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 ( 4 th 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
amse 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_/?a 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 ;
j a gg 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 er g 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: Assistant 1
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
with y 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 hole v 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.
f p i
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. ( 5 th 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. Cupid r p, 163. The Flute is
good that's made of Wood And is r I own r
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. y faire 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.
1700 V 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 sailot 1 . 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 o 1 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,jfo. (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) ;
' 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 an d 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.
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.
190. 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.
S 1 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. 7 2 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. ( 2 nd
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.
P T
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.
8 4
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. ' Lookin 1 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.
AB F 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 ( 3 rd 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 journa 1 , 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 fc the other
sex.
Gallery.
I0 3 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 ( 3 rd 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 hov 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
nothin 1 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.]so t 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,jfo. (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,
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. X 34
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
a 1 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.'
l On!' 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> SWOT r 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"> gig ue 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); kis y
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 ( 4 th
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, (costermongers 5 ).
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, Dictionarie t 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.
169. 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 
