Chapter 12

“And then onemizzlingMichaelmas nightThe Count heMIZZLEDtoo.”—Hood.MOB. Swift informs us, in hisArt of Polite Conversation, thatMOBwas, in his time, the slang abbreviation ofMobility, just asNOBis ofNobilityat the present day.—SeeSCHOOL.MOBILITY, the populace; or, according toBurke, the “great unwashed.”Johnsoncalls it a cant term, althoughSwiftnotices it as a proper expression.MOBS, companions;MOBSMEN, dressy swindlers.MOKE, a donkey.—Gipsey.MOKO, a name given by sportsmen to pheasants killed by mistake in partridge shooting during September, before the pheasant shooting comes in. They pull out their tails, and roundly assert they are no pheasants at all, butMOKOS.MOLL, a girl; nickname for Mary.—Old cant.MOLL’D, followed, or accompanied by a woman.MOLLISHER, a low girl or woman; generally a female cohabiting with a man, and jointly getting their living by thieving.MOLLSACK, a reticule, or market basket.MOLL-TOOLER, a female pickpocket.MOLLYCODDLE, an effeminate man; one who caudles amongst the women, or does their work.MOLLYGRUBS, orMULLIGRUBS, stomach-ache, or sorrow—which to the costermonger is much the same, as he believes, like the ancients, that the viscera is the seat of all feeling.MOLROWING, “out on thespree,” in company with so-called“gay women.” In allusion to the amatory serenadings of the London cats.MONEKEER, a person’s name or signature.MONKEY, spirit, or ill temper; “to get one’sMONKEYup,” to rouse his passion. A man is said to have hisMONKEYup, or theMONKEYon his back, when he is “riled,” or out of temper; also to have hisBACKorHUMPup.MONKEY, a padlock.MONKEY, the instrument which drives a rocket.—Army.MONKEY, £500.MONKEY WITH A LONG TAIL, a mortgage.—Legal.MONKEY’S ALLOWANCE, to get blows instead of alms, more kicks than half-pence.MONKERY, the country, or rural districts.Oldword for a quiet, or monastic life.—Hall.MOOCH, to sponge; to obtrude yourself upon friends just when they are about to sit down to dinner, or other lucky time—of course quite accidentally.—CompareHULK. To slink away, and allow your friend to pay for the entertainment.In Wiltshire,ON THE MOUTCHis to shuffle.MOOCHING, orON THE MOOCH, on the look out for any articles or circumstances which may be turned to a profitable account; watching in the streets for odd jobs, scraps, horses to hold, &c.MOOE, the mouth; the female generative organ.—GipseyandHindoo.ShakesperehasMOE, to make mouths.MOON, a month—generally used to express the length of time a person has been sentenced by the magistrate; thus “ONE MOON” is one month.—SeeDRAG. It is a curious fact that the Indians of America and the roaming vagabonds of England should both calculate time by theMOON.MOONEY, intoxicated.—Household Words, No. 183.MOONLIGHT, orMOONSHINE, smuggled gin.MOONSHINE, palaver, deception, humbug.MOP, a hiring place (or fair) for servants. Steps are being taken to put down these assemblages, which have been proved to be greatly detrimental to the morality of the poor.MOP UP, to drink, or empty a glass.—Old.MOPS AND BROOMS, intoxicated.—Ho. Words, No. 183.MOPUSSES, money; “MOPUSSESran taper,” money ran short.MORRIS, to decamp, be off. Probably from the ancientMORESCO, orMORRIS DANCE.MORTAR-BOARD, the term given by the vulgar to the square college caps.MOTT, a girl of indifferent character. FormerlyMort.Dutch,MOTT-KAST, a harlotry.MOUNTAIN-DEW, whisky, advertised as from the Highlands.MOUNTAIN PECKER, a sheep’s head.—SeeJEMMY.MOUNTER, a false swearer. Derived from the borrowed clothes men used toMOUNT, or dress in, when going to swear for a consideration.MOUTHPIECE, a lawyer, or counsel.MOVE, a “dodge,” or cunning trick; “up to a move or two,” acquainted with tricks.MRS. JONES, the house of office, a water-closet.MRS. HARRIS and MRS. GAMP, nicknames of theMorning HeraldandStandardnewspapers, while united under the proprietorship of Mr. Baldwin.Mrs. Gamp, a monthly nurse, was a character in Mr. Charles Dickens’ popular novel ofMartin Chuzzlewit, who continually quoted an imaginaryMrs. Harrisin attestation of the superiority of her qualifications, and the infallibility of her opinions; and thus afforded a parallel to the two newspapers, who appealed to each other as independent authorities, being all the while the production of the same editorial staff.MUCK, to beat, or excel; “it’s no use, luck’s set in him; he’dMUCKa thousand.”—Mayhew, vol. i, p. 18.To run a muck, orGO A MUCKER, to rush headlong into certain ruin. From a certain religious phrenzy, which is common among the Malays, causing one of them, kreese in hand, to dash into a crowd and devote every one to death he meets with, until he is himself killed, or falls from exhaustion—Malay,AMOK, slaughter.MUCK OUT, to clean out,—often applied to one utterly ruining an adversary in gambling. From theProvincialMUCK, dirt.MUCK-SNIPE, one who has been “MUCKED OUT,” or beggared, at gambling.MUCKENDER, or MUCKENGER, a pocket handkerchief.—Old.MUDFOG, “The British Association for the Promotion of Science.”—University.MUD-LARKS, men and women who, with their clothes tucked above knee, grovel through the mud on the banks of the Thames, when the tide is low, for silver spoons, old bottles, pieces of iron, coal, or any articles of the least value, deposited by the retiring tide, either from passing ships or the sewers. Occasionally those men who cleanse the sewers, with great boots and sou’ wester hats.MUFF, a silly, or weak-minded person;MUFFhas been defined to be “a soft thing that holds a lady’s hand without squeezing it.”MUFFIN-WORRY, an old ladies’ tea party.MUFTI, the civilian dress of a naval or military officer when off duty.—Anglo Indian.MUG, to fight, or chastise.MUG, “toMUGoneself,” to get tipsy.MUG, the mouth, or face.—Old.MUGGING, a thrashing,—synonymous with slogging, both terms of the “ring,” and frequently used by fighting men.MUGGY, drunk.MUG-UP, to paint one’s face.—Theatrical.To “cram” for an examination.—Army.MULL, “to make aMULLof it,” to spoil anything, or make a fool of oneself.—Gipsey.MULLIGRUBS.—VideMOLLYGRUBS.MULTEE KERTEVER, very bad.—Italian,MOLTO CATTIVO.MUMMER, a performer at a travelling theatre.—Ancient.Rustic performers at Christmas in the West of England.MUMPER, a beggar.—Gipsey.Possibly a corruption ofMUMMER.MUNDUNGUS, trashy tobacco.Spanish,MONDONGO, black pudding.MUNGARLY, bread, food.Mungis anold wordfor mixed food, butMUNGARLYis doubtless derived from theLingua Franca,MANGIAR, to eat.—See the following.MUNGARLY CASA, a baker’s shop; evidently a corruption of someLingua Francaphrase for an eating house. The well known “Nix mangiare” stairs at Malta derive their name from the endless beggars who lie there and shoutNIX MANGIARE,i.e., “nothing to eat,” to excite the compassion of the English who land there,—an expression which exhibits remarkably the mongrel composition of theLingua Franca,MANGIAREbeingItalian, andNixan evident importation from Trieste, or other Austrian seaport.MUNGING, or “MOUNGING,” whining, begging, muttering.—North.MUNS, the mouth.German,MUND.—Old cant.MURERK, the mistress of the house.—SeeBURERK.MURKARKER, a monkey,—vulgar cockney pronunciation ofMACAUCO, a species of monkey.Jackey Macaucowas the name of a famous fighting monkey, which used about thirty years ago to display his prowess at the Westminster pit, where, after having killed many dogs, he was at last “chawed up” by a bull terrier.MURPHY, a potato. Probably from the Irish national liking for potatoes,MURPHYbeing a common surname amongst the Irish.—SeeMIKE.Murphies(edible) are sometimes calledDUNNAMANS.MURPHY, “in the arms ofMURPHY,”i.e., fast asleep. Corruption ofMORPHEUS.MUSH, an umbrella. Contraction ofmushroom.MUSH, (orMUSHROOM) FAKER, an itinerant mender of umbrellas.MUSLIN, a woman or girl; “he picked up a bit ofMUSLIN.”MUTTON, a lewd woman.—Shakespere.MUTTON-WALK, the saloon at Drury Lane Theatre.MUZZLE, to fight or thrash.MUZZLE, the mouth.MUZZY, intoxicated.—Household Words, No. 183.MY AUNT, a water-closet, or house of office.MY LORD, a nickname given to a hunchback.MY TULIP, a term of endearment used by the lower orders to persons and animals; “kim up,MY TULIP,” as the coster said to his donkey when thrashing him with an ash stick.MY UNCLE, the pawnbroker,—generally used when any person questions the whereabouts of a domestic article, “Oh! only atMY UNCLE’S” is the reply.Up the spouthas the same meaning.NAB, to catch, to seize; “NABthe rust,” to take offence.—Ancient, fourteenth century.NABOB, an Eastern prince, a retired Indian official,—hence a slang term for a capitalist.NAIL, to steal, or capture; “paid on theNAIL,”i.e., ready money;NAILED, taken up, or caught—probably in allusion to the practice ofNAILINGbad money to the counter. We say “as dead as aDOOR-NAIL;”—why?Shakesperehas the expression in Henry IV.—“Falstaff.What! is the old king dead?Pistol.As nail in door.”A correspondent thinks the expression is only alliterative humour, and compares as “Flat as a Flounder,” “straight as a soldier,” &c.NAM, a policeman. Evidentlyback slang.NAMBY PAMBY, particular, over nice, effeminate. This, I think, was of Pope’s invention, and first applied by him tothe affected short-lined verses addressed by Ambrose Phillips to Lord Carteret’s infant children.—See Johnson’s Life of Pope.NAMUS, orNAMOUS, some one,i.e., “be off, somebody is coming.”—Back slang, but general.—SeeVAMOS.NANNY-SHOP, a disreputable house.NANTEE, not any, or “I have none.”Italian,NIENTE, nothing.—SeeDINARLY.NANTEE PALAVER, no conversation,i.e., hold your tongue.—Lingua Franca.—SeePALAVER.NAP, orNAB, to take, steal, or receive; “you’llNAPit,”i.e., you will catch a beating!—North; alsoold cant.—Bulwer’s Paul Clifford.NAP, orNAPPER, a hat. FromNAB, a hat, cap, or head.—Old cant.NAP ONE’S BIB, to cry, shed tears, or carry one’s point.NAP THE REGULARS, to divide the booty.NAP THE TEAZE, to be privately whipped in prison.NARK, a person in the pay of the police; a common informer; one who gets his living by laying traps for publicans, &c.NARK, to watch, or look after, “NARKthe titter;” watch the girl.NARP, a shirt.—Scotch.NARY ONE, provincial forNE’ER A ONE, neither.NASTY, ill-tempered, cross-grained.NATION, very, or exceedingly. Corruption ofDAMNATION.NATTY, pretty, neat, tidy.—Old.NATURAL, an idiot, a simpleton.NECK, to swallow.Neck-oil, drink of any kind.NECK OR NOTHING, desperate.—Racing phrase.NEDDY, a life preserver.—Contraction ofKENNEDY, the name of the first man, it is said in St. Giles’, who had his head broken by a poker.—Vide Mornings at Bow Street.NEDDY, a donkey.NEDS, guineas.Half-neds, half-guineas.NED STOKES, the four of spades.—North Hants.—See Gentleman’s Magazinefor 1791, p. 141.NEEDFUL, money, cash.NEEDY, a nightly lodger, or tramp.NEEDY MIZZLER, a shabby person; a tramp who runs away without paying for his lodging.NESTS, varieties.—Old.NEVER-TRUST-ME, an ordinary phrase with low Londoners, and common in Shakespere’s time,vide Twelfth Night. It is generally used instead of an oath, calling vengeance on the asseverator, if such and such does not come to pass.NEWGATE FRINGE, orFRILL, the collar of beard worn under the chin; so called from its occupying the position of the rope when Jack Ketch operates. Another name for it is aTYBURN COLLAR.NEWGATE KNOCKER, the term given to the lock of hair which costermongers and thieves usually twist back towards the ear. The shape is supposed to resemble the knocker on the prisoners’ door at Newgate—a resemblance that would appear to carry a rather unpleasant suggestion to the wearer. Sometimes termed aCOBBLER’S KNOT, orcow-lick, which see.NEWMARKET, in tossing halfpence, when it is agreed that the first toss shall be decisive, the play is said to beNEWMARKET.NIBBLE, to take, or steal.Nibbler, a petty thief.NIBS, the master, or chief person; a man with no means but high pretensions,—a “shabby genteel.”NICK, orOLD NICK, the evil spirit.—Scandinavian.NICK, to hit the mark; “he’sNICKEDit,”i.e., won his point.NICK-KNACK, a trifle.—Originallycant.NIGGLING, trifling, or idling; taking short steps in walking.—North.NIL, half; half profits, &c.NILLY-WILLY,i.e.,Nill ye, will ye, whether you will or no, a familiar version of theLatin,NOLENS VOLENS.NIMMING, stealing. Immediately from theGerman,NEHMEN. Motherwell, the Scotch poet, thought the old wordNIM(to snatch or pick up) was derived fromnam,nam, the tiny words or cries of an infant, when eating anything which pleases its little palate. A negro proverb has the word:—“Buckra mannamcrab,Crabnambuckra man.”Or, in the buckra man’s language—“White man eat [or steal] the crab,And the crab eats the white man.”NINCOMPOOP, a fool, a hen pecked husband, a “Jerry Sneak.”—Corruption ofnon compos mentis.NINE CORNS, a pipeful of tobacco.NINES, “dressed up to theNINES,” in a showy orrecherchémanner.NINEPENCE, “right asNINEPENCE,” all right, right to a nicety.NIP, to steal, take up quickly.NIPPER, a small boy.Old cantfor aboycut-purse.NIX, nothing, “NIXmy doll,” synonymous withNIX.German,NICHTS, nothing.—SeeMUNGARLY.NIX! the signal word of school boys to each other that the master, or other person in authority, is approaching.NIZZIE, a fool, a coxcomb.—Old cant, vide Triumph of Wit.NOAH’S ARK, a long closely buttoned overcoat, recently in fashion. So named byPunchfrom the similarity which it exhibits to the figure of Noah and his sons in children’s toy arks.NOB, the head—Pugilistic; “BOB A NOB,” a shilling a head.Ancient cant,NEB.Nobis an early English word, and is used in the Romance of Kynge Alisaunder (thirteenth century) for a head; originally, no doubt, the same asknob.NOB, a person of high position, a “swell,” anobleman,—of which word it may be an abbreviation.—SeeSNOB.NOBBA, nine.Italian,NOVE;Spanish,NOVA,—thebandvbeing interchangeable, as Sebastópol and Sevastópol.NOBBA SALTEE, ninepence.Lingua Franca,NOVE SOLDI.NOBBING, collecting money; “whatNOBBINGS?”i.e., how much have you got?NOBBLE, to cheat, to overreach; to discover.NOBBLERS, confederates of thimble-rigs, who play earnestly as if strangers to the “RIG,” and thus draw unsuspecting persons into a game.NOBBY, orNOBBISH, fine or showy;NOBBILY, showily.—SeeSNOBfor derivation.NOMMUS, be off.—SeeNAMUS.NO ODDS, no matter, of no consequence.—Latimer’s sermon before Edward VI.NOSE, a thief who turns informer, or Queen’s evidence; a spy or watch; “on theNOSE,” on the look out.NOSE, “to pay through theNOSE,” to pay an extravagant price.NOSE-BAGS, visitors at watering places, and houses of refreshment, who carry their own victuals.—Term applied by waiters.NOSE EM, orFOGUS, tobacco.NOSER, a bloody or contused nose.—Pugilistic.NOUSE, comprehension, perception.—Old, apparently from theGreek, νοῦς.NUB, a husband.NUDDIKIN, the head.For Cant Numerals, see underSALTEE.NURSE, a curious term lately applied to competition in omnibuses. Two omnibuses are placed on the road toNURSE, or oppose, each opposition “buss,” one before, the other behind. Of course the central orNURSEDbuss has very little chance, unless it happens to be a favourite with the public.Nurse, to cheat, or swindle; trustees are said toNURSEproperty,i.e., gradually eat it up themselves.NUT, to be “off one’sNUT,” to be in liquor, or “ALL MOPS AND BROOMS.”NUTS, to beNUTSupon anything or person is to be pleased with or fond of it; a self-satisfied man is said to be NUTS upon himself.Nutted, taken in by a man who professed to beNUTSupon you.NUTTY, amorous.NYMPH OF THE PAVE (French,PAVÉ), a street-walker, a girl of the town.OAK, the outer door of college rooms; to “sport one’sOAK,” to be “not at home” to visitors.—SeeSPORT.—University.OBFUSCATED, intoxicated.OBSTROPOLOUS, Cockney corruption ofobstreperous.OCHRE, money, generally applied togold, for a very obvious reason.O’CLOCK, orA’CLOCK, “likeONE O’CLOCK,” a favourite comparison with the lower orders, implying briskness; “to know whatO’CLOCKit is,” to be wide awake, sharp, and experienced.ODD MAN, a street or public-house game at tossing. The number of players is three. Each tosses up a coin, and if two come down head, and one tail, orvice versâ, the last isODD MAN, and loses or wins as may have been agreed upon. Frequently used to victimise a “flat.” If all three be alike, then the toss goes for nothing, and the coppers are again “skied.”OD DRAT IT,OD RABBIT(Colman’s Broad Grins),OD’S BLOOD, and all other exclamations commencing withOD, are nothingbut softened or suppressed oaths.Odis a corruption ofGOD, andDRATofROT.—Shakespere.OFF AND ON, vacillating; “anOFF AND ONkind of a chap,” one who is always undecided.OFF ONE’S FEED, real or pretended want of appetite.—Stable slang.OFFISH, distant, not familiar.OFFICE, “to give theOFFICE,” to give a hint dishonestly to a confederate, thereby enabling him to win a game or bet, the profits being shared.OGLE, to look, or reconnoitre.OGLES, eyes.—Old cant.French,ŒIL.OIL OF PALMS, orPALM OIL, money.OINTMENT, medical student slang for butter.OLD GOOSEBERRY (seeGOOSEBERRY),OLD HARRY(query,Old Hairy?),OLD SCRATCH, all synonymes for the devil.OLD GOWN, smuggled tea.OLD HORSE, salt junk, or beef.—Sea.OLD TOM, gin.OLIVER, the moon; “OLIVERdon’t widdle,”i.e., the moon does not shine.Nearly obsolete.—Bulwer’s Paul Clifford.OMEE, a master or landlord; “theOMEEof the cassey’s a nark on the pitch,” the master of the house will not let us perform.Italian,UOMO, a man; “UOMO DELLA CASA,” the master of the house.ON, “to beON,” in public-house or vulgar parlance, is synonymous with getting “tight,” or tipsy; “it’sSaint Mondaywith him, I see he’sONagain,”i.e., drunk as usual, orONthe roadto it.ON THE FLY, getting one’s living by thieving or other illegitimate means; the phrase is applied to men the same asON THE LOOSEis to women.ON THE LOOSE, obtaining a living by prostitution, in reality, on the streets. The term is applied to females only, excepting in the case ofSPREES, when men carousing are sometimes said to beON THE LOOSE.ON THE NOSE, on the watch or look out.—SeeNOSE.ON THE SHELF, to be transported. With old maids it has another and very different meaning.ON THE TILES, out all night “on the spree,” or carousing,—in allusion to the London cats on their amatory excursions.ONE IN TEN, a parson.ONE-ER, that which stands forONE, a blow that requires no more. InDickens’amusing work, the “Marchioness” tells Dick Swiveller that “her missus is aONE-ERat cards.”ORACLE, “to work theORACLE,” to plan, manœuvre, to succeed by a wily stratagem.OTTER, eightpence.—Italian,OTTO, eight.OTTOMY, a thin man, a skeleton, a dwarf. Vulgar pronunciation ofAnatomy.Shakesperehas’ATOMY.OUT, a dram glass. Thehabituéof a gin-shop, desirous of treating a brace of friends, calls for a quartern of gin and threeOUTS, by which he means three glasses which will exactly contain the quartern.OUT AND OUT, prime, excellent, of the first quality.Out and outer, “one who is of anOUT AND OUTdescription,”UPto anything.An ancient MS. has this couplet, which shows the antiquity of the phrase—“The Kyng was good alle aboute,And she was wyckedoute and oute.”OUT OF COLLAR, out of place,—in allusion to servants. When in place, the term isCOLLARED UP.—Theatricalandgeneral.OUT ON THE LOOSE, “on the spree,” in search of adventures.OUT ON THE PICKAROON.PicaroneisSpanishfor a thief, but this phrase does not necessarily mean anything dishonest, but ready for anything in the way of excitement to turn up; also to be in search of anything profitable.OUT-SIDER, a person who does not habitually bet, or is not admitted to the “Ring.” Also, a horse whose name does not appear among the “favourites.”OVER! orOVER THE LEFT,i.e., the left shoulder—a common exclamation of disbelief in what is being narrated,—implying that the results of a proposed plan will be “over the left,”i.e., in the wrong direction, loss instead of gain.OWNED, a canting expression used by the ultra-Evangelicals when a popular preacher makes many converts. The converts themselves are called his “SEALS.”P’s AND Q’s, particular points, precise behaviour; “mind yourP’S AND Q’S,” be very careful. Originating, according to some, from the similarity of p’s and q’s in the hornbook alphabet, and therefore the warning of an old dame to herpupils; or, according to others, of a French dancing master to his pupils, to mind theirpieds(feet) andqueues(wigs) when making a bow.PACK, to go away; “now, then,PACKoff there,”i.e., be off, don’t stop here any longer.Old, “Make speede to flee, bePACKINGand awaie.”—Baret’s Alvearie, 1580.PAD, “to standPAD,” to beg with a small piece of paper pinned on the breast, inscribed “I’m starving.”PAD, the highway; a tramp.—Lincolnshire.PAD THE HOOF, to walk, not ride; “PADDING THE HOOFon the high toby,” tramping or walking on the high road.“Trudge, plod away o’ the hoof.”Merry Wives, i., 3.PADDING KENS, orCRIBS, tramps’ and boys’ lodging houses.PADDLE, to go or run away.—Household Words, No. 183.PADDY,PAT, orPADDY WHACK, an Irishman.“I’mPADDY WHACK, from Bally hack,Not long ago turned soldier;In storm and sack, in front attack,None other can be boulder.”Irish Song.PADRE, a clergyman.—Anglo Indian.PAL, a partner, acquaintance, friend, an accomplice.Gipsey, a brother.PALAVER, to ask, or talk,—not deceitfully, as the term usually signifies; “PALAVERto the nibs for a shant of bivvy,” ask the master for a quart of beer. In this sense used bytramps.—Derived fromFrench,PARLER.PALL, to detect.PALM OIL, or PALM SOAP, money.PALMING, robbing shops by pairs,—one thief bargaining with apparent intent to purchase, whilst the other watches his opportunity to steal. An amusing example ofPALMINGcame off some time since. A man entered a “ready made” boot and shoe shop and desired to be shown a pair of boots,—his companion staying outside and amusing himself by looking in at the window. The one who required to be fresh shod was apparently of a humble and deferential turn, for he placed his hat on the floor directly he stepped in the shop. Boot after boot was tried on until at last a fit was obtained,—when lo, forth came a man, snatched up the customer’s hat left near the door, and down the street he ran as fast as his legs could carry him. Away went thecustomer after his hat, and Crispin, standing at the door, clapped his hands and shouted “go it, you’ll catch him,”—little thinking that it was a concerted trick, and that neither his boots nor the customer would ever return.Palmingsometimes refers to secreting money or rings in the hand.PAM, the knave of clubs; or, in street phraseology, Lord Palmerston.PANNAM, food, bread.—Lingua Franca,PANNEN;Latin,PANIS;Ancient cant,YANNAM.PANNAM-BOUND, stopping the prison food or rations to a prisoner.PANNAM-STRUCK, very hungry.PANNIKIN, a small pan.PANNY, a house—public or otherwise; “flashPANNY,” a public-house used by thieves;PANNY MEN, housebreakers.PANTILE, a hat. The termPANTILEis properly applied to the mould into which the sugar is poured which is afterwards known as “loaf sugar.” Thus,PANTILE, from whence comes the phrase “a sugar-loaf hat,” originally signified a tall, conical hat, in shape similar to that usually represented as the head gear of a bandit. FromPANTILE, the more modern slang termTILEhas been derived.HalliwellgivesPANTILE SHOP, a meeting-house.PANTILER, a dissenting preacher. Probably from the practice of the Quakers, and many dissenters, of not removing the hat in a place of worship.PAPER MAKERS, rag gatherers and gutter rakers—similar to the chiffonniers of Paris. Also, those men who tramp through the country, and collect rags on the pretence that they are agents to a paper mill.PAPER WORKERS, the wandering vendors of street literature; street folk who sell ballads, dying speeches and confessions, sometimes termedRUNNING STATIONERS.PARADIS,Frenchslang for the gallery of a theatre, “up amongst theGODS,” which see.PARISH LANTERN, the moon.PARNEY, rain; “dowry ofPARNEY,” a quantity of rain.Anglo-Indianslang from theHindoo,PÃNI, water;Gipsey,PANÉ. Old Indian officers always call brandy and waterBRANDY PAWNEE.PASH, to strike; now corrupted toBASH, which see.—Shakes.PASTE-HORN, the nose. Shoemakers nickname any shopmatewith a large nose “oldPASTEHORN,” from the horn in which they keep their paste.PATENT COAT, a coat with the pockets inside the skirts,—termedPATENTfrom the difficulty of picking them.PATTER, a speech or discourse, a pompous street oration, a judge’s summing up, a trial.Ancientword for muttering. Probably from theLatin,PATER NOSTER, or Lord’s Prayer. This was said, before the Reformation, in alow voiceby the priest, until he came to, “and lead us not into temptation,” to which the choir responded, “but deliver us from evil.” In our reformed Prayer Book this was altered, and the Lord’s Prayer directed to be said “with aloud voice.”—Dr. Puseytakes this view of the derivation in hisLetter to the Bishop of London, p. 78, 1851.Scottuses the word twice inIvanhoeand theBride of Lammermoor.PATTER, to talk.Patter flash, to speak the language of thieves, talk cant.PATTERERS, men who cry last dying speeches, &c., in the streets, and those who help off their wares bylong haranguesin the public thoroughfares. These men, to use their own term “are the haristocracy of the street sellers,” and despise the costermongers for their ignorance, boasting that they live by their intellect. The public, they say, do not expect to receive from them an equivalent for their money—they pay to hear them talk.—Mayhew.Pattererswere formerly termed “mountebanks.”PAWS, hands.PAY, to beat a person, or “serve them out.” Originally a nautical term, meaning to stop the seams of a vessel with pitch (French,POIX); “here’s the d——l toPAY, and no pitch hot,” said when any catastrophe occurs which there is no means of averting; “toPAYover face and eyes, as the cat did the monkey;” “toPAYthrough the nose,” to give a ridiculous price.—whence the origin?ShakespereusesPAYin the sense of to beat, or thrash.PEACH, to inform against or betray.Websterstates thatimpeachis now the modification mostly used, and thatPEACHis confined principally to the conversation of thieves and the lower orders.PEACOCK HORSE, amongst undertakers, is one with a showy tail and mane, and holds its head up well,—che va favorreggiando, &c.,Italian.PEAKING, remnants of cloth.PECK, food; “PECKand booze,” meat and drink.—Lincolnshire.Ancient cant,PEK, meat.PECKER, “keep yourPECKERup,”i.e., don’t get down-hearted,—literally, keep your beak or head well up, “never say die!”PECKISH, hungry.Old cant,PECKIDGE, meat.PEEL, to strip, or disrobe.—Pugilistic.PEELER, a policeman; so called from Sir Robert Peel (seeBOBBY); properly applied to the Irish constabulary rather than the City police, the former force having been established by Sir Robert Peel.PEEPERS, eyes; “paintedPEEPERS,” eyes bruised or blackened from a blow.PEERY, suspicious, or inquisitive.PEG, brandy and soda water.PEG, “toPEGaway,” to strike, run, or drive away; “PEGa hack,” to drive a cab; “take down aPEGor two,” to check an arrogant or conceited person.PEG, a shilling.—Scotch.PEG-TOPS, the loose trousers now in fashion, small at the ankle and swelling upwards, in imitation of the Zouave costume.PENNY GAFFS, shops turned into temporary theatres (admission one penny), where dancing and singing take place every night. Rude pictures of the performers are arranged outside to give the front a gaudy and attractive look, and at night-time coloured lamps and transparencies are displayed to draw an audience.PENNY-A-LINER, a contributor of local news, accidents, fires, scandal, political and fashionable gossip, club jokes, and anecdotes, to a newspaper; not regularly “on the paper;” one who is popularly believed to be paid for each contribution at the rate of apenny a line, and whose interest is, therefore, that his article should be horribly stuffed with epithets.PENISULAR, orMOLL TOOLER, a female pickpocket.PENSIONER, a man of the lowest morals who lives off the miserable earnings of a prostitute.PEPPER, to thrash, or strike.—Pugilistic, but used byShakespere.—East.PERCH, orROOST, a resting place; “I’m off toPERCH,”i.e., I am going to bed.PERSUADERS, spurs.PESKY, an intensitive expression, implying annoyance; aPESKY, troublesome fellow. Corruption ofPESTILENT?PETER, a partridge.—Poacher’s term.PETER, a bundle, or valise.—Bulwer’s Paul Clifford.PETER, to run short, or give out.PETERER, orPETERMAN, one who follows hackney and stage coaches, and cuts off the portmanteaus and trunks from behind.—Nearly obsolete.Ancientterm for a fisherman, still used at Gravesend.PETTICOAT, a woman.PEWTER, money, likeTIN, used generally to signify silver; also, a pewter-pot.PHYSOG, orPHIZ, the face.Swiftuses the latter. Corruption ofphysiognomy.PIC., the Piccadilly Saloon.PICK, “toPICKoneself up,” to recover after a beating or illness; “toPICKa man up,” “to do,” or cheat him.PICKERS, the hands.—Shakespere.PICKLE, a miserable or comical position; “he is in a sadPICKLE,” said of any one who has fallen into the gutter, or got besmeared. “APICKLEherring,” a comical fellow, a merry Andrew.—Old.PICKLES! gammon.PIECE, a contemptuous term for a woman; a strumpet.—Shakespere.PIG, orSOW’S BABY, a sixpence.PIG, a mass of metal,—so called from its being poured in a fluid state from a sow, which see.—Workmen’s term.PIG AND TINDER-BOX, the vulgar rendering of the well-known tavern sign, “Elephant and Castle.”PEPPER-BOXES, the buildings of the Royal Academy and National Gallery, in Trafalgar-square. The name was first given by a wag, in allusion to the cupolas erected by Wilkins, the architect, upon the roof, and which at a distance suggest to the stranger the fact of their being enlargedPEPPER-BOXES, from their form and awkward appearance.—SeeBOILERS.PIGEON, a gullible or soft person. TheFrenchslang, orargot, has the wordPIGEON, dupe—“PECHON,PESCHON DE RUBY, apprenti gueux, enfant (sans doute dérobé).” The vagabonds and brigands of Spain also use the word in theirGermania, orRobbers’ Language,PALOMO(pigeon), ignorant, simple.PIGEON, orBLUEY CRACKING, breaking into empty houses and stealing lead.PIG-HEADED, obstinate.PIG’S WHISPER, a low or inaudible whisper; also a short space of time, synonymous withCOCKSTRIDE,i.e.,cock’s tread.PIKE, to run away.PIKE, a turnpike; “to bilk aPIKE,” to cheat the keeper of the toll-gate.PILL, a doctor—Military.Pill-driver, a peddling apothecary.PIN, “to put in thePIN,” to refrain from drinking. From the ancient peg tankard, which was furnished with a row of PINS, or pegs, to regulate the amount which each person was to drink. AMERRY PIN, a roisterer.PINCH, to steal, or cheat; also, to catch, or apprehend.PINDARIC HEIGHTS, studying the odes of Pindar.—Oxford.PINK, to stab, or pierce.PINK, theacméof perfection.—Shakespere.PINNERS-UP, sellers of old songs pinned against a wall, or framed canvas.PINS, legs.PIPE, to shed tears, or bewail; “PIPEone’s eye.”—Sea term.

“And then onemizzlingMichaelmas nightThe Count heMIZZLEDtoo.”—Hood.

“And then onemizzlingMichaelmas nightThe Count heMIZZLEDtoo.”—Hood.

“And then onemizzlingMichaelmas night

The Count heMIZZLEDtoo.”—Hood.

MOB. Swift informs us, in hisArt of Polite Conversation, thatMOBwas, in his time, the slang abbreviation ofMobility, just asNOBis ofNobilityat the present day.—SeeSCHOOL.

MOBILITY, the populace; or, according toBurke, the “great unwashed.”Johnsoncalls it a cant term, althoughSwiftnotices it as a proper expression.

MOBS, companions;MOBSMEN, dressy swindlers.

MOKE, a donkey.—Gipsey.

MOKO, a name given by sportsmen to pheasants killed by mistake in partridge shooting during September, before the pheasant shooting comes in. They pull out their tails, and roundly assert they are no pheasants at all, butMOKOS.

MOLL, a girl; nickname for Mary.—Old cant.

MOLL’D, followed, or accompanied by a woman.

MOLLISHER, a low girl or woman; generally a female cohabiting with a man, and jointly getting their living by thieving.

MOLLSACK, a reticule, or market basket.

MOLL-TOOLER, a female pickpocket.

MOLLYCODDLE, an effeminate man; one who caudles amongst the women, or does their work.

MOLLYGRUBS, orMULLIGRUBS, stomach-ache, or sorrow—which to the costermonger is much the same, as he believes, like the ancients, that the viscera is the seat of all feeling.

MOLROWING, “out on thespree,” in company with so-called“gay women.” In allusion to the amatory serenadings of the London cats.

MONEKEER, a person’s name or signature.

MONKEY, spirit, or ill temper; “to get one’sMONKEYup,” to rouse his passion. A man is said to have hisMONKEYup, or theMONKEYon his back, when he is “riled,” or out of temper; also to have hisBACKorHUMPup.

MONKEY, a padlock.

MONKEY, the instrument which drives a rocket.—Army.

MONKEY, £500.

MONKEY WITH A LONG TAIL, a mortgage.—Legal.

MONKEY’S ALLOWANCE, to get blows instead of alms, more kicks than half-pence.

MONKERY, the country, or rural districts.Oldword for a quiet, or monastic life.—Hall.

MOOCH, to sponge; to obtrude yourself upon friends just when they are about to sit down to dinner, or other lucky time—of course quite accidentally.—CompareHULK. To slink away, and allow your friend to pay for the entertainment.In Wiltshire,ON THE MOUTCHis to shuffle.

MOOCHING, orON THE MOOCH, on the look out for any articles or circumstances which may be turned to a profitable account; watching in the streets for odd jobs, scraps, horses to hold, &c.

MOOE, the mouth; the female generative organ.—GipseyandHindoo.ShakesperehasMOE, to make mouths.

MOON, a month—generally used to express the length of time a person has been sentenced by the magistrate; thus “ONE MOON” is one month.—SeeDRAG. It is a curious fact that the Indians of America and the roaming vagabonds of England should both calculate time by theMOON.

MOONEY, intoxicated.—Household Words, No. 183.

MOONLIGHT, orMOONSHINE, smuggled gin.

MOONSHINE, palaver, deception, humbug.

MOP, a hiring place (or fair) for servants. Steps are being taken to put down these assemblages, which have been proved to be greatly detrimental to the morality of the poor.

MOP UP, to drink, or empty a glass.—Old.

MOPS AND BROOMS, intoxicated.—Ho. Words, No. 183.

MOPUSSES, money; “MOPUSSESran taper,” money ran short.

MORRIS, to decamp, be off. Probably from the ancientMORESCO, orMORRIS DANCE.

MORTAR-BOARD, the term given by the vulgar to the square college caps.

MOTT, a girl of indifferent character. FormerlyMort.Dutch,MOTT-KAST, a harlotry.

MOUNTAIN-DEW, whisky, advertised as from the Highlands.

MOUNTAIN PECKER, a sheep’s head.—SeeJEMMY.

MOUNTER, a false swearer. Derived from the borrowed clothes men used toMOUNT, or dress in, when going to swear for a consideration.

MOUTHPIECE, a lawyer, or counsel.

MOVE, a “dodge,” or cunning trick; “up to a move or two,” acquainted with tricks.

MRS. JONES, the house of office, a water-closet.

MRS. HARRIS and MRS. GAMP, nicknames of theMorning HeraldandStandardnewspapers, while united under the proprietorship of Mr. Baldwin.Mrs. Gamp, a monthly nurse, was a character in Mr. Charles Dickens’ popular novel ofMartin Chuzzlewit, who continually quoted an imaginaryMrs. Harrisin attestation of the superiority of her qualifications, and the infallibility of her opinions; and thus afforded a parallel to the two newspapers, who appealed to each other as independent authorities, being all the while the production of the same editorial staff.

MUCK, to beat, or excel; “it’s no use, luck’s set in him; he’dMUCKa thousand.”—Mayhew, vol. i, p. 18.To run a muck, orGO A MUCKER, to rush headlong into certain ruin. From a certain religious phrenzy, which is common among the Malays, causing one of them, kreese in hand, to dash into a crowd and devote every one to death he meets with, until he is himself killed, or falls from exhaustion—Malay,AMOK, slaughter.

MUCK OUT, to clean out,—often applied to one utterly ruining an adversary in gambling. From theProvincialMUCK, dirt.

MUCK-SNIPE, one who has been “MUCKED OUT,” or beggared, at gambling.

MUCKENDER, or MUCKENGER, a pocket handkerchief.—Old.

MUDFOG, “The British Association for the Promotion of Science.”—University.

MUD-LARKS, men and women who, with their clothes tucked above knee, grovel through the mud on the banks of the Thames, when the tide is low, for silver spoons, old bottles, pieces of iron, coal, or any articles of the least value, deposited by the retiring tide, either from passing ships or the sewers. Occasionally those men who cleanse the sewers, with great boots and sou’ wester hats.

MUFF, a silly, or weak-minded person;MUFFhas been defined to be “a soft thing that holds a lady’s hand without squeezing it.”

MUFFIN-WORRY, an old ladies’ tea party.

MUFTI, the civilian dress of a naval or military officer when off duty.—Anglo Indian.

MUG, to fight, or chastise.

MUG, “toMUGoneself,” to get tipsy.

MUG, the mouth, or face.—Old.

MUGGING, a thrashing,—synonymous with slogging, both terms of the “ring,” and frequently used by fighting men.

MUGGY, drunk.

MUG-UP, to paint one’s face.—Theatrical.To “cram” for an examination.—Army.

MULL, “to make aMULLof it,” to spoil anything, or make a fool of oneself.—Gipsey.

MULLIGRUBS.—VideMOLLYGRUBS.

MULTEE KERTEVER, very bad.—Italian,MOLTO CATTIVO.

MUMMER, a performer at a travelling theatre.—Ancient.Rustic performers at Christmas in the West of England.

MUMPER, a beggar.—Gipsey.Possibly a corruption ofMUMMER.

MUNDUNGUS, trashy tobacco.Spanish,MONDONGO, black pudding.

MUNGARLY, bread, food.Mungis anold wordfor mixed food, butMUNGARLYis doubtless derived from theLingua Franca,MANGIAR, to eat.—See the following.

MUNGARLY CASA, a baker’s shop; evidently a corruption of someLingua Francaphrase for an eating house. The well known “Nix mangiare” stairs at Malta derive their name from the endless beggars who lie there and shoutNIX MANGIARE,i.e., “nothing to eat,” to excite the compassion of the English who land there,—an expression which exhibits remarkably the mongrel composition of theLingua Franca,MANGIAREbeingItalian, andNixan evident importation from Trieste, or other Austrian seaport.

MUNGING, or “MOUNGING,” whining, begging, muttering.—North.

MUNS, the mouth.German,MUND.—Old cant.

MURERK, the mistress of the house.—SeeBURERK.

MURKARKER, a monkey,—vulgar cockney pronunciation ofMACAUCO, a species of monkey.Jackey Macaucowas the name of a famous fighting monkey, which used about thirty years ago to display his prowess at the Westminster pit, where, after having killed many dogs, he was at last “chawed up” by a bull terrier.

MURPHY, a potato. Probably from the Irish national liking for potatoes,MURPHYbeing a common surname amongst the Irish.—SeeMIKE.Murphies(edible) are sometimes calledDUNNAMANS.

MURPHY, “in the arms ofMURPHY,”i.e., fast asleep. Corruption ofMORPHEUS.

MUSH, an umbrella. Contraction ofmushroom.

MUSH, (orMUSHROOM) FAKER, an itinerant mender of umbrellas.

MUSLIN, a woman or girl; “he picked up a bit ofMUSLIN.”

MUTTON, a lewd woman.—Shakespere.

MUTTON-WALK, the saloon at Drury Lane Theatre.

MUZZLE, to fight or thrash.

MUZZLE, the mouth.

MUZZY, intoxicated.—Household Words, No. 183.

MY AUNT, a water-closet, or house of office.

MY LORD, a nickname given to a hunchback.

MY TULIP, a term of endearment used by the lower orders to persons and animals; “kim up,MY TULIP,” as the coster said to his donkey when thrashing him with an ash stick.

MY UNCLE, the pawnbroker,—generally used when any person questions the whereabouts of a domestic article, “Oh! only atMY UNCLE’S” is the reply.Up the spouthas the same meaning.

NAB, to catch, to seize; “NABthe rust,” to take offence.—Ancient, fourteenth century.

NABOB, an Eastern prince, a retired Indian official,—hence a slang term for a capitalist.

NAIL, to steal, or capture; “paid on theNAIL,”i.e., ready money;NAILED, taken up, or caught—probably in allusion to the practice ofNAILINGbad money to the counter. We say “as dead as aDOOR-NAIL;”—why?Shakesperehas the expression in Henry IV.—

“Falstaff.What! is the old king dead?Pistol.As nail in door.”

“Falstaff.What! is the old king dead?Pistol.As nail in door.”

“Falstaff.What! is the old king dead?

Pistol.As nail in door.”

A correspondent thinks the expression is only alliterative humour, and compares as “Flat as a Flounder,” “straight as a soldier,” &c.

NAM, a policeman. Evidentlyback slang.

NAMBY PAMBY, particular, over nice, effeminate. This, I think, was of Pope’s invention, and first applied by him tothe affected short-lined verses addressed by Ambrose Phillips to Lord Carteret’s infant children.—See Johnson’s Life of Pope.

NAMUS, orNAMOUS, some one,i.e., “be off, somebody is coming.”—Back slang, but general.—SeeVAMOS.

NANNY-SHOP, a disreputable house.

NANTEE, not any, or “I have none.”Italian,NIENTE, nothing.—SeeDINARLY.

NANTEE PALAVER, no conversation,i.e., hold your tongue.—Lingua Franca.—SeePALAVER.

NAP, orNAB, to take, steal, or receive; “you’llNAPit,”i.e., you will catch a beating!—North; alsoold cant.—Bulwer’s Paul Clifford.

NAP, orNAPPER, a hat. FromNAB, a hat, cap, or head.—Old cant.

NAP ONE’S BIB, to cry, shed tears, or carry one’s point.

NAP THE REGULARS, to divide the booty.

NAP THE TEAZE, to be privately whipped in prison.

NARK, a person in the pay of the police; a common informer; one who gets his living by laying traps for publicans, &c.

NARK, to watch, or look after, “NARKthe titter;” watch the girl.

NARP, a shirt.—Scotch.

NARY ONE, provincial forNE’ER A ONE, neither.

NASTY, ill-tempered, cross-grained.

NATION, very, or exceedingly. Corruption ofDAMNATION.

NATTY, pretty, neat, tidy.—Old.

NATURAL, an idiot, a simpleton.

NECK, to swallow.Neck-oil, drink of any kind.

NECK OR NOTHING, desperate.—Racing phrase.

NEDDY, a life preserver.—Contraction ofKENNEDY, the name of the first man, it is said in St. Giles’, who had his head broken by a poker.—Vide Mornings at Bow Street.

NEDDY, a donkey.

NEDS, guineas.Half-neds, half-guineas.

NED STOKES, the four of spades.—North Hants.—See Gentleman’s Magazinefor 1791, p. 141.

NEEDFUL, money, cash.

NEEDY, a nightly lodger, or tramp.

NEEDY MIZZLER, a shabby person; a tramp who runs away without paying for his lodging.

NESTS, varieties.—Old.

NEVER-TRUST-ME, an ordinary phrase with low Londoners, and common in Shakespere’s time,vide Twelfth Night. It is generally used instead of an oath, calling vengeance on the asseverator, if such and such does not come to pass.

NEWGATE FRINGE, orFRILL, the collar of beard worn under the chin; so called from its occupying the position of the rope when Jack Ketch operates. Another name for it is aTYBURN COLLAR.

NEWGATE KNOCKER, the term given to the lock of hair which costermongers and thieves usually twist back towards the ear. The shape is supposed to resemble the knocker on the prisoners’ door at Newgate—a resemblance that would appear to carry a rather unpleasant suggestion to the wearer. Sometimes termed aCOBBLER’S KNOT, orcow-lick, which see.

NEWMARKET, in tossing halfpence, when it is agreed that the first toss shall be decisive, the play is said to beNEWMARKET.

NIBBLE, to take, or steal.Nibbler, a petty thief.

NIBS, the master, or chief person; a man with no means but high pretensions,—a “shabby genteel.”

NICK, orOLD NICK, the evil spirit.—Scandinavian.

NICK, to hit the mark; “he’sNICKEDit,”i.e., won his point.

NICK-KNACK, a trifle.—Originallycant.

NIGGLING, trifling, or idling; taking short steps in walking.—North.

NIL, half; half profits, &c.

NILLY-WILLY,i.e.,Nill ye, will ye, whether you will or no, a familiar version of theLatin,NOLENS VOLENS.

NIMMING, stealing. Immediately from theGerman,NEHMEN. Motherwell, the Scotch poet, thought the old wordNIM(to snatch or pick up) was derived fromnam,nam, the tiny words or cries of an infant, when eating anything which pleases its little palate. A negro proverb has the word:—

“Buckra mannamcrab,Crabnambuckra man.”

“Buckra mannamcrab,Crabnambuckra man.”

“Buckra mannamcrab,

Crabnambuckra man.”

Or, in the buckra man’s language—

“White man eat [or steal] the crab,And the crab eats the white man.”

“White man eat [or steal] the crab,And the crab eats the white man.”

“White man eat [or steal] the crab,

And the crab eats the white man.”

NINCOMPOOP, a fool, a hen pecked husband, a “Jerry Sneak.”—Corruption ofnon compos mentis.

NINE CORNS, a pipeful of tobacco.

NINES, “dressed up to theNINES,” in a showy orrecherchémanner.

NINEPENCE, “right asNINEPENCE,” all right, right to a nicety.

NIP, to steal, take up quickly.

NIPPER, a small boy.Old cantfor aboycut-purse.

NIX, nothing, “NIXmy doll,” synonymous withNIX.German,NICHTS, nothing.—SeeMUNGARLY.

NIX! the signal word of school boys to each other that the master, or other person in authority, is approaching.

NIZZIE, a fool, a coxcomb.—Old cant, vide Triumph of Wit.

NOAH’S ARK, a long closely buttoned overcoat, recently in fashion. So named byPunchfrom the similarity which it exhibits to the figure of Noah and his sons in children’s toy arks.

NOB, the head—Pugilistic; “BOB A NOB,” a shilling a head.Ancient cant,NEB.Nobis an early English word, and is used in the Romance of Kynge Alisaunder (thirteenth century) for a head; originally, no doubt, the same asknob.

NOB, a person of high position, a “swell,” anobleman,—of which word it may be an abbreviation.—SeeSNOB.

NOBBA, nine.Italian,NOVE;Spanish,NOVA,—thebandvbeing interchangeable, as Sebastópol and Sevastópol.

NOBBA SALTEE, ninepence.Lingua Franca,NOVE SOLDI.

NOBBING, collecting money; “whatNOBBINGS?”i.e., how much have you got?

NOBBLE, to cheat, to overreach; to discover.

NOBBLERS, confederates of thimble-rigs, who play earnestly as if strangers to the “RIG,” and thus draw unsuspecting persons into a game.

NOBBY, orNOBBISH, fine or showy;NOBBILY, showily.—SeeSNOBfor derivation.

NOMMUS, be off.—SeeNAMUS.

NO ODDS, no matter, of no consequence.—Latimer’s sermon before Edward VI.

NOSE, a thief who turns informer, or Queen’s evidence; a spy or watch; “on theNOSE,” on the look out.

NOSE, “to pay through theNOSE,” to pay an extravagant price.

NOSE-BAGS, visitors at watering places, and houses of refreshment, who carry their own victuals.—Term applied by waiters.

NOSE EM, orFOGUS, tobacco.

NOSER, a bloody or contused nose.—Pugilistic.

NOUSE, comprehension, perception.—Old, apparently from theGreek, νοῦς.

NUB, a husband.

NUDDIKIN, the head.

For Cant Numerals, see underSALTEE.

NURSE, a curious term lately applied to competition in omnibuses. Two omnibuses are placed on the road toNURSE, or oppose, each opposition “buss,” one before, the other behind. Of course the central orNURSEDbuss has very little chance, unless it happens to be a favourite with the public.Nurse, to cheat, or swindle; trustees are said toNURSEproperty,i.e., gradually eat it up themselves.

NUT, to be “off one’sNUT,” to be in liquor, or “ALL MOPS AND BROOMS.”

NUTS, to beNUTSupon anything or person is to be pleased with or fond of it; a self-satisfied man is said to be NUTS upon himself.Nutted, taken in by a man who professed to beNUTSupon you.

NUTTY, amorous.

NYMPH OF THE PAVE (French,PAVÉ), a street-walker, a girl of the town.

OAK, the outer door of college rooms; to “sport one’sOAK,” to be “not at home” to visitors.—SeeSPORT.—University.

OBFUSCATED, intoxicated.

OBSTROPOLOUS, Cockney corruption ofobstreperous.

OCHRE, money, generally applied togold, for a very obvious reason.

O’CLOCK, orA’CLOCK, “likeONE O’CLOCK,” a favourite comparison with the lower orders, implying briskness; “to know whatO’CLOCKit is,” to be wide awake, sharp, and experienced.

ODD MAN, a street or public-house game at tossing. The number of players is three. Each tosses up a coin, and if two come down head, and one tail, orvice versâ, the last isODD MAN, and loses or wins as may have been agreed upon. Frequently used to victimise a “flat.” If all three be alike, then the toss goes for nothing, and the coppers are again “skied.”

OD DRAT IT,OD RABBIT(Colman’s Broad Grins),OD’S BLOOD, and all other exclamations commencing withOD, are nothingbut softened or suppressed oaths.Odis a corruption ofGOD, andDRATofROT.—Shakespere.

OFF AND ON, vacillating; “anOFF AND ONkind of a chap,” one who is always undecided.

OFF ONE’S FEED, real or pretended want of appetite.—Stable slang.

OFFISH, distant, not familiar.

OFFICE, “to give theOFFICE,” to give a hint dishonestly to a confederate, thereby enabling him to win a game or bet, the profits being shared.

OGLE, to look, or reconnoitre.

OGLES, eyes.—Old cant.French,ŒIL.

OIL OF PALMS, orPALM OIL, money.

OINTMENT, medical student slang for butter.

OLD GOOSEBERRY (seeGOOSEBERRY),OLD HARRY(query,Old Hairy?),OLD SCRATCH, all synonymes for the devil.

OLD GOWN, smuggled tea.

OLD HORSE, salt junk, or beef.—Sea.

OLD TOM, gin.

OLIVER, the moon; “OLIVERdon’t widdle,”i.e., the moon does not shine.Nearly obsolete.—Bulwer’s Paul Clifford.

OMEE, a master or landlord; “theOMEEof the cassey’s a nark on the pitch,” the master of the house will not let us perform.Italian,UOMO, a man; “UOMO DELLA CASA,” the master of the house.

ON, “to beON,” in public-house or vulgar parlance, is synonymous with getting “tight,” or tipsy; “it’sSaint Mondaywith him, I see he’sONagain,”i.e., drunk as usual, orONthe roadto it.

ON THE FLY, getting one’s living by thieving or other illegitimate means; the phrase is applied to men the same asON THE LOOSEis to women.

ON THE LOOSE, obtaining a living by prostitution, in reality, on the streets. The term is applied to females only, excepting in the case ofSPREES, when men carousing are sometimes said to beON THE LOOSE.

ON THE NOSE, on the watch or look out.—SeeNOSE.

ON THE SHELF, to be transported. With old maids it has another and very different meaning.

ON THE TILES, out all night “on the spree,” or carousing,—in allusion to the London cats on their amatory excursions.

ONE IN TEN, a parson.

ONE-ER, that which stands forONE, a blow that requires no more. InDickens’amusing work, the “Marchioness” tells Dick Swiveller that “her missus is aONE-ERat cards.”

ORACLE, “to work theORACLE,” to plan, manœuvre, to succeed by a wily stratagem.

OTTER, eightpence.—Italian,OTTO, eight.

OTTOMY, a thin man, a skeleton, a dwarf. Vulgar pronunciation ofAnatomy.Shakesperehas’ATOMY.

OUT, a dram glass. Thehabituéof a gin-shop, desirous of treating a brace of friends, calls for a quartern of gin and threeOUTS, by which he means three glasses which will exactly contain the quartern.

OUT AND OUT, prime, excellent, of the first quality.Out and outer, “one who is of anOUT AND OUTdescription,”UPto anything.

An ancient MS. has this couplet, which shows the antiquity of the phrase—

“The Kyng was good alle aboute,And she was wyckedoute and oute.”

“The Kyng was good alle aboute,And she was wyckedoute and oute.”

“The Kyng was good alle aboute,

And she was wyckedoute and oute.”

OUT OF COLLAR, out of place,—in allusion to servants. When in place, the term isCOLLARED UP.—Theatricalandgeneral.

OUT ON THE LOOSE, “on the spree,” in search of adventures.

OUT ON THE PICKAROON.PicaroneisSpanishfor a thief, but this phrase does not necessarily mean anything dishonest, but ready for anything in the way of excitement to turn up; also to be in search of anything profitable.

OUT-SIDER, a person who does not habitually bet, or is not admitted to the “Ring.” Also, a horse whose name does not appear among the “favourites.”

OVER! orOVER THE LEFT,i.e., the left shoulder—a common exclamation of disbelief in what is being narrated,—implying that the results of a proposed plan will be “over the left,”i.e., in the wrong direction, loss instead of gain.

OWNED, a canting expression used by the ultra-Evangelicals when a popular preacher makes many converts. The converts themselves are called his “SEALS.”

P’s AND Q’s, particular points, precise behaviour; “mind yourP’S AND Q’S,” be very careful. Originating, according to some, from the similarity of p’s and q’s in the hornbook alphabet, and therefore the warning of an old dame to herpupils; or, according to others, of a French dancing master to his pupils, to mind theirpieds(feet) andqueues(wigs) when making a bow.

PACK, to go away; “now, then,PACKoff there,”i.e., be off, don’t stop here any longer.Old, “Make speede to flee, bePACKINGand awaie.”—Baret’s Alvearie, 1580.

PAD, “to standPAD,” to beg with a small piece of paper pinned on the breast, inscribed “I’m starving.”

PAD, the highway; a tramp.—Lincolnshire.

PAD THE HOOF, to walk, not ride; “PADDING THE HOOFon the high toby,” tramping or walking on the high road.

“Trudge, plod away o’ the hoof.”Merry Wives, i., 3.

“Trudge, plod away o’ the hoof.”Merry Wives, i., 3.

“Trudge, plod away o’ the hoof.”

Merry Wives, i., 3.

PADDING KENS, orCRIBS, tramps’ and boys’ lodging houses.

PADDLE, to go or run away.—Household Words, No. 183.

PADDY,PAT, orPADDY WHACK, an Irishman.

“I’mPADDY WHACK, from Bally hack,Not long ago turned soldier;In storm and sack, in front attack,None other can be boulder.”Irish Song.

“I’mPADDY WHACK, from Bally hack,Not long ago turned soldier;In storm and sack, in front attack,None other can be boulder.”Irish Song.

“I’mPADDY WHACK, from Bally hack,

Not long ago turned soldier;

In storm and sack, in front attack,

None other can be boulder.”

Irish Song.

PADRE, a clergyman.—Anglo Indian.

PAL, a partner, acquaintance, friend, an accomplice.Gipsey, a brother.

PALAVER, to ask, or talk,—not deceitfully, as the term usually signifies; “PALAVERto the nibs for a shant of bivvy,” ask the master for a quart of beer. In this sense used bytramps.—Derived fromFrench,PARLER.

PALL, to detect.

PALM OIL, or PALM SOAP, money.

PALMING, robbing shops by pairs,—one thief bargaining with apparent intent to purchase, whilst the other watches his opportunity to steal. An amusing example ofPALMINGcame off some time since. A man entered a “ready made” boot and shoe shop and desired to be shown a pair of boots,—his companion staying outside and amusing himself by looking in at the window. The one who required to be fresh shod was apparently of a humble and deferential turn, for he placed his hat on the floor directly he stepped in the shop. Boot after boot was tried on until at last a fit was obtained,—when lo, forth came a man, snatched up the customer’s hat left near the door, and down the street he ran as fast as his legs could carry him. Away went thecustomer after his hat, and Crispin, standing at the door, clapped his hands and shouted “go it, you’ll catch him,”—little thinking that it was a concerted trick, and that neither his boots nor the customer would ever return.Palmingsometimes refers to secreting money or rings in the hand.

PAM, the knave of clubs; or, in street phraseology, Lord Palmerston.

PANNAM, food, bread.—Lingua Franca,PANNEN;Latin,PANIS;Ancient cant,YANNAM.

PANNAM-BOUND, stopping the prison food or rations to a prisoner.PANNAM-STRUCK, very hungry.

PANNIKIN, a small pan.

PANNY, a house—public or otherwise; “flashPANNY,” a public-house used by thieves;PANNY MEN, housebreakers.

PANTILE, a hat. The termPANTILEis properly applied to the mould into which the sugar is poured which is afterwards known as “loaf sugar.” Thus,PANTILE, from whence comes the phrase “a sugar-loaf hat,” originally signified a tall, conical hat, in shape similar to that usually represented as the head gear of a bandit. FromPANTILE, the more modern slang termTILEhas been derived.HalliwellgivesPANTILE SHOP, a meeting-house.

PANTILER, a dissenting preacher. Probably from the practice of the Quakers, and many dissenters, of not removing the hat in a place of worship.

PAPER MAKERS, rag gatherers and gutter rakers—similar to the chiffonniers of Paris. Also, those men who tramp through the country, and collect rags on the pretence that they are agents to a paper mill.

PAPER WORKERS, the wandering vendors of street literature; street folk who sell ballads, dying speeches and confessions, sometimes termedRUNNING STATIONERS.

PARADIS,Frenchslang for the gallery of a theatre, “up amongst theGODS,” which see.

PARISH LANTERN, the moon.

PARNEY, rain; “dowry ofPARNEY,” a quantity of rain.Anglo-Indianslang from theHindoo,PÃNI, water;Gipsey,PANÉ. Old Indian officers always call brandy and waterBRANDY PAWNEE.

PASH, to strike; now corrupted toBASH, which see.—Shakes.

PASTE-HORN, the nose. Shoemakers nickname any shopmatewith a large nose “oldPASTEHORN,” from the horn in which they keep their paste.

PATENT COAT, a coat with the pockets inside the skirts,—termedPATENTfrom the difficulty of picking them.

PATTER, a speech or discourse, a pompous street oration, a judge’s summing up, a trial.Ancientword for muttering. Probably from theLatin,PATER NOSTER, or Lord’s Prayer. This was said, before the Reformation, in alow voiceby the priest, until he came to, “and lead us not into temptation,” to which the choir responded, “but deliver us from evil.” In our reformed Prayer Book this was altered, and the Lord’s Prayer directed to be said “with aloud voice.”—Dr. Puseytakes this view of the derivation in hisLetter to the Bishop of London, p. 78, 1851.Scottuses the word twice inIvanhoeand theBride of Lammermoor.

PATTER, to talk.Patter flash, to speak the language of thieves, talk cant.

PATTERERS, men who cry last dying speeches, &c., in the streets, and those who help off their wares bylong haranguesin the public thoroughfares. These men, to use their own term “are the haristocracy of the street sellers,” and despise the costermongers for their ignorance, boasting that they live by their intellect. The public, they say, do not expect to receive from them an equivalent for their money—they pay to hear them talk.—Mayhew.Pattererswere formerly termed “mountebanks.”

PAWS, hands.

PAY, to beat a person, or “serve them out.” Originally a nautical term, meaning to stop the seams of a vessel with pitch (French,POIX); “here’s the d——l toPAY, and no pitch hot,” said when any catastrophe occurs which there is no means of averting; “toPAYover face and eyes, as the cat did the monkey;” “toPAYthrough the nose,” to give a ridiculous price.—whence the origin?ShakespereusesPAYin the sense of to beat, or thrash.

PEACH, to inform against or betray.Websterstates thatimpeachis now the modification mostly used, and thatPEACHis confined principally to the conversation of thieves and the lower orders.

PEACOCK HORSE, amongst undertakers, is one with a showy tail and mane, and holds its head up well,—che va favorreggiando, &c.,Italian.

PEAKING, remnants of cloth.

PECK, food; “PECKand booze,” meat and drink.—Lincolnshire.Ancient cant,PEK, meat.

PECKER, “keep yourPECKERup,”i.e., don’t get down-hearted,—literally, keep your beak or head well up, “never say die!”

PECKISH, hungry.Old cant,PECKIDGE, meat.

PEEL, to strip, or disrobe.—Pugilistic.

PEELER, a policeman; so called from Sir Robert Peel (seeBOBBY); properly applied to the Irish constabulary rather than the City police, the former force having been established by Sir Robert Peel.

PEEPERS, eyes; “paintedPEEPERS,” eyes bruised or blackened from a blow.

PEERY, suspicious, or inquisitive.

PEG, brandy and soda water.

PEG, “toPEGaway,” to strike, run, or drive away; “PEGa hack,” to drive a cab; “take down aPEGor two,” to check an arrogant or conceited person.

PEG, a shilling.—Scotch.

PEG-TOPS, the loose trousers now in fashion, small at the ankle and swelling upwards, in imitation of the Zouave costume.

PENNY GAFFS, shops turned into temporary theatres (admission one penny), where dancing and singing take place every night. Rude pictures of the performers are arranged outside to give the front a gaudy and attractive look, and at night-time coloured lamps and transparencies are displayed to draw an audience.

PENNY-A-LINER, a contributor of local news, accidents, fires, scandal, political and fashionable gossip, club jokes, and anecdotes, to a newspaper; not regularly “on the paper;” one who is popularly believed to be paid for each contribution at the rate of apenny a line, and whose interest is, therefore, that his article should be horribly stuffed with epithets.

PENISULAR, orMOLL TOOLER, a female pickpocket.

PENSIONER, a man of the lowest morals who lives off the miserable earnings of a prostitute.

PEPPER, to thrash, or strike.—Pugilistic, but used byShakespere.—East.

PERCH, orROOST, a resting place; “I’m off toPERCH,”i.e., I am going to bed.

PERSUADERS, spurs.

PESKY, an intensitive expression, implying annoyance; aPESKY, troublesome fellow. Corruption ofPESTILENT?

PETER, a partridge.—Poacher’s term.

PETER, a bundle, or valise.—Bulwer’s Paul Clifford.

PETER, to run short, or give out.

PETERER, orPETERMAN, one who follows hackney and stage coaches, and cuts off the portmanteaus and trunks from behind.—Nearly obsolete.Ancientterm for a fisherman, still used at Gravesend.

PETTICOAT, a woman.

PEWTER, money, likeTIN, used generally to signify silver; also, a pewter-pot.

PHYSOG, orPHIZ, the face.Swiftuses the latter. Corruption ofphysiognomy.

PIC., the Piccadilly Saloon.

PICK, “toPICKoneself up,” to recover after a beating or illness; “toPICKa man up,” “to do,” or cheat him.

PICKERS, the hands.—Shakespere.

PICKLE, a miserable or comical position; “he is in a sadPICKLE,” said of any one who has fallen into the gutter, or got besmeared. “APICKLEherring,” a comical fellow, a merry Andrew.—Old.

PICKLES! gammon.

PIECE, a contemptuous term for a woman; a strumpet.—Shakespere.

PIG, orSOW’S BABY, a sixpence.

PIG, a mass of metal,—so called from its being poured in a fluid state from a sow, which see.—Workmen’s term.

PIG AND TINDER-BOX, the vulgar rendering of the well-known tavern sign, “Elephant and Castle.”

PEPPER-BOXES, the buildings of the Royal Academy and National Gallery, in Trafalgar-square. The name was first given by a wag, in allusion to the cupolas erected by Wilkins, the architect, upon the roof, and which at a distance suggest to the stranger the fact of their being enlargedPEPPER-BOXES, from their form and awkward appearance.—SeeBOILERS.

PIGEON, a gullible or soft person. TheFrenchslang, orargot, has the wordPIGEON, dupe—“PECHON,PESCHON DE RUBY, apprenti gueux, enfant (sans doute dérobé).” The vagabonds and brigands of Spain also use the word in theirGermania, orRobbers’ Language,PALOMO(pigeon), ignorant, simple.

PIGEON, orBLUEY CRACKING, breaking into empty houses and stealing lead.

PIG-HEADED, obstinate.

PIG’S WHISPER, a low or inaudible whisper; also a short space of time, synonymous withCOCKSTRIDE,i.e.,cock’s tread.

PIKE, to run away.

PIKE, a turnpike; “to bilk aPIKE,” to cheat the keeper of the toll-gate.

PILL, a doctor—Military.Pill-driver, a peddling apothecary.

PIN, “to put in thePIN,” to refrain from drinking. From the ancient peg tankard, which was furnished with a row of PINS, or pegs, to regulate the amount which each person was to drink. AMERRY PIN, a roisterer.

PINCH, to steal, or cheat; also, to catch, or apprehend.

PINDARIC HEIGHTS, studying the odes of Pindar.—Oxford.

PINK, to stab, or pierce.

PINK, theacméof perfection.—Shakespere.

PINNERS-UP, sellers of old songs pinned against a wall, or framed canvas.

PINS, legs.

PIPE, to shed tears, or bewail; “PIPEone’s eye.”—Sea term.

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