, daddy funk, dead horse, Aloft. Davy Jones' locker see :
Davy
dogbody, dough Jehovahs, hishee- Jones. Shot in the locker : see
hashee, measles, sea-pie, soft tack, Shot.
soap - and - bullion, tommy, twice- Lockeram -
jaw'd (or Lockram-
laid. j awed). Thin - faced, lanthorn-
Lobscouser. A
sailor : i.e. an eater jawed (q.v.) (B. E.).
of lobscouse (q.v.). Locksmith's Daughter. A key:
Lobsneak (or -crawler) 1. till- A also blacksmith's
daughter (Grose).
robber, a till - sneak (q.v.). 2. A English synonyms: betty, blacksmith's
lob (q.v.). daughter (or wife), gUkes (skeleton
Lobsneaking. Till -
robbing : FrM keys), Jack-in-the-box, screw, sket,
coup de radin. twirl.
Lob 's-pound. A prison, pound, the Lock-up-chovey. A covered cart
stocks :
generic for any place of con- (Grose).
finement (1603). Lock-up House. A spunging house,
Lobster. A soldier. The nick- a public-house kept by sheriffs officers,
name of lobsters, now mwappled to to which they convey the persons they
soldiers, seems to have been first ap- have arrested, where they practise
plied to Sir A. Hazilrigg's regiment of every species of imposition and ex-
cavalry, completely armed with cors- tortion with impunity also houses ;

lets (Somers, 1642). Also boiled lob- kept by agents or crimps, who inlist, or
ster, in contradistinction to raw rather trepan men to serve the East
lobster (q.v.), which formerly was a India or African company as soldiers
sailor. Unboiled-lobster (q.v.) also, (Grose).
a policeman. A
bowler of lobs Lock-ups (Harrow School). Deten-
(q.v.). As verb (Winchester College), tion in study.
to cry. [Notions Probably : a varia- Loco-foco. 1. A self -Ugh ting match
tion of lowster or louster (Hants) to or cigar. 2. A
nickname of the
make any unpleasant noise]. To boil American Democratic party (1834-5).
one's lobster, means for a churchman [At a meeting held in Tammany Hall
to turn soldier ; lobsters, which are of a the chairman left his seat, and the
bluish-black, being made red by boil- were suddenly extinguished with
lights
ing: Butler's ingenious simile will occur a view to breaking up the meeting.
to the reader : When, like a lobster Thereupon a section of the audience
boiled, the morn From black to red relighted the lights by means of their
began to turn. loco-focos and continued the meeting] :

Lobster-box. A barrack ; also a also as adj., Democratic, belonging to

transport. the loco-foco party.
Lobster-cart. To upset one's lobster- Locomote. To walk (1847).
cart,to knock one down : see Apple- Locomotive. 1. A mixed hot drink:
cart. of Burgundy, curacoa, yolks, honey,
Lobtail. To sport or play as a : and cloves. 2. In pi., the legs, pins
whale, by lifting his flukes, and (q.v.).
bringing them down flat on the Locomotive Tailor. A tramping
water. workman.
Local. An item of news of local Locust. 1. Laudanum. 2. A
interest, a chip (q.v.). truncheon. As verb, to put to sleep
Lock. 1. The magazine or ware- with chloroform a thief's term.
:

house whither the thieves carry stolen Lodger. 1. A convict waiting for

goods to be secured (B. E.). 2. A his discharge. 2. A person of no

receiver of stolen goods, a fence (q.v.) : account :
e.g. only a lodger cf. Hog. :

also Lock-all-fast (1696). 3. A line of Lodging - slum. Hiring furnished

271
 Log. Long Eliza.

lodgings and robbing them of all London -

ivy (or London Parti-
portables of value (Grose). cular). A thick fog.
Log. The last boy of his form or London Ordinary. The beach at
house. Brighton where trippers feed.
:

Loge. A watch, clock: i.e. Fr., Lone - star State. Texas from :

hortoge (IQQ6). the flag, which has a single star in the

L o g e s. 'A passe or warrant a : centre.
Feager of logos, one that beggeth with Long. 1. A bull (q.v.) ; cf. Short,
false passes (Rowland*, 1610). 2. A rifle : cf. Short, a revolver. 3.

Loggerhead. A
blockhead : see See John Long. As adj., tall (1189).
Buffle (1589). As adj., stupid: also The long, the summer vacation. The
Loggerheaded (q.v.) (1596). To be longs (Oxford University), the latrines
at (or come to) loggerheads, to quarrel, at Brasenose : built by Lady Long.
come to blows (1678). Loggerheaded, As adj., heavy, great : as a long price,
blockheaded also log-headed (1567).
:
long odds, etc., etc. The long and
Logic. 1. Sham jewellery from : the short of it, the sum of a matter, the
David Logie, the inventor. 2. (Win- whole : see Long attachment. Long
chester School). Sewage. in the mouth, tough. Long in the
Log-roller. 1. A conditional tooth, elderly.
ally inpassing a bill through the Long Acre. A baker, burn-crust
Legislature without reference to the (q.v.).
merits or demerits of the measure so Long - attachment. A tall man
advanced ; and, 2. a venal critic, and short woman walking together,
assistant, or friend see Log-rolling.
: or vice versa also the long and the:

Log-rolling. Co-operation in short of it

the pursuit of money, business, or Long - long term of im-
bill. A
praise. prisonment. a short term. Short-bill,
Logy. Dull. Long - bit. A defaced 20 cent
Loll. 1. A
favourite child (Grose). piece (MatseU) ; also 15 cents in
2. See Loll poop. As verb, to lounge, Western U.S. (Century). Short-bit,
lie lazily, sprawl (1362). 10 cents (Century).
Loller. See Lollpoop. Long-bow. To draw (or pull) the
Lollipop (or Lollypop). A sweet- long bow, to tell improbable stories.
meat : also lolly. Hence, long-bow man, a liar. English
Lollop. To lounge about, loaf :
synonyms to climb a steep hill, to
:

hence, a lazybones, loafer; lollopy, come (or cut) it strong (or fat, or
lazy (1745). thick), to embroider, to gammon
Lollop-fever. Laziness. (q.v.), to lay it on thick, to put on the
Lolloping. Idle, lounging, pot, to pull a leg, to slop over.
slovenly. Long Chalk. By a long chalk, by
Lollpoop (Loll, or Loller). A far, in a large measure.
lazy, idle drone (Grose). Long-crown. A clever fellow: aa
Loll -tongue. To play a game at That caps long-crown,
in the proverb,
lott-tongue, to be salivated (Grose). and he capped the devil.
Lolly. 1. The head see Crum- :
Long-dispar (Winchester (

pet 2. See Lollipop. lege). There dispars were six

Lollybanger. A ship's cook : see portions to a shoulder, and eight t
Loblolly. feg of mutton, the other joints being
Lombard-fever. The idles, loafing divided in like proportion. All them
(1767). dispars had different names ; the
'

Lombard All Lombard Street

St. slice out of the centre of the leg
to a china orange, said of a certainty, called a middle cut . the ribs, racl . .

the longest possible odds. There are the loin, long dispars (Mansfield).
several of these fanciful forms of Long Drink. A considerable quan-
betting Chelsea College to a sentry- tity, as compared to a nip (q.v.), i.e
box, Pompey's pillar to a stick of a drop of short (q.v.).
sealing-wax, etc., etc. Long-ear. 1. A reading man ;
'

London. To turn (or put) the sober student : see Short-ear. 2. In i

beat aide to London, to show one's best : a donkey, moke.

of. Humphrey's toppers. Long Eliza. The trade term
272
 Long-faced One. Long-shore Butcher.

certain blue and white vases orna- contents of the tubular portion of the
mented with figures of tall thin china- glass had been sucked down, the beer in
women, is a name derived undoubt- the globe would remain for a moment
edly from the German or Dutch. as if congealed there: then if the drinker
Our sailors and traders called certain tilted the glass up a little, and shook
Chinese vases, from the figures which it, the motionless beer would give a
distinguished them, lange Lischen gurgle and come with a sudden rush
and the English sailors
(tall Lizzies), all over his face. There was a way of
and traders promptly translated this holding the long glass at a certain
into long Elizas. angle by which catastrophes were
Long-faced One. A horse : see avoided. Some boys
could toss off
Prad. their quart of ale in quite superior
Straw, etrommel style, and I may as well remark that
-
feathers.
Long
(q.v.) :
plume de Beauce.
Fr., these clever fellows could do little
Long-firm. A
body of phantom else (Brinsley Richards).
capitalists who issue large orders to Long - haired Chum. A female
supply an infinite variety of
goods friend, sweetheart.
from herrings to harmoniums, from Long-headed. Shrewd, far-seeing,
cotton-twist to pictures ; the ledger clever also long-headedness (1696).
:

of the long firm has room for the most Long hogs. The first growth of
-

multifarious transactions. The rule of wool on a sheep.

procedure with the long firm is simple : Long-home. The grave (1701).
a noble order, a moderate sum paid Long -
hope. At Oxford the . . .

on account, bills for the remainder, an symbol of long expectations in study-

order to deliver the goods at some ing for a degree (Grose).
country warehouse or depository and Long-lady. A farthing candle.
exit. In the next town he changes Long-lane. The throat see Gutter- :

his name and his partners, and re- alley. For the long lane, said when a
peats the operation. From Liver- thing is borrowed without intention of
pool and Manchester he flings the bait repayment.
to London tradesmen, and now and Long-legs (or Long- 'un). A
then a fish is hooked. Fr., bande tall man or woman see Lamp-post.
:

noire. A somewhat similar mode of Long-meg. A very tall woman

swindling is described in Parker's (B. E.).
View of Society (ii. 33, 1781). Long-oats. A broom or fork-handle
Long-fork (Winchester College). A used to belabour a horse cf. Thorley's :

piece of stick serving as a toasting fork. food for cattle.

Long-gallery. Throwing, or rather Long-one. A hare cf. Long-tail. :

trundling, the dice the whole length of Long-paper (Winchester). Paper

the board.
Long-ghost. A gawk : see Lamp-
post.
-
Long glass (Eton College).
glass nearly a yard long, shaped like
the horn of a stage-coach guard, and
with a hollow globe instead of a foot.
It held a quart of beer, and the cere-
mony of drinking out of it constituted
an initiation into the higher circles of
Etonian swelldom. There was long-
glass drinkingonce or twice a week
during the summer half. The invites
for writing tasks on.
Long-pig. Human flesh when ex-
posed for sale.
A Long-robe. A lawyer (1611).
Long-row. See Hoe.
Longs and Shorts (also Longs
and Broads). Cards so manu-
factured that all above the eight are
a trifle longer than those below it :
nothing under an eight can be cut,
and the chances against turning up an
honour at whist are reduced to two to
one cf. Brief and Concave.
:

attended in an upper room of Tap Long-sauce. Beets, parsnips, or

after two, and each, before the long carrots, in contradistinction to short-
glass was handed to him, had a nap- sauce (q.v.), onions, turnips, etc. : an
kin tied round his neck. It was con- old English usage.
sidered a grand thing to drain the glass Long-shanks. A tall man : see
without removing it from the lips, and Lamp- post (B. E.).
without spilling any of its contents. Long-shore Butcher. A coast-
This was difficult, because when the guardsman, shingle-tramper (q.v.).
273
 Long-shot. Loose-legged.

Long-shot A bet made at large To look botty: see Botty. To look

odds as 100 to
: 1 on anything not down one's nose, to look glum, have
in favour. the blues (q.v.). To look lively, to be
Long-sleeved Top. A silk hat drunk see Screwed. To look for a
:

(1880). needle in a bottle of hay (or in a hay-

Long-sleeved 'un. A long glass :
stack), to seek what it is impossible to
Fr., wagon. find :bottle, a quantity of hay or
Long-stomach. A voracious eater, gran tied or bundled up Fr., botte :

wolfer (q.v.) (Grose). (1592). To look sharp, ( 1 ) to exercise

Long-tail. 1. A greyhound :
great vigilance, be extremely careful
hence, as dogs unqualified to hunt (1711); (2) to be quick, make haste.
were curtailed, gentlefolk (1596). 2. To look through a glass, to get drunk :
A pheasant. 3. A native of Kent see Screwed. To look towards one,
(1628). 4. A canting term for one or to drink one's health. To look up, ( 1 )
another (Johnson). to show a tendency to improvement,
Long-tailed. Of gentle birth, good recover ; (2) to pay a visit
standing (1662). Look-in. A chance of success.
Long - tailed Beggar. A cat. Looking-glass. A chamber pot:
English synonyms: baudrons (Scots'), see It (1696). To look on, said of a
gib, grimalkin, masheen, nimshod, horse not meant to do ito best To
puss, Thomas, Tyb. look nine ways for Sundays, to squint :
Long - tailed Finnips (or Long- Fr., vendre des guignes.
tailed *uns). Banknotes for high Loon (Loun, or Lown). A lout,
amounts. varlet, rogue (1500). To play the
Long - tea. Tea poured from a loon, to play the wanton ( 1568).
pot held high. Loonslate (or Loonslatt). Thir-
Long-tongue. A tale-bearer, teen pence halfpenny cf. Hangman's :

chatter-box (1560). wages (B. E.).

Long-tongued. Talkative (1593). Loony (or Luny). Crazy : short for
Long-togs. Shore-going clothes in lunatic : also a fool, natural see :

general, and dress-clothes in parti- Buffle.

cular. Loose. 1. Wanton, blue (q.v.).
Long-tot. A long set of figures for Hence, loose-legged, loose in the hilts
addition as in examinations.
:
(or haft), incontinent ; loose-girdled
Long-winded. Diffuse, protracted, (or gowned), approachable ; loose-
loquacious. woman, a wanton ; loose -
liver, a
Lonsdale's Ninepins. The nine whoremaster, etc. (1595). 2. Dis-
boroughs for which Lord Lonsdale sipated. On the loose, ( 1) on the town ;
used to send up members to St. (2) on the drink, on the spree (q.v.).
Stephens. To play fast and loose see Fast To :

Loo. 1. A company, community run loose, to run unbacked. To have

(Orose). 2. A half mask. As verb, to a screw loose see Screw. Loose in the
:

vanquish. haft (or hilt), (1) wanton, (2) diarrhoeic,

Looby. A fool, idle dullard : see (3) untrustworthy (1662). Turned
Buffle (1362). loose, handicapped in a race at a very
Look. To look a gift horse in low rate. At loose ends, neglected.
the mouth, to criticise a present or Loose -bodied (or Loose-ended).
favour : from ascertaining the age Lewd (1607).
of horses by looking at their teeth Loose - bodied gown. A wanton
(1663). To look alive, to bestir one- (1602).
self, be on the alert: also to look Loose-box. A brougham or other
slimy. To look cu if butter would not vehicle kept for the use of a mistress
melt in one's mouth : see Butter. To a mot-cart (q.v.).
look at the maker's name, to drain (a Loose-fish. 1. A dissipated c
glass) to the bottom, bite one's name acter,bad-egg (q.v.) (1827). 2. An
in the pot (q.v.). To look babies (or independent member or voter.
for cuptds) in the eyes, to look closely Loose-hung. Unsteady.
and amorously into the eyes for the Loose-kirtle. A wanton : cf. Loose-
reflected figures (1593). To look bodied gown.
big see Big.
: To look blue : see Blue. Loose-legged. Incontinent (1

274
 Loot. Lowing-cheat.

Loot. 1. Plunder. 2. A roue, see Rhino. Fr., louer, to hire It was :

'

granted him in lower of his servyse

'

vagabond : also lootie.

Lop. To lounge, flop. (Merlin, E.E.T.S., i.
50).
Lope. 1. To run away. 2. To Louse. To care not a louse, to be
steal. utterly indifferent (1719). Not worth
Loplolly. A servant who makes a louse, utterly worthless (1617).
himself generally useful, and is always Louse-bag. A
black bag worn to
at the beck and call of his employer : the hair or wig (Grose).
see Loblolly. Louse - house. The round-house
Lord. A
deformed, ill-shapen
1. or cage (Grose).
person, hunch- back cf. Lady. 2. In : Louse - ladder. A stitch fallen
pi. (Winchester College). The first in a stocking, a Jacob's ladder (q.v.)
eleven. 3. See Lord of the Manor. (Grose).
Drunk as a lord (prince, or emperor), Louseland. Scotland (1696): cf.

very drunk (1653). Itchland.

Lord-Baldwin. See Queen Anne. Louse-trap. A comb Ital., :

Lord-Harry. See Old Harry. gattetto (1696).

Lord - John - Russell. A bustle, Louse-walk. A back-hair parting
bird-cage (q.v.). (Grose).
Lord-lovel. A shovel. Lousy. 1. Paint which, from
LordMansfield's - Teeth. The keeping, has become full of skin. 2.
-

spikes round the wall of the Bang's Filthy, contemptible (1690).

Bench (Grose). Lout. 1. A
clumsy stupid fellow,
Lord - Mayor. A large crowbar, fool see Buffle.
: 2. (Rugby School).

jemmy (q.v.). Any one of the poorer classes : not

Lord-Mayor "s-Coal. A slate. necessarily an awkward, lubberly in-
Lord- Mayor's- Fool. Like the dividual.
Lord Mayor's fool, fond of everything Love. No score : Love-att, no
that is good. points on either side : Fr., cherche ;
Lord - of - the - Manor. A tanner also baiser le cut de la vieille, to make
(q.v.) : see Rhino. no score (1780). Cupboard love, in-
Lose. See Combination, Hair, terested love (1688).
Mess, Shirt. Loveage. Taplashes, alls (q.v.),
Loser. A stroke in which the ullage (q.v.).
player pockets his own ball, after Love - child (or Love -
brat). A
striking either his opponent's or the bastard.
red. Love-ladder. A lace petticoat.
Lost-cause. Secessionism a : Lovelock (or Lock). A falling
Southern euphemism after the civil curl by the earfashionable more or
:

war, 1860-65. less from the time of Elizabeth to

Lot. A person, male or female : Charles I. ; worn on the left side, and
mostly in sarcasm or contempt ; as, hanging by the shoulder, sometimes
a bad lot, a nice lot, etc. even to the girdle also heart- breakers
:

Loteby (or Ludby). A lover (q.v.) (1592).

(1360). Lovely. Attractive, alluring
Lothario. A seducer of married (1653).
women (1630). Love-pot. A drunkard : see
Lothbury. To go by way of Loth- Lushington.
bury, to be loth cf. Needham Shore,
: Lovey (or Lovey-dovey). A
Peckham, etc (1580). term endearment (1763).
of
Lotion. Drink. Low. To lie low, to keep quiet,
Loud. 1. Showy. 2. Strong- bide one's time. Low in the lay, in
smelling. Loud one, a big lie (1767). straits, hard up (q.v.).
Lounce. A drink :
specifically a Low-down. Vulgar.
pint of beer : i.e. allowance. Lowdowner. A general byword.
Lounge (Eton and Cambridge). Lower. To drink see Lush. :

1. A treat, a chief meal. 2. A loiter- Lower Regions. Hell Fr., pac- :

ing place, gossiping shop (Grose). 3. quelin du raboin.

The dock in a criminal court. Lowing cheat -
(or chete). A cow
Lour (Loure, or Lowre). Money : (1567).
275
 Lowing-lay. Lumper.

Lowing -
lay (or rig). Stealing from the medieval punishment of
oxen or cows (Grose). lopping the ears (1362) To have a
Low-lived. Mean, shabby, vul- flea in one's lug see Ear.
: To lay
gar (1766). one's lugs, to wager.
Low-man (Cambridge University). Lug - chovey. A pawnbroker's
A Junior Optime as compared to a shop.
Senior Optime or a Wrangler. Lugger. A sailor (Matsett).
Low-men. False dice ; so loaded as Lug-loaf. A blockhead see :

to show low numbers: also low-runners: Buffle (1606).

see Fulhains (1594). Luke. Nothing (Haggart).
Low-pad. A foot-pad ( 1696). Lull. Ale (1636).
Lowre. See Lour. Lullaby-cheat A baby (1671).
Low-water (or tide). To be in Lully. Linen hung out to dry :
low-water (or at low-tide), to be in diffi- hence luUy-prigger, a filcher of wet or
culties, penniless (1696). drying linen :
Fr., defleurir la picouse,
L. S. D. Money : see Rhino. lully -prigging (1754).
Lubber (or Lubbard). A hulking Lumb. Too much (New Cant Diet.).
lout, lumpish oaf specifically (nauti-
: Lumber. 1. A room from the :

cal) a bad seaman (1362). As adj., Lombard Room in which the mediaeval
clumsy, clownish also lubberly (1580).
:
pawnbrokers and bankers stored
Lubberland. The Paradise of their pledges. 2. A
prison, quod
indolence (1767). (q.v.). As verb, (1) to pawn, (2) to
Lubber's - hole. An opening in imprison. Live lumber, soldiers or
the maintop, preferred before the passengers on board a ship are so
shrouds by raw hands and timid called by the sailors (Grose).
climbers (1794). Lumberer. 1. A swindling
Lubricate. To drink see Lush. :
tipster. 2. A pawnbroker, uncle
Luck. Down on one 8 luck, unlucky,
1

(q.v.).
in trouble, hard up (1846). Greasy Lumberer - crib. A pawnbroker's
luck, a full cargo of oil. Fishermen's shop.
luck, wet, cold, hungry, and no fish. Lumber-house. A house for stor-
Lucky. Plunder (1852). As adj., ing stolen property.
handy (1703). To cut (or make) one's Lumber-state. Maine.
lucky, to decamp, amputate, ske- Lummoking. Heavy, awkward.
daddle. Lummy. First-rate (1843).
Lucky-bone. The small bone
of a Lump. 1. Anything exceptional :

sheep's head, supposed to bring good e.g.a lump of a man I like that a ;

luck to a beggar during the day. lump that's a lump. 2. The work*
;

Ludby. See Loteby. house, pan (q.v.) also Lump hotel.

:

Ludlam's Dog. A culmination of 3. A party, association. As verb, (1)

laziness ; sailors say as lazy as Joe
: to beat, tan (1785); (2) to dislike:
the marine, who laid down his musket If he does not like it he may lump it,
to sneeze. if he isn't satisfied he may do the other
Lud's-bulwark. Ludgate prison thing also to take without choice (i.e.
:

(1696): see Cage. to swallow whole) (1833) ; (3) to take

Luff. 1.
Speech. 2. A lieutenant off at a draught ; (4) to stake heavily,
Lug. 1. The ear Fr., isgourde : to plunge (q.v.). To knock lumps out
(1592). 2. Affected manners, airs: of, to command a great deal of ap-
e.g. to put on lugs, to be conceited. plause. To lump the lighter, to be
As verb, (1) to drag ; also to take by transported (Grose).
the ears (1189) (2) to drink steadily.
; Lumper. (1) A riverside labourer ;

In lug, in pawn, in pledge, up the (2)a riverside thief; and (3) a contrac-
spout (q.v.). To lug in, to include, tor in a small way for labour and
insert unnecessarily or unexpectedly materials for unloading and loading
(1762). To lug out, to draw (as a ships (1781) ; (4) a vendor of linens,
sword) (1688). To blow in one's lug, cottons, or silks, which might be
to cajole, flatter hence, blaw-in-my-
:
really the commodities represented ;
lug, a flatterer, wheedler. // worth but which, by some management or
his lugs (he would do such a thing), other, were made to appear new when
used in approbation, or the reverse :
they were old, or solid when they
276
 Lump Hotel. Lu*h.

were flimsy (Mayhew) (5) a militia- ; silver beggar (q.v.): also lurksman.
man (6) in pi., potatoes murphies
; ; 2. A Jack-of-all-trades (q.v.).
(q.v.); (7) one who lumps together Lurries. Belongings, money,
several species : as opposed to a valuables :
generic (1696) see Rhino.
:

splitter (q.v.). Lurry. 1. Gabble (1649). 2.

Lump Hotel. See Lump. See Lurries.
Lumping. Heavy, bulky, awk- Lush. 1. Drink from Lushington,
:

ward (1678). a once well-known London brewer :

Lumpish. Melancholy, dull, see Drinks. 2. A

drinking bout. 3.
dispirited, heavy (1592). (Eton College), a dainty. As verb, ( 1 )
Lump of Coke. A
bloke (q.v.), a to drink, and (2) to stand treat.
man. English synonyms to barley-bree, to
:

Lump of Lead. The head, crumpet beer, to bend, to blink, to boose, to

(q.v.). bub, to budge, to cover, to crack (or
Lumpshious. Delicious : cf. crush) a bottle (a quart, or cup), to
Scrumptious. crook, to crook (lift, or tip) the elbow
Lumpy. 1. Drunk : see Screwed. (or little finger), to damp, to damp
2. Pregnant. 3. Costly. 4. Rough, one's mug, to dip, to dip one's beak (or
uneven as applied to the ground.
:
nose), to disguise oneself, to do a
Lumtum. A fashionable thief dram (or wet), to drown the shamrock,
(q.v.). to nicker, to flush, to fuddle, to gargle,
Lun. (1) A harlequin (Grose). (2) to give a bottle a black eye, to guttle,
a clown (Matsett). to guzzle, to go and see a man (or of
Lunan. A girl. women one's pa), to grog, to have, get,
Luncheon Reservoir. The or take an ante-lunch, a little anti-
stomach, victualling office. abstinence, an appetiser, a ball, a bead,
Lung-box. The mouth see Potato- : a bit of tape, a bosom friend, a bucket,
trap. a bumper, a big reposer, a chit-chat, a
Lung i s. An idle, lazy fellow cheerer, a cinder, a cobbler, a corker,
(1562). a cooler, some corn juice, a damp,
Lungs. A
large and strong- voiced something damp, a damper, a dannie,
man also a chymical servant, a sort
; a drain, a dram, a doch-an-dorroch, a
of underworkman in the art. digester, an eye-opener, an entr'acte, a
Lunkhead. An ill-bred, ill-looking fancy smile, a flash, a flip, a forenoon,
horse; a screw (q.v.). a go, a hair of the dog that bit one,
Lunk-headed. Senseless. a heeltap, an invigorator, a Johnny,
Luny. See Loony. a jorum, a leaf of the old author, a
Lurch. A
cheat (1597). As verb, morning rouser, a modicum, a nip, or
to steal, cheat, trick (1563). To nipperkin, a night-cap, a nut, one's
leave in the lurch, pawned for the medicine, a pistol shot, a pony, a
reckoning or left at stake to smart pill, a quantum, a quencher,
a re-
for any plot (B. E.). Fr., laisser fresher, a revelation, a rouser, a re-
qudqu'un bear. To give a lurch, to poser, a smile, a swig, a sleeve-button,
tell a lie, deceive. a something, a slight sensation, a
Lurcher. 1. A
rogue (1603). 2. shant, a shout, a sparkler, a settler,
A bum-bailiff : also lurcher of the law a shift, a stimulant, a sneaker, a
(1785). snifter, a soother, a thimbleful, a tift,
Lurden. A rogue hence lurdenry, : a taste, a toothful, a Timothy, a
roguery (1513). warmer, a willy-wacht, to huff, to
irrigate, to knock about the bub,
Lurk. Many kinds of thieving as to
well as begging are termed lurking lap, to lap the gutter, to liquor, to
the dead lurk for instance, is the liquor up, to load in, to look thro' a
expressive slang phrase for the art of glass, to lower, to lug, to make fun,
entering dwelling-houses during divine to malt, to moisten (or soak) the
service. The term lurk, however, is chaffer (clay, or lips), to mop, to mop-
mostly applied to the several modes up, to mug, to peg, to potate, to prime
of plundering by representations of oneself, to pull, to put (or drive)
sham distress (Mayhew). As verb, another nail in one's coffin, to read the
to beg with false letters. maker's name, to revive, to rince, to
Lurker. 1. A begging impostor, rock, to save a life, to scamander, to
277
 LusJiborough. Macaroni.

shed a tear, to shake a cloth, to sherry- black pot, bloat, blomboll, boozer,
fog, to shift, to shout, to slosh, to boozington, borachio, bottle-sucker,
sluice (or wet) the bolt, gob, or ivories, brewer's horse, bubber
brandy-face,
to soak, to splice the mainbrace, to (or buoster), budge (or lm<l:'< r). bung-
squiff, to stab, to suck the monkey, to eye, burster, common sewer, copper-
swill, to swig, to swipe, to swizzle, to nose, drainist, drainpipe, 'liv
take the pin out, to take a drop in the D-T-ist, elbow-crooker, emperor, en-
eye, to take in some O be joyful, to sign bearer, fish, flag of distress,
- - -

tiff, to tipple, to toddy, to wet, to wet fluffer, fuddle-cap (or fuddler), full-
one's whistle, to wine. blown angel, gargler, gin-crawler, (or
Lushborough. A light coin imported slinger), ginnums, gravel - grinder,
into England from Luxembourg, grog-blossom, guttle (or guttle-gute),
whence the name. The importation of guzzler (or guzzle - guts), high-goer,
this false money was frequently for- jolly-nose, lapper, love-pot, lowerer,
bidden, viz. in 1347, 1348, and 1351. -
lug pot, moist-' un, mooner, mop,
Lush-crib (or ken). A public (or mopper-up), nazie-cove (or mort),
house, tavern, hotel, club, etc. Eng- nipster, O
- be -
joyfuller (or
- be- O
lish synonyms :! ale draper's, black- joyful-merchant), pegger, piss-maker,
house, boozer, budging-ken, church, potster, pot-walloper, pub-ornament,
cold-blood house, confectionery, cross- sapper, shifter, si pater, soaker, sponge,
dram, devil's-house, dive, diving-bell, swallower, swill-pot (or tub), swigsby,
drum, flash - case (drum, ken, or swigster, swipester, swizzle - guts,
panny), flat-iron, flatty-ken, gargle- Thirstington, tipple-arse, toddy-cask,
factory, gin-mill, grocery, groggery, toss-pot, tote, tun, wet-quaker, wet-
subject, wetster.
- -
grog-shop, guzzle crib, jerry shop,
hash-shop, hedge-house, kiddly-wink, Lushy. Drunk : see Screwed.
little church round the corner, lush- Lustres. Diamonds (Matedl).
house (panny, or ken), lushery, mop- Lux (Blue-coat School). A gi
up, mug-house, O-be-joyful works, thing ; a splendid thing ; e.g. My
-
panny, patter - crib, piss factory, knife is wooston a lux. Probably
pot-house, pub (or public) red-lattice, short form of luxuriant. Hertford
roosting-ken, rum mill, shanty, she- word (Blanch).
-

been, side - pocket, sluicery, suck- Luxer (Winchester College). A

casa, tippling - shop, Tom-and-Jerry handsome fellow, I presume from
shop, whistling-shop, wobble-shop. luxuries, it being a pleasure to look at
Lushing-muzzle. A blow on the him (Adams).
mouth (Grose). Luxuries. See Bar.
Lushington. A sot : also lushing Lyb-beg. A bed (Harmon).
man and lushing cove. English syno- Lyerby (or Lig-by). A mist
nyms admiral of the red, after-dinner
:
Lyp. To lie down (Harman).
man, ale-knight, ale-wisp, artilleryman, Lypken. See Labken.
bang- pitcher, beer-barrel, belch-guts, Lyribliring. Warbling, singing
bencher, bench-whistler, bezzle.bibber, (1580).

M. To have an M under (or by) well that they could eat them, accord-
the girdle, to have a courteous ad- ing to the old Proverb I mean those :

dress :
by using the titles Mr., Mrs., circumforaneous Wits whom every
Miss, etc. (1597). Nation calls by the Name of that Dish
Mab. 1. A
cabinet (1823). 2. A of Meat which it loves best. In
slattern (1696). 3. A prostitute. As Holland they are termed Pickled
' '
verb, Drest carelessly, like a Slattern Herrings ; in France, Jean Pottages ; in
(B. E.). Italy, Maccaronies ; and in Great
Macaroni. 1.' In the first Place I must Britain, Jack Puddings. These
observe that there is a Set of merry merry Wags, from whatsoever Food
Drolls whom the Common People of all they receive their Titles that they
Countries admire, and seem to love so may make their Audiences laugh,
278
 Mwaroni-stake. Maggoty.

always appear in a Fool's Coat, and chief, wipe (q.v.): Fr., fassollette. 2.
commit such Blunders and Mistakes in A mistress (1634). 3. A bold girl,
every Step they take, and every Word artful woman. 4. An ironical ad-
they utter, as those who listen to them dress (1726).
would be ashamed of (Addison, 1711). Madam Van. A wanton (1696).
It., maccarone, now maccherone, a Madcap. A whimsical humourist,
blockhead :
Ger., Hanswurst
cf. ; rashling : Fr., lanturlu : as adj., wild,
Fr., Jean-farine and Jack-pudding.
; freakish.
2. A dandy from 1760-75 from the :
Mad-dog. Strong ale : see Drinks
Macaroni Club, which introduced (1586).
Italian macaroni at Almack's (1764). Made. See Make.
3. A Maryland regiment noted for Made -
beer (Winchester College).
its smartness, which took part in the College swipes bottled with rice, a
Revolution Stuck a feather in his few raisins, sugar, and nutmeg to
cap and call it macaroni (Yankee make up it (Mansfield).
Doodle). 4. A pony. As adj., (1) Madge. 1. A private place. 2. A
foppish, affected and (2) a kind of
; woman partly in sport and partly
:

burlesque poetry, consisting of a in contempt (Jamieson).

jumble of words of different languages Mad-pash. A madman.
with words of the vulgar tongue latin- Mad-Tom. A man feigning mad, a
ized, and Latin words modernised also : Tom of Bedlam (q.v.).
macaronian and macaronical. Mad-woman. An empty coach.
Macaroni-stake. A race ridden by M a d z a. Half. Madza-caroon,
a gentleman- Jock (q.v.) (Bee). half a crown ; madza - saltee, a half-
Macaroon. An affected blockhead :
penny :
It., mezza. Medza-beargered,
see Buffle( 1650). half-drunk.
Mace. A rogue assuming the Mag. 1. Talk, chatter, jaw (q.v.) :

character of a gentleman, or opulent also a jabberer Fr., caquet-bon-bec :

tradesman, who under that appearance (1778). 2. A halfpenny: see Rhino:

defrauds workmen, by borrowing a also make and magpie In pi. (in :

watch or other piece of goods, till one Scotland), a gratuity expected by ser-
he bespeaks is done (Grose). As verb, vants cf Meg, guinea ( 1 567 ). 3. A half -
: .

to defraud macing means taking an

: cent. 4. The same as Magpie. 5. A

office, getting goods sent to it, and then magazine (1796). As verb, (1) to
bolting with them ; or getting goods talk (1836); (2) to steal (1818); (3)
sent to your lodgings and then remov- to get money by cheating countrymen
ing also, on the mace, and to strike the
: with balls, patent safes, etc. Mag's
mace ; to mace the rattler, to travel by diversion : see Meg.
rail without
paying the fare. On Maga. Blackwootfs Magazine.
the mace, on credit, tick (q.v.). Magdalene. A reformed prostitute
M ace m
a n (Mace-cove, Mace- (1693).
gloak, or Macer). A swindler : spec. Mag-flying. Pitch and toss: cf.
(1) a loan-office sharp, and (2) a swell Mag, a halfpenny.
mobsman. Maggie. A wanton : cf. Kitty
Machine. 1. A bicycle or tricycle ; (1603).
a carriage (Scots') ; and (in America) a Maggie Rab (or Robb). 1. A bad
fire-engine (1797). 2. A party, a party halfpenny see Rhino. 2. A : bad
organization (American politics). wife.
Machiner. A coach-horse. Magging. Talking.
Mackerel (printers'). Smeared, Maggot. 1. A whim, crotchet,
blurred, indistinct. fad (q.v.) (Scots') Bee in bonnet :
: cf.
Mackerel-back. A very tall, lank Fr., rats dans la tfte (1655). 2. 'A
person (B. E.). whimsicall Fellow, full of strange
Mad. Angry, vexed. To get one's Fancies and Caprichios. Maggotty,
mad up, to get angered also as verb : Freakish' (B.E.).
(1369). Like mad: see Like. Mad Maggot - boiler. A tallow chan-
as a hatter, violently dler (Grose).
angry, crazy.
Mad as a March hare, as mad as may Maggoty (Maggot-headed or
be (1535). Fanciful, eccentric, full of
pated).
Madam. 1. A pocket-handker- whimsies (1687).
279
 Magistrand. Make.

Magistrand (Aberdeen University). Maidstone- jailer. A tailor : see

A student in art* of the last year : Prick-louse.
of. Be Jan. Mail. In pi., Mexican railway
Magistrate. A herring see Glas- : hares. To get up the mail, to find
gow magistrate. money to defend a prisoner.
Magnificent. High and mighty; Main. The averages of the number
in pL, a state of dignified resent- to be thrown at dice ; at (cock-fighting)
ment the advantage on a series of battles
Magnify. It doesn't magnify, it (Bee). To turn on the main, to weep,
nap a
doesn't signify. bib.
Magnum. A double quart : cf. Jero- Main-brace. To splice the main-
boam, Rehoboam, etc. (1796). brace, to serve an allowance of grog ;

Magpie. 1. A from his hence to drink (1834).

bishop :

vestments of black and white. 2. See Main-chance. See Chance.

Mag. 3. A pie, pastry Fr., parfond. : Main-sheet. Drink specifically:

4. A shot striking a target, divided brandy : see Drinks.

into four sections, in the outermost Main-toby. The highway, main
but one : it is signalled with a black road see Toby.
:

and white disk cf. Bull's eye.

:
Majority. Togo over to (or join) (he
Magsman. A street swindler, a con- majority (or great majority), to die :
fidence-trick man : from mag, to talk : see Hop the twig. [The expression
Fr., chevalier de la retourne. It TXttWr iK^ff^ai is found in
Mahogany. 1. A dining- table: also Crinagoras (Anthol. Point. 11, 42),
mahogany-tree (1840). 2. Salt beef, and penetrare ad plures in Plautus
old horse (q.v.). 3. A drink, made (Trin., ii. 2, 14). A correspondent
of two parts gin, and one part treacle, of the Illustrated London Neu-s (Echoes,
well beaten together (Boswett). To Sept. 9, 1883) writes: "The phrase,
have one's feet under another man's joining the majority, is a free transla-
mahogany, to live on some one else. tion of the sepulchral formula, Abier-
To amputate one's mahogany, to run unt ad multos, used by the Roman
away, cut one's stick (q.v.). legionaries in Britain ; but in all proba-
Mahogany-flat. A bug cf. Heavy :
bility the English use of the ex-
cavalry see Norfolk Howard.
:
pression was popularised by Young.]
Mahometan-gruel. Coffee (Grose). Make. See Mag. As verb, (1) to
Maiden. 1. A
decapitating steal see Prig (1696) ; (2) (Winchester
:

machine. Which fatal instrument, College), to appropriate ; (3) to earn.

at least the pattern thereof, the cruel On the make, intent on (1) booty, or
Regent [Earl Morton] had brought (2) profit. To make up one's mouth,
from abroad to behead the Laird of to get one's living. To make away
Pennecuik of that ilk, who notwith- (with oneself), to commit suicide
standing died in his bed, and the un- (1633). To make dainty, to scruple.
fortunate Earl was the first himself To make nice, to scruple or object.
that handselled that merciless maiden To make up, ( 1 ) to dress : as an actor
(Pennecuik). 2. In cricket, an over for a part: see Make-up (1602); (2)
with no runs in racing, a horse
; to get up, invent : as a catch or take
which has never run also as adj., as, a
: in. To make (or take) it up, to be
maiden-speech, a maiden-attempt, etc. reconciled after a quarrel (1598).
(1696). To make mouths, to jeer, grin. To
Maidenhead. Newness; freshness; make hay, to tumble, confuse, dis-
uncontaminated state this is now : order. To make meat of, to kill. To
become a low word (John-son). make a house, to gather a quorum (40
Maiden-town. Edinburgh, Auld members). As good (bad, hot, drunk,
Reekie from a tradition that the
:
etc.) as they make them, as good, bad,
maiden daughters of a Pictish King etc. as may
be. Make him swim for it,
sought protection there during a time cheat him out of his share. See also
of civil war. Back, Bacon, Bates, Beef, Blue, Bones,
Maid Marian. A wanton the char- :
Books, Buttons, Children's shoes,
acter in the old morris - dance was Clean breast, Clean sweep, Clink,
taken by a loose woman (1598). Crimson, Ducks-and-drakea, Face,
Maids-adorning. The morning. Feather, Figure, Fish, Flash, Fool,
280
 Makepeace. Mandozy.

Fun, Fur, Good, Hair, Hand, Hare, Emanuel. Dead man, a supernumer-
Hash, Hay, Honest woman, Kiss, Leg, ary. Man alive! A mode of salutation:
Lip, Long-arm, Lucky, Man, Meal, used remonstrance or surprise.
in
Meat, Mouth, Night, Pile, Play, Point, Man of morns, a procrastinator.
many
Queen Anne's fan, Raise, Running, Man of the world, a knowing man
Scarce, Show, Splash, Split, Stand, (Grose). Man - Friday, a factotum :

-
Things, Tracks, Turkey merchant, from the character in Robinson Crusoe.
Two come, Virginia fence, Water, Man-a-hanging, a man in difficulties.
Whack, Whole cloth, Woman, etc., The man in the moon, (1) a mythical
etc. personage who finds money for elec-
Makepeace. A birch. tioneering, and for such electors as
Maker. A tailor, pricklouse (q.v.). vote straight. (2) A dolt see Buffle :

Makeshift. A thief (q.v.) (1584). (1621). // my aunt had been my

Makesures. Petty pilferings, fluff uncle she'd have been a man, said in
cabbage (q.v.) FT., gratte.
(q.v.), : derision of a ridiculous surmise If :

Make-up. 1. The arrangement of an wishes were horses, beggars would

actor's face and dress : see to make up. ride, If pigs had wings, what lovely
Make up box, a box of materials birds they'd make (1767). He'tt be
!

rouge, sponges, grease-paint, and the a man before his mother : see Mother.
like used in making-up. 2. A piece To go out and see a man, to drink : an
of deception, barney (q.v.), gammon excuse for a glass. The man in the
humbug (q.v.), take-in (q.v.).
(q.v.), street, everybody. To
behind a get
Make- weight. 1. A small candle man, to endorse a Old man, an
bill.

(Grose). 2. A short slender man employer, chief, governor (q.v.), the

(Grose). father of a family, a husband. The
Makings. 1. Material for anything sick man, Turkey. Man about town,
(1836). 2. Profits, earnings Fr., jus.
: 'a Lew'd Spark, or very Debaushe'
Malinger. To sham illness, shirk (B. E.). Man of Kent, all the in-
duty. habitants of Kent, east of the river
Malingerer. A shirker under pre- Medway, are called men of Kent, from
tence of sickness (Grose). the story of their having retained their
Malkin (Maukin, Mawkin). 1. ancient privileges, particularly those
Originally (Johnson) a kitchen- wench : of gavel-kind, by meeting William the
hence, a dish- clout, scarecrow, wisp : Conqueror at Swanscomb-bottom ;
and so, slattern (1579). 2. hare; A each man, besides his arms, carrying
also (old) a cat. a green bough in his hand ; by this
Malkin-trash. One in dismal garb contrivance concealing their number
(B. E.). under the appearance of a moving
Malmsey - nose. red-pimpled A wood. The rest of the inhabitants of
snout, rich in carbuncles and rubies the county are styled Kentish-men
(Grose) cf. Grog-blossom.
:
(Grose). A man or a mouse, something
Malt. To drink beer (1828). To or nothing (Florio), one on the other
have the malt above the wheat (water, (1547). Nine tailors make a man:
or meal), to be drunk : see Screwed see Ninth.
(1767). Manablins. Broken victuals Fr., :

Maltooling. Picking pockets in arlequin, and bijou also manavilins.:

omnibuses cf. Molltooler.

: Manarvel. To pilfer small stores.
Maltout. A sailor: cf. Fr., matelot. Man-box. A coffin (1820).
Malt - worm (bug, or horse). A Manchester. The tongue, prating-
tippler, Lushington (q.v.) (1551). cheat (1819).
Mammet. A puling girl (1595). Manchester-silk. Cotton.
Mammy. 1. Mother : an endear- Manchester Sovereign. A
ment (1560). 2. A negro nurse, shilling : see Rhino.
maumer. Manchet. See Brewer's-basket.
Man. 1. A husband, lover gener- :
Man-chovey. See Chovey.
ally, my man (1369). 2. The head Mander. A remand.
or obverse of a coin used in tossing :
Mandozy. (1) A telling hit and (2) ;

cf. Woman(1828). 3. Any under- a term of endearment among East-

graduate from fifteen to thirty : as, a end Jews both from the fighter,
:

man of Emanuel a young member of Mendoza.

281
 Man;j. Marley -stopper.

Mang. To talk, brag, boast (1819). Marigold (or Marygold). I.

Manger. Seo Dog. One million sterling. 2. A gold coin :

Manhandle. To maltreat, handle from the colour (1663).

roughly, thrash, tan. Marinated. Transported (Orose).
Man-in-black. A parson (1691). Marine (or Marine Officer, Dead
Man-in-blue. A policeman see :
Marine). 1. William IV. seemed in
Beak. a momentary dilemma one day, when,
Manners. After you is manners, at table with several officers, he
'
a jocular implication of inferiority ordered one of the waiters to take
(1659). away that marine there,' pointing to'
'
Mannish. Amorous (1382). an empty bottle. Your majesty !
'
Manoeuvre. See Apostle. inquired a colonel of marines, do yon
Man-of-straw. See Straw. compare an empty bottle to a' member
Man (or Lad) of wax. A sharp, of our branch of the service ? Ye*,'
'

clever fellow a model man (1595).

; replied the monarch, as if a sudden
Man-trap. 1. A widow, house to
'
thought had struck him ; I mean to
let (q.v.) (1773). 2. A lump of ex- say it has done its duty once, and is '
crement, a quaker (q.v.). ready to do it again (Mark Lemon).
Manual-compliment (or subscrip- 2. A man who is ignorant and clumsy

tion). A blow, sign-manual (q.v.) about seaman's work, greenhorn, land-

(1750). lubber. Tell that to the marines see :

Manufacture. Liquors prepared Horse marines.

from materials of English growth Mark. 1. A
preference, fancy
(Lex. Bed.). (1760). 2. A
person, pig (q.v.), raw
Map. A dirty proof. (q.v.). Old mark, a lady. 3. The pit
Marble (or Marvel). To move off, of the stomach : also Broughton's
absquatulate (q.v.). mark. 4. See Mark of the beast. 5.
Marbles. Furniture, movables ; A victim. 6. A
street-walker. As
Money and marbles, cash and effects : verb, to watch, pick out a victim : see
Fr., meubles: hence, and substantial Marking. To toe the mark : see Toe.
quid pro quo. English synonyms : To mark up, verb, to know all about
belongings, household gods, lares and persons. Mark of mouth, the tale
penates, movables, sticks, sprats, told by the teeth : originally horse-
slows, traps. copers' : cf. You mustn't look a gift
March. See Dirty-shirt march. horse in the mouth.
Marching-regiment. An infantry Marker (Cambridge University).
regiment of the line : in disparage- A person employed to walk up and
ment. down chapel during a part of the
Marchioness. A slatternly maid-of- service, picking off the names of the
all-work, (q.v.): from the
slavey students present.
character in The Old Curiosity Shop. Market The betting ring. To
Mare. A woman, a wife. The drive pigs to market : see Pigs.
grey mare is the better horse, the wife Market-dame. A strumpet (1705).
rules the husband. To win the mare Marketeer. A betting man who
or lose the halter, to play double or devotes himself, by means of special
quits. Money makes the mare go, information, to the study of favourites
money does anything you will (1605). and their diseases the principal :

Shank's mare see Shanks. To go

:
agent in all milking (q.v.) and knock-
mare to market, to
before the do prepos- ing out (q.v.) transactions.
terous things (Ray). Market-fever. See Pencil-fever.
Mare's-nest. A supposed discovery, Market-horse. A horse kept on the
hoax, delusion also to find a mare's
: lists for the sake of the betting.
nest and laugh at the eggs (1647). The Market-place. The front teeth.
mare with three legs, the gallows, the Marking. 1. A watcher, stall
triple tree (q.v.). (q.v.)(Matsett). 2. Observing ; taking

Mare 's- tails. Feather - like clouds notice.

indicative of wind. Marley - slopper. A splay-footed
Margery-prater. A hen, cackling person. Marley is a corruption of
cheat (q.v.) (1573). marble .... In playing it is common
Maria. See Black Maria. for a boy to put his heels together, and
 Marmalade, Masher.

turn out his toes .... to stop an Martin-drunk. When a man is '

eccentric marble. drunk, and drinkes himselfe sober

'
Marmalade. True marmalade., a ere he stirre (Nashe) see Screwed. :

variant of real jam (q.v.). Martinet. A military term for a

Marmozet. An endearment :
also, strict disciplinarian from the name of :

in jocular contempt, as monkey (q.v.) a French general, famous for restoring

(1607). military discipline to the French
Marm-puss. A wife. army. He first disciplined the
Maroon. To abandon on a desert French infantry, and regulated their
isle, with a little powder and shot method of encampment he was :

and a flask of water ; hence maroon, a killed at the siege of Doesbourg in

man marooned. the year 1672 (Lex. Bal.).
Marplot. An officious bungler, spoil Martingale. Doubling a stake at
sport (q.v.) : from a character in The every loss from the fact that, as in
:

Busybody. all fair games, a player must win once,

Marquis of Granby. A bald- there is a safe hold of fortune the :

head, bladder of lard. difficulty is to command a big enough

Marquis of Marrowbones. See bank, or, having the bank, to find some
Marrowbone. one to follow in a fair game (1823).
Marriage - music. The crying of Martin 's-hammer. Martin' s-ham-
children (1696). mer knocking at the wicket, said of
Married. Chained or handcuffed twins.
together (Grose). Married on the Marvel. To walk, be off :
e.g. He
carpet and the banns up the chimney, marvelled for home also : Marble
living as man and wife ; tally (q.v.). (q.v.).
Marrow. A
partner, an equal :
Mary ! No score, or love, in j eff-
specifically (Old Scots') a lover or ing (q.v.) with quads. To tie with
spouse :
amongst colliers, mate (q.v.) St. Mary's knot, to hamstring (1784).
(1513). Mary- Ann. 1. The dea ex machind
Marrowbone. In pi., the knees : evolved from trades - unionism at
Ital., devoti
(worshippers) (1553). Sheffield, to the utter destruction
tarquess of marrowbones, a lackey of recalcitrant grinders cf. :
Molly
(1502). Maguires. 2. A dress stand.
Marrowbones and Cleavers. Marygold. See Marigold.
Butcher's to new - married
music Maryland - end. The hock of a
couples formerly there was a regular
: ham ; cf.
Virginia-end (Bartlett).
peal in every parish (Grose). Marylebone Stage. See Marrow-
Marrowbone- (or Marylebone) bone Stage.
stage (or coach). To ride in (or Mary- Walkers. Trousers : see
go by) the marrowbone-stage, to go on Kicks. After Dr. Mary Walker, who
foot,by Shanks' s mare. adopted Turkish trousers.
Marrowskying. At the London Mascot. A luck piece, talisman,
University they had a way of dis- somebody (or something), which
guising English (described by Albert ensures good fortune to the owner :

Smith, in Mr. Ledbury, 1848, as the la mascotte if the luck - piece be

:

Gower Street dialect), which consisted alive, the master- quality disappears
in transposing the initials of words : with the loss of his (or her) virginity.
as poke a smipe, smoke a pipe ; flutter- Mash. A sweetheart also Masher. :

by, butterfly ; stint of pout, pint of As verb, to court, ogle, lay oneself out
stout, etc. : this is often termed for the practical approval of the
Marrowskying : also Medical (or Hos- other sex hence, on the mash ; mashed,
:

pital)Greek. amorous, spoony ; mashed on, in love :

Marshall. A five pound Bank of see Masher.
England note cf. Abraham New-
: Masher. A species of Don
(1)
Ian. Juan in a small way of business :

Martext. A clergyman speci- :

specifically among choristers and
fically a blundering or ignorant actresses ;
a dandy, and as
hence (2)
preacher (1600). adj., smart, [The particle
dapper.
Martin. 1. An honest man (1612). mashed was in use, in America, before
2. A boot. 3. See St. Martin. the substantive. A person who was
283
 Mrnler.

very spoony on another was said to Mauled. 1. Swingingly drunk:

be mashed. Then came the verb to see Screwed. 2. Soundly beaten.
mash, and latterly the noun masher; Mauley (Morley, or Mawley).
i.e. he who produces the effect, or at 1. A
fist, a hand. To tip a mauley, to
least who imagines himself a lady- give a hand ; /am the nundey, shake
killer.Men of this calibre are often hands (1800). 2. A signature, hand-
fops or dandies T Hence, the word writing, fist (q.v.).
masher as now understood here.] Maund Maunder). 1. To beg.
(or
Masherdom. Tho world of mashers To maund upon the pad (or on the
(q.v.). fly), to beg in the highway or the
Mash-tub. A brewer : hence street maunding, begging
; from :

(Fleet St.) The Morning Mash -tub, maund, a basket cf. Beg from bag :

The Morning Advertiser. (1531). 2. To ask (1567).

Maskin. Coal. Maunder. A beggar, cadge-gloak
Mason. One who swindled farmers, (q.v.) : also maunderer and maunding-
etc. by giving worthless notes for cove (1611).
horses, etc. bought by them. The Maundring - broth. A scolding
dealers, called masons .... giving (B.E.).
notes for money, and never to pay it Maverick. An unbranded yearling :
(Poulter, 1754) :also as verb. from one Maverick.
Masonry. Secret signs and pass- Maw. The mouth (1502). Hold
words. your maw I stop tallring
Mason 's-mawn'd. 'A Sham sore Mawkes. 1. A vulgar slattern
above the Elbow, to counterfeit a (Grose). 2. A wanton.
broken Arm, by a Fall from a Scaffold, Mawley. See Mauley.
expos'd by subtil Beggars, to move '
Maw-wallop. A filthy composition,
Compassion, and get Money (B. E.). sufficient to provoke vomiting (Grose).
Massacre. See Innocents. Mawworm. hypocrite A from :

Masse -
stapler. A rogue dis- Bicker-staffs play, The Hypocrite also :

guised as a woman. as adj. (1823).

Master-can (or more). A Mawpus. See Mopus.
chamber-pot (Fergusson) (1776). Mawther. 1. A girl (Jonson). 2. An
Master - of - the - black - art A old drudge (Dickens).
beggar see Cadger.
: Max. Gin see Drinks :from :

Master - of - the - Mint A gar- maxime, and so properly applied only

dener : cf. Burn-crust, Corks, etc. to the best quality spirit (1823). As
Master - of - the - Rolls. A baker verb, at West Point (United States)
(1641). English synonyms: bum- to gain the maximum of marks ;
crust, doughy, dough-puncher, crumbs, hence, to do well.
fourteen-to-the-dozen. May (Cambridge University). The
Master - of - the - Wardrobe. One Easter Term examination.
who pawns his clothes to buy liquor May - gathering. Sheep-stealing,
(Grose). fleecy-claming (q.v.), bleat- marching
Masterpiece. A culmination : the (q.v.).
best that can be (1715). Mazarine. 1. A Common Council-
Match. 1. In pi., Bryant and May, man of the City of London : from the
Limited, Stock. 2. A stripling : see robe of mazarine blue (1761). 2.
Lamp- post A platform under the stage.
Mate. A companion, partner, Mazzard (Mazard, or Mazer).
pal (q.v.) : also matey (1580). The head, face (1602). As verb, to
Mater. A mother, the Old woman knock on the head.
(q.v.): Fr., materneUe (1869). M. B.Coat (or Waistcoat). A
Matin - bell. A
thieves' rendez- long coat worn by some clergymen :

vous, evening chimes (q.v.). i.e. Mark of the Beast (1853).

Matriarch. An old dowager. Meacock. 1. A milksop, fool ; see

Matter. As near at no matter, very Buffle (1563). 2. A hen - pecked
nearly, as near a may be. husband. As adj., cowardly (1593).
Maukes (Maux, or Mawkes). See Meal. See Square-meal.
Mawkes. Mealer. 1. A partial abstainer:
Maukin. See Malkin. pledged to take intoxicants only at
284
 Meal-mouth. Member.

meals. 2. One who lodges at one Meaty. 1. Plump. 2. Enjoyable.

place and boards elsewhere. Mechanic. A tradesman also a ;

Meal-mouth. A sly sheepish Dun,

'

mean, inconsiderable, contemptible

or Sollicitor for Money
'

(B. E.). fellow (B. E.). As adj., common,

Meal
- tub
(or sack). The stock vulgar, mean.
of sermons e.g. I've nothing in my
: Med(Medic, Medical, or Medico).
meal-tub, I've no sermon ready. A medical man (or student) (1823).
Mealy- (or Meal-) mouthed (or Meddler. Lay-overs for meddlers :
mealy). 1. Fluent, plausible, per- see Lare-over.
suasive (1587). 2. One that is faint- Medes and Persians (Winchester
hearted, bashful, or afraid to speak College). Jumping on a man (q.v.)
his mind freely (Dyche). when in bed.
Mean. 1. Disobliging, petty, stingy. Medical Greek. See Marrow-
To feel mean, to feel guilty. 2. A skying.
general of disparagement
epithet : Medicine. Liquor : hence to take
mean a bad night mean horse,
night, ; one's medicine, to drink.
a sorry screw ; mean crowd, a man of Medium. A person engaged by a
no account ; mean bit, a worn-out, whose run is offered
squatter, part of
haggard woman. Mean enough to by Government at a land lottery :

steal acorns from a blind hog, as mean the medium takes lot- tickets, as if bent
as may be. upon cultivation, attends the drawing,
Mean White (American negro). A and if his ticket be drawn before his
white man working with his hands, principal's land is gone, selects it,
poor white trash (q.v.). and hands it over on payment of
Measly. Contemptible. the attendance fee.
Measure. The distance of duellers. Medlar. A dirty person.
To break measure, to be out of the Meech, Meeching. See Mike.
adversary's reach (B. E.). To measure Meerschaum. The nose see Conk. :

out, to knock down flat, to kill. To Meetinger. A

chapel goer.
take (or get) one's measure, ( 1 )
to marry ; Meg. LA guinea see Rhino. :

(2) to appreciate, to size

(1859). up 2. In pi., Mexican Railway First Pre-
To be measured [for a part, etc.], to get ference Stock. 3. A wench. Meg
a part written to one's liking or capa- Dorts, a pert girl ; Meg-harry (Lane.),
city, to be exactly suited. To have a hoyden. Roaring Meg, a monster
been measured for a new umbrella, (1) piece of ordnance ; hence, an unfailing
to appear in new but ill-fitting clothes ; antidote (1624).
whence (2) to pursue a policy of Megrim. (1) A crotchet; and (2)
doubtful wisdom. To be measured a headache Fr., migraine (1520).
:

for a suit of mourning, to get a pair Meg's Diversions. (1) Whimsical

of black eyes. Measured for a funeral pleasantry ; and (2) Old Harry (q.v.).
sermon, at death's door. Megsman. See Magsman.
Meat. To chew one's own meat, to Mej oge. A shilling: see Rhino ( 1 754).
do a thing oneself hence, to chew meat
; Mell. The nose see Conk. :

for one, to do another's work for him. Mel low. Slightly drunk see :

Meat-and-drink. 1. Strong drink ; Screwed (1696).

also liquor thickened with yolk of Melon. A new cadet.
eggs, etc. 2. Delight (1600). Melt. To spend, blew (q.v.) (1696).
Meat-axe. Savage as a meat-axe, To look as if butter would not melt in
extremely hungry. the mouth see Butter.
: 'Twill cut
Meat-bag (or safe). The stomach, butter when it's melted see Butter. :

victualling-office. Melting. A sound drubbing, all

Meat - in - the -
pot. A revolver. one way. A melter is he who pun-
English synonyms barker, barking :
isheth, and the thing administered
iron, black-eyed Susan, blazer, bull- is a melting a corruption of mallet-
dog, Colt, the democratiser (Ameri- ting (Bee).
can as making all men equal), un-
: Melton. Dry bread.
converted friend, pop (or pop - gun), Member. A
person : almost ex-
persuader, shooting - iron, shot - gun, clusively with qualifying terms, as
six-shooter, stick, towel, two - pipe hot (q.v.); rum (q.v.); warm (q.v.)
scatter-gun. and the like.

286
 Member-mug. Mess-mate .

Member-mug. 1. A chamber-pot :
Merry-go-down. Strong ale, stingo
see It ( 1696). 2. (Westminster School) (q.v.) : see Drinks (1530).
An out-of-door boy. Merry-go-sorry. Hysteria 600). ( 1

Men. See Man for all senses. Merry-go-up. Snuff ( 1 82 1 ).

Menagerie. The orchestra. Merry Greek. A jolly companion
Menavelings. Odd money in the (1602).
daily accounts, fluff (q.v.), overs and Merryman. See Merry-Andrew.
shorts cf. Manablins.
:
Merry - men - of - may. Currents
Mend. To mend fences, to mind one's formed by the ebb-tides.
own business, attend to one's interest. Merry-pin. A happy chance, jolly
To correct (or mend) the magnificat, to time, mood. In a merry pin,
gay
correct that which is faultless (Ray) jovially inclined. [The Dutch, and
(1670). English in imitation of them, were
Mentor. A second in the ring. wont to drink out of a cup marked
Mephisto. A foreman. with certain pins, and he accounted the
Merchant. A term of abuse (1555). man who could nick the pin ; where-
To play the merchant, to best (q.v.), as, to go above or beneath it, was a
get the bulge on (q.v.), get to wind- forfeiture (Fuller).]
ward of (q.v.) (1593). Merry Thought. The furcula or
Mercury. 1. messenger ; also A forked bone of a fowl's breast.
applied in cant phrase to the carriers Mesopotamia. Belgravia, Cubit-
of news and pamphlets (Johnson). opolis (q.v.):Asia Minor, New
cf.
2. Wit ; hence mercurial, witty Jerusalem, etc. The
true Mesopo-
(1696). 3. A thief (q.v.), trickster tamia ring, high-sounding and pleasing
(1599). but wholly past comprehension. [In
Mercury-women. Wholesale news- allusion to the story of the old woman
sellers who retail to the hawkers who told her pastor that she found
(B. E.). great support in that blessed word
Meridian. Refreshment taken at Mesopotamia.]
noon hence ante-meridian, a morn-
; Mess. 1. A difficulty, fiasco,
ing dram, post-meridian, an appetiser muddle. To make a mesa it, to of
before dinner (1818). failutterly or permanently. 2. (Win-
Merkin. 1. Fur (1678). 2. Hair chester College). The Prefects' tables
dye (1859). in Hall were called Tub, Middle, and
Mermaid. A strumpet. Junior mess respectively. The boys
Merry. Wanton (1610). who dined at each were also so named.
Merry-andrew (or Mr Merriman). Any number of boys who habitually
The jack-pudding, jester, or zany of breakfasted together were so called,
a mountebank, usually dressed in a with some distinguishing prefix, such
parti-coloured coat. as Deputy's mess. In Chambers, tea
Merry -
begot (or begotten). A was called mess ; as was also the
bastard. remains of a joint of meat. Lest
Merry-cain. See Cain, Raise, and the reader should make a mess of all
Jesse. these different meanings, I will give
Merry - dancers. The Northern a sentence in which they shall all
Lights :
Fr., chevres dansantes (dancing figure, Look .... Junior mess has sat
goats). down at Tub mess, but as they will
Merry-dog. A boon companion, find nothing left but a mess, they had
a jolly-dog (q.v.). better go down to chambers as
Merry Dun of Dover. A ship isready (Mansfield). To mess
so large that, passing through the (1) totake liberties ; (2) to play
Straits of Dover, her flying jib-boom and loose, swindle, put off. To
knocked down Calais steeple ; while the number of one's mess, to die :

the fly of her ensign swept a flock of Hop the twig.

sheep off Dover Cliff. She was so M e s s e 1. A partner,
lofty that a boy who went to her (1605).
mast-head found himself a grey old Mess- John. A clergyman in con- :

man when he reached the deck again. tempt i.e. JfoM-john.

:

[This yarn is founded on a story in Mess-mate. A companion, comrade,

Scandinavian mythology.] one eating at the same table.
286
 Mesting. Milk.

Mesting. Dissolving, melting. Midshipman 's-nuts. Broken bis-

Met. 1. A member of the Metropoli- cuit, eaten by way of dessert.
tan (or New York) Base-ball Club. 2. Midshipman's Watch and Chain.
In pi., Metropolitan Railway Shares. A sheep's heart and pluck.
The Met, the Metropolitan Music- Midshipmite. A diminutive mid-
hall. shipman.
Metal. 1.
Money : see Rhino. 2. Miff. A
petty quarrel, tantrum
See Mettle. (1623). As
verb, (1) to offend; (2)
Metallician. A bookmaker : from to fall out. As adj., angered ; also
the use of metallic books and pencils. miffed.
Metal-rule. An oath, obscenity. Miff-maff. Nonsense, rot (q.v.)
' '

[From the use of in print]. Miffy. The devil, Old Scratch

Mettlesome. Bold, spirited (Orose). (q.v.).
Mew-mew In sarcasm tell that! :
Mifty. Apt to take offence.
to the Marines (q.v.). Mighty (Mightily).In a great
Mice-feet. To make mice-feet, to degree. Not
used but into be
destroy wholly. very low language (Johnson). Also
Mich, Micher, Michery, Miching. mightily (1596). High and mighty,
See Mike, Miker, Mikery, and Miking. consequential, full of airs.
Michael. A man (1647). Mike. 1. An Irishman. 2. See
Mick (Mike, or Micky). 1. An Miker. 3. See Micky. As verb, (1)
Irishman. 2. A young wild bull. to lurk, skulk, hang about : also to do
Mid (or Middy). A midshipman a mike (or mouch) (1490) ; (2) to play
(1812). truant, Charley - wag (q.v.); (3) to
Midden. A foul slattern ; a heap hang about for alms, a job, or a
:

(q.v.). An eating midden, a glutton, chance to pilfer : also on the movxh ;

belly-god. (4) to steal (1655).
Middies. Midland Railway Ordinary Miker (Moucher, or Moocher).
Stock. A skulker, petty thief, beggar : also
Middle. 1. (1640). The waist
2. a truant see Loafer (1360).
:

(Fleet Street). writer of social, A Miking (Mooching, or Mouching).

literary, and scientific articles for the (1)Prowling; (2) pilfering (3) playing ;

press is said to be a writer of middles, truant. Also michery and mickery

or a middleman. 3. A finger. (1393). As adj., (1) skulking; (2)
Middle-cut (Winchester College). lurking ; (3) mean (1500).
There were . . .
eight [portions] to a leg Milch-cow. One who is easily
of mutton . . . the thick slice out of the tricked out of his property a term :

centre of the leg was called a middle used by gaolers for prisoners who have
cut (Mansfield). money, and bleed freely (Orose).
Middle-match. See Match. Hence, any living source of alms or
Middle-mess. See Mess. revenue (1696).
'
Middle-piece. The stomach, victual- Mild. Second-rate, feeble, in-
ling-office (q.v.) also middle-pie : and efficient. Draw
mild I see Draw.
it

middle-story (1675). Mild-bloater. See Bloater.

Middling. Tolerably, moderately. Miler (or Myla). An ass.
Also (tailors'), I don't think so. I Miles' s Boy. See Ralph.
don't believe what you say. Milestone. A country booby ( Vaux).
Middy. See Mid. Milestone-monger. A tramp.
Midge. A small one-horse carriage Milk. 1. To plunder (1536). 2.
used in the Isle of Wight. To bet against a horse, which is one's
Midge-net. A lady's veil. own property but is not meant to win,
Midget. Anything small of its to keep him a favourite at short odds
kind e.g. a sprightly child.
; for a race in which he has no chance
Midnight. Sarsaparilla. Midnight whatever (or in which he will not run).
without, sarsaparilla without ice. As 3. To get possession by artifice : as, to
white as midnight, as black as may be milk a telegram, to get access to it
(1557). before the addressee : see Milker. 4.
Midshipman s-half-pay. Nothing
'
To exhaust, drain (1642). To give
a day and find down milk, to pay (1655). To milk
yourself cf. Monkey's :

allowance. the pigeon, to attempt impossibilities :

287
 Mdk-and-molasses. Mitt-tog.

cf. Pigeon's Milk. To milk the street, break, force : mill-lay, burglary (1567) ;
to hold stock so well in band as to (3) to send to the tread-mill (1838).
make it fluctuate aa you will a Wall : To go through (or be on) the mill, (1) to
Street phrase. To milk over the fence, go through the Bankruptcy Court,
to steal milk from cans. No milk in be whitewashed (q.v.); (2) to pass
the cocoa-nut, silly, crazed. Bristol- through a more or less severe course
milk : see Bristol. of discipline, experience, or training
Milk - and molasses. The people
-
(1829); (3) See Mill. To bring grist
of this country (United States) are to the mill, to be a source of
profit
of two colours, black and white . . .
(1726). To put through the mill, to
or half and - half sometimes at the put to trial as a horse before a
:

south, where they are called milk- and - race.

molasses (Neal). Mill-clapper. The tongue :
speci-
Milk-and-water. A stuff under this fically of women (1696).
strange designation appears in 16th Mill -doll. The Bridewell, once
century inventories, but we have no situate in Bridge Street, Blackfrian
guide as to what determined its (1781). As verb, to beat hemp in
title (Draper's Diet.) (1665). As adj., Bridewell, do work on the treadmill :
insipid, undistinguished, harmless see Mill-dolly (1751).
Mill-dolly. Hard labour in Bride-
Milker. 1. When a telegram sent well.
to a specific person is surreptitiously Mill-dose.Prison labour (Matsett).
made use of or drawn from by others, Mill-lay. To
force open the doors
it is said to have been milked ; and of houses in order to rob them (Grose).
those who thus steal are called milkers. Miller. 1.A pugilist (1823). 2. See
To guard, as far as possible, against Joe Miller. A vicious horse (1825).
3.
this being done, important special 4. A white hat. 5. A murderer. To
and press messages from abroad, and give the miller, to wrap flour in thin
sometimes home telegrams also, are paper, which, when thrown, breaks
written in cipher : see Milk. 2. A and smothers the person of whom
milk-giver. a target is made. To drown the
Milker's -calf. A calf yet with miller, (1) to water overmuch origin- :

the cow ; hence, a mother's boy or ally to drown the miller's thumb, i.e.
girl. the thumb mark on the glass (1767) ;

Milk-fever. See Pencil-fever. (2) to go bankrupt (Jamieson) (1805).

Milk -hole (Winchester College). Miller 's-eye. A lump of flour in a
The hole formed by the roush (q.v.) loaf. To put the millers eye out, to
under a pot (q.v.) (Notions). be sparing of flour.
Milking-pail. To work (or carry) the Miller's- thumb. See Cobbler's
milking -pau see Milk.
: thumb.
Milk - livered. Timid, cowardly Mill-ken. A housebreaker.
(1605). Milling. 1. A beating also :
fight-
Milk -shop (Milk- walk, or Milky- ing (1810). 2.
Stealing. Milling in
way). The paps see Dairies (1640). the dar lemon's, murder
:
oy night.
Milk-sop. A coward, ladified man, Milling-cove. A pugilist (Grose).
novice, meacock (q.v.) (1390). Mill - round. Routine : see Go
Milk-woman. A wet-nurse. through the mill.
Green-milk-woman, a woman recently Millstone. To see (or look) through
delivered. a millstone (or brick-u-all), to be well-
Milky ones. White linen rags. informed, judge with precision, be
Milky -duds, white clothes (MatseU). quick of perception (1582). To weep
Mill. 1. A fight, set-to (q.v.) millstones, said of a person not likely
(1785). 2. The treadmill. 3. A to cry (1597). To run one's head
prison. 4. The old Insolvent Debtor's against a millstone (milestone, or
Court hence, to go through the mill,
: brick watt), to resist mulishly, attempt
to be adjudicated bankrupt. 5. A impossibilities. To run a milestone,
guard-room in barracks, jigger (q.v.). to strike one die dead and let the other
6. A chisel (Grose). As verb, (ft to run as it will.

fight, pummel, mill the nob, to

kill, to Mill- tog (tag, or twig). A
punch the head (1748); (2) to rob, shirt: see Camesa (1821).
 Mill-wash. Moab.

Mill -wash.Vest canvas. (1598). To miss one's tip: see Tip.

Milton. An oyster ( 1 84 1 ). To miss the figure : see Combination
Milvader. A blow. MUvadering, and Slump.
boxing. Miss Nancy. An affectedly prim
Mince. To dissect. person male or female hence, Miss
: :

Mince-pies. The eyes : also mutton- Nancyism, affected nicety, effeminacy.

pies (q.v.). Missus (The). 1. wife A ; and, 2.
Minckins. See Minx. among servants, a mistress.
Mind. See P's and Q's. Mind Mist. Scotch mist, rain.
your eye, be careful also (nautical) : Mistake. And no mistake, unques-
mind your helm. tionably, without fail.
Minden Boys. The Twentieth Foot, Mistress. The mark in the game of
now the Lancashire Fusiliers from : bowls, the Jack (q.v.) (1580).
theirbravery at Minden, 1759. Mistress Roper. A marine because :

Minder. A child put out to nurse. handling the ropes awkwardly.

Mine-arse. See Bandbox. Mite (or Mitey). A cheesemonger :

Mine Uncle. See Uncle. cf. Burn-crust, Corks, etc. (1765).

Mingle - mangle. A hotch-potch Mitre. A hat see Tufts and :

(1550). Golgotha.
Minikin (or Minnikon). An en- Mitten. 1. A hand : see Bunch of
'

dearment, a daintie lasse, a minnikin, fives (Grose). 2. A boxing glove,

smirking wench (Florio) A little man
'
; muffler (q.v.) also mitts. :As verb, to
or woman, also the smallest sort of jilt also to give the mitten : in Devon-
:

pin (Grose). Also as adj., diminutive, shire, to give one turnips. To handle
dainty, delicate. without mittens, to handle roughly :
Minor (Eton College). 1. A younger a low phrase (Johnson). Easy as
brother. 2. A
water-closet (Grose). mittens, free.
Minor clergy, young chimney sweeps. Mitten-mill. A glove fight.
Mint. Money also mint-sauce or :
Mivvy. 1. A woman in contempt : ;

mint - drops see Rhino (1420).

: As hence, 2. a lodging - house landlady,
adv., plenty of money (Lex. Bal. ) also : cat (q.v.). 3. marble. A
a mint of money, a big sum (Grose). Mix. A muddle, mess. As verb,
Minx. 1. A woman :in contempt ; (1) to confuse ; and (2) to involve or
and, 2. a wanton : also minckins implicate also to mix up
:
spec, to :

503). agree secretly how to make up a tale

Mischief. 1. A vexatious person : or colour a transaction in order to
, 2. ruin. To
go to the mischief, go cheat or deceive another party, as
the bad ; what, who, or where the in case of a justice - hearing, of a
ischief, what, who, or where the law - suit, or a cross in a boxing-
ill, or the devil ; to play the mischief, match for money.
to play havoc, disorder ; with a mis- Mixed. 1. Confused, muddled,
chief, with a vengeance (1614). A bewildered. 2. Foul, bad, inferior
man loaded with mischief, a man with (1280). 3. Slightly drunk: see
wife on his back. Screwed.
Misery. GUI see Drinks. : Mix- metal. A silversmith (Grose).
Misfit. An awkward man. Mixum. An
apothecary (1635).
ih. A
shirt or chemise : cf. Mizmaze. A cant word formed from
esa : an abbreviation of corn- maze by reduplication a maze, a :

ion (q.v.) (1665). labyrinth (Johnson).

Mishmash. Chaos, confused lump, Mizzard. The mouth : cf. Mazzard.
ess mass (Florio). Mizzle. To decamp, amputate
Mish-topper. A
coat, petticoat. (q.v.), skedaddle (q.v.) (1781).
Miss. 1. A wanton
(1662). 2. A Mizzler. A fugitive. Rum mizzler, a
young girl (1695). 3. girl from A a good hand at dodging or getting off.
t 10 to 15
years of age before : Moab. 1. A hat specifically, the :

after, a child and a young lady turban-shaped hat fashionable among

tively. A miss is as good as a ladies 1858-59 from the Scripture
:

a narrow Moab
'e,
escape is as good as an phrase, is my washpot (Ps. Ix.
y one. To miss the cushion, to 8). (Winchester College). On the
2.
foolishly, be wide of the purpose west side of school court, a spacious
289
 Moabite. Alolly-coddlish.

room, nicknamed Moab, with numer- century : at the Restoration, the s

ous marble basins, and an unlimited were called Muns and Ti
bullies
of fresh water (M antfield). TUB ; then Hectors and Scourers
supply ;

Moabite. A bailiff, Philistine (q.v.) Nickers and Hawcubites ; and 1

(Grose). Mohocks or Mohawks: also as
Mob. 1. The populace, the crowd :
(1711).
a contraction of mobile vulgus also : Mohican. A tremendously heavy
mobility and moboeracy (1686). 2. man, who rides five or six miles [in an
A number of thieves working together. omnibus] for sixpence (Tait'a Mag.).
3. A number of horses, or cattle, Moiety. 1. Fifty. 2. wife. A
part of a flock of sheep a flock is the
: Moisten. To drink, lush (q.v.):
total number of fleeces tended by also to moisten one's chafer (or day).
one shepherd ; any portion of it being Moke. 1. An ass. English syno-
a mob. 4. A wanton. As verb, to nyms :
baldwin, cuddy Don Key
crowd, hustle, annoy hence mobbing :
Dick, Edward, Issachar, Jack, Jenny,
(1741). See Swell-mob. Jerusalem, Jerusalem pony, King of
Mobility (or Moboeracy). See Spain's trumpeter, long-ears, myla,
Mob. Neddy. 2. A dolt : see Buffle. 3. A
Mobsman. A pickpocket: i.e. a variety artist who plays on several
member of the swell-mob (q.v. ) ( 1851 ). instruments. 4. negro, snow- A
Mockered. Full of holes :
e.g. ball (q.v.).
a ragged handkerchief, a blotched or Moko. A pheasant shot by mistake
pitted face. before the end of the close time the :

Mocteroof. To doctor or fake tail feathers are pulled out : cf. Lion.

(q.v.) damaged produce :

e.g. pines are Moll. 1.
girl. 2. A
A female
washed with a solution of gum chest- ; companion. 3. A prostitute. Moiled
nuts shaken in a bag with bees-wax. up, arm-in-arm with, or accompanied
Model (The). Pentonville Prison. by a woman.
Modern Babylon. London. Moll - blood. The gallows aee :

Modern Athens, Edinburgh. Ladder (1818).

Modest. A
vulgarism expressive -
Moll buzzer. A thief devoting
of moderation the reverse of large
; himself to picking women's pockets.
(q.v.). Hence, modest quencher, a M
o 1 1 i e. Whenever the whaling
small drink. fleet is stopped for a number of days in
Mods (Oxford University). The the the practice for the cap-
ice, it is
first public examination for degrees : tains to assemble on board one or
an abbreviation of Moderations. other of the ships to discuss the pro-
Moey. 1. The mouth see Potato- :
spects of the season's catch. These
trap. 2. A petition. interviews are called mollies and are
Moffling-chete. See Muffling-cheat. announced by a bucket hoisted as
Mofussil. Any part of India ex- signal at the fore-royal mast-head
cept the three capitals, Calcutta, .
Generally speaking, a mollie mean*
. .

Bombay, and Madras :

specifically, making a night of it (Rescue of Greeley).
rural, provincial (1772). Mo
11 is her. A thief s mistress,
Moggy. 1. A badly - dressed moll (q.v.).
woman, guy (q.v.). 2. A calf. Moll-sack. A lady's hand-bag,
Mogue. To gammon, throw dust market basket.
in one's eyes. Moll -
Thompson 's - mark (M.T.)
Mohair. 1. An upholsterer cf. :
Empty packages are said to be so
Burn-crust. 2. A man in the civil line, marked as adj., empty (Grose).
:

a townsman or tradesman, a military Moll-tooler. A female pickpocket :

term, from the mohair buttons worn see Thief.
by persons of those descriptions, or Molly (Miss Molly, or Molly-
any others not in the army the ; coddle). 1. An effeminate person,
buttons of military men being always milk-sop (q.v.). 2. A prostitute. 3.
of metal ; this is generally used as a A country wench.
term of contempt (Grose). Molly-coddle. To pamper: also
Mohawk (or Mohock). ruffian A moddley-coddley.
who infested the streets of London Molly-coddlish. Effeminate: also
at the beginning of the eighteenth mollyish (ISOl).
290
 Mottygrubs. Monkey-loot.

Mollygrubs. See Mulligrubs. Money makes the mare to go : see Mare.

Molly Maguires. 1. An Irish secret Pot of money, a large amount.
society 1843) formed to intimidate
(c. Money-bags. A miser, usurer, man
and process - servers.
bailiffs These of means.
Molly Maguires were generally stout Money-dropper. A swindler who
active young men, dressed up in lets money drop before some flat, and
women's clothes, with faces blackened offering to share it with him, passes off
or otherwise disguised ; sometimes they counterfeit coin in return for good
wore crape over their countenances change (1748).
sometimes they smeared themselves Money-grubber. A miser.
in the most fantastic manner with Mongrel. A hanger on amongst
burnt cork about their eyes, mouth, cheats, a spunger ; also a child, whose
and cheeks. In this state they used father and mother are of different
suddenly to surprise the unfortunate countries (Grose).
grippers, keepers, or process-servers, Moniker. See Monarch.
and either duck them in bog holes, or Monk. 1. A term of contempt. 2.
beat them in the most unmerciful (printers'), An
over-hiked spot in a
manner, so that the Molly Maguires printed sheet, a dark patch, a black-
became the terror of all our officials ened or wasted impression see :

(Trench). 2. A
secret society formed Friar.
in 1877 in the mining districts of Monkery. 1. The country, Daisy-
Pennsylvania. The members sought ville (q.v.) (1819). 2. Tramps, vag-
to effect their purpose by intimida- rants : collective. On the monkery,
tion, carried in some cases to murder. on tramp.
Several were brought to justice and Monkey. LA
term of real or
executed. affected displeasure also, an endear-
:

Molly-puff. A gamblers' decoy ment (1602). 2. Five hundred pounds

(1629). sterling ; also (in America) $500 see :

Molocker. A renovated hat : also as Rhino (1856). 3. A hod. 4. A pad-

adj. and verb. lock (1819). 5. A rocket-driving
Mome. A blockhead : see Buffle instrument. 6. A vessel hi which a

(1550). mess receives its full allowance of grog.

Monarch. 1. A name : also moneker, 7. A small bustle, which in the days of

moniker, monarcher, and monick. 2. very short waists was worn just below
(Eton College). The ten-oared boat. the shoulderblades. As verb, to
3. Formerly a guinea ; now a sovereign :
trifle,play, fool about. Monkey on
see Rhino. Big monarcher, a person of horseback, a bad horseman. Monkey
note, big-bug (q.v.). on a wheel, a cyclist: FT., imbecile d
M o n a s. Isle of Man Railway deux roues. Monkey with a long
Shares. tail,a mortgage ; a monkey up the
Monday. See St. Monday. chimney, & mortgage on one's house.
Monday. An intensitive : Awful To get one's monkey up, (1) to get
Bleeding, Bloody, etc. angry hence, (2) his monkey is up
:

Mondayish (or Mondayfied). (or he has a monkey on his back), he

Sunday is not a day of rest to him is angry Fr., reniquer.
: To suck the
[the clergyman] ; it is a day of grate- monkey, ( 1 ) to drink rum out of cocoa-
ful work, in which many week duties nuts, emptied of milk and filled with
are laid aside ; but it is a day of work, spirits ; (2) to liquor from a cask
the reaction from which has created through a gimlet-hole and a straw
the clericalslang word Mondayish (called tapping the admiral, which see) ;
(Eraser's Mag.). English synonyms : and (3) to drink from the bottle (1811).
hi the idles, not-up-to-work, run Monkey with a tin tool, a phrase ex-
down, seedy, off colour, off it, off the pressive of impudence or self-content :

spot, out of it, shilly-shally, soft in e.g. Oh, they're as cocky as monkeys
the back, stale. with tin tools.
Mondongo. See Mundungus. Monkey - board. The conductor's
Money. 1. Money's worth, a way place on an old-style omnibus (1860).
or a line of investing money. Eggs Monkey - boat. A long, narrow
for money, an excuse, trick (1604). canal boat also a small boat used
:

Bard money, coin. Soft money, notes. in the docks.

291
 Monkey-cage. Moonlight- flitting.

Monkey-cage. The grated room in moon, a calendar month (or callingder).

which a convict Bees his friends Fr., :
(1823). 2. A large, round biscuit. 3.

parloir des singes. A wig: also half -moon (1608). AM

-
Monkey coat (or jacket). A verb, to wander, lounge as in a dream
short, close-fitting jacket, a coat with (1856). To make believe the moon it
no more tail than a monkey : see made of green cheese, to hoax (1562).
Capella. A blue moon, an indefinite time,
Monkey-pump. The straw used in never, Greek Kalends (q.v.), Tib's
Bucking the monkey (q.v.). eye (q.v.) (1528). Minions of the
Monkey 's-allowance. More kicks moon see Moonman.
: Man in the
than halfpence (Orose). moon see Man.
: To shoot (or bolt)
Monkeyshines (Monkeytricks, or the moon, to clear a house by night to
Monkeyings). 1. Antics. 2. Tricks. evade distraint or payment of rent,
Monkey's -money. 1. Goods. 2. do a moonlight flitting ; to move in the
Labour. 3. Words Fr., monnaie : des blind, to go between the moon and
singes (1653). the milkman ; hence moonshooters.
'

Monkey 's-tail. Youngster, hand To cry for the moon, to crave for the
me that monkey's tail I saw !
'

impossible Fr., vouloir prendre la

:

nothing like a monkey's tail, but I was lune avec les dents. To cast beyond
so frightened that I snatched up the the moon, to make extravagant con-
first thing that I saw, which was a jectures (1606). To level at the moon,
very short bar of iron, and it so hap- to be very ambitious. To find an
pened that it was the very article elephant in the moon, to find a mare's
wanted (Marryatt). nest. [Sir Paul Neal, a seventeenth
Monmouth-street Finery. Tawd- century virtuoso, gave out that he had
riness, pretence. [Monmouth Street discovered an elephant in the moon.
(now Dudley Street) was long a mart It turned out that a mouse had crept
for second-hand clothes.] into his
telescope.
See Butler, The
M o n n i k e r (or Monick). See Elephant in the Moon.]
Moneker. Moon-calf. 1. A monster (1609).
Monocular-eyeglass. The breech. 2. A false conception (1598). 3. A
M o n s (Winchester College). A blockhead : see Buffle : also moon*
crowd also as verb
:
e.g. Square :
calfy (1693).
round there, don't mons (Notion*). Moon-curser. A link-boy, glim-
Monstrous. A general intensitive. jack : were not required
his services
Montem (Eton College). An Eton on moonlight nights (1696).
custom up to 1847, which consisted M
o o n e r. An idler, gape seed -

in the scholars going in procession (q.v.).

on the Whit-Tuesday of every third Moon-eyed. Squinting.
year to a mound (Lat., ad montem), Moonnaw. Moonfiaw in the brain,
near the Bath road, and exacting a an idiosyncrasy, craze see Bee : in the
gratuity from persons present or bonnet (1659).
passing by. The collection was given Moonlight (orMoonshine).
to the captain or senior scholar and Smuggled spirits from the night- :

helped to defray his expenses at the work of smugglers. Moonlight on

University. the lake, sarsaparilla. A rush for
Month. A bad attack of the end of moonlight, an attempt at the prize
the month, for elocution.
impecuniosity.
Month-of -Sundays. An indefinitely Moonlighter. 1. A prostitute. 2.

long time cf. Greek Kalends.

: In pi., men
1880) enforcing the
(c.
Month's mind. Longing: from decrees of secret societies by violence :
the cravings of pregnant women (1565). their action was chiefly confined to
Mooch. See Mike. the western counties, and their raids
Moocher. See Miker. were nocturnal, whence the name :
Mooching. See Miking. their notices were signed Captain
Mooer. A cow, wet-'un also mooler :
Moonlight. 3. The same as Moon-
and moo-cow. shiner (q.v.).
Moon. 1. A month :
specifically Moonlight-flitting, iee Shooting-
(thieves') a term of imprisonment, the moon also London - flitting
:

e.g. one (two, or three) moons ; long (1802).

 Moonlighting. Morocco-man.

Moonlighting. Playing the moon- Moped. Stupid, melancholy also :

lighter (q.v.). mopish, moping, and mope-eyed (1621).

Moon-man. 1. lunatic. 2. A A Moppet. See Mop.
gipsy. 3. A
nocturnal thief (q.v.): Moppy. Drunk see Screwed. :

also minions of the moon (1597). Mop-squeezer. A housemaid (Grose).

Moon-raker. 1. An imaginary sail Mopsy. 1. A familiar term for a
above the sky-scraper (q.v.), moon- woman :
specifically a young girl ;

sail (q.v.). 2. A Wiltshire man. 3. a mop. 2. A dowdy, or homely

A smuggler. 4. A blockhead see : woman (1696).
Buffle. Mopu 1. A drone, a dreamer
s.

Moon-raking. Wool-gathering. (1755). A

small coin said to be
2. :

Moonshine. 1. Anything unreal or a corruption of the name of Sir Giles

unsubstantial, humbug (q.v.), rot Mompesson, a monopolist of the
(q.v.) The white brandy
(1593). 2. reign of James I. 3. In pi., (mopusses)
smuggled on the coasts of Kent and money : see Rhino.
Sussex, and the gin in the north of Moral. 1. An exact counterpart
Yorkshire (Grose). 3. A month (1605). (1590). 2. Abbreviation of moral
4. A dish of poached eggs served with certainty : see Cert ; anything that is
a sauce (1605). As adj., (1) noctur- highly promising.
nal ; (2) empty ; and (3) trivial (1596). Moral-shocker. A novel dealing
Gilded moonshine, bogus bills of ex- with sex, a hill-topper (q.v.).
change. Moray-coach. A cart (1808).
Moonshiner. 1. A manufacturer of More. See Elbow, Power, Sacks,
whisky. 2. Fly-by-night persons
illicit Seven, Twelve. More so, a general
who cheat their landlords and run away intensitive.
by night when 'tis illegal to detain
; Moreish. Wishing for more : when
the goods (Bee). there is scarcely enough of an eatable
Moonshining. Illicit distilling. or drinkable, it is said to taste more-
Moonshiny. Unreal. ish.
Moonshooter. See To shoot the Morgan. A bare-faced imposture.
moon. Mork. A policeman.
Moon's- minion. 1. A watchman, Morning. An early dram, an
Charley (q.v.) (1828). 2. See Moon- eye -
opener (q.v.) : also morning-
man. rouser (1814). The top of the morning,
Moony. A noodle. As adj., (1) a cheery greeting.
silly : also moonish (1600). (2) Drunk :
Morningdrop. The gallows see :

see Screwed. Nubbing-cheat.

Moose - face. A rich, ugly-faced Morning - hills
(Winchester Col-
man. lege). On
holidays and Remedies we
Mop. 1. An annual fan* in the west were turned out for a couple of hours
of England where farmers usually hire on to St. Catherine's Hill .... once
their servants. 2. A confirmed drunk- before breakfast (Morning Hills), and
ard, Lushington (q.v.). 3. A drinking again in the afternoon (Middle Hills)
bout ; on the mop, on the drink. 4. (Mansfield).
endearment also moppet and mopsy
:
Morning-rouser. See Morning.
(1388). 5. A grimace (1609). 6. A Morning-sneak. Going out early
fool (1399). As verb, (1) to drink up, to rob private houses or shops, by
guzzle see Lush also mop up (1675)
: :
; slipping in at the door unperceived,
(2) to collect also mop up.
: To mop while the servant or shopman is em-
up, to stop talking. To mop (or ployed in cleaning the steps, windows,
wipe) the floor (ground, or earth) with etc.(Vaux).
one, to knock one down. To be Morning-star. A weapon used by
mopped (or wiped) out, to be ruined, the London train-bands, temp. Henry
floored (q.v.), killed. All mops and VIII. it consisted in a spiked ball
:

brooms, drunk: see Screwed (1828). chained to a staff called also Holy- :

In the mops, sulky. water sprinkler.

Mope. 1. A dullard (1621). 2. In Morocco-man. lottery assurance A
pi., low spirits, the hump (q.v.), the agent. In 1796, the great State
blues (q.v.). As verb, to despond lottery employed 7500 morocco men.
(1594). Their business was to go from house to
293
 Morpheus. Mouldy-grubs.

house among the customers of the Mossyface (or old Mossyface).

assurances, or to attend in the back The ace of spades.
parlours of public-houses, where the Most. Dining at an eating house
customers came to meet them. and leaving without making payment
Morpheus. In the arms of Mor- (Matsell).
pheus asleep see Murphy.
: : Mot (Mort). See Mort
Morris (or Morrice). To decamp Mot-cart. 1. A brougham. 2. A
(1773). mattress.
Morsel. 1. A person. 2. A harlot Moth. A prostitute, fly-by-night
(1529). (q.v.).
Mort. 1. A woman, chaste or not. Mother. 1. A bawd also Mother- :

2. A
yeoman's daughter also mot. : abbess, Mother midnight (1696). 2.
Hence, autem-mort, a married woman ; A familiar mode of address ( 1647). 3.

walking (or strolling) mart, a female Hysteria (1605). Does your mother
tramp kinchin - mart, a little girl
; ; know you're out ? a derisive street
dimber-mort, a pretty wench (1567). catch phrase
-
(1836). Has your
3. A large quantity, a great number mother sold her mangle f a catch
(1694). All amort: see Amort phrase. Teach your mother (or grand-
Mortal. Extreme: cf. Awful,
1. mother) to roast (or suck) eggs, a derisive
Jolly, etc.
(1679). 2. Drunk: see retort upon a piece of information or
Screwed (1808). 3. Expletive and in- an offer of help Fr., les oisons veulent
:

tensitive (1755). As adv., extremely : mener les oies pattre, the goslings want
also Mortally (1625). to drive the geese to pasture (1670).
Mortar - board (or Mortar). The He'll be a man before his mother, a
trencher-cap worn at certain public derisive retort
schools and at the Universities Mother-and-daughter. Water.
(1600). Mother - Carey's Chickens. 1.

Mortgage - deed. A pawnticket, Snow, goose - fluff (q.v.): Fr., les

tombstone (q.v.). mouches fhiver. 2. To fare alike
Moses. To stand Moses, to be and pay the same (Bee).
subject to a bastardy order. By the Mother-in-law. A mixture of old
piper that played before Moses, an oath : and Mother-in-law's bit,
bitter ales.
also by the holy jumping mother of a small piece, mothers-in-law being
Moses. supposed not apt to overload the
Mosey. To decamp (1838). To stomachs of their husband's children
mosey along, (1) to jog along (2) to ; (Grose).
bustle about. Mother-midnight 1. A midwife.
M o s h. To
leave a restaurant 2. A bawd (1696).
without paying a corruption of : Mother Morey. I'll teU you a story
mouch (mike, q.v.). of oldMother Morey, in derision of an
Moskeneer. To pawn for more inconsequent yarn an allusion to
:

than the pledge is worth. Maskers, the nursery rhyme.

(q.v.), men who make moskeneering a Mother 's-milk. Gin: see Drinks:
profession also as subs., the agent.
: also spirits of any kind.
k-fMosker. One who makes a living Mother "s-son. man. A
by taking advantage of the business Mottob. Bottom.
incapacity of persons engaged in the Mouch. See Mike.
pawnbroking trade, and by subtle Moucher. See Miker.
wiles and subterfuge imposes on their Mouchey. A Jew, Yid.
credulity and weak good nature. Mouching. See Miking.
Mosque. A church or chapel. Moulder. A lumbering boxer, one
Moss. Blue pigeon (q.v.). 2. who fights as if he were moulding clay
Money :
generic : see Rhino. (Bee).
Mossyback. 1. A man hiding in Mouldy. A purser's steward. As
woods or swamps (till the moss adj., (1) grey-headed :
mouldy-pate,
grew on his back) to escape- the a lackey in powder ; (2) worthless :
conscription for the Southern army :
e.g. a mouldy offer.
also Mossback. 2. An extreme con- Mouldy -
grubs. Travelling show-
servative in politics. 3. An old- men, mountebanks who work in the
fashioned person, back-number (q.v.). open without tent or covering.
294
 Mouldy-'un. Mrs. Partington.

Mouldy-grubbing, working as de- Mousetrap. 1. The mouth, potato-

scribed. trap (q.v.). 2. A sovereign, canary
Mouldy- 'un. copper. A (q.v.) : see Rhino. The parson's
Mounch- (or Munch-) present. 1. mousetrap, matrimony.
'
He that is a great gentleman, for Mousle. 1. To nibble. 2. To
when mayster sendeth him with a
his kiss.

present, he wil take a tast thereof by Mouth. 1. A

noisy fellow, prating
the this is a bold knave, that
way :
fool, scold, virago also Mouth-:

sometyme will eate the best' and leave almighty (1696). 2. See Cheek. 3.
the worst for his mayster (Avxttey). The after-affects of a debauch, hot
2. A
glutton. 3. One who takes bribes. coppers (q.v.). As
verb, to rant
Mounseer. A Frenchman (1627). (1590). To give mouth, (1) to put
Mount. 1. A saddle-horse (1856). into words ; (2) to speak loudly and
2. Abridge. As
verb, (1) to wear, distinctly: also mouth it (1840).
carry as an equipment (1822) ; (2) to Down in the mouth, dejected (1608).
prepare for representation on the To laugh on the wrong (or other) side
stage (3) to swear falsely, give false
:
of one's mouth (or face), to cry. See
evidence : for hire (1789). To mount also All mouth, Big - mouth, Bone,
the ass, to go bankrupt : in France it Cat, Silver-spoon, Lion, Water.
was once customary to mount a bank- Mouth-bet. A verbal bet.
rupt on an ass, face to tail, and ride Mouther. A blow on the mouth
him through the streets. (1821).
Mountain - dew. Scotch whisky :
Mouth-glue. Speech (1600).
see Drinks. Mouthing. Crying.
Mountain-pecker. A sheep. Mouthpiece. A counsel: Fr., les-
Mounter. Men who give false siveur, whitewasher, medecin, doctor :

bale or who, for a consideration,

;
cf. malade, prisoner, I'hopital, prison ;
will swear to anything required. parrain.
Fellows who hire clothes to wear for Move. Any action or operation
a particular occasion ; those who in life the secret spring by which any
:

wear second-hand clothes (Matsdl). project is conducted, as, There is a

Mounts-of-lilies. The paps see : move in that business which you are
Dairy (1694). not down to. To be flash to every
Mourner. One taking a drink, a move upon the board, is to have
spreester (q.v.) (1847). a general knowledge of the world, and
Mourning. Full mourning, two all its numerous deceptions ( Vaux).
black eyes ; half-mourning, one black Moveables. 1. Furniture. 2. Rings
eye, or a mouse Fr., ceufs sur le plat,
:
watches, or any toys of value (1599).
yeux au beurre noir, yeux poches. As Moved. Bowed to.
adj., bruised : also in mourning (1708). Mow. To kiss.
Mourning-shirt. An unlaundered M o z z y. Judy :
Swatchell, Mr.
shirt (1650). Punch.
Mouse. 1. A black eye. 2. A M. P. A policeman.
term of endearment (1593). 3. The Mr. Ferguson, Mr. Knap, Mr.
face. 4. The mouth : also as verb, Nash, Mr. Palmer, Mr. Pullen.
to bite : cf. mousle
(1557). 5. Mouse- See Ferguson, Knap, Nash, Palm,
piece (q.v.). As verb, to go mouse- and Pull.
like i.e., as in depreciation of one's
: Mrs. Goff. A woman.
self. As intj., be quiet, be still, talk Mrs. Grundy. A personification of
low, whisper, step light, softly. To respectability, society :
e.g. What
speak like a mouse in a cheese, to speak will Grundy say ? What will
Mrs.
faintly or indistinctly. As drunk as a Mrs. Grundy think? (1798): from
mouse, very drunk see Screwed (1508).
: a character in Speed the Plough.
Mouse - digger (Winchester Col- Mrs. Harris and Mrs. Gamp. The
lege).A Morning Herald and The Standard
kind of diminutive pick-axe.
Mouse-hunt. A wencher ( 1595). when under the proprietorship of Mr.
Mousepiece (Mouse - buttock, or Baldwin.
Mouse). A piece of beef or mutton Mrs. Jones. A water-closet.
below the round, the part immedi- Mrs. Lukey Props. A bawd.
ately above the knee joint (1691). Mrs. Partington. A personification
295
 Mr. Speaker. Mud-lark.

of impotent and senile prejudice : Muckrake. In politics, persons who

also a kind of Mai a pro p. fish introubled waters, from the idea
Mr. Speaker. A "revolver : see of their raking
up the muck to see
Meat-in-the-pot. what valuable waifs and strays they
Mrs. Suds. A laundress (1757). may find in it. The term is generally
M
's and W
's. To make ATs and W't, used in the form of muckrakers and
tojbe drunk see Screwed. :
placemongers.
M. T. 1. Empties, or empty Mucks. See Mux.
carriages see Moll Thompson's mark.
:
Muck-snipe. A ruined gambler.
2. An empty bottle, dead-man (q.v.). Muck-train. A commissariat train.
Mubblefubbles. Low spirits : cf. Muck- worm. 1. A miser. 2. An
Mulligrubs (1592). upstart.
Much. An expression of quality, Mud. 1. A
fool, thick head. 2.

e.g. Not much of a lawyer, not a very A non - society man ; dung (q.v.).
good lawyer. Much of a muchness, As dear as mud, very obscure also :

very much the same thing (1837). the reverse : as plain as may be.
Not much 1 (or not muchly /), not His name is Mud, said in cases of
likely, certainly not in derision (1598).
! utter defeat ; sent up Salt River
Much and little wool see Cry.
cry :
(q.v.).
Muchly. A great deal Mud-cat. A Mississippi man.
Muck. 1. A dripping (or oozing) Mudcrusher. An infantryman : Fr.,
mass of filth hence, muck-cheap, very
:
pousse-caulou. English synonyms :
cheap muck-heap (or muck-scutcheon),
; beetle-crusher (or squasher), blanket-
a foul sloven cf. Midden muck-
:
; boy (a volunteer), boiled lobster,
grubber, a miser muckhiU, a dunghill ; ; brother-blade, caterpillar, cat-shooter
muck-spout, a foul-mouthed talker ; (volunteer), coolie, flat-foot, fly-slicer
muck-suckle, a filthy woman ; mucky- (a cavalryman), grabby, jolly gravel-
white, sallow in complexion muck ; grinder (a marine, see Royal Jolly),
of sweat, a violent perspiration, etc. leather-neck, light-bob, lobster, mud-
(1766). 2. Anything vile. 3. Money :
major (q.v.), mud-plunger, plunger,
generic: see Rhino (1393). 4. A prancer (a cavalryman), Q.H.B.
heavy fall also mucker. 5. A coarse
:
(Queen's Hard Bargain, a malingerer),
brute. As verb, (1) to spend; (2) raw lobster (see Lobster), red-coat,
ruin. To go (or run) a muck (or a red-herring, Saturday-soldier (a volun-
mucker), to go headlong, be reck- teer), scarlet runner, skid, snoddy,
-

lessly extravagant, run amok (q.v.) :

swaddy, tame jolly (see Jolly), toe-
the homicidal frenzy (of a Malay), footer (or bloody toe-footer), Tommy
used originally in Port, forms amouca, Atkins, tow - pow, wobbler, worm-
amuco ; hence, in a homicidal frenzy, crusher (or squasher).
furiously, viciously. To go a muck Mudding-face. A fool, muff (or
(or mucker), to go to smash, risk one's muffin-face), (q.v.).
all, put on one's shirt (q.v.). To Muddle. A state of confusion ( 1854).
muck about, to fondle, mess about As verb, (1) to stupefy with liquor:
(q.v.). see Screwed (1712). (2) To bungle.
Muckcook. To laugh behind one's To muddle away, to squander aim-
back. lessly, waste one knows not how.
Muckender (Muckinder, Muck- Muddle -head. A fool. Muddle
inger, or Mucketer). A handker- headed, doltish (1837).
chief : Sp., mocadf.ro (influenced by Muddler. A clumsy horse.
muck), from muco, mucus (1468). Mudge. A hat: see Golgotha.
Mucker. 1. See Muck. 2. A com- Mudger. A milk-sop (1830).
missariat officer. As verb, to blunder Mud-hen. A female gambler in
badly, come to grief, fail stocks and shares (Wall Street).
Muckerer (or Mokerer). A Mud-hole. A salt-water lagoon in
miser (1381). which whales are captured.
Muck-fork. A hand, finger. Mud-honey. Mud, street slush.
Muckibus. Sentimentally drunk, Mud-hook. An anchor.
maudlin see Screwed (1756).
: Mud-lark. There is another class
1.

Muckingtogs (or Muckintogs). A who may be termed riverfinders,

mackintosh. although their occupation is connected
296
 Mild-major. Mugster.

only with the shore ; they are com- boys. 2. The new regulation head-

monly known by the name of mud- gear in the British army also Muffin. :

larks, from being compelled, in order Muffin-face. A hairless counten-

to obtain the articles they seek, to ance.
wade sometimes up to their middle Muffing. Bungling, clumsy.
through the mud left on the shore by Muffin-worry. A tea-party.
the retiring tide the mud-larks col-
: Muffle. 1. A boxing-glove also :

lect whatever they happen to find, Muffler (1755). 2. A stunning blow.

such as coals, bits of old-iron, rope, 3. A crape mask once a kind of :

bones, and copper - nails that drop vizard or veil worn by women (Stow,
from ships while lying or repairing 1539).
along shore (Mayhew). 2. duck A Muffling-cheat. 1. A napkin (1573).
(Orose). 3. Any one with outdoor 2. A towel (Grose).
duties (City). 4. A street-arab (q.v.). Mufti. 1. Plainjclothes :
military.
5. A hog (Grose). Hence, 2. a civilian (1834). Fr.,
Mud-major. An infantry major : pekin.
i.e. one who, on parade, commands a Mug. 1. The face, the mouth
company on foot. (Orose). 2. A dolt, a raw (or clumsy)
Mud-picker. A garrison policeman. hand, greenhorn (q.v.). 3. A cooling
Mud-player. A batsman partial to a drink, a cup. As verb, (1) to strike
soft wicket. (or catch it) in the face (1821) ; (2) to
Mud-plunging. Tramping through grimace (1762); (3) to rob, swindle;
slush in search of sympathy. (4) see Mug up ; (5) (a) to study
Mud-salad Market. Covent Garden. e.g. I mugged all the morning, and
1. A low-born, ignorant,
Mud-sill. shall thoke this afternoon, and (6)
contemptible wretch. 2. A South- to take pains e.g. He has mugged
:

erner circa 1861-64.

: his study, and made it quite cud
Mud-slinger. A
slanderer. (Winchester College). To cut mugs, to
Mud-student. A student at the grimace. To mug oneself, (1) to get
Agricultural College, Cirencester. drunk ; (2) to make oneself cosy or
Muff. 1. A milksop, bungler, dolt : comfortable. To mug up, ( 1 ) to paint,

also muffin. 2. Anything badly make up (q.v.) ; (2) to cram for exam-
bungled. As verb, (1) to bungle: ination : also to mug.
e.g. to muff a catch ; (2) to fail in an Muggard. Sullen, displeased.
examination, be spun (q.v.) or Mugger. 1. A
gipsy. 2. student, A
plucked (q.v.), skip a cog (q.v.). hard reader. 3. A comedian whose
Marry, muff I a not uncommon expres- best point is grimace : also Mug-faker.
sion in our old writers, equivalent, I 4. A crocodile.
believe, to stuff, nonsense (Dyce). Muggill. A beadle (1610).
Muffin. 1. When a man, Mugging. 1. A thrashing. 2. Hard
availing
himself of the custom of the country, work. 3. Play with the face, grimac-
has secured a young lady for the ing.
season, to share with him his sleigh- Muggins. 1. A fool. 2. A borough-
driving and other of the national magnate, local leader.
amusements, in Canadian phrase she Muggled. Cheap trash offered for
is called his muffin ; her status is a sale as smuggled goods (1851).
sort of temporary wifehood, limited, Muggles. Restlessness, the fidgets
of course, by many obvious restric- (q.v.) (1750).
tions, but resembling wifehood in this, Muggy. 1. Tipsy: see Screwed. 2.
that, though a close and continuous Stifling and damp of the weather : :

relationship, it has nothing in it which also Mugginess.

shocks, and much in it which allures, Mughouse. An alehouse : see Lush-
the Canadian mind ; among the crib (1710).
British commodities exported to our Mug-hunter. See Pot-hunter.
colonies, la pruderie Anglaise does not Mugs t er (Winchester College ).
find a place (Bartlett). 2. See Muff. One who mugs
[Notions (q.v.). :

Cold muffin, poor of no account.

: ster is
generally termination the
Muffin-baker. A quaker (q.v.). of the agent, as in Brockster,
Muffin- (or Muff-) cap. 1. The Thokester, etc. Cf. Harrow termina-
flat woollen
cap worn by charity- tion, er as in footer, a footballer ;

297
 Mug-trap. Mumper* 8 -hall.

leather, one to be loathed see Re- : Multicattivo. Very bad.

volter ; Disguster. Multy. An expletive : cf. Monday.
I'^Mug-trap.
A fool-catcher. Mum. 1. In pL, the lips more
;

"Mugwump. (1) man of conse- A frequently muns (q.v.). As adj.,

quence. Hence (2) one who sets himself silent; also as adv. and in phr., Mum't
up as better than his fellows ; (3) an the word !
Keep mum ! Mum your
independent Republican, who, in 1884 dubber, silence ! Also mum-chance
openly refused to vote for the party and mum-budget \ As verb, to act
nominee ; and (4) a citizen who de- (1569).
clines to take any part in politics : Mumble-crust. A toothless man or
now generally applied to those who woman (1623).
profess to study the interests of their Mumble- matins. A priest (1576).
country before those of their party. Mumble - news. A tale bearer -

[Norton : After the Independent (1594).

movement was started, the word was Mumble-sparrow. A cruel sport
launched on its career of popularity. practised at wakes and fain, in the
The Critic of September 6th, 1884, following manner A cock sparrow :

contained a note to the effect that the whose wings are clipped, is put into
word was of Algonquin origin, and the crown of a hat ; a man having his
occurred in Elliott's Indian Bible, arms tied behind him, to
attempts
being used to translate such titles as bite off the sparrow's head, but is
lord, high-captain, chief, great man, generally obliged to desist, by the
leader, or duke. In Matthew vi. 21, may pecks and pinches he receives
it occurs as mukxuomp ; and again in from the enraged bird (Grose).
Genesis xxxvi. 40-43, and several times Mumbo - Jumbo. 1. An African
in II. Samuel xxiii. As is frequently deity. 2. Unmeaning jargon.
the case in American politics, the Mum-budget. See Mum.
word was used as a term of derision Mum-glass. The Monument on
and reproach by one section, and Fish St Hill (1760).
accepted with a half-humorous sense Mummer. 1. A player (1599). 2.
of ite aptness by the other]. As verb, The mouth see Potato-trap.
:

to abstain from politics. Also Mug- Mummery-cove. An actor.

wumpery (or Mugunimpistn), the habit Mumming-show. A travelling en-
of Mugwumping. tainment, strolling company.
Mule. 1. An obstinate person, Mummy. To beat to a mummy, to
male or female. 2. An impotent man. beat severely.
3. A day hand in the composing- Mump. 1. To beg (1624). 2. To
room. To shoe one's mule, to em- overreach (1671).
bezzle (1655). Mumper. A beggar. English
Mull. 1. A cow (1689). 2. A synonyms : abram - man (or cove),
muddle, result of mismanagement bawdy-basket, Bedlam-beggar, blue-
(1821). 3. A
simpleton: generally gown (old Scots'), cadator, cadger,
Old mull or Regular mutt. As verb, canter, croaker, curtail, durry-nacker,
(1) to spoil, to muddle, muff (q.v.); dry-land sailor, filer, frater, goose-
(2) to spend money. shearer, Irish-toyle, key-hole whistler,
M
u 1 1 e r. To mutter a hat, to cut master of the black art, maunder,
down a chimney-pot hat into the low- milestone -
monger, moucher, mud-
crowned mutter. [Prom Muller, who plunger, mugger, mumper, munger,
murdered Mr. Briggs on the Brighton needy- mizzler, niffler, overland-mailer
Railway, and tried to disguise him- (or man), palliard, paper - worker,
self by this means]. pikey, niffler, scoldrum, shivering
Mulligrubs (or Mollygrubs). James, (or Jemmy), shyster, skipper-
1. the
Colic, collvwobbles (q.v.) bird, skitting - dealer, silver - beggar,
(1619). 2. Mubble-fubbles (q.v.). 3. street - ganger, strolling - mort, sun -
A pretended or counterfeit sullen- downer, swag -man, tinkard, Tom
ness, a resolute, and fixed, and of Bedlam, traveller, turnpike, uhlan,
artificial displeasure, in order to gain upright man, washman, whip -jack
some point desired. (1665).
Mullingar Heifer. A girl with Mumper 's-hall. A hedge tavern,
thick ankles. beggar's alehouse (Grose).
 Mumping. Mutton.

Mumping. Begging. vendor of umbrellas, an umbrella-

; Mumpins. Alms (1460).;] mender (1821). Mushfaking, mend-
[ Mumpish. Dull, dejected. ing umbrellas.
Mumple mumper. See Mummer. Mushroom. 1. A hat. 2. An upstart
Mumps. Low spirits, ill-humour (1622).
(1599). Music. 1. Fun; frolic. 2. A verdict
Mumpsimus. An old error in which of not guilty. 3. The watchword
men obstinately persevere taken :
among highwaymen, signifying the
from the tale of an ignorant monk, person is a friend, and must pass un-
who in his breviary had always said molested (Grose). 4. An Irish term
mumpsimus instead of sumpsimue, in tossing up, to express the harp side,
and being told of his mistake, said, or reverse, of a farthing or halfpenny,
'
I will not change old mumpsi- my opposed to the head (Lex. Bal.). To
mus for your new sumpsimus.' face the music see Face.
:

Mund. See Muns. Music-box. A piano.

Mundungus. Bad tobacco (1633). Musicianer. A musician (1848).
As adj., stinking (1750). Muslin (or Bit of Muslin). A
Mung. News. Mung-news, false woman : see Petticoat (1823).
news ( 1 849 ). As verb, to beg. Mung- Musn't- mention- 'ems. Trousers:
ing,begging (1811). see Kicks.
Mungarly (Munjari, or Mungare). Muss. 1. a fuss,
Confusion,
Food, something by way of a meal quarrel, row. A
term of endear-
2.
(1851). ment: probably from Mouse (1596).
Mungarly-casa. A baker's shop. As verb, to confuse, disorder, mess-
Munpin. In pi., the teeth: see up.
Grinders (1450). Mussy. Disordered: also mussed-
Muns. 1. The mouth, the face :
up.
also Mund. 2. In sing., a Mohawk Mustang. An officer entering the
(q.v.). U.S. navy from the merchant service,
Munster-heifer. An Irish woman. after serving through the civil war.
A woman with thick legs is said to be Mutcher. A thief whose quarry is
like a Munster heifer ; i.e. beef to drunken men, a butcher (q.v.).
the heels (Grose). Mute. An undertaker's servant,
Munster-plums. Potatoes, who stands at the door of a person
murphies (q.v.). lying in state so named from being
:

Mu r. Rum. Nettock of mur, supposed mute with grief (Grose).

quartern of rum. Mutton (Laced Mutton). 1.
Murder. See Blue Murder. The A loose woman. 2. Generic for the
murder is out, the mystery is dis- sex (1569). 3. In pi., the Turkish
played. loans of 1865 and 1873 they were in :

M u r e r k. The mistress of the part secured on the sheep-tax. 4. A

house : see Burerk. sheep (1595).Bow-wow mutton: see
Murkauker. A
monkey. [Jacko Bow-wow. To cut one's mutton, to
Macauco, or Maccacco, was a famous dine. Dead as mutton see Dead :

fighting monkey, who used some (1835). Mutton dressed lamb-fashion,

fifty years ago to display his prowess an old woman dressed young. To
in the Westminster Pit.] return to one's muttons, to hark back to
Murphy. 1. A potato also murph : : the point at issue. The phrase is
cf. Donovan. English synonyms : taken from an old French play, called
bog-orange, Donovan, Irish apricot, I' Avocai Pathdin, in which a woollen-

Munster plum (or orange), murph,

-
draper charges a shepherd with steal-
ruggin, spud, tatur (1811). 2. An ing sheep ; in telling his grievance he
Irishman. 3. Morpheus, i.e. sleep kept for ever running away from his
(1748). subject ; and to throw discredit on
Murphy 's-face. A pig's head (1819). the defendant's attorney, accused him
Mush (Mush-topper, or Mush- of stealing a piece of cloth ; the judge
room). 1. An umbrella (1821). 2. had to him up every moment with
pull
The mouth (Grose).
'

Mais,mon ami, revenons d nos

Mush- (Mushroom-) faker (or moutons.' Who stole the mutton, a
(Mush - topper - faker). A street common street jeer flung on police-
299
 Mutton-chops.

men when the force was first organised, Muzzle. The mouth (1821). 2.
1.

and rose thus The first case the force

: A beard (Grose).As verb, (1) to
had to deal with was the theft of a leg strike in the mouth (1851); (2) to
of mutton but they wholly failed
; drink ; (3) to kiss (1697).
to detect the thief, and the laugh Muzzled bull - dog. The great
turned against them (Brewer). gun which stands housed in the
Mutton-chops. 1. A sheep's head. officer's ward-room cabin also gen- :

2. Whiskers trimmed mutton - chop eral term for main-deck guns.

fashion : also mutton-chop whiskers. Muzzier. 1. The mouth. 2. A
Mutton -cove. 1. The Coventry dram of spirits ; a go (q.v.).
Street end of Windmill Street 2. Muzzy. Half-tipsy, dull with
A man addicted to women. drink: see Screwed (1730).
Muttoner (obsolete, Winchester MyAunt (Aunt Jones or Mrs.
College). 1. A
blow on the knuckles Jones). The W.C., Mrs. Jones
from a cricket-ball. 2. A mutton (q.v.).
monger (q.v.). My Bloater. See Bloater.
Mutton-eyed. See Sheep's-eyed. My eye 1 An exclamation of sur-
Mutton-fist (or hand). A prise :
my eye (1819).
see All
hand, large, bony, and coarse (1672). Myla.See Miler.
Mutton-headed. Stupid (Grose). Myll. See Mill.
Mutton-monger. A whoremonger My Lord. See Lord.
(1594). My Nabs. See Nabs.
Muttonous. Slow, monotonous :
Mynt See Mint
FT., guitare. My Pippin. See Pippin.
Mutton -
pies. The eyes : see My Stars and Garters. See Star.
Peepers. Mystery. A sausage also Mystery- :

Mutton-thumper. A bungling work- bag. English synonyms bags of :

man. mystery, chambers of horrors, darbies,

Mutton-walk. 1. The saloon at dogs (dog's meat or dog's body),
Drury Lane Theatre (1821). 2. Any mystery-bags, Sharp's-AUey blood-
resort frequented by women of the worms, sore-leg.
town specifically Piccadilly.
; My Tulip. See Tulip.
Mux. To muddle. My Uncle. See Uncle.
Muzz. 1. To intoxicate (1836). 2. My Unconverted Friend. See
(Westminster School). To devote Unconverted friend.
oneself to study and eschew sports. My Wig. See Wig.

Nab (or Nap). 1. The head also

:
lars, and Rust English synonyms
Napper. 2. A hat, cap : also nob-cheat (see also Cop and Prig, when mean-
ananapper: see Golgotha (1531). 3. ing to take or receive) to bag, bone, :

A fop. A
police officer.
4. As verb, box, claw, collar, cop, grab, nail,
(1) Primarily, to catch, but also a nap, nibble, nick, nim, nip, pinch,
general verb of action : e.g. to nab the pull over, rope in, scoop, smug,
rust, (a) to take offence, turn rusty ; (6) snabble, snaffle, snake, snam, sneak,
to receive punishment unexpectedly; snitch. (2) To bite. His nabs:
to nab the. snow, to steal hedge-linen ; see Nibs.
to nab the stifles, to be hanged ; to nab Naball. A fool.
the stoop, to stand in the pillory ; Nabber (or Nabbler).
A thief.
to nab the teize, to be whipped ; to nab Nabbery, theft
it on the dial, to get a olow in the Nabbing-cull. A bailiff, constable :

face ; to be nabbed, to be arrested ; to also Nabman (1780).

nap a cog, to cheat (at dice) ; to nap Nabby. See Nobby.
the bib, to cry ; to nab the regulars, to Nab-cheat See Nab.
divide a booty ; to nap a winder, to be Nab-girder. A bridle : also Xob-
hanged ; to nap it at the nask, to be girder.
lashed at Bridewell : tee Bib, Regu- Nabob. 1. Orig. a nobleman, and
300
 Nabs on. Nanny-goat.

2. a rich man :
hence, nabobbery, the go off at the nail, as denoting that he
class of nabobs (1612). in effect renounced all the ties of
Nabs on. A hall-mark. blood (Jamieson) (2) mad ; (3) tipsy
; :

Nace. See Nase. see Screwed. Nails on the toes, as in

Nack. 1. See Knack. 2. A horse. saying, Wit was mouldy ere your
Nacky. Ingenious, full of knacks grandsires had nails to their toes.
(q.v.) or dexterity. Also nackie. Also see Dead, Down.
Nag. A horse, mount (q.v.): Nail-bearers. The fingers : see Fork.
see Prad also Naggon, Naggie, or
: Nail-box. A centre of back-biting :

Naggy, and (Scots'), a horse of blood see Nail.

(1189). As verb, to scold, fault- Nailer. 1. An extortioner. 2.
find persistently, tiff. Whence nagger, Something out of the common a ;

a persistent scold ; nagging, fault- clipper (q.v.) a general term of ex-

:

finding ; and naggy, shrewish, irrit- cellence e.g. a handsome woman, a

:

able (1846). clever student, a fast horse, and so

Nag- drag. A term of three months' forth.
imprisonment : see Drag. Nailing. 1. See Nail. 2. Excellent,
To toss the head in a stiff
Naggie. almost beyond comparison.
and affected manner (HaUiwett, 1847). Nailrod. See Rod.
Nail (Winchester College). To Nair. Ram.
stand up under the nail, the punish- Naked. Raw spirit, neat (q.v.).
ment inflicted on a boy detected in a Nale. An alehouse.
lie he was ordered to stand up on
; Nam. A man. Nam esclop, a
Junior Row, just under the centre policeman.
sconce, during the whole of school Namase. See Nammous.
time at the close of it he received a
:
Namby-pamby. Affected, effemin-
Bibler. 2. Disposition, spirit, nature. ate, overnice. [Swift's invention, and
The auld nail, original sin a bad ;
first applied to the affected short-
nail,& bad disposition a guid nail, ;
lined verses addressed by Ambrose
a good disposition. As verb, (1) to Philips to Lord Carteret's infant
catch like nab (q.v.) and cop (q.v.),
:
children]. Also as subs, and verb,
a general verb of action whence : to flatter, pamper.
nailing, thieving (1383); (2) to work Name. His name is Dennis (or
as a carpenter ; (3) to back-bite also :
Mud), a phrase indicative of collapse
to brass nail see Nail-box ; (4) (Win-
: or defeat ; to be sent up Salt River
chester College), to impress for any (q.v.), to be played out (q.v.). To
kind of fagging. Also, to detect. On take one's name in vain, to mention by
the nail, at once, on the spot, instanter name the person spoken of having un-
:

(1596). To hit the nail (or the right expectedly or accidentally overheard
nail) on the head (or to drive the nail (1708). To put one's name into it,
home), to succeed, come to the point: to get a thing well forward, to greatly
Fr., toucher au blanc (to hit the white) advance the matter.
(1574). To put (or drive) a nail in Nameless Creek (The). A lucky
one's coffin, (1) to do anything that place whose whereabouts is for that
shortens life specifically, to drink.
: reason untold.
As sub., a drink (Grose) ; (2) to hasten Nammous (Namase, Nommus, or
an end, advance a business by a step. Namous). Be off ! Skedaddle !

Hard as nails, (1) in good condition; Nammow. A woman. Delo nam-

(2) harsh, unyielding, pitiless. To mow, an old woman.
nail to the counter, to expose as false : Namurs (The). The Royal Irish
as a lie from putting a counterfeit
:
Regiment, formerly The 18th Foot.
coin out of circulation by fastening it Also Paddy's Blackguards.
with a nail to the counter of a shop. Nan. A maid (1596).
Naked as my nail, stark-naked (1605). Nan-boy. 1. An effeminate man,
Off at the nail, (
1 ) conceivable that
it is a Miss Nancy (q.v.) (1691). 2. A
this phrase . . .
originated in family catamite.
and feudal connexion when one Nanny. 1. A goat. 2. A wanton.
acted as an alien, relinquishing the Nanny-goat. 1. An anecdote (1860).
society, or disregarding the interests 2. In pi., the Royal Welsh Fusiliers,
of his own tribe, he
might be said to formerly the Twenty third Foot
- :

301
 -
> '//'/'
.
y //' )' ,
Natty.

the regiment baa a pet goat which is stag, tout, twire, be on the beef raent,
led with garlanded horns and a shield be on the pounce.
at the head of the drums how N a r p. A shirt : see Flesh-bag
the custom arose is unknown. Also (1857).
The Royal Goats. Narrish.Thrifty see Narrow. :

Nanny-hen. As nice as a Nanny- Narrow. Ne'er a, not one (1750).

hen, very affected, delicate : ci Nun's As adj., (1) see Near. (2) Stupid,
hen. foolish, the reverse of fly (q.v.) or
Nanny-shop (or house). A wide-awake (q.v.) ; (3) when the
brothel (B. E., c. 1696). bias of the bowl holds too much (B.
N a n t e e, adv. (Lingua Franca). E., 1696 :
bowlers') ; (4) of a narrow
Nor any, I have none, also shut up ! or slender fortune (/*'. E.). AU
or leave off ! Nantee palaver, hold narrow, said by the butchers one to
your tongue Nanty dinarly, no
: another when their meat proves not so
money ; naniy parnarly, be careful !
good as (B. E.).
expected
[ItaL, niente, nothing]. Narrowdale Noon. One o'clock, The
Nantz. Brandy (1691). top of Narrowdale Hills, in Stafford-
Nap. 1. See Nab, subs, and verb. shire, is sohigh that the inhabitants
2. A short sleep (B. E.,
1696). 3. c. A under never see the sun for one
it

napoleon : a 20 franc piece. Fr. gold quarter of the year, and when it re-
coin. Ale, strong beer : an ab-
4. appears they do not see it till one
breviation of nappy (q.v.). As verb, o'clock, which they call Narrowdale
to cheat at dice (1696). To catch Noon. A thing long deferred (Brewer).
(or take) napping, to take unawares, Narrow - gauge. Inferior, small :

take in the act (1587). To go nap, e.g. a narrow-gauge mule, a worth-

to risk everything on a single point,
go the whole hog
game of cards. To
to get more beating than is given.
See also Regulars, Slap, and Tieze.
Napkin. See Dish - clout. To
less beast.
(q.v.) : from the Narrow-squeak. See Squeak.
nap toco for yam, Nary. Not one [ne'er a]. See
Narrow. Nary red, not a red cent:
also as an emphatic negative.
Nasal. The nose see Conk. :

be buried in a napkin, (1) to be asleep ; Nase. Drunken ; also naee, naze,

(2) to be half-witted. Knight of the and nazy( 1536).
napkin, a waiter, grasshopper (q.v.). Nash. 1. To go away from, or quit,
Napkin-snatching. Stealing pocket- any place or company speaking of a ;

handkerchiefs also napkin-snatcher.

:
person who is gone, he is nash d, or
Nap-nix. An amateur player of Mr. Nash is concerned. 2. To throw
minor parts for the sake of experience. away ; e.g. Nash your leading strings,
Napper. 1. See Nab. 2. A cheat, throw off all restraint.
thief (q.v.). Napper (or naper) of Nash-gab. Insolent language, im-
naps, a sheep - stealer (1696). 3. A pertinence.
false witness. 4. See Rain-napper. Nask (or Naskin). A prison : see
Nappy. Strong ale also napping- :
Cage (1686).
aear. As adj. (1) strong or heady; Nasty. Ill-tempered, disagreeable,
(2) drunk (1593). cutting :
e.g. nasty jar, a stinging
Nare. See Never. retort; nasty knock (or one), a dis-
Nark (or Copper's -nark). A agreeable experience ; nasty one in the
police spy, common informer. Eng- eye, a telling blow.
lish synonyms (see also Beak and Nasty-man. See Garrotte.
Copper) buz-man, D, dee, deeker, fox,
: Nation. An abbreviation of damna-
marker, nose, noser, peach (omnibus tion, a vulgar term used in Kent,
spy), pig, piper (omnibus spy), queer- Sussex, and the adjacent counties, for
rooster, rat, rosser (or rozzer), setter, very ; nation good, a nation long way,
shadow, shepherd, snitcher, split, a very long way (Oroee).
spotter, squealer, stag (or stagger), tec, National Intelligencer. Un-
teck, worm. As verb, to see, watch, able to say National Intelligencer,
spy. English synonyms: to buz, drunk : see Screwed : cf. British Con-
castell, dick, fox, lay, mark, nose, stitution.
ogle, pipe, quiz, roast (or roast-brown), Natty. Neat, tidy, spruce. Nattily,
shadow, shepherd, skin, snitch, spot, nattineas (1557).
302
 Natty-lad. Neck-beef.

Natty-lad. A young thief or pick- stripped, unalloyed, unmarried, un-

pocket (Grose). sophisticated, uncorrupted, untem-
Natural. 1. A mistress (1688). 2. pered, virgin, without a shirt (1596).
An idiot, simpleton (1595). 3. A As neat as (a bandbox, a new pin, wax,
bastard. 4. A clever, quick-witted, ninepence), as neat as may be. Neat,
generous man. A kind of wig5. but not gaudy, etc., spick and span, fresh
(c. 1724). As
not squeamish.
adj., as a daisy.
Nature's Garb. Nakedness. Eng- Neb(or Nib). 1. Originally the
lish synonyms to be abram, all face,
: billof a bird ; hence the face, mouth,
in one's birthday suit, in buff, to cast or nose specifically of a woman ( 1225)
:

one's skin, peeled, on the shallow 2. A pen (B. E.). 3. The neck (1535).
(q.v.). Nebuchadnezzar. A
vegetarian.
Naughty. 1. Loose, obscene (1550). Necessary. 1. A bedfellow. 2. A
2. Flash (q.v.). privy also necessary house (or vault)
:

Naughty-pack. 1. A wanton. 2. (1609).

A half reproving endearment of Neck. 1. To hang see Ladder. :

children. Neck-doth (neckinger, necklace, neck-

Navel.
Proud below the navel, squeezer, or necktie), a halter ; neck-
amorous, or wanton ; navel-tied, in- tie-sociable, a hanging done by a Vigil-
separable (1629). ance Committee ; neck - question, a
Navigator. A potato, 'tatur. hanging matter, something vital ;
Navigator Scot, a hot baked potato :
neck-verse, a 'Favor (formerly) in-
also Nav. dulged to the Clergy only, but (now)
Navvy. An abbreviation of navi- to the Laity also, to mitigate the
gator, a term humorously applied to Rigor of the Law, as in Man-slaughter,
excavators employed hi cutting and etc. reading a verse out of an old
;

banking canals, making dykes to Manuscript Latin Psalter (tho' the

rivers, etc. (1848). Book now used by the Ordinary is the
Navy-office. The Fleet Prison. same printed in an Old English
Commander of the Fleet, the warden of Character) save the Criminal's Life ;
the Fleet prison. nay now even the Women (by a late
Navy- sherry. Man-of-war grog. act of Parliament) have (in a manner)
Nawpost. Mr. Nawpost, a foolish the benefit of their clergy, tho' not so
fellow (1696). much as put to Read ; for in such cases
Nay. To deny. where the men are allowed it the ;

Nay-word. A common by-word or Women are of course sizz'd in the fist,

proverb (B. E.). without running the risque of a Halter
Nazold. A vain fool (1629). by not Reading' (B. E.). Neck-weed,
Nazy. See Nase. hemp, or gallows -grass (q.v.); to
N. C. Enough said (nuf ced), cf. wear a hempen necktie, to be hanged.
O.K. 2. To swallow also to wash the neck.
:

Near (also Nigh and Narrow). Neck and crop, turn him out neck and
1. Formerly careful, now (contempt- crop, is to push one forth all of a heap,
uously) stingy, close
- fisted
Fr., : down some steps or stairs being under-
serre. Thus
nearness, a parsimonious stood, so that the patient may pitch
habit (1591). 2. On the left side: upon his neck (or head) (Diet. Turf).
cf. Off (1823). Neck or nothing, at every risk, des-
Neardy. A
person in authority perately ( 1 708 ). Neck and neck, close,
master, parent, foreman (Hotten). almost equal : as horses in a race.
H Neat.
, Unmixed with water, naked On (or in) the neck of, close upon, or
(q.v.); short (q.v.); straight (q.v.). behind (1598). To win (or lose) by
English synonyms aboriginal, ah : ! a neck, to win by next to
(or lose)
don't mingle, as it came from its nothing. To break the neck of any-
mother, bald-faced, bare-footed, clean thing, to get the worst part done ; also
from the still, cold-without, in puris (old), to hinder from being done. To
naturalibus, in a state of nature, be shot in the neck, to be drunk see :

naked, neat is imported, neat, simplex Screwed. (1855). Unable to neck it,
munditiis, out of the barrel, plain, lacking moral courage. Also see Shut.
primitive, pure, raw, raw recruit, Neck-beef. As coarse as neck-beef,
reverend, stark - naked, straight, very coarse, of the poorest quality.
303
 Neck-oil. AVtrr.

As subs, a general synonym for Neighbourly. Friendly, obliging

coarseness. (Diet. Cant. Crew, 1696).
Neck-oil. Drink, lap (q.v.). Neman. Stealing.
Neck-stamper. A potboy. Nenti. Nothing : cf. Nan tie.
Nectar. Drink, lap (q.v.). Nephew. The illegitimate son of a
Ned. A guinea in America a 10 :
priest : see Niece.
dollar piece see Rhino.
:
Half a Neptune's Bodyguard. The
ned, half a guinea or 5 dollar piece :
Royal Marines. Also The Little
also neddy (1754). 2. See Neddy. Grenadiers, The Jollies, The Globe
Nedash. Nothing, of no use. Rangers, and The Admiral's Regi-
Neddy. 1. An ass, moke (q.v.) : ment.
also Ned (1658). 2. A fool, donkey Nerve. One of those heroic ad-
(q.v.) (1823). 3. A large quantity, venturers, who have thought proper
plenty FT., hugrement :
: 4. A life- to distinguish themselves by the titles
preserver ; so called from one Kennedy of Buck, Blood, and Nerve (1753). 2.
whose head was broken in St. Giles's Impudence, cheek.
by a poker (Brewer) FT., tourne-clef. : Nescio. To sport a nescio, to pre-
English synonyms billy, cosh, colt. 5.
: tend not to understand anything.
see Ned. After the senate-house examination
Ned-fool. A noisy idiot (1600). for degrees, the students proceed to
Ned Stokes. The four of spades the schools to be questioned by the
(1791). proctor. According to custom im-
Needful (The). Money : see Rhino memorial the answers must be Nescio.
(1771). The following is a translated specimen :
Needham. On the highroad to Need- Q. What is your name T A. I do not
ham, Needham is a market- town in this know. Q. What is the name of this
county [Suffolk] ; according to the University A. I do not know. Q.
?
wit of the vulgar, they are said to be Who was your father T A. I do not
in the highway thither which do hasten know. The last is probably the only
to poverty (Ray)- Cf. Peckham, true answer of the three (Grose).
Land of Nod, Bedfordshire, etc. Nest. 1. In
pi., list of patterer's
Needle. A sharper, a thief (q.v.). words. Nests, varieties (Mayhew).
As verb, (1) to annoy, irritate, rile 2. A
place : as of residence ; a centre :
(q.v.). To give (or get) the needle, to as of activity ; a gang : as of thieves
annoy (or be annoyed) ; (2) to haggle (1595). See also Feather.
over a bargain. Also see Spanish Nest - cock (Nescock, or Nestle-
needle, St. Peter's needle, Knight. cock). A tenderling, a fondling.
Needle-and-thread. Bread. Nest-egg. Money saved, a little
Needle-dodger. A dressmaker. hoard.
Needle-point. A sharper also :
Nestling. Canary birds brought up
needle-pointer (1696). by hand (8. E.). To keep a needing,
Needy - mizzler or (Needy). A to be restless, uneasy, fidgety (1696).
ragged person. Nestor (Winchester College). An
Neel. Lean. undersized boy.
Ne'er- be -lickit. Nothing which Net. All is fish that cornea to net,
could be licked by a dog or cat, all serves the
purpose (1670).
nothing whatever. Netgen. Half a sovereign see :

Ne'er-do-well. One who is never Rhino.

likely to do well. As adj., incor- Nettle. To annoy, provoke, rile
rigible. (q.v.), needle (q.v.). To have lain on
Neergs. Greens. a nettle, to be peevish or out of temper ;
Neggledigee. A woman's un- nettled, (1) annoyed; (2) afflicted;
dress gown, vulgarly termed a nettler,a spoil-temper (q.v.) (1592).
neggledigee (Grose). Nettle in, dock out, fickleness of pur-
Negotiate. To contrive, accom- pose, thing after thing, place after
plish. place (1369). Also see Rose.
Negro. A black man, slave Nevele. Eleven. Thus, nevele ge
(Grose). eleven shillings ; nevele yam
Negro-head. A brown loaf. elevenpence.
Negro-nos'd. Flat-nosed (1696). Never. Never- (or nare) a -fa
304
 Never-fear, Nice.

but his -
own, not a penny in the very black ; Newgate seize me, the gaol
pocket. be my portion ; Newman's lift, the
Never-fear. Beer. gallows (1531). As verb, to imprison
Never - never -
country. 1. The (1740).
confines of civilization :
specifically New Guinea. First possession of
(in Queensland) the occupied pastoral income (Grose).
land furthest from the more settled New-hat. A guinea.
districts. 2. The future life, heaven. New Jerusalem. See Cubitopolis.
Never - too - late - to - mend - shop. Newland. See Abraham Newland.
A repairing tailor's. NewLight. 1. One of the New
Never -
wag Man-of-War. The Light, a methodist ; [one] who attends
Fleet Prison: see Cage (1821). the gaols to assist villains in evading
Nevis. Seven. Thus, nevis -gen, justice (Grose). 2. New money.
seven shillings ; nevis - stretch, seven Newmarket. The best two in three
years' hard ; nevis -
yanneps, seven- in tossing.
pence. Newmarket-heath Commissioner.
New. To new cottar and cuff, to A highwayman, road-agent (q.v.).
furbishup an old sermon. New pin. Smart (bright, neat, or
New-Billingsgate. The Stock Ex- nice) as a new pin, first-class.
change see Gorgonzola Hall.
: New plates. See Plates.
New-bug (Maryborough School). A News. Tell me news ! a retort to a
New boy. stale jest or chestnut (q.v.) ; usually
Newcastle. To carry (or send) preceded by that's ancient history :

coeds to Newcastle, to undertake a work cf. Queen Anne.

of supererogation: see Owl (1662). New Settlements. Final
New- chum. A new arrival : of. reckoning (Grose).
Currency, Sterling, and Lime-juice. Newtown-pippin. A cigar.
Newcome. A new arrival, fresh face :
Newy
(Winchester College). The
as a freshman at college a new mid- ; cad paid to look after the canvas tent
shipman a new baby also Johnnie
;
: in Commoner fields.
Newcombe (1821). N.F. A knowing tradesman an :
'

New-drop. The scaffold used at abbreviation of no flies.'

Newgate for hanging criminals which,
dropping down, leaves them sus-
pended. By this improvement, the
;
N. G. No go, no good, of no avail.
N. H. (That is, Norfolk Howard), a
bug from one Bugg who, it is said,
:

use of that vulgar vehicle, a cart, is so changed his name in 1863).

entirely left off (Grose) : introduced Nias. A
simpleton: from the Fr.,
1786. niais (116).
New England of the West. The Nib (or Nib-cove). 1. A gentleman :

State of Minnesota : many New whence half-nibs, one who apes gen-
Englanders settled there. tility (Fr., un herz) ; niblike (or nib-
Newgate. A gaol; specifically the some), gentlemanly ; nibsomest-cribs,
prison for the City of London : also the best houses. 2. See Neb. 3. A
Newman's Hotel (or tea-gardens). fool. As verb, (1) to catch, arrest,
Hence, Newgate - bird (or Newgate- nab (q.v.) ; (2) see Nibble.
nightingale), a thief, sharper, or gaol- Nibble. 1. To catch, steal, cheat :

bird ; Newgate(or Tyburn) collar, whence nibbler (or nibbing - cull), a

a collar-like beard worn
fringe, or fritt, petty thief or fraudulent dealer
under the chin ; Newgate - frisk, a (1608). 2. To consider a bargain, or

hanging Newgate-knocker, a lock of

;
an opportunity, eagerly but carefully :

hair like the figure 6, twisted from the as a fish considers bait. To get a
temple back towards the ear (chiefly in nibble, to get an easy job.
vogue 1840-50 see Aggera waters) ; Nibs (or Nabs). 1. Self: his
Newgate-ring, moustache and beard nibs, person referred to ; your
the
as one, without whiskers Newgate- ; nibs, yourself my nibs, myself dis
;

saint, a condemned criminal ; to dance child. 2. Friend, boy, etc., in ad-

the Newgate hornpipe, to be hanged ; dressing a person also nibso cf. : :

Newgate - solicitor, a pettifogging at- Watch (1819).

torney ; born on Newgate - steps, of Nice. 1. Simple, witless (1297).
thievish origin as black as Newgate,
; 2. Squeamish, precise : cf. Swift's
305
 Nicholas, Night-bird.

definition of a nice man, as a man Nickumpoop. See Nincumpoop.

of nasty ideas (1543). 3. Pleasant; Niddicock. A fool (1587).
agreeable -.e.g. a nice woman or a nice Niddipol. A fool (1583).
fellow ; of. the satirical extension : as Nidget. See Nigit.
in a nice young man for a small tea- Niece. A priest's illegitimate
party. daughter, or concubine whence the :

Nicholas (Saint). The devil: expression, No more character than

see Old Nick Saint Nicholas's clerk, a priest's niece.
a highwayman: also knight of St. N i ff n a ff y. Fastidious, trifling
Nicholas, and St. Nicholas clergyman :
(1785).
8k Nicholas was the patron saint of Nifty. Conspicuous, smart.
thieves (1595). Nig. 1. The
clippings of money :
Nick. LA five-cent piece : ab- also nig, to clipmoney (1696). 2. A
breviation of nickel. 2. See Old Nick negro abbreviation of nigger. 3. Gin :
:

3. A dent, or island, in the bottom see Drinks. As verb, (1) to catch;

of a beer can : cf. Kick Hence nick (2) to revoke at cards ; also re-nig.
:

and froth (1) false measure; (2) a Nigger. Nigger in the fence, an
publican (1529). 4. The exact or underhand design, motive, or purpose.
critical instant (1594). 5. A winning Nigger -baby. A monster pro-
throw at dice (1721). As verb, (1) jectile as used at the siege of Charles-
:

to steal ; (2) to cheat : FT., rifler ; (3) ton attributed to General Hardie
:

to drink heartily ; as, he nicks fine ; of the Confederate Army see Swamp :

(4) to break windows with copper Angel.

coins : hence, nicker, a person ad- Nigger-driving. Exhausting
dicted to the practice (1712); (5) to with work
fool (1593) ; (6) to score at dice (1598) ; Nigger-luck Very good fortune.
(7) to hit the mark (1690) ; (8) to nick- Nigger - spit The half - candied
name (1634) ; (9) to catch, arrest lumps in cane sugar.
(1700) ; (10) to compare, jump with ; Niggle (or Nig). 1. To trifle:
(11) to indent a beer can, falsify a also niggling, trifling (Grose) (1632).
measure by indenting and frothing 2. To attend excessively to detail ; to

up (1628). To nick the. pin, to drink work on a small scale, with a small
fairly. To knock a nick in the post, brush, to a small purpose.
to make a record of any remarkable Night. Combinations are night-
event. Out of all nick, past counting bird (q.v.); night -cap (q.v.); night-
(1595). Out on the nick, out thieving, fossicker (Australian mining), a noct-
on the pinch (q.v.). To nick with urnal thief of quartz or dust : whence
nay, to deny (1350). Nicks : see Nix. night-fossicking ; night-gear (or piece),
Nickel. A five-cent piece. a bedfellow, male or female ; night-
Nicker. A dandy (q.v.). hawk (hunter, snap, or trader),
Nickerers. A cant term for new night bird (q.v.); night-house, (1) a
-

- house
shoes (Jamieson). public licensed to open at
Nickeries. Nickeries are the same night, (2) a brothel ; night-hunter, (1)
[as Nicknames] applied to actions and a poacher, (2) a night-bird (q.v.);
things, or quid pro quo (Bee). night-jury, a band of night brawlers :
Nickey. See Nikin and Old Nick night - magistrate, (1) the head of a
Nick-nack. A trifle, toy, curio :
watch-house, whence (2) a constable ;
also knick-knack see Knack. Nick-
:
night-man, an emptier of cesspools:
nackatory, nick
-
nackery, and nick- see Gold-finder; night-rale (or rail),
nacky (1580). (1) night apparel, (2) a combing-cloth ;
Nickname. A name invented in night-shade, night-bird (q.v.) ; night-
derision, contempt, or reproach (Orose). sneaker, a wanton ; night walker
-

As verb, to miscall in contempt, night-bird (q.v.), whence night-walk-

derision, or reproach. ing, at night for robbery,
prowling
Knick-ninny. flat-catcher. A prostitution, etc. (1598). To make
Nick-pot. A
stealer of publican's a night of it, to spend the night in
pots (1602). dissipation.
N i c k u m. A sharper also a
; Night-and-day. The play.
rooking ale - house or innkeeper, Night-bird (cap, hawk, hunter,
vintner, or any retailer (B. E.). poacher, snap, trader, or
306
 Night-cap. Nip.

walker). 1. A
thief working by Nimshod. A cat.
night (1544). 2. A harlot also night- :
Nincompoop (or Nickumpoop).
piece (or shade) (1612). 3. A bully, An impotent ass (1696).
street brawler also (in bands),
: Nine. Nine tailors make a man :

night
-
jury (1664). 4. A bellman, see Ninth.
watchman. Nine-bob-square. Out of shape.
Night - cap. 1. The last drink, a Nine corns. A
pipeful of tobacco.
dodger (q.v.) (1840). 2. The cap Nine-eyed. Observant (1694).
polled over the face before execution :
Ninepence. Neat (nice, or right)
see Horse's night-cap (1681). 3. See as ninepence, all right, correct to a
Night-bird. 4. wife see Dutch.A :
nicety : cf. alliterative proverb, A
Nightingale. 1. soldier who, as A nimble ninepence is better than a
the term is, sings out at the halberts : slow shilling (1850).
it is a point of honour in some regi- Ninepins. Life in general.
ments among the grenadiers never to Nines. Up to the nines, to per-

cry out, or become nightingales, whilst fection (1780).

under the discipline of the cat of nine Nine-shillings. Nonchalance.
tails ; to avoid which they chew a bullet Nine-spot. Only a nine-spot, in-
(Grose). 2. A prostitute. 3. See Spit- different of small account the nine
; :

head, Cambridgeshire, and Arcadian at cards rarely counts for a trick.

nightingale. Nine - tail Bruiser (or Mouser).
Night-liner. A night- walking cab : The cat-o' -nine-tails.
cf. Owl-train. Nineways. To look nine ways
Nighty (or nightie). A night- (or nine ways for Sundays), to squint
dress. (1542).
Nigit (or Nidget). A fool (1623). Nine Winks. A short nap : of.

Nigler (or Niggler). 1. clipper A Forty winks.

of money, sweater (q.v.) see
:
Nig Ningle. See Ingle.
(1696). 2. One who is clever and Ning-nang. A worthless thorough-
dexterous. bred.
Nihil-ad-rem (Winchester College). Ninny. 1. A fool : also ninny-
Vague, unconscious e.g. He sported :
hammer, and hence ninny -hammering
nihil-ad-rem duck. foolishness (1696). 2. A whining
Nikin. fool. A beggar (1696).
Nil. Half, half profits, etc. Ninny-broth. Coffee (1696).
Nilly-willy. NUl ye, will ye, Ninth. Ninth (or tenth) part of a
whether you will or not : a familiar man, a tailor. [From the proverb
version of the Latin, nolens - volens : Nine tailors make a man whence :

now generally written willy-nilly. Queen Elizabeth's traditional ad-

N i m. To seize, take, steal, nab dress to a deputation of eighteen
(q.v.). [A. S., niman, to take]. tailors : God save you, gentlemen
Whence nimmer, a thief, and nimming, both.]
theft, robbery (1350). Nip. LA
pinch. 2. thief : A
Nimble. Easy -
got, quickly specifically a cut-purse (1592). 3. (a)
turned over : of money : cf. Ninepence. A small quantity of spirits; as a nip
Nimble as a on a hot bake-stone
cat of whisky generally half a glass :

(or hot bricks), as nimble as may be, also a small bit of anything, as much
in a hurry to get away, alert, on the as is nipped or broken off between the
qui -oive also as nimble as an eel in a
:
finger and thumb ; hence (b) a sip, a
sandbag, as a new-gelt dog, as a bee in a small drink, go (q.v.) : also Nipper. 4.
tar-barrel, as a cow in a cage, or as A hit, taunt (1556). As verb, (1) to
ninepence (Ray, 1676). pinch, to press between the fingers
Nimenog. A fool : also nigmenog and thumb without the nails, or with
(1696). any broad instrument like a pair of
Nimgimmer. A doctor, surgeon, tongs as to squeeze between edged
apothecary (1696). instruments or pincers (B. E.) ; (2) to
Nimrod. A hunting-man, sports- steal: specifically, to cut a purse
man (1599). (1567) ; (3) to go, to nip along, to move
Nimshi. A nincompoop, conceited with speed ; to nip in, to slip in ; (4) to
fellow. take a dram ; (5) see Nip-cheese and
307
 Nip-cheese. Nob.

Nip-louse (6) to taunt, wring (1599) ;

; ally ale also Nippilato and Nippi*
:

(7) to arrest, pinch (q.v.) (1851). tatum (1575).

Nip and tuck, touch and go, neck Nipps. Shears for clipping money
and neck, equality or thereabouts :
(1696).
also nip and tack, nip and chuck, etc. Nippy. Mean, stingy, curt,
To nip in the bud, of an early blast or snappish.
blight of fruit ; also to crush any- Nipshot. To play nipshot, to fail,

thing at the beginning (B, E.). decamp (1775).

Nip-cheese. 1. A miser also nip : N i q u e. Contemptuous indiffer-
squeeze and nip farthing (Grose). 2. ence.
A purser. Nisey. See Nizey.
Nip-louse. A tailor : also prick- Nit. Wine that is brisk, and
1.
louse. poured quick into a glass (B. E.). 2.
Nip-lug. A teacher, schoolmaster. A wanton. Nits will become lice, of
At nip lug, at loggerheads, on the small matters that become important.
point of collision. Nit-squeezer. A hair-dresser.
Nippent. Impudent. Nix (or Nicks). 1. Nothing: also
Nipper. 1. A lad (1851). 2. A nix my doll, and (American), nixy and
cut- purse. [So called by one Wotton nixy -cully (1789). 2. A term used in
who, in the year 1585, kept an aca- the railway mail service to denote
demy for the education and perfection matter of domestic origin, chiefly of
of pick-pockets and cut-purses ; his the second and first class, which is
school was near Billingsgate, London : unmailable because addressed to places
as, in the dress of ancient times, many which are not post-offices, or to States,
people wore their purses at their etc., in which there is no such post-
girdles, cutting them was a branch of office as that indicated in the address.
the light fingered art, which is now lost As intj., a warning that some one in
though the name remains . there . .
authority is at hand. Nix my doll I
was a school house set up to learn Never mind [Popularised by Ains-
!

young boys to cut purses two devices : worth's song in Rookwood].

were nung up, one was a pocket, and Niz-priz. A writ of nisi-prius.
another was a purse, the pocket had Nizzie. 1. A fool : also nikin. 2.
in it certain counters, and was hung A coxcomb (1696).
about with hawk's bells, and over the No. No battle, no good, not worth
top did hang a little sacring bell the ; while. No chicken, getting on in
purse had silver in it, and he that years :
usually of women. No end,
could take out a counter, without extremely, a great a general many :

noise of any of the bells, was ad- intensive. No

see Fear. No fear:
judged a judicial nipper, according flies, artful, designing : also N.F.
to their terms of art ; a foyster was a No fool, an ironical intensive. No
pickpocket ; a nypper was a pick- go,no use, impossible : Fr., zut I and
purse, or cut purse. Grose.] 3. ra ne mord pas (1830). No kid, no
The serving lad attached to a gang of mistake. No moss, no animosity.
navvies, to fetch water and carry No name, no putt, if I name no names
tools. 4. In pi., handcuffs or shackles. there can be no libel, if I do not
5. In pi., a burglar's instrument used mention his name he cannot take
from the outside on a key also :
offence, unless he likes to apply the
American tweezers. 6. (Marl borough remarks to himself. No odds, no
School). A boy or cad. As verb, to matter, of no consequence. No re-
arrest, catch see Nab, and Nip
:
pairs see Repairs.
:

(1823). Noah's Ark. 1. A long, closely-

Nipperkin. 1. A small measure, buttoned overcoat : a coinage of
half a pint of wine, and but half a Punch from a similarity to the
:

quartern of brandy, strong waters, etc. wooden figures in a toy ark. 2. Certain
(B. E.). 2. A stone jug. clouds elSptically parted, considered
Nipping. Sharp, cutting (1596). a sign of fine weather after rain. 3.

Nipping Christian. A out - purse : A lark (q.v.).

see Nipper. Noakes. See John o' Noakes.
Nipping-jig. Hanging. Nob. 1.The head: see Crumpet
Nippitate. Strong drink, especi- (1696). 2. A person of rank or posi-
308
 Nob-a-nob. Nodgecock.

tion. To come the nob, to put oh airs 2. A finishing stroke, settler (q.v.).
(1703). 3. (Oxford University). A 3. The gaff (that kills) rod-fishing.
:

fellow of a college. 4. A knobstick 4. A confederate of thimble-riggers

(q.v.). The game
5. prick (or of - and card - sharpers, bonnet (q.v.),
cheat -)
-thegarter (1754). 6. A bearer up (q.v.): also nob - pitcher.
sovereign, 20s. : see Rhino. As verb, [The nobbier plays as if a stranger to
(1) to strike, get home a blow (speci- the rig (q.v.), to draw unsuspecting
fically on the head) cf. Nobber (2) :
; persons into play.] 5. A pettifogging
to collect money, take round the hat :
lawyer. 6. A drink, go (q.v.);
Fr., faire la manche (1851). Nob in specifically of spirits (1759).
the fur trade, a judge (1838). To Nobble-tree. The head, nob (q.v.).
nob it, to act with such prudence and Nobby. A fool. As adj., (1)
knowledge of the world, as to prosper smart ; elegant, fashionable : also
and become independent, without any nobbish, nobbily, and nobby ( 1808).
labour or exertion ; this is
bodily Noble. To bring a noble to nine-
termed nobbing or fighting nob
it, pence, to decline in fortune (1696).
work ;
to effect any purpose or obtain See Beggar's noble.
anything by means of good judgment Noble Art. Pugilism, boxing.
and sagacity, is called nobbing it for .

Nob-pitcher. A sharper who at-

such a thiJng (Vauz). One for his tends at fairs, races, to take in the flats
nob, (1) a blow on the head; (2) a at prick-in-the-garter, cups and balls,
point in cribbage for holding the and similar artifices.
knave of trumps cf. Two for his heels. : Nobs-houses. The Houses of Parlia-
To pitch the nob see Prick the garter.
: ment.
Nob-a-nob. Hob-nob (q.v.): Nob's-nob. King George IV.
probably a corruption. Nob-stick. See Knobstick.
N o b b a. Nine [Italian, Nove ; Nod-thatch. The hair.
Spanish, Nova ; the b and v being Nob-thatcher. 1. A wig-maker,
interchangeable, as in sa&e and strummel - faker (q.v.). 2. A straw-
satwey]. bonnet-maker.
Nobber. 1. A blow on the head. Nob work. Mental occupation.
2. A financial agent, the man who N o c k y. A simpleton, dullard :

goes round with the plate or box : also nocky-boy, and as adj.
great care is always bestowed upon the Nocturne. A prostitute, night-piece
selection of the nobber ; he is really (q.v.).
the most important member of the Nod. To be stupid, dull. The Land
troupe, and must be an artist of the of Nod, sleep cf. The Land of Nod on
:

firstwater if he is to get any money : the East of the Jordon (q.v.), Gen. iv.
only a nobber can know the reluctant 16 (1608). A nod is as good as a wink
way in which the public doles out its to a blind horse, said of a covert hint

coppers, and its refusal to donate an allusion not put into plain words
silver on any terms. (1831). On the nod, on credit.
Nobbily. Showily, smartly : cf. Nodcock. A simpleton.
Nobby. Noddipol. See Noddy.
Nobbing. 1. The administration of Noddle. The head see Crumpet :

blows on the head. 2. In pi., money (1593).

collected see Nobber.
: Noddle-case. A wig.
Nobbing - cheat. See Nubbing- Noddy (Nod, Noddle - Noddipole,
cheat. Noddy-pole, Noddy-pate, or Noddy-
Nobbing-slum. The bag for collect- p e a k e). 1. A simpleton also :

ing money see Nobber.: Tom Noddy (1540). 2. A kind of

1. To strike on the head,
Nobble. buggy or one-horse chaise, with a seat
stun. 2. Secretly to frustrate, spoil, before it for a driver, used in and
lame, dose, drug, or otherwise prevent about Dublin in the manner of a
the horse from doing his level best, hackney coach (Orose). As adj.,
across hurdles, or in a steeple-chase. simple, foolish (1598). Knave noddy,
3. To circumvent, cheat, do (q.v.), the knave of trumps.
square (q.v.). 4. To appropriate, Noddy - headed. 1. Witle*s. 2.
catch, nab (q.v.). Drunk see Screwed.
:

Nobbier. 1. A blow on the head. Nodgecock. A simpleton (1566).

309
 Noffgur.

Noffgur. A prostitute. turned out of their livings and em-

Nog. See Noggin. ployments (B. E.).
Noggin (Nog, or Knoggin). 1. Noodle. A simpleton : also Billy
A small measure of spirits, go (q.v.) noodle. The house of noodles, the
(1696). 2. A mug (1635). 3. The House of Lords. As verb, to fool.
head see Crumpet.
: Noodledom. The world of fools.
Noggy. Intoxicated : see Screwed. Nookery. A snug corner, place of
No-how. 1. Upset, out of sorts. hiding (1857).
2. Out of countenance (1780). Noom. The moon, Oliver (q.v.).
Noise. A band of musicians Noose Nooze). 1. To hang
(or
(1598). To make a noise at one, to (1676). 2. To marry. Noosing,
scold. To noise one, to tell tales of, wedding noose (or marriage noose),
;

split (q.v.). the nuptial knot (1617).

Noisy-dog-racket. Stealing brass Nope. A blow.
knockers from doors (Grose). Nope. No.
N o k e s. 1. A ninny or fool. 2. Noras. Great Northern Railway
John-a-Nokes and Tom-a-Stiles, two Deferred Ordinary Stock.
fictitious names commonly used in law Norfolk- capon. A red herring see :

proceedings. Glasgow Magistrate.

Noli - me - tangere. 1. The itch, Norfolk-dumpling. A Norfolk man.
any disgusting contagious disease : Norfolk Howard. 1. A bug. 2.
cf. Scotch fiddle ( 1626). 2. A repellent In pi., The Norfolk Regiment, for-
person, attitude, or occurrence. As merly the 9th Foot.
adj., repellent, forbidding. [Lat., Norfolk-nog. A kind of strong ale
touch-me-not.] (1591). (1726).
Noll (or Nole). 1. The head see : Nor -loch Trout. A joint or leg
Crumpet (1400). 2. A simpleton of mutton, ordered for a club of
(1587). Old Noll, 'the late Vsurper, citizens who used to meet in one of
Cromwell' (B. E.). the closes leading down to the North
No-man '

s-land. Waste ground, an Loch. The invitation was given in

unsettled acreage, a barren or broken these terms Will ye gang and eat a
:

stretch between two

provinces
or Nor' loch trout The reason of the
?

kingdoms: cf. Tom Tiddler's ground. name is This was the only
obvious.
Nominate. See Poison. species of fish which the North Loch,
Nommus. See Nammous. on which the shambles were situated,
Non-com. A non-commissioned could supply (Jamieson).
officer. Norp. To put in phrases that will
Non-con. A nonconformist. fetch the gallery, pile it up (q.v.).
Non-est-inventus. Absent. North. 1. Strong, good, well forti-
Non-licet (Winchester College). fied usually of grog. Due north, neat ;
:

Illegal, unbefitting a Wykehamist : too far north, drunk. 2. Intelligent,

e.g. Don't sport non-licet notions. fly (q.v.), up to snuff (q.v.): cf. FT.,

Nonny (Nonino, or Hey, Nonny, perdre le nord, to be confused.

Nonny). 1. A refrain once used to Northallertons. Spurs.
cover indelicate allusions (1593). 2. North Country Compliment. A
A simpleton. gift not wanted by the giver nor
Nonplus t. At the end of one's valued by the receiver.
tether also at point nonplus (1708).
: North-easter. A New England
Nonsense. 1. Money: see Rhino. sixpence or shilling, temp. Charles L
2. Melting butter in a wig ; also, [On one side were the letters N.E.]
fastening the door with a boiled Northumberland. Lord Northumber-
carrot. (Grose). 3. (Eton College). land's arms, a black eye.
A small division of the Third Norway Neckcloth. The pillory:
Form. usually made of Norway fir.

Nonsuch. One that is unequalled ; Norwicher. An unfair drinker i.e. :

frequently applied ironically. a man who, taking first pull at a

Nonjuror. Clergymen and others tankard, does not draw breath till
the army, navy, etc. ), that
(officers in he has pretty well emptied the pot.
refused to take the oaths to King Nose. 1. An informer : FT., riflette,
William and Queen Mary, and were tante, soulasse, and sondeur (
1 789). 2.

310
 Nose-and-chin. Nozzle.

A paid spy, shadow (q.v.), nark (q.v.) : Nosender (Noser, or Nosegay).

also noser (1819). As verb, (1) to A blow on the nose (1823).
smell, scent ; (2) to pry, suspect, Noser - my - Knacker. Tobacco,
discover (1651) ; (3) to inform (1821) ; fogus (q.v.).
(4) to bluster, look big ; (5) to tell of Nose-warmer. A short pipe :
Fr.,
anything he has said or done with a brule-gueule.
view to injure him, or to benefit your- Nose-watch. See Watch (1573).
self. Many colloquialisms are here Nose-wipe. A handkerchief see :

conveniently grouped :
e.g. to put Fogle.
one's nose out of joint, to supplant ; to Nos-rap. A parson, devil-dodger
wipe one's nose, (1) to cozen; (2) to (q.v.).
affront ; and (3) in medicine, to dis- Nostrum. A medicine prepared
cover an error in diagnosis and alter by particular persons only, a quack
treatment (the mistaken practitioner medicine (Orose).
is said to have his nose wiped) ; to Not. See Baker, Care, Carrot,
put one's nose in the manger, to eat ; Curse, Dam, Devil, Feather, Fig, Fit,
to follow one's nose, to go straight Fly, Naif-bad, In it, Joe, (or Joseph),
forward ; to lead by the nose, to govern ; Long shot (or Sight), Much, Shower,
to pay through the nose, to pay extra- Rap, To-day, Worth, Yesterday.
vagantly ; to put one's nose into any- Notch. 1. To score. 2. To
thing, to meddle ; to turn up one's denote an advantage :
e.g. Notch me
nose, to disdain ; to cast in (or to play another.
with) one's nose, to twit, or to ridicule ; Note. 1. A bon-bon. 2. A singer.
to have one's nose on the grindstone, to Noter (Harrow School). A note-
be held at a disadvantage to be bored ;
book.
through the nose, to be cheated ; in Note-shaver. A
usurer, a usurious
spite of your nose, in your teeth ; to compositor : a wild - cat
specifically
bite (or to cut off) one's nose to spite bank (q.v.), purchasing notes of hand
one's face, to be revenged to one's own at excessive rates of discount : ob-
detriment to tell (or to count) noses, to
; solete since the regulation of banks by
appeal to numbers to make a person's
; Congress.
nose swett, to make jealous to measure ; Nothing. See Dance, Neck, and
noses, to meet ; to take pepper in the Say.
nose, ( 1 ) to take offence and (2) to ; Notice to quit. When a person is in
mistrust as plain as the nose on one's
; danger of dying from bad health, it is
face, beyond argument ; a good nose, a said, he has received a notice to quit.
smell-feast ; to make a bridge of some- Notion (Winchester College).
one's nose, to pass in drinking, also to 1. A word, usage, or phrase peculiar

supersede ; to hold up one's nose, to to Winchester College). 2. A trifle,

be proud ; a nose of wax, a complaisant nick-nack specifically (in pi. ), wares
:

or accommodating disposition ; can- in general (1719).

dles (or dewdrops) in the nose, snots ; Notional. Imaginative, whimsical,
on the nose, on the look-out a nose to ; sentimental also notionate (1691).
:

light candles at, a drunkard's nose, a Nottamizer. A dissecting surgeon.

poop-lantern ; to see the nose cheese (1828).
first, to refuse contemptuously my ; Nottingham Lamb. See Lamb.
nose itches ! a jocular invitation to Nous. Sense, shrewdness. [From
kiss, the retort being, I knew I was the Greek nous]. (1678).
going to sneeze, be cursed, or kissed by Nous-box. The head, knowledge-
a fool. box see Crumpet.
:

Nose - and - chin. A penny, win Nova. Nine.

(q.v.). Nowhere. Not in the reckoning,
Nosebag. 1. A
sea-side visitor who so far behind as not to be.
'
[A remin-
carries his own victuals with him. 2. iscence of that Eclipse first, and the
A veil. 3. A
bag of provender fas- rest nowhere,' which described the
tened to a horse's head whence, a :
victory of a famous horse].
hand-bag. To put on the nose bag, to Nozzle. The nose see Conk. As :

eat hurriedly or whilst at work. verb, (1) to shrink: e.g. to nozzle the
Nosegent. A nun (1573). bottoms,to shrink the fronts of trousers ;
Nose'm. Tobacco, fogus (q.v.). (2) to pawn.
311
 Nth. Nursery- business .

Nth (or Nth plus one). To Numans. Newgate (1610).

the utmost degree. Thus Cut to the Number. See Mew. To consult At
Nth means wholly unnoticed by a book of numbers, to call for a division,
friend. The expression is taken from to put a matter to the vote (Grose).
the index of a mathematical formula, Number 9, the Fleet Prison this was ;

where n stands for any number, and No. 9 Fleet Market. Number One,
n plus more than any number.
1 ( 1 ) self ; to take care of number one, to

Nub. 1. The neck. 2. A husband. look after one's own interests ; (2)
As verb, to hang see Ladder (1712).
: the cat-o' -nine- tails. Number six see :

Nubbin. A remnant, small re- Newgate knocker. Number two, the

mainder. birch.
Nubbing. Hanging. Numps. A dolt, fool (1614).
N u b b n g - cheat
i (or Nubbling- Nums (or Numms). A clean collar
chit). The nub-
gallows, whence on a dirty shirt. As adj., sham.
bing, a hanging nubbing - cove, the
; Numskull. A simpleton (1712).
hangman ; and nubbing-ken, the Ses- Numskulled. Foolish, silly.
sionsHouse (1696). English syno- Nun. A prostitute cf. Abbess : :

nyms: Abraham's balsam (in botany, also Covent garden nun. Nun's flesh,
a species of willow), Beilby's ballroom, a cold temperament X1608).
f 'hates
(chattes or chate), City stage, N u n k y (Nunks, or Nuncle). An
(formerly in front of Newgate), crap, uncle [Nuncle, mine uncle once the :

deadly never - green, derrick, forks, customary address of the licensed fool
government sign- post, hanging-cheat, to his superiors] (1599).
horse foaled by an acorn, hotel door- Nunnery. A '
brothel
posts, the ladder, leafless tree, mare Nunquam. Xunquam is he that
with three legs, Moll Blood (old Scots'), when his Maister sendeth him on his
morning-drop, prop (Punch and Judy), errand he wil not come againe of an
the queer-'em (queer-'un, queer-'um), hour or two ' (Frat. Vacabondea).
scrag, scrag-squeezer, sheriffs picture- Nunyare. Food, meals.
frame, squeezer, stalk (Punch and Nup (or Nupson). A fool (1580).
Judy), the stifler, the swing, three- Nuppence. Nothing from no :

legged mare, three trees, topping pence, on the model of tuppence, 2d.
cheat, Tower-hill vinegar (the swords- Nuptiate. To marry, get hitched
man's block), tree that bears fruit all (q.v.).
they ear round, tree with three corners, Nuremburg-egg. An early kind of
treyning-cheat, triple-tree, Tuck'em watch, oval in shape :
invented, c.
Fair, Tyburn cross, widow, wooden- 1500, in Nuremburg.
legged mare. Nur y. 1 Ill tempered,
-
cross-
Nuddikin (or Noddleken). The grained from gnarly.
:

head. Nurse. 1. An old man's maid. 2.

Nuff. Enough. To have had one's An able first lieutenant, who in former
nuff, to be elevated or drunk cf. N. C. : times had charge of a young boy-
Nug. To fondle, grabble. Whence captain of interest, but possessing
my nug, my dear : a general endear- no knowledge for command. 3. See
ment. Wet-nurse. As verb, (1) to cozen
Nugget. In pi., money : see Rhino. (Grose); (2) to keep the three balls
N u g g e t y. Thick-built, cobby, close in play so as to score successive
tocky. cannons hence, :
nursery - business
Nugging - dress. A loose kind of (q.v.) ; cheat an opposition 'bus
(3) to
dress. of passengers by driving close in front
Nugging-house. A brothel. or behind ; two vehicles are generally
'Nuity. Go-aheaditiveness (q.v.). employed to nurse the victim (1858).
Null. To beat. To be at nurse, to be in the hands of
Null-gropers. Persons who sweep trustees (Grose).
the streets, in search of old iron, nails, Nursery. A
race for two-year-olds ;
etc. (Grose). almost always a handicap : also as
Nulling-cove. A pugilist. adj.
r>Nulli Secundus Club. The '^Nursery - business
(or cannon).
Coldstream Guards : also known as Playing the three balls close together
The Coldstreamers. and so scoring successive cannons.
312
 Nurses-vail. >

Oath.

Nurse 's-vail. A nurse's petticoats Nut-cracker. 1. The head. 2. A

when they are wet with urine. sharp blow on it. 3. In pi., the fists.
N u s h. The mouth : see Potato- 4. In pi., the pillory. 5. In pi., a

trap. curving nose and protruding chin. 6.

Nut. 1. The head hence, intelli- : The teeth: see Grinders. 7. The
brains: see Crumpet (1858). Third Foot see Buff Howards.
:

The core of fat in a leg of mutton,

rnce, Nut-hook. A term of contempt.
the pope's eye (q.v.) (1611). 3. A Nutmegs. Wooden nutmegs, whe n
harum-scarum ass. 4. In pi., small made of wood, as were those immor-
round coals. 5. In pi., a delightful talised by Sam Slick, have become
practice or experience (1678). 6. so familiar to the public mind that
In Barcelona Tramway Shares.
pi., they have passed into a slang term
7. A drink, go (q.v.) see Drinks. As : for any cunning deception not only :

verb, (1) to fondle, ogle, spoon (q.v.) ; is Connecticut called the Nutmeg
(2) to strike on the head. To be nuts State although a factious native
(or dead nuts) on, (1) to be very much says the true reason is because you
pleased or gratified with any object, will have to look for a grater but
adventure, or overture ; so a person in the press and in Congress, Wooden
who conceives a strong inclination for Nutmegs have to answer for forged
another of the opposite sex, is said to telegrams, political tricks, and falsified
be quite nutty, or nuts upon him or election-returns.
her ( Vaux) ; (2) to be very skilful or Nutmeg-state. Connecticut.
dexterous ; (3) to be particular, to Nutshell. In a
nutshell, in small
detest. To crack a nut, in country compass, condensed, boiled down
gentlemen's houses (in Scotland), in (1622).
the olden time, when a fresh guest Nutted. Deceived by a false friend.
arrived he was met by the laird, who Nutty. 1. Sweet-on, amorous,
made him crack a nut that is, drink fascinating (1821). 2. Fruitful of de-
a silver - mounted cocoa - nut shell tails, spicy (q.v.). 3. Smart, doggy
full of claret. The Nut, the Keppel's (q.v.), swagger (q.v.), nobby (q.v.),
Head, at Portsmouth, known to all her nice (q.v.) (1823).
Majesty's navy as the Nut. A nut to Nux. The object in view, the plant
crack, a problem to solve, puzzle to (q.v.), the lay (q.v.).
explain, difficulty to overcome (1843). Nymph of darkness (or the pave-
Off one's nut, (1) crazy ; (2) drunk : see ment). A prostitute.
Screwed. Nyp. See Nip.

Oaf. 1. A loutish simpleton. Oaf- First-oars, a favourite, a person or

dom, the world of louts ; oafish, stupid thing holding the first or highest place
(1621). 2. A
wiseacre (1696). (1774). Tolie(or rest) on one's oars, to
Oak. 1. A
man of substance and rest, take things easy.
2. An outer door. To Oat. An atom, particle
'

credit (1696). e.g. I've :

sport one's oak, to be not at home : in- not an oat, I'm penniless. Wild oats,
dicated by closing the outer door a rake, debauchee hence, : to sow one's
(Grose). As
adj., strong, rich, in wild oats, to indulge ; to have sown
good repute. Felling of oaks, sea- one's wild oats, to have reformed
sickness (1608). (1570). Feed of oats, (1) A whip, (2)
Oaken-towel. A
cudgel, Plymouth a beating. To earn a gatton of oats,
cloak (q.v.). To rub down with an of horses : to fall on the back rolHng
oaken towel, to thrash. from one side to the other. To fed
Oar. 1. A busybody :
hence, to one's oats, to get bumptious : cf.

put (or shove) one's oar in, to interfere, Beans.

meddle officiously (Grose). (1596). 2. Oath. To take an oath, to drink,
(1) In a waterman i.e. oars (two
pi., ; liquor up (q.v.). Highgate oath, a
men) as opposed to sculls, (q.v.) one jocose asseveration which travellers
man); and (2) an oarsman towards London were required to take
313
 Oatmeal, CM*.

at a certain tavern at Highgato they :

Ocean-greyhound. A swift steamer:
were obliged to swear that, they would specifically
one running between
not prefer small beer before strong, England and America also Atlantic :

unless indeed they liked the small greyhound. Mr. T. Dykes (Glasgow
better ; never to kiss the maid if they Mail, 28 May 1900), says that in 1882
could kiss the mistress, unless the three great shipbuilding yards-
maid was prettier ; with other state- Barrow, Dalmuir, and Fairfield had
ments of a similar kind. each on hand a new steamer that was
Oatmeal. A roystering profligate : to beat the record, at that time held
see Roaring boy (1656). All the world by the Arizona. He was commis-
is not oatmeal, things are not what sioned by Mr. Gordon Bennett to
they seem, All is not gold that glitters, write an article on the subject, and, aa
cf. Beer and skittles (1642). an old coursing correspondent, was
Oats-and-barley. Charley. called upon to name the winner. He
Oats-and-chaff. A footpath. interviewed men best qualified to
Oat-stealer. An ostler. an opinion, amongst others Mr.
Ob (Winchester College). A con- S'veL. Watson, who plumped for the
.

traction of obit. Fairfield boat as likely to prove the

Obadiah. A Quaker. greyhound of the Atlantic. The
Ob-and-soller. A scholastic dis- Alaska, therefore, was named the
putant. [From Objection and Solu- Greyhound of the Atlantic before she
tion used in the margin of books.] was launched.
(1638). ffcOchive. A knife.
O-be-easy. To sing O be easy, to Ochre. Money specifically gold :
:

appear contented when one has cause see Rhino.

to complain. O'clock. To know whafs o'clock, to
O-be- joyful. Good liquor, brandy. be alert, up to the time of day see :

O-be-joyful works, a drinking-shop. Know. Like one o'clock, quickly,

To make one sing O be joyfvl on (or readily, in a jiffy (q.v.) : see Like.
with) the other side of the mouth, to O Criminy. See Crimes.
make one cry. October. 1. The best ale spec, ale :

Obeum
(The) (University). The or cider brewed in October. 2. Blood.
name for a water-closet building at Odd. Strange, peculiar, difficult
Cambridge. [ Attri bu ted by the Under- (1602).
graduates to the energy of O(scar) Odd - come - shortly. Some day :
B(rowning)]. also odd-come-short, odds and ends,
Obfuscated. Drunk : see Screwed :
fragments.
also obfuscation (1861). Odd Fish. An eccentric : see
Obit. An obituary notice. Queer Card (1771).
Object. 1. A laughing- (or gazing-) HjJOddish. Drunk : see Screwed.
stock. (of children), a
Little object TOddity. A singularity (1813).
half-playful, half-angry endearment.
'* Odd Man out A mode of tossing
2. A sweetheart (i.e. the object of one's for drinks by three or more. Each
affections) (1824). spins a coin, and if two come up
Innocence of right and
Obiquitous. head and one tail, the tail or odd
wrong from oblivious and obliquity.
: man is out, i.e. has not to pay.
Obscute. Under-handed, crooked. Should all three coins be alike they
Observationist. One who looks out are skied again (1840).
tempting objects for a skilful thief to Odds. The probabilities for or
steal :
generally pedlars, hawkers, etc. against ; the chance of something
Obstropulous. A corruption of ob- occurring ; that which justifies the
streperous (1748). attributing of superiority to one of
Occabot Tobacco ; tib fo oeeabot, two or more persons or things speci- :

bit of tobacco. fically, in betting, the excess

of the
Occasion. To improve the occasion, amount of a bet made by one party
to make the most of a chance (1860). over that of another : as the odds
Occupy. To wear. against the favourite were 3 to
1
Ocean. In pi., a very large quan- (1591). Whafs the odds ? What does
tity : e.g. oceans of drink, of coin, of it matter : an intensive of recklessness
notices, and the like. and good-fellowship (1840).
314
 Odling. Old Bailey Undericriter.

Odling. Cheating (1599). tongue, flattery (1592). As verb, to

O d n o. No do. Riding on the flatter, bribe (1616). To strike oil
odno, travelling by rail without pay- (or tie), to meet with a stroke of good
ment. luck, be successful. [From the finan-
Odour. Repute as good or bad
: cial advantage accruing from the dis-
odour, the odour of sanctity, etc. covery of the Pennsylvanian and
(1853). other mineral oil springs.] To oil
Off. The field of the wicket- the wig, to make tipsy see Screwed.
:

keeper (1856). As adv., (1) out-of- To knocker, to fee the porter

oil the :

date originally waiters e.g. Chops is

: :
hoff, there are no more chops to-day
(2) stale, in bad condition e.g. smells :
a little bit off, don't it ?
to depart, run away. Off bat (Win-
chester College), the station of one
of the field in a cricket match, Point.
Off the horn, said of very hard steak.
Off the hinge, out of work (1853).
Also see Base, Bat, Chump, Cocoanut,
Colour, Dot, Feed, Head, Hook,
Kadoova, Nut, Onion, Reel, Rocker,
Saucer, Song, Spot.
Off-chance. A
doubtful hazard.
Office. A hint, signal, or private
intimation, from one person to an-
other ; this is termed officeing him, or
giving him the office ; to take the
office, is to understand and profit by
the hint given : Fr., donner un tuyau.
As verb, to give notice or informa-
tion (1819). Cook's office, the galley.
Jack in office see Jack.
: intensitive ; now only in combina-
Office-sneak. A stealer of office
overcoats and umbrellas.
Offish. Distant (1842).
Off -ox. An unmanageable, cross-
grained fellow.
Ogging ot Tekram. Going to
Fr., graisser le marteau.
; Oiner. cad.A
Ointment. 1. Butter, cart-grease
To be off, (q.v.). 2. Money: see Rhino: from
the 13th century Fabliau, De la Vieitte
qui Oint la Palme au Chevalier.
O. K. General Jackson, better
known ... as Old Hickory, was not
much at home in the art of spelling,
and his friend and admirer, Major
Jack Downing, found therefore no
difficulty in convincing the readers
of his Letters, that the President em-
ployed the letters O.K. as an endorse-
ment of applications for office, and
other papers. They were intended
to stand for All Correct, which the old
gentleman preferred writing Oil Kor-
rect. As verb, to signify that all is right.
Old. Money see Rhino. : As adj.,
1. crafty, cunning, experienced ; 2.
great, famous, grand : once a common
tion with high, good, gay (1590). 3.
Old, ugly. 4. A
general term of en-
dearment or cordiality : e.g. Old
chap, Old fellow, Old boy, Old hoss,
Old man, Old gal (1598). 5. A general
disparagement as in Old bloke, Old
:

market. buffer, Old cat, Old cock, Old codger,

Ogle. 1. In pi., the eyes : also Old coon, Old crawler, Old curmud-
oglers. Hence queer-ogled, squinting ; geon, Old dog, Old file, Old fiz-gig,
rum ogles, bright or piercing eyes Old geezer, Old huddle and twang,
(1696). 2. An ocular invitation or Old image, Old pot-and-pan, Old
consent, side glance, or amorous look : shaver, Old square-toes, Old stager,
whence ogling, an amorous look Oldstick, Old stick-in-the-mud (1600).
(1704). As verb, (1) to look amor- As old as Charing Cross (or as Paul's),
ously, make sheep's eyes (q.v.) of ripe age.
(1696) ; (2) to examine, consider Old Agamemnons. The 69th Foot,
(1836); (3) to look (1821) now the 2nd Batt. of the Welsh Regi-
Ogler. 1. See Ogle. 2. One who ment bestowed by Nelson at St.
:

ogles (q.v.) (1702). Vincent in 1769, when the regiment

Oh. See After you, Dummy, were serving as marines. Also The
Jupiter, Moses, My, Swallow. Ups and Downs.
Oil. Used in humorous or sar- Old and Bold. The Prince of Wales's
castic combination :
e.g. oil of angels, Own (West Yorkshire Regiment),
a gift or bribe (in allusion to the coin), formerly the 14th Foot. Also Cal-
oil of barley, beer ; oil of baaton (birch, vert's Entire, The Powos, and The
gladness, hazel, holly, rope, stirrup, Fighting Brigade.
strappem, or whip), a beating ; oil of Old Bailey Underwriter. A petty
palms or palm-oil), a bribe ; otf of forger.
315
 Old Bendy. Old Pelt.

Old Bendy. The devil Old Gentleman. 1. A card somewhat

Old Bird. 1.
experienced An largerand thicker than the rest of the
thief also Old hand.
: 2. An expert :
pack, and now in considerable UM
also old hand and old dog hence old :
amongst the legs. 2. The devil 1 727). (

dog at it, expert. Old Glory. The United States' flag

Old Blazes. The devil (1770-1844).
Old Block. See Chip. Old Gooseberry. The devil. To
Old Bold. The 29th Foot, now the play old gooseberry, to play the devil
1st Batt. Worcestershire Regiment. Old gown. Smuggled tea.
Also The Ever-Sworded !J9th. Old Hand. See Old bird.
Old Bold Fifth. The Northumber- Old Harry. The devil : also the
land Fusiliers formerly The 5th Foot.
: lordHarry (1687). 2. A composition
Also The Shiners, The Fighting Fifth, used by vintners, when they bedevil
and Lord Wellington's Bodyguard. their wines (B. E.). To play old
Old Boots. Like old boots, a Harry, to play the devil see Play.
:

general and irrelevant comparison : Old Harvey. The large boat (the
see Lake (1850). launch) of a man-of-war.
Old Braggs. The 28th Foot, now Old (or salt) Horse. 1. Salt
the 1st Batt. Gloucestershire Regi- junk Fr., sous-pied, and tire-fiacre.
: 2.
ment : from its Colonel's name, An endearment a familiar address.
:

1734-51. Also The Slashers. Old Inniskillings. The 6th

Old Bucks. The Bedfordshire (Inniskilling) Dragoons. Also The
Regiment, formerly the 16th Foot. Skillingers.
Also The Peacemakers and The Old Iron. Shore clothes. To work
Feather-beds. up old iron, to go ashore.
Old Buffs. The Third Foot, now Old lady. Abroad (q.v.). The
The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). old lady of Threadneedle St., the Bank
Also Nut-crackers and Resurrection- of England (1797).
ists. Old Lag. See Lag.
Old-crow. A drink, dram. [In Old Line State. Maryland. [From
the United States old crow, a choice the old line regiments contributed to
brand of Bourbon or corn whisky]. the Continental army in the War of
Old-dog. 1. A half-burnt plug of the Revolution].
tobacco left in the bowl of a pipe. 2. Old Man. 1. A full-grown male
A lingering antique. As adj., par- kangaroo. 2. A familiar mode of
ticularly good (1596). address. 3. A master, governor
Old Donah
(or Old woman). (q.v.), boss (q.v.). 4. A husband:
A mother. cf. Old woman: Fr., geniteur. 5. The
Old Doss. Bridewell. captain of a merchantman (1823). 6.
Old Dozen. The Suffolk Regiment, The ridge between two sleepers in a
formerly the 12th Foot. feather bed. 7. A
blanket used to
Old Driver. The devil see Skipper.
:
wrap a young child in. 8. A father.
Old Ebony. Blaclnoood's Magazine : Old Man's Milk. Whisky: see
also Maga. Drinks. In Scotland a mixture of
Old Eyes. The Grenadier Guards ; cream, eggs, sugar, and whisky.
also known The Sand Bags, The
as Old Mr. Gory. A piece of gold
Coalheavers, The Housemaids' Pets, (B. E.).
and The Bermuda Exiles. Old Mr. Grim. Death, Old Floorer
Old File. A miser ; a skinflint (q.v.).
(q.v.) : also see Old. Old Nick. The devil also nicicie
:

Old Five and Threepennies. and nickie-ben (1662).

The Fifty - third Foot. [From ite Old one (or Old 'un). 1. The devil
number and (formerly) the daily pay 2. A
father (1836). 3. A
horse more
of an ensign]. Also Brickdusts. than three old. 4. The panta-
years
Old Floorer. Death. loon, fool's father (q.v.).
Old Fogs. The 87th Foot, now Old Pegg. Poor Yorkshire cheese,
the Royal Irish Fusiliers. [From made of skimmed milk (Grote).
their battle - cry, Fag - an Bealach, Old Pelt. An old pressman. [In
Clear the Way]. Also Blayney's allusion to the ink pelts formerly in
Bloodhounds and The Rollickers. use for distributing the ink].
316
 Old Pod. On.

Old Pod (or Old Pot-and-pan). Old Trot. See Trot.

1. An old man, father. 2. A wife, a Old 'un. See Old one.
woman. Old Whale. A sailor.
Old Poger. The devil. Old Woman. 1. A prisoner who,
Old Probabilities. The Superin- unfit for physical hard work, is set
tendent of the United States' weather to knitting stockings. 2. A man with
bureau sometimes Old Prob.
: the character and habits of a woman :
Old Red-eye. Whisky see Drinks. : also old wife. 3. A wife or mother cf. :

Old Rip. See Rip. Old man.

Old Roger. The deviL Olive-branches. Children. [In al-
Old Salt. An experienced sailor. lusion to Psalm cxxviii. 4, in Book of
Old Saucy Seventh. The 7th (The Common Prayer] (1688).
Queen's Own) Hussars in Peninsula : Oliver. The moon, the sky-lantern.
times. Also The Lily-white Seventh, Oliver whiddles (or is up), the moon
Young Eyes, Old Strawboots, and shines ; Oliver is in town, the nights
Straws. are moonlight (1781). To give a Bow-
Old Scratch. The devil (1762). land for an Oliver see Rowland.
:

Old Seven and Sixpennies. The Oliver 's Skull. A chamber-pot see :

76th Foot, now the 2nd Batt. Duke It.

of Wellington's (West Riding Regi- Ollapod. An apothecary. [From
ment) from its former number and
:
George Coleman's comedy (1802) The
the amount of a lieutenant's pay. Poor Gentleman.]
Also The Immortals and The Pigs. Olli compolli. The by-name of one
Old Shell. A sailor. of the principal rogues of the Canting
Old Shoe. A portent (or augury) of Crew (B. E.).
good fortune. To wear (or ride in) an- O m e e. A man :
specifically, a
other man's old shoes (or boots), to marry master : also omer and homee.
another man's sweetheart or widow. Omnibus. A man of all-work, a
Old Soldier. A cigar end or old handy man.
quid. To come the old soldier see : Omnium (Stock Exchange). The
Come. aggregate value of the different stocks
Old Song. A trifle, a nominal in which a loan is funded.
sum or price. Omnium Gatherum. A medley,
Old Split-foot. The devil (1848). Jack-of -all-trades (1576).
Old Stager. A person of experience, On. 1. No. 2. Tipsy see Screwed. :

Old dog (q.v.). 3. Used for of (1637). 4. (Winchester

Old Stick. 1. A disparagement of. :
College). The word given by the
Old. 2. A complimentary mode of Praefect of Hall for the boys to start
address to an old man, signifying he is to or from Hills, or to Cathedral.
a capital fellow (Hattiwett). When any person or thing of im-
Old Stubborns. The Forty-fifth portance was known to be likely to
Foot, now The Sherwood Foresters. meet the boys when on Hills, the word
Old Strawboots (or Straws). was passed that he, she, or it was on,
The 7th (The Queen's Own) Hussars :
e.g. Ridsworth on, snobs on,
for substituting at Warbourg (1760) badger on, etc. (Mansfield). 5. Car-
strawbands for worn-out boots. Also nally minded, concupiscent. To be
The Old Saucy Seventh and The Lily- (or get) on, ( 1 ) to make a bet generally :

White Seventh. to have a bit on (2) ready and willing,

;

Old Timer. 1. A laudator temporis good at, fond of. To try it on see :

acti. 2. One who has grown old in a Try. See also Back, Ballot, Bat,
place or profession (1860). Batter, Beam-ends, Beer, Bend, Board,
Old Toast. 1. The devil also Old :
Bone, Boot-leg, Bounce, Box, Burst
toaster (1859). 2. A
brisk old fellow (or Bust), Cards, Chain, Cheap, Crook,
(Grose). Cross, Dead, Dead broke, Dead quiet,
Old Tom. Gin: see White Satin Dee, Fly, Forty-ninth, Fourth, Fuddle
(1823). Grass, Ground-floor, Half-shell, Head,
Old Toughs. The One Hundred and Hip, Hop, Ice, Job, Lay, Ledge, Loose,
Third Foot, now the 2nd Batt. Royal Make, Muddle, Nail, Nod, Nose, One's
Dublin Fusiliers. [For long and P's and Q's, Pounce, Prairie, Pro-
arduous service in India]. motion, Quiet, Q.T., Ramble, Ram-
317
 Once. Optime.

page, Rantan, Ready, Reerau, Road,

seal : generally in plural :
e.g. Bunch
Rails, Scent, Scoot, Scout, Sentry, of onions.
Shallow, Sharp, Shelf, Shove, Shunt, Oodles. A large quantity.
Skyte, Slate, Sly, Snap, Spree, Spot, Oof (or Ooftish). Money. Oof-bird,
Square, Stairs, Straight, Stretch, the goose that lays the golden eggs,
String, Swing, Tailboard, Take, Tappy, the source of supply ; the feathered
Tiles, Time, Tick, Tramp, Toast, Top, oof-bird, money in plenty ; to mate
the oof-bird walk, to circulate money ;
Uppers, Velvet, Wallaby, Warpath,
Win, etc.]. oofless, poor. [Ooftish was, some
Once. In once, first time. twenty years ago, the East End
One. 1. A
lie : see Whopper. 2. synonym money, and was derived
for
A blow, grudge, score also one in the: from auf tische, on the table the
eye (1839). One in, hearing another's aristocracy of Houndsditch being in
good fortune and wishing the same to the habit of refusing to play cards,
oneself. One out, congratulating one- even with their best friends, unless the
self on a fortunate escape. One of money were down on the table. Hence,
my cousins, a harlot. One of us (or ooftish, a word which was freely used
them), a woman of the town (Ray). by the late Mr. Benson and his com-
One under the arm, an extra job. One panions in the De Goncourt frauds.
out of it, I don't want to be mixed up We that is to say Gub met ooftish
with it. One of the Lord's own, a at a thieves' supper in Little Wylde
dandy. To be one upon another's taw, Street, took the animal home, cut his
a person who takes offence at the con- tail off, and turned him loose. So
duct of another, or conceives himself that oof now swaggers about the
injured by the latter, will say, never mansions of the aristocracy. Sport-
mind I'll be one upon your taw ; or, ing Times],
I'll be a marble on your taw ; meaning O. P. 1. Opposite the Prompter

I'll be even with you some time and Prompt Side. 2. Out of print.

(Faux). One and thirty, drunk see :

Open. To open the ball, to start or
Screwed. One for his nob, I. A blow begin anything (1812). To open one's
on the head. 2. See Nob, and Three mouth too wide, to bid for larger
out. amounts of stock than one can pay for,
One-a-piece. To see one-a-piece, to to appropriate more than one can use.
see double :see Screwed. Open house. Hospitality for all
Onee. One e.g. onee soldi (or
: comers (1530).
torn), one penny. Opera Buffer. An actor in opera
One - eyed Scribe. A revolver : bouffe.
see Meat-in-the-pot. Opera House. A workhouse : Latin
One-horse (or eyed). Petty, in- opera, work.
significant, of no account : also one- Operator. A pickpocket, thief (q. v. ).
goat (1858). O-per-se-0. Watchman, bellman,
One - in - ten. A parson. [In al- crier (1612).
lusion to tithes]. O.P.H. Off: e.g. Demme, I'm
One Nitch (or Nick). A male O.P.H.
child ; two nitch, a baby girl. Oppidan (Eton College). boy A
One See Like.
o'clock. who boards in the town, as distin-
One-er. 1. A person or thing of guished from a King's Scholar.
great parts as a very successful
:
Opiniator. An assuming positive
play, an exceedingly pretty woman, a fellow, an obstinate self-conceited
crushing blow, a monumental lie also : coxcomb (B. E. ).
wunner. 2. A shilling see Rhino. :
Opium-joint. An opium den.
One's eye. A hiding place for Optic. 1. An eye see Glims 1600).
:
(

cabbage (q.v.), hell (q.v.). 2. An optic-glass, spy -glass (1721).

One Two. In boxing two blows Optime (University). The senior
rapidly put in after each other. Jem and junior optimes are the second and
Belcher was distinguished for his last classes of Cambridge honours
one two. conferred on taking a degree. That
Onicker. A prostitute. of wranglers is the first. The last
Onion. 1. The head. Off his junior optirae is called the Wooden
onion, off his wits : see Tibby. 2. A Spoon (Gfrose).
318
 Oracle. Out.

Oracle. A watch, ticker (q.v.) Oschive. See Ochive.

(1708). To work the oracle, to plan, Ostiarius (Winchester College) :

succeed by stratagem specifically :

obsolete). An office held by the
to raise money. Prsefects in succession. The duties
Orange. To suck the orange dry, to were, to keep order in school, collect the
exhaust, deplete. Vulguses, and prevent the boys from
Orange Lilies. The Thirty-fifth shirking out. It is also the official
Foot. [From the facings till 1832 and title for the Second Master.
the plumes awarded for gallantry at Ostler. 1. An oat-stealer. 2. In
Quebec in 1759]. Now the 1st Batt. America, a horse-thief.
Royal Sussex. Otter. A sailor. As adj., eight :

Orate. To make a speech. also otto.

Orator. Cf. oration, dialectical for Ottomy. A skeleton, bag of bones
noise or uproar. Orator to a mounte- (q.v.), atomy (q.v.). Ottomised,
bank, the Doctor's decoy who in con- anatomised (1738).
junction with Jack Pudding, amuses, Ounce. Half an ounce, half a crown,
diverts, and draws in the patients silver being formerly estimated at a
(B. E.). crown or five shillings an ounce
Orchid. A titled member of the (Grose).
Stock Exchange. Out. 1. A dram-glass they are :

Order. A large order, something made two-out (half-quartern), three-

excessive. To order one's name (Win- out, and four-out when a man wants
:

chester School), the direction given to treat a couple of friends he asks for
to an offender by any of the authori- a quartern of gin and three-out,
ties. The boy so directed, if he was meaning, a quartern of gin and three
in College, or if the order was given in glasses, which together will exactly
school, had to go to the Ostiarius hold that quantity (1836). 2. One
or to the Praefect in course, if the out of employment or office ; speci-
offence was committed in commoners fically (in politics) a member of the
and give information of the order, party in opposition: cf. In (1768).
and the reason why it had been given. 3. Leave to go out, an outing (q.v.), a
The Ostiarius, or the Praefect in holiday. 4. A discarded mistress.
course, wrote down the culprit's name, As verb, (1) to outing-dues, the
kill,
together with that of the Master, and death penalty ; (2) to knock out an
the offence, and carried it up to the opponent so that he fails to respond at
Head or Second Master, when due the call of time. As adv., (1) tipsy :

execution was done (Adams). see Screwed ; (2) general (society),

Order - racket. Obtaining goods just presented ; (cricketers'), sent from
from a shopkeeper, by means of a the wickets ; (politicians'), not in
forged order or false pretence. office (thieves'), released from gaol ;
;

Ordinary. A wife see Dutch. :

(marketmen's), not on sale; (popular),
Organ. 1. A clothes' trunk. 2. (a) having a tendency to lose, (b)
A pipe. 3. A workman who lends wrong, inaccurate, and (c) unfashion-
money to his fellows at exorbitant able (1660). To live out, to be in
interest ; to play the organ, to apply domestic service: i.e. as living from
for such a loan. To carry the organ, home. Out of it (the hunt, or the
to shoulder the pack or valise at de- running), (1) debarred from partici-
faulters' or marching order drill. pation (2) having no chance or share ;
;

Organ-pipe. 1. The
throat, wind- (3) completely ignorant. To stand
pipe, the voice. 2. In pi., a fulness out, to take no part. Out of twig, (1)
in skirt-backs created by folds of to put any article out of twig, as a
starched muslin. stolen coat, cloak, etc., is to alter it
Original Go. A novel predica- in such a way that it cannot be identi-
ment (1854). fied. To put yourself out of twig, is
Orinoko. A poker. to disguise your dress and appearance,
Ornythorhynchus. A creditor, to avoid being recognised, on some
a beast with a bill. particular account ( Vaux) ; (2) to
Orphan Collar. One that does wear shabby clothes. Out of God's
not match the shirt in colour or blessing into the warm sun, from better
material. to worse ( 1 58 1 ). Out for an airing, said
319
 Out-and-out. Overland*.

of a hone not meant to win. Other stand ; and (3) mounted, astride (a
colloquial combinations are To be at horse).
outs, to quarrel ; to make no outs (of Outsider. 1. In pi., a pair of nippers
a person), to misunderstand ; out of with semi-tubular jaws which can be
countenance, confounded ; out of hand, inserted in a keyhole from the outside
(1) immediately, without delay, (2) to turn the key. 2. An ignoramus.
ungovernable ; out of cry, out of 3. A person unattached. 4. An in-
measure ; out of frame, out of order ; competent,' doubtful, or unknown
out of heart, worn out (of land), down- champion or competitor in any walk
hearted (of persons) ; out (or down) at of life or sport. 5. A duffer (q.v.),
heel (or at elbows), shabbily dressed ; moral, physical, or social. 6. A
out at leg, feeding in hired pastures (of person who fails to gain admission
cattle) ; out of pocket, a loser ; out of to the ring from pecuniary or other
temper, too hot, or too cold ; out of causes.
print, used by booksellers in speaking Oven. A large mouth. In the same
of any person that is dead ; out of the oven, in the same plight.
way, uncommon, etc., etc. Also see Over. In a surplus on the
pi.,
Barrel, Collar, Funds, Harness, Have, day's accounts, (q.v.), menave-
fluff
Kelter, Loose, Lug, Picaroon, Pocket, lings (q.v.). To come over (or the old
Puff, Register, Sorts, Wood. soldier over) one : see Come over, and
Out - and - out. Thorough, prime Come the old soldier. To get over, to
(q.v.), far and away. get the better, to best (q.v.). To
Out-and-outer. A person or thing, call (or fetch) over the coals, to repri-

superlative. mand (1719). Over the bay, drunk:

Outer. That part of a target used
1. see Screwed. Over the stile, sent for
in rifle-shooting which is outeide the trial. To put over the door, to turn
circles surrounding the bull's eye.
-
out, give the key of the street (q.v.).
2. A shot which strikes the outer part Over at the knees, weak in the knees.
of a target. Over shoes, over boots, thoroughly, the
Outfit In the Far West and on whole hog. See Bender, Broomstick,
the Plains everything is an outfit, and Left.
from a railway train to a pocket-knife. Over-day Tarts. About 24 hours
It is applied indiscriminately, to a after capture the herring is liable to the
wife, a horse, a dog, a cat, or a row of pouring out of extravasation of blood
pins. about his gills and fins, which darkened
Out-Herod. To out-Herod Herod, to and damaged or bruised appearance
exceed in excess (1596). is quaintly called in the fish trade
Outing. 1. A holiday, out (q.v.) over-day tarts.
( 1860). 2. A feast given to his friends Overdo. Double diligence.
by an apprentice, at the end of his Overdraw. To overdraw the badger :
apprenticeship when he is out of his
: see Badger.
time in some parts of the kingdom
: Overflow and Plunder. The un-
this ceremony is termed, by an ap- suspecting theatre-goer has an order
prentice and his friends, burying his for the pit ; he goes there, and finds
wife. the pit crammed to suffocation by
Outrider. A highwayman, road- people who have not paid. Upon
agent (q.v.) (1600). payment of sixpence he goes to the
Outrun. See Constable. upper boxes, they are also crowded ;
Outs. Oentlemen of the three outs, ( 1 ) sixpence more takes him to the dress
without money, without wit, and circle. Before he can obtain a seat he
without manners (Grose) ; (2) out of is bled of another sixpence for his

pocket, out of elbows, and out of greatcoat, another for his umbrella,
credit (Lytton). and another for a programme. The
Outside. An outeide passenger :
performances in these places were as
Fr., voyageur a quinze francs le cent : disreputable as the management, and,
see Inside (1798). As adj., the ut- as a rule, would disgrace a show at a
most (1696). Outside 'Liza, get out country fair.
of this. To get outside of, (1) to eat Overlander. A tramp, sundowner
or drink ; as, to get outside of a pint (q.v.) also Overland man and Over-
:

of beer, or a chop ; (2) to under- land-mailer.

320
 Overland-trout. Pace.

Overland-trout. Bacon. coasts, near Rumney-Marsh in Kent,

Overrun. See Constable. and some creeks in Sussex, etc. and
Overscutched (Overswitched, or ship it for France against law
off
Overwhipped) - Housewife. A (B. E.) at one time it was illegal to
:

wanton (1598). carry wool or sheep out of the country :

Overseen. More or less in liquor :

owling was repealed by 3 Geo. IV. c.
see Screwed (1611). 107].
Overseer. A man in the pillory. Owl-light. Dusk. To walk by owl-
Overshot. Drunk see Screwed. :
light,to skulk from arrest: Fr., entre
Oversparred. Top-heavy, drunk : chien et loup (1610).
see Screwed. Own. On one's own, on one's own
Overtaken. Drunk see Screwed : account. To own up, to confess,
(1655). make a clean breast.
Overtoy 's Box (Winchester College). Owned. A
preacher is said in this
A box like a cupboard to hold books :
phraseology to be owned when he
see Toys. makes many converts and his converts
Owl. 1. A prostitute. 2. A mem- are called his seals.
ber of Sidney Sussex College, Cam- Owt. Two :
e.g. owt-yannep-flatch,
bridge obsolete. : 3. A person much twopence-- halfpenny ; owt-gens, two
about at night. As verb, (1) to sit up shillings.
at night and (2) to carry on a contra-
; O x. The black ox has trod on his
band night trade ; to smuggle cf. :
foot, to know decay, misfortune, or
Owler. To catch the owl, a trick prac- old age (1537).
tised on ignorant country boobies, Oxer. An ox-fence.
who are decoyed into a barn under Oxford. A crown piece ; half-
pretence of catching an owl, where oxford, half-a-crown : see Rhino.
"
er divers preliminaries, the joke Oxford Blues. The Royal Horse
ids hi their having a pail of water Guards. [From their uniform, 1690].
Dured upon their heads (Grose). To Oxford Clink. 1. A play upon
the owl, to get angry.
:
To live too words. 2. A free pass.
ir a wood to be frightened by an owl, Ox-house. To go through the ox-
lot easy to alarm (1708). To bring house to bed, to be cuckolded (1696).
(or send) owls to Athens, to undertake Ox-pop. A butcher.
work of supererogation, take coals Oyl-of-barley. See Oil.
'

Newcastle (q.v.) owls abounded in :

Oyster. 1.
advantage Profit, :

Athens. Drunk as a
very biled owl, because it 2. A gob
has a beard.
see Screwed. Like an owl in of thick phlegm, spit by a consump-
ivy-bush, said of a person with a tive man (Grose). A choking oyster, a
rge frizzled wig, or a woman whose reply that leaves one nothing to say
ur is dressed a-la-blouze (Grose). (1556). Old oyster, a vulgar endear-
Owl-car (or train). A late tram ment.
r, or train. Oyster-faced. In need of
Owler. Those who privately in shaving in allusion to the oyster's
:

le night carry wool to the sea- beard.

P and Q. To be P. and Q, to be of over- or under-charge. Probably both

i
first quality, good measure (1612). in combination with the phrase, to be
Po mind one's P's and Q's, to be care- p and q (q.v.), have helped to popu-
and circumspect in behaviour, larise the expression] (1779).
&t. [Of uncertain origin amongst ; Pac. A cap.
sted derivations are (1) the diffi- Pace. To go the pace, to live a fast
:ulty experienced by children in life, be extravagant (1710). Alder-
J
"tinguishing between p and q ; man's pace, a slow and stately gait :

(2) the old custom of alehouse Fr., pas d'Abbf, (1611). To show
ly, marking p for pint, and q for one's paces, to exhibit one's capability,
care being necessary to avoid to show what one can do.
321
 Pal.

Pacer. Primarily a fast bone; Paddy. 1. An Irishman :

hence anything of great speed or Paddy-whack and Paddylander. Hence

activity. Paddy-land, Ireland (Grose). English
Pack. A
prostitute. Also a synonyms bog - trotter, Emeralder,
:

general > term of reproach with no Mick, mike, micky, paddylander,

reference to sex : see Naughty. As paddy-whack, Pat, patent French-
adj., intimate, familiar (1795). As man, patlander, shirt (1801). 2. A
verb (also pack off, send packing, give rage, passion also Paddy-whack. :

a packing-penny to, etc.), (1) to dis- To come paddy over, to bamboozle,

miss without ceremony, send about humbug.
one's business, discharge summarily, Paddy quick. 1. A stick. 2. Thick.
depart hurriedly (1540). (2) To drink: Paddy's Blackguards. The
see Screwed. To eat the pack (or Royal Irish Regiment, formerly The
packie), to waste one's substance, 18th Foot. Also The Namurs.
spend all Eat -the- pack, a spend- Paddy's Hurricane. No wind at
thrift. all, a breeze up and down the mast.
Packet. A hoax, false report. Paddy-wack (Paddy, or Paddy's
Packets, an expression of incredulity. Watch). Before the tax on al-
Pack-thread. Covert obscenity. manacs ... a class of printers [sold]
Pact. To spend the pact, to an almanack unstamped, and this
waste one's substance : also to perish was often called Paddy's Watch.
the pact. They were hawked about, sold . . .

Pad. A
path, road, highway :
1. at 3d., and often for less, when a
also High-pad (1573). 2. An easy- stamped almanac cost Is. 9d. or 2s, '

paced horse, ambler: also Pad-nag I have often heard Have you an . . .

(1696). 3. A highway robber, foot-

'
almanac ? and the answer has been.
pad, tramp : also Padder and (Scots')
'
We have a Paddy.'
Faddist (1610). 4. Highway robbery Paddywester. Incompetent, worth
(1664). 5. A bed also pod. As verb, :
less, or destitute sailors or landsmen
(1) to travel on foot, tramp : also to masquerading as seamen.
pad (plod, bang, or beat) the hoof (q.v.) : Padlock. See Pleasure Boat
FT., fendre Cergot (to split the spur) Pad-nag. See Pad.
(1598) ; (2) to rob on foot, or on the Padre. A clergyman see Devil- :

highway: also to go on the pad (1639). dodger.

On the pad, on the tramp. To stand Pa ff . An interjection of con-
pad, to beg by the wayside. To pad tempt ; bosh !
-
Piff paff, jargon
round, to pay great attention to a (1851).
customer, cringe, crawl. Gentlemen Pagan. A prostitute ( 1 659).
of the pad see Padder.
: Pad in the Paget's Irregular Horse. The
straw, anything amiss, danger con- Fourth Hussars. [From its loose
cealed, snake in the grass (1551). drill after return from India].
Pad-borrower. A horse thief. Paid. Intoxicated: see Screwed.
Pad-clinking. Hobnobbing with Paiker (Paikie or Calsay Paiker).
foot -pads. A prostitute.
Padded. See Pad. 1.2. In pi., Paint. Money : see Rhino,
feet, boots, shoes see Creepers (1828).
: verb, to drink. Painted, drunk.
Padding-crib (or ken). A lodging Red and Fresh.
house cf. Doss-house.
: Painted-box. A coffin.
Paddington-f air. A hanging. [Ty- Painted Mischief. Playing
burn being in Paddington Parish]. history of the Four Kings (q.v.).
To dance the Paddington frisk, to be Painter. To cut the painter, to i

hanged : see Ladder. away, cut adrift, interfere to pre\

Paddington- spectacles. The mischief : also see Cut.
cap pulled over the eyes of a criminal Pair. A flight of stairs ; e.g.
on the scaffold see Paddington-fair.
:
pair back, the room at the back of the
Paddle. The hand: see Daddle. second flight of stairs.
As verb, (1) to drink: hence to have Pair of Shears. See Shears.
paddled, to be intoxicated see : Pair of Spectacles. See Si
Screwed ; (2) to go or run away. See Pair of Wings. Oars.
Canoe. Pal. A chum, friend,
322
 Palace. Panjamdrum.

accomplice. As verb, (1) to make Palmetto State. South Carolina.

friends with, chum ; (2) to detect in [From the arms of the State a variety :

any pretence. of dwarf palm or palmetto is abun-

Palace. A police-station. dant therein.] Whence Palmetto flag,
Palarie. To talk : cf. Palaver. Palmetto city, and Palmetto boys
Palatic. Drunk : see Screwed. (1861).
Palaver. 1. A
fussy and ostenta- Palm-oil. See Palm, and Palm-
tious person generally Old palaver.
: acid.
2. Conversation, discussion speci- :
Palsy. Generic for weakness.
fically idle talk, flattery, cajolery : Palsy in the hand, the habit of dicing
also as verb. Palaverer, a flatterer (1608).
(1748). As verb, to fuss. Paltock's Inn. A poverty-stricken
Pale. To leap the pale, to break place (1579).
bounds, exceed (1593). Pam. 1. The Knave of Clubs.
Paleface. A white in poetry and :
[Skeat a contraction of Pamphillion
:

fiction, as from an Indian dialect. (Fr.), the Knave of Clubs] (1706). 2.

Palestine in London. That Lord Palmerston.
artion of the parish of St. Giles, Pan. 1. The workhouse. 2. A
Jloomsbury, inhabited by the lower bed : see Kip (1708). 3. Money : see
ish also The Holy Land.
: Rhino. To pan out, to yield, give a
Palette. A hand see Daddle. : result or return :
originally a mining
Palliard. 1. A born beggar, tramp ; term gold dust being put with water
;

primarily a vagabond who lies on in a pan and shaken, when gold sinks
straw (1567). 2. A lecher. to the bottom. To have a pan on, to
Palliasse. A harlot. have a fit of the blues, be down in the
Palm. 1. To
bribe, tip (q.v.) :
dumps. To savour of the pan (or
grease (anoint, or gild) the
to frying-pan), to betray origin, smell of
Im (or hand). An
itching palm, a the lamp (q.v.) also (old literary)
:

id ready to receive bribes cf. the : to savour of heresy cf. sentir le fagot,
:

1 superstition that money is about from which there would appear to be

be received if the palm itches ; a reference to the ancient punishment
Im-oil (grease or soap, or oil of for heresy ( 1555). See Cat, Fluff, and
Ims or angels), a bribe, whence also, Flash.
iey: Fr., huile and graisse (1513) ; Pancake Tuesday. Shrove
Palmer is concerned, of a person Tuesday. [By ancient custom pan-
ibed or bribing. 2. To conceal cakes are then eaten.]
the palm of the hand, swindle, Pandy (or Pandie). A stroke from
isrepresent. Palming (palmistry or a cane, strap, or tawse on the palm
Iming-racket), trickery (by secreting of the hand by way of punishment :
the palm of the hand) specifically : also (Scots' ) paumie. [From the order
p-lifting, the thieves hunting in in Latin Pande palmum (or manum),
rs, one bargaining, the other Hold out your hand.] As verb, to
itching opportunities ; to palm off, cane or strap.
beguile, gammon (q.v.) ; palmer, Panel or Pernel).
(Parnel, An
trickster :
specifically at cards and immodest woman, prostitute (1362).
(1601). To bear the palm, to Panel-crib (den, or house). A
Keel, be first or best. [The Romans brothel specially fitted for robbery.
ave branches of palm to a victorious Panjamdrum (The Great). A
Jadiator.] village potentate, Brummagem mag-
Palm-acid (or oil). 1. A caning : nate. [From Foote's nonsense lines,
the hand. 2. See Palm. written to test Macklin's memory :
Palmer (Durham School). 1. A '
So she went into the garden to cut a
iy fellow. 2. See Palm. cabbage-leaf to make an apple pie ;
Palmerston. Lord Palmerston and at the same time a great she-bear,
lescribed himself as acting the part of coming up the street,
" pops its head
"
judicious bottle - holder among the into the shop. What no soap ? " !

oreign Powers. A lately - invented So he died, and she very imprudently

strument to hold a bottle has thus married the barber, and there were
ceived the name of a Palmerston present the Picninnies, and the Job-
(1865). lillies, and the Garyulies, and the
323
 Pannicky. Parader.

Grand Panjandrum himself, with the Papaw. A bush-whacker. [Cen-

round button on top, and they all
little tury : with reference to possible sub-
fellto playing the game of catch as sistence on the fruit].
catch can, till the gunpowder ran out Paper. 1. Free passes of admis-

at the heel of their boote '] (1777). sion to a place of entertainment ; also
Pannicky. Given to panic. (collectively) recipients of such passes.
Pannier - man. A servant of an Hence, papery, occupied by persons
(inn of court his office is to announce
: admitted with free tickets. As verb,
dinner (Grose) (1664). to issue free passes. Fr., salle de
j
Pannikin. To roll one s panni- papier, a house filled with paper.
kin into another shed, to leave one 2. Negotiable instruments as prom- :

man's service for another. issory notes, bills of exchange, etc.

Pannum (Panum, or Pannam). (1837). 3. Broadsides and similar
Bread, food. [Latin, pani*]. Hence literature hence paper worker, a
:

pannum-bound, cut of one's allow- vendor of street literature, running

ance ; pannum- (or cokey-) fence, a stationer (q.v.) (1851). To read the
street pastry cook ; pannum-struck, paper, to excuse oneself for taking a
starving (1567). nap see Doss. See Shave and Spot.
:

Panny. 1. The highway (1754). Paper - building. Paper - build-

2. A house, public or otherwise also, ; ings, slight, wooden, or old (B. E.).
apartments, rooms, lodgings. Hence Paper - maker. A rag
-
gatherer,
flash-panny, (a) a brothel and (b) a ; gutter-raker Fr., chiffortin.
:

public-house used by thieves (Grose). Paper - man. An

officer who,
3. A burglary : also penny -
lay. being employed on the staff, is not
Hence, panny-man, a housebreaker ; available for regimental duty.
to do a panny, to rob a house (Grose). Paper-marriage. A Society
Pantables. To stand upon one's wedding. [The fees are paid in bank-
pantables, to stand upon dignity, notes.]
assert one's position. [Pantables Paper-mill, The. The Record
pantoufle slipper]. (1580). Office of the Court of King's Bench.
Pantagruelian. An artist in life. Paper-scull. A fool hence paper :

[From Pantagruel, the title character sculled, foolish, silly (1696).

of Rabelais.] Paper - stainer. An author, or
Panter. 1. The hart. [Because clerk in
contempt.
:

said (in Psalms) to pant after the Pap-feeder. A spoon.

fresh water brooks] (1696). 2. The Pap - head. A woman's nipple,
heart also, in pi.,
: the paps :
FT., the cherrylet (q.v.) (1530).
Saint-ciboire, battant (beater), fressure Paphian. A prostitute. [Paphos
(pluck or fry) ; palpitant ; It, salsa a city in Cyprus sacred to Venus].
(sauce) (1725). Papier.See Poplar.
Pants. Short for pataloons: also Pap-mouth. An effeminate man.
panteys and (colloquial) pantalettes. Papoose. A child, kid (q.v.).
Pantile. 1. A hat. 2. A flat [Of Indian origin.] (1634).
cake covered with jam. 3. A biscuit. Par. 1. Gold and silver at
As adj., dissenting. proportion (B. E.). 2. An abl
Pantiler. A
Dissenter minister tion of paragraph.
or layman. Parade. To burn the parade,
Pantler. A butler, pantry - man warn more men for guard than
(1598). necessary, and excusing the super-
Panupetaston. A loose overcoat numeraries for money. ... A practice
with wide sleeves. formerly winked at in most garrisons,
Pap. 1. The emoluments of office a perquisite to the adjutants and
salaries, fees, perquisites. 2. Paper :
sergeant majors ; the pretence for it
specifically paper money, or soft (q.v.). was to purchase coal and candle for
3. (a) A nipple, (6) a breast (1390). 4. the guard, whence it was called burn-
Father, pop (q.v.). 5. Bread sauce ing the parade.
(1785). To give pap with a hatchet, Parader. 1. A person of good
to chastise, do an unkindness, treat figureand address employed to walk
unhandsomely (1589). Mouth full up and down in front of, or inside
of pap, still childish (1785). shop a shop-walker cf. Barker. 2.
; :

324
 Paradise. Particular.

A person or thing that by challenging iron, which happens to be in use, for

attention acts as a foil or set-off the purpose of opening the collar seam.
(1748). Parlour. Out of the parlour into
Paradise. 1. The gallery of a the kitchen, from better to worse ; out
theatre, the gods (q.v.) : Fr., paradis. of God's blessing into the warm sun
2. Agrove of trees outside St. John's (1598). Parlour full of razors, claret
College, Oxford. Fool's paradise, a with seltzer or lemonade see Drinks. :

state of fancied security, enjoyment, Parlour-jumping. Robbing rooms :

etc. 1528). To have (or get ) a penn'orth

( specifically by window - entry : see
of paradise, to take a drink, esp. gin : Jump.
see Screwed. Parnel. See Panel.
Paralysed. Drunk see Screwed. : P a r n e e (or Paunee). Rain.
Paralytic - fit
(or stroke). A Dowry parney, plenty of rain.
of
badly fitting garment that fits where Pawnee-game, water-drinking.
it touches. Parrot (or Parroteer). A talka-
Param. Milk: also Yarum (1573). tive person, esp. one given to mechan-
Parcel. The day's winnings, a ical repetition. As verb, to chatter,
pocket-book. repeat mechanically. Parrotry, servile
Parcel-bawd. One whose employ- imitation parrot - lawyer, a solicitor
;

ment partly that of bawd.

was obsequious to a client's Yea and Nay
[Parcel, part as parcel - gilt, partly-
:
(1612). See Almond.
gilt.] (1603). Parson. A
wayside sign-post
Pard. A partner, chum (q.v.). (q.v.) (1785). As
verb, (1) to marry ;
Parenthesis. pi., pair of In a (2) to church (after child-delivery).
bandy legs. Wooden parenthesis, a Whence parsoned, married or church-
pillory (1785). Iron parenthesis, a ed married and parsoned, duly and
;

prison see Cage.

: To have one's nose legally married. To kiss the parson's
(or bowsprit) in parenthesis, to have it wfe, to be lucky in horse - flesh
pulled (Grose). (1785). Remember Parson Mullum !
Parings. Clippings of money Pray drink about, sir (1676). Mary-
(1696). land parson, a disreputable cleric.
Parish. His stockings belong to Parson Palmer. stops One who
two parishes, odd, mis-paired (1785). the circulation of the glass, by preach-
Parish - bull (prig, or stallion). ing over his liquor, as it is said was
A parson see Devil-dodger.
: done by a parson of that name whose
Parish-lantern. The moon, Oliver cellar was under his pulpit (Grose).
(q.v.). noom (q.v.): Fr., cafarde (tell- Parson's barn. A barn never so
tale), cymbale, luisante (or luisarde) full but there is room for more.

grosse lentille, moucharde, pdlote, and Parson's -journeyman. A

pair. curate (1785).
Parish - soldier. A militia-man : Parson 's-nose. A chicken's rump :

from substitutes being frequently cf. Pope's nose and Pope's-eye Fr., :

hired by the parish. bonnet d'eveque. Parson's leman: see

Park. 1. prison see Cage.A 2. : Tender.
The rules or privileged circuit round Parson's Week. The period from
the King's Bench or Fleet the park :
Monday to Saturday (1800).
is well stocked when many prisoners Part. To pay, restore, give :

have obtained the rules. 3. A back hence parter, a paymaster, good or

yard, a strip of town-garden. bad : cf. a fool and his money are
Parkey (or Parky). Cold, uncom- soon parted (Tusser, 1573).
fortable as when sleeping in the open.
: Particular. A favourite mistress :

Park - railings (or palings). 1. Fr., also (generally) a

particuliere :

The teeth see Grinders. 2. The neck

:
special choice ; e.g. to ride one's own
of mutton. particular, to a glass of one's par-
Parleyvoo. The conventional ticular, Particular Jesse see Jesse. :

school study and use of the French London particular (or London ivy), a
language. As verb, to speak French, thick yellow or black fog, the product
talk gibberish (1837). of certain atmospheric conditions and
Parliamentary-press. An old cus- carbon formerly peculiar to London,
:

tom, among tailors, of claiming any now common in most large manufao
325
 Parti et. P<il1er.

tuning cities situated near water and Hence, full in tht patterns, thick-
lying low (1832). ankled (1700).
Partlet A woman (1598). Pasty. A bookbinder. As adj.,
Partner. See Sleeping partner. out of sorts, angry, off colour (q.v.).
Partridge. A whore : cf. Plover. Pat. An Irishman also Pat- :

Party. A person, individual lander. As adj. and adv., apt, con-

(1542). venient, suitable, timely, exactly to
- roll the purpose (1592).
Party (Winchester College).
A list of boys going home together : Patch. A saucy fellow, fool.
see Peal Primarily, the domestic jester. Hence
Pass. To
to understand, have
fail cross-patch, an ill-natured fool as in :

no concern I pass, I don't

in :
e.g.
the children's rhyme Cross-patch, :

know what you are driving at. [From draw the latch, Sit by the fire and
euchre.] To pass (or hand) in one's spin (1579). Not a patch upon, not
chips (or checks), to die : see Hop the to compare to.

twig : from adjusting one's accounts Patchey. The harlequin, spangle-

at poker. To pass the time of day, to maker (q.v.).
salute. To pass the compliment, to Pate. The head almost always :

offer (or give) a douceur, tip. in derision: see Crumpet (1604).

Passage - at - arms. A squabble, Patent-coat. An inside skirt coat
row. pocket.
Passenger. An oar who, from Patent-digester. Brandy.
incompetence or accident, is unable Patent Frenchman. An Irish-
to do his share of the work. To wake man.
up the wrong passenger, to mistake Patent-inside (or outside).
one's man, commit an error of judg- A newspaper printed on
the inside
ment in regard to character, action, (or outside) only, the unprinted space
or motive. [From transcontinental being intended for local news, ad-
travel.] (1855). vertisements, etc.
Passions. See Pocket. Patent Safeties (The). The
P a s s y. Severe of a master : First Life Guards. Also The Cheeses,
(Christ's Hospital). [That is passion- The Piccadilly Butchers, and The
ate, Blanch.] Now obsolete ; the Tin Bellies.
modern equivalent is vish (q.v.). Pater-cove. See Patrico.
Past. Past complaining, mur- Paternoster. A fishing-line with
dered. Colloquialisms are past be- hooks and shot at regular intervals.
lieving, incredible; past praying for, [As beads on a rosary] (1849). Deyff$
hopeless past-master (or mistress),
;
paternoster, a muttering, grumbling :

an adept ; past whooping, undeniable, a profane expletive (1383). Ape' a

beyond question ; past-price, invalu- paternoster see Ape.
: In a pater-
able (1602). noster while, quickly, in a jiffey (q.v.).
Paste. Brains. [From paste [While one could say a paternoster.]
and scissors : in sarcasm.] As verb, (1362).
to beat, thrash, slap the face right Patience on a monument. A
and left. [From bill-sticking]. Hence, long-suffering person.
pasting, a drubbing (1851). Patrico. A vagabond, unfrocked
Paste and - scissors. Extracts,
-
priest, hedge-priest (q.v.) : also pairi-
padding as distinguished from orig-
:
arck-co, patricove, pattering-cove, and
inal matter. pater-cove (1536).
Pasteboard. 1. A playing card Pattens. To run on pattens, to
(1857). 2. A
visiting card: also as clatter, talk nineteen to the dozen
verb (or to shoot, or drop, one's paste- (1575).
board), to leave a visiting card at a P;a 1 1 e
Originally muttering
r.

person's house (1849). (of paternosters) : hence, talk of any

Pasteboard - customer. A cus- kind, but specifically (1) the incon-
tomer taking long credit. sequent orations of cheap jacks (q.v.),
Paste-horn. The note see Conk : : buskers (q.v.), showmen. (2) The
hence Old paste-horn, a large-nosed dialect or cant of a class. Hence also
man. '

patter, a piece of street literature,

Pastern. A foot : see Creepers. pin-up (q.v.); slum (q.v.). Hence,
326
 Patter an. Peach.

paUerer, a vendor of street literature : P a w - p a w. Naughty. Hence

with running- pa tterer (or stationer) :
paw-paw words, obscene expressions ;

obsolete since police control of traffic. paw-paw tricks, (1) wantonness; (2)
As adj. and verb, whence to patter (of children, by nurses), tiresome
flash, to talk slang or cant ; to flash pranks.
the patter, to talk, esp. to talk slang ; to Pax (Winchester College). An
stand (or be in for) the patter, (thieves') intimate friend. [Wrench Possibly :

to stand for trial ; humbox-patterer, a the plural of pack, which word has an
parson. English synonyms to cackle, : extended use in reference to friendship
to cant, to chin, to chinwag, to chip, ... as adj., subs., and vb. This . . .

to chirp, to chow, to chuck it out, to seems a more likely origin than the
clack, to confab, to crack, to cut, Pax of the Church.] As intj., Keep
to Duke of York (rhyming, to talk), to quiet Hands off
! Also Have pax t!

flam, to flummox by the lip, to gabble, [ Wrench Almost the pure Latin use of
:

to give lip, to jabber, to jaw, to jaw- the word.]

hawk, to jerk chin-music, to ladle, to Pay. To beat, punish, serve out,
Up, to lip-labour, to mag, to mang, to pitch into generally with out also to
: :

pipe, to rap, to slam, to slang, to voker, pay home (or away). Hence payment,
to waffle, to wag the red rag, to warble chastisement (1785). To pay away, ( 1 )
(1360). As verb, (1) to talk ; (2) to to go on, proceed: as with a narra-
eat. tion or action. (2) To fight manfully
Patteran. A gipsy trail made by (Qrose). (3) To eat voraciously (Grose).
throwing down a handful of grass. To pay with a hook, to steal ; cf Hook : .

Patter-cove. See Patrico. see Prig. Colloquialisms are : To pay

Patter-crib. A lodging-house or old scores, to get even ; to pay one in
inn frequented by thieves, flash- his own coin, to give tit for tat ; to
panny (q.v.). pay the last debt (or the debt of nature),
Paul. To go to Paul's (or West- to die ; What's to pay ? what's the
minster), for a wife, to go whoring. matter ; to pay up and look pretty (or
[Hattiwell Old St. Paul's was in for-
:
big), to accept the inevitable with
mer times a favourite resort for pur- grace. See also Deuce, Devil, Foot-
poses of business, amusement, loung- ing, Fiddler, Nose, Pepperidge, Piper,
ing, or assignations ; bills were fixed up Rent, Scores, Shot, and Whistle.
there, servants hired, and a variety P.O. A mixture used in adulterat-
of matters performed wholly in- ing pepper. [A contraction of pepper
consistent with the sacred nature of dust.]
the edifice.] Hence Paul's walkers, P. D. Q. Pretty damned quick.
loungers ; as well known as Paul's,
-
Pea. The favourite, the choice.
notorious (1598). See also Old, Peter, [From thimble -
rigging :
e.g. this is
Pigeon. the pea I choose.]
Paul Pry. An inquisitive man : Peacemaker. 1. In pi., The Bed-
from Poole's comedy (1825). fordshire Regiment, formerly The
Paunch. To eat (1564). Sixteenth Foot. [From Surinaam
Paunch -
guts. A fat-bellied man, in 1804 to Chitral in 1895 the Bedford-
jelly-belly (q.v.): see Forty -guts. shires missed all chances of active
P a v. The Pavilion Music Hall :
service.] 2. A revolver see Meat in :

cf. Met. the pot.

Paved. To have one's mouth Peach. 1. A detective specifically :

paved, to be hard of mouth (1708). one employed by omnibus and (for-

Pavement. See Nymph. merly) by stage coach proprietors
Pa vior's -workshop. The street to check receipts. 2. A girl or young
(Grose). woman of pleasing parts cf. Plum. ;

Paw. The hand. Forepaw, the As verb, to inform, betray, split (q.v.),
hand ; hind-paw, the foot ; paw-cases, round on [From impeach.]
(q.v.).
gloves. As verb, to handle roughly Hence an informer (Grose).
peacher,
or obscenely (1605).
English synonyms to bust, blow the:

Pawn. To steal away and leave gaff, cast up accounts, cackle, castell,
him or them to pay the reckoning crab, crack, clipe, chirp, come it,
(D. E.). hedgehog, dick, inkle, leak, let on,
Pawnee. See Parney. let out, lip, make a long, nose,
327
 Peacock. Ped-beUy.

give the office, put away, put up, terested persons get the management
put a down on, be rusty, ruck on, of his property, it is said, They're
round on, scream, snap, snitch, makin' a bonny peaae - kill o't A
stag, squeal, squeak, split, tip, law-suit is said to be a pease-kill for
tip the wink, whiddle, whittle the lawyers (Jamiesan).
(1362). Peas - field. To go into the peat-
Peacock. 1. A gull. 2. A horse field, to fall asleep : see Balmy.
with action cf. peacock-horse, a horse
: Peat 1. A delicate person : esp. a
with a showy mane and tail. Hence, young girl. 2. (ironically) A spoilt
peacocky, showy ; as verb, (1) to dis- favourite (1578).
play (as a peacock its tail), to put Pea - time. In the last of pea-
on war-paint or side ; (2) to make a time (or picking), in decline of yean,
formal call. hard - up, passe. Pea-time i pott,
Peacockengine. A locomotive
- dead, ruined, gone beyond recall.
with a separate tender for coals and Pebble. My pebble*, a familiar
water. address.
Pea- (or peak-) goose. A silly Pebbly-beached. Without means,
fellow : a general term of reproach stony-broke (q.v.); high - and - dry
(1570). (q.v.). Hence to tight (or land on) a
Peak. 1. Lace (1696). 2. The pebbly beach, to be face to face with
nose : see Conk. ruin ; to pebble beach, to suck dry,
Peak-goose. See Pea-goose. clean out : see Dead-broke.
Peaking. Remnants of cloth : Pec (Eton College :
obsolete).
cf. Makings and Cabbage. Money : see Rhino. [From Latin
Peal (Winchester
obsolete). 1. :
pecunia.]
A custom in Commoners of singing P e c c a v i. An acknowledgment
out comments on Prefects at Cloister- of offence, mistake, or defeat To cry
time (q.v.). 2. Cheers given on the peccavi, to confess to wrong-doing or
last three Sundays of the Half for failure.[Latin, I have sinned.] (1578).
articles of dress, etc., connected with Peck (or Pek). 1. Food of any

going home, such as Gomer hate (q.v.), kind, grub (q.v.), a meal, feed also :

Party rolls (q.v.), etc. 3. Chapel peckage. Hence, -

ruff peck (q.v.),
bells which were divided into peals. bacon ; peck and boose, meat and
\Hattiwdl, a noise or uproar cf. : drink: rum-peck (q.v.), good -eating ;
M. E. apel, an old term in hunting- grunting - peck, pork ; off one's peck,
music consisting of three long moots.] without appetite, off one's feed
As verb, to scold (1785). (1567). 2. See Racing-peck. As
Pealer. A very energetic person, verb, (1) to eat (1536) ; (2) to pitch,
rustler (q.v.), hummer (q.v.). See throw (1856).
Peeler. Peck-alley. The throat; gutter-
Peanut - politics. Secret tactics. alley (q.v.).
The pea - nut buries its pods after Pecker. 1. The appetite. Hence,
flowering, a process by which the a good (or rare) pecker, a hearty eater.
nuts are ripened.] 2. Courage, spirits, good cheer: e.g.
Pear. To draw
supplies from Keep your pecker up, be of good heart
both sides as from the police for
:
(1853).
information, and from thieves for Peckham. To have (or spend) a
a warning. Pear - making, bounty holiday at Peckham, to have nothing
jumping (1785). to eat Going to Peckham, going to
Pea -
rigger (or Pea-man). See dinner (1823).
Thimble-rigger. Peckish. Hungry ( 1 785).

Pearl. To make a pearl on the Peculiar. 1. A belonging. 2.

nail, todrink (1767). mistress (1647).
Pearlies. In pi., pearl buttons : Peculiar Institution. Negro
sewn down the sides of coster trousers. slavery the peculiar domestic in-
Peas. As like a* two peas, as like stitution of the Southern States.
as may be. Ped. 1. A basket (1579). 2. A
Pease - kill. To make a pease- professional walker or runner.
kill, to squander lavishly e.g. when :
Ped-belly. A fat man or woman,
a man's affairs go wrong and in- corporation (q.v.).
328
 Pedescript. Pdican State.

Pedescript. Bruises from kicks add (or drive) a peg (or nail) into one's
(1659). coffin, to drink hard to go a peg lower,
;

Pedestrian Digits. The legs. to drink to excess ; a peg too low, (1)
Pedlar's French. 1. Cant, or the drunk ; (2) low - spirited pegger, a ;

language of thieves and vagabonds. persistent drinker, nipster (q.v.)(1821).

2. Any unintelligible jargon ; also 2. A
blow : spec, (old boxers') a straight
St. Giles' Greek (q.v.). [French and drive in the pit of the stomach see :

Greek here unintelligible.] (1530). Dig and Wipe. Whence pegging, a

Pedlar 's-news. Stale news, stereo :
beating (1600). 3. A
foot or leg also :

also piper's (mung- or tinker's) news. -

cribbage pegs see Creepers.
: 4. A
Pedlar's -pony (horse, or pad). tooth. 5. A
shilling; a bob (q.v.):
A walking-stick a Penang-lawyer ; see Rhino. 6. A
step, degree. Hence
(q.v.), waddy (q.v.). to take down a peg, to humiliate ; to
Peel. To undress, strip (1785). hoist a peg higher, to advance (1625).
Hence naked : see Nature's
peeled, 7. A text, excuse (1791). 8. A diminu-
garb. To peel it, to run at full speed. tive of Margaret : also Peggy. As
To peel eggs, to stand on ceremony. verb, (1) to drive (1819) ; (2) to throw
See Keep. at cocks at Shrovetide (B. E.). (3) to
Peeler. 1. policeman. A
[First beat ; (4) to drink frequently, tipple ;
applied to the Royal Irish Con- (5) (Stock Exchange), to fix a market
stabulary established bv Sir Robert price, and prevent fluctuation by
Peel, when Irish Secretary (1812-18), buying all that is offered at it, thus
and subsequently, for similar reasons debarring lower quotations ; or, selling
(1828-39), to the Metropolitan Police.] all that the market will take at it, thus
2. One ready to strip for the combat. preventing higher quotations (6) to ;

3. A very energetic person, ripper run cf. To peg away.

: To peg away
(q.v.). Sir Peeler, a poverty-striking (at or on), (1) to work persistently,
crop (1557). put in licks (q.v.): Fr., otter son petit
Peep. 1. To speak. 2. To sleep bonhomme de chemin hence pegging, :

(1696). plodding (1749) ; To peg

(2) to fight.
Peeper. 1. A spy-glass. 2. The into, to hit, let drive (1834). To peg
eye. 3. In pi., a pair of spectacles. out, (1) to die: see Hop the twig; (2)
Hence painted peepers (or peepers in to be ruined, quisby (q.v.). To be
mourning), black eyes (1656). Eng- pegged out, to be notorious. On the
lish synonyms bunkers, daylights,
:
peg, (1) under arrest, roosted (q.v.);
glaziers, glims, mutton-pies (rhyming), (2) under stoppage of pay, fined. To
ogles, optics, sees, winkers. 4. A put on the peg, to pull oneself up (or
looking-glass (1696). Single peeper, a together), be careful as of drink, :

one-eyed man (1785). behaviour, etc. There are always

Peeping. A peeping Tom, an more round pegs than round holes, there
inquisitive Paul Pry (q.v.).
person, are always more candidates than
[From the Coventry Legend.] places. Old peg, poor hard Suffolk
Peep-o' -day-boy. A street roister or Yorkshire Cheese (Orose).
[Regency]. Pegasus. To break Pegasus' s
Peepsies. The pan-pipes. neck, to write halting verse (1728).
Peepy. Drowsy, sleepy. To go to P e g S 7' A
slender poker, dis-
peepy (or peep-) by, to sleep. posedly bent at right angles for the
P e e r y (or Peerie).
Suspicious, purpose of raking the fire : cf. Rector
knowing, sharp-looking.
sly, As verb, and Curate.
to look about suspiciously (1665). Peg - leg. A wooden legged man
Peety. Cheerful (1726). or woman.
Pee-wee. A
small marble. Peg Puff. An old young woman :

Peg. 1. A dram, drink, go (q.v.) : cf. Old ewe dressed lamb-fashion.

specifically (in India), a brandy-and- Pegtops. In pi., trousers :

very
soda. In the 16th century peg- wide at the hips and narrowing down
tankards held two quarts, divided by to a tight-fit at the ankles (1859).
seven pegs or pins, one above the Peg Trantum. Gone to Peg Tran-
other, into
eight equal portions. tum's, dead : see Hop the twig.
Hence, to drink to pegs, to drink the Pek. See Peck.
draught marked in a peg tankard ; to Pelican State. Louisiana. [From
329
 Pell-mell. Penny -hop.

itearmorial bearings, the bird being Pen - driver. A clerk or writer :

common in the State.] cf. Quill-driver.

Pell-mell. In confusion, higgledy- Pen -
gun (Penguin). A talka-
piggledy (1696). Also as suba. and tive person :
esp. of small stature. To
verb (1591). crack like a pen-gun, to chatter.
Pelt. 1. A harry hence to pelt
: Peninsular. A veteran of the
(or go full pelt), to go as hard or as fast Peninsular war.
as A
may be. 2. rage, passion, blow : Pennif . A five pound note ; a
also pdter. As verb, to be violently finnup (q.v.).
angry ; pelting (or out for a pdter), very Penniless Bench. Poverty. On
angry, passionate (1594). 3. The the penniless bench, poverty stricken ;
skin (1694). 4. A
miser, stingy fellow : Pierce Penniless, an embodiment of
also pdter (1552). 5. Clothes ; some- impecunioRity : cf.Poverty Corner
times in pi. : spec, garments made of (1579).
peltry, the furs of beasts (1567). As Penny. 1.
Money in general,
verb, (1) see subs. ; (2) to sew thickly. oof (q.v.). Hence, a pretty penny, a
Pelter. 1. A
heavy shower: hence large sum: see Rhino (1362). 2. A
a rain of missiles. 2. Anything large, cent Various colloquial usages ob-
whopper (q.v.). 3. A pistol. tain :
e.g. A penny for your thoughts,
Pelting. Mean, paltry, contempt- a call to persons in a brown study
ible (1570). (q.v.); at first penny, at first bid or
Peltis-hole. A term of reproach : offer ; dean as a penny, (1) very clean,
of women (1500). and (2) completely ; not a penny to
P e m p e (Winchester), An ima- bless onesdf with, very poor ; penny or
ginary object in search of which a paternoster, pay or prayers, love or
newcomer is sent cf. Pigeon's milk,:
money cf. Money or marbles (Gas-
:

Strap-oil, Squad umbrella, etc. [From coigne) to think one's penny silver, to
;

pempe moron proteroy, send the fool have a good opinion of oneself to ;

farther.] turn an honest penny, to earn money

Pen. 1. A prison, penitentiary :
honestly to turn (or get) a penny, to
;

see Cage. 2. A saucy man with a make money, to endeavour to live

sharp nose. 3. A three- penny piece (Dryden) penny wise and pound
;

knight of the pen, an author or foolish, careful in small matters and

journalist. extravagant in large ones (Grose) ;

Penance- board. The pillory penny plain or twopence coloured, said

(1696). of things varying in quality.] (1510).
Pen - and - ink. A stink. Also as Penny-a-liner. A writer of para-
verb. graphs at the rate of a penny a line
Penang -
lawyer. A species of (or some such small sum), a literary
palm imported from Penang for walk- hack :
FT., ecrivain de ferblanc. Hence,
ing-sticks. They are small and hard, penny-a-linerism (1840).
and have a portion of the root-stock Penny - boy. :A boy who haunted
attached, which is left to form the the cattle markets on the chance of
handle. [Probably a corruption of driving beasts to the slaughter-house,
Penang liyar, the wild areca.] an ankle-beater (q.v.). [They were
Penbank. A beggar's can (1728). paid a penny per head.]
Pencil - fever. A disease amongst Penny-dreadful (or awful).
race-horses, generally preceded by A sensational story, newspaper, or
milking (q.v.). When a horse has been print. [Published at a penny.] See
milked to the utmost, and can no Awful, Blood - and - thunder, and
longer, in spite of marketeers (q.v.), Shilling Shocker.
be kept at a short price, his true con- Penny -father -
(or Peni father) .
dition gets known, pencil-fever seta in, A miser, niggard (1551).
and every layer is anxious to pencil Penny-gaff. A low-class theatre
his namein his betting-book, i.e. lay or music-hall. [The charge for ad-
against him as a safe or stiff 'un (q.v.). mission being a penny or two.] Also
Also Milk-fever and Market-fever. penny-room and dukey.
Whence penciller, a book-maker also :
Penny - hop. A country dancing
knight of the pencil ; and pencilling club. [Each person paid a penny to
fraternity, the world of bookmakers. the fiddler.]
330
 Penny-lattice-house. Perks.

Penny - lattice - house. A low (a) forcible or rigorous attack, and

ale-house : see Lush-crib and Red- (b)a hot- tempered, active, or violent
lattice. person ; peppering, a fierce attack :

Penny -
poet. A reproach ; a as adj. (peppering or peppery), angry
gutter rhymster (1601). and peppered, badly hurt, or hurt to
Penny-pots. Pimples on the face the death (see Pipped) (1589). (4)
of a hard drinker. to mark in the accents of a Greek
Penny -
royal. Poor, common, exercise. (5) To humbug, gammon
inferior. (q.v.) : to throw pepper in the
also
Penny - starver (or buster). A eyes (or use the pepper-box).
to To
penny roll, or bun. have (or take) pepper in the nose, to
-
Penny wedding. Wedding ban- be testy, offend quickly, get angry :
quets in Scotland, to which a number Fr., la moutarde lui monte au nez ( 1362).
of persons were invited, each of whom Pepper - and - salt.
Light grey,
paid a small sum of money not ex- mingled black and white :
applied to
ceeding a shilling. After defraying fabrics (1843).
the expenses of the feast, the residue Pepper - box. A revolver. The
went to the newly-married pair, to Pepper-boxes (or Castors), domes or
aid in furnishing their house. Abol- cupolas specifically
: the National
ished in 1645 (Brewer). Gallery in Trafalgar Square, but
Penny-weight. A thief who applied to any dome-shaped building :

devotes his attention to jewellery cf. Boilers (1855). See Pepper.

robberies. Pepperidge. To pay the pepperidge,
Penny - white. Said of her to to pay one's footing (q.v.) as a school :

whom fortune has been kinder than boy has to pepperidge his mates when
nature (B. E.). he puts on a new suit of clothes.
Pennyworth (or Penn 'orth). Pepper's Dragoons. The Eighth
One's money's-worth, a right equiva- Hussars.
lent, what's owing and more: a good P e p s t. Drunk : see Screwed
pennyworth, a royal bargain: cf. (1577).
Robin Hood's pennyworth ; to cast Perambulator. A costermonger.
pennyworths, to count the cost (1534). Perch. A high seat, resting place.
Pensioner (University Cam- : To drop (hop or fall) off (or tip over)
bridge). One who pays a pension or the perch, to die: see Hop the twig:
rent for rooms in College at Oxford :
(also to perch 1594). To knock off the
ajjCommoner (q.v.). perch, to upset, defeat, do for (q.v.).
fePent (The). Pentonville Prison: P e r c h e r (Winchester College).
seeiCage. A Latin cross laid horizontally against
P[e nthouse-nab. A broad- the name of an absentee on any roll.
brimmed hat : see Golgotha (1696). Perfect-lady. A prostitute.
Penwiper. A handkerchief see :
PerfectlyDemmy. Stylishly dressed.
Fogle. fr?\ Perform. Tocarry out a design
P e o p 1'e. Any sort of allies or (generally a dishonest one), play,
connections' racial, parental, hired, work. To perform on a flat, to cozen
voluntary :!with or without the pos- a fool.
sessive. At Harrow, relations or Perger. See Purger.
visitors : I've got people coming down Pericranium (or Peri crane). The
(1300). head or skull.
Pepper. Vigorous or persistent Perished. Starved with cold :

action. |B As verb, chastise

(1) to hence, collapsed, as from fear or
desperately by word or deed ; (2) to pain.
pain or inconvenience or punish as : Perisher.1. A short-tailed coat,
a pugilist by blows, cannon by shot, or jacket. A consummation, extreme.
2.
a whore by infection ; (3) violent and Periwinkle (or Perriwinkle).
ardent motion :
e.g. pelting rain, A wig : a corruption of periwig :
Fr.,
heavy betting, or (in skipping) when panoufle, gazon, boubane.
the turn of the rope is increased from a Perks. Perquisites. To perk up,
slow pace to salt (q.v.), and then to (1) to plume oneself, adorn (1601). (2)
the quickest possible, or pepper (Fr., To recover from sickness (1696).
du vinaigre) derivatives are pepperer,
: Board of Perks, Board of Works.
331
 Perkin. Peter Collins.

Perkin. 1. Weak cider or perry Also peat. As verb, to fondle

(Grow). 2. Beer. [From Barclay, (1529).
Perkin & Co.] Petard. Hoist with a' petard (or
Perking. A pert, forward, Billy caught in one's own trap, in-
petar),
fellow. As adj., peering, inquisitive. volved in danger meant for others
Pernel. See Panel. (1596).
Pernicated. Swaggering, full of Pete Jenkins. An auxiliary
side (q.v.). clown. [The original Pete Jenkins
Pernickity (or Pernicketty). (c. 1855) had a line of business (q.v.) :
Fastidious, over-particular. he planted rustics in the audience, and
Perpendicular. A stand-up lunch, played them thence.]
evening party where the majority Peter. LA
portmanteau, box,
of the gueste stand, upright position. trunk, bag, or purse generic for
:

Persimmon. A species of wild any parcel, bundle, or package, large

plum ; in America as common, south or small. Whence peter -biter (daimer,
of latitude 42, as is the blackberry or man), a carriage thief ; peter-drag
in England. Its fruit and hard wood (hunting, or lay), robbery from
are much esteemed. The huckle- vehicles of all kinds ; peter-hunting
berry is akin to the whortleberry. jemmy, a small crow-bar used in
Among popular phrases are To rake, :
smashing the chains securing luggage
up the persimmons, to pocket the to a vehicle (1724). 2. A punishment
stakes or spoils, to rake (or pull) in the cell see Box.
: 3. A partridge. 4.
the longest pole gets (or See Peter-see- me. 5. A knavish mode
pieces (q.v.);
knock*) the most persimmons, the of handling dice. As verb, (1) to
best man wins, the strongest party whist) for trumps by discard-
call (in
gains the day [the persimmon tree ing an unnecessarily high card see :

sometimes attains to 60 ft.] ; the Blue-peter ; (2) to cease word or deed,

persimmon is above the huckleberry,
a confession of inferiority ; not a
huckleberry to one's persimmon, not
comparable that's persimmon (or all
; To go
persimmon), that's fine.
Perspire. To melt away, vanish.
Persuader. 1. A pistol, revolver,
spur, digger (q.v.), jemmy (q.v.) or
other burglar's tool 2. The tongue
(Grose).
Persuading - plate. An iron disk
used in forcing safes it revolves on
a pivot,
point.
and is fitted with a cutting
stow it (q.v.) ; (3) to run up prices :
see Peter Funk. As intj., an oath.
To peter out, to fail, become exhausted.
pass) through St. Peter"
(or
needle, to be severely disciplined :
of children. To rob (or borrow from)
Peter to pay (or clothe) Paul, to take
of one to give to another, manoeuvre
the apostles (q.v.). [John Thirleby,
the first and only bishop of West-
minster (1541-50), having wasted the
:
partimony allotted by the King (Hen.

Pert. Impudent. Pert end up,

vni.) for the support of the see was
translated to Norwich, and with him
ended the bishopric of St. Peter'a,
I
in good spirits, cheerful. Westminster (Haydn, Dignities).
Perthshire Greybreeks (The). The lands of Westminster were so
The 2nd Batt. Cameronian (Scottish delapidated by Bishop Thirlby that
Rifles) formerly the 90th (Perthshire
: there was almost nothing to support
Volunteers) Regiment of Foot the dignity. They were invaded by
Per Usual. See Usual. the great men of the Court, and the
Pesky. Troublesome, plaguy. rest laid out for reparation to the
As adv., excessively. Church of St. Paul, pared almost to
Pester. A trouble, bother. the very quick in those days of rapine.
Pestle. 1. A constable's staff. From hence came first that significant
2. A leg : cf Pestle of pork, long and
.
byeword (as is said by some) of
still in vogue (1529). See Knight. robbing Peter to pay Paul (Heylin).
Pestle-head. A blockhead. Peter Collins. A gentleman
Pet. An
angry mood, tantrum,
1. never to be found, on whom young
fling of temper (1648). Hence, to aspirants are told to call. The youth
be petted, to take offence. 2. A issent from roof to cellar, and, finally
generally let down a trap and
also in sarcasm. [Occa- is left
darling :

sionally, a delicate young thing.] to get out as best he can. The pass-
332
 Peter Funk. Philistine.

word at circuses is the green-handled to contract and hollow the palm for
rake, which the youth is requested the reception of a gratuity.]
to ask for. He is generally settled Pewter. Generic for money :

with a pill of horse-dung when they specifically prize-money : see Rhino

have had enough of him. (1842).
Peter Funk. 1. A decoy at a w
P e y. Enclosed by fences so as
mock auction ; also, at genuine but to form small fields.
petty sales, a runner up of prices ;
- Pharaoh. 1. A corruption of faro
a puffer (q.v.). 2. The personification (1732). 2. A strong ale or beer:
of petty deceit and humbug. also Old Pharaoh (1685). One of
Peter - Grievous. A fretful child. Pharaoh's lean kine, a thin, spare
Peter-Gunner. An amateur gun, person one who looks (a) as though
:

plasterer (q.v.) (1614). he'd run away from a bone-house ;

Peter Lug. A laggard in drink- or (6) as if he were walking about to
ing (1696). save his funeral expenses (1598).
Peter-man. A fisherman 1. : Pheasant. 1. A wanton. Hence
specifically those formerly usedwho pheasantry, a brothel. 2. See Bil-
unlawful engines in catching fish in lingsgate-pheasant.
the river Thames
(1605). Peter-boat, Pheeze (Pheaze, Feaze, or Feize).
a fishing-boat specifically one built
: To chastise (1579).
sharp, bow and stern, for quick Philadelphia - catechism. The
handling. [In allusion to Math. iv. couplet Six days shalt thou labour,
:

18.] 2. See Peter. and do all thou art able, And on the
Peter - see - me. A Spanish wine. seventh holystone the decks and
[From Sp., Pedra Ximenes, the famous scrape the cable.
cardinal.] Also Peter, Peter-sa-mene, Philadelphia - lawyer. A smart
and Peter-semine (1617). attorney: hence, to puzzle (be as
Petman. The smallest pig in a smart as, beat, or know as much as) a
Philadelphia lawyer, to be a paragon
-
litter,tantony-pig (q.v.).
Petronel. Sir Petronel Flash, a of shrewdness.
swaggerer, penniless ruffler, boaster, Philander. To flirt, spoon (q.v.),
braggadochio. wanton of both sexes.
: As subs, (or
Petticoat. A woman : also as philanderer), a lover : specifically a
adj. Hence, petticoat-affair, a matter dangler after women (1619).
with a woman in it
petticoat-govern- ; Philip. A policeman. As intj.,
ment, female home rule ; petticoat- -
a^warning. Hence, PhUiper, a thief's
hold, a life interest in a wife's estate ; accomplice.
petticoat-led, infatuated of a woman Philip and Cheiney. Any and
1607). every one, Tom, Dick, and Harry
Petticoat Lane. Middlesex (q.v.).(1542).
Street, E. a well-known rendezvous
:
Philippi. To meet at PhUippi, to
of old-clothes dealers, mostly Jews. keep an appointment without fail.
In Yiddish, Pilomet, the initials (in [Cf. 'Julius Caesar,' iv. iii., where the
Hebrew) P. L. Also Dover Street, ghost of J. C. so delivers itself to
Piccadilly, the seat of the Court Brutus.]
milliner. Philistia. The region of the un-
Pettifogger. An attorney of the enlightened or commonplace speci- :

baser sort, sharking lawyer. Hence
(generally), one given to mean or
underhand practices. As verb, to
conduct business in a sharp or paltry
way (1576).
Petty. A scholar low in the
school (1692).
Pew. A
place of abode (or busi-
ness), crib : see Diggings. Formerly
a box at a theatre see Room.
Pew-opener's Muscle.
fically (Matthew Arnold) the English
middle - class ignorant, narrow-
minded, and deficient in great ideas.
Whence (generally) Philistine, an un-
lettered barbarian (q.v.) ; a person,
male or female, who has never read
Matthew Arnold. [Orig. (German
students'), anybody not belonging to
a university. ] ( 1 857 ).
: Philistine. 1. Generic for a re-
A presentative of authority a sheriff's :

muscle in the palm of the hand. [Sir officer, bailiff, revenue officer, watch-
Benjamin Brodie because it helps
: man, and (in pi. ) the press
-
gang
333
 Phiz. Pick-a-back.

[Judges zvi.]. 2. A drunkard see : of a broad collar worn by women early

Lushington (1708). 3. Earwigs and in 17th century (1607).
such like insect tormentors (B. E.). Piccadilly Butchers (The). The
4. See Philistia. First Life Guards. [Having been
Phiz (Phyz, or Physog). The called out to quell the Piccadilly riota
face: see Dial (1693). in 1810.] Also The Cheeses ; The Tin
Phiz -
gig. 1. An extravagantly Bellies ; and The Patent Safeties.
dressed old woman, an oldewe dressed Piccadilly-crawl. A walk modish,
:

lamb - fashion. 2. A pyramid of in the Eighties cf. Alexandra limp,

:

moistened gunpowder, which, on Grecian bend, Roman fall, etc.

but does not flash.
ignition, fuses Piccaninny (Pickaninny, Pinka-
Phoenix-man. Men with a ninny, etc.). A baby, child speci- :

phoenix for their badge, in livery, and fically (modern) a child of negro
pay from the insurance - office, to parents. [Originally from pink (an
extinguish fires, covering their heads endearment), small: see Pigsney.]
with an iron-pot, or head-piece (B. E.) (1696).
Physic. 1. Strong drink, medi- Pick. 1. To shoot, fling (1530).
cine (q.v.), lush (q.v.). 2. Hard 2. To pilfer, choose thievishly also :

hitting, (q.v.): also as

punishment
verb. 3. Losses, wagers, points, and
so forth. Also as verb.
Phyz. See Phiz.
Pi (or Pie). 1. Type, jumbled and
mixed. [Ordinarily a compositor,
when distributing type, reads a line
or sentence and is enabled to return
it to case with expedition with pi,
however, each stamp has to be recog-
nised separately.] Fr., p/itr : faire du
piekeer, but, usually, to pick and cut
(or to pick pockets). As subs, (or
picking), petty larceny : cf. (Prayer
Book) Keep my hands from picking
and stealing. Hence picker (picker
up or pickeerer), (1) a petty thief;
(2) in pL, the fingers. The same
idea (stealthy, underhand) occurs in
:
Pickpenny, Pickthank, Pickpurse, etc.
(all of which see) (1400). Expres-
sions more or less colloquial are to :

pdte, to distribute pi ; German, pick a bone (crow or matter), to seek a

zwiebelfisch (fish with onions) (1790). quarrel : see Bone, Crow, and Pluck ;
2. Amiscellaneous collection of books to pick up, ( 1 ) to improve gradually :

out of the alphabet (q.v.). As adj., as from illness or failure ; (2) to make
virtuous, sanctimonious e.g. He's :
acquaintance with, or accost usually :

very pi now, he mugs all day He ; in disparagement of the person ac-

pi-jawed me for thoking. Whence, costed sharpers, street walkers, and
pi-jaw (or gas), a serious admoni- such Like pick-up flats or culls ; (3) to
tion ; pi-man, sim (q.v.). get casually ; and, generally, (4) to
Piazzas. To walk the piazzas, impose upon or take an advantage
to walk the streets. [The piazzas in a contract or bargain (Bee, 1823) ;
were those in Covent Garden, only a to pick flies off (tailors'), to fault-find ;
portion of which now (1904) remain.] to pick out robin's eyes (tailors'), to
Picaroon (Pickaroon, or Picaro). side-stitch black cloth or fine material ;
A rogue, shabster. As verb, to rob, to pick off (general), (1) to aim with
prowl in quest of plunder (1617). effect, and (2) to wound or kill ; to
On the picaro, on the make (q.v.). pick on, to disturb, to nag ; to pick up,
Picayune. Formerly the Spanish to put in order as a room ; to pick
:

half-real in Florida, Louisiana, etc. : a bit, to eat mincingly ; to pick and

now a five-cent piece or any small choose, to select with discrimination ;
coin. Also (generic) money, rhino to pick the brains (or mind), to steal
(q.v.). Picayune (or picayunish), ideas ; to plagiarise ; to pick holes (at
small, mean, or little value. a fault), to fault - find : hence pick-
Piccadil (or Piccadillo). 1. A fault, a censorious fault-finder ; to
stiff collar over which an ornamental pick a quarrel, to make offence ; hence
fallor collar was arranged, worn first a cantankerous person
pick-quarrel, ;

at the close of the 16th century. Per- nag ; and so forth.

to pick at, to
haps the spelling piccadil was sug- See also Pick-thank and Pick-purse.
gested by the Italian use of Picardm Pick-a-back (Pickback, Pick-a-
for hanging, place where persons are pack, or Pickpack). On the back or
hanged. 2. The ornamental border shoulders as a pack (1558). :

334
 Pick-and-dab. Pig.

Pick-and-dab. A meal of pota- also ironically, e.g. a pretty picture,

toes and salt : cf. Potatoes-and-point. a strange figure. Not in the picture,
Pickers.See Pick. strange, inappropriate, better away,
Picker-up (Stock Exchange). A and (racing) unplaced. See also
dealer buying on quotations trickily Lawful pictures.
obtained from a member trapped Picture- frame. See Sheriff's
into giving a wrong price. picture-frame. ft$i
Pickle. 1. A difficult or disagree- Picture - hat. The Gainsborough
able position, a plight. Hence, a Duchess of Devonshire set a fashion
case of pickles, a bad breakdown, in hats which women continue to wear
serious quandary (1609). 2. A wag: up to the present style.
specifically,a troublesome child cf. : Piddle. To do languidly or to
'Peregrine Pickle' (1751). Hence, little purpose ; to niggle (q.v.). Hence,

pickled, roguish, waggish (1696). 3. piddler, a trifler ; and piddling, mean,

In pi., specimens for dissection di- of small account, squeamish (1544).
rect from the subject. As verb, to Pie. LA magpie. 2. A prating
humbug, gammon (q.v.). A rod in gossip. Wily-pie, a sly rogue (1369).
pickle, a flogging or scolding in re- 3. See Pi. More or less colloquial are :
serve, a revenge in lavender (1678). To have a finger in the pie (or, in-
In the days of authority rods were deed, any matter), to meddle, to join
pickled in urine or in brine, which in : cf. Boat ; to make a pie, to com-

elements, it was held, imparted tough- bine with a view to profit ; like pie,
ness. with zest ; cf. Jam ; in spite of the pie,
Pickle-herring (or pickled- obstinately (pie, the Book of the
herring). A buffoon (1602). Offices of the Church) ; not to cook
Pickle-jar. A coachman in any of the pie, to abandon an enter-
yellow. prise, to take no further interest.
Pick-me-up. A stimulant. Piece. 1. A
person, male or
Pick - penny. 1. See Pinch - fist. female often in contempt. Also (of
:

2. A sharper. women) piece (or bit) of mutton, muslin,

Pick -
pie. To turn a pick -
pie, or goods (1290). 2. In pi., money ;
to make a somersault. rhino (q.v.). [From the old Spanish
Pick-purse. A thief (q.v.). As pieces of eight.] (1558). To go all to
adj., mercenary, fraudulent (1529). pieces, to collapse, become exhausted,
Picksome. Fastidious, particu- be ruined (1667). To eat a piece, to
lar, given to picking and choosing. eat between meals also to piece.
: See
Pick - thank. A toady also as : also Flesh, Muslin, Pudding, Thick,
adj. and verb (1412). and Top.
Pickt- hatch. To go to the Piece-of-entire. A jolly fellow.
manor of pickt
- hatch (or to pickt- Piece-out. Employment, a loan.
hatch grange), to wanton. [The Pieman. 1. The one in hand at
Pickt-hatch a hatch with pikes was pitch-and-toss (q.v.). 2. See Pi.
a common brothel sign specifically : Piercer. A squint - eye, one look-
in Shakespeare's time a notorious ing nine ways for Sundays (q.v.).
tavern brothel in Turnbull St., Clerk- Piffing. See Spiff.
en well.] Piffle. Twaddle esp. mincing, pre-
:

Pick-tooth. Leisurely (1726). tentious, affected twaddle. As verb,

Pick-up. A casual acquaintance, to trifle pretentiously, to twaddle with
male or female. As adj., composed a purpose and an air. Piffler, an
of what is at the moment available : earnest futility, i.e. a person with a
as a pick - up dinner a pick - up
; moral end in view, and nothing to back
crew, or team : cf. Scratch and Pot- it but a habit of talking or writing
luck. sentimental rubbish. As verb, (1) to
Pickwickian Sense. A technical filch (2) to be squeamish.
;

or constructive sense. Pig. 1. An epithet of disparage-

Picnic. A mellay, rough-and- ment or Thus, a dirty pig, a
abuse.
tumble. person unclean hi word or deed ;
Picture. A
model, pattern, beau- an old pig, a ill - natured boor ; a
ideal as a picture of health, a perfect
: learned pig, a bombastic shallow-pate ;

picture child, horse, and so forth : as verb (or to pig it), to herd as pigs ;

335
 Pig. Pigeon-hole.

to pig together, to lie (or Bleep) two (or Pig and Tinder - box. The
more) in a bed ; piggery, a squalid or Elephant and Castle (1821).
untidy room ; pig-eyed, small -eyed ; Pig and Whistle Light Infantry
pig
-
faced, heavy jowled ; piggish, (The). The Highland Light In-
greedy ; pig -
headed, obstinate ; as fantry, formerly the 71st and 74th
happy at a pig in muck, contented but Regiments of Foot.
filthy ; like a pig, no good alive, Pig-eater. An endearment.
selfish ; to long for pig (or a Bartholo- Pigeon (or Stool-pigeon). 1. A

mew pig) (q.T.), to show signs of, or dupe; a eull (q.v.); a fly (q.v.): cf.
presume upon, pregnancy to bleed ; Rook and Spider (cf. Thackeray's
like a pig, to bleed copiously, like a title, Captain Rook and Mr. Pigeon).
to stare like a As verb (or to pluck a pigeon, to
pig under the knife ;

stuck pig, to look fixedly or terrifically. swindle : FT., pigeon, dindon, or tordu ;

2. A
policeman, detective : also 8p., (pigeon), or sangrado
palamo
grunter see Beak. : China street pig, (subject for bleeding) (1585). 2.
a Bow Street officer. 3. In pL, The Sharpers, who, during the drawing of
Seventy-Sixth Foot, now the 2nd the lottery, wait ready mounted near
Batt. West Riding Regiment. [From Guildhall, and, as soon as the first two
its badge.] Also The Immortals or three numbers are drawn, which
(q.v.) and The Old Seven and Six- they receive from a confederate on a
pennies (q.v.). 4. A pressman cf. :
card, ride with them full speed to
Donkey. 5. Sixpence see Bender, : some distant insurance office, before
Hog, and Rhino. 6. (Cambridge where there is another of the
fixed on,
University). See Hog. 7. An utterly gang, commonly a decent looking
-

spoiled garment also Pork. Collo- :

woman, who taxes care to be at the
quial phrases are A pig in a poke, : office before the hour of drawing to :

a blind bargain FT., acheter chat en : her he secretly gives the number,
poche to stuff a
; fat pig in the tail, to
j
which she insures for a considerable
give unnecessarily ; to take one s pigs sum thus biting the biter (Grose).
:

(or hogs) to market, to deal or do busi- To pigeon' the news, to send informa-
ness ; generally with pretty, fair, fine, tion by carrier pigeon ; to run or ride
or bad, when, a good or bad bargain, with news surreptitiously obtained.
to succeed or fail to drive one's pigs ; 3. See Blue pigeon. 4. Business see :

(or hogs) to market, to snore ; to follow
like an Anthony pig, to beg, to hang
on ; to get the wrong sow by the ear
(or Am., the. wrong pig by the tail), to
make a mistake when
see Queen Dick cold pig, 1 ) see ante
(2) goods on sale when returned and
(3, medical), a corpse, dead - meat
; pigs fly,
; (
Pigeon English. [The Chinese pro-
nunciation of the English word.]
Pauls pigeons, the scholars of St.
Paul's school (1662). (I) To milk the
never :
pigeon, to attempt impossibilities ;
; (2) to be put to shifts for want of
; money. Phrases more or less collo-
quial are Pigeon breasted, with pro-
:

(q.v.) have boiled pig at home, to be

; to truding breast ; pigeon hearted (or
-

master in one's house (an allusion to livered), timid ; pigeon-toed,with turned

a well - known poem and story) ; in toes; pigeon-wing, (1) a late 18th
brandy is Latin for pig and goose, an century mode of dressing the side hair :

excuse for a dram after either ; please now American (2) a wig so called ;
;

the pigs, if circumstances permit, and (3) a brisk step or caper in danc-
Deo volente ; long (or masked) pig, ing, skating to shoot at a pigeon and
;

human flesh : exposed openly for sale kill a crow, to blunder wilfully to catch ;

in Hayti under this name ; to teach a two pigeons with one bean (see Stone).
pig to play on a
flute, to attempt the Pigeon English (or Pidgin). A
absurd or impossible ; When a pig is jargon serving as a means of inter-
proffered, hold up the poke, never communication between the Chinese
refuse a good offer ; You can't make and the English - speaking races all
horn of pig's tail (see Sow's ear) ; to over the world : alike hi Shanghai and
mistake a pig for a dog, to act stupidly ; San Francisco. [A corruption of
'
child's pig but father's bacon, a pre- business - English business bid-
tended benefit as when a pet animal :
giness bidgin pidgin pigeon.]
is sold ; to grease a fat pig (or sow), to
Pigeon-hole. 1. An over -wide
be insensible of a kindness. space between printed words; a rat-
330
 Pigeon-pair. Pilgrim.

hole (q.v.). 2. (Winchester College). As verb, to walk (also to pike off, and
A small study. Pigeon-hole soldiers, to tip a pike) : whence to pike on the
clerks and orderlies. been, to hook it for all one's worth.
Pigeon-pair. Twins of opposite Pike - keeper (or pikeman), a toll-
sex. [Pigeons lay two eggs which keeper to bilk a pike, to cheat a toll-
;

usually hatch as a pair.] gate (1500). 3. (American: Southern

Pigeon's- milk. An imaginary
product in quest of which fools are
sent :cf. Strap-oil, Squad umbrella.
To milk the pigeon, to attempt impos-
sibilities.
P i g g o t. To forge. [A reminis-
cence of the Parnell Commission the
expression was born in the House of
States). A poor white. As verb, (1)
see subs., sense 1 ; (2) to die : also to
pike off : see Hop the twig ; (3) to play
cautiously and for small stakes.
Hence, piker, a moderate punter. To
pass the pikes, to be out of danger
:
(1648). To give the pike, to dis-
miss see Bag and Sack.
:

Commons, 28th Feb. 1889.] Cf. Pike I (or Prior Pike). An

Salisbury, Burke, Boycott, Maffick, assertion of prior claim or privilege ;
etc. Bags or Bags I (q.v.).
Piggy-wiggy (Pigwiggin, or Piggy- Piker. 1. See Pike. 2. Wild cattle.

whidden). A pet pig: hence, a comic Pikestaff. See Plain.

endearment (see Drayton, Nymph- Pilate-voice. A
big ranting voice.
idia, where it is used as the name of [Brewer : In the old mysteries all
a kind of Puck). tyrants were made to speak in a rough
Pig-poker. A swine-herd. ranting manner. Thus Bottom the
-
Pig running. A kind of game Weaver, after a rant '
to show his
frequently practised at fairs, wakes, quality, exclaims, That's 'Ercles'
etc. A large pig, whose tail is cut '
vein, a tyrant's vein ; and Hamlet
short, and both soaped and greased, describes a ranting actor as out-herod-
being turned out, is hunted by the ing Herod.] (1383).
young men and boys, and becomes Pilch. To pilfer see Prig (1577).
:

the property of him who can catch and Pilcher. A scabbard. [The word
hold him by the tail, above the height is used nowhere in English save in
of his head (Grose).
'
Romeo and Juliet.' It seems to be
Pigs-and-whistles. To go to pigs- a literal due to an Elizabethan comp.
and-whisiles, to be ruined (1801). Perhaps Shakespeare wrote, pilch, Sir ;
Pig-sconce. A lout, dullard (1659). perhaps he didn't. Anyhow pilch = a
Pig 's-ear (or lug). very A leathern coat, or overall, and was
large lappel collar or flap. good enough business for a leathern
Pig's- foot. A short cloven crow- sheath.]
bar, jemmy (q.v.). Pile. A large sum of money, fortune :
Pigskin. A saddle. Knight of see Rhino. To make one's pile, to
the pigskin, a jockey. make a fortune ; to go the whole pile, to
Pigsney. 1. A girl : an endear- stake everything (1732). To pile on :
ment : see Titter. 2. A woman's see Agony. To pile in, (1) to take
eye (1383). part ; (2) to eat. To pile out, to come
Pig - sticker. 1. A pork- butcher. forth.
2. A long-bladed pocket-knife. 3. Pilgarlick. 1. An outcast. Said
A sword. originally to mean one whose skin or
Pig-sty. 1. The press - room : see hair had fallen off from some disease ;
Pig. 2. A
place of abode or business : but now commonly used by persons
see Diggings. speaking of themselves ; as, there
Pig's- whisper. 1. A grunt. 2. A stood poor pill garlick; i.e. there stood
very short space of time [i.e. as brief I (Grose). 2. A person of ripe age :

as a grunt] also (American), pig's-

: see Antique (1605).
whistle. Pilgrim. 1. Pilgrim and tender-

Pig - tail. 1. A Chinaman. 2. In foot were formerly applied almost ex-

pi., the shares of the Chartered Bank clusively to newly imported cattle,
of India, Australia, and China. but by a natural transference they are
Pig-yoke. A quadrant (1836). usually used to designate all new-
Pike. 1. A turnpike road. 2. A comers, tourists, and business-men.
tramp, gipsy (also pikey and piker). 2.In pi., cattle on the drive.
337
 Pilgrim' s-aalve. Pine-tree Money.

Pilgrim's- salve. Excrement up : as a habit or indulgence ; to pin

(1670). oneself on another, to hang on ; to pin
Pill. A
black hallo tine ball
1. : down (or to the ground), (1) to secure,
see Blackball. As
verb, to reject by (2) to make sure, (3) to attack with no
ballot. 2. A disagreeable or objec- chance of escape ; pinned to a wife's
tionable person, bore (q.v.): also of tail, petticoat-led ; to pin one's faith
events a bitter pill (1536). 3. A to (or upon one's sleeve), to trust im-
drink, go (q.v.): see Drinks. 4. A : see also Bottle, Merry- pin,
plicitly
bullet also blue- pill (q.v.).
: As verb, Nick.
(1) see sube. 1 ; (2) to twaddle, talk Pin-basket. The youngest child.
platitudes. The Pills, the Royal Pin-buttock. A bony rump :

Army Medical Corps also The : with bones like pins pricking (1598).
Licensed Lancers, The Poultice Wal- Pinch. 1. Adilemma, critical
lopers ;and The Linseed Lancers. situation, scrape. Whence, to come
Also pills, a doctor, surgeon. To to the pinch, to face the situation ; at
sweeten a bitter thing,
gild the pill, to a pinch, upon a push or exigence
soften a hard thing, beautify an ugly (B. E.). A certainty. As verb, (1)
2.

thing, explain away a sure thing, to steal formerly, encroach little by

:

present the inevitable as though it little, appropriate (1362); (2) to

were optional, gammon (q.v.). To arrest (1600); (3) to cut the measures
pill and poll, to pillage and strip : of ale, beer, etc. (B. E.). The pinch
modern
specifically in usage (thieves'), (or pinching lay), (1) pilfering while
to cheat a comrade of his regulars purchasing, (2) exchanging bad money
(q.v.): FT., faire regard. Pott-thief for good ringing the changes (q.v.) ;
:

(or patter), (1) a thief (2) an informer; pincher (or pinch-gloak), a shop-lifter ;
(1529). to pinch on the parson's side, to sharp
Pillar. See Post. him of his tithes ; pinched to the bone,
Pill-box. 1. A small brougham. 2. robbed of all. To pinch to demur,
at,
A soldier's cap. 3. A revolver or gun : fault-find ( 1383). See Nab, Nick, and
also pill-bottle : see Meat-in-the-pot. Shoe.
Pill-driver (monger, or peddler). Pinchbeck. Showy, meretricious,
An itinerant apothecary (1763). sham. [In the 18th century Christo-
Pillicock. An endearment (1598). pher Pinchbeck, a London watch-
Pillory. A baker. maker, invented an amalgam much
Pillow-mate. A wife. used in cheap jewellery.]
Pill-pate. A friar, shaveling Pinch-belly (back, commons,
(1570). fist, guts, penny, or pincher). A
Pi-man. See Pi. miser, niggard in food (dress, or
Pimginnit A large, red, angry money) see Skinflint
:
(1412).
pimple (B. E.). Pinch-board. A swindling roulette
Pimp. To act meanly, curry table : see Pinch.
favour. Pimping, small, feeble, per- Pincher. A legislative measure
haps well-meaning, but in every way calculated to secure a pecuniary
inconsiderable (1749). reward to those interested in ite re-
Pimple. 1. A boon companion jection. See Pinch, and Pinch-belly.
'
(1700). 2. The head: see Tibby. Pinch-gut-money. Money allowed
Pimple-cover, a hat: see Golgotha. by the King to the Seamen, that Serve
Pimple in a bent, something very on Board the Navy Royal, when their
minute : cf. Knot in a rush (1582). Provision falls Short ; also in long
Pin. 1. In pi., the legs. On one's Voyages when they are forced to '

pins, (a) alive ; (b) faring well ; (c) Drink Water instead of Beer (B. E.).
in good form (1520). 2. trifle : the A Pinch-wife. A vigilant and churl-
lowest standard of value : also pin- ish husband.
head: Button, Cent, Fig, Point,
cf. Pincushion. See Pin-case.
Rap, Rush, Straw (1433). 3. A Pineapple. To close sha
measure containing four-and-a-half county-crop, shingle (q.v.).
gallons, or the eighth part of a barrel. Pine-top. Common i

As verb, to steal, nab (q.v.). Phrases: see Old man's milk.

To be down pin, to be out of sorts ; Pine-tree Money. Money coined
to put in the pin, to stop, arrest, pull in Massachusetts in 17th century : as

338
 Pine-tree Stale. Pipe-layer.

bearing a figure resembling a pine- Pint. Recommendation, praise.

tree. Pints round ! a fine imposed upon a
Pine- tree State. Maine. [From cutter for dropping his shears nearly :

its extensive pine forests.] obsolete.

Pink. 1. A beauty. 2. A pattern Pip. A spot on dice or playing
or model as a woman of fashion, a
: cards. [A corruption of picks, (O. E. )
well-groomed man, the pick of the diamond and (sometimes) spade :

litter, a champion at sport, etc. (1595) from old Fr., picque, a spade.] As verb,
3. A bad report, e.g. There are several (1) to blackball, pill (q.v.); (2) to
pinks against you as verb, to give a
: take a trick from an opponent. To
bad account of a person or matter. have (or get) the pip, to be depressed,
4. A hunting coat, scarlet (q.v.) also : out of sorts see Hump. :

a hunting man (as wearing pink). As Pipe (or Pipers). 1. Generic for
verb, ( 1 ) to put home a rapier's point : the vocal organs. 2. The voice in :

also as subs., a wound so made (1598) ; pi., the lungs. As verb, (a) to talk ;
(2) to convict as a result of perjury or
; (b) to cry also to pipe up, to take a
:

cross-examination to one's prejudice ; pipe, to tune one's pipes, and to pipe

(3) to make carefully, even exquisitely ; one's eye ; to shut (or put) up the pipes,
(4) to get home easily and often as : to be silent. Piper, a broken-winded
a blow (1819). Dutch pink, blood : cf. horse, roarer (q.v.) (1383). 3. In pi.,
Claret. the bag-pipes ; to tune one's pipes,
Pinking - dinder. A bully, ruffian, to talk or write. 4. boot : see A
Mohawk (q.v.). Trotter-cases (1819). As verb, see
Pink - spiders. Delirium tremens, subs. 1 and 2 ; (3) to waylay, inter-
gallon-distemper (q.v.). cept ; (4) to watch, spy also to pipe :

Pinky. The little finger also any- :

off Fr., attumer.
:
Piper, a spy. The
thing little the smallest candle, the
; Queen's pipe, the kiln in the great
weakest beer, etc. East Vault of the Wine-Cellars of the
Pin - money. An allowance to a London Docks, where useless and
woman for pocket expenses originally :
damaged goods that have paid no
to a married woman by her husband, duty are burnt as regards tobacco
:

by settlement or gift (1673).

either a thing of the past, stuff of this kind
Pinnace. A bawd, prostitute, being distributed to workhouses, etc.
woman, piece (q.v.). To put one's pipe out, (1) to spoil
Pinner (or Pinny). A pinafore sport or a chance, to take the shine
(1672). out; (2) to kill: see Light Fr., casser :

Pinner-up. A vendor of broad- sa pipe. Put that in your pipe and

side songs and ballads. [They are smoke it, a straight rebuke, digest
usually pinned-up on canvas against a that if you can Fr., mets ga dans ta
:

wall.] poche et ton mouchoir par dessus (1824).

Pinnipe. crab. A
Hence pin- To pipe another dance, to change one's
niped, sideways ; crab fashion. [The means, or one's course of action or
Pinnipedia are fin-footed animals.] attack (1529). To pipe in (or with)
P i n n o c k. To bring pinnock to an ivy-leaf, to busy oneself to no
pannock, to bring something to purpose (as a consolation for failure),
nothing. to go whistle, blow the buck's horn.
Pin-pannierly-fellow. A [Ivy-leaf, a thing of small value, as
covetous miser that pins up his Fig, Rush, Straw, etc.] (1374).
baskets or panniers, or that thinks Pipeclay. Routine, red - tape
the loss of a pin to be a pain and (q.v.). As verb, (1) to wipe out,
trouble to him. settle : as accounts. (2) To hide
Pins - and - needles. The tingling faults of workmanship, conceal de-
which accompanies the recovery of fects in material.
circulation in a benumbed limb. Pipe-layer. A political intriguer,
Pin's -head. To look for a pin's schemer. Hence pipe-laying, scheming
head in a cartload of hay, to attempt or intriguing for political purposes.
the impossible. Whence, to find a [Bartlett circa 1835, a traitorous
:

pin's head, etc., to achieve wonders : New York Whig election agent con-
see Bottle (1565). cocted a plot to throw odium on the
Pinsrap. A parsnip. party, supporting it by correspond-
339
 Pitchfork.

ence in the form of bogus business Fishery -

pashery. Gabble (1621).
letters relating to the Croton water Pistol. A swaggering bully: see
supply then in progress, the number Furioso (1596). Also see Pocket-
of men hired to vote being spoken of pistol.
as somany yards of pipe. Pistol-shot. A drink ; a go (q.v.):
Pipe - merry. Merry as from : see Drinks and cf. Pocket-pistol.
wine (which is stored in pipes) (1564). Pit. A breast pocket in a coat :

Piper. 1. A detective :
speci- also, a fob. Hence, pitman, a pocket-
fically (in England) an omnibus spy : book. Knight of the pit, a cocker. To
see Nark. 2. See Pipe. Drunk at a shoot (or fly) the pit, to turn tail ( 1 740).
piper, very drunk : also piper-fou : Pit-a-pat. To walk lightly and
see Screwed (1772). To pay the piper quickly as with a quick succession
:

(or fiddler), to pay expenses, assume of sounds, to palpitate also adj. and :

responsibility : FT., payer Its violons subs. [The same word as prittle-
prattle or pittle pattle, to chatter]
-
(1695).
Piper 's-cheeks. Swollen or puffed (1555).
cheeks (1608). Pitch. 1. A place of sale or en-
Piper 's-news. Stale news. tertainment. 2. A performance or
Piper's- wife. A prostitute. sale. To a pitch), to do
pitch (or do
Piping Hot Very hot (1383). business queer a pitch, to spoil a
; to
Pipkin. The head : see Tibby. performance or a sale ; to mar one's
Pippin. pippin, an endearment.
My plans. 3. A short sleep, a nap.
Pippin-squire. See Apple-squire. Phrases : To pitch the hunters, to set
Pirate. 1. An infringer of copy- up the three-sticks-a-penny business ;
right specifically of publishers, print-
: to pitch it strong, to exaggerate, over-
sellers, and booksellers, who, without do, or embroider (q.v.) : to pitch and
permission, appropriate the work or pay, to pay on the nail (at Black well
ideas of an author or artist a free- ; Hall it was enacted that a penny be
booker :Barabbas, Ghost, Jackal,
cf.
paid by the owner of every bale of
etc. (1703). 2. In 1829 George Shilli- cloth for pitching) ; to pitch in, (1) to
beer introduced omnibuses into take a hand ; (2) to start ; (3) to work
London, and took care to impress
. . . hard ; to pitch into, to attack ; to
upon every man he employed the im- pitch a tale (or fork), to tell a story,
portance of politeness towards all romantic, playful, or pitiful ; to pitch
passengers. But in 1832 it was on, to select at random.
noticed that this high standard . . . Pitch-and-fill. Bill
was not maintained by ... conductors Pitched. Cut (q.v.).
of the new 'buses running from Pad- Pitcher. 1. Newgate prison also :

dington to the Bank via Oxford Street. the stone pitcher (or jug) see Cage :

They overcharged passengers, and (1819). 2. See Snide-pitcher. Pitchers

met protests with abuse. Frequently, have ears I Listeners may overhear :
when females only were in the 'bus, also (of children) little pitchers have
they brought their journey to an end long (or great) ears, what children hear
long before they reached their ad- at home soon flies abroad FT., :

vertised destination, compelling the ce que Fenfant oit au foyer, est bien-
passengers to walk a considerable tdtconnu jusqu'au Monstier (1546).
distance after paying their fares. . . . Other colloquialisms are To get the :

These were the first pirate omnibuses. sheards after the pitcher is broken ( 1 760),
To let the public know which really to receive a kindness after others have
were his vehicles Shillibeer at once no need for it, to get the refuse ; to
had painted on them Shillibeer's bang a pitcher, to drain a pot : see
Original Omnibus. In a few days the Crocus-pitcher.
same inscription appeared on some Pitcher - man. A drunkard ;

of the pirates with the word not in very tickle-pitcher see Lushington (1738).
:

mall letters preceding it. Now Pitch - fingers. A pilferer also :

(1902), thanks to police regulations tar - fingers (q.v.). Whence pitch'

and the imposition of heavy penalties, fingered, thievishly inclined.
almost a thing of the past chiefly : Pitchfork. tuning-fork. A A
applied, without depreciation, to any verb, to thrust into a position, toss,
non-Company or Association vehicle. settle carelessly.

340
 Pitch-Titled. Play.

Pitch - kettled. Puzzled, stuck To plant home, (1) to deliver (as a

fast, confounded (1785). blow) ; (2) to make a point (as in
Pitchpole. (1) To sell for double argument) ; and (3, general) to suc-
the cost (2) to turn a somersault.
: ceed. To water one's plants, to shed
Pitch -up (Winchester School). tears : see Bib.
One's home
a crowd or knot
circle, Plaster. To flatter.
of people, set of chums. Hence, to Plasterer. An amateur gun. One
pitch up with, to associate with. who thinks nothing of the lives and
Pit-hole (or Pit). A grave. As eyes of the men who surround him on
verb, to bury (1607). all sides, and blows his pheasant to
Pitman. See Pit. a pulp before the bird is seven feet in
Fitter -
patter. To palpitate, go the air (Bromley -Davenport).
pit-a-pat. Plate (Plate -
fleet, or Family
See Pit-a-pat.
Pittle-pattle. Plate). 1. Generic
for money:
Pitt's -picture. A bricked-up formerly a piece of silver also (Hal- :

window. [To save Pitt's Window- liwett) illegal silver money see Rhino. :

fc] To melt the plate, to spend lavishly ;

Place. 1. An abode, place of when the plate fleet comes in, money
business see Diggings.
: 2. jakes, or A in plenty (B. E.) (1586). 2. In pi.,
house of ease (q.v.). the feet originally plates of meat see
: :

Placebo. 1. A
pacifying dose. 2. Creepers. To plate it, to walk. Also
A sop or placation. To sing (or hunt, (American thieves') plates of meat, a
or go to the school of) placebo, to be street.Old plates, the shares of the
servilely complaisant, time serving,
- London and River Plate Bank. New
hold with the hare and hunt with Plates, shares of the English Bank of
the hounds (1362). the River Plate. To foul a plate, to
Placer. To live in concubinage. dine, sup (1785).
Plaguy (or Plaguily). Trouble- Platform. Formerly a plan,
some, annoying, deuced, very (1580). design, or model now a declaration
:

Plain. Watered, neat (q.v.). of principles or doctrines (chiefly religi-

Plain as a pikestaff (or packstaffe), ous and political) governing organised
beyond argument; packstaff (adj.), public action, each section or para-
plain : also plain as the nose on your graph of which is called a plank. As
face (1546). verb, to draft or publish such a de-
Plain-statement. 1. An in- claration of principles or doctrines.
different meal, common-doings (q.v.). Platter-face. A broad or flat face :

2. A simple straight-forward piece of also as adj. see Dial (1696).

:

work. Plausible. Specious, persuasive

Plank. See Platform. As verb, (1696).
to deposit money, pay : also to plank Play. To play artful, to feign sim-
plicity, to keep a card or two up
up (or down). one's
Plant. 1. Plunder. 2. A swindle sleeve ; to play boots (the devil, the
or robbery. 3. decoy. 4. A
place A mischief, Ned, etc.), to thrust, to
of hiding. 5. In pi., the feet. As spoil, to ruin ; to play off, (1) to simu-
verb, (1) to conceal; (2) to select a late, (2) to expose to merriment, (3) to
person or house for swindling or make an end ; to play on (or upon), to
robbery ; (3) to utter base coin ; (4) in trifle with; to play up, (1) to do
mining, to salt (q.v.) ; (5) to humbug ; one's best, (2) to be troublesome ; to
gammon (q.v.) ; (6) to prepare cards play up to, to take one's cue from
for unfair play; (7) to post, set, fix another played up (or out), used up,
;

in position (1555) ; (8) to bury (Grose) ; ruined to play with one's beard, to
;

(9) to the ball into another

drive deceive ; to play it low, to take ad-
player hence planter, a blow so given
: :
vantage ; to play light, (1) to take it
specifically one delivered in the face. easy, (2) to keep one's temper ; to
In plant, in hiding to spring a plant ; play for, to deal with generally to ;

(1) to unearth ; (2) to prepare a trick play dark, to conceal one's character
by depositing an object in charge of or motive ; to play the whole game, to
a conscious or unconscious con- cheat to play least in sight, to hide ;
;

federate. To plant whids and stow to play to the gas, to play to small
them, to be wary of speech (1610). audiences ; to play to the gallery, to
341
 Plump.

rant, to gag, to use the coarsest verbial phrases are: To plough with
and cheapest means ; to play it off, ass and ox, to sort or do things ill ;
to cheat ;play the sovereign, to
to to let the plough stand to catch a mouse,
flatter an ; to make good
inferior to neglect weighty matters for small ;
play, to work to advantage, or with to plough the air (or a rock), to attempt
execution ; to come into play, to the absurd or impossible.
take one's turn, or share ; to play Ploughed. Drunk see Screwed. :

fair (or false), to act or deal honestly Plover. A wanton : cf. Partridge,
(or the reverse) ; to play one's cards Pheasant, and Grouse.
wdl, to advance one's interests to ; Pluck. Courage, spunk (q.v.):
play into one's hands, to advantage ; also pluckiness. Hence plucked,
to keep (or hold) in play, to retain valiant usually with good, well, rare,
:

control, keep things going, to engage ; etc. ; hard

plucked, hard - hearted,
to play the giddy goat, to behave like severe plucky, bold, spiritedly, or
;

a fool ; to play with, to trifle ; to play indomitable : pluck-less, fainthearted.

upon advantage, to cheat ; to play in As verb, to reject at an examination.
and out, to trifle ; played out, ex- Against the pluck, against the inclina-
hausted, ruined, done for ; to play a tion. To pluck the riband, to ring
good knife and fork (see Knife) ; to the beD. See Crow, Pigeon, Nose,
play the game, to do honestly at what- Rose.
ever cost ; to play diddle-diddle, to Plug. 1. A silk hat : also Plug-
trick, to cajole ; to play the duck, (1) hat : see
Golgotha. 2. A man or
to go contrary, against the grain as :
beast, short and thick-set : see Forty -
ducks are plucked, (2) to prove a gute. 3. A
workman whose appren-
coward ; play off one's dust, to
to ticeship has been irregular ; a turn-over
drink. Other proverbial sayings are :
(q.v.): specifically (in America) a
She's like a cat, she'll play with her craftsman who has learned his busi-
tail, of a wanton The play won't pay
; ness in casual or evening classes.
the candles (or the acting is not worth Such teaching is called plug-teaching.
the lights), the end is not worth the 4. Anything damaged or deteriorated :

means or risk ; He'll play a small as an unsuccessful book, an old horse,

game rather than stand out, of a coins bored full of holes and plugged
meddler or busybody. Also see Bear, with base metal, a shop-soiled bicycle ;
Beard, Bob-fool, Booty, Deuce, Devil, and so forth also old plug. Hence:

Dickens, Ducks, Fast, Fathers-and- (generally) plug, any defect moral,

Mothers ; Fiddle, Gooseberry, Harry, physical, or otherwise. 5. A translation,
Hell, Hob, Hooky, In-and-in, In-and- a crib (q.v.), pony (q.v.). 6. A loafer,
out, Knife, Love, Mischief, Possum, well-dressed or other see Plug-ugly. :

Second fiddle, Schoolmaster, Tail, As verb, to hit with a bullet.

Ugly, Uptails-all, Velvet, Wag, Wag- Plug-hat. See Plug.
Plug -
ugly. A Baltimore street
Pleb (Westminster School). A rowdy, circa 1860-80. Hence any
tradesman's son. loafer or rough (q.v.).
Plebe (American Collegiate). A Plum (or Plumb). 1. 100,000, a
freshman specifically one in the
; fortune see Rhino. 2.
: rich man. A
lowest class at West Point. Hence, 3. A good thing, tit-bit. As adj., a
plebeskin, a freshman's tunic. general appreciative : good, desirable,
Pledge. A baby (1622). As verb, exactly, quite, dexterously, thorough-
(Winchester School), to give away. going. Whence plumb-centre, exactly
Pledge me, after you ; I'D pledge it at the centre : as a plummet hangs
you when I have done with it cf. :
(1667). As verb, to deceive: see
Poste to. Gammon see Blue'plum.
:

Plenipo. A plenipotentiary P u m - d u ff
1 Plum .
-
dumpling,
(1697). spotted-dog (q.v.).
Plier. The hand : see DaddK Plump. A
blow: also Plumper
Plough. To reject in an ex- (1772). As adj. and adv., (1) exactly,
amination: see Pluck. To p'ugh downright, quite as verb, to meet in :

the deep, to sleep. To put the plcugh more or less violent contact ; plumply
before the oxen, to reverse, put the (or plump and plain), without reserve,
cart before the horse (1653). Pro- roundly (1535); (2) fat, full, fleshy.

342
 Plumper. Pock-pudding.

flump in the pocket, with plenty of deals out of, or is continually changing,
money, warm (q.v.). As verb, (1) his market.
to record a whole- (i.e. an unsplit-) Poacher-court. The Kirk-Sessions
vote ; whence plumper, (a) the voter, (1796).
and (b) the vote also (racing), to back : Pocket. 1. Money, means, re-
one horse and (general), to put all
; sources : also pocket-book and pocket-
one's eggs in one basket. (2) To strike, lining. Hence, to be in pocket, to
shoot. profit ; to be out of pocket, to lose ;
Plumper. unqualified false-1. An pockets to let, penniless, broke (q.v.) ;
hood. 2. A
device for puffing out to To put one's hand in one's pocket, (1)
smoothness the wrinkles of the cheeks : to give money (as in charity), and (2)
also a false bosom (1650). 3. See to spend ; to have (or carry) in one's
Plump. pocket, to control ; to pick pockets, to
Plump - currant. In good condi- steal from the person (hence pick-
tion, in fettle, in high spirits (Grose). pocket, a thief from the person cf. :

Plum -
porridge. A term of con- Pick- purse) ; pocket-piece, (1) a show
tempt cf. Pudding-head (1634).
:
coin, whence (2) anything meretrici-
Plump-pate. A blockhead. ous or unreal see
(1598).
: As
Rhino
Plum-puddinger. A small whaler adj., small: pocket hercules, a
-
e.g.
making short voyages. [Century :
sturdy dwarf ; pocket-volume, a port-
the crew is dieted on fresh provisions able book ; pocket - Venus (or piece),
and an abundance of plum - pud- a diminutive woman ; pocket-parlia-
ding.] ment, a town - council, or debating
Plunder. 1. Household goods, society ; pocket hell, a Tartarus of
-

personal effects, baggage (1834). 2. one's own, a Tophit on a minor scale ;

Profit, makings (q.v.).
Plunge. To bet recklessly. Hence
a plunge, a reckless bet plunging,
gambling for high stakes ; plunger, a
reckless gambler. [For example, the
Marquis of Hastings, the first so-
called. One night he played three
games of draughts for 1000 a game
and lost all three. He then cut for
500 a cut, and lost 5000 in less than
two hours, Benzon (the Jubilee
plunger) lost 250,000 in little more
than twelve months.]
Plunger. 1. A cavalry man (1857).
2. See Plunge. 3. A Baptist.
Plush. At sea the overplus of the
gravy, arising from its being distri-
buted in a smaller measure than the
true one this assigned to the cook of
; man :
each mess, becomes a cause of ir-
regularity. John Plush, a footman;
cf. Thackeray, The YeUowplush Cor-
respondence, by Charles Yellowplush,
Esq.
Plyer. 1.
A trader (Grose).
Plymouth (or
A cudgel (1602).
Poach. 1. To steal; to sneak
(q.v.) see Prig.
: 2. In racing, to get
the best of a start : esp. by unsports-
manlike methods (1531). 3. To
blacken the eyes
and so forth. As verb, (1) to endure,
submit : as to ridicule, insult, or
; wrong. Hence, to pocket one's horns,
to play the wittol ; to put one's pride in
one's pocket, to suppress one's pride ;
to carry one's passions in one's pocket, to
smother one's feelings ; to pocket an
affront, to submit and say nothing
(1592) ; (2) to embezzle, steal (1851) ;
(3) to win. // not pleased, put hand in
pocket and please yourself, a retort on
grumblers. He plays as fair as if he'd
picked your pockets, said of rooking
gamblers.
Pocket-book Dropper. See
Drop-game.
Pocket-borough. A constituency
in which votes are controlled by one
theoretically, since the Reform
Act of 1832, a thing of the past ; to
pocket a borough, to control votes.
Pocketed. Said of a runner so
surrounded that he cannot possibly
get out of the press, and push to the
A crutch (B. E.). 2. front.
Pocket-pistol. A wicker-covered
Dunkirk) cloak. or leather-cased flask for spirits,carried
in the pocket.
Pocket-thunder. Eructation.
Pock -nook. To come in on one's
own pock-nook, to live on one's own
means.
: cf. Fr., yeux poches Pock - pudding. A bag- pudding :

au beurre noir (1819). hence, by force of metaphor, a glut-

Poacher. A jobber or broker who ton :
especially an Englishman whose
:

343
 Pod. Pnkf.

appetite the Scotchman affected to the root of a matter ; to boil down (or
despise, even as he hated and envied dose) to a point, ( 1 ) to condense as a :

him for its manifold opportunities paragraph, and (2) to balance as an :

(1730). account ; to stretch (or drain) a point,

Pod. 1. A foot :
specifically
of to exceed a limit (Grose) to make a :

children. Hence, to pod, to toddle. point of (1) to strive (or insist) to an

2. A protuberant belly ; a corporation end, and (2) to elicit a detail or make
(q.v.) also pod - belly.
: Hence, pod- a desired impression (also to prove one's
bellied (poddy, or in pod), (1) fat or point) ; to gain one's point, to effect a
tout : of men and (2) pregnant, of
; purpose ; to stand on point*, to be
women. Hence podgy, puggy, and ; to be at a point, to be
pudsey ( 1 763). 3. A louse : see Chates. SunctUious
etermined ; to come to points, to
Podge. 1. A fat man or woman. fight : with swords ; to give points to,
2. An epaulette (1834). (1) to have (or give)an advantage,
Poddy. 1. Drunk : see Screwed. and (2) to impart exclusive or valu-
2. See Pod. able information, to tip (q.v.) : also
Podunk. An imaginary place : in pointers ; at all points, completely ; at
burlesque. (or in) the point, (1) ready, and (2) in
Poem. A foolish appreciative : as the act of; in good point, in good
a well - cooked dish, pretty dress, condition ; in -point, apropos ; in point
smart-cut coat, and so forth. of, as regards point for point, exactly ;
;

Poet - sucker. A budding poet : to point, completely ; beyond a point,

cf. Rabbit-sucker (1625). in excess a point in favour, an ad-
;

Poet's -walk. The tea served to vantage in hand full of point, epi-
;

Upper Club, on half-holidays, in grammatic, effective ; the point of a

River-walk. matter, its end or purpose ; at point
Poge (Pogue, or Pogh). See Nonplus, hard up, in Queer Street
Poke. (q.v.) ; at point blank, immediately,
Pograrn. A Dissenter, formalist, direct. See also Cuckold's point ;
puritanical starch, maw-worm, creak- Potato ; Spear ; and V.
shoes (q.v.). Pointer. See Point
Pog y. Drunk see Screwed. : Poison. 1. Drink, tipple (q.v.).
Pogey-aqua, long-shore for make the Nominate your poison, What will you
grog strong. drink ? 2. Anything unpleasant.
Point. In pi., beauties of women : Whence, to hate like poison, to detest
or children accepted as applied to
:
(1530).
the characteristics of animals (1370). Poisoned. Pregnant
Possession is nine (or eleven) points Poison-pated. Red-haired.
of the law, said in deprecation of any Pojam. A poem set as an exer- :

attempt to change things as they are, cise: a portmanteau-word (q.v.).

or to seek redress (1749). Phrases, Poke (Poge, Pogh, or Pogue).
more or less colloquial, are numerous. 1. A pocket, bag, sack, pouch, purse
:

They mostly centre on a figurative generic. English synonyms: bounge,

use of point, (1) a sharp end, or (2) a brigh, bung, busy-sack, carpet-swab,
small but well-defined spot as a dot, :
cly, cod, haddock, hoxter, kick, peter,
a speck, a a moment, etc. To
hole, pit, roger, (also portmanteau), round-
see (tell, or make plain) a point, to about, skin, sky (or skyrocket, rhym-
understand (narrate or explicate) the ing), slash, suck. 2. Stolen property.
drift, or application of a thing as an : 3. A thrust, push, dig with the fingers,

argument, a narrative, a detail ; to a blow with the fist (Qrose, 1785). As

care (or be worth) but a point, to esteem verb, poke has always been literary.
lightly, (point, like Pin, Rap, Cent, 4. A poke - bonnet 5. A dawdler,
etc., the smallest standard of value) ; lazy bones (q.v.). Colloquialisms
to untruss a point, (1) to take down are : To poke, about, (or one's nose
one's breeches, and hence (2) to ease into), (1) to meddle, and (2) to busy
one's bowels point, a tagged lace,
; oneself aimlessly or officiously ; whence
used of old to keep doublet and hose poke-nose, a meddler, and as adj.,
together to give point to (or bring a
; offensively intrusive ; to poke fun, to
point to bear on), to emphasise : also ridicule ; to poke bogey, to humbug ;
to point ; to come to the point, to go to to buy a pig in a poke (see Pig) ; to

344
 Poker. Pompadours.

poke fly (tailors'), to show how ; to poke and receives a written slip containing
a smipe, to smoke a pipe : see Marrow the number or numbers on which he
-skying ; to poke borak (see Borak). bets. If a single number is chosen
Poker. 1. A sword cheese-toaster and drawn, he wins 5 dollars two ;

(q.v.) (B.
E.). 2. A bedel (q.v). numbers constitute a saddle, and if
carrying a silver mace before the both are drawn the player wins from
Vice-Chancellor ; also the mace itself : 24 to 32 dollars three numbers make ;

also Holy-poker frequently used as

: a gig, and win from 150 to 225 dollars ;

an oath. 3. A single-barrelled gun. four numbers make a horse, and win

4. A rough fencer. 5. One that con- 640 dollars. A capital straddle is a
veys coals (at Newcastle) in sacks, on bet that two numbers will be among
horseback (B. E.). Other colloquial the first three drawn, and wins
usages are Fore - pokers, aces and
: 500 dollars (M'Cabe). Policy-shop, a
kings at cards (Orose, 1785) Old ; lottery-office.
Poker, the devil see Skipper by the:
; Polish. To thrash, punish (q.v.).
Holy Poker (or Iron), an oath also, : To polish off, to finish out of hand, get
by the Holy Poker and tumbling Tom : rid of summarily as a dinner, or an :

cf. Poker Jews-poker (q.v.) to chant

; ; adversary (1834). To polish (pick, or
the poker, to exaggerate, swagger, put .
eat), a bone, to make a meal (Orose).
on side (q.v.) FT., se gonfler le jabot,
: To polish the King's iron with the eye-
and faire son lard. brows, to look through the iron-grated
Pokerish. 1. Stiff, reserved: windows of a prison (Orose).
hence pokerishly. 2. Frightful cf. : Polite. See Do.
Old Poker. Poll (Cambridge University). 1.
Poker-talk. Gossip, fireside chit- The ordinary examination for the
chat. B.A. degree as distinguished from
:

Poky (or Poking). Cramped, the Honours examination. 2. A stu-

stuffy, shabby, stupid : a general dent taking the pass degree without
depreciative also Poke-hole (1771).
: Honours : also Poll - man and Pott-
Pole. The weekly account for degree. [Gr., Hoi pottoi, the many.]
wages. As verb, to study hard. ( 1 ) Up To go out in the pott, to take an ordi-
the pole, in good report, goody-goody, nary degree. 3. A woman :
generic.
strait - laced ; (2) over - matched, in 2. A prostitute. Potty-hood, a state
difficulty. Like a rope dancer's pole, of wantonness (Walpole accused the
lead at both ends ; a saying of a ladies of his day of polly-hood, more
stupid sluggish fellow (Orose). fond than virtuous ; to pott up, (a) -

Pole-cat. harlot A
also a general : to court ; (b) to live in concubinage.
reproach (1596). 4. A wig. 5. A decoy bitch. As verb,
Pole - work. A long, tedious 1. See Pill and Poll. 2. To beat
business, collar-work (q.v.). distance. 3. To snub. To pott off,
Policeman. 1. A fly esp. a blue-
: to get drunk : see Screwed.
bottle (q.v.), which (in turn), a Pollard. A worth
counterfeit coin
constable. 2. A mean fellow, spy. about a halfpenny, made abroad, and
Police -
nippers. Handcuffs, leg- smuggled into England, temp. Ed. I.
irons see Darby's bands.
:
[Said to be named after the original
Policy. To gamble in lottery maker.] (1350).
numbers the game consists in betting
: Poller. 1. See Pill and Poll. 2. A
on certain numbers within the range pistol.
of the lottery schemes being drawn at Poll-parrot. A talkative woman :

the noon or night drawing. Seventy- also Poll and Potty.

eight numbers usually make up the Ppllrumptious. Restive, unruly,
lottery-scheme, and the policy-player foolishly confident.
can take any three of these numbers Polly. Apollinaris water. To do
and bet that they will be drawn, either potty, to pick oakum, mill doll (q.v.).
singly, or in such combinations as he Pollycon. Political economy.
may select. The single numbers may Polt. A
blow, stroke (B. E. ).
come out anywhere in the drawing, but Poltroon. A coward (1595).
the combination must appear as he Polty (or Dolty). Easy.
writes it in making his bet. He pays Pommel. See Pummel.
one dollar for the privilege of betting, Pompadours (The). The late

345
 Pompaginis. Poor-man.

56th Regiment of Foot, now the 2nd pay, settle. 3. Twenty-five pounds
Batt Esaex Regiment. [Tradition sterling: see Rhino (1818). 4. A
relates that, when facings were translation, Bohn (q.v.), crib (q.v.) :
changed in 1764, the crimson not also as verb (1832). 5. generic A
wearing well, the Colonel desired diminutive, prob. of turf origin as :

blue. The authorities, however, ob- pony, a very small horse, and pony-
jected, and he chose purple, a favourite stakes,an insignificant event. Whence
colour of Madame de Pompadour, the (generally) in comparison, anything
mistress of Louis XV. of France.] of small size, stature, or value.
Also The Saucy Pompadours. Hence, pony (1) a small glass (a pony
Pompaginis. Aqua pompaginis, of ale or stout), containing a gill or
pure water (1786). :
(of wines and spirits) a mouthful ; (2)
Pompey's-pillar. Pompey's pillar a woman very small stature.
of
to a stick of sealing wax, a fanciful
- Also pony-brandy, the best brandy:
bet : cf. All Lombard Street to a as served in a pony-glass ; pony-purse,
China orange, and Chelsea College to an impromptu collection of small :

a sentry-box. contributions. The word is becoming

Pompkin. See Pumpkin. recognised as in pony
:
-
saw, pony-
Pom-Pom. A quick-firing gun, of engine, and pony-truck. 6. A gaffing-
light construction, much used in coin (q.v.) ; a piece showing either
South Africa, 1899-1903. two heads or two tails. Whence, to
Pond(The). The sea spec, the : sellthe pony (or lady), to toss for
North Atlantic Ocean also Herring- : drinks certain
: coins, say twelve,
pond (q.v.), The big (or great) pond are placed one on top of another, all,
(q.v.) and The puddle (q.v.) (1722).
; save one, being turned the same way ;
Pong. Beer
also Pongelow or
: the coins are cut, as at cards, and he
Pongettorum. As
verb, (1) to drink ; who cuts the single piece has to pay,
(2) to vamp a part, or (circus), to having bought the pony. See Jeru-
perform ; (3) to talk, gas (q.v.). salem.
Pongo. A monkey. Poodle. A dog in sarcasm, :

Poniard (or Ponyard). A without reference to breed.

dagger (B. E., c. 1698). Poon (Winchester College). To
P o n t e. Twenty shillings : see prop a of furniture with a
piece
Rhino. [It, pondo, pound.] wedge (Wrench).
Pontie. On credit, on tick (q.v.). Poona. A sovereign cf, Ponte : :

Pontius Pilate. A pawnbroker see Rhino.

(Grose). Poona Guards. The East York-
Pontius Pilate's Body-guard. shires, formerly the 15th Regiment of
The late 1st regiment of Foot, now Foot also The Snappers.
:

The Royal Scoto, the oldest regiment Poont. In pi., the paps: see
in the service. [When the Regiment Dairy.
de Douglas, was in the French service Poop. 1. A worthless creature,
[1633-78], the officers disputed with weakling, nincumpoop (q.v.). 2. The
the Picardy regiment about the posteriors. 3. The face (cf. Shakes-
'

antiquity of their corps. The Picardy peare, 1 Henry IV.,' Falstaff to Bar-
men declared they were on duty on the dolph, etc., Thou art our admiral, thou
night of the Crucifixion, when the '
bearest the lantern in the poop, but
colonel of the 1st Foot replied, If we 'tisin the nose of thee). As verb, (1)
had been on guard, we should not have to overcome, be set down (1557). (2) To
slept at out posts.' Brewer.} break wind.
Pontius Pilate's Counsellor. Poop - downhaul. An imaginary
A briefless barrister FT., avocat de :
rope, a seaman's jest : cf. clapping
Pilate. [Who, like Pilate, can find the keel athwart-ships.
no (just) cause.] Poop-ornament An apprentice.
P o n t o. New breadcrumbs Poor. To serve the poor with a
kneaded into a pellet. thump on the back with a stone, to
Pony. A spec, an
1. bailiff : shark the needy (1670).
man. 1. A heap of corn-
officeraccompanying a debtor on a Poor -

day's liberty. 2. Money. As verb, sheaves : four set upright and one
to post the pony (or to pony up), to above. 2. The blade - bone of a
346
 Poor Man's Oyster. Pork-pie.

shoulder of mutton is called in Scot- to die (also to pop off the hooks see :

land a poor man, as in some parts of Pop and Hook), and (2) to make a
England it is termed a poor knight of sudden exit ; to pop it on, to increase
Windsor, in contrast, it must be pre- a demand as chance offers.
:

sumed, to the baronial Sir Loin. A Pope. A term of contempt e.g. :

Scotch laird was once asked by an What a pope of a thing Also, !

English landlord what he would have drunk as a pope, very drunk (Benedict
for dinner. He replied, I think I could XII. a glutton and a wine-bibber, gave
,

relish a morsel of a poor man (Scott). rise to the expression, Bibamus papal-
Poor Man's Oyster. A mussel. iter) : Screwed ; to be (or play)
see
Poor Man's Treacle. An onion pope-holy, to be sanctimonious ; to
(Century). play the prig (q.v.) or hypocrite;
Poor Mouth. To make a poor to know no more than the pope of Rome,
mouth, to whine, make the worst of to know nothing (1670). Bay also
things. gives, If you would be a pope, you
Poor Robin. An almanack. must think of nothing else. Pope-of-
[Robert Herrick, in the 17th century, Rome, home.
issued a series of almanacks so called.] Pop's-eye. The thread of fat in
Pop. 1. A father, papa : also a leg of mutton.
Poppa and Popper. 2. A popular Pope's- (or Turk's-) head. A
concert as The Saturday
:
(or Monday) round broom, of bristles or feathers,
Pops. 3. A club chiefly confined to with a long handle.
Oppidans though Collegers are some- Pope's - nose. A chicken's rump,
times elected : otherwise The Eton parson's-nose (q.v.) (Grose).
Society reading and debates.
for Pope's-size. Short and stout.
[Supposed to be a contraction of Pop-gun. See Pot-gun.
Popina, the rooms having been for Popinjay. A general term of
many years over a cook - shop or contempt specifically :
(1) a chatterer,
confectioner's (See Public School and (2) a fop (1598).
Word Book.} As verb., with subs, and Poplars (Poppelars, Popler, or
adv. generic for more or less quick, Paplar). Porridge spec. milk- :

unexpected, and explosive action. porridge (1576).

Whence, (1) to shoot: as subs, (or pop- P o p 1 e t (Popelet, or Poppet).
per), (a) a shop, and (b) a firearm : 1. An endearment (1694). 2. corp- A
spec, a pistol, and occasionally a ulent person (1400).
dagger ; (2) to crack as a whip (3)
; Pop -
lolly. A sweetmeat : Le.
to explode as a hat when sat on, or Lollipop. ^ f<

a cork when drawn; as subs., (a) a Popped. Annoyed. Popped as

drink which fizzes from the bottle a very angry.
hatter,
when opened spec, ginger-beer, but Popper. See Pop.
also champagne, and (6) the noise Poppy - cock. Nonsense, bosh
made in drawing a cork (4), to rap ; (q.v. ) also Poppy-cock racket.
:

out one's words whence popping,

:
Pop-shop. See Pop.
babbling. Also, as adv., suddenly or Pop-squirt. A jackanapes.
unexpectedly. (5) To pawn, to put Popsy-wopsy. A foolish endearment.
away whence pop - shop, a pawn-
:
Popular. Conceited.
broker (1823). (6) To get an advan- P.P. See Play or Pay.
tage. Other colloquialisms, mostly Pork. 1. A pig-headed one cf. :

with the same root - idea, are To :

Pig (1645). 2. A garment spoiled in
pop off saws, to babble to pop upon ; cutting or making ; goods returned on
(in, into, above, or out), (1) to come, hand also pig cf. Cold pig. To[vry
: :

put, spring, or thrust suddenly into pork, to act as undertaker's tout.

view or place, and (2) to offer abruptly; Porker. 1. A young hog (1725).
to pop with the mouth, to smack the 2. A Jew (1785). 3. A sword (1688).
lips ; to pop one out (or off), to deprive, Porkopolis. Chicago formerly :

with little or no warning ; to pop off Cincinnati cf. Cottonopolis.

:

with, to put off (or aside) ; to pop the Pork - pie. A hat modish in the :

question (or to pop), to offer marriage ; Sixties. [In shape resembling a pork-
to pop up (or down), to appear (or pie, or the Spanish toreador, fashion-
disappear) suddenly ; to pop off, (1) able in the Nineties.]
347
 Porpoise. Postman.

Porpoise. A stout man, forty- Posh. 1. Money generic, but :

guto (q.v.): Fr., Saint - Lichard, or a halfpenny or other small

specifically,
$fii>it-l'<i>i.'"irt. coin see Rhino.
: 2. A dandy.

Porridge. To cook the porridge, Posse Mobilitatis. The mob

to contrive and execute a design. (Grose).
See Breath. Possible. Plenty of the possible*,
Porridge bowl. - The stomach ; full pocketo, warm (q.v.).
the bread-basket (q.v.) ; see Victualling Possum, To play possum (or to
Office. possum), to feign death, counterfeit
-
Porridge disturber. A drive in sickness, dissemble strongly from :

the pit of the stomach. the habit of the opossum, which throws
Portable. Pocketable (B. E.). itselfon its back and feigns death on
Portage. Carriage of anything, the approach of an enemy.
whether by land or water (B. E.). Possum-guts. A term of reproach.
Portcullis (or Portcullis Post Employment, Office, Sta-
money). Money, of various values, tion also an advanced or advanta-
;

temp. Elizabeth, struck for the East geous piece of ground a pillar in the
:

India Company (est. 1599) : also way As verb, (1)

or street (B. E.).
India money [it bore a portcullis to reject, pluck (q.v.) also as subs. :
:

verso}. at Eton, to put down for bad work in

Porter. Hirelings to carry bur- Collections : the penalty is a holiday -
thens, beasts of burthen, or else poona or a swishing ; (2) to publish :
menial servants set to guard the gates by exposing a list of nominations or
in a great man's house (B. E. ). defaulters: spec. (Univ.) to publish
Porterhouse-steak. A chop from a list of those in debt for College
the sirloin with upper and under cut ; rations ; (3) to hold up to ridicule or
occasionally, but improperly, from contempt, as a coward. Whence,
the wing rib. to post up (or be well posted), to
keep
Porter's - knot. A
large bob of one (or be) well informed ; (4) to pay ;
hair, with a hanging curl : fashionable (5) to raise to the rank of post-captain
with women in the Sixties. (1818). From pillar to post, hither and
Portionist. See Postmaster. thither ; with aimless effort or action.
Portmantle (Portmantick, or [Lit. from the same to the same
Portmantua). A
corruption of pillar, Lat., columna, post] (1340).
portmanteau (1600). Other colloquialisms are : To run (or
Portmanteau - word. A made knock) the head against a post, to
vocable packed with two or more go blindly ; stiff as a post, unyielding :
meanings :
e.g. slithy, lithe and as a gatepost in the ground ; to talk
slimy torrible, torrid and horrible
; ; (or preach) to a post, to talk to deaf
squarson, squire and parson squirshop, ; ears hence deaf as a post, as deaf as
:

squire and bishop [The name was

; may be ; to talk post, to speak hastily ;
Lewis Carroll's, the method Bishop post alone, solitary ; to kiss the post (sea
Sam. Wilberforce's.] (1876). Kiss) ; to hold up a post (or the wall),
Portrait. See Queen's pictures. to cling for support when drunk : see
To sit for one's portrait, to undergo an also Bedpost, Knight, Nick (1400).
inspection by turnkeys, in order that Post-and-Rail. A wooden match ;
they may know prisoners from visitors. post-and-raU tea, ill-made tea, with
Portuguese Man - of - war. A floating stalks and leaves (1851).
nautilus. Post-horn. The nose : also paste-
Pos (Poss, or Poz). Positive ( 1 708]. horn see Conk.
:

Pose. 1. To puzzle. 2. To Postillion. Postillion of the gospel,

posture, pretend, feign. Whence a gabbling parson (Grose).
poser (1) an unanswerable question or Postman. In the courts of ex-
argument ; (2) an impostor, pretender ; chequer, two of the most experienced
(3) poser [apposer, opposer, or opposi- barristers, called the post - man and
tor], a bishop's examining chaplain : the tub-man (from the places in which
(in modern schools), an examiner at they sit), have also a precedence in
Eton for King's College, and at Win- motions (Blackstone). [The old Court
chester for New College scholarships of Exchequer is now merged in the
and exhibitions (1387). High Court of Justice.]
34s
 Postmaster. Potato.

Postmaster. An exhibitioner of five-pot piece, 2s. 6d. 7. In pi., North

Merton College : also Portionist (1853). Staffordshire Railway Ordinary Stock
Postmaster General. The (the Railway serves the Potteries).
prime minister who has the patron-
: 8.(Winchester College). The pot, the
age to all posts and places (Grose). Canal pot cad, a workman at the
- :

Post - mortem. The examination saw -

; mills
pot-gates, lock-gates ; pot-
after failure. houser, a jump into the canal from the
Post - anointer. A house painter roof of a house called pot-house (Mans-
(1785). field). 9. urinal. As adj., top.A
Post - office. A letter in the post- As verb, (1) to kill: specifically
office, a flying shirt-tail. (modern) to shoot from cover also :

Post - office Bible. The London to pot-shot hence pot-shot, (a) a shot
:

Delivery Book. so made ; (b) a shot made for the sake

Post - office Prayer - book. The of a gag (q.v.) without regard to the
Post-office Guide. rules and usages of sport; and (c) a
Pot. 1. A quart the quantity con- : shot at random, as into a flight of
tained in a pot whence as verb, to : birds without definite aim cf. Snipe : :

drink also (American) to potate pot-

: ; to pot away, to keep up a rain of shot ;
ting, boozing (q.v.); potations (recog. (2) to pocket a ball (3) to take a rise ;

nised), a drinking bout ; pot-house (or out of, do (q.v.), be revenged, land
shop), a beer-shop, a Lush-crib (q.v.) ; (q.v.) ; (4) to excel, to pot verses, to
pot house (or coffee-house) politician,
-
cap them (1599). To go to pot, to
an ignorant, irresponsible spouter of perish, be done for as by death, bad :

politics; pot-companion, (1) a cup- seasons, pecuniary difficulties, and so

comrade, and (2) an habitual drunk- forth (1394) whence go to pot ! go to :

ard as also, potfury (also, drunken-

: the devil go hang yourself. Potted
;

ness), -knight, -head, -leach, -man, out, buried. Colloquialisms are :

-polisher, -sucker, walloper, potator, A pot (or pitcher) oft sent to the well is
potster, toss pot, and rob pot ; pot- broken at last, the inevitable must
- -

punishment, compulsory tippling ; happen : see Pitcher ; to agree like pot

pot-quarrel, a drunken squabble pot- ; and kettle, to wrangle ; as like as one
sick (or -shot), drunk pot-sure (-hardy,
; pot's like another, very like indeed ; a
or -valiant), emboldened by liquor : little pot is soon hot, (1) a little suffices,
cf. Dutch courage ; pot bellied, fat, - and (2) little people (or minds) are
bloated in stomach, as from guzzling : soon angered (1696) to make the pot ;

also pot-betty (or guts), a big-bellied boil (or keep the pot boiling), (I) to
one pot-revel, a drunken frolic pot-
; ; provide necessaries, and (2) to keep
mania (or dipsomania
potomania), ; things going: Fr. (artists'), faire, du
Sir (or Madam) Pint - pot, a host or metier : see Pot-boiler ; to make a pot
hostess ; pot - boy (or man), a bar- with two ears, to set the arms akimbo ;
scullion : whence pot-boydom. 2. A to put on the pot, (1) see Pot, (2) to
largesum the ; collective amount of overcharge, (3) to exaggerate, (4)
money staked ; the pool : hence to bully, (5) to snub, or patronise
(racing), a horse backed for a large (also to put on the big pot) see Pot, :

amount, a favourite to pot, or to put ; and (6), to provide the necessaries of

on the pot, to wager large sums (1823); life to put on the pot, to banish, to ex-
;

and to upset the pot, to beat the fav- tinguish to make a pot at, to grimace ;
;

ourite (1840). 3. prize (usually A to make pots and pans, to spend freely,
given in cups, mugs, or pots) whence : then beg (1823) to give moonshine in ;

pot-hunter (or -fisher), (1) a professional a mustard-pot, to give nothing (1670) ;

athlete of the baser sort one who, // you touch pot, you must touch
of good quality, enters for events he is penny, you must pay for what you
sure to win for the sake of the pots have also see Pot - and - pan, Old
:

offered as prizes ; and (2) a man who Pod, Pot-shot, Pot-hat, Honey-pot,
seeks a large bag (q.v.) without re- etc.
gard to the rules and usages of sport ; Holes in fleshings used
Potato. :

also pot-hunting, going in for sport through an undarned

esp. for a heel
for profit alone (1785). 4. A person sock or stocking. Small potatoes,
of importance, an adept : also big also as
petty, mean, contemptible :

pot. 5. A steward. 6. Sixpence, adj. and subs. The potato (or dean)
349
 Potato-boggle. Pot-walloper.

potato), the beet, whitest (q.v.), tip- Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regi-
top: see Al. Potatoes and point, ment). [From the resemblance of
potatoes without salt point, an : the two sevens in the old regimental
imaginary seasoning, as in pointing, number to pot-hooks.] Pot-hooks and
to bacon, cheese, anything cf. Eat :
hangers, (1) the elementary characters
your bread and smell your cheese ! formed by children when learning to
(1834). write ; (2) a scrawl, bad writing ; (3)
Potato-boggle. A scarecrow. shorthand.
Potato - finger. A long thick Pot - house (The). St. Peter's
finger. College formerly Peterhouse. See
:

Potato-trap (or jaw). The Pot.

mouth honce, Shut your potato-trap
: Potion. See Bitter PilL
and give your tongue a holiday, Be Pot - hunter. See Pot and Pot-
silent To make full use of one's
! luck.
potato-trap, to scold roundly. English Potle - bell. To ring the potte-bell,
synonyms :
beak, blabber, blubber, to confirm a bargain by linking the
bone-box, box of dominoes (or wories), little fingers of the right hand.

chaffer, chirper, chops, clacker (or Pot - luck. Whatever is going in

clack -box), clams (or clam-shells), the way of food and drink, an im-
coffee-mill, coffer, dining-room, do- promptu invitation ; whence, a hearty
mino-box, dribbler, dubber, East-and- welcome : to take pot-luck, to take the
south (rhyming), flatter - trap, fly- hazard of a meal hence pot-hunter, :

trap, gab, gan, gash, gig, gills, gin a self-invited guest (1593).
lane (or trap), gob, gobbler, gob-box, Pot-of-wine. A bribe : Fr., pot-
- - - de-vin.
grave yard, grog shop, grub trap
(shop, or box), grubbery, hatchway, Pot-shot See Pot
hopper, ivory-box, jug, kisser, kissing- Pottage. See Breath, besides
trap, lung-box, maw, mizzard, moey, which there are proverbial sayings :

mouse (or mouse-trap), mug, muns, With cost one may make pottage of a
mush, muzzle, neb, prater, prattler, joint-stool ; Scald not your lips in
prattle- box, rattler, rattle-trap, rat- another man's pottage ; Like a chip in
trap, respirator, sauce
-
box, sewer, a pottage-pot, neither good nor harm.
sink, sluice-house (or mill), sluicery, Potted-fug. Potted meat.
1 ) To walk
trumpeter, yob (or yop). Potter. ( aimlessly and
Pot-belly (or guts). See Pot listlessly ; make a pretence of
(2) to
Pot - boiler. 1. A piece of work work ; and to dawdle : usually
(3)
done for money : Le. To boil the pot with about. Hence as subs., a saunter,
(q.v.) also as adj. hence pot-boiling,
; : slow pace also Potterer (1854).
:

and to pot - boil. 2. housekeeper. A Pottery. Poetry.

3. A rounded pebble, with marks Pot-walloper (wabbler, wal-
of fire upon it, which has probably loner, or waller). 1. The
been heated for the purpose of boiling election of members here [Taunton]
water. Pot-boilers of this kind are is by those whom they call pot-
used by many savage peoples at the walloners that is to say, every in-
present day, and if we wished to heat habitant, whether housekeeper or
water in a vessel that would not stand lodger, who dresses his own victuals ;
the fire, we should be obliged to to make out which, several inmates or
employ a similar method (Dawkins). lodgers will, some little time before
Pot-faker. A hawker a cheap- ; the election, bring out their pots, and
jack (q.v.) spec, one dealing in
: make fires in the streets, and boil
crockery. victuals in the sight of their neigh-
Pot - gun. 1. A toy gun :
pop-gun bours, that their votes may not be
is a later form see Pop. : 2. A re- called in question (De Foe) : the
proach (1623). qualification was abolished by the
Pot -hat Orig. a tall silk hat: Reform Bill of 1832 : hence pot-wal-
sometimes a felt hat loping (1724). 2. A scullion, kitchen-
Potheen. Illicit whisky : also maid ; and (nautical) a cook, esp. on
Potsheen. board a whaler also pot-wrestler. 3.
:

The Seventy-seventh
Pot-hooks. A tap-room loafer, a spouter esp. :

Foot, now the 2nd Batt Duke of (theatrical) a prosser (q.v.).

360
 Pouch. Prairie-dew.

Pouch (or Pouch up). 1. To The corner of the York and Waterloo
pocket (1567). 2. To eat. 3. To Roads, London any Monday, between
:

tip, provide with money (1844). eleven and three, may be seen a
Pouchet. A pocket (1682). hundred or more persons of both sexes
Pouch - mouth. A ranter. As waiting in the hope of obtaining en-
adj., ranting (1600). gagements in music-halls or variety
Poudering- (or powdering- ) theatres lion comiques, serio-comics,
tub. The
salivating cradle or pit character comedians, in fact, every
formerly used in cases of lues venerea, variety of music-hall artiste. In New
pickling tub (1599). York that portion of 14th Street,
Pouf.A would-be actor. opposite the Washington Statue, is
Poulderling (University). A known as The Slave Market for
student of the second year. similar reasons.
Poulterer. A thief who stole and Powder. Strength, vigour, in-
gutted letters. spiration, beans (q.v.), devil (q.v.).
Poultice Wallah. A surgeon's As verb, to be all over an adversary ;
assistant. to powder one's jacket, to swinge (1664).
Poultice -
wallopers. The Powder and shot, cost, effort, labour.
Royal Army Medical
Corps. Also Not worth powder or shot, not worth
The Licensed (or Linseed) Lancers ; trouble or cost.
The Pills. Powder -
monkey. A boy em-
Poultry. Women-kind : generic : ployed to carry gunpowder from
cf. Hen, Plover, Pheasant, Partridge, magazine to gun: Fr., moussaiUon
etc. Celestial poultry, angels. (1682).
Pounce. To thrash. Power. A
large number or quan-
Pound. LA prison : see Cage. tity : also
poweration. Whence
Pounded, imprisoned (Grose). As powerful, adj. and adv., extremely ;
verb, to hammer (q.v.). Pounding also eloquent.
match, a fight (1596). 2. To move Powos (The). The Prince of
forward, steadily and with more or Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regi-
less noise generally with along, or
:
ment), formerly The 14th Foot. Also
up and down (1844). 3. To get The Old and Bold ; Calvert's Entire.
caught (or with no easy
left) in a field Pow - wow. Noise
hence (poli- :

means of egress save a fence your a noisy meeting. As verb, to

tical),
horse won't take, stuck as in a pound. take part in such also to frolic. :

4. Caught astray propriety from [From N.A. Indian pow - wow, a

(Egan). To pound it, (1) to ensure or council.] (1825).
make a certainty of any thing ; thus, Poz. See Pos.
a man will say, I'll pound it to be so ; Practical - Politician. A pot-
taken, probably, from the custom of house spouter.
laying, or rather offering ten pounds Practitioner. A thief (q.v.).
to a crown at a cock- match, in which P r a d. A horse. Hence, Prod-
case if no person takes this extrava- cove, a horse-dealer ; prad-napper, a
gant odds, the battle is at an end. horse-thief ; the prod-lay, the theft of
This is termed pounding a cock ( Vaux). bridles, saddle-bags, and the like ;
Poundable, (1) certain, inevitable ; (2) prod-holder, a bridle. English syno-
to wager in pounds. To go one's pound, nyms: bit of blood, Charing- cross
to eat a thing out (the weight of a (rhyming), crock, crocodile, daisy-
soldier's ration of bread and meat is kicker, (or cutter : also, an ostler),
1 lb.). In for pound, committed for gee, gee-gee, ginger, grogham, jade,
trial. Shut in the parson's pound, jib (or jibber), high-stepper, knacker,
married, spliced (q.v.). long-faced 'un, lunk-head, macaroni,
Poundrel. The head. mount, muddler, nag (naggie or nag-
Pound-text. A parson, sky
-
pilot gon), ning-nang, pinto, prancer,
(q.v.). roarer, screw, scrub, star-gazer, tit,
Pout. A sweetheart. [O. E. undergraduate, weaver, whistler,
pidt, a yong henne, Prompt. Parv.] wind-sucker, wobbler.
(1768). Prairie. On the prairie, gift-free.
Poverty-basket. A wicker cradle. Prairie - dew. Whisky : cf. Moun-
Poverty - junction (or corner). tain-dew (Scots') (1848).
351
 Prairie-oyster. Prickers.

Prairie -
oyster (or cocktail). Precious. Worthless, great, over-
A raw yolk dropped into spirit*, nice; as precious little, very little; a
flavoured with Worcester or cayenne, precious humbug, an eminent rascal
and gulped. and so forth (1383).
-
Prairie schooner. An emigrant Precisian. A stickler: spec. (17th
waggon. century), a Puritan (q.v.), in depre-
Prairie State. Illinois. ciation. As adj., punctilious, rigidly
Pram. A perambulator. exact (1596).
Prancer. 1. A horse : see Prad. Preeze. To urinate.
2. A horse - thief. Hence prancer's- Presbyteress. A priest's mistreM
nab, a horse's head : as a seal to a (1563).
counterfeit pass ; the sign of the praneer, Presbyterian. An epithet of
The Nag's Head (1567). 3. A dancer. ridicule or contempt (1600).
As verb, to dance also pranker ( 1621 ).
: Prescott. A waistcoat : also
4. A cavalry officer. Charley Prescott.
Prank. A trick (B. E.). Present 1. A white spot on the

Prat. 1. the but-

Usually in pi., finger nail :
supposed to augur good
tocks or thighs (1573). As verb, to fortune. 2. A baby (1749).
beat, swish. 2. A tinder-box (1696). Presenterer. A harlot
3. A trick. As verb, to go :
Fr., en- Preserve (old University). A
tattler, and enquiUer, collection of outstanding bills (Grose).
Pratie (or Praty). A potato : see Press. A winning bet added to
Murphy (1834). the original stake.
Prating (prattling- or prattle-) Prettify. To adorn, decorate.
cheat). The tongue. Prating Prettification, the process of adorn-
(prattle or prittle prattle),
-
talk, esp. ment ; prettified, the fact (or con-
gabble ; to prattle (prittleor prittle- dition) of being adorned.
prattle), to chatter or clack (q.v.) ; Pretty. A generic intensive :

prattle basket (box, prate-roast, pratt-

-
ironical or complimentary at occasion
ler, or prate-apace), a chatterbox ; or will (1500). To do the (or talk)
prattle-broth, tea: cf. chatter- (or pretty, to affect amiability or obsequi-
scandal-) broth (q.v.) ; prattling-box, ousness. See Way and Horse-breaker.
a pulpit, or hum-box (q.v.) ; prattling- Pretty- (or Merry-) dancers.
parlour, a private apartment, or The Aurora Borealis.
snuggery(q. v. ) ; praty, talkative ( 1520). Pretty-pretty. 1. A knick-knack.
Prayer. Common colloquial ex- 2. See Pretty.
pressions are : To say prayers, to Previous. Out of season, hasty,
stumble : of horses : cf. Devotional over-zealous.
habits ; to say prayers backwards, to Prey. Money : see Rhino.
blaspheme (Ray) ; at her last prayers, Prial. Three cards of a sort (at
of an old maid (Ray) ; prayer-bones, the commerce, cribbage, etc.) Double- :

knees. prial, four of a kind whence also, :

Prayer-book. 1. A pack of cards. of persons and things. [A corruption

2.A small holystone a Bible (q.v.). ; of pair-royal^]
See Post-office prayer-book. Price, To enquire the cost of
Prayer - book Parade. A pro- (1837). What price f How's
menade, in fashionable places of resort, that 7 What do you think ? How
aftermorning service on Sundays. much T What odds ?

Pray-pray Fashion. Imploringly Prick. 1. A term of endearment

(1753). (1540). 2. A pimple.
Preach. To moralise out of Prick-ears. A Roundhead. [The
season, cant (q.v.): as subs., (1) a Puritan head-gear was a black skull-
sermon; (2) canting talk. Hence, cap, drawn down tight, leaving ears
preaching-shop, a church (or chapel) ; exposed. Prick-eared (or lugged), a
preachifying, tiresome moralising ; general term of contempt (1599).
preachy-preachy, long-windedly moral ; Pricked. Sour, acid (B. E. ).
prearhman, a clergyman ; preach- Prickers. A Cavalry regiment
ment, affectedly solemn cackle (1592). [That is light horsemen : cf. prick, to
To preach at Tyburn -
cross, to be ride : e.g. A
gentle knight was pricking
hanged : see Ladder. o'er the plain.]

352
 Pricket. Prink.

Pricket. A fictitious bidder, find, to flap, to fleece, to flimp, to fop,

Peter Funk putter-up (q.v.).
(q.v.), to fork, to fraggle, to free, to frisk,
Pricking ^Eger. See ^Eger. to glean, to haul, to hook, to jump,
Prick-louse (nip-louse, or prick- to klep, to knap, to knuckle, to lag, to
the-louse). A tailor (1590). lap, to lurch, to mag, to make, to
Prickmedenty {prick - me- maltool (or moll tool), to manarvel, to
dainty, or prick - ma - dainty). A mill, to mug, to nab, to nail, to nap, to
finical person. As adj., over-precise, nibble, to nick, to nim, to nip, to palm,
affected (1529). to parlor- jump, to pay with a hook,
Prick-the-garter. The manner in to pinch, to poach, to poll, to pug, to
which countrymen are deceived by pull, to purchase, to ramp, to rent,
gamblers, at a game called Pricking to respun (tinker), to ring, to shake,
in the Belt, or the old Nob this is a : to shark, to shoulder, to smouch, to
leathern strap folded up double, and smug, to snabble, to snaggle, to snake,
then laid upon a table if the person : to snam, to snap, to snatch, to sneak,
who plays with a bodkin pricks into to snipe, to speak, to spice, to swipe, to
the loop of the belt, he wins, if other- tool, to touch, to trot, to wolf, to work.
wise, he loses ; however, by slipping 2. A superior person, i.e. a person
one end of the strap, the sharper can esteeming himself superior ; in dress,
win with pleasure (Goldsmith): also morals, social
standing, anything ;
Pitch the nob, Prick the belt (or and behaving as such. [The conno-
Dp), and Fast and loose. tation is one of deliberate and ag-
Pride - and -
pockets. Half-pay gressive superiority you must get
:

smcers. that, or you get no prig.] Also a

Pride - of - the -
morning (The). bore. Whence prigdom, priggery,
A shower of rain. priggishness, and priggism (1676). 3.
Priest. A short bludgeon used : A tinker (1567). As verb, (1) see
i
administer the last rites to a landed subs. ; (2) to ride (1573) ; (3) to
fish. To be one" spriest, to kill (1810). haggle, cheapen : hence prigger and
A great priest, a strong but ineffectual prigging (1512).
inclination to stool (Jamieson). To Prig-star. 1. See Prig. 2. A
the priest say grace, to marry; rival in love (B. E.).
Prim. 1. A wanton (1509). 2. A
1

priest-link d, married (1696). Priest

of the blue-bag, a barrister : see Green- very neat or affected person (B. E.).
bag. Prime. 1. Eager ; more than
Priest's Niece. cleric's illegiti- A ready. 2. Of the first quality (esp.
aate daughter, or concubine whence : butchers' as in prime joints, prime
:

more character than a priest's American, etc.). As verb, to fortify,

iiece(1663). invigorate, inspire, bring to the height
Prig. 1. thief A
also prigger and : of a situation; with liquor, informa-
'igman. As verb, to steal. Whence tion, counsel (1637).
'igger of prauncers (or palfreys), a Prime-cock-boy. See Princock.
lorse - thief ; prigger of cacklers, a Primitive. Unmixed : as spirits
aultry thief ; prig napper, & thief with water, neat (q.v.).
- -

"ser ; Princ,e-prig (or Prig-star), a Primo. The chairman or master

of the Gipsies, also a Top of a lodge of Buffaloes.
ef, or Receiver General (B. E.) ; to Prinado. A sharper (1631).
rk on the prig (or prigging-lay), to Princock (princox, primcock,
Bve ; to prig and buz, to pick or princycock). A
pert youth. As
ckets ; priggish, thievish ; priggery adj., saucy, conceited. Prime-cock-
(or priggism), thievery (1560). Eng- boy (Florio), a freshman, a novice, a
synonyms to angle, to annex, to
:
milksop, a boy new come into the
bilk, to bite, to bone, to bounce, to world (1537).
ico, to bust, to buz, to cabbage, Princod. 1. A round, plump man
chouse, to claim, to clift, to clink- or woman (Grose). 2. A pincushion

rig, to cloy (cligh or cly), to collar, (Grose).

collect, to convey, to cop, to Prink (or Princk). To dress for
ck, to crib, to cross-fam, to curb, to show, adorn fantastically, put on airs.
it, to dip, to dive, to drag, to draw, Princums, high-sniffing niceties, and
to ease, to fake, to filch, to file, to fads, scruples ; Mrs. Princum Pran-
353
 Print. Pross.

cum, a nice, precise, formal madam ; tor. To be progged, to be proctorised

prinker, a jetter (q.v.) (1500). progging, a proctorial discipline.
Print In print, exactly in order. Prognostic. An artistic feeder.
Out of print, disordered, tumbled. Project. To play tricks, m
Quite in print, formal and precise see :
(q.v.).
Talk (1621). Prom. A promenade concert :

Printer 's-devil. See Devil. Pop.

Printed - character. A pawn- Promoter. 1. A
lawyer (1509).
ticket, mortgage-deed (q.v.). 2. An informer (1563): cf. Putter-on.
Prioress. See Better Horse. 3. A fool-catcher.
Priscian's-head. To break Pris- Promoss. To talk rubbish, play
ciari's head, to use bad grammar. [Lat, the fool, gammon (q.v.).
diminuere Prisciani caput. Priscian Promotion. On promotion, (1)
a famous grammarian of the 5th approval ; (2) unmarried.
century] (1527). Prompter ( Merchant Taylor*'
Prittle - prattle. See Prating- School). One of the second form.
cheat. Proof. The best ale at Magdal
Private. To private stitch, to conceal Oxford.
the thread in stitching. Prop (or Property). 1. Gene:
Private - business. Extra work in pi. :
e.g. manager s-props, stuff
done with a tutor (Eton College). stage use ; actor' s-props, acting mate:
Privy. An outdoor cesspool provided by himself :
FT., accessoi\
(1647). See Private. 2. A breast-pin : whence prop-na
Prize -
packet. A novice who pays a thief whose speciality is pins
to go on the boards. brooches. 3. (pugilistic). A strai
Pro. 1. An actor: i.e. one who hit. 4. (Punch and Judy),
belongs to The Profession. Pro's- gallows. 5. In pi., the legs. 6.
Bible, The Era newspaper pro's- ; pi., crutches (Grose). 7. A prope
Testament, The Sunday Times. 2. man also propster.
: 8. In pi.,
A pro-proctor a second in command
: arms. As verb, to hit, knock do
in the proctorial police (1823). To put the prop on, to seize an ad
Proboscis. The nose see Conk. :
sary's arm, and so prevent him
Procession (or Procesh). 1. A hitting ( 1 85 1 ). To tick away the
matter of following. 2. A street to be hanged see Ladder. :

circus ^parade. To go on with the P.P.See Play or Pay.

procession, to maintain continuity ; Proper. An ironical inversion
to stand at the head of the procession, to perversion of a popular epithet
lead. commendation and approval.
Proclamation. To have one's head make oneself proper, to adorn, ti
full of proclamations, to be much vate(q.v.).
taken up to little purpose. Property. To make property
Proctour.
'
He
that will tary
1. one, to use as a convenience, tool,
long, an bring a lye, when his Maister cat's-paw (1785).
sendeth him on his errand this is a :
Prophet. A sporting tipster.
stibber gibber knauc, that doth fayne Propster and Prop-nailer. See'
tales (Awdeley). Also (2, HaUiwett), Pros (Cambridge). A W.C.
one who collected alms for lepers, or adv., proper ; nothing but the word
other incapablcs. Also (Kennett) prosperous offers in explanation.
beggars of any kind. Prose (Winchester). A lecture:
Prodigious. Very, exceedingly, also as verb.
immensely: cf. Awful (1744). Prosit A salutation in drinking
Profession (The). See Pro. Your health! [Ut tibi prosit men
Prog. Food (1696); Dyche (1748) potto.] Fr., Ut I
a cant word for provisions, goods, or Pross. 1. prostitute: alsoA
money laid up in store Johnson
; prosey. 2. A
cadged drink. As verb
(1755) a low word. As verb, to beg ; (or adv., on the pross), (1) to spunge ;
prog-basket, a beggar's wallet ; prog- (2) to instruct or break in a stage*
shop, an eating-house (1440). As struck youth ; prosser, a cadger of
verb, to prognosticate. See Prog. drinks, dinners, and small monies
Progger (or Proggins). A proc- Prosser' s Avenue, the Gaiety bar.
354
 Protected-man. Puddle.

Protected-man. A merchant sea- Puck. The devil (1362).

man unfit for the Royal Service and Pucker. To talk apart or in
therefore free of the press-gang. private. In a pucker, anxious, agi-
Proud. Pleased, gratified. Hence, tated, angry, confused : cf. Pudder.
to do one proud, to flatter, honour ; To pucker up, to get angry (1751).
to do oneself proud, to be pleased. Pucker - water. An astringent :

P r o v. On
out of work
the prov, used to counterfeit virginity.
and on the Provident Fund of a trade Puck - fist
(or Puck -
foist) A
society. braggart. [Nares equivalent to vile :

Provender. He from whom money fungus, scum of the earth] (1601).

is taken on the highway perhaps : Pud (or Pudsey). A hand, fist

provider or provider (Grose). (1823). As verb, to greet affection-

Provost. A garrison or other cell ately or familiarly.
for prisoners whose sentences are for Pudder. Confusion, bother cf. :

a week or less. Pucker. As verb, to bustle, search,

Prow. A bumpkin. dabble, potter (q.v.) (1600).
Prowl. Hugh Prowler, a thief
(1) Pudding. 1. Drugged liver: used by
or highwayman (2) prowling (or
; burglars to silence house-dogs. 2.
prowlery), robbery ; (3) to wait for The guts (1785). Pudding-house, the
the ghost (q.v.) to walk. belly pudding - ken, a cook - shop ;
;

P r o x. proxy A
specifically a :
pudding -snammer, a cook-shop thief ;
ticket or list of candidates at elec- pudding-filler (old Scots'), a glutton
tions, presented to voters for their (1503). 3. Good luck. Colloquial-
votes. isms, mostly contemptuous are :

Pruff( Winchester School). Sturdy, Pudding-bellied, big-stomached ; pud-

proof against pain. ding-faced, fat, round, and smooth in
Prugge. A partner, doxy (q.v.) face ; pudding-head, a fool : whence
(1631). pudding - headed, stupid pudding- ;

Prunella. A clergyman. [Clerical heart, a coward pudding-hose, baggy-

;

gowns were largely made of this breeches ; pudding - sleeves, (1) large
material.] baggy sleeves as in the full dress
Prunes. See Stewed prunes. To clerical gowna parson in pudding
; (2) ;

have prunes in the voice, to speak time, in the nick of time, opportunely ;
huskily, from emotion. puddingy, fat and round pudding ;

Prussian - blue. A term of great about the heels, slovenly, thick-ankled ;

endearment after :Waterloo the . . . to ride post for a pudding, to exert for
Prussians were immensely popular, little cause to give the crows a pudding,
;

and in connection with the Loyal True (1) to hang on a jibbet, and (2) to
Blue Club gave rise to the toasts, The die see Hop the twig.
: Also pro-
True Blue and the Prussian Blue verbs and sayings The proof of the :

(Brewer). pudding is in the eating Hungry dogs ;

Pry. A busybody, a peeping Tom : will eat dirty puddings Cold pudding ;

now Paul Pry (q.v.): from Poole's will settle your love ; Better some of a
farce. pudding than none of a pie ; There is
Prygge- See Prig. no deceit in a b&g-pudding Puddings ;

Psalm-smiter. A ranting dissenter. and paramours should be hastily

Pub (or Public). A tavern ; in handled Puddings an' wort are hasty
;

the public line,

engaged as a licensed dirt ; It would vex a dog to see a
victualler (1816). pudding creep Be fair conditioned
;

Public -
buildings. Inspector of and eat bread with your pudding
public buildings, (1) an idler: from (1594).
choice or necessity ; (2) a loafer or a Puddle. A term of contempt :
man seeking work\ also as Puddle-poet, a gutter
adj.
Public-ledger. A prostitute. rhymster ; a puddle of [a man, etc.],
Public-man. A
bankrupt (1785). a 'blundering fool (1665). As verb,
Public -
patterer. swell mobs- A (1) to tipple: see Screwed; (2) to
man who pretends to be a dissenting muddy, turbidize (1602). The puddle,
preacher, and harangues in the open (1) the Atlantic Ocean see Big Pond, :

air to attract a crowd for confederates

Herring-pond, and Pond ; (2) in Corn-
to rob. wall, the English Channel.
355
 Puddle-dock. Putting-time.

Puddle
dock.- The Duchess (or 3. A person speaking of any intricate
Countess) Puddledock, an
of im- affair, or feat of ingenuity, which he
aginary dignitary. [Puddledock, an cannot comprehend, will say, There is
ancient pool in Thames Street, not of some pull at the bottom of it, that
the cleanest description.] I'm not fly to ( Vaux). 4. An attempt
Pudsey. 1. A foot: see Creepers. to extort something from another, go
2. See Pod and Pud. (q.v.) (1749). 5. Rowing exercise:

Pudgy. See Pod. also as verb, to row (1S41). As verb,

Puff. 1. A sham; an impostor. (1) see subs. ; (2) to strike a ball from
2. False praise : also puffing and the off to the leg side of the wicket ;
puffery- 3. A
decoy (as a critic who to take a pull, to drive a straight ball ;
extols a book or a play from interested (3) to arrest, raid : see Nab and Cop :
motives), a mock -
bidder, runner- pulled up, brought before a magis-
up (q.v.) of prices at auctions, gam- trate (1785) ; (4) to slow a hone, while
bler's confederate, bonnet (q.v.): also
seeming to ride one's best ; (5) to
puffer. As adj. (also puffed), fat. steal, cheat (1383). The long pull, in
As verb (also puff up), to blow, bloat, drawing malt liquors, to give excess
fill with wind, falsehood, conceit. measure in order to attract custom.
Puff-worker (American), a penny-a- Colloquialisms are : To putt down,
liner making a
speciality of theatrical (1) to steal from shop doors; (2) to
paragraphs (1596). 4. The breath. destroy, depress, endanger chances ;
To puff and blow, to gasp ; out of puff, to pull in the pieces, to make money :
winded ; puff-guts, a fat man, jelly- FT., faire son beurre ; to pull it (or foot),
belly (q.v.). 6. Life ; existence : to decamp see Amputate and Ske-
:

Never in one's puff ; the cope of one's daddle ; to putt through, to succeed, to
puff, the copestone of one's life (1777). get out of a difficulty ; to putt together,
To puff the glim, to fill up the hollows to co-operate ; to putt up, (1) to take
. . found above all old horses' eyes,
. to task, to arrest, to stop ; (2) to exert
by pricking the skin and blowing oneself, to make a special effort ; to
air into the loose tissues under- putt faces, to grimace ; to putt a long
neath. face, to look blue (q.v.) ; to putt off,
Puffer. 1. A locomotive, puffing- to succeed ; to get there (q.v.) ; to putt
Bitty. 2. A small river tug or launch : oneself together, to rouse oneself ; to
also puff-puff. See Puff. rally ; to putt (or draw) in one's horns,
Pug. 1. An endearment. 2. A to retract; to cool down (1785); to
whore (1567). 3. A pugilist: also putt down a side, to spoil all ; to putt
pugU (old). Hence Pug's - acre, a by the sleeve, to remind ; to putt out
corner of Highgate cemetery where (American), (1) to chuck (q.v.); (2)
Tom Sayers and other pugilists lie (athletic), to strike to the utmost, to
buried (1692). 4. An upper servant. extend (q.v.), usually by means of a
Pug's - hole, the housekeeper's room friendly pace-maker ; (3) (common), to
(1847). 5. A dog: with no reference run away ; (4) (tailors ), to hurry, to
to breed. 6. A fox (1809). get on with work in hand ; to pull up
Puggard. A thief (q.v.). Pugging, a Jack, to stop a post-chaise on the
thievish (1604). highway (1819) ; to putt a kite, to be
Puke. 1. A term of contempt: serious, to look straight (q.v.) ; to
cf. puker (Shrewsbury), a good-for- putt one's (or draw) the leg, to impose
nothing (1847). 2. An inhabitant of upon, to bamboozle (q.v.), to chaff
the State of Missouri (Century Diet.). (q.v.) ; to putt over, to catch, to arrest :
As verb, to vomit still in use at : a general verb of action, see Nab; to
Winchester (1600). putt about one's ears, to ruin,
Puling. Sickly. Puler, a weak- chastise. See Bacon, Baker,
ling (1608). Crow, Dead horse, Devil, Foot, HI
Pu1L 1. A drink ; a go (q.v.). Longbow, Stakes, String, Vest, Wires,
As verb, to drink, lush (q.v.). Putter- Wool.
on, an appetiser of liquids only : cf. : Pulled-trade. Secured work.
Drawer-on (1436). 2. An advantage, Pullet (Poulet, or Pulley). 1. A

hold, power e.g. to have a pull over 2. A female

:
girl of tender years.
one, to have at an advantage, in one's confederate.
power, or under one's thumb (150(1). Pulling - time. The evening of a
356
 Pullman-pup. Punt.

fair-day, when the wenches are pulled Pump-thunder. A blusterer : see

about (old). Furioso : also as verb.
Pullman-pup. The Midland night Pum-pum. A fiddler.
Scotch train from Leeds runs in front Pumpwater. See Aqua and Yard.
of the London Scotch train, and is Pun: 1. A play upon words,
therefore nicknamed the Pullman pup. similar in sound but different in
Pully-hauly. Rough-and-tumble, meaning also as verb (B. E.). 2.
:

Haul devil, pull baker (q.v.). (Harrow School). Punishment. Pun-

Pulpit - cuffer (drubber, drum- paper, specially ruled paper for puns
mer, smiter, or thumper). A and impositions. To pun out (Christ's
ranting parson, a cushion-thumper Hospital), to inform against e.g. I'll :

(q.v.). Pulpit-cuffing, violent exhor- pun out ; I'll pun you out : exclusively
tation (1699). a London expression ; at Hertford, to
Pulpiteers (Winchester College). pun or pun of.
An arrangement during Cloister-time Punch. 1. Generic for anything
of Sixth Book and Senior Part V. thick and short as a fat child, a
:

going up to books together . . . horse well-set and well-knit, having a

Middle and Junior Part taken together short back and thin shoulders, with a
were called Cloisters. broad neck, and well lined with
Pulse. To feel one's pulse, to gauge flesh. Punchy, fat-bellied. Punchi-
opinions (views, feelings), sound ness, stoutness of build. 2. A blow ;

(q.v.), take one's measure (q.v.). also as verb :

e.g. to punch one's head
Pummel (Fumble, or Pommel). (1603). As verb, (1) to drive and
A drubbing: amongst pugilists, a brand cattle whence puncher (bull
:

crippler (q.v.). As verb, to beat, or cow-puncher), a cowboy (2) to ;

tan (q.v.) : also pum (1515). walk ; hence to punch outsides, to go

Pump. pi., dancing shoes ;
1. In
as verb, to don dancing shoes (1592).
2. In pi., the eyes: see Glim (1825).
3. A public house see Lush-crib.
4. A solemn noodle. As verb, (1) to
question artfully, make one tell with-
out knowing he's telling, sound (q.v.)
hence, as subs., an indirect question
Your pump is good but the sucker's
dry a retort on an attempt to pump
!
(1633) (2) to duck under the pump
;
also to give a taste of the pump (B. E.,
out of doors (1780). Cobbler's punch,
urine with a cinder in it (Orose).
Punchable. Old passable money,
: anno 1695 (B. E.). See Punch.
Punch-and-Judy. Lemonade.
Puncher. A pugilist. See Punch.
: Punch - clod. A farm - labourer,
:
clod-hopper.
Punch-house. A brothel (1696).
Punchy. A house of entertain-
: ment. See Punch.
Punish. A strong verb of action :

1696) christened with pump water, said

: thus (in boxing) to hit hard, handle
of a red-faced boy or girl (1760) ; (3) severely ; (in cricket), to hit freely ;
to go breathless, wind (q.v.) : pumped (general), to punish the bottle, to drink
out (or dry), completely blown (1696) : hard ; to punish the spread, to eat
hence pumper, anything that pumps : much and heartily ; and so forth.
as counsel, a race, a course, a spurt ; Hence punishing, exhausting, fatigu-
(4) to vomit, cast up accounts (q.v.) :
ing punisher, a glutton for work ;
;

(5) to steal ; (6) to cry (1837). punishment, a severe beating, com-

Pump - and - Tortoises (The). plete exhaustion, etc. (1819).
The late 38th Regiment of Foot, now Punk (or Punquetto). A
the 1st Batt. South Staffordshire harlot. As
verb, to procure. Hence,
Regiment. punker, a wencher ; punkish, mere-
Pumpkin. 1. A man or woman of tricious (1575). As verb, (1) see subs. ;
Boston, America, from the number (2) to punctiire a tyre : also, as subs.,
of pumpkins raised and eaten by the a punctured tyre.
people of that country Pompkins- ; Punsh. See Punch.
hive, for Boston and its dependencies Punt. 1. To gamble formerly :

(Grose), 2. The head. Some (or big) generic, but mostly confined to small
pumpkins (or as big as pumpkins), a or chicken stakes. Punter, a gambler ;

high appreciation : cf. Small potatoes. punting-shop, a hell ( 1700). 2. (Rugby

Pumpkin-head. A fool. footballers'). To kick the ball before
Pump-sucker. A teetotaller. it touches the ground. Punt-about,
357
 Puny. Purser.

a practice-ball or game. 3. To act of the hypocrisy imputed to the

as decoy also Punter.
:
Puritans.]
Puny. freshman. 2. A
1. A Purko. Beer. [Barclay, Perkins,
student at the Inns of Court. 3. A and Co.]
junior. 4. A puisne judge or bencher Purl. Beer infused with worm-
1.

(1548). Punyship, youth. As adj., wood. 2. Beer warmed nearly to

weak, small (B. E.). boiling point, and flavoured with
Pup. LA puppy (q.v.). 2. A gin, sugar, and ginger. Purl-man, a
pupil. To sell a pup, to swindle a boating vendor of purl to Thames
greenhorn, flap a jay (q.v.). watermen (1680). 3. A dive, head
Pupe (Harrow School). A pupil foremost. As adj., thrown, spilt
room. (q.v.), foaled (q.v.) e.g. He'll get :

Pupil -monger. A tutor :

purled at the rails. Hence (as subs.),
specifically at the universities or purler, a fall, a spill.
(1662). Purpose. To as much purpose as
Puppy (Pup, Puppy-dog). 1. the geese slur upon the ice (or as to
A vain or unmannerly fool, fop, cox- give a goose hay), to no purpose at all :
comb (1593). Puppyism, conceit or also to no more purpose than to beat
affectation ; puppyish (or puppily), your heels against the ground (or
impertinent ; puppy-headed, stupid. wind) (Ray, 1670).
2. A blind man : Fr., sans-mirettes ; Purse. A sum of money a prize, :

sans-chdsses. As adj., blind. a collection, a gift. Also (generic),

Puppy - snatch. A snare, plant money, resources see Rhino. As :

(q.v.) (1670). verb, to take purses, steal (1609).

Purchase. Plunder. As verb One or two colloquialisms merit notice :
(or to live on one's purchase), to thus, a light (or empty) purse, poverty ;
live by swindling, thieving, or black- a long (or heavy) purse, wealth ;
mailing. To get in purchase, to beget sword and purse, the military power
in bastardy (1512). and wealth of a nation ; to make a
Pure. 1. A
mistress. Purest-pure, purse, to amass money ; purse-proud
a top mistress or fine woman (B. E.). (or full), haughty, because rich
2. Dogs' - dung. Pure - finder, a man (1696) ; out of purse, penniless ; purse-
engaged in collecting dogs' - dung pinched, poor ; I've left my purse in
from the public streets. As adj., (1) my other hose (old), or on the piano,
neat, unadulterated. Pure element, a bald excuse for not parting (q.v.).
water: see Adam's Ale (1772); (2) Amongst proverbs there are : A
used intensively cf. Prime, Exquisite,
: fullpurse makes the mouth to speak ';

Tip-top, Stunning, No-end, Mighty, An empty purse fills the face with
Out-and-out (1362). The pure quill, wrinkles Ask thy purse what thou
;

the best, the real thing any person : should* st buy An empty purse and a
;

or thing of superlative quality. new house make a man wise, but too
Purge. Beer, swipes (q.v.). late An empty purse
; frights away
Purger (or perger). Primarily a friends ; A
friend at court is better
teetotaller, tea-pot sucker (q.v.): than a penny in the purse.
hence a term of contempt. Purse - leech. money-grubber A
Puritan. 1. A name given in con- (1648).
tempt (c. 1564-69) to clergymen and Purse -
milking. Spendthrift,
laymen who wanted a simpler, and greedy (1621).
what they considered a purer, cere- Pursenets. Goods taken upon
monial than was authorised by : trust by young unthrifts at treble
extension, a man or woman setting up the value ; also a little purse
for better chaster) and more
(esp. (B. E.).
pious than their neighbours. Hence, Purser. A ship's storekeeper :

Puritanism, a condition of exacerbated used contemptuously as follows :

righteousness unco' guidness

;
a ; Purser's dip (quart, etc.), an under-
habit of life beyond impeachment, sized candle, or quart short in measure ;
strict, godly, and austere. As adj., purser's grin, a hypocritical or satiri-
sour, precise, malevolently and tyran- cal sneer e.g. There are no half-
:

nically severe: cf. Precisian (1567). laughs or purser's grins about me,
2. A wanton. [Probably an echo I'm right up and down like a yard of
358
 Purser* s-pump. Put.

pump water, meaning that the speaker Puss -

gentleman. An effeminate
is in earnest ; 'pursers-name, a false (1782).
name ; purser 's-shirt on a handspike Pussy - cat. 1. A Puseyite. 2.

(said of ill-fitting clothes). See Puss.

Purser 's-pump. 1. A syphon. 2. Put. 1. A rustic, shallowpate :

A bassoon (1785). also country put (1688). 2. wanton A

Pursy (or Pursive). 1. Rich. [Fr., putain]. 3. (Stock Exchange). An
2. Fat with well-being. 3. Short- option to deliver, or not deliver, at a
winded. future day also put and call. Phrases
:

Purting-glumpot. A sulker. more or less colloquial merit a men-

Puseum (The). The Pusey House tion To put off (-by or -on), (l)to
:

hi St. Giles Street, Oxford. baffle, delay, dismiss, (2) to foist or

Push. 1. A crowd, assembly of any deceive, (3) to get rid of or sell :
kind e.g.
: a band of thieves
(thieves'), ; whence a put off (put-by or put-on), a
(prisons'),a gang associated in penal shift, trick, or excuse ; to put to, to
labour (general), a knot or party of
; ask a question, advice, etc.: to put
people, at a theatre, a church, a race- down, ( 1 ) to baffle or suppress, and (2)

meeting, etc. Fr., dbadie, tigne, vade,

: to enter one's name, for a speech,
trepe (1672). 2. A robbery, swindle.
Thus, I'm in this push 1 I mean to
share an intimation from one mags-
man to another that he means to stand
in (q.v. ) (1772). 3. Enterprise, energy
also pushery, forwardness. Colloquial-
isms : to get (or give) the
order of the push), to be discharged (or
donation, etc. ; to put upon, (1) to
accuse, and (2) to inflict or oppress ;
to be put upon (or on), to be depressed,
deceived, or blamed ; to put in for, to
:
compete; to put two and two (or this
and that) together, to draw conclusions ;
push (or the to beput up, to be accused or pulled
up to be put to it, (1) to be
(q.v.)
;

to reject), to be sent (or send) about compelled, and (2) to be hard pressed
one's business ; put to the push (or or embarrassed (1696); to put in one's
at a push), subjected to trial, in a head, ( 1 )
to suggest, and (2) to remind ;

difficulty or dilemma (1696) ; to push to put out of one's head, to forget to ;

one's barrow, to move on ; at push of put up (or put it up) with, (1) to sub-
pike, at defiance (1696). mit or endure, (2) to accommodate
Pushed. 1. Drunk: see Screwed. (or be received) as a lodger or guest,
2. Hard-up (1827). (3) to nominate, and (4) to spend or
Pusher. just from 1.A canary bet ; to put back, to hinder or refuse ;
the shell. see Petti-
2. A woman : to put a quarrel (or rudeness) on one,
coat. Hence square pusher, a girl of to force to anger or incivility ; to put
good reputation. 3. blucher boot, A away, (1) to dispose of by eating
high-low. 4. finger of bread usedA :
(whence put - away, an appetite or
by children with a fork or spoon when twist (q.v.), sale, pawning, imprison-
feeding. ment, etc., and (2) to inform against,
Pushing-school. A fencing- nark (q.v.) ; to put a hand to, (1) to
school. begin a matter, (2) to sign or endorse
Pushing-tout. A thieves' watch- a document, and (3) to steal ; to put
man, that lies scouting in and about finger in the eye, to cry ; to put on, to
the City to get and bring intelligence imitate, assume a character, airs,
when and where there is a Push, or etc.(whence, a put-on, a trick or shift),
Crowd of People (Higden). and (4) see Put-off, supra ; to put out,
Push-pin. See Push. (1) to confuse or perplex, and (2) to
Puss. 1. Sometimes complacently vex ; as much as one can put in one's
used of a woman suspected of loose eye, nothing (1696) to put a good (or :

morals (cf. Cat) but usually a playful :

bad) face on, to appear pleased (or the
endearment e.g. little puss, saucy
:
reverse) ; put-up, arranged, planned
puss, you puss, you (1583). 2. A (whence a put up job, a concerted
hare, or rabbit (1821). 3. (local swindle robbery, whence also
or
Woolwich A cadet of
:
obsolete). putter -up); to put about, (1) to
the Royal Military Academy. [The publish a rumour, lie, or statement,
uniform was a short jacket with a (2) to change one's tactics, and (3) to
pointed tail vide old pictures at the
:
inconvenience, annoy, or embarrass ;
R.A. Institution, Woolwich.] to put through, (1) to succeed, and
(2)
359
 Putney. Quad.

to swindle ; to put out (forth or off), to Name, Nose, Oar, Pin, Pipe, Pot,
set out ; to put on, to bet see Pot ; to : Side, Spoke, Strong, Time-o'-day,
put one on, (1) to tip (q.v.), (2) to bet Tongue, War-paint, Wrong-leg.
for another, and (3) to promise a Putney. Oo to Putney on a pig I
bonus if a certain horse wins ; to put Go to the deuce !

up to, (I) to explain or impart informa- Putrid. A depreciative : if.

tion, and (2) to suggest or incite ; to Awful, Bloody, etc.

put out, to vex ; to put in one's motto, Putter. A foot : see Creepers
(I) to enter rashly into a discussion, (1821).
and (2) to lay down the law ; to stay Putter-on. An instigator, promp-
put (American), to remain as placed ; ter (1601).
to put in a hole, (1) to inconvenience, Puttock. 1. A whore.
non-plus, or get the better of (see Putty. 1. Money :
generic : see
Hole), (2) to defraud (thieves' : see Rhino. 2. A
glazier or painter. The
Well), and (3) to victimise ; to put on puttyand plaster on the Solomon knob,
one's mettle, to urge ; to be put to one's an intimation that the master is

trumps, to be forced back on one's coming be silent; !

resources ; to put by, to save ; to put Puzzle (or Dirty -

puzzle). A
(or^fay) heads together, to confer; to slattern (1583).
put one's head in the lion's mouth, to Puzzle - cove (or cause). A
run into danger ; to put to the door, lawyer (1785).
to eject ; to put over (Australian), to Puzzledom. Perplexity, bewilder-
kill ; to put on the woman, to shed ment : also puzzlement. Whence,
tears ; to put a hat on a hen, to attempt puzzle headed
- and puzzleheadedneu
the impossible (Ray, put
1765) ; to (1748).
together with a hot needle (or burnt Puzzle- headed -
spoon. See
thread), to fasten insecurely ; Put up I Apostle-spoon.
Shut your mouth (American). See
! Puzzle-text. A clergyman (178o).
also Ape, Back, Bag, Balmy, Balmy- Puzzling Arithmetic. A state-
stick, Basket, Bed, Best-leg, Boot, ment of the odds (1613).
Business, Cart, Chair, Doctor, Double, Puzzling - sticks. The triangle to
Down, Drag, Dukes, End, Frills, which culprits were tied for flagella-
Grindstone, Hand, Head, Horse, Ki- tion (1819).
bosh, Light, Miller, Miller's-eye, Nail, Pygostole. A M. B. waistcoat (q.v.).

Q (Cue or Kue). 1.
'
Halfe a far- Quack. A duck also quacking -
1. :

set down and

thing, so called because they cheat quacker (1567). 2. See
in the Battling or Bntterie Bookes Quacksalver. As verb, to give an
in Oxford and Cambridge the letter new title to an old and unsaleable
Q for halfe a farthing, and in Oxford book. In a quack, in the shortest
when they make that Cue or Q a time possible cf. Crack. :

farthing, they say, Cap my Q, and Quackle. To drink, gobble,

make it a farthing, thus * (Min- choke (1847): provincial in England,
shen). 2. A score (whence a re- and colloquial in America (1627).
minder). 3. An item of small value. Quacksalver (Quacksalve, or
Q in a corner, something not seen at Quack). Originally a charlatan a ;

once, but subsequently brought to travelling empiric who cackled about

notice. See P's and Q's. his salves shortened by Wycherley
:

Q.H.B. or (K.H.B.). A worthless to quack, which now means any noiay,

soldier also Queen's (or King's) bad
:
specious cheat. Also as adj. and
bargain (or shilling) (1785). verb (1579). Quackery, a professional
Q.T. On the Q.T., on the quiet :
humbug.
&lao on the strict Q.T. Quad. 1. A quadrangle. As verb
Qua. A prison. Quo-keeper, a (Rugby), to promenade Cloisters at
gaoler (1798). calling over before a football match :
Quab. An unfledged bird (1628). also quod (q.v.) (1840). 2. A horse,
300
 Qucedam. Queen Bess.

a quadruped. 3. A bicycle for Quarrel-picker. A glazier (1676).

four. Quarroms (Quarrome, or Quar-
Quaedam. A harlot (1692). ron). The body (1567).
Quae - genus. A bastard ; cf. Quarter. A quarter dollar,
Johnny Quce-Oenus, a character title. twenty-five cents (1824).
Quaff. 1. To carouse (1696): Quarter-decker. An officer
also to quaff off. 2. To drink with more remarkable for manners than
gusto. Quafftide, the time of drinking.
-
seamanship. Quarter deckish, punc-
Quag. Marsh-land, a quagmire tilious.
(B. E.). As adj., untrustworthy, Quartereen. A farthing : see
unsafe (1859). Rhino.
Quail. A harlot : cf. Plover, Quarter- sessions Rose. A
Pheasant, etc. (1602). perpetual rose. [Fr., rose de quatre
Quail-pipe. 1. A
woman's tongue saisons.]
(1692). 2. The throat. Quart-mania. Delirium tremens :

Quail pipe boots. Boots full of

- see Gallon-distemper.
plaits and wrinkles temp. Chas. II. ; :
Quarto (or Mr Quarto). A
also quitt-pipes (1602). publisher, bookseller : see Barabbas
Quaint. Curious, neat, also (1772).
strange (.B. E.). Quart-pot-tea. Tea made in the
Quake-breach. A coward (1608). bush ; really the proper way to make

Quaker. 1. A member of the it a:tin quart of water is set down by

Society of Friends. Like Puritan the fire, and when it is boiling hard
which was ultimately accepted,
(q.v. ), a handful of tea is thrown in, and the
Quaker originated in contempt, but pot instantly removed from the fire.
it has never been accepted by the Quash. To annul, overthrow,
Society. Quakerdom, the world of extinguish; vulgarly pron. squash
Quakers Quakerish, prim, demure, and
; (B. E.).
so forth (1664). rope or pile of2. A Quashie (or Quassy). A negro ;

excrement Fr., rondin and sentinette.

:
generic : see Snowball (1836).
To bury a Quaker, to ease the bowels ; Q u a t. A dwarfish person also :

Quaker's burying ground, a jakes. 3. (occasionally) a shabster (q.v.) (1602).

Sham wooden guns (1840). Stewed As verb, to ease the bowels also to go :

quaker, a remedy for colds composed : to quat.

of vinegar and molasses (or honey), Quatch. Flat (1598).
mixed with butter and drunk hot. Quatro. Four. [From the It.]
Quaker City.
Philadelphia. Quaver. A musician.
[William Penn, its founder, belonged Quavery- wavery. Undecided
to the Society of Friends.] (1749).
Quaker's Bargain. A bargain Quay. Unsafe, untrustworthy.
Yea or Nay, a take-it-or-leave-it Quean (orQueen). 1.
Primarily
transaction (1697). a woman : without regard to character
Quaking - cheat. 1. calf. 2. A A or position. 2. A slut, hussy (q.v.),
sheep. strumpet. To play the quean, to
Quality (The). ; the The gentry wanton (1362). Queanry, (1) woman-
upper ten (q.v.) the dignity : cf. kind ; (2) harlotry ; and (3) wanton-
applied (Patten, 1548) to nobles in the ness.
army. Quality-air, a distinguished Queasy. Qualmish, squeamish
carriage (1599). (1696).
Qualm. A stomach-fit ; also Queed. The devil (1726).
'
calmness (B. E. ). Qualmish,
'
crop- Queen. Queen Anne (Queen
sick, queasy stomackt (B. E. ). Elizabeth, My Lord Baldwin or any
Quandary. A difficulty or doubt; personage whose decease is well-
a low word (Johnson, 1755). As verb, known) is dead, a retort on stale news.
to hesitate, puzzle (1440). Queen Elizabeth's women, ensigns of
Quantum. As much as you want antiquity (1619).
or ought to have
spec, a drink ; a
:
Queen Anne's Fan. A sight
go (q.v.). Quantum enough.
suff., (q.v.) : see Bacon, Thumb, and Fig.
Quarrel. See Bread-and-Butter, Queen Bess. The Queen of Clubs ;

Pick, Take. perhaps because that Queen, history

361
 Queen City. Queer.

says, was of a swarthy complexion : The English language correctly

see Ned Stokes. written or spoken (1593).
Queen City. Cincinnati also :
Queen's (or King's) Head. A
Porkopolis and The Paris of America. postage stamp (1843).
Queen City of the Lakes. Buffalo. Queen 's-herb. Snuff.
Queen City of the Mississippi. Queen's (or King's) Picture or
St Louis. Portrait. 1.
Money
generic see : :

Queen Dick. Nobody. In the Rhino. 2. A sovereign ; 20s. To

reign of Queen Dirk, never ; to the draw the Queen's (or Ring's) picture
tune of the life and death of Queen (or portrait), to coin money (1632).
Dick, no tune at all (1785). English Queen's (or King's) Pipe. See
synonyms : a Latter Lammas (see Pipe.
Lammas) ; on the Greek Kalends Queen 's-stick. A stately person.
(q.v.); on St. Tib's Eve (see Tib's Queen Street To live in Queen
Eve) on to-morrow-come-never in
; ; Street (or at the sign of the Queen's
the month of five Sundays when ; head), to be under petticoat-govern-
two Fridays (or three Sundays) come ment (q.v.) (1785).
together when Dover and Calais meet
; ; Queen 's-woman. A soldier's trull.
when Dudman and Ramehead meet ; Queer (Quire, or Quyer). 1. A

when the world grows honest ; when generic depreciative criminal, base, :

the Yellow River runs clear ; on the counterfeit, odd cf. Rum. Later
:

31st June (or some other impossible usages are (1), out of sorts or seedy
date) once in a blue moon
; when ; (q.v.) from drink, sickness, or acci-
two Sundays come in a week ; when dent; (2) unfavourable or unpro-
the devil is blind (or blind drunk) ; pitious ; and (3) strange or cranky
at Doomsday ; one of these odd-come- (q.v.) : whence also queers (subs.),
ahortlys ; when the ducks have eaten queered, and queery. Thus (old)
up the dirt when pigs fly ; on St.
; queer-bail, fraudulent bail, straw-
Geoffrey's day (1691). bail (q.v.) queer-bird, a jail-bird, a
Queen Elizabeth. 1. See Queen convict ; queer - bitch, an odd, out-
Anne. 2. The street-door key. of-the-way fellow (Grose) ; queer bit
Queen Elizabeth's pocket- (cole, money, paper, screens, soft, or
A brass cannon of a pro-
pistol. queer), base money, coin or notes
digious length at Dover Castle (B. .). (whence queer-shover, to shove the
Queenite. partizan of Queen A queer, to pass counterfeit money ;
Caroline. [The consort of George IV.] and queer-bit maker, a coiner) ; queer-
Cf. Kingite. bluffer, a cut-throat innkeeper ; queer-
Queen of the Dripping - pan. booze, poor lap, swipes (q.v.); queer-
A cook. bung, an empty purse ; queer-checker,
Queen's (or King's) Ale. The a swindling box-keeper ; queer-card
strongest ale brewed (1574). (fellow, or fish), a person strange in
Queen's Bad-bargain (or Shilling). manners or views (also, in pi., queer-
See Q.H.B. queer clout, a handkerchief
-
cattle) ;
Queen's Bays (The). The Second not worth stealing ; queer-cole-maker, a
Dragoon Guards, now The Bays. coiner ; queer-cole-fencer, a receiver (or
[The Corps were (c. 1767) mounted on utterer) of base coin ; queer-cove, (bird,
bay horses the other heavy regi-
; cull, or gill), (1) a rogue, thief, or
ments (except the Scots Greys) having gaol-bird, (2) a fop, (3) a fool, and (4)
black.] a shabbily-dressed person ; queer-
Queen's Bus. A prison van: a magistrate, a beak (q.v.),
cuffin, (1)
Black Maria (q.v.) ; also Her Majesty's and (2) a churl ; queer-degen, a poor
Carriage. sword ; queer-diver, a bungling pick-
Queen's (or King's) Carriage (or pocket queer-doxy, (1) a jilting jade,
;

Cushion). An improvised seat : and (2) an ill-dressed whore ; queer-

made by two persons crossing and drawers, old or coarse stockings ;
clasping hands, the rider holding both queer-duke, (1) a decayed gentleman,
bearers round the neck ; as bandy- and (2) a starveling ; queer- em (queer-
chair (q.v.) (1818). 'un or queer-' um), the gallows ; queer-
Queen's College. See College. fun, a bungled trick ; queer-ken (or
Queen's (or King's) English. queer-ken hall), (1) a prison, and (2)
a
 Queer-roost. Quittet.

house not worth robbing ; queer-kicks, leisurely movement (1823). See

tattered breeches queer-mort, a dirty
;
Sticks and Trigger.
drab, a jilting wench, a pocky whore ; Quid. A sovereign, 20s.
1. :

queer-nab, a shabby hat queer-peeper, ; formerly a

guinea. Also in pi.,
(1) a mirror of poor quality, and (2), in generic for money see Rhino (1696). :

pi., squinting eyes ; queer-plunger, a 2. As much tobacco as a person can

cheat working the drowning man take between his thumb and two fore-
and rescue dodge; queer-prancer, (1) fingers, when cut small, in order to put
a foundered whore, and (2) an old into his mouth to chew (Dyche). (1748).
screw queer-rooster,
; a police spy As verb, tochew (1785), to puzzle,
living thieves ; queer-topping,
among embarrass. See Quip.
a frowsy wig queer-wedge, base gold ;
; Quidnunc. 1. A person curious,
queer - whidding, a scolding ; queer- or professing, to'know everything.
gammed, crippled ; to queer, to spoil, to [Latin, What now ?] (1709). 2. A
get the better of ; to be queered, to be politician. [Popularised by a character
drunk ; to tip the queer, to pass sen- in Murphy's Upholsterer (1758).]
tence ; to be queer to (or on), (1) to Quid pro Quo. A tit for tat,
rob ; (2) to treat harshly ; in Queer Rowland for an Oliver (q.v.), an
Street, (1) in a difficulty, (2) wrong, equivalent also quid for quod
: cf. :

and (3) hard-up. 2. A term made quip (1565).

use of by the dealers in soot, signify- Quien. A dog.
ing a substitute imposed for the Quier. See Queer.
original article, inferior in point of Quiet. On the quiet see Q.T. As :

value, 4d. per bushel (Egan). 3. quiz A quiet as a wasp in one's nose, uneasy,
(q.v.), look, hoax: also queer-quish. restless (1670).
As verb, (1) to ridicule; (2) to dis- Quietus (or Quietus est). A
tinguish, divine, spot (q.v.). Queerer, form of finality, settling blow, death,
a quizzer (q.v.) (1790). As adj., cute, etc. :
originally, a quittance or pardon
knowing, fly (q.v.) (1789). As verb, (1537).
(1) see subs. 3; (2) to spoil, outwit, Quiff. A
satisfactory result : spec,
perplex. To a
pitch (cheap
queer an end obtained by means not strictly
Jacks and showmen), to spoil a chance conventional. As verb, to do ,well,
of business ; to queer the noose (or jog along merrily. To quiff in the
stifler), to cheat the hangman ; to press, to change a breast pocket from
queer fate, to get the better of the one side to the other ; to quiff the
inevitable ; to queer the ogles, to blacken bladder, to conceal baldness cf. :

the eyes (1785). Queer (fine, odd, or quiff (military), a small flat curl on
tight) as Dick's (or Nick's) hatband, the temple.
out of order or sorts, not knowing Qui - hi. An English resident or
why also as queer as Dick's hatband
: official in Bengal.
that went nine times round and wouldn't Quill (Winchester College). To
meet (1785). curry favour. To be quilled, to be
Queer - roost. To doss (or sleep) pleased ; quitter (or quilster), a toady
on the queer-roost, to live as man and (Fr., suceur) : cf. Sucker. Phrases :

wife, to live tally (q.v.), dab (q.v.) Under the quill, under discussion spec, :

it up (1800). in writing ; to carry a good quill, to write

Quencher. drink, goA (q.v.) : well ; in a quill, in a push ; to piss in a
also modest quencher (1840). quill (Irish proverb They pissed in the
:

Querier. A chimney-sweep solicit- same quill),to be agreed to act as one ;

ing custom in an irregular manner, by to pias through a quitt, to write (1594).
knocking at the doors of houses and Quill - driver (man, mongeaj
such like. merchant ; Brother, or Knight
Question. To question a horse, to of the Quill) penman A
test a horse before a race. See author, journalist, clerk, or (racing)
Pop. bookmaker : Fr., rond de cuir. Hero
Qui. To get the qui, to be dis- of the quitt, a distinguished author ;
missed, get a quietus. quill-driving, clerking ; to drive the
Quibble. See Quip. quill, to write (1680).
Quick. Quick and nimble, more Quill-pipes. See Quail-pipe boots.
like a bear than a squirrel, a jeer on Quillet. See Quibble.
363
 Quilt. Rabitter.

Quilt A fat man (1598). The.

penalty for which goes half to the
Quill, the Union Jack : cf.
Rag. As informer and half to the Crown. The
verb, to beat, tan (q.v.). Quitting, a term would, therefore, with greater
rope's-ending (1786). propriety, be applied to a spy than
Quilting. A patch working- party to a solicitor (//often). Qui-tam horsr,
with a spree at the end : see Bee ( 1825). one that will both carry and draw
Quinsey. See Hempen-squincey. (Grose).
Quip. A play upon words, a
1. Quius-kius. A warning to
jesting or evasive reply, a retort. 2. silence.
A trifling critic (1696). As verb, (1) Quiz (or Quoz). 1. A puzzle, jest,
to censure ; (2) to criticise.
trifle, jest, hoax : also quizzification ; (2) a jesting
Variants more or less allied in mean- or perplexing critic ; also quizzer ; (3)
ing and usage are conveniently any odd - looking person or thing.
grouped e.g. Quib, Quill, Quibble,
: As verb, to banter, puzzle, confound.
Quiddle, Qutblet (also, mod. Amer. : Hence quizzical or quizzically), jocose
the patter between turns in negro or humorous ; to quizzify, to make
minstrelsy), Quidlet, Quillet, Quib- ridiculous (1749). 2. A weekly oral
lin, and Quidlin ; Sir Quibble Queere examination : also spec., notes made
(Quibbler, Quipper, or Quiddler), a and passed on to another hence quiz- :

trifler or shatter-brain (q.v.) ; quib- class, surgery-quiz, legal-quiz, etc. ;

bling (or quiddling), uncertain, un- quiz-master, a tutor or coach (q.v.).
steady, mincing (of gait) ; quiddifical, As verb, (a) to attend ; (b) to conduct
triflingly (1420). such a class. 3. A monocular eye-
Quire. See Queer. glass : also quizzing-glass. As verb,
Quirk. An evasion, shift, quip (1) see subs. ; (2) to watch, nose (q.v.),
(q.v.). Quirkist, shifty, quibbling nark (q.v.).
(1696) ; quirk* and quilleUs, tricks and Quockerwodger. 1. A puppet on
devices ; quirldum (Jamieson a cant :
strings. 2. A tool, agent, or fime,
term), a puzzle ; quirky, sportively damnee, a dependent
tricky (1538). Quod (or Quad). A prison.
Quisby. An
eccentric, queer card Quodded, imprisoned ; quod - cove* a
(q.v.) (1838). As adj. and adv., turnkey (1696).
bankrupt, drunk, upset, out-of-sorte, Quodger. Quo jure, by what law.
wrong : generic for misadventure. To Quodling. A fledgling, green-'un
do quisby, to be idle. (q.v.).
Qui-tam. A solicitor. He who, Quote (or Quot). A quotation.
i.e. he who, as much for himself as for Quoz. See Quiz.
the King, seeks a conviction, the Quyer. See Queer.

R. See Three R's. intj., Confound it ! Also odsrabbit I

Rabbit A
term of contempt
1. : and drabbit ! Phrases ; to buy the
hence rabbit-sucker (i.e. a sucking rabbit, to get the worst of a bargain ;
rabbit), an innocent fool ; young fat and lean, like a rabbit (proverbial) ;
unthrifte taking up goods upon tick to go rabbit-hunting triih a dead ferret,
at excessive rates (B. E.): cf. Poet- to undertake a business with im-
sucker (1598). 2. A wooden drinking proper or useless means (1760): also
can : also rabit (B. E.). 3. A rowdy : see Welsh-rabbit
also Dead-rabbit and Dead-duck. [A Rabbit-pie Shifter. A policeman.
gang of roughs paraded New York in Rabbi t-skin (or Cat - skin). An
1848, carrying dead rabbits and ducks academical hood. To get one's rabbit-
as emblems of victory.] 4. An elec- skin, to win the B.A. degree. [The
tioneering agent (or tool) working in trimming is of rabbit's fur.]
a more or less secret and underhand Rabitter (Winchester College).
fashion. 5. A
horse that runs in and A blow with the side of the hand on
out (q.v.). 6. A
new-born babe. the back of the neck : as in killing a
Babbit-catcher, a midwife (1785). As rabbit.
364
 RabUe. Rag.

Rabble. Generic for confusion Rag. Generic : 1. in pi., clothes,

(B. E.). old or new
in sing., a tatterde-
; 2.
Rabid - beast. A new-comer who malion, ragamuffin, any one despic-
sets up against the authority of his able and despised ; and, 3. anything
elders : cf. Reptile. made out a hand-
of textile stuff (as
Rabshakle. A profligate. kerchief, gown,
shirt, undergrad's
Rachel. To renovate, make young newspaper, and exercise- [or examina-
again. '
[Madame Rachel was a notori- '
tion-] paper) hence tag- (or shag)
:

ous beautiful for ever swindler.] rag-and-bobtail (or fag end), one and
Rack (Winchester). 1. A chop all, the common people (1786) ; tag-
from the neck or loin, a bone. rag, tattered, villainous, poor, dis-
Phrases To live at rack and manger,
:
reputable ; rag -
mannered, violently
to live on the best, gratis to lie at :
vulgar ; raggery, duds, esp. women's :

rack and manger, (1) to live hard
(B. E.) ; (2) to be in great disorder
(Grose) to go to rack and ruin, to go
; dressmaking, and (3) the dry-goods
utterly wrong; on the rack, (1) in a
state of tension ; (2) on the move,
shinning round (Amer. spec, for
money) ; to rack off,
Rackabimus. A
expected stroke or
Rackabones (or
A skinny person or animal, bag of
bones (q.v.), shape (q.v.).
Racket. 1. A confusion, sportive
or the reverse. 2. Generic for dis-
order, clamour, or noisy merriment
(B. E.) ; 3. Any matter or happening
(1785) also, a general verb of action.
: to rag out, (1) to dress, clobber up
Thus, to racket about (round, through,
FT., chiffons ; rag-bag (or rag-doll), a
slattern ; rag-trade, (
1 ) tailoring, (2)
trade in general ; rag-stabber, a tailor,
snip (q.v.); rag-tacker, (1) a dress-
maker, (2) a coach - trimmer ; rag-
to relate, tell. sooker (or seeker), an instrument
sudden or un- attached to the end of a long pole for
fall. removing clothes-pins from the lines
Rack-of -bones). and afterwards dragging the released
clothes over the fence ; rags-and-jags,
tatters ; to have Iwo shirts and a rag,
to be comfortably off (1760); to tip
one's rags a gallop, to move, depart,
get out ; to get one's rag (or shirt) out,
(1 ) to bluster, and (2) to get angry ;
(q.v.) and (2) to show the white rag
; :

etc. ), to go the round at night ; to go see White Feather. 4. Bank paper

on the racket, to spree (q.v.) to raise a ; (bills of exchange and so forth), soft
racket, to make a disturbance ; What's (q.v.). Whence rag-shop, a bank;
the racket ? What's going on ? to be in ; rag-shop boss (or cove), a banker ; rag-
a racket, to be part in a design ; to shop cove, a cashier ; rag-money (or
work the racket, to carry on a matter :
currency), soft (q.v.); to flash one's
cf. Rig, Lay, etc. whence racket-man,:
rags, to display one's notes ; without
a thief (q.v.) ; to stand the racket, (1) a rag, penniless. [In Old Cant, rag,
to pay a score, and (2) to take the a farthing : whence in pi., money
consequences ; without racket, without (B. E.).] 5. A
flag spec. The Union, :

a murmur ; to tumble to the racket, to but also the regimental colours ; rag-
understand, twig (q.v.) ; rackety (or carrier, an ensign (Grose). 6. (a) The

racketty), (1) noisy, and (2) dissipated ; curtain ; whence (b) a denouement,
rocketer (or rackapelt), a libertine. To i.e. a curtain, a situation on which
play racket, to prove inconstant (1369). to bring down the drop ; rags-and-
Raclan. A married woman. sticks, a travelling outfit. 7. The
Rad. A Radical (1844). order of the rag, the profession of arms ;
Raddled. Drunk : see Screwed rag- fair, kit inspection
(Grose) see :

(1767). Rag and - famish. 8. The tongue :

-

Rafe (or Ralph). A pawn-ticket. also red-rag, or red- flannel (1696). 9.

Raff and Raffle. See Riff-raff. Talk, banter, abuse : as verb, (a) to
Raffling-shop. A lottery agent's : scold ; (b) to chaff ; and (c American
the article or lottery ticket was University) to declaim or compose
divided into shares, and cast for by a better than one's class-mates see :

throw of the dice (1714). Ragtime : whence rag-box (or shop),

Raft. whole lot. 2. A
1. A the mouth ; rag-sauce, (a) chatter, and
goodly number.[The rafts of lumber (b) cheek ; ragster, a bully or
(q.v.)
on American waterways are some- scold ; a dish of red rag, abuse ; to
times of enormous size.] chew the rag, (a) to scold, and (b) to

365
 Ragamuffin.

sulk ; to give the red r ig a holiday, to Rails. A curtain lecture : whence,

be silent ; too much red rag,
loquacious. a dish of rails, a regular jobation.
10. Generic for a jollification, a drink- Front (or head) rails, the teeth. See
ing-bout, or (Amer. Univ.) a brilliant Ride.
success in class also rag-time. [In this :
Raillery. Drolling. To railly, to
connection rag rowtering, romping.] - droll. A raiUeur, or droll (B. E.).
As adj., rag - time, merry, lively. Railings. To count the railings, to
Whence rag-time girl, a sweetheart, a go hungry see Peckham.
:

best girl. As verb, to divide, nap Railroad. Whisky, so called

the regulars (q.v.). The rag, (I) The because of the rapidity with which
it hurries men to the end of their
Raglan Music-hall ; (2) The Rag-and-
Famish (q.v.). To take the rag off, to tether. As verb, to run a matter
take the cake (q.v. ). with all speed, rush (q.v.).
surpass, overcome,
Ragamuffin. A tattered vaga- Rain. Proverbs and sayings It
bond also as adj. and adv., beggarly,
: never rains but it pours, misfortunes
ragged, disorderly. [Also occasion- never come singly ; If it should rain
ally the Devil.] Also ragaboot, rag- pottage, he would want his dish, said of
shag, ragabrash, etc. (1383). a wastrel or star-gazer (q.v.). It
Rag-and-famish (or The Rag). rains by planets, i.e. partially ; to get
The Army and Navy Club. out of the rain, to absent oneself, to
Rag-baby. The policy advocated refrain from meddling. See also
by Greenbackers inflation of the ; Cats-and-Dogs, Right, etc. (1749).
currency as a panacea for financial Rainbow. 1. A mistress. 2. A
ills (Bartiett). footman in livery also knight :
of the
Rage. To wanton hence ragerie, : rainbow. 3. A pattern book. [Dressed
wantonness ; skittishness cf. Rag, : in or exhibiting variety of colour.]
subs. 10 (1383). The rage (or all the (1821). 4. A sovereign; half-a-rain-

rage), the fashion, vogue, go (q.v.) bow, ten shillings see Rhino.:

(1785). Rainbow - chase. A run after

Rag - fair. 1. A district in the a dream, wild goose chase (q.v.).
parish of St. Mary, Whitechapel, [From the folk-story of the pot of gold
near the Tower of London, where old found where the two points of a rain-
clothes and frippery were sold. 2. bow touch the earth.]
See Rag, subs. 7. Rain-nappe r. An umbrella ;

Ragged. Collapsed. mush (q.v.) (1823).

Ragged-brigade. Thirteenth Rainy- (or wet-) day. Hard
Hussars. Also The Green Dragoons ; times ; whence, to lay up for a rainy
The Evergreens and The Great ; day, to provide against necessity or
Runaway Prestonpans. distress (1626).
Ragged-soph. See Soph. Raise. An improvement in con-
Ragged Robin. A keeper's fol- ditions (1848). As verb, to rear: of
lower (New Forest). human beings, crops and cattle (1597).
Ragman (or Rageman). 1. The See Bead, Bill, Bobbery, Bristles,
devil. See Rigmarole (1363).
2. Cain, Dander, Dash, Dead, Devil,
Ragout. A Relishing Bit, with
'
Hair, Hatchet, Hell, Market, Mischief,
a high Sawce' (B. E.). Muss, Ned, Organ, Racket, Roof, Row,
Rags - and - bones. A miser- Rumpus, Wind.
able remnant, pell - mell of rubbish. Raise-mountain. A braggart
Thus rag-and-bone shop (also rag-shop), Rake (Rakehell, Rakehel-
a crapulous and tumbled room ; a lonian, or Rakeshame). 1. A
piggery (q.v.). disreputable person, blackguard, esp.
Rag-splawger (or gorger). a libertine ; one so bad as to be found
A rich man
generally used in con-
; only by raking hell, or one so reckless
versation to avoid direct mention of as to rake hell (Century) ; also Rake
names (Orose) : FT., riflard. hett and skin the devil, and you'll not

Rag-water. 1. Any common find such another (1360). As verb,

spirit (B. E.). 2. Gin (Orose). to live
dissolutely. Whence rakish
Raid. To raid the market, to (raking, rakehelly, rakely, or rake-
derange prices by exciting distrust shamed), dissolute ; rakery (or rakish-
or causing a panic. ness), blackguardism ; rake-jokes,
 Raker. Rank.

blackguard. 2. A comb also garden- :

Ramp (see Romp). 1. A wanton.
rake. Colloquialisms are To rake : 2. Lascivious horseplay. As verb, to
and scrape, to pinch, save, play the wanton ; and rampant rampish)
(or
miser to rake in the pieces, to make
; (1530), wanton. 3. A robbery with
money in plenty ; to rake the pot, to violence (1812). 4. swindle. 5. A A
take the stakes see Pot ; to carry :
footpad. 6. A
trickster: also rampsman
heavy rakes, to put on side (q.v.) ;
and ramper cf Rush. As verb, ( 1 )
: .

to overbear to rake down, to scold, to

; to rob with violence ; (2) to blackmail ;
drub also as subs, rakedown, a scold-
: and (3) to bet against one's own horse ;
ing, beating better with a rake than a
; ramping, violent ; ramping - mad,
fork (Ray), more apt
to pull in and noisily drunk ; to ramp and reave, to
scrape to give out and com-
up than get by fair means or foul. 7. hall- A
municate also vice versa ; lean as a
: mark. [A rampant lion forms part of
rake, as lean as may be. the assay stamp for gold and silver.]
Raker (or Rake-kennel). A Rampage. To storm also on the ;

scavenger: also Jack Raker (1611). rampage, in a state of excitement,

To go a raker, to bet recklessly, from anger, lust, violent movement,
plunge (q.v.). Baker, a heavy bet. or drink. Whence rampaging (ram-
Rally. The rough and tumble - -
pacious, or rampageous), (1) furious,
work after the transformation scene hot (q.v.), wild, or outrageous: and
in a pantomime. (2) loud (q.v.) : whencerampageous-
Ralph. 1. A fool : also Ralph ness. Also rampager (orrampadgeon)
Spooner (1696). mischief-mon- 2. A (1) a hector; (2) a vagabond; and
gering deus ex machind the supposed :
(3)awencher(1722).
author of the tricks played on a re- Rampallian. A villain, hector :

calcitrant member of a chapel (q.v.). cf. Ramp and Rapscallion (1593).

Ram. A practical joke, hoax. Ram - reel. A dance of men : cf.
The rams, delirium tremens see :
Stag-party (1813).
Gallon-distemper. To ram one's face Ramrod (Winchester). A ball
in, to intrude, meddle. bowled along the ground, a ray-
Ramagious. Untamed, wild monder (q.v.).
(Coles). Ramshackle. See Rumgumption.
Rambooze (or -buze). See Rum. Ranee-sniffle. A mean and
Rambounge. A severe brush of dastardly piece of malignity.
labour most probably a cant
. . . Randal 's-man (or Randlesman).
term (Jamieson). A green handkerchief with white
Rambustious, Rambunctious, spots Jack Randal's colours
: cf. :

Rambumptious, Ramgumption, Ram- Belcher, Bird's-eye fogle, etc.

feezled, Ramshackle, Ramstrugen- Randan. 1. A boat rowed by
ous, and similar words. See Rum- three men, two pulling an oar each,
gumption. and one a pair of sculls. 2. See Rant.
Ramcat (or Ran-cat cove). A Randem- (or Random-) tandem.
man wearing furs. Three horses driven abreast cf. :

Ramhead. A cuckold : hence Harum-scarum, Sudden death, Tan-

ramheaded (1630). dem, and Unicorn.
Ram jam. A surfeit : as verb, to Randle. To punish by surround-
stuff (q.v.). ing the victim and systematically
Ramjollock. To shuffle cards. pulling the hair.
Rammaged. Drunk see Screwed. :
Randy, Rand, Randan. See Rant.
Rammer. The arm 1785). ( Ranger. 1. A highwayman. 2.
Rammish. 1. Stinking, hircine, In pi., mounted troops using short
abominable to the nose also rammy : arms cf. Connaught Rangers (late
:

(1383). 2. Lustful: also rammy and 88th and 94th Regiments). 3. See
rammishness rammaking, wantonness ; Range.
and ram-skyt, skittish (1400). Rank. 1. A generic intensive :

Ramnuggar Boys (The). The unmitigated, utter (1465): e.g. a

14th (The King's) Hussars. [They rank lie, & flat falsehood ; a rank
encountered enormous odds at the knave, a rogue of the first water ; a
battle in question.] Also The Em- rank outsider (see Outsider) a rank ;

peror's Chambermaids. swell, a pink of fashion a rank duffer, ;

367
 Rank-and-riches. Rasper.

a downright fool ; and BO forth. 2. Rap. Quick, forcible, explosive

Eager, anxious, impatient [Century] : action: generic: e.g. 1. a blow, a
e.g. I was rank to get back. As verb, polt on the pate, and a hard knock-
to cheat. ing at a door (H. E.). 2. An oath or
Rank - and - riches. Breeches, exclamation (also rapper). 3. A
trousers. severe reprimand as a rap on (or over)
:

Ranker. An officer risen from the the fingers, knuckles, etc. Hence, as
ranks : cf. Gentleman-ranker. verb, (1) to strike smartly or to speak
Rank - rider. 1. A highwayman. forcibly (espec. to reprimand) usually :

2. Ajockey. Whence rank-riding, with off or out ; (2) to break wind ;

rough-riding (1612). (3) to swear (4) to perjure oneself
; :

Rannac k (or Rannigal). A to deal a blow at one's honour or

good-for-nothing. another's reputation (1785). Also 4. on
Rannel. A whore (1600). the rap, on the spree (q.v.) in a rap, in ;

Ranshackle. To pillage, ransack. a moment rapfully, violently ; rapped

;

[On model of ramshackle (q.v.)]. (1) rained (2) knocked out of time ;
;

Rant 1. To
talk big, high, or (3) killed. 5. A counterfeit Irish
boast much
(B. E.); to storm, rave : coin nominally worth a halfpenny,
in this sense rant has always been but intrinsically less than half a farth-
literary. Whence, however, many ing :
proclaimed May 5th, 1737. 6.

usages more or less colloquial : The smallest unit of value : see Care
Rantan (randan, randy, rand, randy- and Worth. 7. A cheat (Scots').
dan, rant, ranty, rantan, or rantytan), Sapless, penniless, stony (q.v.) (1724).
(1) a jollification, (2) a wenching bout, As verb, (1) see subs. 1 ; (2) to barter,
(3) the sound of a drum, and (4) a swop (q.v.) (1696).
drunken frolic ; also as verb (or to Rape. A pear.
go on the randan, etc.), to go on a round Rapparee. 1. An Irish robber or
of debauchery; ranter, (1) extra va- outlaw. 2. A vagabond.
gants, unthrifts, lewd sparks, also Rapper. 1. A lie, whopper (q.v.).
of the family of love (B. E.) ; (2) 2. See Rap, sense 1. Rapping, very
a noisy talker, bawling singer, or (1688).
ruffian ; (3) a Primitive Methodist : Rapscallion (Rascallion, Rab-
often extended to Dissenters generally, scallion, or Ra-
Ramscallion,
and spec, to a sect dating from 1822, scabilian). A worthless wretch.
self-registered as such in the Census Rapscattionry, etc., the world of
returns ; (4) in pi., idle, drunken rascaldom. Also as adj. (1622).
bolstering ; ranting, ( 1 ) in high spirits ; Raree-show. A peep-show speci- :

(2) amorous ; (3) extravagant randy; ficallyone carried in a box. Raree-

(or ranty), (1) a beggar, ballad singer, showman, a poor Savoyard trotting up
or tinker :
espec. such as bully or and down with portable boxes of
menace ; (2) a scold : also randy- puppet - shows at their backs . . .

dandy (or ranty-tanty) (3) a ramping ; pedlars of puppets (B. E.).

wanton (4) see Rantan, supra as
; ; Rascal. A term of (a) affection,
adj, ( 1 ) vagrant ; (2) thieving, shrew- and (6) contempt cf. rogue, scamp, :

ish ; (3) wanton ; as verb, (1) see ran- etc. RaskabUia, the rascal people :

tan, supra ; and (2) to beat continu- see Rapscallion (1557).

ously, as a tinker ; rantipole, ( 1 ) a
whore, and (2) a romp (q.v.), a gallant
hussy ; as verb, to run about wildly ;
and as adj., wild, rakish, jovial (//. K.);
to ride rantipole (see Ride) ; rantanker-
ous, quarrelsome. 2. To appropriate
anything in a forcible manner Let's
go and rant their marleys,' says one
urchin to another, and straightway the
Rasher-of-wind. 1. A thin person,
lamp -post (q.v.), yard of pump-
water (q.v.). 2. Anything of little or
no account.
Raspberry. A gesture of con-
tempt : the tongue is inserted in the
: left cheek and forced through the lips,
producing a peculiarly squashy noise
that is extremely irritating.

pair annex the possessions of a more 1. A dainty girl.

Raspberry-tart.
respectable party. But it is also 2. The heart.
used to denote undue freedom with Rasper. Anything especial: as
females, and springs, no doubt, from (hunting) a bad leap ; (common) a
rantipole. punishing blow, rank tradesman, or
 Raspin. Razor.

flat falsehood a big turn or large

; confuse, or irritate. Whence, as subs.,
profit ; and so forth. Rasping -shorter, (1) a clamour of words ; (2) a scolding ;
a ball which, blocked by the bat, glides (3) a lively talker also (senses 1 and
:

swiftly along the ground instead of 2) rattling. Derivatives are numerous :

rebounding (1834). Battle-baby, a chattering child ; rattle-

Raspin (The). Bridewell. bag (bladder, brain, cap, head, pate,
Rat. 1. A renegade :
espec. scull, or rattler), a flighty blab, a
through self-interest. (politi- Whence chatterbox (see Rattle - trap). As
cal), a deserter or (trades-unionists') ; adj., chattering, whimsical, giddy ;
a workman accepting lower than the rattled, confused, flurried with a ;

Union rate, or working when his
mates have struck also ratter. As
verb (or to do a rat), in all these senses,
whence (loosely) to change one's
views or tactics. Batting (rattening,
or rattery), apostacy ; rat-shop (house,
or office), a workshop where full rates
are not paid ; to ratten, to destroy tools
and appliances, to intimidate fellow
workmen, or (masters') to lock out
employees or engage non - Union (or
free) labour. 2. A clergyman (1628)
rattle, with a rush or spurt ; to rattle
:
up, to gather noisily ; to rattle down,
to disperse with a clatter ; rattler, (1)
a rattle-bag, supra ; (2) a smart blow
or sound scolding ; (3) an out-and-out
lie ; (4) a coach, cab, or train ; (5) a
rattlesnake (Amer.) ; (6) in pi., the
teeth, grinders (q.v.); and (7) any-
thing extra fine in size, value, etc. ;
rattling, (1) brisk; and (2) lively and
conspicuous in pace, habit, manners,
etc. ; rattling
-
cove, a coachman ;

3. A drunken person when in custody rattling

-
mumper, a carriage beggar :

(B. E.). Whence (in pi.), d.t.'s (q.v.) ; see Shake, Tats.
drunk as a rat, hopelessly drunk: Rattletrap. 1. The mouth. 2. A
see Screwed (1553). 4. An infernal Chatterbox see Rattle. 3. Anything
:

machine espec. one used to founder

: old and tumble-down spec, a broken- :

insured bottoms. 5. In pi., a star. down rattling conveyance. 4. Per-

6. A police spy see Nark hence : : sonal belongings in jocular disparage-
:

(general) a term of contempt. 7. A ment, and (Grose) any curious, portable

hairpad, somewhat resembling a rat piece of machinery or philosophical
in shape, circa 1860-70. Also as verb. apparatus. As adj., worn-out, crazy
Phrases To smell a rat, to suspect a
:
(1830).
trick or roguery ; to give green rats, to Rat -
trap. A bustle, bird-cage
malign or back-bite ; to have (or see) (q.v.).
rats, (1) to be eccentric, (2) out of Raughty. See Rorty.
sorts, (3) drunk, and (4) crazy : also Rave. A strong liking, a craze :

rats in the garret (loft, or upper storey) ; as X

has a rave on Miss Z.
like a drowned rat, sopping wet; Bat Ravilliac. Any assassin (B. E.).
me, a variant of Rot me: an objurga- Raw. 1. A
novice: also Johnny
tion Bats ! a contemptuous retort
; : Baw. 2. Anything uncooked, as
seeWater (1508). oysters, sugar, etc. (1820). 3. A
Rather A
strong affirmative
! : tender point, foible : as to touch on the
yes ; I should think so sometimes :
raws, to irritate by allusion or joke,
rayther. Batherish, in some degree ; rub up the wrong way (1837). As adj , .

slightly. Bather of the ratherest, said (1) See subs. 1. 2. Undiluted, neat
of anything slightly in excess or de- (q.v.); a raw recruit, a nip of un-
fect in Norfolk of underdone meat.
; watered spirits.
Rat-hole. 1. An overwide space Raw - head
(or flesh). Raw - A
between printed words a pigeon-hole ; spectre, a scare-child (B. E. ) usually :

(q.v.). 2. See Rat, subs. 1. Baw-head and Bloody-bones (1550).

Rations. A flogging. Raw - lobster.
policeman cf. A :

Rat's-tail. A writ, a capias. Lobster, a soldier.

Rattle. 1. A dice-box, 2 and 3. Raw-'uns (The). The naked fists.
See verb. 1, and Rattler, 2. 4. In pi., Ray. Eighteen-pence.
(a) the croup, and (b) the throat Raymonder. See Ramrod, 2.
rattle preceding death. As verb, Razor. 1 . A pun.
Sick razor, a bad
generic for rapid movement or noisy pun. 2. In pi., aerated waters,
loquacity: hence (1) to talk or move sober-water (q.v.). Parlour full of
quickly or noisily ; (2) to censure, razors : see Parlour.
369
 Razor-strop. Red.

Razor-strop. A copy of a writ. Recordite. One of the Low

Razzle-dazzle. A frolic. Church Party of the Established
Reacher. 1. A blow delivered at Church. [Their organ was The
long point. 2. An exaggeration, Record.}
stretcher (q.v.)
see Whopper. : Recreant A Poltron, or Coward, '

Reach-me-down. In pi., second- one that eats his Words, or unsaiee

hand or ready-made clothes also : what he said' (B. E.).
Hand-me-downs Fr. decrochez-moi-ra. : Recruit. In pi., money in pro-
Read. To read between the line*, spect :
e.g. Have you raised the re-
to look into a milestone, to quest for cruits T Has the money come in ?
hidden meanings in plain English. (B. E.) Recruiting service, robbing on
To read the paper, to take a nap : see the highway.
Doss. Rector. 1. A poker kept for
Read - and - write. Flight. As show, curate (q.v.), the work-a-day
verb, to fight. iron. 2. The bottom half of a tea-
Reader. 1. A pocket-book. 2. cake or muffin (as getting more
A newspaper, letter, etc. To read, butter), the top half being the curate,
to steal reader-hunter (or merchant),
; and so forth.
a pickpocket, dummy -hunter (q.v.); Red. 1. Gold also red-'un Fr., : :

readered, advertised in the Police jaune (yellow) ; Ital., rossume (red-

Gazette, wanted (q.v.). ness). Red-rogue, a gold piece ; red*
Ready (The) (Ready - stuff, toy kettle), a gold watch ; red-
(or
John, gilt, or Ready - money). tackle, a gold chain cf. Ruddork : :

1.
Money :
spec, money in hand. red-'un also, a sovereign. 2. Variously
Ready thick-' un, a sovereign, 20s. :
applied to objects red in colour as :

see Rhino (1618). 2. Prepared. A (1) a red herring (q.v.) ; (2) in pi., the
good ready, on the spot (q.v.). As menses (3) in pi., blushes also red-
; :

verb, to pull a horse. rag, whence mount the red-rag (or

to
Real. A
superlative : very, quite, flag), to blush (4) a Red Republican
; :

really. Real
fine, glad, good, etc., very spec. (France '93) a violent revolu-
fine, glad, good, etc., indeed ; real tionary of the established order see :

jam, an acme : see Jam ; real grit, also Admiral, Red-cent, and Red-
sound to the core see Grit the real : : coat. Combinations are numerous
(or the real thing), the genuine article. Red-book, a book of the officers of
Ream. See Rum. state or the Peerage cf. Blue-book ; :

Ream-penny. Peter- pence (that red-beast, a Bow St. runner (they

is Rome - penny). To reckon one's wore red waistcoats) also see infra ; ;

ream pennies, to confess one's faults. red-cent, originally a copper cent, now
Rear. A jakes : also as verb. in phrase, not worth a red cent ; red-
Rebec (or Rebeck). An old coat, a soldier also the reds ; red- :

woman in reproach cf. Ribibe ( 1 383).

: :
cock, an incendiary fire ; red-cross, an
Receiver-general. 1. prostitute. A English ship as bearing the red cross
:

2. A
boxer giving nothing for what he of St. George (1626); red-dog (see
gets. Shinplaster) ; red-eel, a term of con-
Recker, The (or Rekker). tempt; red-eye (or red-head), fiery
The town recreation-ground. [Where whisky ; red-eye sour, whisky and
the school-sports are held.] lemon ; red-flannel, the tongue see :

Reckon. To think, suppose, Rag, 2; red- fustian, port, (2) (1)

consider peculiar to the Middle and claret, and (3) porter ; also red-tape ;
Southern States, and provincial in red-grate (see Red-lattice) ; red-head,
England : cf. guess and calculate a red-haired person, carrots (q.v.) ;
(1611). To reckon up, to gauge a red-herring, a soldier cf. Soldier, a :

person, measure (q.v.), size (q.v.). red-herring red-horse, a native of

;

Hence, to slander, back-bite. See Kentucky ; red-hot, violent, extreme ;

Chickens and Host. red-letter day, (1) a Church festival
Reckoning. See Accounts. (printed in red characters in the
Record. To beat (break, cut, Calendar) hence (2) a happy day or
:

lower, or smash) the record, to surpass lucky occasion whence red-letter man, :

all previous performances, go one a Roman Catholic ; red - liner, a

better (q.v.). mendicity society officer ; red-petti-

370
 Redbreasts. Regulator.

coat, a symbol of means e.g. a lass :

formality. As adj., formal : also
in a red petticoat, a wife with a por- red - tapery or red -
tapeiam, official
tion ; red-rag (see Rag and Red), and routine ; red-tapist, (a) a government
(2), a source of annoyance or disgust : clerk (b)
; a precisian : cf. Blue-tape

usually a red rag to a mad bull ; See Red.

- 2.
(1775).
red-ribbon, brandy : cf. White-satin ; Reeb. Beer top of :
reeb, a pot of
red-sail docker, a buyer of stores beer.
stolen out of the royal yards and Reef. 1 To draw up a dress pocket
.

docks ; red-skin, a North American until the purse is within reach of the
Indian. Neither fish, flesh, fowl, nor fingers. 2. (American). To saw a
good red-herring, nondescript, neither horse's mouth (Century). To let out
one thing nor another, neither hay a reef, to unfasten a button after a
nor grass ( 1528). To paint (or varnish) meal. To need a reef taken in, to be
the town red (or crimson), to indulge in drunk : see Screwed.
a drunken spree. Reefer. 1. A midshipman. 2. A
Redbreasts (The). 1. The 5th short all-round jacket.
(Royal Irish) Lancers. 2. See Red. Reek. Money see Rhino. :

Red Feathers (The). The Reekie. See Auld Reekie.

late 46th Foot, now the 2nd batt. Reel. To red off (or out), to
Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry. speak or produce easily. Off the reel,
[A light company were brigaded with in succession, right off.
others in 1777 as The Light Battalion. Reeler. A policeman, peeler
The Americans, harassed by the (q.v.).
Brigade, vowed
quarter. no In Reel-pot. drunkard A : see
derision,to prevent mistakes, the Lushington. Heeling, drunk : see
Light Battalion dyed their feathers Screwed.
red.] Also Murray's Bucks ; The Reformado. A disbanded soldier,
Surprisers ; The Lacedemonians ; and a degraded officer. [In Sp., an
The Docs. officer deprived of his command but
Redge (or Ridge). Gold: see retaining rank and pay Fr., reformed] :

Red, subs. 1. Hence redge

-
cully, a As adj., degraded (1598).
goldsmith. Reener (tramps'). Any small coin.
Red-knights. The Cheshire Regi- Reesbin. A
prison, stir (q.v.):
ment (formerly the Twenty-second see Cage.
Regiment of Foot). [In 1795 it was Reflector. A prepared card the :

served with red jackets, waistcoats, pattern on the back is so grouped as

and breeches in lieu of the proper uni- to signalise its face value.
form.] Also The Two Two's. Refresher. 1. daily fee given to A
Red (or Scarlet) Lancers (The). a barrister after the retainer spec, :

The (The Queen's) Lancers.

16th when a case is adjourned (1616). 2.
[The only Lancer regiment with a A drink, go (q.v.).
scarlet tunic.] Regardless. See Get-up.
Red lane -
sea).
(close, or The Regular. In pi., shares of a booty :

throat, gutter-alley (q.v.) (1566). see Nab. English synonyms: to

Red lattice (or Lettice).
- An come (or stand in), go rags, whack, go
ale - house sign. Hence red - lattice whacks, whackgo snacks. 2. up,
phrases, pothouse talk ; also green (colloquial), person keeping
(a) A
lattice ; red-grate, tavern or brothel, or stated times or doing regular duty ;
both combined (1596). (b) anything recurring periodically :

Redraw. A warder, jigger

- as a daily passenger, a drink taken
dubber (q.v.). at fixed hours, etc. (1397). As adj.,
Redshanks. 1. Applied alike to thorough, out-and-out as a regular :

Highlanders and Irish Scott says, :

tartar, a shrew (male or female) a ;

The ancient buskin was made of the regul-ar sell, a consummate swindle ;
undressed deer hide which pro- . . . a regular corpser, a knock-out blow a ;

cured the well-known epithet of red- regular pelter, & cat-and-dog rain ; a
shanks. 2. A turkey. [Properly the regular crow, a person dismally garbed.
pool-snipe.] 3. A duck or drake Regulator. In pi., a band of
(1567). lynchers, a vigilance committee (q.v.) :

Red -
tape. 1. Official routine, see Rustler.
371
 RekoJ>oam.

Rehoboam. 1. A shovel hat Republican. - A Commonwealths-

(1841). 2. A quadruple Magnum man IB. E.).
(q.v.), a double Jeroboam (q.v.) :
Republic of letters. The
usually of champagne. post-office.
Reign. To be at liberty. Requisition. To take by force:
Relation. See Avuncular Relation. now recognised.
Relieve. To ease oneself. Re - raw. A drinking bout As
Reliever. Among tailors an old adj., drunk see Screwed.
:

coat kept, and borrowed by such men Reservoir. Au reservoir, Au

as have none of their own to go out revoir.
in. Residential - club. An habitual
Relieving - officer. A father ; the assemblage of loafers spec, a crew :

governor (q.v.). of idlers, male and female, frequenting

Religion. To get religion, to be the reading - room of the British
converted. Museum for the sake of shelter and
Religious. 1. Free from vice : warmth.
specifically of horses. 2. Of a horse Respectable. Chaste, decent
given to going on his knees: see Responsions (Oxford). The first
Devotional habits. examination for candidates for the
Remainder. 1. The unsold part B.A. degree.
of an edition bought to be re-sold at a Respun. To
steal : see Prig.
reduced price. 2. The drainings of Rest. And the rest f retort to A
pots and glasses : see All nations. anything incomplete, or in which
Remedy (Winchester). 1. A something being kept back.
is

holiday : cf. Work (pain) and Re mi. R e s t y. Headstrong, wayward,

(1519). 2. A sovereign, 20s.: see unruly, masterless (B. E ).
Rhino. Resurrection. A dish made of
Remedy-critch. A chamber-pot. remains also resurrection-pie.
:

Remember. See Parson Meldrum. Resurrectionist (or Resurrec-

Re mi (Westminster School). A tion - man, cove, woman). A body
holiday : cf. Remedy. anatcher. Resurrection - rig, body-
Renovator. A repairing tailor :
snatching.
translator. Resurrectionists (The). The
Rent Plunder, booty. To Buffs (East Kent Regiment). [From
collect rent, to rob travellers on the a rally at Albuera after dispersal at
highway. Rent-collector, a highway- the hands of the Polish Lancers.]
man :
specifically one whose fancy Also The Buff Howards; The Nut-
was for money only. Rente coining in, crackers ; and The Old Buffs.
dilapidated, ragged. To pay one's Res-wort Trousers see Kicks. :

rent, to punish (q.v.), to pay out (q.v.) Retoure. See Toure.

Rep. 1. A
woman of reputation Returned -
empty. A colonial
(Orose). 2. A
woman of a certain missionary preferred to a place at
reputation : also demi-rep : cf. Rip. home.
Also short for repute. Pon (or on) Ret-s i o. An oyster : ret-sios,
rep, Upon my reputation. 3. A oysters.
repetition. Revelation. A drink, go (q. v. ).

Repairs. No repairs, said of a Revel-dash (or rout). A

reckless contest, neck or nought. rough, noisy, and indecent gathering
Repartee. A sudden smart or carouse. Revel-rout, a company of
reply (B.E.). spreesters (q.v.).
Repeater. An elector voting Revenge. An opportunity for re-
twice on the same
qualification. couping or retaliation. Revenge in
Reporter. A
duelling pistol : see lavender, a vengeance in store, a rod
Meat-in-the-Pot (1827). in pickle (q.v.).
Repose r. A final drink, night- Reverence. See Sir Reverence.
cap (q.v.). Reverent Said of a superior
Reptile. 1. A new cadet: cf. brand of whisky or brandy.
rabid - beast. 2. A degraded wretch, Reversed. A man set (by bullies)
baseling. Reptile press, the hireling on his head, and his money turned out
press. of his breeches (B. E.).
372
 Review. Rhino.

Review. Review of the Black steven, stevers, stiff, stuff, stumpy,

Cuirassiers, a visitation of the clergy. sugar, tin, tea -
spoons, tow, wad,
Reviver. 1. A
drink, pick-me-up wedge, wherewith (or wherewithal),
(q.v.), go (q.v.). 2. A mending yellowboys, yennoms (back slang).
tailor : cf. Translator. As verb, to 1,000,000, marigold. 100,000,
mend, patch. plum. 1,000, cow. 500, monkey.
Rev-lis. Silver. 100, century. 25, pony. 10,
Reward. Supper :
specifically double-finnup, long-tailed finnup (also
the blood and entrails of the quarry of notes of higher values), tenner. 5,
(B. E.). Abraham Newland (q.v.), finnup,
Rex. To play rex, to handle fiver, flimsy, lil (or lill), Marshall,
roughly and terribly, play hell with pinnif. i (and in many cases for-

(q.v.). merly, 1 : is.), bean (or bien), bleeder,

Rheumatism in the Shoulder. canary, chip, couter (or cooter),
Arrest. dragon, dunop, foont, George (or
Rhino. Money: Generic; speci- yellow-George), gingleboy, ghstener,
fically ready money. Rhino-fat (or goblin, goldfinch, harlequin, horse-
rhinoccral), rich
(1670). Synonyms, sovereign, illegitimate, Jack, James,
generic. Actual, ballast, beans, bit Jane, Jemmy-o' -Goblin (rhyming),
(bite or byte), blunt, brads, brass, job (or jobe), meg (cf. mag, d.),
bustle, Calif ornians, captain (the), monarch, mousetrap, ned (or neddy),
caravan, change, charms, checks, new-hat, nob, old Mr. Gory, ponte,
chink, chinkers, chips, clink, coal (or poona, quid, red-'un, remedy, ridge,
cole), cod (q.v.), coin, coliander-seeds, (or redge), shiner, skin, skiv, stranger,
coppers, cork, corn in Egypt, crap (or strike, thick-'un (also of 5s.), yellow-
crop), crisp, cuckoos, darby, delog boy, yellow-hammer, i os., half -bean,
(back slang), dibs, dimmock, dinarly half - couter, half - Jack, half - James,
(or dinarlies), dingbat, dirt, dollars, half -Jane, half -ned (or neddy), net-
dooteroomus (or doot), dots, ducats, gen, smelt, young illegitimate. 75.,
dues, dumps, dust, dye-stuffs, evil, spangle. 6s. 6d., George. 55. 3d.
(the), family- plate, fat, feathers, flimsy whore's curse. 53., bull (or bull's-
(or flim), flour, gent, gilt (gelt, gelter, eye), caroon, cart-wheel, coach-wheel,
or gil - tick), gingerbread, gingleboys, case, caser, decus, dollar, hind coach
ginglers, glanthorne, goree, greed, (or cart) wheel, Oxford, thick-'un,
grocery, haddock (q.v.), hard, hard- tusheroon, wheel. 2s. 6d., coach-
stuff, hen, honey, horsenails, hoxters wheel, five-pot piece, flatch, fore-
(or huxters), iron, jink, John (John coach-wheel, George, half-case, half
Davis or
ready - John), kelter (or dollar, half - Oxford, half - yenork,
kilter), King's (or Queen's) pictures, madza-caroon, slat. 2S. half-dollar,
lawful pictures, legem pone, leaver, is. 6d., hog and a kye. is. id.,
lour (or loure), s. d., lurries, mam- loonslate (or loonslatt), hangman's
mon, metal, mopusses, mouldy-' uns, wages, is., Abraham's willing (rhym-
moss, muck, needful, nobbings, non- ing), blow, bob, bobstick, borde,
sense, nuggets, ochre, oil of angels, breaky-leg, button, deaner, (or deener),
oil of palms, ointment, old, oof (or gen, generalise, grunter, hog, jogue
ooftish : Yiddish), paint, palm-oil, levy,
-
lilywhite groat, Manchester,
pan, pap (cf. soft), paper, pee, penny, sovereign, mejoge, north-easter, oner,
pewter, pieces, pile, plate, plums, peg, teviss, thirteener, touch - me,
pocket, pony, portcullis, posh, pot, twelver. iod., dacha-saltee, jumper.
-
9d., ill fortune, picture of ill luck.
-
powder, prey, punchable (q.v.), purse,
queer, quids, rags, ready (ready-gilt 6d., bandy, bender, cripple, croaker,
or ready-John), redge (or ridge), reek, crook, crook-back, deaner, downer,
regulars, ribbon, ring, rivets, root of fiddle, fiddler, fyebuck, goddess Diana,
all evil,
rowdy, salt, sawdust, scads, griff-metol, grunter, half-borde, half-
screens, screeves, scuds, shadscales (or hog, hog, kick, kye, lord-of-the-
scales), shan, shekels, shells, shigs, manor, northeaster, pig, pot, sice,
shiners, shot, shin- plasters (or plasters), simon, snide, sow's-baby, sprat, sye-
sinews of war, skin, soap, soft, soft buck, tanner, tester, tilbury, tizzy.
flimsy (base), Spanish, spanks, span- 5d. cinqua soldi, Md's-eye. 4d. castle
, ,

kers, spondulicks, spoon, stamps, rag, flag, groat, joe (or joey). 3d.
373
currants-and- plums, threpa, thrce- Ribstone. See Pippin.
bwins, thrums. 2d., dace, deuce, Rib-tickler. 1. Thick soup, glue
duce. id., D, dibblish, George, (q.v.). See Rib-roast.
2.

harper, pollard, saltee, win, yennep. Rice-bags. 1. Trousers: see Kicks.

^d., flatch, madza-saltee, Maggie Rab 2. In sing., a rice planter.

(or Robb), magpie, make (magg or Rich. (1) Outrageous; (2) ridicul-
mec), post, rap, scurrick, tonic. 4d., ous ; and (3) spicy (q.v.). (1350).
Covent -garden, fadge, farden, fiddler, Rich-face. A red face (B. E.).
gennitraf, grig, Harrington, jig (or Richard. A dictionery ; also
gigg) quartereen, scrope. Bate coin Richard Snary and Richardanary.
or trick pieces, cap, cover - down, Fr., musicien. (Qrose).
dandy, double-header, flats, fleet-note, Rick - ma - tick. 1. A concern,
fletch (or flatch), gaffing-coin, galley- business, thing: as The whole
halfpenny, gammy lour, gray, hard, blessed rick-ma-tick went to smash.
hardware, kone, mopus, pony, queer, 2. Arithmetic.
soft-flimsy, snide, stumer. Ricochet. Gay, splendid.
Rhody (Little). The State of Rid. To rid the stomach, to vomit.
Rhode Island the smallest in the
: Riddlemeree. Rigmarole, non-
Union. sense, piffle (q.v.).
Rhyme-slinger. A poet. Ride. To rob on the highway.
Rhyming slang. A method of Phrases : To ride and tie, two set out
indicating words by a rhyming or together, one on horseback, the other
-
quasi rhyming substitute ; e.g. on foot when one arrives at the
:

Abraham's witting, shilling ; stand-and- distance agreed on ... he dismounts,

shiver, river elephant's trunk, drunk
; ; ties his horse to some gate, tree, post
penny -come-quick, trick and so forth. ; . .. and then
proceeds on foot ; when
First in vogue during the late Fifties, the other comes up to the horse, he
but artistically developed of late years unties him, mounts, and gallops on ; till
by The Sporting Times or Pink 'Un. having passed by his fellow traveller
With use the rhyme has been sup- he likewise arrives at the place of
pressed by experts :
e.g. Fm-so-frisky, tying. To ride the fringes, to beat
whisky becomes Fm-so, while floun- the bounds ; to ride as if fetching the
der-and-dab, cab, is merely flounder. midwife, to go post-haste ; to ride out,
Rib. 1. A wife crooked rib, a : to adopt the profession of arms. See
cross-grained wife: see Dutch (1609). Back, Black donkey, Bodkin, Brose,
2. In pi., a stout person. See Devil's Cowlstaff, Grub, Holborn Hill, High-
Bones. horse, Hobby - horse, Marleybone
Ribald (Ribold, or Ribaud). A Stage, Romford, Roughshod, Spanish
profligate, male or female. Ribaldry Mare, Stang, Wild-mare.
(ribaudry, or ribble rabble), ( 1 ) in-
- Rider. LA
question or clause
decency, profligate talk ; (2) the mob, added to a geometrical problem, an
the scum of society ; ribble-row, (1) a Act of Parliament, an examination
list of the rabble, (3) an inventory paper, etc. 2. A Dutch coin with a
(1360). man on horseback, worth about
Ribbin (Ribbon, or Ribband). twenty -seven shillings: also a Scots
1. Money :
generic The ribbin runs
; gold piece issued by James VI. 3. A
thick (or thin), the breeches are well- commercial traveller a bagman ;

lined (or there's little cash about). (q.v.).

2. In pi., reins to handle (or flutter)
:
Ridge (or Redge). Gold : manu-
the ribbons, to drive. See Blue factured specieorin latter case :

Ribbon. specifically, a guinea. Whence, ridge-

Rib-roast (baste, or tickle). montra, a gold watch ; cly full of
To thrash, punish (q.v.). Rib-roast- ridge, a pocket full of money ; ridge-
ing (etc. : also rib-bending or ribbing), a goldsmith.
cully,
a pummelling ; rib-roaster (etc. also : Ridiculous. Indecent, improper :

rib-bender, ribber, or a rib of roast), a any violent attack upon a woman's

blow on the body, or in the ribs, chastity is called very ridiculous
which brings down an opponent's behaviour : a very disorderly, and ill-
guard and opens up the head conducted house is also called a
(1576). ridiculous one.

374
 Riding-hag. Ring.

Riding-hag. The nightmare : should be so ; right royal, drunk. See

also the riding of the witch. Leg-
Riff-raff (raff or raffle). 1. Right-abouts (The). The
Refuse, lumber. 2. The mob spec. : Gloucestershire Regiment. Also
(Oxford Univ.) town (q.v.) as op- The Old Braggs The ; Slashers ; and
posed to gown (q.v.), or vice versa. The Whitewashers.
3. Booty. As adj., worthless. Raff- Right-eye (or hand). My right-
merchant, a marine - store dealer ; eye itches, the jesting dovetail is : I'm
Raffish, disreputable raffishness, ; going to cry (or receive money).
scampishness. As verb, raff (or Right - hander. hit with the A
raffle), to live filthily, to pig it (q.v.). right-hand.
Baffle-coffin, a ruffian, ribald fellow Right - side. To rise on the right
(B. E.). side, a happy augury cf. :
Wrong side
Rig. Generic for wantonness.
1. (q.v.) of the bed (1607).
As subs., (a) a wanton (also rig-mutton Right-sort. GUI : see White
and rigsby) (b) a drinking bout ; (c)
; Satin (1820).
anything dubious, as a knock-out, a Righteous. An inverted ap-
cross - fight, a cheat ; (d) an un- preciation e.g. a righteous (i.e. fine)
:

scrupulous person ; and (e) a half OF as distinguished from a wicked (q.v.)

whole gelding. As
verb, (a) to play day, etc. : cf. Religious. More holy
the wanton; to spree (q.v.); (c)
(b) than righteous, applied to a tattered
to trick, to steal ; and (d) to ride garment or person.
pick-a-back. Riggish, wanton ; rigol- Rigmarole. tedious story, A
age, wantonness ; to run (play, or twaddle, rambling statement : also
carry) a rig, to play fast-and-loose ; to ragman roll,rig-my-rott, and rig-
rig the market, to raise or depress marole. As adj., roundabout, non-
prices for one's private advantage : sensical. [A corruption of Ragman
hence to swindle ; up to the rigs, ex- roll the Devil's Roll
i.e. cf. Rage- :

wide-awake, fly (q.v.) (1320). man applied apparently to any

rrt,
Dress, style, a turn -
out, outfit : document containing many details ;
also rig-out and rigging. As verb, to also to an old game in which a parch-
equip ; rigged, dressed ; rum-rigging, ment roll played a part.] (1529).
fine clothes (1594). Rigol (or Rigil). See Rig.
Riggen. To ride the riggen, to be Rile (Roil, or Royle). To vex,
very intimate. irritate, disturb. Rily, cross-grained ;
Rigger. A racing boat. rilement, ill -temper. [Originally, to
Right. Very, just, quite. Col- make turbid.] Fr., cavaler (or courir)
loquialisms are numerous Right as : sur le haricot (1656).
rain (as ninepence, my leg, anything, Rimble - Ramble. Nonsense. As
a fiddle, trivet, etc.), absolutely de- adj., nonsensical (1600).
pendable ; to rights, completely to Rinder. An outsider.
one's satisfaction ; right there, on the R i n e r. To shed riners with a
spot ; right great, very much ; right whaver, to cap, surpass.
now, instanter ; right so, just so to ; Ring, subs, (colloquial). 1. A
do one right (or reason), (1) to do place set apart for, or a concourse en-
justice, and (2) to pledge in drinking ; gaged in, some specific object : as (a)
right out, to a finish ; right down, an enclosure used for betting, and (6)
downright ; right smart, extremely the bookmakers therein ; (c) the circle,
clever ; (out, or straight),
right away square, or parallelogram within which
right off (here, or out), immediately ; a fight takes place hence The prize :

to turn (or send) to the right-about, to ring, the world of pugilists ; (d) the
dismiss ; right you are, a complete space within which horses are ex-
acquiescence: all right, certainly, hibited at fair, market, or auction ;
O.K. ; a bit
of all right, extremely (e) a combination for controlling a
good ; right along, at these presents ; market or political measure in ;

right up to the handle, excellent ; to America a trust hence ringman, a :

do (or have) one to rights, to serve one bookmaker (q.v.) (1705). 2. Money
out ; to set to rights, to put in order ; extorted by rogues on the highway,
right on, entirely, straightforward ; or by gentlemen beggars (B. E.). As
right forth, straight ; by good rights, it verb, (1) to manipulate; spec, to
375
 Ring-dropper.

change e.g. : to ring cottars, to ex- to plunder ; (3) to steal ; ripper, a

change hate ; to ring the change*, (a) robber (1388).
to substitute bad money for good ; Ripe. 1. Drunk. 2. Ready
and (6) so to bustle that change is (1609).
given wrong (1678); (2) when house- Ripon (or Rippon). 1. A spur.
breakers are disturbed and have to 2. A sword. [The Yorkshire City waa
abandon their plunder they say that formerly famous for its fine steel.]
they have rung themselves ; (3) to (1625).
patrol cattle by riding round and Ripper. Anything especial a :

round them also to ring up ; (4) to:

good ball a knock-down
(cricket),
create a disturbance, racket (q.v.) ; blow (pugilistic), a fine woman, an
(5) to talk :
spec, to scold : of women. outrageous lie, etc. Hence ripping,
Phrases : To ring the horseshoes, to great, excellent, stunning (q.v.).
welcome a man returning from a Ripping (Eton College). cere- A
drinking-bout ; to go through the ring, mony incidental to the departure of
to go bankrupt, to be whitewashed a Senior Colleger for King s College,
'

(q.v.); to ring in, (1) to quote; to Cambridge when he has got King's*
:

implicate, (2) to get the better of, (3) hisgown stitched up that it may be
is
in gaming, to add to (or substitute) ripped afterwards. See Ripper.
cards in a pack surreptitiously : Rise. An advance : in salary,
whence, to ring in a cold deck, to sub- price, betting, status, rank, etc. :
stitute a prepared pack of cards ; see Raise. As verb, (1) to play into
cracked in the ring, flawed to come on ; one's hands, listen credulously ; (2)
the ring, to take one's turn ; to take See Raise. To get (have or take) a
the mantle and ring, to vow perpetual rise out of one, to mortify, make
widowhood. ridiculous, outwit (1600). To rise a
Ring - dropper (or faller). A barney, to collect a crowd.
sharper who, pretending to have found Rising. (1) Upwards of; (2) ap-
a ring, induces a gull to part for a proaching to.
snide or stumer article. King-drop- Rispin. See Respin.
ping see Fawney-dropper.
: River Lea. The sea.
Ringer. A bell, tinkler :
Fr., River rat.
- A riverside thief :

battante, brandittante, specifically one who robs the corpses

Ring-man. 1. The middle or ring of men drowned.
finger cf. Dark mans, Ruff -mans, etc.
: River Tick. See Tick.
(1544). 2. See Ring. Rivet. In pi., money see Rhino. :

Ring- tail. A recruit, snooker ( q. v. ). As verb, to marry, hitch (q.v.),

Ring -tailed roarer. The non- splice (q.v.) (1700).
sense-name of some imaginary beast. Riz. See Raise.
Rink. To
get out of one'* rink, to Rizzle. To rest after a meal.
sow wild oats. [Rink, a course, a R. M. D. Ready Money down,
race, ring, or circle.] immediate payment.
Rinse. Any sort of potable, lap Roach. See Sound.
(q.v.). As verb, to drink, lush (q.v.). Road. To take to the road, to turn
Riot Act To read the riot act, to highwayman (the road also, highway
administer a jobation, reprove. robbery), footpad, beggar, tramp, or
Riotous - living. Luxuries. [Cf. commercial. Whence road - agent,
Luke zv. 13.] gentleman (or knight) of the road, (1) a
Rip. A
reprobate, rake (q.v.). highwayman, and (2) a commercial
Hence censurable : as a
anything traveller (1704).
screw (q.v.) of a horse (Grose), a Roa f. Four. Hence roaf-yan-
shabby mean fellow : sometimes in ne.pt, fourpence ; roaf
-
gen, four
jest. As verb, (1) to take one's own shillings.
course, go as one will, tear along, drive Roach - and - dace. The face :

furiously usually in phrase, let her

: see Dial.
rip also to rip and stave
: whence : Roadster. A person who prefers
ripper,a tearer ; to rip and tear, to be the road to cross-country riding.
furious; to rip out, to explode ; also Roarer. Anything especially loud :

as an oath, rip me f (1600); (2) to e.g. (1), a broken-winded horse (Orose) ;

earoh, rummage :
espec. with a view (2) a pushing newsvendor ; (3) a
376
 Roaratorio. Rocketer.

stump-orator. Hence roar, (1) to an excuse for a forced or jesting im-

breathe hard of horses ; (2) to rant
:
position.
(q.v.); roaring, the disease in horses Rob -
davy (or Rob - o' - davy).
causing broken wind (1752). Metheglin.
Roaratorio. An oratorio. Robe. Gentleman of the long robe, a
Roaring. Brisk ; successful ; lawyer see Long Robe.
:

strong see Drive, Humming, etc.

: Roberd's-man (knave, or
Roberts '-man). The third (old) Rank
'

Roaring-boy (blade, girl,

lad, ruffian, etc., or Roarer). of the Canting Crew, mighty Thieves,
A street bully : late 16th and 17th like Robin-hood' (B. E.) (1362).
centuries also oatmeal (q.v.) and
: Robert (or Roberto). A police-
terrible -boy (q.v.). As verb, to man.
riot, swagger ; roaring, riotous. As Robin. 1. A
penny: see Rhino. 2.
adv., extravagantly, noisily, superbly. A flannel under-shirt (Bartlett). See
Roaring Buckle. See Buckle. Round Robin.
Roaring Forties. The degrees Robin Hood. Many phrases trace
of latitude between 40 and 50 N. back to the legend of this heroic thief.
the most tempestuous part of the Thus Robin Hood, a daring lie Robin ;

Atlantic also, occasionally to

: the Hood's pennyworth, a great bargain ;
same zone in the South Atlantic. Good even, good Robin Hood (said of
Roaring game (The). Curling. civility extorted by fear) ; Many talk
[Burns : The curlers quest their roar- of Robin Hood that never shot in
ing play.] his bow, Many speak of things of
Roaring Meg. (1) A very famous which they have no knowledge ; Tales
piece of ordnance ; whence (2) any- of Robin Hood are good enough for
thing loud, efficient, or extraordinary fools.
(1575). Robin Redbreast. A Bow Street
Roast. 1. To ridicule, quiz (q.v.) runner also robin and redbreast.
:

(1732). 2. (a) To watch closely, Robin 's-eye. A scab.

stall (q.v.). Also to roast brown and Robinson. See Jack Robinson.
to get (or give) a roasting: FT., pousser Rob-pot. A drunkard, malt-
de la ficelle. Thus (old) to smell of the worm (q.v.) (1622).
roast, to get into prison (1587). Rob-thief. A thief robbing thief ;

Phrases; To rule the roast, to lead, dog eating dog.

domineer ; to cry roast meat, to chatter Roby Douglas. The breech.
about one's good fortune to make ; Rock. Generic for hard eatables.
roast meat for worms, to kill ; to ( 1 ) A cheese made from skim-milk, and

give roast meat and beat with the spit, said to be used in making pins to
to do one a curtesy, and twit or fasten gates (Hampshire); (2) A kind
upbraid him with it (B. E. ) ; to roast of hard sweetmeat; (3) School bread
snow in a furnace, to attempt the un- as distinguished from baker's-bread
necessary or absurd. Also proverbial (Derby School); (4) A hard kind of
sayings Set a fool to roast eggs,
:
soap; (5) A rock pigeon; (6) In pi.,
and a wise man to eat them ; You are money ; pocketful of rocks, flush ; on
in your roast meat when others are the rocks, stranded (q.v.) ; (7) A
in their fod ; There's reason in roasting pebble, a stone (at Winchester, a
of eggs Great boast and small roast
; medium-sized stone) as verb, to :

make unsavoury mouths. throw stones; (8) A cause of diffi-

Roast - and - boiled. The Life culty, defeat, or annoyance as an :

Guards who are mostly substantial

:
over-trump at cards, an obstacle
housekeepers, and eat daily of roast suddenly placed in one's way, and
and boiled (Grose). so forth (1601). The Rock, Gibraltar.
Roaster. A landlord's agent. To do by rock of eye and rule of thumb,
Roast - meat clothes. Sunday to substitute guesswork for exact
or holiday gear. measurement. See Bedrock, Rocker.
Rob. See Barn, Peter. Rocker (or Rokker). (1) To
Roba. See Bona-roba. understand ; (2) to speak.
Rob - altar. A sacrilegious plun- Rocketer. A flushed pheasant,
derer. rising quick and straight ; rocketting,
Robbery. Exchange is no robbery, rising straight.
377
 Rock-scorpion. Romany.

Rock-scorpion.A mongrel Gibral- Rogueship. See Spittle-rogue-

tarine Spanish, Portuguese, French,
:
ship.
Genoese, Barbary Hebrew, Moorish, Roister (R oyster Doister,
negro a mixture of all mettles. Royster, Roisterer, etc.). 1. A
Rocky (Rocked, or Rocketty). swaggerer. 2. A frolic. Whence as
1. Broken by drink, illness, poverty ;
: verb (also roist), to swagger ; roist-
and,2. difficult, dubious, debateable. ing (roistering, roisterly, or roisterous),
Hence to go rocky, to go to pieces, go uproarious (1553).
wrong. Whence rockiness, (I) crazi- R
o k e r. A ruler, stick, poker.
ness ; (2) incapacity, utter or partial ; Flat-roker, a flat ruler. [Roke, to stir
off one's rocker, crazy ; rocked in a a fire, a liquid, etc.]
stone kitchen, the person spoken of is Roland (or Rowland)
for
a fool, his brains having been dis- Oliver. A
match, tit for tat, six
ordered by the jumbling of his cradle of one and half-a-dozen of the other,
(Grose). a fanciful or practical proof of equality
Rod. An angler. See Breach, Fr., Guy Contre Robert (14th century).
Pickle, Tail 1. A country
Roly-poly. bump-
Rod - maker (Win ton). The man kin (1602). 2. A jam roll pudding,
who made the rods used in Bibling dog in a blanket also roll-up. As
- - - :

(q.v.). adj., round and fat (1841). 3. (com-

Rodney. A regular Rodney, an idle mon). A comic dance.

fellow, lazybones. Roll. In pi., a baker see Burn- :

Rodomontade. Boasting, swag- crust also Master of the Rolls. As

:

ger. Hence Rodomont, a boaster. verb, a verb of spirit generic ( 1 ), to :

[A character in Ariosto.] gad ;(2) to rollick in one's walk ; and

Rof-efil. A life sentence, for life. (3) to swagger : also to roll about.
1. A portmanteau,
Roger. poge Whence to roll in bub (or grub), to have
(q.v.). A goose also Roger (or ttb) plenty to eat (or drink)
2. : to roll in ;

of the buttery. 3. A pirate flag also gold, to be monstrous rich

: to roll in :

Jolly Roger. 4. A rogue (q.v.). one's ivories, to kiss to roll in every ;

Rogerian. A kind of wig. rig, to be up-to-date to roll the leer, ;

Rogue (Roge, or Roger). 1. A to pick pockets to have a roll on, to ;

professed beggar ; the fourth Order swagger, to put on side (q.v.) ; to roll
of Canters (Awddey). 2. Wild rogue, one's hoop, to go ahead, be on the safe
a born rogue. 3. knave or rascal. A side ; rolling, smart, ready ; rolling
A rogue in grain, a great rogue, or a kiddy, a clever thief ; rollick (or rollop),
corn - chandler (Grose) ; a rogue in to romp along.
a distiller or Roller. 1. A roll-call. 2. In pL,
spirit, brandy-merchant
(Grose). As verb, to beg. 4. Any- United States Rolling Stock. 3. In
thing vicious, bastard, unstandard- pi., the horse and foot patrols (1785).
ized. Thus rogue - elephant, an evil- 4. A go-cart. 5. A big wave coming
minded murderous male or female ; in from a distance, and so with enor-
rogue's badge, blinkers for a vicious mous energy : also runner.
horse. 5. An endearment : whence Rolley. A vehicle.
roguish, playfully mischievous : also Rollickers. The 2nd Bat. The
a wag. Derivatives: Rogues' -gallery, Princess Victoria's Royal Irish Fusil-
a collection of photographs of con- iers (formerly the Eighty-Ninth Foot).
victed prisoners rogue-house, a prison
; Also (1798) Blayney's Blood-hounds.
or lock -
up ; rogue -
money (Scots'), Rolling-pin. See Pin.
an assessment for police purposes ; Roll-me-in-the-dirt. A shirt.
rogue's
-
march, the drumming - out Roll -up. See Roly-poly.
(q.v.) of a disgraced soldier or sailor ; Rom. See Romany.
rogue' s-yarn, a worsted thread, varying Romance. A lie, taradiddle. As
in colour in each dockyard, woven in verb, to pleasantly, to stretch in
lie
each strand of rope to prevent theft discourse (B. E. ).
and to trace defective manufacture. Roman -fall. A posture (c. 1868)
Rogue-and-pullet. A man and in walking the head well forward and
:

woman in confederacy as thieves. the small of the back well in see :

Rogue - and - villain. A shilling : Grecian Bend.

see Rhino. Romany (Rommany, or Rom). (1)

378
 Rombdow. Rorty.

A gipsy ; and (2) the language spoken ^Rooster. 1. A euphemism for the
by gipsies. Whence to patter Romany, male of the barndoor hen. 2. A
to talk the gipsy flash (Grose) ; street brawler, a rough. See Queer.
Romany rye, a gentleman who talks Roost-lay. Poultry stealing : see
and associates with gipsies. [A few Lay.
Romany words have passed into Root (The). Money. [The
English, but the only European root of verb, to kick.
all evil.] As
tongues on which the Gipsy has had Whence (The Leys School) root-
much influence are those of the Penin- about, promiscuous football practice :
sula. Spanish and Portuguese
In also as verb.
almost all the slang is Gipsy and Rooter. A superlative : as a
almost all the Gipsy is slang. ] See Rum. brutal attack, a very smart dress, a
Rombelow. See Rumbelow. priceless gem, a flagrant untruth, and
Rumboyle (or Romboyles). To so forth.
make hue and cry, whiddle beef Rooty. Bread.
(q.v.): Fr., battre morasse. Whence Rope. 1. In pi., a half-back. 2.
romboyVd, wanted (q.v.). A trick or knack ; spec, (nautical) to
Rome. See Rum, passim. know the ropes (or to be up to the ropes),
Romer (or Romekin). A drink- (1) to be expert, and (2) to be artful,
ing glass (or can). fly (q.v.) ; work) the ropes,
to pull (or
Rome-ville. London. to control or direct ; to rope in (or
Romford. See Rumford. rope), (1) to lose a race by pulling
Romp. A boisterous girl, tom- (q.v.) or other foul means ; (2) to
boy (q.v.). As verb, (1) to lark (q.v.), decoy (in a mock auction, gambling-
play the rig (q.v.), wanton; and (2) den, etc. ) hence roper-in, a decoy ;
:

to romp in, to win easily (racing). and (3) to pull (or gather) in as to :

Roncher (or Rouncher). Any- rope in the pieces, to make money.

thing of exceptional size or quality. Hence plenty of rope, lots of choice ;
Rook. 1. A cheat spec, gaming : : at the end of one's rope, exhausted,
also rooker cf. sense 2 and Pigeon
: : done for ( 1623). As verb, 1. To hang :

hence rookery (or roking), swindling ; see Ladder rope-tricks

rooky (or rookish), rascally, scampish ;
as verb, to cheat, swindle hence also
rookery, (1) a gambling hell; and (2)
any place of ill - repute e.g. (a) a
brothel, (6) subalterns' barrack quar-
ters, and (c) a neighbourhood occu-
pied by a criminal or squalid popu-
lation, a slum (q.v.) (1590). 2. A
simpleton, pigeon (q.v.). [One fit for
;(roping, or
ropery), roguery ; rope-ripe, fit for
:
hanging ; to cry rope, to warn, to bid
beware ; give rope (or line) enough
; and he'll hang, He'll decoy himself to
his undoing ; Mr. Roper (or the roper),
the hangman ; the Rope-walk, the Old
Bailey ; to go into the rope-walk, to
take up criminal practice (1553). 2.
To beat with a rope hence rope's-end, :

rooking: see sense 1]. (1596). 3. A a thrashing ( 1460). Phrases A rope :

clergyman: Fr., corbeau. 4. A sloven. of sand, (1) a feeble hold, and (2) an
5. A housebreaker's jemmy (q.v.), a endless or unprofitable task ; on the
crow (q.v.). As
verb, (1) see subs. high ropes, arrogant see
elated, :

2 ; (2) to win heavily. High Horse a rope ! What the

; What
Rookery. See Rook, 1. 2. A devil to put a rope to the eye of a
;

scolding match. needle, to attempt the impossible or

Rooky (or Rookey). recruit : A absurd ; also the proverbial saying,
see Snooker, and Rook, subs. 1. A rope and butter, if the one slip, the
Room.To inhabit. Roomer, a other may hold.
lodger : one occupying a single
spec, R o p e r (M r s). A marine. To
apartment. See Apartments. marry Mrs. Roper, to list in the
Roombelow. See Rumbelow. Marines.
Roorback. A j
ournalistic or printed R o p p e r. A scarf, comforter.
lie. [? Wrapper.]
Roosher. : A
see Nark. constable Roram (or ? o R 1 an d). The
Roost. Bed
also roosting - place.
: sun : cf. Oliver, moon.
As verb, (1) to sleep; (2) to lodge Roritorious. Uproarious : cf.

(1749); (3) to imprison; (4) to cheat. 'rory-tory' (Devon) showy, dashing.

To roost over one, to get a rise (q.v.). Rorty (or Raughty). Of the very
379
 Rory-o'-More.

beat Hence rorty toff, an out-and- Rough. A ruffian. As adj., un-

out swell ; rorty-dashcr, a fine fellow ; couth, hard, severe (B. E. ) : also
to do the rorty, to have a good time. (of fish) coarse or stale. To cut (or
Rory-o'-More. 1. The floor. 2. turn) up rough (or to rough up), (1) to
A whore. 3. A door also Rory. : be annoyed, and (2) to use strong
Rorys (The). The Princess language ; to rough one, to vex ; to
Louise's Argyll and Sutherland High- rough it (or lie rough), (1) to endure
landers. hardship ; (2) to take pot-luck and ;

Rosary. A base coin (Ed. I.) (3) to sleep in one's clothes ; rough-
resembling the current silver penny : arid - ready, unpolished, happy - go-
it bore (verso) a rose or rosette. lucky rough on, hard, severe. Rough
;

Rose. In pi.,1. A bitch. 2. on rats, a hard

case. See Buff.
Buenos Ayres and Rosario Ry. Rough - and - tumble. A free
Ordinary Stock. Under the rose, fight, a mellay. As adj., boisterous
secretly, in confidence (1546). A rose (1838).
between two thorns (or nettles), a woman Rough-diamond. A person of heart
sitting between two men: the usual but no manners (1753).
retort is a thorn (or nettle) between
:
Rough-fam (or Rough-fammy).
two roses To strike with a feather
! A waistcoat pocket (1812).
and stab with a rose, to chastise play- Rough-music. A clatter of sticks,
fully: a music-hall refrain. pots, pans, and musical instruments :
Roseberys. London County for the annoyance of offenders out-
Council 2 per cent. Stock Lord :
raging public prejudice : sometimes
Rosebery was the first chairman of accompanied by burning in effigy.
the Council. Roughrider's-washtub. The
Rosebud. A debutante ((1847). barrack water-cart.
Rosh (Roush). To hustle, Roughshod. To ride roughshod
horse-play. Hence atop roshing I an (over, or down), to domineer, be void
injunction to silence. of guts (q.v.) or bowels (q.v.).
Rosin (Rozin, or Rozin-the- Rough-up. A fight at short
bow). 1. A fiddler; and, 2. fiddler's notice.
lap. Whence as verb, (1) to fiddle ; Round. An appointed and es-
and (2) to drink : rosinned, drunk : tablished circuit of travel :
generic :

see Screwed (1607). cf. Rounder and gentleman of the

Rosser. See Rozzer. round, an officer of the watch (1596).
R o s t. To turn boost to rost, to Thus (1) topers', (a) liquor enough to
turn from swagger to humility. go round the table, and (b) a toast
Rosy. 1. Drink; and, 2. blood: drunk round (2) gamesters', (a) cards
;

i.e. claret (q.v.). Hence rosy -drop, to all, and (b) a hand in which all the
a grog blossom : also the ruby. Rosy players deal in turn (3) an habitual ;

about the gills, (1) fresh-coloured, course of visits, calls for orders, in-
(2) sanguine cf. white about the gills
: :
spection ; (4) a shot, a cartridge ; and
also rosy, favourable, auspicious, (5) archery, a competition ; (6),
healthy whence: the rosy, good fortune. pugilists', the successive periods of
Rot. Nonsense, bosh (q.v.) : action in a mill : between fall and fall ;
also tommy - rot (q.v.). As verb, to and, under Queensberry Rules, so
humbug, to bully rotter, a good-for- ; many encounters so many minutes
nothing. Rot it (or Rot 'urn) (common) long ; (7) trousers short for round-
:

Hang it ! the-houses (q.v.). As adj., a general

Rotan. Any wheeled vehicle. qualitative :
simple, straightforward,
Rot - gut. Poor drink :
generic : unmistakable. Thus a round sum,
spec, bad beer or alcohol : also rotlo (1) a large amount, and (2) a sum
(1597). stated in one term e.g. thirty pounds,
:

Rothschild. See Come. thirty shillings, three pence ; a round

Rotten - row. To belong to Rotten answer, plain speech ; round dealing,
row, to be laid up as past service : of honest trading ; round trot, a good
ships. pace ; round tale, the unvarnished
Rotten-sheep. A traitor Fenian. : truth ; round oath, a swingeing ex-
Rouge. A point in the Eton pletive ; round - reply, a straight
game of football : 3 rouges, 1 goal. answer; roundly, plainly, vehemently,
 Round-about. Royster.

briskly ; round (or brown) dozen (see Roust. 1. To frisk, disturb,

Brown) (1240). As verb, (1) to shift. 2. To steal : see Roustabout.
betray, peach (q.v.) ; (2) to turn upon Roustabout (Rouse - about,
and berate also to round on.
: To or Rouser). 1. A rough - and - ready
round up, to collect cattle for in- : colonial or backwoodsman. 2. A
spection, branding, etc. : also as fidget. 3. A term of contempt.
subs. whence (general), to complete,
: Rout. 1. A fashionable party.
take stock. To bet round, to bet 2. A card party at a private house
upon (or against) several horses in a (Grose). As verb, to assemble in
race. Bound in the gills (face, body, company (1775).
twist, or guts), languid, Mondayish Router. A cow : hence router
(q.v.). putters, cows' -feet.
Round 1. A farthingale. Rove. To wander
- about.
idly up and
2. A short close-fitting jacket also : down (B. E.).
rounder. 3. A female thiefs all- Rover. 1. A young woman en-
round pocket. 4. A horizontal wheel gaged, lawfully or not, in collecting
or frame, turned by a small engine, money for charity. 2. A pirate, free-
and furnished with wooden horsey booter (formerly now recognised)
:

and carriages ; a merry-go-round. 5. a wanderer, a vagabond (B. E.)

A treadmill, everlasting - staircase Also to run (or shoot) at rovers, to run
(q.v.). 6. A housebreaker's tool; it wild, to act at random (1440). 3.
cuts a round piece, about five inches In pi., the thoughts (Jamieson).
in diameter, out of a shutter or door ; Row. 1. A disturbance, shindy
also round robin. (q.v.), boisterous talk: also rowing.
Round-and- square. Everywhere. 2. A mob (Univ.). Rowing-man (ow
Round-betting. See Round. as ough in bough), a spreester (q.v.).
Roundem. A button. As verb, to abuse, create a disturb-
Rounder. 1. A person or thing ance ; to get into a row, to get into
taking or making a round (q.v.). 2. trouble; [Orose: s.v. Rout, shortened
A round big oath.
of cheers. 3. A into row, Cambridge slang.] The
4. A man who goes habitually from Row, 1. Rotten Row, Hyde Park. 2.
bar to bar. To round (or round in Paternoster Row (booksellers') (1812).
the ear), to whisper. See Round and Phrases A hard (or long) row to hoe, a
:

Round-about. difficult task ; to hoe one's own row,

Roundhead. A Puritan (q.v.) to mind one's own business ; to row
[The hair was worn closely cropped.] in the same boat, to share.
To round the head, to cut the hair Rowdy. blackguard. 2.
1. A
round. A political brawler.
Rowdy (rowdy-
Roundy (or Roundy - ken). A dowdy, or rowdy-dow), blackguardly,
watch-house, lock-up. turbulent, vulgar rowdyism (rowdy- ;

Round 0. A thumping lie : see dow, or rowdiness), blackguardism

Whopper. (1842). 3. Money: see Rhino: cf.
Round Robin. 1. The host. 2. A Ruddy.
religious (or political) brawler. 3. Rowl. 1.To recite well : cf. Rush.
We find the first instance of a Round 2. Money : see Rhino.
Robin in 1626 ; sailors write their Royal. A docker whose name is
names and marks in a good round on the dock's books and who takes
circular form so that none might precedence as regards casuals.
appear for a ringleader (New English). Royal -goats. The Royal Welsh
4.A big swindle see Roundabout. : Fusiliers (formerly the Twenty-third
Round-shaving. A reprimand. Foot). Also Nanny - goats. [A goat
Round-the-houses. Trousers of. : is kept as a regimental pet.]
Rounds. Royal-image. In pL, money : see
Ronny. A potato, murphy (q.v.) Rhino.
Rouse. A large glass full of
1.
Royal Poverty. Gin: see White
liquor. 2. A
big bumper. 3. A Satin.
carouse (1596). 4. Fighting.
Royal -
scamp. A gentleman of
R o u s e r. Generic for anything the road (q.v.) as distinguished from
exceptional. Hence rousing, very a foot-pad (1783).
great, startling, exciting (1677). Royster. See Roister.
381
 Rozin. Ruffler.

Rozin. See Rosin. in), to come in unnoticed, or (racing)

Rozzer. A policeman. unplaced. As verb, (1) to inform,
R's. See Three R's (The). split (Q.V.) ; (2) to turn rusty;
Rub (or Rubber). 1. An
obstacle, (3) to drag or crease. To ruck (or
disputable point, difficulty also
:
rucket) along (Oxford University)
(Old Cant), a hard shift (B. E.) ; as to walk quickly.
verb, to hinder, obstruct (1590). 2. Ruction. An uproar.
A loan as of a newspaper. As verb,
: Ruddocks (or Red, or Golden,
to run or take away also to rub off ; :
Ruddocks). Money :
specifically
to rub to the whitt, to send to Newgate gold : also ruddy. [Formerly gold
(1550). Colloquialisms: To rub along was conventionally red a girdle of
(on or out), ( 1 ) to manage somehow, gold so red, and good red gold.] Cf.
to live indifferently, and (2) to live Ridge and Redge (1570).
tolerably well ; to rub down, (1) (police) Rudesby. A rude boisterous
to search: the prisoner's arms are person. Johnson (1745), a low word.]
[
raised, the vest unbuttoned, and the Cf. Sneaksby, Idlesbie, Wigsby, etc.
officer's hand passed over the body : (1593).
also to run the rule over ; (2) to scold, Rudge-gown. An outcast :

rate, or take to task to rub in, (1) to ; alsorug-gown. Whence rug-gowned,

nag, annoy, or aggravate persistently. meanly ; rugheaded, shock - headed
Fr., monster une scie ; (2) to peg away, (1597).
insist, or exaggerate ; to be rubbed Rue. Repentance : as rue-quarrel
about, to be made a convenience ; to to repent and withdraw ; rue-bargain,

rub out (tailors'), to cut out; also (3) smart-money.

(colloquial) to forget old grievances, Ruff. 1. An
old-fashioned double
cancel a debt also to rub off ; to rub
: band A court card hence
(B. E.). 2. :

out, to kill hence rubbed out, dead ;

: to ruff, to trump. 3. Ruffs Guide
to rub up, (1) to refresh the memory, to the Turf. The wooden ruff, the
(2) to polish, and (3) to touch a tender pillory.
point or remembrance hence to rub : Ruffian. 1. Spec, the Devil : also
up the wrong way, to irritate, to annoy : old ruffian. Whence, 2. any one
also to rub on the gaule ; to give a rub behaving roughly or severely as a :

of the thumb, to explain or show the magistrate, or a brutal bully or

way. assassin (B. E.) ; also a pugilist all
Rubbacrock. A filthy slattern, a spirit and no science ; and so forth.
puzzle (q.v.). As adj., (1) wanton ; (2) brutal ; and
Rubbage (or Rubbidge). Rub- (3) violent. As verb, (1) to pimp, (2)
bish. to bully, and (3) to maul. Also
Rubber. 1. A round of three ruffianly (or ruffinous), wanton, out-
games : also rub. 2. A slight reproof ; rageous. Ruffian cook ruffian, he
any one ... a ren-
reflections upon scalded the devil in his feathers, said
'
counter with drawn swords (B. E.) of a bad cook. Ruffian' s-hatt, So that
3. In pi., indiarubber over -shoes, part of Smithfield was antiently called,
goloshes. which is now the horse-market, where
Rubber - neck (or Rubber). To tryals of skill were plaid by ordinary
crane one's neck hence, to see every-
; ruffianly people with sword and
thing. Also to rubber around, to buckler.' (B. E.)
keep one's eyes open. R
u ffl e. A handcuff : usually in
Rubbish. Money : generic : see pi. The Ruffle, the flourish to a
Rhino. trick at cards : the deck held firmly
Rubric. In (or out of) the rubric, at the lower end by the left hand is
in (or out of) holy orders. rapidly manipulated by the right
Rub - rub. '
Us'd on Greens when hand with a crackling noise. See
the Bowl Flees too fast, to have it Kuffler.
forbear, if Words wou'd do it' (B. E.). Ruffler (Ruffle, or Ruffling
Ruby. Blood, claret (q.v.), grog- Roister.) 1. Spec, 27 (in Statute
blossom (q.v.). Hence, ruby face, Hen. Vm.), a sham soldier or sailor) :
a very red face. whence, 2. a bully, cheat, or violent or
Ruck. 1. The mob. 2. Rubbish. swaggering blackguard (also ruffler).
To come in with the ruck (or to ruck ( 1 ) To plunder,
rob spec, with menaces
:
 Ruffmans. Rumbo.

and imprecations and (2) to swagger, ; stockings ; rum-dropper, a vintner ;

flaunt it, put on side (q.v.) or be rum-duke, (1) a handsome man, (2) a '
turbulent ; rufflery, violence ; ruffered, jolly companion, and (3) The boldest
boisterous ; and ruffle, to dispute or stoutest Fellows (lately) amongst
(1537). the Alsatians, Minters, Savoyards, etc.
Ruffmans. A hedge (1567). Sent for to remove and guard the
Ruff-peck. Bacon (1567). Goods of such Bankrupts as intended
'

Rufty tufty. -
Rough, boisterous, to take Sanctuary in those Places
indecent (1592). As intj., Hey-day. (B. E.); rum-duchess, a handsome
Rug. 1. A Rugbeian. 2. A sort of woman ; rum - dubber (or fie), an ex-
drink. 3. A tug. As verb, to pull pert picklock ; rum Jam (or fern), &
-

roughly ; to get a rug, to get a share, diamond ring ; rum-fun, a clever

get there (q.v.) (1300). AH rug, all fraud ; rum-gdt (or gilt), new money;
right,certain (1696). See Bug and rum-gill, (1) a clever thief, and (2) a
Ruggins. handsome man ; rum-gagger, a whin-
Ruge.See Rouge. ing beggar rum-glymmer, a chief
;

Rugger. Football : the Rugby link-boy ; rum-going, fast trotting ;

game. rum-gutlers, canary ; rum-hopper, an
Ruggin's. Bed; at rug, asleep: innkeeper rum-kicks, silver or gold-
;

e.g.the whole gill is safe at rug, the braided breeches ; rum-ken, a popular
household are asleep (Grose). inn or brothel rum-kin, a large mug ;
;

Ruin. See Blue Ruin. rum-maunder, a clever beggar ; rum-

Rule. To run the rule over, to mizzler, a thief expert at clearing
search, frisk (q.v.). (q.v.); rum-mort, a lady; rum-one,
Rule - of - thumb. A rough-and- a settling blow ; rum-nab, a good hat ;
ready way :
practical rather than rum-Nantz, brandy ; rum-Ned, a rich
exactly scientific (Grose). fool ;rum - pad, the highway ; rum-
Rum (Rome, Roome, or Ram), padder, a highwayman ; rum peeper,
-

adj. (Old Cant). 1. generic appre- A a silver looking-glass ; rum-peck, good

ciative, good, fine, clever, excellent,
strong, etc. (1567): cf. sense 2 and
Queer; whence rumly, bravely, cleverly,
delicately rum-beak (or beck), a
; fiddlers' drink in plenty ; rum-snitch,
Justice of the Peace ; rum-bing (or
bung), a full purse ; rum-bit (or bite),
(1) a clever rogue ; and (2) a smart
trick ; rum bleating -cheat, a fat wether ;
rum - blowen (or blower), a handsome
mistress ; rum-bluffer, a jolly host ;
rum-bob, (1) a young apprentice, (2)
a clever trick, and (3) a smart
wig ; rum-booze (bouse, buse, buze, or
bouze), ( 1 ) wine or (2) good liquor
of divers kinds
a bunch of -
grapes
food ; rum - prancer, a fine horse ;
rum-quidds, a large booty ; rum-ruff-
peck, Westphalian ham ; rum-squeeze,
a hard blow on the nose ; rum-topping,
a rich head-dress ; rum-ville, London.
2. In modern slang (by inversion), in-
different, questionable, odd :
bad,
as adj., rummy (or rumly). 3. Any-
body or anything odd or singular in
habit, appearance, etc. ; rum-Ned, a
silly fellow ; rum-duke, a half-witted
churl ; to come it rum, to act (or talk)
, strangely (1729).
rum boozing welt,
;
- - Rumble. A seat for servants at
rum bubber, a ; the back of a carriage also rumble- :

good thief ; rum-buffer (or bugher), a tumble (which likewise = a stage-coach).

valuable dog rum-chant, a good ; (1830). As verb, to try, search,
song rum - chub (butcher'-'), an
; handle (1821).
ignorant buyer rum-dank, a gold or ; Rumble r. A hackney coach.
silver cup rum-clout (or wipe), a silk
; Rumbler's- flunkey, (1) a footman, and
handkerchief; rum - cod, (1) a full (2) a cab-runner ; running'-rumbler,
purse, and (2) a large sum of money ; a carriage thief's confederate (1816).
rum-cole, new money rum-cove (or ;
'

Rumbling. The rolling of Thunder,

cull), a clever rogue, (2) a rich man,
(
1 ) motion of a Wheelbarrow, or the
'
(3) a lover, and (4) an intimate also : noise in the Gutts (B. E.).
rum-cull (theatrical), a manager, or Rum-blossom (or bud). A nasal
boss rum - degen (tol, or filter), a
;
pimple : cf.
Grog-blossom.
splendid sword rum - dell (doxy or ; Rumbo. 1. Rum grog also rum- :

mart), a handsome whore ; rum-diver, bullion and rumbowling cf. Rum- :

a clever pickpocket ; rum-drawers, silk booze (1651). 2. A prison: also

383
 Rumbo -ken. Run.

rumbo-ken. 3. Stolen rope (Clark hath eaten the hen's rump (Ray), said
Russell). As adj., good, plenty. of a person full of talk (1625).
Rumbo - ken. 1. A pawnbroker's Rump - and - dozen. An Irish
shop. 2. A prison : also rumbo wager i.e.: A
rump of beef and a
(1724). dozen of claret (1785).
Rumbowline (or Rambowline). Rump-and-kidney Men. Fiddlers
1. Condemned stores :
rope, canvas, that play at feasts, weddings, fairs,
etc. ; whence, 2. anything inferior or etc., and live chiefly on the remnants,
deteriorated : as adj., adulterated. or victuals (B. E.).
See Rumbo. Rump - and -
stump. Entirely,
Rumford. To ride to Romford, to completely.
get new breeched. [Grose : Rumford Rumpty (Stock Exchange). The
was formerly a famous place for thirty-second part of a pound sterling,
leather a like saying is
breeches : a tooth (q.v.).
current of Bungay.] Also proverbial, Rumpus. 1. A row, noise, dis-
Tou may ride to Rumford on this turbance. 2. A masquerade. Also
knife, it is so blunt (1700). as verb and adj. (1819).
Rum-gagger. A sailor who begs Rum-slim (orRum-slu m).
(Clark Russell). Punch.
Rumgumption, Rumbumption. A Rum-sucker. A toper, lushing.
class of
colloquialisms compounded ton (q.v.).
with an intensive prefix: (1) ram Rum Tom Pat A clergyman.
(imitatively varied Dy rum), very, Rumtitum. On prime twig, in
strong ; and (2) rum (q.v.), good, fine, fine order or condition ; a flash term
etc. : also cf. ramp, as in rampageous. for a game bull (Orose).
Thus, rambunctious (or rambustious), Rum-'un. See Rum.
noisy, high-and-mighty ; rambustion, Run. Generic for freedom or
a row ; rambumptious, conceited, self- continuance. Thus, run (of dice,
assertive ; rumbumption, conceit, cock- cards, or luck), a spell or period of
sureness ; rumgumption, mother-wit ; good or bad fortune ; run (of a play,
ramgumptious, shrewd, bold, rash ; book, fashion, etc.), the course of
ramfeezUd, exhausted ; rambuskious representations, sale, popularity ; the
rough ; ramgunschoch, rough ; ram- run of things, the state of affairs ;
shackle, rickety, crazy. Substan- the run of a place, freedom of range :
tives are similarly formed e.g. ram- : the run of one's teeth (or knife and
bunction, rambumption, ramgumption, fork), victuals for nothing ; a run on
etc., whilst such variants as rummel- a bank, a steady call, through panic,
fumption, rumble-gumption, rumstru- on its resources ; cattle-run, a farm
genous, and the like are coined at where cattle roam at will a run to ;

will Also rumbusticator, a man of town (or into the country), a trip to ;

means, and ramstam, a headlong fool, have (or lose) the run, to lose sight of ;

and as adj., deliberately or undilutedly run on, (1) to turn

to get (or have) the

silly (1762). a joke on, and (2) to have the upper

Rum - hole. A -
grog shop see : hand ; to have a run, (1) to take a
Lush - crib. Sum - homee (or omer) of walk, a constitutional (q.v.) ; (2)
the case : seeOmer. to get an opportunity see P.P. and :
;

Rum - Johnny. A native wharf (3) to make a fight for anything to ;

labourer. run, to manage to run a bluff, to

;

Rum kin. 1. A drinking vessel. carry things with a high hand to run ;

2. A tailless fowl. a buck (see Buck) ; to run for office

Rumly (or Romely). See Rum. (parliament, congress, etc.), to start
Rummy. See Rum. as a candidate ; to run a rig, to play
Rum - mill. A grog-shop, lush- a trick ; to run a chance (or risk), to
crib (q.v.). take the odds; to run a tilt at, to
Rump. 1. The posteriors. As attack ; to run the cutter, to smuggle ;
verb, (1) to slight; to flog. Also to run an eye over, to glance at ;
subs., (2) fag end : spec, (political) the to run the gauntlet (see Gauntlet) to ;

remnant of the Long Parliament run across, to meet casually ; to run

after Pride's Purge (1653); whence after, to court to run against, (1) to
;

rumper, a long Parliamentarian. He come in collision with, (2) to cal-

384
 Run. Runner-up.

liate, (3) to attack, and (4) to bills, to obtain goods with no inten-
leet casually ; to run amuck (see tion of paying; to run upon, (1) to
^muck) run away with, ( 1 ) to elope,
; to quiz, (2) to require to run to waste, ;

2) to steal to run away with a notion,

; ( 1 ) to empty, (2) to fritter away ; to
be over credulous ; to run big, to run wild, (1) to romp (q.v.), and (2)
out of training ; to run counter, to riot ; by (or with) a run, suddenly ;
oppose ; to run down, to pursue, a run for one's money, a good time in
depreciate, attack to run dry, to ; exchange for a certain expenditure
give out ; to run foul of, to attack or of energy and cash ; run off one's legs,
antagonise ; to run hard, ( 1 ) to threaten, (1) exhausted, (2) bankrupt; a near
endanger, make difficult, and (2) to run, (1) a close finish, (2) a bare
equal or almost achieve ; to run high escape, (3) cheek by jowl ; run after,
(1) to be violent, (2) to excel in a in repute ; run down, seedy, poor.
marked degree to run in, ; (1) to Also proverbs and sayings, To run
and (2) to introduce
arrest, ; to run through thick and thin ; His shoes
in one's head, (1) to bear in mind, (2) were made of running leather ; To
to remember ; to run into the ground, run a wild-goose chase The coaches ;

to carry to excess ; to run it (Ameri- won't run over him (i.e. He's in gaol) ;
can cadets'), to go beyond bounds ; He that runs may read (said of things
to run like mad, to go at the top of unmistakably plain) ; To run where
one's speed FT., ventre a terre ; to
: the devil drives Run tap, run tapster
;

run low, (1) to diminish, (2) to be of (Ray of a tapster that drinks so

:

little account ; to run mad after, to much himself and is so free to others
have a strong desire for ;
run off,
to that he is fain to run away) To hold ;

(1) to repeat, (2) to count run off

; to with the hare and run with the hounds.
with, (1) to elope, (2) to carry beyond Runabout. A gadabout, vaga-
bounds ; run off the straight (see
to bond.
Straight) run on, to keep going
; to :
Runaway Preston - pans (The
spec, to chatter ; to run on all fours Great). The 13th Hussars. [A
(see Fours) ; to run on pattens (see panic seized some of the men in the
Pattens) to run on the hirl, to gad,
; fight with the Jacobite rebels.] Also
to loaf (q.v.) to run one's face (or
;
The Green Dragoons ; The Ragged
shape), to obtain credit to run one's ; Brigade ; The Evergreens ; and The
head into a noose, to fall into a snare ; Geraniums.
to run one's tail, to live
by prostitution ; Run - down. The bridge between
to run one's week (Am. Univ.), to stage and auditorium FT., practicable :

trust to chance for success ; run one and pont.

way and look another, to play a double Runner. 1. A figure or letter
game; to run out, (1) to end, (2) to placed down the length of the page
have had one's day, (3) to be lavish ; to indicate the particular number
to run out on, to enlarge on to run ;
or position of any given line. 2. A
over, (1) to count, (2) to call to mind, tout : e.g. (Stock Exchange), a broker's
(3) to examine, (4) to describe, and assistant with a private canvassing
(5) to sum up; to run riot, (1) to connection ; (racing), a messenger
be violent, exaggerate, (3) to
(2) to stationed at a telegraph office to get
have plenty, (4) to be active, (5) to early information ; (old gaming), a
disobey ;to run rusty (see Rusty) ; gambling - house watchman whose
to run
sly (see Sly) to run smooth, to ; duty was to apprise the approach of
be prosperous to run thin, to back
;
the police ; (American), (a) a steam-
out of a bargain; to run to, (1) to boat and railroad tout see Ticket- :

risk, (2) to suffice, (3) to afford ; to scalper ; and (b) a commercial travel-
run together, to grow like ; to run to ler. 3. A police officer : also Bow
seed, (1) to age, (2) to deteriorate; Street runner :
occasionally a sheriffs
to run through,
(1) to be uniform, (2) officer. 4. A wave : cf. Roller. 6.
to pervade, (3) to be
present, (4) to A smuggler also a crimp, a single
:

kill, and (5) to be prodigal ; to run rope rove through a movable block,
up, (1) to increase, (2) to build, and and (formerly) a vessel sailing with-
(3) (see Runner-up) ; to run up an out a convoy in time of war [Clark
account, ( 1 ) to get credit, (2) to get into Russett.']
debt, and (3) to charge ; to run up Runner -
up. 1. In coursing, the
385
 It 'IS' .

hound taking second prize, losing great demand, a run a (q.v.); (5)
only the final course against the stampede of hones and cattle a ; (6)
winner ; whence, 2. any competitor in<- 11 ay
; (7) in Amer. schools,(a) a
running second or taking second place ; gabbled or brilliant recitation, and
whence run up, the race from the slips (6) a very successful pass (8) a ;

to the first turn of the hare: see to forward's work at football whence a :

run up. scrimmage (q.v.) or play in which the

Running. Pace, staying power ; ball is forced(9) the lowest minimum
;

whence, in (or out) of the running, (1) of value Straw, Rap, Cent, etc.
: cf.
in (or out) of competition ; (2) quali- (1362). As verb, (1) to hurry, force
fied (or not) ; (3) likely to win (or not) ; (or advance) a matter with undue
to make good running, to do well ; to haste ; (2) to go for an opponent
make good one's running, to do as blindly :
chiefly pugilists' ; (3) to
well as one's rival ; to make the run- charge or attack wildly and (4) at ;

ning, to force the pace ; spec, (racing) football, (a) to force a ball, (b) to
to start a second-rate horse at a high secure a ball by forcing. Also to do
with a view of giving a better a rush, to back a safe - 'un (q.v.),
speed
chance to a stayer belonging to the and (among bookmakers' touts) to
same owner ; to take up the running, bet flash (q.v.), to induce business
(1) to increase one's pace, (2) to take to bonnet (q.v.). Whence rusher, (1)
the lead or most active part. As adj. a cheat, a thief (spec, a thief work-
hasty. As prep., approaching, going ing a house insufficiently guarded)
on for : cf. Rising. (2) a man
of sensational energy, as a
Running-glasier. A thief : ranting divine, a bawling politician,
a sham glazier. a reckless punter, a wild - hitting
Running - leather. To have shoes pugilist and (3) a forward good at
;

of running leather, to be given to running ball -in -hand or forcing the

rambling. play (football). Also, to roam on the
Running (or Flying) Patterer rush, to swerve from the straight at
(or Stationer). A hawker of ballads the spurt for the finish ; on (or with) a
dying -
speeches, newspapers, and 'rush, with spirit, energetically ; on
books : cf.Pinner-up. the rush, on the run, hard at it to ;

Running-rumble. See Rumbler. rush the season, to anticipate social

Running smobble.-
Snatching and other functions ; to rush a biS
goods off a counter, and throwing (parliamentary), to put a bill through,
them to an accomplice, who brushes (a) without debate, or (6) by closuring
off with them (Orose). the Opposition.
Running - snavel. A thief whose Rush-ring. To marry with a rush-
speciality is the kinchin-lay (q.v.) ; ring, (I) to marry in jest and (2) to ;

see Snaffle. feign marriage.

Runt. A term of contempt : Rush-buckler. A violent bully.
specifically of an old woman. Whence Russia. A pocket-book, reader
runty, surly, boorish. Also a short, (q.v.).
squat man or woman (cf. Welsh Russian - law. A 100 blowee on '

runt s small cattle]. the bare shins' (Day, 1641).

Run-to-seed. Pregnant. Rust (1) To collect old metal and
Ruof. Four. dispose of it to the marine-store dealers.
Rural. A rustic. To nab the rust, to take offence, get
Rush. Generic for violence. restive : cf. Rusty. English syno-
Whence (1) as subs., robbery with nyms : to chew one's
oneself, to comb
violence distinguished from a ramp
:
hair, to rusty, to get dandered
cut
up
(q.v.),
which might refer to the lifting (or one's dander up) ; huffed or huffy,
of a single article, whereas the rush in a pelter, in a scot, in a wax, one's
involves cleaning out (q.v.) ; hence mad up, on the high ropes, the needle,
(2) any swindle and, as verb, to rob,
; the monkey up, the monkey on one's
cheat, extort (e.g. I rushed the old back, popped, shirty, the spur, waxy,
girl for a quid): also the rush dodge, to have one's bristles raised, one's
and to give one the rush. Into modern shirt or one's tail out, to lose one's
colloquial usage rush enters largely : vest, to be miffed, to pucker up, to
as (3) extreme urgency of affairs (4) a ; squall, to stand on one's hind leg;
380
 Rustic. Safe.

to throw up buckets ; (2) to receive insolent, or (Grose) out of use whence :

punishment unexpectedly ; (3) to take to ride rusty (or nab the rust) see Bust ; :

money. rusty-guts, a churl (1362).

Rustic. A clownish country Rusty -
fusty -
dusty. Begrimed
fellow (.B. E.). malodorous, and dirty.
Rusticate. To banish by way of Rusty Buckles (The). The
punishment, send down (q.v.) hence : Second Dragoon Guards (Queen's
rustication. Bays] also The Bays.
:

Rustle. To bestir oneself, grapple Rut To keep a rut, to play the

with circumstances, rise superior to meddler, make mischief.
the event; whence rustler, (1) an Rutat (or Rattat). A potato, a
energetic resourceful man ; and (2) tatur.
a rowdy, a desperado spec. (Western :
Ry. A dishonest practice, sharp
States) a cattle - lifter. Rustling, dodge.
active, energetic, smart (q.v.). Ryder. A cloak.
Rusty. An informer. As adj. (also Rye. See Romany.
resty), ill -
tempered, sullen, restive, Rye-buck. All right; O.K. (q.v.)

Sa. Six. fellow (Orose); and (2) a playful

Sabbath-day journey. A
's reproach (1706).
short walk : also (ironically) an excuse Saddle. charge upon theA
for not stirring. proceeds of a benefit performance.
Sabe (save, or savvy). Shrewd- Phrases To put the saddle on the
:

ness, nous (q.v.), gumption (q.v.). right horse, (1) to blame (or praise)
Sable Maria. See Black Maria. where justly due, and (2) to cast a
Sabin. A whimster (1637). burden where best borne to suit ;

S a c c e r. The sacrament cf. : one as a saddle suits a sow, to become

Soccer, Rugger, Brekker, Collecker. ill, to be incongruous to saddle a ;

Sacheverel. The iron door, or market (Amer. Stock Exchange), to

blower, to the mouth of a stove from : foist a stock on the market to saddle ;

a divine of that name who made him-
self famous for blowing the coals of
dissension in the latter end of the
reign of Queen Anne
Sack. A pocket.
pocket ; to dive into a sack, to pick
one with a thing, to impose a thing on,
to constrain to accept an unwelcome
gift ; He has a saddle to fit every
(Orose). horse, He has a salve (or remedy) for
As verb, to every sore (or mishap) ; to saddle the
spit, to give a dinner or supper to ;

a pocket. Phrases are To give (or : saddle one's nose, to wear spectacles ;
get) the sack (bag, billet, bullet, canvas, tosaddle a place (or pension), to
kick-out, mitten, pike, or road), to give oblige the owner to pay a certain
or get discharge : from employment, portion of his income to some one
office, position, etc. : see ;
also Bag nominated by the donor (Orose) ;

to sack and to bestow (or get) the order saddle-leather, the skin of the post-
of the sack ; to buy the sack, to get eriors ; saddle-sick, galled by riding.
drunk ; to break a bottle in an empty Saddleback.A louse : see Chates.
sack, a bubble bet, a sack with a Indifferent in health.
Sadly.
bottle in it not being an empty sack Trustworthy, certain : e.g.
Safe.
(Orose) ; more sacks to the mitt ! (1) So-and-so is safe enough, He is certain
Pile it on a call to increased exer-
! to meet his engagements ; safe to be
tion, and (2) plenty in store. hanged, sure of the gallows ; safe as
Sacrifice. The surrender, or loss houses (the bellows, coons, the Bank
of profit. As verb, to sell regard- anything), perfectly sure ; a safe
less of cost. card, a wide-awake fellow ; a safe-'un,
Sad. Mischievous, troublesome, a horse not meant to run, nor, if he
of little account, merry, fast : as a runs, to win; also stiff-'un (q.v.)
sad dog, (1) a wicked debauched dead-'un (q.v.), or stumer (q.v.)
387
 Salt.

with such an entry a bookmaker can Sal.Salary.

Salad. 1. When an officer on board
safely operate (1624).
Sails. A sail maker (1835). Phrases: ship is wakened and fails to obey the
To sail in, to put in an appearance, summons, but has another nap, it is
or take part in a matter to take the ;
called taking a salad. 2. A lettuce.
wind oni of one's tails, to run foul Salad-days (or Stage). The
of, to spoil sport ; to sail near (dose days of youthful simplicity, inex-
to, or too near) the wind, (1) to run perience (1608).
risks, (2) to act with caution, (3) Salamander. (1) Anything fire-
to live closely to one's income, and proof, and (2) a fire -eating juggler
(4) to verge upon obscenity ; How (circus).
you sail about, How you saunter Salesman's -dog. A shop tout,
about. barker (q.v.).
Sailor 's-blessing. A curse. Salisbury. A lie.

Sailor's-pleasure. Yarning, Sally. See Aunt Sally.

smoking, dancing, growling, etc. Sallinger's- (or Sallenger's i.e.

(Clark Russell). St Leger's) Round. To dance

Sailor's- waiter. A second officer Sallinger's round, to wanton. [Sal-
on a merchantman the crew call :
linger's round, a loose ballad and tune,
him the sailor's-waiter, as he has to tent pus Elizabeth.]
furnish them with spun yarn, marline, Salmagundy (or Salmon-gundy).
and all other stuffs that they need in 1. Salt beef from the brine, sliced and
their work. mixed with an equal quantity of
Saint. piece
A
of spoiled timber and
onions, with pepper and: salt,
in a coachmaker's shop, like a saint, and
brought into consistence with oil
devoted to the flames ( Grose). Phrases vinegar. 2. A cook.
and derivatives: Anthony's pig, a St. Salmon (or Salomon). The man,
scholar of the City of London School ; the Beggar's Sacrament or Oath
St. Geoffrey's Day, never see Queen :
(1536).
Dick St. Giles's breed, fat, ragged,
; Salmon-and-trout. The mouth :

and saucy (Grose) St. Giles's Greek, ; see Potato-trap.

cant, slang (q.v.), peddler's French; Salt. 1. A sailor: esp. an old
St. Lawrence's tears, the Perseides a : hand also : salt-water. 2. Money :

shower of meteors appearing from 9th specifically (Eton College) the gratuity
to llth August St. Lubbock's day, a ; exacted at the now obsolete triennial
bank-holiday St. Luke's bird, an
; festival of the Montem (q.v.) also :

ox St.
; Marget's ale, water see :
(generic), a measure of value. 3.
Adam's AJe ; St. Martin's evU, drun- pointed language, wit whence salt- :

kenness ; St. Martin's ring, a copper- pits (old Univ.), The store of attic
gilt ring ; St. Martin's lace, imitation wit (1580). As adj., (1) wanton
gold lace, stage tinsel ; St. Monday, (1598). Salt-water, urine ; (2) costly,
a holiday taken on Monday to re- heavy, extravagant : generic for ex-
cover from the effects of the Sunday's cess : e.g. as salt as fire, as salt as
rest whence Mondayish, lazy see
: :
may be also salty. As verb, to
:

Cobbler's Sunday and Shoemaker's swindle :

specifically to cheat by
holiday ; St. Nicholas (see Nicholas) ; fictitiously enhancing value :
e.g.
St. Patrick (or St. Patrick's well), the to salt books, ( 1 ) to make bogus entries
best whisky ; to borrow St. John (see showing extensive and profitable
Borrow) to dine with St. Anthony
; business ; to salt an invoice, to charge
(cf. Duke Humphrey) the 'spital ; extreme prices so as to permit an
stands too nigh St. Thomas a' Water- apparently liberal discount ; to salt a
ings, Widows who shed most tears are mine, to sprinkle (or plant, q.v.) a
sometimes guilty of such indiscretions worn-out or bogus property with
as render them proper subects for gold dust, diamonds, etc., with a view
the public hospitals (Haditt) ; saint to good sales, and so forth hence :

of the saucepan, an expert cook. salter, a fraudulent vendor. (2) To

Sake. For sake's sake (any sake, be-jewell profusely see To salt a :

goodness take, etc.), a strong appeal. mine. (3) On a particular day, the
For old sake's sake, for auld lang syne senior undergraduates in the evening
(1670). called the freshmen to the fire, and
 Salt-box. Sank.

made them hold out their chins; (Durham School). A baked jam
whilst one of the seniors with the pudding.
nail of his thumb (which was left Samson and Abel (Oxford
long for that purpose) grated off all University). A
group of wrestlers
the skin from the lip to the chin, in the quadrangle of Brasenose
and then obliged him to drink a beer [Some said it represented Samson
glass of water and salt (Martin, First killing a Philistine ; others Cain killing
Lord Shaftesbury, 1. 42). Phrases : Abel the matter was compromised.]
:

with a grain of salt, under reserve : A mousetrap so

Samson 's-posts.
Lat. ; not worth one's salt, unworthy
of constructed that the capture is
hire ; to eat one's salt, to be received crushed to death.
as a guest or under protection salt : Sand. 1. Moist sugar. 2. Energy,
also, hospitality ; to put (cast, or lay) spirit, go (q.v.). To eat sand, to
salt on the tail, to ensnare, achieve : as shorten a watch by turning the glass
children are told to catch birds ; to before it is quite run out, is called
come after with salt and spoons (of one eating of sand. If the sun is not
that is none of the Hastings, B. E.) ; seen for days together ... it has hap-
man of salt, a man of tears. pened that an helmsman has eaten so
Salt - box. A prison cell speci- : much sand, that day has been changed
fically (Newgate), the condemned into night, and the night into day
cell :
Fr., abattoir. (1743).
Salt-box-cly. An outside pocket Sandbag. 1. A long sausage-like
with a flap. bag of sand dealing a heavy blow that
Saltee (or Saulty). A penny : see leaves no mark also as verb, and
:

Rhino. sandbagger. In pi., The Grenadier

2.
Salt - eel. A rope's-end ; to have Guards. Also Old Eyes, Coalheavers,
salt - eel for supper, to be thrashed Housemaids' Pets, and Bermuda
(1696). Exiles (q.v.).
Salt - horse (or Salt - junk). Salt Sandboy. As happy (jolly, or
beef: also old -horse (or junk) which merry) as a sandboy, All rags and all
see (1857). happiness ... a merry fellow who has
Saltimbanco. A
street clown, a tasted a drop (Bee).
Jim Crow, a Billy Barlow :
Fr., pitre. Sandgate - rattle. A quick and
Salt River. cant phrase A
an : violent stamping dance.
unlucky wight, who has failed to be Sand-man (or Sandy-man). When
elected to some public office, was sleepy children begin to rub their
rowed up Salt River. If very griev- eyes the sand-man (or dustman) is
ously defeated, they were apt to be coming.
rowed up to the very headwaters of Sandpaper. 1. To smooth down.
Salt River (De Vere). 2. To be well quizzed or roasted (q.v.).
Salts-and-senna. doctor. A Sandwich. 1. A man carrying
Salubrious. 1. Drunk: see two boards slung over his shoulders,
Screwed. 2. Pretty well, thank you. back and front, as an advertisement :

Salve. Praise, gammon (q.v.); also sandwich man see Toad-in-the-

:

cf. Lip- salve. hole. 2. A gentleman between two

Sam. A Liverpudlian : also ladies cf. Bodkin ; Thorn between
:

Dicky Sam. To stand Sam, to pay the two roses, etc. Fr., dne d deux pan-
:

shot, to treat (q.v.). nieres. As verb, to insert between

Sambo. A negro generic : c.
: dissimilars.
1558, a tribe of Africans is called Sandwich - boat. See Bumping-
Samboses. race.
Sammy (or Sammy-soft). A Sandy. A Scot : short for Alex-
fool. As adj., foolish (1837). ander (1500).
Sample. To drink see Lush. :
Sandy - pate. A red-haired man
Sample-room, a drinking bar. or woman.
Sample-count. A traveller, am- Sangaree. A drunken bout
bassador of commerce (q.v.). (Halliwell).
Samson (or Sampson). 1. A Sank (S ank y, or Centipers).
drink made of brandy, cider, sugar, A soldiers' tailor : whence sank-work,
and a little water (Halliwell). 2. making up soldiers' clothes.

389
 -Sap. Sawney.

Sap (Saphead, Sap-pate, or Saucebox. 1. The mouth, 2. Se

Sapscull). 1. A fool tappy (or tap- : Sauce.
headed, etc.), foolish, namby-pamby, Saucers. Eyes spec, large, wide- :

lazy (1665). 2. A hard worker, opened eyes also Saucer-eyes (1599).

:

diligent student, hash (Charterhouse) : Saucy Greens. The 2nd Batt.

also aa verb, to read hard, swot (q.v.). Worcester Regiment, formerly the
3. Ale : see Drinks. As verb, to Thirty-Sixth Foot [From the fac-
booze (q.v.): sappy-drinking, ex- ings 1742-1881).
cessive drinking. Saucy- Jack. See Saucy, and Jack.
Sappy. 1. Severe : of a caning. Saucy Pompeys. See Pompadours.
2. See Sap. Saucy Sixth (The). The Royal
Sarahs. Manchester, Sheffield, Warwickshires, formerly The 6th
and Lincoln Deferred Stock. Foot Also Guise's Geese ; and The
Sarah's Boots. Sierra Buttes Warwickshire Lads.
Gold Mining Co.'s Shares. Saucy Seventh (The Old).
Sardine. 1. A spec, an sailor : The Seventh (The Queen's Own)
old whaling hand. [The living space Hussars (in the Peninsula) also The :

on board a whaler is limited.] 2. One Lily

- white
Seventh, Young Eyes,
of the crowd see Herring. : Packed Old Straws, and Strawboots.
like sardines, huddled. 3. In pi., Saunter. To loiter idly (B. E.).
Royal Sardinian Ry. Shares. Savagerous. Savage.
I
Sark (Sherborne School). To sulk. Save. To set part of one bet
Sassenger (or sassiger). A against another, hedge (q.v.). [Two
sausage. persons back different horses, agreeing,
Satan's Bones. See Bones. if either wins, to give the other, say

Sate-poll. A stupid person. 5, who thus saves a fiver. Also, as

Satin. See White Satin. in pool, to save the stakes. Likewise
Saturday-nighter (Harrow to keep a certain horse on one side,
School). An exercise set for Satur- not betting against it, saving it as a
day night. clear winner for oneself : hence saver, a
Saturday - scavenger (or scara- bet so made.] Hang saving, blow the
mouch). See Weekly Scarifier. expense. See Bacon.
Saturday-soldier. A volunteer. Save-all. A stingy person, miser.
Saturday - to -
Monday. A week- Savers. Halves !
end jaunt. Save - reverence. See Sir-Rever-
Satyr. A cattle-thief. ence.
Sauce (Sarse, Sass, or Sauci- Saving-chin. projecting chin A :

ness). 1. Impudence, assurance that catches what may fall from the
(1555) hence :
saucy, (a) impudent, nose cf. Nutcrackers.
:

bold, presuming ; and (6) smart (q.v.) ; Savey (or Savvy). 1. To know ;

as verb (or to eat sauce.), to abuse, as subs., understanding, wit, nous

to lip (q.v.); sauce -box (sauce - pate, (q.v.). 2. To have, know, do, and all

sauceling, or sauce-jack), an imperti- the other verbs that be.

nent see Jack-sauce.
: 2. Vegetables : Saw. 1. The alternate trumping by
whence garden-sauce, a salad ; long- two partners of suite led for the pur-
sauce, carrots, parsnips, beet, etc. ; pose a ruff also see-saw, and as verb.
; :

short-sauce, potatoes, turnips, onions, 2. A hoax also as adj. and verb

: Fr., :

etc. : whence any accessory or sequel, scie. Saw your timber I Be off Cut !

(1705). 3. Money see Rhino. Phrases: : your stick (q.v.). Held at the (or a)
To serve with the same sauce, to minis- long saw, held in suspense.
ter or retaliate in kind (1609) ; Whafs Sawbones. A surgeon, flesh-
sauce for the goose is sauce for the tailor (q.v.).
gander (1700); tit for tat (q.v.);
- - Sawder (or Soft - sawder). Soft
carrier'*- (or poor man's-) sauce, speech, blarney (q.v.).
hunger cf. Hunger is the best sauce ;
: Sawdust (or Sawdusty). 1.

More sauct than pig, exceeding bold. Humbug : also as adj. 2. A variety
Saucepan. To have tht saucepan of the confidence trick.
on the fire, to be set on a scolding Sawney (or Sawny). 1. A lout.
bout. The saucepan runs (or boils) As adj., stupid (1567). 2. ASoot,
over, You are exceeding bold (B. E.). Sandy (q.v.). 3. Bacon; also stolen
 Sawneying. Scant-of -grace.

cheese ; hence, sawney-hunter, a bacon Scalciings! (Winchester). Begone!

thief. Be off Also a
!
general warning,
Sawneying. Soft-speaking, pimp- Look out !

ing, carneying (q.v.). Scald-rag. dyer (1630). A

Sawyer. snag: a fallen tree, A Scaldrum - dodge. The art of
rising and with the waves.falling burning the body with a mixture of
Say. See Ape's Paternoster ;
acids and gunpowder, so as to suit the
Boh ; Jack Robinson ; Knife Mouth ; ; hues and complexions of the accident
Nothing Parson ; Prayers ; Te Deum ;
;
to be deplored. Scaldrum, a beggar.
Thing; When. Scales. See Shadscales.
Say-so. An assertion ; also a mild Scallops. An awkward girl
oath on my say-so, On my word of
:
(Hattiwett).
honour also sammy say - so.
: You Scalp. To
sell under price ; to
1.

say you can, but can you ? You lie. share commission or discount e.g. :

Scab. 1. A rascal spec, a con- : stock regardless of

to scalp stock, to sell
stable or sheriff's officer : often jocular. value ; ticket-scalping, the sale of un-
Hence scabby (or scab), contemptible ; used railway tickets, or tickets bought
beggarly scabby-sheep, a ne'er-do-
;
in quantities as a speculation, at a
weel also scabUonian (1591).
: 2. A cheaper than the official rate ; ticket-
workman who refuses to join, or scalper, a ticket broker. 2. (a) To
continues at work during a strike ; a ostracise for rebellion, and (b) to
blackleg (q.v.); generally applied to ruin one's influence.
all non- Union men FT., flint. 3. A :
Scaly. Shabby, mean, fishy (q.v.).
button-hole. Scaly-fish. An honest, rough,
Scabbado. Syphilis (1725). blunt sailor (Grose).
Scabby. Unevenly printed, Scamander. To loaf ( q.v. ).
blotchy. Scammered. Drunk see Screwed. :

Scabby-neck. A Dane. Scamp. 1. A highway robber

Scab - raiser. [One A drummer. (also scampsman) and, 2. highway ;

of whose duties was to wield the cat. ] robbery (also scampery) whence as :

Scad. An abundance hence in :

verb, to rob on the highway royal- ;

pi., money, resources. scamp, a highwayman who robs

Scadger. A mean fellow, a civilly royal-foot-scamp, a footpad
;

cadger (q.v.). behaving in like manner ; done for a

Scaff (Christ's Hospital). selfish A scamp, convicted. 3. rogue ; an A
fellow : the adj. forms are scaly (and arrant rascal ; sometimes (colloquial)
scabby), mean, stingy. in jest hence scampish, roguish,
:

Scaff - and - raff. Refuse, rabble, tricky ; scampery, roguery. As verb]

riff-raff (q.v.). to do carelessly and ill, give bad work
Scaffolders. Spectators in the or short measure.
gallery, the gods (q.v.) (1599). Scamper. 'To run away, or
Scalawag (or Scailawag). 1. Scowre off, from Justice, or
either
Anything low class. 2. (Century) Thieves, Debtors, Criminals, that are
Used in the Southern States,during the pursued ; or from ill fortune, as'
Reconstruction period (1865-76) in Soldiers that are repulst or worsted
an almost specific sense, being op- (B. E.).
probriously applied by the opponents Scandal-broth (chatter, or
of the Republican party to native water). Tea, cat-lap (q.v.).
Southerners who acted with that Scandalous. A periwig.
party, as distinguished from Carpet- Scandal -
proof. 1. 'A thorough
bagger, a Republican of Northern pac'd Alsatian, 'or Minter, one harden'd
origin. As adj., wastrel, shrunken, or past Shame (B. E. ). 2. ' One who
profligate Carpet-bagger.
: cf. has eaten shame and drank after it,
' '
Scaldabanco. One that keepes a or would blush at being ashamed
seate warme, but ironically spoken of (Grose).
idle lectures that possesse a pewe in the Scan m a g.
Scandalous jobber,
schooles or pulpet in churches, and pettifogging slander, talk. [Short
baffle out they know not what ; also and derisive for Scandalum magnatum.]
a hot-headed puritane (Florio). '
Scant of grace.
- -
scapegrace A
Scalder. Tea. (1821).
391
 Scape. Scissors.

Scape. A cheat (1599). As verb, A vagabond (1599).

Scatterling.
to neglect one's brush (Bee). Scavenger's- daughter. An
Scape-gallows. One who deserves instrument of torture invented by Sir
but has escaped the gallows (Orose). W. Skevington, Lieutenant of the
Scape-grace (or thrift). A Tower of London, temp. Hen. VIII.
good - for - nothing, a ne'er - do - well Scew. See Skew.
(1577). Scellum. A thief: cf. Skellum
Scaramouch. 1. A buffoon. 2. (1630).
A disreputable rascal. [Stanford : It. Scene. An exhibition of feeling
Scaramuccia, the braggart buffoon or temper. Behind the scenes, having
of Italian comedy.] (1662). 3. A access to information not open to the
puppet. general public; in the know (q.v.).
Scarborough -
warning (leisure, Scene-rat. An extra in ballet or
scrabbling). No warning at all ; the pantomime.
blow before the word. Scheme (Winchester). A candle
Scarce. To make one's self scarce, on reaching a measured point ignites
to retire (1749). paper, which by burning a string
Scare. To scare up, to find, dis- releases a weight ; this falls on the
cover : e.g. to scare up money. head of a boy to be waked.
Scarecrow. A scarecrow is a boy Schism-shop. A dissenting meet-
who has served a thief until he is ing-house schism-monger, a dissenting
;

well known to the police, and is so parson amongst Catholics any Pro-
:

closely watched that he may as well testant church or chapel.

stay at home as go out. Schirt (Winchester). A goal : at
Scarehead. A line in bold type football : see Gowner. [ Wrench : This
calculated to arrest attention. was the word in general use till 1860,
Scarlet. To dye scarlet, to drink when it was superseded by goal.]
deep (1598). To wear scarlet, (1) to Schliver. A clasp-knife.
win the higher University degrees ; Schol (Harrow). 1. A scholar.
(2) to attain sheriff or aldermanic 2. A scholarship.
rank. [Which were scarlet -
robed.] School. A party of persons met
(1610). together for the purpose of gambling.
Scarlet - fever. Flirtation with Also (modern) any small band of
soldiers :
Fr., culotte- (or pantalon-) associates, as thieves or beggars work-
rouge : cf. Yellow-fever. ing together, a set of passengers
Scarlet - horse. A hired hack travelling regularly by the same train,
(high-red). etc. Hence schoolman, a companion,
Scarlet Lancers (The). See Red a mate.
Lancers. Schooling. 1. A term of confine-
Scarlet - runner. 1. A Bow Street ment in a reformatory. 2. Pitch-and-
Robin-redbreast (q.v.). [They
officer, toss.
wore scarlet waistcoats.] 2. A foot- School -butter. A flogging.
man. Schoolmaster. 1. See Bilk. 2.
Scarlet-town. Reading [Berks.] A horse good at jumping generally :

Scarlet-woman. The Church of ridden with one in training.

Rome. School - street. The University
Scarper. To run away. (Oxford Univ.).
Scat. Begone ! Schooner. A tall glass containing :

S ca t e. A
light-heels (HaUiwell). twice the quantity of an ordinary
As verb, to be loose in the bowels tumbler three - masted schooner, a
:

(HaUvu'cll). schooner of extra size. See Prairie

Scatteration. A commotion, dis- Schooner.
persal. Hence scatterationist, a poli- Schwassle - box. See Swatchel-
tician running his fads with- cove.
personal
out reference to either party or public. Scissorean -
operation. Gutting
Scatterbrain. An unreasoning a book.
ass ; scatterbrained, giddy. Scissors. To give one scissors, to
Scattergood. A spendthrift pay out, to cut up (q.v.) also Scissors I
:

(1577). an exclamation of disgust or im-

Scatter-gun. A shot-gun. patience.
392
 Scissors-and-paste. Scoundrel.

Scissors-and-paste. Com- on the drink, or a round of dissipa-

pilation: as distinguished from orig- tion.
inal work : Fr., travailier d coups de Scoot (Skoot, or Skute). To
ciseaux (to compile). move quickly on the scoot, on the run
; ;

S c o b (Winchester College). An scooter, a restless knockabout scoot- ;

oak box with a double lid, set at the train, an express.

angles of the squares of wooden Scorcher. Anybody or anything
benches in school : used as desk and severe, eccentric, or hasty. Spec.
book-case. [Probably the word has to scorch, to ride a bicycle, drive a
been transferred from the bench itself, motor, etc., at top speed whence :

and comes from Fr., escabeau, Lat., scorching, hot (q.v.).

scabettum.] Wrench (1620). Score. To get the better of : also
Scoff (or Scorf). 1. To eat : also to score off one.
as subs., food. 2. To run away, Scorf. See Scorf.
skedaddle (q.v.): also to scoff (or Scorpion - of-the-brow.
scuff) away. Accrochecceurs, the beau - catchers,
Scoffer. Plate. bell-ropes or aggravators (q.v.).
Scoldrum. See Scaldrum. Scot. 1. A
person easily vexed ;
Schollard. A scholar. esp. one given to resent company
Scolopendra. A prostitute : i.e. sport; the diversion is called getting
a ramping thing with a sting in its one out (or round the corner). 2.
tail. Temper, a paddy (q.v.).
Scold's Cure. the A coffin : Scotch. 1. Scotch
whisky: cf.
blowen has napped the scold's cure ; Irish. See Scotch-peg. Phrases:
2.
the wench is in her coffin (Orose). Scotch-bait, a halt and a resting on a
Sconce. 1. The head (Grose). 2. stick, as practised by pedlars (Grose) ;
Sense, judgment, brains (1567). 3. Scotch-casement, the pillory Scotch- ;

A fine, a score hence to build a sconce

:
chocolate, brimstone and milk Scotch- ;

(or to sconce), (1) to run up a score ; coffee, hot water flavoured with burnt
spec, with no intention of paying ; biscuit Scotch - fiddle, the itch ; to
;

(2) to be mulcted in fines ; and (3) to play the Scotch-fiddle, to work the
pay out, to chastise (1630). As verb, index finger of one hand like a fiddle-
(1 to 3), see subs. (4) to reduce, dis-
; stick between the index and middle
continue e.g. to sconce one's diet, to
:
finger of the other ; Scotch Greys, lice :

bant (q.v.): to sconce the reckoning, to hence headquarters of the Scots' Greys
reduce expenses ; (5) to hinder, get in a lowsy head ; Scotch-hobby, a little
the way : as of a kick at football, a sorry, scrubbed, low horse of that
catch at cricket, etc. : e.g. If you had country (B. E. ) ; Scotch-mist, a soaking
not sconced, I should have made a rain Scotch-ordinary, the house of
;

flyer. office ; Scotch-peg (rhyming), a leg :

S c o n i c k. To hurry about, also Scotch Scotch-pint, a bottle

;

shin about (q.v.) : also to sconick containing two quarts Scotch-prize, ;

round. a capture by mistake cf. Dutch ; :

Scoop. 1. A big haul ; an advan- Scotch-seamanship, all stupidity and

tage :
spec, (journalists') news secured main strength Scotch-warming-pan,
;

in advance of a rival, a series of beats a chambermaid ; to answer Scotch

(q.v.). 2. On 'Change, a sudden fashion, to reply by asking another
breaking down enabling of prices, question; cf. Yankee fashion (1675).
operators to buy cheaply, followed by Scotchman. A florin. Flying
a rise. As verb, (1) to make a big Scotchman, the daily 2 p.m. express
haul (2) to get the better of a rival
; ; from Euston to Edinburgh and the
(3) to fetch, fit gulp (whalers')
; (4) to : North: cf. Wild Irishman. The
the whale gets into a patch of food Scotchman hugging the Creole, a para-
or brit (resembling sawdust on the sitical creeper.
surface of the water) goes through . . . Scots (The). The 1st Batt.
it with
only the head out and mouth Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), for-
open as soon as a mouthful of water
:
merly The 26th Foot (1762).
is obtained the whale closes its Scott. See Great Scott.
lips,
ejects the water, the feed being left in Scoundrel. 1. A Hedge-bird or
the mouth and throat. On the scoop, sorry Scab (B. E.). 2, A man
 Scratch.

roid of every principle of honour to shave. 4. Cheap butter : whence

(Grote). bread and scrape, (a) bread very
Scour. To run away : also to scour thinly spread with butter, and (6)
away (or off). To scour the darbies short commons: scrape also, short
(or eramp-ringt), to go (or lie) in shrift. 5. A turn at fiddling also :

chains (1573). scraping ; as verb, to fiddle ; scraper

Scourer (or Scowrer). 1. (or gut scraper), a fiddler see Cat- :

Drunkards, beating the watch, break- gut-scraper (1607). 6. A miser: also

ing windows, clearing the streets, etc. scraper, scrape - penny, scrape - all,
(B. E.). A
night- thief.
2. To scour scrapescaU, and scrapegood as verb, to :

the streets, to act riotously (1700). stint, deny (1631). To scrape the
Scout. 1. A
college servant enamel, to scratch the skin : by a fall.
valet, waiter, messenger, etc., in one See Acquaintance ; Leg.
(1750). 2. A watchman, or (modern) a Scraper. A cocked hat See Scrape,
spy, esp. a police spy hence scout-ken, :
Catgut-scraper, Elbow-scraper.
a watch-house (1754). 3. watch A Scraping. A mode of expressing
(1688). 4. A mean fellow, scab dislike to a person, or sermon, prac-
(q.v.) (1749). As verb, to shoot tised at Oxford by the students, in
pigeons outside a gun-club enclosure scraping their feet against the ground
To scout on the lay, to go in search of during the preachment ; frequently
booty (1787). done to testify their disapprobation of
Scowbank. A term of contempt a proctor who has been, they think, too
for a sailor. rigorous (Orose).
S c r a g (or C r a g). 1. The neck ; Scrape-trencher. A glutton.
colquarron (q.v.): as verb, (1) to Scrappy (Scrappiness, and
hang and
; (2) to throttle : hence Scrappily). Made up of odds and
an execution scrag - boy,
scragging, : ends, in driblets ; without system.
the hangman; scragging -post (scrag- Scratch. 1. A
'hermaphrodite :

squeezer or scrag), the gallows ; scragg- also scrat. 2. A

swaggerer (Halli-
'em fair, a public execution (1555). wett). 3. The itch (HalliweU) hence :

2. A raw- bones hence scraggy, lean,

:
scratchland, Scotland cf. Scots Greys.:

thin. 3. (Shrewsbury School). A 4. A miserly man (Halliwdl). 5. In

duck's egg and a rent across the paper. handicaps (a) a starting line for those
To scrag a lay, to steal clothes put on a contestants allowed no odds, (6) the
hedge to dry, go snowy-hunting (q.v.). time of starting, (c) a start, (d) con-
Scragg's Hotel. The workhouse. testants starting from the scratch-line ;
Scramble. A feed of any in boxing, a line drawn across the
kind :
usually with a qualifying subs.: ring (q.v.) to which boxers are brought
as tea - scramble, muffin - scramble, for a set-to : hence to come (or bring)
toffee-scramble, etc. up to (or toe) the scratch, to be ready,
Scran. 1. Food: spec, broken willing. 6. A fluke (q.v.). As adj.,
victuals. 2. Refuse. 3. A meal :
generic for chance hap-hazard, hasty,
:

hence scran a haversack, or

-
bag, first come first served thus a scratch- :

tommy-bag on the scran, beg-

(q.v.) ; crew (team, or company), a crew,
ging. Bad scran to ye / (Irish), a etc., got together at short notice and
mild malediction (1724). 4. The without special selection; scratch-
reckoning at a public-house. race, a contest, unrestricted by con-
Scrap. 1. A fight, rough-and- ditions, a go-as-you-please affair;
tumble (q.v.): also scrap-up: hence a scratch-meal, a pick-up (q.v.) meal ;
scrapping (or scrapping -match), prize- etc., etc. ; also along, to
to scratch
fighting or boxing; scrapper, a pugil- manage somehow. verb, (1) toAs
ist 2. A blow (1610). 3. A villainous expunge, blot-out ; spec, (a) to reject
scheme or plot (Grose) whiddle the ; to a horse, a candidate, etc. ; and (b) to
whole scrap, to discover a plot. retire ; (2) to scribble : as subs., a
Scrape. 1. Trouble, difficulty scrawl; scratcher (U. S.), a daybook
(1741). 2. An obeisance: also as (1745). Phrases: No great scratch, of
verb, to salute by scraping the feet; little value; Old Scratch (q.v.); to
scrape-shoe, a sycophant see Leg : scratch one's wool, to try one's memory,
(1632). 3. A shave hence scraper,
:
(a) puzzle out ; Scratch my breech and I'll
a razor, and (b) a barber ; and as verb. claw your elbow, Ka me, Ka thee.
394
 Scratched. Screwed.

(q.v.); not a sixpence to scratch with, loose, something wrong (Grose a :

penniless. complete flash phrase).

Scratched. Drunk : see Screwed Screwed (or Screwy). Drunk,
(1630). tight (q.v.). Synonyms: [Further
Scratcher. An independent lists will be found under Drinks,
elector, a bolter (q.v.). See Scratch. Drunk, D.T.'s, Gallon - distemper,
Scrawny. A
thin, ill-made man or Lush, Lush-crib, and Lushington.]
woman, rasher of wind (q.v.). To be afflicted, afloat, alecied, all at
Screamer. 1. An exceptional sea, all mops-and-brooms, in one's
person or thing hence screaming, first-
:
armour, in one's altitudes, at rest,
rate, splendid: spec, as causing screams Bacchi plenus, battered, be-argered,
of laughter. 2. A thief who, robbed beery, bemused, a bit on, blind,
by another thief, applies to the police ; bloated, blowed, blued, boozed, bosky,
in American a squealer (q.v.). a brewer, bright in the eye, bubbed,
Screech. Whisky see Old :
budgy, buffy, bung - eyed, candy,
Man's Milk. canon (or cannon), chirping - merry,
Screecher. Anything harsh or chucked, clear, clinched, concerned,
strident : hence screechy, loud corked, corkscrewed, corky, corned,
mouthed. crooked, in one's cups, cup-shot, cut,
Screed. Screed 6" drink, (1) a dagged, damaged, dead oh
- dis- !

full supply ; whence (2) a drinking guised, disorderly, doing the Lord (or
bout (1815). Emperor), done over, down (with
Screen. A bank note (1785). barrel-fever see Gallon-distemper),
:

Hence screen- faking, fingering notes ; dull in the eye, full of Dutch-courage,
queer-screens, counterfeit paper : cf. electrified, elephant's
- trunk (rhym-
Screeve (1821). ing), elevated, exalted, far gone,
S c r e e v e (or Screave). 1. Any- feeling funny (or right royal), fettled
thing written a begging letter, testi-
:
(or in good fettle), fighting-tight (or
monial, chalk pavement work, etc. 2. drunk), flawed, floored, fluffed, flum-
A bank note (Scots') cf. Screen. :
moxed, flushed, flustered, flustrated,
Screeveton, the Bank of England. flying-high, fly-blown, fogged (or
As verb, to write, draw ; screever (or foggy), fou (Scots), on fourth, foxed,
screeve-faker), (
1 ) a cheeky beggar ; fresh, fuddled, full, full-flavoured, full
(2) a pavement-artist. to the bung, fuzzy, gay, gilded, glori-
Screw. 1. An extortioner, miser: ous, grape-shot, gravelled, greetin'-
as verb, coerce into paying or
to fou', groggy, hanced, half-seas-over,
saving money, or making a promise, happy, hard-up, hazy, heady, hearty,
yielding one's opinion, vote, person, helpless, hiccius-doccius, hickey, high,
etc. : also to screw up (or out), and to put hockey, hoodman, in a difficulty (see
on (or under or turn) the screw ; screwy Gallon -
distemper), incog, inspired,
(or screwing), mean (1696). 2. (a) An jagged, jolly, jug-bitten, kennurd
unnecessarily minute examination ; (back slang, drunk), all keyhole, kisk,
and (b) a screw the instructor
; is often knocked - up, leary, lion drunk, in
designated by the same name. 3. An Liquor- pond Street-loaded, looking
old or worthless horse: whence (loosely) lively, lumpy, lushy, making inden-
anything old screwy, worn-out, worth-
; tures with one's legs, malted, martin-
less (1835). 4. A small roll of tobacco :
drunk, mashed, mellow, miraculous,
usually costing Id. 5. (common). mixed, moony, mopped, moppy,
Money earned. 6. A turnkey Fr., :
mortal, muckibus, muddled, mugged,
raf and griffleur as verb, to imprison :
:
muggy, muzzy, nappy, nase (or nazy),
also to put under the screw ; screwing, noddy - headed, noggy, obfuscated,
a term of imprisonment (1821). 7. oddish, off (off at the nail, or one's
A skeleton-key as verb, to burgle ::
nut), on (also on the bend, beer,
spec, by means of false keys ; the batter, fuddle, muddle, sentry, skyte
screw (or screw game), burglary ; spree, etc. see Flare-up and Floored),
:

screwsman, a burglar also to stand on out (also out of funds, register, al-
;

the screio (Grose), the door is not bolted,

titudes, etc.), overcome, overseen,
merely locked. 8. A prostitute. 9. overshot, over - sparred, overtaken,
A dram, pick-me-up (q.v.). 10. A over the bay, palatic, paralysed,
stomach-ache (HaUiwett). A screw peckish, a peg too low, pepst, pickled,
395
 Scribbler' 8-luck. Seng.

piper drunk (or merry), ploughed,

-
woods, inlaid with hundreds of other
poddy, podgy, potted-off, pot-shot, pieces of precious woods of various
pot-sick, pot-valiant, primed, pruned, shapes and shades. Also scrimshon
-
pushed, queered, quick tempered, ana scrimshorn.
raddled, ram in aged, ramping-mad, Scrip. A promise to pay in
rather touched, rattled, reeling (or writing.
tumbling), ripe, roaring, rocky, salu- Scroby. To be tipped the scroby
brious, scammered, scooped, sewn up, (or clawf) for breakfast, to be whipped
shaky, three (or four) sheets in the before the justices (Orose).
wind, shot, shot in the neck, slewed, Scroof (or Scroofer). para- A
smeekit, smelling of the cork, snapped, site as verb, to sponge (q.v.).
:

snuffy, snug, so, soaked, sow-drunk, Scrope. A farthing see Rhino. :

spiffed, spoony - drunk, spreeish, Scrouger. Anything excep-

sprung, squiffed (or squiffy), stale- tional in size, quality, capacity, etc.
drunk, starchy, swattled, swiggled, (1847).
swilled, swinnied, swine-drunk, swiped Scroyle. A diseased wretch: Fr.,
(or swipey), swivelly, swizzled, taking AroueUes, King's-evil (1596).
it easy, tangle-footed, tap-shackled, Scrub. 1. Any mean, or ill-con-
taverned (also hit on the head by a ditioned person or thing as adj., ;

tavern bitch, or to have swallowed a paltry, mean : also scrubbed, and

tavern token), teeth under, thirsty, scrubby ; scrub-race, a contest between
tight, tipsy, top-heavy, topsy-boosy, contemptible animals (1598). 2.
tosticated, under the influence, up a (American University). A servant.
tree, up in one's hat, waving a flag of As verb (Christ's Hospital), (1) to
defiance, wet, wet -
handed, what- write fast: e.g. scrub it down : also as
nosed, whipcat (Florio), whittled, subs., handwriting [Lat., scribere];
winey, yappish (yaupy or yappy). (2) to drudge.
Also, to have a guest in the attic, the Scrubbado. The itch ( 1 696).
back teeth well afloat, a piece of bread Scrubber, subs. (Australian).
and cheese in the head, drunk more Cattle left to run wild in the moun-
than one has bled, the sun in one's tains (1859).
eyes, a touch of boskiness, a cup too Scrubbing (Winchester) : obsolete.
much, a brick in the hat, a drop in the A flogging of four cute.
eye, got the flavour, a full cargo aboard, Scrudge. prostitute.
A
a jag on, a cut leg, the malt above the Scruff. The lowest quality of cod.
wheat, one's nun, one's soul in soak, As verb, to hang : see Ladder.
yellow fever. Also, to have been Scrumptious. First - class, nice,
barring too much, bitted by a barn fastidious (1835).
mouse, driving the brewer s horse, Scrunch. 1. A hard bite, crushing
biting one's name in, dipping rather blow and 2. (figuratively) a complete
;

deep, making M's and Ts, paid, effect of tyranny as verb, to crush, ;

painting the town red, shaking a grind down, squeeze scruncher, a ;

cloth in the wind. Also, to wear a glutton.

barley cap, to cop the brewer, to let Scud. (1) A fast runner ; and
the finger ride the thumb, to lap the (2) a hot
spin (q.v.); (3) in pi.,
gutter, to need a reef taken in, to see money see Rhino.: As verb, to
the devil, to take a shard (or shourd), sail, ride, or run very fast
to shoe the goose, to see one (B. E.).
apiece. Scuddick. 1. The smallest item of
Scr ib bier' s- luck. An empty value. 2. Generic for money.
purse and a full hand. Scuff. crowd. A
Scribe. See One eyed Scribe. Scuffle - hunter. A loafer about
Scrimshanker. A loafer : cf. wharfs, quays, and warehouses under
Bloodsucker ; whence scrimshank to pretence of asking employment as
shirk duty. porters and labourers : their chief
Scrimshaw (or Scrimshander). object is to pillage and plunder what-
The art, if art it be, of manufacturing ever comes in their way.
useful and ornamental articles at sea : Scufter. A
police officer.
handsome writing desks, toilet boxc; , S c u g (Eton and Harrow). A
and work - boxes made of foreign sneak (q.v.) ; a play-cad (q.v.).
 Sculduddery. See.

Sculduddery (or Skulduggery). Sea. At sea, puzzled, wide (q.v.):

Bawdry also as adj. (1713).
; cf. Half-seas - over. Phrases and
Scull (University). 1. The head combinations Sea - crab, a sailor ;
:

(or master) of a College ; hence scull- sea-dog, (1) a privateer (temp. Eliz.),
race, an examination. 2. In pi., a and (2) a sailor ; spec, an old salt
waterman using a pair of sculls or (q.v.) ; sea-galloper, a special corres-
short oars (q.v.). 3. A one-horse pondent ; sea-grocer, a purser ; sea-
chaise or buggy (1785). lawyer, (1) a shark, and (2) a captious
Scullery-science. Phrenology. or scheming fo'csle hand : whence
Scull - thatcher. 1. A wig-maker sea-lawyer ing, argument with officers ;

(1785). 2. A hatter: see Nob- sea-legs, ability to walk the deck of a

thatcher. rolling ship without staggering sea- ;

Sculpin. A
mean or mischief - wag, an ocean-going vessel ; sea-rat
making fellow [Local slang, New (old), a pirate cf. River-rat ; sea-
:

Eng.] (Century). rover, a herring see Atlantic ranger ;

:

Scum. The Riff-raff, or Tagrag son of a sea-cook, a nautical term of

and Long - tail (B. E.). As adv., abuse ; sea-connie (or cunnie), (1) the
enough. helmsman on an Indian trader, and
Scumber (or scummer). Excre- (2) a Lascar quartermaster ; sea-coal,
ment as verb, to defecate (1598).
:
money.
Scumble. To glaze a picture. Seal. A preacher is said to be
Scurf. A shabby fellow. As owned when he makes many con-
verb, to arrest ; lay hold of (1785). verts, and his converts are called his
Scurrick. A halfpenny : see seals. In Mormon phraseology, all
Rhino. wives taken after the first are called
Scurry. A short race run for spiritual wives, and are said to be
amusement by inferior horses or non- sealed to the husband under the . . .

winners : cf. Scab-race. solemn sanction of the church, and

Scute. A small coin : hence a in all respects, in the same relation to
low standard (1596). the man as the wife that was first
Scuttle. 1. An affected gait. 2. A married.
hasty move a bolt (q.v.) as verb,
; : Sealer. One that gives bonds and
to run off (1704). As verb (Christ's judgments goods and for money
Hospital, Hertford), (1) to cry out (B. E.) see Squeeze-wax.
:

under oppression, to attract the atten- Seam. See White-seam.

tion of the authorities ; hence scuttle- Sear. Light (or tickle) of the sere,
cat, one who scuttles (obsolete) ; (2) to wanton, fond of bawdy laughter
stab. To scuttle a nob, to break a (1596).
head. On the scuttle, on a round of Seat. See Back-seat.
dissipation. S e a t - of - Honour, (Shame, or
Scuttling. A practice once very Vengeance). The posteriors (1725).
prevalent within the county of Lan- Secesh. See Blue Bellies.
caster. The offence was committed Second." See Bow, Chop, Fiddle,
by a body of young persons, male and and String.
female, belonging to one part of the Second Peal. See Peal.
city,who had a real or fancied griev- Second - timer. A prisoner twice
ance against another similar body convicted.
of persons from an adjacent part. Secret. Let into the secret, when
The opposing armed with
forces were one is drawn in at horse-racing, cock-
belts with large buckles to them, fighting, bowling, and other sports
knives, pokers, stones, and the like, or games, and bit (B. E.). In the
and the mobs so armed turned out at grand secret, dead.
times for a regular affray, and in- Sedgley - curse.
'
A Sedgly curse
flicted serious injuries upon one light on him, which is, Pedro, The
another. Not only did these roughs fiend ride through him booted and
enter into conflict with others of a spurred With a sythe at his back'
similar class, but they frequently (Fletcher).
attacked unoffending passers-by. See. 1. In pi., the eyes (1785)
Scuttle - mouth. A large-shelled also seer, the eye. 2. sight, glance. A
oyster. As verb, (1) to believe, credit, con-
397
 Set.

sent :
e.g. I don't aoe that. Phrases : down (or away), (1) to expel ; and (2)
To MC it a matter, (2)
out, (1) to finish to rusticate (q.v.) (1714). To send in,
to keep up a carouse, and (3) to come to drive or break in Hand down the :

to an understanding, or know the jemmy and send it in apply the crow ;

reason why ; to see one through, to to the door and drive it in (Grose).
help to a finish ; to see a man, to have See Coventry, Daylight, Flea in the
a drink to sec the devil, to get tipsy
;
:
ear, Green River, Owls, Packing, Salt
see Screwed ; to see the back of, to get River, Up.
rid oi; to see one coming, to impose on ; Send off. - A start, God speed. -

to see double, (1) to be drunk: see Send-off notice, an obituary (1870).

Screwed, and (2) to squint ; to see Sender. A severe blow.
one's aunt, to evacuate see Bury a : Sensation. A small quantity ; as
Quaker ; to see as far into a millstone much as can be perceived by the
(or milestone) as , to be as able or senses : spec, a half -quartern.
cute as ; to see stars (spots or candles), Sense. To feel, take in, under-
to be dazed spec, from a blow.: Also stand (1651).
see Brickwall, Elephant, Show, etc. Sentimental - club (The). The
Seed. Run to seed, shabby, gone Athenaeum.
off the bloom, seedy (q.v.). Sentinel. A wake candle, glim
Seedy. Generic for depreciation, (q.v.) : FT., flambarde.
(1) weak or out-of -sorts in health, Sentry. On sentry, drunk : see
(2) worn or out at elbows in dress, Screwed.
in pocket, (4) suspicious or - box. Chelsea Hospital to
(3)poor Sentry
shady in character. Hence, seedi- a sentry-box, a fanciful bet.
ness (1743). Sep. A cadet joining in Sep-
Seek. To seek others and lose one- tember.
self, to play the fool (1598). Separate. The first eleven or
Seek - sorrow (or trouble). A twelve months' probationary im-
whining malcontent ( 1580). prisonment, solitary confinement.
Seeley's pigs. Pig iron in Govern- Serene. See All Serene.
ment dockyards. [Some of the yards Sergeant. See Come.
were half paved with pigs, which Sergeant - major. A fat loin of
waste was brought to public notice by mutton.
Mr. Seeley, M.P. for Lincoln.] Sergeant major 's brandy - and -
-
See - saw. A double ruff (q.v.), a soda. A gold-laced stable jacket.
saw (q.v.) at : whist. Sergeant -
major's wash cat
S e g g o n. A term of contempt :
(1) A new kit ; and (2) the troop store-
spec,a poor labourer. Also seg-head, man.
a blockhead seg-kite, an over-grown
; Serpent. Stung by a serpent,
and greedy person (1577). with child (Ray). To hold a serpent
Sell. A
successful hoax, swindle :
by the tail, to act foolishly.
see Gammon. As verb, to betray, Servant. A lover en parade
impose on, swindle ; see Bargain. (1396).
Whence to sett a pup, to fool ; to be Serve. 1. To rob: e.g. I served
sold like a bullock in Smithfitld, to him for his thimble, I robbed him of
fall badly by treachery ; Sold again I his watch (1785). 2. See Servant,
Done !
(q.v.) (1597). and Time. 3. To find guilty, convict,

Semi-bejan. See BeJan. and sentence (1785). 4. To maim,

Semper (Winchester). A very wound, punish (q.v.): whence to
common prefix ; e.g. a boy was said to serve out, to take revenge ; to serve out
be semper continent, tardy, or ex- and out, to kill (1785). To serve up,
trumps if he was often at Sick House, to ridicule. See Slops.
or late for Chapel, or habitually went Sessions. An exclamation of sur-
up to Books without having looked at prise.
his lessons. An official who was Set. 1. A determined stand ; to
always at the College meetings went get set,to collar the bowling. 2. A
by the name of Semper Testis (Mans- grudge, a sustained attack : in argu-
field]. ment or conduct also dead-set. :

Send. To send up, to commit to Phrases : To set the hare's head to the
prison, fully (q.v.) (1852). To send goose giblets, to balance matters, give
393
 Set-back. Shack.

take the
tit for tat; to set jewels, to Set-up. 1. Port,
bearing, carriage.
best portions of a clever book not 2. A treat (q.v.) ; to set up, to stand
much known to the general public, and Sam : cf. Set-down. As adv., con-
incorporate them quietly in a new work ceited.
by a thoroughly original author : the Seven. To be more than seven,
credit of this term belongs to Mr. wide-awake more than twelve.: also,
Charles Reade, who explained that the Sevendible. A very curious word,
process is accountable for the presence used only in the North of Ireland, to
of some writing by one Jonathan denote something particularly severe,
Swift, in a story published at Christ- strong, or sound. It is, no doubt,
mas, 1872, and called The Wander- derived from sevendouble that is,
ing Heir; all set, desperate fellows, sevenfold and is applied to linen
ready for any kind of mischief (Dun- cloth, a heavy beating, a harsh repri-
combe). See Cap, Dead - set, Ears, mand, etc. (Hotten).
Hard-set, Shoulder, Wheel. Seven-pennorth (or Sevenpence).
Set-back. See Back-set. Seven years' imprisonment (1821).
Set - down. 1. A snub an un- ; Seven - year. A long time pro- :

expected or overwhelming reply : verbial (1560).

also as verb, to take to task, rebuff, Severely. generic intensitive : A
get the better of (1749). 2. square A e.g. to be left severely alone, to be
meal. altogether neglected.
Set-off. 1. A contrast, an alter- Sew. To sew up one's stocking, to
native, a quid pro quo (q.v.) (1749). silence, confute (1859).
2. An adornment, an ornament (1619). Sewed up (pugilists'). 1. Severely
Set-out. A company, clique, punished spec, with bloated eyes. 2.
:

display, or turn-out any arrange- Exhausted, drunk, sick. 3. Grounded :

ment, state of things, or event (1816). also Sued up.

1% Setta. Seven also setter. : Sewer. 1. The Metropolitan and
-"Setter. 1. 'The nature of the Metropolitan District Railways. 2.
Setter is to draw any person famili- In pi., The East London Railway
arly to drinke with him, which person Shares. Common - sewer, (1) an in-
' '

they call the bonie (Grose) ; They that discriminate tippler ; (2) the throat ;
draw in Bubbles, for old Gamesters and (3) a receive-all (1749).
to Rook ; also a Sergeant's Yeoman, Sex. The sex, womankind.
or Bailiff's Follower, or Second, and Sey (Se, or Say). Yes : pronounced
an Excize-Officer to prevent the See.
Brewers defrauding the Bang (B. E. ) ;
'
Sha b. 1. To mess up, make
'
That make it their Business to go shabby. To get (or make) shabby, (1)
about upon information, to pry into in sorry rigging (B. E.), out-at-
the Disposition and Avenues of elbows ; and (2) mean, base, seedy
Houses, and bring notice of the (q.v.) : whence shabbaroon (shabroon,
Booty' (Hall); also (modern) a police shabrag, or shabster), a ragamuffin, a
spy: see Nark (1591). 2. A runner- mean-spirited fellow (B. E.) also :

up of prices a bonnet (q.v.). Clock-

; shabby -
genteel, aping gentility, but
setter, (1) one who tampers with the really shabby ; to shab off, to sneak or
clock to shorten his watch ; also (2) slide away (B. E.) (1680). 2. To
a busy - body, a sea - lawyer (q.v.) scratch oneself : like a lousy man or
(Century). mangy dog.
Settle. 1. To knock down, do Shabby- woman (The). The
for (q.v.) ; to settle one's hash (see statue of Minerva which guards the
Hash) hence settler, (a)
; a knock- portal of the Athenaeum, and looks so
'
down blow and (b) a finishing stroke.
; little like Eve on hospitable thoughts
2. To give (or get) penal servitude for intent
'
for since the Athenaeum Club
life. was established, no member has ever
Settler. 1. A parting drink : see afforded the simplest rites of hospit-
Screwed. 2. See Settle. ality to a friend (1864).
Set-to. 1. A bout at fisticuffs, Shack. 1. shiftless fellow, a A
with, or without, the gloves. 2. vagabond also shackaback, shackbag,
:

Determined opposition. Also as shackrag, a shakerag as verb, to go on :

verb, tramp, to idle, to loaf: as adj. (also

399
 ShacMe. Shake-down.

#hack-na*ty), contemptible cf. shag- :

Shaftsbury. A gallon- pot full of
bag (1740). 2. log
A
cabin: the wine, with a cock (B. E., c. 1696).
average shack comprises but one Shag. To shag back, to hesitate,
room, and is customarily roofed with to hang back, to refuse a fence. As
earth, supported by poles in Canada : wet as a shag, as wet as may be. [Shag,
shack, dwelling. 3. A misdirected or cormorant].
returned letter. Shag- (or shake-) bag (or rag).
Shackle. A raffle. 1. A poor shabby fellow (It. E.); a
Shackly (or Shackling). Rickety, man of no spirit a term borrowed
:

ramshackle (q.v.). from the cock-pit (Orose) :

originally,
Shack-stoner. Sixpence. a beggarly soldier also as :
adj., mean,
Shad. A prostitute. beggarly (1588). 2. A
fighting-cock;
Shadbelly. A Quaker: the and so, by implication, a hen of the
Quaker coat from neck to skirt follows game (q.v.) (1700).
the ventral line of the shad hence Shake. 1. Standard of value:
shad-bellied, sloping in front like a usually in the phrase no great shakes ;
Quaker coat cf. Cutaway.:
anything of small account 2. A
Shade. In pi., wine-vaults. As show. Fair shakes, a tolerable bargain
verb, to conceal, keep secret. or chance. 3. In pi., generic for
Shadkin. A
marriage-broker. unsteadiness :
specifically delirium
Shadow. 1. A spy or close at- tremens. 4. A fad also in combina- :

tendant e.g. (a) a detective ; (b) a

: tion as the milk-shake, the vegetarian
:

dress-lodger's (q.v.) guard; (c) a shake, etc. shook on, in love with.
; 5.
bosom friend ; and (d) a jackal (q.v.) : Generic for quick action e.g. a great :

as verb, (1) to track, spy, dog (q.v.) ; shake, a quick pace; in a brace (or
and (2) to be inseparable (1607). 2. couple) of shakes (or in the shake of a
(Westminster School). When a boy lamb's tail), instantly. As verb, ( 1 ) to
is first placed in the school, he is steal e.g. to shake a swell, to rob a
:

attached to another boy in the same gentleman to shake a chest of slop, to

;

form, something in the relation of an steal a chest of tea ; to be shook of a skin,

apprentice ; the new boy is called the
shadow, the other the substance ; in
the first week the shadow follows the
substance everywhere, takes his place
next to him in class and is exempt .
to be robbed of a
purse ; Have you
shook f Have you stolen anything, etc.;
(2) to shake hands ; generally Shake I
(3) to throw dice, or (printers') quads,
. . to gamble see Jeff ; and to shake an
:

from any responsibility for his own
mistakes in or out of school ; during
this interval of indulgence his patron
is expected to initiate him in all the
work of the school ... in short to teach
him by degrees to enter upon ... a
responsible existence of his own
(Collins). May your shadow never
be (or grow) less, may you prosper
Shadrach. mass of badly A
smelted iron. [Cf. Daniel,
elbow (q.v.) (1623); 4. to turn one's
back on, to desert. Phrases and
colloquialisms: More than one can
shake a stick at, past
counting;
nothing worth shaking a stick at, worth-
less ; to shake a foot (toe, or leg), to
dance ; to shake a loose leg (see Leg) ;
to shake together, to get on well or
!
smoothly ; to shake up, to upbraid ;
to shake a fall, to wrestle ; to shake
iii. 26, 27.] up, to scold to shake a cloth in the
;

Shadscales (or Scales). Money : wind, to be hanged ; to shake down,

generic : see Rhino. (1) (see Shake -down), and (2) to ac-
Shady. Generic for decadence commodate oneself to, to settle down ;

and deterioration moral, physical, to shake the ghost into one, to frighten ;
and material hence, on the shady
; to shake the bullet (or red rag), (1) see
side of [e.g. 40], beyond (or older) Bullet and Red, and (2) to threaten to
than 40 years of age ; to keep shady, to discharge (tailors') to shake up, to ;

keep in the background, to be cautious get (American) ; You may go and

and reticent (1852). The shady shake your ears, advice to one who has
groves of the Evangelist, St. John's lost his money (Ray) (1602).
Wood. Shake-buckler. A swash-buckler,
Shaft. To make a shaft (or a a bully (1570).
bolt) for it, to take a risk for what it is Shake - down. 1. An improvised
worth, to venture (1596). bed : also as verb, to sleepon a
400
 Shake-lurk. Shape.

temporary substitute for a bed. 2. Shamrock. To drown the sham-

A brothel kept by a panel-thief (q.v.). rock, to go drinking on St. Partick's
3. A rough dance, a break-down (q.v.). Day (Mar. 17th).
Shake-lurk. A begging petition : Shan (or Shand). Base coin :

specifically one on account of ship- hence as adj., worthless (1815).

wreck shake-glim, one for fire.
:
Shandrydan (or Shandry). A
Shaker. 1. The hand see Daddle. :
light two- wheeled, one-horsed cart :

2. A shirt : see Fleshbag. 3. An hence, any old rickety trap (1843).

omnibus. Shandy - gaff. Beer and ginger-
Shakerag. See Shagbag. beer (1853).
Shakester. See Shickster. Shaney (or Shanny). A foo
Shake-up. A commotion, a dis- (1800).
turbance. Shanghai. 1. A tall dandy [Bart-
Shaky. Anything
questionable : lett In allusion to the long-legged
:

generic unstable, insolvent, unwell, fowls from Shanghai, all the rage a
dishonest, immoral, drunken, ignor- few years ago.] 2. A catapult: also
ant. Shakiness, hesitancy, degeneracy as verb. 3. A glaring daub required
(1841). by frame-makers for cheap auctions ;

Shaler. A girl. they are turned out at so much by the

Shalley-gonahey. A smock-frock. day's labour, or at from 12 dollars to
Shallow. 1. An empty - headed 24 dollars a dozen, by the piece ; all
Justice of the Peace (cf. Shakespeare, the skies are painted at once, then all
'
2 Hen. IV.' m. ii.) whence, 2. a fool ; : the foregrounds ; sometimes the
also shallow - and shallow - pate
ling patterns are stencilled ; the dealer
(1615). 3. A low - crowned hat, a attaches the semblance of some well-
whip - hat : whence lUly - shallow, a known name, of which there are
white whip-hat. 4. (a) The peculiar several, and without initials. 4.
barrow used by street traders (also Drugging a sailor, when he enjoys
Trolley and Whitechapel brougham : himself after a long cruise, on shore,
Fr., bagnole) ; and (b) a square and and carrying him, while in a state of
oval willow basket, about four inches insensibility, to a vessel about to
deep, and thirty inches long, by depart, where he finds himself, upon
eighteen broad. 5. A man who goes his recovery, entered in all forms on
about half-naked, telling frightful the book.
tales about shipwrecks, hair-breadth Shank. 1. In pi., the legs ; gams

escapes from houses on fire, and such (q.v.) shank it (or to ride shanks' s
; to
like calamities also Shivering Jemmy. :
mare, or nag), (1) to go on foot or by
To live shallow, to live quietly and in the Marylebone stage (q.v.): and (2)
retirement, as when wanted (q.v.). to leave without ceremony (1302). 2.
Sham. 1. Generic for false. As The fag end.
subs., (a) a cheat, a trick ; (b) a sub- Shannon. It is said, persons
stitute, as a pillow-sham, false sleeves, dipped in that river are perfectly and
fronts, or cuffs : as adj., spurious, for ever cured of bashfulness (Grose).
counterfeit as verb, to cheat ; to
: Shant. A quart ; a pot e.g. :

feign also to cut a sham, to play the

: shant of gatter, a pot of beer. Also
rogue shamocrat, one who apes rank
; shanty.
or wealth (1677). 2. Champagne, boy Sha'n't. Shall not. Now we
(q.v.) also shammy.
: See Abraham ;
shan't be long, It's all right a general :

Snite. note of satisfaction or agreement :

Shamble. In pi., the legs. Whence a street catch of the late nineties.
Shake your shambles, Begone As verb, !
Shanty. 1. A rough and tumble
to walk awkwardly. Shamble-legged, hut. 2. A
public house.
- 3. A
shuffling. brothel. 4. quart. A 5. Beer money ;

Shambrogue. The shamrock : also also as verb, (1) to dwell in a hut, (2)
shamroot (1613). to take shelter. 6. See Chantey.
Shameless. A bold forward Shap. In pi., leather overalls,
blade (B. E.). with tags and fringes down the seams.
Sham -
leggar. A man offering Shape. In pi., (1) an ill-made
worthless stuff for sale cheap. man, and (2) a tight - laced girl.
Shammock. To loaf (q.v.). Hence to show one's shape, (1) to strip :

401
 Shappo. Shaver.

specifically (old) to peel (q.v.) at the
whipping-poet, and (2) to turn about
and march off ; ttuck on one's shape,
pleased with one's appearance There's
a shape for you, an ironical comment
on a skeleton-like person or animal
rack-of -bones (q.v.) ; to travel on one's
Mr. Sharp come in yet ? the signal is
at once understood, and a general
look-out kept (Hotien). Sharp as the
; corner of a round table, stupid. Sharp's
the word / 1. Of any one very attentive
to his own interest, and apt to take
all advantage sometimes with and
:

shape, to swindle, to live by one's quick's the motion (Grose) also, 2. a ;

appearance to spoil one's shape, to

; call to brisk movement, or ready
be got with child shape - smith, a ; obedience (1706).
stay - maker ; in good shape, quite Sharp's Alley Bloodworms.
correct ; to cut up show) one's
(or 1. Beef sausages ; and 2. black
shape, to frolic. As verb, to turn puddings (a noted abattoir near
out ; to behave (1369). Smithfield).
Shappo. A hat, the newest Cant. Sharp-set. 1.
Hungry ; 2. hard-
Nab being very old, and grown too driven (1577).
common (B. E.) ; also shappeau, Sharpshin. The smallest quantity.
shoppo, shopo, shapo [Pr., chapeau]. Sharpshooter. A swift clipper-
Shard. To take a shard, to get built schooner. See Devil's sharp-
tipsy see Screwed.
: shooters.
Share-penny. A miser, a skin- Sharp stick. Persecution, retri-
flint (q.v.) (1606). bution.
Shark. 1. A greedy adventurer, Shatterbrain (or pate). A
a swindler : also sharker. As verb giddy shatterbrained
person; (or
(or to live on the shark), to live by pated), heedless, weak in intellect : see
roguery or thieving. Whence shark- Shitterbrain and Shuttlehead.
guU, a flat-catcher (q.v.) ; to shark up, Shave. 1. A narrow escape, a
to press, to enlist on terms of piracy ;
squeak (q.v.) : usually with close,
sharking, (1) roguery, and (2) greedy, near, etc. : whence to make a shave (or
tricky (1590). 2. A custom-house to shave through), to get through by
officer: also in pi., the press-gang. 3. the skin of one's teeth (1844). 2. A
One of the first order of pickpockets false report, a practical joke, a sell
(Bow term, A.D. 1786
St. Grose). (q.v.) (1854). 3. A
money considera-
4. A At Yale, reck-
recruit.
5. tion paid for the right to vary a con-
less absence from college duties of :
tract, by extension of time for delivery
persons and conduct. 6. A lean or payment, etc. 4. The proportion of
hungry hog (Bartletf). As verb, (1) the receipts paid to a travelling com-
to fawn for a dinner ; (2) see pany by a local manager. See Shaker.
subs. As verb, to extort, to strip, to cheat
Sharp. 1. A
swindler, 'one that (1548) ; hence shaving (or shaven/),
lives by his Witts' (B. E.) a rook, (1) usury, and (2) overcharge (with
(q.v.) : the opposite of flat (q.v.) :
drapers called shaving the ladies) :
also sharper cf. Sharker :as verb, : also f haver, (1) a cheat, a swindler;
to cheat ; sharping (or on the sharp) (2) a banker, broker, or money-lender
subs, and adj., swindling ; sharper's given to usury; and (3) shaver (q.v.) :
tools, (1) fools, and (2) false dice: whence shaving-shop, a wild-cat bank
see Bible-sharp and Flats-and-sharps (q.v.) ; shaving-terms, make all you
(1688). 2. A
pointed weapon: a can (1548).
sword as contrasted with a foil. 3. Shaved. Drunk : see Screwed
An expert. As adj., subtil, ready, (1598).
quick or nimble-witted, forward, of Shaveling (or Shorling). 1. A
lively apprehension ; also poor and monk : cf. Beardling also, : 2. see
needy (B. E.). As adv., to the Shaver (1563).
moment e.g. I'll be there at five
: Shaver. 1. A fellow ; a party :

o'clock sharp. Mr. Sharp, a similar spec, (modern), a more or less pre-
cocious youngster. 2. A child, and
' '

expression to two- pun-ten (q.v.), to

signify that a customer of suspected occasionally a woman also Shaveling :

honesty is about the shopman asks : and Shave, verb (1586). 3. A short
one of the assistants, in a voice loud 4. See
jacket, bum-perisher (q.v.).
enough to be generally heard, Has Shave.
402
 Shavings. Shdl.

Shavings. The clipping! of deen Univ.). A second class-man.

money (B. E.). Phrases and proverbs To wash sheep
:

Shay. chaise. A with scalding water, to act absurdly ;

She. 1. A woman: also she-one: to lose a sheep (erroneously ship) for a
cf. He, a man hence She-house, a :
half-penny worth of tar, to go niggardly
house under petticoat rule she- ; about a business also proverbially,
:

school, a girls' school (1602). 2. as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb.

(Charterhouse). A plum pudding :
Sheep-biter. 1. A slinking thief;
also shee cf He. : . also sheep-shearer and sheep-napper
Shearer's Joy (Australian). Colon- (the latter, a sheep-stealer) ; sheep-
ial beer. biting, sneaking (1588). 2. 'A
'
Shears. Pair of shears, a striking poor, sorry, sneaking ill-lookt Fellow
likeness ; little or no difference :
e.g. (B E.).
There's a pair of shears, they're as Sheep-dog. A companion ; a
like as two peas. See Knight. chaperone.
Shebang. A room, a shop, a hut, Sheep' s-clothing. See Wolf.
a tent, a cabin an engine-house. [De; Sheep "s-eyes. To
cast (or make)
Vere Shebang
: used even yet by . . .
sheep's eyes (or lamb' s-eyes), to ogle,
students of Yale College and elsewhere to leer formerly to look modestly and
:

to designate their rooms or a thea- with diffidence but always with

trical or other performance in a public longing or affection FT., ginginer,
:

hall, has its origin probably in a cor- lancer son prospectus (1500).
ruption of the French cabane, a hut, Sheepskin. (1) The diploma re-
familiar to the troops that came from ceived on taking a degree also (2) ;

Louisiana, and constantly used in a person who has taken a degree ;

the Confederate camp for the simple and (3) a deed or similar document
huts, which they built with such [engrossed on parchment].
alacrity and skill for their winter Sheepskin-fiddle. A drum.
quarters.] Hence, sheepskin-fiddler, a drummer.
Shebeen. (1) Any unlicensed place Sheepwalk. A prison.
where excisable liquors are sold ; Sheepwash (Winchester). To duck.
whence (2) a low (or wayside) public- Sheet-alley. Bed, blanket-fair
house. Also as verb, shebeening, and (q.v.).
shebeener the last term applies to
: Sheet. A sheet [or three, or four
persons frequenting
as well as to those sheets']in the wind (or wind's eye)
keeping a shebeen. more or less tipsy, half seas over (q.v. ) :
Shed. To urinate (q.v.) also : see Screwed.
to shed a tear. To shed a tear, to take She-familiar. A kept mistress
a drink originally to take a dram of
:
(HattiweU).
real or short (q.v.). Sheffield Handicap. A
She-dragon. 1. A vixen, an elderly sprint race with no defined scratch
termagant. 2. A kind of wig. (q.v.). The scratch man receives an
Sheeney (or Sheney). 1. A Jew, enormous start from an imaginary
Yid (q.v.): used by Gentiles and by flyer (q.v.).
Jews ( j ocosely by the latter). Whence, She-flunkey. A lady's maid.
2. a pawnbroker pawnbroking, like : Shekel. In pi., money :
generic :

the fruit and fish trade, is mainly (in see Rhino.

London at least) in the hands of Jews. Shelf. On the shelf, 1. (general),
Also as adj., base, Jewish, fraudulent : laid aside, in reserve, past service :
also sheen. Fr., 6r2Z/; 2. (military), under arrest;
Sheep. Sheep, like pigeon (q.v.),
1. 3. (old), in pawn ; 4. (thieves'), trans-
is commonly generic for timidity and ported ; 5 (common), dead : whence
bashfulness thus, as subs., a simple-
:
off the shelf, resurrected (1589).
ton ; sheep-faced (or sheepish), bashful ; Shell. 1. An undress jacket : also

sheep's
-
head, sheep- a blockhead ; shell-jacket. 2. At the end of this
headed, sheep's heart,
stupid a ; room [the Westminster schoolroom]
coward ; -
hearted, cowardly ;
sheep there is a kind of semicircular apse, in
Like a sheep's head, all jaw, said of which the shell form were formerly
a talkative person ; old sheepgnts, a taught, and the shape of which is said
term of contempt (1556). 2. (Aber- to have given rise to this name, since
403
 Shdl-back. Shilling.

adopted at several other public combination : thus sheriffs picture

schools (Collins). 3. In pL, money: frame, the
hangman's noose see :

see Rhino hence to shell out, to pay :

:
Nubbing-cheat sheriff's- journeyman, ;

Fr., allonger Us radis : shelling -out, a hangman sheriff's ball, an execu-

;

clubbing money together (1591). 4. tion : whence, to dance at the sheriff's

A drinking glass. See Brown shell. ball andout one's tongue at the
loll
Shell-back. A sailor also old :
company, to hang ; sheriffs bracelet*,
shell. handcuffs ; sheriffs hotel, a prison
Shell-out A variety of pool (1824).
S'help.
SeeS'welp. Sherry (or Shiny). To run
Shelta.A kind of cryptic Irish away : also to shirry off (1785).
spoken by tinkers and confirmed Sherry-fug. To tipple sherry.
tramps; a secret jargon composed Sherry - moor. A fright [Ilalli-
chiefly of Gaelic words disguised by vxtt : From the battle of Sheriffe-
'

changes of initial, transposition of muir when all was blood, uproar, and
letters, backslanging, and similar de- confusion '].
vices. [Discovered by C. G. Lei and and Shet See Shut.
announced to the world in his book The Shewle. Cat's meat.
Gypsies (1882); in 1886 there was a Shicer (or Shice). 1. Any worth-

correspondence on the subject in The less person or thing generic for con- :

Academy; in 1889 The Gypsy Lore tempt. Also, 2. nothing, nix (q.v.):
Society was started and several e.g. to work for shice, to get no pay-
articles on Shelta appeared in its ment. Spec. Shice, base money ;
Journal ; finally in Chambers' s En- and, as adj., (1) spurious, shabby, bad :
cyclopaedia (1902) there is a long also shicery and shirkery ; and (2) tipsy.
account of this once mysterious but Schickster (Shickser, or
now fully explained speech.] Schickster). A woman specifically :

Shelve. To hold over part of the (among Jews), a female servant not (1)
weekly bill ; the reverse of horsing of the Jewish faith ; and (2) a woman
(q.v.). of shady antecedents. Shickster-
Shemozzle (Shimozzel, or crabs, ladies' shoes.
Shlemozzle) (East End). A diffi- Snif. Fish.
culty. As verb (East End)., to be off, Shift. 1. To eat ; and especially
to decamp. to drink hence shifter, a drunkard.
:

Shenanigan. Bounce, chaff, 2. To change one's smock, change

nonsense, trickery (Bartlett, 1877). one's clothes ( 1695). To do a shift, 1.
She - napper. A Woman Thief-
'
to go away, to change one's quarters.
catcher ; also a Cock (he) or Hen (she) 2. To evacuate. To shift one's bob :

Bawd, a Procuress' (B. E.). see Bob.

She-oak. Colonial brewed ale. Shifter. 1. An intriguer :
shifty-
Shepherd. To guard, to keep cove, a trickster: also (a), a thief;
under surveillance, to chaperon : as a (b) a sharper ; and (c) a drunkard ;
ticket- of -leave man (see Nark), an whence shifty (or shifting), tricky
unmarried woman. Also (football) (now recognised); shifting, (1)
to head off whilst one's side is running shuffling, stealing, swindling ; and
or kicking. At Harrow, shepherd, (2), drinking (1567). 2. An alarm:
every sixth boy in the cricket-bill who as given by one thief in watching to
answers for the five below him being another on the job ( Vaux).
present. Also (mining) shepherding, Shifting - ballast. Landsmen on
consists of sitting by a huge fire with a board ship spec, soldiers. :

pipe in your mouth, telling or listening Shig. In pi., money specifically :

to interminable yarns, grumbling

. . . silver. At Winchester shig, a shilling
at your present and regretting your (Mansfield, c, 1840).
past luck, diversified by occasionally Shiggers (Winchester). White
lounging up to a sinking party for the football trousers costing 10s. : see
purpose of examining the tack' thrown Shig.
up, and criticising the progress made. Shikerry. See Shicer.
Sherbetty. Drunk see Screwed.
:
Shillagalee. A loafer.
Sheriff. The chief officer of justice Shilling. To take the King's (or
within a county is naturally found in Queen's) shilling, to enlist (1702).
404
 Shilling-shocker. Ship-husband.

Shilling - shocker (or dreadful). Shingle. A

signboard to hang :

A sensation novel sold at a shilling : out (or stick up) one's shingle, to start
a fashion initiated (1887) by The business ; shingle-splitting, in hiding
Mystery of a Hansom Call, by Mr. for debt. As verb, to chastise. To
Fergus Hume : cf. Penny-awful. have a shingle short, to be crazy, have
Shilly-shally (also shally- a tile loose.

shally). To not to know one's

trifle, Shingl e- tramper. A coast-
mind ; to stand shilly-shally, to be guardsman.
irresolute. Hence shilly - shally (or Shining- light. An exemplar
shitty
-
shallying), indecision. [Shall (1796).
I ? Shall I ?] ; shilly-shallier, a trifler Shinkin-ap-Morgan. A
(1630). Welshman (1660).
Shimmy (or Shimmey). A Shinner. A stocking (1585). See
chemise : also (Felsted), a shirt : Shin.
obsolete. Shinny (or Shiny). Drunk :

Shin. (1) Generic for action : spec, see Screwed.

to walk, to tramp : also to shin it : Shinplaster. A small paper note
hence to shin up, to climb ; to shin it used as money ; a printed promise to
(shin round, or break shins), to go a pay a small sum issued as money
round of lenders whence shinner, a : without legal security. The name
borrower ; to shin out of, to clear off ; came into early use in the United
to break one's shins (see above) ; also States for notes issued on private
(2) to be in a hurry ; and (3) to fall responsibility, in denominations of
against, or over, a person or thing ; from three to fifty cents, as substitutes
against one's shins, unwillingly (Ray) : for the small coins withdrawn from
also shinny, a negro tramp cf. Hoboe. : circulation during a suspension of
To kick on the shins. specific payments ; people were there-
Shindy. 1 . A dance in Western
: fore obliged to accept them, although
America shindig, & noisy dance. 2. very few of them were ever redeemed.
A disturbance, a quarrel also shinty : : Such notes abounded during the
whence, a boisterous spree (q.v.).
3. financial panic beginning with 1837,
4. A liking, a fancy. and during the early part of the Civil
Shine. 1. A happening, a to-do War of 1861-65. After the latter
(q.v.), whether warlike or not; speci- period they were replaced
by the
fically a frolic. 2. A show, or dis- by the Govern-
fractional notes issued
play. 3. A row, a shindy (q.v.) ; to ment and properly secured, to which
cut a shine, to make a show every ; the name was transferred (Century).
shine, every one as verb, (a) to make ; Shin-rapper. 1. A disabling blow
a stir, or impression, and (6) to raise on the sptint bone also, : 2. one who
or show money ; to take the shine out delivers such a blow.
of, to outwit, and (d) put in the
(c) Shinscraper. The treadmill : see
shade to shine up (or take a shine) to,
; Everlasting-staircase.
to make oneself agreeable, have a Ship. A body compositors of
fancy for. 4. Money generic see : :
working together ; one acts as a
Rhino. 5. A flash :
e.g. from a rifle. clicker, takes charge and makes out
Shiner. LA coin spec, a gold
: the general bill which is shared and
piece : in pi., money :
generic : also shared alike an abbreviation of
:

shino and shinery (1760). 2. A look- companionship. As verb, (1) to

ing glass (1785). 3. silk hat. 4. A dismiss, sack (q.v.) ; (2) to expel,
A clever fellow. 5. boaster also A : rusticate (American Univ.); (3) to
shine, to boast. The shiners, the turn out of bed, mattress on top
Northumberland Fusiliers, formerly (Sherborne School) and (4) to turn ;

The 5th Foot. [From smart ap- back a lesson (Shrewsbury School).
in
pearance at the time of The Seven Ship blown up at Point Nonplus,
Years' War.] Exemplifies the quietus of a man
Shine- (or Shine y-) rag. To when plucked penniless ; or, genteelly
win the shine-rag, to be ruined, to expelled. Oxf. Univ. cant (Grose).
meet with disaster. See Anno Domini, Home, Pump.
Shinfeast. A good fire (Holli- Ship - husband. A seaman who
wdl). rarely goes on shore.
405
 Ship-in-full -sail. Shoe.

Ship - in - full - sail. A pot of Shivery-shaky. Trembling,

ale. shivery -shakes, chills.
Ship of the desert. A camel. Sho. Pshaw !

Ship - shape. Spick and span, Shoard. To take a shoard, to get

smart above and below originally:
tipsy see Screwed.
:

-
ship shape and Bristol fashion. Shoat (or Shote). An odd man :
[Bristol's fame as a port in early days his principal business being to pick
was far higher than now]. up chips, feed the hogs, etc.
Shirk (Eton College: obsolete). Shock. A Brunt. To stand the
Shirking was a marvellous invention. shock, to bear the brunt (B. K.).
Fellows were allowed to boat on the Shocking, what is offensive, grating,

river, but all the approaches to it were grievous, and espec. indecent.
out of bounds ; we might walk on the Shocker. Anything to surprise or
terrace of Windsor Castle, but it was startle : see Shilling Shocker.
unlawful to be caught in the streets Shocking. See Hat
of Windsor which led to the terrace Shod. See Shoe.
... If, out of bounds, you saw a Shoddy. 1. Old material cloth,
master coming, you had to shirk, rags, etc. ground up or shredded,
which was done by merely stepping and rewoven with a new warp.
into a shop. The master might see Hence, 2. anything of poor quality
yon but he was supposed not to see or pretentious reputation :
spec, (in
you. The absurdity was that to . . .
derision) a workman in a woollen
buy anything in the shops in High factory. Also as adj., sham. Also
Street, where all the school tradesmen derivatives such as shoddyite, shoddy-
dwelt, we were obliged to go out of ise, etc.
bounds (Seven Years at Eton). To Shoe. A room in Southgate
shirk in (Winchester), to walk into Debtors' Prison. Phrases, colloquial-
water instead of plunging. To shirk isms, and proverbial sayings: To un'
out, to go out contrary to rules : one's shoes (old tournament), to
whence shirkster, one who shirks. vanquish one's adversary ; to die i
Shirker. One who prefers the one's shoes (or boots), to be hanged :
road to cross - country riding cf. : see Ladder ; to shoe the wild colt, to be
Skirter. initiated, to exact footing (q.v.) ; also
Shirallee. Swag (q.v.) ; a bundle to shoe ; to shoe all round, to provide
of blankets. hat - band, gloves, and scarf at a
Shirt. To get one's shirt out (or funeral ; many shoeings being only
lose one's shirt), to make (or get) partial ; to make children's shots, to
angry hence, shirty, angry, ill-tem-
: look ridiculous to lick one's shoes,
;

pered. Colloquialisms: To bet one's to fawn on, to cringe ; in another't

shirt (or put one's shirt on), to risk all ; shoes, in his place ; to put the shoe on
to fly round and tear one's shirt, to the right foot, to lay blame (or praise)
bestir oneself ; shirt (or flag) in the where justly due to tread one's shoe ;

wind, a fragment seen through the straight,to do what is right and

fly, or through a hole in the breech ; proper; shoe awry, (1)
to tread one's
that's up your shirt, that's a puzzler to play fast and loose and spec. ;

for you. See also Boiled shirt, (2) to play the wanton ; to shoe the
Bloody shirt, Historical (or Illustrated) goose, to undertake anything absurd
shirt. or futile cf. He that will meddle with
:

Shirt - sleevie
(Stonyhurst). A all things may go shoe the goslins ;
dance on winter Saturday evenings,
: and (3) to get tipsy ; to shoe
the
and sometimes in the open air at the cobbler, to tap the ice quickly with the
end of summer term. [The costume forefoot when
sliding : see Cobbler's-
is an open flannel shirt and flannel knock unit for dead men's shoes
; to
trousers.] (see Dead men's shoes) ; to throw an
'
Shise. See Shice. old shoe, to wish them Luck on their
Shivaroo. A spree. '
business' (B. E.) : the shoe pinchf* (of
Shiver.In pi., the ague, chills. untoward circumstances or event*);
See Beat and Timbers. also No man knows where the Bhoe
pinches but he who wears it (B.
E. ) ;
Shivering Jemmy (or James).
A beggar faked up with rags. another pair of shoes, something quite
40
 Shoe-bucJdes. Shoot.

different Fr., une autre paire de

: Sholl. To bonnet (q.v.), to crush
manches over shoes, over boots, in
; the hat over the eyes.
for a sheep, in for a lamb ; One shoe Shoo !
Away Be verb,off ! ! As
will not fit all feet, people nor cir- to scare away. Cannot sny Shook to
cumstances are not all alike ; He came a goose, a retort on timidity or bash-
in hosed and shod, he was born to a fulness see Boh (1611).
:

good estate. Shook on. See Shake.

Shoe - buckles. Not worth shoe- S h o o 1. To loaf, to go on the
buckles, of little account (Ray). tramp, to beg. Whence shooling, idl-
Shoe-horn. To cuckold (1650). ing ; shoolman, a loafer or vagabond :

Shoeing - horn. A pretext or in- Fr., battre sa fleme (1748).

citement (1562). Shoon. A fool, a lout.
Shoe - leather. A cry of warning ; Shoot. 1. A shooting
party (1573).
Look out Fr., Chou ! chou ! or
! 2. Avacant piece of ground where :

Acresto ! rubbish is got rid of. 3. A fancy.

Shoemaker. Phrases, etc. Who : The Shoot (London), The Walworth-
goes worse shod than the shoemaker's road station on the S. E. & C. Ry.
wife, an excuse for the lack of some- [A large number of workpeople alight
thing one ought to possess in the ; there.] Phrases: Shoot as a generic
shoemaker's stocks, 'pincht with straight verb of action is found in frequent
shoes' (B. E.) shoemaker's pride, ; combination as to shoot (jerk, or
:

creaking shoes
'
shoemaker's holiday,
; whip) the cat, ( 1 ) to vomit see Cat, ;

There was nothing which he [Oliver
Goldsmith] enjoyed better than what
he used facetiously to term a shoe-
maker's holiday three or four of
his intimate friends rendezvoused at
his chambers to breakfast about ten
o'clock in the morning at eleven
and (2) to sound a refrain in the
infantry bugle call defaulters' to
drill, which, it is fancied, follows the
sound of the words, shoot the cat
shoot the cat ; to shoot the crow, to
run off without paying, to bilk (q.v.) ;
; to shoot horses, to take horses out of a

they proceeded, by the City Road van to prevent unloading (strikers') ;

and through the fields, to Highbury
Barn to dinner about six o'clock in
the evening they adjourned to White
Conduit House to drink tea ; and
concluded the evening by supping at
to shoot one's linen, to jerk or display
; the cuffs ; to shoot one's lines, to
declaim with vigour ; to shoot (bolt,
or shove) the moon, to remove furniture
by night to prevent seizure for rent :

the Grecian or Temple Exchange see Moon ; to shoot one's bolt, to ex-
coffee houses, or at the Globe in haust one's credit or resources, to come
Fleet Street the whole expenses of
; to an end of things ; to go the whole
this day's fete never exceeded a crown, shoot, to risk all ; to shoot off one's
and . . . oftener from three-and-six- mouth (or jaw), to abuse ; to be shot,
pence to four shillings, for which the (1) to make a disadvantageous bet
party obtained good air and exercise, which is instantly accepted (turf),
good living, the example of simple and (2) to be photographed (photo-
'
manners, and good conversation graphers'); see Snap-shot; to shoot
(1793). on the post, to make a close win at the
Shoesmith. A cobbler. finish ; to shoot over the pitcher, to brag
Shoestring.A small bet run up of one's shooting ; to slwot one's star,
to a large amount. to die ; to shoot the sun, to determine
Shoful (Showfull, or Schofel). the longitude (nautical) ; to shoot one's
Generic for anybody or anything granny, to find a mare's nest ; to be
questionable. Spec, shoful, (1) base disappointed ; to shoot the market
money shoful money) : whence
(also (Stock Exchange), to make a man a
pitcher, a dealer in counter- close price in a stock without knowing
-
shoful
feit ; shoful - pitching, shoving the if there would be a profit or loss on the

queer (q.v.) ; shoful- jewellery, pinch- bargain ;

man any-
shoot that [hat,
beck gauds also (2) a hansom cab
:
thing] ! a mild imprecation,
(1)
(because an infringement on Hansom's Bother Shoot that I an injunction to
!
;

patent) ; and shovel (q.v.) (1851). silence e.g. shoot the shop
: to shoot ;

Shog. A jog also as verb, to be

: in the eye, to do an ill turn ; to be shot
off (1599). in the neck, to be drunk ; I'll (or
407
 Shootabout. Short.

may 1) be shot if , a mild imprecation Shop-'un. A boxed or pickled

or strenuous denial. See also Shot. egg : as distinguished from new-
Shootabout (school :
esp. Charter- laid.
house). An irregular form of foot- Shoreditch (The Duke of). A
ball mock title: When Henry VIII.
Shooter. Generic. Thus, (1) a became king he gave a prize at Wind-
revolver also, according to capacity,
: sor to those who should excel in this
a five, ix, or seven-shooter ; (2) the exercise [archery], when Barlo, one
guard of a mail coach (old) he was : of his guards, an inhabitant of Shore-
armed with a blunderbuss ; (3) a ditch, acquired such honour as an
shooting star a shooting-stick
; (4) archer that the king created him
(printers') ; a piece of hard wood or Duke of Shoreditch on the spot.
metal used with a mallet for tight- This . . title continued so late as
.

ening quoins in a chase ; (5) a ball 1683.

(cricket), bowled full pitch but Shoreditch -
fury (obsolete). A
shooting in close to the ground ; and prostitute (1599).
(6) a black morning coat (Harrow) as Shores. Lake Shore Ry. Shares.
distinguished from the tail coat worn Short. 1. A card (all below the
by the Fifth and Sixth Forms. eight) prepared so that nothing above
Shooting-iron. A gun or revolver. the eight can be cut : by which the
Shooting - stars. Dizziness: as chances of an honour turning up are
caused by a blow. reduced to two to one : cf. Long and
Shop. ( 1 ) Generic for a place of : Brief. 2. In pL, knee breeches, small
residence, business, manufacture, en- clothes. 3. A
bear (q.v.) ; one who
gagement, or resort ; and (2) one's has sold short, and whose interest ia
profession, business, or occupation ; to depress the market as :
adj. or adv.,
(3) (old, and thieves'), a prison :
(1) not in hand when contracting to
whence, as verb, to imprison, to deliver ; or (2) unable to meet one's
confine ; (4) a guardroom also spec. :
engagements : e.g. short of Eries,
The Royal Military Academy ; and Brighton A's, etc. 4. In pL, flannel
(5) a place whence to be shopped (or
:
trousers, cute (q.v.). As adj., (1)
get a shop), to come in first, second, or Unadulterated, neat (q.v.) : as subs.,
third ; and (6) to kill, to burke (q.v.) ; a dram [spec, of gin] unlengthened
business in society
to talk shop, to talk :
by water ; (2) a term used by cashiers
Fr., parler boutique
; to sink the shop, of banks, in asking how a cheque is to
to refrain from shop - talk ; shoppy be paid, How will you take it ? i.e.
(or full of the shop), wholly engrossed in gold or notes ? if in notes, Long or
in business matters ; the other shop, short ? i.e. in notes for small or large
a rival (trader, establishment, etc.). amounts (Hotten) ; (3) hard up ; short
As verb, to work in a shop ; whence of cash (1603). Phrases and col-
shopped, (1) in work, also (2) dis- loquialisms To come short home, to be
:

charged. Phrases: To shut up shop, imprisoned ; to bite off short (tailors'),

(1) to come to an end, to retire ; (2) to dismiss abruptly, or refuse curtly ;
to cease talking (1570); and (3) to to cut it short, to be as brief as may
finish, to do for to come (or go) to the
; be ; short and sweet, a jesting regret,
wrong shop, to make a mistake ; 'ill or sarcastic comment : frequently with
over the shop, confused, awry. the addition, like a donkey's gallop ;
Shopkeeper. An article long in the short and long (or the short and
stock sometimes old shopkeeper.
:
plain), ( 1 ) the whole truth : now
Shop-lift (lifter, or bouncer). usually the long and the short : also
'One that steals under Pretence of (2) a couple of persons, one of dwarf
Cheap'ning' (B. E.): cf. lift Hence and one of giant stature walking
shop-lifting and similar compounds together short
; of puff, winded ;
(1678). short (or short-uxiisted), crusty, irrit-
Shopocracy. The world of shop- able ; short of a sheet, crazy ; for short,
keepers : cf. Monocracy, Shamo- for brevity's sake ; short hone A
cracy, etc. is soon curried, a simple matter is
Shoppy. (1) Commercial ; (2) full soon disposed of ; short commons,
of shops ; and (3) see Shop. not too much to eat ; short-limbered,
Shop-shift. A tradesman's trick. touchy ; a short shrift and a long rope,
408
 Short-ear. Shovel.

instant dispatch ; a short memory, cheating their employers hi which

iorgetfulness. they take the fares and pocket them,
Short-ear (American University). generally of such passengers as they
A rowdy : Lamb.
see overtake on the road, or who come
Shorter. One who dwindles the sur- across the country to the main road
face and the edges of coins by clipping, and are not put down in the way-bill :

filing,shaking together in a bag, pre- hence shoulder-stick, a passenger not

cipitation, or other means a sweater ;
on the way-bill see Short-one and
:

(q.v.). cf. Swallow slip of the

(1828). A
Short-head. A horse that fails by shoulder, seduction. See Cold shoulder,
a short head. Wheel.
Shortheels. A wanton. Hence, Sho u 1 d e r-clapper. A bailiff ;
short-heeled, unchaste. shoulder-dapped, arrested (1593).
Short-length. small glass of A Shoulder-feast. A dinner given
'

brandy, a wee three.' to bearers after a funeral (1785).

Short-one. A passenger whose Shoulder-hitter. A bully, rowdy :
name was not on the way - bill, spec, a gambling tout (1858)
shoulderstick (q.v.), a bit of fish (q.v.). Shoulder-knot. A footman.
Shoulder-of-mutton fist. A coarse
'

Short-pot. False, cheating Potts

used at Ale-houses, and Brandy- big, broad hand in contempt. :

shops' (B. E.). Shoulder-pegged. Stiff-limbed.

Short-staff. See Gentleman. Shoulder-sham. A Partner to a
Short-stick. An insufficient length. File. (B. E.)
Shot. 1. A
reckoning, a share of Shout. A
turn in paying for a
expense. 2. Money (generic) as : round of drinks. Hence as verb, to
shot in the locker, money in hand, or at stand treat ; shouting, a general in-
will ; also shot-bag,
a purse ; shot-free, vitation to drink ; to shout oneself
nothing to pay also scot-free shot-
: ; hoarse, to get drunk : see Charter the
clog, a simpleton, tolerated because Bar.
he is willing to pay reckonings ; shot- Shouting. All over but the shout-
flagon, the host's pot, given where the ing, said of anything obviously
guests have drunk above a shilling's- finished.
worth of (Halliwett) ; whence
ale Shove. Phrases: To shove for (or
shot-pot, one
entitled to the shot- to be on the shove), to move, to try for ;
flagon ; shot-ship, a company shar- to shove the moon, to remove secretly,
ing and sharing alike ; shot shark,
-
by night see Moon ; to shove the
:

a waiter (1591). 3. A corpse. 4. A tumbler, to be whipped at the cart's

guess. 5. An attempt, a venture tail (B. E.) ; a shove in the mouth, a

(1844). As adv., drunk see Screwed :
also shot in the neck see Shoot. As
verb, to fake a horse a dose of small
: dram ; to shove the queer, to pass bad
:
money ; a shove in the eye, a punch in
: the eye generic ; to give the shove, to
:

shot gives a temporary appearance of send packing to get the shove, to be

;

sound-windedness. As intj., (Royal dismissed see Bag.

:

High School, Edin. ), a cry of warning Shove -

halfpenny (also Shove-
at the approach of a master. Phrases :
[or Shovel-] board, Shove -
groat,
Like a shot, quickly, at full drive ; Slide-groat, Slide-thrift, or Push-
shot in the neck, drunk ; see Screwed ; penny.) A gambling game, played
shot in the tail (or giblets), got with on a table on which transverse lines
child ; not by a long shot, hopelessly out have been drawn rather more than
of reckoning : whence a long shot, a the width of a halfpenny apart. The
bold attempt or large undertaking :
play consists in sending the halfpenny
also see Shoot. by a smart stroke of the palm from
Shot-clog. See Shot. the end of the table so as to make it
Shot-soup. Bad pea-soup. rest in the compartments formed by
Shotten-herring. A term of con- the lines. [Ed. VI. shillings, as being
tempt: spec, a lean meagre fellow. smooth and easily pushed, were much
Hence, shotten -
souled, despicable in vogue as counters.] (1528).
(1598). Shovel. 1. A hat, broad-brimmed,

Shoulder. Shouldering, among turned up at the sides, and scooped in

coachmen and guards, is that species of front, as worn by deans and bishops
409
 Shy.

of the Established Church also :

Shrimp. 1. A dwarf, a pigmy in :

shovel-hat whence shovel-hatted. 2.

:
A hansom - cab see Shofu). 3. An
ignorant marine engineer. Phrases:
contempt (1383). 2. A prostitute.
: Shuck. The lowest standard of
value spec, the paper currency of the
;

Put to bed with a shovel (or spade, Confederate States at the close of :

buried ; He was fed with a shovel (or the Civil War these notes became a*
fire-shovel), a jeer at a large mouth). valueless as pea-shucks ; hence, less
That's before you bought your shovel, than shuck, less than nothing to care ;

You are too previous, That's up (or be worth) not a shuck, to care (or be
against you, That settles your hash. worth) little shuckless, worthless ;
;

Shover. One who utters base Shucks I Nonsense : a contemptuous

money; a smasher (q.v. ); a sour- denial or refusal. As verb, to un-
planter (q.v.): also shover of the dress, peel (q.v.).
queer. Shuffle. 1. Tomake use of false
Shove-up. Nothing ( Vaux). pretences or unfair shifts. Shuffling-*
Show. (
1
)
An entertainment ; a fellow,
'
A slippery, shiteing Fellow
spectacle (as the Lord Mayor's show) ; (B. E.). 2. (Winchester), to pretend,
(2) one's business cf.
shop ; and (3) : to feign : as to shuffle sleep hence :

a piece of work : also show-box, a shuffler.

theatre (1530). (4) A chance, a turn, Shum. In pi., money see Rhino. :

an opportunity (1537). Phrases and Shunter. One who buys or sells

colloquialisms To show away (or off),
: stocks on the chance of undoing
to give oneself airs hence showing : his business, on one of the provincial
off, making the most of oneself ; to Stock Exchanges, at a profit.
show a leg (nautical), (1) to turn out ; Shurk. A sharper.
and (2) see Leg; to show up, (1) to Shut 1. To shut up, to hold one's
make an appearance (also to show one- tongue, to compel silence, to dry up
self), and (2) to expose also as subs, :
(q.v.) : also shut your neck (mouth,
in both senses to show the door (or
; head, or face ; Shut up I or Shut it /) :

the. outside of dismiss

the door), to FT., ferme ta boite hence, to be shut :

without ceremony ; to boss the show, to up, to be silenced, exhausted, or done

manage ; to show one London (school), for 2. To give up, as one
(1563).
to hold one by the heels upside down ; horse when challenged by another in
to see London, to hang by the heels as : a race. To be shut of, to be rid of,
from a trapeze to give the show
rail, ; freed from, quit of : as subs, a riddance
away, to blab ; etc. Also see Agility, (1596).
Cold Shoulder, Elephant, Heels, Leg, Shuts (Christ's Hospital). A hoax
Teeth, Water, White Feather. a sell (q.v.) : as intj., Sold again !

Shower. A shower-bath. To put up the shutters.

Shutters.
Showing. A front showing, parade 1. To
bung up an opponent's eye-
at short notice i.e. without time : To announce oneself a bankrupt, to
to properly prepare accoutrements stop payment
and kit Shutter-racket The practice of
Showman. A manager. robbing houses or shops by boring a
Show-Sunday. Among the com- hole in the window shutters and taking
monalty, Easter Sunday, when if you out a pane of glass (1785).
don't wear something new, the rooks Shuttle-bag. To swallow the
will bewray you ; at Oxford, the shuttle-bag, to get husky.
Sunday in Commemoration Week (a Shuttle - head (brain, or wit).
kind of University Parade took place An eccentric, a scatterling. Whence
in the Broad Walk of Christ's, but shuttle-headed,etc., nighty, scatter-
the invasion of Town has stopped it) ; brained shuttleness, rashness, thought-
;

amongst artists, Sunday etc., the lessness. Also shittle-head, etc. ( 1 440).
before sending in day, when the -
Shy. Generic for a piece of action :

studios are open to visitors and friends. as a throw, a chance, an attempt, a

Shreds (or Shreds and Patches). jibe as verb, to do, to make, to
;

A tailor. throw, and all other verbs of action

Shrieking (or Whining) Sister- (1824). As adj., adv. and verb, (1)
hood. The world of women re- missing, hard to find : whence shy-
formers hence, busybodies.
:
cock, one who keeps within doors for

410
 Shyster. Sight.

fear of bailiffs (Grote) henoe (2), coy, :

drinking saloon. Wanted as much as
queamish, cold, or averse (B. E.) ; a dog (or a toad) vxints a tide-pocket, a
(3) of dubious repute or character ; as simile used for one who desires any-
verb, to fight shy of, to keep out of the thing by no means necessary see also :

way, to abstain (1796). Wife.

Shyster. 1. One of a class of men Side-sim. A fool (1610).
who hang about the police courts of Side - slip. Bastard, a bye-blow
New York and other large cities, and (q.v.).
practise in them as lawyers, but who Side -
splitter. A funny story.
in many cases have never been ad- Hence, stde -
splitting, screamingly,
mitted to the bar ; they are men who funny.
have served as policemen, turnkeys, Sidetrack. To shunt (q.v.), to
sheriff's officers, or in any capacity by avoid, to place on one side, to dis-
which they have become familiar continue.
with criminals and criminal courts. Side - winder. heavy blow with A
2. Aswindler, duffer, or vagabond a : the also sidewipe (1850).
fist :

generic term (1903) of contempt. Sidledywry. Crooked (1785).

Sice. Sixpence see Rhino. :
Sidney-bird. See Sidney-sider.
Sick. In its primary, extended, Siege. 1. Excrement, faecal matter.
and old literary sense (as in the Bible 2. A
jakes. 3. Defecation : as verb, to
and Shakespeare), sick (disabled by stool (1548).
disease or bad health) now borders on Sieve. A
loose-spoken person, a
the colloquial, having been super- blab (q.v.) cf. As well pour water into
:

seded by ill, whilst sick is confined a sieve as tell him (1670).

to vomiting or nausea. There are Sift. To embezzle small coins :

also exceptional usages. Thus sick such as might pass through a sieve.
(muddy) wine ; sick (stale) fish ; a Sifter. A drink composed of
sick hand (at cards, esp. whist, with- whisky, honey, strawberry - syrup,
out trumps) ; a sick (pale) look ; a lemon, and ice.
sick (ruffled) temper, etc. :
also, It Sight. 1. Generic for magnitude
makes me sick (or gives me the sick), I (that is, something worth looking
am disgusted with it ; sick as a horse at):thus a sight of people, a multitude ;
(dog, rat, cat, cushion, or what not), a sight of work, untiring industry, or
sick as be ; sick of the idles (the
may enough and to spare ; a sight of money,
Lombard fever, or the idle crick and a large amount ; hence, out of sight,
the belly work in the heel), a pretence to unrivalled, beyond comparison ; a
be idle upon no apparent cause ; to smart (pretty, precious, powerful, etc.)
speak in the sick tune, to affect sick- sight, a great deal ; o sight for
ness ; sickly, untoward or disgusting ; sore eyes, something to please also :

sickrel (B. E.), a puny, sickly Creature. in sarcasm. 2. An opportunity, a

Also (American), lacking, in need of :
chance, a show (q.v.) to get within ;

as paint-stcfc, nail-stcfc : cf. home-sick, sight, to near the end. 3. An oddity,

mother -
sick, sleep
-
sick, etc. Like- a scarecrow also contemptuously,
:

wise, sitting up with a sick friend, an Her new jacket was a perfect sight,
excuse for marital absence all night or You've made yourself a regular
(1600). sight, Not fit to be seen (1694). 4.
Sickener. Too much (even of a As far as can be seen at one time, as
good thing), a cause of disgust : cf. the reach of a river, or a bend in a
Bellyful. road thus, in directing a person, Go
:

Side. conceit;
Swagger (q.v.), three sights on, and take, etc. also :

thus, to put on side, to give oneself a look. 5. A gesture of derision the :

airs FT., se hancher.

: As intj., Yes ! thumb on the nose -tip and the fingers
See Blanket, Best side, Blind side, spread fan-wise also Queen Anne's :

Jack, Mouth, Pull, Right side, Seamy, Fan ; a double sight is made by joining
Set, Shady, Shinny, Split, Wrong the tip of the little finger (already in
side. position) to the thumb of the other
Sideboard. A shirt -collar of the hand, the fingers being similarly
stand - up ordjer. In pi., whiskers, extended ; emphasis is given by
ide-wings, gills (q.v.). moving the fingers of both hands as if
Side-pocket. An out-of-the-way playing a piano similar actions are :

411
 Silver-grays.

taking a grinder (q.v.) or working the worms are, it seems, indulged by the
coffee-mill (q.v.) ; pulling bacon (q.v.) ; tradesmen ; for though they never
making a nose (or long nose) ; Cocking buy, they are ever talking of new silks,
nooks, etc. (1702). To put out of laces, and ribbons, and serve the
sight, to eat, to consume. owners, in getting them customers
Sign. Here may be arranged two (Steele, 1714).
or three obsolete colloquialisms : sign Silly. simpleton A also silly- :

of a house to let, a widow's weeds a kind of clown,

billy (or willy), spec,
(1785); the sign of the feathers, a or rather a clown's butt but not ;

woman's best good graces ; at the sign after the style of Pantaloon, for the
of the horn, in cuckoldom ; the sign part is
comparatively juvenile ; Silly
of the prancer (1567), the Nag's Head ; Billy supposed to be a schoolboy,
is
the sign of the three balls, a pawn- although not dressed in a charity-
broker's ; sign of the five (ten, or fifteen) boy's attire. He is very popular with
shillings, The Crown, The Two Crowns, the audience at the fairs ; indeed, they
or The Three Crowns (1785) to live ; cannot do without him (1620). Also
at the sign of the cat's foot, to be hen- siilyton and sUliken. Hence to knock
pecked. one silly, to hit out of time, or to affect
Signboard. The face see Dial : au possible e.g.:Shf knocked him
Sign - manual. The mark of a She sent him
silly, of! his chump (wits,
blow (1822). onion) about her.
Sikes. See Bill Sikes. Silly-season. The parliamentary
Sil. See Silver-beggar. recess in the absence of debates, with
:

Silence. To knock down, to stun, a real or assumed dearth of news,

to kill (1785): whence silencer, a the newspapers are driven to print all
knock-down or stunning blow. Silence kinds of political and social twaddles :
in the court, the cat, etc., a gird upon cf. Gigantic gooseberry, Shower of
any one requiring silence unnecessarily frogs.
(Grose). Silver. In pi., India Rubber,
Silent-flute. See Flute. Gntta Percha, and Telegraph Co.
Silk. LA
King's Counsel ; also shares : the works are at Silvertown.
silk-gown the canonical K.C.'s robe is
; See Penny.
of silk that of a Junior Counsel of
; Silver-beggar (or lurker).
stuff ; hence to take silk, to attain the A tramp with briefs (q.v.) or fake-
rank of King's (or Queen's) Counsel. men ts (q.v.) concerning bogus losses
2. A bishop the apron is of silk (1838).
:
by shipwreck, accident, and the
fire,
To carry (or sport) silk, to run (or like guaranteed by forged signatures
;

ride) in a race. or shams (q.v.) of clergymen, magis-

Silk-petticoat. See Silk-stocking. trates, etc., the false subscription-
Silk post. Assumption of a gentle- books being known as delicates (q.v.).
man commoner's gown. Oxf. Univ. Also ail, (1) a forged document, and
Cant (Grose). (2) a note on The Bank of Elegance,
Silk-purse. See Sow's ear. or The Bank of Engraving (1859).
Silk-snatcher. Thieves who Silver-cooper. A kidnapper.
snatch hoods or bonnets from persons Silver-fork (Winchester obsolete). :

walking in the streets (Grose). A wooden skewer used as a chop- :

Silk-stocking. A rich man stick when forks were scarce (Mans-

or woman. [Silken hose were re- field, c. 1 840). The Silver Fork School*
garded as extravagant and luxurious.] a school of novelists which laid
Hence, the silk-stocking gentry (or on the etiquette of the
especial stress
element), the wealthy classes ; and drawing room as Theodore Hook,
:

silken, luxurious ; Your silkiness I Lady Blessington, Mrs. Trollope, and

Mr. Luxury. Also silk - petticoat, a Lord Lytton it is only within the
:

woman of fashion (1596). last forty years that the old two-
Silkworm. A
the cant among pronged steel fork has been ousted by
hackney fraternity best for their cheap four-prongs in imitation of
customers, women who ramble twice silver ware.
or thrice a week from shop to shop, to Silver-grays. At a convention of
turn over all the goods in town with- New York State certain measures being
out buying anything. The silk- unacceptable, many withdrew whose
412
 Silver-hett. Sink.

locks were silvered by age, drawing S i n. The Devil aa the incarna- :

forth the remark, There go the silver tion of evil.

grays ! The term remains and is the Sinbad. An old sailor.
only one now (1859) used to dis- Sines (Winchester). Bread ; a
tinguish one branch of the Whig sines, a small loaf.
party (Bartlett). Sinews of War. Money: generic:
Silver-hell. A
low-class gambling see Rhino (1626).
den : where silver is the usual stake Sing. To cry
usually as a threat
:

(1820). to a crying child, I'll give you some-

Silver - hook. To catch fish with thing to sing for. Phrases: To sing
a silverhook, to purchase a catch out, (1) to raise the voice ; (2) to cry,
in order to conceal unskilful angling : or call out, from excess of emotion;
It., pescar col hamo ffargenta and (3) to inform, peach (q.v.); to
(1670). sing small, to lessen one's pretensions,
Silver - laced. Lousy e.g. The : to eat humble pie (1785) ; to sing (or
cove's kicksies are silver-laced, The pipe) another song (or tune), to modify
fellow's breeches are covered with one's conduct, manner, etc. ; to sing
lice (1785). the same song, to repeat the weakness ;
Silver - spoon. Born with a silver to sing it, to exaggerate, to swagger, to

spoon in one's mouth, born rich: It., chant the poker ; to sing out beef
aver la pera monda (to have his pear (thieves'), to call out stop thief ! Also
ready pared) (1670). proverb, He could have sung well
Silver State(The). Nevada. before he broke bis left shoulder with
Sim (Cambridge University). A whistling. See Black Psalm, Placebo,
Simeonite, or member of the Evan- Te Deum.
gelical section of the Church of Eng- Singed-cat. An epithet applied to
land ; a Low Churchman. The a person whose appearance does him
modern equivalent is Pi-man. [The injustice.
Rev. Charles Simeon (1759-1836) was Single - broth (or tiff). Small
64 years Vicar of Holy Trinity, Cam- beer : see Screwed (1635).
bridge]. Single-peeper. A one-eyed person
Simkin. See Simpkin and Simple. (1785).
'Simmon. See Persimmon. Single-pennif. A five-pound note :

Simon. 1. Sixpence see Rhino. : see Finnup.

2. A trained horse. 3. (King Edward's Single-soldier. A private.
School, Birmingham). A cane ob- :
Singleton. 1. A
very silly, foolish
solete. [See Acts ix. 43.] fellow (B. E.). 2. corkscrew : A
Simon Pure. The genuine article : from the name of a Dublin cutler
also as adj. (1717). famous for his tempering (Orose). 3.

Simpkin (or Simkin). 1. Cham- A single card of any suit in a hand :

pagne : a native pronunciation. whist also a hand containing such a
:

2. The fool in comic ballets. See card.

Simple. Sing - song. 1. (old), a poem ; 2.
Simple. In pi., folly ; hence, as (common), a convivial meeting at a
in proverb, To go to Battersea to be public house at which each person
cut for the simples, to take means to is expected to contribute a song, a
cure of foolishness (Battersea was free-and-easy (q.v.); 3. (nautical), a
famous for its herb gardens). Also Chinese theatre and 4. (colloquial),
;

Simpleton (Simkin or Simple Simon), crooning. As

musical (1656).
adj.,
a credulous person Simple Simon : Sink. 1. A
slum, a rookery also :

Suck-egg Sold his wife for an addled sink-hole. 2. A centre of anything

duck-egg (1670). disreputable (1565). 3. A confirmed

Simple Arithmetic. See Arith- tippler. 4. The throat: see Sewer;

metic. hence to fall down the sink, to take
Simpson (or Simson). 1. Water : a drink. 5. (The Leys School). A
spec, when used for diluting milk ; heavy feed ; a stodge (q.v.). 6. A
hence, Mrs. Simpson (or Simpson's glutton. Phrases To sink the noble- :

cow), the pump, the cow with the iron man (lover, etc.), to suppress, to keep
tail. 2. Poor milk : see Sky-blue and in the background cf. Shop ; sink me ! :

Chalkers (1860). a mild imprecation (1772).

413
 Sinb-r. Sixer.

Sinker. 1. In pi., base money Sir Walter Scott. A pot of beer.

(Snouvlen, 1857). 2. A dollar. Siserara (Sarsara, Siserara,
Sinner. 1. A publican cf. : Luke Sasarara, etc.). 1. A writ of removal
xviii. 2. A harlot. Old tinner, a from a lower to a higher Court. 2. A

jesting reproach. blow, a scolding, an outburst ; with a

Sipper. Gravy. sarsara, with a vengeance, suddenly
Si quis. 1. A public notice of (1607).
ordination. [These commenced Si Sister. A disguised prostitute. See
quis, If
any]. 2. A candidate for Brother Smut.
holy orders. 3. Any public announce- Sisterhood. Harlotry in general.
ment. As verb, to make hue and cry Sit.Situation : e.g. out of a sit,
(1599). out of a job. Phrases : To sit on one's
Sir (Sir John or Mass - John). knees, to kneel ; to sit under, to attend
A parson ; spec, a country parson the ministry of some particular divine ;
or vicar (B. E. ) :
see Sky pilot - to sit a woman, to keep the night-

(1380). courtship (q.v.) cf. Bundle ; to sit

:

Sir Garnet. All right, as it should on (or upon), (1) to take to task, to
be. [An echo of the days when snub in anger, contempt, or jest ;
Sir Garnet (now Viscount) Wolseley also sat - upon, adj., reprimanded,
was in the forefront of military snubbed ; and (2) to allow milk to bum
matters.] in the pan ; to sit eggs, to outstay one's
Sir Harry. A jakes : see Mrs. welcome ; to sit in, to adhere firmly ;
Jones. To visit (or go to) Sir Harry, to sit up, to pull oneself together ; to
to evacuate the bowels. make one sit up, to astonish, dis-
Sir Hugh's bones. See Bones. concert, or get an advantage. See also
Sir Jack's Sauce. See Jack Bodkin, Skirts.
Sauce and Sauce. Sith-nom. A month.
Sir John Barleycorn. See Sit-on-a-rock. Rye whisky.
Barleycorn. Sit-still-nest. A cow-shard,
Sir John Lack-Latin. See Lack- quaker (q.v.), pancake (q.v.).
Latin. Sitter. A sitting room ; cf. Brek-
Sir Oliver. See Oliver. ker, Footer, Saccer, etc.
Sir Petronel Flash. See Petronel. Sitting-breeches. To wear one's
Sirrah An angry, contemptu-
!
sitting breeches, Tostay long in com-
ous, or jesting address also (modern) :
(Orose) : also to sit longer than a
pany
sirree I (or sirree, bob /) (1526). Ken : cf. To sit eggs.
Sirretch. A cherry. Situation. A place.
Sir- (or save-) reverence. 1. Sit-upons. Trousers see Kicks. :

An apology : the commonest of ex- Siwy. Word

of honour, assevera-
pressions, tor nearly six centuries, on tion e.g. 'pon my siwy, It's true,
:

mentioning anything likely to offend, Honour bright cf. Davy. !

or for which an excuse was thought Six. 1. Beer sold at 6s. a barrel ;

necessary. Whence, 2. excrement; small beer cf. Four-half and (modern)

:

and as verb, (1) to evacuate, and Six ale ( 163 1 ). 2. (Oxford Univ. ). A
(2) to excuse oneself. [Lat., salvd privy. At sixes and sevens, in con-
reverentid, whence sa'reverence, sur- fusion, at loggerheads also to set on :

reverence, and sir-reverence] (1356). sewn, to confuse, to disarray (1340).

Sir Sauce. See Jack Sauce and Six of one and half a dozen of the other,
Sauce. much alike, not a pin to choose
Sir Sydney. A clasp knife. between them, never a barrel the
Sir Thomas Gresham. To sup better herring.
with Sir Thomas Oresham, to go Six-and-eightpence. 1. A soli-

hungry : see Duke Humphrey (1628). citor: see Green-bag (1756). 2.

See Perthshire Greybreeks. usual fee given, to carry back the
Sir Timothy. One that treats body of the executed malefactor, to
everybody, and pays the reckonings give it Christian burial (B. E.).
verywhere (B. E.). Six-and-tips. Whisky and small
Sir Tristam's Knot The beer (1785).
hangman's noose see Ladder and : Sixer. 1. Six months' hard laboui
Horsecollar. 2. (prison). A six-ounce loaf.
414
 Six-footer. Skew-the-dew.

Six-footer. A person six-feet (or (skary, scary), (1) dreadful; (2)

more) in height. frightened, nervous (1582).
Sixpence. See Spit. Skeesicks. 1. A good-for-nothing;
Sixpenny (Eton). A playing field. also like dog, rogue, rascal, in playful
As adj., cheap, mean, worthless : address. 2. A
fidgety, fussy, little
generic hence sixpenny strikers, petty
: fellow.
footpads (1598). Skeet. A
variant of scoot (q.v.),
Six-shooter. A six chambered to run, decamp. As adj. and adv.,
revolver. Six-shooter horse, a swift swift, fleet (1360).
horse. Skeeter. A mosquito.
Sixty. Generic for magnitude ; Skelder. A rogue, a sponge (q.v.) :

like sixty, brisk, rapid. as verb, to cheat, to play the sponge :

Sixty-per-cent. A usurer : also cf. Skellum. Hence skeldering,

cent-per-cent (1616). swindling, sponging.
Six-upon-four. The rations of Skeleton. A skeleton in the cup-
four men served out amongst six. board (locker, closet, house), a secret
Six-water grog. Six of water to source of trouble, fear, or annoyance
one of spirit. Fr., un cadavre.
Size (and Sizar) (Cambridge Univ. Skellum (or Scellu m). A
Dublin). 1. A portion
'
and Trin. Coll., rascal, a vagabond Skelder (1611).
: cf.
of bread or drinke, i. is a farthing, Skelper. Anything big or strik-
which Schollers in Cambridge haue at ing see Spanker and Whopper.
:

the butterie ; it is noted with the Skelter. See Helter-skelter.

letter S., as in Oxeford with the letter Skensmadam. A show dish, some-
Q. for halfe a farthing and q/u. for times sometimes sham.
real,
a farthing and whereas they say in
;
Skerfer. A blow on the neck.
Oxford to Battle in the butterie booke, Sket. A skeleton-key.
i. to set downe on their names what Skevington 's daughter (or
they take in Bread, Drinke, Butter, irons). See Scavenger's-daughter.
Cheese, etc. so in Cambridge they say Skew. 1. A beggar's wooden dish
to size, i. to set downe their quantum, or cup (B. E.). 2. (Harrow). An
1. how much they take on their names entrance examination at the end of
'
in the'Butterie booke ( Minsheu, 1617); term that at the commencement is
:

To sup at one's own expense if a man : the dab, after which there is no further
asks you to sup, he treats you if to : chance ; a shaky candidate tries the
size, you pay for what you eat, liquor dab first as verb, to turn back, to fail.
:

only being provided by the inviter : Skewer. 1. A sword. As verb,

sizing -party, a number of students (a) to run through ; and (b) to impose
who contribute each his part to- on. 2. A pen :
Fr., griffarde (or
wards a supper (Orose) ; the sizers griffonante).
paid nothing for food and tuition, and Skew - fisted. Awkward, ungainly
very little for lodging ; but they had (B. E.).
to perform some menial services from Skew - gee. A squint : as adj.,
which they have long been relieved. crooked, skew'd, squinting.
They swept the court they carved up ; Skewgy-mewgy. A certain
the dinner to the fellows' table, and caustic composition, to yachts- known
changed the plates, and poured out men by the mysterious name of
the ale of the rulers of the society skewgy - mewgy, damp and active
(Macaulay). The grade no longer under the scrubbing - brushes and
exists practically speaking, it has
:
holystones of her crew.
ceased to exist for a century (1592). Skewing. In pi., perquisites,
2. Half-a-pint (1785). 3. Result, makings (q.v.). [Properly skew
state, fact. As verb, to measure, to (gilders'), to remove superfluous gold
gauge, to reckon up also to size up
:
leaf, and to make good defects.]
(1380). Analogous terms are cabbage (tailors') ;

Skary. See Skeer. blue - pigeon (plumbers') ; menavel-

Skedaddle. Hasty flight: also ings (beggars') ; fluff
(railway clerks');
skedaddling. As verb, to scamper pudding, or jam (common).
off, to scatter, to spill. Skew - the - dew. splay-footed A
Skeer. To scare. Hence skeery person, a bumble-foot (q.v.).
415
 Skewvow Mink.

Skewvow. Crooked, inclining to makers') skin the lamb (or have a

one side (Grose) also all askew.:
skinner, (a) to win with an unbacked
Skid (or Skiv). 1. A sovereign: see horse ; (6) to swindle ; and (c) to take
Rhino. 2. A volunteer, a militia- toll (q.v.): hence skin-game (e.g.
man. To put on the skid, to speak skin-faro), a swindle :
skin-house, a
or act with caution. gambling den ; skinner, (a) a sharping
Skiff. A leg [?]. cheat, a thief : spec. (American) a
Skiffle.A great hurry cf. Scuffle. : looter infesting both camps ; (6) a
Skill. A goal kicked between pirate ; and (c) a race, which being
posts. won by a rank outsider, skins the ring
Skillet A ship's cook. (1821); (2) to shadow (q.v.): spec,
Skillingers (The). The 6th (Innis- when previous to arrest ; (3) to strip,
killing) Dragoons also The Old : to peel (q.v.) whence skinner, a
:

Inniskillings. woman who strips children of their

Skilly (or Skilligolee). 1. A clothes ; (4) to plant a deck (q.v.) see :

thin broth or soup of oatmeal and Concave, Broads, and Reflector ; (5)
water. 2. Anything of little or no to abate a price, to lower a value :
value. Skilly and tolce, prison fare. cf.
Shaving the ladies ; (6) to thrash :
Skilt. In pL, trousers : see Kicks. also to skin alive. Other colloquial-
Skim. Money : generic see : isms and phrases By the skin of one's
:

Rhino. teeth,a narrow escape, the closest of

Skimble - skamble. Rigmarole, close shaves ; to skin out, to decamp ;
nonsense as adj., wandering, con-
; to skin the cat (gymnasts'), to
grasp the
fused, incoherently (1598). bar with both hands, raise the feet
Skimmery (Oxford Univ.). St. and so draw the body, between the
Mary's Hall. arms, over the bar ; like eels, used to
Skimmington. 1. A ludicrous skinning, of good heart ; to skin the
cavalcade, in ridicule of a man beaten eyes (see Keep) ; all skin and whip-
by his wife. A man behind a woman, cord, well-trussed ; in good condition ;
face to horse's tail, distaff in hand, in (or with) a whole skin, uninjured,
which he seems to work, the woman with impunity ; to save one's skin, to
beating him with a ladle a smock on ; escape unhurt : see Bacon ; to skin a
a staff is carried before them denoting flint (see Skin-flint) ; honest as the
female superiority. They are ac- skin between his brows (or horns) see :

companied by rough music, frying Brow ; to skin a razor, to drive a hard-

pans, bulls' horns, marrowbones and and-fast bargain ; to skin one's skunk,
cleavers, etc. (Grose). Also to ride to do one's own dirty work ; in a bad
theskimmington (or [Scots'] the stang). skin, angry ; clean-skin (Australian),
[For a long description see Butler, an unbranded beast cf. Maverick ;:

Hudibras, n. ii. 585.] Hence, 2. a to leap (or jump) out of one's skin, to
row, a quarrel (1562). be startled or pleased ; in her (or his)
Skimp. To stint, to scamp (q.v.). skin, evasive as to a person's where-
As adj., insufficient, meagre ; skimp- abouts.
ing (or skimpy), scanty, carelessly Skin - coat To curry one's skin-
made, slightly treated. coat, to thrash.
Skimshander. See Scrimshaw. Skin-disease. Fourpenny ale.
Skin. 1. A purse, a pocket-book Skinflint (or Skin). A griping,
any receptacle for money thus a :
sharping, close-fisted fellow (B. E.).
queer skin, an empty purse frisk the ; As verb (or to skin, or flay, a flint, fly,
skin, clean him out 2. A sovereign, stone, etc.), to pinch, to screw, to
20s. see Rhino.
: 3. In pi., a tanner starve: cf. (proverbial) to skin a flea,
(1785). 4. See Skinner. 5. trans- A and bleed a cabbage ; skinny, mean,
lation, a crib (q.v.), a Bohn (q.v.); stingy ; the skinflinteries. The Museum
also as verb, to copy a solution ; and of Economic [now Practical] Geology,
skinner, one using an irregular aid to Jermyn St, W. See File, Flay, Flea,
study. 6. Punch made in the glass : and Flint (1761).
as a whisky -skin, a rum -skin, etc. Skinful. A bellyful liquor or
7. See Skinflint As verb, (1) to rob, food (1600).
to strip, to clean out (q.v.): spec, Skink. Primarily to draw, serve,
(racing) to win all one's bets ; (book- or offer drink. Whence as subs.,
416
 Skin-merchant. Skunk.

drink or lap (q.v.); and skinker, (I) Skirt. In pi., women (generic) :
a tapster, or waiter (2) a landlord, ;
cf. Petticoat, Muslin, etc. To sit
and (3) one who waits on the company, upon one's skirts, to pursue ( 1525).
rings the bell, stirs the fire, and snuffs Skirter. 1. A
hound running wide
the candles ; the duty of the youngest of the pack. 2. hunter who doesA
officer in the military mess (Grose) ; not ride straight to hounds, but makea
in a family the person latest at break- short cuts cf. Shirker.
:

fast,on whom some domestic duty is Skirt-foist. A

general amorist.
imposed or threatened for the day, Skit. 1. A
jest, a satire also as :

such as ringing the bell, putting coal verb, to wheedle (Grose) (1779). 2.
on the fire, or in other cases, drawing A wanton (1583).
the beer for the family (Hattiwett) Skitter-brain (or wit). A
(1200). flighty person : also Skitterbrained, etc.
Skin- merchant. A recruiting Skitting-dealer. A sham dumby.
officer (1783). Skittles. Nonsense ! Other col-
Skinned - rabbit. A very spare loquialisms are All beer and skittles,
person. everything easy or to one's liking ;
Skinner. 1. See Skin. 2. A bird all up, as skittles when down, a difficulty,
fat enough to burst its skin when shot. something to tackle or do again.
Skin-of-the-creature (or Skiv (or Sciv). sovereign, 20s. : A
A bottle see Creature.
crater). : see Rhino.
Skin-the-lamb. Lansquenet : see Skowbanker. A loafer, a hanger-
also Skin. on: also showbanker.
Skintight. A sausage. Skower. See Secure.
Skintling. At right angles. Skrimp (or Skrump). To steal
Skip. 1. A footman, a grass- apples.
hopper (q.v.) : whence spec. 2. (Trin. Skrimshanker. See Scrimshanker.
Coll., Dublin), a college servant : cf. Skrunt. A prostitute.
Gyp and Scout also skipkennel (1672).
: Skue. The rump.
As verb, ( 1 ) to decamp also to skip :
Skug. See Scug.
out (or off), and to do a skip ; (2) to die : Skulker. A soldier who ....
see Hop the twig ; (3) to read hastily, evades his duty ; a sailor who keeps
picking out passages here and there ; below in time of danger one who ;

(4. University), to shirk work also :

keeps out of the way when work is to
skipper, a hasty reader ; and skipp- be done to skulk, to hide oneself ; to
;

able, easily and quickly read. avoid labour or duty (Grose).

Skip-brain. Flighty, volatile, Skull. 1. The head of a
college:
fickle (1603). see Golgotha ; whence skuU-race, a
Skipjack. LA horse-dealer's university examination. 2. Any chief,
jockey ( 1568). 2. A nobody, a trifler : as the President, the head of a busi-
also skipper (1580). ness, the captain of a vessel, etc. My
Skipper. 1. A barn whence as : awake (q.v.), fly (q.v.).
skull's afly,
verb (or to skipper it), to sleep in the Skull and Crossbones (The).
straw or in Hedge Square (q.v.) ; The 17th (The Duke of Cambridge's
skipper-bird, a barn-rooster or hedge- Own) Lancers. [The Regimental
tramp (1567). 2. The Devil. 3. 'A Badge.] Also The Death or Glory
Dutch Master of a Ship or Vessell' Boys Bingham's Dandies
; The ;

(B. E.) ; in modern use any ship's Gentlemen Dragoons ; and The Horse
captain. 4. A leader or chief in any Marines.
enterprise, adventure, or business. Skullduggery. See Scullduddery.
6. A master, boss (q.v.), governor Skull-t hatcher. 1. A straw-
(q.v.) (1483). 6. The cheese-hopper: bonnet maker. 2. A hatter. 3. A
hence skippery, full of mites. See wig-maker. Skull-thatch, a hat or wig.
Skip and Skipjack. Skungle. A generic verb of action :

Skipper's - daughter. A crested to decamp, to steal a watch, to gobble

wave, a white-cap (or horse). up food, etc. cf. Skyugle. :

Skipping. Light, giddy, volatile Skunk. 1. A mean, paltry wretch ;

(1594). a stinkard (q.v.) (1841). 2. Utter

Skirry. A run : also as verb, to defeat : as verb, (1) to disgrace : cf.
Bcurry (Parker, 1781). Slam. To neglect to pay.
(2)
417
 Sky. Slampam.

Sky(or Ski) (Westminster). 1. verb, (1) ski to (q.v.) ; and (2) squitter
Any one not of the school an ab- :
(q.v.). On the skyte, drunk see :

breviation or corruption of Volsci : Screwed.

the Westminster boys being Romans. Skyugle.S (At'corps staff officer
2. See Skyrocket. As verb, (1) to informed me that he had been out on
bane, throw, or hit high (e.g. a picture a general scyugle ; that he had
at the Royal Academy whence the :
scyugled along the front, when the
sky, the upper rows of exhibitors ; a rebels scyugled a bullet through his
ball at cricket hence skyer (or sky-
: clothes ; that he should scyugle his
scraper a high hit) ; (2) to spend servant ; who, by the way, had
freely till all's blued (q.v.); to sky a scyugled three fat chickens ; that
copper, to spin a coin (1800); (3) after he had scyugled his dinner, he
(Harrow), to charge, knock down at :
proposed to scyugle a nap (Army
football :throw away. // the
also to and Navy Journal).
sky falls we a retort to
shall catch larks, S k y-w annocking. A drunken
a wild hypothesis cf. if pigs had : frolic.

wings they d be likely birds to fly. Slab. 1. A milestone. 2. A brick-

Sky-blue. 1. Gin (1755). 2. layer's boy (HaUiwdl). 3. thick A
Diluted or separated milk (1800). slice of bread and butter : cf. Door-
Sky-farmers. People that go about step. 4. In pi., a flat cake. To slab off,
the country with a false pass, signed to reject.
by the Church Wardens and Over- Slabber ing-bit. A neck- band :

seers of the parish or place that they clerical or legal.

lived in, and some Justice of the Slabberdegullion. See Slabber-
Peace, but the names are all forged ; degullion.
in this manner they extort money, Slab-sided. Tall, lank, up and
under pretence of sustaining loss by down in figure :also slap-sided.
fire, or the distemper amongst the Slack. 1. In pi., overall trousers.
horned cattle (Poutter). 2. A
smashing or knock-down blow.
Skygazer. A skysail. Jack Slack, champion 1750-60, was
Sky-godlin. Obliquely, askew. known for his powerful delivery : also
Sky-lantern. The moon : see slack-' un : cf. Auctioneer and Mendoza,
Oliver. 3. A
slack time. To hold on the slack :

Skylark. Originally tricks in the to skulk, to loaf.

rigging of H.M. Navy hence any ; Slack- jaw. Impertinence.
rough - and - tumble
horseplay. As Slag. A slack-mettled fellow, one
verb, to frolic, to play the fool ; sky- not ready to resent an affront (Grose).
larking, boisterous merriment or fool- Slake. To kiss.

ing ; and skylarker, a practical joker. Slam. trick. 1. A

2. At whist a

Skylarker. 1. A housebreaker fol- game without scoring also as

lost :

lowing brick-laying as a blind. 2. verb, to take every trick cf. Skunk. :

See Skylark. 3. A sloven also slamkin, one whose

:

Skylight. The eye. clothes seem hung on with a pitch-

Sky-parlour. A garret (1807). fork (Grose). 4. Any ill-made, awk-
Sky-pilot. A clergyman, bible- ward, ungainly wretch { 1 697 ). As verb,
pounder. (1) to brag; spec, (military) to feign
Skyrocket. 1. A pocket: also drunkenness and boast of many
Sky. 2. Eccentricity. drinks : cf. Slum ; (2) to patter (q.v.),
Skyscraper. Generic for height to talk in the of trade.
:
way
e.g. (1) a very a very
tall man ; (2) Slam-bang. See Slap.
lotty building spec. (American) erec-
: Slamkin (Slammocks, or Slam-
tions sometimes twenty stories high ; merkin). A slut (q.v.). As verb, to
(3) a triangular sail set above the slouch.
royals, a sky-sail, sky-gazer, or angel's Slammer. Anything exceptional.
footstool (q.v.) and (4) a skied ball
; : Hence slamming, large, exceptional.
hence skyscraping and other deriva- Slampam ( Slampaine. Slam-
tives. (5) A cocked hat. pambes, or Slampant). A blow.
Skypper. See Skipper. To cut off (or give the) slampambes,
Skyte (Shrewsbury). A day boy to circumvent, to get the better of
who lives or lodges in the town. As (1563).
418
 Slamtrash. Slate.

Slamtrash. A sloven. Slap. 1. Booty, plunder. 2.

Slaney. A theatre. Make-up : also as verb. As adj.,
Slang. 1. To speak slang. 2. To first-rate, smart (q.v.), prime (q.v.):
scold or abuse. 3. As adj , ( 1 ) relating . also slap-up ; cf. Bang-up ; whence
to slang ; (2) low, unrefined ; and (3) slapper, anything exceptional ; slap-
angry also slangy and slangular.
:
ping, very- big, excellent (1851). As
Slanginess, the state of being slangy ; adv., violently, plump, off-hand; also
slang-boys (or boys of the slang), those slap-bang, slam-bang, and slap-dash ;
who speak slang ; slangster, a master as subs., (a) careless work, and (b) in-
of flash (q.v.) ; slangwhanger, a speaker discriminate action ; as verb, to go
addicted to slang whence slang- :
recklessly to work (1671). slap (or A
whanging, and slangwhang, to scold ; slat) in the face, a rebuff, a reproach.
alangander (American), to backbite ; See Slop up.
slangoosing (American), tittle-tattle, -
Slap bang Shop. 1. petty A
back -biting, esp. of women (1743). cook's shop, where there is no credit
4. Aleg iron, a fetter (1785) ; formerly given, but what is had must be paid
about three feet long, the slang being for, down with the ready slap-bang,
attached to an iron anklet riveted on i.e. immediately. This is a common
the leg: the slack (q.v.) was slung to appellation for a night cellar fre-
the waistbelt. 5. A watch-chain in :
quented by thieves (Grose). Also
Dutch slang, slang, (a) a snake, and Slam-bang shop. 2. A stage coach, or
(b) a chain. 6. False weights and caravan (1785). See Slap.
measures (e.g. a slang quart, 1 pts.) ; Slap-jack. See Flap-jack.
as verb, to cheat by short weight or Slappaty-pouch (or Slatter-pouch).
measure also to defraud a person of
:
Beating the arms on the chest to
any part of his due. 7. beggar's A keep warm (1654).
pass, a hawker's license : any official Slap-sauce. A hanger-on, a
instrument ; on the slang, begging or toady. As adj., to sponge (q.v.) (1557).
peddling hence, 8. a pursuit ; a lay
:
Slap-sided. See Slab-sided.
(q.v.) ; a lurk (q.v.). 9. (showmen's), Slash. An outside pocket. As
(a) A travelling show, a cheap-jack's verb, to criticise severely, sarcastic-
van and (b) a performance ; a turn
:
ally, or at random, to cut up (q.v.) :
(q.v.) e.g. the first, second, or third
: also to slash in. Hence slashing,
slang (q.v.), when more than one damning criticism ; as adj., trenchant,
performance is given during the harsh ; slasher, & vigorous critic.

also the slangs, (a) a collec- 1. A

evening : Slasher. bully, a bravo : see
tion of shows, and (b) the showman's Furioso. 2. A pounding pugilist, a

profession ; slanging and slang-evil, to Hittite (q.v.). 3. See Slash (1593).

exhibit anything in a fair or market,
such as a tall man, or a cow with two
heads ; slang-and-pitcher shop, (a) a
cheap-jack's van, an (6) a wholesale
dealer in cheap- jack wares ; slang-
tree, (a) a stage, and (b) a trapeze
hence to climb up the slang tree, (a) to
perform, and (b) to make an exhibition
4. A sword. 5. Anything exceptional :
hence slashing, exceptionally brilliant,
vigorous, successful, expert, etc. : also
as adv., as a slashing fine woman ; a
slashing good race ; and so forth.
: The Slashers, the 1st Batt. Gloucester-
shire Regiment, formerly The 28th
Foot also The Old Braggs and The
:

of oneself. To slang the mauleys, to Rightabouts.

shake hands. Slat. Half-a-crown 2s. 6d. ; see :

Slangrill (or Slangam). A lout Rhino ; As

verb, to throw,
also slate.
(1592). beat, or move with violence (1604).
Slant. 1. An opportunity, a Slate. 1. sheet A
also slat (1567). :

chance originally nautical, a favour-

: 2. A preliminary list of candidates
able wind e.g. a slant across the bay.
: recommended to office ; a party pro-
2. A side-blow. As verb, (1) to run gramme ; in practice a secret under-
away ; (2) to exaggerate, to draw the standing between leaders as to the
bow (q.v.); (3) to wager: see candidates they desire the nominating
ar Convention to adopt : to smash (or
silantendicul
i ar (or Slanting- break) the slate, to defeat the wire-
dicular). Indirect; a slant (q.v.). pullers ; to slate, (a) to prepare, and
Also as adv. (b) to be included in such a list :
419
 Slater's Pan. Slid.-.

date - smasher, a leader who ignores Sleeping-partner. 1 . A partner in a

the wishes of his party. As verb, (1) trade, or shop, who lends his name and
to reprimand or criticise, to cut up money, for which he receives a share
(q.v.) hence dating (or a slate), a
: of the profit, without doing any
part
blowing up, severe censure, unsparing of the business (Orose). 2. bed- A
criticism (1300) ; (2) a woman is said fellow.
to be slated when her petticoat falls Sleepy. Much worn, threadbare :
below her gown (HalliweU) (3) to bash ; e.g. a sleepy pear, a pear beginning to
a man's hat over the eyes, to bonnet decay a sleepless-hat, shabby head-
;

(q.v.) ; (4) to bet heavily against an gear with nap worn off (Grose).
entry. A elate off (loose), etc., crazy, Sleepy-head. A dullard.
a loose (q.v.).
tile Sleepy, Queen's (The). The
Slater's Pan. The gaol of Kings- Queen's Royal Regiment, late the
ton in Jamaica ; Slater is the deputy 2nd Foot.
provost- marshal (Grose). '
Sleepy-seed. In pi., the mucous
Slathers. Abundance, lashin's secretion about the eyelids during
an' lavin's.' sleep : cf. Sand-man.
Slaughter. 1. To sell at a sacri- Sleeve. Here occur one or two
fice hence slaughter-house, a
(q.v.) :
phrases and colloquialisms To hang
:

shop or auction-room where goods are on (or upon) a sleeve, to be dependent ;

bought or sold for what they will to laugh in one's sleeves, to deride or
bring slaughterer, ( 1 ) a vendor at
;
exult in secret to wear one's heart ;

cost, and (2) a buyer for re-manu- upon one's sleeve, to make no mystery,
facture as books for pulp, cloth for
: to be artless ; in (or up) one's sleeve,
shoddy, etc. (1851). Slaughter of the hidden, in reserve, ready for use ; to
Innocents see Innocent.
:
pin to one's sleeve, to flaunt ; to hang
Slave-driver. 1. A harsh task- on another's sleeve, to accept another's
master, a strict master. 2. (Harrow authority.
cricket). The upper ground on these Sleeveboard. A hard word to
days is given up to practice at the pronounce, a jaw-breaker (q.v.).
nets for the eleven and the Sixth Form Sleeveless. Fruitless, inadequate,
game, and to practise in fielding and wanting a cover or excuse, impertinent
catching ; boys below the Removes or trifling now only in phrase, a
:

have to fag for them, and these fags sleeveless errand, a fool s errand (1400)
are managed by slave-drivers, three Slewed. Drunk : see Screwed :
or four boys appointed for the purpose also slued (1845).
(Oreat Public Schools). Slewer. A
servant-girl: cf. Dutch
Slavey. A drudge male or slang sluer (or door), a poor, common
female, a servant of either sex (Orose). woman.
Also (old) slaving gloke (1821). Slibber-slabber. Careless.
Sledge-hammer. To hit bard, to Slick. 1.
bold, direct, Quick,
batter. perfect whence, :
clever, plausible, 2.
Sleek. See Slick. expert, smart (q.v.) also sleek (1605). :

Sleek-and-slum Shop. A public- To dick up, to tittivate (q.v.), to

house or tavern where single men and smarten, to put in order.
their wives resort (Bee). Slick-a-die. A pocket-book: see
Sleep. To provide sleeping ac- Dee.
commodation : cf. Room. To sleep Slicker, subs. (Western American).
on bones, to sleep in a lap e.g. Let : An overcoat :
spec, a waterproof also :

not the child sleep on bones, i.e. in sleeker.

the nurse's lap (1670). To sleep on Slide. 1. To decamp; to skip
both ears, to sleep soundly, without a (q.v.): also to slide out, (I) to leave
care (1633). stealthily ; and (2) to shirk by :

Sleep-drunk. Drowsy, confused : artifice. 2. To backslide ; to weaken

as on waking from heavy sleep. (q.v.) :
e.g. from a resolution, attitude,
Sleeper. 1. A sleeping-car. 2. Un- or promise. As subs., an error, *
claimed money. falling transgression
away ; sliding,
'

Sleeping-house. Sleepinge House, (1603). To

to let go ; to
let slide,
without or Cellar, allow things to take care of them-
Shop, Ware-House, '

only for a private Family (B. E.). selves (1369).

420
 Slide-groat. Slog.

Slide-groat. Shove-halfpenny (q.v.). to attack, and (2) to execute with

Slider. In pi., drawers. vigour ; to slip up, to err, to trip ;
Slide-thrift. See Shovel-board. a slip of the tongue, an inadvertency
Slim. Delicate, feeble. As adv., in speech make a slip, to give
; to
resourceful, smart (q.v.). chastity the go-by whence see Slip. :

Slime (Durham School). 1. To Slip-along. See Slipshod.

cut games. 2. To lounge, to loaf : Slip-gibbet
(halter, rope, string,
slimeing down town.
e.g. 3 (Felsted), or thrift). A prodigal, one deserving
To sneak along to do a ; slime, to take of (or who has cheated) the gallows
a crafty advantage. 4 (Harrow). To (1590).
go round quietly. 5 (Harrow). To Slippery. Soap Fr., gli&sant. As :

make drops at rackets. adj. and adv., (1) untrustworthy,

Sling. A generic verb of action. false, wanton also slipper, slippy, and
:

Thus (1), to throw away or pass to a slip skin whence slippery- fellow (or
:

confederate and (2) to do easily

; ; trick), deceitful (B. E.) one on whom :

to sling a pot, to drink ; to sling the there can be no dependence (Grose)

booze, to stand treat ; to sling a bob (1553); (2) quick.
(a tanner anything), to give; to. Slip - shod. Careless, slovenly :

sling one's hook (bunk, or daniel), to that is slipper-shod also slip-along, :

decamp ; to sling a doddle, to shake slip-slop (1605).

hands to sling a cat, to vomit ; to
:
Slip-slop. 1. A blunder : as adj.,
sling a tinkler, to ring the bell ; to slovenly, inaccurate cf. Slipshod :

sling a poem, article, or book, to write ; (1797). 2. In pi., shoes (or slippers)
to sling a hat, to wave one in applause ; down at the heels also (Norfolk) :

to sling the smash, to smuggle tobacco slip-shoe. As

here and there, adj.,
to prisoners ; to sling about, to loaf ; allover the shop also slip-slap and :

to sling ink (or a pen), to write hence : verb (1721). See Slop.
inkslinger, & clerk or author ; to sling Slip-thrift. See Slip-gibbet.
a foot, to dance ; to sling one in the Slit. A pocket.
eye, to blacken it ; to kill a crow with Slither. 1. To slip, to make away,
an empty sling, to gain without effort ; to smooth. 2. To hurry. Also
to sling off (patter, or jaw), to talk, slithery, slippery (q.v.).
to abuse, to insinuate : cf. Slang ; to Slive. To sneak or lounge away,
sling a snot, to blow one's nose with to idle. Slive Andrew, good - for-
the fingers : also to sling ; to sling (or nothing sliverly, artful ; sliving, idle.
;

jerk) a part, to undertake a r6le to : To let dive, to let fly (1707).

sling a nasty part, to play so well that Slobber. Badly distributed ink.
another would find it difficult to rival As verb, ( 1 ) to kiss effusively also as :

it ; to sling round on the loose, to act subs, and slabbering (1583); (2) to
recklessly ; sling yourself (let her sling!) scamp work : also to slobber over.
Bestir yourself. Slobberdegullion. SeeSlub-
Slinger. A piece of bread floating berdegullion.
in tea. Slobberer. (1) A slovenly farmer ;

Slinging. Covering, indefatigable, and (2) a jobbing tailor (Halliwett).

effortless. Slobgollion. Whaleman's term for
Slink. 1. A sneak. 2. A greedy an oozy stringy substance found in
starveling. 3. cheat : A hence as sperm oil (C. Russell).
adj. (or slinky), (1) sneaky, mean ; and Slog. 1. A blow. 2. A bout of
(2) thin, lank. 4. bastard A : cf. fisticuffs. 3. A large portion, spec,
slink, to miscarry (of beasts). a big slice of cake. As verb, (1) to
Slip. 1. A counterfeit coin also :
hit, or work hard (2) to punish ;

slip-coin : whence to be nailed up for (q.v.), to pound (pugilists'), and (3)

slips, to be tried and found wanting to tackle a matter seriously. Whence
(1592). 2. A miscarriage ; an abortion : slogging -match, a hard fight or tussle ;
also as verb, to miscarry. Phrases : slogger, (I) a pugilist given to hard
To slip one's cable (breath, or wind), hitting, and (2) a steady worker ;
to die see Aloft ; to give the slip, to
:
slogging, a beating, a fight ; and to
escape unobserved a slip (or fall)
; have a slog on, to put on a spurt in :

'twixt cup and a thing not done America the spelling slug,
lip, slugger,
may spoil in the doing ; to slip into, (1) etc., is accepted.

421
 Slogger. Slumgullion.

Slogger (Camb. Univ.). 1. A boat button up one's coat, to make all

in the second division : secure (Orose).
corresponding
to the Oxford Torpids. See Slog. Slow. A sluggard, a lazybones.
Slop. 1. In pL, liquid food spec, : As adv., (1) stupid ; spiritless, tedious
weak tea or any thin beverage taken
:
(1855); (2) (Winchester). Ignorant
medicinally (Orose): also slip -slop: of Winchester notions (q.v.).
as adj., feeble, poor, weak ; as verb, to Slow-back. A loafer (1619).
eat or drink greedily, to mop up (q.v.) : Slowcoach. 1. A dullard, a lout
also to slop (or slap) up, or to slop it ; 2. A dawdler. 3. An antique, a fossil
flopping up, a drinking bout ; slop- (1857).
feeder, a tea-spoon slop-tubs, tea- ; Slow-up. A slackening of speed.
things ; slip-sloppy, slushy, watery Also as verb, to go easy.
(1515). 2. In pi.. Wearing apparel Slubberdegulhon. A slovenly,
and bedding used by seamen (Orose) :
dirty, nasty fellow (B. E.). Also
hence ready - made clothing slop- ; SlabberdeguUion. As adj., paltry,
seller, a dealer in ready-made clothes ; dirty (1619).
slop-chest, a ship's supply of clothes Slued. See Slewed.
and bedding usually doled out at :
Slug. Generic for sloth. 1. A
cost the register of drone, a lazybones also dug-a-bed,
price ; slop-book,
:

supplies ; slop-work, (1) the cheapest : and (now accepted) sluggard. 2. A

hence (2) any work poorly done ; hindrance. 3. A slow-paced boat,
sloppy, ill-fitting (originally an outer horse, etc., or (B. E.) & dull-edged
garment made of linen). 3. A tailor. tool ; as adj. (also sluggish and duggy),
4. A policeman : a corruption of lazy, slow ; as verb, ( 1 ) to laze, and
esclop (1851). 5. (Christ's Hospital). (2) to hinder (1383). 4. A dram:
A term of contempt. As verb, (1) to hence to fire (or cant) a slug, to drink
make a mess ; (2) to walk or work in (Orose) (1762). 5. An of gold ;
ingot
the wet. To slop over, to enter into a twenty-dollar piece (Ency. Diet.),
with enthusiasm and speak (write, or but in Century Diet, a gold coin of the
act) like a fool, to put on side (q.v.), value of fifty dollars privately issued
to make a mistake (1859). in San Francisco during the mining
Slope. 1. To run away, to bunk excitement of 1849.
(q.v.) as subs., an escape : e.g. to do
:
Slugger.See Slogger.
a slope (1840). 2. To sleep (1610). Sluice. The mouth also sluice-:

Sloper's Island. weekly tene- A house. As verb, to paddle, to bathe

ment neighbourhood :
spec. c. 1870 (or wet) freely (1859). To sluice the
the Artizan's Village near Lough- bolt (dominoes, gob, or ivories), to
borough Junction, originally in the drink heartily see Dominoes (Orose) :
:

midst of fields ; now in the centre of sluicery, a public-house (Grose). To

a densely populated neighbourhood. sluice off, to divert, to lay aside (1862).
Slopper (The Leys School). A Slum. 1. Nonsense, a trick, a
slop basin
cf Footer, Brekker, etc.
: . swindle e.g. a sham begging letter,
:

Sloppy. Loose, slovenly. a roll of snide notes, etc. hence up :

Slosh. A drink. As verb, to go to slum, knowing, not to be had (q.v. ) ;

here and there, to knock about (q.v.) to fake the slum, to do the trick. 2.

(1854). Idle talk; as verb, (1) to trick, to

Slosher (Cheltenham College). A cheat ; and (2) to talk idly, or to
boarding-house assistant they are :
speak slang (1821). 3. A room. 4. A
charged with superintending dormi- squalid street or neighbourhood, a
tories, the evening work, etc. rookery (q.v.):
usually in pi., with
1. A back : as verb, (a) to explore poor
Slouch. clumsy lout, an idler.
2. Anything indifferent :
usually in quarters out of curiosity or charity ;
phrase no slouch. 3. An awkward (b) to keep to back streets to avoid
lumpish gait as verb, to walk lump-
: observation ; and (c) to keep in the
iahly or sullenly ; slouching (or slouchy), background. 5. A a package :
letter,
awkward, ungainly, heavy (Orose) anything in hand. f>. The
call slum- ;

(1570). 4. A slouch -hat a hat (i.e. fake, the coffin ; slumming, acting
with a broad and drooping brim) (1872).
(1818). Slumgullion. A representative,
Slow. To lock up, to fasten, to a servant (Bartlett).
422
 Slumguzzle. Smart.

Slumguzzle. To deceive. Hence valent properly Responsions. 3. A

:

slumguzzling, humbuggery (Barttett). one-night performance in a small town

Slummy. A servant girl. or village by a minor company carry-
Slump. 1. A sudden fall : of ing its own fit -
up. As adv., timidly,
prices; an ignominious failure: e.g. humbly :
e.g. to sing (or speak)
a slump in Kaffirs as verb, to : fall small (q.v.).
heavily (Scots') slump, all of a piece, Small - and -
early. An evening
to come down with a rush. 2. A party : informal and breaking up at
gross amount ; the whole e.g. a : an early hour (1865).
slump sum as verb, to lump, group
: Small beer. 1. Weak beer. 2.
together (1856). 3. To recite badly, trifles; to chronicle small beer, (1) to
fail, bungle. engage in trivial occupations, and (2)
Slung. Slung out on hands and to retail petty scandal ; to think small
knees, instantly dismissed. beer of anything, to have a poor opinion
Slur. 1. A cheat at dice also a ;
of it. Also small things. As adj.,
slight scandal or affront (B. E.). 2. petty (1604).
To cheat (1664). Small cap. O. A second or inferior
Slush. 1. Food. 2. A foul feeder : incommand, an under overseer.
also slush-bucket ; slusher (or slushy). Small cheque. A dram, a drink.
3. A drunkard. 4. Indifferent matter, To knock down a cheque, to spend all
padding (q.v.). in drink.
Slut. 1. A dirty housewife. 2. An Small Fry. Generic (1) for things
awkward person or thing. 3. A little and (2) for things trifling or
;

wench (q.v.) cf. Quean. 4. A

: bitch. valueless.
As verb, to befoul sluttery ; (also Small Hours. The first three or
sluttishness), neglect; sluttish, (1) four hours after midnight : usually
wanton and (2) untidy (1400).
; the small hours of the morning. Also
Sly. 1. Under the rose ; trans- short hours (1796).
acting business privately is frequently Small Potatoes. See Potato.
said to be done upon the sly (Grose). Small pill (The Leys School).
2. also by the sly ; to
Illicit : run sly, A diminutive football used on
to escape, to evade (1787). runs.
Slyboots. A seemingly simple but Smart. Generic for superior, out
really clever and designing fellow of the common, distinguished. [In
(B. E.) (1680). senses 1, 2, and 3 there is often, but
Smabbled (or Snabbled). not necessarily, an implied suspicion
Killed in battle. of something questionable. 1. Lively,
Smack. 1. A twang or ill taste witty, pert (B. E.): e.g. a smart
(B. E.). 2. A
a fancy: e.g.
liking, (clever) book a smart (ready) reply ; a
;

He had a real smack for the old 'un : smart (bright) saying a smart (spark- ;

cf. smackering, a longing for (Bailey). ling) speech; a smart (brisk) lad, etc.
3. A kiss also smacker whence
: : 2. Well-dressed, fashionable, brilliant
to smack calfs skin, to take oath e.g. a smart (elegant and modish)
(1786). Smack - smooth, level with the frock ; a smart (attractive and amusing)
surface, everything cut away (Grose) show ; smart (fashionable) societi/ :

(1790). hence smart, subs., (1) a dandy (old),

Smacking-cove.
(B. E.).
Small. 1. In pi., breeches spec,
the close - fitting knee - breeches of
the 18th and early 19th centuries
also small-clothes (Grose A gird at the
affected delicacy of the present age a
suit being called coat, waistcoat, and
articles or small clothes). 2. In pi.,
Greats, so far as the name existed in
my time, meant the Public Examina-
A coachman and (2) one in advance of the prevailing
standard of good taste. 3. Quick,
:
expert, shrewd : e.g. a smart (pre-
cocious) child ; a smart (clever) work-
: man ; a smart (enterprising) trades-
: man ; a smart (capable, active, and
; neat) soldier, sailor, hand, etc. 4.
(American), clever, knavish, and un-
scrupulous. 5. (Prov.), Cold: e.g. a
smart ( biting) morning. 6. (colloquial)
Uncommon e.g. smart (hard) going
: ;

tion, as distinguished from Respon- smart (resolute and lively) hitting ;

sions, Little-go, or smalls (FreenMn). smart (capable) work. As adv., very,

pi., Little-go is the Cambridge equi- large, considerable, vigorously with :

423
 Smart-money. Smith field-bargain.

such derivatives and combinations aa the phrase originated in the examina-

smarty (subs.), smartness (subs.), and tion of a convent in Massachusetts
smartish (adj.) (1383). See Smart- by legislative order J (1555). See
money. Smeller, Cork, Elbow-grease, Foot-
Smart-money. (1) Given by the lights, Grease, Ink-horn, Lamp, Rat,
King, when a man in land or sea- Roast
service has a leg shot or cut otl, or is Smeller. 1. The nose: see Conk
disabled (B. E.) ; hence (2) a fine; (1678) in pi., nostrils.
: 2. A blow on
and (3) vindictive damages also
: the nose, a nosender. 3. In pi., a
smart. cat's whiskers (Grose). 4. A spy ; a
Smash. 1. Iced brandy and water. Paul Pry (q.v.).
2. Mashed vegetables potatoes, tur-
: Smell-feast 1 A parasitic glutton ;
.

nips, and the like (Grose) (1851). 3.
Tobacco hence to sling the smash, to
:
pass tobacco to a prisoner. As verb,
as adj., sharking for victuals. 2. A
point (q.v.) feast (1599).
Smelling-cheat 1. The nose see :

(
to utter base coin : hence smasher,
1 ) Cheat and Smeller (1567). 2. An
(a) base coin or paper ; and (6) one who orchard, garden, or nosegay (Har-
passes base money into circulation ; man).
(2) to give change : as subs., loose Smell-smock. See Smock.
change ; (1823) ; (3) to ruinate, to go Smelly. Offensively odorous
bankrupt : also (military) to be (1863).
reduced or broke : aa subs, (or smash- Smell-powder. A duellist (Bee).
up), destruction, bankruptcy;
ruin, Smelt 1. A
gull; hence fool,
all to smash, all to pieces, completely (proverbial), Westward for smelts !
(1847); (4) to beat badly; to double (old colloquial), on the spree (Le. in
up hence smasher, a settling blow ;
; search of conies, male or female (1600).
(1832);(5) to kick downstairs: e.g. 2. Half-a-guinea (B. E.).
The chubbs touto the blesses, they Smicker. To look wantonly : as
Hinash, and make them brush, The adj., amorous smickering, amorous
;

sharpen catch their mistresses on the inclination ; smicldy, amorously (1606).

hop, kick them downstairs, and make Smicket A smock or shift (1719).
them clear out (B. E.). Smiggins. Hulk soup.
Smasher. 1. Anything exceptional, Smile. A drink : as verb, to drink,
a settler whence smashing, crushing
:
spec, in company cf. Shout (1855).:

(1854). 2. See Smash. 3. A north Smiling. To come up smiling, to

country seaman (Clark Russell). rise superior to the moment.
Smash-feeder. A Britannia- metal Smirk. A
finical spruce fellow.
spoon. To smirk, to smile or look pleasantly
Smatterer. One half-learned. A (B. E.).
Smattering, a slight tincture in any Smish. A chemise, a shirt cf. :

skill or learning (B. E.). Caniesa and Mish (Grose).

Smear. 1. A plasterer (Grose). 2. Smite. To get money, to rush
Food, hash, grub : espec. a society (q.v.) : acamedic term (Grose).
spread or supper (Bartiett). Smiter. 1. A sword (1591). 2. An
Smear-gelt A bribe (Grose). arm (B. E.).
Smectymnus. A word made out Smithereens (or Smithers).
names of five
of the first letters of the Small fragments. All to smithereens,
Presbyterian ministers, viz. Stephen all to smash (q.v.) (1855).
Marshall, Edmund Culamy, Thomas Smithfield - bargain. A bargain
Young, Mathew Newcomen, and whereby the purchaser is taken in.
'William Spurstow, who wrote a book This is likewise frequently used to
against Episcopacy, and the Common express matches, or marriages, con-
Prayer, A.D. 1641, whence they and tracted solely on the score of interest,
their followers were called Smectym- on one or both sides, where the fair
nians. sex are bought and sold like cattle
Smeekit. Drunk : see Screwed. in Smithfield (Grose). A marriage of
Smell. To investigate, to search ; interest, where money is the chief
to nose (q.v.): also to smell out. consideration the allusion is to buy-
:

Hence smelling committee, an in- ing a wife in Smithfield. Cf. Breton,

vestigating committee. [Bartiett : Olde Man's Lesson (1605), p. 7 : Fie on
424
 Smock. Snack.

these market matches, where marriages potatoes (cf. smother, an old cookery
are made without affection (Dairies) term rabbits smothered in onions).
(1598). Smouch. A low-crowned hat
1.

Smock. A woman : cf. Petticoat, (HaUiwett). 2. See Smous. As verb,

Placket, Skirt, Muslin, etc. Hence, (1) to kiss : as subs, (or smoucher), a
in combination, pertaining to, or kiss (1578) (2) to chouse, to trick, to
;

connected with women. Thus smock- take an unfair advantage.

face, an effeminate ; smock -
faced, Smous (or Smouch). (1) A Jew
snout-fair (B. E.), fair- faced (Grose), (Grose) ; also (2) a sharper (1705).
smooth-faced ; smock-vermin, a con- Smouting. By-work, odd jobs
temptuous address ; smock hold, - done by printers (1688) now grass- :

tenure during a wife's lifetime ; ing (q.v.).

smock -
government (or smock -
led), Smouze. To demolish: as with a
petticoat rule. blow.
Smoke. 1. A chimney hence ; Smug. blacksmith (B. E.)
1. A
(modern) the smoke, any large city :
(1611). affectedly proper or
2. An
spec. London : also the great smoke self-satisfied person ; hence as adj.,
(1687). 2. A
cigar: also the act of neat and spruce (B. E.). 3. A hard-
smoking dry-smoke, an unlighted
; reading student. As verb, ( 1 ) to work
cigar or pipe between the lips. 3. or study hard ; (2) to pilfer, to snatch,
Idle talk, vanity, anything of little to sneak into favour hence smug- :

or no value ; to end in smoke, to serve gings. Games had times or seasons . . .

or come to no useful end (1594). As . . . when any game was out, as it was
verb, (1) to examine, to suspect, to termed, it was lawful to steal the thing
observe, to discover, to understand, played with Tops are in, spin . . .

to twig (q.v.): cf. Smell, Nose, etc. : 'em again, Tops are out, smugging's
whence smoky,suspicious, in-
(a) about. Smug-lay, Persons who pre-
quisitive ; and
jealous (B. E. )
(6) tend to be smugglers of lace and
(1280) ; (2) to blush ; (3) to ridicule ; valuable articles ; these men borrow
to quiz (q.v.) : whence smoker, a money of
publicans by depositing
mocker, a practical joker ; smoking, their in then" hands
goods they ;

bantering (1698) ; (4) To affront a shortly afterwards decamp, and the

stranger at his coming in (B. E.) ; publican discovers too late that he
(5) to raise a dust by beating : cf. has been duped, and on opening the
to dust one's jacket (1596); (6) to pretended treasure he finds trifling
decamp. Phrases Like smoke, : articles of no value (Grose) also :

rapidly see Like ; all smoke, gammon,

:
smuggler. 5. To
4. To hush up.
and spinnach, all nothing ; No smoke, steal. To apprehend (1857).
6.
but there's fire (or, where there's Smuggle. 1. To cuddle, to fondle,
smoke there's fire), of a thing that cf. Snuggle (1698). 2. To sharpen a
will out (B. E.). See Knock, Pipe, pencil at both ends. Smuggler, a
Take (1851). pencil thus sharpened.
Smoker (or Smoke-shell). 1. Smuggling-ken. A bawdy house
A chamber-pot : see It. 2. A vessel (Grose).
to blind the enemies, to make way S m u k n. A brass
1 i farthing
for the machine to play (B. E.) 3. (Irish) temp. Eliz.
:

A smoking-carriage see Smoke. 4. : S m u s a. To snatch or seize

A tobacconist (B. E.). 5. At Preston, suddenly (Grose).
before the passing of the Reform Bill Smut. 1. Obscenity ; ribaldry
in every person who had a
1832, (1698). Hence smutty, lewd, obscene ;
cottage with a chimney and used the smuttiness, bawdry. 2. copper A
latter had a vote, and was called a boiler. 3. A grate. 4. Old iron.
smoker (Hattiwdl). See Brother Smut.
Smoke-stack. A steamboat. S n a b b 1 e. Generic for force :

Smooth. A meadow, a grass- e.g. to rifle, plunder, arrest, kill, eat

plot, a lawn. greedily (1724).
Smoother. A parasite, sponger Snabby (or Snab). Stylish, taste-
(1653). ful, good-looking [Bartlett a college :

Smotheration. 1. Suffocation. 2. word].

A dish (pork or beef) smothered with Snack. 1. A share, a portion:
425
to go snacks (or to mack), to share ; to worthier (1661). 3. A project, a
divide (1675). 2. A hasty meal, a business any happening :
e.g. a
bite (q.v.) (1763). 3. An innuendo, cold snap, a sudden spell of cold
a jibe :
e.g. That's a nasty snack for weather ; a soft snap, a pleasant time,
you : as verb, to quiz, to roast (q.v.). a profitable affair ; to give the snap
4. (Winchester College). A racket away, to discover also snap (thea- :

ball. trical), a short engagement. 4. A

Snaffle. Talk spec, conversation :
hasty meal, a snack (q.v.). 5. Know-
uninteresting or unintelligible to ledge, energy, go (q.v.), snappy,
those present cf Shop. As verb, ( 1 ) : .
lively, amusing. As adj., on the spur
to steal ; whence snaffle (or snaffler), a of the moment, without :
preparation
thief :
spec, a highwayman ; snaffling- as subs., a chance (or scratch) comer,
lay, highway robbery; snaffled, arrested player, crew, team, etc. ; thus, a
(1724) ; (2) to arrest, to pull up (q.v.). snap-division, an unexpected vote ;
Snag. 1. A tooth :
spec, a long snap-judgment, a verdict hastily got
irregular tooth : also snaggler see : or given snap-shot, (a) a shot fired
;

Grinders : whence snag - a

catcher, without deliberate aim, and (6) a
dentist (1717). 2. An unsuspected photograph taken unawares as verb, ;

hindrance or set-back American :

orig. to take an instantaneous photograph
a half sunken impeding river tree with a hand camera also to snap-shot. :

navigation hence, as verb, to em- : Phrases To snap the glaze, to smash

:

barrass to catch a snag, to get a

; shop windows (Grose) ; to snap the eye,
rebuff, to get snubbed cf. Snack. 3. : to wink ; on the snap, on the look-out,
A snail (B. E.). To snag on, to attach on the mouch (q.v.).
oneself to another. Snapped. 1. Drunk see Screwed :

Snaggle. angle for poultry. To ( 1844). 2. Taken, caught (B. E. ).

Snail. A
drone: cf. slug. Hence Snapper. 1.A pistol (1587). 2. A
as verb (or to go at a snail's pace or Castanet. 3. A cracker bonbon
837 ). ( 1

gallop) to move very slowly (1582). 4. A braggart also snapperhead.:

Snake. 1. term of contempt, A The Snappers, The East Yorkshire

2. Asecret plotter, a hidden foe: Regiment, formerly The 15th Foot :

e.g. a snake in the grass (1600). 3. also The Poona Guards.

A skein of silk. As verb, (1) to steal Snappish. Peevish, quarrelsome
warily : cf. Sneak ; (2) to beat, to (a man) apt to bite (a dog) (B. E.).
;

thrash. Phrases To snake out (along :

Snap-shot. See Snap.
or up), to drag or worm out ; to snake Snarler. A dog.
in, to steal in, to draw in ; to give one Snatch. 1. A shuffling answer, an

a snake, to vex ; to snake the pool, to evasive reply (1603). 2. A hasty

take the pool (billiards) ; a caution meal ; a snack (q.v.) ; also snatch and
to snakes, a matter of surprise, some- away (1573). In (or by) snatches, by
thing singular, a revelation (q.v.) ; fits and starts, spasmodically : also
snakes in the boots, delirium tremens :
snatchy (1573).
also to see snakes ; As sure as there's Snatcher. A thief spec, a camp- :

snakes in Virginny, as sure as may be. follower (1599). Snatrh-cly, a pick-

Snake-in- the-grass. A glass. pocket (Grose). See Bodysnatcher.
See Snake. Snatch-pastry. A greedy fellow.
Snakesman. See Sneak. Snavel. To steal spec, by snatch- :

Snam. To steal spec, to snatch :

ing or picking (q.v.) cf. Snabble and :

from the person also on the snam. : see Running snabble.

Snap. 1. A sharper, a pilferer, a
cheat spec, a thief claiming a share
:
of booty ; occasionally a sharking
lawyer also snapper and snapper-up
: :
as verb, to claim a share, to nap the
regulars (q.v.) ; on the snap, (a) waiting
a chance of robbery ; and (6) looking
out for odd jobs (1604). 2. A scrap,
a portion, a share cf. Snack ; hence a
small standard of value : e.g. not a
snap, nothing ; not worth a snap,
Sneak. A petty thief : also sneak-
thief,sneaking-budge, sneaksman, and
area-sneak, and cf. Ramp and Rush ;
The sneak is the practice of robbing
houses or shops, by slipping in un-
perccived, and taking whatever may
lay most convenient ; this is commonly
the first branch of thieving, in which
:
young boys are initiated, who, from
their size and activity, appear well
adapted for it ; to sneak a place is to
426
 Sneakbill. Snip-snap.

rob it upon the sneak ; a sneak is a A pocket-handkerchief. 6. A snuff-

robbery effected in the above manner ; box also sneezing coffer.
:

one or more prisoners having escaped . S n e e z y. The second month

from their confinement by stealth, (Brumaire, foggy) of the French Re-
without using any violence, or alarm- publican Calendar.
ing their keepers, are said to have Sne 1 1. A needle. Hence snett-
sneak'd 'em, or given it to 'em upon the fencer, a needle-hawker.
sneak ( Vaux) hence morning-sneak,
: Snib. A prig ( q. v. ).
an early bird (q.v.) evening-sneak, a ; Snicker. 1. A drinking cup ;

night thief upright sneak, a thief

; horn-snicker, a drinking-horn. 2. A
preying on potboys (B. E.) as verb, ; glandered horse.
to pilfer, to steal spec, to walk about : Snickersnee. 1. A knife. 2. A
undefinedly, to see what may be combat with knives : also snick-and-
picked up ; sneaking on the lurk (or snee (1617).
on the sneak), prowling for booty. 2. Snick-fadge. A petty thief.
In pi., shoes with canvas tops and Sn i c k1 e. To inform, to peach
india-rubber soles. 3. A ground ball (q.v.) (1859).
having no pitch whatever ; a daisy- Snicktog. To go shares.
trimmer (or cutter), grub, or under- Snide (or Snid.) 1. Sixpence see :

grounder (q.v.). Rhino. 2. Anything mean or spuri-

Sneakbill. See Sneaksby. ous as a contemptible wretch, coun-
:

Sneak- cup. One who shies his terfeit coin, etc. As adj. (also sniddy
drink hence, a paltry fellow, also
: or snidey), bad, wretched, contempt-
sneak-up (1598). ible, or (army) dirty. Snide-pitching,
Sneaker. 1. A small bowl: passing base coin.
e.g. a sneaker of punch. 2. A Sniffy. Disdainful.
sneak. Snifter. 1. A long-drawn breath.
Sneaking. Unavowed, undemon- 2. A dram, a go (q.v.). 3. A blizzard.
strative ; e.g. a sneaking kindness Pleasant smelling.
Snifty.
(liking, or preference) (1753). Snigger (or Snicker). To laugh
Sneaksby or Sneaks-
(Sneakbill, privately or in one's sleeve (B. E. ) ;
fa i 1 1). sneak A
cf. Idlesby, : ill suppressed laughter (Bee).
Suresby, Rudesby, Lewdsby, Wigsby, Snilch [sic.]. To see, to watch
etc. (Grose). Also sneaking, sheepish closely (B.E.).
or mean
spirited (B. E.); sneakbill, Snip. 1. A
share, a piece, a snack
sneaking (1577). (q.v.); to go snips, to share. 2. A
Sneck- drawer. A latchlifter, a good tip also snippet, a small piece ;
:

slyboots. Sneck -
draining, crafty, snippy (or snippety), fragmentary,
cheating (1401). absurdly small (1621). 3. tailor A :

Sneck up! Go hang ! Also also snipper, snip-cabbage, and snip-

snick up (1599). louse ; snipes, scissors ( Vaux).
Snee. See Snick-and-snee. Snipe. 1. A thin thing, male or

Sneerg. Greens. female in America, a small child.

:

Sneering. Jeering, flickering, 2. A simpleton ; snipe-knave (Cot-

laughing in scorn (B. E.). grave) so called because two of them
:

Sneeze. 1. Snuff also snish. 2. : are worth but one snipe (1602). 3.
The nose see Sneezer. To sneeze at,
: A lawyer. 4. A long bill. 5. In
to despise, to scorn usually in phrase :
pi., the fingers (1834). 6. Scissors
not to be sneezed at, worth having or (Grose). 7. A half-smoked cigar. 8.

considering (1820). A curbstone broker, a gutter-snipe

Sneeze- (or Snuff-) lurker. A (q.v.) (1870). As verb, to fire at
thief working with
snuff, pepper, random into a camp.
and the like. Togive the sneeze (or on Snipper- snapper. An insignifi-
snuff) racket, to dose a man in the cant person, a whipper-snapper (q.v.)
eyes, and then rob him (Grose). (1677).
Sneezer. 1. Severe weather
as a :
Snippy (Snipenny, Sniptious, or
hard frost or a violent gale. 2. Any- Snippish). Vain, conceited, pert.
thing exceptional a stiff glass, a Snip-snap. A neat verbal effect.
knock-out blow. 3. A martinet. 4. As adj., quick, sharp, smart (q.v.)
The nose also sneeve see Conk. 5.
: :
(1594).
427
 (Snirp, Snuff.

Snirp. An undersized contempt- (q.v.) : also snoozem. 2. A bed : see

ible wretch. Kip. As verb (or snoozle), to nestle ;

Snitch. 1. In pL, handcuffs : also snoozer, (a) a sleepy-head, and (6) a

anitchera. 2. A fillip on the nose domiciled boarding - house or hotel
(B. E.): also snitchd. 3. The nose. thief ; snoozing, sleep ; snooze - ken
As verb, (1) to inform hence gnitcher, ; (or snoozing -ken), (a) a bed, (6) a bed-
an informer (2) to nark (q.v.) (1812).
; room, (c) a lodging-house, (d) a brothel ;

Snitched. Glandered. snooze-case, a pillow-slip ; snooty, a

Snite. To wipe ; to snite a candle, night watchman or constable (Grose).
to snuff it ; mite hit snitch, wipe his Snopsy (Snops, or Snaps). Gin
nose or give him a good flap on the (i.e. Schnaps).
face (B. E.) (1400). S n o r k (Shrewsbury School). To
S n i v. 1. To hold one's excel, to surpass : e.g. to do the whole
tongue :
e.g. Sniv that I 2. Bender !
(q.v.). of an examination paper, or to cap
Snivel. Hypocrisy, cant (q.v.): another in argument or repartee.
as verb, to complain, to bleat (q.v.). Snort. To laugh in derision (1835).
Hence sniveller (or snivdard), a Snorter. 1.
Anything large or
whining malcontent snivelling, hypo- ; exceptional :
spec, a gale of wind, a
critical repentance (1440). heavy snow-storm : cf. Sneezer (1830).
Snivel-nose. A niggard (Hattiwdl). 2. The nose : see Conk.
Snoach. To speak through the Snot. 1. Nasal mucus. 2. A
nose, to snuffle (1785). contemptible wretch also snotter and :

Snob. 1. A
shoemaker (Grose) ; snottie, a midshipman. As verb, ( 1 ) to
spec, a journeyman cobbler (Hallitcell) blow the nose ; (2) to act scurvily ;
2. An inferior. 3. A toadying or snottery, filth (1598); snotty, running
blatant vulgarian also as adj. with : at the nose, mean, dirty ; snotty-
numerous derivatives e.g. snobbery, :
nosed, contemptible, filthy ; snot-
snobbishness, and snobbism, snobbess, gall (or anotter), the nose ; snot-
snobbish, snobbishly, and snobby, snob- rag (snottinger, or snotter), (1) a
ling, snoboeraey, snobographer, and pocket-handkerchief ; and (2) the nose
snobography. 4. A blackleg, knobstick, (also snot- and snottle-box) : snotter also,
rat, scab (q.v.). 5. Mucus, snot (q.v.). a handkerchief thief: snotter -hauling,
As verb, to sloven one's work cf. : sneaking of wipes (q.v.) ; snotted, re-
Snobbery. primanded Fr., moucht.
:

Snobbery. Bad work, slack trade, Snout. 1. The nose in contempt. :

etc. cf. Snob.

: To hide the snobbery, 2. The face: also snout-piece (1785) ;
to conceal imperfections or cover up snout- fair, pretty, comely (1567). 3.
inferior work. Tobacco : see Wright and Trafficking ;
Snob 's-boot. Sixpence see Rhino. : also (itinerants') a cigar.
Snob's-duck. A leg of mutton, Snow. Linen
spec, linen hung
:

stuffed with sage and onions. out to dry also snowy.

: Hence snow-
Snpbstick. A black-leg, rat, gatherer (or dropper), a hedge-thief.
knobstick (q.v.) also snob. : Snowball. A
negro (Grose) Fr., :

Snock. To land a blow : e.g. to boidede neige.

snock on the gob, to punch one in the Snow-broth. 1. Snow-water
mouth. (B. E.). 2. Cold lap (q.v.) (1603).
Snoddy. A soldier. Snub. To check, to rebuke. See
Snook. In pi., the imaginary Snob.
name of a practical joker ; also a Snub-devil. A parson.
derisive retort on an idle question Snub-nose. A
short noee turned
Snooks I As verb, ( 1 ) to pry, to watch, up at the end (Gro*e).
to dog (q.v.) : also snoop ; (2) to pick Snudge. 1. A miser, a curmudgeon
(q.v.) : hence snook (snoop, snooker, or hence as adj. (snudge-like (or snudging,
snooper), a spy, a sneak, a Paul Pry miserly, mean, crabby ; as verb, to
(q.v.) (1653). To cut (or cock) snooks, grasp, to screw ; snudgery, meanness
see Sight (1531). 2. A thief concealing himself
Snooker (Royal Military Academy). under a bed (B. E.).
A cadet-student of the fourth class, a Snudge -snout A dirty fellow
freshman. (1606).
Snooze. 1.
Sleep :
spec, a nap Snuff. The drainings of a glass,
 Snuffle. Sodger.

heel-taps (q.v.) (1641). As verb, to Soap-lock (or curl). 1. A soaped

be testy, easily offended also to take : lock of hair on the temple (1844). 2.
snuff, or to snuff pepper see Pepper. : A rowdy (BartleU).
Whence in snuff, in dudgeon to give :
Soap-suds. Gin and water, hot,
snuff, to reprimand, to rebuke, to with lemon and lump sugar (Bee).
scold; snuffy, (1) offended, and (2) Soap-trick. A variety of the well-
drunk; snuff, a pet (1584).
(q.v.) known purse swindle. A cake of soap
Phrases :
Up to snuff, not to be de- is sold for a dollar to a gull who thinks

ceived, wideawake (q.v.), knowing he has that one he has wrapped a

(q.v.) ; to snuff out, to silence, settle, five-dollar bill in, and marked himself.
annihilate ; to snuff it, to die : see Hence, soaper, a soap-trick swindler.
Sneezelurk (1785). Soary. Inclined to draw the long
Snuffle. In pi., a cold in the head : bow, high-falutin' (q.v.).
as verb, to speak gruffly or through Sobersides. A sedate person (1852).
the nose (1789). Sober-water. Soda-water.
S n u ffl e r. A preacher. Hence Soc. Society non-Soc-man, a rat :

snuffling, canting (1861). (q.v.), a blackleg, a non- Union-man.

Snuffy. Tipsy see Screwed. As : Socius (Winchester). A chum, a
adj., drunk see Screwed.
: All snug, companion as verb, to accompany.
:

All's quiet. See Bug. [The School precept is Sociati omnes

Snuggery. A comfortable privacy :
incedunto.']
as a woman's boudoir, a man's smoking Sock. 1. A pocket : Not a rag in
den, a bar- parlour (1837). my sock, penniless (B. E.). 2 (Eton
Snyder (or Snider). A tailor ( 1600). College). Edibles of any kind : spec,
So. 1. Drunk see Screwed also : :
dainties, tuck (q.v.) : as verb, (a) to
so - so (1809). 2. Pregnant, lumpy eat outside regular meals (b) to :

(q.v.). In courses. As intj., a

3. treat (q.v.) ; whence (c) to give (1550)
questioning reply to a positive state- 3. Credit, jaw-bone (q.v.) also as :

ment The King returns to town

:
e.g. verb, (a) to get credit, and (b) to pay :

to-day. So ? So-and-so, ( I ) somebody also to sock down. 4. An over-grown

or something indefinite and (2) in ; baby (Ency. Diet.). 5. comedy A :

place of a thing forgotten, or which it the sock, an ancient ensign of comedy ;

is not desired to mention : e.g. Mr. the buskin, tragedy whence sock- :

So-and-so. So long I Good-bye So- ! and - buskin, the profession (q.v.)

so, ordinary, mediocre, nothing to (1590). As verb, (1) to beat, to drub
speak of (1530). (B. E. ), to press hardly also as subs. : :

Soak. 1. A drinking bout. 2. A e.g. sock it him, or give him sock (or
hard drinker also soaker as verb, to
: :
socks), Pitch into him, dress him down;
steep oneself in drink, to booze (q.v.) : whence socker, a heavy blow ; (2) to
whence soaking, hard drinking ; smash a hat over head and ears, to
soaked, drunk see Screwed to set
: : bonnet (q.v.) ; (3) to hit hard spec, :

soaking, to ply the pot (1700). As at cricket also to defeat (4) to sew
: ;

verb, (1) to pawn also to put in soak ; :

up (1584).
(2) to be lavish of bait; (3) to sit Sockdologer(Socdologer, Stock-
lazily over the fire (HaUiwett). dologer, Slogdologer, or Sogdologer).
Soaker. A
heavy rain. See Soak Anything overwhelming or excep-
(1851). tional from a repartee to an earth-
:

Soap. 1. Flattery also soft-soap : :

quake generic: also as verb (1824).
:

cf. Soft-sawder as verb, to flatter, to : Socker. 1. A fool, sloven, lout a :

carney (q.v.) soapy, smooth-tongued

:
general term of contempt also sockie :

(1840). 2. Money: generic: spec, and sockhead (1772). 2. Association

secret service money : as verb, to Football cf Rugger also soccer.
: . :

bribe (1834). 3. (Royal Military Socket. Burnt to the socket, dying

Academy). Cheese. (Bay).
Soap - and - bullion. Soup - and- Socket- money. 1. Demanded and
bouilli. Jack calls it soap-and-bullion :
spent upon marriage (B. E.). 2.
one onion to a gallon of water, and this Money paid by a married man caught
fairly expresses the character of the in an intrigue (Grose). Hence socketer,
nauseous compound. a blackmailer (1772).
Soap-crawler. A toady. Sodger. See Soger.
429

,
 Sodom. Son.

Sodom. 1. Wadham College, Solace. A penalty, a fine (Moxon,

Oxford. 2. London : cf. Babylon. 1683).
. Soft. Bank notes :
generic also: Sold. See Sell
soft- flimsy. To do soft, to utter coun- Soldier. 1. A
red herring. 2. A
terfeit As adj., (1) foolish,
notes. boiled lobster. As verb, (1) to make
easy going and (2) choice, exquis-
; temporary use of (another man's
ite originally effeminate.
: As subs. horse) thus a man wanting a mount
:

(softy, or soft
-
horn), a simpleton ; catches the first horse he can, rides it
softish (or soft-headed), weak-minded, to his destination, and then lets it go
aillv (1536). Phrases: Soft-hearted, (Century); (2) to bully, to hector
yielding, piteous, tender ; soft-food, (Halliioett) ; (3) to do routine work,
pap ; soft, hash ; soft is your horn, you as cleaning accoutrements, fatigue
make a mistake ; a soft thing, (I) an duty, anything irksome in a soldier's
easy or pleasant task, and (2) a facile life. Phrases and combinations :

simpleton ; soft down on, in love with. Soldier' s bottle, a large bottle ; soldier's
See Hard-shell, Hard-tack, Sawder, mawnd, (1) a counterfeit sore or
Snap, Soap, Spots, Tack. wound in the left arm (B. E.), and
Soft-ball (Royal Military Aca- (2) a pretended soldier, begging with
demy). Tennis. a counterfeit wound, which he pre-
Soft-horn. An ass, whether quad- tends to have received at some
ruped or biped. famous siege or battle (Grose) ;

Soft-horse. A horse lacking stamina. soldier's pomatum, a piece of tallow ;

Sof tling. A voluptuary ( 1 576). soldier's thigh, an empty pocket ; a
Soft-soap. See Soap. soldier's wind, a fair wind either way,
Soft-shell. In U.S. Politics (a) a :
consequently, a beam wind old ;

member or an adherent of that one of soldier, ( 1 ) an empty bottle: cf. Marine ;

the two factions into which in 1852 and and (2) see Old Soldier. See Come,
succeeding years the Democratic party and Fresh-water Soldier.
in the state of New York was divided Solemncholy. Seriousness, gravity :

which was less favourable to the ex- cf. melancholy.

tension of slavery ; (6) a member of the Sole-slogger. A shoemaker.
pro-slavery wing of the Democratic Sol-fa. A parish clerk ( 1 785).
party in Missouri about 1850 (Century); Solid. United, unanimous. Thus
see Hard shell : also Softs and Soft- a a unanimous vote ; the
solid vote,
shell democrats. solid South, the Southern States during
Soft- tack (or tommy). Bread : reconstruction from their uniform
:

as distinguished from biscuit, which support of the Democratic party ;

'
is ship's bread.' a solid party, a united party ; to make
Sog. 1. A sovereign ; 20s. : see oneself solid with, to come to an agree-
Rhino. 2. A swoon, lethargy. ment with, etc.
Soger (Sojer, or Sodger). 1. A Solitary. Solitary confinement.
Soldier. 2. The worst term of re- Solo (Winchester). A solitary
proach that can be applied to a sailor. walk, without a socius (q.v.).
It signifies a skulk, a shirk one who Solomon (or Sollomon). See
is always trying to get clear of work, Salmon.
and is out of the way, or hanging back, Some. Somewhat, a certain
when duty is to be done. Marine is amount, a great deal cf. Few, and :

applied more particularly to a man see Pumpkin (1598).

ignorant and clumsy about seaman's Something. See Damp and Short.
work a green -horn, a land-lubber. Somewheres. Somewhere, about :

To make a sailor shoulder a hand- e.g. Somewheres along of fifty quid.

spike, and walk fore and aft the deck, Son. In combination, thus Son
like a sentry, is the most ignominious of Apollo, a scholar ; son of a bitch
punishment that could be put on him ; (sow, whore, etc.), a term of violent
inflicted upon an able seaman in a abuse ; son of a bachelor, a bastard ;
vessel of war, would break his spirit son of a gun (or sea-cook), ( 1 ) a soldier's
down more than a flogging (Dana). bastard, and (2) a term of contempt ;
3 (Winchester). A cross marked on aon of Mars, a soldier son of Mercury,
;

the margin of an exercise see Percher. : a wit ; son of parchment, a lawyer ;

Soiled-dove. A prostitute. son of prattlement, an advocate ; son
430
 Song. Sow.

of wax, a cobbler every mother's son,

; Sotweed. Tobacco (1704). Hence
everybody son of Venus, a wencher.
; eotweed-dealer and sotweed-planter.
Song. A trifle, a nominal sum or Sou. Not a sou (or souse),
price also an old (or mere) song
:
nothing (1761).
(1698). To change one's song (or sing Soul. Soul in soak, drunk : see
another song), to tell a different tale : Screwed.
see Sing. His morning and evening Soul-case. The body.
song do not agree, He tells another Soul-driver. A parson (B. E.).
yarn at night to the one in the morning. Sound. To examine, to try (q.v.),
Sonkey. A clumsy fellow, a lout : to extract information artfully, to
also sank, sonky, and sonkie. pump (q.v.). To sound a cly, to try
Sonnie (Sonny, or Sonnikin). An a pocket (1597). Sound as a roach
affectionate or familiar address : with (trout, bell, perfectly sound.
etc.),
no necessary reference to age or [Roche, rock] (1697). See Goose.
relationship : also sonniwax or sonny- Soup. 1. A brief for the defence

wax (1542). given to a junior in court by the

Sool. 1. To excite a dog, to set Clerk of the Peace or Arraigns. 2.
him on. 2. To worry, as a dog a cat. Bad ink. 3. Melted plate also :

Soot-bag. A reticule. white soup whence soup-shop, a fence

:

Sooterkin. 1. A kind of false birth (q.v.); melting pots are kept going,
fabled to be produced by Dutch no money passing from fence to thief
women from sitting over their stoves until identification is impossible. In
(Johnson). 2. An abortive proposal the soup, in a pickle (or difficulty),
or scheme. left (q.v.).
Sop. 1. A bribe ; e.g. a sop to Souper. 1. A cadger for soup-
Cerberus, a doorkeeper's or porter's tickets. 2. A super (q.v.).
tip (q.v.) (1513). 2. A small piece, Sour. 1. Base silver money ; to
a thing or matter of little value (1362). plant the sour, to utter snide (q.v.)
3. A simpleton, a milk-sop. A sop in silver ; whence sour - planter, see
the pan, (1) a dainty ; and (2) a favour Shover. 2. An acid punch thus :

(1621). whisky-sour, whisky and lemon. As

Soph (Cambridge Univ.). A sophis- adj., crabbed, surly, ill conditioned
-

ter in U.S.A. sophomore

: a student ; (B. E.). To sour on, to treat un-
beyond his first year (Grose). The kindly.
terms are 1st year, Freshman 2nd ; Sour-ale. To mend like sour-ale
year, Junior Soph 3rd year, Senior ; in summer, to get worse.
Soph. See Harry Soph (1719). Sour - cudgel. A
severe beating
Sore-fist. A bad workman cf. :
(1608).
to write a poor hand, to sew badly. Souse-crown. A fool.
Sore Leg. 1. German sausage. 2. Southerly Buster. A sudden gale
A plum-pudding ; spotted-dog (q.v.). from the southward cf. Brick-fielder.
:

Sorrel-pate. A red-haired man, South Jeopardy. Terrors of in-

carrots (q.v.). solvency. Oxf. Univ. Cant (Grose).
Sorrowful Tale. Three months in Sov. A sovereign ; 20s. : see
jail. Rhino.
Sorry. Vile, mean, worthless : a Sow. 1. A fat woman. 2. A
sorry fellow or hussy, a worthless man general term of abuse : cf. Bitch.
or woman (Grose). As intj., I beg Sow-child, a girl baby ; sow's-baby,
your pardon. a sucking pig (1702). Phrases and
Sort. Sort (kind) in its colloquial proverbs To grease a fat sow on the
:

usages is frequently elliptical. Thus, tail, to be insensible to kindness to ;

That's your sort (of method, fancy, come sailing in a sow's ear (Ray) ; to
thing, etc.) after a sort (of fashion
; get the right (or wrong) sow by the ear,
well enough of its kind) a good (or ; to make a right (or wrong) conclusion,
bad) sort (of man, fellow, lot, etc.). You cannot make a silk purse of
Out of sorts, (1) seedy (q.v.) ; (2) a sow's ear, a retort on the impossible :

cross, depressed ; and (3) old, destitute. cf. You cannot make a horn of a pig's

Sorter, sort of. tail, and An ass's tail will not make a
So-so. See So. sieve. See David's sow, Hempseed,
Soss, Sossle, etc. See Sozzle. Saddle, Wild Oats.
431
 Sow'a-baby. Sparrow.

Sow's-baby. Sixpence : see Rhino :

Spanish-trumpeter (or King of Spain's
cf.
Hog, Is. trumpeter, i.e. Don Key), a braying
Sow-belly. Salt-pork. ass ; to walk Spanish, to be seized by
Sow-drunk. Beastly drunk see : the scruff and the seat, and thus
Drunk as David's BOW (1857). forced along hence, to act under
:

Sozzle (Sossle, Soss, or Sozz). compulsion ; to ride the Spanish mare,

Generic for lumpish ness. Thus (1), a punishment which the offender
in
a lout : also soss-belly ; (2) a heavy was set astride a beam with
the guys
fall ; (3) a muddle
a flop-down a ; ; loosed, when the vessel was in a sea-
mess.As verb, (1) to flop (2) to toss at ; way.
random ; and (3) to slush about. Aa Spank. A sounding thwack spec, :

adj. (or BOSS -

bellied), ponderously on the buttocks also spanker. As :

fat ; 8088 brangle, a slattern ; sossly verb, (1) to strike, whence spanking,
(or tozzly), wet, sloppy : sossled, a beating (1772); (2) to run neatly
drunk (1549). along between a trot and a gallop
Spade. A eunuch : also epado (Grose), to move quickly and briskly :

(q.v.). Hence as verb, to unsex usually with along (3) to break, to

;

(1612). To call a spade a spade, to smash :

e.g. to spank the glaze, to
speak plainly, to eschew paraphrasis break a pane in a shop window and to
and ambiguity (1588). See Shovel. snatch some article, having tied the
Spadge (Christ's Hospital). An shop door to prevent pursuit ; also
affected walk formerly merely, to
: on the spank. Spanking, (1) big,
walk. jolly, sprightly as a spanking lass ;
:

Spadger. A sparrow. (2) large, Dig, stunning (q.v.), whop-

Spado. 1. A sword that is :
ping (q.v.) ; and (3) dashing, free-
spadone (1711). 2. An eunuch. going ; spanker, anything of excep-
Hence, spadonic, eunuchistic ; and tional size, pace, figure, merit cf. :

spadonism, eunuchry. In civil law Skelp, He's a spanker to go ; spanky,

(modern), an impotent: also (pro- showy, smart (q.v.).
vincial), a gelding. Spanker. 1. In pi., money :

Spain. A cattle in Spain, a day- generic : spec. gold. 2. fore-and- A

dream, idle fancies. Thus to build a aft gaff sail on the mizzen mast of
castle inSpain (in the air, the skies, or a ship or barque : hence spanking,
to builda castle), to indulge in visionary sailing swiftly along with the wind
projects or schemes, to romance FT., : so quartered as to keep the spankers
chateau en Espagne, en Asie, en full. See Spank.
AJbanie, etc. (1400). Spark. 1. A dandy masc. or fern.
: :

Spalpeen. A generic term of also sparkle. 2. A lover, and spec.

contempt (1809). (American) a sweetheart. 3. A man

Span- (Spandy- or Spanfire-) new. or woman of pluck and parts as verb, :

See Spick-and-shan. to court, to gallant, e.g. to spark a

Spange (Royal Military Academy). girl or to spark a girl home ; sparkish,
New, dressy, smart (q.v.) e.g. a :
( 1 ) spirited also sparkful and sparky ;
:

spange uniform, a new outfit ; or You and (2) showy, dandified, gay (1362).
look spange enough. 4. A diamond also sparkle ; spark-
:

Spangle. A seven-shilling piece :

prop, a diamond breast-pin. As verb,
see Rhino. to watch closely. A spark in the
Spangle - shaker
(or guts). A throat, chronic thirst (1785).
harlequin. Sparkler. Anybody or anything
Spaniel. A parasite : as adj., brilliant, gay, or lively : see Spark
servile : as verb, to fawn, to be (1713).
obsequious (1601). Sparrow. Mumbling a sparrow,
Spanish. Spanish, like Dutch A cruel sport practised at wakes and
(q.v.), Irish (q.v.), etc., contributes fairs : a booby, hands tied behind, has
to colloquial English. Thus Spanish, the wing of a cock-sparrow put into
(1) money, spec, ready money: in his mouth ; without any other assist-
America silver only and (2) fair ; ance than the motion of his lips he is
words and compliments. Spanish- to get the sparrow's head into his
fagot, the sun Spanish-pike, a needle
; ; mouth ; the bird defends itself sur-
Spanish - plague, building (Ray) ; prisingly, pecking the mumbler til] his

432
 Sparrowgrass. Spider-catcher.

lips are covered with blood and he is Speecher (Harrow). Speech-

obliged to desist ; to prevent the bird day :
usually the first Thursday in
getting away he is fastened to the July. The Speecher, The Speech-room
booby's coat (Grose). built 1871.
Sparrowgrass (or Sparagras). Speedyman (Winchester: ob-
Asparagus polite in the 18th century ;
:
solete). The herald of news of a
now vulgar (1649). vacancy at New College, Oxford.
Sparrow-mouth. One whose mouth Whence sped to New College, elected to
cannot be enlarged without removing a scholarship.
the ears such persons do not hold
; Speel. To decamp. To sped the
their mouths by lease but have it drum, to make the highway.
off to
from (y)ear to (y)ear (Grose) as adj., ; Speeler. A gambler also sped. :

wide-mouthed (1621). S p e g (Winchester obsolete).:

Sparrow - tail. A dress - coat a ; Smart.

swallow-tail, clawhammer (q.v.). Spell. 1. A turn of work. 2. A
Spat. 1. A slap, a light blow, and turn of rest. 3. A period of love,
2. a petty quarrel, a snarling-match ; weather, adventure, sickness, luck,
also as verb, (1) to slap; and (2) to temper, and so forth. As verb, (1)
dispute, to quarrel : low word A to relieve; (2) to rest (1586); (3) to
(Webster). advertise spelt in the lear, wanted
:

Spatch-cock. fowl killed, A (q.v.). To spell for (or at), to desire,

dressed, and broiled at short notice to hanker after indirectly (1821). :

(Grose) ; sudden death (West Indies). See Baker, Backward, Spellken.

As verb, to insert hurriedly, to sand- Spell - binder. A speaker who
wich (q.v.). holds (or thinks he holds) his hearers
Speak. To steal : also to speak spell-bound.
with : see Prig. To make a good (or Spell - ken (Spell, or Speelken).
rum) speak, to make a good (or bad) A theatre (1800).
haul ; spoken to, robbed : also spoke Spend. To spend the mouth, to
to on the screw, sneak, hoist,
crack, give voice, to talk, and (of dogs) to
big, etc. (see the nouns). Phrases : bark (1593).
Spoken to (thieves'), dying speak ; to Spend-all. A prodigal, a spend-
to, to admonish ; to speak at
the mouth, thrift (1591).
to talk freely, to say one's say to ; Spess (Felsted School). A specimen.
speak daggers (see Dagger) ale that ; Spew.To spew oakum, a ship
would make a cat speak, strong ale ; spews oakum when the seams start.
speaks the parrot, a taunting reply ; Spew Alley. The throat see :

tospeak (or talk) big, to boast, to talk Gutter Lane.

loudly ; to speak fair, to use soft Sphere. A football.
words (1581). Spice. To rob hence, the spice :

Spearmen. The Delhi Spearmen, (or high toby spice), highway robbery ;
the 9th Lancers. spicer (or spice-gloak), a footpad (1800).
Spec. 1. Speculation hence on :
Spick-and-span new. Quite
spec., on chance, on the hazard of the fresh, brand new as a spike and chip
:

die (1834). 2. In pi., spectacles from the workman's

hands. Also,
(1837). 3. A lottery.
(Winchester 4. spick-and-span, spick-span new, span-
College). Anything enjoyable or plea- new, and span-fire new. Also spick-
sant, a good thing on spec, in conse- :
and-span (span, or spandy), quite,
quence. 5. (Edinburgh Advocates'). wholly (1369).
The Speculative Society. Spicy.1. Racy, full-flavoured
1. A
Special. paramour, male or (q.v.) nutty (q.v.). 2. Showy, hand-
;

female: cf. Particular (1350). 2. By some, smart (q.v.) (1844).

ellipsis a particular person or thing :
Spiddock-pot Legs. Large
e.g. a special train, special Scotch, a awkward legs.
special constable, a special edition, etc. Spider. Claret and lemonade. To
Speck. In pi., damaged oranges. swattow a spider, to go bankrupt
Specklebelly. A dissenter. (1670).
Speech. Information :
spec, a Spider - catcher. A spindle of a
tip (q.v.) : e.g. to give (or get) the man (B. E.): also (Hattiwett), a
speech Fr,, tuyau.
:
monkey.
433
 Spider -shanked. Spitfire.

Spider-shanked. Long legged. Also nautical ; to spin street-yam, to gad,

spider-shanks, a lanky fellow : tee to loaf (q.v.) ; to spin a fair thread, to
Lamp-post (1827). busy oneself about trifles ; to spin out,
Spider-web. The subtilties of to prolong unreasonably ; She'd rather
logic,which, though artificial to sight kiss than spin (of a wanton) (1704).
were yet of no use (B. E. ). Spindle-legs (or shanks). 1.

Spidireen. An imaginary vessel Long, thin legs. 2. A tall, slender

figuring in an unwilling reply: What person, a lamp-post (q.v.). Also as
ship do you belong to T The spidireen adj., (or spindly), thin, slim (1570).
frigate, with nine decks, and ne'er a Spink (Royal Military Academy).
bottom. Milk new or condensed.
:

See Spieler.
Spiel. Spinning (or Spin-) house. A
Spierize (Oxf. Univ. Cant). To house of correction or Bridewell for
have one's hair cut and dressed. loose women. [The task work con-
[Spiers was a barber in The High.] sisted of spinning or beating hemp.]
Spiffing. 1. A
generic intensitive: Hence spinster, a harlot. [The term
of pleasure or admiration : used for is still applied to the prison for dis-

anything or anybody out of the orderly women attached to the Vice-

common :
e.g. a spiffing time or girl ; Chancellor's Court at the University
awfully spiff ; How you look
spiff ; of Cambridge.] (1622).
How are you T Pretty spiff and so ; Spinniken. St. Giles' Workhouse,
forth: also spiff, a swell. 2. In pi., a large house (q.v.).
percentage on the sale of old or dead Spinsrap. parsnip.A
stock. Spintext. parson A ; spec, a
Spiffed. Drunk see Screwed. :
prosy preacher (1693).
Spiflicate (Spifflicate, or Spirit. To spirit away, to kidnap
Smifligate). To confound, to crush, (B. E.). Hence spiriter, an abductor
to smash (q.v.). Hence spiftication, (1675).
confusion, annihilation (1783). Spiritual flesh-broker. parson. A
Spigot - sucker. A tippler, pot- Spit. 1. A
speaking likeness ; orig.
companion : see Lushington and as like as if he'd spit it usually in ;

Knight. phrase the spit of (some one named) :

Spike. casual ward. A
Spike- Fr., (Test son pert tout crocA/ (1602).
ranger, a tramper from ward to ward 2. A sword (1613). 3. An obelisk or

(1866). dagger, t : used as a reference mark

Spike-park. The Queen's Bench (1656). As verb, to show signs of
prison. rain : also as subs., drops of rain
Spill. 1. A small fee, reward, or (1818). Phrases: A spit and astride,
gift of money (B. E.). 2. fall, A a a very short distance ; to spit at one,
tumble : as verb, to throw, to fall, to insult ; to spit it out, to speak
to overturn, to betray. To spitt plainly ; to spit white (white broth, or
stock, to throw great quantities upon sixpences), to expectorate from a dry
the market, sometimes from necessity but healthy mouth : Fr., cracher des
but often in order to break the price, pieces de dix sous.
i
Spill-good. A spendthrift (Min- Spitalfields Breakfast No
sheu). breakfast at all, a tight necktie and a
Spillsbury. Failure e.g. to come : short pipe : cf. Irishman's dinner,
by Spillsbury cf. Bedfordshire, : Duke Humphrey, etc.
Peckham, Clapham, etc. (1692). Spit-curl. A
curl lying Sat on the
Spill-time. An idler (1362). temple, a soap-curl (q.v.) : see Aggera-
Spilt
- milk. To cry over spUt- vators.
milk, tolament what is past recovery Spite (Winchester). The word in
or mending. Wykehamical usage generally con-
Spin. A brisk run, a smart canter, noted the frame of mind rather than
a spurt : as verb, to go quickly : the acts in which it finds
expression.
usually to spin along (1854). As verb, But the phrase to spite GabeU, describes
(Royal Military Academy), to reject, the act popularly known as cutting off
to plough ; to pluck (q.v.) : also to your nose to spite your face ( Wrench).
get a spin ( 1868). Phrases : To spin a Spitfire. A hot tempered person :

yarn, to tell a story :

originally see Furioso( 1623).

434
 Spit-frog. Spondulics.

Spit-frog. A small sword ( 1630). hairs, to cavil about trifles, to be

Spithead- nightingale. A bo' sun over-nice in argument : hence hair-
or bo'sun's mate. splitter (or splitter), a precisian (q.v.),
Spitter. Slight rain see Spit.
: the reverse of lumper (q.v. ) ; to split
Spittle (or Spital). A
hospital or on a rock, to fail, to come to grief ; to
lazar-house. Hence, spittle-whore (or split on one (or to split), to betray con-
sinner), a foundered harlot ; a spittle- fidence to split fair, to tell the truth ;
;

(ogue (or man), (1) a gaol-bird ; and to split out (thieves'), to separate;
2r) a diseased outcast : whence a to split with one, to quarrel Split my ;

general term of contempt (1580). windpipe ! a foolish kind of a curse

Spittoon. An
utensil mostly used among the beaux (B. E., 1592).
in public-houses for the reception Split-asunder. A costermonger.
of smokers' expectorations (Bee). Split-cause. A lawyer : also
Splash. 1. Face
powder, slap splitter of causes.
(q.v.) as verb, to make up (q.v.).
: 2. Split-fig. A grocer.
Display, exertion, effort hence, :
Split foot (or Old Split Foot).
splash up, in good style, quick time, The Devil.
bang-up (q.v.). Splitting. Extreme, severe : e.g.
Splashers. The Wiltshire Regi- a splitting (very quick) pace, a splitting
ment, late The 62nd Foot. (painfully throbbing) head-ache, etc.
Splathers. Hold your splathers, Splodger. A
lout. Slodgy, awk-
Hold your tongue Splathever, a
! ward (in gait), coarse (in complexion).
braggart, a great talker. Splosh. Money: generic: see
Splatterdash. A bustle, an uproar. Rhino. As adv., Plump.
Splatter-face. A
broad-faced man Splurge. Generic for effort and
or woman : also as adj. (1861). effect. As verb, to make the most
Splay-foot. A person with flat, and do the showiest ; splurgy, on it
awkward, or spreading feet: splay- (q.v.).
footed, awkward
in gait, heavy-footed. Spoffle. To fuss, to bustle. Spof-
Splay-mouth, (1) a large, wide, grin- fish (or spoffy), fussy, bustling, smart.
ningmouth; hence (2) a grimace (1588). Also spoffy, a busybody (1836).
Splendiferous. Splendid. Also Spoffskins. A prostitute.
splendacious, splendidous ; and splen- Spoil. In addition to the sense
didious (1538). (now accepted) given by Grose (to
Splice. 1. To marry : of the agent ; mar, to place obstacles in the way)
to be spliced, to get married : also there are colloq. usages as follows :

splice, a wife (1751). 2. To throw, to To spoil for, to be eager for : as

fling. To splice the main brace, to spoiling for. a fight, and spoiling to be
drink orig. to serve out extra grog.
: invited ; to spoil one's shape, to be got
With main brace well spliced, drunk : with child ; to spoil one's mouth, to
see Screwed. damage the face. Also in sarcastic
Split. 1. A
detective, police spy : combination, spoil - bread, a baker ;
also as verb, (or to turn split), to in- spoil
-
broth, a cook ; spoil iron, a
-

form, to nose, to snitch (q.v.) see : smith ; -

spoil paper, a scribbler ;
Nark. 2. In pi., a sitting posture, the spoil-pudding, a long-winded preacher ;
legs extended laterally on the ground :
spoil-sport, an unfriendly or dispirited
whence well-split up, long in limb ; associate or intruder hence to spoil
:

split-up, a lanky fellow see Lamp- :

sport, (1) to dishearten, and (2) to
post (1851). 3. (a) A small bottle of prevent ; spoil-trade, an unscrupulous
aerated water ; also as adv., divided : competitor ; spoil-temper, an exacting
e.g. two Scotches and a soda (or superior (1280).
small soda) split (b) a half glass of
; Spoke. To put a spoke in one's
spirits a dram.
; Phrases To make all : wheel (or do an ill turn.
cart), to
split, to make a disturbance or com- Occasionally (by an unwarrantable
motion ; to split along (or go like split), inversion), to assist (1661).
(1) to stride, to run quickly ; and (2) Spoke-box. The mouth.
to move or work with vigour ; at full Spondulics (Spondoolicks, or
split, as hard as may be ; to split one's Spondulacks). Money :
generic :

sides (or to split), to burst with laugh- originally (Century) paper money
ter ; to split the ears, to deafen ; to split (1863).
436
 Sponge. Sprat.

Sponge (Sponger, or Sponge). (provide) a dinner ; to sport literature,

1. A parasite. 2. A thirsty fellow to write a book ; to sport (spend)
(B. .). As verb, to take kicks and money, one's salary, etc. ; to sport
lick a living. Whence
dishes for (express) an opinion ; to sport a nescio
sponging, (I) cadging (q.v.) and (2) ; (see Nescio) ; to sport silk (racing), to
extortion e.g. a sponging-house, a
: ride a race ; to sport (indulge or en-
bailiff's pound in which arrested gage in) smoking, walking, etc. Also
debtors were squeezed (q.v.) pending (Winchester), a sporting action, an
transfer to a regular prison (1598). affected manner, gesture, or gait,
To throw up the sponge, to acknow- or a betrayal of emotion. Sportings
ledge defeat. (Charterhouse), clothes worn at the
Sponge-wit A plagiarist. exeat (q.v.).
Spoof. Deception, a swindle also :
Spot. 1. Shares (or goods) ready for
the spoof-game : also as verb (or to delivery : that is on the spot. 2. A
play spoof). dollar : e.g. five-spot, five dollars, $5.
Spook. A ghost. Whence spook- As verb, (1) to recognise, to take note
ish (or spooky), ghostly. of, to discover ; (2) to detect, to come
Spoon. 1. A simpleton :
spec, upon : hence spotter, a detective : Fr.,
an absurd whole-hearted lover also : indicateur ; spotted, known to the
spooney ; a rank spoon, a prating police ; and (3) o tpick out, to choose,
shallow fellow Faux). 2. Calf-love
( : to chance upon : e.g. to spot the
e.g. spoons ; to come the
a case of winner. 4. To gamble. Phrases and
spoon, or be spoons on, to make love combinations: A soft spot, an easy,
openly, innocently, and ridiculously : comfortable, or desirable berth, thing,
also spoony, stupidly fond ; spooniness, or circumstance : see Hunt ; to
foolish fondness (1837). As verb, to knock spots out of (see Knock) ; on (or
hit with a slack and horizontal bat, off) the spot, alert, dead certain ; in
causing the ball to rise in the air. spots, by snatches ; to have a vacant
Phrases, To stick one's spoon in the spot, to be crazy.
watt, to die ; see Hop the twig ; to fill Spotted-dog. 1. A plum or currant

the mouth with empty spoons, to go dumpling spotted :

donkey, plum
hungry ; to take with a big (or little) pudding and 2. (military) a sausage
;

spoon, to take in large (or small) or saveloy.

quantities see Silver Spoon, and
:
Spotted Mystery. Tinned beef.
Wooden Spoon. Spout. 1. A pawnbroker's shoot
or lift from
Spoonage. Liquid food, pap (q.v.) shop to store-room. 2.
(1586). A pawnbroker's as verb, to pawn ;
:

Spoony Drunk. Sentimentally up the spout (or spouted), pawned : in

drunk see Screwed.
: America gone where the woodbine
Spoops (or Spoopsie). A simpleton. (q.v.) twineth : also up the spout, im-
Spoopy, silly, foolish. prisoned, in hospital (Bee). English
Sport. 1. A professional sports- synonyms : To blue, to bullock' s-horn
man a pugilist, book-maker, jockey,
:
(rhyming), to flue (or put up the flue),
etc. also sporting - man
: whence ; to lay up in lavender, to lug, to lumber,
sporting-house, public-house fre- a to moskeneer, (q.v.), to put away, to
quented by sportsmen. 2. Mischief, send to uncle's, to soak, to spout, to
horseplay. As verb, generic for dis- sweat, to vamp, to warehouse. As
play the word
: . was in great . . verb, to talk, speechify, or declaim for
vogue in ... 1783 and 1784 (Orose) ; effect. Hence spouter,
(1) a mouthing
now-a-days still general, but spec, a talker ; a fourth-rate speaker or
(2)
public school and university usage : actor. To spout billy, to earn a living
thus to sport (or baulk) a report, to by reciting Shakespeare in tap-rooms ;
publish far and wide to sport (drive) ; spouting -dub, a rehearsal club (Grose) ;
a gig to sport (wear) new togs to
; ; in great spout, noisy, in high spirits ;
sport ivory, to grin ; to sport (exhibit) to spout ink, to write : cf. Sling ink
temper ; to sport oak (timber, or to (1599).
sport in), to deny oneself to callers by Spouter. A whaling vessel.
closing an outer door : see Oak ; to Sprat 1. Sixpence, 6d. : see
sport an aegrotat (see ./Egrotat) ; to Rhino. 2. A sweetheart : cf. Bloater,
sport off, to do with ease ; to sport Duck, Pippin, etc. 3. In pi., furniture,
436
 Spread. Squab.

effects cf. Marbles, Sticks, etc.

: 4. An provided by fines inflicted during Toy-
undersized or mean-looking man or time for talking loud, slamming the
boy, a scarecrow (q.v.) also Jack :
door, coming in without whistling (to
Sprat (q.v.) (1598). show that it was not a Master enter-
1. A meal, a feast (1827).
Spread. ing),improper language, etc. Some-
2. Butter cf. Scrape. 3. An um-
: times a spree-mess was given by boys
brella (Grose). 4. lady's shawl. 6. A about to leave that Half. (Mansfield).
A saddle (1798). An option, a 6. Sprig. A young dandy, any well-
straddle (q.v.). To spread oneself, to groomed youngster (1637).
push, to come out strong, to swagger Spring. (1) To bring to notice
(q.v.) (1832). suddenly ; (2) to pay out, to give
Spread-eagle. 1. A posture : arms alms (3) to provide ; and (4) to
;

(wings, or fins) and legs extended : extort. To spring to, to be able to

e.g. a soldier lashed to the halberts accomplish, pay, give, etc., etc. (1614).
(Grose), or a sailor to the rigging ; a Springal (Spring, or Springer). A
fowl split down the back for broiling ; youth (1535).
fish split and laid out to dry ; and Spring-ankle Warehouse. A
a figure in skating imitating the prison :
spec. Newgate (Grose).
heraldic eagle displayed [i.e. with Springers (The). The Lincoln-
wings and legs extended on each side shire Regiment, formerly The 10th
of the body] as verb, (a) to tie up for
: Foot the nickname is also borne by
:

punishment: (6) to prepare poultry or the late 62nd Foot.

fish for broiling or drying ; and (c) in Springer-up. A slop-tailor.
racing, to scatter the field (q.v.). Sprung-up clothes, garments blown
(1701). This term [spread eagle]
2. together.
is frequently used among stock specu- Sprinkle. To christen.
lators a broker, satisfied with small
:
Sprout. 1. A course of severe dis-
profits sells say one hundred shares
. . .
cipline ; a birching. Also 2. (Yale),
Erie Railroad stock at fifty-eight, a department of study classics,
buyer sixty days, and at the same time mathematics, etc. ; and 3. (in pi.,) a
buys the same quantity at fifty-seven, bunch of twigs. A bunch of sprouts,
seller sixty-days : the difference is (
1 )
the closed fist, and (2) the chambers
. .one per cent, which would be so
. of a revolver.
much profit, without any outlay of Sprug. To sprug up, to dress
capital, provided both contracts run neatly, to spruce.
their full time ; having sold buyer's Sprung. Drunk : see Screwed
option sixty days, and bought sellers' (1856).
option sixty days, the time is equal, Sprunt. To spnint up, to bristle
but ... he does not control the option up, to resent suddenly.
in either case the buyer can call ; Sprusado. A dandy (1665).
when he pleases, which will compel the Spry. Active, lively, smart (q.v.).
spread-eagle operator to deliver ; and Spud. A 1. potato see Murphy :
:

the seller way deliver any time, which hence spuddy, a baked-potato man.
would compel the broker to receive. 2. A dwarf, a short thickset person.
As adj., bombastic ; espec. in reference 3. A baby's hand. 4. In pi., money :
to national vanity : whence spread- see Rhino. 5. A spade.
eagleism, patriotic brag : as verb, to Spudgel. To decamp.
play the good American till all is split Spunk. 1. Mettle, spirit, pluck
(1858). (Grose) hence spunkie (Scots'), (a)
:

Spree. A frolic. As verb, to a plucky fellow, a lad of mettle ;

carouse ; spreeish, drunkish : see and (b) a will-o'-the-wisp ; spunky,
Screwed (
1 82 1 ). As adj (Winchester)
.
spirited to spunk up, to show fight
;

conceited, stuck-up : of persons ;

( 1 ) (1772). 2. In pi., matches. Spunk-
(2) smart, stylish, befitting a Wyke- fencer, match - vendor. Hence, a
hamist. Spree-mess, ' at the end of the spark (1815).
half-year we used to have large Spur. To annoy. To get the spur,
entertainments called spree-messes, to be annoyed see Needle. :

between Toy-time and Chapel, con- Spy. The eye (1590).

sisting of tea, coffee, muffins, cakes, Squab. 1. Anything fat, short,
etc., the funds for which were generally and dumpy henco a fat sofa or well-
:

437
 Squabash.
filled bed; as adj. (squabby, squaddy,
squatty, squabbish, etc.), fat and
abort, heavy, bulky, short, abrupt ; aa
verb, to fall heavily, to plump down
(1593). 2. An inexperienced person,
a fledgeling: aa adj., callow (Q.V.), coy,
quiet (1635). As verb (King Ed ward's
School, Birmingham), to squeeze by :
also squab with foot on wall or desk,
:
and back against the victim who is
similarly treated on the other side, or
pressed against the opposite wall ;
squab-up, to push.
Squabash. To crush. As subs.,
a flattening out, spiflication
(1827).
Squabbled. Broken of type : clothes square crib, a house of good
which, after setting, has been knocked
so much awry that it is a painstaking
job to prevent it going to pi (q.v.).
Squaddie. To decamp.
Squail (Squailer). To throw sticks
at cocks ; the stick thrown. Mr.
Akerman says sqwoiling is used for
throwing, but the thing thrown must
be some material not easily managed ;
with a stick sometimes made un-
equally heavy by being loaded with
lead at one end. Squalling is often
very awkwardly performed, because
the thing thrown cannot be well
directed ; hence the word squalling is
often used in ridicule of what is done
awkwardly, untowardly or irregu-
'
larly shaped. She went up the street
squailing her arms about, you never
'
saw the like an ill shaped loaf is a
:
squalling loaf ; Brentford is a long
squalling town ; and, in Wiltshire,
Smithfield Market would be called a
squalling sort of a place (Hnttiwdl).
Also Squawl.
Squall. Agirl (1593). As verb,
to cry aloud (B. E.). To look out
for squalls, to be on guard.
Squantum. 1. The imaginary
name of a place a very far way
from whence rustics and hayseeds
(q.v.) come. Also, 2. a picnic.
Square. Square, like round (q.v.),
has lived many lives in slang in fact, :
it has boxed the compass, and now
means the antipodes of what it meant
in Shakespeare's time. 1. To dis-
agree, to quarrel or be at variance:
hence squarer, a quarreller ; while
out of square, (a) at variance, and (6)
dishonest ; to break (or breed) squares,
to give offence ; at square, angry, at
enmity ; to square up to, to assume a
Squarson.
fighting attitude ; to square up and
down, to strut ; to see how squares go,
to watch event*, to see how the cat
will jump (1551). 2. To be entirely
in agreement, to arrange, to accom-
modate ; whence on (or upon) the
square (or squarely), absolutely de-
pendable ; all square (or squares), all
right ; square to (by the square, or in
square), suitable, exact, in amity or
agreement ; to keep square, to lead a
straight life ; also in combination :
amongst others, square backdown, a
palpable retreat square piece, a decent
;
(q.v.) girl square answer, an unmistakable
;
reply ; square clobber, respectable
;
repute ; square tats, honest dice ;
square drinker, a steady toper ; square
eater, a hearty feeder ; square thing,
the truth also square head (thieves'),
:
an honest man ; square meal, a sub-
stantial repast ; square play, fair play ;
square rigged, well-dressed etc., etc.
(1689). 3. To bribe; to pay; thus
to square matters, to pay off also to :
square the yards (nautical) ; to square
up, to settle a bill (1835). 4. To
assume a rigid or set attitude as to :
square one's shoulders, (a) to stand
(or sit) bolt upright, and (6) to show
disgust ; to square one's elbows, to give
free play in driving ; to sit square, to
sit straight ; to square out, to lay out ;
to square round, to make room. 5.
Miscellaneous phrases: To square the
circle, to achieve the impossible ;
How go squares ? How do you do ? ;
a square peg in a round hole, anything
misplaced or incongruous ; straight
down the crooked lane and all round
the square, a humorous way of setting
a man on his word ; aU fair and
square, above board, dependable.
Square-cap. A London apprentice
(1651).
back, Square-face. An inferior gin made
chiefly inGermany, for barter with
and consumption by savages.
Squarehead. 1. Formerly a free
; now 2. a German or Scandi-
emigrant
navian. See Square.
Square-toes. An old man ; a
fogey (q.v.), a precisian (q.v.); also
Old Squaretoes. Hence square-toed,
formal, prim, testy (1771).
Squarson. A landed proprietor in
holy orders cf. Squishop, and Port-
:
manteau - word. Whence squarton-
age, a parsonage.
438
 Squarum. Squireen.

Squarum. A lapstone. extort, to coerce, to best(q.v.); as subs.,

Squash. 1. A smash, a soft or flat ( 1 )
a hard bargain ; (2) Hobson's choice;
mass ;and 2. a me! lay spec, in :
(q.v.); and (3) a rise (q.v.); whence
Harrow football the Rugby scrim- squeezable, squeezability, etc. (1670).
mage or Eton rouge as verb, (a) to ; Squeezer (Squeeze). 1. The
crush or smash also to go squash, to : neck. 2. The hangman's noose (1811).
collapse, and (b) to silence by word 3. In pi., playing cards with the
or deed hence squasher, squashinti-s,
; values marked in the top left hand
and squashy (1726). 3. (Harrow). margins. Squeeze, to arrange cards
Racquet played with a soft india- so that only the indicators at the
rubber ball the ball is also known as
: corners are visible.
a squash. Squeeze-wax. A surety (B. E.).
Squat. 1. A short thick -
set Squelch (or Squelsh). *A hard hit,
person ; squatty (or squaddy), lumpish, a heavy fall espec. one under some-
;

dumpy. As
verb (American Stock thing or somebody: also squelcher. As
Exchange), to dishonour one's own verb, to crush, to squash (q.v.) (1624).
contracts. Squench. To quench (1600).
Squatter. 1. A settler on public Squib. 1. A small satirical or
land without title or license. 2. Any political temporary jeu d'esprit,
domiciliary usurper. 3. In Australia, which, like the firework of that deno-
a pastoral tenant of the Crown. mination, sparkles, bounces, stinks,
Whence squat, (1) to settle on land and vanishes (Grose). 2. A brush. 3.
without on a common, and
title :
e.g. See Puff. 4. In pi., asparagus. As
(2) as in subs, senses2 and 3. Deriva- verb, to lampoon.
tives are numerous e.g. squattage, a :
Squibob. A finicking, fussy
squatter's station ; squattocracy (squat- person in contempt.
:

terarchy or squatterdom), the world of Squiffed. Drunk : also squiffy :

squatters: spec, rich landowners in see Screwed.

pastoral districts : cf. Mobocracy, Squiggle. To evade, to wriggle,
Cottonocracy, Slaveocracy, etc., etc. to squirm (q.v.).
( 1829). As verb, also to move briskly or Squinny-eyes. A squinting man
noisily through mud and water (1598). or woman : also squin-eyes, squint-a-
Squattez-vous. Sit down !
pipes, and squint-a-fuego. As adj.,
Squattle. To decamp. squinting ; to squinny (or squin), to
Squawk. 1. A harsh noise or voice :
squint ; and (American) to laugh,
also as verb (1856). 2. A bad failure. wink, or smile (1602).
Squeak. A narrow escape ; a S quinsy. Hempen squinsy, &
close shave (q.v.). As verb, (1) to hanging see Hempen fever, and
:

talk ; (2) to betray confidence, to Ladder.

squeal, to peach (q.v.) hence squeaker, ; Squint. To lack :
food, material,
(a) a blab (q.v.), and (b) an informer ; money, anything.
to squeak beef, to cry Stop thief see :
Squinter. In pi., the eyes : see
Beef (1690) (3) to shirk an obliga-
; : Glim.
tion, debt, etc. Squint-minded. Deceitful ;

Squeaker. 1. A child spec, a : crooked ; with twisted vision (q.v.)

bye- blow (q.v.); also squealer. 2. In (1653).
pi., organ pipes (1785). 3. A pig. 4. Squire. 1. A gallant ; a servant
A young bird a chirper, a peeper, a ; (q.v.): also squire of dames. 2. A
squealer (q.v.). magistrate (New England). 3. Squire
Squeal. To inform, to peach, to of Alsatia, a Man of Fortune, drawn in,
'

squeak (q.v.). Hence squealer, an cheated, and ruin'd by a pack of

informer : see Nark (1785). poor, lowsy, sponging, bold Fellows
1. A that liv'd (formerly) in White- Fryers ;
Squealer. young pigeon. 2.
A squeaker (q.v.). 3. (Wellington the Squire, a Sir Timothy Treat-all ;
School). A small boy. also a Sap- pate ; squirish, foolish, also
Squeemish. Nice* (B. E.). one that pretends to Pay all Reckon-
Squeeze. 1. Silk. 2. A crowd ; a ings, and is not strong enough' in the
push crowding.
(q.v.), 3. See Pocket ; a fat Squire, a rich fool ( B. E. )
Squeezer. As verb, (1) to gripe, or screw Squireen. A
term of contempt :
hard (B. E.): also (colloquial), (2) to Squireens are persons who, with good
439
 Squires*.

long leases or valuable farms, possess Stable. I. Tn pi., routine duty at

incomes of from three to eight hundred the stables. 2. The horses in a racing
a year, who keep a pack of hounds, establishment. To shut tht stable door
take out a commission of the peace, when the steed is stolen, to set a guard
sometimes before they can spell . . . after a mischief is done (1500).
and almost always before they know Stab-rag. A tailor: also rag-
anything of law or justice (Edge- stabber (q.v.).
worth) also (general) squirelet (1812).
: Stab-shot. A stroke where the ball
Squiress. A squire's wife (1827). stops dead (or nearly so) on the spot
Squirish. Foolish. occupied by the object ball.
Squirm. A small obnoxious boy : S t a c i a. Like staeia, a term of
cf. Squirt. As verb, to wriggle ; to comparison : e.g. to do it like staeia ;
shudder : mentally or physically. as drunk as stacia, etc. (HattitceU).
Whence to get a squirm on, to bestir Stack. A
large quantity: e.g.
oneself ; and squirmy, (a) crooked, de- stacks of the ready, plenty of money,
ceitful ; and (b) all overish (q.v.) (1859). As verb, to make cards in a pre-
Squirrel. A harlot. arranged manner for a crooked game,
Squirt. 1. A dandified puppy to pack (q.v.), to stock (q.v.).
(q.v.), an upstart, a cad: whence Staff. Phrases To put down (or set
:

squirtish, dandified, self - assertive, up) one's staff, to rest ; to take up resi-
caddish: in contempt (1844). 2. An dence ; to keep staff in hand, to retain
obnoxious boy : cf. Squirm. 3. A possession to part with one's etaff, to
;

spurt (1759). 4. In pi., (a) diarrhoea :

get rid of one's substance to argue from
;

of. Squitters ; and (6) a chemist or staff to corner, to raise a question other
apothecary (1551). 5. (Harvard), a than that under discussion, to draw a
showy recitation (Hall). As verb, to red herring across the trail ; to have the
blab (q.v.). To squirt one's dye, to better (or worse) end of the staff, to get
seizean opportunity. the best (or worst) of a matter see :

Squish. 1. Marmalade. 2. Weak Stick (1564).

tea (Winchester). Staff of Life. Bread. English
Squishop. A bishop who is also a synonyms (see also Grub), Melton
landed proprietor cf. Squarson. :
(q.v.)," penny-starver (penny roll),
Squit. A young woman not over soft-tack (or tommy), tack, toke,
pleasing and small (Halliwell). tommy, pannum.
Squitters. Looseness of the Stafford Court. To be tried in
bowels : cf. Squirt. Stafford Court, to be beaten or ill-
Squo (Charterhouse). Racquets treated. Hence Stafford law, violence,
played with a soft ball :
e.g. squo- lynch law (1598).
court, squo-baU, etc. : cf. Squash. Staffordshire Knots (The). The
Sres-wort. Trousers. 2nd Batt. of The South Stafford-
Sret-sio. Oysters. shire Regiment, formerly The 81st
'Stab. Establishment: e.g. on Foot. [The regimental badge is a
the 'stab,regular work at fixed
in knotted cable.]
wages : as opposed to piece - work. Staff-striker. A sturdy beggar, a
To stab the dice, ' having a smooth box tramp.
and small in the bottom, you drop in Stag. 1. An informer, a snitch
both your dice in such manner as (q.v.): also stagger. 2. (Stock Ex-
you would have them sticking therein change). An applicant for shares in
. . the dice lying one upon another ;
. new issues,who has no intention of
so that, turning up the box, the dice holding, but prefers to the forfeit
never tumble ... by which means you deposit money if unable to sell at a
have bottoms according to the tops premium on allotment ; hence, 3. any
you put in for example, if you put
:
irregular outside dealer: also as verb.
in your dice so that two fives or two 4. A professional bailsman or alibi
fours lie a top, you have in the bottom (Bee). 5. A shilling see Rhino.
:

turn'd up two twos, or two treys so ; 6. A romping girL 7. A

male whence ;

if six and an ace a a bull-

top, a six and an ace stag-dance, a man's dance ;

at bottom* (Cotton). To stab oneself dance (q.v.): also stag-party; stag-

and pass the dagger, to help oneself and month, the month of a woman's lying
send the bottle round. in ; stag-widow, a man whose wife is

440
 Stage-fever. Stand.

in childbed. As adj., naked, in buff statting-ken, amart for stolen goods

(q.v.). As watch
verb, (1) to find, to (15(57); also (Barman), a tippling-
closely, to dog (q.v.) e.g. to stag a : house to stall off, to excuse plausibly,
;

thief, to look on and spoil his game; to escape wilily. To stall one's mug,
to stag the push, to watch the crowd ; to be off. To stall a debt, to forbear
Who's that slagging ? Who's following ; it. See Stall.
also stagger, a spy (1827) (2) to dun ? ; Stale Bear (or Bull). (Stock
to beg. Exchange). A bear (or bull) (q.v.)
Stage-fever. A craze for the who has long been short of (or has long
boards hence stage-struck (1710).
:
held) stock.
Stager (or Old Stager). 1. A Stale-drunk. A man is said to be
person of experience cf. Stager, a : stale-drunk when again in liquor
player ; whence, 2. anything long in before complete recovery from a
use or evidence. previous bout : see Screwed.
Stagger. In pi., a drunken fit. Stalk (The). (Punch and Judy).
See Stag. The gallows : see Nubbing cheat.
Staggerer. Anything overwhelm- Stall. 1. To install, to initiate
ing,a poser. (1567). 2. To take a part. 3. To
Staggering Bob. 1. A newly lodge, or put up at a public house.
dropped calf (Hattiwett) ; and 2. See Stale.
meat unfit for human food because the Stall - whimper. A bastard : see
knife has only anticipated death from Bye-blow.
accident or disease ; also Staggering Stam-bang. Plump down.
Bob with his yellow pumps. Stam flash. To cant (B. E.).
Stag mag. A stage manager.
- Sta mm
e 1 (or Strammel). A
Also as verb, to stage manage. brawny, lusty, strapping wench (B. E.).
Staines. At Staines, in pecuniary Stammer. An indictment (Grose).
difficulties, hard up, at the Bush, Stamp. (1) In pi., the legs; (2)
alluding to the Bush Inn at that town shoes ; and (3) carriers (B. E.) also :

(Grose). stampers ; whence stamp - drawers,

Stairs. The stairs without a stockings (1620). 4. A coin of small
landing, the treadmill : see Everlasting value :
spec, a halfpenny in pi. , :

staircase. (American), paper money shinplaster ;

Stake. A booty acquired by rob- (q.v.):also generic for money (1628).

bery . . .
; and, if considerable, a prime 5. In pi., type (1563). As verb, to
stake, or a heavy stake. person A throw dice out of the box, by striking
alluding to anything . . compara- .
violently against the table.
tively .
invaluable,
. would say,
.
Stamp-crab. A lumpish walker, a
consider it a stake ... a valuable or beetle-crusher (q.v.).
acceptable acquisition of any kind is Stamp - in - the - ashes. mixed A
emphatically called a stake, meaning drink of some kind (1515).
a great prize (Grose). As verb, to Stancheous. Strong, durable
provide for. (1844).
Stale. pretence, a fraud, a
1. A Stand (or Standing). 1. thieves* A
theft ; as verb, to deceive, to rob station. 2. A
cheap- jack's, costers',
(1033). 2. Any object of contempt, or street- vendor's pitch (q.v.) also :

deception, or ridicule ; as verb, to (colloquially) a shop (q.v.), a show

ridicule or abuse (1400). 3. decoy,
a stalking horse hence ambush : as
verb, to hide, to lie in wait, to en-
snare (1530). 4. common pro-
stitute ( 1 600). 5. An accomplice a
stale for a foist or pickpocket : now
(also stall) a confederate
either before (front-stall or fore-stall)
or behind (back-stall) the actual thief,
to cover his movements, and assist in
his escape : also stallsman ; as verb, to
screen also to chuck a stall, and to
:
stall off; also to fence (q.v.): whence
A (q.v.). 4. A visit, a run (q.v.). 5.
: situation :
e.g. The Astor House is
a good stand for a hotel. As verb,
A to endure, put up with, forbear (1383).
: Phrases: Stand is frequently col-
loquial: thus to stand ready at the
working door, to be handy for use ; to stand to
a child, to act as sponsor ; to stand
buff (or bluff), to swear to, to outface,
to take the consequences ; not a foot (or
leg) to stand on, at the end of one's
resources, or one's repute ; to stand in,
(1) to take side (or lot) with, to share,
441
 Slander. Stare.

and (2) to cost ; to stand on one's hind they call riding the stang ; and the
legs, to show temper or take in bad person who has been thus treated
part to stand on one's head (ears, etc.),
; seldom recovers his honour in the
to be in good spirits ; to stand up to opinion of his neighbours ; when they
the rack, to take rough and smooth ; cannot lay hold of the culprit himself,
to stand up to, to put oneself in fighting they put some young fellow on the
attitude (Bee) whence a stand up
:
stang or pole, who proclaims that it is
fight, a bout where the contestants not on his own account that he is thus
manfully face each other to stand up ; treated, but on that of another person
with, (1) to dance, and (2) to act as whom he names (Callander) see Skim- :

bridesmaid or groomsman ; to stand mington. Hence stangey, a hen-

holes, to hold to a bargain ; Also pecked husband.
see Pad, Patter, Racket, Sam, Treat, Stangey. 1. A tailor. 2. See
Velvet Stang.
A sentinel (1607).
Stander. Star. 1. A white blaze on a horse's
Stander-up. A thief whose forehead (1845). 2. An asterisk:
speciality is robbing drunken men cf. Dagger, Spear, etc. French stars, :

under pretence of helping them home. %* : a mark of division between

Stand - far - off (or Stand-further- paragraphs, etc. 3. An article intro-
off). 'In my childhood there duced into a sale after the catalogue
was one [cloth] called Stand-far-off has been printed marked in the :

(theembleme of Hypocrisie), which official copy by a star. 4. A distin-

seemed pretty at competent distance, guished singer or player : hence to star
but discovered its coarseness when the provinces (or the halls), to go on
nearer to the eye (Fuller). tour (or make the round of the music
Stand - further. A quarrel, tiff, halls) as the chief attraction (or as
disagreement e.g. There's quite a
: an important turn (q.v.); star-en-
stand-further between them. gagement, an important or chief part ;
Standing. See Stand. To take star-quetter, a player whose bad business
standing, to accept or endure with spoils the efforts of better players.
composure [as one would take a high As verb, to strike a window, mirror,
jump without a run in] hence, with- : etc., so that cracks radiate from a
out ado. common centre : also (thieves'), to
Standing - dish. Any person or smash a window and rob its contents :
thing making a frequent appearance :
spec, by cracking a pane in a shop-
e.g. a sponging diner-out a stock ; front and passing the wet thumb
play, etc., etc. along, directing the crack as they
Standing-patter er. A street- vendor please, then removing the glass,
who, taking a stand (q.v.), slings the removing the goods ; or by striking a
patter to sell his wares almost : dab of putty with a life-preserver :
obsolete since police control under also to star the glaze ; hence done for a
the Metropolitan Streets' Act, 1867 : star, convicted for window smashing ;
cf. Running Patterer. the star - lay, window robbery. To
Stand-off. Polarity, a holding off. bless (or thank) one's stars, to thank
As adj., distant, reserved ; also stand- for one's good fortune (1633). My
offish, and stand-offishness. stars ! An exclamation of surprise :

Stand-up. A meal or snack

(q.v.) also My star and garter ! (1726).
taken standing, a perpendicular (q.v.). Star-bason. An impudent-looking
Stang. Ruling the stang, still used fellow (Hattiwell).
in some colleges in the University Starch. To take the starch out of,
of Cambridge: to stang scholars in to mortify, to humiliate, to abase
Christmas being to cause them to ride another's honour or dignity.
on a coltstaff or pole for missing of Starched. Affected, proud, stiff :

chapel (Ray, 1674) a custom [is] ; also starchy ; hence starch, a stiff,
still prevalent among the country formal manner (1599).
people of Scotland who oblige any : Starcher. A stiff white tie.

man, who is so unmanly as to beat Starchy. Drunk : see Screwed.

his wife, to ride astride on a long Also see Starched.
pole,
borne .by two men, through the village, Stare. To swagger, to bully
as a mark of the highest infamy ; this (HaUiwell : a cant term).
442
 Stare-cat. State Nicknames.

Stare - cat. A meddlesome or in- firstused or brought into notice by

quisitive neighbour. Henry Dundas, first Viscount Melville
Starf Starf take you !
. an impre- (Century). [Latham's edition (1866)
cation ; the devil take you. of Todd's Johnson was the first
Star - gazer. 1. A hedge whore. English Dictionary to include this
2. A horse holding its head well up word.]
while trotting (Grose). 3. An im- Starve 'em, Rob 'em, and Cheat
aginary sail, a skyscraper (q.v.). 4. 'em. Stroud, Rochester, and Chat-
An astrologer also an astronomer :
: ham : cf. The London Smash 'em and
in contempt or jest ; also star clerk,
-
Do-for-'em Ry., The L.C.D.R.
star-conner, star-divine, star-shooter, Stash. To desist, to set aside, to
and star - monger ; hence star - craft, stow it e.g. to stash prigging, to turn
:

astrology (1572). honest ; to stash one's patter, to hold

Staring Quarter. An ox cheek one's tongue to stash the lush, to stop ;

(Grose). boozing (q.v.) (1785).

Stark -naked. Neat (q.v.) gin: State Nicknames. The colloquial
orig. Strip-me-naked also as adj., :
designation of various States and
unadulterated (1830). peoples of the American Union is as
Starling. 1. A penny: 'because in follows Badger State, Wisconsin ;
:

the ring or border of the peny, there Bay State, Massachusetts ; Bayou
was a starre stamped' (1100). 2. A State, Mississippi ; Bear State, (1) Ar-
marked or starred man. and
kansas, (2) California (Century),
Star the Line (The).
of The (3) Kentucky (Century) Big Bend ;

2nd Batt. Worcestershire Regiment, State, Tennessee people, Mudheads :

;

late the 36th Foot. Blue Hen State, Delaware people, :

Star-pitch. Sleeping in the open, Blue Hen's Chickens Blue Law ;

a doss in Hedge Square (q.v.). State, Connecticut also infra ; Buck eye :

Starps. In pi., sprats. State, Ohio Buttion State, Missouri

; :

Stars - and - stripes. The United people, Pukes Centennial State, ;

States flag the Gridiron, the Star-

: Colorado people, Centennials Corn-
:
;

spangled banner. Stars and Bars, cracker

- -
State,
people, Kentucky :

the flag of the Southern Confederacy Corncrackers ; Cracker State, Georgia :

1861-65 (1777). people, Crackers ; Creole State, Louis-
Start (The). (1) London; (2) the iana also infra ; The Dark and Bloody
:

Old Bailey (also The Old Start) ; (3) a Ground, Kentucky: also supra; Dia-
happening :
e.g. a rum start, an odd mond State, Delaware also supra ; :

occurrence. Phrases To start in (or :

Empire also infra
State, New York : :

up), to begin ; to start a vessel from the people, Knickerbockers ; Empire State
stump, to outfit completely ; to start on, of the Smith, Georgia people, Crackers ; :

to beat, bully, quiz, or take in hand. Excelsior State, New York : also supra ;
Starter. 1. A
question (1696). Freestone State, Connecticut : also
2. A milksop, a poltroon, a white- supra and infra Garden State, ;

liver (q.v.) : I'm no starter, I shan't Kansas, also infra ; Golden State, Cali-
flinch (1604). fornia also supra ; Gopher State,
:

Startler. Generic for intensive Minnesota ; Granite State, New Hamp-

surprise. shire Green Mountain State, Vermont ;
;

Start -
up. 1. An upstart, no-one Gulf State, Florida :also infra ; Hawk-
knows-who : also as adj., obscure ; eye State, Iowa :
people, Hawkeyes ;
mushroom (1600). 2. In pi., high Hoosier State, Indiana : people,
shoes. Hoosiers ; Keystone State, Pennsyl-
Starvation. An epithet applied vania Lake State, Michigan people,
; :

to Mr. Dundas, the word being, for the Wolverines Land of Steady Habits ;

first time, introduced into our language Connecticut also supra ; Little :

by him, in a speech in 1775 in an Khody, Rhode Island ; Lone Star

American debate, and thenceforward State, Texas :
people, Beefheads ;

became a nickname (Mitford) the ;

Lumber State,
infra ; Maine : also
word is noted as one of the first Mother of Presidents (or States), Vir-
(flirtation being another) to be formed ginia also infra ; Mudcat State, Mis-
:

directly from a native English verb sissippi also supra ; New England of
:

with the Latin termination ation . . the West, Minnesota :

also^a-apra ,

443
 State* nf Independency. Steeple-fair.

Old Colony, Massachusetts: also Nicknames. [Bartlett : On account

supra Old Dominion, Virginia also
; : of the staid deportment and excellent
gupra Old Line State, Maryland ;
; morals of the people.]
Old North State, North Carolina also : Steal. See Brewer's-basket, and
infra Palmetto State, South Carolina ;
; Stale.
Pan Handle State, West Virginia; Steam. Force, energy, go ( q. v. ).
Pelican State, Louisiana also supra ; : Steam - engine (Manchester).
Peninsular State, Florida also supra ; :
Potato-pie (Hotten).
Pine Tree State, Maine also supra ; : Steamer. A pipe : a swell-steamer,
Prairie State, Illinois : also infra ; a long pipe (1783).
Sage-hen State (or Silver State), Steaming. A steamed pudding.
Nevada ; Squatter State, Kansas : also Steam-packet A jacket.
supra Sucker State, Illinois
; : also Steel. The House of Correction,
supra ; Turpentine State. North Caro- Coldbath Fields, London (1785):
lina :
people, Tarheels also supra ; :
latterly, any prison or lock - up :

Web-foot State, Oregon; Wolverine originally The Bastille.

State, Michigan people, Wolverines ;
: Steelbacks (The). 1. The 1st Batt.
Wooden Nutmeg State, Connecticut :
Northamptonshire Regiment, the
also supra. Also see Nature's Garb, late48th Foot ; and (2) The 1st Batt
and Elevation. Middlesex Regiment, the late 57th
States of Independency. Frontiers Foot
of Extravagance. Oxf. Univ. Cant Steel-bar. A needle. Hence steel-
(Grose). bar driver (or ftinger), a needle-man
Stationery. Free passes, paper (or woman) :
spec, a journeyman
(q.v.). tailor.
Stave. To
press onwards regard- Steel-boy. The kingdom of Ire-
less of generic for vigor-
everything
: land was 1772) ravaged by
(e.
ous action. Hence staving, (I) dashing, various parties of banditti ; who,
active, and (2) great, strong, etc. a under the name of Whiteboys, Oak-
general intensive. Staver, anybody boys, Steelboys, with captains at
or anything exceptionally active, their head, killed proctors, fired stacks,
brilliant, or dashing: a rouser (q.v.). houghed and maimed cattle, and
Also rip (q.v.) and stave (1842).
to took the law into their own hands
Stay. 1. cuckold. A 2. Half a (Thackeray).
meal : also stay-belly : also as verb Steel -pen Coat A dress coat,
(or to stay the
stomach) (1610). As a swallow-tail (q.v.).
verb, to endure, last out, or persevere : Steenkirk. A
Muslin neckcloth
as an athlete in exercise, a horse in carelessly put on, from the manner in
racing, an author in public favour ; which the French officers wore their
hence anybody or anything
stayer, cravats when they returned from the
capable of holding on for a long tune ; Battle of Steenkirk, afterwards a
staying power, capacity for endurance. fashion for both sexes (R. E.). Like-
Phrases, etc. To stay put, to remain
: wise applied to other articles of drew
as placed ; to stay with, to court ; to as wigs, buckles, etc.
stay out, to remain in school ; come to Steep. A general intensive : cf.

stay,
said of anything meeting a TalL Thus a steep (high) price;
public need,
or with approval or steep (excessive) damages ; a steep
favour. (a difficult or forlorn) undertaking;
Stay-at-home. A person of dom- steep (heavy) tax, etc. Too steep, too
estic tastes, a home-bird (q.v.) ; a absurd (bad, idiotic, or impudent) for
house-dove (q.v.); as adj., fond of acceptance. Hence, in the same
remaining at home the reverse of ; sense precipitous (q.v.) Fr., raide.
gad-about (q.v.) (1814). Steeple. A woman's head-dress
Stay-tape. A tailor: from that 14th century. Also, later, a steeple-
article and its coadjutor buckram, crowned hat for either sex (1583).
which formerly made no small figure Steeple-fair. The simoniacal mart :

in the bills of these knights of the spec. St [Formerly church

Paul's.
needle (Orose). doors were plastered with all kinds of
Steady Habits. The Land of miscellaneous advertisements si :

Steady Habits, Connecticut ; see State Siquis] (1599).

444
 Steeple-house. Stick.

Steeple-house. A church (1690). errand. This is a stibber gibber knauc,

'
Steer. Steer has furnished one or that doth fayne tales (Awdeley).
two colloquialisms thus to steer a trick,
: Stibbler. A clerical probationer,
to take a turn at the wheel ; to steer a guinea-pig (q.v.) (1815).
small, to exercise care or skill ; to Stichel. A term of contempt
give a steer, to give a tip (q.v.). (1620).
Steerer. See Bunco-steerer. Stick. 1. In pi., furniture, marbles

Steering-committee. A committee (q.v.): also sticks and stones (1785).

of direction, wirepullers (q.v.). 2. In pi., pistols, pops (q.v.) ; Stow
Steever. See Stiver. your sticks, hide your pistols. 3.
Stem. In pi., the legs. An awkward, dull, or
stupid person :

Stem-winder. well- Anything in contempt usually poor stick ; a

:

finished :
hence, the best of its kind. rum (or odd) stick, an oddity (1803).
[Stem- winder, keyless watch: at the 4. A crowbar, a jemmy (q.v.). 5.
time a new and exquisite improve- (a) A candlestick and (b) a candle.
;

ment.] 6. In pi., the stumps. 7. In pi., the

Step. To make off : also to step it.
legs, stumps (q.v.). 8. A hard or
Also (military), to desert. To step otherwise badly printing ink-roller.
out, to die. Step down and out I Shut 9. In pi., hurdles ; hence stick-hopper,

up ! Stow it You're done

! ! a hurdle-racer. 10. A mast e.g. :

Stephen (or Steven) Money . : She has handsome sticks, She is finely
generic. Stephen's at home, He's sparred. Hesitation, demur;
11.
got 'em (1785). St. Stephen's loaf, hence to stick to boggle (q.v.)
at,
a stone. (1678). As verb, to kill spec. (India) :

Stepmother. A horny filament to spear wild hogs. Phrases and

growing up the side of the finger-nail. colloquialisms are numerous, thus
Stepmother's blessing, a hang-nail. To be stuck on the deal, to pay too
Stepper. 1. The treadmill. The much, to be swindled; to stick on the
everlasting staircase (q.v.). 2. High- price, to overcharge ; to stick for
spirited or full actioned horse
- also :
drinks, to win the toss ; to stick it up,
regular stepper and high-stepper ; hence to get credit ; to stick up (a bank, a
anybody or anything more than usu- train, a caravan), to rob ; to be stuck
ally good of its kind cf. Highflyer.: on one's lines (theatrical), to forget ;
Stepping - ken. Dancing rooms : to stick up tricks (points, runs, goals,
espec. such as are frequented by etc. ), to score ; to stick up, to take
sailors. one's own part, or another's ; to stick in
Stereo. Stale news: see George a pin, to make a note of, to take heed ;
Home. to stick to, to stand by to stick at, to ;

Sterling. See Starling. be scrupulous ; to stick at nothing, to be

Stern. The backside; stern-fore- utterly without scruple to stick in ;

most, backwards ; astern, behind ; one's stomach (or gizzard), to rankle ;

stern-uppermost, on one's face ; stern- to stick to, to 'back through thick and
chase, a pursuit. To bring a ship thin, to follow closely ; to stick one's
down by the stern, to over officer spoon in the wall, to die ; to cut one's
(1835). sticks, to decamp ; to have the fiddle
Steven. See Stephen. but not the stick, to have the means
Stever. See Stiver. without the sense to use them ; to go
Stew. 1. A fish-pond. 2. Worry, to sticks and staves (or noggin staves),
fuss,mental disturbance (1837). As to go to ruin ; to beat all to sticks, to
verb (Stonyhurst College). To study: vanquish utterly to stick a point, to
;

hence stew - pot, a hard - working settle a matter ; to stick in (cricket),

student. To stew (fry, or melt) in to play carefully, so as to keep up the
one's own (or another's) juice (grease, wicket to stick oneself up, to assert
;

fat, or gravy), to be left vindictively or oneself, to spread out (q.v.) to stick ;

resentfully alone (1383). to one's fingers, to remain in possession

Steward. doctor. A unlawfully to stick out for, to contend
;

Stewed Quaker. See Quaker.

'
obstinately to stick and lift, to live
;

Stibber-gibber. Proctour is he from hand to mouth. Also stuck on

that will tary long, and bring a lye, one's shape, pleased with one's ap-
when his Maister sendeth him on his pearance ; stuck in the mud, cornered
445
 Sticker. Stinger.

(q.v.) ; stuck for the ready, penniless ; cost in the bookmaker's interest ; also
stuck by one's pal, deceived, deserted, as adj. (Australian), dead certain to
done (q.v.); stuck in one's figures win ; e.g. Grand Flaneur is stiff for
(facts, or calculations), mistaken, at any race for which he may enter. 6.
a loss; dead stuck, completely dis- A clandestine letter. As adj. and
appointed, flabbergasted, or ruined; adv., a general intensive cf. Steep, :

stuck on a rude, enamoured; stuck Tall, Wide, etc. thus a stiff (a strong
:

up, conceited, proud. Also as cross or long) drink; a stiff (a cramped)

as two sticks, fully angered; stick style ;a stiff (formal) manner also :

and stone, everything cf. Root :

crusty, whence to cut up stiff, to turn
and Branch, Stock and Block in ; testy a stiff (strong and steady)
;

quick sticks (or chisel), instantly ; breeze stiff (incredible) news

; a stiff ;

wrong end of the stick, (1) the worst (difficult) examination a stiff (high) ;

of a position ; and (2) the false of price cf. Steep

: also, a price (or a :

a story. Any stick (or staff) suffices market) stiffens, goes higher to pay :

to beat the dog (Ray). stiffly, to pay expensively a stiff ;

Sticker. 1. A pointed question, an (firm, unyielding) market a stiff upper ;

apt and startling comment or re- lip, courageous ; to cut up stiff, to

joinder, an embarrassing situation, a leave a large estate cf. Warm and :

stumper (q.v.). 2. A gaff. 3. A supra (1608).

plodder. 4. A lingering guest (1712). Stiffler. See Stickler.
5. See Stick-in-the-mud. 6. An article Stiff-fencer. A hawker of writing
which won't sell, a shop-keeper (q.v.). paper.
7. An office beggar. 8. A knife. Stiff -rumped. Proud, stately
Stick-in-the-mud. A fogey, a (B. E.).
slowcoach (1823) also Sticker. :
Stiffy. A well-dressed conceited
Stick flams. A pair of gloves boy.
(B. E.). Stifler. 1. The gallows: also
Sticking. In pi., coarse, bruised, stifles : seeLadder and Nubbing-cheat ;
inferior meat : spec, the portions hence to nab the stifler, to be hanged ;
damaged by the butcher's knife. to queer the stifler, to escape the rope
Sticking- place (or point). (1818). 2. A busybody. 3. A severe
The point of election :
usually in blow.
1 ) A branded criminal ;
phrase to come to the sticking- point Stigmatic. (

(1606). (2) any one deformed and (3) a ;

Stick - in - the - ribs. Thick soup, contemptible wretch (1598).

glue (q.v.). Stile. To help a lame dog over a
Stickit - minister. A disqualified stile, to give a hand, to assist in a
candidate for holy orders spec, a :
difficulty, to bunk up FT., sauver la :

sucking-parson, who, breaking down mise a quelqu'un (1546). Let the best
at his first sermon, never attempts dog leap the stUe first, let the best take
another. lead (Ray).
Stickler. An obstinate or trifling Still. A still-born infant Also
contender, a zealot, a precisian (q.v.) :
(American firemen's), a still alarm :

also stiffler( 1575). i.e. an alarm given other than by the

A thief who robs
Stick-slinger. in regular signal service.
company with low women. Still-sow. A sly knave (1598).
Stick-up. In pL, a high-standing St i 1 t i n g. Expert thief spec, :

collar, gills (q.v.). picking pockets.

Sticky.Sealing-wax. Stilton (The). The correct thing :
Stiff. A bill of exchange, nego-
1. a variant of the cheese (q.v.).
tiable
paper, thick (q.v.) to take (or : Stimble. To urinate.
give) the to receive (or pay) in
stiff, Sting. To rob, to trick. That
paper ; to do a bit of stiff, to accept a cove is fly ; he has already been stung.
bill. 2. Forged bank notes. 3. A The man is on his guard he has been ;

corpse : also stiff one (1785). 4. A robbed before.

horse certain not to win, nor if Sting-bum. A niggard (1696).
it run, to win : also Dead-'un, Safe- Stinger. Generic for anything ex-
'up, Stumer,
etc. (q.v.) ; bookmaker's ceptional e.g. a heavy blow, a sharp
:

stiff, a horse nobbled at the public rebuke, a vexatious occurrence, etc.

 Stingo. Stock Exchange.

Hence stinging, keen, sharp, telling Stitch. 1. A tailor. 2. Clothing:

(1613). e.g. not a dry stitch about her.
Stingo. Strong liquor :
spec, Phrases To go through stitch, to ac-
:

humming ale (q.V.). complish, to bring to a finish to go a ;

Stingy. Covetous, close -

fisted, good stitch, to go a good way stop ;

sneaking (B. E.). stitch while I put a needle in, a pro-

Stink. 1. Any disagreeable ex- verbial phrase applied to any one
posure when any robbery of moment
: when one wishes him to do anything
has been committed, which causes more slowly (1611).
much alarm, or of which much is said Stitch - back. Very strong ale,
in the daily papers, the family people stingo (q.v.).
will say there is a great stink about it Stitch-louse. A tailor: also
(Grose) ; to stir up a stink, to expose ; prick-louse.
and as verb, to have a bad reputation Stive. To crowd, to make hot in
(1647). 2. In pi., (a) chemistry: a sultry atmosphere. Stived up,
hence stink-cupboard, a close chamber stifled (1865). As verb, to run ; to
for evil-smelling or obnoxious chemical move off (Bartlett) : a low word used in
experiments and (6) a lecturer on
; the Northern States). See Stew.
chemistry to go out in stinks, to take
; Stiver (Steever, Stinner, etc.).
a degree in natural science (Cambridge). (1) A
Dutch coin value Id. ; hence (2)
To take a stink for a nosegay, to be a small standard of value, a straw, a
extremely gullible, to mistake egregi- fig (q.v.) ; and (3) generic for money.
ously. Hence stiver-cramped, needy (1535).
Stink-a-puss. A term of contempt. Stizzle (Tonbridge School). To
Stinkard. A mean wretch also : hurt.
stinker a general term of contempt.
: Stock. 1. Cheek, impudence,
Hence stinkardly, mean (1596). brass (q.v.). As adj., very, com-
Stinker. 1. A
black eye (1785). pletely :
usually in combination :

2. Anything offensive e.g. a stink- : thus stock-still, entirely at rest ; stock-

pot, a filthy person, in pL, bad coal ; blind, absolutely sightless, etc. cf. :

spec, (modern), a motor car also stink- : Stone (1675). 2. Anything inert :

car See Stinkard.

:
hence, (1) a fool, a blockhead (q.v.),
Stinkibus. Bad lap (q.v.), rot- and (2) in contempt spec, in com- :

gut (q.v.) (1706). pounds (mostly recognised) such as

Stinking fish. To cry stinking laughing-stocfc, jesting-stocJt, courting-
fish, to run down one's own affairs, to stock, etc. ; whence stoc-kish, silly,
foul one's own nest. lumpish ; stockishness, stupidity
Stinkious. Gin
18th century. :
(1593). Stock and block, the whole,
Stinkomalee. A name given to completely ; also lock-stock-and-barrel,
the then New London University by and (American) stock-and-ftute cf. :

Theodore Hook. Probably because Stick-and-stone, Root - and - branch,

some cow-houses and dunghills stood etc. (1725). Phrases: To take stock
on the original site. Some question in, to have faith in ; to take stock of,
about Trincomalee was agitated at the to scrutinize, to size up (q.v.) ; on
same time. It is still applied by the the stocks, in hand, in preparation
students of the old Universities, who (1704). See Broad, Water.
regard it with disfavour from its ad- Stock-blind. Quite blind, blind
mitting all denominations (Hotten). as a stock or block cf. Stone-blind :

Stinky. A farrier. (1675).

Stipe. A stipendiary magistrate. Stockdollager. See Sockdolager.
Stir. 1. A prison: also stiraben Stock Drawers. Stockings (B. E.).
(gipsy) (1851). 2. A crowd; a Stock Exchange Terms. [The
push (q.v.). To have plenty to stir on, following list is imperfect, but it
to be wealthy. See stumps. contains the better known and older
Stirrup-oil. A sound beating, a colloquialisms. The Stock Exchange,
drubbing (1677). admittedly a close corporation, is, in
Stir - up - Sunday. The Sunday fact, so close that not only was direct
before Advent. [The collect for the official information refused, but also
day commences Stir up, we beseech
: an appeal to be put into communica-
Thee, O Lord.] tion with some member interested in
447
 Stock Exchange. Stock-jobber.

Stock Exchange colloquialisms was
declined. Perhaps, however, sub-
scribers will be good enough to help
to a list as an Appen-
supplementary
dix.] Ales, Messrs. S. Allsopp and
Sons shares ; Apes, The Atlantic and
North Eastern Railway first mortgage
bonds ; Ayrshire*, Glasgow and South-
Western Railway stock; Baby Wee-
Wees, Buenos Ayres Water Works
shares ; Bays, Hudson Bay Company
shares ; Berthas, London, Brighton,
and South Coast Railway stock ;
Benmcks, North Eastern Railway
Ordinary stock; Bones, (1) North
British 4
per
cent. 1st Preference
shares see Bonettas, and (2) Wickens,
: shares ; Pots, Staffordshire Railway
Pease, and Company shares ; Bonetas,
North British 4 per cent. 2nd Pro-
ference shares ; Bottles,
Brewery and Bottling Company
shares Brums, London and North
; Sardinian Railway shares ; Sewers,
Western Railway stock (formerly
London and Birmingham Railway);
Bulgarian Atrocities, Varna and Rust-
chuk Railway 3 per cent. Obligations ;
Caleys, Caledonian Railway Ordinary
stock { Cashda, Great Southern and
Western of Ireland Railway stock ;
Cats, Atlantic Cable 2nd Preference
stock ; Chats, London, Chatham, and
Dover Railway stock ; Chinas, Eastern
Extension Australian and China Tele-
graph shares ; Claras, Caledonian
Railway Deferred and Ordinary stock ;
Coffins, The Funeral Furnishing Com-
pany shares ; Cottons, Confederate
Bonds ; Creamjugs, Charkoff - Kre-
menlsching Railway bonds Dinahs,
see Megs ; Matches, Bryant and May's
shares ; Megs, Mexican Railway 1st
Preference shares : see Mails ; Mete,
Metropolitan Railway Co. shares ;
Middies, Midland Railway Ordinary
stock ; Monos, The Isle of Man Rail-
way shares ; Muttons, Turkish Loans
of 1865 and 1873; New Billingsgate,
The House (q.v.) ; New Plates, English
Bank of the River Plate shares : see
Old Plates ; Noras, Great Northern
Railway Deferred Ordinary stock ;
Nuts, Barcelona Tramway shares ;
Old Plates, London and River Plate
Bank shares; Pigtails, Chartered
Bank of India, Australia, and China
stock ; Sarahs, Staffordshire and
Lincoln Railway Deferred stock ;
Barrett's Sarah's Boots, Sierra Buttes Gold Min-
ing Company shares ; Sardines, Royal
East London Railway shares ; Silvers,
India Rubber, GuttaPercha, andTele-
graph Company shares ; Sunshades,
The Sunhales Extension Buenos Ayres
and Rosario Railway Company shares ;
Terrors, Northern Territories Co.
shares ; Vestas, Railway Investment
Company Deferred stock; Virgins,
Virginia New Funded Bonds ; Whip-
sticks, Dunaberg and Witepsk Rail-
way shares ; Westralians,] generic for
Western Australian Mining shares.
Also see Bear, Bucket - shop, Bull,
Cocky, Fiddle, Fourteen- Hundred ;
Futures ; Guttersnipe ; Hammer ;
House ; Jam-tart ; Kerbstone- broker ;
; Kidney ; Lame-duck Let-up Load ; ; ;

Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway Long ;Omnium Orchid ; Peg ; ;

Ordinary stock Dogs, Newfoundland

; Picker-up Put Raid Rush ; Scalp ;
; ; ;

Land Company shares ; Doras, South Scoop Set - up ;

; Shoot Short ; ;

Eastern Railway Ordinary

"
A" Shunter ; Stag ; State ; Sweater ;

stock ; Dovers, South Eastern Rail- Swimming Tapes Tapeworm Ten-

; ; ;

way Ordinary stock Ducks, Ayles-; up Tight Twist Unload Waddle

; ; ; ; ;

bury Dairy Company shares Floaters, ; Water Wash-sale ; Wireworm.

;

Exchequer bills ; Gorgonzola Hall, Stocking. In one's stockings (or

The House (q.v.); Ooschens, The 2| stocking-feet), without shoes (1809).
per cent Government Stock ; Guin- Long-stocking, means in plenty, re-
new'*, Guinness and Company shares ; sources.
Haddocks, North of Scotland Railway Stock-jobber (Stock- j obbing,
Ordinary stock ; Kaffirs, generic for etc.).
'
A sharp, cunning-cheating
South African Mining shares : whence Trade of Buying and Selling shares of
Kaffir Circus, the South African Stock in East India, Guinea, and other
Market in a state of excitement ; Companies also in the Bank, Ex-
;

Kisses, Hotchkiss Ordnance Company
shares; Knackers, Harrison, Barber,
and Company shares ; Leeds, Lanca-
shire and Yorkshire Railway Ordinary
stock ; Mails. Mexican Railway shares ;
448
chequer, etc.' (B. E.); persons who
gamble on the Stock Exchange, pre-
tending to buy and sell public funds
but only betting that they will be at a
certain price at a particular time ;
 Stockport-coach. Storekeeper.

possessing neither stock to be sold, broke). Penniless, hard-up (q.v.)

nor money to make good the pay- pebble-beached (q.v.).
ments, known [as] bulls, bears, and Stone-doublet (jug, pitcher,
lame ducks (Grose). or tavern). prison A
spec. New- :

Stockport - coach. A horse with gate (B. E.) also jug (q.v.) (1653).
:

two women riding sidewise.

-
Stone fence. Brandy and ale,
Stocky. 1. Short and stout, breaky-leg (q.v.).
lumpy, stumpy (q.v.) (1712). 2. Stone-wall. (1) Parliamentary
Irritable, headstrong, and contrary, obstruction : also as verb, (2) to ob-
combined (Hattiwett) : also 3. im- struct, hence to obstruct business at
pudent, brassy (q.v.) (1856). any meeting, chiefly by long-winded
Stodge. (1) Food; (2) a heavy speeches ; and (3) to play a slow game
meal and (3) the crumb of new
; at cricket, blocking balls rather than
bread (Charterhouse). As verb, to making runs. Able to see as far
gorge, to stuff (q.v.). Hence stodgy through a stone wall as any one, as
-
(or stodge full), distended, lumpy, capable of understanding a retort
crammed ; stodger, ( 1 )
a gormandiser ; on depreciation or doubt of one's
and (2) a penny bun. As verb (Ton- abilities.

bridge School), to hurt. Stoobs. Boots.

Stogy. Generic for coarseness: Stook. A
pocket - handkerchief :

thus stogy shoes (or stogies), heavy stook-hauler,a handkerchief thief.

shoes stogy-cigar, a rough coarse
; Stool. A decoy see Stale and :

cigar. Stall also (common) stool-pigeon, a

;

Stoke. To eat: spec. (1) to eat cardsharper's accomplice cf. Pigeon :

without appetite ; and (2) to wolf and Rook. To fall between two stools,
(q.v.). to hesitate between alternatives and
Stoll (North Country Cant). 1. To lose (or be disappointed in) both
understand (Hotten). 2. To tipple, to (1546). To lay the stool's foot in
booze (q.v.). Slotted, drunk: see water, to make much preparation to
Screwed. receive a guest.
Stomach. Generic for disposition :
Stoop. The pillory. The cull
e.g. (a) spirit, compassion ; (6) was served macing and napped
for
courage, temper ; and (c) pride. the stoop (or was set on the stoop),
Hence a proved stomach, a haughty The swindler was convicted and
disposition ; stomach - grief, anger. pilloried stooping-match, a pillory
;

As verb, (1) to endure, to encourage, exhibition stoop-napper, one under

;

(2) to resent, to disgust ; to stick in punishment To give the stoop, to

:

the stomach, to remember with anger yield, to knock under (q.v.) (1692).
or disgust; stonuichful, (1) stubborn, Stop. To ward off, to parry.
and (2) angry ; stomachy, proud, Colloquialisms To stop one's mouth, to
:

irritable (1383). silence :

spec, with a sop or bribe ;
Stomach-timber. Food : cf. Belly- to stop out, to cover teeth with black
timber (1820). wax to make them invisible to stop ;

Sto m
a c h-worm. Hunger the :
off (or over), to make a break in a
stomach-worm knaws, I am hungry journey : also as subs., e.g. a stop
(Grose). off, in Philadelphia (American) ; stop
Stone. In combination, quite, my vitals, A
silly curse in use among
wholly :
e.g. stone-blind, stone-cold, the beaux (B. E.) ; stop thief, beef : see
stone-dead, stone-still, etc. : cf. Stock Beef it (1628).
(B. E.) (1330). Colloquialisms: To Stop -dice. A kind of false dice
kitt two birds with one stone, to do (or (Palsgrave) 1540.
achieve) a double purpose : cf. To stop Stop-hole Abbey. The Nick-
two gaps with one bush to leave no ; name of the chief rendezvous of the
stone unturned, to spare no endeavour ; canting crew of gypsies, beggars,
to mark with a white stone, to single cheats, thieves, etc. (B. E.).
out as lucky or esteemed to live in a ; Stopper. A
finisher (q.v.); a
glass house and yet. throw stones, to lay settler (q.v.) (1836).
oneself open to blame or attack. Stopping Oyster. See Oyster.
Stone-bee.See Bee. Storrac. Carrots.
Stone -broke (Stoney, or Stony- Storekeeper. An unsaleable
449
 Story. Strapper.

article : s shop -
keeper (English), straight (a trustworthy) tip, griffint
which see. etc. (q.v.) ; a straight (an unsmiling)
Story. A falsehood :
euphem- face straight (or straight-out), outright,
;

istic ; whence story-teller, a liar (1840). thorough ; straight up and down (in
Blind story,a pointless narrative the straight, or on the straight), plain,
(1699). See Upper Story. honest, free from crookedness of all
Stoter Stotor). A violent
(or kinds ; out of the straight, dishonest,
blow e.g. Tip him a stoter in the
: crooked. In the straight, nearing the
haltering place, Give it him under end, within sight of a finish ; orig. a
the left ear (B. E.). Hence a settler racing term. Straight as a pound of
(q.v.). candles (or as a loon's leg), as honest
Stoupe. To give up [UaUiweli : A as may be ; also as straight as the
cant term]. backbone of a herring, as a die, arrow,
Stout. 1. Very strong malt-drink etc. (1670). Straight/ Fact! Honest
(B. E.). 2. In pL, Guinness' B shares. Injun !

Stout across the narrow, full bellied, Straight-laced. Precise, squeam-

corpulent. ish, puritanical, nice (B. E.).
Stove-pipe (or Stove - pipe - hat). Strain. To
strain hard, 'To ly
A tall hat a chimney pot (q.v.) FT.,
; :
heavily' (B. E.). To strain one rs
tuyau de poele. taturs, to urinate.
Stow. To hold one's tongue, to Stram. A walk : spec, a society
keep quiet, to leave off e.g. Stow it I :
parade. As verb, to walk stiffly : also
Be quiet ; Stow your whids and plant (HalliweU), to dash down violently, to
'em ; for the Cove of the ken can cant beat,
'em, Take care what you say, for the Stramash. A disturbance, a rough
master of the house understands you and tumble (q.v.). As verb, to beat,
(1567). bang, destroy (1837).
Stozzle. To drink. Hence Strammel. See Strummel.
stozzled, drunk see Screwed. ; Strammer. Anything exceptional,
Strada Reale Highlanders. The 1st Stramming, huge, great.
Batt. Gordon Highlanders, late The Stranded. Penniless, friendless.
75th Foot. 2 the regiment was
[In 181 Stranger. 1. A sovereign formerly :

detailed for Mediterranean service, a guinea see Rhino. 2. A visitor

: :

and for some time formed the Main cf. the folk-saying of a badly burning

guard of the Governor's residence in candle, or a stalk in tea A stranger's :

the Strada Reale, Valetta.] coming.

Straddle. A contract in which Strangle-goose. A
poulterer (1785).
the holder can call for (or the signatory Strap. A
barber.
1. Strap, a
can deliver) stock at a fixed price a : barber in Smollett's Roderick Random,
speculation covering both a put and 1748.] 2. Credit: orig. credit for
a call(q.v.) Spread-eagle.
: As
cf. drink. On strap, on tick (q. v. ); strapped,
verb, to adopt a non - committal penniless, bankrupt (1857). As verb,
attitude, to favour both sides, to sit to flog, to beat. Hence strapping
on the fence (q.v.) : also as subs. (or a dose of strap-oil or oU of strap'em)
Straights (The). A nest of obscure a thrashing ; an April fool joke is to
courts, alleys, and avenues, running send a lad for a penn'orth of strap oil :
between the bottom of St. Martin's cf. Stirrup-oil. 3. To hang (1825).
Lane, Half Moon, and Chandos 4. To work (Grose). See Blackstrap.
Street (1614). Straight, generic for Strappado. A
form of torture :

honesty, has, like round (q.v.), and the culprit, his legs tied, was hoisted
square (q.v.), a large colloquial by a rope fastened to his arms behind
vogue. Thus a straight (an exact) his back, and was given a rapid descent
thinker ; a straight (a chaste) piece stopped so suddenly that the jerk often
(q.v.); a straight (an out-and-out) dislocated the joints of arms and
Tory : hence straight-out, thorough- shoulders ; this was repeated once or
going straight (neat also duty-paid)
; : twice : cf. Scavenger's daughter.
whisky ; straight (candid) speech ; Strapper. A swingeing two-
straight (honest) people, living, etc. ; handed woman (B. E.); anvthing big
straight (honestly acquired) goods : or bulky. Strapping, tall, robust,
also of persons, square (q.v.) ; a well-made (1678).
450
 Stravag. Stretcher.

Stravag (or Stravaig). To tramp, Strawyard. A night shelter,

to loaf, to abscond. Hence stravaiger, or asylum, or refuge for the destitute.
a vagabond. See Straw.
Straw. 1. Generic for worthless- Streak. 1. A mental peculiarity :
ness. Thus, not worth a straw, of no cf. Twist, Kink, etc. also a fit of :

appreciable value to care not a straw,

; temper: whence streaky, (1) irritable,
to care not at all ; a man (or face) of short-tempered, (2) mean ; (3) flabber-
straw, a man of no standing or sub- gasted (q.v.); and (4) variable: also
stance, a sham, a fumbler straw-bail, ; streaked (1647). 2. run ; a sequence A
professional security ; straw - shoes of prosperities or adversities. As
(man or witness), a perjured witness ; verb, to decamp swiftly, to go with
straw-bid, a fictitious offer ; straw- a rush also to make streaks, to streak
:

bidder, a buyer who cannot fulfil hia off like greased lightning, or to go like
contract straw-vote, a snatch vote ;
; a streak (1604).
strawyarder (nautical), a land-lubber Streamers. The Aurora Borealis ;
playing the sailor ; spec, a blackleg Northern Lights (1805).
doing shipboard duty during a strike. Street. 1. The people living in a
2. A long clay pipe, a churchwarden. street (1594). 2. capacity, a A
3. A straw hat ; also strawyard, and method, a line (q.v.) : e.g. That's not
(schools) strawer. Phrases In the : in my
street, I am
not concerned, or
straw, in childbed (Grose) ; to break a That's not my
way of doing, etc. : in
straw, to quarrel ; to lay a straw, to the same street, (1) on (or under) the
pause ; to draw (or pick) straws, to same conditions and (2) equal with;

show signs of sleep ; a pad in the straw, (1362). The Street, a centre of trade
anything amiss throw straws against
; to or exchange spec. (American) Wall
;

the wind essay the impos-

(Coles), to Street ; cf. House, Lane, etc. (1612).
sible. Also (proverbial) A straw : See Grub Street, Key, Queer Street,
shows which way the wind blows He ; Spin.
gives straw to his dog, and bones to Street-ganger. A beggar.
one given to absurdities) ;
his ass (of Street-hound. A rough, bully, or
To make a block of a straw ; To loafer.
stumble at a straw and leap over a Street-pitcher. Any one who
block, etc., etc. stands, or takes a pitch (q.v.), in the
Strawberry. A
nevus, a birth- streets vendor, mendicant, etc.
mark. To cut down an oak, and set up Street-walker. 1. A prostitute,
a strawberry, to waste cf. Ital., cavar ; working on the pavement hence ;

un chiodo e piantar una caricchia (to street-walking. 2. A jailer.

dig up a nail and plant a pin). Strength. On the strength, on the
Strawberry-leaves. A dukedom : muster roll.
a ducal coronet is ornamented with Streperous. See Obstreperous.
eight strawberry-leaves. Stretch. 1. yard (1785). 2. A
A
Strawberry - preacher. A non- year ; three stretch, three years' im-
resident, one who visited his cure prisonment (1877). 3. A walk to ;

only once a year. stretch a leg (or one's legs), to walk

Strawboots. 1. The 7th Dragoon (1653). As verb, (1) to hang, to swing
Guards ; also Old Strawboots, and (q.v.) : see Ladder stretching (stretch-
:

The Straws. 2. The 7th Hussars. ing-match, or stretching-bee), a hang-

[Tradition says from these regiments ing (1623) ; (2) to exaggerate, to lie :
having been employed in quelling He stretched hard, He told a whistling
agricultural riots.] lie (1696); hence stretcher, an ex-
Straw - chipper. A barber cf. :
aggeration, a falsehood. On (or at)
Strummel - faker and Nob - thatcher a stretch, continuously, at one and the
(1823). same time (1832). To stretch one's
Strawing. To sell straws in the legs according to the coverlet, to adapt
street, and give away with them some- oneself to circumstances, to cut one's
thing that is really or fictionally for- coat according to the cloth (1670).
bidden to be sold, as indecent papers, To stretch (or strain) a point, to
political songs, and the like. exceed a limit see Point. :

Straw-ride. A driving excursion in Stretcher. 1. In pi., braces ; hence

a strawed-down van or sleigh. stretcher-fencer, a vendor of braces.
461
 Stretch-halter. Strong.

2. A
University Extension student. To fed like going to heaven in a string,
3. See Stretch. 4. The piece of to feel blindly and confusedly happy.
wood that lies across the boat where- Stringer. 1. A libertine (1611).
on the waterman reste hia feet 2. A difficult ball to play (cricket).
(B. E.). Stringy-bark. A combination of
Stretch - halter (or Hemp). A fusel and turpentine, labelled
oil
scoundrel ; one who badly needs a whisky. As adj., rough, uncultered ;

hanging cf.
Crack-rope, Wag-halter,
: hence mean, ne'er-do-weel equiva- :

Scape-gallows, etc. (1604). lent to bush (q.v.), and usually in

Stretchy. Sleepy, languid, in-
clined to stretch and yawn (1872).
'Strewth. God's truth
Stride. In pi., trousers
Kicks. To take in one's stride, to do
easily, and without an effort, as a
hunter or a steeple-fencer takes a
contempt (1833).
'
Strip. To Rob or Gut a House, to
!
unrig any Body, or to Bite them of
see : their Money. Strip the ken, c. to
Gut the House. Strip the table, c. to
Winn all the Money on the Place.
Ibid, Poor, naked e.g. We have stript
:

fence. the Cull, We have got all the Fool's

Stride-wide. Ale. [Hattiwett: Money ; The Cove's stript, the Rogue '
mentioned in Harrison's England, has not a Jack left to help himself
202.] (B. E.).
Strike. 1. A sovereign, 20s. : see Stripe. A characteristic, kind,
Rhino. 2. Any
unscrupulous attempt kidney (q.v.) (American),
; spec.
to extort money or to obtain other persons of the same political colour
personal advantage by initiating an (1613). The Stripes, short for Stars
attack with the intention of being and Stripes (q.v.).
bought off, as by introducing a bill into Strip-me-naked. Gin. Also stark-
a legislature hostile to some moneyed naked (q.v.) (1820).
interest, with the hope of being paid Stripped. Unadulterated, neat
to let the matter drop (Century) :
(q.v.).
whence striker, a blackmailer. As Stripper. In pi., high cards cut
verb, generic for getting money to :
wedge-shape, a little wider than the
steal (1567), to beg, to borrow (e.g. rest, no as to be easily drawn in a
to strike (or spring (q.v.) a man for a crooked game : cf. Concaves and con-
quid), to get into debt (cf. to strike vexes, Longs and shorts, etc.
a light, to run up an alehouse score), Strive (Christ's Hospital). To
to rob ; hence striking, a robbery, write with care : cf. Scrub.
swindle, or imposition ; and striker, Stroker. A
flatterer, a sycophant
a robber with violence. Strike me (1632). '
blind ! an oath. Strike me luck (or Stroller. Strowlers, c. Vagabonds,
lucky), used in clenching
originally Itinerants, Men of no settled Abode,
a bargain the hands were struck
: of a Precarious Life, Wanderers of
together, and the buyer left a luck- Fortune, such as, Gypsies, Beggers,
penny in the hands of the seller ; Pedlers, Hawkers, Mountebanks,
hence an oath or ejaculation (1616). Fidlers, Country - Players, Rope-
To make a strike, to achieve, succeed, dancers, Juglers, Tumblers, showers
'
or be lucky at ninepins to knock all
: : of Tricks, and Raree-show-men (B. E.)
the pins down with one ball. See
'

Strolling-mort. Strowling-morta
Bright, Heap, Jigger, Oil, Rich, Rose. o. pretending to be Widows, some-
Strike-me-blind. Rice. times Travel the Countries, making
Strill. A cheating lie (Hotten). Laces upon Ewes, Beggars-tape, etc.
String. A hoax, a discredited story : Are, light Finger'd, Subtil, Hypocriti-
hence as verb, ( 1 ) to hoax, to deceive ; cal, Cruel, and often dangerous to meet,
also on a string (or line), hoaxed, especially when a Ruffler is with them
bamboozled, stuffed (q.v.); (2) to (B. E.) (1567).
cast for play each player to the top
: Strommel. 1. Straw (1667) :
also,
of the table to return to baulk the ; Strammel. 2. Hair (1785): hence to
one nearest the bottom cushion has have one's strvmmel faked in twig, to
then the choice. In a string, at have it dressed in style xtrummel- ;

command (1706). To harp upon one faker, a barber cf. Strawchipper.

:

string, to repeat incessantly (1546). Strong. See Come-and Go.

452
 Strong Man. Stun.

Strong Man. To play the part of ballot-box of

bogus voting papers ;
the strong man, to be whipped at the hence a cheating teller.
stuffer,
cart's tail ;
i.e. to push the cart and Stuffer. See Heeler, and Stuff.
horses too (Grose). Stuffing. See Knock and Stuff.
Strue. Construe. Stuffy. 1. Angry, sulky, obstinate.

Strum. 1. A wig (1696). 2. See 2. Close, airless, malodorous.

Strumpet. As verb, To play badly Stuling-ken. See Stall.
on the harpsichord or any other Stumble. See Truckle-bed.
stringed instrument. strummer ofA Stumer. Generic for sham: spec,
wire, a player on any instrument a worthless cheque.
strung with wire (Gfrose). Stump. 1. In pi., legs ; as verb, to
Strumpet (or Strum). harlot A walk spec, stiffly, heavily, or noisily ;
:

(B. E.). As adj., wanton; as verb, whence to stir one's stumps, to bestir
(1) to play the whore ; and (2) to hold oneself, to increase one's speed (1609).
up to contempt as a strumpet (1593). 2. Money generic : also stumpy see
: :

Strunt. Liquor (1787). Rhino hence as verb (or to stump up),

;

Strut-noddy. A mincing fool. to pay stumped (or put to one's stumps

Stub. LAfool (1632). 2. A
;

poor, hard up, put to shift

- to pay ;

counterfoil of a cheque ; hence stub- on the stump, to disburse readily and

book, a book of counterfoils of cheques promptly (1785). 3. A blockhead,
or other duplicate records (1886). As fool. As verb, (1) to boast, to
verb (Felsted), to kick a football about. swagger hence stumper, a
(q.v.) ;

Stubble. To stubble one's whids braggart (1748); (2) to challenge,

(or to stubble it), to hold one's tongue defy, puzzle, or confound ; and (in
(1567). an absolute sense) to ruin ; as subs.,
Stubbs. Nothing (1785). an attempt to puzzle or confound ;
Stub-faced. Pitted with small-pox stumper, a puzzler up a stump, con- ;

(Orose). founded, up a tree (q.v.) (1837); (3)

Stuck. See Stick in various senses : to travel the country for the purpose
also Pig. of making partizan or personal
Stuck-up. Conceited, purse-proud, speeches from stumps or other im-
assuming airs (dignity, or importance). provised platforms originally back- :

Also (rare) as subs. (1830). woods electioneering, and spec, on

Study. A closet of books (B. E.). one's own account : now general ;

See Brown Study. frequently, but not necessarily, in a

Stuff. 1. Belongings: furniture, derogatory sense ; also to go on the
goods, utensils generic the literary
: :
stump (or to take the stump) ; hence
usage lingers in household-stuff, and stumper (stump orator or stump-
in such a tributary sense as food- speaker), (a) an electioneer ; and (b)
stuffs, bread-stuffs (raw material) a bombastic spouter (q.v.), with such
(1360). 2. Money: generic: see derivatives as stump-orator, stump-
Rhino (1774). 3. In contempt for speech, etc. ( Worcester A cant phrase).:

anything to be swallowed spec,

:
Stump and rump, completely cf. :

medicine (1605). 4.Twaddle, fustian, Stock and Block, Root and Branch,
trash spoken, or written ; spec, in Stick and Stone, etc.
such phrases as Stuff ! Rubbish !
Stumper (Tonbridge School). 1.
Stuff and nonsense ! What rot (q.v.) ! Small cricket played with a stump :
:

(1696) ; as verb, to gammon (q.v.) : to at Harrow, stumps. 2. A wicket-

fillfull of lies, prejudice, statistics, keeper. 3. Anything that bowls out ;
victuals, etc. ; whence stuffing (jour- a corker (q.v.). See Stump.
nalists), superfluous matter, used to fill Stump - of - the - gutter. A term
a given space, padding (q.v.) (1579). of contempt stumpy, short, squat,
;

5. Tobacco. 6. (a) A simpleton, a dumpy (1764).

weakling ; and (b) a respectable citizen Stump-tail Currency. Cur-
(thieves'). 7. A Junior Counsel as :
rency issued by certain banks of
distinguished from silk (q.v.) : also doubtful credit prior to the Civil War
stuff-gown. As verb, to gorge, to (Barttett).
wolf (q.v.) (1809). To stuff a ballot- Stun. To cheat, to do (q.v.). To
box, to tamper with returns by the stun out of the regulars, to swindle a
surreptitious introduction into the man of his share of booty.
453

I
 Stunlaw. Suicide.

Stunlaw. Walnute. (q.v.) : hence sucker, a pony (q.v.).

Stunner. Generic for astonish- To teach one's grandma (or grannie),
ment. Stunning, amazing, strikingly to suck eggs, to instruct an expert, to

large, good, etc. ; to put the stunners talk old to one's elders : see Grand-
on, to perplex, confound, astonish mother, and add the following anal-
(1848). ogous phrases To teach one's grannie
:

Stupid (or Stupe). A blockhead to grope her ducks, to sup sour milk,
(1762). to sard, or to to teach one's
spin ;
Sturdy-beggar. The fifth and last father to get children ; also II ne faut
of the most ancient order of canters pas apprendre aux poissons d nager,
(B. E.) ; beggars that rather demand You must not teach fish to swim.
than ask (Grose). See Monkey.
Sturiben (or Sturibin). A Sucker. 1. A parasite, a
sponger
prison ; spec. (American) a State (q.v.) ; spec. (American political), a
prison ; also Stir see Cage.: blackmailer ; also to sponge upon :

Styx (The Leys School). urinal A whence to suck dry, to exhaust cf. :

Sub. (1) A subaltern; (2) a sub- proverbial saying, Children suck the
ordinate ; (3) a subscription ; (4) a mother when young, and the father
subject and (5) money see Sugar,
; : when old. 2. A sucking pig ; also
Paint. As verb (workmen's), to draw any youngling e.g. a rabbit - sucker,
:

money in advance (1838). a young rabbit, etc. (1591). 3. A

Sub - beau (or Demi - beau). A native of Illinois, the Sucker State ; see
would-be-fine (B. E.). State (1848). See Suck and Sucking.
Sublime Rascal. A lawyer see :
Suck-fyst. A parasite (1611).
Greenbag. Sucking. Young, inexperienced,
Sub Rosa. Secretly, confidentially. callow ; cf. sucker, a greenhorn, and
Substance. See Shadow. sucking-dove, a dupe or simpleton ;
Suburb. Generic for disorder sucking- Nelson, a midshipmite ; poet-
and loose-living. Thus house in the sucker, a budding poet (1680).
suburbs, a brothel ; suburb - wench Suction (Winchester). Sweet-
(drab, sinner, etc.), a prostitute ; sub- meats : cf. (prov.) Sucker and Sucket.
urb ( wanton) tricks ; suburb (black- Suction. See Suck.
1. A decision based
guard) humour ; suburb-justice, money Sudden Death.
is right (1583). on skying a coin once only see New- :

Succuba. A mistress (1610). market. 2. A crumpet or Sally Lunn.

Succubus. A thieving hanger-on, 3.See Spatchcock.
a scoundrel (1700). Suds. In the suds, troubled, per-
Suck. 1. Wine or strong drink plexed, angry (1617).
(B. E.). 2. A small draught: hence Suetty - Isaac. Suet pudding also :

rum -
suck, excellent tipple ; sucky, Soapy -Isaac.
drunkish suck - spigot (pint, pot,
; Suffer. In mock pity, Do you
bottle, or can), a confirmed tippler : suffer much T
also sucker ; suckerdom, the world of Sufferer. 1. A tailor. 2. A loser.
topers ; suck-casa, a public house as ; Sugar. 1. generic : see
Money :

verb, to tipple, to soak (q.v.). Also Rhino : also (rhyming) sugar-and-

to suck one's face, to delight in drink- honey. 2. Flattery, gammon (q.v.):

ing (B. E.) ; suction, booze (q.v.): also as verb, (1) to natter, humbug
hence to live on suction, to drink hard ; (1596) ; (2) to malinger at the oars, to
power of suction, capacity for boozing shirk while pretending to row hard.
(1585). 3. A breast pocket (1625). To sugar off, to amount to : in speak-
4. A toady cf. Sucker :whence to suck :
ing of large sums of money.
up to, to insinuate into one's good Sugar-candy. Brandy.
graces. 5. A cheat, a trick : also Sugar-basin. See Sugar-stick.
suck-in ; to suck in, to take in (q.v.) ; Sugared. Astonished, perplexed,
and sucker (q.v.), a greenhorn, a dupe :
gammoned (q.v.).
see Sucking (1758). As verb, (1) to Sugar-loaf. A high-crowned hat :

extract ideas or money, to pump conical like a sugar-loaf.

(q.v.): e.g. to suck ones brains, to Sugar-stick Brigade. The
find out all one knows (1785); (2) Ordnance Store Corps.
(American University), to use a crib Suicide. Four horses driven in a
454
 Suit. Supe.

line, harum scarum. See Tandem, - or got the sun in one's eyes), drunk :

Random, Unicorn (Grose). see Screwed (1670). To make hay

Suit. 1. In general synonymous while the sun shines, to seize an oppor-
with game as, what suit did you give
; tunity (1509). To get the sun over
it to 'em upon ? in what manner did the to drink
foreyard, before noon.
you rob them, or upon what pretence, See Knight, Shoot.
etc., did you defraud them ? One Sunburnt. 1. Superficial, hack-
species of imposition is said to be a neyed, unbeautiful (1570). 2. Having
prime suit, another a queer suit a :
many (male) children (B. E.).
man describing the pretext he used to Sunday. See Show - Sunday,
obtain money from another, would Month of Sundays, and Queen Dick.
say, I draw'd him of a quid upon the Sunday - best (or clothes). Clothes
suit of so and so, naming the ground kept for use on Sundays and
of his application. person having A holidays; best clothes (1838).
engaged with another on very ad- Sunday Face. The posteriors.
vantageous terms to serve or work Sunday-man. 1. One who goes
for him, will declare that he is upon abroad on that day only, for fear of
a good suit ; to use great submission arrests (Grose). 2. A prostitute's
and respect in asking any favour of bully ; also Sunday girl, a mistress.
another, is called giving it to him Sunday - saint. One who roisters
upon the humble suit (Orose). 2. through the week and pulls a long face
A watch and seals (1785). 3. Generic on Sunday.
'
for completeness e.g. a suit (full :
Sunday' s - fellow. One asked
head) of hair ; a suit (a complete set) Tarlton why Munday was called
of teeth a suit of mourning, two black
; Sundaies fettow ? Because he is a
eyes (Grose). sausie fellow, saies Tarlton, to com-
Suit and - cloak. Good store
- of pare with that holy day. But it
brandy or any agreeable liquor, let may be Munday thinkes himselfe
down Gutter-lane (B. E.). Sundayes fellow because it followes
Suit to a Hair. See Hair. Sunday, and is next after ; but he
Sukey. kettle (Bee).
1. 2. A A comes a day after the faire for that
common name for a general servant (Tarlton, 1611).
or slavey (q.v.) cf. Jeames, foot- : Sunderland-fitter. The Knave of
man. Sukey tawdry, -
slatternly a Clubs (HaUiwell).
female in fine tawdry (Grose). Sun-dodger. A heliographer.
Sulky. A one - horse chaise or Sun-dog. A mock sun.
carriage, capable of holding but one Sundowner. One of a class of men
person called by the French a
: who came to be known by the name
cMsoUigeante (Grose). of sundowners, from their habit of
Sullen. In pi., the sulks. Sick straggling up to an upcountry station
of the suttens (or sullen - sick), very at fall of evening with the stereotyped
gloomy (1580). appeal for work ; and work being at
Sultry. Lively, exciting, perhaps that hour impossible, they were sent
unpleasant : cf. Hot, Warm, etc. to the travellers' hut for shelter and
Summer-complaint. Diarrhoea. to the store - keeper or cook for the
Summer-bird. A cuckold, pannikin of flour, the bit of mutton,
nckoo, q.v. Also summer -
cabbage, the sufficiency of tea for a brew,
woman (1560). which made up a ration.
Summer-game. A game for Sunny - bank. A good rousing
lusement only, or with another's winter fire (B. E.).
aoney. Sunny South. The mouth.
Summer 's-day. As nice (proper, Sunshades. The Sunehales Ex-
~*ly, etc.) as one can see in a sum- tension of the Buenos Ayres and
er' s-day, as nice
(proper, etc.) as Rosario Railway Company shares.
mv be cf. :
Day's-march (1592). Sunshine. See Sun.
S'u'm ph. A simpleton. Hence Supe (or Super). 1. A super-
'impish, stupid (1821). numerary whence super-master, the
:

Sumpsimus. See Mumpsimus. director of the supernumeraries also :

Sumpsy. An action of assumpsit. as verb. 2. The superintendent of a

Sun. Been in the sun (or sunshine, station (Australian). 3. A watch :

455
 Superannuate. Swaddle.

supe and dang, watch and chain ; super- Surf. A half-and-half professional
screwing, stealing watches. 4. A (q.v.) player or musician: combining
toady :
spec., one who lick-spittles some daily occupation with nightly
(q.v.) the professors. duty on or in connection with the
Superannuate (Winchester). A boards.
boy who was obliged to leave at Surly. As surly as a butcher's dog,
Election, owing to his being past very surly (1670).
eighteen years of age. Founders Surly-boots (or Surling). A
were not superannuate till they were grumpy morose fellow : cf. Lazy- boots
twenty-five. (1623).
Superfine Review. The Satur- Surprisers (The). The 46th Foot,
day Review. [A coinage of Thack- now the 2nd Batt. of the Duke of
eray's (1860-63) in The Roundabout Cornwall's Light Infantry.
Papers.] Surtout. A loose, great, or riding
'

Supernaculum. Drinking super Coat (B. E.).

nagulum, a devise of drinking new Surveyor of the Highway. A
come out of which is, after
Fraunce : man reeling drunk see Inspector. :

a man hath turned up the bottom of Surveyor of the Pavement A

the cup, to drop it on his naile, and man in the pillory.
make a pearle with that is left which ; Suspense. In deadly suspense,
if it slide, and he cannot make it hanged (Grose).
stand on, by reason ther's too much, Sus. Hanged by the
per Coll.
he must drinke againe for his pen- neck suspensus per coUum.
Lat.
ance' (Nashe) [Garden Latin super
: :
[Grose persons who have been hanged
:

naculum, on the nail.] Whence (2) are thus entered in the jailer's
right liquor and (3) good liquor, of
; books.]
which there is not even a drop left Suspicion. A very small quantity :

sufficient to wet one's nail (Grose). cf. FT., souppm (1863). As verb, to
'

Superstitious pie. Minc'd, or

-
suspect.
Christmas-Pies, so Nick-nam'd by the Sut. Satisfactory, fortunate.
Puritans, or Precisians, tho' they can Swab. 1. See Swabber. 2. A
Eat 'em, but affecting to be singular, naval officer's epaulet :
jocose or in
make them a Month or six Weeks contempt : cf. Swabber.
before Christmas, or the Feast of Swabber. 1. The sorriest sea-
Christ' (B. E.). men put to wash and clean the ship
Supouch. An hostess or landlady (B. E.) this sense good Shake-
: in
(B. E.). spearean English. 2. A term of
Supper. Toone his supper, to
set contempt: also Swab (1602). 3. The
perform a feat impossible for another ace of hearts, knave of clubs, ace and
to imitate. deuce of trumps at whist (B. E.) the :

Supple Twelfth. The 12th Lancers. holder was entitled to a portion of the
S u r a t. An adulterated article of stakes : these four cards were only
inferior quality. Since the American incident to betting at whist (1700).
Civil War, it has not been unusual Swack (Christ's
Hospital). De-
for manufacturers to mix American ception. Hence
swack up, to to
cotton with surat, and, the latter deceive; to take in (q.v.). Also
being an inferior article, the people swack-up. a falsehood.
in Lancashire have begun to apply Swad. 1. A reproach: generic:
the term surat to any article of in- spec, (a) a rustic or clodhopper ;
ferior or adulterated quality (Batten). (b) a disbanded soldier (Grose),
Sure. To make (or be) sure to, to a-days a militiaman : also
betroth, to be engaged to marry Hwadkin, swadgiU, and swaddy (It
(1535). Sure as the creed (as eggs, 2. A lump, bunch, crowd, mass :
fate, death, a gun, etc.),
as sure as may swod.
be, ofa certainty (1393). Swadder. 1. A peddlar (If
Sure Card (or Thing). A certainty, 2. See Swad.

anything entirely trustworthy (B. E. ) Swaddle. To cudgel, to roj

(1537). end, to swathe round with lash
Suresby. A dependable person : stick. Hence moodier, the
cf. Rudesby, Wigsby, etc. (1586). order of the canting tribe (B. B.)
456
 Swaddler. Swash.

not only rob, but beat and often swallow-pipe ; (2) the act of swallow-
murder passengers (Grose) (1570). ing ; and (3) a mouthful hence (4)
:

Swaddler. (1) A
Methodist (Grose). taste, relish, inclination, or capacity.
Hence spec. (2) those who in winter As verb, to receive, endure, or em-
play the Protestant, for the sake of brace credulously, patiently, without
the blankets, coals, etc., given by examination, scruple or reserve ;
proselytisers. Also (3), in America, occasionally to swallow whole. Hence
a street preacher, spec. (American swallowable, credible (1596). Phrases :
thieves') a preaching confederate. One swallow does not make a spring
See Swad and Swaddle. (1546) ; to swallow a spider, to become
Swag. 1. A shop :
spec, a mart for a bankrupt (1670); You say true;
stolen goods. Whence a rum-swag, will you swallow my knife ? (a sarcastic
a shop full of rich goods ( B. E. ) ; and retort on an impossible story) ; to
swag - barrow, a coster's cart. 2. swallow a tavern token, to get drunk
Generic for property ; spec, booty ; (1596) ; to swallow the, cackle, to learn
swag-chovey bloke, a marine store a part (theatrical) ; He has swallowed
dealer ; swagsman, (a) a receiver of a stake, and cannot stoop (of a very
stolen goods, and (6) a miscellaneous upright unbending person).
1. An arrow, having
'
dealer in City penn'orths and other Swallow-tail.
cheap stuff, wholesale or retail. 3. two points or barbs, looking backward
(Australian). A tramp's bundle in a to the stele and the feathers, which
bluey (q.v.) ; hence personal luggage, surely we call in English a broad arrow
traps (q.v.) as verb, to tramp the
:
head, or a swallow-tail' (Ascham).
bush carrying a swag ; swagman 2. The points of a burgee. 3. A dress

(swagger, or swaggie), a man travelling coat, a steel-pen coat (q.v.). 4. A

in search of work cf. Sundowner :
tongue always wagging (1690).
(1853). Swan. / swan, I swear ! Also
Swag-belly. A very fat man or (more emphatically), / swan to man !
woman, a swing - paunch. Hence (1842).
swaggy (or swag-bellied), fat, forty- Swank. To work hard cf. Swink. :

gutted (q.v.) (1550). Swanker, a hard-working student.

Swagger. 1. Bluster, bravado, Swankey. Any weak tipple : spec,
roaring insolence, side (q.v.) ; as small beer : also (fishermen's) a
verb, to strut defiantly, to boast, to mixture of water, molasses, and
bluster, to affect or obtrude superi- vinegar.
ority : also derivatives such as Swannery. To keep a swannery, to
swaggerer and swaggering (1598). 2. boast of one's own doings (possessions,
(Harrow). The rules of swagger are to make
etc. ), out that all one's geese
most complex ; and a new boy is
apt are swans (Orose).
to find himself entangled : he goes out Swan-slinger. A player fond of or
with his umbrella rolled up ... or famous for spouting Bill (q.v.) ; a
carries it by the middle, or under his Shakespearean actor the same as
:

arm, or he walks on the middle slinging the Swan of Avon.

terrace after chapel, or he innocently Swap (or Swop). An act of barter,
wears his blues open when it is hot, or an exchange as verb, to exchange, to
:

turns his trousers up when it is wet, strike a bargain (1360). To get the
and ... he is swaggering lady visitors ; swap (or swop), to be dismissed. To
sometimes think small boys at swap off, to cheat, to sell (q.v.).
Harrow rude ... to stick close to the Swapper. Anything large or big.
wall . .and shoulder the world into
. Hence swapping, huge, strong; Al
the gutter it is modesty ; to walk in (1589).
the road is swagger ; to loiter at the Swarm. To climb, to shin up.
house door, or to sing or whistle in the Swarry. A boiled leg of mutton
passages, and to wear a hat in the and trimmings (1837).
house are also forms of swagger Swartwout. To abscond. [From
(Warner). As adj., tip-top (q.v.), the name of a public defaulter in New
swell (q.v.), extremely new. York.]
Swaining. Love-making, spooning Swash. To make a noise r: a :

(q.v.) (1839). ruffian is the same with a swaggerer, so

Swallow. (1) The throat: also called, because endeavouring to make
467
 Svxufi -bucket. Sweep.

that tide to swag or weigh down word sweat (Hotten). 2. To suffer, to

whereon he ingagcth the same also ; pay the penalty also to beat, to pay
:

with swath-buckler, from swashing or out (1610). 3. A street bully it was ;

making a noise on bucklers (F utter). their practice to cut off a small portion
Hence awash-buckler (swash, swasher, of the scabbards of the swords which
or twinge-buckler), a sworder good at every one then wore, and prick, or
a lively peal on his opposite' s target ; pink, the persons with whom they
and, therefore, by implication, a quarrelled with the naked points,
ruffler, bully, Hector. As subs., which were sufficiently protruded to
bluster, vapouring, roaring ; swashing inflict considerable pain, but not
(or swash;/), (1) noisy (a swashing sufficient to cause death. Sweating,
blow) ; and (2) loud-mouthed and a diversion practised by the bloods of
quarrelsome (1560). the last century, who styled themselves
Swash-bucket A slattern. Mohocks : these gentlemen lay in
Swat. 1. A blow
as verb, (1) to : wait to surprise some person late in
strike, to hit ; (2) to work hard, to the night, when surrounding him,
sweat (q.v.). Also as subs., 2. hard they with their swords pricked him in
study spec. (Royal Military Aca-
: the posteriors, which obliged him to be
demy), mathematics. constantly turning round this they :

Swatchel( Punch and Judy). Punch. continued till they thought him
Hence swatchd- (or schwassle-) box, sufficiently sweated (Orose). 4. To
the Punch and Judy show swalchel- ; extort, lose, or squander money freely,
cove, a Punch and Judy man spec, : to fleece (q.v.), to bleed (q.v.); to
the patterer. The other terms con- sweat one's purse, to cause one to
nected with this drama of the streets spend everything (1784). 5. To work
are :
Mozzy, Judy ; darkey, the for (or employ labour at) starvation
negro ; vampo, the clown ; vampire, wages; to submit to extortion (or
the ghost buffer, the dog
; buffer- ; to extort) hence sweater, an em-
;

figure, the dog's master ; crocodile, ployer of underpaid labour : usually

the demon filio, the baby the frame,
; ; a middleman between the actual
the street arrangement peepsies, ; employer and employed a grinding ;

the panpipes nobbing-dum, the bag

; taskmaster; whence sweating-system,
for collecting money ; the letter doth, sweater, sweated, etc. (1850). 6. To
the advertisement tambour, the
; pawn (1811). Phrases: In a sweat, (I)
drum ; the stalk (or prop), the gallows ; in a hurry, and (2) in a state of terror,
the slum fake, the coffin ; the slum, the impatient ; to sweat coins, to remove
call. part of the metal from coins (chiefly
Swattled. Drunk see Screwed.
; gold) by friction or acids, yet in such
Swear. An oath, a cuss (q.v.): also a manner that the depreciation is
swear-word. Also (colloquial) to swear imperceptible (1785).
at (said of anything incongruous): Sweat-box. The cell used for
e.g. His frock coat swore at his prisoners while awaiting appearance
bowler hat ; to swear like a lord before a magistrate.
(trooper, etc.), to volley oaths, to make Sweater ( Winchester). 1 A servant ; .

the air blue (q.v.) ; to swear through a hence sweat-gallery, fagging juniors.
nine inch plank (nautical), to back up 2.A thick coat (or flannel jersey) worn
any lie (C. Russell a favourite ex- :
by contestants after a finish until they
pression of Lord Nelson when referring can be rubbed down. 3 (Stock
to American skippers) (1531). Exchange). A broker who works for
Sweat. 1. To work hard, to drudge, such small commissions as to prevent
to put in licks (q.v.) ; also to sweat other brokers getting the business,
ones guts out : ct modern (public whilst hardly being profitable to
school) swat (or swot), fagging, himself. 4. See Sweat.
hard study, especially mathematics, Sweat-pits. The arm- pita (1709).
whence swot also, a mathematician ; Sweep. 1. A sweepstakes. 2.
and as verb, to fag, or study hard : A term of contempt: e.g. What a
this word (swot) originated at the Royal sweep the man is. You dirty sweep.
Military College, Sandhurst, in the To sweep the board, to take every-
broad Scotch pronunciation of Dr. thing, to pocket all the stakes ; to
Wallace, one of the Professors, of the make a dean sweep, to clean out (q.v.),
45S
 Sweep's-friU. Swdled-nose.

to remove entirely ; also sweep, at termed a swell, or a rank swell. A

whist, taking all the tricks in the
hand, a slam (q.v.) (1680). The
sweeps, the Rifle Brigade. Their
facings from formation (1800) have
been black.]
Sweep 's-f rill.
family man who appears to have
plenty of money, and makes a genteel
figure, is said by his associates to be
in Swell Street. Anything remark-
able for its beauty or elegance, is
Beard and whiskers called a swell article so a swell crib is
;

worn round the
face being clean shaven.
Sweet. 1. Gullible, easily deceived.
2. Expert, dexterous, clever e.g.
Sweet's your hand (said of a clever
thief). Hence to sweeten a victim, to
allay his suspicions (Grose), to decoy,
draw in, and bite (B. E.) see Sweet-
ener.
Sweetbread.
chin, the rest of the a genteel house ; a swell mollisher, an
elegantly dressed woman, etc. Some-
times in alluding to a particular
:
gentleman, whose name is not re-
quisite, he is styled, the swell, meaning
the person who is the object of your
discourse or attention ; and whether
: he is called the swell, the cove, or the
gory, is immaterial, as in the following
A bribe, a tip (q.v.) (in addition to many other) examples 1 :

(1692). was turned up at China-street, because

Sweeten. A beggar. Also as verb, the swell would not appear ; meaning,
(1) to give alms (Grose); (2) to con- of course, the prosecutor: again,
tribute to the pool hence sweetening, ; speaking of a person whom you were
money paid into the pool or kitty. To on the point of robbing, but who has
sweeten and pinch, a main part of his taken the alarm, and is therefore
[a bum-bailiff's] office is to swear and on his guard, you will say to your
bluster and cry Confound us, why
. . .
pal, It's of no use, the cove is as down
do we wait ? let us shop him ; whilst as a hammer ; or, We
may as well stow
the other meekly replies, Jack, be it, the gory's leary (Grose). 2. It is

patient, it is a civil gentleman, and I very hard to define exactly what is

know will consider us ; which species
of wheedling, in terms of their art, is
called sweeten and pinch (Harl. Misc.).
Sweetener. A guinea-dropper 1.
(q.v.) :a coin planted (q.v.), and a
is
likely passer-by is offered a share
because present at the discovery ; to
get change, drinks are suggested, and
the victim goes out fleeced (1699). 2.
A runner-up (q.v.) of prices a bonnet
meant by a swell at Eton ; but it
usually implies a boy who, brought
into notice either by athletic prowess
or scholarship, or high standing in the
school, by this means becomes ac-
quainted with the leading members
of the school, and is found on acquaint-
ance to develop considerable social
qualities, which make him hand and
; glove withall the Eton magnates

(q.v.). 3. In pi., the lips to fake the ; (Oliphant). Hence, as adj. (also
sweeteners, to kiss. 4. One who swcttish), (1) elegant, stylish, dandified
decoys persons to game (Bailey) ; also and (2) first -rate, tip -top (q.v.).
sweeten, to decoy, to draw in. Also derivatives and combinations
Sweetheart. 1. A mistress, pour such as swelldom, the world of fashion ;
le bon motif and 2. a wanton term
; to live in Swell-street, to reside in the
(Hiiloet). Also variants sweet, sweet- : West End ; a swell hung in chains, a
ing, sweetkins, sweet-lips, etc. Also bejewelled man or woman a ; howling
sweetkin, adj., delicate, dainty ; and swell (seeHowling) ; swell-head (or
sweet on, in love with, partial to block), a vain coxcomb (Amer.). 3.

(1534). (Winchester). In pi., Sunday Ser-

Sweeties. Sweetmeats also sweet- vices, Saints' days, etc. : when surplices
stuff (1758). are worn. As verb (Winchester), to
Sweet -
lips. 1. An epicure, a bathe, to swill.
glutton. 2. See Sweetheart. Swell-head. 1. A drunken man see :

Sweetmeat. After meat

sweet Lushington. 2. See Swell and Swol-
comes sour sauce, a monition to len head.
temperance and sobriety (Bailey). Swell - mobsman. A well-dreseed
Sweet -tooth. A liking for sweet pickpocket. Hence swell-mob (1843).
things or sweetmeats. Swelled - nose. Ill temper. Does
Swell. 1 A gentleman ; but any
.
your nose swell (or itch) at thai t Are
well-dressed person is emphatically you riled ?

459
 Swipe.

Swell -nose. Strong ale, stingo give the price ? Swindler (q.v.) is
(q.v.) (1515). quite another matter.
S'welp. So usually in the Swindler. A cheat, a rogue spec, :
help:
adjurations, S'welp me bob, or one who employs petty or mean arti-
S'welp my taters (bob, green*, etc.) fices, legal or illegal, for defrauding
(1837). others. Hence swindle, a fraud, a de-
Swift. A quick -
working com- ception, an imposition and as verb,
:

positor (1841). to cheat, to defraud. Whence, also,

Swig. A deep draught : also as derivatives such as swindleable, swind-
verb, to drink heartily, to pull hard lery, swindling, etc. [Orig. used of
(q.v.). Hence sn-iggled, drunk: see German Jews who settled in London,
Screwed (1623). circa 1762. Also by soldiers in the
Swigman. A
pedlar-thief (1567). Seven Years' War.]
Swill. To drink (and, occasion- Swine. A term of the utmost
ally, to eat) piggishly hence as subs., :
contempt. Hence swinish, greedy,
booze (q.v.), the lap, or the act: in gluttonous, covetous (B. E.) (1597).
contempt. Swill-bend (swUler, swill- Phrases and proverbial sayings : Like
pol, swtll-tvb, or swill-belly), a heavy a swine, never good until he come
toper (or glutton) ; swilled, drunk : to the knife (of a covetous perron) ;
see Screwed (1530). to sing like a bird called a swine, to
Swim. One's particular pursuits, grunt ; to cast pearls before swine (of
pitch (q.v.), or fancy. Hence in a unappreciated
action or effort).
good (or bad) swim, lucky (or un- Swine-drunk. Beastly drunk see :

lucky). In the swim, ( 1 ) participant in Screwed (1592).

the times. 2. In the inner circle or Swing. Bent, a free hand or course
the know (q.v.). 3. Associated in e.g. to have (or take) one's swing (or
any undertaking. 4. A long time out full swing), to do as one likes ; also
of the hands of the police (thieves') : to swing (a matter) over one's head,
FT., dans le mouvement (or le train). shoulders, etc., to manage easily ; to
To swim in golden grease (oU, lard, etc. ), swing a business (market, prices, etc.),
to roll in bribes: see Grease (1605). to control ; to manage (1530). As verb,
To make a man swim for it, to cheat a to hang : see Ladder. Hence, the
pal out of his share of booty. How we swing, the gallows : see Nubbing cheat
apples swim see ' Apples. :
(1542). To swing the monkey, to strike
Swimmer. 1. A Counterfeit (old) with knotted handkerchiefs a man
Coyn' (B. E.). 2. A guard-ship, or who swings to a rope made fast aloft ;
tender a thief who escapes prosecution,
; the person the monkey strikes whilst
when before a magistrate, on condition swinging takes his place.
of being sent on board the receiving- Swinge. To beat, to thrash, to
ship, to serve His Majesty, is said chastise, to punish (1280). Hence
by his pals to be swimmered (Orote) :
(Charterhouse) swinger (q.v.), a box
also to nave a swimmer. on the ears. Sunngeing, a thrashing ;
Swimming. Generic for plenty :
suringe-buckler (see Swash).
thus a swimming (a full or brisk) Swinging (Swindging, or
market cf. Sick ; a swimming (an
:
Swingeing). Huge, astonishing :
overfull) dish ; a swimming (an ex- generic for size anything that beats
:

tremely pleasant) time, etc. Hence all else see Swinge.

: Hence swinger,
swimmingly, successfully, prosper- anything of size, a whopper (q.v.) :
ously (1622). spec, an unblushing falsehood (1623).
Swindle. 1. Originally (and pro- Swing-tail. A hog.
perly) a fraud or imposition (in which Swinny. Drunk : see Screwed :

sense see Swindler). 2. Loosely and also swinnied.

frequently, any speculation or matter Swipe. 1. A blow delivered with
of chance e.g. a lottery, a toss for
: the full length of the arm ; as verb, to
drinks, a sweepstakes, a race, etc. ; drive (q.v.), to bang hence swiper,
:

also (more loosely still) any transaction a hard hitter, a slogger (q.v.), a
in which money passes e.g. What's : knocker-out (q.v.) at Harrow, to
:

the swindle, What's to pay (or the birch (1200). 2. In pi., thin, washy
damage) ? Why don't yon pay the beer, small beer : also (schools) any
man his swindle ? Why don't you poor tipple : as verb, to drink ; hence
460
 Swish. Tack.

swipey (or swiped), drunk and swipes ;

Hence swivel eye, a squint - eye, a
a potman (1785) also see Purser's
; boss-eye (q.v.).
swipes. As verb, to steal : see Swivelly. Drunk : see Screwed.
Prig. Swizzle i z z(or
y). 1. S w
Swish. To flog. Hence swishing, a Generic for drink also, 2. various;

thrashing (1855). compounded drinks rum and water,

Swished. Married (1785). ale and beer mixed, and (West Indies)
Swish-swash. Any weak bever- what is known in America as a cock-
'

age, slops (q.v.). There is a kind of tail. As verb, to tope, to swill (q.v.) ;
swish-swash made also in Essex, and and swizzled, drunk ; also see Screwed
diverse other places, with honicombs (1850).
and water, which the homelie countre Swobber.See Swabber.
wives, putting some pepper and a little Swoddy.See Swad.
other spice among, called mead, verie Swollenhead. To have a swollen
good in mine opinion for such as love head, (1) to put on airs, to be filled
to be loose-bodied at large, or a little with a violent sense of one's own
eased of the cough ; otherwise it importance also (2) to be drunk see
: :

differeth so much from the true Screwed also Swetted-head.

:

metheglin as chalke from cheese' Swop. See Swap.

(Holinshed). Sword-racket. Enlisting in differ-
Swish-tail. 1. A pheasant. 2. A ent regiments, and deserting after
horse with undocked tail. 3. A taking the bounty.
schoolmaster. Swot. See Sweat. In a swot
Swiss Admiral. A pretender to (Shrewsbury), in a rage.
naval rank: cf. FT., amiral suisse, a Sydney-sider (or bird). A
n aval employed on shore,
officer solely convict. [Sydney was originally a
or who has never been to sea. convict settlement.]
Switch. To switch in, to be ex- S y e b u c k. Sixpence : see Rhino
peditious in movement. (1785).
Swivel - eyed. Squinting (Grose). Syntax. A schoolmaster (Grose).

To a Exactly, to a nicety,
T. The shed in Moor"
Tabernacle.
as true asan angle drawn with a which Whitefield used as a
fields,
T-square (1698). To be marked with a temporary chapel, was called The
T, known as a thief formerly con- : Tabernacle ; and, in the scornful dia-
victed thieves were branded with a T in lect of certain Church of England men,
the hand. T. T., too thin or too trans- Methodist and such - like places of
parent e.g. the story is T. T.
:
worship have, since then, been known
Tab. 1. A check, an account; to as Tabernacles. See Tin Tabernacle
keep tab, to keep watch. 2. In pi., and Tab.
the ears. To drive tab. to go out on Table. To turn the tables, to re-
a party of pleasure with a wife and verse matters (1692).
family (Grose). The Tab, the Metro- Table-cloth (The). A white cloud
politan Tabernacle in Newington covering the top of Table Mountain.
Causeway. Tace. Tace is Latin for a candle, a
Tabarder. A scholar on the foun- cant phrase in the 18th century
dation of Queen's College, Oxford :
suggesting the expediency of silence.
the original dress was a tabard they ; [Latin, tacere (Grose).]
are part of the foundation, which Tach. A
hat see Golgotha.:

consists of a provost, 16 fellows, 2 Tachs. A

fad, mental eccentricity,
chaplains, 8 tabarders, 12 probation- blot, spot, stain, vice, quality, disposi-
ary scholars, and 2 clerks, Oxf. tion, trick, enterprise.
Univ. Col. (1692). Tack. Generic for food : specifically
Tabby. 1. An old maid hence 2. ; (1), bad food or bad malt liquor.
a spiteful tattler cf. Cat.
:
Tabby- Hence (2),
in combination e.g. hard- :

party, a gathering of women (1761). tack, coarse fare or (army and navy)

461
 Tnck-T. Tail.

biscuit as distinguished from bread ; ground (1774). 4. The reverse of a

soft-tack, (a) good fare, and (b) bread : coin spec, the side opposite to that
:

also tackle. At Sherborne School, tack, bearing a head (q.v.): chiefly in

a feast in one's study. To tack together, phrase (heads or tails) in tossing ;
to marry : cf. Hitch, Splice, Noose, hence neither head nor tail, neither one
etc. (1754). nor the other, quite different (1774).
Tacker. A great falsehood (Hatti- 5. In pi., a tail-coat, as distinguished
wett). from a jacket; charity-tails (Harrow),
Tackle.1. A mistress (1785) a tail-coat worn by a boy in the
(Grose).
2. Goodclothes (B. E.). 3. A watch Lower School who is considered by
chain ; a red tackle, a gold chain. As the headmaster to be tall enough to
verb, to do with energy, to set to require it. 6. A girl's hair, curled,
work, to cope with, to attack : generic. plaited, and allowed to hang
etc.,
Thus, to tackle (to attempt the solu- down the back in a single strand.
tion of) a problem ; to tackle (to close 7. A line of persons waiting in rank ;

with) a burglar, etc. (1844). a queue : as outside a theatre,

Tad. Perhaps an abbreviation of booking-office, etc. 8. A band of
tadpole. 1. A very small boy, especi- followers, retinue, henchmen. 9. A
ally a small street- boy (Century) ; little sword ; tail-drawer, a sword stealer
tads, small boys old tads, graybeards,
;
(B. E.). 10. The last two or three
old men (Barilett). 2. Excrement men in a batting eleven to go to
(HaUiweU). the wickets. As verb, to tend sheep,
Taf. Fat ; taf eno, a fat
e.g. man to herd cattle (1844). Phrases and
or woman (lit.
fat one). combinations : tail of the eye, the outer
Taff. (Christ's Hospital). A corner of the eye ; cow's-tail, a frayed
potato. rope's-end, one not properly knotted :
Taffy. 1. A Welshman (1577); hence, hanging in cow's tails of a
(said
hence Taffy's Day, St. David's Day, badly kept ship) ; tail-end, the latter
the 1st March : a Welsh pronuncia- part, the wind-up ; with one's tail
tion of Davy. 2. Flattery, blarney between one's legs, cowed, humiliated,
(q.v.), soft-soap (q.v.): as verb,
to conscious of : defeat
also with tail
flatter. down, with up, in good form or
tail

Tag (Winchester
football). An spirits ; with tail out, angry ; with tati
off-side kick also as verb.: When a in the water, thriving ; to flee the tati,
to near the end ; to twist the lion's tati,
player has kicked the ball well forward,
and has followed it, if it was then to gird at England the English
(or
kicked back again behind him by the people) ; or throw) salt on
to cast (lay
other side, he was then obliged to the tail -.see Salt (1678). Also proverbs
return to his original position with bis and proverbial sayings the devil :

own side. If the ball had, in the
meantime, been again kicked in front
of him, before he regained his position,
and he was to kick it, it would be con-
sidered unfair, and he would be said
to tag (Mansfield).
tail: see Rag.
Tag-end. The fag-end,
cluding portion.
wipes his tail with the poor man's
'
pride (Ray) ; betweene two
'
stools my
taile goes to the ground (Heywood) ;
to make a rod for one s own tail
(Heywood) ; like lambs, you do
Tag, rag, and bob- nothing but suck and wag your tails ;
she goes as if she cracked nuts with
the con- her tail ; to look like a dog that has
lost its tail she's like a cat, she'll
;

Taglioni. An overcoat : named play with her own tati ; make not thy
after the dancer (1837). tati broader than thy wings (keep not

Tagrhyme. A rhymester (1698). too many attendants) ; his tati will

Tagster. A scold, a virago (Hatti- catch the chin-cough (said of one
well). sitting on the ground) as hasty as a ;

Tagtail. A parasite, a hanger-on. sheep, when the tati is up ; as free as

Tail. 1. The lower or latter an ape is of his tati he that aught ;

end. To turn tail, 1. to turn one's the cow gangs nearest her tati; he
back on ; 2. to run away, to shirk ; holds the serpent by the tail (of any-
top over tail, head over heels ; the taii- thing absurd or foolish) ; to grow like
end, the fag-end (q.v.). 3. A woman's a cow's tail (i.e. downwards) ; lay
dress espec. when trailing on the
: the head of the sow to the tail of the
402
 Tail-block.
grice ;
a slippery eel by the
to have
tail (ofanything uncertain) ; it melts
like butter in a sow's tail ; to swallow
an ox, and be choked with the tail;
the higher the ape goes, the more he
shows his tail ; there is as much hold
of his word as of a wet eel by the tail ;
he hath eaten a horse and the tail
hangs out of his mouth.
Tail-block. A watch.
Tail-board. The back flap of a
little girl's breeches.
Tail-buzzer. A pickpocket.
Tailer (or Taylor) ( 1 )
A fall on the
.
breech ; a pratfall (q.v.) ; and (2) an
exclamation on falling, or unex-
pectedly sitting down on one's tail
(q.v.) (1592).
Tailor. Nine (ten, or three) tailors
make a man, a jesting sarcasm (1605).
The fag-end of a tailor, a botcher
(1608). Phrases : A tailor's shreds are
worth the cutting lake the tailor
; defend; (6) to borrow; (7) to rally,
who sewed for nothing, and found
the thread himself thieving and ;
tailor go together; put a taUor, a
miller, and a weaver into a sack, shake
them well, and the first that puts out
his head is certainly a thief (1600).
Tail-pipe. 1. To fasten anything to
the tail of a cat or dog ; hence, 2. to
annoy (1857).
Tail-pulling. The publication
books of little or no merit, the whole
cost of which is paid by the author
cf. Barabbas.
Take. 1. To please, to succeed.
Hence, taking (or taky), attractive,
captivating also to take to (or with),
: to enjoy oneself: as if one were at
or to have a take (1340). 2. To blight,
to injure by infection, disease, grief,
: take
etc. : as subs., a witch's charm ; hence
taking, infections (still colloquial or
provincial) (1332). 3. To deliver a
blow, to strike (1430). Phrases and
colloquialisms take has been, and
: feet ; take all, and pay the baker ; to
still is, much
in colloquial use ; thus,
to take back, to retract ; to take a breath,
to consider, to seek advice ; to take
after, to resemble; to take about the
neck, to embrace ; to take any one forth,
to teach, to give a start ; to be taken
by the face, to be put to the blush ; to
take beef, to run away ; to take down,
(1) to humiliate (see Peg) ; (2) to
best (Australian) ; to take up, to re-
prove (also to take to do, to task, and
a talking to) ; to take heart, to pluck
up courage ; to take to heart, to grieve ;
to take it out, (1) to get value, to
Take.
extort or compel satisfaction or re-
paration ; and (2) to exhaust ; to take,
one (or it), to understand ; to take in,
(1) to deceive, to swindle (whence a
take-in (Bee), fraud, humbug) ; (2), to
believe ; (3) to capture, subdue, seize
(B. E.) ; to take off, (1) to kill (taking-
off, death) ; (2) to ridicule, to mimic
(take-off, a caricature) ; to take out, to
copy ; to take on or by, (1) to grieve,
to show emotion (hence taking, a to-
do) ; and (2), to simulate ; to take one
(or a matter) on, (1) to engage, to
accept as an opponent ; (2) to under-
take; (or up), generic for
to take to
doing to take to gambling, early
(e.g.
rising, etc.) ; to take to one's legs (a
shute, water, etc.), to fly; see Heels,
adding quots. infra; to take up (old,
to take), (1) to arrest; (2) to stop;
(3) to reform ; (4) to clear up (prov.
of the weather) ; (5) to protect, to
to snub; and (8) to understand; to
take upon, to suspect; to take upon
oneself, to arrogate authority, dignity,
etc. ; to take up with, (1) to consort
with; (2) to court; (3) to endure;
(4) to adopt ; to take the gloss off, to
detract in value ; to take the field, to
bet against the favourite ; to take up
one's connections (Amer. Univ.), to
of leave college ; to take an oath, to take
a drink; to take one along (or with
:
one), to make understand ; to take
one's teeth to anything, to set to
heartily ; to take a stick to, to beat ; to
take (or sit at) one's ease in one's inn,
home (hence, taking it easy, drunk) ;
it as you like, be angry or net-
as you please (Bee). Also (proverbial)
to take from one's right side to give
to one's left; to take one up before
he is down, to take the bird by the
take a Burford bait (to get drunk);
to take a dagger and drown oneself ;
to take a hair (q.v.) of the same dog ;
to take a thing in snuff (q.v.); to
take a wrong sow (q.v.) by the ear;
to take counsel of one's pillow; to
take heart of grace ; to take Hector's
cloak (to deceive a friend) ; to take
one a peg (q.v.) lower ; to take physic
before one is sick ; who takes an eel
by the tail and a woman by her word,
may say that he holds nothing. See
Aback, Back-seat, Beard, Beef, Bit,
Book, Bosom, Bull, Bush, Button-
463
 Take-a-fright. Tame-army.

hole, Cake, Earth bath, Ease, French
leave, Grinder, Ground sweat, Heels,
Hook, Huff, Measure, Napping, Pee,
Pepper, Po thick, Rag, Rise, Road,
Running, Shilling, Shine, Sight, Silk,
Snuff, Starch, Sun, Tea,
Vain, Wind.
Take-a-fright Night
Taker. One who accepts a bet, a
bookie (q.v.).
Taking. In pi., receipts (1851).
Tale. An incredible story, a mar-
vellous narration : also old wife's (or
old man's) tale: see Bull and Tub.
Whence tale-teller, persons said to
have been hired to tell wonderful
stories of giants and fairies, to lull
hearers to sleep. Also to tell tales out
the rustling of their wingn (or see his
horns). See Big, Dutch-uncle, Shop,
Tall-talk (1600).
Talkee-talkee. 1. A dia-
corrupt
lect jargon. Whence, 2. chatter;
Toll, Turn, verbiage. Also talky-talky (1810),
Talker. (1) Then followed solos
from those who could sing, and those
who could not it made no difference.
The latter class were called talkers, and
every boy was encouraged to stand up
and talk it out (Howson). (2) See
Talk
Talking-iron. A gun, rifle: also
Shooting-iron (q.v.) (1843).
Tall. 1. Generic for worth. Thus,
tall (seemly) prayers ; a tall (valiant)
man, tall (fine) English; a tall (cour-

of school, (1) to romance, and (2) to ageous) spirit ; a tall (celebrated ) philo-
play the informer tell-tale (or tell- :
sopher ; to stand tall, to reply boldly ;
tale-tit), an informer; to tell a tale, to tally (becomingly or finely) attired; a
turn a matter j profit ; his tale is
t tall (great) compliment, etc. [Century:
told, it is all over with him; to be in The word tall (high, lofty), as applied
a tale, to agree also to jump in one
: to a man, has been confused with tall
tale thereby hangs a tale, or tell that
; fine, brave, excellent : cf. however,
for a tale (the retort suggestive), sense 2]. Whence tall for his inches,
that's another story ; to pitch a tale, plucky for size (1430). 2. Anything
to spin a yarn : hence, tale-pitcher, a out of the common :
e.g. a tall (severe)
romancing talker or chattering mal- fight; tall (extravagant) talk: whence
content to talk tall, to gas (q.v.); atotf(agreat)
Talesman. The author of a story pace, etc. Hence as adv., very, ex-
or report: I'll tell you my tale and ceedingly. Also, to walk tall, to carry
my talesman (B. E.) one's head high; to put on side (q.v.)
Talent (The). In sing., a backer (1704).
(q.v.) : as opposed to a layer or book- Tall-boy. 1. A wine glass : large, '
maker. high-stemmed, and showy ; spec. a'
Talk. To roar (q.v.): of horses; Pottle or two Quart-pot full of Wine
hence, talker, a roarer. Colloquial (..&)( 1694). 2. A very tall chimney,
phrases : to talk one down, to silence ; pot
to talk one out of, to dissuade ; to talk Tall-men. Highmen (q.v.).
over, (1) to persuade: also to talk Tallow. A term of contempt ; thus
into ; and (2) to review ; to talk round, tallow - keech (tallow face, or tallow-
to review a subject ; to talk up, (1) to breech), a very fat person: whence
speak plainly (or defiantly) ; and (2) tallow-faced, sickly, pale, undermade ;
to discuss with a view to promotion ; tallow - gutted, pot - bellied ; tallow-
to talk one up, to urge ; to talk out, to breeched, fat-breeched.
exhaust patience, time, etc. ; to talk Tally (or To Live Tally). To live in
to, to chide : hence, talking -to, a repri- concubinage chiefly mining
: Also
mand ; to to gird or chide
talk at, to make a tally-bargain.

covertly : talking of a person who is Tally-men. Brokers that let out

present to another; to talk the hind clothes at moderate rates to wear per
leg off a jackass (cow, horse, etc.), to week, month, or year (B. E.); that
seduce, to wheedle, to charm ; also to let out clothes to the women of the
talk one mad, a thing,
to death, into town (Orose).
fever, etc. ; Dutch (or
to talk Greek, Tame. To run tame. To live
Double Dutch), to talk nonsense; to familiarly in the family with which
talk through one's neck (American), to one is upon a visit (Grose).
talk foolishly ; to talk Turkey, to say Tame-army. The London Trained
pleasant things. Also, talk of the Bands (Orose) [cf. Foote's description
:

angels (or the devil) and you'll hear (Mayor of Garratt) of the London
464
 Tame-cat. Tar.

regiments as holiday soldiers, Tantoblin. Excrement: also tan-

never wet to the skin in their lives and tantadlin tart (1768).
tadlin
except as a matter of accident. Tantony (or Tantony Pig). 1. The
Tame-cat. A woman's fetch-and- smallest pig in a litter hence a :

carry, a hearthrug saint. favourite. To follow like a tantony

Tame-goose. A
foolish fellow: a pig, to follow closely. Hence tantony,
simpleton; also tame-fellow, tractable, 2. a servile follower, a petted re-
easy, manageable (B. E.) (1598). tainer. 3. See Saint.

Tamper. To practise upon any- Tantrum. Usually in pi., a pet

one (B. E.). (q.v.), the sullens, angry whims
Tan. To flog; to thrash. Hence, (1754).
tanning, a beating. Also, to tan one! a Taoc. A coat. Thus Kool the delo
hide (1600). To smell of the tan, to taoc. look at the old coat : also in con-
smack of the ring, to be circussy : cf. temptuous reference to the wearer.
lamp. Taoc - tisaw, a waistcoat and taoc- ;

Tandem. A
two -wheeled
1. ittep, petticoat.
chaise, buggy, or noddy, drawn by Tap. 1. A gentle blow (Grose) :
two horses, one before the other that ; whence to tap (or tap on the shoulder),
is, at length (Grose). Hence, 2. 'a to arrest; tapper, a bailiff: also
carriage so drawn ; and, 3. a bicycle shoulder -tapper. 2. In pi., the ears:
for two riders. see Hearing cheats. 3. (Eton College).
Tangierenes (The). 1. The Queen's The only place, recognised by the
(Royal West Surrey Regiment), late authorities, where a boy can get
the 2nd Foot: 2. The King's Own beer. As verb, to broach; also to
(Royal Lancaster Regiment), late the tap one's claret, to draw blood (see
4th Foot. [Tangiers formed part of Claret) ; to tap the wires, to intercept
the dowry of Catherine of Braganza, the a telegram ; to tap a house, to burgle ;
Queen of Charles II. the regiments : to tap the admiral (see Admiral); to
were raised for the defence of that tap a guinea, to change it (Grose). To
possession. ] be on one's taps, on the alert, on one's
Tangle. A tall, lanky person. feet, ready to move. To get the tap,
Tanglefoot (or Tangleleg). Any to get the upper hand. On tap, avail-
intoxicating liquor. Tanglefooted, able, at hand, on view.
drunk: see Screwed (1862). Tape. Spirits : hence red-tape,
Tank (King Edward's School, brandy white (or
; blue) tape, gin ; cf.
Birm.) To
cane, to cosh (q.v.). Ribbon (1755).
Tankard. Tears of the tankard, Tape-worm (Stock Exchange). An
drippings of liquor on the waistcoat officialwho collects the prices of stock
(1670). for transmission on the tape.
Tanner. Sixpence 6d. e.g. The : :
Taplash. 1. Bad, thick beer cask- :

kiddy tipt the rattling-cove a tanner dregs or tap droppings.

-
Hence, as
for luck, the lad gave the coachman adj., poor, washy, trivial (1630),
sixpence for drink see Rhino. Hence,
:
Hence, 2. a publican in contempt. :

tannergram, a telegram; when the Tappy. On the tappy, under con-

minimum cost was reduced from Is. sideration, on the tapis (1690).
to 6d. (1843). Tap-shackled. Drunk : see
Tannikin. A Dutch placket ; maid, Screwed (1610).
widow
wife, or (1605). Tap -tub (The). The Morning
Tanquam. A Fellow's fellow in Advertiser: also The Gin and Gospel
our universities (Blount, 1681). Gazette (1823).
Tantadlin. See Tantoblin. Tar. A sailor: also tarpaulin (of
Tantarabobs. The devil (Hatti- which tar an abbreviation), Jack
is

well). Tar, tarbreech (or tarrybreeks), and

Tantivy. Primarily a hunting call : tarbarrel hence tar-terms, proper sea
:

a note on the horn. As subs., (1) phrases or words (B. E.); tar- hood,
full chase; (2) violent movement; the navy (1582). To ta,r out, to
(3) a fox-hunting parson; and (4) punish, to serve out; to tar and
temp. Charles II., a High Tory: also feather, a practice of great antiquity,
Tantivy -boy. As adj., swift. As verb, but rare nowadays: heated tar is
to racket, to gallop, to rush (1602). poured over a person, who is then
466
 Tar-box. Tavern.

covered with feathers. Tarred vrith a nasty taste in one's mouth, an unpleas-
the game brush, alike. ant feeling regret, loathing, anxiety,
:

Tar-box. A shepherd in con- : etc.

tempt. Hence the proverbial sayings, Taster. A small quantity, a taste :

To lose a sheep ship) for a

(erron. in quot. a small glass of ice-cream.
ha'-porth of tar (Grose); ana, to Tasty. 1. Full-flavoured (q.v.),
like a fly in a tar-box (1672). nutty (q.v.), spicy (q.v.), thick (q.v.).
caper
Tar-brush. Black blood: in con- Hence, 2. of the best, ripping (q.v.).
temptuous reference to colour ; a touch Tat. 1. In pi., dice, whence to* boar,

of the tar-brush, a dash of the negro a dice box ; tot-monger (or tatogey), a
(1785). sharper or cheat using loaded dice;
Tare-and-tret City bon-ton for tat's-man, a dicing gambler tot-shop, ;

a Rowland for an Oliver, no matter a gambling den (B. E.). 2. A rag:

the juxtaposition of the two matters. mUky tats, white linen also as verb, ;

To give as good as is brought (Bee). to collect rags; and tatter, a rag-

Tar-fingers. A
petty pilferer see :
gatherer (1851). 3. an abbreviation
Pitch-fingers. Hence tarry, thievish of tattoo, for tat, see Tit.
tit

(1822). Ta-ta. A
salutation, Good-bye 1

Tarleather. A
woman : in con- Taterwagges. See Tatters.
tempt (1551). Tater (or Tatur). potato. A
Tardy (Winchester College). Late : Whence tater-trap, the mouth; later
-

e.g. I was tardy task, I was late with and'point, a meal of potatoes: see
my work (1803). Point. Also as noteworthy, one or two
Tarheel. An inhabitant of S. phrases: e.g. to settle one's taters, to
Carolina. [Tar is one of the chief settle one's hash ; s'toelp my taters (see
products of the State.] Swelp) (1838).
Tarnation (and Tarnal). Damna- Tatol (Westminster). A tutor in
tion, eternal mild oaths.
: As adj., Commoners.
great, very, etc. e.g. tarnation strange,
: Taterdemalion. A ragged wretch :
a tarnal time, etc. a general term of contempt: also
Tarpaulin. See Tar. tatter and rags-and-tatttrs. Tatancaggs
Tarradiddle. A fib, a yarn. As and Tatterwallops, ragged clothes. As
verb, to hoax (Grose). adj., ragged (1360) to tatter a kip, to
;

TartSharp, quick (B. E.); sour, wreck a brothel (1766).

sharp, quick, pert (Grose). Tattle-box. A chatterbox: also
Tartar. 1. A bad or awkward tattler, a gossip : see Tittle - tattle
tempered person: male or female. (1709).
To catch a tartar, (1) to be caught in Tattle-de-moy. A new - fashioned
one's own
trap and (2) to get more
; thing in ... 1676, much like a sara-
than one bargained for, or the worst band, only it had in it more of con-
of an encounter (B. E.). [Ency. Diet. : ceit and of humour .... Thomas
Properly Tatar. The r was inserted Mace invented it ... and he called
in mediaeval times to suggest that the it a tattle - de - may because it tattles
Asiatic hordes who occasioned such and seems to speak those very words
anxiety to Europe came from hell or syllables (Southey).
(Tartarus), and were the locusts of Tattler. A watch; spec, an alarm,
Revelation ix.] Hence 2. an adept: or striking watch, or (indeed) any
e.g. He is quite a tartar at cricket or (B. E.). Hence, to flash a tattler, to
billiards
(1663).
3. See Tartarian. wear a watch ; to speak to a tattler, to
Tartarian (or tartar). A thief: spec, steal a watch: also tattle (1781).
a strolling vagabond, a sharper Tattling fellow (or woman). Prat-
(B. E.) (1596). ing, impertinent (B. E.~).
Tartuff e. A hypocrite, a pretender. Tattoo. See Devil's Tattoo.
[From the character in Moliere's Taunton-turkey. A herring: cf.
comedy.] Hence tartuffish, hypo- Billingsgate-pheasant, Glasgow-magis-
critically precise ; and tartuffism, hypo- trate, etc. (1850).
crisy (1768). Taut Severe. Hence taut hand, a
Tassy. Tasmania. disciplinarian.
Taste. Taste of the creature, a Tavern (The). New Inn Hall,
dram, a drink; esp. of whisky (1570); Oxford. [A punning allusion: also
466
 Tavistock. Teethward.

because the buttery is open all day Tear. A boisterous jollification, a

long] (1853). To hunt a tavern fox spree (q.v.); as verb, to move, speak,
(or to swallow a tavern token), to get or act violently, to rant, to fume;
drunk. Hence, the tavern bitch has hence tearer or tear -cat or Timothy
bit him in the head (or taverned), Tearcat (1) a blusterer, a bully, a
drunk: see Screwed. Also taverner, roarer (q.v. ) ; and (2) anything violent ;
a tippler (1340). tearing, violent, raving, etc. ; tear-
Tavistock (or Tawstock) Grace. mouth (or tear-throat), a ranting actor :

Finis. and as adj., vociferous to tear Christ's ;

Taw. A marble. Tawlings (or taw), body, to blaspheme to tear one's;

the line from which the marble is beard (or hair), a simile of violent
shot: hence (American), to come to taw, emotion (1383). To tear one's seat,
to come to scratch (q.v.), to be called to attempt too much.
to account; to be on one's taw, a Tear-pump. To work the tear-pump,
species of threat (1764). As verb, to weep, to turn on the water-
(1) to beat, to scourge (Grose); and works.
(2) to torment. Also taws (or tawse), Tease. On the tease, uneasy, fidgety
a leather strap, slit or fringed at one (1706). See Teaser.
end, used by schoolmasters (1549). Teaser. 1. A disturbing blow; to
Tawdry. (1) Orig. fine, elegant, tease (or teaze), to flog; to nap the
trim ; whence (2) cheaply showy, ignor- teaze, to be flogged (1840). 2. Any-

antly fine. Also derivations such as thing difficult or perplexing (1823).

tawdered, tawdrily, tawdriness, etc. Teaser of the catgut, see Catgut-
Tawdry-lace (or tawdry), a rustic neck- scraper.
lace or girdle ; tawdrums, fal - lals Tea-voider. A chamber pot
(1530). (Grose).
Tawny-coat. An ecclesiastical Tea-waggon. An East Indiaman
officer. [From the livery.] (1577). (1836).
Tawny-moor. A mulatto (1717). Tec. A defective : see Nark.
Tax-collector. A highwayman. Teddy. Teddy my godson, an
T-beard. Afashion in trimming address to a simple fellow or ninny
tbelbeard; a beard cut T-wise (1618). (Grose).
Tea. Urine: see Cold -tea, Long- Teddy Hall. St. Edmund's Hall,
tea, and Tea- voider (1712). As verb, Oxford.
(1) to take tea: cf. dine, lunch, sup, Te Deum. See Backwards.
etc. (all recognised) (1837); (2) to Teejay (Winchester College). A new
engage with, encounter, go in against. boy, protegJ: placed for a time under
a
Teach. See Grandmother and the care of older scholars ; cf. Shadow
Suck. To teach iron to swim, to achieve and Substance.
the impossible. Teek (or Tique) (Harrow school).
Teach-guy. Eight shillings. Mathematics.
Teacup. Storm (or tempest) in a Teeny (or Teeny-weeny). Tiny.
teacup (or teapot), much ado about Teeth. In spite of one's teeth, in
nothing: cf. a tide and flood though defiance of; in the teeth, to one's
it be but in a basin of water (1699). face; from the teeth, apparently, not
Tea-fight. A tea party cf. Muffin-
:
seriously ; to cast in the teeth, to taunt,
worry, Toffee-scramble, etc. to reproach ; tooth and nail, whole-
Tea Party. See Boston Tea- party hearted, desperate, thorough ; to show
and Nice. one's teeth, to get angry; to have the
Teague. An Irishman: in con- teeth well afloat (or under), to be
tempt. Hence Teagueland, Ireland drunk ; to thehard teeth, very severely.
(1661). He ought to have his teeth drawn, He
Teaich-gir. Right ; pronounced should be deprived of the power of
tadger. Hencetadging, tip-top (q.v.). doing mischief; to go to grass with
Team. Two or more persons asso- teeth upwards, to be buried ; to draw
ciated for some purpose: e.g. a foot- teeth, to wrench off knockers (old :

ball side, a cricket eleven, a coach's medical students').

pupi's, etc. [Properly of animals Teethward. Clerk teethward, to the
harnessed together.] Hence team- he hath eaten his service book ;

work, work in company (1622). spoken in mockage by such as maketh

467
 Terra filius.

shew of learning and be not learned Tenant for life. A married man;
(HoUyband). i.e. possessed of a woman for life
Teetotal. In 1818 a temperance (Grose).
society at Hector, New York, pledged Tenant-in-tail. See Tail.
themselves to abstain from distilled Ten Bones (or Commandments).
spirits only,but in Jan. 1827 another The ten fingers spec, of a woman. :

pledge bound all signers to total Also by ten bone* I (once a

these
abstinence. The two classes were common oath: in punning reference
distinguished by the initials O.P. to the Mosaic Decalogue) (1485).
(Old Pledge) and T. (Total) : T total Tench. 1. A prison;
a peni(fenfi)-
became a familiar allocution (Cen- ary. At one time applied to the
twry). Clerkenwell House of Detention, now
Teetotal Hotel (The). A prison. the Central Depot of the Parcels Post.
Teignton-squash. Perry (1834). Tender. Tender Parnel. 1. A
Teize. See Tease mistress also parnd. pernel.
; Hence,
Tejus. Tedious, extremely, weary
-
2. a very nicely educated creature,
ingly, tiresomely: e.g. tejus good, apt to catch cold upon the least blast
bad, quick, slow, etc. of wind (B. E.). As tender as ParneU,
Telegraph. See Milk and Under- who broke her finger in a poss*t drink
ground. (Grose). Also as tender as a chicken
Telescope. To silence. (1362).
Tell. A story; a bon mot; spec, Tenderfoot Anew comer: as adj.,
one worth telling. Also, according to raw, inexperienced (1875).
their tell, upon their making out Ten-forty. A five per cent, bond
(1743). See Marines, Noses, Tales. issued in 1864 by the U.S. Govern-
Tell-clock. An idler ( 1 639 ). ment, redeemable at any time after
Teller. 1. A
well -delivered blow; ten years and payable in forty years
anything that scores; hence telling, (Century).
effective, to the point (1834). 2. See Ten-m-the-Hundred. A usurer, a
Tailor. sixty-per-cent. (q.v.). [Nares: from
Tell-tale. An inverted compass their commonly exacting such interest
fixed in a cabin. Also (general) any for their money, before the legal
recording device: usually automatic: limitation to five] (1594).
e.g. a turnstile, an organ bellows- Tenner. 1. A ten pound note,
indicator, etc. 10: cf. Fiver. 2. Ten years' im-
Telling. That's idling, said in prisonment.
reply to a question that one ought Tenpence. Only tenpence in the
not, or that one does not wish, to a description of weak intellect.
shilling,
answer. Also tenpenny, in contempt (1607).
Tell-truth. A plain speaker, one Tenterbelly. A glutton, one who
who does not mince matters (1630). distends his belly by gross feeding
Tempest. Drum is a riotous (1621).
assembly of fashionable people, of Tenterhooks. On tenterhooks (or
both sexes, at a private house, con- tenters), in suspense, anxious, on the
sisting of some hundreds not unaptly ; rack (or stretch) (1607).
styled a drum, from the noise and Tentoes. See Bayard.
emptiness of the entertainment ; there Tercel-gentle. A knight or gentle-
are also drum-major, rout, tempest, man of a good estate also any rich ;

and hurricane, differing only in degrees man (B. E. Also Tassel-gentle [Tercel,
).

of multitude and uproar (Smollett). (Cotgrare and Handle Holmes), the

See Tea cup. male of the peregrine falcon} Hence
Temple of Bacchus. Merry- falcon 'gainst tercel (or as tercel), one's
making after getting a liceat. Oxf. as good as t'other.
Univ. Cant (Grose).
'
Termer. A
visitor to London at
Temple-pickling. The Pumping of term time; specifically one whose
Bailives, Bumms, Setters, Pickpockets, object was intrigue, knavery, or sport.
etc.' (B. E.) [The law terms marked the fashionable
Tenant at will. One whose wife seasons.] Also term trotter (1608).

usually fetches him from the ale- Terrs filius. 1. A person of mean
house (Grose). or obscure birth, 2. A scholar whose
468
 Terra firma. Thief.

special duty was to make satirical said to be a decoction of brewers'

speeches at the Encaenia, full advan- :
aprons. 3. Cocoa. As adj. (1) inti-
tage being ever taken of his license to mate or (Scots) chief e.g. As thick as
:

satirize, and generally rip up, autho- thieves, as thick as inkle-weavers, q.v.
rity (1669). (1525). As adv., out of the common,
Terra firma. An estate in land extraordinary, solid: a general inten-
(1696). sive; hence to lay it on thick, to
Terrible Boy. See Roaring boy exaggerate, to surfeit with praise :

(1609). also to lay it on with a trowel: cf.

Tertian (Aberdeen Univ.). A Wide ; got 'em thick, very drunk ; see
student of the third year. Screwed; a bit thick, rather indecent
Tester (or Teston). 1. silver A (1563). Through thick and thin, thor-
coin: orig. (a) the silver currency of oughly, steadily, at all costs ; hence
Louis XII. of France (bearing the sincere, out - and out
-
thick-and-thin,
head of that prince, and worth (Cot- (q.v.). [Orig. over rough or smooth
grave) 18d. sterling); (b) the brass places ; i.e. through coppice or sparse
silvered shilling of Henry VIII. (worth, land.] (1359).
temp. Ed. VI., 9d.); and (c) the Thicker (Harrow). Thucydides :
Elizabeth sixpence. Hence, 2. a six- the translation of which is set in the
pence (Grose) see Tizzy.
: As verb, Upper School
to fee (1577). Thicklips. A negro. Whence
Teviss. Ashilling : see Rhino. thick-lipped (1593).
Texas. The upper (or third) deck Thick-'un. A sovereign ; 20s. :

of a Mississippi steamboat. Hence also a crown piece ; 5s. Hence to

texas-tender, a waiter serving on the smash (change) or blue a thick 'tin
texas (1875). (1863).
Thames. Setting the Thames on Thief. 1. A term of reproach : not
fire, a simile for the impossible (1363). necessarily a robber: thus (Grose)
Tharborough. See Thirdborough. you are a murderer and a thief, you
Thary. To speak. have killed a baboon and stolen his
That. At that, a pleonastic inten- face ; vulgar abuse (1440). 2. A
sive (1855). mushroom growth on a burning wick
Thatch. Hair: spec, the hair of which makes the candle gutter, a
the head (1609j. waster (1598): Bishop (Grose). 3. A
Thatched-head. An Irishman: in bramble cf bramble, country lawyer,
: .

contempt. [Nares: one wearing the keeping in mind the A.S. thefethorn,
hair matted together, as the native bramble. 4. Synonyms for thief (a
Irish in times past.] (1612). person guilty of larceny, robbery,
Thatch-gallows. A worthless fellow swindling, or crookedness of any kind :

(Grose). the following list runs up and down

Theg (or Teaich) gen. Eight the whole gamut of roguery). Aaron,
shillings; theg (or teaitch) yanneps, abacter, abaddon, abandanad, abra-
eightpence. ham-cove, aok-man, ack-pirate, acqui-
There. Colloquial for smart (q.v.) : sitive cove, Adam, Adam Filer, adept,
e.g. all alert, first-rate, up to
there, affidavit-man, afflicke, alsatian, ambi-
the mark, nothing wanting: also to dexter, amuser, anabaptist, angler,
get there (1) to achieve; and (2) to angling cove, arch cove, arch dell,
- - -

make one's jack (q.v.) also to get there

:
arch-doxy (Grose), arch gonuof, arch-
with both feet (1821). rogue, area- sneak, ark- pirate, ark-ruff,
Theta. To mark with Theta, to artful - dodger, autem - diver, avoir-
condemn to death. [The first letter dupois - man. Babe, back -
jumper,
(the unlucky letter) of Gr. Qavaros back-stall, badger, baggage-smasher,
death.] baldover, bank-sneak, barabbas, bar-
Thick. Generic for obtuseness nacle, baster, beak, beaker hauler,
1. -
:

e.g. as subs., stupid fellow, a block- beaker-hunter, bearer-up, beau-trap

head also thick - head, thick - skull,
:
(Grose), bene - feaker, bene - gybe,
thick-pate, thick-sconce, thick-skin, bester, bilk (Sheridan), bilker, Billy
thick-wits, etc. ; the corresponding Buzman, billy-fencer, bird-lime, bite,
adjectival forms, dull, stupid, hide- bit-faker, bit-make, black-leg, blasted-
bound (1582). 2. Porter: ironically fellow, bleating-cull, blowed-in-the-
469
 Thief. Thief.

glass-stiff (American tramps'), bludger, heaver, hedge-creeper, highpad, high-

bludget, blue pigeon nyer, bluey-
- to her (or toby), hoist, bolster (or
hunter, bob, bobby-twister, bonnet,
bpodler, bookkeeper, bouncer, boung-
nipper, bowman, bridle cull, brief-
-
snatoher, broad cove, broadsman,
bubber, bubble, bubbler, budge, buffer,
buffer - napper, bugger, bug - hunter,
bulk, bulk-and file, bull- trap, bully-
buck, bully-cock, bunco-steerer, bunco-
man, bung, bung - napper, bunter,
burner, buster, buttock - and file,
button, buttoner, buz- bloke, buz- cove,
buz- faker, buzman, buzzer, buzlock.
Canter (canting crew, generic for
hoyster), hook, hooker, hoveller, Hugh
Prowler. Ingler. innocent, int, Irish
toyle (B. E.). Jack-in-a-box, Janus-
mug, jarkman, jerry-sneak, Jew, jilter,
jingler, jockey, jumper. Ken-cracker,
ken - miller, kiddy (Grose), kiddy-
nipper, kidsman, kinchin-cove, kite,
kirk-buzzer, kitchener, klep, knap,
knight, knight of the road, knight of
St. Nicholas, knowing one, knuck,
kmickler. Ladrone, lag, landloper,
landlubber, landpirate, landshark,
lark, latch drawer, leatherhead, leg,
-

thieves, rogues, and beggars), Captain legger, lift, lifter, little -

sneaksman,
Sharp, carrier cat-ana-kitten nipper,
:
lob-crawler, lob-sneak, lully-prigger,
chariot - buzzer, charley - pitcher, lumberer, lumper. Mace-cove, mags-
chaun ting-cove, chive or (chiff) thief, man (Mayhew, MatteU, Henley),
chouse, chouser, christener, circling- maker, millben, money - dropper,
-

boy, clank - napper, clicker, clink- mounter, mocher. Nabber, nabbler,

rigger, cloak twitcher, clouter, cloy,
-
nailer, napper, nasty-man, natty-lad,
cloyer, cly-filcher, cogger, collector, needle, needle-point, Newgate-bird (or
colt, cork, conveyancer, conveyor, nightingale), Newmarket-heath com-
coney - catcher, counterfeit - crank, missioner, nibbler, nibbling - cull,
cover, coverer, crack, cracksman, nicker, nick-pot, nickum, night-bird
crony, crook, cross-bite, cross-biter, (cap, hawk, hunter, poacher, snap,
cross - famker, crib - cracker, cross, trader or walker), nigler (a sweater ,
cross-cove, crossman, cross-mollisher, nimmer, nip, nipping Christian, nob-
crow, cruiser, cunning-man, curtail, bier, nob-pitcher, nose (Grose). Office-
cut-purse, cutter. Damber (Grose), sneak, old bird (or hand), olli compolli,
damned soul, dancer, darkman's ostler, out-and-outer, outrider. Pad,
budge, dead-nap, deeker, deep-one, pad-borrower, padder, paddist, palmer,
diddler, dimber-d amber (Grose), ding- panel dodger, panel-thief, pannyman,
boy, dinger, dip, dipper, dipping-bloke, parlour-jumper, pea-rigger, pea-man,
dive, diver, dog-buffer, dragsman, peter (a safe thief), peter-biter, peter-
drag-sneak, draw-latch, drop-cove, claimer,peter-hunter,peterman, picaro,
dropper, dromedary, drummer, drun- picaroon, picker, picker- up, pickereer,
ken tinker, dubber, dudder, duffer, - -
pick - penny, pick pocket, pie man,
dummerer, dummy - hunter, dunaker. pigeon, pinch - gloak, pitch fingers,
-

Eriflf, eaves-dropper (Grose). Facer, poacher, pocket-book dropper, poul-

fagger, family (generic), father, terer, practitioner, prig, prigger, prig-
-
fawney rigger, fence, fencing cully,-
man, Prince prinado, prowler
Prig,
ferret, fiddle, fidlara - bens, figger, (or Hugh Prowler), propnailer,
filcher, filching - cove, filching - mort, pudding-snammer, puller-up, purple
file, finder, finger-smith, fire-prigger, dromedary, puffer, puggard, push
fish-hook, flash-cove, fiashman (Oroae), (generic), pushing tout. Quarrel
flash -gen try (generic), flat -catcher, picker, queer bail (or bird), queer- bit-
fleecer, flimper, flying-cove, fobber, maker, queer bluffer, queer cole fencer,
fogle hunter, foist, foot - pad, fore- queer cole maker, queer plunger,
-

beggar, fork, forker, frater, free- queer-prancer, queer shover. Ramper

booker, free - booter, freshwater- (ramp, or rampsman), ranger, rank-
warmer, frisker, funker. Gagger, rider, rapparee, rascal (Grose), reader-
gallows-bird, gambler (Oroae), gar- hunter, reader-merchant, repeater and
reteer, garrotter, geach, gentleman of revolver (American tramps'), resurrec-
the road, gentleman's master, gentry tionist, - -
ring dropper, ring faller,
-
(generic), gilt, gin spinner, clasier, river-rat, road-agent, roberd's man
(or knave), rob- thief, rogue, rook,
-
gleaner, glimmerer, gold dropper,
gonnof, goodfellow, grafter, Greek, rover, royal scamp, royal foot^scamp,
groaner, gun, gutter-prowler. Hawk. nimbler, runner, running glasier,
470
 Thief-takers.
running - snavel. Saint Peter's son,
St Nicholas's clerk, St Nicholas's
clergyman, salter, satyr (cattle thief),
sawny - hunter, scamp, scampsman,
screwsman, scuffle - hunter, setter,
shark, sharp, sharper, shaver, sheep-
biter, sheep - napper, sheep - shearer,
she - napper, shifter, shoful - pitcher,
shop-bouncer, shop-lift, shop-lifter,
shoulderer, shoulder - sham, shover,
shark, shutter-racket worker, shyce,
shyster, silk-snatcher, silver cooper,
skylarker, slink, smasher, smugger,
snabbler, snaffle, snaffler, snaggler,
snakesman, snammer, snap, snapper,
snapper - up, snatch - cly, snatcher,
sneak, sneak-thief, sneaking-budge,
sneaksman, sneck - drawer, sneeze-
lurker, snick - fudger, snide - pitcher,
snow-dropper, snow-gatherer, snudge,
soaper, sourplanter, son of St Peter,
spice -gloak, stall (or stale), stallsman,
stander - up, standing - budge, stock-
swagsman, sweetener,
hauler, sutler,
swigman, swimmer, swindler. Tail-
buzzer, thimble - rigger, thimble -
twister, till-sneak, tinny -hunter, toby-
gill, toby - man, tool, tooler, top-
sawyer, tosher, toy-getter, tradesman,
traveller, tripper-up, Tyburn -blossom.
Unicorn, unregenerate, upright-man.
Vamper, village bustler, voucher.
Walking poulterer, watchmaker,
waterpad, water-sneak, water-sneaks-
man, welcher, wheedle, whipster,
whispering dudder, whyo, wild rogue,
wipe-drawer, workman, wrong 'un,
ziff.
Thief- takers. Fellows who
associate with all kinds of villains, in
order to betray them, when they have
committed any of those crimes which
entitle the persons taking them to
a handsome reward, called blood
money. It is the business of these
thief-takers to furnish subjects for a
handsome execution at the end of
every sessions (Grose). Also, who
make a trade of helping people (for
a gratuity) to their lost goods, and
sometimes for interest or envy snap-
ping the rogues themselves; being
usually in fee with them and ac-
quainted with their haunts (B. E. ).
Thieves. Thieves' Latin. The
cant terms and slang used by thieves ;
St Giles' Greek, Pedlar's French (q.v.)
etc. (1855). The Murdering Thieves,
the Military Train ; the title from
1857 to 1860 of The Army Service
471
Tiling.
Corps. Other nicknames ( also derived
from the initials) are The London
Thieving Corps (1855-57); The Moke
Train (1857-60), etc. Safe as a thief
in a mill, very secure (1690).
Thieving-irons. Scissors.
Thimble. A watch; ayack(q.v.):
hence thimble-twister, a watch thief;
thimble and slang, watch and chain
(1785). Knight of the thimble, a tailor
(1838).
Thimbled. Arrested, laid by the
heels Thimble and bodkin
(Bee).
army, the Parliamentary Army in :
contempt. The nobles were profuse
in their contributions of plate for the
service of the King at Oxford, while
on the parliamentary side the sub-
scriptions of silver offerings included
even such little personal articles as
those that suggested the term the
Thimble and Bodkin army (Dowell).
Thimbleful. A small quantity;
as much as may be contained in a
thimble: spec, a dram of spirits (1690).
Thimble-pie. Rapping the head
with a thimbled finger.
'
Thimble-rig. sharping trick a :
pea placed on a table is quickly
covered, in irregular succession, by
three small cups, the operator betting
against the discovery of the pea as ;
this is easily palmed a successful guess
is at the option of the sharper, and
only allowed for the due landing of
the victim. Hence such derivatives
&8tthimble-rig (or -man), thimble-rigging,
and as verb (1835).
Thin. One or two modern usages
of thin verge on the colloquial :
e.g.
a thin (poor) excuse a thin (gutless)
;
play ; a thin (trashy) novel ; too thin
(or T. T.), frivolous, inadequate, in-
sufficient to deceive, etc. Also (pro-
verbial), As thin as a lath ; as thin as
the last run of shad (1601).
Thin Red Line (The). The Princess
Louise's (Argyll and Sutherland High-
landers): of the 2nd battalion, late
The 93rd Foot.
Thing. 1. In familiar usage (ad-
miration, pity, scorn, or endearment),
a living creature, male or female : e.g.
sweet thing (an old endearment); a
poor thing (a pitiful object); you
thing; a thing of a man (contemptu-
ously): also a thing tq thank God on
(Shakespeare) ; a mere thing in one's
hands, a puppet, a nonentity ; att that
sort of thing, hardly worth notice, no
 Thingumbob. Three Ts.

class (q.v.), etc., etc. (1440). 2. In Thorough-cough. Coughing and

pi., (a) belongings, sticks (q.v.), traps breaking wind backwards at the same
(q.v.); and (6) clothes: as in the time (B. E.).
phrase, Put on your things (1383). Thorough-go-nimble. An attack
The thing. I. What is right, proper, of the squitters (q.v.), a back-door
becoming, fashionable, etc. (1759). trot (q.v.). Also jerry - go - nimble
2. In pi., base coin. See Know, Soft, (q.v.) (1694).
Handsome, and Good thing. Thorough-passage. In at one ear,
Thingumbob. 1. Used for the and out at t'other (B. E.).
proper name of a person or thing, (a) Thorough-stitch. See Through-
when forgotten; or (b) when not
it is stitch.
desired to specifically name. Variants Thousand. Another thousand a
are numerous :
e.g. thingumajig, year, a pledge in drinking: also
thingum, thingummy, thingamy, thing- another ten thousand a year any sum
umbee, thing a merry, thingummite, indeed. See Bricks, and Upper Ten.
thingomightum (1751). Thrapple. The throat: also
Thin-guts. A starveling (1631). thropple : see Gutter-alley.
Think. See Penny, Small Beer. Thread. To spin a good thread,
Thin- 'un. A half sovereign, 10s. ; to succeed.
cf. thick-'un. Thread-and- thrum. Everything,
Thirding. A custom practised at alleven to the fringe of threads left
:

the Universities, where two -thirds on the loom when the web nas been
of the original price allowed by the removed (1592).
upholsterers to the students for house- Threadneedle St. See Old Lady.
hold goods returned to them within Thread-paper. See Hop- pole.
the year (Gradus ad Cantab., 1803). Three. One (or two's) company
Thirteen (or Thirteener). An Irish three's none, a suggestion to a second
shilling, 13d. : also thirteen (1837). or third party that 'their room is
Thirteen Clean Shirts. Three preferred before their company'
months' imprisonment. (1430). Cube of Three, 'the great
Thirteen-pence Halfpenny. Hang- health now is, The Cube of Three,
man's wages (1602). which is the number 27, Le. the
Thirty- pound Knight. A creation number of the protesting lords'
of James I. [Narcs He created the
:
(Hearne). Three times three, three
order of baronet, which he disposed cheers, thrice repeated (1850). See
of for a sum of money ; and it seems Sheet
that he sold common knighthood as Three Balls. The sign of the three
low as thirty pounds, or at least it balls (brass, golden or blue balls), a
was so reported (1605). pawnbroker's: see Uncle (1748).
Thoke (Winchester College and Three-by-nine Smile. '
A broad
prov.). Rest: spec, lying in bed. laugh (? a pun on benign').
Hence, as verb, to lie in bed late. Three - cornered Scraper. A
Thokester, an idler; thoky (or thokish), cocked hat.
idle. Also to thoke upon, to antici- Three-decker. (1) A man-of-war
pate with pleasure: e.g. I'm thoking carrying guns on three decks:
on next week ; what a thoke it will be, whence (2) a piece of furniture,
with a Leave-out day, a h&tch-thoke, pulpit, etc., in three tiers (in a pulpit
and a half remedy (Wrench). the clerk's place was at the bottom,
Thomas Courteous. A churl \Tyn- the reading-desk on the second stage,
dale,Works, ii. 182]. and the pulpit highest of all); (3)
Thornback. An old maid ; also a a three-volume novel, or three-act
well-known fish, said to be exceed- play; and (4) a coat having three
ingly provocative (B. E. ). capes round the shoulders (1814).
Thorns. To be (or sit) upon thorns, Three - draws - and - a - spit A
to be uneasy, anxious, impatient cigarette.
(1555). Three F*s (The). The demands of
Thorough Churchman. A person the Irish Land League: Free Sale,
who goes in at one door of a church, Fixity of Tenure, and Fair Rent:
and out at the other, without stopping practically conceded by Mr Gladstone's
(Qrose). Land Act (1881).
472
 Three-legged Stool. Throw.

Three-legged Stool. To comb one's to the halfpence of the others until

head with a three-legged, stool (or joint- he loses,when the winner of the toss
' '

stool), a humorous threat of punish- becomes pieman in turn.

ment. Three X's (The). The 1st battalion
Three Trees (The). The gallows East Lancashire Regiment, late The
(1582). Also three-legged stool ; three- 30th Foot.
cornered tree ; three-legged mare (also Threp (Thrip, or Thrups). Three-
two-legged mare, and mare with three pence (1696).
legs), the Tyburn tree, and triple tree : Thresher. Captain Thresher, in
see Nubbing-cheat. [Executions at 1806 an Irish Catholic organization
Tyburn were abandoned in 1783, and was formed to resist the payment of
thenceforward (in London) till 1868 tithes: threats and warnings were
'
took place in front of Newgate]. sent out signed Captain Thresher.'
Three-out. See Out. Throat. Throat occurs in a few
Three Three half - e.g. To lie in one's
- -
penny (or colloquialisms :

penny). Common, vulgar, in' little throat, to lie flatly an expression:

esteem, of little worth cf. three- : of extreme indignation ; to cut one

' '
inch fool (Shakespeare, Tarn. Shrew,' another's throats, to engage in cut-
IV. i. ). Hence three-penny planet, an throat (q.v.) competition or conduct
unpropitious augury ; three-half-penny- ruinous to either; to cut one's own
horse-loaf (in contempt of an under- throat (or to cut the throat of), to ruin
sized person) (1555). oneself, to shipwreck chances or
Three-ply. A Mormon having interests; to have one's throat lined,
three wives. to be void of taste; to wish for a
Three-quarters of a Peck. The throat a mile long and a palate at every
neck: rhyming slang amongst experts : inch of it, a modern echo of Rabelais :
'
three quarters, and written f .' see Bone, Stick (1637).
Three Stride Business. Three Throttle (or Thropple). To strangle
strides between each hurdle: the (Grose).
crack style. Through. Colloquialisms range
Three R's (The). Reading, 'riting, themselves under Through as follows :

and 'rithmetic; a jesting toast pro- To be through, (1) to have finished: as

' '

posed by Sir William Curtis, Lord of a meal, Are you through ? (2)
Mayor of London of 1795, at a dinner
'
to be acquitted (old thieves Grose) ; :

given by the Board of Education. (3)

to complete a bargain; to have
Three Tens (The). The 1st been through the mill, to have learned
battalion East Lancashire Regiment, by experience ; also see Alphabet,
late The 30th Foot. Also The Triple Thick, Water, and other nouns.
X's. Through shot Spendthrift: e.g. a
Three Sheets. See Sheets. through shot sort of fellow.
Threeswins. Threepence. Through-stitch. Thorough, com-
' '
Three-threads (or thirds). Half plete, over shoes, over boots
common ale, and the rest stout or (B. E.), to stick at nothing (Grose):
double beer (B. E.); three - thirds, a tailor's expression. Hence, to go
and denoted a draught, once popular, through stitch (1611).
made up of a third each of ale, beer, Throw. Among slang and col-
'
and two-penny,' in contradistinction loquial usages may be enumerated:
' '
to half-and-half ; this beverage was To throw a levant, to make off: see
superseded in 1722 by the very similar Bunk to throw a sop to Cerberus (see
;
' '

porter or entire (Chambers'). Sop); to throw cold water, to dis-

Three-up. A gambling game. courage, to damp; to throw dust (or
Three half - pennies are skied to a pepper) in the eyes, to mislead, to
call: if they do not fall alike, the dupe; to throw off, (I) to do or talk
cry is void, and the operation is offhandedly: spec, to convey un-
repeated. When the three coins pleasant allusions under a mask of
come off (i.e. fall alike), bets are pleasantry (Grose); (2) to brag of
decided. If two play, it is 'up for past booty, (thieves': Grose) (3) ;

up,' i.e. they toss and cry alter- to discard ; and (4) to start the pack
nately : if three or more join in, it is (fox- hunters'); to throw oneself into,
'
a school, and one, a pieman,' cries to do zealously ; to throw out, to expel
473
 Throw-back. TiWt-eoc.

with violence to throw over, to deeert ;

;
limitation practised by masters on
to throw overboard, to abandon ; to their servants: when the latter are
throw together, (I) to do hastily, and compelled to vote as their employers
(2) to bring together frequently: as please, under pain of losing their
their marriage came about through situations (HalliweU).
being thrown much together ; to throw
'

Thump. A heavy blow with club,

up, to resign, to desist, to chuck up fist,or anything that resounds also :

(q.v.); to throw up the sponge (see as verb (Grose). [Century Not found :

Sponge) ; to throw about, to seek an in Middle English; apparently a

opportunity, to try expedients; to variant of dump."] Hence thumper.
throw back, to revert ; to throw in for, Also, This is better than a thump on
to enter as for a race ; to throw to the
: the back with a stone (Grose: said
dogs, to put aside as valueless; to on giving a drink of good liquor on
'

throw off the belt, to stop; to have a a cold morning) ; Thatch, thistle,
throw at, to attack; to throw snot thunder, and thump' (Grose: words
about, to weep; to throw (or throw to the Irish, like the Shibboleth of
down) a paper (lesson, examination, the Hebrews) (1596).
etc.), to floor (q.v.); to throw the feet, Thumper (Thumping, etc.). 1.
to beg, hustle, or do anything that Anything impressive; thumping, un-
involves much action. usually heavy, etc. (Grose)
large,
Throw-back. A
set-back, a rever- (1709). In pL, dominoes.
2.
sion ; also to throw back, to revert to Thumpkin. A barn filled with
type. hay.
Thrum. To play on any instru- Thunder 1 A mild oath : also
ment stringed with wire, to strum. thunderation ! thunder -and -lightning I
Hence thrummer (1550). As subs., and thunder - and turf By thunder, !

in pL, threepence, threps, (q.v.): By God, and the Devil, and what
see Rhino. Also thrunbuskins and comes between. To collar (or steal)
thrummop. Thread and thrum, see one's thunder, to appropriate another's
Thread. work, ideas, etc.
Thrum -
cap. Rough headgear Thunderbomb (H.M.S.). An im-
(1694). aginary ship of enormous dimensions.
Thug. A nickname for a
I. Thunderer (The). The Times
member the native American
of newspaper.
party 2. a cut-throat ruffian.
; Thundering. A
strong intensive :

Thumb. To drain a glass upon great, large, tremendous, etc. (1597).

the thumb-nail the glass must be:
Thunder-mug. A chamber-pot.
emptied so that there remains only Thusness. Why this thusnessf A
a drop that will not run off the nail :
pleonastic, Why ?
see Supernaculum. Among colloquial Thwack. To beat with a stick
phrases are : A thumb under the girdle, or cudgel (B. E.), a great blow with
an indication of gravity or sadness ; a stick across the shoulders (Grose) ;
rule of thumb (q.v.) ; all his fingers thick thwack, blow after blow (1574).
are thumbs (of a clumsy person also : Thwacker. Anything very much
thumbless) ; to bite the thumb (see out of the common ; thwacking, tre-
Bite) ; under one's thumb, under com- mendous, great (1620).
plete control, subservient; finger and Tib. 1. A woman :
generic (cf.
thumb, inseparable. Further, a well- Tom, man), usage that
a long
thumbed book, a rough-handled book; lingered ; hence, 2. a term of en-
one thumbed out of respectability; dearment also a calf and, 3. con-
: ;

thumb-marked, bearing unmistakable temptuously, a wanton. Tib of the

traces of an individual artist, reader, buttery, goose (sometimes, an endear-
performer, etc. Also proverbial. If ment) (1582). 4. The anus. 5. A
you bite your thumb there's hell to bit: hence tib fo occabot, a bit of
pay. tobacco. To tib out (Charterhouse),
Thumber. sandwich ; and
(1) A to go beyond bounds (1854).
(2) a slice of bread and meat carved Tib-of- the- Buttery (or Tib). A
and eaten between finger and thumb. goose (1567).
Thumbing. A Nottingham phrase, Tibb's-eve. An indefinite date
used to describe that species of in- (Grose: 'Irish' . . . 'St Tibb's
474
 Ttiby. Tie.

evening, the evening of the last ticket is to receive lessthan such

day or day of judgment ; as He an average vote. A ticket, an
hard
wifi pay you on St Tibb's eve ') : unscrupulous man; a hard nut to
see Queen Dick. crack. To work the
ticket, to procure
Tibby. 1. A cat. 2. The head; discharge by being pronounced medi-
to drop on one's tibby, to take cally unfit.
unawares. Tickle. See Ticklish. As verb (1)
Tichborne's Own. The 6th to chastise frequently (as in to tickle
:

Dragoon Guards
(Carabineers): c. one's tail) a humorous threat of punish-
1871-74, at the time of the Tichborne ment; hence tickletail (tickletoby, or
trial, Sir Roger Tichborne having tickler), (a) a schoolmaster's rod; (b)
(1849) served in the regiment. a schoolmaster ; (c) a whip or strap ;
Tick (or Ticket). A
word regarded (d) a small weapon carried on the
as slang to-day (or verging thereon) person: a knife or pistol (1598); (2)
that can boast of considerable (and, to bribe, to fee also to tickle one's
:

indeed, honourable) antiquity an ab- :

palm (or hand).
breviation of ticket, a tradesman's Tickle - brain. 1. Strong drink ;
bill, formerly written on slips of paper hence, 2. a taverner: also tickle-
or cards. Hence tick (or ticket), credit, pitcher, a tosspot (1598).
a debt ; as verb, to buy or take on Tickler. 1. A puzzler anything :

trust, to run a score ; to tick up (or to difficult or perplexing also (Hattiwett) :

have the run of the ticket), to put to a shrewd cunning person. 2. small A
account, to run in debt (Fr., avoir pocket-ledger; also a banker's register:
l'ardoise = to slate); what's the ticket? of bills (of exchange) payable and
what's the price (Fr., quelle est le receivable, and daily cash balances.
marche du bceuf gras?) (1609). To 3. A dram also (American) a half
:

tick and toy, to dally, to wanton pint flask of spirits (1840). 4. small A
(1550). poker used to save a better one : cf.
:

Ticker. 1. A watch ; also tick : Curate. 5. A

bowie knife (1843). 6.
Fr.,tocante(1789). 2. (Stock Exchange See Tickle.
and Post Office). An automatic tape- Tickle-pitcher. See Tickle-brain.
machine. 3. An ignoramus who talks Tickle-text. A parson see Bible- :

for talking's sake. 4. A crib-biting pounder.

horse (1802). Tiddipol. An overdressed fat young
Ticket. 1. An account, a score: woman in humble life (Hattiwett).
now tick (q.v.) 2. A pass, a licence: T i d d 1 e. To advance by slow
also tickrum(B.E.): cf. approximation degrees, or small motions :
e.g. to tiddle
to FT., Etiquette: hence 3. a visiting a ball, a marble, a wheelbarrow, etc.
card whence (from 2 and 3) the ticket,
:
Tiddling, getting on bit by bit: also
the correct thing; that's the ticket, to potter, to fidget (1748).
1

that's the thing, that's ah right also : Tiddlies. To run tiddlies, to run
that's the ticket for soup, you've got it over unsafe ice.
be off! (1611). 4. (a) printed A Tiddlywink. An unlicensed house :
list ofcandidates in an election; (b) a pawnbroker's (also leaving shop,
the candidates ; and (c) a policy ; a q.v.), a beershop, a brothel, etc. As
platform (q.v.); whence straight ticket, verb, to spend more than prudence or
the party nominations, representing custom will sanction.
the official programme; split ticket, Tidy. An antimacassar. As adj.,
a divided policy, a ticket containing considerable, pretty large, fine,
the names of candidates representing healthy, comfortable, important, etc.
several differing interests or divisions ; (1360). As verb, to put (or place) in
scratched-ticket, a list of candidates order, to make neat usually to tidy :

from which names have been erased
mixed ticket, a list in which the nomi-
nations of different interests or parties
have been blended; to run ahead of
the (or one's) ticket, to receive a larger
vote than the average vote polled by
one's associates on the same electoral
ticket. Similarly to run behind the
; up, tidy, neat (Grose) has long been
recognised (1853).
Tie. To marry, to hitch (q.v.), to
splice (q.v.): hence a knot tied with
the tongue that cannot be untied with
the teeth, matrimony (1619). Also
phrases and colloquialisms: To tie
one's hair (or wool), to puzzle (tailors' ) ;

475
 Tie-up. Timbered.

to tie up, (1) to forswear: e.g. to tie tight,in good trim (1280). 2. Close,

up prigging, to lead an honest life stingy, dear, hard-up; hence a tight

(thieves') ; and (2) to knock out (straitened) market; tight (scarce)
(pugilists') ; tied up, (1) finished, money; a tight (hard) bargain; a tight
settled ; (2) costive. See Apron- (stingy) man : cf. Easy : hence to
strings, Ride, Saint tighten, to become dear (of money).
Tie-up. An obstruction, a blockade, 3. Severe, hard, difficult :
e.g. a tight
a closure :
e.g. a strike, a blocked (a straining) pull; a tight (barely
bill, etc. possible) squeeze ; a tight (awkward)
Tiff. 1. Small beer, swipes (q.v.). position (corner, place, etc.); a tight
Hence, a moderate draught : a tiff (hacking) cough. 4. Drunk; full of

of punch, a small bowl of punch ; as liquor: see Screwed (1867). 5. (Win-

verb, to drink: tiffing, eating and chester College). Fast, hard ; a tight
drinking out of meal time (Grose): bowler, etc. as superlative adverb
:

also tiffin (Anglo - Indian), a meal now only used in tight-]unioT ; tight-
between breakfast and dinner (1664). snob, tight-rot, and other such uses are
2. A slight quarrel also as verb (a) : obsolete. Blow me tight see Blow. :

to have words, and (6) to go peevishly ; Tight-cravat The hangman's

whilst tiffy (or petulant, easily
tiffish) noose: see Horse-collar.
riled (q.v.) ; tiffing, disputing or falling Tightener. A hearty meal : cf.
out (1700). Kaffir's tightener. To do a tightener,
Tiffity - taffetty Girl (or Taffeta- to eat heartily.
punk). A courtesan. [Tiffany, Epi- Tight-fit (Vermont Univ.). A good
phany : whence tiffany silk, a silk for joke : the teller is said to be hard up.
holiday wear a gauze-like material.
: Tike (or Tyke). 1. A dog spec, !

Taffeta also, a transparent silk. Hence, a cur (a dog with a docked tail see :

tiffity-taffety girl, one who discloses Curtail) a mongrel.

; Hence, 2. a
almost as much as she dissembles :
clodhopper, a churl, a mean snarling
cf. Loose-bodied gown tiff, to deck, ;
rascal: spec, a Yorkshireman (q.v.)
to array tiffany (or taffety), wanton,
; (1363).
soft, yielding (1598). Tilbury. Sixpence, 6d. ; see Rhino.
Tiger. A raff. Tigrish, dissolute. Tile. hat A spec, a tall silk-hat,
:

1. A smart - liveried boy - groom ; a or chimney-pot (q.v.): see Golgotha.

show servant: (loosely) a whence Tile-frisking, stealing hats from halls
man's out-door servant in contradis- and lobbies (Grose). tile loose, silly, A
tinction to a page, a ladies' attendant crazy. On the tiles, on the loose,
(1827). 2. An intensive form of ap- caterwauling.
plause; an addition thought to em- Till-sneak. A thief whose speciality
bellish the traditional three cheers: is robbing shop-tills.
whence three cheers and a tiger, three Tilly. Easy as tilly, very easy.
cheers wound up by a growl, screech, Tilly-vally. Pish! Nonsense!
or howl (new in 1842). 3. Streaky Bosh! (1529).
bacon. To fight the tiger, to gamble Tilter. A
sword : also to tilt, to
with professionals ; also (loosely) to fight with rapiers (B. E. ).
play cards. Hence tiger hunter, a Timber. 1. The stocks. 2. In pi.,
gambler. See Bengal Tigers. the legs Shiver (or dash) my timbers I
:

Tigerkin. A cat (1849). (a mock oath), plague take wooden my

Tight. In pi., closely fitting gar- legs : see Dash ; also timber toes, (a)
ments; e.g. (1) small clothes (q.v.); a wooden,- legged man; (6) a person
and (2) a garment fitting skin-tight to wearing clogs (East End). 3. A club-
the legs or the whole body, either to bing at the hands of the toughs of a
display the form or for freedom of town unfriendly to tramps.
movement (chiefly theatrical). As Timber-mare. See Horse.
adj., 1. generic for merit; thus a Timber - merchant A street
tight (strong or active) lad; a tight match-seller, a spunk-fencer (q.v.).
(lively or pretty) wench; a tight (an Timbered. Well (or clean)
adroit) question ; a tight (well - built) timbered, well made ; timber, strength
ship ; a tight (skilful) workman ; a tight might Also, Houfs he timbered f How's
(pleasant) island, etc. : again, all tight, he built T not timbered up to my uxight,
in good health (or form); neat and aot my style.

476
 Timber-taster. Tip.

Timber-taster. A dockyard official ordeals were not quite so harm-

. . .

who examines timber and decides on less ...

a pair of tin gloves which
quality and fitness. Bully would furnish in the following
Timber - tuned. Heavy -
fingered, manner. Taking a half - consumed
wooden. stick from the fire, he would draw
Timber-yard. A wicket. the red -hot end down the back of
Timbrell. The pillory (1593). Green's hand between each of the
Tim doodle. A silly fellow knuckles to the wrist, and having
(Halliwett). produced three lines of blisters, would
Time. Cabdrivers to express 9s. 9d. make two or three transverse lines
say that
'
it is a quarter to ten ; if
'
across. A scientifically fitted pair of
3s. 6d., half-past a
three; if 11s. 9d., gloves of this description was gener-
quarter to twelve; they can hardly ally, if not pleasant wear, of great
have originated a system which has durability (Mansfield).
been in existence as long as the adage, Tinkard. A begging tinker (1575).
1. An unskilful workman,
1 '
Time is money ; they have, however, Tinker.
the full use of the arrangement, which a botcher. 2. A makeshift ; a botch,
is perhaps the simplest on record. a bungle. As verb, to make barely or
The time of day, (1) the immediate rudely serviceable e.g. to tinker up a :

trick, the latest dodge, the absolute patient, to keep Death at arm's length ;
aspect of affairs ; thus, to put up to the to tinker a fence, to stop a gap here
time of day, to initiate ; to know the and there; to tinker a bill, to make
time of day, to be fully informed, on it temporarily workable (1857). To
the spot (q.v.), to know what's swill like a tinker, to tipple without
o'clock (q.v.); that's the time of day, stint (1694). See Lazy.
'That's how we does it!' (1687); (2) Tinker's- budget (or news). Stale
A knock-out blow (3) A good joke ;; news, piper's news (q.v.).
(4) a salutation, a greeting: Good Tinker's Damn. A small standard
morning, etc. (1609). To do (or serve) of value usually, in phrase, Not
:

time, to go to prison ; hence timer, a worth a tinker's damn (or curse).

convict: e.g. first, second, and third Tinkler. 1. A vagrant ; whence, 2.

timer, a prisoner serving for a first, a runaway. 3. A bell ( 1838).

second, or third stretch. To knock out Tinny. A fire; tinny - hunter, a
of time, to hit out, so to punish an thief working at a conflagration.
opponent that he cannot come up Tinpot An ironclad: cf. tin-clad.
to the call of time. On time (1) As adj., generic for shoddy; thus a
punctual; and (2) abreast of things. tin -pot (poor or pretentious) game;
In good time, Just so! Well and tin-pot (shabby) lot; tin-pot (mean)
good Fr., a la bonne heure (1603).
!
company in a tin-pot way, in poor or
;

See Good time, High old time. worthless fashion; also (American)
Timothy Tearcat. See Tear. tin-horn.
Tim- whisky (Timmy- whiskey or T n- 1a b
i (Dulwich College). The
Whiskey). A light one-horse chaise carpenter's shop.
without a hood (Grose). Tin Tabernacle. An iron - built
Tin. generic: see Rhino.
Money; church.
Hence to tin out, to pay (1836). T i p. 1. Special information,
Tin-bellies. The 1st and 2nd Life private knowledge; specifically an
Guards from the cuirass.
: advice concerning betting or a Stock-
Tinclad. Agunboat:spec.amusket- Exchange speculation intended to
proof gunboat such as were used benefit the recipient : the straight tip,
during the civil war on the western an absolute cert (q.v.); in racing,
rivers: the armour plating of these direct advice from owner or trainer;
was very light. Also (general), any also a horse, a stock, etc., specially
ironclad, a tin-pot (q.v.). recommended as a sound investment ;
Tinge. A commission on the sale as verb, to impart exclusive infor-
of out-of-date stock cf. Spiffings. : mation; hence tipster and tipper.
Tinger. A great he (Halliwett). That's the the righttip, That's
Tingle- tangle. The ringing of thing miss one's tip, to fail (1567).
; to
bells. 2. A gratuity, a vail spec, money in :

Tin - gloves (Winchester). Other acknowledgment of service rendered

477
 Tipper. TitcJi.

or expected also (looeely), any gift

; (the original meaning); tipsy, fuddled,
of money likewise tippery, payment ;
; drunk, boosy (q.v.): also tippled or
*
aa verb, (1) to give tips; and (2) tipt (B. E. a' most Drunk'). Also
to earn money (1610). 3. (Felsted derivatives such as tippling, tippling-
School), (a) A
false report; (b) a house, tipsify, tipsiness, tipsy cake,
foolish blunder in translating. 4. A etc. (1450).
draught of liquor; an abbreviation Tippybobs. The wealthy classes.
of tipple (q.v.); to
tip off,
to drink. Tip-top. The best, first-rate, in
As verb, generic for doing: a verb of the highest degree: hence tip topper
general application (1567): thus to tip (Grose). English synonyms : A 1,
the lour (cote, brass, rhino, etc. ), to pay, about East, about right, about par,
give, get, or lend money; to tip a all brandy, all there, all the way, as

sock, to land a blow; to tip a settler, good as they make it, as good as
to knock out ; to tip to Adam
Tiler, to wheat, at par, bang up, Bible;
hand the swag to a confederate; to bobbish; boiler-plated, bona, bully,
tip a mish, to put on a shirt ; to tip off, cheery, the cheese, cheesy, chic, clean
(1) to drink: see Tipple; (2) to die; potato, clean wheat, clinking, clipping,
to tip the lion, to flatten one's nose crack, creamy, crushing, a corker, a
with the thumb and extend the mouth daisy, dossy, downy, down to the
with the fingers ; to tip a doddle (the ground, double -
distilled, first chop,
fives, or the gripes in a tangle), to shake first - rate - and - a - half, fizzing, fly,
hands to tip a copper, to sky a coin ;
; gamey, hunky, jammy, jonnick,
to tip a yarn, to tell a story; to tip lummy, nap, out - and - out, pink,
the traveller, to humbug, to romance ; plummy, proper, pure quill, real jam,
to tip the wink, to wink (as a sign of right as ninepence, ripping, rooter,
caution, understanding, etc.) ; to tip the rum, screaming, scrumptious, ship-
red rag, to scold; to tip the rags (or -
shape, slap up, slick, splash up,
the legs) a gallop, or the double, to splendacious, splendiferous, to the
decamp; to tip all nine, to knock all knocker, to the nines to rights, true ;

the skittles down at once ; to tip a stave, marmalade, tsing-teing; up to Dick.

to sins; to tip the little finger See also Whopper.
(Australian), to drink; to tip the Tique. 1. Arithmetic ; and 2.
grampus, to duck a man: a penalty mathematics. [Warner: from a
for sleeping on watch (nautical) ; to Harrow French master's peculiar
tip one's boom off, to hurry away English.]
(nautical) ; to tip a stave, to sing a Tire. To alarm.
song; to tip a nod, to recognise; to Tired. Born tired, an excuse for
tip a moral, to give the straight; to assumed apathy or genuine disinclina-
tip a rise, to befool, etc. (1610). On tion.
the tip of the tongue, on the point of Tirrit Fright, terror (1598).
speech, about to be said (1843). Tiry. Tired (1611).
1. A The Morning Advertiser.
Tipper. special brew of ale : 'Tiser.
named after Mr. Thomas Tipper also : Tish. A cubicle, a partition.
Brighton Tipper (1843). 2. See Tip. Tisty-tosty. Swaggering, swashing.
Tipperary-Lawyer. A cudgel: cf. Tit. Orig. anything small hence, :

Plymouth-cloak. 1. a small horse ; and 2. a girl ; a

Tippet A hangman's rope: also young woman: cf. filly and titter
hempen (St. Johnstone's, or Tyburn) ( 1548). 3. A
small portion, a morsel ;
tippet (1586). To turn tippet, to whence tit-bit, a choice piece, a fine
change right-about : cf. Turncoat and snack (B. E.) anything specially
Turn cat-in-the-pan (1562). selected. 4. See Titmouse. 5. (Dur-

Tipping. First-rate, jolly. ham: local). student of DurhamA

Tipple (or Tip). 1. Drink; 2. a University in contempt ; also 'varsity
:

drinking bout: also tiplage, and as tit. Tit for

tat, originally tap for tap
verb. Whence not a few colloquial (or tipfor tap), blow for blow, an
usages: e.g. on the tipple, on the equivalent (Orose), tant for tant (B. E. )
booze (q.v. ) ; to spoil a tip, to interrupt tit for tit, and dash for dash; hence,

while drinking; tippler, (1) a toper; to give tit for tat, to give as good as one
a fuddlecap, Sots who are continually gets (1577). See Tale.
sipping (B. E.); and (2) a publican Titch (Christ's Hospital). A flog-

478
 Titivate. Tod.

ging: also as verb. [It has been Toady. 1. A

dependant, a
servile
suggested that titch = tight breeches :
lickspittle Also toad-eater
(q.v.).
a portmanteau word.] Hence as verb (or toad - eating), to
Titivate (or Tittivate). To spruce do dirty or reptile service, to fawn,
up, to put finishing touches to one's to lay it on thick (q.v.): FT., avaler
toilet (1836). des couleuvres. As adj. (toadyish,
Titivil. A generic reproach: a hateful or ugly as a toad), repulsive,
knave, a jade. [Tom Titivil in old soapy (q.v.), blandiloquent ; toadyism
moralities, the Devil] (1542). (or toad-eating), servile adulation or
Titley. Intoxicating liquor. service, snobbery (q.v.), turf -hunting
Titter. A girl (Grose) cf. Tit. :
(q.v.), flunkyism (q.v.). 2. A coarse
Titter- tatter. One reeling and peasant- woman.
ready to fall at the least touch also : Toadskin. A five cent stamp. His
the childish amusement of riding upon purse is made of toad's skin (of a
the two ends of a plank, poised upon covetous person) (1670).
the prop underneath its centre ; called Toad-sticker. A sword almost :

also a see-saw (Grose). universal during the war (1861-65)

Tittle-goose. A
foolish blab. (Bartlett).
Tittle-tattle. 1. Chatter, scandal, Toast. 1. Originally, (1) a lady
foolish impertinent talk (B. E.); pledged in drinking subsequently, (2)
;

women's talk (Grose); and, 2. a any person, cause, or thing to which

chatterbox, a gossip. As verb, to success is drunk; (3) a call to drink,
gossip. Hence tittle-tattler and tittle- and (4) the act of drinking also (Scots) ;

tattling. Also proverbial saying, Tittle toss, and as verb; hence top-toast, a
tattle, give the goose more hay (1529). reigning belle : cf. top (leading) lady ;
Tittup (or Titup). 1. A gentle toaster, the proposer of another's
hand-gallop or canter (Grose); hence health (1663). 2. A
toper : see Lush-
titupping (or titupy), (1) lively, gay, ington ; also toast and butter : in con-
frisky; and (2) shaky, ticklish (1704). tempt (1598). On toast, (1) cornered,
2. The thing (q.v.); thus that's the swindled, done (q.v.); (2) nicely
tittup, that's the thing; the correct served of food, etc.
:

tittup, the correct thing. Toasting-fork (or iron). A sword

Titter y. Gin; see Drinks (1725). (1596); also cheese-toaster (q.v.).
Tittery-tu (or Tityre-tu). roar- A Toasty. Warmly tinted.
ing boy, a street-ruffian, a Mohawk Tobaccanalian (Tobacconer, or
(q.v.). {Century: In some fanciful Tobacchian). A smoker. Also to-
allusion to the first line of the first bacconing, smoking (1615). See Pipe.
Eclogue pf Tityre tu patulce
Virgil, Toby (or Tober). 1. The road, the
whence high toby, a main
-
recubans, (1616).
etc.] highway :

Tivy. Tantivy (q.v.)! (1669). road ; the toby (toby -lay, or toby-concern),
Tizzy. A
sixpence: see Rhino. highway robbery, The toby applies
Hence tizzy-poole (Winchester), a fives exclusively to robbing on horseback ;
ball (costing 6d. and formerly sold by the practice of footpad robbery being
a head porter named Poole) ; tizzy-tick properly called the spice, though it is
(Harrow), an order on a tradesman to common to distinguish the former by
the extent of 6d. a day (1823). the title of high-toby, and the latter of
To. At, in (of places) : thus I shall low-toby (Grose). Toby-gill (or toby-
be to hum (home) ; He lives to Boston man), a road thief; hightobyman, a
(1837). mounted highwayman, lowtobyman, a
Toad. 1. A term of contempt; footpad ; to toby, to rob on the high-
and 2. a jocular address: e.g. You way; and done /or a toby, convicted
little toad, cf. Monkey, for
rogue, etc. highway robbery cf. gypsy tober, :

also toadling (1621). Phrases: She road. 2. A

pitch for a travelling
sits like a toad on a
chopping block show. 3. A
drinking jug or mug :
(of a horsewoman with a bad seat); usually a grotesque figure of an old
As much need of it as a toad of a side- man in a three-cornered hat.
pocket, no need at all As full of ; Toby-trot. A simpleton.
money as a toad is of feathers, penni- Toco (or Toko). Chastisement:
less ; Like a toad under a harrow, on hence to give toco, to thrash (1823).
the rack. Tod. A drink, a toddy (1861).
479
 To-day. Toll.

To-day. See Baker. Toffee-scramble. Toffee-making :

Toddle. A walk, a saunter: also cf. Tea -
fight, Bun -
worry, Muffin-
as verb (or to do a toddle), (1 ) to be off, circus, etc.
and ('2) to totter alone as an invalid : Toft A showy individual, a swell
or child. Hence toddles (toddlekins or (Hotten) : cf. Tuft and Toff.
little toddler), an endearment to a little Togger. See Torpid.
child (1783). Tog (or Togs). See Togman.
Toddy. Originally, the juice of the Togman (Toge, Togemans, or
cocoa tree; afterwards, rum, water, Tog). A coat, a cloak, a gown (1567) :

sugar, and nutmeg now generic for ; sometimes togger, toggy, and (Tufts)
a hot drink of any kind of spirits, aa long tog. [Latin, toga, a mantle ; lit.
whisky - toddy, rum - toddy, gin - toddy, a covering.] Abo togs, clothes; see
etc. toggery, infra; Sunday togs, best
Toddy-blossom. A grog-blossom clothes; toged (or togged), cloaked,
(q.v. ); a rum-bud (q.v.). gowned, togated, or equipped ; togged
Toddy-stick. A muddler. out, carefully dressed ; togged up to the
Todge. Stodge as verb, to smash,: nines, dressed to kill (q.v.), full-
to pulp. rigged; toggery, (1) clothes see togs, :

To-do. Ado, a fuss, a commotion, a supra; (2) harness, equipment, be-

set-out: cf. FT., affaire (a faire) (1330). longings ; (3) worn-out clothes (Halli-
Toe. 1. To kick: e.g. I'll toe you. 2. wett) ; long - togs (nautical), shore
To reach (or touch) with the toes e.g. ;
clothes ; upper tog (or upper togger),
to toe a line (a mark, or the scratch), ( 1 ) an overcoat. As verb, to dress, to
to stand at attention (or at the start); clothe, to equip.
(2) to be fully prepared for a struggle Toheno (or Tohereno). Very nice.
'
or contest; (3) to come up to one's [That ishot one.']
obligations; and (4) to border on Toke. Generic for food, grub
(1835). Phrases: To turn up the toes, (q.v.): spec, bread. Also (rare), a
to die see Hop the twig ; to tread on
:
piece, lump, portion. As verb (The
one's toes, (1) to vex ; and (2) to inter- Leys School), to loaf (q.v.), to idle.
fere (1861). Token. 1. The plague (B. E.):
To-fit-tie (Winchester :
obsolete). also the characteristic spots of the
It was that brute A who to-fitti-ed disease on the body. 2. farthing: A
me last night . . . Let me explain . . . hence a small standard of value
it is nothing more or less than the (B. E.). [Properly a tradesman's
commencement of a line in the old, small change, of the nominal values
familiar, As in prawenti perfectum of Id., id., and Jd.] Tom-fool's token,
format in avi . . . to fit-ti, in reference money (B. E.).
to verbs of the third conjugation Toko. See Toco. See Bullock's
transferred from the similarity of sound Heart.
to the schoolboy's toe ; it consisted in Tol. Lot of stock, share (1851).
tying a running noose on a piece of See Toledo.
string, cunningly turning up the bed- Told. / told you so, the retort
clothes at the foot, putting it round provocant : in modern phrase, So
the big toe of an unconscious sleeper, like a woman to say, 'I told you
running the noose up tight, and pull- so!' (1412). To be told (Tonbridge
ing till the victim followed the direc- School), to obtain one's colours in a
tion of the string from the pain getting school team.
farther out of bed, and nearer the floor Toledo (or Tol). A sword-blade:
till released (Felstedian). manufactured at Toledo in Spain,
Toe-ragger. A term of contempt : whence in fifteenth and sixteenth
ct Toey. centuries came the finest tempered
Toey. A swell, a toff (q.v.): a New weapons cf. Fox. Hence a rum tol,
:

South Wales localism. a silver-hilted sword; a queer tol, a

Toff. 1. A
gentleman, a fop, a very ordinary weapon (1596).
swell (q.v.) ct Toft and Tuft. 2. A
: Tolerable. In fair health, pretty
superior, a man of grit. Hence toffer, well: ct Toll-ollish (1847).
a fashionable whore ; tofficky, dressy, Toll. To take toll, to pilfer, to
' '
showy, gritty (q.v.): toffishness, side pick and steal : ct custom of millers
(q.v.). taking a portion of grain as compen-
480
 Tottiban Rig. Tom-fool.

sation for grinding. Also to get (or George IV. was king. [An allusion
take) more than a proper share (1596). to Pierce Egan's Life in London,
Tolliban Rig. A species of cheat published in 1821 in it Corinthian :

carried on by a woman, assuming the
character of a dumb and deaf conjuror
(Grose).
Tol-loll (orTol-lollish).
Tom and Jerry Hawthorn see life,
much of it of a low or fast order.
Tom - and - Jerry - Shop. A low
Tolerable, drinking-shop see previous entry.
:

pretty good, nothing to grumble at. Tom Astoner. A dashing fellow,

Tolly. 1. A candle: spec, a tallow a bold blade, a devil-may-care.
candle to tolly up (Harrow), to light
; Tom - a - Styles. Anybody, Mr.
candles surreptitiously after the gas Thingamy (q.v.): cf. John-a-Noakes
has been put out: cf. Brolly, Yotiy, (1772).
etc. 2 (Stonyhurst). The instrument in Tom-a-Thrums. See Wise.
caning the hand also taps hence
:
; Tomato Can Vag. Draining the
tolly -shop, a Prefect's room where dregs of an empty beer barrel into
-

corporal punishment is administered ;

a tomato can.
and tolly-ticket, a good-conduct card, Tomboy. 1. A boisterous boy : see
given as a reward for specially good Tom ;a romping girl, a hoyden
2. ;

work, which, presented when punish- whence, 3. a strumpet: also torn-rig

ment is ordered, secures immunity (B. E.). As adj., rough, boisterous,
except for too grave an offence : this wanton (1550).
system of accumulated merit, now Tom
Bray's Bilk. Laying out ace
almost obsolete, is precisely similar and deuce at cribbage ( Vaux).
to one described by Mr. Kegan Paul Tom Brown. Twelve in hand, or
in his Memories as existent at Eton crib (Vaux).
in the forties. The Totty (Eugby), Tombs (The). The New York
the tapering spire at the back of the city prison : its style of architecture
Close. is heavy Egyptian. Hence tombs'
Toloben (Tollibon, or Tullibon). lawyer, a thieves' advocate : cf. Old
The tongue : hence toloben-rig, fortune Bailey practitioner.
telling. Tombstone. 1. projecting A
Tolsery. A penny [Hattiwett : tooth, a snaggle-tooth (q.v.): see
A cant term.] See Rhino. Grinders. 2. A
pawn-ticket, a mort-
Tom. 1. A generic slight: e.g. gage deed (q.v.)
Tomboy, Tom- double, Tom- farthing, Tombstone -
style. A
fashion in
Tom- fool, Tom-noddy (all of which composition: spec, of displayed ad-
see). Tomring, a contemptuous re- vertisements, these resembling (or
ference to the use of bells in the are supposed to resemble) monu-
ceremonial of the mass (1648). 2. A mental inscriptions.
deep-toned bell e.g. Great (or Big)
: Tom -Coney. A blundering idiot,
Tom of Oxford, Lincoln, Exeter : a thundering fool (1696).
probably onomatopoeia; whence after Tom Cox's Traverse. Three turns
Tom, after 9 p.m. at that hour Big : round the long boat, and a pull at
Tom of Christchurch, Oxford, strikes the scuttle butt: said of a shirker
one for every student in residence feigning busy (1835).
(101); when it ceases the gates are Tom, Dick, and Harry (or Tom
closed and late comers are fined on a and Dick). Everybody and any.
sliding scale up to midnight, after body cf. all the world and his
: wife.
which delinquents are gated (q.v.) As adj., commonplace (1693).
(1630). 3. A close-stool (HattiweU). Tom-doodle. A simpleton (1709).
Tomahawk. To bungle the shears Tom-double. A double-dealer, a
in fleecing sheep (1859). To bury (or shuffler (1705).
dig up) the tomahawk, to make peace Tom Drum. See Jack Drum's
(or go to war), to settle a difference entertainment.
(or to dispute) it was the custom of
:
Tom-farthing. A fool.
the North American Indians to bury Tom-fool. A thundering fool an :

the tomahawk during time of peace : intensive; see Tom and Jack-fool
see Hatchet. (Jack, 8). Hence torn -foolery (torn-
Tom-and- Jerry Days. The period folly, or torn -
foolishness), nonsense,
of the Regency (1810-20): also, when trash, anything ridiculous or trifling ;

481
 Tom Long. Tom Tug.

tomfooliah, ridiculously absurd ; Tom- refrain of a Music Hall song, circa

fools colours, scarlet and yellow (the 1866 Heads or tails are sure to win.
ancient motley Red and yellow, Tom Tommy Dodd, Tommy Dodd.]
fool's colour); More know Tom fool Tommy o' Rann. Scran, food.
than Tom fool knows (a sarcastic Tommy-rot. Drivelling nonsense,
retort on
failing recognise, or to bosh (q.v.); gammon (q.v.). As verb,
professing to be unacquainted with, to fool, to humbug tommy - rotics,
;

a person saluting (1565). obscenity, erotic balderdash.

Tom Long. A prosy talker, a Tommy Tripe. To observe, to
bore (q.v.): a windbag (q.v.). Also pipe (q.v.): also Tommy. Tommy
to wait for Tom Long the carrier, to his plates, look at his feet.
wait to no purpose thafs coming by ; Tom-noddy (or Tommy-noddy).
Tom Long the carrier (of anything A fool.

long expected) (1696). Tom o' Bedlam. See Bedlam

Tommy. 1. Orig. a penny roll; beggar and Abraham -man.
hence, 2. bread, food: specifically a To-morrow Come Never. Never,
workman's daily allowance carried in at the Greek calends: see Queen
a handkerchief ; 3. goods supplied to Dick (1710).
a workman in lieu of wages; 4. the Tom-pat. 1. A shoe in Gypsy, :

truck -system (q.v.); 5. a shop run a foot. 2. A parson; a patrico

on truck lines: also tommy-shop (or (q.v.) rum torn-pat, a clerk in holy
;

store} and 6. a baker's shop whence

; ; orders patrico (properly), a sham or
:

also soft (or white) (nautical), hedge-priest.

tommy
(1) bread: as
distinguished from Tom Pepper. A liar (Clark
biscuit or hard -tack (q.v.); and (2) Russell).
soft solder (jewellers') brown-tommy, ; Tompion. A watch. [Thomas
ammunition bread for soldiers, or that Tompion, a celebrated watchmaker,
given to convicts on the hulks ; died in 1669.]
tommy bag, a workman's scran - bag Tom- pi per. A piper: cf. nursery
(or handkerchief) and tommy master,; rhyme, Tom, Tom, the piper's son
an employer who pays in kind or by (1616).
orders on tradesmen with whom he Tom-poker. A bugbear.
shares profits ;
as verb, to enforce Tom-rig. See Tomboy.
(or defraud by means of) the tommy- Tom Tell-truth (or Tom Truth).
system (1843). 7. A simpleton: a 1. See Tell-truth, 2. An honest man,
Tom - fool (q.v.). 8. See Tommy a trusty fellow. 3. A true guesser
Atkins. (Dublin University). A
9. (HattiweU).
sham shirt-front, a dickey (q.v.): Tom Thumb. A dwarf, a thumb-
Gr. Tufii'i, a section. 10. A tomato :
ling (Fr., petit poucet), a hop-o'-my-
usually in plural. thumb (q.v.) (1592).
Tommy Atkins (Mr. Atkins, or Tom Tiddler's Ground. Waste
Tommy. A
soldier (of privates
(1) ground, unsettled acreage, a No-
only); and (2) among soldiers them- man's Land: properly a neutral or
selves, a private's pocket account- barren stretch of country between
book. [On attestation forms and two kingdoms or provinces: e.g. the
other documents occurs the sample tract between Spain and the lines of
name Thomas Atkins. 'I, Thomas Gibraltar.
Atkins, swear to do so-and-so.' The A henpecked husband.
Tom-tiler.
same bogus name appears in the Tom Tit A dwarf, an insignificant
Mutiny Act ; it is, in fact, a tradition fellow, see Hop-o'-my-thumb (q.v.).
and was popularised by
of a century, Tom Titivil. See TitiviL
Rudyard Kipling in Barrack - room Tom- toe. The great toe.
Ballads.] FT., Dumanet. Tom Topper. A
ferryman, a river
Tommy - axe. A
corruption of hand : also Tom Tug.
tomahawk : an instance of the law TomTowly. A simpleton (1583).
of Hobson-Jobson (q.v.). Tom-trot A sweetmeat: sugar,
Tommy Dodd. 1. The odd man :
butter, and treacle melted together
in tossing, either winner or loser of a (Hattiu>eU).
call, according to agreement; also Tom Tug. 1. A fool, a mug (q.v.).
2. the mode of
tossing. [It was the 2. See Tom Topper.
482
 Tom-tumbler. Tooley-street tailor.

Tom-tumbler. ? The name of a tongue, to blurt out ; to keep (or hold)

fiend. See Scot, Discoverie of Witch- one's tongue, to be silent ; to wag one's
craft, 1584, as quoted in Ritson's tongue, to speak out of season ; as old
Essay on Fairies, p. 45 (Halliwell). as my tongue, and a little older than my
Tom Tyler. A common fellow, a teeth, a dovetail to How
old are you ?
Mr. Nobody : cf. Smith and Jones a tongue too long for one's teeth (or
(1583). mouth), indiscreet, over - ready of
Ton. See Bon-ton. speech ; to find one's tongue, to break
Tone. That one see Tother. : silence ; to put one's tongue in another's
Tong. 1. In pi., pantaloons, over- purse, to silence ; tongue enough for
alls: see Kicks. 2. In pi., forceps: two sets of teeth, said of a talkative
dental or midwifery. Pair of tongs, person ; the tongue of the trump, the
a lanky person, a lamp -post (q.v.): best, the most important thing or
also Tongs/ (a sarcastic address). person see Trump Mew your tongue
:
;

Not to be touched without a pair of (old), Shut your mouth-! The Vulgar
tongs, a simile of disgust also, except :
Tongue (Grose), cant, slang, heterodox
at the end of a barge-pole (1668). speech, etc.
Hammer and tongs, see Hammer. Tonic. 1. A drink: spec, an
Tongue. Generic for speech :. esp. appetiser. 2. A halfpenny : see Rhino.
(1) gabble; (2) abuse, or (3) impu- Tonish (Tony, etc. ).
See Bon Ton.
dence. As verb (to tongue it. or to Tonkabout (Charterhouse and
flash the tongue), (
1 )
to talk down ; (2) Durham). Skying a ball; to tonk, to
to talk at, to chide; (3) to mouth drive a ball into the air cricket. :

(q.v.); and (4) to sauce (q.v.), Tonner. Usually in combination:

Whence numerous derivatives and e.g. a ten tonner, etc.
-
(of floating
combinations: thus, to tongue-bang, bottoms) : cf. twenty-thousand poun-
to scold to rate
roundly, tongue- : der (an heiress: Farquhar, Recruiting
banger, a scold ; tongue - battery, a Officer).
torrent of words, a flood of talk; Tony. A simpleton (1668).
tongue - biter, an indistinct speaker : Too. This is too much, the retort
also to bite the tongue, to keep silence ; sarcastic or jocose an echo of Artemus
:

tongue -
doughty, bragging, word - Ward among the Shakers. See Bag,
valiant ; tongue - fence, debate, argu- Boots, Thin, Too-too.
ment :
tongue fencer ( 1 ) a master of Tool. 1. A person employed by

words, and (2) a mouthing-speaker ; another (in reproach) a jackal, satel-

tongue-lashing, wordy abuse; tongue- lite, dupe, cat's-paw. Hence, a poor
man (1) an orator, (2) a chatterbox, tool, a clumsy worker, a bad hand at
and (3) a scold also tongue-pad, and
:
anything; a mere tod, a sycophant;
tonguester ; tongue-powder, fluency of also tod, a useless, shiftless fellow
phrase ; tongue - shot, as far as the (1650). 2. A weapon: spec, a sword
voice will reach : cf. ear - shot ; (1360). 3. Usually in pi., (a) pistols;

tongue-sore, an evil tongue, ill-speak- (b) housebreaking implements (c) the ;

ing; tongue-valiant, (1) free of talk: hands, the forks (q.v.); and (d) in
hence (2) brave in word but cowardly sing., a small boy employed to creep
in deed ; tonguey, voluble, abusive, to through windows, etc., to effect entry;
tongue walk, to abuse ; tongue warrior, hence to tool, to burgle, pick pockets,
a boaster ; to tongue whip, to lash with steal fixed for the tods, convicted for
;

scorn; tongue wagging, speech-making, possession of illegal instruments; toder,

verbosity, raillery : cf. He can wag a burglar or pickpocket; mdl-toder,
his tongue better than he can wield a female thief. 4. Generic for equip-
his sword, pen, etc. (of one promising ment (cf. all senses): spec, (artists')
more than he can perform); to wag brushes, (authors'), books, especially
one's talk,
tongue, to chatter; to works of reference, (medical) surgical
tongue -
work, chatter, philological instruments. 5. A whip; hence as
studies a long tongue, so full of talk
; verb, to handle a team of horses skil-
that one can't get in a word edge- fully ; also (loosely), to drive ; applied
ways auld wives' tongues, scandal.
; to all means of locomotion engine,
Also phrases: On (or at) the tip (or cart, bicycle, motor-car, etc. ; to tod
end) of the tongue, on the point of along, to go quickly (1849).
speech, about to say (or tell) ; to give Tooley-street tailor. conceited A
483
 Fool, Top.

bumptious fellow. [Hotten The three :

ante); He ought to have his teeth
tailors of Tooley Street immortalised drawn, he should be curbed, sat upon
themselves by preparing a petition for (q.v.).
Parliament and presenting it with Tooth-and-nail. In earnest, to the
only their own
signatures thereto, utmost i.e.
: even to biting and
'
which commenced, We, the people of scratching. Also with teeth and all.
England' BO it is said.] Tooth -carpenter. A dentist, a
Toot 1. The Devil; and, 2. a snag-fencer (q.v.).
shiftless fellow, a good-for-nothing. Tooth-drawer. Like a tooth-drawer,
Whence (American) on a toot, raising thin, meagre, bald (1393).
the devil, on a spree. See Tout. Toother. A blow on the mouth.
Tooth (Teeth). A
special taste, Toothful. A dram, a nip: cf.
palate, or relish ; a great liking. Hence Thimbleful
toothy (or toothful), palatable, to one's Toothpick. 1. A large stick (Orose).
liking; the run of one's teeth, keep, The Crutch and Toothpick Brigade,
maintenance; something for the tooth, foppish men about town: spec. (c.
(1) food, and
(2) a tit-bit; to love the 1884) hangers-on at stage doors when
tooth, to gourmandise; tooth -music, burlesque was in full swing at the
mastication ( 1581 ). Phrases and com- Gaiety they affected, as the badge of
:

binations: Hen's teeth, anything im- their tribe, a crutch- handled stick and
aginary or rare, a rara avis : cf. olack a toothpick. 2. A sword. As adj.,
swan ; in spite of one's teeth, ( 1 ) in face narrow and pointed, like a toothpick ;
of opposition ; (2) under protest ; in spec, of footgear. See Arkansas tooth-
the teeth. (1) with difficulty or much pick.
ado ; (2) at long odds, or against the Tooth-rake (or scraper). A tooth-
grain ; and (3) to one's face ; to cast pick (1696).
(or throw) in the teeth, to accuse, blame, Toothy-peg. A tooth.
or bring home to : see Matthew xxvii. Too ting-tub. A church organ.
44; to grind (or show) one's teeth, to Tootle. Trashy :
spec, of immature
take amiss, to get angry ; to set one's literary effort.
teeth, to steel oneself, to put one's foot Tootledum-Pattick. A fool.
down ; to one's teeth, resolutely, boldly, Too-too. An intensive form of
openly; from one's teeth, reluctantly, too :over - and - above, more than
as a matter of form, not seriously ; to enough, very good, extreme, utter;
hit in the teeth, to taunt, to twit; to spec, (modern but obsolete) of ex-
hide one's teeth, to dissemble, to feign aggerated aestheticism (1533).
friendship ; to lie in one's teeth, to tell Tootsie. A foot: spec, of women
unblushing falsehoods with teeth and; and children.
all (see Tooth-and-Nail) between the ; Top. 1. The head. 2, The hair,
teeth, in a whisper, aside; to set the the thatch (q.v.): also top-dressing:
teeth on edge, to repel, offend, or shock ; spec, the forelock or top-knot ; whence
to take the bit in one's teeth, to cast topper, (a) a violent blow on the head,
aside restraint, to kick over the traces ; and (b), a hat: top lights, the eyes;
to have cut one'e eye (or high) teeth, to also phrases : tail over top, headlong ;
be cute or knowing, to know what's top over taU, topsy-turvy (q.v.), rashly,
what (q.v.) ; old in the tooth, advanced hastily; from top to toe, wholly; top
in years: spec, in contempt of old and tail, everything (1360). 3. "in pi.,
maids; armed to the teeth, fully pre- top-boots: Smalls and Trunks;
cf.

pared, alert, awake (q.v.); by the skin also (rarely) upper garments (1707).
of the teeth, barely, by a close shave ; As verb, (1) to behead (the usage still
clean as a hound's tooth, as clean as lingers in agriculture), to hang ; whence
may be, highly polished ; to carry a to be topped, to be hung see Ladder ;:

bone in the teeth (see Bone); to have topping-cheat, the gallows see Cheat ; :

the teeth well afloat (or under), to be
drunk ; to the hard teeth, very severely ;
to go to grass with teeth upwards, to
be buried ; to draw teeth (medical
students': obsolete), to wrench off
knockers ; dog's-tooth, a snaggle tooth,
topping-cove (or topsman), Jack Ketch
(q.v.); also subs., a dying speech, a
croak (B. E.); (2) generic for superior-
ity: to excel, surpass, cap (q.v.): thus
to top one's part, (a) to surpass oneself,
and (b) to do zealously as adj. (or ,

a tombstone (q.v.); colts' -tooth (see topping), prime, first class, distin-
-

484
 To-pan. Torch-race.

guished, thorough, extreme: e.g. top Top-joint. See Top-o'-reeb.

(the best) ale ; a top (a principal) Toplights. See Top.
character, or part ; the top of the tree, Top-lofty. Pretentious, bombastic,
pre-eminent socially, in wealth, in a high-falutin' (q.v.): also top-loftical.
profession, etc.
top (a favourite)
; a Top-o'-reeb. A
pot of beer. Top-
toast; a top (a titled or well-to-do) joint, a pint of beer.
family; top (full) speed; and so forth; Top of the Morning. A cheery
toppingest (or topless), the best, greeting.
supreme and 1. A cigar stump; and 2.
; toppingly, fine, very Topper.
well; also (in a baser sense) arro- a plug of tobacco at the bottom of a
gantly, assumingly, badly, vilely; topper pipe hence topper-hunter, a scavenger
;

(or top-sawyer), anybody or anything of half-smoked and refuse tobacco. 3.

exceptional: as the largest and best A lanky person, a lamp-post (q.v.).
fruit usually placed on top in pack-
: 4. See Top.

ing cf Humphrey Toppers ; an expert

: .
Topping-cheat. See Top.
thief; a famous horse; a beautiful Top-ropes. To sway away on all
woman; a man of large means, ex- top-ropes, to live riotously or extrava-
ceptional influence, high position, or gantly (Grose).
remarkable genius also (of persons) :
Topsail (or topsails over). Topsy-
topping man or topping fellow ; to come turvy (q.v.), heels over head (1430).
out on top, to be successful, to get To pay one's debts with the topsail, to
there (q.v.) ; a little bit off the top, some go to sea leaving scores unpaid cf. ;

of the best ; the top of desire, the height (military) to pay one's score with the
of ambition, all that one cares for: drum (to march away).
cf tip-top ; top and top-gallant, in full
.
Top-sawyer. 1. See Top. 2. A
fig (q.v.), rig, array, or force. (3) to collar also the front of a garment.
;

put in a finishing touch, to conclude :

Top-shuffle. To shuffle the lower
spec, to drink (or toss off) a bumper, half of a pack over the upper half
or to wind up a meal by a special without disturbing it. The cut, of
course: also to top up (or off) (1614); course, buries it, but by a very simple
(4) to snuff (a candle): also top the movement the cards are forced back
glim
'
amongst
'
:
work-people, one cried to their original condition. This is
Top the others followed, the last
!
shifting the cut, and can be done with
having to do duty: long obsolete one hand or two.
(1607): (5) to cheat, to trick, to insult Tops y- boo sy. Drunk: see
(B. E.), to get the better of (or a bulge screwed.
on) one (q.v.): spec, to cheat with Topsy-turvy. Upside down, upset,
dice. To cry in top of, ( 1 ) to overrule ; in confusion: also as adj., subs., and
(2) to talk down, to outspeak (1596). verb, with derivatives such as topsy-
To top a clout, to draw the corner or turvily, topsy-turviness, topsy-turvydom,
end to the top of a person's pocket, topsy-turvyfication, topsy -turvify, and
in readiness for shaking or drawing, -
topsy turvyism. Variants Topsy-
:

that is, taking out, when a favourable - -

moment occurs, which latter operation
frequently done by a second person
is
( Vaux).
To-pan (Winchester). A large basin
of red earthenware placed hi each
chamber for washing the feet
(Mansfield).
Top-dressing.
a report: usually written by an ex-
perienced hand and set in larger type.
Tope. To drink: spec, to drink
hard. Hence toper, a confirmed tip-
pler, a soaker (q.v.); to tope it about,
to keep the bottle going briskly (1675).
Top-heavy. Drunk: see Screwed
tervy, Topsy tyrvy, Topsie turvie,
Topse -
torve, -
Topsy turvye, Topsie-
-
turvy, Topsi - turvy, Topsy turvey,
Topsoltiria (Scots'); Tapsalteerie
(Scots'); Tapsie-teerie (Scots'); Top-
turvye, Topsey, Turvy -topsy, Topsyd-
turvey, Topside - turvey, Topside-
turvy, Topsyturn, Topsitum, Top-
An introduction to sieturn, Topsyturny, Topsiturnie, Top-
sieturn, Topsiturn, Topside - turned,
Topset-torvie, Topset-turvie, Topset-
tirvi, Topside the other way ; topside
totherway, Topside turfway, Tossy-
tail (1528).
Top-yob. A pot-boy.
Torch-race (Winchester obsolete).:

(1670). Formerly, part of the breaking - up

Top-honours. Topsails (1700). ceremony of the winter half -
year.
4S5
 Tormentor. Tot.

On tho last morning the boys, after
early chapel, rushed out of gates,
each bearing a burning birch broom,
up College Street and along the wall
of the close up to the old White Hart
Inn, where breakfast was prepared
before the chaises started. This
subsequently gave way to a race of
political ideas (1566). (4) (American).
A loyalist: during the period of the
War of Independence. Hence any
one favouring the claims of Great
Britain against the revolted Colonies.
Tosh. 1. A bath, a foot-
pan; also
as verb, to splash, to douse, to throw
water over a person e.g. He toshed :

Seniors in sedan chairs. his house beak by mistake, and got

Tormentor. 1. A three hundred; tosh - pond (Royal
long iron fork:
used by cooks at sea. 2. A first Military Academy), the bathing-
groove wing. 3. A back-scratcher pond. 2. See Tush. 3. Nonsense;

(q.v.). rot (q.v.): What frightful tosh (Ozf.

Tormentor - of -
catgut A fiddler, Mag. 26 Oct. 1892).
a catgut-scraper (Grose). Tosher (Oxford University). 1. An
Tormentor - of -
sheepskin. A unattached student. 2. A small
drummer (1785). fishing vessel. 3. A man who steals
Torn down.
-
An unruly, unman- copper from ships' bottoms in the
ageable person: as adj. (1) rebellious; Thames (Hotten).
(2) overpowering. Tosh-soap. Cheese: see Tosh.
Torpid (or togger) (Oxford). (1) Toss. 1. commotion,
Agitation,
A second - class racing eight corre- :
anxiety (1666). measure of
2. A
sponding to the Cambridge slogger sprats. As verb, to drink at a
(q.v.); (2) one of the crew; (3) in draught, to gulp e.g. to toss a can of
:

pi. the Lent races: also as adj. ; (4) beer: also to toss off: cf. Toast;
A boy who has not been two years in hence toss - pot, a drunkard see :

the school (Harrow). Lushington; tossed (or tosticated),

Torrac. A carrot. drunk: see Screwed (1560). Also
Torril. A worthless woman, or colloquialisms and phrases: To toss
horse. out, (1) to dress hurriedly, and (2) to
Torturer of Anthems. A chorister ; depart hastily; To toss off, (I) see
a hallelujah howler (q.v.) (1809). verb, supra; (2) to do, execute, or
Tortle. To shamble away. turn out quickly: as to toss off a
Tortoise. See pump and tortoise. poem, a task, or musical performance ;
Tory. (1) Orig. (Irish), a (3) to while away (of time), to dispose
marauder: spec, a bandit (16th cent- of easily: to toss up (or to toss), (I)
ury) who, to cover lawlessness, took up to decide a matter by skying a coin :
arms for the King. Hence (2) a bully, also as subs, (or toss up), an even
a terror ; and (3) a generic reproach : chance, and to win the toss, to be
e.g. (a) a sympathiser with, dis- successful ; to toss up, (2) to prepare
believer in, or supposed abettor of rough and readily (of food). See
the Popish plot (6) one who refused
; Blanket
to concur in the Exclusion Act Toss - plume. A braggart, a
confirming the succession to the swaggerer.
throne to Protestants, a measure Tossy. Off-hand, careless: also
which was directly aimed at the Duke tossUy.
of York, afterwards James II. and ; Tossy- tail. (q.v.).
Topsy-turvy
(c), collectively, the Court as distin- Tostication. Perplexity, commo-
guished from the Country party, or tion: whence tosticated, (1) restless,
Whigs (q.v.). Subsequently Tory worried; and (2) intoxicated: also
assumed its modern meaning, i.e. one tossicated (1720).
upholding the existing order of things Tot 1. Generic for anything
in Church and State, as opposed to small :
spec, an endearment :
e.g.
Liberal, i.e. one who sought, by a wee tot, a little child cf. Toddlekins: ;

experimental legislation, to remedy also, 2. a measure holding a gill ;

admitted or supposed disabilities. whence a nip or dram, a go (q.v.);

About 1832 Tory began to be as verb, to drink: see Tote (1725).
superseded by Conservative; indeed 3. see Tottery. 4. A bone: spec,
the march of time has now (1903) (army), kitchen refuse and (general)
considerably modified the old Tory all kinds of waste, or marine store

486
 Tote. Touch-and-go.

stuff ; hence totting, bone -

picking, touch (suspicion) of frost; a touch of
dust-heap sifting tot-picker (or raker),
; the tar - brush, slightly coloured (of
a scavenger; The Old Tots, the 17th mixed white and black blood) ; a
Lancers; the Death or Glory Boys: touch (a spice) of humour ; a slight
in allusion to the regimental badge of touch, a gentle reminder hence to
:

a skull and crossbones. As verb, touch upon, to dwell lightly on a

(1) to count, to reckon: matter a touch (a pricking) of con-
also to tot ;

up (or tote) ; also (2), to wager all :

science; a touch (a trace) of pity; a
cf. Tote, infra; hence as subs., an touch (a foretaste) of spring ; a touch
exercise in addition; tot-book, a book (a twinge) of pain ; to touch off, to out-
containing examples for practice; the line, draft, or produce hastily or by
tote (or the whole tote), all,
everything ; a few strokes of pen, pencil, or brush ;
to tote fair, to reckon accurately: to touch up, (1) to gently jog the
hence (South and Western American), memory, (2) to urge, egg on, or spur
to act honestly ; to play the game forward, (3) to improve, mend, or add
(q.v.) (1766). to ; touch up, (1) a remainder, (2) a spur
Tote. A teetotaller: also (in to action, (3) a finishing or improving
sarcasm, with a glance at tot, to drink stroke (1597). See Touch-and-go.
drams), a hard drinker. see Tot. As verb, ( generic for getting :
1 )

As verb, to carry, to bear a burden, spec, to get moneyin hand also in

:

to endure; hence tote-load, as much modern usage, to obtain speciously

as one can carry tote-road, a road or
; or secretly, by methods that will not
track. bear too close a scrutiny; and hence
Toter. A piper [Oifford: a low (thieves'), to steal: in Australia to
term] (1633). act unfairly (1726); (2) to be equal
Tother (Tone). The other, the to, capable of, or bear comparison
one (The, thet, the old neuter article) ; with; to have a touch, to make an
tone and tother, both ; totheremmy, attempt (1713); (3) to arrest (Grose).
the others (1200). Phrases and colloquialisms: In touch
T' other-day. Spec, the day before with, (1) in sympathy, and (2) near at
yesterday, but frequently used in an hand ; out of touch with, (1 ) antagonistic,
indefinite sense. and (2) out - of- the - way, un - get - at-
T'other School (Winchester). 1. able ; to touch one, to affect, concern,
One's former school; 2. any school or influence ; to touch a sore spot (up,
not a public school. As adj., non- home, or on the raws, etc.), to irritate
licet (q.v.), or unbecoming, because by allusion or joke, to rub up the
more or less alien to Winchester. wrong way, to clinch an argument,
T'other-'un (Charterhouse), a private advice, or comment; true as touch,
school. absolutely true ; to touch bottom (or
T'other-sider (Victoria: now rare). bedrock), (1) to reach the lowest point,
A convict see Sidney-sider.
: and (2) to get at the truth of matters ;
Totter. To hang, to swing on the to touch her up (nautical), to shake a

gallows (1630). vessel by luffing; touch pot, touch

Totterarse. Seesaw. penny, no credit given; touch bone
Tottery. Shaky, unsteady: also and whistle, any one having broken
tottlish (or totty). Hence, tottle, to wind backwards, according to vulgar
walk unsteadily; totty-headed, giddy, law, may be pinched by any of the
hare - brained ; tot, a simpleton company till he has touched bone (i.e.
(1383). his teeth) and whistled (1400). See
Tottie. A high-class harlot : some- Touched.
what of an endearment cf. Tot. :
Touch-and-go. 1. Uncertain,
Touch. 1. Worth, value, cost: risky, nothing to spare, hasty, super-
usually in combination, as a guinea- ficial: of persons and things. As
touch, something costing a guinea; a subs., (a) a narrow escape, a close
penny touch, a penn'orth ; also (Eton), shave; and (6) a trifle; also a near
a present of money (1720). 2. A (or close) touch (or touch (or toucher) ;
trick, a dodge, a contrivance ; to do a as near as a toucher, as near as may
touch, to make shift, to manaj some- j
be, very nearly touch and go, to drive
;

how (1530). 3. Generic T the close enough to touch and escape

minimum of effort or effect e.g. a injury a trick of the old jarveys to
487
 Touched. Town.

show their skill.

Applied
2. to 2. Generic for money : see Rhino.
anything within an ace of ruin. To tow out, to decoy : spec, to distract
Touched. Slightly crazy, mentally attention and thus pave the way for
impaired. Hence, touch, a kink, a robbery by a confederate. In tow, in
twist (1704). hand, at one's apron strings, under
Toucher. See Touch-and-go. one's influence, or at command: of
Touch-my-nob. A shilling, a bob persons and things ; spec, of a woman
(q.v.) see Rhino.
: who is said to have such and such an
Touch- piece. A luck piece given admirer in tow.
by the sovereign to those they touched Towards. / looks (sic) towards
for the cure of scrofula, or king's evil you, a toast.
Touchy. 1. Irritable, apt to take Towel. 1. A cudgel: also oaken
offence, all and corners [i.e.
angles or (blackthorn) towel ; as verb (to give
tetchy]. [Johrwon: a low word.] a towelling or to rub down with a towel},
Hence touchiness, sensitiveness, peev- to reprimand, scold, and (spec. ) thrash
ishness (1529). 2. Descriptive of a (1771). A lead (or leaden) towel a
style in which points, broken lines, or bullet (1812).
touches are employed, as distinguished Tower. (1) A
fashion in feminine
from firm unbroken line work: cf. hair-dressing, temp. William III. and
touch. 3. (Christ's Hospital). Bather, Anne : pasteboard, ribbon, and lace
e.g. touchy a lux, rather a good thing. were built up in tiers, or in stiffened
Tough. A rough, a bully. As bows, and draped with a lace scarf or
adj., generic for difficult,
trying, veil. Also (2) a wig or the natural
severe : e.g. a tough (incredible) yarn, hair built up in the same fashion ;
a long story ; a tough (difficult) 706 ; and (3) false hair worn on the forehead
a tough (severe) rebuke ; a tough (1663). As verb, (1) to watch closely
(violent) storm ; a tough (prolonged) to see, observe, understand : as a
siege ; a tough (stubborn) customer, a hawk on the look-out for prey also :

hard nut to crack ; also to make it toure, tour, twire, twyre ; to tour out, to
tough, ( 1 ) to raise difficulties, to make go abroad in search of booty : hence
much of a small matter, and (2) to to be off, to decamp (1567). Been
take excessive pains ; as tough as round the Tower, clipped: of money
whitleather, as tough as may be. See (1696).
Old Toughs. Tower-hill-play. A slap on the
Tour. A turn or drive spec, the : face and a kick on the breech (B. E.).
fashionable promenade in Hyde Park Tower-hill Vinegar. The swords-
(1666). SeeTowre. The Grand Tour, man's block. [Tower-hill was, for
in 18th and early 19th centuries a long, the place of execution.] Hence
continental tour embracing France, to preach on Tower Hill, to be hanged
Switzerland, Italy, and Germany re- :
(1529).
garded as an essential finish to the Towering. Extreme, violent, out-
education of young men of rank. rageous (1713).
Tousle (or Towsle). To rumple. Towhead. 1. A flaxen - haired
Tout The
posteriors (1383). As person; and, 2. a rumple-head; in
verb, to look out sharp, to be on one's contempt. Whence tow - headed,
guard (B. E.): also to keep tout: see rough-headed, unkempt.
Nark. Hence, to follow ; and Town. 1. London: e.g. I go to
(modern), to canvass for custom as (or leave) town to-morrow ; so-and-so
do hotel, coach, or steamer servants, is in town: cf. Lane, House, Alley,
to solicit employment as does a guide, etc. : whence man about town (see
or (racing) to spy out special informa- phrases) (1601). 2. University and
tion concerning horses in training. A schools). Townspeople, as distin-
strong tout, strict observation, close guished from Gown (q.v.), the
watching. As
subs., (1) hotel, a members of the University. [In
coach, or steamer runner; (2) a spy early days Universities were subject
for thief or smuggler; (3) a racing to perpetual conflict with the town,
agent or horse-watcher. Also touting- the Jews, the Friars, and the Papal
ken, a tavern-bar (1696). Court. Also townsman, and (Cam-
Tow (Shrewsbury School). 1. A bridge) townee (or towner) ; Ger.
long run in at hare and hounds.
: Philister. Town -lout (Rugby), a
488
 Town-bull. Tragedy Jack.

scholar residing in the town with his chain ;

a watch-snatcher.
toy-getter,
parents, and towney (Christ's Hospital), (4) (Winchester).In pi., a bureau
(a) the antithesis of housey, that desk and bookcase combined whence ;

is peculiar to the Hospital whence :

toy-time, evening preparation (1440).
(spec. ) tourneys, clothes more in accord- Tprot. An exclamation of con-
ance with modern taste for town wear tempt.
than is the distinctive blue habit; Trace. In pi., authority, work,
also (b) a comrade from the same town guidance, restraint ; hence in the traces,
or locality (army): FT., pays (1846). in harness (q.v.), at steady work ;
Phrases : to come to town, ( 1 ) to to kick over the trac.es, to set at defiance,
become common, and (2) to be born ; run riot, take the law into one's own
on the town, (1) getting a living by hands.
prostitution, thieving, or the like, and Track. 1. To go: hence to track

(2) in the swing of pleasure, dissipa- up the dancers, whip upstairs ( 1 67 1 )

to ;

tion, etc., London being regarded as also (modern) to make tracks, to go (or
the centre of national life ; to go (or run) away to make tracks for, (a) to
;

take a turn) round the town, to seek proceed towards and (6) to attack, to
;

amusement, spec, at night and by a go for In various phrases :

(q.v.). 2.
round of the halls ; a man (or woman) e.g. in one's tracks, on the spot, as one
of the town, a person whose living, goes, then and there ; off the track,
occupation, or taste is more or less discursive, out of one's reckoning, at
connected with the shady or fast side sea ; inside track, the truth, bedrock
of life to paint the town red (see Red) ;
; (q.v.).
in town, in funds out of town, hard
; Trade. 1. An exchange e.g. a :

up, penniless (1593). swopping of knives also as verb, to :

Town- bull. To roar like a town- exchange. 2. (Christ's Hospital.) In

bull. To cry, or bellow aloud (Qrose). pi., the boys who carry the candle-
Tow-pow. In pi., The Grenadier sticks, the bread-baskets, table-cloth,
Guards. and cutlery.
Tow-row. A noise, a racket (q.v.). Trade-mark. 1. A scratch on the
Touzery Gang (The). Mock face ; hence
put one's trade-mark
to
auction swindlers: they hire sale- upon one, to claw the face spec, of :

rooms, usually in the suburbs, and women. 2. A cap (domestic servants').

advertise their ventures as Alarming Tradesman. A thief ( q. v. ) ; a regular
Sacrifices, Important Sales of Bank- tradesman, an expert thief: also, a
rupt's Stock, etc. compliment applied to any one who
Towzle (or Towse). See Tousle, thoroughly understands his business
verb. whatever it may be.
Toy. Generic for wantonness as : Trades Union (The). The First
subs., a lewd conceit, jest, tale, a love (The King's) Dragoon Guards. [At
poem, amorous sport. As verb, to one time most of the officers were
wanton, to dally also to tick and toy.
: sons of tradesmen, which is still an
Toyful (toysome, toyish, or toying), offence in the Cavalry.]
amorous, wanton (1303). Hence, (1) Trading. A veiled form of political
anything of casual or trifling interest, treachery a State Governor is to be
:

use, amusement, or adornment, of ad- elected, and at the same election, say,
ventitious worth, as contrasted with Presidential electors ; the one party
serious, hard use, or intrinsic value :
agree with their political enemies that,
a nick-nack, e.g. a trinket, an idle in return for votes for their own
story, odd
conceit, and
spec, anything candidate for Governor, they will vote
diminutive (1529). (2) A whim, fancy, and procure votes for the others'
huff, offence, or caprice ; hence to take candidate for President. The practice
toy, (a) to be huffish, whimsical, rest- is susceptible of numerous com-
less ; and (6) to go at random, play binations and devices (Walsh).
tricks, act the fool whence toysome,
: Whence trading politician, a corrupt,
etc. : cf. Hoity -
thoughtless,
toity, venal elector or candidate; one who
giddy. Toyty-headed, feather-brained is regulated by interest rather than

(1400). (3) A watch : whence white principle.

toy, a silver watch ; red toy, a gold Tragedy Jack. A heavy tragedian :

watch ; toy and tackle, watch and in contempt.

489
 Trail, Trapes.

Trail. To quiz, befool, draw out, Transnear. To come up with any-

get at (q.v.): also as subs. To trash body (Grose).
a trail, to take to water in order to Trap. Sagacity, craft, contriv-
1.

destroy scent: of human beings as ance, penetration ; hence to understand

well as animals. trap, to be knowing, wideawake (q.v.),
Trail- tongs (or tripes). A slatternly alive to one's own interest; to smell
servant, a dirty puzzle (q.v.). Hence trap, to suspect spec, of thieves in :

traily. slovenly. spotting a 'tec that trap is down, ;

Train. To
travel by train,
1. the trick (or try-on) has failed, it's
usually with 'it': cf. 'bus it, foot no go (1704). 2. sheriffs officer, A
it, tram it, etc., whence to train up, thief-taker, policeman, or detective
to
hurry.
2. To romp, carry on, (1705). 3. A
carriage; a fast name
act wildly: almost peculiar to the for a conveyance of any kind (Hotten).
girls of New England (Bartlett). The old fashioned gig had,
3. -
[Sola :

To consort with on familiar terms: under the seat, a sort of boot extend-
e.g. Training with such a crowd ing a few inches beyond the back of
does not suit me. the seat. At the beginning of the
Trainer. A militia - man spec, ; century gigs were raised upon higher
when called out for periodical wheels than at present. On this
training. raised vehicle the boot was lengthened
Traitor. There are traitors at table, behind, holding a brace of dogs for
Of a loaf turned the wrong side sporting purposes. In these dog-carts
upwards. (thus named afterwards) the dogs were
Tram. A tramway - car : cf. bus, at first placed in the boot at the front,
rail, motor, etc. and I dare say that the noble sports-
Tramp. On 1. the
for lookout men may occasionally have had their
employment; walking about from heels or their calves bitten by dogs
place to place. Cant (Grose). 2. with short tempers, and with scant
A cargo boat seeking charter or cargo liking for the confinement of the boot.
when and where obtainable; also This led to a great improvement, in
tramp-steamer and ocean tramp. in the shape of an open latticed box
Tramper. A travelling mechanic. which was attached to the back of
Trampler. A lawyer: see Green- the body of the conveyance, and
provided with a trap door behind
-
bag (1619).
Trampolin. A double spring-board. for the admission of the dogs. In
Trampoose. To walk, tramp, process of time the latticed box
wander about: cf. Vamoose. Also was found very convenient for the
trampous and trampoos (1818). carriage of other things besides dogs,
Traneen. Not worth a traneen, and as everything conveyed in the
valueless, not worth a rush. cart (chattels, not people) had to be
Trangdillo. see Twangdillo. put in through the trap -door (soon
Trangram (Trangam, or Trankum). curtailed into trap compare 'bus for :

A fallal, ornament;
trifle, anything omnibus, cab for cabriolet), the con-
or anybody of little or no value ( 1677). veyance itself was eventually termed
Tranklement. In pi. intestines: trap.] Hence trapper, a horse used
entrails: cf.
Trolly-bags. in a trap cf. Vanner, Busser, Cabber,
:

Transcribbler. (1) A careless etc., on the model of hunter (1854).

copyist: hence (2) a plagiarist (1746). 4. Belongings, things (q.v.), sticks and
Transfisticated. Pierced (1600). stones (q.v.) usually in a measure of
:

Translate. To remanufacture contempt, cf. Rattletrap (1835), 5.

selected parts of old boots and shoes. Swag (q.v.).
Also (tailors') to turn (or cut down) Trapan. He that draws in or
'

a coat or other garment. Whence wheedles a Cull, and Bites him. Tra-
translator, (1) a cobbler; (2) in pi., re- pan'd, c. Sharpt, ensnar'd ;
to inveigle
'
made boots and shoes; and (3) a to ensnare (Grose).
renovating tailor (B. E.). Trapes (or Traipes). 1. sloven, A
Transmogrify (or Transmigrify). slattern, draggletail: a generic term
To transform, change, alter, or new of contempt for a woman ; hence, 2.
vamp (/>'. E.). Also as subs., trans- a going or gadding about, in a more
mogrification (1728). or less careless, objectless, or even
490
 Trapper. Treating.

lawless fashion
also trapesing. As
: man, woman, and child in a buggy
verb (or to gad about ; to
to trape), 40 ; a with a woman behind him
man
wander listlessly, or in a slovenly or 30 a flock of sheep 20
; a flock ;

bedraggled fashion cf. trespass, Fr., : of geese 10 ; a postchaise 5 ; a horse-

trcpasser (1673). man 2 a man or woman walking
;

Trapper. See Trap. 1 (Grose).

Trapping. Blackmail, Fr., chantage,. Travelling Scholarship. Rustica-

Trappy. Tricky, treacherous also : tion (q.v.) (1794).
trappiness. Travelling Tradesman. A respect-
Trapstick. In pi., the legs (Grose). able mechanic in search of work.
Trash. 1. Generic for trifles and Traverse. See Cart and Tom Cox's
worthlessness (now recognised) spec, : Transverse.
a harlot whence, trashery (or trash-
: Traviata. See Come.
trie), rubbish, odds and ends ; trashily Tray. Three spec, three months' :

(or trashy), worthless, useless ; trash- imprisonment ; tray soddy mits, three-
bag, a good for nothing ; tra^hmire,
- -
pence halfpenny. [It., tre sodli, mezzo.]
a slattern ; and (American) trash, a Before one can say treyace, in a
negro term of contempt see White : moment.
trash (1602). 2. Money: see Rhino Tray Trip. An ancient game like
(1590). Scotch hop (or Hopscotch), played on
Trat. An old woman ; a witch a pavement, marked out in chalk into
(q.v.): in contempt: cf. Trot. different compartments.
Trav (Felsted School). Travelling Treacle. 1. Thick inferior port.
money. 2. Love -
making, spooning (q.v.).
Travel. To walk spec, to go :
Treacle-moon, the honeymoon.
quickly ; usually with along e.g. : Treacle Bolly. See Bolly.
the motor travelled along, and no Treacle-sleep. A
sluggish torpor.
mistake. To travel out of the record, Treacle Town. 1. Bristol: the
to wander from the point at issue, or city is an important centre of the
the matter under discussion (1857). sugar
-
refining industry. Also, 2.
See Bodkin and Traveller. Macclesfield in allusion to a hogshead
:

Traveller. 1. A highwayman ;
of treacle which burst, and, for a time
hence to travel the road, to take to filled the gutters.
highway robbery (1707). 2. A tramp Treacle - wag. Very small beer.
(1851). 3. A transported felon, a Tread. To tread on one's toes, to vex,
convict : also a traveller at His (or Her) offend, or injure ; to tread one's shoes
Majesty's expense. bond fide 4. A straight, to go carefully, act discreetly,
traveller i.e. a person who, under the
: exercise caution ( 1 85 1 ). See Black-ox,
Licensing Act, is entitled to demand Boards.
refreshment during prohibited hours. Treader. A shoe.
5. A thief who changes his quarry Treasury (The). The weekly pay-
from town to town. 6. A swagman ment (theatrical).
(q.v.);hence traveller's hut, quarters Treat. 1. An entertainment or
on a station set aside for swagmen, party modern usage spec, of
; in
stockmen, and others not eligible for children and schools hence some- :

the squatter's house. To tip the thing paid for by an elder or superior,
traveller, to humbug, to romance, to or given as a token of good- will and
tell wonderful stories of adventure a affection: e.g. a drink, a dinner, a
la Munchausen also traveller's
: tale theatre-ticket, an entertainment, or
and traveller's talent (1760). the like. 2. A turn in a round of

Travelling -
Piquet. A mode of drinks: It's my treat. As verb (or
amusement, practised by two persons to stand treat), to bear the expense of

riding in a carriage, each reckoning refreshments, an outing, or an enter-

towards his game the persons or tainment; also, It does me a treat,
animals that pass by on the side next that's O.K., real jam and no error
them, according to the following esti- (1660). 3. In sarcasm: a nuisance, a
mation : A
parson riding on a gray terror (q.v.), anybody or anything
horse, with blue furniture game an ; objectionable.
old woman under a hedge ditto a Treating. Bribery.
; [A candidate
cat looking out of a window 60; a who corruptly gives, causes to be
491
 Treating -house. Tribute

given, or is accessory to giving, or tremble, agitated, excited, shivery-

pays, wholly or in part, expenses for shaky (1849).
meat, drink, entertainment, or pro- Trembler. In pi., the extreme
vision for any person, before, during, Protestant section of early Reforma-
or after an election, in order to be tion days: cf. Quaker (170">).
elected, or for being elected, or for Trencher. 1. A square wooden
corruptly influencing any person to platter: in general use before plates,
give or refrain from giving his vote, and till lately at Winchester. Whence,
is guilty of treating, and forfeits 50 trenchering, eating; trencher -buffon, a
to any informer, with costs. Every droll or butt whose place has been
voter who corruptly accepts meat, taken by the professional diner-out ;
drink, or entertainment, shall be in- trencher-chaplain, a domestic chap-
capable of voting at such election, and lain ; trencher - fly (friend, man, or
his vote shall be void (Abstract of Act mate), a hanger-on, smell-feast, para-
of Parliament).'] site, or sponger ; whence to lick the
Treating - house. A restaurant trencher, to sponge, to lickspittle ;

(1704). trencher knight (or knight of the

Treble X's (The).The 30th Foot, trencher^, a serving man, or waiter at
now the 1st battalion East Lancashire table: hence trencher -cloak, a cloak
Regiment Also Triple X's. worn by servants and apprentices ;
Treddle. See Tread. trencher -man, (1) a hearty feeder, one
Tree. A gallows: also substantial who plays a good knife and fork, (2)
tree, fatal tree, tree that bears fruit all a cook, and (3) see supra; trencher-
the year round, the tree with three law, the regulation of diet; trencher-
corners, etc. ; spec. (Biblical and collo- critic, an epicurean law-monger ; trim
quial), the Cross. See Triple-tree and as a trencher, as trim or exact as may
Tyburn - tree (1611). As verb, to be, as clean as a trencher when licked.
perplex, to get at one's mercy, put in 2. A college cap, a mortar - board
a fix, drive to the end of one s re- (q.v.). [In shape thought to re-
sources; whence treed (or up a tree), semble an inverted trencher with a
cornered, obliged to surrender, done basin upon it.] Also trencher-cap.
for (q.v.) (1847). Phrases: At the top Trepan. See Trapan.
of the tree (see Top); to tree oneself Trey. See Tray.
(American), to conceal oneself, hide; Treyning-cheat. See Trine.
lame as a tree, very lame ; to bark up Trial (Harrow). An examina-
the wrong tree (see Bark) put not the ; tion hence trials, the examinations at
:

hand between the bark and the tree, the end of the summer and winter
meddle not in family matters; also terms.
between bark and tree (or wood), a well- Triangle. 1. In pi., a frame of
adjusted bargain (1562). As adj., three halberds stuck in the ground
three :
e.g. treewins, threepence ; tree- and bound at the top to this soldiers
:

moon, three months' imprisonment, were bound to be flogged obsolete. :

etc. (Qro*e) : see Tray. 2. In pi., delirium tremens: see

Tree of Knowledge
house: almost obsolete). The tree
under which books, etc., are piled
in the interval between morning
school and dinner.
Treer (Durham School : obsolete).
A boy who avoids organised sports,
but plays a private game with one
or two friends. [Presumably because
played at the trees by the side of the
ground.]
(Charter- Jim-jams.
Triantelope. A comic variation of
Tarantula. [Applied in Australia to
a perfectly harmless spider (though
popularly supposed to be poisonous),
with mandibles, but which will attack
nobody unless itself attacked (1846).
Trib. A prison: see Cage. [That
is, tribulation.] He is in trib, 'he is
layd by the Heels, or in a great deal
of trouble' (B. .).

Trek. To go away, run off: of Tribe. A number of persons: in

South African origin, properly, to contempt (1685).
yoke oxen to a waggon. Tribune. (Winchester: obsolete).
Tremble. Involuntary shaking ; A large pew in ante-chapel : reserved
spec, when caused by excessive cold, for ladies.
fear, drinking, etc. Also all of a Tribute. To demand tribute of the

492
 Trick. Trip.

dead, to attempt the impossible or Trigimate (or Trigrymate). An

absurd (Ray). idle she-companion (B. E.); an inti-
Trick. 1. A
watch (1798). 2. A mate friend (Hattiwell).
turn, a spell : e.g. a trick at the helm Trike. A
tricycle cf Bike. : .

(1835). 3. In pi., wantonness: spec, Trillibub. (1) Tripe; hence (2)

of women. 4. Belongings, things anything of trifling value or import-
(q.v.), baggage (q.v.). Phrases and ance. Also trillabub, triUlibubbe,
colloquialisms a trick worth two (or
:
trottybag, etc. Tripes and truttibubs, a
a better trick), (1) & better way, a fat man (1599).
smarter expedient, and (2) a slightly Trillil. To drink: onomatopoeia
sarcastic refusal e.g. No thanks
: !
(1599).
It's all right, but I know a trick Trim. Dress: spec, state dress
worth two of that; to do the trick, (Grose) ; hence as adj. (and adv.),
to accomplish one's purpose; a trick spruce, neat, well-groomed (q.v.);
with a hole in it (American) of any- in sad trim, dirty, undrest (B. E.);
thing extraordinary; to trick and tie, a trim lad, a spruce, neat, well-trickt
(1) to be equal (sporting), and (2) to man (B. E.); to trim up (or forth), to
have something in reserve. Also dress, make clean and neat, set out:
(proverbial saying) Trick for trick. spec, to shave or clip the beard
and a stone in thy foot besides, (1530). As verb, (1) to call to ac-
quoth one, pulling a stone out of his count, reprove, thrash; hence, to
mare's foot, when she bit him on the trim one's jacket, to drub, dress down,
back, etc. See Bag-of-tricks. dust one's coat trimming, a beating,
;

Trick - and - a - half. A master- scolding, or jacketing; trimmer, (a)

stroke of roguery: cf. a-lie-and-a- a severe disciplinarian, also of
half, the truth in sarcasm.
:
things, and (6) see infra. (2) To cheat ;
Trickett. A long drink of beer. hence trimming, cheating people of
[New South Wales, after Trickett, their money (B. E.) cf. Shave. See
the champion sculler.] Trimmer.
Tricky. Clever, smart, neat (q.v.) : Trimmer. 1. Orig. nautical :

cf. trick (once literary), neat, spruce, figuratively,a moderate man, one
trim, elegant. taking a middle course between two
Trig. 1. A
cockscomb, a dandy; extremes. 2. A waverer, apostate,
as adj. (also trick), (I) neat, spruce, in time-server; to trim, and trimming
good condition ; whence (2) trust- (q.v.). [In Eng. politics a party which
worthy, active, clever: also trig and followed the Marquis of Halifax (1680-
trim (or trig and true, tight, etc.). 96) in trimming between the Whigs
[Obsolete, provincial, or colloquial in and the Tories. See trim. 3. Anything
all uses.] Hence trigly, trigness, and specially decisive, of good quality, or
other derivatives (1200). 2. bit of A noteworthy, a settler (q.v.) spec, :

stick, paper, etc., placed by thieves in (cricket), a well-delivered ball ; hence

the keyhole of, or elsewhere about, trimming, large, big, etc. (1816).
the door of a house, which they Trimming. In pi., accessories:
suspect to be uninhabited ; if the spec, those accompanying any dish or
trig remains unmoved the following article of food (1837).
day, it is a proof that no person Trim-tram. A trifle, an absurdity,
sleeps in the house, on which the folly, nonsense. As adj. foolish non-
gang enter it the ensuing night upon sensical, trifling. Also (Grose) like
the screw, and frequently meet with master, like man (1547).
a good booty, such as beds, carpets, Trincum (or Trinkum). A trinket.
etc., the family being probably out of Trine. 1. To hang : see Ladder.
town. This operation is called trigg- Trining-cheat, the gallows (1567). 2.
ing the jigger (Grose). As verb (1) To go (1360).
To stop: as subs., an obstacle, prop, Trigum-trangum. A whim, a fancy
or skid (1630); (2) to trudge along, (B. E.).
to hasten. To trig it, to play truant, Trinket. 'In porringers, and
pi.,
to charley-wag (q.v.). To lay a man also any little odd
thing, Toies and
'

trigging, to knock down, to floor (q.v.). Trifles (B. E.); toys, baubles, or nick-
Trig-hall. Open house, Liberty- nacks (Grose).
hall (q.v.). Trip. 1. A short voyage or journey,
493
 Tripe. Trooper.

an excursion not in general use till

:
degree was not given for that examina-
18th century: as verb (modern), or tion till a few years later. There
to trip it, to make short journeys also : are now nine triposes founded . . .

tripper (or trippist), (a) an excur- in the following order: Mathematical.

sionist: often in the combination Classical, Moral Sciences, Natural
cheap tripper; also (6) a tram con- Law, History,
Sciences, Theological,
ductor, railway guard, or driver who Semitic and Indian Languages, with
gets paid by the trip (American) a Mediaeval and Modern Languages
(1360). 2. A failure, mistake, or tripos from 1885.
error spec, the result of inadvertence
:
Tripper. See Trip.
or want of thought; an error of the Tripping up. See Carry the stick.
tongue or pen, a stumble, a false step, Tristram. Sir Tristram's Knot,
a miscarriage, or a bastard (B. E.) a halter; to tie Sir Tristram' Knot,
(1628). 3. A moment, the twinkling to hang see Ladder.
:

of an eye (1726). 4. A thief s woman. Triumph. To ride triumph, to go

5. The pas de deux by which harlequin helter-skelter, rough-shod, full tilt
and columbine introduce each scene (1759).
in the harlequinade. 6. Threepence ; Trivet Right as a trivet, as right,
3d. : cf.
Thrip, Threp, etc. secure, or good as may be. To suit
Tripe. In pi., the gute: whence to a trivet, to suit perfectly : nee Right
the belly. Also in contempt both of (1837).
persons and things ; tripe visaged, Troc.The Trocadero: formerly
flabby, baggy, expressionless; Mr Music Hall, now Restaurant.
Double-Tripe, a fat man; also tripes Trojan. A term of commendation :

and trullibubs ; tripe-cheek, a fat blowsy (1) a plucky fellow, a sticker (q.v. );
face (1598). and (2) a familiar address, either to
Triplet One of three at a birth; equals or inferiors; hence trusty
in pi.,three children at a birth. Trojan, a sure friend or confidant:
Triple-tree. The gallows: see also trusty trout (1594). (3) boon A
Nubbing -
cheat, Ladder, and Tree companion, a loose fish (q.v.); occa-
(1635). sionally (but loosely) a thief (1598).
Triple 3Ts (The). The 30th Foot, Troll. To loiter and saunter
now the 1st battalion East Lancashire about (B. E.); cf. Trull; as subs, (or
Regiment. Also Treble X's. trollocks) , a slattern see Trull. :

Tripoly. To come from Tripoly, to Trolloll. To sing in a jovial,

vault or tumble, to perform with rollicking fashion (B. E.) (1740).
spirit (HaUiwell). Trollop. 1. A
lusty, coarse ramp
Tripos(Cambridge Univ.) Orig. or tomrig (B. E.), a hedge -whore,
the stool on which the champion of also, 2. a generic reproach : of
the University sat at the disputations women ; whence trottoping (trottopish
held with the Father in the Philo- or trottopy), wanton, filthy, draggle-
sophy School on Ash Wednesday, at tail; as verb (or to trollop about), to
the admission of Bachelors of Arts to gad about : also trottopee, a loose
their degree then it was transferred
; dress for women cf. Loose - bodied
:

to the Bachelor himself ; still later to (1641).

the humorous, or, in some cases, Trollybags. Tripe.
scurrilous, speech with which Mr Trolly - lolly. Coarse lace once
Tripos opened the proceedings, and much in fashion, now worn only by
to the verses of the Bachelors at the the meaner sort (B. E.).
Acts, each sheet of verses being called Trollywags. Trousers, breeches ;

a tripoe or tripos-paper. The honours- see Kicks.

listswere printed (about 1747-48) on Tronic. A
prison see Cage. :

the backs of these verses, and so Trooper. A half-crown (B. E.).

tripos came to mean an honour-list,
and, last of all, the examination itself.
Until the year 1824 there was only
one tripos, the Mathematical ; and up
to 1850 only those who had obtained
honours in mathematics were admitted
to the Classical examination.
Phrases: to swear like a trooper (a
simile of hard swearing), to volley
oaths till the air is blue; you'll die
the death of a trooper's horse (a
jocular method of telling any one he
will be hanged, i.e. will die with his
The shoes on).
494
 Trork. True Inwardness.

Trork. A quart. Trout. See Nor' Loch trout, and

Tros. Sort spec, of anything bad : Peculiar river.
or not to one's liking- Thus trosseno, Trowel. To lay on with a trowel,
a bad day, coin, etc. also dabtros. ; (1) to flatter or exaggerate grossly';
Trot (or Trat). 1. An old woman: to butter (q.v.). Also (2) to lie ; and
in contempt: usually old trot, a (3) to use powder, paint, or the like,
bawd a sorry base old woman (B. E. )
: : without stint (1600).
a decrepit old woman (Grose) (1512). Trub. A slattern, a short squat
2. An endearment of a child learn- : woman (Ainsworth). Also trubagully,
ing to run (1854). 3. A pony (q.v.), a short dirty ragged fellow, accustomed
crib (q.v.) ; whence, as verb (or to performing the most menial offices
to trot a lesson), to use a translation (Halliwell).
or other adventitious aid to study. Truck. 1. Intercourse, dealing;
As ( 1 ) to steal in broad daylight ; (2) e.g. I'll have no truck with you.
generic for doing; thus to trot out Orig. (and still colloquial American),
(express) an opinion ; to trot out exchange, trading, espec. the barter
(escort) a judy ; to trot out (sing) a of small commodities ; whence (in
song ; to trot out (spend) the pieces, contempt) odds and ends, rubbish,
and so forth ; to trot round, to take a and spec, bad food, cagmag (q.v.),
turn round the town, the halls, etc. ; mullock Also (now recognised)
(q.v.).
on the trot, on the go (q.v.), pegging truck system (truck - shop), etc. the
-

away; dog-trot, a gentle pace; to trot payment of wages in kind instead of

up, to bid against, to run up prices ; money illegal since 1870-75. As verb
:

He lies as fast as a dog can trot (of a (originally and still literary), to swop,
persistent liar). barter, or exchange (1608). 2. In pi.,
Trot-cosy. A great coat with cowl, trousers: see Backs. 3. hat: seeA
close buttoned (1814). Golgotha.
Trotter. 1. [In pi., the feet orig. : Truckle - bed. In saying, To
of sheep whence shake (box, or move)
: stumble at the truckle (or trundle)
your trotters !
Begone !
troop off ! bed (Ray), to mistake the chamber-
To shake one's trotters at Bilby's Ball maid's bed for his wife's. [Formerly
(where the sheriff pays the fiddlers), a low bed on small wheels or castors
to be put in the stocks (Grose perhaps : was trundled under a standing-bed in
the Bilboes ball). Trotter-cases (or the daytime, and drawn out at night
boxes), boots or shoes (1838). 2. A for a servant to sleep on] (1660).
tailor's assistant: he goes on round True. Honest usually in contrast
:

for orders ; also (dressmakers' s and with thievish, or true man v. thief,
milliners'), a messenger: Fr., trottin. Also (proverbial) true as true (as the
Trouble. Imprisonment; (2) (1) gospel, God in Heaven, as I stand here,
child-bed, pregnancy (conventional) ; etc.), as true as may be (1400).
(3) a to-do (q.v.) e.g. what's the : True-blue. 1. Unmistakable,
trouble ? what's going on ? Hence honest, staunch, dependable : as subs.,
in trouble, (1) arrested, quodded a thoroughly reliable good fellow, a
(q.v.); (2) pregnant, lumpy (q.v.); stalwart: also Blue (q.v.). [Blue is
to get into trouble, to be found regarded as the colour or emblem of
out and punished (1555). Also in constancy, but whether in reference
combination trouble - house, a dis-
: to the blue of sky or sea (both pro-
turber of family concord trouble- ; verbially deceitful) or the fastness of
mirth, a wet - blanket, spoil - sport, some dye (e.g. Coventry blue) is
mar-all; trouble-rest, an element of unknown.] Hence spec. 2. the 17th
discord, sickness, anything tending to century, the Scotch Presbyterians or
unhappiness or discomfort ; trouble- Whigs : the Covenanters had adopted
state (or town), an agitator, a a rebel, blue as against the Royal red ; in
drunk and disorderly. Also proverbial later times staunchly Liberal or Tory,
sayings that horse is troubled with
:
according to the choice made of blue
corns (i.e. foundered); troubles never as a party -colour by either, but mostly
come singly. Conservative (1500).
Trounce. trouble, punish ;To vex, True Inwardness. The real mean-
now to beat severely. Whence ing, bottom (q.v.) facts, final result
trouncing, a drubbing (1551). or end of a matter.
495
 Truepenny. Tub.

Truepenny. A familiar address: Trunk - work. Underhand (or

in commendation, but sometimes secret) dealing : cf. Back door work
loosely used also (as in : old boy) (1604).
Old Truepenny (1596). Trusted alone. This bit of flash is
Truff. To
steal: see Prig (1768). made use of in speaking of any knowing
Trull. A
wanton, a trollop (q.v.); or experienced person, meaning that
a soldier's, beggar's, or tinker's wife he is so deep as to the tricks of the
or wench (B. EJ) (1529). town that he may be trusted alone in
Truly. See By truly, my and Yours any company without danger to him-
truly. self (Grose).
Trump. 1 . A good fellow, a friend in Trusty. 1. An overcoat. '2. A
need, one (Grose) who displays courage convict with special privileges, such aa
on every suit the highest measure of
: a ticket of leave. See Trojan.
praise (1774). 2. A Jew's harp: Trut. An exclamation of contempt.
whence tongue of the trump, a chief, Truth. Tell the truth and shame the
an essential properly the steel spring
: devil, to reveal all at any cost (1469).
or reed by which the sound is Try. An attempt, endeavour, trial,
produced. Phrases: to be put to experiment : espec. (modern) a try-on,
one's trumps, to be in difficulties, an attempt at besting (q.v.); hence to
driven to the last shift, or full exertion try on, to seek to outwit, get the
it

of one's strength ; to turn up trumps, better of, fleece, cheat, etc. : see
to fall out fortunately e.g. something : Gammon. To try it on a dog, to ex-
may turn up trumps, something lucky periment at another's expense or risk ;
may happen all his cards are trumps ,
: to try on, to live by thieving: coves
he is exceedingly fortunate (1593). who try it on, professed thieves (1609).
Trumpery. Old Ware, old Stuff, Phrases and colloquialisms: to try a
as old Hats, Boots, Shoes,' etc. to compete, contest ; to try
fall with,
(B. E.); goods of no value, rubbish back, to revert to, to retrace one's
(Grose) also trash and trumpery, and
:
steps as to a former position, stand-
:

(proverbial), For want of good com- point, or statement, etc., with a view
pany, welcome trumpery. Whence to recover something missed, or lost :
(modern) generic for showy trashiness, hence try back (1857).
and as adj., meretricious, worthless Tryning. See Trine.
(1574). Tub. 1. A pulpit Hence tub-
Trumpet. To blow
(or sound) one's drubber (pounder, preacher, thumper,
own trumpet, to praise (or talk about) or tubster), a ranting divine spec., in :

oneself, to brag. Hence, his trumpeter reproach, of Dissenters (Grose, a

is dead (of a braggart). Presbyterian parson) also tub-thump- :

Trumpeter. King of Spain's (or ing, subs, and adj. ( 1 661 ). 2. A bath :

Spanish) trumpeter, braying ass, a spec, a sponge-bath, but also (loosely)

i.e. Don Key; his trumpeter is dead a dip (q.v.). Also as verb (1610).
(see Trumpet) He would make a ; 3. A broad - bottomed, slow - sailing
good trumpeter, for he smells strong: boat ; also (loosely) a vessel of any
of one with foetid breath. kind ; at the Universities, a boat for
Trundler. In pi. peas (B. E.). rowing practice ; hence tubbing, boat-
Trundling-cheat A wheeled ing, rowing practice to get tubbed, to
;

vehicle; a cart or coach: see Cheat be taught to row (1853). 4. A low-

(1630). wheeled and deep-welled gig or village
Trunk. blockhead, a dunce
1. A cart, a governess-car. 5. (Winchester).
(1656). 2. In
trunk-hose: cf. pi. A chest in Hall into which Dispars
Smalls, Tops, Tights, etc. Also (q.v. ) not taken by the boys were put ;
breeches: see Kicks, and bathing- whence Prcefect of tub, a prefect
drawers (1613). 3. A nose (B. E.). whose duty was to examine the quality
How's your old trunk ? a jeer at a of meat sent in by the butcher, and
biff-nosed man; to shove a trunk, to after dinner to supervise the collec-
poke one's nose in, to introduce tion and distribution of the remains :

oneself unasked into any place or obsolete; whence (also) tub-mess, the
company (Grose). table at which the Senior Prefects sat
Trunk maker -like. More noise than in Hall (see Farmer, Public School
work (Grose). Word-Book). A tale of a tub ; any kind
1%
 Tubbing. Tumble.

of nonsense, fooling, or absurdity, a Tucker. See Tuck.

cock-and-bull story (q.v.), rot (q.v.) Tuckered. Tuckered out, tired out
(1538). To throw a tub to a whale, (1840).
(1) to bait the hook, give a sop, or Tucker -in (or Tucker -up). A
make to throw dust in
capital ; (2) chamber-maid : cf. Scotch warming-
the divert attention, to
eyes, to pan.
emphasise small matters so that atten- Tuck-man. A moneyed partner.
tion is distracted from essentials Tuel (or Tewel). The fundament
(1809). A
cat under a tub, a supposed (Halliwett).
cause of delay. Every tub (vat, etc.) Tuft. 1. A young nobleman :

should stand on its own bottom, a simile students of rank formerly wore a
of independence (1538). See Tubby. gold tuft or tassel in their cap
Tubbing. 1. Imprisonment. 2. (obsolete) ; whence tuft
-
hunter, a
See Tub. hanger - on to a man of title, a syco-
Tubman. In the courts of ex- phant, toady, lick spittle ; tuft-
-

chequer, two of the most experienced hunting, sponging (q.v.) on men of

barristers, called the post- man and title or means. 2. An imperial, a
tub-man (from the places in which they goat's beard (1842).
have also a precedence in motions
sit), Tug (Eton). A Colleger ; a scholar ;

[The old Exchequer Court is now on the foundation; hence tuggery

merged in the High Court of Justice, College. [Gt. Public Schools from the :

but the appointments are still made.] toga worn by Collegers to distinguish
Tubby (Christ's Hospital). 1. A them from the rest of the school.] As
male servant of the school his busi- :
adj. (Winchester) stale, ordinary,
ness was the care of the latrine tubs :
vapid, common. Whence tugs, stale
the name is still retained for the news ; tug-clothes, everyday clothes ;

lavatory-man. 2. A big-bellied man, tug-jaw, wearisome talk. Phrases :

fatty (q.v.), forty -guts (q.v.). As To hold one tug, to keep busy, to task-
adj. (or tubbish), round- bellied, swag- drive ; to hold tug, to stand hard work,
bellied : like a tub (1796). or severe strain ; tug of war (see War)
Tubs. A butterman. (1667).
Tuck. 1. Generic for edibles ; (2) Tug-mutton. A glutton.
an appetite :
spec, (schools') pastry, Tui (Winchester). Tuition.
sweet-stuff, and the like ; whence Tulip. Go it, my tulip, a character-
tuck-shop, a pastrycook's ; tuck-parcel isticstreet phrase : an echo of the
(Charterhouse), a hamper from home :
tulipo-mania of 1842, itself a recrudes-
nearly obsolete ; also (Australian), cence of the great craze of 1634.
tucker, (1) food, grub (q.v.), spec. (2) Tulip-sauce. A kiss, kissing.
barely sufficient on which to live, Turn. Stylish, proper, spiff, Al.
bare bread-and-cheese ; as verb (or Tumbles. Ablutions, tubbing
to tuck in), toeat heartily tuck-in (or :
(q.v.) (1853).
tuck-out), a square meal. As verb, Tumble. To dance. [Formerly
If any of the Freshmen came off dull dance and tumble popularly were
or not cleverly, some of the Seniors . . .
synonymous moreover, the profes-
;

would tuck them that is set the nail
of their Thumb
under the Lipp, and by the help of
their other fingers under the Chin,
they would give him a mark which
would sometimes produce blood
(Wood). To tuck up, (1) to hang see
sional dancers of mediaeval times
to their chin, just were also acrobats ; and, pictorially,
Herodias' daughter is often repre-
sented as walking on her hands.
Hence tumbler (or tumbester), a female
dancer, and (modern) an acrobat ;
: as subs. ( 1 ) a dance and (2) a Catherine
;

Ladder ; hence tucked up, hanged ; wheel (q.v.) (1380). 2. To under-

Tuck-' em-fair, an execution (1696) (2) ; stand, perceive, assent to, accept :

to perplex, to put in a fix or difficulty, cf. fall in with, concur, and Fr., tombre
to cramp. To tuck on, to unduly d'accord. 3. (Stock Exchange). To
increase or enhance e.g. That horse rapidly in value
: fall of prices. :

is not worth half what you gave for Phrases To tumble in, to go to bed ;
:

him the dealer has tucked it on to

;
to tumble up, (a) to rise from one's
you pretty well cf. Stick it on. See
: bed, and (6) to come, or move quickly :

Twopenny. also to tumble along ; to tumble to,

497
 Tumbler. Turk.

to set to vigorously also see verb ;

: which cannot bo blown until the cup
to take a tumble to oneself, to take isempty.
oneself to task ; to kick oneself (q.v.) ; Tun -belly. A fat, round-bellied
to tumble to the racket (Am. pol.), see man, pot - belly, a corporation
a
Racket ; to tumble on one1 a feet, to (q.v.) ; hence tun-bellied, paunchy,
escape without injury, to come out very corpulent, bellied like a tun cf. :

on top (q.v.). tun-great, with a circumference of the

Tumbler. In various
colloquial size of a tun.
or semi-colloquial usages denoting in- Tund (Winchester). To thrash,
stability or eccentric movement. funding, a thrashing.
Thus (1) a glass rounded or pointed Tune. To beat : also to tune up :

at the bottom, so that it could not e.g. The old man

tuned him up de-
be set down except when empty a lightfully, He got a good thrashing :

silent reminder of no heeltaps and ! cf. I'll make you sing another tune, a
to pass the bottle orig. a low Silver
: threat of corporal punishment (Grose).
Cup to Drink out of (B. E.): now- The tune the cow (or old cow) died of,
adays applied to any glass that is (1) a grotesque or unpleasant noise;
cylindrical in shape, without a stem ; (2) a homily instead of alms. [From
(2) a variety of pigeon in flight the : an old ballad.] Colloquialisms : To
bird often drops without wing- play ; the tune of, to the sum, amount, or
(3) a dog used in coursing rabbits, a measure of [a stated figure, etc.] ;
Coney Dog (B. E.): it tumbles about to change one's tune (or note), to alter
in a careless fashion until, within one'sway of talking, manner, or
reach of its prey, it seizes it with a demand to change from laughter
;
to
sudden spring ; (4) a porpoise ; (5) tears ; to sing another tune (see Sing) ;

a variety of printing machine from : to tune up, to commence ( 1578).

the rocking or tumbling movement of Tunker. A street- preacher. [?Dun-
the cylinder towards the impressive ker.]
surface ; (6) a cart properly tumbrel ;
: Tunnel. A nostril (1596).
whence to the flog at (or to shove)
nap Tunnel - grunter. Usually in pi.,
the tumbler, to be whipped at the potatoes.
cart's-tail (B. E.) (1721) ; (7) A sharper Tup. To salute in drinking.
employed to draw in pigeons to game Tuppence (or Tuppeny). See
(B. E.) ; (8) a worthless horse ; a Twopenny.
screw (q.v.) ; (9) a German Baptist or Tup-running. A rural sport prac-
Dunker the sect was founded by
: tised at wakes and fairs in
Derbyshire ;
Alexander Mack about A.D. 1708. a ram whose tail is well soaped and
Persecution drove them in 1723 to the greased, turned out
is to the multi-
United States, where they founded a tude ; any one that can take him by the
church at a German town in Penn- tail, and hold him fast, is to have him
sylvania they separate the sexes in
: for his own (Orose).
worship, are are
vegetarians, and Turf. 1. (Winchester). The
called Tumblers from their mode of pitch at cricket, the field being long
:

baptism, which is by putting the grass. 2. (Felsted School). the

person, whilst kneeling, head first under cricket field always with the definite
:

water ; (10) a street rowdy early : article. As

verb, (Derby School) (1)
part of the eighteenth century. to send to bed at bedtime ; (2) (Marl-
Tumble-down. Dilapidated, borough School), to chastise.
ruinous, rattletrap (q.v.) (1839). Turk. 1. A sword cf. Andrew, :

Tummy. The stomach : also turn- Fox, Toledo (1638). 2. A savage

turn. fellow ; a cruel hard-hearted man
Tump. To pull, to draw. (B. E.); a Tartar (q.v.). Also to turn
Tumptsner. A settler: e.g. That'll Turk, to turn renegade, to change for
be a tumptgner for the old gentleman. the worse, to go off (q.v.). To
Turn-turn. A dog-cart. See Turkise, to play the Turk; Turkish
Tummy. treatment, barbarous usage, very sharp
Tun. 1. A tippler: see Lushing- or ill dealing in business (B. E.) ;

ton. 2. At Pembroke (Oxford) a Turkish shore, Lambeth, Southwark,

small silver cup containing half a pint ; and Rotherhithe sides of the Thames
sometimes with a whistle handle, (Orose); Turk-a-tenpence, a term of
4fS
 Turkey.
contempt cf. tenpenny infidel (a
:
term applied to the Turk in Dekker's
Westward Hoe, 1607) and Turk, sense
1, with an eye on tenpenny sword, a
poor tool. In modern usage Turk has
lost somewhat of its rigorous meaning,
and is frequently employed as a half-
jesting endearment to a mischievous,
destructive boy e.g. :You young
Turk !
(1596). 3. A target
made and rags.
up of cloth
Turkey. To have a turkey on
back, to be drunk see Screwed. : See
Talk.
Turkey-merchant.
Turkies (B, E. ) a poulterer (Grose)
; ;
a chicken - thief (tramps'). 2. A
dealer in contraband silk.
Turk's-head. 1. A long broom:
used for sweeping ceilings and the
like. See Pope's-head. 2. An orna-
mental knot worked on to a rope in
shape supposed to resemble a turban.
Turn. 1. A trick,
device ; hence as verb, to
cheat, get at (q.v.) (1383). 2. An
execution formerly, the criminal
: outwit ; to turn away (or off), to dis-
stood on a ladder which, at a given
signal,was turned over (cf. New-drop):
also turn off, and to turn over.
to
Turning-tree, the gallows see Nub-
bing-cheat (1542). 3. A walk: spec.
a short walk involving a speedy return
to the starting-point as a promenade :
on the deck of a vessel, round a
garden, etc. (1601). 4. A spell of work
or a job in rotation with others e.g.
(theatrical), a public appearance on
the stage, preceding or following others
(1859). 5. A bonus over and above
the legal rate of interest charged by
bankers on advances against stock
when money is tight.
shock, a qualm, nausea as verb, to
make sick, disgusted, silly : also to
turn up or to turn the stomach whence
turned up, queasy, ill, sick, as from
a shock, sea - sickness, drinking,
smoking, etc. (1605). To turn up,
(I) to desist, abandon an object,
(pursuit or quest), change one's
habits or course of life ; thus to turn
up (to forsake) a mistress, to bury a
moll (q. v. ) ; to turn up (cut) an acquaint-
ance to turn up (cease dealing with) a
; stomach, to cause nausea ; to turn the
tradesman ; to turn up (quit) a crowd ;
to turn up a flat sweet, to leave a pigeon
(q.v.) in good humour after
him, and so forth (Grose)
borough School), to
Turn.
cane, stick, or fives-bat. A good (ill,
shrewd, etc.) turn, a kind (spiteful or
clever, etc.) act or deed : also pro-
verbially, One good turn deserves
another (also ill turn, etc.) (1400).
Turn occurs in a multitude of phrases,
all more or less colloquial. Thus to
turn (to perfect or polish) a phrase,
sentence, etc. ; to turn over (mentally
: a dummy consider) a matter : also to turn about ;
to turn the corner, to begin to mend in
one's health, pocket, prospects, etc. ; to
turn upside down (inside out, or the
house out of windows, etc.), to cause
1. A driver of a commotion, or disturbance, to
search thoroughly ; to turn over a new
leaf, to reform, to make a fresh start ;
to turn (distract) one's attention ; to
turn one's head, to unbalance the
judgment, make crazy, nighty, or
arrogant ; to turn (or be turned of)
:
fifteen (or any age), to pass (or have
advanced beyond) one's fifteenth
stratagem, birthday, to be older than ; to turn
trick, beguile, against, to become unfriendly, hostile
to ; turn one's flank, to circumvent,
to
miss, sack (q.v.); to turn (or send)
down (University), (1) to rusticate,
and (2) to snub, suppress (American);
: to turn off (execute, accomplish, pro-
dvice) a contract, design, or book ; to
turn off (marry) a couple ; to turn
off (foil, counteract, or ignore) a joke,
slight, etc. ; to turn one's coat (see
Turncoat) ; to turn one's hand to, to
:
apply (or adapt) oneself ; to turn out
(train) a scholar, soldier, etc. ; to turn
out (produce) so much in a week,
month, etc. ; to turn out (show) one's
: hand spec, at cards ; to turn out (or
:
be turned out) to dress (or be clothed
6. A nervous by one's tailor) with care whence:
: well turned out, well-groomed (q.v.):
see Turn-out ; to turn over (transfer)
: a business ; to turn over (sell) goods ;
to be turned over (thieves'), (1) to be
stopped by the police and searched,
(2) to be remanded, and (3) to be
acquitted for lack of evidence ; to turn
one's back on (see Back) ; to turn cat
in the pan (see Cat) ; to turn the cold
shoulder (see Cold Shoulder) ; to turn
the paunch, to vomit ; to turn the
tables (see Table) ; to turn an honest
penny (see Penny) ; to turn rusty (see
fleecing Rusty) ; to turn to the right-about, to
; (2) (Marl- dismiss summarily : see Right ; to
chastise with turn turtle (nautical), to capsize of a
:
499
 Turnabout. TutivMus.

boat or vessel to turn up one's nose, to

;
gathered together in tin-
open air.
make a gesture of contempt, to show (3) a strike
also (4) a striker (singly
;

disgust ; to turn up one's eyes, to make and collectively) ; (5) a shunting-

a gesture of (1) surprise, and (2) of line, a side-track, a railway siding ;
mock sanctity ; to turn upon, (I) to (6) production, output ; (7) a carriage,
retort, and (2) to show anger, resent- coach, or any vehicle with hones,
ment, or fight, to pay back as good as harness, and other appointments ;

sent ; to turn up one's toes, to die see : also (latterly) applied to motor-cars ;

Toe ; to turn in, to go to bed ; to turn (8) dress, get-up (q.v.) : cf. to turn out ;

out, (I) to rise, to get out of bed, (2) (9) an interval (1861).
to come abroad, (3) to come out on Turnpike-man. A parson because :

strike (workmen's), and (4) to result,
end, prove to turn to, to set to work ;
: entrance into and exit from the world
to turn Turk (see Turk) ; to turn up, (I)
to happen, to occur, (2) to arrest
(thieves'), (3) to acquit (thieves') ;
to be turned over : see To turn up,
supra ; not to turn a hair to take things
quietly ; to turn a cartwheel see Cart-
wheel ; to take a turn, to join in ; to
turn it (or the game) up, to desist,
quit, abscond, change one's tactics ; to
turn up a trump, to meet with good
fortune, to improve one's chances ;
to a turn, to a nicety as a roasted
joint cooked to a turn of the spit ;
turned round, at a loss, puzzled spec,
of that momentary mental ignorance
of one's exact whereabouts which
sometimes occurs in a place that is
the clergy collect their tolls at our
(Orose).
Turnpike-sailor. A beggar posing
as a distressed sailor (1851).
Turn -tail. A coward, renegade,
pervert. To turn tail, (I) to change
: sides, (2) to turn one's back upon, and
(3) to run away, to shirk (1586).
Turn-tippet A time-server, turn-
coat (q.v.); hence to turn tippet, to
change right about (1556).
Turn-up. 1. A fight produced from
: a hasty quarrel, a casual boxing-
match (Grose), a shindy, a scrimmage.
: 2. An unexpected event, or result ; a
chance encounter, spec, a sudden
piece of luck : see Turn.
Turpentine State. North Carolina :

normally perfectly well known ; turn its people are Tarheels (q.v.).
and turn about, in regular succession, Turp i n. A kettle. [Hattiwett :

alternate duty, one resting while the A cant term.]

other works. Turtle. See Turn.
Turnabout. 1. An innovator Turtle Dove. In pi., a pair of
(1692). 2. A
disease in cattle, the gloves : also turtles.
staggers (q.v.) (1618). 3. A merry-go- Turvy-topsy. See Topsy-turvy.
round, a run-around (1889). Tush (or Twish). An expression
Turn-back. A coward. of impatience, contempt, or rebuke :

Turncoat. A renegade, an apos- also as verb, and tushing, subs. : cf.

tate, he that quits one and embraces Tut (1400).

another party (B. E.), one who has Tusheroon. A crown piece, 5s. :

changed his party from interested see Rhino.

motives (Orose). Hence to turn coat Tussey. A low drunken fellow : cf.

(or a coat), to change, to pervert (1576). Tosticated.

Turning-tree. See Turn. Tussicated. Driven about, tor-
Turnip. A watch spec, an old- : mented (Hattiwett).
fashioned silver watch which in size Tussle. A struggle, a contest, a
approached a turnip also frying- : tousle (q.v.). Also as verb, to scuffle,
pan (see Warming - pan). Phrases : to struggle.
To give turnips, to get rid of a person Tussocker (New Zealand). A
by hook or by crook to get turnips, : sundowner (q.v.).
to be taken in, jilted a play on turn-
: Tut Tush (q.v.), pish (q.v.).
up ; one's head to a turnip, a fanciful Also tuts I and as verb. To make tuts
bet cf. Lombard Street to a China
:
for, to make
light of (1500). A tut for
orange, etc. (1694). a tush, a see Tush.
tit for tat (q.v.) :

Turnip - pated. White or fair- Tutivillus. An old name for a

haired (B. E.). celebrated demon, who is said to have
Turn-out (1) A parade, also (2) an collected all the fragments of words
amenably :
spec, a number of people which the priests had skipped over or
600
 Tutting. Twiddle.

mutiliated in the performance of the also as verb, to perplex (1731). See

service,and carried them to hell. Tweague.
Tutting. A tea-drinking for women, Tweedle. A Brummagem ring of
succeeded by stronger potations in good appearance used for fraudulent
company of the other sex, and end- purposes. See Twiddle.
ing in ribaldry and debauchery. So Tweedledum and Tweedledee
called only, I believe, in Lincoln in ; (The difference between).
other places in the country it is No difference at all, save in sound ;

known as a bun-feast. Now obsolete, a distinction without a difference.

or nearly so ( Hattiwell). [Ency. Diet. The :
expression arose in
Tut tie (or Tuttle Nask). The the eighteenth century, when there
Bridewell in Tuttle- Fields (B. E.): was a dispute between the admirers
closed in 1878. of Bononcini and those of Handel, as
Tut-work. Piece work. to the respective merits of these
Tu z I (Felsted School). The musicians. Among the first were
same as Fainits (q.v.), Bags I (q.v.). the Duke of Marlborough and most of
Twaddle (T wattle, etc.). 1 the nobility ; among the latter the
Gabble, stuff and nonsense (q.v.) 2. ; Prince of Wales, Pope, and Arbuth-
a prosy chatterbox, babbler, drivel- not.] (1730).
ler : also twaddler (twattler, twattle- Tweenie. A between-maid.
basket, or twattle - brains). As verb, Twelve. After twelve (Eton).
to clack, prate, rattle on twaddling ; From noon till 2 p.m.
(or twaddley), (1) silly, loquacious, Twelve Apostles (Cambridge
inane ; (2) trifling, paltry, petty also ; University). 1. The last twelve
reduplicated in twittle twattle. (3) in the Mathematical Tripos (Grose).
Perplexity, confusion ; or anything 2. (Stonyhurst). The first twelve
else a fashionable term that for a
:
Stonyhurst students.
while succeeded that of bore (Grose) ; Twelve Godfathers. A jury.
(4) a diminutive person. [Hotten :
they name the nature of a
Twang. A smack or ill taste crime ;
murder or manslaughter,
(B. E.) ; hence (modern), a decided felony or misdemeanour.] You'll be
flavour (1707). To go off twanging, christened by twelve godfathers some
to go well, swimmingly cf. as good :
day (a taunt).
as ever twanged, as good as may be Twelvepenny. Trifling, of
(1629). small value :
frequently contemptuous
Twangdillo (or Trangdillo). (1614).
See Twangle. Twelver. A shilling; Is.: see
T wan gey (or Stangey). A Rhino.
tailor : north country (Grose). Twenty. An indefinite number:
1.

Twangle. That
also is twang : also and twenty (1593). 2.
twenty
twank, twangdUlo, twangling, and as (Rugby). The Sixth Form.
verb. Twenty - two and Twenty - two
Twank (Durham School). To (Winchester). Football twenty-two :

cane [Hattiwell to give a smart slap

: a side.
with the flat of the hand, a stick, etc., Twibill. A street ruffian, a roaring-
East]. boy (q.v.): seventeenth century.
T w a n k n g. i
Big, unwieldy : a Twice. At twice, on a second trial ;
generic intensitive. in two distinct attempts cf. You've :

Twatterlight. See Twitter- guessed it in once (1611).

light, Twice-laid. A hash-up of fish and
Twattle. See Twaddle. potatoes cf. Resurrection- pie.
:

Tweague (or Tweak).

Passion, Twicer. A printer who works at
peevishness also tweaguy ; in a tweak,
:
press as well as at case.
in a heavy taking, much vext, or very Twiddle (or Tweedle). 1. To
angry (B. E.). finger idly and lightly : usually in
Tweak. 1. A jerk, twinge, pinch :
phrase, to twiddle one's fingers ; to
as verb, to twitch, pull, or snatch : fiddle (q.v.), wriggle, or twist about;
usually in phrases to tweak one's nose. to be busy about trifles ; to wheedle, to
Tweaker (Felsted School obsolete), a : coax :
e.g. She can twiddle him round
catapult (1420). 2. A dilemma (1706) : her little finger : cf. Twirl (1540).

501
 Tvriddlepooy. Tioofer.

Twiddlepoop. An effeminate- twistical), awkward, crooked (q.v.),

looking fellow (Grose). funny (q.v.); twistable, easily in-
Twig. Style, fashion, method
I. ; fluenced. 3. An appetite ; hence
hence as adj., stylish, handsome I'M ; to twist it down (or lustily), to feed like
good (or prime) twig, clever, well- a farmer (B. E.), to eat heartily
dressed, in good spirits (Grose). To (Grose). Fr., crampe au pylore. 4.
put out of twig, to alter, disguise, so (a) Amixture of tea and coffee (B. E.) ;
to change as to make unrecognisable also (6) brandy, beer, and eggs (Grose) ;
( Faux). 2. (Marlborough :
obsolete). and (c) brandy and gin. 5. (Win-
The Headmaster whose authority [in chester). A
stick spirally marked by
rested the use of the birch.] As a creeper having grown round it : also
verb, (1) to watch, observe, mark. twister. As verb, to hang : see
Also (2) to understand, see (q.v.), Ladder. Hence twisted, hanged ( 1823).
tumble to (q.v.) ; whence (in humor- 6. A turn given to the wrist in delivery
ous imitation of comprenez-vous) FT., so that a ball breaks from the straight ;
twiggez-vous see Twug (1763); (3)
: whence twister, a ball so delivered by
to snap asunder, break off e.g. twig : the bowler (also, at billiards, a ball
the darbies, knock off the irons. To that screws or spins along with a
measure a twig, to act absurdly. See twist) hence (figuratively, anything
;

Hop the twig. that puzzles or staggers (1857). A

Twilight. A corruption of toilet : twist on the shorts, a Wall Street
(old) a dressing - cloth, towel, or phrase, used where the shorts (q.v.)
napkin (1684). have undersold heavily, and the
Twine. To ring the changes (q.v.). market has been artificially raised,
Twinkler. (1) In pi., the eyes. compelling them to settle at ruinous
Also (2) a star, and (3) a light (thieves') rates. To twist (or wind) round one's
Twinkling. See Bedpost. finger, to control or influence com-
Twins. To have, twins, to take pletely, to make submissive usually :

dinner and tea at one meal, to box of women. See Tail

Harry (q.v.). Twit To hit in the teeth (B. E.)
Twire (Tweer, Tour, and to reproach a person or remind him
Towre). peep, to look round
1. To of favours conferred (Grose). Twitty,
cautiously, to peer : ct Tower. [Tour cross, ill-tempered.
(the canting form : see Tower) possibly Twitch. To twitch a twelve, to get
originated in twire being carelessly the highest number of marks.
written.] Whence 2. (old), to leer, Twitcher. 1. A severe blow. 2.
to make eyes. As subs, a glance, In pi., small pincers.
leer. Twirepipe, a peeping Tom Twitchetty. Nervous, fidgety,
(1598). uncertain also twitchy.
:

Twirl. A skeleton see key : Twitter. All of a twitter, frightened

Jemmy. To twirl one's thumbs, to nervous, fidgety also in (or on) the
:

be idle : cf. cool one's heels cf. : twitters.

Twiddle. Twitter-light Twilight: also
Twish. An exclamation of con- twatterlight (1607).
tempt. Twittle. To chatter, babble, tattle.
Twiss. A
chamber-mug, it (q.v.). Hence twittle twat, a chatterbox ;

[Grose A Mr. Richard Twiss having

: twittle-twattle, gabble, idle talk (1582) ;

.
given a very unfavourable de-
. . Twittoc. Two (Grose).
scription of the Irish character, some Two. Doubly :
e.g. two fools,
utensils were made with his portrait twice foolish ; two knaves, doubly
at the bottom. foolish (1571). Two thieves beating a
Twist 1. The fourchure, the rogue, a man's arms when beating
crutch (1568). 2. A bent, turn, cast : his sides for warmth, beating the
a variation from what is usually booby (q.v.), cuffing Jonas (q.v.).
normal and proper. Thus a twisted See Bow.
vision, a wrong or cussed way of Twoer. 1. A florin. 2. A hansom
looking at things a twisted (a ly- ; cab.
ing) tongue whence twister, a false-
; Two-eyed Steak. A bloater : see
hood or gross exaggeration twisted ; Glasgow Magistrate.
broguish) speech, etc. Also twisty (or Twofer. A wanton.
502
 Two Fives. Tyburn.

Two Fives (The). The second ropes served as a shakedown. To

battalion Border Regiment, formerly have twopenn'orth of rope, to doss down
the 55th Foot. in such a place Fr., coucher a la corde
:

Two-foot Rule. A fool. (1837).

Two Fours (The). The first bat- Twopenny-ward. Part of a prison
talion Essex Regiment, late the 44th was formerly so called (1605).
Foot. Two-pipe Scattergun. A double-
Two-handed. 1. Great: spec, of barrelled rifle.
a strapping fellow or wench (Grose). Two Sevens (The). The second
Also, 2. expert with the dukes (box- battalion Duke of Cambridge's Own
ing)- Middlesex Regiment, late the 77th
Two-handed Game. A matter in Foot.
which the chances of success are Two-shoes. A little girl an en- :

equal or nearly so e.g. I'll dust : dearment, usually Little Two-shoes (cf.
your jacket for you, Well, that's a Goody Two-shoes, a kind of fairy
two-handed game. god-mother).
Two-legged Cat (Fox, etc.). A Two -Sixes (The). The second
thief usually as a retort to The cat
: battalion Princess Charlotte of Wales's
had it, A two-legged cat then (1551). Royal Berkshire Regiment, late the
Two - legged Tree. The gallows : 66th Foot.
see Nubbing-cheat. Two Tens (The). The Lancashire
Two - legged Tympany. A baby ; Fusiliers, late the 20th Foot.
spec, a bastard. Two-twos. A moment ; the
Two-nick. A girl baby cf. One- : shortest imaginable space of time, in
nick. a twinkling. The Two Twos, The
Twopence (or Tuppence). See Cheshire Regiment, late the 22nd
Donkey and Penny. Foot.
Twopenny. 1. Beer ; sold at 2d. Twoster. See Twist.
a quart: cf. Fourpenny,
(1771). etc. Two-to-one Shop. A pawnbroker's,
2. The head also tuppenny. Tuck in
: uncle's [Grose
(q.v.). alluding to
:

your tuppenny, (1) an injunction to
make a back at leap - frog and (2)
to desist. 3. (London). An inter-
mediary between
client a professional pawner
;
the
usual fee being twopence. As adj.,
mean, of little value as only costing
twopence also (modern) twopenny-
: customer of suspected honesty makes
halfpenny (1485).
Twopenny damn. 1. A variant of
Rap, Straw, Curse, Tinker's curse or
damn), and many others. Tradition
asserts that Wellington once said he
did not care a twopenny damn what
became of the ashes of Napoleon
Buonaparte. 2. The Twopenny Damn.
The St. James' Gazette on account
of its strong language concerning Mr.
Gladstone and the latter-day radicals.
Twopenny-hop. A cheap dance.
(Hotten The price of admission was
: amount of 2, 10s. Cf. Sharp, John
formerly twopence the clog horn-
pipe, the pipe dance, flash jigs, and
the three blue balls, the sign of that
; trade ; or perhaps to its being two to
one that the goods pledged are never
pawnbroker and redeemed.]
: Two upon ten (or Two pun*
ten).An expression used by assist-
: ants to each other, in shops, when a
his appearance. The phrase refers
to two eyes upon ten fingers, shortened
as a money term to two pun' ten.
When a supposed thief is present, one
shopman asks the other if that two
pun' (pound) ten matter was ever
settled. The man knows at once what
is meant, and keeps a careful watch
:
upon the person being served. If it
is not convenient to speak, a piece of
paper is handed to the same assistant,
bearing the, to him, very significant
:
Orderly.
Twug (Harrow). Caught i.e. the :

hornpipes in fetters, d la Jack Shep- past ppl. of twig (q.v.).

pard, were the favourite movements, Twyford. My name Twyford, I is
all entered into with great spirit] know nothing of the matter.
(1851). Tyburn. The place of execution
Two penny -rope. A lodging- for Middlesex to 1783 after which the :

house one in which the charge is (or death penalty was enforced at New-
:

was) twopence sacking stretched on gate till the demolition of the prison
:

503
 Tyburnia. Umpire.

in 1903. The Tyburn gallows stood water Road, and subsequently in-
in the angle formed by the Edgwaro cluding (Hotten) the Portman and
Road and Oxford Street. In 1778 this Grosvenor Square district : faceti-
was two miles out of London. Hence ously by Londoners into
divided
Tyburn-blossom, a young thief who :
Tyburnia Felix, Tyburnia Deserta,
in time will ripen into fruit borne by and Tyburnia Snobbica it soon fell :

the deadly never-green (Grose) ; Ty- into disuse. [From a brook called
burn - check (pickadiU, tiffany, or Tyburn (properly The Eye bourn),
tippet), a rope, a halter Tyburn- : which flowed down from Hampstead
tippet, rather obsolete in 1822 (Egan) ; into the Thames.]
Tyburn -
fair (jig,show, or stretch), Tye (or Tie). A neckcloth now :

a hanging ; Tyburn-face, a hangdog recognised, but slang thirty years ago,

look ; Tyburn -
ticket, an exemption and as early as 1718.
(under 10 & 11 Will. HI., c. 23, 2) T y g. A three - handled tyg, a
to prosecutors who had secured a drinking cup so handled that three
capital conviction it released from : different persons, drinking out of it,
all manner of parish and ward offices and each using a separate handle,
within the parish wherein such felony brought their mouths to different parts
was committed the Act was repealed : of the rim. The name is still applied
in 1818 Tyburn-ticketa were trans-
: in Oxford to an ordinary round pot
ferable, and often sold for a high with three handles, much used for
price Tyburn - tree, the gallows
; to ; cups, etc.
preach at Tyburn - cross (fetch a Ty- Tyke. See Tike.
burn stretch, dance a Tyburn horn- Tyler. See Adam Tiler.
pipe on nothing, the Paddington-frisk, T y m p a n y.Conceit, bombast ;
etc.), to be hanged Tyburn-spectacles, ; properly a species of dropsy in which
the cap pulled over the face of a the belly is stretched tight like a drum
criminal before execution ; and so ( 1610). Two-legged tympany, a baby ;

forth. See Ladder and Tree. spec, a bastard.

Tyburnia. A name given, about Typo. A
compositor. Also type-
the middle of the nineteenth century, an expert comp.
lifter (or slinger), :

to the district lying between Edg- sometimes in contempt, a slovenly

ware Road and Westbourne and Glou- workman.
cester Terraces and Craven Hill, and Tzing-tzing. Excellent, Al (ob-
bounded on the south by the Bays- solete).

Ugly. 1. An ugly person : also in resentment ; to call by ugly names, to

contemptuous address, Hallo, Ugly I revile or abuse. Also ugliness (Ameri-
Mr. Ugly, etc. (1797). 2. A bonnet can), ill-nature, crossness, perversity
shade worn by women as an extra
:
(1360). See Plug-ugly.
protection from the sun middle 19th :
Uglyman. In garrotting, the
century. 3. In pi., delirium tremens, actual perpetrator of the outrage :
the horrors (q.v.). 4. A beatinp, a his operations are covered in front by
round of abuse (Hattiwett). As adj., the forestall (q.v.), and in the rear
generic for disquiet or unpleasantness : by the backstall (q.v.) also Nasty- :

e.g. an ugly (threatening) tone an ; man see Stale.

:

ugly (dangerous) toouna an ugly ; Uhlan. A tramp.

(unpleasant) rumour an ugly (wrong) ; Ullage. In
pi, drainings, dregs
turn ugly (stormy) weather
; an ; of glasses or casks. [Properly the
ugly (awkward or malicious) cus- wantage in a cask of liquor.]
tomer, opponent a source of danger Ultramarine. Blue (q.v.).
etc. an ugly (troublesome) cough
; ; Ultray. Very a corruption of ultra.
:

an ugly (ill-natured) temper an ugly ; Umpire. How's that, umpire ?

(quarrelsome) attitude. Hence to What do you say to that ? How's
come the ugly, to threaten ; to cut up that for high ? What price ? [An
(or look) ugly, to show anger or echo of football and cricket.]
504
 Umtte-pie. Unlicked Cub.

Umble-pie. See Humble-pie. mand : see Dubber and Dubsman

Un-. See Betty, Dub, Pal, Slour, (1785).
Thimble, etc. [A negation). Underfellow. A mean wretch,
Unbaked. Immature cf. Hard- : snide (q.v.): see Sidney, Arcadia, ii.
baked (1598). Undergear. Underclothing.
Unbeknown (or Unbeknownst). Undergrad. 1. An undergraduate
Unknown (1665). 2. A
horse in training for steeple-
Unbleached American. A negro ; chasing or hunting.
snowball (q.v.). [An echo of mock Underground-railway (American).
Northern sentiment during the War of An organization for assisting fugitive
the Secession.] slaves to the free states and Canada,
Uncertainty. A girl baby cf. :
many expedients and devices for the
Certainty, a boy. purpose were in vogue during the
Uncle. 1. A pawnbroker (Grose) :
agitation for the abolition of slavery
Fr., tante (cf. Uncle, a mythical rich in the United States (1856).
relative). 2. A familar address spec, :
Undergrounder. A ball bowled
of an old worthy negro cf. Aunt. : without pitch, a daisy-cutter (or
[Pegge the Cornish apply aunt and
:
trimmer), sneak (q.v.).
uncle to all elderly persons (p. 301)]. Underpinner. In pi., the legs cf. :

Your uncle, Myself :

e.g. Your uncle's Pins.
the man to do
do it it, i.e. I'll for you. Under - shell. A waistcoat : cf.
Phrase aunt had been a man
: If my Upper-shell and Upper-stocks.
she'd have been my uncle, in derision Under-spur-leather. An underling,
of those who make ridiculous sur- a subservient person (1725).
mises see Man (1670).
: See Dutch Under - stair. Subordinate, low,
uncle. mean cf. Back-door (1655).
:

Uncle Sam. A humorous per- Understanding. ( 1 ) In pi. , the legs :

sonification of the Government or cf. Under-pinners. Also (2) boots or

people of the U[nited]S[tates] : cf. shoes (1602).
John Bull. [Usually supposed to date Understumble. To understand
back to the war of 1812.] also undercomestumble (1710).
Uncommon. Very, exceedingly :
Undisgruntled. See Disgruntled.
e.g. uncommon bitter, uncommon Unfortunate. A prostitute spec, :

cheap, etc. a homeless street- walker. [Probably,

Unconscionable. Enormous, vast in the first place, the popular usage
very. [Johnson a low word.] : arose from a misreading of Hood's
Uncork. To expose to view, to lines.]
set forth, to cause to flow out as :
Unguentum-aurum. A bribe,
when a cork is removed from a bottle :
palm-grease (q.v.).
e.g. uncork the swag, unlock the bag ; Unhintables. See Unmention-
uncork your clack, speak out ! ables.
Uncouth, Unkissed. A proverbial Unicorn. 1. A team of horses :

allusion to the custom of saluting (

two wheelers abreast with a leader
1)
friends and acquaintances at meeting, in front (Grose) and (2) such a turnout
;

but not unintroduced strangers (q.v.),a spike-team (American) cf. :

(1566). Four-in-hand, Manchester, Sudden

Unction. See Blue-unction. death, Tandem, etc. ( 1803). 2. A gold
Uncular. Of or relating to an coin, value 23 shillings Scotch temp. :

uncle cf. Avuncular.

: James HI., IV. and V. a unicorn :

Under. To go under, 1. To die :

figured on the obverse. 3. Two men
whence the under-side, the grave. and a woman (or vice versa), working
2. To become submerged in difficulty together.
or debt, to be ruined, to disappear from Univ. University College, Oxford.
society. Under a
cloud, in difficulties Universal - staircase. The tread
or disgrace (1520). Under the belt, in mill, wheel of life (q.v.) also ever- :

the stomach (1815). See Below. Under lasting-staircase (q.v.) (1851).

the rose, secretly, in confidence Unlicked Cub (or Cub). A
(1546). raw, unmannerly youth an un-
;

Under-dubber (or dubsman). cultivated boor ; also an awkward,

A warder other than a chief in com- sulky girl (Grose). As adj., ungainly,
505
 Unload. Up.

rough, rude. [A popular notion was The mob, the rabble orig. the artisan :

that a bear gave birth to shapeless class. [First used by Burke, popular-
lumps of flesh which she licked into ised by Scott.] As adj., vulgar, filthy,
shape.] Also Unlicked bear (1602). Unwashed bawdry, rant, errant, ful-
Unload. To sell stocks, shares, some, bawdry (1596).
goods, etc., that have been hold on Up. 1. In various elliptical and
speculation. Also to empty one's colloquial senses. As verb, generic
pockets. for action cf. Down.
: Thus to up
Unlock. Unlock the land* (Vic- with one's fist, a stick, etc., to raise
torian), a political cry calling for the the hand, etc., for striking a blow ;
opening up for free-selection of lands to up with the standard, to bear aloft
held by squatters on lease. the flag Up guards and at 'em, Stand
;

Unmentionable. In pi., trousers, and charge the enemy, and so on.

breeches. Variants, mostly intro- Adverbially in many connections : as
duced by Dickens, are Ineffables,
:
(1) out of bed on one's legs (ready
; (2)
Inexpressibles, Indescribables, In- to speak) in the saddle under repair
; ;

explicables, Unhintables, Unutter- (of streets) advanced in rank, posi-

;

ables, Unwhisperables, etc. tion, value, etc. in revolt, a com- ;

Unpalled. A
thief whose as- motion, or the like ; in progress or
sociates are all apprehended, or taken taking place (as a hunt) ; adjourned, at
from him by other means, is said to an end (as a sitting of the House), etc.
be unpalled, and he is then obliged Also a scoring-limit at billiards (500
to work single-handed. or 1000 up) recorded on the telegraph
;

Unparliamentary. Abusive, ob- at cricket (Grace 100 up, a century

scene, unfit for ordinary conversa- of runs made). Also in numerous
tion. phrases and combinations What's :

Unpaved. Rough, inflamed :

from excessive drinking.
Unready. To undress
undressed, naked (1580).
Unregenerate Chicken -
spec, up ? What's the matter, or What's
going on ; up to (or in), well-equipped,
: as adj., equal to, conversant with (the law,
mathematics, tricks of trade, etc.) ;
lifter. A all's up (or up with), everything is

petty thief see Thief.

: lost, ruin stares one in the face :

Unrig. (1) To strip: e.g. Unrig frequently up is spelt as, it's all U-P ;
the drab ; whence unrigged, naked. to go up, (I) to travel to London,
Also (2) to plunder ; and (3) of ships Paris, etc. (as the centre and focus
that are laid up (B. E.). of national life) specifically (Univer-:

Unrove. Unrove his life line, said sity) to return to Oxford or Cam-
of a man who has died (Clark Russell). bridge, the antithesis in this case
Unslour. To unlock, unfasten, or being going down to London, home,
unbutton :see Slour. [Speaking of etc. (2) to offer oneself for examina-
;

a person whose coat is buttoned, so as tion ; to have (or pull) up, (1) to sum-
to obstruct the access to his pockets, mons, arrest, or bring before a magis-
the knucks will say to each other, the trate ; and (2) to check a downward
cove is sloured up, we must un- course (as of drink, dissipation, or
slour him to get at his kickseys (Grose). the like) ; up and down (see Up-and-
Unspeakable. A general inten- down) ; to come up with, to overtake,
sive extremely bad. Thus an un-
: catch up ; to look up, to improve in
speakable (outrageous) fool an un- ; health, credit, value ; up to, about to
speakable (rotten) play the unspeak-
; do, occur, or in preparation ; up a
able (cruel) Turk. [A Carlyleism.] tree (or treed), (1) done for, ruined,

Unsweetened. Gin i.e. un- :

(2) in a difficulty, cornered (q.v.),
sweetened gin. and (3) drunk also up in one's hat ;
:

Unthimble. To rob, or otherwise see Screwed ; to up jib (the sticks, or

deprive a man of his watch. Un- the stakes), to pack up and go, to be
thimbled, robbed of one's watch. off to up and dust, to hurry up, move
;

Unthrift. A
prodigal, spend- fast ; up to snuff (scent, or the ropes),
thrift, wastegood (q.v.) (1590). knowing (q.v.), wide-awake (q.v.),
Untrimmed. See Trim. cunning, sharp (Orose) ; up to the
Untwisted. Undone, ruined (B. E.). knocker (door, nines, a thing or two,
Unwashed (or Great-unwashed). etc.), good, capital, excellent ; up the

WK5
 Up-a-daisa. Upsides.

spout, (1) in pawn, (2) imprisoned under difficulties, unflinching in quest

(Grose) ; up to one's ears (elbows, the (1833).
hilt, etc. ), overwhelmed ; up to the Upper-shell. A coat: whence under-
hub, to the extreme point ; to live shell,a waistcoat cf. Upperstocks. :

up to blue china, to spend up to, or Upper-sixpenny (Eton). A play-

more than, one's income ; up to ing field see Sixpenny.
:

sample, of good quality, O.K. (q.v.) ; Upper-stock. In pi., trunk hose,

up to Dick, rich, generous, wise, quick, breeches see Kicks (1546).
:

in good health, jolly, well-dressed :

Upper-storey (loft, works,
generic for the best ; up to dictionary, etc.). The head, brain (Grose).
learned ; up to the gossip (cackle, try- Hence unfurnished (something wrong,
on, etc.), prepared for any attempt or rats) in the upper storey, crazy,
at imposition, roguery, or trickery demented, ignorant, off one's chump,
(Grose) ; up to slum (Grose), proficient (q.v.), drunk (1751).
in roguery, good as a tradesman Upper-ten. The aristocracy,
(q.v.); that's up against you, What landed gentry, world of fashion :
do you say to that ? That will knock also upper ten thousand, upper-tendom,
the stuffing out of you ; up in the and upper-crust. [Usually referred to
stirrups, with plenty of money (Grose) N. P. Willis, and originally applied
(1340). 2. (Harrow). In school; to the wealthy classes of New York as
To be up at second school, to go to any approximating that number.] (1835).
one for work at 10 or 1 1 o'clock. Uppish. 1. Proud, arrogant,
Up - a - daisa (or Ups - a -
daisy). stuck-up (q.v.); rampant, crowing,
Used in baby- jumping. full of money (B. E.) ; also (B. E.),
Up - and - down. Usually in pi., brisk ; whence uppishly and uppish-
the events of life, vicissitudes of ness. [Johnson :a low word.] 2.
fortune, alternate good and bad luck ; Tipsy : see Screwed (1726).
as adj., plain, downright, positive ; Upright. A leg. Go upright,
'
as adv., (1) thorough, completely, in Said by Taylers and Shoemakers, to
every respect, down to the ground their Servants, when any Money is
(q.v.); (2) bluntly, brutally (q.v.); given to make them Drink, and
and (3) without favour, justly (1542). signifies, bring it all out in Drink, tho'
Up and down place, a shop where a the Donor intended less, and expects
'
cutter-out expected to fill up his
is Change, or some return of Money
time sewing. See Ups and Downs. (B. E., 1696).
Uphill. In pi., dice loaded to cast Upright -man. The leader of a
high numbers : Lowmen
(B. E. ).
cf . gang of mendicants or thieves (1561) ;

As adj., difficult, severe, against collar the second rank of the canting tribes
(q.v.) (Grose) ; hence hampered (1748). (B. E.) & thorough-paced and deter-
;

Upon. See Cross, Say-so, Siwy, mined thief (Grose) see Curtail (1561). :

Square, Snib. Uproar. An opera : cf. Roaratorio,

Upper. Down on one's uppers, oratorio (1762).
poor, hard-up (q.v.), broke (q.v.). Ups and Downs (The). The
Upper- ben (or Upper- ben- second battalion of the Welsh Regi-
jamin). A
great coat (Grose) ; also ment, formerly the 69th Foot, the
Benjy :
Joseph, but (Hotten)
orig. number being read in position or
because of the preponderance of upside-down.
tailors named Benjamin, altered in Upsee - Dutch (Upsee - English,
deference to them. Upsee-Freese). Conjecturally a kind
Upper-crust. 1. The skin. 2. See of heady beer qualified by the name
Upper-ten. 3. A hat
see Golgotha. : of the brew. Hence upsee-freesy,
Upper - hand. To have (hold, or etc., drunk see Screwed ; to drink
:

get) the upper hand (fortune, or whip- upsee-Dutch (English, etc.), to drink
hand), to have (hold or get) at one's deeply, or in true toper fashion ac-
command, in one's power, lead, or cording to the custom of the country
under control ; to have the day as named. Also Upsees (1600).
one's own ; to have full play or ad- Upset. See Apple-cart.
vantage (1525). Upsides. To be upsides with, to
Upper-lip. To keep a stiff upper- be even with, quits with, a match
lip, to be courageous, self-reliant for (1816).

:07
 Upsitting. Vamper.

Upsitting. The sitting up of a sorry fellow (B. E.): also 2. an elf,

woman to see her friends after her fairy, or sprite popularly supposed :

confinement : the feast held on such to take the form of a hedgehog, the
an occasion (1607). original meaning. Hence as adj., (1)
Upskip. An upstart (q.v.) (1549). roguish, mischievous ; and (2) trifling,
Upsodown. Topsy-turvy (q.v.), foolish, trumpery (1528).
upside-down also upset
:
- down. Cf. Urinal. A chamber-pot or
1.

Backsevore (1340). glass (B. E.). Urinal of the planets,

Upstairs (London). A special Ireland : because of its frequent and
brand of spirits a bottle usually kept
:
great rains, as Heidelberg and Cologne,
on a shelf: e.g. a drop of upstairs: in Germany, have the same name upon
the particular brand varies with the the same account (B. E.).
house. To go upstairs out of the U.S. -cove. A soldier. U.S.-
world, to be hanged see Ladder (1695).:
plate, handcuffs : cf. Government
Upstart. A person suddenly securities.
raised from poverty to wealth, from Use. Liking. To use at (or
a humble position to consequence, round) a place, to haunt, frequent. To
or from servitude to power now : use up, to exhaust, wear out, do for
recognised (1592). (q.v.) whence used up, broken-
:

Upsyturvy. Topsy -
turvy (q.v.) hearted, bankrupt, fatigued, van-
(1594). quished, killed, etc. (Grose).
Uptails-all. (1) Confusion, riot, Usher. Yes: cf. Yiddish user, it

high jinks ; (2) revellers, good fellows, is so.

boon companions. Hence (3) wanton- Usual. The custom. As per
ness (1602). usual, as usual pleonastic (1589). :

Up-to-date. Of the latest (in Utter. The extreme, the utmost :

fashion, fact, or philosophy), abreast also (modern) quite too utterly utter,
of the times. very ; the blooming utter, the utmost.
Upways. Upward. As excellent,
adj., Al : a supreme
Urchin. A
mischievous child,
1. intensive (1697).
a half-chiding endearment, a little Uzzard. The letter Z.

V. 1. A symbol of Vain. To name

cuckoldry, the take one's in vain,
letter being occasionally printed in to name common dovetail on
: a
that connection ; hence to make v, to hearing one's name mentioned e.g. ;

make horns (q.v.): the first and Who's taking my name in vain ?
second fingers are derisively forked Valley. See Cascade.
out (1611). 2. A five-dollar note: Valley-tan. A special manufacture
v is marked prominently to indicate of whisky sold in Utah.
its value. Vamose (Vamos, or Vampoose).
Vac. Vacation. To go, decamp, clear out (q.v.) also :

Vag. A vagabond. Whence Vag- (Western) to vamose the ranch,

act, the Vagabond Act. [Spanish.] (1840).
Vagaries. (B. E.) Wild rambles, Vamp. 1. A robbery. Hence
extravagant frolics (1696); to gad, in for a vamp, quodded (q.v.) for
to range ; see Vagrant. Hence vaga- prigging (q.v.) ; vamper (q.v.), a thief.
rian, a crank (q.v.) ; vagarious (or 2. In pi, refooted stockings (B. E.) :
vagarist), whimsical, capricious, ir- see Vamper. As verb, (1) to impro-
regular (1611). vise a musical accompaniment the :

vagrant. A wandering rogue, a key and time being known, a passable

strolling vagabond (B. E.): also accompaniment is playable at sight
Vagant, [sometimes vagarant, appar- by a system which, in America, is
ently simulating vagary. Whence ~\ taught in eight lessons for $10 also ;

vagrancy (or vagancy), wandering, as subs., and vamper (1851). 2. To

strolling ; also adj., roving, erratic, pawn, spout (q.v.) (B. E.).
vagabond (1380). Vamper. 1. A swindling horae-
508
 Vampire. Verb-grinder.

dealer ; a faker (q.v.) of unsound Varsa 1. Universal :

frequently
horses : also see Vamp. 2. In pi., as an intensive (1710).
stockings (JB. E.). Varsity. University and spec. ;

Vampire (Punch and Judy). University College, Oxford the re- :

1. The ghost
see Swatchel. 2.: A duction is also affected by American
blackmailer Fr., chanteur. : students (1864).
Vampo. The clown see Swatchel. :
Varsity-tit. A student of Durham
Vandemonianism. Rowdyism :
University : in contempt.
pertaining to Van Diemen's Land,
i.e. Varying (Winchester). A vulgus
the old name of Tasmania when a (q.v.) when done up to books (q.v.).
convict settlement, with a glance at Vaseline (Royal Military Academy).
demon : also Vandemonian (1852). Butter, cart-grease (q.v.).
Van John. A corruption of Vingt- Vaughan (The). The Harrow
et-un. School Library: named after Dr.
Vanner. A van horse : cf. Busser, Vaughan.
Gabber, Wheeler, etc. Veal. A calf cf. Mutton, Beef in
: :

Vantage. Good paying work,

fat English these terms are now restricted
(q.v.): a spec, colloquial usage of a to the dead carcase and not applied to
recognised word. the living animal, as in French and
Vantage-loaf. The thirteenth other languages (1612). Phrases :

loaf in a baker's-dozen (q.v.). Veal will be cheap, calves fall (a jeer

Vapour. (1) In pi., bluster, os- at those with spindly legs) ; In a
tentatious or windy talk, swagger shoulder of veal there are twenty and
(q.v.). [The Roaring Boys (q.v.) of two good (Ray a piece of country
bits :

Elizabethan times, to provoke a wit there are twenty [others say

quarrel, were wont flatly and swag- forty] bits in a shoulder of veal, and
geringly to contradict everything said, but two good ones).
even that to which a bully had pre- Vealy. Immature, calfish, green
viously assented ; hence as verb, to (q.v.).
boast, swagger, bully. Also (2) in the Veck. An old woman (1360).
eighteenth century, a fashionable Vegetable-breakfast. A
term for airs (q.v.), side (q.v.) spec. :
hanging, execution i.e. an artichoke :

an exaggerated affectation of nerves (hearty choke) and caper sauce see :

or blues (q.v.) also (3) whims, fancies,

: Ladder.
maggots (q.v.), and as verb, to fuss, Vein-openers. The first battalion
fidget, make to do (q.v.) (1552). of the Worcestershire Regiment, late
Vardo. A waggon. Vardo-gitt, the 29th Foot.
a waggoner (Grose). As verb, to Velvet. The tongue (B. E.):
look, see, observe : e.g. vardo the especially the tongue of a magsman
carsy, look at the house. (Hotten). To stand on velvet, to
Vardy. An opinion: e.g. That's arrange one's bets so that loss is
my vardy on the matter, That's what impossible. To play on velvet, to
I think. [A corruption of verdict.'] gamble with winnings.
Varlet. A generic reproach: a Velvet-cap. A physician a velvet- :

rogue, scoundrel, low fellow. Whence cap formed a distinctive part of a

varletry, the mob, rabble, crowd doctor's garb (1606).
(B. E.). [Properly, a page, groom, or Velveteen. In pi., a gamekeeper.
serving-man.] (1549). Velvet- jacket. A steward in a
Varmint. 1. Anything troublesome nobleman's family, a man in the
or mischievous : also a half -jocular King's service, the mayor of a city
endearment to a child :
e.g. You (1600).
young varmint [that is, vermin] Velvet-pee. A velvet pea-jacket
(1826). 2. A fox. As adj., spruce, (1607).
natty, good-all-round (1823). Ventilator. A play, player, or
Varmint-man. A hack or ghost management that empties a house.
(q.v.) one who, like
:
Jemmy Gordon, Venture. As in the proverbial
wrote themes for idle undergrads :
saying, venture it as Johnson did
I'll
see Varmint. his wife, and she did well (Ray).
Varnisher. One who utters base Venturer. A harlot.
money, a snide-pitcher (q.v.). Verb- (or Gerund-) grinder.
509
 Verdant. Virtue.

A schoolmaster or tutor spec, a :

Viewy. 1. Visionary, kinky (q.v.),
pedantic pedagogue (1785). Also funny (q.v.) (1848). 2. Showy, calcu-
gerund-grinding, the study of grammar lated to catch the eye (1851).
(17.V.)). Vigilance committee. -
Orig.
Verdant. Simple, inexperienced, Californian : a self-constituted body
easily taken in (q.v.), green (q.v.). of men ostensibly for the purpose of
Whence verdancy, rawness, inex- administering justice or protecting
perience (1853). the public interests in places where
Verge. A gold watch. the regular authorities were either
Verites (Charterhouse). A board- unable or unwilling to execute the
ing-house. [A corruption of Oliver- laws cf. Lynch law. Hence vigilant, a
:

ites, after Dr. Oliver Walford, a member of such a committee (1858).

1838-55.] Vile. A town: cf. Fr.,ville. Hence
Vert. A pet-vert or con-vert :
spec, Romevile, London (see Rum) : deuce-
one leaving the Church of England a-vile, the country : also deauseaville
for the Roman Communion, or vice- and daisyville (1567).
versa. Also as verb (1864). V i 1 1 (Felsted School). Felsted
Vertical-caregrinder. The village.
tread-mill, horizontal-staircase (q.v.), Villadom. The world of suburban
wheel of life (q.v.). residents spec, the middle classes.
;

Vessel (Winchester College). The Village (The). London : also the

half-quarter of a sheet of foolscap. hardware village, Birmingham.
[Foe. East Anglia : vessel was used Village-bustler. An active petty
for theme-papers formerly at Bury thiefa picker up of trifles, uncon-
:

School.] The weaker vessel, a woman : sidered or the reverse.

see 1 Peter iii. 7(1600). Villain. A jocular self
-
reproach :

Vest. Pull down your vest, a street e.g. I'm a bit of a villain myself, but
catch-phrase of no special meaning. or I'm as mild a villain as ever
;

To lose one's vest, to get angry, lose scuttled a ship. Also as an endear-
one's temper : cf. Keep your hair on ! ment (1604).
Vesta. In pi, Railway Invest- Vim, Spirit, activity, energy :
ment Company Deferred Stock. orig. University slang [Latin]. (1869).
Vet. 1. A
veterinary surgeon. 2. Vincent 's-law. Cheating at cards.
A veteran (q.v.). Vinegar. A cloak (B. E.). Also
Veteran. A soldier listing for a see Pepper.
second term of service also vet. : Violet (or Garden - violet). 1.

Whence veteran (or veteranize), to re- An onion :

spec, in pi., spring onions
enlist. used as a salad. Also, 2., in pL, sage-
Vex
(Christ's Hospital). So much and-onion stuffing.
the worse for : e.g. Vex for you : cf. Violent o. A
violent man : cf.
Chaff. Furioso, Glorioso, etc. (1662).
Vic (Felsted School). 1. A warn- Virago. A
masculine woman, or
ing of a master's approach ; Cave ! a great two-handed female (B. E.).
hence to keep vie, to be on the look-out. Virgin (Stock Exchange). In
2. The Victoria Theatre. pL, Virginia New Funded Stock.
Victual. In one's victuals, in Virginhead. Virginity (1605).
favour, petted, cosseted :
spec, of a Virginia-fence. A zig-zag rail fence
mother and child. a worm - fence (q.v.). To walk a
Victualler. A pander the legi- :
Virginia fence, to reel : of drunken
timate trade of a tavern-keeper was men.
frequently but a cloak for intrigue and Virgin-knot The virginity, chas-
bawdry ; hence many equivocal allus- tity. [In allusion to the girdle worn
ions. Also victualling house, a house by Greek and Roman maidens when
of accommodation ( 1598). of marriageable age.] (1609).
Victualling -
department (or Virgin Mary's Body-guard.
office). The stomach, the bread- The 7th Dragoon Guards. [They
basket (q.v.), the dumpling-depot served under Maria Theresa of Austria,
(q.v.): FT., panier au pain; Ital., temp. George II.]
fagiana (bean-box). Virtue. Smoking, drinking, dis-
Viewpoint. A point of view. sipation in general. When a man
510
 VisJi. Wag-halter.

confesses to abstention from to- Voluntary (Winchester). A copy

bacco and intoxicating liquors he is of verses written occasionally by some
perversely said to have no virtues. in Sixth Book and Senior Part ex
Vish (Christ's Hospital). Cross, proprio motu (Mansfield, c. 1840).
vicious formerly passy (q.v.).
: Voucher. A man or woman that
Visor-mask. A harlot (1682). passes off false money for sham
Vixen (or Fixen). An ill-natured, coiners (B. E.), a snide-pitcher (q.v.)
snarling man or woman, a termagant, (1680).
a scold. Also vixenish (or vixenly) Vowel. To give an I.O.U. :
e.g. to
ill -
tempered, snappish, snarling, vowel a debt.
turbulent (1563). Vowel- mauler. An indistinct
V o c a b (Charterhouse). A dic- speaker.
tionary, uoca&ulary. Vu 1 g u s (Winchester obsolete). :

Vocalier. A
singer (1876). A Latin epigram four or six lines :

Vol (Harrow School). Voluntary :

long. Hence vvlgus book, a crib
-

e.g. Vd-gym. (q.v.). [See Farmer, Public School

Volant. A Jack-of-both-sides, a Word-book.] (1856).
trimmer. As adj., giddy, flighty V u m. / vum, a mild expletive
(1740).
or oath, I vow : of. Swan (1856).

Wabash. To cheat, swindle, vic- Wafer - woman. A bawd, pro-

timise. curess, go-between. Also waferer, a
Wabble (or Wobble). (1) To rock pander (1607).
from side to side, move unsteadily, W
a ffl e. To talk incessantly,
sway unevenly. Hence (2) to vacil- clack (q.v.), jaw (q.v.) : at Durham
late, play fast and loose, blow hot and School, to talk nonsense. [Cf. prov.
cold. Whence as subs., unsteady Eng., waffle, to bark, to yelp.]
movement, fickleness, vacillation ; Waffles. A loafer, an idle saunter-
wabbly, unsteady, shaky, rocky (q.v.)] ing person.
wobbler, a waverer, shuffler, trimmer ; Wafrican. In pi., generic for West
also wibble-wabble (a reduplication). African stocks and shares : cf. West-
[ Johnson : a low barbarous word. ralian.
(3)To make free use of one's tongue, to Wag. 1. A buffoon, droll, practical
be ready of lip (q.v.). Hence wob- joker. [Probably wag-halter (q.v.).
bler, a fluent speaker, a chattering fool. a rogue (q.v.) cf. mad wag, mad wag-
:

Wabbler. 1. A boiled leg of halter, etc.] Also 2. as a half -jocular,

mutton. 2.See Wabble. half -affectionate slur. As adj., Arch,
Wack. See Whack. Gamesome, Pleasant (B. E.). As
Wad. A roll of bank - notes ; verb (or waggle), generic for (1) play-
hence generic for monev see Rhino. : ful or sportive ; (2) mocking, scornful,
Waddle. To go like a duck (B. E.), or derisive motion ; hence waggery,
to toddle, shamble, slouch. Hence, waggishness, waggish, etc. (1550); (3)
as subs, (or waddling), an ungainly to stir, move, make way, progress
walk, a wabbling (q.v.) gait. Also (1546); (4) to go, be off, depart,
derivatives waddler, waddly, wadd-
:
begone (1589). The wag, truancy:
lingly, etc. (1595). To waddle out as verb (or to play, or hop, the wag), to
of the Alley , to make default on the be truant also charley-wag (q.v.).
:

Stock Exchange : cf. Lame Duck See Afraid.

(1771). Wag-feather. A silly swaggerer.
Waddler. A duck. Wagged- out. Tired, worn out.
Wadd y. A walking - stick :
pro- Waggoner. A book of sea-
perly a war-club (1874). charts : cf. Liddel and Scott, a diction-
Wade. (1) A ford and (2) the act :
ary ; Cruden, a concordance. [From
of wading. Also waders, long water- Baron von Waegenaar's Speculum
proof boots used by sportsmen for
:
Nauticum, etc.] (1580).
wading through water. Wag-halter. A rogue, gallows-
511
 Wagon.
bird.: i.e.one likely or deserving to
wag in a halter ; cf. Crack-rope, Hal-
ter-sack, etc. (1594).
Wagon. bicycle. A quent the streets for the purpose
Wag pastie.
- A
rogue, urchin,
rascal (all of which see) an endear-
ment (1534).
Wagtail. A
term of familiarity or
contempt: spec, a harlot (B. E.).
Hence, to wag the tail (of women), to
wanton (1005).
Wag - wit. A wag in contempt
(1712).
Waistcoat. a
Foetid
waistcoat,
waistcoat of a flaunting and vulgar
pattern.
Waistcoateer. A harlot. [The
waistcoat was formerly in use by both
sexes when worn by women without
:
a gown or upper -dress it was considered
the mark of a mad, low, or profligate
woman.] (1602).
Waister. A seaman
boy of
little use, a green (q.v.) hand: if
inexperienced or broken down, such as
these were placed in the waist of a
man-of-war for duties not requiring
much exertion or seamanship. Also
(modern), a new whaling hand.
Wait. To wait for dead men's
shoes, to look forward to an inherit-
ance (1660). To wait on one, to seek
a chance of retaliation, revenge, or
spite ; to try and get one's own back.
Waiter. Minority-waiter, a waiter
out of employment i.e. as one out of
:
(political) office (1778).
Wake. To wake snakes, (1) to
rouse oneself, to be up and doing ;
and (2) to get into trouble (1848).
To wake up the wrong passenger, to
make a mistake, get the wrong sow
by the ear see Wrong passenger.
: tice of hospitals as a student under one
Waler. Orig. a cavalry horse im-
ported into India from New South
Wales ; now applied to all cattle
brought from Australia (1863).
Walk. A special haunt, place of
resort, or round (q.v.) an extension
of the ordinary usage. Thus a milk-
man's (cat's-meat-man's,
etc. ) walk, the district habitually served
by a salesman (postman,
bank-walk, the round of a banker's
collecting clerk; The Walk (Royal
Exchange), that portion of the pro-
menade frequented by some particular
clique or set of merchants (1851).
Cock (or Hen) of the walk, a man (or
woman) of parts, a worthy, a leader
Walker.
(1711). Ladies' (or Gentlemen's) walk,
a W.C. :a euphemism (hotel-pro-
prietors'). To walk the streets, to fre-
of prostitution ; to make public
;
quest for men. To walk into, (1) to
attack, assault, drub : also to walk
into the affections ; (2), to scold, rag
(q.v.), slang (q.v.) ; (3) to demolish,
overcome, get the best of ; and (4)
to eat heartily, to wolf (q.v.) (1840).
: To walk the chalk, (1) to walk along a
chalk line as a test of sobriety ; hence
(2) to go straight in conduct, manners,
or morals, to keep up to the mark
(1840). To walk one fs chalks (or to
walk), to decamp, move on, go about
one's business see Chalk for suggested
:
origin. The ghost walks (or doesn't
walk), there is (or is not) money in the
treasury (1853). To walk the plank,
to walk overboard, to die formerly :
or an old method of execution or ven-
geance, the victim being forced to
walk blindfolded along a plank over
the ship's side. To walk into one's
affections, (I) to walk into (q.v. supra),
and (2) to get into debt To walk
over, to win a race without opposition ;
hence to win easily walk-over, an un-
:
opposed success, complete triumph
(spec, of a horse, coming alone, of all
the entries, to the scratch ; it has
consequently but to walk over the
course at leisure to be entitled to the
stake) (1859). Walk, knave, walk, a
rude phrase which parrots were
taught to use (Fairholt) (1592). Also
in various phrases Thus to walk
:
alone, to be an outcast, forsaken,
shunned ; to walk the hospitals, to
attend the medical and surgical prac-
of the qualified staff to walk Spanish,
;
to be seized by the scruff and the seat
and thus forced along, to act under
compulsion ; to walk about (military),
an occasional instruction from officers
: to sentinels for the purpose of waiving
the ceremony of the salute ; to walk
postman's, the pegs (gaming), to sharp one's pegs
forward or those of one's antagonist
etc.); a backward (cribbage); to walk (or
jump) down one's throat, to rate, scold,
abuse ; to walk up Ladder-lane and
down Hemp-street, to be hanged at
the yardarm see Ladder ; to walk
:
round one, to get an advantage, or the
bulge over.
Walker. 1. A prowler, moucher
512
 Walking-mart. Wanton.

(q.v.) :
spec, one questing for op- Wallaby. On the wallaby (or
portunities of theft or harlotry also :
wallaby-track), tramping the country
(later) night-walker and street-walker on foot looking for work. [Morris :

(1380). 2. In pi., the feet (1603). 3. Wallaby, a small kangaroo often in ;

A postman [Hotten : from an old song
called Walker, the twopenny post-
man.] Hookey Walker (or Walker),
(1) an ironical expression of incredul-
ity, bender (q.v.), gammon (q.v.),
also (2) Be of? Clear out
! !
Walking- mort. A tramp or gipsy's
woman see Mort.
: Thus the man on the wallaby, may be
Walking-papers (or
Dismissal. Thus, to get one's walking-
papers, to get the sack (q.v.), to be
sent about one's business, with (spec.)
a flea in one's ear (1840).
Wall (Eton). Two football
games are played at Eton one at the
wall, the other in the field. The first
is only played by a very limited
number of boys, for there is but one
wall ; the game is of an intricate
nature, and the uninitiated specta-
tor cannot, as a rule, even see how a
the bush the only perceptible tracks,
and sometimes the only tracks by
which the scrub can be penetrated,
are the tracks worn down by the
wallaby, as a hare tramples its form.
These tracks may lead to water or
they may be aimless and rambling.
ticket). looking for food or for work, or aim-
lessly wandering by day and getting
food and shelter as a sundowner (q.v.)
at night.]
Wallah. See Competition wallah.
Wall-eyed. 1. Having eyes with
an undue proportion of white ; all
white like a plastered wall (Grose),
hence, 2. glaring, fierce, threatening.
Any work irregularly or ill done is
called a watt-eyed job. It is applied
also to any very irregular action (1580).
Wallflower. 1. Orig. a lady un-

called a Shy, is obtained. In- able to obtain a partner in a dance ;

eed, were it not for the time-honoured
Joint, now applied to any one of either sex
match between Collegers and Op- who goes to a ball but does not dance,
pidans on St. Andrew's Day the whether from inability, choice, or
game would probably become obsolete. neglect ; as adj., neglected, passJ
The Eton field game has many merits (1830). 2. In pi., second-hand gar-
as a game for boys superior to those ments exposed for sale cf. Hand- :

of any other kind of football. In it me-downs, Reach-me-downs, etc.

speed, and skilful dribbling, and Wallop. 1. To beat, flog, thrash ;
accurate kicking have their due suc- also as subs., a severe blow ; wallop-
cess, but strength and dogged per- ing, a good trouncing ; also walloper
severance are not left out in the cold (1838). 2. Generic for great effort or

(Great Public Schools). As verb, to agitation : e.g. (a) to boil and bubble :
confine to College bounds cf Gate. : . see Pot-walloper ; (b) move or gallop
Go-by-the-watt, strong ale. Phrases :
quickly ; (c) to tumble about ; also as
At (or to) the watt, in difficulties : to subs., with the usual derivatives
go to the wall, to be slighted, ousted, (1360).
put on one side, to succumb to force of Walloping. Great, bouncing. Also
circumstances, to go under (q.v.) ; laid wattoper, anything superlative see :

by the wall, dead, but unburied ; to Whopper.

drive to the wall, to force to give way, to Wallyford. The usual run on a
crush to take the wall, to walk nearest
;
wet whole schoolday about 3 miles.
:

the wall in passing ; hence to get the Waltham '

s-calf. As wise as
better of (or the advantage) cf. to get : Waltham's calf, very foolish (1529).
to windward (q.v.) : the wall (the Waltz. To waltz about (or round),
right of choice of way), was in olden to move in a sprightly fashion, to buzz
times the safest and cleanest ; to hang round also to fuss about, make one-
;

by the wall, to be neglected, remain self a nuisance.

disused to see as far into a brick watt
; Wamble-cropped. Wretched-
(mittstone or milestone) as ... to be as humiliated : also womble-cropped.
able (or as cute) as . . ; Look on the
.
Wanger. See Whanger.
watt, and it will not bite you (a jeer Wanion. Misfortune, calamity,
to one whose tongue has been bitten mischief, a curse. Thus with (or in)
by mustard) Watts have ears, Be care-
;
a wanion, (1) Mischief take you,
ful, some one may be listening (1530). Blast you ;
with a vengeance ; and
513
 Wanker. Wnsh.

hence (2) summarily, emphatically :

pushful,
-
self advertising person ;
W onions on you
also I warm (strong) language ; a warm
Wanker (Felsted School). A (hostile) reception ; hence the place
bloater. [A master supplies From :
gets too warm (unpleasant) because
stinker st wanker wanker. ] of unpopularity or antagonism to
Wanky. Spuriou', bad, wrong: e.g. a authority, and so forth (1377).
wanhi tanner, a snide (q.v.) sixpence. Phrases To warm a house, to cele-
:

Want. See Know. brate incoming by a feast : hence

Wa'n't. Was not also wamt( 1699). :
house-warming; to warm to (a thing,
Wantage. A deficiency, a shortage. one's work, etc.), to become enthusi-
Wanted. Wanted by the police astic, to do vigorously ; warm with,
(Orose). warm with sugar : cf. Cold without ;

Wanter. 1. A
person in need of Out of God's blessing into the warm
anything : cf. Haves and Have-nots. sun, from better to worse. Also see
Also 2. spec., an unmarried person Warming (1581).
one in want of a mate (1611). Warming. A
beating, flogging,
Want-grace. 1. A reprobate (1603). thrashing. Hence to warm (or warm
2. See Whop. one's jacket, q.v.), (1) to beat, drub,
Wapper. See Whopper. tan (q.v.) ; and (2) to rate, abuse
Wapper-eyed. That has sore or roundly, call over the coals. To warm
running eyes (B. E.). thewax of one's ears, to box the ears.
Waps. A wasp. Warming-pan. 1. A substitute ;
War. Tug of war, a severe and a locum tenens ; a person occupying
laborious contest (1671). See Before another's situation, or post
office,
the war. during absence or while qualifying for
Wardrobe. A privy (1383). it; also W. P. spec, a clergyman
:

Warehouse. To pawn. Hence as holding a living under a bond of

subs., a fashionable uncle (q.v.). resignation; also as adj., e.g. a warm-
War-hat. See War-pot. ing-pan rector : see Warm. 2. A large,
War-horse. A veteran : soldier or old-fashioned gold watch : cf. Frying-
politician. pan (q.v.) or Turnip (q.v.), a large
W ar1i n g. Apparently slave, silver watch (B. E.). 3. A female bed-
drudge only occurring in proverbial
: fellow ; also Scotch warming-pan, a
saying, It is better to be an old man's chambermaid (1672).
derling, than an old man's werling Warm-sided. Said of a fort or
(Heywood, 1542). ship mounting heavy batteries.
Warm. Generic for exfra-ordinary :
War-paint. Official costume,
e.g. a warm (intimate) friend warm ; evening-dress, or (theatrical) make-
(sincere) thanks ;
a warm (hearty) up (q.v.).
wdcome a warm (fresh) traU cf. hot,
; :
Warpath. On the warpath, in
warm, and cold in children's play of hostile mood or attitude, making fur
guessing or hide-and-seek warm ; and feathers fly, angry.
(easy) circumstances whence to cut :
War-pot (or War-hat). A spiked
up warm, to leave a good estate, to die helmet.
rich ; a warm (rich) man : well-lined Warren. He that is security for
or flush in the pocket (B. E.) ; warm goods taken up on credit by extra-
(in one's position, duty, etc. ), at home, vagant young gentlemen (B. E.).
conversant with, well adapted to : Warwickshire Lads (The). The
hence to keep a place, etc., warm, to Royal Warwickshire Regiment, late
occupy it ; a warm (unpleasant) the 6th Foot.
1. A fictitious bargain or
position e.g. He's in a warm corner ;
: Wash.
a warm (zealous) opinion ; a warm sale a broker gets instructions from
:

(brisk) engagement a warm (en- ; one client to buy, and from another
thusiastic) partisan ; warm (quick) to sell, a particular stock instead ;

work ;
a warm (hasty) temper : espec. of making separate transactions of
when contradicted ; warm (wanton) the two commissions to the best
desire ; a warm (lecherous) member advantage of each principal, he merely
(or warm-'un) a harlot or whore- transfers from one to the other, putting
:

monger cf. Hot-'un, Scorcher (q.v.) ; the difference in his own pocket the
: :

also (2) warm-member, an energetic, practice is against the rules ; hence

514
 Washical. Water.

washed, as applied to stock sold or thrift. 2. A generic form of contempt,

bought in this way ; also a bogus deal a ne'er-do-well, bad-egg (q.v.), rotter
made for the sake of a fictitious (q.v.), a useless, clumsy, or ill-made
quotation one broker arranges with
:
person (Hotten) ; wastrel (q.v.), a
another to buy a certain stock when neglected child, street-arab (1383).
he offers it for sale, the effect, when 3. A lawless thieving vagabond (1342).
not detected, being to keep it quoted, 4. An imperfection in the wick of a
and, if the plotters buy and sell the candle, causing it to gutter or waste :

stock to a high figure, to afford a 5. A cudgel: spec,

also thief (q.v.).
basis for bona fide sales. 2. Paint a wooden sword used for practice
for faces (B. E.). 3. Very weak lap (1593). 6. A
damaged manufactured
(q.v.) spec. (Durham School), school article: also Wastrel (1863). 7. See
tea or coffee : see Rock. As verb, (1) Waister.
to bear investigation, stand testing, Waste-time. Idle, useless, or
prove genuine, reliable, or trustworthy, trivial employment a play on pastime :

as good fabrics and fast dyes stand (1662).

the operation of washing (1857). (2) Wat. 1. A hare: cf. Philip,
To signify doubt of an assertion, or sparrow Tom, cat Ned, donkey ; etc.
; ;

disapproval of conduct by language (1470). 2. A fellow, a wily cautious

or action more forcible than pleasant : man (HaUiwell) (1400).
e.g. printers bang and knock on the Watch. 1. Self: the ancient
cases ;
tailors indulge in strong lan- equivalent of nibs (q.v.). Thus his
guage, etc. See Jerry and Whack !
watch, the person referred to ; my
To wash one's head, to insult, to put watch, myself your watch, yourself ;
;

indignity on one hence washing-blow, ; our watch, ourselves, us, etc. (1530).
a box on the ears, a blow on the head ; 2. (Westminster). A junior who has
and to give one's head for washing, to to remain in College during play-
submit to overbearing insult. To hours to answer inquiries, receive
wash (or sluice) the ivories, to drink: messages, and so forth, performing, in
Fr., se rincer la dent ; also to wash one's fact, the duties of a servant. To
neck (1823). To wash one's sheep watch out (Winchester, cricket), to
with scalding water, to do the absurd : field. Paddy's watch see Paddy- :

a simile of folly (Ray) also to wash ; whack.

the crow (the Ethiopian, a blackamore, Watch-and-seals. A sheep's head
etc.), white. and pluck.
Washical. What - d' -
ye - call - it Watch-birth.A midwife (1605).
(q.v.) (1551). Watchmaker. A thief whose
Washing. To give one's head for speciality is stealing watches also :

a washing : see Wash. watchmaker in a crowd (Hotten).

Washman. A beggar faked out Water (Westminter School). Boat-
a washman is called a
'
with sores ; ing, aquatics, the Eton wet-bobbing
Palliard (q.v.), but not of the right (q.v.). As verb, (1) to drink: see
making. He vseth to lye in the hye Lush (1598); (2) to increase nominal
way with lame or sore legs or armes to capital by the issue of shares for
beg. These men ye right Palliards which, though they rank for interest,
wil often times spoile, but they dare no additional increase in the actual
not complayn. They be bitten with capital has been provided : the prac-
spickworts, and sometimes with rats
' '
tice, it is urged, is justified by profits
bane (Awdeley, Frat. Vacabondes,' already earned, or by a supposed
1561). enhancement of the value of the
Wash-pot. A hat, a Moab (q.v.) :
property, franchises, etc. ; but watering
see Golgotha. is usually only resorted to by com-

Wasp. As quiet as a wasp in one's panies on the down grade ; hence as

nose, very much alive. subs., additional shares created in
Waspish. Peevish (B. E.). this way. Canterbury water, the blood
Waste-butt. An eating-house, of Thomas a Becket diluted with
grubbing-ken (q.v.), mungarly-casa water :
Archbishop of Canterbury,
(q.v.). murdered in 1 170, canonised as a saint
Waster. 1. A prodigal, a spend- and martyr. Phrases: A bove water, un-
thrift ; also wastrel, waste-good, waste- embarrassed, untroubled, in (or of)
515
 Water-bewitched. Water -pusher .

easy circumstance*, mind, or the like : Water - can. In saying Jupiter

whence to keep one's head above water, Pluvius has got out (or put on) his
to struggle through (or overcome), water-can, It is raining :
spec, of a
financial difficulties ; between wind heavy shower.
and water (see Wind) ; in deep water, water-colour. See Wife in Water-
(I) in trial, trouble, distress ; (2) colours.
impecunious, reduced in circum- Water-doctor. 1. A hydropathist.
stances hence deep waters, tribulation
: 2. A water-caster (q.v.).
of sort* ; of the first water, the highest, Water-dog. 1. A sailor :
spec, an
Al :
properly of a diamond free from old salt (q.v.). 2. Anyone completely
blemish, flaw, colour, or any imper- at home in, or on, the water (1835).
fection ; to make a hole in the water, 3. A Norfolk dumpling.
to fall in it spec, to commit suicide
:
Water-drop. A tear ;
also water-
by drowning cf. to make a hole in :
works, the eyes, the tear - pump :
the silence, to speak ; oil on troubled whence to turn on the waterworks, to
waters, anything to allay, assuage : the cry (1605).
practice is ancient, being known to the Waterfall. 1. A neckcloth, scarf,

Greeks and Romans, and its efficacy or tie with long pendant ends. Also,
is frequently tested by modern sea- 2. a chignon spec, a fringe of hair
:

men to be in hot water, to be in trouble,

; falling down the neck under the
difficulties, or disgrace to show water, ; chignon (1824).
to bribe, to produce a fee to east one's : Water-funk. A boy shy of water :
water (see verb) ; to east water into the either in the way of personal cleanli-
Thames, to do the unnecessary or ness or aquatics.
useless (see Thames) to hold water, to :
Water-gunners (The). The Royal
prove serviceable or adequate ; to take Marines.
water, to back out (or down), to Wateries (The). The Naval Ex-
weaken (q.v.) : as a boat when allowed hibition at South Kensington cf. :

to fall in the wake of another in a Fisheries, Colinderies, etc.

race ; to draw water with a sieve, to Waterings. St. Thomas b Water-
act absurdly ; to throw cold water on, ings, a place of execution (for Surrey,
to discourage, damp one's ardour, as Tyburn (q.v.), for Middlesex)
interest, or chances ; water in one's situated at the second milestone on the
shoes, a cause of annoyance or dis- road from London to Canterbury.
comfort to water one's plants, to shed
; Like Beggar's-bush, Weeping-cross,
tears. Also proverbially My mouth :
Clapham, etc., the place-name was the
waters, a simile of strong appetite or basis of many a quibbling allusion
longing desire also said of the teeth ; : and much conventional wit. [At this
That's where the water sticks, That's point is a brook, probably a place for
the point in dispute All water runs to ; watering horses, whence its name ;
his mill, Fortune smiles on him, dedicated, of course, to St. Thomas a
Everything goes his way ; No safe Becket, being the first place of any
wading in an unknown water ; Often note in the pilgrimage to his shrine
to the water, often to the tatter ; Foul (1383).
water will quench fire Where the ; Water - language. Jocose abuse,
water is shallow no vessel will ride ; chaff (q.v.).
Water breeds frogs in the belly, and Waterloo -day. Pay-day: cf.
wine cures the worms I'll make him ; Balaclava-day.
water his horse at Highgate (i.e. I'll Waterman. A blue silk handker-
sue him and make him take a journey chief cf. Fogle.
:
[Botten The friends :

up to London) (Ray) ; The malt's of the Oxford and Cambridge boats'

above the water, He's drunk (see crews always wear these light blue
Screwed) (1530). for Cambridge, and a darker shade for
Water-bewitched. Weak lap (q.v.) Oxford.] Also watersman.
of any kind spec, (modern) tea very
:
Waterologer. See Water.
much watered down, but orig. (1672) Water -pad (or rat). A thief
very thin beer also water-damaged : :
working on the water :
spec, one that
cf. Husband's-tea. robs ships in the Thames (B. E.).
Water-butt (or barrel). The Water-pusher (or treader).
stomach :
spec, a corporation (q.v.). A ship : sail or steam (1614).
516
 Water-sneak. Weather-breeder.

Water-sneak (The). Robbing proverbial pitfalls : cf. Better go

ships or vessels on a navigable river or about than into the ditch.
fall

canal, by getting on board unperceived, Way -bit (Weabit,or Webit).

generally in the night. The water- A considerable though indefinite
sneak is lately made a capital offence addition to a mile ; a bittock (q.v.)
(Grose). (1611).
Waterworks. See Water- Way - goose. An entertainment
drop. given by an apprentice to his fellow-
Watlynge-strete. The Milky workmen spec, (printers') an annual
:

Way (1373). dinner ; cf. beanfeast (q.v.). [A cor-

Wattle. In pi., ears ; also Sheep- ruption of wayz-goose, stubble goose,
folds (. E.). a favourite dish at such festivals now- :

Wave. To wave a flag of defiance, adays, among printers, the funds

to be drunk : see Screwed. To are collected by stewards appointed
number the waves, to do the unneedful, by the chapel (q.v.)] (1677).
act foolishly (1670). Weak-brother (or sister).
Wavy. Wavy in the syls, imperfect An unreliable man (or woman). Cf.
in one's lines. also (colloquial) weakling (a diminu-
Wavy - rule. To make wavy rule, tive), which, as adj., puny, weak ;
to be staggering drunk, [w-w^vvw] weak kneed, uncertain, vacillating,
Wax. A
rage, a passion, a tear purposeless (1595).
(q.v.); also waxiness, vexation, and Weaker - sex. Womankind : also
waxy, angry cf. Lowland Scotch
:
(in singular) the weaker vessel [See
wex, vex (1490). As verb, to over- 1 Peter iii. 7] (1600).
come, surmount a difficulty, get the Weanie. See Weenie.
better of by stratagem or nous
: Wear. To wear it upon a person
(q.v.). A lad (or man) of wax, a (meaning to wear a nose or a conk) is
smart lad, a clever man (1595). synonymous with nosing, conking,
Close as wax, as miserly, niggardly, or splitting, or coming it, and is merely
secretive as may be. Neat as wax see : one of those fanciful variations so
Neat. much admired by flash people (Grose).
Waxed. Well-known: e.g. So- Phrases: To wear the heart upon the
and-so has been well waxed, i.e. We sleeve (see Sleeve) ; to wear the breeches
know all about him. (see Breeches) ; to wear the willow
Way. Health, condition, state, (see Willow) ; to wear yellow stockings
calling e.g. in a bad way, shaky in
;
or hose (see Yellow) to wear the ;

health, pocket, or manner ; only his collar, to be subject to control, or

way, characteristic : cf. pretty Fanny's under the direction of another (chiefly
way. Also in phrases : To look both political) to wear the bands (see Band).
;

(or nine) ways for Sundays, to squint ; to wear ill (or wett), to look older (or
There are no two ways about it, the younger) than one's years. Also
fact is as stated, there's no mistake ; proverbial, Let every cuckold wear
out of the way. a thief who knows that his own horns ; to wear Pannier-alley
he is sought after by the traps on some on one's back (see Pannier-man).
information and consequently goes Weary. Drunk: see Screwed.
out of town, or otherwise conceals Weasel. A mean, greedy, or
himself, is said by his pals to be out sneaking fellow. Also as adj. (1599).
of the way for so and so, naming the See Whistle.
particular offence he stands charged Weather. Phrases: To make fair
with; to note the way the cat jumps, weather, to flatter, coax, conciliate,
to watch the course of events ; to go the make the best of things ; to keep the
way of nature (or all flesh), (1) to be weather eye open, to be on one's guard,
fond of belly cheer, and (2) to die see :
alert, watchful see Keep one's eyes
:

Hop the twig to know one's way ;

skinned ; under the weather, seedy,
about, to be well informed, experi- indisposed ; the clerk of the weather,
ill,
enced : see Know way ; to St. James' the imaginary controller of tempera-
(or Walsingham way), the Milky Way ture, rainfall, etc.
(1670); the longest way round is the Weather - breeder. A hot day
shortest way there, a warning to the which often precedes and prepares a
unwary or ignorant that short cuts are storm.
517
 Weathercock.
Weathercock. A fickle,
vacillating person (1590).
Weatherdog. A rainbow, frag-
mentary and only partly visible re-
garded as a presage instead of a con-
comitant of rain.
Weathergage. Advantage, the
upper hand cf. Windward. Whence
: artifice.
to get weathergage, to command,
the
control, have the best of (1813).
Weather - headed.
headed.
Weather-scupper. It is an old joke
at sea to advise a greenhorn to get a
handspike and hold it down hard in
the weather-scuppers to steady the
ship's wild motions (Clark Russell).
Weather-spy. A weather-prophet
spec, an astrologer (1631).
Weave. 1. When a knowing
blade is asked what he has been doing
lately, and does not choose to tell,
he replies, Weaving leather aprons
(Hotten) from the reports of a cele-
:
brated trial for gold robbery on the
South Western
-
Railway similar
replies are, Making a trundle for a
goose's eye, or a whim wham to
-
bridle a goose ; sometimes a man
will describe himself as a doll's-eye
weaver. As verb, to roll the neck
and body from side to side of horses ;
also (American), to walk unsteadily,
to make snakes (q.v.) as a shuttle in
a loom spec, of drunken men usually
: :
with along, about, etc.
Weaving. A card-sharping trick
cards are kept on the knee, or between
the knee and the under side of the
table, and used when required by
changing them for cards held in the
hand (Hotten).
Web-foot State. Oregon.
Wedding. Cesspool emptying
because always done in the night
(Grose).
Wedge. 1. Generic for money spec,
silver, money or plate see Rhino
(1785); hence wedge-feeder, a silver-
spoon wedge-lobb, a silver snuff-box ;
; very few of the family are proof, if
wedge-yack, a silver
hunter, a
spec, one devoting
thief,
attention to silver plate, watches, etc. ;
to flash the wedge, to fence (q.v.) the
swag (q.v) (1832). 2. (Cambridge
University). The last in the classical
tripos (q.v.) list also wooden wedge :
:
in 1824, on the publication of the
first list, the position was occupied
by a T. H. Wedgewood.
inconstant out the wedges, to desert, leave in the
lurch (q.v.), abandon one in a diffi-
culty. The thin end of
(or a mall)
: the wedge, a first move
a begin- (or
ning), seemingly trivial, but calcu-
lated to lead to important results, a
finger in the pie, a manoeuvre, shift,
Wedlock. A
wife (1601).
Wee. Small,
little, tiny : also
See Wether- weeny (which also see) (1596).
Weed. 1. A cigar, a New-town
pippin (q.v.) : also the weed, tobacco :
cf. Cabbage (1844). 2. Generic for
sorryness or worthlessness : spec, a
horse, unfit for stock, a screw (q.v.) :
i.e. (racing) an animal lacking the
:
points of a thorough-bred ; whence
weedy, adj., worthless, unfit for stock
purposes (1859). 3. In pi., generic for
clothes : spec, an outer garment now :
only in phrase widow's weeds, mourn-
ing; whence weedy, clad in mourning
garments ( 1320). As verb, To pilfer or
purloin a small portion from a large
; quantity of anything ; often done by
young or timid depredators, in the
hope of escaping detection, as, an
apprentice or shopman will weed his
master's lob, that is, take small sums
out of the till when opportunity
:
offers,which sort of peculation may
be carried on with impunity for a
:
length of time ; but experienced
thieves sometimes think it good judg-
ment to weed a place, in order that
: it may be good again, perhaps for a
considerable length of time, as in the
instance of a warehouse, or other depot,
for goods, to which they may possess
the means of access by means of a
false key : in this case, by taking too
great a swag at first, the proprietors
: would discover the deficiency, and
take measures to prevent future
depredation. To weed the swag, is to
: embezzle part of the booty, unknown
: to your pals, before a division takes
place, a temptation against which
watch ; wedge- they can find an opportunity. A
flash-cove, on discovering a deficiency
in his purse or property, which he
cannot account for, will declare that
he (or it, naming the article) has been
wedded to the ruffian (Grose). Hence
weeding-dues : in speaking of any
or property that has
person, place,
been weeded, it is said weeding dues
To knock have been concerned.
518
 Wee-jee. Welsh-ambassador.

Wee-jee. chimney pot. 1. A - Well. An elh'ptical use of well

Hence, 2. a hat
see Golgotha. 3. : is peculiar to American speech,
Anything superlatively good of its especially atJ the beginning of sen-
kind spec, a clever invention e.g.
: . :
tences, as a mere expletive or
.
in ,

'
That's a regular wee-jee. answer to questions. [Lowell, Big-
Week. Phrases, etc. : week of A low Papers,' Int. Put before such a :

Sundays, an .3 indefinite time: spec, phrase as How d'e do ? it is commonly

seven Sundays, hence seven weeks :
short, and has the sound of wul ; but,
also month of Sundays the inside of a ; in reply, it is deliberative, and the
week, from Monday till Saturday ; various shades of meaning which can
a parson's week, from Saturday to be conveyed by difference of intona-
Monday ; to knock one into the middle tion, and by prolonging or abbrevi-
of next week, to punish severely, ating, I should vainly attempt to
knock out of time, do for (q.v.); describe. I have heard ooa - ahl,
an attack of the week's (or month's) wahl, ahl, wcil, and something
end, impecuniosity, hard-uppishness ; nearly approaching the sound of le
when two Sundays come in a week, in able. Sometimes before I it
'
never: a left-handed assent (1800). dwindles to a mere I as, 1, / dunno.' ;

Weekender. week-end holiday. A A friend told me that he once heard

Weenie. A warning that an in- five wells, like pioneers, precede the
spector coming. is answer to an inquiry about the price
Weeper. A conventional badge of land. The first was the ordinary
of mourning e.g. a white border of
:
wul, in deference to custom ; the
linen or muslin worn at the end of a second, the long, perpending ooahl,
sleeve, a long crape hatband as worn with a falling inflection of the voice ;
by men at a funeral, or the long veil the third, the same, but with the
of widow's-weeds (q.v.) (1759). To voice rising, as if in despair of a
weep lament prodigally, to
Irish, to conclusion, into a plaintive, nasal
wail spec, without sincerity, to shed
: whine the fourth, wulh, ending in
;

crocodile's tears (1650). the aspirate of a sigh ; and then,

Weeping - cross. To return by fifth, came a short, sharp wal, show-
Weeping-cross, (1) to fail, suffer ing that a conclusion had been
defeat, meet with repulse ; hence (2) reached.] To dig a wett at a river,
to repent, to lament cf. Lothbury. : to act the fool, do the unnecessary
[Nares Of the three places now re-
:
(Ray). To put one in a well (in the
taining the name, one is between garden, or in a hole), (I) to defraud
Oxford and Banbury another very ; an accomplice of his share of booty :

near Stafford, where the road turns off also to well one (1785) (2) to incon- ;

to Walsall the third being Shrews-

; venience, nonplus, or get the better
bury these crosses being, doubtless,
: of.
places where penitents particularly W e 1 1 - i n. Well-off, well-to-do,
offered their devotions ] (1580). wealthy.
Wegotism. The incessant use of Wellington. In pi., (1) long-
we in journalism cf. Weism. :
legged boots largely worn in the
Weight. 1. The end of one's early part of the last century they :

tether it is often customary with

: came well up the leg, high enough in
the traps (q.v.) to wink at depreda- front to cover the knee and to the
tions of a petty nature, and for which bend of the knee behind. Also (2)
no reward would attach, and to let shorter boots of similar pattern
a thief go unmolested till he commits covering the calf of the leg, and worn
a capital crime they then grab him ; (usually) under the trousers cf. :

and share a reward of 40, or up- Blucher, Albert, Gladstone, etc. [A

wards therefore those gentry will
: favourite campaigning foot-gear of the
say, Let him alone till he weighs . . . Duke of Wellington.]
his weight (Grose). 2. Lust, wanton- Welsh. To cheat spec, to run :

ness, heat (q.v.) (1772). away without settling. Hence wel-

We i r d S i s t e r s. (The). The sher, an absconding bookmaker, a
Fates also Three Weird Sisters (1512).
: common cheat : also welcher (1869).
Weism. The excessive use of we in Welsh-ambassador. The cuckoo
journalism: cf. Wegotisia. (1608).
519
 Welsh-cricket. W.F.'s.

Welsh-cricket (1) A louse: and clothes (Grose). Whence to wet a coat

(2), a tailor cf. Prick-louse (1592).
:
(bargain, deal, etc.), to treat (q.v.),
Welsh-fiddle. The itch (B. E.): to ratify by drinking success. As
cf. Scotch-fiddle. verb, to drink, lush (q.v.) : also to
Welshman 's-hose. To turn a wet one's whistle (clay, swallow, the
thing to a Welshman' s-hose, to suit to red lane, etc.): Fr., se mouilltr: see
one's purpose (1529). Whistle and Whistle-drunk; to wet
Welsh-rabbit A
dish of toasted the other eye, to take one drink after
cheese. [Smyth- Palmer : One of a another. As adj., (or wet-handed)
numerous class of slang expressions (1) addicted to drinking, (2) drunk:
the mock-heroic of the eating-house see Screwed ; and (3) (American), anti-
in which some common dish or pro- prohibition ; e.g. a wet-town, a town
duct for which any place or people has opposed to prohibition in the sale of
a special reputation is called by the intoxicants cf. dry whence a wet,
: :

name of some more dainty article of one opposed to prohibition. Also

food which it is supposed humorously heavy-wet, porter ; twopenny-wet (see
to supersede or equal.] Cf. German- Twopenny) ; a wet-hand (wetter, or
duck, Cobbler's - lobster, Norfolk- wet-'un), a toper : see Lushington ;
capon, Billingsgate pheasant,
- and wet-bargain (see Bargain) ; wet-night,
many others (Grose) (1772). an evening carousal ; wet-goods, drink :

Welsh-wig. A worsted cap. cf. dry -goods; wet - Quaker, (I) a

Welsh-parsley. Hemp : hence a secret drinker, and spec. (2) a drunkard
hangman's rope. of that sect (B. E.); to wet the sickle,
Welt To beat severely. Hence to drink out earnest-money at harvest-
welter, a stinging blow ; and welting, time ; wetting the block, a custom among
a sound thrashing. shoemakers on the first Monday in
Wench. Orig. a child of either March, when they cease from working
sex ; subsequently a young woman by candlelight, and have a supper
without any idea of bold familiarity so called (HaUiwdl).
or wantonness long afterwards and Wet-blanket See Blanket
still frequently associated with the Wet Boat A boat that is crank
term. Wench, a wanton, mistress, or and ships water readily ( 1859).
harlot early came into vogue nowa- : Wet-bob. See Bob.
days a working girl or woman of Wet-finger. With a wet finger,
humble station in life is usually im- easily, readily : as easy as turning
plied, while in America the word over the leaf of a book, or rubbing
(save in vulgar use) is confined to out writing on a slate (1561). Also
coloured women, especially those in in proverbial wheeze (amongst chil-
service (1280). dren), See my finger wet (licking the
West-central. A water-closet : i.c. finger), see my finger dry (wiping it
W.C. dry), I'll cut throat (drawingmy
Westminster-wedding. A whore finger across throat) before I tell a lie
and a rogue married together ( B. E. ). (a strong assurance of veracity).
Westphalia. The backside, the Wet-goose. poor simple fellow.A
bum (q.v.): an allusion to West- Wetherall.
General WetheralTs
phalia hams. in command, used when a parade
West-pointer. A student, a gradu- is abandoned through inclement
ate of the U.S. Military Academy at weather.
West Point. W e t h e r-headed. Silly, super-
Westralia. Western Australia. stitious, a bit also
off: Weather -
[Morris The word was coined to meet
: headed. As subs., a dolt, simpleton,
the necessities of the submarine cable fool : cf. Mutton-head (1695).
regulations, which confine messages Wet-nursed. Coddled, shep-
to words containing not more than ten herded (q.v.), backed (q.v.): see
letters.] Nurse.
Westy-head. Dizzy, giddy (Hall, Wet-un. 1. A diseased beast: cf.

'Satires'). Staggering-bob. 2. See Wet

Wet Generic for drink, booze We-uns. We, us : i.e. we ones :

(q.v.) spec,
: drink demanded or cf. You-uns.
expected of any one wearing new W.F. 's. Wild cattle.

520
 Whack. Wheaton.

Whack (or Wack). 1. A heavy, of their number

in cleaning a house
smart, sounding blow as verb, to :
(Century). See Whanger.
beat, thwack also a heavy fall, and
; Whangby. Very hard cheese
as verb, to fall (1837). 2. A share; made of old or skimmed milk (Hatti-
piece spec, an equal portion (Grose)
; :
well).
also whacking ; as verb (or go whacks), Whangam (Whangdoodle, etc.).
(1) to divide, to share: and (2) to An imaginary animal: its precise
settle, pay up e.g. Whack the blunt,
:
nature, form, and attributes are
share the money Give me my whack,
; seemingly left to individual fancy
Hand me my due. Also to whack (1759).
up. 3. An attempt, a trial, a stroke. Whanger (or Whang). Any-
4. Appetite, twist (q.v.). Whack! thing big or unusual of its kind. As
An emphatic expression of doubt ; adj. (or whanging), large, strapping.
a polite way of giving the lie Whap. See Whop.
direct. Wharf - rat. A thief prowling
Whacker. Anything very large about wharves cf. Water-rat. ;

a big thing, a whopper (q.v.) whence ; : Wharl. To be unable to pronounce

whacking, very large. the letter B. Also as subs.
Whacky. A
term applied to any- What. 1. That or that which:
one doing anything ridiculous or a vulgarism e.g. I had a donkey
still :

fooling about (q.v.). what wouldn't go (1570). 2. How

Whale (Cheltenham College). 1. much (1867). As indef. pro., (a) A
Codfish. 2. (Royal Military Aca- something, anything :
e.g. I'll tell

demy). A sardine. 3. In pi., an- you what (it is) ; also a bit, portion, a
chovies on toast. As verb, (1) to thing :
e.g. It's a whangam (q.v.) ;

beat, thrash, lash vigorously hence ; It's what ?

(1373). What's-his-name,
whaling, a trouncing, walloping (q.v.) ( 1 ) a locution in speaking
of what one
(1847). (2) To talk vehemently, has either forgotten, thinks so trivial,
harangue, spout (q.v.): also to whale or does not wish to mention ; also
away. To fish for herring and catch What -
d'ye
- call -
it, What -
d'ye
- caU
a whale (or sprat), (1) to get a result 'em, Lord knows what, Washical, etc.
other than that expected hence (2) ; cf. Thingumy (1600). What not,
to catch a tartar (q.v.), fail miserably. elliptical forWhat may I not say ;
It's very like a whale, Ironical assent also as subs., no matter what, what
to a preposterous assertion (1596). you please, et cetera (1592). To give
To go ahead like a whale, to forge ahead, what for, to reprimand, call over the
to act, speak, or write vigorously. coals, castigate, punish (q.v.). The Lord
See Tub, and Whaler. knows what, (1) heaps, plenty more,
Whalebone. As
white as whale- all sorts of things. (2) See What's-his-
bone, a common simile for whiteness. name. What ho 1 A summons or
[Halliwell : Some writers imagined call once the recognised formula
: :

ivory, formerly made from the teeth long disused save in melodrama and
of the walrus, to be formed from the burlesque, but latterly recrudescent
bones of the whale] (1430). in vulgar salutation and expletive
Whaler. 1. Anything extra- ( 1598). What price ? How's that ?

ordinary of its kind, also whale (q.v.) What do you think ? How much ?
a regular whale see Whopper. Hence
: What odds ? What (Who, When,
whaling,overwhelming. 2. A sun- Where, or the Devil, an expletive
How)
downer (q.v.) i.e. one: who cruises of wonder, vexation, etc. (1360).
about. Whatabouts. matter in hand, A
Whang. 1. A
blow, a whack a ; something under consideration.
beating, a banging as verb, to flog,: Whatlike. Of what kind.
thrash ; also, 2. a banging noise, and What - nosed. Drunk, hot-nosed
as verb, to clatter, throw with violence. from drinking see Screwed. :

3. A slice, chunk, dollop (q.v.); also Whatsomever Whatsoever also :

as verb, to cut in large strips, slices, whatsomdever (1300).

or chunks (1678). 4. Formerly, in Whay-worm (or Whey worm), -
Maine and some other parts of New A whim, crotchet, maggot (q.v.).
England, a house-cleaning party a : Wheat. See Clean wheat.
gathering of neighbours to aid one Wheaton. To wheaton it, to play
521
 Wheedle. Wftnr.

sick. [Bartlett The term derived

: i
near-wheeler, the horse on the left-
from the name of old Dr. Wheaton hand side.
U.S.A., long^stationed at^West Point Wheel-horse. An intimate friend,
College]. one's right-hand man, a leading man
Wheedle. To coax, cajole, fawn (Bartlett).
on, take in (q.v.). As subs., (1) Wheel-of-life. The treadmill, the
cajolery, a hoax ; (2) a flatterer, everlasting-staircase (q.v.).
cajoler ; and (3) a sharper (q.v.) : Wheeze. Generic for a gag (q.v.)
wheedler, wheedlesome, wheedling, and of any description e.g. interpolated:

other derivatives follow as a matter of lines (usually comic) in a play, a bit

course (1664). of business (q.v.), a sidesman's patter
Wheel. ;1. A five-shilling piece; (q.v.), a bon-mot, joke, and so forth ;
5s. : see Cart-wheel
(Grose) ; also to crack a wheeze, to originate (or
(Tufts), a dollar.bicycle, or 2. A adapt) a smart saying at a psycho-
tricycle ; as verb, to ride a bicycle or logical moment. As verb, to say, in-
tricycle ; hence wheelman (or woman), form, peach (q.v.).
a cyclist also knight of the wheel ;
:
Wheezy. The first month of the
wheeling, cycling also the wheeling : French Re publican year a free transla- :

world (generic for cycledom). To tion of VindJmiare.

break a fly (or butterfly) on a wheel, to Whelk. A blow (also whelker),
1.

punish unduly, without regard to the fall, mark, or stripe. 2. A

blister,
gravity of the crime, or the standing of large number, a quantity whence :

the offender ; whence to use means whelking, very large, big, numerous.
altogether out of proportion to the Whelp. 1. A youth, unlicked cub
end in view ; to crack a nut with a (q.v.) puppy (q.v.) in contempt ; as
; :

Nasmyth hammer (1734). To grease verb, to be brought to bed. 2. A ship

the wheels, to furnish money for a of some kind (1630).
specific object : see Grease (1809). To When. Soy when I That is, Say
go (or run) on wheels, (1) to do with when I shall stop the dovetail reply:

ease, expedition, without exertion ; is Bob!

(2) said of one suffering from the after- Where. See You.
effects of drunkenness (1772). To Wherefore. See Why.
put one's shoulder to the wheel, to put Wherewith (or Wherewithal).
one's heart into a matter, to buckle The necessary, requisites : spec,
to, to do with spirit, resolution, money (generic) : see Rhino (1390).
or courage. Wheels within wheels, Wherret See Whirrit
complication, intricacies, something Wherry-go-nimble. looseness A
other than that which is apparent of the bowels, a back-door trot (q.v.) :
at first sight (1730). To steer a trick cf. Jerry-go-nimble.
at the wheel see Trick. : To put a Whetstone. To give (deserve, win,
spoke in one's wheel (or cart), to do an whetstone, to give (get,
lie for, etc.) the
ill turn occasionally (by an un-
: or compete for) the prize for lying : a
warrantable inversion), to assist whetstone, Le. a wit-sharpener, re-
- hand
(1661). Wheel in the nick, garded as a satirical premium for
Regular Drinking over the left Thumb what nowadays would be called naked
(B. E.). (or monumental) lying. [Nares :

Wheelbarrow. As drunk as a There were, in some places, jocular

wheelbarrow (or as the drum of a games, in which the prize given for the
wheelbarrow), very drunk indeed see :
greatest lie was a whetstone. ] [Halli-
Screwed (1675). To go to heaven in well : The liar was sometimes publicly
a wheelbarrow, to go to hell. [In the exhibited with the whetstone fastened
painted glass at Fairford, Gloucester- to him. 1 (1570).
shire, the devil is represented as Whetstone-park. A Lane betwixt '

wheeling off a scolding wife in a Holborn and Lincoln's-Inn-Fields,

barrow.l(1655). fam'd for a Nest of Wenches, now
Wheeler. A horse driven in shafts (B. E., c. 1696) de-park'd.' Whence
or next to the wheels cf. Leader. :
many allusions in the old dramatists.
Also off-wheeler, a horse driven on Whetter. See Wet
the right - hand side, i.e. the side Whew. Influen/A, the flue (q.v.) :
on which a postilion never rides ; it is well known that the influenza is

GgS
 Wheyworm. Whip.

not an exclusively modern complaint, opposed to the'^Court party or Tories

but I am not sure whether a curi-
ous reference to it by Bower, the con-
tinuator of Fordun's chronicle, has
been noted. Writing of the year 1420
he says that among those who died in
Scotland were Sir Henry St. Glair,
Earl of Orkney, Sir James Douglas of
Dalkeith, Sir William de Abernethy, Sir
William de St. Clair, Sir William
Cockburn, and many others, all by
that infirmity whereby not only great
men, but innumerable quantity of the
commonalty perished, which was vul-
garly termed le Quhew. Now quh
in Scottish texts usually represents
the sound of wh (properly aspirated) ;
therefore it seems that in the fifteenth
century, the influenza was known as
the Whew, just as it is known in the
twentieth century as the Flue. There
seems little doubt that the disease was
identical with that with which we are
so grievously familiar (Notes and
Queries).
Wheyworm. See Whayworm.
Whiblin. 1. An eunuch. 2.
(1653).
Whid. (1) A word (1567): in
patter, jocular speech.
talk, Also
(q.v.), of g- the Restoration. Both
Whig and'Tory were first applied, about
1680, in contempt, and both were
ultimately assumed with pride.
The Whigs favoured the Revolution
of 1688-89, and were in power during
a large portion of the
eighteenth
century. The Whigs may be regarded
as the party of experimental progress.
The curious similarity in the historical
development of both Whig and Tory is
further accentuated by the fact that
at the same time (Reform Bill, 1832)
as the term Tory began to be super-
seded by Conservative, so likewise the
Whigs began to be called Liberals.
Also Whigland, Scotland (B. E.) ; the
Whig College, the Reform Club ;
Whiggish, and the usual derivatives
and combinations. 3. During the
war of the American Revolution,
the terms Whig and Tory were ap-
plied, the former to those who sup-
ported the Revolutionary movement,
the latter to the royalists, or those who
A sword adhered to the British government
(Bartlett).
pi., Whim. 1. A maggot (B. E.).
Hence Whimsical, maggotish see :

(2) (Scotch), a lie, fib ; (3) (provincial), Bee in bonnet, and Maggot. 2. See
a dispute or quarrel. As verb (Scots), Jiggumbob.
to lie. Also to cut whids, to talk, to Whimling. A person childish,
speak ; to cut bien whids, to talk weak, or whims, a crotcheteer.
full of
fairly, softly, kindly ; to cut queer Whimmy, whimsical (1610).
whids, to abuse, swear, bullyrag (q.v.) ; Whimper. On the whimper,
also whiddle, to talk, tell, or discover peevish, whining, crying: also Whimper
(B. E. and Grose) ; spec, to reveal secrets, a low or small cry. What a Whimper-
or give the game away hence whiddler,
:
ing you keep (B. E.).
an informer. Whim-wham. 1. A trinket, trifle,
Whiddle. See Whid and Oliver. fal-lal. Hence, 2. generic for rubbish,
Whiff. 1. A smell ; as verb, to nonsense (1500).
smell e.g. How it whiffs. 2. A draught,
: Whindle. A low or feigned crying
a drink, a go (q.v.) as verb, to drink :
:
(B. E.).
also whiffle ( 1653). Whine. To cry squeakingly, as at
Whiffet. Anything or anybody Conventicles (B. E.).
worthless or insignificant, a whipper- Whiner. A word in pi., speech, ;

snapper (q.v.). talk, gab (q.v.) ; spec, (thieves')

Whiffle. 1. Generic for trifling :
prayers. To chop the whiners, to talk,
to hesitate, talk idly, prevaricate, to say prayers.
waver ; hence whiffler, a trifler, a Whip. 1. A
driver, a coachman:
fickle or unsteady person ;whifflery also knight of the whip (1778). 2. A
(whiffling, or whiffle-whaffle), levity, member who (unofficially) looks after
nonsense; whiffling, uncertain (1607). the interests of his party ; prob. from
2. To drink. whipper - in.
[Bryce : The whip's
Whig. (middle 17th
1. Orig. duties are (a) to inform every member
century) a Presbyterian zealot, a belonging to the party when an im-
conventicler in contempt.
:
Whence, portant division may be expected, and
2. the Country party (the successors of if he sees the member in or about the
the Roundheads of the Civil War) as House, to keep him there until the
523
 Whip-belly. Whirligig.

division is called ; (6) to direct the spec, bad beer, swipes (q.v.): also
members of his own party how to vote ; whip-belly
-
vengeance cf. Rot :
gut
(c) to obtain pain for them if they (1709).
cannot be present to vote (d ) to tell, ; Whip-broth. A beating : cf.
i.e. count the members in every Hazel-oil, Thimble-pie, etc. (1630).
party
division (e) to keep touch of opinion
:
Whipcan. A toper, tippler, boon-
within the party, and convey to the companion in orig. fesse-pinte (1653).
:

leader a faithful impression of that Whip -hand. To hare the whip-

opinion, from which the latter may hand (or whip-handle), to have an ad-
judge how far he may count on the vantage, to be in a position to com-
support of his whole party in any mand, to have the best of a matter
course he proposes to take.] Also (1697).
(3) the call made for attendance at a Whip-her- jenny. A term of con-
division, etc. ; and as verb (or to tempt.
whip in, or up) ( 1 836). 4. A compositor Whip- jack. A beggar shamming
quick in setting type ; a type-slinger shipwreck ; hence a generic term of
(which also see). As verb, (1) to contempt (1530).
surpass, beat, defeat, overcome ; Whip-king. One who controls or
hence whipping, defeat e.g. to whip :
compels a king a king-maker (1610).
;

the enemy (or give them a whipping) Whipmaster. A flagellator the :

to creation, etc. (1859); (2) to

whip actual word in the orig., which has
swindle; (3) generic for quick, smart long been recognised as standard
action : e.g. to whip on (up, off, out, English see Whipper (1725).
:

etc.): frequently with an idea of Wh i p p e r. 1. Anything super-

stealth ; also whip, quickly, instanter excellent (1530). 2. A flagellant : see
(1360). To drink (or lick) on the whip, whipmaster (1656).
to get a thrashing, to taste the whip Whipper-in. See Whip.
(1401). To whip the cat, (I) to pinch, to Whipper-snapper. A very small
be parsimonious, mean, stingy ; (2) to but sprightly boy (B. E.), spec, a
go from house to house to work :
precocious callow youth, or pert girl :

chiefly tailors', but the practice was always more or less in contempt. As
more or less common to all trades ; adj., diminutive, insignificant : also,
hence whip-cat, a tailor ; (3) to idle on Wh ipping'-snapping.
Monday, to keep St. Monday ; 4. Whipping-boy. 1. A boy, com-
(a) To get tipsy : see Screwed : also to panion to a prince, educated with
whip (jerk, or shoot the cat, or to rat) ; him, and punished in his stead. 2.
also (b) to vomit ; hence whipcat, A horse finishing last.
drunken ; Whipcan, a toper ; (5) to in- Whipping-cheer. Flogging, flagel-
dulge in practical jokes spec, a trick :
lation, punishment : cf. Belly-cheer
often practised on ignorant country (1598).
fellows, vain of their strength ; by Whippy. A pert girl, forward
laying a wager with them, that they young woman.
may be pulled through a pond by a cat ; Whip-round. A subscription got
the bet being made, a rope is fixed up for any purpose see Whip. :

round the waist of the party to be Whipsaw. At faro to win at one

catted, and the end thrown across the turn, to beat in two ways at once ;

pond, to which the cat is also fastened hence to win hands down, to beat an
by a pack-thread, and three or four opponent willy-nilly.
sturdy fellows are appointed to lead Whipshire. Yorkshire (1696).
and whip the cat ; these, on a signal Whipster. A sharp or subtil
given, seize the end of the cord, and fellow (B. E.) a sharper (Bailey)
; a ;

pretending to whip the cat, haul the sly, cunning blade (q.v.): also (old)
astonished booby through the water whipstroke (like whipster), a term of
(B. E.). To whip the devU round the abuse (1530).
stump, to make false excuses to one's Whip-sticks. The Dunaberg and
self and others for doing what one Witepsk Railway shares.
likes; to equivocate, to say, pretend, Whirligig. 1. A whim, caprice,
or do one thing, and mean, or act maggot bee (q.v.) (1635). 2.
(q.v.),
differently. Change, the turn of the wheel, the
Whip-belly. Thin weak liquor: lapse of time, Time or the World in the
524
 WJiirrit. White.

abstract (1602). 3. A carriage: also Whister-poop). A thumping blow:

Whirlicote (1633). 4. Applied to spec, a back-handed blow (1542).
various toys or the like e.g. (a) a top : Whistle. 1. The throat, red-lane
or top-like toy, (6) a tee-totum, (c) a (q.v.) hence to wet (or whet) one's
;

round-about or merry-go-round also :

whistle, to drink (see Wet) :
Fr.,
whirler and whirl-about and (d) a ; s'afftiter le sifflct (1383). 2. whim, A
turnstile (1530). 5. An instrument fancy, caprice ; whence to pay for one's
for punishing petty offenders a kind :
whistle, to pay high (or deadly). [The
of wooden cage, turning on a pivot, allusion is to a story told (1779) by
in which the culprit was whirled round Dr. Franklin (Works [1836], ii. 182)
with great velocity. of his nephew, who set his mind on a
Whirrit (Wherret, or Whirrick). common whistle, which he bought of
A blow, slap, box on the ear. As a boy for four times its value.] As verb,
verb, to box the ears (1577). to inform (181 5). Phrases To whistle :

Whishler. A ringmaster. and ride, to work and talk. To go

Whisk. 1. A servant : in con- whistle, to go to the deuce, to be dis-
tempt (1653). 2. An impertinent comfited or disappointed ; to whistle
fellow, saucebox (q.v.), bouncer for a wind, (1) old salts of a super-
(q.v.). stitious turn of mind will whistle for
Whisker-bed. The face (1853). a breeze during a calm during a :

Whiskers (or Whiskerando). storm they would not dream of so

A whiskered person a jocular
:
doing hence to whistle for, to stand
:

salutation,Hallo, Whiskers ! Also small chance of getting ; (2) a jocular

Whiskery and Whiskerandoed. [From
Don Ferolo Whiskerandos in Sheri-
'
dan's Critic,' 1779].
Whiskey (Tim-whiskey or Timmy-
whiskey). A light one-horse chaise
without a hood (1772).
Whiskey-bloat. A person bloated
from drinking whisky
Whiskeyfied
Drunk, bemused with whisky see
offer of aid to one long in commencing
to urinate ; at one's whistle, at call ;
worth the whistle, worth notice, at-
tention, or a call ; to whistle down the
wind, to talk for talking' s sake, to talk
idly, or to no purpose ; as clean as a
whistle,neat (q.v.), slick (q.v.) (1547).
(Bartlett). Whistle - belly - vengeance. Bad
(or Whiskified). beer, swipes (q.v.) ; hence indifferent
:
lap (q.v.) of any kind of. Whip- :

Screwed (1857). belly-vengeance.

Whiskey-mill. A grog-shop, a Whistle-cup. A drinking cup with
grocery with a license (1870). a whistle attached the last toper :

Whisking. Large, great, whopping capable of using the whistle received

(q.v.) (1731). the cup as a prize. Also a tankard
Whisk-telt. Whorish. fitted with a whistle, so arranged as to
Whisky-frisky. Flighty, maggoty sound when the vessel was emptied,
(q.v.) (1782). thus warning the drawer that more
Whisper. A secret tip (q.v.) :
spec, liquor was required.
information passed from mouth to Whistle-drunk. Very drunk in-
mouth on the pretence of secrecy. deed (1749). j
Hence to give the whisper, (1) to blaze Whistle- jacket. Small beer.
abroad a supposed secret, and (2) to Whistler. 1. A broken- winded horse,
give a quick tip (Hotten) ; a whisper a roarer (q.v.). 2. An unlicensed
at the post, an owner's final instruc- vendor of spirits. Hence whistling-
tions to a jockey. As verb, to borrow: shop, an illicit dram-shop (1837).
spec, small sums. Hence whisperer, a Whistling- (or Puffing-) billy. A
petty borrower. Angel's whisper, the locomotive.
call to defaulters' drill :
usually extra Whistling-breeches. Corduroy
fatigue duty. Pig's-whisper, (1) a trousers.
grunt (2) a very short space of time
: : Whit. A prison : see Cage :
spec.
that is, as brief as a grunt also :
Newgate (1676).
(American) Pig's-whistle. White. 1. In pL, leucorrhcBa. 2.
Whispering syl.-slinger. A In pi., white clothes, vestments, or
prompter [that is, syllablte-slinger]. goods (1644). 3. (a) The centre of a
Whister-clister (Whister - snefet, target : Fr., blanc :
formerly painted
Whister-snivet, Whister-twister, or white : cf. Bull's-eye ; whence (6) the

525
 White-apron.

object in view, a mark ; to hit the Anything mean, paltry, or unsports-

white, to be right (1580). 4. In pi., manlike : cf. Bungay-play.
the white of the eyes (1662). As adj., Whitechape 1-portion. A clean
(
1 ) thus white (fair or
specious) words ; apron and an umbrella ; also a clean
white, (lucky) day cf. Red-letter day ;
:
gown and a pair of pattens (Hottrn).
white (excusable) lie (Qrose) ; white Whitechapel - shave. Whitening
(venial) crime ; white (friendly) witch ; applied to the jaws with the palm of
white (honourable) man, formerly, the hand.
fair, handsome ; white (guiltless) way ; White-choker. (1) A white tie:
white (auspicious) hour ; white (bene- hence (2) a parson.
ficially levied) mail (1300). 2. See White-crow. A rarity ; hence
Whiteboy. 3. See White - lot. As an apparent contradiction in terms
verb, to gloss over, to rehabili- which is none the less a fact. [Albino
tate also (modern) whitewash, which
: crows are occasionally met with.]
spec, to clear of debt by process White-eye. Maize whisky.
of
the Bankruptcy Court. Hence white- White-feather. See Feather.
wash, a veneer of respectability ; Whitefriars. See Alsatia.
with whitewasher and whitewashing as Whit e-h o r s e. A white-crested,
derivatives. Also to use one white, dancing wave (1849). To be white-
(1) to deal fairly and justly, and (2) horsed in, to obtain a berth through
to act on the square (q.v.) (1616). To influence.
spit white, to expectorate from a dry White-house. The official resid-
but healthy mouth also to spit white
: ence of the President of the United
broth (or sixpences); Fr., cracher des States, Washington : from its colour.
pieces de dix sous (1594). Its official designation is Executive
White-apron. A harlot (1599). Mansion (Century).
White-ash Breeze. The breeze White-livered. Cowardly, mean.
caused by rowing : oars are generally [An old notion was that cowards had
made of white ash. bloodless livers] (1548).
Whiteboy. 1. A generic endear- White-lot A silver watch and
ment also (of a favourite son) white
: chain : or (old) white-stuff (or wedge) ;

son: see White (1554). 2. (Irish cf. Bed.White-dock (or white-' un), a
political). A member of a secret silver watch white jenny, a foreign-
;

political society, agrarian in character made silver watch (H often). White-

(c. 1759 -
60). [Lecky : Their object money, silver ; the white and the red,
was to do justice to the poor by silver and gold. Smooth white, a
restoring the ancient commons and shilling: see Rhino (1369).
redressing other grievances. This White Man's Hansom Woman.
they sought to accomplish by throwing A brown or yellow mistress.
down fences, levelling enclosures, and White-Moor. A Genoese (1642).
generally destroying the property of Whiteness. (1) Chastity also
:

any one landlords, agents, Protest- white (or cold) sheets ; (2) nakedness.
ant clergy, tax or tithe collectors White -
poodle. A rough woolly
who had made themselves obnoxious to cloth.
the association. They styled them- White-prop. A diamond scarf-pin :

selves Whiteboys, because during their also sparkle- (or spark-) prop.
nocturnal excursions they covered Whiter (Harrow School). A white
their usual attire with white shirts. waistcoat permissible after three
:

This disguise was used principally to years at the school : cf. -er.
enable them, while scouring through White-satin (lace, tape, wine,
the darkness, to recognise each other. or ribbon). Gin: see Drinks (1820).
3. London rioters (1768). White-sergeant. A breeches-wear-
Whitechapel. 1. A light two- ing wife: the general (q.v.), the
wheeled cart, a coster's barrow, a grey- mare (q.v.).
shoful (q.v.): also Whitechapel -cart, White - trash. A poor white ;
Whitechapel-brougham, and Chapel- Southern states: also poor white folk
cart. 2. Tossing two out of three cf. :
(1856).
Sudden death. 3. See Whitechapel- Whitewash. 1. See White. 2.

play. A glass of sherry as a finish, after

Whitechapel-play (Whitechapel). drinking port or claret (H often).
526
 WMtewasJiers. Wild-cat.

Whitewashers. The second bat- Wicket. The mouth, gutter- alley

talion Gloucestershire Regiment, late (q.v.) (1557).
the 6 1st Foot. Widdy. 1. A widow. 2. See
Whither-go-thee. A wife (1696). Widow.
Whiting. To let leap a whiting, to Widdle. See Oliver.
miss an opportunity. Widdy -
waddy. Trifling, insig-
Whiting-mop. (1) A young and nificant.
pretty girl ; hence (2) an endearment : Wide. 1. Well-informed,
knowing
also whiting (1525). (q.v.), keen, alert, up to snuff (q.v.) :
Whiting 's-eye. An amorous glance, also wide-awake and wido : cf. Narrow
sheep's-eye (q.v.) (1673). (1834). Indifferent, wide of the
2.
Whitsun-ale. See Ale. mark, out of the running, adrift :
Hence Whitsun - lord, the master of hence generic for bad (1612).
ceremonies at a Whitsun merry- Wide-awake. A
soft felt hat with
making (1633). a broad brim. So called (Orose)
Whittle. 1. To confess at the because it never had a nap and never
gallows. Also (thieves') to dose wants one. See Wide.
(q.v.), to peach (q.v.) (1727). 2. See Widgeon. A simpleton : see
Whittled. Buffle.
Whittled. Drunk, cut (q.v.) see : Widow. The gallows: see Nub-
Screwed. Hence whittle, to make bing-cheat. Also (Scots) the widdy,
tipsy, and as subs., a merry-making, and Fr., veuve (formerly the gallows,
drinking-bout, etc. (1586). now applied to the guillotine)
Whizzer. A falsehood (Halli- (1796).
well). Wido w-bewitched. A woman
Whoball (John). He is none of separated from her husband : cf.
John Whoball's chUdren, He will be grass-widow (1725).
abused at no man's hands if he may Widow's-man. An imaginary
( W ithals). sailor borne on the books, and re-
Whole. See Boiling, Team, and ceiving pay and prize money, which is
all nouns in the various combina- appropriated to Greenwich Hospital
tions. (Marryat).
Whop (Wap, Woppe, Whap). Widow's- weeds. 1. An unmarried
A blow. As verb, to beat (1360). As mother (B. E.). 2. See Weed.
intj., Whack !
(q.v.), Whip !
(q.v.), Wife. A leg-shackle. As much
Bang !
(q.v.). need of a wife as a dog of a side-pocket,
Whopper (Whapper). Any- said of a weak, old, debilitated man
thing very large, fine, good a generic :
(Orose). Wife in water-colours, (1)
intensive (Orose) also whopping,
: a morganatic wife and (2) a mistress;

extremely fine, very large, Al (q.v.) or concubine: cf. Fr., cottage & la de-
(1520). trempe.
Whop-straw (or Johnny Whop- Wifey. A wife, an endearment.
straw), A countryman, rustic, clod- Wiffle-woffle. In pi., the stomach-
hopper (q.v.). ache, sorrow, the dumps (q.v.) ;

Why and Wherefore (The). The generic.

reason, cause (1593). Wig. 1. To move off, go away.
Why-not.To have (or be) at a 2. To rate, scold, carpet :
spec, to call
why-noi, to have, stand, or be in a over the coals publicly. Whence
dilemma ; to pull up suddenly, to wigging, a public rebuke or reprimand :

meet with a sudden check or reverse ear-wigging, a more or less private

(1612). calling over the coals (1837).
Wibble. Weak lap (q.v.); any Wig-block. The head.
thin, weak beverage. Wigsby. A jocular appellation for
Wibble-wobble. Unsteadily. a man wearing a wig : cf. Rudesby,
Wibling's- witch. The four of Four-eyes, Barnacles, etc. (Orose).
clubs. Wild. A village, the country cf. :

Wicked. 1 ) Roguish, mischievous

( ; Weald.
and (2) amorous, wanton, e.g. a Wild - brain. A harebrain, silly,
wicked twinkle in the eye, to look soft (q.v.) fellow.
wicked, etc. (1600). Wild - cat. Reckless, hazardous,
527
 Wild-goose. Winding-sheet.

unsound: orig. applied to banking William. An acceptance. To

enterprises of doubtful (if of no worse) meet sweet William, to meet a bill on
character : cf. Blue-pup, Red-dog, presentation.
etc. [Bartlett A bank in Michigan
: Willow. 1 . A bat. 2. Mourning.
had a large vignette on its notes re- Henoe to wear the willow, to lament
presenting a panther, familiarly called the dead (1595).
a wild-cat. This bank failed, a large Willy-nilly (Will I, Nil I, etc.).
amount of it* notes were in circulation, Willing or unwilling, nolens volens,
which were denominated wild - cat Whether I will or not As adj.,
money, and the bank issuing them the vacillating see Nilly- willy
: and Shilly-
wild-cat bank. Other banks stopped shally (1563).
payment soon after, and the term Wilt. To run away.
became general in Michigan, to denote Win (Wyn, or Wing). A penny;
banking institutions of an unsound Id. : see Rhino (1608).
character.] Hence wild-cat currency, Winchester-goose. ( 1 ) A bubo ; (2)
schema, etc. (1842). a person thus infected ; and (3) gener-
Wild -
goose. A recruit for the ally in contempt. [The stews (q.v.)
Irish Brigade in the service of France in South wark were, in the 16th century,
in the seventeenth and eighteenth under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of
centuries. Winchester.] Also Winchester -pigeon
Wild-goose Chase. The pursuit of (1585).
anything unprofitable or absurd ; a Wind. 1. Breath, lung- power;
bund hunt. [Dyce Orig. a kindof horse-
: and 2. (pugilists') the stomach : i.e.
race, in which two horses were started below the belt, a forbidden point of
together, and whichever rider could attack in legitimate boxing. Henoe
get the lead, the other was obliged to winder, anything that deprives one
follow him over whatever ground he of the power of breathing to nap a ;

chose to go] (1595). winder, (1) to be hung, and (2) to get

Wild Indians (The). The Prince of a settler (q.v.) (1362). Phrases: To
Wales' Leinster Regiment (Royal take wind, to be known, to transpire ;
Canadians). Both battalions trace to sail near (or close to) the wind, (1)
some sort of connection with the to take every risk, and (2) to border
Indians of N. America and the Indians on malpractice ; to raise the wind, to
of the East the first battalion having
: borrow (or procure) money usually :

formerly been the 100th Foot, an by shift, flying a kite (q.v.), or bills
expression of Canadian loyalty at the of accommodation ; to go down the
time of the Mutiny, and the 2nd wind, to decay ; wind, to
to slip one's
battalion, the 109th (Bombay In- die ; to take the wind, to gain an ad-
fantry) Regiment, originally raised by vantage ; to have one in the wind, to
the Hon. East India Company. understand a person Is the wind in ;

Wild Irishman (The). The that door T Is that so ? ; wiiid enough

evening mail train between Euston to last a Dutchman a week, enough and
and Holyhead cf. Flying Dutchman,
: to spare ; between wind and water, in a
etc. vulnerable spot; down the wind, verging
Wild-mare. The nightmare. To towards ruin or decay ; the way the
ride the wild mare, to play at see-saw windblows,ihe position of a matter, the
(1580). state of affairs ; three (more or less)
Wild-oats. (1) Youthful pranks sheets in the wind (see Sheets) ; in the
or folly ; hence (2) a rake or debauchee. wind, (1) astir, afoot and (2) a matter ;

To sow one * wild- oats, to indulge in

1
of surmise or suspicion ; to carry the
folly or dissipation, and (by implica- wind, to be high-spirited or mettle-
tion) to grow steady (1570). some: properly of horses tossing the
Wild-rogue. A thorough-paced nose as high as the ears to hare the ;

thief ; a rogue brought up to stealing wind of, to keep strict watch too near ;

from infancy. the wind, mean, stingy (nautical)

Wild Train. A train not on the (1546). To wind one's cotton, to give
time-tables of the road, and therefore trouble.
irregular, and not entitled to the track, Wind-bag. An incessant frothy
as the railread phrase is, as against a talker : also Gas-bag.
regular train. Winding-sheet Grease (or wax)
528
 Wind-jammer. Wolf.

drippings guttering down the side of a Winter-cricket A tailor.

candle deemed an omen of death by
:
Winter-hedge. A clothes-horse.
the superstitious (Orose) cf. Thief :
Wipe. 1.
A$ handkerchief :
orig.
(1859). wiper, a hand towel. 2. A ; blow ;

Wind-jammer. 1. A sailing vessel :

literally or figuratively. As verb, to
cf.Smoke-stack. 2. A player on a strike e.g. a wipe (a rap) over the
:

wind instrument. knuckles ( 1577). Phrases To wipe one :

Windmill, J.P. Formerly used in down, ( 1 ) to flatter, (2) to pacify ; to

New South Wales for any J.P. who wipe off a score, to pay one's debts;
was ill-educated and supposed to sign to wipe a person's eye, ( 1 ) to shoot game
his name with a cross (x). which another has missed, (2) to gain
Window. 1. In pi., the eyes, the an advantage through skilful manipu-
peepers (q.v.). 2. A blank space in lation ; wipe tJie other eye, to take
to
a writing ( 1 556). Gdasmit h's-window, another drink ; to wipe out, to kill, to
a rich working in which the gold shows exterminate ; to wipe one's nose, to
freely. See Turn. cheat ; to wipe up the floor with one, to
Window - bar. In pi., Lattice- completely demolish an adversary ;
work on a woman's stomacher, or to wipe a person's nose (see Nose).
modesty- piece (q.v.) (1609). Wire. LA
telegram. Also as
Window - dressing. Manipulation verb. An
expert pickpocket see
2. :

of figures and accounts to show ficti- Thief (1851). To wire in (or away), to
tious or exaggerated value : brought set to with a will, to apply oneself
into prominence during the trial of perseveringly and zealously.
Whitaker Wright for fraud in connec- Wired-up. Irritated, provoked.
tion with the balance-sheets of the Wire-puller (or worker). A
London and Globe Corporation (1904). manipulator of party and other in-
Window-fishing. Entering a house terests, working by means more or less
by means of a window. secret; a political intriguer. Hence
Wind-pudding. Air. To live on to pull the wires, to exercise a com-
wind-pudding, to go hungry. manding secret political influence.
Windstopper. A garotter. Also wire-pulling (1848).
Windsucker. 1. A querulous Wishy-washy. Weak, insipid,
fault-finder, grizzle-guts (q.v.) one ;
rotten (q.v.) (1748).
ready to catch another tripping or to Wisker. A lie (1694).
pick holes one on the lookout for a
; Wisp. To give (wear, or show) a
blemish or weak spot (1603). wisp, a wisp or small twist, of straw
Windward. To get to the windward or hay, was often applied as a mark of
(or windward side) of one, to get an opprobrium to an immodest woman,
advantage, the better of one, or the a scold, or similar offenders even ;

best position. ^ the showing it to a woman was,

Windy. Talkative, boastful, vain. therefore, considered as a grievous
Windy-wallets, a noisy prater, vain affront. It was the badge of the
boaster, romancing yarnster. scolding woman, in the ceremony of
Wine. A wine-drinking party skimmington (q.v.) (1567).
(1847). Wittol. A husband who knows of,
Wine-bag. A drunkard who makes and endures his wife's unfaithfulness ;

wine his special tipple (q.v.). a contented cuckold. As verb, to

Winey. Drunk : see Screwed. make a wittol. [Skeat : From wood-
Wing. A quid or thereabouts of wale, a bird whose nest is often in-
tobacco. As verb, (1) to wound vaded by the cuckoo, and so has the
slightly orig. to shoot in the arm
:
offspring of another palmed off on it
or shoulder ; (2) to undertake a part for its own like Cuckold, from
;

at short notice and study it in the Cuckoo.] (1513).

wings. Wiwi. A Frenchman. [That is,
Wink. See Eye, Forty, Tip. Oui, Oui !}
Winker. 1 ) The Wobble. See Wabble.
( eye ; and (2) in pi.,
Wobbler. An infantryman.
Winking. Like winking, very Wobble-shop. A shop where in-
quickly (1837). toxicants are sold without a license.
Winks. Periwinkles. Wolf. To devour ravenously :

529
 Wolfe's Own. Wrong.

hence wolfer, a greedy feeder or to impose upon, deceive, delude, or

guzzling tosspot: also a tool/ in the use the pepper-box (q.v.); to go wool
stomach, famished ; to keep the wolf gathering, to indulge in idle fancies,
from the door, to keep hunger and act stupidly (1475).
want at bay (1513). Phrases: Dark Wool-bird. A sheep.
as a wolfs mouth (or throat), pitch Woolfist. A term of reproach
dark ; to cry wolf, to raise a false (1606).
alarm ; to have a wolf by the ears, to Wool - hole. A workhouse : see
know not what to say or do ; to see a Large House.
wolf, (1) to lose one's voice, and (2) Wooston (Christ's Hospital). Very :

to be seduced (Fr., avoir vu le loup). that is whoreson e.g. a wooston

:

Wolfe's Own. The first battalion jolly fellow, I'm woonton chaffy.
of The Loyal North Lancashire Regi- Word. A word and a blow, im-
ment, late the 47th Foot; the black mediate action as adj., instantly
:

worm in the gold lace is in memory of (1710).

the Hero of Quebec. Work. To steal. Phrases: To
Wolverine State (The), make work, to cause (or make) a dis-
Michigan : its inhabitants are Wol- turbance, kick up a shindy (q.v.) ; to
verines. work the orade, to manoeuvre, to
Wollop. See Wallop. victimise.
Woman. A term of abuse spec,
; World. AH the world and his wife,
a harlot. Whence to woman (or every one (1709).
womanize), (1) to scold or abuse, and Worm. A policeman.
(2) to wanton ; to make an honest Worm-crusher. A foot sodier: cf.
woman (see Honest). Mudcrusher.
Wonner. See One-er. Worm-fence. A zig-zag rail-fence ;

Woodcock. 1. A simpleton (1593). a Virginia-fence (q.v.) (1839).

2. A tailor. Worricrow. A scarecrow.
Woodcock 's-cross. Penitence for Worth. See Bean, Candle, Cent,
folly: cf. Weeping-cross, etc. (1630). Cracker, Curse, Fig, Fly, Game,
Woodcock "s-head. A pipe. [Early Louse, Nutshell, Pear, Rap, Straw.
pipes were frequently so fashioned] W. P. See Warming-pan.
(1599). Wrap -rascal. A cloak or coat
A swoon.
Wooden-fit. (1753).
Wooden-legged mare. The Wren. A prostitute frequenting
gallows : see Nubbing-cheat. the Curragh Camp.
Wooden -
nutmeg State (The). Wretch. Poor wretch, a term of
Cincinnati. endearment.
Wooden - overcoat (or surtout). Wretchcock (or Wrechock).
A coffin. A puny, insignificant person, a poor
Wooden-ruff. The pillory. wretch.
Wooden-spoon (Cambridge). The Wright (Mr.). A warder acting
student last on the list of mathematical as go-between for a prisoner and his
honours. See Tripos, Gulf, Twelve friends.
Apostles, Wrangler, etc. Wringle-gut A nervous, fidgety
Wooden-sword. To wear the man.
wooden -
sword, to overstand the Wrinkle. A new idea, useful hint,
market. cunning trick, smart dodge (1555).
Woodman. A carpenter, chips Writerling. An author of the
(q.v.). baser sort, a petty journalist
Wool. Hair cf. the wheezes, He :
(1802).
has no wool on the top of his head Writings. To burn the writings, to
in the place where the wool ought to quarrel.
grow ; and Keep your wool on, don't Wrokin. A Dutch woman.
get angry, keep quiet. As verb, to Wrong. In various combinations
rumple or towsle the hair. Phrases : and phrases : e.g. Wrong in the upper
More squeak than wool, more noise storey, crazy; n the wrong box,
mis-
than substance great cry and little
; taken, embarrassed, in jeopardy :

wool, Much ado about nothing: see the wrong end of the stick, the worst of
CSder ; To putt the wool over one'g eyes, a position, the false of a story; to
530
 Wrong-'un. Yannam.

wake up the wrong passenger, to make a welsher, a horse intended to be pulled

mistake in the individual, to get the (q.v.), and so forth.
wrong sow by the ear to la'ugh on the
; Wrought - shirt. See Historical
wrong side of the mouth, to cry ; to Shirt.
get out of (or rise out of) the wrong Wry-not. To shead wry-not, to
(or right) side of the bed (or right side), out-do the devil.
a happy augury (or the reverse) W
u g g i n s (Oxford University).
(1554). Worcester College ; Botany-bay (q.v.).
Wrong-'un. Generic for anything Wusser. A canal boat.
bad :
e.g. a spurious note, base coin, Wuzzle. To jumble, muddle, mix.

X. To take one X
(or letter X), to tion the prisoner's arm is more easily
secure a violent prisoner : two con- broken than extricated.
stables firmly grasp the collar with one X-leg. In pi., knock knees.
hand, the captive's arm being drawn m
X a s. Christmas frequently :

down and the hand forced backwards pronounced eksmas. See Christmas.
over the holding arms ; in this posi-

- Y. (Manchester Grammar work smartly usually with along,

;

School). Hathy, mathematics ; over, out, etc. as subs, (or yanker), a

;

chemmy, chemistry ; gymmy, gym- smart stroke, jerk, or twitch ; yanking,

nastics, etc. active, pushing, thorough-going ; to
Yack. A watch. To church (or yank the bun, to take the cake (q.v.)
christen) a yack, to change the case, (1818) ; (2) to chatter, scold, nag ; to
or substitute a fictitious inscription, talk fast and incessantly. Henco
in order to prevent identification. yankie, a chatterbox, one who talks
Y a ff . To talk pertly : also yaffle. nineteen to the dozen.
[Properly yaff, to bark or yelp.] Yankee (Yankey, Yanky). 1. A
Yaffle. An armful. As verb, (1) citizen ofNew England ; 2. A native of
to eat (Halliwell) ; (2) to snatch, to the United States also Yankee-doodle
:

pilfer, to take illicitly ; (3) see Yaff.
Yahoo. A generic reproach spec.
a rough, brutal, uncouth character.
In America, a back-country lout, a
greenhorn (Barttett). [A name given
by Swift in his Gulliver's Travels (1726)
to a race of brutes, described as having
human forms and vicious and de-
They were sub-
graded propensities.
ject to the
Houyhnhnms, or horses
endowed with human reason.] As
adj., boorish, loutish, uncouth.
Also as adj., with derivatives such as
:
Yankeedom, Yankeefied, Yankeeism,
etc. [Of dubious and much-discussed
derivation: see adj. sense.] Yankee-
nation, the United States. [Century :
The word acquired wide currency
during the war of the rebellion as a
nickname or contemptuous epithet
among the Confederates for the Union
soldier, the confederates themselves
being in like spirit dubbed Johnnies or
Rebs by the Union soldiers see Yank] :

Yallow. See Yellow. (1765). 3. A glass of whisky sweet-

Yam. Food; grub (q.v.). As ened with molasses. As adj. and
verb, to eat. adv., a generic intensive : spanking,
Yank. 1. A Yankee (q.v.) : an excellent^ 1713).
abbreviation universally applied by Yanker. 1. A
great falsehood see :

the Confederates to the soldiers of Whopper (1822). 2. See Yank.

the Union armies (Bartlett). 2. In Yankie. 1. A sharp, forward,
pi., leggings. As verb, (1) generic for woman. 2. See Yank.
clever
quick, sharp, or jerking motion ; to Yannam. See Pannam (of which
bustle, twitch, snatch, move quickly, yannam is probably a misprint).
631
 Yap. Yellow-fancy.

Yap. 1. A yelp. 2. A cur, a Yea - and - nay. Insipid, watery ;

tyke (q.v.). 3. A countryman. Also e.g.a poor yay -nay sort of a person, a
as verb, (1) to back, yelp yapster, a ; stupid, doltish block one who can
:

dog (1798) (2) (back slang), to pay ;

; say but Yea or Nay to a question :

whence yappy, over-generous, soft see next entry (1780).

(q.v.), foolish i.e. paying mad.
: Yea -and -nay Man. A Quaker
Yard. Scotland Yard, head-
(1) (B. E.).
quarters of the London police, now Yeack. An imitative word to
located at New Scotland Yard (2) ; express the sound with which coach-
(Durham School). In pi., the list of men encourage their horses (?), un-
members originally of the First Game, less it is another form of yerk (Davics)
but now of the Second Game at foot- (1606).
ball or cricket formerly in the cricket
: Year's-mind (or Year-mind). A
season only a patch of ground thirty memorial, a mass, an anniversary :

yards square was mowed ; those who cf. Month's-mind.

had the privilege of playing on this Yellow. 1. Generic for jealousy,
were said to be on the yards. Under envy, melancholy : also yellows and
1
one 8 yard, in one's power, subject to yellowness : cf. Blue, Brown, Red,
authority (1383). To get yards, to get White, etc. (B. E.). Also in frequent
a catch at football and be allowed proverbial phrase : e.g. to wear yellow
a free kick, not running more than hose (breeches, or stockings), to be
can be covered in three running jealous ; to anger the yellow hose, to
strides ; hence to give yards, to give provoke jealousy ; to wear yellow
such a catch ; to step yards, to cover stockings, to be cuckolded hence :

the distance in kicking off yards in yellow-hammer (or gloak), (1) a cuck-
three strides ; to knock down yards, old, and (2) a jealous man or husband.
to prevent another from taking yards. [Yellow stockings (q.v.) were once, for
[Orig. three yards.] See Knight. a long period prior to the civil wars,
Yarder (Harrow). Cricket played a fashionable article of dress the :

in the school-yard : in the summer fashion is still preserved amongst

term. Blues (q.v.) at Christ's Hospital] 2.
Yard-of-clay. A long clay pipe ; a See Yellowstockings.
churchwarden (q.v.) (1859). Yellow-Admiral. See Admiral.
Yard-of-pumpwater. A tall thin Yellow - banded Robbers
(The).
man woman)
(or ; cf. Rasher-of-wind. The Prince Somersetshire
Albert's
Yark (Durham School). To cane. Light Infantry, late the 13th Foot.
Yarmouth-capon (or bee). A Yellow-belly. 1. A Lincolnshire fen-
herring : see Glasgow magistrate man. 2. A half-caste : also yellow-
(B. E.). boy (q.v.) or yellow-girl. 3. A Dutch-
Yarmouth-coach. A sorry, low man.
cart to ride on, drawn by one horse Yellow-boy. A gold coin spec, :

(B. E.). a sovereign, 20s. formerly a guinea :

:

Yarmouth-mittens. Bruised hands. FT., jaunet: see Rhino (1633). Also

Yarn. A story, a tale spec, an :
yellow - hammer, yellow - mould, and
incredible, long, or marvellous narra- yellow - stuff (generic) ; yellow - fever,
tion spun out by a sailor. Hence as gold-fever: cf. Scarlet-fever (1633).
verb (or to spin yarns), to romance, 2. A mulatto, or dark quadroon : also
draw the long bow ; a sailor's yarn, a yellow-girl.
traveller's story (q.v.) ; yam-chopper Yellow-cover. A notice of dis-
(or slinger), ( 1 ) a long prosy talker ; missal from government employ-
and (2) a fictional journalist. ment :
pron. yatter kiver. [From
Yarum. Milk. Poplars of yarum, being usually enclosed in a yellow
milk porridpe (1567). envelope.]
Yawney (or Yawnups). A stupid Yellow - covered. Cheap, sensa-
fellow :
Sawney. Also yawney-
cf. tional, trashy. Also yellow-backs, a
bor, a donkey see Neddy. :
generic term for cheap board-bound
Yaw-sighted. Squinting. railway novels.
Yaw yaw. A Dutchman any : Yellow - dog. A strong term of
man who says Taw-yaw for Yes contempt.
(Clark Russell). Y e 1 1 o w-fancy. A yellow silk

532
 Yellow-lever.

of
white:
.potted
^ndkercaie.

a. Drunkenness
-.see
Scre^a^g
^w^f-^^-
f
a yellow coat.j _ ^ T -u^r and
s
w
fYellow-hammer.

i
.
or tight
i

itto.
^
"? .-77^ii.rlaster.

v-stuff.
See
:0 cking.
.
^.^-"alBO
coatboy.
(q.v.)
Id.:
A
p>
penny:
it^ b%
o
positive
8
^m a
C
5onr/also
bo ttom
!,ou
dollar,

Bob , See Sirrah

and\
spol
cor
3oy
Yoi i COUUHJ"! as auj.,
lout Impt.
Hence wai8tcoat9 , patrc
ontempt.
Louis
A
"

Y o l..AScLster
^e
box,
CollegeV
A ^,r
*
coffer^
Sollege).
chest, l-ft&W. -Hisraeh
Dia has
Germany,
a favourite
fa
A-M. ' j - 7oH0
ways and u
V
rv -""- was
wcvo
/d by Heinnch
,

post-cha\ \Yeuow
post.ch> school
colour foVese vehicles.] I,literary
__ rWi.Ti.wl.
er.
ft
expressive
sound: one
topicea
York. -4. Mte <" Yorfc
Button, as dirimilar
may M
cer
i
ItnZy
ball

than, as in modern fhrase,

 Young Buffs. Zu-zu.

chief object was to diffuse republican a novice, an inexperienced youth,

principles (Brewer). and (nautical) a raw hand in modern ;

Young Buffs (The). The first naval usage, a junior officer. Hence
battalion East Surrey Regiment, late to make a younker of one, to gift
the 3 1 st Foot, f At Dettingen, George cheat, deceive (for an innocejH
II., through the similarity of the (1502).
facings, mistook it for the 3rd Foot Young Thing. An immature am
or (Old) Buffs.] in mild contempt or pity e.g. She's :

Young Eyes (The). The Seventh but a young thing (1360).

(The Queen's Own) Hussars. Your Nibs. See Nibs and Wat**.
Young Hopeful. A half jocular, Yours Truly. A jocular mode f
half affectionate address. reference to oneself : cf. Nibs aid
Young Man. A sweetheart, lover Watch,
(1585). You-'uns. You
cf. Wee-'uns. :

Youngster (Younker, Younker - Yoxter. A

convict returned from
kin, etc). 1. A lad, a young person :
transportation before his time wa-
always more or less familiar, con- up.
temptuous, or colloquial. Also, 2. Yum-yum. First-rate, excellent

Zany. (1) Orig. a buffoon's foil: pronounced as Z. Also Izzardlind,

his office consisted in making awkward and (literary) the Unnecessana r,
and ludicrous attempts to mimic the Western folk.
professional jester or clown. Hence (2) Zemmies-haw. An exclamttioaof
a mimic and (3) an attendant. As
; surprise.
verb, to play the fool, to mimic, to Z i ft A young thief : pee
dance attendance (B. E.) ; whence also Thief.
such derivatives as Zanyism : cf. Zoo. The Zoological Cantos.
Sawney (1567). London : cf. Pops, Hops, etc.
Zebra. A prison dress : because Zoty. A fool.

striped. Zu-zu. In pi., the Zouave contin-

Zedland. The western counties of gent in the Union Army during the
England where, dialeeticaUy, S is
: Civil War, 1860-65.

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