“Whene’er to slumber you incline,Take ashortNAPat 4 and 9.”—1844.FOU, slightly intoxicated.—Scotch.FOURTH, orFOURTH COURT, the court appropriated to thewater-closets at Cambridge; from its really being No. 4 at Trinity College. A man leaving his room to go to thisFOURTH COURT, writes on his door “gone to theFOURTH,” or, in algebraic notation, “GONE 4”—the Cambridge slang phrase.FOX, to cheat or rob.—Eton College.FOXING, watching in the streets for any occurrence which may be turned to a profitable account.—SeeMOOCHING.FOXING, to pretend to be asleep like a fox, which is said to take its rest with one eye open.FOXY, rank, tainted.—Lincolnshire.FREE, to steal—generally applied to horses.FREE AND EASY, a club held at most public houses, the members of which meet in the taproom or parlour for the purpose of drinking, smoking, and hearing each other sing and “talk politics.” The name indicates the character of the proceedings.FREEMAN’S QUAY, “drinking atFREEMAN’S QUAY,”i.e., at another’s cost. This quay was formerly a celebrated wharf near London Bridge, and the saying arose from the beer which was given gratis to porters and carmen who went there on business.FRENCH CREAM, brandy.FRENCH LEAVE, to leave or depart slyly, without saying anything.FRESH, said of a person slightly intoxicated.FRISK, to search;FRISKED, searched by a constable or other officer.FRISK A CLY, to empty a pocket.FRIZZLE, champagne.FROG, a policeman.FRONTISPIECE, the face.FROW, a girl, or wife.German,FRAU;Dutch,VROUW.FRUMMAGEMMED, annihilated, strangled, garotted, or spoilt.—Old cant.FRUMP, a slatternly woman, a gossip.—Ancient.FRUMP, to mock, or insult.—Beaumont and Fletcher.FUDGE, nonsense, stupidity.Todd and Richardsononly trace the word toGoldsmith.Disraeli, however, gives the origin to a Captain Fudge, a great fibber, who told monstrous stories, which made his crew say in answer to any improbability,“youFUDGEit!”—See Remarks on the Navy, 1700.FULLAMS, false dice, which always turn up high.—Shakes.FULLY, “to beFULLIED,” to be committed for trial. From the slang of the penny-a-liner, “the prisoner wasfullycommitted for trial.”FUNK, to smoke out.—North.FUNK, trepidation, nervousness, cowardice. ToFUNK, to be afraid, or nervous.FUNNY-BONE, the extremity of the elbow—or rather, the muscle which passes round it between the two bones, a blow on which causes painful tingling in the fingers. Facetiously derived, from its being the extremity of thehumerus(humorous).FYE-BUCK, a sixpence.Nearly obsolete.GAB,GABBER, orGABBLE, talk; “gift of theGAB,” loquacity, or natural talent for speech-making.—Anglo Norman.GAD, a trapesing, slatternly woman.—Gipsey.Anglo Saxon,GADELYNG.GADDING THE HOOF, going without shoes.Gadding, roaming about, although used in an old translation of the Bible, is now only heard amongst the lower orders.GAFF, a fair, or penny-playhouse.—SeePENNY GAFF.GAFFING, tossing halfpence, or counters.—North, where it means tossing up three pennies.GALENY, old cant term for a fowl of any kind; now a respectable word in the West of England, signifying a Guinea fowl.—Vide Grose.Latin,GALLINA.GALLAVANT, to wait upon the ladies.—Old.GALORE, abundance.Irish,GO LEOR, in plenty.GALLOWS, very, or exceedingly—a disgusting exclamation; “GALLOWSpoor,” very poor.GAME, a term variously applied; “are youGAME?” have you courage enough? “what’s your littleGAME?” what are you going to do? “come, none of yourGAMES,” be quiet, don’t annoy me; “on theGAME,” out thieving.GAMMON, to hoax, to deceive merrily, to laugh at a person, to tell an untrue but plausible story, to make game of, or in the provincial dialect, to makeGAME ON; “who’s thou makin’ thyGAM’ ON?”i.e., who are you making a fool of?—Yorkshire.GAMMON, deceit, humbug, a false and ridiculous story.Anglo Saxon,GAMEN, game, sport.GAMMY, bad, unfavourable, poor tempered. Those householders who are known enemies to the street folk and tramps, are pronounced by them to beGAMMY.Gammysometimes means forged, as “GAMMY-MONEKER,” a forged signature;GAMMY STUFF, spurious medicine;GAMMY LOWR, counterfeit coin.Hants,GAMY, dirty. The hieroglyphic used by beggars and cadgers to intimate to those of the tribe coming after that things are not very favourable, is known as□ [Square], orGAMMY.GAMMY-VIAL (Ville), a town where the police will not let persons hawk.GANDER MONTH, the period when the monthly nurse is in the ascendant, and the husband has to shift for himself.GAR, euphuistic corruption of the title of the Deity; “beGAR, you don’t say so!”—Franco-English.GARRET, the head.GARRET, the fob pocket.GARGLE, medical student Slang for physic.GAS, “to give a personGAS,” to scold him or give him a good beating. Synonymous with “to give himJESSIE.”GASSY, liable to “flare up” at any offence.GATTER, beer; “shant ofGATTER,” a pot of beer. A curious street melody, brimful and running over with slang, known in Seven Dials asBet, the Coaley’s Daughter, thus mentions the word in a favourite verse:—“But when I strove my flame to tellSays she, ‘Come, stow that patter,’If you’re acovewot likes a galVy don’t youstandsomeGATTER?In courseI instantly complied—Two brimming quarts of porter,With fourgoesof gin beside,Drained Bet the Coaley’s daughter.”GAWFS, cheap red-skinned apples, a favourite fruit with costermongers, who rub them well with a piece of cloth, and find ready purchasers.GAWKY, a lanky, or awkward person; a fool.Saxon,GEAC;Scotch,GOWK.GAY, loose, dissipated; “GAYwoman,” a kept mistress, or prostitute.GEE, to agree with, or be congenial to a person.GEN, a shilling. Also,GENT, silver. Abbreviation of theFrench,ARGENT.GENT, a contraction of “gentleman,”—in more senses than one. A dressy, showy, foppish man, with a little mind, who vulgarises the prevailing fashion.GENT, silver. From theFrench,ARGENT.GET-UP, a person’s appearance, or general arrangements. Probably derived from the decorations of a play.“There’s so muchGETTING UPto please the town,It takes a precious deal of coming down.”Planché’s Mr. Buckstone’s Ascent of Parnassus.GHOST, “theGHOSTdoes’ntwalk,”i.e., the manager is too poor to pay salaries as yet.—Theat.; Ho. Words, No. 183.GIB-FACE, properly the lower lip of a horse; “TO HANG ONE’S GIB,” to pout the lower lip, be angry or sullen.GIBBERISH, unmeaning jargon; the language of the Gipseys, synonymous withSLANG, anotherGipseyword. Somner says, “French,GABBER;Dutch,GABBEREN; and our ownGAB,GABBER; hence also, I take it, ourGIBBERISH, a kind of canting language used by a sort of rogues we vulgarly call Gipseys, agibble gabbleunderstood only among themselves.”—Gipsey.See Introduction.GIFFLE GAFFLE, nonsense.—SeeCHAFF.Icelandic,GAFLA.GIFT, any article which has been stolen and afterwards sold at a low price.GIG, a farthing. Formerly,GRIG.GIG, fun, frolic, a spree.“In search oflark, or some delicious gig,The mind delights on, when ’tis inprime twig.”Randall’s Diary, 1820.GIGLAMPS, spectacles. In my first edition I stated this to be aUniversityterm. Mr.Cuthbert Bede, however, in a communication toNotes and Queries, of which I have availed myself in the present edition, says—“If the compiler has taken this epithet fromVerdant Green, I can only say that I consider the word not to be a ‘University’ word in general, but as only due to the inventive genius of Mr. Bouncer in particular.” The term, however, has been adopted, and is now in general use.GILL, a homely woman; “Jack andGILL,” &c.—Ben Jonson.GILLS, the lower part of the face.—Bacon.“To grease one’sGILLS,” “to have a good feed,” or make a hearty meal.GILLS, shirt collars.GILT, money.German,GELD;Dutch,GELT.GIMCRACK, a bijou, a slim piece of mechanism.Old slangfor “a spruce wench.”—N. Bailey.GIN AND GOSPEL GAZETTE, theMorning Advertiser, so called from its being the organ of the dissenting party, and of the Licensed Victuallers’ Association. Sometimes termed theTAP TUB, or the’TIZER.GINGER, a showy, fast horse—as if he had beenFIGGEDwithGINGERunder his tail.GINGERLY, to do anything with great care.—Cotgrave.GINGER HACKLED, having flaxen light yellow hair.—SeeHACKLE.GINGUMBOB, a bauble.GIVE, to strike or scold; “I’llGIVEit to you,” I will thrash you. Formerly,to rob.GLASGOW MAGISTRATES, salt herrings.—Scotch.GLAZE, glass—generally applied to windows.GLIM, a light, a lamp; “dowse theGLIM,” put the candle out.—Sea, and old cant.GLIM LURK, a begging paper, giving a certified account of a dreadful fire—which never happened.GLOAK, a man.—Scotch.GLUMP, to sulk.GLUMPISH, of a stubborn, sulky temper.GNOSTICS, knowing ones, or sharpers.Nearly obsolete in this vulgar sense.GO, aGOof gin,a quartern of that liquor;GOis also synonymous with circumstance or occurrence; “a rummyGO,” and “a greatGO,” signify curious and remarkable occurrences; “noGO,” no good; “here’s a prettyGO!” here’s a trouble! “toGOthe jump,” to enter a house by the window; “all theGO,” in fashion.—SeeLITTLE GO.“Gemmen (says he), you all well knowThe joy there is whene’er we meet;It’s what I call the primestGO,And rightly named, ’tis—‘quite a treat.’”Jack Randall’s Diary, 1820.GO-ALONG, a thief.—Household Words, No. 183.GOB, the mouth; mucus, or saliva.—North.Sometimes used forGAB, talk—“There was a man calledJob,Dwelt in the land of Uz;He had a good gift of theGOB;The same case happen us.”Zach. Boyd.GOB, a portion.GODS, the people in the upper gallery of a theatre; “up amongst theGODS,” a seat amongst the low persons in the gallery—so named from the high position of the gallery, and the blue sky generally painted on the ceiling of the theatre; termed by theFrench,PARADIS.GODS, the quadrats used by printers in throwing on the imposing stone, similar to the movement in casting dice.—Printers’ term.GO IT, a term of encouragement, implying “keep it up!” Sometimes amplified toGO IT, YE CRIPPLES; said to have been a facetious rendering of the last line ofVirgil’s Eclogues—“Ite domum Saturæ, Venit Hesperus,ite capellæ;”or, “GO IT, YE CRIPPLES, CRUTCHES ARE CHEAP.”GOLDFINCH, a sovereign.GOLGOTHA, a hat, “place of a skull.”GOLOPSHUS, splendid, delicious, luscious.—Norwich.GOOSE, to ruin, or spoil. Also, to hiss a play.—Theatrical.GOOSE, a tailor’s pressing iron.—Originally a slang term, but now in most dictionaries.GOOSEBERRY, to “play up oldGOOSEBERRY” with any one, to defeat or silence a person in a quick or summary manner.GOOSECAP, a booby, or noodle.—Devonshire.GOOSER, a settler, or finishing blow.GORMED, a Norfolk corruption of a profane oath. So used by Mr. Peggotty, one of Dickens’ characters.GORGER, a swell, a well dressed, orgorgeousman—probably derived from that word.GOSPEL GRINDER, a city missionary, or tract distributor.GOSS, a hat—from the gossamer silk with which modern hats are made.GONNOF, orGUN, a fool, a bungler, an amateur pickpocket. A correspondent thinks this may be a corruption ofgone off, on the analogy ofGO-ALONG; but the term is really as old asChaucer’stime. During Kett’s rebellion in Norfolk, in the reign of Edward VI., a song was sung by the insurgents in which the term occurs—“The countryGNOFFES, Hob, Dick, and Hick,With clubbes and clouted shoon,Shall fill up Dussyn daleWith slaughtered bodies soone.”GOUROCK HAM, salt herrings. Gourock, on the Clyde, abouttwenty-five miles from Glasgow, was formerly a great fishing village.—Scotch.GOVERNMENT SIGNPOST, the gallows.GOVERNOR, a father, a master or superior person, an elder; “which way,GUV’NER, to Cheapside?”GRABB, to clutch, or seize.GRABBED, caught, apprehended.GRABBERS, the hands.GRACE-CARD, the ace of hearts.GRAFT, to work; “where are youGRAFTING?”i.e., where do you live, or work?GRANNY, to know, or recognise; “de yeGRANNYthe bloke?” do you know the man?GRANNY, importance, knowledge, pride; “take theGRANNYoff them as has white hands,” viz., remove their self-conceit.—Mayhew, vol. i., p. 364.GRAPPLING IRONS, fingers.—Sea.GRASS, “gone toGRASS,” dead,—a coarse allusion toburial; absconded, or disappeared suddenly; “oh, go toGRASS,” a common answer to a troublesome or inquisitive person,—possibly a corruption of “go toGRACE,” meaning, of course, a directly opposite fate.GRASS-WIDOW, an unmarried mother; a deserted mistress. In the United States, during the gold fever in California, it was common for an adventurer to put both hisGRASS-WIDOWand his children toschoolduring his absence.GRAVEL, to confound, to bother; “I’mGRAVELLED,”i.e., perplexed or confused.—Old.GRAVEL-RASH, a scratched face,—telling its tale of a drunken fall.GRAY-COAT-PARSON, a lay impropriator, or lessee of great tithes.GRAYS, orSCOTCH GRAYS, lice.—Scotch.GRAYS, halfpennies, with either two “heads” or two “tails,”—both sides alike.Low gamblersuseGRAYS, and they cost from 2d. to 6d. each.GREASE-SPOT, a minute remnant, the only distinguishable remains of an antagonist after a terrific contest.GREASING a man is bribing;SOAPINGis flattering him.GREEKS, the low Irish.St. giles’ greek, slang or cant language.CotgravegivesMERIE GREEKas a definition for aroystering fellow, a drunkard.—Shakespere.—SeeMEDICAL GREEK.GREEN, ignorant, not wide awake, inexperienced.—Shakespere.“Do you see anyGREENin my eye?” ironical question in a dispute.GREEN-HORN, a fresh, simple, or uninitiated person.GRIDDLER, a person who sings in the streets without a printed copy of the words.GRIEF, “to come toGRIEF,” to meet with an accident, be ruined.GRIFFIN, in India, a newly arrived cadet; general for an inexperienced youngster. “Fast” young men in London frequently term an umbrella aGRIFFIN.GRIND, “to take aGRIND,”i.e., a walk, or constitutional.—University.GRIND, to work up for an examination, to cram with aGRINDER, or private tutor.—Medical.GRINDERS, teeth.GROGGY, tipsy; when a prize-fighter becomes “weak on his pins,” and nearly beaten, he is said to beGROGGY.—Pugilistic.The same term is applied to horses in a similar condition.Old English,AGGROGGYD, weighed down, oppressed.—Prompt. Parvulorum.GRUB, meat, or food, of any kind,—GRUBsignifying food, andBUB, drink.GRUBBING-KEN, orSPINIKIN, a workhouse; a cook-shop.GRUBBY, musty, or old-fashioned.—Devonshire.GULFED, a University term, denoting that a man is unable to enter for the classical examination, from having failed in the mathematical. Candidates for classical honours were compelled to go in for both examinations. From the alteration of the arrangements the term is now obsolete.—Camb.GULPIN, a weak, credulous fellow.GUMMY, thick, fat—generally applied to a woman’s ancles, or to a man whose flabby person betokens him a drunkard.GUMPTION, orRUMGUMPTION, comprehension, capacity. FromGAUM, to comprehend; “I cannaGAUGEit, and I cannaGAUMit,” as a Yorkshire exciseman said of a hedgehog.GURRELL, a fob.GUTTER BLOOD, a low or vulgar man—Scotch.GUTTER LANE, the throat.GUY, a fright, a dowdy, an ill-dressed person. Derived from the effigy of Guy Fawkes carried about by boys on Nov. 5.GYP, an undergraduate’s valet atCambridge. Corruption ofGYPSEY JOE(Saturday Review); popularly derived by Cantabs from theGreek,GYPS(γύπς), a vulture, from their dishonest rapacity. AtOxfordthey are calledSCOUTS.HACKLE, “to showHACKLE,” to be willing to fight.Hacklesare the long feathers on the back of a cock’s neck, which he erects when angry,—hence the metaphor.HADDOCK, a purse.—SeeBEANS.HALF A BEAN, half a sovereign.HALF A BULL, two shillings and sixpence.HALF A COUTER, half a sovereign.HALF A HOG, sixpence; sometimes termedHALF A GRUNTER.HALF A STRETCH, six months in prison.HALF A TUSHEROON, half a crown.HALF AND HALF, a mixture of ale and porter, much affected by medical students; occasionallyLatinizedintoDIMIDIUM DIMIDIUMQUE.—SeeCOOPER.HALF BAKED, soft, doughy, half-witted, silly.HALF FOOLISH, ridiculous; means oftenwhollyfoolish.HALF JACK.—SeeJACKS.HALF ROCKED, silly, half-witted.—CompareHALF BAKED.HALF SEAS OVER, reeling drunk.—Sea.Used bySwift.HAND, a workman, or helper, a person. “A coolHAND,” explained by Sir Thomas Overbury to be “one who accounts bashfulness the wickedest thing in the world, and therefore studies impudence.”HANDER, a second, or assistant, in a prize fight.HANDLE, a nose; the title appended to a person’s name; also a term in boxing, “HANDLINGone’s fists.”HAND-SAW, orCHIVE FENCER, a man who sells razors and knives in the streets.HANDSELLER, orCHEAP JACK, a street or open air seller, a man who carries goods to his customers, instead of waiting for his customers to visit him.HANG OUT, to reside,—in allusion to the ancient custom ofhanging outsigns.HANGMAN’S WAGES, thirteenpence halfpenny.HANSEL, orHANDSALE, thelucky money, or first money taken inthe morning by a pedlar.—Cocker’s Dictionary, 1724. “Legs of mutton (street term for sheep’s trotters, or feet) two for a penny; who’ll give me aHANSEL? who’ll give me aHANSEL?”—Cry at Cloth Fair at the present day.Hence, earnest money, first fruits, &c. In Norfolk,HANSELLINGa thing, is using it for the first time, as wearing a new coat, taking seizin of it, as it were.—Anglo Saxon.N. Bailey.HA’PURTH OF LIVELINESS, the music at a low concert, or theatre.HARD LINES, hardship, difficulty.—Soldiers’ termfor hard duty on thelinesin front of the enemy.HARD UP, in distress, poverty stricken.—Sea.HARD-UPS, cigar-end finders, who collect the refuse pieces of smoked cigars from the gutter, and having dried them, sell them as tobacco to the very poor.HARRY, orOLD HARRY(i.e.Old Hairy?) the Devil; “to playOLD HARRYwith one,”i.e., ruin or annoy him.HARRY-SOPH (ἐρίσοφος, very wise indeed), an undergraduate in his last year of residence.—Cambridge.HASH, a mess, confusion; “a prettyHASHhe made of it;” toHASH UP, to jumble together without order or regularity.HATCHET, “to throw theHATCHET,” to tell lies.HAWSE HOLES, the apertures in a ship’s bows through which the cables pass; “he has crept in through theHAWSE-HOLES,” said of an officer who has risen from the grade of an ordinary seaman.—Navy.HAY BAG, a woman.HAZY, intoxicated.—Household Words, No. 183.HEAD OR TAIL, “I can’t makeHEAD OR TAILof it,”i.e., cannot make it out.HEAP, “aHEAPof people,” a crowd; “struck all of aHEAP,” suddenly astonished.HEAVY WET, porter or beer,—because the more a man drinks of it, the heavier he becomes.HEDGE, to secure a doubtful bet by making others.—Turf.HEEL-TAPS, small quantities of wine or other beverage left in the bottom of glasses, considered as a sign that the liquor is not liked, and therefore unfriendly and unsocial to the host and the company.HEIGH HO! a cant term for stolen yarn, from the expression used to apprize the dishonest manufacturer that the speaker has stolen yarn to sell.—Norwich cant.HELL, a fashionable gambling house. In printing offices, the term is generally applied to the old tin box in which is thrown the broken or spoilt type, purchased by the founders for re-casting.Nearly obsolete.HEN AND CHICKENS, large and small pewter pots.HEN-PECKED, said of one whose wife “wears the breeches.”HERRING POND, the sea; “to be sent across theHERRING POND,” to be transported.HIDING, a thrashing.Webstergives this word, but not its root,HIDE, to beat, flay by whipping.HIGGLEDY-PIGGLEDY, all together,—as hogs and pigs lie.HIGH AND DRY, an epithet applied to thesoi disant“orthodox” clergy of the last century, for whom, while ill-paid curates did the work, thecomfortsof the establishment were its greatest charms.“Wherein are various ranks, and due degrees,The Bench for honour, and the Stall for ease.”Though often confounded with, they are utterly dissimilar to, the modern High Church or Anglo-Catholic party. Their equally uninteresting opponents deserved the corresponding appellation ofLOW AND SLOW; while the so-called “Broad Church” is defined with equal felicity as theBROAD AND SHALLOW.HIGH FLY, “ON THE HIGH FLY,” on the begging or cadging system.HIGH JINKS, “ON THE HIGH JINKS,” taking up an arrogant position, assuming an undue superiority.HIGH-FLYER, a genteel beggar, or swindler.HIGH FLYERS, large swings, in frames, at fairs and races.HIGH-LOWS, laced boots reaching a trifle higher than ancle-jacks.HIGHFALUTEN, showy, affected, tinselled, affecting certain pompous or fashionable airs, stuck up; “come, none of yerHIGHFALUTENgames,”i.e., you must not show off or imitate the swell here.—Americanslang from theDutch,VERLOOTEN.HIP INSIDE, inside coat pocket.HIP OUTSIDE, outside coat pocket.HIVITE, a student of St. Begh’s College, Cumberland; pronouncedST. BEE’S.—University.HOAX, to deceive, or ridicule,—Grosesays was originally aUniversitycant word. Corruption ofHOCUS, to cheat.HOCKS, the feet;CURBY HOCKS, round or clumsy feet.HOCUS, to drug a person, and then rob him. TheHOCUSgenerally consists of snuff and beer.HOCUS POCUS, Gipsey words of magic, similar to the modern “presto fly.” The Gipseys pronounce “Habeas Corpus,”HAWCUS PACCUS(see Crabb’s Gipsey’s Advocate, p. 18); can this have anything to do with the origin ofHOCUS POCUS?TurnergivesOCHUS BOCHUS, an old demon. Pegge, however, states that it is a burlesque rendering of the words of the unreformed church service at the delivery of the host,HOC EST CORPUS, which the early Protestants considered as a species of conjuring, and ridiculed accordingly.HODGE, a countryman or provincial clown. I don’t know that it has been elsewhere remarked, but most country districts in England have one or more families of the name ofHODGE; indeed,GILESandHODGEappear to be the favourite hobnail nomenclature. Not in any way writing disrespectfully, was the slang word taken from Hog—with thegsoft, which gives thedgpronunciation? In old canting dictionariesHODGEstands for a country clown; so, indeed, doesROGER, another favourite provincial name.—Vide Bacchus and Venus.HOG, “to go the wholeHOG,” to do anything with a person’s entire strength, not “by halves;” realised by the phrase “in for a penny in for a pound.”Bartlettclaims this to be a pureAmericanphrase; whilstKer, of course, gives it aDutchorigin.—Old.HOG, a shilling.—Old cant.HOISTING, shoplifting.HOLLOW, “to beatHOLLOW,” to excel.HOLY LAND, Seven Dials,—where the St. Giles’ Greek is spoken.HOOK, to steal or rob.—See the following.HOOK OR BY CROOK, by fair means or foul—in allusion to the hook which footpads used to carry to steal from open windows, &c., and from whichHOOK, to take or steal, has been derived. Mentioned inHudibrasas a cant term.HOOK IT, “get out of the way,” or “be off about your business;” “TO HOOK IT,” to run away, to decamp; “on one’s ownHOOK,” dependant upon one’s own exertions.—See the preceding for derivation.HOOKS, “dropped off theHOOKS,” said of a deceased person—derived from the ancient practice of suspending on hooks the quarters of a traitor or felon sentenced by the old law to be hung, drawn, and quartered, and which dropped off the hooks as they decayed.HOOKEY WALKER! ejaculation of incredulity, usually shortened toWALKER!—which see. A correspondent thinksHOOKEY WALKERmay have been a certainHugh K. Walker.HOOK-UM SNIVEY (formerly “hookandsnivey”), a low expression meaning to cheat by feigning sickness or other means.Also a piece of thick iron wire crooked at one end, and fastened into a wooden handle, for the purpose of undoing from the outside the wooden bolt of a door.HOP, a dance.—Fashionable slang.HOP THE TWIG, to run away, orBOLT, which see.—Old.HOP-MERCHANT, a dancing-master.HOPPING GILES, a cripple. St. Ægidius or Giles, himself similarly afflicted, was their patron saint. The ancient lazar houses were dedicated to him.HORRID HORN, term of reproach amongst the street Irish, meaning a fool, or half-witted fellow. From theErseOMADHAUN, a brainless fellow. A correspondent suggestsHERRIDAN, a miserable old woman.HORRORS, the low spirits, or “blue devils,” which follow intoxication.HORSE, contraction of Horsemonger-lane Gaol.HORSE CHAUNTER, a dealer who takes worthless horses to country fairs and disposes of them by artifice. He is flexible in his ethics, and will put in a glass-eye, or perform other tricks.—SeeCOPER.HORSE NAILS, money.—CompareBRADS.HORSE’S NIGHTCAP, a halter; “to die in aHORSE’S NIGHTCAP,” to be hung.HORSE MARINE, an awkward person. In ancient times the “JOLLIES” or Royal Marines, were the butts of the sailors, from their ignorance of seamanship. “Tell that to theMARINES, the blue jackets won’t believe it!” was a common rejoinder to a “stiff yarn.” Now-a-days they are deservedly appreciated as the finest regiment in the service. AHORSE MARINE(an impossibility) was used to denote one more awkward still.HOT COPPERS, the feverish sensations experienced next morning by those who have been drunk over night.HOT TIGER, an Oxford mixture of hot-spiced ale and sherry.HOUSE OF COMMONS, a water-closet.HOXTER, an inside pocket.—Old English,OXTER.HUEY, a town or village.HUFF, to vex, or offend; a poor temper.HUFF, a dodge or trick; “don’t try thatHUFFon me,” or “thatHUFFwon’t do.”—Norwich.HULK, to hang about in hopes of an invitation.—SeeMOOCH.HULKY, extra sized.—Shropshire.HUM AND HAW, to hesitate, raise objections.—Old English.HUMBLE PIE, to “eatHUMBLE PIE,” to knock under, be submissive. TheUMBLES, or entrails of a deer, were anciently made into a dish for servants, while their masters feasted off the haunch.HUMBUG, an imposition, or a person who imposes upon others. A very expressive but slang word, synonymous at one time withHUM AND HAW. Lexicographers have fought shy at adopting this word. Richardson uses it frequently to express the meaning of other words, but omits it in the alphabetical arrangement as unworthy of recognition! In the first edition of this work, 1785 was given as the earliest date at which the word could be found in a printed book. Since then I have tracedHUMBUGhalf a century farther back, on the title-page of a singular old jest-book—“The Universal Jester; or a pocket companion for the Wits: being a choice collection of merry conceits, facetious drolleries, &c., clenchers, closers, closures, bon-mots, andHUMBUGS,” byFerdinando Killigrew. London, about 1735–40.I have also ascertained that the famous Orator Henley was known to the mob asOrator Humbug. The fact may be learnt from an illustration in that exceedingly curious little collection ofCaricatures, published in 1757, many of which were sketched by Lord Bolingbroke—Horace Walpole filling in the names and explanations.HalliwelldescribesHUMBUGas “a person who hums,” and cites Dean Milles’ MS., which was written about 1760. It has been stated that the word is a corruption of Hamburgh, from which town so many false bulletins and reports came during the war in the last century. “Oh, that isHamburgh[orHUMBUG],” was the answer to any fresh piece of news which smacked of improbability.Grosementions it in his Dictionary, 1785; and in a little printed squib, published in 1808, entitledBath Characters, byT. Goosequill,HUMBUGis thus mentioned in a comical couplet on the title page:—
“Whene’er to slumber you incline,Take ashortNAPat 4 and 9.”—1844.
“Whene’er to slumber you incline,Take ashortNAPat 4 and 9.”—1844.
“Whene’er to slumber you incline,
Take ashortNAPat 4 and 9.”—1844.
FOU, slightly intoxicated.—Scotch.
FOURTH, orFOURTH COURT, the court appropriated to thewater-closets at Cambridge; from its really being No. 4 at Trinity College. A man leaving his room to go to thisFOURTH COURT, writes on his door “gone to theFOURTH,” or, in algebraic notation, “GONE 4”—the Cambridge slang phrase.
FOX, to cheat or rob.—Eton College.
FOXING, watching in the streets for any occurrence which may be turned to a profitable account.—SeeMOOCHING.
FOXING, to pretend to be asleep like a fox, which is said to take its rest with one eye open.
FOXY, rank, tainted.—Lincolnshire.
FREE, to steal—generally applied to horses.
FREE AND EASY, a club held at most public houses, the members of which meet in the taproom or parlour for the purpose of drinking, smoking, and hearing each other sing and “talk politics.” The name indicates the character of the proceedings.
FREEMAN’S QUAY, “drinking atFREEMAN’S QUAY,”i.e., at another’s cost. This quay was formerly a celebrated wharf near London Bridge, and the saying arose from the beer which was given gratis to porters and carmen who went there on business.
FRENCH CREAM, brandy.
FRENCH LEAVE, to leave or depart slyly, without saying anything.
FRESH, said of a person slightly intoxicated.
FRISK, to search;FRISKED, searched by a constable or other officer.
FRISK A CLY, to empty a pocket.
FRIZZLE, champagne.
FROG, a policeman.
FRONTISPIECE, the face.
FROW, a girl, or wife.German,FRAU;Dutch,VROUW.
FRUMMAGEMMED, annihilated, strangled, garotted, or spoilt.—Old cant.
FRUMP, a slatternly woman, a gossip.—Ancient.
FRUMP, to mock, or insult.—Beaumont and Fletcher.
FUDGE, nonsense, stupidity.Todd and Richardsononly trace the word toGoldsmith.Disraeli, however, gives the origin to a Captain Fudge, a great fibber, who told monstrous stories, which made his crew say in answer to any improbability,“youFUDGEit!”—See Remarks on the Navy, 1700.
FULLAMS, false dice, which always turn up high.—Shakes.
FULLY, “to beFULLIED,” to be committed for trial. From the slang of the penny-a-liner, “the prisoner wasfullycommitted for trial.”
FUNK, to smoke out.—North.
FUNK, trepidation, nervousness, cowardice. ToFUNK, to be afraid, or nervous.
FUNNY-BONE, the extremity of the elbow—or rather, the muscle which passes round it between the two bones, a blow on which causes painful tingling in the fingers. Facetiously derived, from its being the extremity of thehumerus(humorous).
FYE-BUCK, a sixpence.Nearly obsolete.
GAB,GABBER, orGABBLE, talk; “gift of theGAB,” loquacity, or natural talent for speech-making.—Anglo Norman.
GAD, a trapesing, slatternly woman.—Gipsey.Anglo Saxon,GADELYNG.
GADDING THE HOOF, going without shoes.Gadding, roaming about, although used in an old translation of the Bible, is now only heard amongst the lower orders.
GAFF, a fair, or penny-playhouse.—SeePENNY GAFF.
GAFFING, tossing halfpence, or counters.—North, where it means tossing up three pennies.
GALENY, old cant term for a fowl of any kind; now a respectable word in the West of England, signifying a Guinea fowl.—Vide Grose.Latin,GALLINA.
GALLAVANT, to wait upon the ladies.—Old.
GALORE, abundance.Irish,GO LEOR, in plenty.
GALLOWS, very, or exceedingly—a disgusting exclamation; “GALLOWSpoor,” very poor.
GAME, a term variously applied; “are youGAME?” have you courage enough? “what’s your littleGAME?” what are you going to do? “come, none of yourGAMES,” be quiet, don’t annoy me; “on theGAME,” out thieving.
GAMMON, to hoax, to deceive merrily, to laugh at a person, to tell an untrue but plausible story, to make game of, or in the provincial dialect, to makeGAME ON; “who’s thou makin’ thyGAM’ ON?”i.e., who are you making a fool of?—Yorkshire.
GAMMON, deceit, humbug, a false and ridiculous story.Anglo Saxon,GAMEN, game, sport.
GAMMY, bad, unfavourable, poor tempered. Those householders who are known enemies to the street folk and tramps, are pronounced by them to beGAMMY.Gammysometimes means forged, as “GAMMY-MONEKER,” a forged signature;GAMMY STUFF, spurious medicine;GAMMY LOWR, counterfeit coin.Hants,GAMY, dirty. The hieroglyphic used by beggars and cadgers to intimate to those of the tribe coming after that things are not very favourable, is known as□ [Square], orGAMMY.
GAMMY-VIAL (Ville), a town where the police will not let persons hawk.
GANDER MONTH, the period when the monthly nurse is in the ascendant, and the husband has to shift for himself.
GAR, euphuistic corruption of the title of the Deity; “beGAR, you don’t say so!”—Franco-English.
GARRET, the head.
GARRET, the fob pocket.
GARGLE, medical student Slang for physic.
GAS, “to give a personGAS,” to scold him or give him a good beating. Synonymous with “to give himJESSIE.”
GASSY, liable to “flare up” at any offence.
GATTER, beer; “shant ofGATTER,” a pot of beer. A curious street melody, brimful and running over with slang, known in Seven Dials asBet, the Coaley’s Daughter, thus mentions the word in a favourite verse:—
“But when I strove my flame to tellSays she, ‘Come, stow that patter,’If you’re acovewot likes a galVy don’t youstandsomeGATTER?In courseI instantly complied—Two brimming quarts of porter,With fourgoesof gin beside,Drained Bet the Coaley’s daughter.”
“But when I strove my flame to tellSays she, ‘Come, stow that patter,’If you’re acovewot likes a galVy don’t youstandsomeGATTER?In courseI instantly complied—Two brimming quarts of porter,With fourgoesof gin beside,Drained Bet the Coaley’s daughter.”
“But when I strove my flame to tell
Says she, ‘Come, stow that patter,’
If you’re acovewot likes a gal
Vy don’t youstandsomeGATTER?
In courseI instantly complied—
Two brimming quarts of porter,
With fourgoesof gin beside,
Drained Bet the Coaley’s daughter.”
GAWFS, cheap red-skinned apples, a favourite fruit with costermongers, who rub them well with a piece of cloth, and find ready purchasers.
GAWKY, a lanky, or awkward person; a fool.Saxon,GEAC;Scotch,GOWK.
GAY, loose, dissipated; “GAYwoman,” a kept mistress, or prostitute.
GEE, to agree with, or be congenial to a person.
GEN, a shilling. Also,GENT, silver. Abbreviation of theFrench,ARGENT.
GENT, a contraction of “gentleman,”—in more senses than one. A dressy, showy, foppish man, with a little mind, who vulgarises the prevailing fashion.
GENT, silver. From theFrench,ARGENT.
GET-UP, a person’s appearance, or general arrangements. Probably derived from the decorations of a play.
“There’s so muchGETTING UPto please the town,It takes a precious deal of coming down.”Planché’s Mr. Buckstone’s Ascent of Parnassus.
“There’s so muchGETTING UPto please the town,It takes a precious deal of coming down.”Planché’s Mr. Buckstone’s Ascent of Parnassus.
“There’s so muchGETTING UPto please the town,
It takes a precious deal of coming down.”
Planché’s Mr. Buckstone’s Ascent of Parnassus.
GHOST, “theGHOSTdoes’ntwalk,”i.e., the manager is too poor to pay salaries as yet.—Theat.; Ho. Words, No. 183.
GIB-FACE, properly the lower lip of a horse; “TO HANG ONE’S GIB,” to pout the lower lip, be angry or sullen.
GIBBERISH, unmeaning jargon; the language of the Gipseys, synonymous withSLANG, anotherGipseyword. Somner says, “French,GABBER;Dutch,GABBEREN; and our ownGAB,GABBER; hence also, I take it, ourGIBBERISH, a kind of canting language used by a sort of rogues we vulgarly call Gipseys, agibble gabbleunderstood only among themselves.”—Gipsey.See Introduction.
GIFFLE GAFFLE, nonsense.—SeeCHAFF.Icelandic,GAFLA.
GIFT, any article which has been stolen and afterwards sold at a low price.
GIG, a farthing. Formerly,GRIG.
GIG, fun, frolic, a spree.
“In search oflark, or some delicious gig,The mind delights on, when ’tis inprime twig.”Randall’s Diary, 1820.
“In search oflark, or some delicious gig,The mind delights on, when ’tis inprime twig.”Randall’s Diary, 1820.
“In search oflark, or some delicious gig,
The mind delights on, when ’tis inprime twig.”
Randall’s Diary, 1820.
GIGLAMPS, spectacles. In my first edition I stated this to be aUniversityterm. Mr.Cuthbert Bede, however, in a communication toNotes and Queries, of which I have availed myself in the present edition, says—“If the compiler has taken this epithet fromVerdant Green, I can only say that I consider the word not to be a ‘University’ word in general, but as only due to the inventive genius of Mr. Bouncer in particular.” The term, however, has been adopted, and is now in general use.
GILL, a homely woman; “Jack andGILL,” &c.—Ben Jonson.
GILLS, the lower part of the face.—Bacon.“To grease one’sGILLS,” “to have a good feed,” or make a hearty meal.
GILLS, shirt collars.
GILT, money.German,GELD;Dutch,GELT.
GIMCRACK, a bijou, a slim piece of mechanism.Old slangfor “a spruce wench.”—N. Bailey.
GIN AND GOSPEL GAZETTE, theMorning Advertiser, so called from its being the organ of the dissenting party, and of the Licensed Victuallers’ Association. Sometimes termed theTAP TUB, or the’TIZER.
GINGER, a showy, fast horse—as if he had beenFIGGEDwithGINGERunder his tail.
GINGERLY, to do anything with great care.—Cotgrave.
GINGER HACKLED, having flaxen light yellow hair.—SeeHACKLE.
GINGUMBOB, a bauble.
GIVE, to strike or scold; “I’llGIVEit to you,” I will thrash you. Formerly,to rob.
GLASGOW MAGISTRATES, salt herrings.—Scotch.
GLAZE, glass—generally applied to windows.
GLIM, a light, a lamp; “dowse theGLIM,” put the candle out.—Sea, and old cant.
GLIM LURK, a begging paper, giving a certified account of a dreadful fire—which never happened.
GLOAK, a man.—Scotch.
GLUMP, to sulk.
GLUMPISH, of a stubborn, sulky temper.
GNOSTICS, knowing ones, or sharpers.Nearly obsolete in this vulgar sense.
GO, aGOof gin,a quartern of that liquor;GOis also synonymous with circumstance or occurrence; “a rummyGO,” and “a greatGO,” signify curious and remarkable occurrences; “noGO,” no good; “here’s a prettyGO!” here’s a trouble! “toGOthe jump,” to enter a house by the window; “all theGO,” in fashion.—SeeLITTLE GO.
“Gemmen (says he), you all well knowThe joy there is whene’er we meet;It’s what I call the primestGO,And rightly named, ’tis—‘quite a treat.’”Jack Randall’s Diary, 1820.
“Gemmen (says he), you all well knowThe joy there is whene’er we meet;It’s what I call the primestGO,And rightly named, ’tis—‘quite a treat.’”Jack Randall’s Diary, 1820.
“Gemmen (says he), you all well know
The joy there is whene’er we meet;
It’s what I call the primestGO,
And rightly named, ’tis—‘quite a treat.’”
Jack Randall’s Diary, 1820.
GO-ALONG, a thief.—Household Words, No. 183.
GOB, the mouth; mucus, or saliva.—North.Sometimes used forGAB, talk—
“There was a man calledJob,Dwelt in the land of Uz;He had a good gift of theGOB;The same case happen us.”Zach. Boyd.
“There was a man calledJob,Dwelt in the land of Uz;He had a good gift of theGOB;The same case happen us.”Zach. Boyd.
“There was a man calledJob,
Dwelt in the land of Uz;
He had a good gift of theGOB;
The same case happen us.”
Zach. Boyd.
GOB, a portion.
GODS, the people in the upper gallery of a theatre; “up amongst theGODS,” a seat amongst the low persons in the gallery—so named from the high position of the gallery, and the blue sky generally painted on the ceiling of the theatre; termed by theFrench,PARADIS.
GODS, the quadrats used by printers in throwing on the imposing stone, similar to the movement in casting dice.—Printers’ term.
GO IT, a term of encouragement, implying “keep it up!” Sometimes amplified toGO IT, YE CRIPPLES; said to have been a facetious rendering of the last line ofVirgil’s Eclogues—
“Ite domum Saturæ, Venit Hesperus,ite capellæ;”
“Ite domum Saturæ, Venit Hesperus,ite capellæ;”
or, “GO IT, YE CRIPPLES, CRUTCHES ARE CHEAP.”
GOLDFINCH, a sovereign.
GOLGOTHA, a hat, “place of a skull.”
GOLOPSHUS, splendid, delicious, luscious.—Norwich.
GOOSE, to ruin, or spoil. Also, to hiss a play.—Theatrical.
GOOSE, a tailor’s pressing iron.—Originally a slang term, but now in most dictionaries.
GOOSEBERRY, to “play up oldGOOSEBERRY” with any one, to defeat or silence a person in a quick or summary manner.
GOOSECAP, a booby, or noodle.—Devonshire.
GOOSER, a settler, or finishing blow.
GORMED, a Norfolk corruption of a profane oath. So used by Mr. Peggotty, one of Dickens’ characters.
GORGER, a swell, a well dressed, orgorgeousman—probably derived from that word.
GOSPEL GRINDER, a city missionary, or tract distributor.
GOSS, a hat—from the gossamer silk with which modern hats are made.
GONNOF, orGUN, a fool, a bungler, an amateur pickpocket. A correspondent thinks this may be a corruption ofgone off, on the analogy ofGO-ALONG; but the term is really as old asChaucer’stime. During Kett’s rebellion in Norfolk, in the reign of Edward VI., a song was sung by the insurgents in which the term occurs—
“The countryGNOFFES, Hob, Dick, and Hick,With clubbes and clouted shoon,Shall fill up Dussyn daleWith slaughtered bodies soone.”
“The countryGNOFFES, Hob, Dick, and Hick,With clubbes and clouted shoon,Shall fill up Dussyn daleWith slaughtered bodies soone.”
“The countryGNOFFES, Hob, Dick, and Hick,
With clubbes and clouted shoon,
Shall fill up Dussyn dale
With slaughtered bodies soone.”
GOUROCK HAM, salt herrings. Gourock, on the Clyde, abouttwenty-five miles from Glasgow, was formerly a great fishing village.—Scotch.
GOVERNMENT SIGNPOST, the gallows.
GOVERNOR, a father, a master or superior person, an elder; “which way,GUV’NER, to Cheapside?”
GRABB, to clutch, or seize.
GRABBED, caught, apprehended.
GRABBERS, the hands.
GRACE-CARD, the ace of hearts.
GRAFT, to work; “where are youGRAFTING?”i.e., where do you live, or work?
GRANNY, to know, or recognise; “de yeGRANNYthe bloke?” do you know the man?
GRANNY, importance, knowledge, pride; “take theGRANNYoff them as has white hands,” viz., remove their self-conceit.—Mayhew, vol. i., p. 364.
GRAPPLING IRONS, fingers.—Sea.
GRASS, “gone toGRASS,” dead,—a coarse allusion toburial; absconded, or disappeared suddenly; “oh, go toGRASS,” a common answer to a troublesome or inquisitive person,—possibly a corruption of “go toGRACE,” meaning, of course, a directly opposite fate.
GRASS-WIDOW, an unmarried mother; a deserted mistress. In the United States, during the gold fever in California, it was common for an adventurer to put both hisGRASS-WIDOWand his children toschoolduring his absence.
GRAVEL, to confound, to bother; “I’mGRAVELLED,”i.e., perplexed or confused.—Old.
GRAVEL-RASH, a scratched face,—telling its tale of a drunken fall.
GRAY-COAT-PARSON, a lay impropriator, or lessee of great tithes.
GRAYS, orSCOTCH GRAYS, lice.—Scotch.
GRAYS, halfpennies, with either two “heads” or two “tails,”—both sides alike.Low gamblersuseGRAYS, and they cost from 2d. to 6d. each.
GREASE-SPOT, a minute remnant, the only distinguishable remains of an antagonist after a terrific contest.
GREASING a man is bribing;SOAPINGis flattering him.
GREEKS, the low Irish.St. giles’ greek, slang or cant language.CotgravegivesMERIE GREEKas a definition for aroystering fellow, a drunkard.—Shakespere.—SeeMEDICAL GREEK.
GREEN, ignorant, not wide awake, inexperienced.—Shakespere.“Do you see anyGREENin my eye?” ironical question in a dispute.
GREEN-HORN, a fresh, simple, or uninitiated person.
GRIDDLER, a person who sings in the streets without a printed copy of the words.
GRIEF, “to come toGRIEF,” to meet with an accident, be ruined.
GRIFFIN, in India, a newly arrived cadet; general for an inexperienced youngster. “Fast” young men in London frequently term an umbrella aGRIFFIN.
GRIND, “to take aGRIND,”i.e., a walk, or constitutional.—University.
GRIND, to work up for an examination, to cram with aGRINDER, or private tutor.—Medical.
GRINDERS, teeth.
GROGGY, tipsy; when a prize-fighter becomes “weak on his pins,” and nearly beaten, he is said to beGROGGY.—Pugilistic.The same term is applied to horses in a similar condition.Old English,AGGROGGYD, weighed down, oppressed.—Prompt. Parvulorum.
GRUB, meat, or food, of any kind,—GRUBsignifying food, andBUB, drink.
GRUBBING-KEN, orSPINIKIN, a workhouse; a cook-shop.
GRUBBY, musty, or old-fashioned.—Devonshire.
GULFED, a University term, denoting that a man is unable to enter for the classical examination, from having failed in the mathematical. Candidates for classical honours were compelled to go in for both examinations. From the alteration of the arrangements the term is now obsolete.—Camb.
GULPIN, a weak, credulous fellow.
GUMMY, thick, fat—generally applied to a woman’s ancles, or to a man whose flabby person betokens him a drunkard.
GUMPTION, orRUMGUMPTION, comprehension, capacity. FromGAUM, to comprehend; “I cannaGAUGEit, and I cannaGAUMit,” as a Yorkshire exciseman said of a hedgehog.
GURRELL, a fob.
GUTTER BLOOD, a low or vulgar man—Scotch.
GUTTER LANE, the throat.
GUY, a fright, a dowdy, an ill-dressed person. Derived from the effigy of Guy Fawkes carried about by boys on Nov. 5.
GYP, an undergraduate’s valet atCambridge. Corruption ofGYPSEY JOE(Saturday Review); popularly derived by Cantabs from theGreek,GYPS(γύπς), a vulture, from their dishonest rapacity. AtOxfordthey are calledSCOUTS.
HACKLE, “to showHACKLE,” to be willing to fight.Hacklesare the long feathers on the back of a cock’s neck, which he erects when angry,—hence the metaphor.
HADDOCK, a purse.—SeeBEANS.
HALF A BEAN, half a sovereign.
HALF A BULL, two shillings and sixpence.
HALF A COUTER, half a sovereign.
HALF A HOG, sixpence; sometimes termedHALF A GRUNTER.
HALF A STRETCH, six months in prison.
HALF A TUSHEROON, half a crown.
HALF AND HALF, a mixture of ale and porter, much affected by medical students; occasionallyLatinizedintoDIMIDIUM DIMIDIUMQUE.—SeeCOOPER.
HALF BAKED, soft, doughy, half-witted, silly.
HALF FOOLISH, ridiculous; means oftenwhollyfoolish.
HALF JACK.—SeeJACKS.
HALF ROCKED, silly, half-witted.—CompareHALF BAKED.
HALF SEAS OVER, reeling drunk.—Sea.Used bySwift.
HAND, a workman, or helper, a person. “A coolHAND,” explained by Sir Thomas Overbury to be “one who accounts bashfulness the wickedest thing in the world, and therefore studies impudence.”
HANDER, a second, or assistant, in a prize fight.
HANDLE, a nose; the title appended to a person’s name; also a term in boxing, “HANDLINGone’s fists.”
HAND-SAW, orCHIVE FENCER, a man who sells razors and knives in the streets.
HANDSELLER, orCHEAP JACK, a street or open air seller, a man who carries goods to his customers, instead of waiting for his customers to visit him.
HANG OUT, to reside,—in allusion to the ancient custom ofhanging outsigns.
HANGMAN’S WAGES, thirteenpence halfpenny.
HANSEL, orHANDSALE, thelucky money, or first money taken inthe morning by a pedlar.—Cocker’s Dictionary, 1724. “Legs of mutton (street term for sheep’s trotters, or feet) two for a penny; who’ll give me aHANSEL? who’ll give me aHANSEL?”—Cry at Cloth Fair at the present day.Hence, earnest money, first fruits, &c. In Norfolk,HANSELLINGa thing, is using it for the first time, as wearing a new coat, taking seizin of it, as it were.—Anglo Saxon.N. Bailey.
HA’PURTH OF LIVELINESS, the music at a low concert, or theatre.
HARD LINES, hardship, difficulty.—Soldiers’ termfor hard duty on thelinesin front of the enemy.
HARD UP, in distress, poverty stricken.—Sea.
HARD-UPS, cigar-end finders, who collect the refuse pieces of smoked cigars from the gutter, and having dried them, sell them as tobacco to the very poor.
HARRY, orOLD HARRY(i.e.Old Hairy?) the Devil; “to playOLD HARRYwith one,”i.e., ruin or annoy him.
HARRY-SOPH (ἐρίσοφος, very wise indeed), an undergraduate in his last year of residence.—Cambridge.
HASH, a mess, confusion; “a prettyHASHhe made of it;” toHASH UP, to jumble together without order or regularity.
HATCHET, “to throw theHATCHET,” to tell lies.
HAWSE HOLES, the apertures in a ship’s bows through which the cables pass; “he has crept in through theHAWSE-HOLES,” said of an officer who has risen from the grade of an ordinary seaman.—Navy.
HAY BAG, a woman.
HAZY, intoxicated.—Household Words, No. 183.
HEAD OR TAIL, “I can’t makeHEAD OR TAILof it,”i.e., cannot make it out.
HEAP, “aHEAPof people,” a crowd; “struck all of aHEAP,” suddenly astonished.
HEAVY WET, porter or beer,—because the more a man drinks of it, the heavier he becomes.
HEDGE, to secure a doubtful bet by making others.—Turf.
HEEL-TAPS, small quantities of wine or other beverage left in the bottom of glasses, considered as a sign that the liquor is not liked, and therefore unfriendly and unsocial to the host and the company.
HEIGH HO! a cant term for stolen yarn, from the expression used to apprize the dishonest manufacturer that the speaker has stolen yarn to sell.—Norwich cant.
HELL, a fashionable gambling house. In printing offices, the term is generally applied to the old tin box in which is thrown the broken or spoilt type, purchased by the founders for re-casting.Nearly obsolete.
HEN AND CHICKENS, large and small pewter pots.
HEN-PECKED, said of one whose wife “wears the breeches.”
HERRING POND, the sea; “to be sent across theHERRING POND,” to be transported.
HIDING, a thrashing.Webstergives this word, but not its root,HIDE, to beat, flay by whipping.
HIGGLEDY-PIGGLEDY, all together,—as hogs and pigs lie.
HIGH AND DRY, an epithet applied to thesoi disant“orthodox” clergy of the last century, for whom, while ill-paid curates did the work, thecomfortsof the establishment were its greatest charms.
“Wherein are various ranks, and due degrees,The Bench for honour, and the Stall for ease.”
“Wherein are various ranks, and due degrees,The Bench for honour, and the Stall for ease.”
“Wherein are various ranks, and due degrees,
The Bench for honour, and the Stall for ease.”
Though often confounded with, they are utterly dissimilar to, the modern High Church or Anglo-Catholic party. Their equally uninteresting opponents deserved the corresponding appellation ofLOW AND SLOW; while the so-called “Broad Church” is defined with equal felicity as theBROAD AND SHALLOW.
HIGH FLY, “ON THE HIGH FLY,” on the begging or cadging system.
HIGH JINKS, “ON THE HIGH JINKS,” taking up an arrogant position, assuming an undue superiority.
HIGH-FLYER, a genteel beggar, or swindler.
HIGH FLYERS, large swings, in frames, at fairs and races.
HIGH-LOWS, laced boots reaching a trifle higher than ancle-jacks.
HIGHFALUTEN, showy, affected, tinselled, affecting certain pompous or fashionable airs, stuck up; “come, none of yerHIGHFALUTENgames,”i.e., you must not show off or imitate the swell here.—Americanslang from theDutch,VERLOOTEN.
HIP INSIDE, inside coat pocket.
HIP OUTSIDE, outside coat pocket.
HIVITE, a student of St. Begh’s College, Cumberland; pronouncedST. BEE’S.—University.
HOAX, to deceive, or ridicule,—Grosesays was originally aUniversitycant word. Corruption ofHOCUS, to cheat.
HOCKS, the feet;CURBY HOCKS, round or clumsy feet.
HOCUS, to drug a person, and then rob him. TheHOCUSgenerally consists of snuff and beer.
HOCUS POCUS, Gipsey words of magic, similar to the modern “presto fly.” The Gipseys pronounce “Habeas Corpus,”HAWCUS PACCUS(see Crabb’s Gipsey’s Advocate, p. 18); can this have anything to do with the origin ofHOCUS POCUS?TurnergivesOCHUS BOCHUS, an old demon. Pegge, however, states that it is a burlesque rendering of the words of the unreformed church service at the delivery of the host,HOC EST CORPUS, which the early Protestants considered as a species of conjuring, and ridiculed accordingly.
HODGE, a countryman or provincial clown. I don’t know that it has been elsewhere remarked, but most country districts in England have one or more families of the name ofHODGE; indeed,GILESandHODGEappear to be the favourite hobnail nomenclature. Not in any way writing disrespectfully, was the slang word taken from Hog—with thegsoft, which gives thedgpronunciation? In old canting dictionariesHODGEstands for a country clown; so, indeed, doesROGER, another favourite provincial name.—Vide Bacchus and Venus.
HOG, “to go the wholeHOG,” to do anything with a person’s entire strength, not “by halves;” realised by the phrase “in for a penny in for a pound.”Bartlettclaims this to be a pureAmericanphrase; whilstKer, of course, gives it aDutchorigin.—Old.
HOG, a shilling.—Old cant.
HOISTING, shoplifting.
HOLLOW, “to beatHOLLOW,” to excel.
HOLY LAND, Seven Dials,—where the St. Giles’ Greek is spoken.
HOOK, to steal or rob.—See the following.
HOOK OR BY CROOK, by fair means or foul—in allusion to the hook which footpads used to carry to steal from open windows, &c., and from whichHOOK, to take or steal, has been derived. Mentioned inHudibrasas a cant term.
HOOK IT, “get out of the way,” or “be off about your business;” “TO HOOK IT,” to run away, to decamp; “on one’s ownHOOK,” dependant upon one’s own exertions.—See the preceding for derivation.
HOOKS, “dropped off theHOOKS,” said of a deceased person—derived from the ancient practice of suspending on hooks the quarters of a traitor or felon sentenced by the old law to be hung, drawn, and quartered, and which dropped off the hooks as they decayed.
HOOKEY WALKER! ejaculation of incredulity, usually shortened toWALKER!—which see. A correspondent thinksHOOKEY WALKERmay have been a certainHugh K. Walker.
HOOK-UM SNIVEY (formerly “hookandsnivey”), a low expression meaning to cheat by feigning sickness or other means.Also a piece of thick iron wire crooked at one end, and fastened into a wooden handle, for the purpose of undoing from the outside the wooden bolt of a door.
HOP, a dance.—Fashionable slang.
HOP THE TWIG, to run away, orBOLT, which see.—Old.
HOP-MERCHANT, a dancing-master.
HOPPING GILES, a cripple. St. Ægidius or Giles, himself similarly afflicted, was their patron saint. The ancient lazar houses were dedicated to him.
HORRID HORN, term of reproach amongst the street Irish, meaning a fool, or half-witted fellow. From theErseOMADHAUN, a brainless fellow. A correspondent suggestsHERRIDAN, a miserable old woman.
HORRORS, the low spirits, or “blue devils,” which follow intoxication.
HORSE, contraction of Horsemonger-lane Gaol.
HORSE CHAUNTER, a dealer who takes worthless horses to country fairs and disposes of them by artifice. He is flexible in his ethics, and will put in a glass-eye, or perform other tricks.—SeeCOPER.
HORSE NAILS, money.—CompareBRADS.
HORSE’S NIGHTCAP, a halter; “to die in aHORSE’S NIGHTCAP,” to be hung.
HORSE MARINE, an awkward person. In ancient times the “JOLLIES” or Royal Marines, were the butts of the sailors, from their ignorance of seamanship. “Tell that to theMARINES, the blue jackets won’t believe it!” was a common rejoinder to a “stiff yarn.” Now-a-days they are deservedly appreciated as the finest regiment in the service. AHORSE MARINE(an impossibility) was used to denote one more awkward still.
HOT COPPERS, the feverish sensations experienced next morning by those who have been drunk over night.
HOT TIGER, an Oxford mixture of hot-spiced ale and sherry.
HOUSE OF COMMONS, a water-closet.
HOXTER, an inside pocket.—Old English,OXTER.
HUEY, a town or village.
HUFF, to vex, or offend; a poor temper.
HUFF, a dodge or trick; “don’t try thatHUFFon me,” or “thatHUFFwon’t do.”—Norwich.
HULK, to hang about in hopes of an invitation.—SeeMOOCH.
HULKY, extra sized.—Shropshire.
HUM AND HAW, to hesitate, raise objections.—Old English.
HUMBLE PIE, to “eatHUMBLE PIE,” to knock under, be submissive. TheUMBLES, or entrails of a deer, were anciently made into a dish for servants, while their masters feasted off the haunch.
HUMBUG, an imposition, or a person who imposes upon others. A very expressive but slang word, synonymous at one time withHUM AND HAW. Lexicographers have fought shy at adopting this word. Richardson uses it frequently to express the meaning of other words, but omits it in the alphabetical arrangement as unworthy of recognition! In the first edition of this work, 1785 was given as the earliest date at which the word could be found in a printed book. Since then I have tracedHUMBUGhalf a century farther back, on the title-page of a singular old jest-book—“The Universal Jester; or a pocket companion for the Wits: being a choice collection of merry conceits, facetious drolleries, &c., clenchers, closers, closures, bon-mots, andHUMBUGS,” byFerdinando Killigrew. London, about 1735–40.
I have also ascertained that the famous Orator Henley was known to the mob asOrator Humbug. The fact may be learnt from an illustration in that exceedingly curious little collection ofCaricatures, published in 1757, many of which were sketched by Lord Bolingbroke—Horace Walpole filling in the names and explanations.HalliwelldescribesHUMBUGas “a person who hums,” and cites Dean Milles’ MS., which was written about 1760. It has been stated that the word is a corruption of Hamburgh, from which town so many false bulletins and reports came during the war in the last century. “Oh, that isHamburgh[orHUMBUG],” was the answer to any fresh piece of news which smacked of improbability.Grosementions it in his Dictionary, 1785; and in a little printed squib, published in 1808, entitledBath Characters, byT. Goosequill,HUMBUGis thus mentioned in a comical couplet on the title page:—