Chapter M: B. COAT, i.e., Mark of the Beast, a name given to the long (4)

It must not be supposed, however, that the chaunter or patterer confines himself entirely to this Slang when conveying secret intelligence. On the contrary, although he speaks not a “leash of languages,” yet is he master of the beggars’ Cant, and is thoroughly “up” in street Slang. The following letter, written by a chaunter to a gentleman who took an interest in his welfare, will show his capabilities in this line.

Dear Friend,[59]

Excuse the liberty, since i saw you last i have not earned a thickun,
we have had such a Dowry of Parny that it completely stumped or
Coopered Drory the Bossmans Patter therefore i am broke up and not
having another friend but you i wish to know if you would lend me
the price of 2 Gross of Tops, Dies, or Croaks, which is 7 shillings,
of the above mentioned worthy and Sarah Chesham the Essex Burick for
the Poisoning job, they are both to be topped at Springfield Sturaban
on Tuesday next. i hope you will oblige me if you can for it will be
the means of putting a Quid or a James in my Clye. i will call at
your Carser on Sunday Evening next for an answer, for i want to Speel
on the Drum as soon as possible. hoping you and the family are All
Square,

I remain Your obedient Servant,
————

GLOSSARY OF THE RHYMING SLANG.

ABRAHAM’S WILLING, a shilling.

ALACOMPAIN, rain.

ALL AFLOAT, a coat.

ANY RACKET, a penny faggot.

APPLES AND PEARS, stairs.

ARTFUL DODGER, a lodger.

ARTICHOKE RIPE, smoke a pipe.

BABY PAPS, caps.

BARNET FAIR, hair.

BATTLE OF THE NILE, a tile—vulgar term for a hat.

BEN FLAKE, a steak.

BILLY BUTTON, mutton.

BIRCH BROOM, a room.

BIRD LIME, time.

BOB, MY PAL, a gal,—vulgar pronunciation of _girl_.

BONNETS SO BLUE, Irish stew.

BOTTLE OF SPRUCE, a deuce,—slang for twopence.

BOWL THE HOOP, soup.

BRIAN O’LINN, gin.

BROWN BESS, yes—the affirmative.

BROWN JOE, no—the negative.

BULL AND COW, a row.

BUSHY PARK, a lark.

BUTTER FLAP, a cap.

CAIN AND ABEL, a table.

CAMDEN TOWN, a brown,—vulgar term for a halfpenny.

CASTLE RAG, a flag,—slang term for fourpence.

CAT AND MOUSE, a house.

CHALK FARM, the arm.

CHARING CROSS, a horse.

CHARLEY LANCASTER, a handkercher,—vulgar pronunciation of
handkerchief.

CHARLEY PRESCOTT, waistcoat.

CHERRY RIPE, a pipe.

CHEVY CHASE, the face.

CHUMP (OR CHUNK) OF WOOD, no good.

COW AND CALF, to laugh.

COVENT GARDEN, a farden,—Cockney pronunciation of farthing.

COWS AND KISSES, mistress or missus—referring to the ladies.

CURRANTS AND PLUMS, thrums,—slang for threepence.

DAISY RECROOTS (so spelt by my informant of Seven Dials; he means,
doubtless, _recruits_), a pair of boots.

DAN TUCKER, butter.

DING DONG, a song.

DRY LAND, you understand.

DUKE OF YORK, take a walk.

EAST AND SOUTH, a mouth.

EAT A FIG, to “crack a crib,” to break into a house, or commit a
burglary.

EGYPTIAN HALL, a ball.

ELEPHANT’S TRUNK, drunk.

EPSOM RACES, a pair of braces.

EVERTON TOFFEE, coffee.

FANNY BLAIR, the hair.

FILLET OF VEAL, the treadwheel, house of correction.

FINGER AND THUMB, rum.

FLAG UNFURLED, a man of the world.

FLEA AND LOUSE, a bad house.

FLOUNDER AND DAB (two kinds of flat fish), a cab.

FLY MY KITE, a light.

FROG AND TOAD, the main road.

GARDEN GATE, a magistrate.

GERMAN FLUTES, a pair of boots.

GIRL AND BOY, a saveloy,—a penny sausage.

GLORIOUS SINNER, a dinner.

GODDESS DIANA (pronounced DIANER), a tanner,—sixpence.

GOOSEBERRY PUDDING (_vulgo_ PUDDEN), a woman.

HANG BLUFF, snuff.

HOD OF MORTAR, a pot of porter.

HOUNSLOW HEATH, teeth.

I DESIRE, a fire.

I’M AFLOAT, a boat.

ISLE OF FRANCE, a dance.

ISABELLA (vulgar pronunciation, ISABELLER), an umbrella.