Chapter V: Part 5

“A story is current of a fashionable author answering a late and
rather violent knock at his door one evening. A coal-heaver wanted
to know if the gentleman would like a cheap ton of coals; he was
sorry for troubling him so late, but ‘the party as had a-ordered the
two ton and a-half couldn’t be found,’ although he had driven his
‘waggon for six blessed hours up and down the neighbourhood.
Five-and-twenty is the price, but yer shall have them for 20s.’ Our
author was not to be tempted, he had heard of the trick before; so
bidding the man go away from his house, he shut the door. The man,
however, lingered there, expatiating on the quality of his
coals—‘Acterly givin’ ’em away, and the gent wont have ’em,’ said
he, addressing the neighbourhood in a loud voice: and the last that
was heard of him was his anything but sweet voice whistling through
the keyhole, ‘Will eighteen _bob_ BREAK YER BACK?’”

~Break Shins~, to borrow money. Probably from an older slang phrase, “kick,” to ask for drink-money.

~Break the Ice~, to make a commencement, to plunge _in medias res_.

~Break Up~, the conclusion of a performance of any kind—originally a school term.

~Breaky-Leg~, strong drink; “he’s been to Bungay fair, and broke both his legs,” _i.e._, got drunk. In the ancient Egyptian language the determinative character in the hieroglyphic verb “to be drank,” has the significant form of the leg of a man being amputated. “Tangle Leg” is the name given to New England rum.

~Breeched~, or TO HAVE THE BAGS OFF, to have plenty of money; “to be well BREECHED,” to be in good circumstances. Also among schoolboys to be well flogged.

~Breeches~, “to wear the BREECHES,” said of a wife who usurps the husband’s prerogative. Equivalent to the remark that “the grey mare is the better horse.”

~Breeching~, a flogging. Term in use among boys at several private schools.

~Breef~, probably identical with BRIEF, a shortened card used for cheating purposes; thus described in an old book of games of about 1720—

“Take a pack of cards and open them, then take out all the honours
... and cut a little from the edges of the rest all alike, so as to
make the honours broader than the rest, so that when your adversary
cuts to you, you are certain of an honour. When you cut to your
adversary cut at the ends, and then it is a chance if you cut him an
honour, because the cards at the ends are all of a length. Thus you
may make breefs end-ways as well as sideways.”

Modern card-players of a certain kind have considerably improved on this.

~Breeks~, breeches.—_Scotch_, now common.

~Brick~, a “jolly good fellow;” “a regular BRICK,” a staunch fellow. About the highest compliment that in one word can be paid one man. Said to be derived from an expression of Aristotle’s—τετραγωνος ἀνηρ.

~Bridge~, a cheating trick at cards, by which any particular card is cut by previously curving it by the pressure of the hand. Used in France as well as in England, and termed in the _Parisian Argot_ FAIRE LE PONT.

~Brief~, a pawnbroker’s duplicate; a raffle card, or a ticket of any kind.

~Briefs~, cards constructed on a cheating principle. See BRIDGE, CONCAVES and CONVEXES, LONGS, and SHORTS, REFLECTORS, &c. From the _German_, BRIEFE, which Baron Heinecken says was the name given to the cards manufactured at Ulm. BRIEF is also the synonym for a card in the German _Rothwälsch_ dialect, and BRIEFEN to play at cards. “Item—beware of the Joners, (gamblers,) who practice Beseflery with the BRIEF, (cheating at cards,) who deal falsely and cut one for the other, cheat with Boglein and spies, pick one BRIEF from the ground, and another from a cupboard,” &c.—_Liber Vagatorum_, ed. by Martin Luther, in 1529. English translation, by J. C. Hotten, 1860, p. 47. _See_ BREEF.

~Brim~, a violent irascible woman, as inflammable and unpleasant as brimstone, from which the word is contracted.

~Briney~, the sea. A “dip in the BRINEY” once a year is a great attraction to Cockney excursionists. A story is told of one excursionist saying to another, as they stripped in a double machine, “Why, ’Arry, what dirty feet you’ve got!” “’Ave I; well yer see I wasn’t down last year.”

~Bring-up~, or BRING-TO, to stop suddenly, as a team of horses or a vessel. To BRING-UP also means to feed, clothe, and educate a child. To BRING-UP by hand is to bring up a newly-born child or animal without assistance from the natural fount.

~Brisket-Beater~, a Roman Catholic.

~Broad and Shallow~, an epithet applied to the so-called “Broad Church,” in contradistinction to the “High” and “Low” Churches. _See_ HIGH and DRY.

~Broad-Brim~, originally applied to a Quaker only, but now used in reference to all quiet, sedate, respectable old men.

~Broad-Cooper~, a person employed by brewers to negotiate with publicans.

~Broad-Faking~, playing at cards. Generally used to denote “work” of the three-card and kindred descriptions.

~Broad-Fencer~, a “k’rect card” seller at races.

~Broads~, cards. BROADSMAN, a card-sharper. _See_ BROAD-FAKING.

~Broadway Swell~, a New York term for a great dandy, Broadway being the principal promenade in the “Empire City.”

~Broady~, cloth. Evidently a corruption of broadcloth. BROADY workers are men who go round selling vile shoddy stuff under the pretence that it is excellent material, which has been “got on the cross,” _i.e._ stolen.

~Brolly~, an umbrella. Term used at both Oxford and Cambridge Universities.

~Brosier~, a bankrupt.—_Cheshire._ BROSIER-MY-DAME, school term, implying a clearing of the housekeeper’s larder of provisions, in revenge for stinginess.—_Eton._

~Brother-Chip~, originally fellow carpenter. Almost general now as brother tradesman of any kind. Also, BROTHER-WHIP, a fellow coachman; and BROTHER-BLADE, of the same occupation or calling—originally a fellow-soldier.

~Brother-Smut~, a term of familiarity. “Ditto, BROTHER SMUT,” _tu quoque_.

~Broth of a Boy~, an Irish term for a jolly good fellow.

~Brown~, a halfpenny.—_See_ BLUNT.

~Brown~, “to do BROWN,” to do well or completely, “doing it BROWN,” prolonging the frolic, or exceeding sober bounds; “done BROWN,” taken in, deceived, or surprised.

~Brown Bess~, the old Government regulation musket; a musket with a browned barrel; also BLACK BESS. A suggestion has been made that BESS may be from the _German_ BUSCHE, or BOSCHE, a barrel. It is much more likely, however, that the phrase is derived from the fact that “the soldier is wedded to his weapon.”

~Brown-papermen~, low gamblers.

~Brown Study~, a reverie. Very common even in educated society, but hardly admissible in writing, and therefore considered a vulgarism. It is derived, by a writer in _Notes and Queries_, from BROW STUDY, and he cites the old German BRAUN, or AUG-BRAUN, an eye-brow.—_Ben Jonson._

~Brown Talk~, conversation of an exceedingly proper character, Quakerish. Compare BLUE.

~Brown to~, to understand, to comprehend.

~Bruiser~, a fighting man, a pugilist. _Shakspeare_ uses the word BRUISING in a similar sense.

~Brum~, a counterfeit coin. _Nearly obsolete._ Corruption of _Brummagem_, for meaning of which _see_ Introductory Chapter.

~Brush~, a fox’s tail, a house-painter. Also a scrimmage.

~Brush~, or BRUSH-OFF, to run away, or move on quickly.—_Old Cant._

~Bub~, drink of any kind.—_See_ GRUB. _Middleton_, the dramatist, mentions BUBBER, a great drinker.

~Bub~, a teat, woman’s breast, plural BUBBIES; no doubt from BIBE. _See_ _ante_.

~Bubble~, to over-reach, deceive, to tempt by means of false promises.—_Old._ (_Acta Regia_, ii. 248, 1726.)

~Bubble-and-Squeak~, a dish composed of pieces of cold roast or boiled meat and greens, afterwards fried, which have thus first BUBBLED in the _pot_, and then SQUEAKED or hissed in the _pan_.

~Bubble-Company~, a swindling association.

~Buckled~, to be married. Also to be taken in custody. Both uses of the word common and exchangeable among the London lower classes.

~Bubbley-Jock~, a turkey, or silly boasting fellow; a prig.—_Scottish._ In the north of England the bird is called a BOBBLE-COCK. Both names, no doubt, from its cry, which is supposed by imaginative persons to consist of the two words exactly.

~Buck~, a gay or smart man; an unlicensed cabman; also a large marble used by schoolboys.

~Buck~, sixpence. The word is rarely used by itself, but generally denotes the sixpence attached to shillings in reference to cost, as, “three and a BUCK,” three shillings and sixpence. Probably a corruption of Fyebuck.

~Buckhorse~, a smart blow or box on the ear; derived from the name of a celebrated “bruiser” of that name. Buckhorse was a man who either possessed or professed insensibility to pain, and who would for a small sum allow anyone to strike him with the utmost force on the side of the face.

~Buckle~, to bend; “I can’t BUCKLE to that.” I don’t understand it; to yield or give in to a person. _Shakspeare_ uses the word in the latter sense, _Henry IV._, i. 1; and _Halliwell_ says that “the commentators do not supply another example.”

~Buckle-Beggar~, a COUPLE-BEGGAR, which _see_.

~Buckle-to~, to bend to one’s work, to begin at once, and with great energy—from buckling-to one’s armour before a combat, or fastening on a bundle.

~Buckley~, “Who struck BUCKLEY?” a common phrase used to irritate Irishmen. The story is that an Englishman having struck an Irishman named Buckley, the latter made a great outcry, and one of his friends rushed forth screaming, “Who struck Buckley?” “I did,” said the Englishman, preparing for the apparently inevitable combat. “Then,” said the ferocious Hibernian, after a careful investigation of the other’s thews and sinews, “then, sarve him right.”

~Buckra~, a white man. The original of this term is a “flogging man,” from the Hebrew, and the application of it to the whites by the West Indian negroes is, therefore, rather interesting. They probably first learned it from a missionary.

~Buckshish~, BUCKSHEESH or BACKSHEESH, a present of money. Over all India, and the East generally, the natives lose no opportunity of asking for BUCKSHISH. The usage is such a complete nuisance that the word is sometimes answered by a blow; this is termed BAMBOO BUCKSHISH. BUCKSHISH has taken up a very firm residence in Europe—may, in fact, on a much larger scale than that of Asia, be said to have always had an existence here. BUCKSHISH is a very important item in the revenues of officials who hold positions of considerable importance, as well as in those of their humbler brethren. During the recent visit of the Shah of Persia, that potentate discovered that BUCKSHISH was by no means peculiar to the East.

~Budge~, to move, to “make tracks.”

~Budge~, strong drink; BUDGY, drunk; BUDGING-KEN, a public-house; “cove of the BUDGING-KEN,” the landlord. Probably a corruption of BOOZE. Probably also, on the lucus a non lucendo principle, because its use made one incapable of budging.

~Buff~, the bare skin; “stripped to the BUFF.”

~Buff~, to swear to, or accuse; generally used in reference to a wrongful accusation, as, “Oh, BUFF it on to him.” _Old_ word for boasting, 1582.

~Buffer~, a navy term for a boatswain’s mate, one of whose duties it is—or was—to administer the “cat.”

~Buffer~, a familiar expression for a jolly acquaintance, probably from the _French_ BOUFFARD, a fool or clown; a “jolly old BUFFER,” said of a good-humoured or liberal old man. In 1737, a BUFFER was a “rogue that killed good sound horses for the sake of their skins, by running a long wire into them.”—_Bacchus and Venus._ The term was once applied to those who took false oaths for a consideration; but though the word has fallen into disuse there is no particular reason for imagining that the practice has.

~Buffer~, a woman employed in a Sheffield warehouse to give the final polish to goods previously to their being plated.

~Buffer~, a dog. Dogs’ skins were formerly in great request—hence the term BUFF, meaning in old English _to skin_. It is still used in the ring, BUFFED meaning stripped naked, though the term BUFF, as applied to the skin, is most likely due to its resemblance to the leather so called. “Stripped to the BUFF,” cannot have any reference to dog skinning, though it may have originally referred to the BUFF jerkins worn under defensive armour. In Irish cant, BUFFER is a _boxer_. The BUFFER of a railway-carriage doubtless received its very appropriate name from the old pugilistic application of this term.

~Buffle-Head~, a stupid or obtuse person.—_Miege._ _German_, BUFFELHAUPT, buffalo-headed. Occurs in _Plautus’ Comedies made English_, 1694.

~Buffs~, the Third Regiment of Foot in the British army. From their facings.

~Buffy~, intoxicated.

~Buggy~, a gig, or light chaise. Common term in America and in India, as well as in England.

~Bug-Hunter~, a low wretch who plunders drunken men.

~Bug-Walk~, a coarse term for a bed.

~Build~, applied in fashionable slang to the make or style of dress, &c. “It’s a tidy BUILD, who made it?” A tailor is sometimes called a “trousers’ BUILDER.”

~Bulger~, large; synonymous with BUSTER.

~Bulky~, a constable.—_North._

~Bull~, one who agrees to purchase stock at a future day, at a stated price, but who simply speculates for a rise in public securities to render the transaction a profitable one. Should stocks fall, the BULL is then called upon to pay the difference. _See_ BEAR, who is the opposite of a BULL, the former selling, the latter purchasing—the one operating for a _fall_, the other for a _rise_.

~Bull~, a crown-piece, formerly BULL’S EYE. _See_ WORK.

~Bull~, term amongst prisoners for the meat served to them in jail. Also very frequently used instead of the word beef. The costermonger often speaks of his dinner, when he has beef, as a “bit o’ BULL,” without any reference to its being either tough or tender, but he never speaks of mutton as “sheep.”

~Bull-Beef~, a term of contempt; “as ugly as BULL-BEEF,” “go to the billy-fencer, and sell yourself for BULL-BEEF.” Sometimes used to indicate full size of anything. “There was he, as big as BULL-BEEF.”

~Bulldogs~, the runners who accompany the proctor in his perambulations, and give chase to runaways.—_University._

~Bullet~, to discharge from a situation. To shake the BULLET at anyone, is to threaten him with “the sack,” but not to give him actual notice to leave. To get the BULLET is to get notice, while to get the instant BULLET is to be discharged upon the spot. The use of the term is most probably derived from a fancied connexion between it and the word discharge.

~Bullfinch~, a hunting term for a large, thick, quickset hedge, difficult alike to “top” or burst through. Probably a corruption of BULL-FENCE, a fence made to prevent cattle straying either in or out.

~Bull the Cask~, to pour hot water into an empty rum puncheon, and let it stand until it extracts the spirit from the wood. The mixture is drunk by sailors in default of something stronger.—_Sea._

~Bully~, a braggart; in the language of the streets, a man of the most degraded morals, who protects fallen females, and lives off their miserable earnings.—_Shakspeare_, in _A Midsummer Night’s Dream_, uses the word in its old form, as a term of endearment. This epithet is often applied in a commendable sense among the vulgar; thus—a good fellow or a good horse will be termed “a BULLY fellow,” “a BULLY horse;” and “a BULLY woman” signifies a right, good motherly old soul. Among Americans, “BULLY for you,” is a commendatory phrase, and “that’s BULLY” is a highly eulogistic term.

~Bullyrag~, to abuse or scold vehemently; to swindle one out of money by intimidation and sheer abuse.

~Bum~, the part on which we sit.—_Shakspeare._ BUMBAGS, trousers; _Gael._ BUN, a base or bottom; _Welsh_, BON, the lowest or worst part of anything.

~Bum-Bailiff~, a sheriff’s-officer—a term, some say, derived from the proximity which this gentleman generally maintains to his victims. Blackstone says it is a corruption of “bound bailiff.” A BUM-BAILIFF was generally called “bummy.”

~Bumble~, to muffle. BUMBLE-FOOTED, club-footed, or awkward in the gait.

~Bumble~, a beadle. Adopted from _Dickens’s_ character in _Oliver Twist_. This and “BUMBLEDOM” are now common.

~Bumble-Puppy~, a game played in public-houses on a large stone, placed in a slanting direction, on the lower end of which holes are excavated, and numbered like the holes in a bagatelle-table. The player rolls a stone ball, or marble, from the higher end, and according to the number of the hole it falls into the game is counted. It is undoubtedly the very ancient game of _Troule-in-madame_.

~Bumbles~, coverings for the eyes of horses that shy in harness.

~Bumbrusher~, an usher at a school.

~Bumclink~, in the Midland counties the inferior beer brewed for haymakers and harvest labourers. Derivation obvious.

~Bum-Curtain~, an old name for academical gowns when they were worn scant and short, especially those of the students of St. John’s College.—_Camb. Univ._ Any ragged or short academical gown.

~Bummarees~, a term given to a class of speculating salesmen at Billingsgate market, not recognised as such by the trade, but who get a living by buying large quantities of fish from the salesmen and re-selling them to smaller buyers. The word has been used in the statutes and bye-laws of the market for upwards of 200 years. It has been variously derived. Some persons think it may be from the _French_ BONNE MARÉE, good fresh fish! “Marée signifie toute sorte de poisson de mer qui n’est pas sale; bonne marée—_marée fraîche_, vendeur de marée.”—_Dict. de l’Acad. Franc._ The BUMMAREES are accused of many trade tricks. One of them is to blow up codfish with a pipe until they look double their actual size. Of course when the fish come to table they are flabby, sunken, and half dwindled away. In Norwich, to BUMMAREE one is to run up a score at a public-house just open, and is equivalent to “running into debt with one.” One of the advertisements issued by Hy. Robinson’s “Office,” over against Threadneedle Street, was this:—

“Touching Advice from the OFFICE, you are desired to give and take
notice as followeth:—

“OF Monies to be taken up, or delivered on _Botto-maria_, commonly
called _Bomarie_.

“OF money to be put out or taken upon interest,” &c.

—_The Publick Intelligencer_, numb. 17, 25th June, 1660.

~Bummer~, literally one who sits or idles about; a loafer; one who sponges upon his acquaintances. In California, men who profess to be journalists, and so obtain free dinners and drinks, are called “literary BUMMERS.” Although the term is not much in use in this country, the profession of bumming, both literary and otherwise, is freely practised.

~Bumper~, according to Johnson from “bump,” but probably from _French_ BON PÈRE, the fixed toast in monastic life of old, now used for “full measure.” A match at quoits, bowls, &c., may end in a “BUMPER game,” if the play and score be all on one side. BUMPER is used in sporting and theatrical circles to denote a benefit which is one in reality as well as in name.

~Bumptious~, arrogant, self-sufficient. One on very good terms with himself is said to be BUMPTIOUS.

~Bunce~, costermongers’ perquisites; the money obtained by giving light weight, &c.; costermongers’ goods sold by boys on commission. In fact anything which is clear profit or gain is said to be “all BUNCE.” Probably a corruption of _bonus_; BONE, or BONER, being the slang for good. BUNCE, _Grose_ gives as the cant word for money.

~Bunch-of-Fives~, the hand, or fist.

~Bundle~, “to BUNDLE a person off,” _i.e._, to pack him off, send him flying.

~Bundling~, men and women sleeping together, where the divisions of the house will not permit of better or more decent accommodation, with all their clothes on. BUNDLING was originally courting done in bed, the lovers being tied or bundled up to prevent undue familiarities. The practice still obtains in some parts of Wales.

~Bung~, the landlord of a public-house. Much in use among sporting men.

~Bung~, to give, pass, hand over, drink, or to perform almost any action. BUNG up, to close up, as the eyes.—_Pugilistic._ “BUNG over the rag,” hand over the money.—_Old_, used by _Beaumont_ and _Fletcher_, and _Shakspeare_. Also, to deceive one by a lie, to CRAM, which _see_.

~Bunk~, to decamp. “BUNK it!” _i.e._, be off.

~Bunker~, beer.

~Bunkum~, an American importation, denoting false sentiments in speaking, pretended enthusiasm, &c. The expression arose from a speech made by a North Carolina senator named Buncombe.

~Bunter~, a prostitute, a street-walking female thief.

~Burdon’s Hotel~, Whitecross Street Prison, of which the Governor was a Mr. Burdon. Almost every prison has a nickname of this kind, either from the name of the Governor, or from some local circumstance. The Queen’s Bench has also an immense number of names—SPIKE PARK, &c.; and every Chief-Justice stands godfather to it.

~Burerk~, a lady, a showily-dressed woman.

~Burke~, to kill, to murder, secretly and without noise, by means of strangulation. From Burke, the notorious Edinburgh murderer, who, with an accomplice named Hare, used to decoy people into the den he inhabited, kill them, and sell their bodies for dissection. The wretches having been apprehended and tried, Burke was executed, while Hare, having turned king’s evidence, was released. Bishop and Williams were their London imitators. The term BURKE is now usually applied to any project that is quietly stopped or stifled—as “the question has been BURKED.” A book suppressed before publication is said to be BURKED.

~Burra~, great; as BURRA SAIB, a great man; BURRA KHANAII, a great dinner.—_Anglo-Indian._

~Bury a Moll~, to run away from a mistress.

~Bus~, or BUSS, an abbreviation of “omnibus,” a public carriage. Also, a kiss, abbreviation of _Fr._ BAISER. A Mr. Shillibeer started the first BUS in London. A shillibeer is now a hearse and mourning coach all in one, used by the very poorest mourners and shabbiest undertakers.

Why is Temple Bar like a lady’s veil? Because it wants to be removed
to make way for the BUSSES.

~Bus~, business (of which it is a contraction) or action on the stage, so written, but pronounced BIZ.—_Theatrical._ _See_ BIZ.

~Business~, the action which accompanies dialogue. “His BUSINESS was good.” Generally applied to byplay.—_Theatrical._

~Busk~, to sell obscene songs and books at the bars and in the tap-rooms of public-houses. Sometimes it implies selling other articles. Also to “work” public-houses and certain spots as an itinerant musician or vocalist.

~Busker~, a man who sings or performs in a public-house; an itinerant.

~Bust~, or BURST, to tell tales, to SPLIT, to inform. BUSTING, informing against accomplices when in custody.

~Buster~ (BURSTER), a small new loaf; “twopenny BUSTER,” a twopenny loaf. “A penn’orth o’ BEES-WAX (cheese) and a penny BUSTER,” a common snack at beershops. A halfpenny loaf is called a “starver.”

~Buster~, an extra size; “what a BUSTER,” _i.e._, what a large one; “in for a BUSTER,” determined on an extensive frolic or spree. _Scotch_, BUSTUOUS; _Icelandic_, BOSTRA.

~Bustle~, money; “to draw the BUSTLE.”

~Busy-Sack~, a carpet-bag.

~Butcha~, a Hindoo word in use among Englishmen for the young of any animal. In England we ask after the children; in India the health of the BUTCHAS is tenderly inquired for.

~Butcher~, the king in playing-cards. When card-playing in public houses was common, the kings were called butchers, the queens bitches, and the knaves jacks. The latter term is now in general use.

~Butcher’s Mourning~, a white hat with a black mourning hatband. Probably because, under any circumstances, a butcher would rather not wear a black hat. White hats and black bands have, however, become genteel ever since the late Prince Consort patronized them, though they retain a deal of the old sporting leaven.

~Butter~, or BATTER, praise or flattery. To BUTTER, to flatter, cajole. Same as “soft soap” and “soft sawder.” Soft words generally. Maybe from the old proverb, “Fine words butter no parsneps.”

~Butter-Fingered~, apt to let things fall; greasy or slippery-fingered.

~Button~, a decoy, sham purchaser, &c. At any mock or sham auction seedy specimens may be seen. Probably from the connexion of buttons with Brummagem, which is often used as a synonym for a sham.—_See_ BONNET.

~Buttoner~, a man who entices another to play.

~Buttons~, a page,—from the rows of gilt buttons which adorn his jacket.

~Buttons~, “not to have all one’s BUTTONS;” to be deficient in intellect. To “make BUTTONS” means for some occult reason to look sorry and sad. “He was making BUTTONS,” _i.e._, he was looking sorrowful. Perhaps because button-making is a sorry occupation.

~Butty~, a word used in the mining districts to denote a kind of overseer. Also used by the Royal Marines in the sense of comrade; a policeman’s assistant, one of the staff in a _mêlée_.

~Buz~, to share equally the last of a bottle of wine, when there is not enough for a full glass to each of the party.

~Buz~, a well-known public-house game, played as follows:—“The chairman commences saying “one,” the next on the left hand “two,” the next “three,” and so on to _seven_, when “BUZ” must be said. Every seven and multiple of 7, as 14, 17, 21, 27, 28, &c., must not be mentioned, but “BUZ” instead. Whoever breaks the rule pays a fine, which is thrown on the table, and the accumulation expended in drink for the company. _See_ “SNOOKS and WALKER” for more complicated varieties of a similar game. These “parlour pastimes” are often not only funny, but positively ingenious. But the Licensing Act and a zealous police are fast clearing them all out.

~Buz~, to pick pockets; BUZZING or BUZ-FAKING, robbing.

~Buz-Bloke~, a pickpocket who principally confines his attention to purses and loose cash. _Grose_ gives BUZ-GLOAK, an ancient cant word. GLOAK was old cant for a man. BUZ-NAPPER, a young pickpocket.

~Buz-man~, an informer; from BUZ, to whisper, but more generally a thief.

~Buz-napper’s Academy~, a school in which young thieves were trained. Figures were dressed up, and experienced tutors stood in various difficult attitudes for the boys to practise upon. When clever enough they were sent on the streets. Dickens gives full particulars of this old style of business in _Oliver Twist_.

~Buzzer~, a pickpocket. _Grose_ gives BUZ-COVE and, as above mentioned, BUZ-GLOAK.

~Byblow~, an illegitimate child.

~By George~, an exclamation similar to BY JOVE. The term is older than is frequently imagined—vide _Bacchus and Venus_ (p. 117), 1737. “’Fore (or by) GEORGE, I’d knock him down.” Originally in reference to Saint George, the patron saint of England, or possibly to the House of Hanover.

~By Golly~, an ejaculation, or oath; a compromise for “by God.” BY GUM is another oblique oath. 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----n anything. A manner of “sailing close to the wind” which is objectionable to the honest mind. A specimen ejaculation and moral waste-pipe for interior passion or wrath is seen in the exclamation—BY THE EVER-LIVING JUMPING-MOSES—a harmless and ridiculous phrase, that from its length is supposed to expend a considerable quantity of fiery anger.

~By Jingo~, an oath or exclamation having no particular meaning, and no positive etymology, though it is believed by some that JINGO is derived from the Basque _jenco_, the devil.

~Cab~, in statutory language, “a hackney carriage drawn by one horse.” Abbreviated from the _French_ CABRIOLET; 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 the Legislature, and has been honoured by universal custom.

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

~Cabbage~, pieces of cloth said to be purloined by tailors. Any small profits in the way of material.

~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 the above sense by _Arbuthnot_.

~Cabbage-Head~, a soft-headed person.

~Cabby~, popular name for the driver of a cab. This title has almost supplanted the more ancient one of jarvey.

~Caboose~, the galley or cook-house of a ship; a term used by tramps to indicate a kitchen.

~Cackle-Tub~, a pulpit.

~Cackling-Cove~, an actor. Also called a MUMMERY-COVE.—_Theatrical._

~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 who tries to worm something out of another, either money or information. _Johnson_ uses the word, and gives _huckster_ as the meaning, in which sense it was originally used. Apparently from CAGER, or GAGER, the _old Cant_ term for a man. The exclusives at the English Universities apply the term CAD to all non-members. It has also been suggested that the word may be a contraction of the _French_ CADET.

~Cad~, an omnibus conductor. Of late years the term has been generically applied to the objectionable class immortalized by Thackeray under the title of snob. A great deal of caddism is, however, perpetrated by those who profess to have the greatest horror of it—the upper classes—a fact which goes far to prove that it is impossible to fairly ascribe a distinctive feature to any grade of society.

~Cadge~, to beg in an artful, wheedling manner.—_North._ In Scotland to CADGE is to wander, to go astray. _See_ under CODGER.

~Cadging~, begging, generally with an eye to pilfering when an opportunity occurs. To be “on the cadge” is almost synonymous with “on the make.”

~Cag~, to irritate, affront, anger. Schoolboy slang.

~Cage~, a minor kind of prison. A country lock-up which contained no offices.

~Cagmag~, bad food, scraps, odds and ends; or that which no one could relish. _Grose_ give CAGG MAGGS, old and tough Lincolnshire geese, sent to London to feast the poor cockneys. _Gael._, _French_, and _Welsh_, CAC, and MAGN. A correspondent at Trinity College, Dublin, considers this as originally a University slang term for a _bad cook_, κακὸς μάγειρος. There is also a _Latin_ word used by Pliny, MAGMA, denoting dregs or dross.

~Cake~, a “flat;” a soft or doughy person, a fool.

~Cakey-Pannum-Fencer~, or PANNUM-FENCER, a man who sells street pastry.

~Calaboose~, a prison.—_Sea_ slang, from the Spanish.

~Calculate~, a word much in use among the inhabitants of the Western States U.S., as “I CALCULATE you are a stranger here.” New Englanders use the word “guess” instead of CALCULATE, while the Virginians prefer to say “reckon.”

~Caleb Quotem~, a parish clerk; a jack of all trades. From a character in _The Wags of Windsor_.

~California~, or CALIFORNIANS, money. Term generally applied to gold only. Derivation very obvious.

~Call~, a notice of rehearsal, or any other occasion requiring the company’s presence, posted up in a theatre. “We’re CALLED for eleven to-morrow morning.”

~Call-a-Go~, in street “patter,” is to leave off trying to sell anything and to remove to another spot, to desist. Also to give in, yield, at any game or business. Probably from the “GO” call in cribbage.

~Cameronians~, THE, the Twenty-sixth Regiment of Foot in the British Army.

~Camesa~, shirt or chemise.—_Span._ _See_ its abbreviated form, MISH, from the _ancient Cant_, COMMISSION. Probably re-introduced by the remains of De Lacy Evans’s Spanish Legion on their return. _See_ Somerville’s account of the Span. Leg., for the curious facility with which the lower classes in England adopt foreign words as slang and cant terms. _Italian_, CAMICIA. This latter is the more likely etymology, as anyone who visits the various quarters where Irish, Italians, and a mongrel mixture of half-a-dozen races congregate and pig together, will admit.

~Camister~, a preacher, clergyman, or master.

~Canary~, a sovereign. From the colour. Very old slang indeed.

~Canister~, the head.—_Pugilistic._

~Canister-Cap~, a hat.

~Cannibals~, the training boats for the Cambridge freshmen, _i.e._, “CANNOT-PULLS.” The term is applied both to boats and rowers.—_See_ SLOGGERS. Torpids is the usual term for the races in which these men and machines figure.

~Cannikin~, a small can, similar to PANNIKIN. “And let the CANNIKIN clink.”

~Cant~, a blow or toss; “a CANT over the kisser,” a blow on the mouth; “a CANT over the buttock,” a throw or toss in wrestling.

~Cantab~, a student at Cambridge.

~Cantankerous~, litigious, bad-tempered. An American corruption probably of contentious. A reviewer of an early edition of this book derives it from the _Anglo-Norman_ CONTEK, litigation or strife. Others have suggested “cankerous” as the origin. _Bailey_ has CONTEKE, contention as a Spenserian word, and there is the _O.E._ CONTEKORS, quarrelsome persons.

~Cant of Togs~, a gift of clothes.

~Canvasseens~, sailors’ canvas trousers.

~Cap~, a false cover to a tossing coin. The term and the instrument are both nearly obsolete. _See_ COVER-DOWN.

~Cap~, “to set her CAP.” A woman is said to set her CAP at a man when she makes overt love to him.

~Cap~, to outdo or add to, as in capping jokes.

~Cape Cod Turkey~, salt fish.

~Caper-Merchant~, a dancing-master. Sometimes a hop-merchant.

~Capers~, dancing, frolicking; “to cut CAPER-SAUCE,” _i.e._, to dance upon nothing—be hanged. Old thieves’ talk.

~Capper-Clawing~, female encounter, where caps are torn and nails freely used. Sometimes it is pronounced CLAPPER-CLAW. The word occurs in _Shakspeare_, _Troilus and Cressida_, act v. sc. 4.

~Caravan~, a railway train, especially a train expressly chartered to convey people to a prize fight.

~Caravansera~, a railway station. In pugilistic phraseology a tip for the starting point might have been given thus. “The SCRATCH must be TOED at sharp five, so the CARAVAN will start at four from the CARAVANSERA.”

~Carboy~, a general term in most parts of the world for a very large glass or earthenware bottle.

~Card~, a character. “A queer CARD,” _i.e._, an odd fish.

~Cardinal~, a lady’s red cloak. 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. Also mulled red wine.

~Cardwell’s Men~, officers promoted in pursuance of the new system of non-purchase.

~Carney~, soft hypocritical language. Also, to flatter, wheedle, or insinuate oneself.—_Prov._

~Carnish~, meat, from the _Ital._ CARNE, flesh; a _Lingua Franca_ importation; CARNISH-KEN, a thieves’ eating-house; “cove of the CARNISH-KEN,” the keeper thereof.—_North Country Cant._

~Caroon~, five shillings. _French_, COURONNE; _Gipsy_, COURNA; _Spanish_, CORONA.

~Carpet~, “upon the CARPET,” any subject or matter that is uppermost for discussion or conversation. Frequently quoted as _sur le tapis_, or more generally “on the _tapis_,” but it does not seem to be at all known in France. Also servants’ slang. When a domestic is summoned by the master or mistress to receive a warning or reprimand, he or she is said to be CARPETED. The corresponding term in commercial establishments is a WIGGING.

~Carpet-Knight~, an habitué of drawing-rooms, a “ladies’ man.”

~Carrier-Pigeon~, a swindler, one who formerly used to cheat lottery-office keepers. Now used among betting men to describe one who runs from place to place with “commissions.”

~Carriwitchet~, a hoaxing, puzzling question, not admitting of a satisfactory answer, as—“How far is it from the first of July to London Bridge?” “If a bushel of apples cost ten shillings, how long will it take for an oyster to eat its way through a barrel of soap?”

~Carrot.~ “Take a CARROT!” a vulgar insulting phrase.

~Carrots~, the coarse and satirical term for red hair. An epigram gives an illustration of the use of this term:—

“Why scorn red hair? The Greeks, we know,
(I note it here in charity)
Had taste in beauty, and with them
The graces were all Χάριται!”

Of late years CARROTY hair in all its shades has been voted beautiful, _i.e._, fashionable.

~Carry Corn~, to bear success well and equally. It is said of a man who breaks down under a sudden access of wealth—as successful horse-racing men and unexpected legatees often do—or who becomes affected and intolerant, that “he doesn’t CARRY CORN well.”

~Carry me Out!~ an exclamation of pretended astonishment on hearing news too good to be true, or a story too marvellous to be believed. Sometimes varied by “Let me die,” _i.e._, I can’t survive that. Profanely derived from the _Nunc dimittis_ (Luke xi. 29). The Irish say, “CARRY ME OUT, and bury me decently.”

~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. _Nautical term_—from carrying on sail.

~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. Generally condensed to “WHEEL.”

~Ca-sa~, a writ of _capias ad satisfaciendam_.—_Legal slang._

~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, but is in general applied to a “house of accommodation.” CASA is generally pronounced _carzey_.

~Cascade~, to vomit.

~Case.~ Some years ago the term CASE was applied generally to persons or 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. This would seem to have been originally a “case” for the police-court; drunkenness, &c. Among young ladies at boarding-schools a CASE means a love-affair. CASE now means any unfortunate matter. “I’m afraid it’s a CASE with him.”

~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. Possibly from its being “a CASE” with the unfortunate owner.

~Cask~, fashionable slang for a brougham, or other private carriage. Not very general. “PILLBOX” is the more usual term.

~Cassam~, cheese—not CAFFAN, which Egan, in his edition of _Grose_, has ridiculously inserted.—_Ancient Cant._ _Latin_, CASEUS. _Gael._ and _Irish_, CAISE.

~Cast~, to assist by lightening labour. Men in small boats who want to be towed behind steamers or sailing vessels, say “Give us a CAST.” Also used by waggoners and others, who sometimes vary the performance by asking, when stuck on a hill, for a pound, possibly a pound of flesh, horse or human.

~Cast up Accounts~, to vomit.—_Old._

~Castor~, a hat. Mostly used in pugilistic circles. Indeed many hangers-on of the P.R. have considered that the term arose from the custom of casting the hat into the ring, before entering oneself. CASTOR was the _Latin_ name for the animal now known as the BEAVER; and, strange to add, BEAVER was the slang for CASTOR, or hat, many years ago, before gossamer came into fashion.

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

~Cat~, to vomit like a cat. Perhaps from CATARACT; but _see_ SHOOT THE CAT.

~Cat~—CAT O’ NINE TAILS, a whip with that number of lashes used to punish refractory sailors.—_Sea._ The “cat” is now a recognised term for the punishmental whip.

~Catamaran~, a disagreeable old woman.—_Thackeray._

~Cat and Kitten Sneaking~, stealing pint and quart pots and small pewter spirit measures from public-houses.

~Cataract~, once a black satin scarf arranged for the display of jewellery, much in vogue among “commercial gents.” Now quite out of date.

~Catchbet~, a bet made for the purpose of entrapping the unwary by means of a paltry subterfuge. _See_ CHERRY COLOUR.

~Catch-’em-Alive~, a humane trap; also a small-tooth comb. A piece of paper smeared with a sweet sticky substance which is spread about where flies most abound, and in this sense not particularly humane. The CATCH-’EM-ALIVE trap for rats and other such animals is humane compared with the gin trap.

~Catch-penny~, any temporary contrivance to obtain money from the public; penny shows, or cheap exhibitions. Also descriptions of murders which have never taken place.

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

~Caterwauling~, applied derisively to inharmonious singing; also love-making, from the noise of cats similarly engaged.

~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.

~Cat-faced~, a vulgar and very common expression of contempt in the North of England.

~Catgut-Scraper~, a fiddler.

~Cat-in-the-Pan~, a traitor, a turncoat—derived by some from the _Greek_, καταπαν, altogether; or—and more likely—from _cake in pan_, a pan-cake, which is frequently turned from side to side.

~Cat-lap~, a contemptuous expression for weak drink. Anything a cat will drink is very innocuous.

~Cats and Dogs.~ It is said to rain cats and dogs when a shower is exceptionally heavy. Probably in ridicule of the remarkable showers which used to find their way into the papers during the “silly season.”

~Cat’s-meat~, a coarse term for the lungs—the “lights” or lungs of animals being usually sold to feed cats.

~Cat’s-paw~, a dupe or tool. From the old story of the monkey who used the cat’s-paw to remove his roast chestnuts from the fire. A sea term, meaning light and occasional breezes occurring in calm weather.

~Cat’s-water~, “old Tom,” or gin.

~Cattle~, a term of contempt applied to the mob, or to a lot of lazy, helpless servants.

~Caucus~, a private meeting held for the purpose of concerting measures, agreeing upon candidates for office before an election, &c. This is an American term, and a corruption of CAULKER’S MEETING, being derived from an association of the shipping interest at Boston, previous to the War of Independence, who were very active in getting up opposition to England.—_See Pickering’s Vocabulary._

~Caulk~, to take a surreptitious nap; sleep generally, from the ordinary meaning of the term; stopping leaks, repairing damages, so as to come out as good as new.—_Sea term._

~Caulker~, a dram. The term “caulker” is usually applied to a stiff glass of grog—preferably brandy—finishing the potations of the evening. _See_ WHITEWASH.

~Caulker~, a too marvellous story, a lie. CHOKER has the same sense.

~Caution~, anything out of the common way. “He’s a CAUTION,” is said of an obdurate or argumentative man. The phrase is also used in many ways in reference to places and things.

~Cavaulting~, a vulgar phrase equivalent to “horsing.” The _Italian_ CAVALLINO, signifies a rake or debauchee.—_Lingua Franca_, CAVOLTA. From this comes the Americanism “cavorting,” running or riding round in a heedless or purposeless manner.

~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. Originally “to queer” represented our modern word “CHAFF.” CHAFF-bone, the jaw-bone.—_Yorkshire._ CHAFF, jesting. In _Anglo-Saxon_, CEAF is chaff; and CEAFL, bill, beak, or jaw. In the _Ancren Riwle_, A.D. 1221, CEAFLE is used in the sense of idle discourse.

~Chaffer~, the mouth; “moisten your CHAFFER,” _i.e._, take something to drink.

~Chal~, old Romany term for a man; CHIE was the name for a woman.

~Chalk out~, or CHALK DOWN, to mark out a line of conduct or action; to make a rule or 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.

~Chalks~, degrees, marks; so called from being made by a piece of chalk; “to beat by long CHALKS,” _i.e._, to be superior by many degrees. “Making CHALKS” is a term connected with the punishment of boys on board ship, and in the Naval School at Greenwich. Two chalk lines are drawn wide apart on the deck or floor, and the boy to be punished places a foot on each of these lines, and stoops, thereby presenting a convenient portion of his person to the boatswain or master.

~Chance the Ducks~, an expression signifying come what may. “I’ll do it, and CHANCE THE DUCKS.”

~Chancery~, a pugilistic phrase for difficulties; “to get a man’s head into CHANCERY,” _i.e._, to get an opponent’s head firmly under one’s arm, where it can be pommelled with immense power, and without any possibility of immediate extrication. From the helplessness of a suitor in Chancery. This opportunity was of very rare occurrence when the combatants were at all evenly matched.

~Change~, small money. The overplus returned after paying for a thing in a round sum. Hence a slang expression used when a person receives a “settler” in the shape of either a repartee or a blow—“Take your CHANGE out of that!”

~Chap~, a fellow, a boy; “a low CHAP,” a low fellow—abbreviation of CHAPMAN, a huckster. Used by _Byron_ in his _Critical Remarks_.

~Chapel~, a printers’ assembly, held for the purpose of discussing differences between employer and workmen, trade regulations, or other matters. The term is scarcely slang, but some “comps” ask its insertion in this work.

~Chapel.~ An undergrad is expected to attend seven out of the fourteen services in chapel each week, and to let four or five be morning chapels. Occasionally a Don—the Dean as a rule—will “CHAPEL” him, that is, order him to attend to worship his Creator twice daily. The Bible clerk “pricks the list,” _i.e._, marks down the names of all present.—_Univ._

~Chapel-of-ease.~ _French_, CABINET D’AISANCE, a house of office.

~Chariot-buzzing~, picking pockets in an omnibus.

~Charley~, a watchman, a beadle. Almost obsolete now.

~Charley-pitcher~, a low, cheating gambler.

~Charlies~, a woman’s breasts. Also called dairies and bubbies.

~Chats~, lice, or body vermin. _Prov._, any small things of the same kind.

~Chatter-basket~, common term for a prattling child amongst nurses.

~Chatter-box~, an incessant talker or chatterer.

~Chatty~, a filthy person, one whose clothes are not free from vermin; CHATTY DOSS, a lousy bed. A CHATTY DOSSER or a CRUMMY DOSSER is a filthy tramp or houseless wanderer.

~Chaunt~, to sing the contents of any paper in the streets. CANT, as applied to vulgar language, may have been derived from CHAUNT.

~Chaunt~, “to CHAUNT the play,” to explain the tricks and manœuvres of thieves.

~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. 7_s._ 6_d._ was the usual fee, and in three hours the ballad might be heard in St. Paul’s Churchyard, or other public spot. Strange as it may appear, there are actually two men in London at the present day who gain their living in this way. Very recently they were singing before the establishment of a fashionable tailor in Regent Street; and not long since they were bawling their doggrel rhymes outside the mansion of a Norfolk M.P., in Belgravia.[57]

~Chaunters~, those street sellers of ballads, last copies of verses, and other broadsheets, who sang or bawled the contents of their papers. They often termed themselves PAPER WORKERS. Cheap evening papers and private executions have together combined to improve these folks’ occupations off the face of the earth. _See_ HORSE-CHAUNTERS.

~Chaw~, to chew; CHAW UP, to get the better of one, finish him up; CHAWED UP, utterly done for.

~Chaw-bacon~, a rustic. Derived from the popular idea that a countryman lives entirely on bread and fat bacon. A country clown, a joskin, a yokel, a clodcrusher. These terms are all exchangeable.

~Chaw over~, to repeat one’s words with a view to ridicule.

~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, who put an article up at a high price, and then cheapen it by degrees, indulging all the time 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 licence.—_See_ DUTCH AUCTION.

~Checks~, counters used in games at cards. In the Pacific States of America a man who is dead is said to have handed (or passed) in his checks. The gamblers there are responsible for many of the colloquialisms current.

~Chee-Chee~, this word is used in a rather offensive manner to denote Eurasians,[58] or children by an English father and native mother. It takes its origin in a very common expression of half-caste females, “CHEE-CHEE,” equivalent to our Oh, fie!—Nonsense!—For shame!—_Anglo-Indian._

~Cheek~, share or portion; “where’s my CHEEK?” where is my allowance? “All to his own CHEEK,” all to himself.

~Cheek~, impudence, assurance; CHEEKY, saucy or forward.

~Cheek~, to irritate by impudence, to accuse.

~Cheek by Jowl~, side by side—said often of persons in such close confabulation that their faces almost touch.

~Cheese~, anything good, first-rate in quality, genuine, pleasant, or advantageous, is termed the CHEESE. The _London Guide_, 1818, says it was from some young fellows translating “c’est une autre CHOSE” into “that is another CHEESE.” But the expression CHEESE may be found in the Gipsy vocabulary, and in the Hindostanee and Persian languages. In the last CHIZ means a thing—that is the thing, _i.e._, the CHEESE.

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

~Cheesecutter~, a prominent and aquiline nose. Also a large square peak to a cap. Caps fitted with square peaks are called cheesecutter caps.

~Cheesemongers~, once a popular name for the First Lifeguards. Until the Peninsular War the First Lifeguards, from their almost exclusive service at home, were nicknamed CHEESEMONGERS. This term then fell into desuetude; but at Waterloo the commanding officer of the regiment had not forgotten it, and when leading his men to the charge, called out, “Come on, you damned CHEESEMONGERS!” an invitation complied with so readily, that the title was restored, with the difference that it was no longer a word of reproach.

~Cheesy~, fine or showy. The opposite of “dusty.”

~Cherry-bums~, or CHERUBIMS, a nickname given to the 11th Hussars, from their crimson trousers.

~Cherry-colour~, either red or black, as you wish; a term used in a cheating trick at cards. When the cards are being dealt, a knowing one offers to bet that he will tell the colour of the turn-up card. “Done!” says Mr. Green. The sum being named, Mr. Sharp affirms that it will be CHERRY-COLOUR; and as cherries are either black or red, he wins, leaving his victim a wiser man, it is to be hoped, and not a _better_ for the future. It may be as well for the habitually unfortunate to know that wagers of this kind are not recoverable even according to the sporting code, which disacknowledges all kinds of catch-bets.

~Cherry-merry~, a present of money. CHERRY-MERRY-BAMBOO, a beating.—_Anglo-Indian._

~Cherubs~, or still more vulgarly, CHERUBIMS, the chorister boys who chaunt in the services at the abbeys and cathedrals. Possibly because in some places their heads alone are visible.

~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.[59]

~Chicken~, a term applied to anything young, small, or insignificant; CHICKEN STAKES, small paltry stakes; “she’s no CHICKEN,” said of an old maid.

~Chicken-hearted~, cowardly, fearful. With about the amount of pluck a chicken in a fright might be supposed to possess.

~Chi-ike~, to hail in a rough though friendly manner; to support by means of vociferation.

~Chi-ike~, a hail; a good loud word of hearty praise; term used by the costermongers, who assist the sale of each other’s goods by a little friendly, although noisy, commendation.

~Children’s Shoes~ (to make), to be made nought of.—_See_ SHOES.

~Chill~, to warm, as beer. This at first seems like reversing the order of things, but it is only a contraction of “take the CHILL off.”

~Chimney-Sweep~, the aperient mixture commonly called a _black draught_.

~Chin-chin~, a salutation, a compliment.—_Anglo-Chinese._

~Chink~, or CHINKERS, money.—_Ancient._ Derivation obvious.

~Chin-wag~, officious impertinence.

~Chip of the Old Block~, a child which physically or morally resembles its father. BROTHER CHIP, one of the same trade or profession. Originally brother carpenter, now general.

~Chips~, money; also a nickname for a carpenter.—_Sea._

~Chirp~, to give information, to “peach.”

~Chisel~, to cheat, to take a slice off anything. Hence the old conundrum: “Why is a carpenter like a swindler?—Because he chisels a deal.”

~Chit~, a letter; corruption of a _Hindoo_ word.—_Anglo-Indian._

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

~Chivalry~, coition. Probably a corruption from the _Lingua Franca_. Perhaps from CHEVAULCHER.

~Chive~, or CHIVEY, a shout, a halloo, or cheer; loud tongued. Probably from CHEVY-CHASE, a boy’s game, in which the word CHEVY is bawled aloud. Dickens uses the word CHIVEY in _Bleak House_ rather freely, but there it is from the other phase of CHEVY-CHASE which follows.

~Chive~, a knife; also used as a verb, to knife. In all these cases the word is pronounced as though written CHIV or CHIVVY.

~Chive-Fencer~, a street hawker of cutlery.

~Chivey~, to chase round, or hunt about. Apparently from CHEVY-CHASE.—_See_ above.

~Choakee~, or CHOKEY, the black hole.—_Military Anglo-Indian._ Chokey is also very vulgar slang for prison.

~Chock-Full~, full till the scale comes down with a shock. Originally CHOKE-FULL, and used in reference to theatres and places of amusement.

~Choke Off~, to get rid of. Bulldogs can only be made to loose their hold by choking them.[60] Suggestively to get rid of a man by saying something to him which “sticks in his gizzard.”