AND ITS
SLANG
ANALOGUES
PAST AND PRESENT.
A DICTIONARY, HISTORICAL AND COMPARATIVE, OF THE
HETERODOX SPEECH OF ALL CLASSES OF SOCIETY
FOR MORE THAN THREE HUNDRED YEARS.
WITH SYNONYMS IN ENGLISH, FRENCH, GERMAN,
ITALIAN, ETC.
COMPILED AND EDITED BY
JOHN S. FARMER and W. E. HENLEY.
VOL. III.— Fla. TO Hyps,
PRINTED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY,
MDCCCXCIII.
9E
v/.2>
LABBERGAST,
verb, (colloquial).
To astound; to
stagger, either
physically or men-
tally. [O. E.,
FLAB = to frighten
4- CAST = to scare. ] Fr. , abalober;
baba (from ebahi = astounded) ;
epater (= flatten out). Sp., que~
darse de, or hecho, una pieza
( = ' knocked all of a heap ')•
See FLOORED.
1772. Annual Register, ' On New
Words.' Now we are FLABBERGASTED
and bored from morning to night.
1823. BEE, Diet, of the Turf, etc.,
p. 79. His colleagues were FLABBER-
GASTED when they heard of Castlereagh's
sudden death.
1837. BARHAM, Ingoldsby Legends
<' Brothers of Birchington'). He was quite
FLABBERGASTED to see the amount.
1841, Punch, vol. I., p. 261. We
rather just imagine they will be not a
little puzzled and FLABBERGASTED to
discover the meaning or wit of some of
those elegant phrases.
1864. Derby Day^ rx 67. You're sort
of FLABBERGASTED. It's taken all the
wind out of you like, and you feel like an
old screw a blowing up Highgate Hill.
1889. Licensed Victuallers' Gazette*
18 Jan. Poor Clarke was completely
FLABBERGASTED.
1891. National Observer, i Aug. In
no other sport is the laudator temporis
acttso completely FLABBERGASTED as here.
FLABBERDEGAZ, subs, (theatrical).
Words interpolated to dissemble
a lapse of memory; GAG (q.v.).
Also, imperfect utterance or bad
acting,
FLAG, subs. (old). — I. A groat, or
fourpenny piece. Also FLAGG,
and FLAGGE. For synonyms,
see JOEY.
1567. HARMAN, Caveat (1814), p. 65.
Roge. But a FLAGGE, a wyn, and a make.
(But a groat, a penny, and a half-penny.)
1610. ROWLANDS, Martin Mark-all,
p. 38 (H. Club's Kept. 1874) s.v.
1 7 14. Memoirs of John Hail ( 4th ed. ),
p. 12, S.V.
1725. JONATHAN Wn.r, Canting
Diet., s.v.
1851-61. H. MAVHEW, Land. Lab.
«.nd Lend. Poor, vol. I., p. 269. A
i
Flag.
Flag-flasher.
tremendous black doll bought for a FLAG
(fourpence) of a retired rag-merchant.
2. (common). — An apron ;
hence a badge of office or trade ;
cf.t FLAG-FLASHER. Equivalents
are BELLY-CHEAT and FIG-LEAF.
1851-61. H. MAYHEW, Land. Lab.
and Land. Poor, vol. I., p. 232 (List of
patterer's words), s.v.
1872, Dundee Advertiser, 20 April?
1 Report of Meeting of Domestic Servants.
It was contended that they were com-
pelled to wear what was generally known
as a FLAG.
1887. W. E. HENLEY, Dillon's
Straight Tip. Suppose you try a different
tack, And on the square you flash your
FLAG.
3. (obsolete). — A jade.
1539. DAVID LYNDSAY, Thrie
Estaitis. Works [Ed. Laing, 1879], ii. 109.
Ane fistand FLAG.
4. (common). — The menstrual
cloth. Variants are bandage ;
clout ; danger-signal ; diaper ;
double clout (Durfey) ; gentle-
man's pleasure garden padlock ;
periodicity rag ; the red rag ;
sanitary towel ; window-curtain.
THE FLAG (or DANGER-SIG-
NAL) is UP="The Captain's at
home"(GROSE),*.£., the menstrual
flux is on.
ENGLISH SYNONYMS. — To
have domestic afflictions, or the
D.A.'s; to have the FLOWERS
(q.v. ) ; to have one's grandmother,
or little friend, or auntie, with one ;
to have them (or it) on ; to be in
a state of ' no thoroughfare ' ; to
have the red rag on ; to be road-
making ; to have the street up for
repairs ; to be at Number One,
London'; to have 'the gate locked
and the key lost.'
FRENCH SYNONYMS. — Avoir
ses cardinales (literally, to have
one's reds) ; avoir les histoires ;
avoir les affaires (common) ; avoir
ses anglais (in allusion to the scar-
let of English soldiers) ; broyer
des tomates ( = tomato - crushing);
avoir son marquis (COTGRAVE) ;
avoir lesfleurs rouges ; avoir sa
chemise tachee (COTGRAVE) ; voir
Sophie ; avoir les ordinaires.
ITALIAN SYNONYMS. — Mar-
chese (FLORio), marchesano ( =
menses. Michel says, Art. marque
= a month, a woman. "Ilnesaurait
etre douteux que ce nom ne soit
venu a cette division de 1'annee,
de rinfirmite periodique qu'ont
les marques, ou femmes, lors que
la Lune, pour tenir sa diette et
vaquer a ses purifications men-
struelles, fait marquer les logis
feminins par son fourrier, lequel
pour escusson n'a que son im-
pression rouge ").
To FLY THE FLAG, verb. phr.
(tailors'). — To post a notice that
'hands' are wanted. See also
FLY THE FLAG, post.
FLAG OF DEFIANCE, subs. phr.
(old nautical). — A drunken roy-
sterer. For synonyms, see ELBOW-
CROOKER.
To HANG OUT THE FLAG OF
DEFIANCE (or BLOODY FLAG), verb,
phr. — To be continuously drunk.
[An allusion to the ' crimson face'
(COTGRAVE] and the pugnacity
of certain terms of inebriety.]
For synonyms, see RINKS.
1690. B. E. , New Diet, of the Canting
Crew, s.v. THE FLAG OF DEFIANCE is
OUT (among the Tarrs) the Fellow's Face
is very Red, and he is Drunk.
1785. GROSE, Diet. Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
FLAG- FLASHER, subs, (common). —
One sporting a badge or other
ensign of office (cap, apron, uni-
Flag-about.
Flam,
form, etc.) when off duty, — Cf,t
FLAG, sense 2,
FLAG-ABOUT, subs. (old). — A strum-
pet. [From FLAG, a paving-
stone]. For synonyms, see
BARRACK-HACK and TART.
FLAG* FLYING, — See FLAG,
FLAG OF DISTRESS, subs, phr,
(common). — i, A card announc-
ing 'lodgings,' or 'board and
lodgings.' Hence, any overt sign
of poverty.
2. (common). — A flying shirt-
tail; in America, a LETTER IN
THE POST-OFFICE (q.V,),
FLAGGER, suts. (common). — A
street - walker. For synonyms,
see BARRACK-HACK and TART,
1865. Daily Paper, « Police Report.1
She wasn't a low sort at all — she wasn't a
FLAGGER, as we call it. So I replies, ' I
am well, thankee ; and am happy to say I
feel as such.'
FLAGS, subs, (common), — Linen
drying and flying in the wind,
For synonyms, see SNOW,
FLAG UNFURLED, subs, phr. (rhym-
ing).— A man of the world.
FLAG-WAGGING, subs, (military).—
Flag-signal drill.
FLAM , subs, (colloquial). — Non-
sense (for synonyms, see GAMMON);
humbug ; flattery ; or, a lie : as
A REGULAR FLAM (for Syno-
nyms, see WHOPPER). Cf. FLIM-
FLAM.
1688. FLORIQ,^ WorUe ofWordes,
[C/., FLIM-FLAM.]
1647. BEAUMONT and FLETCHER,
Humourous Lieutenant, iv., i. With
some new FLAM or other, nothing to
the matter.
1664. BUTLER, Hudibras, pt. II,,
ch. iii., p, 29. A FLAM more senseless
than the roguery of old aruspicey and
aug'ry.
1742-4. ROGER NORTH, Lives of the
Norths, ch. i., p. 368. They must have
known his Lordship better and not have
ventured such FLAMS at him.
1760. FOOTE, Minor, Act II, Had
the FLAM been fact, your behaviour was
natural enough.
1762, FOOTE, Liar, bk. II., ch. ii.
Can't you discern that this FLAM of Sir
James Elliot's is a mere fetch to favour his
retreat ?
1830. SIR E. B, LYTTON, Paul
Clifford, p. 298 (ed. 1854). Harry ....
told you as ow it was all a FLAM about
the child in the bundle !
1837. BARHAM, Ingoldsby Legends
(ed, 1862), p. 325. No trick nor FLAM,
but your real Schiedam.
1849. C. KINGSLEY, Alton Locke,
ch. ii. And their pockets full they crams
by their patriotic FLAMS, And then swear
'tis for the good of the nation,
1850. D. JERROLD, The Catspaw,
Act II, Though the story of that scoundrel
Coolcaid, Augustus Coolcard — and I was
never before deceived — never— is a FLAM —
all a FLAM.
1870. Leadon Figaro^ 22 Sept. Is
not your boasted power a FLAM ?
1887. W. E. HENLEY, Villon's Good
Night. You flymy titters fond of FLAM.
2. (old), — A single stroke on
the drum. --[GROSE, 1785.]
Adj, (old).— False,
1692. SPRAT, Relation of Young's
Contrivance (HarL Misc. yi, 224). To
am«se him the more in his search, she
addeth a FLAM story that she had got his
hand by corrupting one of the letter-carriers
in London.
Verb (colloquial).— i. To take
in ; to flatter ; to lie ; to foist or
fob off, FLAMMING = lying.
Flambustious.
Flanders Pieces.
1658. ROWLEY AND FORD, &c.,
Witch of Edm., ii., 2. Was this your
cunning ? and then FLAM me off with an
old witch, two wives, and Winnifride.
1688. SHADWELL, So. ofAlsatia, II.
in wks. (1720) iv. 41. Does he think to
FLAM me with a lye ?
1830. S. WARREN, Diary of a Late
Physician, ch. V. But I'll show him
whether or not I, for one of them, am to
be jeered and FLAMMED with impunity.
1835. MARRYAT, Jacob Faithful,
ch. xxviii. HoW she did FLAM that poor
old Domine.
(American University). — To
affect, or prefer, female society ;
to GROUSE (q.v.). [A corrup-
tion of FLAME (q.v.)}. See
MOLROWlNG.
^'. (American). —
Showy ; gaudy ; pleasant.
1868. Putnam's Magazine. We will
have i FLAMBUSTIOUS time. [Cf., SHAKS-
PEARE (1608), Antony and Cleopatra, iii.,
iii Let's have one other GAUDY night.]
FLAM DOODLE, subs. (American). —
Nonsense ; vain boasting.
Probably a variant of FLAP-
DOODLE (q.v.).
1888. New York Sun. We wasn't
gcin' to have any high falutin' FLAM-
DOODLE business over him.
FLAME, subs, (colloquial). — i.
A sweetheart ; a mistress in keep-
ing. OLD FLAME = an old lover;
a cast-off mistress. Also (2) a
venereal disease.
b. 1664. d. 1721. MATHEW PRIOR [in
Palgraye's "Golden Treasury of Songs and
Lyrics," ed. 1885]. Euphelia serves to grace
my measure, but Chloe is my real FLAME.
1757. FOOTE, Author, Act I. Let's
see, Mr. and Mrs. Cadwallader, and your
FLAME, the sister, as I live.
1846-8. THACIS-ERAY, Vanity Fair, ch.
xiv. On this Rebecca instantly stated
that Amelia was engaged to be married to
a Lieutenant Osborne, a very old FLAME.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum, or
Rogue's Lexicon, s.v-.
FLAM ER, subs, (colloquial). — A man,
woman, thing, or incident above
the common. [Literally con-
spicuous to flaming point, i.e., as
a light in the dark]. For syn-
onyms, see STUNNER.
1840. H. COCKTON, Valentine Vox,
ch. ii. Concocting a criticism on the
evening's performance, which certainly
was, according to the signer's own ac-
knowledgment, a regular FLAMER.
FLAMES, subs, (old).— A red-haired
person. Cf., CARROTS and
GINGER.
1823. JON BEE, Diet, of the Turf,
etc., p. 79. Who should I fling my pre-
cious ogles upon but FLAMES —she as lived
at the ' Blue Posts.'
FLAMING, ppl. adj. (colloquial).—
Conspicuous; ardent; STUNNING
(q.v.). For synonyms, see A 1
and FIZ2ING.
1738. SWIFT, Polite Conv., Dialogue
II. Lord Sparkish. My Lady Smart,
your ladyship has a very fine scarf. Lady
Smart. Yes, my lord, it will make a
FLAMING figure in a country church.
1776. RUBRICK, The Spleen, ii. I'l
send a FLAMING paragraph of thei
wedding to all the newspapers.
1872. BESANT and RICE. Ready
Money Mortiboy, ch. xxx. He called one
of the children, and sent her for a bill. She
presently returned with a FLAMING poster.
FLANDERKIN, subs, (old), — .&?* quot.
1690. B; E,, New Diet, of the Cant-
ting Crew, s.v. A very large fat man or
horse ; also natives of that country.
FLANDERS FORTUNES, subs. phr.
(old). — Of small substance. —
B. E. , New Diet, of the Canting
Crew (1690)^
FLANDERS PIECES, sufis. phr. (old).
— See quot.
1690. B. E. , New Diet, of the Canting
Crew. FLANDERS PIECES, pictures that
look fair at a distance, but coarser near at
hand.
Flank.
Flapdoodle.
FLANK, verb (common). — i. To
crack a whip ; also, to hit a
mark with the lash of one.
1830. SIR E. B. LYTTON, Paul Clif-
ford(t&. 1854), p. 18. He then, taking up
a driving whip, FLANKED a fly from the
opposite wall.
1833. ' An Anglo - sapphic Ode '
(WHIBLEY, Cap and Gown, p. 136).
Kicks up a row, gets drunk, or FLANKS
a tandem whip out of window.
2. (colloquial). — To deliver —
a blow or a retort ; to push ; to
hustle ; to quoit (Shakspeare).
¥i.,Jlanquer : as \njtanguer & la
porie, and Je lui ai fianque un
fameux coup de pied au cut I
A PLATE OF THIN FLANK,
subs.phr. (common). -A 'sixpenny
cut' off the joint. See N. Twill
in Fancy Too Late for Dinner.
To FLANK THE WHOLE BOTTLE,
verb. phr. (American soldiers'). —
To dodge, i.e., to OUTFLANK,
to achieve by strategy. For
synonyms, see STICK.
1871. DE VERB, Americanisms, p.
286. When the men wished to escape the
attention of pickets and guards by slipping
past them, they said they FLANKED them ;
drill, and detail, and every irksome duty
was FLANKED, when it could be avoided by
some cunning trick. Soon, however,
honesty itself was thus treated, and the
poor farmer was FLANKED out of his pig
and his poultry, and not infrequently even
the comrade out of his pipe and tobacco,
if not his rations. The height of strategy
was employed in these various_/?aȣ man-
auvres, when the Commissary could be
made to surrender some of his whiskey,
and thus it came about, in the South at
least, that to FLANK THE WHOLE BOTTLE
was a phrase expressive of superlative cun-
ning and brilliant success.
FLANKER, subs, (common). — A
blow; a retort; a kick. €/.,
FLANK, sense i.
FLAN KEY, subs, (common). — The
posteriors. For synonyms, see
BLIND CHEEKS and MONOCULAR
EYEGLASS.
1848. DUNCOMBE, Sinks of London,
s.v.
FLANNEL. See HOT FLANNEL.
FLANNELS. To GET ONE'S FLAN-
NELS, verb. phr. (schools'). — To
get a place in the school football
or cricket teams, or in the boats.
Cf.y 'to get one's colours,' or
'one's blue.'
FLAP, subs, (thieves '). — i. Sheet-lead
used for roofing. Fr., doussin ;
noir. C/., BLUEY.
2. (old).— A blow.
1539. DAVID LYNDSAY, Thrie
Estaitis. Works [Laing, 1879], ii. 73.
And to begin the play, tak thairane FLAP.
Verb (thieves').— I, To rob ; to
swindle. For synonyms, see
PRIG and STICK.
2. (common). — To pay ; ' to
fork out.' Cf.t FLAP THE
DIMMOCK.
3. (venery). — To possess a
woman. For synonyms, see
GREENS and RIDE.
To FLAP A JAY, verb. phr.
(thieves').— To swindle a green-
horn ; to SELL A PUP (q.v.).
1885. Daily Telegraph, Aug. i8th,
p. 3., col. i. Jle and three others of the
' division ' had ' cut up ' £70 between them,
obtained by FLAPPING A JAY, which,
rendered into intelligible English, means
plundering a simple-minded person.
To FLAP THE DIMMOCK, verb
phr. (common). — To pay. [From
FLAP, a verb of motion + DIM-
MOCK = money]. Cf.t FLAP.
FLAPDOODLE, subs, (colloquial). —
i. Transparent nonsense; "kid."
Flapdoodler.
Flap-sauce.
Also FLAMDOODLE and FLAM-
SAUCE, or FLAP-SAUCE. For
synonyms, see GAMMON.
1833. MARRYAT, Peter Simple,
ch. xxviii. ' It's my opinion, Peter, that
the gentleman has eaten no small quantity
of FLAPDOODLE in his lifetime.' ' What's
that, O'Brien,' replied I. ' Why, Peter,
it's the stuff they feed fools on.'
1861. HUGHES, Tom Brown at Oxford.
I shall talk to our regimental doctors
about it, and get put through a course of
fools' diet — FLAPDOODLE they call it, what
fools are fed on.
1884. S. L. CLEMENS ('Mark
Twain'), Hwck. Finn, xxv., 247.
A speech, all full of tears and FLAP-
DOODLE about its being a sore trial for him
and his poor brother to lose the diseased
[deceased].
2. (venery). — The penis.
(Urquhart). For synonyms, see
CREAMSTICK and PRICK.
To TALK FLAPDOODLE, verb.
phr. (American). — To brag; to
talk nonsense.
1888. Daily Inter-Ocean, Mar. 2.
Possibly rich men will turn from sharp
dealing, from debauchery, from FLAP-
DOODLE fashion to a common-sense recog-
nition of a situation, which clearly shows
that wealth is no longer what it used to be
— autocratic, absolute, the ruler of all else.
FLAPDOODLER, subs. (American).
— A braggart agitator ; one that
MAKES THE EAGLE SQUEAL,
FLAP-DRAGON, subs. (old). — The
pox or CLAP (q.v.). For syno-
nyms, see LADIES' FEVER.
1690. B. E. , New Diet, of the Canting
Crew, s.v. FLAPDRAGON, a clap or pox.
Verb. (old). — To gulp down
hastily, as in the game of flap-
dragon.
1604. SHAKSPEARE, Winter's Tale,
Act III., Sc. 3. But, to make an end of
the ship : to see how the sea FLAP-
DRAGONED it !
FLAPMAN, subs, (prison). — A
convict promoted for good
behaviour to first or second class.
FLAPPER, subs, (common). — I.
The hand; also FLAPPER-
SHAKER. For synonyms, see
DADDLE and MAULEY.
1833. MARRYAT, Peter Simple, ch.
vii. My Dear Mr. Simple, extend your
FLAPPER to me for I'm delighted to see
you.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum or
Rogues' Lexicon, s.v.
1866. London Miscellany, May 19,
p. 235. 'There's my FLAPPER on the
strength of it.' Guy shook hands with the
eccentric stranger heartily.
2. (common). — A little girl.
[Also a fledgeling wild duck.]
3. (venery). — A very young
prostitute ; cf.t sense 2.
4. (common). — A dustman's
or coal-heaver's hat ; a FANTAIL
5- (in. pi.). — Very long -
pointed shoes worn by ' nigger '
minstrels.
6. (venery). — The penis. (For
synonyms, see CREAMSTICK and
PRICK).
7. (colloquial). — A parasite ;
a remembrancer. (Cf. SWIFT,
Gulliver, ' Laputa.')
FLAPPER- SHAKING, subs.
(common). — Hand -shaking.
1853. BRADLEY ('Cuthbert Bede'X
Verdant Green, pt. II., ch. iv. Wonder-
ing whether ... if the joining palms in a
circus was the customary FLAPPER-
SHAKING before 'toeing the scratch' for
business.
FLAP-SAUCE. See FLAPDOODLE.
Flare.
Flare-up.
FLARE, subs, (nautical). — I. Prima-
rily a stylish craft ; hence, by
implication, anything out of the
common. For synonyms, see
STUNNER.
2. (colloquial). — A row ; a
dispute; a 'drunk'; or spree.
Cf., FLARE-UP.
Verb, (thieves'). — I. Specifi-
cally to whisk out ; hence, to
steal actively, lightly, or
delicately.
1850. Lloyds Weekly, 3 Feb. Low
Lodging Houses of London. B. tried
his pocket saying, 'I'll show you how to
do a hankerchief ' ; but the baker looked
round and B. stopped ; and just after that
I FLARED it (whisked the handerchief out) ;
and that's the first I did.'
1851-61. MAYHEW, Land. Lab, and
Lend. Poor, I., 457. Just after that I
FLARED it (a handerchief).
2. (common). — To swagger ;
to go with a bounce.
1841. LEMAN REDE, Sixteen-String
Jack, ii., 3. Crissy Odsbuds, I'll on with
my duds, And over the water we'll FLARE.)
ALL OF A FLARE, adv. phr.
(thieves'). — Bunglingly.
1839. BRANDON, Poverty, Mendicity,
and Crime, p. 113. Some of the girls at
Milberry's pick pockets at night : while one
talks to the man, the other robs him ; but
they are not dextrous, they pull it out ALL
OF A FLARE.
FLARING, adj. and adv. (collo-
quial). — Excessive : e.g., a
FLARING lie; FLARING drunk;
a FLARING whore ; see FLAMING.
FLAK E- UP (or -Our), suds. (popular).
An orgie ; a fight ; an outburst
of temper. Also a spree.
1838. HALIBURTON, Clockmaker, 2
Ser. ch. x. Some of our young citizens .
. . got into a FLARE-UP with a party of
boatmen that lives in the Mississippi ; a
desperate row it was too.
1847. Punch, vol. XIII., p. 148,
Address at the Opening of a Casino. In
for FLARE-UP and frolic let us go, And polk
it on the fast fantastic toe.
1851. MAYHEW, Land. Lab. and
Lond. Poor, I., p. 160. These (hot eel)
dealers generally trade on their own
capital ; but when some have been having
a FLARE-UP, and have 'broke down for
stock ' to use the words of my informant,
they borrow ;£i and pay it back in a week
or a fortnight.
1879. JUSTIN M'CARTHY, Donna.
Quixote, ch. xvii. Paulina had a hard
struggle many a time to keep down her
temper, and not to have what she would
have called a FLARE-OUT.
ENGLISH SYNONYMS. — Barney;
batter; bean-feast ; beano ; break-
down ; burst ; booze (specifically
a drinking-bout); caper; devil's
delight ; dust ; fanteague ; fight ;
flare ; flats-yad (back slang) ;
fly ; gig ; hay-bag ; hell's delight ;
high jinks; hooping up; hop ;
jagg » jamboree ; jump ; jun-
ketting ; lark ; drive ; randan ;
on the tiles ; on the fly ; painting
the town (American); rampage;
razzle-dazzle ; reeraw ; ructions ;
shake ; shine ; spree ; sky- wan-
nocking ; tear ; tear up ; toot.
FRENCH SYNONYMS. — La
nocerie (popular : une noce a tout
casser ; or, une noce de b&tons de
chaise — a grand jollification) ;
faire des crapes ( = to have a rare
spree) ; badouilter (popular : es-
pecially applied to drinking bouts).
ITALIAN SYNONYM. — Far
festa alle campane.
SPANISH SYNONYMS. — Trapi-
sonda (a drunken revel) ; holgueta.
Verb (common). — To fly into
a passion.
1849. MAHONEY, ReL Father Prout,
I., 319. 'Vert- Vert, the Parrot.' Forth
like a Congreave rocket burst, And
storm'd and swore, FLARED UP, and
curs'd.
Flash.
Flash.
1855. THACKERAY, Newcomes, ch. xii.
He was in the ' Cave of Harmony,' he says,
that night you FLARED UP about Captain
Costigan.
1871. Daily Telegraph, 8 June,
4 Paris in Convalescence.' On this he
FLARED UP like a Commune conflagration,
and cried out; ' Shame, in the name of
religion, art, and history ! '
FLASH, subs. (old). — i. The vulgar
tongue ; the lingo of thieves and
their associates. To PATTER
FLASH = to talk in thieves' lingo.
[The derivation of FLASH, like
that of French argot, is entirely
speculative. It has, however,
been generally referred to a dis-
trict called FLASH (the primary
signification as a place name is
not clear), between Buxton Leek
and Macclesfield : there lived
many chapmen who, says Dr.
Aiken ("Description of Country
round Manchester"}, 'were known
as FLASH-MEN . . . using a sort
of slang or cant dialect.']
1718. HITCHIN. The Regulator of
Thieves, etc., with Account of FLASH
words, etc. (Title).
1781. G. PARKER, View of Society,
II., 69. Jigger, being cant or FLASH
(or door.
1819. MOORE, Tom Crib's Memorial,
p. 25. With respect to that peculiar
language called FLASH, or St. Jiles'
Greek, etc.
1830. SIR E. B. LYTTON, Paul
Clifford, ch. viii. Here a tall gentleman
marched up to him, and addressed him in
a certain language, which might be called
the freemasonry of FLASH.
1839. HARRISON AINSWORTH, Jack
Sheppard (1889), p, 12, ' What does he
say ? ' roared the long drover. ' He says
he don't understand FLASH,' replied the
lady in gentleman's attire,
1843-4. HOOD, Miss Kilmansegg.
His cheeks no longer drew the cash.
Because,as his comrades explain'd in FLASH,
He had overdrawn his badger.
1827. MAGINN, Vidocq's Song.
Pattered in FLASH like a covey knowing.
1864. Athenceum, 29 Oct. The
northern village of ill-repute, and bearing
that name (FLASH) gave to felonious high-
flying the term FLASH.
1884. HAWLEY SMART, From Post to
Finish, p. 278. Why, when the late Lord
Lytton wrote Pelham it was brought
against him that ' his knowledge of FLASH
was evidently purely superficial.' FLASH,
my sister, is merely recondite slang or
thieves' argot.
ENGLISH ANALOGUES. — Back
Slang or Kacab-Genals (the main
principle consists in roughly pro-
nouncing the word backwards, as
erifior jire, dab for bad, etc. : the
practice exists in most languages) ;
CANT (q.v.}', Centre Slang (the
central vowel is made the initial
letter, vowels and consonants being
added at pleasure) ; Gammy(North
country : mainly composed of
Gypsy words) ; Gibberish (formed
by inserting a consonant between
each syllable of a word, the result
beinsj the F, G, H, M or S gib-
berish, according to the letter
used : thus, " goming mout tom-
daym," or " gosings outs tos-
days ? " = going out to-day ?) ;
jargon ; the Green Lingo
(French thieves') ; Marrowskyirg
or Hospital Greek (manufactured
by transferring the initial letters
of words ; plenty of rain thus
becomes renty of plain : the
'Gower St. dialect' of Albert
Smith, Mr. Ledbury) ; Ped-
lar's French (old cant : FLORIO,
1598 ; COTGRAVE, 1612) ;
RHYMING SLANG (q.v.) SLANG
(q.v.)', St, Giles' Greek (last
century for Slang as distinguished
from Cant) ; Thieves' Latin; the
Vulgar Tongue ; YOB-GAB (q.v. ) ;
NOTIONS (q.v.) ; ZIPH (q.v.).
FRENCH AND OTHER ANA-
LOGUES.— Argot or arguche ; la
langue verte (properly gamesters') ;
le lan.gagt soudardant (soldiers'
Flash.
Flash.
lingo); lejars; le jargon jobelin;
(CoTGRAVE, Didionarie^ 1611.
Jargon = ' Gibridge, fustian lan-
guage, Pedlar's French, a bar-
barous jangling ') ; le langage de
Vartis ; langage en lent (formed
by prefixing " 1 " and add-
ing the syllable "em," pre-
ceded by the first letter of the
word); thus "mam" becomes
" lainmem." A similar mode of
dealing with words of more than
one syllable is to replace the first
consonant by the letter "1," the
word being followed by its first
syllable preceded by "du"; thus,
" jaquette" becomes " laquette du
jaq" or if " m " be used as a key-
letter, " maquette du jaq" etc. ;
le javanais — here the syllable
" av " is interpolated ; e.g., "jave
favai vavujaveudavi" = (je Fai
vu jeudi). GERMAN. — Roth-
ivalsch (from Roter = beggar or
vagabond + walsch = foreign) ;
Gaunersprache ( = thieves' lingo).
ITALIAN. — Lingua gerga (abbre-
viated into gerga; (FLORio, 1598
(g erg° — Pedlar's French, fustian,
or roguish language, gibbrish ') ;
lingua franca (Levantine : the
source of some English slang);
lingua furbesca. DUTCH. — Bar-
goens. SPANISH. — Germama(the
Gypsies were supposed to have
come from Germany) ; jeriganza.
PORTUGUESE. — Calao (Zincali or
Calo = Gypsy).
2. Hence, at one period, es-
pecially during the Regency days,
the idiom of the man about town,
of Tom and Jerry dom.
1819. MOORE, Tom Crib's Memorial,
p. xxix. To the cultivation in our times,
of the Science of Pugilism, the FLASH
language is indebted for a considerable
addition to its treasures.
1823. JON BEE, Diet, of the Turf,
etc, They were invariably thieves and
gamblers who used FLASH formerly ; but
other kinds of persons, now-a-day, who
may be rippishly inclined, adopt similar
terms and phrases, to evince their uppish-
ness in the affairs of life. These gentle-
men also consider all terms of art and of
science as FLASH ; .... of course, those
words and sayings which are approp: iate to
the turf, the ring, and field sports, are
equally considered as FLASH by them, and
the word has been applied (too generally we
allow), to all this species of quid fro quo
lingo.
3. (old). — See quot. and cf.,
with a Shaksperian gloss of
FLASH = a burst of wit or
merriment.
1748. T. DYCHE, Diet, (sth ed.),
FLASH (s.), also a boast, brag, or great
pretence made by a spendthrift, quack, or
pretender to more art or knowledge than
he really has.
4. (old). — A showy swindler.
(e.g., the Sir Petronel Flash of
quot. ) ; a blustering vulgarian.
1605. MARSTON, JONSON, and
CHAPMAN, Eastward Hoe ! iv. i. 'Sir
Petronel Flash, I am sorry to see such
FLASHES come from a gentleman of your
quality.
1632. SHIRLE.Y. Love in a Maze, i.,
2. The town is full of these vain-
glorious FLASHES.
5. (old).— A peruke or perriwig,
1690. B. E., New Diet, of the
Canting Crew, s.v.
1785. GR.OSE, Diet, of the Vulgar
Tongue. Rum FLASH, a fine long wig.
Queer FLASH, a miserable weather-beaten
caxon.
6. (common). — A portion ; a
drink ; or GO (q.v.). Cf., FLASH
OF LIGHTNING, sense i.
Adj. (common). — i. Relating
to thieves, their habits, customs,
devices, lingo, etc.
1782. GEO. PARKER, Humorous
Sketches, p. 34. No more like a kiddy
he'll roll the FLASH song.
Flash.
10
Flash.
1830. LYTTON, Paul Clifford, 'Long
Neds Song.' And rarely have the gentry
FLASH, In sprucer clothes been seen.
1837. DICKENS, Oliver Twist, ch.
viii. I suppose you don't know what a
beak is, my FLASH com-pan-i-on.
1852. SNOWDON, Mag: Assistant1
3rd ed., p. 448. I have seen Cheeks (a
FLASH name for an accomplice).
1863. C. READE, Hard Cash, II.,
244. He used some FLASH words, and
they were shown into a public room.
1864. Comhill Magazine ', ii., 336.
In the following verse, taken from a pet
FLASH song, you have a comic specimen
of this sort of guilty chivalry.
2. (thieves'). — Knowing ; ex?
pert ; showy. Cf. , DOWN, FLY,
WIDE - AWAKE, etc. Hence
(popularly), by a simple transi-
tion, vulgarly counterfeit,
showily shoddy : possibly the
best understood meanings of the
word in latter-day English. To
PUT ONE FLASH TO ANYTHING =
to put him on his guard; to
inform.
1819. MOORE. Tom Crib's Memorial,
p. 19. Another philosopher, Seneca, has
shown himself equally FLASH on the sub-
ject.
1835. DICKENS, Sketches by Boz,
p. 17. Laying aside the knowing look,
and FLASH air, with which he had repeated
the previous anecdote.
1836. MARRY AT, Japhet, etc., ch.
Ivii. He considered me as ... a FLASH
pickpocket rusticating until some hue and
cry was over.
1839. W. H. AINSWORTH, Jack Shep-
pard, p. 138 (ed. 1840). ' Awake ! to be
sure I am, my FLASH cove,' replied Shep-
pard.
1865. M. E. BRADDON, Henry Dun-
bar, ch. v. He . . . took out the little
packet of bank-notes. ' I suppose you can
understand these,' he said. The languid
youth . . . looked dubiously at his cus-
tomer. ' I can understand as they might
be FLASH uns,' he remarked, significantly.
1888. C. D. WARNER, Their Pilgrim-
age, p. 157. The FLASH riders or horse-
breakers, always called ' broncho busters,'
can perform really marvellous feats.
3. (originally thieves', now
general). — Vulgar, or black-
guardly ; showy ; applied to one
aping his betters. Hence (in
Australia), vain glorious or swag-
gering. The idea conveyed is
always one of vulgarity or showy
blackguardism.
1830. Sir E. B. LYTTON, Paul
Clifford (ed . 1 854), p. 2 1 . A person of great
notoriety among that portion of the elite
which emphatically entitles itself FLASH.
1861. A. TROLLOPE, Framley Par-
sonage, ch. ix. If the dear friendship of
this FLASH Member of Parliament did not
represent that value, what else did do so ?
1880.^ G. R. SIMS, Three Brass Balls,
Pledge x.i. The speaker was one of the
FLASH young gentlemen who haunt
suburban billiard-rooms, who carry chalk
in their pockets, and call the marker
' Jack.'
4. (common), — In a set style.
Also used substantively.
1819. VAUX, Flash Diet., p, 173. s.v.
A person who affects any peculiar habit,
as swearing, dressing in a particular
manner, taking snuff, etc., merely to be
taken notice of is said to do it out of
FLASH.
1828. The English Spy, vol. I.,
p. 189. The man upon that half-starved
nag Is an Ex S ff, a strange wag, Half-
PL ASH and half a clown.
1851. MAYHEW, Lon. Lab. and Lon.
Poor, i., p. 36. They all of them (coster
lads) delight in dressing FLASH as they
call it. ... They try to dress like the
men, with large pockets in their cord
jackets j and plenty of them. Their
trousers, too, must fit tight at the knee,
and their boots they like as good as
possible. A good 'kingsman/ a plush
skull-cap, and a seam down the trousers
are the great points of ambition with the
coster boys.
[Hence, in combination, FLASH-CASE,
CRIB, DRUM, HOUSE, KEN, Or PANNY (see
FLASH - KEN) ; FLASH • COVE (g.v.) \
FLASH-DISPENSARY (American=a board-
ing house), especially a swell brothel ;
FLASH-GENTRY (= the swell mob or
higher class of thieves) ; FLASH-GIRL,
MOLL, -MOLLISHER, "PIECE Or -WOMAN ( = a
showy prostitute); FLASH-JIG (costers'=
a favourite dance); FLASH-KIDDY (=a
dandy) ; FLASH - LINGO, or SONG ( *=
Flash.
ii
Flash-Case.
1 patter," or a song interlarded with cant
words and phrases); FLASH-MAN (q.v.) ;
FLASH-NOTE (= a spurious bank-note) ;
FLASH-RIDER (American, see BRONCHO-
BUSTER) ; FLASH TOGGERY ( = Smart
clothes; FLASH VESSEL (=a gaudy look-
ing, but undisciplined ship)J.
1821. EG AN, Tom and Jerry, [1890,]
p. 58. The rusticity of Jerry was fast
wearing off ... and he bid fair, etc.
. . to chaff with the FLASH MOLLISHERS.
1834. AINSWORTH, Rookiuood, p.
Soon then I mounted in Swell St. High,
And sported my FLASHIEST TOGGERY.
1851-61. MAYHEW, Land. Lab. and
Land. Poor, L, p. 14. The other dances
are jigs— FLASH JIGS— hornpipes in fetters
— a dance rendered popular by the success
of the noted Jack Sheppard.
Verb (common). — I. To show;
to expose.
[Among combinations may be men-
tioned, TO FLASH ONES IVORIES = tO show
one's teeth, to grin (Grose) ; TO FLASH
THE HASH = to vomit (Grose) \ TO FLASH
THE DICKEY = to show the shirt front ; TO
FLASH THE DiBS=to show or spend one's
money; TO FLASH A FAWNEY=IO wear a
ring; TO FLASH ONE'S GAB=IO talk, to
swagger, to brag ; TO FLASH THE BUBS=
to expose the paps ; TO FLASH THE
MUZZLE (g.v.) ; TO FLASH ONE'S TICKER
= to air one's watch ; TO FLASH THE
DRAG = to wear women's clothes for
immoral purposes ; TO FLASH THE
WHITE GRlX = see GRIN J TO FLASH IT
(g.v.\ or TO FLASH ONE'S MEAT (cf.,
MEAT-FLASHER) ; TO FLASH A BIT (g.v.) ;
TO FLASH THE FLAG— to sport an a^ron ;
TO FLASH THE WEDGE =to 'fence' the
swag, etc.]
1812. VAUX, Flash Diet. Don't
FLASH YOUR STICKS, don't expose your
pistols.
1819. MOORE, Tom Crib's Memorial,
p. 2. His lordship, as usual, that very
great dab At the flowers of rhet'ric, is
FLASHING HIS GAB.
1823. JON BEE, Diet, of the Turf,
etc. He FLASHED THE BLUNT, made a
show of money to dazzle the spectators.
1825, E. KENT, Modern Flash Diet.
FLASHING HIS IVORY, shew his teeth.
1834. W. H. AINSWORTH, Rookwood,
(ed. 1864), p. 176.
1837. BARHAM, Ingoldsby Legends.
'The Dead Drummer.' When traveling,
don't FLASH YOUR NOTES Or YOUR CASH
Before other people — its foolish and rash.
1887. W. E. HENLEY, Villon's Good-
Night. Likewise you molls that FLASH
YOUR BUBS, For swells to spot and stand
you sam.
1887. W. E. HENLEY, Straight Tip.
Go crying croaks, or FLASH THE DRAG.
To FLASH A BIT, verbal phr.
(venery). — To show up ; to permit
examination; 'TO SPREAD' \q.v.} ;
to behave indecently. Said of
women only.
TO FLASH IT* or TO FLASH
ONE'S MEAT. — To expose the
person. [Hence MEAT-FLASHER]
(q.v*}. Said usually of men.
TO FLASH THE MUZZLE (old).
— To produce a pistol.
c. 1823. Ballad (quoted in Don Juan
xi.). On the high toby spice FLASH THE
MUZZLE In spite of each gallows old scout.
TO FLASH IT ABOUT, or TO
CUT A FLASH or DASH, verbal
phr. (common). — To make a
display ; to live conspicuously
and extravagantly.
1877. Five Years' Penal Servitude,
ch. iii., p. 220. He FLASHED IT ABOUT a
good deal for a long time, going from one
place to another. Sometimes he was a
lord, at others an earl.
To GO FLASHING IT, verb. phr.
(venery). — To have sexual inter-
course. For synonyms, see GREEN s
and RIDE.
FLASH-CASE (or -CRIB, -HOUSE,
-DRUM, -KEN, -PANNY, etc).— i.
A house frequented by thieves, as
a tavern, lodging - house, fence
1690. B. E. , New Diet, of the Canting
Crew FLASH-KEN, c., a house where
thieves use, and are connived at.
1785. GROSE, Diet, of the Vulgar
Tongue, s.v.
1821. D. HAGGART, Life, ' Glossary,'
p. 172. FLASH-KAiN,a house for receiving
Flash- Cove.
12
Flash-Man.
stolen goods. [Haggart's spelling, being
that of the respectable Edinburgh lawyer
who took down his 'confessions' is
generally misleading and inaccurate.]
1828. SMEETON, Doings in London,
p, 39. It is a game in very great vogue
among the macers, who congregate nightly
at the FLASH-HOUSES.
1830. LYTTONJ Paul Clifford, p. 50
(ed. 1854). There is one Peggy Lobkins
who keeps a public house, a sort of FLASH-
KEN called ' The Mug ' in Thames Court.
1839. AINSWORTH, Jack Sheppard
(ed. 1840), p. 271. I've been to all the
FLASH-CASES in town, and can hear
nothing of him or his wives. . . . Ibid^
p. 135. ' The Black Lion ! ' echoed Terence,
I know the house well ; by the same
token that it's a FLASH-CRIB.'
2. (common). — A brothel; a
haunt of loose women.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum (Flash
song quoted under FLASH-PANNEYS).
Next for his favourite mot the kidcley
looks about, And if she's in a FLASH-
FANNY he swears he'll have her out ; So he
fences all his togs to buy her duds, and
then He frisks his master's lob to take her
from the bawdy ken.
1830. LYTTON, PaulCUJford, ch. xvi.
(ed. 1840). You know how little I frequent
FLASH-HOUSES.
1837. BARHAM, Ingoldsby Legends
(ed. 1862), p. 380. Those troublesome
swells, Who come from the play-houses,
FLASH-KENS, and hells.
1840. MACAULAY, Essays : ' Lord
Clive.' The lowest wretches that the
company's crimps could pick up in the
FLASH-HOUSES of London.
1852. BRISTED, Upt>er Ten Thousand,
p. 34. That is Mary Black who keeps the
greatest FLASH HOUSE in Leonard Street.
FLASH-COVE (also FLASH-COM-
PANION), subs, (common). — A
thief; a sharper; a FENCE (q.v.).
1825. E. KENT, Modern Flash Diet.
FLASH-COVE, the keeper of a place for the
reception of stolen goods.
1839. H. AINSWORTH, Jack Skeppard
(1889), p. 60. — ' Awake ! To be sure I am,
my FLASH-COVB ! ' replied Sheppard.
FLASH-MAN, subs. (old). —
Primarily a man talking FLASH
(see quots., 1823 and 1802); hence,
a rogue, a thief, the landlord of
a FLASH-CASE (q.v.). Also a
FANCY-JOSEPH (for synonyms, see
FANCY - MAN). In America, a
person with no visible means of
support, but living in style and
* snowing up ' well.
1789. GEO. PARKER, Life's Painter,
p. 141. A FLASHMAN is one who lives on
the hackneyed prostitution of an un-
fortunate woman of the town.
1823. MONCRIEFF, Tom and Jerry,
II., i. Soon one is floored upon the ground.
While loud her FLASHMAN cries, ' Arise,
my ladybird, arise ! '
1823. JON BEE, Diet, of the Turf,
etc., p. 80. Derived from his language,
and this again has its appellation ('tis
suggested) i'rom the first FLASH-MEN being
highwaymen, that then generally abounded
(circa 1770). He is the favorite, or pro-
tector of a prostitute, whose FLASH-MAN he
is ; and she is called inversely, his FLASH -
WOMAN.
c. 1833. Broadside Ballad. My
FLASH-MAN has gone to sea.
1849. New South Wales, Past, Present,
and Future, ch. i., p. 14. This man was
known to Mr. Day to be what is termed a
FLASH-MAN ; and, seeing MS own imminent
danger, he instantly spoke to him and
called him a cowardly rascal, and offered
to give him shot for shot, while he was
re-loading,
1859. H. KINGSLEY, Geoffrey
Hamlyn, ch. v. You're playing a dan-
gerous game, my FLASHMAN.
1862. SMILES, Lives of the Engineers,
vol. I., pt. 5, ch. i., p. 307. Those articles
were sold throughout the country by
pedestrian hawkers, most of whom lived iri
the wild country called THE FLASH, fiom
a hamlet of that name situa'ed between
Buxton, Leek, and Macclesfield ....
Travelling about from fair to fair, and
using a cant or slang dialect, they became
generally known as FLASH-MEN, and the
name still survives (to which may be
added : They paid, at first, ready money,
but when they had established a credit,
paid in promissory notes which were
rarely honored.
Flash of Lightning. *3
Flasher.
a. 1873. Lyra Flagitiosa. [Quoted
in HOTTEN.] My FLASH MAN'S in quod,
And I'm the gal that's willin', So I'll
turn out to-night, And earn an honest
shillin'.
FLASH OF LIGHTNING, subs. phr.
(old). — i. A glass of gin ; a diam
of neat spirit. See Go and
DRINKS. Latterly, an ' Ameri-
can drink.' See quot. 1862.
1789. GEO. PARKER, Life's Painter,
p. 164, s.v.
1821. P. EGAN, Tom And Jerry
(ed. 1890,), p. 79. I have not exactly
recovered from the severe effects of the
icpeated FLASHES OF LIGHTNING and
strong claps of thunder, with which I had
to encounter last night.
1823. JON BEE, Diet, of the Turf
(quoted in). But ere they homeward
pik'd it, A FLASH OF LIGHTNING Was
sarv'd round to every one as lik'd it.
1830. LYTTON, Paul Clifford, (ed.
1854), p. 141. The thunders of eloquence
being hushed, FLASHES OF LIGHTNING,
or, as the vulgar say, ' glasses of gin '
gleamed about.
1851-61. MAYHEW, Lond. Lab. and
Land. Poor, i., p. 168. The stimulant of
a FLASH OF LIGHTNING . . . for SO a
dram of neat spirit was then called.
1862. E. MACDERMOTT, Popular
Guide to International Exhibition, 1862,
p. 185. In the vestibule of each refreshment
room there is an American bar, where
visitors may indulge in ... gum-ticklers,
eye-opentrs, FLASHES OF LIGHTNING . . .
and a variety of similar beverages.
2. (nautical). The gold braid
on an officer's cap.
FLASH IN THE PAN, subs. phr.
(venery). — Connection without
emission. Cf. DRY-BOB (q.v.).
Also verbally.
1719. DURFEY. Pills, v., 340. Still
hawking, still baulking, You FLASH IN
THE PAN.
FLASHY, adj., and FLASHILY, or
FLASH LY, adv. (old : now collo-
quial). Empty; showy; tawdry;
insipid.
1637. MILTON, Lycidas, 123. Their
tean and FLASHY songs Grate on their
•crannel pipes of wretched straw.
1693. CONGREVE, Old Batchelor, Act
I., sc. iv. It is oftentimes too late with
some of you young, termagant, FLASHY
sinners.
1719. DURFEY, Pills, etc., ii., 12.
A FLASHY town beau.
1748. T. DYCHE, Dictionary, (sth ed.)
FLASHY (a), vain, bragging, boasting,
foolish, empty ; also anything waterish and
unsavoury.
1755. The World, No. 149. Whose
melodious voices give every syllable (not
of a lean and FLASHY, but of a fat and
plump song) its just emphasis.
1830. LYTTON, Paul Clifford, p. 13,
(ed. 1854). Vy it be ... the gemman
vot payed you so FLASHLY.
18o7. Song in DUCANGE ANGLICUS,
The Vulgar Tongue, p. 42. Your fogle
you must FLASHLY tie.
1863. SPEKE, Journal of the Dis-
covery of the Nile, p. 154. FLASHILY
dressed in coloured cloths and a turban, he
sat down in one of our chairs.
1864. BRADDON, Henry Dunbar,
fch. v. But he evinced rib bad taste in the
selection of a costume. He chose ho
gaudy colours, or FLASHILY cut vestments.
1873. Casselfs Magazine, Jan., p.
246, col. 2. They are rather prone to
dress FLASHILY, and wear, when in full
fig, no end of jewellery.
1874. MORTIMER COLLINSJ Frances,
ch. xvii. That wild set of people Captain
Heath picked up with— members of Parlia-
ment and FLASHY young women — all
driving four horses, I don't know where.
1882. Century Magazine, xxvi., 295.
As stones, they were cheap and FLASHY^
FLASH -TAIL, subs. (Common). — A
prostitute. — See TAIL.
1868. Temple Bar, xxiv., p. 538-9.
Picking-up Moll. ... a FLASHTAIL? a
prostitute who goes about the streets at
nights trying to pick up toffs.
FLASHER, subs. (old). — A high-
flyer ; a fop ; a pretender to wit.
For synonyms, see DANDY. Also
(quct. 2), a BONNET (q.v.).
1779. D'ARBLAY, Diary, etc. (1876).
vol. I., p. 185. They are reckoned the
FLASHERS of the place, yet everybody
laughs at them for their airs, affectations,
and tonish graces and impertinences.
Flashery.
Flat.
1880. Derbyshire Gatherer, p. 128.
Long before this date (circa 1800) the cant
name of FLASHER was applied to the. man
who sat by the table in the gambling-
house to swear how many times he had
seen lucky gamesters break the bank.
FLASH ERY, subs. (old). — Inferior,
or vulgar, elegance, dash, dis-
tinction, display.
FLASH-YAD, subs, (back-slang). — A
day's enjoyment. For synonyms,
see FLARE-UP.
FLASHY BLADE or SPARK, subs.
phr. (old). — A DANDY (q.v. ) ; now
a cheap and noisy swell, whether
male or female j C/i, FLASHER.
1719. DURFEY, Pill?, etc., vi,, 104.
In youth a nauseous FLASHY FOP, in elder
days a bore.
1819. MOORE, Tom Crib's Memorial,
p. 40. For though all know that FLASHY
SPARK, etc.
fo. (colloquial).-i. A green-
horn ; noddy ; gull. For syno-
nyms, see BUFFLE and CABBAGE-
HEAD; also SAMMY-SOFT.
1762. GOLDSMITH, Life of Nash, in
wks. p. 546 (Globe). Why, if you think me
a dab I will get this strange gentleman, or
this, pointing to the FLAT. Done 1 cries
the sailor, but you shall not tell him.
1789. G. PARKER, Life's Painter, p.
142. Who are continually looking out for
FLATS, in order to do them upon the
broads, that is, cards.
1819. MOORE, Tom Crib's Memorial,
p. 59. Poor Johnny Raw, what mad-
ness could impel, So rum a FLAT to face so
prime a swell.
1837. BARHAM, Ingoldsby Legends.
' Misadventures at Margate.' He's been
upon the mill, And cos he gammons all the
FLATS we calls him Veepin Bill.
1841. LYTTON, Night and Morning,
bk. II., ch. ix. ' Did he pay you for her?'
' Why, to be sure, he gave me a cheque on
Coutt's.' 'And you took it? My eyes?
what a FLAT.'
1847. THACKERAY, Vanity Fair, ch.
xiv. I won two hundred of him at the
Cocoa-tree. He play, the young FLAT !
1847. Punch, vol. XIIL, p. 148. It
mayn't precisely please the moral FLAT.
You won't find fault with it, kind friends,
for that.
1848. THACKERAY, The Book of
Snobs, ch. x. When he does play he
always contrives to get hold of a good
FLAT.
1857. DUCANGE ANGLICUS, The Vul*
gar Tongue, p. 39. Fawney-droppers
gammon the FLATS and take the yokels in.
1866. YATBS, Black Sheep, I., p. 70.
The genius which had hitherto been con-
fined to bridging a pack of cards, or ' se-
curing ' a die, talking over a FLAT, or win-
ning money of a greenhorn.
1880. MORTIMER COLLINS, Thoughts
in My Garden, vol. II., p. 180. Their
quack medicines that will cure every-
thing, and their sales of invaluable
articles at a loss, and a thousand other
devices to catch FLATS.
1887. W. E. HENLEY, Villon'* Good-
night. You FLATS and joskins great and
small.
1889. Pall Mall Gazette, .Sept. 21,
p. 3, col. i (In a London Gambling Hell).
The FLATS who play faro (Cross-heading).
2. (American thieves'). — An
honest man.
3. (American),
dismissal; a jilting.
A lover's
Adj. (colloquial and literary),
— Downright ; plain ; straight-
forward ; as in THAT'S FLAT?
a FLAT LIE, " FLAT BURGLARY,"
etc.
1598. SHAKSPEARE, i King Henry
IV, Act I., Sc. 3. Wor. : You start away,
And lend no ear to my purposes. Those
prisoners you shall keep. Hot. '. Nay, I
will ; THAT'S FLAT.
1835-40. HALIBURTON, The Clock'
•maker, p. 6, preface (ed. 1862).
1848. LOWELL, Fable for Critics,
p. 19. (A fetch, I must say, most trans*
parent and FLAT).
[There are other usages, more or less
colloquial: e.g., Insipid; tame; dull: as
in Macaulay's "FLAT as champagne in
decanters." On the Stock Exchange,
F LAT = without interest : S tock is borrowed
FLAT when no interest is allowed by the
lender as security for the due return of the
scrip.]
Flat-back.
Flatch.
Verb (American). To jilt.
Cf., suds., sense 3. For syno-
nyms, see MITTEN.
1871. DE VERB, Americanisms, p.
602. To FLAT, in the West, means to
jilt, and is probably derived from another
slang phrase, 'to feel flat," denoting the
depression which is apt to follow such a
disappointment.
To FEEL FLAT, verb. phr.
(American). — I. To be low-
spirited; out of sorts ; OFF COLOUR
1838. J. C. NEAL, Charcoal Sketches.
Not to hurt a gentleman's feelings and to
make him FEEL FLAT afore the country.
2. (American).— -To fail ; to
give way. Also used substan-
tively.
FLAT AS A FLOUNDER (or
PANCAKE),/^. (colloquial). —
Very flat indeed. Also FLAT AS
BE BLOWED.
1882. Punch, vol. LXXXII, p. 177,
col. i.
TO BRUSH UP A FLAT. See
BRUSHER.
To PICK UP A FLAT, verb.
phr. (prostitutes'). To find a
client. Fr. , lever or faire un
micht (miche = bread, from
michon — money. Compare
BREADWINNER : under MONO-
SYLLABLE (g.v.))>
1869. GREENWOOD, Seven Curses of
London. On the chance that she will, in
the course of the evening, PICK UP A
FLAT.
TO HAVE (Or DO) A BIT OF FLAT,
verb. phr. (venery). — To indulge
in sexual intercourse. For syno-
nyms, see GREENS and RIDE.
FLAT- BACK, subs, (common). — A
bed - bug. For synonyms, see
NORFOLK HOWARD.
FLAT- BROKE, adj. (colloquial). —
Utterly mined j DEAD - BROKE
(q.v.).
FLAT-CATCHER, subs, (common). —
An impostor.
1823. MONCRIEFF, Tom and Jerry,
i., 6. Cofe (speaking of a horse). Well,
Master Gull'em, do you think we shall get
the FLAT-CATCHER off to-day ?
1841. Blackwoods Ma?., 1., 202.
Buttoners are those accomplices of
thimble-riggers . . . whose duty it is :o
act as FLAT - CATCHERS or decoys, by
personating flats.
1856> MAYHEW, Great World of
London, p. 46. And FLAT-CATCHERS, or
' ring-droppers,' who cheat by pretending
to find valuables in the street.
1864. London Review. June 18, p.
643. 'The Bobby' or chinked -back
horse, is another favourite FLAT-CATCHER.
1869. WHYTE-MELVILLE, M. or N.,
p.^no. Rather a FLAT-CATCHER, Tom?
said that nobleman, between the whiffs of
a cigar.
FLAT-CATCHING, subs, (common).
— Swindling.
1821. EGAN, Tom and Jerry, p. 118,
The no-pinned hero, on being elevated,
gave, as a toastj * Success to FLAT-CATCH-
ING,' which produced roars of laughter
and shouts of approbation k
1869» GREENWOODJ Seven Curves of
London,. To mark the many kinds of
bait that are used in FLAT-CATCHING, as
the turf slang has it.
FLATCH, adj. (back-slang). — A half.
FLATCH-KENNURD = half drunk ;
FLATCH-YENORK = half-a-crown j
FLATCH-YENNEP = a half-penny
(see subs., sense i).
Subs, I. — A half-penny. [An
abbreviation of FLATCH-YENNEP. ]
For synonyms, see MAG.
c.1866. VANCE, The Chickaleary Cove.
I doesn't care a FLATCH as long as I've a
tach.
2 (coiners'). — A counterfeit
half-crown. For synonyms, see
MADZA.
Flat-cap.
16
Flats.
FLAT-CAP, stibs. (old). —A nick-
name for a citizen of London.
[In Henry the Eight's time flat
round caps were the pink of
fashion ; but when their date was
out, they became ridiculous. The
citizens continued to wear them
long after they were generally
disused, and were often satirized
for their fidelity].
1596. BEN JONSON, Every Man in H .,
ch. ii., v. i. Mock me all over From my
FLAT-CAP unto my shining shoes.
1602. DEKKER, Honest Whore. Old
Plays, Hi., 304. Come, Sirrahj you FLAT-
CAP, where be those whites ?
1605. MARSTON, Dutch Court, ii., i.
Wealthy FLAT-CAPS that pay for their
pleasure the best of any men in Europe.
1613. BEAUMONT and FLETCHER,
Hon. Man's Fort,, v. 3. Trade? to the
city, child : a FLAT-CAP will become thee.
FLAT-COCK, subs, (old). — A female.
[GROSE, 1785.] For synonyms,
see PETTICOAT.
FLAT-FEET, subs, (common). — Spe-
cifically the Foot Guards, but also
applied to other regiments of the
line. Also (generally with some
powerful adjective), applied to
militia men to differentiate them
from linesmen. For synonyms,
see MUD-CRUSHER.
FLAT-FISH, (generally, A REGULAR
FLAT-FISH) subs, (common). —
A dullard. [A play upon FLAT
= stupid, and FJSH = something
to HOOK or catch.] For syno-
nyms, see BUFFLE, CABBAGE-
HEAD, and SAMMY-SOFT. Cf.,
Fr., platpied = a contemptible
fellow.
FLAT-FOOTED, adj. (American).—
Downright ; resolute ; honest.
[Western : the simile, common
to most languages, is of a man
standing, his back to the wall,
resolute to accomplish his pur-
pose.]
1858. Harper's Magazine, Sept. His
herculean frame, and bold, FLAT-FOOTED
way of saying things, had impressed his
neighbours, and he held the rod in terrorism
over them.
1871. Philadelphia Bulletin, Mar.
23. 'The row at St. Clement's Church/
Now the Committee of the vestry put their
FOOT FLATLY down on auricular confessi on
and priestly absolution.
1887. R. A. PROCTOR, Knowledge,
June i. When, in America, General
Grant said he had PUT HIS FOOT opwN
and meant to advance in that line if it
took him all the summer, he conveyed . _. .
the American meaning of the expression
FLAT-FOOTED.
FLAT- HEAD, subs. (American). —
A greenhorn ; a SAMMY-SOFT
FLAT-IRON, subs, (common).— A
corner public house. [From the
triangular shape.]
FLATTIE or FLATTY, subs.
(common). — A gull. [A diminu-
tive of FLAT, sense i.] Formerly
cheap - jacks' = one in a new
'pitch.'
1851-61. MAYHEW, Lond. Lab. and
Land. Poor, vol. I., p. 232. They betray
to the FLATTIES (natives) all their profits
and proceedings.
FLAT - MOVE, subs. (old). — An
attempt or project that miscarries ;
folly and mismanagement gener-
ally.— GROSE.
FLATS, subs. (old), i. Playing
cards. For synonyms, see KING'S
BOOKS.
1821. HAGGART, Life, p. 56. We
2f-crib.
played at FLATS in a budging-cril
2. (old). — False dice,
synonyms, see FULHAMS.
For
Flats and Sharps.
Flax-wench*
3. (old). — Base money.
MAHOGANY FLATS, subs. phr.
(common). — Bed-bugs. For syno-
nyms, see NORFOLK HOWARDS.
FLATS AND SHARPS, subs. phr.
(old). — Weapons.
1818. SCOTT, Heart of Midlothian,
cb. xxx. ' I have known many a pretty
lad cut short in his first summer upon the
road, because he was something hasty with
his FLATS AND SHARPS.'
FLATTEN OUT, verb, phr, (Ameri-
can). —To get the better of (in
argument or fight). For syno-
nyms, see FLOOR, FLATTEN ED-
OUT = ruined ; beaten.
Now, TO SHOOT THE CAT. For
synonyms, see ACCOUNTS and
CAST UP ACCOUNTS. Cf., Fox,
verb, sense I.
1653. URQUHART, Rabelais, bk. I.,
ch. xi. He would FLAY THE FOX.
2. (American). — To clean out
by unfair means.
TO FLAY or SKIN A FLINT,
verb. phr. (old). — To be mean or
miserly. See SKINFLINT.
1690. B. E., New Diet, of the Canting
Crew, s.v. He'll FLAY or SKINN A FLINT
of a Meer Scrat or Miser.
1833. MARRYAT, Peter Simple, vol.
II., p. 194 (ed. 1846). Report says she
WOUld SKIN A FLINT ifsheCOuld.
FLATTER-TRAP, subs, (common). —
The mouth. Fr., la menteuse,
but for synonyms, see POTATO-
TRAP.
1859. MATSELL, Vacabulum, or
Rogue's Lexicon, s.v.
FLATTY- KEN, subs, (thieves') — See
ouot.
1851-61. MAYHEW, Lond. Lab. and
Lond. Poor, vol. I., p. 261. Some take up
their abode in what they Call FLATTY-
KENS, that is, houses the landlord of
which is not 'awake' or 'fly' to the
' moves ' and dodges of the trade.
FLAWED, ppL adj. (common). — I.
Half drunk ; ' a little crooked ' ;
quick-tempered. — GROSE. For
synonyms, see DRINKS and
SCREWED*
2. (venery). — * Cracked in the
ring ' ; i.e., deflowered.
FLAY BOTTOM or FLAYBOTTOMIST,
suds. (common). — A school-
master, with a play on the word
phlebotomist = a blood - letter. —
GROSE. Fr., fouette-cul ; and
(COTGRAVE) " Fesse-cul, a pedan-
tical whip-arse."
FLAVOUR, TO CATCH (or GET)
THE FLAVOUR. verb. phr.
(common). — I. To be intoxi-
cated. For synonyms, see
DRINKS and SCREWED.
2. (venery). To be 'half-on'
for coition ; to wax PROUD
(q.v.) : said of men and women
both.
FLAX, verb. (American). — To beat
severely ; TO GIVE IT HOT (q.v.).
For synonyms, see TAN.
FLAY (or FLAY THE FOX), verb*
phr. (old). — To vomit : 'from the
subject to the effect,' says COT-
GRAVE ; ' for the flaying of so
stinking a beast is like enough to
make them spue that feel it.'
FLAX-WENCH, subs. (old). — A
prostitute. For synonyms, see
BARRACK-HACK and TART.
1604. SHAKSPEARE, Winters Tale,
i., 2. My wife's a hobby-horse ; deserves
a name As rank as any FLAX-WENCH.
2
Flea.
18
Fleece.
FLEA. To SEND AWAY WITH A
FLEA IN THE EAR. verb. phr.
(common). — To dismiss with
vigour and acerbity.
1854. Notes and Queries, 8 Apl.,
p. 322, col. 2. The luckless applicant is
peremptorily dismissed with an imperative
' flee ! "... or, facetiously, WITH A FLEE
IN HIS EAR.
TO HAVE A FLEA IN THE
EAR = (i) to fail in an enter-
prise ; and (2) to receive a scold-
ing, or annoying suggestion.
TO SIT ON A BAG OF FLEAS.
verb. phr. (common). — To sit
uncomfortably ; ON A BAG OF
HEN FLEAS = very uncomfortably
ndeed.
TO CATCH FLEAS FOR, verb,
phr. (venery). — To be on terms of
extreme intimacy : e.g., '.I catch
her fleas for her ' = She has
nothing to refuse me. Cf.,
Shakspeare (Tempest , III;, 2.)>
' Yet a tailor might scratch her
wheree'er she did itch.'
IN A FLEA'S LEAP> adv. phr.
(old). — In next to no time ;
INSTANTER (q.V.}.
FLEA-AND- LOUSE, subs-, (rhyming
slang). A house; For syno-
nyms, see KEN.
FLEA-BAG, subs, (common). — A
bed ; Fr. ttn pucier-. For syno-
nyms, see KIP.
1839. LEVER, Hurry Lorrequer, eh.
xl. 'Troth, and I think the gentleman
would be better if he went off to his FLEA-
BAG himself.'
LEA- BITE, subs-, (old).— A trifle.
1630. TAYLOR, Works. If they doe
lose by pirates, tempests, rocks, 'Tis but a
FLEABITE to their wealthy stockes ; Whilst
the poore cutpurse day and night doth
toile, Watches and wardes, and doth him-
selfe turmoile.
1785. GROSE, Diet. Vulg. Tongue,
FLEA-BITING, subs. (old). — A trifle.
1621. BURTON, Anatomy of M elan
choly. Their miseries are but FLEA
BITINGS to thine.
FLEA- (or FLAY-) FLINT, subs.
(old.) — A miser : Cf., SKIN
FLINT (q.v.).
1719. DURFEV, Pills, etc., i., 141
The FLEA-FLINTS . . . strip me bare.
FLEAR, verb. (old). — To grin. A
FLEARING FOOL = a grinning
idiot.
1690. B. E., New Diet, of the Canting
Crew.
FLEECE, subs. (old). —An act of
theft. Cf. , old proverb, ' to go out
to shear and come home shorn.'
For synonyms, see SKIN.
1690. B. E., New Diet, of the Canting
Crew. FLEECE, to Rob, Plunder, or strip.
1703. MRS. CENTLIVRE, Beau's
Duel, ii., 2. Had a FLEECE at his purse,
2. (venery). — The female
pubic hair. Fr. ioison (BAUDE-
LAIRE) ; It. ) barbiglioni (FLORio).
For foreign synonyms, see MOTT.
ENGLISH SYNONYMS. — Ban-
ner (Durfey) ; bandoliers (old) ;
beard ; bearskin ; belly-bristles ;
belly - thicket ; belly - whiskers ;
Boskage of Venus ; broom ;
brush ; bush ; cat-skin ; clover-
field ; cunny - skin (Durfey) ;
Cupid's Arbour ; cunt-curtain ;
damber-, dilberry-, gooseberry-,
furze-, quim-, or whin -bush ;
down ; Downshire ; front-door-
mat; feather (Prior and Moore);
fluff; forest (Donne); fud (Burns) ;
fur ; fur-below (old catch); 'grove
of eglantine ' (Carew) ; hedge on
Fleece.
Fleet-Streetese.
the dyke ; lower- wig (Burton) ;
moss ; mott-carpet ; mustard-
and-cress ; nether eye-brow (or
-lashes); nether- whiskers; parsley
(Durfey) ; plush; quim-whiskers ;
quim-wig ; scut (Shakspeare) ;
shaving-brush (cf,, LATHER);
scrubbing - brush ; shrubbery ;
sporran ; stubble (see POINTER) ;
sweet-briar ; thatch ; tail - fea -
thers ; ' toupee ; ' * tufted hon-
ours ' ; twat-mg.
Verb (now recognised). — To
cheat ; to shear or be shorn (as a
sheep).
1593. NASHE, Christ's Teares, in
wks. (Grosart) IV. 140. Tell me (almost)
what gentleman hath been cast away at
sea, or disasterly souldiourizd it by lande,
but they (usurers) have enforst him there-
unto by their FLEECING,
1598. SHAKSPEARE, I King Henry 1 'V.,
ii., 2. Down with them : FLEECE them !
1620. DEKKER, His Dreamt, in wks,
(Grosart) III. 52. Catchpolles, and varlets,
who did poore men .FLEECE (To their
undoing) for a twdve-peny peece.
1712. ARBUTHNOT, Hist, of John.
Bull, pt. IV., ch. ii. When a poor man
has almost undone himself for thy sake,
thou art for FLEECING him.
1822. SCOTT, Fort, of Nigel, ch.
xxiii. He is now squeezed and FLEECED
by them on every pretence.
1836. M. SCOTT, Cruise of the Midge,
p, i<i6. He was stabbed by the Raga-
muffin he had FLEECEO.
.1849. THACKERAY, Pendennis, ch*
xxxJL Bloundell is a professional black-
leg, and travels the Continent, where he
picks Up young gentlemen of fashion and
FLEECES them.
1859. Times, 25 Oct. 'Review of
Dean Ramsay's Reminiscences.' I don't
know whether they are black or white
sheep, but I know that if they are long
there they are pretty certain to be
FLEECED.
1891. Licensed Victuallers Gazette,
1 6 Jan. How you would be FLEECED !
You've got a lot to learn yet.
Hence FLEECED = turned; DEAD-
BROKE (q.v . for synonyms).
FLEECER, subs, (old), — A thief.
1600-69. PRYNNE, Breviatt. Not
FLEECERS, but feeders.
FLEECE- HUNTER, or -MONGER,
subs. phr. (venery). — A whore-
master. For synonyms, see MOL-
ROWER.
FLEETER-FACE, subs. (old). — A
pale - face ; a coward. C/".,
Shakspeare's 'cream-faced loon.'
1647, BEAUMONT and FLETCHER,
Queen of Corinth. You knew where you
are, you FLEETER-FACE.
FLEET-NOTE, subs. (old). — A forged
note.
1821, Real Lift in London,
FLEET OF THE DESERT, subs, phr.
(common). — A caravan ; c/.t
SHIP OF THE DESERT = Camel.
FLEET-STREET, subs. phr. (collo-
quial).— The estate of journalism,
especially journalism of the baser
sort.
FLEET-STREETER, subs, (collo-
quial).— A journalist of the baser
sort ; a spunging PROPHET (q.v.)\
a sharking dramatic critic ; a SPICY
(q.v.) paragraphist ; and so on.
FLEET-STREETESE, subs. phr.
( colloquial) . — 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 bad grammar and worse
manners; the like of which is im-
possible outside FLEET-STREET
(q.v.\ but which in FLEET-
STREET commands a price, and
enables not a few to live.
FUg.
20
Flesh-broker.
FLEG, verb. (old). — To whip.
BAILEY.
FLEMISH ACCOUNT, subs. pkr.
(old). — A remittance less than
was expected ; hence, an unsatis-
factory account. [Among the
Flemings (the merchants of
Western Europe when commerce
was young) accounts were kept
in livres, sols, and pence ; but
the livre or pound only = I2s.,
so that what the Antwerp mer-
chant called one livre thirteen
and fourpence would in English
currency be only 2os. ]
1668. T. BROWN, The Accurate
AecomgUuttt etc. Quoted in N> and Q. i.
S. I., 286. London, August loth, 1668. To
Roger Pace, Factor, etc., for 10 pieces cont.
746 Ells Fl. at IDS. Flem. per Ell is ^373
Flem. Exchange at 355. makes Sterling
Money £21^ 25. rod.
1774-1826. 7>/. Antiq., p. 1773. A
person resident in London is said to have had
most of Caxton's publications. He sent them
to Amsterdam for inspection, and on
writing for them was informed that they
had been destroyed by accident. ' I am
very much afraid,' says Herbert, ' my kind
friend received but a FLEMISH ACCOUNT of
his Caxton's.
1785. GROSF. Diet. Vulg. Tong.
FLEMISH ACCOUNT, a losing or bad
account.
FLESH, subs. (old). — Generic for the
organs of generation, male or fe-
male. Also (of women) FLESHLY-
PART.
1604. SHAKSPEARE, Winters Tale,
iv., 3. She would not exchange FLESH
with one that loved her.
1605. Cymbeline, i., 5. Tf you buy
ladies' FLESH at a million a dram you can-
not preserve it from tainting.
1620. PERCY. FolioMSS. [Hales &
Furnivall, 1867]. 'As I was ridinge by
the way.' Sweet hart, shall I put my
FLESH in thine ?
FLESH, verb. , or, FLESH IT ; or, TO
BE FLESHED IN (venery). — To
have carnal knowledge of — to be
' one flesh with ' — a woman.
[For synonyms, see GREENS and
RIDE.] An equivalent in the
passive sense is TO FEEL HIS
FLESH IN ONE'S BODY (said by
women only).
1598. FLORIO, A Worlde of Wordes,
Andarin Camafau. To go a FLESHING
or a wenching: (Camafau = thQ brat-get-
tingplace ; the hole of content).
FLESH AND BLOOD, subs. phr.
(common). — Brandy and port in
equal proportions. See DRINKS.
FLESH-BAG, subs, (common). — A
shirt or chemise.
ENGLISH SYNONYMS. — Biled
rag (American); camesa; carrion-
case ; commission ; dickey
(formerly a worn - out shirt) ;
gad (gipsv); lully; mill tog;
mish ; narp (Scots') ; shaker ;
shimmy ( = a chemise, Marryat) ;
smish.
FRENCH SYNONYMS. — Une
liquette or limace (thieves' : from
the Gypsy. The form also occurs
also in the Italian lima) ; un
panais (popular).
GERMAN SYNONYMS. — Kamis,
Kamsel, Kemsel, or Gemsel
(from med. Lat., Camisiale ;
Fr. camisole] ; Kesones, Kusones,
or Ksones (also = cotton and
underclothing ) ; Staude or
Stauden ; Hanfstandt (Libtr
Vagatorum : literally hempshrub).
ITALIAN SYNONYM. — Lima
(see Fr., limace).
1820. London Magazine, i., 29. They
are often without a FLESH-BAG to their
backs.
FLESH-BROKER, subs. (old). — i.
A match-maker.
1690. B. E., New Diet, of the Canting
Crew. FLESH-BROKER, a match-maker ;
also a bawd ; between whom but little dif-
ference, for they both (usually) take money.
2. A procuress [GROSE]. Cf. ,
FLESH - FLY, FLESH - MONGER,
Flesh-fly.
21
Flick.
and FLESH-MARKET. For syn-
onyms, see MOTHER.
FLESH-FLY (also, FLESH-MAGGOT),
subs. (old). — A whoremaster.
For synonyms, see MOLROWER.
1781. COWPER, Progress of Error,
323-324. Oh ! that a verse had power, and
could command far, Far away, these FLESH-
FLIES of the land.
FLESH - MARKET, or FLESH-
SHAMBLES, subs, (common). —
A brothel or FLASH-HOUSE (y.v.);
also the pavement, in Piccadilly or
Regent -street, for instance, where
whores do congregate. Cf.,
MEATMARKET.
1608. JOHN DAY, Humour out of
Breath, II. I Asp She may bee
well discended ; if shee be, Shee's fit for
love, and why not then for me. Boy. And
you be not fitted in Venice 'tis straunge,
for 'tis counted the best FLESH-SHAMBLES
in Italic.
FLESH-MONGER, subs. (old). — A
procurer ; a whore-master. [From
Eng. FLESH + MONGER]. For
synonyms, see MOTHER and
MOLROWER. Cf.t FLESH-FLY,
FLESH-MARKET, and FLESH-
BROKER.
1603. SHAKSPEARE, Measure for
Measure, V., i. And was the duke a
FLESH-MONGER, a fool, and a coward, as
you then reported him to be ?
FLESH MONGERING. TOGOFLESH-
MONGERING, verb. phr. (venery).
— To quest for women ; to GO ON
THE PROWL (q.V.)., or AFTER
MEAT. See GREENS and RIDE.
FLESH-POT. SIGHING FOR THE
FLESH-POTS OF EGYPT. phr.
(common). — Hankering for good
things no longer at command.
[Biblical].
1884. HAWLEY SMART, From Post
to Finish, p. 131. Do you think it is a
HANKERING AFTER THE FLESH-POTS, and
that the canon's cook reconciles me to the
canon's opinions ?
FLESH-TAILOR, subs. (old). — A
surgeon. For synonyms, see
SAWBONES.
1633. FORD, 'Tit Pity She's a Whore,
iii. Oh, help ! help ! help ! Oh, for a
FLESH-TAILOR quickly.
FLESHY, subs. (Winchester
lege). — See CAT'S HEAD.
Col-
F L ETC H, subs, (prison). A spurious
coin. Cf., FLATCH.
FLICK, or FLIG, subs, (colloquial).
— I. A cut with a whip - lash ;
hence, a blow of any sort. A
FLICKING is often administered
by schoolboys with a damp towel
or pocket - handkerchief. For
synonyms, see TANNING.
1750. FIELDING, Tom Jones, bk. VI.,
ch. ij. ' I do know you are a woman,"
cries the squire, ' and it's well for thee, that
art one ; if had'st been a man, I promise
thee I had lent thee a FLICK long ago.
1787. GROSE, Provincial Glossary,
s.v. VLICK.
2. (common). — A jocular salu-
tation ; usually OLD FLICK. Cf.t
CODGER and MY TULIP.
1883. Punch, 28 July, p. 38, col. i.
Well, last night, They'd a feet in these
gardens, OLD FLICK, as was something too
awfully quite.
Verb, (thieves'). — i. To cut.
1690. B.E., New Diet, of the Canting
Crew. FLICKING, c. , to cut, cutting.
1728. BAILEY, Eng. Diet. (FLICK is
given as a ' country word ')•
1785. GROSB, Diet. Vulg. Tongue-
FLICK me some pannam and cassan, cut
me some bread and cheese ; FLICK the
peter, cut off the cloak bag or port-
manteau.
Flicker.
22
Flier.
17&1. CAREW, Life and Adventures,
q,v.
1837. DISRAELI, Venetict, ch. xiv.
FLICK the bread, cut the bread.
1859, MATSELL, Vocabulum or
Rogues Lexicon, s.v. FLICK the Peter
and rake the swag for I want to pad my
beaters,
2. (colloquial). — To strike
withy or as with, a whip.
1836, DICKENS, Pickwick, ch. xliiL,
Near him, leaning listlessly against the
wall, stood a strong - built countryman,
FLICKING with a worn-out hunting whip
the top-boot that adorned. hi& right foot.
1852. DICKENS, Bleak Hemse, ch,
xxvii. Who . . . receives this com-
pliment by FLICKING Mr. George in the
face with a head of greens.
1854. Our Cruise in the Undine,
p. 103. It appeared to us that one of the
most frequent, and therefore we supposed
the principal stroke aimed at (in a Heidel-
berg duel), was to strike your sword low-
down, perhaps four inches from the handle,
upon your adversary's bandaged arm, so
that the end of the weapon (the only part
that is sharpened) should FLJCK itself
against your opponent's face.
1863. HON. MRS. NORTON, Last
and Saved, p. 29. Drivers shouting,
swearing, and FLICKING at the horses.
FLICKER, subs. (Old Cant). —A
drinking glass.
1690. B.E., New Diet ^of the Canting
Crew. FLICKER, c., a drinking-glass..
FLICKER SNAPT, c., the glass is broken;
NIM THE FLICKER, c., steal the glass ;
RUM FLICKER, c., a largeglass or rummer ;
QUEER FLICKER, c., a green or ordinary
glass.
FRENCH SYNONYMS. — Une
lampe (masons') ; un girindal
(popular) ; un godet (very old) ;
une gobette (thieves') j un gobeson
(thieves').
Verb. i. To drink. — MATSELL,
2. (old). — To laugh wantonly ;
also to kiss, or lewdly fondle a
woman. — PALSGRAVE. For syno-
nyms, see FIRKYTOODLE.
1690. B. E. , New Diet, of the Canting
Crew, s,v. FLICKER, to grin or flout.
Also FLICKING = (i) drinking,
and (2) wanton laughter.
LET HER FLICKER, phr.
(American). — Said of any doubt-
ful issue : fe let the matter take
its chance.'
FLrcKET-A- PLACKET, adv. (old).
— Onomatopoetic for a noise of
flapping aad flicking.
1719. DURFEY, Pills, etc., ii., 20.
Their bellies went FLICKET-A-FLACKET.
FLIER or FLYER, suds, (facing and
yachting). — I. A horse or boat
of great speed ;• also (American
railway) a fast train ; hence, by
implication,anythingof excellence.
C/., DASHER, DAISY, etc. Also
adj. , = keen for.
1865. BRADDON, Henry Dnnbar. ch,
xxii. The mare's in splendid condition ;
well, you saw her take her trial galfop the
other morning, and you must know she's 3
FLIER, so I won't talk about her..
1884. HAWLEY SMART, From Post t<?
Finish, p. 156. Atalanta might be a
FLYER, but an artist like Pycroft, with a
clever colt like Newsmonger under him,
was quite likely to outride whatever boy
Mr. Pipes aright now be able to pick up.
1888. St. Louis Globe- Democrat, 2
Mar. In spite of the strike passenger
trains, what are known as the FLYERS, are
running with reasonable regularity.
1890.. Bird o' Freedom, 19 Mar., p.
i, col. i. Clearly the G.O.M. is no FLIER
over this course.
1891. Licensed Victuallers' Gazette,
20 Mar. Although he may doubtless be
made a good deal better he may turn out
to be no FLIER.
1891. BURY AND HILLIER. Cycling,
p. 6. A moderate rider, not being an
athlete or a FLIER . . . can . . . get over in
an hour seven or eight miles of ground OH
a tricycle.
Flies.
23
Flim-flam.
1891. Anti-Jacobin, 23 May, p. 400.
When Dangerous, Plenipotentiary, Bay
Middleton, and other FLYERS ran.
1891. Morning Advertiser, 28 Mar.
In any event, he was never a FLYER at
breakfast. But late at night, and when,
perhaps, he tumbled across something
equivalent to woodcock, tripe and onions,
or a hot lobster, say, why then, take my
word for it, he made up for previous ab-
stinence.
1891. National Observer, i Aug. It
remains to be seen whether large yachts
constructed on the same principle will be
equally invincible : that is, if the FLYERS
we have are one and all to disappear.
2. (football). — A shot in the
air. See MADE-FLYER.
3. (American). — A small hand-
bill ; a DODGER (q.v.).
To TAKE A FLIER (American
trade). — I. To make a venture ;
to invest against odds.
2. (venery). — To copulate in
haste (GROSE) ; to do a FAST-
FUCK (q.v.).
FLIES, subs, (rhyming). — Lies.
Hence, nonsense; trickery ; deceit.
THERE ARE NO FLIES ON ME,
ON HIM, etc., phr. (common). —
' I am dealing honestly with you;'
'he is genuine, and is not hum-
bugging.' In America, the ex-
pression is used of (i) a man of
quick parts, a man who ' knows
a thing without its being kicked
. into him by a mule' ; and (2) a
person of superior breeding or
descent. Sometimes the phrase
is corrupted into 'no fleas.' See
GAMMON.
1868. DIPROSE, ST. CLEMENT DANES,
Past and Present. To Deaf Burke, the
celebrated pugilist, is attributed the old
story of the ' flies and the gin and water ; "
and hence the term ' no flies ' became
prevalent. Burke had ordered .... some
' hot and strong and a dash of lemon. ' The-
goblet was brought • . . Burke raised . . .
the nectar to his lips, and beheld some
dissipated flies lying at the bottom of the
tumbler ; he placed the glass on the table,
and deliberately removed the flies with the
spoon, five or six in number, and laid them
side by side before him, and then giving
a hearty pull at the gin and water, he as
deliberately replaced the flies .... and
passed it to his friend. His companion
stared angrily. 'Do you dare to insult
me, and in the presence of company ? '
said the irate vis-a-vis. ' Pardon me,'
replied Burke, quietly handing the glass
a second time, ' though I don't drink FLIES
myself, I didn't know but what others
might.1
1888. Detroit Free Press, 25 Aug.
THERE AIN'T NO FLIES ON HIM, signifies,
that he is not quiet long enough for moss
to grow on his heels, that he is wide
awake.
1888. Missouri Republican, 24 Feb.
People who are capable of descending to
New York and Boston English are fully
justified in saying that THERE ARE NO
FLIES ON ST. LOUIS or the St. Louis
delegation either.
FLIGGER (also FLICKER), verb.(o\&).
— To grin.
1720. DURFEY Pills, etc., vi., 267.
He FLIGGERED, and told me for all my
brave alls He would have a stroke.
FLIM. — See FLIMSY.
FLIM-FLAM, subs. (old). — An idle
story; a sham; a ROBINHOOD
TALE (q.v.). A duplication of
FLAM (q.v.).
1589. Pappe with an Hatchet (ed.
1844) p. 39. Trusse up thy packet of
FLIM-FI.AMS, and roage to some countrey
faire, or read }t among boyes in the belfrie.
1630. TAYLOR, IVorkes. They with
a courtly tricke, or a FLIM-FLAM, do nod
at me, whilst I the noddy am.
1750. FIELDING, Tom Jones, bk.
XVII I., ch. xii. I thought thou had'st
been a lad of higher mettle than to give
way to a parcel of maidenish tricks. I
tell thee 'tis all FLIM-FLAM.
1780. MRS. COWLEY, The Belle's
Stratagem, iii., i. Mr. Curate, don't
think to come over me with your FLIM-
FLAMS, for a better man than ever trod in
your shoes is coming over-sea to marry
me.
Flimp.
24
Flimsy.
1805. ISAAC DISRAELI, FLIM-FLAMS;
or the Life and Errors of my Uncle, and
the Amours of my Aunt [title].
1825. C. LAMB, Munden (in London
Magazine) Feb. I wonder you can put
such FLIM-FLAMS upon us, sir.
Adj, (old). — Idle ; worthless.
1589. N Asms^Month 's Minde, in wks.
174. But to leaue
and loytering lies.
Vol. I., p. 174. But to leaue thy FLIM
FLAM tales
1598. FLORIO, A Worlde of Wordes.
Filastroccola, FLIM - FLAM tales, old
wiues tales as they tell when they spinne,
a tale without rime or reason, or head or
foote.
1633. T. NEWTON, Lennie's Touch-
stone of Complexions, p. 120. Reporting
a FLIM-FLAM tale of Robin Hood.
1750. OZELL'S Rabelais, vol. V., p-
247. Glibly swallow down every FLIM-
FLAM story that's told them.
1853. LYTTON, My Novel, bk. X.,
ch. xix. I wish you'd mind the child — it
is crumpling up and playing almighty
smash with that FLIM-FLAM book, which
cost me one pound one.
FLIMP, verb, (thieves')— I. To
hustle or rob. To PUT ON THE
FLIMP = to rob on the highway.
For synonyms, see CRACK and
PRIG.
1839. BRANDON, Poverty, Mendicity,
and Crime, p. in. To take a man's
watch is to FLIMP him, it can only be
done in a crowd, one gets behind and
pushes him in the back, while the other in
front is robbing him.
1857. SNOWDEN, Mag. Assistant,
3rd ed., p. 445, s.v.
2. (venery). — To copulate.
For synonyms, see RIDE.
FUMPING, subs, (thieves'). — Steal-
ing from the person.
1857, DUCANGE ANGLICUS, Tht
Vulgar Tongue, p. 38. He told me as
Bill had FLIMPED a yack.
1862. Cornhill Mag., vol. vi., p.
651. We are going a-h LIMPING, buzzing,
cracking, etc.
1861. H. KINGSLEY, Ravenshoe, ch.
Ix. FLIM PING is a style of theft which I
have never practised, and, consequently
of which I know nothing.
FLIMSY, or FLIM, subs, (common). —
I. A bank-note. [From the thin-
ness of the paper. ] SOFT-FLIMSY
= a note drawn on 'The Bank of
Elegance,' or ' The Bank of En-
graving.' For synonyms, see
SOFT.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
1818. P. EGAN, Boxiana, iv., 443.
Martin produced some FLIMSIES and said
he would fight on Tuesday next.
1837. BARHAM, Ingoldsby Legends
('Merchant of Venice'). Not 'kites,
manufactured to cheat and inveigle,
But the right sort of FLIMSY, all sign'd,
by Monteagle.
1855. Punch, XXIX., 10. 'Will
you take it in FLIMSIES, or will you
have it all in tin ? '
1870. Chambers Journal, g July,
p. 448. ' What would it be worth ? ' 'A
FLIM, Sam.'
1884. Daily Telegraph, 8 Apl., col.
3. One of the slang terms for a spurious
bank-note is a SOFT-FLIMSY.
1891. HUME NISBET, Bail Up \
p. 149. Next morning when I went to
the bank to collect the swag, they stopped
the FLIMSY, and had me arrested before I
could look round.
2. (journalists'). — News of all
kinds ; POINTS (q.v.). [From
the thin prepared paper used by
pressmen for making several
copies at once]. First used at
Lloyd's.
1861. Cornhill Magazine, iv., 199
' At Westminster,' my lord is neither a
mumbling nor a short-tempered judge ; he
will . . . read them a great deal of his
notes, which are a thousand-fold clearer,
fuller, and more accurate than the
reporter's FLIMSY.
1865. MorningS 'tar ('The Flaneur').
A London correspondent, who, by the aid
of FLIMSY misleads a vast number of pro-
vincial papers.
1870. London Figaro, 23 Sept.
1 Special Lining.' We do not think it is
Flinders.
Flint.
altogether worthy of the high repute of
the Pall Mall Gazette to publish FLIMSY
as a special correspondence.
1876. BESANT and RTCE, Golden
Butterfly, ch. xviii. The sharpest of the
reporters had his FLIMSY up in a minute,
and took notes of the proceedings.
FLINDERS, subs. (common). —
Pieces infinitesimally small.
1870. New York Evening Sun, 24 May.
Report of Speech of Mr. Chandler. Let
us knock the British crown to FLINDERS ;
let us arrange for some one or two hundred
thousand British graves forthwith, and
cabbage the whole boundless continent
without any further procrastination.
FLING, subs, (colloquial). — I. A fit of
temper.
2. (common). — A jeer ; a
jibe ; a personal allusion or
attack.
1592. SHAKSPEARE, I Henry VI.,
Hi., i. Then would I have a FLING at
Winchester.
1888. Star, 10 Oct. Those writers
who had a FLING at Iddesleigh after
his poor running at Stockton will have
to take their words back some day.
1890. Pall Mall Gazette, 24 July,
(.. col. 2. As the disputants warmed up,
little personal FLINGS were of course
introduced
Verb (old).— I. To cheat ; to
get the best of; to DO (q.v.) or
diddle. — GROSE.
1830. LYTTON, Paul Clifford, ch.
xxi. FLUNG the governor out of a
guinea.
2. (Scots). — To dance.
1790. BURNS, Tarn O' Shanter. To
tell how Maggie lapt and FLANG (A souple
jaud she was, and strang).
3. (venery). — To move in the
act; to BACK-UP (q.v.). Fr.,
' frizer la queue = to wriggle the
tayle (in leachering). ' — COT-
GRAVE.
1539. DAVID LYNDSAY, Three
Estaitis, Works (Ed. Laing, Edinburgh,
1879). I traist sche sal find you FLINGING
your fill.
Rut,
To FLING OUT, verb. phr.
(colloquial). — To depart in a
hurry, and, especially, in a temper.
To FLING (or FLAP) IT IN ONE'S
FACE, verb. phr. (prostitutes') —
To expose the person.
IN A FLING, adv. phr. (collo-
quial).— In a spasm of temper.
To HAVE ONE'S FLING, verb,
phr. (colloquial). — To enjoy full
liberty of action or conduct. Cf.t
HIGH OLD TIME.
1624. BEAUMONT AND FLETCHER,
Rule a Wife, &>c., iii., 5. I'll have a
FLING.
1846-8. THACKERAY. Vanity Fair,
ch. xiii.- Hang it; the regiment's just
back from the West Indies, I must HAVE A
LITTLE FLING, and then when I'm married
I'll reform.
1855. THACKERAY, Ne-wcomes, II.,
1 1 8. I don't want to marry until I HAVE
HAD MY FLING, yOU know.
1880. GILBERT, Pirates ofPenzance.
Peers will be peers, And youth will HAVE
HIS FLINQ.
1891. HUME NISBET, Bail Up!
p. 253. If policy (police) show up, then
you let me HAVE MY FLING, eh ?
TO FLING DIRT. — See DIRT.
FLINGER, subs. (Scots). — A dancer.
1821. SCOTT, Pirate, ch. ix. That's
as muckle as to say, that I suld hae minded
Siu was a FLINGER and a fiddler yoursel',
aister Mordaunt.
FLING- DUST, subs. (old). — A street-
walker. For synonyms,, see
BARRACK-HACK and TART.
FLINT, subs, (workmen's). A man
working for a 'Union ' or ' fair '
house; non- Unionists are DUNG
(q.v.). Both terms occur in
Foote's burlesque, The Tailors:
a Tragedy for IVarm Weather^
and they received a fresh lease of
popularity during the tailors'
Flip.
26
Flip-flap.
strike of 1832. See quots. C/.,
SCAB Soc, SNOB, SNOB-STICK,
and KNOBSTICK.
1785. GROSE, Diet. Vulg. Tongue,
FLINTS, journeyman taylors who, on a
late occasion, refused to work for the
wages settled by law. Those who sub-
mitted were by the mutineers stiled dungs,
i.e., dunghills.
1832. P. EGAN, Book of Sports, p.
34. Jack Reeve is without a rival ; the
throne of the FLINTS is decidedly freehold
property to him.
1834. Nodes Amb.,xxxiv., vol. IV.,
p. 83. (The company is discussing the
tailors' strike). TICKLER. The FLINTS
flash fire, and the day of the dungs is
gone.
OLD FLINT, subs. phr. (com-
mon). A miser : one who
would 'skin a flint,' i.e., stoop to
any meanness for a trifle.
1840. DICKENS, Old Curiosity Shop,
ch. vii., p. 34. It's equally plain that the
money which the OLD FLINT — rot him —
first taught me to expect that I should
share with her at his death, will all be
hers.
To FIX ONE'S FLINT. See
Fix.
To FLINT IN, verb. phr.
(American). To act with energy;
not to stand on ceremony; to
pitch into ; to tackle. A verb of
action well-nigh as common as FIX
FLIP, subs, (common). — I. Hot
beer, brandy, and sugar ; also,
saysGrose,calledSiR.CLOUDESLEY
after Sir Cloudesley Shovel. See
DRINKS.
1690. JB. E., New Diet, of the Cant-
ing Crew. FLIP, Sea Drink, of small
beer (chiefly) and brandy, sweetened and
spiced upon occasion.
1690. WARD, London Spy, part II.,
p. 41. After the drinking a Kan of Phlip
or a Bowl of Punch.
1705. WARD, Hudibras Redivivus,
vol. I., pt. 4, p. 8. So have I seen on
board of ship, Some knawing beeff, some
spewing FLIP.
1748. SMOLLETT, Rod. Random, ch
xxiv. He . . . sent for a can of beer, of
which he made excellent FLIP to crown the
banquet.
1810. CRABBE, The Borough, Letter
1 6. Nay, with the seamen working in the
ship, At their request, he'd share the grog
and FLIP.
1875. C. D. WARNER, Backlog
Studies, p. 1 8. It was thought best to
heat the poker red-hot before plunging it
into the mugs of FLIP.
2. (popular). — A bribe or
douceur.
3. (common).-
or snatch.
-A light blow,
1821. HAGGART, Life, p. 23.
Barney made a very unceremonious FLIP
at the bit.
Verb (thieves').— To shoot.
1819. VAUX, Flash Diet., s.v.
1834. AINSWORTH, Rookwood (ed
1864), p. 273. FLIP him, Dick; fire, or
I'm taken.
To FLIP UP verb. phr.
(American). — To spin a coin.
1879. New York Tribune, 4 Oct.
The two great men could FLIP UP to see
which should have the second place.
FLIP-FLAP, subs, i (old). — I. A
flighty creature.
1702. VANBRUGH, False Friend, i.
The light airy FLIP-FLAP, she kills him
with her motions.
2. (popular). A step-dance ;
a CELLAR-FLAP (q.v.). Also
(acrobats') ; a kind of somer-
sault, in which the performer
throws himself over on his hands
and feet alternately.
1727. GAY, Fables, ' Two Monkies.'
The tumbler whirls the FLIP-FLAP round.
With sommersets he shakes the ground.
1872. BRADDON, Dead Sea Fruit,
ch. xiv. There ain't nothing you can't do,
Morty, from Shylock to a FLIP-FLAP.
Flipper.
27
Floater.
1889. Pall Mall Gazette, 12 Nov.,
p. 6, col. 2. There were the clowns who
danced, turned somersaults, FLIP-FLAPS,
and contorted themselves.
3. (American).
tea-cake.
A kind of
1876. BESANT and RICE, Golden
Butterfly, ch. xviii. The first evening I
took tea with Mrs. Scrimmager. 'It must be
more than a mite lonely for you,' she said,
as we sat over her dough-nuts and FLIP-
FLAPS.
4. (nautical). The arm. For
synonyms, see BENDER.
5. (venery). The penis.
1653. URQUHART, Rabelais, I., 20.
I might have cleft her water-gap And
joined it close with my FLIP-FLAP.
FLIPPER, subs, (nautical and
common). I. The hand, TIP
us YOUR FLIPPER^ give me your
hand. [From the flipper or
paddle of a turtle.] For synonyms,
see D ADDLE and MAULEY.
1837. BARHAM, Ingoldsby Legends,.
'Lay of St. Gengulphus.' With those
great sugar-nippers they nipp'd_ off his
FLIPPERS, As the clerk, very flippantly,
termed his fists.
1884, Punch, ii Oct. 'Any at a
Political Picnic.' Old Bluebottle TIPPED
ME HIS FLIPPER, and 'oped I'd ' refreshed,'
and all that.
2. (common). See FLAPPER.
3, (theatrical), Part of a,
scene, hinged and painted on both
sides, used in trick changes.
FLIRTATIOUS, a,dj. (American), —
Flighty.
1881, W. D. HOWELLS, D. Breens
Practice, ch,. i., "Oh, you needn't look
after her.. Mr. Libby ! There's nothing
FLIRTATIOUS about Grace," said Mrs.
Maynard.
FLIRT-GILL, FLIRTGILLIAN, or
GILL- FLIRT, subs. (old). A
wanton ; a CHOPPING GIRL (q.v. )j
specifically a strumpet. For syno-
nyms, see BARRACK-HACK and
TART.
1595. SHAKSPEARE, Romeo and
Juliet, ii., 4. Scurvy knave ! I am none
Of his FLIRT -GILLS.
1713. Guardian, No. 26. We are
invested with a parcel of FLIRT-GILLS, who
are not capable of being mothers of brave
men.
1729. GAV, Polly, ii. 4. While
a man is grappling with these GILL-
FLIRTS, pardon the expression, Captain,
he runs his reason aground.
1822. SCOTT, Fort, of Nigel, ch. v.
She is a dutiful girl to her god-father,
though I sometimes call her a JILL-FLIRT.
FLIRTINA COP-ALL, subs. phr.
(common). A wanton, young or
old ; a MEN'S WOMAN (q.v.}.
FLQAT, subs, (theatrical).— The foot-
lights : before the invention of
gas they were oil-pans with float-
ing wicks. Cf. , ARK-FLOATER.
1886. Saturday Review, 24 July,
p. 108. To an actor the FLOAT is not what
it is to a fisherman.
1889. Answers, 8 June, p. 24. _ He
slapped me on the back, put me in a
hansom, and cried, ' We'll have you behind
{he FLOAT (footlights) in a week.'
IF THAT'S THE WAY THE
STICK FLOATS. See STICK.
FLOATER, subs* (Stock Exchange).
— An Exchequer bill j applied also
to other unfunded stock,
1871, Temple Bar, XXXI,, 320. On
the Stock Exchange, where slang abounds,
FLOATERS is a term which would puzzle
outsiders. FLOATERS are Exchequer
bills and their unfunded stock.
2. (common). — A sijet dump,
ling in soup.
3. (political). — A vendible voter.
1883. Graphic, 17 Mar., p. 279, col.
3. ' How many voters are there f asked!
a. candidate in one of these pure-blooded
Floating Academy. 28
Flog.
Yankee townships. ' Fourhundred.' 'And
how many FLOATERS, i.t.t purchasable?'
' Four hundred.'
1888. New York Herald, 4 Nov.
The Building Materials Exchange people
were in line to the number of about 200,
with a band, ?.nd were followed by a six-
teen-horse stage of the ' Long Tom ' shape
containing a lot of FLOATERS and some
fifers and drummers.
4. (Western American). — A
candidate representing several
counties, and therefore not con-
sidered directly responsible to any
one of them.
1853. Texas State Gazette, 16 July.
J. W. Lawrence, Esq., requests us to with-
draw his name as a candidate for FLOATER
in the district composed of the counties of
Fayette, Bastrop. and Travis.
5. (venery). — The penis. For
synonyms, see CREAMSTICK and
PRICK.
FLOATING ACADEMY, subs. phr.
(old). — The hulks; also CAMP-
BELL'S ACADEMY (q.v.), and
FLOATING HELL (q.V.). For
synonyms, see CAGE.
FLOATING BATTERIES, subs. phr.
(military). — I. Broken bread
in tea ; also SLINGERS (q.v.}.
2. (American). -— The Con-
federate bread rations during the
Secession.
FLOATING COFFIN, subs. phr. (nau-
tical).— A rotten ship.
FLOATING HELL, or HELL AFLOAT,
subs. phr. (nautical). — A ship
commanded by (i) a brutal
savage, or (2) a ruthless disci-
plinarian. See also FLOATING
ACADEMY.
FLOCK, subs, (colloquial).— A clergy-
man's congregation. Also any
body of people with a common
haunt or interest : e.g. , a family
of children, a company of soldiers,
a school of girls or boys, ' a cab-
ful of molls,' and such like.
TO FIRE INTO THE WRONG
FLOCK, verb. phr. (American
pioneers'). — To blunder. A
variant is TO BARK UP THE
\VRONG TREE.
1858. New York Herald, 9 Nov.
When Mr. Saulsbury rose and called the
Speaker's attention to the alleged blunder
in the Secretary's report, his own friends
jumped up in great excitement and pulled
him down ; he soon found out that he had
FIRED INTO THE WRONG FLOCK.
FLOCK OF SHEEP, subs, phr.—i.
(gaming). A hand at dominoes set
out on the table.
2. (colloquial). — White waves
on the sea : WHITE HORSES (q.v. ).
FLOG, subs. (American thieves'). —
i. A whip. A contraction of
FLOGGER (q.v.). To FLOG (now
recognised), is cited by B. E.
(1690), GROSE, and the author of
Bacchus and Venus as Cant.
TO BE FLOGGED AT THE
TUMBLER, verb, phr. (old).— To
be whipped at the cart's tail.
See TUMBLER.
1690. B. E., New Diet, of the Cant-
ing Crew.
TO FLOG THE DEAD HORSE,
verb. phr. (common). — i. To
work up an interest in a bygone
subject ; to try against heart ; to
do with no will nor liking for
the job. [Bright said that Earl
Russell's Reform Bill was a DEAD
HORSE (q.v.), and every attempt
to create enthusiasm in its favour
was FLOGGING THE DEAD
HORSE.]
2. (nautical). — To work off an
advance of wages.
Flogger.
29
Floor.
TO FLOG A WILLING HORSE,
verb. phr. (common). — To urge
on one who is already putting
forth his best energies.
FLOGGER, subs. (old). — i. A whip;
cf., FLOG. GROSE gives the
word as Cant. Fr. , un bouis.
1789. GEO. PARKER, Life's Painter,
p. 173, s.v.
2. (theatrical). — A mop (i.e.,
a bunch of slips of cloth on a
handle) used in the painting
room to whisk the charcoal dust
from a sketch.
FLOGGING,///, adj. (old). — Careful;
penurious.
FLOGGING-COVE, subs, phr*
(prison) — I. An official who ad-
ministers the CAT (q.v.\
1690. B. E., New Diet, of the Cant-
ing Crew. FLOGGING COVE, c. the
Beadle, or Whipper ill Bridewell, or any
such place.
1785. GROSE, Diet. Vulg. Tongue,
s.v. FLOGGING-COVE, the beadle, or
whipper, in Bridewell.
2. See FLOGGING CULLY.
FLOGGING CULLY, subs. phr.
( venery ). — A man addicted,
whether from necessity or choice,
to flagellation; a WHIPSTER
(?•»•)•
1690. B. E., New Diet, of the Cant-
ing Crew. FLOGGING, c. a Naked
Woman's whipping (with rods) an Old
(usually) and (sometimes) a young Lecher.
FLOGGING STAKE, subs. phr. (old).
— A whipping post.
1690. B. E., New Diet, of the Cant-
ing Crew, s.v.
1785. GROSE, Diet, of the Vulgar
Tongue, s.v.
FLOGSTER, subs. (old). — One
addicted to flogging. Specifically
(naval), a nickname applied to
the Duke of Clarence (afterwards
William IV).
FLOOR, verb, (colloquial). — I. To
knock down. Hence to vanquish
in argument ; to make an end of ;
to defeat ; to confound. See
FLOORED and DEAD-BEAT.
1785. GROSE, Diet. Vulg. Tongue.
FLOOR the pig, knock down the officer.
1821. HAGGART, Life, p. 15. That
moment the farmer let fly at the drover,
which FLOORED him.
1857. G. A. LAWRENCE, Guy
Livingstone, ch. xxi, ' When I saw him
so FLOORED as not to be able to come to
time, I knew there had been some hard
hitting going on thereabouts, so I kept
clear.'
1821. EGAN, Tom and Jerry, p. 10.
Then (apostrophising ' Maga ') FLOOR me
not. Ibid., p. 60, The Corinthian, being
no novice in these matters, FLOORED two or
three iii a twinkling.
1835. COLERIDGE, Table Talk (pub-
1 ished posthumously). The other day I
was what you may called FLOORED by a
jew.
1836. C. DICKENS, Pickwick Papers
p. 425 (Ed. 1857). Even Mr. Bob Sawyer
.... was FLOORED.
1862. MRS. H. WOOD, The Chan-
nings, ch. v. ' So if the master is directing
his suspicions to the seniors, he'll get
FLOORED.'
1870. L. OLIPHANT, Piccadilly, Pt.
V., p. 196. 'Whenever the mammas
object to asking her on account of that
horrid Lady Wylde,' I FLOOR all opposition
by saying, ' Oh, Lady Jane Helter will
bring her.'
1888. Sportsman, 28 Nov. Pope,
who was the fresher, started at a terrific
pace and drove his man all over the ring,
ending by FLOORING him.
TO FLOOR THE ODDS.
(betting men's). — Said of a low-
pnced horse that pulls off the
event in face of the betting.
1882. Daily Telegraph, 16 Nov.
The odds were, nevertheless, FLOORED
from an unexpected quarter.
Floor.
Floored.
1889. Echo, 24 Jan. As the odds
betted on Miss Jessie II. were easily
FLOORED by Marsden.
2. (drunkards'). — To finish ;
to get outside of. E.g.) ' I
FLOORED three half-pints and a
nip before breakfast.'
1837. Punch, 31 Jan. Dear Bill, this
stone jug. ... Is still the same snug,
Free-and-easy old holev Where Macheath
met his blowens, and Wylde FLOORED his
bowl.
18(?). Macmillan's Magazine (quoted
in Century Diet). 1 have a few bottles
of old wine left : we may as well FLOOR
them.
3. (university). — To pluck ;
to PLOUGH (q.V. ).
TO FLOOR A PAPER, LESSON,
EXAMINATION^ EXAMINER, etc.,
verb, phr, (university). — To
answer every question ; to
master ; to prove oneself superior
to the occasion.
1852. BRISTED, Five Years in an
English University, p. 12. Somehow I
nearly FLOORED the paper.
1861. HUGHES, Tom Brown at
Oxford. I've FLOORED my Little Go.
To FLOOR ONE'S LICKS* verb,
phr. (common). — To surpass one's
Self; to CUT-AROUND (q.V. )
1844. PUCK, p. 14. Now slowly
rising, raised his pewter and FLOORED HIS
TO HAVE, HOLD, or TAKE
THE FLOOR, verb. phr. (collo-
quial). — To rise to address a
public meeting ; in Ireland, to
stand up 1o dance ; and, in
America, ' to be in possession of
the House.'
1882. McCABE-, New York, xxi., p.
342. A member making a bid below or
an offer above the one which HAS THE
FLOOR.
1888. St. Louis Globe - Democrat,
After a half hour's recess Mr. Glover
TOOK THE FLOOR.
1889. Pall Mall Gazette, n Nov.,
p. 6, col. i. The Duke of Rutland, how-
ever, who ' TOOK THE FLOOR ' non-
politically at the end of the evening, was
really 'felicitous' in his few remarks.
FLOORED, ppl. adj. (colloquial). —
I. Vanquished ; brought under ;
ruined. For synonyms, see DEAD-
BEAT and infra.
ENGLISH SYNONYMS. — Basket-
ted ; bitched ; bitched -up; bowled
out ; broken up ; buggered up ;
busted; caved in; choked-off;
cornered ; cooked ; coopered up ;
dead-beat ; done brown ; done
for ; done on toast ; doubled up;
flattened-out ; fluffed ; flum-
moxed ; frummagemmed ; gapped;
gone through St. Peter's needle ;
gone under ; gravelled ; gruelled ;
hoofed out ; in the last of pea-
time, or last run of shad ; jacked -
up ; knocked out of time ; knocked
silly; looed; mucked-out; petered
out; pocketed ; potted ; put in his
little bed ; queered in his pitch ;
rantanned ; sat upon ; sewn up ;
shut-up ; smashed to smithereens;
snashed ; snuffed out ; spread-
eagled ; struck of a heap ;
stumped ; tied up ; timbered ;
treed ; trumped ; Up a tree.
FRENCH SYNONYMS. — Mon
linge est lave (pop. : = I have
thrown up the sponge) ; cotter
sous bande ( = to put in a hole :
at billiards, bande = cushion) ; avoir
son affaire (pop : = to have got a
' settler ' ) ; aplalir (fam : = to
flatten out) ; aplomber (thieves' : =
to brazen down ; to bluff) ; etre
pris dans la balancine (pop. : =to
be in a fix) ; se faire cotter
(familiar) ; envoyer quelqdun
s'asseoir, or s'asseoir sur quelqitun
(popular).
ITALIAN SYNONYM. —
= to overturn).
Floorer.
Flop.
SPANISH SYNONYMS.— Pesado
(doubled-up : from peso — weight) ;
aculado (from ocular = to corner) ;
arrollar ( = to sweep away, as a
torrent) ; aturrullar ( = to shut
up) ; cogite ! ( — ' I've got you/
or, ' there I have you ! ')
2. (common). — Drunk ; in
Shakspearean ' put down ' : as Sir
Andrew Aguecheek, ' Never in
your life, I think, unless you see
Canary PUTMEDOWN.' ( Twelfth
Night, i., 3). For synonyms, see
SCREWED.
3. (painters').— Hung low at
an exhibition ; in contradis-
tinction tO SKYED (^Z>.)> and ON
THE LINE (q.t>.).
FLOORER, subs. (common), —
I. An AUCTIONEER (y.V:)i or
knock-down blow; cf.9 DIG,
BANG, and WIPE. Hence, sudden
or unpleasant news; a decisive
argument ; an unanswerable
retort j a decisive cheek. Sp.,
peso-.
1819. T-. MOORE, Tori. Crib's
Memorial, p. 20 For in these FANCY
times, 'tis your hits in the MUNS, And your
CHOPPERS and FLOORERS that govern the
funds.
1839. SWINTON, Trial of Wm.
Humphreys, p. 297. It is a downright
FLOORER to the Grown.
1856. BRADLEY (' Cuthbert Bede'),
Adventures of Mr. Verdant Green. The
Putney Pet stared . . . The inquiry
for his college was, in the language of his
profession, a ' regular FLOORER.'
1861. H. C. PENNELL, Puck on
Pegasus, p. 20. What a FLOORER to my
hopes is this performance on the ropes !
Miss Marianne suspensa scalis — (Would
twere sus. per coll instead).
1868. Casselfs Magazine, 4 Jan.,
p. 213. ' Ah, she hasn't told you of the
strokes I have had, one arter the other —
clean FLOORERS,( and left like a log of
wood in my bed.'
2. (schools'). — A question, or a
paper, too hard to master.
3. (bowling alley).— A ball that
brings down all the pins.
4. (thieves'). — A thief who trips
his man, and robs in picking him
up ; a RAMPER (q.v.).
1809. G. ANDREWS, Diet, of the
Slang and Cant Languages, s.v.
FLOORING, subs, (pugilists'). —
Knocking down. Hence, to van-
quish in all senses.
1819. MOORE, Tom Crib's Memorial,
p. xii. Cross-buttocking . . . being
as indispensable an ingredient, as nobbing,
FLOORING, etc.
FLOOR-WALKER, subs. (American).
—A shop -walker.
FLOP, subs, and verb. (American
university). — I. A BITE (g.v.);
a successful dodge.
1856. HALL, College Words and
Customs. Any 'cute' performance by
which a man is sold is a good FLOP, and by
a phrase borrowed from the base-ball ground
is ' rightly played.' The discomfited indi-
vidual declares that they ' are all on a side,'
and gives up, or 'rolls over,' by giving his
opponent 'gowdy.' A man writes cards
during examinations to 'feeze the profs';
said cards are 'gumming cards,1 and he
FLOPS the examination if he gets a good
mark by the means. One usually FLOPS
his marks by feigning sickness.
2. (common) — A sudden fall
or ' flop ' down.
3. (common). — A collapse or
breakdown.
4. (For FLAP or FLIP, old). —
A light blow.
1662. Rump Songs, ii., 3. The good
the Rump will do, when they prevail, Is
to give us a FLOP with a fox's tail, Which
nobody can deny.
Flop.
Flounder.
Verb, (colloquial).— I. To fall,
or flap down suddenly. A variant
of 'flap.' Fr., prendre. un billet
de parterre.
1 742. FIELDING, Joseph A ndrews, bk.
iv. ch. v. She had FLOPPED her hat over
her eyes.
1859. DICKENS, Tale of Two Cities
bk. ii. ch. i. If you must go FLOPPING
yourself down.
1870. Public Opinion, 12 Feb. But
even if they were more numerous and
greater than they are, we should hold
aloof from the crowd that FLOPS in his
presence with love and awe, as the dismal
wife of Jerry Cruncher FLOPPED in pious
misery.
1883. The Theatre, Feb., p. 93. She
is able to call in tumbling to the aid of
tragedy, and bring the plastic arts to the
portrayal of the passions ; to FLOP through
four such acts as these night after night^
and finish with a death-scene warranted
correct, to the very last kick and quiver.
1891. HUME NISBET, Bail Up! p.
1 1 8. He cursed under his breath each
time he rose to follow, and smothered a
yell of pain and horror each time he
FLOPPED DOWN.
2. (pugilists').— To knock down;
to FLOOR (q.v.).
1888. Sporting Life, 15 Dec. 'E
carnt FLOP a bloke.
Adv. (colloquial). — An onom-
atopoeia expressive of the noise
of a sudden and sounding fall.
Often used expletively, as SLAP
(q.v.) is, and the American RIGHT
(q.v.)
1726. VANBRUGH, Journey to Lon-
don, Act I., Sc. 2. That down came I
FLOP o' my feace all along in the channel
1860. Punch, v. 38, p. 255. 'Twixt
two stools, FLOP, he let me drop, The
fall it was my murther.
1881. JAS. PAYN, Grape from a
Thorn, ch. vi. ' She'll roll down, papa,
and come FLOP."
To FLOP OVER, verb. phr. (col-
loquial).— To turn heavily; hence
(in America), to make a sudden
change of sides, association, or
allegiance.
FLOP-UP, subs. (American). — A
day's tramp, as opposed to a SOT-
DO WN = half a day's travel.
1888. Detroit Free Press, 15 Sept.
' Stranger, did ye lope it?' (come on foot).
' Yes.' ' A mile or a sot down ? ' ' More'n
that. About a dozen FLOP-UPS.'
FLOP-UP-TIME = Bedtime.
[FLOP, too, is something of a vocable of
all-work. Thus TO FLOP iN=(venery)
to effect intromission ; TO FLOP ROUND
= to loaf; to dangle; TO FLOP AJUDY=IO
lay out, or ' SPREAD' (q.v.), a girl ; TO DO
A FLOP=(colloquial)tosit, or to fall, down,
and (venery) to lie down to a man ; TO FLOP
OUT = to leave the water noisily and
awkwardly ; belly-FLOPPiNG = belly-bump-
ing, coition ; a FLOP in the gills =a smack
in the mouth. 1
FLORENCE, subs, (old)— 'A wench
that has been touzed and ruffled. '
1690. B. E., New Diet, of the Cant-
ing Crew, and (1785) GROSE, s.v.
FLOSTER, subs, (common). — A
mixed drink : sherry, noyau,
peach-leaves, lemon, sugar, ice,
and soda-water. Cf., FLESH-
AND-BLOOD.
PLOUGH. To FALL (or GO), PLOUGH
(or FLOUSH), verb. phr. (collo-
quial).— To come to pieces; to
sag suddenly on the removal of a
restraining influence : as a pair of
stays.
1819. MOOREJ Tom Crib, p. 13. Old
Georgy went FLOUSH, and his backers
look'd shy.
FLOUNCE, verb, (colloquial).— To
move with violence, and (gene-
rally) in anger. Said of women,
for whom such motion is, or
rather was, inseparable from a
great flourishing of flounces.
FLOUNDER, subs, (riverside thieves').
— i. A drowned corpse. Cf.,
DAB, and for synonyms, see
STIFF.
Flounder-and-Dab. 33
Flue.
2. (Stock Exchange). — To sell,
and afterwards re-purchase a
stock, or vice versti.
1889. Echo, i Feb. A third expedient
offers itself— namely, to turn round and
buy ; but this operation goes by the name
of * FLOUNDERING ' especially when the
speculator loses both ways.
FLOUNDER-AND-DAB, subs, phr,
(rhyming). — A cab. For syn-
onyms, see GROWLER.
FLOU-R, wbs. (American). — Money,
For synonyms, see ACTUAL and
GILT.
FLOURISH, stfbs, (venery).— Coftion
in a hurry; FLYER (q.v.); a FAST-
FUCK (q.v.). Also verbally. For
synonyms see GREENS and RIDE.
1796. GROSE, Diet, of the Vulgar
Tffngue (srd ed.J, s.v. To enjoy a ^oman
with her clothes on or without going to
bed.
Verb (colloquial.) — To be in
•kick : e.g. , ' I flourish * = * I am
werll off ; ' Do you flourish,' or
* Are you flourishing ?' = ' Have
you got any money ?'
FLOURISHING,^', (colloquial).
— A retort t© the enquiry, ' How
are you?' The equivalent of
* Pretty well, thank you •••?'
To FLOURISH IT, verb. phr.
{venery). — To expose the person.
FLOWER, sub-s. (venety).— i. The
{vnatepudendum. Also FLOWER-
POT. For synonyms, see MONO-
SYLLABLE.
2. Inpl. (conventional). — The
menstrual flux. Cf., FLAG,
sense 3.
1598. FLORIO, A Worlde ofWordes.
Biancure, the monthly FLOWERS that
"women have.
1611, COTGRAVE, Dictionarie* Le
fourrier de la lune amarque le logis, appli-
cable to a woman that hath her FLOWERS.
FLOWER • FANCIER, subs. phr.
(venery), — A whore-master.
FLOWERY, subs, (thieves'), — Lodg-
ing ; entertainment ; ' square the
omee for the FLOWERY' = pay
the landlord for the lodging.
\_Lingua Franca.']
FLOWERY LANGUAGE, subs. phr.
(colloquial). — A euphemism for
blasphemous and obscene speech.
FLOWER or CHIVALRY, subs, phr,
(venery). — The female puden-
dum. For synonyms, see MONO-
SYLLABLE.
FLOWING-HOPE, subs, (military). —
A forlorn hope,
FLUB-DXJB-AND-GUFF, subs. phr.
"(American). — Rhetorical embel-
lishment; HIGH-FALUTIN' (q.v.).
1888. Detroit Free Press, August.
Rev. Mr. Selah (to d<esk editor of the
Daily Roarer) — ' Mr. Seezars, are you
going to publish my prayer in full ? ' Desk
^ditor-^In full? Well, I guess not.1
(Changing his tone) — ' However, we'll do
what we can for you. By swiping out
the FLUB-DUB-AND-GUFF, I gUCSS We'll
have room to put in the points.'
FLUE, subs. (old). i. The Re-
corder of London or any large
town. BAMFYLDE MOORE -
CAREW.
2, (colloquial). — The filth,
part fluff, part hair, part dust,
which collects under ill-kept beds,
and at the junctures of sofas and
chairs ; BEGGAR'S VELVET (q.v. ).
I860, DICKENS, Uncommercial
Traveller. 'Arcadian London.' A power
they possess of converting everything
into FLUE. Such broken victuals as they
take by stealth appear (whatever the nature
3
Flue-faker.
34
Fluffiness.
of the viands) to generate FLUE
Ibid. 'Refreshment for Travellers.' Take
the old established Bull's Head .....
with its old-established FLUE under its old
established four-post bedsteads.
3. (common). — A contraction
of 'influenza.'
Verb (common). — To put in
pawn.
IN (or UP) THE FLUE, phr.
(common). — Pawned. For syn-
onyms, see POP.
1821. Real Life, etc., I., p. 366.
1851. MAYHEW, Land. Lab. and
Land. Poor, II., p. 250. I've had some-
times to leave half my stock IN FLUE with a
deputy for a night's rest.
UP THE FLUE (or SPOUT), adj.
phr. (colloquial). — Dead ; col-
lapsed, mentally or physically.
To BE UP ONE'S FLUE, verb,
phr. (colloquial). — To be awk-
ward for one. THAT'S UP YOUR
FLU E = That's a 'facer,' or that's
up against you.
FLUE-FAKER (or SCRAPER), subs.
(common). — A chimney-sweep.
[From FLUE + FAKER (g.v.).]
MINOR CLERGY = young chimney
sweeps. For synonyms, see
CLERGYMAN.
1821. EGAN, Tom and Jerry, p* 60.
The ' office ' has been given to ' shove ' the
poor FLUE-FAKER against Tom's light drab
1859. MATSELL.
Jf ague's Lexicon, s.v.
Vocabulum, or
1882. Punch. LXXXII., p. 185, col. 2.
FLUFF (or FLUFFINGS), subs, (rail-
way clerks'). — i. Short change
given by booking-clerks. The prac-
tice is known as FLUFFING. Cf.,
MENAVELINGS. Fr., des jrtiges
( = more or less unlawful profits
of any sort).
1890, Star, 27 Jan. Many porters
on this line are but getting 155. per week,
and with regard to ' tips,' or, as we say,
' FLUFF ' — well, would you not think it
mean to tell your servant when you en-
gaged him that such were strictly for-
bidden by punishment with dismissal, and
then proclaim to the world that with good
wages and tips your servant was well paid.
2. (theatrical). — 'Lines' half
learned and imperfectly de-
livered. Hence, To DO A FLUFF
= to forget one's part.
1891. W- ARCHER, The World, p.
28, col. i, line 34. But even as seen
through a cloud of FLUFF the burlesque is
irresistibly amusing.
3. (venery). — The female pu-
bic hair. For synonyms, see
FLEECE.
Verb, (railway clerks').— I. To
give short change.
2. (common). — To disconcert,
to FLOOR (q.v.). Cf., FLUFF IN
THE PAN = a failure.
3. (theatrical). — To forget
one's part. Also To DO A
FLUFF.
FLUFF IT I Intj. (common). — An
interjection of disapproval : 'Be
off!' « Take it away !'
FLUFFER, subs, (common). — i. A
drunkard. Cf.t FLUFFINESS.
2. (theatrical). — A player
'rocky on his lines'; i.e., given
to forgetting his part.
3. (old). — A term of contempt.
FLUFFINESS, suds, (common). —
i. Drunkenness. Cf., FLUFFY
and FLUFFER.
1886. Fun, 4 August, p. 44. A
sullen-faced, clerical -looking young man,
charged with FLUFFINESS in a public
conveyance, said he was sober as a judge
when taken into custody.
Fluffy.
35
Flummergasted.
2, (theatrical),— The trick, or
habit, of forgetting words.
FLUFFY, adj. (common and theat-
rical).— Unsteady ', of uncertain
memory. Cf*t FLUFFER (sense 2),
and FLUFFINESS (sense 2).
1885. Referee, July 26, p. 3, col. 2.
In the last act Groves and one or two
others were either wfaat actors call FLUFFY
in their lines, or else Mr. Cross was guilty
of irritating tautology,
FLUKE, subs, (common). — In
billiards, an accidental winning
hazard ; in all games a result not
played for; a CROW (<?•.&*). In
yachting an effect of chance ; a
result in which seamanship has
had no part. Hence, a stroke of
luck. Sp., bambarria,
1857. Notes and Queries, z S. IV.,
p. 208, col. i. In playing at billiards, if a
player makes a hazard, etc. , which lie did
not play for, it is often said that he made
a crow. . . . Another term is, 'He
made a FLOOK (or FLUKE).
1869. WHVTE MELVILLE, M or N,
p. 100. ' Oily lost a pony on the whole
meeting,' answered Dick triumphantly.
* And even that v/as a FLUKE, because
Bearwarden's Bacchante filly was left at
the post.
1873. BLACK. Princess of Thule,
ch. xix. ' These conditions are not often
fulfilled— it is a happy FLUKE when they
are.
1880. HAWLEY SMART, Social
Sinners, ch, xxxii. ' I suppose, by your
asking the question, you have> become
acquainted with Mr. Solamo's past,'
'That's just it, Mr. Prossiter; by an odd
FLUKE I have.'
1891. HUME NISBET, Bail c^/'p,
144, He was now being cured only to be
hanged, most kely, unless by some happy
FLUKE he got off with imprisonment for
life.
Vtrb (common and billiards). —
I. To effect by accident.
1888. Sportsman, 20 Dec, Fortune
once more assisted Mitchell, who, in trying
to make a red loser, FLUKED a cannon,
from which he got on the spot, and made
forty-three winners in a braak of 161*
2.— (schoolboys'). — To shirk.
1864, Eton School Days, ch. xvi,,
p, 203. ' By Jove ! I think I shall FLUKE
doing Verses ; I should like to see Paddy
drive tandem through College,' said
Butler Burke.
To CUT FLUKES OUT, -verb,
phr, (nautical). — To mutiny ; to
turn sulky and disobedient,
To TURN FLUKES, verb, phr,
(nautical). — To go to bed ; i,e.t
TO BUNK (g.v.), or turn in,
FLUKY, or FLUKEY, adj, (common).
—Of the nature of a FLUKE
(y.y,) ; t.-e., achieved more by
good luck than good guidance.
1882. Standard, 3 Sept. Bonnorgot
a FLUKEY three to square leg.
1891, Licensed Viet. Gazette, 20
March, Now, Grady was a smart young
Irishman who had thiashed Stevens twice
in days gone by, and had won a somewhat
FLUKEY victory over Young Norley.
Hence FLUKINESS = abounding
in FLUKES,
1886, ///. Sport. <wd Dram. News,
co Feb., p. 579. There is no FLUKINESS
about him : he makes his runs because he
is an excellent batsman, and takes his
wickets because he is an excellent bowler.
FLU MM A DIDDLE, subs. (American).
— i. Nonsense j FLUMMERY(^.Z>.).
2. (nautical), — A sea-dainty.
1884. G. A. SALA, in III. Ltndo*
News, July 10, p. 51, col 2. I suppose that
when the friendly skippers GAM [<?.v.],
they feast on FLUMMADIDDLE, a dish
composed, I am given to understand, of
stale bread, pork fat, molasses, cinnamon,
allspice, and cloves.
FLUMMERGASTEO, ///. adj. (collo-
rial). — Astonished ; confounded,
variant of FLABBERGASTED
Flummery.
Flummut.
1849. New South Wales : Past and
Present, ch. i., p. 14. This coolness so
completely FLUMMERGASTED the fellow,
that he kept talking until Mr. Day shot
him through the shoulder.
FLUMMERY, subs, (colloquial). I.
Nonsense; GAMMON (g.v.)i flat-
tery.
1785. GROSE, Diet, of the Vulgar
Tongue, s.v. Oatmeal and water boiled
to a jelly ; also compliments : neither
. . . over-nourishing.
1836. M. SCOTT, Tom Cringle's Log,
ch. i. I shall . . . blow off as much of
the froth as I can, in order to present the
residuum free of FLUMMERY.
1846. THACKERAY, Yellow Plush
Papers. She swallowed Lord Crabs'
FLUMERY just as she would so many
musheruims.
1854. WHYTE MELVILLE, General
Bounce, ch. xii. None of the dubious,
half-expressed, sentimental FLUMMERY.
2. (American nautical). — A
kind of bread pudding. —
NORDHOFF.
3. (old).— Oatmeal and water
boiled to a jelly. — GROSE (1785).
FLUMMOX, FLU M MOCKS, or FLUM-
MUX, verb, (colloquial). — I. To
perplex, dodge, abash, of silence ;
to victimize; to BEST (q.v.) ; to
disappoint-. Also CONFLUMMOX.
TO FLUMMOX (or CONFLUMMOX)
BY THE LIP = TO OUTSLANG
(q.v.), of talk down; TO FLUM-
MOX THE COPPERS = to dodge
the police; TO FLUMMOX THE OLD
DUTCH = to cheat one's wife,
etc. For synonyms, see FLAB-
BERGAST.
2. (theatrical).— To confuse,
to QUEER (q.v-.). Cf.y CORPSE.
3. ( American ).— Used in the
passive sense = to abandon a pur-
pose ; to give in ; to die.
Subs. (American University).
— A bad recitation ; a failure.
fpi
FLUMMOXED,///, adj. (thieves' and
general). — i. Spoilt ; ruined ;
drunk ; SENT DOWN (q. v.) ; BOSHED
(q.v.) ; defeated ; disappointed ;
silenced; FLOORED (q.v.).
1836. DICKENS, Pickwick, ch. xxxiii.,
p. 283. ' And my 'pinion is, Sammy, that
if your governor don't prove an alleybi, he'll
be what the Italians call reg'larly FLUM-
MOXED, and that's all about it '
1840. WHIBLEY, Cap and Gown,
p. 170. So many of the nien I know
Were FLUMMOXED at the last great go.
1861. H. C. PENNELL, Puck on Pega-
sus, p. 17. I felt FLUMMOX'D in a
brown (study understood) old fellow.
1864. Cornhill Magazine, Dec.,
742. 'I sa^, Tom.' 'Yes, mate.' 'I
should have a fit heave a bucket of water
over me.' Tom was too astonished, or, as
he expressed it, CONFLUMMOXED to make
any reply.
1883. Daily Telegraph, 25 July, p. 2,
col. i. I'll give Tom his due, and say of
him that for FLUMMOXING a cuss (Custom
House Officer) or working the weed, I
don't know any one he couldn't give a
chalk to and beat 'em.
1890. Punch, 30 Aug.. p. 97. I'm
fair FLUMMOXED, and singing, ' Oh, what
a surprise ! '
FLUMMOCKY, adj. (colloquial). —
Out of place ; in bad taste.
1891. F. H. GROOME. btac'kwood's
Mag, Marchj p. 319. ' It is a nice solemn
dress,' she said, as she lifted a piece tb ex-
amine it more closely ; ' there's nothing
FLUMMOCKY about it.'
FLUMMUT, subs. ( vagrants' ).— A
month in prison. See FLUM-
MOXEb. For synonyms, see DOSE.
1889. Answers, 2oth July, p. 121
col. 2. If you want to get rid of an impor-
tunate tramp tell him to ' stow his patter,'
or you will get him a FLUMMUT.
1851-61. H. MAYHEW, Land. Lab.
and Lond. Poor, vol. I., p. 232. He
tpatterer] mostly chalks a signal on or near
the door. I give one or two instances.
. •. . i ' FLUMMUT/ sure of a month in
Flump.
37 Flurry One's Milk.
FLUMP, verb, (colloquial). — To fall,
put, or be set, down with violence
or a thumping noise. Onoma-
topoeic. Also to COME DOWN
WITH A FLUMP Cf.y PLUMP and
CACHUNK.
1840. THACKERAY, Paris Sketch
Book, ch. v. Chairs were FLUMPED down
on the floor.
1865. H. KINGSLEY, The Hillyars
and the Burtons^ ch. Ixii. Before my
mother had been a week in the partly-
erected slat-house, the women began to
come in, to FLUMP down into a seat and
tell her all about it.
FLUNK, subs. (American colloquial).
— i. An idler, a LOAFER (q.v.) or
LAWRENCE (q.v.),
2. (Also FLUNK-OUT). — A
failure, especially (at college) in
recitations ; a backing out of un-
dertakings.
1853. Songs of Yale. In moody
meditation sunk, Reflecting on my future
FLUNK.
1877. Brunonian, 24th Feb. A FLUNK
is a complete fizzle ; and a DEAD FLUNK is
where one refuses to get out of his seat.
1888. Missouri Republican, iith Feo.
Riddleberger forced tb.e presidential possi-
bilities of the senate to a complete FLUNK.
Verb (American). — To retire
through fear ; to fail (as in a
lesson) ; to cause to fail. Cf.%
FUNK,
1838. NEAL, Charcoal Sketches, IV.
Why, little 'un, you must be cracked, if
you FLUNK OUT before we begin.
1847. Tfc Yale Banger, 22 Oct.
My dignity is outraged at beholding those
who fizzle and FLUNK in my presence
tower aboye me.
1853. Atnherst Indicator, p. 253,
They know that a man who has FLUNKED.
because too much of a genius to get his
lesson, is not in a state to appreciate
joking.
1871. JOHN HAY, 'Jim Bludso of the
Prairie Bell.' in New York Tribune, Jan.
1'ut he never FLUNKED, and he never lied/
I reckon he never know'd how.
FLUNKEY, subs, (nautical). — i. A
ship's steward.
2. (American.) — An ignorant
dab.bler in stock ; an inexperi-
enced jobber.
1862. A Week in Wall St., p. 90.
A broker, who had met with heavy losses,
exclaimed : 'I'm in a bear-trap, — this
won't do. The dogs will come over me.
I shall be mulct in a loss. But I've got
time ; I'll turn the s,cale ; I'll help the bulls
operate for a rise, and draw in the
FLUNKIES.
3. (American University.) —
One that makes a complete failure
in a recitation ; one who FLUNKS
(q.v.}.
1859, Yale Lit. Magazine. _ \
bore him safe through Horace, Saved hini
from the FLUNKEY'S doom.
4. (colloquial). — A man-ser-
vant, especially one in livery.
Hence, by implication, a para-
site or TOADY (q.v.). Fr., un
larbin.
1848. THACKERAY, Book of Snobs,
ch. v. You who have no toadies ; you
whom no cringing FLUNKEYS or shopmen
bow out of doors.
Whence, FLUNKEYISM=: Blind
worship of rank, birth, or riches.
Fr., la larbinerie.
1857. J. E. RITCHIE, Night Side of
London, p. 23. Our trading classes, be-
coming richer and more sunk in FLUNKEY-
ISM every day.
FLURRYMENT, subs, (common.) —
Agitation ; bustle ; confusion ;
nervous excitement. [Pleonastic,
fiom FLURRY.]
1848. TONES, Sketches oj Travel,
p. II. Mafy and all on em was in a
monstrous FLURRYMENT.
FLURRY ONE'S MILK, verb. phr.
(common). — To be worried, angry,
or upset ; To FRET ONE s KID-
NEYS (q.v.} ; To TEAR ONE'S
SHIRT, or ONE'S HAIR (q.v.).
Flush.
Flush.
FLUSH, subs, (gamesters'). — A hand
of one suit.
Adj. (colloquial). — I. With
plenty of money ; the reverse of
HARD UP (q.V.\ ; WARM (q.V.)~,
Also abounding in anything : e.g.
FLUSH OF HIS PATTE R = full of his
talk ; FLUSH OF THE LOTION =
liberal with the drink ; FLUSH OF
HIS NOTIONS = prodigal of ideas ;
FLUSH OF HER CH ARMS = lavish
of her person ; and so forth.
1603. DEKKER, Batchelors Banquet,
ch. viii. Some dames of the company,
which are more FLUSH in crownes- than
her good man.
1605. The Play of Stucley, 1. 538.
They know he hath received His marriage
money: they perceive he's FLUSH And mean
to share with him ere all be gone.
1663. DRYDEN, Wild Gallant, Act
II. Con. Since you are so FLUSH, sir, you
shall give me a locket of diamonds, of
three hundred pounds.
1690. B. E., Ne-w Diet, of the
Canting Crew. FLUSH in the pocket c.
full of money. The cull is FLUSH in the
fob, the Spark's pocket is well lined with
money.
1767. O'HARA, Two Misers, Act I.
What stops many an hopeful project ? lack
of cash — {looking archly a-t him\ Are-
you FLUSH, Sir ?
1785. GROSE, Diet. &f the Vulgar
Tongue, s.v.
1846. THACKERAY, V^ F., vol. I.
ch. xxviii. The expenses were borne by
Jos and Osbprne, who was FLUSH of money
and full of kind attentions to hi$ wife.
1861. A. TROLLOPE, Framley Parson-
age, ch. viiL Allow me to draw on. you
for that amount at three months. Long
before that time I shall be FLUSH enough.
1864. Economist, 29 Oct. The
world was then, if such a very colloquial
expression could be pardoned, ' FLUSH of
cash,' and it sent in that cash rapidly and
at once.
2. ( common ). — Intoxicated
(*.*., full to the brim); also
FLUSHED. For synonyms, see
DRINKS and SCREWED.
3. (colloquial). — Level: e.g.,
FLUSH with the top, with the
water, with the road, with the
boat's edge, etc.
Verb* (common). — I. To whip.
ENGLISH SYNONYMS. — To
bludgeon ; to bumbaste j to breech
(Cotgrave) ; to brush ; to club ; to
curry ; to dress with an oaken
towel ; to drub ; to drybeat j to
dry-bob ; to drum; to fib; to flap ;
to flick ; to flop ; to jerk ; to give
one ballast ; to hide ; to lamm ;
to larrup ; to paste ; to punch ;
to rub down ; to swinge ; to
swish ; to switch ; to trounce ; to
thump \ to tund (Winchester) ;
to wallop. See also TAN.
FRENCH SYNONYMS. — Donner
Favoine (pop. =to give a feed of
hay); allumer (popular) ; bouiser
(thieves' : un bouts = a. whip).
ITALIAN SYNONYMS. — Smane-
grare ; cotillare ; corillare ; cerire.
?. (colloquial). — To clean by
filling full, and emptying, of water :
e.g., to FLUSH a sewer ; to; wash,
swill, or sluice away. Also to fill
with water : e.g.:% to FLUSH a lock.
1884. HENLEY and STEVENSON,.
Admiral Guinea, i., 8. Pray for a new
heart ', FLUSH OUT your sins with tears,
3. (shooting). — To start or
rai^e a bird from covert : e.g., TO
FLUSH a snipe, or a covey of
partridges. Hence (venery) TO
FLUSH A WILD DUCK = to single
out a woman for GROUSING (q.v.\*
TO COME FLUSH ON ONE, verb,
phr. (colloquial). — To come sud-
denly and unexpectedly (Marvell);
to overwhelm (as by a suddep
rush of water).
Flushed on the Horse. 39
Flustration.
FLUSHED ON THE HORSE, phr.
(prison). — Privately whipped in
gaol.
FLUSH-HIT, subs. phr. (pugilistic). —
A clean blow ; a hit full on the
mark and straight from the
shoulder. For synonyms, see
DIG.
1891. Lie. Viet. Mirror, 30 Jan., p.
7, col. 2. Landed a very heavy FLUSH HIT
on the mouth.
Adv. ( colloquial ). — Full ;
straight; RIGHT ON (q.v.).
1888. Sporting Life, 15 Dec.
Both cautious, Wilson with marked
frequency leading off, and getting the left
FLUSH on the face.
FLUSTER, verb. (old). — To excite ;
to confuse, abash, or FLUMMOX
(q.v.} ; to upset, or be upset, with
drink.
1602. SHAKSPEARE, Othello, I., 3.
The very elements of this warlike isle, —
Have I to-night FLUSTER'D with flowing
cups.
1711. Spectator, No 87. It is very
common for such as are too low in consti-
tution to ogle the idol upon the strength of
tea, to FLUSTER themselves with warmer
liquors.
1719. DURFEY, Pills, etc., ii., 2<$i,
When I vext proud.Celia just come from
ray glass, She tells me I'm FLUSTERED,
and look like an ass.
1731. FIELDING, Letter Writers.
Act II., Sc. 5. Who hath taken me to the
tavern, and, I protest, almost FLUSTER'D
me.
FLUSTERED (or FLUSTRATED),///.
adj. (old). — Excited by drink,
' circumstances, another person's
impudence, etc; also mildly drunk.
Cf., FLUSTICATED. For syn-
onyms, see SCREWED.
1686. Common, oj Women, Prol.
Another to cumpleat his daily task,
KLUSTEK'D with claret, seizes on a mask.
1690. B. E., New Diet, of the
Canting Crew. FLUSTERED, drunk.
1709. STEELE, Tatler, No. 3. I
. . . therefore take this public occasion
to admonish a young Nobleman, whocame
FLUSTERED into the box last night.
1748. T. DYCHE, Diet. (5th ed.)
FLUSTERED (a) . . . somewhat intoxi-
ated with liquor.
1750. FIELDING, Tom Jones, bk. XIV.
ch. ix. This latter, though not drunk,
began to be somewhat FLUSTERED.
1779. The Mirror, No. 57. All of
them FLUSTERED, some of them perfectly
intoxicated.
1785. GROSE, Diet, of the Vulgar
Tongue, s.v.
FLUSTICATED, or FLUSTRATED,///.
adj. (old and colloquial). — Con-
fused ; in a state of heat or
excitement. Cf., FLUSTERED.
1712. Spectator, No. 493. We were
coming down Essex Street one night a
little FLUSTRATE.D.
1766. COLMAN, Cland. Marriage V.t
in works (1777) i. 271. Your mind is too
much FLUSTRATED, andyoucan neither eat
nor drink.
1843. Maj. Jones' Courtship, I.
Somehow I was so FLUSTRATED that I
tuk the rong way.
1847. PORTER, Big Bear, &c., p. 98.
I sot down, being sorter FLUSTICATED
like, thinkin' of that skrape, last time I
was there.
FLUSTRATION, subs, (old and collo-
quial).— Heat; excitement; bustle;
confusion; FLURRY (q.v.).
1771. SMOLLET, Humphrey Clinker,
I., 126. Being 1 was in su<.h a FLUSTRA-
TION.
1843. Major Jones' Courtship, viii.
The old woman's been in a monstrous FLUS-
TRATION 'bout the comet.
1847. PORTER, Quarter Race, etc.,
p. 177. My wife is in a delicut way, and
the frite might cause a FLUSTRATION.
1848. JONES, Studies of Travel, p.
21. The old woman was in such a FLUS-
TRATION she didn't know her lips from
anything else.
1872. MORTIMER COLLINS, Two
Plunges for a Pearl, vol. II., ch. vii.
Then was this pretty little actress whom he
admired in a great stale of FLUCTUATION.
Flute.
Fly.
FLUTE, subs. (old). — I. The recorder
of a corporation.
1598. FLORIO, A WorldeofWordes.
Tibia, a FLUTES, a recorder, a pipe.
1690. B. E., New Diet, of the
Canting- Crew. FLUTED c. The recorder of
London or of any other town,
1785. GBOSE, Diet, of the Vulgar
Tongue, s.v.
1825 KENT, Modem Flash Diet.
FLUTE — the recorder of any town.
2. (venery). — The penis. Also
the ONE-HOLED, THE LIVING,
O* THE SILENT FLUTE. TO PLAY
A TUNE O-N THE ONE -HOLED
FLUTE = to have cosnection. Cf. ,
Dryden (Sixfh fttvenal, line 107).
' And stretch his QUAIL-PIPE till
they crack his< voice.' For syno-
nyms, see CREAMSTICK and
PRICK.
1720. DURFEY, Pills, etc, vi., 31...
He took her by the middle, And taught
her by the FLUTE.
1736. Cupidr p, 163. The Flute is
good that's made of Wood And isr I ownr
the neatest ; Yet ne'ertheless I must confess,
The SILE.NT FLUTE'S the sweetest.
FLUTTER, subs, (common). — i. An
attempt, or SHY (q.v.)t at any-
. thing; a venture in earnest; a
spree ; a state of expectancy (as
in betting). Hence gambling.
1883. Echo, 26 Feb. p. 4, col. 2. I
have no stable tip, but I fancy the animal
named will at any rate afford backers a
FLUTTER for their money.
1889. Licensed Viet. Gazette, 8
Feb. Of course he told her he only went
in for a little FLUTTER occasionally.
1890. Saturday Review* i Feb., p.
134, col. i. They find out the addresses of
people whom they see at the races —
people whom they suspect to be fond of a
FLUTTER, and then an invitation is sent to
a little soiree inlime.
1887. HENLEY, Culture in the Slums,
iii. I likes a merry little FLUTTER, I keeps
a Dado on the sly, In fact my form's the
blooming Utter.
2. (common). — The act of
spinning a coin.
3. (venery). — Connection de-
floration. TO HAVE HAD A
FLUTTER = (I) TO HAVE BEEN
THERE (cf.y GREENS) ; and (2) to
have lost one's maidenhead.
Verb, (common). — I. To spin
a. coir* (for drinks), j also to
gamble,
2. (common).. — To go in for a
bout of pleasures
TO FLUTTER THE RIBBONS,
verb-, phr. (common) — To drive,
1864. Eton School Days,, chap., i, p*.
ii. As I was going to be saying, I used to
FLUTTER THE RIBANDS of the London.
Croydon and South Coast coach.
[FLUTTER,, if not a word of all- work, is.
a word with plenty to do. Tims,. TO HAVE-
(or DO) A FLUTTER = to have a LOOK IN
(g.z-.), to go on the spree, and (of both sexes)
to.have carnal connection ; TO BE ON THE
FLUTTER = to be on the spree, and also>
(venery) to be ALL THERE (q.v.) or ON
THE SPOT (<J.V.)\ TO FLUTTER A JUDY —
both to pursue and to possess a girl ; TO
FLUTTER A. BROWN = to spin & coin ; TO
FLUTTER (or FRET) ONES KIDNEYS = U>
agitate, to exasperate ;, TO FLUTTER A
SKIRT =to walk the streets j and so forth. J
FLUX, verb (old), — i. To cheat ;
to cozen ; to overreach. For syn*
onyms, see STICK.
1785. GROSE, Diet, of the Vulgar
Tongue^ s,v.
2. (old.)— To salivate. Grose*
(1785).
FLY, subs, (old), — A familiar; hence,
by implication, a parasite or
SUCKER (q.v.). [In the sixteenth
and seventeenth century it was
held that familiar spirits, in the
guise of flies, lice, fleas, etc.^
attended witches, who for a
price professed to dispose of the
power for evil thus imparted. ]
Fly.
Ffy.
1596. LODGE, Incarnate Devils.
This divel prefers an Ephimerides before
a Bible ; and his Ptolemey and Hali before
Ambrose, golden Chrisostome, or S.
Augustine : promise him a familiar, and he
will take a FLIE in a box for good paiment.
1610. BEN JONSON, Alchemist i.
You are mistaken, doctor, Why he does
ask one but for cups and horses, A rifling
FLY, none of your great familiars.
1622. MASSINGER, Virgin Martyr,
ii., 2. Courtiers have FLIES That buzz all
news unto them.
2. (old). — A printer's devil;
specifically a boy who lifted the
printed sheets from the press.
[Now the vibrating frame used
for the same purpose.]
1688. R. HOLME, Academy ^ of
Armory. These boys do in a printing-
house commonly black and bedaub them-
selves, when the workmen do Jocosely
call them devils, and sometimes spirits, and
sometimes FLIES.
3. (trade),— r-A customer.
4. (common). — The act of
spinning a coin. Cf.,t FLUTTER.
5. (old). — A public wagon :
afterwards, (colloquial) a Four-
wheel hackney coach. Fr.,
mouche ( fly) = a public boat on the
Seine.
1714. Memoirs of John Hall, s.v.
6. (common). — A policeman.
For synonyms, see BEAK and
COPPER,
1857. SNOWDEN, Magistrates' Assis*
tant^ 3rd ed.r p. 446. A policeman ; a
Adj. (common). — I . Know-
ing ; ARTFUL (q.v.) ; up to every
move ; cute. Also FLY TO,
A-FLY, FLY TO THE GAME, and
FLY TO WHAT'S WHAT. C/.,
AWAKE, and, for synonyms, see
KNOWING ; FLY DOG (q.v.).
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, Cheese
it, the coves are FLY=be silent, the people
nd our discourse.
1823. W. T. MONCRIEFF, Tom a>id
Jerry, Act II., Sc. 2. Jerry. Charlies'
fiddles? — I'm not FLY, Doctor. Log.
Rattles, Jerry, rattles Jerry rattles I
you're FLY now, I see.
1838. GLASCOCK, Land Sharks and
Sea Gulls., II., 4. That's right; I see
you're FLY to, every fakeiuent.
1850. Lloyd's Weekly y 3 Feb. ' Low
Lodging Houses of London.' They say
the FLIEST is easy to take in sometimes—
that's the artfujlest ; but I could dp no
good there.
1851-61. H. MAYHEW, Land. Lab.
and Land. Poor, vol. I., p. 260. *We
were too FLY to send anybody to market
but ourselves.'
1861. H. KINGSLEY, Ravenshoe, ch.
xxxv. \Chas. Ravenshoe to Shoeblack\
'On the cross?' said Charles. 'Ah,'
the boy said, ' he goes out cly-faking and
such. He's a prig, and a smart one, too..
He's FL.Y, is Harry.
1876. Miss BRADDON, Dead Men**
Shoes, ch. lii. ' Go and fetch the cleverest
police officer in Liverpool, and let him wait
outside this door till I want him.' ' I'm
FLY,' answers the youth, brightening at the
prospect of excitement and remuneration.
*Case of' bezzlement, I suppose, Sir?'
1877. Five Years Penal Servitude,
ch. ii., p. 125. A certain prisoner, who,
was what is termed a very FLY man, i.e.,
a clever, scheming fellow . . . sounded
him as to getting tobacco and other
matters.
188(?>. _ JENNY HILL Broadside
Ballad. I've cut my wisdom teeth, some
at top, some underneath. ... So you
needn't try it on ; I'm FLY.
1890. Punch, 30 Aug., p. 9. Briggs,
Junior, a lobsculter called 'me ; I wasn't
quite FLY to his lay.
1891. Licensed Victuallers' Gazette,
9 Jan. If you get among a FLY lot, why
they'd skin you in less than no time,
2. (common).— ^Dextrous.
1834. AINSWORTH, Rookwood, bk.
III., ch. v. No dummy hunter had forks
SO FLY.
1839. REYNOLDS, Pickwick Abroad,
p. 223. We'll knap afogle with fingers FLY.
3. (venery). — Wanton. FLY-
GIRL, -WOMAN, Or -DAME « 3
prostitute.
Fly.
42
Fly.
1888. San Francisco News Letter, 4
Feb. ' I'm just gettin' sick'n tired o' the
way 't them FLY dames go on, 'n the way
t the fellahs hang round 'em 'n dance with
'em 'n so forth.'
Verb, (thieves').— I. To toss ;
to raise ; TO FLY THE MAGS
= to toss up halfpence (cf. , sw&s. ,
sense 4).
1857. SNOWDEN, Magistrates' As*
sis f ant, 3rd ed., p. 447. To lift a window,
to FLY a window,
2. (pugilistic). — To give way :
as, china FLIES in the baking.
1865. G. F. BERKELEY, My Life, II.
296. Heenan . . . told me his right hand
was worth nothing to him, and we have
since seen that his left FLIES, or, in other
words, becomes puffed, softened, or se-
verely damaged by the force of his own
blows.
To FLY AROUND, verb, phr,
(American).— To bestir oneself;
to make haste. Also TO FLY
AROUND AND TEAR ONE'S SHIRT.
1851. HOOPER, Widow Rugby s Hus-
band, p. 44, Old 'ooman, FLY AROUND,
git somethin' for the Squire and Dick to
gat.
To FLY THE FLAG, verb, phr.
(colloquial). — I. To walk the
streets.
2. (vulgar). — To experience
the menstrual flux,
See also FLAG.
TO FLY HIGH (or RATHER
HIGH). — i. verb. phr. (common).
— To get, or be drunk. For
synonyms, see DRINKS and
SCREWED.
2. (colloquial). — To keep the
best company, maintain the best
appearances, and affect the best
aims : i.e., to be a HIGH-FLIER
(q:v). Also, to venture for the
biggest stakes in the biggest way.
To FLY LOW, vet 6. phr. (col-
loquial).— To make as little of
oneself as possible ; to SING
SMALL (q.v. ) ; and (among thieves)
to keep out of the way when
WANTED (q.V.).
TO FLY OFF 1HE HANDLE,
verb. phr. (American pioneer). —
To lose temper ; to fail of
a promise ; to jilt ; to die ; also
TO SLIP OFF THE HANDLE (q.V.) ;
to disappoint in any way. [In
pioneer life for an axe to part
company with its handle is a
serious trial to temper and
patience.]
1843-4. HALIBURTON, The Attache.
You never see such a crotchical old critter
as he is. He FLIES RIGHT OF* THE
HANDLE for nothing
1867. Home Journal (New York),
21 July (speaking of a man who had
succeeded to a large fortune it says) he
WENT OFF THE HANDLE in England
rather unexpectedly.
1871. DE VERB, Americanisms, p.
195 If a fair lady loses her temper, or
worst of all, if she bleaks the tender
promise, she is said to FLY OFF THE
HANDLE, and the disappointment is as
serious to the unlucky lover as a lost axe
to many a settler.
1888. Piitsburg Chronicle. ' I can't
say that I'am stuck on Sue Fitzpercy,'
remarked Amy. ' She is liable TO FLY OFF
THE HANDLE.'
To FLY OUT, verb. phr. (col-
loquial).— To get angry ; to scold.
1612. CHAPMAN, Widows Tears,
Act II., p. 317 (Plays, 1874). For where-
fore rage wives at their husbands so when
they FLY OUT ? for zeal, against the sin ?
1665-6. PEPYS, Diarv, 17 Jan.
It is to be feared that the Parliament will
FLY OUT against him and particular men,
the next Session.
3712. Spectator, No. 479. He
(Socrat.es) has said, My dear friend, you
are beholden to Xantippe, that 1 bear so
well your FLYING OUT in a dispute.
1855. THACKERAY, Newcomes, ch.
xx. 'And then the Colonel FLIES OUT
about his boy, and says that my wife
insulted him ! '
Fly.
43
Fly.
TO MAKE THE FUR (or
FEATHERS) FLY, verb. phr. (com-
mon). — To attack effectively ;
to make a disturbance ; to quarrel
noisily, like two torn cats on the
tiles, who are' said (in American)
to pull fur, or to pull wool.
1847. PORTER, Big Bear, etc., p.
132. Thar, they've got him agin, and now
the FUR FLIES.
1888. Denver Republican, 29 Feb.
'Wait until the National Committee
assembles on February 22,' said the
organizer, 'and you will see the FUR FLY
from the Cleveland hide.'
TO TAKE ON THE FLY, Wrb*
phr. (vagrants'). — To beg in the
streets ; a specific usage of adver-
bial sense.
1851-61. MAVHEW, Land. Lab. and
Lond. Poor, II., p. 59. The ' first move '
in his mendicant career was TAKING THEM
ON THE FLY, which means meeting the
gentry on their walks, and beseeching or at
times menacing them till something is
given.
To FLY A KITE, verb phr.
(common). — To raise money by
means of accommodation bills ;
TO RAISE THE WIND (^.Z/.).
1812. From an old Dublin Jester.
[The story, however, with slight variations
I j. lie Mvrjfj nuwcvci, wikii sugiiL vaiidiiuii:>f
is told of other judges. See N. and Q., 6
S. ix., 326-394.] In a case before the Lord
Chancellor of Ireland Mr. Curran, on be-
half of the suitor, prayed to be relieved
from the payment of some bills for which
he had not received consideration, but only
lent his name as an accommodation. Mr.
Curran, in the course of his pleadings, men-
tioned the terms KITE and RAISING THE
WIND several times, when his lordship re-
quested to know the meaning of the words.
'My lord,' Mr. Curran replied, 'in your
country (meaning England) the wind gene-
rally raises the kite, but with us, signifi-
cantly looking at the gentlemen of the bar,
THE KITE RAISES THE WIND.'
1848. Punch, XIV., p. 226. ' The
Model Gentleman." He never does ' a
little discounting ' nor lends his hand to
' FLYING A KITE.'
1849. Perils of Pearl Street, p. 82.
FLYING THE KITE is rather a perilous ad-
venture.
1880. G. R. SIMS, Ballads of Baby-
lon (Little Worries). You have a KITE you
cannot FLY, and creditors are pressing.
1891. Licensed Victuallers Gazette*
23 Jan. Prince Alexis Soltykoflf, who ha£
been FLYING KITES, and getting into
trouble thereby, is the only son of Prince
Soltykoff, the steward of the Jockey Club.
2. (thieves') — To go out by
the window.
3. ( lodging - house ). — To,
evacuate from a window.
4. (colloquial),— To attempt 5
to set one's cap at.
1863. H. KINGSLEY, Austin Elliot ,
ch. xii. ' They- say that you FLEW YOUR
KITE at that girl of George Cecil's who has
married that prig, Lord Mewstone.'
TO FLY THE BLUE PIGEONj
verb. phr. (thieves'). — To steal
lead from roofs. See BLUE-
PIGEON. Fr., faire la mastar
au gras-double, or la faire au
mastar.
1785. GROSE, Diet, of the Vulgar
Tongue, s.v.
1789. G. PARKER, Life's Painter,
Thieves who FLY THE BLUE PIGEON, that is,
who steal lead off houses, or cut pipes away
. . . cut a hundredweight of lead, which
they wrap round their bodies next to the
skin. This they call a BIBLE (q.v.), and
what they steal and put in their pockets,
they call a TESTAMENT (g.v.).
1887. Judy, 27 April, p. 200. ' A
burglar whose particular LAY was FLYING
the BLUE PIGEON, i.e., stealing lead.
To LET FLY, verb. phr. (collo-
quial). — To hit out. [From
cock-fighting.]
1859. Punch, vol. XXXVII., p. 54.
'• Essence of Parliament.' Monday, 25 July.
Lard Lyndhurst LET FLY and caught him
what (if pugilistic terms be not out of place
when one is alluding to so pacific a
personage; may be designated an extremely
neat one on the conk.
NOT A FEATHER TO FLY WITH,
adv. phr. (common). — Penniless
and ruined ; DEAD-BROKE (q.v.
for synonyms).
Fly-blow.
44
Fly-catcher.
TO BREAK A FLY ON A WHEEL,
verb. phr. (colloquial). To make
a mountain of a molehill. Cf.,
TO CRACK A NUT WITH A
NASMYTH HAMMER = to lavish
force or energy.
THE FLY ON THE WHEEL,
subs. phr. (colloquial). — One who
fancies himself of mighty import-
ance. [From the fable.]
I DON'T RISE TO THAT FLY,
phr. (common) == I don't believe
you ; you won't catch me with
such bait as that. [From fly-
fishing. ]
OFF THE FLY, adv. phr. (collo-
quial). — On the quiet ; laid up in
dock ; doing nothing : said of a
Strumpet retired from business, or
a man (or woman) who has given
over the pursuit of pleasure.
ON THE FLY, adv. phr. (popu-
lar). — i. Walking the streets ;
out for a LARK (q.v.) ; OFF
WORK (q.v.); out on the SPREE
2. (thieves') — In motion : e g. ,
' I got in one ON THE FLY ' = I
landed a blow while I was run-
ning.
1868. Temple Bar, xxiv., p. 538.
I prigged an old woman's poke ON THE
FLY.
FLY-BLOW, subs, (common). — A
bastard; cf.y BYE -BLOW. A
nonce word.
1875. OUIDA, Signet, vol. I., ch.
viii., p. 140. No doubt that little FLY-
BLOW is his own.
FLY-BLOWN, adj. (common). — i.
Intoxicated. For synonyms, see
DRINKS and SCREWED.
1877. Judy, 18 May, p. 236. The
officer assisted the pastor out, and hinted
that he was slightly ' FLY-BLOWN.'
2. (Australian). — Cleaned-
aut ; without a rap ; HARD- UP
(q.v. for synonyms).
1889. Star, 3 Jan. Our diggers go
into Castlemame to get their hair cut, and
on.ce there, they get on the spree, and
comeback FLY-BLOWN.
3. (common). — Used, or done-
Up J WASHED-OUT (q.V.\
4. (venery). — Deflowered. Also
STALE (q.v.j ; 'known for a
wanton.' ^\lso. suspected of
disease.
FLY-BY-NIGHT, subs. (old). — i.
A sedan chair on wheels ; a
usage of the Regency days.
2. (common). — A defaulting
debtor ; one who SHOOTS THE
MOON (q. v. ). Also applied to the
act.
3. (venery). — A prostitute.
See BAT, and for synonyms,
BARRACK-HACK and TART.
4. (common).— A noctambu-
list for business or for pleasure :
i.e. , a burglar or a common
SPREESTER (q.V.\
5. (obsolete). — A term of
opprobrium.
1796. GROSE, Diet, of the Vulgar
Tongue (3rd ed.), s.v. An ancient term of
reproach to an old woman, signifying that
she was a witch, and alluding to the
nocturnal excursions attributed to witches
who were supposed to fly abroad to their
meetings mounted on brooms.
6. (venery). — The female
pudendum. For synonyms, see
MONOSYLLABLE.
FLY- CAGE, subs, (venery). — The
female pudendum. For synon-
yms, see MONOSYLLABLE.
FLY-CATCHER, subs, (venery). — i.
The female pudendum. For
synonyms, see MONOSYLLABLE.
Flycop.
45
Flying Covt.
2. (common). — An open-
mouthed ignoramus; a GAPE-
SEED (q.v.) — SYDNEY SMITH.
Fr. , gobe-mouche.
FLYCOP, subs. (American). — A
sharp officer; one well broken
in to the tricks of trade. [From
FLY = knowing + COP, a police-
man.]
1859. MATSELL. Vocabutum or
Rogue's Lexicon^ s.v.
FLY- DISPERSES SOUP, subs. phr.
(common). — Oxtail.
FLYER. — k. See FLIER in all
senses.
2. (old). — A shoe. For
synonyms, see TROTTER-CASE.
1690. B. E., New Diet, of Terms,
etc., s.v.
1786. GROSE, Diet, of the Vulgar
Tongue, s.v.
1791. Life and Adventures of
Bantfylde Moore Carew, s.v.
1861. MAYHEW, Land. Lab. and
Land. Poor, vol. II., p. 34. There is
another article called a FLYER, that is, a
shoe sold without being welted.
3. (Winchester). — A half- volley
at football. A MADE-FLYER is
when the bound of the ball is
gained from a previous kick, by
the same side, aga nst canvas or
any other obstacle, or is dropped,
as in a * drop-kick ' This is now
confused with a ' kick-up. '
FLY-FLAPPED, adj. (obsolete).—
Whipped in the stocks, or at the
cart's tail.— GROSE.
FLY-FLAPPER, subs. (old). — A
heavy bludgeon.
FLY- FLAT, subs. (turf). — A would-be
connoisseur and authority. [From
FLY = knowing 4- FLAT = a fool.]
FLYING. — To LOOK AS IF THE
DEVIL HAD SHIT HIM (or HER)
FLYING (common and proverbial).
— Said in derision of one odd-
looking, filthy, or deformed.
FLYING- ANGEL.— See ANGEL.
FLYING BRICKLAYERS, subs. phr.
(military). — The mounted Royal
Engineers.
FLYING CAMPS, subs. phr. (old).—
Couples or gangs of beggars.
1699. B. E., Diet, of the Canting
Crew. Beggars plying in FLYING CAMPS.
Beggars plying in bodies at funerals.
1785. GROSE, Diet, of the Vulgar
Tongue, s.v.
FLYING-CAPER, subs, (thieves') — An
escape from prison j LEG-BAIL
(q.v.).
1864. Daily Pafer, ' Police Report.'
The blues are always ready to spot a
fellow who has tried on the FLYING-CAPER
with them, and given them leg-bail.
FLYING-CAT. — See CAT.
FLYING COUNTRY, subs. pkr. (hunt-
ing).— A country where the GOING
(q.v.) is fast and good.
1856. WHYTE MELVILLE, Kate
Coventry, ch. xii. The heavy-top hounds
are an establishment such as, I am given
to understand, is not usually kept in
Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, and
other so-called ' FLYING COUNTIES.'
FLYING COVE, subs. pkr. (American
thieves'). — An impostor who gets,
or tries to get, money from per-
sons who have been robbed by
pretending to give such informa-
tion as will lead to recovery.
Formerly, FLYING- PORTER
(GROSE).
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum or
Rogues" Lexicon, s.v.
flying -dustman*
Fly-slicer.
FLYING-DUSTMAN.— See STIFF-UN.
FLYING - DUTCHMAN, subs, (com*
mon). — The London and Exeter
express (G. W, R. ). See also FLY-
ING SCOTCHMAN and WILD
IRISHMAN. Cf,, DEAD-MEAT
TRAIN and LARKY SUBALTERN'S
COACH*
FLYING-HORSE (or MARE), subs.
(wrestling). — The throw by which
an opponent is sent over the head.
Introduced, says Bee, by Parkins.
1754. FOOTE, Knights, Act I. But
we don't wrestle after your fashion ; we
ha' no tripping ; fath and soul ! we all go
upon close hugs or the FLYING-MARE.
1884. Referee, 23 March, p. i., col.
i» In the third and last bout, Klein
brought his man clean over his head—
holding him by his own — with a sort of
FLYING - MARE, and elicited thunders of
applause.
1886. Pall Mall Gazette, 5 July, p.
4. On a Mississippi steamer he astonished
a rowdy who was shocked at his unnatural
objection to whisky, by performing upon
him the feat known to British wrestlers as
'the FLYING MARE.'
FLYING-JIGGER OR GYGGER, subs.
(thieves'). — A turnpike gate.
JIGGER = a door or gate.]
1785. GROSE, Diet, of the Vulgar
Tongue, s.v.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum or
Rogue's Lexicon, s.v.
FLYING-MAN, subs, (football).— A
skirmisher good at taking, and
running with, the ball.
1864. Eton School Days, ch. 23,
p. 255. He possessed good wind, and was
a very good 'kick -off,' and he could
' bully ' a ball as well as any one. He was
a little too heavy for ' FLYING-MAN,' but he
made a decent 'sidepost,' and now and
then he officiated as ' corner.'
FLYING-MARE. &*? FLYING-HORSE.
FLYING PASTY, subs. phr. (obsolete),
• — Excrement wrapped in paper
and thrown over a neighbour's
wall. [GROSE. ]
FLYING- PORTER, See FLYING COVE.
FLYING-STATIONER, subs, (street)
—A hawker of street ballads ; a
PAPERWORKER(^.Z>.), or RUNNING
PATTERER (q.V.). Cf., CROAK.
'Printed for the FLYING-STA-
TIONER ' is the imprimatur on
hundreds of broadsheets from the
last century onwards.
1785k GROSE, Diet, of the Vulgar
Tongue, s.v. Ballad singers and hawkers
of penny histories.
1851-61. H; MAYHEW, L*nd* Lab.
And Lond. Poor, Vol. I , p. 228. That
order or species of the pattering genus
known as FLYING STATIONERS, from the
fact of their being continually on the move
while describing the attractions of the
papers ' they have to sell.
1886. Athentzum, 31 July, p. 139.
in the Newate
gate
dder
Scores of tracts were issued
region, from Giltspur Street to Blowbla
Street, whence numbers of FLYING STA-
TIONERS drew their supplies long before
either of the Catnachs were born.
FLYMY. Adj. (streets). —Knowing ,
FAST (q.v.) ; roguish 5 sprightly.
From FLY (q.v.).
1887. W. E. HENLEV, Vilivtts Good
Night. You FLYMY titters fond of flam.
FLY-MY-KITE, subs. phr. (rhyming).
—A light.
FLYMY-MESS, TO BE IN A FLYMY.
MESS, verb, phr, (military). — To
be hungry and have nothing to
eat. For synonyms, see PECKISH.
FLY-SLICER, subs, (common). — A
cavalry-man : cf., MUDCRUSHER.
French lancers are allumeurs de
gaz, their weapons being likened
to a lamplighter's rod.
Fly the Garter.
47
Fob.
1785 GROSE, Diet, of the Vulgar
Tongue, s.v. FLY-SLICERS: Life-guardmen,
from their sitting on horseback, under an
arch, where they are frequently observed
to drive away flies with their swords.
FLY THE GARTER, sul^phr. (school-
boys').— Leap-frog.
1863. G. A. SALA, Brtakfasi in Bed,
Essaj VIII. ,p. 187 (1864). He has very
probably been playing FL V-THE-GARTER in
the gutter instead of waiting his turn at the
office.
FLY-TRAP, subs, (common). — i.
The mouth. For synonyms, see
POTATO TRAP.
2. (venery). — The female /«-
dendttm. For synonyms, see
MONOSYLLABLE,
FOALED, adj. (hunting). — Thrown
from a horse. ¥r.yfaire par ache.
FOB, or FUB, subs. (old). — I. A
cheat ; a trick ; a swindle. To
COME THE FOB- to impose upon ;
to swindle : tf., COME OVER.
1690. B. E., Diet, of the Canting
Crew. FOB. c., a cheat trick.
1785. GROSE, Diet, of the Vulgar
' Tongue^ FOB, s.v.
1852. JUDSON, Mysteries of New
York, ch. vii. He come ze FOB on some of
ze nobilitie, and zey invite him to go to
Amerique.
2. (old : now recognised); — A
breeches pocket ; a watch pocket.
1678. BUTLER, Hudibras, III., i.,
107. Had rifled all his pokes and FOBS Of
gimcrack whims and gingumbobs.
1690. B. E., Diet, of the Canting
Crew. FOB, c., also a little pocket.
1703. MARVELL, Poems on Affairs
of State. ' Royal Revolutions." When
plate was in pawn and FOB at an ebb.
Ibid. 'Last Instructions,' etc. More
gold in's FOB, more lace upon his coat.
1785. GROSE, Diet, of the Vulgar
Tongue, s.v.
3. (common). — A watch chain
or ribbon, with buckle and seals,
worn hanging from the fob.
Verb, (old).— I. To rob; to
cheat ; to pocket ; also TO FOB
OFF.
1700V CONGREVE, Way of the World,
i., 9. There were items of such a
treaty in embrio ; and if it shou'd come to
life poor Mirabell wou'd be in some sort
unfortunately FOBB'D, i'faith.
1703. MRS. CENTLiVRE,6Y0/m Heiress,
III., iv., wks. (1872), i., 358. I shall be
FOBBED of my mistress by and by. Why,
Frank, why, thou wilt not FOB me, wilt
thou?
1731. FIELDING, Grub Street Opera,
ii, 5. While ev'ry one else he is FOBBING,
He still may be honest to me.
1789, WOLCOT [P. Finder], Rowland
for an Oliver-, in wks. (Dublin. 1795), Vol.
II.j p. 159. To use a cant phrase, we've
been finely FOBP.'D, Indeed, have very dex-
t'rously been robb'di
1840. HOWITT, Visits to Remark-
able Places, p. 170. Very pretty sums he
has FOBBED now and then.
1842. Punch, III., p. 239, col. 2. The
world turns its back on you, and neither by
cards nor dice can you FOB your brother
mortal out of a single guinea.
2. (old). — To deceive; trifle
with ; disappoint ; to put off
dishonestly or unfairly,
1598. SHAKSPEARE, 2 Henry IV.)
ii., i. A hundred mark is a long loan fora
poor lone woman to bear, and I have borne,
and borne, and bornej and have been
FUBBED off and FOBBED off.
1602. SHAKSPEARE, Othello, IV., 2.
I think it is seurvy> and begin to find my-
self FOBBED in it.
1610. SHAKSPEARE, Coriolanus, I.,
i. You must not think to FOB off our dis-
grace with a tale.
1884. Fortnightly Review, XXXVI. ,
p. 75. In nothing are amateur backers of
horses FOBBED OFF by professionals with
jess than the legitimate odds than in back-
ing double and triple events..
Fobus.
Fogey.
1864. The Tramp Exposed, p. 7. A
miserable, a job lot of humanity as had ever
been FOBBED OFF on a defrauded universe.
TO GUT A FOB, verb. phr.
(old). — To pick pockets. Cf.,
FOB, verbal sense I. For syn-
onyms, nee PRIG.
1819. MOORE, Tom CrW's Memorial,
i. Diddling your subjects, and GUTTING
their FOBS.
FOBUS, subs. (old). — An oppro-
brious epithet.
1677. WVCHERLEY, Plain Dealer, II.,
i. Ay, you old FOBUS.
2. (venerv). — The female
pudendum. For synonyms, set
MONOSYLLABLE.
FODDER, subs. (c6mmon). — Paper
for the closet, BUM - FODDER
FCETUS. TO TAP THE FO2TUS,
verb. phr (medical). — To
procure abortion.
Fb"G, subs, (old) — Smoke. —
GROSE [1785]'; Modern flash
Diet. [1823] ; MATSELL [1859].
[Cf., Focus.]
IN A FOG, subs. phr. (collo-
quial). — In a condition of per-
plexity, doubt, difficulty, or
mystification : as, ' I'm quite in
£ FOG as to wha you mean.'
Verb (old).— i. To smoke.
2. "(colloquial). — To mystify ;
to perplex ; to obscure.
1836. W. H. SJHITH, / The Thieves
C haunt.' There's a nook in the boozing-
ken, Where many a mug I FOG.
1883. Punch, May, p. 210, col. T.
So large a picture, treated so ideally —
Not th&t that means stricture — FOGS ns to
find room for ft.
1883. Daily Telegraph, 29 Sept. We
turns what we say into tangle talk so as to
FOG them.
FOGEY, or FOGY, FOGAY, or FOGGI,
subs. (old). — An invalid or garri-
son soldier or sailot1. Whence the
present colloquial usages : (i) a
person advanced in life, and (2)
an old-fashioned or eccentric per-
son ; generally OLD FOGEY. [De-
rivation doubtful ; suggestions are
(i) from Su. G. fade and (2)
from Eng. folk. See Notes and
Queries, i S. vii., 354, 559, 632 ;
viii., 64, 154, 256, 455, 652; 6
S. ix., 10, 195.]
1785. GROSE, Diet, of the Vulgar
Tongite, s.v.
1812. Letter quoted in Notes and
Queries, 6 S. , ix. , 10;. My company is now
forming into an invalid company. Tell
your grandmother we will be like thu
Castle FOGGIES.
1855. THACKERAY, The Ballad of
Bouillabaisse. When first I saw ye, cari
luoghi, I'd scarce a beard upon my face,
And now, a grizzled, grim OLD FOGY, I sit
and wait for Bouillabaisse.
1864. Tangled Talk, p. 104. An OLD
FOGEY, who particularly hated being
'done.'
1867. NESMITH, ' Reminiscences o^
Dr. Anthon,' in The Galaxy, Sept., p. 6u'»
The adherents of ' progress ' mostly regard
classics as OLD FOGEY, -and ' see no use ' in
the laborious years which youth spend upon
them.
1883. JAMES PAYN, The 'Canon's
Ward, ch. xv. 'He would have preferred
some bookish sneak like Adair, or some
OLD FOGEY like Mavors.'
1888. Sporting Life, 10 Dec. So it
is with the sister art of music, for I (myself
something of an OLD FOGEY in such
matters).
So also FOGEYISH = old-fash-
ioned j eccentric. FOGEYDOM =
the state of FOGEYISHNESS ; and
FOGEYISM = a characteristic of
FOGEYDOM-.
49
Fogle.
1877. BESANT and RICE, Golden
Butterfly, ch. i. They repaired arm-in-
arm to their club — the Renaissance, now
past its prime, and a little FOGYISH.
1883. Saturday Review, 31 March,
p. 403, col. i. Not the least among the
pleasures of FOGEYDOM, so ably depicted
by Thackeray, is the confidence that it
inspires in the hearts of the fairer sex.
FOGG AGE, subs, (colloquial). — Fod-
der, especially green-meat.
1785. BURNS, To a Mouse. And
naething now to bigg a new ane O'FOGGAGE
green.
FOGGED, ppl. adj. (common). — i.
Drunk. Cf., FOGGY. For syno-
nyms, see DRINKS and SCREWED.
2. ( common ). — Perplexed ;
bewildered ; at a loss. [From
FOG (q.v.), to perplex]. For
synonyms, see FLABBERGASTED.
1883. Illust. London News, 6 Jan.,
p. 6, col. 3. They were all treading on
one another's heels, trying to do their best,
but hopelessly FOGGED.
1887. A II the Year Round, 30 July,
68. An Australian says that he is
shed just as an Englishman, equally
characteristically, declares that he is
FOGGED.
FOGGER, subs, (old). — I. A buck*
ster ; a cringing, whining beggar ;
a pettifogger.
1614. Terence in English* I shall be
exclaimed upon to be a beggarly FOGGER,
greedily hunting after heritage.
2. (old). — A farm servant whose
duty is to feed the cattle ; i.e., to
supply them with FOGGAGE (q.v.).
FOGGY, adj. (common). — I. Drunk ;
/.£., CLINCHED or HAZY (q.V.)
For synonyms, see DRINKS and
SCREWED.
2. (colloquial).— Dull; fa twitted;
THICK (y.v.).
FOGLE, subs, (thieves'). — A silk
handkerchief; also generic. [Cf.t
Ita.l.,f0g/ia = SL pocket, a purse :
Fr., fouille = a pocket]. A
cotton handkerchief is called a
CLOUT.
ENGLISH SYNONYMS. — Ban-
danna ; belcher ; billy ; clout ;
conch-clout ; fam-cloth ; flag ;
kent-rag ; madam ; muckender ;
mucketer (FLORIO) ; nose-wipe ;
pen - wiper ; rag ; sneezer ; snot-
tinger or snot-rag ; stook ; wipe.
See BILLY.
FRENCH SYNONYMS. — Un
cachemire (popular) ; un blave
or blavin (thieves'; from O.F.,
blave = blue) ; une fassolette
(thieves': It., fazzoletto)', un
chiffon or chiffoi nion (popular = a
rag) ; un moufion (popular) ; les
mouchettes (popular = wipes).
GERMAN SYNONYMS. —
Schneitzlingsschneiche (cf., SNOT-
RAG) ; Flammert or Flamnie
(also a neckerchief and an apron) ;
Wisch ( = also clothing of any
kind).
1785. GROSE, Diet, of the Vulg.
Tongu,e, s.v,
1821. EGAN, Tom and Jerry (1890),
p. 74, Jerry's sneezer was touched with
some convulsive efforts so that his FOGLE
was continually at work.
1834. AINSWORTH, Rookwood bk.
Hi., ch. 5. FOGLES and fawnies soon went
their way.
1837, DICKENS, Oliver Twist, ch.
xviii. ' If you don't take FOGLES and
tickers ' r What's the good of talking in
that way?' interposed Master Bates : 'he
don't know what you mean.' ' If you
don't take pocket - handkerchiefs and
watches,' said the Dodger
1841. Tait's Edinburgh Mag., viii.,
p. 220. Fawnies or FOGLES, onions gay,
all were the same to me.
1849. Punch's Almanack, ' The Swell
Mobsman's Almanack.' Their FOGLES fetch
next to nothing.
Fogle-hunter.
5°
Foist.
1858. A. MAYHEW, Paved with Gold,
bk. II., ch. i., p. 60. They're just made
for hooking a FOGLE [handkerchief] out of
a clye.
FOGLE- HUNTER, subs, (thieves').—
A thief whose speciality is FOGLES
(q.v.) Fr. un blaviniste or un
chiffonier, but for synonyms, see
STOOKHAULER.
1827. MAGINN, in Black-wood 's Mag.
.... the FOGLE HUNTERS doing Their
morning fake in the prigging lay.
1830. LYTTON, Paul Clifford, ch.
xvi. Who's here so base as would be a
FOGLE-HUNTER ?
1837. DICKENS, Oliver Twist, p. 44.
'What's the matter now?' said the man?
carelessly. 'A young FOGLE-HUNTER,' re
plied the man who had Oliver in charge^
1843. Punch, IV., p. 129. Rich
charities the chapel throng. The swell mob
they are there, The Bishop's sermon is not
long, The FOGLE-HUNTER ware I
FOGLE - HUNTING (or DRAWING),
stibs. phr. (thieves'). — Stealing
pocket-handkerchiefs; i.e., 'prig-
ging of wipes. '
1823. BEE, Diet, of the Turf, etc., p.
82. Q. 'Where's Teddy?' A. ' He's out
a FOGI.E-HUNTING.' Sometimes 'tis said
' drawing FOGLES,' and ' FOGI.E-DRAWING.'
FOGRAM, or FOGRUM, subs. (old).
— A fussy old man. [Cf., collo-
quial sense of FOGEY.]
1785. GROSE, Diet, of the V-ulgar
Tongue, s.v.
1793. BUTT, Poems. We teach old
maxims, neither less n<~>r more, Than Locke,
or humble Hooker taught before, Those
FOGRUMS, quizzes, treats, and bores, and
gigs. Were held in some account with an-
cient prigs.
1798. O'KEEFE, Fontambleau, II.,
3. Never mind, old FOGRUM, run away
with me.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum, or
Rogue's Lexicon, s.v.
Adj. (old). — Fogeyish ; stupid.
1777. FOOTE. -Trip to Calais, i,
Father and mother <ire but a couple of
FOGRUM old fools.
Hence FOGRAMITY = ( i )
FOGEYISM (q.v.}, and (2) the
state of FOGEYISH NESS.
1796. D'ARBLAY, Camilla, ii., 5.
Nobody's civil now, you know, it is a FO-
GRAMITY quite out of date.
FOGUE, adj. (American thieves') —
Fierce ; fiery.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum, or
Rogues Lexicon, s.v.
FOGUS, .m/v. (old).— Tobacco. \_Cf.y
FOGUS.] For synonyms, see
WEED.
1671. HEAD, English Rogue, I., v.,
p. 49 (1874), s.v. 1724. COLES, English
Diet., s.v. 1785. GROSE, Diet, cf the
Vulg. Tongue. Tip me a gage of FOGUS.
1821. HAGGAKT, Life, p. 133. A
hole in the roof of my cell, through which
I handed her plenty of FOGUS.
1834. H. AINSWORTH, Rookwood,
bk. III., ch. v. Troll us a stave, my an-
tediluvian file, and in the meantime tip me
a gage [pipe] of FOGUS, Jerry.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum, or
Rogue's Lexicon, s.v.
FOILER, subs, (old).— A thief.
1669. Nicker Nicked, in Harl.
Misc. [ed. Park], ii., 108. Given in list of
names of thieves.
Foi N , verb, (obsolete). —To copulate,
i.e., to thrust, TO POKE (q.v.).
Also subs.
1598. F LOR 10, A Worlde of IVordes.
Scazzata : A thrust, a push, a FOYNE,
or the serving to a woman of a man's
pricke.
1598. SHAKSPEARE, 2 Henry IV.,
ii., 4. Thou whoreson little tidy Bartholo-
mew boar pig, when wilt thou leave fight-
ing o'days, and FOINING o'nights, and
begin to patch up thine old body for
heaven ?
FOIST, FOYST, or FYST, subs. (old).
— I. A cheat ; a swindler ; a
sharper.
1592. JOHN DAY, Blind Beggar
(Bullen), p. 21. Your nipper, your FOYST,
your rogue, your cheat.
Foist.
Follower.
1596. BEN JONSON Every Man in
His Humour iv. , 7. Prate again, as you
like this, you whoreson FOIST you.
1607. DEKKER, Jests to Make you
Merie in wks. (Grosart) II., 326. Now to
our FOYSTS, alias pickpocket, alias cut-
purse.
1609. DEKKER, Lanthorne and
Candelight, in wks. (Grosart) III., 212.
A FOYST nor a Nip shall not walke into a
Fayre or a Play-house.
1611. MIDDI.ETON, Roaring Girl,
O. PI., vi., 113. This brave fellow is no
better than a FOIST. FOIST ! what is
that ? A diver with two fingers ; a pick-
pocket ; all his train study the figging law,
that's to say cutting of purses and
FOISTING.
2. (old). — A trick; a swindle ;
an imposture. Also FOYSTER
and FOISTER.
1605. BEN JONSON, Volpone or the
Fox, iii., 9. Put not your FOISTS upon
me. I shall scent 'em.
3. (old). — A silent emission of
wind through the anus (see quot.,
sense 2) ; a CHEESER. See FART
and FOUSTY. [Coles has to fyst,
vissio ; which in his Latin part
he renders to fizzle. Also
FYSTING CUR ; and in Sherwood's
English Dictionary, subjoined to
Cotgrave, FYSTING CURS, and
other offenders of the same class,
are fully illustrated. ]
1598. FLORIO, A WorldeofWordes.
Loffa, a fizle, a FISTE, a close fart.
1605. JONSON, Eastward Hoe, pi. iv.,
270. Marry, FYST o1 your Ruidess. I
thought as much.
1662. Rump Songs, II., 3. That a
reason be enacted (if there be not one),
Why a fart hath a voice, and a FYST hath
none, Which nobody can deny.
1690. B. E., Diet, of the Canting
Crew. FOYST . . . also a close strong
stink, without noise or report.
1785. GROSE. Diet, of the Vulgar
Tongue, s.v. FICE or FOYSE.
Verb, (old).— I. To trick ; to
swindle ; to pick pockets.
1607. DEKKER, Jests to Make You
Merie, in wks. (Grosart) II., 332. But now
to the manner of the FOYSTING of a pocket,
the sharing of the money, and how honest
men may avoide them.
1610. ROWLANDS, Martin Mark-all,
p. 38 (H. Club's Rept., 1874). To FOYST,
to picke a pocket.
1653. MIDDLETON, Spanish Gipsy*
ii., i. I mean filching, FOISTING,
nimming.
2. (old).— To fart. Also to
copulate (URQUHART).
1539. DAVID LYNDSAY, Thrie
Estaitis (Works, Laing, 1879), ii., 109.
Ane FISTAND flag.
1598. FLORIO, A Worlde of Wordes.
L off are, s.v.
1611. COTGRAVE, Dictionnarie,
Vessir, s.v.
FOISTER, or FOYSTER, subs. (old).
— A pick-pocket ; a cheat.
1598. FLORIO, A WorldeofWordes.
Barattiere, a barterer, a trucker, a marter,
an exchanger, a briber, a cheater, a false
gamester, a cousener, a broker, a fripper, a
chaffrer, a cogger, a FOYSTER, a deceiuer,
a coni-catcher, a bareter, a prowler.
(?). Mirrour for Magistrates, p. 483,
When facing FOISTERS, fit for Tiburn.
fraies, Are food-sick faint.
FOLLOWER, subs, (colloquial).— A
maid - servant's sweetheart ; a
beau. For synonyms, see JOMER.
1838. DICKENS, Nicholas Nicklebv,
ch. xv. Five servants kept. No man. No
FOLLOWERS.
1860. Chambers Journal, XIII., p.
32. No FOLLOWERS allowed.
1870. Spectator, 15 Jan. It is safe-,
unkind as it may seem, to forbid the
presence of a ' FOLLOWER ' in the house.
A girl is less likely to get into mischief
when she is walking with her friend in the
street or talking with him over the area
gate, than when she receives him alone in
the kitchen.
1872 The Ladies, 29 June, p. 335.
If you take into consideration that ' FOL-
LOWERS ' are in most houses strictly for-
Follow -me-lads.
Fool-monger.
bidden, what wonder is it that girls are now
and then caught flirting with the butcher
and the baker at the area railings ?
FOLLOW - ME - LADS, subs. phr.
(common). — Curls or ribands
hanging over the shoulder ; cf.y
Fr., suivez - moi-jeune-homme =
ribbons flying behind a lady's
dress. Also FOLLOWERS.
1872. Spectator. ' FQLLOW-ME-LADS*
are not in themselves very pretty, though,
like any other fashion, they become the
Princess, and they are exceedingly costly.
FOLLOW ON, sufa. phr. and verb
(cricket). — A team eighty runs
behind the other in the first
innings is obliged to FOLLOW
ON; i.e., to take to the wickets
a second time. A run more,
and it SAVFS THE FOLLOW ON.
1891. Pall Mall Gazette^ 5 Aug.
'Notts, v. Surrey.' The game, with a
possible prospect of the FOLLOW-ON, being
saved.
FOLLOW YOUR NOSE I intj. phr.
(streets'). — A retort on asking
the way. The full phrase is,
' Follow your nose, and you are
sttre to go straight.'
1620. PERCY, Folio MSS., p. 462.
He went to the sea syde, and FFOLLOWED
HIS NOSE.
1854. Notes and Queries, x., p. 66.
In what collection of tales published in 1834
shall I find the tale entitled FOLLOW YOUR
FOO-FOO, suds. (American). — A
person of no account ; an insig-
nificant idiot ; a POOP^.Z'.).
1837. A Glance at New York (in
Bartlett). Don't know what a FOO-FOO is?
Well, as you're a greenhorn, I'll enlighten
you. A FOO-FOO, or an outsider, is a chap
that can't come the big figure.
FOOL, subs, (colloquial.) — A dish of
gooseberries, boiled with sugar
and milk. [Fr., groseilles en
foule.] Also, a GULL (q.v.).
1719. DURFEY, Pills, etc., III., 9.
4 Praise of the Dairy Maid.' A lady, I
heard tell, Not far off did dwell, Made her
husband a FOOL, and it pleased him quite
well.
1774. GOLDSMITH, Retaliation.
And by the same rule, Magnanimous
Goldsmith's a gooseberry FOOL.
No FOOL, subs. phr. (Ameri-
can colloquial). — A phrase lauda-
tory, applied to neuter nouns,
Cf., No SLOUCH.
1848. JONES, Sketches of Travel, p.
33. I tell you what, Charlston ain't no
FOOL of a city,
TO MAKE A FOOL OF, verb, phr.
(colloquial).— To delude. Spe-
cifically (venery), to cuckold, or
to seduce under promise of mar-
riage.
TO FOOL ABOUT (or AROUND),
verb. phr. (American). — To
dawdle ; to trifle with ; to be
infatuated with ; to hang about ;
to defraud.
1837. A Glance at New York. Mose
—Now look a-here, Liz,— I go in for Bill
Sykes, cause he runs wid our machine ;
but he musn't come FOOLIN' ROUND my
gal, or I'll give him fits.
1884. H AWLEY SMART, Post to- Finish,
ch. xvii. From wh;at I hear, you came to
Riddleton, FOOLING after my daughter.
Now, I'll have no caterwauling of that
sort.
1891. GUNTE.R, Miss Nobody of No-
where, p. 124. I should th,ink you had too
much ed-u-cash to FOOL ABOUT such a
going on.
FOOL- FINDER, suds, (obsolete). — A
bum-bailiff. — GROSE.
FOOLISH, adj. (prostitutes')— Said
of a man that pays. ' Is he
FLASH (q.V.} or FOOLISH = Is he
the cully or the other.' — GROSE.
FOOL-MONGER, subs, (colloquial). —
A person, male or female, living
by their wits, e.g., a PROMOTER
(q.v.) ; a betting - man ; a
swindler. Also FOOL-CATCHER
and FOOL- TRAP (.v.).
Foolometer.
S3
Foot.
FOOLOMETER, subs, (colloquial). —
A standard, positive or neuter,
whereby to gauge the public taste.
FOOL'S FATHER, subs. phr.
(theatrical). — The pantaloon or
OLD 'UN. (q.v.)
FOOL-STICKER, subs. phr. (venery).
— The penis. For synonyms, see
CREAMSTICK and PRICK. Also
FOOL-MAKER.
FOOL'S WEDDING, subs. phr. (com-
mon).— A party of women. For
synonyms, see HEN PARTY.
FOOL-TRAP, subs, (colloquial). — I.
A FOOL-MONGER (q.V.).
2* (venery). — The female pu-
dendum. For synonyms, see
MONOSYLLABLE.
3. (colloquial), — A high-class
harlot.
FOONT^M^. (thieves') — Asovereign
[Probably a corruption of Ger,
Pfund.] For synonyms, see
CANARY,
1879. J. W. HORSLEY, in Macnt. Mag.,
XL., 502. The mob got me up a break
(collection,), and I got between five or six
FOONT (sovereigns).
FOOT, verb, (common). — i. To
acknowledge payment ; e.g., TO
FOOT A BILL ; cf., FOOT-UP.
1848. DURIVAGE, Stray Subjects,
p. 183. If our plan succeeded the land-
lord was to FOOT the bill, and stand treat.
2. (football and colloquial X —
To kick; to HOOF (^.t/.). Cf.,
Merchant of Venue, I., 3, You,
that did void your rheum upon
my beard, And FOOT me, as you
spurn a stranger cur.
1852. BRISTED, Upper TenThottsand,
p. 223. Both teams were FOOTING their
very best.
To FOOT IT, verb. phr. (collo-
quial).— To walk. For synonyms,
see PAD THE HOOF.
1892, PRICE, From Arctic Ocean to
Yellow Sea. The discomfort of having to
FOOT IT.
ToFOOT-UP,ew£./>fcr. (Ameri-
can colloquial). — To sum up the
total (of a bill); to TOT UP (q.v.).
Hence, to pay ; to discharge one's
obligations; to RECKON UP (q.v.);
to summarize both merits and
defects, and strike a balance.
FOOTING- UP = the reckoning, the
sum total. Fr., gomberger.
1865. SALA, A Trip to Barbary.
The Arab abhors statistics. He won't be
tabulated if he could help it, and were you
to go to Algeria, Doctor Colenso, you
would find a deeply rooted objection
among the people to the reckoning, or
FOOTING-UP, as the Americans call it, of
anything animate or inanimate.
1871. DE VERB Americanisms, p.
310. To FOOT A BILL, by paying the
amount at the bottom of the account, is a
phrase equally well known abroad and
with us.
1882. McCABE, New York, XXI.,
333. The transactions of * the Street ' FOOT
UP an almost fabulous sum daily.
1884 G. A. S[ALA], in ///. Lon. News,
29 March, p. 294, col. 3. They FOOT UP
(American English) to an almost alarming
amount in thousands of dollars.
To PUT ONE'S BEST FOOT (or
LEG) FOREMOST, verb. phr. (collo-
quial).— To use all possible des-
patch ; to exert oneself to the
utmost.
1596. SHAKSPEARE, King John, iv.,
2. Nay, but make haste ; the BETTER
FOOT BEFORE.
To PUT ONE'S FOOT INTO ANY-
THING, verb. phr. (colloquial). —
To make a mess of it ; to get into
a scrape. THE BISHOP (i.e., the
Devil) HAS PUT HIS FOOT IN IT
(Old English proverb) is said of
burned porridge or over-roasted
meat. — GROSE, Fr., faire unt
gaffe.
J823, BEE, Diet, of the Turf, s.v.
Footer.
54
Footlicker.
1888. Daily Telegraph, 7 May. Faire
une gaffe, in modern Parisian slang, may
be best rendered as to PUT YOUR FOOT IN
IT.
TO HAVE ONE FOOT (or LEG)
IN THE GRAVE, verb, phr. (com-
mon). — On one's last legs ;
MEASURED FOR A FUNERAL
SERMON. Also as adj.
1825. English Spy, i., pp. 199-200.
With ONE LEG IN THE GRAVE he'll
laugh.
1890. Globe, 15 May, p. 5, col. 2.
ONE-FOOT-IN-THE-GRAVE paralytic sort of
people.
To PULL FOOT, verb. phr.
(American). — To make haste.
Variants are TO TAKE ONE'S FOOT
IN ONE'S HAND, and TO MAKE
TRACKS ; but for synonyms, see
ABSQUATULATE and SKEDADDLE.
1825. NEAL, Brother Jonathan, Bk.
I., ch. iv., How they PULLED FOOT when
they seed us commin.
1836. MICHAEL SCOTT. Tom
Cringle's Log, ch. viii. ' Why, PULL FOOT,
captain,' promptly replied Paul.
1843-4. HALIBURTON, .Sam Slick in
England. I look'd up ; it was another
shower, by gosh. I PULLS FOOT for dear
life.
To TAKE MR. FOOT'S HORSE,
verb. phr. (old). — To walk ; to
GO BY SHANK'S MARE (q.v.)
For synonyms, see PAD THE
HOOF.
TO KNOW THE LENGTH OF
ONE'S FOOT, verb. phr. (old). —
To be well acquainted with one's
character.
1581. LILLY, Euphues, etc. But
you shall not know the LENGTH OF MY
FOOT, untill by your cunning you get
commendation.
1614. Terence in English. He
measures an other MAN'S FOOTE BY HIS
OWNE I.ASI. Hee considers an other
mans meaning by his owne intent.
FOOTER, subs. (Harrow : once
common).— i. Short for Moot-
ball.'
2. (University). — A player of
football according to Rugby rules.
FOOT- HOT, adv. (Old English). — In
hot haste ; HOT- FOOT (q.v.)
1848. Burton Waggeries, etc., p. 65.
I'm darned if I don't streak it to the Squire's
FOOT-HOT.
FOOTING, subs, (common). — Money
paid on entering upon new duties,
or on being received into a work-
shop or society : as at sea when a
comrade first goes aloft. Form-
erly FOOT- ALE : cf., GARNISH.
Fr., arroser ses galons — to
christen one's uniform.
1777. HOWARD, State of Prisons in
England and Wales, quoted in J. ASHTON'S
The Fleet, p. 295. A cruel custom obtains
in most of our Gaols, which is that of the
prisoners demanding of a new comer
garnish, FOOTING, or (as it is called in
some London Gaols) chummage.
1781. G. PARKER, View of Society,
I., 48; I must instantly pay down two
shillings for my FOOTING.
1788. G. A. STEVENS, Adv. of a
Speculist, i., 211. I was drove from street
to street by women of my own profession,
who swore I should not come in their
beats until I had paid my FOOTING.
1830. CARLETON, Collegian's Colleen
Bawn, 94. ' Pay your FOOTING now,
Master Kyrle Daly, before you go farther,'
said one.
1841). HALiBURTONi Clockmaker, 3
S., ch. iii. ' Waiter, half-a-dozen of iced
champagne here, to pay for Mr. Slick's
FOOTIN'.'
1891. CLARK RUSSELL; An Ocean
Tragedy, p; 86; I was going aloft and
wished to PAY MY FOOTING.
FOOTLE, verb., and FOOTLING,
adj. ( colloquial ). — To dawdle,
trifle, potter ; dawdling, trifling,
pottering; MESSING ABOUT (q.v. ).
FOOTLICKER, stibs. (old). — A ser-
vant : a lickspittle.
1609. SHAKSPEARE, The Tempest,
IV., i. D,o that good mischief which may
make this island Thine for ever, and 1^ thy
Caliban^ For aye thy FbbT-LiCKER.
Footlights.
55
Fop's Alley.
FOOTLIGHTS. To SMELL THE
FOOTLIGHTS, verb. phr. (theatri-
cal).— To acquire a taste for
theatricals. [Footlights = the
FLOAT (q.v.) ; the row of burners
in front of the stage. ]
TO SMELL OF THE FOOTLIGHTS.
To carry theatrical concerns and
phraseology into private life ; to
TALK SHOP (q.V.).
FOOTMAN'S INN, subs. phr. (old). —
A poor lodging ; a jail. Fr., Hdtel
de la modestie = the Poor Man's
Arms.
1 608. Pennies Parliament of Threed-
bare Poets. Those that depend on destiny,
and not on God, may chance look through
a narrow lattice at FOOTMAN'S INN.
1612. ROWLAND, Knave of Hearts.
Which at the heeles so hants his frighted
ghost, That he at last in FOOTMAN'S-INNE
must host, Some castle dolorous "compos'd
of stone, Like (let me see) Newgate is
such a one.
FOOTMAN'S MAUND, subs. phr.
(old). — An artificial sore, as from
a horse's bite or kick. The FOX'S
BITE of schoolboys. Also the
SCALDRUM DODGE, or MAUND
(q.v.). MAUND = a cadger's sale-
basket. Cf., MASONS' MAUND.
1690. B. E., Diet, of the Canting
Crew, s.v. An artificial sore made with
unslacked lime, soap, and the rust of old
iron, on the back of a beggar's hand, as if
hurt by the bite or kick of a horse.
1785. GROSE, Diet, of the Vulg.
Tongue ; s.v.
FOOT - RIDING, suds, (cyclists'). —
Walking and wheeling one's
machine instead of riding it.
1887. T. STEVENS, Round the World
on a Bicycle. Already I realise that there
is going to be as much FOOT-RIDING as
anything for the first part of my journey.
FOOT-SCAMP, subs, (old).— A foot-
pad.— G. PARKER.
FOOTSTOOL. See ANGELS' FOOT-
STOOL.
FOOT-WOBBLER, subs, (old,
soldier's'). — An infantryman. For
synonyms, see MUDCRUSHER.
1785. GROSE, Diet, oj the Vulg.
Tongue, s.v.
FOOTY, adj. (old). — Contemptible ;
worthless. Fr., foutu. — GROSE.
1836. MICHAEL SCOTT, Tom Cringle 's
Log, ch. v. My eye, Captain, no use to
dodge from her ; it is only dat FOOTY little
King's cutter on de Jamaica station.
FOOZLE, subs, (common and sport-
ing).— i. A boggle ; a miss.
2. (common). — A bore ; a
fogey ; and (in America) a fool ;
a GREEN 'UN. For synonyms,
see BUFFLE, CABBAGE - HEAD,
and SAMMY SOFT.
1867. RHODA BROUGHTON, Cometh
up as a Flower, ch. xxvi. Frumps and
FOOZLES in Eaton Square.
Verb, (common). — To miss; to
boggle ; to MUFF (q.v.).
1888. Field, 25 Feb. Park FOOZLED
his second stroke.
FOOZLED (or FOOZLEY), adj.
(colloquial). —Blurred in appear-
ance and effect ; fuzzy ; MUFFED
(q.v.). Often said of badly
painted pictures, or parts of pic-
tures.
FOP- DOODLE, subs. (old). — An
insignificant man ; a fool.
1689. SHADWELL, Bury Fair. Ccrr.e
come, you brace of FOP-DOODLE
FOP'S ALLEY, subs. phr. (old).— See
quot. 1883.
1782. D ARBLAY, Cecilia, bk. II., ch
iv. Sir Robert Floyer, sauntering down
FOP'S ALLEY.
Forakers.
Forefoot.
1883. SALA, Echoes of the Year, p.
369. FOP'S ALLEY was the gangway run-
ning parallel to the footlights, between the
last row of the stalls and the first row of
the pit in Her Majesty's Theatre, and in
its palmiest days it was always graced by
the presence of a subaltern of the Guards
in full uniform, daintily swinging his bear-
skin.
FORAKERS, subs. (Winchester
College). — The water - closet.
[Formerly spelt foricus and
probably a corruption of/ori/as,
an English plural cf the Latin
forica.] For synonyms, see MRS.
JONES.
FORAMINATE, verb (venery). — To
copulate. For synonyms, see
GREENS and RIDE.
FORCE, subs, (colloquial). — The
police ; properly a body of men
trained for action. For synonyms,
see BEAK and COPPER.
1868. BR ADDON. Trail of the Serpent.
bk. IV., ch. vi. 'I should like to ...
bring a child up from the very cradle to
the police detective line, to see whether I
couldn't make that 'ere child a ornament
to the FORCE.'
1883. Daily Telegraph^ 5 April, p. 2,
col. i. But in all my experience of THE
FORCE, I think I never saw a policeman's
eyes so expressive of gratitude.
TO FORCE THE VOUCHER, verb.
phr. (turf). — It is customary for
sporting tricksters to advertise
selections and enclose vouchers
(similar to those sent out by respect-
able commission agents) for double
or treble the current odds. The
correspondent is informed that, in
consequence of early investments,
the extra odds can be laid ;
a remittance is requested; the
VOUCHER is FORCED; and then
the firm 'dries up,' and changes
its name and address.
FORCEMEAT BALL, subs. phr. (old).
— Something endured from com-
pulsion : as (i) a rape: (2)
going to prison ; (3) transporta-
tion ; (4) an affiliation order ; (5)
abstention (from drink, pleasure,
etc.) through impecuniosity.
FORCEPS, subs. (old). — The hands.
[Properly a pair of surgeon's
pincers.] — For synonyms, see
DADDLE.
FORE-AND-AFT, verb, (venery). —
To copulate. See GREENS and
RIDE.
FORE-AND-AFTER, subs. phr. (Ame-
rican).— i. See quot.
1840. HALIBURTON, Clockmaker, 3
S., ch. xi. ' The way she walks her
chalks ain't no matter. She is a regular
FORE-AND-AFTER.'
2. (venery). — A DOUBLE-BAR-
RELLED (q.v.) harlot. [As in the
song attributed to an eminent
living man of letters : " Sing
whore, sing whore, Behind and
before, Her price is a shilling —
She never gets more."]
FORE- BUTTOCKS, subs. (old). — The
paps. — For synonyms, see DAIRY.
a. 1745. SWIFT, POPE, and
ARBUTHNOT, Misc. iv., 222. Now her
FORE-BUTTOCKS to the navel bare.
FORECASTER, subs, (venery). The
female pudendum. For synonyms,
see MONOSYLLABLE.
FORE-COACH-WHEEL, subs, (com-
mon). — A half-crown. For
synonyms, see CAROON.
FORE-COURT, subs, phr, (venery).
— The female pudendum. Also
FORE - HATCH, FORE - CASTLE,
and FORE-ROOM. For synonyms,
see MONOSYLLABLE.
FOREFOOT, subs. (old). — The hand.
1599. SHAKSPEARE, Henry V.t II., i.
Give me thy fist ; thy FOREFOOT to me
give.
1785. GROSE, Diet, of the Vulgar
Tongue.
Foregather.
57
Fork.
FOREGATHER, verb. (old). — To
share the sexual embrace. For
synonyms, see RIDE.
FORE HATCH, subs, (venery). — The
female pudendum. For synonyms,
see MONOSYLLABLE.. Also FORE-
CASTLE.
FOREMAN, subs. (old). — i. The
penis. For synonyms, see
CREAMSTICK and PRICK. [C/.,
FOREWOMAN.]
1647. Ladies Parliament (q.v.).
FOREMAN OF THE JURY, subs, phr*
(old). — A babbler ; one with the
GIFT OF THE GAB (q.V.).
1690. B. E., Diet, of the Canting
Crew. FOREMAN OF THE JURY, he that
engrosses all the talk to himself.
1785. GROSE, Diet* of the Vulgar
Tongue, s.v.
FORESKIN HUNTER, subs. phr. (ve-
nery).— A harlot. For synonyms,
see BARRACK-HACK and TART.
FOREST, subs, (venery). — The fe-
male pubic hair. For synonyms,
see FLEECE.
1573-1631. DONNE, Elegies, xviii.
Yet ere thou be where thou would'st be
embayed, Thou must upon another FOREST
set, Where many shipwreck and no further
get
1720. DURFEY, Pills, etc., vu, 146.
Give me the Country lass, That trips it
o'er the field, And opes her FOREST to
the first.
FORE-STALL, subs, (thieves'). — In
garotting, a look-out in front of
of the operator, or UGLY-MAN
(q.v.) ; the watch behind is the
BACK-STALL (q.V. ). [From FORE
+ STALL (q.V.).}
FOREWOMAN, subs. (old). —The
female pudendum. For syno-
MONOSYLLABLE.
FORK, subs. (old). I. A pick-
pocket. Fr., ' Avoir les mains
crochues — \Q be a light-fingered
or lime-fingered filcher ; every
finger of his hand as good as a
lime-twig. ' — COTGRAVE.
1690. B. E., Diet, of the Canting
Crew, s.v.
1785. GROSE, Diet, of the Vulgar
Tongue.
2. (thieves'). — A finger. The
FORKS = the fore and middle
fingers ; also cf., (proverbial)
' Fingers were made before FORKS.'
ENGLISH SYNONYMS. —
Claws ; cunt - hooks ( Grose ) ;
daddies (also the hands) ; divers ;
feelers; fives; flappers; grapplers;
grappling irons ; gropers ; hooks ;
nail-bearers ; pickers and stealers
(Shakspeare) ; corn-stealers ; Ten
Commandments ; ticklers ; pink-
ies ; muck-forks.
FRENCH SYNONYMS. — Les
apdtres (thieves' : = the ten
Apostles) ; les fourchettes, or
les fourchettes d'Adam (popular : =
Adam's forks) ; le peigne
d'allemand (thieves': RABELAIS).
GERMAN SYNONYMS. — Ezba
( = the finger, especially the first
or fore-finger. The names of the
others are: Godel=\he. thumb;
Ammo = the middle - finger ;
Kemizo = the ring-finger ; Seres,
i.e., ' span ' — the little finger) ;
Griffl'ng ( = also the hand. From
gretfen = tQ seize).
SPANISH SYNONYMS. —
Mandamiento( = acommandment:
ff., TEN COMMANDMENTS) ;
tijeras ( = the fore- and middle
fingers; MlNSHEU (1599) Diction-
arie, tijeras = ' small sheares,
seizers, snuffers.').
Fork.
Fork.
PORTUGUESE SYNONYM. —
Medunhos.
1821. HAGGART, Life, p. 121. My
FORKS were equally long, and they never
failed me.
1834. AINSWORTH, Rookwood. ' Nix
my Dolly.' No dummy hunter had
FORKS so fly. Ibid. Jack S^heppard
(1889), p. 20. I'll give him the edication of
a prig — teach him the use of his FORKS be-
times.
1841. Taifs Edinburgh Mag., VIII.,
p. 220. My FORKS were light and fly, and
lightly faked away.
1891. Licensed Victuallers Gazette,
9 Feb. Up they came briskly with smiling
mugs, shook hands, then stepped back a
pace or two, put up their FORKS, and the
spectators were hushed into silence, for
they saw that the battle was about to
begin.
3. In plural (common). —
The hands.
4. (old).— A gibbet; in the
plural = the gallows. [FORK is
often applied to anything re-
sembling a divarication (as of a
tree, river, or road), etc. : C/.,
sense 2. C/., Cicero (de Div.)
i., 26). Ferens fur cam ductus
est: a slave so punished was
called furcifer.~\
5. (old).— A spendthrift.
1725, New Canting Diet., s.v.
6. (tailors' and venery). — The
CRUTCH (q.V. ), NOCKANDRO^.Z'.),
or TWIST (q.v.). [Thus, A BIT
ON A FORK = the female puden-
dum; a GRIND (g.v.}.] Fr.,
* Fourcheure, that part of the
bodie from whence the thighs
depart. ' — COTGRAVE.
Verb (old). — I. To steal ; spe-
cifically to pick a pocket by in-
serting the middle and fore-
finger. Also TO PUT ONE'S
FORKS DOWN : Fr., vol a la four-
chette.
1690. B. E., Diet, of the Canting
Crew. LET'S FORK HIM, c. Let us pick
that man's pocket, the newest and most
dextrous way ; it is to thrust the fingers
straight, stiff, open, and very quick into the
pocket, and so closing them hook what can
be held between them.
1785. GROSE, Diet, of the Vulgar
Tongue. Let us FORK him.
1830. LYTTON, Paul Clifford, ch.
xvi. Yet so keen was his appetite for the
sport, that the veteran appropriator abso-
lutely burst into tears at not having
' FORKED more."
1878. C. HINDLEY, Life and Times
of James Catnach. Frisk the Cly and
FORK the Rag, Draw the fogies plummy.
2. (venery). — To open up, or
SPREAD (q.V.).
TO FORK OUT, or OVER (some-
times abbreviated to FORK). Verb,
phr. (common). — To hand over;
to pay ; TO SHELL OUT (q.v.).
1830. LYTTON, Paul Clifford, ch.
xxxi. The person FORKS him OUT ten
shiners.
1836. DICKENS, Sketches by Boz,
p. 84. His active mind at once perceived
how much might be done in the way of . . .
shoving the old and helpless into the wrong
buss, and carrying them off ... till they was
rig'larly done over, and FORKED OUT the
stumpy.
1837. BARHAM, I. L., The Execution.
He Pulls up at the door of a gin-shop, and
gaily Cries, ' What must I FORK OUT to
night, my trump, For the whole first-floor
of the Magpie and Stump ? '
1840. Comic A Imanack. ' Tom the
Devil,' p. 214. ' That's a nate way of
doin' business, sure enough,' was the com-
mentary ; ' ounly I can't larn the sinse of
going to a private lodging, where, if you
ordher a kidney for breakfast, you're ex-
pected to FORK OUT to the butcher.
1852. H. B. STOWE, Uncle Toms
Cabin, ch. viii. You've got to FORK OVER
fifty dollars, flat down, or this child don't
start a peg.
1864. DICKENS, Our Mutual Friend,
Bk. III., ch. i. 'Now,' said Fledgeby,
' FORK OUT your balance in hand, and prove
by figures how you make it out that it ain't
more.'
Forker.
59
•form.
1867. _ Albany Argus, 5 Sept. Now,
sir, you will please FORK OVER that money
to me, and pay your bill, or I'll have the
law out of you, as sure as you are born.
1887. Lippincotfs Magazine, Aug.,
p. 10.9. Just calculate my percentage of
our liabilities, and allow me to FORK OVER.
1888. Detroit Free Press, 9 Sept.
The dozen screw-drivers came up C. O. D.
and he had to FORK OVER for them.
To FORK ON, verb.phr. (Ameri-
can).— To appropriate. Cf., To
FREEZE ON TO.
To PITCH THE FORK, verb. phr.
(popular). — To tell a pitiful tale.
TO EAT VINEGAR WITH A
FORK, verb. phr. (common). — A
person either over-shrewd or over-
snappish is said to have EATEN
VINEGAR WITH A FORK. Fr.,
Avoir mange de Fo settle. See
NETTLE.
FORKER, subs, (nautical). — A dock-
yard thief or FENCE (q.v.). [From
FORK = to steal + ER. ]
FORKING, subs, (thieves'). — i.
Thieving. See FORK.
2. (tailors'). — Hurrying and
SCAMPING (q.V.}.
Fo RKL ESS, adj. (thieves').— Clumsy;
unworkmanlike; as without FORKS
snibs, accompanying a lushy cove, and
going to work in a very FORKLESS manner
FORLOPER, subs. (South African).—
A teamster guide.
FORLORN HOPE, subs. phr. (collo-
quial).— A gamester's last stake.
—GROSE.
FORM, subs, (turf.)— i. Condition ;
training ; fitness for a contest.
IN or OUT OF FORM = in or out of
condition, i.e., fit or unfit for
work. BETTER or TOP FORM,
etc. (in comparison). Cf., COLOUR.
1861. WALSH, The Horse, ch. vi.
If it be supposed that two three-year-olds,
carrying the same weight; could run a
mile and a-half, and come in abreast, it is
said that the FORM of one is equal to that
of the other.
1884. HAWLEY SMART, Post to
Finish, ch. xxxv. When fillies, in racing
parlance, lose their FORM at three years
old, they are apt to never recover it.
1868. WHYTK MELVILLE, White
Rose, ch. xxxiv. That mysterious pro-
perty racing men call ' FORM '
2. (colloquial). — Behaviour
(with a moral significance : as
GOOD FORM, BAD FORM = agreeable
to good manners, breeding, prin-
ciples, taste, etc., or the opposite).
This usage, popularised in racing
circles, is good literary English,
though the word is commonly
printedinin verted com mas (" ") :
SHAKSPEARE (Tu-o Gentlemen of
Verona , 4), says, ' Can no way
change you to a milder FORM,'
i.e., manner of behaviour.
1871. Orchestra, 13 Jan. This
squabble at the Globe may most fitly, per-
haps, be characterised by the words ' BAD
FORM.'
1871. The Drawing Room Gazette,
Dec. 9, p. 5. It is an open question,
whether snubbing be not, like cutting, in
the worst possible 'FORM.'
1873. Belgravia, Feb. The de-
meanour and conduct which the 'golden
youth ' of the period call ' GOOD FORM ' was
known to their fathers as bad manners.
1881. JAS. PAYN, Grape from a
Thorn, ch. xvii. It would be considered
what they call ' BAD FORM ' in my daughter
Ella if she were known to be a contributor
— for pay — to the columns of a magazine.
1890. Speaker, 22 Feb , p. 211, col 2
Still, after all, we doubt very much
whether it be fair, or right, or even prudent
—it certainly is not 'GOOD FORM' — to
publish to a world of Gallios a lot of
irreverent bar-mess and circuit 'good
stories,' worked up about living Lord
Chancellors, Lord Justices, and other
present occupants of the judicial bench.
Forney.
60
Forty-foot.
3. (common). — Habit; GAME
(q.v.) : e.g., 'That's my FORM =
That's what I'm in the way of
doing ' ; or ' That's the sort of
man I am.'
1884. Punch, n Oct. ' Arry at a
Political Picnic.' Athletics ain't hardly
my FORM.
FORNEY, subs (thieves'). — A ring ;
a variant of FAWNEY (q.v.).
1871. EGAN, Finish of Tom and
Jerry, p. 243. He sports a diamond
FORNEY on his little finger.
FORNICATING-ENGINE (-MEMBER;
-TOOL), subs* phr. (venery). — The
penis. For synonyms, see CREAM-
STICK and PRICK.
FoRNICATOR,j«fo. (venery). — T. The
penis. For synomyns, see CREAM-
STICK and PRICK.
2. In//, (obsolete), — The old-
fashioned flap trousers.
FORNICATOR'S HALL, subs. phr.
(venery). — The i&a\&\& pudendum.
For synonyms, see MONOSYL-
LABLE,
FORT, subs, (venery). — The female
pudendum. For synonyms, see
MONOSYLLABLE.
1620. PERCY, Folio MSS. [Hales &
Furnivall, 1867 ]. ' Come, Wanton
Wenches.' When they your FFORT
beleauger; grant but a touch or a kisse
ffor a tast.
FORTUNE-BITER, subs, (obsolete).
— A sharper.
1719. DURFEY, Pills, etc., ii. 'Hey!
for Richmond Ball ' ! FORTUNE-BITERS,
Hags, bum-fighters, Nymphs of the
Woods, And stale City goods.
FORTUNE-TELLER, subs. (old). — A
magistrate*
1690. B E., Diet, of the Canting
Crew. FORTUNE-TELLERS, c. the Judges
of Life and Death, so-called by the Canting
Crew.
1785. GROSE, Diet, of the Vulg.
Tongue. FORTUNE-TELLER, or cunning
man ; a judge who tells every prisoner his
fortune, lot, or doom ; to go before the
FORTUNE-TELLER, lambskin man or con-
juror, to be tried at an assize.
1871. EGAN, Finish of Tom and
Jerry, p. 242. He had been werry cruelly
used by the FORTUNE-TELLERS.
FORTY. To TALK FORTY (more
commonly NINETEEN) TO THE
DOZEN, verb. phr. (colloquial). —
To chatter incessantly ; to gabble.
TO WALK OFF FORTY TO THE
DOZEN = to decamp in quick time.
1891. FARJEON, Mystery of M, Felix,
p. 107. He run agin me, he did, and I
used, ' Who are yer pushing of? ' He
didn't say nothink, but walked off FORTY
TO THE DOZEN.
ROARING FORTIES, subs. phr.
(nautical). — The Atlantic between
the fortieth and fiftieth degrees of
latitude ; also applied to the same
region in southern latitudes.
FORTY- FACED, adj. (colloquial).—
An arrant deceiver : e.g.. a
FORTY-FACED liar, a FORTY-
FACED flirt, and so forth.
FORTY- FIVE, subs. (American). —
A revolver. For synonyms, see
MEAT IN THE POT.
FORTY-FOOT or FORTY-GUTS, subs.
(common)* — A fat, dumpy man,
or woman. In contempt.
ENGLISH SYNONYMS. — 'All
arse, and no body ' ; arse-and-
corporation; all-belly (Cotgrave) ;
all guts (idem); bacon - belly;
barrel-belly; belly-god; bladder-
figured ; bosse - belly ; Bosse of
Billingsgate(Florio = a fat woman) ;
chuff (Shakspeare) ; Christmas
beef ; double-guts ; double-tripe ;
fat-cock ; fat-guts (Shakspeare
and Cotgrave) ; fatico ; fattymus or
Forty-jawed.
61
Fossick.
fattyma ; fubsy ; fat Jack of
the bonehouse ; fat-lips ; flan-
derkin ; fustiluggs ( Burton ) ;
fussock ; gorbelly ; grampus ;
gotch-guts ; grand-guts (Florio) ;
gulche ( Florio ) ; gullyguts ;
gundigutts ; guts ; guts - and -
stomach ; guts - and - garbage ;
guts - to - sell ; hoddy - doddy ;
humpty-dumpty ; hogshead ; hop-
per-arse ; Jack Weight ; loppers ;
lummox ; paunch ; pod ; porpoise ;
pot-guts ; princod ; pudding-belly ;
puff-guts ; ribs ; ' short-and-thick-
like - a - Welshman's-cock ' ; slush-
bucket; sow (a fat woman); spud;
squab ; studgy-guts ; tallow-guts ;
tallow - merchant ; thick - in - the-
middle ; tripes ; tripes and trulli-
bubs ; tubs ; waist ; water-butt ;
walking ninepin ; whopper.
FRENCH SYNONYMS. Un gros
bajaf (popular) ; un bout de cut
(popular); un bas de plafond, or
de cul (popular) ; un brasset ( = a
tall, stout man) ; un berdouillard.
SPANISH SYNONYM. An-
gelon de retablo (generally
applied to a pot-bellied child).
FORTY-gAWED, adj. (colloquial). —
Excessively talkative.
FORTY- LUNG ED, odj< (colloquial).
— Stentorian ; given to shouting ;
LEATHER-BUNGED (q.V.}.
FORTY-ROD or FORTY-ROD LIGHT-
NINO, subs. phr. (American). —
Whiskey ; specifically, spirit of
so fiery a nature that it is cal-
culated to kill at Forty Rods'
distance, i.e. , on sight. Cf. , ROT-
GUT. For synonyms, see DRINKS
and OLD MAN'S MILK. Cf.,
FLORIO (1598), Catoblepa, 'a
serpent in India so venomous
that with his Ipoke he kils a man
a mile off.'
1884. M. TWAIN, Huck. Finn, ch. v.,
p. 36. He got powerful thirsty and dumb
out on to the porch-roof and slid down a
stanchion, and traded his new coat for a
jug Of FORTY- ROD.
FORTY-TWA,JW&y. (Scots).— A com-
mon jakes, orBOGSHOP (q.v.). — in
Edinburgh : ' so called from its
accommodating that number of
persons at once' (Hotten). [Long
a thing of the past.]
FORTY WINKS, subs. phr. (collo-
quial).— A short sleep or nap.
See DOG'S SLEEP.
1866. G. ELIOT, Felix Holt, ch. xliii.
She was prevented by the appearance of
old Mr. Transome, who since his walk had
been having ' FORTY-WINKS' on the sofa in
the library.
1871. EGAN. Finish to Tom and
Jerry, p. 87. On uncon<manly big gentle-
men, told out, taking FORTY-WINKS.
[Forty is often used to signify an in-
definite number ; cf., Shakspeare's usage,
' I could beat forty of them (€01 . Hi., i) ;
' 0 that the slave had forty thousand
lives' (Othello iii., i) ; 'forty thousand
brothers' (Hamlet, v., i) ; 'The Humour
of Forty Fancies ' ( Taming of the Shrew) ;
and Jonson 'Some forty boxes' (Silent
Woman).}
FOSSED, ppl. adj. (American
thieves'). — Thrown; cf., [foss =
a ditch].
FOSSICK, verb (Australian miners').
— To work an abandoned claim,
or to wash old dirt ; hence to
search persistently. [Halliwell : =
to take trouble, but cf., fosse, a
ditch or excavation.] Also FOS-
SICKING = a living got as afore-
said ; FOSSICKER = a man that
works abandoned claims ; FOS-
SICKING ABOUT = (American)
SHINNING AROUND, or in Eng-
land FERRETING (q.V.\
1870. Notes and Queries, 4 S., vi., p. 3.
FOIL.
62
Four-and-nine.
1878. Fraser's Mag., Oct., p. 449,
They are more suited . . . to plodding,
FOSSICKING, persevering industry, than
for hard work.
1887. SALA, in ///. Lend. News,
12 Mar., p. 282, col. 2. ' To FOSSICK ' in
the old digging days was to get a living by
extracting gold from the refuse wash-dirt
which previous diggers had abandoned as
worthless.
1890. Illustrations, Jan., p. 158.
After some ' FOSSIKING ' we discover three
or four huts within 'cooee,' all diggers,
all ' hatters,' and mostly good fellows.
Fou, or Fow, adj. (old English and
Scots' colloquial). — Drunk ; vari-
ants are BITCH-FOU; GREETIN'-
FOU J PIPER - FOU J ROARING -
FOU ; FOU AS BARTY (Burns) ;
PISSING-FOU : and so forth. For
synonyms, see DRINKS and
SCREWED. Also (Scots') = full
of food or drink, as in quot.
under date 1815.
1697. VANBRUGH, Provoked Wife,
III., ii. (quoted in). Then sit ye awhile,
and tipple a bit, For we's not very FOU,
but we're gayly yet.
1787. BURNS, Death and Dr.
Hornbook, st. 3. I was na FOU, but just
had plenty.
1815. SCOTT, Guy Mannering, ch.
xlvi. ' Are ye FOU or fasting ? ' ' Fasting
from all but sin.'
1857. J. E. RITCHIE, Night Side
of London, p. 166. The time admits of a
man getting FOU between the commence-
ment and the close of the entertainment.
FOUL, subs, (nautical and aquatic).
— A running into ; a running
down.
Verb. (idem). — To run against ;
to run down. Also TO COME
(or FALL) FOUL OF.
[FoUL, adj. and verb, is used in two
senses : (i)= dirty, as a FOUL word, a FOUL
shrew (Dickens), to FOUL the bed, &c. ;
and (2)=unfair, as a FOUL (i.e., a felon)
stroke, a FOUL blow, and so forth.]
1626. CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH,
Accidence for Seamen, in wks. (Arber),
p. 796. Boord and boord, or thwart the
hawse, we are FOULE on each other.
1724. E. COLES, Eng- Diet. FOUL,
hindred or intangled with another ship's
ropes, etc.
1754. Connoisseur, No. 3. Which
sailed very heavy, were often a-ground,
and continually ran FOUL on each other.
1861. HUGHES, Tom Brown at
Oxford, ch. xiii. Their coxswain . . .
had to pull his left hand hard or they
would have FOULED the Oxfordshire
corner.
1885 Illus. London News, March 28,
p. 316, col. i. In 1849 there were two races
in the course of the year ; Cambridge won
the first, Oxford the second, on a FOUL (the
only time the race has been so won).
1889. Licensed Victuallers Gaz., 18
Jan. Dick was done out of the stakes on
an appeal of FOUL.
To FOUL A PLATE WITH, ver-
bal phr. (old, colloquial). — To
dine or sup with. — GROSE.
FQULCHER, subs, (thieves'). — A
purse.
1877. Five Years Penal Servitude,
ch. Hi., p. 243. 'A FOULCHER, with flimsies
and couters for a score of quid in it.'
FOUL-MOUTHED, adj. (colloquial).
— Obscene or blasphemous in
speech.
FOUND IN A PARSLEY-BED. See
PARSLEY-BED and GOOSEBERRY-
BUSH.
FOUNTAIN OF LOVE, subs. phr.
(venery). — The female pudendum.
For synonyms, see MONO-
SYLLABLE.
FOUR-AND-NINE (or FOUR-AND-
NINEPENNY), subs. phr. (old). —
A hat. [So-called from the price
at which an enterprising Bread
Street hatter sold his hats, circa
1844, at which date London was
hideous with posters displaying a
large black hat and * 45. and 9d. '
in white letters.]
1844. Advertisement Couplet. When-
e'er to slumber you incline, Take a short
nap at FOUR-AND-NINE.
Four-bones,
Fourth.
1846. THACKERAY, Yellow Plush
Papers, p. 152 (ed. 1887). You may, for
instance, call a coronet a coronal (an
'ancestral coronal,' p. 74) if you like, as
you might call a hat a ' swart sombrero,' a
' glossy FOUR-AND-NINE,' ' a silken helm
to storm impermeable, and lightsome as the
breezy gossamer ; ' but in the long run it is
safer to call it a hat.
1847. THACKERAY, Mrs. Perkins's
Ball (The Mulligan). The Mulligan has
withdrawn his custom from the ' infernal
FOUR-AND-NINEPENNY scoundthrel,' as he
calls him. The hatter has not shut up shop
in consequence.
1849. VIATOR, Oxford Guide. He
then did raise his FOUR-AND-NINE, And
scratched his shaggy pate.
1867. JAS. GREENWOOD, Unsent.
Journeys, xxx., 229. Because he wore a
FOUR-AND-NINE, and had a pencil stuck
behind his ear.
FOUR- BONES, subs, (thieves'). —
The knees.
1857. Punch, 31 Jan. 'Dear Bill,
This Stone-jug.' For them coves in Guild-
hall and that blessed Lord Mayor, Prigs
on their four bones should chop whiners
I swear.
FOUR- EYES, subs, (common). — A
person in spectacles : 'a chap that
can't believe his own eyes.'
FOUR-HOLED MIDDLINGS, subs,
phr. (Winchester College). —
Ordinary walking shoes ; cf,
BEESWAXERS. Obsolete.
FOUR KINGS. THE HISTORY (or
BOOK) OF THE FOUR KINGS.
subs. phr. (old). — A pack of
cards ; otherwise, a CHILD'S BEST
GUIDE TO THE GALLOWS, Or THE
DEVIL'S PICTURE BOOKS. Fr.,
Livre des quatre rots.
FOUR-LEGGED BURGLAR-ALARM,
subs. phr. (common). — A watch
dog.
FOUR-LEGGED FROLIC, subs. phr.
(venery). — The act of kind :
a reminiscence of the proverb,
' There goes more to a marriage
than four bare legs in a bed.' For
synonyms, see GREENS and RIDE.
FOUR- POSTER, subs. phr. (collo-
quial).— A four-post bedstead.
1836. DICKENS, Pickwick, ch. xliv.
' Vill you allow me to en-quire vy you
make up your bed under that ere deal
table ?" said Sam. ' 'Cause I was alvays
used to a FOUR-POSTER afore I came here,
and I find the legs of the table answer
just as well,' replied the cobbler.
FOUR SEAMS AND A BIT OF SOAP,
subs. phr. (tailors'). — A pair of
trousers. See KICKS.
FOUR — (more commonly THREE) —
SHEETS IN THE WIND, adv. phr.
(nautical). — Drunk ; cf., HALF
SEAS OVER. For synonyms, see
DRINKS and SCREWED.
FOURTEEN HUNDRED, . . . phr.
(Stock Exchange). — A warning
cry that a stranger is in the
' House.'
1887. ATKIN, House Scraps. So,
help me Got, Mo, who is he? Instead of
replying in a straightforward way, Mo
raised his voice as loud as he could, and
shouted with might and main, ' FOURTEEN
HUNDRED new fives ! ' A hundred voices
repeated the mysterious exclamation.
1890. Cassetfs Saturday Journal,
26 April. The cry of 'FOURTEEN HUNDRED'
is said to have had its origin in the fact
that for a long while the number of members
never exceeded 1,399 • and it was customarj
to hail every new comer as the fourteen
hundredth. It has, in its primary sense,
long since lost significance, for there are
now nearly three thousand members of the
close corporation which has its home in
Capel Court.
FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT PER-
SUASION, subs. phr. (American).
— Negroes. [From the number
of the clause amending the Con-
stitution at the abolition of slavery.]
1888. Times Democrat, 5 Feb. To
take the law is one of the greatest privileges
in the estimation of the colored folk that
the FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT conferred,
and, whether offender or defendant, they
take a pride in summonses beyond de-
scribing.
Fourth Estate.
64
Fox.
FOURTH, subs. (Cambridge Uni-
versity).— A REAR (q.v.} or jakes.
[Origin uncertain ; said to have
been first used at St. John's or
Trinity, where the closets were
situated in the Fourth Court,
Whatever its derivation, the term
is now the only one in use at
Cambridge, and is frequently
heard outside the university.]
The verbal phrase is TO KEEP A
FOURTH (see KEEP).
ON HIS FOURTH,/^?-, (common).
— Hopelessly drunk. For syn-
onyms, see DRiNKsand SCREWED.
FOURTH ESTATE, subs. phr. (liter-
ary).— The body of journalists ;
the 'Press.' [Literally the Fourth
Estate of the realm, the other
three being Queen, Lords, and
Commons.]
1855. Notes and Queries. I S. xi.,
P- 452.
1857. J. E. RITCHIE, Night Side of
London^ p. 202. Let me say a word about
these exceedinglyseedy-looking individuals
connected with the FOURTH ESTATE.
FOUR-WHEELER, subs, (common),
— A steak.
2. (colloquial). — Afour- wheeled
cab ; a GROWLER (y.v.).
1873. BLACK, Princess of Thnle,
ch. 10. Having sent an all their luggage
by a respectable old FQUR-WHEELEK.
FOUSTY, adj. (colloquial). — Stink-
ing [probably derived frorn FOIST,
sense 3].
FOUTER,ZW£, and FQUTERING, subs.
(common). — To meddle, impor-
tune, waste time and tongue ; the
act of meddling, importunity,
wasting time and tongue. E.g.,
4 Don't come FOUTERING here ! '
[From the French, f outre : the
sense of which is intensified in a
vulgarism of still fuller flavour].
Fox, subs. (old). — A sword ; specifi-
cally, the old English broadsword.
[Derivation dubious. Suggest-
tions are : (i) from a maker's
name ; (2) from the fox some-
times engraved on the blade ; (3)
from the Latin falx.] For syno-
nyms, see CHEESE-TOASTER and
POKER.
1598, SHAKSPEARE, Henry V., 4.
0 sigRieur Dew, thou dy'st on point of
FOX.
1614. JONSON, Bartholomew Fair,
ii. A fellow th,at knows nothing but a
basket-hilt, and an old FOX in't.
c. 1640. [SHIRLEY], Captain Under-
wit, in Bullen's Old Plays, ii., 321. Un.
An old FOX blade made at Hounsloe
heath.
1667. SHIRLEY, Love Tricks, Act II.,
Sc. i. They say your swcyds most com-
monly are FOXES, and have notable metal
in them,.
1700. CONGREVE, Way of the World,
Act V., Sc. 10. Sir, I have an old FOX by
my thigh, shall hack your instrument of
ram vellum to shreds, Sir.
1821. SCOTT, Kenilworth, ch. iv.
' Come, come, comrade,' said Lambourne,
1 here is enough done, and more than
enough, put up your FOX, and let us be
jogging:'
Verb,, (pld), -I. To intoxicate.
FOXED = drunk ; TO CATCH A FOX
= to be very drunk ; while TO
FLAY THE FOX (Urquhart) = to
vomit, to shed your liquor, i.e.,
to get rid of the beast.
1611. BARRY, Ram Alley, Act IV.
They will bib hard ; they will be fine sun-
burnt, Sufficient FOX'D or coltimber'd now
and then.
1633. HEYWOOD. Eng. Travellers,
IV., v., p. 266 (Mermaid Series), Rioter.
Worthy Reginald. Reig. Will, if he now
come off well, FOX you all, Go, call for
wine.
c. 1640. [SHIRLEY], Captain Under-
wit, in Bullen's Old Plays, n.. 375. Then
to bee FOX'D it is no crime, Since thickest
and dull braines It makes sublime.
1661. T. MIDDLETON, Mayor of
Quinborough, V., i. Ah, blind as one
that had been FOX'D a sevennight.
1673. SHADWELL, Epsom Wells, IV.,
in wks. (1720), ii., 248. But here's my
cup. Come on. Udsooka, I begin to be
FOX'D '
Fox.
Foxy.
1719. DURFEY, Pills, etc., i., 194.
Come, let's trudge it to Kirkham Fair :
There's stout liquor enough to FOX me.
1738. SWIFT, Polite Convert., Dial.
2. Lady Sin. But, Sir John, your ale is
terrible strong and heady. . . . Sir John.
Why, indeed, it is apt to FOX one.
1748. T. DYCHE, Dictionary (sth
ed.). Fox (v.) . . . also to make a person
drunk or fuddled.
1891. Sporting Times, n April.
And so to bed well nigh seven in the morn-
ing, and myself as near FOXED as of old.
2. (old). — To cheat ; to trick ;
to rob (colloquial at Eton). For
synonyms, see GAMMON.
1631. MAYNE, City Match, iii., i.
Fore Jove, the captain FOXED him rarely.
1866. Notes and Queries,?,, S. x., 123.
Where the tramps . . . out of their gout
are FOXED.
3. (common). — To watch
closely. Also TO FOX ABOUT.
Cf., FOX'S SLEEP. For syn-
onyms, see NOSE.
1880. GREENWOOD, Odd People in
Odd Places, p. 61. ' You keep it going
pretty loud here, with a couple of police-
men FOXING about just outside.'
4. (colloquial). — To sham.
1880. One and All, 6 Nov., p. 296,
1 Let us look at these vagabons ; maybe
they're only FOXIN'.' The two men who
had received such tangible mementos of
the whip-handle and the blackthorn lay
perfectly still.
5. (American). — To play
truant.
6. (booksellers'). — To stain ; to
discolour with damp ; said of
books and engravings. FOXED
= stained or discoloured.
1881. C. M. I[NGLEBY] in Notes and
Queries (6th S., iv., 96). Tissue paper
harbours damp, and in a damp room will
assuredly help to FOX the plates which
they face.
1885. AUSTIN DOBSON, At the Sign
of the Lyre, 83. And the Rabelais
FOXED and flea'd.
7. (theatrical). — To criticise
a ' brother pro's ' performance.
8. (common). — To mend a
boot by ' capping ' it.
TO SET A FOX TO KEEP
ONE'S GEESE, phr. (common). —
To entrust one's money, or one's
circumstances, to the care of
sharpers. Latin, Ovem lupo
commisisti.
To MAKE A FOX PAW, verb,
phr. (common). — To make a
mistake or a wrong move ; speci-
fically (of women) to be seduced.
[A corruption of the Fr. faux pas.}
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue.
Fox's SLEEP, subs. phr. (common).
— A state of feigned yet very
vigilant indifference to one's
surroundings. [Foxes were
supposed to sleep with one eye
open.]
1830. SIR J. BARRINGTON, Personal
Sketches, Vol. III., p. 171 (ed. 1832). Mr.
Fitzgerald, he supposed, was in a FOX'S
SLEEP, and his bravo in another, who, in-
stead of receding at all, on the contrary
squeezed the attorney closer and closer.
FOXY, adj. (colloquial). — i. Red-
haired ; cf.t CAfcROTTY.
1828. G. GRIFFIN, Collegians, ch. ii.
Dunat O'Leary, the hair-cutter, or FOXY
Dunat, as he was named in allusion to
his red head.
2. (colloquial). — Cunning ;
vulpine in character and look.
Once literary. J onson ( 1 605 ) calls
his arch-foist VOLPONE, the second
title of his play being ' The Fox ;'
and Florio (1598) defines Volpone
as ' an old iox, an old reinard,
an old, crafty, sly, subtle com-
panion, sneaking, lurking, wilie
deceiver. '
5
Foy.
66
Free.
d. 1536. TYNDALE, Workes, p. 148.
Oh, FOXV Pharisay, that is thy leuen, of
which Christ so diligently bad vs beware.
1849. DICKENS, David Copperfield,
ch. xlix., p. 429 Whatever his state of
health may be his appearance is FOXY, not
to say diabolical.
3. (American cobblers'). —
Repaired with new toe-caps. See
Fox, verb, sense 8.
1877. M. TWAIN, Life on the Missis-
sippi, ch. Ivii., p. 503. It was the scarecrow
Dean — in FOXY shoes, down at the heels ;
socks of odd colours, also ' down."
4. (booksellers'). — A term
applied to prints and books
discoloured by damp ; see Fox,
verb, sense 6.
5. (painters' : obsolete). — In-
clined to reddishness.
d. 1792. SIR J. REYNOLDS, Notes on
Dufresnoy. That (style) of Titian, which
may be called the Golden manner, when
unskilfully managed, becomes what the
painters call FOXY.
6. (common). — Strong-smell-
ing. Said of a red-haired man
or woman.
FOY, subs. (old). — A cheat ; a
swindle.
1615. GREENE, Thieves Falling Out.
You be crossbites, FOYS, and nips.
FOYL-CLOY, subs, (old). — A pick-
pocket; a rogue — B.E. [1690].
FOYST, subs, and verb. See FOIST.
FOYSTER. See FOISTER.
FRAGGLE, verb. (Texas). — To rob.
FRAGMENT, subs. (Winchester
College). — A dinner for six
(served in College Hall, after the
ordinary dinner), ordered by a
Fellow in favour of a particular
boy, who was at liberty to invite
five others to join him. Obs. A
fragment was supposed to consist
of three dishes. — Winchester
Word-book [1891].
FRAMER, subs. (American thieves').
— A shawl.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum, or
Rogue's Lexicon, s.v.
FRATER, subs. (old). — A beggar
working with a false petition.
1567. HARMAN, Caveat, s.v. FRA-
TER, a beggar wyth a false paper.
1622. FLETCHER, Beggar s Bush, ii.,
i. And these what name or title e'er they
bear, Jarkman, or Patrico, Cranke, or
Clapper-dudgeon, FRATER, or Abram-
•man, I speak to all That stand in fair
election for the title Of king of beggars.
1791. Life -ofBamfylde Moore-Careiv.
1 Oath of Canting Crew.' Rogue or rascal,
FRATER, maunderer, Irish toyle, or other
wanderer.
FRAUD, subs, (colloquial). — A
failure ; anything or body disap-
pointing expectation ; e.g., an
acquaintance, a picture, a book,
a play, a picture, a bottle of wine.
Actual dishonesty is not neces-
sarily implied.
1882. Punch, LXXXIL, p. 177, col. i.
A FRAUD, Charlie !
FRAZE. See VESSEL.
FREAK, subs. (American show-
men's). A living curiosity : as
the Siamese Twins, the Two-
headed Nightingale. [Short for
'freak of nature.']
FREE, adj. (Oxford University). —
Impudent ; self-possessed.
1864. TENNYSON, Northern Farmer,
(Old Style), line 25. — But parson a coomes
an' a goos, an' a says it easy an' FREEA.
Verb. (old). — To steal ; cf.,
ANNEX and CONVEY. For
synonyms, see PRIG.
Free-and-Easy.
Free Fight.
1857. SNOWDEN, Magistrates Assis-
tant, 3rd ed., p 444. To steal a muff. To
FREE a cat.
1859. MATSELL,
Rogue s Lexicon, s.v.
Vocabulum,
1882. McCABE, New York, ch. xxxiv.,
p. 509. (Given in list of slang terms.)
FREE-FUCKING, subs, (venery).
— General lewdness. Also the
favour gratis. Also fidelity to
the other sex at large.
FREE OF FUMBLER'S HALL,
adv. phr. (venery). — Impotent;
unable to do 'the trick.'
[FUMBLER'S HALL = female pu-
dendum. ]
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue s.v.,
A saying of one who cannot get his wife
with child.
FREE, GRATIS, — FOR NOTHING,
phr. (common). — A pleonastic
vulgarism. Cf., ON THE DEAD.
TO MAKE FREE WITH BOTH
ENDS OF THE BUSK, verb. phr.
(venery). — To take liberties with
a woman. Cf., BOTH ENDS OF
THE BUSK.
FREE OF THE HOUSE, adj.
phr. (colloquial). — Intimate ;
privileged to come and go at
will.
FREE OF THE BUSH, adj. phr.
(venery). — On terms of extreme
intimacy. See BUSH.
[For the rest, the commonest sense of
FREE is one of liberality: e.g., FREE OF
HIS FOOLISHNESS = full of chaff J FREE-
HANDED = lavish in giving ; FREE-
HEARTED=generously disposed ; FREE OF
HER FAVOURS = liberal of her person :
FREE OF HIS PATTER = full of talk.]
FREE-AND-EASY, subs, (common).
— A social gathering where you
smoke, drink, and sing ; generally
held at a public house.
1796. (In BEE'S Diet, of the Turf,
published 1823, s.v.). Twenty seven years
ago the cards of invitation to that (FREE-
AND-EASY) at the ' Pied Horse,' in Moor-
fields, had the notable ' N.B.— Fighting
allowed.'
1810. CRABBE, The Borough, Letter
10. Clubs. Next is the club, where to
their friends in town, Our country neigh-
bours once a-month come down ; We term
it FREE-AND-EASY, and yet we Find it no
easy matter to be free.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum. FREE-
AND-EASY JOHNS. A society which meets
at the Hole in the Wall, Fleet Street, to
tipple porter, and sing bawdry.
1821. EGAN, Tom and Jerry (ed.
1890), p 91. Blew a cloud at a FREE-AND-
EASY.
1843. MACAULAY. Essays : Glad-
stone on Church and State. Clubs of all
ranks, from those which have lined Pall-
Mall and St. James's Street with their
palaces, down to the FREE-AND-EASY
which meets in the shabby parlour of the
village inn.
1869. MRS. H. WOOD, Roland Yorke,
ch. xii. He tilted himself on to a high
stool in the middle of the room, his legs
dangling, just as though he had been at a
FREE AND-EASY meeting.
1880. JAS. GREENWOOD, Odd People
in Odd Places, p. 64. A roaring trade is
done, for instance, on a Saturday evening
at the ' Medley ' in Hoxton, a combination
of theatre and music-hall, and serves as a
FREE-AND-EASY chiefly for boys and girls.
1891. Cassell's Saturday Journal,
Sept., p. 1068, col. 3. The FREE AND EASY
of to-day among us is a species of public-
house party, at which much indifferent
liquor and tobacco are consumed, songs are
sung, and speeches are got rid of.
FREEBOOKER, subs, (journalists').
— A 'pirate' bookseller or
Publisher ; a play on the word
reebooter.
FREE FIGHT, subs, (colloquial). —
A general mellay.
1877. W. MARK, Green Past, and
Pice., ch. xxx. That vehement German
has been insisting on the Irish porters
bringing up all our luggage at once ; and
as there has been a sort of FREE FIGHT
below he comes fuming upstairs.
Free-fisliery.
68
Freezer.
FREE-FISHERY, subs. phr.
(venery). — The ivcna\& pudendiim .
For synonyms, see MONO-
SYLLABLE.
FREEHOLDER, subs, (venery). — i.
A prostitute's lover or FANCY-
MAN. Cy.', FREE-FISHERY, and
for synonyms, see JOSEPH.
2. (old). — A man whose wife
insists on accompanying him to a
public house.
1«90. B. E., Diet, of the Canting
Crew, s.v. 1785. GROSE, Diet, of the
Vulg. Tongue ; s.v.
FREE-LANCE, subs, (common). —
An habitual adulteress.
c!889. (Quoted from Spectator in
' Slang, Jargon, and Cant '). Sooner than
be out of the fashion they will tolerate
what should be most galling and shaming
to them — the thought that by these they
are put down among the FREE-LANCES.
Also said of a journalist attached
to no particular paper.
FREEMAN, subs., (venery). — A
married woman's lover.
FREEMAN OF BUCKS, subs. phr.
(old). — A cuckold. [In allusion
to the horn.] GROSE.
TO FREEMAN, Or TO MAKE A
FREEMAN OF, verb. phr. (school-
boys').— To spit onthe/<?ww of a
new comer. Also To FREE-
MASON.
FREEMAN'S QUAY. To DRINK, or
LUSH, AT FREEMAN'S QUAY, verb,
phr. (old). — To drink at another's
expense. [Freeman's Quay was
a celebrated wharf near London
Bridge, and the saying arose
from the beer that was given to
porters, carmen, and others going
there on business.]
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
FREEZE, subs, (colloquial). — I. The
act or state of freezing ; a frost.
2. (old). — Hard cider. —
GROSE.
Verb. (American). — To long
for intensely ; e.g., ' to FREEZE to
go back,' said of the home-sick ;
'to FREEZE for meat.'
1848. RUXTON, Life in the Far
West (1887), p. 129. Threats of vengeance
on every Redskin they met were loud and
deep ; and the wild war songs round their
nightly camp-fires, and grotesque scalp-
dances, borrowed from the Indians, proved
to the initiated that they were, one and all,
HALF-FROZE for hair.'
2. (thieves'). — Hence, to ap-
propriate ; to steal ; ' to stick to.'
3. (old). — To adulterate or
BALDERDASH (q.v.) wine with
FREEZE (q.v. sense 2). — GROSE.
To FREEZE TO (or ON TO), verb
phr. (American). — To take a
strong fancy to ; to cling to ; to,
keep fast hold of; and (of persons)
to button-hole or shadow.
1883. Graphic, 17 March, p. 287,
col. i. If there was one institution which
the Anglo-Indian FROZE to more than
another, it was his sit-down supper and —
its consequences.
J888. Daily Inter-Ocean, 2 March.
The competence of a juror was judged by
his ability to shake ready-formed opinions
and FREEZE ON TO new ones.
To FREEZE OUT, verb. phr.
(American). — To compel to with-
draw from society by cold and
contemptuous treatment ; from
business by competition or
opposition ; from the market by
depressing prices or rates of
exchange.
FREEZER, subs, (common). — i. A
tailless Eton jacket; cf.> BUM-
PERISHER. For synonyms, see
M O N K E Y -J AC K ET.
French-elixir.
69
French Gout.
2. (colloquial). — A very cold
day. By analogy, a chilling look,
address, or retort.
FRENCH - ELIXIR (CREAM, LACE,
or ARTICLE), subs. phr. (com-
mon).— Brandy. [The custom
of taking of brandy with tea and
coffee was originally French. —
Whence French Cream. LACED
TEA = tea dashed with spirits].
1815. SCOTT, Guy Mannering, ch.
ix. ' Get out the gallon punch-bowl, and
plenty of lemons. I'll stand for the
FRENCH ARTICLE by the time I come back,
and we'll drink the young Laird's health.'
1821. Real Life, i., p. 606. Not
forgetting blue ruin and FRENCH LACE.
ENGLISH SYNONYMS. — Ball-
of-fire ; bingo ; cold tea ; cold
nantz ; red ribbon.
FRENCH SYNONYMS. — Le par-
fait amour du chiffonnier (i.e.,
ragman's happiness = coarse
brandy) ; le trois-six (popular : =
ROT-GUT) ; Jil-en-quatre, fil-en-
tmis, fil-en-six (specifically, old
brandy, but applied to spirits
generally); le dur ( = a drop of
hard : common) ; le raide (popu-
lar = a drop of stiff) : le cheniqtie
or chnic (popular : ) ; le rude
(popular : =a drop of rough, i.e.,
coarse brandy) ; feau d*affe
(thieves') ; le pis sat d'ane (popu-
lar : = donkey's piss ; sometimes
applied to bad beer, which is
likewise called pissat de vache] ;
Favoine (military = hay, as who
should say ' a nose bag ' ) ; le
bianc (popular = brandy or white
wine) ; le possede (thieves' : BIN-
GO) ; le raspail (popular : ) ; le
eric (popular : also crik, crique,
or cricque — rough brandy :) ?k
schnaps (popular) ; le schnick
(common : = bad brandy) ; le
camphre (popular : = camphor ;
applied to the coarsest spirit) ; le
sacre-chien or sacre-chien tout pur
(common : = the vilest sold) ;
casse-poitrine (common : = brandy
heightened with pepper ; cf.,
ROT-GUT) ; le jaune (rag-
pickers' : = a drop of yellow ) ;
tord-boyaux (popular = twist-gut);
la consolation (popular = a drop
of comfort); requiqui (work-
men's) ; eau de mort (common :
= death - water) ; le Tripoli
(rank brandy) ; casse - gueule
( = ' kill the-carter ' ; applied to
all kinds of spirits).
FRENCH FAKE. subs. phr.
(nautical). — The fashion of coiling
a rope by taking it backwards
and forwards in parallel bands,
so that it may run easily.
FRENCH GOUT (or DISEASE,
FEVER, etc.), subs. phr. (com-
mon).— Sometimes CLAP (g.v.},
but more generally and correctly
syphilis, Morbus Gallicus, es-
pecially with older writers. For
synonyms, see LADIES FEVER.
AlsoTHE FRENCHMAN. FRENCH
Pox = a very bad variety of
syphilis. The French them-
selves always refer to the
ailment as the mal de Naples, for
which ste MARSTON (1598) and
his 'Naples canker,' and FLORIO
(1598) mal di Napoli=¥iQuc\i
pocks. Cf., SHAKSPEARE, Henry
V.,y., I. News have I that my
Nell is dead i' the spital Of
malady of France.
1598. FLORIO, A Worlde of Wordes.
Luc, a plague .... It is also used for
the FRENCH POXE.
1611. COTGRAVE, Dictionarie, Mal
de Naples, the FRENCH POCKS.
1690. B. E. Diet, of the Canting
Crew. Cs.v.).
FrencJiified.
70
French Leave.
1740. Poor Robin. Some gallants
will this month be so penurious that they
will not part with a crack'd groat to a poor
body, but on their cockatrice or punquetto
will bestow half a dozen taffety gowns,
who in requittal bestows on him the
FRENCH POX.
1785. GROSE, Diet, of the Vulgar
Tongue, s.v. He suffered by a blow over
the snout with a French faggot-stick ; i.e.,
he lost his nose by the POX.
FRENCHIFIED, adj. (old). —
Clapped ; more generally and
accurately poxed.
1690. B. E., New Diet, of the Cant-
ing Creiv, s.v.
1785. GROSE, Diet, of the Vulgar
Tongue, s.v. FRENCHIFIED, infected
with the venereal disease ; the mort is
FRENCHIFIED=THE WENCH IS INFECTED.
FRENCH LEAVE, To TAKE FRENCH
LEAVE, verb. phr. (colloquial). —
(1) To decamp without notice ;
(2) to do anything without per-
mission ; (3) to purloin or steal ;
(4) to run away (as from an
enemy). [Derivation obscure ;
FRENCH, probably traceable to
the contempt engendered during
the wars with France ; the com-
pliment is returned in similar ex-
pressions (see Synonyms) + LEAVE
= departure or permission to
depart. Sense i is probably the
origin of senses 2,3, and 4. See
Notes and Queries, I S. i, 246 ;
3 S. vi, 17 ; 5 S. xii, 87 ; 6 S. v,
347, 496; viii, 514; ix, 133.213,
279; 7 S. iii, 5, 109, 518.]
ENGLISH SYNONYMS. — To
retire up (one's fundament) ; to
slope ; to smouge ; to do a sneak ;
to take the Frenchman ; to
vamoose.
FRENCH SYNONYMS. —
S1 escarpiner (popular : = to
flash one's pumps ; escarpin =
a dancing ^s\QQ.\jouerde C escarpin
— to ply one's pumps, (i6th
century) ; s'echapper, s*esquiver,
filer, disparaitre, s'edipser, se
derober, se retirer, and s'en aller d
V anglaise ( = to take English
leave) ; pisser a P anglaise ( = to do
an English piss, i.e. , affect a
visit to the urinal) ; prendre sa
permission sous son coude (popular :
literally to take one's leave under
one's arm) ; ficher or foutre le
camp.
GERMAN SYNONYMS. —
Franzb'sischen Abschied nehnien
( = to take French leave : from
GUTZKOW, R. 4, 88, etc, born
1811); franzosischer Abschied
(IFFLAND, 1759-1814, 5, 3, 117) J
auf gut franzbsisch sich
empfehlen (BLUMAUER, 2, 72,
1758-1798: also GUTZKOW, R.,
4, 88) ; hinter der Thur urlaub
(= to take leave behind [or
outside] the door, i.e., after one
has got outside it : quoted by
SANDERS, from FISCHART, 1550-
1589) ; hinter der Thiire Abschied
nehmen ( = to say good-bye out-
side, to take French leave) ; also,
er beurlaubte sich in aller Stille,
explained as er stahl sich, schlich
sich davon, and translated ' he
took French leave ' ; also, sich
aus einer Gesellschaft stehlen. —
HILPERT'S Diet., 1845.
SPANISH SYNONYM. —
Despedirse d la francesa ( = to
take French leave).
1771 . SMOLLETT, Humphrey Clinker,
p. 54. He stole away an Irishman's bride,
and took a FRENCH LEAVE of me and hi
master.
1805. Newspaper (quoted in Notes
and Queries, 5, S. xii., 2 Aug., 79, p. 87,
col. 2). On Thursday last Monsieur J. F.
Desgranche, one of the French prisoners
of war on parole at Chesterfield, took
FRENCH LEAVE of that place, in defiance
of his parole engagement.
1854. F. E. SMEDLEV, Harry Cover-
dale, ch. Iviii. ' I thought I would avoid
French Letter.
Fresh Bit.
all the difficulties ... by taking FRENCH
LEAVE, and setting off in disguise and
under a feigned name."
1885 STEVENSON, Treasure Island,
ch. xxii., p. 178 (1886). My only plan was
to take FRENCH LEAVE, and slip out when
nobody was watching.
1892. Globe, 25 Mar., p. 5, col. T.
They finally resolved to go on FRENCH
LEAVE to the place.
FRENCH- (also AMERICAN,
SPANISH, and ITALIAN) LETTER,
subs.phr. (colloquial). — A sheath
— of india-rubber, gold beater's
skin, gutta-percha — worn by a
man during coition to prevent
infection or fruition. Usually
described in print as SPECIALITIES
(q.V.). Or CIRCULAR PROTECTORS
and (in U.S.A.) as SAFES
(q.v.). See CUNDUM. Fr.,
capote anglaise.
FRENCH PIGEON, subs. phr.
(sportsman's). — A pheasant
killed by mistake in the
partridge season. Also MOKO
and ORIENTAL (q.v.).
FRENCH PIG, subs.phr. (common).
— A venereal bubo; a BLUE BOAR
(.v.), or WINCHESTER GOOSE
FRENCH PRINTS, subs, (colloquial).
— Generic for indecent pictures.
1849-50. THACKERAY, Pendennis //.,
ch. xxxi. Young de Boots of the Blues
recognised you as the man who came to
barracks, and did business, one-third in
money, one-third in eau-de-Cologne, and
one third in FRENCH PRINTS, you con-
founded, demure, old sinner.
FRENCH VICE, verb. phr. (venery).
— A euphemism for all sexual
malpractices; LARKS (q.v.). First
used (in print) in the case of
Crawford v. Crawford and Dilke.
FRENCHY, subs, (colloquial). — A
Frenchman.
FRESH, adj. (University). — I. Said
of an undergraduate in his first
term.
1803. Gradus ad Cantabrigiam, s.v.
1866. TREVELYAN, Horace at Athens.
When you and I were FRESH.
2. (common). — Slightly in-
toxicated ; elevated. For syn-
onyms see DRINKS and SCREWED,
(Scots' = sober).
1829. MARRYAT, Frank Mildmay,
ch. xiii. Drinking was not among my
vices. I could get FRESH, as we call it,
when in good company and excited by wit
and mirth ; but I never went to the length
of being drunk.
3. (Old English and modem
American). — Inexperienced, but
conceited and presumptuous ;
hence, forward, impudent.
1596. SHAKSPEARE, King John, iii.,
4. How green you are and FRESH in this
old world.
1886. FRANCIS, Saddle and Mocas-
sin. ' Has Peggy been too FRESH ?' Her
sunburnt cheeks flushed.
4. (common). — Fasting ; op-
posed to eating or drinking.
FRESH AS PAINT, AS A ROSE,
AS A DAISY, AS A NEW-BORN
TURD, etc., phr. (common). — Full
of health, strength, and activity ;
FIT (q.v.).
1864. E. YATES, Broken to Harness,
ch. xix. This is his third day's rest, and
the cob will be about as FRESH AS PAINT
when I get across him again.
1880. Punch's Almanack, p. 12.
FRESH ON THE GRAFT, aaV./^r.
(common). — New to the work.
Cf., FRESH BIT.
FRESH BIT, subs. phr. (venery). —
A beginner ; also a new mistress.
Cf., BIT OF FRESH = the sexual
favour : MEAT, or MUTTON, or
FISH (q.v.), being understood.
Freshen Ones Way. 72 Freshivater Soldier.
FRESHEN ONE'S WAY, verb. phr.
(nautical). — To hurry ; to quicken
one's movements. [The wind
FRESHENS when it rises.]
FRESHEN UP, verb. phr. (colloquial).
To clean ; to vamp ; to revive ; to
smarten.
FRESHER, subs. (University). — An
undergraduate in his first term.
FRESHERS. THE FRESHERS, subs.
(University). — That part of the
Cam which lies between the Mill
and Byron's Pool. So called be-
cause it is frequented by FRESH-
MEN (q.v.).
FRESHMAN (or FRESHER), subs.
(University). — A University man
during his first year. In Dublin
University he is a JUNIOR FRESH-
MAN during his first year, and a
SENIOR FRESHMAN the second
year. At Oxford the title lasts
for the first term. Ger., Fucks.
1596. NASHE, Saffron Walden, in
wks. iii., 8. When he was but yet a
FRESHMAN in Cambridge.
1611. MIDDLETON, Roaring Girl,
Act iii., Sc. 3. 6". Alex. Then he's a
graduate. .5". Davy. Say they trust him
not. S. Alex. Then is he held a FRESH-
MAN and a sot.
1767. COLMAN, Oxonian in Town,
ii., 3. And now I find you as dull and
melancholy as a FRESHMAN at college
after a jobation.
1841. LEVER, Charles O'Malley, ch.
xiv. ' This is his third year,' said the
Doctor, ' and he is only a FRESHMAN, hav-
ing lost every examination.'
1891. Snorting Life, 20 Mar. The
mile, bar accidents, will be a gift to B. C.
Allen, of Corpus, who has more than main-
tained the reputation he gained as a
FRESHER.
Adj. (University). — Of, or
pertaining to, a FRESHMAN, or a
first year student.
FRESH MANSHIP, subs, (old).— Of
the quality or state of being a
freshman.
1605. JONSON, Volfone, or the Fox,
iv., 3. Well, wise Sir Pol., since you
have practised thus, Upon my FRESHMAN-
SHIP, I'll try your salt-head With what
proof it is against a counter-plot.
FRESHMAN'S BIBLE, s^^bs. phr.
(University). — The University
Calendar.
FRESHMAN'S CHURCH, subs. phr.
(University). — The Pitt Press at
Cambridge. [From its ecclesias-
tical architecture.]
FRESH MAN'S LAN DM ARK, subs. phr.
(University). — King's College
Chapel, Cambridge. [From the
situation. ]
FRESHWATER MARINER (or SEA-
MAN), subs. phr. (old). — A beggar
shamming sailor ; a TURNPIKE
SAILOR (q.v.).
1567. HARM AN, Caveat (1869), p. 48,
These FRESHWATER MARINERS, their shipes
were drowned in the playne of Salisbury.
These kynde . . ,'counterfet great losses on
the sea.
1690. B. E., New Diet, of the Cant-
ing Crew. FRESHWATER SEAMEN, that
have never been on the Salt, or made any
Voyage, meer Land-Men.
FRESHWATER SOLDIER, subs. phr.
(old). — A raw recruit.
1598. FLORIO, A Worlde of IVordes,
Biancone. A goodly, great milke-soppe,
a FRESH WATER SOLDIER.
1603. KNOLLES, Hist, of the Turkes.
The nobility, as FRESHWATER SOLDIERS,
which had never seen but some slight skir-
mishes, made light account of the Turks.
1696. N omenclatpr. Bachelier aux
armes, nouveau ou jeune soudard. A
FRESHWATER souLDiER : a young soul-
dier : a novice : one that is trayned up to
serve in the field.
Fret.
73
Frig.
FRET, To FRET ONE'S GIZZARD,
GUTS, GIBLETS, KIDNEYS, CREAM,
etc., verb. phr. (common). — To
get harassed and worried about
trifles ; TO TEAR ONE'S SHIRT
FRIAR, siibs. (printers'). — A pale
spot in a printed sheet. Fr. , un
moine ( = monk).
FRIB, subs. (old). — A stick. For
synonyms, see TOKO.
1754. Discoveries of John Poulter,
p. 43. A Jacob and FRIB ; a ladder and
stick.
FRIBBLE, subs. (old). — A trifler ; a
contemptible fop. [From the cha-
racter in Garrick's Miss in her
Teens (1747)]-
1785. GROSE, Diet, of the Vulgar
Tongue, s.v.
1860. THACKERAY, Four Georges.
George, IV. That FRIBBLE, the leader of
such men as Fox and Burke !
FRIDAY- FACE, subs. (old). — A
gloomy, dejected-looking man or
woman. [Probably from Friday
being, ecclesiastically, the banyan
day of the week. ] Fr. , figure de
careme.
1592. GREENE, Groatsworth of Wit,
in wks. xii., 120. The Foxe made a FRI-
DAY-FACE, counterfeiting sorrow.
1785. GROSE, Diet, of tke Vulg.
Tongue, s.v.
1889. Gentleman's Mag., June, p.
593. FRIDAY-FACE is a term still occasion-
ally applied to a sour-visaged person ; it
was formerly in very common use.
FRIDAY- FACED, adj. (old). — Morti-
fied ; melancholy ; ' sour-featured'
(Scott).
1592. JOHN DAY, Blind Beggar, Act
iii., Sc. 2, p. 57. Can. No, you FRI-
DAY-FAC'D frying-pan, it was to save us all
from whipping or a worse shame.
1606. Wily Beguiled (Hawkins Eng.
Dr., iii., 356). Marry, out upon him !
What a FRIDAY-FAC'D slave it is ! I think
in my conscience his face never keeps
holiday.
FRIEND (or LITTLE FRIEND),^^. —
The menstrual flux or DOMESTIC
AFFLICTIONS (q.v.)y whose ap-
pearance is sometimes announced
by the formula ' My little friend
has come.' Conventionalisms are
queer ; poorly ; changes (Irish) ;
' the Captain's at home ' (GROSE).
See FLAG.
TO GO AND SEE A SICK
FRIEND, verb. phr. (venery). —
To go on the loose. See GREENS.
FRIEND CHARLES. See CHARLES
HIS FRIEND.
FRIENDLY LEAD, subs. phr.
(thieves'). — An entertainment (as
a sing-song) got up to assist a
companion in TROUBLE (q.v.), or
to raise money for the wife and
children of a ' quodded pal. '
1871. Daily Telegraph, 4 Dec. This
was the secret business, the tremendous
conspiracy, to compass which it was deemed
necessary to act with infinitely more cau-
tion than the friends of Bill Sikesfeel called
on to exercise when they distribute tickets
for a FRIKNDLY LEAD for the benefit of
Bill, who is 'just out of his trouble.'
1889. Casselfs Saturday Journal,
5 Jan. The men frequently club together
in a FRIENDLY LEAD to help a brother in
distress.
1892. Ally Sloper, 2 Apr., p. 106, col.
3. My father takes the chair at FRIENDLY
LEADS.
FRIENDS IN NEED, subs. phr. (com-
mon).— Lice. For synonyms, see
CHATES.
FRIG, verb trans, andrefl. (venery).
— To masturbate. Also subs. =
an act of masturbation. Known
sometimes as KEEPING DOWN THE
CENSUS. [Latin, fricare = to rub.]
ENGLISH SYNONYMS. — To
bob; to box the Jesuit ['St.
Omer's lewdness,' Marston,
Frigate.
74
Frills.
'Scourge' (1598)]; to chuff;
to chuffer ; to claw (Florio) ;
to digitate (of women) ; to
eat (or get) cock-roaches ; to
bring up (or off) by hand ;
to fight one's turkey (Texan) ; to
hnger or finger-fuck (of women) ;
to friggle (Florio) ; to fuck one's
fist (of men) ; to fetch mettle
(Grose) ; to handle ; to indorse ;
to jerk, play, pump, toss, or work
off ; to lark ; to milk ; to mount
a corporal and four ; to mess, or
pull about ; to play with (school-
boys'), to rub up ; to shag ; to
tickle one's crack (of women) ; to
dash one's doodle ; to touch up ;
to play paw-paw tricks (Grose) ;
to wriggle (old). For foreign
synonyms, see WRIGGLE.
1598. FLORIO, A Worlde of Wordes
Fricciare ... to FRIG, to wriggle, to
tickle.
1611. COTGRAVE, Dictionarie,
Branler la pique, To FRIG.
1728. BAILEY, Diet., s.v. FRIG, to
rub.
c. 1716-1746. ROBERTSON of Struan.
Poems, 83. So to a House of office . . .
a School- Boy does repair, To . . . fr
bis P there.
1785. GROSE, Diet, of the Vulgar
Tongue., s.v.
FRIGATE, subs, (common). — A
woman.
1690. B. E., New Diet, of the Cant-
ing Crew. FRJGGATwell rigg'd,awoman
well drest and gentile.
17S5. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue. A
well - rigg'd FRIGATE, a well - dressed
wench.
FRIGGING,.^ Ay. (venery).— i. The act
of masturbation ; the ' cynick fric-
tion' (Marston, Scourge}', other-
wise SIMPLE INFANTICIDE.
2. (old). — Trifling [GROSE,
1785-]
Adj. and adv. (vulgar). — An ex-
pletive of intensification. Thus,
FRIGGING BAD = ' bloody ' bad ; a
FRIGGING IDIOT = an absolute
fool. See also FOUTERING and
FUCKING.
FRIGHTFULLY, adv. (colloquial).
—Very. An expletive used as
are AWFULLY, BEASTLY, BLOODY,
etc. (q.v.).
FRIG- PIG, subs, (old).— Afinnicking
trifler.
1785. GROSE, Diet. Vulg. Tongue,
s.v.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
FRIGSTER (in fern. FRIGSTRESS)
subs, (venery). — A masturbator ;
an INDORSER (y.v., also^a
Sodomite).
FRILL ERY, subs. (common). —
Feminine underclothing. For
synonyms, see SNOWY. To EX-
PLORE ONE'S FRILLERY (venery)
= to grope one's person.
FRILLS, subs. (American). —
Swagger ; conceit ; also accom-
plishments (as music, languages,
etc.); and culture; ef.t MAN
WITH NO FRILLS.
1870. Sacramento Paper (quoted in
De Vere). ' I can't bear his talk, it's all
FRILLS.'
1884. CLEMENS ("Mark Twain'),
Ad-ventures of Huck, Finn. 33. I never
see such a son. I bet I'll take some
of these FRILLS out of you before I'm
done with you.
TO PUT ON ONE'S FRILLS, verb,
phr. (American). — To exaggerate ;
TO CHANT THE POKER ; to
swagger ; to put on SIDE (q.v.) ;
to SING IT (q. v. ). Fr. , se gonfler
le jabot, and faire son lard.
1890. RUDYARD KIPLING National.
Observer, March, 1890, p. 69. 'The Oont.'
It's the commissariat camel PUTTING ON
HIS BLOOMING FRILLS.
Print.
75
Frisk.
2. (venery). — To get wanton
or PRICK-PROUD (q.v.}\ in a
slate of MUST (a.v.}.
TO HAVE BEEN AMONG ONE'S
FRILLS, verb. phr. (venery). — To
have enjoyed the sexual favour.
. For synonyms, see GREENS.
PRINT, subs. (old). — A pawnbroker.
For synonyms, see UNCLE.
1821. Real Life in London, i.,
p. 566.
FRISCO, subs. (American). — Short
for San Francisco.
1870. BRET HARTE, Poems, 'Chiq-
uita.' Busted hisself at White Pine, and
blew out his brains down in FRISCO.
1890. Sporting Life, 8 Nov. The
battle . . . took place in the theatre,
Market St., FRISCO.
FRISK, subs. (old). — I. A frolic ;
an outing; a LARK (q.v.) ;
mischief generally.
1697. VANBRUGH, Provoked Wife,
iii., i. _ If you have a mind to take a
FRISK with us, I have an interest with my
lord ; I can easily introduce you.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1825. The English Spy, vi , p. 162.
Dick's a trump, and no telegraph — up to
every FRISK, and down TO every move of
the domini, thoroughbred and no -want of
courage.
1852. DICKENS, Bleak House, ch.
xx., p. 171. _ ' When you and I had the
FRISK down in Lincolnshire, Guppy, and
drove over to see that house at Castle
Wold.'
2. (old).— A dance.
1719. DURFEY, Pills, etc., i., 274.
Let's have a neat FRISK or so, And then
rub on the law.
1782. ^COWPER, Table Talk, 237.
Give him his lass, his fiddle, and his FRISK,
Is always happy, reign whoever may
1880. OUIDA, Moths, ch. xiv. And
her fancy-dress FRISKS, and her musical
breakfasts, were great successes.
3. (venery). — The act of copu-
lation. See GREENS and RIDE.
Verb (thieves'). — i. To search;
TO RUN THE RULE OVER (q.V.}\
Especially applied to the search
made, after arrest, for evidence of
character, antecedents, or identity.
Hence, careful examination of
any kind.
1781. G. PARKER, Life's Painter,
p. 179. They FRISK him? That is search
him. Ibid., p. 122. Puttting a lap-feeder
in our sack, that you or your blowen had
prig'd yourselves though we should stand
the FRISK for it.
1828. JON. BEE, Pict. of London.
p. 69. The arms are seized from behind
by one, whilst the other FRISKS the pockets
of their contents.
1852. JUDSON, Mysteries, etc. of New
York, ch. vii. Vel sare, the offisare 'ave
FRISK me : he 'ave not found ze skin or ze
dummy, eh ?
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum, or
Rogue's Lexicon, p. 21. ' The knuck was
copped to rights, a skin full of honey was
found in his kick's poke by the copper
when he FRISKED him'; [i.e.] the pick-
pocket was arrested, and when searched by
the officer a purse was found in his panta-
loons pocket full of money. ,
2. ( thieves' ). — To pick
pockets ; to rob. To FRISK A
CLY = to empty a pocket.
1852. JUDSON, Mysteries, etc. 0f
New York, ch. iv. You're as good a
knuck as ever FRISKED a swell.
1883. Daily Telegraph, 13 June,
p. 7, col. 3. The ragged little wretches
who prowl in gangs about the suburbs,
who crawl on their hands and knees into
shops in order to ' FRISK the till."
3. (venery). — To 'HAVE (q.v.)
a woman.' For synonyms, see
RIDE.
TO DANCE THE PADDINGTON
FRISK, verb. phr. (old). — To
dance on nothing; i.e., to be
hanged. [Tyburn Tree was in
Paddington.] For synonyms, sec
LADDER.
Frisker.
76
Frog's March.
FRISKER, subs. (old). — A dancer.
1719. DORFEY, Pills, etc., ii., 20-
At no Whitsun Ale there e'er yet had been
Such Fraysters and FRISKERS as these
lads and lasses.
FRIVOL or FRIVVLE, verb, (collo-
quial). — To act frivolously ; to
trifle. [A resuscitation of an
old word used in another sense,
viz. , to annul, to set aside].
1883. W. BLACK, Yolande, ch. xx.
1 Mind, I am assuming that you mean
business — if you want to FRIVOLE, and pick
pretty posies, I shut my door on you but,
I say, if you mean business, I have told
Mrs. Bell you are to have access to my
herbarium, whether I am there or not.'
FROG, subs, (common). — I. A
policeman. For synonyms, see
BEAK and COPPER.
1881. New York Slang Diet., 'On
the Trail.' I must amputate like a go-
away, or the FROGS will nail me.
1886. Graphic, 30 Jan., p. 130, col. i.
A policeman is also called . . . a ' frog,
the last-named because he is supposed to
jump, as it were, suddenly upon guilty
parties.
2. (common). — A Frenchman.
Also FROGGY and FROG-EATER.
[Formerly a Parisian ; the shield
of whose city bore three toads,
while the quaggy state of the
streets gave point to a jest com-
mon at Versailles before 1791 :
Qu'en disent les grenouilles? i.e.,
What do the FROGS (the people
of Paris) say?]
^1883. Referee, 15 July, p. 7, col. 3.
While Ned from Boulogne says ' OUT mon.
brave,' The Froggies must answer for
Tamatave.'
3. (popular). — Afoot. For
synonyms, see CREEPERS.
To FROG ON, verb. phr. (Ame-
rican).— To get on ; to prosper
FROGGING-ON = SUCCCSS.
FROG-AND-TOAD, subs, (rhyming)
— The main road.
FROG-AND-TOE, subs. (American
thieves'). — The city of New
York.
1^59. MATSELL Vocabulum, or
Rogue's Lexicon, p. 35. Coves, let us
FROG-AND-TOE, COVCS, let US gO tO New
York.
FROGLANDER, sttbs. (old). — A
Dutchman. Cf., FROG, sense 2.
1690. B. E., New Diet, of the Cant-
ing Crew, s.v.
1852. JUDSON, Mysteries, etc. of New
York, ch. xiv. The funny swag which
they raised out of the FROGLANDER coves.
FROG-SALAD, subs. (American). — A
ballet ; i.e., a LEG-PIECE (q.v.).
FROG'S MARCH. To GIVE THE
FROG'S MARCH, verb. phr. (com-
mon). — To carry a man face
downwards to the station ; a
device adopted with drunken or
turbulent prisoners.
1871. Evening Standard, ' Clerken-
well Police Report,' 18 April. In cross-
examination the police stated that they did
not give the defendant the FROG'S MARCH.
The FROG'S MARCH was described to be
carrying the face downwards.
1884. Daily Neivs, Oct. 4, p. 5, col. 2.
They had to resort to a mode of carrying
him, familiarly known in the force, we
believe, as the FROG TROT, or sometimes
as the FROG'S MARCH. . . . The prisoner is
carried with his face downwards and his
arms drawn behind him.
1888. Daily Telegraph^ 22 Dec.
Whether the ' bobbies ' ran the tipsyman in,
treating him meanwhile to a taste of the
FROG'S MARCH, and whether he was fined
or imprisoned for assaulting the police, is
not upon the record.
1890. Bird o' Freedom, 19 Mar., p. i
col. i. And then he gets the FROG'S
MARCH to the nearest Tealeaf's.
Frogs Wine.
77
Ffvttdacioux.
FROG'S WINE, subs. phr. (old). —
Gin. For synonyms, see DRINKS
and SATIN.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
FROLIC, subs, (common). — A merry-
making.
1847. ROBB. Squatter Life, p. 133-
At all the FROLICKS round the country,
Jess was hangin' onter that gal.
FROSTY- FACE, subs. (old). — A pox-
pitted man. Grose (1785).
FRONT, verb (thieves'). — To conceal
the operations of a pickpocket ;
to COVER (q.v.).
1879. J. W. HORSLEY in Macmillaris
Mag., XL., 506. So my pal said, ' FRONT
me (cover me), and I will do him for it."
FRONT-ATTIC (or -DOOR, -GARDEN,
-PARLOUR, -ROOM, Or -WIN DOW).
subs. phr. (venery). — The female
pudendum. For synonyms, see
MONOSYLLABLE. To HAVE (or
DO) a BIT OF FRONT-DOOR WORK
= to copulate.
1823. BEE, Diet, of the Turf, s.v.
Mrs. Fubb's FRONT-PARLOUR (.vide Tom
Rees) is not to be mistaken for any part of
any building.
FRO NT- DOOR MAT, subs. phr.
(venery). — The female pubic hair.
For synonyms, see FLEECE.
FRONT-GUT, subs, (venery). — The
female pudendum. For syno-
nyms, see MONOSYLLABLE.
FRONTISPIECE, subs, (pugilists'). —
The face. For synonyms, see
DIAL.
1K18. P. EGAN, Boxiana, I., p. 221.
Tyne put in right and left upon the Jew's
FRONTISPIECE two such severe blows, that
Crabbe's countenance underwent a trifling
change.
1845. BUCKSTONE, Green Bushes, i., i.
It's a marcy my switch didn't come in
contract with your iligant FRONTISPIECE.
1860. Chambers Journal XI 1 /.,
p. 368. His forehead is his FRONTISPIECE.
1864. A. TROLLOPE, Sm. Ho. at
Allington (1884), vol. "., ch. V., p. 47.
He said that he had had an accident -or
rather, a row — and that he had come out of
it with considerable damage to his
FRONTISPIECE.
1891. Sporting Life, 28 Mar. It
must be confessed that the ludicrous was
attained when Griffiths subsequently
appeared with a short black pipe in his
distorted and battered FRONTISPIECE.
FRONT-WINDOWS, subs, (common).
— I. The eyes ; also the face,
2. In sing: (venery). — The
female pudendum. Cf., FRONT-
ATTIC ; and for synonyms, see
MONOSYLLABLE.
FROST, subs, (common). — A com-
plete failure. Cf., Fr., un four
noir. Also un temps noir=a.
blank interval; a prolonged silence
(as when an actor's memory fails
him).
1885. Saturday Review, 15 Aug.,
p. 218. He is an absolute and perfect
FROST.
1885. Bell's Life, 3 Jan., p. 3, col. 6.
We regret we cannot write favorably con-
cerning this matter, the affair being almost
as big a FROST athletically as it was
financially.
1889. Star, 17 Jan. The pantomime
was a dead FROST.
2. (common). — A dearth of
work ; TO HAVE A FROST = to be
idle.
FROUDACIOUS, FROUDACITY, adj.
and subs. See quots.
1888. Colonies and India, 14 Nov.
The word ' FROUDACITY,' invented by Mr.
Darnell Davis in his able review of The
Bow of Ulysses, recently published, has
reached the height of popularity in the
Ausralasian Colonies, where it has come
into everyday use. In the Melbourne
Assembly the other day an hon. member
observed — speaking of some remarks made
by a previous speaker — that he never heard
Froust.
Frump.
such FROUDACIOUS statements in his life.
The colonial papers are beginning, also, to
spell the word with a small 'f,' which is
significant.
1889. Graphic, 16 Feb. By exposing
some of Mr. Froude's manifold errors (the
most dangerous is that which assumes the
sour Waikato clays to be rich because they
grow fern) he justifies the Australian
adjective FROUDACIOUS.
FROUST, subs. (Harrow Scnool). —
I. Extra sleep allowed on Sunday
mornings and whole holidays.
¥r.,faire du lard.
2. (common). — A stink ; stuffi-
ness (in a room).
FROUSTY, adj. (common). — Stink-
ing.
FROUT,a^'. (Winchester College). —
Angry ; vexed.
FROW (or FROE, or VROE), subs.
(old). — A woman ; a wife ; a
mistress. [From the Dutch.]
1607. DEKKER, Westward /^,Act.V.>
Sc. i. Eat with 'em as hungerly as
soldiers ; drink as if we were FROES.
1690. B. E., New Diet, of the Cant-
ing- Crew, V. Brush to your FROE and
wheedle for crap, c. whip to your mistress
and speak her fair to give or lend iyou
some Money.
1754. B. MARTIN, Eng. Diet. (2 ed.),
s.v.
1789. PARKER, Life's Painter, p. 119
A flash of lightning next Bess tipt each
cull and FROW.
FRUITFUL \/\NE,sztl>s.pkr. (venery).
— The female pudendum. For
synonyms, see MONOSYLLABLE.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
FRUITFUL VINE. A woman's private parts,
i.e., that has flowers every month, and
bears fruit in nine.
FRUMMAGEMED, adj. (old). —
Choked ; strangled ; spoilt.
1671. R. HEAD, English Rogue, Pt.
I., ch. v., 49 (1874). FRUMMAGEM, Choakt.
1724. E. COLES, Eng. Diet. FRUM-
MIGAM, c. choaked.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
Choaked, strangled, or hanged. Cant.
1815. SCOTT, Guy Mannering, ch.
xxviii. ' If I had not helped you with
these very fambles (holding up her hands),
Jean Baillie would have FRUMMAGEM'D
you, ye feckless do-little ! '
1819. MOORE, Tom Crib's Memorial,
p. 21. There he lay, almost FRUMMA-
GEM'D.
FRUMP, subs. (old). — i. A con-
temptuous speech or piece of
conduct ; a sneer ; a jest.
1553. WILSON, Art of Rhetorique,
p. 137. (He) shall be able to abashe a
right worthie man, and make him at his
witte's ende, through the sodaine quicke
and vnlooked FRUMPE giuen.
1589. GREENE, Menaphon, p. 45.
For women's paines are more pinching if
they be girded with a FRUMPE than if they
be galled with a mischiefe.
1598. FLORIO, A Worlde of Wordes.
Bichiacchia, jestes, toyes, FRUMPS, flim-
flam tales, etc.
1606. T. DEKKER, Seven Deadly
Sinnes, p. 44 (ed. Arber). The courtiers
gives you an open scoffe, ye clown a secret
mock, the cittizen yat dwels at your thresh-
aid, a ieery FRUMP.
1630. TAYLOR, Works. But yet, me
thinkes, he gives thee but a FRUMPE, In
telling how thee kist a wenches rumpe.
1662. Rump Songs, 'Arsy-Varsy, etc.,
ii., 47. As a preface of honor and not as
a FRUMP, First with a Sir reverence ushers
the Rump.
1668. DRYDEN, An Evening's Love''
Act IV. Sc. 3. Not to be behindhand
with you in your FRUMPS, I give you back
your purse of gold.
2. (common). — A slattern ;
more commonly a prim old lady ;
the correlative of FOGEY (q.v.).
Fr. , un graillon.
1831. J. R. PLANCHE, Olympic
Revels, Sc. i. Cheat, you stingy FRUMP !
Who wants to cheat ?
1837. BARHAM, Ingoldsby Legends,
I., p. 157. Get into the hands of the other
Old FRUMPS.
Frmnper.
79
Fub.
1857. THACKERAY, Virginians, ch.
xxxi. She is changed now, isn't she ?
What an old Gorgon it is ! She is a great
patroness of your book-men, and when that
old FRUMP was young they actually made
verses about her.
3. (old). — A cheat ; a trick.
1602. ROWLAND, Greene's Ghost,
37. They come off with their . . . FRUMPS
Verb (old).— To mock; to in-
sult.
1589. NASHE, Month's Mind, in
Works, Vol. I., p. 158. One of them . . .
maketh a iest of Princes, and ' the troubling
of the State, and offending of her Maiestie, '
hee turneth of with a FRUMPING forsooth,
as though it were a toie to think of it.
1593. G. HARVEY, Pierces Super, in
Works II., 107. That despiseth the graces
of God, flowteth the constellations of heaven,
FRUMPETH the operations of nature.
1609. Man in the Moone. Hee . . .
FRUMPETH those his mistresse frownes on.
1757. GARRICK, Irish Widow, I., i.
Yes, he was FRUMPED, and called me old
blockhead.
FRUMPER, subs. (old). — A sturdy
man ; a good blade.
1825. KENT, Modern Flash Diet.,
FRUMPISH, adj. (colloquial). —
Cross-grained ; old-fashioned and
severe in dress, manners, morals,
and notions ; ill-natured ; given
to frumps. Also FRUMPY.
1589. GREENE, Tullies Love, in
wks. vii., 131. Who were you but as
fauourable, as you are FRUMPISH, would
soone censure by my talke, how deepe I
am reade in loues principles.
1701. FARQUHAR, Sir Harry
Wildair, Act. V., Sc. 5. She got, I don't
know how, a crotchet of jealousy in her
head. This made her FRUMPISH, but we
had ne'er an angry word.
1757. FOOTE, Author, Act II. And
methought she looked very FRUMPISH and
jealous.
1764. O'HARA, Midas, I., 3. La!
mother, why so FRUMPISH ?
1864. DICKENS, Our Mutual Friend,
Bk. I., ch. xi. ' Don't fancy me a FRUMPY
old married woman, my dear ; I was mar-
ried but the other day, you know.'
1889. Modern Society, 12 Oct., p
1271, col. 2. Quite an elderly and super-
annuated look is given to the toilette which
is finished off by a woollen cloud or silken
shawl, and only invalids and sixty-year-old
women should be allowed such FRUMPISH
privileges.
FRUSHEE, subs. (Scots'). — An open
jam tart.
FRY, verb (common). — To translate
into plain English. Cf., BOIL
DOWN.
1881. JAS. PAYN, Grape from a
Thorn, ch. xxx. ' I shall repose the great-
est confidence in you, my dear girl, which
one human being can entrust to another.'
was one of its sentences, which, when it
came ' to be FRIED,' meant that she should
delegate to her the duties of combing Fido
and cutting her canary's claws.
GO AND FRY YOUR FACE, phr.
(common). — A retort expressive
of incredulity, derision, or con-
tempt.
FRYING-PAN. To JUMP FROM THE
FRYING - PAN INTO THE FIRE,
verb. phr. (common). — To go
from bad to worse. Cf. , ' from
the smoke into the smother ' (As
You Like it, i., 2.). Fr., tomber
de la poele dans la braise,
1684. BUNYAN, Pilgrim's Progress,
Part II. Some, though they shun the
FRYING-PAN, do leap into the fire.
To FRY THE PEWTER, verb
phr. (thieves'). — To melt down
pewter measures.
F SHARP, subs. phr. (common).
—A flea ; cf. , B flat.
FUANT, subs. (old). — Excrement. —
B.E., Diet, of the Canting Crew.
FUB, verb. (old). — To cheat ; to
steal ; to put off with false
excuses. Also Fu BBERY = cheat-
ing, stealing, deception.
Fubsey.
Fucking.
1598. SHAKSPEARE, 2 Henry IV.,
II., i. I have borne, and borne, and borne,
and have been FUBBED OFF, and FUBBED
OFF from this day to that day.
1604. MARSTON, Malcontent, i., 3.
O no ; but dream the most fantastical. O
heaven ! O FUBBERY ! FUBBERY !
1619. FLETCHER, Mons. Thomas, ii.,
2. My letter FUBB'D too.
1647. CARTWRIGHT, Ordinary iv.,
4. I won't be FUBBED.
FUBSEY or FUBSY, adj. (old). —
Plump ; fat ; well-filled. FUBSY
DUMMY = a well-filled pocket
book ; FUBSY wench = a plump
girl.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1825. English Spy, I., p. 188. Old
dowagers, their FUBSY faces, Painted to
eclipse the Graces.
1837. MARRYAT, Snarley-ymv, I.,
ch. viii. Seated on the widow's little
FUBSY sofa.
FUBSINESS, subs, (common). —
Any sort of fatness.
FUCK, subs, (venery). — I. An act
of coition. For synonyms, see
GREENS.
2. (venery). — The seminal
fluid. For synonyms, see CREAM.
Verb, (common). — To copulate.
For synonyms, see GREENS and
RIDE.
c. 1540. DAVID LYNDSAY, 'Flyting
ivith King James' Aye FUKKAND like
ane furious fornicator.
1568. CLERK, Bannatyne MSS.,
Hunterian Soc. Publication, p. 298. He
clappit fast, he kist, he chukkit, As with
the glaikkis he wer ourgane; Yit be his
feiris he wald haif FUKKIT.
1568. Anonymous, Bannatyne MSS.,
Hunterian Soc. Publication, p. 399. 'In
Somer when Flouris will Smell.' Allace !
said sch, my awin sweit thing, Your
courtly FUKKING garis me fling, Ye wirk
sae weill.
1598. FLORIO, A Worlde of Wordes,
Fottere. To jape ; to sarde, to FUCKE ;
to swive ; to occupy.
1620. PERCY, Folio MSS., p. 459.
[Hales and Furnivall, 1867.] A mighty
mind to clipp, kisse, and to FFUCK her.
1647-80. ROCHESTER, l Written under
Nellys Picture' Her father FUCKED
them right together.
1683. EARL OF DORSET, 'A Faithful
Catalogue.' From St. James's to the
Land of Thule, There's not a whore who
F s so like a mule.
c. 1716-1746. ROBERTSON of Struan,
Poems, 256. But she gave proof that she
could f k, Or she is damnably bely'd.
1728. BAILEY, English Diet., s.v.
FUCK . . . Feminam subigitare.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue. F K,
to copulate.
c. 1790(?). BURNS, Merry Muses. And
yet misca's a poor thing That FUCKS for
its bread.
FUCKABLE, adj. (venery). —
Desirable. Also FUCKSOME.
FUCKER, subs, (common). — i. A
lover; a FANCY JOSEPH (q.v.).
2. (common). — A term of
endearment, admiration, derision,
etc.
FUCK-FINGER, subs. phr. (venery).
— A fricatrix.
FUCK- FIST, subs. phr. (venery). — A
FRIGSTER (q.v.}\ a masturbator.
For synonyms, see MILKMAN.
FUCK- HOLE, subs. phr. (venery). —
The female pudendum. For
synonyms, see MONOSYLLABLE.
FUCKING, subs, (venery).— Generic
for the ' act of kind. '
1568. SCOTT, Bannatyne MSS.,
Hunterian Soc. Publication, p. 363. ' To
the Derisioun of Wantoun Wemen.' Thir
foure, the suth to sane, Enforsis thame
to FUCKING . . . Quod Scott.
Puckish.
Si
Fuddled.
1575. Satirical Poems, etc., Scottish
Text Soc. Pub. (1889-90) i., 208. 'A
Lewd Ballat.' To se forett the holy frere
his fukking so deplore.
Adj. (common). — A quali-
fication of extreme contumely.
Adv. (common). — I. Intensi-
tive and expletive ; a more
violent form of BLOODY
See FOUTERING.
FUCKISH, adj. (venery). — Wanton;
PROUD (q*v.); inclined for
coition.
FUCKSTER, subs, (venery). — A
good PERFORMER (q.v.}\ one
specially addicted to the act. A
WOMAN-FUCKER (FLORIO), but
in feminine FUCKSTRESS.
FUD, subs, (venery). — The pubic
hair. For synonyms, see
FLEECE. Also the tail of a hare
or rabbit.
1785. BURNS, The Jolly Beggars.
They scarcely left to co'er their FUDS.
FUDDLE, subs, (common). — i.
Drink. [Wedgwood : A corrup-
tion of FUZZ.]
1621. BURTON, Anatomy of Melan-
choly. The university troop dined with
the Earl of Abingdon and came back well
FUZZED.
1690. B. E., New Diet, of the Cant-
ing Crew, s.v. FUDDLE, Drink. ' This
is rum FUDDLE, c. this is excellent Tipple.'
1705. WARD, Hudibras Redivivus, I.,
Pt. iv., p. 18. And so, said I, we sipp'd
our FUDDLE, As women in the straw do
caudle, 'Till every man had drown'd his
noddle.
1733. BAILEY, Erasmus, p. 125
fed. 1877,). Don't go away ; they have
had their dose of FUDDLE.
2. (common). — A drunken
bout ; a DRUNK.
1864. Glasgow Citizen, 9 Dec.
Turner is given to a FUDDLE at times.
Verb, (colloquial). — To be
drunk.
1720. DURFEY, Pills, etc., vi., 265.
All day he will FUDDLE.
1754. B. MARTIN, Eng. Diet. (2nd
ed.). To FUDDLE, i. To make a person
drunk. 2. To grow drunk.
1770. FOOTE. Lame Lover, iii.
Come, Hob or Nob, Master Circuit — let
us try if we can't FUDDLE the serjeant.
1855. THACKERAY, Newcomes, ch. x.
He boxed the watch ; he FUDDLED himself
at taverns ; he was no better than a
Mohock.
1889. Echo, is Feb. If rich, you
may FUDDLE with Bacchus all night, And
be borne to your chamber remarkably
tight.
FUDDLECAP (or FUDDLER), subs.
(common). — A drunkard ; a boon
companion. For synonyms, see
LUSHINGTON.
1607. DEKKER, Jests to make you
Merie, in wks. (GROSART) ii., 299. And
your perfect FUDDLECAP [is known] by his
red nose.
d. 1682. T. BROWNE, Works, iii.»
93. True Protestant FUDDLECAPS.
1690. B. E., New Diet, of the Canting
Crew. FUDDLECAP, a drunkard.
1748. T. DYCHE, Dictionary (sth
ed.) FUDDLECAP (S.) one that loves
tippling, an excessive drinker, or drunkard.
1785. GROSE, Vulg.Tongue, s.v.
FUDDLED, adj. (colloquial). —
Stupid with drink. For synonyms,
see DRINKS and SCREWED.
1661. PEPYS, Diary, 8 March
After dinner, to drink all the afternoon
... at last come in Sir William Wale,
almost FUDDLED.
1713. Guardian, No. 145. It was
my misfortune to call in at Tom's last
night, a little FUDDLED.
1730. THOMSON, A utumn, 537. The
table floating round, And pavement faith-
less tO the FUDDLED foot.
1838. DICKENS, Nick. Nickleby, ch.
lx., p. 485. You're a little FUDDLED to-
6
Fudge.
82
Fudge.
night, and may not be able to see this as
clearly as you would at another time.
1841. Punch, I., p. 74. The Sultan
got very FUDDLED last night with forbidden
juice in the harem, and tumbled down the
ivory steps.
1864. Glasgow Citizen, 19 Nov. No
other word has so many equivalents as
1 drunk.' . . . One very common and
old one has escaped Mr. Hotten —
FUDDLED.
1888. Daily News, 28 Nov. Music
halls would soon decrease in numbers if
drink were not sold in them, for sober
people would not go to see spectacles only
attractive to those who were half
FUDDLED.
FUDGE, subs, (colloquial). — Non-
sense ; humbug ; an exaggeration ;
a falsehood. [Provincial French,
fuche, feuche ; an exclamation of
contempt from Low Ger. fuisch
= begone ; see, however, quots.
1700 and 1712.] Also as an ex-
clamation of contempt.
1700. ISAAC DISRAELI, Notes on the
Navy. There was, in our time, one
Captain Fudge, a commander of a
merchant-man ; who, upon his return from
a voyage, always brought home a good
cargo of lies ; insomuch that now, aboard
ship, the sailors, when they hear a great
lie, cry out FUDGE.
1712. W. CROUCH, A Collection of
Papers. In the year 1664 we were
sentenced for banishment to Jamaica by
Judges Hyde and Twisden, and our
number was 55. We were put on board
the ship Black Eagle ; the master's name
was FUDGE, by some called LYING
FUDGE.
17(56 GOLDSMITH, Vicar of Wakefield,
ch. xi. Who . . . would cry out FUDGE !
an expression which displeased us all, and,
in some measure, damped the rising spirit
of the conversation.
1841. LYTTON, Night and Morning,
Bk. II., ch. vii. Very genteel young
man — prepossessing appearance — (that's a
FUDGE!) — highly educated; usher in a
school— eh?
1850. THACKERAY, Rebecca and
Roivena, ch. i. Her ladyship's proposition
was what is called bosh ... or FUDGE in
plain Saxon.
1861. Comhill Magazine, iv., 102.
' A Cumberland Mare's Nest.' ... Up
jumped the worthy magistrate, And
seizing ' Burn,' Of justices the oracle and
badge, he straight Descended tol his
' lion's den ' (a sobriquet in FUDGE meant)
Where he, 'a second Daniel,' had often
1 come to judgment.'
1864. Tangled Talk, p. 108. It is
FUDGE to tell a child to ' love' every living
creature — a tapeworm, for instance, such
as is bottled up in chemists windows.
1865. Morning Star, i June. Old as
I am and half -woor out, I would lay (too
bad, Mr. Henley, this) upon my back and
hallo FUDGE !
1882. Daily Telegraph, 5 Oct., p. 2,
ccl. 2. Much that we hear concerning the
ways and means of the working classes is
sheer FUDGE.
Verb, (colloquial). — I. To
fabricate ; to interpolate ; to
contrive without proper materials.
1776. FOOTE, The Bankrupt, iii., 2.
That last ' suppose ' is FUDGED in.
1836. MARRY AT, Midshipman Easy,
ch. xviii. By the time that he did know
something about navigation, he discovered
that his antagonist knew nothing. Before
they arrived at Malta, Jack could FUDGE a
day's work.
1858. SHIRLEY BROOKS, Gordian Knot.
Robert Spencer was hiding from his
creditors, or FUDGING medical certificates.
1859. G. A. SALA, in John Bull, 21
May. I had provided myself with a good
library of books of Russian travel, and so
FUDGED my Journey Due North.
2. (schoolboys') — To copy ;
to crib ; to dodge or escape.
1877. BLANCH. The Blue Coat Boys
97. FUDGE, verb., trans, and intrans.
To prompt a fellow in class, or prompt one-
self in class artificially. Thence to tell ;
e.g., 'FUDGE me what the time is.'
3. (common). — To botch j to
bungle ; to MUFF (q.v.)
4. (schoolboys'). — To advance
the hand unfairly at marbles.
PT
Fug.
Full.
FUG, verb (Shrewsbury School). —
To stay in a stuffy room.
£. (venery). — To possess;
TO HAVE (q.v.}.
1719. DURFEY, Pills, etc., i., 126.
Who FUGELLED the Parson's fine Maid.
FUGGY, subs, (schoolboys'). — A hot
roll.
Adj. (Shrewsbury School). —
Stuffy.
FUGO, subs, (obsolete). — The
rectum, or (COTGRAVE) 'bung-
hole.'
1720. DURFEY, Pills, etc., vi., 247.
This maid, she like a beast turned her FUGO
to the East.
FULHAMS or FULLAMS, subs. (old).
— Loaded dice ; called ' high ' or
' low ' FULHAMS as they were
intended to turn up high or low.
Cf., GOURDS. [Conjectural ly,
because manufactured at Fulham,
or because that village was a
notorious resort of blacklegs.]
For synonyms, see UPHILLS.
1594. NASHE, Unf. Traveller, in
wks. v., 27. The dice of late are growen
as melancholy as a dog, high men and low
men both prosper alike, langrets, FULLAMS,
and all the whole fellowshippe of them will
not affoord a man his dinner.
1596. SHAKSPEARE. Merry Wives
of Windsor, i., 3. Let vultures gripe thy
guts ! for gourd, and FULLAM holds, And
high and low beguile the rich and poor.
1599. JONSON, Every Man out of His
Hum., iii., i. Car.: Who! he serve?
'sblood, he keeps high men, and low men,
he ! he has — fair living at Fullam.
[Whalley's note in Gifford's Jonson, ' The
dice were loaded to run high or low ;
hence they were called high men or low
men, and sometimes high and low
FULLAMS. Called FULLAMS either because
F. was the resort of sharpers, or because
they were chiefly made there.]
1664. BUTLER, Hudibras, Part II.,
C. i., 1. 642. But I do wonder you should
chuse This way t' attack me with your
muse, As one cut out to pass your tricks
on, With FULHAMS of poetic fiction.
[Note in Dr. Nash's Ed., vol. I.,
p. 272 (Ed. 1835). ' That is, with cheats
or impositions. FULHAM was a cant word
for a false die, many of them being made
at that place.']
1822. SCOTT, Fortunes of Nigel, ch.
xxiii. Men talk of high and low dice,
FULHAMS and bristles . . . and a hundred
ways of rooking besides.
2. (colloquial). — A sham ; a
MAKE-BELIEVE (q.v.). [From
sense i.]
1664. BUTLER, Hudibras, ii., i,
FULHAMS of poetic fiction.
FULHAM VIRGIN, subs. phr. (collo-
quial).— A fast woman. Cf.,
BANKSIDE LADY; COVENT
GARDEN NUN; ST. JOHN'S WOOD
VESTAL, etc.
FULK, verb (old schoolboys'). — To
use an unfair motion of the hand
in plumping at taw. — GROSE.
FULKE, verb (venery). — To copulate.
[A euphemism suggested by Byron
in Don Juan, the first and last
words of which, so adepts tell
you, are ' I ' and ' FULKE.']
FULKER, subs. (old). — A pawn-
broker. For synonyms, see UNCLE.
1566. GASCOIGNE, Supposes, ii., 3.
The FULKER will not lend you a farthing
upon it.
FULL, adj. (colloquial). — i. Drunk.
For synonyms, see DRINKS and
SCREWED.
1888. Detroit Free Press, 15 Dec.
When he was FULL the police came and
jugged.
2. (turf). Used by book-
makers to signify that they have
laid all the money they wish
against a particular horse.
FULL-GUTS, subs. phr. (com-
mon).— A swag-bellied man or
woman.
84
Full.
A FULL HAND, subs. phr.
(American waiters'). Five large
beers. For analogous expressions,
see Go.
FULL IN THE BELLY, subs. phr.
(colloquial).— With child.
FULL IN THE PASTERNS (or
THE HOCKS), subs. phr. (collo-
quial). Thick-ankled.
FULL TEAM, subs. phr.
(American). An eulogium. A
man is a FULL TEAM when of
consequence in the community.
Variants are WHOLE TEAM, or
WHOLE TEAM AND A HORSE TO
SPARE. Cf., ONE-HORSE = mean,
insignificant, or strikingly small.
FULL IN THE WAISTCOAT, adj.
phr. (colloquial). — Swag-bellied.
FULL OF 'EM, adj. phr. (com-
mon).— Lousy; nitty; full of
fleas.
FULL TO THE BUNG, adj. phr.
(colloquial). — Very drunk. For
synonyms, see DRINKS and
SCREWED.
To HAVE (or WEAR) A FULL
SUIT OF MOURNING, verb. phr.
(pugilists'). — To have two black
eyes. HALF - MOURNING = one
black eye. For synonyms, see
MOUSE.
TO COME FULL BOB, verb,
phr. (old colloquial). — To come
suddenly ; to come full tilt.
1672. MARVELL, Rehearsal Trans-
posed(in Grosart, iii., 414). The page and
you meet FULL BOB.
FULL AGAINST, adv. phr. i.
Dead, or decidedly opposed to, a
person, thing, or place.
FULL-BOTTOMED (or
-BREECHED, Or -POOPED), adv.
phr. (colloquial). — Broad in the
behind; BARGE- ARSED (q.v.)
FULL-FLAVOURED, adv. phr.
(colloquial). — Peculiarly rank :
as a story, an exhibition of pro-
fane swearing, an emission of wind,
etc.
FULL - FLEDGED, adv. phr.
(venery). — Ripe for defloration.
FULL-GUTTED, adv. phr. (collo-
quial).— Stout ; swag- bellied.
FULL OF EMPTINESS, adv.
phr. (commoTi). — Utterly void.
FULL ON,aafo. phr. (colloquial).
— Set strongly in a given direc-
tion, especially in an obscene
sense : e.g. , FULL ON FOR IT or
FULL ON FOR ONE = ready and
willing au possible.
AT FULL CHISEL, adv. phr.
(American). — At full speed; with
the greatest violence or im-
petuousity. Also FULL DRIVE;
FULL SPLIT. Cf., HICKETY
SPLIT ; RIPPING ; STAVING
ALONG ; TWO-THIRTY, etc.
IN FULL BLAST, SWING, etc.,
adv. phr. (colloquial). — In the
height of success ; in hot pursuit.
1859. SALA, Twice Round the Clock,
5 a.m., Part I. At five a.m. the publica-
tion of the Times newspaper is, to use a
north-country mining expression, in ' FULL
BLAST.'
1884. Daily News, Feb. 9, p. 5, col.
2. If he visit New York in that most
pleasant season, the autumn, he will find
that the ' fall ' trade is ' in FULL BLAST.'
1888. Daily Telegraph, 17 Nov.
By half-past ten o'clock the smoking-room
was IN FULL SWING.
IN FULL DIG, adv. phr. (com-
mon).— On full pay.
Fuller's Earth.
Fumbler's Hall.
IN FULL FEATHER, see
FEATHER.
IN FULL FIG. — i. See FIG (to
which may be added the follow-
ing illustrative quotations).
1836. M. SCOTT, Cruise of the
Midge, p. 178. In front of this shed —
FULL FIG, in regular Highland costume,
philabeg, short hose, green coatee, bonnet
and feather, marched the bagpiper.
1836. M. SCOTT, Cringle's Log, ch.
xi. Captain Transom, the other lieutenant,
and myself in full puff, leading the van,
followed by about fourteen seamen.
1838. HALIBURTON, Clockmaker,
(2nd ed.), ch. viii. ' Lookin1 as pleased as
a peacock when it's IN FULL FIG with its
head and tail up.'
1841. Punc h, i., p. 26, col. i. Dressed
IN FULL FIG — sword very troublesome —
getting continually between my legs.
1874. MRS. H. WOOD, Johnny
Ludlow (ist ed.), No. IV., p. 62. When
our church bells were going for service,
Major Parrifer's carriage turned out with
the ladies all IN FULL FIG.
2. adv. phr. (venery). — Said
of an erection of the penis ;
PRICK-PROUD (q.v.\ For syn-
onyms, see HORN.
LIKE A STRAW-YARD BULL :
FULL OF FUCK AND HALF STAR-
VED, phr. (venery). A friendly
retort to the question, ' How goes
it?' i.e., How are you?
FULL OF IT, phr. (common). —
With child.
FULL OF GUTS, phr. (collo-
quial).— Full of vigour ; excellently
inspired and done : as a picture,
a novel, and so forth. See GUTS.
FULL OF BEANS, see BEANS.
FULL OF BREAD, see BREAD.
FULLER'S EARTH, subs. phr. (old).
— Gin. For synonyms, see SAT' N.
1821. Real Life in London, i., 394.
The _ swell covies and out-and-outers find
nothing so refreshing, after a night's spree,
when the victualling office is out of order,
as a little FULLER'S EARTH, or dose of
Daffy's.
1823. MONCRIEFF, Tom and Jerry,
iii., 3. Bring me de kwarten of de FUL-
LER'S EARTH.
FULLIED. TO BE FULLIED, verb.
phr. (thieves'). — To be committed
for trial. [From the newspaper
expression, 'Fully committed.']
Fr., fore mis sur la planche au
pain.
1851-61. H. MAYHEW, London Lab.
and Lon. Poor, Vol. iii., p. 397. He
got acquitted for that there note after he
had me ' pinched ' (arrested). I got FUL-
LIED (fully committed).
1879. HORSLEY, ' Autobiography of a
Thief,' in Macmillaris Magazine, xl.,
506. I ... was then FULLIED and got
this stretch and a half.
1889. Answers, 13 April, p. 313. At
the House of Detention I often noticed such
announcements as 'Jack from Bradford
FULLIED for smashing, and expects seven
stretch,' i.e., fully committed for trial for
pas ;ing bad money, and expects seven
years' penal servitude.
FULNESS. THERE'S NOT FULNESS
ENOUGH IN THE SLEEVE TOP.
phr. (tailors'). — A derisive answer
to a threat.
FUMBLER, subs. (old). — An im-
potent man.
1690. B. E., New Diet, of the.
Canting Crew. FUMBLER, c., an upper-
forming husband ; one that is insufficient ;
a weak Brother.
1719. DURFEY, Pills, etc., vi., 312.
The old FUMBLER (title).
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
c 1790. BURNS, ' David and Bath-
sheba,' p. 40. ' By Jove,' says she, ' what's
this I see, my Lord the King's a FUMBLER.'
FUMBLER'S HALL, subs. phr. (ven-
ery).— The female pudendum.
See, however, quot. 1690. For
synonyms, see MONOSYLLABLE.
Fumbles.
86
Funds.
1690. B. E., New Diet, of the
Canting Crew. FUMBLER'S HAI.L, the
place where such (FUMBLERS, q.v.) are to
be put for their non-performance.
FREE OF FUMBLER'S HALL,
phr. — Said of an impotent man.
FUMBLES, subs, (thieves'). — Gloves
1825. KENT, Modern Flash. Diet
S.v.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum, or
Rogue's Lexicon s.v.
1881 . New York Slang Diet. , s.v.
FUN, subs. (old). — I. A cheat; a
trick.
1690. B.E., New Diet, of the Cant-
ing Crew s.v.
2. (old). — The posteriors,
or WESTERN END (MARVELL).
Probably an abbreviation of fun-
dament. For synonyms, see
BLIND CHEEKS and MONOCULAR
EYE-GLASS.
1690. B. E., New Diet, of the Cant-
ing Crew. I'll kick your FUN, c., I'll kick
your arse.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
Verb. (old). — I. To cheat ; to
trick. Also TO PUT THE FUN ON.
1690. B. E., New Diet, of the Cant-
ing Crew. What do you FUN me? Do you
think to Sharp or Trick me ? Ibid. He put
the FUN upon the cull, c., he sharp'd the
Fellow. Ibid. I FUNN'ohim, c., I was too
hard for him ; I outwitted or rook'd him.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1859 MATSELL, Vocabulum, or
Rogue's Lexicon, s.v.
To POKE FUN AT, verb. phr.
(colloquial). — To joke ; to ridi-
cule ; to make a butt.
1837. BARHAM, Ingoldsby Legends,
i., p. 280. O fie! Mister Noakes, — for
shame, Mr. Noakes ! To be POKING YOUR
FUN at us plain-dealing folks.
1855. HALIBURTON ('Sam Slick')
Human Nature, p. 124. I thought you
was POKIN" FUN at me; for I am a poor
ignorant farmer, and these people are
always making game of me.
1865. NEAL, Charcoal Sketches (in
Bartlett). Jeames, if you don't be quit
POKING FUN at me, I'll break your mouth,
as sure as you sit there.
TO HAVE BEEN MAKING FUN,
verb. phr. (common). — Intoxi-
cated. For synonyms, see
DRINKS and SCREWED.
TO HAVE (or DO) A BIT OF FUN,
verb. phr. (venery). — To procure
or enjoy the sexual favour. For
synonyms, see GREENS..
FUNCTIOR or PUNCTURE, subs.
(Winchester College). — An iron
bracket candlestick, used for the
nightlight in college chambers.
[The word, says Winchester
Notions, looks like fulctura,
an earlier form of fulture, mean-
ing a prop or stay with phonetic
change of / into «. ]
1870. MANSFIELD, School Life at
Winchester, p. 68. Beside the window
yawned the great fireplace, with its
dogs, on which rested the faggots and
bars for the reception of the array of
boilers. Above it was a rushlight, fixed in
a circular iron pan fastened to a staple in
the wall ; it was called the FUNCTIOR.
FUNDAMENTAL FEATURES, subs,
phr. (common). — The posteriors.
For synonyms, see BLIND
CHEEKS and MONOCULAR EYE-
GLASS.
1818. MOORE, Fudge Family, ix.,
Aug. 21. O can we wonder, best of
speechers, When Louis seated thus we see,
That France's ' FUNDAMENTAL FEATURES'
Are much the same they used to be ?
FUNDS, subs. (colloquial). -
Finances; e.g. 'my FUNDS are
very low. '
Funeral.
Funk.
FUNERAL. IT'S NOT MY (or YOUR)
FUNERAL, verb. phr. (American).
— i.e.) It is no business of mine,
or yours. Fr. , nib dans mes blots
( = that is not my affair). Also
used affirmatively.
1867. MRS. WHITNEY, A Summer in
Leslie Goldthwaite' s Life, p. 183. ' It's
NONE OF MY FUNERAL, I know, Sin Saxon,'
saidMissCraydocke. ' I'm only an eleventh-
hour helper ; but I'll come in for the
holiday business . . . that's mere in my
line.'
1871. DE VERB, Americanisms, p.
. This is NONE OF YOUR FUNERAL is
heard quite frequently as an indirect
rebuke for intermeddling, with the
ludicrous undercurrent of thought, that
the troublesome meddler has no right to
be crying at a strange man's funeral.
1877. Hartford Times, 17 Oct.
Senators Elaine and Barnum passed down
to New York, en route to Washington, on
Wednesday last, when Barnum asked
Elaine how he liked the news from Ohio.
' Oh, that ISN'T MY FUNERAL, I want you
to understand,' replied the plucky Maine
Senator.
1888. Missouri Republican, 8 Apr.
After a lot of slides had been exhibited
the audience howled for Miss Debar. It
got so noisy that Mr. Marsh reluctantly
exclaimed—' Well, is this YOUR FUNERAL
or mine ? '
FUNGUS, subs. (old). — An old man.
FUNK, subs. (old). — I. Tobacco
smoke ; also a powerful stink.
C/.y Ger.,funfo; Walloon funki.
1690. B. E., New Diet, of the Cant-
ing Crew. What a FUNK here is ! What
a thick smoke. Smoak of Tobacco is
here ! Ibid. Here's a damn'd FUNK, here's
a great stink.
2. (vulgar). — A state of
fear ; trepidation, nervousness,
or cowardice; a STEW (q.v.).
Generally, with an intensitive,
e.g., a 'mortal,' ' awful,' 'bloody,'
' blue,' or ' pissing • FUNK. Fr.,
la guenelte ; leflubart (thieves') ;
la frousse (also = diarrhoea).
It., filo=- thread.
1796. WOLCOTT, Pindarina, p. 59.
If they find no brandy to get drunk,
Their souls are in a miserable FUNK.
1819. MOORE. Tom Crib's Memorial,
p. 21. Up he rose in a FUNK.
1821.
p. 91. I was in a complete FUNK.
1837. BARHAM, I. L., Look at the
Clock, ed. 1862, p. 39. Pryce, usually
brimful of valour when drunk, Now ex-
perienced what schoolboys denominate
FUNK.
1848. RUXTON, Life in the Far West,
p. Q. The mules, which was a-snorting
with FUNK and running before the Injuns
. . . followed her right into the corral, and
thar they was safe.
1850. Literary World (New York),
30 Nov. So my friend's fault is timidity
... I grant, then, that the FUNK is sub-
lime, which is a true and friendly admis-
1856. THOM AS HUGHES, Tom Brown's
School-days, p. 196. If I was going to be
.flogged next minute, I should be in a blue
FUNK.
1859. WHITTY, Political Portraits,
p. 30. Lord Clarendon did not get through
the business without these failures, which
result from the intellectual process termed
freely FUNK.
1861. Macmillan 's Magazine, p. 211.
I was in a real blue FUNK.
1861. HUGHES, Tom Brown at Ox-
ford, ch. xxxvi. 1 was in a real blue FUNK
and no mistake.
1870. London Figaro, 19 Oct. After
the Fire. He was in a mortal FUNK, no
doubt.
1871. MAXWELL, in Life (1882), xvi.,
382. Certainly x^Pov &t°£ is the Ho-
meric for a blue FUNK.
1888. Casselts Saturday Journal, 29
., p. 305. You'r
about nothing at all.
Dec., p. 305. You're always in a FUNK
thin
3. (schoolboys'). — A coward.
1882. F. ANSTEY, Vice VersA, ch. v.
Bosher said, ' Let's cut it,' and he and
Peebles bolted. (They were neither of
them FUNKS, of course, but they lost their
heads.)
Verb, (common). — I. To smoke
out. See FUNK THE COBBLER.
Funk.
88
Funk.
1720. DURFEY, Wit and Mirth, vi.,
303. With a sober dose Of coffee FUNKS
his nose.
1578. GROSE; Vulg. Tongue. FUNK,
to smoke, figuratively to smoke or stink
through fear.
1823. MONCRIEFF, Tom and Jerry,
ii., 2. Tom. But, I say, only see how
confoundedly the dustman's getting hold of
Logic — we'll FUNK him. (Tom and Jerry
smoke Logic}, Log. Oh, hang your cigars,
I don't like it; let's have no FUNKING.
1841. Punch, I,, p. 172. Look here
. . . isn't it considerable clear they're a all
FUNKING like burnt cayenne in a clay pipe,
or couldn't they have made a raise somehow
to get a ship of their own, or borrow one to
send after that caged-up coon of a Macleod.
2. (common). — To terrify ; to
shrink or quail through nervous-
ness or cowardice.
1858. A. MAYHEW, Paved -with Gold,
Bk. III., ch. vi., p. 294. Perhaps we're
only FUNKING ourselves useless, and it
mayn't be the farm chaps at all.
FRENCH SYNONYMS. — Pani-
quer (thieves' : Panique = sudden
fright) ; blaguer (familiar : = to
swagger : // avait fair de blaguer
mais il rfetait pas a la noce = he
put on a lot of side, but he didn't
like it) ; avec la cceur en gargousse
(sailors' =* with sinking heart) ;
avoir une fluxion (popular :
fluxion = inflammation) ; avoir
la flemme (popular : also =
to be idle) ; avoir le trac or trak
(general) ; foirer (popular : foire
= excrement) ; leziner (popular :
also = to cheat).
SPANISH SYNONYM. — Paja-
rear.
ITALIAN SYNONYM. — Filare
( = to run: ¥r., filer).
4. (colloquial). — To be nervous;
to lose heart.
3. (colloquial). — To fear; to
hesitate ; to shirk ; and (among
pugilists) TO COME IT (q.V.).
< 1836. SMITH, The Individual, ' The
Thieves' Chaunt.' But dearer to me Sue's
kisses far Than grunting peck or other
grub are, And I never FUNK the lambskin
men When I sits with her in the boozing
ken.
1846. Punch, X., p. 163. But as yet
no nose is bleeding, As yet no man is
down ; For the gownsmen FUNK the
townsmen, And the townsmen FUNK the
gown.
1848. J. R. LOWELL, Biglow Papers.
To FUNK right out o' p'lit'cal strife ain't
thought to be the thing
1873. M. COLLINS, Squire Sil-
chesters Whim, ch. xvii. Come along !
don't FUNK it, old fellow.
ENGLISH SYNONYMS.— To
come it; to lose one's guts ; lo
shit one's breeches ; to get the
needle (athletic).
1827. 'Advice to Tommy,' Every
Night Book (^y the author of 'The Cigar ').
Do not go out of your depth, unless you
have available assistance at hand, in case
you should FUNK.
1856. HUGHES, Tom Brown's School
Days, ii., p. 5. He's FUNKING; go in
Williams !
1857. MONCRIEFF, The Bashful
Man, ii., 4. Ah ! Gyp, hope I sha'n't get
plucked; FUNK confoundedly : no matter,
I must put a bold face on it.
1857. HOOD, Pen and Pencil Pic-
tures, p. 144. I have seen him out with
the governor's hounds : he FUNKED at the
first hedge, and I never saw him again !
1863. READE, Hard Cash, ii. , p. 135
I told him I hadn't a notion of what he
meant ! ' O yes I did,' he said, 4 Captain
Dodd's fourteen thousand pounds ! It
had passed through my hands.' Then I
began TO FUNK again at his knowing that.
... I was flustered, ye see.
1865. H. KINGSLEY, The Hillyars
and the Burtons, ch. xxxiii. The sound
of the table falling was the signal for a
Funker.
Funnel.
rush of four men from the inner room, who
had to use a vulgar expression, FUNKED
following the valiant scoundrel Sykes, but
who now tried to make their escape, and
found themselves hand to hand with the
policemen.
1871. Morning Advertiser, u Sept.
1 Holy Abr'ham ! ' mused he vauntingly,
' shall British sailors FUNK, While tracts
refresh their spirits, tea washes down their
junk?'
1890. Pall Mall Gazette, 17 Oct.
p. 2, col. i. They wanted badly to get
one steamer loaded and sent to New
Zealand. The non-union men FUNKED
loading her on account of the union men.
1891. Licensed Viet. Gazette, 13 Feb.
Smith's friends thought he was FUNK-
ING, and shouted to Tom to go in and
punch him.
5. (schoolboys'). — To move the
hand forward unfairly in playing
marbles ; to FUDGE (q.v.).
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum. FUNK,
to use an unfair motion of the hand in
plumping at taw.
1851-61. MAYHEW, Lond. Lab. and
Land. Poor, i., p. 144. I've noticed them,
too, playing at ring-taw, and one of their
exclamations is ' Knuckle down fair, and
no FUNKING.'
TO FUNK THE COBBLER, Verb.
phr. (schoolboys'). — To smoke out
a schoolmate : a trick performed
with asafoetida and cotton stuffed
into a hollow tube or cow's horn ;
the cotton being lighted, the
smoke is blown through the key-
hole.
1698-1700. WARD, London Spy, Pt.
IX., p. 197. We smoak'd the Beans almost as
bad as unlucky schoolboys us'd to do the
COBLERS, till they sneak'd off one by one,
and left behind 'em more agreeable Com-
pany.
1785. GROSE, Diet, of the VuJg.
Tongue, s.v.
See also PETER FUNK.
2. (thieves'). — A low thief.
1848, BUNCOMBE, Sinks of London,
etc., s.v.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum, or
Rogues Lexicon. FUNKERS, the very
lowest order of thieves.
3. (colloquial). — A coward.
4. (prostitutes'). — A girl that
shirks her trade in bad weather.
FUNKING-ROOM, subs, (medical). —
The room at the Royal College of
Surgeons where the students
collect on the last evening of their
final during the addition of their
marks, and whence each is sum-
moned by an official announcing
failure or success.
1841. Punch, I., p. 225, col. 2. On
the top of a staircase he enters a room,
wherein the partners of his misery are col-
lected. It is a long, narrow apartment,
commonly known as the FUNKING-ROOM.
FUNKSTER, subs. (Winchester
College). — A coward; one that
FUNKS (q.V.}.
FUNKY, adj. (colloquial). — Nervous;
frightened ; timid.
1845. NAYLOR, Reynard the Fox,
46. I do seem somewhat FUNKY.
1863. C. READE, Hard Cash, I., 143.
On his retiring with twenty-five, scored in
eight minutes, the remaining Barkingto-
nians were less FUNKY, and made some
fair scores.
1876. HINDLEY, Life and Ad-ven-
tures of a Cheapjack, p. 237. The second
round commences with a little cautious
sparring on both sides, the bouncing Elias
looking very FUNKY.
1891. HUME NISBET, Bail Up! p.
51. ' 1 11 noy FUNKY,' returned the China-
man impressively.
FUNKER, subs. (old). — i. A pipe ; a
cigar; a fire. [From FUNK = to
smoke + ER.]
FUNNEL, subs, (common). — The
throat. For synonyms, see GUTTER
ALLEY.
Fuuniment.
furwso.
1712. BLACKMORE, Creation, Bk. VI
Some the long FUNNEL'S curious mouth ex-
tend, Through which the ingested meats
with ease descend.
FUNNIMENT, subs, (colloquial). —
I. A joke, either practical or
verbal.
2. (venery). — The female
pudendum. For synonyms, see
MONOSYLLABLE.
FUNNY, subs, (nautical). — A clinker-
built, narrow boat for sculls.
1837. BARHAM, I. L., Sir Rupert
the Fearless. Sprang up through the
waves, popped him into his FUNNY, Which
some others already had half-filled with
money.
1882. Field, 28 Jan. The only ob-
tainable craft, besides FUNNIES, pair-oars,
and randans, were a couple of six-oars.
To FEEL FUNNY, verb. phr.
(common). — To be overtaken
with (i) emotion, or (2) drink:
e.g., to wax amorous, or GET THE
FLAVOUR ( q.v.) ; to begin to be
the worse for liquor.
FUNNY BIT, suds. phr. (venery). —
The female pudendum.
FUNNY BONE, subs, (popular). — The
elbow, with the passage of the
ulnar nerve connecting the two
bones : the extremity of the
humerus.
1837. BARHAM, I. L. (Blondie
Jacke). They have pull'd you down flat
on your back ! And they smack, and they
thwack, Till your FUNNY BONES crack,
As if you were stretch'd on the rack.
1853. THACKERAY, ' Shabby Genteel
Story,' ch. ix. He had merely received
a blow on that part which anatomists call
the FUNNY BONE.
1870. Lowell Courier. Thanks for
your kind condolence ; I would write A
merry rhyme in answer if I might ; But
then — confound the fall ! — the very stone
That broke my humerus hurt my FUNNY
BONE !
FUNNY-MAN, subs, (common).— A
circus clown. Also a joker in
private life.
1851-61. MAYHEW, Land. Lab. and
Land. Poor., III., p. 129. What I've
earned as clown, or the FUNNY MAN.
FUR, subs, (venery). — The pubic
hair. For synonyms, see FLEECE.
TO MAKE THE FUR FLY. —
See FLY.
To HAVE ONE'S FUR OUT,
verb. phr. (Winchester College).
— To be angry. For synonyms,
see NAB THE RUST.
FUR AND FEATHERS, subs. phr.
(sporting). — Generic for game.
FUR-BELOW, subs, (venery). — The
female pubic hair. For synonyms,
see FLEECE.
16(7). Old Catch. Adam caught Eve
by the FUR-BELOW, And that's the oldest
catch I know.
FURIOSO, subs, (old).— A blusterer ;
Ital. , fiirioso — raving.
1692. RACKET. Life of Archbishop
Williams, ii., p. 218. A violent man and
a FURIOSO was deaf to all this.
ENGLISH SYNONYMS. -Barker ;
blower ; bobadil ; bouncer ;
bulldozer (American) ; cacafogo ;
Captain Bounce ; Captain Bluff ;
Captain Grand ; Captain
Hackam ; cutter ; fire-eater ;
hector ; huff-cap ; humguffin ;
gasser ; gasman ; mouth ; mouth-
almighty ; pissfire ; pump-thund-
er ; ramper ; roarer ; ruffler ;
shitefire ; slangwhanger ; spitfire ;
swashbuckler; swasher; teazer ;
Timothy Tearcat.
FRENCH SYNONYMS. — Un
avale-tout-cru (popular : — an eat-
all-he-kills) ; unfendartat fendart
Furk.
Furze Bush.
(popular : = a cutter) ; un avaleur
de charrettes ferees (popular) ; un
mata (printers' : from matador=z.
bull-fighter) ; unbousineur (popu-
lar : bousin = uproar, shindy) ; un
bourreau de crdnes (military) : =
a scull-destroyer; un bceufier
(popular : =an ugly customer) ;
un mauvais gas (familiar :
from garfori) ; un homme qui a
Fair de vouloir tout avaler
(familiar : a man who looks as
though he'd swallow the world) ;
un croquet (popular).
SPANISH SYNONYMS. — Per-
donavidas ; Jierabras( fiera = a wild
beast) ; bo tar ate ; macareno caca-
= 3i shitfire).
FURK, FERK, FIRK, verb. (Win-
chester College). — To expel ; to
send (as on a message) ; to drive
away. Also TO FURK UP and
FURK DOWN. [Old English
ferdan, High German ferken,
Middle English to lead or send
away.]
FUR MEN, subs. (old). —Aldermen.
From their fur- trimmed robes.
1690. B. E., New Diet, of the Cant-
ing Crew, s.v.
1786. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
FURMITY- FACED, adj. phr. (old). —
White -faced (FURMITY is
described by GROSE as 'wheat
boiled to a jelly '). To simper
like a FURMITY kitten (GROSE), see
SIMPER.
FURNISH, verb, (common). — To fill
out ; to improve in strength and
appearance.
FURNITURE PICTURE, subs. phr.
(artists'). — A 'picture' sold not
as a piece of art but as a piece of
upholstery, such things being
turned out by the score, as pianos
are, or three-legged stools; the
worst and cheapest kind of POT-
BOILER (q.v.).
FURROW, subs, (venery). Also
CUPID'S (or the ONE-ENDED)
FURROW, etc. —The female
pudendum. For synonyms, see
MONOSYLLABLE. To DRAW A
STRAIGHT FURROW. See DRAW.
TO FALL IN THE FURROW,
verb. phr. (venery). — To achieve
emission.
To FAIL (or DIE) IN THE
FURROW, verb. phr. (venery). —
To do a DRY-BOB (q.v.).
FURRY TAIL, subs. phr. (printers').
— A non-unionist; a RAT (q.v.).
Specifically, a workman accepting
employment at less than ' Society'
wages. C/., DUNG, FLINT, etc.
FURTHER. I'LL SEE YOU FURTHER
FIRST, phr. (colloquial). — A
denial. I'LL SOONER DIE FIRST
(q.v.).
1851-61. MAYHEW, Lend. Lab. and
Lend. Poor, i., p. 29. I gave a country
lad 2d. to mind him (the donkey) in a
green lane there. I wanted my own boy
to do so, but he said, I'LL, SEE YOU
FURTHER FIRST. A London boy hates
being by himself in a lone country part.
He's afraid of being burked.
FUR TRADE, subs. phr. (old). —
Barristers.
1839. REYNOLDS, Pickwick Abroad,
ch. xxvi. Let nobs in the FUR TRADB
hold their jaw, And let the jug be free.
FURZE-BUSH, subs. phr. (venery).
The female pubic hair. For
synonyms, see FLEECE.
Fussock.
92
Fuzz.
FUSSOCK, and FUSSOCKS, subs.
(old). — Opprobrious for a fat
woman.
1690. B. E., New Diet, of the Cant-
ing Crew. FUSSOCKS, a meer FUSSOCKS,
a Lazy Fat-Arsed Wench, a fat FUSSOCKS,
a Flusom, Fat, Strapping Woman.
1785. GROSE, Diet, of the Vulg-
Tongue, s.v.
FUST (or FUST OUT), verb. (Ameri-
can). — To end in smoke ; to go to
waste; to end in nothing. Cf.,
FIZZLE.
FUSTIAN, subs, and adj. (old). — i.
Bombast ; bad rhetoric ; sound
without sense : bombastic ; rant-
ing. Now accepted.
1598. SHAKSPEARE, 2 Henry IV,
II., 4. Thrust him downstairs; I cannot
endure such a FUSTIAN rascal.
1602. SHAKSPEARE, Twelfth Night
II., 5. A FUSTIAN riddle.
1602. SHAKSPEARE, Othello, II., 3.
And discourse FUSTIAN with one's own
shadow.
1690. B. E., New Diet, of the Cant-
ing Crew. FusTiAN-verse, verse in words
of lofty sound and humble sense.
1828-45. HOOD, Poems, i., p. 105 (ed.
1846). The saints! — the bigots that in
public spout, Spread phosphorous of zeal
on scraps of FUSTIAN, And go like walking
' Lucifers ' about These living bundles of
combustion.
2. (common).— Wine ; WHITE
FUSTIAN = champagne ; RED
FUSTIAN = port.
1834. W. H. AINSWORTH, Rookwood-
p. 51 (ed. 1864). I'm as dry as a sandbed-
Famous wine this — beautiful tipple — better
than all your red FUSTIAN. Ah, how poor
Sir Piers used to like it !
pallian ! you FUSTILARIAN ! I'll tickle
your catastrophe.
FUSTILUG (or FUSTILUGS), subs.
(old). — Apiece ofgrossness, male
or female ; a coarse and dirty
Blowzalinda ; a foul slut ; a fat
stinkard.
1690. B. E., New Diet, of the Cant-
ing Crew. FUSTILUGGS, a Fulsom,
Beastly, Nasty Woman.
1739. JUNIUS (quoted in Encly.
Diet.). You may daily see such FUSTI-
LUGS walking in the streets, like so many
tuns.
1785. GROSE, Diet, of the Vulgar
Tongue.
FUTTER, verb, (venery). — To
copulate. Fr., f outre. [A coinage
of Sir. R. Burton's, who makes
continual use of it in the
Thousand Nights and a Night. ]
For synonyms, see GREENS and
RIDE. Also TO DO A FUTTER.
1885. BURTON, Thousand Nights,
II., 332. Eating and drinking and
PUTTERING for a year of full twelve
months.
1890. BURTON, Priapeia, Ep. xii.
Thee, my girl, I shall FUTTER.
FUTURE, TO DEAL IN FUTURES,
verb phr. (Stock Exchange). — To
speculate for a rise or fall.
186?. Globe, i Dec. He DEALS IN
FUTURES, i.e., speculates in cotton with
Stock Exchange folks, or speculates in
securities.
Fuzz, verb, (old).— I. « To shuffle
cards minutely ; also to change
the pack.' [GROSE.]
FUSTILARIAN, subs. (old). — A low
fellow ; a common scoundrel.
1598. SHAKSPEARE, 2 Henry IV.,
II., t. Away, you scullion! you ram-
(old). — To be, or to make,
2.
drunk.
1685. Life of Amb. Wood, 14 July.
Came home well FUZD.
Fuzziness.
93
Fyst.
FUZZINESS, subs. (old). — The con-
dition of being in drink. Hence
blurredness ; incoherence ; be-
wilderment.
FUZZY, adj. (common). — I. Drunk.
For synonyms, see DRINKS and
SCREWED. Hence blurred (as a
picture) ; tangled ; incoherent or
inconsequent.
1876. HINDLEY, Life and Adven-
tures of a Cheap Jack, p. 324. Her hus-
band or any other man might have drunk
six glasses, with no more hurt than just
making him a little FUZZY.
2. (popular). — Rough; as in
a FUZZY head ; a FUZZY cloth ;
a FUZZY bit (= a full-grown
wench) ; a FUZZY carpet ; etc.
FUZZY-WUZZY, subs, (military). A
Soudanese tribesman.
1890. RUDYARD KIPUXG, National
Observer, 8 Mar., p. 438, col. T. So 'ere's
to you FUZZY-WUZZY And your 'ome in the
Soudan, You're a pore benighted 'eathen
but a first-class fighting man ; And 'ere's to
you FUZZY-WUZZY with your 'ay-rick 'ead
of 'air, You big, black bouncing beggar,
for you bruk a British square.
FYE-BUCK, subs. (old). — Asixpence.
For synonyms, see BENDER.
1781. G. PARKER, View of Society,
II., 56. You give a shilling to buy a
comb, for which he gives sixpence, so
•works you for another FYE-BUCK.
1885. Household Words, 20 June,
p. 155. ' Buck ' is most likely a corruption
of FYE-BUCK, a slang name for sixpence,
which is now almost, if not altogether,
obsolete.
FYLCHE. — See FILCH.
FYST.— See FOIST.
ABF subs, (vulgar).
— i.Themouth;
also GOB. For
synonyms, see
POTATO-TRAP.
1785. GROSE,
Diet, of the Vulgar
Tongue, s.v.
1785. BURNS, Jolly Beggars. And
aye he gies the touzie drab The tither
skelpin kiss, While she held up her greedy
GAB, Just like an aumos dish.
1820. SCOTT, The Abbot, ch. xiv.
1 And now, my mates,' said the Abbot of
Unreason, ' once again digut your GABS
and be hushed— let us see if the Cock of
Kennaguhair will fight or flee the pit.'
1890. Rare Bits, 12 Apr., p. 347.
' Clap a stopper on your GAB and whack
up, or I'll let 'er speak !'
2. (vulgar). — Talk ; idle babble.
Also GABB,GABBER, and GABBLE.
1712. Spectator, No. 389. Having
no language among them but a confused
GABBLE, which is neither well understood
by themselves or others.
1811. POOLE, Hamlet Travestied, I.,
3. Then hold your GAB, and hear what
I've to tell.
1863. C. READE, Hard Cash, ch.
xxxiv. ' Hush your GAB,' said Mr. Green,
roughly.
1887. Punch, 10 Sept., p. in.
Gladstone's GAB about 'masses and
classes ' is all tommy rot.
Verb (vulgar : O. E. , and now
preserved in GABBLE). — To talk
fluently ; to talk brilliantly ; to lie.
1383. CHAUCER, Canterbury Tales
1652. I GABBE nought, so have I joye or
blis.
1402. [?T. OCCLEVE], Letter o/
Cupid, in Arber's Garner, vol. IV., p.
59. A foul vice it is, of tongue to be
light, For whoso mochil clappeth, gabbeth
oft.
1601. SHAKSPEARE, Twelfth Night,
Act II., Sc. iii. Mai. . . . Have you no
wit, manners, nor honesty, but to GABBLE
like tinkers at this time of night.
J663. BUTLER, Hudibras, pt. I., ch.
i., p. 5. Which made some think when he
did GABBLE Th' had h> ard three Labourers
of Babel.
1786. BURNS, Earnest Cry and
Prayer, st. 10. But could I like Mont-
gomeries fight, Or GAB like Bcswell.
1880. G. R. SIMS, Zeph, ch. vii. An
elderly clergyman . . . GABBLED the
funeral service as though he were calling
back an invoice at a draper's entering
desk.
1887. Punch, 10 Sept., p. in. Gals
do like a chap as can GAB.
GIFT OF THE GAB (or GOB),
subs. phr. (colloquial).— The gift
of conversation; the talent for
speech. Fr. , rf avoir pas sa langue
dans sa poche.
d. 1653. Z. BOYD, Book oj Job, quoted
in brewer * Phrase and Fable, s.v. , 'GAB.
There was a good man named Job, Who
lived in the land of Uz, He had a good
gift of the GOB.
1690. B. E., New Diet, of the Cant-
ing Crew. GIFT OF THE GOB, a wide
open Mouth ; also a good Songster, or
bingmg-master.
Diet, of the
1820. SHELLEY, (Edipus Tyrannus,
Act I You, Purganax, who have the
GIFT o' THE GAB, Make them a solemn
speecn.
Gabble.
95
Gad.
1837. DICKENS, Oliver Twist, ch.
xliii. And we'll have a big-wig, Charley :
one that's got the greatest GIFT OF THE
GAB : to carry on his defence.
1851-61. MAYHEW, Land. Lab. and
Land. Poor, I., 250. People reckon me
one of the best patterers in the trade. I'm
reckoned to have the gift — that is, THE
GIFT OF THE GAB.
1869. WHYTE-MELVILLE, M. or N.,
p. 29. I've GOT THE GIFT OF THE GAB, I
know, and I stick at nothing.
1870. Land. Figaro, 18 Sept. 'Of
all gifts possessed by man,' said George
Stephenson, the engineer, to Sir William
Follett, ' there is none like the GIFT OF
THE GAB.'
1876. HINDLEY, Life and Adven-
tures of a Cheap Jack, p. 193. Others,
although they have the GIFT OF THE
GAB when they are on the ground, as soon
as they mount the cart are dumbfounded.
To BLOW THE GAB, verb. phr.
(vulgar). — To inform ; TO PEACH
\q.V.}. Also TO BLOW THE GAFF
(q.V ).
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1834. AINSWORTH Rookwood, bk.
III., ch. 5. Never BLOW THE GAB or
squeak.
To FLASH THE GAB, verb. phr.
(common). — To SHOW OFF (q.v.}
in talk ; </., AIR ONE'S VOCABU-
LARY.
1819. MOORE, Tom Crib's Memorial,
p. 2. While his Lordship . . . that very
great dab At the flowers of rhet'ric is
FLASHING HIS GAB.
GABBLE, subs, (colloquial). — i. A
gossip. Also GABBLER, GABBLE-
GRINDER, GABBLE-MERCHANT,
and GABBLE-MONGER.
2. (colloquial). — A voluble
talker.
GABBLE-MILL, subs. (American). —
i. The United States Congress.
Also GABBLE-MANUFACTORY.
2. (common). — A pulpit. For
synonyms, see HUMBOX.
3. (common). — The mouth.
For synonyms, see POTATO-TRAP.
GABLE, subs, (common). — The head.
Also GABLE-END. For synonyms,
see CRUMPET.
GABSTER, subs, (common). — A
voluble talker, whether eloquent
or vain ; one having the GIFT OF
THE GAB (q.V.).
GAB-STRING. — See GOB-STRING.
GABY (also GABBEY and GABBY),
subs, (common). — A fool; a bab-
bler ; a boor. Icl. gapi=. a foolish
person, from gapa — to gape.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
1856. T. HUGHES, Tom Brown's
School Days, pt. i, ch. iii. Two boys,
who stopped close by him, and one of
whom, a fat GABY of a fellow, pointed at
him and called him young ' mammy-sick.'
1859. H. KINGSLEY, Geoffrey
Hamlyn, ch. ix. Don't stand laughing
there like a great GABY.
1875. OUIDA, Signa, vol. I., ch. iv.,
p. 47. ' You have never dried your clothes,
Bruno,' said his sister-in-law, 'What a
GABY a man is without a wife ! '
GAD, subs, (common). — An idle
slattern. An abbreviation of
GAD-ABOUT (q.V.).
Intj. (common). — An abbrevia-
tion of BY GAD ! Cf. AGAD,
EGAD — themselves corruptions of
BY GOD, Lit.
ON THE GAD, cutv. phr. (old).
— i. On the spur of the moment.
1605. SHAKSPEARE, Lear, i., 2.
All this is done UPON THE GAD.
2. (colloquial). —On the move,
on the gossip.
1818. AUSTEN, Persuasion. I have
no very good opinion of Mrs. Charles'
nursery maid. . . . She is always UPON
THE GAD.
Gadabout.
96
Gaff.
3. (colloquial). — On the spree
(especially of women) ; and, by
implication, on the town.
To GAD THE HOOF, verb. phr.
(common). — To walk or go with-
out shoes ; TO PAD THE HOOF
(q.v.}. Also, more loosely, to
walk or roam about.
1852. SNOWDEN, Mag, Assistant,
3rd ed., p. 447. Going without shoes,
GADDING THE HOOF.
GADABOUT, subs, (colloquial). — A
trapesing gossip ; as a housewife
seldom seen at home, but very
often at her neighbours' doors
[From GAD = to wander, to stray
(Cf., Lycidas: 'the gadding
vine') + ABOUT.] Used also as an
adjective; e.g., 'a GAD-ABOUT
hussey.'
GADSO, subs, (old) — The penis.
Italian cazzo. For synonyms,
see CREAMSTICK and PRICK.
Intj. (old: still literary and collo-
quial).— An interjection. [A relic
of phallicism with which many
popular oaths and exclamations
have a direct connection, espe-
cially in Neo-Latin dialects. A
Spaniard cries out, CAR AJO! ( — the
member), or COJONES ! ( — the
testicles) ; an Italian says CAZZO
(the penis} ; while'a Frenchman
exclaims by the act itself,
FOUTRE ! The female equivalent,
(cotfo with the Spaniard, CONNO
with the Italian, CON with the
Frenchman, and CUNT with our-
selves), was, and is, more generally
used as an expression of con-
tempt, which is also the case
with the testicles. (Cf., ante,
ALL BALLS !) Germanic oaths
are profane rather than obscene ;
except, perhaps, in POTZ ! and
POTZTAUFEND ! and the English
equivalent Pox ! which last is
obsolete. See CATSO. [In Florio
(A Worlde of Wordes, 1598),
Cazzo = ' a man's privie member,'
and cazzo di mare = a pintle fish ;
while cazzica = 'an interjection
of admiration and affirming.
What? Gad's me, Gad forfend,
tush.']
1697. VANBRUGH, Provoked Wife,
iii., i. Sir? GADSO! we are to consult
about playing the devil to night.
1770. FOOTE, Lame Lover, i.
Gadso ! a little unlucky.
1838. _ DICKENS, Oliver Twist, ch. iv.
' GADSO ! ' said the undertaker . . . 'that's
just the very thing I wanted to speak to
you about.'
GADZOOKS I intj. (old and collo-
quial). — A corruption of GADZO
GAFF, subs. (old). — i. A fair. '
1754. Discoveries of John Poulter,
p. 32. The first thing they do at a GAFF
is to look for a room clear of company.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
The drop coves maced the joskins at the
GAFF ; the ring-droppers cheated the
countryman at the fair.
1821. HAGGART, Life, p. 22. We
stopped at this place two days, waiting to
attend the GAFF.
]823. JON. BEE, Diet, of the Turf,
etc., s.v. A fair is a GAFF as well as all
the transactions enacted there.
2. (common). — A cheap, low
music-hall or theatre ; frequently
PENNY-GAFF, Cf., quot. 1823,
sense i. Also DOOKIE. Fr.,
un beuglant ( = a low music-hall ;
beugler=\.Q bellow); un bouisbouis
(bout = brothel) ; une guinche
(popular). See also quot. 1889.
1851-61. MAYHEW, Land. Lab. and
Land. Poor, I., p. 46. They court for a
time, going to raffles and GAFFS together,
and then the affair is arranged.
1869. GREENWOOD, Seven Curses of
London, p. 68. A GAFF is a place where
stage plays, according to the strict interpre-
Gaff.
97
Gaffer.
tation of the term, may not be represented.
The actors of a drama may not correspond
in colloquy, only in pantomime ; but the
pieces brought out at the GAFF are seldom
of an intricate character, and the not over-
fastidious auditory are well content with
an exhibition of dumb-show and gesture.
1870. Orchestra, 18 Feb. The ab-
solute harm done by these GAFFS does
not consist in the subjects represented.
1889. Notes and Queries, 7 S. vii., p.
395, I have often heard the British soldier
make use of the word when speaking of the
entertainment got up for his benefit in
barracks.
3. (prison). — A hoax ; an im-
posture. Cf.y Fr., £o^?=joke,
deceit.
1877. Five Years' Penal Servitude,
ch. iv., p. 312. I also saw that Jemmy's
blowing up of me wos all GAFF. He
knew as well as I did the things left the
shop all right.
1892. HUME N is BET, Bushrangers
Sweetheart, p. 227. Can you put me up
to this other GAFF.
4. (old sharpers'). — A ring
worn by the dealer. [From gaffe
==a hook.]
5. (American cock-pit). — A
steel spur.
6. ( anglers' ) — A landing
spear, barbed in the iron.
Verb. (old). — I. To toss for
liquor. See GAFFING.
1823. JON BEE, Diet, of the Turf, s.v.
2. (theatrical). — To play in a
GAFF (q.v. sense 2).
TO BLOW THE GAFF, Or GAB
(q.v.)) verb. phr. (common). To
give information ; to let out a
secret For synonyms, see PEACH.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue. To
BLOW THE GAB (cant;, to confess, or
impeach a confederate.
1833. MARRYAT, Peter Simple, ch.
xliii. One of the French officers, after
he was taken prisoner, axed me how we
had managed to get the gun up there ; but
I wasn't going to BLOW THE GAFF.
_1877. Five Years Penal Servitude,
ch. ii., p. 122. The prisoner, burning for
revenge, quietly bides his time till the chief
warder comes round, then asks to speak to
him, and BLOWS THE GAFF.
1891. Referee, 8 Mar. Under sacred
promise not to BLOW THE GAFF I was put
up to the method.
GAFFER, subs. (old). — i. An old
man ; the masculine of GAMMER
(q.v.\ Also a title of address: e.g.,
* Good day, GAFFER ! ' Cf. ,
UNCLE and DADDY. Also (see
quot. 1710), a husband.
1710. Dame Hurdle's Letter (quoted
by NARES). My GAFFER only said he
would inform himself as well as he could
against next election, and keep a good
conscience.
1714. GAY, Shepherd's Week. For
GAFFER Treadwell told us, by-the-bye,
Excessive sorrow is exceeding dry.
1842. TENNYSON, The Goose. Ran
GAFFER, stumbled Gammer.
2. (common). — A master; an
employer; a BOSS (q.v.}\ (athletic)
a pedestrian trainer and 'farmer';
and (navvies') a gang-master or
GANGER (q.v.}.
1719. DURFEY, Pills, etc., iv., 123.
In comes our GAFFER Underwood, And
sits him on the bench.
1748. T. DYCHE, Diet, (sth ed.)
GAFFER (S.) a familiar word mostly used
in the country for master.
1885. Daily News, 24 Jan., p. 3,
c. i. They go and work at fivepence,
and some on 'em as low as threepence
halfpenny, an hour ; that's just half what
we get, and the GAFFERS keep 'em on and
sack us.
1888. Sportsman, 20 Dec. Comic
enough were some of the stories ' Jemmy '
told of his relations with ' the GAFFER.'
1889. Broadside Ballad, 'The Gaf-
fers of the Gang.' We are the boys that
can do the excavations, We are the lads for
the 'atin' and the dhrinkin', With the ladies
we are so fascinatin', Because we are the
GAFFERS of the gang.
7
Gaffing.
98
Gag.
3. (old). — A toss-penny; a
gambler with coins. From
GAFFING (q.v.\
1828. JON BEE, Living- Picture of
London, p. 241. If the person calling for
' man ' or ' woman ' is not right or wrong
at five guesses, neither of the GAFFERS
win or lose, but go again.
Verb, (venery). — To copulate.
For synonyms, see GREENS and
RIDE.
GAFFING, subs. (old). — See quot.
1821. PIERCE EGAN, Life in London,
p. 279. GAFFING was unfortunately for
him introduced. Ibid. NOTE. — A mode of
tossing for drinks, etc., in which three coins
are placed in a hat, shaken up, and then
thrown on the table. If the party to ' call '
calls 'heads' (or 'tails') and all three
coins are as he calls them, he wins ; if
not, he pays a settled amount towards
drinks.
1839. BRANDON, Poverty, Mendicity,
and Crime, s.v.
GAG, subs, (common). — I. A joke ;
an invention ; a hoax.
1823. JON BEE, Diet, of the Turf,
s.v. _ GAG — a grand imposition upon the
public ; as a mountebank s professions, his
cures, and his lottery-bags, are so many
broad GAGS.
1871. All the Year Round, 18 Feb.,
p. 288. You won't bear malice now, will
you? All GAG of mine, you know, about
old Miss Ponsonby.
1885. Daily News, 16 May, p. 5,
c. 2. ' The Mahdi sends you lies
from Khartoum, and laughs when you
believe them,' said a native, lately. We
need not gratify the Mahdi by believing
any bazaar-GAG he may circulate.
2. (theatrical). — Expressions
interpolated by an actor in his
part : especially such as can be
repeated again and again in
the course of performance.
Certain plays, as The Critic, are
recognised 'gag-pieces,' and in
these the practice is accounted
legitimate. Cf., Hamlet, iii., 2 :
'And let those, that play your
clowns, say no more than is set
down for them.' Cf., WHEEZE.
Fr. , la cocotte (specifically additions
to vocal scores). A typical ex-
ample is the ' I believe you, my
boy ! ' of the late Paul Bedford.
In the quot. under 1851-61, it is
probable that GAG = PATTER (q.v. )
1841. Punch, i., p. 105. I shall do
the liberal in the way of terms, and get up
the GAG properly.
1851-61. MAYHEW, Land. Lab. and
Lend. Poor, iii., p. 148. When I go out I
always do my own GAG, and I try to knock
out something new.
1866. W. D. HOWELLS, Venetian
Life, ch. v. . . . I have heard some
very passable GAGS at the Marionette, but
the real commedia a braccio no longer
exists.
_ 1889. Globe, 12 Oct., p. 4, c. 4. In
a high-class music hall it is a rule that no
song must be sung till it is read and signed
by the manager, and this applies even to
the GAG.
1890. Pall Mall Gazette, 5 Mar.,
p. 4, c. 3. Mr. Augustus Harris pointed
out that if the clause were carried the
penalty would, in many cases, be incurred
twenty times in one scene, for actors and
singers were continually introducing GAG
into their business.
3. (American). — A common-
wealth of players in which the
profits are shared round. Cf.,
CONSCIENCE.
1847. DARLEY, Drama in Pokerville,
p. 124. The artist .... merely
remarking that he had thought of a GAG
which would bring them through, mounted
a ladder, and disappeared.
4. (American). — A fool ; i.e., a.
thing to laugh at. For synonyms,
see CABBAGE- and BUFFLE-HEAD
and SAMMY SOFT.
1838-40. HALIBURTON, The Clock-
maker, p. 46. ' Sam,' says he, ' they tell
me you broke down the other day in the
House of Representatives and made a
proper GAG of yourself.'
Gag.
99
Gage.
5. (Christ's Hospital).— Boiled
fat beef. GAG-EATER = a term of
reproach.
1813. LAMB, Chris fs Hospital, in
wks., p. 324 (ed. 1852). L. has recorded
the repugnance of the school to GAGS, or
the fat of fresh beef boiled ; and sets it
down to some superstition. ... A GAG-
EATER in our time was equivalent to a
ghoul . . . and held in equal estimation.
6. (Winchester College).— An
exercise (said to have been
invented by Dr. Gabell) which
consists in writing Latin criti-
cisms on some celebrated piece,
in a book sent in about once a
month. In the Parts below Sixth
Book and Senior Part, the GAGS
consisted in historical analysis.
[An abbreviation of ' gathering. ']
1870. MANSFIELD, School-life at
Winchester College ; p. 108. From time to
time, also, they had to write ... an
analysis of some historical work ; these
productions were called GATHERINGS (or
GAGS).
Verb, trs. and intrs. (theatrical).
— I. To speak GAGS (q.v.), sense
2. Fr., cascader.
1851-61. MAYHEW, Land. Lab, and
Land. Poor, III., 149. He has to GAG,
that is, to make up words.
1852. DICKENS, Bleak House., ch.
xxxix. The same vocalist GAGS in the
regular business like a man inspired.
1883. Referee, 15 April, p. 3, c. i.
Toole . . . cannot repress a tendency to
GAG and to introduce more than is set
down for him by the author.
2. (old).— To hoax ; to puff.
1781. G. PARKER, View of Society,
II., 154. Having discovered the weak
side of him he means to GAG.
1823. JON BEE, Diet, of the Turf,
etc., s.v. A showman cries 'Walk in,
ladies and gentlemen, they're all alive,'
but the spectators soon perceive 'tis all
stuff, reproach Mr. Merryman, and he, in
excuse, swears he said ' they -were ' and
not ' are alive.' He thus GAGS the public.
1876. HINDLEY, Life and Adven-
tures of a Cheap Jack, p. 325. Then they
GAG the thing up, and send their bills out
about the immense cost of scenery and
dresses, and other expenses they are at,
etc.
3. (thieves'). — To inform ; to
ROUND ON (q.v.) ; also TO BLOW
THE GAG. Cf.y GAFF, GAB,
etc. For synonyms, see PEACH.
1891. Morning- Advertiser, 28 Mar.
She . . . besought them with (crocodile)
tears not to GAG on them, in other words
not to give information to the police.
ON THE HIGH GAG., adv. phr.
(old).— On the whisper ; telling
secrets ; cf., verb, sense 3.
1823. KENT, The Modem Flash
Diet., s.v.
1848. BUNCOMBE, Sinks of London,
etc., s.v.
ON THE LOW GAG, adv. phr.
(old). — On the last rungs of
beggary, ill-luck, or despair.
1823. KENT, The Modern Flash
Diet., s.v.
1848. BUNCOMBE, The Sinks of Lon-
don, etc., s.v.
To STRIKE THE GAG, verb,
phr. (old). — To cease from chaff-
ing.
1839. AINSWORTH, Jack Shepfard
(ed. 1889), p. 43. 'A clever device,'
replied Jonathan ; ' but it won't serve your
turn. Let
;t us pass, sir. STRIKE THE GAG,
Blueskin.'
GAGE (GAUGE or GAG), subs. (old).
— I. A quart pot (i.e., a measure).
Also a drink or GO (q.v.).
1567. HARMAN, Caveat (1814), p. 65.
A GAGE, a quart pot.
1610. ROWLANDS, Martin Mark-all,
p. 38 (H. Club's Kept., 1874). GAGE, a
quart pot.
1622. J. FLETCHER, Beggars Busk.
I crown thy nab with a GAGE of benbouse.
Gagers.
Gail.
1656. BROOME, Jovial Crew, Act ii.,
I bowse no lage, but a whole GAGE Of
this I bowse to you.
1690. B. E. New Diet, of the
Cant. Crew. GAGE, c. A pot or pipe.
Tip me a GAGE, c. give me a pot, or pipe.
1714. Memoirs of John Hall (4th
ed.), p. 12. GAGE, a pot.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue. GAGE,
a quart pot, also a pint (cant).
1821. HAGGART, Life, p. 40. We
drank our GAUGE and parted good friends.
2. ( 1 8th century). — A chamber-
pot.
3. (old).— A pipe.
1690. B. E., New Diet, of the Cant.
Crew (See quot. 1690 under sense i).
1796. GROSE. Vulg. Tongue (yd
Ed.), s.v.
1834. H. AINSWORTH, Rookwood,
Bk. III., ch. v. In the mean time, tip
me a GAGE of fog us, Jerry.
4. (American). — A man. For
synonyms, see COVE.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum or
Rogue's Lexicon. Deck the GAGE, see
the man.
GAGERS, subs. (American). — The
eyes. For synonyms, see GLIMS.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum, s.v.
GAGGA, subs. (old). — See quot.
1796. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue (3rd Ed).
Cheats who by sham pretences and wonder-
ful stories of their sufferings impose on the
credulity of good people.
GAGGER, subs, (theatrical). — A
player who deals in GAGS (<?.v.),
sense 2. Also GAGGIST, GAG-
MASTER, and GAGSTER.
1841. Punch, Vol. I., p. 169. Men
with ' swallows ' like Thames tunnels, in
fact accomplished GAGGERS and unrivalled
'wiry watchers.'
1887. BURNAND and A'BECKETT in
Fortn. Review, April, p. 548. Robson
. . . was an inveterate GAGGER,
1890. Globe, 3 March, p. i, c. 4.
The low comedy was much toned down
... In other words, the GAGGERS were
Sagged.
GAGGERY, subs, (theatrical). — The
practice of GAGGING (<?.#.), sense
3-
GAGGING, subs. (old). — i. BLUFF
(q.v.); specifically, BUNCO-STEER-
ING (q.v.), the art of talking over
and persuading a stranger that he
is an old acquaintance. C/!,GAG,
verb, sense 2.
1828. G. SMEATON, Doings in London,
p. 28. One of the modes of raising money,
well known in town by the flash name of
GAGGING, has been practised of late
to a considerable extent on simple country-
men, who are strangers to the ' ways of
town.'
2. (cabmen's). — Loitering about
for ' fares' ; ' crawling.'
1851-61. H. MAYHEW, Lond. Lab.
and Lond. Poor, Vol. III., p. 366. The
means used are GAGGING, that is to say,
driving about and loitering in the thorough-
fares for jobs.
3. (theatrical). — Dealing in
GAGS (0.8.), sense i. Also as
ppl. adj.
1883. The Echo, 5 Jan., p. 2, c. 3.
A protest, by no means unneeded, against
the insolence or ignorance of some play-
wrights, and GAGGING actors.
1889. Answers, 27 July, p. 143, c. 2.
GAGGING is a thing about which the public
know little.
GAGGLER'S COACH, subs.phr. (old).
— A hurdle.
1823. KENT, Modem Flash Diet.,
s.v.
1848. DUNCOMBE, Sinks of London
GAIL, subs. (old). — A horse, For
synonyms, see PRAD.
Gaily-like.
101
Galimaufrey.
GAILY -LIKE, adj. (American). —
Showy ; expensive : BANG - UP
fete).
1872. CLEMENS (Mark Twain),
Undertaker's Chat. Now, you know how
difficult it is to roust out such a GAILY-LIKE
thing as that in a little one-horse town like
this.
GAIN-PAIN, subs. (old). — A sword;
specifically, in the Middle Ages,
that of a hired soldier. [From Fr. ,
gagner = to gain + pain = bread.
Cf.j BREADWINNER (prostitutes')
and POTBOILER (artists').] For
synonyms, see CHEESE-TOASTER
and POKER.
GAIT, subs, (colloquial). — Walk in
life ; profession ; mode of making
a living ; GAME (q.v.).
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum. 'I say,
Tim, what's your GAIT now ? ' ' Why, you
see, I'm on the crack ' (burglary).
GAITERS, subs. (American collo-
quial).—Half boots; shoes.
GAL, subs, (common). — I. A girl ;
a servant-maid ; a sweetheart.
BEST GIRL = favourite flame.
2. (common). — A prostitute.
For synonyms, see BARRACK-
HACK and TART.
1851-61. MAYHEW, Land. Lab. and
Lend. Poor, I., p. 535. Upon the most
trivial offence in this respect, or on the
suspicion of an offence, the GALS are sure
to be beaten cruelly and savagely by their
' chaps.'
3. (American). — A female
rough.
GALANEY. See GALENY.
GALANTY (GALLANTY or
GALANTEE) SHOW, subs. phr.
(common). — A shadow panto-
mime : silhouettes shown on a
transparency or thrown on a white
sheet by a magic lantern. Specifi-
cally, the former. See PUNCH
AND JUDY.
1851-61. H. MAYHEW, Lond. Lab.
and Lond. Poor, Vol. III., p. 81. The
GALANTEE show don't answer, because
magic lanterns are so cheap in the shops.
1884. Casselts Technical Educator,
pt. 10, p. 244. That reminiscence of the
nursery, the GALANTY SHOW.
1888. Notes and Queries, 7 S. v.,
p. 265. A flourish on the panpipes and
a rumble on the drum was followed by
the cry, GALANTY-SHOW !
GAL- BOY, subs. (American). — A
romp ; a TOM-BOY (q.v.).
GALEN, subs, (common). — An
apothecary. For synonyms, see
GALLIPOT.
GALENA, stibs. (American). — Salt
pork. [From Galen, 111., a chief
hog - raising and pork - packing
centre],
GALENY (or GALANY), subs, (old).—
The domestic hen ; now (West of
England) a Guinea fowl. [Latin,
gallina]. For synonyms, see
CACKLING-CHEAT.
1887. Temple Bar, Mar., p. 333
It's a sin to think of the money you'd be
spending on girls and things as don't know
a hen's egg from a GALEENY'S.
GALIMAUFREY, subs, (old).— i. A
medley ; a jumble ; a chaos of
differences. \¥*., gallimaufrte=*
a hash].
1592. NASHE, Pierce Penilesse, in
wks., ii., 93. Coblers, Tinkers, Fencers,
none escapt them, but they mingled them
all on one GALLIMAFREY of glory.
1592. JOHN DAY, Blind Beggar,
Act iv., Sc. i, p. 75. Can. Let me be torn
into mammocks with wilde Bears if I make
not a GALLEMAUFRY of thy heart and
keep thy Skull for my quaffing bowl.
1604. SHAKSPEARE, Winters Tale,
Act iv., Sc. 4. And they have a dance
which the wenches say is a GALLIMAUFRY
of gambols, because they are not in't.
1690. DURFEY, Collin's Walk, ch>
ii., p. 58. But, like thy Tribe of canting
Widgeons, A GALLIMAUFRY of Religions.
Gall.
102
Gallantry.
1781. G. PARKER, View of Society,
i., 207. A compound of Player, Soldier,
Stroller, Sailor, and Tinker! An odd
GALLIMAUFRY !
1860. HALIBURTON (Sam Slick),
The Season Ticket, No. 7. This portion
of my journa1, which includes a variety ot
topics and anecdotes, some substantial
like solid meat, some savoury as spicy
vegetable ingredients, and some fragments
to swell the bulk, which, though not
valuable as materials, help to compound
the GALLIMAUFRY.
2. (old). — A hodge-podge of
scraps and leavings.
1724. COLES, Eng. Diet.; 1728.
BAILEY, Eng. Diet. ; 1785. GROSE,
Vulg. Tongue; 1811. Lexicon Bala-
tronicum.
3. A mistress.
1596. SHAKSPEARE, Merry Wives,
ii., i. He loves thy GALLYMAWFRY ;
Ford, perpend.
4. (venery). — The female pu-
dendum. For synonyms, see
MONOSYLLABLE.
GALL, subs. (common). — Effrontery;
CHEEK (q.v.) ; BRASS (q.v.) ;
e.g. , ' Ain't he got a GALL on
him?'
1789. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue (srd
Ed.), s.v. His GALL is not yet broken,
a saying used in prisons of a man
just brought in who appears melancholy
and dejected, [i.e.,1 He is not yet embittered
enough to care for nothing, and meet every-
thing with a front of brass.']
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s,v.
a 1891. New York Sun (quoted in
Slang, Jargon, and Cant, s.v.). 'What
do you think he had the GALL to do
to-day ? ' Brown : ' He has the GALL to
do anything.' Dumley : ' He asked me to
drink with him ; but he'll never repeat the
impudence.'
GALLANT, subs, (old). — A DANDY
(q.v.}', a ladies' man; a lover ;
a cuckold-maker, whether in
posse or in esse (Shakspeare).
1596. SHAKSPEARE, Merry Wives, ii.
One that is well-nigh worn to pieces with
age to show himself a young GALLANT \
1598. SHAKSPEARE, i Henry IV.,
ii., 4. GALLANTS, lads, boys, hearts of
gold, all the titles of good fellowship come
to you.
1663. DRYDE.V, The Wild Gallant
[Title.]
1690. B.E., A New Diet. GALLANT
a very fine man ; also a Man of Metal, or a
brave Fellow ; also one that Courts, or
keeps, or is Kept by, a Mistress.
1719. DURFEY, Pills, etc., iv., no
There's never a GALLANT but sat at her
hand.
1751-4. JORTIN, Eccles. Hist, (quoted
in Encyclopedic Diet.). As to Theodora,
they who had been her GALLANTS when
she was an actress, related that daemons, or
nocturnal spirits, had often driven them
away to lie with her themselves.
Adj. (old). — (i). Valiant
(2) showy ; (3) amorous.
1719. DURFEY, Pills, etc., i., 40. O
London is a fine town, and a GALLANT
city.
Verb, (old).— To sweetheart;
to squire ; to escort ; to pursue or
to enjoy.
To GALLANT A FAN. verb,
pkr-. (old). — To break with
design, to afford an opportunity
of presenting a better. — B.E.
(1690).
GALLANT FIFTIETH, subs. phr.
(military).— The Fiftieth Foot.
[For its share in Vimiera, 1808.]
Also, BLIND HALF HUNDRED
(q.V.)', and DIRTY HALF
HUNDRED (q.V.).
GALLANTRY, subs. (i). SPARKISH]
NESS (q.v. ) ; dandyism; (2) the
habit, or pursuit, of the sexual
favour. A LIFE OF GALLANTRY
= a life devoted to fcthe other
sex.
Gallery.
I03 Galley-yarn.
GALLERY, subs. (Winchester
College). — A commoner bedroom.
[From a tradition of GALLERIES
in Commoners.] See GALLERY-
NYMPHS.
TO PLAY TO THE GALLERY,
verb. phr. (colloquial). — To act
so as to win the applause of the
vulgar : i.e., to abandon dis-
tinction and art for coarseness of
means and cheapness of effect.
Said indifferently of anyone in
any profession who exerts himself
to win the suffrages of the mob ;
as a political demagogue, a
'popular' preacher, a 'fashion-
able ' painter, and so on.
1872. Standard, 23 Oct. ' New York
Correspondence.' His dispatches were,
indeed, too long and too swelling in phrase ;
for herein he was always PLAYING TO
THE GALLERIES.
Hence, GALLERY-HIT, SHOT,
STROKE, etc. = a touch designed
for, and exclusively addressed to,
the non-critical.
To PLAY THE GALLERY, verb.
phr. (colloquial). — To make an
audience ; to applaud.
1870. Echo, 23 July, p. 5, c.
4. He seemed altogether a jovial, amusing
sort of fellow, and as we were close by
him, and constantly called in to PLAY
THE GALLERY to his witty remarks, we
asked him, when his friends left him, to
join our party.
GALLERY NYMPH, subt. phr-.
(Winchester College).— A house-
maid. See GALLERY.
GALLEY — PUT A BRASS GALLEY
DOWN YOUR BACK, verb, phr*
(printers'). — An admonition to
appear before a principal ; imply-
ing that the galley will serve as a
screen.
GALLEY- FOIST, subs. (old). — The
state barge, used by the Lord
Mayor when he was sworn in at
Westminster.
1609. REN JONSON, Silent Woman,
iv., 2. Out of my doores, you sons of noise
and tumult, begot on an ill May day, or
when the GALLEYFOIST is afloate to West-
minster.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s. v.
GALLEY - GROWLER or -STOKER,
subs, (nautical). — A loafer ; a
MALINGERER(^.Z/.); a GRUMBLE-
GUTS (q.v.).
GALLEY-HALFPENNY, subs. (old).
— A base coin, tempus Henry IV.
[So called because it was com-
monly imported in the Genoese
galleys. See Leake, English
Money, p. 129 ; Ruding, Annals
of Coinage, i., 250 ; and Stow,
Survey (ed. 1842) p. 50.]
GALLEY-SLAVE, subs, (printers'). —
A compositor. [From the oblong
tray whereon the matter from the
composing stick is arranged in
column or page.] For synonyms,
see DONKEY.
1683. MOXON, s.v.
GALLEYWEST, adj. or adv.
(American). — An indefinite super-
lative. C/., ABOUT-EAST.
1884. CLEMENS, (M. Twain) Huck.
Finn, xxxvii. , 382. Then she grabbed up the
basket and slammed it across the house,
and knocked the cat GALLEYWEST.
1837. FRANCIS, Saddle and Mocassin
(quoted in Slanp, Jargon, and Cant). I'll
be darned if this establishment of yours,
Hunse, don't knock any one of them GALLEY.
WEST !— GALLEYWEST, sir, that's what it
does.
GALLEY- YARN (or NEWS), sttbs.
phr. (nautical). — A lying story ;
a swindle or TAKE - IN (q.v.).
Frequently abbreviated to ' G.Y.'
1884. HENLEY and STEVENSON,
Admiral Guinea, iii., 4. What? lantern
and cutlass yours ; you the one that knew
the house ; you the one that saw ; you the
one overtaken and denounced; and you
spin me a GALLEY-YARN like that.
Gallied.
104
Gallivant.
G A L L I ED, ///. adj. (old). —
' Harried ; vexed ; over-fatigued ;
perhaps like a galley - slave '
(GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.). In
Australia, frightened.
GALLI NIPPER, subs. (West Indian).
— A large mosquito.
1847. PORTER, Big Bear, etc., p.
119. In the summer time the lakes and
snakes . . . musketoes and GALLINIPPERS,
buffalo gnats and sandflies . . . prevented
he Injins from gwine through the country.
1888. Lippincotfs Magazine. I
thought the GALLINIPPERS would fly away
with me before the seed ticks had sucked
all my blood.
GALLIPOT, subs, (common). — An
apothecary.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v
1836. M. SCOTT, Cringle's Log, ch.
xiv. In truth, sir, I thought our surgeon
would be of more use than any outlandish
GALLIPOT that you could carry back.
1848. THACKERAY, Book oj Snobs,
ch. xxvii. ' Half a-dozen little GALLIPOTS,'
interposed Miss Wirt.
ENGLISH SYNONYMS. — Bolus;
bum - tender ; clyster - giver ;
cl) ster-pipe ; croaker ; crocus ;
drugs ; Ollapod (from a creation
of the Younger Coleman's) ; gage-
monger ; Galen (from the great
physician) ; Jakes-provider ; pill-
box; pill -merchant ; pills ; squirt;
salts-and-senna ; squire of the pot.
FRENCH SYNONYMS. — Un
mirancu (obsolete : a play on
mire en cut, respecting which cf.,
Beralde, in Moliere, Malade
Imaginaire : ' On voit bien que
vous n "" avez pas accoutume deparler
a des visages ') ; un limonadier
de posterieu-f s (popular : cf., 'bum-
tender ' ; unfltitencul (common) ;
un insinuant (popular : one who
* insinuates ' the clyster-pipe).
GERMAN SYNONYMS. — Roke-
ach, Raukeach, or Raukack (from
the Hebrew).
GALLIVANT, verb, (colloquial). — i.
To gad about with, or after, one of
the other sex ; to play the gallant ;
to ' do the agreeable. '
1838. DICKENS, Nicholas Nickleby,
ch. Ixiv. You were out all day yesterday,
and GALLIVANTING somewhere, I know.
1862. H. BEECHER STOWE, in The
Independent, 27 Feb. What business had
he to flirt and GALLIVANT all summer with
Sally Kittridge?
1886. HAWLEY SMART, Struck Down,
xi. The ramparts is a great place for
GALLIVANTING.
1863. H. KINGSLEY, Austin Elliot,
L, 112. It's them gals, Mr. Austin. Come
in afore she sees you, else she'll not be at
home. She is GALLIVANTING in the pad-
dock with Captain Hertford.
2. (colloquial). — To TRAPES
(q.v.} ; to fuss ; to bustle about.
1859. Boston Post, 10 Dec. Senator
Seward is GALLIVANTING gaily about
Europe. Now at Compiegnfej saying soft
things to the Empress and studying des-
potism, now treading the battle-field of
Waterloo, then back at Paris, and so on.
1871. C. D, WARNER, My Summer
in a Garden. More than half the Lima
beans, though on the most attractive sort of
poles, which budded like Aaron's rod, went
GALIVANTING off to the neighboring grape
trellis.
1848. RUXTON, Far West, p. 145.
The three remaining brothers were absent
from the Mission . . . Fray Jose, GALLI-
VANTING at Pueblo de los Angeles.
1863. NORTON, Lost andSaved, p.
255. A pretty story, if, when her services
were most wanted by the person who paid
for them, she was to be gadding and GAL-
LIVANTING after friends of her own.
1865. M. E. BRADDON, Henry Dun-
bar, ch. x. A pretty thing it would have
been if your pa had come all the way from
India to find his only daughter GALLIVANT-
ING at a theaytre.
1870. London Figaro, 6 Dec. You're
never content but when you're GALAVANT-
ING about somewhere or other.
Gallivate.
105
Galloivs.
QALLIVATE, verb (American). — To
frisk ; to ' figure about ' ; cf. ,
GALLIVANT.
GALLON. WHAT'S A GALLON OF RUM
AMONG ONE? phr. (American).
— The retort sarcastic ; applied,
e £., to those with 'eyes too big
for their stomach ' ; to dispro-
portionate ideas of the fitness
of things, and so forth.
GALLON DISTEMPER, su&s. phr.
(common). — I. Delirium tremens;
(2.) the lighter after-effects of
drinking.
ENGLISH SYNONYMS. — (i) For
the former, barrel-fever ; black-
dog ; blue- devils ; blue Johnnies
(Australian); B. J's. (idem.);
blues ; bottle - ache ; D. T. ;
horrors; jim-jams; jumps; pink-
spiders ; quart-mania ; rams ; rats ;
shakes ; snakes in the boots ;
trembles ; triangles ; uglies.
2. For the latter : a head ; hot-
coppers ; a mouth ; a touch of the
brewer ; a sore heid (Scots).
FRENCH SYNONYMS. — Avoir
mal aux cheveux ( familiar = the
hair-ache) ; les papillons noirs ( Cf. ,
pink spiders ; also = hypochon-
dria) ; avoir fume dans une pipe
neuve ( = sick of a new clay).
GALLOPER, sttbs. (old). — i. A blood
horse ; a hunter.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
The toby gill clapped his bleeders to his
GALLOPER and tipped the straps the
double.
2. (military). — An aide-de-
camp.
GALLOW-GRASS, subs.pkr. (old). —
Hemp. [/'.£., halters in the rough.]
1578. LYTE, Trans, of Dodoens
History of Plantes, fol. 72. Hempe is
called in .... English, Neckweede, and
CALLOWGRASS.
GALLOWS, subs. (old). — i. A
rascal ; a wretch deserving the
rope.
1594. SHAKSPEARE, Love's Labout
Lost, v., 2. A shrewd unhappy GALLOWS
too.
1754. B. MARTIN, Eng. Diet. (2nd
ed.). s.v.=a wicked rascal.
1837. DICKENS, Oliver Twist. (To
Oliver). Now, young GALLOWS.
1838.
London, ch." ii., p.
young GALLOWS
ribs to powder !
JAS. GRANT, Sketches in
. ii., p. 58. Blow me tight,
.ows, if I don't pound your
2. (common: generally in.
pi. — GALLOWSES). — A pair of
braces
1835. HALIBURTON, Clockmaker,
i S., ch. xv. Chock-full of spring, like
the wire end of a bran new pair of
trouser GALLUSES.
1848. DURIVAGE, Stray Subjects, p
168. If I wouldn't spile his picter bust my
boots and GALLOWSES.
1851-61. H. MAYHEW,£<7«<£ Lab. and
Land. Poor, vol. I., p. 431. The braces,
which in some parts of the country are
called ' GALLOWSES."
c. 1852. Traits of American Humor,
p. 58. Hole on, dod drot you, wait till 1
unbutton my GALLOWSES.
1864. JAMES, etc, Italian-English
Diet. GALLOWSES, batilla.
1883. G. A. S[ALA], in ///. Land.
News, Sept. 22, p. 275, c. i. Biaces
(which, when I was young, used, in the
north of England, to be known by the ex-
pressive name of GALLOWSES.)
Adv. (old). — Excessively; same
as BLOODY, BLEEDING, (q.V.\ etc.
(As adj.) great ; uncommon ; real.
c. 1551. L. SHEPHERD. John Bon
in Arber's Garner, Vol. IV., p. 109. Ye,
are much bound to God for such a spittle
holiness. A GALLOWS gift !
1789. PARKER, Life's Painter, p.
120. Some they pattered flash with GAL-
LOWS fun and joking.
1827. EGAN, Anecdotes of the Turf,
etc., p. 44. Then your blowen will wax
GALLOWS haughty! [Also quoted in notes
to Don Juan.}
Gallows-bird.
1 06
Galoot.
1830. LYTTON, Paul Clifford, p.
293. (ed. 1854). Ah, Dame Lobkin, if so
be as our little Paul vas a vith you, it
would be a GALLOWS comfort to you in
your latter hend !
1851-61. MAYHEW, Land. Lab. and
Land. Poor, III., 90. I'll be smothered if
I'm going to look down that GALLOWS
long chimney.
1861. H. KINGSLEY, Ravenshoe, ch.
xli. And the pleece come in, and got
CALLUS well kicked about the head.
1869. GREENWOOD, Seven. Curses of
London, p. 244. Put it on your face so
CALLUS thick that the devil himself won't
see through it.
GALLOWS-BIRD (also NEWGATE-
BIRD), j7/fo. (common). — I. A son
of the rope ; an habitual criminal;
a vagabond or scoundrel, old or
young ; a crack-rope or wag-
halter (CoTGRAVE ; a gallows-
clapper (FLORio). Fr., gibier
de Cayenne, or de potence.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
One that deserves hanging.
1822. SCOTT, Fortunes of Nigel,
ch. xi. That very GALLOWS-BIRD were
enough to corrupt a whole ante-chamber of
pages.
2. (common). — A corpse on, or
from, the gallows.
1861. READE, Cloister and Hearth,
ch. xxviii. I ne'er minced (dissected) ape
nor GALLOWS-BIRD.
GALLOWS- FACED, adj. (old) — Evil-
looking ; hang-dog. Also GAL-
LOWS-LOOKING.
1766. H. BROOKE, Fool of Quality,
ii. 16. Art thou there, thou rogue, thou
hang-dog, thou GALLOWS - FACED vaga-
bond ?
1768. GOLDSMITH, Good - natured
Man, Act v. Hold him fast, he has the
GALLOWS in his FACE.
1837. BARHAM, I. L. (Misadv. at
Margate"). A little GALLOWS-LOOKING
chap — dear me ! what could he mean ?
GALLOWS-MINDED, adj. (collo-
quial).— Criminal in habit and
idea ; also, evil-hearted.
GALLOWSNESS, subs. (old). — Ras-
cality; recklessness; mischievous-
ness.
1859. G. ELIOT, Adam Bede, ch. vi.
I never knew your equal for GALLOWSNESS.
GALLOWS- RIPE, adj. (old). — Ripe
for the rope.
1837. CARLYLE, French Revolution,
Pt. II., bk. v., ch. iii. Loose again, as
one not yet GALLOWS-RIPE.
GALLUS. — See GALLOWS.
G ALLY- FOIST — See GALLEY-FOIST.
GALLYSLOPES, subs. (Old Cant). —
Breeches. For synonyms, see
KICKS.
GALOOT (also GALLOOT and GEE-
LOOT), subs, (general). — A man
(sometimes in contempt) ; also
(in America) a worthless fellow
(or thing, see quot. 1888) ; a
rowdy; a CAD (q.v.},
1835. MARRYAT, Jacob Faithful,
ch. xxxiv. Four greater GALLOOTS were
never picked up, but never mind that.
1869. S. L. CLEMENS (Mark Twain)
Innocents at Home, p. 22. He could lam
any GALOOT of his inches in America.
1871. JOHN HAY, Jim Bludso. I'll
hold her nozzle agin the bank Till the last
GALOOT'S ashore.
1885. Saturday Review, Feb. 7, p.
167. I'll never draw a revolver on a man
again as long as I live.' . . . ' Guess
I'll go for the GALOOT with a two-scatter
shoot-gun.
1888. New York Tribune, May 16.
It is better to have a Carrot for a President
than a dead beat for a son-in-law. In this
way we again score a live beat on the
GALOOT.
1892. R. L. STEVENSON and L.
OSBOURNE, The Wrecker, p. 137. 'My
dear boy, I may be a GALOOT about
literature, but you'll always be an out-
sider in business.
ON THE GAY GALOOT, adv.
phr. (common). — On the spree,
1892. MILLIKEN, 'Arry Ballads, p.
3- I'm off ON THE GAY GALOOT SOme-
wheres.
Galoptious.
107
Gambler.
GALOPTIOUS or GALUPTIOUS, adj.
(popular). — Delightful ; a general
superlative.
1887. Judy, 21 Sept., p. 140. Four
young ladies represented the GALOPSHUS
sum of 20,000,000 dollars.
GALORE (also GALLORE and GO-
LORE), adv. (old ; now recog-
nised).— In abundance ; plenty.
[Irish and Gaelic go leor = in
plenty.]
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1848. RUXTON, Life in the Far
West, p 14. GALORE of alcohol to ratify
the trade.
1866. C. READE, Never Too Late,
ch. Ix. He found rogues GALORE, and
envious spirits that wished the friends ill.
1891. Licensed Vic. Mirror, 30 Jan.,
p. i, c. i. Of chit-chat this week we have
GALORE, and the difficulty is how to sift
the wheat from the chaff.
GALUMPH, verb. (American). — To
bump along (Onomatopoeia).
1888. New York World, 13 May.
The young man tackled the driver of a
green bobtail car that GALUMPHED through
Lewis Street at a high rate of speed.
GALVANISED YANKEE, subs. phr.
(American Civil War). — A GREY-
BACK (q.v.) who took the oath to
the North and served in its
GAM, subs, (thieves'). — i. Pluck;
gameness.
1888. Casselts Saturday Journal,
8 Dec., p. 260. I'm not so sure about his
lack of cunnin', speed, or GAM.
2. (American thieves') — Steal-
ing (MATSELL, 1859).
Verb. (American thieves'). — I.
To steal.
2. (American). — To engage
in social intercourse ; to make a
call ; to have a chat. See
GAMMING.
GAMALIEL, subs, (colloquial). — A
pedant ; a person curious of the
letter and the form : e.g., ' these
GAMALIELS of the theory ' = these
ultra-puritans, to whom the spirit
is nothing.
GAMARUCHE, suds, (venery). — See
CUNNILINGIST and COCK-
TEASER. Verb (venery). — To
irrumate ; to BAG-PIPE (q.v.).
Also to CUNNILINGE (q.v.). Fr.,
gamahucher.
GAMB (or GAM), subs. (old). — A
leg. In use also in this sense as
an heraldic term. [It., gambe ;
Fr., jambe ; probably through
Lingua Franca.] For synonyms,
see DRUMSTICKS and PINS.
1789. GEO. PARKER, Life's Painter,
p. 143. If a man has bow legs, he has
queer GAMS, GAMS being cant for legs.
1796. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue (3rd ed.),
s.v.
1819. MOORE, Memorial, p. 61.
Back to his home, with tottering GAMS.
1887. HENLEY, Villon's Good Night.
At you I merely lift my GAM.
[To FLUTTER A GAM=to dance ; TO
LIFT A GAM = to break wind ; TO GAM rr=
to walk ; to run away ; TO LEG IT (q.v.)].
GAMBLE, subs, (colloquial). — A
venture : a FLUTTER (q.v.).
1892. R. L. STEVENSON and L.
OSBOURNE, The Wrecker, p. 250. And
you know the Flying Scud was the biggest
GAMBLE of the crowd.
GAMBLER, subs, (old, now recog-
nised). See quots.
1778. BAILEY, Eng. Diet. GAMBLER,
a guinea-dropper ; one class of sharpers.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue. GAM-
BLER, a sharper ; a tricking gamester.
1816. JOHNSON, Eng. Diet, (nth
ed.)- GAMBLER, a cant word, I suppose.
A knave whose practice it is to invite the
unwary to game and cheat them.
Gambol.
108
Game.
1890. CasseltsEnc.Dict. GAMBLER,
one given to playing for a stake.
GAMBOL, subs, (booking clerks').
A railway ticket.
1882. Daily News, 6 Sept., p. 2,
c. 5. ... Mr. Chance [the magistrate]
asked what GAMBOLS meant. The inspector
said doubtless the railway tickets.
GAM -CASES, subs. (old). Stock-
ings (PARKER, Life's Painter).
[From GAM = leg + CASE. ]
GAME, subs, (old).— i. The pro-
ceeds of a robbery ; SWAG (q.v.).
1676. Warning for Housekeepers.
Song. When that we have bit the bloe,
we carry away the GAME.
2. (old). — A company of
whores. A GAME - PULLET = a
young prostitute, or a girl inclined
to lechery ; cf. , adj. , sense 8.
1690. B.E., New Dictionary, s.v.
. . also a Bawdy house, lewd women.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
GAME . . . Mother, have you any GAME,
Mother, have you any girls?
3. (old). — A gull ; a sim-
pleton. For synonyms, see
BUFFLE and CABBAGE-HEAD.
1690. B. E., New Dictionary.
GAME, c. Bubbles drawn in to be
cheated.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
4. ( thieves' ). — Specifically,
THE GAME = thieving; also
(nautical), slave trading ; and
(venery), the practice of copula-
tion (e.g., good at THE GAME =
an expert and vigorous bedfellow.
Cf.y SHAKSPEARE, Troilus,
iv., 5, 'Spoils of opportunity,
daughters of the GAME '). In quot.
(1639) it would seem that HEN OF
THE GAME = a shrew, a fighting
woman.
1639-61. Rump, ii., 185. 'Free
Parliament Litany.' From a dunghill Cock
and a HEN OF THE GAME.
1640. Ladies' Parliament. Stamford
she is for THE GAME, She saies her husband
is to blame, For her part she loves a foole,
If he hath a good toole.
1668. ETHEREDGE, She Would if
She Could, i., i. A gentleman should not
have gone out of his chambers but some
civil officer of the GAME or other would
have . . . given him notice where he might
have had a course or two in the afternoon.
!"(?). BURNS, Merry Muses, ' Jenny
Macraw ' (old song). Jenny Macraw was
a bird of THE GAME.
1839. BRANDON, Poverty, Mendicity,
and Crime, Glossary. On THE GAME—
thieving.
1851-61. MAYHEW, Land. Lab. and
Land. Poor, i., 263. Whether the GAME
got stale, or Peter became honest, is
beyond the purport of my communication
to settle.
1852. SNOWDEN, Mag. Assist, (srd
ed.), p. 444, s.v.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum or
Rogue s Lexicon, s. v. The particular
line of rascality the rogue is engaged in ;
thieving; cheating.
1860. Chambers Journal, Vol. 13,
p. 281. I asked him if he meant by a
trading voyage, the GAME.
5. (colloquial). — A source of
amusement ; a LARK (q.v.) : a
BARNEY (q.v.); as, e.g., It was
such a GAME !
6. (colloquial). — A design ;
trick ; object ; line of conduct :
e.g., What's your 1'ttle GAME =
What are you after ? Also, None
of your little GAMES ! = None of
your tricks ! See HIGH OLD
GAME.
1854. WHYTE MELVILLE, General
Bounce, ch. ix. Honesty, indeed ! if
honesty's the GAME, you've a right to
your share, what Mrs. Kettering intended
you should have,
1857. DUCANGE ANGLICUS, The Vulg.
Tongue, p. 9. GAME n. Intention.
' What's your GAME ? ' or, ' What are you
up to ? ' (very generally used).
1870. Standard, 27 Sept. If we
accept the meaner GAME which the Times
indicates for us, it can only be by deliberate
choice.
1879. JUSTIN MCCARTHY, Donna
Quixote, ch. xiii. Come, what's your
little GAME?
Game.
109
Game.
1883. EDW. E. MORRIS, in Long-
mans Mag., June, p. 176. A youth, who
left England, and then carried on the same
GAME in Australia.
1889. Standard, i May, p. 5, c. i.
The ' GAME of law and order ' is not up,
in Paris.
1890. Punch, 30 Aug. , p. 97. Mug's
GAME ! They'll soon find as the Marsters
ain't going to be worried and welched.
1891. J. NEWMAN, Scamping Tricks,
P- 46. She knew ho»v to work THE GAME
of fascination right.
1892. R. L. STEVENSON and L.
OSBOURNE, The Wrecker, p. 349, 'It was
the thing in your times, that's right
enough ; but you're old now, and THE
GAME'S up.
Adj. (old). — i. Plucky; endur-
ing ; full of spirit and BOTTOM
(q.v.). [Cock-pit and pugilists'.
The word may be said to have
passed into the language with the
rise to renown of Harry Pearce,
surnamed the GAME CHICKEN.]
1747. CAPT. GODFREY, Science of
Defence, p. 64. Smallwood (a boxer) is
thorough GAME, with judgment equal to
any, and superior to most.
1819. MOORE, Tom Crib's Memorial,
p. 57. Pitying raised from earth the GAME
old man.
1821. P. EGAN, Tom and Jerry
(ed. 1891), p. 38. Tom, however, was too
GAME to acknowledge any sort of alarm at
this slight visitation.
1823. E. KENT, Mod. Flash Diet.
GAME, s.v. Sturdy, hardy, hardened.
1827. REYNOLDS, Peter Corcoran,
The Fancy. ' The Field of Tothill.' The
highest in the fancy— all the GAME ones,
Who are not very much beneath her
weight.
1855. A. TROLLOPE, The Warden,
ch. viii. He was a most courageous lad,
GAME to the backbone.
1891. Licensed Viet. Gaz., 19 June,
p. 395. The round had lasted sixteen
minutes, and no one present had ever seen
GAMER or more determined fighting.
2. (common). — Ready ; willing ;
prepared. [Also from cock-fight-
ing. See sense i].
1836. DICKENS, Pickwick, p. 99,
(ed. 1857). 'All alive to-day, I suppose?'
' Regular GAME, sir. '
1856. READE, Never Too Late
ch. xxi. I'm GAME to try.
1865. Bentley, p. 182, 'The Excur-
sion Train.' Again to London back we
came The day the excursion ticket said,
And really both of us felt GAME To travel
round the world instead.
1880. Punch 's Almanack. Got three
quid ; have cried a go with Fan, GAME to
spend my money like a man.
1891. FARJEON, The Mystery of
M. Felix, p. 103. 'I'm GAME,' said
Sophy, to whom any task of this kind was
especially inviting.
1891. HUME NISBET, Bail Up!
p. 51. 'Yes, I am GAMEY, you bet 1'
exclaimed the Chinaman, softly.
1891. J. NEWMAN Scamping Tricks,
p. 121. It is nearly midnight. I am
GAME for another hour, are you ?
3. (old). — Lame ; crooked ; dis-
abled : as in GAME LEG.
1787. GROSE, Prov. Glossary. GAME-
LEG, a lame leg.
1825. SCOTT, St. R (man's Well,
ch. i. Catching hold of the devil's GAMK
leg with his episcopal crook.
185T. G. BORROW, La-uengro, ch.
Ixvii., p. 204 (1888). Mr. Platitude,
having what is vulgarly called a GAME
leg, came shambling into the room.
1875. JAS. PAYN, Walters Word,
ch. i, Well, you see, old fellow, with a
GAME-arm (his left arm is in a sling), and
a GAME-leg (he has limped across the
platform with the aid of his friend, and
also of a crutch), one feels a little helpless.
4. (thieves'). — Knowing; wide-
awake ; and (of women) FLASH
(q.v. ), or inclined to venery. E.g.,
GAME- COVE = an associate of
thieves; GAME-woman = a pros-
titute: i.e., a woman who is
GAME (sense 2) ; GAME-PULLET
(GROSE) = a girl that will show
sport, a female GAME - COCK ;
GAME-SHIP (old) = a ship whose
commander and officers could be
corrupted by bribes to allow the
cargo to be stolen (CLARK
RUSSELL).
Game.
1 10
Gamester.
1676. ETHEREDGE, Man of Mode,
ii. Go on, be the GAME mistress of the
town and entice all our young fops as fast
as they come from travel.
COCK OF THE GAME, subs. phr.
(old). — A champion; an un-
doubted blood ; a star of magni-
tude (cock-pit).
1719. DURFEY, Pills, iii., 329.
Now all you tame gallants, you that have
the name, And would accounted be COCKS
OF THE GAME.
1822. ScpTT, Nigel, xiv. I have
seen a dung-hill chicken that you meant
to have picked clean enough ; it will be
long ere his lordship ruffles a feather with
a COCK OF THE GAME.
To MAKE GAME OF, verb. phr.
(colloquial). — To turn into ridi-
cule ; to delude ; to humbug.
1671. MILTON, Samson, 1331. Do
they not seek occasion of new quarrels, On
my refusal, to distress me more ; Or
MAKE A GAME OF my calamities?
1690. B. E., New Dictionary. What
you GAME me? c. do you jeer me, or pre-
tend to expose me to MAKE A May-GAME
OF me?
1745. Hist, of Coldstream Guards,
25 Oct. If the militia are reviewed to-
morrow by his Majesty, the soldiers of the
third regiment of Guards are to behave
civilly and not to laugh or to MAKE ANY
GAME OF them.
To DIE GAME, verb. phr.
(colloquial). — To maintain a
resolute attitude to the last ; to
show no contrition.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue. To
DIE GAME, to suffer at the gallows without
showing any signs of fear or repentance.
1815. SCOTT, Guy Mannering, ch. liv.
The ruffian lay perfectly still and silent.
1 He's gaun to die GAME ony how,' said
Dinmont.
1836. DICKENS, Pickwick (ed. 1857),
p. 363. I say that the coachman did
not run away ; but that he DIED GAME —
GAME as pheasants ; and I won't hear
nothin1 said to the contrary.
1869. SPENCER, Study of Sociology,
ch. viii., p. 183 (gth ed.). Nor should we
forget the GAME-cock, supplying, as it
does, a word of eulogy to the mob of
roughs who witness the hanging of a
murderer, and who half condone his
crime if he DIES GAME.
1871. TimeS) 30 Jan. Critique on
London, etc. The principal was acquitted,
and though his accomplices were hung in
Pall Mall at the scene of their act, they
DIED GAME.
TO GET AGAINST THE GAME,
verb. phr. (American). — To take
a risk ; to chance it. [From
the game of poker].
To PLAY THE GAMK,verb. phr.
(colloquial). — To do a thing
properly ; to do what is right and
proper.
1889. GEOFFREY DRAGE, Cyril, ch.
vii. I really think he is ... not PI AY-
ING THE GAME.
THE FIRSTGAME EVER PLAYED,
subs. phr. (venery). — Copulation.
For synonyms, set GREENS and
RIDE.
GAMECOCK, adj. (old).— Hectoring;
angry ; valiant out of place.
1838._ LEVER, Handy Andy. Smoke
and fire is my desire, So blaze away my
GAMECOCK squire.
GAM EN ESS, subs, (colloquial). —
Pluck; endurance; the mixture of
spirit and bottom.
1861. HUGHES, Tom Brown at
Oxford, ch. xxiv. There was no doubt
about his GAMENESS.
1884, Referee, 23 March, p. i, c. 4.
Carter fought with great GAMENESS, but
he never had a look in.
GAMESTER, subs, (old).— i. A pros-
titute. For synonyms, see BAR-
RACK-HACK and TART.
1598. SHAKSPEARE, All's Well, v. 3.
She s impudent, my lord, and was a com-
mon GAMESTEK to the camp.
1614. JONSON, Bartholomew Fair
ii. i. Ay, ay, GAMESTERS, mocke a plain
soft wench of the suburbs, do.
Gamey.
in
Gammon.
1620. PERCY, Folio MSS., p. 404.
Be not att ffirst to nice nor coye when
GAMSTERS you are courtinge.
2. (old). — A ruffler ; a gallant;
a wencher ; a man fit and ready
for anything ; also a player.
1639-61. Rump, i., 253, 'A Medley.'
Room for a GAMESTER that flies at all he
sees.
1676. ETHEREDGE, Man of Mode,
v., i. Live it also like a frank GAMESTER,
on the square.
GAMEY,O^/. (colloquial). — I. High-
smelling ; offensive to the nose ;
half-rotten.
2. (colloquial). — Frisky ;
plucky.
1843. DICKENS, Martin Chuzzlewit^
ch. xi. There's something GAMEY in it,
young ladies, ain't there.
1869. S. BOWLES, Our New West, p.
275. Horses are fresh and fat and GAMEY.
GAM i NESS, subs, (colloquial). —
The malodorousness proceeding
from decay and — by implication
— filthiness.
GAMING-HOUSE, subs. (old). — A
house of ill-repute — hell, tavern,
or stews.
1611. CoTGRAVE,Dicttonarie, Berlan,
a common tippling house, a HOUSE OF GAM-
ING, or of any other disorder.
, subs, (old). — An old wife;
a familiar address ; the correla-
tive of GAFFER (?.Z/.).
1551. Gammer Gurton's Needle
Title).
1706. Hudibras Redivivus, Part VI.
And monkey faces, yawns, and stammers,
Delude the pious dames and GAMMERS To
think their mumbling guides precation So
full of heavenly inspiration.
1842. TENNYSON, The Goose.. Ran
Gaffer, stumble \ GAMMER. —
GAMMING, subs, (nautical). — A
whaleman's term for the visits
paid by crews to each other at
sea.
1884. G. A. SALA, in Illus. Lon.
News, July 19, p. 51, c. 2. When two
or more American whalers meet in mid-
ocean, and there are no whales in sight, it
is customary to tack topsails and exchange
visits. This social intercourse the whale-
men call GAMMING ... I cannot help
fancying that ' gam ' is in greater pro-
bability an abbreviation of the Danish
'gammen,' sport, or that it has something
to do with the nautical ' gammoning," the
lasting by which the bowsprit is bound
firmly down to the cutwater.
1890. Century, Aug. To GAM
means to gossip. The word occurs again
and again in the log-books of the old
whalers.
GAMMON, subs, (colloquial).— i.
Nonsense ; humbug ; deceit.
Sometimes GAMMON AND
SPINACH. No GAMMON = no
error, no lies.
[SKEAT says from Mid. Eng. Gamen
=a game ; but R. SHERWOOD (Eng: Diet.,
1660), gives ' a beggar or seller of gammons
of Bacon ; and in COTGRAVE (1611),
jambonnier = a beggar, also a seller of
bacon, or gammons of bacon.']
c. 1363. Chester Plays, i. 102. This
GAMMON shall begin.
1781. G. PARKER, View of Society,
I. 208. I thought myself pretty much a
master of GAMMON, but the Billingsgate
eloquence of Mrs. P exceeded me.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
GAMON. What rum GAMON the old file
pitched to the flat.
1823. Mod. Flash Diet. GAMMON—
Falsehood and bombast.
1828-45. HOOD, Poems (ed. 1846),
vi., p. 96, Behold yon servitor of God and
Mammon, Who, binding up his Bible with
his ledger, Blends Gospel texts with
trading GAMMON.
183o. DICKENS, Pickwick, ch. xxvii.
Lord bless their little hearts, they thinks
its all right, and don't know no better, but
they're the wictims o' GAMMON, Samivel,
they're the wictims o' GAMMON.
Gammon.
112
Gammon.
1837. BARHAM, I. L. Blasphemers
Warning. When each tries to humbug
his dear Royal Brother, in Hopes by such
GAMMON to take one another in.
1839. Comic Almanack, Jan. But if
you wish to save your bacon, Give us less
GAMMON.
1849. DICKENS, David Cofiperfield,
ch. xxii., p. 199. 'Oh, my goodness, how
polite we are ! ' exclaimed Miss Mowcher.
. . . . ' What a world of GAMMON AND
SPINNAGE it is ! '
1890. HUME NISBET, Bail up! p.
92. I'm real grit and no GAMMON.
2. (thieves'). — A confederate
whose duty is to engage the
attention of a victim during
robbery ; a BONNET (q.v.) or
COVER (q.V.},
Verb (colloquial). — I. To
humbug : to deceive ; to take in
with fibs ; to KID (q.v.).
1700. Step to the Bath, quoted in
Ashton's Sac. Life in Reign of Queen
Anne, v. ii., p. JH. We went to the
Groom Porters .... there was Palming,
Hedging, Loaded Dice, Levant, and GAM-
MONING, with all the Speed imaginable,
1823. MONCRIEFF, Tom and Jerry,
ii., 6. Vile I can get fifteen bob a day
GAMMONING a maim, the devil may vor
for me.
1825. BUCKSTONE, The Bear
Hunters, ii. There ! that's just the way
she GAMMONS me at home.
1836. M. SCOTT, Tom Cringle's Log,
ch. ii. Why, my lad, we shall see to-
morrow morning ; but you GAMMONS so
bad about the rhino that we must prove
you a bit : so Kate, my dear, — to the
pretty girl who had let me in.
1836. DICKENS, Pickwick, ch. xiii.
So then they pours him out a glass o'
wine, and GAMMONS him about his driving,
and gets him into a reg'lar good humour.
1837. BARHAM, Ingoldsly Legends,
' Misadventures at Margate.' And 'cause
he GAMMONS so the flats, ve calls him
Veeping Bill !
1840. HOOD, Tale of a Trumpet.
Lord Bacon couldn't have GAMMONED her
better.
1890. HUME NISBET, Bail Up! p.
70. Oh, don't try to GAMMON me, you
cunning young school-miss.
ENGLISH SYNONYMS. — To bam;
to bamblustercate ; to bamboozle ;
to bambosh ; to barney ; to be
on the job ; to best ; to bilk ;
to blarney ; to blow ; to bosh ;
to bounce ; to cob ; to cod ; to
cog ; to chaff; to come over (or
the artful, or Paddy, or the old
soldier over) one ; to cram ; to
do ; to do brown ; to doctor ; to
do Taffy ; to fake the kidment ;
to flare up ; to flam ; to flummox;
to get at (round, or to windward
of) one ; to gild the pill ; to give
a cock's egg ; to gravel ; to gull ;
to haze : to jimmify ; to jaw ;
to jockey ; to jolly ; to kid ; to
make believe the moon is made
of green cheese (Cotgrave) ; to
mogue ; to palm off on ; to
pickle ; to plant ; to plum ; to
poke bogey (or fun) at ; to pro-
moss ; to put the kibosh on ; to
put in the chair, cart, or basket ;
to pull the leg ; to queer ; to
quiz ; to roast ; to roorback ; to
run a bluff, or the shenanigan ; to
sell ; to send for pigeon's milk ;
to sit upon ; to send for oil of
strappum, etc. ; to shave ; to
slum, or slumguzzle ; to smoke ;
to snack ; to soap, soft soap,
sawder, or soft sawder ; to spoof;
to stick ; to stall ; to string, or
get on a string ; to stuff ; to saw-
dust, or get on sawdust and
treacle ; to suck ; to suck up ;
to sugar ; to swap off; to take a
rise out of ; to rot ; to tommy-rot;
to take in, or down ; to take to
town ; to take to the fair ; to tip
the traveller ; to try it on ; to,
throw dust in the eyes ; to throw
a tub to a whale ; to pepper ; to
throw pepper in the eyes ; to use
the pepper box ; to whiffle ; to
work the poppycock racket (Irish-
American). [NOTE. — Many of
the foregoing are used substan-
tively, e.g.) a bam, a barney, a
Gammon.
Gammon.
sell, bambosh = nonsense ; deceit ;
a hoax, etc.]
FRENCH SYNONYMS. — Donner
unpont bfattcker(a.]sot thieves' =
to lay a \x&p)\ dindonner (popular:
from dindon = & gull, a gobbler) ;
battte & la Parisienne (thieves' :
= to cheat ; to come the cockney) ;
seficher de lafiole, oide labobine,
de quelqu'ttn (popular : to get on
with it, i.e., to try to fool) ;
envoyer chercher le parapluie de
Fescouade (military : parapluie de
Fescouade = ihe squad's umbrella :
to send on a fool's errand ; cf.t
to send for pigeon's milk, etc. ) ;
la faire a quelqifun (popular) ;
faucher (thieves' = to best) ;
enf oncer ( familiar : to let „ in :
also to surpass ) ; cabasser (popu-
lar) ; monter des couleurs, le
Job, or un schtosse ( = to do up
brown) ; faire le coup, or monter
le coup, cl quelqu?un (popular : = to
take a rise) ; bouffer la botte (mili-
tary : — to SELL (q. v. ) or BILK, as a
woman refusing congress after re-
ceiving the SOCKET-MONEY (q.V.)
in advance) ; bouler (popular : also to
WHOP(?.Z>.)); etreTautre (popular:
= to GET LEFT (q.v.)); mettre
dans le sac (thieves' : = to bag,
i.e., to trap) ; caller or poser
un. Ivpin (popular : = to MAKE A
HARE OF (q.v.} ; also more gener-
ally, to BILK (q.v.})', emblemer
(thieves' : = to stick) ; faire voir le
tottr (popular : -to show how it's
done ; connaitre le tour = to
know the game) ; faire la queue cl
quelqu'un (popular : = to pull one's
leg) ; tirer la carotte (thieves') ;
canarder (popular : = to bring
down) ; empaler (popular : = to
stick); passer des curettes (popular :
= to befool) ; monter une gaffe
(popular : gaffe-=& joke, a hoax) ;
jobarder (popular: job — simpleton,
and is the same zsjobelin); mener
en bateau un pante pour le refaire
(thieves' : = to take a man on) ;
monter un bateau (popular) ; pro-
mener quelqu'un (popular : cf.t
to take to town) ; compter des
mistoufles (fam. : mistoujle — a
scurvy trick) ;gottrrer (popular : =
to bosh) ; ajfluer (from flouer=to
cheat, to diddle); rouster (popular
and thieves') ; affutei (thieves' =
to run down, also to make
unlawful profits) ; bouler (popu-
lar) ; juijfer (popular = to
Jew) ; pigeonner (popular to
PLUCK A PIGEON (q.v } ) \flancher
(popular — to KID (q.v.) ); faire
la barbe (popular = to SHAVE
(q.v.)); monter or kisser un
gandin (thieves' = literally to
hoist a swell) ; fourrer or mettrc
dedans (popular = to take in and
do for) ; planter un chou (fam. ) ;
tire marron (popular); interver
dans !es vannes ( = to let oneself
be sucked-up) ; monter un godan
a quelqu'un (popular) ; griller
qtielqu'un (popular = to cuckold);
passer en lunette (popular) ; gou-
jonner (i.e.), to hook like a
gudgeon); fourguer (thieves'
= also to FENCE (q.v.));
pousser une blague (popular = to
cram) ; paqueliner (thieves') ;
se b'aucher (thieves') ; balancer
popular).
GERMAN SYNONYMS. — Zin-
kennen an Almoni peloni ( = to
send one after Cheeks the Marine
\_q.v, ,]. Almoni and pe'oni are
used mockingly in combination
and also singly for a non-existent
person) ; anbeulen ( = to fool) ;
jemanden arbeiten (=r:to haze, to
cram); bekaspern, or bekaschpern,
or beschwatzen ( = to fool : from
Heb. kosaw = io cheat).
SPANISH SYNONYMS. — Disparar
( = also to talk nonsense ; to
8
Gammon.
114
Gammoner.
blunder) ; hacer a uno sit doming-
uillo, or hacer su dominguillo de
uno (colloquial : dominguillo =
a figure made of straw and used at
bull fights to enrage the bulls) ;
Jreirsela d alguno (freir = to fry :
to deceive: Cf., to ROAST, or
have one ON TOAST) ; pegar tina
tostada d alguno ( = to put one
on toast : more generally to play
a practical joke) ; echar de
baranda(=to EMBROIDER (q.v.));
bola (subs. = humbug ; a hoax) ;
borrufalla (subs. = bombast);
chicolear ( = to jest in gallatatry) ;
engatusar ( = to rob, or hurt ; also
to trick without intention) ; can-
donguear (also = to jeer); abrir d
chasco (also to jeer) ; encantar
( = to enchant).
ITALIAN SYNONYMS. Ganezz-
arre ; dar la stolfa ; traversare
(cf., TO COME OVER); scamuffare
= to disguise oneself).
2. (thieves'). — To act as BON-
NET (q.v.) or COVER (q.v.) to a
thief.
Intj. (colloquial). — Nonsense ;
SKITTLES ! (q.v.).
1827. R. B. PEAKE, Comfortable
Lodgings, i., 3. SirH. (aside). GAMMON !
1836. M. SCOTT, Tom Cringle's
Log, ch. vii. GAMMON, tell that to the
marines : you're a spy, messmate.
1854. THACKERAY, The Rose and
the Ring, p. 100. Ha ! said the king,
you dare to say GAMMON to your
sovereign.
1861. A. TROLLOPE, Framley Par-
sonage, ch. iv. GAMMON, said Mr.
Gpwerby ; and as he said it he looked
with a kind of derisive smile into the
clergyman's face.
GAMMON AND PATTER, subs,
phr. (thieves'). — I. (old).—
The language used by thieves ;
2. (modern). — A meeting; a
PALAVER. (q.v.). 3. Common-
place talk of any kind.
1789. GEO. PARKER, Life's Painter,
p. 150. GAMMON AND PATTER is the
language of cant, spoke among them-
selves : when one of them speaks well,
another says he GAMMONS well.
1811. Lex. Bal. s.v. GAMMON
AND PATTER. Commonplace talk of any
kind.
To GIVE (or KEEP) IN GAMMON.
verb. phr. (thieves'). — To engage
a person's attention' while a con-
federate is robbing him.
1719. CAPT. ALEX. SMITH, Thieves'
Grammar, s.v.
1821. HAGGART, Life, p. 51. Bagrie
called the woman of the house, KEPT HER
IN GAMMON in the back room, while I
returned and brought off the till. Ibid.,
p. 68. I whidded to the Doctor and he
GAVE ME GAMMON.
To GAMMON LUSHY (or
QUEER, etc.). verb. phr.
(thieves'). — To feign drunken-
ness, sickness, etc.
To GAMMON THE TWELVE.
verb. fhr. (thieves'). — To deceive
the jury.
1819. VAUX, Life. A man who has
been tried by a criminal court and by a
plausible defence has induced the jury to
acquit him, or to banish the capital part
of the charge and so to save his life, is said
by his associates to have GAMMONED THE
TWELVE in prime twig, alluding to the
number of jurymen.
GAMMONER, subs. (old). — I. One
who GAMMONS (q.v.) ', a non-
sense-monger. Fr., bonisseur de
loffitudes ; blagueur; mangeur de
frimes.
1823. MONCRIEFF, Tom and Jerry
\. Fly to the GAMMONERS, and awake to
everything that's going on.
2. (thieves'). — A confederate
who covers the action of his
chief; a BONNET, a COVER, a
STALL, all which sec.
Gammy.
Gamp.
1821.
The
HAGGART, Life, p. 66.
part of the GAMI
so well that I made my escape without
being observed.
GAMMY, subs, (tramps'). — i. Cant.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
Do you stoll the GAMMY? Do you under-
stand cant ?
2. (common). — A nickname for
a lameter ; a HOPPING JESUS ;
(q.v.).
3. (Australian). — A fool.
1892. HUME NISBET, Bushrangers
Siveetheart,p. 191. Well,ofalltheGAMMiES
you are the gammiest, Slowboy, to go and
string yourself to a woman, when yon
might have had the pick of Melbourne.
Adj. (tramps'). — I. Bad ;
impossible. Applied to house-
holders of whom it is known that
nothing can be got. See BEG-
GARS' MARKS. GAMMY-VIAL =
a town in which the police will
not allow unlicensed hawking.
(ViAL = Fr., Ville).
1839. BRANDON, Poverty, Mendicity,
''rime, Glossary, s.v.
1851-61. MAYHEW, Land. Lab., i.,
466. No villages that are in any way
GAMMY are ever mentioned in these papers.
Ibid., i., 404. These are left by one of
the school at the houses of the gentry,
a mark being placed on the door post of
such as are bone or GAMMY, in order
to inform the rest of ' the school ' where to
call, and what houses to avoid.
2. Forged ; false ; spurious :
as a GAMMY - MONEKER = a
forged signature; GAMMY-LOUR
= counterfeit money, etc.
1839. BRANDON, Poverty, Mendicity,
and Crime, s.v.
1852. SNOWDEN, Mag. Assistant
<3rd. ed.), p. 445. Spurious medicine,
GAMMY stuff, bad coin, GAMMY LOWER, p,
446.
1889. C. T. CLARKSON and J.
HALL RICHARDSON, Police, p. 321. Bad
ey (coin). . . . GAMMY LOWER.
3. (theatrical).— Old ; ugly.
4. (common). — Same as
GAME, sense 3 : e.g., a GAMMY
arm = an arm in dock. GAMMY-
eyed = blind; sore-eyed; or
afflicted with ecchymosis in the
region of the eyes. GAMMY-leg
= a lame leg. Also (subs.) a
term of derision for the halt and
the maimed,
GAMP, subs, (common). — I. A
monthly nurse ; a FINGERSMITH
(q.v.). [After Mrs. Sarah Gamp,
a character in Martin Chuzzlewit
(1843).] Also applied to a fussy
and gossiping busybody.
1864. Sun, 28 Dec. A regular
GAMP . . . a fat old dowdy of a monthly
nurse.
1868. BREWER, Phr. and Fab.
auoted from Daily Telegraph). Mr.
athorne Hardy is to look after the
GAMPS and Harrises of the Strand.
2. (ccmmon). — An umbrella ;
specifically, one large and loosely-
tied ; a LETTUCE (q.v.}. [The
original Sarah always carried
one of this said pattern.] Some-
times a SARAH GAMP. For
synonyms, see RAIN-NAPPER.
1870, Lond. Figaro, 15 June. Though
— shattered, baggy, shivered GAMP !
1883. G. R. SIMS, Life Boat. He
donned his goloshes and shouldered his
GAMP.
1890. Daily Chron., 5 Mar.
Sainte-Beuve insisted that though he was
prepared to stand fire he was under no
obligation to catch cold, and with his
GAMP over his head he exchanged four
shots with his adversary.
1892 Ally Slower, 2 Apr., p. 106, c. 3.
I never had a brand new tile, a glossy
silk or swagger brown, But I left home
without a GAMP, And rain or hail or snow
came down
3. (journalists'). — The Standard.
Adj. (common). — Bulging.
Also GAMPISH.
Gamut.
116
Gang.
1864. Derby Day, p. 18. I wasn't
joking, there is an air of long-suffering
about you, as if you had been mortifying
the flesh by carrying a GAMPISH UMBRELLA
up Piccadilly, and back again.
1881. Mac. Mag., Nov., p. 62.
Grasping his GAMP umbrella at the middle.
GAMUT, subs, (artists'). — Tone ;
general scheme ; SWIM (y.v.).
Thus IN THE GAMUT = a pic-
ture, a detail, or a shade of colour,
in tone with its environment.
3AN (also GANE), subs. (old). — The
mouth. [A.S.,£tfmrt« = toyawn.]
Occasionally = throat, lip. For
synonyms, see POTATO-TRAP.
1512-13. DOUGLAS, Virgil, 250, 29.
To behald his ouglie ene twane, His teri-
bill vissage, and his grislie GANE.
1567. HARMAN, Caveat (1814), p. 64.
GAN, a mouth.
1610. ROWLAND, Martin Mark-all,
p. 38. (H. Club's Kept., 1874). GAN, a
mouth. Ibid. A gere peck in thy GAN.
1656. BROOME, A Jovial Crew, Act
ii. This bowse is better than rombowse,
it sets the GAN a giggling.
1671. R. HEAD, English Rogite, Pt.
I., ch. v., p. 49. (1874.) GAN, a lip.
1690. B. E., Cant. Crew. GANNS,
the lips.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1881. New York Slang Diet., s.v.
GANDER, subs, (colloquial). — A
married man ; in America one
not living with his wife ; a GRASS-
WIDOWER (q.v.}.
Verb^ (old). — To ramble ; to
waddle (as a goose). Also, to go
in quest of women ; TO GROUSE
(q.v.}.
1859. H. KINGSLEY, Geoff. Hamblyn,
ch. x. Nell might come GANDERING back
in one of her tantrums.
1861. H. KINGSLEY, Ravenshoe, ch.
xlvii. She GANDERED upstairs to the
dressing-room again.
GONE GANDER. — See GONE
COON.
TO SEE HOW THE GANDER
HOPS, verb. phr. (American.) —
To watch events. A variant of
To see how the cat jumps.
1847. POSTER, Big Bear, p. 96.
SEEIN' HOW THE GANDER HOPPED I
jumped up and hollered, Git out, Tromp,
you old raskel !
WHAT'S SAUCE FOR THE
GOOSE IS SAUCE FOR THE GAN-
DER, phr. (common). — A plea for
consistency.
GANDER-MONTH, subs, (common).
— The month after confinement ;
when a certain license (or so it
was held) is excusable in the
male. Also GANDER-MOON, the
husband at such a period being
called a GANDER-MOONER. Cf.,
BUCK - HUTCH and GOOSE-
MONTH.
1617.. MIDDLETON, A Faire Quarrell,
iv., 4. Wondering GANDER-MOONERS.
1653. BROME, English Moor in
Fiue New Playes. I'le keep her at the
least this GANDER-MONTH, while my fair
wife lies-in.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
GANDER-PARTY, subs, (common). —
A gathering of men ; a STAG-
PARTY (q.v. ) ; also BULL-DANCE,
GANDER-GANG, etc. Cf., HEN-
PARTY—an assembly of women.
GANDER-PULLING. See GOOSE-
RIDING.
GANDER'S WOOL, sitbs. phr. (com-
mon. ) — Feathers.
GANG, subs, (old : now recognised).
— A troop ; a company.
1639-61. Rump, i., 228. ' The Scotch
War.' With his gay GANG of Blue-caps
all. Ibid ii., 104, 'The GANG; or, the
Nine Worthies, etc.'
1690. B. E., Cant. Crew, s.v. GANG,
an ill knot or crew of thieves, pick-
pockets or miscreants ; also a society of
porters under a regulation.
Ganger.
Gapes.
1704. GIBBER, Careless Husband, i.,
i. SirC. Who was that other? More.
One of Lord Foppington's gang.
1754. FIELDING, Jonathan Wild,
bk. i., c. 14. What then have I to do in
the pursuit of greatness, but to employ a
GANG, and to make the use of this GANG
centre in myself? Idem. bk. iii., c. 14.
Kut in an illegal society or GAMG, as this
of ours, it is otherwise.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum. GANG,
company, squad, mob.
GANGER,j«fo. (old: now recognised).
— An overseer or foreman of a
gang of workmen; one who super-
intends. For synonyms, see
GOVERNOR.
1851-61. MAYHEW, Lond. Lab., ii.,
487. The GANGER, or head of the working
gang, who receives his orders from the
inspector, and directs the men accordingly.
1884. Comhill M^., June, p. 614,
The mother and boy do the work, while
the father constitutes himself contractor
for and GANGER over their labour.
GANYMEDE, subs. (old). — i. A
sodomist. For synonyms, see
USHER.
1598. FLORIO, Worlde of Wordes,
Catamito, a GANIMED, an ingle, a boie
hired to sinne against nature. [And in COT-
GRAVE (1611) under GANYMEDES ; Any
boy that's loved for carnal abuse, an
Ingle.]
1598. MARSTON, Satyres, ii. But
Ho ! What GANIMEDE is it doth grace
The gallant's heels.
2. (popular). — A pot-boy (i.e.,
a cup-bearer). The masculine of
HEBE (q.V.).
1659. FLORIO-TORRIANO, Vocabolario.
Mescitore, a skinker or filler of wine ; also
a mingler, a GANIMEDE.
1841. Punch I., p. 101, c. i. Lo !
GANYMEDE appears with a foaming tankard
of ale.
GAOL-BIRD, subs, (old : now recog-
nised).— A person who has been
often in gaol ; an incorrigible
rogue. Fr., un chevronne. For
synonyms, see WRONG 'UN.
^1680. Hist, of Edward I!., p. 146.
It is the piety and the true valour of an
army, which gives them heart and victory;
which how it can be expected out of
ruffians and GAOL-BIRDS, I leave to your
consideration.
1701. DEFOE, True Born English-
man, part II. In print my panegyrics fill
the street, And hired GAOL-BIRDS, their
huzzas repeat.
1762. SMOLLETT, L. Greaves, vol. II.,
ch. ix. He is become a blackguard
GAOL-BIRD.
1857. C. READE, Never Too Late
ch. xi. The GAOL-BIRDS who piped this
tune were without a single exception the
desperate cases of this moral hospital ; they
were old offenders.
1882. Pall Malt 'Gaz., 5 Oct. Libera-
ting the GAOL-BIRDS in Alexandria.
GAOLER'S COACH, subs. phr. (old).
— A hurdle 4;o the place of
execution.
1785. GROSE. Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
GAP, subs, (venery). — The female
pudendum-, also SPORTSMAN'S
GAP and WATER-GAP (q. v. ). For
synonyms, see MONOSYLLABLE.
d. 1746. ROBERTSON ofStruan.-Aww.r,
p. 84. O gracious Hymen ! Cure this dire
Mishap, Sew up this mighty rent, or fill
the GAP.
To BLOW THE GAP, verb. phr.
(old). — The same as TO BLOW
THE GAFF (q.V.].
1821. EGAN, Real Life, etc., i., 557
He should like to smack the bit without
BLOWING THE GAP.
GAPER, subs, (venery). — The
female pudendum. Also, GAPER
(and GAPE) OVER THE GARTER.
For synonyms, see MONOSYL-
LABLE.
GAPES, subs, (colloquial). — A fit of
yawning ; also the open mouth of
astonishment.
1818. AUSTEN, Persuasion. Another
hour of music was to give delight or th'i
GAPES.
Gapeseed.
118
Garden.
1838. HALIBURTON, Clockmaker
(ed. 1862), p. 373. But what gave me the
GAPES was the scenes (at the theatre).
GAPESEED, subs, (common). — i.
A cause of astonishment ; any-
thing provoking the ignorant to
stare with open mouth. Also TO
SEEK A GAPE'S NEST.
1598. FLORID, IVorlde of Wordes.
Ansanare ... to go idly loytring vp and
downe as we say, to go seeking for a
halfepenie worth of GAPING SEEDE.
1600. NASHE, Summer's Last Will,
in wks. (Grosart), vi., 144. That if a
fellow licensed to beg, Should all his life
time go from faire to faire, And buyGAPE-
SEEDE, having no businesse there.
1690. B. E., Cant. Crew. GAPE-
SEED, whatever the gazing crowd idly
stares and gapes after ; as Puppet-shows,
Rope-dancers, Monsters and Mountebanks,
anything to feed the eye.
1694. Poor Robin. "Tis plainly
clear, They for their GAPES-SEED do pay
dear.
1 856. N. and Q. , 2 S i ., 362. Plenty
of persons were sowing GAPESEED.
1870. B. F. CLARK, Mirthfulness"*
p. 24. Do you wish to buy some GAPE-
SEED ?
1884. Daily News, 8 Oct. Title (at
head of sporting column).
2. ( common ). — An open-
mouthed loiterer.
1885. Sportsman, June 23, p. 2, c.
4. The yearlings bred by Messrs.
Graham were offered to a rather select
audience of buyers, though the ring was
surrounded by a fairly strong crowd of
GAPESEEDS.
GAPPED, ppl. adj. (old). — Worsted;
FLOORED (q.v. for synonyms).
1753. RICHARDSON, Sir Chas. Gran-
dison. I will never meet at hard-edge
with her ; if I did ... I should be con-
foundedly GAPPED.
GAP-STOPPER, subs. (old). — i. A
whoremaster. For synonyms,
see MOLROWER.
2. ( venery ). — The penis.
[GAP = female pudendum}. For
synonyms, see CREAMSTICK and
PRICK.
GAR. See BY GAR !
GARBLE, TO GARBLE THE COIN-
AGE, verb. phr. (old). — See quot.
[GARBLED to pick and choose.]
1875. JEVONS, Money, etc., p. 81. A
practice amongst money-lenders of pick-
ing out the newest coins of full weight for
export or re-melting, and passing the light
ones into circulation.
GARDEN, subs. (various). — I.
(greengrocers', fruiterers', etc.) =
Covent Garden Market ; 2.
(theatrical) = Covent Garden
Theatre ; 3. (diamond mer-
chants') = Hatton Garden. Cf.,
HOUSE, LANE, etc.
[THE GARDEN (= Covent Garden) was
frequently used for the whole neighbour-
hood, which was notorious as a place of
strumpets and stews. Thus, GARDEN-
HOUSE=a brothel; GARDEN-GODDESS = a
woman of pleasure ; GARDEN-GOUT = the
pox or clap ; GARDEN-WHORE = a low
prostitute, etc.]
1733. BAILEY, Erasmus. When
young men by whoring, as it commonly
falls out, get the pox, which, by the way
of extenuation, they call the Common
GARDEN-GOUT.
1782. GEO. PARKER, Humorous
Sketches, p. 90 No more the GARDEN fe-
male orgies view.
1851-61. W. MAYHEW, Land. Lab.
and Land. Poor, Vol. I., p. 85. Not only
is the GARDEN itself all bustle and ac-
tivity, but the buyers and sellers stream to
and from it in all directions, filling every
street in the vicinity.
1884. JAS. PAYN, in Cornhill Mag.,
Mar., p. 257. She [Miss O'Neill] talked
of the GARDEN and ' the Lane,' and was
very fond of recitation.
1890. Tit-Bits, 29 Mar., p. ^89, c.
i. Let me describe the GARDEN. A
long, straight street, stretching almost due
north and south, from Holborn Circus to
Clerkenwell Road. Ibid. c. 2. The cut
stones are chiefly sold to the large dealers
in the GARDEN.
Gardener.
119
Garn.
2. (venery). — The female pu-
dendum. [The simile is common
to all nations, ancient and
modern. Shakspeare, in Sonnet
1 6, seems to play upon this
double meaning ; e.g.^ Now
stand you on the top of happy
hours ; And many maiden-GAR-
DENS, yet unset, With virtuous
wish would bear you living flow-
ers.] Also GARDEN OF EDEN.
For synonyms, see MONO-
SYLLABLE.
TO PUT ONE IN THE GARDEN,
verb. phr. (thieves').— To de-
fraud a confederate ; to keep back
part of the REGULARS (q.v.)t or
SWAG (q.v.).
GARDENER, subs, (common). — I.
An awkward coachman. [In al-
lusion to the gardener who on oc-
casion drives the carriage.] Cf.t
TEA-KETTLE COACHMAN.
1859. SALA, Twice Round the Clock,
Noon : Par. I. He can drive neither to
the right nor to the left, nor backwards nor
forwards. ... A sarcastic saloon omnibus
driver behind jeeringly bids him keep
moving, accompanying the behest by the
aggressive taunt of GARD'NER.
2. (venery). — The penis.
GARDEN (^.z/.)=female puden-
dum. Also GARDEN-ENGINE.
For synonyms, see CREAMSTICK
and PRICK.
GARDEN-GATE, subs. phr. (rhym-
ing).— i. A magistrate. For syn-
onyms, see BEAK.
2. (venery). — The labia mi-
nora. [GARDEN-HEDGE = the
pubic hair.]
GARDEN-LATIN ,subs. (colloquial). —
Barbarous or sham Latin. Also
APOTHECARIES', BOG, DOG, and
KITCHEN-LATIN.
GARDEN-RAKE, subs. phr. (com-
mon).— A tooth-comb. Also
SCRATCHING-RAKE or RAKE.
GARDY-LOO, subs, (old Scots)* —
A warning cry; 'take care ! ' [Fr.
garded (vous de] teaul Used
before emptying slops out of
window into the street. Hence
the act of emptying slops itself,
as in quotation dated 1818.]
1771. SMOLLET, Humphry Clinker,
(British Novelists), xxxi., p 57. At ten
o'clock the whole cargo is flung out of a
back windore that looks into some street or
lane, and the maid calls GARDY-LOO to the
passengers, which signifies 'Lord have
mercy on you ! '
1818. SCOTT, Heart of Midlothian,
ch. xxvii. She had made the GARDY-LOO
out of the wrong window.
GARGLE, subs, (formerly medical
students', now common). — A
drink; also generic. Cf., LOTION,
and for synonyms, see Go.
1889. Sporting Times, 3 Aug., p. 3,
c. i. We're just going to have a GARGLE
— will you join us ?
Verb, (common). — To drink;
to 'liquor up.' For synonyms,
see DRINKS and LUSH.
1889. Sporting Times, 3 Aug., p. 5.
C. 5- We GARGLED . . .
1891. Morning Advertiser, 2 Mar.
It's my birthday ; let's GARGLE.
GARGLE-FACTORY, subs, (common).
— A public house. For synonyms,
see LUSH CRIB.
GARN, intj. (vulgar). — A corruption
of Go on ! Get away with you !
1888. RUNCIMAN, The Chequers,
p. 80. GARN, you farthin" face ! She
your neck.
1892. Ally Sloper, 19 Mar., p. 90,
C. 3. GAR'N, you men ain't got no sense.
1892. National Observer, 6 Feb.
p. 307, c. 2. And so simple is the
dictum, so redolent of the unlettered Arry
that we long to add GARN, oo're you
gettin' at ?
Garnish.
120
Garret-master.
GARNISH, subs, (old).— i. A fee or
FOOTING (q.v.} ', specifically one
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. GREENE, Quip, in Works, xi.,
256. Let a poore man be arrested into one
of the counters [prisons] ... he shall be
almost at an angel's charge, what with
GARNISH [etc.].
1606. T. DEKKER, Seven Deadly
Sinnes, p. 28 (Arber's ed.). So that the
Counters are cheated of Prisoners, to the
great dammage of those that shoulde have
their morning's draught out of the
1632. JONSON, Magnetic Lady, v. 6.
You are content with the ten thou^a'nd
pounds Defalking the four hundred
GARNISH-MONEY?
1704. STEELE, Lying Lover, Act iv.,
Sc. iv. But there is always some little
trifle given to prisoners, they call GARNISH.
1752. FIELDING, Amelia, Bk. I.,
ch. iii. Mr. Booth . . . was no sooner
arrived in the prison, than a number of
persons gathered round him, all demand-
ing GARNISH.
1759. GOLDSMITH, The Bee, No. 5,
p. 385 (Globe ed.). There are numberless
faulty expenses among the workmen —
clubs, GARNISHES, freedoms, and such like
impositions.
1815. SCOTT, Guy Mannering, ch.
xliv. [Jailor log.} Thirty shillings a
week for lodgings, and a guinea for
GARNISH.
2. (thieves'). — Fetters ; hand-
cuffs. For synonyms, see DARBIES.
Verb, (thieves'). — To fit with
fetters : to handcuff.
GARRET, subs, (common). — i. The
head ; COCKLOFT ( q.v. ) ; or
UPPER STOREY (q.v.). For syn-
onyms, see CRUMPET.
1625. BACON, Apothgm, No. 17. My
Lord St. Albans said that wise Nature did
never put her precious jewels into a GARRET
four stories high, and therefore that ex-
ceeding tall men had ever very empty
heads.
1811. Lexicon Balatro nicum. , s.v.
1837. BARHAM, Ingold. Leg. What's
called the claret Flew over the GARRET.
2. (old).— The fob-pocket.
To HAVE ONE'S GARRET UN-
FURNISHED, verb. phr. (com-
mon). To be crazy, stupid,
lumpish. For synonyms, see
APARTMENTS and BALMY.
GARRETEER, subs, (thieves'). A
thief whose speciality is to rob
houses by entering skylights or
garret - windows. Also DANCER
and DANCING - MASTER. For
synonyms, see THIEVES.
2. (journalists'). — An im-
pecunious author ; a literary
hack.
1849-61. MACAULAY, Hist, of Eng.,
ch. xxv. GARRETEERS, who were never
weary of calling the cousin of the Earls of
Manchester and Sandwich an upstart.
1886. SHELLEY (quoted in Dowdens
Life), i., 47. Show them that we are no
Grub-street GARRETEERS.
1892. National Observer, 18 Mar.,
p. 453. Has proclaimed urbi et orbi that
governments have no business to manufac-
ture specious sentiment by greasing the
palms of ignorant and greedy GARRETEERS.
GARRET-MASTER, subs, (trade). —
A cabinet-maker who works on
his own account, selling his
manufacture to the dealers direct.
1851-61. MAYHEW, Lend. Lab., ii.,
p. 376. These trading operatives are
known by different names in different
trades. In the shoe trade, for instance,
they are called ' chamber-masters,' in the
cabinet trade GARRET-MASTERS, and in
the cooper's trade the name for them is
' small trading-masters.'
Garrison-hack.
121
Gas.
GARRISON -HACK, subs, (common).
— I. A woman given to indis-
criminate flirtation with officers
at a garrison.
1889 Daily Telegraph, 14 Feb.
Lord Normantower, Philip's dearest friend,
to whom she, when a GARRISON-HACK,
had been engaged, and whom she had
thrown over simply because he was poor
and prospectless.
1890. Athenaum, 8 Feb., p. 176, c.
i. The heroine is a GARRISON-HACK,
but the hero is an Australian.
2. (common). — A prostitute ;
a soldier's trull. For synonyms,
see BARRACK HACK and TART.
GARROTTE, subs, (common). — A
form of strangulation (see verb).
[From the Spanish la garrota =
a method of capital punishment,
which consists in strangulation by
means of an iron collar.]
Verb, (common).— i, A method
of robbery with violence, much
practised some years ago. The
victims were generally old or
feeble men and women. Three
hands were engaged : the FRONT-
STALL who looked out in that
quarter, the BACK - STALL at the
rear, and the UGLY or NASTY-
MAN who did the work by passing
his arm round his subject's neck
from behind, and so throttling
him to insensibility.
1869. GREENWOOD, Seven Curses oj
Land. Committed for trialfor GARROTTING
and nearly murdering a gentleman.
1873. TROLLOPE, Phineas Redux,
ch. xlvi. In those days there had been
much GARROTTING in the streets.
2. (cards). — To cheat by con-
cealing certain cards at the back
of the neck.
GARROTTER, subs, (common).— A
practitioner of GARROTTING
(under verb, sense I.)
1869. GREENWOOD, Seven Curses of
London, p. 201. The delectable epistle
was written by GARROTTER Bill to his
brother.
GARROTTING, i. See GARROTTE
(verb, sense i).
2. (gamblers'). — Hiding a
part of one's hand at the back of
the neck for purposes of cheating.
GARTER, subs, (nautical). — i. in.
pi. the irons, or bilboes. For
synonyms, see DARBIES.
TO GET OVER THE GARTER,
verb. phr. (venery). — To take
liberties with a woman.
To FLY or PRICK THE GAR-
TER. See PRICK THE GARTER.
GARVIES, subs. (Scots').— i. Sprats.
Sometimes GARVIE-HERRING.
1845. P. ALLOA, Statis. Ace., viii.,
597. They are often very successful in
taking the smaller fish, such a* herrings,
GARVIES or sprats, sparlings or smelts.
2. (military). — The Ninety-
fourth Foot. [From the small
stature of the earlier recruits. ]
1869. Notes and Queries, 4 S. iii.,
p. 349. GARVIE. The soubriquet points
to the low average height of the recruits in
the Fifeshire regiments, which, however,
may not now be the case, since recruiting
has become less local.
GAS, subs, (common). — Empty
talk ; bounce ; bombast.
1847. PORTER, Quarter Race, etc.,
p. 120. The boys said that was all GAS to
scare them off.
1867. Chambers' Jour., 29 June.
I've piped off Sabbath GAS in my time I
don't deny, but under the woods we mostly
tell the truth.
1868. Chambers Jour., 15 Feb., p.
no. I don't, an' never could splice ends
with them as blow off GAS about gold-
digging — saying it's plunder easy come an'
easy gone, seeking the root of evil, an'
other granny talk which hasn't no
meaning.
Gas.
1 22 Gaspipe- crawler.
a. 1871. EMERSON (quoted in De
Vere's Amer,). Tis odd that our people
should have not water on the brain, but a
little GAS there.
1889. Globe, 31 Oct., p. 4, c. 4.
It went on to state that the petitioner's
talk about a divorce was all GAS, and
made a further appointment.
Verb, (common). — I. To talk
idly; to brag; to bounce; to
talk for talking's sake. Fr.,
faire son cheval de corbillard (in
American 'to be on the tall
grass.') See LONG Bow.
1872. Land. Figaro, 14 Dec. There
is no good to be got out of GASSING
about rallying around standards, uniting as
one man to resist, etc.
1875. 'American English ' in Chambers'
Jour,, 25 Sept., p. 610. To GAS is to
talk only for the purpose of prolonging a
debate.
1885. Society, ^ Feb., p. 7. Agita-
tors and place-seekers may GAS as much
as they please, but they cannot make black
appear white.
2. (common). — To impose on
by 'GAS'; TO PILL (q.v.) ; TO
SPLASH (q.v.). For synonyms, see
GAMMON.
TO TAKE THE GAS OUT OF
ONE, verb. phr. (common). — To
take the conceit out of; to take
down a peg.
TO TURN ON THE GAS, verb,
phr. (common). — To begin bounc-
ing; also to GAS (q.v.).
TO TURN OFF THE GAS, verb,
phr. (common). — To cease, or
cause to cease, from bouncing,
vapouring, or GAS (q.v.).
To GAS ROUND, verb. phr.
(common). — To seek information
on the sly ; also to GAS (q.v.).
GAS-BAG, subs, (common). — A
man of words or GAS (q.v.); a
gasconader. Also GASOMETER.
For synonyms, see MOUTH
ALMIGHTY.
1889. Referee, 6 Jan. That great
GAS-BAG of modern days.
GASH, suds. (American). — i. The
mouth. For synonyms, see
POTATO-TRAP.
1878. H. B. STOWE, Poganuc
People, ch. xiv., p. 122. Ef Zeph
Higgins would jest shet up his GASH in
town-meetin', that air school-house could
be moved fast enough.
2. ( venery ). — The female
pudendum. For synonyms, see
MONOSYLLABLE.
GASHLY, adj. (common). — A vul-
garism for GHASTLY.
GASKINS, subs, (old).— Wide hose ;
wide breeches. [From GALLI-
GASKINS. Johnson says, ' an old
ludicrous word.']
GASP, subs, (common). — A dram
of spirits. For synonyms, see Go.
Verb, (common). — To drink a
dram, e.g., 'Will you GASP?' =
Will you take something neat.
GASPIPE, subs, (nautical). — I. An
iron steamer, whose length is nine
or ten times her beam. [At one
time a ship's length but rarely ex-
ceeded four and a half to five times
the beam.]
2. (printers'). — Bad rollers.
3. (common). — A rifle; specifi-
cally the Snider.
1883. Daily Telegraph, g July, p. 5,
col. 7. The old Snider — the despair-
breeding GAS - PIPE of our Volunteers —
continues to be used in many of the
competitions.
GASPIPE • CRAWLER, subs. phr.
(common). — A thin man. £/".,
LAMP-POST.
Gasser.
123
Gate.
GASSER, subs. ( common ). — A
braggart. For synonyms, see
MOUTH ALMIGHTY.
GASSY (or GASEOUS), adj
(common). — I. Likely to take
umbrage or to flare-up.
1863. North American Review,
cxliii., p. 220. GASSY politicians "in Con-
gress.
2. (colloquial). — Full of empty
talk or GAS \q.v. ).
1872. WHITNEY, Life and Growth of
Lang., p. 17. As when we call an empty
and sophistical but ready talker GASSY.
G ASTER, subs, (nonce-word). — A
fine and curious eater (Thacke-
ray). In Rabelais = the belly and
the needs thereof: a coinage
adopted by Urquhart.
GAT, s^tbs. ( schoolboys' ). — A
quantity; e.g., a GAT of grub =
plenty to eat. Also GATS.
1803. Every-day Life in our Public
Schools. They are called up in GATS of
three at a time.
GATE, subs, (colloquial). — I. The
attendance at a race or athletic
meeting, held in enclosed grounds;
the number of persons who pass
the gate.
1888. Sportsman, 20 Dec. The Bir-
mingham man, on account of the large
GATE that would bej secured, wanted the
affair to be brought off in that town,
whereas Regan favoured Wolverhampton.
2. Money paid for admission
to athletic sports, race course,
etc. ; the same as GATE-MONEY
(?.».)-
1891. Telegraph, 21 Mar. The
leading clubs are now commercial corpora-
tions, dependent tor revenue on the GATES
at the matches.
3. in. pi. (University). — The
being forbidden to pass outside
the gate of a college. See verb,
sense i.
18(?). BRADLEY, Tales of College
Life, p. 19. That's the ticket ; that will
just land me in time for GATES.
1881. LANG, xxxii. Ballades, 'Of
Midsummer Term.' When freshmen are
careless of GATES.
Verb. (University). — To con-
fine wholly or during certain hours
within the college gate for some
infraction of discipline.
1835. The Snobiad (WHIBLEY,
Cap and Gown, p. 141). Two proctors
kindly holding either arm Staunch the
dark blood and GATE him for the term.
1853. BRADLEY, Verd. Green, I.,
ch. xii. He won't hurt you much, Gig-
lamps ! GATE and chapel you !
1861. HUGHES, Tom Brown at
Oxford, ch. xii. Now you'll both be
GATED probably, and the whole crew will
be thrown out of gear.
1865. Comhill Mag., p. 227. He is
requested to confine himself to college
after a specified hour, which is familiarly
termed being GATED.
1870. Morning Advertiser, 23 May.
The two least culpable of the party have
been GATED.
THE GATE, subs. phr. (various).
— Among fishmongers, Billings-
gate ; among thieves, Newgate.
C/., LANE, Row, GARDEN, etc.
1877. Five Years' Penal Servitude,
ch. i., p. 5. The 'steel,' a slang name of
the large metropolitan prisons, as the GATE
is tor Newgate.
To BREAK GATES, verb. phr.
— (University). — To stay out of
college after hours.
To BE AT GATES, verb. phr.
(Winchester College). — To as-
semble in Seventh Chamber
passage, preparatory to going
Hills or Cathedral.
1870. MANSFIELD, School Life, p. 149.
Soon after morning chapel on a holiday or
a remedy all the boys assembled at GATES.
ON THE GATE, adv. phT.
(thieves'). — On remand.
Gate-Bill.
124
Gatter.
GATE- BILL, subs. (University). —
The record of an undergraduate's
failure to be within the precincts
of his college at, or before, a spe-
cified time at night.
1803. Gradus ad Cant., p. 128. To
avoid GATE-BILLS he will be out at night
as late as he pleases . . . climb over the
college wall, and fee his gyp well.
GATE-MONEY, subs, (colloquial). — •
The charge for admission to a
race-meeting. See GATE, suds.,
sense I.
1885. Daily News, 25 May, p. 3, c.
2. The truth of the matter is, that so far
as sport goes, open meetings like those at
Bath and Salisbury cannot stand up
against GATE-MONEY meetings such as
Manchester.
1888. Snorting- Life, 10 Dec. The
comfort that is brought home at our great
GATE-MONEY meetings gatherings to every
visitor.
fo.jZ^r. (venery).
The female pudendum. Cf.,
HORN, and for synonyms, see
MONOSYLLABLE, j
tbs. (venery). — The
female pudendiim. Also GATE-
OF-HORN. For synonyms, see
MONOSYLLABLE.
GATER, subs. (Winchester College),
— A plunge head foremost into a
POT (q.v.).
GATE-RACE (or -MEETING), subs.
(sporting). — Formerly, a contest
not got up for sport but entrance
money ; now a race or athletic
meeting to which admission is by
payment.
1881. Daily News, 14 July. Few of
these athletics care to compete at GATE-
MEETINGS.
GATH, subs, (colloquial). — A city or
district in PHILISTIA (q.v.) ; often
used, like ASKELON (q.v.) for
PHILISTIA itself. Hence, TO BE
MIGHTY IN GATH = tobe a PHILIS-
TINE (q.v. ) of the first magnitude;
TO PREVAIL AGAINST GATH = tO
smite the Philistines hip and
thigh, as becomes a valiant com-
panion of the Davidsbund f and
so forth.
TELL IT NOT IN GATH, verb,
phr. (colloquial). — An interjection
of derision, signifying that the
person exclaimed against has done
something the knowledge of
which would bring on him the
wrath, or the amazement, of his
friends.
GATHER. To GATHER UP, verb,
phr. (American). — To lead away.
1847. Chronicles o/Pineville, p. 182.
* GATHER him UP, boys,' said the judge,
' the sentence of the law must be executed.'
TO GATHER THE TAXES, Verb.
phr. (tailor's). — To go from work-
shop to workshop seeking employ-
ment. Hence, TAX-GATHERER
= a man out of work and looking
for a job. Cf., INSPECTOR OF
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
OUT OF GATHERS, adv. phr.
(colloquial). — In distress. Cf.,
OUT AT ELBOWS.
GATHERINGS. See GAGS.
GATTER, subs, (common). — Beer ;
also liquor generally. SHANT OF
GATTER = a pot of beer. Fr., la
moussante. For synonyms, see
DRINKS.
1818. MAGINN, Vidocq Versified.
Lots of GATTER, says she, is flowing. Lend
me a lift in the family way.
1841. Punch, I., p. 243, GATTER is
but threepence a pot, and that's the price
of a reasonable 'pike ticket.
1851-61. H. MAYHEW, Land. Lab.
and Lond. Poor, Vol. i., p. 232. They
have a ' shant of GATTER ' (pot of beer) at
the nearest ' boo/ing-ken ' (alehouse).
Gaudeamus.
125
Gawk.
GAUDEAMUS, subs, (colloquial). — A
feast ; a drinking bout ; any sort
of merry - making. [ German
students', but now general and
popular. ] From the first word of
the mediaeval (students') ditty.
For synonyms, see JAMBOREE.
GAU DY (or G AU DY- DAY), subs, (com-
mon).— A feast or entertainment :
specifically the annual dinner of
the fellows of a college in
memory of founders or bene-
factors ; or a festival of the Inns
of Court. (Lat. gaudere = to
rejoice.)
1721. E. COLES, Eng. Diet. GAUDY
DAYS, college or Inns of Court festivals.
1754. B. MARTIN, Eng Diet., and
ed. GAUDIES, double commons, such as
they have on GAUDY or grand DAYS in col-
leges.
1760. FOOTE, Minor, Act i. Dine
at twelve, and regale, upon a GAUDY DAY,
with buns and beer at Islington.
1803. Gradus ad Cantab., p. 122.
Cut lectures . . . give GAUDIES and
spreads.
1820. LAMB, Etta (Oxford in the
Vacation}. Methought I a little grudged
at the coalition of the better Jude with
Simon — clubbing (as it were) their sancti-
ties together, to make up one poor GAUDY-
DAY between them.
1822. SCOTT, Fortunes of Nigel,
ch. xxiii. We had a carouse to your
honour ... we fought, too, to finish off
the GAUDY.
1878. BESANT AND RICE, By Celias
Arbour, ch. xxxiii. Champagne . . .
goes equally well with a simple luncheon
of cold chicken, and with the most
elaborate GAUDY.
Adj. (colloquial). — Good;
frolicsome ; festive. Cf. , Shak-
speare's ' Let's have one other
GAUDY night.' — Ant. and Cleo.,
iii, 13.
1884. HAWLEY SMART. From Post
to Finish, p. 176. 'Yes,' answered the
trainer, slowly, ' he's right enough ; but a
Leger's a Leger, and I don't think they
are likely to give him a very GAUDY
chance.'
NEAT BUT NOT GAUDY, AS
THE DEVIL SAID WHEN HE
PAINTED HIS BOTTOM PINK, AND
TIED UP HIS TAIL WITH PEA-
GREEN, phr. (common). — A locu-
tion used to ancient ladies dressed
in flaming colours.
GAUGE. See GAGE.
TO GET THE GAUGE OF.
verb. phr. ( colloquial ). — To
divine an intention ; to read a
character ; to SIZE, (or RECKON)
UP (q.v.). Hence, That's about
the GAUGE of it = That's a fair
description.
GAU LEY. See BY GOLLY.
GAWF, subs, (costers'). — A red-
skinned apple.
1851-61. MAYHEW, Land. Lab., i.,
63. A cheap red-skinned fruit, known to
costers as GAWFS, is rubbed hard, to look
bright and feel soft, and is mixed with
apples of a superior description. GAWFS
are sweet and sour at once, I was told,
and fit for nothing but mixing.
GAWK, subs, (colloquial). — A sim-
pleton, especially an awkward
one, whether male or female.
For synonyms, see BUFFLE and
CABBAGE-HEAD. [Scots GOWK =
a cuckoo ; a fool ; whence, TO
GOWK = to, play the fool. As in
the ' Derision of Wanton Women '
(Bannatyne, MS., 1567,), 'To
gar them ga in GUCKING' = to
make them play the fool.]
1837. H. MARTINEAU, Soc. in
America, i., 299. They proved such
GAWKS that they were unable to learn.
1882. McCABE, New York, p. 217.
I wasn't half as awkward as some of the
GAWKS about me.
1887. H. FREDERIC, Seth's Brother's
Wife, ch. iv. Girls brought up to be
awkward GAWKS, without a chance in
life.
Verb, (colloquial).— To loiter
round ; to PLAY THE GOAT.
[The same verb is used by Joxsos
Gawkiness.
126 Gay Tyke Boy.
(Alagnetic Lady, iii., 4, 1632) in
the sense of amazed, or bam-
boozled, i.e., absolutely befooled :
Nay, look how the man stands,
as he were GOWKED !]
1888. F. R. STOCKTON, Rudder
Grange, ch. xvi. That afternoon we
GAWKED around, a-lookin' at all the out-
side shows, for Jone said he'd have to be
pretty careful of his money now.
GAWKINESS, subs, (colloquial).—
Awkwardness ; silliness ; GREEN-
NESS (q.v.}.
1873. Miss BROUGHTON, Nancy,
ch. xxxvii. The crude GAWKINESS of the
raw girl he has drifted into marrying.
GAWKING, subs, (colloquial). —
Loitering and staring ; GATHER-
ING HAYSEED (q.V.}.
GAWKY, subs, (colloquial), —An
awkward booby ; a fool. 'Now
SQUIRE GAWKY ' = a challenge to
a clumsy lout. For synonyms, see
BUFFLE and CABBAGE-HEAD.
1686-1758. RAMSAY, Poems, ii., 299.
Or, gentle born ye be ; but youths in love
you're but a GAWKY.
1777. SHERIDAN, School for Scandal,
Act ii., Sc. 2. Crab. Yes, and she is a
curious being to pretend to be censorious —
an awkward GAWKY, without any one good
point under heaven.
1825. NEAL, Bro. Jonathan, ii.,
ch. 18. Great, long, slab-sided GAWKEYS
from the country.
1878. C. H. WALL, tr. Moliert, ii.,
197. Our big GAWKY of a viscount.
Adj. (colloquial). — Lanky ;
awkward ; stupid.
1759. TOWNLEY, High Life Below
Stairs i., i. Under the form of a GAWKY
country boy I will be an eye-witness of my
servants' behaviour.
_ 1855. THACKERAY, Newcomes, ch.
xlviii. Even for his cousin Samuel
Newcome, a GAWKY youth with an erupt
countenance, Barnes had appropriate wo;
of conversation.
ppropriate words
GAWNEY (or GONEY), subs, (com-
mon).— A fool. For synonyms,
see BUFFLE and CABBAGE-HEAD.
GAY, adj. (colloquial).— i. Dis-
sipated ; specifically, given to
venery : As in the French, avoir
la cuisse gaie = to be addicted to
the use of men. Hence GAY
WOMAN, or GIRL, or BlT = a
strumpet ; GAY HOUSE = a brothel;
TO BE GAY = to be incontinent ;
GAY IN THE LEGS, IN THE
GROIN, IN THE ARSE = SHORT-
HEELED (q.V.}\ GAYING INSTRU-
MENT = the penis [Lexicon Bala-
tronicum, loll, s.v.] ; GAY MAN
= a wencher ; GAY LADIE (old) =
a mistress ; GAYING IT =
copulating.
1383. CHAUCER, Canterbury Tales,
3767. What eyeleth you? Some GAY girl,
God it wot, Hath brough you thus upon
the very trot.
1754. Adventurer, No. 124. The
old gentleman, whose character I cannot
better express than in the fashionable
phrase which has been contrived to palliate
false principles and dissolute manners, had
been a GAY man, and was well acquainted
with the town.
1854. LEECH, Pictures of Life and
Character, How long have you been
GAY?
1857. J. E. RITCHIE, Night^ Side of
London, p. 40. Here in Catherine-street
vice is a monster of a hideous mien. The
GAY women, as they are termed, are worse
off than American slaves.
1868. Sunday Times, 19 July. As
soon as ever a woman has ostensibly lost
her reputation, we, with a grim inapposite-
ness, call her GAY.
2. (common). — In drink. For
synonyms, see SCREWED.
ALL GAY (or ALL so GAY).
adv. phr. (common). — All right ;
first-rate ; ALL SERENE (q.v.).
To FEEL GAY. verb. phr.
(colloquial). — Inclined for sport,
venereal or other; To FEEL
NAUGHTY (q.V.}.
GAY TYKE BOY, subs. phr. (old). —
A dog fancier.
1848. DUNCOMBE, Sinks of London,
Gazebo.
127
Gee-gee.
GAZEBO, subs. (old). — A summer-
house commanding an extensive
view. [Dog-Latin, GAZEBO = I
will gaze.]
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
GEACH, subs, (thieves'). — A thief.
For synonyms, see THIEVES.
1821. HAGGART, Life, p. 56. He
was a tolerable GEACH.
Verb, (thieves').— To steal. For
synonyms, see PRIG.
1821. HAGGART, Life, p. 73. A
small dross scout . . . which I knew had
been GEACHED.
GEAR, subs, (venery). — i. The
piivate parts, both male and fe-
male. [' Geere, besognes ; aussi les
parties honteuses' (ROBERT SHER-
WOOD'S Dictionarie^ English and
French, appended to COTGRAVE,
1660). ' Besongner . . . also to
do or leacher with ' (COTGRAVE).
Anglo-Saxon : gearwe (strong
feminine plural) ornaments.
SKEAT says original sense of
gear was ' preparation.']
1598. FLORIO, Worlde of Wordes,
Mozza, a wench, a lasse, a girle. Also a
woman's GEERE or cunnie.
1620. PERCY, Folio MSS. ' Ffryar
and Boye.' I sweare, by night nor day
thy GEARE is not to borrow.
1659. TORRIANO, Vocabulario, s.v.
2. (obsolete). — Work, BUSI-
NESS (q.v.\ Thus: Here's
goodly GEAR = Here's fine
doings; Here's a pretty kettle
of fish. As in Romeo and Juliet
(ii., 2, 106).
GEE, suds, (colloquial). — See GEE-
GEE.
Verb, (colloquial). — I. To go or
turn to the off-side ; used as a
direction to horses. Cf. : It. : gio
= Get on !
1480. Dialogus Creaturum. Et
cum sic gloriaretur, et cogitaret cum
quanta gloria duceretur ad ilium virum
super equum, dicendo, 'Gio! Gio!' cepit
pede percutere terram quasi pungeret
equum calcaribus.
2. (colloquial). — To move
faster : as a teemster to his horses,
' Gee up ! '
1824. Blackwooffs Mag., Oct. Mr.
Babb GE-HUPPED in vain, and strove to
jerk the rein, Nobbs felt he had his option
to work or play.
3. (colloquial). —To stop : as
1 Gee whoa ! '
To GEE WITH, verb. phr.
(colloquial). — To agree with ; to
fit ; to be congenial ; to go on all
fours with ; to do.
1690. B. E., Diet, of the Cant.
Crew, GEARS, s.v. ... It won't GEE, it
won't hit or go.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue. GEE,
it won't GEE, it won't hit or do, it does not
suit or fit.
1850. SEAWORTHY, Nag's Head,
ch. v., p. 35. It don't seem to GEE ! said
Isaac, as he was trying to adjust the
stove.
1888. Missouri Repub., 8 April. He
and Mrs. Barnay did not GEE.
GEE-GEE (or GEE). — subs, (com-
mon).— i. A horse. See GEE,
verb, in all senses. For synonyms,
see PRAD.
1888. Referee, 15 April, 1/2. In
nearly all other races they see most of the
GEES do a canter on their way up the
course.
1889. Pall Mall Gaz., 14 April.
He knows as much about GEE-GEE'S as a
professional trainer.
1890. Licensed Viet. Gaz. 8 Feb.
The GEES were all broken to the stable.
2. (colloquial). — The nick-
name among journalists (of the
interviewer, type) of Mr.
G(eorge) G(rossmith), better
known, perhaps, as the Society
Clown.
Gee-gee Dodge.
128
Gemini.
GEE-GEE DODGE, subs. phr. (trade).
— Selling horseflesh for beef.
1884. GREENWOOD, Veiled Mysteries.
The GEE-GEE DODGE . . . was seldom or
ever practised ... it was impossible . . .
to bargain for a regular supply.
GEEKIE, subs. (Scots thieves'). — A
police-station.
GEELOOT. See GALOOT.
GEESE, ALL HIS GEESE ARE
SWANS, phr. (colloquial). — He
habitually exaggerates, or EM-
BROIDERS (q.v); or, He is
always wrong in his estimates of
persons and things.
THE OLD WOMAN'S PICKING
HER GEESE (proverbial}. — Said
of a snowstorm. [The other leg
of the couplet (schoolboys')
runs : ' And selling the feathers
a penny a piece. ']
LIKE GEESE ON A COMMON
(colloquial). — Wandering in a
body, aggressive and at large :
e.g., as FADDISTS (q.v.) in pur-
suit of a FAD ; or members of
Parliament in recess, when both
sides go abqut to say the thing
which is in them.
GEEWHILIKENS I intj. (Western
American). — An exclamation of
surprise ; also JEEWHI LIKENS.
1888. Detroit Free Press. It is
on time? No? Three hours late?
GEEWHILIKENS !
GEEZER, subs, (popular). — An
appellation, sometimes, but not
necessarily, of derision and con-
tempt ; applied to both sexes,
but generally to women. Usually,
OLD GEEZER. For synonyms,
see WITCH.
1885. Truth about the Stage, p. 16.
If we wake up the old GEEZERS we shall
get notice to quit without compensation
1886. Broadside Ballad. 'Her
Mother's Got the Hump.' This frizzle-
headed old GEEZER had a chin on her as
rough — well, as rough as her family, and
they're rough 'uns.
1890. A. CHEVALIER, ' Knocked 'Em
in the Old Kent Road.' Nice old GEEZER
with a nasty cough.
1892. ANSTEY, Voces Populi, p. 82.
Our old GEESER'S perdoocin' the custimary
amount o' sensation.
GELDING, subs. (old). — A eunuch.
1380. WYCLIFFE, Trans, of the
Bible, Acts viii. 39. ... the spirit of the
Lord ravysched Filip, and the GELDYNGE
say him no more.
1659. TORRIANO, Vocabolario, s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicunt, s.v.
TO ENTER FOR THE GELD-
INGS* STAKES, verb. phr. (old). —
To castrate a man ; also used to
describe a eunuch.
GELT, subs. (old). — Money; GILT
(q.v.). Also GELTER. — (DuN-
COMBE, 1848).
1690. B. E., Diet, of the Cant.
Crew, s.v. There is no GELT to be got,
Trading is very dull.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicutn, s.v.
GEMINI! (or GEMINY! or JIMINY !)
intj. (common). — An exclamation
of surprise ; a mild oath.
[Generally referred to the Lat. :
Gemini = the Twins (i.e., Castor
and Pollux, the objects of an
old Roman oath) ; but Palmer
(Folk Etymology), traces the
interjection to the German, O
Gemine !; Dutch, Jemy Jemini ! ;
both abbreviated from the Latin,
0 Jesu Domine! ; or merely from
Jesu meus! ; Italian, Giesu mio!
It seems to have come in at the
Restoration.] Also O JIMMINY ! ;
Gemman.
129
Geneva Print.
O JlMMINY FlGS! O JlMMINY
GIG ! etc. : for the phrase has
pleased the cockney mind, and
been vulgarised accordingly.
1672. DRYDEN, The Assignation,
Act ii., Sc. 3. Ben. O GEMINI ! is it you,
sir?
1704. STEELE, Lying Lover, Act
iv., Sc. 3. Sim. I stay with you? Oh
GEMINI ! Indeed, I can't.
1731. FIELDING, The Lottery, Sc. 2.
Lord Lace ! Oh GEMINI ! who's that?
1780. MRS. COWLEY, The Belle's
Stratagem, iv., 2. Oh GEMINI ! beg the
petticoat's pardon.
1797. M. G. LEWIS, Castle Spectre,
iii., 3. Oh GEMINI! what would he use
with me, lady ?
1798. MORTON, Secrets Worth
Knowing, i., i. A parcel of lazy chaps,
I dare say — but I'll make them stir their
stumps. Well, here we are at last.— Oh
GEMINI GIG how my poor bones do ache !
1836. M. SCOTT, Tom Cringle's
Log, ch. i. ' GEMINI ! what is that now?'
quoth Tip again.
1863. READS, Hard Cash, I., 125..
0, JIMINY ! This polite ejaculation was
drawn out by the speaker's sudden recog-
nition of Alfred.
GEMMAN, subs, (vulgar). — A con-
traction of gentkman.
1550. Docteur Double- All (the word
occurs in this play).
c. 1551. L. SHEPHERD, John Bon
in Arber's Garner, iv., 107. Ye be the
jolliest GEMMAN that I ever saw in my life.
1767. COLMAN, Oxonian in Town, I.,
1. I am glad to see your honour's well. I
hope you left all the GEMMIN well at
Oxford.
1818. BYRON, Beppo, st. 86. At
home our Bow-street GEMMEN keep the
laws.
1834. AINSWORTH, Rook-wood, bk.
iii., ch. v. ... but knock down a
GEMMAN.
1851. BORROW, Lavengro, ch>. 26.
Here the gipsy GEMMAN see.
GEN, subs, (costers'). — A shilling.
Back slang, but cf. Fr., argent.
For synonyms, see BLOW.
1851-61. H. MAYHEW, Lond. Lab.
and Lond. Poor, vol. i., p. 19. I'll try
you a GEN (shilling) said a coster.
1887. Saturday Review, 14 May,
p. 700. The difficulty of inverting the
word shilling accounts for 'generalize,'
from which the abbreviation to GEN is
natural as well as affectionate.
GENDER, verb. (old). — To copu-
late. [An abbreviation of EN-
GENDER.] For synonyms, see
GREENS and RIDE.
1602. SHAKSPEARE, Othello, iv., a.
A cistern for foul toads To knot and
GENDER in.
1659. TORRIANO, Vocobolario, s.v,
1778. BAILEY, Eng. Diet., s.v.
1816. JOHNSON, Eng. Diet., s.v.
1892. Bible, Lev. xix., 19. Thou-
shalt not let thy cattle GENDER with a
diverse kind.
FEMININE GENDER, subs,
pkr. (schoolboys').— The female
pudendum. [As in the old
( schoolboys' ) rhyme : Amo,
amasy I loved a lass, And she was
tall and slender,. Amas, amat, I
laid her flat, And tickled her
FEMININE GENDER. Quoted
(with modifications) by Marryat
in Jacob Faithful, 1835.]
GENERALIZE, subs, (costers'). A
shilling. See GEN.
GENERATING PLACE, subs. phr.
(venery). — The female pudendum.
GENERATION TOOL, subs. phr.
(venery). — The penis. For syn-
onyms, see CREAMSTICK and
PRICK.
GENEVA PRINT, subs. phr. (old). —
Gin. For synonyms, see DRINKS
and SATIN.
1584-1640. MASSINGER (quoted in
Slang, Jargon, and Cant). And if you
meet an Officer preaching of sobriety,
Unless he read it in GENEVA PRINT,
Lay him by the heels.
Gen-net.
130
Gentleman.
GEN -NET, subs. phr. (back slang).
— Ten shillings.
GENNITRAF, subs, (back slang). —
A farthing.
GENOL, adj. (back slang). — Long.
GENT, subs, (once literary: now
vulgar). — I. A showily-dressed
vulgarian. [A contraction of
' gentleman. ']
1635. [GLAPTHORNE], Lady Mother,
in Bullen's Old Plays, ii., 114. Hees not
a GENT that cannot parlee. I must invent
some new and polite phrases.
1785. BURNS, Epistle to J. Lapraite,
st. n. Do ye envy the city GENT,
Behint a kist to lie and sklent ?
1843. THACKERAY, Irish Sketch
Book, ch. viii. The crowd of swaggering
GENTS (I don't know the corresponding
phrase in the Anglo-Irish vocabulary to
express a shabby dandy), awaiting the
Cork mail.
1844. DISRAELI, Coningsby, bk. IV.,
ch. ii. 'Ah, not in business! Hem ! pro-
fessional?' 'No,' said Coningsby, ' I am
nothing.' — ' Ah ! an independent GENT ;
hem ! and a very pleasant thing too.'
1846. Sunday Paper, 24 May. Mr.
Rawlinson (Magistrate at Marylebone
Police Court). What do you mean by
GENT ? There is no such word in our
language. I hold a man who is called a
GENT to be the greatest blackguard there
is.
1848. Punch, vol. XIV., p. 226. His
aversion for a GENT is softened by pity.
1869. Blue Budget. The GENT
indicates a being who apes the gentility
without the faintest shadow of a claim to
it.
2. (Old Cant). — Money.
[From Fr., argent.] For syn-
onyms, see ACTUAL and GILT.
1864. Revue des Deux Mondes, 15
Sept., p. 470. Lesvoleurs anglais disent
GENT pour 'argent.'
3. (colloquial). — A sweetheart,
a mistress : e.g., My GENT = my
particular friend.
Adj. (old literary). — Elegant
comely ; genteel.
1383. CHAUCER, Canterbury Tales.
' Miller's Tale.' [Skeat, 1878, i., 194]. As
any wesil her body GENT and small.
1553-99. SPENSER. He loved as was
his lot, a lady GENT. Idem. A knight had
wrought against a lady GENT.
1704. Mad. Knights Jour., p. 44.
Law you, sais she, it's right GENT, do you
take it — 'tis dreadfull pretty.
GENTILE, subs, (colloquial). Any
sort of stranger, native or
foreign ; among the Mormons,
any person not professing the
Gospel according to Joe Smith.
Hence, IN THE LAND OF THE
GENTILES — (i) in foreign parts;
and (2) in strange neighbourhoods
or alien society.
GENTLE, subs, (anglers'). — A
maggot ; vulgarly, GENTILE.
1811. Songs of the Chase. 'The
Jolly Anglers.' We have GENTLES in our
horns.
GENTLE CRAFT, subs. (old). — i.
The trade of shoemaking. [From
the romance of Prince Crispin,
who is said to have made shoes.]
1662. Rump Songs. ' A Hymn to
the Gentle Craft,' etc., ii. 152. Crispin
and he were nere akin : The GENTLE
CRAFT hath a noble kin.
2. (anglers'). — Angling.
1892. MILLIKEN, 'Any Ballads,
p. 65. Sez I, GENTLE CRAFT, Said I.
GENTLEMAN, subs, (thieves').—
A crowbar. For synonyms, see
JEMMY.
To PUT A CHURL (or BEGGAR)
UPON A GENTLEMAN, verb. phr.
(old). — To drink malt liquor
immediately after wint. — GROSE.
GENTLEMAN OF THE (THREE,
or FOUR, or FIVE) OUTS (or
INS), subs. phr. (old). — A
Gentleman.
13* Gentleman-ranker.
varying and ancient wheeze, of
which the following are repre-
sentative : —
Out of money, and out of clothes ; Out
at the heels, and out at the toes ; Out of
credit, and in debt.
A man in debt, in danger, and in
poverty ; or in gaol, indicted, and in danger
of being hanged.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1830. LYTTON, Paul Clifford, ch. iv.
Paul became A GENTLEMAN OF THREE
OUTS — out of pocket, out of elbows, and
out of credit.
1834 H. AINSWORTH, Rookwood,
Bk. III., ch. v. Jerry Juniper was what
the classical Captain Grose would designate
A GENTLEMAN WITH THREE OUTS, and,
although he was not entirely without wit,
nor his associates avouched, without
money, nor certainly, in his own opinion,
had that been asked, without manners.
GENTLEMAN OF THE BACK
(or BACKDOOR), subs. (old). — A
sodomist. For synonyms, see
USHER.
GENTLEMAN OF FORTUNE,
subs. phr. (common). — An
adventurer.
1890. R. L. STEVENSON, Treasure
Island, p. 149. c Why, in a place like
this, where nobody puts in but GENTLE-
MEN OF FORTUNE, Silver would fly the
iolly roger, you don't make no doubt of
that.
GENTLEMAN OF OBSERVA-
TION, subs. phr. (turf). — A tout.
GENTLEMAN OF THE ROUND,
subs. phr. (old). — An invalided
or disabled soldier, making his
living by begging.
1596. JONSON, Every Man in, etc.,
2. Your decaied, ruinous, worme-
eaten GENTLEMEN OF THE ROUND.
GENTLEMAN OF THE SHORT
STAFF, subs. phr. (old). — A
constable.
1839. AINSWORTH, Jack Sheppard
(1889), p. 12. In the language of the
GENTLEMAN OF THE SHORT STAFF an
important caption could be effected.
GENTLEMAN OF THE FIST,
subs. phr. (pugilists'). — A prize-
fighter.
1819. MOORE, Totn Crit, p. 44.
Furnish such GENTLEMEN OF THE FIST.
GENTLEMAN IN BROWN, subs,
phr. (common). — A bed bug.
For synonyms, see NORFOLK
HOWARD.
1885. G. A. SAL A in Daily Telegraph^
14 Aug., 5/3. Bed bugs, the convertible
term for which is ' chintzes,' are the dis-
agreeable insects known in modern polite
English as ' Norfolk Howards,' or
GENTLEMEN IN BROWN.
THE LITTLE GENTLEMAN IN
BROWN VELVET, subs. phr.
(obsolete).— A mole. [The Tory
toast after the death of William
III., whose horse was said to
have stumbled over a mole-hill.]
GENTLEMAN OF THE GREEN
BAIZE ROAD, subs. phr. (game-
sters').— A card sharper.
GENTLEMAN COMMONER, subs.
phr. (University). — I. A privi-
leged class of commoners at
Oxford, wearing a special cut of
gown and a velvet cap.
2. (common). — An empty
bottle. Also FELLOW-COMMONER
(q.v.). [A sarcastic allusion to
the mental capacity of this class
of student.] For synonyms, see
DEAD-MAN.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
GENTLEMAN-RANKER, subs.
(military). — A broken gentleman
serving in the ranks.
1892. KIPLING, Barrack Room Bal-
lads. ' Gentlemen Rankers.' GENTLE-
MAN-RANKERS out on th« spree, Damned
from here to eternity, God ha' mercy on
such as we, Baa ! Yah ! Bah !
Gentleman's.
132
George.
GENTLEMAN'S COMPANION, subs,
phr. (common). — A louse. For
synonyms, see CHATES.
1785. GBOSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
GENTLEMAN'S MASTER, subs. phr.
(old). — A highwayman. — GROSE.
GENTLEMAN'S (or LADIES') PIECE,
subs. phr. (colloquial). — A small
or delicate portion ; a TIT-BIT.
GENTLEMAN'S PLEASURE - GAR -
DEN, subs. phr. (venery). — The
female pudendum. For syn-
onyms, see MONOSYLLABLE.
[Hence, GENTLEMAN'S PLEA-
SURE - GARDEN PADLOCK =
menstrual cloth,]
GENTLEMEN'S SONS, subs. phr.
(common). — The three regiments
of Guards.
GENTLY I intj. (stables' and
colloquial). — An interjection =
STAND STILL (q.v.) ; hence, collo-
quially, = don't get into a pas-
sion, GO SLOW, (q.V.).
GENTRY COVE (or COFE), subs.
(old cant). — A gentleman ; a
NIB - COVE (q.v.). Fr,, ^in
messire de la haute.
1567. HARMAN, Caveat, s.v.
1656.. BROME, J<sviall Crew,. Act ii.
For all this bene Cribbing and Peck let us
then, Bowse a health to the GENTRY
COFE of the Ken.
1654. Witts' Recreations. As priest
of the game, And prelate of the same.
There's a GENTRY COVE here.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1822. SCOTT, Fortunes of Nigel, ch.
Tour the bien mort twiring the GENTRY
COVE.
1837. DISRAELI, Venetia, p. 71. The
GENTRY cove will be ramboyled by his
GENTRY COVE'S KEN (or GENTRY-
KEN),^^, phr. (Old Cant).— A
gentleman's house.
1567. HARMAN, Caveat (1814), p. 65.
A GENTRY COKE'S KEN, a noble or gentle-
man's house. A GENTRY COFE, a noble or
gentle man.
1610. ROWLANDS, Martin Mark-all,
p. 38 (H. Club's Rept., 1874). GENTRY
COVE'S KEN, a gentleman's house.
1690. B. E., Diet, of the Cant.
Crew, s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
GENTRY MORT, subs. phr. (old
cant). — A lady.
1567. HARMAN, Caveat (1814), p. 65.
A GENTRY MORT, a noble or gentle woman.
1610. ROWLANDS, Martin Ma->k-all,
p. 38 (H. Club's Rept., 1874). GENTRY
MORT, a gentlewoman.
1728. BAILEY, Eng. Diet., s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
GENUINE, subs. (Winchester Col-
lege).— Praise.
Adj. ( colloquial ). — Trust-
worthy ; not false nor double-
faced.
Verb. (Winchester College). —
To praise. ' He was awfully
quilled and GENUINED my task.'
[Probably from calling a thing
genuine. Cf., to blackguard, to
lord, etc. But fifty years ago it
was a subs. only. — Notions.]
GEORDIE, subs. (North Country). —
I. A pitman ; also, a Northum-
brian in general.
2. ( nautical ). — A North
Country collier.
3. See GEORGE.
GEORGE (or Scots' diminutive
GEORDIE), subs. (old), i.— A half
crown. Also (obsolete), the
noble = 6j.8t/.,/<?wA, Henry VIII
George Home.
Gerrymander.
1688. SHADWELL, Sq. of Ahatia,
List of cant words. GEORGE, half-a-
crown.
1690. B. E., Diet, of the Cant. Crew.
He tipt me Forty GEORGES for my earnest,
He paid me Five Pounds for my Share or
Snack.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
2. (old). — A guinea; also more
frequently YELLOW GEORGE.
1785 GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1787. BURNS, The Twa Dogs. The
YELLOW-lettered GEORDIE keeks.
3. (old).— A penny.
1820. REYNOLDS, The Fancy,
Glossary. A Penny-piece— a GEORGY.
BROWN GEORGE. — See Ante.
BY FORE, or BY GEORGE. —
See BY GEORGE.
GEORGE HORNE, intj. (printers').—
A derisive retort on a piece of
stale news. Also G. H. ! [From
a romancing compositor of the
name.]
GEORGY- PORGY, verb (colloquial).—
To pet ; to fondle ; to be-
slobber.
1883. R. L. STEVENSON, The Treas-
ure of Franchard, ch. iii., in Longman's
Magazine, April, p. 685. He must be
spoken to with more respect, I tell you ;
he must not be kissed and GEORGY-PORGY'D
like an ordinary child.
GERMAN. THEGERMAN, subs.phr.
(New York). — A round dance.
GERMAN DUCK, subs.phr. (obsolete).
— I. Half a sheep's head, stewed
with onions. — GROSE.
2. (common). —A bed bug. For
synonyms, .^NORFOLK HOWARD.
GERMAN FLUTES, subs. phr.
(rhyming).— A pair of boots.
GERMANTOWNER, subs. (American
billiards'). — A pushing shot —
when the balls played with, and
at, are jarred together. Cf.t
WHITECHAPELLER.
GERRY, subs. (Old Cant). — Excre-
ment.
3567. HARM AN, Caveat, s.v.
GERRY GAN, intj. (Old Cant).— A
retort forcible. STOW IT ! (q.v.).
. [From GERRY = excrement + GAN
= mouth, i.e., literally, Shit in
your mouth.] The common form
is : Shit (or a turd) in your teeth ;
as in BEN JONSON, Bartholomew
Fair, 1614. Fr., Tais ta gueule
oufte chie dedans.
1567. HARM AN, Caveat. GBRRY
GAN-, the ruffian cly thee.
GERRYMANDER (pronounced with
the *g' hard, as in 'get'), verb.
(political American). — To arrange
the electoral subdivisions of a
State -to the profit and advantage
of a particular party.
[The term, says Norton, is derived
from the name of Governor Gerry, of
Massachusetts, who, in 1811, signed a Bill
readjusting the representative districts so
as to favour the Democrats and weaken
the Federalists, although the last-named
party polled nearly two-thirds of the votts
cast. A fancied resemblance of a map of
the districts thus treated led Stuart, the
painter, to add a few lines with his pencil,
and say to Mr. Russell, editor of the
Boston Sentinel, 'That will do for a
Salamander.' Russell glanced at it:
' Salamander,' said he, ' call it a GERRY-
MANDER ! ' The epithet took at once, and
became a Federalist war-cry, the
caricature being published as a campaign
document.^
1871. Boston Daily Advertiser,
6 Dec. GERRIMANDER was the name
printed under a picture of a pretended
monster, whose shape was modified from
the distorted geography which Mr.
Gerry's friends inflicted on part of the
State for the sake of economizing,
majorities.
Gerrymandering. X34
Get.
GERRYMANDERING, subs, (political
American). See GERRYMANDER.
1872. New York Sunday Mercury,
31 March. The Legislature of Ohio
intends to prove itself a veritable master
in the GERRYMANDERING business.
1890. Athenceum, 22 Feb. p. 23 8, c.
i. Whatever faults can be found with Sir
John's administration, it has been good and
successful enough to afford excuse for all
the GERRYMANDERING with which he is
charged by his critics.
1891. Belforfs Mag., Aug., p. 439.
The Democrats of Michigan have carried
the art of GERRYMANDERING to such an ex-
tent that they have thoroughly disgusted
their opponents.
GERUND-GRINDER, subs, (com-
mon).— A schoolmaster, especi-
ally a pedant. Also GERUND-
GRINDING.
1759-67. STERNE Tristam Shandy*
iv.r 112. Tutors, governors, GERUND-
GRINDERS, and bear-leaders.
1788. KNOX, Winter Evenings, 59.
A pedant, a mere plodder, a petty tyrant, a
tiERUND-GRINDER.
1825-7. HONE, Every Day Book,
?!•> P- 33- GERUND-GRINDING and pars-
ing are usually prepared for at the last
moment.
GET,.ft*£.r.(old). — I. A cheating con-
trivance ; a HAVE (q.v.\.
2* (old).— A child ; the result,
that is, of an act of procreation or
begetting. Thus, ONE OF HIS
GETS = one of his making ;
WHOSE GET IS THAT ?= Who's
the father? It's his GET, any-
how = At all events he GOT it.
1570. SCOTTISH TEXT SOCIETY,
Satirical Poems, I., 171, 'Treason of
Dumbarton ' (1891). Ganelon's GETS, re-
licts of Sinon's seed.
*/1796. BURNS, Merry Muses, Tor
a1 that.' O' bastard GETTS some had a
score, An' some had mair than a' that.
1891. N. GOULD, Double Event, p.
41. This, again, is unusual for a Chester,
as his GET are generally quiet and docile,
but a bit lazy.
GET ! (or You GET !) intj.
(American). — Short for GET OUT!
Usually, GlT ! (q.v.}.
1892. HUME NISBET, Bushrangers
Sweetheart, p. 176. None of your
damned impertinence. Get !
To GET AT, verb. phr. (collo-
quial).— i. To quiz ; to banter ;
to aggravate ; to take a rise out
of. Also TO GET BACK AT.
1891. Slower* s Half Holiday, 3 Jan.
'Your family don't seem to get on, missie.'
lOn!' replied the child, with dignity
flashing from her great blue eyes ; ' on !
I've got a father on the booze, a sister on
the music 'all, an' a brother on the tread-
mill. On ! who're ye GETTIN' AT ? '
2. (racing and colloquial). — To
influence j to bribe ; to nobble
(of horses), and to corrupt (of
persons) ; applied to horse, owner,
trainer, jockey, and vet. alike.
1870. Spectator, 23 April. That, of
course, makes it profitable for owners to>
withdraw horses they have secretly betted
against, and for scoundrels, to- GET AT
horses.
1871. Saturday Review, 9 Sept. It is
quite clear that some of the foreign, work-
ing men have been GOT AT.
1883. Graphic, 17 March, p. 262, c.
2. The House of Commons . . . can also
be trusted to decide in local questions
without any suspicion of being GOT AT,
as is sometimes the case elsewhere.
1883. BADMINTON LIBRARY, Steeple-
chasing, p. 404. Suspicions that the mare
had been GOT AT, that is to say, drugged,
were afterwards noised abroad.
1888. Daily Telegraph, 17 Nov. It
was strongly suspected that he had been
GOT AT.
1890. Globe, n Aug., p. i, c. i.
Fancy the professional agitator trying to
GET AT such men as these — men who
gloried in being soldiers and nothing else t
1892. Pall Mall Gazette, May 10,
p. 3, c. 3. The scoundrels (verily of the
lowest foi
Orme.
form) who have tried to GET AT
1892 National Observer, vii. 630,
If the horse were GOT AT, then a bookie
who stood heavily to lose is probably
assumed.
Get.
Get.
TO GET ABOUT. verb, phr.
(venery). — To do the act of intro-
mission. For synonyms, see
GREENS and RIDE.
To GET BACK AT, verb. phr.
(colloquial). — To satirise ; to call
to account.
1888. Daily Inter-Ocean. The news-
papers are GETTING BACK at Sam.
GET BACK INTO YOUR BOX !
phr. (American). — An injunction
to silence ; STOW IT ! (q.v. for
synonyms).
To GET ENCORED, verb. phr.
(tailors'). — To have a job returned
for alterations.
To GET EVEN WITH, verb. phr.
(common). — To take one's re-
venge ; to give tit for tat.
To GET IT, verb. phr. (collo-
quial).— To be punished (morally
or physically) ; to be called over
the coals. Also (venery) to catch
a clap.
To GET OFF, verb. phr. (collo-
quial).— To (i) escape punish-
ment, to be let off ; (2) to utter,
to deliver oneself of, to perpetrate
— as to get off a joke ; and (3) to
get married.
To GET ON, verb. phr. (collo-
quial).— i. To back a horse; to
put a BIT ON (q.v.).
2. (colloquial).— To succeed ;
or, simply, to fare. Thus,
HOW ARE YOU GETTING ON?
may signify (i) To what extent
are you prospering? or (2) How
are you doing?
1871. Pall MallGaz., 29 Dec. That
great Anglo-Saxon passion of rising in the
world, or GETTING ON — that is, rising
into the class above him.
1892. A. W. PINERO, The Times:
a Comedy, v. i. We used to go very
early to such places and stay right
through, now that papa has GOT ON, we
arrive late everywhere and murmur an
apology !
TO GET ONE IN THE COLD,
verb. phr. (American). — To have
at an advantage ; to be on the
WINDWARD SIDE (q*V.) ; TO
HAVE ON TOAST (q.V. ).
To GET ONE ON, verb. phr.
(pugilists'). — To land a blow.
TO GET DOWN FINE (or CLOSE),
verb. phr. (American). — To know
all about one's antecedents ; and
(police) to know where to find
one's man.
To GET INTO, verb. phr. (ve-
nery).— To OCCUPY (q.v.). Also
To GET IN and To GET UP. For
synonyms, see GREENS and RIDE.
1620. PERCY, Folio MSS., p. 197.
GETT vp againe, Billy, if that thou louest
me.
To GET OVER, verb. phr. (col
loquial). — To seduce, to fascinate,
to dupe. Also To COME OVER.
and To GET ROUND.
To GET OUTSIDE OF, verb,
phr. (colloquial). — I. To eat or
drink ; also to accomplish one's
purpose.
1892. S. WATSON, Wops the Waif,
p. p. Tickle urged Wops again and
again to drink, but Wops's only reply was,
' Yer go on, Tickle ; git OUTSIDE the lot,
if yer can ; it'll do yer good, Cully.'
2. (venery). — To receive the
sexual embrace : of women only.
TO GET OUT OF BED ON THE
WRONG SIDE, verb. phr. (collo-
quial). — To be testy or cross-
grained. [A corruption of an old
saying, ' To rise on the right side is
accounted lucky ' ; hence the re-
verse meant trials to temper, pa-
tience, and luck.]
1607. MARSTON, What You Will.
YOU RISE ON YOUR RIGHT SIDE to-day,
marry.
1608. MACHIN, Dumb Knight, iv., i.
Sure I said my prayers, RIS'D ON MY RIGHT
SIDE, Wash'd hands and eyes, put on my
Get.
Getter.
girdle last ; Sure I met no splea-footed
baker, No hare did cross me, nor no
bearded witch, Nor other ominous sign
1614. Terence in English. C. What
doth shee keepe house alreadie? D. Al-
readie. C. O good God ! ; WE ROSE ON THE
RIGHT SIDE to-day.
1647. BEAUMONT and FLETCHER, i.
Women Pleased. You ROSE o' YOUR
RIGHT SIDE.
1890. Globe, 15 May, p. 2, col. 2.
Some of them had — if we may employ such
a vulg.ir expression — GOT OUT OF BED ON
THE WRONG SIDE.
To GET OUT (or ROUND), verb,
phr. (racing). — To back a horse
against which one has previously
laid; to HEDGE ^.7/.).
1884. HAWLEY SMART, From Post to
Finish, p. 318. He had an idea Johnson
was this time cleverly working a very well
authorised commission, and that he person-
ally had taken more than one opportunity
of what is termed GETTING OUT,
To GET SET, verb, phr, (cricket-
ing). — i. To warm to one's
work at the wicket, and col-
lar the bowling ; to get one's eye
well in.
To GET THERE, verb. phr.
(colloquial). — To attain one's
object ; to be successful ; TO
MAKE ONE'S JACK (q.V.) ', TO GET
THERE WITH BOTH FEET = to
be very successful.
1887. FRANCIS, Saddle and Mocassin.
He said as he'd been gambHng, and was
two hundred dollars ahead of the town.
He GOT THERE WITH BOTH FEET at starting.
1888. New York Herald, 29 July.
Although not a delegate he GOT THERE all
the same.
2. (common). — To get druak.
For synonyms, see DRINKS and
SCREWED.
3. (venery). — To enjoy the
Sexual favour.
To GET THROUGH, verb. phr.
(colloquial). —To pass an exami-
nation ; to accomplish.
1853. BRADLEY, Verd. Green, II.
ch. xii. So you see, Giglamps, I'm safe
feO GET THROUGH.
To GET UP AND DUST, verb,
phr. (American). — To depart
hastily. For synonyms, see SKE^
DADDLE and AMPUTATE.
TO GET UP BEHIND (or GET
BEHIND) A MAN, verb. phr.
(common). — To endorse or back
a bill.
1880. Life in a Debtor's Prisvn,
p. 87. In other cases he figured as the
drawer, or simply as endorser, This, Mr,
Whipper described as GETTING UP BEHIND,
TO GET UP THE MAIL, verb,
phi. (thieves'). — To find money
(as counsels' fees,, etc.) for
defence.
1889. CLARKSON and RICHARDSON,
Police, 322, s.v.
[GET enters into many other combina-
tions. See RACK TEETH J BAG Or SACK ;
BEAD J BEANS ; BEAT \ BIG BIRD and
GOOSE. ; BIG HEAD \ BILLET \ BIT J
BOAT ', BOLT ; BOOKS J BULGE \ BULLET ;
BOLL'S FEATHER ; OROCKETTS \ DANDER
and MONKEY; DARK ; DROP; EYE ;
FLANNELS J FLINT J GAME ; GRAND"
BOUNCE J GRAVEL - RASH J GRIND ;
GRINDSTONE; HAND-; HANG; HAT;
HEAD J HIP Or HOP ; HOME J HOXN ;
HOT J JACK J KEEN J LENGTH OF ONE $
FOOT J MEASURE J MITTEN J NEEDLE ;
RELIGION ; RISE ; RUN J. SCOT> SWOTr OF
SCRAPE ; SET ; SHUT OF ; SILK ; SNUFF;
STRAIGHT; SUN; TICKET aF LEAVE:;
WOOL ; WRO-NG BOX. I
G E T A w A Y > suds. (American
thieves'). — A locomotive or train j
a PUFFER (q~V.).
GETTER. A SURE GETTER, subs,
phr. (Scots). — A procreant male
with a great capacity for fertiliza*--
tion.
Get-tip.
Ghost.
GET-UP, subs, (colloquial). — i.
Dress ; constitution and appear-
ance ; disguise. See GET - UP,
verb, sense I.
1856. WHYTE MELVILLE, Kate
Coventry, ch. xiv. Is that killing GET UP
entirely for your benefit, John ? I asked.
1865. G. A. SALA, Trip to Barbary,
ch. x. Altogether the GET UP of a
Mauresque en promenade is livelier and
smarter than that of a Turkish woman.
1866. G. ELIOT, Felix Holt, ch. xii.
The graceful, well-appointed Mr. Chris-
tian, who sneered at Scales about his GET
UP, having to walk back to the house with
only one tail to his coat.
1882. Graphic, g Dec., p. 643, c. 2.
Comic GETS UP, which will make the
house roar presently, are elaborated with
the business air of a judge in bane, or a
water-rate collector.
1889. Mirror, 26 Aug., p. 2, c. i. I
cannot, however, congratulate F. C. G. on
his sketch of Blowitz ; it isn't much like the
great man, and the GET UP is quite too
absurd .
1890. Daily Telegraph, 25 Feb., p. 7.
col. 7. Dressed as a copurchic, and, giving
himself out as an Italian count — thinking
to entrap some Transatlantic heiress by his
title, fascinating appearance, and gor-
geous GET UP.
Verb. phr. (colloquial).— (i).
To prepare (a part, a paper,
a case) ; (2) to arrange (a
concert) ^ (3) to dress (as GOT
UP REGARDLESS, TO THE
NINES, TO THE KNOCKER,
TO KILL, WITHIN AN INCH OF
ONE'S LIFE) ; (4) to disguise (as a
sailor, a soldier, Henry VIII., a
butcher, a .nun). See also GET
INTO.
in the most unambitious style.
1856. WHYTE MELVILLE, Kate
Coventry, ch. xviii. Three very gentleman-
like, good-looking men, GOT UP to the
utmost extent of hunting splendour.
1864. Eton School Days, ch. xviii.,
p. 207. He felt confident in his power of
GETTING UP so that no one would recog-
nise him.
1866. Ne-wYork Home Journal, Jan.
While that admirable old dame, Nature,
has been strangely neglectful of much
which might be conducive to our comfort,
she has GOTTEN UP, REGARDLESS OF EX-
PENSE, a few articles which are good for some
purposes, as the witty Hood has told us.
1871. London Figaro, n Mar. It is
GOT UP very much in the style of the Paris
journals, and is very inferior compared
with any respectable journal in England.
Polytechnic Magazine, 24
, He
piebald trousers.
Oct., p. 261. He came specially GOT UP in
' ' ild f
1892. CHEVALIER. ' The Little
Nipper.' I've knowed 'im take a girl on six
feet tall ; 'E'd GIT 'IMSELF UP dossy, Say
' I'm goin' out wi' Flossie.'
G.H. See GEORGE HORNE.
GHASTLY, adj. and adv. (collo-
quial).— Very: a popular inten-
sitive; Cf., AWFUL, BLOODY,
FUCKING.
GHOST, subs, (common). — One
who secretly does artistic or
literary work for another person
taking the credit and receiving
the price. [The. erm was fre-
quently used during the trial of
Lawes v. Belt in i88(?).] Cf.,
DEVIL.
1890. Daily Telegraph, 8 Feb. The
sculptor's GHOST is conjured up from the
vasty deep of byegone lawsuits.
1892. National Observer, vii., 327
Would not the unkind describe your
' practical man ' as a GHOST ?
Verb, (common). — To prowl ;
to spy upon ; TO SHADOW (q.v.).
THE GHOST WALKS (or DOES
NOT WALK) phr. (theatrical). —
There is (or is not) money in the
treasury.
1853. Household Words, No. 183.
When no salaries are forthcoming the
GHOST DOESN'T WALK.
Ghoul.
138
Gibberish.
1883. Referee, 24 June, p. 3, c. 2.
An Actor's Benevolent Fund box placed on
the treasurer's desk every day when THE
GHOST WALKS would get many an odd shil-
ling or sixpence put into it.
1885. The Stage, p. 112. • The rogues
seldom appear at a loss for a plausible
story when it is time for the GHOST TO
WALK. Ibid. The next day THE GHOST
DECLINES TO WALK.
1889. J. C. COLMAN (in Slang,
Jargon, and Cant), p. 405. GHOST-
WALKING, a term originally applied by an
impecunious stroller in a snaring com-
pany to the operation of ' holding the
treasury,' or paying the salaries, which
has become a stock facetiae among all
kinds and descriptions of actors. Instead
of enquiring whether the treasury is open,
they generally say — ' Has the GHOST
WALKED?' or 'What, has this thing
appeared again ? ' (Shakspeare).
1800. Illustrated Bits, 29 Mar., p.
n, c. i. And a few nights with empty
benches LAID THE GHOST completely. It
could not even WALK to the tune of
quarter salaries.
THE GHOST OF A CHANCE,
subs. phr. (colloquial). — The
faintest likelihood, or the slightest
trace : e.g., He hasn't THE
GHOST OF A CHANCE.
1891. Sportsman, 26 Mar. He did
not give THE GHOST OF A CHANCE.
GHOUL, subs. (American.) — I. A
spy ; specifically a man who
preys on such manied women as
addict themselves to assignation
houses.
2. (journalistic). — A news-
paper chronicler of the smallest
private tittle-tattle.
GIB, subs, (colloquial). — I. Gib-
raltar. Once a penal station :
whence — 2. A gaol.
1877. Five Years' Penal Servitude,
ch. iii., p. 221. I did a lagging of seven,
and was at the GIB three out of it.
1892. Pall Mall Gazette, 23 Mar.,
p. 6, c. i. 'Stormy Weather at GIB.'
The weather here has been fearful ; 51
inches of rain have been registered, and
the land for miles round Gibraltar is
submerged.
To HANG ONE'S GIB, verb. phr.
(colloquial). — To pout. See JIB.
GIBBERISH (or GEBBERISH, GIB-
BERIDGE, GlBRIGE, etc.), subs.
(old : now recognised). — Origi-
nally the lingo of gipsies, beggars,
etc. Now, any kind of inarticulate
nonsense. [From GIBBER, a
variant of JABBER.] See CANT,
SLANG, PEDLAR'S FRENCH, etc.
1594. NASHE, Unf. Traveller, in
wks., y., 68. That all cried out upon him
mightily in their GIBRIGE, lyke a companie
of beggers.
1598. FLORIO, Worlde of Wordes.
Gergare, to speak fustian, pedlers french,.
or rogues language, or GIBBRISH.
1611. COTGRAVE, Dictionarie.
Jargon, GIBRIDGE fustian language,
pedler s French, a barbarus jangling.
1638. H. SHIRLEY, Martyrd
Souldier, Act iii., Sc. 4. Feele my pulse
once again and tell me, Doctor, Tell me
in tearmes that I may understand, — I doe
not love your GIBBERISH, — tell me honestly
Where the Cause lies, and give a Remedy.
1659. TORRIANO, Vocabolario, s.v.
1748. T. DYCHE, Dictionary (sth
ed.)- GIBBERISH (s.) an unintelligible
jargon, or confused way of speaking, used
by the gipsies, beggars, etc., to disguise
their wicked designs ; also any discourse
where words abound more than sense.
1748. SMOLLETT, Rod. Random,
ch. xxx. He repeated some GIBBERISH
which by the sound seemed to be Irish.
1817. SCOTT, Rob Roy, ch. viii.
Since that d d clerk of mine has taken
his GIBBERISH elsewhere.
1850. D. JERROLD The Catspaw
Act i. Odds and ends . . . writ down in
such a kind of GIBBERISH that I can't make
out one of 'em.
1858. G. ELIOT, Mr. Gilfifs Love
Story, ch. iv. It'll learn to speak summat
better nor GIBBERISH, an" be brought up i'
the true religion.
1892. R. L. STEVENSON and L.
OSBOURNE, The Wrecker, p. 129. It was
Fo'c's'le Jack that piped and drawled his
ungrammatical GIBBERISH.
Gibble-Gabble.
Gibus.
GIBBLE-GABBLE, subs, (colloquial).
— Nonsense; GIBBERISH (q.v.).
[A reduplication of GABBLE (q.v.).~\
1600. DEKKER, Shoemakers Holiday,
in wks. (1873) i., 21. Hee'ssome uplandish
workeman, hire him good master, That I
may learne some GIBBLE GABBLE, 'twill
make us worke the faster.
1659. TORRIANO, Vocabolario, s.v.
1748. T. DYCHE, Dictionary (sthed.).
GIBBLE-GABBLE (s), silly, foolish, idle
talk.
GIB-CAT, subs, (old), — A tom-cat.
[An abbreviation of Gilbert = O.
Fr. : Tibert, the cat in the fable of
Reynard the Fox.]
1360. CHAUCER, Rotnaunt of the
Rose, 6204 (Thibert le Cos is rendered by
GIBBE, our cat).
1598. SHAKSPEARE, i Henry IV.,
Act i., Sc. 2. I am as melancholy as a GIB-
CAT.
1614. JONSON, Bartholomew Fair,
i., i. Before I endure such another day
with him, I'll be drawn with a good GIB-
CAT through the great pond at home.
1663. Rump Songs. ' Rump Car-
bonadoed,' ii., 71. As if they had less
wit and grace than GIB-CATS.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
GIBE, verb. (American). — To go
well with ; to be acceptable. See
GEE.
GIBEL, verb, (thieves'). — To bring.
1837. DISRAELI, Venetia, bk. i.,
ch. xiv. GIBEL the chive, bring the knife.
GIB-FACE, subs, (colloquial). — A
heavy jowl ; an UGLY-MUG (q.v.).
Of., TO HANG ONE'S GIB.
GIBLETS, subs, (common). — i. The
intestines generally; the MANI-
FOLD (q.V.). Cf., TROUBLE-
GIBLETS.
1864. BROWNING, Dramatis
Persona ' Flight of the Duchess.' Is
pumped up briskly through the main
ventricle, And floats me genially round
the GIBLETS.
2. (colloquial). — A fat man ;
FORTY-GUTS (q.V.). Also DUKE
OF GIBLETS.
To JOIN GIBLETS, verb. phr.
(venery) — To copulate. Also
TO HAVE Or DO A BIT OF GIBLET-
PIE. For synonyms, see RIDE.
Hence to cohabit as husband and
wife; TO LIVE TALLY. Cf.,
PLASTER OF WARM GUTS.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1887. Notes and Queries, 7 S., iv.,
511. 'To JOIN GIBLETS.' — This expres-
sion may occasionally be heard in this
district, among the lowest and vulgarest,
and has a very offensive meaning.
To FRET ONE'S GIBLETS, verb,
^r. — See FRET.
GIBRALTAR, subs. (American). — A
party stronghold: e.g., the GIB-
RALTAR of Democracy. —
NORTON.
GIBSON (or SIR JOHN GIBSON),
subs, (old coach builders'). — A rest
to support the body of a building
coach.
GIBUS, subs, (colloquial). — i. An
opera, or crush hat. Fr., un
accordion. [From the name of
the inventor.]
1867. JAS. GREENWOOD, Unsent.
. West- End aristocrat
coats and GIBUS hats.
Journeys, iii., 21. West- End aristocrats,
with spotless jean c
1871. Figaro, 2 Sept. Much fun
may be made by wearing a GIBUS, and
collapsing it at the moment of contact
with the funnel.
1885. Punch, 4 Apr., p. 160. Giving
his comic, shiny, curly-brimmed hat to
the swell who couldn't by any possible
chance have mistaken it for his own
GIBUS.
1887. ATKIN, House Scraps, p. 144.
Their GIBUS hats are cock'd awry.
Giddy.
140
Gig.
GIDDY, adj. (colloquial). — Flighty ;
wanton : e.g., TO PLAY THE
GIDDY GOAT = to live a fast life ;
to be happy-go-lucky.
1892. Ally Sloper, 19 Mar., p. 91,
c. 2. Fanny Robinson was flighty ;
she PLAYED THE GIDDY ox — I mean
heifer.
GlFFLE-GAFFLE, subs, (old).— Non-
sense ; a variant of GIBBLE -
GABBLE (q.V.\
1787. GROSE, Prov. Glossary. GIFF-
GAFF, unpremeditated discourse.
GIF - GAP (or GIFF - GAFF), subs.
(Scots'). — A bargain on equal
terms. Whence the proverb :
GIF-GAP maks guid friens. Fr. :
Passe-moi la casse etje fenverrai
la senne.
GIFT, subs, (colloquial). — I. Any-
_ thing, lightly gained or easily won.
^2. (common).-— A white: speck
on the finger nails, supposed to
portend a gift.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
J. (printers'). — See .GIFT-
HOUSE.
As FULL OF GIFTS AS A
'BRAZEN AHORSE OF FARTS, phr.
(old). — Mean ; miserly ; disin-
clined to PART (^.fc.).
1811 Lexicon Balatronicutn, s.v
GIFT OF THE GAB. — See GAB.
GIFT -HOUSE (or GIFT), subs.
(printers'). — A club; a house of
call ; specifically for the purpose
of finding employment, or provid-
ing allowances for members.
GIG (GIGG, GIGGE), subs, (old).— -a.
a wanton ; a mistress ; a flighty
girl. Cf., GIGLET.
1373. CHAUCER, House of Fame, iii.
851. This house was also ful of GYGGES.
1690. B. E., Diet, of the Cant.
Crew. A young GIG, a wanton lass?.
1780. D'ARBLEY, Diary, etc. ,(1876), i.,
286. Charlotte L called, and the little
GIG told . . . of the domestic life she led
in^her family, and made them all ridiculous,
without meaning to make herself so.
1825. PLANCHE, Success in Extrava-
ganzas (1879) L, 26. He! he! What a
GIG you look in that hat and feather !
1832. MACAU LAY in Life, by TRE-
VELYAN (1884), ch. v., p. 188. Be you
Foxes, be you Pitts, You must write to
silly chits, Be you Tories, be you Whigs,
You must write to sad young GIGS.
2. (old). — A jest ; a piece of
nonsense ; anything fanciful or
frivolous. Hence, generally, in
contempt.
1590. NASHE, PasquiFs Apologie, in
wks. Vol. L, p. 234. A right cutte of
the worde, withoute GIGGES or fancies of
haereticall and newe opinions.
1793. BUTT, Poems. . . . Fograms,
quizzes, treats, and bores, and GIGS, Wer«
held in some account with ancient prigs.
1856. WHYTE MELVILLE, Kate Cov-
entry, ch. xiv. Such a set of GIGS, my
dear, I never saw in my life ; large under-
bred horses, and not a good-looking man
amongst them.
3. (old).— The nose. For
synonyms, see CONK. To
SNITCHELL THE GIG = tO pull the
nose. GRUNTER'S Gic=a hog's
snout.
1690. B. E., Diet, of the Cant.
Crew, s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
4. (venery). — The female
pudendum. For synonyms, see
MONOSYLLABLE. [Possibly from
GlG = atop, i.e., a toy; possibly,
too, from It. giga = -a. FIDDLE
(q.v.} ; but see post sense 8.]
1690. B. E., Diet, of the Cant.
•Crew, s.v.
1785 GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
Gig.
141
Giggles -nest.
5. (old : now recognised). — A
light two-wheeled vehicle drawn
by one horse.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1809. WINDHAM, Speech, 25 May.
Let the former riders in GIGS and whiskeys,
and one horsed carriages continue to ride
in them.
6. (old). — A door. See
GIGGER.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue. It is
all bob, now let's dub the GIGG of the
case : now the coast is clear, let us break
open the door of the house.
7. (Eton). — A fool ; an over-
dressed person. For synonyms,
see SAMMY-SOFT.
1797. COLMAN, Heir at Law, iv.,
3. Dick.— What a.damn'd GIG you look
like. Pangloss. — A GIG ! umph,! that's an
Eton phrase — the Westminsters call it
Quiz.
1870. Athenteum, 16 Apr. He
would now be what Eton used to call a
GIG, and Westminster a Quiz.
8. (old). — Fun ; a frolic ; a
spree. [Possibly from Fr. :
gigue — z. lively dance movement.
Cf"> gigue et jon=a. Bacchanalian
exclamation of sailors. In Florio,
too, frottolare — ' to sing GIGGES,
rounds, or . . . . wanton verses. ']
FULL OF GIG = full of laughter,
ripe for mischief.
1811. MOORE, Twopenny Post-bag,
Letter 3. We were all in high GIG — Roman
punch and tokay travelled round, till our
heads travelled just the same way.
1820. RANDALL, Diary. In search
of lark, or some delicious GIG, The mind
delights on, when 'tis in prime twig.
1823. MONCRIEFF, Tom and Jerry,
i., 3. I hope we shall have many a bit of
GIG together.
1888. BESANT, Fifty Years Ago,
p. 134. A laughter-loving lass of eighteen
who dearly loved a bit of GIG.
9. (old).— The mouth. For
synonyms, see POTATO-TRAP.
1871. Finish to Tom and Jerry,
p. 175 [ed. 1872). The bit of myrtle in his
GIG.
10. (old). — A farthing. For-
merly GRIG (q.V.).
11. American). — See POLICY
DEALING.
Verb. (old). — To hamstring.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
To GIGG a Smithfield hank, to hamstring
an overdrove ox.
BY GIGS ! intj. (old). — A
mild and silly oath. See OATHS.
1551. Gammer Gurtons Needle, ii..
51. Chad a foule turne now of late, chill
tell it you, BY GIGS !
GIGAMAREE, subs. (American). — A
thing of little worth ; a pretty
but useless toy; a GIMCRACK
(q.v.).
1848. JONES, Sketches of Travel, p.
9. Byin' fineries and northern GIGAMA-
REES of one kind or another.
Ibid. I ax'd the captain what sort of
a GIGAMAREE he had got up there for a
GIGANTOMACHIZE, verb. (old). —
To rise in revolt against one's
betters. Gr., Gigantomachia =
the War of the Giants against the
Gods. [Probably a coinage of
Ben Jonson's.]
1599. JONSON, Every Man Out, Act
v., 4. Slight, fed with it the whoreson,
strummeJ-patched, goggle-eyed grumble-
dores would have GIGANTOMACHIZED their
Maker.
GIGGER, subs, (tailors') — i. A sew-
ing machine. (In allusion to noise
and movement).
2. See JIGGER.
GIGGLES-NEST. HAVE YOU FOUND
A GIGGLES-NEST? phr. (old). —
Asked of a person titterering, or
one who laughs immoderately
and senselessly.
Gig-lamps.
142
Giles* Greek.
GlG- LAMPS, subs, (common). — I.
Spectacles. For synonyms, see
BARNACLES.
1848. BRADLEY, in Letter to J. C. H.
GIG-LAMPS (certainly a university term.
I first heard it in 1848 or 1849, long before
Mr. Verdant Green was born or thought of).
1877. Five Years Penal Servitude,
ch. ii., p. 140. You with the GIG-LAMPS,
throw us your cigar.
1887. Punch, 30 July, p. 45. Jack's
a straw-thatched young joker in GIG-LAMPS.
1892. F. ANSTEY, Voces PofulL ' At
the Tudor Exhibition.' Stop, though,
suppose she has spotted me ? Never can
tell withciGLAMPS.
2. (common). — One who wears
spectacles; a FOUR EYES (q.v.).
[Popularised by Verdant Green.]
GlGLER (or GlGLET, GOGLET,
GIGLE, GIG), subs. (old). — A
wanton ; a mistress. GlGLET
(West of England) = a giddy,
romping girl ; and in Salop a
flighty person is called a GIGGLE.
Cf.y GIG, sense i.
1533. UDAL, Floures for Latine
Spekynge, fo. 101. What is the matter,
foolish GIGLOTTE? What meanest thou?
Whereat laughest thou ?
1567. HARM AN, Caveat, leaf 22,
back. Therefore let us assemble secretly
into the place where he hath appoynted to
meet this GYLEOT that is at your house.
1603. SHAKSPEARE, Measure for
Measure, v., i. Let him speak no more :
away with those GIGLOTS too, and with
the other confederate companion.
1611. COTGRAVE, Dictionarie. Gad-
rouillette, minx, GIGLE, flirt.
1620. MASSIENGER, Fatal Dowry,
Act. iii. If this be The recompence of
striving to preserve A wanton GIGGLET
honest, very shortly 'Twill make all man-
kind pandars.
1690. B. E., Cant. Crew, s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue. GIG-
GLERS, wanton women.
and GIGLET - WISE = like a
wanton.
1598. SHAKSPEARE, i Henry IV., Act
v., Sc. i. Young Talbot was not born
To be the pillage of a GIGLOT wench.
1600. FAIRFAX, Jerusalem Delivered,
vi., 72. That thou wilt gad by night in
GIGLET-WISE, Amid thine armed foes to
seek thy shame.
GILD, verb. (old). — To make drunk ;
to flush with drink.
1609. SHAKSPEARE, Tempest, Act
v., Sc. i. This grand liquor that hath
GILDED them.
1620. FLETCHER, Chances, iv., 3-
Is she not drunk, too? A little GILDED
TO GILD THE PILL, phr.
(colloquial). — To say, or do, un-
pleasant things as gently as may
be ; to impose upon ; *~
BOOZLE (q.V.').
tO BAM
GILDED ROOSTER, subs. pht.
(American). — A man of impor-
tance ; a HOWLING SWELL (q.v. );
sometimes THE GILDED ROOSTER
ON THE TOP OF THE STEEPLE.
Cf., BIG-BUG J BIG DOG OF THE
TANYARD, etc.
1888. New York Herald. We admit
that as a metropolis Chicago is the
GILDED ROOSTER ON TOP OF THE STEEPLE,
but even GILDED ROOSTERS have no right
to the whole corn bin.
GILDEROY'S KITE. To BE HUNG
HIGHER THAN GILDEROY'S KITE,
verb. phr. (old). — To be punished
more severely than the very
worst criminals. 'The greater
the crime the higher the gallows '
was at one time a practical legal
axiom. Hence, out of sight ;
completely gone.
Adj. (old). — Loose in word
and deed. Also GIGLET-LIKE,
GILES' GREEK.
GREEK.
Set ST. GILES'
Gilguy.
143
Gill-flirt.
GILGUY, subs, (nautical). — Any-
thing which happens to have
slipped the memory ; equivalent
to WHAT'S-HIS-NAME or THINGA-
MYTIGHT.
GILKES, subs. (old). — Skeleton
keys.
1610. ROWLANDS, Martin Mark-all,
p. 38 (H. Club's Rept., 1874). GILKES
for the Gigger, false keyes for the doore or
picklockes.
GILL (or JILL), subs. (old). — i.
A girl; (2) a sweetheart: e.g.,
* every Jack must have his
GILL ' ; (3) a wanton, a strum-
pet (an abbreviation of GILLIAN).
For synonyms, see JOMER and
TITTER.
1586-1606. WARNER,^ Ibion's England,
bk. vii., ch. 37. The simplest GILL or
knave.
1598. FLORIO, A Worlde of Wordes,
Palandrina, a common queane, a harlot,
a strumpet, a GILL.
1620. PERCY, Folio MSS., p. 104.
There is neuer a Jacke for GILL.
1659. TORRIANO, Vocabolario, s,v.
2. (common). — a drink; a GO
1785. BURNS, Scots Drink. Haill
breeks, a scone, and WHISKY GILL.
3. in. pi. ' g' hard (collo-
quial).— The mouth or jaws ; the
face. See POTATO-TRAP and
DIAL.
1622. BACON, Historia Naturalis.
Redness about the cheeks and GILLS.
1632. JONSON, Magnetic Lady, \.
He . . . draws all the parish wills,
Designs the legacies, and strokes the GILLS
of the chief mourners.
£.1738. WOLCOT, Pindar's Works
(1809), i., 8. Whether you look all rosy
round the GILLS, Or hatchet-fac'd like
Starving cats so lean.
1820. LAMB, Elia (Two Races of
Men). What a careless, even deportment
hath your borrower ! what rosy GILLS !
1855. THACKERAY, Newcomes, ch.
viii. Binnie, as brisk and rosy about the
GILLS as chanticleer, broke out in a morn-
ing salutation.
1884. Punch. He went a bit red in
the GILLS.
4. in. pi. (common). — A very
large shirt collar ; also STICK-UPS
and SIDEBOARDS. Fr. : cache-
bonbon-^'liqueur—^. stick-up.
1859. SALA, Twice Round the Clock,
6 p., in Part 7. With a red face, shaven to
the superlative degree of shininess, with
GILLS white and tremendous, with a noble
white waistcoat.
1884. Daily Telegraph, July 8, p. 5,
c. 4. Lord Macaulay wore, to the close
of his life, ' stick-ups, or GILLS.
TO GREASE THE GILLS. —
verb phr. (common). — To have a
good meal; TO WOLF (q.v.).
TO LOOK BLUE (or QUEER, or
GREEN) ABOUT THE GILLS, verb,
phr. (common). — To be down-
cast or dejected ; also to suffer
from the effects of a debauch.
Hence, conversely, TO BE ROSY
ABOUT THE GILLS = tO be
cheerful.
1836. M. SCOTT, Tom Cringle's Log,
eh. ii. Most of them were very white and
BLUE IN THE GILLS when we sat down, and
others of a dingy sort of whitey-brown,
while they ogled the viands in a most sus-
picious manner.
1892. G. MANVILLE FENN, Witness
to the Deed, ch. ii. You look precious
seedy. WHITE ABOUT THE GILLS.
A CANT (or DIG) IN THE GILLS,
phr. (pugilists'). — A punch in
the face. See BANG.
GILL-FLIRT, subs. (old). — A wanton;
a flirt. For synonyms, see
BARRACK HACK and TART.
1598. FLORIO, A Worlde of Wordes
1611. COTGRAVE, Dictionarit. Gaul-
tiere, a whore, punke, drab, queane, GILL
Gilly.
144
Gilt.
1690. B. E., Diet, of the Cant.
Crew, s,v. A proud minx.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
GILLY, subs. (American). — A fool.
For synonyms, see BUFFLE and
CABBAGE-HEAD.
GILLY-GAUPUS, subs. phr. (Scots).
— A tall loutish fellow.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
GILT, subs, (popular). — i. Money.
[Ger. : Geld. ; Du. : Gelt.}
ENGLISH SYNONYMS. — Add to
those under ACTUAL :— Charms ;
checks ; cole or coal ; coliander
seeds ; corn in Egypt ; crap ;
darby ; dots ; ducats ; ginger-
bread; kelter; lowie; lurries; moss;
oil of palms ; palm-oil ; peck ;
plums; rhino; rivets; salt; saw-
dust ; scad ; screen ; scuds ;
shigs ; soap ; spoon ; Steven ;
sugar ; tea-spoons ; tinie.
FRENCH SYNONYMS. — Le
galtos (popular) ; Podeur de gousset
(obsolete) ; Fonguent ( = palm
grease, Sp., ungnento; the simile
is common to most languages) ; le
morlingue (thieves'); la menouille
(popular) ; le michon (thieves' :
from miche, a loaf, cf.t LOAVER) ;
les monacos (popular) ; le monarque
(prostitutes' : primarily a five
franc piece) ; le ble = corn or
leaver) ; les ttoffes (thieves').
SPANISH SYNONYMS. — Lalana
( = wool) ; la morusa (colloquial) ;
la mosca ( = the flies) ; lo
numerario ; la pelusa ( = down) ;
lozurraco (colloquial) ; lounguento
de Mejico ( = Mexican Grease) ;
#' toca teja (colloquial : ready
money) ; caire.
ITALIAN SYNONYMS. — Cucchi;
cnchieri ; cucchielli ; lugani.
GERMAN SYNONYMS. — Fuchs
( — fox : an allusion to the ruddy
hue of gold pieces ; fuxig orfux-
ern = golden, red ;fuchsmelochener
= goldsmith) ; gips or gyps (Vien-
nese thieves', from the Latin,
gypsum) ; hora ( = ready-money :
from the Hebrew heren) ; kail
(Han : especially small change :
from Heb. kal— lowly light); kisy
kies, kiss (applied both to money
in general and the receptacle or
purse in which it is carried) ; lowe>
love (Han.); mepaie (from the
Fr., payer) mesumme, linke
mesumme = counterfeit money) ;
moos (from Heb., meo = a little
stone) ; pich> picht, or peek ;
staub ( = dust).
1599. SHAKSPEARE, Henry V., Act
ii. Chorus. These corrupted men . . .
have for the GILT of France (O guilt,
indeed) Confirmed conspiracy.
1714. Memoirs of John Hall (4th
ed.), p. 9. And from thence conducted
(provided he has GILT) over the way to
Hell.
1885. Daily News, 25 May, p. 3,
c. i. Disputatious like mobs grouped
together to discuss whether Charrington
or Crowder had the most GILT.
2. subs. (old). — A thief; a
pick-lock ; also GILT- or RUM-
DUBBER, GILTER, etc.
1669. Nicker Nicked in Harl.
Misc. (ed. Park), ii., 108 (given in list of
names of thieves).
1673. Character of a Quack
Astrologer. For that purpose he main-
tains as strict a correspondence with GILTS
and lifters.
1676. Warning for Housekeepers,
p. 3. The GILTER is one that hath all
sorts of picklocks and false keys.
1680. COTTON, Complete Gamester,
p. 333. Shoals of muffs, hectors, setters,
GILTS, pads, biters, etc. . . . may all pass
under the general appellation of snobs.
1785. GKOSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v. •
Gut-dubber.
145
Gimcrack.
1882. McCABE, New York, ch.
xxxiv., 509. GILT-DUBBER, a hotel thief.
3. (thieves'). — Formerly a
pick -lock or skeleton key ; now a
crow-bar. For synonyms, see
JEMMY.
1671. R. HEAD, English Rogue,
Pt. i, ch. v., p. 50 (1874). GILT, a pick-
lock.
1724. E. COLES, Eng. Diet. GILT,
c . a pick-lock.
1839. W. H. AINSWORTH, Jack
Sheppard, p. 183 (ed. 1840). We shall
have the whole village upon us while
you're striking the jigger. Use the GILT,
man!
TO TAKE THE GILT OFF THE
GINGERBREAD, verb. phr. (collo-
quial).— To destroy an illusion ;
to discount heavily.
1884. HAWLEY SMART, Front Post to
Finish, p. 171. You see we had a rattling
good year all round last, bar the Dancing
Master. He TOOK THE GILT OFF THE
GINGERBREAD considerably.
GILT-DUBBER, see GILT, sense 2.
GILT- EDGED, adj. (American). —
First-class ; the best of its kind ;
a latter - day superlative. For
synonyms, see Ai and FIZZING.
c. 1889. Chicago Tribune (quoted in
Slang, Jargon, and Cant). He's a GILT-
EDGED idiot to play the game.
1891. Standard, 18 June, p. 2, c. i.
1 GILT-EDGED mutton ' is the latest of glori-
fied and ' boomed ' American products.
1891. Tit Bits, 8 Aug., p. 286, c.
2. Another accomplishment, peculiar to
the GILT-EDGED academy, is learning to
eat asparagus, oranges, grapes, etc.
GILTER, see GILT, sense 2.
GILT-TICK, subs, (costermongers5).
Gold.
GlMBAL- (or GIMBER-) JAWED,
adj. (common). — Loquacious ;
talking NINETEEN TO THE
DOZEN (q.v.). [Gimbals are a
combination of rings for free
suspension ; hence applied to
persons the joints of whose jaws
are loose in speech.]
GIMCRACK (GINCRACK, or JIM-
CRACK), subs. (old). — i. A
showy simpleton, male or female ;
a DANDY (q.V.).
1618. BEAUMONT and FLETCHER,
Loyal Subject, iv., 3. These are fine GIM-
CRACKS ; hey, here comes another, a flagon
full of wine in his hand.
1637. FLETCHER, Elder Brother,
iii.,3- You are a handsome and a sweet
young lady, And ought to have a handsome
man yoked to ye. An understanding too ;
this is a GIMCRACK That can get no-
thing but new fashions on you.
1690. B. E., Diet, of the Canting
Crew. GIMCRACK, a spruce wench.
1706. MRS. CENTLIVRE, Basset Table,
II., Works (1872), i., 122. The philo-
sophical GIMCRACK.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
2. (colloquial). — A showy
trifle ; anything pretty to look
at but of very little worth.
1632. CHAPMAN and SHIRLEY. The
Ball, Act iv. Lu. There remains, To
take away one- sample. Wi. Another
GIMCRACK ?
1678. BUTLER, Hudibras, pt. 3, ch. i.
Rifled all his pokes and fobs. Cf,, GIM-
CRACKS, whims, and jiggumbobs.
1698-1700. WARD, London Sfy, pt. 7,
p. 148. I suppose there being little else
to lose except scenes, machines, or some
SUCh JIM-CRACKS.
1843. THACKERAY, frisk Sketch
Book, ch. i. There was the harp of Brian
Boru, and the sword of some one else, and
other cheap old GIMCRACKS with their
corollary of lies.
1892. MILLIKEN, 'Arry Ballads, p.
63. Such rum-looking GIMCRACKS, my
pippin.
3. (provincial). — A handy man ;
a JACK-OF- ALL-TRADES (q.V.).
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
A GIMCRACK also means a person who
has a turn for mechanical contrivances.
IO
Gimcrackery.
146
Ginger.
4. (venery). — The female
pudendum. [A play on sense 2,
and CRACK, (q.v.).] For syn-
onym, see MONOSYLLABLE.
Adj. (colloquial). — Trivial;
showy; worthless.
1855. THACKERAY, Newcomes, ch.
ix. No shops so beautiful to look at as
the Brighton GIMCRACK shops, and the
fruit shops, and the market.
- 1891. W. C. RUSSELL, An Ocean
Tragedy, p. 30. Soberly clothed with
nothing more GIMCRACK in the way of
finery upon him than a row of waistcoat-
buttons.
1892. Tit Bits, 19 Mar., p. 425
c. 2. A large cabinet or wardrobe,
beautifully carved, and very substantial,
no GIMCRACK work.
GIMCRACKERY, subs, (colloquial).
— The world of GIMCRACK
...
1884. A. FORBES, in Eng. Illustr.
:, Jan., p. 230. The inner life of the
:, ., . .
Empire was a strange mixture of rottenness
and GIMCRACKERY.
GIMLET-EYE, subs, (common).— A
squint-eye; a PIERCER (q. v. ). Fr. :
des yeux en trou de pine.
GIMLET - EYED, adj. (common).—
Squinting, or squinny-eyed ; cock-
eyed. As in the old rhyme:
' Gimlet eye, sausage nose, Hip
awry, bandy toes.'
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
GIMMER, subs. (Scots').— An old
woman. A variant of 'cummer.'
GIN, subs. (Australian). — An
Australian native woman.
1857. KINGSLEY, Two Years Ago,
ch. xiii. An Australian settler's wife
bestows on some poor slaving GIN a cast-
off French bonnet.
1890. HUME NISBET, Bail UJ, p. 30.
2. (Australian). — An old
woman. For synonyms, see
GEEZER.
GlN-AND-GOSPEL GAZETTE, Sttbs.
phr. (journalists'). — The Morning
Advertiser: as the organ of the
Licensed Victualling and Church
of England party. Also the TAP-
TUB and BEER - AND - BIBLE
GAZETTE.
GIN-AND-TIDY, adv. phr.
(American). — Decked out in
* best bib and tucker.' A pun on
' neat spirits. '
GIN -CRAWL, subs, (common). — A
TIPPLE (q.v.) on gin.
1892. A. CHEVALIER, ' The Little
Nipper. ' I used to do a GIN CRAWL ev ry
night, An' very, very often come 'ome tight.
GlNGAMBOBS (or JlGGUMBOBS),
subs, (common). — I. Toys; baubles.
1690. B. E. Diet, of the Cant.
Crew, s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg; Tongue, s.v.
2. (venery). — The testicles ;
also THINGAMBOBS. For syn-
onyms, see CODS.
GINGER, subs, (common). — i. A
fast, showy horse ; a beast that
looks FIGGED (q.V.).
1859. Notes and Queries, 17 Dec.
p. 493. A GINGER is a showy fast horse.
2. (common). — A red-haired
person; CARROTS (q.v.).
[Whence the phrase (venery)
'Black for beauty, GINGER for
pluck.']
1885. Miss TENNANT in Eng. Illus-
trated Magazine, June, p. 605. The
policemen are well known to the boys, and
appropriately named by them. There is
'Jumbo,' too stout to run; GINGER, the
red-haired.
3. (common). — Spirit; dash;
GO (q.V.). TO WANT GINGER =
to lack energy and PLUCK (q.v.).
1888.' The World, 13 May. You
will remark that your spinal column is
requiring a hinge, and that considerable
GINGER is departing from your resolution
to bear up and enjoy yourself.
Gingerbread.
147
Ginger-snap.
1891. GUNTER, Miss Nobody of No-
•where, p. 124. If father objects send him
to me, I'll take the GINGER out of him in
short order.
1892. R. L. STEVENSON and L.
OSBOURNE, The Wrecker, p. 207. Give
her GINGER, boys.
Adj. (common). — Red-haired ;
FOXY (q.V.}\ JUDAS-HAIRED
(q.V.\ Also GINGER-FATED,
GINGER-HACKLED, and GINGERY.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
Red-haired ; a term borrowed from the
cock-pit, where red cocks are called
GINGERS.
1839. H. AINSWORTH, Jack Sheppard,
ch. xii. Somebody may be on the watch
— perhaps that old GINGER-HACKLED Jew.
1852. DICKENS, Bleak House, ch.
xix., p. 160. The very learned gentleman
who has cooled the natural heat of his
GINGERY complexion in pools and fountains
of law, until he has become great in knotty
arguments for term-time.
1878. M. E. BRADDON, Cloven Foot,
ch. iv. The landlady was a lean-looking
widow, with a false front of GINGERY
curls.
GINGERBREAD, subs. (old). — i.
Money : e.g. , « He has the
GINGERBREAD ' = he is rich.
1690. B. E. Diet, of the Cant,
Crew, s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1834. AINSWORTH, Rookwood. Your
old dad had the GINGERBREAD.
1864. Standard, 13 Dec. We do
not find . . . the word GINGERBREAD
used for money, as we have heard it both
before and within the last six months.
The origin of the use of the word may
probably be the old fairy legends wherein
the coin obtained over night from the elves
was usually found in the morning to have
turned into little gingerbread cakes.
2. (colloquial). — BRUMMAGEM
(q.v.) ; showy, but worthless
ware.
Adj. (colloquial).— Showy but
worthless ; tinsel. Fr. , en pain
dtpice. GINGERBREAD WORK
( nautical )= carved and gilded
decorations j GINGERBREAD
QUARTERS (nautical) = luxurious
living.
1757. SMOLLETT, Compendium o
Voyages and Travels. The rooms are
too small and too much decorated with
carving and gilding, which is a kind of
GINGERBREAD Work.
TO TAKE THE GILT OFF THE
GINGERBREAD. See GILT.
GINGERLY, adj. and adv. (old:
now recognised). — As adj., deli-
cate ; fastidious ; dainty j as adv. ,
with great care ; softly.
1533. UDAL, Floures for Latine
Spekynge. We stayghe and prolonge our
goyng, with a nyce or tendre and softe,
delicate, or GINGERLY pace.
c. 1563. Jacke Jugeler, p. 40 (ed.
Grosart). We used to call her at home
Dame Coye, a pretie GINGERLIE pice
[piece].
1592. NASHE, Pierce Penilesse, in
Wks., ii., 32. That lookes as simperingly
as if she were besmeared, and sits it as
GINGERLY as if she were dancing the
Canaries.
1611. CHAPMAN, May-Day, Act iii.,
p. 294 (Plays, 1874). Come, come,
GINGERLY ? for God's sake, GINGERLY.
1659. TORRIANO, Vocabolario, q.v.
1690. B. E., Diet, of the Cant.
Crew, s.v. Gently, softly, easily.
1759-67. STERNE, Tristram Shandy,
vol. V., ch. v. My mother was going
very GINGERLY in the dark.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
To go GINGERLY to work, *'.£., to attempt a
thing gently, or cautiously.
1874. MRS. H. WOOD, Johnny
Ludlow, i t S. 12, p. 207. The
Squire went in GINGERLY, as if he had
been treading on a spiked ploughshare.
GINGER-POP, subs, (colloquial). —
I. Ginger-beer.
2. (rhyming). — A policeman ;
a SLOP (q.v.).
1887. DAGONET, Referee, 7 Nov.,
p. 7, c. 3. Ere her bull-dog I could stop,
She had called a GINGER-POP.
GINGER-SNAP, subs. (American). —
A hot-tempered person, especially
one with carrotty hair.
Gingham.
148
Gin-twist.
GINGHAM, subs, (common).— An
umbrella ; specifically one of this
material. For synonyms, see
MUSHROOM.
1868. Miss BRADDON, Trail of the
Serpent, Bk. I., ch. vii. Mr. Peters
therefore took immediate possession by
planting his honest GINGHAM in a corner
of the room.
1889. Sportsman, 2 Feb. It would
really put a premium on the many little
mistakes of ownership concerning GING-
HAMS at present so common.
GINGLE-BOY, subs, (old).— A coin ;
latterly a gold piece. Also
GINGLER. See ACTUAL and
CANARY.
1622. MASSINGER and DEKKER,
Virgin Martyr, ii., 2. The sign of the
GINGLEBOYS hangs at the door of our
pockets.
GINGUMBOBS. See GINGAMBOBS.
GINICOMTWIG, verb, (venery). — To
copulate. For synonyms, see
RIDE.
1598. FLORIO, Worlde of Wordes,
Scuotere il pellicione. To GINICOMTWIG or
occupie a woman.
GIN-LANE (or TRAP), subs (com-
mon).— i. The throat. For
synonyms, see GUTTER-ALLEY.
GIN-TRAP, also = the . mouth.
For synonyms, see POTATO-TRAP.
1827. EGAN, Anecdotes of the Turf,
p. 67. Never again could ... he feel his
ivories loose within his GIN-TRAP.
2. (common). — Generic for
the habit of drunkenness.
1839. AINSWORTH, Jack Sheppard
[1889], p. 8. Let me advise you on no
account to fly to strong waters for consola-
tion, Joan. One nail drives out another,
it's true ; but the worst nail you can
employ is a coffin nail. GIN LANE'S the
nearest road to the churchyard.
GIN-MILL, subs. (American).— A
drinking saloon. For synonyms,
see LUSH-CRIB.
1872. Belgravia, Dec. ' A Presi-
dential Election.' Then goes off to rejoin
his comrades, to adjourn to the nearest
GIN-MILL.
GINNIFIED, subs. (common). —
Dazed, or stupid, with liquor.
GINNUMS, subs, (common). — An
old woman : especially one fond
of drink.
GIN NY, subs. (old). — A house-
breaker's tool ; see quot., 1754-
1690. B. E., Diet, of the Cant.
Crew, s.v.
1754. Scoundrels' Diet. An instru-
ment to lift up a grate or grating, to steal
what is in the window. ' The ninth is a
GIN NY, to lift up the grate, If he sees but
the Lurry, with his Hooks he will bait.'
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
GIN -PEN NY, subs, (costermongers').
— Extra profit, generally spent in
drink.
GIN-SLINGER, subs, (common). — A
gin-drinker. For synonyms, see
LUSHINGTON.
GIN-SPINNER, subs. (old). — A
distiller ; a dealer in spirituous
liquors. Cf.9 ALE-SPINNER.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1827. EGAN, Anecdotes of the Turf,
p. 179. Just as she was about to toddle
to the GIN-SPINNER'S for the ould folk and
lisp out for a quartern of Max.
1888. F. GREEN, in Notes and
Queries, 7 S., vi., 153. I have always
understood that a GIN SPINNER is a dis-
tiller who makes gin, but could never find
out why so called.
GIN-TWIST, subs, (common).— A
drink composed of gin and sugar,
with lemon and water.
1841. Comic Almanac, p. 271
What, for instance, but GIN-TWIST could
have brought Oliver Twist to light?
Gin up.
149
Give
GIN UP, verb.( American). — To work
hard ; to make things lively or
HUM (q.v.). For synonyms, see
WIRE IN.
1887. FRANCIS, Saddle and
Moccassin. They were GINNING her UP,
that's a fact.
GlP, subs. (American thieves'). — I.
A thief. 2. Also (Cambridge Uni-
versity) a college servant. See
GYP. Forsynonyms, .^THIEVES.
GIRL, subs, (common). — I. A pros-
titute ; in. pi. — the stock in trade
of a brothel. See BARRACK HACK,
TART, and GAY. Fr., fille.
2. (colloquial). — A mistress ; a
MASH (q.v).
3. In. pi. (venery). — The
sex — or that part of it which is
given to unchastity — in general ;
hence THE GIRLS = lechery.
AFTER THE GIRLS. HE'S
BEEN AFTER THE GIRLS, verb.
phr. (common). — Said of one
with clap or pox.
GIRL ANDBOY,
A saveloy.
. (rhyming).
GIRLERY, subs, (colloquial). — A
brothel. Also a theatre for bur-
lesque and comic opera.
GIRL- GETTER, subs, (colloquial). —
A mincing, womanish male.
GIRLING. To GO GIRLING, verb.
phr. (venery). — To quest for
women; to go on the LOOSE
GlRLOMETER, subs, (venery). — The
penis. Also, GIRL -CATCHER.
For synonyms, see CR*EAMSTICK
and PRICK.
GIRL-SHOP, subs. phr. (common). —
A brothel.
GIRL-SHOW, subs. phr. (common).
— A ballet, a burlesque, a LEG-
PIECE (q.v.).
GIRL STREET. In HAIR COURT,
GIRL STREET, subs. phr. (com-
mon).— Generic for fornication.
Also the female pudendum.
GIRL-TRAP, subs. phr. (common). —
A seducer; a MUTTON-MONGER
(f-vj.
GlTl (orYouGlTl),m(/. (American).
— Be off with you ! An injunc-
tion to immediate departure ;
WALKER ! (q.v.). Sometimes a
contraction of GET OUT ! Also
GET OUT AND DUST !
1851. SEAWORTHY, Bertie, p. 78.
Thrue as the tin commandhers ! GIT
AOUT !
TO HAVE NO GIT UP AND
GIT, phr. (American). — To be
weak, vain, mean, or slow —
generally deprecatory.
GIVE, verb, (vulgar). — I. To lead
to ; to conduct ; to open upon :
e.g., 'The door GAVE upon the
street.' Cf. the idiomatic use, in
French, of donner.
2. (American). — An all-round
auxiliary to active verbs : e.g., TO
GIVE ON PRAYING = to excel at
prayer ; TO GIVE ON THE MAKE
= to be clever at making money,
etc.
To GIVE IT TO, verb. pht.
(old). — I. To rob ; to defraud.
— GROSE.
2. (common). — To scold ; to
thrash. Also TO GIVE WHAT
FOR ; TO GIVE IT HOT ; TO GIVE
SOMETHING FOR ONESELF J TO
GIVE ONE IN THE EYE, etc.
Give.
150
Give.
Fr., aller en donner. For syn-
onyms, see WIG and TAN respec-
tively.
1612. CHAPMAN, Widow's Tears,
Act i., p. 312 (Plays, 1874). This braving
wooer hath the success expected; the
favour I obtained made me witness to the
sport, and let his confidence be sure, I'll
GIVE IT HIM home.
1835. DICKENS, Sketches by Boss,
§. 134. 'Take that,' exclaimed Mr.
amuel Wilkins. . . . ' GIVE IT ( HIM,'
said the waistcoat. . . . Miss J'mima
Ivins's beau and the friend's young man
lay gasping on the gravel, and the waist-
coat and whiskers were seen no more.
1889. J. M. BARRIE in Time, Aug.
p. 148. When he said he would tell every-
body in the street about there being a
baby, I GAVE HIM ONE IN THE EYE.
Ibid. If it's true what Symons Tertius
says, that Cocky has gone and stolen my
reminiscences about Albert's curls, putting
it into his reminiscences like as if it was
his own, I'll GIVE HIM IT HOT.
To GIVE IN (or OUT), verb,
phr. (colloquial). — To admit
defeat ; to yield ; to be exhausted;
TO THROW UP THE SPONGE.
See FLOORED and CAVE IN.
1748. SMOLLETT Rod. Random, ch.
xviii. Strap, after having received three
falls on the hard stones, GAVE OUT, and
allowed the blacksmith to be the better
man.
1760-1. SMOLLETT, L. Greaves, vol.
II., ch. viii. By this time the doctor had
GIVEN OUT, and allowed the brewer to be
the better man.
1819. MOORE, Tom Crib, p. 25.
Poor Georgy GAVE IN.
1837. LYTTON, Ernest Maltravers,
bk. IV., ch. ix. Your time is up ...
you have had your swing, and a long one
it seems to have been — you must now GIVE
IN.
1847. ROBE, Squatter Life, p. 99.
Jest about then both on our pusses GIN
OUT.
1850. BUFFUM, Six Months in the
Gold Mines, p. 73. After working three
days with the machine, the earth we had
been washing began to GIVE OUT.
1852. DICKENS, Bleak House, ch.
xxiv., p. 217. I am surprised to hear a
man of your energy talk of GIVING IN.
To GIVE AWAY, verb. phr.
(American). — To betray or ex-
pose inadvertently ; TO BLOW
UPON (q>V.) : TO PEACH
(q.v. for synonyms). Also TO
GIVE DEAD AWAY. Largely used
in combination : e.g.t GIVE-
AWAY = an exposure ; GIVE-
AWAY CUE = an underhand revela-
tion ot secrets.
1883. F. M. CRAWFORD, Doctor
Claudius, ch. vi., p. 100. It always
amused him to see sanguine people angry.
They looked so uncomfortable, and GAVE
THEMSELVES AWAY so recklessly.
1886. A. LANG, Longman's Mag.,
VII., 321. I know not whether the
American phrase, to GIVE A PERSON
AWAY, to GIVE YOURSELF AWAY, meaning
to reveal your own or another's secret,
is of provincial English origin. Did it cross
over with the Pilgrim Fathers in the
May Flower, or is it a recent bit of slang ?
' Who GIVETH THIS WOMAN AWAY?' asked
the rural American parson in the wedding
service. ' I could, came the voice of a
young man from the gallery, ' but I'd never
be so mean.'
1888. Detroit Free Press, Aug.
Careful what we say, For it will GIVB us
DEAD AWAY.
1889. Answers, 20 Apr., p. 326. My
closely cropped hair, however, GAVE ME
AWAY.
1892. R. L. STEVENSON and L.
OSBOURNE, The Wrecker, p. 195. For the
sake of the joke I'll GIVE MYSELF AWAY.
To GIVE ONE BEST, verb. phr.
(schoolboys'). — I. To acknow-
ledge one's inferiority, a defeat.
Also (thieves') to leave, TO CUT
(q.v.].
1887. HORSLEY, Jottings from Jail.
But after a time I GAVE HIM BEST (left him),
because he used to want to bite my ear
(borrow) too often.
TO GIVE THE COLLAR, verb,
phr. (American). — To seize ; to
arrest; jjp COLLAR (q.v.). For
synonyms, see NAB.
TO GIVE THE BULLET (SACK,
BAG, KICK-OUT, PIKE, ROAD,
etc.), verb. phr. (common). — To
discharge from an employ.
Giver.
Glanthorne.
GIVE us A REST ! phr.
(American). — Cease talking !
An injunction upon a bore.
TO GIVE NATURE A FILLIP,
verb. phr. (old). — To indulge in
wine or women. — B.E. (1690).
To GIVE WAY, verb. phr.
(colloquial). — To permit the sexual
embrace : by women only.
1870. Weekly Times, i May. She
was sorry to say, she GAVE WAY to him.
(Laughter.) Mr. Maude remarked she
was a foolish woman, and, being a
widow, ought to have known what GIVING
WAY would come to. — Complainant said of
course she did, but she thought he meant
to marry her.
[Other combinations will be found under
the following ; AUCTIONEER ; BACK CAP
BAG ; BAIL ; BASTE J BEANS J BEEF J BIFF
BLACK EYE ; BONE ; BUCKET J BULLET
BULL'S FEATHER ; CLINCH J DOUBLE ', FIG
GAS J GO BY J GRAVY J HOIST J HOT BEEF
JESSE J KENNEDY J KEY OF THE STREET
LAND J LEG UP ', LIP J MILLER J MITTEN
MOUTH J NEEDLE J OFFICE J POINTS J PUSSY
RUB OF THE THUMB ; SACK ; SKY-HIGH
SLIP; TAIL ; TASTE OF CREAM ; TURNIPS
WEIGHT J WHITE ALLEY J WORD.]
GIVER, subs, (pugilistic).— A good
boxer ; an artist in PUNISHMENT
(<?.*•)•
1824. REYNOLDS, (' Peter Corcoran '),
The Fancy, p. 73. She knew a smart
blow from a handsome GIVER Would
darken lights.
GIXIE, subs, (obsolete). — A wanton
wench ; a strumpet ; an affected
mincing woman.
1598. FLORIO, Worlde of Wordes.
Faina, a mincing, coie, nice, puling,
squeamish woman, an idle huswife, a
flurt, a GIXGI. Also as Foina [i.e. , ' a pole-
cat'; while Foirare—* 'to lust for beastly
leacherie, to be salt as a bitch.']
1611. COTGRAVE, Dictionariet s.v.
Gadrouillette, a minx, gigle, flirt, callet
GIXIE : (a fained word applyable to any
such cattell). [See further, gadriller (a
wench) =' to rump or play the rig'].
GIZZARD, TO FRET ONE'S GIZZARD,
verb. phr. (common). — To worry
oneself. See FRET.
To STICK IN ONE'S GIZZARD,
zerb phr. (common). — To remain
as something unpleasant, dis-
tasteful or offensive; to be hard of
digestion ; to be disagreeable or
unpalatable.
c. 1830. Finish of Tom and Jerry,
p. 241. It had always STUCK IN HIS
GIZZARD to think as how he had been werry
cruelly used.
TO GRUMBLE IN THE GIZZARD,
verb. phr. (common). — To be
secretly displeased. Hence,
GRUMBLE-GIZZARD .V..
GLADSTONE, subs, (common) — i.
Cheap claret. [Mr. Gladstone,
when in office in 1869, reduced
the duty on French wines.] See
DRINKS.
1876. BESANT and RICE, Golden
Butterfly, ch. ix. Claret certainly good,
too — none of your GLADSTONE tap ; sherry
probably rather coarse.
1885. A. BIRRELL, OUter Dicta,
p. 86. To make him unbosom himself
over a bottle of GLADSTONE claret in a
tavern in Leicester Square.
2. colloquial). — A travelling
bag. [So named in honour of
Mr. Gladstone.]
GLADSTONIZE, verb (colloquial).—
To talk about and round ; to
evade or prevaricate ; to speak
much and mean nothing.
GLANTHORNE, subs. (old). —
Money. For synonyms, see
ACTUAL and GILT.
1789. PARKER Life's Painter, p.
42. Drop the GLANTHORNE = part with
money.
Glasgow Greys.
Glaze
GLASGOW GREYS, subs. phr.
(military). — The ;oth Foot.
[Which in the beginning was
largely recruited in Glasgow.]
1886. Tinsley's Mag., Apr., p. 321.
The yoth were long known as the
GLASGOW GREYS.
GLASGOW MAGISTRATE, subs. phr.
(common). — A herring, fresh or
salted, of the finest. [From the
practice of sending samples to
the Baillie of the River for
approval.] Also GLASGOW
BAILLIE,
1855. STRANG, Glasgow and its
City Clubs. This club. . . . better known
by the title of the Tinkler's club, par-
ticularly when the brotherhood changed
the hour of meeting .... and when the
steak was exchanged for a ' Welsh rabbit '
or GLASGOW MAGISTRATE.
ENGLISH SYNONYMS (for
herrings generally). — Atlantic
ranger ; Californian ; Cornish
duck ; Digby chicken ; D unbar
wether ; gendarme ; Gourock
ham ; magistrate ; pheasant (or
Billingsgate pheasant) ; reds ;
sea - rover ; soldier ; Taunton
turkey; two-eye'd steak; Yar-
mouth capon. Fr. : gendarme.
GLASS, subs. (American thieves'). —
An hour. [An abbreviation of
'hour-glass.']
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum, s.v.
The badger piped his Moll about a GLASS
and a half before she cribbed the flat.
THERE'S A DEAL OF GLASS
ABOUT, phr. (common). — i.
Applied to vulgar display = ' IT'S
THE THING' (q.v.).
2. (common). — Said in answer
to an achievement in assertion.
A memory of the proverb,
' People who live in glass houses
should not throw stones.'
WHO'S TO PAY FOR THE
BROKEN GLASS? verb. hr.
(colloquial).—^ STAND THE
RACKET.
BEEN LOOKING THROUGH A
GLASS, adv. phr. (common). —
Drunk. For synonyms, see
DRINKS and SCREWED.
GLASS- EYES, subs. (old). — A man
wearing spectacles ; FOUR-EYES
(q.V.} ; GIG-LAMPS (q.V.).
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
GLASS-HOUSE. To LIVE IN A
GLASS HOUSE, verb. phr. (col-
loquial).— To lay oneself open to
attack or adverse criticism.
GLASS- wo RK,subs. (card-sharpers').
— An obsolete method of cheat-
ing at cards. A convex mirror
the size of a small coin was
fastened with shellac to the lower
corner of the left palm opposite
the thumb, enabling the dealer to
ascertain by reflection the value
of the cards he dealt.
GLAZE, subs. (old). — A window.
1690. B. E., Diet, of the Cant.
Crew, s.v.
1714. Memoirs of John Hall (4th
ed.), p. 12. GLAZE, a Window.
1754. Discoveries of John Poult er,
p. 43. Undub the Jeger and jump the
GLAZE.
1852. SNOWDEN, Mag. Assistant
(3rd ed.), p. 445. A window, GLAZE.
c. 1830. Finish to Tom and Jerry
[1872], p. 82. A random shot milling the
GLAZE.
Verb (old). — To cheat at cards.
See quot. and GLASS-WORK.
1821. P. EGAN, Real Life, I., 297.
If you take the broads in hand in their
company, you are sure to be work'd,
either by GLAZING, that is, putting you in
front of a looking glass, by which means
your hand is discovered by your
antagonist, or by private signals from the
pal.
Glazier.
Glim.
TO MILL (or STAR A GLAZE),
verb. phr. (old). — To break a
window.
1823. MONCRIEFF, Tom and Jerry,
iii., 2. Jerry. What are you about, Tom?
Tom. I'm going to MILL THE GLAZE — 1 11
(/.y about to break the glass, "when
Kate and Sue appear as the Miss Trifles.)
1823. JON BEE, Diet, of the Turf.
GLAZE, s.v., TO MILL THE GLAZE, the
miller may adopt a stick or otherwise, as
seems most convenient.
ON THE GLAZE, adv. phr.
(thieves'). — Robbing jewellers'
shops by smashing the windows.
See GLAZIER.
1724-34. C. JOHNSON, Highwaymen
and Pyrates, q.v.
1889. Ally Sloper, 4 May. Getting
a reprieve he went to Dublin ON THE
G LAZI ER, subs., in. pi. (old). — I. The
eyes. For synonyms, see GLIMS.
Fr. : les ardents.
1567. HARMAN, Caveat (1814), p. 64.
GLASYERS, eyes.
1610. ROWLANDS, Martin Mark-all,
p. 38 (H. Club's Kept., 1874). GLASIERS,
eyes.
1611. MIDDLETON and DEKKER,
Roaring- Girl, v., i. These GLASIERS of
mine, mine eyes.
1656. BROME, Jovial Crew, ii. You're
out with your GLAZIERS.
1690. B. E., Diet, of the Cant.
Crew, s.v. The cove has rum GLAZIERS,
c. that Rogue has excellent Eyes, or an
Eye like a Cat.
1724. E. COLES, Eng. Diet.
GLAZIERS, c. eyes.
1725. New Canting Diet. ' Song.1
Her GLAZIERS, too, are quite benighted.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue s.v.
2. (old). — A window thief. Cf.t
GLAZE.
1725. New Cant. Diet. Song: ' The
Twenty Craftsmen.' ... A GLAZIER
who when he creeps in, To pinch all
the lurry he thinks it no sin.
1785. GROSS, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
GLEANER, subs, (old).— A thief.
Cf., HOOKER, ANGLER, etc.
For synonyms, see THIEVES.
GLIB, subs, (common). — I. The
tongue. SLACKEN YOUR GLIB =
loose your tongue. For syn-
onyms, see CLACK.
2. (old). — A ribbon.
1754. Discoveries of John Poulter,
p. 42. A lobb full of GLIBBS, a box full of
ribbons.
Adj. (old, now recognised). —
Smooth ; slippery ; voluble ; GLIB-
TONGUKD or GLIB-GABBIT (cf.t
GAB) = talkative ; ready of speech.
1605. SHAKSPEARE, Lear, Act i.,
Sc. i. I want that GLIB and oily art, To
speak and purpose not.
1659. TORRIANO, Vocabolario, s.v.
1690. B. E., Diet, of the Cant.
Crew, s.v. Smooth, without a Rub.
GLIB-TONGUED. Voluble or Nimble-
tongued.
1890. Licensed Viet. Gaz., 31 Jan.
The rest who were so GLIB with their
promises.
GLIBE, subs. (American thieves'). —
Writing ; specifically, a written
statement.
GLIM (or GLYM), subs. (old). — i. A
candle, or dark lanthorn ; a fire or
light of any kind. To DOUSE THE
GLIM = to put out the light. Fr. :
estourbir la cabande. Also short
for GLIMMER or GLYMMAR
1690. B. E., Diet, of the Cant.
Crew, s.v. A Dark Lanthorn used in
Robbing Houses ; also to burn in the
Hand.
1714. Memoirs of John Hall (4th
ed.), p. 12. GLIM, a Candle.
1728. BAILEY, Eng. Diet. GLIM,
s.v. A candle or light.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue. Bring
bess and GLYM ; i.e., bring the instrument
to force the door, and the dark lanthorn.
1823. MONCRIEFF, Tom and ferry,
ii., 2. Tom. Then catch — here's the gen-
tlemen's tooth-picker, and here's his GLIM-
(Throws stick and lanthorn to Jerry.)
Glim.
Glim.
1834. AINSWORTH, Rookiiiood} bk.
III., ch. 5. Every star its GLIM at hiding.
1837. DICKENS, Oliver Twist, ch. 16.
Let's have a GLIM ... or we shall go
breaking our necks.
1837. LYTTON, Ernest Maltravers,
Bk. I., ch. 10. ' Hush, Jack ! ' whispered
one ; ' hang out the GLIM and let's look
about us.'
1852. JUDSON, Myst., etc., of New
York, ch. iv. Old Jack bade Harriet
trim the GLIM.
1883. R. L. STEVENSON, Treasure
Island, p. 89. Sure enough, they left their
GLIM here.
1884. HENLEY and STEVENSON,
Admiral Guinea, ii., 6. Nowhere is my
little GLIM ; it aint for me because I'm
blind.
2. (old).— A sham account of
a fire as sold by FLYING
STATIONERS (q.V.).
1851-61. MAYHEW, Land. Lab. and
Land. Poor, i., 233. His papers certify
any and every ' ill that flesh is heir to ' . .
. . Loss by fire is a GLIM.
3. in. pL (common). — The
eyes.
ENGLISH SYNONMYMS.—
Blinkers ; daylights ; deadlights ;
glaziers ; lights ; lamps ; ogles
optics : orbs ; peepers ; sees
squinters ; toplights ; windows
winkers.
FRENCH SYMONYMS. — Les
quinquets (popular = bright eyes,
Vidocq) ; Its mirettes (popular
and thieves'; Italian: mira —
sight) ; lesrelutts^hieves' : alsoD AY-
MANS — or LIGHTMANS [q.V.])', les
calots (thieves' = marbles) ; les
ch Asses or les chassis (popular
= hunters' ) ; les lampions
(thieves' = LAMPS (q.v.) ; Italian:
lanterna and lampante) ; les apics
(thieves') ; les ardents (thieves'
= piercers ) ; les eillets (popular
= eyelets; les lanternes de cabriolet
(popular = giglamps ) ; les dig-
not s ( popular = winkers ) ; les
carreaux (thieves' -= windows) ;
les clairs (thieves' = shiners) ; les
coquards (thieves').
ITALIAN SYNONYMS. — Lan -
terna ( = a lamp) ; calchi; balchi ;
brunotti ( = brownies ) ; lam-
pante.
SPANISH SYNONYMS. — Fanal
( — lantern); lanterna ( = idem);
visantes (vulgar) ; vistosos (vulgar).
GERMAN SYNONYMS. — Dier-
ling (from stieren = \.o stare);
Linzer; Sckeinling(hQm Schein —
DAYLIGHTS (q.V.)).
1824. P. EGAN, Boxiana, iv., 417.
His GLIMS I've made look like a couple of
rainbows.
1830. LYTTON, Paul Clifford, p. 47
ted. 1854]. Queer my GLIMS, if that ben't
ittle Paul !
1837. BARHAM, Ingoldsby Legends,
!!•> 339- Harold escaped with the loss of
a GLIM.
1892. MILLIKEN, 'Arry Ballads, p.
56. A pooty gal, gentle, or simple, as
carn't use her GLIMS is a flat.
4. in. pi. (common). — A pair
of spectacles. For synonyms, see
BARNACLES.
5. (common). — Gonorrhoea or
CLAP (q.v.). [From sense 1 =
fire.]
Verb (old). — To brand or burn
in the hand.
1690. B. E., Diet, of the Cant.
Crew, s.v. As the cull was GLIMM'D, he
gangs to the Nubb, c., if the Fellow has
been Burnt in the Hand, he'll be Hang'd
1714. Memoirs of John Hall, p. 15.
Profligate women are GLIMM'D for that
villany, for which, rather than leave it,
they could freely die martyrs.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
TO PUFF THE GLIMS, verb.
phr. (veterinary). — To fill the
hollow over the eyes of old
Glim-Fenders.
Glistner.
horses by pricking the skin and
blowing air into the loose tissues
underneath, thus giving the full
effect of youth.
GLIM-FENDERS, subs. (old). — i.
Andirons, or fire-dogs.
1690. B. E., Diet, of the Cant.
Crew, s.v. GLIMFENDERS, c. Andirons.
RUM GLIMFENDERS, Silver Andirons.
1728. BAILEY, Eng. Diet. s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
2. (old). — Handcuffs. [A
pun on sense i.]
1823. JON BEE, Diet, of the Turf
s.v.
1848. BUNCOMBE, Sinks of London,
GLIM FLASH LY (or GLIM-FLASH EY),
adj. (old). — Angry. See NAB
THE RUST and HAIR.
1690. B. E., Diet, of the Cant.
Crew, s.v. GLIMFLASHLY, c., Angry, or
in a Passion. The Cull is GLIMFLASHLY,
c. the Fellow is in a Heat.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1830. LYTTON, Paul Clifford, ch.
xxxi. No, Captain, don't be GLIM-
FLASHEY ! You have not heard all yet.
GLIM-JACK, subs. (old). — A link
boy ; a MOON - CURSER (q.v.} ;
but, in any sense, a thief.
1690. B. E., Diet, of the Cant.
Crew, s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
GLIMMER (or GLYMMAR), subs.
(old). — Fire. See quot.
1567. HARMAN, Caveat. These
DEMAUNDERS FOR GLYMMAR be for the
moste parte wemen.
1610. ROWLANDS, Martin Mark-all,
p. 38. (H. Club's Rept., 1874). GLYMMER,
Fire.
1671. R. HEAD, English Rogue,
pt. I., ch. v., p. 49 (1874). GLYMMER,
Fire.
1724. E. COLES, Eng. Diet., s.v.
1725. New Canting Diet., Song,
1 The Maunder's Praise of his Strowling
Mort.' Doxy, Oh ! thy Glaziers shine, As
GLYMMAR by the Solomon.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
GLIMMERER, subs. (old). — A beg-
gar working with a petition
giving out that he is ruined by fire.
Also GLIMMERING MORT = a
female GLIMMERER.
1690. B. E., Diet, of the Cant
Crew, s.v. GLIMMERER, c., the Twenty-
second Rank of the Canting Tribe,
begging with Sham Licences, pretending
to Losses by Fire, etc.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
GLIMSTICK, subs. (old). — A candle-
stick. [From GLIM = a light +
stick.] Fr. : une occasion.
1690. B. E., Diet, of the Cant.
Crew, s.v. GLIMSTICK, c., a Candlestick.
RUM GLIMSTICKS, c., Silver Candlesticks.
QUEER GLIMSTICKS, c., Brass, Pewter, or
Iron Candlesticks.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
GLIM-LURK, subs, (tramps'). — A
beggars' petition, based on a
fictitious fire or GLIM (sense 2).
1851-61. H. MAYHEW, Land. Lab.
and Lond. Poor, vol. I., p. 233. The
patterer becomes a ' lurker,' — that is, an
imposter ; his papers certify any and
every ' ill that flesh is heir to.' Shipwreck
is called a SHAKE-LURK ; loss by fire is a
GLISTER, subs.phr. (thieves'). — See
quot., GLISTER OF FISH-HOOKS.
1889. CLARKSON and RICHARDSON,
Police, p. 321. A glass of Irish whiskey
.... a GLISTER OF FISH-HOOKS.
GLISTNER, subs, (old).— A
sovereign. For synonyms, see
CANARY.
Gloak.
156
Gloves.
GLOAK (or G LOACH), subs. (old). —
A man. For synonyms, see
CHUM and COVE.
1821. D. HAGGART, Life, Glossary,
pp. 48 and 172. GLOACH, a man ; cove.
GLOBE, subs. (old). — i. A pewter
pot ; pewter.
1714. Memoirs of John Hall, s.v.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
2. in. pi. (common). — The
paps. For synonyms, see DAIRY.
GLOBE-RANGERS, stibs. (nautical).
— The Royal Marines.
GLOBE-TROTTER, subs, (colloquial).
— A traveller ; primarily one
who races from place to place,
with the object of covering ground
or making a record. Fr. : un
pacquelineur.
1886. Graphic, 7 Aug., 147/1. Your
mere idle gaping GLOBETROTTER will spin
endless pages of unobservant twaddle,
and will record his tedious wanderings
with most painful minuteness.
1888. Academy, 17 Mar. The
inevitable steamboat, the world, and the
omnivorous GLOBE-TROTTER.
1889. Echo, g Feb. The British
GLOBE-TROTTER knows Japan as he knows
England, and English books about Japan
are turned out by the ton.
1890. Pall MallGaz., 27 Jan., p. 5,
c. 2. This popular definition of a quick-
mover has now become effete. Miss Ely
is a GLOBE-GALLOPER or she is nothing.
GLOBE-TROTTING, subs, (colloquial).
— Travelling after the manner of
GLOBE-TROTTERS (<7.Z>.).
1888. Academy, 22 Sept. In fact,
GLOBE-TROTTING, as the Americans some-
what irreverently term it, is now frequently
undertaken as a mere holiday trip.
GLOPE, verb. (Winchester College).
—To spit. (Obsolete).
GLORIOUS, aaj. (common). —
Excited with drink ; ' in one's
altitudes ' ; BOOZED. For syn-
onyms, see DRINKS and SCREWED.
1791. BURNS, Tarn o' Shanter.
Kings may be blessed, but Tarn was
GLORIOUS, O'er a' the ills of life
victorious.
1853. THACKERAY, Barry Lyndon,
ch. xviii.j p. 252. I knew nothing of the
vow, or indeed of the tipsy frolic which
was the occasion of it ; I was taken up
GLORIOUS, as the phrase is, by my servants,
and put to bed.
1891. Licensed Viet. Gaz., g Feb.
But as they all began to get GLORIOUS,
personalities became more frequent and
very much stronger.
GLORIOUS SINNER, subs. phr.
(rhyming). — A dinner.
GLORY, subs, (common). — The
after life; KINGDOM COME
(q.v.). Usually, THE COMING
GLORY.
1841. Punch, 17 July, p. 2. Clara
pines in secret — Hops the twig, and goes
to GLORY in white muslin.
IN ONE'S GLORY, adv. phr.
(colloquial). — In the full flush of
vanity, pride, taste, notion, or
idiosyncracy.
GLOVES, TO GO FOR THE GLOVES,
verb. phr. (racing). — To bet reck-
lessly; to bet against a horse with-
out having the wherewithal to pay
if one loses — the last resource of
the plunging turfite. The term
is derived from the well-known
habit of ladies to bet in pairs of
gloves, expecting to be paid if
they win, but not to be called
upon to pay if they lose.
1877. HAWLEY SMART, Play or Pay,
ch. xi. One of the boldest plungers of the
day, who had begun badly, was GOING
FOR THE GLOVES upon this match.
Glow.
Glutton.
1886. Badminton Library, ' Racing,'
p. 255. Hardly worth mentioning are the
backers who come in for a hit-or-miss dash
at the ring — TO GO FOR THE GLOVES, as it
is called in ring parlance.
1891. Licensed Viet. Gaz., 3 Apr.
Although we frequently read in stones
of the hero backing the right horse
at a long price, and so getting out of sundry
monetary difficulties, we rarely find the
idea realised in practice. Many a book-
maker has GONE FOR THE GLOVES.
GLOW, adj. (tailors'). — Ashamed.
GLUE, subs, (common). — I. Thick
soup. (Because it sticks to the
ribs.)
ENGLISH SYNONYMS. — De-
ferred stock ; belly-gum ; giblets-
twist ; gut-concrete ; rib-tickler ;
stick-in-the-ribs.
FRENCH SYNONYMS. — La
menetre (thieves') ; la lavas se ( =
a mess of pot liquor) ; la laffe
(thieves') ; la jaffe (popular) ;
Vordinaire (popular : soup and
boiled beef at an ordinary) ; le
fond d'estomac ( = thick soup);
la mousse ; la mouillante ( = the
moistener).
GERMAN SYNONYMS.— Jauche\
Polifke.
2. (common). — Gonorrhoea.
GLUE- POT, subs, (common). —A
parson. [Because he joins in
wedlock.] For synonyms, see
DEVIL-DODGER and SKY-PILOT.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
GLUM, adj. (old: now recognised).
— Sullen ; down in the mouth ;
stern. Fr. : faire son nez = to
look glum ; also, n'en pas mener
large.
1712. ARBUTHNOT, Hist, of John Bull,
pt. IV., ch. vii. Nic. looked sour and GLUM,
and would not open his mouth.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v
17(?). Broadside Ballad. 'Sam Hall,
The parson he will come, And he'll look so
bloody GLUM.
1816; JOHNSON, Diet, of the English
Language. GLUM, s.v., a low cant word
formed by corrupting ' gloom.'
1847. THACKERAY, Vanity Fair, ii.,
ch. vi. ' I wonder whether Lady South-
down will go away ; she looked very GLUM
upon Mrs. Rawdon,' the other said.
1888. Referee, 21 Oct. Who found
him looking GLUM and gray, And thought
his accent e;ruff and foreign.
1892. A. W. PINERO, The Times,
v., i. What are you so GLUM about.
GLUMP, verb, (provincial). — To
sulk. Hence GLUMPY, CLUMP-
ING, and GLUMPISH = sullen or
stubborn.
1787. GROSE, Prov. Glossary. CLUMP-
ING, sullen, or sour looking. Exm.
1835. TH. HOOK, Gilbert Gurney.
He was GLUMPY enough when I called.
1860. G.^ ELIOT, Mill on the Floss,
Bk. VI., ch. iy. "An it worrets me as
Mr. Tom 'ull sit by himself so GLUMPISH,
a-knittin' his brow, an' a lookin' at the
fire of a night.
GLUTMAN, subs. (old). — See quot.
1797. Police of the Metropolis, p. 64.
An inferior officer of the Customs, and
particularly one of that class of supernu-
merary tide waiters, who are employed
temporarily when there is a press or hurry
of business. These GLUTMEN are generally
composed of persons who are without
employment, and, being also without
character, recommend themselves princi-
pally from the circumstance of being able
to write.
GLUTTON, subs. (common). — I. A
horse which lasts well ; a STAYER
2. (pugilists'). — A pugilist
who can take a lot of PUNISH-
MENT (q.v.).
1819. MOORE, Tom Crib, xvi. Thus
Theocritus, in his Milling- Match, calls
Amycus a GLUTTON, which is well known
to be the classical phrase at Moulsey-
Hurst for one who, like Amycus, takes a
deal of punishment before he is satisfied.
Gnarler.
158
Go.
1891. Licensed Viet. Mirror, 30
Jan., p. 6, c. 3. He was known to be
an awfully heavy hitter with both hands, a
perfect GLUTTON at taking punishment.
GNARLER, subs, (thieves'). — A
watch dog. For synonyms, see
TIKE.
GNASP, verb, (old).— To vex. For
synonyms, see RILE.
1728. BAILEY, English Diet. s.v.
GNOFF. — See GONNOF.
GNOSTIC, subs, (colloquial). — A
knowing one ; a DOWNY COVE
(q.v. ); a WHIPSTER (q.v. ).
[From the Gr., gnosis— know-
ledge.]
1819. MOORE, Tom Crib, p. 27.
Many of the words used by the Canting
Beggars in Beaumont and Fletcher's
Masque are still to be heard among the
GNOSTICS of Dyot Street and Tothill
Fields.
adj. (colloquial). — Knowing,
ARTFUL (q.V.).
GNOSTICALLY, adv. (colloquial). —
Knowingly.
1825. SCOTT, St. Ronan's Well, ch.
iv. He was tog'd GNOSTICALLY enough.
Go, subs, (common).— rl. A drink ;
specifically a quartern of gin.
(Formerly a GO-DOWN, but Cf.t
quot. 1811.
[For other combinations see ABROAD —
ALL FOURS — ALOFT — AUNT — BABY — BACK
ON— BAD— BAIL — BALDHEADED — BATH-
BATTER — BEDFORDSHIRE — BEGGAR'S BUSH
—BETTER — BLAZES — BLIND — BOARD —
BODKIN — BULGE — BUNGAY — BURY — BUST
— BY- BY — CALL — CAMP — CHUMP — COLLEGE
— CRACKED — DEAD BROKE — DEVIL— DING
— DING-DONG — DOCK — DOSS — DRAG —
PLOUGH— FLUE —GAMBLE— GLAZE— GLORY
— GLOVES — GRAIN — GRASS — GROUND —
HAIRYFORDSHIRE — HALL — HALVES —
HANG — HELL — HIGH FLY — HIGH TOBY —
HOOKS— HOOP— JERICHO— JUMP— KITCHEN
— MAN — MAJORITY — MILL — MURPHY —
PACE — PIECES — PILE — POT — QUEEN-
RAKER — RANGE — ROPE- WALK — SALT
RIVER — SHALLOW — SHOP — SLOW— SMASH
— SNACKS — SNOOKS— SPOUT — STAR-GAZING
—SWEET VIOLETS— TOP— WALKER'S BUS—
WEST — WHOLE ANIMAL — WOODBINE —
WOOLGATHERING — WRONG.
ENGLISH SYNONYMS. —
Bender; caulker; coffin nail;
common-sewer ; cooler ; crack ;
cry ; damp ; dandy ; dash ; dew-
hank ; dewdrop ; dodger ; drain ;
dram ; facer ; falsh ; gargle ;
gasp ; go-down ; hair of the dog,
etc. ; Johnny ; lip ; liquor up ;
livener ; lotion ; lounce ; modest
quencher ; muzzier ; nail from
one's coffin ; night-cap ; nip or
nipper ; nobbier ; old crow ; a
one, a two, or a three ; out ;
peg ; pick - me • up ; pony ;
quencher ; reviver ; rince ; sen-
sation ; settler ; shift ; shove
in the mouth; slug; small
cheque ; smile ; snifter ; some-
thing damp ; something short ;
swig ; thimbleful; tiddly ; top up;
tot ; warmer ; waxer; wet ; white-
wash ; yard.
FRENCH SYNONYMS. — Un
bourgeron (popular = a nip of
brandy) ; un asticot de cercueil
(= a coffin-worm, a play on
verre and biere) ; un coup
d'arrosoir (popular : a touch of
the watering pot); un gargarisme
(popular : = a GARGLE [$.v.]);
un galopin ( = a PONY [q.v.'} of
beer; un larme ( = a tear);
tin mistiche (thieves') ; un
miserable (popular: a glass of
spirits costing one sou ; une
demoiselle = two sous; un
monsieur '=four sous ; un poisson
= five sous) ; un mince de chic
(popular : in contempt) ; un&
coquille de noix (popular = a
thimbleful ; a very small GO ; a
drain) ; un jeune homme
(familiar = in capacity four litres) ;
un Kolback (popular = a small
glass of brandy, or large glass of
wine) ; une flute (familiar) ;
un extravagant (popular = a long
drink); un fil ( = a drain); un
Go.
Go.
distingue (popular) ; une douleur
(popular = a comforter or PICK-
ME-UP) ; zm ballon (popular).
ITALIAN SYNONYM. — Schioppa
( = a long drink : also a large beer
glass).
SPANISH SYNONYMS. — Chis-
guete (colloquial) ; enjuagadientes
(also = a mouthful of water or
wine for rinsing the mouth after
eating) ; espolada( — o. long drink).
PORTUGUESE SYNONYM. —
Quebrado ( = broken : a small
glass).
1690. D'URFEY, Collins Walk, canto
4. And many more whose quality For-
bids their toping openly, Will privately, on
good occasion, Take six GO-DOWNS on
reputation.
1793. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
GO-SHOP .... The Queen's Head in
Duke's Court.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum. GO-
SHOP, s.v. The Queen's Head, in Duke's
Court, Bow Street, Covent Garden, fre-
quented by the under players, where gin
and water was sold in three-halfpenny
bowls, called GOES ; the gin was called
Arrack.
1823. JON. BEE, Diet, of the Turf,
s.v.
1835. DICKENS, Sketches by Boz,
The Streets: Night. Chops, kidneys,
rabbits, oysters, stout, cigars^ and GOES
innumerable, are served up amidst a noise
and confusion of smoking, running, knife-
clattering, and waiter-chattering, perfectly
indescribable.
1841. Punch, Vol. I., p. n, c. i.
Waiter, a GO of Brett's best alcohol.
1849. THACKERAY, Hoggarty Dia-
mond, ch. ii. Two more chairs, Mary,
two more tumblers, two more hot waters,
and two more GOES of gin !
1850. SMEDLEY, Frank Fairleigh,
p. 54. Drinking alternate GOES of gin and
water with a dustman for the purpose of
insinuating myself into the affections of
Miss Cinderella Smut, his interesting
sister.
1853. Diogenes, Vol. II., p. 271.
Shall I spend it in theatres? shows? In
numerous alcohol GOES ?
1870. Figaro, 28 May. Their mu-
sical performances are evidently inspired
by GOES of gin.
1883. Echo, 7 Feb., p. 4, c. 3.
Witness asked him what he had been
drinking. He replied, ' Two half-GOES
of rum hot and a half-pint of beer.'
2. (colloquial). — An incident ;
an occurrence : e.g., a RUM GO =
a strange affair, or queer start ; a
PRETTY GO = a startling busi-
ness ; a CAPITAL GO = a pleasant
business.
1803. KENNEY, Raising the Wind,
i., 3. Ha ! ha ! ha ! Capital GO, isn't it ?
1820. Jack Randalfs Diary. Gem-
men (says he), you all well know The joy
there is whene'er we meet ; It's what I call
the primest GO, And rightly named, 'tis—
quite a treat.
1835. DICKENS, Sketches by Bpz,
p. 251. A considerable bustle and shuffling
of feet was then heard upon the stage,
accompanied by whispers of ' Here's a
PRETTY GO! — what's to be done?'
1837. BARHAM, Ingoldsby Legends.
1 Misadventures at Margate.' ' O, Mrs.
Jones, ' says I, ' look here ! Ain't this a
PRETTY GO ! '
1841. Punch, vol. I., p. 162. Stating
his conviction that this was rayther a
RUMMY GO.
1849. THACKERAY, Pendennis, ch.
Ixxiii. Master Frank Clavering . . . had
only time to ejaculate the words, ' Here's
a JOLLY GO ! ' and to disappear sniggering.
1869. MRS. H. WOOD, Roland
Yorke, ch. xli. ' I am about to try what a
month or two's absence will do for me.'
' And leave us to old Brown ? — that will
be a NICE GO !'
1876. GEORGE ELIOT, Daniel
Deronda, ch. vii. A RUM GO as ever I
saw.
1880. G. R. SIMS, Three Brass
Balls, pledge xvi. He . . . exclaimed,
' Well, I'm dashed if this isn't a RUM GO ! '
1883. R. L. STEVENSON, Treasure
Island, p. 55. A pretty RUM GO if squire
aint to talk for Doctor Livesey.
1891. N. GOULD, Double Event, p.
305. ' It was a NEAR GO,' said Jack.
3. (common). — The fashion ;
THE CHEESE (q.v.) ; the correct
thing. Generally in the phrase
ALL THE GO.
Go.
160
Go.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
He is quite the GO, he is quite varment, he
is prime, he is bang up.
1821. EGAN, Tom and Jerry [ed.
1891], p. 35. Tom was the GO among the
GOES.
1835. HALIBURTON ('Sam Slick'),
The Clockmaker, 3 S., ch. xiv. Whatever
is the GO in Europe will soon be the
cheese here.
1837. BARHAM, Ingoldsby Legends,
I., 251. It was rather the GO With Pil-
grims and Saints in the Second Crusade.
1846. Punch, vol. X., p. 163. From
lowly Queen's quadrangle, Where muffins
are the GO.
1880. G. R. SIMS, Ballads of
Babylon (Beauty and Beast). And all
day long there's a big crowd stops To
look at the lady who's ALL THE GO.
4. (colloquial).— Life ; spirit ;
energy ; enterprise ; impetus :
e.g., PLENTY OF GO = full of
spirit and dash. Fr. : avoir du
chien.
1825. The English Spy, i., 178.
She's only fit to carry a dean or a bishop.
No GO in her.
1865. MACDONALD, Alec Forbes of
How-glen, II., 269. All night Tibbie
Dyster had lain awake in her lonely
cottage, listening to the quiet heavy GO of
the water.
1882. Daily Telegraph, 9 Oct. Mr.
Grossmith's music is bright and tripping,
full of humour and GO, as, under such
circumstances, music should be !
1883. Illustrated London News, 10
March, p. 242, c. 3. There was any
amount of dash and GO in their rowing.
1887. PATON, Down the Islands.
Barbadian may therefore be said to mean
a man with GO and grit, energy and v im.
1889. Sportsman, 19 Jan. It all lent
a certain zest and GO to the proceedings.
1890. Pall Mall Gaz., 21 Feb.,
p. 7, c. i. There was so much heartiness
and GO (so to speak) in the work that it
reminded me of what I had read about
peasant proprietors labouring in Switzer-
land and elsewhere under a Home Rule
Government.
5. (colloquial). — A turn ; an
attempt ; a chance. Cf., No GO.
To HAVE A GO AT, verb. phr.
— to make essay of anything: : as a
man in a fight, a shot at billiards,
and (specifically) a woman.
1836. C. DICKENS, Pickwick Papers
(about 1827), p. 377 (ed. 1857). Wot do
you think o' that for a GO?
1877. Five Yeats' Penal Servitude,
ch. iii., p. 221. I've twelve this GO. I did
a lagging of seven, and was at the Gib.
three out of it.
1878. JAS. PAYN, By Proxy, ch. iii.
' I would practise that in the seclusion of
my own apartments,' observed Pennicuick;
'and after a few GOES at it, I'll bet a
guinea I'd shake the right stick out first.'
1888. HAGGARD, Mr. Meeson's Will,
ch. x. You have had seven GOES and I
have only had six.
6. (American), — A success.
To MAKE A GO OF iT = to bring
things to a satisfactory termina-
tion.
1888. Harper's Mag., vol.'LX.'X.'VU.,
p. 689. Determination to make the venture
a GO.
7. (gaming). The last card at
cribbage, or the last piece at
dominoes. When a player is
unable to follow the lead, he
calls a GO !
8. (old.)— A DANDY (q.v. for
synonyms) ; a very heavy swell
indeed, one in the extreme of
fashion.
1821. EGAN, Tom and Jerry
[people's ed.], p. 35- In the parks, Tom
was THE GO among the GOES.
Verb (American political). — I.
To vote ; to be in favour of. Cf. ,
Go FOR.
2. (colloquial). — To succeed ;
to achieve. Cf., Go DOWN.
1866. Public Opinion, 13 Jan., p. 51,
c. i. His London-street railway scheme
didn't GO.
Go.
161
Go.
1870. H. D. TRAILL, 'On the
Watch.' Sat. Songs, p. 22. Eh, waddyer
say ? Don't it GO ? Ho, yes ! my right
honnerble friend. It's GO and GO over
the left, it's GO with a hook at the end.
3. (colloquial). — To wager; to
risk. Hence to stand treat ; to
afford.
1768. GOLDSMITH, Good Natnred
Man, Act iii. Men that would GO forty
guineas on a game of cribbage.
1876 BESANT AND RICE, Golden
Butterfly, Prologue ii. The very dice
on the counter with which the bar-keeper
used to GO the miners for drinks.
1877. S. L. CLEMENS (M. Twain),
Life on the Mississippi, ch. xliii., p. 390.
There's one thing in this world which a
ptrson won't take in pine if he can GO
walnut ; and won't take in walnut if he
can GO mahogany. . . . That's a coffin.
c. 1882. Comic Song, ' The West End
Boys,' verse 3. Another bitter I really
can't GO.
1887. World, 20 Apr., p. 8. While
making up his mind, apparently whether
he would GO ' three ' or ' Nap.'
4. (racing). — To ride to
hounds.
1884. HAWLEY SMART, From Post
to Finish, p. 219. There would be far too
many there who had seen Gerald Rocking-
ham GO with the York and Ainstey not to
at once know that he and Jim Forrest
were identical.
5. (colloquial). — To be preg-
nant.
1561-1626. BACON, (quoted by Dr.
Johnson). Women GO commonly nine
months, the cow and ewe about six
months.
1601. SHAKSPEARE, Henry VIII.,
iv., i. Great bellied women that had not
half a week to GO.
Go DOWN, verb. phr. (collo-
quial). — i. To be accepted,
received, or swallowed ; to WASH
(</.*•).
1609. DEKKER, Lanthorne and
Candle-Light, in wks. (Grosart), III., 272.
For the woorst hors-flesh (so it be cheape)
does best GOE DOWNE with him.
16£9. MASSINGER, City Madam,
i., i. But now I fear it will be spent in
poultry ; Butcher's - meat will not GO
DOWN.
1663. PEPYS, Diary, g Nov. The
present clergy will never heartily GO
DOWN with the generality of the commons
of England.
1742. FIELDING, Joseph Andrews,
bk. II., ch. xvii. 'O ho ! you are a pretty
traveller,' cries the host, 'and not know
the Levant ! you must not talk of
these things with me , you must not tip us
the traveller — it won't GO here.1
1748. SMOLLETT, Rod. Random, ch.
xxi. He . . . shook his head, and
beginning with his usual exclamation
said, ' That won't GO DOWN with me.'
1885. W. E. NORRIS, Adrian Vidal,
ch. vii. In fashion or out of fashion, they
always pay and always GO DOWN with the
public.
2. (University). — To be under
discipline ; to be rusticated.
1863. H. KINGSLEY, Austin Elliot,
i., 179. How dare you say 'deuce in
my presence? You can GO DOWN, my
Lord.
3. (common). — To become
bankrupt. Also, TO GO UNDER.
1892. R. L. STEVENSON and L.
OSBOURNE, The Wrecker, p. 19. Some
one had certainly GONE DOWN.
To GO DUE NORTH, verb. phr.
(obsolete). — To go bankrupt.
[That is, to go to White-cross
Street Prison, once situate in
north London]. See QUISBY.
TO GO ON THE DUB, verb,
phr. (old). — To go house-break-
ing ; to pick locks. See DUB.
1690. B. E., Diet, of the Cant.
Crew. Going upon the DUB, c. Breaking
a House with picklocks.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
To GO TO THE DOGS, verb.
t>hr. (colloquial). — To go to ruin.
T-i the Dutch proverb ' Toe
$j toe de dogs ' = money gone,
credit gone too.] See DEMNI-
TION BOW-WOWS.
1857. A. TROLLOPE, Three Clerks,
ch. i. The service, he said, would GO
TO THE DOGS, and might do for anything
he cared and he did not mind h w soon,
II
Go.
162
Go.
1863. H. KINGSLEY, Austin Elliot,
i, 179. < ' Got a second ! — bah ! The
University is going to the ' ' Deuce ! '
suggested Lord Charles, who was afraid of
something worse. ' DOGS, Sir, DOGS !
c. 1879. Broadside Ballad, 'Old
CloV My line of business is played out,
it's GOING TO THE DOGS.
TO GO OFF ON THE EAR,
verb. phr. (American). — To get
angry ; to fly into a tantrum.
See NAB THE RUST.
To GO FOR, verb. phr. (collo-
quial). — i. To attempt ; to
tackle ; to resolve upon ; to MAKE
FOR(^.Z>.).
1871. JOHN HAY, Jim Bludso. He
see'd his duty, a dead-sure thing — And he
WENT FOR it thar and then.
1890. Athentzum, 22 Mar., p. 366,
c. i. The authors have spared neither
their creatures nor the reader one iota ;
whenever an unpleasant effect was obtain-
able, they straightway seem to have GONE
FOR it with unflinching zest.
1891. N. GOULD, Double Event,
p. 221. Some men had GONE FOR half a
dozen, others for two or three, and very
few for a single.
1892. HUME NISBET, Bushranger's
Siveetheart, p. 118. We are strong, my
boy, strong now, and are GOING IN FOR
the slugging of books also, as well as the
immorality of trade.
2. (colloquial). — To attack
with violence and directness,
whether manually or with the
tongue.
1871. Morning Advertiser, 2 Feb.,
'A curtain lecture.' On ... arrival home
the derelict husband is to be GONE FOR in
the most approved style of the late lamented
Mrs. Caudle.
1883. JAMES PAYN, Thicker than
Water, ch. xxxvii. There were occasions
. . . when Charley could hardly help
GOING FOR the legs of that lofty philosopher,
for higher he could not hit him.
1889. Polytechnic Magazine, 24 Oct.,
p. 261. He WENT FOR the jam tarts
unmercifully.
1889. Star, 24 Aug., p. 4, c. 2. As
the enlightened tailor still declined to pay
the blackmail one of the anti-machinists
WENT FOR him with a chopper.
1892. Tit Bits, 19 Mar., p. 424, c.
i. So it comes to much the same thing,
with the exception that you cannot indulge
in the sad delight of GOING FOR Master
Bertie sometimes as you might do were he
a member of your own household.
1892. HUME NISBET, Bushrangers
Sweetheart, p. 123. " Well mate, GO FOR
HIM, and we'll keep the cops off till you
settle his hash."
3. (colloquial). — To support ;
to favour ; to vote for.
4. (theatrical). — To criticise ;
specifically, to run down. [An
extension of sense 2.] For syn-
onyms, see RUN DOWN.
To GO IN FOR (or AT), verb,
phr. (colloquial). — To enter for;
to apply oneself to (e.g., TO GO
IN FOR honours). Also to devote
oneself to (e.g., to pay court);
to take up (as a pastime, pursuit,
hobby, or principle). Closely
allied to GO FOR.
1836. C. DICKENS, Pickwick Papers,
p. 18 (ed. 1857). This advice was very
like that which bystanders invariably give
to the smallest boy in a street fight ; namely,
' Go IN, and win ' : an admirable thing to
recommend, if you only know how to
doit.
1849. DICKENS, David Copperfield.
ch. xviii., p. 162. Sometimes I GO IN AT
the butcher madly, and cut my knuckles
open against his face.
1864. DICKENS, Our Mutual Friend,
iii., 3. Go IN FOR money Money's the
article.
1869. WHYTE MELVILLE, M. or N ,
p. 31. Long before he had reached his
uncle's house, he had made up his mind to
GO IN, as he called it, FOR Miss Bruce,
morally confident of winning, yet troubled
with certain chilling misgivings, as fearing
that this time he had really fallen in love.
1870. Agricultural Jour., Feb. Men
who COIN FOR bathing, running, etc.
1872. BESANT AND RICE, My Little
Girl (in Once a Week, 14 Dec., p. 508).
He had, after a laborious and meritorious
career at Aberdeen, GONE IN FOR Scotch
mission work in Constantinople.
1873. Miss BROUGHTON, Nancy, ch.
xlv. His cheeks are flushed ; he is laugh-
ing loudly, and GOING IN heavily FOR the
champagne.
Go.
163
Go.
1883. JAMES PAYN, Thicker than
Water, ch. xx. This is very nice, but I
do wonder, Mrs. Tidman, that you never
GO IN FOR curries.
1890. H. D. TKAILL, 'A Noble
Watchword,' Sat. Songs, p. 58. To GO IN
solid for the cause how noble ! (though,
'tis true, We must hope at next election
that you'll GO IN liquid, too).
To GO IN UNTO, verb. phr.
( Biblical ). — To have sexual
intercourse with. For synonyms,
see GREENS and RIDE.
1892. Bible, Gen. xxx. 3. Behold my
maid Bilhah, GO IN UNTO her.
To GO IT, verb. phr. (collo-
quial).— To act with vigour and
daring ; to advocate or speak
strongly ; to live freely. Also to
GO IT BLIND, FAST, BALD-
HEADED, STRONG, etc. Cf.,
DASH.
1689 (in ARBER, Eng, Garner, vol.
VII., p. 365). When these had shared
her cargo, they parted company : the
French with their shares WENT IT for
Petty Guavas in the Grand Gustaphus.
1821. EGAN, 7'om and Jerry
[people's ed.], p. 67. Logic, under the
domino, had been GOING IT on a few of
his friends with much humour.
Ibid., p. 22. To GO IT, where's a place
like London?
1837. R. H. BARHAM, The Ingoldsby
Legends (Ed. 1862), p. 375. For of this
be assured, if you GO IT TOO FAST, you'll
be' dished 'like Sir Guy.
1846-48. THACKERAY, Vanity Fair,
vol. I., ch. 26. 'He's GOING IT PRETTY
FAST," said the clerk.
1849. DICKENS, David Copperfield,
ch. 6. I say young Copperfield, you're
GOING IT.
1841. Dow, Sermons, vol. I., p. 176. I
would have you understand, my dear
hearers, that I have no objection to some
of the sons and daughters of the earth
GOING IT, while they are young, provided
they don't GO IT TOO STRONG.
1864. Eraser's Mag., Aug., p. 54.
But what if that O, brave heart ? Art thou
a labourer ? Labour on, Art thou a poet ?
Go IT STRONG.
1880. MiLLiKEN.in Punch's Almanack
Apr. Nobby togs, high jinks, and lots o*
lotion, That s the style to GO IT, I've a
notion.
Intj. (common). — Keep at
it ! Keep it up ! — a general (some-
times ironical) expression of
encouragement. Also GO IT YE
GRIPPLES, CRUTCHES ARE CHEAP !
(or NEWGATE'S ON FIRE) ; GO IT,
MY TULIP J GO IT MY GAY AND
FESTIVE cuss ! (Artemus Ward) ;
or (American) GO IT BOOTS ! GO
IT RAGS ! I'LL HOLD YOUR
BONNET ! G'LANG ! (usually to a
man making the pace on foot or
horseback.) For similar expres-
sions see MOTHER. Fr., hardi!
1840. THACKERAY, Cox's Diary.
Come along this way, ma'am ! Go IT, YE
CRIPPLES !
1854. THACKERAY, The Rose and
the Ring, p. 92. ' Go IT, old boy ! ' cried
the impetuous Smith.
1868. Miss BRADDON, Trail of the
Serpent, bk. I., ch. iii. Three cheers for
red ! Go IT— GO IT, red !
1890. Tit Bits, i Mar., p. 325. ' Not
for Joe "... came from a once popular
song. So did GO IT, YOU CRIPPLES.
To GO OUT, verb. phr. (collo-
quial).— To fall into disuse.
1841. Punch, vol. I., p. 113.
Pockets, ... to use the flippant idiom of
the day, are GOING OUT.
To GO OVER, verb. phr. (collo-
quial).— I. To desert from one
side to another; specifically
(clerical) to join the Church of
Rome ; to VERT (q.v.).
1861. THACKERAY, Lovel the
Widwer, ch. ii. I remember Pye, of
Maudlin, just before he WENT OVER, was
perpetually in Miss Prior's back parlour
with little books, pictures, medals, etc.
1878. Miss BRADDON, Open Verdict,
ch. vi. Mr. Dulcimer is a horrid person
to tell you such stories ; and after this, I
shouldn't be at all surprised at his GOING
OVER to Rome.
2. (colloquial). — To die ; i.e.,
to GO OVER TO join the majority.
Also tO GO OFF. TO GO OFF
Go.
164
Go.
THE HOOKS, TO GO UNDER, TO
GO ALOFT, and TO GO UP.
1848. RUXTON, Life in the Far West,
p. 4. 'A sight, marm, this coon's GONE
OVER.' Ibid., p. 3. Them three's all GONE
UNDER.
3. (thieves') — To attack, rifle,
and rob.
1889. Referee, 2 June. A few who
had . . . GONE OVER the landlord, left
him skinned.
To GO OFF, verb. phr. (collo-
quial).— i. To take place ; to
occur.
1866. MRS. GASKELL, Wives and
Daughters, ch. xiv. The wedding WENT
OFF much as such affairs do.
2. (colloquial). — To be disposed
of (as goods on sale, or a woman
in marriage).
1835. DICKENS, Sketches by Boz,
E. 208. Miss M alder ton was as well
nown as the lion on the top of
. Northumberland House, and had an equal
chance of GOING OFF.
3. (colloquial). — To deteriorate
(as fish by keeping, or a woman
with year's).
1883. Pall Mall Gazette, 16 Apr.,
p. 3, c. 2 Shotover rather WENT OFF in
the Autumn, and her Leger preparation
was not altogether satisfactory.
1892. Tit-Bits, 17 Sept., p. 422, c. 3.
To those . . . who are apt to GO OFF
COLOUR, so to speak, through injudicious
indulgence at table.
4. (colloquial). — To die. For
synonyms, see ALOFT.
1606. SHAKSPEARE, Macbeth, v., 7.
I would the friends we miss were safe
arrived : Some must GO OFF.
1836. C. DICKENS, Pickwick Papers
(about 1827), p. 368 (Ed. 1857). She's
dtad, God bless her, and thank him for it !
—was seized with a fit and WENT OFF.
Go AS YOU PLEASE, adj. phr.
(athletics'). — Applied to races
where the competitors can run,
walk, or rest at will : e.g. , in
time and distance races. Hence,
general freedom of action.
1884. Punch, n Oct. ' 'Arry at a
Political Picnic.' 'Twas regular GO AS
YOU PLEASE.
To GO TO BATH, PUTNEY,
etc. — See BATH, BLAZES, HELL,
HALIFAX, etc.
To GO THROUGH, verb. phr.
(American). — I. To rob : i.e. , to
turn inside out. Hence, to
master violently and completely ;
to make an end of.
1872. Evening Standard, 21 June.
The roughs would work their will, and, in
their own phrase, GO THROUGH New
York pretty effectually.
1888. Baltimore Sun. He was gar-
rotted, and the two robbers WENT THROUGH
him before he could reach the spot.
Ibid. It was a grand sight to see
F.irnsworth GO THROUGH him ; he did not
leave him a single leg to stand upon.
2. (venery). — To possess a
woman. For synonyms, see
RIDE.
To GO UP (or UNDER), verb.
phr. (colloquial). — i. To go to
wreck and ruin ; to become
bankrupt ; to disappear from
society. Also, to die. For syn-
onyms, see DEADBROKE.
1864. The Index, June. Soon after
the blockade, many thought we should GO
UP on the salt question.
1879. JAS. PAYN, High Spirits {Find-
ing His Level). Poor John Weybridge,
Esq., became as friendless as penniless, and
eventually WENT UNDER, and was heard
of no more.
1890. Pall Mall Gaz., 29 May, p. 5,
c. i. He asks us further to state that the
strike is completely at an end, the society
having GONE UNDER.
2. (colloquial).— To die : Cf.
Ger. : Tintergehen. For syn-
onyms, see ALOFT.
18(?). Hawkeye, The Iowa Chief, p.
210. Poor Hawkeye felt, says one of his
biographers, that his time had come, and
Go.
165
Coaler's Coach.
knowing that he must GO UNDER sooner or
later, he determined to sell his life dearly.
1849. RUXTON, Life in the far West,
p. 2. Them three s all GONE UNDER.
1888. Daily Inter. Ocean, Mar.
All solemnly vowed to see that the mine
should be worked solely for the benefit of
the girl whether Jim lived or had GONE
UNDER.
To GO UP, verb. phr.
(American). — To die ; specifically
to die by the rope.
1867. HEP WORTH DIXON, New
America, i., n. Unruly citizens are
summarily hung on a cotton tree, and when
any question is asked about them, the
answer is briefly given, GONE UP — i.e.,
gone up the cotton tree, or suspended from
one of its branches.
To GO UP FOR, verb. phr.
(common). — To enter for (as an
examination).
1889. Globe, 12 Oct., p. i, c. 4
Always, it seems likely, there will be men
GOING UP FOR examinations ; and every
now and again, no doubt, there will be
among them a wily ' Heathen Pass-ee ' like
him of whom Mr. Hilton speaks — who had
cribs up his sleeve, and notes on his cuff.
To GO WITH, verb. phr.
(colloquial). — I. To agree or
harmonise with. See GEE.
2. (colloquial). — To share the
sexual embrace. For synonyms,
see GREENS and RIDE.
ON THE GO, adv. phr. (collo-
. quial). — On the move ; restlessly
active.
No GO, adv. phr. (colloquial). —
Of no use ; not to be done ; a
complete failure. Frequently
contracted to N.G.
1835. DICKENS, Sketches by Boz,
p. 18. I know something about this here
family, and my opinion is, it's NO GO.
1853. Diogenes, vol. II., p. 271.
Dear master, don't think of me ill ; If I
say — as the lists are NO GO — You've in
future no fear for the till !
1884. Notes and Queries, 6 S., x.,
p; 125. There were on the occasion so
many rounds and so many NO GOES.
1888. Puck's Library, May, p. 12.
He thought a moment, and shook his
head. It's NO GO was the dictum.
1890. Punch, 22 Feb., p. 85. He's
a long-winded lot, is Buchanan, slops over
tremenjous, he dp ; . . . But cackle and
splutter ain't swimming ; so Robert, my
nabs, it's NO GO.
1892. J. MCCARTHY and MRS.
CAMPBELL-PRAED, Ladies' Gallery, p. 84.
She sees it is NO GO with the baronet.
A LITTLE BIT ON THE GO,
adv. phr. (old). — Slightly ine-
briated ; elevated. For syno-
nyms, see DRINKS and SCREWED.
1821. EGAN, Tom and Jerry
[peoples' ed.], p. 58. The Corinthian had
made him A LITTLE BIT ON THE GO.
GOAD, subs, (old).— i. A decoy at
auctions ; a horse-chaunter ; a
PETER FUNK (q.v.). [One who
goads (i.e., sends up) the prices.]
1609. DEKKER, Lanthorne and
Candle light, ch. x. They that stand by
and conycatche the chapman either with
out-bidding, false praises, etc., are called
GOADES.
1690. B. E., Diet, of the Cant.
Crew, s.v. GOADS, those that wheedle in
Chapmen for Horse-coursers,
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
2. in. pi. (old). — False dice. —
CHAPMAN. For synonyms, see
IVORIES.
GOAL, subs. (Winchester College).
— i. At football the boy who
stands at the centre of each end,
acting as umpire ; and (2) the
score of three points made when
the ball is kicked between his
legs, or over his head without his
touching it.
1870. MANSFIELD, School -Life at
Winchester College, p. 138. Midway
between each of the two ends of the line
was stationed another boy, as umpire
(GOAL, he was called) who stood with his
legs wide apart, and a gown rolled up at
each foot : if the ball was kicked directly
over his head, or between his legs, without
his touching it, it was a GOAL, and scored
three for the party that kicked it.
COALER'S COACH. See GAOLER'S
COACH.
Go-along.
1 66
Goatish.
GO-ALONG, subs, (thieves'). — A
fool; a FLAT {q.v. ). " For syn-
onyms, jwBuFFLE and CABBAGE
HEAD.
1851-61. II. MAYHEW, Lend. Lab.
and Lonl. Poor, vol. I., p. 460. In four
days my adviser left me ; he had no more
use for me. I was a flat. He had me for
a GO-ALONG, to cry his things for him.
1853. Household Words, No. 183.
s.v. ' Slang."
GOAT, subs, (old).— A lecher; a
MOLROWER (q.V.}.
1599. SHAKSPEARE, Henry V., iv.,
4. Thou damn'd and luxurious mountain
GOAT.
1690. B. E., Diet, of the Cant.
Crew, s.v. GOAT, a Lecher, a very
lascivious person.
1717. CIBP.ER, Nonjuror,\., i. At the
tea-table I have seen the impudent GOAT
most lusciously sip off her leavings.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
Verb (common). — I. To thrash.
For synonyms, see TAN.
1864. Derby Day, p. 70. You
won't GOAT me ? Not this journey.
TO PLAY THE GOAT. verb.
phr. (common). — i. To play the
fool; to MONKEY (q.v.). Fr.,
faire Voiseaii.
2. (venery). — To lead a fast
life ; to be given to MOLROWING
To RIDE THE GOAT, verb. phr.
(common).— To be initiated into
a secret society. [From the vul-
gar error that a live goat, for
candidates to ride, is one of the
standing properties of a Masonic
lodge.]
GOATEE, subs, (colloquial). — A
tufted beard on the point of
a shaven chin. [In imitation
of the tuft of hair on a goat's
chin.]
ENGLISH SYNONYMS (for a
beard generally). — Charley; im-
perial; Newgate (or sweep's) frill,
or fringe.
FRENCH SYNONYMS. — Une
marmouse (thieves') ; un im~
periale (colloquial: formerly une
royale] ; un bouc or une bouquine
( = a goatee) ; bacchantes (thieves' :
the beard, but more especially the
whiskers, from b&che = awning).
GERMAN SYNONYM. — Soken
(from the Hebrew ; also = old
man).
ITALIAN SYNONYMS. — Bosco
di berlo (the forest on the face) ;
settoaa ( = full of hair) ; spinola
( = thorny).
SPANISH SYNONYM.— Bosque
( = wood).
1869. Orchestra, 18 June. Working
carpenters with a straggling GOATEE on
the chin, and a mass of unkempt hair on
the head.
GOATER, subs. (American thieves').
— Dress. For synonyms, set
TOGS.
GOAT - HOUSE, sttbs. (old). — A
brothel. [From GOAT, sufis.,
sense i.] For synonyms, see
NANNY-SHOP.
GOATISH, adj. (old, now recog-
nised).— Lecherous. [As vicing
with a goat in lust.] Hence
GOATISHLY, adv., and GOATISH-
NESS, subs.
1622. MASSINGER AND DEKKER,
Virgin Martyr, iii., i. Give your chaste
body up to the embraces of GOATISH lust.
1605. SHAKSPEARE, King Lear, \.
2. An admirable evasion of whoremaster-
man, to lay his GOATISH disposition to
tho charge of a star.
Goat-milker.
167
Gobi
GOAT-MILKER, subs, (venery). — i.
A prostitute. For synonyms, see
BARRACK-HACK and TART.
2. (venery). — The female ptt-
dendum. For synonyms, see
MONOSYLLABLE.
GOAT'S JIG (or GIGG), subs. (old).
— Copulation. For synonyms,
see GREENS. — GROSE.
GO-AWAY, subs. (American thieves').
— A railway-train.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum, s.v.
The knuck was working the GOAWAYS at
Jersey City.
GOB (or GOBBETT), suds, (old: now
vulgar), i. A portion ; a mouth-
ful ; a morsel. Also a gulp ; a
BOLT ( q.v. ). [Latin, gob =
mouth : Old Fr., gob = 3. gulp.]
Skeat says the shorter form GOB
is rare.
1380. WYCLIFFE, Trans, of Bible.
Thei token the relifis of broken GOBETIS
tweh e cofres full.
1542. Apop. of Erasmus [1878], p.' 14.
A bodie thinketh hymself well emende in
his substaunce and riches, to whom hath
happened some good GUBBE of money,
and maketh a great whinyng if he haue
had any losse of the same.
1599. NASHE, Lenten Stuffe* in wks.,
v.. 261. And thrust him downe his
pudding house at a GOBBE.
1605. CHAPMAN, All Fools, Act in.,
p. 62 (Plays, 1874). Ri. And do you
think He'll swallow down the gudgeon?
Go, O my life, It were a gross GOB would
not down with him.
1611, L. BARRY, Ram. Alley, I., i.
That little land he gave, Throate the
lawyer swallowed at one GOB For less
than half the worth.
1689. SEI.DEN, Table - Talk, p. 50
(Arber's ed.). The meaning of the Law
was, that so much should be taken from a
man, such a GOBBET sliced off, that yet
notwithstanding he might live in the same
Rank and Condition he lived in before ;
but now they Fine men ten times more
than they are worth.
1690. B. E., Diet. Canting Crew,
s.v. GOB(C) . . . also a Bit or Morsel ;
hence GOBBETS, now more in use for little
Bits.
1748. T. DYCHE, Dictionary (sth
ed.). GOB or GOBBET (s.) a piece just big
enough, or fit to be put into the mouih at
once.
1774. FOOTE, Cozeners, ii., 2. The
venison was over-roasted, and stunk — but
Doctor Dewlap twisted down such GOBS
of fat.
1785. GROSE, Vrdg. Tongue, s.v.
1816. JOHNSON, Eng. Diet. (i2th
ed.) GOB, a small quantity, a low word.
1869. S. L. CLEMENS (M. Twain)
Innocents Abroad, ch. vii. It is pushed
out into the sea on the end of a flat,
narrow strip of land, and is suggestive of
a GOB of mud on the end of a shingle.
2. (common). — The mouth.
SHUT YOUR GOB = an injunction
to silence. See GAB. A SPANK
ON THE GOB = a blow on the
mouth. GOB-FULL OF CLARET
= a bleeding at the mouth. GIFT
OF THE GAB or GOB, see GAB.
For synonyms see POTATO-TRAP.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew,
s.v. GOB, the Mouth.
1819. T. MOORE, Tom Crib's Me*
morial, p. 18. Home-hits in the bread*
basket, clicks in the GOB. Ibid, p. 30.
1836. M. SCOTT, Tom Cringle's
Log, ch. i. ' All right— all right,' I then
exclaimed, as I thrust half a doubled-up
muffin into my GOB.
1851-61. Hr MAYHEW, Lond. Lab,
and Lond. Poor, vol. I., p. 469. I
managed somehow to turn my GOB (mouth)
round and gnawed it away.
3. (common),— A mouthful of
spittle. Fr., un copeau ; It,,
smalzo di cavio ( = gutter-butter).
For synonyms, see SIXPENCES.
Verb, (common). — i. To
swallow in mouthfuls ; to gulp
down. Also GOBBLE (q. v.).
Gobble.
168
Gob -box.
1692. L/ESTRANGE Fables. Down
comes a kite powdering upon them, and
GOBBETS up both together.
2. (common). — To expec-
torate. Fr. , glavioter (popular) ;
molarder.
GOBBIE, subs, (nautical). — A coast-
guardsman ; whence GOBBIE-
SHIP, a man of war engaged in
the preventive service.
1890. Scotsman, 4 Aug. When a
meeting takes place the men indulge in a
protracted yarn and a draw of the pipe.
The session involves a considerable amount
of expectoration all round, whereby our
friends come to be known as CORBIES, and
in process of time the term came to be
applied to the ships engaged in the
service. Ibid. There are no fewer than
three other GOBBIE SHIPS in the channel
fleet, each of which carries a considerable
number of coastguardsmen putting in
their annual period of drill.
GOBBLE (or GOBBLE UP), verb.
(vulgar). — To swallow hastily or
greedily ; hence (American) to
seize, capture, or appropriate.
Also GOB : e.g., GOB that !
1602. DEKKER, Satiro-mastix, in
wks. (1873) i. 233. They will come to
GOBBLE downe Plummes.
1728. SWIFT, Misc. Poems, in wks.
(1824) xiv. 232. The time too precious
now to waste, The supper GOBBLED up in
haste.
1751. SMOLLETT, Peregrine Pickle,
ch. cvi. Summoned in such a plaguy
hurry from his dinner, which he had been
fain to GOBBLE up like a cannibal.
1846-48. THACKERAY, Vanity Fair,
vol. i, ch. v. Mr. Jos helped
Rebecca to everything on the table, and
himself GOBBLED and drank a great deal.
1860. THACKERAY, Philip, ch. xiii.
There was a wily old monkey who thrust
the cat's paw out, and proposed to GOBBLE
up the smoking prize.
GOBBLE-PRICK, subs. (old). — A
lecherous woman. — GROSE.
GOBBLER, subs. (old). — i. A duck.
— HARMAN.
2. (colloquial). — A turkey
cock; a BUBBLY - JOCK (q.v.).
Also GOBBLE-COCK.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1851. HOOPER, Widow Rugby's
Husband, etc., p. 94. Her face was as red
as a GOBBLER'S snout.
3. (vulgar). — The mouth. For
synonyms, see POTATO-TRAP.
4. (colloquial). — A greedy
eater. For synonyms, see
STODGER.
GOBBLING, 5«fo. (vulgar). — Gorging.
1846-48. THACKERAY, Vanity Fair,
ch. iii., vol. i. His mouth was full of it,
his face quite red with the delightful
exercise of GOBBLING ' Mother, it's as
good as my own curries in India.1
GO-BETWEEN, subs, (old).— A pimp
or bawd. Now an intermediary
of any kind.
1596. SHAKSPEARE, Merry Wives of
Windsor, Act ii., sc. 2. Even as you
came into me, her assistant, or GO-BE-
TWEEN, parted from me.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
GOBLIN, subs. (old). — A sovereign.
For synonyms, see CANARY.
1887. W. E. HENLEY, Villon's
Straight Tip. Your merry GOBLINS soon
stravag : Boose and the blowens cop the
lot.
GOB-BOX, subs, (common). — The
mouth. [From GOB, subs.~\ For
synonyms, see POTATO-TRAP.
1773. FORSTER, Goldsmith, Bk. IVM
ch. xiv., p. 414 (sth ed.). Shuter pro-
testing in his vehement odd way that ' the
boy could patter,' and ' use the GOB-BOX as
quick and smart as any of them.'
1819. SCOTT, Bride of Lammermoor,
ch. i. Your characters .... made too
much use of the GOB-BOX ; they patter
too much.
Gob -stick.
169
God.
GOB-STICK, subs, (old).— A silver
table-spoon. ( In use in Am erica =
either spoon or fork) ; (nautical),
a horn or wooden spoon.
1789. PARKER, Life's Painter, s.v.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum, s.v.
Goe-STRiNG(or GAB-STRING), subs.
(old).— A bridle.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
GO-BY, subs, (colloquial). — The
act of passing ; an evasion ; a
deception. To GIVE ONE THE
co-BY = to cut; to leave in the
lurch. C/., CUT (subs, sense 2,
verb, sense 2).
1876. HINDLEY, Cheap Jack, p. 214.
When we came in contact with a travelling
bookseller we could GIVE HIM THE GO-BY
with our library.
1892. R. L. STEVENSON, Kidnapped,
ch. ix. She GAVE us THE GO-BY in the
fog — as I wish from the heart that ye
had done yoursel' !
1892. Salas Journal, 25 June, p. 194.
Now can you understand how it is possible,
and, I think, expedient, TO GIVE politics
THE GO-BY, so far as one conveniently can ?
GO-BY-THE-GROUND, subs. (old).
— A dumpy man or woman. —
GROSE.
GOD, subs, (common). — I. in. //.,
the occupants of the gallery at a
theatre. [Said to have been first
used by Garrick because they
were seated on high, and close to
the sky-painted ceiling.] Fr.,
paradis = gallery ; also poulailler.
In feminine, GODDESS.
1772. CUMBERLAND, Fashionable
Lover [probably spoken by printer's devil].
'Tis odds For one poor devil to face so
many GODS.
1812. J. and H. SMITH, Rejected
Addresses, p. 128 [ed. 1869]. Each one
shilling GOD within reach of a nod is, And
plain are the charms of each gallery
GODDESS.
1843. THACKERAY, Irish Sketch
Book, ch. xxvii. The gallery was quite
full . . . one young GOD, between the
acts, favoured the public with a song.
1872. M. E. BRADUON, De.id Sea
Fruit, ch. xiv. There come occasionally
actors and actresses of higher repute,
eager to gather new laurels in these un-
trodden regions, and not ill pleased to
find themselves received with noisy rap-
ture and outspoken admiration by the
ruder GODS and homelier GODDESSES of a
threepenny gallery.
1890. Globe, 7 Apr., p. 2, c. 2. The
GODS, or a portion of them, hooted and
hissed while the National Anthem was
being performed.
1892. SYDNEY WATSON, Wops the
Waif, iii., iv. It is only when we have
paid our ' tuppence ' and ascended to the
gallery just under the roof, known as
'among the GODS,' that we begin to under-
stand what is meant by the lowest classes,
the 'great unwashed.'
1892. Pall Mall Gaz., 20 Apr., p. 2,
c. 3. If theatre managers would only
give the public the chance of as good a
seat as can be got at the Trocadero or the
Pavilion, at the same price, and manage
the ventilation of their nouses so as not to
bake the GODS and freeze the ' pitites,' I
venture to think that fewer people would
go to the music halls.
2. in. pi (printers'). — The
quadrats used in JEFFING (q.v.\
3. (tailors1). — A block pattern.
GODS OF CLOTH = ' classical
tailors.'— GROSE. See SNIP.
4. (Eton). — A boy in the sixth
form.
1881. PASCOE, Life in our Public
Schools. A GOD at Eton is probably in a
more exalted position, and receives more
reverence than will ever afterwards fall to
his lot.
A SIGHT FOR THE GODS, phr.
(common). — A matter of wonder-
ment.
1892. HUME N is BET, Bushranger's
Sweetheart, p. 31. Stringy Bark prepared
to greet his native land, was A SIGHT FOR
THE GODS to behold with satisfaction, and
men to view from afar with awed respect.
Goddess Diana.
170
Go- caster.
GOD PAYS ! phr. (old). — An
expression at one time much in
the mouth of disbanded soldiers
and sailors (who assumed a right
to live on the public charity).
The modern form is, ' If I don't
pay you, God Almighty will.'
1605. London Prodical, ii., 3. But
there be some that bear a soldier's form,
That swear by him they never think upon ;
Go swaggering up and down, from house
to house, Crying, GOD PAYS.
1630. TAYLOR, in wks. These
feather'd fidlers sing, and leape, and play,
The begger takes delight, and GOD DOTH
PAY.
1640. BEN JONSON, Epigr. XII.
To every cause he meets, this voice he
brays, His only answer is to all, GOD PAYS.
GOD (or BRAMAH) KNOWS : I
DON'T, phr. ( common ). — An
emphatic rejoinder.
1598. FLORIO, A Worlde of Wordes.
Come Iddio vel dica., a phrase, as wee
would say : GOD HIMSELFE TELL YOU, I
CANNOT.
GODDESS DIANA, subs. phr. (rhy-
ming). A sixpence. For syn-
onyms, see TANNER.
1864. The Press, 12 Nov. GODDESS
DIANA is the rhyming equivalent for a
tanner which signifies sixpence.
GOD- DOT I intj. (old). — An oath.
By God ! [A contraction of ' God
wot ! '] For synonyms, see
OATHS.
GODFATHER, subs. (old). — A jury-
man.
1598. SHAKSPEARE, Merchant of
Venice, iv. i. In christ'ning thou shalt
have two GODFATHERS, Had I been judge,
thou should 'st have had ten more, To
bring thee to the gallows, not the font.
1616. BEN JONSON, Devils An Ass,
v., 5. Not I, If you be such a one, sir, I
will leave you To your GOD-FATHERS IN
LAW. Let twelve men work.
1638. RANDOLPH, Muses Looking
Glass, ix. 251. I had rather zee him
remitted to the jail, and have his twelve
GODVATHERS, good men and true, con-
demn him to the gallows.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
To STAND GODFATHER, verb,
phr. (common). — To pay the
reckoning. [Godfathers being the
objects of much solicitude and
expectation.]
1811. Lexicon Balatronicutn, s.v.
Will you stand GODFATHER, and we will
take care of the brat? = repay you another
time.
GO-DOWN, subs. (old). — i. A
draught of liquor ; a GO (q.v. ).
2. (American). — See quot.
1881. New York Times, 18 Dec.,
quoted in ' N and Q' 6, S.v. 65. Go Down.
— A cutting in the bank of a stream for
enabling animals to cross or to get to water.
GOD- PERM IT, subs, (old).— A stage
coach. [Which was advertised
to start Deo volente,~\
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
GOD-PERMIT, a stage coach, from
that affectation of piety, frequently to
be met with in advertisements of stage
coaches or waggons, where most of their
undertakings are promised with if GOD
PERMIT, or GOD WILLING.
1825. Modern Flash Diet., s.v.
GOD'S-MERCY, subs. (old). — Ham
(or bacon) and eggs. ['There's
nothing in the house but God's
mercy': at one time a common
answer in country inns to travel
lers in quest of provant. ]
GOD'S-PENNY, subs. (old). — An
earnest penny.
1690. B. E., Diet, of the Cant.
Crew, s v. GOD'S PENNY, Earnest Money,
to Bind a Bargain.
1765. PERCY, Reliques, ' The heir of
Linne.' Then John he did him to record
draw, And John he cast him a GOD'S
PENNIE.
Go- EASTER, stibs. (American cow-
boys'). — A portmanteau ; a
PETER (q.v.\ [Because seldom
used except in going city- or
east-wards.]
Goer.
171
Goldarned.
GOER, subs, (old).— i. The foot.
For synonyms, see CREEPERS.
1557-1634. CHAPMAN, in Encyclop.
Diet. A double mantle, cast Athwart his
shoulders,his faire GOERS grac't With fitted
shoes.
2. (colloquial). — An expert or
adept ; as in drawing, talking,
riding ; one well up to his (or her)
work : generally with an adjec-
tive, as e.g., A FAST (or HELL OF
A) GOER = a good goer.
1857. G. A. LAWRENCE, Guy Living-
stone, ch. xx. Nevertheless, she was
always deeply engaged, and generally to
the best GOERS in the room.
GOFF. See MRS. GOFF.
GOGGLES, subs, (common). — i. A
goggle-eyed person. Also GOG-
GLER.
1647. BEAUMONT AND FLETCHER,
Knight of Malta, v., 2. Do you stare,
GOGGLES ?
1891. CLARK RUSSELL, Ocean
Tragedy, p. 51. No use sending blind
man aloft, GOGGLERS like myself, worse
luck.
2. in. pi. (common). — The
eyes : specifically those with a
constrained or rolling stare ; also
GOGGLE-EYES. GOGGLE-EYED =
squint-eyed.
1598. FLORIO, A Worlde of Wordes,
Strabo, he that looketh a squint or is
OOGGLE-EIDE.
c. 1746. ROBERTSON OF STRUAN,
Poems, 69. An eagle of a dwarfish sue,
With crooked Beak, and GOGLE EYES.
1691-1763. BYROM, Dissection of a
Beau's Head. Those muscles, in English,
wherewith a man ogles, When on a fair
lady he fixes his GOGGLES.
1785. GROSE, Vulg, Tongue, s.v,
1821. PIERCE EGAN, Life in Lon-
don, p. 241. Rolling your GOGGLES about
after all manner of people.
3. in. pi. (common). — Spec-
tacles. For synonyms, see BAR-
NACLES,
Verb (colloquial).— GOGGLE =
to roll the eyes ; to stare.
1577-87. HOLINSHED, Description of
Ireland, ch. i. They G~OGGLE with their
eyes hither and thither.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
GOGGLE, to stare.
1820-37. WALPOLE, Letters, iii., 174.
He GOGGLED his eyes.
1880. MILI.IKIN, Punch's Almanack,
April. Scissors ! don't they GOGGLE and
look blue.
GOGMAGOG, subs, (colloquial).— A
goblin ; a monster ; a frightful
apparition. — HOOD.
GOING, subs, (colloquial). — The
condition of a road, a piece of
ground, a cinder-path: i.e., the
accommodation for travelling.
E.g., THE GOING is bad.
1872. Morning Post, 19 Aug. The
Lamb's starting in the Frankfort steeple-
chase will depend upon the state of the
giound, and, avoiding Wiesbaden, where
the GOING is indifferent.
1883. Daily Telegraph, 23 Nov.
The GOING was wonderfully clean for the
time of year.
GOINGS-ON, subs, (colloquial). —
Behaviour ; proceedings ; con-
duct. Cf., CARRYINGS ON.
1845. DOUGLAS JERROLD, Mrs.
Caudle, Lecture viii. Pretty place it
must be where they don't admit women.
Nice GOINGS-ON, I daresay, Mr. Caudle.
1870. Lloyds Newspaper, n Sept.
' Review.' Elsie is beloved by Gawth-
waite, the village schoolmaster, and he
takes her to task for her GOINGS-ON.
GOLDARNED(orGOLDURNED, GOL-
DASTED, etc.), adj. (common). —
A mild form of oath : = BLAMED
(q.v.) ; BLOODY (g.v.). See
OATHS. As intj., GOLDARN
IT ! etc.
1888. American Humorist. 'Bill,
are you hurt ? ' ' Yes, by gum ; I've broke
my GOLDARNED neck.'
Gold-backed ' Un. ' 72 Goldfinch's Nest
1888. Cincinnati Enquirer. Finally,
Deacon Spalding broke out with : ' That
GOLDASTED St. Louis mugwump has
made suckers of us again with his cracks
about coming into the league. I move we
adjourn.'
GOLD-BACKED 'UN, subs, (common).
— A louse. Also GREY-BACKED
'UN. For synonyms, ACHATES.
GOLD BUG, subs. phr. (American).
— A man of wealth and (inferen-
tially) distinction ; a millionaire.
See BUG.
1888. St. Louis Globe Democrat,
Mar. 5. I do not think the feeling against
silver is anything like as strong as it was.
Of course, a few GOLD BUGS might fight
him.
GOLD-DROPPER, subs. (old). — A
sharper. An old-time worker of
the confidence trick. See quots.
Also GOLD-FINDER.
1690. B. E., Cant. Crew, s.v.
GOLD - DROPPERS, Sweetners, Cheats,
Sharpers.
1748. T. DYCHE, Dictionary (sth
ed.). GOLD-FINDER (s.) ... also a cant
name for a cheat, who under the pretence
of finding a piece of money, and inviting
a by-stander to partake of a treat, etc., out
of it, endeavours to get him to play at
cards, dice, etc., in order to win or cheat
him of his money ; they are sometimes
also called guinea-droppers.
1785. GKOSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
Sharpers who drop a piece of gold, which
they pick up in the presence of some un-
experienced person, for whom the trap is
laid, this they pretend to have found, and,
as he saw them pick it up, they invite him
to a public house to partake of it : when
there, two or three of their comrades
drop in, as if by accident, and propose
cards, or some other game, when they
seldom fail of stripping their prey.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
GOLDEN-CREAM, .r&fo. (thieves'). —
Rum.
1889. CLARKSON and RICHARDSON,
Police, p. 321, s.v.
GOLD- END MAN, subs. phr. (old).
— -An itinerant jeweller ; a buyer
of old gold and silver. [GOLD-
END = a broken piece of
jewellery.] Also GOLDSMITH'S
APPRENTICE. See Eastward Hoe.
1610. JONSON, Alchemist, ii., i. I
know him not, he looks like a GOLD-END
MAN.
1622. FLETCHER, Beggars Bush, Hi.,
i. Hig. Have ye any ENDS OF GOLD or
silver ?
GOLDEN GREASE, subs. phr. (old).
— A fee ; also a bribe. For
synonyms, see PALM OIL.
GOLDFINCH, subs. (old). — i. A
well-to-do man ; a WARM 'UN
(q.v.).
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew,
s.v. GOLDFINCH, c. He that has alwaies
a Purse or Cod of Gold in his Fob.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1852. JUDSON, Mysteries, etc., of
New York, ch. iv. ' Was the swell a GOLD-
FINCH ? ' ' He wasn't nothin' else. Got a
clean ten times ten out of him."
Ibid. ' It'll be a great lay, if the
game's fat. Is it a GOLDFINCH V 'Fifty
thousand, hard dust.'
2. (common). — A guinea ; a
sovereign. For synonyms, see
CANARY.
1700. FARQUHAR, Constant Couple,
ii., 2. Sir H. Don't you love singing-
birds, madam? Angel (aside). That's an
odd question for a lover ; (aloud) Yes, sir.
Sir H. Why, then, madam, here is a nest
of the prettiest GOLDFINCHES that ever
chirped in a cage.
1822. SCOTT, The Fortunes of Nigel,
ch. iv. Put your monies aside, my lord ;
it is not well to be seen with such GOLD-
FINCHES chirping about one in the lodgings
of London.
1826. BUCKSTONE, Luke the Labourer,
iii., 4. Good-night, noble captain. Pipe
all hands at five o'clock, for I've a day's
work to do. We'll jig it to-morrow, to the
piping of GOLD-FINCHES.
1834. W. H. AINSWORTH, Rook-wood,
p. 101 (ed. 1864). Here's a handful of
GOLDFINCHES ready to fly.
GOLDFINCH'S NEST, subs, (venery).
— The female pudendum. For
synonyms, see MONOSYLLABLE.
1827. The Merry Muses, p. 70. And
soon laid his hand on the GOLDFINCH'S
NEST.
Gold-finder.
i73
Golgotha.
•GOLD-FINDER, subs. (old). — i. An
' emptier of privies. Also TOM-
TURD-MAN ; GONG-MAN ; and
NIGHT-MAN. Fr., un fouille-
merde ; un fifi. Also passer la
jambe a Jules = \.Q upset MRS.
JONES, i.c., to empty the privy
tub.
1611. COTGRAVE, Dictionarie, Ga-
douard, a GOULD-FINDER, Jakes-farmer.
1635. FELTHAM, Resolves. As our
GOLDFINDERS . . . . in the night and
darkness thrive on stench and excrements.
1653. MIDDLETON, Sp. Gipsy, ii.,
2, p. 398 (Mermaid series). And if his
acres, being sold for a maravedii a turf for
larks in cages, cannot fill this pocket, give
'em tO GOLDFINDERS.
1659. TORRIANO, Vocabolario, s.v.
1704. Gentleman Instructed, p. 445
(1732). We will commit the further discus-
sion of the poet to a committee cf GOLD-
FINDERS, or a club of rake-kennels.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v
2. (old).— A thief; a GOLD-
DROPPER (q.v.).
GOLD HAT -BAND, subs, (old
University). — A nobleman under-
graduate ; a TUFT (q.v.).
1628. EARLE, Microcosmography.
. His companion is ordinarily some stale
fellow that has been notorious for an ingle
to GOLD HATBANDS, whom hee admires at
first, afterwards scornes.
1889. Gentleman's Mag., June, p.
598. Noblemen at the universities, since
known as ' tufts,' because of the gold tuft
or tas>sle to their cap, were then known as
GOLD HATBANDS.
GOLDIE-LOCKS, subs. (old). — A
flaxen-haired woman. GOLDY-
LOCKED = golden haired.
1598. FLORIO, Worlde of Wordes.
Biondella .... a golden-lockt wench, as
we say a GOLDILOCKS.
1605. BEN JONSON, The Fox, i., i.
Thence it fled forth, and made quick trans-
migration to GOLDY-LOCKED Euphorbus.
GOLD MINE, subs. phr. (common).
— A profitable investment ; a
store of wealth, material or
intellectual.
1664. H. PEACHAM, Worth of a
Penny, in Arber's Garner, vol. VI., p.
249. Some men . . . when they have
met with a GOLD MINE, so brood over and
watch it, day and night, that it is im-
possible for Charity to be regarded,
Virtue rewarded, or Necessity relieved.
1330 TENNYSON, Dream of Fair
Women, p. 274. GOLD-MINES of thought
— to lift the hidden ore.
1882. THORMANBY, Famous Racing
Men, p. 81. Mendicant . . . ran nowhere
in the Cup ... in reality she was destined
to prove a GOLD MINE, for ten years after-
wards she brought her owner ^80,000
through her famous son, Beadsman.
1883. Sat. Review, 28 Apr. 533/2.
His victory proved a GOLD MINE to the
professional bookmakers.
1887. FROUDE, Eng. in West Indies,
ch. v. Every one was at law with his
neighbour, and the.island was a GOLD MINE
to the Attorney-General.
GOLGOTHA, subs. (old). — i. The
Dons' gallery at Cambridge ; also
applied to a certain part of the
theatre at Oxford. [That is, •' the
place of skulls ': Cf., Luke xxiii.
33, and Matthew xxvii. 33,
whence the pun : Dons being the
heads of houses. ]
1730. JAS. MILLER, Humours of
Oxford, Act ii., p. 23 (2nd ed.). Sirrah,
I'll have you put in the black-book,
rusticated,— expelled — I'll have you coram
nobis at GOLGOTHA, where you'll be
bedevilled, Muck-worm, you will.
1785. GROSE, Vulg, Tongue, s.v.
1791. G. HUDDESFORD, Salmagundi,
(Note on, p. 150). GOLGOTHA, ' The
place of a Scull,' a name ludicrously
affixed to the Place in which the Heads of
Colleges assemble.
1808. J. T. CONYBEARE in C. K.
Sharpe's Correspondence (1888), i., 324.
The subject then, of the ensuing section
is Oxford News ... we will begin by
GOLGOTHA . . . Cole has already obtained
the Headship of Exeter, and Mr. Griffiths
... is to have that of University.
Golgotha.
Goll.
2. (common). — Hence, a hat.
ENGLISH SYNONYMS. — Battle
of the Nile (rhyming, i.e., a
TILE (q.v.) ; bell-topper; billy-
cock ; beaver ; box-hat ; cady ;
canister cap ; castor ; chummy ;
cathedral ; chimney ; chimney-
pot ; cock ; colleger ; cock-and-
pinch ; cowshooter ; David ; deer-
stalker ; digger's delight ; fantail ;
felt ; Gibus ; gomer (Winchester);
goss ; moab ; molocher ; mortar-
board ; muffin-cap ; mushroom ;
nab ; nap ; napper ; pantile ;
pimple - cover ; pill-box ; plug-
hat ; pot ; shako ; shovel ; sleep-
less hat ; sou'wester ; stove-pipe ;
strawer ; thatch ; tile ; topper ;
truck ; upper-crust ; wash-pot ;
wee-jee ; wide-awake.
FRENCH SYNONYMS. — Un
accordeon (popular : an opera
hat) ; une ardoise ( = a tile) ; une
b&che (thieves' : also an awning) ;
une biscope or viscope (vulgar) ;
un blocka^is (vulgar : a shako) ;
un bloumard or une bloume
(popular) ; une boite d comes (a
horn case; i.e., a cover for a
cuckold) ; tm Bolivar (from the
hero of 1820) ; un boisseau (also
= a bushel) ; un bosselard (school-
boys' : from bossele = bruised or
dented) ; un cabas (popular : =
old hat ; also basket or bag) ; un
cadratin (printers' — a stove-pipe) ;
un caloquet (thieves') ; cambriau,
cambrieux, or cambriot (popular) ;
un capft (from old French, capel} ;
une capsule (popular = a percussion
cap) ; un carbeluche galice (a silk
hat); une casque ( = helmet); un
chapska( = o. shako); unecheminee
(popular : = chimney - pot) ; une
corniche (popular : = a cornice) ;
un couvercle (popular : = pot-
lid) ; une couvtante ; un
couvre - amour (military) ; un
cylindre ( = a stove-pipe) ; un Des»
foux (from the maker's name) ;
un epicephale (students' : from the
Greek) ; un gadin (an old hat) ;
un galure or galurin (popular) ;
un Garibaldi; un Gibus (from the
inventor's name) ; un lampion
(thieves' : = grease - pot) ; un
loubion (thieves') ; tin marquin
(thieves') ; un monument (popu-
lar) ; un nid d'hirondelle ; un
niolle (thieves' : an old hat) ; un
tromblon (obsolete = blunder-
buss) ; un tubard, tube, or tube a
haute pression ( = a cylinder) ;
une tuile ( = a tile) ; une tuyau
de po$le ( = a stove-pipe).
GERMAN SYNONYMS. — Bre
(Viennese) ; Kowe (from the
Hebrew, koiva}.
ITALIAN SYNONYMS. — Bufala;
baccha or biffacha ; cresta or
cristiana ( = a cruet) ; fttngo
( = mushroom).
SPANISH SYNONYMS. — Tejado
or techo ( = tiled roof).
GOLIATH, subs, (colloquial). — I. A
big man.
2. A man of mark among the
PHILISTINES (?.#.). [Mr. Swin-
burne described the late Matthew
Arnold as 'David, the son of
GOLIATH.']
GOLL, subs. (old). — The hand ;
usually in. pi. See BUNCH OF
FIVES and DADDLE.
1601. B. JONSON, Poetaster, v.,
Bring the whoreson detracting slaves to
the bar, do ; make them hold vp their
spread GOLLS.
1602. DEKKER, Satiro-Mastrix, in
wks. (1873), i., 203. Holde up thy hand :
I ha scene the day thou didbt not scorne
to holde vp thy GOLLES.
1611. MIDDLETON, Roaring Girl,
Act i. This is the GOLL shall do't.
Gollop.
Gone.
1620. MIDDLE-TON, Chaste Maid,
ii., a. What their GOLLS can clutch.
1634. S. ROWLEY, Noble Souldier,
Act ii., Sc. 2. Bal. Saist thou me so ?
give me thy GOLL, thou art a noble girle.
1659. MASSINGER, City Madam,
iv., i. All the gamesters are ambitious
to shake the golden GOLLS of worshipful
master Luke.
1661. T. MIDDLETON, Mayor of
Quinborough, v., i. Down with his
GOLLS, I charge you.
1672. DRYDEN, The Assignation,
Act iii., Sc. i. A simperer at lower end
of a table, With mighty GOLLS, rough-
grained, and red with starching.
1787. GROSE, Prov. Glossary,
GOLL, a hand or fist ; give me thy GOLL.
1803. C. K. SHARPE in Correspon-
dence (1888), i., 179. Miss Reid with her
silk coat and greasie GOLLS.
GOLLOP, verb, (common). — To
swallow greedily ; to gulp. For
synonyms, see WOLF.
GOLLUMPUS, subs. (old). — A
clumsy lout. — GROSE.
GOLLY I — A contraction of BY
GOLLY ! (q.v.).
1890. R. L. STEVENSON, The Wrong
Box, p. 275. GOLLY ! what a paper !
GOLOPTIOUS (or GOLOPSHUS), adj.
(common). — Splendid; fine; de-
licious ; luscious.
1888. Snorting Life, ^ Dec. It
would better scoop the situation if it were
described as GOLOPTIOUS.
GOLOSHES, subs, (colloquial). —
India rubber overshoes. But see
GROSE.
1796. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
GOLOSHES, i.e. Goliah's shoes. Large
leathern clogs, worn by invalids over their
ordinary shoes.
GOMBEEN-MAN, subs. (Irish). — A
usurer ; a money-lender ; a shark-
ing middleman. For synonyms,
see SlXTY-PER-CENT.
GOMER, s^^bs. (Winchester College).
— i. A large pewter dish used in
college.
2. (Winchester College). — A
new hat. See GOLGOTHA.
GOMMY, subs. (old). — I. A dandy.
Fr., gommeux. [Anglo-Saxon,
guma = a. man; a person: gamme
=gommer= gammer. Cf., Go-
MUS. Beaumont has GOM = a
man.]
2. (colloquial).— See quot.
1883. Weekly Dispatch, n Mar.,
p. 7, c. 4. There has recently been
considerable debate as to the meaning of
the term GOMMIE. It is very simple. A
COMMIE is one who calls Mr. Gladstone a
G. O. M. [Grand Old Man], and thinks he
has made a good joke.
3. (colloquial). — A fool. For
synonyms, see BUFFLE and CAB-
BAGE-HEAD.
GOMUS, subs. (Irish). — A fool. P'or
synonyms, see BUFFLE and CAB-
BAGE-HEAD.
GONDOLA, subs. (American). — i. A
railway platform car, sideless or
low-sided. Also a flat-bottomed
boat.
GONDOLA OF LONDON, subs. phr.
(common). — A hansom cab ; a
SHOFUL (q.v.). [The description
is Lord Beaconsfield's.]
GONE, adj. (colloquial). — I. Ruined;
totally undone. Also, adv.,
an expression of completeness,
e.g., GONE BEAVER, CORBIE,
COON, GANDER, or GOOSE = a man
or an event past praying for : Cf. ,
Go UP and Go DOWN.
1604. SHAKSPEARE, Winter's Tale,
iv., 3. He must know 'tis none of your
daughter nor my sister ; we are GONE else.
Goner.
176
Gonof.
1843-4. HALIBURTON, Sam Slick in
England, ch. xviii. If a bear comes after
you, Sam, you must be up and doin', or
it's a GONE GOOSE with you.
1848. RUXTON, Life in the Far West,
p. 40. From that moment he was GONE
BEAVER ; he felt queer, he said, all over.
1857. Notes and Queries, 2 S. in.,
519. To call a person a GONE CORBIE, is
only to say in other words, it's all up with
him.
1862. CLOUGH, Poems. He had been
into the schools ; plucked almost ; all but
a GONE-COON.
1863. C. READE, Hard Cash, I., 178.
I shall meet her again next week ; will you
come? Any friend of mine is welcome.
Wish me joy, old fellow ; I'm a GONE
COON.
GONE O^,adv.phr. (colloquial).
— Enamoured of; infatuated
with; MASHED ON (q.v.); SWEET
ON (q.v. ). Generally in contempt.
Fr. , aimer comme ses petit s boy aux.
For synonyms, see SWEET ON.
1887. JOHN STRANGE WINTER, That
Imp, p. 44. He was a fine fellow, and
no mistake. And was GONE ON Lady
Lorrimor !
1890. Illustrated Bits, 29 Mar. p. 10,
c. 3. He must have been terribly GONE ON
this woman.
1891. N. GOULD, Double Event, p.
113. 'Poor chap, he's very far GONE,'
thought Jack.
1892. MII.LIKEN, 'Any Ballads,
p. 31. I'll eat my old boots if she isn't
dead GONE ON.
GONER, (or GONES, GONUS, or
GONEY), subs. (American). — I. A
fool; a simpleton. Also GAUNEY
(q.v.). For synonyms, see BUFFLE
or CABBAGE-HEAD.
1857. Punch, 31 Jan. But the lark's
when a GONEY up with us they shut, As
ain't up to our lurks, our flash patter, and
smut.
1860. HALiBURTON.SrtwS/zc/fc, 'The
Season Ticket,' No. X. ' It's only grief,
Nabby dear, my heart is broke.' ' Is
that all, you GONEY ? ' says she, ' it's lucky
your precious neck ain't broke.'
a. 1871 . The Dartmouth, vol. iv. One
day I heard a Senior call a fellow a GONUS.
' GONUS,' echoed I, 'what does that mean?'
Oh,' said he, ' you're a Freshman, and
don't understand. A stupid fellow, a dolt,
a boot-jack, an ignoramus, is here called
a GONUS. All Freshmen,' he continued
gravely, ' are GONUSES.'
2. (colloquial). — A person past
recovery, utterly ruined, or done
for in any way.
1876. S. L. CLEMENS (Mark Twain),
Tom Sawyer, p. 99. ' Yes, but she ain't
dead ; and, what's more, she's getting
better too.' ' All right, you wait and see.
She's a GONER, just as dead sure as Muff
Potter's a GONER.'
1888. Cincinnati Enquirer. Fortu-
nately, she did not see me, or else I should
have been a GONER.
1891. N. GOULD. Double Event,
p. 261. ' Make a noise or follow me, and
you're a GONER,' said Smirk.
1892. HUME NISBET, Bushrangers
Sweetheart, p. 212. A few more of her
meddlings and she's a GONER, that's what
she is.
GONG (or GONG-HOUSE), subs.
(old). — A privy. For synonyms,
see MRS. JONES.
1383. CHAUCER, Canterbury Tales.
'The Parsons Tale' [Riverside Ed.
(1880)], ii., 241. Thise fool wommen,
that mowe be likned to a commune GONG,
whereas men purgen hire ordure.
GONG-FARMER (or GONG-MAN),
subs. (old). — An emptier of cess-
pools ; a GOLD-FINDER (q.V. ).
1598. FLORIO, A Worlde of IVordes .
Curadestri, a iakes, GOONG, or doong
farmer.
GONOF (or GONNOF or GONOPH or
GNOF), subs, (thieves').— i. A
thief; specifically a pick-pocket,
and especially an adept. [From
the Hebrew. Ancient English ;
a legacy from the old time Jews.
It came into use again with the
moderns who employ it commonly.
Cf.,£onov = \.\i\&f'm Ex. xxii, 2 and
6, viz. , ' if the gonov be found. ']
See THIEVES.
1857. DICKENS, On Duty with In-
spector Field, in ' Reprinted Pieces' p. 256.
If the smallest GONOPH about town were
crouching at the bottom of a classic bath
Inspector Field would nose him.
Gonophing.
i77
Good.
1849. Morning Chronicle, 2 Nov.
A burglar would not condescend to sit
among pickpockets. My informant has
known a housebreaker to say with a sneer,
when requested to sit down with the
GONOFFS, ' No, no, I may be a thief, but at
least I'm a respectable one.'
1851-61. H. MAYHEW, Lond. Lab.
and Lond. Poor, Vol. III., p. 325. The
GONAFF (a Hebrew word signifying a
young thief, probably learnt from the Jew
' fences ' in the neighbourhood).
1852. JUDSON, Myst., etc., of New
York, ch. vii, He next assumed his
present profession, and became a GNOF or
pickpocket.
1876. HINDLEY, Adventures of a
Cheap Jack, p. 146. Oh, you tief ! you
cheat ! you GONNOF !
1889. Referee, 12 May. GONOPHS
.... were frequent in Tattersall's on
Friday.
1889. C. T. CLARKSON and J. HALL
RICHARDSON, Police, p. 321. Boys who
creep into houses . . . Young gunnefls
or GONOPHS.
2. (old). — A bumpkin ; a churl;
a clumsy hand ; a shameless
simpleton.
1383. CHAUCER, Canterbury Tales,
3187-8. Whilom there was, dwelling in
Oxenforde, A rich GNOF, that gertes helde
to borde.
c. 1547. SONG (quoted by Hotten).
The country GNOFFES, Hob, Dick, and
Hick, With clubbes and clouted shoon,
Shall fill up Dussin Dale With slaughtered
bodies soone.
Verb (old).— To wheedle ; to
cheat ; to steal.
GONOPHING, subs, (thieves').—
Picking pockets.
1857. _ DICKENS, The Detective Police,
in ' Reprinted Pieces,' p. 240. From the
swell mob, we diverge to the kindred topics
of cracksmen, fences .... designing
young people who go out GONOPHING,
and other 'schools.'
Goo BY, subs. (common). — A
simpleton ; a blockhead. For
synonyms, see BUFFLE and
CABBAGE-HEAD.
1892. Ally Slower, 19 Mar., p. 90, c. 3.
Why, you old GOOBY, Mister Sloper will
pay us twice as much for the ducks.
GOOD I subs, (printers'). — An ab-
breviation of ' Good Night ! '
Adj. (colloquial). — Respon-
sible ; solvent ; principally now
with ' for ' ; e.g., He is GOOD for
any amount. Also, expert.
1598. SHAKSPEARE, Merchant of
Venice, i., 3. Antonio is a GOOD man :
my meaning in saying that he is a GOOD
man, is to have you understand me that he
is sufficient.
1824. REYNOLDS, Peter Corcoran, 91
GOOD with both hands and only ten stone
four.
GOOD GOODS, in. //., subs. phr..
(sporting). — Something worth
trying for ; a success. In the
superlative, 'best' GOODS.
1886. Sporting Times, 17 July, 1/4.
He was a nice young man for a small tea
party, And rather GOOD GOODS at a
Sunday-school treat.
1892. MILLIKEN, 'Arry Ballads, p.
39. There s Warner in ' Drink ' ; now,
that's business, GOOD GOODS and no
error;
BIT (or PIECE) OF GOODS,
subs. phr. (common). — A woman.
For synonyms, see PETTICOAT.
GOOD OLD . . . adj. phr.
(popular). — A familiar address,
derisive or affectionate according
to circumstances. See quots.
1891. Pall Mall Gaz., 16 Sept., p. 6,
c. i. It was Mephisto's greeting to
Mary Anne — in Marguerite's garden —
' GOOD OLD MARY ANNE ! ' ! ! !
Ibid. The famous medico craned
his neck out of the window, and, sniffing
in the smoke, cried, GOOD OLD LONDON.
This is a true story.
Ibid., 17 Sept. Mr. Chirgwin . . .
rouses mirth by ... exclaiming GOOD
OLD SPOT ! as he discloses the large white
ace of diamonds painted ever his right
optic.
12
Good.
178
Good fellow.
3. Texas Sif tings, 15 Sept. The
are going Saturday afternoon, and
1892. CHEVALIER ' The Little
Nipper.' 'E calls 'is mother ' Sally,1 And
'is father ' GOOD OLD pally,' And "e only
stands about so 'igh, that s all !
To FEEL GOOD, verb. phr.
(American). — To be jolly; com-
fortable ; ' in form ' ; to be on
perfect terms with oneself.
1887. PROCTOR [in Knowledge,
i Dec., rj. 29]. A friend of mine tells me
a proposition was once invitingly made to
him which, to say the least, involved no
virtuous self-abnegation, and he was urged
to accept it by the plea that it would
make him FEEL GOOD.
1888.
saloons ar _
the men FEEL pretty GOOD before they come
abroad.
To BE IN ONE'S GOOD BOOKS,
verb. phr. (colloquial). — To be in
favour ; in good opinion. Con-
versely, To BE IN ONE'S BAD
BOOKS =• To be in disfavour. See
BOOK.
GOOD AT IT (or AT THE GAME),
adj. phr. (venery). — An expert
bedfellow, male or female.
TO HAVE A GOOD SWIM. — See
SWIM.
FOR GOOD (or FOR GOOD AND
ALL), adv. phr. (colloquial). —
Completely ; entirely ; finally.
1673. WYCHERLEY, Gent. Dane.
Master, ii., in wks. (1713), 276. If I
went, I would go FOR GOOD AND ALL.
1693. CONGREVE, Old Batchelor,
Act i., Sc. 3. Sharp. Faith, e'en give
her over FOR GOOD AND ALL : you can have
no hopes of getting her for a Mistress.
1875. OUIDA, Signa, vol. II., ch.
v., p. 66. So the child went up to the
hills with Bruno, and stayed there FOR
GOOD AND ALL.
GOOD AS WHEAT. — See WHEAT.
GOOD AS EVER PISSED, phr.
(venery). — A qualification of ex-
treme excellence,
1719. DURFEY, Pills, etc., ii., 260. And
she is AS GOOD for the game AS E'ER
PISSED.
GOOD AS A PLAY.— See PLAY.
GOOD AS GOLD, adv. phr. (col-
loquial).— Very good ; usually of
children.
AS GOOD AS THEY MAKE 'EM.
— See MAKE 'EM.
GOOD-BYE, JOHN ! phr. (Amer-
ican).— It's no go ; all's U.P.
GOOD CESS, subs. phr. (Irish).
— Good luck. (Probably an ab-
breviation of 'success.') BAD
CESS = the reverse.
1845. BUCKSTONE, Green Bushes,
i., i. AIL Bravo, Paddy! GOOD CESS
to ye, Paddy ! Hurrah !
GOODFELLOW (or GOOD BOY, or
GOOD MAN), subs. (old). — i. A
roysterer ; a boon companion.
1570. ASCHAM, Scholemaster. Sir
Roger had been a GOOD FELLOW in his
youth.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew,
s.v. GOOD FELLOW, a Pot companion or
Friend of the Bottle.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
A word of various imports, according to
the place where it is spoken ; in the city
it means a rich man ; at Hockley in the
Hole, or St. Giles's, an expert boxer ; at
a bagnio in Covent Garden, a vigorous
fornicator ; at an alehouse or tavern, one
who loves his pot or bottle : and some-
times, though but rarely, a virtuous man.
1822. SCOTT, Fortunes of Nigel,
ch. xvii. Rattling Reginald Lowestoffe of
the Temple— I know him ; he is a GOOD
BOY.
2. (old). — A thief.
THIEVES.
See
1608. MIDDLE-TON, Trick to Catch
the Old One, ii., i. Luc. Welcome,
GOOD FELLOW. Host. He calls me thief at
first sight. [Footnote in ' Mermaid Series '
Ed. GOOD FELLOW was then the cant term
for a thief.]
Good Girl.
179
Good Time.
1870. Evening Standard, n Feb.
'Police Report.' Police detective said
that he believed the two prisoners were
GOOD MEN. In reply to the magistrate he
explained that he meant they were old
thieves.
GOOD GIRL (or GOOD ONE), adj.
phr. (old). — A wanton.
1611. COTGRAVE, Dictionarie.
Gaultiere — A whore, punke, drab, queane,
gill, flirt, strumpet, cockatrice, mad wench,
common hackney, GOOD ONE.
GOODMAN, subs, (old).— i. A
gaoler ; a DUBSMAN (q.v.\
1721-2. WOODROW, History, ii., 636.
The GOODMAN of the Tolbooth came to
him in his chamber, and told him he might
save his life, if he would sign the petition.
2. (colloquial). — The devil.
For synonyms, see SKIPPER.
GOODMAN -TURD, subs. (old). —
A contemptible fellow ; a BAD-
EGG (q.v.).
1598. FLORIO, Worlde of Wordes.
Donteta, an old worde for a shitten
fellow, Or GOODMAN-TURDE.
GOOD NIGHT! intj. phr. (general).
— A retort to an incredible
statement or a delightful piece of
news. See CARRY ME OUT !
GOOD-PEOPLE, subs, (old collo-
quial).— The fairies.
1828. G. GRIFFIN, Collegians, ch. v.
An nothin' shows itself now by night,
neither spirits nor GOOD PEOPLE.
1848. FORSTER, Oliver Goldsmith,
bk. I., ch. i, p. 8 (5th ed.)- A small old
parsonage house (supposed afterwards to
be haunted by the fairies, or GOOD PEOPLE
of the district).
1891. R. L. STEVENSON, Kidnapped,
p. 168. 'Did ever ye hear tell of the story
of the Man and the GOOD PEOPLE ? ' — by
which he meant the fairies.
GOOD (or GOOD OLD) SORT, subs,
phr. (popular). — A man of social
and other parts.
1892. HUME NISBET, Bushranger's
Sweetheart, p. 149. Had we not better
make a clean breast of it, and trust to his
generosity ; he seems a GOOD SORT ?
GOOD THING, subs. phr. (colloquial).
— Something worth having or
backing ; a bon mot ; GOOD GOODS
(q.v.). In racing a presumed
CERT
1844. Puck, p. 63. Here's to the
GOOD THING whose neatness we prize.
1884. Saturday Review, z Aug.,
p. 147, c. 2. The Goodwood Stakes was
considered a GOOD THING for Florence,
who has proved herself to be an extra-
ordinary mare.
1888. Sporting Life, 10 Dec. In a
field of four, Livingstone, who was voted
a GOOD THING, was served up a warm
favourite.
1891. Daily Telegraph, 21 Mar. It
had been generally anticipated that this
was a GOOD THING for Oxford.
1892. Ally Sloper, 19 Mar., p. 90,
c. 3. That them as trades in rags and
bones Makes more than them as writes
GOOD THINGS.
GOOD TIME, subs. phr. (old). — A
carouse ; a friendly gathering ; an
enjoyable bout at anything.
TO HAVE A GOOD TIME, verb.
phr. (old). — To be fortunate or
lucky ; to enjoy oneself; to make
merry. See COCUM.
1596. JONSON, Every Man in His
Humour, i., 2. As not ten housewives
pewter, again a GOOD TIME, shews more
bright to the world than he ! [=some
festival, ' when housewives are careful to
set out their furniture to the best advan-
tage. '— Note by Whalley , given in Cunning-
ham's Gifford'sf onsen (1870)].
1863. A. TROLLOPE, Rachel Ray,
ii., 6., 109. Eating cake and drinking
currant wine, but not having, on the
whole, what our American friends call a
GOOD TIME of it.
1864. _ YATES, Broken to Harness,
ch. xxxviii. And what have you been
doing ? Had a GOOD TIME ?
1883. BRET HARTE, In the Car-
quinez Woods, ch. ix. But we must keep
it dark until after I marry Nellie, don't
you see. Then we'll have a GOOD TIME
all round, and I'll stand the drinks.
Good 'un.
1 80
Goodyear.
1892. R. L. STEVENSON and L.
OSBOURNE, The Wrecker, p. 14. My idea
o fman's chief end was to enrich the world
with things of beauty, and have a fairly
OOD TIME myself while doing so.
GOOD 'UN, subs. phr. (colloquial). —
I. A man, woman, or thing of
decided and undoubted merit.
Cf., GOOD-GIRL.
1828-45. T. HOOD, Poems, vi., P'
254 [ed. 1846]. A GOOD 'UN to look at but
bad to go.
1854. MARTIN and AYTOUN, Bon
Gaultier Ballads. 'The Dirge of a
Drinker.' Like a GOOD 'UN as he is.
1891. N. GOULD, Double Event, p.
160. He's a real GOOD UN, and when his
party plank the stuff down it's generally a
moral.
2. (colloquial). — An expression
of derisive unbelief: e.g., a lie.
See WHOPPER.
GOOD-WOOLED, adj. phr.
(American). — • Of unflinching
courage ; of the greatest merit ;
thoroughly dependable.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum, s.v.
GOODY, subs, (popular). — i. A
matron : the correlative of GOOD-
MAN = husband. (Used like
AUNTIE, and MOTHER, and GAM-
MER, in addressing or describing
an inferior.) (A corruption of
GOOD-WIFE).
1598. FLORIO, A Worlde of Wordes.
Mona, . . . Also a nickname for women
as we say gammer, GOODIE, goodwife,
such a one.
1689. Accts. of the Churchwardens
of Sprowston. Paid GOODY Crabbin
for washing the surplis and church
powrch, is. ^d.
d. 1732. GAY. Swarm'd on a rotten
stick the bees I spy'd Which erst I saw
when GOODY Dopon dy'd.
^.1745. SWIFT. Plain GOODY would
no longer down: 'Twas Madam in her
grogram gown.
1802. BLOOMFIELD, Rural Tales,
' Richard and Kate.1 Come, GOODY, stop
your humdrum wheel.
1816. JOHNSON. Eng. Diet. s.v. A
low term of civility used to mean persons.
1837. BARHAM, Ingoldsby Legends,
' The Witches' Frolic.' Old GOODY Price,
Had got something nice.
Hence GOODYSHIP = 'ladyship.'
1663. BUTLER, Hudibras, pt. i, c.
3. The more shame for her GOODYSHIP,
To give so near a friend the slip.
2. (colloquial). — A religious
hypocrite, male or female ; the
' unco guid ' of Burns.
1836. KIDD, London Ambulator,
p. 14. Clapham is celebrated for GOODIES
— ladies of a certain age, who not having
succeeded in finessing for husbands,
betake themselves to a religious life as a
dernier resort.
Hence GOODY - GOODYISM =
sentimental piety.
1892. Pall Mall Gaz., 23 Nov., p.
3., c. i. The Christmas tale of adventure
.... has perhaps cast off its element of
GOODY-GOODYISM, but the general features
and cast are as of old.
3. generally in. pi. (colloquial).
— Sweetmeats; bon-bons; cakes
and buns.
1853. MAYHEW, Letters Left at a
Pastrycook's. Propped up on each side
with bags of oranges, cakes, and GOODIES.
1855. H. A. MURRAY, Lands of the
Slave and the Free, ch. xii. Adjourning
from time to time to some cafe for the
purpose of eating ices or sucking GOODIES.
4. (American). — The kernel of
a nut.
Adj. (colloquial). — Well-
meaning but petty ; officiously
pious. Also GOODY-GOODY.
1864. D. W. THOMPSON, Daydreams
of a Schoolmaster, p. 230. I would
rather they were not too good ; or GOODY.
Let us have a little naughtiness, sprinkled
in at intervals.
1892. S. WATSON, Wops the Waif,
p. 7. He knew well enough the whole of
this enterprise had sprung from a GOODY-
GOODY idea of ' doing something,' born of
impulse and whim.
GOODYEAR, subs. (old). — The
pox. (A corruption of gougeer,
from gouge = a soldier's trull).
For synonyms, see LADIES'
FEVER.
1605. SHAKSPEARE, Lear, v., 3.
The GOODYEARS shall devour them.
Gook.
181
Goose.
GOOK, subs. (American). — A low
prostitute. For synonyms, see
BARRACK HACK and TART.
GOOSE, subs, (common). — i. A
tailor's smoothing iron. (Whose
handle is shaped like the neck of
the bird. ) Hence the old ditton,
4 A taylor be he ever so poor is
sure to have a goose at his fire.
—GROSE. Fr., un gendarme.
1606. SHAKSPEARE, Macbeth, ii., 3.
Come in, taylor ; here you may roast your
GOOSE.
1606. DEKKER, Newes from Hell,
in Wks. (Grosart) ii., 114. Every man
being armed with his sheeres and pressing
Iron, which he calls there his GOOSE.
1638. RANDOLPH. Hey for Honesty.
. . . Tailor. Oh ! it is an age that, like
the Ostrich, makes me feed on my own
GOOSE.
1703. WARD, London Spy, pt. xii.,
p. 276. He grew as hot as a Botcher's
GOOSE.
1748. T. DVCHE, Dictionary (sth
ed.). GOOSE (s.) . . . also the large,
heavy iron used bv taylors, to press clown
their seams with when heated very hot.
1766. KENRICK, Falstaff's Wedding,
in., i. Although they had been hissing
all the way like a tailor's GOOSE.
1861. SALA, Twice Round the Clock,
Noon, Par. 12. An Irish tailor who has
had a slight dispute with his wife the
night before, and has corporeally chas-
tised her with a hot GOOSE — a tailor's
GOOSE, be it understood — to the extent of
all but fracturing her skull.
1877. Five Years Penal Servitude,
ch. ii., p. 89. On the return of the
warders from their own breakfast, the
tools — scissors, sleeve-boards, irons, or
GEESE — are served out.
2. (common). — A simpleton :
usually only of women. Also
GOOSECAP (q.v.}.
1591. SHAKSPEARE, Romeo and
Juliet, ii., 4. Mercutio. Was I there with
you for the GOOSE? Rom. Thou wast
never with me that thou wast not for the
GOOSE.
1696. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
3. (venery). — «Sw WINCHESTER
GOOSE.
4. (colloquial). — A reprimand ;
a WIGGING (g.v.)i </., verbt
sense i.
1865. G. F. BERKELEY, My Life
etc., i., 276. On the adventure reaching
the ears of the Duke of Wellington, the
active experimentalist received con-
siderable GOOSE.
5. (printers'). — See WAYZ
GOOSE.
6. (colloquial). — A woman :
whence, by implication, the
sexual favour.
Verb, (common). — I. To hiss ;
to condemn by hissing. Also TO
GET THE GOOSE Or THE BIG
BIRD (q.v.}. Among Fr. equi-
valents are : appeler or siffler
Azor ( = to whistle a dog, Azor
being a common canine appella-
tion); boire une goutte ( = to be
goosed) ; attrapper ; reconduire ;
se faire travailler ; empoigner ;
ereinter ; polisonner ; egayer.
1854. DICKENS, Hard Times, ch. vi.
He was GOOSED last night, he was GOOSED
the night before last, he was GOOSED to-
day.
1858. DICKENS Xmas Stories (Going
into Sec.), p. 67 (House. Ed.). Which
makes you grind your teeth at him to his
face, and which can hardly hold vou from
GOOSING him audible when he's going
through his War-Dance.
1873. Hornet, 29 Jan., p. 211, c. 2.
Ferdin. Fact ! My soul is sick on't.
GOOSED last night ; My salary docked.
1875. T. FROST, Circus Life, p. 281.
An artiste is GOOSED, or GETS THE GOOSE,
when the spectators or auditors testify by
sibillant sounds disapproval or dis-
satisfaction.
1886. Graphic, 10 Apr., p. 399. To
be GOOSED, or, as it is sometimes phrased,
'to get the big bird,' is occasionally a
compliment to the actor's power of repre-
senting villainy, but more often is dis-
agreeably suggestive of a failure to please.
2. (colloquial). — To ruin; to
spoil. See COOK ONE'S GOOSE.
Goose.
182
Gooseberry.
1888. CasselFs Saturday Journal,
22 Dec., p. 301. We was pretty nigh
GOOSED.
3. (cobblers'). — To mend
boots by putting on a new front
half-way up, and a new bottom ;
elsewhere called FOOTING boots.
Cf.t Fox.
4. ( venery). — To go wenching ;
to WOMANIZE (q.V.).
5. (venery). — To possess a
woman.
GOOSE WITHOUT GRAVY,
subs. phr. (nautical). — A severe
but bloodless blow. See WIPE.
TO BE SOUND ON THE GOOSE.
veib. phr. (American). — Before
the civil war, to be sound on the
pro-slavery question : now, to
be generally staunch on party
matters ; to be politically
orthodox.
1857. Providence Journal, 18 June.
To seek for political flaws is no use, His
opponents will find he is SOUND ON THE
GOOSE.
1857. GLADSTONE, Kansas : or
Squatter Life, p. 43. One of the boys, I
reckon ? ALL RIGHT ON THE GOOSE, eh ?
No highfaluten airs here, you know.
1862. LOWELL, Biglow Papers, II.
Northern religion works wal North, but
it's ez suft ez spruce, compar'd to our'n for
keepin' SOUND, sez she, UPON THE GOOSE.
1875. American English ia Chamb,
Journal, 25 Sept., p. 610. A man who
can be depended upon by his party is said
tO be SOUND ON THE GOOSE.
1892. MILLIKEN, 'Arry Ballads, p.
22. He didn't appear quite so SOUND ON
THE GOOSE as he ought to ha' done.
TO FIND FAULT WITH A FAT
GOOSE, verb. phr. (old). — To
grumble without rhyme or reason.
— B.E. (1690).
TO KILL THE GOOSE FOR THE
GOLDEN EGGS, verb. phr. (collo-
quial).— To grasp at more than
is due ; to over-reach oneself.
(From the Greek fable.)
EVERYTHING is LOVELY AND
THE GOOSE HANGS HIGH, phr.
See EVERYTHING.
HE'LL BE A MAN AMONG
THE GEESE WHEN THE GANDER
IS GONE, phr. (old). — Ironical ;
= ' He'll be a man before his
mother. '
GO ! SHOE THE GOOSE, phr.
(old). — A retort, derisive or
incredulous — the modern 'To
hell and pump thunder. '
UNABLE TO SAY BOH ! TO A
GOOSE, phr. (colloquial). — Said
of a bashful person. — GROSE.
1892. MILLIKEN, 'Arry Ballads, p.
76. And now .... he can hardly SAY
BOH TO A GOOSE.
See also WILD-GOOSE CHASE.
GOOSE - AND - DUCK, subs. phr.
(rhyming). — A fuck.
GOOSE AND GRIDIRON, sub. phr.
(political American). — The
American eagle, and the United
States flag. See GRIDIRON.
1891. Standard, 3 'Jan., p. 3, c. i.
This is curious, considering the almost
fetish-like veneration entertained by the
modern American for his Standard, which,
coupled with the national bird, tempted
the Loyalists in the early days of the war
to vent endless rude witticisms on the
GOOSE AND GRIDIRON.
GOOSEBERRY, subs, (common). — i.
A fool. For synonyms, see
BUFFLE and CABBAGE-HEAD.
[Perhaps from GOOSEBERRY
FOOL ; as in GOLDSMITH'S Re-
taliation : — ' And by the same
rule Magnanimous Goldsmith's a
GOOSEBERRY FOOL.'J
2. (common). — A chaperon ;
one who takes third place to save
appearances or play propriety
(y.v.) ; a DAISY- or GOOSEBERRY-
PICKER.
Gooseberry.
Gooseberry-picker.
3. (common). — A marvellous
tale; a MUNCHAUSEN (q.v.} ; a
flim-flam. Also GIGANTIC, and
GIANT GOOSBERRY. Hence
GOOSEBERRY SEASON = the dull
time of journalism, when the
appearance of monstrous vege-
tables, sea serpents, showers of
frogs, and other portents is
chronicled in default of news.
Cf., SILLY SEASON (q.V.).
1870. Figaro, 7.2 June. If we have
no big GOOSEBERRIES this season, we have
at least a big salmon.
1871. Graphic, 22 Apr. Mr. Tupper
excited a great deal of incredulity a few
years ago by announcing in the prodigious
GOOSBERRY SEASON that he had discovered
an ancient Roman coin embedded in the
heart of an oak tree.
1885. ///. London News, 18 July,
p. 50, c. 2. Amongst journalists there is
popularly known what they call ' the GIANT
GOOSEBERRY season," the meaning of which
is, that when Parliament has risen and the
Law Courts are shut and subjects on which
to write become scarce, adventurous spirits
are apt to discourse in their newspapers of
fruit of abnormal size, and other natural
prodigies, which, according to current
banter, exist only in their own imagination.
4. in. pi. (venery). — The tes-
ticles. For synonyms, see CODS.
TO PLAY (or DO) GOOSEBERRY,
verb. phr. (common). — To play
propriety ; also to sit third in a
hansom.
1877. HAWLEY SMART, Play or Pay.
ch. vi. To take care of a pretty girl, . . .
with a sister to DO GOOSEBERRY.
1880. G. R. SIMS, Jeph, p. 8.
Mamma always PLAYED GOOSEBERRY on
these occasions.
1883. Globe, 6 July, p. i, c. 5.
They will be compelled in self-defence to
have a shorthand writer present to PLAY
GOOSEBERRY, and to be able to furnish
proof that their discourse was innocent.
1892. J. MCCARTHY and MRS.
CAMPBELL-PRAED, Ladies' Gallery, p. 51.
Well, I am not a good hand at PLAYING
GOOSEBERRY, and I don't like spoiling
sport.
TO PLAY OLD GOOSEBERRY,
verb. phr. (colloquial). — To play
the deuce ; to upset or spoil ; to
throw everything into confusion ;
but see quot. 1811. OLD GOOSE-
BERRY = The devil (see SKIPPER).
{See Notes and Queries, 2 S x.,
307, 376; xii., 336.]
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
GOOSEBERRY. He PLAYED UP OLD GOOSE-
BERRY among them ; said of a person who,
by force or threats, suddenly puts an end
to a rict or disturbance.
1819. MOORE, Tom Crib, p. 22.
Will PLAY UP OLD GOOSEBERRY SOOn with
them all.
1823. BEE, Diet, of the Turf. To
PLAY UP GOOSEBERRY ; children romp-
ing about the house or the parent rating
them over.
1837. Ingoldsby Legends. 'Bloudie
Jacke of Shrewsberrie.' There's a pretty to-
do ! All the people of Shrewsbury PLAY-
ING OLD GOOSEBERRY With your choice bits
of taste and virtu.
1865. H. KINGSLEY, Hillyars and
the Burtons, ch. Ixii. LAY ON LIKE OLD
GOOSEBERRY.
1892. Globe, 12 July, p. 2, c. 2. We
all know his capacity for playing OLD
GOOSBERRY with things in general.
GOOSEBERRY - EYED, adj. (old). —
Grey-eyed. (Lex. Bal., 1811).
GOOSEBERRY-GRINDER, .wfo. (old).
— The breech. For synonyms, see
MONOCULAR EYEGLASS.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue. GOOSE-
BERRY-GRINDER, s.v. Ask^ Bogey the
GOOSEBERRY-GRINDER, ask mine a e.
GOOSEBERRY LAY, subs. phr.
(thieves'). — Stealing linen from
a line.
GOOSEBERRY-PICKER, subs, (collo-
quial). — i. A person whose
labour profits, and is credited to,
another; a GHOST (q.v.}*
Gooseberry-pudding. I§4 Goose's Gazette.
2. (common). — A chaperon.
See GOOSEBERRY, subs, sense 2.
1884. Cornhill Mag., Dec., p. 578.
The good host experienced the sensations
of being GOOSEBERRY-PICKER. He sat
under a tree, ate, drank, smoked, and
finally fell asleep, whilst the Prince and
Ottilie explored the Gaulish city and the
convent.
GOOSEBERRY - PUDDING, subs.
(rhyming). — A woman. For
synonyms, see PETTICOAT.
GOOSEBERRY-WIG, subs. (old). — A
large frizzled wig. 'Perhaps,'
says GROSE (s.v.), 'from a
supposed likeness to a gooseberry
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
GOOSECAP, subs, (common). — A
booby, male or female ; a NOODLE.
For synonyms, see BUFFLE and
CABBAGE-HEAD.
1593. G. HARVEY, Pierce1 s Super, in
wks. II., 72. Afoole, an idiot, a dolt, a
GOOSE-CAPP, an asse, and soe fourth.
1604. DEKKER, Honest Wh. in
wks. (1873), ii., 81. Out, you guiles, you
GOOSE-CAPS, you gudgeon-eaters !
1622. BEAUMONT and FLETCHER,
Beggars Bush, iv., 4. Why, what a
GOOSE-CAP wouldst thou make me!
1763. FOOTE, Mayor of Garratt,
Act i. My husband is such a GOOSE-CAP
that I can't get no good out of him at
home or abroad.
1785. GROSE, V'ulg. Tongue, s.v. A
silly fellow or woman.
GOOSE- (or GOOSE'S) EGG, subs.
(American). — No score. Also
GOOSER. See DUCK.
1886. New York Times, July. With
nine unpalatable GOOSE-EGGS in their con-
test.
1889. Modern Society, 12 Oct., p.
1264. An enthusiastic lady cricketer has
just bowled over Mr. Jones in a matri-
monial match. ' No, Mr. Brown, I cannot
marry you. You score a GOOSER this
'
GOOSE-FLESH (or GOOSE-SKIN),
subs, (colloquial). — A peculiar
tingling of the skin produced by
cold, fear, etc. ; the sensa-
tion described as ' cold water
down the back ' ; the CREEPS
(*».),
1824. Miss FERRIER, Inheritance,
ch. ii. Her skin began to rise into what is
vulgarly termed GOOSE-SKIN
GOOSE-GOG (or GOOSE-GOB), subs.
(common). — A gooseberry.
GOOSE-GREASE, subs. phr.
(venery). — A woman's SPENDINGS
(</. v. ). See GOOSE, subs. , sense 6.
GOOSE- MONTH, subs. (old). — The
lying-in month. Cf.t GANDER-
MONTH.
GOOSE-PERSUADER, subs, (com-
mon).— A tailor. For synonyms,
see SNIP.
GOOSER, subs, (popular). — i. A
settler ; a knock-out blow ; the
act of death. See DIG and
WIPE.
1851-61. H. MAYHEW, Lond. Lab.
and Land. Poor, vol. III., p. 133. It
was he who saved my life. If it hadn't
been for him it would have been a GOOSER
with me.
1857. Morning Chronicle, 9 Sept.
In the event of my getting a GOOSER.
2. (sporting). — No score ; a
GOOSE-EGG (q.v.}.
3. (venery). — The penis. For
synonyms, see CREAMSTICK and
PRICK.
GOOSE - RIDING. See GANDER-
PULLING.
GOOSE'S GAZETTE, subs. (old). — A
lying story ; a flim-flam tale ;
that is, a piece of reading for a
GOOSE, sense 2.
Goose-shearer.
185
Gorge.
1815. SCOTT, Guy Mannering, ch.
xxxiv. Lieutenant Brown .... told him
some GOOSE'S GAZETTE about his being
taken in a skirmish with the land-sharks.
GOOSE-SHEARER, subs, (common).
— A beggar. For synonyms, see
CADGER. [From GOOSE = simple-
ton + SHEARER = a cheater.]
GOOSE'S-NECK, subs, (venery). —
The penis. For synonyms, see
CREAMSTICK and PRICK.
GOOSE-STEP, suds, (common). —
Balancing on one foot and
moving the other back and
forwards without taking a step.
[A preliminary in military drill,
the pans asinorum of the raw
recruit.] Also (more loosely)
' marking time ' : that is, lifting
the feet alternately without
advancing.
1840. Tate's Mag:., Sept., p. 607
Whether the remarkable evolution [the
GOOSE STEP] was called . . . from the
nature of the operation requiring the
exhibitor to stand on one leg, in imitation
of the above-named animal, I am totally
at a loss to say.
1890, Licensed Viet. Gaz., 7 Nov.
He won his spurs at Punchestown before
he had mastered the GOOSE STEP.
GOOSE-TURD GREEN, adj. (old).
— A light - yellowish green. —
COTGRAVE.
GOOSEY-GANDER, subs, (common).
— A fool. For synonyms, see
BUFFLE and CABBAGE-HEAD.
GOOSING-SLUNI, subs. (American).
— A brothel. [GoosiNG =
womanizing ; also copulating.]
For synonyms, see NANNY-SHOP.
GOPHER, subs. (American). — i.
A young thief; especially a boy
employed by burglars to enter
houses through windows, sky-
lights, etc. [In natural history
GOPHER = a burrowing squirrel.]
2. (Southern States). — A rude
wooden plough.
Go REE, subs. (old). — Money ;
specifically gold or gold - dust.
From Fort Goree on the Gold
Coast. For synonyms, see ACTUAL
and GILT.
1696. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum, s.v.
GORGE, subs, (vulgar). — i. A heavy
meal; a TUCK - IN (q.v.}\ a
BLOW-OUT (q.V.).
1553. WILSON, Arte of Rhetorique,
p. 112. The counseler heareth causes with
lesse pain being emptie, then he shal be
able after a ful GORGE.
1883. Daily News, March 24, p. 3,
c. 4. The keeper tries these brutes
once a week to see whether they are
ready for a GORGE, and the python has
been known to devour eight ducks at one
meal, feathers and all, before signifying
enough.
2. (theatrical). — A manager ;
an abbreviation of GORGER (q.v.).
Verb (vulgar). — To eat vora-
ciously ; also to gulp as a fish
does when it swallows (or
gorges) a bait. For synonyms,
see WOLF.
1572. Satirical Poems, Scottish
Text Society? 1889-91, ' Lamentacioun,'
ii., 232. GORGED waters ever greater
grows.
1633. MASSINGER, New Way to Pay
Old Debts, iii., 2. Mar. Come, have
patience If you will dispense a little with
your worship, And sit with the waiting
women, you'll have dumpling, Woodcock,
and butter'd toasts too. Greedy. This
revives me : I will GORGE there sufficiently.
1654. CHAPMAN, Revenge for Honour,
Act i., Sc. i. Here men p* th' shop can
GORGE their musty maws With the delicious
capon, and fat limbs of mutton.
1748. T. DYCHE, Dictionary (sth ed.).
GORGE (v.), to eat over-much, to cram,
glut, or nil unreasonably.
Gorger.
1 86
Gospel.
1843. DICKENS, Martin Chuzzlewit,
ch. xxxiv., p. 336. No man had spoken a
word ; every one had been intent, as usual,
on his own private GORGING ; and the
greater part of the company were decidedly
dirty feeders.
1853. WH. MELVILLE, Digby Grand,
ch. iii. Who might be such a fine race, if
they would only not GORGE their food so
rapidlj'.
GORGER, subs, (vulgar). — i. A
voracious eater ; a SCRUNCHER
(q.v.). ROTTEN GORGER = a lad
who hangs about Covent Garden
eating refuse fruit.
2. (common). — A well-dressed
man; a gentleman. [Gypsy,
gorgio — gentlemen.] Fr., Tin
gratine.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
Mung the GORGER ; beg child beg, of the
gentleman.
3. (common). — An employer ;
a principal : especially the
manager of a theatre. [Perhaps
because he takes (or gorges) all
the FAT (17. z>.).] Also CULLY-
GORGER. Fr., amendier.
1872. M. E. BRADDON, Dead Sea
Fruit, ch. xiv. The GORGEK'S awful
coally on his own slumming, eh ? ... I
mean to say that our friend the manager is
rather sweet upon his own acting.
4. (old). — A neckerchief.
[From gorge = throat.]
1320-30. Gawaine, 957. That other
wyth a GORGER watz gored ouer the svvyre.
GORGONZOLA HALL, Stibs. phr.
(Stock Exchange). — Formerly
the New Hall ; now the corpora-
tion generally. [From the
colour of the marble.]
1887. ATKIN, House Scraps, GOR-
GONZOLA HALL got turned into New
Billingsgate.
GORM, verb. (American University).
— To GORGE (q.v.). For syn-
onyms, see WOLF.
I'M GORMED, phr. (popular).
— A profane oath. See GAUM.
1849. DICKENS, David Copperfield,
ch. iii. If it [his generosity] were ever
referred to, ... he struck the table a
heavy blow with his right hand (had split
it on one such occasion), and swore a
dreadful oath that HE WOULD BE GORMED
if he didn't cut and run for good, if it
was ever mentioned again.
1883. Punch, May 19, p. 230, c. 2.
Why, of course I hardly expects to be
believed, but I'M GORMED if there was
more than six of one and half-a-dozen of
the other.
1884. JULIAN STURGIS, in Long-
man's Mag,, iii., 623. 'GORMED if there
ain't that old parson again ! ' cried Henry,
with enthusiasm.
GORMAGON, suds. (old). — See
quots.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
A monster with six eyes, three mouths,
four arms, eight legs, five on one side and
three on the other, three arses, two tarses,
and a cunt upon its back ; a man on horse-
back with a woman behind him.
1892. FEN NELL, Stanford Diet.,
s.v., GORMAGON .... a member of an
English Secret Society which existed in
the second quarter of 18 c.
GORMY-RUDDLES, sttbs. (common).
— The intestines.
GORRAM (or GORAM). — See By
GOLDAM
GORRY.— See BY GORRY !
^. (Stock Exchange).
—The 2| per cent. Government
Stock created by Mr. Goschen in
1888.
1889. Man of the World, 29 June.
The nickname GOSCHENS is going out of
fashion. The new 2f stock is now called
by the old name.
1891. Flinch, 4 Apr. Securities
yielding a larger return than 25 GOSCHENS.
GOSH, see BY GOSH.
GOSPEL, subs, (colloquial). — i.
Anything offered as absolutely
true. Also GOSPEL-TRUTH.
Gospel-gab.
187
Goss.
1862. H. KINGSLEY, Ravenshoe, ch.
Ix. She is a good young woman, and a
honest young woman in her way, and what
she says this night about her brother is
GOSPEL-TRUTH.
1864. Derby Day, p. 35. Apparently
unable to resist the powerful influences
brought to bear upon him, he replied, in a
tone which carried the impress of veracity
with it, ' GOSPEL.'
1891. N. GOULD, Double Event, p.
175. It was true as GOSPEL.
To DO GOSPEL, verb. phr.
(common). — To go to church.
GOSPEL-GAB, subs, (common). — In-
sincere talk concerning religion ;
cant.
1892. HUME NISBET, Bushrangers
Sweetheart, p. 146. Yes ; when I saw
I was in for it, I told them my name and
all about my father without any reserve ;
that, with a little GOSPEL-GAB and howling
penitence, got the church people interested
in me, and so I was let off easily.
GOSPEL - GRINDER (-POSTILLION,
-SHARP, or -SHARK), subs.
(common). — A clergyman or
missionary. For synonyms, see
DEVIL-DODGER and SKY-
PILOT ; —
FRENCH SYNONYMS. — La
foret noire (thieves' = the black
forest) ; une entonne ramparts
(thieves'); entonner=\.Q intone) ;
tine antiffle (thieves') ; une cavee
( thieves' = a black hole) ; une
chique (thieves').
SPANISH SYNONYM. — Salud.
ITALIAN SYNONYMS.— Baha ;
bahana.
1869. S. L. CLEMENS, Innocents at
Home, p. 19. ' A what ! ' ' GOSPEL-
SHARP— parson.' ' Oh ! why did you not
say so before? I am a clergyman — a
parson.1
1877. BESANT and RICE, Golden
Butterfly, ch. viii. Else we should be as
stagnant as a Connecticut GOSPEL-
GRINDER in his village location.
GOSPELLER, subs, (colloquial). —
An Evangelist preacher ; in con-
tempt. Also HOT-GOSPELLER
= a preaching fanatic.)
GOSPEL-MILL (or -SHOP), subs.
(common). — A church or chapel.
Also SCHISM-SHOP and DOXO-
LOGY- WORKS (q.V.).
1782. GEO. PARKER, Humorous
Sketches, p. 88. From Whitfield and Ro-
maine to Pope John range ; Each GOSPEL-
SHOP ringing a daily change.
1791. Life of J. Lackington, Letter
xix. As soon as I had procured a lodging
and work my next enquiry was for Mr.
Wesley's GOSPEL-SHOPS.
1852. JUDSON, Mysteries of New
York, pt. II., ch. ii., p. 13. On about
that ere GOSPEL-SHOP as you was agoin for
to crack last week.
1869. S. L. CLEMENS ( Mark Twain)
Innocents at Home, p. 17, 18. Are you
the duck that runs the GOSPEL-MILL next
door.
1892. MILLIKEN, 'Arry Ballads, p.
35. It's all GOSPEL-SHOP gruel.
Goss (or GOSSAMER), subs, (com-
mon) . — A hat. (At first a make
of peculiar lightness called a
FOUR- AND-NINE (£.».).) Inquot.
1836 = a white hat. For syn-
onyms, see GOLGOTHA.
1836. DICKENS, Pickwick, ch. xii.
'That's one thing, and every hole lets in
some air, that's another — ventilation
GOSSAMER I calls it.' On the delivery of
this sentiment, Mr. Weller smiled agree-
ably upon the assembled Pickwickians.
1838. JAS. GRANT, Sketches in
London, ch. ix., p. 294. Another passenger
inquired whether the hat was 'a vashmg
beaver von?' while a fourth inquired
whether it was 'a GOSSAMER ventilator?'
1851. H. MAYHEW, Lond. Lab. and
Lond. Poor, Vol. II., p. 49. 1 have sold hats
from 6d. to 35. 6d., but very seldom 35. 6d.
The 35. 6d. ones would wear out two new
GOSSAMERS, I know.
1884. A. LANG, Much Darker Days,
p. 25. Yes, the white hat, lying there
all battered and crushed on the white
snow, must be the hat of Sir Runan ! . . .
who else would wear the gay GOSSAMER of
July in stormy December?
Gossoon.
1 88 Go-to-meeting Bags.
1888. Harper's Magazine, LXXVII.,
139. Flinging off his GOSSAMER and hang-
ing it up to drip into the pan of the hat
rack.
To GIVE (or GET) GOSS, verb,
phr. (American). — To requite an
injury ; to kill ; to go strong ;
to get an opportunity ; to PUT IN
BIG LICKS (q. v. ). Sometimes ejac-
ulatory, as ' Give me goss and let
me rip ! '
1847. ROBE, Squatter ^ Life, p. 75.
GIN HIM GOSS without sweetin.
1847. DARLEY, Drama inPorterville,
p. 114. Divers hints passed from one to
another among the more excitable citizens,
that ' Old Sol ' was going to GET GOSSj
sure.
1847. PORTER, Quarter Race, etc.,
p. 115. Shouts of ' Fair play,' 'Turn 'em
out,' ' GIVE HIM GOSS,' were heard on all
sides.
a. 1852. Traits of A tnerican Hujnour,
II., 261. Ef I don't, the old man will
GIVE ME GOSS when I go back.
GOSSOON, subs, (colloquial Irish). —
A boy. [A corruption of Fr.,
garden — a boy.]
GOTCH-GUTTED, adj. (old). — Pot-
bellied ; ' a gotch in Norfolk,
signifying a pitcher or large round
jug.'— GROSE.
GOT 'EM BAD, phr. (common).
— A superlative of earnestness or
excessiveness : e.g. , anyone doing
his work thoroughly, a horse
straining every nerve, a very
sick person, especially a patient
in the HORRORS (q.v.), is said to
have GOT 'EM BAD.
GOT 'EM ON (or ALL ON), phr.
(common). — Dressed in the height
of fashion. See RIGGED OUT.
1880. Punch, 28 Aug., p. 90.
188(?). Broadside Ballad, "Arry.1
Where are you going on Sunday. 'Arry,
now you've GOT 'EM ON?
188(?;. Broadside Ballad.
'EM ON/
He's GOT
GOTH, suds. (common). — A
frumpish or uncultured person ;
one behind the times or ignorant
of the ways of society.
1712. Spectator, No. 367. But I
shall never sink this paper so far as to en-
gage with GOTHS and Vandals.
1751. SMOLLETT, Peregrine Pickle,
ch. Ixi. You yourself are a GOTH ... to
treat with such disrespect a production
which . . . will, when finished, be a mas-
terpiece of its kind.
1865. OUIDA, Strathmore, ch. ii.
For God's sake don't suppose me such a
GOTH that I should fall in love with a
dairymaid, Strath !
GOTHAM, subs, (common). — New
York City. GOTHAMITE, a New
Yorker. [First used by Washing-
ton Irving in Salmagundi (1807). ]
1852. JUTSON, Mysteries of New
York. ch. xiii. One of the vilest of all hells
in GOTHAM.
1852. EXISTED, Ujjer Ten Thousand,
p. 37. The first thing, as a general rule,
that a young GOTHAMITE does is to get a
horse.
GOTHIC, adj. (old). —See GOTH.
1700. CONGREVE, The Way of the
World, iv. 4. Ah, rustic, ruder than
GOTHIC !
1773. GOLDSMITH, She Stoops to Con-
quer, ii., 8. Why, with his usual GOTHIC
vivacity, he said I only wanted him to
throw off his wig to convert it into a tete
for my own wearing.
GO-TO-MEETING BAGS (or
CLOTHES, DRESS, etc.), subs.
bhr. (common). — Best clothes.
[As worn on Sundays, or holiday
occasions.]
1837-40. HALIBURTON, The Clock-
maker, p. 243 (Ed. 1862). If he hadn't
his GO-TO-MEETIN' DRESS and looks on this
day to the jury, it's a pity.
1854. BRADLEY, Verdant Green, Pt.
II., p. 5. Besides his black GO-TO-MEET-
ING BAGS please to observe the peculiarity,
etc.
Gouge.
[89
Governor.
1856. HUGHES, Tom Brown^s School-
days, pt II., ch. v. I want to give you a
true picture of what every-day_ school
life was in my time, and not a kid-glove
and GO-TO-MEETING-COAT picture.
1857. KINGSLEY, Two Years Ago.
Looks right well in her GO-TO-MEETING
CLOTHES.
GOUGE, subs. (American). — An
imposture ; a swindle ; a method
of cheating.
1845. Neva York Tribune, 10 Dec.
R and H will probably receive
from Mr. Folk's administration $100,000
more than respectable printers would have
done the work for. There is a clean,
plain GOUGE of this sum out of the
people's strong box.
Verb. (old). — I. GROSE says,
' To squeeze out a man's eye with
the thumb, a cruel practice used
by the Bostonians in America.'
1848. RUXTON, Life in the Far
West, p. 49. His eyes having been
GOUGED in a mountain fray.
2. (American). — To defraud.
1845. New York Tribune, 26 Nov.
Very well, gentlemen ! GOUGE Mr. Crosby
out of the seat, if you think it wholesome
to do it.
1874. W. D. HOWELLS, Foregone
Conclusions, ch. iii. The man's a perfect
Jew— or a perfect Christian, one ought to
say in Venice ; we true believers do
GOUGE so much more infamously here.
1885. BRET HARTE, A Ship of '49,
ch. i. He's regularly GOUGED me in that
'ere horsehair spekilation.
GOUGER, subs. (American). — A
cheat ; a swindler. For syn-
onyms, see ROOK.
GOUGING, subs. (American). —
Cheating.
GOUJEERS, See GOODYEAR.
GOURD, subs. (old). — False dice
with a cavity within, which in
FULLAMS (q.v.) was filled with
lead to give a bias. See also
HIGH-MEN and LOW-MEN.
1544. ASCHAM, Toxophylus. What
false dyse use they ? as dyse stopped with
quicksilver and heares, dyse of vauntage,
flaites, GOURDS, to chop and chaunge when
they liste.
1596, SHAKSPEARE, Merry Wives of
Windsor, i., 3. Let vultures gripe thy
guts ! for GOURD and fullam holds, And
high and low beguiles the rich and poor.
1616. BEAUMONT and FLETCHER,
Scornful Lady, iv. And thy dry bones
can reach at nothing now But GOURDS or
nine-pins ; pray go fetch a trencher, go.
GOUROCK HAM, subs, (common). —
A salt herring (Gourock was
formerly a great fishing village).
For synonyms, see GLASGOW
MAGISTRATE.
GOVERNMENT- MAN, subs, (old
Australian). — A convict.
1864. SMYTHE, Ten Months in Fiji
Islands, q.v.
1883. Graphic, 17 Mar., p. 262, c.
3. They never settle down as thousands
of our GOVERNMENT MEN cheerfully did in
Australia after they had their freedom.
GOVERNMENT -SECURITIES, subs.
(common). — Handcuffs ; fetters
generally. For 'synonyms, see
DARBIES.
GOVERNMENT - SIGNPOST, subs.
(old). —The gallows. For syn-
onyms, 'see NUBBING-CHEAT.
1887. A. BARRERE, Argot and Slang,
p. 272. Montagnedugeant. Fr. (obsolete),
gallows, scrag, nobbing cheat, or GOVERN-
MENT SIGNPOST.
GOVERNOR (or Guv), subs, (com-
mon).— i. A father. Also RE-
LIEVING OFFICER ; OLD 5UN ;
PATER; NIBSO ; and HIS NIBS.
Applied to elderly people in
general. Fr. , le geniteur and
Pancien ( — the old 'un).
1836. DICKENS, Pickwick, ch. xx.
p. 169. ' You're quite certain it was
them, GOVERNOR?' inquired Mr. Weller,
junior. ' Quite, Sammy, quite,' replied
his father.
Governor.
190
Gown.
1841. Punch) vol. I., p. 28. But—
mind ! don't tell the GOVERNOR !
1852. Comic Almanack, p. ig.
Your father : Speaking to him, say ' GUV-
NOR,' or ' Old Strike-a-light : ' of him,
The old un.'
1859. Witty Political Portraits, p.
in. Unconscious of the constitutional de-
lusions on which his GOVERNOR has
thrived.
1889. Answers, 20 Apr., p. 323. To
call your father ' The GOVERNOR ' is, of
course, slang, and is as bad as referring to
him as 'The Boss,' 'The Old Man,' or
' The Relieving Officer.'
1891. Licensed Viet. Gaz., o, Jan.
It was mortifying to be done in that
manner by a low fellow like Muggins,
that I had always looked upon as a fool,
and had made a butt of when the GUV.
was out of the way.
1892. HUME NISBET, Bushranger's
Sweetheart, p. 118. The GOVERNOR is in
an awful funk about him.
2. (common). — A mode of
address to strangers. Fr., bour-
geois.
1892. ANSTEY, Voces Populi (Second
Series). ' At the Guelph Exhibition.'
Right, GUVNOR ; we'll come.
3. ^ (colloquial). — A master or
superior; an employer.
ENGLISH SYNONYMS. — Boss ;
captain of the waiters ; captain ;
chief; colonel ; commander ; chief
bottle-washer; ganger; head-butler;
head - cook and bottle - washer ;
gorger; omee ; rum-cull.
FRENCH SYNONYMS. — Le
pantriot (popular and thieves' :
also = a young nincompoop) ; le,
or la, p&te (popular : properly
paste or dough) ; le naif (printers' :
obsolete); le herz or hers
(thieves' : obviously from the
German) ; le loncegut (thieves' :
Fr., back-slang ; = gonce, itself
a slang term for a man) ; legaleux
(popular) = one with the itch) ;
le grtte (popular : specifically a
master-tailor) ; le singe ( = mon-
key) ; le troploc ; le nourisseur=
the grubber); Fogre (specifically a
FENCE) ; le notaire ( = publican) ;
le patron (colloquial : = governor).
ITALIAN SYNONYMS. — Chiel~
micro (vulgar).
GOVERNOR'S-STIFF, Sllbs,
(American). — A pardon.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum, s.v.
QOWER - STREET DIALECT. See
MEDICAL GREEK.
GOWK, subs, (prison). — A simple-
ton. (Scots' GOWK = a cuckoo).
For synonyms, see BUFFLE and
CABBAGE-HEAD. Also a country-
man. For synonyms, see JOSKIN.
1816. SCOTT, Antiquary, ch. x.
' Hout awa', ye auld GOWK,' said Jenny
Rintherout.
To HUNT THE GOWK, verb.
phr. (common). — To go on a
fool's errand.
GOWLER, subs. (old). —A dog;
specifically a howler.
<fc. (Winchester College).
— I. Coarse brown paper.
(obsolete).
2. (University). — The schools
as distinguished from the TOWN
(q.v.)., e.g., TOWN and GOWN.
1847. THACKERAY, Punch's Prize
Novelists, ' Codlingsby,' p. 232. From
the Addenbrooke's hospital to the Blenheim
turnpike, all Cambridge was in an uproar —
the College gates closed — the shops barri-
caded — the shop-boys away in support of
their brother townsmen — the battle raged,
and the GOWN had the worst of the fight.
1853. BRADLEY, Verdant Green, II.,
ch. iii. When GOWN was absent, Town
was miserable.
1891. Pall Mall Gaz., 30 May, p.
4, c. 3. Town and GOWN joined in har-
mony.
Gownsman.
191
Grabble.
GOWNSMAN (also GOWN), subs.
(university). — A student.
1800. C. K. SHARPE, in Correspond-
ence (1888), i., 96. A battle between the
GOWNSMEN and townspeople .... in
spite of the Vice-Chancellor and Proctors.
1850. F. E. SMEDLEY, Frank Fair-
leigh, ch. xxv. The ancient town of Cam-
bridge, no longer animated by the countless
throngs of GOWNSMEN, frowned in its unac-
customed solitude.
1861. HUGHES, Tom Brown at Ox-
ford. The townsmen .... were met by
the GOWNSMEN with settled steady pluck.
GRAB, subs, (vulgar). — I. A sudden
clutch.
1835. HALIBURTON, Clockmaker, ist
S., ch. viii. He makes a GRAB at me, and
1 shuts the door right to on his wrist.
2. (American). — A robbery ; a
STEAL (q.V.). Cf., GRAB-GAINS.
3. (old). — A body-stealer ; a
resurrectionist.
1830. S. WARREN, Diary of a Late
Physician, ch. xvJ. Sir 's dressers and
myself, with an experienced GRAfl — that is
to say, ^professional resurrectionist — were
to set off from the Borough.
4. (gamesters'). — A boisterous
game at cards.
Verb (vulgar).— i. To PINCH
(q.v.) ; to seize; to apprehend ; to
snatch or steal. GRABBED =
arrested.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum. The
pigs GRABBED the kiddy for a crack.
1818. MAGINN, Vidocq's Song.
Tramp it, tramp it, my jolly blowen, Or be
GRABBED by the beaks we may.
1837. LYTTON, Etnest Maltravers,
\Vk. I., ch. x. There, man, GRAB the
money, it's on the table.
1837. DICKENS, Oliver Twist, ch.
xiii. Do you want to be GRABBED, stupid ?
1839. AINSWORTH, Jack Sheppard
[1889], p. 39. Don't muddle your brains
with any more of that Pharaoh. You'll
need all your strength to GRAB him.
1851-61. MAYHEW, Land. Lab. and
Land. Poor, Hi., 396. I was GRABBED for
an attempt on a gentleman's pocket.
1877. Five Years' Penal Servitude,
ch. iii., p. 236. I watched a movement,
till one of the servant girls had brought
another load of grub out, and as she turned
her back and went into the house I GRABBED
the key, and so they couldn't lock it nohow.
1886. BARING GOULD, Golden Feather,
p. 23 (S.P.C.K.). There are some folks
.... so grasping that if they touch a far-
thing will GRAB a pound.
2. (thieves'). — To hold on ;
to get along ; to live.
1851-61. MAYHEW, Land. Lab. and
Land. Poor, iii., 149. I do manage to
GRAB on somehow.
GRAB-ALL, sufo. (colloquial). — i.
An avaricious person ; a GREEDY-
GUTS (q.v.).
1872. Sunday Times, 18 Aug. This
gentleman, it is well known, has worked
with indomitable energy on behalf of the
millions, and has succeeded in wresting
from the mean and contemptible GRAB-
ALLS of that government which professes
to study the people's interest those portions
of the Embankment which the public
money has paid for.
2. (colloquial). — A bag to
carry odds and ends, parcels,
books, and so forth.
GRABBER, subs, (common). — In.
//., the hands. For synonyms,
see DADDLE and MAULEY.
G RABBLE, verb. (old). — I. To seize:
a frequent form of GRAB (q.v.).
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum. To
GRABBLE the bit ; to seize any one's
money.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulunt. You
GRABBLE the goose-cap and I'll frisk his
pokes.
2. (venery). — To grope ; to
fumble ; TO FAM (q.v.).
1719. DURFEY, Pills, etc., 193. When
Nelly, though he teized her, And GRABBLED
her and squeezed her.
Grabby.
192
Graft,
GRABBY, subs, (military). — An
infantry-man. [Used in contempt
by the mounted arm.] Fr., mart-
(mnette.
1868. WHYTE MELVILLE, White
Rose, ^ch. x 'Is it a good regiment?
How jolly to dine at mess every day!'
'I shouldn't like to be a GRABBY though"
(this from the Dandy) ; ' and after all, I'd
rather be a private in the cavalry than an
officer in the regiment of feet ! '
GRAB-GAINS, suit, (thieves').— The
trick of snatching a purse, etc.,
and making off.
GRAB-GAME (or-coup,or-RACKET),
sttbs. (old). — Amode of swindling:
the sharpers start by betting among
themselves ; then the by-standers
are induced to join ; then stakes
are deposited ; lastly, there is a
row, when one of the gang GRABS
the stakes, and decamps. But see
quot., 1823.
1823. BEE, Diet, of the Turf, s.v.
GRAB-COUP, modern practice of gambling,
adopted by the losers, thus the person
cheated, or done, takes his opportunity,
makes a dash at the depository of money,
or such as may be down for the play, and
GRABS as much as possible, pockets the
proceeds, and fights his way out of the
house.
18(?). Scenes in the Rocky Mountains,
p. 282. Til bear you company. What
d'ye say to that ? ' ' Just as you like,' re-
sponded his two companions, ' that is pro-
vided you won't attempt the GRAB GAME
on us.'
1892. R. L. STEVENSON and L.
OSBOURNE, The Wrecker^ p. 219. ' Now,
boss ! ' he cried, not unkindly, ' is this to
be run shipshape ; or is it a Dutch GRAB-
RACKET ?
GRACE-CARD, subs. (Irish). — The
Six of Hearts. [For origin see
N. and Q., 5th Series, iv., 137].
GRACEMANS, s^lbs. (old). — Grace-
church Street Market.
1610. ROWLANDS, Martin Mark-all,
p. 38 (W. Club's Rept., 1874). GRACE-
MANS, Gratious Streets market.
GRADUATE, subs. (turf). — i. A
horse that has been run.
2. (colloquial). — An adept ; an
ARTFUL MEMBER (q.V.).
3. (venery). — An unmarried
woman who has taken her degree
in carnal lore.
Verb, (colloquial). — To seek
and acquire experience : in life,
love, society, or trade ; and so on.
GRADUS, subs, (gamesters'). —A
mode of cheating : a particular
card is so placed by the shuffler
that when he hands the pack to
be cut, it projects a little beyond
the rest ; the chance being that it
is the turn-up. Also THE STEP
(q.v.). [From the Latin.]
GRADUS - AD - PARNASSUM, subs.
(old literary). — The treadmill.
For synonyms, see WHEEL-OF-
LIFE.
GRAFT, subs, (common). — Work;
employment ; LAY (q.v). : e.g.
What GRAFT are you on now ?
GREAT - GRAFT = profitable
labour; GOOD BIZ (q.v.). Also
GRAFTING and ELBOW-GREASE.
FRENCH SYNONYMS.— Le bas-
timage (thieves') ; le goupinage
(thieves'); la laine (tailors'); le
maquillage (thieves') ; le massage
(popular) ; la masse ; le mhhe
(printers').
1878. Graphic, 6 July, p. 2. Accord-
ing to the well-known maxim in the build-
ing trade, 'Scotch masons, Welsh black-
smiths, English bricklayers, Irish labourers'
.... Perhaps in a generation or two
Paddy will fail us. He will have become
too refined for hard GRAFTING.
1887. HENLEY, Villon's Straight
Tip. The merry little dibbs you bag At
my GRAFT, no matter what.
Grampus*
Granger.
1892. Tit Bits, 19 Mar., p. 417, c. i.
Millbank for thick shins and GRAFT at the
pump.
Verb (common). — I. To work.
Fr., bausser ; membrer.
2. (American). — To steal.
3. (old). — To cuckold ; to
plant horns.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s v.
4. (American). — To sole old
boots. C/., GOOSE and TRANS-
LATE.
GRAMPUS, subs, (colloquial). — A
fat man. For synonyms, see
FORTY-GUTS.
To BLOW THE GRAMPUS.
(nautical). — To drench ; and
(common), to sport in the water.
GRAND, subs, (colloquial). — Short
for ' grand piano. '
1891. Morning Advertiser, 28 Mar.
A precocious young relative is now about
to take the dais. There she stands, violin
in hand, and there begins the preliminary
scramble on the hired GRAND.
Adj. (colloquial). — A general
superlative.
1892. MILLIKEN, 'Arry Ballads, p.
19. Wot we want in a picter is flavour
and ' fetch,' and yours give it me GRAND.
To DO THE GRAND, verb. phr.
(common). — To put on airs. For
synonyms, see LARDY-DAH.
GRAND BOUNCE. See BOUNCE.
GRANDMOTHER. To SEE ONE'S
GRANDMOTHER, verb. phr. (com-
mon).— To have a nightmare.
To SEE (or HAVE) ONE'S
GRANDMOTHER (or LITTLE
FRIEND, or AUNTIE) WITH ONE.
verb. phr. (common). — To have
the menstrual discharge. See
FLAG.
To SHOOT ONE'S GRAND-
MOTHER, verb. phr. (common). —
To be mistaken ; to have found
a mare's nest ; to be disappointed.
Commonly ' You've shot your
grannie. '
To TEACH ONE'S GRAND-
MOTHER (or GRANNIE) HOW TO
SUCK EGGS, verb. phr. (com-
mon).— To instruct an expert in
his own particular line of business;
to talk old to one's seniors.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
1892. Globe, 27 Jan., p. i, c. 5. Evi-
dently he did not consider, as Englishmen
seem to do, that GRANDMOTHERS possess
no more knowledge than is required to effi-
ciently SUCK EGGS.
1892. HUME NISBET, Bushrangers
Sweetheart, p. 210. ' Confound you stupid,
what do you take me for, that you try TO
TEACH YOUR GRANDMOTHER TO SUCK
EGGS.
1892. MILLIKEN, 'Arry Ballads, r.
77. She's a TEACHING 'ER GRAND-
MOTHER, she is, although she's a littery
swell.
MY GRANDMOTHER'S REVIEW.
subs. phr. (obsolete).— The British
Review. [The nickname was Lord
Byron's.]
GRAND-STRUT, subs. (old). — The
Broad Walk in Hyde Park.
1823. MONCRIEFF, Tom and Jerry,
i., 4. We'll start first to the show shop of
the metropolis, Hyde Park ! promenade it
down the GRAND STRUT.
GRANGER ,subs. (American political ).
— i. A member of the Farmers'
Alliance ; a secret society, nomi-
nallynon-political, but really tal -
ing a hand in politics when occa-
sion offered to favour agricultural
interests. [During the decade of
years ending 1870, it attained
to great numerical strength, and
extended throughout the United
States.] See AGRICULTURAL
WHEEL.
13
Grangerize.
194
Grape-vine.
2. (American). — Hence, a
farmer ; a countryman ; anyone
from the rural districts. For
synonyms, see JOSKIN.
GRANGERISE, verb, (literary). — To
fill out a book with portraits,
landscapes, title-pages, and illus-
trations generally, not done for it.
1883. SAL A, Living Wonders, p. 497.
Mr. Ashton's Social Life in the Reign of
Queen Anne . . . would be a capital book
tO GRANGERIZE.
GRANGERISM, subs, (literary). —
The practice of illustrating a book
with engravings, etc., from other
sources. [From the practice of
illustrating GRANGER'S Biblio-
graphical History of England. ]
1883. Saturday Review, Jam 27,
p. 123, c. 2. GRANGERISM, as the inno-
cent may need to be told, is the pernicious
vice of cutting plates and title-pages out of
many books to illustrate one book.
GRANGERITE, subs, (literary). — A
practitioner in GRANGERISM (q.v.).
1890. ' Grangerising,' in Cornhill
Mag., Feb., p. 139.. Another favourite
subject, and suitable also for the GRAN-
GERITE, is ' Boswell's Johnson.' It must
be admitted that this delightful book may
gain a fresh chance by being thus treated,
but ' within the limits of becoming gran-
gerism.'
GRAN NAM, ;ȣf. (old}. Corn. [From
the Latin.] — Fr., le grenu, or
grelu. It., re digranata; staffile ;
corniole :
1567. HARM AN, Caveat (1814), p. 65.
GRANNAM, corne.
1610. ROWLANDS, M artin Mark-all,
p. 38 (H. Club's Rept., 1874). GRANMER,
corne.
1671. R. HEAD, English Rogue,
pt. I., ch. v., p. 49 (1874). GRANNAM,
corn.
1706. E. COLES, Eng. Diet.
GRANNAM, c. corn.
1737. Bacchus and Venus. 'The
Strowling Mort.' GRANNAM ever filled
my sack.
GRANNAM'S-GOLD. subs, (old).—
Wealth inherited. [Grannam =
grandmother : cf., BEAUMONT
and FLETCHER, Lover's Progress,
iv., i. 'Ghosts never walk till
after midnight, if I may believe
my grannam. ']
GRANNY, subs, (nautical). — i. A
bad knot with the second tie
across ; as opposed to a reef
knot in which the end and outer
part are in line. Also GRANNY'S
KNOT or GRANNY'S BEND.
2. (common). — Conceit of
superior knowledge.
1851-61. MAYHEW, Land. Lab. and
Land. Poor, i., 404. To take the GRANNY
off them as has white hands.
^ (thieves'). — To know; to
recognise. Also to swindle.
1851-61. MAYHEW, Land. Lab. and
Land. Poor, i., 461. The shallow got so
CRANNIED in London.
Ibid., p. 340. If they GRANNY the
manley (perceive the signature) of a
brother officer or friend.
GRANT. To GRANT THE FAVOUR,
verb. phr. (venery). — To confer
the sexual embrace ; TO SPREAD
(q.v.).
1720. DURFEY, Pills, etc., vi 58. If
at last she GRANTS THE FAVOUR, And
consents to be undone.
1754. FIELDING, Jonathan Wild, iv.
7. I .... never would GRANT THE
FAVOUR to any man till I had drunk a
heavy glass with him.
GRAPE-SHOT, adj. (common). —
Drunk. For synonyms, see
DRINKS and SCREWED.
GRAPE-VINE, subs. (American). — A
hold in wrestling.
GRAPE-VINE TELEGRAPH, subs.
phr. (American). — News mys-
teriously conveyed. [During the
Civil War bogus reports from the
front were said to be BY THE
GRAPE-VINE TELEGRAPH.] Also
CLOTHES-LINE TELEGRAPH.
Grapple.
Grass.
GRAPPLE, subs, (common). — The
hand. Also GRAPPLER. For
synonyms, see DADDLE and
MAULEY.
1852. HAZEL, Yankee Jack, p. 9.
Give us your GRAPPLER on that, old fellow.
1877. Five Years' Penal Servitude,
ch. iii., p. 246. Anything she once put
her GRAPI'LES on she slipped inside.
GRAPPLE-THE- RAILS, subs. (Irish).
Whiskey. For synonyms, see
DRINKS and OLD MAN'S MILK.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue. GRAP-
PLE-THE-RAILS, a cant name used in Ire-
land for whiskey.
GRAPPLING-IRONS (or -HOOKS),
subs. (old). — i. Handcuffs. For
synonyms, see DARBIES.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicnm, s.v.
1830 BUCKSTONE, Wreck Ashore, i.
4. I hope the bailiffs have not laid their
GRAPPLING IRONS on young Miles.
2. (nautical). — The ringers.
For synonyms, see FORK. Also
GRAPPLERS and GRAPPLING-
HOOKS.
GRASS, subs. (Royal Military
Academy). — i. Vegetables. Cf.t
BUNNY -GRUB. Fr., gargousses
de la canonniere.
2. (American). — Fresh mint.
3. ( common ). — Short for
SPARROW-GRASS ( q.V. ) =
asparagus.
1851-61. MAYHEW, Land. Lab and
Land. Poor, I., 539. He sold GRASS, and
such things as cost money.
4. (Australian printers'). — A
temporary hand on a newspaper ;
hence the proverb, ' A GRASS on
news waits dead men's shoes.'
Cf., GRASS - HAND = a raw
worker, or green hand.
a. 1889. FITZGERALD, Printers
Proverbs, quoted in Slang, Jargon, and
Cant. Why are the GRASS, or casual
news hands not put on a more comfortable
footing?
Verb (pugilistic). — To throw
(or be thrown) ; to bring (or be
brought) to ground. Hence, to
knock down ; to defeat ; to kill.
1818. EGAN, Boxiana, ii., 375. He
had much the worst of it, and was ulti-
mately GRASSED.
1819. MOORE, Tom Crib, p. 57. The
shame that aught but death should see
him GRASSED.
1846. DICKENS, Dombey, xliv. ,
385. The Chicken himself attributed this
punishment to his having had the misfor-
tune to get into Chancery early in the pro-
ceedings, when he was severely fibbed by
the Larkey One, and heavily GRASSED.
1881. Daily Telegraph, 26 Nov. The
Doctor had killed twenty out of twenty-
five, while his opponent had GRASSED seven-
teen out of the same number.
1883. W. BESANT, All in a Garden
Fair. Intro. It was a sad example of
pride before a fall ; his foot caught in a
tuft of grass, and he was GRASSED.
1888. Sporting Life, n Dec. Just
on the completion of the minute GRASSED
his man with a swinging right-hander.
1891. J. NEWMAN, Scamping Tricks,
p. 119. I saw I was GRASSED, so I took
his measurement.
1892. F. ANSTEY, Voces Populi.
' The Riding-Class,' p. 108. Didn't get
GRASSED, did you ?
To GIVE GRASS, verb. phr.
(colloquial). — To yield.
To GO TO GRASS, verb. phr.
(colloquial). — I. To abscond ;
to disappear. Also to HUNT
GRASS.
2. (common). — To fall sprawl-
ing ; to be ruined ; to die.
1876. HINDLEY, Cheap Jack, p, 237.
Elias was SENT TO GRASS to rise no more
off it.
3. (common). — To waste away
(as of limbs).
To HUNT GRASS, verb. phr.
(common). — I. To decamp.
2. (cricket). — To field ; to
HUNT LEATHER (f.V.),
Grass.
196
Grass-widow.
3. (American). To fall ; to go
to ground; hence, to be puzzled or
bewildered.
1869. S. L. CLEMENS, Innocents at
Howe, p. 21. You're most too many for
me, you know. When you get in with your
left I HUNT GRASS every time.
To CUT ONE'S OWN GRASS.
verb. phr. (thieves'). — To earn
one's own living.
1877. Five Years' Penal Servitude,
c iii.,p.242. 'Cur HER OWN GRASS!
Good gracious ! what is that ! ' I asked.
' Why, purvide her own chump— earn her
own living,' the old man replied.
To BE SENT TO GRASS, verb,
phr. (University). — To be rusti-
cated J to RECEIVE A TRAVEL-
LING SCHOLARSHIP (q.V.}.
1794. dent. Mag:, p. 1085. And was
very near rustication [at Cambridge]
merely for kicking up a row after a beaker-
ing party. ' Soho, Jack ! ' briskly rejoined
another, ' almost presented with a travel-
ling fellowship ? very nigh being SENT TO
GRASS, hey?'
Go TO GRASS ! phr. (common).
— Be off ! You be hanged ! Go to
hell!
1848. DURIVAGE, Stray Subjects,
p. 95. A gentleman who was swimming
about, upon being refused, declared that
he might GO TO GRASS with his eld canoe,
for he didn't think it would be much of a
shower, anyhow.
1865. BACON, Handbook of ' America,
p. 363. Go TO GRASS ! be off' get out !
TO LET THE GRASS GROW
UNDER ONE'S FEET, verb. phr.
(colloquial). — To proceed or
work leisurely. Fr., limer.
To TAKE NEBUCHADNEZZAR
OUT 10 GRASS, subs. phr.
(venery). — To take a man.
[NEBUCHADNEZZAR = penis.] For
synonyms, see GREENS.
GRASS-COMBER, subs, (nautical). —
A countryman shipped as a
sailor.
1886. W. BESANT, World Went
Very Well Then, ch. xxix. Formerly,
Jack would have icplied to this sally that,
d'ye see, Luke was a GRASS COMBER and
a land swab, but that for himself, there
was no tea aboard ship, and a glass of
punch or a bowl of flip was worth all the
tea ever brought from China.
CRASSER, sttbs. (sporting). — A
fall.
GRASSHOPPER, sttbs. (common). —
I. A waiter at a tea-garden.
2. (rhyming). — A policeman,
or COPPER (q.v.).
3. (thieves'). — A thief. See
GUNNER.
1893. Pall Mall Gaz., 2 Jan., p. 4.,
c. 3. Quite a '' school ' of youthful GRASS-
HOPPERS are in possession of one corner of
the ice, but on the Westminster side of the
park 'pon bridge there is a good sprinkling
of old hands.
GRASSING, subs. (printers').—
Casual work away from the
office. See SMOUTING.
GRASSVILLE, subs. (old). — The
country; cf.t DAISY viLLE.
GRASS-WIDOW, sttbs. (old). — i. An
unmarried mother ; a deserted
mistress. See BARRACK-HACK
and TART.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
Widow's weeds, a GRASS-WIDOW, one that
pretends to have been married, but never
was, yet has children.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
Widow's weeds ; a GRASS-WIDOW ; a dis-
carded mistress.
2. (colloquial). — A married
woman temporarily separated
from her husband.
[The usually accepted derivation that
grass = Fr., grace is doubtful. Hall (says
J. C. Atkinson, in Glossary of Cleveland
Words) gives as the definition of this word
' an unmarried woman who has had a
child ' ; in Moor's Suffolk Words and
Phrases, GRACE-WIDOW, 'a woman who
has had a child for her cradle ere she has
had a husband for her bed ' ; and corres-
ponding with this is the N. S. or Low Ger.,
gras-ivedewe. Again, Sw. D., gras-anka,
or -enka= GRASS-WIDOW, occurs in the
same sense as with us : 'a low, dissolute,
unmarried woman living by herself." The
original meaning of the word seems to
Grass-Widow.
T97 Gravel-grinder.
have been 'a woman whose husband
is away,' either travelling or living
apart. The people of Belgium call a
woman of this description haeck-wedewe,
from haecken, to feel strong desire
It seems probable, therefore, from the ety-
mology, taken in connection with the
Clevel. signification, that our word 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., f-raesenka, is a female whose
betrothed lover (fastman) is dead ; nearly
equivalent to which is GQrma.r\,strokwittwe,
literally straw-widow. See N. and Q.
6 S viii., 268, 414 : x. 333, 436, 526 ; xi. 78,
178.]
ENGLISH SYNONYMS. — Cali-
fornian widow; widow-bewitched;
wife in water colours.
1700. CONGREVK, Way of the World,
Act iii. If the worst come to the
worst,— I'll TURN MY WIFE TO GRASS
-I have already a deed of settlement of
the best part of her estate, which I
wheedl'd out of her.
1877. Charnb. Journal, 12 Mar.,
p. 173. Mrs. Brittomart was one of those
who never tolerated a bow-wow — a species
of animal well known in India— and never
went to the hills as a GRASS-WIDOW.
1878. London, A GRASS-WIDOW. And
so, you see, it comes to pass That she's a
WIDOW OUT AT GRASS And happy in her
freedom.
1882. Saturday Review, n Feb.
She is a GRASS-WIDOW, her husband is
something in some Indian service.
1885. W. BLACK, White Heather,
ch. xli. Mrs. Lalor, a GRASS-WIDOW who
was kind enough to play chaperon to the
young people, but whose effective black
eyes had a little trick of roving on their
own account.
1889. Daily Telegraph, 12 Feb. She
had taken up her residence at a house in
Sinclair-road, Kensington, where she
passed as a GRASS-WIDOW. She repre-
sented that her husband was engaged in
mercantile pursuits.
GRASS-WIDOWER, subs, (common).
— A man away from his wife.
1886. New York Evening Post, 22
May. All the GRASS-WIDOWERS and un-
married men.
GRAVEL, verb. (old). — i. To con-
found ; to puzzle ; to FLOOR
1593. G. HARVEY, Pierus Sitpererog,
in wks. II., 296. The finest intelli-encer,
or sagest Politician in a state, would un-
doubtedly have been GRAVELLED in tl.e
execution of that rash attempt.
1597. HALL, Satires, III., vi., 14.
So long he drinks, till the black caravell
Stands still fast GRAVELLED on the mud of
hell.
1600. SHAKSPEARE, As You Like
It. When you were GRAVELLED for lack
ot matter.
1604. MARLOWE, Faustus, Act i.,
Sc. i. And I, that have with conci e
syllogisms GRAVELL'D the pastois of the
German church.
1659. TORRIANO, Vocabulario, s.v.
1667. % DRYDEN, Sir Martin Marr-
all, Act iii. Warn. He's GRAVELLED,
and I must help him out.
1663. DRYDEN, An Evening's Love,
Act ii. A difficult question in that art,
which almost GRAVELS me.
1857. A. TSOLLOPE, Three Clerks,
ch. xxxiv. He was somewhat GRAVELLED
for an answer to Alaric's earnest supplica-
tion, and therefore made none till the
request was repeated.
1886. R. L. STEVENSON, Kidnapped,
p. 206. I thought Alan would be GR/-
VELLED at that, for we lacked the means cf
writing in that desert.
1893. National Observer, 1 1 Feb ,
p. 32 r. In truth to talk of Burns as the
apotheosis of Knox is really to GRAVEL ar d
confound your readers ; and but for \\ e
context one might be suspected that the
innuendo hid a touch of sarcasm.
2. (American). — To go against
the grain.
1887. CLEMENS, Life on the
Mississippi, ch. xiv., p. 138. By long
habit, pilots came to put all their wishts
in the form of command1?. It GRAVELS
me to this day, to put my will in the weak
shape of a request, instead of launching
it in the crisp language of an order.
GRAVEL-CRUSHER,^^, (military).
— A soldier doing defaulter's
drill.
GRAVEL-GRINDER, subs, (popular).
— A drunkard. For synonyms, s, 6
LUSHINGTON.
Gravel-rash.
198
Gray-beard.
GRAVEL-RASH, subs, (colloquial).—
The lacerations caused by a fall.
TO HAVE THE GRAVEL RASH,
verb. phr. (colloquial). — To be
reeling drunk. For synonyms,
see DRINKS and SCREWED.
GRAVESEND-BUS, subs, (common).
— A hearse.
GRAVESEND - SWEETMEATS, subs.
(popular). — Shrimps.
GRAVESEND-TWINS, subs, (com-
mon).— Solid particles of sewage.
GRAVE-YARD, subs, (common). — i.
The mouth. For synonyms, see
POTATO-TRAP.
TO KEEP A PRIVATE GRAVE-
YARD, verb. phr. (American). —
To affect ferocity ; to bluster.
GRAVY, subs. (venery). — The
sexual discharge ; the SPENDINGS
(q.v.) both male and female.
[Hence GRAVY-GIVER = the penis
and the female pudendum ; and
GRAVY - MAKER = the female
pudendum. Hence, too, TO GIVE
ONE'S GRAVY = to SPEND (q.V.).
Cf., BEEF and MUTTON.]
d. 1796. BURNS, ' Dainty Davie,' in
Merry Muses. I wot he cam atween my
thie, An' creeshed it weel wi' GRAVY.
GRAVY- EYE, subs, (common) — A
derisive epithet : e.g., Well Old
GRAVY-EYE.
CRAWLER, subs. (old). — A beggar.
For synonyms, see CADGER.
1821. D. HAGGART, Life, Glossary
p. 62. Not so much as would sweeten a
CRAWLER in the whole of them.
GRAY, subs, (thieves'). — I. A coin
showing either two heads or two
tails; a PONY (q.v.).
1828. G. SMEETON, Doings in London,
p. 40. Breslaw could never have done
more upon cards than he could do with
a pair of GRAYS (gaffing-coins).
1851-61. H. MAYHEW, Land. Lab.
and Lond. Poor, Vol. II , p. 154. Some,
if they can, will cheat, by means of a half-
penny with a head or a tail on both sides,
called a GRAY.
18H8. Temple Bar, Vol. XXIV., p.
539. They have a penny with two heads
or two tails on it, which they call a GREY,
and of course they can easily dupe fiats
from the country. How do they call it a
GREY, I wonder? I suppose they have
named it after Sir George Grey because he
was a two-faced bloke.
2. (common). — .Sw GRAYBACK,
sense I.
3. in. pi. (colloquial). — Yawn-
ing ; listlessness. Cf., BLUES.
G PAYBACK, subs, (common). — i.
A louse. Also SCOTS GREYS.
Fr., un grenadier. For syn-
onyms, see CHATES.
2. (American). — A Confederate
soldier. [Partly from the colour
of his uniform, and partly because
of its inhabitants. Cf., sense i.]
See BLUE-BELLIES.
1883. Daily Telegraph, 9 Feb., p. 5,
c. 4. The Confederate armies, during
the great Civil War in America . . . were
known ... as GREYBACKS, whereas their
Federal opponents, from the light-azure
gaberdines which they wore, were d.L'bbed
' blue-bellies.
1890. Scribners Mag. Mar., p. 283.
Mrs. Rutherford stood in such abject fear
of the GRAYBACKS that she regarded the
possession of so large a sum as simply in-
viting destruction.
GRAY- BEARD, suls. (colloquial). —
i. An old man. Mostly in
contempt.
1593. SHAKSPEARE, Taming of the
Shrew, Act ii., Sc. i. GREY-BEARD, thy
love doth freeze.
a. 1845. LONGFELLOW, Luck of Eden
Hall. The GRAY-BEARD, with trembling
hand obeys.
2. (old).— Originally a stone-
ware drinking jug ; now a large
earthenware jar for holding wine
or spirits. [From the bearded
face in relief with which they were
ornamented.]
Gray-cloak.
199-
Gray-mare.
smuggling gin on th«
Suffolk, are at this
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, GREY-
BEARD, s.v. Dutch earthen jugs, used for
the coasts of Essex and
time called GREY-
BEARDS.
1814. SCOTT, Waverley, ch. Ixiv.
There's plenty of brandy in the GREY-
BEARD.
1886. The State, 20 May, p. 217. A
whisky or brandy which is held in merited
respect for very superior potency is entitled
[in America] 'reverent,' from the same
kind of fancy which led the Scotch to call
a whisky jar a GREY-BEARD.
GRAY-CLOAK, subs, (common). —
An alderman above the chair.
[Because his proper robe is a
cloak furred with grey amis.]
GRAY-GOOSE, subs. (Scots'). — A
big field stone on the surface of
the ground.
1816. SCOTT, Black Dwarf, ch. iv.
Biggin a dry-stane dyke, I think, wi' the
GREY-GEESE as they ca' thae great loose
stones.
GRAYHOUND,.y«&y. (general). — i. A
fast Atlantic liner ; one especially
built for speed. Also OCEAN
GRAYHOUND.
1887. Scientific American, vol.
LVL, 2. They [ships] are built in the
strongest possible manner, and are so
swift of foot, as to have already become
formidable rivals to the English GREY
HOUND.
2. (CambridgeUniversity). — An
obsolete name for a member of
Clare College ; a CLARIAN.
1889. WHIBLEY, Cap and Gown,
xxviii. The members of Clare ....
were called GRAYHOUNDS.
GRAY-MARE, subs, (common). — A
wife ; specifically one who WEARS
THE BREECHES (q.v.}. [From
the proverb, 'The gray mare is
the better horse ' = the wife is
master : a tradition, perhaps, from
the time when priests were for-
bidden to carry arms or ride on a
male horse : Non cniui liateratc
pontificeni sacronim vel anna
ferre, vel practer quatu in
equtid equitare. — 'Btda., Hist.
Ecd. ii., 13. Fr., mariage
tfepervier=2(. hawk's marriage: the
female hawk being the larger and
stronger bird. Lord Macaulay's
explanation (quot. 1849) is the
merest guess-work. ]
1546. JOHN HAYWOOD, Proverbs
[Sharman's reprint, 1874]. She is (quoth
he) bent to force you perforce, To know
that the GREY MARE is the better horse.
1550. A Treaty se, Shewing and
Declaring the Pryde and Abuse of
Women Now a Dayes (in Hazlitt's Early
Popular Poetry, iv., 237). What ! shall
the GRAVE MAYRE be the better horse,
And be wanton styll at home ?
1605. CAMDEN, Remains Concern-
ing Britain [ed. 1870, p. 332]. In list of
proverbs. (Is said to be the earliest in
English.)
1670. RAY, Proverbs, s.v.
1693-1750. WARD, London Spy, part
II., p. 40. Another as dull as if the GREY
MARE was the better Horse ; and deny'd
himEnterance for keeping late Hours.
1705-1707. WARD, Hudibras Redi-
vivus, vol. II., pt. iv., p. 5. There's no
resisting Female Force, GREY MARE will
prove the better Horse.
1717. PRIOR, Epilogue to Mrs.
Manleys Lucius. As long as we have eyes,
or hands, or breath, We'll look, or write, or
talk you all to death. Yield, or she-
Pegasus will gain her course, And the
GREY MARE will prove the better horse.
1719. DuRFEYr Pills, etc., p. 240.
For the GREY MARE has proved the better
horse.
1738. SWIFT, Polite Convers., dial.
3. I wish she were married ; but I doubt
the GRAY MARE would prove the better
horse.
1748. SMOLLETT, Rod. Random,
ch. xix. By the hints they dropped, I
learned the GRAY MARE wa~ the better
horse— that she was a matron of a high
spirit.
Gray-parson.
Grease.
1819. MACAULAY, Hist. England.
The vu'gar proverb, that the GREY MARE
is the better horse, originated, I suspect,
in the preference generally given to the
GKEY MARES of Flanders over the finest
coach horses of England.
1883. G. A. S[ALA], in Illustr.
London News, 14 Apr., p. 359, c. 2.
She [Mrs. Romford], did not over-
accentuate either her strong - mindedriess
or her jealousy of her flighty husband ;
but she let him and the audience unmis-
takably know that she was in all respects
the GREY MARE in the Romford stable.
GRAY - PARSON (or GRAY - COAT
PARSON, subs. (old). — A lay im-
propriator, or lessee of tithes.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue. GREY
PARSON, s.v. A farmer who rents the
tythes of the rector or vicar.
1830 in COBBETT'S Rural Rides, vol.
I., p. 123 note (ed. 1886). The late editor
says, that, having been a large holder of
lay tithes, the author applied to Mr.
Nicholls, the name of the GREY-COATED
PARSON.
GREASE, subs, (common). — I. A
bribe ; PALM-OIL (or -GREASE).
(q.v. for synonyms). In America
BOODLE (q.v.}. GREASING =
bribing.
1823. BEE, Diet, of Turf, s.v. A
bonus given to promote the cause of
anyone.
2. (printers'). — Well - paid
work ; FAT (q.v. }.
3. (common. — Fawning ;
flattery (a figurative use of sense
Verb (old).— I. To bribe; to
corrupt by presents ; to TIP (q.v.}.
Also more fully TO GREASE IN
THE FIST, HAND, Or PALM. Fr.,
coquer la boucanade. For syn-
onyms, see SQUARE.
1557. TUSSER, Husbandrie, ch. 68,
pt. 2, p. 159 (E.D.S.). How husbandrie
easeth, to huswiferie pleaseth, And manie
purse GREASETH With silver and gold.
1578. WHETSTONE, Promoss and
Cassandra, ii., 3. GREASE them well in
their hands.
1592. GREENE, Quip in wks., xi., 261
That did you not GREASE THE SEALERS of
Leaden Hall throughly in the fist, they
should never be sealed, but turned away
and made forfiet by the statute.
1619. FLETCHER, Wild Goose Chase.
Am I GREASED once again ?
1649. F. QUARLES, Virgin Widom,
IV., i., p. 40. GREAZE MY FIST with a
Tester or two, and ye shall find it in your
penny-worths.
1678. C. COTTON, Scarronides, Bk.
IV., p. 70 (ed. 1725). Him she conjures,
intreats, and prays, With all the Cunning
that she ha?, GREASES HIS FIST ; nay
more, engages Thenceforth to mend his
Quarters-wages.
1693. DRYDEN, Persius, Hi., 139.
And after, envy not the store Of the
GREAS'D advocate, that grinds the poor.
1698-1700. WARD, London Spy, pt.
xv. , p. 364. But the Gay Curteyan who
trades for gold, That can but GREASE A
PALM when she's in hold, No Justice need
she dread.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1878. JAS. PAYN, By Proxy, ch. x.
His Excellency, your master, has given
orders, I presume, that after I have made
my compliments — as delicate a phrase as
he could think of for GREASING THE HANDS
of justice — I shall be at liberty to visit my
friend.
1879. HORSLEY, in Mactnillans
Magazine, Oct. When I went to the fence
he bested (cheated) me because I was
drunk, and only gave me £8 IDS. for the
lot. So the next day I went to him and
asked him if he was not going to GREASE
MY DUKE (put money into my hand).
1891. Pall Mall Gaz., 2 Sept.,
p. 7, c. 2. Did other people having
business with the printing bureau tell you
that it would be necessary to GREASE
Sene'cal 1
2. (common). — To fawn ; to
flatter. Formerly, TO GREASE
ONE'S BOOTS.
1598. FLORIO, A Worlde cf Wordes.
Onger i stivali, TO GREASE ONES BOOTES,
id est, to flatter or cog with, to faune vpon
one.
3. (old).— To gull ; to cheat ;
to DO.
Greased L igJi In ing. 20 1
Great Go.
TO GREASE A FAT SOW IN
THE ARSE, verb. fhr. (old). —
To bribe a rich man. — GROSE.
To GREASE ONE'S GILLS, verb,
phr. (common). — To make a
good or luxurious meal.
GREASED LIGHTNING, subs. phr.
(American). — An express train.
1871. DE VERE, Americanisms,
p. 359. The usual Express Train is not
half fast enough for the impatient
traveller ; he must have his Lightning
Express Train, and in the Far West
improves stili farther by calling it
GREASED LIGHTNING, after a favourite
Yankee term.
LIKE GREASED LIGHTNING,
adv. phr. (American). — Very
quick. See BED-POST.
1848. DURIVAGE, Stray Subjects,
p. 72. Quicker than GREASED LIGHTNIN',
My covies, I was dead.
1890. Globe, 27 Aug., p. 2, c. 5.
He is drawn along at a rapid rate, or, as
the correspondent puts it, he is whisked
all over town like GREASED LIGHTNING.
1891. J. NEWMAN, Scamping Tricks,
p. 98. He measured again, and then off
went his coat LIKE GREASED LIGHTNING,
and we all followed suit.
GREASER, subs. (American). — i.
A Mexican in general ; also
a Spanish American : see
quots. 1848 and 1888. The term
originated during the Mexican
war.
1848. RUXTON, Life in the Far West,
p. 3. Note. The Mexicans are called
Spaniards or GREASERS (from their greasy
appearance) by the Western people.
1855. MARRYAT, Mountains and
Mole Hills, p. 236. The Americans call
the Mexicans GREASERS, which is scarcely
a complimentary soubriquet ; although
the term GREASER CAMP as applied to a
Mexican encampment is truthfully
suggestive of filth and squalor.
1876. BESANT and RICE, Golden
Butterfly, Prologue i. Behind the leadeis
followed a little troop of three, consisting of
one English servant and two GREASERS.
1883. BRET HARTE, In the Carquin z
n'oods, footnote to ch. vii. GREASERS,
Californian slang for a mixed race of Mexi-
cans and Indians.
1888. Century Mag., October. To
avenge the murder of one of their number
the cowboys gathered from the country
round about, and fairly stormed the
GREASER — that is, Mexican — village where
the murder had been committed, killing
four of the inhabitants.
1891. GUNTER, Miss Nobody, ch. 2.
Don't let the GREASER git his fingers in
your ha'r.
2. in. pi. (Royal Military
Academy). — Fried potatoes, as
distinguished from BOILERS =
boiled potatoes.
TO GIVE ONE GREASER, verb.
phr. (Winchester College). — To
rub the back of the hand hard with
the knuckles.
GREASE-SPOT, tubs, (common). —
The imaginary result of a passage
at arms, physical or intellectual.
1344. HALIBURTON, The Attache, ch.
xyi. If he hadn't a had the clear grit in
him, and showed his teelh and claws,
they'd a nullified him so you wouldn't see
a GREASE-SPOT of him no more.
GREASY-CHIN, subs. (old). — A
dinner.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1837. BARHAM, Ingoldsby Legends,
' Lay of St. Gengulphus.' And to every
guest his card had express'd ' Half past '
as the hour for a GREASY CHIN.
GREAT CRY AND LITTLE WOOL. —
See CRY.
GREAT Go (or GREATS), subs.
(Cambridge University). — The
final examination for the B.A.
degree; cf.t LITTLE-GO. At
Oxford, GREATER.
1841. Prince of the New • made
Baccalere, Oxford. GREAT-GO is passed.
1861. HUGHES, Tom Brown at
Oxford, ch. x. Both small and GREAT
are sufficiently distant to be altogether
ignored, if we are that way inclined.
Great Gun.
202
Great Scott.
1 85(5- 7. TH AC K ER AY, King of B) ent-
ford's Test., st. 7. At college, though not
fast, Yet his little-go and GREAT-GO, He
creditably pass'd.
1871. Morning Advertiser, 28 Apr.
Yes, Mr. Lowe has been plucked for his
GREAT GO.
1883. Echo, 3 May, p. 2, c. 4. But
few, indeed, are the men who have been
in for GREATS during the last twenty
years, and who have not blessed Mr.
Kitchin for his edition of the Novum
Organuin.
GREAT GUN, subs. phr. (common).
— i. A person of distinction; a
thing of importance.
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 ; rumbusti-
cator ; stunner ; swell ; swell-
head ; topper ; top-sawyer.
FRENCH SYNONYMS. — Un
gros bonnet (familiar = big
wig) ; tin fierot (a stuck-up) ; un
herr (from the German); Monsieur
Raidillon or Monsietir Pointu ( =•
Mr. STUCK-UP).
1835. M. SCOTT, Tom Cringles
Log, ch. ii. A Spanish Ecclesiastic, the
Canon of . Plenty of GREAT GUNS, at
any rate— a regular park of artillery.
1843. HALIBURTON, Saw Slick in
England, ch. xv. The GREAT GUNS and
big bugs have to take in each other's
ladies.
Ibid., p. 24. Pick out the BIG BUGS
and see what sort of stuff they're made of.
1853. WH. MELVILLE, Digby Grand,
ch. x. The GREAT GUNS of the party,
the rector of the parish, the member for
the county.
2. (pedlers'). — A peculiar
practice ; a trick of particular use-
fulness and importance ; a favour-
ite WHEEZE (ff.V.),
1851. MAYHEW, Land. Lab. c.nd
Lond. Poor, i., 256. The street-seller's
GREAT GUN, as he called it, was to make
up packets, as closely resembling as he
could accomplish it those which were
displayed in the windows of any of the
shops.
To BLOW GREAT GUNS, verb,
phr. (nautical). — To blow a gale ;
also TO BLOW GREAT GUNS AND
SMALL ARMS.
1839. HARRISON AINSWORTH, Jack
Sheppard [1889], 23. ' Curse me, if I
don't think all the world means to cross
the Thames this fine night ! ' observed
Ben. ' One'd think it rained fares as well
as BLOWED GREAT GUNS.
1854. H. MILLER, Sch. and Schm.
(1858), 14. It soon began to BLOW GREAT
GUNS.
1865. H. KINGSLEY, Hillyars and
Burton,^.. Ixxvii. It was BLOWING PRETTY
HIGH GUNS, sou' eastern by east, off shore
and when we came to the harbour's mouth
there was Tom Wyatt with his pilot just
aboard.
1869. ARTHUR SKETCHLEY, Mrs.
Broiun on Things in General. I never
did see such' weather, A-BLOWIN GREAT
GUNS as the sayin' is.
1892. R. L. STEVENSON and L.
OSBOURNE, The Wrecker, p. 340. It BLEW
GREAT GUNS from the seaward.
GREAT-HOUSE. See BIG-HOUSE.
GREAT- JOSEPH, subs. (old). — An
overcoat.
GREAT SCOTT! intj. (American). —
An exclamation of surprise ; an
apology for an oath. [Possibly
a memory of the name of Gen.
Winfield Scott, a presidential
candidate whose dignity and style
weie such as to win him the
nickname "Fuss-and-Feathers."]
Also GREAT CESAR.
1888. New York Mercury. GREAT
SCOTT ! you don't say so.
1891. GUNTER, Miss Nobody of No-
where, p. 98. Bob, what's the matter with
you ? GREAT SCOTT ! the mine hain't give
out.
Great Shakes.
203
Greedy-gut.
1891. Licensed Viet. Gaz., 19 June,
p. 396, c 2. GREAT SCOTCH ! — no, we mean
Scott — well, language worthy of the great
Harry prevailed for awhile.
1891. N. GOULD, Double Event,
p. 305. ' GREAT SCOTT ! what the deuce is
Wells up to ? ' said the Squire.
1892. R. L. STEVENSON and L.
OSBOURNE, The Wrecker, p. 106. GREAT
CAESAR!
1892. Tit Bits, 19 Mar., p. 416, c. i.
He. GREAT C<*:SAR ! There you go
again ! She. James will you please
remember that it is your wife to whom you
are speaking,
He. No other
woman could drive me raving, distracted,
crazy, asking silly questions about —
She. Tames !
GREAT SHAKES. See SHAKES.
GREAT SMOKE, subs, (thieves') —
London.
GREAT SUN, intj. (common). — An
exclamation.
1876. BESANT and RICE, Golden
Butterfly. GREAT SUN ! I think I see it
now.
GREAT- UN WASH ED, szibs. (collo-
quial).— The lower classes ; the
rabble. Also the UNWASHED.
[First used by Burke ; popularised
by Scott.]
1892. SYDNEY WATSON, Wcps the
Waif, ch. iii., p. 4. We begin to under-
stand what is meant by the lowest classes,
THE GREAT UNWASHED.
GREAT WHIPPER-IN, sttbs. phr.
(common). — Death ; OLD
FLOORER (q.V.).
GRECIAN, subs. (old). — i. A
roysterer ; a GREEK (q.v.).
2. (Christ's Hospital). — A
senior boy.
3. (popular). — An Irishman.
GRECIAN ACCENT, subs, (popular). —
A brogue.
GRECIAN-BEND, subs, (common). —
A stoop in walking. [Affected by
some women c. 1869-80.] Cf.,
ALEXANDRA LIMP, ROMAN
FALL, ITALIAN WRIGGLE,
KANGAROO DROOP.
1821. Etonian, ii., 57. In person he
was of the common size, with something of
the GRECIAN BEND, contracted doubtless
from sedentary habits.
1869. Daily Telegraph, i Sept. I do
not, however, think the ' stoop ' our girls
now have arises from tight-lacing. Some
affect what is called the GRECIAN BEND.
1870. Orchestra, 25 Mar. ' Grand
Comic Concert.' The ladies have their
GRECIAN BEND, our typical gentleman ex-
plains a correspondent masculine affecta-
tion which he dubs ' The Roman Fall — The
Roman Fall.'
1871. Morning Advertiser, 4 Dec.
A lady of five feet becomes, say, five feet
two inches per heels, five feet six inches per
hair, five feet again, per GRECIAN BEND.
1876. Chambers Journal, No. 629.
Your own advocacy for the GRECIAN BEND
and the Alexandra limp — both positive and
practical imitations of physical affliction.
1886. CornhillMagazine, Dec., p. 618.
You ain't nearly fine enough for a wait-
ress or for 'im, neether. He likes a smart
young woman with a GRECIAN BEND.
GREED, subs, (thieves). — Money.
For synonyms, see ACTUAL and
GILT.
1857. DUCANGE ANGLICUS, Vulg.
Tongue, s.v.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum, s.v.
GREEDY - GUT (or -GUTS), subs.
(old). — A voracious eater ; a
glutton. [As in the old (school-
boys') rhyme : ' Guy-hi, GREEDY-
GUT, Eat all the pudding up.']
For synonyms, see STODGER. Fr. ,
un glafdtre.
1598. FLORIO, A WorldeofWordes,
Edace, an eater, a devourer, aGREEDiGUT.
Ibid. Putti occhi, greedie eies.
1772. COLES, Eng. Diet., s.v.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
Greek.
204
Greek Kalends.
GREEK, subs. (old). — i. Slang, or
FLASH (y.v.) ; usually ST. GILES'
GREEK (q.v.), Cf., CANT, GIB-
BERISH, etc.
2. (colloquial). — A card-sharper;
a cheat.
152?. ROY and BARLOW, Rede me
and be not wrothe, p. 117 [ed. Arber,
1871]. In carde playinge he is a goode
GREKE And can skyll of post and glycke,
Also a prayre of dyce to trolle.
1568. Satirical Poems, ' Scottish Text
Soc.1 [1889-91] i., 77. A cowle, a co\vle,
for such a GREEK were fittter far to wea're.
1598. FLORIO, A Worlde of Wordes.
Grecheggiare .... to play the GREEK.
1602. SHAKSPEARE, Troilus and
Cressida, v. 6. Come, both you cogging
GREEKS ; have at you both.
1819. MOORE, Tom Crib, xxviii.
Most of the cant phrases in HEAD'S
English Rogue, which was published, I
believe, in 1666, would be intelligible to a
GREEK of the present day.
1823. MONCRIEFF, Tom and Jerry,
ii., 5. Come lads, bustle about ; play will
begin— some of the pigeons are here al-
ready, the GREEKS will not be long fol-
lowing.
1834. AINSWORTH, Rookwood, bk.
IV., ch. i. Jerry was a GREEK by nature,
and could land a flat as well as the best of
them.
1855. THACKERAY, Neiucomes, ch.
xxxvi. He was an adventurer, a pauper, a
blackleg, a regular GREEK.
1861. Once a Week, 25 May, p. 97.
As the GREEK places the packet [of cards]on
the top of the other, he allows it to project
the least bit in the world.
1834. Saturday Review, 16 Feb.,
p. 202. Without a confederate the now
fashionable game of baccarat does not
seem to offer many chances for the GREEK.
3. (old). — An Irishman.
1823. BEE, Diet, of the Turf. GREEK,
s.v. Irishmen call themselves GREEKS.
1851-61. H. MAYHEW, Lond. Lab.
and Land. Poor,Vo\. i., p. 240. We had
the GREEKS (the lately arrived Irish) down
upon us more than once.
1872. Standard, 3 Sept. ' Melbourne
Correspondence.' The most noticeable
point of comparison between the two
Administrations is the presence or the
absence of the GREEK element from the
Cabinet. GREEK, as some of your
readers are aware, is colonial slang
for ' Irish.'
4. (thieves'). — A gambler. ALo
a highwayman.
MERRY GREEK, subs. phr.
(old). — A roysterer ; a drunkard.
COTGRAVE. [In Latin, Graecare
= to play the Greek — high-living
and hard drinking.]
1602. SHAKSPEARE, Troilus and
Cressida, iv., 4. A woful Cressid 'mongst
the MERRY GREEKS.
GREEK FIRE, subs. phr. (thieves'). —
Bad whiskey ; ROTGUT (q.v.\
1889. CLARKSON and RICHARDSON,
Police, p. 321, s.v.
GREEK KALENDS, subs. phr.
(colloquial). — Never. To defer
anything to the Greek Kalends is
to put it offsme die. (The Greeks
used no kalends in their reckon-
ing of time.)
c. 1649. DRUMM. of HAWTH. Con-
sid. Parlt., wks. (1711) 185 . That gold,
plate, and all silver, given to the mint-
house in these late troubles, shall be paid
at the GREEK KALENDS.
1653. URQUHART, Rabelais, bk. I.,
ch. xx. The judgment or decree shall be
given out and pronounced at the next
GREEK CALENDS, that is, never.
1823. BYRON, Don Juan, c. xiii., st.
45. They and their bills, ' Arcadians
both,' are left To the GREEK KALENDS of
another session.
1825. SCOTT, Betrothed. Intro.
Will you speak of your paltry prose
doings in my presence, whose great his-
torical poem, in twenty books, with notes
in proportion, has been postponed AD
GR^ECAS KALENDAS ?
1872. O. W. HOLMES, Poet
Break/. T. i., 18. His friends looked for
it only on the GREEK CALENDS, say on
the 3ist of April, when that should come
round, if you would modernize the phrase.
Green.
205
Green.
1882. Macmillaris Mag., 253. So
we go on ... and the works are sent to
he GREEK CALENDS.
ENGLISH SYNONYMS. — In the
reign of Queen Dick ; when the
devil is blind ; when two
Sundays come in a week ; at
Doomsday ; at Tib's Eve ; one
of these odd-come-shortly s ; when
my goose pisses ; when the ducks
have eaten up the dirt ; when pigs
fly; in a month of Sundays; once
in a blue moon.
FRENCH SYNONYMS. — Mardi
s'il fait chaud (obsolete) ;
Dimanche apres la grande messe
(popular) ; quand les pottles pisse-
ront ; semaine des quatre jeiidis
(popular : when four Thursdays
come in a week).
GREEN, subs. (common). — i.
Rawness ; simplicity. Generally,
* Do you see any GREEN in my
eye'? = Do you take me for a
fool ? See adj. sense.
1851-61. MAYHEW, Land. Lab. and
Land. Poor, 247. I'm not a tailor, but I
understands about clothes, and I believe
that no person ever saw anything GREEN
in my eye.
1892. Ally Sloper, 19 Mar., p. 95,
c. 2. Ally Sloper the 'cute, Ally Sloper
the sly, Ally Sloper, the cove with no
GREEN in his eye.
1892. Illustrated Bits, 22 Oct., p. 14,
c. 2. Sindin' both shlips is it? How
wud Oi have a check on ye ? Do ye see
iliny GKEEN IN ME OI?
Adj. (colloquial). — Simple ;
inexperienced; gullible; UN-
SALTED (q.v.}.
1596. SHAKSPEARE, Hamlet, Act
i., Sc. 3. Pol. Affection ! pooh ! you
speak like a GREEN girl.
1*505. CHAPMAN, All Fools, Act iv.,
p. 67 (Plays, 1874). Shall I then say you
want experience? Y'are GREEN, y'are
credulous ; easy to be blinded.
1748. T. DVCHE, Dictionary (sth
ed.). GREEN (a) . . . so likewise a
young or unexperienced person in arts,
sciences, etc., is sometimes said to be
GREEN, raw. etc.
1823. MONCRIEFF, Tom and Jerry.
Tom. No ; you're GREEN ! Jerry.
GREEN ! Log. Ah ! not fly ! Tom.
Yes, not awake !
1837. DICKENS, Oliver Twist, ch.
viii. ' My eyes, how GREEN ! ' exclaimed
the young gentleman. ' Why a beak's a
madgst'rate.'
1841. Punch, July 17, p. 6.
What a GREEN chap you are, after all. A
public man's consistency ! It's only a
popular delusion.
1850. SMEDLEY, Frank Fairleigh,
p. 19. Eh ! why ! what's the matter with
you? have I done anything particularly
GREEN, as you call it ?
1856. T. HUGHES, Tom Brown's
School Days, pt. I., ch. ii. You try to
make us think . . . that you are, even as
we, of the working classes. But bless
your hearts, we ain't so GREEN.
1869. Literary World, 31 Dec.,
p. 129, c. 2. His fellow-passengers laughed
at him for being so GREEN.
1879. Punch's A Imanack, p. 7. Season-
able Slang. For Spring. — You be blowed!
ForSummer. — I'll warm yer! For Autumn.
— Not so blooming GREEN ! For Winter
— An ice little game all round.
1887. Lippincott, July, p. 104. With-
in the last day or so a young fellow has
arrived who is in danger of being eaten by
the cows, so GREEN is he.
1890. Licensed Viet. Gaz., 7 Nov.
Being quite GREEN at the time, I rather
lost my head over my good fortune.
Verb (colloquial). — To hoax ;
to swindle. At Eton TO GREEN
UP. For synonyms, see GAMMON.
1836-41. T.C. BUCKLAND, Eton. I
was again catechized on many points
personal to myself, and some mild attempts
were made to GREEN me, as boys call it.
1889. Answers, 2 Mar., p. 218, c. i.
Whereupon the old humbug burst into a
loud guffaw, as though he were rejoicing
at having GREENED the toff.
1892. ANSTEY, Voces Populi (Second
S"e ies). 'Bank Holiday,' 147. THE
DAMSEL (giggling). You go on— you don't
GREEN me that w'y-
Greens.
206
Greens.
GREENS, subs, (old). — i. Chlorosis:
i. e. , the green sickness.
1719. DURFEY, Pills, etc., i., 313.
The maiden takes five, too, that's vexed
with he*- GREENS.
2. in. pL (printers'). — Bad or
worn out rollers.
TO HAVE, GET, or GIVE ONE'S
GREENS, verb phr. (venery). — To
enjoy, procure, or confer the
sexual favour. Said indifferently
of both sexes.
Hence, also, ON FOR ONE'S
GREENS = amorous and willing;
AFTER ONE'S GREENS = in quest
of the favour; GREEN-GROVE = the
pubes ; GREEN-GROCERY = the
female pudendum ; THE PRICE
OF GREENS = the cost of an
embrace ; FRESH GREENS = a new
PIECE (q.v.). [Derived by some
from the old Scots' grette — to pine,
to long for, to desire with in-
sistence : whence GREENS = long-
ings, desires ; which words may in
their turn be referred, perhaps, to
Mid. Eng. , zernen, A. S. , gyrnan,
Icelandic, girna = to desire, and
Gothic, gairns = desirous. Mod.
Ger., begehren = to desire. See
DALZIEL, Darker Superstitions of
Scotland, 1835, p. 106 :— 'He
answered that he wald gif the
sum Spanyie fleis callit cantarides,
quhilk, gif thou suld move the
said Elizabeth to drynk of, it
wold mak hir out of all question
to GRENE eftir the.' Trial of
Peter Hay, of Kirklands, and
others, for Witchcraft , 2$th May,
1601. But in truth, the expres-
sion is a late and vulgar coinage.
It would seem, indeed, to be a
reminiscence of GARDEN (q.v.'],
and the set of metaphors — as
KAIL, CAULIFLOWER, PARSLEY
BED, and so forth (all which see}
— suggested thereby.]
ENGLISH SYNONYMS. — To BE
all there but the most of
you ; in Abraham's bosom ; up
one's petticoats (or among one's
frills) ; there ; on the spot ; into ;
up ; up to one's balls ; where
uncle's doodle goes ; among the
cabbages.
To DANCE the blanket horn-
pipe ; the buttock jig ; the
cushion dance (see MONO-
SYLLABLE) ; the goat's jig ; the
mattress jig ; the married man's
cotillion ; the matrimonial polka ;
the reels o' Bogie (Scots') ; the
reels of Stumpie (Scots') ; to
the tune of THE SHAKING OF
THE SHEETS ; with your arse to
the ceiling, or the kipples
(Scots').
To GO ballocking ; beard-split-
ting ; bed-pressing (Marston) ;
belly-bumping (Urquhart) ; bitch-
ing (Marston); bum - fighting ;
bum-working ; bum-tickling; bum-
faking ; bush-ranging ; buttock-
stirring ( Urquhart ) ; bird's-
nesting ; buttocking ; cock-
fighting ; cunny-catching ; dood-
ling ; drabbing; fleshing it; flesh-
mongering ; goosing : to Hairy -
fordshire ; jock-hunting ; jottling ;
jumming (Urquhart) ; leather-
stretching ; on the loose ; mot-
ting ; molrowing ; pile-driving ;
prick - scouring ; quim - sticking ;
lumping ; rump-splitting ; strum-
ming ; twatting ; twat - faking ;
vaulting (Marston, etc.) ; wench-
ing ; womanizing ; working the
dumb (or double, or hairy) oracle,
twat - raking ; tummy - tickling ;
tromboning ; quim - wedging ;
tail-twitching ; button-hole work-
ing ; under-petticoating.
TO HAVE, or DO, A BIT OF
beef (of women) ; business
Greens.
207
Greens.
(Shakspeare); bum-dancing; cauli-
flower ; cock; cock-fighting;
cunt ; curly greens ; fish ; on
a fork ; fun ; off the chump
end ; flat ; front - door work ;
giblet pie ; the gut- (or cream-
or sugar-) stick (of women) ;
jam ; ladies' tailoring ; meat ;
mutton ; pork ; quimsy ; rough ;
sharp-and-blunt (rhyming slang) ;
stuff ; split-mutton ; skirt ; sum-
mer cabbage.
To HAVE, or DO, or PERFORM,
the act of androgynation (Urqu-
hart) ; a ballocking ; a bit ; a
lassie's by - job (Burns) ; a bed-
ward bit (Durfey) ; a beanfeast
in bed ; a belly - warmer ; a
blindfold bit ; a bottom-wetter
(of women) ; a bout ; a brush
with the cue ; a dive in the
dark ; a drop-in ; a double fight ;
an ejectment in Love-lane; a four-
legged frolic ; a fuck ; a futter ;
a game in the cock-loft ; a goose-
and-duck (rhyming) ; the cul-
batizing exercise (Urquhart) ; a
grind ; a hoist-in ; a jottle ; a
jumble-giblets ; a jumble-up ; an
inside worry ; a leap ; a leap up
the ladder ; a little of one with
t'other (Durfey) ; a mount ; a
mow (David Lyndsay, Burns,
etc. ) ; a nibble ; a plaster of
warm guts (Grose) ; a poke ;
a put ; a put-in ; a random push
(Burns) ; a rasp ; a ride ; a roger ;
a rootle ; a rush up the straight ;
a shot at the bull's eye ; a slide
up the board ; a squirt - and - a
squeeze ; a touch-off; a touch-
up ; a tumble-in ; a wet-'un ; a
wipe at the place ; a wollop-in.
SPECIFIC. — To HAVE, or DO,
A BACK-SCUTTLE, (q.V.) ; a
BUTTERED BUN (q.V.) ; a DOG'S
MARRIAGE (q.V.) ', a KNEE-
TREMBLER, PERPENDICULAR, or
UPRIGHT (q.V.) ; a MATRIMONIAL
(q.V.) ; SPOON-FASHION (q.V.) ',
a ST. GEORGE
To PLAY AT, All-fours ;
Adam - and - Eve ; belly -to -belly
(Urquhart) ; brangle - buttock
(Urquhart); buttock -and -leave -
her ; cherry-pit (Herrick); couple-
-your-navels ; cuddle-my-cuddie
(Durfey) ; Hey Gammer Cook (C.
Johnson) ; fathers-and-mothers ;
the first-game-ever-played ; Han-
die-Dandie; Hooper's Hide (q.v.);
grapple - my - belly ( Urquhart ) ;
horses - and - mares (schoolboys') ;
the close - buttock - game (Urqu-
hart); cock-in-cover ; houghmag-
andie (Burns) ; in-and-in; in-and-
out ; Irish-whist (where-the-jACK
(?.z>.)-takes-the ACE [see MONO-
SYLLABLE] ) ; the - loose - coat-
game (Urquhart); Molly's hole
(schoolboys') ; pickle -me- tickle -
me (Urquhart) ; mumble - peg ;
prick - the - garter ; pully - hauly
(Grose) ; put-in-all ; the-same-
old - game ; squeezem - close ;
stable - my - naggie ; thread - the-
needle ; tops - and - bottoms ;
two - handed - put (Grose) ; up-
tails-all.
GENERAL. — To Adam and Eve
it ; to blow the groundsels ; to
engage three to one ; to chuck a
tread ; to do (Jonson) ; to do it ;
to do ' the act of darkness '
(Shakspeare), the act of love, the
deed of kind, the work of increase,
' the divine work of fatherhood '
(Whitman) ; to feed the dumb-
glutton ; to get one's hair cut ; to
slip in Daintie Davie (Scots'), or
Willie Wallace (idem); to get
Jack in the orchard ; to get on
top of ; to give a lesson in simple
arithmetic (i.e., addition, division,
multiplication and subtraction) ;
to give a GREEN GOWN (q.v.) ; to
go ' groping for trout in a peculiar
Greens.
208
Greens.
river' (Shakspeare) ; to go face-
making ; to go to Durham (North
Country) ; to go to see a sick
friend; to have it; to join faces
(Durfey) ; to join giblets ; to
make ends meet ; to make the
beast with two backs (Shak-
speare and Urquhart) ; to make a
settlement in tail ; to play top-
sawyer ; to put it in and break
it ; to post a letter ; to go on
the stitch; to labor lea (Scots) ;
to tether one's nags on (idem) ;
to nail twa wames thegither
(idem) ; to lift a leg on (Burns) ;
to ride a post (Cotton) ; to peel
one's end in ; to put the devil
into hell (Boccaccio) ; to rub
bacons (Urquhart) ; to strop
one's beak ; to strip one's tarse
in ; to grind one's tool ; to grease
the wheel ; to take on a split-arsed
mechanic ; to take a turn in
Bushey-park, Cock-alley, Cock-
lane, Cupid s - alley, Cupid's-
corner, Hair-court, * the lists of
love ' (Shakspeare), Love-lane,
on Mount Pleasant, among the
parsley, on Shooter's-hill, through
the stubble ; to whack it up ; to
wollop it in ; to labour leather ;
to wind up the clock (Sterne).
OF WOMEN ONLY. — To get an
arselins coup (Burns) ; to catch
an oyster ; to do the naughty ; to
do a spread, a tumble, a back-
fall, what mother, did before me ;
a turn on one's back, what Eve
did with Adam ; to hold, or turn
up one's tail (Burns and Durfey) ;
to get one's leg lifted, one's ket-
tle mended, one's chimney swept
out, one's leather stretched ; to
lift one's leg ; to open up to ;
to get shot in the tail ; to get
a shove in one's bl;nd eye ; to
get a wet bottom ; what Harry
gave Doll (Durfey) ; to suck the
sugar-stick ; to take in beef; to
take Nebuchadnezzar out to
grass; to look at the ceiling
over a man's shoulder ; to get
outside it ; to play one's ace ;
to rub one's arse on (Rochester) ;
to spread to ; to take in
and do for ; to give standing
room for one ; to get hulled
between wind and water ; to get
a pair of balls against one's butt ;
to take in cream ; to show (or
give) a bit ; to skin the live
rabbit ; to feed (or trot out) one's
PUSSY (q.v.) ; to lose the match
and pocket the stakes ; to get a
bellyful of marrow pudding ; to
supple both ends of it (Scots) ; to
draw a cork ; to get hilt and
hair (Burns) ; to draw a man's
fireworks ; to wag one's tail
(Pope); to take the starch out
of ; to go star-gazing (or studying
astronomy) on one's back ; to get
a GREEN GOWN (Herrick and
Durfey) ; to have a hot pudding
(or live sausage) for supper ; to
grant the favour ; to give
mutton for beef, juice for jelly,
soft for hard, a bit of snug for a
bit of stiff, a hole to hide it in,
a cure for the HORN (q.v.), a
hot poultice for the Irish
toothache ; to pull up one's
petticoats to ; to get the best and
plenty of it ; to lie under ; to
stand the push ; to get stabbed
in the thigh ; to take off one's
stays ; to get touched up, a bit
of the goose's-neck , a go at the
creamstick, a handle for the
broom.
CONVENTIONALISMS. — To
have connection ; to have carnal,
improper, or sexual intercourse ;
to know carnally ; to have carnal
knowledge of; to indulge in
sexual commerce ; to go to bed
with ; to lie with ; to go in unto
(Biblical); to be intimate.
Greens:
209
Green Bag.
improperly intimate, familiar, on
terms of familiarity with ; to
have one's will of; to lavish
one's favours on ; to enjoy the
pleasures of love, or the conjugal
embrace ; to embrace ; to have
one's way with ; to perform
connubial rites ; to scale the
heights of connubial bliss ; to
yield one's favours (of women) ;
to surrender, or give one
the enjoyment of one's person
(of women) ; to use benevolence
to ; to possess. For other syn-
onyms, see RIDE.
TO SEND TO DR. GREEN,
verb. phr. (old). — To put out
to grass.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v-
My horse is not well, I shall send him to
Doctor GREEN.
S'ELP ME GREENS ! (or
TATURS !) intj. (common). — A
veiled oath of an obscene origin ;
see GREENS. For synonyms, see
OATHS.
1851-61. H. MAYHEW. Lend. Lab.
and Land. Poor, vol. iii., p. 144.
They'll say, too, S'ELP MY GREENS ! and
' Upon my word and say so ! '
1891. Licensed Viet. Gaz., 23
Jan. 'Well, S'ELP ME GREENS,' he
cried, wiping his eyes and panting for
breath, ' if you arn't the greatest treat I
ever did meet ; you'll be the death o' me,
Juggins, you will. Why, you bloomin'
idiot, d'ye think if they had'nt been rogues
we should have been able to bribe 'em ? '
JUST FOR GREENS, adv. phr.
(American). — See quot.
1848. JONES, Sketches of Travel, p.
7. I^ve made up my mind to make a
tower of travel to the big North this
summer, JEST FOR GREENS, as we say in
Georgia, when we hain't got no very
pertickefer reason for anything, or hain't
got time to tell the real one. ,
GREEN-APRON, whs. (old). — A lay
preacher. Also adjtctively. For
synonyms, see DEVIL-DODGER
and SKY-PILOT.
1654. WARREN, Unbelievers, 145.
It more befits a GREEN-APRON preacher,
than such a Gamaliel.
1705. HICKERINGILL, Priestcraft, I.
(1721) 21. Unbeneficed Noncons. (that
live by Alms and no Paternoster, no
Penny, say the GREEN-APRONS).
1765. TUCKER, Lt. Nat., II., 451
The gifted priestess amongst the Quaker
is known by her GREEN APRON.
GREEN-BACK, subs, (common). — I
A frog.
2. (University). — One of Tod-
hunter's series of mathematical
text-books. (Because bound in
green cloth. Cf., BLUE-RUIN.)
3. (American). — The paper
issue of the Treasury of the
United States ; first sent out in
1862 during the civil war. [From
the back's being printed in green.]
Hence GREEN-BACKER = an advo-
cate for an unlimited issue ot
paper money.
1873. Echo, 8 May. This was ac-
complished by the issue of legal tender
notes, popularly known as GREENBACKS.
1877. CLEMENS, Life on the Missis-
sippi, ch. Ivii., p. 499. Anything in the
semblance of a town lot, no matter how
situated, was saleable, and at a figure
which would still have been high if the
ground had been sodded with GREENBACKS.
1891. GUNTER, Miss Nobody of
Nowhere, p. 228. Gussie can near the
crinkle of the GREENBACKS as he folds
them up.
GREEN BAG, subs. (old). — A lawyer.
[From the green bag in which
robes and briefs were carried.
The colour is now blue, or, in
cases of presentation from seniors
to juniors, red.]
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
1785. GROSE, I'ulg. Tongue, s.v.
Green-bonnet.
210
Green-gown.
ENGLISH SYNONYMS. — Black
box ; bramble (provincial); devil's
own ; gentleman of the long robe ;
land-shark ; limb of the law ;
mouth-piece; PHILADELPHIA
LAWYER (q.v.}\ quitam; six-and-
eightpence ; snipe ; sublime rascal.
FRENCH SYNONYMS. Un
bavard (pop. =a talker or mouth-
piece) ; un blanchtsseur ( — white-
washer) ; uh brodancheur a la
plaque, aux macarons, or a la
cymbale (thieves' : a notary-
public) ; 2tn get bier (thieves') ;
ttn grippemini (obsolete :
grippeminaud = thief) ; un
inutile ( thieves' : a notary-
public) ; une eponge d'or ( = a
sucker-up of gold: in allusion
to the long bills); un macaron
huissier (popular).
ITALIAN SYNONYMS. — Dragon
del gran soprano ; dragonetto ( = a
dragon, or SUCK-ALL).
SPANISH SYNONYMS. — Reme-
dio ( = a remedy) ; la letraderia
( = a body or society of lawyers) ;
cataribera (jocular).
GREEN - BONNET, TO HWE (or
WEAR) A GREEN BONNET, -verb,
phr. (common). — To fail in
business ; to go bankrupt. [From
the green cloth cap once worn
by bankrupts. ]
GREEN CHEESE. See CREAM
CHEESE and MOON.
GREEN CLOTH. See BOARD OF
GREEN CLOTH.
GREEN DRAGOONS, subs, (military).
— The fifth Dragoon Guards ;
also known as the Green Horse.
[From their green facings..]
GREENER, subs, (common). — A
new, or raw hand ; specifically
employed of inexperienced work-
men introduced to fill the place
of strikers,; DUNG (q.v.}. Cf.,
FLINT. For synonyms, see
SNOOKER.
1889. Pall Mall Gaz., 14 Oct., p.
6, c. 3. A howling mob of Hebrew men and
women .... in their own Yiddish jargon
criticised the new arrivals, or GREENERS, in
language that was anything but compli-
mentary.
GREEN-GOODS, subs. (American).
— i. Counterfeit greenbacks.
1891. GUNTER, Miss Nobody of
Nowhere, p. 223. In his opinion Stillman
Myth, and Co., were in the GREEN GOODS
business.
2. (venery). — A prostitute new
to the town. ; a FRESH BIT(</.^. ).
GREEN-GOODS MAN (or
OPERATOR), subs. (American). —
I. A counterfeiter of spurious
greenbacks ; a SNIDE-PITCHER
(q.v.).
1888. Troy Daily Times, 3 Feb.
Driscoll was hung, but the GREEN GOODS-
MAN escaped, for the only proof against
him was that he sold a quantity of paper
cut in the shape of bills, and done up in
packages of that size.
2. (venery).— A FRESH BIT
{q.v.) fancier. Also an amateur
of defloration; aMiNOTAUR(^.z\).
GREEN-GOOSE, subs. (old). — i.
A cuckold.
2. (old). — A prostitute. For
synonyms, see BARRACK- HACK
and TART.
1594. SHAKSPEARE, Loves Labour
Lost, iv., 3. This is the liver vein, which
makes flesh a deity ; A GREEN GOOSE, a
goddess, pure, pure idolatry.
1607. BEAUMONT AND FLETCHER,
Woman Hater, i., 2. His palace is full of
GREEN GEESE.
GREEN-GOWN. To GIVE A GREEN-
GOWN, verb. phr. (old). — To
tumble a woman on the grass ;
to copulate. For synonyms, se:
GREENS and RIDE.
Green- he ad.
Greenness.
1647-8. HERRICK, Hesfierides. 'To
Corinna To go a Maying.' Many a GREEN
GOWN has been given.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew. GREEN
GOWN, s. v. A throwing of young lasses on
the grass and kissing them.
1719. DURFEY, Pills, etc., i., 277.
Kit GAVE A GREEN GOWN to Betty, and
lent her his hand to rise.
1719. SMITH, Lives of Highwaymen,
\ , 214. Our gallant being disposed to give
his lady a GREEN GOWN.
1742. C. JOHNSON, Highwaymen
and Pyrates. Passitn,
1785. GROSE, V-ulg. Tongue, s.v.
GREEN-HEAD, subs. (old). — A
greenhorn. For synonyms, see
BUFFLE and CABBAGE-HEAD.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew.
GREENHEAD, s.v., A very raw novice or
inexperienced fellow.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
GREENHORN (or GREEN-HEAD, or
GREENLANDER), subs, (common).
— A simpleton ; a fool ; a GULL
(q.v.}', also a new hand. For
synonyms, see BUFFLE and CAB-
BAGE-HEAD. To COME FROM
GREENLAND = to be fresh to
things; RAW (q.v.}. GREEN-
LANDER sometimes = an Irish-
man.
1^53. Adventurer, No. 100. A slouch
in my gait, a long lank head of hair and
an unfashionable suit of drab-coloured
cloth, would have denominated me a
GREENHORN, or in other words, a country
put very green.
1815. SCOTT, Guy Mannering, ch.
xljv. 'Why, wha but a crack-brained
GREENHORN wad hae let them keep up the
siller that ye left at the Gordon-Arms?"
1837. DICKENS, Oliver Twist. A
new pall . . . Where did he come from?
GREENLAND.
1849. THACKERAY, Pendennis, ch. ix.
All these he resigned to lock himself into a
lone little country house, with a simple
widow and a GREENHORN of a son.
GREENHOUSE, subs. (London 'bus-
drivers'). — An omnibus.
GREEN HOWARDS, subs. phr.
(military). — The Nineteenth Foot.
[From its facings and its^Colonel's
name (1738-48), and to distinguish
it from the Third Foot, also
commanded by a Col. Howard.]
Also HOWARD'S GARBAGE.
GREENKiNGSMAN, subs, (pugilistic).
— A silk pocket-handkerchief:
any pattern on a green ground.
GREEN LINNETS, stibs. phr.
(military). — The 39th Foot.
[From the facings.]
GREEN LY,dwfe/. (old).— Like a green-
horn ; foolishly.
1596. SHAKSPEARE, Hamlet, Act
iv., Sc. 5. King. . . . We have done but
GREENLY, In hugger-mugger to inter him.
GREENMANS, subs. (old). — i.
The fields ; the country.
1610. ROWLANDS, Martin Mark all,
p. 38 (H. Club's Rept.) 1 874. GREENEM ANS,
the fields.
2. in. sing, (builders'). — A
contractor who speculates with
other people's money.
GREEN -ME A DOW, subs, (venery).— •
The female pttdendum. For
synonyms, see MONOSYLLABLE.
GREENNESS, subs, (colloquial). —
Immaturity of judgment ; in-
experience ; gullibility.
1748. T. DYCHE, Dictionary (5th ed.).
GREENNESS (s) . . . also the rawness, un-
skilfulness, or imperfection of any person
in a trade, art, science, etc.
1838. JAS. GRANT, Sketches in
London, ch. vi., p. 205. Instances of such
perfect simplicity or GREENNESS, as no one
could have previously deemed of possible
existence.
Green-rag.
Grey.
GREEN -RAG. — See GREENY, sense i.
GREEN-RIVER. To SEND A MAN
UP GREFN-RIVER, verb. phr.
(American). — To kill. [From a
once famous factory on Green
River, where a favourite hunting-
knife was made.] For syn-
onyms, see COOK ONE'S GOOSE.
1848. RUXTON, Life in the Far West,
p. 175. A thrust from the keen scalp-
knife by the nervous arm of a mountaineer
was no baby blow, and seldom failed to
strike home UP TO THE GREEN RIVER
[i.e., the mark] on the blade.
GREEN-SICKNESS, subs. (old). —
Chlorosis.
GREEN-TURTLE. To LIVE UP TO
GREEN - TURTLE, verb. fhr.
(American). — To do, and give,
one's best. [From the high
esteem in which the green fat of
turtle is held.]
1888. PATON, Down the Islands.
People who, as hosts, LIVE UP TO THEIR
GREEN TURTLE.
GREENWICH BARBER, subs. (old).
— A- retailer of sand from the
Greenwich pits. [A pun upon
* shaving' the banks.]
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
GREENWICH -GOOSE, subs. (old).
— A pensioner of Greenwich
Hospital.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
GREENY, subs, (old theatrical). —
i. The curtain. [From the colour.]
Also GREEN-RAG.
1821. EGAN, Tom and Jerry, p. no
[ed. 1890]. It is far more difficult to
please the company behind GREENY; I
beg pardon, sir, I should have said than
the audience before the curtain.
2. (University). — A freshman.
For synonyms, see SNOOKER.
1834. SOUTHEY, The Doctor, ch. i.
He was entered among the GREENIES of
this famous University.
3. (common). — A simpleton ;
a GREENHORN (q.v.). For syn-
onyms, .swBuFFLE and CABBAGE-
HEAD.
1852. JUDSON, Myst., etc., of New
York, pirt III., ch. 9, p. 58. Anybody
could know that these was took by a
GREENY.
1887. Congregationalist, 7 April.
Jim said I was a GREENY . . . [and] that
he had a lot of houses.
GREETIN' Fu', adv. phr. (Scots'),
Drunk : literally 'crying drunk.'
For sjnonyms, see DRINKS and
SCREWED.
GREEZE, subs. (Westminster
School). -r-A crowd ; a PUSH
(q.v.).
GREGORIAN, subs, (old).— A kind
of wig worn in the I7th century.
[After the inventor, one Gregory,
a barber in the Strand.]
1658. Honest Ghost, p. 46. Pulling
a little down his GREGORIAN.
GREGORIAN-TREE, subs. (old). —
The gallows. [After a sequence
of three hangmen of the name. ]
For synonyms, see NUBBING-
CHEAT.
1641. Mercurius Pragmaticus. This
trembles under the black rod, and he
Doth fear his fate from the GREGORIAN
TREE.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
GREGORINE, subs, (common). — A
louse ; specifically, head vermin.
[From the Italian.] For syn-
onyms, see CHATES.
GRESHAMITE, subs. (old). — A Fel-
low of the Royal Society.— B.E.
[1690.]
GREY. — See GRAY, pa
Griddle,
213
Griffin.
GRIDDLE, subs, (streets'). — To
sing in the streets. Whence,
GRIDDLING = street - singing ;
GRIDDLER = a street-singer.
1851-61. MAYHEW, Land. Lab. and
Land. Poor. Got a month for GRIDDLING
in the main drag.
1877. BESANT AND RICE, Son of
Vulcan, pt. I., ch. xii. Cardiff Jacks
never got so low as to be GRIDDLING on
the main drag— singing, I mean, on the
high-road.
1888. W. BESANT, Fifty Years Ago,
ch. iv., p. 53. They [street singers] have
not yet invented Moody and Sankey, and
therefore they cannot sing ' Hold the Fort '
or ' Dare to be a Daniel,' but there are
hymns in every collection which suit the
GRIDLER.
1890. Daily Telegraph, 20 May.
Singing or shouting hymns in the streets on
Sundays. To this system the name of
GRiDLiNG has been applied. The GRIDI.EKS,
it was stated, were known to boast, as they
returned to their haunts in Deptford and
Southwark, how much they could make in
a few hours.
GRIDIRON, subs. (American). — I.
The United States' flag; the
STARS AND STRIPES. Also
STARS AND BARS ; BLOOD AND
ENTRAILS ; GRIDIRON AND
DOUGHBOYS ; and, in speaking
of the Eagle in conjunction with
the flag, the GOOSE AND GRID-
IRON.
2. (common). — A County
Court Summons. [ Originally
applied to Writs of the West-
minster Court, the arms of which
resemble a gridiron.]
1859. SALA, Gaslight and Daylight,
ch. xxi. He collects r'ebts for anybody in
the neighbourhood, .akes out the abhorred
GRIDIRONS, or County Court summonses.
3. (thieves').— The bars on a
cell window. Fr., les gaules de
Schtard.
THE GRIDIRON, subs. phr.
(common). — The Grafton Club.
[Where the grill is a speciality.]
ON THE GRIDIRON, adv. phr.
(common). — Troubled ; harassed ;
in a bad way ; ON TOAST (q.v.).
THE WHOLE GRIDIRON, subs,
phr. (common). — See WHOLE
ANIMAL.
GRIEF, To COME TO GRIEF, verb,
phr. (colloquial). — To come to
ruin ; to meet with an accident ;
to fail. In quot., 1891 = trouble.
1855. THACKERAY, Neivcomes, ch. x.
We drove on to the Downs, and we were
nearly COMING TO GRIEF. My horses are
young, and when they get on the grass
they are as if they were mad.
1888. Cassetfs Saturday Jour., 8
Dec., p. 249. In the United States he had
started a ' Matrimonial Agency,' in which
he had COMB TO GRIEF, and he had been
obliged to return to this country for a
similar reason.
1891. Sportsman, 28 Feb. The flag
had scarcely fallen than the GRIEF com-
menced, as Midshipmite and Carlo rolled
over at the first fence, Clanranald refused
at the second, and Dog Fox fell at the
third.
GRIFFIN (or GR\?f),sut>s. (common).
— I. A new - comer ; a raw
hand ; a GREENHORN (q.v.} See
SNOOKER and SAMMY SOFT.
[Specific uses are (Anglo-Indian)
= a new arrival from Europe ;
(military) — a young subaltern ;
(Anglo -Chinese) = an unbroken
horse. GRIFFINAGE (or GRIF-
FIN ISM) = the state of green-
hornism.
1859. H. KINGSLEY, Geoffry Ham-
lyn, ch. xxviii All the GRIFFINS ought
to hunt together.
1878. BESANT and RICE, By Celia's
A ibour, ch. xxx. We were in the Trenches ;
there had been joking with a lot of GRIFFS,
young recruits just out from England.
1882. Miss BRADDON, Mount Royal,
ch. xxii. There was only one of the lads
about the yard when he left, for it wat,
breakfast-time, and the little GRIFFIN
didn't notice,
Griff-metoll.
214
Grin.
1888. Graphic, 17 March, p. 286, c.
3. Many a youngster has got on in his
profession .... by having the good for-
tune to make a friend of the old Indian
who took him in as a GRIFF IN or a stranger.
2. (colloquial). — A woman of
forbidding manners or appear-
ance ; a GORGON. Also a care-
taker, chaperon, or SHEEP-DOG
(q.v. ) [A reflection of the several
griffins of ornithology and of
heraldry : the former a feeder on
birds, small mammals, and even
children ; the latter (as in
Milum) a perfection of vigilance.]
1824. R. B. PEAKE, Americans
Abroad, i., 2. It is always locked up by
that she-GRiFFiN with a bunch of keys.
3. (thieves'). — A signal : e.g.,
TO TIP THE GRIFFIN = to warn ;
TO GIVE THE OFFICE (q.V.\ or
TIP (q.v.). THE STRAIGHT GRIF-
FIN = the straight tip.
1888. CasselFs Sat. Jour., 22 Dec.,
p. 305. Plank yourself at the corner to
give the GRIFFIN if you hear or see owt.
1891. N. GOULD, Double Event, p.
22. He's got the STRAIGHT GRIFF for
something.
1891. J. NEWMAN, Scamping Tricks,
p. 95. When he wanted to GIVE the
chaps in the office THE STRAIGHT GRIFFIN,
he used to say, ' Nelson's my guide.'
4. in. pi. (trade). — The scraps
and leavings from a contract
feast, which are removed by the
purveyor.
GRIFF-METOLL, subs. (old). —
Sixpence. For synonyms, see
TANNER.
1754. Discoveries of John Poulter,
s.v.
GRIG, subs, (old).— i. An active,
lively, and jocose person : as in
the phrase 'Merry as a GRIG.'
[An allusion to the liveliness of
the grasshopper, sand-eel, or to
GRIG ( = Greek : <•/., Trot .'its and
Cressida i. 2 ; iv. 4).
1611. COTGRAVE, Dsctionarie. Gale-
bon-temps. A MERRY GRIG.
1673. WYCHERLEY, Gent. Dane.
Master,i., i., wks. (1713) 251. Hah, ah,
ah, cousin, dou art a merry GKIGG — ma
foy.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, GRIG
s.v. A merry GRIG ; a merry fellow.
1719. DURFEY, Pills, etc., i., 43.
The statesman that talks on the Woolsack
so big, Could hustle to the open as MERRY
AS A GRIG.
1765. GOLDSMITH, Essays VI. I
grew as merry as a GRIG, and laughed at
every word that was spoken.
1852. DICKENS, Bleak House, ch.
xi.x , p. 159. The learned gentleman . . .
is as merry asa GRIG at a French watering-
place.
2. (thieves'). — A farthing ; a
GIGG (q.v.). For synonyms, see
FADGE.
16PO. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v
Not a GRIG did he tip me, not a farthing
would he give me.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1839. HARRISON AINSWORTH, J
Sheppard [1889], p. 15. ' He shall go
1839. HARRISON AINSWORTH, Jack
.], p. 15. 'He shall .,
through the whole course,' replied Blue-
skin, with a ferocious grin, 'unless he
comes down to the last GRIG.'
Verb. (American). — To vex ;
to worry.
1855. HALIBURTON [S. Slick],
Human Nature, p. 83. That word
' superiors ' GRIGGED me. Thinks I, ' My
boy, I'll just take that expression, roll it up
in a ball, and shy it back at you.'
GRIM, subs. (American thieves'). —
A skeleton. Also GRIN.
OLD MR. GRIM, subs. phr.
(common). — Death. For syn-
onyms, see OLD FLOORER.
GRIN, verb. (American University,
Virginia). — See quot.
1887. Lippincott, July, p. 99. If
here are many ' old men ' in the room they
immediately begin to GRIN HIM ; that is,
they strike on their plates with their knives
and forks, beat with their feet, and shout
at the top of their voices, in the effort to
make their victim grin. Woe to him if
they succeed ; for in that event the same
thing will be repeated three times a day;
until he ceases to notice it.
Grinagog.
215
Grind.
To GRIN IN A GLASS CASE.
verb. phr. (old). — To be shown as
an anatomical preparation. [The
bodies and skeletons of criminals
were once preserved in glass
cases at Surgeon's Hall. — GROSE.]
TO FLASH THE UPRIGHT
GRIN, verb. phr. (venery). — To
expose the person (of women).
GRINAGOG, THE CAT'S UNCLE,
stibs. phr. (old). — A grinning
simpleton. — G ROSE.
GRINCUMS, subs, (old).— Syphilis.
For synonyms, see LADIES'
FEVER.
1608. MIDDLETON, Family of Love,
B. i. I had a receipt for the GRINCOMES
in his own hand.
1635. JONES, Adrasta or the Woman's
Spleen, c. 2. You must know, sir, in a
nobleman 'tis abusive ; no, in him the
serpigo, in a knight the GRINCOMES, in a
gentleman the Neapolitan scabb, and in a
serving man or artificer the plaine pox.
1637. MASSINGER, Guardian, iv. The
comfort is, I am now secure from the
GRINCOMES, I can lose nothing that way.
GRIND, subs, (common). — i. A
walk ; a constitutional : e.g. , ' to
take a GRIND' or (University)
' to go on the Grandchester (or
Gog Magog Hills) GRIND.'
1880. A. TROLLOPE, The Dukes
Children, ch. xxv. ' Isn't it a great
GRIND, sir?' asked Silverbridge. ' A very
great GRIND, as you call it. And there
may be the GRIND and not the success.
But '
1880. One and All, 27 ^ Mar., p.
207. Soul-weary of life's horrid GRIND,
I long to come to thee.
3. (schools').— Study ; reading
up for an examination ; also a
plodding student, i.e., a
GRINDER.
1856. HUGHES, Tom Brown's School
Days, pt. II., ch. v. ' Come along, boys,'
cries East, always ready to leave the
GRIND, as he called it.
1887. Chambers' Jour., 14 May, p.
310. Smalls made just such a goal as
was required, and the GRIND it entailed
was frequently of no slight profit to him.
4. (medical students'). — A
demonstration : as ( i ) a ' public
GRIND ' given to a class and free
to all ; and (2) a ' private GRIND '
for which a student pays an in-
dividual teacher. In America, a
QUIZ (q.v.).
5. (Oxford University). —
Athletic sports. Also, a training
run.
1872. Chambers' Jour., April. Joe
Rullock, the mighty gymnasiarch, the hero
of a hundred GRINDS, the unwearied
haunter of the palaestra, could never give
the lie to his whole past life, and deny his
own gymnastics.
2. (common). — Daily routine ;
hard or distasteful work.
1853. BRADLEY, Verdant Green,
pt. III., ch. xi. To a University
man, a GRIND did not possess any reading
signification, but a riding one. In fact, it
was a steeple-chase, slightly varying in its
details according to the college that
patronised the pastime.
1870. London Figaro, 28 July. The
world is a weaiisome GRIND, love, Nor
shirk we our turn at the wheel.
6. (venery), — An act of
sexual intercourse : e.g., To DO
A GRIND. [MILL and GRIND.
STONE (venery) = the female
pudendum.] For synonyms, see
GREENS and RIDE.
1598. FLORIO, A WorldeoflVordes.
Macinio, the GRINDING of grist. Also
taken for carnal copulation.
1647. Ladies Parliament. Digbie's
lady takes it ill, that her Lord GRINDS not
at her mill.
Grind.
216
Grinder.
THE GRIND, suis. phr.
(Cambridge University). — The
ferry-boat at Chesterton.
Verb. (University). — i. To
prepare for examination to
study: to read.
1856. T. HUGHES, Tom Brown's
School Days, pt. II., ch. vii. ' The thing
to find out,' said Tom meditatively, ' is
how long one ought to GRIND at a sentence
without looking at the crib.1
2. (University). — To teach ;
to instruct ; TO COACH (g.v.}.
3. (common). — To do a round
of hard and distasteful work ; to
apply oneself to daily routine.
1880. Punch, 5 June, p. 253. ' Fred
on Pretty Girls and Pictures." And the
pars in the Scanmag — he does them — are
proper, and chock full of 'go.' Only
paper I care to GRIND though.
4. (venery). — To copulate.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum.
GRIND, s.v.
5. trans. (American). — To
vex ; to 'put out.'
1879. W. D. HOWELLS, Lady of the
Aroostook, ch. vii. After all, it does
GRIND me to have lost that money !
Also GRINDING = (i) the act of
reading or studying hard ; (2) the
act or occupation of preparing
students, for an examination ;
and (3) the act of copulation.
ON THE GRIND, subs. phr.
(venery).— Said of incontinent
persons of both sexes. Also of
prostitutes.
To GRIND AN AXE. — See AXE.
TO GET A GRIND ON ONE,
verb. phr. (American). — To play
practical jokes ; to tell a story
against one ; to annoy or vex.
To GRIND WIND, verb. phr.
(old prison). — To work the tread-
mill. See EVERLASTING STAIR-
CASE.
1889. CLARKSON and RICHARDSON.
Police, p. 322. On the treadmill . . .
GRINDING WIND.
GRINDER, subs, (college). — i. A
private tutor; a COACH (q.v.).
Cf., CRAMMER.
1812. Miss EDGEWORTH, Patronage,
ch. iii. Put him into the hands of a
clever GRINDER or crammer, and they
would soon cram the necessary portion of
Latin and Greek into him.
1841. Punch, vol. I., p. 201. Then
contriving to accumulate five guineas to
pay a GRINDER, he routs out his old note
books from the bottom of his box and
commences to read.
1841. A. SMITH, 'The London
Medical Student' in Punch, i., p. 229.
G was a GRINDER, who sharpen'd the
the fools.
1849. THACKERAY, Pendennis, ch.
v. She sent me down here with a
GRINDER. She wants me to cultivate my
neglected genius.
2. Usually in. pi. (common). —
The teeth.
ENGLISH SYNONYMS.— Bones;
chatterers; cogs; crashing cheats;
dining-room furniture (or chairs) ;
dinner-set ; dominoes ; front-rails;
Hampstead Heath (rhymi'ig) ;
head rails ; ivories; \ -ark-palings
(or railings) ; sna-glers ; tushes
(or tusks) ; tomb-stones.
FRENCH SYNONYMS. — Les
soeurs blanches (thieves' = the
'white sisters' or ivories); les
chocottes (thieves') ; les cassantes
( thieves' = grinders) ; les broches
(popular =• head-rails) ; les crocs
(popular = tusks) ; le clou de
giro fie (common = a decayed,
black tooth) ; les branlantes
(popular = the quakers : specifi-
Grinder.
21 7 Grinding-house.
cally, old men's teeth) ; /•? mob i Her
(thieves' = furniture) ; les meules
de moulin (popular = millstones) ;
le jeu de dominos (thieves' =
dominoes) ; les osanores (thieves');
les osselets ( thieves' = bonelets) ;
les palettes (popular and
thieves') ; labatterie ( = the teeth,
throat, and tongue).
GERMAN SYNONYMS. — Krach-
ling ( = grinderkin ; from krachen
= to crush).
ITALIAN SYNONYMS. — Merlo
( = battlement) ; sganascio ; ras-
ti elliera ( = the rack).
1597. HALL, Satires, iv., i. Her
GRINDERS like two chalk stones in a mill.
1640. HUMPHREY MILL, Nights
Search, Sect. 39, p. 194 Her GRINDERS
white, her mouth must show her age.
1653. URQUHART, Rabelais, bk.
IV. Author's Prologue. The devil of
one musty crust of a brown George the
poor boys had to scour their GRINDERS
with.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew.
GRINDER, s.v. The Cove has Rum
GRINDERS, the Rogue has excellent
Teeth.
1693. DRYDEN, Juvenal, x., 365.
One, who at sight of supper open'd wide
His jaws before, and whetted GRINDERS
tried.
1740. W ALP OLE, Correspondence.
A set of gnashing teeth, the GRINDERS very
entire.
1751. SMOLLETT, Peregrine Pickle,
ch. xlv. Like a dried walnut between
the GRINDERS of a Templar in the pit.
1817. SCOTT, Ivanhoe, c. 16. None
who beheld thy GRINDERS contending
wi ch these peas.
1819. MOORE, Torn Crib, p. 23.
With GRINDERS dislodg'd, and with
peepers both poach'd.
1834. AINSWORTH, Rookivood, bk.
iv., ch. i. A GRINDER having been dis-
lodged, his pipe took possession of the
aperture.
1836. M. SCOTT, Cruise of the
ige, p. 83. Every now and then he
would clap his head sideways on the
ground, so as to get the back GRINDERS to
bear on his prey.
1848. THACKERAY, Book of Snobs
ch. xiii. Sir Robert Peel, though he
wished it ever so much, has no power over
Mr. Benjamin Disraeli's GRINDERS, or any
means of violently handling that gentle-
man's jaw.
1871. Chambers Jour., g Dec., p.
772. My GRINDERS is good enough for
all the wittels I gets.
1888. Sporting Life, 28 Nov.
Countered heavily on the GRINDERS.
TO TAKE A GRINDER, verb.
phr. (common). — To apply the
left thumb to the nose, and
revolve the right hand round it,
as if to work a hand-organ or
coffee-mill ; TO TAKE A SIGHT
(q.V.) ; TO WORK THE COFFEE-
MILL (q.v.). [A street boy's
retort on an attempt to impose on
his good faith or credulity. ]
1836. DICKENS, Pickwick, ch. xxxi.
Here Mr. Jackson smiled once more upon
the company ; and, applying his left
thumb to the tip of his nose, worked a
visionary coffee-mill with his right hand,
thereby performing a very graceful piece
of pantomime (then much in vogue, but
now, unhappily, almost obsolete) which
was familiarly denominated TAKING A
GRINDER.
1870. Athenceum, 8 July. 'Rev.
of Comic Hist, of United States.' He
finds himself confronted by a plumed and
lightly-clad Indian, who salutes him with
what street-boys term a GRINDER.
GRINDING-HOUSE, subs. (old). —
i. The House of Correction.
For synonyms, see CAGE.
1614. Terence in English. The
fellow is worthy to be put into the
GRINDING-HOUSE.
2. (venery). — A brothel. For
synonyms, see NANNY - SHOP.
[GRi NDING-TOOL = the penis. ]
Grindfng-milt.
218
Grist.
GRINDING - MILL, subs, (common).
— The house of a tutor or COACH
(q.v.) where students are prepared
for an examination.
GRIND-OFF (or GRINDO), subs.
(common). — A miller. [From a
character in The Miller and his
Men.]
GRINDSTONE, suds, (common). — i.
A tutor; a COACH (q.v.}.
2. (venery). — The female
pudendum.
To BRING (HOLD, PUT, or
KEEP) ONE'S NOSE TO THE
GRINDSTONE, verb. phr. (collo-
quial).— To oppress, harass, or
punish ; to treat harshly. To
HAVE ONE'S NOSE KEPT TO THE
GRINDSTONE = to be held to
a bargain, or at work.
1578. NORTH, Plutarch, p. 241.
They might be ashamed, for lack of
courage, to suffer the Lacedoemonians TO
HOLD THEIR NOSES TO THE GRINDSTONE.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HOLD. HOLD HIS NOSE TO THE GRIND-
STONE, to keep him Under, or Tie him
Neck and Heels in a Bargain.
TO HAVE THE GRINDSTONE
ON His BACK, verb. phr. (com-
mon).— Said of a man going to
fetch the monthly nurse. — GROSE.
GRINNING-STITCH E s , subs.
(milliners'). — Slovenly sewing ;
stitches wide apart ; LADDERS
(q.v.}.
GRIP (or GRIPSACK), subs.
(American). — A hand - bag or
satchell.
To LOSE ONE'S.GRIP, verb. phr.
(American). — To fail; to lose
one's control.
GRIPE, subs, (old). — i. A miser;
a usurer. Also GRIPER or
GRIPE-FIST (q.v.}. For syn-
unyms, see HUNKS and SIXTY-
PER-CENT. GRIPING = extortion.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew.
GRIPE, or GRIPER, s.v. An old covetous
wretch. Also a banker, money scrivener,
or usurer.
2. in. pi. (colloquial). — The
colic ; the stomach ache ; the
COLLYWOBBLES. For synonyms,
see JERRY-GO-NIMBLE.
1684. BUNYAN, Pilgr. Prog., Pt. II.
He concluded that he was sick of the
GRIPES.
1705. Char, of a Sneake, in Harl.
Misc. (ed. Park), ii., 356. He never looks
upon her Majesty's arms but setnpe readetn
gives him the GRIPES.
1714. Spectator, No 559. Meeting
the true father, who came towards him
with a fit of the GRIPES, he begged him to
take his son again, and give back his cholic.
1812. COOMBE; Tour in Search of
Picturesque, c. xxvi. That he who daily
smokes two pipes, The tooth-ache never
has — nor GRIPES.
GRIPE-FIST, subs, (common). — A
miser ; a grasping broker. For
synonyms, see HUNKS. Also
GRIPE-PENNY.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum, s.v.
GRIST, siibs. (American). — A large
number or quantity. [Swift uses
GRIST = a supply ; a provision.]
1818. COOPER, Oak Openings. There's
an unaccountable GRIST of bees, I can tell
you.
#1852. Traits of American Humour,
i., 305. I ... got pretty considerable
soaked by a GRIST of rain.
TO BRING GRIST TO THE
MILL, verb. phr. (colloquial). —
To bring profitable business ; to
be a source of profit.
1719. Poor Robin's Almanack, 'May.
Lawyers pleading do refrain A while, and
then fall to 't again ; Strife brings GRIST
unto their MILL.
1770. FOOTE, Lame Lover, i. Well,
let them go on, it brings GRIST TO OUR
MILL.
1804. HORSLEY, Speech, 23 July.
A sly old pope created twenty new saints,
TO BRING GRIST TO THE MILL of the
London clergy.
1817. SCOTT, Ivanhoe, c. 16. Some
three or four dried pease — a miserable
GRIST for such a mill.
Gristle.
219
Grocery.
1838. DICKENS, Nick. Nickleby, ch.
xxxiv., p. 268. Meantime the fools BRING
GRIST TO MY MILL.
GRISTLE, subs, (venery). — The
penis. For synonyms, see CREAM-
STICK and PRICK.
GRIT, subs, (originally American :
now colloquial). — I. Character ;
pluck ; spirit ; SAND (q.v.\ Also
CLEAR GRIT. NO GRIT =
lacking in stamina ; wanting in
courage.
1825. NEAL, Bra. Jonathan, bk. II.,
ch. xiv. A chap who was clear GRIT for
a tussle, any time.
1848. BURTON, Waggeries, etc., p.
13. The old folks . . . began to think
that she warn't the CLEAR GRIT.
1849. C. KINGSLEY, Alton Locke,
ch, vi. A real lady— fair noble — the rael
genuine GRIT, as Sam Slick says.
1852. H. B. STOWE, Uncle Toms
Cabin, ch. vii You're a right brave old
girl. I like GRIT, wherever I see it.
1860. THACKERAY, Philip, ch. xxxi.
If you were a chip of the old block you
would be just what he called the GRIT.
1889. Referee, 6 Jan. They never
did think there was any real GRIT about
him.
1890. Scribner, Feb., 242. 'Looks
like he got GRIT, don't it ?' Lige muttered.
1892. R. L. STEVENSON and L.
OSBOURNE, The Wrecker, p. 249. I am
as full of GRIT and work as ever, and just
tower above our troubles.
2. (Canadian political). — A
member of the Liberal party.
GRITTY, adj. (American). — Plucky ;
courageous ; resolute ; full of
character.
1847. ROBB, Squatter Life, p. 106.
There never was a GRITTYER ciowd con-
gregated on that stream.
GRIZZLE, verb, (colloquial). — To
fret. Also To GRIZZLE ONE'S
1872. Miss BRADDON, To the Bitter
End, ch. xvi. * If the locket's lost, it's
lost,' she said philosophically ; ' and
there's no use in GRIZZLING about it.'
GRIZZLE-GUTS (or GRIZZLE- or
GLUM -POT), subs, (common). —
A melancholy or ill - tempered
person ; a SULKINGTON (q.v.}.
GROAN ER, subs, (old).— A thief
plying his trade at funerals or
religious gatherings.
1848. DUNCOMBE, Sinks of London,
s.v.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum, s.v.
GROANING, subs. (old). — The act
of parturition. Also, adj., partu-
rient ; or appertaining to parturi-
tion : as in GROANING - MALT
(Scots') = drink for a lying-in ;
GROANING-PAINS = the pangs of
delivery j GROANING-WIFE = a
woman ready to lie-in.
1594. NASHE, Unfort. Trav.
(Chiswick Press, 1892), p. 02. As smooth*
as a GROANING-WIVE'S bellie.
1596. SHAKSPEARE, Hamlet, Hi., 2.
It would cost you a GROANING to take off
my edge.
1786. BURNS, The Rantin* Dog the
Daddie O't. Wha will bring the GROAN-
ING-MALT?
GROATS, subs, (nautical). — The
chaplain's monthly allowance.
To SAVE ONE'S GROATS, verb,
phr. (old University). — To come
off handsomely. [At the Univer-
sities nine groats are deposited in
the hands of an academic officer
by every person standing for a
degree, which, if the depositor ob-
tains, with honour, are returned
to him.— GROSE.]
GROCERY, subs, (common). — i.
Small change.
1728. BAILEY, Eng. Diet., s.v.
2. (American). — A drinking
bar. Also CONFECTIONERY and
GROGGERY.
1847. PORTER, Quarter Race, etc.
104. He went into his favourite GROCERY.
Grog.
220
Groggy.
3. (common). — Sugar. [A re-
stricted use of a colloquialism. ]
1841. LYTTON, Night and Morning,
Bk. V., ch. ii. A private room and a pint
of brandv, my dear. Hot water and lots
of the GROCERY.
GROG, subs (old: now recognised).
— Spirits and water ; strong
drink generally. [Till Admiral
Vernon's time (1745) rum was
served neat, but he ordered it to
be diluted, and was therefore
nicknamed ' Old Grog,' in allu-
sion to his grogram coat : a phrase
that was presently adapted to the
mixture he had introduced.]
GROGGY = drunk.
Verb, (old).— To dilute or adul-
terate with water.
1878. Lincoln, Rutland, and Stam-
ford Mercury, 8 Mar. The defendants
had GROGGED the casks by putting in hot
water.
TO HAVE GROG ON BOARD (or
TO BE GROGGED), verb, phr*
(common). — To be drunk. For
synonyms, see SCREWED.
1842. Comic Almanack, October.
He stands and listens, sad and dogged, To
' fined five bob ' for being GROGGED.
GROG-BLOSSOM, subs, (common). —
A pimple caused by drinking to
excess. Also COPPER-NOSE and
JOLLY-NOSE. Fr., unnezculotte
and un nez de pompettes.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, GROG-
BLOSSOM, s.v.
1883. THOS. HARDY, The Three
Strangers, in Longman's Mag., March, p.
576. A few GROG-BLOSSOMS marked the
neighbourhood of his nose.
1888. W. BESANT, Fifty Years Atro,
ch. xi., p. 169. The outward and visible
signs of rum were indeed various. First,
there was the red and swollen nose, next,
the nose beautifully painted with GROG-
BLOSSOMS.
GROG- FIGHT, subs, (military). — A
drinking party. Cf., TEA-FIGHT.
1876. R. M. JEPHSON, Girl he Left
Behind. Him, ch. i. He had been having
a GROG-FIGHT in his room to celebrate the
event.
GROGGERY, subs. (American).— A
public bar ; a grog-shop.
GROGGY, adj. (colloquial). — I.
Under the influence of drink.
For synonyms, see DRINKS and
SCREWED.
1829. BUCKSTONE, Billy Taylor, i.,
as a gay young woman, will delude Taylor
away from Mary, make him GROGGY, then
press him off to sea.
1863. Fun, 23 May, p. 98, c. 2. They
fined drunkards and swearers, and there is
a record in the parish-books, among others
of a similar nature, of a certain Mrs.
Thunder who was fined twelve shillings
for being, like Mr. Cruikshank's horse at
the Brighton Review, decidedly GROGGY.
1872. Echo, 30 July. A model of
perfection had she not shown more than
necessary partiality to her elder friend's
brandy bottle during the journey, despite
the latter's oft - repeated caution not to
become GROGGY.
2. (colloquial). — Staggering or
stupified with drink. Also (stable)
moving as with tender feet. Also
(pugilists') unsteady from punish-
ment and exhaustion. Fr., locker
= to be GROGGY.
1831. YOUATT, The Horse, ch. xvi.,
p. 380. Long journeys at a fast pace will
make almost any horse GROGGY.
1846-8. THACKERAY, Vanity Fair,
vol. ii., ch. v. Cuff coming up full of
pluck, but quite reeling and GROGGY, the
Fig-merchant put in his left as usual on his
adversary's nose, and sent him down for
the last time.
1853. Diogenes, vol. ii., p. 177. The
anxiety is not confined to the metropolis ;
as a respectable grazier, who rides a
GROGGY horse, on hearing of it at a public-
house the other day, affirmed it to be the
mysterious cause of the rise in the value of
horseflesh.
1888. Sportsman, 28 Nov. In the
tenth Thompson, who had been growing
GROGGY, to the surprise of Evans began to
force the fighting.
Grogham.
221
Ground.
GROGHAM, subs. (old). — A horse ;
a DAISY-KICKER (q.V.). Now
mostly in contempt. For syn-
onyms, see PRAD.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
GROG - SHOP, subs, (common). — •
The mouth. For synonyms, see
POTATOE-TRAP.
1843. THACKERAY, Men's Wives,
Frank Berry, ch. i. Claret drawn in
profusion from the gown-boy's GROG-SHOP.
GROG-TUB, subs, (nautical). — A
brandy bottle.
GROOM, subs, (gamesters'). — A
croupier.
GROOMED. See WELL-GROOMED.
GROOVY, subs. (American). —A
sardine.
Adj. (popular). — Settled in
habit ; limited in mind.
GROPE, verb, (venery). — To feel a
woman; to fumble; to FAM (q.v.).
1611. COTGRAVE, Dictionarie. Ma-
riolement. GROPING of a wench.
1719. DURFEY, Pills, etc., i., 194.
Smoking, toping, Landlady GROPING.
GROPER, subs. (old). — i. A blind
man ; HOODMAN (q.v }.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
1728. BAILEY, Eng. Diet., s.v.
1786. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
2. (old). — A pocket. For syn-
onyms, see BRIGH and SKY-
ROCKET.
1789. GEO. PARKER, Life's Painter,
p. 143. GROPERS. Pockets.
3. (old). — Amidwife; a FINGER-
SMITH (q.v.}.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
GROTTO, subs, (venery). — The
female pudendum. For synonyms,
see MONOSYLLABLE.
GROUND. To SUIT DOWN TO THE
GROUND, verb. phr. (common). —
To be thoroughly becoming or
acceptable.
1878. M. E. BRADDON, Cloven Foot,
ch. xlv. Some sea coast city in South
America would SUIT ME DOWN TO THE
GROUND.
1891. Licensed Viet. Gaz., 9 Feb.
I knows the very bloke that'll SUIT
YOU DOWN TO THE GROUND.
1891. Sporting Life, 28 Mar. At
Knowle he is SUITED DOWN TO THE
GROUND.
1892. MILLIKEN, 'Arry Ballads, p.
ii. They SUIT ME RIGHT DOWN TO THE
GROUND.
TO WIPE (or MOP) UP THE
GROUND (or FLOOR) WITH ONE,
verb. phr. (common). — • To
administer the very soundest
thrashing; to prove oneself
absolutely superior to one's
opposite.
1887. HENLEY and STEVENSON,
Deacon Brodie, i., 3. Muck ! that's my
opinion of him ; . . . I'll MOP THE
FLOOR UP WITH HIM any day, if so be as
you or any on 'em '11 make it worth
my while.
1888. Detroit Free Press, Aug.
The Scroggin boy was as tough as a dog-
wood knot. He'd WIPE UP THE GROUND
WITH HIM ; he'd walk all over him.
To GO (or GET) WELL TO THE
GROUND, verb. phr. (old collo-
quial).— To defalcate; TO REAR
(q.v.). For synonyms, see MRS.
JONES.
1608. MIDDLETON, Family of Love,
V. 3. Do yOU GO WELL TO THE GROUND?
1856. Notes and Queries, 2 S., i., p.
324. To GET TO THE GROUND, in medical
phraseology, means to have the bowels
opened.
Grounder.
222
Growler.
GROUNDER, subs, (cricketers'). —
A ball with a ground delivery ;
a SNEAK ; a GRUB ; and (in
America) at base-ball, a ball
struck low, or flying near the
ground.
GROUND-FLOOR. To BE LET IN
ON THE GROUND-FLOOR, verb.
phr. (American). — To share in
a speculation on equal terms with
the original promoters.
GROUND SQUIRREL, subs, (old).—
A hog ; a GRUNTER — Lex. Bal.
For synonyms, see Sow's BABY.
GROUND-SWEAT. To HAVE (or
TAKE) A GROUND-SWEAT, verb.
phr. (old).— To be buried.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew.
GROUND SWEAT, s.v., a grave.
1783. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
GROUSE. To DO A GROUSE (or TO
GO GROUSING), -verb. phr.
(venery). — To quest, or to run
down, a woman ; TO MOLROW
(q.v ). GROUSED = MOLLED
GROUSER, subs, (popular). — i. A
grumbler. For synonyms, see
RUSTY-GUTS.
2. (venery). — One who goes
questing after women ; a MOL-
ROWER (q.V.}.
3. (sporting). — A rowing man ;
a WET-BOB (q.V.}.
GROUSING, subs, (venery). — Going
in quest of women ; SPARROW-
CATCHING (q.V.)', MOLROWING
(q.V.).
G ROUTE, verb. (Marlborough and
Cheltenham Colleges).— To work
or study hard ; to SWOT (q.v.).
For synonyms, see WIRE IN.
GROUTY, adj. (common). —
Crabbed ; sulky.
GROVE OF EGLANTINE, subs. phr.
(venery). — The feMttit jfcwriMkiiaw ;
also the female pubic hair. For
synonyms, see MONOSYLLABLE
and FLEECE.
1772. CAREW, Poems. 'A Rapture.'
Retire into thy GROVE OFEGLANTINE.
GROVE OF THE EVANGELIST, subs,
phr. (common). — St. John's
Wood ; also APOSTLE'S GROVE,
and the BAPTIST'S WOOD.
GROW, verb, (prison). — To be ac-
corded the privilege of letting
one's hair and beard grow. Also
TO GROW ONE'S FEATHERS.
GROWLER, subs, (common). — A
four-wheeled cab. Cf., SULKY.
ENGLISH SYNONYMS. — Bird-
cage ; blucher ; bounder ;
fever-trap ; flounder - and - dab
(rhyming); four-wheeler; groping
hutch ; mab (an old hackney) ;
rattler; rumbler.
FRENCH SYNONYMS. — Un
bordd ambulant (common = a
walking brothel) ; un char
numerate (popular) ; un flatar
(thieves') ; tin foutoir ambulant
( = a fuckery on wheels) ; un
my lord (popular).
1870. Orchestra, 21 Mar. A recent
enigmatical bill-poster on the walls, with
the device 'Hie, Cabby, Hie!' turns out to
be a Patent Cab Call — an ingenious sort
of lamp-signal ior remote hansoms and
GROWLERS.
1873. Land and Water, 25 Jan.
The knacker's yard is baulked for a time,
while the quadruped shambles along in
some poverty-stricken GROWLER.
Grown-marfs-dose. 223
Grub.
1883. Daily Telegraph, 8 Jan., p. 5,
c. 3. But while a great improvement
has been made in hansoms of late years,
the four-wheeler or GROWLER is still as a
rule a disgrace to the metropolis.
1890. Daily Graphic, 7 Jan., p. 14,
C. i. What with hansom cabs and
GROWLERS and private broughams ; what
with bonded carmen's towering waggons.
1891. Globe, 15 July, p. i, c. 3.
Adapting the words of Waller to the con-
dition of many of our GROWLERS -The
cab's dull framework, battered and decayed,
Lets in the air through gaps that time has
made.
To RUSH (or WORK) THE
GROWLER, verb. pkr. (American
workmen's). — Seequot. [GROWER
= pitcher.]
1888. New York Herald, 29 July.
One evil of which the inspectors took
particular notice was that of the employ-
ment by hands in a number of factories of
boys and girls, under ten and thirteen
years, to fetch beer for them, or in other
Words TO RUSH THE GROWLER.
GROWN -MAN'S- DOSE, subs, (com-
mon).— A lot of liquor. Also a
LONG DRINK (q.v.). For syn-
onyms, see Go.
GROWN-UP, subs, (colloquial). — An
adult : among undertakers, a
GROWN.
1864. DICKENS, Our Mutual Friend,
Bk. ii., ch. i. I always did like GROWN
UPS.
GRUB, subs, (vulgar). — I. Food.
ENGLISH SYNONYMS. — Belly-
cheer (or chere) ; belly-furniture ;
belly-timber ; Kaffir's tightener
(specifically, a full meal) ; chuck ;
corn ; gorge-grease ; manablins
( = broken victuals); mouth har-
ness ; mungarly ; peck ; prog ;
scoff (S. African); scran ; stodge ;
tack ; tommy (specifically, bread) ;
tuck; yam. Also, verbally, to
bung the cask ; to grease the
gills ; to have thi run of one's
teeth ; to yam. See also WOLF.
FRENCH SYNONYMS. — La
becquetance ( popular = peck ); le
biffre (popular) ; la frigousse
(popular) ; lafripe (popular, from
O. ¥r.,fripper=to eat) ; la %rin-
gue (common) ; les materiaux
(freemason's = materials); la briffe
(popular); laboustifaille (popular) ;
le harnois de gueule (RABELAIS :
= mouth-harness); lecoton (popu-
lar, an allusion to a lamp-wick) ;
les comestaux (popular = comes-
tibles) ; le tortorage (thieves') ;
la broute (popular = grazing) ;
la morfe (O. Fr. Also, in a
verbal sense = to feed) ; tortiller
du, bee (popular = to wag a jaw) ;
se calfater le bee (nautical : also =
to drink) ; becqueter (popular = to
' peck ') ; bequiller (popular) ;
chiquer ( popular = to ' chaw ') ;
bouffer (popular) ; boulotter (com-
mon); taper sur les vivres] popular
= to assault the eatables) ; pitan-
cher (common : also = to drink) ;
passer a la tortore (thieves') ; se
F envoy er; casser la croustille
(thieves' = to crack a crust) ; tor-
torer (thieves) ; briffer ; passer
a briffe ( popular ) ; brouter
( VILLON = to browse); se caler,
or se caler les amygdales
(popular) ; mettre de Fhuile dans
la lampe (common = to trim the
lamp); se coller quelque chose dans
le fanal, dans le fusil, or dans le
tube (popular = to trim one's
beacon-light ; to load one's gun,
etc. ) ; chamailler des dents
(popular = to 'go it' with the
ivories ; jouer des badigoinces
(common : badigoinces — chaps) ;
jouer des domino s (popular : dom-
inos = teeth ) ; deck irer la cartouche
(military) ; gobichonner (popular);
engouler (popular = to bolt); en-
gueuler (colloquial = to gobble);
friturer (popular : also = to cook) ;
gonfler (popular: to blow out);
morjiaillier (Rabelaisian); mor-
Grub.
224
Grub.
figner, or morfiler (From O. Fr.,
morfier\ cf.> Ital., morftre or
morfizzare] ; cacher (popular = to
stow away) ; se mettre quelque
chose dans le cadavre (popular =
to stoke) ; se lester la cale (nautical:
to lay in ballast) ; se gtaisser les
balots (thieves' : to grease the
gills) ; se caresser (to do oneself a
good turn); effacer ( popular = to
put away) ; travailler pour M.
Domange (popular : M. Domange
was a famous GOLDFINDER
or GONG FARMER (q.v.} ', dapotet
(popular) ; debrider la margoulette
(popular — to put one's nose in the
manger) ; crotistiller (popular) ;
charger pour laguadaloupe (popu-
lar) ; travailler pour Jules (com-
rcion: Jules = Mrs. Jones); sefaire
lejabot(voy\\\ai*Jabot= stomach) ;
jouer des osanores (popular : osan-
ores = teeth) ; casser (thieves') ;
claquer (familiar = to rattle one's
ivories) ; klebjer (popular) ;
faire trinier les mathurins (popu-
lar = to make the running with
one's teeth); se coller quelque
chose dans le bocal (common :
bocal = paunch ) ; estropier
(popular = to maim) ; passer a
galtos ( nautical ) ; bourrer la
paillasse ( common = to stuff
the mattress ) ; faire trimer
le battant (thieves') ; jouer des
mandibules (popular) ; s'emplir le
gilet (popular — to fill one's waist-
coat) ; se garnir le bocal (popular :
to furnish one's paunch); se suiver
la gargarott sse (nautical : also = to
drink) ; babowner (popular) ;
charger la canonniere (popular:
canonnihe = \he breech) ; gousser
(popular) ; gouffier (obsolete).
GERMAN SYNONYMS. — Achile,
Achelinchen, or Acheliniken (from
Heb. Ochal) ; Achelputz (from
Heb. ochal + putzen from O.H.G.
bizan or pizzan = to eat).
ITALIAN SYNONYMS. —
Artibrio ; and, verbally, sbattere
( = to beat, to struggle) ; intappare
il fusto ( = to bung the cask) ;
smorfire.
SPANISH SYNONYMS. — Papar
(colloquial : from papa — pap) ;
hacer el buche (low : buche —
craw or crop) ; echar (colloquial) ;
manducar ; meter.
1659. Dialogue betwixt an Exciseman
and Death, transcribed from a Copy in
British Museum, printed in London by J.
C[lark]. I'll pass my word this night Shall
yield us GRUB before the morning light.
1725. New Cant. Diet. GRUB, s.v.,
victuals.
1781. G. PARKER, View of Society,
I., 171. How did you procure your GRUB
and BUB?
1789. GEO. PARKER, Life's Painter,
p. 149. BUB AND GRUB. A mighty low
expression, signifying victuals and drink.
1836. M. SCOTT, Tom Cringle's Log,
ch. iii. Poor Purser ! de people call him
Purser, sir, because him knowing chap ;
him cabbage all deGRUB, slush, and stuff in
him own corner.
d. 1842. MAGINN, Vidocq's Song. Any
bubby and GRUB, I say?
1857. THACKERAY, Shabby Genteel
Story, ch. i., p. 9. He used to ... have
his GRUB too on board.
1877. Five Years Penal Servitude,
ch. i., p. 45. 1 at once congratulated my-
self on not being a large eater, as there was
no doubt but my GRUB would run very
short if it depended on my oakum-picking.
1889. Star, 3 Dec., p. 2, c. 6. Of
course it was GRUB. It was for food, the
food for which they beg, and steal, and go
willingly to prison, for a certain good
square meal of meat.
1892. HUME NISBET, Bushrangers
Sweetheart, p. 154. That sad, sad secret
about Mary would keep him in GRUB for
the next day or two at 'The Rose in
Bloom.'
2. (old). — A short thick-set
man ; a dwarf. In contempt.
For synonyms, see HOP-O'-MY-
THUMB.
Grub.
225
G rubbing-crib.
3. (colloquial). — A dirty sloven ;
generally used of elderly people.
4. (American). — A careful
student ; a hard reader.
1856. HALL, College Words and
Phrases, quoted from Williams' Coll.
Quarterly, ii., 246. A hard reader or
student : e.g., not GRUBS or reading men,
only wordy men.
5. (American). — Foots and
stumps ; whatever is ' grubbed
up.'
6. (cricketers'). — A ball
delivered along the ground ; a
GROUNDER (q.V.) J a DAISY-
CUTTKR (q.v.). For synonyms,
see LOB-SNEAK.
1823. BEE, Diet, of the Turf. GRUB,
s.v.
Verb. (old). — I. To take or
supply with food. For synonyms,
see subs, sense I.
1725. New Cant. Diet. GRUB, s.v.,
to eat.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue. GRUB,
s.v., to dine.
1836. DICKENS, Pickwick, ch. xxii.,
p. 184. I never see such a chap to eat
and drink ; never. The red-nosed man
warn't by no means the sort of person you'd
like to GRUB by contract, but he was
nothin' to the shepherd.
1883. Daily Telegraph, 18 May, p. 3,
c. i. 'They are not bound to GRUB you,
don't you know,' said Mr. Sleasey, 'and
they try the starving dodge on you some-
times.'
2. (old). — To beg ; to ask for
alms, especially food.
3. (American). — To study, or
read hard ; to ' sweat. '
To RIDE GRUB, verb. phr.
(old). — To be sulky ; CRUSTY
(q.v.) ; disagreeable.
1785. GROSE, Vnlg. Tongue. To
RIDU GRUB, to le sullen or out 01 temper.
To GRUB ALONG, verb. phr.
(common). — To make one's way
as best one can ; ' to rub along. '
1888. Daily Telegraph, 19 Oct.
When a youth left school to follow the
pursuits of life he found that he had to
GRUB ALONG as best he could.
GRUBBING, subs, (common). —
Eating.
1819. MOORE, Tom Crib. What with
snoozing, high GRUBBING, and guzzling
like Cloe.
GRUBBERY, subs, (common). — (i)
an eating-house. Also (2) a
dining-room, and (3) the mouth.
GRUBBING-CRIB, subs, (general). —
i. An eating-house. GRUBBING-
CRIB FAKER = the landlord of a
cheap cookshop. Fr., le nour-
risseur ; Sp., un oitalero. See
GRUB SHOP, sense 2.
ENGLISH SYNONYMS. — Grub-
bery ; grubby-, or grubbing-ken ;
grub-shop ; guttle-shop ; hash-
house ; mungarly casa ; prog-
shop ; slap-bang shop ; tuck-
shop ; waste-butt.
FRENCH SYNONYMS. — Un
bourre - boyaux (popular — a
stuff-your-guts) ; un claqiiedents
(popular, also = a brothel, or
punting - house) ; une guingttte
(general) ; une mangeoire (popu-
lar = a grubbery : manger — to
eat) ; un mattais (popular) ; un
gargot (thieves').
GERMAN SYNONYM. — Achile-
bajes (from Heb., Ochal=to eat).
SPANISH SYNONYM.—
Ostaleria, or Osteria (also = lush-
crib).
Io23. BEE, Diet, of the Turf, s.v.
2. (tramps'). — A workhouse.
For synonyms, see SPINNIKEN.
Sometimes GRUBBIKEN.
15
G nibble.
226
Gruel.
1851-61. MAYHEW, Land. Lab. and
Lond. Poor, iii., 416. I know all the
good houses, and the tidy GRUBBIKKNS —
that's the unions where there's little or
nothing to do for the food we gets.
G RUBBLE, verb, (colloquial).— (i)
To feel for at random or in the
dark ; and (2) (venery) TO
GROPE (q.V.).
1684. DRYDEN, The Disappoint-
ment. ' Prologue.1 The doughty bullies
enter bloody drunk, Invade and GRUBBLE
one another's punk.
GRUBBY, subs, (thieves'). — Food.
[A diminutive of GRUB (q.v.).~\
d. 1842. MAGINN, Vidocq's Song. I
pattered in flash like a covey knowing, Tol
Jol, etc. Ay, bub or GRUBBY, I say.
Adj. (colloquial). — Dirly ;
slovenly.
d. 1845. HOOD, A Black Job, I .ike a
GRUBBY lot of sooty sweeps or colliers.
GRUB-HUNTING, subs, (tramps'). —
Begging for food.
GRUB-SHITE, verb. (old). — To
make foul or dirty ; to bewray.
— GROSE.
GRUB-SHOP, (or -CRIB, -TRAP, etc.),
subs, (common). — I. The mouth;
and (2) a GRUBBERY (q.v.). For
synonyms, see POTATO-TRAP.
1840. THACKERAY, Comic Almanack,
p. 229. 'That's the GRUB SHOP,' said my
lord, ' where we young gentlemen wot has
money buys our wittles.
3. See GRUBBING-CRIB in
both senses.
GRUB-STAKE, subs. (American). —
Food and other necessaries
furnished to mining prospectors
in return for a share in the ' finds.'
Hence, TO GRUB-STAKE — to
speculate after this lashion.
1884. BUTTERWORTH, Zig-zag Jour-
neys. When miners become so poor
that they are not able to furnish the neces-
sary tools and food with which to ' go pros-
pecting, a third party of sufficient means
offers to furnish tools and provisions on
condition that he is to have a certain interest
in anything that may be found.
1891. GUNTER, Miss Nobody of No-
ivhere, p. 100. He GRUB-STAKED us and
we used to work on the Tillie mine to-
gether.
GRUB-STREET, sttbs. (colloquial).
— The world of cheap, mean,
needy authors. [Originally a
. street near Moorfields, changed in
1830 to Milton Street.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
GRUB-STREET news, false, forg'd.
1728. POPE, Dunciad, iii., 135.
Shall take through GRUB - STREET his
triumphant round.
1785. GROSE, Vnlg. Tongue, s.v. A
GRUB-STREET writer means a hackney
author, who manufactures books for the
booksellers.
1813. J. and H. SMITH, Horace in
London, 'The Classic Villa.' GRUB-
STREET, 'tis called.
1821. EGAN, Life in London, \.
Few, if any, writers, out of the great mass
of living scribblers, whether of GRUB-
STREET fabrication, or of University pass-
port . . . possess souls above buttons.
1892. HUME NISBET, Bushrangers
Sweetheart, p. 119. We are going it,
have got our agents in GRUB STREET.
GRUEL, subs, (common). — I. A
beating; PUNISHMENT (q.v.}. For
synonyms, see TANNING. Hence,
TO GET (or GIVE) ONE'S GRUEL
= to castigate, or be well beaten ;
also killed. In the prize ring =
to knock a man out for good.
GRUELLED = floored; also
GRUELLING.
1815. SCOTT, Guy Mannering, ch.
xxviii. He gathered in general, that they
expressed great indignation against some
individual. 'He shall have his GRUEL,'said
one.
1837. BARHAM, Ingoldsby Legends.
' Babes in the Wood." He that was mild-
est in mood GAVE THE truculent rascal
HIS GRUEL.
1849. C. KINGSLEY, Alton Locke,
ch. xii. They were as well GRUELLED as
so many posters, before they got to the
stile.
Crueller.
227
Grunter.
1888. Sporting- Life, 15 Dec. Pre-
ferred to be easily knocked out to TAKING
HIS GRUEL like a man.
1891. Licensed Viet. Gaz., 23 Jan.
Both men were badly punished, but George
had, of course, the lion's share of the
GRUEL.
1891. Licensed Viet. Mirror, 30
Jan., p. 7, c. 3. All the advantage
rested with the same side for some little
time, Paddock getting such a GRUELLING
t'lat his head swelled out like a pumpkin.
2. (American thieves'). --
Coffee.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum, s.v.
CRUELLER, subs, (common). — A
knock-down blow ; a settler ; a
FLOORER (q.V.).
GRUMBLE-GUTS, subs, (popular). —
An inveterate croaker. Also
GRUMBLE-GIZZARD.
GRUMBLES. To BE ALL ON THE
GRUMBLES, verb. phr. (popular).
— To be discontented ; cross ; ON
THE SNARLY-YOW (q.V.}.
GRUMBLETONIAN, subs, (common).
— A pattern of discontent : one
ever on the grumble. [Grumble-
ton (during the reigns of the later
Stuarts) — an imaginary centre of
discontent ; hence, GRUMBLE-
TONIAN, a nickname of the
County party, distinguished from
the Court, as being in opposition.]
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew.
GRUMBI.ETONIANS, malecontents, out of
Humour with the Government, for want of
a Place, or having lost one.
1705-7. WARD, Hudibras kedivivus,
vol. I., pt. i, p. 24 (.»nd Ed.). But all the
GXUMBLETONIAN throng Did with such
violence rush along.
1773. GOLDSMITH, She Stoops to
Conquer, Act i. Now, if I pleased, I
could be so revenged upon the old
G2UMBLETONIAN.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue. GRUM-
BLETONIAN, s.v., a discontented person.
1 849-61 . MACAU LAY, Hist, of Eng. ,
ch. xix. Who were sometimes nicknamed
the GRUMBLETONIANS, and sometimes
honoured with the appellation of the
County party.
GRUMMET, subs, (venery). — The
female pudendum. For syn-
onyms, see MONOSYLLABLE.
GRUMPY (or GRUMPISH), adj.
(colloquial). — Surly ; cross ;
angry.
1840. MRS. TROLLOPE, Michael
Armstrong, ch. vi. If you blubber or
look GRUMPISH.
1859. SALA, Twice Round the Clock,
3 a.m., par. 13. Calling you a 'cross,
GRUMPY, old thing,' when you mildly
suggest that it is very near bed-time.
1868. Miss BRADDON, Trail of the
Serpent, bk. IV., ch. i. A GRUMPY old
deaf keeper, and a boy, his assistant.
1883. Punch, 19 May, p. 230, c. 2.
They all looked GRUMPY and down in the
mouth.
GRUNDY, subs. (old). — A short fat
man; a FORTY-GUTS (q.v.). — See
MRS. GRUNDY.
1563. Fox, Acts and Monuments
(London, 1844), iii., 1104. For that he
being a short GRUNDY, and of little
stature, did ride commonly with a great
broad hat.
GRUNTER, subs. (old). — i. A pig ;
a GRUNTING-CHEAT (q.V. ). In
quot. 1652 = pork. For syn-
onyms, see Sow's BABY.
1656. BROME, Jo-vial Crew. Here's
GRUNTER and bleater, with tib-of-the-
buttry.
1690. B. E., Diet. Can.'. Crew.
GRUNTER, s.v. A sucking pig.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue. GRUN-
TER, s.v.
1841. Comic Almanack, p. 266. And
the squeaking GRUNTER is loose on the
green.
1847-50. TENNYSON, Princess, v.
26. A draggled mawkin, That tends her
bristled GRUNTERS in the sludge.
Grunter* s-gig.
228
Guerrilla.
2. (common). — A sixpence. In
quot. 1785 = 15. Cf., HOG and
Fir,.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue
GRUNTER, s.v. A shilling.
1858. A. MAYHEW, Paved ivith
Gold, bk. III., ch. iii., p. 267. One of
the men . . . had only taken three
' twelvers ' [shillings] and a GRUNTER.
1885. Household Words, 20 June.
p. 155. The sixpence ... is variously
known as a ' pig,1 a ' sow's baby,' a
GRUNTER, and ' half a hog.'
3. (common). — A policeman ;
a TRAP (q.v.} ; a PIG (q.v. sense
2). For synonyms, see BEAK.
1820. London Magazine, i., 26. As
a bonnet against . . . GRUNTERS.
1859. M A T s E L L, Vocabulum.
GRUNTER, s.v., a country constable.
4. (tailors'). — An habitual
grumbler ; a GRUMBLE-GUTS
GRUNTER'S-GIG, subs. (old). — A
smoked pig's chap. — GROSE.
GRUNTING-CHEAT, subs, (old).— A
pig. See CHETE. For synonyms,
see Sow's BABY.
1567. HARMAN, Caveat, p. 86. She
has a cackling-chete, a GRUNTING-CHETE,
ruff pecke, cassan, and poplarr of yarum.
1622. FLETCHER, Beggars Bush, v.,
i. Or surprising a boor's ken for GRUNT-
ING-CHEATS ? Or cackling- cheats ?
GRUNTING-PECK, subs. (old). —
Pork or bacon.
1690. E. E., Diet. Cant. Crew
GRUNTING-PECK, s.v., pork.
1728. BAILEY, Eng. Diet., s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1836. SMITH, Individual. 'The
Thieves' Chaunt.' But dearer to me
Sue's kisses far Than GRUNTING PECK or
other grub are.
GRUTS, subs, (common). — Tea;
For synonyms, see SCANDAL-
BROTH.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
G. T. T. GONE TO TEXAS,
fhr. (American). — Absconded.
[Moonshinirg gentry used to
mark G. T. T. on the doors of
their abandoned dwellings as
a consolation for inquiring
creditors. ] Fr. , aller en Belgique.
For synonyms, see SWARTWORT.
1835. HALIBURTON, Clocktnaker,
5 S., ch. viii. Before this misfortin' came
I used to do a considerable smart chance
of business ; but now it's time for me to
cut dirt, and leave the country. I believe
I must hang out the G. T. T. sign.' —
'Why, what the plague is that?' says I.
1 GONE TO TEXAS,' said he.'
GUAGE.— See GAGE.
GUBBINS, subs. (old). — Fish-
offal.
1611. COTGRAVE, Dictionarie, q.v.
GUDGEON, subs, (old).— i. A bait ;
an allurement. Hence, To
GUDGEON (or TO SWALLOW A
GUDGEON) = to be extremely
credulous or gullible.
1598. SHAKSPEARE, Merchant of
Venice, i., i. But fish not with this
melancholy bait, For this fool's GUDGEON,
this opinion.
1598. FLORIO, Worlde of Wordes,
Bersela, s.v. To swallow a GUDGEON
... to believe any tale.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue,
GUDGEON, s.v. To swallow the bait, or
fall into a trap, from the fish of that name
which is easily taken.
1892. National Observer, 23 July,
vii., 235. It has educated Hodge into an
increased readiness to gorge any GUDGEON
that may be offered him.
2. (colloquial). - An easy dupe;
a BUFFLE (q.v.}.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
GUERRILLA, subs. (American
sharpers'). — See quot.
Guff.
229
Guinea-pig.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum, s.v.
Th's name is applied by gamblers to
fellows who skin suckers when and where
they can, who do not like the professional
gamblers, but try to beat them, sometimes
inform on them, and tell the suckers that
they have been cheated.
GUFF, subs, (common). — Humbug ;
bluff; jabber. For synonyms,
see GAMMON.
1889. Sportsman, 19 Jan. Hereafter
he can have the newspapers to himself,
and with that windbag Mitchell fill them
with GUFF and nonsense, but I won't
notice them.
GUFFY, subs, (nautical). — A soldier.
For synonyms, j^MUDCRUSHER.
GuiDERS,.yw&r. (general). — I. Reins;
RIBBONS (q.V.).
2. (common). — Sinews ; LEAD-
ERS (q.v.).
GUINEA. A GUINEA TO A GOOSE-
BERRY, phr. (sporting). — Long
odds. See LOMBARD STREET TO
A CHINA ORANGE.
1884. HAWLEY SMART, Post to
Finish, ch. vli. What ! old Writson
against Sam Pearson ? Why, it's a GUINEA
TO A GOOSEBERRY on Sam !
GUINEA - DROPPER, subs. (old). —
A sharper. Specifically one who
let drop counterfeit guineas in
collusion with a GOLD-FINDER
(q.v.). For synonyms, see ROOK.
1712. GAY, Trivia, iii., 249. Who
row the GUINEA DROPPER'S bait regards,
Tricked by the sharper's dice or juggler's
cards.
GUINEA • HEN, subs. (old). — A
courtezan. For synonyms, see
BARRACK-HACK and TART.
1602. SHAKSPEARE, Othello, \., 3.
Ere I would say 1 would drown myself
for the love of a GUINEA-HEN, I would
change mv humanity with a baboon.
1630. GLAPTHORNE, A Ibertus
Wallenstein. Vender's the cock o' the
game About to tread yon GUINEA-HEN,
they're billing.
GUINEA-PIG, subs. (old). — i, A
general term of reproach.
1748 SMOLLETT, Roderick Random,
xxiv. A good seaman he is, as ever
stepp'd on forecastle — none of your
GUINEA-PIGS, — nor your freshwater, wishy-
washy, fair-weather fowls.
2. ( old ). — Any one whose
nominal fee for professional ser-
vices is a guinea: as vets., special
jurymen, etc. Now mainly re-
stricted to clergymen acting as
deputies, and (in contempt) to
directors of public companies.
Hence GUINEA- TRADE = pro-
fessional services of any kind.
1821. COOMBE, Dr. Syntax, Tour
III., c. iv. ' Oh, oh,' cried Pat, ' how my
hand itches, Thou GUINEA-PIG [a 'vet.'],
in boots and breeches, to trounce thee
well.'
1871. Temple Bar, vol. xxxi.,
p. 320. A much more significant term is
that of GUINEA PIGS, the pleasant name
for those gentlemen of more rank than
means, who hire themselves out as
directors of public companies, and who
have a guinea and a copious lunch when
they attend board meetings.
1880. Church Review, 2 Jan.
GUINEA PIGS . . . are, for the most part,
unattached or roving parsons, who will take
any brother cleric's duty for the moderate
remuneration of one guinea.
1883. Saturday Review, 25 Aug.,
p. 246, c. 2. A country parson was
suddenly attacked with diphtheria, late in
the week. Recourse was had in vain to
the neighbours, and it was decided at last
to telegraph to London for a GUINEA ru;.
1884. Echo, 19 May, p. i, c. 5.
Let us apply the principle further, and
imagine . . . limited liability swindlers
tried by a jury of GUINEA-PIGS and com-
pany promoters.
Guise s Geese.
230
Gulf.
1884. Graphic, 29 Nov., p. 562,
c. 3. And the GUINEA-FIG, whose name
is on a dozen different Boards, is justly
regarded with suspicion.
1886. Chambers s Jour., 24 Apr.,
p. 258. In order to be considered of any
value as Director of a Company, a
GUINEA-PIG ought to have a handle to his
name.
1887. PAVN, Glow Worm Talcs,
'A Failure of Justice.' He is best known
to the public as a GUINEA-PIG, from his
habit of sitting at boards and receiving for
it that nominal remuneration, though in his
case it stands for a much larger sum.
1889. DRAGE, Cyril, vii. The rector
has, as usual, got the gout, and we live
under a regime of GUINEA-PIGS.
1890. Standard, 26 June, p. 5, c. 4.
The least attempt to saddle responsibility
for misleading statements upon Boards of
Directors would drive prudent, ' respect-
able ' men out of what is vulgarly called
the GUINEA-PIG business.
3. (nautical). — See quot.
1840. MARRYAT, Poor Jack, ch.
xxvi. While Bramble was questioned by
the captain and passengers, I was attacked
by the midshipmen, or GUINEA-PIGS as
they are called.
GUISE'S GEESE, subs. phr. (mili-
tary).— The Sixth Foot or ' Saucy
Sixth.' [From its Colonel's
name, I735-63-J
GuiVER, subs. (theatrical). — (i) Flat-
tery, and (2) ARTFULNESS (q.v.}.
For synonyms, see SOFT SOAP.
Adj. (common). — Smart ;
fashionable; ON IT (q.v.}. GUIVER
LAD = a low-class dandy ; also
an ARTFUL MEMBER (q.V.).
«. 1866. VANCE, Chickaleary Cove.
The stock around my squeeze of a GUIVER
colour see.
Verb (sporting). — To hum-
bug ; TO FOOL ABOUT (q.v.} ; to
show off.
1891. Sporting Life, 25 Mar. He
goes into a ring to fight his man, not to
spar and look pretty, and run, and dodge,
and GUIVER.
GULF, subs, (old).— i. The throat ;
also the maw. For synonyms,
see GUTTER- ALLEY.
1579. SPENCER, Shepheardes Calen-
dar, Sept. That with many a lamb had
glutted his GULF.
2. (Cambridge Univ.). — The
bottom of a list of ' passes,'
with the names of those who
only just succeed in getting their
degree.
1852. BRISTED, Five Years in an
P.nglish University, p. 205. Some ten or
fifteen men just on the line, not bad
enough to be plucked, or good enough to
be placed, are put into the GULF, as it is
popularly called (the examiners' phrase is
' degrees allowed '), and have their degrees
given them, but are not printed in the
calendar.
3. (Oxford Univ.).— A man
who, going in for honours, only
gets j.pass.
Verb (Cambridge Univ.). — To
place in the GULF, subs., sense 2
(q.V.) ', TO BE GULFED = to be
on such a list. [Men so placed
were not eligible for the Classical
Tripos]. C/., PLUCK and
PLOUGH.
1853. BRADLEY, Verdant Green, pt.
iii., p. 89. I am not going to let them
GULPH me a second time.
1863. H. KINGSI.EY, Austin Elliot^ p.
123. The good Professor scolded, pre-
dicted that they would all be either GULFED
or ploughed.
1865. Sporting Gaz., i Apr. A man
who was GULFED for mathematical honours
was certainly, in olden time, unable to
enter for the classical examination ; but
though the arrangement is altered, the
term is not obsolete. A man who is GULFED
is considered to know enough mathematics
for an ordinary degree, but not enough to
be allowed his degree in mathematics only;
he is consequently obliged to pass in all the
ordinary subjects (except mathematics) for
the ' poll,' before taking his degree.
Gulf-spin.
23*
Gull.
1876. TREVELYAN, Life of Macaulay
(1884), ch. ii., p. 61. When the Tripos
of 1822 made its appearance, his name did
not grace the list. In short .... Macaulay
was GULFED.
1852. BRISTED, Five Years in an
English University, p. 297. I discovered
that my name was nowhere to be found —
that I was GULFED.
GULF-SPIN, subs. (American cadet).
— A rascal ; a worthless fellow ;
A BEAT (q.V.} a SHYSTER (q.V.}.
GULL, subs, (old, now recognised).
— I. A ninny. For synonyms,
see BUFFLE and CABBAGE-HEAD.
1593. SIR J. DAVIES, Book of Epi-
grams. A GULL is he whofeares a velvet
gowne, And when a wench is brave dares
not speak to her ; A GULL is he which
traverseth the towne, And is for marriage
known a common wooer ; A GULL is he,
which while he proudly weares A silver-
hiked rapier by his side. Indures the lye
and knockes about the eares, While in his
sheath his sleeping sword doth bide. But
to define a GULL in termes precise — A GULL
is he which seems, and is not, wise.
1598. FLORID, A World of Wordes,
passim.
1609. JONSON, Case is Altered,
>VM 3. fun. Tut, thou art a goose to be
Cupid's GULL.
Ifi09. SHAKSPEARE, Timon of Athens.
Lord Timon will be left a naked GULL.
Which flashes now a phoenix.
1614. OVERBURV, Characters. 'A
Roaring Boy.' He cheats young GULS
that are newly come to town.
1618. ROWLANDS, Night Raven, p.
28 CH. C. Rept., 1872). I know the houses
where base cheaters vse, And note what
GULLS (to worke vpon) they chuse.
1661. BROME, Poems, ' The Cure of
Care: Those GULLS that by scraping and
toiling.
1818. S. E. FERRIER, Marriage, ch.
li. The poor GULL was caught, and is now,
I really believe, as much in love as it is in
the nature of a stupid man to be.
1850. D. TERROLD, The Catspaw,
Act i. Pshaw ! some rascal that lives on
simpletons and GULLS.
1892. R. L. STEVENSON and L.
OSBOURNE, The Wrecker, p. 231. I was
a dweller under roofs; the GULL of that
which we call civilisation.
2. (old). — A cheat ; a fraud ; a
trick.
1600. SHAKSPEARE, Much Ado
about Nothing, ii., 3. I should think this
a GULL, but that the white-bearded fellow
speaks it.
1611. COTGRAVE, Dictionarie, q.v.
3. (Oxford Univ.). — Aswindler;
a trickster. Cf., GULL-CATCHER,
of which it is probably an abbre-
viation.
1825. The English Spy, \. I., p. 161.
' You'll excuse me, sir, but as you fcrt/fwA,
take care to avoid the GULLS.' ' 1 never
understood that GULLS were birds of prey,'
said I. 'Only in Oxford, sir, and here, I
assure you, they bite like hawks.'
Verb (old : now recognised). —
To cheat ; to dupe ; to victimise ;
TO TAKE IN (q.v.). in any
fashion and to any purpose.
1596. JONSON. Every Man in his
Humour, v. This is a mere trick, a de-
vice, you are GULLED in this most grossly.
1602. SHAKSPEARE, Twelfth Night,
ii.,3. Mar. For Monsieur Maluolio, let me
alone with him ; If I do not GULL him into
a nayword, and make him a common re-
creation, do not thinke I haue witte enough
tc lye straight in my bed ; I know I can
do it.
1607. ROWLANDS, Diogenes, his Lan-
thorne, p. n (H. C. Rept. 1873). He
promist me good stuffe truly, a great penny-
worth indeed, and verily did GULL me.
1610. JONSON, Alchemist, v., 2.
Hast thou GULLED her of her jewels or her
bracelets ?
1639. SELDEN, Table Talk, p. 98
(Arber's ed.). Presbyters have the greatest
power of any Clergy in the world, and GULL
the Laity most.
1778. Sketches for Tabernacle-
Frames, p. 25, note. These fanatica
Preachers frequently squeeze out Tears to
GULL their Audience.
G ullage.
23 2
Gull-groper.
1851-61. MAYHEW, Land. Lab. and
Lond. Poor, I., 472. It's generally the
lower order that he GULLS.
1892. HENLEY and STEVENSON,
Deacon Brodie, ix. Pay your debts, and
GULL the world a little longer.
Hence GULLIBLE, adj., =
easily duped.
1841. THACKERAY, CharacterSketches
'Fashionable Authoress.' And, gulled them-
selves, gull the most GULLABLE of publics.
GULLAGE, subs, (old colloquial). —
The act of trickery ; the state of
being gulled.
1605. B. JONSON, Fi>#0«£, v., 5. Had
you no quirk To avoid GULLAGE, sir,
by such a creature ?
1611. CHAPMAN, May Day, Act II.,
p. 284 (Plays, 1874). For procuring you
the dear GULLAGE of my sweetheart,
Mistress Franceschina.
GULL-CATCHER (or GULLER, GULL-
SHARPER, etc.), sitbs. (old). — A
trickster ; a cheat. See GULL,
senses I and 3.
1602. SHAKSPEARE, Twelfth Night,
ii., 5. Here comes my noble GULL-
CATCHER.
GULLERY, subs, (old colloquial). —
Dupery ; fraud ; a cheat's device.
Cf., GULLAGE.
1596. JONSON, Every Man in His
Humour, iii., 2. Your Balsamum and
your St. John's wort are all mere GULLERIES
and trash to it.
1608. JOHN DAY, Humour out of
Breath, Act iv., Sc. 3. I am guild,
palpably guild . . . and mine owne
GULLERY grieves me not half so much as
the Dukes displeasure.
1630. TAYLOR, Works. Neverthelesse,
whosoever will but looke into the lying
legend of golden GULLERY, there they shall
finde that the poore seduced ignorant
Romanists doe imitate all the idolatrous
fornication of the heathen pagans and
infidels.
1633. lie of Guls. Upon you both,
so, so, so, how greedily their inventions
like beagles follow the sent of their
owne GULLERY, yet these are no fooles, God
forbid, not they.
1(533. MARMION, Fine Companion.
Lit. What more GULLERIES yet? they
have cosend mee of my daughters, I hops
they will cheate me ot my wite too : have
you any more of these tricks to shew, ha?
1689. SELDEN, Table Talk, p. 38
(Arber's ed.). And how can it be proved,
that ever any man reveal'd Confession,
when there is no Witness? And no man
can be Witness in his own cause. A meer
GULLERY.
1819. H. MORE, Defence of Moral
Cabbala, ch. iii. The sweet deception and
GULLERY of their own corrupted fancy.
1821. SCOTT, Kenii 'worth, ch. xx.
Do you think, because I have good-
naturedly purchased your trumpery goods
at your roguish prices, that you may put
any GULLERY you will on me?
GULLET, su&s. (old: now recog-
nised).— The throat. For syn-
onyms, see GUTTER- ALLEY.
1383. CHAUCER, Canterbury Tales,
12,477. [Quoted in Ency. Diet.} Out of
the harde bones knocken they The mary,
for they casten nought away, That may
go thurgh the GULLET soft and sole.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Cre'v,
GULLET, s.v. A Derisory Term for the
Throat, from Gula.
1836. DICKENS, Pickwick, ch. 15.
So he puts a pistol to his mouth, and he
fires it down his GULLET.
1893. National Observer, x. 168.
Through sympathetic GULLETS.
GULL-FINCH, subs. (old). — A
simpleton ; a fool. For syn-
onyms, see BUFFLE and CAB-
BAGE-HEAD.
1630. TAYLOR, Works. For 'tis con-
cluded 'mongst the wizards all, To make
thee master of GUL-FINCHES hall.
GULL-GROPER, subs. (old). — A
gamesters' money-lender.
1609. DEKKER, Lanthorne and
Candle-light. The GUL-GROPERI s com-
monly an old mony - monger, who having
travaild through all the follyes of the world
in his youth, knowes them well, and
shunnes them in his age, his whole felicitie
being to fill his bags with golde and silver.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew.
GULL-GROPER, s.v. A Bystander that
Lends Money to the Gamesters.
178f>. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
Gutty.
233
Gu in .
GULLY, subs, (common). — i. The
throat. For synonyms, see GUT-
TER-ALLEY.
2. (venery). — The female
pudendum. For synonyms, see
MONOSYLLABLE.
3. (old and Scots'). — A knife.
For synonyms, see CHIVE.
1653. URQUHART, Rabelais, bk. I.,
ch. xxvii. Fair GULLIES which are little
haulch-backed demi-knives.
1785. /BURNS, Death and Dr. Horn-
book. I red ye weel, tak care o' skaith,
See, there's a GULLY.
1789. BURNS, Address to Captain
Grose. The knife that nickit Abel's craig,
He'll prove ye fully It was a faulding
jocteleg, Or lang-kail GULLY.
Verb (common). — To GULL
(q.v.) ; to dupe ; to swindle. For
synonyms, see STICK.
1834. AINSWORTH, Rookwood, bk.
III., ch. v. I rode about and speechified,
and everybody GULLIED.
GULLY- FLUFF, subs, (colloquial). —
Pocket-filth ; BEGGAR'S VELVET
(g.v.). Also FLUE (q.v.).
GULLY-GUT, suts. and adj. (com-
mon).—A glutton. For synonyms,
see STODGER.
1598. FLORID, A Worlde of Wordes.
Crapulatore, a surfeiter ; a gormand ; a
glutton ; a GULLIE-GUT.
1672. LESTRANGE, Fables. A GULLI-
GUT friar.
GULLY - HOLE (or GULLY), subs.
(common). — I. The throat, or
gullet. For synonyms, see GUT-
TER-ALLEY.
2. (venery). — The female
pudendum. For synonyms, see
MONOSYLLABLE.
GULLY-RAKER, subs. phr. (venery).
— I. The penis; and (2) a
wencher. For synonyms, see
CREAMSTICK, PRICK, and MOL-
ROWER.
2. (Australian). A cattle-whip ;
a cattle-thief.
1881. A. C. GRANT, Bush Life in
Queensland . . . following up his admoni-
tion by a sweeping cut of his GULLY-
RAKER, and a report like a musket-shot.
GULPIN, subs, (common). — A
simpleton; a GAPESEED (q.v.).
Fr. , un gobemouche ; line eponge.
For synonyms, see BUFFLE and
CABBAGE-HEAD.
1886. W. BESANT, World Went
Very Well Then, ch. xxix. But Jack
persisted, and I rose too. ' Go then ! ' the
Admiral roared, with a great oath. ' Go
then, for a brace of GULPINS !'
GULPY, adj. (common). — Easily
duped.
GULSH. TO HOLD ONE*S GULSH,
verb. phr. (provincial). — To hold
one's tongue ; to keep quiet.
GUM, subs. (old). — i. Chatter;
talk ; JAW (q.v.). Also abuse.
1751. SMOLLETT, Peregrine Pickle,
ch. xiv. There's no occasion to bowse
out so much unnecessary GUM.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
Come let us have no more of your GUM.
1824. R. B. PEAKE, Americans
Abroad, i., i. Dou. Come, none of your
GUM — now you are but an underlin', tho'
you are so uppish and twistical — where's
the chair?
2. (American). — A trick ; a
piece of dupery ; a SELL (q.v.).
Also GUMMATION.
3. (American). — A golosh ;
an india-rubber overshoe. [Short
for 'gum-shoes.']
1872. Morning Post, g Jan. For-
bidding him again to cross her threshold
or to leave his GUM-SHOES in her hall.
Verb (common). — To cheat ;
to TAKE IN (q.V.), tO ROAST (q.V.)
or quiz. For synonyms, see
GAMMON.
Gumntdgy.
234
Gum-suck.
1859. SALA, Twice Round the Clock,
6 p.m., par. I. I began to think either
that he was quizzing me — GUMMING is the
proper Transatlantic colloquialism, I think.
1875. ' American English ' in Chamb.
Journal, 25 Sept., p. 611. To 'gum-tree'
is to elude, to cheat [from opossum], and
this again is shortened into ' to gum,' as
the phrase, 'Now don't you try to GUM
me.'
OLD MOTHER GUM, subs. phr.
(common). — An old woman : in
derision.
BY GUM ! intj. (common). —
A mild oath. For synonyms,
see OATHS.
1860. HALIBURTON ('Sam Slick'),
The Season Ticket, No. ix. BY GUM,
Squire Shegog, we have had the greatest
bobbery of a shindy in our carriage you
ever knowed in all our born days.
BLESS YOUR (or HIS, HER,
ITS, etc.) GUMS, phr. (common).
— -A piece of banter : a facetious
way of saying ' Bless your soul ! '
GUMMAGY, adj. (common). — Snarl-
ing ; of a scolding habit.
GUMMED, adj. (billiards).— Said
of a ball close to the cushion.
GUMMY, subs, (common). — i. A
toothless person ; i.e., with nothing
but gums to show. Generally,
OLD GUMMY.
2. (thieves').— Medicine. Also
GUMMY-STUFF.— MATSELL.
3. (common). — A dullard ; a
fool. For synonyms, see BUFFLE
and CABBAGE-HEAD.
Adj. ( common ). — Puffed ;
swollen ; clumsy.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
GUMMEY, clumsy, particularly applied to
the ancles of men, or women, and the legs
of horses.
To FEEL GUMMY, verb. phr.
(University). — To perspire.
GUMP, subs, (common). — A dolt.
For synonyms, see BUFFLE and
CABBAGE-HEAD.
1825. NEAL, Bro. Jonathan, bk. II.,
ch. xv. He's . . . sort of a nateral too,
I gues>s ; rather a GUMP, hey?
GUMPTION, subs, (colloquial).—
Cleverness ; understanding ;
NOUS (</.£'.). Also RUM GUMP-
TION.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue. GUMP-
TION, or RUM GUMPTION, s.v., docility,
comprehension, capacity.
1787. GROSE, Prov. Glossary, s.v.
' Gawm.' Gawm, to understand ; I dinna
gawm ye, I don't understand you. Hence,
possibly, gawmtion, or GUMPTION, under-
standing.
1834. Atlantic Club-book, I., 33.
D'ye think I'm a fellow of no more GUMP-
TION than that ?
184:3. Comic Almanack. Poor beasts,
'tis very clear, To any one possess'd of
GUMPTION, That if they'd not come over
here, They'd have been carried off by home
consumption.
1853. LYTTON, My Novel, bk. IV.,
ch. xii. GUMPTION — it means cleverness.
1883. Daily Telegraph, 25 June, p.
3, c. 2. But poor people— leastways,
those that have got any GUMPTION — know
better than that.
1890. Notes and Queries, 7 S., x., 303.
As familiar as the Greek word nous for
what .... is known ... as GUMPTION.
GUMPTIOUS, adj. (colloquial).—
Shrewd ; intelligent ; vain.
1853. LYTTON, My Novel, bk. IV.,
ch. xii. Landlord. There's gumption
and GUMPTIOUS ! Gumption is knowing,
but when I say that sum un is GUMPTIOUS,
I mean — though that's more vulgar like—
sum un who does not think small beer of
hisself. You take me, sir?
GUM-SMASHER (or TICKLER), subs.
(common). — A dentist. For
synonyms, see SNAG-CATCHER.
GUM-SUCK, verb. (American). — To
flatter ; to humbug ; to dupe
For synonyms, see GAMMON.
Gum-sucker.
235
Gun.
GUM -SUCKER, subs. (Australian). —
i. See quot. Cf., CORN-STALK.
1887. All the Year Round, 30 July,
y. 67. A GUM-SUCKER is a native of
Tasmania, and owes his elegant nickname
to the abundance of gum - trees in the
Tasmanian forests.
2. (common). — A fool. For
synonyms, see BUFFLE and
CABBAGE-HEAD.
GUM-TICKLER, subs, (colloquial). —
I. A drink. Specifically, DROP
or SHORT, or a dram. For syn-
onyms, see Go.
1814. Quarterly Review, vol. X.,
p. 521. A gill, taken fasting, is called
a GUM-TICKLER.
1864. DICKENS, Our Mutual Friend,
b!c. IV., ch. iii. I prefer to take it in the
form of a GUM-TICKLER.
2. See GUM-SMASHER.
GUM-TREE. To BE UP A GUM-
TREE, verb. phr. (American). —
To be on one's last legs; at the
end of one's rope. ' He has seen
his last GUM-TREE ' = It is all up
with him.
GUN, subs. (old). — i. A lie. New
Cant. Diet., 1725. For syn-
onyms, see WHOPPER.
2. (common). — A thief; specifi-
cally, a MAGSMAN (q.v.) or street-
artist. Also GUN-SMITH and
GUNNER. GUNNING = thieving.
[An abbreviation of GONOF
(?.».).] See AREA-SNEAK and
THIEVES.
1858. A. MAYHEW, Paved -with
Gold, bk. II., ch. i., p. 70. I tell you
you ain't a-going to make a GUN (thief) of
this here young flat.
1868. Temple Bar, xxv., 213. . . .
returned to his old trade of GUNSMITH,
GUNNING being the slang term for
thieving, or going on the cross.
1882. Cornhill Mag., p. 649. Flats
graft for GUNS.
1889.. GLARKSON and RICHARDSON,
Police. 'GUNNERS and grasshoppers sneak
about watching their opportunities.
3. (American). — A revolver.
For synonyms, see MEAT-IN-THE
POT.
4. (Irish). — A toddy glass.
See IN THE GUN.
Verb (American). — i. To
consider with attention.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum, s.v.
GUNNED. The copper GUNNED me as if
he was fly to my mug.
2. (American). — To strive
hard ; to make a violent effort :
e.g., to GUN A STOCK = to use
every means to produce a
'break'; when supplies are
heavy and holders would be
unable to resist.
IN THE GUN, phr. (old). —
Drunk. For synonyms, see
DRINKS and SCREWED.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue. GUN,
s.v., he's IN THE GUN, he is drunk, per-
haps from an allusion to a vessel called a
GUN, used for ale in the universities.
SON OF A GUN. See SON.
SURE AS A GUN, phr. (com-
mon).— Quite certain; inevitable.
1633. JONSON, Tale of a Tub, ii., i.
'Tis right; he has spoke as TRUE AS A GUN,
believe it.
1690. B.E., Diet. Cant. Crew.
1694. CoNGREVE,Z?0w£/<? Dealer,^., 20.
All turned topsy-turvy, as SURE AS A GUN.
1720. GAY, New Song of New Similes.
SURE AS A GUN she'll drop a tear.
1749. FIELDING, Tom Jones, bk.
xviii., ch. ix. As SURE AS A GUN I have
hit o' the very right o't.
1759. STERNE, Tristran Shandy, vol.
vi., ch. xxvi. Think ye not that, in strik-
ing these in, — he might, peradventure,
strike something out ? as SURE AS A GUN.
1825. EGAN, Life of an Actor, iv. By
gum ! he roared out, sir, AS SURE AS A GUN.
d. 1842. FATHER PROUT, Reliques, I.
19. ' Vert-Vert, the Parrot.' Scared at
the sound,— «!£LRE AS A GUN, The bird's
a demon ! ' eried the nun.
Gundiguts.
Gushing.
1849. THACKERAY, Pendennis, ch.
Iviii. In every party of the nobility his
name's down as SURE AS A GUN.
1891. N. GOULD, Double Event, p.
141. Nobbed, SURE AS A GUN !
1892. MANVILLE FENN, NewMistress,
xxxv. They were both down there about
that school-money Betsey, as SURE AS A
GUN.
GUNDIGUTS, sttbs. (common) — A
fat man ; a FORTY GUTS (q.v.}.
1690. B.E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
GUNNER'S DAUGHTER. To Kiss
(or MARRY) THE GUNNER'S
DAUGHTER, verb. phr. (nauti-
cal). To be flogged. [GUNNER'S
DAUGHTER = the gun to which
boys were lashed for punish-
ment.]
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1833. MARRYAT, Peter Simple, ch.
xxxii. I don't know what officers are
made of now-a-days. I'll marry some
of you young gentlemen to the GUNNER'S
DAUGHTER before long. Quarter-decks
no better than a bear-garden.
GUNPOWDER, subs. (old). — An old
woman.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s. v.
GUNTER. — See COCKER.
GUP, subs. (Anglo-Indian). — Gos-
sip ; scandal.
1868. FLORENCE MARRYATT. Gup,
xix. With regard to my title . . . Gyp
is the Hindustani for ' Gossip.' Voild
tout !
1883. HAWLEY SMART, Hard Lines,
ch. xxix. Our Eastern empire is much
addicted to what they term GUP, whereby
they mean gossip, scandal, or by whatever
other equivalent the taking away of one's
neighbours' characters may be designated.
To BE A GUP, verb. phr.
(American). — To be easy to lake
or steal.
GURTSEY, subs. (American Cadet).
— A fat man; a PODGE (q.v.}.
For synonyms, see FORTY-GUTS.
GUSH, subs, (colloquial). — The
expression of affected or extrava-
gant sentiment.
1883. Saturday Review, 3 Feb.,
p. 148, c. 2. Mr. Picton's style is
pleasant and easy, as long as he allows
himself to be natural, and does not fall
into GUSH.
1886. Church Times, 17 Sep. Not
mere GUSH or oratorical flip-flap.
Verb (colloquial). — To over-
flow with extravagant or affected
sentiment.
1883. Miss BRADDON, Golden Calf,
ch. vii. ' Yes, and you saw much of each
other, and you became heart-friends,'
GUSHED Miss Wolf, beaming benevolently
at Brian.
GUSHER, subs, (colloquial). — A
practitioner of GUSH (q.v.}. Also
GUSHINGTON.
1864. E. YATES, Broken to Harness,
ch. vi., p. 66 (1873). The enthusiastic
GUSHER who flings his or herself upon our
necks, and insists upon sharing our sorrow.
1882. Miss BRADDON, Mount Royal,
ch. viii. ' But, surely there is nothing
improper in the play, dear Lady Cumber-
bridge,' exclaimed the eldest GUSHER, too
long in society to shrink from sifting any
question of that kind.
GUSHING, adj. (colloquial). — Ex-
travagant ; affected or irrational
in expression ; demonstratively
affectionate. Also GUSHINGLY.
1864. _ ' The Campaigner ' (No. XVI.),
in Frasers Mag., p. 627. Donald did not
belong to what, in the slang of translated
Cockneys, is called the GUSHING School.
1864. Punch' s Almanack, 'Our Growl-
ing Bard.' Some, I admit, are Milingtary
Dears, As GUSHING ladies say, and some
are Muffs.
1872. Sunday Times, 18 Aug. This
however, was no surprise to the plaintiff, it
having been understood from the first that
the parties being past the GUSHING age
the letters between them should be of a
business character.
1880. OUIDA, Moths, ch. viii. Your
heroics count for nothing. All girls of
sixteen are GUSHING and silly.
Gusset.
237
Gut.
1883. HARGRAVE JENNINGS, quoted
in Saturday Review, 28 Apr., p. 536,
c. i. Women are not the GUSHINGLY
credulous creatures that man in his con-
stant condescension and in his appreciation
of himself would deem.
1884. F. ANSTEY, Giant's Robe,
ch. xx. 'It's not precisely GUSHING,' he
said to himself, 'but she couldn't very
well say more just yet.'
GUSSET, suds, (common). — Generic
for the female sex. Thus,
BROTHER (or KNIGHT, or
SQUIRE) OF the GUSSET = a
pimp; GUSSETTING= wenching;
GussETEER = a wencher ; etc.
GUSSET OF THE ARSE, subs,
phr. (common). — The inside edge
of the buttocks.
d. 1796. BURNS, Merry Muses,
pp. 99-100. An' he grippit her fast by
the GUSSET OF HER ARSE.
GUT, subs, (vulgar). — The vice or
habit of gluttony ; the belly [as
opposed to the GROIN (g.v.).]
2. in. pi. (common). — The
stomach and intestines.
1609. DEKKER, GuFs Horne-Booke,
chap. ii. The Neapolitan will (like
DERICK, the hangman) embrace you with
one arme, and rip your GUTS with the
other.
1640. RAWLTNS, The Rebellion, iii.
(DODSLEY, Old Plays, 4th ed., 1875, xiv.,
48). Thou hast a GUT could swallow a
peck loaf.
1661. BROME, Poems, 'A Satire on
the Rebellion." The grumbling GUTS, the
belly of the State.
1713. BENTLEY, On Free Thinking,
sect. 53. What then was our writer's soul ?
Was it brain or GUTS ?
1754. FIELDING, Jonathan Wild,
"ok. iv., c. i. But so it was that the
knife, missing these noble parts (the
noblest of many) THE GUTS, perforated
only the hollow of his belly.
1787. BURNS, Death and Dr. Horn-
book, st. 27. A ccuntra Laird had ta'e n
the batts, Or some curmurring in his
GUTS.
3. in. pi. (old). — A fat man ;
a FORTY - GUTS (q.V.\ Also
GUTS - AND - GARBAGE. MORE
GUTS (also MORE BALLS) THAN
BRAINS = a fool.
1598. SHAKSPEARE, Henry IV., pt. i,
ii., 2. Peace, ye fat-GUTS.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
GUTTS, a very fat gross Person.
4. (artists' and colloquial). —
Spirit ; quality ; a touch of force,
or energy, or fire : e.g., a picture,
a book, an actor. WITH GUTS
= a strong thing. Put your
GUTS into it (aquatic) = Row the
very best you can. He (or it)
has NO GUTS in him (or it) = He
(or it) is a COMMON ROTTER
(q.v.}. Hence, GUTSY, adj. =
having GUTS, and GUTSINESS,
subs. =. the condition of being
GUTSY.
1738. SWIFT, Polite Conversation, I.
The fellow's well enough if he had any
GUTS in his brain.
1893. Pall Mall Budget. No. 1292
(June 29), iqo6. The body of the cigar,
or what might vulgarly be called the GUTS.
Verb (vulgar). — I. To plunder,
or take out all or most of the
contents (i.e., intestines) of a
place or thing ; to drain ; to
'clean out': e.g., TO GUT A
HOUSE (thieves') = to rifle it ;
to GUT AN OYSTER = to eat it;
TO GUT A BOOK = to empty it
of interesting matter ; TO GUT
A QUART POT = to drain at a
draught. Whence, GUTTED =
dead-broke.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1819. MOORE, Tom Crib, p. i.
Whether diddling your subjects or
GUTTING their jobs.
1849-61. MACAULAY, Hist, of Eng-
land. The king's printing-house . . .
was, to use a coarse metaphor, which then
for the first time came into fashion, com-
pletely GUTTED.
Gut-entrance.
238
Gutter.
1S92. R. L. STEVENSON and L.
OSBOUKNE, The Wrecker, p. 373. Well,
we've got the GUTS out of you !
2. (schools'). — To eat hard,
fast, and badly. For synonyms,
see WOLF.
To FRET ONE'S GUTS, verb. phr.
(common). — To worry.
TO HAVE PLENTY OF GUTS
BUT NO BOWELS, verb. phr.
(common). — To be unfeeling,
hard, merciless.
MY GREAT GUTS ARE READY
TO EAT MY LITTLE ONES, phr.
(old). — 'I am very hungry.' Also,
MY GUTS BEGIN TO THINK MY
THROAT'S CUT ; MY GUTS CURSE
MY TEETH J and MY GUTS CHIME
TWELVE. — GROSE.
NOT FIT TO CARRY GUTS TO A
BEAR, phr. (common). — To be
worthless; absolutely unmannerly;
UNFIT FOR HUMAN FOOD (q.V.).
GUT- ENTRANCE, subs, (venery). —
The female pt^dend^i1n. Also
FRONT-GUT. For synonyms, see
MONOSYLLABLE.
GUT-FOUNDERED, adj. (old). —
Exceedingly hungry.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
GUT- PUDDING, subs. (old). — A
sausage. — Nomenclator ( 1 696).
For synonyms, see MYSTERIES.
GUT-PULLER, subs, (common). — A
poulterer; a CHICKEN-BUTCHER
(f.tv).
GUT-SCRAPER, subs, (common).—
A fiddler. Also CATGUT SCRAPER,
and. TORMENTOR OF CATGUT.
For synonymns, see ROSIN-THE-
BOW.
1719. DURFEY, Pills, ii., 218. 'A
Song' etc. Strike up, drowsie GUT
SCRAPERS.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1785. BURNS, Jolly Beggars. Her
charms had struck a sturdy Caird, As
weel's a poor GUT-SCRAPER.
1834. W. H. AINSWORTH, Rook-
wood, p. 192 (ed. 1864). Make ready
there, you GUT-SCRAPERS, you shawm-
shavers ; I'll put your lungs in play for
you presently. In the mean time — charge,
pals, charge — a toast, a toast !
1834. MARRYAT, Peter Simple, ch.
xxxi. ' You may save yourself the trouble,
you dingy GUT-SCRAPER," replied O'Brien
[addressing a fiddler].
GUT-STICK, subs, (venery). — The
penis. For synonyms, see CREAM-
STICK and PRICK. To HAVE A
BIT (or A TASTE) OF THE GUT-
STICK = to copulate (of women
only).
GUT-STICKER, stt&s. phr. (venery).
— A sodomite. Also GUT-
FUCKER and GUT-MONGER. For
synonyms, see USHER.
GUTTER, subs. (American thieves').
— i. Porter.— MATSELL. [Prob-
ably a corruption of GATTER
2. (venery). — The female pu-
dendum. For synonyms, see
MONOSYLLABLE.
Verb (Winchester College).- -
To fall in the water flat on the
stomach. Fr., p^q^ler wi plat-
venire.
TO LAP THE GUTTER, verb.
phr. (common). — To be in the
last stage of intoxication. For
synonyms, see DRINKS and
SCREWED.
CARRY ME OUT AND LEAVE
ME IN THE GUTTER, phr.
(American). — See CARRY ME
OUT.
Gutter-alley.
239
Guttle.
GUTTER-ALLEY (or LANE), subs.
(common). — The throat. ALL
GOES DOWN GUTTER-LANE =
* He spends all on his stomach.'
ENGLISH SYNONYMS. — Beer
Street ; common sewer ; drain ;
funnel; Gin Lane ; gulf; gullet ;
gully-hole ; gutter ; Holloway ;
Peck Alley ; Red Lane ; the Red
Sea ; Spew Alley ; swallow ;
thrapple ; throttle ; whistle.
FRENCH SYNONYMS. — La
carafe (tramps') ; la creuse
(popular = Holloway) ; le corri-
dor ; le cornet (popular) ; le
couloir ; le lampas ; la goule
(popular) ; le gose (popular : an
abbreviation of gosier : also
gesier)', lagargoine (thieves') ; la
gargarousse (thieves' = Old Gar-
gles) ; kfour (popular = the oven) ;
le fanal (popular) ; fentonnoir
(popular — the funnel); Favaloir
(thieves' = the swallow).
GERMAN SYNONYM. — Kollert
(Hanoverian).
SPANISH SYNONYM. — La
gorja.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1787. GROSE, Prov. Glossary, f.
(1811), p. 8r. All goeth down GUTTER
LANE. That is, the throat. This proverb is
applicable to those who spend all their
substance in eating and drinking.
2. (common). — A urinal. For
synonyms, see PISSING-POST.
GUTTER-BLOOD, subs, (common). —
l. See quot. Also (2) a vul-
garian ; an upstart from the
rabble.
1822. SCOTT, The Fortunes of
Nigel, ch. v. In rushed a thorough Edin-
burgh GUTTERBLOOD — a ragged rascal.
GUTTER - CHAUNTER, subs, (com-
mon).— A street singer.
GUTTER-HOTEL, subs, (tramps'). —
The open air. P'or synonyms,
see HEDGE-SQUARE.
GUTTER-LITERATURE. See BLOOD-
AND-THUNDER, and AWFUL.
GUTTER-MASTER, subs. (old). — A
term of reproach.
1607. MARSTON, What You Will, iii,
i. And now my soule is skipt into a per-
fumer, a GUTTERMASTER.
GUTTER-PROWLER, subs, (thieves').
— A street thief. For synonyms,
see AREA-SNEAK and THIEVES.
GUTTER-SNIPE, subs, (common). —
I. A street arab. Also GUTTER-
SLUSH. For synonyms, see MUD-
LARK.
2. (American printers'). — A
poster for the kerb.
3. (American Commercial). —
An ' outside ' broker who does
business chiefly in the street ; a
KERBSTONE BROKER (q.V.). Fr.,
un loup-cervier.
GUTTIE, subs, (golfers') — I. A
gutta-percha ball.
2. (colloquial). — A glutton. —
For synonyms, see STODGER.
3. (colloquial). — A FORTY-
GUTS, which see for synonyms.
GUTTLE, vetb. (vulgar). — To eat
greedily ; to GORMANDIZE (q.v.).
Also to drink : e.g., TO GUTTLE
A PINT = to take off, or do, a
pint ; ' He's been GUTTLING
swipes' — he's been drinking beer.
Hence GUTTLER = a coarse, or
greedy eater ; a sturdy pot-com-
panion : a GORGER (q.v.}. Cf.t
Thackeray's Book of Snobs for
GuTTLEBURYFair. See GUZZLE.
1672. LESTRANGE, Fables, p. 260.
A jolly GUTTLING priest.
Guttle- *Jiop.
240
GUTTLE-SHOP, subs. (Rugby). — A
pastry-cook's ; a TUCK - SHOP
Guv, subs, (common). — An abbrevia-
tion Of GOVERNOR (q.V.).
GUY, subs, (colloquial). — I. A Fifth
of November effigy ; whence (2)
an ill-dressed person. As in the
old street cry, 'Hollo, boys, there
goes another GUY ! (an abbrevia-
tion of Guy Fawkes) = a figure
of fun ; a fright.
ENGLISH SYNONYMS. — Cau-
tion ; Captain Queer-nabs; chivey;
comic bird ; ragamuffin; sight.
FRENCH SYNONYMS. Un
paquet (popular), une hallebarde
(popular = a clothes-prop ; un
nippe-mal (popular) ; une becasse
( = a gaby) ; un carnavale (popu-
lar = a figure of fun).
1806. W. BuRRELL.Jn C. K. Sharpe's
Correspondence (1888), i., 277. A month
ago there was neither shape nor make in
use. ... no GUY ever matched me.
1837. BARHAM, Ingoldsby Legends.
1 The Nurse's Story.' Did you see her, in
short, that mud-hovel within, With her
knees to her nose, and her nose to her chin,
Leering up with that queer, indescribable
grin, You'd lift up your hands in amazement
and cry, ' Well ! — I never did see such a
regular GUY ! '
1858. G. ELIOT, Janet's Repentance,
ch. vi. Ned Phipps .... whispered that
he thought the Bishop was a GUY, and I
certainly remember thinking that Mr. Pren-
dergast looked much more dignified with
his plain white surplice and black hair.
1871. Morning Advertiser, 26 Jan.
There is no imperative reason why a con-
stable should be a GUY.
3. (common). — A dark lantern.
[Obviously a reminiscence of the
Gunpowder Plot],
1811. Lexicon Balatronic urn. GUY,
s.v. Stow the GUY, conceal the lanthorn.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum, s.v.
4. (streets). — A jaunt ; an
expedition.
1889. Sporting Times, 3 Aug., p. 5,
c. 5. There was a gee, there was a buggy,
but there wasn't a punctual Pitcher. So a
cheerful GUY to Waterloo was the game.
Verb (common). — I. To quiz ;
to chaff; TO ROAST (q.v.)', TO
JOSH (q.V.).
1889. Detroit Free Press, 26 Jan.
His advent here created much merriment,
and the operators GUYED him loud enough
for him to hear them.
2. (common). — To escape ; TO
HEDGE (q.v.} ; to run away.
Also TO DO A GUY (which also =
to give a false name). For syn-
onyms, see AMPUTATE and
SKEDADDLE.
1879. J.W. HORSLEY, in Macmillaris
Mag., xl. 500. I planned with another
boy to GUY (run away).
1887. Fun, 23 Mar., p. 125. ' Boat-
race Day, as per usual,' said the clerk to
the court, ' they'll all be DOING GUYS '
(giving false names !).
1889. CLARKSON and RICHARDSON
Police, p. 321. To run away. . . . Do A
GUY.
1892. Punch, 24 Sept. "Arry at
Arrygate.' I just DID A GUY.
3. (American) — To spoil ; to
muddle ; to disfigure or distort.
1S91. New York Herald, 31 May,
p. 12, c. 4. Finally, I would remind
them that they are apt to GUY their cause
by making ' guys ' of themselves, and that
the best way of making women a power
in the land is by encouraging them to be
womanly women.
4. (theatrical). — To damn ; to
hiss; TO SLATE (q.V.) OI GIVE
THE BIRD (q.V.).
GUZZLE (or GUTTLE), sttbs. (vulgar).
— I. An insatiable eater or
drinker. For synonyms, see
STODGER and LUSHINGTON
respectively.
2. (vulgar). — A debauch.
1876. HINDLEY, Adventures of
Cheap Jack, 58. Doing a GUZZLE with
money he earned.
3. (common). — Drink.
G uzzle-guts.
241
Gybe.
1653. URQUHART, .ffa-fcAzis, Bk. II.,
ch. i., note. It signifies rum-booze, as
our gipsies call good-cuzzLE.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
1698-1700. WARD, London Spy,
part III., p. 47. A Pennyworth of burnt
Bread soften'd in a Mus; of Porter's
GUZZLE.
c. 1795. WOLCOT [P. Pindar] Peters
Pension, in wks. (Dublin, 1795), vol. i.,
p. 4^84. Lo, for a little meat and GUZZLE,
This sneaking cur, too, takes the muzzle.
Verb, (vulgar). — I. To drink
greedily, or to excess.
1607. DEKKER, Westward Ho,
v., i. My master and Sir Gosling are
GUZZLING ; they are dabbling together
fathom-deep.
1693. DRYDEN, Persius, vi., 51.
And, lavish of suspense, Quaffs, crams, and
GUTTLES, in his own defence.
1698. FARQUHAR, Love anda Bottle,
Act i. His education could reach no
farther than to GUZZLE fat ale.
1727. GAY, Beggars Opera, i.,
3. Tom Tipple, a GUZZLING soaking
sot, who is always too drunk to stand
himself.
1748. T. DYCHE, Dictionary (sth ed.).
GUZZLE (v.) to tipple, to fuddle, to drink
much and greedily.
1782. WOLCOT [P. Pindar], Lyric
Odes, Ode i. The poet might have
GUTTLED till he split.
1849. THACKERAY, Pendennis, ch. Ixi.
Are you ... to tell me that the aim of
life is to GUTTLE three courses and dine off
silver?
GUZZLE-GUTS, subs, (common). —
A glutton ; a hard drinker. — Lex.
Bal. (1811). See GUZZLE.
GUZZLER, subs, (colloquial). — A
hard drinker ; a coarse, voracious
feeder. See GUZZLE.
a. 1760. T. BROWN, Works, iii.,
265 [ed. 1760]. Being an eternal GUZZLER
of wine, his mouth smelt like a vintner's
vault.
1841. DICKENS, Bamaby Rudge,
ch. xiii. To be looked upon as a common
pipe-smoker beer-bibber, spirit-GUZZLER,
and toss-pot.
GUZZLING, subs, (vulgar). — Eating
or drinking to excess ; also eating
or drinking in a coarse un-
mannerly fashion.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
1819. MOORE, Tom Crib, p. 28.
What with snoozing, high-grubbing and
GUZZLING like Chloe.
1882. F. ANSTEY, Vice Versa,
ch. xv. There shall be no pocketing at
this table, sir. You will eat that pudding
under my eye at once, and you will stay in
and write out French verbs for two days.
That will put an end to any more GUZZLING
in the garden for a time, at least.
GUZZUM, subs. (American). —
Chatter ; noise. For synonyms,
see PATTER.
1888. Detroit Free Press, 22 Dec.
' Now, Jerry, if yer don't stop yer
GUZZUM I'll skin yer alive ! ' she exclaimed
as she stood in the door and flourished a
skillet at him.
G.Y. ALL A G.Y., adv.
(North Country). — Crooked
on one side ; ' all of a hugh. '
all
GYBE, subs. (old). — A written
paper.
1567. HARMAN, Caveat (1814), p. 65
A GYB, a writing
1608. DEKKER, Belman of London,
in wks. (GROSART) III., 104. His office is
to make counteract licences, which are
called GYBES.
1724. E. COLES, Eng. Diet. GYBE,
any Writing or Pass.
1818. SCOTT, Heart of Midlothian,
ch. xxv. He knows my GYBE [pass] as
well as the jark [seal] of e'er a queer cuffin
[justice of peace] in England.
Verb (old).— I. To whip ; to
castigate. E.g., GYBED at the
cart's arse = whipped at the cart's
tail.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew
GYB'D, jerkt or whipt.
16
Gybing.
242
Gyvel.
GYBING (also GIBERY), subs, (old :
now recognised). — Jeering.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
GYGER. See JIGGER.
GYMNASIUM, subs, (venery). — The
female pudendum. For syn-
onyms, see MONOSYLLABLE.
GYP, subs. (Cambridge University).
— I. A college servant. At
Oxford, a scout, at Dublin, a
skip. (Etymology doubtful : ac-
cording to Sat. Rev. an abbrevia-
tion of Gipsy Joe ; according to
Cambridge undergraduates from
the Greek yty ( GUPS ) = a
vulture ; from the creature's
rapacity.]
1794. Gent. Mag., p. 1085. [A Cam-
bridge college servant is called a JIP.]
1842. Tait's Map., Oct., 'Reminis-
cences of Coll. Life.' There is attached to
colleges and halls a person more useful
than ornamental, and better known than
paid, whom Oxonians name GYP, from his
supposed moral affinity to a vulture (yvty).
The same is in Dublin denominated a Skip,
because of the activity which is an indis-
pensable item in his qualifications.
1849. C. KINGSLEY, Alton Locke, ch.
xii. I'll send you in luncheon as I go
through the butteries ; then, perhaps,
you'd like to come down and see the race.
Ask the GYP to tell you the way.
1850. SMEDLEY, Frank Fairleigh, p.
254. Fellow you call the GYP wanted to
make me believe you were out — thought I
looked too like a governor to be let in, I
suppose.
1882. F. ANSTEY, Vice Versa, ch. v.
Who should we see coming straight down
on us but a Proctor with his bull-dogs (not
dogs, you know, but the strongest GYPS in
the college).
2. (American). — A thief. For
synonyms, see THIEVES.
GYPSIES OF SCIENCE, subs. phr.
(literary.) — The British Associa-
tion.
1846. Times, 5 Sept. On Thursday
next, the Gipsies of Science (the British
Association) will have pitched their tents
at Southampton.
GYROTWISTIVE, adj. (American). —
Full of evasions and tricks ; a
' portmanteau word.'
GYTE, subs, (common). — i. A
child ; in contempt. [A corrup-
tion of goat.]
2. (Scots'). — A first year's
pupil in the Edinburgh High
School.
GYVEL, subs. (Scots' venery). — The
female pudendum. For syn-
onyms, see MONOSYLLABLE.
d. 1796. BURNS, The Merry Muses,
' Nine Inches for a Lady,' 33-4. Come
louse and lug your battering ram, An'
thrash him at my GYVEL.
IABERDASHER,
sttbs. (old collo-
quial : now re-
cognised). — i.
A dealer in
small wares ;
specifically (i) a
hatter, and (2,
humorously) a publican (i.e.,
a seller of TAPE (q.v.}. Now
restricted to a retail draper.
1599. MINSHEU, Dictionaries s.v.
1632. JONSON, The Magnetic Lady,
' Induction.' Poetaccios, poetasters,
poetitos. . . . And all HABERDASHERS of
small wit.
d. 1680. BUTLER, Rema'ns (1759), ii.,
107. He set up HABERDASHER of a small
poetry.
1823. MONCRIEFF, Torn and Jerry,
in., 5. The HABERDASHER is the whistler,
otherwise the spirit-merchant, Jerry — and
tape the commodity he deals in.
HABERDASHER OF PRONOUNS,
subs. phr. (common). — A school-
master. For synonyms, see
BUMBRUSHER.
1690. B. E., Cant, Crew, s.v.
1725. Neiv Cant. Diet., s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HABIT, subs, (old University). — See
quot.
1803. Gradus ad Cantabrigiam.
HABIT. College HABIT, College dress,
called of old, Livery : the dress of the
Master, Fellows, and Scholars.
HAB-NAB(or HOB- NOB (q.V.}}, adv.
(old). — I. At random ; promiscu-
ously ; helter-skelter ; ding-dong.
1602. SIIAKSPEARE, Twelfth Night,
iii., 4. His incensement at this moment
is so great that satisfaction can be none but
by pangs of death and sepulchre. HOB-
NOB is his word ; give't, or take't.
1664. BUTLER, Hudibras,\\., 3. Al-
though set down HAB-NAB at random.
1690. B. E., Cant. Crew, s.v.
HAB-NAB. at a Venture, Unsight, Unseen,
Hit or Miss.
1725. New Cant. Diet, s.v.
2. (old). — By hook or by crook ;
by fair means or foul.
1581. LILLY, Euphues, iop. Phi-
lantus determined HABNAB to send his
letters.
( Verb (old).— To drink with ;
giving health for health.
1836. HORACE SMITH, The Tin
Trumpet. 'Address to a Mummy." Per-
chance that very hand now pinioned flat
Has HOB- AND - NOBBED with Pharaoh
glass for glass.
HACK (or HACKNEY), subs, (old :
now recognised). — i. A person
or thing let out for promiscuous
use : e.g. , a horse, a whore, a
literary drudge. Whence (2) a
coach that plies for hire ; (3)
(stables') a horse for every-
day use, as offered to one for a
special purpose — hunting, racing,
polo. (4) (Cambridge Univ.), see
quot. 1803. Also HACKSTER.
1333. CHAUCER, Canterbury 7ales,
16,027. His HAKENEV, which that was a
pomele gris.
1540. LYNDSAY, Saiyre of the thri
Estaits, 3237. I may finds the Earle of
Rothus best HACKNAY.
Hack.
244
Haddock.
1582. HAKLUYT, Voyages, i., 400
There they use to put out their women
to hire as we do here HAKNEY horses.
1594. SHAKSPEARE, Loves Labour
Lost, i\\., i. The hobby-horse is but a
colt, and your love perhaps a HACKNEY.
1594. NASHE, UnJ. Traveller, 101
(Chiswick Press, 1890). Out whore,
strumpet, sixpenny HACKSTER, away with
her to prison !
1672. RAY, Proverbs. HACKNEY
mistress, HACKNEY maid.
1678. BUTLER, Hudibras, pt. iii.,
c. i. That is no more than every lover
Does from his HACKNEY-LADY suffer.
1690. B. E., Cant. Crew, s.v.
HACKS, or HACKNEYS, Hirelings. Ibid,
HACKNEY HORSES. Ibid., HACKNEY
SCRIBBLERS. Ibid., HACKNEY WHORES,
Common Prostitutes.
1738. POPE, Ep. to Sat. Shall each
spurgall'd HACKNEY of the day, Or each
new pension'd sycophant, pretend To break
my windows ?
1754. FIELDING, Jonathan Wild, iv.,
14. With wonderful alacrity he had ended
almost in an instant, and conveyed himself
into a place of safety in a H ACKNEY-coach.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HACKNEY-WRITER, one who writes for
attornies or booksellers.
1803. Gradus ad Cantabrigiam.
HACKS. HACK Preachers ; the common
exhibitioners at St. Mary's, employed in
the service of defaulters, and absentees.
1819. MOORE, Tom Crib. I first was
hired to peg a HACK.
1823. MONCRIEFF, Tom and Jerry,
i., 7. A rattler is a nimbler, otherwise a
Jarvy ! Better known, perhaps, by the
name of a HACK.
1841. LEMAN REDE, Sixteen String
Jack, ii,, 3. I'll get a HACK, be off in a
crack.
Verb (colloquial, football).—
To kick shins. HACKING = the
practice of kicking shins at
football.
1857. G. A. LAWRENCE, Guy
Livingstone, ch. i. I saw, too, more than
one player limp out of his path dis-
consolately, trying vainly to dissemble the
pain of a vicious HACK.
1869. SPENCER, Study of Sociology,
ch. viii. p. 186 (gth ed.). And thus, per-
haps, the ' education of a gentleman ' may
rightly include giving and receiving
HACKING of the shins at foot-ball.
1872. The Echo, 3 Nov. Some of
the modern foot ball players have the tips
of their shoes tipped with iron, and others
wear a kind of armour or iron plate under
their knicker-bockers to avoid . . . what
is called HACKING.
HACKLE, subs. (common). -
Pluck; spirit; BOTTOM (q.v.).
TO SHOW HACKLE = to show
fight. [Hackle = a long shining
feather on a cock's neck.] Fr.,
avoir du foie ; n } avoir pas le
flubart, or avoir du poil au del.
H ACKSLAVER, verb. (old). — To
stammer ; to splutter ; to hesi-
tate in speech.
HACKUM (or CAPTAIN HACKUM, or
HACKSTER), subs. (old). — A
bully ; a bravo. For synonyms,
see FURIOSO.
1657. Lady A limony, i, 3 (DoosLEY,
Old Plays, 4th ed., 1875, xiv., p. 282).
Vowing, like a desperate HAXTER that he
has express command to seize upon all our
properties,
1690. B. E., Cant. Crew, s.v.
HACK AM, Fighting Fellow.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HACKUM, Captain Hackum, a bravo, a
slasher.
1859. M A T s E L L , Vocabulum.
HACKUM, a bravado, a slasher, 'Capt.
Hackum,' a fellow who slashes with a
bowie-knife.
HAD.— See HAVE.
HADDOCK, subs, (common). — i. A
purse. HADDOCK OF BEANS =
a purse of money. [Haddock =
cod : O. Sw., Rudde ; Ic., Koddi
= a small bag. Cf., CODPIECE.]
For synonyms, see POGE.
1598. FLORIO, Worlde of Wordes.
Melrusio, the fish we call a HADOCK, or a
cod. Ibid. Metier la faua nel bacello,
to put the beane into the cod.
1834. H. AINSWORTH, Rookwood,
bk. III., ch. xiii. ' What's here?' cried he,
searching the attorney's pockets . . . ' a
HADDOCK, stuffed with nothing, I'm
thinking.'
Haddums.
245
Haggler.
2. in. pi. (Stock Exchange). —
North of Scotland Ordinary
Stock.
HADDUMS (or HAD 'EM). — See
quots.
1690. B. E., Cant. Crew. The
Spark has been at HADDUMS. He is
Clapt, or Poxt.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v'
He has been at HAD'EM and come home
by Clapham, said of one who has caught
the venereal disease.
HAG, subs, (old : now recognised).
— i. A witch. Whence (2) an
ugly old woman ; a she-monster.
Also (3) a nightmare. At Char-
terhouse, a female of any descrip-
tion ; at Winchester, a matron.
Hence, HAG-RIDDEN = troubled
with nightmare. HAG - BORN =
witch-born. HAG-SEED (Shaks-
peare, Tempest] = spawned of a
witch. HAG - FACED = foul-fea-
tured. In another sense, HAGS
= spots of firm ground in a moss
or bog.
d. 1529. iSKELTON,Z>w&?0/' Albany,
Lyke a Scottish HAG.
1606. Wily Beguiled (DODSLEY, Old
Plays, 4th ed., 1875, ix., 277). Like to
some hellish HAG or some damned fiend.
1606. SHAKSPEARE, Macbeth, iv., i.
How now, you secret, black, and midnight
HAGS!
1627. DRAYTON, The Moon-calf
(CHALMER'S English Poets, 1810, iv., 133).
The filthy HAG abhoring of the light.
1632. JONSON, Magnetic Lady, v. 6.
Out HAG !
1637. JONSON, Sad Shepherd, ii., 2.
As if you knew the sport of witch-hunting,
Or starting of a HAG.
1680. COTTON, Poems, etc., ' To
Poet E.W.' Adulterate HAGS, fit for a
common stew.
1690. B. E., Cant. Crew, s.v.
1748. THOMSON, Castle of Indolence,
i., 73. Fierce fiends and HAGS of hell
their only nurses were.
1773-83. HOOLE, Orlando Furioso,
xliii., 998. But such a HAG to paradise
conveyed, Had withered by her looks the
blissful shade.
1815. SCOTT, Guy Mannering, xliii.
Hatteraick himself, and the gypsy sailor,
and that old HAG.
1892. HUME NISBET, Bushranger's
Sweetheart, p. 89. Old women were there
also, with hideous vice-stamped features,
veritable HAGS all of them.
YOUR HAGSHIP ! phr. (com
mon). — In contempt (of women).
HAG- FINDER, subs. (old). — A witch
finder.
1637 JONSON, Sad Shepherd, ii., 2.
That I do promise, or I am no good HAG-
FINDER.
HAGGED, adj. (old, now [as HAG-
GARD] recognised). — Ugly; gaunt;
hag-like.
1690. B. E., Cant. Crew, s.v
HAGGED, Lean, Witched, Half-starved.
1716-1771. GRAY, A Long Story.
The ghostly prudes with HAGGED face.
HAGGISLAND, subs, (common).—
Scotland.
HAGGLE, verb, (old, now recognised).
— To bargain keenly ; to stick at,
or out for, trumpery points ; to
debate small issues.
1690. B. E., Cant. Crew, s.v.
1849-61. MACAULAY, Hist. Eng.,
ch. xx. HAGGLING with the greedy,
making up quarrels.
HAGGLER, subs. (old). — Formerly a
travelling merchant ; a pedlar :
now(in London vegetable markets)
a middleman. Cf., BUMMAREE.
1662. FULLER, Worthies; Dorset-
shire. Horses, on which HAGLERS used
to ride and carry their commodities.
1690. B. E., Cant. Crew, s.v. A
HAGLER, one that buys of the Country
Folks, and sells in the Market, and goes
from Door to Door.
Hail.
246
Hair.
1697. VANBRUGH, &sop, , i. I se
no HAGLER, gadswookers and he that
says I am — 'zbud, he lies !
1851-61. H. MAYHEW Land. Lab.
and Land. Poor, vol. I., p. 83. A
HAGGLER being, as I before explained,
the middle-man.
HAIL. To RAISE HAIL (or NED,
or CAIN, or HELL), verb. phr.
(American). — To make a disturb-
ance ; to kick up a row.
1888. Portland Transcript, 7 Mar.
He is determined that they shall have a
clear deed to one hundred and sixty acres
of land when the question is settled, or he
will RAISE HAIL.
TO BE HAIL FELLOW WELL
MET, verb. phr. (colloquial). — To
be on very easy terms : also AT
HAIL-FELLOW.
1574-1656. Halts Satires, III., i.,
p. 40. Now man, that erst HAILE-FELLOW
was with beast, Woxe on to weene him-
selfe a god at least.
1665. Homer a la Mode. The cookes
too, having done, were set At table HAY
FELLOW WELL MET [Quoted ty Nsris].
1667-1745. SWIFT, My Lady's
Lamentation. HAIL FELLOW, WELL MET,
all dirty and wet; Find out, if you can,
who's master, who's man.
1886. R. L. STEVENSON, Kidnapped,
p. 108. And at first he sings small, and is
HAIL-FELLOW-WELL-MET with Sheamus —
that's James of the Glens, my chieftain's
agent.
TO BE HAILED FOR THE LAST
TIME, verb. phr. (nautical). — To
die. For synonyms, see ALOFT.
1891. W. C. RUSSELL, Ocean- Tra-
gedy, p. 322. He's BEEN HAILED FOR THE
LAST TIME.
HAIR, subs, (venery). — i. The
female pubes. Whence (2) generic
for the sex : e.g., AFTER HAIR=:
in quest of a woman ; PLENTY OF
HAiR=:lots of girls ; HAIR TO
SELL = a woman with a price ;
HAIR-MONGER = a wencher ; BIT
OF HAIR = the sexual favour.
For synonyms, see FLEECE.
TO GO AGAINST THE HAIR,
verb. phr. (old colloquial). — To
go against the grain, or contrary
to nature. [From the texture of
furs.]
1589. N A s H E . Martins Months
Minde (Grosart), i., 188. For hee euer
WENT AGAINST THE HAIRE.
1596. SHAKSPEARE, Merry Wives,
ii., 3. If you should fight, you GO
AGAINST THE HAIR of your professions.
1661. MIDDLETON, Mayor of Queen-
borough, C. P. xi., 122. Books in
women's hands are as much AGAINST
THE HAIR, methinks, as to see men wear
stomachers, Or night-railes.
BOTH OF A HAIR, adv. phr.
(colloquial).— Very much alike.
Also, two of a trade, and two in
a tale.
NOT WORTH A HAIR, adv. phr.
(colloquial). — Utterly worthless.
C/!, CENT, RAP, DUMP, etc.
To A HAIR, adv. phr. — (collo-
quial). — Exactly ; to a nicety.
Cf., To FIT TO A HAIR = to ht
perfectly.
1697. VANBRUGH, sEsop, i., i. Here
was a young gentlewoman but just now
pencilled me out TO A HAIR.
1738. SWIFT, Polite Conversation.
Miss. Well I love a Lyar with all my
Heart ; and you FIT ME TO A HAIR.
1891. W. C. RUSSELL, Ocean Tra-
gedy, p. 30. The fellow FITS my temper
TO A HAIR.
To SPLIT HAIRS, verb. phr.
(colloquial). — To cavil about
trifles ; to quibble ; to be over-
nice in argument.
1693. CONGREVE, Old Bachelor, ii.,
2. Now, I must speak ; it will SPLIT A
HAIR by the Lord Harry.
SUIT OF HAIR, subs. phr.
(American). — A HEAD OF HAIR
(y'.v.).
Hair.
Hair.
To RAISE (or LIFT) HAIR,
verb. phr. (Amerian). — To scalp ;
hence, idiomatically, to defeat ;
to kill. To KEEP ONE'S HAIR =
to escape a danger.
1848. RUXTON, Life in the FarWest,
p. 194. Kit Carson . . . had RAISED MORE
HAIR from the red-skins than any two men
in the Western country.
1891. GUNTER, Miss Nobody, p. 101.
If you'll take the chances of KEEPING YOUR
HAIR.
To COMB ONE'S HAIR, verb,
phr. (common). — To castigate ;
TO MONKEY (q.v.}. See COMB
ONE'S HAIR, ante.
To HOLD (or KEEP) ONE'S
HAIR (or WOOL) ON, verb. phr.
(commcn). — To keep one's
temper ; to avoid excitement ; to
take easily. Also TO KEEP ONE'S
SHIRT ON, or TO PULL DOWN
ONE'S JACKET (or VEST). Fr.,
etre calme etinodoie.
1885. BRET HARTE, A Ship ^of' 49,
ch. vi. ' But what the devil ' inter-
rupted the young man impetuously. ' KEEP
YER HAIR ON ! ' remonstrated the old man
with dark intelligence.
1892. MILLIKEN, 'Arry Ballads, p.
78. Do KEEP YOUR 'AIR ON, dear pal.
1892. Casselfs Sat. Jour., 5 Oct., p.
45, c. i. ' Who make devil's row like that
all night?' he asked. ' KEEP YOUR HAIR
ON, Moses Trinko,' replied the reception
fficer, cheerily.
A HAIR OF THE BLACK BEAR
(or B'AR), subs. phr. (American).
— A spice of the devil.
1848. RUXTON, Life in the Far West,
. 6. Thar was old grit in him, too, and
HAIR OF THE BLACK B*AR at that.
To GET ONE'S HAIR CUT,
verb. phr. (venery). — To visit a
woman ; TO SEE A SICK FRIEND
(q. v. ). For synonyms, see GREENS
and RIDF.
1892. ANSTEY, Model Music Hall,
154. Tommy. What, Uncle, going ? The
W. U. (with assumed jauntiness). Just
TO GET MY HAIR CUT.
To MAKE ONE'S HAIR STAND
ONT END, ^'2rb. phr. (colloquial).
— To astonish.
1697. (VANBRUGH, Provoked ~.Vife,
lv., 4. It's well you are come : I'm so
frightened, MY HAIR STANDS ON END.
1886. J. S. WINTER, Army Society
ch. iii. If I were to tell you some incidents
of my life since you and I last met, I should
make your HAIR STAND ON END.
A HAIR OF THE DOG THAT
BIT YOU, subs. phr. (common). —
A ' pick-me-up ' after a debauch.
[Apparently a memory of the
superstition, which was and still is
common, that, being bitten by a
dog, one cannot do better than
pluck a handful of hair from him,
and lay it on the wound. Also
figuratively, see quot. 1888.]
1531. BOVILLI, Prov. ii., xvi. siecle,
t. i., p. iQ2. Du poil de la beste qui te
mordis, Ou de son sane sera gueris.
1546. HEYWOOD, Proverbs [1874], 79
What how fellow, thou knave, I pray thee
let me and my fellow have A HAIKE OF
THE DOG THAT BIT us last night. And
bitten were we bothe to the braine aright.
1614. JONSON, Bartholomew Fayre, I !
'Twas a hot night with some of us, last
night, John : shall we pluck a HAIR OF
THE SAME WOLF to-day, proctor John ?
1738. Swi FT, Polite Convers. , Dial 2
Lady Gur. But, Sir John, your ale is
terrible strong and heady . . . Sir John
Why, indeed, it is apt to fox one ; but our
way is to take a HAIR OF THE SAME DOG
next morning.
1841. DICKENS, B. Rudge, ch. Iii.
Put a good face upon it, and drink again
Another HAIR OF THE DOG THAT BIT
YOU, captain !
1888. Detroit Free^ Press. ' Talk of
the Day,' 3 Nov. Travis. — ' Hello,
De Smith ! You're looking better thant
expected. I understood that you were
completely crushed by that love affair.
How did you recover ? ' De Smith — ' HAIR
OF THE DOG THAT BIT ME. Fell in love
with another girl.
Hair-butcher.
248 Half-and-half.
HAIR- BUTCHER, subs. (American).
— A baiber. For synonyms, see
NOB-THATCHER.
1888. Puck's Library, May, p. 15.
'Oi 'm wullin" thot bloomin' HAIR-BUTCHER
shud have a fit, av he wants.
HAIR-COURT, subs, phr. (venery).
— The female piidendum. For
synonyms, see MONOSYLLABLE.
TO TAKE A TURN IN HAIR-
COURT = to copulate.
HAIR-DIVIDER (or -SPLITTER), subs.
(venery). — The penis. For syn-
onyms, see CREAMSTICK and
PRICK. Also BEARD-SPLITTER.
1811. Lexicon Bala.tr onicum, s.v.
HAIR-SPLITTER, a man's yard.
HAIR-PIN, subs. (American).— An
individual, male or female: e.g.,
THAT'S THE SORT OF HAIR-PIN
I AM = that's my style.
1888. Detroit Free Press, 6 Oct.
' That's the kind of HAIRPINS we are,' said
the enthusiastic swain.
HAIRY, adj. (Oxford University). —
I. Difficult.
d. 1861. ARTHUR CLOUGH, Long Vaca-
tion Pastoral. Three weeks hence we
return to the shop and the wash-hand-
stand-bason, Three weeks hence unbury
Thicksides and HAIRY Aldrich.
1864. The Press, 12 Nov. HAIRY
for difficult is a characteristic epithet.
2. (colloquial). — Splendid ;
famous ; conspicuous ; uncom-
mon.
1892. RUDYARD KIPLING, Barrack
Room Ballads. ' The Sons of the Widow. '
Did you hear of the Widow of Windsor
with a HAIRY gold crown on her head ?
3. (venery). — Desirable ; full
of sex ; FUCK ABLE (g.v.). [Said
only of women : e.g., HAIRY BIT
= an amorous and taking wench. ]
See HAIR.
TO FEEL HAIRY, Vi'fb. phr.
(venery). — To be inclined for
coition ; to have a MUST (q.v).
HAIRYFORDSHIRE, sttbs. (venery).
— The female pudendum. To
GO TO HAIRYFORDSHIRE — to
copulate. For synonyms, see
MONOSYLLABLE.
HAIRY-ORACLE (or -RING), subs-
(venery). — The female pudendum
WORKING THE HAIRY-ORACLE=
wenching. For synonyms, see
MONOSYLLABLE.
HALBERT. To GET THE HAL-
BERT, verb. phr. (old military).
— To rise to sergeant's rank.
[The weapon was carried
by sergeants of foot.] To BE
BROUGHT TO THE HALBERTS =
to be flogged ; TO CARRY THE
HALBERT IN ONE'S FACE = tO
show that one rose from the ranks
(of officers in commission).
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HALF. IT'S HALF PAST KISSING
TIME AND TIME TO KISS AGAIN.
phr. (common). — The retort im-
pudent (to females) when asked
the time. A snatch from a
ballad. [In SWIFT (Polite Con
versatiori) = an hour pas
hanging time.]
HALF-A-CRACK (or JIFFY, or TICK).
— Half a second.
HALF-AND-HALF, subs, (colloquial).
— Equal quantities of ale and
porter ; Cf., FOUR-HALF and
DRINKS.
1824. REYNOLDS, Peter Corcoran,
41. Over my gentle HALF-AND-HALF.
1835. DICKENS, Sketches by Boz,
S. in. We were never tired of wondering
ow the hackney - coachmen on the
opposite stand could . . . drink pots of
HALF-AND-HALF so near the last drop.
Half-an-eye.
2 19 Half-crown Word.
18H. ALBERT SMITH (in Punch).
' The Physiology of the London Medical
Student." HALF-AND-HALF ... is ...
ale and porter, the proportion of the
porter increasing in an inverse ratio to the
respectability of the public house you get
it Irom.
18ot. MARTIN and AVTOUN, Bon
Gaulticr Ballads. ' My Wife's Cousin.'
HALF-AND-HALF goes down before him,
Gurgling from the pewter-pot ; And he
moves a counter motion For a glass of
something hot.
1872. Fun, July. ' The Right Tap.1
If the lever, meaning a plumper, were
labelled 'stout,' and those recording a
split vote HALF AND HALF, the illusion
would be complete.
Adj. (common). — Half-drunk ;
HALF-ON (q.v.). For synonyms,
see DRINKS and SCREWED.
1S48. DUNCOMBE, Sinks of London.
HALF AND HALF, half seas over, tipsy.
HALF -AND -HALF -COVES (or
MEN, BOYS, etc.), sttbs. (old). —
Cheap or linsey-woolsey dandies ;
half-BUCKS (q.v.) and half-TiGERS
(q.v.).
1823. MONCRIEFF, Tom and Jerry,
i., 7. Jerry. The HALF-AND-HALF coyES
are somewhat different from the swaddies,
and gay tyke boys, at the dog pit— Eh,
Tom?
HALF-AN-EYE. To SEE WITH HALF
AX EYE, verb. phr. (colloquial). —
To discern readily ; to be quick
at conclusions.
HALF-BAKED (or SOFT- BAKED), adj.
(common). — Half wilted; cracked;
SOFT (q>.t.) ; DOUGHY (q.v.) ; also
HALF-ROCKED (q.vt). For syn-
onyms, see APARTMENTS and
TILE LOOSE. Fr., if avoir pas
la tete bien cuite.
1825. SCOTT, St. Ronan's Well, ii.,
221. He must scheme forsooth, this HALF-
BAKED Scotch cake ! He must hold off
and on, and be cautious, and wait the
result, and try conclusions with me, this
lump of natural dough !
1857. C. KINGSLEV, Two Years Ago,
ch. iv. 'A sort of HALF-BAKED body,' said
Kate.
1886. W. BESANT, Children of
Gibeon, Bk. II., ch. xiv. A daughter of
seventeen not quite right in her head —
HALF-BAKED, to use the popular and
feeling expression.
1890. Answers, Xmas No., p. ip,
c. 3. ' You needn't be so crusty,' said
Tod kins to his better half. ' Better be a
little crusty than not HALF-BAKED,' was
the reply of his amiable spouse.
1892. Pall Mall Gaz., i Nov., p. 2,
c. 3. Mr. Vane Tempest as serenest of
HALF-BAKED cynics, and Mr. H. Vincent
as most credulous of bibulous optimists.
HALF-BREED, sttbs. (American po-
litical).— A nick-name applied to
certain New York Republicans,
who wavered in their allegiance
during an election to the Senate
in 1 88 1. — NORTON.
HALF-COCKED, adv. (common). —
Half-drunk. For synonyms, see
DRINKS and SCREWED.
1887. H. SMART, Saddle and Sabre,
ch. xvii. 'Black Bill,' as he was called by
his brother jockeys, was very often HALF-
COCKED when he got up to ride . . . The
man could ride as well half-drunk as sober.
TO GO OFF AT HALF-COCK (or
HALF-COCKED), verb. phr. i.
(sporting). — To fail through hasty
and ill considered endeavours ;
and 2. (venery) = to ejaculate
before completing erection.
1848. LOWELL, Big-low Papers [Wk.
1891], p. 231. Now don't GO OFF HALF-
COCK : folks never gains By usin' pepper-
sarse instid o' brains.
HALF-CRACKED, adv. (common). —
Lacking in intelligence. See
APARTMENTS and TILE LOOSE.
1887. W. P. FRITH, Autobiog., i.,
129. Who was what is vulgarly called
HALF-CRACKED.
HALF-CROWN WORD, subs. phr.
(common). — i. A difficult or un-
common vocable; a JAW-BREAKER
(^.z>.)or crack-jaw. Also (tailors')
= a SLEEVEBOARD (q.V. ),
Half-crtiwner.
Half-seas Over.
HALF-CROWN ER,.y«fo. (booksellers').
— A publication costing 2s. 6d.
HALF-CUT, adv. (common). — Half-
drunk. For synonyms, .^DRINKS
and SCREWED.
H ALF- FLY FLAT, sttbs.phr. (thieves').
— A thiefs jackal ; a man (or
woman) hired to do rough or
dirty work.
HALF-GROWN SHAD, subs. phr.
(American). — A dolt. For syn-
onyms,.^ BuFFLEand CABBAGE-
HEAD.
1838. NEAL, Charcoal Sketches.
No more interlace than a HALF-GROWN
SHAD.
HALF LAUGH AND PURSER'S GRIN,
siibs. phr. (nautical). — A sneer ;
a half-and-half meaning. — CLARK
RUSSELL.
HALFLINGS, adj. (Scots'). — Betwixt
and between. [Usually said of a
boy or girl just leaving child-
hood.]
1818. SCOTT, Heart of Midlothian,
xi. In my youth, nay, when I was a
HAFFLINS callant.
HALF-MAN, subs, (nautical). — A
landsman rated as A.B.
H ALF-M ARROW, siibs. (old Scots').
— I. A faithless spouse ; also a
parcel husband or wife.
1600-61. RUTHERFORD, Letters, i.,
123. Plead with your harlot-mother, who
hath been a treacherous HALF-MARROW to
her husband Jesus.
2. (nautical). — An incompetent
seaman.
HALF-MOON, subs. (old). — i. A
wig ; and (2) the female puden-
dum. For synonyms, see PERI-
WINKLE and MONOSYLLABLE.
1611. LODOWICK BARRY, Ram Alley
(DODSLEY, OldPlays, vii., 326, ed. 1875).
Is not her HALF-MOON mine ?
HALF- MOURNING,' subs, (common).
— A black eye. FULL-MOURNING
= two black eyes or DEEP GRIEF.
HALF-NAB (or NAP), adv. (old).—
See quot.
1791. BAMPFYLDE- MOORE CAREW,
Life. HALF-NAB — at a venture, unsight
unseen, hit or miss.
HALF-ON, adj. (colloquial).— Half-
drunk.
HALF- ROCKED, adv. (common). —
Half-witted ; silly. [From a West
Country saying that all idiots
are nursed bottom upwards.] See
APARTMENTS and TILE LOOSE.
HALF - SAVED, adv. (common). —
Weak-minded ; shallow-brained.
See APARTMENTS and TILE
LOOSE.
1834. SOUTHEY, The Doctor, ch.
x. William Dove's was not a case or'
fatuity. Though all was not there, there
was a great deal. He was what is called
HALF-SAVED.
1874. M. COLLINS, Frances, ch.
xlii. This groom was what they call in the
west country HALF-SAVED.
HALF-SCREWED, adj. (common). —
More or less in liquor. See
DRINKS and SCREWED.
1839. LEVER, Harry Lorrequer, ch.
ii. He was, in Kilrush phrase, HALF-
SCREWED, thereby meaning more than
half tipsy.
HALF - SEAS OVER, adv. phr.
(colloquial). — Loosely applied to
various degrees of inebriety.
Formerly — half way on one's
course, or towards attainment.
For synonyms, see SCREWED.
Half -seas Over. 251
Halifax.
[In its specific sense Gifford says, "a
corruption of the Dutch op-zee zober,
' over-sea beer,' a strong heady beverage
intoduced into Holland from England."
' Up-zee Freese ' is Friezeland beer. The
German zauber means ' strong beer ' and
4 bewitchment." Thus (1610) in JONSON,
A Ichemist, iv. ,2. ' I do not like the
dulness of your eye, It hath a heavy cast,
'tis UPSEE DUTCH.' Other nautical terms
= drunk are WATER - LOGGED ; SPRUNG ;
SLEWED J WITH ONE'S JIB WELL BOWSED J
THREE SHEETS IN THE WIND ; CHANNELS
UNDER, but see DRINKS and SCREWED.]
1631-1701. DRYDEN. I am HALF-
SEAS OVER to death.
1690. B. E., Cant, Crew, s.v.
HALF-SEAS OVER, almost Drunk.
K97. VANBRUGH, Relapse, iii., 3.
Good ; that's thinking HALF-SEAS OVER.
One tide more brings us into poit.
1714. Spectator, No. 616. The
whole magistracy was pretty well dis-
guised before I gave them the slip. Our
friend the alderman was HALF - SEAS
OVER before the bonfire was out.
1738. SWIFT, Pol. Convert., Dial i.
You must own you had a drop in your
eye ; when I left you, you were HALF
SEAS OVER.
1751. SMOLLETT, Peregrine Pickle,
ch. ix. Who, by this time, had entered
into all the jollity of his new friends, and
was indeed more than HALF-SEAS-OVER.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1829. J. B. BUCKS-TONE, Billy
Taylor. The public-houses will not close
till morn, And wine and spirituous liquors
are so cheap, That we can all get nicely
HALF SEAS OVER, And see no sea at all.
1839. AINSWORTH, Jack Sneppard
[1889], p. 40. Mr. Smith, now being more
than HALF-SEAS OVER, became very
uproarious.
1849. THACKERAY, Pendennis, ch.
xxx. It's pay-day with the General . . .
and he's a precious deal more than HALF-
SEAS OVER.
_18i56. G. ELIOT, Felix Holt, ch.
xxviii. There's truth in wine, and there
may be some in gin and muddy beer. . . .
I've got plenty of truth in my time out of
men who were HALF-SEAS-OVER, but never
any that was worth a sixpence to me.
1890. Globe, 16 Apr., p. 2, c. i.
The familiar phrase HALF-SEAS OVF;R, for
example, is wanting, and for this we
appear K> be indebted to the Dutch.
1892. The Cosmopolitan, Oct., p.
724. The fellow HALF-SEAS-OVER every-
one excuses.
HALF-SLEWED, adj. (common). —
Parcel drunk. For synonyms, see
SCREWED.
HALF-SNACKS (or HALF-SNAGS),
adv. phr. (colloquial). — Half-
shares. Sec quots.
1683. EARL OF DORSET, A Faithful
Catalogue. She mounts the price and
goes HALF SNACK herself.
1887. Walfortfs Antiquarian, p. 252.
HALF-SNAGS is a corrupted form of HALF
SNACKS, i.e., half shares. If one of a
party of arabs finds any article it becomes
his entire property unless his fellows say
HALF - SNAGS, or 'Quarter -bits,' or
' Some for your neighbours.'
HALF-'UN, subs, (common).— Half-
a glass of spirits and water ;
HALF-A-GO (q.v.).
HALF-WIDOW, subs. (American). —
A woman with a lazy and thrift-
less husband.
[For Half in combination, see
also BEAN : BORDE ; BULL ; CASE :
CENTURY ; COUTER ; DOLLAR ; GEORGE ;
Go ; GRUNTER ; HOG : JACK ; JAMES ;
NED; OUNCE; QUID; SKIV; STRETCH;
TUSHEROON ; WHEEL.
HALIFAX. Go TO HALIFAX, verb,
phr. (American). — Be off! GOTO
HELL (q.v.). The full text is
Go TO HELL, HULL, or HALI-
FAX. Cf., BATH, BLAZES,
HULL, PUTNEY, etc.
1 599. N ASHE, Lenten Stuff"e (Grosart,
1883-84, p. 284). If frier Pendela and his
fellowes, had any thing to say to him, in
his admiral court of the sea, let them seek
him, and neither in HULL, HELL, nor
HALIFAX.
1875. Notes and Queries, 5 S., iv.,
p. 66. Go TO HALIFAX. This expression
is sometimes used in the United States as
a mild substitute for a direction to go to a
place not to be named to ears polite.
Hall.
252
Ham.
HALL, subs, (fishmongers'). — i.
Specifically THE HALL = Leaden-
hall Market. Cf.t GARDEN,
LANE, etc.
2. (Oxford Univ.). — Dinner.
[Which is taken in College
HALL.] To HALL = to dine.
Go AND HIRE A HALL. phr.
(American). — A retort upon
loquacious bores.
HALL BY THE SEA, subs. phr.
(medical students'). — The Exami-
nation Hall of the conjoined Board
of the Royal Colleges of Physicians
and Surgeons. [Situate on the
Embankment at the foot of
Waterloo Bridge.]
HALL OF DELIGHT, subs,
phr. (Australian). — A music hall.
1892. HUME NISBET, Bushrangers
Sweetheart^ p. 53. I thought you coons
would find your way to this HALL OF
DELIGHT.
HALLAN - SHAKER (or HALLEN-
SHAKER), subs. (old). — A vaga-
bond or sturdy beggar. For
synonyms, see CADGER and
MUMPER.
c. 1503-4. DUNBAR, A General
Satyre wks. (ed. DAVID LAING, 1834), ii.,
26. Sic knavis and crakkeris to play at
cartis and dyce, Sic HALLAND-SCH AKKARIS.
c. 1600. MONTGOMERIE, Poems (Scot-
tish Text Soc., 1885-7,), Pol wart and
Montgomerie's Flyting,'p. 85. HALLAND-
SHAKER, draught-raiker, bannock-baiker,
ale-beshitten.
(?)1642. Old Ballad. ' Maggie Lauder.
Right scornfully she answered him,
Begone, you HALLAN-SHAKER.
1724. Journal from London, p. 4.
Had seen me than staakin about like a
HALLEN-SHAKER, You w ou'd hae taen me
for a water-wraith.
1816. SCOTT, Antiquary, ch. iv. I,
and a wheen HALLENSHAKERS like
mysel'.
HALLIBALLO. — See HULLIBALLO.
HALLION (or HALLYON),^^. (old).
— i, A rogue ; a clod ; a gentle-
man's servant out of livery ; also
(2) a shrew. Cf.t HELL-CAT.
1817. SCOTT, Rob Roy, ch. iv. This
is a decentish HALLION.
1847. PORTER, Big Bear, etc., p. 69.
The scoundrels ! the oudacious little
HALLOO. To HALLOO WITH THE
UNDER DOG, verb. phr. (Ameri-
can).— To take the losing side.
HALO. To WORK THE HALO
RACKET, verb. phr. (common). —
To grumble ; to be dissatisfied.
[From the story of the Saint in
Heaven who got dissatisfied with
his nimbus.]
HALTERSACK, subs. (old). — A
gallows-bird ; a general term of
reproach and contempt.
1598. FLORIO, Worlde of Wordes,
Bazaro, a shifter, a conicatcher . . .
a HALTERSACKE.
1619. BEAUMONT and FLETCHER
King and no King, ii., 2. Away, you
HALTERSACK, yOU.
HALVES, suds. (Winchester College).
— (pro. Haves.) Half- Wellington
boots, which were strictly non
licet (obs.). — Notions.
To GO (or CRY) HALVES,
verb. phr. (colloquial). — To take
(or claim) a half share cr chance.
In America, AT THE HALVES.
1831. NEAL, Down Rasters, ch. iv., p.
45. ' Lives by preachin' AT THE HALVES a
sabba'-days.' ' Preaching AT THE HALVES
— how's that ? ' ' Why don't you know ? in
partnership for what's taken arter the
sarmon's over.'
1851-61. MAYHEW, Lond. Lab. and
Lond. Poor, III., 122. He'll then again
ask if anybody will GO HIM HALVES.
HAM, subs, (old).— i. (in. pi.}
Trousers : also HAM-CASES. For
synonyms, see KICKS.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v. HAMS,
Breeches.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1791. BAMPFYLDE-MOORE CAREW,
Life. HAMS — breeches.
Hamlet.
253
Ha m mer.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabuluin, s.v.
HAMS. Pants.
2. (American). — A LOAFER
(q.v.). Also HAM-FATTER. [The
American Slang Diet, says ' A
tenth-rate actor or variety per-
former.]
18<<8. Missouri Republican, 27 Mar.
Connelly ... is a good fighter, but will
allow the veriest HAM to whip him, if there
is any money to be made by it.
1888. New York Herald, 29 July.
The . . . more prosperous professional
brother of the HAM FATTER.
NO HAM AND ALL HOMINY,
phr. (American). — Of indifferent
quality ; ' no great shakes ' ; 'all
work and no play ' ; ' much cry
and little wool.'
HAMLET, subs, (old and American).
See quots.
1690. B. E., Cant. Crew, s.v. HAM-
LET ... a High Constable.
1725. New Cant. Diet. s.v. HAMLET,
a High-Constable.
1785.
HAMLET, a high const
1791. BAMPFYLPE-MOORE CAREW.
HAMLET, a high-constable.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum, s.v.
HAMLET. A captain of police.
HAM -MATCH, subs, (common). — A
stand-up luncheon.
1890. Daily Telegraph, 4 Feb. At
one o'clock they relieve their exhausted
frames by taking perpendicular refresh-
ment— vulgarly termed a HAM MATCH —
at some City luncheon bar.
HAMMER, subs, (pugilistic). — i. A
hard-hitter : especially with the
right hand, like the illustrious
HAMMER Lane. Also HAM-
MERER, and HAMMER-MAN.
1819. MOORE, Tom Crib, p. 33. A
letter written on the occasion by Henry
Harmer, the HAMMERER.
GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
stable (cant).
1823. BEE, Diet, of the Turf, 93.
When a man hits very hard, chiefly with a
favorite hand, his blows are said to fall
like those of a sledge-HAMMER. Such
boxers are HAMMERING fighters, that do
not defend their own vitals, cannot make
sure of a blow, and are termed HAM-
MERERS and HAMMERMEN.
2. (common).— An unblushing
lie. For synonyms, see WHOPPER.
Verb (pugilistic). — i. To beat;
to PUNISH (q.v.).
1887. T. E. BROWN, The Doctor, p.
159. Andbedad I did, and before herself
too, And HAMMERED him well.
1891. GUNTER, Miss Nobody, ch. ii.
'HAMMER him? What with?— a club?'
' No, with my fists.1
2. (American) — To bate ; to
drive down (prices, etc.).
1865. Harper's Magazine, p. 619.
The chronic bears were amusing them-
selves by HAMMERING, i.e., pressing down
the price of Hudsons.
3. (Stock Exchange). — To
declare one a defaulter.
1885. Fortnightly Review, xxxviii.,
p. 578. A ' defaulter ' has been declared
or HAMMERED, as it is technically termed.
1888. Echo, 28 Dec. If any un-
fortunate member be HAMMERED to-day
or to-morrow it will in all probability be a
bear.
1890. Daily Telegraph, i Nov. This
being the third day after the general
settlement, a defaulter who had been
unable to provide cash was HAMMERED,
and private arrangements are reported in
other quarters without resort to this
extreme measure.
1891. Pall Mall Gazette, 25 July,
p. i, c. 3. But what is an ' outside
broker?' some (possibly lady) reader may
ask. Well, he may be, and ofien is, a
regular, who has been HAMMERED for
failing to meet his ' differences.'
1891. Tit Bits, 15 Aug. I need not
go into the circumstances which led to my
being expelled from that honourable body,
or HAMMERED as it is familiarly ca'led,
owing to the taps with a hammer which
the head porter gives before he officially
proclaims the name of a defaulter.
Hannner-and-Tongs. 254
Hampered.
DOWN AS A HAMMER, adv.
phr. (common). — I. Wide-awake;
KNOWING (q.V.}; FLY ((].V.).
1819. MOORE, Tom Crib, p. 45. To
be down to anything is pretty much the
same as being up to it, and DOWN AS A
HAMMER is, of course, the intensivum of
the phrase.
2. (colloquial). — Instant ;
peremptory ; merciless. Cf. ,
LIKE A THOUSAND OF BRICKS.
Also TO BE DOWN ON ... LIKE
A HAMMER.
AT (or UNDER) THE HAMMER,
adv. phr. (auctioneers'). — For
sale at auction.
THAT'S THE HAMMER, verb,
phr. (colloquial). — An expression
of approval or assent.
TO BE HAMMERS TO ONE,
verb. phr. (colloquial. — To know
what one means.
TO HAMMER OUT (or INTO),
verb. phr. (colloquial). — To be
at pains to deceive ; to reiterate ;
to force to hear.
1596. BEN JONSON, Every Man in
his Humour, Hi., 3. Now am I, for some
five and fifty reasons, HAMMERING, HAM-
MERING revenge.
1719. DURFEY, Pills, etc., iii., 23.
If any Scholar be in doubt, And cannot
well bring this matter about ; The Black-
smith can HAMMER IT OUT.
1883. J. MCCARTHY and MRS. CAMP-
REI.L-PRAED, The Ladies' Gallery, ch. i.
I think the chaps that are always HAMMER-
ING on about repentance and atonement
and forgiveness of sin have got hold of the
wrong end.
HAMMER-AND-TONGS, adv. phr.
(common). — Very violently ;
ding-dong.
1781. G. PARKER, View of Society,
II., 108. His master and mistress were at
it HAMMER AND TONGS.
1833. MARRYAT, Peter Simple, ch.
xxxv. Our ships were soon hard at it,
HAMMER AND TONGS.
]837. MARRYAT, Snarleymu. Ods
bobs! HAMMER AND TONGS! long as
I've been to sea.
18bl. H. KINGSLEY, Ravenshoe,
ch. Ix. Mr. Malone fell upon them
HAMMER AND TONGS.
1862. M. E. BRADDON, Lady Audleys
Secret, ch. iv. ' I always said the old buffer
would marry,' he muttered, after about
half an hour's reverie. ' Alicia and my
lady, the stepmother, will go at it HAMMER
AND TONGS.
1884. JAS. PAYN, Talk of the Tmvn,
ch. xx. Both parties went at it HAMMER
AND TONGS, and hit one another anywhere
and with anything.
HAMMER-HEADED,^', (common).
I. Oafish ; stupid.
1600. NASHE, Summers Last Will
(Grosart), vi., 169. A number of rude
Vulcans, vnweldy speakers, HAMMER-
HEADED clownes.
2. (colloquial). — Hammer-
shaped : i.e., long and narrow in
the head.
1865. DICKENS, Our Mutual Friend
i., 9. Mr. Boffin's equipage consisted of
a long HAMMER - HEADED old horse,
formerly used in the business ... a driver
being added in the person of a long
HAMMER-HEADED young man.
HAMMERING, subs, (pugilistic and
colloquial). — i. A beating ;
excessive PUNISHMENT (q.v.).
2. (printers'). — Over-charging
time-work (as * corrections ').
HAMMERING-TRADE, subs, (pugil-
istic).— Pugilism.
1819. MOORE, Tom Crib, p. 49. The
other, vast, gigantic, as if made, express,
by Nature for the HAMMERING trade.
HAMMERSMITH. To GO TO
HAMMERSMITH, verb. phr. (com-
mon).— To get a sound drubbing.
HAMPERED, adj. (old: now recog-
nised).— Let or hindered; per-
plexed ; entangled. [From OLD.
ENG., hamper = a fetter: see
quot. 1613].
Hampstead Donkey. 255
Hand.
1613. BROWNE, Britannia's Pas-
torals,\&.. i., s. 7. Shackles, shacklockes,
HAMPERS, gives and chaines.
1690. B. E., Cant. Crew, s.v.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
HAMPSTEAD DONKEY, subs. phr.
(common). — See quot. For syn-
onyms, see CHATES.
c. 1870. Daily Paper. The witness
testified to the filthy state of the linen which
she wore, and also the state of the sheets.
Was told not to get into bed until she had
looked for the HAMPSTEAD DONKEYS. ' Did
you know what that meant ? ' — ' No sir, not
until I looked on the pillow and saw three'
(loud laughter). ' Do you mean lice ? ' —
1 Yes, sir, I do.'
HAMPSTEAD- HEATH, subs. phr.
(rhyming). — The teeth. For
synonyms, see GRINDERS.
1887. Referee, ^ Nov., p. 7, c. 3.
She'd a Grecian 'I suppose,' And of HAMP-
STEAD HEATH two rows, In her ' Sunny
South ' that glistened Like two pretty
strings of pearls.
HAMPSTEAD-HEATH SAILOR, subs,
phr. (common). — A LANDLUBBER
(q.V.) ; a FRESHWATER SAILOR
(q.v.). Fr., un marin cfeau douce
or tin arniral Stiisse ( = a Swiss
admiral: Switzerland having no
seaboard).
HANGED, adj. (old). — In liquor.
[From HANCE = 'to elevate.']
For synonyms, see DRINKS and
SCREWED.
1630. TAYLOR, Works. I doe finde
my selfe sufficiently HANGED, and that
henceforth I shall acknowledge it ; and
that whensoever I shall offer to bee
HANGED again, I shall arme my selfe with
the craft of a fox, the manners of a hogge,
the wisdom of an asse, mixt with the
civility of a beare.
HAND, subs, (colloquial). — Properly
a seaman j now a labourer, a
workman, an agent.
1658. PHILLIPS, New World of
Words, s.v. HAND .... a Word us'd
among Mariners .... when Men are
wanted to do any Labour they usually Call
for more HANDS.
1632-1704. LOCKE, Wks. A diction-
ary containing a natural history requires
too many HANDS, as well as too much
time.
1711. Spectator, No. 232. The re-
duction of the prices of our manufactures
by the addition of so many new HANDS,
would be no inconvenience to any man.
1754. FIELDING, Jonathan Wild, i ,
14. The mercantile part of the world,
therefore, wisely use the term ' employing
HANDS,' and esteem each other as they
employ more or fewer.
1811. Lexicon Balatroniciun, s.v.
We lost a HAND, we lost a sailor.
1871. Chambers' Miscellany, No.
"3i P- 3- He was admitted as a HAND in
an establishment already numbering three
hundred active workers.
1892. MILLIKEN, 'Arry Ballads, p.
70. The HANDS has all bloomin' well
1892. National Observer, 22 Oct.,
vol. viii., p. 571. The dispute in the South-
East Lancashire cotton trade is like to
result in the stoppage of fourteen or fifteen
million spindles which will take employ-
ment from sixty thousand HANDS, a fifth of
them women and children.
1893. Fortnightly Review, Jan., p. 62.
The wages paid to the operatives in our
woollen industry are, to a marked extent,
lower than those received by the HANDS
employed in our cotton mills.
2. (coachmen's). — See quot.
1856. WHYTE MELVILLE, Kate Co-
ventry, ch. xv. Lady Horsingham was
tolerably courageous, but totally destitute
of what is termed HAND, a quality as ne-
cessary in driving as in riding, particularly
with fractious or high-spirited horses.
A GOOD (or COOL, NEAT, OLD,
FINE, etc.) HAND, subs. phr. (col-
loquial).— An expert.
1748. T. DYCHE, Dictionary (sth
ed.), s.v. HAND (v.). 'He is a good
HAND,' spoke of one that is an artist in
some particular mechanical art or trade,
etc.
Hand.
256
Hand.
1773. GOLDSMITH, She Stoops to
Conquer, iii., i. When I was in my best
story of the Duke of Marlborough and
Prince Eugene, he asked if I had not a
GOOD HAND at making punch.
1854. WHYTE MELVILLE, General
Bounce, xii. A quaint boy at Eton, COOL
HAND at Oxford, a deep card in the regi-
ment, man or woman never yet had the
best of ' Uppy.'
1877. Five Years Penal Servitude,
i., p. 33. The new man, the GREEN HAND,
takes little or no heed of the entrance of the
officers. . . . Not so the OLD HAND.
.1886. R. L. STEVENSON, Kidnaped,
p. 195. Ye're a GRAND HAND at the sleep-
ing!
1892. W. E. GLADSTONE, Times
1 Report.' .... This OLD PARLIA-
MENTARY HAND.
1892. HENLEY and STEVENSON,
Deacon Brodie, i., 7, p. 18. You always
was a neat HAND with the bones.
A HAND LIKE A FOOT, phr.
(common). — A large, coarse hand.
Also a vulgar or uneducated
handwriting.
1738. SWIFT, Polite Conversation,
i. Col. Whoe'er writ it with A HAND LIKE
A FOOT.
A HAND LIKE A FIST, phr.
(gamesters'). — A hand full of
trumps. Also (in derision) a
hand there's no playing.
TO TAKE A HAND WITH THE
OUTSIDE MUSIC, verb. phr.
(American). — See quot.
1892. J. L. SULLIVAN, ,4 19^
Century Gladiator, iii. After thirty-
seven rounds in fifty-five minutes, the
umpires and seconds got into a fight, and
Sullivan felt fresh enough TO TAKE A
HAND IN THE OUTSIDE MUSIC.
To GET A HAND ON, verb. phr.
(tailors'). — To suspect; to be dis-
trustful.
To GET ONE'S HAND IN, verb,
phr. (colloquial).— To practise
with a view to proficiency.
To GET ONE'S HAND ox IT,
verb. phr. (venery). — To grope a
woman.
To BEAR A HAND, verb. phr.
(old). — See quot.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicuin, s.v.
BEAR A HAND, make haste.
TO BRING UP BY HAND, verb.
phr. (venery). — To procure erec-
tion manually.
TO BRING DOWN (or OFF) BY
HAND, verb. phr. (venery). — To
masturbate. For synonyms, see
FRIG.
To STAND ONE'S HAND, verb.
phr. (Australian). — To TREAT
(q.v.} ; to STAND SAM (q.v.).
1892. HUME NISBET, Bushrangers
Sweetheart, p. 58. I used to see her at
some of the public-houses frequented by
Mrs. Condon, STANDING HER HAND liber-
ally to all who happened to be in the bar,
and therefore being made much of by the
thirsty loafers whom she treated.
To HAND IN ONE'S CHIPS (or
CHECKS). — See CASH ONE'S
CHECKS.
To HAVE (or GET) THE UPPER
HAND, verb. phr. (colloquial). —
To have at an advantage ; to get
to WINDWARD (q.V.}.
1886. R. L. STEVENSON, Kidnapped,
p. 173. I was growing impatient to get
back and HAVE THE UPPER HAND of my
uncle.
To HAND UP, verb. (Win-
chester College). — To give in-
formation against ; to betray. —
Notions.
HANDS UP ! intj. (common).—
An injunction to desist ; STOW IT!
(q.v. ). Also (police) = a com-
mand to surrender. BAIL UP
1888. J. RUNCIMAN, The Chequers,
p. 120. HANDS UP ! Jerry.
Hand-and-Pocket Shop. 257
Handicap.
[Amongst other colloquial usages of
HAND are the following : — AT HAND=
readily, hard by ; AT ANY HAND (Shaks-
peare)=on any account; AT NO HAND=
on no account; FOR ONE'S OWN HAND =
for one's own purpose or interest ; FROM
HAND TO H AND = from one to another ; IN
HAND = in a state of preparation, under
consideration, or control ; OFF ONE'S
HANDS = finished ; ON HAND=in posses-
sion; IN ONE'S HANDS = in one's care ; OUT
OF HAND=completed, without hesitation;
TO ONE'S HAND=ready ; HAND OVER
HEAD=negligently, rashly ; HAND TO
MOUTH = improvident ; HANDS OFF ! =
stand off; HEAVY ON HAND=hard to
manage ; HOT AT HAND = difficult to
manage; LIGHT IN HAND=easy to
manage ; TO ASK (or GIVE) THE HAND OK
= to ask (or give) in marriage ; TO BE
HAND AND GLOVE WITH = to be very
intimate with; TO BEAR A HAND=IO
help ; TO BEAR IN (or ON) HAND = tO
cheat or mock by false promises ; TO
CHANGE HANDS = to change owners ; TO
COME TO HAND=tpbe received; TO GET
HAND = to gain influence ; TO GIVE A
HAND = to applaud ; TO GIVE THE
HAND TO=to be reconciled to ; TO HAVE
A HAND iN=to have a share in ; TO HAVE
ONE'S HANDS FULL = to be fully occupied ;
TO HOLD HANDS WITH = tO vie With, tO
hold one's own ; TO LAY HANDS ON=to
assault, to seize; TO LEND A HAND = IO
help ; TO MAKE A HAND = to gain an
advantage ; TO PUT (or STRETCH) FORTH
THE HAND AGAINST = tO US6 violence \
TO SET THE HAND TO.= to under-
take ; TO STRIKE HANDS=to make a
bargain; TO TAKE BY THE HAND=IO
take under one's guidance ; TO TAKE IN
HAND = to attempt; TO WASH ONE'S
HANDS OF = to disclaim responsibility ;
A HEAVY HAND = severity; A LIGHT
HAND = gentleness ; A SLACK HAND =
idleness, carelessness ; A STRICT HAND=
severe discipline; CLEAN HANDS=freedom
from guilt ; TO STAND ONE IN HAND=IO
concern, to be of importance to ; HAND TO
FIST = tete-a-tete, hip to haunch ; HAND
OVER HAND = easily ; TO GET A HAND =
to be applauded.]
HAND-AND-POCKET SHOP, subs,
phr. (old).— See quot.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
HAND-AND-POCKET-SHOP. An eating
house, where ready money is paid for
what is called for.
HAN DBASKET- PORTION, subs. (old).
— See quot.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
HAND -BASKET- PORTION. A woman
whose husband receives frequent presents
from her father, or family, is said to have
a HAND-BASKET-PORTION.
HANDBINDER (in.pl.), subs. (old). —
Chains for the wrists. For syn-
onyms, see DARBIES.
1696. RAY, Nomenclator, Menotes,
liens a Her les mains, fers a enferrer les
mains. Manicls, or HANDBINDERS.
HANDER, subs, (schoolboys'). — A
stroke on the hand with a cane ;
A PALMIE (q.v.}.
1868. JAS. GREENWOOD, Purgatory
of Peter the Cruel, v., 149. You've been
playing the wag, and you've got to take
your HANDERS.
HANDICAP, subs, (colloquial). — An
arrangement in racing, etc., by
which every competitor is, or is
supposed to be, brought on an
equality so far as regards his
chance of winning by an adjust-
ment of the weights to be carried,
the distance to be run, etc. : extra
weight or distance being imposed
in proportion to their supposed
merits on those held better than
the others. [A handicap is framed
in accordance with the known
performances of the competitors,
and, in horse-racing, with regard
to the age and sex of the entries.
The term is derived from the old
game of hand-i.n-capy or handi-
cap.]
1660. PEPYS, Diary, 18 Sep. Here
some of us fell to HANDYCAPP, a sport that
I never knew before.
1883. HAWLEY SMART, Hard Lines
xxi. The race carried so many penalties
and allowances that it partook somewhat
of the nature of a HANDICAP.
Verb (colloquial). i. To
adjust or proportion weights,
starts, etc., in order to bring a
number of competitors as neaily
as possible to an equality.
17
Handie-dandie.
258
Handle.
.1841. LEVER, Charles O'Malley, ch.
Ixviii. Pleasant and cheerful enough,
when they're HANDICAPPING the coat off
your back, and your new tilbury for a
spavined pony nnd a cotton umbrella ; but
regular devils if you come to cross them
the least in life.
2. To make even or level ; to
equalise between.
3. To embarrass, burden,
hinder, or impede in any way.
1883. GRENVILLE-MURRAY, People I
Have Met, 123. He was not HANDICAPPED
by a title, so that the beautiful ethics of
hereditary legislation had no claim on his
attention.
HANDIE-DANDIE, subs. phr. (old).
— Copulation.
1490-1554. DAVID LYNDSAY, Kitty's
Confessioun [LAING], i., 136. Ane plack I
will gar Sandie, Gie the agane with
HANDIE-DANDIE.
HANDLE, subs, (common). — i. The
nose. For synonyms, see CONK.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum. The
cove flashes a rare HANDLE to his physog ;
the fellow has a large nose.
1887. Modern Society, 27 Aug., 864.
A restless, intriguing, and busy old lady,
with an immense HANDLE to her face.
2. (colloquial). — A title. Fr.,
une queue, as Monsieur Sans-
queue = ^A\. Nobody.
1855. THACKERAY Neiucomes, xxiii.
She .... entertained us with stories of
colonial governors and their ladies, mention-
ing no persons but those who had HANDLES
to their names, as the phrase is.
1857. DUCANGE ANGLICUS, Vulg.
Tongue. HANDLE, n. Title. Oh, you
want a HANDLE to your name.
1871. London Figaro, 17 June, 'The
plaint of a poor Parson.' Neither he nor
his clerical neighbours — unless they belong
to county families, or have HANDLES to
their names — have ever been invited by the
Dean to partake of the hospitalities of the
Deanery.
1886.- J. S. WINTER, A rmy Society,
ch. ii. That's the worst of having a
HANDLE to one's name.
1891. Licensed Viet. Gas., 16 Jan.
Here's the Honourable Tom Jones, and
Lord Smith, and Viscount Brown — that's
them, with the HANDLES knocked off their
names.
1892. HENLEY and STEVENSON,
Deacon Brodie, i., 2. He was aye ettling
after a bit HANDLE to his name.
3. (colloquial). — Occasion ;
opportunity ; means.
1753-77. MELMOTH, Cicero, bk. ii.,
let. 17 (note 5). The defence of Vatinius
gave a plausible HANDLE for some censure
upon Cicero.
Verb (cardsharpers5). — i. To
conceal cards in the palm of the
hand, or up the sleeves ; TO
PALM (q.V.\
2. (colloquial). — To use ; to
make use of ; to manage.
1606. CHAPMAN, Gentleman Usher,
iii., 5. Now let the sport begin: I think
my love will HANDLE him as well as I have
done.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
HANDLE. To know how to HANDLE one's
fists ; to be skilful in the art of boxing.
1836. DICKENS, Pickwick, ii., 7.
Smart chap that cabman — HANDLED his
fives well.
1892. HENLEY and STEVENSON,
Admiral Guinea, ii., 5. Commander, you
HANDLED him like a babby, kept the
weather gauge, and hulled him every shot.
TO HANDLE THE RIBBONS,
verb. phr. (common). — To drive.
1857. MONCRIEFF, Bashful Man, ii.
4. Shouldn't have any objection in life,
squire, to let you HANDLE THE RIBANDS
for a stage or two, but four-in-hand, you
know, requires .
1872. Evening Standard, 10 Aug.
The Princess of Wales is expected, and
her Royal Highness has several times
during the week driven through the town
in an open phaeton, drawn by four beautiful
ponies, and she appears TO HANDLE THE
RIBBONS in a very skilful manner.
1891. N. GOULD, Double Event, p.
198. It was agreed Marston should
HANDLE THE RIBBONS.
Hand-me-downs. 259
Handsome.
1892. MILLIKEN, 'Arry Ballads, p.
32. He 'ANDLED THE RIBBINGS to rights.
TO FLY OFF THE HANDLE.
See FLY, to which add the
following earlier quot.
1825. NEAL, Brother Jonathan, bk.
I., Ch. iv. Most OFF THE HANDLE, Some
o' the tribe, I guess.
HAND-ME-DOWNS (or HAND-'EM-
DOWNS), subs. (common). —
Second-hand clothes. HAND-ME-
DOWN-SHOP, or NEVER-TOO-
LATE-TO-MEND-SHOP = a repair-
ing tailors.' Fr., un decrochez*
moi-fa.
1878. Notes and Queries, 5, s. ix., 6
Apr., p. 263. HAND-'EM-DOWN — A second-
hand garment (Northamptonshire).
1888. New York World, 5 Mar.
Russell Sage, it is said, walked into a
Broadway clothing store the other day and
tried on and purchased a twelve-dollar suit
Of HAND-ME-DOWNS.
1889. Sporting _ Times, 29 June.
Trousers which fit him nowhere in par-
ticular, and which all over proclaim them-
selves entitled to the epithet of HAND-ME-
DOWN.
ENGLISH SYNONYMS — Reach-
me-downs ; translations ; wall-
flowers.
FRENCH SYNONYMS. — La
musique (popular) ; la mise-bas
(servants': especially 'perks').
HAND-OUT, subs. (American). —
Food to a tramp at the door.
1887. MORLEY ROBERTS, The West-
ern Avernus. Some of the boys said it
was a regular HAND-OUT, and that we
looked like a crowd of old bummers.
H AN DPI EC E, subs. (American). — A
handkerchief. For synonyms,
see WIPE.
1852. BRISTED, Upper Ten Thousand,
p. 67. Then .... he tied his white
HAND-PIECES to an opening made for the
purpose on one side of the dashboard.
HANDSAW, subs, (common). — A
street vendor of knives and
razors; an itinerant CHIVE-
FENCER (q.v.).
HANDSOME, adj. and adv. (collo-
quial, and formerly literary). —
Sharp, severe ; convenient, fit ;
neat, graceful ; dextrous, skilful,
ready ; ample, generous, liberal ;
manageable ; in good or proper
style ; and (in America) grand
or beautiful.
1553. WILSON, Arte of Rhetorique,
p. 3. Phauorinus the Philosopher did hit
a yong man ouer the thumbes very
HANDSOMELY.
^ 1553-99. SPENSER, Wks. For a thief
it is so HANDSOME, As it may seem it
was first invented by him.
1590. GOLDYNGE, Ccesar, p. 220. They
had not so HANDSOME horses.
1593. SHAKSPEARE, Titus Andro-
nicus, ii., 3. If we miss to meet him
HANDSOMELY.
1600. P. HOLLAND, Livy, p. 255. _ A
light footman's shield he takes with him,
and a Spanish blade by his side, more
HANDSOME to fight short and close.
1604. SHAKSPEARE, Winters Tale,
iv., 3. His garments are rich, but he
wears them not HANDSOMELY.
1614. RALEIGH, History of the
World, Bk. III., ch. viii., § 6. Playing
their games HANDSOMELY against so nimble
1672-1719. ADDISON, Wks. An alms-
house, which I intend to endow very HAND-
SOMELY.
1778-79. V. KNOX, Essays, 102. A
HANDSOME sum of money.
1798. LODGE, Illust. Brit. Hist., i.,
178. He is very desyrus to serve your
Grace, and seymes to me to be a very
HANDSOME man.
1848. RUXTON, Life in the Far West,
p. 8. He turned on his back HANDSOME.
TO DO THE HANDSOME (or
THE HANDSOME THING, verb,
phr. (common). — To behave
extremely well ; to be 'civil.'
Handsome-reward.
Hang.
1887. MANVILLE FENN, This Mans
Wife, ii., 15. Sir Gordon's ready TO DO THE
HANDSOME THING.
HANDSOME is THAT HAND-
SOME DOES, phr. (colloquial). —
' Actions, not words, are the test
of merit ' ; also ironically of ill-
favoured persons.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum. HAND-
SOME IS THAT HANDSOME DOES '. a proverb
frequently cited by ugly women.
HANDSOME -BODIED IN THE
FACE, adv. phr. (old). — See quot.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HANDSOME BODIED MAN IN THE FACE, a
eering commendation of an ugly fellow.
HANDSOME AS A LAST YEAR'S
CORPSE, adv. phr. (American).—
A sarcastic compliment.
HANDSOMELY ! intj. (nautical).
— Gently! A cry to signify smartly,
but carefully. Also HANDSOMELY
OVER THE BRICKS = Go Cau-
tiously.
HANDSOME-REWARD, subs. phr.
(old). — See quot.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum. HAND-
SOME-REWARD. This, in advertisements,
means a horse-whipping.
HANDSPRINGS. To CHUCK HAND-
SPRINGS, verb phr. (common). —
To turn somersaults.
HANDSTAFF, subs, (venery).— The
penis. For synonyms, see CREAM-
STICK and PRICK. [From that
member of the flail which is held
in the hands].
HANDY. HANDY AS A POCKET IN
A SHIRT, phr. (American).—
Very convenient.
HANDY-BLOWS, (or CUFFS), subs.
. (old).— Cuffs with the hand; fisti-
cuffs ; hence close quarters.
1603. KNOLLES, Hist, of the Turkes.
If ever they came to HANDY-BLOWS.
1690. B. E., Cant. Crew, s.v.
HANDY BLOWS, Fistycuffs.
1725. New Cant. Diet, s.v.
HANDY- MAN, subs, (colloquial). — A
servant or workman doing odd
jobs.
1847. DE QUINCEY, The Spanish
Military Nun, Wks. (1890), xiii., 165.
She was a HANDY GIRL. She could turn
her hand to anything.
1872. Times, 27 Aug. ' Autumn
Manoeuvres.' The result is he cannot be
called a HANDY-MAN.
1889. Pall Mall Gaz., 8 Nov., p. 2,
c. i. Again did Mr. Sambourne's HANDY-
MAN appear, this time clad in the real
robes of the Lord Mayor.
1892. HUME NISBET, Bushranger s
Sweetheart, p. 55. He was a HANDY-
MAN.
HANG, subs, (colloquial). — i. The
general drift, tendency, or bent :
as in TO GET THE HANG OF = tO
get conversant with ; to acquire
the trick, or knack, or knowledge
of.
1847. DARLEY, Drama in Poker-
•ville, p. 67. The theatre was cleared in
an instant ... all running to GET THE
HANG OF the scrape.
1848. JONES, Sketches of Travel, p.
70. By this time I began to GIT THE
HANG OF the place a little better.
1851. HOOPER, Widow Rugby's
Husband, etc., p. 64. To be efficient a
solicitor must GET THE HANG OF his
customers.
a. 1871. PRIME, Hist, of Long
Island, p. 82. If ever you must have an
indifferent teacher for your children, let it
be after they have got a fair start and have
ACQUIRED THE HANG OF the tools for
themselves.
1884. MILLIKEN, Punch, n Oct.
They ain't GOT THE 'ANG OF it, Charlie
the toffs ain't.
1890. Daily Chronicle, 4 Apr., p. 7
c. 2. When the Raw Cadet enters Wool-
wich Academy, it is sometime before he
GETS what some call THE HANG OF the
place.
Hang.
261
Hang.
1892. Illustrated Bits, Oct. 22, p. 6.
c. 2. When I GET THE HANG OF them I
shall be a regular dab at theosophy.
2. (colloquial).— A little bit ; a
bit ; a DAMN. See CARE. Fr.,
s'en contreficher or s'en tamponner
le coquard (or coquillard).
1861. H. KINGSLEY, Ra-venshoe, ch.
xliii. She looks as well as you by candle-
light, but she can't ride a HANG.
Verb (generally HANG IT !).—
An exclamation of vexation, dis-
gust, or disappointment ; also,
more forcibly, a euphemism for
DAMN IT ! Fr., Ah ! mince alors.
1598. SHAKSPEARE, 2 Henry IV.,
ii., 4. He a good wit ? HANG HIM, baboon !
1609. JONSON, Epiccene, ii., 2. A
mere talking mole, HANG HIM.
1614. JONSON, Bartholomew Fair,
v. 3. Ay, and BE HANGED.
1694. DUNTON, Ladies' Diet., p. 229.
Aristaenetus telling a brisk buxom Lass of
a proper fine Man that would make her a
good Husband, HANG HIM [reply'd she]
he has no Mony.
1772. COLES, Eng.-Lat. Diet., s.v.
Hanged. Go AND BE HANGED.
1780. MRS. COWLEY, Belle's Strata-
gem, iv., i. HANG Harriet, and Charlotte,
and Maria ! the name your father gave ye ?
1823. W. T. MONCRIEFF. Tom and
Jerry, ii., 5. HANG cards! bring me a
bobstick of rum slim.
1836. M. SCOTT, Cruise of the
Afidge, p. 169. 'You BE HANGED, Felix,'
quoth his ally, with a most quizzical grin.
1863. CH. READE, Hard Cash, ii.,
218. HANG the grub ; it turns my
stomach.
1883. R. L. STEVENSON, Treasure
Island, p. 161. You can GO HANG !
1889. Sporting Times, 6 July.
Hebrew Scholar : Rub up your Hebrew.
Or GO AND HANG yourself.
1890. GRANT ALLEN, Tents ofShem,
ch. xvii. HANG IT ALL, if that's English
law, you know, I don't thing very much of
the wisdom of our ancestors.
1891. N. GOULD, Double Event,
p. 164. HANG IT ALL.
1892. MILL i KEN, Arry Ballads,
p. 7. But "ANG IT, I can't stand the style
of the silent and the stare-me-down sort.
1892. F. ANSTEY, Voces Populi, 'On
the Ice,' p. 122. Stick by me, old fellow,
till I begin to feel my Oh, HANG IT
ALL!
To HANG AN ARSE, verb. phr.
(old). — To hang back; to hesi-
tate.
1598. MARSTON, Satyres, 'Ad
Rythmum.' But if you HANG AN ARSE
like Tubered, When Chremes dragged
him from his brothel bed.
1637. MASSINGER, Guardian, v, 5
Nay, no HANGING AN ARSE.
1639-61. Rump Songs, ii., 86. Nay,
if it HANG AN ARSE, We'll pluck it from
the stares, And roast it at hell for its grease.
1748. SMOLLETT, Roderick Random,
ch. Ixv. My lads, I'm told you HANG
AN ARSE.
1780. TOMLINSON, Slang Pastoral,
2. My ARSE HANGS behind me as heavy
as lead.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
To HANG IN, verb. phr. (com-
mon).— To get to work; to do
one's best ; to WIRE IN (q.v.).
TO HANG IN THE BELLROPES,
verb. phr. (common). — To defer
marriage after being ' asked ' in
church.
TO HANG ON BY ONE'S EYE-
LASHES, , verb. phr. (colloquial).—
To persist at any cost, and in the
teeth of any discouragement.
TO HANG ON BY THE SPLASH-
BOARD, verb. phr. (common). —
To ' catch' a tram, omnibus, etc.,
when it is on the move ; hence
to succeed by the ' skin of one's
teeth.' Fr., arcpincer Fomnibtis.
TO HANG AROUND (or ABOUT),
verb. phr. (American). — T>o
loiter ; to loaf ; to haunt.
Hang.
262
Hang,
To HANG OUT, verb (common).
— To live ; to reside. Also (subs. ),
a residence ; a lodging ; and
(American university) a feast ; an
entertainment.
1811. Lexicon Balatroniciim, s.v.
HANG OUT. The traps scavey where we
HANG OUT ; the officers know where we
live.
1836. DICKENS, Pickwick, ch. xxx.
' I say, old boy, where do you HANG OUT ? '
Mr. Pickwick replied that he was at present
suspended at the George and Vulture.
1852. BRISTED, Five Years in an
English University, p. 80. The fourth of
July I celebrated by a HANG-OUT.
1871. City Press, 21 Jan. 'Curi-
osities of Street Literature.' He HANGS
OUT in Monrnouth-coutt.
1892. MILLIKEN, 'Arry Ballads, p.
14. I should like to go in for blue blood,
and 'ANG OUT near the clubs and the
parks.
TO HANG OUT A SHINGLE,
verb. phr. (American). — To start
or carry on business.
1871. Public Opinion, Dec. Tom
StOWell HUNG OUT HIS SHINGLE ES a
lawyer at the Tombs, afterwards at Essex-
market, and eventually in Brooklyn.
To HANG ONE'S LATCHPAN,
verb. phr. (common). — To be
dejected; to pout. ¥r.,faire son
aquilin.
To HANG IT OUT, verb. phr.
(common). — To skulk; TO MIKE
To HANG UP, verb. phr. (com-
mon). — I. To give credit ; to
score (or chalk) up : said of a
reckoning. Also 'to put on the
slate ' or (American) ON THE ICE
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v. HANG-
IT-UP, speaking of the Reckoning at a
Bowsing-Ken, when the Rogues are
obliged, for want of Money, to run on Tick.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
2. (American).— To bear in
mind ; to remember.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum, s.v.
HANG IT UP. Think of it, remember it.
3. (American). — To pawn,
For synonyms, see For.
4. (thieves'). — To rob with
violence on the street ; TO HOLD
UP (q.v.). Fr., la fair e ait pere
Francois.
5. (common). — To be in
extremis ; to know not which
way to turn for relief : e.g. , A
MAN HANGING = one to whom
any change must be for the
better.
6. (colloquial). — To postpone;
to leave undecided.
1887. Cornhill Magazine, June, p.
624. To HANG UP A BILL is to pass it
through one or more of its stages, and then
to lay it aside, and defer its further con-
sideration for a more or less indefinite
period.
To HANG ON, verb. - phr.
(colloquial). — (i) To sponge;
and (2) to pursue an individual or
a design.
1601. SHAKSPEARE, Henry VIII.,
iii., 2. Oh, how wretched Is that poor
man that HANGS ON princes' favours !
To HANG OFF, verb. phr.
(printers'). — To fight shy of.
To HANG UP ONE'S FIDDLE,
verb. phr. (American). — To retire';
to desist. To HANG UP ONE'S
FIDDLE ANYWHERE = To adapt
oneself to circumstances.
To HANG UP ONE'S HAT,
verb. phr. (common). — i. To
die. For synonyms, see ALOFT.
1854. Notes and Queries, Vol. X.,
p. 203. He has HUNG UP HIS HAT. This
sentence, which is sometimes used in refer-
ence to persons deceased, etc.
1882. Punch, Ixxxii., 185, c. i.
2. (common) — To make one-
self permanently at home.
Hang-bluff.
263 Hangman' s-wages.
HANG- BLUFF, subs, (rhyming). —
Snuff.
1857. DUCANGE ANGLICUS, Vulg.
Tongue, s.v.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum, s.v.
HANG- BY, subs. (old). — A hanger-
'on ; a parasite ; a companion.
1598. JONSON, Every Man in his
Humour, iv., 2. I am not afraid of you
nor them neither, you HANG-BYES here.
HANG-DOG, subs. (old). — A pitiful
rascal, only fit for the rope or the
hanging of superfluous curs. Cf. ,
GALLOWS-BIRD.
1732. FIELDING, Mock^ Doctor, i., 4.
Heaven has inspired me with one of the
most wonderful inventions to be revenged
on my HANG-DOG.
Adj. (old). — Vile, or suspicious,
in aspect ; GALLOWS-LOOKING
HANG-GALLOWS, adj. (old).
quot.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HANG-GALLOWS Look, a thievish, or vil-
lainous appearance.
HANGER, subs. (old). — A side-arm —
short sword or cutlass — hanging
from the girdle. [See HANGERS,
in. p!., sense I.]
1815. SCOTT, Guy Mannering, x. A
couteau de chase, or short HANGER.
In. pi. (old). — i. Ornamental
loops from the girdle to suspend
the sword and dagger.
1596. SHAKSPEARE, Hamlet, v. 2.
Six French rapiers and poignards, with
their assigns, as girdle, HANGERS, and
so on.
1596. NASHE, Utif. Trav. [Chiswick
Press, 1891]. Huge HANGERS that have
half a cowhide in them.
1599. JONSON, Every Man out of his
Humour, iv., 4. I had thrown off the
HANGERS a little before.
1610. JONSON, Alchemist, v., 2.
Where be the French petticoats, And
girdles and HANGERS ?
2. (common). — Gloves ; specifi-
cally gloves in the hand.
3. See POTHOOKS.
HANG-IN-CHAINS,.?^. //fcr. (old).
— See quots.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HANG-IN-CHAINS, a vile desperate fellow.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum. HANG-
IN-CHAINS. A vile, desperate fellow.
Persons guilty of murder, or other atro-
cious crimes, are frequently, after execu-
tion, hanged on a gibbet, to which they are
fastened by iron bandages ; the gibbet is
commonly placed on or near the place
where the crime was committed.
HANGING, adj. (colloquial).— Fit
for the halter.
HANGING-BEE, subs. (American). —
A gathering of lynch-lawmongers,
bent on the application of the
rope. See BEE.
HANGING JOHNNY, subs. phr.
(venery).— The/««j: specifically,
in a condition of impotence or
disease. For synonyms, see
CREAMSTICK and PRICK.
HANGMAN, subs. (old). — A jocular
endearment.
1600. SHAKSPEARE, Much Ado
About Nothing, iii., 2. He had twice or
thrice cut Cupid's bowstring, and the little
HANGMAN dare not shoot at him.
HANGMAN'S- DAY, subs. (old). —
Monday, and (in America) Friday.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum, s.v.
HANGMAN'S DAY. Friday is so called
from the custom of hanging people on a
Friday.
HANGMAN'S-WAGES, subs, (old).—
Thirteen-pence-halfpenny. [The
fee for an execution was a Scots
Hang-slang about. 264
Hanky-panky*
mark : the value of which piece
was settled, by a proclamation of
James I., at I3^d.]
1602. DECKER, Honest Whore, Pt.
II., in Wks. (1873) ii., 171. Why should I
eate hempe-seed at the HANGMAN'S
THIRTEENE- PENCE HALFE- PENNY Ordinary?
1659. Hangman s Last Will (Rump
Song quoted in Notes and Queries, 2 S. xi.,
316). For half THIRTEEN-PENCE HALF-
PENNY WAGES, I would have cleared out all
the town cages, And you should have been
rid of all the sages. I and my gallows
groan.
1678. BUTLER, Hudibras, Pt. III.,
c. 2. To find us pillories and cart's-tails,
Or HANGMAN'S WAGES.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s v.
HANGMAN'S WAGES, thirteenpence half-
penny, which according to the vulgar
tradition was thus allotted, one shilling for
the execution, and three halfpence for the
rope.
HANG-SLANG ABOUT, verb, phr,
(common).— To abuse ; TO SLANG
(q.v.) ; TO BILLINGSGATE (q.v.).
HANK, subs, (old colloquial). — I.
A tie ; a hold ; an advantage ; a
difficulty. [!N A HANK = in
trouble].
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
He has a HANK upon him, or the As-
cendant over him.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v. He
has a HANK upon him ; He .... will
make him do what he pleases.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v. He
has a HANK on him, t.e., an ascendant
over him, or a hold upon him : A SMITH-
FIELD HANK, = An ox rendered furious
by over driving and barbarous treatment.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabitlum, s.v.
HANK. To know something about a man
that is disreputable. He has a HANK on
the bloke, whereby he sucks honey when
he chooses, he knows something about the
man, and therefore induces him to give
him money when he chooses.
2. (common). — A spell of rest ;
an easy time.
1888. Sporting Life, 7 Dec. So quiet
was the first round that the ire of the com-
pany was raised, and they called out, ' No
HANK !'
Verb (common). — To worry ;
to bait ; to drive from pillar to
post.
HANKER, verb (old : now
recognised). — To desire eagerly;
to fret after ; to long or pine for :
generally with ' after. ' Also,
HANKERING (subs.} = 2a\ impor-
tunate and irritating longing.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HANKER AFTER, to Long or wish much for.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v. To
HANKER AFTER anything, to have a long-
ing after or for it.
1847. ROBB, Squatter Life, p. 98. I
did see a creatur' once, named Sofy
Mason .... that I tuk an orful HANKER-
IN' ARTER.
1878. WHITMAN, Leaves of Grass,
' Spontaneous Me,' 90 (ed. 1884). The
hairy wild-bee that murmurs and HANKERS
up and down.
HAN KIN, subs, (commercial). — The
trick of putting off bad work for
good. [Cf., TO PLAY HAN KEY,
or TO PLAY HANKY-PANKY.]
HANKTELO, subs. (old). — See quots.
1593. N A s H E , Strange Newes
(Grosart, Wks., ii., 251). Is the Astrolo-
gicaall Discourse a better booke than
Pierce Pennilesse ? Gjtbriel HANGTELOW
saies it is ?
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v
HANKTELO, a silly Fellow, a meer Cods-
head.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
1 785. GROSE, Vulg, Tongue, s.v.
HANKY-PANKY, subs, (common). —
(i) Legerdemain ; whence (2)
trickery ; UNDERHAND (q.v.}
work ; cheating ; any manner of
Hanky-panky-bloke. 265
Hansel.
double-dealing or intrigue. HAN-
KY-PANKY BUSINESS -conjuring;
HANKY - PANKY WORK (or
TRICKS) = double-dealing. A
BIT OF HANKY-PANKY = a trick ;
a piece of knavery.
1841. Punch, Vol. I., p. 88. Only a
little HANKY-PANKY.
1880. G. R. SIMS, Zeph, ch. xiii. He
knew that . . . any crime committed on
his premises would tell against him on
licensing day, and he kept a pretty sharp
look out to see that what he was pleased
to term HANKY PANKY was not carried on
under his nose.
1864. E. YATES, Broken to Harness,
ch. xxxviii. If there was any HANKY
PANKY, any mystery I mean, he'd always
swear he was out whenever he called, for
fear it should be bullied out of him.
1877. Five Years' Penal Servitude,
ch. v., p. 323. There's some HANKY
PANKY business going on among the men
of No. 2 prison ; the Catholic side is
ringing changes and it is done in this
shop.
HANKY-PANKY-BLOKE, subs. phr.
(theatrical). — A conjuror ; a PILE
OF MAGS (q.v ).
HANKY-SPANKY, adj. (common). —
Dashing; NOBBY (q.v.). Speci-
fically of well-cut clothes.
HANNAH. THAT'S THE MAN AS
MARRIEDHANNAH,//^. (streets').
— ' That's the thing ' : used of a
thing well begun and well ended ;
or as an expressive of certainty.
Varied sometimes by THAT'S
WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH
HANNAH.
HANS CARVEL'S RING, subs. phr.
(venery). — The kvaait pudendum,
For synonyms, see MONOSYL-
LABLE. [From Poggio (tit. Annu-
lus) ; Cent Nouvelles Nouvelles
(xi); Ariosto (Sat. v.) ; the
Nouvelle of Malespini (89, ii.) ;
Rabelais (Pantagruel^ iii., 28) ;
and Matthew Prior. ]
HANSEL (or HANDSEL) subs, (com-
mon).— The first money taken in
the morning ; lucky money.
Hence, earnest money ; first-
fruits,&c. HANSEL-MONDAY = the
first Monday in the new year, when
presents were received by children
and servants. [A. S., handselen =
to deliver into the hand.]
1587. GREENE, Menaphon (Arber),
p. 71. He should like inough haue had
first HANDSELL of our new Shepheards
sheepehooke.
1614. JONSON, Bartholomew Fair,
ii. Bring him a sixpenny bottle of ale :
They say a fool's HANDSEL is lucky.
1679. HOLLAND, Ammianus Mar-
cellinus. With which wofull tidings
being sore astonied, as if it were the first
HANSELL and beginning of evils comming
toward him.
1787. GROSE, Prov. Glossary, etc.
(1811), p. 121. It is a common practice
among the lower class of hucksters, ped-
lars, or dealers in fruit or fish, on receiving
the price of the first goods sold that day,
which they call HANSEL, to spit on the
money, as they term it, for good luck.
1815. SCOTT, Guy Mannering, ch
iii. There was a whin bonnie lasses there,
forbye mysel', and deil ane to gie them
HANSELS. Ibid, ch. xxxii. Grizzy has
naething frae me, by twa pair o' new shoon
ilka year, and maybe a bit compliment at
HANSEL MONANDAY.
1821. SCOTT, Kenilworth, ch. xix.
1 How wears the Hollands you won of me?
' Why, well, as you may see, Master Gold-
thred,' answered Mike ; ' I will bestow a
pot on thee for the HANDSEL.'
Verb (common). — i. To give
handsel to ; also (2), to use for
the first time.
1599. NASHE, Lenten Stuffe, in
Wks., v., 249. And gather about him as
flocking to HANSELL him and strike him
good luck.
1605. CHAPMAN, etc., Eastward Hoe,
ii. My lady .... is so ravished with
desire to HANSELL her new coach.
1639-61. Rump Songs, i. [1662], 137.
Belike he meant to HANSELL his New
Satten.
Hansdlcr.
266
Happy.
1663. PEPYS, Diary, 12 Apr. Coming
home to-night, a drunken boy was carrying
by our constable to our new pair of stocks
to HANDSEL them.
1874. {G. A. LAWRENCE], Hagarene,
ch. xvii. The habit of stout blue cloth
.... was* Pete Harradine's last and
crowning extravagance, as they passed
through town on their way to Fulmerstone,
and it had never been HANSELLED yet.
1881. BESANT and RICE, Sweet
Nelly, in Ten Years Tenant, etc., Vol. I.,
p. 200. I wanted to present her with
something to HANSEL friendship.
HANSELLER, subs, (common). — A
street vendor ; a Cheap Jack.
1851-61. H. MAYHEW, Lend. Lab.
and Land. Poor, i., 392. The sellers of
tins, who carry them under their arms, or
in any way on a round, apart from the use
of a vehicle, are known as HAND-SELLERS.
1876. HINDLEY, Ad-ventures of a
Cheap Jack, p. 10. Cheap-Jacks, as they
were then as now called by the people,
although the term HAN'-SELLER is mostly
used by themselves.
HANS-EN-KELDER, subs. (old). — A
child in the womb : literally,
JACK - IN - THE - CELLAR (q.v.).
[From the Dutch.]
1647. CLEAVELAND, Character of a
London Diurnall. The originall sinner in
this kind was Dutch ; Galliobelgicus, the
Protoplast ; and the moderne Mercuries,
but HANS-EN-KELDERS. The countesse of
Zealand was brought to bed of an almanack;
as many children as dayes in the yeare.
1648. Mercurius Pragmaticus, \.
The birthday of that precious new govern-
ment which is yet but a HANS-EN-KELDER.
</.1658. LOVELACE, Poems, p. 63. Next
beg I to present my duty To pregnant sister
in prime beauty, Whom [who] well I deem
(ere few months elder) Will take out HANS
FROM pretty KELDER.
1663. DRYDEN, Wild Gallant, v.,
Wks.,\. 6r (1701). Seems you are desirous
I should Father this HANS EN KELDER
heere.
1672. MARVELL, Char, of Holland,
line 65. More pregnant then their Marg'ret,
that laid down For HANS-IN-KELDER of a
whole Hanse town.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HANS-EN-KELDER, Jack in the Box, the
Child in the Womb, or a Health to it.
1672. WYCHERLEY, Love in a Wood,
v. Then I am as it were a grandfather to
your new Wiffe's, HANS EN KELDER.
1678. T. BAKER, Tuntridge Wells,
p. 27. Here's a health to this Lady's
HANS IN KELDER !
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HANS IN KELDER, a health frequently
drank to breeding women, or their
husbands.
HANSOM, subs, (coster). — A chop.
HAP- HARLOT, subs. (old). — A coarse
stuff to make rugs or coverlets
with; a rug. Cf., WRAP-RASCAL
= an overcoat.
1577-87. HOLINSHED, Description
of England, bk. ii., ch. xii, A sheet
vnder couerlets made of dagswain, or HAP-
HARLOTS (I vse their cwne termes).
HA' FORTH o' COPPERS, subs. phr.
(legal). — Habeas Corpus.
HA'PORTH OF LIVELINESS, subs,
phr. (Coster). — I. Music.
1851-61. H. MAYHEW, Land. Lab.
and Lond. Poor, i., p. 21. Or they will
call to the orchestra, saying, ' Now then
you catgut-scrapers ! Let's have a
HA'PORTH OF LIVELINESS.'
2. (common). — A loitering
Lawrence ; a SLOWCOACH (q.v.).
HAPPIFY, verb. (American). — To
please.
1612. SYLVESTER, Lack. Lack., 642.
One short mishap for ever HAPPJFIES.
1848. BURTON, Waggeries, etc., p.
70. For eatin' and drinkin', it HAPPIFIES
me to say that we bang the bush.
HAPPY, adj. (common). — Slightly
drunk ; ELEVATED (q.v.}. For
synonyms, see DRINKS and
SCREWED.
Happy-despatch. 267
Hard.
HAPPY- DESPATCH, subs, (common).
— Death, specifically, a sudden or
violent end.
HAPPY-DOSSER. See DOSSER.
HAPPY ELIZA, subs, (common). —
A female Salvationist [As in the
Broadside Ballad ( 1887-8), ' They
call me Happy Eliza, and I'm
Converted Jane : We've been two
hot'uns in our time.']
HAPPY- FAMILY, subs, (colloquial). —
See quot.
1851-61. H. MAYHEW, Land. Lab'
and Land. Poor, iii., p. 224. HAPPY
FAMILIES, or assemblages of animals of
diverse habits and propensities living
amicably, or at least quietly, in one cage.
HAPPY - GO - LUCKY, subs, (collo-
quial).— Careless ; thoughtless ;
improvident. Fr., va commeje te
pousse and a la flan.
1856. READE, Never Too Late to
Mend, ch. xv. In the HAPPY-GO-LUCKY
way of his class.
1883. Illust. London News, 8 Dec.,
p. 551, c. i. He dashes off a play in a
HAPPY-GO-LUCKY style, basing it on theatri-
cal precedent so far as certain stock situa-
tions are concerned.
HAPPY HUNTING-GROUNDS, subs,
(American). — I. The future state ;
GLORY (q.v.). [From the North-
American Indian's conception of
heaven.]
1848. RUXTON, Life in the Far
West, p. 98. After a long journey, they
will reach the HAPPY HUNTING-GROUNDS.
1891. GUNTER, Miss Nobody of
Nowhere, ch. v. Old Mescal is now
keeping a sharp eye out for the child and
the cowboy, that he may send them to the
HAPPY HUNTING-GROUNDS also.
2. (colloquial). — A favourable
place for work or play.
1892. C assetfs Sat. Journal, 26 Oct.,
p. 119. The HAPPY HUNTING-GROUND of
the swell mobsman is the opening of some
Exhibition.
3. (venery). — The female
pudendum. For synonyms, see
MONOSYLLABLE.
HAPPY-LAND, subs, (common). —
The after life; GLORY (q.v.).
1893. DANVERS, The Grant ham
Mystery, ch. xiii. The old 'un will soon
join the young 'un in the HAPPY LAND.
HAPPY- RETURNS, jw^j. (Australian).
— Vomiting. See FLAY THE Fox.
HARBOUR, subs, (venery). — The
female pudendum. For synonyms,
see MONOSYLLABLE. Also HAR-
BOUR OF HOPE.
HARD, subs, (prison). — i. Hard
labour.
1890. Globe, _ 26 Feb., p. i, c. 4.
Monetary penalties, therefore, do not
act as deterrents, but the certainty of seven
days' incarceration, with or without HARD,
would soon diminish the nuisance.
2. See HARD-SHELL.
3. (colloquial). —Third-class.
As opposed to SOFT (q. v. ). Thus :
* Do you go HARD or SOFT ? ' =
1 Do you go Third or First ? '
An abbreviation of HARD-ARSE.
Adj. (American). — i. Applied
to metal of all kinds : e.g., HARD
(COLE or STUFF) =silver or gold
as compared to cheques or SOFT
(?.nX
1825. NEAL, Bro. Jonathan, it., ch.
18. The bill .... amounted to one
dollar and a quarter HARD MONEY.
1844. Puck, p. 146. That cunning
old file wont let her go with the HARD
CASH down.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulutn, s.v.
HARD ; metal.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum, s.v.
HARD COLE. Silver or gold money.
1863. CHARLES READE, Hard Cash.
[Title.]
Hard,
268
Hard-barga in.
2. (old: now recognised). — I.
Sourorsouring; asinHARD-ClDER;
(2) HARD drinks (American) =-
intoxicating liquors, as wine,
ale, etc., while lemonade, soda-
water, ginger-beer, etc., are SOFT.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HARD DRINK, that is very Stale, or begin-
ing to Sower.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HARD, stale beer nearly sour, is said to be
HARD.
1882. Daily Telegraph, 10 Oct., p. 5,
c. 3. A fourth defendant, in pleading
guilty, urged that the month of August
last ' turned a lot of beer sour,' and that he
had only used some sugar for the purpose
of mollifying the HARD or sour porter.
HARD AS A BONE (NAILS, etc. ),
adj. phr. (colloquial). — Very hard;
austere ; unyielding.
1885. Indoor Paupers, p. 79. _ He
stood it for a week or two without flinch-
ing— being at that date HARD AS NAILS, as
he expresses it.
HARD AT IT, adj. phr. (collo-
quial).—Very busy ; in the thick
of a piece of work.
To DIE HARD, verb. phr. (collo-
quial).— To sell one's life dearly ;
e.g., The DIE-HARDS (q.v.), the
59th Regiment, so called from their
gallantry at Albuera.
TO GIVE HARD FOR SOFT, verb.
phr. (venery). — To copulate. See
GREENS.
To BE HARD HIT. See
HARD-HIT.
[HARD, adj., is used in many combi-
nations ; generally with an unpleasant
intention. Thus, HARD-ARSED (or FISTED,
or HANDEo)=very niggardly ; HARD-BIT
(or HARD-MOUTHFUL) = an unpleasant ex-
perience ; HARD-DRIVEN (or HARD-RUN> =
sore bested ; HARD-FACED (or FAVOURED,
or FEATURED)=grum, shrewish, or bony ;
HARD-HEADED (or HARD-WITTED) = shrewd
and intelligent, but unimaginative and un-
sympathetic ; HARD-HEARTED = incapable
of pity; HARD-LiPPED=obstinate, dour
HARD-MASTER = a nigger-driver ; HARD-
NUT =a. dangerous antagonist ; HARD-ON =
pitiless in severity; HARD-RioiNG^selfish
and reckless equestration ; HARD-SERVICE
=the worst kind of employment ; HARD-
WROUGHT = overworked, etc., etc.]
HARD-A-WEATHER, adj. (nautical).
— Tough ; weather-proof.
1891. W. C. RUSSELL, Ocean Tra-
gedy, p. 44. They were HARD-A-WEATHEK
fellows.
HARD-BAKE, subs, (schoolboys'). —
A sweetmeat made of boiled
brown sugar or treacle with
blanched almonds.
1825. HONE, Every-day Bk., I., 51.
HARDBAKE, brandy-balls, and bull's-eyes.
1836. DICKENS, Pickwick, ii. The
commodities exposed for sale in the public
streets are marine stores, HARD-BAKE,
apples, etc.
HARD-BAKED, adj. (old). — i. Con-
stipated.
1823. JON BEE, Diet, of Turf, s.v.
2. (common). — Stern ; un-
flinching ; strong.
1847. ROBB, Squatter Life, p. 73.
It's my opinion, these squirtish kind a
fellars ain't perticular HARD-BAKED.
HARD- BARGAIN (or CASE), subs.
(common). — I. A lazy fellow; a
BAD -EGG (q.v.) ; a skulker. ONE
OF THE QUEEN'S HARD-BAR-
GAINS = a bad soldier.
1848. RUXTON, Life in the Far
West, p. 71. La Bpnte had lost all traces
of civilised humanity, and might justly
claim to be considered as HARD A CASE as
any of the mountaineers then present.
1888. LYNCH, Mountain Mystery,
ch. xliii. A fellow who comes and goes
between here and Rockville, generally
considered a HARD CASE, and believed to
be more outlaw than miner.
2. (trade). — A defaulting debtor.
3. (nautical). — A brutal mate
or officer. Also HARD-HORSE.
Hard-bit.
269
Hard-neck.
HARD-BIT (or BIT OF HARD), subs.
(venery). — I. The penis in
erection ; whence (2), for women,
the act of connection.
HARD-BITTEN, adj. (colloquial). —
Resolute ; GAME (q. v. ) ; desperate.
1815. SCOTT, Guy Mannering, liii.
My sooth, they'll be HARD-BITTEN terriers
will worrie Dandie.
HARD-CHEESE, subs. (Royal Mili-
tary Academy). — Hard lines; bad
luck j specifically at billiards.
HARD-COLE. See HARD and COLE.
HARD-DOINGS, subs. (American). —
I. Rough fare ; and (2) hard
work.
1848. RUXTON, Life in the Far
West, p. 37. HARD DOINS when it comes
to that.
HARD-DRINKING, subs, (old: now
recognized). — Drinking to excess.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HARD-DRINKING, excessive Soking, or
toping aboundance.
HARD-HEAD, subs. (American). —
A man of good parts, physical,
intellectual, or moral.
1824. R. E. PEAKE, Americans
Abroad, i., i. Dou. None of your
flouting, by jumping jigs, I won't stand it
— we Americans have got HARDHEADS — «ve
warn't brought up in the woods to be
scart at by an owl — you can't scare me so.
1848. DURIVAGE, Stray Subjects, p.
no. Most of the passengers had dis-
appeared for the night, and only a knot of
HARD-HEADS were left upon deck.
HARD-HIT. To BE HARD HIT, verb
phr. (colloquial). — i. To have
experienced a heavy loss ; as over
a race, at cards, etc.
2. (colloquial). —To be deeply
in love ; completely GONE ON
(q.v.).
1888. J. MCCARTHY and MRS.
CAMPBELL-PRAED, Ladies' Gallery, ch.
xxv. The wound was keen, I had been
HIT HARD.
1891. M. E. BRADDON, Gerard, p.
312. You've been HARD HIT.
HARD- LINES, sttbs. (colloquial). —
Hardship ; difficulty ; an unfor-
tunate result or occurrence.
[Formerly LINE = lot : Cf., Bible
and Prayer book version of Psalm
xvi., 5, 6.]
1855. Notes and Queries, i S. xii.,
p. 287. HARD LINES. Whence is this
expression, so common, particularly among
seafaring men, derived ?
1881. W. BLACK, Beautiful Wretch,
ch. xxiii. I think it's deuced HARD LINES
to lock up a fellow for merely humbugging
an old parson up in Kentish Town.
1888. Sporting Life, 15 Dec. For the
Kempton folks it was rather HARD LINES.
1888. J. MCCARTHY and MRS.
CAMPBELL - PRAED, Ladies' Gallery,
ch. xxvi. It's awful HARD LINES, Lady
Star Strange, that I am only thought good
enough for you Londoners in the dead
season.
1892. MILLIKEN, 'Arry Ballads, p. 3.
I call it 'ARD LINES, dear old man.
HARD-MOUTHED, adj. (colloquial).
— Difficult to deal with; wilful ;
obstinate. Also coarse in speech.
[From the stable.]
1686. DURFEY, Commonw. ofWordes,
i., i. [Speaking of a girl.] I hate your
young Wechees, Skitish Colts — they are so
HARD MOUTH'D, there's no dealing with
em.
1704. SWIFT, Tale of a Tub, Sect.
ix. I myself, the author of these mo-
mentous truths, am a person, whose
imaginations are HARD-MOUTHED, and
exceedingly disposed to run away with his
reason.
1 704. SWIFT, Operation of the Spirit,
Sect. ii., par. 9. The flesh .... when it
comes to the turn of being bearer, is
wonderfully headstrong and HARD-
MOUTHED.
HARD-NECK, subs. (tailors'), —
Brazen impudence, MONUMENTAL
CHEFK (q.V.}.
Hard-on.
270
Hard-tack.
HARD-ON, culj. phr. (venery). —
Prick-proud. For synonyms, see
HORN.
HARD- PAN, subs. phr. (American). —
The lowest point ; BED-ROCK
1882. BESANT, All Sorts and Con-
ditions of Men, ch. xxi. And as for
business, it's got down to the HARD PAN,
and dollars are skurce.
1861. HOLMES, Elsie Venner, ch.
viii. Mr. Silas Peckham had gone a little
deeper than he meant, and came upon the
HARD-PAN, as the well-diggers call it, of the
Colonel's character, before he thought
of it.
1888. Missouri Republican, 2 Mar-
Prices were at HARD-PAN.
TO GET DOWN TO HARD-PAN,
verb. phr. (American). — i. "To
buckle to ; to get to business.
HARD-PUNCH ER,SU&S. (common). —
The fur cap of the London rough ;
formerly worn by men in training ;
a modification of the Scotch cap
with a peak. [From the nick-
name of a noted pugilist.]
HARD- PUSH ED, adv. (colloquial). —
In difficulties ; HARD-UP (q.v.}.
a. 1871. Perils of Pearl Street, p.
123. As I said, at the end of six months
we began to be HARD-PUSHED. Our credit,
however, was still fair.
HARD PUT To, adj. phr. (collo-
quial).— In a difficulty, monetary
or other ; e.g. , He'd be HARD
PUT TO IT to find a sovereign (or
a word, or an excuse) = It would
take him all his time, etc.
HARD-ROW. See Row.
HARD- RUN, adj. (colloquial). — In
want of money; HARD-UP (q.v.).
HARD-SHELL, subs. (American). —
A member of an extreme section
of Baptists holding very strict
and rigid views. [The SOFT-
SHELLS are of more liberal mind.]
Also HARDS and SOFTS.
1848. ]o-tsES,Sketches oj 'Travel, p. 30.
The old HARD-SHELL laid about him like
eath.
1838. Baltimore Sun. Mr. E., a
regular member of the HARD-SHELL Baptist
Church.
1893. STEVENSON, Island Night's
Entertainments, p. 35. He's a HARD-
SHELL Baptist is Papa.
2. (political American). — A
division of the Democratic Party
in 1846-48, when the HUNKERS
(q.v.} received the name of HARDS,
and their opponents, the BARN-
BURNERS (q.v.) that of SOFTS.
1847. ROBB, Squatter Life, p. 91.
HARDS, softs, whigs and Tylerites were
represented.
Adj. (American). — Extremely
orthodox ; unyielding ; hide-
bound.
HARD-STUFF, subs. (American). —
I. Money.
2. (Australian). — Intoxicating
liquors ; see HARD (adj. sense 2).
For synonyms see DRINKS.
HARD-TACK, subs, (nautical). — i.
Ship's biscuits ; specifically, ord-
inary sea-fare as distingushed from
food ashore, or SOFT-TOMMY
(?.».).
1841. LEVER, Charles O'Malley, ch.
Ixxxviii. No more HARD-TACK, thought II ,
no salt butter, but a genuine land break-
fast.
1889. Lippincott, Oct., p. 476. They
have feasted on salt horse and HARD-TACK
many a day ; but they know a good thing
when they find it.
2 (common). — Coarse or in-
sufficient fare.
Hard-up.
271
Hard-iip.
HARD-UP, subs, (common). — i. A
collector of cigar ends, a TOPPER-
HUNTER. [Which refuse, un-
twisted and chopped up, is sold to
theverypoor.] Sometimes HARD-
CUT. Fr., un megottier.
1851-61. H. MAYHEW, Land. Lab.
and Lond. Poor, i., p. 5. The cigar-end
finders, or HARD-UPS, as they are called,
who collect the refuse pieces of smoked
cigars from the gutters, and having dried
them, sell them as tobacco to the very
poor.
1838. Tit Bits, 24 March, 373.
Smoking HARD-UP is picking up the stumps
of cigars thrown away in the streets,
cutting them up, and smoking them in the
pipe.
1891. Morning Advertiser, 26 Mar.
A constable on duty on the Embankment
early in the morning saw the accused
prowling about, and on asking what he was
doing, received the reply that he was look-
ing for HARD CUT. — Mr.Vaughan: Looking
for what ? — The Prisoner : HARD-CUT ;
dropped cigar-ends.
2. (common). — A poor man ;
a STONY-BROKE (q.V.).
1857. DUCANGE ANGLICUS, Vulg.
Tongue, HARD-UP, a poor person.
Adv. phr. (colloquial). — i.Very
badly in want of money; in urgent
need of anything. Also HARD-
RUN and HARD-PUSHED.
1809-41. TH. HOOK, The Suther-
lands. He returned, and being HARD UP,
as we say, took it into his head to break a
shop-window at Liverpool, and take out
some trumpery trinket stuff.
1821. HAGGART, Life, p. 104. There
I met in with two Edinburgh snibs, who
were HARD UP.
1837. BARHAM, Ingoldsby Legends,
' Merchant of Venice.' Who by showing
at Operas, Balls, Plays, and Court, ....
Had shrunk his ' weak means, ' and was
'stump'd' and HARD UP.
1852. DICKENS, Bleak House, ch. xi.
He .... was, not to put too fine a point
upon it HARD-UP.
1865. New York Herald. This
anxiety .... shows conclusively that
they are HARD-UP for political capital.
1871. Lond. Figaro, 25 Jan. For
years, England has been a refuge for
HARD-UP German princelings.
1887. MANVILLE FENN, This Man's
Wife, i., 13. I don't look HARD UP do I ?
No, because you've spent my money on
your wretched dress.
1891. Fun, 25 Mar. You're HARD
UP, ain't you? Stumped? Well, it's
Threadneedle Street to a frying-pan, that
if Popsy knew your real name, he'd lend
you a thousand or two like a shot.
ENGLISH SYNONYMS. — Many
under FLOORED apply equally to
HARD-UP ; others are : — At low
water mark ; cracked up ; dead-
broke ; down on one's luck ; fast ;
in Queer Street ; in the last of pea
time ; in the last run of shad ;
low down; low in the lay: oofless;
out of favor with the oof-bird ;
pebble-beached ; seedy ; short ;
sold-up ; stony-broke ; strapped ;
stuck ; stumped ; suffering from
an attack of the week's (or
month's) end ; tight ; on one's
uppers ; under a cloud ; on one's
beam ends.
FRENCH SYNONYMS. -Se mettre
dans le bceuf (common = to go in
for BLOCK ORNAMENTS (q.V.})', etre
en brindezingue (mountebanks =
gone to smash) ; etre brouille avec
la monnaie ( familiar = to have had
a row with one's banker) ; etre
coupe (printers') ; etre a la cote
(familiar = on the shelf) ; $tre
fauche (thieves' = cut down) ;
etre dans la puree (thieves') ; etre
molle (thieves') ; etre a lafaridon
(popular) ; etre en dtche (popular) ;
etre desargente (thieves' = oofless) ;
etre bref (popular = short) ; etre a
fond de cale (popular = down to
bed-rock) ; i>tre a la manque
(popular — on short commons) ;
manger de la misere ( popular =
to sup sorrow) ; etre dans le
lac (popular = a hole) ; etre pane
(general) ; panne comme la
Hollands (general = very hard up).
Hard-iipness.
272
Hare.
SPANISH SYNONYMS. — Estar
pelado or ser tinpelado( — skinned) ;
tinoso (= scabby).
ITALIAN SYNONYM. — Calcare
a ventun 'ora.
2. (common). — Intoxicated.
For synonyms, see DRINKS and
SCREWED.
3. (Winchester College). — Out
of countenance \ exhausted (in
swimming).
HARD-UPNESS or HARD-UPPISH-
N ESS, subs, (colloquial). -Poverty ;
a condition of impoverishment.
1876. HINDLEY, Adventures of a
Cheap Jack. There were frequent ....
collapses from death or HARD-UPNESS.
1883. Illust. London News, 26 May,
P- 5*9, c. 3. These I O U's ....
do not imply, as might be supposed, com-
mon HARDUPNESS.
1891. N. GOULD, Double Event, p. 28.
Ike's knowledge of some of the bookmakers
he had met in the old land led him to
believe that HARD-UPPISHNESS would scare
any knight of the pencil away.
HARDWARE (or HARD), subs.
(American). — Counterfeit coin.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum, s.v.
HARDWARE- BLOKE, subs, (thieves').
— A native of Birmingham ; a
BRUM (g.v.).
HARDY- ANN UAL, subs. (Parliamen-
tary).— A bill that is brought in
every year, but never passed into
law. Hence (journalistic), any
stock subject.
1892. Pall MallGaz., 16 Aug., p. 4,
c. 2. Signs of the so called ' silly season'
which has been somewhat delayed this
year owing to the political crisis, are now
beginning to appear. The readers of the
Daily Telegraph are once more filling the
columns of that journal with ' Is Marriage a
Failure? ' The HARDY ANNUAL is called
' English Wives ' this time
HARE, verb. (old). — To dodge; to
double ; to bewilder.
1719. DURFEY, Pills, etc., i., 92.
Running, HARING, gaping, staring.
1672. MARVELL, Rehearsal, Tr.
(Grosart), iii, 372. They amaze, shatter
and HARE their people.
To HARE IT, verb. phr.
(American thieves'). — To retrace
one's steps ; to double back.
[From the way of a hare with the
hounds. ]
TO MAKE A HARE OF, verb, phi .
(colloquial). — To make ridiculous ;
to expose the ignorance of any
person.
1830-32. CARLETON, Traits and
Stories, 'The Hedge-School.' What A
HARE that MADE OF him .... and did
not leave him a leg to stand on !
1844. LEVER, Tom Burke of Ours,
"•> 393' It was Mister Curran MADE A
HARE OF your Honor that day.
TO SWALLOW A HARE, Vtrb.
phr. (old). — To get very drunk.
For synonyms, see DRINKS and
SCREWED.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v
1725. New Cant. Diet. HARE, s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HE HAS SWALLOWED A HARE, he IS
drunk, more probably a hair which
requires washing down.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum, s.v.
TO HOLD WITH THE HARE
AND HUNT WITH THE HOUNDS,
v&rb. phr. (colloquial). — To play
a double game ; to keep on good
terms with two conflicting parties.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
To KISS THE HARE'S FOOT.
verb. phr. (colloquial). — To be
late ; to be a day after the fair ;
to kiss the post.
Hare-brained.
273
Harmans.
HARE-BRAIN ED(or HAIR- BRAIN ED),
adj. (old colloquial : now recog-
nised).— Reckless ; flighty ; im-
pudent ; skittish. Also, substan-
tively, HARE-BRAIN = a hare-
brained person.
1534. N. UDAL, Roister ; Doister,
I., iv., p. 27 (Arber). Ah foolish HARE-
BRAINE, This is not she.
1592. NASHE, Pierce Penilesse, in
Wks., ii., 53. A HAREBRAIND little
Dwarfe it is.
1621. BURTON, Anat. of Mel., I.,
III., I., ii., 259 (1836). Yet again, many
of them, desperate HARE-BRAINS.
1622. BACON, Henry VII. That
same HAIRE-BRAINE wild fellow, my
subject.
1751. SMOLLETT, Peregrine Pickle,
ch. xliii. When the government of a
nation depends upon the caprice of the
ignorant, HAIR-BRAINED vulgar.
1870. Chambers' Miscellany, No.
53, p. 28. The Slater girls are as HARE-
BRAINED as herself.
HARED, adj. (old). — Hurried.
HARE-SLEEP, subs. (old). — Sham
slumber ; FOXES' SLEEP (q.v.).
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HARE-SLEEP, with Eies a' most open.
HARKING, subs, (old).— See quots.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HARKING, whispering on one side to
borrow Money.
1725. New. Cant. Diet., s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HARK-VE-ING, whispering on one side to
borrow money.
HARLEQUIN, subs, (theatrical). — i.
A sovereign. For synonyms, see,
CANARY.
2. (Winchester College).— The
wooden nucleus of a red india-
rubber ball.
3. (old). — A patchwork quilt.
HARLEQUIN CHINA, adj. phr.
(old). — Sets composed of several
patterns and makes.
HARLOTRY, subs. (old). — A wanton.
d. 1529. SKELTON, Bowge ofCourte.
He had no pleasure but in HARLOTRYE.
1672. WYCHERLEY, Love in a Wood,
iv., i. But O the HARLOTRY, did she
make that use of it then.
1695. CONGREVE, Love for Love,
iii., i. O you young HARLOTRY.
1893. T. E. BROWN, Old John, p.
205. That specious HARLOTRY from hell's
black bosom spewed.
Adj. (old).— Disreputable.
1598. SHAKSPEARE, i Henry IV.,
ii., 4. Oh rare ! he doth it as like one of
these HARLOTRY players, as ever I see.
HARMAN-BECK (or HARMAN), subs.
(old). — An officer of justice. For
synonyms, see BEAK and COPPER.
1567. HARMAN, Caveat (1814), p. 66.
The HARMAN-BECK, the constable.
1610. ROWLANDS, Martin Mark- A II.
With the HARMAN-BEAKE out and alas to
Whittington we goe.
1656. RROOME, Jovial Creut,ii. Here
safe in our skipper let's cly off our peck,
And bowse in defiance o' th* HARMAN-
BECK.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HARMAN-BECK, a Beadle.
1714. Memoirs of John Hall(4\h ed.),
p. 12. HARMINBECK, a Constable.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v
HARMAN BECK, a beadle (cant).
1822. SCOTT, Fortunes of Nigel, ch .
xvii. From the watchmen who skip On
the HARMAN BECK'S errand.
1828. LYTTON, The Disowned. The
worst have an awe of the HARMAN'S claw.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum, s.v.
HARMAN BEAK. The Sheriff.
HARMANS, subs. (Old Cant).— The
stocks. [The suffix ' MANS ' is
common ; Cf., LIGHTMANS,
DARKMANS, ROUGHMANS, etc.]
1567. HARMAN, Caveat (1814), p. 66.
The HARMANS, the stockes.
1610. ROWLANDS, Martin Mark- A II,
p. 39 (H. Club's Kept., 1874). HARMONS
the stockes.
18
Harness.
274
Harry.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
1714. Memoirs of John Hall (4th
ed.), p.. 12, s.v.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HARNESS, IN HARNESS, adj.
phr. (colloquial). — In business ;
at work : as, TO DIE IN HARNESS
= to die at one's post; TO GET
BACK INTO HARNESS = to resume
work after a holiday. [HARNESS
also = armour.]
1872. Fun, 10 Aug. ' Over.' Aye !
But the sting of it's here, Just as I'm back
INTO HARNESS, Others are off to sea,
mountain, and mere.
1892. HUME NISBET, Bushranger's
Sweetheart, p. 2. My father died IN
HARP, interject. (Irish). — See quot.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HARP .... HARP is also the Irish ex-
pression for 'woman' or 'tail,' used in
tossing up in Ireland, from Hibernia -being
represented with a harp, on the reverse of
the copper coins of that country, for
which reason it is in hoisting the copper,
*".*., ^tossing up, sometimes likewise called
music.
To HARP ON, verb. phr. (old,
now recognised). — To dwell per-
sistently and at any cost upon a
subject.
1596. NASHE, Have with yon to
Saffron Walden. As if I had continually
HARPED UPON it in every tenth line of my
book.
1596. SHAKSPEARE, Hamlet, ii., 2.
Still HARPING ON my daughter.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HARP-UPON a business, to insist on it.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1886. R. L. STEVENSON, Kidnapped,
p, 291. He was back HARPING ON my
proposal.
HARPER, subs. (old). — A brass coin
current in Ireland, temp. Eliza-
beth, value one penny. [From
the Irish Harp figured upon it.]
1574-1637. BEN JONSON, The Gipsies
Metamorphosed. A two-pence I had to
spend ever and above ; besides the HARPER
that was gathered amongst us to pay the
piper.
HAVE AMONG YOU MY BLIND
HARPERS, phr. (old). — See quot.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v. HARPERS-
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HAVE AMONG YOU MY BLIND HARPERS, an
expression used in throwing or shooting at
random among a crowd.
HARRIDAN, subs, (old, now recog-
nised).— See quots. Also (col-
loquial) a disagreeable old woman.
[A corruption of O. Fr. haridelle
= a worn out horse, a jade.]
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HARRIDAN, one that is half Whore, half
Bawd.
1705-7. WARD, Hudibras Redivivus,
vol. II., pt. ii.. p. 27. Old Leachers,
HARRIDANS, and Cracks.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HARRIDAN, a hagged old woman, a
miserable scraggy worn out harlot, fit to
take her bawd's degree.
1815. SCOTT, Guy Mannering, ch.,
xxxix. ' Now what could drive it into tha
noddle of that old HARRIDAN,' said Pleydell.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum, s.v.
HARRINGTON, subs, (old). — A
brass farthing. [Lord Harrington
obtained a patent of manufacture
under James I.]
1616. B. JONSON, Devil is an Ass,
ii., i. Yes, sir, it's cast to penny half-
penny farthing, O' the back side there you
may see it, read ; I will not bate a
HARRINGTON o' the sum.
1632. B. JONSON, Magn. Lady, ii.,
6. His wit he cannot so dispose by legacy
As they shall be a HARRINGTON the
better for't.
HARRY, subs, (old).— i. A country-
man ; a clown. For synonyms,
see JOSKIN.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
HARRY. A country fellow.
2. (colloquial).— See 'ARRY.
Harry -bluff.
275
Has-been.
OLD HARRY, subs, (common).
— The devil. For synonyms, see
SKIPPER.
1693. CONGREVE, Old Bachelor, ii.,
i. By the LORD HARRY I'll stay no longer.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
1830. LYTTON, Paul Clifford, ch. iv.
May OLD HARRY fly off with him.
1837. BARHAM, Ingoldsby Legends
(1865), p. 406. Shall I summon OLD
HARRY himself to this spot ?
HARRY OF THE WEST, mbs.
phr. (political American). — Henry
Clay.
To PLAY OLD HARRY, verb,
phr. (common). — To annoy ; to
ruin ; to play the devil.
1889. Licensed Viet. Gaz., 18 Jan.
Otherwise PLAYED OLD HARRY with the
guardians of the peace.
TOM, DICK, AND HARRY, phr.
(common). — Generic for any and
everybody ; the mob.
1886. R. L STEVENSON, Kidnapped,
p. 287. He rode from public house to
public house and shouted his sorrows into
ugofToM, DICK, AND HARRY.
WHAT HARRY GAVE DOLL,
•verb. phr. (old venery). — The
penis : also generic for fornication.
HARRY- BLUFF, subs, (rhyming). —
Snuff.
HARRY-COMMON, subs. phr. (old).
— A general wencher.
1675. WYCHERLEY, Country Wife,
v., 4. Well, HARRY COMMON, I hope
you can be true to three.
HARRY -SOPH, subs. (Cambridge
Univ. : obsolete). — See quots.
1795. Gent. Mag., p. 20. A HARRY,
or ERRANT SOPH, I understand to be
either a person, four-and-twenty years of
age, and of an infirm state of health, who
is permitted to dine with the fellows, ar g
to wear a plain, black, full-sleeved gown :
or, else, he is one who, having kept all the
terms, by statute required previous to his
law-act, is hoc ipso facto entitled to wear
the same garment, and, thenceforth, ranks
as bachelor, by courtesy.
1803. Gradus ad Cantabrigiam.
HARI Y SOPH; or HENRY SOPHISTER ;
students who have kept all the terms
required for a law act, and hence are
ranked as Bachelors of Law by courtesy.
They wear a plain, black, full-sleeved
gown.
HARUM-SCARUM, adj. and subs.
(old colloquial). — I. Giddy; care-
less ; wild ; a thoughtless or reck-
less fellow.
1740. Round about our Coal Fire,
c. i. Peg would scuttle about to make a
toast for John, while Tom run HARUM
SCARUM to draw a jug of ale for Margery.
1780 MAD. D'ARBLAY, Diary, i..
358 [ed. 1842]. He seemed a mighty
rattling HAREM-SCAREM gentleman.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HARUM SCARUM, he was running HARUM
SCARUM, said of any one running or walk-
ing carelessly and in a hurry, after they
know not what.
1836. MARRYAT, Japhet, ch. xcii.
I'm not one of those HARUM-SCARUM sort,
who would make up a fightwhen there's no
occasion for it.
1855. THACKERAY, Newcomes, ch. v.
They had a quarrel with Thomas New-
come's own son, a HARUM-SCARUM lad,
who ran away, and then was sent to
India.
1870. London Figaro, 19 Oct. ' Within
an inch.' Tom — that's my son — has
worked with me in the mine ever since he
was quite a little chap ; and a HARUM-
SCARUM young dog he was, when a boy.
2. (sporting). — Four horses
driven in a line ; SUICIDE (q.v.),
HAS-BEEN, subs, (colloquial Scots').
— Anything antiquated ; speci-
fically in commendation : as ' the
good Old HAS-BEENS ' J C/., NEVER
WAS.
1891. Sportsman, i Apr. Big Joe
M'Auliffe proved conclusively that he is
one of the HAS BEENS or else one of the
NEVER WASERS, as Dan Rice, the circus
man, always called ambitious counterfeits.
Hash.
276
Hastings.
HASH, subs, (colloquial). — I. A
mess ; specifically in the phrase
' to make a HASH of. ' For
synonyms, see SIXES AND SEVENS.
1747. WALPOLE, Lett, to Mann, 23
Feb (1833) Vol. II., p. 274. About as like
it. as my Lady Pomfret's HASH of plural
persons and singular verbs or infinitive
moods was to Italian.
1836. MICHAEL SCOTT, Cruise of the
Midge ; p. 115 [Ry. ed.]. Listado never
could* compass Spanish, because, as he
said, he had previously learnt French, and
thus spoke a HASH of both.
1837. BARHAM, Ingoldsby Legends.
1 M. of Venice.' Don't suppose my affairs
are at all IN A HASH, But the fact is, at
present I'm quite out of cash.
1843. Punch's Almanack, July (q.v.).
1845. Punch's Guide to Servants,
'The Cook,' Vol. IX., p. 45. He who
gives a receipt for making a stew, may
himself make a sad HASH of it.
1886. R. L. STEVENSON, Kidnaped,
p. 97. Ye've made a sore HASH of my
brig.
1889. Snorting- Life, 30 Jan. Suc-
cessfully negotiated the tricky entrance to
the stable-yard of the hotel, at which job
have been in a mortal funk many a time
with poor old Jim beside me, for fear of
making a HASH of it.
1890. GRANT ALLEN, Tents ofShem,
ch. xvi. She made a HASH of the proper
names, to be sure.
2. (American cadets'). — Clan-
destine preparation for supper
after hours.
3. (colloquial). — A sloven ; a
blockhead.
1785 BURNS, Epistle toj. Lapraik.
A set o' dull, conceited HASHES.
Verb (colloquial). — I. To spoil;
to jumble ; to cook up and serve
again.
1891. Notes and Queries, 7 S.'xii.,
22 Aug., p. 144. I do not think that
Earle, a scholar of a high order and a man
of the most keen wit and judgment, would
have spoken thus of a thing HASHED UP by
a hard-headed pedant, however able, such
as Gauden.
2. (American). — To vomit.
Also to FLASH THE HASH (q.V.\
For synonyms, see ACCOUNTS and
CAT.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabuhim, s.v.
3. (Cheltenham School).— To
study hard ; to SWAT (q.v. ).
To SETTLE ONE'S HASH, verb,
phr. (common). — To defeat one's
object ; to kill. For synonyms,
see COOK ONE'S GOOSE.
1864. BROWNI NG, Dramatis
Personce. 'Youth and Art." You've to
settle yet Gibson's HASH.
c. 1871. BUTLER, Nothing to Wear.
To use an expression More striking than
classic, it SETTLED MY HASH.
1883. Punch, Nov. 3, p. 208, c. i.
That one stab, with a clasp-knife, which
SETTLED THE young Squire's HASH in
less than two seconds.
1892. HUME NISBET, Bushrangers
Sweetheart, p. 123. We'll keep the cops
off till you SETTLE HIS HASH, the rest
replied, getting round us.
TO GO BACK ON ONE'S HASH,
verb. phr. (American). — To turn ;
to succumb ; to WEAKEN (q.v.}.
HASH-HOUSE, subs. (American). —
A cheap eating-house ; a GRUB-
BING crib (q.v.}.
1883. Daily Telegraph, 10 Jan., p.
5, c. 4. There are [in New York] lunch
counters, cookshops, 'penny' restaurants,
fifteen-cent restaurants, commonly called
HASH-HOUSES and foreign cafes.
HASLAR-HAG, subs, (nautical). — A
nurse at the Haslar Hospital . Cf. ,
HAG.
HASTINGS. To BE NONE OF THE
HASTINGS SORT, verb. phr. (old
colloquial). — To be slow, de-
liberate, or slothful.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
You are NONE OF THE HASTINGS, of him
that loses an Opportunity or a Business for
want of Dispatch
Hasty.
277
Hat.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v. HE
IS NONE OF THE HASTINGS SORT ; 3
saying of a slow, loitering fellow : an
allusion to the Hastings pea, which is the
first in season.
HASTY, aaj. (old : now recognised).
— Rash ; passionate j quick to
move.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HASTY, very Hot on a sudden.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HASTY G., subs. (Cambridge
Univ.). — See quot.
1883. Daily News, 24 Mar., p. 5,
c. 2. Mr. Weller's own HASTY G (as
Cambridge men say when they mean a
1 hasty generalisation ').
HASTY PUDDING, subs, (common).
— i. A bastard. For synonyms,
see BLOODY ESCAPE.
2. (old). — A muddy road; a
quag.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
The way through Wandsworth is quite a
HASTY PUDDING.
HAT, subs. (Cambridge Univ.). — I.
A gentleman commoner. [Who
is permitted to wear a hat instead
of the regulation mortar-board.]
Also GOLD HATBAND.
1628. EARLE, Microcosmographie.
' Young Gentleman of the Umyersitie ' (ed.,
ARBER, 1868). His companion is ordin-
arily some stale fellow that has beene
notorious for an ingle to GOLD HATBANDS,
whom hee admires at first, afterwards
scoines.
1803. Gradus ad Cantabrigiam.
Hat Commoner ; the son of a Nobleman,
who wears the gown of a Fellow Com-
moner with a HAT.
1830. LYTTON, Paul Clifford, ch.
xxxii. I knew intimately all the HATS in
the University.
1841. LYTTON, Night and Morning,
bk. I., ch. i. He had certainly nourished
the belief that some one of the HATS or
tinsel gowns — i.e., young lords or fellow-
commoners, with whom he was on such
excellent terms .... would do something
for him in the way of a living.
2. (venery). — The female
pudendum. Generally OLD HAT.
For synonyms, see MONOSYL-
LABLE.
1754. FIELDING, Jonathan Wild, i.,
6 (note). I shall conclude this learned
note with remarking that the term OLD
HAT is used by the vulgar in no very
honourable sense.
1760. STERNE, Tristam Shandy, ch.
cxxvi. A chapter of chambermaids, green
gowns, and OLD HATS.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
[' Because often./*?//.'] .SV* also TOP DIVER.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
3. (Scots'). — A prostitute of
long standing. For synonyms, ee
BARRACK-HACK and TART.
To EAT ONE'S HAT ^or HEAD),
verb.phr. (common). — Generally,
I'LL EAT MY HAT. Used in
strong emphasis. See EAT.
1836. DICKENS, Pickwick, xlii., 367.
' If I knew as little of life as that, I'd EAT
MY HAT and swallow the buckle whole,'
said the clerical gentleman.
1837. DICKENS, Oliver 7wist, ch.
xiy. Even admitting the possibility of
scientific improvements being ever brought
to that pass which will enable a man to
EAT HIS own HEAD, Mr. Grimwig's head
was such a particularly large one that the
most sanguine man alive could hardly
entertain a hope of being able to get
through it at a sitting.
1844. J. B. BUCKSTONE, The Maid
with the Milking Pail. If you are not as
astonished as I was, I'll EAT OLD ROWLEY'S
HAT.
1876. HINDLEY, Adventures- of a
Cheap Jack, p. 216. I'll EAT MY HAT.
1887. E. E. MONEY, Little Dutch
Maiden, II., viii., 148. And if you don't
run up against him next day in Bond
Street, you may EAT YOUR HAT !
1892. MILLIKEN, 'Arry Ballads,
p. 38. If some of the swells didn't ditto,
I'll EAT MY OLD HAT, which it's tOUgh.
To GET A HAT, verb, phr,
(cricketers'). — See HAT-TRICK,
Hat.
278
Hatchet.
TO GET INTO THE HAT, verb,
phr. (common). — To get into
trouble.
TO HAVE A BRICK IN ONE'S
HAT, verb. phr. (American). — To
be top-heavy with drink. For
synonyms, see DRINKS and
SCREWED.
To HANG UP ONE'S HAT. — See
HANG.
To PASS (or SEND) ROUND THE
HAT, verb. phr. (colloquial).— To
make a collection.
TO TALK THROUGH ONE'S HAT,
verb. phr. (American) — To rag ;
to huff; to bluster.
1888. New York World, 13 May.
Dis is only a bluff dey're makin' — see !
Dey're TALKIN' TRU DEIR HATS.
ALL ROUND MY HAT, phr.
(streets). — A derisive retort.
[From a Broadside Ballad, popular
c. 1830 : ' All round my hat I
wears a green willow, All round
my hat for a twelvemonth and a
day, And if any one should ask
you the reason why I wear it, Tell
them my true love is gone far
away ' ; sung to a tune adapted
from a number in Zampa. ] Also,
as in quot. = all over ; com-
pletely ; generally.
1892. MILLIKEN, 'Arty Ballads, p.
54. I'm a 'ot un, mate, ALL ROUND MY 'AT.
SHOOT THAT HAT! phr.
(streets). — A derisive retort. Also
I'LL HAVE YOUR HAT ! Both
circa 1860-72.
WELL, YOU CAN TAKE MY
HAT ! phr. ( American) = ' Well,
that beats me,' i.e.. ( that is past
belief.'
873. A Yankee in a Planter's
House. ' What's yer name ? ' ' Name
Grief, manssa.' ' Name what ? ' ' Name
Grief.' 'Get out! Yew're jokin'! What's
yer name, anyhow ? ' ' Name Grief
manssa.' ' WAL, YEW KIN TAKE MY HAT.
WHAT A SHOCKING BAD HAT
phr. (streets). — [Said to have
originated with a candidate for
parliamentary honours, who made
the remark to his poorer consti-
tuents, and promised them new
head-gear. ]
1892. ANSTEY, Model Music Hall,
140. Lord B. Regular bounder ! SHOCK-
ING BAD HAT ! Ver. Not so bad as his
boots, and they are not so bad as his face.
HATCH, verb, (common). — To be
brought to bed with child ; to
BUST UP (q.V.}.
TO BE UNDER HATCHES, verb,
phr. (colloquial). — To be in a
state of trouble, poverty or depres-
sion. Also dead.
1606. MARSTON, The Fawne, iv.
Remember hee got his elder brother's wife
with child .... that will stow him UNDER
HATCHES, I warrant you.
1632-1704. LOCKE [quoted in Ency.
Dict.~\. He assures us how this father-
hood continued its course, till the captivity
in Egypt, and then the poor fatherhood
WAS UNDER HATCHES.
1639-1661. Rump Songs, i. [1662],
260. And all her orphans bestowed UNDER
HATCHES.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
UNDER THE HATCHES, in Trouble, or
Prison.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v. UNDER
THE HATCHES, in Trouble, or Prison.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
UNDER THE HATCHES, in trouble, distress,
or debt.
1789.4 DIBDIN, Tom Bowling, For
though his body's UNDER HATCHES his soul
has gone aloft.
1835. BUCKSTONE, Dream at Sea. .,
3. Good-bye, dame, cheer up ; you may
not always be UNDER HATCHES.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabnlum, s.v.
HATCHET, subs, (tailors'). — i. An
ill-favoured woman. For general
synonyms, see UGLY MUG.
Hatchet-faced.
279
Hatter.
2. (American). — A bribe re-
ceived by Customs officers in New
York for permitting imported
dutiable goods to remain on the
wharf when they ought to go to
the general store-house.
TO BURY (or DIG UP) THE
HATCHET.— See BURY.
TO THROW (or SLING) THE
HATCHET, verb. phr. (common).
— i. To tell lies, to yarn ; to
DRAW THE LONG BOW (q.V.}.
Hence HATCHET FLINGING (or
THROWING) = lying or yarning.
1789. GEO. PARKER, Life's Painter,
p. 94. This is a fault, which many of
good understanding may fall into, who,
from giving way too much to the desire of
telling anecdotes, adventures, and the like,
habituate themselves by degrees to a mode
of the HATCHET-FLINGING extreme.
1821. P. EGAN, Life in London, p.
217. There is nothing creeping or THROW-
ING THE HATCHET about this description.
1893. EMERSON, Signor Lippo, ch.
xx. We had to call her mother, and, if any-
one stopped, she'd SLING THE HATCHET
to them, and tell them she was a poor lone
widow left with five children.
2. (nautical). — To sulk.
HATCHET -FACED, adj. (old collo-
quial : now recognised). — See
quots. For synonyms, see UGLY-
MUG.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HATCHET- FAC'D, Hard favor 'd, Homely.
1725. New. Cant. Diet., s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongut, s.v.
HATCHET FACE, a long thin face.
1865. SALA, Trip to Barbary, p. 130.
The man in black baize with the felt
kepi, and who had a HATCHET FACE
desperately scarred with the small-pox,
looked from head to heel a bad egg.
1888. J. RUNCIMAN, The Chequers,
p. 7. His HATCHET FACE with its pig-
gish eyes, his thin cruel lips, his square
jaw, are all murderous.
HATCH, MATCH, AND DISPATCH
COLUMN, stibs. phr. (journalistic).
— The births, marriages, and
deaths announcements. Also
CRADLE, ALTAR AND TOMB
COLUMN.
HATCHWAY, subs, (common).— i.
The mouth. For synonyms, see
POTATO-TRAP.
2. (venery). — The female
pudendum. Also FORE-HATCH.
For synonyms, see MONO-
SYLLABLE.
HATE-OUT, verb. (American). — To
boycott ; to send to Coventry.
18(?). S. KERCHEVAL, History of
Virginia. The punishment for idleness,
lying, dishonesty, and ill-fame generally,
was that of HATING the offender OUT, as
they expressed it. It commonly resulted
in the reformation or banishment of the
person against whom it was directed. If a
man did not do his share of the public
service, he was HATED-OUT as a coward.
HATFIELD, subs, (common). — A
drink, whose chief ingredients
are gin and ginger-beer.
1883. Daily News, 5 July, p. 5, c. T
There are, we believe, all sorts of strong
waters in the mild-looking and seductive
HATFIELD, while the majority of 'cups'
are distinctly ' mixed.'
HATFUL, subs, (colloquial). — A
large quantity ; a heap.
1859. Punch, Ixxx., vi., 236. If they
had trusted their own judgment they would
have won a HATFUL.
1864. M. _ E. BRAPDON, Henry
Dunbar, ch. xxii. He was in a very good
temper however, for he had won what his
companions called a HATFUL of money on
the steeple-chase.
HATPEG, subs, (common). — The
head. For synonyms, see CRUM-
PET.
HATTER, subs. (Australian). — A
gold-digger working alone.
1881. A. BATHGATE, Waitaruna,
p. 88. He is what they call a HATTER,
that is he works alone.
1885. Chambers Journal, 2 May, p.
286. Some prefer to travel, and even to
work, when they can get it, alone, and
these are known to the rest as HATTERS.
Hat-trick.
280
Have. '
1890. Illustrations, p. 158. The
former occupant was what is known as a
HATTER, i.e., a digger living by himself.
1890. MARRIOTT WATSON, Broken
Billy. He was looked upon as a HATTER,
that is to say, a man who has lived by him-
self until his brain has been turned.
WHO'S YOUR HATTER ? phr.
(streets). — A catch-cry long out
of vogue.
MAD AS A HATTER, phr. (col-
loquial). — Very mad.
1863. MARSHALL [Title, of a farce].
MAD AS A HATTER.
HAT-TRICK, subs, (cricket). — Taking
three wickets with three consecu-
tive balls : which feat is held to
entitle the bowler to a new hat at
the cost of the club.
1888. Sportsman, 28 Nov. Mr.
Absolom has performed the HAT TRICK
twice, and at Tufnell Park he took four
wickets with four balls.
1892. Casselfs Sat. Jour. 21 Sept.,
;. 13, c. 2. On one occasion I succeeded
i doing the HAT TRICK.
1892. Woolwich Polytechnic Mag.,
20 May. Three of these wickets were
taken in succession, thus accomplishing the
HAT-TRICK.
HAT-WORK, subs, (journalists'). —
Hack work ; such stuff as may be
turned out by the yard without
reference to quality.
1888. H. RIDER HAGCARD, Mr.
Meeson's Will, c. i. And five-and-twenty
tame authors (who were illustrated by
thirteen tame artists) sat — at salaries
ranging from one to five hundred a year —
in vault-like hutches in the basement, and
week by week poured out that HAT-WORK
for which Meeson's was justly famous.
HAULABLE, adj. (University). —
Used of a girl whose society
authorities deem undesirable for
the men: e.g., she's HAULABLE
= a man caught with her will be
proctorised,
HAUL- BOWLINE, subs, (nautical).- —
A seaman. For synonyms, see
STRAWYARDER.
HAUL- DEVIL, sttbs. (common). — A
clergyman. For synonyms, see
DEVIL-DODGER and SKY-PILOT.
HAUL DEVIL, PULL BAKER.
See DEVIL.
HAUT-BOY (or Ho - BOY), subs.
(American). — A night scavenger ;
a jakesman or GOLD -FINDER
(q.V.}.
HAVE, subs, (common). — i. A
swindle ; a TAKE-IN (q.v.} ; a DO
(q.v.). For synonyms, see SELL.
2. in. pi. (common). — The
moneyed classes ; as opposed to
the HAVE-NOTS, their antipodes.
1893. National Observer, Feb. 25,
ix-j 357- A body whose policy is to make
the HAVE-NOTS as comfortable and objec-
tionable as possible at the cost in coin and
comfort of the HAVES.
3. (in. pi.} subs. (Winchester
College). — Half -boots. Pro-
nounced Haves.
Is THAT A CATCH OR A HAVE ?
verb. phr. (vulgar). — A formula of
acknowledgment that the speaker
has been 'had.' [If the person
addressed be unwise enough to
answer with a definition, the
instant retort is 'Then you CATCH
(or HAVE, as the case may be)
your nose up my arse.']
Verb (colloquial). — i. To
cheat ; TO TAKE-IN ; TO DO. See
BE.
1805. G. HARRINGTON, New Lon-
don Spy (4th Ed.) p. 26. Ten to one but
you are HAD, a cant word they make use
of, instead of saying, as the truth is, we
have cheated him,
Have.
281
Havercake-lads.
1825. EGAN, Life of an Actor, ch.
iv. ' He's not to be HAD,' said Gag, in an
audible whisper.
1878. HATTON, Cruel London, bk.
II., ch. v. 'They have HAD me, bless
you," said Brayford, ' the men who have
limbed " you.'
1889. Licensed Viet. Gaz., 8 Feb.
Not to be HAD so easily, my good man.
1889. Answers, 23 Feb., p. 196, c. 2.
But even these fellows, sharp as they are,
have been caught napping lately in a
humorous way. Those who have HAD
them have been young fellows with
friends inside the Stock Exchange,
1891. N. GOULD, Double Event, p.
161. HAD me nicely once at cards.
1891. Licensed Viet. Gaz., 23 Jan.
I never felt so wild in my life. I'm no fool,
you know, and I began to think I was
being HAD a bit.
1891. J. NEWMAN, Scamping Tricks,
p. 58. I was nearly HAD.
1892. Illus. Bits, 22 Oct., p. 14. c. 2.
Oh, mebboy, Oi wasn't t' be HAD that way.
Oi always kape resales — spishully Gov'-
ment wans. Oi got it safe and cosy in me
pocket-book.
2. (venery). — To possess car-
nally. [Said indifferently of, and
by, both sexes. ] For synonyms,
see GREENS.
To HAVE HAD IT, verb. phr.
(venery). — To have been seduced.
To HAVE (or TAKE) IT OUT OF
ONE, verb. phr. (colloquial). — To
punish ; to retaliate ; to extort a
quid pro quo ; to give tit for tat.
TO HAVE IT OUT WITH ONE,
verb. phr. (colloquial). — To speak
freely in reproof; to complete an
explanation ; to settle a dispute
with either words or blows.
1886. J. S. WINTER, Army Society,
ch. xix. Instead of going down to St.
Eve's and HAVING IT OUT, he fretted, and
worried, and fumed the six days away.
1888. Daily News, 8 Dec. There
was a question as to who struck the first
blow, but it seemed to him certain that a
man who crossed the road to HAVE IT OUT
with another was the most likely to have
commenced hostilities.
To HAVE ON, verb. phr. (collo-
quial). — To secure a person's
interest, attention, sympathy :
generally with a view to deceiving
him (or her).
TO HAVE TOWARDS (or WITH,
or AT), verb. phr. (old). — I. To
pledge in drinking ; to toast.
See HERE.
1637. CARTWRIGHT, Royal Slave.
Here's to thee, Leocrates. Leoc. HAVE
TOWARDS THEE, Philotas. Phil. To thee,
Archippus. Arch. Here, Molops. Mo I.
HAVE AT YOU, fidlers.
1836. M. SCOTT, Tom Cringle's Log,
ch. ii. 'HAVE WITH YOU, boy — have with
you," shouted half-a-dozen other voices,
while each stuck his oaken twig through
the handkerchief that held his bundle, and
shouldered it, clapping his straw or tar-
paulin hat, with a slap on the crown, on
one side of his head, and staggering and
swaying about under the influence of the
poteen.
2. (common). — To agree with
To HAVE ON TOAST, verb. phr.
(common). — i. To take in.
2. (common). — To worst in
argument.
To HAVE ON THE RAWS, verb.
phr. (common). — To teaze ; to
touch to the quick.
To LET ONE HAVE IT, verb. phr.
(colloquial). — To punish severely.
1848. RUXTON, Life in the Far
West, p. 8. ' Hurraw, Dick, mind your
hair,' and I ups old Greaser and let one
Injun HAVE IT, as was going plum into the
boy with his lance.
. (colloquial).
— To bring before the authorities ;
to SUMMONS (q.V.).
HAVERCAKE-LADS, subs. phr. (Mili-
tary).— The Thirty-third Foot.
[From the circumstance that its
recruiting sergeants always pre-
ceded their party with an oat-
cake on their swords.]
Havcy-cavey.
282 Hawk-a-mouthed.
HAVEY-CAVEY, adj. (old). — Uncer-
tain ; doubtful ; shilly-shally.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicujn, s.v.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum, s.v.
HAVIL, subs, (old).— A sheep. For
synonyms, see WOOL- BIRD.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicujn, s.v.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum, s.v.
HAVOCK, subs, (old: now recognised).
— Devastation ; waste.
1607. SHAKSPEARE, Julius Ccesar,
iii., i. Cry HAVOCK, and let slip the dogs
of war.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
They made sad HAVOCK, they Destroy'd
all before 'em.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
HAWCUBITE, subs. (old). — A roy-
sterer ; a street bully. [After the
Restoration there was a succession
of these disturbers of the peace :
first came the Muns, then followed
the Tityre Tus, the Hectors, the
Scourers, the Nickers, the Haw-
cubites, and after them the
MOHAWKS (q.v.}.]
HAWK, subs, (common). — i. A
card - sharper ; a ROOK (g.v.).
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HAWK, c., a Sharper.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v. HAWK,
a Sharper.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HAWK also signifies a sharper, in oppo-
sition to pigeon.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum, s.v.
HAWK. A Confidence Man ; a swindler.
1891. New York Herald [London
ed.], 31 May. These were HAWKS and
pigeons, and those who are no longer
pigeons, and never had, or will have, an
inclination to be HAWKS.
2. (common). — A bailiff ; a
constable. For synonyms, see
BEAK.
1831. AINSWORTH, Rookwood, bk.
I., ch. iii. ' The game's spoiled this time,
Rob Rust, anyhow,' growled one, in an
angry tone ; ' the HAWKS are upon us, and
we must leave this brave buck to take care
of himself.'
Verb (old). — See quots.
1589. NASHE, Anatomic, Whereas, by
their humming and HAWKING . . . they
have leisure to gesture the mislike of his
rudeness.
1600. SHAKSPEARE, As You Like It,
v., 3. Shall we clap into 't roundly,
without HAWKING, or spitting, or saying
we are hoarse ?
1604. MARSTON, Malcontent, ii., 2.
Is he troubled with the cough of the lungs
still ? Does he HAWKE a night's ?
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant Crew, s.v.
.... Also spitting difficultly.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
.... HAWKING, an effort to spit up the
thick phlegm, called oysters, whence it is
wit upon record, to ask the person so doing,
whether he has a license, a punning allu-
sion to the act of HAWKERS and pedlars.
1815. SCOTT, Guy Mannering, ch.
xlvi. This tremendous volley of superla-
tives which Sampson HAWKED up from the
pit of his stomach.
1822. BYRON, 'Vision of Judgment,
xc. To cough and HAWK, and hem, and
pitch His voice into that awful note of woe.
WARE HAWK ! phr. (old).— A
warning ; look sharp ! See subs.
sense 2.
d. 1529. SKELTON, Ware Hawk
(Title).
1625. JONSON, Staple of News, v. 2.
See ! the whole covey is scattered ; WARE,
WARE THE HAWKS !
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
Hawk, WARE HAWK, the word to look
sharp, a bye-word when a bailiff passes.
1815. SCOTT, Guy Mannering,
ch. iii. WARE HAWK ! Douse the Glim.
To HAWK ONE'S MEAT, verb,
phr. (common). — To peddle one's
charms, i.e., to show a great deal
of neck and breasts. Yx.,montrer
sa viande.
H AWK-A- MOUTH ED, adj. phr. (old).
— See quot.
Hawker.
283
Hay-pitcher.
c. 1750. Dialogue in the Devonshire
Dialect (Palmer, 1839) s.v. One that is
perpetually HAWKING and spitting ; also
foul-mouthed.
HAWKER, sttbs. (old : now recog-
nized).—A pedlar.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HAWKERS. Retail News-Sellers.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HAWKERS, licensed itinerant retailers of
different commodities, called also pedlars ;
likewise the sellers of newspapers.
HAWKING, verb. subs, (old : now
recognised). — Peddling ; offering
small wares for sale from door to
door. Also see quot. 1690.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HAWKING, going about Town and Country
with Scotch-Cloth, etc., or News-Papers :
also Spitting difficultly.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
HAWK-EYE STATE, subs. phr.
(American). — Iowa. [After the
famous Indian chief.]
H AWS E . TO FALL ATHWART ONE'S
HAWSE, verb. phr. (nautical). —
To obstruct ; to fall out with ; to
counter and check.
HAWSE-HOLES. To coiME (or
CREEP) IN THROUGH THE HAWSE-
HOLES, verb. phr. (nautical). — To
enter the service at the lowest
grade ; to rise from the forecastle.
1830. MARRYAT, Kings Own, ch.
viii. His kind and considerate captain
'vas aware that a lad who CREEPS IN AT
THE HAWSE-HOLES, i.e., is promoted from
before the mast, was not likely to be
favourably received in the midshipmen's
mess.
1889. Chambers Journal, 3 Aug.,
495. A sailor who rose from the ranks was
formerly said TO HAVE CREPT THROUGH
THE HAWSE-HOLES.
HAY. To MAKE HAY, verb. phr.
(University). — To throw into con-
fusion ; to turn topsy-turvy ; to
knock to pieces in argument or
single combat. Also, to kick up
a row.
1861. H. KINGSLEY, Ravenshoe, ch.
vii. The fellows were mad with fighting
too. I wish they hadn't come here and
MADE HAY afterwards.
To DANCE THE HAY, verb. phr.
(old). — See quot.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
To Dance the Hay. To MAKE HAY WHILE
THE SUN SHINES, or make good use of
one's Time.
HAY-BAG, subs, (thieves'). — A
woman. [/.£., something to lie
upon.] For synonyms, see PETTI-
COAT. Fr., tine paillaisse.
1851-61. H. MAYHEW, Land. Lab,
and Lend. Poor, Vol. I., p. 231, q.v.
HAY- BAND, subs, (common).— A
common cigar. For synonyms,
see WEED.
1864. Glasgow Herald, g Nov., q.v.
HAYMARKET- HECTOR, subs. (old).
— A prostitute's bully. See
HECTOR.
c. 1675. MARVELL, Cutting of Sir
John Coventry's Nose, vi. O ye HAY-
MARKET HECTORS !
HAYMARKET-WARE, subs, (com-
mon). — A common prostitute.
For synonyms, see BARRACK-
HACK and TART.
HAY- PITCHER (or HAY-SEED), subs.
(American). — A countryman.
Cf.t GAPE-SEED.
1851. HERMAN MELVILLE, Moby
Dick, p. 36 (ed. 1 892). Ah ! poor HAYSEED.
1888. New York World. ' I wouldn't
hev come into his shop if I had known it,'
protested the imitation HAY-PITCHER.
Hays.
284
Head.
1888. Detroit Free Press, Sept. Al.
(to HAYSEED) — Ever read Ouida? H. —
No, but by golly I must get his books.
The weeds in my garden are raisin'
eternal tarnation.
1890. NORTON, Political American-
isms, p. 53. HAYSEEDS— rustics. The
1 HAYSEED delegation ' in a State legisla-
ture is supposed to consist of farmers or
their representatives.
1890. Judge, 'Christmas No.' p. 31.
Them two fellers .... has been passin'
d'rog'tory remarks about that HAYSEED'S
ears.
1893. CLARK RUSSELL, Life of the
Merchant Sailor, in Scribners, xiv, 8.
Hired by the State to court the HAYSEED
to the tenders.
HAYS ! intj. (American). — An in-
junction to be gone ; GIT (q.v.}.
1851. JUDSON, Mysteries of Neiu
York, ch. i., p. 12. Cut and run, my dar-
ling ! HAYS ! is the word, and off you go.
HAZE, subs. (American). — Be-
wilderment; confusion ; FOG(<f.v. ).
Verb (American). — I. To
play tricks or practical jokes ; to
frolic. Hence, HAZING. Also
to mystify or FOG (q.v.).
1848. N. Y. Com. Adv., 2 Dec. W.
had been drinking, and was HAZING about
the street at night, acting somewhat sus-
piciously or strangely [when the officer
arrested him].
1887. LippincotfsMag.,]v\y, p. 105.
This and the Dyke are the only approaches
to HAZING that I have ever heard of here.
1888. Philadelphia Bulletin, 27 Feb.
So woman is completing her conquest of
the planet. She rows. She smokes. She
preaches. She HAZES. She shoots. She
rides.
1892. R. L. STEVENSON and L. OS-
BOURNE, The Wrecker, p. 39. In some of
the studios at that date, the HAZING of new
pupils was both barbarous and obscene.
2. (nautical). — To harass with
overwork or paltry orders. Also
to find fault.
1840. R. H. DANA, Two Years Be-
fore the Mast, ch. viii. HAZE is a word of
frequent use on board ship, and never, I
believe, used elsewhere. It is very expres-
sive to a sailor, and means to punish by
hard work. Let an officer once say ' I'll
HAZE you,' and your fate is fixed. You
will be ' worked up,' if you are not a better
man than he is.
1852. BRISTED, Upper Ten T/ioti-
sand, p. 205. Here I have been five days
.... HAZING— what you call slanging —
upholsterers.
1883. STEVENSON, Treasure Island,
ch. xi., p. 89 (1886). I've had a' most
enough o' Cap n Smollett ; he's HAZED me
long enough, by thunder !
1889. Notes and Queries, 7 S. viii.,
31 Aug. My old partner, who served his
time at sea, always spoke of giving a man
' a good HAZING ' when he meant he had
been finding fault with his doings, etc.
HAZEL-GELD, zw£.(old). — &;quots.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HAZEL-GELD, to Beat any one with a Hazle-
Stick or Plant.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HAZLE-GILD, to beat anyone with a hazle
stick.
HAZY, adj. (old : now recognised).
— I. See quot.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HAZY Weather, when it is Thick, Misty,
Foggy.
2. (common). — Stupid with
drink; MIXED (q.v.}. For syn-
onyms, .^DRINKS and SCREWED.
1824. T. HOOK, Sayings and Doings,
ist. S. ' Friend of the Family,' p. 179. One
night at a public-house I was foolish
enough to brag. HAZY, Sir — you under-
stand ? smoking and drinking.
1837. BARHAM, Ingoldsby Legends.
'Lay of S. Cuthbert." Stamp'd on the
jasey As though he were crazy, And stag-
gering about just as if he were HAZY.
HE, subs. (Charterhouse).— A cake.
A YOUNG HE = a small cake. See
SHE.
HEAD, subs, (nautical). — I. A man-
of-war's privy.
2. (common). — The obverse of
a coin or medal. HEADS OR
TAILS ? = Guess whether the coin
Head.
285
Head.
spun will come down with head
uppermost or not. [The side not
bearing the Sovereign's head has
various devices : Britannia,
George and the Dragon, a harp,
the Royal arms, an inscription,
etc. — all included in the word
' tail,' i.e., the reverse of ' head.'
The Romans said HEADS or
SHIPS?]
d. 1680. BUTLER, Remains (1759),
ii., 431. Let his ehance prove what it will,
he plays at CROSS YOU LOSE, and PILE YOU
WIN.
1871. Observer, 16 Apr. Perhaps for
the first time Parliament is asked to enjoin
a settlement of public dispute by means of
tossing HEADS OR TAILS, ' cross or pile.'
3. (old). — An arrangement of
the hair ; a coiffure.
1773. GOLDSMITH, She Stoops to
Conquer, ii., 10. Pray how do you like
this HEAD ? . . . I dressed it myself from
a print in the Ladies' Memorandum Book
for last year.
TO HAVE AT ONE'S HEAD,
verb. phr. (old). — To cuckold.
1640. GOUGH, Strange Discovery.
Not if you stay at home, and warm my bed ;
But if you leave me, HAVE AT YOUR HEAD.
TO TAKE ONE IN THE HEAD,
verb. phr. (old). — To come into
one's mind.
1609. HOLLAND, Amenianus Mar-
cellinus. Now, IT TOOKE HIM IN THE
HEAD, and incensed was his desires (seeing
Gaule now quited) to set first upon Con-
stantius.
To DO ON HEAD, verb. phr.
(old). To act rashly.
1559. ELIOTE, Diet. Abruptum in-
genium, a rash brayne that dooeth all
thinges ON HEAD.
To DO ON ONE'S HEAD, phr.
(thieves'). — To do easily and with
joy-
To FLY AT THE HEAD, verb.
phr. (old).— To attack; to GO
FOR(?.Z>.).
1614. Terence in English. Fellow
servant, I can very hardly refraine my
selfe, but that I must needes FLEE AT
THE HEAD OF HIM.
To EAT ONE'S HEAD. See HAT.
To EAT ONE'S (or IT'S) HEAD
OFF, verb. phr. (common). — To
cost more than the worth in keep.
1703. Country Partner's Catechism.
My mare has EATEN HER HEAD OFF at the
Ax in Aldermanbury.
1878. PARKER GILLMORE, Great
Thirst Land, ch. vii. Our horses were
EATING THEIR HEADS OFF at livery.
1893. Casselfs Sat. Jour., i Feb. p.
384, 2. A lot of raw material in stock
which, in local parlance, would EAT ITS
HEAD OFF if kept warehoused.
To RUN ON HEAD, verb. phr.
(old).— To incite.
1556. HEYWOOD, Spider and Fly.
Thirdlie, to set cocke on hope, and RUN ON
HEADE.
To GIVE ONE'S HEAD (or
ONE'S BEARD) FOR WASHING,
verb. phr. (old).— To yield tamely
and without resistance. Fr.,
laver la tete = \.o reprimand; to
admonish with point, energy, and
force.
1615. BEAUMONT and FLETCHER,
Cupid's Revenge, iv., 3. I'm resolved . .
. . And so am I, and forty more good
fellows, That will not GIVE THEIR HEADS
FOR THE WASHING, I take it.
1663. BUTLER, Hudibras, I., iii.,
255. For my part it shall ne'er be said, I
FOR THE WASHING GAVE MY HEAD, Nor
did I turn my back for fear.
TO PUT A HEAD (or NEW-
HEAD) ON ONE, verb. phr. (com-
mon).—!. To change a man's
aspect by punching his head :
hence, to get the better of one's
opponent ; to annihilate. Also
TO PUT A NEW FACE ON.
1870. R. GRANT WHITE, Words and
their Uses. But all his jargon was sur-
passed, in wild absurdity, By threats,
profanely emphasised, TO PUT A HEAD ON
ME. . . . Instead of PUTTING ON A HEAD
he strove to smite off mine.
18(?). BRET HARTE, Further Words
from Truthful James. To go for that
same party for TO PUT A HEAD ON HIM.
Head.
286
Head.
1888. RUNCIMAN,- The Chequers,
p. 80. I'd PUT A NEW HEAD ON YER for
tuppence.
2. (colloquial). — To froth
malt liquors. [E.g., 'Put a head
on it, Miss,' addressed to the bar-
maid, is a request to work the
engine briskly, and make the
liquor take on a CAULIFLOWER
(?.*.)•]
HEADS I WIN, TAILS YOU
LOSE, phr. (common). — A gage
of certainty = In no case can I fail :
I hold all the trumps.
1890. Welfare, Mar., p. 8., c. i. A
director holding shares to the extent of
£50 will draw a yearly recognition of his
patronage to the tune of ^100. It is un-
necessary to ask whether such a course of
speculation follows the principle of TAILS
YOU LOSE, HEADS I WIN.
TO GET THE HEAD INTO
CHANCERY, verb. phr. (formerly
pugilists' : now common). — To get
the other fighter's head under one
arm and hold it there ; a position
of helplessness. See CHANCERY.
1819. MOORE, Tom Crib, p. 18.
When Georgy, one time, got the HEAD of
the Bear INTO CHANCERY.
2. (colloquial). — Hence to get,
or be got, into a posture of absolute
helplessness.
TO KNOCK ON THE HEAD,
verb. phr. (common). — To kill ;
to destroy ; to put an end to.
1871. Weekly Dispatch, 21 May,
' Police Report.' The magistrate (Mr.
Newton) refused the application for bail,
remarking that the sooner the house was
done away with the better, and he would
take care that it and all connected with it
were KNOCKED ON THE HEAD.
To GET (or PUT) THE HEAD IN
A BAG. See BAG.
To GET (or HAVE) A SWELLING
IN THE (or A BIG-) HEAD, verb,
phr. (common). — To be or be-
come conceited ; to put on airs.
1888. Cincinnatti Enquirer. Anna
Kelly .... is missing from her home in
Newport. Somebody has been SWELLING
HER HEAD.
1890. Star, 27 Jan. Although he
received but ,£100 for his share, he GOT
THE BIG HEAD, went to pieces, and ib now
on the retired list.
TO HIT THE RIGHT NAIL ON
THE HEAD, verb. phr. (common).
To speak or act with precision and
directness ; to do the right thing.
[The colloquialism is common to
most languages. The French say,
Vous avez frappe ati but ( = You
have hit the mark). The Italians,
Havete data in brocca ( = You have
hit the pitcher : alluding to a game
where a pitcher stood in the place
of AUNT SALLY (?.».)). The
Latins, Rem acu *#&&/*(= You
have touched the thing with a
needle : referring to the custom of
probing sores.]
1719. DUFFEY, Pills, etc., iii., 21.
The common Proverb as it is read, That a
Man must HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD.
1892. MILLIKEN, 'Arry Ballads,
p. 43. That's what I meant when I said
that that josser, whose name I've forgotten
'ad 'lT THE RIGHT NAIL ON THE 'BAD.
To ARGUE (or TALK) ONE'S
HEAD OFF, verb. phr. (common).
— To be extremely disputative or
loquacious; to be all JAW (q.v. ).
1892.
ARGUE YOUR 'EAD OFF like.
TO BUNDLE OUT HEAD (or
NECK) AND HEELS, verb. phr.
(common). — To eject with vio-
lence.
To HAVE NO HEAD, verb. phr.
(common). — I. (of persons). To
lack ballast ; to be crack-brained.
See APARTMENTS TO LET.
Hence, TO HAVE A HEAD ox =
to be cute, alert ; TO HAVE SAND
Head.
287
Head-beetler.
1888. LYNCH, Mountain Mystery,
ch. 2. Caledonia was declared to possess a
Coroner with a HEAD, and a very good one
ON him, and a messenger was sent to rouse
him.
2. (of malt liquors). — To be flat.
See CAULIFLOWER.
To HAVE A HEAD, verb, phr.
(common). — To experience the
after-effects of heavy drinking
(</., MOUTH); also TO HAVE A
HEAD-ACHE. For synonyms, see
SCREWED.
TO GIVE ONE HIS HEAD, verb,
phr. (common). — To give one
full and free play ; to let go. .
TO HAVE MAGGOTS IN THE
HEAD, verb. phr. (common). —
To be crotchetty, whimsical,
freakish ; TO HAVE A BEE IN ONE'S
BONNET. For synonyms, see
APARTMENTS.
TO HURT IN THE HEAD, verb,
phr. (old). — To cuckold ; to cor-
nute.
TO LIE HEADS AND TAILS,
verb. phr. (common). — To sleep
packed sardine fashion, i.e., heads
to head-rail and foot-rail alter-
nately.
OVER HEAD AND EARS (in
work, love, debt, etc. ), phr. (com-
mon).— Completely engrossed in;
infatuated with ; to the fullest
extent.
1589. NASHE, Pasqvill of England
(Grosart), i., 114. Presently he fetcheth
his seas himselfe, and leaps very boldly
OUER HEADE AND EARES.
1735. GRANVILLE (quoted in John-
son's Diet., s.v. HEAD). In jingling rimes
well fortified and strong, He fights in-
trenched o'er HEAD AND EARS IN SONG.
WITHOUT HEAD OR TAIL, adv.
phr, (common). — Incoherent ;
neither one thing nor the other.
E.g. , I can't make head or tail of
it = I cannot make it out.
1728. VANBRUGH, Journey to London,
iv. He had the insolence to intrude into
my own dressing room here, with a story
WITHOUT A HEAD OR TAIL
1736. FIELDING, Pasquin, v. Take
this play, and bid 'em forthwith act it ;
there is not in it either HEAD OR TAIL.
1874. MRS. H. WOOD, Johnny
Ludlow, ist Series, No. 12, p. 203. Mrs.
Blair has been writing us a strange
rigmarole, which nobody can MAKE HEAD
OR TAIL OF.
1891. W. C. RUSSELL, Ocean
Tragedy, p. 22. There is nothing to
MAKE HEADS OR TAILS OF in it that I
can see.
TO HAVE A HEAD LIKE A
SIEVE, verb. phr. (common). — To
be unreliable ; to be forgetful.
HEADS OUT ! phr. (American
university). — A warning cry on
the approach of a master.
ARSE OVER HEAD. See ARSE
and HEELS OVER HEAD.
MUTTON-HEAD (or HEADED).
—See MUTTON-HEAD.
FAT (or SOFT) IN THE HEAD,
adv. phr. (common). — Stupid.
For synonyms, see APARTMENTS.
OFF ONE'S HEAD, adv. phr.
(common). — Stupid ; crazy. For
synonyms, see APARTMENTS.
SHUT YOUR HEAD, phr.
(American). — ' Hold your jaw.'
HEAD-BEETLER, subs, (workmen's).
— I. A bully; and (2) a foreman ;
a GANGER (q.v.).
1886. Chambers Journal, 18 Sept.,
p. 599. HEAD-BEETLER is used (in
Ulster) in the same vulgar sense as ' Head-
cook and bottle-washer ' in some localities.
The ' beetle ' was a machine for producing
figured fabrics by the pressure of a roller,
and HEAD-BEETLER probably means the
chief director of this class of work.
Head-bloke.
288
Head-robber.
HEAD-BLOKE. See HEAD-SCREW.
or -CULLY). — See
HEAD-BULLY
quots.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HEAD BULLY OF THE PASS OR PASSAGE
BANK. The Top Tilter of the Gang,
throughout the whole Army, who Demands
and receives Contribution from all the Pass
Banks in the Army.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HEAD-COOK AND BOTTLE-WASHER,
subs. phr. (common). — I. A
general servant ; in contempt.
2. (common).— One in authority;
a BOSS (q.v.}. Cf., HEAD-
BEETLER.
1876. HINDLEY, Adv. of a Cheap-
Jack, p. 66. Fred Jolly being the HEAD-
COOK AND BOTTLE-WASHER.
HEAD-CLERK. HEAD-CLERK OF
DOXOLOGY WORKS, subs. phr.
(American). — A parson. See
DEVIL-DODGER.
1869. CLEMENS (Mark Twain),
Innocents at Home, ch. ii. If I've got the
rights of it, and you are the HEAD CLERK
OF THE DOXOLOGY WORKS next door.
HEADER, subs, (tailors'). — A nota-
bility ; a BIG- WIG (q.v.).
TO TAKE A HEADER, verb,
phr. (colloquial). — I. To plunge,
or fall, headforemost, into water :
and (theatrical), to take an
apparently dangerous leap in
sensational drama. Hence, to
go straight and directly for one's
object.
1856. Inside Sebastopol, ch. xiv.
We may surely shut the door and take a
HEADER.
1863. Fun, 4 Apr., p. 23. Did the
chairman commence the proceedings by
TAKING A TREMENDOUS HEADER ... a
verbatim report might be interesting.
1884, W. C. RUSSELL, Jack's
Courtship, ch. vii. ' Miss Hawke,' said
I, plucking up my heart for a HEADER
and going in, so to speak, with my eyes
shut and my hands clenched.
HEAD-FRUIT, subs. (old). — Horns:
z'.e., the result of being cuckolded.
1694. CONGREVE, Double Dealer, ii.,
3. That boded horns : the FRUIT OF THE
HEAD is horns.
HEAD-GUARD, subs, (thieves'). — A
hat ; specifically, a billy-cock.
1889. CLARKSON and RICHARDSON,
Police, p. 21. A billy-cock, a HEAD-GUARD.
HEADING, subs. (American cow-
boys').— A pillow ; any rest for
the head.
HEADING 'EM, subs. phr.
(streets). — The tossing of coins
in gambling. (In allusion to the
head on the coin.)
HEAD-MARKED, adj. (venery). —
Horned. To KNOW BY HEAD-
MARK = to know (a cuckold) by
his horns.
HEADQUARTERS, subs, (racing). —
Newmarket. (Being the chief
racing and training centre. )
1888. Sportsman, 28 Nov. Of the
two-year olds that ran . . . races for them
are the strong point of that particular
gathering at HEADQUARTERS.
HEAD- RAILS, subs, (old nautical).
— The teeth. For synonyms, see
GRINDERS.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1853. BRADLEY, tCuthbert Bede]
Verdant Green, Pt. II., ch. iy. He had
agreeable remarks for each of his opponents
. . . to another he would cheerfully remark,
' your HEAD-RAILS were loosened there,
wasn't they ? '
HEAD-ROBBER, subs, (journalists').
— i. A plagiarist.
Head-screw.
289
Heaped.
2. (popular). — A butler.
HEAD-SCREW (or BLOKE), subs.
(prison). — A chief warder.
HEADY, adj. (old : now recognised).
— I. See quot.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HEADY, strong Liquors that immediately
fly up into the Noddle, and so quickly
make Drunk.
2. (colloquial). — Restive ; full
of arrogance and airs ; opinionated.
1864. National Review, p. 535. I
think it's the novels that make my girls so
MEADY-WHOP, subs, (streets). — A
person with a preternaturally
large head. (A corruption of
WHOPPING-HEAD (q.V.).)
HEALTH ERIES, subs, (common). —
The Health Exhibition, held at
South Kensington. [Others of the
series were nick-named The
Fisheries, The Colinderies, The
Forestries, etc.]
HEAP, subs, (colloquial). — A large
number ; lots ; a great deal.
1371. CHAUCER, BokeoftheDuchesse,
iii., 295 (1888, Minor Poems, SKEAT,
p. 23). Of smale foules a gret HEPE.
1383. CHAUCER. Canterbury Tales,
i., 23/575 (Riverside Press). The wisdom
of an HEEPE of lerned men.
1861. HUGHES, Tom Brown at Ox-
ford, ch. xxxv. I sha'n't see her again,
and she wont hear of me for I don't know
how long ; and she will be meeting HEAPS
of men.
1885. Punch, 4 July, p. 4. ' Splendid
sight,' he goes on, ' HEAPS of people —
people you don't see anywhere else — and
lots of pretty girls.'
1888. Texas Siftings, 20 Oct. He
did not encroach on the domain of fa-
miliarity, but he looked a HEAP.
1892. GUNTER, Miss Dividends, xi.
Every one here would do a HEAP for
Bishop Tranyon's darter.
Adv. (American). — A great
deal.
1848. RUXTON, Life in the Far
West, p. 223. He pronounced himself a
HEAP better.
ALL OF A HEAP, phr. (old :
now colloquial). — Astonished ;
confused; taken aback; FLABBER-
GAST (q.v.}; and (pugilists')
' doubled up.'
1593. SHAKSPEARE, Titus Androni-
cus, ii., 4. Lord Bassianus lies embrewed
here, ALL ON A HEAP.
1775. FIELDING, Tom Jones, bk.
VIII., ch, ii. My good landlady was (ac-
cording to vulgar phrase) struck ALL OF A
HEAP by this relation.
1775. SHERIDAN, Duenna, ii., 2.
That was just my case, too, Madam ; I
was struck ALL OF A HEAP for my part.
1817. SCOTT, Rob Roy, ch. xxiv.
The interrogatory seemed to strike the
honest magistrate, to use the vulgar
phrase, ALL OF A HEAP.
1832. EGAN, Book of Shorts, s.v. ALL
OF A HEAP and all of a lump, unmistakably
doubled up by a smasher.
1836. DICKENS, Pickwick. 'And
what's the lady's name ? ' says the lawyer.
My father was struck ALL OF A HEAP.
' Blessed if I know,' said he.
1888. J. MCCARTHY and MRS.
CAMPBELL-PRAED, The Ladies Gallery,
ch. xiv. The idea seemed to take him
ALL OF A HEAP.
1891. Scots Mag., Oct., p. 321.
Spinks and Durward were struck, as we
may say, ALL OF A HEAP, when they fully
realised that Folio had disappeared.
HEAPED, adj. (racing). — i. Hard
put to it ; FLOORED (q.v.).
1884. HAWLEY SMART, From Post
to Finish, p. 158. They've all heard of
Blackton's accident, and fancy we're fairly
HEAPED for someone to ride.
2. (venery). — Piled in the act.
1607. CYRIL TOURNEUR, Revenger's
Tragedy,\\., i. O, 'twill be glorious to
kill 'em . . . when they're HEAPED.
19
Hear.
290
Hearty.
HEAR. To HEAR A BIRD SING
(old). — To receive private com-
munication ; in modern parlance,
A LITTLE BIRD TOLD ME SO.
1598. SHAKSPEARE, 2 Henry IV.,
v., 5. I will lay odds, that ere this year
expire, We bear our civil swords and native
fire As far as France. I HEAR A BIRD so
HEARING, subs, (common). — A
scolding ; a lecture. For syn-
onyms, see WIGGING.
HEARING-CHEATS, subs, (old cant).
—The ears.
1567. HARMAN, Caveat, s.v.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HEARING CHEATS, Ears.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
ENGLISH SYNONYMS. — Drums;
flappers ; leathers ; lugs (Scots') ;
taps ; wattles.
FRENCH SYNONYMS. — Les plats
a barbe (popular = large ears) ;
les oches or laches (thieves') ; les
isgourdes (popular) ; des feuilles
de chou (popular = cabbage leaves) ;
des ecoutes or escoutes ( popular =
hearing cheats) ; des cliquettes
(popular).
GERMAN SYNONYMS. — Horcher
( = the listener); Linzer, Loser,
(Viennese: also Lo sling t Letts ling,
Lets ling, or Lauschling) : Os en.
HEART. NEXT THE HEART, adv.
phr. (old). — Fasting.
1592. NASHE, Pierce Penilesse
[Grosart], ii., 37. You may command his
hart out of his belly, to make you a rasher
on the coales, if you will NEXT YOUR
HEART.
1633. ROWLEY, Match at Midnight,
i Made drunk NEXT HER HEART.
[Other colloquial usages are AT HEART
= in reality, truly, at bottom ; FOR ONE'S
HEART=for one's life ; IN ONE'S HEART OF
HEARTS = in the inmost recesses of one-
self; TO BREAK THE HEART OF = («) to
cause great grief, or to kill by grief, and
(b) to bring nearly to completion ; TO FIND
IN ONE'S HEART=to be willing ; TO GET
or LEARN BY HEART = to commit to memory;
TO HAVE AT HEART = to feel strongly
about ; TO HAVE IN THE HEART = to design
or to intend ; TO LAY or TAKE TO HEART
= to be concerned or anxious about ; TO
SET THE HEART AT REST = tO tranquilize ;
TO SET THE HEART ON = tO be desirOUS of,
to be fond of; TO TAKE HEART OF GRACE
=to pluck up courage.]
HEART-AND-DART, sub's, (rhyming).
A FART (q.v.).
HEARTBREAKER, subs. (old). — A
pendant curl; a LOVE-LOCK (q.v.).
Fr., un cr£vec<e.ur.
1663. BUTLER, Hudibras, Ft. I.,
c. i. Like Samson's HEARTBREAKERS, it
grew In time to make a nation rue.
1694. Ladies'1 Diet. A crevecceur, by
some called HEARTBREAKER, is the curled
lock at the nape of the neck, and generally
there are two of them.
1816. JOHNSON, Eng. Diet, s.v. A cant
name for a woman's curls, supposed to
break the hearts of all her lovers.
HEARTBURN, stibs. (streets). — A
bad cigar. For synonyms, see
WEED.
HEARTSEASE, subs, (old).— i. Se e
quot.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HEARTSEASE. A twenty-shilling piece.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
2. (old). — Gin. For synonyms,
see WHITE SATIN.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HEARTS-EASE. An ordinary sort of strong
water.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HEARTY, subs. anda^'. (common). —
Drink ; drunk. For synonyms,
see DRINKS and SCREWED.
Hearty.
291
Heave.
MY HEARTY, phr. (nautical). —
A familiar address.
HEARTY - CHOKE. To HAVE A
HEARTY CHOKE and CAPER SAUCE
FOR BREAKFAST, verb. phr. (old).
—To be hanged. Cf., VEGE-
TABLE BREAKFAST, and for
synonyms, see LADDER.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1834. AINSWORTH, Rookwood, ' Nix
my Doly,' Who cut his last fling with
great applause To a HEARTY CHOKE WITH
CAPER SAUCE.
1893. DANVERS, The Grantham
Mystery, ch. xiii, I am not particularly
anxious to run the risk of being compelled
to have a HEARTY-CHOKE FOR BREAKFAST
one fine morning.
HEAT, subs, (racing and colloquial).
— A bout ; a turn ; a trial ; by
whose means the ' field ' is gradually
reduced. Cf., HANDICAP.
1681. DRYDEN, Epil. to Saunderss
Tamerlane, 25. But there's no hope of
an old battered jade ; Faint and unnerved
he runs into a sweat, And always fails you
at the second HEAT.
1751. SMOLLETT, Peregrine Pickle,
ch. Ixxxviii. Our adventurer had the
satisfaction of seeing his antagonist dis-
tanced in the first and second HEATS.
1753. Adventurer, No. 37. The first
HEAT I put my master in possession of the
stakes.
1819. SCOTT, Bride of Lammermoor,
ch. xxii. There was little to prevent
Bucklaw himself from sitting for the
county — he must carry the HEAT — must
walk the course.
ON HEAT, subs. phr. (venery).
— Amorously inclined, HOT (q.v. ).
[Said of women and bitches. ]
HEATHEN-PHILOSOPH ER, subs.
(old). — See quot.
1^90. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
A sorry poor tatter'd Fellow, whose Breech
may be seen through his Pocket-holes.
1725. New Cant. Diet. s.v.
178-S. GROSE, Diet. Vulg. Tongue,
s.v. This saying arose from the old
philosophers, many of whom despised the
vanity of dress to such a point, as often to
fall into the excess complained of.
HEAVE, subs, (old).— i. An attempt
to deceive or cajole : a DEAD-
HEAVE = a flagrant attempt.
2. in. pi. (American). — An
attack of indigestion or vomiting.
Verb (American). — I. To
vomit.
1862. BROWNE (' Art emus Ward'),
Artemus Ward, his book. ' Cruise of the
Polly Ann.' Stickin my hed out of the
cabin window, I HEV.
2. (old). — To rob: has
survived, in Shropshire, as a pro-
vincialism. The heler (hider) is
as bad as the HEAVER = the
receiver is as bad as the thief.
1567. HARMAN, Caveat, p. 66. To
HEUE a bough, to robbe or rifle a boweth.
1575. AWDELEY, Fratemitye of
Vacabondes. But hys chiefest trade is to
rob bowthes in a faire, or to pilfer ware
from staules, which they cal HEAVING
of the bowth.
1608. DEKKER, Belman of London
in Wks. (Grosart) III., 102. But the end
of their land-voiages is to rob Boothes at
fayres, which they call HEAVING of the
Booth.
1671. R. HEAD, English Rogue, Pt.
I., ch. xlv. p. 319 (1874). I met with an
old comrade that had lately HEAV'D a
booth, Anglice broken open a Shop.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HEAVE a bough. To rob a house.
1724. COLES, Eng. Diet., s.v.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
1748. T. DYCHE, Dictionary, ($th
Ed.). HEAVE (v.) . . . and in the
Canting Language, it is to rob or steal from
any person or thing.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
To HEAVE ON (or AHEAD),
verb. phr. (old). — To make haste ;
to press forward.
1833. MARRYAT, Peter Simple, ch.
iv. Come HEAVE AHEAD, my lads, and
be smart.
Heaven.
292
Heavy-wet.
HEAVEN, subs, (venery). — The
tema\e pudendum. For synonyms,
see MONOSYLLABLE. To FEEL
ONE'S WAY TO HEAVEN = TO
GROPE (q.v.} a woman. See also,
ST. PETER.
HEAVENLY-COLLAR, (or LAPPEL),
subs, (tailors'). — A collar or lappel
that turns the wrong way.
HEAVER, subs. (old). — i. The
bosom; the PANTER (g.v.}.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HEAVER. A breast.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongtie, s.v.
2. (American). — A person in
love : i.e., sighing ( = heaving the
bosom, or making play with the
HEAVER) like a furnace.
3. (old).— A thief: cf.t HEAVE
(verbal sense 2).
H EAVY. See HEAVY-WET.
Adj. (American). — Large: e.g.,
a HEAVY amount = a considerable
sum of money.
TO COME (or DO) THE HEAVY,
verb. phr. (common). — To affect
a vastly superior position ; to put
on airs or FRILLS (q.v.}. See
COME and Do.
THE HEAVIES, subs. phr. (mili-
tary).— The regiments of House-
holdCavalry, 4th and 5th Dragoon
Guards, and ist and 2nd Dragoons.
[From their equipment and
weight. ]
1841. LEVER, Chas. O'Malley, ch.
Iviii. I'm thinking we'd better call out
THE HEAVIES by turns.
HEAVY-ARSED (old colloquial),
adj. phr. — Slow to move ; inert ;
hard to stir See ARSE.
d. 1091. RICHARD BAXTER. Shove
to HEAVY-ARSED Christians. [Title.]
HEAVY-CAVALRY (or DRAGOONS),
subs, (common). — Bugs ; LIGHT-
INFANTRY = fleas. Also HEAVY
HORSEMEN, the HEAVY TROOP,
and THE HEAVIES.
HEAVY-GROG, subs, (workmen's).—
Hard work.
HEAVY-GRUBBER, subs, (common).
— I. A hearty eater ; a glutton.
For synonyms, see STODGER.
1858. DICKENS, Great Expectations,
ch. xl., p. 190. ' I'm a HEAVY GRUBBER,
dear boy,' he said, as a polite kind of
apology when he had made an end of his
meal, * but I always was. If it had been
in my constitution to be a lighter grubber,
I might ha' got into lighter trouble.'
HEAVY- PLODDER, subs. (old). — A
stock-broker. ,
1848. BUNCOMBE, Sinks of London,
s.v.
HEAVY- (or HOWLING-) SWELL, subs.
(common). — A man or woman in
the height of fashion : a SPIFF
(q.V.}.
1892. ANSTEY, Model Music Hall,
74. We look such HEAVY SWELLS, you
see, we're all aristo-crats.
HEAVY-WET, subs, (common). — i.
Malt liquor ; specifically porter
and stout. Also HEAVY. For
synonyms, see DRINKS and
SWIPES.
1821. _ EGAN, Tom and Jerry, p. 75.
The soldiers and their companions were
seen tossing off the HEAVY WET and
spirits.
1830. LYTTON, Paul Clifford, ch.
vii. I had been lushing HEAVY WET.
1838. GRANT, Sketches in London, p.
92. If it be HEAVYWET, the favorite
beverage . . . of Dr. Wade.
1849. C. KINGSLEY, Alton Locke, ch.
ii. Here comes the HEAVY. Hand it here
to take the taste of that fellow's talk out of
my mouth.
Hebe.
293
Hector.
1852. JUDSON, Mysteries of New
York, bk. II., ch. x. What'll it be, my
covies ? HEAVY WET, cold or warm ?
1888. J. RUNCIMAN, The Chequers,
p. 86. Mother up with your HEAVY WET
and try suthin' short.
2. (common). — An extraordin-
arily heavy drinking bout.
HEBE, subs, (old).— i. See quots.
1648-9. CRASHAW, Poems. 'On the
Death of Mr. H.' Ere HEBE'S hand had
overlaid His smooth cheeks with a downy
shade.
1778. BAILEY, Eng. Diet., s.v. The
first Hair appearing about the genital parts ;
also the Parts themselves ; but more speci-
fically the Time of Youth at which it first
appears.
2. (common). — A waiting maid
at an inn ; a barmaid.
1603. J. SYLVESTER, Tr. Du BAR-
TAS, Mag., p. 65 (1608). Heer, many a
HEBE faire, beer more than one Quick-
seruing Chiron neatly waits vpon The Beds
and Boords.
1815. SCOTT, Guy Mannering, ch.
xlix. Shortly after the same HEBE brought
up a plate of beef-collops.
1886. Athenceum, g Jan., 63/2. It is
not with the Colonel's HEBES, however,
that the manoeuvres of the military quintet
are carried on.
1891. Sportsman, 25 Mar. Not even
thekindlymorning welcome of La Rserdon,
most pleasant and courteous of deft-handed
HEBES, could blot out the fact.
HEBREW, subs, (common). — Gib-
berish; GREEK (q.v.}. To TALK
HEBREW = to talk nonsense or
gibberish.
1705. VANBRUGH, Confederacy, ii.,
i. Man. If she did but know what part
I take in her sufferings . Flip.
Mighty obscure. Man. Well, I'll say
no more ; but . Flip. All HEBREW.
1823. BEE, Diet, of the Turf, s.v.
You may as well TALK HEBREW,' said of
jargon.
HECTOR, subs. (old). — A bully; a
blusterer.
1659. Lady Alimony, ii, 6(DoDSLEY,
Old Plays, 4th ed., 1875, xiv.; 322).
HECTORS, or champion haxters, pimps or
palliards. Ibid, iii., I., (p. 326). Levell-
ing at honour, they declare themselves
glorious HECTORS,
b. 1670. J. HACKET, Archbp. Wil-
liams, ii., 203. One HECTOR, a phrase at
that time for a daring ruffian, had the ear
of great ones sooner than five strict men.
1674. COTTON, Complete Gamester,
p. 333. Shoals of Huffs, HECTORS,
Setters, Gilts, Pads .... And these may
all pass under the general or common
appellation of Rooks.
1677. WYCHERLEY, Plain Dealer,
iv , i. She would rather trust her honour
with some dissolute debauched HECTOR,
1679. BUTLER, Hudibras. iii., 2, 108.
As bones of HECTORS when they differ The
more th'are Cudgel'd, grow the Stiffer.
1689. LESTRANGE, Tr. Erasmus, p.
139. And a Ruffling HECTOR that lives
upon the Highway.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HECTOR, a Vaporing, Swaggering Coward.
1719. DURFEY, Pills, etc., ii., 24.
I hate, she cry'd, a HECTOR, a Dione with-
out a Sting.
1725. New Cant. Diet.
1750. OZELL, Rabelais, iv., Pref.
xxiii. These roaring HECTORS.
1757. POPE, Imit. Hor., ii., i, 71.
I only wear it in a land of HECTORS,
thieves .... and Directors.
1778. BAILEY, Eng. Diet., s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1826. Congress Deb., ii., i., p. 1024.
He hoped it would invite ... a reply
from the Southern HECTOR ... of this
debate.
Verb (common). — To play the
bully ; to bluster. Also TO PLAY
THE HECTOR.
1677. WYCHERLEY, Plain Dealer,
ii., i. No HECTORING, good Captain.
1849-61. MACAULAY, Hist, of Eng.,
ch. xvi. To PLAY THE HECTOR at cock-
pits or hazard tables.
To WEAR HECTOR'S CLOAK,
verb. phr. (old). — To receive the
right reward for treachery. [When
Thomas Percy, Earl of Northum-
berland, was routed in 1569, he
hid himself in the house of Hector
Armstrong, of Harlaw, who be-
trayed him for hire, and prospered
Hectoring.
294
Hedge.
so ill thereafter that he died a
beggar by the roadside.]
HECTORING, subs, and adj. (old:
now recognised). — Bullying ;
blustering.
1677. WYCHERLEY, Plain Dealer,
ii., i. Thou art soe debauched, drunken,
lewd, HECTORING, gaming companion.
Ibid, ii., i. Every idle, young, HECTORING,
roaring companion, with a pair of turned
red breeches, and a broad back, thinks to
carry away any widow of the best degree.
1893. St. James's Gazette, xxvii,
4074, p. 3. Mr. Sexton with much unneces-
sary outlay of HECTORING bluster, repudi-
ates guilty knowledge.
HEDGE, siibs. (racing). — See verbal
sense.
1856. HUGHES, Tom Brown, p. 200.
Now listen, you young fool, you don't
know anything about it ; the horse is no
use to you. He won't win, but I want him
as a HEDGE.
1864. Eton Schooldays, ch. vii. He
took the precaution to take those odds five
or six times by way of a HEDGE, in case
anything should happen to Chorley.
Verb (racing). — i. To secure
oneself against, or minimise the
loss on a bet by reversing on advan-
tageous terms ; TO GET OUT
(q.v.). [Thus, if a man backs A
to win him ;£ioo at 5 to i, he will
if possible HEDGE by laying (say)
3 to I to the amount of (say) ^60
against him. He will then stand
thus : If A wins he gains on the
first bet ;£ioo, and loses on the
second ;£6o, leaving a net gain of
^"40; if A loses he loses on the
first bet £20, and wins on the
second £20, thus clearing himself.]
See STANDING ON VELVET and
Go.
1616. JONSON, Devil is an Ass, iii.,
i. I must have you do A noble gentleman
a courtesy here, In a mere toy, some pretty
ring or jewel, Of fifty or threescore pound.
Make it a hundred, And HEDGE in the last
forty that I owe you, And your own price
for the ring.
1671. BUCKINGHAM, 7$*? Rehearsal,
Prol. Now, critics, do your worst, that
here are met, For, like a rook, I have
HEDG'D in my bet.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HEDGE, to secure a desperate Bet, Wager,
or Debt.
1736. FIELDING, Pasquin, Act iii.
Sneer. That's laying against yourself, Mr.
Trapwit. Trap. I love a HEDGE, sir.
1748. T. DYCHE, Dictionary (sth ed.).
HEDGE (v.) . . . also to secure or re-insure
a dangerous debt, voyage, wager, etc.
1751. SMOLLETT, Peregrine Pickle,
ch. Ixix. They changed their note, and
attempted to HEDGE for their own indem-
nification, by proposing to lay the odds in
favour of Gauntlet.
1754. Connoisseur, No. 15. What-
ever turn things take, he can never lose.
This he has effected, by what he has taught
the world to call, HEDGING a bet.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1854. WHYTE MELVILLE, General
Bounce, ch. xii. If she says ' Yes,' sell
out .... If she says ' No ' get second
leave .... So it's HEDGED both ways.
1891. N. GOULD, Double Event, p-
201. You'd better HEDGE some of your
sweep money.
2. (common). — To elude %
danger.
TO DIE BY THE HEDGE, verb.
phr. (common). — To die in
poverty.
TO HANG IN THE HEDGE,
verb. phr. (old). — See quot.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew. IT
HANGS IN THE HEDGE, of a Lawsuit Or
anything else Depending, Undetermined.
AS COMMON AS THE HEDGE
(or HIGHWAY), phr. (old). — Very
common.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
AS COMMON AS THE HEDGE OR HIGHWAY,
said of a prostitute or Strumpet.
1725. New Cant. Diet. s.v.
BY HEDGE OR BY CROOK.
See HOOK.
Hedge-bird.
295
Hedge-priest.
HEDGE- BIRD, subs. (old). — See
quot.
1614. JONSON, Bartholomew Fair,
ii., i. Out, you rogue, you HEDGE-BIRD,
you pimp, you panier-man's bastard, you.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew.
HEDGE-BIRD, a Scoundrel or sorry Fellow
1725. New Cant. Diet.
HEDGE- BOTTOM ATTORNEY (or
SOLICITOR), subs. phr. (legal). —
A person who, being not
admitted or being uncertificated
(or, it may be, admitted and
certificated both, but struck off
the rolls for malpractice), sets up
in the name cf a qualified man,
and thus evades the penalties
attaching to those who act as
solicitors without being duly
qualified. [All the business is done
in another name, but the hedge-
bottom is the real principal, the
partner being only a dummy.] —
SIR PATRICK COLQUHOUN in
Slang, Jargon and Cant.
HEDGE-CREEPER, subs. (old). — A
hedge-thief; a skulker under
hedges ; a pitiful rascal.
1594. NASHE, Unfortunate Traveller
p, 32 (Chiswick Press, 1892). Call him a
sneaking eavesdropper, a scraping HEDGE-
CREEPER, and a piperley pickthanke.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HEDGE-CREEPER ; a pitiful rascal.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HEDGE - DOCKED, adj. (venery). —
Deflowered in the open.
HEDGE-MARRIAGE (or WEDDING),
subs. (old). — An irregular mar-
riage performed by a HEDGE-
PRIEST (q.v. ); a marriage over
the broom.
HEDGE-NOTE, sut>s. (old). — Low
writing. [As Dryden : ' They left
these HEDGE-NOTES for another
sort of poem. ']
HEDGE-POPPING, subs, (sporting). —
Shooting small birds about hedges.
Whence HEDGE-POPPER = a
trumpery shooter ; and HEDGE-
GAME = small birds, as sparrows
and tits,
HEDGE- PRIEST (or PARSON), s-ubs.
(old : now recognised). — A sham
cleric ; a blackguard or vagabond
parson ; a COUPLE BEGGAR. [As
Johnson notes, the use of HEDGE
in a detrimental sense is
common. As HEDGE - begot ;
HEDGE - born ; HEDGE - brat ;
HEDGE-found ; HEDGE-DOCKED
(q.v.} ; HEDGE-tavern ( = a low ale-
house) ; HEDGE-SQUARE (q.v. ) ;
HEDGE - reared; HEDGE-
mustard ; HEDGE - writer ( = a
Grub - street author) ; HEDGE -
BUILDING, etc. Shakspeare
uses the phrase ' HEDGE-born'
as the very opposite of 'gentle
blooded' (i Henry VI., iv.,
i).] Specifically, HEDGE-PRIESTS
= (in Ireland) a cleric admitted to
orders directly from a HEDGE-
SCHOOL (q.v.) without having
studied theology. [Before May-
nooth, men were admitted to or-
dination ere they left for the con-
tinental colleges, so that they
might receive the stipend for
saying mass.]
1588. Marprelates Epistle, p. 30 (Ed.
Arber). Is it any maruaile that we haue
so many swine dumbe dogs nonresidents
with their iourneimen the HEDGE-PRIESTS
... in our ministry.
1594. SHAKSPEARE, Love's Labour
Lost, v., 2. The pedant, the braggart,
the HEDGE-PRIEST, the fool, and the boy.
1598. FLORID, Worlde of Wordes.
Arlotto, the name of amerie priest, a lack-
latine, or HEDGE-PRIEST.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HEDGE PRIEST. A sorry Hackney, Under-
ling, Illiterate, Vagabond, see Patrico.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
1785, GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
Hedger.
296
Heel.
^ 1822. SCOTT, Fortunes of Nig el, ch. 1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
iBzz. SCOTT, Famines oj ivtgei, en.
xvii. A HEDGE- PARSON, or buckle-beggar,
as that order of priesthood has been
irreverently termed.
HEDGER, See HEDGE, sense 2.
1828-45. HOOD, Poems (Ed. 1846),
p. 96. A black-leg saint, a spiritual
HEDGER.
HEDGE-SCHOOL, subs. (Irish). — 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), verb. phr. (vagrants').
— To sleep in the open air.
ENGLISH SYNONYMS. — To
skipper it ; to doss with the
daisies ; to be under the blue
blanket ; to put up at the Gutter
Hotel ; to do a star pitch.
FRENCH SYNONYMS.— Coiicher
a F hotel de la belle etoile (pop. = to
sleep at the Star Hotel) ; manger
une soupe aux herbes (popular) ;
fiier la comete (popular = to nose
the comet) ; coucher dans le lit
aux pois verts.
1877. GREENWOOD, Under the Blue
Blanket. The vagrant brotherhood have
several slang terms for sleeping out in a
field or meadow. It is called ' snoozing in
HEDGE SQUARB,' etc.
HEDGE-TAVERN (or -ALE-HOUSE),
subs. (old). — See quot.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HEDGE TAVERN or ALEHOUSE, A Jilting,
Sharping Tavern, or Blind Alehouse.
1705. FARQUHAR, Twin-rivals, i., i.
That was ... in the days of dirty
linen, pit-masks, HEDGE-TAVERNS, and
beef-steaks.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
HEDGE-WHORE (or HEDGE-BIT),
subs, (old : now recognised). — A
filthy harlot working in the open
air.
1598. FLORIO, A Worlde ofWordes,
s.v., Zambracca, a common - HEDGE-
WHORE, strumpet, a base harlot.
1785. GROSE, Vttlg. Tongue, s.v.
HEDGING, subs, (racing). — See
HEDGE, verbal sense 2.
1867. A. TROLI.OPE, Claverings, ch.
xxiy. He would be lessening the odds
against himself by a judicious HEDGING ot
his bets.
HEEL. To BLESS THE WORLD
WITH ONE'S HEELS, verb. phr.
(old). — To be hanged. For syn-
onyms, see LADDER.
1566-7. PAINTER, Palace of Pleasure,
sign R., 8. And the next daye, the three
theves were conveied forth to BLESSE THE
WORLDE WITH THEIR HEELES.
To COOL (or KICK) THE HEELS,
verb. phr. (common). — To wait a
long while at an appointed place.
1014. JONSON, Bartholomew Fair.
Who forthwith comitted my little hot furie
to the stockes, where we will leave him to
COOLE HIS HEELES, whilst we take a fur-
ther view of the faire.
1 673. WYCHERLEY, Gentleman
Dancing Master, iv., i. They ne'er think
of the poor watchful chambermaid, who
sitS KNOCKING HER HEELS IN THE COLD,
for want of better exercise, in some melan-
choly lobby or entry.
1752. FIELDING, Amelia. In this
parlour Amelia COOLED HER HEELS, as the
phrase is, near a quarter of an hour.
1830. LYTTON, Paul Clifford [Ed.
1854], p 22. He expected all who KICKED
THEIR HEELS at his house would behave
decent and polite to young Mr. Dot.
1833. MARRYAT, Peter Simple, ch.
xiii. Tell him that I'll trouble him to
forget to go to sleep again as he did last
time, and leave me here KICKING MY
HEELS contrary to the rules of the ser-
vice.
Heel.
297
Heeler.
1879. SALA, Paris Herself Again, i.
We COOLED OUR HEELS during the ordi-
nary an intolerable half hour.
1888. LYNCH, Mountain Mystery,
ch. xlvi. That young gentleman, who had
been COOLING HIS HEELS for what seemed
1 ike half the night.
TO LAY BY THE HEELS, Verb.
phr. (common). — To confine ; to
fetter ; to jail.
1601. SHAKSPEARE, Henry VIII;,
v., 4. If the king blame me for it, I'll
LAY ye all BY THE HEELS, and suddenly.
1614. JONSON, Bartholomew Fair,
iii. Sir, if you be not quiet the quicklier,
111 have you CLAPP'D fairly BY THE
HEELS, for disturbing the Fair.
16(53-1678. BUTLER, Hudibras, i., 3.
Th' one half of man, his mind, Is, sui
juiis, unconfmed, And cannot be LAID BY
THE HEELS.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
1886. R. L. STEVENSON, Kidnapped,
p. 184. If they LAY ME BY THE HEELS,
Alan, it's then that you'll be needing the
money.
To LIFT ONE'S HEELS, verb*
phr. (venery). — To lie down for
copulation; to SPREAD (q.v.).
To TURN (or TOPPLE) UP THE
HEELS (or TOES), verb. phr. (old).
— To die. For synonyms, see
ALOFT.
1592. NASHE, Pierce Penilesse [Gro-
sart], ii., 77. Our trust is .... you will
TOURNE UP THEIR HEELES one of these
yeares together, and prouide them of such
vnthrifts to their heires, as shall spend in
one weeke .... what they got .... all
their lifetime.
1599. NASHE, Lenten Stuffe. Leaven
thousand and fifty people TOPPLED UP
THEIR HEELS.
TO TAKE TO (or SHOW) A PAIR
OF HEELS, verb. phr. (colloquial).
— To take to flight ; to run away.
For synonyms, see AMPUTATE.
1593. SHAKSPEARE, Comedy of Er-
rors. Nay . . . Sir, I'll TAKE MY HEELS.
1864. Chambers' Journal, Dec. Once
before he had ' found meanes yet at length
to deceive his keepers, and TOOK HIM TO
HIS HEELS' to the sea coast.
His HEELS, verb. phr. (gaming).
— The knave of trumps at cribbage
or all-fours. Hence ' TWO FOR
HIS HEELS' — two points scored
(at cribbage) for turning up this
card.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
TO TREAD UPON (or TO BE AT
or UPON) THE HEELS, verb. phr.
(colloquial). — To follow close or
hard after ; to pursue.
1596. SHAKSPEARE, Hamlet, iv., 7.
One woe doth TREAD UPON ANOTHER'S
HEELS.
TO GO HEELS OVER HEAD, verb,
phr. (colloquial). — To turn a
somersault; to be hasty; to fall
violently. Also TOP OVER TAIL.
1540. LYNDSAY, Satyre of the Thrie
Estaitis, 3744. This fals warld is turnit
TOP OUIR TAILL.
To HAVE (or GET) THE HEELS
OF, verb. phr. (old). — To outrun ;
to get an advantage.
1748. SMOLLETT, Roderick Random.
Thou hast GOT THE HEELS OF me
already.
DOWN (or OUT) AT HEEL, adv.
phr. (colloquial). — Slipshod ;
shabby ; in decay.
1605. SHAKSPEARE, King Lear, ii.,
2. A good man's future may grow OUT AT
HEELS.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
1851-6. MAYHEW, Lond. Lab. and
Lond. Poor, iii., 122. He was a little
DOWN AT HEEL.
HEELED, adj. (American). — Armed.
[From the steel spur used in cock-
fighting.]
HEELER, subs. (American). — i.
Followers or henchmen of a
politician or a party.
1888. Denver Republican, 29 Feb.
The HEELERS and strikers, bummers and
stuffers, otherwise known as practical
Heel-taps,
298
Hell.
politicians, who do the work at the
Democratic polls, and manipulate the
primaries and local conventions.
1888. New York Herald, 4 Nov.
A band succeeded them and preceded a
lot of ward HEELERS and floaters.
2. (American). — A bar, or
other loafer ; anyone on the look-
out for shady work.
3. (American thieves') —An
accomplice in the pocket-book
RACKET (q.V.\ [The HEELER
draws attention, by touching the
victim's heels, to a pocket-book
containing counterfeit money
which has been let drop by a
companion, with a view to in-
ducing the victim to part with
genuine coin for a division of the
find.]
4. (Winchester College).— A
plunge, feet foremost, into water.
Fr. , une chandelle.
HEEL-TAPS, subs, (common). — i.
Liquor in the bottom of a glass.
BUMPERS ROUND AND NO HEEL
TAPS = Fill full, and drain dry !
See DAYLIGHT. Fr., la musique.
1795. Gent. Mag., p. 118. Briskly
pushed towards me the decanter containing
a tolerable bumper, and exclaimed, ' Sir,
I'll buzz you : come, NO HEEL-TAPS ! '
1836. DICKENS, Pickwick (Ed. 1857;,
p. 10. No HEEL-TAPS, and he emptied
the glass.
1838. DICKENS, Nicholas Nickleby,
ch. xxxii. There was a proper objection
to drinking her in HEELTAPS.
1841. Punch, i., 117. Empty them
HEELTAPS, Jack, and fill out with a fresh
jug.
1844. BUCKSTONE, The Maid with
the Milking Pail. Added to which, she's
a termagant, and imbibes all the HEEL-
TAPS.
1855. THACKERAY, Newcomes, ch.
xiv. The relics of yesterday's feast — the
emptied bottles .... the wretched HEEL-
TAPS that have been lying exposed all
night to the air.
2. (common). — A dance
peculiar to London dustmen.
HEIFER, subs, (common). — A
woman ; OLD HEIFER (in
Western America) = a term of
endearment. For synonyms,
see PETTICOAT.
18(?). In the Back Woods, p. 71. Now,
git out, I says, or the ol' HEIFER '11 show
you whar the carpenter left a hole for you
to mosey.
HEIFER- PADDOCK, subs. (Aus-
tralian).— A ladies' school.
1885. MRS. CAMPBELL-PRAED, Aus~
trail an Life. The cattle (women) here-
abouts are too scattered .... Next year
I shall look over a HEIFER-PADDOCK in
Sydney, and take my pick.
HEIGH-HO, subs. (thieves'). -
Stolen yarn. [From the expres-
sion used to apprise the fence
that the speaker had stolen yam
to sell.]
HEIGHTS. To SCALE THE HEIGHTS
OF CONNUBIAL BLISS, verb. phr.
(venery). — To copulate. For
synonyms, see GREENS and RIDE.
HELBAT, subs. (back). — A table.
HELL, subs. (old). — i. Generic for
a place of confinement, as in some
games (Sydney), or a cell in a
prison : specifically, a place
under the Exchequer Chamber,
where the king's debtors were
confined.
1593. SHAKSPEARE, Comedy of Errors,
iv., 2. A hound that runs counter, and yet
draws dry-foot well, One that before the
judgement, carries poor souls to HELL.
1658. Counter-Rat. In Wood Street's
hole, or counter's HELL.
1598. FLORIO, Worlde of Wordes,
s.v. Secret a .... Also the name of a
place in Venice where all their secret
records and ancient evidences be kept, as
HELL is in Westminster Hall.
Hell.
299
Hell.
2. (old). — A workman's re-
ceptacle for stolen or refuse pieces,
as cloth, type, etc. ; ONE'S EYF.
Also HELL-HOLE and HELL-BOX.
See CABBAGE. HELL-MATTER =
(printers') old and battered type.
(?). Newest Academy of Compli-
ments. When taylors forget to throw cab-
bage in HELL, And shorten their bills, that
all may be well.
1589. NASHE, Martin's Months
Minde (Grosart), i. 185. Remember the
shreddes that fall into the Tailors HELL,
neuer come backe to couer your backe.
1592. Defence of Conny Catching, in
GREENE'S Wks., xi., 96. This HEL is a
place that the tailors haue vnder their
shopboord, wher al their stolne shreds is
thrust.
1606. DAY, lie of Gulls. That fel-
lowes pocket is like a tailors HELL, it eats
up part of every mans due ; 'tis an execu-
tioner, and makes away more innocent
petitions in one yeere, than a red-headed
hangman cuts ropes in an age.
1625. JONSON, Staple of News, i.,
i. That jest Has gain'd thy pardon, thou
hadst lived Condemn'd To thine own HELL.
1663. T. KILLEGREW, Parson's Wed-
ding, iii., 5., in Dodsley, O.P. (1780) xi.,
452. Careless [addressing a tailor]. Why
then, thou art damned. Go, go home, and
throw thyself into thine own HELL ; it is
the next way to the other.
1663-1712. KING, Art of Cookery.
In Covent Garden did a taylor dwell, Who
might deserve a place in his own HELL.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HELL, the Place where the Taylers lay up
their Cabbage, or Remnants, which are
sometimes very large.
1698. Money Masters All Things,
p. 56. The Cheating Knave some of the
clues does throw Into his HELL-HOLE ; and
then lets her know That he her web cannot
work out o' th' Loom.
1704. SWIFT, Tale of a Tub, Sec. iii.
The tailor's HELL is the type of a critic's
common-place book.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1814. C. ^w&, Melancholy oj Tailors
in Poems, etc. (Ed. Ainger), p. 333. The
tailor sitting over a cave or hollow place,
in the cabalistic language of his order, is
said to have certain melancholy regions
always open under his feet.
1853. Notes and Queries, i S., viii.,
313, c. 2. The term cabbage, by which
tailors designate the cribbed pieces of
cloth, is said to be derived from an old
word ' cablesh,' i.e., wind-fallen wood.
And their HELL where they store the
cabbage, from helan, to hide.
3. (common). — A gambling
house. [Whence SILVER-HELL
= a gambling house where only
silver is played for ; DANCING-
HELL = an unchartered hall ; and
so forth.]
1823. MONCRIEFF, Tom and Jerry,
ii., 4. Jerry. A HELL, Tom ? I'm at
fault again! Log. A gambling house,
Jerry!
1841. Comic Almanack, p. 280. A
man at a HELL, Playing the part of a Bon-
netter well.
1849. THACKERAY, Pendennis, ch.
xxxix. He plays still ; he is in a HELL
every night almost.
1890. Saturday Review, i Feb , p.
134, c. 2. These private HELLS neverthe-
less exist, and as all money found on the
premises is seized by the police, the players
have to resort to all kinds of subterfuge
when the three loud knocks are heard
which indicate the presence of the com-
ntissaire.
4. (venery). — Thefemale/^afcw-
dum ; cf., HEAVEN. For syn-
onyms, see MONOSYLLABLE. [See
BOCCACCIO, Decameron.'}
HEAVEN, HELL AND PURGA-
TORY, subs. phr. (old). — Three
ale-houses formerly situated near
Westminster Hall.
1610. JONSON, Alchemist, v., 2. He
must not break his fast In Heaven or HELL.
HELL BROKE LOOSE, subs. phr.
(common). — Extreme disorder ;
anarchy.
1632. HAUSTED, Rivall Friends, v.,
10. Fye, fye, HELL is BROKE LOOSE upon
me.
1672. MARVELL, Rehearsal (Gro^rt),
iii, 212. War broke out, and then to be
sure HELL'S BROKE LOOSE.
1703. FARQUHAR, Inconstant, iv., 4.
HELL BROKE LOOSE upon me, and all the
furies fluttered about my ears.
Hell.
300
Hell.
1719. DURFEY, Pills, etc., i., 96.
Tho' HELL'S BROKE LOOSE, and the Devils
roar abroad.
HELL OF A (LARK, GOER, ROW,
and so forth), adj. phr. (common).
— Very much oi a ; a popu-
lar intensitive.
ALL TO HELL (or GONE TO
HELL), adj. phr. (colloquial). —
Utterly ruined.
To HOPE (or WISH) TO HELL,
verb. phr. (common). — To desire
intensely.
1891. N. GOULD, Double Event, p.
229. I HOPE TO H the horse will
break his neck and his rider's too.
TO PLAY (or KICK UP) HELL
AND TOMMY, verb. phr. (com-
mon).— To ruin utterly. Also,
TO PLAY HELL AND BREAK
THINGS ; TO RAISE HELL ; TO
MAKE HELL'S DELIGHT.
1837-40. HALIBURTON, The Clock-
maker, p. 287 (Ed. 1862). And in the
mean time rob 'em, plunder 'em, and tax
em ; hang their priests, seize their galls,
and PLAY HELL AND TOMMY with them,
and all because they speak French.
1859. DE QUINCEY, Wks. (14 vol.,
ed. vi., 336). About a hundred years
earlier Lord Bacon PLAYED H AND
TOMMY when casually raised to the
supreme seat in the Council by the brief
absence in Edinburgh of the King and
the Duke of Buckingham.
1867. Lahore Chronicle, 20 May. The
Sepoys are burning down the houses, and
PLAYING H AND TOMMY with the
station.
1879. JUSTIN M'CARTHY, Donna
Quixote, ch. xxxii. We'll have a fine bit
of fun, I tell you. I've PLAYED HELL-AND-
TOMMY already with the lot of them.
TO LEAD APES IN HELL, Verb.
bhr. (old). — To die an old maid.
[From a popular superstition. ]
1599. HENRY PORTER, The Two
Angry Women of Abingdon. (DoDSLEY,
Old Plays, 4th ed., 1875, vii., 294-5). For
women that are wise will not LEAD APES
IN HELL. . . . Therefore, come husband :
maidenhead adieu.
1600. SHAKSPEARE, Much Ado at out
Nothing, ii., i. He that is more than
youth is not for me, and he that is less than
man I am not for him ; therefore I will
. . . even LEAD his APES INTO HELL.
1605. London Prodigal, ii. But 'tis
an old proverb, and you know it well, that
women, dying maids, LEAD APES IN HELL.
1611. CHAPMAN, May-day, v. 2. I
am beholden to her ; she was loth to have
me LEAD APES IN HELL.
1659. The London Chanticleers, i., 2.
I'll always live a virgin ! What ! and
LEAD APES IN HELL ?
1719. DURFEY, Pills, etc., i., 179.
Celladon at that began To talk of APES IN
HELL.
1837. BARHAM, Ingoldsly Legends,
'Bloudie Jacke.' They say she is now
LEADING APES . . . And mends Bachelors'
small clothes below.
TO PUT THE DEVIL INTO HELL,
verb. phr. (old). — To copulate. —
BOCCACCIO. [HELL = female
pudendum.'] For synonyms, see
GREENS and RIDE.
To GIVE HELL, verb. phr.
(common). — To trounce ; abuse ;
or punish severely. Also (Ameri-
can), TO MAKE ONE SMELL HELL
(or A DAMN PARTICULAR SMELL).
HELL-FOR-LEATHER, adv. phr.
(common). — With the utmost
energy and desperation.
1892. R. KIPLING, Barrack Room
Ballads. When we rode HELL-FOR-LEA-
THER, Both squadrons together, Not caring
much whether we lived or we died.
LIKE HELL, adv. phr. (com-
mon). — Desperately ; with all
one's might.
1855. THACKERAY, Newcomes, ch.
xxix. I tried every place, everything ;
went to Ems, to Wiesbaden, to Hombourg,
and played LIKE HELL.
Go TO HELL \phr. (common)
— An emphatic dismissal : the full
phrase is, ' Go to hell and help
the devil to make your mother
into a bitch pie.' [A variant is,
Hell-bender.
301
Hemp.
' Go to hell and pump thunder.']
For analagous phrases, see OATHS.
1836. MICHAEL SCOTT, Cruise of the
Midge, p. 72. So, good men, GO TO HELL
all of you — do — very mosh go to hell —
do.
1889. Daily News, 21 Dec., p. 7,0.
i. He was asked to see somebody about
his evidence, and told him TO GO TO HELL.
1892. KIPLING, Barrack Room~ Bal-
lads. ' Ford o' Kabul River.' Kabul
tOWn'll GO TO HELL.
HELL AND SCISSORS I intj.
(American). — An ejaculation of
surprise and ridicule. In England,
SCISSORS !
HELL-BENDER, subs. (American). —
A drunken frolic; a tremendous
row. Also HELL-A-POPPING and
HELL'S DELIGHT.
HELL- BROTH, subs, (common). —
Bad liquor. For synonyms, see
DRINKS.
HELL-CAT (-HAG, -HOUND, -KITE,
etc.), subs, (old: now recognised).
— A man or woman of hellish dis-
position ; a lewdster of either sex ;
cf.t HALLION.
1606. SHAKSPEARE, Macbeth, v., 7.
Macd. Turn, HELL-HOUND, turn ! Macb,
Of all men else I have avoided thee.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HELL- DRIVER, subs. (old). — A
coachman.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
HELLITE, subs, (gaming). — A pro-
fessional gambler. — DUCANGE.
1838. GRANT, Sketches in London.
Prosecuting the HELLITES for assault.
HELLOPHONE, subs. (American). —
The telephone. [From HALLOO !
+ PHONE.]
HELP, subs, (colloquial : once
literary). — A hired assistant.
LADY-HELP = a woman acting as
a companion, and undertaking the
lighter domestic duties with or
without wages.
1824. PEAKE, Americans Abroad,
i., i. Have you seen my HELP — my
nigger.
1839. DB QUINCEY, Murder^ as one
of the Fine Arts, \\. For domestic HELPS
are pretty generally in a state of transition .
1848. BURTON, Waggeries, p. 77.
A bevy of ready HELPS rushed upon him
and tore him from the seat of honour.
1861. HUGHES, Tom Brown at
Oxford, ch. vi. ' Well, you've had a
pretty good day of it,' said Tom, who had
been hugely amused; 'but I should feel
nervous about the HELP, if I were you.'
So HELP (or S'ELP or S'WELP)
ME GOD (BOB, NEVER, or SAY-SO,
etc.), phr. (common). — An em-
phatic asseveration.
1888. J. RUNCIMAN, The Chequers,
p. 86. I'll pay it back, S'ELP ME GORD.
1892. A. CHEVALIER, 'Mrs. 'Enery
'Awkins.' SELF ME BOB I'm crazy, Liza,
you're a daisy.
1892. MILLIKEN, 'Arry Ballads,
p. 62. 'SELF ME NEVER, old pal, it's a
scorcher.
1893. EMERSON, Signor Lippo, ch.
xiv. Well, SO HELP MY BLESSED TATER,
if this isn't our old Jose turned up again.
HELPA, subs. (back). — An apple.
HELPLESS, adj. (colloquial). —
Drunk. For synonyms, see
DRINKS and SCREWED.
HEMISPHERES, subs, (venery). —
The paps. For synonyms, see
DAIRY.
HEMP (or HEMP-SEED, STRETCH-
H EM P, H EM P-STRI NG,Or H EM PY),
subs. (old). — i. A rogue ; a
candidate fit for the gallows.
Frequently used jocularly. A
CRACK-HALTER (q.V.). Fr., UH6
graine de bagne.
Hempen-bridle* 3°2 Hempen-fortune.
1532. SIR T. MORE, Wks. [1557],
folio 715. [He] feareth [not] to mocke the
Sacrament, the blessed body of God, and
ful like a STRETCH HEMPE, call it but cake,
bred, or starc\
1566. GASCOIGNE, Supposes, iv., 3.
If I come near you, HEMPSTRING, I will
teach you to sing sol fa.
1598. SHAKSPEARE, 2 Henry IV., ii.,
i. Do, do, thou rogue, thou HEMP-SEED.
1606. CHAPMAN, Mons. D'Olive,
Act v., p. 135. (Plays, 1874). Van. A
perfect young HEMPSTRING. Vu. Peace,
least he overhear you.
1659. Lady Alimony, iv., 6. (Doos-
LEY, Old Plays, 4th ed., 1875, xiv.,p. 350).
Now, you HEMPSTRINGS, had you no other
time to nun us but when we were upon our
visits ?
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HEMP, YOUNG-HEMP, An appellation for a
graceless boy.
1817. SCOTT, Rob Roy, ch. xxxiv.
She's under lawfu' authority now ; and full
time, for she was a daft HEMPIE.
1839. AINSWORTH, Jack Sheppard,
[Ed. 1840], p. 130. 'We'll see that, young
HEMPSEED,' replied Sharpies.
2. (old). — A halter.
1754. FIELDING, Jonathan Wild, iv.
14. Laudanum, therefore, being unable
to stop the health of our hero, which the
fruit of HEMPSEED, and not the spirit of
poppy-seed, was to overcome. . . .
Verb (American). — To choke or
strangle.
1859. MATSELL, Vccabulum, s.v.
TO WAG HEMP IN THE WIND,
verb. phr. (old). — To be hanged.
See HEMPEN FEVER and LADDER.
1532. SIR T. MORE, Wks. [1557]-
folio 715. Tindall caileth blessing and
crossynge but wagging of fplkes fingers in
the aeyre, and feireth not (like one yt would
at length WAGGE HEMPE IN THE WINDE) to
mocke at all such miracles.
HEMPEN-BRIDLE, subs, (old).— A
ship's rope or rigging. See HORSE
and TREE.
HEMPEN COLLAR (CANDLE,
CIRCLE, CRAVAT, CROAK,
GARTER, NECKTIE, or HABEAS),
subs. (old). — The hangman's
noose; a halter. Also HEMP,
and the HEARTY-CHOKE. Cf.,
ANODYNE NECK - LACE. See
quot. 1595.
1530-95. TURBERVILE, Of Two
Desperate Men. A man in deepe des-
paire, with HEMPE in hand, Went out in
haste to ende his wretched dayes.
c. 1586. MARLOWE, Jew of Malta,
iv, 4. When the hangman had put on his
HEMPEN.
1594. SHAKSPEARE, 2 Henry VI.,
iv., 7. Ye shall have a HEMPEN CANDLE
then, and the pap of a hatchet.
c. 1785. WOLCOT [P. Pindar], Rights
of Kings, Ode xviii. Your HEMP
CRAVATS, your pray'r, your Tyburn miser.
1819 SCOTT, Bride of Lammermoor,
ch. xvi. I wad wager twa and a plack
that HEMP plaits his CRAVAT yet.
1823. BEE, Diet. Turf, s v. HEM-
PEN HABEAS. He will get over it by a
HEMPEN HABEAS.
1830. LYTTON, Paul Clifford, ch. iv-
If ever I know as how you makes a flat
of my Paul, blow me tight, but I'll weave
you a HEMPEN COLLAR : I'll hang you,
you dog, I will.
1886. MiSs BRADDON, Mohawks, ch.
xxviii. A full confession were perhaps too
much to expect. Nothing but the imme-
diate prospect of a HEMPEN NECKLACE
would extort that.
HEMPEN FEVER. To DIE OF A
HEMPEN FEVER, verb. phr. (old).
— To be hanged. For synonyms,
see LADDER.
1785. GROSE, Vul%. Tongue, s.v.
HEMPEN FEVER, a man who was hanged, is
said to have DIED OF A HEMPEN FEVER ;
and in Dorsetshire to have been stabbed
with a Bridport dagger ; Bridport being a
place famous for manufacturing hemp into
cords.
1839. AINSWORTH, Jack Sheppard
[1889], p. 76. She had been married four
times; three of her husbands died of HEM-
PEN FEVERS.
HEM PEN- FORTUNE, subs. (old). —
Bad luck ; a term for the gallows.
Hempen-squincy, 3°3
Hen-hearted.
1705. VANBRUGH, The Confederacy,
v., T. If ever I see one glance of your
HEMPEN FORTUNE again, I'm off your
partnership for ever.
HEMPEN - SQUINCY, subs. (old). —
Hanging. For synonyms, see
LADDER.
1646. RANDOLPH'S Jealous Lovers.
Hear you, tutour, Shall not we be suspected
for the murder, And choke with a HEMPEN
SQUINCY.
HEM PEN -WIDOW, subs. (old). — A
woman widowed by the gallows.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HEMPEN WIDOW, One whose Husband was
Hanged.
1725. New Cant Diet., s.v.
1748. T. DYCHE, Dictionary (sth Ed.).
HEMPEN-WIDOW (s.), a woman whose
husband was hanged.
1785. GROSE, Vulg.Tongue,s.v.
1834. HARRISON AINSWORTH, Rook-
ivood, p. 89. In a box of the stone-jug I
was born, Of a HEMPEN-WIDOW the kid
forlorn Fake away.
H EH, subs, (common). — I. A woman.
Specifically, a wife or mistress.
For synonyms, see PETTICOAT.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
1823. BEE, Diet. Turf, s.v. HEN.
In Black-boy Alley I've a ken, A tyke
and fighting cock ; A saucy, tip-slang moon-
eyed HEN, Who is oft mill-doll at block.
2. (common). — Drink money.
See HEN DRINKING.
1892. MILLIKEN, 'Arry Ballads,
p. 20. Whenever there's HENS on the
crow, 'Arry's good for a hinnings, — no
fear !
Verb (Scots'). — To funk ; to
turn tail ; TO HEN ON = to fear to
attempt.
COCK AND HEN CLUB, subs.
phr. (common). — Aclubcomposed
of men and women.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
HENS AND CHICKENS, subs,
phr. (thieves'). — Pewter measures;
quarts and pints. Cf.y CAT AND
KITTENS.
1851. H. MAVHEW, Land. Lab. and
Lond. Poor, Vol. i., p. 276. The HENS
AND CHICKENS of the roguish low lodging-
houses are the publicans' pewter measures;
the bigger vessels are ' hens,' the smaller are
'chickens.'
HEN-DRINKING, subs, (provincial).
— See quot.
1859. Notes and Queries, 2 S. viii.,
239. There is yet another [Yorkshire
marriage-custom], viz., the HEN-DRINKING.
On the evening of the wedding day the
young men of the village call upon the
bridegroom for a hen — meaning money
for refreshments .... should the hen be
refused, the inmates may expect some
ugly trick to the house ere the festivities
terminate.
HEN FRIGATE, subs, (nautical). — A
ship commanded by the captain's
wife. Cf., HEN-PECKED.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1883. CLARK RUSSELL, Sailors
Language, s.v.
HEN-FRUIT, subs. (American). —
Eggs.
HEN (or CHICKEN)-HEARTED, adj.
(old : now recognised). — Timor-
ous ; cowardly.
d. 1529. SKELTON, Why Come Ye
not to Courte. They kepe them in their
holdes Lyke HEN-HEARTED cuckoldes.
1506-56. UDAL, James I. He is
reconed a lowte and a HENNE-HEARTED
rascall.
1639-61. Rump Songs, i., [1662] 319.
Let the HEN-HEARTED (_it diink whey.
1748. T. DYCHE, Dictionary (sth
Ed.). HEN-HEARTED, of a cowardly,
fearful, or timorous disposition.
1754. B. MARTIN, Eng. Diet. (2nd
Ed.), s.v. ' Poltron.' A coward, or HEN-
HEARTED fellow.
1762. FOOTE, Liar, Hi., 2. Why,
what a dastardly, HEN-HEARTED But
come, Papillion, this shall be your last
campaign.
Hen-house.
3°4 Here- and- T/iereian.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1812. JOHNSON, Eng. Dict.t s.v.
HEN-HEARTED . . . a low word.
1815. SCOTT, Guy Mannering, ch.
xxviii. Are you turned HEN-HEARTED,
Jack?
HEN-HOUSE, subs. (old). — ^quot.
1785. GROSE, Vulg, Tongue, s.v.
HEN-HOUSE, a house where the woman
rules, called also a she-house.
HEN OF THE GAME.
GAME.
See
HEN - PARTY (CONVENTION - or
TEA-), subs, (common). — An
assemblage of women for political
or social purposes. Cf., BULL
or STAG-PARTY. Also, BITCH-,
TABBY-, and CAT-PARTY.
HEN-PECKED, adj. (old : now
recognised). — Petticoat govern-
ment ; ruled by a woman.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HENPECKT Friggat, whose Commander and
Officers are absolutely pway'd by their
Wives. Ibid. HENPECKT Husband,
whose Wife wears the Breeches.
1695. CONGREVE, Love for Love, iv.,
13. I believe be that marries you will go
to sea in a HEN-PECKED FRIGATE.
1712. ARBUTHNOT, History of John
Bull, Pt. I., ch. v. He had a termagant
wife, and, as the neighbours said, was
playing HENPECKED !
1712. Spectator, No. 479. Socrates,
who is by all accounts the undoubted head
of the sect of the HEN-PECKED.
1748. T. DYCHE, Dictionaty (sth
Ed.). HEN-PECKED, a man that is over-
awed by his wife, and dares do nothing
disagreeable to her inclinations.
1771. SMOLLETT, Humphry Clinker,
1. 27. I shall never presume to despise or
censure any poor man for suffering himself
to be HENPECKED, conscious how I myself
am obliged to truckle to a domestic
demon.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1837. DICKENS, Oliver Twist, ch.
xxxvii. He had fallen from all the height
and pomp of beadleship, to the lowest
depth of the most snubbed HEN-PECKERY.
1857. A. TROLLOPE, Barchester
Towers, ch. iii. But Mrs. Proudie is not
satisfied with such home dominion, and
stretches her power over all his movements,
and will not even abstain from things
spiritual. In fact, the bishop is HEN-
PECKED.
HEN'S-ARSEHOLE. — See MOUTH.
HEN-SNATCHER, subs. (American).
— A chicken thief.
1888. Bulletin, 24 Nov. All the
dead-beats and suspected HEN-SNATCHERS
plead when before the Bench that they
were only 'mouching round," etc.
HENS'- RIGHTS, subs. (American). —
Women's rights.
HEN-TOED, adj. phr. (common). —
To turn the toes in walking like a
fowl.
HERE. HERE'S TO YOU (AT YOU,
UNTO YOU, NOW, Or LUCK), phr.
(common). — An invitation to
drink ; here's a health to you.
For synonyms, see DRINKS.
1651. CARTWRIGHT, Royal Slave.
HERE'S TO THEE, Leocrates.
1717. NED WARD, Wks. ii., 71. Then
we were fain To use Hertfordshire kind-
ness, HERE'S TO YOU again.
1853. Diogenes ii., 46. Each a pot
in his hand .... Observed in a style of
remarkable ease, ' Old Buck HERE'S LUCK,'
And then at the pewter proceeded to suck.
HERE'S LUCK, phr. (tailors').
— I don't believe you.
I AM NOT HERE, phr.
(tailors'). — ' I don't feel inclined
to work ' ; 'I wish to be left alone. '
HERE'S TO IT, phr. (common).
— An obscene toast. See IT,
sense 2.
HERE-AND-THEREIAN, subs. phr.
(old). — A rolling stone ; a person
with no permanent address. Lex.
Bal.y 1811.
Hereford.
305
Herring-pond.
HEREFORD, adj. (American cowboy).
White. [Herefords are white-
faced.]
HEREFORDSHIRE-WEED, subs.
(old). — An oak.
HER MAJESTY'S CARRIAGE, subs,
phr. (common). — A prison van ;
the Queen's 'bus. See BLACK
MARIA. Fr., V omnibus a pegres.
HER MAJESTY'S TOBACCO PIPE,
subs, (common). — The furnace
where the forfeited tobacco from
the Customs House is burnt.
[Now a thing of the past : the
tobacco being distributed to work-
houses, etc.]
1871. Echo, 27 Jan. All that was
not sold will be burnt, according to
custom, in HER MAJESTY'S TOBACCO PIPE,
We cannot think such waste justifiable.
HERMIT(orBALDHEADED HERMIT),
subs, (venery). — The penis. For
synonyms, see CREAMSTICK and
PRICK.
HEROD. To OUT-HEROD HEROD,
verb. phr. (colloquial). — To out-
do ; specifically (theatrical) to
excel in rant.
1596. SHAKSPEARE, Hatnlet, iii., 2.
Oh, it offends me to the soul to hear a
robustious, perriwig-pated fellow tear a
passion to tatters, to very rags, to split the
ears of the groundlings .... it OUT-
HERODS HEROD.
H ERRING. NEITHER FISH, FLESH,
FOWL, NOR GOOD RED HERRING,
phr. (old). — Neither one thing nor
the other.
1682. DRYDEN, Duke of Guise,
Epil. (6th line fiom end). Neuters in their
middleway of fleering, Are NEITHER FISH,
NOR FLESH, NOR GOOD RED HERRING.
TO THROW A SPRAT TO CATCH
A HERRING (or WHALE), verb,
phr. (old). — To forego an advan-
tage in the hope of greater profit.
1826. BUCKSTONE, Luke the Labourer,
i., 2. I give dat like THROWING AWAY A
SPRAT TO CATCH A HERRING, though I
hope on this occasion to catch a bigger fish.
1890. GRANT ALLEN, Tents ofShem,
ch. xix. He's CASTING A SPRAT TO CATCH
A WHALE.
DEAD AS A HERRING (or SHOT-
TEN HERRING), adv. phr. (old).—
Quite dead. [Herrings die sooner
on leaving the water than most
fish.] See DEAD.
1596. SHAKSPEARE, Merry Wives of
Windsor, ii., 3. By gar de HERRING is NO
DEAD as I vill kill him.
1785. BURNS, Death and Dr. Horn-
book. I'll nail the self- conceited sot As
DEAD'S A HERRIN'.
1790. RHODES, Bombastes Furioso,
Sc. 4. Ay, DEAD AS HERRINGS — herrings
that are red.
LIKE HERRINGS IN A BARREL,
adv. phr. (common). — Very
crowded.
1891. N. GOULD, Double Event,
p. 117. People jammed inside like HER-
RINGS IN A BARREL.
THE DEVIL A BARREL THE
BETTER HERRING, phr. (old). —
All bad alike— Lex. Bal. In
modern American, all alike ; in-
distinguishable. Cf., SARDINE,
HERRING - GUTTED, adj. (old). —
Lanky ; thin.— GROSE.
HERRING-POND, subs, (common). —
The sea ; specifically, the North
Atlantic Ocean. See BRINY and
PUDDLE. To BE SENT ACROSS
THE HERRING-POND = to be trans-
ported.
1722. England's Path to Wealth.
"Pis odds but a finer country, cheaper and
better food and raiment, wholesomer air,
easier rents and taxes, will tempt many of
your countrymen to cross the HERRING-
POND.
1729. GAY, Polly, i., i. Bless us
all ! how little are our customs known
on this side the HERRING POND !
20
Hertfordshire-kindness. 3°6 Hiccius Doccius.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1823. BEE, Diet. 'lurf, etc., s.v.
HERRING-POND — the sea, the Atlantic ;
and ha who is gone across it is said to be
lagged, or gone a Botanizing.
1830. LYTTON, Paul Clifford, p. 256,
ed. 1854. You're too old a hand for the
HERRING-POND.
1864. M. E. BRADDON, Henry
Dunbar, ch. xxv. You're not going to
run away? You're not going to renounce
the pomps and vanities of this wicked
world, and make an early expedition across
the HERRING-POND— eh?
1884. PHILLIPPS - WOOLLEY, Trot-
tings of a Tenderfoot. Everyone nowadays
has read as much as he or she cares to
about the voyage across the HERRING-
POND.
1889. Notes and Queries, 7 S., vii.,
p. 36, c. 2. Terms which have lived in
America, and again crossed the HERRING-
POND with modern traffic.
1890. Punch, 6 Feb. Saturday.—
My connection with war ended. Calculate
I start to-morrow with the Show across the
HERRING-POND, to wake up the Crowned
Heads of Europe !
1891. GUNTER, Miss Nobody, ch. xvii.
If so, I'll — I'll cut him, when I cross the —
er — HERRIN' POND.
1892. HUME NISBET, Bushranger's
Sweetheart, p. 119. I guess we have
ruined one or two well-known authors, on
the other side of the HERRING POND.
HERTFORDSHIRE-KINDNESS, subs.
(old). — An acknowledgment, or
return, in kind, of favours received.
(But see quots., 1662, 1690, and
1738).
1662. FULLER, Worthies. This is
generally taken in a good and grateful
sense, for the mutual return of favours
received : it being (belike) observed that
the people in this county at entertainments
drink back to them who drank to them.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HERTFORDSHIRE-KINDNESS, Drinking to
the same Man again.
1717. NED WARD, Wks., ii., 7.
Then we were fain To use HERTFORDSHIRB-
KINDNESS, Here's to you again.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
1738. SWIFT, Polite Conversations.
Neverout. My Lord, this moment I did
myself the honour to drink to your Lord-
ship. Lord Smart. Why then that's
HERTFORDSHIRE KINDNESS. Ne-verout.
Faith, my Lord, I pledged myself ; for I
drank twice together without thinking.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HERTFORDSHIRE KINDNESS, drinking
twice to the same person.
HEWGAG. THE HEWGAG, subs.
(American). — A name for an
undeterminate, unknown, mythi-
cal creature. — Slangy Jargon, and
Cant.
HEY-GAMMER-COOK. To PLAY AT
HEY-GAMMER-COOK, verb. phr.
(venery). — To copulate. For
synonyms, see GREENS and RIDE.
1720. C. JOHNSI
and Py rates, ' Margare
ON, Highwaymen
t Simpson ' (q.v.).
Hiccius Doccius, subs. phr. (Old
Cant). — A juggler; also a shifty
fellow or trickster.
1676. SHADWELL, Virtuoso, ii., p.
19. I shall stand here till one of them has
whipt away my Mistris about business,
with a HIXIUS Doxius, with the force of
Repartee, and this, and that, and Every-
thing in the world.
1678. BUTLER, Hudibras, iii., 3, 579.
At Westminster, and Hickses-Hall, And
HICCIUS DOCKIUS play'd in all.
1688. WYCHERLEY, Country Wife,
iii. That burlesque is a Hocus-pocus
trick they have got, which by the virtue
of HICTIUS DOCTIUS, topsey-turvey, etc.
1812. JOHNSON, Eng. Diet., s.v.
HICCIUS DOCCIUS .... a cant word for a
juggler ; one that plays fast and loose.
Adj. (old). — Drunk; slovenly.
Also, HICKEY (q.v.). For
synonyms, see DRINKS and
SCREWED.
1733. NORTH, Examen, L, 3, 137
(1740). The author with his HICCIUS-
DOXIUS delivery.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HICKSIUS Doxius, Drunk.
Hie J ace t.
307
Hiding.
Hie JACET, subs. phr. (common). —
A tombstone ; also a memorial
inscription. [From the opening
words. ]
1598. SHAKSPEARE, Alts Well, etc.,
iii., 6. The merit of service is seldom
attributed to the true .... performer. I
would have that drum . ... or HIC
JACET.
1858-59. TENNYSON, Idylls of the
King ('Vivien')- Among the cold HIC
JACKTS of the dead.
HICK, subs. (Old Cant).— I. Aman;
specifically a countryman ; a
booby. Also (American thieves')
HICKJOP and HICKSAM. For
synonyms, see JOSKIN.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HICK, any Person of whom any Prey can
be made, or Booty taken from ; also a silly
Country Fellow.
1720. SMITH, Lives of Highwaymen
and Pyrates, ii., 39. Among whom was
* country farmer .... which was not
missed at all by the Country HICK.
1725. New Cant. Diet. Song 3. 'Th«
Thief-catcher's Prophesy.' The Eighth is
a Bulk, that can bulk any HICK.
1754. ScoundreFs Diet. The
fourteenth, a gamester, if he sees the HICK
sweet He presently drops down a cog in
the street.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HlCKETY-SPLiT, adj. (American). —
With all one's might ; at top
speed ; HAMMER AND TONGS
(q.V.) ; FULL CHISEL (q.V.).
HICKEY, adj. (old). — See quot.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum, s.r.
HICKEY, Tipsy; not quite drunk; elated.
HICKORY-SHIRT, subs. (American).
— A checked shirt, cotton or
woollen.
HIDE, subs, (common). — The human
skin. Once literary ; now collo-
quial and vulgar.
1568. Bannatyne, MSS., ' When
Flora, etc.' (Hunterian Club, 1879-88).
Sche is so brycht of HYD and hew, I lufe
hot hir allane I wene.
1607. MARSTON, What You Will,
ii., i. A skubbing railer, whose course
harden'd fortune, Grating his HIDE, gauling
his starued ribs, Sittes hauling at Deserts
more battle fate.
1731. C. COFFEY, The Devil io Pay,
Sc. 5. Come, and spin, you drab, or I'll
tan your HIDE for you.
1892. KIPLING, Barrack-Room Bal-
lads. 'Gunga-Din.' An' for all 'is dirty 'IDB
'e was white, clear white, inside.
Verb (common). — To flog.
For synonyms, see TAN.
1868. Cassell's Mag., May, p. 80.
This was carried across the yard to Jacky
as a regular challenge, and some said that
Kavanagh and his friends were coming
over to HIDE Jacky after dinner.
1885. Punch, 29 Aug. p. 98. And
the silver-topped rattan with which tha
boys I used to HIDE.
HIDEBOUND, adj. (old : now recog-
nised). — Barren ; intractable ;
niggardly ; pedantic ; utterly im-
movable.
1606. Return from Parnassus, ii., 4
(DODSLEY, Old Plays, 4th ed., 1875, ix.,
125). Any of the HIDEBOUND brethren of
Oxford or Cambridge.
1672. WYCHERLEY, Love in a Wood,
i., 2. I am as barren and HIDEBOUND as
one of your scribbling poets, who are sots
in company for all their wit.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HIDEBOUND HORSE, whose Skin sticks
very close, and tite like a Pudding Bag,
usually when very Fat. Ibid. HIDEBOUND
MUSE, Stiff, hard of Delivery, Sir J.
Suckling call'd Ben Johnson's so.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1893. Pall Mall Gaz., 24 Feb.
' High Time to Get Up.' The most dragging
inertness and the most HIDE-BOUND celerity.
HIDING, subs, (common). — A thrash-
ing. For synonyms, see TAN-
NING.
1853. BRADLEY, Verdant Green, ii.,
p. 23. May the Gown give the Town a
jolly good HIDING.
Higgledy-piggledy. 308
High.
1864. MARK LEMON, Jest Book, p.
236. Some peoole have a notion that vil-
lany ought to be exposed, though we must
confess we think it a thing that deserves a
HIDING.
1871. All the Year Round, 18 Feb.
p. 288. Served me right if I'd got a
HIDING.
1883. Pall Mall Gaz., 16 Apr., p.
7, c. 2. They should stone all boys they
met who were not members of the society,
or in default themselves receive a good
HIDING.
1888. Sportsman, 22 Dec. The
Chairman told Deakin he could scarcely
expect anything but a HIDING for being
connected with such a scurrilous publica-
tion.
1891. Licensed Viet. Mirror, 30
Jan., p. 7, c. i. Before Paddock could
claim the victory, which cost the Redditch
fighter one of the severest HIDINGS he ever
had to put up with.
HlGGLEDY - PIGGLEDY, adj. (Old
Cant : now recognised). — In con-
fusion ; lopsy-turvy ; at sixes and
sevens.
1598. FLORID, Worlde of Wordes^
s.v. Alia rappa, snatchingly, HIGLEDI-
PIGLEDIE, shiftingly, rap and run.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HiGGLEDE-PiGGLEDY.all together,as Hoggs
and Piggs lie Nose in Arse.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
1758. A. MURPHV, The Upholsterer,
\\ . Ambassadors and Hair-Cutters, all HIG-
GLEDY-PIGGLEDY together.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1812. JOHNSON, Eng. Diet., s.v.
HIGGLEDY-PIGGLEDY, a cant word, cor-
rupted from higgle, which denotes any con-
fused mass, as higglers carry a huddle of
provisions together.
1849. DICKENS, David Copperfield,
ch. xxii., p. 199. His name's got all the
letters in it, HIGGLEDY-PIGGLEDY.
1873. Miss BROUGHTON, Nancy, ch.
ii. We are all HIGGLEDY-PIGGLEDY— at
sixes and sevens !
gard,
1876. M. E. BRADDON, Joshua Hag-
i, ch. xvi. 'If some of you will sit
down,' remonstrated Judith, ' I'll pour out
the tea. But I don't feel as if anybody
wanted it while you're standing about HIG-
GLEDY-PIGGLEDY.'
HIGGLER, subs, (old).— A hawker.
HIGH, adj. (American).— - Drunk.
For synonyms, see DRINKS and
SCREWED.
2. (colloquial). — Stinking ;
GAMEY (q.v.). ; whence, by impli-
cation, diseased (as a prostitute) ;
obscene in intention and effect.
THE HIGH AND DRY, subs. phr.
(clerical).— The High Church or
Anglo-Catholic party in the Estab-
lishment, as opposed to the LOW
AND SLOW (q.v.), or Evangelical
section. Cf., BROAD AND SHAL-
LOW,
1854. CONYBEARE, Church Parties,
74. Its adherents [of the High Church]
are fallen from their high estate, and are
contemptuously denominated THE HIGH
AND DRY, just as the parallel development
of the Low Church is nicknamed ' low and
slow.'
1857. ANTHONY TROLLOPE, Bar-
Chester Towers, ch. liii. Who belongs to
THE HIGH AND DRY church, the High
Church as it was some fifty years since,
before tracts were written and young cler-
gymen took upon themselves the highly
meritorious duty of cleaning churches ?
1886. Graphic, 10 Apr., 399. In the
Church have we not the three schools of
HIGH AND DRY, Low and blow, and
Broad and Shallow?
HIGH AND DRY, adv. phr.
(colloquial). — Stranded ; aban-
doned ; irrecoverable.
1889. Pall Mall Gaz., 1 8 Oct., 6, i.
It seems to me that Mr. Chamberlain must
really look out or he will find himself, as
the result of that insidious ' mellowing
process' to which Mr. Matthews has
testified, landed HIGH AND DRY in a Tory-
ism compared to which Sir Walter
Barttelot will show in Radical colours.
HIGH AND MIGHTY, adv. phr.
(colloquial). — Arrogant ; im-
perious ; proud ; ' on the high
horse,' or the ' HIGH ROPES '
(q.v.) ; full of SIDE (q.v.).
High-bellied.
309
High-fly.
1891. N. GOULD, Double Event, p.
131. None of your HIGH and MIGHTY
games with me.
1892. HENLEY and STEVENSON,
Deacon Brcdie, i., 2. Ye need na be sae
HIGH AND MIGHTY onyway.
1892. HUME NISBET, Bushrangers
Sweetheart, p. 49. 'MIGHTY HIGH some
people are, ain't they ? ' the man observed
loudly, straightening himself, and ordering
a nobbier for himself.
Too HIGH FOR ONE'S NUT, adv.
phr. (American). — Out of one's
reach ; beyond one's capacity ;
OVER ONE'S BEND (q.V.\
You CAN'T GETHIGH ENOUGH,
verb. phr. (common;. — A derisive
comment on any kind of failure.
[Probably obscene in origin.]
HOW IS THAT FOR HIGH ? phr.
(American). — 'What do you think
of it ? ' [Once a tag universal ;
common wear now.]
1860. BARTLETT, Americanisms, s.v,
HIGH. For when he slapped my broad-
brim off, and asked, How's THAT FOR
HIGH? It roused the Adam in me, and
I smote him hip and thigh !
1872. CLEMENS (Mark Twain),
Roughing It, 334. We are going to get
it up regardless of expense. [He] was
always nifty himself, and so you bet his
funeral ain't going to be no slouch, — solid
silver door-plate on his coffin, six plumes
on the hearse, and a nigger on the box in a
biled shirt and a plug hat,— HOW'S THAT
FOR HIGH ?
1889. Pall Mall Gaz., 23 Sep., p. 2,
c. i. 'Cricket' stories are the thing just
nOW. HOW IS THIS FOR HIGH?
HIGH-BELLIED (or HIGH IN THE
BELLY), adj. phr. (colloquial). —
Far gone in pregnancy. Also
HlGH-WAISTED.
HIGHBINDER, subs. (American). — I.
A Chinese blackmailer.
2. (political American). — A
political conspirator. — NORTON.
HIGH-BLOKE, subs. (American). — i.
A judge.
2. (American). — A well-dressed
man; aspLAWGER(^.z/.). — MAT-
SELL.
HIGHER - MALTHUSIANISM, subs,
phr. (colloquial). — Sodomy.
HIGHFALUTE, verb. (American). —
To use fine words. Also TO YARN
(q.V.}. See HlGHFALUTING. Fr.,
faire Vetroite.
HlGHFALUTING, subs. (formerly
American : now general). — Bom-
bast ; rant.
1865. Orchestra. We should not
think of using HIGH-FALUTIN on ordinary
serious occasions, and that we never shall
use it in future, unless we happen to speak
of the Porcupine critic.
1886. Pall Mall Gaz., 3 May, 6, 2.
A glib master of frothy fustian, of
flatulent HIGH-FALUTIN', and of oratorical
bombast.
Adj. (general). — Bombastic ;
fustian ; thrasonical.
1870. FRISWELL, Modern Men of
Letters. A driveller of tipsy, high-flown,
and HIGH-FALUTIN' nonsense.
1884. Echo, 17 Mar., p. i, c. 4. It is
the boast of HIGH-FALUTIN' Americans
that theirs is a country ' where every man
can do as he darn pleases.'
HIGH-FEATHER. IN HIGH
FEATHER, adv. phr. (colloquial).
— In luck ; on good terms with
oneself and the world.
HIGH-FLY. To BE ON THE HIGH-
FLY, verb. phr. (thieves'). — Speci-
fically, to practise the begging-
letter imposture, but (generally)
to tramp the country as a beggar.
1839. BRANDON, Poverty, Mendicity,
and Crime, 163. The HIGH-FLY —
beggars, with letters, pretending to be
broken-down gentlemen, captains, etc.
Highflyer.
310
High-gig.
1857. SNOWDEN, Ma^. Assistant,
(3rd ed.), p. 445. Begging letters— THE
HIGHFLY.
HIGHFLYER, subs. (old). — I. Any-
thing or anybody out of the com-
mon, in opinion, pretension,
attire, and so forth : as a prostitute
(high - priced and well - dressed) ;
an adventurer (superb in impu-
dence and luck). 2. A dandy,
male or female, of the first water
3. A fast coach.
1690 DRYDEN. Prol. to Mistakes in
Wks., p. 473 (Globe). He's no HIGH-
FLYER— he makes no sky-rockets, His
squibs are only levelled at your pockets.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HIGH-FLYERS, Impudent, Forward, Loose,
Light Women. Also, bold adventurers.
1693. CONGREVE, Old Bachelor, i., i.
Well, as HIGH a FLYER as you are, I have
a lure may make you stoop.
1706. R. ESTCOURT, Fair Example,
Act i., p. 10. You may keep company
with the HIGHEST FLYER of 'em all.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
1818. SCOTT, Heart of Midlothian,
i. Mail-coach races against mail-coach,
and HIGH - FLYER against HIGH - FLYER,
through the most remote districts of
Britain.
1821. EGAN, Tom and Jerry, v. As
you have your HIGH-FLIERS at Almack's,
at the West End, we have also some ' choice
r eatures at our All Max in the East.
1823. BEE, Diet. Turf, s.v. HIGH-
FLYERS— women of the town, in keeping,
who job a coach, or keep a couple of
saddle-horses at least.
1830. LYTTON, Paul Clifford, (Ed.
1854) p. 75. Howsomever, the HIGH-
FLYERS doesn't like him ; and when he
takes people's money, he need not be quite
so cross about it !
1860 DICKENS, Uncommercial
Traveller, xxii., p. 131. The old room on
the ground floor where the passengers of
the HIGH-FLYERS used to dine.
1864. DICKENS, Our Mutual Friend,
i., 5. Mrs. Boffin, Wegg ... is a
'IGHFLYER at fashion.
1892. MILLIKEN, ' 'Arry Ballads, p.
40. Foller yer leader, .... all who can
carry sufficient skyscrapers to keep in the
'unt, with that 'IGHFLYER 'Arry.
4. (thieves'). —A beggar with a
certain style ; a begging-letter
writer ; a broken swell.
1851-61. H. MAYHEW, Land. Lab.
and Lond. Poor, vol. I., p. 268. While
pursuing the course of a HIGH-FLYER
(genteel beggar)
1858. A. MAYHEW, Paved with Gold,
bk. III., ch. iii., p. 268. He was a HIGH-
FLIER, a genteel beggar.
1887. Standard, 20 June, p. 5, c. 2.
The pretended noblemen and knights who
1 say they have suffered by war, fire, or
captivity, or have been driven away, and
lost all they had,' are still represented by
the HIGH - FLYERS or broken-down
gentlemen.
5. (circus). — A swing fixed in
rows in a frame much in vogue
at fairs.
HIGH-FLYING, subs. (old). — i. Ex-
travagance in opinion ; pretension
or conduct.
1689. DRYDEN, Epil. to Lee's
Princess of Cleves, 6. I railed at wild
young sparks ; but without lying Never
was man worse thought on for HIGH-
FLYING.
2. (thieves'). — Begging; THE
HIGH-FLY (j'.Z'.); STILLING (q.V.).
HIGH -GAG, subs. (American). — A
whisperer. — M ATSELL.
THE HIGH- GAG, subs. phr.
(American). — Telling secrets. —
MATSELL.
HIGH -GAME, subs, thieves'). — Set
quot.
1889. C. T. CLARKSON and J. HALL
RICHARDSON, Police, p. 321. A mansion
.... a HIGH GAME.
HIGH-GIG. IN HIGH -GIG, adv.
phr. (old). — In good fettle ; lively.
Cf., GIG.
High-go.
High-jinks.
1819. MOORE, Tom Crib, p. 15.
Rather sprightly— the Bear IN HIGH-GIG.
HIGH-GO, subs, (common). — A
drinking bout ; a frolic.
HIGH-HEELED SHOES. To HAVE
HIGH-HEELED SHOES ON, verb.
pkr. (American). — To set up as a
person of consequence ; to DO THE
GRAND (q.v.).
HIGH HORSE. To BE (or GET) ON
(or RIDE) THE HIGH HORSE, verb,
phr. (colloquial). — To give one-
self airs ; to stand on one's dignity ;
to take offence. [Fr. montcr sur
ses grands chevaux. The simile
is common to most languages,]
1716. ADDISON, Freeholder, 5 Mar.
He told me, he did not know what travel-
ling was good for, but to teach a man to
RIDE THE GREAT HORSE, to jabber French,
and to talk against passive obedience.
1836. MARRYAT, Midshipman Easy,
ch. xii. He was determined to RIDE THE
HIGH HORSE — and that there should be no
Equality Jack in future.
1842. Comic Almanack, p. 327. Yet
Dublin deems the foul extortion fair, And
swears that, as he's RIDDEN THE HIGH
HORSE, So long and well, she now will
make him mayor.
1864. Times, 5 July. Mr. Gladstone
in the Dano-German Debate. The right
hon. gentleman then GOT ON what I may
call HIS HIGH HORSE, and he would not
give us the slightest opinion upon any
matter of substantive policy, because that,
he said, would be accepting office upon
conditions.
1868. WILKIE COLLINS, The Moon-
stone, 2nd Period, 3rd Narr., ch. ii. Miss
Rachael has her faults — 'I've never denied
it,' he began. ' And RIDING THE HIGH
HORSE now and then is one of them.'
HIGH -JINKS, subs. (old). — i. An
old game variously played. [Most
frequently dice were thrown by
the company, and those upon
whom the lot fell were obliged to
assume and maintain for a time a
certain fictitious character, or to
repeat a certain number of fescen-
nine verses in a particular order.
If they departed from the charac-
ters assigned . . . they incurred
forfeits, which were compounded
for by swallowing an additional
bumper. — Guy Mannering^ 1836.
Note to ch. xxxii.]
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HIGHJINKS, a Play at Dice who Drinks.
1780. RAMSAY, Maggy Johnston, i.,
25. The queff or cup is filled to the brim,
then one of the company takes a pair of
dice, and after crying HY-JINKS, he
throws them out ; the number he casts out
points out the person that must drink ; he
who threw beginning at himself number
one, and so round till the number of the
person agree with that of the dice (which
may fall upon himself if the number be
within twelve) ; then he sets the dice to
him, or bids him take them ; he on whom
they fall is obliged to drink, or pay a small
forfeiture in money, then throws, and so
on. But if he forgets to cry 'Hy-jinks'
he pays a forfeiture into the bank. Now,
he on whom it falls to drink (if there be
anything in the bank worth drawing) gets
it all if he drinks ; then with a great deal of
caution he empties his cup, sweeps up the
money, and orders the cup to be filled
again, and then throws ; for if he errs in
the articles he loses the privilege of draw-
ing the money. The articles are— (i)
Drink, (2) Draw, (3) Fill, (4) Cry 'Hy-
jinks,' (5) Count just, (6) Chuse your
doublet, man — viz., when two equal num-
bers of the dice is thrown, the person whom
you chuse must pay a double of the common
forfeiture, and so must you when the dice
is in his hand (j/c).
1815. SCOTT, Guy Manneiing, ch.
xxxvi. The frolicsome company had
begun to practise the ancient and now
forgotten pastime of HIGH JINKS.
1861. H. KINGSLEY, Ravenshoe, Iv.
He had made an engagement to drive Lord
Saltire, the next morning, up to Wargrave
in a pony-chaise, to look at Barrymore
House, and the place where the theatre
stood, and where the game of HIGH JINKS
had been played so bravely fifty years
before.
2. See quot., and cf. sense I.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue. A
gambler at dice, who, having a strong
head, drinks to intoxicate his adversary, or
pigeon. Under this head are also classed
High-kicker.
312
High-men.
those fellows who keep little goes, take in
insurances ; also, attendants at the races,
and at the E O tables ; chaps always on
the look out to rob unwary countrymen at
cards, etc.
3. (common). — A frolic ; a row.
[From sense I.]
1861. HUGHES, Tom Brown at Ox-
ford, i. All sorts of HIGH JINKS go on on
the grass plot.
1872. Daily Telegraph, 13 Sept.
' Filey the Retired.' Frisky Filey cannot
assuredly be called. There are no HIGH
JINKS on her jetty; and, besides, she
hasn't got a jetty, only a ' Brigg.'
1890. Pall Mall Gaz., 24 July, 4, 2.
Yesterday and to-day there have been HIGH
JINKS in Petworth Park, rich and poor for
miles round being invited, and right royally
feasted on the coming of age of Lord and
Lady Leconficld's eldest son.
1891. Licensed Viet. Gaz,, 3 Apr.
While Bank Holiday was being celebrated
with such eclat at Kempton, they were
carrying on HIGH JINKS over hurdles and
fences at Manchester.
1892. Salas Journal, 2 July, p. 223.
HIGH JINKS with the telephone have been
the order of the day at Warwick Castle ;
taps and wires have been turned on and off,
and floods of melody of various kinds have
delighted listening ears.
1893. National Observer, 25 Feb.,
ix>> 357- Time was when there were HIGH
JINKS in that vast quadrangle.
TO BE AT HIS HIGH JINKS, phr.
(common). — To be stilted and
arrogant in manner ; to RIDE THE
HIGH HORSE (q.v.}. Fr., faire
sa merde or sa poire.
HIGH-KICKER, subs, (colloquial). —
Specifically, a dancer whose speci-
ality is the high kick or the porte
(farmes ; whence, by metaphor,
any desperate SPREESTER (q.v.},
male or female.
HIGH -KILT ED, adj. (Scots'). —
Obscene or thereabouts ; FULL
FLAVOURED (>.V..
HIGHLAND-BAIL, subs. (Scots'). —
The right of the strongest ; force
majeure.
1816. SCOTT, Antiquary, ch. xxix.
The mute eloquence of the miller and
smith, which was vested in their clenched
fists, was prepared to give HIGHLAND BAIL
for their arbiter.
HIGH • LAWYER, subs. (old). — A
highwayman. For synonyms, see
ROAD AGENT.
1592. JOHN DAY, Blind Beggar, p.
2i (Ed. Bullen). He wo'd be your prigger,
your prancer, your HIGH-LAWYER.
1610. ROWLANDS, Martin Mark-all,
p. 50 (H. Club's Rept., 1874). He first
gaue termes to robbers by the high-way,
that such as robbe on horse-backe were
called HIGH LAWYERS, and those who
robbed on foote, he called Padders.
HIGH-LIVER, subs. (old). — A gar-
retteer ; a thief housed in an attic.
Hence, HIGH - LIVING = lodging
in a garret. — Lex. Bal.
HIGH -MEN, subs. (old). — Dice
loaded to show HIGH numbers.
Also, HIGH-RUNNERS. See FUL-
HAMS and LOW-MEN.
1594. NASHE, Unf. Traveller in
Wks. [GROSART], v., 27. The dice of late
are growen as melancholy as a dog, HIGH
MEN and low men both prosper alike.
1596. SHAKSPEARE, Merry Wives, i.,
3. Let vultU'es gripe thy guts ! for gourd
and fullam holds, And HIGH and low be-
guiles the rich and poor.
1598. FLORIO, A Worlde of Wordes.
Pise, false dice, HIGH MEN or low men.
1605. London Prodigal, i., i. I be-
queath two bale of false dice, videlicet,
HIGH MEN and low men, fullams, stop-
catertraies, and other bones of function.
1615. HARINGTON, Epigrams, i., 79.
Your HIGH And low MEN are but trifles.
1657-1733. JOHN DENNIS, Letters, ii.,
407. Shadwell is of opinion, that your
bully, with his box and his false dice, is
an honester fellow than the rhetorical au-
thor, who makes use of his tropes and
figures, which are his HIGH and his low
RUNNERS, to cheat us at once of our money
and of our intellectuals.
High-nosed.
3'3
High-ropes.
1822. SCOTT, Fort, of Nigel, ch.
xxiii. Men talk of HIGH and low DICE.
HIGH-NOSED, adj. phr. (colloquial).
— Very proud in look and in fact ;
supercilious in bearing and speech;
SUPERIOR (q.V.).
HIGH- [or GAY-] OLD (TIME, GAME,
LIAR, etc.], adj. phr. (common).
— 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.).
1883. Referee, n Mar., p. 3, c. 2.
All the children who have been engaged in
the Drury Lane pantomime took tea on the
stage, and had a HIGH OLD TIME (while it
lasted).
1888. J. MCCARTHY and MRS. CAMP-
BELL-PRAED, Ladies Gallery, ch. xxxv.
I went down to Melbourne, intending to
have a HIGH OLD TIME.
1891. Murray's Mag,, Aug., p. 202.
There will be a Want of Confidence Mo-
tion, and a HIGH OLD debate.
1891. J. NEWMAN, Scamping Tricks,
p. 7, You are a big fraud and a HIGH OLD
1892. MILLIKEN, 'Arry Ballads, p.
35, We'd the HIGHEST OLD game.
1892. F. ANSTEY, Voces Populi,
'The Riding Class,' p. 108. We've bin
haying a GAY OLD time in 'ere,
HIGH-PAD (or TOBY, or HIGH-TOBY-
SPLICE), subs. (old). — i. The
highway. Also, HIGH - SPLICE
TOBY. For synonyms, see DRU M,
1567. HARMAN, Caveat, p, 86. Roge,
Novve bynge we a waste to the HYGH PAD,
the ruffmanes is by.
c. 1819. Slang Song (quoted in notes to
Don Juan, x., 19). On the HIGH-TO#Y-
SPLICE flash the muzzle In spite of each
gallows old scout.
1836. H. M. MILKER, Turf ins Ride
to York, i., sc. 2. Come, lads a stirrup-
cup at parting, and then hurrah for the
game of HIGH-TOBY.
1876. HINDLEY, Adventures of a
Cheap Jack, p. 4. Halting for a few hours
at mid-day during the heat in the HIGH
SPICE-TOBY, as we used to call the main
road.
2. (old). — A highwayman.
Also, HIGH-TOBYMAN (or -GLOAK).
For synonyms, see ROAD AGENT.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HIGH PAD, a Highwayman, Highway
Robber well Mounted and Armed.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1823. BEE, Diet. Turf, s.v. HIGH
TOBY-GLOAK, a highway robber well
mounted.
1834. ArNswoRTH, Rookivood, bk.
IV., ch i. Tom King, a noted HIGH-TOBY
GLOAK of his time.
1857. Punch, 31 Jan. (from slang
song). That long over Newgit their Wor-
ships may rule, As the HIGH-TOBY, mob,
crack, and screeve model school.
3. (old). — Highway robbery.
1819, VAUX, Cant. Diet. HIGH-
TOBY, the game of highway robbery, that
is exclusively on horseback.
HIGH-POOPED, adj. (colloquial).—
Heavily buttocked.
HIGH-RENTED, adj. (popular). — i.
Hot.
2. (thieves'). — Very well known
to the police ; HOT (q.v.).
HIGH-ROLLER, suds. (American). —
A GOER (q.v.); a fast liver; a
heavy gambler ; a HIGHFLYER
1887. FRANCIS, Saddle and Moccasin,
He's a HIGH-ROLLER, by gum !
HIGH - ROPES. To BE ON THE
HIGH ROPES, verb. phr. (common).
— To be angry or excited. Also to
put on airs ; to stand on one's
dignity ; to ride the HIGH-HORSE
(q.v.).
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
To BE ON THE HIGH ROPES, to be in a
passion.
1869.
MATSELL, Vocabutum, s.v.
High-seasoned. 3 T 4
High-toned.
1866. YATES, Land at Last, ii. He's
ON THE HIGH ROPES, is Master Charley !
Some of you fellows have been lending him
half a-crown, or that fool Caniche has
bought one of his pictures for seven-and-
six !
HIGH - SEASONED (or HIGHLY-
SPICED), adj. (colloquial). —
Obscene. For synonyms, see
SPICY.
HIGH- (or CLOUTED-) SHOON, suls.
(old). — A countryman. For syn-
onyms, see JOSKIN.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s..v.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HIGH-SNIFFING, adj. phr. (collo-
quial).— Pretentious ; supercilious;
very obviously better than one's
company; HIGH-NOSED (q.v.).
HIGH-STEPPER, subs, (common). —
An exemplar, male or female, of
what is fashionable in conversa-
tion, conduct, or attire ; a
SWELL (q.v. ). Also, a person of
spirit. Whence, adj., HIGH-
STEPPING (or HIGH-PACING) =
conspicuously elegant or gallant
in dress, speech, manner, con-
duct, anything.
1891. GUNTER, Miss Nobody of
Nowhere, ch. ix. From her actions and
style I'm pretty certain she's English and
a HIGH-STEPPER.
HIGH-STOMACHED, adj. (colloquial).
— Proud ; disdainful ; very valiant.
HIGH-STRIKES, subs, (common). —
A corruption of ' hysterics.'
1838. SELBY, Jacques Strop, ii., 4.
Capital! . . . didn't I do the HIGH-STRIKES
famously.
1860. Miss WETHERELL, Say and
Seal, ch. vii. She wants you to come. I'm
free to confess she's got the HIGH-STRIKES
wonderful.
HIGH -TEA, subs, (colloquial). — A
tea with meat, etc. In Lancashire
BAGGING (q.v.).
1888. Snorting Life, 15 Dec.
Following run there will be HIGH TEA and
a grand smoking concert, to which visitors
are cordially invited.
HIGH-TI, subs. (American : Williams
Coll.). — A showy recitation; at
Harvard = a SQUIRT (q.v.).
HIGH -TIDE (or WATER) subs, (collo-
quial).— Rich for the moment ;
The state of being FLUSH (q.v.).
For synonyms, see WELL BAL-
LASTED.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HIGH TIDE when the Pocket is full of
Money.
1725. New Cant. Diet.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1823. BEE, Diet. Turf, s.v. HIGH-
TIDE — plenty of the possibles ; whilst ' low-
water ' implies empty clies.
UP TO HIGH-WATER MARK,
adv. phr. (colloquial). — In good
condition ; a general expression
of approval.
HIGH -TO BY. See HIGH PAD.
1834. AINSWORTH, Rookwood, bk.
III., ch. v. Oh ! the game of HIGH-TOBY
for ever
HIGH-TONED, adj. (American). —
Aristocratic ; also, morally and
intellectually endowed ; spiritually
beyond the common. HIGH-
SOU LED = cultured; fashionable.
HIGH-TONED NIGGER = a negro
who has raised himself in social
position. [Once literary ; now
utterly discredited and never used,
save in ignorance or derision.]
Stokes, the maniac who shot
Garfield, described himself as a
' HIGH-TONED Lawyer.'
1884. PHILLIPS WOOLLEY, Trotting*
of a Tender Foot. I never saw any so-
called HIGH-TONED NIGGERS.
Highty-tighty. 3'5
Hind-leg.
1893. Casselts Sat. Jour., i Feb.,
p. 389, t. One day a fashionably-dressed
young man, giving an address in a HIGH-
.burb, called upon Messrs.
TONED
Glitter.
HIGHTY-TIGHTY (or HOITY-TOITY),
subs. (old). — A wanton.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, I.T.
HIGHTETITY, a Ramp, or Rude Girl.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
Adj. (colloquial). — Peremp-
tory ; waspish ; quarrelsome.
1848. THACKERAY, Vanity Fair, ch.
xviii. La, William, don't be so HIGHTY-
TIGHTY with us. We're not men.
HIGH WOOD. To LIVE IN HIGH
WOOD, verb. phr. (common). —
To hide ; to dissemble of pur-
pose ; to lie low and keep quiet.
HIGULCION-FLIPS, subs. (Texas). —
An imaginary ailment.
HIKE, -verb. (old). — To move about.
Also to carry off ; to arrest.
1811. Lexicon Balrtronicum, s.v.
HIKE. To HIKE OFF ; to run away.
1884. Daily Telegraph, 2 Feb., p. 3,
c. i. We three, not having any regler
homes nor a steady job of work to stick to,
HIKE ABOUT for a living, and we live in
the cellar of a empty house.
HiLDlNG, subs. (old). — A jade; a
wanton ; a disreputable slut.
1593. SHAKSPEARE, Taming of the
Shrew, ii., I. For shame thou HILDING of
a devilish spirit.
1595. SHAKSPEARE, Romeo and
Juliet, ii.t 4. HILDINGS and harlots.
HILL. NOT WORTH A HILL OF
BEANS, phr. (American). — Abso-
lutely worthless.
HILLS, subs. (Winchester Coll.).—
I. St. Catharine's Hill.
1870. MANSFIELD, School Life, p.
28. Some of his principal duties were to
take the boys 'on to HILLS,' call names
there, etc.
2. (Cambridge Univ.). — The
Gogmagog Hills; a common
morning's ride. Gradus ad
Cantab.
HiLLY, adj. (colloquial). — Difficult :
e.g., HILLY READ i NG = hard to
read; HILLY GOING = not easy to
do ; etc.
HILT. LOOSE IN THE HILT, adv.
phr. (old). — Unsteady ; ROCKY
(q.v.} ; lax in the bowels.
1639-61. Rump Songs. 'Bum-fodder,'
ii., 56. If they stay longer, they will us
beguilt With a Government that is LOOSE
IN THE HILT.
HIND- BOOT, subs, (common). — The
breech. For synonyms, see MONO-
CULAR EYEGLASS.
HlND-COACHWHEEL, subs, (com-
mon). — A five shilling piece. Fr. ,
roue de derri£rey thune, or palet^
= a five-franc piece. For syno-
nyms, see CAROON.
HINDER - BLAST, subs. (old). —
Crepitation.
1540 LINDSAY, Thrie Estaitis [in
Bannatyne MSS., Hunterian Club, ed.,
1879-88), p. 511] line 1429-30. Scho hes
sic rumling in her wame, That all the
nycht my hairt ouercastis With bokking
and with HINDER BLASTIS.
HINDER-END, subs. phr. (common).
— The breech. Also, HINDER-
FARTS and HINDER-WORLD.
Hi N DER- ENTRANCE, subs. phr.
(common). — The fundament.
H I N D • L E G . TO KICK OUT A
HIND LEG, verb. phr. (old). — To
lout ; to make a rustic bow.
Hindoo.
316
"Hipe.
TO TALK THE HIND LEG OFF
A HORSE (or DOG). See TALK.
To sir UPON ONE'S HIND LEGS
AND HOWL, verb.phr. (American).
— To bemoan one's fate ; to make
a hullabaloo.
HINDOO, subs. (American). — See
KNOW NOTHING.
HINDOO PUNISHMENT, stibs.
phr. (circus). — See quot.
1875. FROST, Circus Life, ch. xviii.
The HINDOO PUNISHMENT is what is more
often called the muscle grind, a rather
painful exercise upon the bar, in which
the arms are turned backward to embrace
the bar, and then brought forward upon
the chest, in which position the performer
revolves.
HIND-SHIFTERS, subs. (old). —
The feet. For synonyms, see
CREEPERS.
1823. LAMB, Elia, Wks., (Ed. 1852),
p. 311. They would show as fair a pair of
HIND-SHIFTERS as the expertcst loco-motor
in the colony.
HINGES. OFF THE HINGES, adv.
phr. (common) — In confusion;
out of sorts ; ' not quite the thing.'
HINTERLAND, subs, (old). — The
breech.
HlP, (in. //.), subs, (colloquial).
— Conventional — as in the pro-
verb, ' Free of her lips ; free
of her hips'— for the buttocks.
Hence, to WALK WITH THE
HIPS = to make play with the
posteriors in walking ; LONG IN
THE HIPS ; and HIPS TO SELL =
broad in the beam ; NIMBLE-
HIPPED = active in copulation.
c. 1508. DUN BAR; Poems, ' Of a Dance
in the Quenis Chalmer' ('836), i., 119.
His HIPPIS gaff mony a hiddouss cry. Ibid.
i., 124. 'Of Ane Blak-moir.' . . . Sail
cum behind and kiss hir HIPPIS.
1540. LINDSAY, Thrie Estaits, line
3227. My craig will wit quhat weyis my
HIPPIS. Ibid., line 4424. Ye wald not
stick to preise my graith With hobbling of
your HIEPIS.
c. 1580. Collier of Croydon, iv., I.
(DoosLEY, Old Plays, 4th ed., 1875, 459).
I keep her lips and her HIPS for my own
use.
d. 1607. MONTGOMERIE, Poems, ' Pol-
wart and Montgomerie's FJyting,' p. 85,
line 779 (Scottish Text Soc., 1885-6).
Kailly hppes, kiss my HIPS.
To HAVE (GET, or CATCH) ON
THE HIP, verb. phr. (old). — To
have (or get) an advantage.
[From wrestling.]
1591. HARINGTON, Orlando Furioso,
bk, xlvi., st. 117. In fine he doth apply
one speciall drift, Which was to GET the
pagan ON THE HIP, And having caught
him right, he doth him lift By nimble
sleight, and in such wise doth trip That
down he threw him.
1598. SHAKSPEARE, Merchant of
Venice, i. 3. If I can CATCH him once
UPON THE HIP. I will feed fat the ancient
grudge I bear him.
1605. MARSTON, Dutch Courtezan.
iii., i. He said he had you A THE HYP.
1617. ANDREWES, Sermons (' Library
of Ane.-Cath. Theology'), Vol. IV., p.
365. If he HAVE us at the advantage, ON
THE HIP as we say, it is no great matter
then to get service at our hands.
1635. D. DIKE, Michael and the
Dragon, in Wks., p. 328. The Divell
HATH them ON THE HIP, he may easily
bring them to anything.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.y.
UPON THE HIP .... at an Advantage in
Wrestling, or Business.
1697. VANBRUGH, Relapse, iv., i.
My lord, she has had him UPON THE HIP
these seven years.
1812. JOHNSON, Eng, Diet. HIP,
s.v., A low phrase.
1836. MICHAEL SCOTT, Cruise of the
Midge, p. 226. 'Ha! ha! I HAVE you
ON THE HIP now, my master,' shouted
Peter.
HIRE, subs, (wrestling). — A throw
over the hip. Hence HIPE, verb
== to get across the hip before the
throw.
Hip-hop.
Historical- Shirt.
HlP- HOP, verb (old). — To skip or
move on one leg ; to hop. ' A
cant word framed by the redupli-
cation of hop. ' — JOHNSON, 1812.
1670-1729. CONGREVE [Quoted in
JOHNSON'S Eng. Did.]. Like Volscius
HIP-HOP in a single boot.
HIP-INSIDE, subs, (thieves'). — An
inner pocket. HIP-OUTSIDE =
an outer ditto.
Assistant
1857. SNOWDEN, Mag,
(3rd Ed.), p. 445, s.v.
HIPPED (or HIPPISH), adj. (com-
mon). — Bored ; melancholical ;
out of sorts. [From HYPochon-
dria.]
1710. GAY, Wine in Wks. (rSn) ^
348. By cares depress'd, in pensive
HIPPISH mood.
1712. Spectator, No. 284. I cannot
forbear writing to you, to tell you I have
been to the last degree HIPPED since I saw
you.
1837. BARHAM Ingoldsby Legends,
' Babes in the Wood.' The wicked old
Uncle, they say, In spite of his riot and
revel, Was HIPPISH and qualmish all day,
And dreamt all night long of the devil.
1864. DICKENS, Our Mutual Friend^
bk. III., ch. x. 'You are a little HIPPED,
dear fellow,' said Eugene; you have been
too sedentary. Come and enjoy the
pleasures of the chase.'
HlPPEN, Jttfo.( Scots' : colloquial)* —
A baby's napkin (i.e., HIPPING
cloth). Also (theatrical), the
green curtain.
Hi REN, subs. (old). — J. A pros-
titute. [A corruption of ' Irene,'
the heroine in Poole's play : see
quot. 1584.] For synonyms, see
BARRACK-HACK and TART.
1584. POOLS, The Turkish Mahomet
and Hynn the Fair Greek. Note. In
Italian called a courtezan ; in Spaine a
margarite; in English .... a punk.
1598. SHAKSPEARE, 2 Henry IV., ii.,
4. Have we not HIREN here?
1615. ADAMS, Spiritual Navigator.
There be sirens in the sea of the world.
Syrens ? Hirens, as they are now called.
What a number of these sirens [HiRENs],
cockatrices, courteghians, in plain English,
harlots, swimme amongst us !
d. 1618. SYLVESTER, Trans. Du
Bartas' Week of Creation, ii., 2, pt. 3.
Of charming sin the deep-inchaunting
syrens, The snares of virtue, valour-
softening HYRENS»
2. (old). — A sword. Also a
roaring bully ; a fighting hector.
[From Irene = the Goddess of
Peace, a lucus a non lucendo.]
HlSHEE-HASHEE. See SOAP-AND-
BULLION.
His NIBS (or NABS). See NIBS.
Hiss. THE HISS, sttbs. phr. (Win-
chester College). — The signal of
a master's approach.
HISTORICAL- (WROUGHT, or IL-
LUSTRATED-) SHIRT, subs. (old).
— A shirt or shift worked or
woven with pictures or texts.
]596, BEN JONSON, Every Man out
of his Humour, iy., 6. I wonder he
speaks not of his WROUGHT-SHIRT.
1639, MAYNE, City Match, ii., 2.
My smock sleeves have such holy imbroi-
deries, And are so learned that I fear in
time, All my apparel will be quoted by
Some pure instructor.
1647. BEAUMONT and FLETCHER,
Custom of the County, ii., i. Having a
mistress, sure you should not be Without a
neat HISTORICAL-SHIRT.
1848. Punch, XIV., 226. He never
broke a bank, He shuns cross-barred trou-
sers, His linen is not ILLUSTRATED, but
beautifully clean.
1851. MAYHEW, Land. Lab. and
Land. Poor, I., 51. Colored, or ILLUS-
TRATED SHIRTS, as they are called, are es-
pecially objected to by the men.
Hist, of Four Kings.
Hit.
1889. Puck's Library, Apr., p. 12.
Being an educated man, I feel ten thou-
sand woes, Cavorting for the populace In
ILLUSTRATED CLOTHES.
HISTORY OF THE FOUR KINGS.
See FOUR KINGS.
HIT, subs, (common). — A success;
e.g., To MAKE A HIT = to score ;
to profit ; to excel.
1602. MARSTON, Antonio and
Mellida. Induction. When use hath
taught me action to HIT the right point of
a ladie's part.
1700. CONGREVE, Way of the World,
ii., 5. A HIT, a HIT! a palpable hit! I
confess it.
1821. EGAN, Tom and Jerry, bk. I.,
ch. i. Teach me to make a HIT of so Kean
a quality that it may not only ' tell,' but be
long remembered in the metropolis.
1822-36. JNO. WILSON, Nodes Amb.,
Wks. II., 210. Mr. Peel seems to have
MADE A HIT in the chief character of
Shiel's play, The Apostate.
1828-45. T. HOOD, Poems, v. , p.
197, (Ed. 1846). Nor yet did the heiress
herself omit The arts that help TO MAKE A
1870. Figaro, 10 June. To MAKE A
GREAT HIT is, after all, more a matter of
chance than merit.
1889. Pall Matt Gaz., 3 July.
Madam Melba MAKES AN ESPECIAL HIT
in the valse from Rom£o et Juliette.
1889. Referee, 6 Jan. Quite A HIT
HAS BEEN MADE by the clever juvenile, La
Petite Bertoto.
Adj. (Old Bailey). —Convicted.
HARD-HIT, adj. phr. (collo-
quial).— Sore beset ; HARD-UP
(q.v.). Also deep in love (or
grief, or anger).
1890. Licensed Viet. Gaz., 7 Nov.
It was pretty generally known that he had
been HARD HIT during the season.
Verb (American). — To arrive
at ; to light upon.
1888. Detroit Free Press, Oct. Pro-
fessor Rose, who HIT this town last
spring, is around calling us a fugitive
from justice.
To HIT IT, verb. phr. (collo-
quial).— To attain an object ; to
light on a device ; to guess a
secret.
1594. SHAKSPEARE, Lome's Labour
Lost, iv., i. Thou cans't not HIT IT, HIT
IT, HIT IT, Thou can'st not HIT IT, my
good man.
1596. SHAKSPEARE, Merry Wives,
iii., 2. I can never HIT one's name.
1773. O. GOLDSMITH, She Stoops to
Conquer. Ecod, I have HIT IT. It's here.
Your hands. Yours and yours, my poor
sulky ! My boots there, ho ! Meet me
two hours hence at the bottom of the
garden.
1880 A. TROLLOPE, The Duke's
Children, ch. Hi. He dressed himself in
ten minutes, and joined the party as they
had finished their fish. ' I am awfully
sorry,1 he said, rushing up to his father,
'but I thought that I should just HIT IT.'
To HIT OFF, verb. phr. (collo-
quial).— To agree together ; to
fit ; to describe with accuracy and
precision.
1857. A. TROLLOPE, Barchester
Towers, ch. xxxiv. It is not always the
case that the master, or warden, or pro-
vost, or principal can HIT IT OFF exactly
WITH his tutor. A tutor is by no means
indisposed to have a will of his own.
1880. A. TROLLOPE, The Duke's
Children, ch. xxxvi. ' One gentleman with
another, you mean-?' 'Put it so. It don't
quite HIT IT OFF, but put it so.'
1886. J. S. WINTER, Army Society.
'Sidelight,1 ch. xiv. ' Hey !' said Orford.
'Didn't you and he HIT IT OFF?"
1889. Daily News, 22 Oct., p. 5.
The nations that quarrel are the nations
that do not HIT IT OFF ON some point of
feeling or taste.
To HIT THE FLAT, verb. phr.
(American cowboy). — To go out
on the prairie.
Hitch.
319
Hoaky.
To HIT THE PIPE, verb. phr.
(American). — To smoke opium.
TO HIT ONE WHERE HE LIVES,
verb. phr. (American). — To touch
in a tender part ; to hurt the
feelings; TO TOUCH ON THE
RAW (q.v.).
HIT (or STRUCK) WITH, adv.
phr. (colloquial). — Taken ;
enamoured ; prepossessed. Also,
HIT UP WITH.
1891. Tales from Town Topics.
1 Count Candawles,' p. 28. She is very
amusing, but the Count cannot be really
HIT WITH such a little mountebank.
HIT ON THE TAIL, verb. phr.
(old venery). — To copulate. For
synonyms, see GREENS and RIDE.
d. 1529, SKELTON, Bcnvge ofCourte.
How oft he HIT Jonet ON THE TAYLE.
HIT IN THE TEETH, verb,
phr. (old). — To reproach; to
taunt ; to fling in one's face.
1663. KILI.IGREW, The Parson's Wed-
ding, ii., 6 (DODSLEY, Old Plays, 4th
ed., 1875, xiv., 431). They are always
HITTING ME IN THE TEETH with amanof
my coat.
HITCH, verb (American). — I. To
marry. HITCHED = married.
1867. BROWNE, Artemus Ward's
Courtship, People's ed., p. 23. If you
mean getting HITCHED, I'm in.
1883. L. OLIPHANT, Altiora Peto,
II., xxix., 156. ' How long is it since we
parted, Ned ? ' 'A matter of five years ;
and it wasn't my fault if we didn't stay
HITCHED till now.'
1892. Tit-Bits, 17 Sept., p. 419, c. i.
'We've come to get HITCHED,' said the
man, bashfully.
2. (American). — To agree.
Also TO HITCH HORSES.
To HITCH ONE'S TEAM TO THB
FENCE, verb. phr. (American). —
To settle down.
HITTITE, subs, (pugilists'). — A prize
fighter.
ENGLISH SYNONYMS.— Basher;
bruiser ; dukester ; fistite ; knight
of the fist ; gemman of the fancy ;
milling-cove ; pug ; puncher ;
scrapper ; slasher ; slogger ; slug-
ger ; sparring-bloke.
1823. BEE, Diet. Turf, s.v.
HITTITES — boxers and ring-goers as-
sembled.
1860. THE DRUID, Post and Paddock.
'The Fight for the Belt.' And the
Sherwood Ranger, bold Bendigo, Is on
training no more intent ; But the trout
full well that ex-HiTTiTE know On a
Summer's eve in the Trent.
HIVE, subs, (venery). — The female
pudendum. Cf. HONEY. Hence,
verbally, TO HIVE IT = to effect
intromission.
Verb (American cadet). — To
steal. For synonyms, see PRIG.
To GET HIVED, verb. phr.
(American Cadets' and popular).
— I. To be caught out in a scrape.
Also, to be hidden. To BE
HIVED PERFECTLY FRIGID = to
be caught inflagrante delicto.
HIVER, subs. (Western American).
— A travelling bawd.
HIVITE, subs, (school). — A student
of St. Bees' (Cumberland).
1865. John Bull, n Nov. To be a
HIVITE has long been considered a little
worse than a ' literate ' . . . . Of the
value of some St. Bees testimonials we
may form an estimate, etc., etc.
HOAKY. BY THE HOAKY, intj.
(nautical). — A popular form
of adjuration.
Hoax.
320
Hob and Nob.
HOAX, subs, (old : now recognised).
— A jest ; a practical joke ; a
TAKE-IN. Originally (GROSE)
University cant. [Probably from
Hocus (q.v.).]
1796. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue (3rd Ed.),
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
HOAXING. Bantering, ridiculing. HOAX-
ING a quiz ; joking an odd fellow. — Uni-
versity witt
1815. SCOTT, Guy Mannering, ch.
iii. Whose humble efforts at jocularity
were chiefly confined to what were then
called bites and bams, since denominated
HOAXES and quizzes.
1835-7. RICHARDSON, Diet. Eng.
Lang., s.v. HOAX. Malone considers
the modern slang HOAX as derived from
hocus, and Archdeacon Nares agrees with
1772. GRAVES, Spiritual Quixote,
bk. VIII., ch. xxi. (new Ed., 1808).
Having drunk HOB OR NOB with a young
lady in whose eyes he wished to appear a
man of consequence, he hurried out into
the summer-house.
1823. BEE, Diet. Turf, s.v. HOB
NOB — two persons pledging each other in a
glass.
1836. HORACE SMITH, Tin Trumpet,
'Address to a Mummy.' Perchance that
very hand now pinioned flat, Has HOBAN-
NOBBED with Pharoah glass for glass.
1849. THACKERAY, Pendennis, ch.
xxx. He would have liked to HOB AND
NOB with celebrated pick-pockets, or drink
a pot of ale with a company of burglars
and cracksmen.
1886, R. L. STEVENSON, Kidnapped,
p. 68. So the pair sat down and HOB-A-
NOBBED.
Verb. To play a practical joke ;
to 'take-in'; to BITE (q.v.}. See
subs, sense. For synonyms, see
GAMMON.
1812. COMBE, Syntax^ Picturesque^
xix. An arch young sprig, a banker's
clerk, Resolv'd to HOAX the rev'rend
spark.
1854. F. E. SMEDLEY, Harry Cover-
dale, ch. viii. I thought you were HOAX*
ING us, and I sat down to play the duet
for the amiable purpose of exposing your
ignorance*
HOB (or HOBBINOL), subs (old). —
A clown. — GROSE.
HOB AND NOB (or HOB NOB),
verb. (old). — I. To invite to
drink j to clink glasses.
1756. FOOTE, Englishman front
Paris, i. With, perhaps, an occasional
interruption of ' Here's to you, friends,'
' HOB OR NOB,' ' Your love and mine.'
1759. TOWNLEY, High Life Below
Stairs, ii. Duke. Lady Charlotte, HOB OR
NOB. Lady Char. Done, my lord ; in
Burgundy, if you please.
2. (old). — To give or take ; to
hit or miss at random. [Saxon,
habban, to have ; nabban, not to
have,]
1577-87. HOLINSHED, Chroncles of
Englande, Scotlande, and Irelande(\%oj)
p. 317. The citizens in their rage shot
HABBE OR NABBE (hit or miss) at random.
1602. SHAKSPEARE, Twelfth Night,
iii., 4. HOB-NOB is his word, give 't or
take 't.
1615. HARINGTON, Epigrams, 5v.
Not of Jack Straw, with his rebellious
crew, That set king, realm, and laws, at
HAH OR NAB.
1673. Quack Astrologer. He writes
of the weather HAB NAB, and as the toy
takes him, chequers the year with foul and
fair.
3. (colloquial) — To be on
terms of close intimacy ; to con-
sort familiarly together.
1870. MARK TWAIN, Innocents
Abroad, ch. i. They were to HOB-NOB
with nobility and hold friendly converse
with kings and princes.
Hobbes's-voyage. 321
Hobbledehoy.
1892. HUME NISBET, Bushranger's
Sweetheart, p. 109. I had HOB-NOBBED
for the last two hours with the most
notorious bushranger in the colony.
1892. A. K. GREEN, Cynthia Wake-
ham's Money, p. 5. Each tree looks like a
spectre HOB-NOBBING with its neighbour.
HOBBES'S-VOYAGE, subs, (old). — A
leap in the dark.
1697. VANBRUGH, Provoked Wife,
v., 6. So, now, I am in for HOBBES'S
VOYAGE ; a great leap in the dark.
HOBBINOL, subs, (old).— A country-
man. For synonyms, see JOSKIN.
1663. KILLIGREW, The Parson's
Wedding, ii., 3 (DoosLEY, Old Plays, 4th
ed., 1875, xiv., 396). Who, Master
Jeffrey? HOBBINOL the second ! By this
life, 'tis a very veal, and licks his nose like
HOBBLE. IN A HOBBLE (or HOB-
BLED), adv. phr. (colloquial). —
In trouble ; hampered ; puzzled.
Also (thieves), committed for
trial. Fr., tomberdans la melasse
( = to come a cropper), vcAfaitrl
(-BOOKED (q.V.)). HOBBLED
UPON THE LEGS = transported,
or on the hulks.
1777. FOOTE, Trip to Calais (1795),
ii., p. 39. But take care what you say ! you
see what a HOBBLE we had like to have got
into.
1789. GEO. PARKER, Life's Painter,
p. 163. A term when any of the gang is
taken up and committed for trial, to say,
such a one is HOBBLED.
1811. POOLE, Hamlet Travestie,
iii., 5. Horatio, I am sorry for this
squabble ; I fear 'twill get me in a
precious HOBBLE.
1819. VAUX, Cant. Diet., s.v.
HOBBLED, taken up, or in custody ; to
HOBBLE a plant, is to spring it.
1838. HALIBURTON, Clockniaker, 2nd
S., ch. xvii. A body has to be cautious
if he don't want to get into the centre of a
HOBBLE.
1849. Punch, Fortune • Tellers
A Imanack. To dream that you are lame
is a token that you will get into a HOBBLE.
1892. MILLIKEN, 'Arry Ballads, p.
44. I got into a 'OBBLE.
Verb (venery). — See quot.
1688. SEMPILL, ' Crissell Sandilands'
in Bannatyne MSS. (Hunterin Club,
1879-88), p. 354, lines 21-2. Had scho
bene undir, and he HOBLAND above, That
were a perellous play for to suspect them.
HOBBLEDEHOY, subs, (old, now col-
loquial).— A growing gawk : as
in the folk-rhyme, ' Hobbledehoy,
neither man nor boy. * [For deri-
vation, see Notes and Queries, i
S., v., 468, vii., 572; 4 S., ii.,
297, viii., 451, ix., 147 ; 78., iv.,
523, and v., 58.]
1557. TUSSER, Husbandrie, ch. 60,
st 3, p. 138 (E. D. 8.). The first seuen
yeers bring vp as a childe, The next to
learning, for waxing too wilde. The next
keepe vnder sir HOBBARD DE HOY, The
next a man no longer a boy.
1738. SWIFT, Polite Convers., Dial
i. Why, he is a mere HOBBLEDEHOY,
neither a man nor a boy.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1837. BARHAM, Ingoldsby Legends,
'Aunt Fanny.1 At the epoch I speak
about, I was between a man and a boy, A
HOBBLE-DE-HOY, A fat, little, punchy con-
cern of sixteen.
1848. THACKERAY, Vanity Fair, ch.
iv. He remembered perfectly well being
thrashed by Joseph Sedley, when the
latter was a big, swaggering, HOBBADY-
HOY, and George an impudent urchin of
ten years old.
Hence HOBBLEDEHOYISH and
HOBBLEDEHOYHOOD.
21
Hobbledejee.
322
Hob-nail.
1812. COLMAN, Poetical Vagaries,
p. 12 (and Ed.). When Master Daw full
fourteen yea~s had told, He grew, as it is
term'd, HOBBEUYHOYISH ; For Cupidons
and Fairies much too old, For Calibans
and Devils much too boyish.
1839. THACKERAY, Fatal Boots, Apr.
From boyhood until HOBBADYHOYHOOD
(which I take to be about the sixteenth
year of the life of a young man).
1848. THACKERAY, Book of Snobs,
ch. xlii. A half-grown, or HOBBADE-
HOYISH footman, so to speak, walked after
them.
HOBBLEDEJEE, subs. (old). — A pace
between a walk and a run ; a
jog-trot.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
HOBBLER, subs, (nautical). — A
coast-man, half smuggler, half
handyman ; an unlicensed pilot.
Also a landsman acting as tow-
Jack. — SMYTH. ALSO (Isle of
Man), a boatman.
1887. T. E. BROWN, The Doctor, p.
226. An' the HOBBLERS there was terr'ble
divarted.
HOBBY, subs. (old). — A hackney ;
a horse in common use.
1606. Return from Parnassus, ii., 6
( DODSLEY, Old Plays, 4th ed., 1875, ix.,
151). An't please you, your HOBBY
will meet you at the lane's end. Idem (p.
154). Is not my master an absolute
villain that loves his hawk, his HOBBY.
and his greyhound more than any mortal
creature? Idem (p. 145). Sirrah, boy,
hath the groom saddled my hunting
HOBBY?
HOBBY-HORSE, subs, (old : now
recognised). — i. A whim ; a
fancy ; a favourite pursuit. Hence
HOBBYHORSICAL = strongly
attached to a particular fad.
1759. STERNE, Tristam Shandy
(1793), ch. vii., p. 18. Have they not had
their HOBBY-HORSES?
d. 1768. STERNE, Letters (1793), letter
19, p. 65. 'Tis in fact my HOBBY-HORSE.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HOBBY HORSE, a man's favourite amuse-
ment, or study, is called his HOBBY HORSE.
1893. Westminster Gaz., 15 Mar.,
p. 9, c. i. We quarrel a bit — he is so
HOBBY-HORSICAL, you can't avoid it — and
then we make friends again.
2. (colloquial). — A rantipole
girl ; a wench ; a wanton.
1594. SHAKSPEARE, Love's Labour
Lost, iii., i. Call'st thou my love HOBBY-
HORSE ? Moth. No, master ; the HOBBY-
HORSE is but a colt, and your love, per-
haps a hackney.
1604. SHAKSPEARE, Winter's Tale,
i., 2. They say my wife's aHOBBY-HORSE.
3. (old). — A witless and un-
mannerly lout.
1609. JONSON, Eptccene,\v., 2. Daw.
Here be in presence have tasted of her
favors. Cler. What a neighing HOBBY-
HORSE is this L
Verb (old). — To romp.
HOB-COLLINGWOOD, subs. phr.
(North Country). — The four of
hearts, considered an unlucky
card.
2. (university). — A translation.
TO RIDE HOBBIES = to USC CRIBS
(q.v.}.
SIR POSTHUMOUS HOBBY,
subs. phr. (old). — One nice or
whimsical in his clothes.
HOB- JOBBER, subs, (streets).— A
man or boy on the look out for
small jobs — holding horses, carry-
ing parcels, and the like.
HOB-NAIL, subs. (old). — A country-
man. For synonyms, see JOSKIN.
Hobnailed.
323
Hock-dockies.
1647. BEAUMONT and FLETCHER,
Women Pleased, ii., 6. The HOB-NAIL
thy husband's as fitly out o' th' way now.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.r.
HOBNAIL, a country clodhopper, from the
shoes of country farmers and ploughmen
being commonly stuck full of HOBNAILS,
and even often clouted, or tipped with iron.
HOBNAILED, adj. (colloquial). —
Booribh ; clumsy ; coarse ; ill-
done.
1599. JONSON, Every Man out of
his Humour. Sog. A wretched HOB-
NAILED Chuff.
HoBSON's-CHOiCE,.y#fo. (common).
— That or none : i.e., there is no
alternative. [Popularly derived
from the name of a Cambridge
livery stable keeper, whose
rule was that each customer
must take the horse next the
door, or have no horse at all.
That old Hobson existed is clear
from Milton's epitaph, but Bel-
lenden Ker (Archeology of
Popular Phrases) affirms the
story to be a Cambridge hoax,
and maintains the proverb to be
identical in sound and sense as the
Low Saxon, Op soens schie ho
fyscfo = v?hen he had a kiss he
wanted something else.]
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HOBSON'S CHOICE, that or None.
1710. WARD, England's Reformation,
ch. iv. 'Tis HOBSON'S CHOICE, take that or
1712. STEELE, Spectator, No. 500, p.
191. I shall conclude this discourse with an
explanation of a proverb [HOBSON'S
CHOICE], which by vulgar error is taken
and used when a man is reduced to an
extremity, whereas the propriety of the
maxim is to use it when you would say
there is plenty, but you must make such a
choice as not to hurt another who is to come
after you. Ibid He [H OBSON] kept a stable
of forty good cattle, always ready and fit for
travelling ; but when a man came for a
horse he was led into the stable, where
there was great choice, but was obliged to
take the horse which stood nearest to the
stable-door ; so that every customer was
alike well served, according to his chance,
and every horse ridden with the same
justice.
1717. GIBBER, Non- Juror, i. Can
any woman think herself happy that's
obliged to marry only with a HOBSON'S
CHOICE?
1 725. New Cant. Diet. , s. v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1820. REYNOLDS [Peter Corcoran],
The Fancy. Black men now are HOBSON'S
CHOICE.
1851. F. E. S M E D L E Y, Lewis
Arundel, ch. liii. 'When shall we go?'
inquired Laura. 'Why, it's a case of
HOBSON'S CHOICE,' returned Leicester.
1854. Notes and Queries, 21 Jan.,
p. 51. It was clear a choice had been
given to him, but it was a HOBSON'S
CHOICE.
HOCK, subs. (American). — I. The
last card in the dealer's box at
faro. [From SODA (q.v.) TO
HOCK = from beginning to end.
2. In.pl. (common). — The feet.
CURBY HOCKS = clumsy feet.
For synonyms, see CREEPERS.
[From the stable.]
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HOCKS .... you have left the marks of
your dirty HOCKS on my clean stairs.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum, s.v.
OLD HOCK, subs. phr. (com-
mon).—Stale beer; SWIPES (q.v.}.
See HOCKEY.
IN HOCK, adv. phr. (general).
— Laid by the heels ; fleeced ;
BESTED (q.v.}. ; and (thieves'), in
prison.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum. ' If
the cove should be caught IN THE HOCK he
won't snickle,' if the fellow should be
caught in the act, he would not tell.
HocK-DOCKiES,.r«fo. (old). — Shoes.
For synonyms, see TROTTER-
CASES.
1789 GEO. PARKER, Life's Pointer,
p. 173. Shoes. HOCKEY-UOCK.BYS.
Hockey.
324
Hocus-pocus.
HOCKEY, adj. (old). — Drunk, es-
pecially on stale beer. For syn-
onyms, see DRINKS and SCREWED.
1796.GROSE, Vulg. Tongue (srd Ed.),
Hocus, subs, (old: now recognised).
— i. A cheat ; an imposter. [An
abbreviation of HOCUS - FOCUS
1654. Witts Recreations. Here
HOCAS lyes with his tricks and his knocks,
Whom death hath made sure as a juglers
box ; Who many hath cozen'd by his
leiger-demain, Is presto convey'd and here
underlain. Thus HOCAS he's here, and
here he is not, While death plaid the
HOCAS, and brought him to th' pot.
2. (old : now recognised). —
Drugged liquor.
1823. BEE, Diet. Turf, s.v. Hocus
or Hocus Pocus .... A deleterious drug
mixed with wine, etc., which enfeebles the
person acted upon.
Adj. (old). — See quots. For
synonyms, see DRINKS and
SCREWED.
1725. New. Cant. Z>zV/.,s.v. Hocus,
disguised in Liquor ; drunk.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.y.
Hocus Pocus, he is quite HOCUS, he is
quite drunk.
Verb (old: now recognised). —
I. To cheat ; to impose upon.
2. (old: now recognised). — To
drug ; TO SNUFF (q.v.}.
1836. DICKENS, Pickwick, ch. xiii.,
p. 104. ' What do you mean by HOCUSSING
brandy and water?' inquired Mr. Pick-
wick. ' Puttin' laund'num in it, ' replied
Sam.
1836. Comic Almanack, p. i. For
that we HOCUSS'D first his drink.
1848. THACKERAY, Vanity Fair, II.,
ch. xxix. Mr. Frederick Pigeon avers
that it was at her house at Lausanne that
he was HOCUSSED at supper and lost eight
hundred pounds to Major Loder and the
Honourable Mr. Deucease.
1 54. DE QUINCEY, Murder as one
of the Fine Arts, Wks., xiii., 119. Him
they intended to disable by a trick then
newly introduced amongst robbers, and
termed HOCUSSING, i.e., clandestinely
drugging the liquor of the victim with
laudanum.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum, s.v.
Hocus . . . ' Hocus the bloke's lush, and
then frisk his sacks,' put something into the
fellow's drink that will stupify him, and
then search his pockets.
1859. The Bulletin, 21 May. An
offence which goes by the name of
HOCUSSING, and which consists of an evil
doer furtively introducing laudanum or
some other narcotic into beer or spirits,
which the victim drinks and, becoming
stupified thereby, is then easily robbed.
1864. DICKENS, Our Mutual Friend,
bk. II., ch. xii. I will not say a HOCUSSED
wine, but fur from a wine as was 'elthy for
the mind.
HOCUS-POCUS, subs, (old : now
recognised). — i. A juggler's
phrase. Hence a juggler's (or
impostor's) stock in trade. Also
HOCUS-TRADE.
1639-61. Rump Songs. 'Vanity of
Vanities.' A HOCUS - POCUS, juggling
Knight.
1639-61. Rump Songs, ii., 156.
1 The Rump Ululant.' Religion we made
free of HOCUS TRADE.
1646. RANDOLPH, Jealous Lovers,
If I do not think women were got with
riddling, whip me ! HOCAS POCAS, here
you shall have me, and there you shall
have me.
1654. GAYTON, Test. Notes Don.
guix., 46. This old fellow had not the
OCAS POCAS of Astrology.
1675. WYCHERLEY, Country Wife,
iii., 2. That burlesque is a HOCUS-POCUS
trick they have got.
d. 1680. BUTLER, Remains (1759), ii.,
122. With a little heaving and straining,
would turn it into Latin, as Mille HOCO-
POKIANA, and a thousand such.
1689. MARVELL, Historical Poem,
line 90. With HOCUS POCUS They
gain on tender consciences at night.
c. 1755. ADEY, Candle in the Dark, p.
29. At the playing of every trick he used
to say, HOCUS POCUS, tontus, talontus, vade
celeriter jubeo.
1785. GROSE, Vulg: Tongue, s.v.
Hod.
325
Hoddy-peak.
1824-28. LANDOR, Imaginary Con-
•v ersations [2nd Ed., ii., 275]. Torke. What
think you, for instance, of Hocus !
Pocus ! Johnson. Sir, those are ex-
clamations of conjurors, as they call them-
selves.
1883. Daily Telegraph, 26 Mar.,
p. 5, c. 3. The lock of hair, the dragon's
blood, and the stolen flour were only the
HOCUS-POCUS of her sham witchcraft like
the transfixed waxen puppets of the
sorcerers of the past.
2. (old). — A trickster ; a jug-
gler ; an impostor.
1625. JONSON, Staple of News, ii.
That was the old way, gossip, when Iniquity
came in [on the stage] like HOKOS POKOS,
in a juggler's jerkin, with false skirts, like
the knave of clubs.
1634. Hocus Pocus JUNIOR, The
Anatomie of Leger de main. [Title].
1656. BLOUNT, Glossographia. s.v.
Hocus Pocus, a juggler, one that shows
tricks by sleight of hand.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Cre-w, s.v.
HOCUS-POCUS, a Juggler that shews Tricks
by SKght of Hand.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
3. (old). — A cheat ; an im-
position ; a juggler's trick.
1713. BENTLEY, Free Thinking, 12.
Our author is playing HOCUS-POCUS in the
very similitude he takes from that juggler.
4. (old). — See Hocus, sense 2.
Adj. (old).— Cheating; fraudu-
lent.
1715. ADDISON, The Drummer. If
thou hast any HOCUS-POCUS tricks to play,
why can'st not do them here ?
1725-29. MASON, Horace, iv., 8.
Such HOCUS-POCUS tricks, I own, Belong
to Gallic bards alone.
1759. MACKLIN, Love a la Mode,
ii.; i. The law is a sort of HOCUS-POCUS
science that smiles in yer face while it picks
your pocket.
Verb (old).— To cheat; to trick.
HOD (or BROTHER HOD), subs.
(common).— A bricklayer's la-
bourer.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum, s.v.
HOD OF MORTAR, subs. phr.
(rhyming). — A pot of porter.
HODDY-DODDY (or HODDIE-DOD-
D\E),suds. (old). — A short thick-
set man or woman. The full ex-
pression is ' Hoddy Doddy, all
arse and no body.' — GROSE. For
synonyms, see FORTY-GUTS. Also
a fool.
c. 1534. UDALL, Roister Doister, i.,
I. (DODSLEY, Old Plays, 4th ed., 1875, iii.,
58). Sometimes I hang on Hankyn HODDY-
DODDY'S sleeve.
1596. BEN JONSON, Every Man in
his Humour, iv., 8. Well, good wife
bawd, Cob's wife, and you, That make
your husband such a HODDY-DODDY.
1639-61. Rump Songs, ii. [1662], 55.
Every noddy .... will .... cry HODDY-
DODDY Here's a Parliament all arse and
no body.
1723. SWIFT, Mary the Cookm aid's
Letter (CHALMERS, Eng. Poets, 1810, xi.,
433). My master is a personable man, and
not a spindle-shanked HODDY-DODDY.
HODDY - PEAK (or -PEKE), subs.
(old). — A fool ; a cuckold.
d. 1529. SKELTON, Poems, 'Duke of
Albany.' Gyue it up, And cry creke Lyke
an HUDDY PEKE.
1551. Gammer Gurton, O. P., ii.,
45. Art here again, thou HODDYPEKE ?
1554. CHRISTOPHERSON, Exh. ag.
Rebel. They counte peace to be cause of
ydelnes, and that it maketh men HODI-
PEKES and cowardes.
d. 1555. LATIMER, Sermons, fol. 44, b.
What, ye brainsicke fooles, ye HODDY-
PEAKES, ye doddy poules.
1560. Nice Wanton (DODSLEY, Old
Plays, 4th ed., 1875, ii., 164). Yea, marry,
I warrant you, master HODDY-PEAK.
1589. NASHE, Anatomie of Absurdities,
b. Who, under her husband's that
HODDY-PEKE'S nose, Must have all the
destilling dew of his delicate rose.
Hodge.
326
Hog.
1594. NASHE, Unf. Trav., 106
\Chiswick Press, 1891.] No other apte
meanes had this poore shee captived
Cicely to worke her HODDY PEAKE
husband a proportionable plague to his
jealously.
HODGE, subs, (colloquial). — A farm
labourer ; a rustic.
1589. GREENE, Menaphon, p. 58 [ed.
Arber, 1880]. These Arcadians are giuen
to take the benefit of euerie HODGE.
1675. A. MARVEL, Satire. HODGE'S
Vision front the Monument. [Title. ]
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HODGE, a Country Clown, also Roger.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1791. SMART, Fables, xiii., 27. Is
that the care (quoth HODGE)? O rare !
1880. RICHARD JEFFERIES, HODGE
And his Masters. [Title.]
1884. MRS. CRAIK, in Eng. III. Mag.,
Mar., p. 356. Quite different from the
bovine, agricultural HODGE of the midland
counties.
1893. National Observer, 25 Feb.,
ix., 358. ' Pay me an infinitesimal sum,'
Lord Winchilsea says (in effect) to HODGE,
'and you shall have a weekly newspaper
for nothing.'
HODGE-PODGE (or HOTCH-POTCH),
subs, (old : now recognised). —
A mixture; a medley. Sp. , com-
mistrajo. See HOTCH-POTCH.
1553-99. SPENSER, State of Ireland.
They have made our English tongue a gal-
imaufrey, or HODGEPODGE of all other
peeches.
1719. DURFEV, Pills, etc., i., 199.
Some Cillier-like Saint, . . . Had rak'd a
HODG PODG for the Devil.
1726. VANBRUGH, Journey to London.
They were all got into a sort of HODGE-
PODGE argument for the good of the nation
which I did not well understand.
d. 1764. LLOYD, Poems (774), ' A
Tale.' Was ever such an HODGE-PODGE
seen.
1786. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HODMAN, (Oxford Univ.). — A
scholar from Westminster School
admitted to Christ Church Col-
lege, Oxford.
1728. BAILEY, Eng. Diet., s.v. HOD-
MAN.
HODMANDOD, Subs. (old). — I. A
snail in his shell— BACON. See
DODDY.
1663. KILLIGREW, The Parson's
Wedding, v., 4 CDODSLEY, Old Plays,
4th ed., 1875, xiv., 525) Painted snails
with houses on their backs, and horns as
big as Dutch cows. . . . Can any woman
be honest that lets such HODMANDODS
crawl o'er her virgin breast and belly ?
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
1728. BAILEY, Eng. Diet., s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue. «.v.
2. (old). — A Hottentot.
1686. ^ CAPTAIN COWLEY in Harris
Voyages, i., 82. We walked, moreover,
without the town to the villages inhabited
by the HODMANDODS, to view their nasty
bodies.
HOE. To HOE IN (American
Univ. ). — To work with vigour ;
TO SWOT (q.v.).
To HOE ONE'S OWN ROW, verb,
phr. (American). — To do one's
own work.
HARD ROW TO HOE.
HARD Row.
See
HOE- DOWN, subs. (American). —
A negro dance ; a BREAKDOWN
(?•».).
HOG, subs. (old). — I. A shilling:
also a sixpence : and (in America)
a ten-cent piece. For synonyms,
see BLOW. HALF-A-HOG = six-
pence, or five-cent piece.
1688. SHADWELL, Squire ofAlsatia,
s.v. HOG, a shilling.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HOG, You Darkman Budge, will you Fence
your HOG at the next Boozing ken ?
Hog.
327
Hog.
1714. Memoirs of John //*//(4th Ed. ) ,
P. J2, S.V.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v. Half a
HOG, Six-Pence.
1809-12. Miss EDGEWORTH, Ennui,
ch. vi. ' It's only a tester or a HOG they
want your honour to give 'em, to drink
your honour's health,' said Paddy. ' A
HOG to drink my health ? ' ' Ay, that is a
thirteen, plase your honour ; all as one as
an English shilling.'
1825. EGAN, Life of an Actor, ch. iv.
You shall have .... eighteen HOG a
week, and a benefit which never fails.
1842. THACKERAY, Cox's Diary in
Comic Almanack, p. 237. Do you
think I'm a-going to kill my horses,
and break my precious back, and bust my
carriage, anu carry you, and your kids, and
your traps, for six HOG?
1851-61. H. MAYHEW, Lend. Lab.
and Land. Poor, vol. i., p. 529. The
slang phrases are constantly used by the
street lads ; thus a sixpence is a ' tanner ' ;
a shilling a ' bob,' or a HOG .... The
collections of coin dealers amply show,
that the figure of a hog was anciently
placed on a small silver coin.
1857. MRS. MATHEWS, Tea Table
Talk, p. 207. The shopwoman satisfied
Suett after her fashion, that his little lump
of Suett had absorbed flour and lard
(pastry) to the amount of what her queer
customer would have termed a HOG.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum, s.v.
HOG, a ten-cent piece.
2. (colloquial). — A foul-
mouthed blackguard ; a dirty
feeder. Also, a common glutton.
1598. FLORIO, A Worlde of Wordes,
s.v. Ciro, a HOGGE, a swine, a filthie
fellowe.
1892. MILLIKEN, 'Arry Ballads, p.
69. 'Arry's a HOG when he feeds.
3 (Cambridge Univ. : ob-
solete).—A student ot St. John's.
Also, JOHN IAN HOG. See
CRACKLE, BRIDGE OF GRUNTS,
and ISTHMUS OF SUEZ.
1690. Diary of A braham dela Pryme
(Surtees Society, No. 54), quoted in Notes
and Queries, 6, S. xi., 328. Forusjonians
ar« called abusively HOCUS.
1795. Gent. Mag., Ixv., 22. The
JOHNIAN HOGS were originally remarkable
on account of the squalid figures and low
habits of the students, and especially of
the sizars of Saint Johns College.
[Another story of how name originated is
giv«n in detail in Gent. Mag. (1795), Ixv.,
107.]
1889. WHIBLEY, In Cap and Gown,
p. 28. An obsolete name for members of
St. John's College, Cambridge.
4. (old Scots'). — A yearling
sheep.
1796. BURNS, Poems. What will I
do gin my HOGGIE die, my joy, my friend,
my HOGGIE.
5. (American). — An inhabitant
of Chicago. [That city being a
notable pig-breeding and pork-
packing centre.]
6. (old). — A Hampshireman.
1770. LORD HAILES, Ancient Scottish
Poems, ' Dance of the Seven Deadly Sins.'
Note on line 115. And thus his ill-bred
raillery will be like that of Essex calves,
HAMPSHIRE HOGS, Middlesex mongrels,
Norfolk dumplings, Welsh goats, etc.
Verb (American). .— I. To
cheat ; to humbug ; TO GAMMON
1867. BROWNE (Artemus Ward).
1 Among the Mormons, ii., 10. Go my
son, and HOG the public.
2. (venery). — To copulate.
For synonyms see GREENS and
RIDE.
3. (stables). — To cut short ;
e.g., to HOG a horse's mane.
A HOG IN ARMOUR, subs. phr.
(old). — A lout in fine cluthes.
Also a JACK-IN-OFFICE ; HOG-
iN-TOGS = (iti America) a well-
dressed loafer. [HOG = HoDGE
(q.v.}, a rustic.]
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HOG .... an awkward, or mean looking
man or woman, finely dressed, is said to
look like a HOG IN ARMOUR.
Hog-age.
328
Hogo.
HOG AND HOMINY, subs, phr.
(American). — Plain fare ; COM-
MON DOINGS (q.v.). [Pork and
maize are the two 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, verb.
phr. (old). — To do well; to make
a good DEAL (q.v.). Also, in
sarcasm, the opposite.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew., s.v.
HE HAS BROUGHT HIS HOGGS TO A FAIR
MARKET, or he has Spun a fair Thread.
1785, GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HOG .... HE HAS BROUGHT HIS HOGS TO A
FINE MARKET, a saying of one who has
been remarkably successful in his affairs,
and is spoken ironically to signify the
contrary.
To DRIVE ONE'S HOGS (or
PIGS) to MARKET, verb. phr.
(colloquial). — To snore.
1738. SWIFT Polite Conversations,
ii., 455. I'gad he fell asleep, and snored so
loud that we thought he was DRIVING HIS
HOGS TO MARKET.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HOG .... to DRIVE ONE'S HOGS, to
snore, the noise made by some persons
in snoring being not much unlike the notes
of that animal.
HOG-AGE, subs. (American). — The
period between boyhood and man-
hood. Cf., HOBBLEDEHOY.
HOGAN-MOGAN, subs. (old). — See
quot.
1892. AITKEN, Satires of Andrew
Marvell, p. 128. The States General of
the United provinces were officially
addressed as High and Mighty Lords, or
in Dutch, Hoogmogenden ; hence English
satirists called them HOGANS-MOGANS, and
applied the phrase to Dutchmen in general.
Cf., Hoganmogamdes, or the Dutch
Hudibras (1694), and 'A New Song on
the HOGAN-MOGANS ' in c A Collection of
the Newest Poems . . . against Popery,
etc: (1680).
HOG-GRUBBER, subs. (old). — A
miser ; a niggard ; a MEAN cuss
(q.v.).
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
A HOG-GRUBBER, .... a narrow-soul'd
sneaking Fellow.
1725. New Cant. Diet,, s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HOG GRUBBER, a mean stingy fellow.
HOGMAGUNDY (or HOUGH MAGAN-
DIE), subs. (Scots). — Copulation.
For synonyms, see GREENS and
RIDE.
1786. BURNS, The Holy Fair [last
stanza]. There's some are fou o' love
divine, There's some are fou o' brandy ;
An' mony jobs that day begin, May end
in HOUGMAGANDIE Some ither day.
HOG MEN AY, subs, (old Scots'). —
I. New Year's Eve, which is a
national festival. [The origin
has been the subject of much
discussion. ]
1776. BRAND, Popular Antiquities,
p. 102. Sirs, do you what HAGMANE sig-
nifies ? It is the devil be in the house.
1793. The Bee, 10 July, p. 17. The
night preceding that festival HOGG-
MONAY.
1879. JAMES NAPIER, Folk Lore, p.
154. After the Reformation, the Scotch
transferred HAGMANAY [from Xmas Eve]
to the last day of December, as a prepara-
tion day for the New Year.
2. Hence a wanton. [The feast
is celebrated with much drink and
not a little license.]
HOGO, subs. (old). — A flavour ; an
aroma ; a relish. Hence, in irony,
and by corruption, a stink. Cf. ,
FOGO. [From Fr., haut gout.\
See HIGH, sense 2.
1569. ERASMUS, Trans. Praise of
Folly, p. 13 [1709]. Pleasure that HAUT-
GOUST of Folly.
1639-61. Rump Songs. 'A Vindica-
tion of the Rump.' Oh ! what a HOGO was
there.
Hogshead.
329
Hoist.
1615. HOWELL, Letters,^., xxxviii., p.
42. He can marinat fish, make gellies, and
is excellent for a pickant sawce, and the
HAUGOU.
1653. WALTON, Compleat A ngler, I.,
ch. vii. To give the sawce a HOGOE let
the dish (into which you let the Pike fall)
be rubed with it [garlick].
1656. Choyce Drollery, p. 34. And
why not say a word or two Of she that's
just ? witnesse all who Have ever been at
thy HO-GO.
1663. KILLIGREW, The Parson's
Wedding, iii., 2 (DODSLEY, Old Plays,
4th ed., 1875, xiv., 451). We'll work our-
selves into such a sauce as you can never
surfeit on, and yet no HOGOUGH.
1667. COWLEV, Government of Oliver
Cromwell, Prose Works (Pickering, 1826),
94. Cromwell found out the true
HOGO of this pleasure, and rejoiced in the
extravagance of his ways.
1672. WYCHERLEY, Love in a Wood,
ii., i. She has .... no more teeth left
than such as give a HAUT GOUT to her
breath.
1686. Twelve Ingenious Characters.
A bad husband is an inconsiderate piece of
sottish extravagance ; for though he con-
sist of several ill ingredients, yet still good
fellowship is the causa sine qua non, and
gives him the HO-GO.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HOGO.
1705-7. WARD, Hudibras Redivivus,
Vol. I., Pt. yi., p. 4. Most stinking meat,
Toss'd up with leeks into Raggoo, To over-
come the unsav'ry HOGO.
1718. DURFEY, Pills, iii., 177. ' Let's
drink and be merry.' Your most Beautiful
Bit, that hath all Eyes upon her, That
her Honesty sells for a HOGO of Honour.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HOGO .... it has a confounded HOGO, it
stinks confoundedly.
HOGSHEAD. To COUCH A HOGS-
HEAD, verb. /yfcr.(Old Cant).— See
quot. For synonyms, see BALMY.
1567. HARMAN, Caveat (1814), p. 66.
To COUCH A HOGSHEAD : to ly downe and
slepe. Ibid, I COUCHED A HOGSHEAD in a
skypper this darkemans.
HOG-SHEARING, subs. (old). — Much
ado about nothing ; great cry and
little wool.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HOG. Labour in vain, which the Latines
express by Goats-wooll, as the English by
the SHEARING OF HOGGS.
HOGS-NORTON. To HAVE BEEN
BORN AT HOGS-NORTON, verb.
phr. (old). — To be ill-mannered.
d. 1666. HOWELL, Eng. Proverbs, p.
16. I think thou wast BORN AT HOGGS-
NORTON, where piggs play upon the or-
gans.
1676. MARVEL, Mr. Smirke [Gro-
sart], iv., p. 89. A pair of organs of cats
which he had done well to have made the
pigs at HOGS-NORTON play on.
HOGSTYE OF VENUS, subs. phr.
(venery). — See quot. For synon-
yms, see MONOSYLLABLE.
1598. FLORIO, Worlds of Wordes,
s.v. Porcile di venere, the HOG-STYE OF
VENUS, a womans privities or geare.
HOG-WASH, subs, (common). — i.
Bad liquor ; specifically, ROT-GUT
2. (journalists'). — Worthless
newspaper matter ; SLUSH, SWASH,
and FLUB-DUB^.Z/.).
HOI POLLOl, subs. phr. (university).
The candidates for ordinary
degrees. [From the Greek.] Cf.t
GULF.
HOIST, subs. (old). — A shop-
lifter ; also a confederate hoisting
or helping a thief to reach an open
window. THE HOIST = shop-
lifting. TO GO UPON THE HOIST
= to enter a house by an open
window.
1796. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue (yd Ed.),
s.v. HOIST. This is done by the assist-
ance of a confederate called THE HOIST, who
leans his head against the wall, making
his back a kind of step or ascent. — GROSE.
1819. VAUX, Cant. Diet. HOIST, the
game of shop-lifting is called THE HOIST ;
a person expert at this practice is said to be
a good hoist.
Hoister.
33o
Ho/born Hill.
1821. HAGGART, Life, p. 38. We
were principally engaged UPON THE HOYS
and coreing.
Verb (thieves'). — i. To practise
shop-lifting ; to rob by means of
THE HOIST (q.v.).
2. (American). — To run away ;
to decamp. For synonyms, see
AMPUTATE and SKEDADDLE.
1847. PORTER, Quarter Race, etc.,
p. 174. Jist HIST, and take yourself off.
3. (common). — To drink. E.g. ,
Will you HOIST ? = will you have
a liquor ? ; HOISTING = drinking ;
ON THE HOIST = on the drunk.
Also a HOIST IN.
To GIVE A HOIST, verb. phr.
(tailors'). — To do a bad turn.
TO HAVE (or DO) A HOIST IN.
verb. phr. (venery). — To copulate.
For synonyms, see GREENS and
RIDE.
HOISTER, subs. (old). — I. A shop-
lifter ; a HOIST (q.v., sense i).
Also a pickpocket.
1847-50. J. H. JESSE, London, i., 30.
He that could take out a counter without
any noise was allowed to be a public
HOYSTER. N.B.— That a hoyster is a
pickpocket.
2. (common). — A sot. For
synonyms, see LUSHINGTON.
HOISTING (or HOIST-LAY), subs.
(thievts'). — I. Shop-lifting. THE
HOIST (q-v.}. Also shaking a
man head downwards, so that his
money rolls out of his pockets.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
1821. D. HAGGART, Life, glossary,
p. 172. HOYS, shop-lifting.
1868. Temple Bar, xxiv., 534. She
can secrete articles about her dress when
hi a shop looking at things, and that's
one way of HOISTING.
2. (old). — See quot.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HOISTING, a ludicrous ceremony, formerly
performed on every soldier, the first time
he appeared in the field, after being mar-
ried : 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 bridegroom belonged, seized
upon him, and putting a couple of bayonets
out of the two corners of his hat, to repre-
sent 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 an.l fife
beating and playing, the pioneers call,
named Round-heads and Cuckolds, but on
this occasion stiled the Cuckolds March ;
in passing the colours, he was to take off
his hat .... This in some regiments was
practised by the officers on their brethren.
HOIT (or HOYT), verb, (old).— To
be noisily or riotously inclined.
1611. BEAUMONT and FLETCHER,
Knight of the Burning Pestle, iv., i. He
sings, and HOYTS, and revels among his
drunken companions.
HOITY-TOITY. See HIGHTY-TIGHTY.
HOKEY-POKEY, subs, (common). —
I. A cheat ; a swindle ; nonsense.
[From Hocus Pocus.j
2. (common). — A cheap ice-
cream sold in the streets.
HOLBORN HILL. To RIDE BACK-
WARDS UP HOLBORN HILL, verb,
phr. (old colloquial). — To go to the
gallows. [The way was thence
to Tyburn, criminals riding back-
wards.— GROSE.]
1614. JONSON, Bartholomew Fair,
H., i. Urs. Up the heavy HILL — Kuock.
Of HOLBOURN, Ursula, mean'st thou so ?
for what, for what, pretty Urse? Urs.
For cutting halfpenny purses, or stealing
little penny dogs out o' the Fair.
1659. Harry Whites Humour
(Nares). Item, he loves to ride when he
is weary, yet at certaine times he holds it
ominous to ride up HOLBORNE.
1695. CONGREVE. Love for Love, \\.,
7. Sirrah, you'll be hanged ; I shall live
to see you GO UP HOLBORN HILL.
Hold.
331
Hold.
HOLD, verb, (old).— i. To bet ; to
wager. See Do YOU HOLD ?
1534. UDALL, Roister Doister, i., »
(DoosLEY, Old Plays, 4th ed., 1875, iii.,
7). I HOLD a groat ye will drink anon of
this gear.
1551. W. STILL, Gammer Gvrton's
Needle, iii., 3 (DODSLEY, Old Plays, 4th
ed., 1875, iii., 216, and passim). I HOLD
thee a groat I shall patch thy coat.
1697. VANBRUGH, Provoked Wife, ii.,
i. I'll HOLD you a guinea you don't make
her tell it you.
1719. DURFEY, Pills, etc., ii., 54.
I'll HOLD ye five Guineas to four.
2. (venery) (or HOLD IT). —
To be impregnated ; to be got
with child. [In certain parts of
Scotland, it is said, a farm servant
stating that she " disna HAUD "
commands double wages.]
To HOLD ON TO, verb. phr.
(colloquial), — To apply oneself ;
to be persistent : generally, TO
HOLD ON LIKE GRIM DEATH.
1848. Ru XTON, Life in the Far West,
p. 71. He recovered, and wisely HELD ON
TO for the future.
HOLD UP, verb. phr. (American
and Australian). — i. To rob on
the highway ; TO BAIL or STICK
UP (q.v.). Also as subs. =
a highwayman or ROAD-AGENT
(q.v.}.
1888. Detroit Free Press, 8 Dec.
One man HELD UP six stage passengers in
Arizona the other day and robbed them of
$2,000. Each was armed, but it is custo-
mary to submit out there, and so up went
their hands.
1888. Detroit Free Press, 13 Oct.
Mounted on a white horse, he started on a
land-prospecting tour and ran against a
party of HOLD-UPS.
1892. Lippincott, Oct., p. 495. Would
HOLD the train UP until I had finished.
2. (thieves'). — To arrest. For
synonyms, see NAB.
To HOLD THE STAGE, verb. phr.
(theatrical).— To have the chief
place on the boards and the
eye of an audience. Fr., avoir
les planches.
TO HOLD A CANDLE TO (THE
DEVIL, etc.), verb. phr. (collo-
quial).— See DEVIL, and add the
following quot.
1868. READE and BOUCICAULT, Foul
Play, p. 65. But you see, sir, he has got
the ear of the merchant ashore ; and so I
am obliged to HOLD A CANDLE TO THB
DEVIL.
TO HOLD A CANDLE TO, Verb.
phr. (colloquial). — To vie with ;
to be comparable to ; also to assist
in or condone.
1886. R. L. STEVENSON, Kidnapped,
p. 79. They had killed poor Ransome ;
and was I to HOLD THE CANDLE TO another
murder ?
To HOLD (or HANG) ON BY THE
EYELIDS, EYELASHES or EYE-
BROWS, verb. phr. (common). —
To pursue an object desperately;
to insist upon a point; to carry on
a forlorn hope. See also quot. and
SPLASH BOARD.
1883. CLARK RUSSELL, Sailor's Lan-
guage, p. 69. HOLDING ON WITH HIS
EYELIDS. Said of a man aloft with nothing
much to lay hold of.
To HOLD IN HAND, verb. phr.
(colloquial). — To amuse ; to
possess the attention or the mind ;
to have in one's pocket.
TO HOLD THE MARKET, verb,
phr. (colloquial).— To buy stock
and hold it to so large an extent
that the price cannot decline.
Do YOU HOLD ? phr. (streets).
— Have you money to lend ? Can
you stand treat ? Cf. verb,, sense
Hold-out.
332
Hole.
HOLD YOUR HORSES, phr.
(American). — Go easy ; don't get
excited : a general injunction to
calm in act and speech.
HOLD YOUR JAW, phr. (collo-
quial).—Hold your tongue ; STOW
YOUR GAB (g.v.).
HOLD HARD ! (or ON) ! intj.
(colloquial). — Wait a moment !
don't be in a hurry !
1761. COLMAN, Jealous Wife, V., in
Wks. (1777), i., 130. HOLD HARD ! HOLD
HARD ! you are all on a wrong scent.
1835. DICKENS, Sketches by Boz,
p. 280. ' HOLD HARD ! ' said the con-
ductor ; ' I'm blowed if we ha'n't forgot
the gen'lm'n as vas to be set down at
Doory-lane.'
1864. E. YATES, Broken to Harness,
ch. iv., p. 38(1873). I told Meaburn to
HOLD ON, and we'd get a rise out of
Punch.
HOLD-STITCH. — See STITCH.
HOLD-WATER. — See WATER.
HOLD-OUT, subs, (gambling). — An
old-fashioned apparatus, in poker,
for 'holding out ' desirable cards.
HOLE (venery). — I. The female pu-
dendum. Also, HOLE OF CON-
TENT, and HOLE (or QUEEN) OF
HOLES. For synonyms, see MONO-
SYLLABLE. TO GIVE A HOLE TO
HIDE IT IN = TO GRANT THE
FAVOUR (q.v.). [Hence, by a
play upon words, HOLY OF
HOLIES.]
1595. SHAKSPEARE, Romeo and
Juliet, ii., 4. This drivelling love is like
a great natural, that runs lolling up and
down to hide his BAUBLE (g.v .) in a HOLE.
1598. FLORIO, Worlde of Wordes,
s-v. Camafau, the brat -getting place, or
HOLE OF CONTENT.
1620. PERCY, Folio MS., p. 197. . . .
He light in a HOLE ere he was aware !
1647-80. ROCHESTER, Poems. Thou
mighty princess, lovely QUEEN OK HOLES.
d. 1649. DRUMMOND, Posthumous
Poems, 'The Statue of Alcides.' Fair
nymph, in ancient days, your HOLES, by
far, Were not so hugely vast as now they are.
1719. DURFEY, Pills, etc., iv., 72.
It has a head much like a Mole's, And yet
it loves to creep in HOLES : The fairest She
that e'er took Life, For love of this became
a Wife.
2. (old).— A cell ; </., HELL,
sense I.
1540. LINDSAY, Thrie Estaits, line
1016. Wee have gart bind him with ane
poill, And send him to the theifis HOILL.
1607. Miseries of Enforced Marriage,
Hi., I. (DODSLEY, Old Plays, 4th ed., 1875,
ix., 514). If you shall think ... it shall
accord with the state of gentry to submit
myself from the feather-bed in the master's
side, or the flock-bed in the knight's ward,
to the straw-bed in the HOLE.
1607. _ WENTWORTH SMITH, The
Puritan, iii. But if e'er we clutch him
agajn the Counter shall charm him. Rav.
The HOLE shall rot him.
1657. Walks of Hogsdon. Next
from the stocks, the HOLE, and little-ease.
1663. KILLIGREW, The Parson's
Wedding, iv., 2 (DODSLEY, Old^ Plays,
4th ed., 1875, xiv., 482). Make his mitty-
mus to the HOLE at Newgate.
3. (old). — A private printing
office where unlicensed books
were made ; a COCK-ROBIN SHOP
(q.v.).— MOXON, 1683.
4. (colloquial).— A difficulty;
a fix ; on the turf, TO BE IN A
HOLE = to lose (a bet) or be
defeated (of horses).
1760-61. SMOLLETT, Sir L. Greaves,
ch. xvi. I should be in a deadly HOLE myself
if all my customers should take it into
their heads to drink nothing but water-
gruel.
1868. OUIDA, Under Two Flags, ch.
i. ' I am in a hole— no end of a HOLE.
5. (common). — A place of
abode ; specifically, a mean habi-
tation ; a dirty lodging. For
synonyms, see DIGGINGS.
6. (common). — The rectum :
short for ARSE-HOLE. E.g., SUCK
HIS HOLE = a derisive retort upon
an affirmative answer to the
Hole.
333
Holiday.
question, 'Do you know So-and-
So?' For synonyms, see MONO-
CULAR EYEGLASS.
1383. CHAUCER, Canterbury Tales,
1 The Miller's Tale.1 And at the window
she put out hir HOLE.
1540. LINDSAY, Tkrie Estaits, line
2174. Lift vp hir clais: Kis hir HOILL
with your hart.
1614. JONSON, Bartholomew Fair,
v., 3. A pox o' your manners, kiss my
HOLE here, and smell.
1649. DRUMMOND, Madrigals and
Epigrams, ' A Jest ' (CHALMERS, English
Poets, 1810, x., 667). She turned, and turn-
ing up her hole beneath, Said, ' Sir, kiss
here.'
d. 1732. GAY, Tales 'In Imitation of
Chaucer's Style' (CHALMERS, English
Poets, 1 8 10, x., 504]. Thou didst forget to
guard thy postern, There is an HOLE which
hath not crossed been.
Verb (venery). — To effect in-
tromission ; to FUT IN (q.v.).
Hence, HOLED, adj.=in (q.v.).
A HOLE IN ONE'S COAT, subs.
phr. (colloquial). — A flaw in
one's fame ; a weak spot in
one's character. To PICK A
HOLE IN ONE'S co AT = to find
a cause for censure.
1789. BURNS, Verses on Capt. Grose.
If there's a HOLE IN A' YOUR COATS, I rede
you tent it.
TO MAKE (or BURN) A HOLE
IN ONE'S POCKET, verb, phr,
(colloquial).— Said of money reck-
lessly spent.
TO MAKE A HOLE IN ANY-
THING, verb. phr. (colloquial). —
To use up largely.
1663. KILLIGRBW, The Parson's
Wedding, iii., 5 (DODSLEY, Old Plays,
4th ed., 1875, xiv-» 456)- Do it then, and
make a HOLE in this angel.
TO MAKE A HOLE IN THE
WATER, verb. phr. — (common). —
To commit suicide by drowning.
1892. MILLIKEN, 'Arry Ballads, p.
76. I should jUSt MAKE A HOLE IN THE
WATER, if 'tworn't for the wife and the
kids.
To MAKE A HOLE, verb. phr.
(colloquial). — To break ; to
spoil ; to upset ; to interrupt.
Thus tO MAKE A HOLE IN ONE'S
MANNERS = to be rude ; to MAKE
A HOLE IN ONE'S REPUTATION =
to betray, to seduce ; to MAKE
A HOLE IN THE SILENCE = tO
make a noise, to RAISE CAIN
(q.v.).
TOO DRUNK TO SEE A HOLE
IN A LADDER, phr. (common). —
Excessively intoxicated. For
synonyms, see DRINKS and
SCREWED.
HOLE-AND-CORNER, adj. (collo-
quial).— Secret; underhand; out
of the way : e.g. , HOLE-AND-COR-
NER WORK = shady business.
Also (venery) = copulation. [£/".,
HOLE, subs, sense I.]
HOLER (also HOLEMONGER), subs.
(colloquial). — A whoremaster
(«/., HOLE, subs., sense i). Also
(old), a harlot ; a light woman (cf. ,
HOLE, verb.). Hence, HOLING
= whoring.
HOLIDAY, adj. (old). — Unskilled ;
indifferent ; careless.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HOLIDAY, A HOLIDAY BOWLER, a bad
bowler.
BLIND MAN'S HOLIDAY. See
ante.
TO HAVE A HOLIDAY AT
PECKHAM, verb. phr. (colloquial).
— To go dinnerless. ALL HOLI-
DAY AT PECKHAM = no work
and nothing to eat. [A play upon
words.] See PECKISH.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum. ALL
HOLIDAY AT PECKHAM .... a saying
signifying that it is all over with the
business or person spoken of or alluded
to.
Holler.
334
Holy-boys.
1848. FoRSTER, Oliver Goldsmith,
bk. I., ch. vi., p. 55 (sth Ed.). ' Oh, that is
ALL A HOLIDAY AT PECKHAM,' Said an
old friend ve>-y innocently one day.
TO TAKE A HOLIDAY, verb.
phr (common). — To be dismissed;
to get the BAG (g.v.) or SACK
GONE FOR A HOLIDAY, adv.
phr. (colloquial). — Said of a flaw,
lapse, or imperfection of any kind
(as dropped stitches, lost buttons,
slurred painting, and so forth). See
also quots.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HOLIDAY .... a holiday is any part of a
ship's bottom, left uncovered in painting it.
1883. CLARK RUSSELL, Sailors' Lan-
guage, p. 69, s.v. HOLIDAYS. Places left
un tarred on shrouds, backstays, etc., during
the operation of tarring them.
HOLLER, verb. (American). — To
cry enough ; to give in ; to CAVE
IN (q.v.).
1847. PORTER, Quarter Race, etc.,
p. 89. The truth must come, he warped
me nice, So jist to save his time I HOL-
LERED.
HOLDS, subs. (Winchester College).
— A small pebble. [Said to be
derived from a boy. — Notions.'}
HOLLOW, adj. (colloquial). — Com-
plete ; certain ; decided. As
adv. completely ; utterly. E.g. ,
to beat or lick HOLLOW. See
BEAT and CREATION.
1759. TOWNLEY, High Life Below
Stairs, i., 2. Crab was beat HOLLOW.
1761. C9LMAN, Jealous Wife, V., in
Wks. (1777), i., 134. So, my lord, you and
I are both distanced : a HOLLOW thing,
damme.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
HOLLOW. It was quite a HOLLOW thing,
i.e. , a certainty, or decided business.
1814. EDGWORTH, Patronage, ch. iii.
Squire Burton won the match HOLLOW.
1837. BARHAM, Ingoldsby Legends.
' Bloudie Jack.' His lines to Apollo Beat
all the rest HOLLOW And gained him
the Newdegate Prize.
1852. DICKENS, Bleak House, ch.
Ixiv., p. 529. I have therefore taken a
"ouse in that locality, which, in the
opinion of my friends, is a HOLLOW bar-
gain (taxes ridiculous, and use of fixtures
included in the rent).
1871. Durham County Advertiser,
10 Nov. ' It licks me HOLLOW, sir, as I
may say," put in the silent member.
1892. Punch, 9 July, p. 3. Booby-
traps were beaten HOLLOW.
HOLLOWAY, subs, (venery). — The
female pudendum. For synonyms,
see MONOSYLLABLE.
HOLLOWAY, MIDDLESEX (com-
mon). — The lower bowel ; the
ARSE-GUT (q.V.).
HOLT, verb. (American). — To take ;
to take hold of.
HOLUS-BOLUS, subs, (nautical). —
The head. Also the neck.
Adv. (colloquial). — Helter
skelter ; altogether ; first come,
first served.
1868. WILKIE COLLINS, The Moon-
stone, ist Period, ch. xv. And, making a
sudden snatch at the heap of silver, pat it
back, HOLUS-BOLUS, in her pocket.
HOLY. MORE HOLY THAN
RIGHTEOUS, adv. phr. (common).
— Said of a person in rags, or of a
tattered garment.
HOLY- BOYS, subs, (military). — The
NINTH FOOT. [From a trick of
selling bibles for drink in the
Peninsula.] Also, FIGHTING
NINTH.
1886. Tinsleys Magazine, Apr., 322.
The gth haying bartered their Bibles in
Spain for wine, and having there gained a
reputation for sacking monasteries, were
long known as the HOLY BOYS.
Holy-father.
335
Holy Poker.
HOLY-FATHER, subs. (Irish).— See
quot.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HOLY FATHER, A butcher's boy of St.
Patrick's Market, Dublin, or other Irish
blackguard ; among who n the exclamation,
or oath,, by the Holy Father (meaning
the Pope), is common.
HOLY IRON. See HOLY POKER.
HOLY JOE, subs. phr. (colloquial).
— A pious person, whether hypo-
critical or sincere. Also (nautical),
a parson.
HOLYjUMPING MOTH EROF MOSES,
See MOSES.
HOLY-LAMB, subs. (old). — A
thorough -paced villain. — GROSE.
HOLY- LAND (or GROUND), subs.
(old). — i. St. Giles's; PALESTINE
1819. MOORE, Tom Crib's Memorial
to Congress, p. 7. For we are the boys of
the HOLY GROUND, And we'll dance upon
nothing and turn us round.
1821. The Fancy, i., p. 250. The
HOLY-LAND, as St. Giles's has been termed,
in compliment to the superior purity of its
Irish population.
1821. EGAN, Tom and Jerry, ch. ii.
At Mammy O'Shaughnessy's in the back
Settlements of the HOLY LAND.
1823. W. T. MONCRIEFF, Tom and
Jerry, ii., 5. Let's have a dive among the
cadgers in the back slums, in the HOLY
LAND.
1843 Punch's Almanack, i Sept.
St. Giles. The Marquis of Waterford
makes a pilgrimage to his shrine in the
HOLY LAND.
1859. SALA, Twice Round the
Clock, one a.m., par. 28. Unfaithful
topographers may have told you that the
HOLY LAND being swept away and
.Buckeridge Street being pulled down, St.
Giles's exists no more.
1891. Licensed Viet. Gaz., 3 Apr. p.
215, col. i. It would be hard to say whether
the Irishmen of the HOLY LAND or the
Hebrew scum of Petticoat Lane showed
the finest specimens of ' looped and
windowed raggedness.'
2. (common). — Generic for any
neighbourhood affected by Jews ;
specifically, Bayswater, and
Brighton. Cf. , NEW JERUSALEM,
and HOLY OF HOLIES.
HOLY MOSES. See MOSES.
HOLY OF HOLIES, subs. phr. (com-
mon).— i. The Grand Hotel at
Brighton. [W hich is largely ten-
anted by Jews : cf.t HOLY LAND
(sense 2), and NEW JERUSALEM.]
2. (colloquial). — A private
room ; a SANCTUM (q.v.).
1891. N. GOULD, Double Event, p.
215. Fletcher did not venture into that
HOLY OF HOLIES.
1893. Westminister Gaz., 31 Jan., p.
3, c. 2. The Cabinet Council is the
HOLY OF HOLIES of the British Constitu-
tion, and as Mr. Bagehot long ago
regretted, no description of it at once
graphic and authentic has ever been given.
3. (venery). — See HOLE, sense
i, and for synonyms, MONOSYL-
LABLE.
HOLY POKER (or IRON), subs. phr.
(university). — The mace carried
by an esquire bedel (of Law,
Physic, or Divinity) as a badge of
authority. [The term, which is
applied to the bedels themselves,
is very often used as an oath.]
1840. Comic Almanack, 'Tom the
Devil,' p, 214. A hotel's the place for me !
I've thried em all, from the Club-house
at Kilkmny, to the Clarendon, and, by the
HOLY POKER, never wish mysilf worse
luck than such cantonments !
1870. London Figaro, 8 Oct., p. 2,
col. 2. The bedels of a University are very
important persons, although derisive un-
dergraduates familiarly term them HOLY
POKERS.
1886. R. L. STEVENSON, Kidnapped,
p. 169. I swear upon the HOLY IRON I had
neither art nor part.
2. (venery). — The penis (by a
play upon words). Cf., HOLE,
sense i, HOLY of HOLIES, sense
Holy -water Sprinkler. 336 Home for lost dogs.
3, and POKE. For synonyms, see
CREAMSTICK and PRICK.
HOLY -WATER SPRINKLER, subs.
phr. (old). — A mediaeval weapon
of offence ; a MORNING STAR
HOME, subs, (colonial). — England.
1893. Gentlemen's Mag-., Jan., p. 74.
A-d then I learnt that by HOME he
infant England, which, moreover, is re-
ferred to as 'home' by dusky myriads,
who have never seen her cliffs rise above
the waves.
To GET HOME, verb. phr.
(colloquial). — I. To achieve an
object ; to succeed perfectly ; and
(athletic) to reach the winning
post.
1891. Sportsman, 26 Mar. A close
struggle for the Palace Selling Plate ended
in favour of Rosefield, who just GOT HOME
a head in front of M ordure.
1892. Pall Mall Gaz., 23 Jan., 3, 2.
It is delightful to watch Mr. Charles Haw-
trey telling lie after lie to his unbelieving
wife, and joyfully, in misplaced confidence,
saying to himself, ' I've GOT HOME.'
2. (pugilists'). — To get in (a
blow) with precision and effect ;
TO LAND (q.V.). Also (old) to
give a mortal wound.
1559. 1LL.voT,Z)icti0tiarzum, 3rd. ed.
A ere meo me lacessis, thou gevest me scoffe
for scoffe, or as we saie, thou PAIEST ME
HOME.
1631. CHETTLE. Hoffman. Sax.
Not any, Austria ; neither toucht I thee.
Aust. Somebody TOUCHT ME HOME ;
vaine world farewell, Dying I fall on my
dead Lncibell.
1698. FARQUHAR, Love and a Bottle,
iv., 3. But hark ye, George ; don't push
too HOME ; have a care of whipping through
the guts.
1706. FARQUHAR, Recruiting Officer,
ii., i. That's HOME.
1888. Snorting Life, 10 Dec. In the
next round GOT HOME several times with-
out a return.
1891. Licensed Viet. Gaz., 19 June,
P. 395> c. 3. Mac GOT HOME a terrific
cross-counter with the left on Bob's left eye,
which seemed to split the flesh open both
above and below.
3. (turf). — To recover a loss ;
neither to win nor lose ; to come
OUt quits. Also, TO BRING ONE-
SELF HOME.
4. (venery). — To get with
child. Also, to compel the sex-
ual spasm.
TO MAKE ONESELF AT HOME,
verb. phr. (colloquial). — To take
one's ease ; to be familiar to the
point of ill-breeding.
1892. MILLIKEN, 'Arry Ballads, p.
10. As AT HOME as a cat in a cream-shop.
To COME HOME TO, verb. phr.
(colloquial). — To reach the con-
science ; to touch deeply.
To GO (SEND, or CARRY) HOME
(or TO ONE'S LAST HOME), verb,
phr. (colloquial). — To die ; to kill;
to bury. [The Chinese say 'to
go home horizontally.'] See
ALOFT.
1598. FLORIO, A Worlde ofWordes.
Mandar ''al palegro, to SEND TO ONES
LAST HOME.
1823. BEE, Diet. Turf, s.v. HOME.
GONE HOME, dead.
HOME- BIRD, subs, (colloquial). —
A henpecked husband. Also, a
milksop. Fr., chauffe-la-couche
( = warming-pan).
HOME FOR LOST DOGS, subs. phr.
(medical). — A 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.
337
Honest,
HOME-RULE, subs, (common). —
Irish whiskey. For synonyms,
see DRINKS andOLDMAN'sMiLK.
HOME-SWEET-HOME, Subs. (ve-
nery). — The female pudendum.
For synonyms, see MONOSYL-
LABLE.
HOMO, subs. (old). — A man : gen-
erally OMEE (q.v.}. [From the
Latin.] For synonyms, see COVE.
HOMONEY, subs. (old). — A woman.
For synonyms, see PETTICOAT.
Also, a wife. For synonyms, see
DUTCH and Cf. HOMO.
1754. Discoveries of John Poulter,
p. 43. My HOMONEY is in quod, my wife
is in gaol.
HOMO-OPATHISE,ZW£. (American).
— To get bills (i.e., petitions)
through Legislature, Congress,
or City Council, by means of
bills (i.e., bank-bills).
HONE, subs, (venery). — The female
pudendum. For synomyms, see
MONOSYLLABLE.
1719. DURFEY, Pills, etc., i., 204.
So I may no more pogue the HONE of a
Woman.
HONEST, adj. (old). — i. Chaste.
1596. BEN JONSON, Every Man in
his Humour, ii., i. Why't cannot be,
where there is such resort, O wanton gal-
lants, and young revellers, That any
woman should be HONEST long.
1599. HENRY PORTER, Two Angry
Women of Abingdon (DoosLEY, Old
Plays, 4th ed., 1875, vii., 389). Is my
fellow Dick in the dark with my mistress ?
I pray God they be HONEST, for there may
be much knavery in the dark.
1600. Look About You, Sc. 28 (Doos-
LEY, Old Plays, 4th ed., 1875, vii., 476).
\Vhat, lecher? No, she is an HONEST
woman. Her husband is well known.
1602. SHAKSPEARE, Othello, iii., 3.
I do not think but Desdemona's HONEST.
1614. JONSON, Bartholomew Fain
v., 3. De HONEST woman's life is a dull
scurvy life, indeed.
1663. KILLIGREW, The Parsons
Wedding, iii., 2 (DoDSLEY, Old Plays,
4th ed., 1875, xiv., 454). There's none but
HONEST women.
1663. KILLIGREW, The Parsons
Wedding, v., 4 (DODSLEY, Old Plays, 4th
ed., 1875, xiv., 525). Crooked, dirty-
souled vermin, predestined for cuckolds,
painted snails with houses on their backs,
and horns as big as Dutch cows ....
Can any woman be HONEST that lets such
hodmandods crawl o'er her virgin breast
and btlly?
1672. WYCHERLEY, Love in a Wood,
ii., i. A man .... may bring his bash-
ful wench, and not have her put out of
countenance by the impudent HONEST
women of the town.
1686-7. AUBREY, Gentilisme (1881),
p. 163. The towne is full of wanton
wenches, and .... (they say) scarce
three HONEST women in the Town.
1693. CONGREVE, Old Bachelor, iii. ,
10. Silvia. I'm not such a fool neither,
but I can keep myself HONEST.
1695. CONGREVE, Love for Love, iii.,
14. Mrs. Fore. Do you think any
woman HONEST ? Scan. Yes, several very
honest ; they'll cheat a little at cards some-
times ; but that's nothing. Mrs. Fore.
Pshaw ! but virtuous, I mean.
2. (common). — Not positively
illegal : as HONEST PENNY or
SHILLING = money earned by
means immoral (as by prosti-
tution] but within the law. Also,
TO TURN AN HONEST PENNY
= to make a profitable deal.
1677. WYCHERLEY, Plain Dealer,
. iii., i. You must call usury and extortion
t 'Od's blessing, or the HONEST TURNING OF
THE PENNY.
1886. J. S. WINTER, Army Society,
ch. xxi. There was a chance of TURNING
AN HONEST PENNY in hiring them out for
the donkey-race.
TO MAKE AN HONEST WO-
MAN, verb. phr. (colloquial). —
To marry a mistress.
1629. EARLE, Microcosmographie
(5th ed.). 'A Serving Man.' The best
work he does is his marrying, for he MAKES
AN HONEST WOMAN, and if he follows in it
his master's direction, it is commonly the
best service he does him.
1672. WYCHERLEY, Love in a Wood,
v., 6. Dap. Why she was my wench.
Gripe. I'll MAKE HER HONEST then.
22
Honest Injun.
338
Honeycomb.
1750. FIELDING, Tom Jones, bk.
XV., ch. viii. Mr. Nightingale, and his
love, stepped into a hackney-coach, which
conveyed him to Doctors' Commons,
where Miss Nancy was, in vulgar
language, soon MADE AN HONEST
WOMAN.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
1825. SCOTT, St. Ronan's Welt,
ch. xxv. My right honourable father
nourished some thoughts of MAKING AN
HONEST WOMAN of Marie de Martiguy, and
a legitimate elder brother of Francis.
1827. EGAN, Anecdotes of the Turf,
p. 182. She had now only to play her
cards well, she was sure of winning the
game, also of becoming an HONEST
WOMAN.
AS HONEST A MAN AS WHEN
KINGS ARE OUT, phr. (old). —
Knavish.
HONEST ASTHE SKIN BETWEEN
THE BROWS (or HORNS), phr.
(old). — As honest as may be.
1551. W. STILL, Gammer Gurtons
Needle, (O.P.), ii., 67. I am as true, I
wold thou knew, AS SKIN BETWENE THY
BROWS.
1599. JONSON, Every Man out of his
Humour, ii., 2. Punt. Is he magnani-
mous? Gent. As THE SKIN BETWEEN
YOUR BROWS, sir.
1600. SHAKSPEARE, Much Ado, iii.,
5. An old man, sir, and his wits are not so
blunt, as, God help, I would desire they
were, but in faith, HONEST, AS THE SKIN
BETWEEN HIS BROWS.
1614. JONSON, Bartholomew Fair,
iv., 5. It shall be justified to thy husband's
faish, now ; tou shall be as HONESHT AS
THE SKIN BETWEEN HIS HORNSH, la.
HONEST INJUN I phr. (American).
— A. pledge of sincerity ; HONOUR
BRIGHT (q.v.).
1884. CLEMENS [Mark Twain],
Huckleberry Finn. She says ' HONEST
INJUN, now hain't you been telling me a
lot of lies?' ' HONEST INJUN' says I.
1892. Detroit Free Press, 12 Aug.
I'll agree not to feel hard about it.
HONEST INJUN ?
HONEY, subs. (American). — i. A
good fellow.
1888. Missouri Republican, 24 Feb.
Dave is a HONEY.
2. (rhyming slang). — Money.
For synonyms, see ACTUAL and
GILT.
3. (old colloquial). — A term of
endearment.
4. (venery). — Thesemen. Also.
WHITE HONEY (q.v.}. C/.,HIVE.
Verb (American). — To cajole ;
to exchange endearments ; to
deceive by soft words or promises.
159*5. SHAKSPEARE, Hamlet, iii., 4.
Stew'd in corruption ; HONEYING and
making love Over the nasty sty.
1602. MARSTON, A ntonio and
Mellida, A. 4. Can'st thou not HONEY
me with fluent speach, And even adore my
toplesse villany ?
1604. MARSTON and WEBSTER,
Malcontent, O.P., iv., 66. O unpeerable !
invention rare ! Thou god of policy, it
HONIES me.
1631. CHETTLE, Hoffman. Clo. A
pretious villaine : a good villaine too.
Well if he be no worse ; that is doe worse.
And HONEY me in my death - stinging
thought^, I will preferre him.
1888. Tuskaloosa News. It is of no
use to HONEY ; payments must be made at
least once a year.
TO SELL HONEY FOR A HALF-
PENNY, verb. phr. (old). — To
rate at a vile price.
1592. NASHE, Pierce Penilesse [1842],
p. 43. Thou that in thy dialogues SOLDST
HUNNIE FOR A HALFE-PENIE, and the
choysest writers extant for cues a peece.
HONEY -BLOBS, subs. (Scots').—
Large, ripe, yellow gooseberries.
1746. WALPOLE, Letters, i., 144. As
he returned to the Tower, he stopped the
coach at Charing Cross to buy HONEY-
BLOBS, as the Scotch call gooseberries.
HONEYCOMB, subs. (old). — A sweet-
heart ; a general term of endear-
ment.
Honey-fogle.
339
Hoodlum.
1552. HULOET, Abcedarium, s.v.
DARLYNGE, a wanton terme used in
veneriall speach, as be these : HONYCOMBE,
pyggisnye, swetehert, true love.
HONEY-FOGLE (or FUGLE), verb.
(American). — To cheat ; to
swindle ; to humbug. For syn-
onyms, see GAMMON.
1888. Missouri Republican, 20 Jan.
Noonan's companion objected to this
HONEY-FUGLING by knocking the demon-
strative stranger down.
HONEY - POT, subs. (old). — The
female pudendum. For syn-
onyms, see MONOSYLLABLE.
1719. DURFEY, Pills, etc., iii., 342.
For when you have possession got, Of
Venus' Mark, or HONY-POT.
HONOUR BRIGHT I intj. (common).
— Upon my honour.
1819. MOORE, Tom Crib, p. 36. At
morning meet, and, — HONOUR BRIGHT, —
Agree to share the blunt and tatters !
1843. SELBY, Antony and Cleopatra
Married. Cle. Will you love me as
dearly as ever? Ant. Dearer, dear
Chloe, dearer! Cle. HONOUR? Ant.
BRIGHT and SHINING.
1869. F. HALL, Marginal reading to
LYNDSAY'S Satire of Three Estates
[E.E. Text Soc.], p. 382. She is more
than a match for twenty-four a night,
HONOUR BRIGHT.
1878. HATTON, Cruel London, bk.
VIII , ch. ii. HONOUR BRIGHT, no kid, as
we say in London.
1881. W. BLACK, Beautiful Wretch,
ch. xix. ' I do not mean to marry Mr.
Jacomb, if that is what you mean.' ' No?
HONOUR BRIGHT?' 'I shall not marry
Mr. Jacomb.'
1892. Casselfs Sat. Jour., 28 Sep.,
p. 29., c. 3. 'Come, come, Mr. Smith,
you're drawing the long bow ! ' ' HONOUR
BRIGHT, I'm not.'
1892. N. GOULD, Double Event,
'. 'She did, HONOUR BRIGHT,' said
irk.
HOOD, Two FACES UNDER ONE
HOOD (or HAT), phr. (old).—
Double-dealing.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HOOD.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
1823. BEE, Diet. Turf, s.v. HOOD.
May the man be d d and never grow
fat, Who carries TWO FACES UNDER ONE
HAT.
To PUT A BONE IN ONE'S
HOOD, verb. phr. (obsolete). — To
cuckold.
1560. Nice Wanton (DoosLEY, Old
Plays, 4th ed., 1875, ii., 169). I could tell
you who putteth A BONE IN YOUR HOOD.
Ibid. (p. 170), Then by the rood, A BONE
IN YOUR HOOD, I shall put you ere long.
HOODLUM, subs. (American). — A
boy rough. Also, a rough of
either sex. Also (political), a
low - class voter. Originally
Californian. C/., ARAB.
1872. Sacramento Weekly Union,
24 Feb., p. 2. All the boys to be trained
as scriveners, tape-measurers, counter-
hoppers, clerks, pettifoggers, polite loafers,
street-hounds, HOODLUMS, and bummers.
1877. Los Angeles Express, 25 Aug.
A gang of boys .... associated for the
purpose of stealing. . . . Their words of
warning were ' Huddle 'em, Huddle 'em:'
.... soon contracted into HOODLUM.
1877. Boston Journal, Aug. You at
the East have but little idea of the HOOD-
LUMS of this city. They compose a class
of criminals of both sexes, far more
dangerous than are to be found in the
Eastern cities. They travel in gangs, and
are ready at any moment for the perpetra-
tion of any crime.
1877. Congregationalist, 26 Sep. A
newspaper man attempting to coin a word
to designate a gang of young street Arabs
under the beck ot one named ' Muldoon,'
hit upon noodlums, simply reversing the
leader's name. . . . The compositor, taking
the n for an h, printed it HOODLUM.
1877. Morning Call, 27 Oct. The
rowdy element in the city .... who were
soon after designated as HOODLUMS.
1885. G. A. SALA, in Daily Tele-
graph, 12 Aug., p. 5, c. 5. In order to
guard against the contingency of the
white HOODLUMS, or roughs, coming down
in force from the American quarter of the
city [San Francisco], and ' going fcr' the
Celestials.
Hoodman.
340
Hoof.
1888. Missouri Republican, 31 Mar.
It is conceded by all that the HOODLUMS
have nominated weak men, and the citizens
will have easy sailing on Tuesday.
1890. NORTON, Political American-
isms, s.v. HOODLUMS, A general name
for roughs. It originated on the Pacific
coast, as the designation of a com-
pany of young ruffians in San Francisco
(about 1868). Subsequently it spread East-
ward, and attained some political signifi-
cance ; as ' the HOODLUM element ' in
politics.
1892. Pall Malt [Gaz., 29 Feb., p. 2,
c. 2. A right of public meeting dependent
on the good will of the HOODLUM is not
worth having.
1893. National Observer, 4 Mar.,
ix., 398. In America, home of the HOOD-
LUM, where they turn their murderers
nto mayors.
HOODMAN, subs. (old). — A blind
man ; a GROPER (q.v.).
Adj. (old).— i. Blind. Also
HOODMAN BLIND = blind drunk ;
<f., sense 2. Fr., berhi and sans
mirettes.
2. (streets). — Drunk. For
synonyms, see DRINKS and
SCREWED.
HOOF, subs, (common). — A foot.
For synonyms, see CREEPERS.
1836. M. SCOTT, Cruise of the
Midge, p. 134. Contriving in their com-
plex twirlifications not only to tread
heavily on my toes with his own HOOFS,
but to hop his partner repeatedly over the
same unfortunate members.
1838. GRANT, Sketches in London,
p. 213. He again put both his ugly HOOFS
on it.
1867. BROWNE (' Artemus Ward '),
Among the Mormons [People's ed.], p. 193.
Waving their lily-white HOOFS in the
dazzling waltz.
1892. SYDNEY WATSON, Wops the
Waif, ch. iv., p. 5. Teddy, look out,
yer've got yer HOOF on my trotters ! '
Verb (common). — To kick ;
e.g., TO HOOF (or TOR) ONE'S
BUM ; to ROOT (q.v. for synonyms).
Hence TO HOOF OUT = to eject;
to dismiss ; to discharge j to
decline to see.
TO HOOF IT, (or TO PAD Or BEAT
THE HOOF), verb. phr. (common).
To walk ; to ' tramp it ' ; to run
away. For synonyms, see AMPU-
TATE and SKEDADDLE. Hence
HOOF-PADDING.
1596. SHAKSPEARE, Merry Wives,
i., 3. Rogues, hence, avaunt, vanish like
hailstones, go : Trudge, plod, AWAY o'
THE HOOF.
d. 1687. COTTON, Poems, ' Epistles '
(CHALMERS English Poets), vi., 736.
Being then on foot away I go And BANG
THE HOOF incognito.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew.
s.v. HOOF IT or BEAT IT ON THE HOOF,
to walk on Foot.
1691 -2. WOOD, A thence Oxonienses,\\. ,
560. Landing at Liverpool, in Lancashire,
they all SEATED IT ON THE HOOF thence to
London.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
1772. CUMBERLAND. Fashionable
Lover. Prologue. I am a devil, so please
you, and must HOOF Up to the poet yonder
with this proof.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HOOF. To BEAT THE HOOF, to travel on
foot ; he HOOFED IT, or BEAT THE HOOF,
every step of the way from Chester to
London.
1813. J. and H. SMITH, Horace in
London, 4 Hurly-Burly,' p. 24. When
hostile squadrons BEAT THE HOOF.
1837. DICKENS, Oliver Twist, ch. ix.
Charley Bates expressed his opinion that
it was time TO PAD THE HOOF.
1885. Detroit Free Press, 5 Sept.,
p. i, c i. These busted theatrical people
who are HOOFING IT back to Detroit.
They come along at all hours of the day
and night.
1888. LYNCH, Mountain Mystery,
ch. xviii. I s'posed he was tired out, and
had got over watchin' for tricks. So I
HOOFED IT in.
1892. MILLIKEN, 'Arry Ballads, p. 70.
Scenery's all very proper, but where is the
genuine pot who'd PAD THE 'OOF over the
moors.
Hoof-padder.
34i
Hook.
To SEK ONE'S HOOF IN (a
thing), verb. phr. (common). —
To detect personal influence or
interference in a matter.
1863. THACKERAY, Roundabout Pa-
pers, 'On Screens in Din ing Rooms' (1887,
p. 58). 1 am informed by the same New
York correspondent that .... I or,ce
said to a literary gentleman, who was pos-
sibly pointing to an anonymous article as
his writing, ' Ah ! I thought T RECOG-
NISED YOUR HOOF IN IT.'
HOOF-PADDER,™/^. (common).— A
pedestrian.
HOOFY, adj. (common). — Splay (or
large).
HOOK, subs, (thieves'). — I. A finger.
(Cf., CUNT-HOOKS). For syn-
onyms, see FORK. In plural '=the
hands. Also, HOOKS and FEELERS.
d. 1842. MAGINN, Vidocq Versified.
To his dies my HOOKS I throw in.
1877. Five Years" Penal Servitude,
ch. iv., p. 259. I one day asked a man
.... if the hard work of prison did
not spoil his hands for delicate manipula-
tions. ' Oh, bless you, no ! ' he replied ;
. . . . . In a week or two a man can bring
his HOOKS and feelers into full working
trim again and no mistake.'
2. (thieves'). — A thief. Speci-
fically, a pickpocket ; a HOOKER
(q.v.). For synonyms, see
THIEVES.
1562. Jacke Juggler (DoosLEY, Old
Plays, 4th ed., 1875, ii., 139). So, yonder
cometh that unhappy HOOK.
1887. HORSLEY, Jottings from Jail.
Take my tip and turn square, from a HOOK
who is going to be lagged, would be, in
common parlance, take my advice and get
your living honestly.
1892. ANSTEY, Voces Populi (and
Series). ' In Trafalgar Square.' A pro-
fessional HOOK.
3. (common).— A catch; an
advantage ; an imposture.
Verb(o\&}.— i. Torob; to steal.
Specifically, to steal watches,
rings, etc., from a shop by cutting
a small hole in the window, and
fishing for such articles with a
piece of string with a hook
at the end.
1615. Albumazar, iii., 3. Is not this
braver than sneak all night in danger,
Picking of locks, or HOOKING cloths at
windows.
b. 1796. BURNS, Jolly Beggars. For
mony a pursie she had HOOKIT.
1876. CLEMENS [Mark Twain], Tom
Sawyer, p. 34. And while Aunt Pclly
closed with a happy Scriptural flourish,
Tom HOOKED a doughnut.
1884. M. TWAIN, Buck. Finn, xxx.,
312. Didn't you have it in your mind to
HOOK the money and hide it?
2. (colloquial). — To secure, as
for marriage ; to marry.
1886. J. S. WINTER, Army Society,
ch. xviii. I wonder if Mrs. Traff has
contrived to HOOK him for her sweet
Laura.
1892. MANVILLE FENN, New
Mistress, ch. xxv. Have you I will — there
now. Don't you think you're going to
HOOK Lambent.
Intj. (Oxford Univ.). —An
expression implying doubt.
[Query from the note of interro-
gation (?) or connected with
HOOKEY WALKER (q.v.}.'}
ON THE HOOK, subs. phr.
(common). — i. On the thieve; ON
THE CROSS (q.V.).
2. (old).— On the HlP (q.v.);
at an advantage.
1694. CONGREVE, Double Dealer, iv.,
1 8. Consider I have you ON THE HOOK;
you will but flounder yourself a-weary, and
be nevertheless my prisoner.
HOOK AND EYE, subs. phr.
(tailors'). — Arm in arm.
To TAKE (or SLING) ONE'S
HOOK (or TO HOOK IT), verb. phr.
(common). — To decamp; to run
away. For synonyms, see AMPU-
TATE and SKEDADDLE.
Hook.
342
Hook.
.1851-61. MAYHEW, Land. Lab. and
Lond. Poor, ii., 137. He slipped from her
and HOOKED IT.
1852. DICKENS, Bleak House, ch.
xlvi. ' HOOK IT ! Nobody wants you
here,' he ses. ' You HOOK IT. You go
and tramp,' he ses.
1856. BRADLEY [Cuthbert Bede],
Tales of College Life, p. 36. HOOK IT !
old 'un, HOOK IT !
1861. H. KINGSLEY, Ravenshoe, ch.
xli. They all begins to get a bit noisy and
want to fight, and so I HOOKED IT.
1891. Licensed Viet. Gaz., 16 Jan.,
p. 43, col. 3. If you lot don't HOOK IT,
I'll stave in your blooming cocoa-nuts.
1891. Sportsman, 2 Apr., p. 2, col. i.
Plainly the worthy magistrate laid it down
that a wife may HOOK IT when and how
s'le pleases.
1892. ANSTEY, Model Music Hall,
129-30. TAKE YOUR 'OOK while you
cm. Even now the outraged populace
approaches.
1892. MILLIKEN, 'Arry Ballads, p.
58. I went jest for a lark, and wos
quietly SLINGING MY 'OOK.
1892. KIPLING, Barrack-Room Bal-
lads, 'Loot.' Before you SLING YOUR
'OOK, at the 'ousetops take a look.
1892. Globe, 19 Oct., p. 3. Again
from some neighbouring roof comes back
the weird responsive cry, HOOK IT ! HOOK
1892. HERBERT CAMPBELL, Broad-
side Ballad, ' Then Up Comes I with My
little Lot.' And the houses shook and the
copper TOOK HIS 'OOK, and down come all
the tiles.
To DROP (GO, or POP) OFF THE
HOOKS, verb. phr. (common). —
I. To die. For synonyms, see
ALOFT.
1837. BARHAM, Ingoldsby Legends,
1 Black Mousquetaire.' I fear by his looks,
Our friend, Francis Xavier, has POPP'D
OFF THE HOOKS !
1842. Punch's Almanack, Dec. 15.
Death wandered by the sea And struck by
Walton's looks Broke Isaac's line of lite
And TOOK HIM OFF THE HOOKS.
1872. M. E. BRADDON, Dead Sea
Fruit, ch, iv. ' S'pose the odds are
against Jerningham GOING OFF THE
HOOKS between this and the first spring-
meeting, so as to give a party a chance
with Mrs. J. herself,' speculates young
Belgravia, dreamily.
1880. GREENWOOD, Odd People in
Odd Places, p. 37. I thought, to be sure,
I was GOING OFF THE HOOKS, and it was
no use talking about it.
1890. GRANT ALLEN, Tents of Shem,
ch. xii. The old man has POPPED OFF
THE HOOKS this afternoon at Aix.
2. (colloquial). — Toget married.
1876. M. E. BRADDON, Joshua
Haggard, ch. x. Some of the young chaps
will be wanting her to get married. These
here pretty ones GO OFF THE HOOKS so
soon.
To HOOK ON TO, verb. phr.
(colloquial). — To attach oneself
to; TO BUTTONHOLE (q.V.} ; to
follow up.
1892. MILLIKEN, 'Arry Ballads, p.
4. It's nuts to 'OOK ON TO a swell.
ON ONE'S OWN HOOK, adv-
phr. (colloquial). — On one's own
account, risk, or responsibility; for
one's own sake ; dependent on
one's own resources or exertions.
1847. ROBB, Squatter Life, p. 23.
The signal was given, and in poured the
subscribers to the dinner, with their guest,
and in poured John ON HIS OWN HOOK.
1849. THACKERAY, Pendennis, ch.
Ixix. Do we come out as Liberal Conser-
vative, or as Government man, or ON OUR
OWN HOOK ?
1861. WHYTE MELVILLE, Good for
Nothing, ch. xxvii. I worked ON MY OWN
HOOK, after that, and I rather think I paid
my expenses.
1869. GREENWOOD, Seven Curses of
London, p. 409. To steal ON YOUR OWN
HOOK as a bookmaker.
1889. Answers, p. 52, c. 3. Finally
Edison went to work on HIS OWN HOOK
1893. EMERSON, Signor Lippo, ch.
viii. We used to have to part company
and go in twos and threes then ON OUR
OWN HOOK.
Hook.
343
Hook.
BY HOOK OR BY CROOK, phr.
(colloquial). — By some means or
other ; by fair means or foul ; at
al hazards. [Probably of for-
estal origin.]
d. 1298. THOMAS THE RHYMER, On
Parliaments. Their work was BY HOOK
OR CROOK to rap and bring all under the
emperor's power.
1525. Bodmin Register. Dynmure
Wood was ever open and common to the
. . inhabitants of Bodmin .... to
bear away upon their backs a burden of
lop, crop, HOOK, CROOK, and bag wood.
d. 1529. SKELTON, Collyn Cloute.
Nor wyll suffer this boke BY HOOKE NE BY
CROOKE Prynted for to be.
1550. BACON, Fortress of the Faith-
ful. Whatsoever is pleasant or profitable
must be theirs BY HOOK OR BY CROOK.
1557. TUSSER, G)od Husbandrie, 30
Mar. Watch therefore in Lent, to thy
sheepe go and look, For dogs will have
Vlttels BY HOOKE AND BY CROOKE.
1566. ARCHBP. PARKER, Correspon-
dence (Parker Soc.), p. 252. To win him
in time, BY HOOK OR CROOK.
1596. SPENSER, Faery Queen, v., 2,
27. The spoyle of people's euill gotten
good, The which her sire had scrapt BY
HOOKE AND CROOKE.
1598. FLORIO, Worlde of Wordes,
s.v. Barocco, a shift made for good cheere,
meate and drinke gotten BY HOOKE OR
CROOKE.
1621. BURTON, Anatomy of Melan-
choly, xi., 186 (1836). BY HOOK AND BY
CROOK he will obtain it.
1629. FONSECA [Eng. by J. M.].
Devout Contemplations. Bee it BY HOOKE
OR BY CROOKE, by right or wrong.
1678. BUTLER, Hudibras, iii., i.
Which he BY HOOK, OR CROOK, had
gather'd.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
By Hedge or By Style, BY HOOK OR BY
CROOK.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s v.
1781. COWPER, Letter to Newton,
12 July. And BY HOOK OR CROOK, with
another book, If I live and am here, an-
other year.
1820. REYNOLDS [Peter Corcoran].
The Fancy. Father, ere our purpose cool,
Get down BY HOOK OR CROOK to Liver-
pool.
1824. HiTCHiNGsand DREWE, Hist.
Cornwall, ii., 214. The prior's cross, on
which is cut the figure of a hook and a
crook, in memory of the privilege granted
... to the poor . . . for gathering such
boughs and branches of such trees ... as
they could reach with a hook or by a crook
. . . whence . . . they will have it BY
HOOK AND BY CROOK.
1836. MICHAEL SCOTT, Cruise of
the Midge, p. 363. We must be manned
BY HOOK OR CROOK, you know, however
unwilling to distress running ships.
1868. READE and BOUCICAULT, Foul
Play, p. 54. Several fellow-creatures have
cheated me. Well, I must get as mu:h
back, BY HOOK OR BY CROOK, from several
fellow-creatures.
1883. W. BLACK, Yolande, ch. xlix.
I should get you a ticket BY HOOK OR BY
CROOK, if I failed at the ballot ; I heard
that one was sold for ,£40 the last time.
1888. RIDER HAGGARD, 'Mrs. Mee-
son's Will ' [in Illustrated News, Summer
Number, p. 5, c. i]. Somehow or other, it
would go hard if, with the help of the one
hundred a year that he had of his own, he
did not manage, with his education, to get
a living BY HOOK OR BY CROOK.
WITH A HOOK AT THE END,
phr. (common). — A reservation
of assent; OVER THE LEFT (q.v.}',
IN A HORN (q.V.}. Cf.,HOOK,
intj. : and HOOKEY WALKER.
1823. BEE, Diet, of the Turf, s.v.
HOOKEY WALKER— and WITH A HOOK,
usually accompanied by a significant up-
liftment of the hand and crooking of the
forefinger, implying that what is said is a
lie, or is to be taken contrary-wise.
1843. MONCRIEFF, Scamps of London,
i., i. Bob. Will you have some gin ?
Fogg. Gin — Yes ! Bob (taming away).
Ha— ha !— WITH A HOOK ... I wish you
may get it.
1870. TRAILL, Saturday Songs, p.
22. It's go and go over the left, It's go
WITH A HOOK AT THE END.
OFF THE HOOKS, phr. (old).
— Out of temper; vexed;
disturbed ; out of sorts. Fr.,
sortirdeses gonds-- off the HINGES
(q.v.}. For synonyms, see NAB
THE RUST.
Hook and Snirey. 344
Hooker.
1639-61. Rump Songs. 'Bum-fodder.'
That's a thing would please the Butchers
and Cooks, To see this stinking Rump
quite OFF THE HOOKS.
1665. PEPYS, Diary, 26 May. In
the evening by water to the Duke of
Albemarle, whom I found mightily OFF
THE HOOKS, that the ships are not gone
out of the River ; which vexed me to see.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew,
s.v. HOOKS. OFF THE HOOKS, in an
ill Mood, or out of Humour.
d. 1704. L'EsTRANGE [quoted in
Ency. Diet.]. Easily put OFF THE HOOKS,
and monstrous hard to be pleased again.
1719. DURFEY, Pills, etc., iii., 22.
Another that's in the Blacksmith's Books,
And only to him for remedy looks, Is
when a Man is quite OFF THE HOOKS.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
1825. SCOTT, St. Ronan's Well, ch.
xxx. Everybody that has meddled in
this St. Ronan's business is a little OFF
THE HOOKS — .... in plain words, a
little crazy.
HOOK AND SNIVEY (or HOOKUM
SNIVEY), subs. phr. (old). — i.
An imposture ; specifically, the
getting of food on false pretences.
1781. G. PARKER, View of Society,
ii., 79. ' HOOK AND SNIVEY, with JSix
the Buffer ' [Title],
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
HOOK AND SNIVEY WITH Nix THE
BUFFER. This rig consists in feeding a
man and a dog for nothing. . . . Three
men, one of whom pretends to be sick and
unable to eat, go to a public house ; the
two well men make a bargain with the
landlord for their dinner, and when he is
out of sight feed their pretended sick com-
panion and dog gratis.
1823. BEE, Diet. Turf. s.v. HOOK
AND SNIVVY — practised by soldiers in
quarters when they obtain grub for nix.
1835 in Comic Almanack 1835-43
(Hotten), p. 17, Zoological Society at
HOOKEM SNIVEY. A new animal has been
transmitted from No-Man's Land, which
has been named the Flat-Catcher.
2. (old). — An impostor as des-
cribed in sense I.
3. (streets). — A contemptuous
or sarcastic affirmation, accom-
panied by the gesture of TAKING
A SIGHT (q.V. } Or PLAYING
HOOKEY (q.V.).
4. (thieves'). — A crook of thick
iron wire in a wooden handle,
used to undo the wooden bolts of
doors from without.
1801. EDGEWORTH. Irish Bulls,
With that I ranges 'em fair and even on my
HOOK 'EM SNIVEY, up they goes.
HOOKED, adj. (old). — See quot.
1690. B E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HOOKT, over-reached, Snapt, Trickt.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HOOKER, subs. (Old Cant). — i. A
thief ; an ANGLER (q.v.). Also,
(modern) a watch-stealer ; a DIP
(q.v.). Cf., quots. 1567 and
1888.
1567. HARMAN, Caveat, p. 35. These
HOKERS, or Angglers, be peryllous and
most wicked knaues, .... they custom-
ably carry with them a stafife of v. or vi.
foote long, in which, within one ynch of
Me 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.
1610. ROWLANDS, Martin Mark-all,
p. 8 (H. Club's Rept., 1874). They are
sure to be clyd in the night by the angler,
or HOOKER, or such like pilferers that Hue
upon the spoyle of other poore people.
d. 1626. JOHN DAVIES, Scourge of
Folly, p. 34. [Wks., Ed. Grosart]. A
false knaue needs no brokers, but a broker
Needs a false knaue (a hangman or a
HOOKER).
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HOOKERS, the third Rank of Canters ; also
Sharpers.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
1834. H. AINSWORTH, Rookwood,
bk. III., ch. v. No strange Abram,
ruffler crack, HOOKER of another pack.
1888. Tit Bits, 17 Nov., p. 82, col.
2. There are usually three men in a
gang ; the HOOKER having got into
conversation with his man, number two
'covers' his movements, whilst number
three (on the opposite side of the
Hookey.
345
Hoop.
street) keeps a look-out for the ' enemy.'
The HOOKER, having by careful manipu-
lation got a hold of the desired prize, de-
taches it from the chain by breaking the
ring and passes it to number two, who in
turn passes it on to number three, from
whom it is usually transferred to a receiver
and melted down within a few hours of its
being purloined.
2. (American). — A prostitute :
i.e., a fisher, angler, or HOOKER
of men. For synonyms, see
BARRACK HACK and TART.
deuoe he meant by that ? ' Whereat the
snob (having done nothing at all) coolly
answereth (as the Pestilent Freshman in-
tended he should) HOOKY WALKER, pro-
vocative of a combat.
HOOKING - cow, subs. (Western
American). — A cow that shows
fight.
1887. FRANCIS, Saddle and Mocassin.
One .... was .... a HOOKING-COW,
and to escape her repeated charges tested
all our ability.
HOOKEY. To PLAY HOOKEY, verb,
phr. (American). — To play
truant ; to do CHARLEY-WAG
(q.v.).
1876. CLEMENS [Mark Twain], Tom
Sawyer, p. 100. Took his flogging ....
for PLAYING HOOKEY the day before.
To DO (or PLAY) HOOKEY (or
HOOKY), verb. phr. (common). —
To apply the thumb and fingers
to the nose; TO TAKE A SIGHT
(q.V.) ; TO COFFEE-MILL (q.V.).
HOOKEY WALKER I (or WALKER 1)
intj. (common). — Be off! go
away. Also implying doubt. Cf. ,
WITH A HOOK. [BEE : From
John Walker, a hook-nosed spy,
whose reports were proved to be
fabrications. ]
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
HOOKEY WALKER, An expression signify-
ing that the story is not true, or that he
thing will not occur.
1843. DICKENS, Christmas Carol
[1843], p. 169. 'Buy it,' said Scrooge.
' WALKER! ' said the boy.
1837. BARHAM, Ingoldsby Legends.
' Old Woman Clothed in Grey.1 For
mere unmeaning talk her Parch'd lips
babbled now, —such as HOOKEY! — and
WALKER ! — She expired, with her last
breath expressing a doubt If ' his Mother
were fully aware he was out? '
1840. ' Characters of Freshmen '
(WHIBLEY, Cap and Gown, p. 183). The
pestilent freshman .... is very pugna-
cious, and walking in the streets suddenly
turneth and a keth a huge snob ' what tie
HOOK-POINTED(orHOOK-PINTLED),
adj. (venery). — Imperfectly
erected. Cf., LOB (q.v.).
HOOK- POLE LAY, subs. phr. (old). —
Pulling a man off his horse by
means of iron hooks at the end of
a long pole, and plundering him.
(SMITH, Lives of Highwaymen,
III., 192, 1720).
HOOK-SHOP, subs. (American). — A
brothel. [HOOKER (q.v.) =
prostitute.] For synonyms, see
NANNY-SHOP.
HOOP, subs. (American). — I. A
ring.
2. (Devon). — See BULLFINCH.
3. (venery).— The female pu-
dendum. For synonyms, see
MONOSYLLABLE.
Verb (old). — To beat. To
WELL HOOP ONE'S BARREL = to
thrash soundly. For synonyms,
see TAN.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
TO HOOP IT (or GO THROUGH
THE HOOP), verb. phr. (old). — I.
To pass the Insolvent Debtor's
Court J TO GET HOOPED UP =
WHITEWASHED (q.V.). For
synonyms, see DEAD-BROKE.
Hooper's Hide. 346
Hop.
2. (old). — To run away. For
synonyms, see AMPUTATE and
SKEDADDLE.
1839. BRANDON, Poverty, Mendicity,
and Crime, 116. I have heard them tell
.... boys .... who have HOOPED IT
from home that they had better go back
whilst they had a home to go to.
HOOPER'S HIDE, subs. phr. (old
venery). — Copulation. For syn-
onyms, see GREENS.
1719. DURFEY, Pills, etc., i., 278.
The while that his wife with Willy Was
playing at HOOPER'S HIDE.
HOOP-STICK, subs, (common). — The
arm. For synonyms, see CHALK
FARM.
HOOSIER, subs. (American). — A
native of Indiana. [Perhaps the
most reasonable of several inge-
nious explanations is, that in the
early days the customary challenge
or greeting in that region was,
' Who's yer ? ' (who's here ? ) :
pronounced hoosier. — NORTON.]
1843. D. CORCORAN, A Genuine
Hoosier. An original character is your
genuine HOOSIER. By genuine, we mean
such a one as has all the attributes that
peculiarly belong to the back-woodsmen of
the West.
1847. DARLEY, Drama in Pokerville,
p. 197. None of them ' cotton'd ' to him
more kindly than an elderly HOOSIER from
the innermost depths of Indiana.
1848. DURIVAGE, Stray Subjects, p.
79. There is a swarm of ' suckers,' ' HOO-
SIERS,' 'buckeyes,' 'corn-crackers,' and
' wolverines ' eternally on the qui vive in
those parts.
HOOTER, subs. (American). — i A
steam-whistle ; an AMERICAN
DEVIL (q.v.\
2. (colloquial). — A wooden
trumpet, so contrived as to make
a horrible noise.
3. (American). — A corruption
of ' iota ' : e.g. , ( I don't care a
HOOTER for him.'
HOOTING-PUDDING, subs, (provin-
cial).— A plum-pudding with such
a paucity of plums that you can
hear them hcoting after each
other. — Slang, Jargon, and Cant.
HOP, subs, (common). — A dance.
[Generally informal, as a CINDER-
ELLA {q.v. ).] Also, as in quot.
1579, the motions of dancing.
For synonyms, s^e SKIP.
1579. GOSSON, Schoole of Abuse, p.
33 (Arber's Ed.). He gaue Dauncers great
stipends for selling their HOPPS.
1811. JANE AUSTEN, Sense and S.,
ch. ix. At a little HOP at the park, he
danced from eight o clock till four.
1823. BEE, Diet. Turf, s.v. HOP—
a contra-dance of ordinary persons and
promiscuous company is ' a HOP ' and ' a
penny-Hop" from the price formerly paid
for admission.
1830. LYTTON, Paul Clifford, iv.
He gave them from time to time a very
agreeable HOP.
1847. THACKERAY, Mrs. Perkins s
Ball (Mr. Larkins). To describe this
gentleman's infatuation for dancing, let
me say, in a word, that he will even
frequent boarding-house HOPS, rather than
not go.
1848. RUXTON, Life in the Fa?-
West, p. 189. The ' temple ' was generally
cleared for a HOP two or three times
during the week.
1850. SMEDLEY, Frank Fairleigh,
p. i2i. You'll be at old Coleman's HOP to-
night, I suppose ; so bye ! bye ! for the
present.
1852. BRISTED, Upper Ten Thousand,
p. 129. Two undress-balls — HOPS they
1882. Daily Telegraph, 13 Nov., p.
5, c. 3. At all seasons there is an
immense amount of dancing ; and at
Washington there are continual 'hotel
HOPS ' in the winter.
1887. W. S. GILBERT, Patience, ii.
Prefers suburban HOPS To all your
Monday Pops.
1889. Lippincott, Oct., p. 447. Hang
me if she isn't always on the plain, or at a
HOP, with one of those twin kids !
Hop.
347
Hop.
1392. KIPLING, Barrack Room
Ballads. ' Gentlemen Rankers.' To dance
with blowzy housemaids at the regimental
HOPS.
HOP-AND-GO-KICK, subs. phr.
(tailors'). — A lameter ; a HOP-
AND-GO-ONE. Cf.y DOT-AND-
CARRY-ONE.
To HOP THE WAG, verb. phr.
(common). — To play truant, or
CHARLEY- WAG (q.v.).
1851-61. MAYHEW, Land. Lab. and
Land. Poor, iii., 207. They often per-
suaded me TO HOP THE WAG, that is play
truant from school.
To HOP (or JUMP) OVER THE
BROOM (or BROOMSTICK), verb,
phr. (colloquial). — To live as
husband and wife ; to LIVE (or
GO) TALLY (q.V.).
1811. POOLE, Hamlet Travestied,
ii., 3. JUMP O'ER A BROOMSTICK, but don't
make a farce on The marriage ceremonies
of the parson.
1851-61. MAYHEW, Land. Lab. and
Land. Poor, i. , 336. There was always a
BROOMSTICK wedding. Without that cere-
mony a couple weren't looked on as man
and wife.
1860. DICKENS, Great Expectations,
xlviii. , 227. This woman in Gerrard Street,
here, had been married very young, OVER
THE BROOMSTICK (as we say), to a tramping
man.
c. 18(79). Broadside Ballad, ' David
Dove that Fell in Love.' By L. M. THORN-
TON. The girl that I had hoped to hear
Pronounce my happy doom, sir, Had
bolted with a carpenter, In fact HOPPED
O'ER THE BROOM, sir.
TO HOP THE TWIG, verb,
phr. (common). — I. To leave j to
runaway; TO SKEDADDLE (q.v.).
For synonyms, see AMPUTATE.
1785. GROSE, Vitlg. Tongue, s.v.
1789. GEO. PARKER, Life's Painter,
p. 143. HOP THE TWIG .... means to
depart suddenly.
1830. EGAN, Finish to Life in
London, p. 217. I have lost my ticker ;
uud all my toggery has been boned, I am
nearly as naked as when I was born — and
the cause— the lady bird— has HOPPED THE
TWIG.
1884. Daily News, 31 Oct., p. 3, c. i.
They knocked the Liberals down as fast as
they could until they got too numerous
and strong, and then we HOPPED THE
TWIG.
1888. All the Year Round, 9 June
543. To HOP THE TWIG . . . and the like,
are more flippant than humorous.
2. (common). — To die ; to
' kick the BUCKET ' (q.v.); to PEG
OUT (?.».). Also TO HOP OFF.
ENGLISH SYNONYMS. To he
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
hooks ; to go under ; to go up ;
to kick the bucket ; kickeraboo
(West Indian) ; to lay down
one's knife and fork ; to lose the
member of one's mess ; to mizzle ;
to pass in one's checks ; to peg
out ; to put on a wooden surtout ;
to be put to bed with a shovel ;
to slip one's cable ; to stick one's
spoon in the wall ; to snuff it ; to
take an earth bath ; to take a
ground sweat.
FRENCH SYNONYMS. — Passer
Far me a gauche (pop. : = to
ground arms) ; casser sa pipe
( = to break one's pipe); dtvisser
or decoller son billard ( = to break
one's cue) ; graisser ses bottes ( =
to grease one's boots) ; avaler sa
langue ( = to swallow one's
tongue) ; avaler sa gaffe ( = to
lower one's boat-hook) ; avaler sa
cuiller or sa fourchette ( = to
swallow one's spoon or one's
fork) ; avaler ses baguettes (mili-
tary : = to swallow one's drum-
sticks) ; n' avoir plus mal aux
dents ( = to get rid of the tooth-
ache : mal de dents, also = love) j
Hop.
34*
Hop.
poser sa chique (pop. : = to put
down one's quid) ; claquer (famil-
iar : = to croak* ; saltier le public
(theat. : = to go before the curtain) ;
recevoir son decompte (military :=-•
to get one's quietus ; decompte
= also [military] a mortal wound);
cracker son embouchure ( = to
spit one's mouthpiece) ; deteindre
(pop. : = to wash off one's colour) ;
donner son dernier bon a
tirer (familiar : in American = to
pass in one:s checks ; properly = to
send one's last proof to press) ;
Idcher la perche (pop. : = to hop the
twig) ; eteindre son gaz (pop. : = to
turn off one's gas. Cf., to snuff
it) ; epointer son foret (pop. : = to
blunt one's drill, as in boring);
etre exproprie (pop. : = to be dis-
possessed) ; exproprier ( = to
take possession of a debtor's
land) ; peter son lof (sailor's) ;
fumer ses terres ; fermer son para-
pluie (pop. : = to close one's um-
brella) ; perdre son b&ton (pop. :
= to lose one's walking stick);
descendre la garde (pop. : = to come
off guard) ; defiler la parade (mili-
tary := to face about); tortiller^
or tourner de Fail (pop. ) ; perdre
le gout du pain (pop. : = to
lose one's appetite) ; Ificher
la rampe (theat. : = to chuck
the footlights) ; faire ses petit s
paqitets (pop. : = to pack up one's
traps) ; casser son crachoir
(pop. : = to break one's spittoon) ;
remercier son boulanger (thieves' :
= to thank the baker ; boulanger
= the Devil) ; canner ; devider a
rcstOTgUt (thieves') ; baiser or
epouser la Camarde or camarder
(pop : = to hug, or go to church
with, Mother Bones [Camarde
= Death] ) ; fuir (thieves' :
= to flee or escape) ; casser son
cable (pop. : =to slip one's cable) ;
casser son fouet (pop. : =to break
one's whip) ; faire sa crevaison
(pop. : <:r<?zw = toburstup) ; dera-
linguer (sailors' :=to loo>e from
the bolt -rope) ; virer de bord
(sailors' : = to tack about) ; dechirer
sonjatix-col(pop. : = to break one's
collar) ; degeler ( = to thaw) ; Wiper
sa meche (coachman's : — to cut
off one's lash) ; piquer sa plaqu
(sailors') ; mettre la table pour tes
asticots (pop. : = to lay the cloth for
the worms) ; aller manger les
pissenlits pat la racine (pop. : = to
go grubbing off dandelion roots) ;
laisserfuir son tonneau (familiar) ;
calancher (vagrants') ; laisser
ses bottes quelque part (familiar :
= to leave one's boots about) ;
dechirer son habit (pop. : = to
tear one's coat) ; dechirer son
tablier (pop. : = to tear one's
apron) ; souffler sa veilleuse
(pop. : = to blow out one's candle :
cf., to snuff it) ; pousser le bourn
du cygne (pop.); avoir son coke
(familiar : = to get one's cargo) ;
rendre sa secousse (pop.); rendre
sa buche (tailors') ; rendre sa
canne au mmistre (military : =
to resign one's commission) ;
rendre sa clef (gipsy : = to give in
one's key) ; rendre son livret (pop.:
= to pass in one's checks) ; passer
au dixieme regiment (military) ;
s'ennuyer (['op. : = to be at
death's door) ; chasser les mouches
(pop. : to go fly-catching) ;
ingurgiter son bilan (popular) ;
resserrer son linge (pop. ) ; faire
sa malle (pop. :=to pack one's
trunk) ; avaler le goujon (pop.) ;
s'habiller de sapin (pop.: = to
put on a wooden surtout) ;
avoir son compte (pop. ) ; battre
de Fail (thieves') ; s'evanouir
(pop. : to mizzle) ; machaber (pop. :
machabre — \ho. Dance of Death) ;
glisser (pop.) ; s'en aller dans le
pays desmarmottes(po\), : warmotte
= puppet) ; dtmenager (pop.: = to
move house)*
Hop.
349
Hop- mercha n f.
GERMAN SYNONYMS. — Kra-
chen gehen ; niftern ; pegern or
peigern ; schochern orvenchochern
( = to get black) ; verschwarzen.
ITALIAN SYNONYMS. Sbasire
(=to faint); sbasire su le funi
( = to faint on the rope).
SPANISH SYNONYMS. — Hacer
bodoques ( = to take an earth bath) ;
liar las ( — also to run away) ; obis-
par ; corvado (= bent, curved);
cierto ( = certain).
1839. DANCE, Alive and Merry, i.,
i. Couldn't you wait a bit till she's
HOPPED OFF, and then you and I could
marry, and be ladies and gentlemen ?
1841. Punch, I., 2, 2. Clare pines in
secret — HOPS THE TWIG and goes to glory
in white muslin.
1842. Punch, vol. II , p. 20, c. 2.
Yet henceforth - dash my wig ! I'll live
with thee, with thee I'll HOP THE TWIG !
1863. Fun, vol. IV., p. 188. The
night when Cromwell died a storm tore up
many of the trees [of St. James's Park] —
though what connexion there may be be-
tween the destruction of their branches
and the HOPPING THE TWIG of the Protector,
we leave to our philosophical readers to
decide.
1870. Chambers s Miscellany, No. 87,
p. 26. That her disease was mortal, was
past a doubt, and a month or two more
or less could make no difference, provided
she HOPPED OFF .... before the year
was expired.
ON THE HOP, adv. phr. (com-
mon). — I. Unawares ; at the
nick of time ; \njlagrante delicto.
Also ON THE H. o. P.
1868. Broadside Ballad, ' The
Chickaleary Cove.' For to catch me ON
THE HOP .... You must wake up very
early in the morning.
1870. London Figaro, 26 Aug. If
to catch any of the more ordinary folk ON
THE HOP is to secure a laugh, what must
it be to catch the Tycoon 'on the— top?*
1872. Daily Telegraph, 3 Sept-
Goodbye, Johnny : before I leave you,
One more kiss before I go. For to catch
me ON THE HOP.
1892. ANSTEY, Model Music Hall,
32. I never saw a smarter hand at serving
m a shop, For every likely customer she
caught UPON THE 'OP.
2. (common). — On the go ;
in motion ; unresting.
1892. MILLIKEN, ' Arry Ballads, p.
22. A deal ON THE 'OP.
3. (colloquial). - See HIP.
HOPEFUL (or YOUNG HOPEFUL),
subs, (colloquial). — A boy or
young man ; in sarcasm or con-
tempt.
1856. BRADLEY ('Cuthbert Bede'),
Tales of College Life, 24. He'll be no
end riled at seeing his HOPEFUL play
truant in this fashion.
HOP- (or HAP-) HARLOT, subs. (old).
— A coarse coverlet; Cf., WRAP-
RASCAL.
1807-8. HOLLINSHED, Chronicles of
England, ch. 12. Covered only with a
sheet, under coverlets made of dag-swain,
Or HOP-HARLOTS.
HOPKINS (Hoppv, or MR. HOP-
KINS), subs. (old). — A lameter.
For synonyms, see DOT-AND-
GO-ONE GILES.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
DON'T HURRY, HOPKINS !
phr. (American). — Ironical to
persons slow to move or to meet
an obligation.
HOP-MERCHANT (or HOPPY), subs.
(common). — A dancing master ;
a CAPER-MERCHANT (q.V.}. AlbO,
a fiddler.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1823. BEE, Diet. Turf, s.v.
1892. SYDNEY WATSUN, Wops the
Waif, ch. iii., p. 4. Who-ay, Cully, here's
HOPPY with the ROZIN.
Hop-o-my-thuinb. 35° Horizontal-refreshment.
HOP-O-MY-THUMB, subs. (com-
mon). — A dwarf.
1599. NASHE, Lenten Stujfe, in Wks.
v., 248. Though the greatnesse of the
redde herring be not small (as small A
HOPPE-ON-MY-THUMBEES hee seemeth).
1603. DEKKER, etc., Patient Grissell,
IV , ii., in Wks. (Grosart) vi., 195. Bab.
No ; he shall not haue them [children] :
knocke out his braines, and saue the little
HOP-A-MY-THOMBES.
1748. SMOLLETT, Rod. Random, ch.
xi. You pitiful HOP-O'-MY-THUMB cox-
comb.
1764. O'HARA, Midas, i., 5. You
Stump-o'-the-gutter, you HOP-O'-MY-
THUMB, A husband must for you from
Lilliput come.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HOP-O-MY-THUMB. She was such a HOP-
O-MY-THUMB that a pigeon, on sitting on
her shoulder, might pick a pea out of her
a — se.
1821. SCOTT, Kenilworth, ch. xi. A
mean-looking HOP-O'-MY-THUMB sort of
person.
1837. BARHAM, Ingoldsby Legends.
'Account of a New Play.' A HOP-O'-
MY-THUMB of a Page.
ENGLISH SYNONYMS.— Go-by-
the-ground; grub; grundy; Jack
Sprat ; little breeches ; shrimp ;
stump-of-the-gutter ; torn-tit.
See also, FORTY- FOOT.
HOPPER, subs, (colloquial). — The
mouth. For synonyms, see PO-
TATO-TRAP.
To GO A HOPPER, verb. phr.
(sporting). — To go quickly.
HOPPER-ARSED (or HIPPED), adj.
(old). — Large in the breech.
Also (as in quot. 1529) snaggy-
boned. Also as subs.
d. 1529. DUNBAR, Poems, ' Complaint
to the King ' (1836, i., 144). With HOPPER-
HIPPIS and hanches narrow.
1672. WYCHERLEY, Love in a Wood,
ii., i. Moreover, she is bow-legged,
HOPPER-HIPPED, and, betw ixt pomatum and
Spanish red, has a complexion like a
Holland cheese.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HOPPER- ARST, when the Breech sticks out.
1704. KING, Orpheus and Eurydice
(CHALMERS English Poets), vol. ix., p.
284. A lady of prodigious fame, Whose
hollow eyes and HCPPER BREECH Made
common people call her witch.
1719. DURFEY, Pills, etc., vi., 351.
And there'll be HOPPER-ARSED Nancy.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HOPPER-DOCKER, subs. (old). —
A shoe. For synonyms, see
TROTTER-CASES.
HOP-PICKER, subs, (common). — i.
Aprostitute; also HOPPING- WIFE.
For synonyms, see BAR'RACK-
HACK and TART.
1888. Indoor Paupers, p. 55. Num-
bers of them go regularly to the hop-
gardens ; and each man must have a
female companion — a HOPPING WIFE as
she is termed.
2. in. pi. (gaming). — The
queens of all the four suits.
HOPPING-GILES, subs, (common).
— A cripple. For synonyms, sec
DOT-AND-GO-ONE.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicnm, s.v.
1885. Household Words, 27 June, p.
180. St. Giles is the patron saint of
cripples ; hence a lame person is
mockingly called HOPPING GILES.
HOPPING-JESUS, subs, (colloquial).
A lameter. For synonyms, see
DOT-AND-GO-ONE.
HOPPING-MAD, adj. (American). —
Very angry.
HOP-POLE, subs, (common). — A
tall, slight person, male or female.
For synonyms, see LAMP- POST.
1850. SMEDLEY, Frank Farleigh,
E. 5. I was tall for my age, but slightly
uilt, and so thin, as often to provoke the
application of such epithets as HOP-POLE,
' thread-paper,' etc.
HORIZONTAL-REFRESHMENT, subs.
(venery). — I. Carnal intercourse;
c/., UPRIGHT. For synonyms, see
GREENS and RIDE. [Fr., une
korizontale = a prostitute.] Also,
T© H0RIZONTALISE.
Horn.
35'
Horn.
2. (common). — Food taken
standing ; generally applied to a
mid-day snack at a bar.
HORN, subs, (common). — I. The
nose. Also, HORNBY. For
synonyms, see CONK.
1823. BEE, Diet, of the Turf, s.v.
HORNBY — a nose ; one that resounds in
expectoration.
2. (common). — A drink ; a
dram of spirits. For synonyms,
see Go.
1847. PORTER, Quarter Race, p. 193.
Go on, Venus. Take another HORN first.
1848. RUXTON, Life in the FarWest.
p. 126. They called the Scotchman to
take a HORN.
3. (venery). — An erection of
\^ penis. [Properly of men only ;
but said of both sexes. In the
feminine equivalents are CUNT-
ITCH and CUNT-STAND].
Hence To GET (or HAVE) THE HORN,
verb phr.=to achieve erection ; TO CURE
THE HORN = to copulate ; HORNING and
HORNY, in course of, or disposed to erec-
tion ; HORNIFICATION, subs. =the state, or
process, of erection ; HORNIFY (see verb),
= to get (or give) the HORN; Miss HORNER,
subs. = the pudendum muliebre ; OLD
HORNEY(or HORNINGTON)=the/te«z".y,
ENGLISH SYNONYMS. — Cock-
(or prick-) stand; Irish toothache ;
in one's Sunday (or best) clothes ;
the jack ; hard - on (American) ;
horn-colic ; horn-mad (said also
of an angry cuckold) ; fixed
bayonets ; lance in rest ; the old
Adam ; standing ; on the stand j
stiffened up ; the spike.
4. (old). — The penis. For
synonyms, see CREAMSTICK and
PRICK.
5. (colloquial). — Also in pi. , see
verb.
HORN, verb (colloquial). — To
cuckold. [Becco ( = a he-goat)
and cornuto ( — a horned thing)
are good Italian for a cuckold ;
in Florio (Worlde of Wordes^
1598) andar in cornouaglia senza
barca (i.e., to go to Corn wall
without a ship) = to win the
horn ; and the expression, as
the example from Lydgate
appears to show, may very
well have been imported into
English from the Italian. Also,
it seems to have begun to be liter-
ary about the middle of the six-
teenth century, when the Italian
influence was at its height. For
the rest it passed in triumph into
written English, was used in every
possible combination, had a run at
least two centuries long, and is
still intelligible, though not in
common service. ] See ACTION,
ANTLERS, BULL'S FEATHER,
FREEMAN OF BUCKS, etc.
Hence, TO HORNIFY (see subs., sense
3), and TO GRAFT (or GIVE) HORNS ; to
WEAR HORNS=to live a cuckold ; HORNER,
subs.=3i. cuckold maker; HORN-MAD, adj.
phr. (q.v.)', HORNED, adj. = cuckolded ;
HORN-GROWER (or MERCHANT) subs.=a.
married man; HORN-FEVER, subs. = cuc-
koldry ; TO EXALT ONE'S HORN, verb. phr.
= (i) to cuckold, and (2)10 rejoice in, or
profit by, the condition ; TO WIND THE
HORN = to publish the fact of cuckoldom ;
HORNS-TO-SELL, subs. phr.=(i) a. lewd
wife, and (2) a wittol ; TO POINT THE HORN
= to fork th.e fingers in derision (as in
Hogarth's ' Industrious and Idle Appren-
tice,' 1790, plate v.); HORN-woRKS=the
process of cuckolding ; AT THE SIGN OF
THE HORN =in cuckoldom; HORN-PIPE=
(see quot. 1602); HORNED HERD, subs. phr.
= husbands in general (specifically, the
city men, the Citizens of London (the
cuckolding of whom by West-end gallants
is a constant theme of seventeenth century
jokes); GILT-HORN, subs. = a contented
CUckold 5 SPIRIT OF HARTSHORN = tlie SU; -
picion or the certainty of cuckoldom ; LONG
HORNS, £«&$•.= a notorious cuckold; KNIGHT
OF HORNSEY, also MEMBER FOR HORN-
CASTLE, subs. phr. =a cuckold, etc.
d. 1440. LYDGATE, Falle of Prynces,
ii., leaf 56 (ed. Wayland, 1557, quoted in
Horn.
352
Horn.
DYCE'S Skelton, 1843, »•» i32)- To speke
plaine Englishe made him cokolde. Alas
I was not auised wel before Vnkonnyngly
to speake such language : I should haue
-ayde how that he had an HORNE . . .
And in some land Cornodo men do them
call, And some affirme that such folk have
no gall.
c. 152(?). ffic6Sc0rner(DoD5LKY, Old
Plays, 4th ed., 1875, i., 180). My mother
was a lady of the stews, blood born, And
( Knight of the Halter) my father wore an
HORNE.
c. 1537. Thersites(DovsLK\, Old Plays,
4th ed., 1875, i., 412). Why wilt thou not
thy HORNES inhold ? Thinkest th&u that I
am a cuckold.
c. 1550. The Pride and Abuse of
Women (176 in Early Pop. Poetry, ed.
Hazlitt, iv., 237). And loke well, ye men to
your wives ... Or some wyll not styche
... To HORNE you on everye side.
1568. Bannatvne MSS. ' The use of
Court,' p. 765 (Hunterian Club, 1886). Vp
gettis hir wame, Scho thinkis no schame
For to bring hame The laird ane HORNE.
1574. Appius and Virginia (Doos-
UEY, Old Plays, 4th ed., 1875, iv., 118). A
hairbmin, a hangman, or a grafter of
HORNES.
1575. Laneham's Letter (ed. 1871).
p. 40. Withyoor piciens, Gertlmen, . . .
be it said : wear it not in deede that
HORNZ bee so plentie, HORNWARE I beleeue
woold bee more set by than it iz, and yet
thear in our parts, that wyll not stick too
auoow that many an honest man both in
citee and cuntree hath his hoous bv
HORNING well vphollden, and a daily freend
allso at need.
c. 1580. Collier of Croydon (Doos-
LEY, Old Plays, 4th ed., 1875, viii., 436).
My head groweth hard, my HORNS will
shortly spring.
1586. LUPTON, 1,000 Not. Things, ed.
J675, p. 261. Take heed thou art not
HORN'D, and then feicht home.
1597. HALL, Satires, i., 8. Fond
wittol that would'st load thy witless bead,
With timely HORNS before thy bridal bed.
Idem, ii., 7. If chance it come to wanton
Capricorne, And so into the Ram's disgrace-
ful HORNE.
1598. SHAKSPEARE, 2 Henry IV.,
Act i., sc. 2. Well, he hath the HORN OF
ABUNDANCE and the lightness of his wife
shines through it.
1598. JONSON, Every Man in his
Humour, v., i. See, what a drove of
HORNS fly in the air, Winged with my
cleansed and my credulous breath.
1598. SYLVESTER, Du Bartas, ed.
1641, v., 41. The adulterous Sargus . . .
Courting the Shee Goate> on the grassie
shore Would HORN their husbands thjt
had horns before.
1599. JONSON, Every Man Out of his
Humour, iv., 4. Now HORN UPON HORN
pursue thee, thou blind, egregious, dotard.
1600. Look About You, Sc. io(Doos-
LEY, Old Plays, 4th ed. , 1875, v. ,415). By
adding HORNS unto our falcon's head.
1600. SHAKSPEARE, As You Like it.
iv., 2. Take thou no scorn to wear the
HORN, It was a crest ere thou wast born.
1600. SHAKSPEARE, MuchAdo about
Nothing, i. Then up comes the devil with
his HORNS upon his head, looking like an
old cuckold. Ibid. v. i. But when shall
we see the savage bull's HORNS on the
sensible Benedict's head.
1601. JONSON, Poetaster, iv., 3.
And there is never a star in thy forehead
but shall be a HORN if thou dost persist to
abuse me.
1602. CAMPION, English Poesy
(BULI.EN, Works. 1889, p. 248). Mock him
not with HORNS, the case is altered.
1603. Philotus (PINKERTON, Scot-
tish Poems, 1752, iii., 17). Sen thair may
1-e na uther buit? Plat on his heid ane
HORNE.
1604. MARSTON, Malcontent i., I.
Mendoza is the man makes thee a
HORNED BEAST: 'tis Mendoza cornutes
thee.
1605. JONSON, Volpone, ii., 4. Volp. :
Nay, then, I not repent me of my late dis-
guise. Mas. : If you can HORNE him, Sir,
you need not.
1605. CHAPMAN, All Fool*, v., i
(Plays, 1874, p. 75). And will you BLOW
THE HORN yourself where you may keep
it to yourself? Go to, you are a fool.
Ibid. (p. 76.) It may \ery well be that
the devil brought HORNS into the world,
but the women brought them to the men.
1607. H oiv a Man May Choose a Good
Wife From a Bad, ii., I. (DooSLEY, Old
Plays, 4th ed., 1875, ix., 28). Quandovenis
aput, I shall have two HORNS on my
caput.
Horn.
353
Horn.
1607. DEKKER, Northward Hoe,
Act i., p. 8. If a man be deuorst, whether
may he hane an action or no, gainst those
that MAKE HORNS AT HIM. Ibid, iv., p. 54.
This curse is on all letchers throwne, They
give HORNS and, at last, HORNES are their
owne.
1608. ROWLANDS, Humor s Looking
Glass, p. 22. Besides, shee is as perfect
chast as faire. But being married to a
jealous as>se, He vowes shee HORNS him.
1609. JONSON, Epiccene, iii., i. By
that light you deserve to be grafted, and
your HORNS reach from one side of the
island to the other.
1616. JONSON, Devils an Ass, v., 5.
And a cuckold is, Wherever he puts his
head, with a wannion, his HORNS be forth,
the devil's companion.
1618. SAMUEL ROWLANDS. The
Night Raven, p. 25. "Tis this bad liver
doth the HORNE - PLAGUE breed, Which
day and night my jealous thoughts doth
feed.
1623. COCKKRAN, Eng. Diet. s.v.
SARGUS, an adulterous fish which goes
on the grassie shore, and HORNES the hee
Goates that had horns before.
1627. DRAYTON. A gincout land Other
Poems, p. 174. Some made mouthes at
him, others as in scorne With their forkt
fingers POYNTED him THE HORN.
1629. DAVENANT, Albovine, ed. 1673,
p. 436. 'Twas a subtle reach to tell him
that the King had HORN'D his brow.
1633. ROWLEY, Match at Midnight
(DoDSLEY, Old Plays, 4th ed., 1875, xiii.,
40). HORNING the headman of his parish
and taking money for his pains.
1633. FORD, Love's Sacrifice, iii., 3.
Fernando is your rival, has stolen your
duchess's heart, murther'd friendship;
HORNS your head, and laughs at your
horns.
1637. BEAUMONT and FLETCHER,
Elder Brother, iv., 4. I shall have some
music yet At my making free o' th'
company of HORNERS.
1640. RAWLINS, The Rebellion^ i.; I.
(DODSLEY, Old Plays, 4th ed., 1875, xiv.,
15). Fresh as a city bridegroom that has
signed his wife a gn&it for the GRAFTING
OF HORNS.
1643 BROMEM New Diurnal. (CHAL-
MERS, Eng. Poets , 1810, vi , 667). Prince
Rupert, for fear that his name be con-
founded, Will saw off his HORNS, and make
him a Roundhead.
1647. BEAUMONT and FLETCHER,
Women Pleased, v. 3. I shall then be full
of scorn, Wanton, proud (beware the HORN).
1653. MIDDLETON and ROWLEY, The
Spanish Gypsy, iii,, I. Beggars would on
cock-horse ride. And boobies fal la-roar ing,
And cuckolds though no HORNS be spied,
Be one another goring.
1653. DAVENANT, The Siege of
Rhodes, p. 34. It stuffs up the marriage
bed with thorns, It gores itself, it gores
itself with imagined HORNS.
1657. MIDDLETON, Women, Beware
of Woman (1657), iii., 2. Cuckolds danct
the HORNPIPE, and farmers dance the hay.
Idem., iv., 2. Go, lie down, master; but
take care your HORNS do not make holes in
the pillow-beers.
1659. Lady A limony, i. , 2 (DODSLEY,
Old Plays, 4th ed., 1875, xiv., 280). My
scene, Irillo, is HORN ALLEY. Ibid., iii., 6
(p. 340). Doubt nothing, my fellow
Knights of HORNsey.
1661. WEBSTER, Cure for a Cuckold
(1661), v., 2. He that hath HORNS thus
let him learn to shed.
1 663. K i L L i G R E w, The Parsons
Wedding, iv., i (DODSLEY, Old Plays,
4th ed., 1875, xiv., 473). I hope to EXALT
THE Parson's HORN here. Ibid., (p. 477).
Only to fright the poor cuckholds and
make the fools visit their HORNS. Ibid.,
v-> 4 (P- 5*9)- Methinks my HORNS ache
more than my corns. Ibid, ib (p. 520). I
have seen a cuckold of your complexion :
if he had lent as much hoof as HORN, you
might have hunted the beast by the slot.
1664. BUTLER, Hudibras, II., ii.
For when men by their wives are cowed,
Their HORNS of course are understood.
vedo, p. 251 (ed. 1708). He that marries,
ventures fair
or after.
1668. L'ESTRANGE, Visions of Que-
:d. 1708). He that marries,
for the HORN, either before
1672. RAY, Proverbs (in BOHN, 1889),
s.v. He had better PUT HIS HORNS IN
HIS POCKET than wind them. Idem. (p.
184). HORNS and gray hairs do not cocne
with years. Idem, id., Who hath HORNS
in his pocket let him not put them on his
head.
1675. WYCHERLEY, Country Wife,
v., 4. Epilogue : Encouraged by our
woman's man to-day, A HORNER'S part may
vainly think to play. Ibid , i., i. I make
no more cuckolds, sir. [MAKES HORNS.}
Ibid., iv., 3. If ever you suffer your wife
to trouble me again here, she shall carry
you home a pair of HORNS.
1677. WYCHERLEY, Main Dealer,
iv., i. First, the clandestine obscenity in
the very name of HORNKR.
23
'orn.
354
Horn.
d. 1680. BUTLER, Remains (1757), ii-,
372. His own branches, his HORNS, are as
mystical as the Whore of Babylon's Pal-
freys, not to be seen but in a vision.
1693. CONGREVE, Old Bachelor, iv.,
15. Pox choke him. Would his HORNS
were in his throat.
1695. CONGREVE, Love for Love, iv.,
15. The clocks will strike twelve at noon,
and the HORNED HERD buzz in the Exchange
at two.
1698. FARQUHAR, Love and a
Bottle, iv., 3. Should I ever be tried before
this judge, how I should laugh to see how
gravely his goose cap sits upon a pair of
HORNS !
1700. CONGREVE, Way of the World,
iii., 7. Man should have his head and
HORNS, and woman the rest of him.
1702. STEELE, The Funeral or Grief
a la Mode, Act. i., p. 22. This wench I
know has played me false, and HORNED me
in my gallants. [NOTE. — That the speaker
is a female shows the word to have been
transferable to the other sex.]
• 1708. W. KING, Art of Love, pt. x.
(CHALMERS, English Poets, 1810, ix., 274).
Sometimes his dirty paws she scorns,
While her fair fingers show his HORNS.
1705. PRIOR, Poems. 'The Turtle
and Sparrow,' line 302-9. ' Two staring
HORNS,' I often said, 'but ill became a
sparrow's head ' . . . ' Whilst at the root
your HORNS are sore, The more you scratch,
they ache the more.'
1719. DURFEV, Pills, etc., i., 174.
Who's the Cuckoo, Who's the Cuckold,
who's the HORNER ?
1728. PATRICK WALKER, Alexander
Peden, ' Postscript ' (ed. 1827, i.). A pro-
fane, obscene meeting called the HORN-
ORDER.
1737. FIELDING, 7 umble-Down Dick,
Works (1718) iii., 408. Think it enough
your betters do the deed, And that by
HORNING you I mend the breed.
d. 1742. SOMERVILLE, Occasional
Poems (CHALMERS, English Poets, 1810,
xi., 238). If I but catch her in a corner,
Humph ! 'tis your servant, Colonel
HORNER.
1759-67. STERNE, Tristam Shandy,
ch. xxxvii. Nor have the horn-works
he speaks of anything to do with the HORN-
WORKS of Cuckoldom.
1765. C. SMART, Fables, xi., line 66.
And though your spouse my lecture scorns.
Bevvare his fate, beware his HORNS.
d. 1770. CHATTERTON, The Revenge,
i., I. Let her do what she will, The
husband is still, And but for his HORNS
you would think him an ass. Idem., ii., 4
Have you come HORNING.
1785. GROSE, Diet. Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1786. CAPTAIN MORKIS (Collection
of Songs), The Great Plenipotentiary, (gth
ed. 1788, stanza ix., p. 43)^ She had
HORNED the dull brows of her worshipful
spouse Till they sprouted like Venus's
myrtle.
d. 1796. BURNS, Merry Muses,
' Cuddy the Cooper,' p. 84. On ilka brow
she's PLANTED A HORN, An' swears that
there they shall stan', O.
1813. MOORE, Poems, ' Re-inforce-
ments for the Duke,' iii., 209. Old
H df 1 at HORN-WORKS again might
be tried.
1816. Quiz, Grand Master, canto
vii., p. 199, line 10 (She) smil'd, declaring
that she scorn'd him, (She might have
added that she'd HORN'D him).
1822. SCOTT, Fortunes of Nigel, c.
xxxvi. O what a generous creature is your
true London husband ! HORNS hath he,
but, tame as a fatted ox, he goreth not.
1825. SCOTT, The Betrothed, ch.
xvii. I ever tell thee, husband, the HORNS
would be worth the hide in a fair market.
To DRAW IN ONE'S HORNS,
verb. phr. (colloquial). — To with-
draw or to retract ; to cool down.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HORNS.
To HORN OFF, verb. phr.
(American). = To put on one side ;
to shunt. [As a bull or stag with
his horns.]
1851. HOOPER, Widow Rugby's
Husband, etc., p. 69. You HORNED me off
to get a chance to get gaming witnesses
out of the way.
IN A HORN, adv. phr. (Ameri-
can).— A general qualification,
implying refusal or disbelief ;
OVER THE LEFT (q.V.)-
1858. Washington Evening Star,
36 Aug. I have mentioned before the in-
numerable comforts — IN A HORN — of the
old White Sulphur Springs.
To WIND (or BLOW) THE
HORN, verb. phr. (old). — To
break wind; TO FART (q.v.).
Horn-colic.
355
Horn-mad.
1620. PERCY, Folio, MSS., 'Fryarand
Boye.' Her tayle shall wind the HORNK.
To CURE THE HORN, verb,
phr. (venery). — To copulate. See
HORN, subs., sense 3. For syno-
nyms, sea GREENS and RIDE.
TO HAVE THE HORN, verb.
phr. (venery). See HORN, subs.,
sense 3.
TO COME OUT OF THE LITTLE
END OF THE HORN, verb. phr.
(common). — To get the worst of
a bargain ; to be reduced in cir-
cumstances. Also, to make much
ado about nothing. Said gener-
ally of vast endeavour ending in
failure. [Through some unex-
pected SQUEEZE (q.V.}\
1605. JONSON, CHAPMAN, and
MARSTON, Eastward Hoe, i., i. I had
the home of suretiship ever before my
eyes. You all know the devise of the
HORNE, where the young fellow slippes in
at thebutte-end, and comes squesd out at
the buckall.
1624. FLETCHER, Wife for a Month,
iii., 3. Thou wilt look to-morrow else
Worse than the prodigal fool the ballad
speaks of, That was squeezed THROUGH A
HORN.
1847. PORTER, Big Ben, etc., p. 37.
How did you make it? You didn't COME
OUT AT THE LITTLE END OF THE HORN,
did you ?
1847. PORTER, Quarter Race, etc.,
p. 24. You never saw such a run of luck ;
everywhere I touched was pizen, and 1
CAME OUT OF THE LEETLE END OF "THE
HORN.
1891. Pall Mall Gaz., 3 July, i., 2.
The 'great Trek,' in that expressive trans-
atlantic phrase, has toddled OUT OF THE
LITTLE END OF THE HORN.
HORN-COLIC, subs, (venery). — See
HORN, subs., sense 3.
1785. GROSE, Vulg Tongue, s.v
HORNET, subs, (common). — A dis-
agreeable, cantankerous person.
HORNIE (or HORN ESS), subs. (old).
— I. A constable or watchman ;
a sheriff.
1319. VAUX, Life, s.v. HORNBY, a
Constable.
1821. HAGGART, Life, 51. The
woman missing It immediately, she sent
for the HORNIES.
1859. M AT s E L L, Vocabulum, s.v.
HORNESS.
2. (Scots').— The devil; gener-
ally AULD HORNIE (q.v.).
1785. BURNS, Address to the Deil.
0 thou ! whatever title suits thee, AULU
HORNIE, Satan, Nick, or Clootie.
HORNIFY, verb, (colloquial). — See
HORN, subs., sense 3 and verb.
2. (venery). — See HORN, subs.,
sense 3.
HORN-MAD adj. (old). — i. See
quot. [690.
1593. SHAKSPEARE, Comedy of
Errors, ii., i. Why, mistress, sure my
master is HORN-MAD.
1599. HENRY PORTER, The Two
Angry Women of Abingdon (DODSLEY,
Old Plays, 4th ed., 1875, vii.). And then
1 wound my horn, and he's HORN-MAD.
1604. MARSTON, Malcontent, i., 7.
I am HORN MAD.
1605. JONSON, The Fox, iii., 6.
Yet I'm not mad, Not HORN-MAD, see you.
1639-61. Rump Songs, [1662], 293.
The Country has grown sad, The City is
HORN-MAD.
1647. BEAUMONT and FLETCHER,
Tkf Woman s Prize, ii., 6. After my
twelve strong labours to reclaim her,
Which would have made Don Hercules
HORN-MAD.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HORN-MAD, stark staring Mad, because
Cuckolded.
1693. CONGREVE, Old Bachelor, iv.,
22. Ay, I feel it here ; I sprout ; I bud ;
I blossom ; I am ripe HORN-MAD.
1694. CONGREVE, Double Dealer, iv. ,
20. She forks out cuckoldom with her
fingers, and you are running HORN-MAD
after your fortune.
1695. CONGREVE, Love for Love, v.,
8. She's mad for a husband, and he's
HORN-MAD
Hornsivoggle .
356
Horse.
1698. FARQUHAR, Love and a
Bottle., iv., 3. Thou'rt HORN-MAD. Prithee,
leave impertinence.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
1822. SCOTT, Fortunes of Nigel, ch.
xxvi. Ye might as well expect brandy
from beanstalks, or milk from a crag of
blue whunstane. The man is mad, HORN-
MAD, to boot.
1825. HARRIETTS WILSON, Memoirs,
ii. 228. The little he did say was chiefly
on the subject of cuckolds and cuckolding.
His lordship was HORN-MAD.
2. (venery). — Sexually excited ;
lecherous ; MUSTY (q.v.). Ako,
HORNY.
HORNSWOGGLE, subs. (American).
— Nonsense ; HUMBUG (q.v.). For
synonyms, see GAMMON.
Verb (American). — To hum-
bug ; to delude ; to seduce. —
Slang, Jargon, and Cant. Cf.,
IN A HORN.
HORN-THUMB, subs. (old). — A
pickpocket. [From the practice
of wearing a sheath of horn to
protect the thumb in cutting out.]
See THIEVES.
1569. PRESTON, Cambises (DoosLEY,
Old Plays, 4th ed., 1874, iv., 235). But
cousin, because to that office ye are not
like come, Frequent your exercises, a
HORNE ON YOUR THUMBE, A quick eye,
a sharp knife.
1614. JONSON, Bartholomew Fair,
ii. T mean a child of the HORN-THUMB, a
babe of booty, boy, a cut-purse.
1614. GREENE, Looking-Glass [Dyce],
p. 138. I cut this from a new-married
wife by means of a HORN-THUMB and a
knife.— Six shillings, four pence.
HORRORS, subs, (common). — The
first stage of delirium tremens.
For synonyms, see GALLON-DIS-
TEMPER. Also low spirits, or
THE BLUES (q.V.}.
1848. R.UXTON, Life in the Far West,
p. 50. Paying the penalty in a fit of
HORRORS.
1857. Philadelphia Evening Bulletin
(quoted by Bartlett). This poison (fusil
oil), which acts with terrible results on the
nerves; seeming like a diabolical inspira-
tion, stirring up mania, convulsions, and
the HORRORS in an incredibly short space
of time.
1864. DICKENS, Our Mutual Friend,
bk. iv., ch. viii. What are popularly
called ' the trembles ' being in full force
upon him that evening, and likewise what
are popularly called THE HORRORS, he had
a very bad time of it ; which was not made
better by his being so remorseful as
frequently to moan ' Sixty threepennorths.'
1864. F. W. ROBINSON, Mr.
Stewart's Intentions, ch. i. ' Well,
sermons always gave me THE HORRORS,
and engendered a hate of the sermonizer.
1883. STEVENSON, Treasure Island
ch. iii,, p. 20 (1886). If I don't have a
drain o' rum, Jim, I'll have THE HORRORS.
1889. C. H ADDON CHAMBERS, In
Australian Wilds. He's sober now, you
see ; but he managed to get blind drunk
before eleven o'clock this morning, and
last week he narrowly escaped an attack
Of THE HORRORS.
1892. HENLEY and STEVENSON,
Three Rags, ' Admiral Guinea,' iv., 3. It's
THE HORRORS come alive.
2. (common). — Sausages. See
CHAMBER OF HORRORS and
DOG'S-PASTE.
3. (thieves').— Handcuffs. For
synonyms, see DARBIES.
HORSE, subs, (common). — I. A
five-pound note. See FINNUP.
2. (thieves'). — Horsemonger
Lane Gaol. Also THE OLD
HORSE. Now obsolete.
1851-61. H. MAYHEW, Land. Lab.
and Land. Poor, i, p. 457. The only
thing that frightens me when I'm in prison
is sleeping in a cell by mvself — you do in
THE OLD HORSE and the Steel.
3. (American). — A man : gene-
rally in affection. Also OLD
Hoss, or HOSS-FLY.
1838. HALIBURTON (' Sam Slick '),
The Clockmaker, 3 S., ch. xviii. He
is all sorts of a HOSS, and the best live
one that ever cut dirt this side of the big
pond, or t'other side either.
Horse.
357
Horse.
1847. ROBB, Squatter Life, p. 74.
What in the yearth did you do with old
Hoss on the road?— He ain't gin out, has
he? Ibid, p. 70. None of your stuck-up
imported chaps from the dandy states, but
a real genuine westerner — in short, a HOSS !
1848 RUXTON, Lifeinthe Far West,
p. 5. Hyar's a HOSS as'll make fire come.
1857. GLADSTONE, Englishman in
Kansas, p. 43. Here, boys, drink.
Liquors, captain, for the crowd. Step up
this way, OLD HOSS, and liquor.
Verb (venery). — I. To possess
a woman. For synonyms, see
RIDE.
1614. JONSON, Bartholomew Fair,
iv., 3. Say'st thou so, filly? Thou shalt
nave a leap presently, I'll HORSE thee my-
self, else.
2. (workmen's). — See quots.
Cf., FLOG THE DEAD HORSE.
1857. Notes and Queries, 2 S., iv., p.
192. A workman HORSES it when he
charges for more in his week's work than
he has really done. Of course he has so
much unprofitable work to get through in
the ensuing week, which is called dead
horse.
1867. A II the Year Round, 13 July,
p. 59. To HORSE a man, is for one of two
men who are engaged on precisely similar
pieces of work to make extraordinary exer-
tions in order to work down the other man.
This is sometimes done simply to see what
kind of a workman a new man may be, but
often with the much less creditable motive
of injuring a fellow workman in the estima-
tion of an employer.
THE GRAY MARE IS THE BET-
TER HORSE. See GRAY-MARE.
HORSF. FOALED OF AN ACORN,
subs.phr. (old). — I. The gallows.
For synonyms, see TRIPLE-
TREE.
1760-61. SMOLLETT, Sir L. Greaves,
ch. viii. I believe as how 'tis no horse,
but a devil incarnate ; and yet I've been
worse mounted, that I have — I'd like to
have rid A HORSE THAT WAS FOALED OF
AN ACORN (i.e., he had nearly met with
the fate of Absalom).
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, sv.
1827. LYTTON, Pelham, ch. Ixxxii.
The cove .... is as pretty a Tyburn
blossom as ever was brought up to ride A
HORSE FOALED BY AN ACORN.
1839. AINSWORTH, Jack Sheppard
[1889], p. 8 As to this little fellow
.... he shall never mount A HORSE
FOALED BY AN ACORN, if I can help it.
2. (military). — The triangles
or crossed halberds under which
soldiers were flogged.
OLD- (or SALT-) HORSE, subs.
(nautical). Salt beef. Also JUNK
and SALT-JUNK.
1889. Chambers s Journal, 3 Aug.,
495. Mr. Clark Russell declares that
SALT-HORSE works out of the pores, and
contributes to that mahogany complexion
common to sailors, which is often mistakenly
attributed to rum and weather.
ONE-HORSE, adj. (American).
Comparatively small, insignificant,
or unimportant.
1858. Washington Evening Star.
On Friday last, the engineer of a fast
train was arrested by the authorities of a
ONE-HORSE town in Dauphin County, Pa.,
for running through the borough at a
greater rate of speed than is allowed by
their ordinances.
1871. DE VERE, Americanisms, p.
221. The indignant settler who has been
ill-treated, as he fancies, in court, de-
nounces his attorney as a ' miserable, ONE-
HORSE lawyer ; ' and the Yankee newly
arrived in England does not hesitate to
declare that ' Liverpool is a poor ONE-
HORSE kind of a place," a term applied by
Mark Twain to no less a city than Rome
itself; and a witty clergyman of Boston
inveighed once bitterly against ' timid,
sneaking, ONE-HORSE oaths, as infinitely
worse than a good, round, thundering out-
burst.
1891. National Re-view, Sep., p. 127.
Mr. Marion Crawford's Witch of Prague
(Macmillan & Co.) is, as his compatriots
would say, rather a ONE-HORSE witch.
To BE HORSED, verb. phr.
(old).— To be flogged [from
the wooden-horse used as a flog-
ging-stool]; to take on one's
back as for a flogging.
Horse.
358
Horse-capper.
1678. BUTLER, Hudibras, pt. III.,
c. i. The spirit HORS'D him like a sack
Upon the vehicle his back.
1751. SMOLLETT, Peregrine Pickle,
ch. xvii. Our unfortunate hero was pub-
licly HORSED, in terrorent of all whom it
might concern.
1857. THACKERAY, Virginians, ch. v.
Serjeants, school-masters, sTave-overseers,
used the cane freely. Our little boys had
been HORSED many a day by Mr. Dempster.
1881. Notes and Queries, i Jan., p.
1 8. I got well HORSED for such a breach
of discipline.
TO FALL AWAY FROM A HORSE-
LOAD TO A CARTLOAD, verb. phr.
(old). — See quot.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HORSEPLAY. FALLEN AWAY FROM A
HORSELOAD TO A CARTLOAD, Spoken
ironically of one considerably improved in
flesh on a sudden.
TO FLOG THE DEAD HORSE. —
See DEAD-HORSE and HORSE,
verb, sense 2.
TO PUT THE CART BEFORE
THE HORSE, verb. phr. (collo-
quial).— To begin at the wrong
end ; to set things hind-side
before.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HORSE.
TO PUT THE SADDLE ON THE
RIGHT HORSE, verb. phr. (collo-
quial).—To apportion accurately.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HORSE. SET THE SADDLE ON THE RIGHT
HORSE, lay the Blame where the Fault is.
TO RIDE ON A HORSE WITH
(or BAYARD OF) TEN TOES,
verb. phr. (common). — To walk ;
to use the MARROWBONE-STAGE.
C/., SHANKS'S MARE.
1606. BRETON, Good and Badde, p.
14. His trauell is the walke of the woful,
and his HORSE BAYARD OF TEN TOES.
1662. FULLER, Worthies, Somerset,
ii., 291. At last he [Coryat] undertook to
travail into the East Indies by land,
mounted on AN HORSE WITH TEN TOES.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
BAYARD.
AS GOOD AS A SHOULDER OF
MUTTON TO A SICK HORSE, phr.
(old). — Utterly worthless.
1596. BEN JONSON, Every Man in
his Humour, ii., r. Counsel to him is AS
GOOD AS A SHOULDER OF MUTTON TO A
SICK HORSE.
AS STRONG AS A HORSE, adv.
phr. (colloquial). — Very strong :
a general intensitive.
HORSE AND HORSE, adv. phr.
(American). — Neck and neck ;
even.
HORSEBREAKER (or PRETTY
HORSEBREAKER), subs, (collo-
quial).— A woman (c. 1860), hired
to ride in the park ; hence, a
riding courtesan. See also quot.
1864. For synonyms, see BAR-
RACK-HACK and TART.
1864. E. YATES, Broken to Harness,
ch. iv., p. 33 (1873). Kate Mellor was a
HORSEBREAKER, a bond, fide horsebreaker;
one who curbed colts, and ' took it out of
kickers and rearers.
1865. Public Opinion, 30 Sep. These
demi-monde people, anonymas, HORSE-
BREAKERS, hetairae .... are by degrees
pushing their way into society.
HORSE-BUSS, subs, (old).— A loud-
sounding kiss ; a bite.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HORSE-CAPPER (-COPER, -COSER,
-COURSER, or -CHAUNTER), subs.
(common). — A dealer in worth-
less or 'faked' horses. [Originally
good English. To COPE = to
barter.] See CHANTER. Hence
HORSE - COPING and HORSE -
DUFFING.
1616. OVF.RBURY, Characters (RiM-
BAULT, gth ed., 1856, p. 120). An arrant
HORSE-COURSER hath the trick to blow up
horseflesh as the butcher does veal.
Horse-collar.
359
Horse-latitudes.
d. 1680. BUTLER, Remains (1759),
ii., 458. A HORSE-COURSER is one that bath
read horses, and understands all the virtues
and vices of the whole species by being
conversant with them, and how to take the
best advantage of both.
1742-4. NORTH, Life of the Lord
Keeper i., 271. There were HORSE-
COPERS among them.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HORSE-COSER, vulgarly and corruptly
pronounced horse courser, a dealer in
horses. __ The verb to cose, was used by the
Scots, in the sense of bartering or ex-
changing.
1863. Sporting Life, 29 Apr., p. 4,
col. 3. COPERS and Chaunters are now in
full feather.
1864. London Review, 18 June, p.
643. Amongst the mysteries of horse-flesh
is the noble science of coping, and its
practitioners the HORSE-COPERS.
1874. G. A. LAWRENCE, Hagarene,
ch. ii. He had lived somewhat pre-
cariously by his wits ; eking out the scanty
allowance wrung from his miserly old sire,
by betting and HORSE-COPING on a small
scale.
1884. Daily Nezvs, 23 Aug., p. 4, c. 7.
The most accomplished gipsy COPERS, if
they are not belied, are not satisfied
with merely doing up an unsound horse and
selling him as a sound one, but frequently
steal outright the subject of their scientific
and often lucrative experiments.
1888. ROLF BOLDREWOOD. Robbery
Under Arms, ch. i. Poaching must be
something like cattle and HORSE-DUFFING.
1889. Answers, 27 July, p. 141, c. i.
Allow me to expose some more tricks of
HORSE COPERS.
1893. National Observer, 5 Aug., p.
291, col. i. A veracious HORSE-COPER is
a monster which the world ne'er saw.
HORSE-COLLAR, subs, (venery). — i.
The female pudendum. For syn-
onyms, see MONOSYLLABLE.
2. (tailors'). — An extremely
long and wide collar.
3. (old). — A halter. To DIE
IN A HORSE'S NIGHTCAP = to be
hanged. See LADDER.
ENGLISH SYNONYMS. — Ano-
dyne necklace ; Bridport dagger ;
choker ; hempen cravat ; hem-
pen elixir ; horse's neckcloth ;
horse's necklace ; neck-squeezer ;
neckweed ; squeezer ; St. An-
drew's lace ; Sir Tristram's knot :
tight cravat ; Tyburn tiffany ;
Tyburn tippet ; widow.
FRENCH SYNONYM. — La era-
vate de chanvre.
1593. Bacchus' Bountie in Harl. Misc.
(ed. Park), ii., 304. Yea, his very head
so heavie as if it had beene harnessed in
an HORSE-NIGHTCAP.
1608. Penniles Parliament in Harl.
Misc. (ed. Park), I., 181. And those
that clip that they should not, shall have a
HORSE NIGHT-CAP for their labour.
1681. Dialogue on Oxford Parlia-
ment (Harl. Misc., ii., 125.). He
better deserves to go up Holbourn in a
wooden chariot, and have a HORSE NIGHT-
CAP put on at the farther end.
1883. Echo, 25 Jan., p. 2, c. 4. Even
an attempt is made to lighten the horror of
the climax of a criminal career, by speaking
of dying in a HORSE'S NIGHT-CAP, i.e., a
halter.
HORSE- EDITOR, subs. (American
journalisms'). — A sporting editor.
HORSE-COPY = sporting news.
HORSEFLESH, See DEAD HORSE
and HORSE, verb, sense 2.
HORSE-GODMOTHER, subs. (old).
— A strapping masculine woman ;
a virago. Fr., une femme hom-
masse.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
d. 1819. WOLCOT, Wks. In woman
angel sweetness let me see No galloping
HORSE-GODMOTHER for me.
1838. SELBY, Jacques Strop, iii., r
What a couple of HORSE-GODMOTHERS.
1846-8. THACKERAY, Vanity Fan,
ii., ch. 4. How do, my dear? Come to
see the old man, hay? Gad — you've a
pretty face, too. You ain't like that old
HORSE-GODMOTHER, your mother.
HORSE-LATITUDES, srt&s. (nautical).
— A space in the Atlantic, north
of the trade - winds, where the
winds are baffling.
Horse-laugJi.
360
Horse-nails.
1891. W.C. RUSSELL, OceanTragedy,
p. 137. The winds even north of the rains
and HORSE-LATITUDES were in a sense to
be reckoned on.
HORSE-LAUGH, subs, (colloquial).
— A loud, noisy laugh ; a guffaw.
1738. POPE, Ep. to Satires, i., 38.
A HORSELAUGH, if you please, at honesty.
HORSE-LEECH, subs, (colloquial).
— 1. An extortioner ; a miser.
2. (venery). — Anything insati-
able. Also a whore.
1597. HALL, Satires, iv., 5. An
HORSE-LEECH, barren wench, or gaping
grave.
1614. JONSON, Bartholomew Fair,
ii., i. You are one of those HORSE-
LEECHES that gave out I was dead in
Turnbull Street.
3. (old). — A horse-doctor ; also
a quack.
1594. NASHE, Terrors of the Night
(GROSART, iii., 250). Whereas his HORSE-
LEECH .... will give a man twenty
guineas in one.
1597. HALL, Satires, ii., 4, No
HORSE-LEECH but will look for larger fee.
HORSE- MARINES, subs, (common).
— A mythical corps, very com-
monly cited in jokes and quizzies
on the innocent. [THE JOLLIES
(q.v.} or Royal Marines, being
ignorant of seamanship, have
always been the butt of blue-
jackets.] TELL THAT TO THE
MARINES (or HORSE-MARINES)
THE SAILORS WON'TBELIEVE IT =
a rejoinder to an attempt at im-
position or credulity. Often
amplified with WHEN THEY'RE
RIDING AT ANCHOR. See also
BINGHAM'S DANDIES.
1825. SCOTT, St. Ronaris Well, ch.
xxi. ' Come, none of your quizzing, my
old buck,' said Sir Bingo—' what the devil
has a ship to do with horse's furniture? —
Do you think we belong to the HORSE-
MARINES?'
c. 1870. Broadside Ballad, ' Captain
Jinks.' I'm Captain Jinks of the HORSE-
MARINES.
1886. STEPHENS and YARDLEY, Little
Jack Sheppard, p. 3. They may tell that
yarn to the HORSE MARINES, For we bean't
such fools as we looks.
1886. Tins ley's Mag., Apr., 321.
Owing to a singular deviation from the
ordinary functions of cavalry, the i7th
Lancers were once christened the HORSK
MARINES.
1892. Wops the Waif [Homer's
Penny Stories], ch. i., p. i. Oh, nothink,
eh ! You'd better tell that to the HOSS
MARINES ; I've lived a sight too long in
Shoreditch to take that in.
HORSE-MILLINER, subs, (common).
— i. A dandy trooper.
1778. CHATTERTON, Ballads of
Charity, ii., 113. The trammels of his
palfrey pleased his sight, For the HORSE-
MILLINER his head with roses dight.
1813. SCOTT, Bridal of Triermain,
ii., 3. One comes in foreign trashery Of
tinkling chain and spur, A walking haber-
dashery Of feathers, lace and fur ; In
Rowley's antiquated phrase, HORSE-
MILLINER of modern days.
2. (old).— A
harness-maker.
saddler and
1818. SCOTT, Heart of Midlothian,
xi. In my wretched occupation of a sad-
dler, HORSE-MILLINER, and harness maker,
we are out unconscionable sums just for
barkened hides and leather.
HORSE-NAILS, subs, (common). — i.
Money. For synonyms, see
ACTUAL and GILT.
TO FEED ON HORSE-NAILS,
verb. phr. (crihba^e). — So to play
as not so much to advance your
own score as to keep down your
opponent's.
TO KNOCK INTO HORSE-NAILS,
•verb. phr. (common). — To
knock to pieces ; to be abso-
lutely victorious.
Horse-nightcap.
361
Hot.
HORSE-NIGHTCAP, subs, (old).—
See HORSE'S-COLLAR.
HORSE-POX, subs. (old). — A super-
lative of Pox ( £.•£.). Used in
adjuration. E.g., A HORSE- POX
on you ! Ay, with a HORSE-
POX, etc.
HORSE- PROTESTANT, stibs. (tailors').
— A churchman.
HORSE-SENSE, subs. (American). —
Sound and practical judgment.
1893. LIPPINCOT, Mar., p. 260. A
round bullet head, not very full of brains,
perhaps, yet reputed to be fairly stocked
with what is termed HORSE sense.
HORSES- AND- MARES. To PLAY
AT HORSES -AND -MARES. Verb.
phr. (schoolboys'). — To copulate.
For synonyms, see GREENS and
RIDE.
HORSE'S-HEAD, subs, (cobblers'). —
The boot-sole, heel, and what is
left of the front after the back and
part of the front have been used
TO FOX (q.v.) other boots withal.
HORSE-SHOE, subs, (venery). — The
female pudendum. [In German,
Sie hat ein Hufeisen verloren (of
women) = she has been seduced,
i.e., she has lost a horse-shoe.]
HORSE'S- MEAL, subs. (old). — Meat
without drink.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HORSE-SOVEREIGN,.^.?, (common).
— A twenty - shilling piece with
Pistrucci's effigies of St. George
and the Dragon.
1871. London Figaro, 26 Jan. A
number of those coins, sometimes known as
HOKSB SOVEKEIGNS, are to be issued.
HORTUS, subs, (venery). — See quot.
[£/"., GARDEN.] P'or synonyms,
see MONOSYLLABLE.
1728 BAILEY, Eng. Diet., s.v.
HORTUS [by some writers] the privy parts
of a woman.
HOSE. IN MY OTHER HOSE, subs,
phr. (old). A qualification of
refusal or disbelief; IN A HORN
(q.V.} J OVER THE LEFT (q.V.}.
1598. FLORIO. A WorldeofWordes,
s.v. Zoccoli Zoccoli, tushtush, awaie, in
faith sir no, yea IN MY OTHER HOSE.
Hoss. See HORSE.
Hoss-FLY(orOLD Hoss- FLY), subs.
(American). — A familiar address ;
cf. , HORSE, subs, sense 3.
HOST. TO RECKON WITHOUT
ONE'S HOST, verb. phr. (old : now
recognised). — To blunder.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HOST. TO RECKON WITHOUT ONE'S
HOST, or count your Chickens before they
are Hatched.
MINE HOST, subs. phr. (collo-
quial).— A taverner.
HOSTELER, subs. (old). — See quot.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HOSTELER, i.e., oat stealer
HOT, subs. (Winchester College). —
1 . A mellay at football.
2. (Ibid). — A crowd.
1878. ADAMS, Wykehamica, p. 367.
It would be replaced and a fresh HOT
fanned.
Adj. (colloquial). — i. Of per-
sons : sexually excitable ; lecher-
ous ; ON HEAT (q.V.}\ RANDY
(q.v.}. Of things (as books): ob-
scene; BLUEST/.); HIGH-KILTED
(q.v.} ; HOT MEMBER (q.v.}
= a male or female debauchee ;
or (as in sense 2), a man or
woman contemptuous of decorum.
Hot.
362
Hot.
HOT AS THEY MAKE THEM = ex-
ceedingly amorous or reckless.
HOT-BLOODED = lecherous : as
(in Merry Wives, v., 5) 'the
HOT-BLOODED gods assist me.'
HOT-HOUSE (^.z/.) = a brothel.
1383. CHAUCER, Canterbury Tales.
Prologue to Canterbury Tales, lines 97
;md 98. So hote he lovede, that by
nightertale, He sleep no more than doth
a nightyngale.
1596. BEN JONSON, Every Man in
his Humour, iv., 8. Dost thou not shame,
When all thy powers in chastity are spent,
To have a mind so HOT.
1598. SHAKSPEARE, i Henry IV., i.,
•2. A fair HOT wench in flame-coloured
taffeta.
1599. H. PORTER, Two Angry
Women of Abingdon (DoDSLEY, Old
Plays, 4th ed., 1875, vii., 354. Are ye so
HOT, with a pox? Would ye kiss my
mistress ?
1605. JONSON, Volpone, iii., 6. I am
now as fresh, As HOT, as high, and in as
jovial plight As when in that so celebrated
scene At recitation of our comedy For
entertainment of the great Valois, I acted
young Antinous.
1608. SHAKSPEARE, Antony and
Cleopatra, iii., n. Besides what HOTTER
hours, Unregistered in vulgar fame you
have Luxuriously picked out.
1614. JONSON, Bartholomew Fair,
ii., i. The whelp was HOT and eager.
1693. CONGREVE, Old Bachelor, v.,
8. If either you esteem my friendship or
your own safety, come not near that house
— that corner house — that HOT brothel.
1697. VANBRUGH, Relapse, iii., 5.
Young men are HOT, I know, but they
don't boil over at that rate.
1719. DURFEV, Pills, etc., iv., 123.
He laughs to see the girls so HOT.
1892. MILLIKEN, 'Arry Ballads, p.
37. As most of our plays are now cribbed
from the French, wy they're all pooty HOT.
2. (colloquial). — Careless of
decorum ; boisterous ; utterly reck
less and abandoned.
1888. J. RUNCIMAN, The Chequers,
p. 187 You're a RED-HOT MEMBER !
3. (thieves'). — Well known to
the police ; dangerous ; uncom-
fortable ; e.g., To MAKE IT HOT
FOR ONE.
1830. BUCKSTONE, Wreck Ashore,
i., 4. Mil. This place is now too HOT for
me, captain. Bills overdue, and bailiffs in
full chase, have driven me to a hasty leave
of my home.
1841. T a it's Edinburgh Mag., viii.
217. Finding all too HOT to hold him.
1859. MATSELL, Vocabulum, s.y.
HOT. The cove had better move his
beaters into Dewsville, it is too HOT for
him here.
1882. Evening Standard, 3 Oct., p.
5, c. 4. The Constable added that at the
station the Prisoner told him that if he
did not make it too HOT he would give
him £5.
1888. Tit Bits, 24 Mar., 373. The
HOTTEST suburb of London during Jubilee
year was supposed to be Ealing.
1890. MARRIOTT-WATSON, Broken
Billy (in Under the Gum-tree, p. 31).
With a few pals, almost as brutal as him-
self, he made the place pretty HOT from
time to time.
1891. Morning Adrertiser, 26 Mar.,
p. 2, col. 4. When Baker was arrested he
asked Detective-sergeant Gold not to make
it too HOT for them, and tried to induce
the officer to receive a sovereign.
1891. J. NEWMAN, Scamping Tricks,
p. 36. You'll find they will make it HOT
for you.
4. (colloquial). — See quot. 1690.
Also violent ; sharp ; severe.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HOT, exceeding Passionate.
1886 R. L. STEVENSON, Kidnapped,
p. 167. 'Well,' said he, 'yon was a HOT
burst, David.'
1893. EMERSON, Signer Lippo, ch.
xvi. I started life in a training stable,
and a HOT life it was for a boy.
5. (venery). — Infected ; vene-
really diseased.
6. (colloquial). — Alive ; vehe-
ment ; instant.
1864. BROWNING, Dramatic Ro-
mances (ed. 1879, lv-> J8o), The Italian in
England.' Breathed HOT and instant on
my train.
Verb (Winchester College).—
To crowd ; to mob.
Hot-arsed.
363
Hot-coppers.
To GIVE (GET, or CATCH) IT
HOT, verb. phr. (colloquial). — To
thrash or reprove soundly ; to be
severely beaten or taken to task.
1859. Fast Life, p. 54. The craters,
of course, CAUGHT IT HOT, and many had
the sack.
1872. Figaro, 22 June. The German
Emperor, Bismarck.and Earl Granville also
GOT IT, but not quire so HOTLY.
1877. Five Years' Penal Servitude,
ch. iv., p. 887. A young man who ....
had been guilty of bigamy, and to such a
degree that he GOT IT HOT for such a
crime — five years.
1892. ANSTEY, Model Mustc-Hall,
32. She spotted me in 'alf a jiff, and
chaffed me precious HOT.
LIKE A CAT ON HOT BRICKS,
phr. (colloquial). — Uncomfort-
able ; restive.
1886. J. S. WINTER, Army Society,
ch. xvi. Lady Mainwaring looked like an
eel in a frying-pan, or, most of anything
perhaps, LIKE A CAT ON HOT BRICKS.
HOT WITH, phr. (common). —
Spirits with hot water and sugar.
See CIDER AND, and COLD
WITHOUT.
HOT-ARSED, adj. phr. (venery).
— Excessively lewd. [Of women
only.] Cf., BITER.
HOT-BEEF. To GIVE HOT-BEEF,
verb. phr. (thieves' rhyming). —
To cry ' Stop thief.' Also BEEF
(?.».).
1879. J. W. HORSLEY, in Macm.
Ma%., xl., 506. He followed, giving me
HOT BEEF (calling ' Stop thief).
HOT-CAKES. To GO OFF LIKE
HOT .CAKES, verb. phr. (common),
— To sell readily ; to be in good
demand.
1889. Pall Mall Gas., n Oct., p. 6,
c. i. Sold at one penny retail they often
GO OFF LIKE HOT CAKES.
1893 EMERSON, Signor Lippo, ch.
xii. It went off LIKE HOT CAKES.
HOT - FOOT, adv. (colloquial). —
Instant in pursuit.
HOTCH-POTCH, subs, (old: now
recognised). — Amedley ; a HODGE-
PODGE (q.v.).
1597. HALL, Satires, i., 3. A goodly
HOTCH-POTCH when vile russettings are
matched with monarchs and mighty kings.
1606. Return from Parnassus, iv. , 2.
(DooSLEY, Old Plays, 4th ed., 1875, b.,
183). This word, HOTCH-POTCH in English
is a pudding ; for in such a pudding is
commonly not one thing only, but one
thing with another.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Creiv, s.v.
HOTCH-POTCH, an Oglio, or Medly of
several Meats in one Dish.
c. 1709. W. KING, Art of Cookery,
ix. (CHALMERS, English Poets, 1810, ix.,
259). The first delighting in HODGE-
PODGE, gallimaufry, forced meats ....
and salmagundy.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
1 728. PATRICK WALKER, A lexander
Peden, ' Postscript ' (ed. 1827, i., 128). A
HOTCH-POTCH or bagful of Arian, Arminian,
Socinian, Pelagian, etc.
' 1892. Pall Mall Gaz., 17 Oct., p. 2,
c. i. Both are a sort of HOTCHPOTCH of
songs, dances, and extravaganzas.
HOT-COPPERS, subs, (common).—
The fever and parched throat,
or MOUTH (q.v.), attending a
debauch. See COOL ONE'S COP-
1830. EGAN, Finish to Life in
London, 156. The 'uncommonly big
gentleman ' in spite of swallowing oceans of
soda-water, declared his COPPER to be so
HOT that he thought all the water in the
sea could not reduce his thirst !
1841.
blow yov
mean to say you've got a HOT COPPER-
have I. Send for the precious balm and
then fire away.
1849. THACKERAY, Pendennis, ch.
xliii. ' Nothing like that beer,' he remarked
' when the COPPERS are HOT.'
1864. Comic Almanack, p. 63. 'Cold
Cream Internally.' Cold cream is an ex-
cellent remedy for HOT COPPERS.
:1. Punch, vol. I., p. 244. 'Oh
sur physiology ! ' says Rapp. ' You
Hotel.
364
Hot-pudding.
1892. HUME NISBET, Bushranger's
Sweetheart, p. 134. He came .... as
happy-looking, and lively as if no such
hing as HOT COPPERS existed.
HOTEL (also CUPID'S HOTEL and
CUPID'S ARMS).— subs, (venery).
— The female pudendum. Cf.,
COCK INN. For synonyms, see
MONOSYLLABLE.
HOTEL BARBERING, subs, (com-
mon). — Bilking.
1892. Daily Chronicle, 28 Mar. , p. 5.
c. 7. The inference is now fairly admis-
sable that he may possibly have divided
his time between polygamous pursuits and
HOTEL BARBERING exploits.
HOTEL WARMING-PAN, subs. phr.
(common). — A chambermaid.
Also WARMING-PAN (q.v.). Fr.,
une limogere.
HOT-FLANNEL (or FLANNEL), subs.
(old). — Gin and beer, with nut-
meg, sugar, etc., made hot.
1789. GEO. PARKER, Life's Painter,
p. 144. A mixed kind of liquor ....
when drank in a morning it is called
FLANNEL.
1858. A. MAYHEW, Paved -with Gold,
bk. III., ch. iii., p. 269. A jug of what he
termed HOT FLANNEL for three — a mix-
ture of gin, beer, and eggs.
HOT- HOUSE, subs. (old). — A
brothel. Also (see quot. 1616),
a public bath. For synonyms, see
NANNY-SHOP.
1596. NASHE, Have -with You to
Saffron Walden (GROSART, iii., 106). Any
HOT-HOUSE or bawdy-house of them all.
1599. JONSON, Every Man out of
His Humour, iv., 4. Let a man sweat
once a week in a HOT-HOUSE, and be well
rubbed and froted with a plump juicy
wench and clean linen.
1603. SHAKSPEARE, Measure for
Measure, ii., i. Now she professes a HOT-
HOUSE, which is a very ill house too.
1606. The Return from Parnassus,
i., 2 (DODSLEY, Old Plays, 4th ed., 1875,
ix., 115). He cannot swagger it well in a
tavern, nor domineer in a HOT-HOUSE.
1616. JONSON, Epigrams, 'On the
New HOT-HOUSE.' Where lately har-
boured many a famous whore, A purging
bill now fixed upon the door Tells you it is
a HOT-HOUSE : So it may, And still be a
whore-house. They're synonyma.
1699. GARTH, The Dispensary, ii.,
line 157. A HOT-HOUSE he prefers to Julia's
arms.
HOT MEAT (or BEEF or MUTTON),
subs. phr. (venery). — See BIT.
HOT-MEMBER (or HOT 'UN).— See
WARM MEMBER.
HOT-MILK, subs, (venery). — The
semen. For synonyms, see
CREAM.
HOT- PLACE, subs, (colloquial). —
Hell. For synonyms, see
TROPICAL CLIMATE.
1891. F. H. GROOME, Blackwood,
Mar., p. 320. A letter from her son in
Hull, told the curate that ' that did give
me a tarn at fust, for I thought that come
from the HOT PLACE.'
HOT-POT, subs. (old). — Ale and
brandy made hot.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1788. G. C. STEVENS, Adv. of a
Speculist, ii.. 56. A watchman and an old
Blind Woman, troubled with the palsy,
drinking HOT-POT together.
HOT- POTATO. TO DROP LIKE
A HOT POTATO, verb. phr.
(common). — To abandon (a
pursuit, a person, a thing) with
alacrity.
HOT- PUD DING. To HAVE A HOT-
PUDDING FOR SUPPER, verb,
phr. (venery). — To copulate.
Of women only. [PUDDING
(Durfey) = the penis]. For
synonyms, see GREENS and RIDE.
Hot-stomacJi.
365
House.
HOT-STOMACH. So HOT A
STOMACH AS TO BURN THE
CLOTHES OFF HIS BACK, phr.
(old). — Said of one who pawns
his clothes for drink. — Lex. Bal.
HOTTENTOT, subs. (East-end). See
quot.
1880. G. R. SIMS, How the Poor
Live, ch. x. The cry of HOTTENTOTS
went round. ' Hottentots ' is the playful
way in this district of designating a
stranger, that is to say, a stranger come
from the West.
2. (common). — A fool. For
synonyms, see BUFFLE and
CABBAGE-HEAD.
HOT-TIGER, subs. (Oxford Univ.).
— Hot-spictd ale and sherry. —
HOTTEN.
HOT-WATER. To BE IN HOT-
WATER, verb. phr. (colloquial). —
To be in trouble, in difficulties,
or worried.
1846. Punch's Almanack, 29 Nov.
The Times first printed by steam, 1814,
and has kept the country in HOT WATER
ever since.
1864. MARK LEMON, Jest book, p.
238. Lord Allen, in conversation with
Rogers, the poet, observed : ' I never put
my razor into hot water, as I find it
injures the temper of the blade." ' No
doubt of it,' replied Rogers ; ' show me
the blade that is not out of temper
when plunged into HOT WATER.'
HOUND, subs. (Cambridge Univ.).
— I. See quot.
1879. E. WALFORD, in N. and Q.,
5 S., xii., 88. In the Anecdotes of
Bo-wyer .... we are told that a HOUND
of King's College, Cambridge, is an under-
g aduate not on the foundation, nearly the
same as a ' sizar.'
2. (colloquial). A mean, con-
temptible fellow ; a scoundrel ; a
filthy sneak.
Hou NSLOW- H EATH tsubs. (rhyming).
— The teeth. For synonyms, see
GRINDERS. Also HAMPSTEAD-
HEATH.
1887. DAGONET in Referee, 7 Nov.,
p. 7, c. 3. She'd a Grecian ' I suppose,'
And of HAMPSTEAD HEATH two rows.
HOURI OF FLEET-STREET, subs. phr.
(common). — A prostitute. For
synonyms, see BARRACK-HACK
and TART.
HOUSE, subs, (theatrical). — i. An
audience. To BRING DOWN THE
HOUSE = to elicit a general burst of
applause. Fr. , avoir sa cdtelette ;
bo ire du lait.
1823. BEE, Diet, of the Turf, s.v.
HOUSE. With them (the players) it
means Covent-garden or Drury-lane, or
indeed any other theatre. ' A full-HOUSE '
and ' half-a-HOUSE ' indicate the state of the
receipts or number of the audience.
1870. Athenceum, 13 Aug., p. 120.
' Letter of J. U. Halliwell.' It is now
certain that Shakespeare was never propri-
etor of either (the Globe or Blackfriars)
theatre. His sole interest in them consisted
in a participation, as an actor in the
receipts of what is .called the HOUSE.
1873. Home News, 24 Jan. I
exerted myself, not for praise of that well-
dressed mob they called THE HOUSE, but
for very love of the congenial sport.
1892. SYDNEY WATSON, Wops the
Waif, ch. iii., p. 4. There was tremendous
enthusiasm this evening. Every scene was
uproariously applauded, and at the climax
the whole HOUSE rose and cheered and
encored with tumultuous feeling.
THE HOUSE (colloquial). — (i)
The Stock Exchange; (2) The
House of Commons ; (3) Christ
Church, Oxford.
HOUSE UNDER THE HILL, subs,
phr. (venery). — The female pu-
dendum. For synonyms, see
MONOSYLLABLE.
HOUSE (or APARTMENTS) TO
LET, subs. phr. (common). — A
widow.— Lex. Bal. Also BILL-
OF-SALE and MAN-TRAP.
House-bit.
366
Housewife.
FATHER OF THE HOUSE, subs,
phr. (Parliamentary).— The old-
est elected member. See BABE.
HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT,
subs, phr, (common). — A prison.
For synonyms, see CAGE.
LIKE A HOUSE ON FIRE, adv.
phr. (common). — Quickly; with
energy. See LIKE.
1851-61. MAYHEW, Lond. Lab. and
Lond. Poor, ii., 85. I'm getting on LIKB A
regler HOUSE ON FIRE.
SAFE AS HOUSES, adv. phr.
(common). — Perfectly safe.
1864. E. YATES, Broken to Harness,
ch. xxxii., p. 361 (1873). I have the means
of doing that, as SAFE AS HOUSES.
1874. T. HARDY, Far from the
Madding Crowd, ch. Ivii. ' The clothes
will floor us as SAFE AS HOUSES,' said
Coggan.
1886. GRANT ALLEN, In All Shades,
ch. i. Why, of course, then, that's the
explanation of it — as SAFE AS HOUSES, you
may depend upon it.
1890. GRANT ALLEN, Tents ofShem,
ch. xxviii. You may make your forgery
itself as SAFE AS HOUSES.
HOUSE- BIT (or -KEEPER, or -PIECE),
subs, (colloquial). — A servant-
mistress.
HOUSE-DOVE, subs, (old).— A stay-
at-home.
HOUSEHOLD-BRIGADE. TOJOINTHE
HOUSEHOLD BRIGADE, verb. phr.
(common). — To marry. For syn-
onyms, see SPLICE.
1881. Home Tidings, April, p. 42, c.
i. Jem Ryan joined the HOUSEHOLD
BRIGADE on Easter Monday, E. New
acting as best man.
HOUSE OF CIVIL RECEPTION, subs,
phr. (old). — A brothel. For syn-
onyms, see NANNY-SHOP.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HOUSE OF COMMONS (or HOUSE
OF OFFICE), subs. phr. (old). — A
W.C. For synonyms, see MRS.
JONES.
1611. CHAPMAN, May-Day, iv., 2.
No room save you turn out my wife's coal-
house, and her other HOUSE OF OFFICE at-
tached to it, reserved for her and me some-
times, and will you use it beiug a stranger ?
1748. SMOLLETT, Roderick Random,
c. xiii. Taking the candle in his hand,
which he had left burning for the purpose,
he went down to the HOUSE OF OFFICE.
d. 1780. ROBERTSON of Struan,
Poems, 83. So to a HOUSE OF OFFICE
straight a school-boy does repair, To ease
his postern of its weight.
HOUSE-TAILOR, sub:, (old). — An
upholsterer.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HOUSE-TAILERS, Upholsterers.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
HOUSEWIFE (or HUSWIFE, or
HUSSY), subs, (colloquial). — i.
Primarily, a house-keeper. Hence
(a) a domestic servant ; (b) a
wanton or a gad-about wench ;
and (c) a comic endearment.
Hence, too, HOUSEWIFERY, subs.,
and HOUSEWIFE'S TRICKS = the
habit of wantonness, the practice
of men.
1508. GawainandGologras, 'Ballade.'
(PINKERTON, Scottish Poems, 1792, iii.).
A gude HUSY-WIFE ay rinning in the toun.
1589. PUTTENHAM, English Poesie,
1589, ii., 16 (ed. ARBER, p. 148). Half
lost for lack of a good HUSWIFE'S looking
to.
1600. Look about You, sc. 28 (DoDS-
LEY, Old Plays, 4th ed., 1875, vii., 476).
HUSWIFE, I'll have you whipped for
slandering me.
1602. SHAKSPEARE, Twelfth Night,
i., 2. I hope to see some HOUSEWIFE take
thee between her legs and spin it off.
1659. Lady Alimony, iii., 3 (Doos-
LEY, Old Plays, 4th ed., 1875, xiv., 331).
And if the HUSSY challenge more, Charm
the maundering gossip with your roar.
Idem, iii., 6. (p. 340). If I make not these
haxters as hateful to our HUSSIES as ever
they were to us, their husbands, set me up
for a Jack-a-Lent.
1672. RAY, Proverbs, s.v., CAT.
Cats eat whar HUSSIES spare
367
How.
' 1673. WYCHKRLY, Gentleman Danc-
ing Master, iv., i. What, HUSSY, would
you not do as he'd have you ?
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
1694. CONGREVE, Double Dealer, iv.,
3. When I was of your age, HUSSY, I
would have held fifty to one I could have
drawn my own picture.
1697. VANBRUGH, ALsop, i., i. Hark
you HUSSY. You can give yourself airs
sometimes, you know you can.
1708. MRS. CENTLIVRE, The Busy-
Body, iv., 2. I'll charm you, HOUSEWIFE.
Here lies the charm that conjured this
fellow in.
1708. PRIOR, Poems (Aldine ed. ii.,
270), ' The Insatiable Priest.' To suppress
all his carnal desires in their birth At all
hours a lusty young HUSSY is near.
1720. SWIFT, Poems, 'A Portrait'
(CHALMERS, English Poets, 1810, xi., 448).
A HOUSEWIFE in bed, at table a slattern.
1728. SWIFT, Poems, ' My Lady's
Lamentations ' (CHALMERS, English Poets,
1 8 10, xi., 460). Consider before You come
to threescore, How the HUSSIES will fleer
Whene'er y0u appear.
1731. C. COFFEY, The Devil to Pay,
\. Don't you know, HUSSY, that I am
king in my own house. .T
1732. HENRY FIELDING, The Mock
Doctor, i. Ay, HUSSY, a regular educa-
tion; first at the charity-school where I
learned to read.
1751. SMOLLETT, Peregrine Pickle,
c. xviii. He supposed the object of his
love was some paltry HUSSY, whom he had
picked up when he was a boy at school.
d. 1764- LLOYD, Poems (1774), ' Chit-
Chat.' Lud ! I could beat the HUSSEY
down, She's poured it all upon my gown.
1768. GOLDSMITH, Good Natured
Man, ii. And you have but too well suc-
ceeded, you little HUSSY, you.
1771. SMOLLETT, Humphrey Clinker
(ed. 1800, p. 43). And I have been twice
in the bath with mistress and na'r a smock
upon our backs, HUSSY.
1782. COWLEY, Bold Stroke for a
Husband, i., 2. Don C. Now, HUSSY,
what do you expect ?
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1786. BURNS, The Inventory. Frae
this time forth I do declare, I'se ne'er ride
horse nor HIZZIE mair.
1822. SCOTT, Fortunes of Nigel, ch.
xxii. Say nothing of that, HOUSEWIFE,
.... or I will beat thee— beat thee with
my staff.
1829. C. A. SOMERSET, The Day
After the Fair, \. Oh, you HUSSY ! so
you were Madame Maypole 1
1893. R. LE GALLIENNE, Intro.
Liber Amoris, p. xliv. To think of poor
Hazlitt gravely lavishing his choice
Elizabethan quotations on the HUSSEY.
2. (venery). — The female
pudendum. For synonyms, see
MONOSYLLABLE.
MOUSEY, 0^'. (Christ's Hospital). —
Belonging to the Hospital.
HOUSLE, verb. (Winchester College).
—To hustle.
HOVELLER, SUbs.
beach -thief.
(nautical). — A
HOW. HOW CAME YOU SO?
phr. (old), — Drunk. For syn-
onyms,.^ DRINKS and SCREWED.
1824. T. HOOK, Sayings and Doings,
ist S. Merton, ch. xiii. Quid Mrs.
Etherington was a right bad one ; she used
to be LORD, HOW COME YOU so ! every
night, as regular as she went to bed.
How MUCH ? phr. (common).
— ' What do you say ? ' ' What
do you mean ? ' What price ? —
a general request for explanations.
1852. F. E. SMEDLEY, Lewis Arundel ',
ch. xxxiv. ' Then my answer must mainly
depend on the exact height of the prin-
ciples.' 'On the HOW MUCH? inquired
Frere, considerably mystified.
HOW ARE YOU OFF FOR SOAP,
phr. (old).— A street catch.
1833. MARRYAT, Peter Simple, ch.
iv. Well, Reefer, HOW ARE YOU OFF FOR
SOAP?
1842. Punch, ii., 94, c. 2. Walker !
HOW ARE YOU OFF FOR SOAP?
HOW THE BLAZES. See
BLAZES.
HOW IS THAT FOR HIGH. See
HIGH.
HOW'S YOUR POOR FEET, phr.
(streets'). — A street catch, of no
particular meaning. See STREET
CRIES.
Howards Garbage. 368
Howling.
1863. All the Year Round, x., 180.
How's YOUR POOR FEET? a year ago
cheated half the natives of Cockaigne into
the belief that they were gifted with a
special genius for repartee.
1863. G. A. SALA, Breakfast in
Bed, p. 163 (1864). But how would
you like a screeching multitude, rifty thou-
sand strong, and with not one of whom, to
the best of your knowledge, you h^d even
a bowing acquaintance, to vociferate in
your track — in the public street, mind —
' Ya-a-a-h ! HOW ARE YOUR POOR FEET?'
1890. Town and Country (Sydney),
TI Jan., p. 19, c. 4. Henry Irving's re-
vival of The Dead Heart' has revived a
bit of slang. . - . When the play was
brought out originally, where one of the
characters says, ' My heart is dead, dead,
dead ! ' a voice from the gallery nearly
broke up the drama with How ARE YOUR
POOR FEET ? The phrase lived.
HOW'LL YOU HAVE IT, phr.
(common). — An invitation to
drink. For synonyms, .^DRINKS.
How WE APPLES SWIM (some-
times amplified by QUOTH THE
HORSE-TURD) ! verb. phr. (old).
— Said in derision of a parvenu;
of a person in better company
than he (or she) has any right to
keep ; or of a pretender to honour
or credit he (or she) does not
deserve.
1670. RAY, Proverbs, s.v.
1697-1764. HOGARTH (Works by J.
Ireland and J. Nichols, London, 1873)
III., p. 29. And even this, little as it is,
gives him so much importance in his own
eyes, that he assumes a consequential air,
sets his arms akimbo, and strutting among
the historical artists cries, HOW WE APPLES
SWIM.
1860. Cornhill Mag. (D. Mallett,
Tyburn}, Dec., p, 737. While tumbling
down the turbid stream, Lord, love us,
HOW WE APPLES SWIM.
HOWARD'S GARBAGE, subs. phr.
(military). — TheNineteenth Foot.
Also GREEN HOWARDS.
HOWARD'S GREENS, subs. phr.
(military). — The Twenty - fourth
Foot. [From its facings and its
Colonel's name, 1717-37.]
How- DO-YOU - DO , subs, (colloquial).
— A ' to do ' ; a ' kettle of rish ' ; a
'pass.'
1835. HALI BURTON, Clockmaker, i
S., ch. xxvi. Thinks I, here's a pretty
HOW DO YOU DO ; I'm in for i now, that's
a fact.
HOWLER, subs, (common). — An un-
blushing falsehood ; an enormous
blunder ; a serious accident : and
so forth. To COVIE (or GO) A
HOWLER = to come to grief; to
run amuck.
1885. Daily News, 16 May, p. 4, c.
8. Now, to speak respectfully of old
scholars that were before us, the transla-
tors of the Bible constantly made what
undergraduates call HOWLERS, or griev-
ously impossible blunders.
1886. STEPHENS and YARDLEY, Little
Jack Sheppard, p. 34. Jack. My dears,
you're late. Bess. Our hansom came a
HOWLER.
1888. Indoor Paupers, p. 24. As to
how we are to spend the eight hours, or
thereabouts, that remain after meals,
church, and HOWLERS are disposed of, no-
body, except ourselves and a few private
friends outside, cares in the least.
1891. Moonshine, 14 Mar. Oh, /
saw some piece in which a Johnnie smoked
some cigarettes, and at last CAME A
HOWLER, and wanted to commit suicide.
1891. Pall Mall Gaz., 19. Sep.,
p. 2, c. 3. We wondered yesterday how
many of our classical readers would see the
HOWLER — or the joke.
HOWLING, adj. (common).— A
general intensitive. E.g.> HOWL-
ING-SWELL = a man in the extreme
of fashion ; HOWLING-LIE = a
gross falsehood ; HOWLING-BAGS
= trousers extravagant in cut or
pattern ; HOWLING-CAD, etc.
Hoxter.
369
Hubbub.
1865. G. A. SALA, Trip to Barbary,
ch. vii. The hotel at Marseilles was full
of our countrymen of the order known at
Lane's and Limmer's as HOWLING SWELLS.
1887. Household Words, n June,
116. Let's hook it ; that Jenny Morris
is such an HOWLING SWELL that she won't
wait for any one.
1889. Licensed Viet. Gaz., 8 Feb-
The Hon. Juggins was what is popularly
known as a HOWLING SWELL.
1892. ANSTEY, Model Music-Hall,
146. And all the while your heart was
given to a HOWLING CAD.
HOXTER, subs. (old). — I. An inside
pocket.
1834. H. AINSWORTH, Rookwood
bk. III., ch. v. No slour'd HOXTER my
snipes could stay.
2. (Royal Military Academy).
— Extra drill. [Corruption of
extra.] Fr., le bal.
1887. BARRERE, Argot and Slang.
The HOXTER consists in the painful ordeal
of being compelled to turn out of bed at an
early hour, and march up and down under
the watchful eye of a corporal.
HOYS. See HOIST.
HOYT. See HOIT.
HUB, subs. (American). — I. Boston.
Also, HUB OF THE UNIVERSE.
[The description is Oliver Wendell
Holmes's.] Since extended to
other centres or chief cities (set
quot. 1876).
1869. Boston Herald, Dec. He is to
have a quintette club of amateurs with
him, from THE HUB.
1872. Daily Telegraph, 4 July.
Boston claims to be the HUB of the uni-
verse ; but New York grandiloquently
asserts itself to be the universal wheel
itself.
1872. Daily Telegraph, Dec. The
wealth of the HUB OF THE UNIVERSE, as
Bostonians delight to call their city, is
very great.
1878. Daily Neivs^ 18 Jan. Calcutta
.... swaggers as if it were the HUB OF
THE UNIVERSE.
1888. Boston Daily Globe. The
typical girl of THE HUB has been much
written about in the novels of the period,
and without doubt she is worth all the
attention bestowed upon her.
2. (colloquial). — A husband.
See HUBBY.
HUBBLE-BUBBLE, subs, (colloquial).
— I. See quots.
1748. F. DYCHE, Dictionary (5th
Ed.)- HUBBLE-BUBBLE (s.) a confused
noise made by a talkative person, who
speaks so quick, that it is difficult to
understand what he says or means.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicnm, s.v-
HUBBLE-BUBBLE. Confusion. A HUBBLE
BUBBLE fellow, a man of confused ideas,
or one thick of speech, whose words sound
like water bubbling out of a bottle.
2. (common). — A hookah ; a
pipe by which the smoke is
passed through water.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
HUBBI.E-BUBBLE .... Also an instru-
ment used for smoaking through water in
the East Indies, called likewise a caloon
and hooker.
Under Two Flags, ch'
warmly grateful, was
him a cup of coffee and
in the stillness of his
15 Oct. Off I went
and half a mile below
quietly smoking his
1868. OUIDA,
xxii. The Moor,
ever ready to give
a HUBBLE-BUBBLE
dwelling.
1887. Field,
down the ravine,
came to Besan
HUBBLE-BUBBLE.
1891. W. C. RUSSELL, Ocean
Tragedy, p. 130. A burning atmosphere
sickly with the smell of the incense of the
HUBBLE - BUBBLE, with a flavour of hot
curry about.
HUBBLE-DE-SHUFF, adv. (old). —
Confusedly. — Lex. Bal.
HUBBUB, subs, (old : now re-
cognised). — See quots.
d. 1639. ROBERT CAREY (Earl of
Monmouth), Memoirs, 1759, p. 155. This
made a great HUB-BUB in our Court.
1667. MILTON, Paradise Lost, ii.,
951. A universal HUBBUB wild, Of stunning
sounds.
24
Hubby.
37o
Hue.
1682. BUNYAN, Holy War(&<n ed.
M. Peacock, p. 58)- The conscience and
understanding oegin to receive conviction,
and they set the soul in a HUBBUB.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HUBBUB, a Noise in the Streets made by
the Rabble.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HUBBUB, a noise, riot, or disturbance.
1893. Westminster Gaz., 8 Aug., p.
2, col. i. An indescribable HUBBUB of
showmen's, hawkers', and children's voices
from near and far.
HUBBY (or HUB), subs, (colloquial).
— A husband.
1798. MORTON, Secrets Worth
Knowing. Epilogue. The wife poor
thing, at first so blithe and chubby, Scarce
knows again her lover in her HUBBY.
1807. STEVENS, Wks., p. 175. What
could HUBBY do then, what could HUBBY
do ? But sympathy-struck, as she cry'd, he
cry'd too.
1811. Pooi.E, Hamlet Travestied, ii.,
3. Now, madam, this once was your
HUBBY.
1883. Referee, 17 Apr., p. 3, c. 2.
I did hear it whispered that her parents
and guardians, or her horrified HUBBY, had
turned the key on her.
HUCK, verb, (old),— To chaffer ; to
bargain.
1577. HOLINSHEAD, Description of
England, ed. 1807, i., 315. It was his
custome likewise to saie, if anie man
MUCKED hard with him about the price of
a gelding : * So God helpe me ... either
he did cost me so much,' or else, ' By Jesus
I stole him.1
HUCKLEBERRY. ABOVE ONE'S
HUCKLEBERRY (BEND, or HOOK),
adv. phr. (American). — Beyond
one's ability ; out of one's reach.
See BEND.
1848. J. F. COOPER, The Oak Open-
ings. It would be ABOVE MY BEND to
attempt telling you all we saw among the
red skins.
1852. ' L 'Allegro,' As Good as a
Comedy, p. 61. Well, Squire Barry, you're
a HUCKLEBERRY ABOVE MY PERSIMMON,
but I reckon something can be done.
HUCKLE-MY-BUTT, subs. (old). —
Beer, egg, and brandy made hot.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1834. AINSWORTH, Rookwood, iii., 5.
' If that's a bowl of HUCKLE MY-BUTT you
are brewing, Sir William,' added he, ad-
dressing the knight of Malta, 'you may
send me a jorum at your convenience. '
HUCKSTER, subs, (old: now re-
cognised).— I. A retailer of small
goods ; a pedlar.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.r.
HUCKSTER, the Retailers of the Market,
who Sell in the Market at second Hand.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v
HUCKSTERS, itinerant retailers of pro-
visions.
2. (old). — A mean trickster.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
IN HUCKSTER'S HANDS, adv.
•phr. (old). — See quot.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HUCKSTERS .... IN HUCKSTER'S HANDS,
at a desperate Pass, or Condition, or in a
fair way to be Lost.
HucKSUM(alsoHucKLE, or HUCKLE-
BONE, or HUCK-BONE).— Thehip.
c. 1508. DUNBAR, Flyting (Poems,
ed. 1834, ii., 72). With HUCK-BONES harth
and haw.
d. 1529. S K ELTON, ElynorRummyn
(Poems, 1843, i.). The bones of her
HUCKELS Lyke as they were buckels.
1575. STILL, Gammer Gurton's
Needle, i., 3 (DODSLEY, Old Plays, 4th
ed., 1875, hi., 1 80). For bursting of her
HUCKLE-BONE, or breaking of her shin.
HUDDLE, verb, (venery). — To copu-
late. For synonyms, see GREENS
and RIDE.
HUE, verb. (old). — See quot.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew. s.v.
The Cove was HUED in the Naskin,
the Rogue was severely Lasht in Bride
wel
1785. GROSE Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
Huey.
37i
Huff.
HUEY, subs. (Old Cant).— A town
or village.
1851-61. H. MAYHEW, Lond. Lab.
and Land. Poor, vol. I., p. 231. 'Where
do you stall to in the HUEY?' which,
fairly translated, means, 'Where do you
lodge in the town ? '
HUFF, suds, (colloquial). — I. An
outburst of temper; peevishness ;
offence at some real or imaginary
wrong or slight. Hence, TO GET
(or TAKE) THE HUFF = to fly into
a passion.
1599. H. PORTER, Ttvo Angry
Women of Abingdon (DoDSLEY, Old
Plays, 4th ed., 1875, yii., 311). And as
thou say'st to me, to him I said, But in a
greater HUFF and hotter blood.
1676. ETHEREGE, Man of Mode,
Wks. (1704), i., 190. Tax her with the
next fop that comes Into my head, and in
A HUFF march away.
1688. SHADWELL, Sq. of Alsatia,
Wks. (1720), iv., 63. If you were not the
brother to my dearest friend, I know what
my honour would prompt me to [walks in
a HUFF].
1700. FARQUHAR, Constant Couple,
ii., 2. I offer' d her fifty guineas, and she
was in her airs presently, and flew away in
A HUFF.
1705-7. WARD, Hudibras Redivh'us,
vol. II-, pt. iv., p. 26. I pay'd three
Shillings, in A HUFF, For my half Pint of
liquid Stuff.
1759-67. STERNE, Tristram, Shandy,
ch. xxix. He left off the study of projec-
tiles in a kind of HUFF, and betook
himself to the practical part of fortification
only. Idem. ch. c. Can I ? cried Susan-
nah, shutting the door in a HUFF.
1769. CHATTERTON, Poems, 'Jour-
nal' (CHALMERS, English Poets, 1810,
xv., 495). 'Sir,' quoth the Rector in a
HUFF.
1777. SHERIDAN, Trip to Scarborough,
i., i. The lady not condescending to give
me any serious reasons for having fooled
me for a month, I left her IN A HUFF.
1825. T$-E.*.<L,Bro. Jonathan, bk. II.,
ch. 16. What a HUFF you're at ! I only
axed a question.
1855. THACKERAY, Ncwcomes, ch.
xx. He is as proud as Lucifer, he is
always taking HUFF about one thing or
• he other.
1855. BROWNING, Men and Women '
' Fra Lippo Lippi' (Ed. 1864, p. 357)'
You'll not mistake an idle word Spoke in
a HUFF by a poor monk ?
1885. T. E. BROWN, The Doctor, p.
30. Already my goodness! he's TAKING
THE HUFF.
1892. ANSTEY, Model Music-Hall,
37. Some parties IN A HUFF rage At the
plea for Female Suffrage,
2. (old). — A bully ; a HECTOR
(q.v.) ; a sharper. Also CAPTAIN
HUFF.
1569. PRESTON, Cambises (DODSLEY,
Old Plays, 4th ed., 1875, iv., 177). [Enter
three ruffians, HUFF, Ruff, and Snuff.]
1680. COTTON, Complete Gamester,
p. 333. HUFFS, hectors, setters, gilts
pads, biters, etc.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant Crew, s.v.
1693. CONGREVE, Old Bachelor, iv.,
Q. Good, slovenly CAPTAIN HUFF,
Bluffe (what is your hideous name ?).
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
3. (common). — A dodge ; a
trick.
4. (draughts'). — A term in the
game of draughts ; the penalty for
not taking a piece.
5. (Winchester College). — See
HUFF-CAP.
Verb, (colloquial). — I. To
bluster ; to bounce ; to swagger.
1607. How a Man May Choose a
Good Wife, etc., iv., 3 (DODSLEY, Old
Plays. 4th ed., 1875, ix., 78). A HUFFING-
wench i' faith.
1630. TAYLOR, Workes. The smell is
the senting bawd, that HUFFS and snuffs up
and downe, and hath the game alwayes in
the winde. Ibid. One asked a HUFFING
gallant why hee had not a looking-glasse in
his chamber ; he answered, he durst not,
because hee was often angry, and then he
look'd so terribly that he was fearefull to
looke upon himselfe.
d. 1631. DONNE, Satires, iv. (CHAL-
MERS, English Poets, 1810, v., 158). To
th' HUFFING, braggart, pnffeH nobility
Huff
372
Huff.
1643. RANDOLPH, Muses Looking-
G?asse,'\.,i. Floiurd. Iniquity aboundeth,
though pure zeal Teach, preach, HUFFE,
puffe, and snuffe at it, yet still, Still it
aboundeth.
1673. WYCHERLEY, Gentleman Dan-
cing Master, v., i. How! my surly,
HUFFING, jealous, senseless, saucy master.
1675. WYCHERLEY, Country Wife.
' Prologue.' Well, let the vain rash fop, by
HUFFING so, Think to obtain the better
terms of you.
1680. DRYDEN, Prol. to Lee's Ctesar
Borgia, p. 29. So big you look, though
claret you retrench, That, armed with
bottled ale, you HUFF the French.
d. 1680. ROCHESTER, Poems,
'Woman's Honour' (CHALMERS, English
Poets, 1810, viii., 239). This HUFFING
honour domineers In breasts when he alone
has place.
1682. BUNYAN, Holy War (ed. M.
Peacock, 1893, P- 72)- He refused and
HUFFED as well as he could, but in heart
he was afraid.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v
HUFF. To HUFF AND DING, to bounce
and swagger.
1690. The Pagan Prince. And the
same threats and menaces of the palatine
being carry'd to the marshal de Tonneure,
notwithstanding all his former encomiums,
Oh ! quo he, the palatine's a young prince;
give him leave to HUFF AND DING for his
living ; words break no bones : when all's
done, 'tis the coach wheel, not the fly that
raises the dust.
1699. ROBERT FRANCK, Northern
Memoirs (quoted in New Review, Aug.,
1893, p. 145). So HUFFED away.
1700. MRS. CENTLIVRE, Perjured
Husband. 'Epilogue.' Let cowards cease
to HUFF.
1705. WARD, Hudibras Redivivus,
vol. L, pt. Hi., p. 14. And in their frenzy,
HUFF and threaten With what sad stripes
we shall be beaten.
1708. PRIOR, Poems, ' The Mice.'
(Aldine ed. ii., 244, 50). One went to
Holland where they HUFF folk, T'other to
vend his wares in Suffolk.
1714. Newest Academy of Compli-
ments. Pray neighbour, why d'ye look
awry ? You're grown a wondrous stranger;
You HUFF, you pout, you walk about
As tho' you'd burst with anger.
1719. DURFEY, Pills, etc., i., 28^.
Thus, thus I strut and HUFF. Idem., i.,
154. But when the new ones did stoop,
The t'other as HUFFING would be. Idem.,
v., 99. When Bullies leave HUFFING and
Cowards their Trembling.
1725. SWIFT, Poems, ' A New Song '
(CHALMERS, English Poets, i8ro, xi., 446).
If he goes to the baker's the baker will
HUFF, And twenty pence ask for a two-
penny loaf.
d. 1742. SOMERVILLE, Occasional
Poems, ' The Officious Messenger ' (CHAL-
MERS, English Poets , 1810, xi., 206). Her
ladyship began TO HUFF.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
2. To anger; TO CHEEK (q.v.);
to get angered.
1708. MRS. CENTLIVRE, The Busy-
Body, Hi., 4. Impossible, without he
HUFFS the lady, and makes love to Sir
Francis.
1835. M.PLKKVW, Jacob Faithful, ch.
xiili. Upon this she HUFFS outright, and
tells Tom he may go about his business, for
she didn't care if she never sees him no
more.
1839. W. H. AINSWORTH. Jack
Sheppard, p. 133 (Ed. 1840). If they do,
now and then, run away with a knocker,
paint a sign, beat the watch, or HUFF a
magistrate.
Intj. (obsolete). — See quots.
Also HUFFA and HUFFA.-GAL-
LANT. [Probably the oldest form
of the word. ]
c. 1510. RASTELL, Four Elements
(DoDSLEY, Old Plays, 4th ed., 1875, i.,
20). With HUFFA GALLANT, tirl on the
berry, And let the wide world wind.
c. 152(?). Hick Scorner (DODSLEY,
Old Plays, 4th ed., 1875, i., 188). HUFF !
HUFF ! HUFF ! who sent after me.
d. 1529. SKELTON, Poems, ' Against
Garnesche ' (DvcE, i., 118, and note ii.,
181-2). HUF A GALANTE, Garneysche,
loke on your comely ars.
TO STAND THE HUFF, verb.
phr. (old). — To stand the reckon-
ing. — Lex. Bal.
Also HUFFY = easily offended ;
HUFFED = annoyed; HUFFILY =
testily ; in a tantrum.
Huff -cap.
373
Pluff-snuff.
1825. NEAL, Bro. Jonathan, bk. II.,
ch. 15. A leetle on the HUFFY order, I
guess ! Aint you ?
1852. H. B. STOWE, Uncle Tom's
Cabin, ch. xvi. I .... actually was so
cruel as to restrict him to one dozen of my
cambric handkerchiefs. Dolph was par-
ticularly HUFFY about it, and I had to talk
to him like a father to bring him round.
1853. LYTTON, My^ Novel, bk. I.,
ch. ix. Though the Squire was inclined
to be very friendly to all his neighbours, he
was, like most country gentlemen, rather
easily HUFFED.
1873. Miss BROUGHTON, Nancy, ch.
xxxvi. ' I have no doubt you would !' say
I, turnirg sharply and HUFFILY away.
1875. OUIDA, Signa, vol. II,, ch.
xx., p. 324. ' She is a stupid little mule,'
thought the old woman, angrily. ' She
feels nothing, she sees no greatness in it
all — she is only good to grub amongst
her cabbages.' And she went away
HUFFED.
1885. T. E. BROWN, The Doctor, p.
31. HUFFED is he, eh? And who regards
him?
HUFF-CAP (or HUFF), subs. (Old
Cant : still in use at Winchester
College). — i. Strong ale. ['From
inducing people to set their caps
in a bold and HUFFING style.' —
NARES.]
1579. FULWELL, Art of Flattery.
Commonly called HUFCAP, it will make a
man look as though he had scene the
devil.
1586. HOLINSHED, Description of
England. These men hale at HUFF-CAP
till they be red as cockes and little wiser
than their combes.
1602. CAMPION, English Poesy
(BuLLEN, IVorks, 1889, p. 247). Hunks
detests when HUFFCAP ale he tipples.
1614. GREENE, Looking-Glass [Dyce],
. 127. The ale is strong ale, 'tis HUFCAP;
warrant you, 'twill make a man well.
p. 127
1630. TAYLOR, Wks. And this is
it, of ale-houses and innes, Wine-marchants
vintners, brewers, who much wins By others
losing, I say more or lesse, Who sale of
HUFCAP liquor doe professe.
1870. MANSFIELD, School Life, p.
180. Washed down by libations of HUFF.
1878. ADAMS, Wykehamica, s.v.
HUFF, the strong ale brewed by the
College.
2. (old). — A swaggering bully ;
a HECTOR (q.v.).
1596. NASHE, Lenten Stuffe (GROS-
ART, Works, v., 306). The HUFF-CAPPES
to drink in that house, thou shall be sure
of always.
1630. TAYLOR, Wks. But 'tis a
maxime mortals cannot hinder, The
doughty deeds of Wakefield's HUFFE-CAP
Finder Are not so pleasant as the faire
Aurora, When Nimrod rudely plaid on his
bandora.
1687. CLIFFORD, Notes upon Dryden,
letter 2. Prethee tell me true, was not
this HUFF-CAP once the Indian emperour,
and at another time did not he call himself
Maximine?
1706. FARQUHAR, Recruiting Officer,
v., 6. You have made a fine speech good
Captain HUFF-CAP.
Adj. (old). — Swaggering;
blustering ; rousing.
1597. HALL, Satires, i., 3. Graced
with HUFF-CAP terms and thundering
threats.
HuFFER, subs. (old). — A swaggerer.
1682. BANKS, Vertue Betrayed , Prol.
lines 23-4. Welcome mask-teazer, peevish
gamster, HUFFER : All fools, but poli-
ticians, we can suffer.
1770. LORD HAILES, Ancient Scot-
tish Poetry, note on ' Seven Deadly Sins,'
line 34. HUFFERS (or threateners),
boasters, and they who pick quarrels.
HuFFLE,z^.(venery).— i. To BAG-
PIPE (q.v.).
2. (colloquial). — To shift ; to
hesitate ; to waver.
fo. (old).— A person
apt to take offence.
1592. NASHE, Strange News, etc.
(GROSART, Works ii., 184). Gabriel
HUFFE-SNUFFE Knowne to the world for
a foole, and clapt in the Fleete for a poet.
1598. FLORID, A Worlde of Wordes*
s.v. Risentito. . . Also a HUFFE SNUFFE'
one that will soone take pepper in the nose'
that will revenge eucrie small matter.
Huftie-tuftie.
374
Hug.
1750. OZELL, Rabelais, iv., pref.
xxiii. Freebooters, desperadoes, and bully-
ing HUFF-SNUFFS.
HUFTIE-TUFTIE, adj. (old).— Swag-
gering ; gallant.
1596. NASHE,S«^«?» Walden(GKOS-
ART, Works, iii., 106). Came a ruffling it
out, HUFTIE-TUFTIE, in his velvet suit.
1599. NASHE, Lenten Stuffe, (GROS-
ART, Works, v., 250,). HUFTIE-TUFTIE
youthful ruffling comrades, wearing every
one three yards of feathers in his cap for
his mistres' favour.
H UG,subs. (thieves'). —GARROTTING
(q.v.}. Also verbally, and TO
PUT ON THE HUG.
1864. Home Magazine, 16 Mar.
Hoax upon hoax about the putting on THE
HUG was played off upon a credulous and
bugbear-loving community.
2. (old). — The sexual embrace.
For synonyms, see GREENS and
RIDE. Also THE CLOSE HUG.
1659. Lady A limony, ii. , * Prologue '
(DODSLEY, Old Plays, 4th ed., 1875, xiv.,
288). Apt for a spousal HUG.
1719. DURFEY. Pills, etc., iv., 163.
They've a new drug Which is called THE
CLOSE HUG.
Verb, (colloquial). — Properly
to grapple with and hold the body,
as a bear with his fore-paws.
Hence (i) to cuddle; and (2) to
perform the sexual embrace (see
subs., sense 2). Hence, also, TO
HUG BROWN BESS (q.V.) ; TO HUG
THE GUNNER'S DAUGHrER = to
cuddle a gun for punishment ;
TO HUG THE GROUND = tO
fall, or be hit off one's legs ;
TO GIVE THE HUG (pugilists) = to
close with and grapple the body ;
TO HUG THE SHORE (or BANK. Or
WALL) to keep close to ; CORNISH
HUG = a hold in wrestling; TO
HUG A BELIEF (or DELUSION, or
THOUGHT) = to cherish; TO HUG
ONE'S CHAINS = to delight in
captivity.
1696. LANDSDOWNE, Poems, ' Pro-
logue to The She-Gallanis' (CHALMERS,
English Poets, 1810, xi., p. 36). Then,
like some pensive statesman, treads de-
mure, And smiles and HUGS to maki
distinction sure.
1602. CAMPION, English Poesy
(BuLLER, Works, 1889, p. 249). Changed
is Helen. Helen HUGS the stranger.
1631. DRAYTON, The Mooncalf
(CHALMERS, English Poets, 1810, iv., 133;.
HUG him, and swear he was her only joy.
1637. BEAUMONT and FLETCHER,
Elder Brother, iv., i. This night I'll HUG
my Lilly in my arms.
d. 1619. DRUMMOND, Posthumous
Poems, ' Of a Kiss.' Nor her who had
the fate Ravis'd to be and HUGGED on
Ganges' shore.
1659. Lady Alimony, iv. (DODSLEY,
Old Plays, 4th ed., 1875, xiv., 288a). Shall
we HUG none of our own, But such as drop
from the frigid zone.
c. 1708. W. KING, The Art of Love,
Pt. iv. (CHALMERS, English Poets, 1810,
ix., 266). Then HUGGING her in brawny
arm.
d. 1710. R. Dt'KE, Poems,1- A Song'
(CHALMERS, English Poets, 1810, ix., 224.
Close HUGS the charmer, and ashamed to
yield, Though he has lost the day yet
keeps the field. Idem. She HUGS the dart
that wounded her, and dies.
d. 1742. SOMERVILLE, Occasional
Poems, etc., 'The Fortune-Hunter,' canto
iii. (CHALMERS, English Poets, 1810, xi.,
221. Drinks double bub wilh all his might
And HUGS his doxy every night.
1746. SMOLLETT, Ad-vice, line 4.
We'll HUG the curse that not one Joy can
boast.
d. 1764. LLOYD, Poems (1774), ' The
Cit' s County Box.' HUGGING themselves
in ease and clover.
d. 1773. G. CUNNINGHAM, Poems,
' Holiday - Gown ' (CHALMERS, English
Poets, 1810, xiv., 441). He HUGS me so
close, and he kisses so sweet.
1791. Antient and Modem Scottish
Songs, ' My Jockey is a Bonnie Lad,' ii.,
325. And then he fa's a kissing, clasping,
HUGGING, squeezing, tousling, pressing,
winna let me be.
d. 179fi. BURNS, The Jolly Beggars.
And at night in barn or stable, HUG our
doxies on the hay.
Hugger-mugger. 375
Hulk.
H UGG ER- M UGGER, subs, (colloquial).
— Muddle ; confusion.
1868. C. READE, Foul Play, ch. vii.
Why didn't you tell me, and I'd have
tidied the room : it is ail HUGGER-MUGGER,
with miss a leaving.
1885. T. E. BROWN, The Doctor, p.
36. And every place as neat as a pin, And
couldn't stand no HUGGER-MUGGER.
1892. Pall Mall Gaz., 28 Oct., p. 2,
c. 2. He wrote some lampoons in the
papers at the time, in which he ridiculed
the HUGGER-MUGGER of the prosecution.
Adv. (old). — See quots.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HUGGER-MUGGER, Closely or by SteaUh,
Underboard : To eat so, that is, to Eat by
one's self.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HUGGER-MUGGER, by stealth, privately,
without making an appearance; they spent
their money in a HUGGER-MUGGER way.
Adj. (common). — Confused ;
disorderly ; hap-hazard ; HAND-
TO-MOUTH (q.v.}.
1882. Daily Telegraph, 5 Oct., p. 2,
c. 2. Nor, can they be very severely
blamed for this HUGGER-MUGGER, slipshod
way of life.
Verb, (common). — To meet by
stealth ; to lay heads together.
1879. JUSTIN MCCARTHY, Donna
Quixote, ch. xxxii. I can see already that
she won't stand much more of you and me
HUGGER-MUGGERING together.
IN HUGGER-MUGGER, adv.phr.
(old). — I. In secret.
1565. STAPLETON, Fort, of the Faith,
fol. 88. They should not have lurked all
this while IN HUCKER-MUCKER.
1588. J. UDALL, Demonstration of
Discipline, p. 30. (ed. Arber). The Byshop
without any lawfull election, is chosen IN
HUGGERMUGER of the canons, or preben-
daries onely, without the knowledge of the
people.
1594. NASHE, Unfortunate Timelier
(GROSART, Works, v., 19). Myself that
am but a popre childish wel-willer of yours,
with the vain thought that a man of your
des-ert and state by a number of pesarts
and varlets should be so incuriously
abused in HUGGER-MUGGER haue wept al
my vrine upward.
1596. NASHE, Sajffron Walden
(GROSART, Works, iii., 181). Hee sent
her 18 pence IN HUGGER MUGGER, to pay
the fiddlers.
1596. SHAKSPEARE, Hamlet, iv., 5.
King. .... We have done but greenly,
IN HUGGER-MUGGER to inter him.
1602. DEKKER, Satiromastix, iii.,
133 (DODSLEY, Old Plays, viii., 48). One
word, sir Quintilian, in HUGGER-MUGGER.
1607. TOURNEUR, Revengers Trag,
(DODSLEY, Old Plays, 4th ed., 1875), v., i.
And how quaintly he died, like a politician,
in HUGGER-MUGGER.
1611. CORYAT, Crud., ii., p. 251, repr.
So these perhaps might sometimes have
some furtive conversation IN HUGGER
MUGGER.
1633. FORD, T is Pity She's a Whore,
ii., i. There is no way but to clap up a
marriage IN HUGGER-MUGGER.
1639-61. Rump Songs, i. [1662], 54.
They brought me Gold and Plate in
HUGGAR-MUGGAR.
1663. BUTLER, Hudibras, i., 3.
Where'er th' in HUGGER-MUGGER lurk, 1 11
make them rue their handy-work.
1762. CHURCHILL, The Ghost, bk.
iii., line 27. It must not, as the Vulgar
say, Be done IN HUGGER MUGGER way.
1815. Mirror for Mag., p. 457. For
most that most things knew, IN HUGGER-
MUGGER utter'd what they durst.
HUGGING, subs, (common). —
GAROTTING (q.v.).
HUGSOME, adj. (colloquial). — Car-
nally attractive ; FUCKABLK
(q.v.).
HULK (HULKY, or HULKING Fel-
low), subs, (colloquial). — A fat
person ; a big lout. Generally,
'great hulk of a fellow.'
d. 1631. DRAYTON, The Mooncalf
(CHALMERS, English Poets, 1810, iy., 126).
Wallowing she lay, like to a boist'rous
HULK Dropsied with humours.
1698. WARD, London Spy, Pt. xiv.,
p. 324. Up in the Chimney Corner sat a
great HULKING Fellow.
1748. T. DYCHE, Dictionary (sth Ed.)-
HULK (s.) .... also a lazy, dronish
fellow.
Hull between.
376
Hum.
1785. GKOSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HULKEY, or HULKING, a great HULKEY
fellow, an overgrown clumsy lout, or
fellow.
1858. G. ELIOT, Mr. Gilfifs Love-
Story, ch. ii. When you've got ....
some great HULKY fellow for a husband,
who swears at you and kicks your children.
1870. Chambers s Journal, 9 July,
p. 447. He sees a slouching, shambling,
HULK of a fellow standing listlessly in a
doorway.
1871. G. ELIOT, Middlemarch, ch.
Ivi. I want to go first and have a round
wirh that HULKY fellow who turned to
challenge me.
1883. A. DOBSON, Old- World Idylls,
&i64- I'd like to give that HULKING
ute a hit— Beating his horse in such a
shameful way!
1893. National Observer, 29 July, p.
267, col. 2. The absolute ascendancy
exercised by a small but brilliant member
.... over a HULKING Junior.
Verb (colloquial). — To hang
about; to MOOCH (q.v.}.
HULL BETWEEN WIND AND
WATER, verb. phr. (venery). —
To possess a woman. For syn-
onyms, see GREENS and RIDE.
HULL-CHEESE, subs. (Old Cant). —
See quot. For synonyms, see
SWIPES.
1622. TAYLOR, A Very Merry
Wherry-Ferry (HINDLEY, Works, 1872),
19. Give me HULL-CHEESE, and welcome
and good cheer. Ibid. HULL-CHEESE, is
much like a loafe out of a brewers basket,
it is composed of two simples, mault and
water, in one compound, and is cousin
germane to the mightiest ale in England.
HULVERHEAD, subs. , and HULVER-
HEADED, adj. (old). — See quots.
For synonyms, see BUFFLE and
CABBAGE-HEAD.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HULVER-HEAD, a silly Foolish fellow.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HfLVER HEADED, silly, puzzle-pated.
&r. (Old Cant).— i. A kind
of strong liquor : probably a
mixture of beer and spirits, but see
quot. 1690. Also HUM-CAP.
1616. BEN JONSON, Devils an Ass,
i., i. Carmen Are got into the yellow
starch, and chimney sweepers To their
tobacco, and strong waters, HUM, Meath,
and Obarni.
1619. FLETCHER, Wild Goose Chase
ii., 3. Lord, what should I ail? What a
cold I have over my stomach; would I'd
some HUM.
1622. FLETCHER, Beggars' Bush, ii.,
i. Except you do provide me HUM enough,
And lour to bouze with.
d. 1645. HEYWOOD, Drunkard, p.48
[Giffbrd]. Notwithstanding the multiplicity
of wines, yet there be stills and lim-
becks .suing, swelling out aqua vitae and
slrong waters, deriving their names from
cinnamon, balm, and aniseed, such as
stomach - water, HUMM, etc.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HUM-CAP, old, mellow and very strong
Beer.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
2. (common). — A trick ; a
delusion ; a cheat. Also a lie.
1756, The World, No. 164. Now if
this be only a HUM (as I suppose it is) upon
our country apes, it being blown in the
World will put an end to it.
d. 1764. LLOYD, Poems (1774), 'A
Tale." There, my good critics, lies the
HUM.
1806. LAMB, Letters in Wks. (Ed.
1852), ch. v., p. 81. I daresay all this is
HUM !
1820. REYNOLDS (P. Corcoran), The
Fancy, ' King Tims the First.' You or
your son have told a bouncing HUM.
1823. BEE, Diet. Turf, s.v. HUM
— a whispered lie.
1837. BARHAM, Ingoldsby Legends,
' Row in an Omnibus Box.' It's ' No Go ! '
— it's ' Gammon ! ' — it's ' all a HUM ! '
1848. Punch, vol. XIV., p. 37. 'Ye
Frenche Goe Uppe to London.' That ye
French threats were all bouncing, That ye
muster was a HUM, And they'd never dare
to come.
1885. T. E. BROWN, The Doctor,
p. 49. A HUM and a huff, And none o' the
real stuff.
1892. MILLIKEN, 'Arry Ballads, p.
76. Married life may be ticketed honey,
but I know it's more of a HUM.
Hum,
377
Human.
3. (old). — See quot.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg Tongue, s.v.
HUMS, persons at church ; there is a great
number of HUMS in the autera, there is a
great congregation in the church.
Verb (old). — i. To cheat; to
bamboozle ; TO QUIZ (q.v.).
1762. GOLDSMITH, Life of Nash, in
Wks., p. 552 (Globe). Here Nash, if I
may be permitted the use of a polite and
fashionable phrase, was HUMM'D.
1764-1817. J. G. HOLMAN, Abroad
and at Home, i., 3. Ser. It is queer
enough that his father, Sir Simon Flourish,
should be HUMMED so as to think he is
going the tour of Europe, when, all the
while, he never got a step farther than St.
George's Fields.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1811. POOLE, Hamlet Travestied, iii.,
i. Go seek him there : I fear he's only
HUMMING.
1819. MOORE, Tom Crib, p. 4. While
you HUM the poor spoonies with speeches
so pretty.
d, 1840. MAD. D'ARBLAY, Diary, ii.,
153 [ed. 1842]. I don't mean to cajole you
hither with the expectation of amusement
or entertainment ; you and I know better
than to HUM or be HUMMED in that manner.
1856. ELLIOTT, Carolina Sports, p.
122. I HUMMED him, my stripping was all
a feint.
2. (old), — To mumble.
d. 1842. MAGINN, Vidocq Versified.
To hear Old Cotton HUMMING his pray.
To HUM AND HAW, verb. phr.
(colloquial). — To hesitate, to
raise objections.
1469. Paston Letters, II., 347 (Ed.
Gairdner). He wold have gotyn it aweye
by HUMYS and by HAYS, but I wold not so
be answeryd.
1594. NASHE, Unf. Traveller (GROS-
ART, Wks., v., 96). Hee made no more
HUMMING or HAULTING, but in despite of
her husbandes kinsfolkes, gaue her her
Xnnc ditnittis.
1610. JONSON, Alchemist, iii., 2.
You may be anything, and leave off to
make Long-winded exercises ; or suck up
Your HA ! and HUM ! in a tune.
1(')14. JONSON, Bartholomew Fair,
i., i. A sober-drawn exhortation of six
hours, whose better part was the HUM-HA-
HUM.
1620. MASSINGER, Fatal Dowry, iv.,
i. Do you stand HUMMING and HAHING
now?
d. 1680. BUTLER, Remains (1759), ii.,
103. He HUMS AND HAHS.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HUM AND HAW, to Hesitate in Speech ;
also to delay, or difficultly to be brought to
Consent.
1706. MRS. CENTLIVRE, Love at a
Venture, iv., 2, Wks. (1872), i., 304.
That was the first excuse that came at my
tongue's end — and you know there is no
HiIMMING AND HAWING with my old
master; sir.
1729. SWIFT, Intelligencer, No. 14,
p. 165 (2nd Ed.). If any person ....
shall presume to exceed six minutes in a
story, to HUM OR HAW, use hyphens
between his words, or digressions.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1861. H. KINGSLEY, Ravenshoe, ch.
vi. Lord Ascot HUMMED AND HAWED,
and told him to tell his father he had been
a good boy.
TO MAKE THINGS HUM, Verb.
phr. (American). — To force the
pace ; to keep moving.
1888. San Francisco Weekly Exam.,
23 Feb. Ever since he has taken the
newspaper reins in San Francisco he has
MADE THINGS HUM.
1890. Punch, 22 Feb. If I was flush
of the ochre, I tell you I'd make the thing
HUM.
1891. Pall Mall Gaz., 28 Aug., p. 2,
c. 3. With their advent things begin to
HUM.
1893. W. T. STEAD, Review of
Reviews, p. 152. In the opinion of both
foes and friends we make things HUM.
To HUM AROUND, verb. phr.
(American). — To call to account ;
TO CALL OVER THE COALS (q.V.).
HUMAN, subs, (old: now Ameri-
can).— A human being. [Also
HUMAN BOAR]. For synonyms,
see COVE.
H umber-keels.
373
Humbug.
1719. DURFEY, Pills, etc., ii., 332.
Mongst HUMANS by Court dunning.
1733-5. COWPER, Task, ii., line 105.
And agonies of HUMAN and of brute.
1835. HALIBURTON, Clockmaker, i
S., ch. xxviii. They have little hovels for
their cattle .... and a house for THE
HUMANS as grand as Noah's Ark.
1882. Daily Telegraph, 13 Dec., p.
2, c. 2. In the opening pages Mr. Matthew
Arnold mourns in verse over the death of
' Poor Matthias,' who is not A HUMAN but
a canary.
1888. Denver Republican. He was
only a dog .... but was much more
useful to society than many HUMANS.
H UMBER- KEELS. See BlLLY-BOY.
HUMBLE PIE. To EAT HUMBLE
PIE, verb. phr. (colloquial). — To
submit ; to apologise ; to knock
under. For synonyms, see CAVE
IN.
1862. THACKERAY, Philip, xxvii.
If this old chief had to eat HUMBLE PIE,
his brave adversaries were anxious that he
should gobble up his portion as quickly as
possible, and turned away their honest old
heads as he swallowed it.
1887. MANVILLE FENN, This Mans
Wife, ch. ii., 4. Our savings are gone and
we must EAT HUMBLE PIE for the future.
HUM -Box, subs, (common). — I. A
pulpit.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1827. LYTTON, Pelham, p. 302 [Ed.
1862]. Well, you parish bull prig, are you
for lushing Jacky, or pattering in the HUM-
BOX?
1858. A MAYHEW, Paved with Gold,
bk. III., ch. ix., p. 309. He was nick-
named the 'Amen bawler ' (parson) and
recommended to take to the HUM-BOX
(pulpit) as better suited to him than
cadging.
ENGLISH SYNONYMS : — Autem ;
cackle tub ; clack loft ; cowards'
castle ; gospel mill (also a church) ;
wood.
2. (American). — An auc-
tioneer's rostrum.
HUM BOX PATTER ER, subs, (com-
mon).— A parson. For synonyms,
see DEVIL DODGER and SKY
PILOT.
1839. G. W. M. REYNOLDS, Pickwick
Abroad, p. 223. Though the HUMBOX
PATTERER talked of hell.
HUMBUG, su&s. (old : now recog-
nised).— i. A hoax; an imposture ;
a swindle.
1735-40. KILLIGREW, The Universal
Jester i or a pocket companion for the
Wits : being a choice collection of merry
conceits, facetious drolleries, &°c., clench-
ers, closers, closures, bon-mots, and HUM-
BUGS. [Title],
1754. Connoisseur. No. 14. Single
words, indeed, now and then broke forth ;
such as — odious, horrible, detestable,
shocking, HUMBUG. This last new-coined
expression, which is only to be found in the
nonsensical vocabulary, sounds absurd and
disagreeable whenever it is pronounced .
1762. CHURCHILL, The Ghost, bk. I.,
line 72. And that Great Saint, we White-
field call, Keeps up the HUMBUG Spiritual.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1828. WEBSTER, Eng. Diet , s.v.
2. Deceit ; pretence j affecta-
tion.
1837. R. H. BARHAM, Inzoldsby
Legends. (Ed. 1862). p. 239. That sort
of address which the British call HUMBUG
and Frenchmen ' Finesse.' (It's ' Blarney'
in Irish — I don't know the Scotch.)
1842. DOUGLAS JERROLD, Bubbles of
the Day, i. Never say HUMBUG ; it's
coarse. Sir P. And not respectable.
Smoke. Pardon me, my lord ; it was
coarse. But the fact is, HUMBUG has re-
ceived such high patronage, that now it's
quite classic.
3. A cheat ; an impostor ; a
pretender. Also (old), HUMMER.
d. 1783. HENRY BROOKE, Poems
(1776). ' On Humbugging." (CHALMERS'
English Poets, 1810, xvii., 428). Our
HUMMERS in state, physic, learning, and
law.
Humbug.
379
Humdrum.
1823. BEE, Diet, of the Turf, s.v. HUM.
He is a HUMBUG that has recourse to the
meanness. He wishes to be a bugaboo, or
most exalted fool.
1836. DICKENS, Pickwick, ch. xxx.
' You're a HUMBUG, sir.' 'A what?' said
Mr. Winkle, starting. 'A HUMBUG, sir.
I will speak plainer, if you wish it. An
impostc.', sir.'
Verb. To hoax ; to swindle ;
to cajole.
1751. SMOLLETT, Peregrine Pickle,
ch. Ixxxv. He who seemed to be most
afflicted of the two taking his departure
with an exclamation of ' HUMBUGGED,
egad ! '
1785. GROSE, Vulg Tongue, s.v.
1826. The Fancy, ii., 77. We would
not have the reader believe we mean to
HUMBUG him — not for a moment.
1861. H. KINGSLEY, Ra-venshoe, ch.
xliii. She was always ready to help him,
provided, as she told him, ' he didn't
HUMBUG.'
Hence HUMBUGGING = hoax-
ing, swindling, or HUMBUGABLE
= gullible. HUMBUGGERY = de-
ception ; imposture. HUMBUG-
GER = a cheat, a hoaxer.
d. 17-83. HENRY BROOKE, Poems
(1778), ' On Humbugging.' (CHALMERS,
English Poets), 1810, xvii., 428). Of all
trades or arts in repute or possession
HUMBUGGING is held the most ancient
profession. Idem. To you, . . . the
HUMBUGGERS of hearts.
1822. SCOTT, Fortunes of Nigel,
ch. xviii. The species of wit which has
been long a favourite in the city, under the
names of cross-biting, giving the dor,
bamboozling, cramming, hoaxing, HUM-
BUGGING, and quizzing.
1825. SOUTHEY, Letters, iii., 488
[ed. Warter, 1856]. My charity does not
extend so far as to believe that any reason-
able man (HUMBUGGABLE as the animal is)
can have been so humbugged.
1826. The Fancy, ii., 29. A con-
temporary writer of eminence some years
ago termed such exhibitions HUMBUGGING.
1840. THACKERAY, Paris Sketch Book,
p. 31. Do you not laugh, O Pharos of
Bungay, at the continuance of a humbug
such as this? — at the HUMBUGGING anni-
versary of a humbug ?
1852. JUDSON, My st., etc., of New
York ch. iv. Oh, blast your HUMBUGGERY
— talk plain English to me.
1855. THACKERAY, Newcomes, ch. v.
When the old lady was gone, Mr. Hobson
had no need of any more HUMBUGGING, but
took his pleasure freely.
1883. MARK TWAIN, Life on the
Mississippi, ch. xl., p. 369. Traces of its
inflated language and other windy HUM-
BUGGERIES survive along with it.
HUMDRUM, subs, (old : now recog-
nised).— I. A tiresome dullard ;
a steady-going, common-place
person. See also quot. 1725.
1596. JONSON, Every Man in His
Humour, i., i. By gads-lid I scorn it, I,
so I do, to be a consort for every HUM-
DRUM.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v. HUM-
DRUMS or HUMS, a Society of Gentlemen,
who meet near the Charter-House, or at
the Kings Head in St. Johns Street.
Less of mystery, and more ol Pleasantry
than the Free Masons.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
2. Monotony ; tameness ;
dullness.
1823. Hints for Oxford, p. 63. Men
of spirit must ever dislike the unleavened
HUMDRUM of its monkish constitution.
1893. The Nation, 13 July, p. 32,
col. i. We go so far with the adorers of
home and HUMDRUM.
3. (old). — The same as HUM-
BUG (q.v.).
1596. NASHE, Saffron Walden (GROS-
ART, Works, iii., 14). Whereof generous
Dick (without HUMDRUM be it spoken) I
utterly despair of them.
4. (old). — A wife ; also a hus-
band.
Adj. Dull ; tame ; common-
place ; monotonous,
1702. VANBRUGH, False Friend, ii.
A very HUMDRUM marriage this.
1705. WARD, Hudibras Redivivus,
vol. I., pt. ii., p. 6. Tho' it is their HUM-
DRUM fashion To hate all musical pre-
ca;ion.
Humdurgeon.
380
Humming.
1730. JAS. MILLER, Humours of
Oxford, Act I., p. 7 (2nd Ed.). Your
fellows of colleges are a parcel of sad,
muzzy, HUMDRUM, lazy, ignorant old
caterpillars.
d. 1764. LLOYD, Poems (1774), ' A
Familiar Epistle.' So frothy, vapid, stale,
HUMDRUM.
1765. C. SMART, Fables, xy., line 5.
Content in HUMDRUM mood t'adjust Her
matters to disperse the dust.
1774. FOOTE, Cozeners, i., i. Not
one, madam, of the HUMDRUM, drawling,
long winded tribe.
1775. SHERIDAN, Rivals, ii., i. Yet
am I by no means certain that she would
take me with the impediment of our
friends' consent, a regular HUMDRUM
wedding, and the reversion of a good
fortune on my side.
d. 1823. BLOOMFIELD, Poems,
' Richard and Kate ' (1825), p. 89. Come,
Goody, stop your HUMDRUM wheel.
1825. HARRIET WILSON, Memoirs,
iii., 237. You are, in fact, too constant
for Paris. One has enough of all that
HUM-DRUM stuff in England.
1849. THACKERAY, Pendennis, ch.
Ixi. The most fervent Liberals, when out
of power, become HUMDRUM Conservatives,
or downright tyrants or despots in office.
1863. ALEX. SMITH, Dreamthorpe,
may think the life I
HUMDRUM, but they
p. 23. Giddy people may think the life I
lead here staid and
are mistaken.
1893. Standard, 8 Aug., p. 4, col. 6.
The thing, in his view, is to rattle off some-
thing pretentious, and avoid the HUM-
DRUM and tiresome methods which states-
manship of the pre-Home-Rule period used
to respect.
HUMDURGEON, subs. (old). — i. An
imaginary illness. — GROSE.
2. (common). — Needless noise;
ado about nothing.
1815. SCOTT, Guy Manncring, ch.
xxiii. I would never be making a HUM-
DUDGEON about a scart on the pow.
HUMDURGEONED, adj. (old). —
Annoyed.
1830. LYTTON, Paul Clifford. Don't
be HUMDURGEONED but knock down a
gomman.
HUMGUFFIN (common). — A hob-
goblin. Also a derisive address.
HUMGUMPTIOUS, adj. (obsolete).—
See quot.
1823. BEE, Diet, of the Turf, s y.
HUM. A knowing sort of humbug is
HUMGUMPTIOUS.
HUMMER, subs. (old). — i. See quot.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v-
HUMMER, a loud Lie, a Rapper.
1725. New Cant. Diet. s.v.
1748. T. DYCHE, Dictionary (sth
Ed.). HUMMER <>.) a great, monstrous,
or notorious lie.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
2. (American). — A man or
woman of notable parts ; a
HIGH STEPPER (q.V.) ; a GOOD
GOER (q.v.}. C/., RUSTLER.
1889. AllySloper,f> July. IfTootsie
is anything as lively as the ' Gaiety Girls,'
she must be a HUMMER.
1891. GUNTER, Miss Nobody, ch.
xvii. I just wanted to see my Tillie dance
once. She's a society HUMMER now.
3. (obsolete).— See HUMBUG,
sense 3.
HUMMING, adj. (old). Strong —
applied to drink ; brisk — applied
to trade; hard — applied to
blows. HUMMING OCIOBER =
the specially strong brew from the
new season's hops ; STINGO (q.v. ).
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew.
HUMMING Liquor, Double Ale, Stout,
Pharoah.
1701. FARQUHAR, Sir Harry Wild-
air, iv., 2. The wine was HUMMING
strong.
1736. FIELDING, Don Quixote, iii.,
4. Landlord, how fares it? You seem to
drive a HUMMING trade here.
1821. EGAN, Tom and Jerry, ch. vii.
Let us fortify our stomachs with a slice or
two of hung beef, and a horn or so of HUM-
MING stingo.
1822. SCOTT, Fortunes of Nigel, ch.
xxiii. A HUMMING double pot of ale.
Hump.
381 Humpty-dumpty.
1837. BARHAM, Ingoldsby Legends.
' The Wedding Day." A mighty mag-
nificent tub Of what men, in our hemis-
phere, term 'HUMMING Bub,' But which
gods — who, it seems, use a different lingo,
Krom mortals, are wont to denominate
' Stingo.'
1864. DICKENS, Our Mutual Friend,
bk. III., ch. vii. Wegg, in coming to the
ground, had received a HUMMING knock on
the back of his devoted head.
HUMP, verb, (common). — i. To
spoil ; to botch ; to do for.
1851-61. H. MAYHEW, Land. Lab.
and Land. Poor, vol. i., p. 252. To
HUMP in street parlance, is equivalent to
' botch,' in more genteel colloquialism.
2. (colonial). — To shoulder and
carry. E.g., To HUMP ONE'S
SWAG = to shoulder one's kit.
1886. Daily Telegraph, i Jan.
Ladies whom I have met HUMPING their
own drums.
1887. All the Year Round, 30 July,
p. 66. A large blanket rolled up which
contains the personal luggage of the man
who carries or HUMPS it.
1887. G. A SALA in Illus. Lon.
News, 12 Mar., 282/2. All kinds of lug-
gage, generally speaking, which are
manually carried, are at present said to be
HUMPED. I have had to HUMP mine many
a time and oft.
1888. ROLF BOLDREWOOD, Robbery
Under Arms, ch. xxii. We HUMPED our
saddles and swags ourselves.
1890. Family Herald, 8 Feb., p. 227.
I was just debating whether I had better
HUMP my drum.
3. (old). — See quot. For syn-
onyms, see GREENS and RIDE.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HUMP, to HUMP. Once a fashionable word
for copulation
To HUMP ONESELF, verb. phr.
(American). — To stir ; to prepare
for attack ; to fancy oneself.
1847. PORTER, Quarter Race, etc.
p. 177. Ef thar are anything he HUMPS
hisself on besides ugly, it is his manners
among the fimmales.
1847. PORTER, Big Bear, etc., p. 126.
He was breathin' sorter ha>-d, his eye set
on the Governor, HUMPIN' himself on
politics
To GET (or HAVE) THE HUMP,
verb. phr. (common). — To be
despondent, hurt, put out, DOWN
IN THE MOUTH (q.V.}. Also, TO
HAVE THE HUMP UP or ON.
For synonyms, see SNAGGY.
1599. NASHE, Lenten Stuffe (GRO-
SART, Works, V., 267). SO IN HIS HUMPS
about it . . . . that he had thought to
have tumbled his hurrie-currie .... into
the sea.
1885. Punch, 10 Jan., p. 24. I had
GOT THE 'UMP, and no error, along o' Bill
B. and that gal.
1892. ANSTEY, Model Music-Hall,
43. The company consume what will be
elegantly referred to as 'a bit of booze.'
Aunt Snapper GETS THE 'UMP.
1886. JEROME, Idle Thoughts, p. 14.
'Arry refers to the heavings of his wayward
heart by confiding to Jimee that he has
GOT THE BLOOMING HUMP !
HUMPEY, subs. (Australian). — See
quot.
1893. GILBERT PARKER, Pierre and
his People, p. 135. McGann was lying on
his back on a pile of buffalo robes in a
mountain hut. Australians would call it
a HUMPEY.
HUMPHREY, subs. (American
thieves'). — A coat with pocket
holes but no pockets. — MATSELL.
To DINE WITH DUKE HUM-
PHREY. See DINE, SIR THOMAS
GRESHAM, and KNIGHTS.
1592. NASHE, Pierce Penilesse
[Grosart], ii., 18. I retired me to
Paules, TO SEEKE MY DINNER WITH DUKE
HUMFREY.
1843. MONCRIEFF, The Scamp* of
London, i., i. DINES oftener WITH DUKE
HUMPHREY than anybody else, I believe.
HUMPTY-DUMPTY, subs, (collo-
quial).— I. A short and thick-set
person; a GRUNDY (q.v.}\ a
hunch-back. For synonyms, see
FORTY GUTS.
Hum-strum.
382
Hunks.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
2. (old). — See quot. 1690.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HUMPTEY DUMPTEY, Ale boild with
Brandy.
1698. M. SORBIERE'S Journey to
London in the Year 1698, p 135, quoted
in Notes and Queries, 6 S., xii., 167. He
answer'd me that he had a thousand such
sort of liquors, as HUMTIE DUMTIE,
Three Threads ....
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1837. DISRAELI, Venetia, i., 14. As
for the beverage they drank HUMPTY-
DUMPTY, which is ale boiled with brandy.
Adj. and adv. (colloquial). —
Short and thick ; all of a heap ;
all together.
HUM-STRUM, subs. (old). — See
quot.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HUMSTRUM, a musical instrument made of
a mopstick, a bladder, and some pack-
thread, thence also called bladder and
string, and hurdy gurdy ; it is played on
like a violin, which is sometimes ludi-
crously called a HUMSTRUM ; sometimes
instead of a bladder, a tin canister is
used.
HUNCH, verb, (old : now colloquial).
— To jostle ; to shove ; to squeeze.
For synonyms, see RAMP.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HUNCH, to justle, or thrust.
1712. ARBUTHNOT, Hist, of John
Bull, Pt. III., App., ch. iii. Then Jack's
friends began to HUNCH and push one
another.
1738. SWIFT, Polite Convers., Dial,
i. I was HUNCHED up in a hackney-
coach with three country acquaintance.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1847. PORTER, Quarter Race, etc.,
p. 163. I hadn't fairly got to sleep befoi e
the old "oman HUNCHED me.
HUNG. See WELL-HUNG.
To BE HUNG UP, verb. phr.
(colloquial).— To come to a stand-
still ; to be in a fix.
1891. Fun, 10 June, p. 23.7. 'Ah ! by
Bendigo, I forgot ! Grimmy's HUNG UP !
'What, Grimmy? Never!1
HUNGARIAN, subs. (Old Cant). — i.
A hungry man ; a RARE PECKER
(q.v.}.
1608. DODSLEY, Merry Devil oj
Edmonton [Old Plays, v. 267]. Away, I
have knights and colonels at my house,
and must tend the HUNGARIANS.
1632. LUPTON, London [' Harl. Misc.'],
ix., 314. The middle aile [of St. Paul's]
is much frequented at noon with a company
of HUNGARIANS, not walking so much for
recreation as need.
2. (Old Cant).— A freebooter.
1608. Merry Devil of Edmonton
[DoosLEY, Old Plays, v. 285]. Come, ye
HUNGARIAN pilchers, we are once more
come under the zona torrida of the forest.
1893. National Observer, ' Spolia-
tion,' ix., 357. But, after all, it is only
another note in the gamut of spoliation,
whereof Mr. Gladstone's HUNGARIANS (a
good old word that ! ) would have the
mastery. '
HUNK. To BE (or GET) HUNK or
ALL HUNK, verb. phr. (American).
— i. To hit a mark ; to achieve
an object ; to be safe. Also (2)
to scheme. [From Dutch honk =
goal or home.]
1847. DARLEY, Drama in Poker-
•ville, p. 50. I'll allow you're just HUNK
this time.
1893. Detroit Free Press, June 23,
' He Threatens to go back,' p. 3. I propose
to have some of it, or I'll GET HUNK.
HUNKER (or OLD HUNKER), subs.
(American). — In New York (1844)
a Conservative Democrat, as
opposed to the Young Democracy
orBARN-BUKNERs(^.z\). Hence,
an an ti- progressive in politics.
HUNKS, subs, (old).— A miser; a
mean, sordid fellow ; a curmud-
geon. For synonyms, see. SNIDE.
Hunky.
383
Hunt
1602. DEKKER, Satiro-Mastix, in
Wks. (1873), i., 201. Blun. Nay prethee
deare Tucca, come you shall shake — Tuc.
Not hands with great HUNKES there, not
hands, but He shake the gull-groper out of
his tan'd skinne.
1602. CAMPION, English Poesy
(Works, BULLEN, i88q, p. 247). But it
drinks up all : that HUNKS detestable.
1647-80. ROCHESTER, Wks. ; p. n.
There was an old coveteous HUNKS in the
neighbourhood, who had notwithstanding
his age, got a very pretty young wife.
1677. WYCHERLEY, Plain Dealer,
v., 2. Make a very pretty show in
the world, let me tell you ; nay, a better
than your close HUNKS.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
HUNKS, a covetous Creature, a miserable
Wretch.
1712. Spectator, No. 264. Iras has
.... sjiven all the intimations he skilfully
could of being a close HUNKS with money.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1837. MARRY ATT, Snarley-yoiv, ch.
12. So while they cut their raw salt junks,
With dainties you'll be cramm'd. Here's
once for all my mind, OLD HUNKS, Port
Admiral, you be dammed !
1839. BUCKSTONE, Brother Tom
(DiCK's ed., p. 15). One calls him an
OLD HUNKS, another a selfish brute.
1840. DICKENS, Old Curiosity Shop,
ch. vii., p. 35. That you become the sole
inheritor of the wealth of this rich old
HUNKS.
1846. MELVILLE, Moby Dick, 75
(ed. 1892). Bildad, I am sorry to say, had
the reputation of being an incorrigible
old HUNKS.
1857. A. TROLLOPE, Three Clerks,
ch. iii. I am sure he is a cross old HUNKS,
though Mamma says he's not.
1893. THEODORE MARTIN, Roman
Elegies, ii. (Goethe Society Trans., 1891-2,
p. 72). Joys that he stints not his gold
like the close HUNXES of Rome.
HUNKY, adj. (American). — Good;
jolly ; a general superlative.
Also HUNKIDORUM.
d. 1867. BROWNE, ' Artemus Ward,1
The Shakers (Railway ed.), p. 43.
' HUNKY boy ! Go it my gay and festive
cuss 1 '
1873. JUSTIN MCCARTHY. Fair
Saxon, ch. xxxviii. The guard dies, but
never surrenders ! Fine, isn't it ? But
the HUN KY-boy that said that surrendered
all the same.
1888. Texas Si/tings, 20 Oct. Robert
is all HUNKY, but he had a mighty close
call the week before last.
HUNT, verb. (old). — To decoy a
PIGEON (q.v.) to the tables.
Hence HUNTING = card-sharping.
FLAT-CATCHING (q.v.).
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v
HUNTING (r.), decoying or drawing others
into Play.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
TO HUNT FOR SOFT SPOTS,
verb. phr. (American). — To make
oneself comfortable ; to seek
one's ease.
1888. San Francisco Weekly Ex-
aminer, 22 Mar. It was demnition hot,
and I commenced to HUNT FOR SOFT SPOTS
in my saddle.
To HUNT GRASS, verb. phr.
(pugilists'). — To be knocked
down; TO BE GRASSED (q.v.}.
Also, to be puzzled ; to be
dumfoundered.
1869. CLEMENS [Mark Twain], In-
nocents at Home, ch. ii. I HUNT GRASS
every time.
TO HUNT LEATHER, verb. phr.
(cricketers'). — To field at cricket.
1892. C asserts Sat. Jour., 21 Sep.
p. 13, c. 2. For nearly ten years I earned
a living — and a good one — by 'wielding
the willow' and HUNTING THE LEATHER.
TO HUNT THE DUMMY, verb.
phr. (thieves'). — To steal pocket
books.
1878. CHARLES HINDLEY, Life and
Times of James Catnach, p. 171.
(Chorus)— Speak to the tattler, bag the
swag, And finely HUNT THE DUMMY.
TO HUNT THE SQUIRREL, verb.
phr. (old). — See quot.
Hunt-about.
384
Hurly- Burly.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HUNTING THE SQUIRREL, an amusement
practised by post boys, and stage coachmen,
which consists in following a one-horse
chaise, and driving it before them, passing
close to it so as to brush the wheel, and by
other means terrifying any woman, or
person that may be in it. A man whose
turn comes for him to drink, before he has
emptied his former glass, is said to be
HUNTED.
IN, or OUT OF, THE HUNT,
adv. phr. (colloquial).— Having a
chance, or none ; IN or OUT OF
THE SWIM (q.v.}. Admitted to,
or outside, a circle or society.
HUNT-ABOUT, subs, (colloquial). —
I. A prying gossip.
2. (common). — A walking
whore.
HUNT-COUNTER, subs. (old). — A
beggar.
1623. SHAKSPEARE, 2 Henry IV.,
i., 2. You HUNT - COUNTER, hence !
Avaunt !
HUNTERS. PITCHING THE HUN-
TERS, verb. phr. (costermongers').
See quot.
1851-61. MAYHEW, Lend. Lab. and
Lond. Poor, i., 390. PITCHING THE
HUNTERS is the three sticks a penny^ with
the snuff-boxes stuck upon sticks ; if you
throw your stick, and they fall out of the
hole, you are entitled to what you knock
off.
1876. HINDLEY, Cheap Jack, p. 235.
When .... there was no cattle jobbing
to be done, he would PITCH THE HUNTERS,
that is, put up the ' three sticks a penny '
business.
HURLY-BURLY, subs, (old : now
colloquial). — A commotion ; a
bustle ; an uproar.
c. 1509-1547. Lusty fuventus (Doos-
LEY, [Old Plays, 4th ed., 1874, ii., 85].
What a HURLY-BURLY is here! Smick
smack, and all this gear !
1539. TAVERNIER, Garden of Wysdom,
E. ii. verso. Thys kynge [Gelo] on a
tyme exacted money of hys comons,
whome when he perceuyed in a HURLY
BURLY for the same, and ready to make an
insurrection, he thus sodaynly appeased.
1542. UDALL, Apophthegms of
Erasmus [1877], i>. 115. The meaning of
the Philosophier was, that princes for the
ambition of honour, rule and dominion,
being in continuall strife, and HURLEE
BURLEE, are in very deede persons full of
miserie and wo.
1551. MORE, Utopia, (Pitt Press ed.,
1884, i., 52, 5). Whereby so many nations
for his sake should be broughte into a
troublesome H.URLEI-BURLEY.
1567. FENTON, Tragical Dicsourses,
f. 104. They heard a great noyse and
HURLEYBURLEY in the street of the Guard
and chief officers of the Watch.
1592. N A s H E , Pierce Peniletse
(GROSART, Works, ii., 53). Not trouble
our peaceable Paradise with their private
HURLIE-BURLIES about strumpets.
1599. NASHE, Lenten Stuffe (GRO-
SART, Works, V., 293). Put them in feare
where no feare is, and make a HURLIE-
BURLIE in the realm.
1606. SHAKSPEARE, Macbeth, i., i.
When the HURLEY-BURLEY'S done, When
the battle's lost and won.
1619. T. NORTH'S Diall of Princes
7^ corrected, p. 703, c. i. Two or
three dayes before you shall see such
resort of persons, such HURLY BURLY, such
flying this way such sending that way,
some occupyed in telling the cookes how
many sorts of meates they will have . . .
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew, s.v.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
1771. SMOLLETT, Humphrey Clinker
(ed. 1890, p. 185). As for the lawyer he
waited below till the HURLY-BURLY was
over, and then he stole softly to his own
chamber.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1811. J. and H. SMITH, Horace in
London, pp. 18-25, Ode ii., ' HURLY-
BURLY' (Title).
1886. MAX ADELER Out of the
H URL Y-B URL Y. Title.
Hurra's-nest.
385
Hush-money.
1893. St. James's Gazette, xxvii.,
4076, p. 4. While all London was making
holiday, Paris was engaged in a HURLY-
BURLY of a very different kind.
HURRA'S- NEST, subs, (nautical). —
The utmost confusion ; everything
topsy-turvy. For synonyms, see
SIXES AND SEVENS.
1840. R. H. DANA, Two Years
Before the Mast, ch. ii. Everything was
pitched about in grand confusion. There
was a complete HURRAH'S NEST, as the
sailors say, ' everything on top and nothing
at hand.'
1869. MRS. STOWE, Old Townsfolks,
ch. iv. You've got our clock all to pieces,
and have been keeping up a perfect
HURRAH'S NEST in our kitchen for three
days. Do either put that clock together
or let it alone.
HURRAH IN HELL. NOT TO CARE
A SINGLE HURRAH IN HELL,
verb. phr. (American). — To be
absolutely indifferent.
1893. HAROLD FREDERIC, National
Observer, IX., i Apr., p. 493, col. 2. I
don't care a single HURRAH IN SHEOL.
HURRY, subs, (musical). — A quick
passage on the violin, or a roll on
the drum, leading to a climax
in the representation.
1835. DICKENS, Sketches by Boz,
p. 66. The wrongful heir comes in to two
bars of quick music (technically called a
HURRY).
HURRYGRAPH, subs. (American). —
A hastily written letter.
1861. Independent, 31 July. I must
close this HURRYGRAPH, which I have no
time to review.
HURRY-WHORE, subs. (old). — A
walking strumpet.
1630. TAYLOR, Wks. And I doe
wish with all my heart, that the super-
fluous number of all our hyreling hackney
carryknaves, and HURRY- WHORES, with
their makers and maintainers, were there,
where they might never want continuall
imployment.
HUSBAND'S- BOAT, subs, (common)
— The Saturday boat to Margate
during the summer season.
c. 1867. VANCE, Broadside Ball<td.
The HUSBAND'S BOAT.'
1887. MURRAY, in New Eng. Diet.,
Pt. III., p. 956, c. 3. Waiting at
Margate Pier for the HUSBAND'S BOAT on
Saturday afternoon.
HUSBAND'S-SUPPER. To WARM
THE HUSBAND'S SUPPER, verb.
phr. (common). — To sit before
the fire with lifted skirts. Fr.,
faire chapelle.
HUSBAND'S-TEA, subs, (common).
— Weak tea ; WATER BEWITCHED
HUSH, verb, (old).— To kill.—
GROSE.
HURRY • CURRY, subs, (obsolete).—
See quot.
1599. NASHE, Lenten Stuffe (GROS-
ART, Works, v. 267). The was so in
his humps upon it ... that he had
thought to have tumbled his HURRIE
CURRIE, or can, into the sea.
HURRY-DURRY, adj. (old). —
Rough ; boisterous ; impatient of
counsel or control.
1677. WYCHERLEY, Plain Dealer, i.,
i. 'Tis a. HURRYDURRY blade.
HUSH-MONEY, subs, (old: * now
recognised). — Money paid for
silence, to quash a case, or stay a
witness ; a bribe ; blackmail.
1709. STEELE, Tatler, No. 26. I ex-
pect HUSH-MONEY to be regularly sent for
every folly or vice any one commits in this
whole town.
1713. Guardian, No. 26. A poor
chambermaid has sent in ten shillings out
of her HUSH-MONEY, to expiate her guilt of
being in her mistress's secret.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
25
HiisJi-shop.
386 HypJienated American.
1748. T. DYCHE, Dictionary (sth Ed.),
s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1852. DICKENS, Bleak House, ch.
xxxvii. To allow Ada to be made a bribe
and HUSH-MONEY of, is not the way to
bring it out.
1884. Spectator, p. 530. They were
disappointed of their HUSH-MONEY, but he
gave them an easy revenge.
HUSH-SHOP (or-CRie), subs, (com-
mon).— An unlicensed tavern.
1872. Globe, 18 Sep. At Barrow-in
Furness the new Licensing Act has had
the effect of calling numerous HUSH SHOPS
into existence.
HUSKY, subs. (Winchester College).
— Gooseberry fool with the husk?
in it, obsolete. [Notions.]
1870. MANSFIELD, School Life, p.
145. There were two kinds [Gooseberry
fool] HUSKY and non-husky.
Adj. (American). — Stout ; well
built.
HUSKY- LOU R,.wfo. (Old Cant). — A
guinea ; a JOB (q.v.\ For syn-
onyms, see CANARY.
1690. B. E., Diet. Cant. Crew., s.v.
1725. New Cant. Diet., s.v.
1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
HUSSY, subs, (colloquial). — A cor-
ruption Of HOUSEWIFE (q.V.}.
HUSTLE, verb, (venery).— i. To
copulate. For synonyms, see
GREENS and RIDE.
2. (American). — To bestir one-
self; to go to work with vigour
and energy. Also to HUSTLE
AROUND.
HUSTLER, subs. (American). — An
active, busy man or woman. A
HUMMER (q.V.}\ a RUSTLER
1890. HAROLD FREDERIC, Laiuton
Girl. A whimsical query as to whether
this calamitous boy had also been named
Benjamin Frankiin crossed his confused
mind, and then ..... whether the child
if so named, would be a HUSTLER or not.
HUTCH, subs, (common). — A place
of residence or employment ;
one's DIGGINGS (q.v.).
HUTTER. See HATTER.
HUXTER, subs, (common). — Money.
Also HOXTER. For synonyms,
see ACTUAL and GILT.
c. 186 (t), Broadside Ballad. These
seven long years I've been serving, and
Seven I've got for to stay, All for meeting a
bloke down our alley And a-taking his
HUXTERS away-
HUZZY (or HUZZIE), subs. (old). — A
case of needles, pins, scissors,
bodkins, etc. ; a housewife's
companion.
HYMENEAL-SWEETS, subs, (venery).
— Copulation.
1604. MARSTON, Malcontent, i., 5.
True to her sheetes, nay, diets strong his
blood, To give her height of HYMENEALL
SWEETES.
HYPERNESE, subs. (Winchester
College). — Seequoi.
1864. The Press,™ Nov. p. 1098. This
dialect of school cryptoepy was known in
our youth as HYPERNESE. When spoken
fast it defies an outsider's curiosity. If
two consonants commence a syllable, the
former is dropped, and W substituted :
thus breeches would be wareechepes. If P
commences a syllable, G is interpolated :
thus penny would be pegennepy ....
That Ziph and its cognate languages are
well known beyond the boundaries of
"Winchester is certain. Bishop Wilkins
described it, without mentioning it as a
novelty, a couple of centuries ago.
HYPHENATED AMERICAN, subs.
(American). — A naturalised citi-
zen, as German-Americans, Irish-
Americans, and the like. [NoR-
TONS.]
Hypocrite.
387
Hyps.
HYPOCRITE, subs. (American). —
A pillow slip or ' sham.'
HYPOGASTRIC-CRANNY, subs, (ven-
ery). The female pudendum. —
URQUHART. For synonyms, set
MONOSYLLABLE.
HYPS (or HYPO), subs, (old).— The
BLUE DEVILS (q.v.).
1710. SWIFT, Tattler, No. 230. Will
Hazard has got the HIPPS, having lost to
the tune of five hund'rd pound.
1729. SWIFT, Poems (CHALMERS,
English Poets, 1810, xi., 486). And the
doctor was plaguily DOWN IN THE HIPS.
1738. SWIFT'S Polite Conversation,
Her ladyship was plaguily
I warrant it put her into the
Dial
bamb'd ;
HIPPS.
1811.
1830.
Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
C. LAMB, Pawnbrokers
Daughter, i., 2. The drops so like
to tears did drip, They gave my infant
nerves the HYP.
1854. HALIBURTON, Americans at
Home, i., 176. The old man would give
up to the HYPO, and keep his bed for weeks.
During this time, he wouldn't say a word,
but ' I'm not long for this world.'
END OF VOL. III.
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