Chapter V: Preface: To the First Edition (4)

BY GOLLY, an ejaculation, or oath; a compromise for “by God.” In the United States, small boys are permitted by their guardians to say GOL DARN anything, but they are on no account allowed to commit the profanity of G—d d——g anything. An effective ejaculation and moral waste pipe for interior passion or wrath is seen in the exclamation—BY THE-EVER-LIVING-JUMPING-MOSES—a harmless phrase, that from its length expends a considerable quantity of fiery anger.

CAB, in statutory language, “a hackney carriage drawn by one horse.” Abbreviated from CABRIOLET, _French_; originally meaning “a light low chaise.” The wags of Paris playing upon the word (quasi _cabri_ au lait) used to call a superior turn-out of the kind a _cabri au crême_. Our abbreviation, which certainly smacks of slang, has been stamped with the authority of “GEORGE, _Ranger_.” See the notices affixed to the carriage entrances of St. James’s Park.

CAB, to stick together, to muck, or tumble up.—_Devonshire._

CABBAGE, pieces of cloth said to be purloined by tailors.

CABBAGE, to pilfer or purloin. Termed by Johnson a cant word, but adopted by later lexicographers as a respectable term. Said to have been first used in this sense by _Arbuthnot_.

CABBY, the driver of a cab.

CAD, or CADGER (from which it is shortened), a mean or vulgar fellow; a beggar; one who would rather live on other people than work for himself; a man trying to worm something out of another, either money or information. _Johnson_ uses the word, and gives _huckster_ as the meaning, but I never heard it used in this sense. CAGER, or GAGER, the _old cant_ term for a man. The exclusives in the Universities apply the term CAD to all non-members.

CAD, an omnibus conductor.

CADGE, to beg in an artful or wheedling manner.—_North._

CADGING, begging of the lowest degree.

CAG-MAG, bad food, scraps, odds and ends; or that which no one could relish. _Grose_ gives CAGG MAGGS, old and tough Lincolnshire geese, sent to London to feast the poor cockneys.

CAGE, a minor kind of prison.—_Shakespere_, part ii. of Henry IV., iv. 2.

CAKE, a flat, a soft or doughy person, a fool.

CAKEY-PANNUM-FENCER, a man who sells street pastry.

CALL-A-GO, in street “patter,” is to remove to another spot, or address the public in different vein.

CAMESA, shirt or chemise.—_Span._ _Ancient cant_, COMMISSION.

CAMISTER, a preacher, clergyman, or master.

CANARY, a sovereign. This is stated by a correspondent to be a Norwich term, that city being famous for its breed of those birds.

CANISTER, the head.—_Pugilistic._

CANISTER-CAP, a hat.—_Pugilistic._

CANNIKEN, a small can, similar to PANNIKIN.—_Shakespere._

CANT, a blow or toss; “a cant over the kisser,” a blow on the mouth.—_Kentish._

CANT OF TOGS, a gift of clothes.

CARDINAL, a lady’s cloak. This, I am assured, is the _Seven Dials_ cant term for a lady’s garment, but curiously enough the same name is given to the most fashionable patterns of the article by Regent-street drapers. A cloak with this name was in fashion in the year 1760. It received its title from its similarity in shape to one of the vestments of a cardinal.

CARNEY, soft talk, nonsense, gammon.—_Hibernicism._

CAROON, five shillings. _French_, COURONNE; Gipsey, COURNA,—PANSH COURNA, half-a-crown.

CARPET, “upon the CARPET,” any subject or matter that is uppermost for discussion or conversation. Frequently quoted as _sur le tapis_, but it does not seem to be a correct Parisian phrase.

CARRIER PIGEONS, swindlers, who formerly used to cheat Lottery Office Keepers. _Nearly obsolete._

CARROTS, the coarse and satirical term for red hair.

CARRY-ON, to joke a person to excess, to carry on a “spree” too far; “how we CARRIED ON, to be sure!” _i.e._, what fun we had.

CART, a race-course.

CARTS, a pair of shoes. In Norfolk the carapace of a crab is called a _crab cart_, hence CARTS would be synonymous with CRAB SHELLS, which see.

CART WHEEL, a five shilling piece.

CASA, or CASE, a house, respectable or otherwise. Probably from the _Italian_, CASA.—_Old cant._ The _Dutch_ use the word KAST in a vulgar sense for a house, _i.e._, MOTTEKAST, a brothel. CASE sometimes means a water-closet.

CASCADING, vomiting.

CASE, a bad crown piece. HALF-A-CASE, a counterfeit half crown. There are two sources, either of which may have contributed this slang term. CASER is the Hebrew word for a crown; and silver coin is frequently counterfeited by coating or CASING pewter or iron imitations with silver.

CASE. A few years ago the term CASE was applied to persons and things; “what a CASE he is,” _i.e._, what a curious person; “a rum CASE that,” or “you are a CASE,” both synonymous with the phrase “odd fish,” common half-a-century ago. Among young ladies at boarding schools a CASE means a love affair.

CASK, fashionable slang for a brougham, or other private carriage.—_Household Words_, No. 183.

CASSAM, cheese—not CAFFAN, which Egan, in his edition of _Grose_, has ridiculously inserted.—_Ancient cant._ _Latin_, CASEUS.

CASTING UP ONE’S ACCOUNTS, vomiting.—_Old._

CASTOR, a hat. CASTOR was once the ancient word for a BEAVER; and strange to add, BEAVER was the slang for CASTOR, or hat, thirty years ago, before gossamer came into fashion.

CAT, to vomit like a cat.—_See_ SHOOT THE CAT.

CAT, a lady’s muff; “to free a CAT,” _i.e._, steal a muff.

CATARACT, a black satin scarf arranged for the display of jewellery, much in vogue among “commercial gents.”

CATCH ’EM ALIVE, a trap, also a small-tooth comb.

CATCHY (similar formation to _touchy_), inclined to take an undue advantage.

CATEVER, a queer, or singular affair; anything poor, or very bad. From the _Lingua Franca_, and _Italian_, CATTIVO, bad. Variously spelled by the lower orders.—_See_ KERTEVER.

CATGUT-SCRAPER, a fiddler.

CAT-LAP, a contemptuous expression for weak drink.

CAT’S WATER, old Tom, or Gin.

CAT AND KITTEN SNEAKING, stealing pint and quart pots from public-houses.

CATCH-PENNY, any temporary contrivance to obtain money from the public, penny shows, or cheap exhibitions.

CAT-IN-THE-PAN, a traitor, a turn-coat—derived by some from the _Greek_, καταπαν, altogether; or from _cake in pan_, a pan cake, which is frequently turned from side to side.

CAUCUS, a private meeting held for the purpose of concerting measures, agreeing upon candidates for office before an election, &c.—_See Pickering’s Vocabulary._

CAVAULTING, coition. _Lingua Franca_, CAVOLTA.

CAVE, or CAVE IN, to submit, shut up.—_American._ Metaphor taken from the sinking of an abandoned mining shaft.

CHAFF, to gammon, joke, quiz, or praise ironically. CHAFF-bone, the jaw-bone.—_Yorkshire._ CHAFF, jesting. In _Anglo Saxon_, CEAF is chaff; and CEAFL, bill, beak, or jaw. In the “Ancien Riwle,” A.D. 1221, _ceafle_ is used in the sense of idle discourse.

CHALK-OUT, or CHALK DOWN, to mark out a line of conduct or action; to make a rule, order. Phrase derived from the _Workshop_.

CHALK UP, to credit, make entry in account books of indebtedness; “I can’t pay you now, but you can CHALK IT UP,” _i.e._, charge me with the article in your day-book. From the old practice of chalking one’s score for drink behind the bar-doors of public houses.

CHALKS, “to walk one’s CHALKS,” to move off, or run away. An ordeal for drunkenness used on board ship, to see whether the suspected person can walk on a chalked line without overstepping it on either side.

CHAP, a fellow, a boy; “a low CHAP,” a low fellow—abbreviation of CHAP-MAN, a huckster. Used by Byron in his _Critical Remarks_.

CHARIOT-BUZZING, picking pockets in an omnibus.

CHARLEY, a watchman, a beadle.

CHARLEY-PITCHERS, low, cheating gamblers.

CHATTER BASKET, common term for a prattling child amongst nurses.

CHATTER-BOX, an incessant talker or chatterer.

CHATTRY-FEEDER, a spoon.

CHATTS, dice,—formerly the gallows; a bunch of seals.

CHATTS, lice, or body vermin.

CHATTY, a filthy person, one whose clothes are not free from vermin; CHATTY DOSS, a lousy bed.

CHAUNTER-CULLS, a singular body of men who used to haunt certain well known public-houses, and write satirical or libellous ballads on any person, or body of persons, for a consideration. 7s. 6d. was the usual fee, and in three hours the ballad might be heard in St. Paul’s Churchyard, or other public spot. There are two men in London at the present day who gain their living in this way.

CHAUNTERS, those street sellers of ballads, last copies of verses, and other broadsheets, who sing or bawl the contents of their papers. They often term themselves PAPER WORKERS. _A. N._—_See_ HORSE CHAUNTERS.

CHAUNT, to sing the contents of any paper in the streets. CANT, as applied to vulgar language, was derived from CHAUNT.—_See Introduction._

CHEAP, “doing it on the CHEAP,” living economically, or keeping up a showy appearance with very little means.

CHEAP JACKS, or JOHNS, oratorical hucksters and patterers of hardware, &c., at fairs and races. They put an article up at a high price, and then cheapen it by degrees, indulging in volleys of coarse wit, until it becomes to all appearance a bargain, and as such it is bought by one of the crowd. The popular idea is that the inverse method of auctioneering saves them paying for the auction license.

CHEEK, share or portion; “where’s my CHEEK?” where is my allowance?

CHEEK, impudence, assurance; CHEEKY, saucy or forward. _Lincolnshire_, CHEEK, to accuse.

CHEEK, to irritate by impudence.

CHEEK BY JOWL, side by side,—said often of persons in such close confabulation as almost to have their faces touch.

CHEESE, anything good, first-rate in quality, genuine, pleasant, or advantageous, is termed THE CHEESE. _Mayhew_ thinks CHEESE, in this sense, is from the _Saxon_, CEOSAN, to choose, and quotes _Chaucer_, who uses CHESE in the sense of choice. The _London Guide_, 1818, says it was from some young fellows translating “c’est une autre CHOSE” into “that is another CHEESE.” CHEESE is also _Gipsey_ and _Hindoo_ (_see Introduction_); and _Persian_, CHIZ, a thing.—_See_ STILTON.

CHEESE, or CHEESE IT (evidently a corruption of _cease_), leave off, or have done; “CHEESE your barrikin,” hold your noise.

CHEESY, fine or showy.

CHERUBS, or CHERUBIMS, the chorister boys who chaunt in the services at the abbeys.

CHESHIRE CAT, “to grin like a CHESHIRE CAT,” to display the teeth and gums when laughing. Formerly the phrase was “to grin like a CHESHIRE CAT _eating_ CHEESE.” A _hardly satisfactory_ explanation has been given of this phrase—that Cheshire is a county palatine, and the cats, when they think of it, are so tickled with the notion that they can’t help grinning.

CHICKEN, a young girl.

CHICKEN-HEARTED, cowardly, fearful.

CHI-IKE, a hurrah, a good word, or hearty praise.

CHINK, money.—_Ancient._—_See_ FLORIO.

CHINKERS, money.

CHIP OF THE OLD BLOCK, a child who resembles its father. BROTHER CHIP, one of the same trade or profession.

CHIPS, money.

CHISEL, to cheat.

CHITTERLINGS, the shirt frills worn still by ancient beaux; properly, the _entrails of a pig_, to which they are supposed to bear some resemblance. _Belgian_, SCHYTERLINGH.

CHIVARLY, coition. Probably a corruption from the _Lingua Franca_.

CHIVE, a knife; a sharp tool of any kind.—_Old cant._ This term is particularly applied to the tin knives used in gaols.

CHIVE, to cut, saw, or file.

CHIVE, or CHIVEY, a shout; a halloo, or cheer, loud tongued. From CHEVY-CHASE, a boy’s game, in which the word CHEVY is bawled aloud; or from the _Gipsey_?—_See Introduction._

CHIVE-FENCER, a street hawker of cutlery.

CHIVEY, to chase round, or hunt about.

CHOCK-FULL, full till the scale comes down with a shock. _French_, CHOC. A correspondent suggests CHOKED-FULL.

CHOKE OFF, to get rid of. Bull dogs can only be made to loose their hold by choking them.

CHOKER, a cravat, a neckerchief. WHITE-CHOKER, the white neckerchief worn by mutes at a funeral, and waiters at a tavern. Clergymen are frequently termed WHITE-CHOKERS.

CHOKER, or WIND-STOPPER, a garrotter.

CHONKEYS, a kind of mince meat baked in a crust, and sold in the streets.

CHOP, to change.—_Old._

CHOPS, properly CHAPS, the mouth, or cheeks; “down in the CHOPS,” or “down in the mouth,” _i.e._, sad or melancholy.

CHOUSE, to cheat out of one’s share or portion. Hackluyt, CHAUS; Massinger, CHIAUS. From the Turkish, in which language it signifies an interpreter. Gifford gives a curious story as to its origin:—

In the year 1609 there was attached to the Turkish embassy in England
an interpreter, or CHIAOUS, who by cunning, aided by his official
position, managed to cheat the Turkish and Persian merchants then
in London out of the large sum of £1,000, then deemed an enormous
amount. From the notoriety which attended the fraud, and the
magnitude of the swindle, any one who cheated or defrauded was
said to _chiaous_, or _chause_, or CHOUSE; to do, that is, as this
_Chiaous_ had done.—_See Trench, Eng. Past and Present_, p. 87.

CHOUT, an entertainment.

CHOVEY, a shop.

CHRISTENING, erasing the name of the maker from a stolen watch, and inserting a fictitious one in its place.

CHUBBY, round-faced, plump.

CHUCK, a schoolboy’s treat.—_Westminster school._ Food, provision for an entertainment.—_Norwich._

CHUCK, to throw or pitch.

CHUCKING A JOLLY, when a costermonger praises the inferior article his mate or partner is trying to sell.

CHUCKING A STALL, where one rogue walks in front of a person while another picks his pockets.

CHUCKLE-HEAD, a fool.—_Devonshire._

CHUFF IT, _i.e._, be off, or take it away, in answer to a street seller who is importuning you to purchase. _Halliwell_ mentions CHUFF as a “term of reproach,” surly, &c.

CHUM, an acquaintance. A recognised term, but in such frequent use with the lower orders that it demanded a place in this glossary.

CHUM, to occupy a joint lodging with another person.

CHUMMING-UP, an old custom amongst prisoners when a fresh culprit is admitted to their number, consisting of a noisy welcome—rough music made with pokers, tongs, sticks, and saucepans. For this ovation the initiated prisoner has to pay, or FORK OVER, half a crown—or submit to a loss of coat and waistcoat. The practice is ancient.

CHUMMY, a chimney sweep; also a low-crowned felt hat.

CHUNK, a thick or dumpy piece of any substance.—_Kentish._

CHURCH A YACK (or watch), to take the works of a watch from its original case and put them into another one, to avoid detection.—_See_ CHRISTEN.

CHURCHWARDEN, a long pipe, “A YARD OF CLAY.”

CLAGGUM, boiled treacle in a hardened state, _Hardbake_.—_See_ CLIGGY.

CLAP, to place; “do you think you can CLAP your hand on him?” _i.e._, find him out.

CLAPPER, the tongue.

CLAP-TRAP, high-sounding nonsense. An ancient _Theatrical_ term for a “TRAP to catch a CLAP by way of applause from the spectators at a play.”—_Bailey’s Dictionary._

CLARET, blood.—_Pugilistic._

CLEAN, quite, or entirely; “CLEAN gone,” entirely out of sight, or away.—_Old, see Cotgrave._—_Shakespere._

CLEAN OUT, to thrash, or beat; to ruin, or bankrupt any one; to take all they have got, by purchase, or force. _De Quincey_, in his article on “Richard Bentley,” speaking of the lawsuit between that great scholar and Dr. Colbatch, remarks that the latter “must have been pretty well CLEANED OUT.”

CLICK, knock, or blow. CLICK-HANDED, left-handed.—_Cornish._

CLICK, to snatch.

CLIFT, to steal.

CLIGGY, or CLIDGY, sticky.—_Anglo Saxon_, CLÆG, clay.—_See_ CLAGGUM.

CLINCHER, that which rivets or confirms an argument, an incontrovertible position. Metaphor from the workshop.

CLINK-RIG, stealing tankards from public-houses, taverns, &c.

CLIPPING, excellent, very good.

CLOCK, “to know what’s O’CLOCK,” a definition of knowingness in general.—_See_ TIME O’DAY.

CLOD-HOPPER, a country clown.

CLOUT, or RAG, a cotton pocket handkerchief.—_Old cant._

CLOUT, a blow, or intentional strike.—_Ancient._

CLOVER, happiness, or luck.

CLUMP, to strike.

CLY, a pocket.—_Old cant_ for to steal. A correspondent derives this word from the _Old English_, CLEYES, claws; _Anglo Saxon_, CLEA. This pronunciation is still retained in Norfolk; thus, to CLY would mean to pounce upon, snatch.—_See_ FRISK.

CLY-FAKER, a pickpocket.

COACH, a Cambridge term for a private tutor.

COACH WHEEL, or TUSHEROON, a crown piece, or five shillings.

COALS, “to call (or pull) over the COALS,” to take to task, to scold.

COCK, or more frequently now a days, COCK-E-E, a vulgar street salutation—corruption of COCK-EYE. The latter is frequently heard as a shout or street cry after a man or boy.

COCK AND A BULL STORY, a long, rambling anecdote.—_See Notes and Queries_, vol. iv., p. 313.

COCKCHAFER, the treadmill.

COCK-EYE, one that squints.

COCKLES, “to rejoice the COCKLES of one’s heart,” a vulgar phrase implying great pleasure.—_See_ PLUCK.

COCKNEY, a native of London. Originally, a spoilt or effeminate boy, derived from COCKERING, or foolishly petting a person, rendering them of soft or luxurious manners. Halliwell states, in his admirable essay upon the word, that “some writers trace the word with much probability to the imaginary land of COCKAYGNE, the lubber land of the olden times.” _Grose_ gives Minsheu’s absurd but comical derivation:—A citizen of London being in the country, and hearing a horse neigh, exclaimed, “_Lord! how that horse laughs_.” A bystander informed him that that noise was called neighing. The next morning, when the cock crowed, the citizen, to show that he had not forgotten what was told him, cried out, “_do you hear how the_ COCK NEIGHS?”

COCK OF THE WALK, a master spirit, head of a party. Places where poultry are fed are called WALKS, and the barn-door cocks invariably fight for the supremacy till one has obtained it.

COCKS, fictitious narratives, in verse or prose, of murders, fires, and terrible accidents, sold in the streets as true accounts. The man who hawks them, a patterer, often changes the scene of the awful event to suit the taste of the neighbourhood he is trying to delude. Possibly a corruption of _cook_, a cooked statement, or, as a correspondent suggests, the COCK LANE Ghost may have given rise to the term. This had a great run, and was a rich harvest to the running stationers.

COCK ONE’S TOES, to die.

COCK ROBIN SHOP, a small printer’s office, where low wages are paid to journeymen who have never served a regular apprenticeship.

COCKSHY, a game at fairs and races, where trinkets are set upon sticks, and for one penny three throws at them are accorded, the thrower keeping whatever he knocks off. From the ancient game of throwing or “shying” at live cocks.

COCKSURE, certain.

COCKY, pert, saucy.

COCKYOLY BIRDS, little birds, frequently called “dickey birds.”—_Kingsley’s Two Years Ago._

COCK, “to COCK your eye,” to shut or wink one eye.

COCUM, advantage, luck, cunning, or sly, “to fight COCUM,” to be wily and cautious.

CODDS, the “poor brethren” of the Charter house. At p. 133 of the _Newcomes_, Mr. Thackeray writes, “The Cistercian lads call these old gentlemen CODDS, I know not wherefore.” An abbreviation of CODGER.

CODGER, an old man; “a rum old CODGER,” a curious old fellow. CODGER is sometimes used synonymous with CADGER, and then signifies a person who gets his living in a questionable manner. CAGER, or GAGER, was the old cant term for a man.

COFFEE-SHOP, a water-closet, or house of office.

COG, to cheat at dice.—_Shakespere._ Also, to agree with, as one cog-wheel does with another.

COLD BLOOD, a house licensed for the sale of beer “NOT to be drunk on the premises.”

COLD COOK, an undertaker.

COLD MEAT, a corpse.

COLD SHOULDER, “to show or give any one the COLD SHOULDER,” to assume a distant manner towards them, to evince a desire to cease acquaintanceship. Sometimes it is termed “cold shoulder of _mutton_.”

COLLAR, “out of COLLAR,” _i.e._, out of place, no work.

COLLAR, to seize, to lay hold of.

COLLY-WOBBLES, a stomach ache, a person’s bowels,—supposed by many of the lower orders to be the seat of feeling and nutrition; an idea either borrowed from, or transmitted by, the ancients.—_Devonshire._

COLT’S TOOTH, elderly persons of juvenile tastes are said to have a colt’s tooth.

COMB-CUT, mortified, disgraced, “down on one’s luck.”—_See_ CUT.

COME, a slang verb used in many phrases; “A’nt he COMING IT?” _i.e._, is he not proceeding at a great rate? “Don’t COME TRICKS here,” “don’t COME THE OLD SOLDIER over me,” _i.e._, we are aware of your practices, and “twig” your manœuvre. COMING IT STRONG, exaggerating, going a-head, the opposite of “_drawing it mild_.” COMING IT also means informing or disclosing.

COME DOWN, to pay down.

COMMISSION, a shirt.—_Ancient cant._ _Italian_, CAMICIA.

COMMISTER, a chaplain or clergyman.

COMMON SEWER, a DRAIN, or drink.

COMMONS, rations, because eaten _in common_.—_University._ SHORT COMMONS (derived from the University slang term), a scanty meal, a scarcity.

CONK, a nose; CONKY, having a projecting or remarkable nose. The Duke of Wellington was frequently termed “Old CONKY” in satirical papers and caricatures.

CONSTABLE, “to overrun the CONSTABLE,” to exceed one’s income, get deep in debt.

CONVEY, to steal; “CONVEY, the wise it call.”

CONVEYANCER, a pick-pocket. _Shakespere_ uses the cant expression, CONVEYER, a thief. The same term is also _French slang_.

COOK, a term well known in the Bankruptcy Courts, referring to accounts that have been meddled with, or COOKED, by the bankrupt; also the forming a balance sheet from general trade inferences; stated by a correspondent to have been first used in reference to the celebrated alteration of the accounts of the Eastern Counties Railway, by George Hudson, the Railway King.

COOK ONE’S GOOSE, to kill or ruin any person.—_North._

COOLIE, a soldier, in allusion to the _Hindoo_ COOLIES, or day labourers.

COON, abbreviation of Racoon.—_American._ A GONE COON—_ditto_, one in an awful fix, past praying for. This expression is said to have originated in the American war with a spy, who dressed himself in a racoon skin, and ensconced himself in a tree. An English rifleman taking him for a veritable coon levelled his piece at him, upon which he exclaimed, “Don’t shoot, I’ll come down of myself, I know I’m a GONE COON.” The Yankees say the Britisher was so flummuxed, that he flung down his rifle and “made tracks” for home. The phrase is pretty usual in England.

COOPER, stout half-and-half, _i.e._, half stout and half porter.

COOPER, to destroy, spoil, settle, or finish. COOPER’D, spoilt, “done up,” synonymous with the Americanism, CAVED IN, fallen in and ruined. The vagabonds’ hieroglyphic ▽, chalked by them on gate posts and houses, signifies that the place has been spoilt by too many tramps calling there.

COOPER, to forge, or imitate in writing; “COOPER a moneker,” to forge a signature.

COP, to seize or lay hold of anything unpleasant; used in a similar sense to _catch_ in the phrase “to COP (or catch) a beating,” “to get COPT.”

COPER, properly HORSE-COUPER, a Scotch horse-dealer,—used to denote a dishonest one.

COPPER, a policeman, _i.e._, one who COPS, which see.

COPPER, a penny. COPPERS, mixed pence.

COPUS, a Cambridge drink, consisting of ale combined with spices, and varied by spirits, wines, &c. Corruption of HIPPOCRAS.

CORINTHIANISM, a term derived from the classics, much in vogue some years ago, implying pugilism, high life, “sprees,” roistering, &c.—_Shakespere_. The immorality of _Corinth_ was proverbial in Greece. Κορινθίαζ εσθαι, to _Corinthianise_, indulge in the company of courtesans, was a _Greek_ slang expression. Hence the proverb—

Οὐ παντὸς ἀνδρὸς εἰς Κόρινθον ἔσθ' ὁ πλοῦς,

and _Horace_, Epist. lib. 1, xvii. 36—

Non cuivis homini contingit adire Corinthum,

in allusion to the spoliation practised by the “hetæræ” on those who visited them.

CORK, “to draw a CORK,” to give a bloody nose.—_Pugilistic._

CORKS, money; “how are you off for corks?” a soldier’s term of a very expressive kind, denoting the means of “keeping afloat.”

CORNED, drunk or intoxicated. Possibly from soaking or pickling oneself like CORNED beef.

CORNERED, hemmed in a corner, placed in a position from which there is no escape.—_American._

CORPORATION, the protuberant front of an obese person.

CORPSE, to confuse or put out the actors by making a mistake.—_Theatrical._

COSSACK, a policeman.

COSTERMONGERS, street sellers of fish, fruit, vegetables, poultry, &c. The London costermongers number more than 30,000. They form a distinct class, occupying whole neighbourhoods, and are cut off from the rest of metropolitan society by their low habits, general improvidence, pugnacity, love of gambling, total want of education, disregard for lawful marriage ceremonies, _and their use of a cant_ (or so-called _back slang_) _language_.

COSTER, the short and slang term for a costermonger, or costard-monger, who was originally an apple seller. COSTERING, _i.e._, costermongering.

COTTON, to like, adhere to, or agree with any person; “to cotton on to a man,” to attach yourself to him, or fancy him, literally, to stick to him as cotton would. _Vide Bartlett_, who claims it as an Americanism; and _Halliwell_, who terms it an Archaism; also _Bacchus and Venus_, 1737.

COUNCIL OF TEN, the toes of a man who turns his feet inward.

COUNTER JUMPER, a shopman, a draper’s assistant.

COUNTY-CROP (_i.e._, COUNTY-PRISON CROP), hair cut close and round, as if guided by a basin—an indication of having been in prison.

COUTER, a sovereign. HALF-A-COUTER, half-a-sovereign.

COVE, or COVEY, a boy or man of any age or station. A term generally preceded by an expressive adjective, thus a “flash COVE,” a “rum COVE,” a “downy COVE,” &c. The feminine, COVESS, was once popular, but it has fallen into disuse. _Ancient cant_, originally (temp. Henry VIII.) COFE, or CUFFIN, altered in _Decker’s_ time to COVE. Probably connected with CUIF, which, in the North of England, signifies a lout or awkward fellow. Amongst _Negroes_, CUFFEE.

COVENTRY, “to send a man to COVENTRY,” not to speak to or notice him. Coventry was one of those towns in which the privilege of practising most trades was anciently confined to certain privileged persons, as the freemen, &c. Hence a stranger stood little chance of custom, or countenance, and “to send a man to COVENTRY,” came to be equivalent to putting him out of the pale of society.

COVER-DOWN, a tossing coin with a false cover, enabling either head or tail to be shown, according as the cover is left on or taken off.

COWAN, a sneak, an inquisitive or prying person.—_Masonic term._ _Greek_, κύων, a dog.

COW’S GREASE, butter.

COW-LICK, the term given to the lock of hair which costermongers and thieves usually twist forward from the ear; a large greasy curl upon the cheek, seemingly licked into shape. The opposite of NEWGATE-KNOCKER, which see.

COXY-LOXY, good-tempered, drunk.—_Norfolk._

CRAB, or GRAB, a disagreeable old person. _Name of a wild and sour fruit._ “To catch a CRAB,” to fall backwards by missing a stroke in rowing.

CRAB, to offend, or insult; to expose or defeat a robbery, to inform against.

CRABSHELLS, or TROTTING CASES, shoes.—_See_ CARTS.

CRACK, first-rate, excellent; “a CRACK HAND,” an adept; a “CRACK article,” a good one.—_Old._

CRACK, dry firewood.—_Modern Gipsey._

CRACK, “in a CRACK (of the finger and thumb),” in a moment.

CRACK A BOTTLE, to drink. _Shakespere_ uses CRUSH in the same slang sense.

CRACK A KIRK, to break into a church or chapel.

CRACK-FENCER, a man who sells nuts.

CRACK-UP, to boast or praise.—_Ancient English._

CRACKED-UP, penniless, or ruined.

CRACKSMAN, a burglar.

CRAM, to lie or deceive, implying to fill up or CRAM a person with false stories; to acquire learning quickly, to “_grind_,” or prepare for an examination.

CRAMMER, a lie; or a person who commits a falsehood.

CRANKY, foolish, idiotic, ricketty, capricious, not confined to persons. _Ancient cant_, CRANKE, simulated sickness. _German_, KRANK, sickly.

CRAP, to ease oneself, to evacuate. _Old word_ for refuse; also _old cant_, CROP.

CRAPPING CASE, or KEN, a privy, or water-closet.

CRAPPED, hanged.

CREAM OF THE VALLEY, gin.

CRIB, house, public or otherwise; lodgings, apartments.

CRIB, a situation.

CRIB, to steal or purloin.

CRIB, a literal translation of a classic author.—_University._

CRIB-BITER, an inveterate grumbler; properly said of a horse which has this habit, a sign of its bad digestion.

CRIBBAGE-FACED, marked with the small pox, full of holes like a cribbage board.

CRIKEY, profane exclamation of astonishment; “Oh, CRIKEY, you don’t say so!” corruption of “_Oh, Christ_.”

CRIMPS, men who trepan others into the clutches of the recruiting sergeant. They generally pretend to give employment in the colonies, and in that manner cheat those mechanics who are half famished. _Nearly obsolete._

CRIPPLE, a bent sixpence.

CROAK, to die—from the gurgling sound a person makes when the breath of life is departing.—_Oxon._

CROAKER, one who takes a desponding view of everything; an alarmist. _From the croaking of a raven._—_Ben Jonson._

CROAKER, a beggar.

CROAKER, a corpse, or dying person beyond hope.

CROAKS, last dying speeches, and murderers’ confessions.

CROCODILES’ TEARS, the tears of a hypocrite. An ancient phrase, introduced into this country by Mandeville, or other early English traveller.—_Othello_, iv., 1.

CROCUS, or CROAKUS, a quack or travelling doctor; CROCUS-CHOVEY, a chemist’s shop.

CRONY, a termagant or malicious old woman; an intimate friend. _Johnson_ calls it cant.

CROOKY, to hang on to, to lead, walk arm-in-arm; to court or pay addresses to a girl.

CROPPIE, a person who has had his hair cut, or CROPPED, in prison.

CROPPED, hanged.

CROSS, a general term amongst thieves expressive of their plundering profession, the opposite of SQUARE. “To get anything on the CROSS” is to obtain it surreptitiously. “CROSS-FANNING in a crowd,” robbing persons of their scarf pins.

CROSS COVE and MOLLISHER, a man and woman who live by thieving.

CROSS-CRIB, a house frequented by thieves.

CROW, one who watches whilst another commits a theft, a confederate in a robbery. The CROW looks to see that the way is clear, whilst the SNEAK, his partner, commits the depredation.

CROW, “a regular crow,” a success, a stroke of luck,—equivalent to a FLUKE.

CROW, “I have a CROW to pick with you,” _i.e._, an explanation to demand, a disagreeable matter to settle; “to COCK-CROW over a person,” to exalt over his abasement or misfortune.

CRUG, food.—_Household Words_, No. 183.

CRUMBS, “to pick up one’s CRUMBS,” to begin to have an appetite after an illness; to improve in health, circumstances, &c., after a loss thereof.

CRUMMY, fat, plump.—_North._

CRUMMY-DOSS, a lousy or filthy bed.

CRUNCH, to crush. _Corruption_; or, perhaps from the sound of teeth grinding against each other.

CRUSHER, a policeman.

CRUSHING, excellent, first rate.

CRUSTY, ill tempered, petulant, morose.—_Old._

CULL, a man or boy.—_Old cant._

CULLING, or CULING, stealing from the carriages on race-courses.

CUPBOARD HEADED, an expressive designation of one whose head is both wooden and hollow.—_Norfolk._

CURE, an odd person; a contemptuous term, abridged from CURIOSITY—which was formerly the favourite expression.—Compare STIPE.

CURSE OF SCOTLAND, the Nine of Diamonds. Various hypotheses have been set up as to this appellation—that it was the card on which the “Butcher Duke” wrote a cruel order with respect to the rebels after the battle of Culloden; that the diamonds are the nine lozenges in the arms of Dalrymple, Earl of Stair, detested for his share in the Massacre of Glencoe; that it is a corruption of _Cross of Scotland_, the nine diamonds being arranged somewhat after the fashion of a St. Andrew’s Cross; but the most probable explanation is, that in the game of Pope Joan the nine of diamonds is the POPE, of whom the Scotch have an especial horror.

CURTAIL, to cut off. _Originally a cant word, vide Hudibras, and Bacchus and Venus_, 1737.

CUSHION THUMPER, polite rendering of TUB THUMPER, a clergyman, a preacher.

CUSTOMER, synonymous with CHAP, a fellow; “a rum CUSTOMER,” _i.e._, an odd fish, or curious person.—_Shakespere._

CUSTOMHOUSE OFFICER, an aperient pill.

CUT, to run away, move off quickly; to cease doing anything; CUT AND RUN, to quit work, or occupation, and start off at once; to CUT DIDOES, synonymous with to CUT CAPERS; CUT A DASH, make a show; CUT A CAPER, to dance or show off in a strange manner; CUT A FIGURE, to make either a good or bad appearance; CUT OUT, to excel, thus in affairs of gallantry one Adonis is said to “_cut the other out_” in the affections of the wished for lady; CUT THAT! be quiet, or stop; CUT OUT OF, done out of; CUT OF ONE’S GIB, the expression or cast of his countenance [_see_ GIB]; TO CUT ONE’S COMB, to take down a conceited person, from the practice of cutting the combs of capons [_see_ COMB-CUT]; CUT AND COME AGAIN, plenty, if one cut does not suffice, plenty remains to “come again;” CUT UP, mortified, to criticise severely, or expose; CUT UP SHINES, to play tricks; CUT ONE’S STICK, to be off quickly, _i.e._, be in readiness for a journey, further elaborated into AMPUTATE YOUR MAHOGANY [_see_ STICK]; CUT IT FAT, to exaggerate or show off in an extensive manner; to CUT UP FAT, to die, leaving a large property; CUT UNDER, to undersell; CUT YOUR LUCKY, to run off; CUT ONE’S CART, to expose their tricks; CUT AN ACQUAINTANCE, to cease friendly intercourse with them—_Cambridge._ _Old_; CUTTE, to say.

CUT, in theatrical language, means to strike out portions of a dramatic piece, so as to render it shorter for representation. A late treasurer of one of the so called _Patent Theatres_, when asked his opinion of a new play, always gave utterance to the brief, but safe piece of criticism, “_wants_ CUTTING.”

CUT, tipsey.—_Household Words_, No. 183.

CUT, to compete in business.

CUT-THROAT, a butcher, a cattle slaughterer; a ruffian.

CUTE, sharp, cunning. Abbreviation of ACUTE.

CUTTER, a ruffian, a cut purse. Of _Robin Hood_ it was said—

“So being outlawed (as ’tis told),
He with a crew went forth
Of lusty CUTTERS, bold and strong,
And robbed in the north.”

This ancient cant word now survives in the phrase, “to swear like a CUTTER.”

CUTTY PIPE, a short clay pipe. _Scotch_, CUTTY, short. _Cutty-sark_, a scantily draped lady is so called by _Burns_.

DAB, or DABSTER, an expert person. Johnson says, “in low language, an artist.”

DAB, a bed.

DAB, street term for a flat fish of any kind.—_Old._

DACHA-SALTEE, tenpence. Probably from the _Lingua Franca_. _Modern Greek_, δεκα; _Italian_, DIECI SOLDI, tenpence; _Gipsey_, DIK, ten. So also DACHA-ONE, _i.e._, _dieci uno_, elevenpence.—_See_ SALTEE.

DADDLES, hands; “tip us your DADDLES,” _i.e._, shake hands.

DADDY, the stage manager.—_Theatrical._ Also the person who gives away the bride at weddings.

DAGS, feat or performance; “I’ll do your DAGS,” _i.e._, I will do something that you cannot do.

DAISY CUTTER, a horse which trots or gallops without lifting its feet much from the ground.

DAISY KICKERS, the name hostlers at large inns used to give each other, now nearly obsolete. DAISY-KICKER, or GROGHAM, was likewise the cant term for a horse.

The DAISY-KICKERS were sad rogues in the old posting-days; frequently the landlords rented the stables to them, as the only plan to make them return a profit.

DAMPER, a shop till; to DRAW A DAMPER, _i.e._, rob a till.

DANCE UPON NOTHING, to be hanged.

DANCERS, stairs.—_Old cant._

DANDER, passion, or temper; “to get one’s DANDER up,” to rouse his passion.—_Old._

DANDY, a fop, or fashionable nondescript. This word, in the sense of a fop, is of modern origin. _Egan_ says it was first used in 1820, and _Bee_ in 1816. Johnson does not mention it, although it is to be found in all late dictionaries. DANDIES wore stays, studied feminity, and tried to undo their manhood. Lord Petersham headed them. At the present day dandies of this stamp are fast disappearing. The feminine of DANDY was DANDIZETTE, but the term only lived for a short season.

DANDYPRAT, a funny little fellow, a mannikin; originally a half-farthing.

DANNA, excrement; DANNA DRAG, a nightman’s or dustman’s cart.

DARBIES, handcuffs.—_Old cant._

DARBLE, the devil.—_French_, DIABLE.

DARK, “keep it DARK,” _i.e._, secret. DARK HORSE, in racing phraseology a horse whose chance of success is unknown, and whose capabilities have not been made the subject of comment.

DARKEY, twilight. DARKMANS, the night.

DARN, vulgar corruption of d——n.—_American._

DASHING, showy, fast.

DAVID’S SOW, “as drunk as DAVID’S SOW,” _i.e._, beastly drunk.—See origin of the phrase in _Grose’s Dictionary_.

DAVY, “on my DAVY,” on my affidavit, of which it is a vulgar corruption. Latterly DAVY has become synonymous in street language with the name of the Deity; “so help me DAVY,” slang rendering of the conclusion of the oath usually exacted of witnesses.

DAVY’S LOCKER, or DAVY JONES’ LOCKER, the sea, the common receptacle for all things thrown overboard;—a nautical phrase for death, the other world.

DAWDLE, to loiter, or fritter away time.

DAYLIGHTS, eyes; “to darken his DAYLIGHTS,” to give a person black eyes.

DEAD ALIVE, stupid, dull.

DEAD HORSE, “to draw the DEAD HORSE,” DEAD-HORSE work,—working for wages already paid; also any thankless or unassisted service.

DEAD-LURK, entering a dwelling-house during divine service.

DEAD MEN, the term for wine bottles after they are emptied of their contents.—_Old._—_See_ MARINES.

DEAD-SET, a pointed attack on a person.

DEANER, a shilling. _Provincial Gipsey_, DEANEE, a pound.

DEATH, “to dress to DEATH,” _i.e._, to the very extreme of fashion, perhaps so as to be KILLING.

DEATH-HUNTERS, running patterers, who vend last dying speeches and confessions.

DECK, a pack of cards.—_Old._ Used by Bulwer as a cant term. General in the _United States_.

DEE, a pocket book, term used by tramps.—_Gipsey._

DEMIREP (or RIP), a courtesan. Contraction of DEMI-REPUTATION—_Grose._

DESPATCHES, false “dice with two sides, double four, double five, and double six.”—_Times_, 27th November, 1856.

DEUCE, the devil.—_Old._ Stated by _Junius_ and others to be from DEUS.

DEUCE, twopence; DEUCE at cards or dice, one with two pips or holes.

DEVIL, a printer’s youngest apprentice, an errand boy.

DEVIL-DODGERS, clergymen; also people who go sometimes to church and sometimes to meeting.

DEVIL’S-TEETH, dice.

DEVOTIONAL HABITS, horses weak in the knees and apt to stumble and fall are said to have these.—_Stable._

DEWSKITCH, a good thrashing.

DIBBS, money; so called from the huckle bones of sheep, which have been used from the earliest times for gambling purposes, being thrown up five at a time and caught on the back of the hand like halfpence.

DICKEY, bad, sorry, or foolish; food or lodging is pronounced DICKEY when of a poor description; “it’s all DICKEY with him,” _i.e._, all over with him.

DICKEY, formerly the cant for a worn out shirt, but means now-a-days a front or half-shirt. DICKEY was originally TOMMY (from the Greek, τομη, a section), a name which I understand was formerly used in Trinity College, Dublin. The students are said to have invented the term, and the GYPS changed it to DICKEY, in which dress it is supposed to have been imported into England.

DICKEY, a donkey.

DICKENS, synonymous with devil; “what the DICKENS are you after?” what the d—l are you doing? Used by _Shakespere_ in the _Merry Wives of Windsor_.

DIDDLE, to cheat, or defraud.—_Old._

DIDDLE, old cant word for geneva, or gin.

DIDDLER, or JEREMY DIDDLER, an artful swindler

DIDOES, pranks or capers; “to cut up DIDOES,” to make pranks.

DIES, last dying speeches, and criminal trials.

DIGS, hard blows.

DIGGERS, spurs; also the spades on cards.

DIGGINGS, lodgings, apartments, residence; an expression probably imported from California, or Australia, with reference to _the gold diggings_.

DILLY DALLY, to trifle.

DIMBER, neat or pretty.—_Worcestershire_, but old cant.

DIMBER DAMBER, very pretty; a clever rogue who excels his fellows; chief of a gang. _Old cant_ in the latter sense.—_English Rogue._.

DIMMOCK, money; “how are you off for DIMMOCK?” diminutive of DIME, a small foreign silver coin.

DINARLY, money; “NANTEE DINARLY,” I have no money, corrupted from the _Lingua Franca_, “NIENTE DINARO,” not a penny. _Turkish_, DINARI; _Spanish_, DINERO; _Latin_, DENARIUS.

DING, to strike; to throw away, or get rid of anything; to pass to a confederate.

DIPPED, mortgaged.—_Household Words_, No. 183.

DISGUISED, intoxicated.—_Household Words_, No. 183.

DISH, to stop, to do away with, to suppress; DISHED, done for, floored, beaten, or silenced. A correspondent suggests that meat is usually DONE BROWN before being DISHED, and conceives that the latter term may have arisen as the natural sequence of the former.

DISHABBILLY, the ridiculous corruption of the _French_, DESHABILLE, amongst fashionably affected, but ignorant “stuck-up” people.

DITHERS, nervous or cold shiverings. “It gave me the DITHERS.”

DIVE, to pick pockets.

DIVERS, pickpockets.

DO, this useful and industrious verb has for many years done service as a slang term. To DO a person is to cheat him. Sometimes another tense is employed, such as “I DONE him,” meaning I cheated or “paid him out;” DONE BROWN, cheated thoroughly, befooled; DONE OVER, upset, cheated, knocked down, ruined; DONE UP, used up, finished, or quieted. DONE also means convicted, or sentenced; so does DONE-FOR. To DO a person in pugilism is to excel him in fisticuffs. Humphreys, who fought Mendoza, a Jew, wrote this laconic note to his supporter—“Sir,—I have DONE the Jew, and am in good health. Rich. Humphreys.” Tourists use the expression “I have DONE France and Italy,” meaning I have completely explored those countries.

DOCTOR, to adulterate or drug liquor; also to falsify accounts.—_See_ COOK.

DODGE, a cunning trick. “DODGE, that homely but expressive phrase.”—_Sir Hugh Cairns on the Reform Bill_, 2nd March, 1859. _Anglo Saxon_, DEOGIAN, to colour, to conceal. The TIDY DODGE, as it is called by street-folk, consists in dressing up a family clean and _tidy_, and parading the streets to excite compassion and obtain alms. A correspondent suggests that the verb DODGE may have been formed (like _wench_ from _wink_) from DOG, _i.e._, to double quickly and unexpectedly, as in coursing.

DODGER, a tricky person, or one who, to use the popular phrase, “knows too much.”—_See_ DEVIL-DODGER.

DODGER, a dram. In _Kent_, a DODGER signifies a nightcap; which name is often given to the last dram at night.

DOG, to follow in one’s footsteps on the sly, to track.

DOG-CHEAP, or DOG-FOOLISH, very, or singularly cheap, or foolish. Latham, in his _English Language_, says:—“This has nothing to do with dogs. The first syllable is god = _good_ transposed, and the second, the ch—p, is chapman, _merchant_: compare EASTCHEAP.”—_Old term._

DOG-LATIN, barbarous Latin, such as was formerly used by lawyers in their pleadings.

DOG-ON-IT, a form of mild swearing used by boys. It is just worthy of mention that DOGONE, in _Anglo-Norman_, is equivalent to a term of contempt. _Friesic_, DOGENIET.

DOGSNOSE, gin and beer, so called from the mixture being _cold_, like a dog’s nose.

DOLDRUMS, difficulties, low spirits, dumps.—_Sea._

DOLLOP, a lump or portion.—_Norfolk._ _Ang. Sax._ DAEL, _dole_.

DOLLOP, _to dole up_, give up a share.—_Ib._

DOLLYMOP, a tawdrily-dressed maid servant, a street walker.

DOLLY SHOP, an illegal pawnshop,—where goods, or stolen property, not good enough for the pawnbroker, are received, and charged at so much per day. If not redeemed the third day the goods are forfeited. _Anglo Saxon_, DAEL, a part,—to dole?—_See_ NIX. A correspondent thinks it may have been derived from the _black doll_, the usual sign of a rag shop.

DOMINE, a parson.

DOMINOS, the teeth.

DON, a clever fellow, the opposite of a muff; a person of distinction in his line or walk. At the Universities, the Masters and Fellows are THE DONS. DON is also used as an adjective, “a DON hand at a knife and fork,” _i.e._, a first-rate feeder at a dinner table.—_Spanish._

DONE FOR A RAMP, convicted for thieving.

DONKEY, “three more and up goes the DONKEY,” a vulgar street phrase for extracting as much money as possible before performing any task. The phrase had its origin with a travelling showman, the _finale_ of whose performance was the hoisting of a DONKEY on a pole or ladder; but this consummation was never arrived at unless the required number of “browns” was first paid up, and “three more” was generally the unfortunate deficit.

DONNA AND FEELES, a woman and children. _Italian_ or _Lingua Franca_, DONNE E FIGLIE.

DOOKIN, fortune telling. _Gipsey_, DUKKERIN.

DOSE, three months’ imprisonment as a known thief.—_See_ BRAGGADOCIO.

DOSS, a bed.—_North._ Probably from DOZE. Mayhew thinks it is from the Norman, DOSSEL, a hanging, or bed canopy.

DOSS, to sleep, formerly spelt DORSE. Perhaps from the phrase to lie on one’s _dorsum_, back.

DOSS-KEN, a lodging house.

DOUBLE, “to tip (or give) the DOUBLE,” to run away from any person; to double back, turn short round upon one’s pursuers and so escape, as a hare does.—_Sporting._

DOUBLE-UP, to pair off, or “chum,” with another man; to beat severely.

DOUBLE-SHUFFLE, a low, shuffling, noisy dance, common amongst costermongers.—_See_ FLIP-FLAPS.

DOUSE, to put out; “DOUSE that glim,” put out that candle.—_Sea._

DOWD, a woman’s nightcap.—_Devonshire_; also an _American_ term; possibly from DOWDY, a slatternly woman.

DOWN, to be aware of, or awake to, any move—in this meaning, synonymous with UP; “DOWN upon one’s luck,” unfortunate; “DOWN in the mouth,” disconsolate; “to be DOWN on one,” to treat him harshly or suspiciously, to pounce upon him, or detect his tricks.

DOWN THE DOLLY, a favourite gambling contrivance, often seen in the tap rooms of public houses, at race-courses, and fairs, consisting of a round board and the figure of an old man or “doll,” down which is a spiral hole. A marble is dropped “down the dolly,” and stops in one of the small holes or pits (numbered) on the board. The bet is decided according as the marble stops on a high or low figure.

DOWN THE ROAD, stylish, showy, after the fashion.

DOWNER, a sixpence; apparently the _Gipsey_ word, TAWNO, “little one,” in course of metamorphosis into the more usual “_tanner_.”

DOWNS, Tothill Fields’ prison.

DOWNY, knowing or cunning; “a DOWNY COVE,” a knowing or experienced sharper.

DOWRY, a lot, a great deal; “DOWRY of parny,” lot of rain or water.—_See_ PARNY. Probably from the _Gipsey_.

DOXY, the female companion of a thief or beggar. In the West of England, the women frequently call their little girls DOXIES, in a familiar or endearing sense. A learned divine once described _orthodoxy_ as being a man’s own DOXY, and _heterodoxy_ another man’s DOXY.—_Ancient cant._

DRAB, a vulgar or low woman.—_Shakespere._

DRAG, a cart of any kind, a coach; gentlemen drive to the races in drags.

DRAG, a street, or road; BACK-DRAG, back-street.

DRAG, or THREE MOON, three months in prison.

DRAGGING, robbing carts, &c.

DRAGSMEN, fellows who cut trunks from the backs of carriages. They sometimes have a light cart, and “drop behind” the plundered vehicle, and then drive off in an opposite direction with the booty.

DRAIN, a drink; “to do a DRAIN,” to take a friendly drink—“do a wet;” sometimes called a COMMON SEWER.

DRAW, “come, DRAW it mild!” _i.e._, don’t exaggerate; opposite of “come it strong.” From the phraseology of the bar (of a PUBLIC), where customers desire the beer to be DRAWN mild.

DRAWERS, formerly the ancient cant name for very long stockings, now a hosier’s term.

DRAWING TEETH, wrenching off knockers.

DRIVE-AT, to aim at; “what is he DRIVING AT?” “what does he intend to imply?” a phrase often used when a circuitous line of argument is adopted by a barrister, or a strange set of questions asked, the purpose of which is not very evident.

DRIVE, a term used by tradesmen in speaking of business; “he’s DRIVING a _roaring_ trade,” _i.e._, a very good one; hence, to succeed in a bargain, “I DROVE a good bargain,” _i.e._, got the best end of it.

DRIZ, lace. In a low lodging house this singular autograph inscription appeared over the mantelpiece, “Scotch Mary, with DRIZ (lace), bound to Dover and back, please God.”

DRIZ FENCER, a person who sells lace.

DROP, to quit, go off, or turn aside; “DROP the main Toby,” go off the main road.

DROP, “to DROP INTO a person,” to give him a thrashing.—_See_ SLIP and WALK. “To DROP ON to a man,” to accuse or rebuke him suddenly.

DRUM, a house, a lodging, a street; HAZARD-DRUM, a gambling house; FLASH-DRUM, a house of ill-fame.

DRUMMER, a robber who first makes his victims insensible by drugs or violence, and then plunders them.

DUB, to pay or give; “DUB UP,” pay up.

DUBBER, the mouth; “mum your DUBBER,” hold your tongue.

DUBLIN PACKET, to turn a corner; to “take the DUBLIN PACKET,” viz., run round the corner.

DUBS, a bunch of keys.—_Nearly obsolete._

DUBSMAN, or SCREW, a turnkey.

DUCKS AND DRAKES, “to make DUCKS AND DRAKES of one’s money,” to throw it away childishly,—derived from children “shying” flat stones on the surface of a pool, which they call DUCKS AND DRAKES, according to the number of skips they make.

DUDDERS, or DUDSMEN, persons who formerly travelled the country as pedlars, selling gown-pieces, silk waistcoats, &c., to countrymen. In selling a waistcoat-piece for thirty shillings or two pounds, which cost them perhaps five shillings, they would show great fear of the revenue officer, and beg of the purchasing clodhopper _to kneel down in a puddle of water, crook his arm, and swear that it might never become straight if he told an exciseman, or even his own wife_. The term and practice are nearly obsolete. In Liverpool, however, and at the east end of London, men dressed up as sailors, with pretended silk handkerchiefs and cigars “only just smuggled from the Indies,” are still to be plentifully found.

DUDDS, clothes, or personal property. _Gaelic_, DUD; _Ancient cant_; also _Dutch_.

DUFF, pudding; vulgar pronunciation of DOUGH.—_Sea._

DUFFER, a hawker of “Brummagem” or sham jewellery; a sham of any kind; a fool, or worthless person. DUFFER was formerly synonymous with DUDDER, and was a general term given to pedlars. It is mentioned in the _Frauds of London_ (1760), as a word in frequent use in the last century to express cheats of all kinds. From the _German_, DURFEN, to want?

DUFFING, false, counterfeit, worthless.

DUKE, gin.—_Household Words_, No. 183.

DUMB-FOUND, to perplex, to beat soundly till not able to speak. Originally a cant word. _Johnson_ cites the _Spectator_ for the earliest use. _Scotch_, DUMFOUNDER.

DUMMACKER, a knowing or acute person.

DUMMIES, empty bottles and drawers in an apothecary’s shop, labelled so as to give an idea of an extensive stock.

DUMMY, in three-handed whist the person who holds two hands plays DUMMY.

DUMMY, a pocket book.

DUMP FENCER, a man who sells buttons.

DUMPY, short and stout.

DUMPISH, sullen, or glumpy.

DUN, to solicit payment.—_Old cant_, from the French DONNEZ, give; or from JOE DUN, the famous bailiff of Lincoln; or simply a corruption of DIN, from the _Anglo Saxon_ DUNAN, to clamour?

DUNAKER, a stealer of cows or calves. _Nearly obsolete._

DUNDERHEAD, a blockhead.

DUNG, an operative who works for an employer who does not give full or “society” wages.

DUNNAGE, baggage, clothes. Also, a _Sea_ term for wood or loose faggots laid at the bottom of ships, upon which is placed the cargo.

DUNNY-KEN, a water-closet.—_See_ KEN.

DURRYNACKING, offering lace or any other article as an introduction to fortune-telling; generally pursued by women.

DUST, money; “down with the DUST,” put down the money.—_Ancient._ Dean Swift once took for his text, “He who giveth to the poor lendeth to the Lord.” His sermon was short. “Now, my brethren,” said he, “if you are satisfied with the security, down with the DUST.”

DUST, a disturbance, or noise, “to raise a DUST,” to make a row.

DUTCH CONSOLATION, “thank God it is no worse.”

DUTCH CONCERT, where each performer plays a different tune.

DUTCH COURAGE, false courage, generally excited by drink,—_pot-valour_.

DUTCH FEAST, where the host gets drunk before his guest.

DUTCH UNCLE, a personage often introduced in conversation, but exceedingly difficult to describe; “I’ll talk to him like a DUTCH UNCLE!” conveys the notion of anything but a desirable relation.—_Americanism._

DOUBLE DUTCH, gibberish, or any foreign tongue.

EARL OF CORK, the ace of diamonds.—_Hibernicism._

“What do you mean by the Earl of Cork?” asked Mr. Squander. “The ace
of diamonds, your honour. It’s the worst ace, and the poorest card in
the pack, and is called the Earl of Cork, because he’s the poorest
nobleman in Ireland.”—_Carleton’s Traits and Stories of the Irish
Peasantry._

EARWIG, a clergyman, also one who prompts another maliciously.

EARWIGGING, a rebuke in private; a WIGGING is more public.

EASE, to rob; “EASING a bloak,” robbing a man.

EGG, or EGG on, to excite, stimulate, or provoke one person to quarrel with another, &c. _Cor. of edge, or edge on._—_Ancient._

ELBOW, “to shake one’s ELBOW,” to play at cards.

ELBOW GREASE, labour, or industry.

ELEPHANT, “to have SEEN THE ELEPHANT,” to be “_up_ to the latest move,” or “_down_ to the last new trick;” to be knowing, and not “green,” &c. Possibly a metaphor taken from the travelling menageries, where the ELEPHANT is the _finale_ of the exhibition.—Originally an _Americanism_. _Bartlett_ gives conflicting examples. _General_ now, however.

EVAPORATE, to go, or run away.

EVERLASTING STAIRCASE, the treadmill. Sometimes called “Colonel Chesterton’s everlasting staircase,” from the gallant inventor or improver.

EXTENSIVE, frequently applied in a slang sense to a person’s appearance or talk; “rather EXTENSIVE that!” intimating that the person alluded to is showing off, or “cutting it fat.”

EYE WATER, gin.

FAD, a hobby, a favourite pursuit.

FADGE, a farthing.

FADGE, to suit or fit; “it won’t FADGE,” it will not do. Used by _Shakespere_, but now heard only in the streets.

FAG, to beat, also one boy working for another at school.

FAG, a schoolboy who performs a servant’s offices to a superior school-mate. _Grose_ thinks FAGGED OUT is derived from this.

FAGOT, a term of opprobrium used by low people to children; “you little FAGOT, you!” FAGOT was originally a term of contempt for a dry, shrivelled old woman, whose bones were like a bundle of sticks, only fit to burn.—Compare the French expression for a heretic, _sentir le fagot_.

FAKE, to cheat, or swindle; to do anything; to go on, or continue; to make or construct; to steal, or rob,—a verb variously used. FAKED, done, or done for; “FAKE away, there’s no down,” go on, there is nobody looking. _Mayhew_ says it is from the _Latin_, FACIMENTUM.

FAKEMENT, a false begging petition, any act of robbery, swindling, or deception.

FAKEMENT CHARLEY, the owner’s private mark.

FAKER, one who makes or FAKES anything.

FAKING A CLY, picking a pocket.

FAMBLES, or FAMMS, the hands.—_Ancient cant._ _German_, FAUGEN.

FAMILY MEN, or PEOPLE, thieves, or burglars.

FAN, a waistcoat.

FANCY, the favourite sports, pets, or pastime of a person, _the tan of low life_. Pugilists are sometimes termed THE FANCY. _Shakespere_ uses the word in the sense of a favourite, or pet; and the paramour of a prostitute is still called her FANCY-MAN.