Chapter V (7)

_Damber_, or _Dimber_, a rascal.

_Dancers_, stairs.

_Darkmans_, night.

_Dash_, a tavern drawer.

_Dawbe_, a bribe or reward for secret service.

_Decus_, a crown.

_Degen_, a sword.

_Diddle_, gin.

_Diggers_, spurs.

_Dimber Damber_, a top-man among the canting crew; also the chief rogue of the gang, or the greatest cheat.

_Dimbermort_, a pretty wench.

_Doash_, a cloak.

_Dobin rig_, stealing ribbons from haberdashers early in the morning, or late at night, generally practised by women in the disguise of maid-servants,

_Doctor_, milk and water, with a little rum and some nutmeg; also the name of a composition used by distillers, to make spirits appear stronger than they really are.

_Doctors_, loaded dice that will run but two or three chances--they put the doctors upon him; they cheated him with loaded dice.

_Dodsey_, a woman; perhaps a corruption of Doxey.

_Downy cove_, a smart fellow.

_Drumbelow_, a dull fellow.

_Dunnikin_, a necessary, or little-house.

_Dunaker_, a stealer of cows and calves.

_Eriffs_, rogues just initiated, and beginning to practise.

_Eternity box_, a coffin.

_Facer_, a bumper without lip room.

_Families_, rings.

_Famms_, hands.

_Fastener_, a warrant.

_Fawney_, a ring.

_Feeder_, a spoon:--to nab the feeder; to steal a spoon.

_Fermerdy beggars_, all those who have not the sham sores or clymes.

_Ferret_, a pawnbroker or tradesman, that sells goods to young spendthrifts upon trust, at excessive rates, and then hunts them without mercy, and often throws them into jail, where they perish for their debt.

_Fidlam Ben_, general thieves; called also St. Peter's sons, having every finger a fish-hook.

_Flag_, a groat.

_Flash_, a periwig.

_Flaybottomist_, a bum-thrasher, or schoolmaster.

_Flick_, old-fashioned, or sly.

_Flicker_, a drinking-glass.

_Flicking_, to cut, cutting; as flick me some panea and cassan, cut me some bread and cheese.

_Flute_, the recorder of London, or any other town.

_Flyers_, shoes or boots.

_Fogus_, tobacco: tip me a gage of fogus; give me a pipe of tobacco.

_Froglanders_, Dutchmen.

_Frummagemmed_, choked, strangled, or hanged.

_Furmen_, aldermen.

_Gaberlunzie_, a beggar.

_Gan_, a mouth.

_Gans_, the lips.

_Gage_, a liquor pot, or a tobacco pipe.

_George_, a half-crown piece.

_Gem_, a fire.

_Gentry cove_, a gentleman.

_Gibberish_, the cant language of thieves and gipseys, called pedlars's French, St. Giles's Greek, and the Flash tongue: also the mystic language of Geber, used by chemists. Gibberish likewise means a sort of disguised language, formed by inserting any consonant between each syllable of an English word; in which case it is called the gibberish of the letter inserted; if _f_, it is the _f_ gibberish; if _g_, the _g_ gibberish; as in the sentence, How do you do? Howg dog youg dog?

_Gigg_, a nose: snitchell his gigg; fillip his nose: grunter's gigg; a hog's snout. Gigg is also a high one-horse chaise.

_Gipseys_, a set of wandering vagrants found in the country. When a fresh recruit is admitted into this fraternity, he is to take the following oath, administered by the principal maunder, after going through the annexed forms:--

First, a new name is given him, by which he is ever after to be called; then standing up in the middle of the assembly, and directing his face to the dimber damber, or principal man of the gang, he repeats the following oath, which is dictated to him by some experienced member of the fraternity:

I, Crank Cuffin, do swear to be a true brother, and that I will in all things obey the commands of the great tawney prince, and keep his council, and not divulge the secrets of my brethren.

I will never leave nor forsake the company, but observe and keep all the times of appointment, either by day or night in every place whatever.

I will not teach any one to cant, nor will I disclose any of our mysteries to them.

I will take my prince's part against all that shall oppose him, or any of us, according to the utmost of my ability: nor will I suffer him, or any one belonging to us, to be abused by any strange abrams, rufflers, hookers, pailliards, swaddlers, Irish toyles, swigmen, whip jacks, jarkmen, bawdy baskets, domerars, clapper dogeons, patricoes, or curtails; but will defend him or them, as much as I can, against all other outliers whatever. I will not conceal aught I win out of libkins, or from the ruffmans, but I will preserve it for the use of the company. Lastly, I will cleave to my doxy-wap stiffly, and will bring her duds, margery praters, goblers, grunting cheats, or tibs of the buttery, or any thing else I can come at, as winnings for her wappings.

_Gigger_, a door.

_Globe_, pewter.

_Glue-pot_, a parson; from joining men and women together in matrimony.

_Glaziers_, eyes.

_Glim_, a dark lantern.

_Glimfenders_, hand-irons.

_Glim_, a candle.

_Glimstick_, a candlestick.

_Gaoler's coach_, a hurdle.

_Goose Riding_: a goose, whose neck is greased, being suspended by the legs to a cord tied to two trees or high posts, a number of men on horseback, riding full speed, attempt to pull off the head; which if they effect, the goose is their prize. This has been practised in Derbyshire within the memory of persons now living.

_Grannan gold_, old hoarded coin.

_Green bag_, a lawyer.

_Grig_, a farthing.

_Gropers_, blind men.

_Gutter-lane_, the throat.

_Hammer_, a great lie, a rapper.

_Halberhead_, a silly foolish fellow.

_Half nab_, at a venture, unsight, unseen, hit or miss.

_Half-borde_ sixpence.

_Hams_, breeches.

_Hamlet_, a high constable.

_Hand-me-downs_, second-hand clothes.

_Hanktel_, a silly fellow, a mere cod's-head.

_Hansan kelder_, a jack in the box, the child in the womb, or a health to it.

_Harman_, a constable.

_Harmanbeck_, a beadle.

_Hawk_, a sharper.

_Hazel gold_, to beat any one with a stick.

_Hearingcheats_, ears.

_Heaver_, the breast.

_Hell_, the place where the tailors lay up their cabbage or remnants, which are sometimes very large.

_Hempen widow_, one whose husband was hanged.

_Henfright_, those commanders and officers who are absolutely swayed by their wives.

_High tide_, when the pocket is full of money.

_Hocus_, disguised in liquor, drunk.

_Hodmendods_, snails in their shells.

_Hoggrubber_, a close-fisted, narrow-minded, sneaking fellow.

_Hop-merchant_, a dancing-master.

_Hum-box_, a pulpit.

_Humpty-dumpty_, ale boiled with brandy.

_Hums_, persons at church.

_Huskylour_, a job, a guinea.

_Iron doublet_, a parson.

_Itchland_, Ireland.

_Jackrum_, a licence.

_Jack Adams_, a fool.

_Jack-a-dandy_, a little insignificant fellow.

_Jack-in-a-box_, a sharper or cheat.

_Jack-at-a-pinch_, a poor hackney parson.

_Jacobites_, sham or collar shirts.

_Jack_, a seal.

_Jet_, a lawyer

_Ken_, a house.

_Kicks_, breeches.

_Kill devil_, row.

_Kinchin_, a little child.

_King's pictures_, money of any description.

_Laced mutton_, a woman.

_Lag_, last; lagging behind, to be hindmost.

_Lage_, water.

_Lage duds_, a buck of clothes.

_Lambskin men_, the judges of several courts.

_Lansprisado_, he that comes into company with only two-pence in his pocket.

_Lantern_. _A dark lantern_, the servant or agent that receives the bribe at court.

_Libben_, a private dwelling-house.

_Libbege_, a bed.

_Lifter_, a crutch.

_Lightmans_, the day, or day-break.

_Line of the old author_, a dram of brandy.

_Little Barbary_, Wapping.

_Lop'd_, run away; he lop'd up the dancers, he whipped up the dancers.

_Loge_, a watch.

_Louse-trap_, a comb.

_Low tide_, when there's no money in a man's pocket.

_Lushy cove_, a drunken man.

_Maik_, a halfpenny.

_Mannikin_, a dwarf or diminutive fellow.

_Maunders_, beggars.

_Maundering breath_, scolding.

_Meggs_, guineas.

_Meet_, to spend money.

_Millclapper_, a woman's tongue.

_Mist_, a contraction of commission, signifying a shirt, smock or sheet.

_Mishtopper_, a coat or petticoat.

_Moabites_, sergeants, bailiffs, and their crew.

_Moon-curser_, a link-boy.

_Mower_, a cow.

_Muck_, money, wealth.

_Muttonmonger_, a lover of women.

_Mutton in long coats_, women; a leg of mutton in a silk stocking, a woman's leg.

_Nab_, a hat, cap, or head; also a coxcomb.

_Ne'er a face but his own_, not a penny in his pocket.

_Nim gimmer_, a doctor, a surgeon, an apothecary.

_Nubbing cheat_, the gallows.

_Nut-crackers_, a pillory.

_Oak_, a rich man of good substance and credit.

_Ogles_, eyes.

_Old flick_ a knowing fellow.

_One in ten_, a parson.

_Pad-the-hoof_, journeying on foot.

_Panum_, bread.

_Panter_, a heart.

_Pantler_, a butler.

_Peaches_, discovers, informs.

_Peeper_, a looking-glass.

_Peter_, a portmanteau, or cloak-bag.

_Peg tandrums_, as, gone to peg tandrums, dead.

_Penance boards_, a pillory.

_Penthouse nab_, a very broad-brimmed hat.

_Periwinkle_, a peruke or wig.

_Philistines_, sergeants, bailiffs, and their crew.

_Porker_, a sword.

_Property_, a mere tool or implement to serve a turn; a cat's foot.

_Prig_, a thief.

_Quail pipe_, a woman's tongue.

_Queer cuffin_, a justice of peace, also, a churl.

_Rabbit suckers_, young spendthrifts, taking goods on tick of pawnbrokers or tallymen, at excessive rates.

_Rattling_ cove, a coachman.

_Red rag_, a tongue; _your red rag will never lie still_, your tongue will never be quiet.

_Regraters_, forestallers in markets.

_Ribben_, money.

_Rotan_, a coach, or wagon, or any thing that runs upon wheels, but principally a cart.

_Royster_, a rude roaring fellow.

_Ruffin_, the devil.

_Ruffmans_, the woods or bushes.

_Rumbeck_, a justice of peace.

_Rumbo_, a prison.

_Rumboozling welts_, bunches of grapes.

_Rumboyled_, sought after with a warrant.

_Rum clank_, a large silver tankard.

_Rum degen_, a silver-hilted or inlaid sword.

_Rumdropper_, a vintner.

_Rum ogle's_, fine, bright, clear, piercing eyes.

_Rum-strum_, a long wig.

_Rum-swag_, full of riches.

_Scab_, a sixpence.

_School butter_, a whipping.

_Sconce_, to run in debt, to cheat.

_Seeds_, poor, moneyless, exhausted.

_Setters_, or _setting-dogs_, they that draw in bubbles for old gamesters to rook; also a sergeant's yeoman, or bailiff's follower; also an excise-officer.

_Sharper_, a swindler, a cheat.

_Sharper's tools_, false dice.

_Shot_, clapped or poxed.

_Shove the tumbler_, whipped at the cart's tail.

_Skin-flint_, a griping, sharping, close clown; also, the same as flat.

_Smearer_, a painter, or plasterer.

_Smeller_, a nose.

_Smelling cheat_, a nosegay; also an orchard, a garden.

_Smiter_, an arm.

_Smug_, a blacksmith, also neat and spruce.

_Smite_, to wipe or slap.

_Snitch_, to eye or see any body; the cub snitches, the man eyes or sees you.

_Snout_, a hogshead.

_Sack_, a pocket.

_Shanks's naigs_, the feet.

_Snacks_, full share.

_Son of prattlement_, a lawyer.

_Soul driver_, a parson.

_South-sea mountain_, Geneva.

_Sow's baby_, a pig.

_Spanish money_, fair words and compliments.

_Spanks_, money, gold or silver.

_Specked wiper_, a coloured handkerchief.

_Spiritual flesh-broker_, a parson.

_Split fig_, a grocer.

_Splitter of causes_, a lawyer.

_Spoil pudding_, a parson who makes his morning sermon too long.

_Squeel_, an informer.

_Squirrish_, foolish.

_Stamps_, legs.

_Stampers_, shoes, or carriers.

_Stick flams_, a pair of gloves.

_Stoter_, a heavy blow.

_Strapper_, a handsome woman.

_Strommel_, straw.

_Strum_, a periwig.

_Stubble it_, hold your tongue.

_Suit and cloak_, good store of brandy, or agreeable liquor.

_Supouch_, a hostess or landlady.

_Swag_, a shop.

_Swell cove_, a man with plenty of money.

_Tagmans_, a gown or cloak.

_Tanner_, a sixpence.

_Tears of the tankard_, drops of good liquor that falls aside.

_Thrums_, threepence.

_Tickler_, a knowing fellow.

_Tile_, a hat.

_Tip of the buttery_, a goose.

_Tip_, to give or lend.

_Tip's your flipper_, give us a shake of your hand.

_Toggery_, clothes.

_Top diver_, a lover of women.

_Topping cheat_, the gallows.

_Topping cove_, the hangman.

_Topt_, to go out sharp, to be upon one's guard.

_To twig_, to disengage, to sunder, to break off.

_To twig the darbies_, to knock of the irons.

_Track_, to go.

_Trees_, wins threepence.

_Trib_, a prison.

_Trine_, to hang, also Tyburn.

_Troch_, a drunkard.

_Trooper_, a half-crown.

_Trundles_, pease.

_Tumbler_, a cart.

_Turkey merchant_, driver of turkeys.

_Vampers_, stockings.

_Velvet_, a tongue.

_To tip the velvet_, to tongue a woman.

_Vinegar_, a cloak.

_Wattles_, ears.

_Whack_, a share.

_Whids_, words.

_Whipshire_, Yorkshire.

_Whoball_, a milkmaid.

_Whisker_, a great lie.

_White wool_, silver money.

_Whibble_, sad drink.

_Whiddle_, to tell or discover: he whiddles, he peaches: he whiddles the whole scrap, he discovers all he knows: the cull whiddled because they would not tip him a snack, the fellow peached because they would not give him a share: they whiddle beef and we must brush, they cry out thieves and we must make off.

_Whinyard_, a sword.

_Whip off_, to run away, to drink off greedily, to snatch: he whipped away from home, went to the alehouse, where he whipped off a full tankard, and coming back whipped off a fellow's hat from his head.

_White swelling_, a woman big with child is said to have a white swelling.

_Witcher_, a silver bowl.

_Wing_, a penny.

_Womblety cropt_, the indisposition of a drunkard after a debauch in wine or other liquors.

_Wooden Ruff_, a pillory; he wore the wooden ruff, he stood in the pillory.

_Word-pecker_, one that plays with words, a punster.

_Yam_, to eat heartily, to stuff lustily.

_Yarmouth-capon_, a red herring.

_Yarum_, milk, or food made of milk.

_Yellow George_, a guinea.

_Yelper_, a town-crier; also one subject to complain or make a pitiful lamentation.

_Znees_, frost, or frozen.

_Zneesy weather_, frosty weather.

Footnotes

{12} As it has been long a dispute among the learned and travellers, whether or no there are cannibals or man-eaters existing, it may seem something strange that we should assert there is, beyond all doubt, one of that species often seen lurking near St. Paul's, in the city of London, and other parts of that city, seeking whom he may devour.

{58a} Hats or caps.

{58b} Pointing to the new made king.

{58c} Constables.

{58d} Justices of the Peace, or churls,

{58e} A Beggar.

PRINTED BY WILLIAM WALKER, OTLEY.