Chapter M: B. COAT, i.e., Mark of the Beast, a name given to the long (3)

STRAWING, _selling_ straws in the streets (generally for a penny) and _giving_ the purchaser a paper (indecent or political), or a gold (!) ring,—neither of which the patterer states he is allowed to sell.

STREAK, to decamp, run away.—_Saxon._ In _America_ the phrase is “to make STREAKS,” or “make TRACKS.”

STREAKY, irritated, ill-tempered.

STREET PITCHERS, negro minstrels, ballad singers, long song men, men “working a board” on which have been painted various exciting scenes in some terrible drama, the details of which the STREET PITCHER is bawling out, and selling in a little book or broadsheet (price one penny); or any persons who make a stand in the streets, and sell articles for their living.

STRETCH, abbreviation of “STRETCH one’s neck,” to hang, be executed as a malefactor.—_Bulwer’s Paul Clifford._

STRETCH, twelve months,—generally used to intimate the time any one has been sentenced by the judge or magistrate. ONE STRETCH is to be imprisoned twelve months, TWO STRETCH is two years, THREE STRETCH is three years, and so on.

STRETCHER, a falsehood.

STRETCHER, a contrivance with handles, used by the police to carry off persons who are violent or drunk.

STRETCHER FENCER, one who sells braces.

STRETCHING MATCH, an execution.—_See_ STRETCH.

STRIKE ME LUCKY! an expression used by the lower orders when making a bargain, derived from the old custom of striking hands together, leaving in that of the seller a LUCK PENNY as an earnest that the bargain is concluded. In Ireland, at cattle markets, &c., a penny, or other small coin, is always given by the buyer to the seller to ratify the bargain.—_Hudibras._ Anciently this was called a GOD’S PENNY.

“With that he cast him a God’s peny.”—_Heir of Linne._

The origin of the phrase being lost sight of, like that of many others, it is often corrupted now-a-days into STRIKE ME SILLY.

STRIKE THE JIGGER, to pick the lock, or break open the door.

STROMMEL, straw.—_Ancient cant._ Halliwell says that in Norfolk STRUMMEL is a name for hair.

STRONG, “to come it STRONG.”—_See_ COME.

STUCK-UP, “purse-proud”—a form of snobbishness very common in those who have risen in the world. Mr. Albert Smith has written some amusing papers on the _Natural History of_ STUCK-UP _People_.

STUFF, money.

STUFF, to make false but plausible statements, to praise ironically, to make game of a person,—literally, to STUFF or CRAM him with gammon or falsehood.

STUMP, to go on foot.

STUMPED, bowled out, done for, bankrupt, poverty stricken.—_Cricketing term._

STUMPS, legs, or feet.

STUMPY, money.

STUMP UP, to pay one’s share, to pay the reckoning, to bring forth the money reluctantly.

STUN, to astonish.

STUNNER, a first-rate person or article.

STUNNERS, feelings of great astonishment; “it put the STUNNERS on me,” it confounded me.

STUNNING, first-rate, very good. “STUNNING pears,” shouts the coster, “only eight a penny.”—_Vide Athenæum_, 26th March, 1859. Sometimes amplified to STUNNING JOE BANKS! when the expression is supposed to be in its most intense form. JOE BANKS was a noted character in the last generation. He was the proprietor of a public-house in Dyott-street, Seven Dials, and afterwards, on the demolition of the Rookery, of another in Cranbourne-alley. His houses became well-known from their being the resort of the worst characters, at the same time that the strictest decorum was always maintained in them. JOE BANKS also acquired a remarkable notoriety by acting as a medium betwixt thieves and their victims. Upon the proper payment to Joe, a watch or a snuff box would at any time be restored to its lawful owner—“no questions in any case being asked.” The most daring depredators in London placed the fullest confidence in Joe, and it is believed (although the _Biographie Universelle_ is quiet upon this point) that he never, in any instance, “sold” them. He was of the middle height, stout, and strongly made, and was always noted for a showy pin, and a remarkably STUNNING _neck-tie_. It was this peculiarity in the costume of Mr. Banks, coupled with those true and tried qualities as a friend, for which, as I have just remarked, he was famous, that led his customers to proclaim him as STUNNING JOE BANKS! The Marquis of Douro, Colonel Chatterley, and men of their stamp, were accustomed to resort to a private room at his house, when too late or too early to gain admittance to the clubs or more aristocratic establishments.

STUNNED ON SKILLY, to be sent to prison and compelled to eat SKILLY, or SKILLIGOLEE.

STURABAN, a prison. _Gipsey_, DISTARABIN.

SUCK, a parasite, flatterer of the “nobs.”—_University._

SUCK, to pump, or draw information from a person.

SUCK-CASSA, a public-house.

SUCK THE MONKEY, to rob a cask of liquor by inserting a straw through a gimlet hole, and sucking a portion of the contents.

SUCK UP, “to SUCK UP to a person,” to insinuate oneself into his good graces.

SUFFERER, a tailor.

SUIT, a watch and seals.

SULKY, a one-horse chaise, having only room for one person.

SUN IN THE EYES, to have too much drink.—_Dickens._

SUP, abbreviation of _supernumerary_.—_Theatrical._

SUPER, a watch; SUPER-SCREWING, stealing watches.

SURF, an actor who frequently pursues another calling.—_Theat._

SWADDLER, a Wesleyan Methodist; a name originally given to members of that body by the Irish mob; said to have originated with an ignorant Romanist, to whom the words of the English Bible were a novelty, and who, hearing one of John Wesley’s preachers mention the _swaddling clothes_ of the Holy Infant, in a sermon on Christmas-day at Dublin, shouted out in derision, “_A swaddler! a swaddler!_” as if the whole story were the preacher’s invention.—_Southey’s Life of Wesley_, vol. ii., p. 109.

SWADDY, or COOLIE, a soldier. The former was originally applied to a discharged soldier, and perhaps came from shoddy, of which soldiers’ coats are made.

SWAG, a lot or plenty of anything, a portion or division of property. In Australia the term is used for the luggage carried by diggers: in India the word LOOT is used. _Scotch_, SWEG, or SWACK; _German_, SWEIG, a flock. _Old cant_ for a shop.

SWAG, booty, or plundered property; “collar the SWAG,” seize the booty.

SWAG-SHOP, a warehouse where “Brummagem” and general wares are sold,—fancy trinkets, plated goods, &c. Jews are the general proprietors, and the goods are excessively low priced, trashy, and showy. SWAG-SHOPS were formerly plunder depôts.—_Old cant._

SWAGSMAN, one who carries the booty after a burglary.

SWANKEY, cheap beer.—_West._

SWAP, to exchange. _Grose_ says it is _Irish_ cant, but the term is now included in most dictionaries as an allowed vulgarism.

SWEAT, to extract money from a person, to “bleed,” to squander riches.—_Bulwer._

SWEATER, common term for a “cutting” or “grinding” employer.

SWEEP, a low or shabby man.

SWEET, loving or fond; “how SWEET he was upon the moll,” _i.e._, what marked attention he paid the girl.

SWELL, a man of importance; a person with a showy, jaunty exterior; “a rank SWELL,” a very “flashly” dressed person, a man who by excessive dress apes a higher position than he actually occupies. Anything is said to be SWELL or SWELLISH that looks showy, or is many coloured, or is of a desirable quality. Dickens and Thackeray are termed great SWELLS in literature; so indeed are the first persons in the learned professions.

SWELL FENCER, a street salesman of needles.

SWELL HUNG IN CHAINS, said of a showy man in the habit of wearing much jewellery.

SWIG, to drink. _Saxon_, SWIGAN.

SWIG, a hearty drink.

SWIM, “a good SWIM,” a good run of luck, a long time out of the policeman’s clutches.—_Thieves’ term._

SWINDLER, although a recognised word in respectable dictionaries, commenced service as a slang term. It was used as such by the poor Londoners against the German Jews who set up in London about the year 1762, also by our soldiers in the German War about that time. SCHWINDEL, in _German_, signifies to cheat.

SWING, to be hanged.

SWINGING, large, huge.

SWIPES, sour or small beer. SWIPE, to drink.—_Sea._

SWIPEY (from SWIPES), intoxicated.

SWISHED, married.

SWIZZLE, small beer, drink.

SWOT, mathematics; also a mathematician; as a verb, to work hard for an examination, to be diligent in one’s studies.—_Army._

This word originated at the great slang manufactory for the army, the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, in the broad Scotch pronunciation of Dr. Wallace, one of the Professors, of the word _sweat_.—_See Notes and Queries_, vol. i., p. 369.

T, “to suit to a T,” to fit to a nicety.—_Old._ Perhaps from the T-square of carpenters, by which the accuracy of work is tested.

TACKLE, clothes.—_Sea._

TAFFY (corruption of _David_), a Welshman. Compare SAWNEY (from _Alexander_), a Scotchman.

TAG-RAG-AND-BOBTAIL, a mixed crowd of low people, mobility.

TAIL BUZZER, a thief who picks coat pockets.

TAKE, to succeed, or be patronised; “do you think the new opera will TAKE?” “No, because the same company TOOK so badly under the old management;” “to TAKE ON,” to grieve; _Shakespere_ uses the word TAKING in this sense. To “TAKE UP for any one,” to protect or defend a person; “to TAKE OFF,” to mimic; “to TAKE heart,” to have courage; “to TAKE down a peg or two,” to humiliate, or tame; “to TAKE UP,” to reprove; “to TAKE AFTER,” to resemble; “to TAKE IN,” to cheat or defraud, from the lodging-house keepers’ advertisements, “single men TAKEN IN AND DONE FOR,”—an engagement which is as frequently performed in a bad as a good sense; “to TAKE THE FIELD,” when said of a _General_, to commence operations against the enemy; when a _racing man_ TAKES THE FIELD he stakes his money against the favourite.

TAKE BEEF, to run away.

TAKE IN, a cheating or swindling transaction,—sometimes termed “a DEAD TAKE IN.” _Shakespere_ has TAKE IN in the sense of conquering. TO BE HAD, or TO BE SPOKE TO, were formerly synonymous phrases with TO BE TAKEN IN.

TALLY, five dozen bunches of turnips.

TAN, to beat or thrash; I’ll TAN your hide, _i.e._, give you a good beating.

TANNER, a sixpence. _Gipsey_, TAWNO, little, or _Latin_, TENER, slender?

TANNY, or TEENY, little. _Gipsey_, TAWNO, little.

TANTREMS, pranks, capers, or frolicking; from the _Tarantula_ dance? See account of the involuntary phrensy and motions caused by the bite of the tarantula in Italy.—_Penny Cyclopædia._

TAPE, gin,—term with female servants.

TAPER, to gradually give over, to run short.

TAP TUB, the _Morning Advertiser_.

TAT BOX, a dice box.

TATER, “s’elp my TATER,” another street evasion of a profane oath, sometimes varied by “s’elp my GREENS.”

TATLER, a watch; “nimming a TATLER,” stealing a watch.

TATS, dice.

TATS, old rags; MILKY TATS, white rags.

TATTING, gathering old rags.

TAW, a large or principal marble; “I’ll be one on your TAW,” I will pay you out, or be even with you,—a simile taken from boys aiming always at winning the TAW when playing at marbles.

TEAGUELAND, Ireland.

TEETH, “he has cut his _eye_ TEETH,” _i.e._, is old and cute enough.

TEETH-DRAWING, wrenching off knockers.

TEETOTALLER, a total abstainer from alcoholic drinks.

TEETOTALLY, amplification of TOTALLY.

TELL-ON, to tell about.

TENPENCE TO THE SHILLING, a vulgar phrase denoting a deficiency in intellect.

TESTER, sixpence. From TESTONE, a shilling in the reign of Henry VIII., but a sixpence in the time of Q. Elizabeth.—_Shakespere._ _French_, TESTE, or TETE, the head of the monarch on the coin.

TEVISS, a shilling.

THEATRE, a police court.

THICK, intimate, familiar. _Scotch_, CHIEF; “the two are very CHIEF now,” _i.e._, friendly.

THICK-UN, a sovereign; a crown piece, or five shillings.

THIMBLE, or YACK, a watch.

THIMBLE-RIG, a noted cheating game played at fairs and places of great public thronging, consisting of two or three thimbles rapidly and dexterously placed over a pea, when the THIMBLE-RIGGER, suddenly ceasing, asks you under which thimble the pea is to be found. If you are not a practised hand you will lose nine times out of ten any bet you may happen to make with him. The pea is sometimes concealed under his nail.

THIMBLE TWISTERS, thieves who rob persons of their watches.

THINSKINNED, over nice, petulant, apt to get a “raw.”

THREE SHEETS IN THE WIND, unsteady from drink.—_Sea._

THREE-UP, a gambling game played by costers. Three halfpennies are thrown up, and when they fall all “heads,” or all “tails,” it is a mark; and the man who gets the greatest number of marks out of a given amount—three, five, or more—wins. The costers are very quick and skilful at this game, and play fairly at it amongst themselves; but should a stranger join in they invariably unite to cheat him.

THRUMS, threepence.

THRUMMER, a threepenny bit.

THRUPS, threepence.

THUMPING, large, fine, or strong.

THUNDERER, the _Times_ newspaper.

THUNDERING, large, extra-sized.

TIBBING OUT, going out of bounds.—_Charterhouse._

TICK, credit, trust. _Johnson_ says it is a corruption of _ticket_,—tradesmen’s bills being formerly written on tickets or cards. ON TICK, therefore, is equivalent to _on ticket_, or on trust. In use 1668. Cuthbert Bede, in _Notes and Queries_, supplies me with an earlier date, from the _Gradus ad Cantabrigiam_.

“No matter upon landing whether you have money or no—you may swim in
twentie of their boats over the river UPON TICKET.”—_Decker’s Gul’s
Hornbook_, 1609.

TICKER, a watch.

TICKET, “that’s the TICKET,” _i.e._, what was wanted, or what is best. Corruption of “that is not _etiquette_,” by adding, in vulgar pronunciation, _th_ to the first _e_ of etiquette; or, perhaps, from TICKET, a bill or invoice. This phrase is sometimes extended into “that’s the TICKET FOR SOUP,” in allusion to the card given to beggars for immediate relief at soup kitchens.—_See_ TICK.

TIDY, tolerably, or pretty well; “how did you get on to-day”—“Oh, TIDY.”—_Saxon._

TIED UP, given over, finished; also married, in allusion to the Hymenial knot, unless a jocose allusion be intended to the _halter_ (altar).

TIFFIN, a breakfast, _dejeuner a la fourchette_.—_Anglo Indian slang._

TIGER, a boy employed to wait on _gentlemen_; one who waits on ladies is a page.

TIGHT, close, stingy; hard up, short of cash; TIGHT, spruce, strong, active; “a TIGHT lad,” a smart, active young fellow; TIGHT, drunk, or nearly so; “TIGHT laced,” puritanical, over-precise. Money is said to be TIGHT, when the public, from want of confidence in the aspect of affairs, are not inclined to speculate.

TIGHTNER, a dinner, or hearty meal.

TIKE, or BUFFER LURKING, dog stealing.

TILE, a hat; a covering for the head.

“I’m a gent, I’m a gent,
In the Regent-street style,—
Examine my vest,
And look at my TILE.”—_Popular Song._

Sometimes used in another sense, “having a TILE loose,” _i.e._, being slightly crazy.—_See_ PANTILE.

TIMBER MERCHANT, or SPUNK FENCER, a lucifer match seller.

TIME O’ DAY, a dodge, the latest aspect of affairs; “that’s your TIME O’ DAY,” _i.e._, _Euge_, well done; to PUT A PERSON UP TO THE TIME O’ DAY, let him know what is o’clock,—to instruct him in the knowledge needful for him.

TIN, money,—generally applied to silver.

TINGE, the percentage allowed by drapers and clothiers to their assistants, upon the sale of old-fashioned articles.—_See_ SPIFFS.

TIN-POT, “he plays a TIN-POT game,” _i.e._, a low or shabby one.—_Billiards._

TIP, a douceur; also to give, lend, or hand over anything to another person; “come, TIP up the tin,” _i.e._, hand up the money; “TIP the wink,” to inform by winking; “TIP us your fin,” _i.e._, give me your hand; “TIP one’s boom off,” to make off, depart.—_Sea._ “To miss one’s TIP,” to fail in a scheme.—_Old cant._

TIP THE DOUBLE, to “bolt,” or run away from a creditor or officer. Sometimes TIP THE DOUBLE TO SHERRY, _i.e._, to the sheriff.

TIP-TOP, first-rate, of the best kind.

TIPTOPPER, a “swell,” or dressy man, a “_Gorger_.”

TIT, favourite name for a horse.

TIT FOR TAT, an equivalent.

TITIVATE, to put in order, or dress up.

TITLEY, drink.

TITTER, a girl.

’TIZER, the _Morning Advertiser_.

TIZZY, a sixpence. Corruption of TESTER.

TOASTING FORK, derisive term for a sword.

TOBY CONSARN, a highway expedition.

TOBY, a road; “high TOBY,” the turnpike road. “High TOBY spice,” robbery on horse-back.—_Don Juan_, canto xi., 19.

TODDLE, to walk as a child.

TO-DO (pronounced quickly, and as one word), a disturbance, trouble; “here’s a pretty TO-DO,” here is an unpleasant difficulty. This exactly tallies with the _French_ word AFFAIRE (_a faire_).—_See Forby’s Vocabulary of East Anglia._

TOFFER, a well dressed, “gay” woman.

TOFFICKY, dressy, showy.

TOFT, a showy individual, a SWELL, a person who, according to a Yorkshireman’s vocabulary, is UP-ISH.

TOG, a coat. _Latin_, TOGA.—_Ancient cant._

TOG, to dress, or equip with an outfit; “TOGGED out to the nines,” dressed in the first style.

TOGS, clothes; “Sunday TOGS,” best clothes. One of the oldest cant words, in use in the time of Henry VIII.

TOGERY, clothes, harness, domestic paraphernalia of any kind.

TOKE, dry bread.

TOL-LOL, or TOL-LOLISH, tolerable, or tolerably.

TOMMY.—_See_ DICKEY.

TOMMY, bread,—generally a penny roll.

TOMMY, a truck, barter, the exchange of labour for goods, not money. Both term and practice general among English operatives for half-a century.

TOMMY-MASTER, one who pays his workmen in goods, or gives them tickets upon tradesmen, with whom he shares the profit.

TOMMY SHOP, where wages are generally paid to mechanics or others, who are expected to “take out” a portion of the money in goods.

TOM-TOM, a street instrument, a small kind of drum beaten with the fingers, somewhat like the ancient tabor; a performer on this instrument. It was imported, doubtless, with the _Nigger_ melodies,—TOM-TOMS being a favourite instrument with the darkies.

TONGUED, talkative; “to TONGUE a person,” _i.e._, talk him down.

TOOL, “a poor TOOL,” a bad hand at anything.

TOOL, to drive a mail coach.

TOOL, to pick pockets.

TOOLER, a pickpocket. MOLL-TOOLER, a female pickpocket.

TOOTH, “he has cut his eye TOOTH,” _i.e._, he is sharp enough, or old enough, to be so; “up in the TOOTH,” far advanced in age,—said often of old maids. _Stable term_ for aged horses which have lost the distinguishing mark in their teeth.

TOPHEAVY, drunk.

TOPPED, hung or executed.

TOP-SAWYER, the principal of a party, or profession. “A TOP-SAWYER, signifies a man that is a master genius in any profession. It is a piece of _Norfolk_ slang, and took its rise from Norfolk being a great timber county, where the _top_ sawyers get double the wages of those beneath them.”—_Randall’s Diary_, 1820.

TOPS, dying speeches and gallows broadsides.

TOPSY-TURVY, the bottom upwards. _Grose_ gives an ingenious etymology of this once cant term, viz., “_top-side turf-ways_,”—turf being always laid the wrong side upwards.

TO-RIGHTS, excellent, very well, or good.

TORPIDS, the second-class race-boats at Oxford, answering to the Cambridge SLOGGERS.

TOSHERS, men who steal copper from ships’ bottoms in the Thames.

TOSS, a measure of sprats.

TOUCHED, slightly intoxicated.

TOUCHER, “as near as a TOUCHER,” as near as possible without actually touching.—_Coaching term._ The old jarveys, to show their skill, used to drive against things so close as absolutely to _touch_, yet without injury. This they called a TOUCHER, or, TOUCH AND GO, which was hence applied to anything which was within an ace of ruin.

TOUCHY, peevish, irritable. _Johnson_ terms it a low word.

TOUT, to look out, or watch.—_Old cant._

TOUTER, a looker out, one who watches for customers, a hotel runner.

TOWEL, to beat or whip. In _Warwickshire_ an oaken stick is termed a TOWEL—whence, perhaps, the vulgar verb.

TOWELLING, a rubbing down with an _oaken_ TOWEL, a beating.

TRACKS, “to make TRACKS,” to run away.—_See_ STREAK.

TRANSLATOR, a man who deals in old shoes or clothes, and refits them for cheap wear.

TRANSLATORS, second-hand boots mended and polished, and sold at a low price. Monmouth-street, Seven Dials, is a great market for TRANSLATORS.

TRANSMOGRIPHY, to alter or change.

TRAP, a “fast” term for a carriage of any kind. TRAPS, goods and chattels of any kind, but especially luggage and personal effects; in Australia, SWAG.

TRAP, “up to TRAP,” knowing, wide awake,—synonymous with “up to SNUFF.”

TRAP, a sheriff’s officer.

TRAPESING, gadding or gossiping about in a slatternly way.—_North._

TRAVELLER, name given by one tramp to another. “A TRAVELLER at her Majesty’s expense,” _i.e._, a transported felon, a convict.

TREE, “up a TREE,” in temporary difficulties,—out of the way. _American expression_, derived from RACCOON or BEAR-HUNTING. When Bruin is TREED, or is forced UP A TREE by the dogs, it means that then the tug of war begins.—_See_ ’COON. Hence when an opponent is fairly run to bay, and can by no evasion get off, he is said to be TREED. These expressions originated with Colonel Crockett. In _Scotland_ the phrase is “up a CLOSE,” _i.e._, a passage, out of the usual track, or removed from observation.

TRINE, to hang.—_Ancient cant._

TROLLING, sauntering or idling.

TROLLY, or TROLLY-CARTS, term given by costermongers to a species of narrow cart, which can either be drawn by a donkey, or driven by hand.

TROTTER, a tailor’s man who goes round for orders.—_University._

TROTTER CASES, shoes.

TROTTERS, feet. Sheep’s TROTTERS, boiled sheep’s feet, a favourite street delicacy.

TRUCK, to exchange or barter.

TRUCK-GUTTED, pot-bellied, corpulent.—_Sea._

TRUCKS, trowsers.

TRUMP, a good fellow; “a regular TRUMP,” a jolly or good natured person,—in allusion to a TRUMP card; “TRUMPS may turn up,” _i.e._, fortune may yet favour me.

TUB THUMPING, preaching or speech making.

TUCK, a schoolboy’s term for fruit, pastry, &c. TUCK IN, or TUCK OUT, a good meal.

TUFTS, fellow commoners, _i.e._, wealthy students at the University, who pay higher fees, dine with the Dons, and are distinguished by golden TUFTS, or tassels, in their caps.

TUFT-HUNTER, a hanger on to persons of quality or wealth. Originally _University slang_, but now general.

TUMBLE, to comprehend or understand. A coster was asked what he thought of _Macbeth_,—“the witches and the fighting was all very well, but the other moves I couldn’t TUMBLE to exactly; few on us can TUMBLE to the jaw-breakers; they licks us, they do.”

TURF, horse racing, and betting thereon; “on the TURF,” one who occupies himself with race course business; said also of a street-walker, nymph of the pavé.

TURKEY-MERCHANTS, dealers in plundered or contraband silk. Poulterers are sometimes termed TURKEY MERCHANTS, in remembrance of Horne Tooke’s answer to the boys at Eton, who wished in an aristocratic way to know who _his_ father was,—a TURKEY MERCHANT, replied Tooke;—his father was a poulterer. TURKEY MERCHANT, also, was formerly slang for a driver of turkeys or geese to market.

TURNED OVER, to be stopped and searched by the police.

TURNED UP, acquitted by the magistrate or judge for want of evidence.

TURNER OUT, a coiner of bad money.

TURN OUT, personal show or appearance; a man with a showy carriage and horses is said to have a good TURN OUT.

TURNOVER, an apprentice who finishes with a second master the indentures he commenced with the first.

TURNPIKE-SAILORS, beggars who go about dressed as sailors.

TURN UP, a street fight; a sudden leaving, or making off.

TURN UP, to quit, change, abscond, or abandon; “Ned has TURNED UP,” _i.e._ run away; “I intend TURNING IT UP,” _i.e._ leaving my present abode or altering my course of life. Also to happen; let’s wait, and see what will TURN UP.

TUSHEROON, a crown piece, five shillings.

TUSSLE, a pull, struggle, fight, or argument. _Johnson_ and _Webster_ call it a vulgar word.

TUSSLE, to struggle, or argue.

TWELVER, a shilling.

TWIG, style, _à-la-mode_; “get your strummel faked in TWIG,” _i.e._, have your hair dressed in style; PRIME TWIG, in good order, and high spirits.—_Pugilistic._

TWIG, “to hop the TWIG,” to decamp, “cut one’s stick,” to die.

TWIG, to understand, detect, or observe.

TWIST, brandy and gin mixed.

TWIST, appetite; “Will’s got a capital TWIST.”

TWITCHETTY, nervous, fidgetty.

TWITTER, “all in a TWITTER,” in a fright, or fidgetty state.

TWO-HANDED, awkward.

TWOPENNY, the head; “tuck in your TWOPENNY,” bend down your head.

TWOPENNY-HOPS, low dancing rooms, the price of admission to which was formerly—and not infrequently now—two pence. The clog hornpipe, the pipe dance, flash jigs, and hornpipes in fetters, _à la_ Jack Sheppard, are the favourite movements, all entered into with great spirit and “joyous, laborious capering.”—_Mayhew._

TYBURN COLLAR, the fringe of beard worn under the chin.—_See_ NEWGATE COLLAR.

TYE, or TIE, a neckerchief. Proper hosier’s term now, but slang thirty years ago, and as early as 1718. Called also, SQUEEZE.

UNBETTY, to unlock.—_See_ BETTY.

UNCLE, the pawnbroker.—_See_ MY UNCLE.

UNDER THE ROSE.—_See_ ROSE.

UNICORN, a style of driving with two wheelers abreast, and one leader,—termed in the _United States_, a SPIKE TEAM. TANDEM is one wheeler and one leader. RANDOM, three horses in line.

UNUTTERABLES, trousers—_See_ INEXPRESSIBLES.

UNWHISPERABLES, trousers.

UP, “to be UP to a thing or two,” to be knowing, or understanding; “to put a man UP to a move,” to teach him a trick; “it’s all UP with him,” _i.e._, it is all over with him, often pronounced U.P., naming the two letters separately; “UP a tree,” see TREE; “UP to TRAP,” “UP to SNUFF,” wide awake, acquainted with the last new move; “UP to one’s GOSSIP,” to be a match for one who is trying to take you in;—“UP to SLUM,” proficient in roguery, capable of committing a theft successfully.

UPPER BENJAMIN, a great coat.

UPPER STOREY, or UPPER LOFT, a person’s head; “his UPPER STOREY is unfurnished,” _i.e._, he does not know very much.

UPPISH, proud, arrogant.

USED UP, broken-hearted, bankrupt, fatigued.

VAMOS, or VAMOUS, to go, or be off. _Spanish_, VAMOS, “let us go!” Probably NAMUS or NAMOUS the costermonger’s word, was from this, although it is generally considered back slang.

VAMPS, old stockings. From VAMP, to piece.

VARDO, to look; “VARDO the cassey,” look at the house. VARDO formerly was _old cant_ for a wagon.

VARMENT, “you young VARMENT, you!” you bad, or naughty boy. Corruption of _vermin_.

VELVET, the tongue.

VERTICAL-CARE-GRINDER, the treadmill.

VIC., the Victoria Theatre, London,—patronised principally by costermongers and low people; also the street abbreviation of the Christian name of her Majesty the Queen.

VILLAGE, or THE VILLAGE, _i.e._, London.—_Sporting._

VILLE, or VILE, a town or village.—pronounced _phial_, or _vial_.—_French._

VINNIED, mildewed, or sour.—_Devonshire._

VOKER, to talk; “can you VOKER Romany?” can you speak the canting language.—_Latin_, VOCARE; _Spanish_, VOCEAR.

WABBLE, to move from side to side, to roll about. _Johnson_ terms it a “low, barbarous word.”

WALKER! or HOOKEY WALKER! an ejaculation of incredulity, said when a person is telling a story which you know to be all gammon, or false. The _Saturday Reviewer’s_ explanation of the phrase is this:—“Years ago, there was a person named _Walker_, an aquiline-nosed Jew, who exhibited an orrery, which he called by the erudite name of _Eidouranion_. He was also a popular lecturer on astronomy, and often invited his pupils, telescope in hand, to _take a sight_ at the moon and stars. The lecturer’s phrase struck his school-boy auditory, who frequently “took a sight” with that gesture of outstretched arm, and adjustment to nose and eye, which was the first garnish of the popular saying. The next step was to assume phrase and gesture as the outward and visible mode of knowingness in general.” A correspondent, however, denies this, and states that HOOKEY WALKER was a magistrate of dreaded acuteness and incredulity, whose hooked nose gave the title of BEAK to all his successors; and, moreover, that the gesture of applying the thumb to the nose and agitating the little finger, as an expression of “Don’t you wish you may get it?” is considerably older than the story in the _Saturday Review_ would seem to indicate. There is a third explanation of HOOKEY WALKER in _Notes and Queries_, iv., 425.

WALK INTO, to overcome, to demolish; “I’ll WALK INTO his affections” _i.e._, I will scold or thrash him. The word DRIVE (which see) is used in an equally curious sense in slang speech.

WALK OVER, a re-election without opposition.—_Parliamentary_, but derived from the _Turf_, where a horse—which has no rivals entered—WALKS OVER the course, and wins without exertion.

WALK-THE-BARBER, to lead a girl astray.

WALK YOUR CHALKS, be off, or run away,—spoken sharply by any one who wishes to get rid of you.—_See_ CHALKS.

WALL-FLOWER, a person who goes to a ball, and looks on without dancing, either from choice or not being able to obtain a partner.

WALL-FLOWERS, left-off and “regenerated” clothes, exposed for sale in Monmouth-street.

WALLOP, to beat, or thrash. Mr. John Gough Nichols derives this word from an ancestor of the Earl of Portsmouth, one Sir John Wallop, Knight of the Garter, who, in King Henry VIII.’s time, distinguished himself by WALLOPING the French; but it is more probably connected with WEAL, a livid swelling in the skin, after a blow.—_See_ POT WALLOPER.

WALLOPING, a beating or thrashing; sometimes in an adjective sense, as big, or very large.

WAPPING, or WHOPPING, of a large size, great.

WARM, rich, or well off.

WARM, to thrash, or beat; “I’ll WARM your jacket.”

WASH, “it won’t WASH,” _i.e._, will not stand investigation, is not genuine, can’t be believed.

WATCHMAKER, a pickpocket, or stealer of watches.

WATCH AND SEALS, a sheep’s head and pluck.

WATER-BEWITCHED, very weak tea, the third brew (or the first at some houses), grog much diluted.

WATER OF LIFE, gin.

WATERMAN, a light blue silk handkerchief. The Oxford and Cambridge boats’ crews always wear these—light blue for Cambridge, and a darker shade for Oxford.

WATTLES, ears.

WAXY, cross, ill-tempered.

WEDGE, silver.—_Old cant._

WEDGE-FEEDER, silver spoon.

WEED, a cigar; _the_ WEED, tobacco generally.

WELL, to pocket, or place as in a well.

WENCH, provincial and old-fashioned term for a girl, derived from WINK. In _America_, negro girls only are termed WENCHES.

WEST CENTRAL, a water-closet, the initials being the same as those of the London Postal District. It is said that for this reason very delicate people refuse to obey Rowland Hill’s instructions in this particular.

WET, a drink, a “drain.”

WET, to drink. Low people generally ask an acquaintance to WET any recently purchased article, _i.e._, to stand treat on the occasion; “WET your whistle,” _i.e._, take a drink; “WET the other eye,” _i.e._, take another glass.

WET QUAKER, a drunkard of that sect; a man who pretends to be religious, and is a dram drinker on the sly.

WHACK, a share or lot; “give me my WHACK,” give me my share. _Scotch_, SWEG, or SWACK.

WHACK, to beat; WHACK, or WHACKING, a blow or thrashing.

WHACKING, large, fine, or strong.

WHALE, “very like a WHALE in a teacup,” said of anything that is very improbable; taken from a speech of Polonius in _Hamlet_.

WHEEDLE, to entice by soft words. “This word cannot be found to derive itself from any other, and therefore is looked upon as wholly invented by the CANTERS.”—_Triumph of Wit_, 1705.

WHERRET, or WORRIT, to scold, trouble, or annoy.—_Old English._

WHIDDLE, to enter into a parley, or hesitate with many words, &c.; to inform, or discover.

WHIDS, words.—_Old Gipsey cant._

WHIM-WAM, an alliterative term, synonymous with _fiddle-faddle_, _riff-raff_, &c., denoting nonsense, rubbish, &c.

WHIP, to “WHIP anything _up_,” to take it up quickly; from the method of hoisting heavy goods or horses on board ship by a WHIP, or running tackle, from the yard-arm. Generally used to express anything dishonestly taken.—_L’Estrange_ and _Johnson_.

WHIP JACK, a sham shipwrecked sailor, called also a TURNPIKE sailor.

WHIPPER-SNAPPER, a waspish, diminutive person.

WHIPPING THE CAT, when an operative works at a private house by the day. Term used amongst tailors and carpenters.

WHISKER. There is a curious slang phrase connected with this word. When an improbable story is told, the remark is, “the mother of that was a WHISKER,” meaning it is a lie.

WHISTLE, “as clean as a WHISTLE,” neatly, or “SLICKLY done,” as an American would say; “to WET ONE’S WHISTLE,” to take a drink. This is a very old term. _Chaucer_ says of the Miller of Trumpington’s wife (_Canterbury Tales_, 4153)—

“So was hir joly WHISTAL well Y-WET;”

“to WHISTLE FOR ANYTHING,” to stand small chance of getting it, from the nautical custom of _whistling_ for a wind in a calm, which of course comes none the sooner for it.

WHITE FEATHER, “to show the WHITE FEATHER,” to evince cowardice. In the times when great attention was paid to the breeding of game-cocks, a white feather in the tail was considered a proof of cross-breeding.

WHITE LIE, a harmless lie, one told to reconcile people at variance; “mistress is not at home, sir,” is a WHITE LIE often told by servants.

WHITE LIVER’D, or LIVER FACED, cowardly, much afraid, very mean.

WHITE PROP, a diamond pin.

WHITE SATIN, gin,—term amongst women.

WHITE TAPE, gin,—term used principally by female servants.

WHITE WINE, the fashionable term for gin.

“Jack Randall then impatient rose,
And said, ‘Tom’s speech were just as fine
If he would call that first of GO’S
By that genteeler name—WHITE WINE.’”

_Randall’s Diary_, 1820.

WHITECHAPEL, or WESTMINSTER BROUGHAM, a costermonger’s donkey-barrow.

WHITECHAPEL, the “upper-cut,” or strike.—_Pugilistic._

WHITEWASH, when a person has taken the benefit of the Insolvent Act he is said to have been WHITEWASHED.

WHOP, to beat, or hide. Corruption of WHIP sometimes spelled WAP.

WHOP-STRAW, cant name for a countryman; _Johnny_ WHOP-STRAW, in allusion to threshing.

WHOPPER, a big one, a lie.

WIDDLE, to shine.—_See_ OLIVER.

WIDE-AWAKE, a broad-brimmed felt, or stuff hat,—so called because it never had a _nap_, and never wants one.

WIDO, wide awake, no fool.

WIFE, a fetter fixed to one leg.—_Prison._

WIFFLE-WOFFLES, in the dumps, sorrow, stomach ache.

WIGGING, a rebuke _before comrades_. If the head of a firm calls a clerk into the parlour, and rebukes him, it is an _earwigging_; if done before the other clerks, it is a WIGGING.

WILD, a village.—_Tramps’ term._—_See_ VILE.

WILD, vexed, cross, passionate. In the United States the word _mad_ is supplemented with a vulgar meaning similar to our Cockneyism, WILD; and to make a man MAD on the other side of the Atlantic is to vex him, or “rile” his temper—not to render him a raving maniac, or a fit subject for Bedlam.

WILD OATS, youthful pranks.

WIND, “to raise the WIND,” to procure money; “to slip one’s WIND,” coarse expression meaning to die.

WIND, “I’ll WIND your cotton,” _i.e._, I will give you some trouble. The Byzantine General, Narses, used the same kind of threat to the Greek Empress,—“I will spin such a thread that they shall not be able to unravel.”

WINDED-SETTLED, transported for life.

WINDOWS, the eyes, or “peepers.”

WINEY, intoxicated.

WINKIN, “he went off like WINKIN,” _i.e._, very quickly.

WINKS, periwinkles.

WINN, a penny.—_Ancient cant._

WIPE, a pocket handkerchief.—_Old cant._

WIPE, a blow.

WIPE, to strike; “he fetcht me a WIPE over the knuckles,” he struck me on the knuckles; “to WIPE a person down,” to flatter or pacify a person; to WIPE off a score, to pay one’s debts, in allusion to the slate or chalk methods of account keeping; “to WIPE a person’s eye,” to shoot game which he has missed—_Sporting term_; hence to obtain an advantage by superior activity.

WIRE, a thief with long fingers, expert at picking ladies’ pockets.

WOBBLESHOP, where beer is sold without a license.

WOODEN SPOON, the last junior optime who takes a University degree; denoting one who is only fit to stay at home, and stir porridge.—_Cambridge._

WOODEN WEDGE, the last name in the classical honours list at Cambridge. The last in mathematical honours had long been known as the WOODEN SPOON; but when the classical Tripos was instituted, in 1824, it was debated among the undergraduates what _sobriquet_ should be given to the last on the examination list. Curiously enough, the name that year which happened to be last was WEDGEWOOD (a distinguished Wrangler). Hence the title.

WOOL, courage, pluck; “you are not half-WOOLLED,” term of reproach from one thief to another.

WOOLBIRD, a lamb; “wing of a WOOLBIRD,” a shoulder of lamb.

WOOL-GATHERING, said of any person’s wits when they are wandering, or in a reverie.—_Florio._

WOOL-HOLE, the workhouse.

WORK, to plan, or lay down and execute any course of action, to perform anything; “to WORK the BULLS,” _i.e._, to get rid of false crown pieces; “to WORK the ORACLE,” to succeed by manœuvring, to concert a wily plan, to victimise,—a possible reference to the stratagems and bribes used to corrupt the _Delphic oracle_, and cause it to deliver a favourable response. “To WORK a street or neighbourhood,” trying at each house to sell all one can, or so bawling that every housewife may know what you have to sell. The general plan is to drive a donkey barrow a short distance, and then stop and cry. The term implies thoroughness; to “WORK a street well” is a common saying with a coster.

WORM, _see_ PUMP.

WORMING, removing the beard of an oyster or muscle.

W.P., or WARMING PAN. A clergyman who holds a living _pro tempore_, under a bond of resignation, is styled a W.P., or WARMING PAN rector, because he keeps the place warm for his successor.—_Clerical slang._

WRINKLE, an idea, or fancy; an additional piece of knowledge which is supposed to be made by a WRINKLE _à posteriori_.

WRITE, “to WRITE ONE’S NAME on a joint,” to have the first cut at anything,—leaving sensible traces of one’s presence on it.

YACK, a watch; to “_church_ a YACK,” to take it out of its case to avoid detection.

YARD OF CLAY, a long, old-fashioned tobacco pipe, also called a _churchwarden_.

YARMOUTH CAPON, a bloater, or red herring.—_Old_—_Ray’s Proverbs._

YARN, a long story, or tale; “a tough YARN,” a tale hard to be believed; “spin a YARN,” tell a tale.—_Sea._

YAY-NAY, “a poor YAY-NAY” fellow, one who has no conversational power, and can only answer _yea_ or _nay_ to a question.

YELLOW BELLY, a native of the Fens of Lincolnshire, or the Isle of Ely,—in allusion to the frogs and a yellow-bellied eel caught there; they are also said to be _web-footed_.

YELLOW-BOY, a sovereign, or any gold coin.

YELLOW-GLOAK, a jealous man.

YELLOW-JACK, the yellow fever prevalent in the West Indies.

YELLOW-MAN, a yellow silk handkerchief.

YOKEL, a countryman.—_West._

YOKUFF, a chest, or large box.

YORKSHIRE, “to YORKSHIRE,” or “come YORKSHIRE over any person,” is to cheat or BITE them.—_North._

YORKSHIRE ESTATES, “I will do it when I come into my YORKSHIRE ESTATES,”—meaning if I ever have the money or the means. The phrase is said to have originated with _Dr. Johnson_.

YOUNKER, in street language, a lad or a boy. Term in general use amongst costermongers, cabmen, and old-fashioned people. _Barnefield’s Affectionate Shepherd_, 1594, has the phrase, “a seemelie YOUNKER.” _Danish_ and _Friesic_, JONKER. In the _Navy_, a naval cadet is usually termed a YOUNKER.

YOUR-NIBS, yourself.

ZIPH, LANGUAGE OF, a way of disguising English in use among the students at _Winchester College_. Compare MEDICAL GREEK.

ZOUNDS, a sudden exclamation,—abbreviation of _God’s wounds_.

SOME ACCOUNT OF THE BACK SLANG,

THE SECRET LANGUAGE OF COSTERMONGERS.

The costermongers of London number between thirty and forty thousand. Like other low tribes, they boast a language, or secret tongue, in which they hide their earnings, movements, and other private affairs. This costers’ speech, as Mayhew remarks, offers no new fact, or approach to a fact, for philologists; it is not very remarkable for originality of construction; neither is it spiced with low humour, as other cant. But the costermongers boast that it is known only to themselves; that it is far beyond the Irish, and puzzles the Jews.

_The main principle of this language is spelling the words backwards,—or rather, pronouncing them rudely backwards._ Sometimes, for the sake of harmony, an extra syllable is prefixed, or annexed; and, occasionally, the word is given quite a different turn in rendering it backwards, from what an uninitiated person would have expected. One coster told Mayhew that he often gave the end of a word “a new turn, just as if he chorussed it with a tol-de-rol.” Besides, the coster has his own idea of the _proper_ way of spelling words, and is not to be convinced but by an overwhelming show of learning,—and frequently not then, for he is a very headstrong fellow. By the time a coster has spelt an ordinary word of two or three syllables in the proper way, and then spelt it backwards, it has become a tangled knot that no etymologist could unravel. The word GENERALISE, for instance, is considered to be “shilling” spelt backwards. Sometimes Slang and Cant words are introduced, and even these, when imagined to be tolerably well known, are pronounced backwards. Other terms, such as GEN, a shilling, and FLATCH, a halfpenny, help to confuse the outsider.

After a time, this back language, on BACK-SLANG, as it is called by the costermongers themselves, comes to be regarded by the rising generation of street sellers as a distinct and regular mode of speech. They never refer words, by inverting them, to their originals; and the YENEPS and ESCLOPS, and NAMOWS, are looked upon as proper, but secret terms. “But it is a curious fact, that lads who become costermongers’ boys, without previous association with the class, acquire a very ready command of the language, and this though they are not only unable to spell, but ‘don’t know a letter in a book.[56]’” They soon obtain a considerable stock vocabulary, so that they converse rather from the memory than the understanding. Amongst the senior costermongers, and those who pride themselves on their proficiency in BACK-SLANG, a conversation is often sustained for a whole evening, especially if any “flatties” are present whom they wish to astonish or confuse. The women use it sparingly, but the girls are generally well acquainted with it.

The addition of an _s_, I should state, always forms the plural, so that this is another source of complication. For instance, _woman_ in the BACK-SLANG, is NAMOW, and NAMUS, or NAMOWS, is _women_, not NEMOW. The explorer, then, in undoing the BACK-SLANG, and turning the word NAMUS once more into English, would have _suman_,—a novel and very extraordinary rendering of _women_. Where a word is refractory in submitting to a back rendering, as in the case of _pound_, letters are made to change positions for the sake of harmony; thus, we have DUNOP, a pound, instead of _dnuop_ which nobody could pleasantly pronounce. This will remind the reader of the Jews’ “_old clo! old clo!_” instead of _old clothes, old clothes_, which would tire even the patience of a Jew to repeat all day.

This singular BACK tongue has been in vogue about twenty-five years. It is, as before stated, soon acquired, and is principally used by the costermongers (as the specimen Glossary will show), for communicating the secrets of their street tradings, the cost and profit of the goods, and for keeping their natural enemies, the police, in the dark. COOL THE ESCLOP (look at the police) is often said amongst them, when one of the constabulary makes his appearance.

Perhaps on no subject is the costermonger so particular as on money matters. All costs and profits he thinks should be kept profoundly secret. The Back Slang, therefore, gives the various small amounts very minutely.

FLATCH, halfpenny.

YENEP, penny.

OWT-YENEPS, twopence.

ERTH-YENEPS, threepence.

ROUF-YENEPS, fourpence.

EVIF, or EWIF-YENEPS, fivepence.

EXIS-YENEPS, sixpence.

NEVIS-YENEPS, sevenpence.

TEAICH, or THEG-YENEPS, eightpence.

ENIN-YENEPS, ninepence.

NET-YENEPS, tenpence.

NEVELÉ-YENEPS, elevenpence.

EVLÉNET-YENNEPS, twelvepence.

GEN, or GENERALIZE, one shilling, or twelvepence.

YENEP-FLATCH, three halfpence.

OWT-YENEP-FLATCH, twopence halfpenny. &c. &c. &c.

GEN, or ENO-GEN, one shilling.

OWT-GENS, two shillings.

ERTH-GENS, three shillings.

The GENS continue in the same sequence as the YENEPS above, excepting THEG-GENS, 8s., which is usually rendered THEG-GUY,—a deviation with ample precedents in all civilised tongues.

YENORK, a crown piece, or five shillings.

FLATCH-YENORK, half-a-crown.

Beyond this amount the costermonger reckons after an intricate and complicated mode. Fifteen shillings would be ERTH-EVIF-GENS, or, literally, three times 5s.; seventeen shillings would be ERTH-YENORK-FLATCH, or three crowns and a half; or, by another mode of reckoning, ERTH-EVIF-GENS FLATCH-YENORK, _i.e._, three times 5s., and half-a-crown.

DUNOP, a pound.

Further than which the costermonger seldom goes in money reckoning.

In the following Glossary only those words are given which costermongers principally use,—the terms connected with street traffic, the names of the different coins, vegetables, fruit and fish, technicalities of police courts, &c.

The reader might naturally think that a system of speech so simple as the BACK-SLANG would require no Glossary; but he will quickly perceive, from the specimens given, that a great many words in frequent use in a BACK sense, have become so twisted as to require a little glossarial explanation.

GLOSSARY OF THE BACK SLANG.

BIRK, a “crib,”—house.

COOL, to look.

COOL HIM, look at him. A phrase frequently used when one costermonger
warns another of the approach of a policeman.

DAB, bad.

DABHENO, one bad, or a bad market.—_See_ DOOGHENO.

DAB TROS, a bad sort.

DA-ERB, bread.

DEB, or DAB, a bed; “I’m on to the DEB,” I’m going to bed.

DILLO-NAMO, an old woman.

DLOG, gold.

DOOG, good.

DOOGHENO, literally “one-good,” or “good-one,” but implying generally
a good market.

DOOGHENO HIT, one good hit. A coster remarks to a “mate,” “_Jack made
a_ DOOGHENO HIT _this morning_,” implying that he did well at market,
or sold out with good profit.

DUNOP, a pound.

ERTH, three.

EARTH[57] GENS, three shillings.

EARTH SITH-NOMS, three months.

EARTH YANNOPS, or YENEPS, threepence.

EDGABAC, cabbage.

EDGENARO, an orange.

E-FINK, knife.

EKAME, a “make,” or swindle.

EKOM, a “moke,” or donkey.

ELRIG, a girl.

ENIF, fine.

ENIN GENS, nine shillings.

ENIN YENEP, ninepence.

ENIN YANNOPS, or YENEPS, ninepence.

ENO, one.

ERIF, fire.

ERTH GENS, three shillings.

ERTH-PU, three-up, a street game.

ERTH SITH-NOMS, three months,—a term of imprisonment unfortunately
very familiar to the lower orders.

ERTH-YENEPS, threepence.

ESCLOP, the police.

ES-ROPH, or ES-ROCH, a horse.

EVIF-YENEPS, five pence.

EVLENET-GENS, twelve shillings.

EVLENET SITH-NOMS, twelve months.

EWIF-GENS, a crown, or five shillings.

EWIF-YENEPS, fivepence.

EXIS GENS, six shillings.

EXIS-EWIF-GENS, six times five shillings, _i.e._, 30s. All moneys may
be reckoned in this manner, either with YENEPS or GENS.

EXIS-EVIF YENEPS, elevenpence,—literally, “sixpence and fivepence =
elevenpence.” This mode of reckoning, distinct from the preceding, is
also common amongst those who use the back slang.

EXIS SITH-NOMS, six months.

EXIS-YENEPS, sixpence.

FI-HEATH, a thief.

FLATCH, a half, or halfpenny.

FLATCH KEN-NURD, half drunk.

FLATCH YENEP, a halfpenny.

FLATCH-YENORK, half-a-crown.

GEN, twelvepence, or one shilling. Possibly an abbreviation of
ARGENT, cant term for silver.—See following.

GENERALIZE, a shilling, generally shortened to GEN.

GEN-NET, or NET GENS, ten shillings.

HEL-BAT, a table.

HELPA, an apple.

KENNETSEENO, stinking.

KENNURD, drunk.

KEW, a week.

KEWS, or SKEW, weeks.

KIRB, a brick.

KOOL, to look.

LAWT, tall.

LEVEN, in back slang, is sometimes allowed to stand for _eleven_, for
the reason that it is a number which seldom occurs. An article is
either 10d. or 1s.

LUR-AC-HAM, mackarel.

MOTTAB, bottom.

MUR, rum.

NALE, or NAEL, lean.

NAM, a man.

NAMESCLOP, a policeman.

NAMOW, a woman; DILLO NAMOW, an old woman.

NEERGS, greens.

NETENIN GENS, nineteen shillings.

NEETEWIF GENS, fifteen shillings.

NEETEXIS, or NETEXIS GENS, sixteen shillings.

NETNEVIS GENS, seventeen shillings.

NET-THEG GENS, eighteen shillings.

NEETRITH GENS, thirteen shillings.

NEETROUF GENS, fourteen shillings.

NET-GEN, ten shillings, or half a sovereign.

NET-YENEPS, tenpence.

NEVELE GENS, eleven shillings.

NEVELE YENEPS, elevenpence,—generally LEVEN YENEPS.

NEVIS GENS, seven shillings.

NEVIS STRETCH, seven years’ transportation, or imprisonment.—_See_
STRETCH, in the _Slang Dictionary_.

NEVIS YENEPS, sevenpence.

NIRE, rain.

NIG, gin.

NI-OG OT TAKRAM, going to market.

NITRAPH, a farthing.

NOL, long.

NOOM, the moon.

NOS-RAP, a parson.

OCCABOT, tobacco; “tib of OCCABOT,” bit of tobacco.

ON, no.

ON DOOG, no good.

OWT GENS, two shillings.

OWT YENEPS, twopence.

PAC, a cap.

PINURT POTS, turnip tops.

POT, top.

RAPE, a pear.

REEB, beer.

REV-LIS, silver.

ROUF-EFIL, for life,—sentence of punishment.

ROUF-GENS, four shillings.

ROUF-YENEPS, fourpence.

RUTAT, or RATTAT, a “tatur,” or potato.

SAY, yes.

SEE-O, shoes.

SELOPAS, apples.

SHIF, fish.

SIR-ETCH, cherries.

SITH-NOM, a month.

SLAOC, coals.

SLOP, a policeman.—_See Dictionary of Slang and Cant Words._

SNEERG, greens.

SOUSH, a house.

SPINSRAP, parsnips.

SRES WORT, trowsers.

STARPS, sprats.

STOOB, boots.

STORRAC, carrots.

STUN, nuts.

STUNLAWS, walnuts.

SWRET-SIO, oysters.

TACH, a hat.

TAF, or TAFFY, fat.

THEG, or TEAICH GENS, eight shillings.

TEAICH-GUY, eight shillings,—a slight deviation from the numerical
arrangement of GENS.

TENIP, a pint.

THEG YENEPS, eightpence.

TIB, a bit, or piece.

TOAC, or TOG, a coat. TOG is the _old cant_ term.—_See Dictionary of
Slang, &c._

TOAC-TISAW, a waistcoat.

TOL, lot, stock, or share.

TOP O’ REEB, a pot of beer.

TOP-YOB, a pot boy.

TORRAC, a carrot.

TRACK (or TRAG), a quart.

TROSSENO, literally, “one-sort,” but the costermongers use it to
imply anything that is bad.

WAR-RAB, a barrow.

WEDGE, a Jew.

YAD, a day; YADS, days.

YADNAB, brandy.

YENEP, a penny.

YENEP-A-TIME, penny each time,—term in betting.

YENEP-FLATCH, three halfpence,—all the halfpence and pennies continue
in the same sequence.

YAP-POO, pay up.

YEKNOD, or JERK-NOD, a donkey.

YENORK, a crown.

YOB, a boy.

ZEB, best.

SOME ACCOUNT OF THE RHYMING SLANG,

THE SECRET LANGUAGE OF CHAUNTERS AND PATTERERS.

There exists in London a singular tribe of men, known amongst the “fraternity of vagabonds” as Chaunters and Patterers. Both classes are great talkers. The first sing or chaunt through the public thoroughfares ballads—political and humorous—carols, dying speeches, and the various other kinds of gallows and street literature. The second deliver street orations on grease-removing compounds, plating powders, high polishing blacking, and the thousand and one wonderful pennyworths that are retailed to gaping mobs from a London kerb stone.

They are quite a distinct tribe from the costermongers; indeed, amongst tramps, they term themselves the “harristocrats of the streets,” and boast that they live by their intellects. Like the costermongers, however, they have a secret tongue or Cant speech, known only to each other. This Cant, which has nothing to do with that spoken by the costermongers, is known in Seven Dials and elsewhere as the RHYMING SLANG, _or the substitution of words and sentences which rhyme with other words intended to be kept secret_. The chaunter’s Cant, therefore, partakes of his calling, and he transforms and uses up into a rough speech the various odds and ends of old songs, ballads, and street nick-names, which are found suitable to his purpose. Unlike nearly all other systems of Cant, the rhyming Slang is not founded upon allegory; unless we except a few rude similes, thus—I’M AFLOAT is the rhyming Cant for _boat_, SORROWFUL TALE is equivalent to _three months in jail_, ARTFUL DODGER signifies a _lodger_, and a SNAKE IN THE GRASS stands for a _looking-glass_—a meaning that would delight a fat Chinaman, or a Collector of Oriental proverbs. But, as in the case of the costers’ speech and the old gipsey-vagabond Cant, the chaunters and patterers so interlard this rhyming Slang with their general remarks, while their ordinary language is so smothered and subdued, that, unless when they are professionally engaged and talking of their wares, they might almost pass for foreigners.

From the inquiries I have made of various patterers and “paper workers,” I learn that the rhyming Slang was introduced about twelve or fifteen years ago. Numbering this class of oratorical and bawling wanderers at twenty thousand, scattered over Great Britain, including London and the large provincial towns, we thus see the number of English vagabonds who converse in rhyme and talk poetry, although their habitations and mode of life constitute a very unpleasant Arcadia. These nomadic poets, like the other talkers of Cant or secret languages, are stamped with the vagabond’s mark, and are continually on the move. The married men mostly have lodgings in London, and come and go as occasion may require. A few never quit London streets, but the greater number tramp to all the large provincial fairs, and prefer the MONKERY (country) to town life. Some transact their business in a systematic way, sending a post-office order to the Seven Dials printer, for a fresh supply of ballads or penny books, or to the SWAG SHOP, as the case may be, for trinkets and gewgaws, to be sent on by rail to a given town by the time they shall arrive there.

When any dreadful murder, colliery explosion, or frightful railway accident has happened in a country district, three or four chaunters are generally on the spot in a day or two after the occurrence, vending and bawling “_A True and Faithful Account_,” &c., which “true and faithful account” was concocted purely in the imaginations of the successors of Catnach and Tommy Pitts,[58] behind the counters of their printing shops in Seven Dials. And but few fairs are held in any part of England without the patterer being punctually at his post, with his nostrums, or real gold rings (with the story of the wager laid by the gentleman—see FAWNEY BOUNCING, in the Dictionary), or save-alls for candlesticks, or paste which, when applied to the strop, makes the dullest razor keen enough to hack broom handles and sticks, and after that to have quite enough sharpness left for splitting hairs, or shaving them off the back of one of the clodhoppers’ hands, looking on in amazement. And CHEAP JOHN, too, with his coarse jokes, and no end of six-bladed knives, and pocket-books, containing information for everybody, with pockets to hold money, and a pencil to write with in the bargain, and a van stuffed with the cheap productions of Sheffield and “Brummagem,”—he, too, is a patterer of the highest order, and visits fairs, and can hold a conversation in the rhyming Slang.

Such is a rough description of the men who speak this jargon; and simple and ridiculous as the vulgar scheme of a rhyming Slang may appear, it must always be regarded as a curious fact in linguistic history. In order that the reader’s patience may not be too much taxed, only a selection of rhyming words has been given in the Glossary,—and these for the most part, as in the case of the back Slang, are the terms of everyday life, as used by this order of tramps and hucksters.