Chapter XII (3)

SUIT, in general synonymous with _game_; as, what _suit_ did you _give it to ’em upon_? in what manner did you rob them, or upon what pretence, _&c._, did you defraud them? One species of imposition is said to be _a prime suit_, another _a queer suit_: a man describing the pretext he used to obtain money from another, would say, _I draw’d_ him _of a quid upon the suit of_ so and so, naming the ground of his application. _See_ DRAW. A person having engaged with another on very advantageous terms to serve or work for him, will declare that he is _upon a good suit_. To use great submission and respect in asking any favour of another, is called _giving it to him upon the humble suit_.

SWAG, a bundle, parcel, or package; as a _swag_ of _snow_, _&c._ _The swag_, is a term used in speaking of any booty you have lately obtained, be it of what kind it may, except money, as Where did you _lumber the swag_? that is, where did you deposit the stolen property? To carry _the swag_ is to be the bearer of the stolen goods to a place of safety. _A swag_ of any thing, signifies emphatically a great deal. To have _knap’d_ a good _swag_, is to have got a good booty.

SWAG. Wearing-apparel, linen, piece-goods, _&c._, are all comprehended under the name of _swag_, when describing any _speak_ lately _made_, _&c._, in order to distinguish them from plate, jewellery, or other more portable articles.

SWELL, a gentleman; but any well-dressed person is emphatically termed _a swell_, or a _rank swell_. A _family man_ who appears to have plenty of money, and makes a genteel figure, is said by his associates to be _in swell street_. Any thing remarkable for its beauty or elegance, is called _a swell article_; so _a swell crib_, is a genteel house; _a swell mollisher_, an elegantly-dressed woman, _&c._ Sometimes, in alluding to a particular gentleman, whose name is not requisite, he is styled, _the swell_, meaning the person who is the object of your discourse, or attention; and whether he is called _the swell_, _the cove_, or _the gory_, is immaterial, as in the following (in addition to many other) examples:—I was _turned up_ at _China-street_, because _the swell_ would not appear; meaning, of course, the prosecutor: again, speaking of a person whom you were on the point of robbing, but who has taken the alarm, and is therefore on his guard, you will say to your _pall_, It’s of no use, _the cove_ is as _down as a hammer_; or, We may as well _stow it, the gory’s leary_. _See_ COVE and DOWN.

SWIMMER, a guard-ship, or tender; a thief who escapes prosecution, when before a magistrate, on condition of being sent on board the receiving-ship, to serve His Majesty, is said by his _palls_ to be _swimmered_.

SWISH’D, married.

SWODDY, or SWOD-GILL, a soldier.

T

TANNER, a sixpence. _Three and a tanner_, is three and sixpence, _&c._

TAT, to flog or scourge.

TATTS, dice.

TATT-BOX, a dice-box.

TATS AND ALL, an expression used _out of flash_, in the same manner as the word _bender_; and has a similar meaning.

TEAZE, to flog, or whip.

THIMBLE, a watch.

THIMBLED, having, or wearing a watch.

THRUMS, THRUMBUSKINS, or a THRUM-MOP, three pence.

THROUGH IT, or THROUGH THE PIECE, getting acquitted on an indictment, or surmounting any other trouble, or difficulty, is called _getting through it_, or _thro’ the piece_; so, to _get_ a man _through it_, _&c._, is to extricate him by virtue of your counsel and friendly assistance; sometimes called _pulling_ him _through it_.

THROW OFF, to talk in a sarcastical strain, so as to convey offensive allusions under the mask of pleasantry, or innocent freedom; but, perhaps, secretly venting that abuse which you would not dare to give in direct terms; this is called _throwing off_, a practice at which the _flash_ ladies are very expert, when any little jealousies arise among them. To begin to talk _flash_, and speak freely of robberies past, or in contemplation, when in company with _family people_, is also termed _throwing off_; meaning to banish all reserve, none but friends being present; also, to sing when called on by the company present. _See_ CHAUNT.

TILBURY, a sixpence.

TINNY, a fire; a conflagration.

TINNY-HUNTERS, persons whose practice it is to attend fires, for the purpose of plundering the unfortunate sufferers, under pretence of assisting them to remove their property.

TIP, to give, pay, or bribe. To _take the tip_, is to receive a bribe in any shape; and they say of a person who is known to be corruptible, that he will _stand the tip_. _The tip_ is a term frequently used to signify the money concerned in any dealings or contract existing between parties; synonymous with _the dues_. _See_ DUES.

TITTER, a young woman or girl.

TOBY, to _toby_ a man, is to rob him on the highway; a person convicted of this offence, is said to be _done_ for _a toby_. _The toby_ applies exclusively to robbing on horseback; the practice of footpad robbery being properly called _the spice_, though it is common to distinguish the former by the title of _high-toby_, and the latter of _low-toby_.

TOBY-GILL, or TOBY-MAN, properly signifies a highwayman.

TODDLE, to walk slowly, either from infirmity or choice. Come, let us _toddle_, is a familiar phrase, signifying, let us be going.

TODDLER, an infirm elderly person, or a child not yet perfect in walking.

TOG, a coat; to _tog_, is to dress or put on clothes; to _tog_ a person, is also to supply them with apparel, and they are said to be well or _queerly tog’d_, according to their appearance.

TOG’D OUT TO THE NINES, a fanciful phrase, meaning simply, that a person is well or gaily dressed.

TOGS, or TOGGERY, wearing-apparel in general.

TOM BRAY’S BILK, laying out ace and deuce at cribbage.

TOM BROWN, twelve in hand, or crib.

TOOLS, implements for house-breaking, picklocks, pistols, _&c._, are indiscriminately called _the tools_. A thief, convicted on the police act, of having illegal instruments or weapons about him, is said to be _fined for the tools_.

TOP, to _top_ a _clout_ or other article (among pickpockets) is to draw the corner or end of it to the top of a person’s pocket, in readiness for _shaking_ or _drawing_, that is, taking out, when a favourable moment occurs, which latter operation is frequently done by a second person.

TOP’D, hanged.

TO THE NINES; or, TO THE RUFFIAN. These terms are synonymous, and imply an extreme of any kind, or the superlative degree.

TOUT, to _tout_ a person, is to watch his motions; to keep _tout_, is to look out, or watch, while your _pall_ is effecting any private purpose. _A strong tout_, is a strict observation, or eye, upon any proceedings, or person.

TOW; or, TOW-LINE. _See_ LINE. To _tow_ a person _out_; that is, from his premises, or post: is to decoy him therefrom by some fictitious story, or other artifice, while your _pall_ seizes the opportunity of his absence, to rob the place he has imprudently quitted.

TRAPS, police officers, or runners, are properly so called; but it is common to include constables of any description under this title.

TRICK. _See_ DO THE TRICK.

TRIG, a bit of stick, paper, _&c._, placed by thieves in the keyhole of, or elsewhere about, the door of a house, which they suspect to be uninhabited; if the _trig_ remains unmoved the following day, it is a proof that no person sleeps in the house, on which the gang enter it the ensuing night _upon the screw_, and frequently meet with a good booty, such as beds, carpets, _&c._, the family being probably out of town. This operation is called _trigging the jigger_.

TRY IT ON, to make any attempt, or essay, where success is doubtful. So to _try it on with_ a woman, signifies to attempt her chastity.

TURN UP, to desist from, or relinquish, any particular habit or mode of life, or the further pursuit of any object you had in view, is called _turning it up_. To _turn up_ a mistress, or a male acquaintance, is to drop all intercourse, or correspondence, with them. To _turn up_ a particular house, or shop, you have been accustomed to use, or deal at, signifies to withdraw your patronage, or custom, and visit it no more. To quit a person suddenly in the street, whether secretly or openly, is called _turning him up_. To _turn_ a man _up sweet_, is to get rid of him effectually, but yet to leave him in perfect good humour, and free from any suspicion or discontent; this piece of _finesse_ often affords a field for the exercise of consummate address, as in the case of _turning up a flat_, after having stript him of all his money at play, or a shopkeeper, whom you have just robbed before his face of something valuable, _upon the pinch_, or _the hoist_.

TURNED UP, a person acquitted by a jury, or discharged by a magistrate for want of evidence, _&c._, is said to be _turned up_. _See_ SWELL.

TURNIPS, to give any body _turnips_ signifies to _turn_ him or her _up_, and the party so _turned up_, is said to have _knap’d turnips_.

TURN UP A TRUMP, to be fortunate in getting a good _stake_, or by any other means improving your finances.

TWIG, any thing accomplished cleverly, or as it should be, is said to be done _in twig_, _in good twig_, or _in prime twig_. A person well dress’d is said to be _in twig_. _See_ DROP, GAMMON THE TWELVE, and OUT OF TWIG.

TWISTED, hanged.

TWO POLL ONE. _See_ BRIDGE.

TYE IT UP, to _tye up_ any particular custom, practice, or habit, is synonymous with _knifeing_, _stowing_, _turning it up_, or _stashing_ it. To _tye it up_ is a phrase, which, used emphatically, is generally understood to mean quitting a course of depredation and wickedness. _See_ SQUARE, and DO THE TRICK.

U

UNBETTY, to unlock. _See_ BETTY.

UNDUB, to unlock, unfasten, _&c._ _See_ DUB UP.

UNPALLED, a thief whose associates are all apprehended, or taken from him by other means, is said to be _unpalled_, and he is then obliged to _work single-handed_.

UNSLOUR, to unlock, unfasten, or unbutton. _See_ SLOUR. Speaking of a person whose coat is buttoned, so as to obstruct the access to his pockets, the _knucks_ will say to each other, _the cove_ is _slour’d up_, we must _unslour him_ to get at his _kickseys_.

UNTHIMBLE, to _unthimble_ a man, is to rob, or otherwise deprive him of his watch.

UNTHIMBLED, having been divested of one’s watch.

UP IN THE STIRRUPS, a man who is _in swell street_. that is, having plenty of money, is said to be _up in the stirrups_.

UPON THE CROSS. _See_ CROSS.

UPON THE SQUARE. _See_ SQUARE.

UPON THE SUIT, _&c._ _See_ SUIT.

UPPER-BEN, UPPER-BENJAMIN, UPPER-TOG, a great-coat.

V

VARDO, a waggon.

VARDO-GILL, a waggoner.

W

WACK, to share or divide any thing equally, as _wack the blunt_, divide the money, _&c._

WACK, a share or equal proportion, as give me my _wack_, that is, my due part.

WALKER, an ironical expression, synonymous with _bender_, and used in the same manner.

WALKING-DISTILLER. _See_ CARRY THE KEG.

WANTED, when any of the _traps_ or runners have a private information against a _family person_, and are using means to apprehend the party, they say, such a one is _wanted_; and it becomes the latter, on receiving such intimation to keep _out of the way_, until the _stink_ is over, or until he or she can find means to _stash the business_ through the medium of _Mr. Palmer_, or by some other means.

WATER-SNEAK, robbing ships or vessels on a navigable river, or canal, by getting on board unperceived, generally in the night. _The water-sneak_, is lately made a capital offence.

WEAR IT, to _wear it upon_ a person, (meaning to _wear a nose_, or _a conk_,) is synonymous with _nosing_, _conking_, _splitting_, or _coming it_, and is merely one of those fanciful variations so much admired by _flash people_.

WEAR THE BANDS. _See_ BANDS.

WEDGE, silver; as a _wedge-feeder_, a silver-spoon, _&c._; but silver coin, as well as silver plate, are both comprehended under the name of _wedge_. _See_ RIDGE, and SPEAK TO.

WEED, tobacco.

WEED, to pilfer or purloin a small portion from a large quantity of anything; often done by young or timid depredators, in the hope of escaping detection, as, an apprentice or shopman will _weed_ his master’s _lob_, that is, take small sums out of the till when opportunity offers, which sort of peculation may be carried on with impunity for a length of time; but experienced thieves sometimes think it good _judgment_ to _weed_ a place, in order that it may be _good_ again, perhaps for a considerable length of time, as in the instance of a warehouse, or other depôt for goods, to which they may possess the means of access by means of a false key; in this case, by taking too great _a swag_, at first, the proprietors would discover the deficiency, and take measures to prevent future depredation. To _weed the swag_ is to embezzle part of the booty, unknown to your _palls_, before a division takes place, a temptation against which very few of _the family_ are proof, if they can find an opportunity. A _flash-cove_, on discovering a deficiency in his purse or property, which he cannot account for, will declare that he, (or it, naming the article,) has been _wedded to the ruffian_.

WEEDING DUES, speaking of any person, place, or property, that has been _weeded_, it is said _weeding dues_ have been concerned. _See_ DUES.

WEIGH FORTY, term used by the police, who are as well versed in _flash_ as the thieves themselves. It is often customary with the _traps_, to wink at depredations of a petty nature, and for which no reward would attach, and to let a thief _reign_ unmolested till he commits a capital crime. They then _grab_ him, and, on conviction, share (in many cases) a reward of 40_l._, or upwards; therefore these gentry will say, Let him alone at present, we don’t _want_ him till he _weighs his weight_, meaning, of course, forty pounds.

WELL, to _well_ your accomplice, or _put him in the well_, is explained under the word GARDEN, which _see_.

WHIDDLE, to speak of, or mention any thing, as, Don’t you _whiddle_ about so and so, that is, don’t mention it.

WHIDDLER, a talkative or tell-tale person, who is not fit to be trusted with a secret.

WHIDS, words. _See_ CRACK A WHID.

WHISTLERS. _See_ BROWNS AND WHISTLERS.

WIN, or WINCHESTER, a penny.

WIND, a man transported for his natural life, is said to be _lag’d for his wind_, or to have _knap’d a winder_, or _a bellowser_, according to the humour of the speaker.

WOOLLY-BIRDS, sheep.

WORK. To _work upon_ any particular _game_, is to practise generally, that species of fraud or depredation, as, He _works upon the crack_, he follows house-breaking, _&c._ An offender having been detected in the very fact, particularly in cases of coining, colouring base-metal, _&c._, is emphatically said to have been _grab’d at work_, meaning to imply, that the proof against him being so plain, he has no ground of defence to set up.

WRINKLE, to lie, or utter a falsehood.

WRINKLE, an untruth.

WRINKLER, a person prone to lying; such a character is called also _a gully_, which is probably an abbreviation of Gulliver, and from hence, to _gully_ signifies to lie, or deal in the marvellous.

Y

YACK, a watch (obsolete.)

YARN, _yarning_ or _spinning a yarn_, is a favourite amusement among _flash-people_; signifying to relate their various adventures, exploits, and escapes to each other. This is most common and gratifying, among persons in confinement or exile, to enliven a dull hour, and probably excite a secret hope of one day enjoying a repetition of their former pleasures. _See_ BONED. A person expert at telling these stories, is said to _spin a fine yarn_. A man using a great deal of rhetoric, and exerting all his art to talk another person out of any thing he is intent upon, the latter will answer, Aye, Aye, you can _spin a good yarn_, but it won’t do; meaning, all your eloquence will not have the desired effect.

YELLOW, jealous; a jealous husband is called a _yellow gloak_.

YOKUFF, a chest, or large box.

YORK. To stare or look at any person in an impertinent manner, is termed _yorking_; to _york_ any thing, in a common sense, is to view, look at, or examine it.

YORK, a look, or observation; a _flash-cove_ observing another person (_a flat_) who appears to notice or scrutinize him, his proceedings, or the company he is with, will say to his _palls_, That _cove_ is _yorking as strong as a horse_, or, There is _York-street concerned_.

YOUKELL, a countryman, or clown.

YOURNABS, yourself; an emphatical term used in speaking to another person.

FINIS.

Printed by W. CLOWES, Northumberland-court, Strand.

FOOTNOTES

[52] The Author (a prisoner under sentence of transportation for life) having, by an alleged act of impropriety, incurred the Governor’s displeasure, was at this period banished to Newcastle, a place of punishment for offenders: these sheets were there compiled during his solitary hours of cessation from hard labour; and the Commandant was accordingly presented by the Author with the first copy of his production.