CUT, in theatrical language, means to strike out portions of a dramatic piece, so as to render it shorter for representation. A late treasurer of one of the so calledPatent Theatres, when asked his opinion of a new play, always gave utterance to the brief, but safe piece of criticism, “wantsCUTTING.”CUT, tipsey.—Household Words, No. 183.CUT, to compete in business.CUT-THROAT, a butcher, a cattle slaughterer; a ruffian.CUTE, sharp, cunning. Abbreviation ofACUTE.CUTTER, a ruffian, a cut purse. OfRobin Hoodit was said—“So being outlawed (as ’tis told),He with a crew went forthOf lustyCUTTERS, bold and strong,And robbed in the north.”This ancient cant word now survives in the phrase, “to swear like aCUTTER.”CUTTY PIPE, a short clay pipe.Scotch,CUTTY, short.Cutty-sark, a scantily draped lady is so called byBurns.DAB, orDABSTER, an expert person. Johnson says, “in low language, an artist.”DAB, a bed.DAB, street term for a flat fish of any kind.—Old.DACHA-SALTEE, tenpence. Probably from theLingua Franca.Modern Greek, δεκα;Italian,DIECI SOLDI, tenpence;Gipsey,DIK, ten. So alsoDACHA-ONE,i.e.,dieci uno, elevenpence.—SeeSALTEE.DADDLES, hands; “tip us yourDADDLES,”i.e., shake hands.DADDY, the stage manager.—Theatrical.Also the person who gives away the bride at weddings.DAGS, feat or performance; “I’ll do yourDAGS,”i.e., I will do something that you cannot do.DAISY CUTTER, a horse which trots or gallops without lifting its feet much from the ground.DAISY KICKERS, the name hostlers at large inns used to give each other, now nearly obsolete.Daisy-kicker, orGROGHAM, was likewise the cant term for a horse.TheDAISY-KICKERSwere sad rogues in the old posting-days; frequently the landlords rented the stables to them, as the only plan to make them return a profit.DAMPER, a shop till; toDRAW A DAMPER,i.e., rob a till.DANCE UPON NOTHING, to be hanged.DANCERS, stairs.—Old cant.DANDER, passion, or temper; “to get one’sDANDERup,” to rouse his passion.—Old.DANDY, a fop, or fashionable nondescript. This word, in the sense of a fop, is of modern origin.Egansays it was first used in 1820, andBeein 1816. Johnson does not mention it, although it is to be found in all late dictionaries.Dandieswore stays, studied feminity, and tried to undo their manhood. Lord Petersham headed them. At the present day dandies of this stamp are fast disappearing. The feminine ofDANDYwasDANDIZETTE, but the term only lived for a short season.DANDYPRAT, a funny little fellow, a mannikin; originally a half-farthing.DANNA, excrement;DANNA DRAG, a nightman’s or dustman’s cart.DARBIES, handcuffs.—Old cant.DARBLE, the devil.—French,DIABLE.DARK, “keep itDARK,”i.e., secret.Dark horse, in racing phraseology a horse whose chance of success is unknown, and whose capabilities have not been made the subject of comment.DARKEY, twilight.Darkmans, the night.DARN, vulgar corruption of d——n.—American.DASHING, showy, fast.DAVID’S SOW, “as drunk asDAVID’S SOW,”i.e., beastly drunk.—See origin of the phrase inGrose’s Dictionary.DAVY, “on myDAVY,” on my affidavit, of which it is a vulgar corruption. LatterlyDAVYhas become synonymous in street language with the name of the Deity; “so help meDAVY,” slang rendering of the conclusion of the oath usually exacted of witnesses.DAVY’S LOCKER, orDAVY JONES’ LOCKER, the sea, the common receptacle for all things thrown overboard;—a nautical phrase for death, the other world.DAWDLE, to loiter, or fritter away time.DAYLIGHTS, eyes; “to darken hisDAYLIGHTS,” to give a person black eyes.DEAD ALIVE, stupid, dull.DEAD HORSE, “to draw theDEAD HORSE,”DEAD-HORSEwork,—working for wages already paid; also any thankless or unassisted service.DEAD-LURK, entering a dwelling-house during divine service.DEAD MEN, the term for wine bottles after they are emptied of their contents.—Old.—SeeMARINES.DEAD-SET, a pointed attack on a person.DEANER, a shilling.Provincial Gipsey,DEANEE, a pound.DEATH, “to dress toDEATH,”i.e., to the very extreme of fashion, perhaps so as to beKILLING.DEATH-HUNTERS, running patterers, who vend last dying speeches and confessions.DECK, a pack of cards.—Old.Used by Bulwer as a cant term. General in theUnited States.DEE, a pocket book, term used by tramps.—Gipsey.DEMIREP (orRIP), a courtesan. Contraction ofDEMI-REPUTATION—Grose.DESPATCHES, false “dice with two sides, double four, double five, and double six.”—Times, 27th November, 1856.DEUCE, the devil.—Old.Stated byJuniusand others to be fromDEUS.DEUCE, twopence;DEUCEat cards or dice, one with two pips or holes.DEVIL, a printer’s youngest apprentice, an errand boy.DEVIL-DODGERS, clergymen; also people who go sometimes to church and sometimes to meeting.DEVIL’S-TEETH, dice.DEVOTIONAL HABITS, horses weak in the knees and apt to stumble and fall are said to have these.—Stable.DEWSKITCH, a good thrashing.DIBBS, money; so called from the huckle bones of sheep, which have been used from the earliest times for gambling purposes, being thrown up five at a time and caught on the back of the hand like halfpence.DICKEY, bad, sorry, or foolish; food or lodging is pronouncedDICKEYwhen of a poor description; “it’s allDICKEYwith him,”i.e., all over with him.DICKEY, formerly the cant for a worn out shirt, but means now-a-days a front or half-shirt.Dickeywas originallyTOMMY(from the Greek, τομη, a section), a name which I understand was formerly used in Trinity College, Dublin. The students are said to have invented the term, and theGypschanged it toDICKEY, in which dress it is supposed to have been imported into England.DICKEY, a donkey.DICKENS, synonymous with devil; “what theDICKENSare you after?” what the d—l are you doing? Used byShakesperein theMerry Wives of Windsor.DIDDLE, to cheat, or defraud.—Old.DIDDLE, old cant word for geneva, or gin.DIDDLER, orJEREMY DIDDLER, an artful swindlerDIDOES, pranks or capers; “to cut upDIDOES,” to make pranks.DIES, last dying speeches, and criminal trials.DIGS, hard blows.DIGGERS, spurs; also the spades on cards.DIGGINGS, lodgings, apartments, residence; an expression probably imported from California, or Australia, with reference tothe gold diggings.DILLY DALLY, to trifle.DIMBER, neat or pretty.—Worcestershire, but old cant.DIMBER DAMBER, very pretty; a clever rogue who excels his fellows; chief of a gang.Old cantin the latter sense.—English Rogue..DIMMOCK, money; “how are you off forDIMMOCK?” diminutive ofDIME, a small foreign silver coin.DINARLY, money; “NANTEE DINARLY,” I have no money, corrupted from theLingua Franca, “NIENTE DINARO,” not a penny.Turkish,DINARI;Spanish,DINERO;Latin,DENARIUS.DING, to strike; to throw away, or get rid of anything; to pass to a confederate.DIPPED, mortgaged.—Household Words, No. 183.DISGUISED, intoxicated.—Household Words, No. 183.DISH, to stop, to do away with, to suppress;DISHED, done for, floored, beaten, or silenced. A correspondent suggests that meat is usuallyDONE BROWNbefore beingDISHED, and conceives that the latter term may have arisen as the natural sequence of the former.DISHABBILLY, the ridiculous corruption of theFrench,DESHABILLE, amongst fashionably affected, but ignorant “stuck-up” people.DITHERS, nervous or cold shiverings. “It gave me theDITHERS.”DIVE, to pick pockets.DIVERS, pickpockets.DO, this useful and industrious verb has for many years done service as a slang term. ToDOa person is to cheat him. Sometimes another tense is employed, such as “IDONEhim,” meaning I cheated or “paid him out;”DONE BROWN, cheated thoroughly, befooled;DONE OVER, upset, cheated, knocked down, ruined;DONE UP, used up, finished, or quieted.Donealso means convicted, or sentenced; so doesDONE-FOR. ToDOa person in pugilism is to excel him in fisticuffs. Humphreys, who fought Mendoza, a Jew, wrote this laconic note to his supporter—“Sir,—I haveDONEthe Jew, and am in good health. Rich. Humphreys.” Tourists use the expression “I haveDONEFrance and Italy,” meaning I have completely explored those countries.DOCTOR, to adulterate or drug liquor; also to falsify accounts.—SeeCOOK.DODGE, a cunning trick. “Dodge, that homely but expressive phrase.”—Sir Hugh Cairns on the Reform Bill, 2nd March, 1859.Anglo Saxon,DEOGIAN, to colour, to conceal. TheTIDY DODGE, as it is called by street-folk, consists in dressing up a family clean andtidy, and parading the streets to excite compassion and obtain alms. A correspondent suggests that the verbDODGEmay have been formed (likewenchfromwink) fromDOG,i.e., to double quickly and unexpectedly, as in coursing.DODGER, a tricky person, or one who, to use the popular phrase, “knows too much.”—SeeDEVIL-DODGER.DODGER, a dram. InKent, aDODGERsignifies a nightcap; which name is often given to the last dram at night.DOG, to follow in one’s footsteps on the sly, to track.DOG-CHEAP, orDOG-FOOLISH, very, or singularly cheap, or foolish. Latham, in hisEnglish Language, says:—“This has nothing to do with dogs. The first syllable is god =goodtransposed, and the second, the ch—p, is chapman,merchant: compareEASTCHEAP.”—Old term.DOG-LATIN, barbarous Latin, such as was formerly used by lawyers in their pleadings.DOG-ON-IT, a form of mild swearing used by boys. It is just worthy of mention thatDOGONE, inAnglo-Norman, is equivalent to a term of contempt.Friesic,DOGENIET.DOGSNOSE, gin and beer, so called from the mixture beingcold, like a dog’s nose.DOLDRUMS, difficulties, low spirits, dumps.—Sea.DOLLOP, a lump or portion.—Norfolk.Ang. Sax.DAEL,dole.DOLLOP,to dole up, give up a share.—Ib.DOLLYMOP, a tawdrily-dressed maid servant, a street walker.DOLLY SHOP, an illegal pawnshop,—where goods, or stolen property, not good enough for the pawnbroker, are received, and charged at so much per day. If not redeemed the third day the goods are forfeited.Anglo Saxon,DAEL, a part,—to dole?—SeeNIX. A correspondent thinks it may have been derived from theblack doll, the usual sign of a rag shop.DOMINE, a parson.DOMINOS, the teeth.DON, a clever fellow, the opposite of a muff; a person of distinction in his line or walk. At the Universities, the Masters and Fellows areTHE DONS.Donis also used as an adjective, “aDONhand at a knife and fork,”i.e., a first-rate feeder at a dinner table.—Spanish.DONE FOR A RAMP, convicted for thieving.DONKEY, “three more and up goes theDONKEY,” a vulgar street phrase for extracting as much money as possible before performing any task. The phrase had its origin with a travelling showman, thefinaleof whose performance was the hoisting of aDONKEYon a pole or ladder; but this consummation was never arrived at unless the required number of “browns” was first paid up, and “three more” was generally the unfortunate deficit.DONNA AND FEELES, a woman and children.ItalianorLingua Franca,DONNE E FIGLIE.DOOKIN, fortune telling.Gipsey,DUKKERIN.DOSE, three months’ imprisonment as a known thief.—SeeBRAGGADOCIO.DOSS, a bed.—North.Probably fromDOZE. Mayhew thinks it is from the Norman,DOSSEL, a hanging, or bed canopy.DOSS, to sleep, formerly speltDORSE. Perhaps from the phrase to lie on one’sdorsum, back.DOSS-KEN, a lodging house.DOUBLE, “to tip (or give) theDOUBLE,” to run away from any person; to double back, turn short round upon one’s pursuers and so escape, as a hare does.—Sporting.DOUBLE-UP, to pair off, or “chum,” with another man; to beat severely.DOUBLE-SHUFFLE, a low, shuffling, noisy dance, common amongst costermongers.—SeeFLIP-FLAPS.DOUSE, to put out; “DOUSEthat glim,” put out that candle.—Sea.DOWD, a woman’s nightcap.—Devonshire; also anAmericanterm; possibly fromDOWDY, a slatternly woman.DOWN, to be aware of, or awake to, any move—in this meaning, synonymous withUP; “DOWNupon one’s luck,” unfortunate; “DOWNin the mouth,” disconsolate; “to beDOWNon one,” to treat him harshly or suspiciously, to pounce upon him, or detect his tricks.DOWN THE DOLLY, a favourite gambling contrivance, often seen in the tap rooms of public houses, at race-courses, and fairs, consisting of a round board and the figure of an old man or “doll,” down which is a spiral hole. A marble is dropped “down the dolly,” and stops in one of the small holes or pits (numbered) on the board. The bet is decided according as the marble stops on a high or low figure.DOWN THE ROAD, stylish, showy, after the fashion.DOWNER, a sixpence; apparently theGipseyword,TAWNO, “little one,” in course of metamorphosis into the more usual “tanner.”DOWNS, Tothill Fields’ prison.DOWNY, knowing or cunning; “aDOWNY COVE,” a knowing or experienced sharper.DOWRY, a lot, a great deal; “DOWRYof parny,” lot of rain or water.—SeePARNY. Probably from theGipsey.DOXY, the female companion of a thief or beggar. In the West of England, the women frequently call their little girlsDOXIES, in a familiar or endearing sense. A learned divine once describedorthodoxyas being a man’s ownDOXY, andheterodoxyanother man’sDOXY.—Ancient cant.DRAB, a vulgar or low woman.—Shakespere.DRAG, a cart of any kind, a coach; gentlemen drive to the races in drags.DRAG, a street, or road;BACK-DRAG, back-street.DRAG, orTHREE MOON, three months in prison.DRAGGING, robbing carts, &c.DRAGSMEN, fellows who cut trunks from the backs of carriages. They sometimes have a light cart, and “drop behind” the plundered vehicle, and then drive off in an opposite direction with the booty.DRAIN, a drink; “to do aDRAIN,” to take a friendly drink—“do a wet;” sometimes called aCOMMON SEWER.DRAW, “come,DRAWit mild!”i.e., don’t exaggerate; opposite of “come it strong.” From the phraseology of the bar (of aPUBLIC), where customers desire the beer to beDRAWNmild.DRAWERS, formerly the ancient cant name for very long stockings, now a hosier’s term.DRAWING TEETH, wrenching off knockers.DRIVE-AT, to aim at; “what is heDRIVING AT?”“what does he intend to imply?” a phrase often used when a circuitous line of argument is adopted by a barrister, or a strange set of questions asked, the purpose of which is not very evident.DRIVE, a term used by tradesmen in speaking of business; “he’sDRIVINGaroaringtrade,”i.e., a very good one; hence, to succeed in a bargain, “IDROVEa good bargain,”i.e., got the best end of it.DRIZ, lace. In a low lodging house this singular autograph inscription appeared over the mantelpiece, “Scotch Mary, withDRIZ(lace), bound to Dover and back, please God.”DRIZ FENCER, a person who sells lace.DROP, to quit, go off, or turn aside; “DROPthe main Toby,” go off the main road.DROP, “toDROP INTOa person,” to give him a thrashing.—SeeSLIPandWALK. “ToDROP ONto a man,” to accuse or rebuke him suddenly.DRUM, a house, a lodging, a street;HAZARD-DRUM, a gambling house;FLASH-DRUM, a house of ill-fame.DRUMMER, a robber who first makes his victims insensible by drugs or violence, and then plunders them.DUB, to pay or give; “DUB UP,” pay up.DUBBER, the mouth; “mum yourDUBBER,” hold your tongue.DUBLIN PACKET, to turn a corner; to “take theDUBLIN PACKET,” viz., run round the corner.DUBS, a bunch of keys.—Nearly obsolete.DUBSMAN, orSCREW, a turnkey.DUCKS AND DRAKES, “to makeDUCKS AND DRAKESof one’s money,” to throw it away childishly,—derived from children “shying” flat stones on the surface of a pool, which they callDUCKS AND DRAKES, according to the number of skips they make.DUDDERS, orDUDSMEN, persons who formerly travelled the country as pedlars, selling gown-pieces, silk waistcoats, &c., to countrymen. In selling a waistcoat-piece for thirty shillings or two pounds, which cost them perhaps five shillings, they would show great fear of the revenue officer, and beg of the purchasing clodhopperto kneel down in a puddle of water, crook his arm, and swear that it might never become straight if he told an exciseman, or even his own wife. The term and practice are nearly obsolete. In Liverpool, however, and at the east end of London, men dressed up as sailors, with pretended silk handkerchiefs and cigars “only just smuggled from the Indies,” are still to be plentifully found.DUDDS, clothes, or personal property.Gaelic,DUD;Ancient cant; alsoDutch.DUFF, pudding; vulgar pronunciation ofDOUGH.—Sea.DUFFER, a hawker of “Brummagem” or sham jewellery; a sham of any kind; a fool, or worthless person.DUFFERwas formerly synonymous withDUDDER, and was a general term given to pedlars. It is mentioned in theFrauds of London(1760), as a word in frequent use in the last century to express cheats of all kinds. From theGerman,DURFEN, to want?DUFFING, false, counterfeit, worthless.DUKE, gin.—Household Words, No. 183.DUMB-FOUND, to perplex, to beat soundly till not able to speak. Originally a cant word.Johnsoncites theSpectatorfor the earliest use.Scotch,DUMFOUNDER.DUMMACKER, a knowing or acute person.DUMMIES, empty bottles and drawers in an apothecary’s shop, labelled so as to give an idea of an extensive stock.DUMMY, in three-handed whist the person who holds two hands playsDUMMY.DUMMY, a pocket book.DUMP FENCER, a man who sells buttons.DUMPY, short and stout.DUMPISH, sullen, or glumpy.DUN, to solicit payment.—Old cant, from the FrenchDONNEZ, give; or fromJOE DUN, the famous bailiff of Lincoln; or simply a corruption ofDIN, from theAnglo SaxonDUNAN, to clamour?DUNAKER, a stealer of cows or calves.Nearly obsolete.DUNDERHEAD, a blockhead.DUNG, an operative who works for an employer who does not give full or “society” wages.DUNNAGE, baggage, clothes. Also, aSeaterm for wood or loose faggots laid at the bottom of ships, upon which is placed the cargo.DUNNY-KEN, a water-closet.—SeeKEN.DURRYNACKING, offering lace or any other article as an introduction to fortune-telling; generally pursued by women.DUST, money; “down with theDUST,” put down the money.—Ancient.Dean Swift once took for his text, “He who giveth to the poor lendeth to the Lord.” His sermon was short. “Now, my brethren,” said he, “if you are satisfied with the security, down with theDUST.”DUST, a disturbance, or noise, “to raise aDUST,” to make a row.DUTCH CONSOLATION, “thank God it is no worse.”DUTCH CONCERT, where each performer plays a different tune.DUTCH COURAGE, false courage, generally excited by drink,—pot-valour.DUTCH FEAST, where the host gets drunk before his guest.DUTCH UNCLE, a personage often introduced in conversation, but exceedingly difficult to describe; “I’ll talk to him like aDUTCH UNCLE!” conveys the notion of anything but a desirable relation.—Americanism.DOUBLE DUTCH, gibberish, or any foreign tongue.EARL OF CORK, the ace of diamonds.—Hibernicism.“What do you mean by the Earl of Cork?” asked Mr. Squander. “The ace of diamonds, your honour. It’s the worst ace, and the poorest card in the pack, and is called the Earl of Cork, because he’s the poorest nobleman in Ireland.”—Carleton’s Traits and Stories of the Irish Peasantry.EARWIG, a clergyman, also one who prompts another maliciously.EARWIGGING, a rebuke in private; aWIGGINGis more public.EASE, to rob; “EASINGa bloak,” robbing a man.EGG, orEGGon, to excite, stimulate, or provoke one person to quarrel with another, &c.Cor. of edge, or edge on.—Ancient.ELBOW, “to shake one’sELBOW,” to play at cards.ELBOW GREASE, labour, or industry.ELEPHANT, “to haveSEEN THE ELEPHANT,” to be “upto the latest move,” or “downto the last new trick;” to be knowing, and not “green,” &c. Possibly a metaphor taken from the travelling menageries, where theELEPHANTis thefinaleof the exhibition.—Originally anAmericanism.Bartlettgives conflicting examples.Generalnow, however.EVAPORATE, to go, or run away.EVERLASTING STAIRCASE, the treadmill. Sometimes called “Colonel Chesterton’s everlasting staircase,” from the gallant inventor or improver.EXTENSIVE, frequently applied in a slang sense to a person’s appearance or talk; “ratherEXTENSIVEthat!” intimating that the person alluded to is showing off, or “cutting it fat.”EYE WATER, gin.FAD, a hobby, a favourite pursuit.FADGE, a farthing.FADGE, to suit or fit; “it won’tFADGE,” it will not do. Used byShakespere, but now heard only in the streets.FAG, to beat, also one boy working for another at school.FAG, a schoolboy who performs a servant’s offices to a superior school-mate.GrosethinksFAGGED OUTis derived from this.FAGOT, a term of opprobrium used by low people to children; “you littleFAGOT, you!”Fagotwas originally a term of contempt for a dry, shrivelled old woman, whose bones were like a bundle of sticks, only fit to burn.—Compare the French expression for a heretic,sentir le fagot.FAKE, to cheat, or swindle; to do anything; to go on, or continue; to make or construct; to steal, or rob,—a verb variously used.Faked, done, or done for; “FAKEaway, there’s no down,” go on, there is nobody looking.Mayhewsays it is from theLatin,FACIMENTUM.FAKEMENT, a false begging petition, any act of robbery, swindling, or deception.FAKEMENT CHARLEY, the owner’s private mark.FAKER, one who makes orFAKESanything.FAKING A CLY, picking a pocket.FAMBLES, orFAMMS, the hands.—Ancient cant.German,FAUGEN.FAMILY MEN, orPEOPLE, thieves, or burglars.FAN, a waistcoat.FANCY, the favourite sports, pets, or pastime of a person,the tan of low life. Pugilists are sometimes termedTHE FANCY.Shakespereuses the word in the sense of a favourite, or pet; and the paramour of a prostitute is still called herFANCY-MAN.FANCY-BLOAK, a fancy or sporting man.FAN-TAIL, a dustman’s hat.FAST, gay, spreeish, unsteady, thoughtless,—an Americanism that has of late ascended from the streets to the drawing-room. The word has certainly now a distinct meaning, which it had not thirty years ago.Quickis the synonyme forFAST, but aQUICK MANwould not convey the meaning of aFAST MAN,—a person who by late hours, gaiety, and continual rounds of pleasure, lives too fast and wears himself out. In polite society aFASTyoung lady is one who affects mannish habits, or makes herself conspicuous by some unfeminine accomplishment,—talks slang, drives about in London, smokes cigarettes, is knowing in dogs, horses, &c. An amusing anecdote is told of aFASTyoung lady, the daughter of a right reverend prelate, who was an adept inhorseflesh. Being desirous of ascertaining the opinion of acandidate for ordination, who had the look of a bird of the same feather, as to the merits of some cattle just brought to her father’s palace for her to select from, she was assured by him they were utterly unfit for a lady’s use. With a knowing look at the horses’ points, she gave her decision in these choice words, “Well, I agree with you; theyarea rum lot, as the Devil said of the ten commandments.”FAST, embarrassed, wanting money. Synonymous withHARD UP.—Yorkshire.FAT, a printer’s term signifying the void spaces on a page, for which he is paid at the same rate as full or unbroken pages. This work afforded muchFATfor the printers.FAT, rich, abundant, &c.; “aFATlot;” “to cut itFAT,” to exaggerate, to show off in an extensive or grand manner, to assume undue importance;“cut upFAT,” see underCUT. As aTheatricalterm, a part with plenty ofFATin it, is one which affords the actor an opportunity of effective display.FATHER, orFENCE, a buyer of stolen property.FAWNEY, a finger ring.FAWNEY BOUNCING, selling rings for a wager. This practice is founded upon the old tale of a gentleman laying a wager that if he was to offer “real gold sovereigns” at a penny a piece at the foot of London Bridge, the English public would be too incredulous to buy. The story states that the gentleman stationed himself with sovereigns in a tea tray, and sold only two within the hour,—winning the bet. This tale theFAWNEY BOUNCERStell the public, only offering brass, double gilt rings, instead of sovereigns.FAWNEY, orFAWNEY RIG, ring dropping. A few years ago, this practice, orRIG, was very common. A fellow purposely dropped a ring, or a pocket book with some little articles of jewellery, &c., in it, and when he saw any person pick it up, ran to claim half. The ring found, the question of how the booty was to be divided had then to be decided. TheFawneysays, “if you will give me eight or nine shillings for my share the things are yours.” This theFLATthinks very fair. The ring of course is valueless, and the swallower of the bait discovers the trick too late.FEATHERS, money, wealth; “in fullFEATHER,” rich.FEEDER, a spoon.—Old cant.FEELE, a daughter, or child.—Corrupted French.FELT, a hat.—Old term, in use in the sixteenth century.FENCE, orFENCER, a purchaser or receiver of stolen goods;FENCE, the shop or warehouse of aFENCER.—Old cant.FENCE, to sell or pawn stolen property to aFENCER.FERRICADOUZER, a knock down below, a good thrashing. Probably derived through theLingua Francafrom theItalian,FAR’ CADER’ MORTO, to knock down dead.FIB, to beat, or strike.—Old cant.FIDDLE, a whip.FIDDLE FADDLE, twaddle, or trifling discourse.—Old cant.FIDDLE STICKS! nonsense.FIDDLER, orFADGE, a farthing.FIDDLER, a sixpence.—Household Words, No. 183.FIDDLER, a sharper, a cheat; also one who dawdles over little matters, and neglects great ones.FIDDLERS’ MONEY, a lot of sixpences;—6d. was the remuneration to fiddlers from each of the company in old times.FIDDLING, doing any odd jobs in the streets, holding horses, carrying parcels, &c., for a living. Among the middle classes,FIDDLINGmeans idling away time, or trifling; and amongst sharpers, it means gambling.FID FAD, a game similar to chequers, or drafts, played in the West of England.FIDLUM BEN, thieves who take anything they can lay their hands upon.FIELD-LANE-DUCK, a baked sheep’s head.Field-laneis a low London thoroughfare, leading from the foot of Holborn-hill to the purlieus of Clerkenwell. It was formerly the market for stolen pocket handkerchiefs.FIG, “toFIGa horse,” to play improper tricks with one in order to make him lively.FIG, “in fullFIG,”i.e., full dress costume, “extensively got up.”FIGURE, “to cut a good or badFIGURE,” to make a good or indifferent appearance; “what’s theFIGURE?” how much is to pay?Figure-head, a person’s face.—Sea term.FILCH, to steal, or purloin. Originally a cant word, derived from theFILCHES, or hooks, thieves used to carry, to hook clothes, or any portable articles from open windows.—Vide Decker.It was considered a cant or Gipsey term up to the beginning of the last century.Harmanhas “FYLCHE, to robbe.”FILE, a deep, or artful man, a jocose name for a cunning person.Originally a term for a pickpocket, whenTO FILEwas to cheat or rob.File, an artful man, was used in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries.FILLIBRUSH, to flatter, praise ironically.FIMBLE-FAMBLE, a lame prevaricating excuse.—Scand.FIN, a hand; “come, tip us yourFIN,” viz., let us shake hands.—Sea.FINDER, one whoFINDSbacon and meat at the market before they are lost,i.e., steals them.FINUF, a five-pound note.Double Finuf, a ten-pound note.—German,FUNF, five.FISHY, doubtful, unsound, rotten—a term used to denote a suspicion of a “screw being loose,” or “something rotten in the state of Denmark,” in alluding to an unsafe speculation.FISH, a person; “a queerFISH,” “a looseFISH,” &c.FIX, a predicament, dilemma; “an awfulFIX,” a terrible position; “toFIXone’s flint for him,”i.e., to “settle hishash,” “put a spoke in his wheel.”FIZZING, first-rate, very good, excellent; synonymous withSTUNNING.FLABERGAST, orFLABBERGHAST, to astonish, or strike with wonder.—Old.FLAG, a groat, or 4d.—Ancient cant.FLAG, an apron.FLAG OF DISTRESS, poverty—when the end of a person’s shirt protrudes through his trousers.FLAM, nonsense, blarney, a lie.—Kentish;Anglo Saxon.FLAME, a sweetheart.FLANNEL, orHOT FLANNEL, the old term for gin and beer, drank hot, with nutmeg, sugar, &c. Also calledFLIP. There is an anecdote told of Goldsmith helping to drink a quart ofFLANNELin a night house, in company with George Parker, Ned Shuter, and a demure grave looking gentleman, who continually introduced the wordsCRAP,STRETCH,SCRAG, andSWING. Upon the Doctor’s asking who this strange person might be, and being told his profession, he rushed from the place in a frenzy, exclaiming, “Good God! and have I been sitting all this while with a hangman?”FLARE UP, a jovial social gathering, a “break down,” a “row.”FLASH, showy, smart, knowing; a word with various meanings.A person is said to be dressedFLASHwhen his garb is showy, and after a fashion, but without taste. A person is said to beFLASHwhen he apes the appearance or manners of his betters, or when he is trying to be superior to his friends and relations.Flashalso means “fast,” roguish, and sometimes infers counterfeit or deceptive,—and this, perhaps, is its general signification. “Flash, my young friend, or slang, as others call it, is the classical language of the Holy Land; in other words, St. Giles’ Greek.”—Tom and Jerry, by Moncreiff. Vulgar language was first termedFLASHin the year 1718, by Hitchin, author of “The Regulator of Thieves, &c., with account ofFLASHwords.”FLASH IT, show it—said when any bargain is offered.FLAT, a fool, a silly or “soft” person, the opposite ofSHARP. The term appears to be shortenings for “sharp-witted” and “flat-witted.” “Oh! Messrs. Tyler, Donelson, and the rest, whatFLATSyou are.”—Times, 5th September, 1847.FLATTIES, rustic, or uninitiated people.FLATTY-KEN, a public house, the landlord of which is ignorant of the practices of the thieves and tramps who frequent it.FLESH AND BLOOD, brandy and port in equal quantities.FLESH-BAG, a shirt.FLICK, orOLD FLICK, an old chap or fellow.FLICK, orFLIG, to whip by striking, and drawing the lash back at the same time, which causes a stinging blow.FLIM FLAMS, idle stories.—Beaumont and Fletcher.FLIMP, to hustle, or rob.FLIMSIES, bank notes.FLIMSY, the thin prepared copying paper used by newspaper reporters and “penny-a-liners” for making several copies at once, thus enabling them to supply different papers with the same article without loss of time.—Printers’ term.FLINT, an operative who works for a “society” master,i.e., for full wages.FLIP, corruption ofFILLIP, a light blow.FLIP-FLAPS, a peculiar rollicking dance indulged in by costermongers when merry or excited—better described, perhaps, as theDOUBLE SHUFFLE, danced with an air of extremeabandon.FLIPPER, the hand; “give us yourFLIPPER,” give me your hand.—Sea.Metaphor taken from the flipper or paddle of a turtle.FLOG, to whip. Cited both byGroseand the author ofBacchus and Venusas a cant word. It would be curious to ascertain the earliest use;Richardsoncites Lord Chesterfield.—Latin.FLOGGER, a whip.—Obsolete.FLOOR, to knock down.—Pugilistic.FLOORER, a blow sufficiently strong to knock a man down.FLOWERY, lodging, or house entertainment; “square the omee for theFLOWERY,” pay the master for the lodging.FLUE FAKERS, chimney sweeps; also low sporting characters, who are so termed from their chiefly betting on theGreat Sweeps.FLUFF IT, a term of disapprobation, implying “take it away, I don’t want it.”FLUKE, at billiards, playing for one thing and getting another. Hence, generally what one gets accidentally, an unexpected advantage, “more by luck than wit.”FLUMMERY, flattery, gammon, genteel nonsense.FLUMMUX, to perplex, hinder;FLUMMUXED, stopped, used up.FLUMMUXED, done up, sure of a month inQUOD, or prison. In mendicant freemasonry, the sign chalked by rogues and tramps upon a gate-post or house corner, to express to succeeding vagabonds that it is unsafe for them to call there, is known as☉ [Circle with dot], orFLUMMUXED, which signifies that the only thing they would be likely to get upon applying for relief would be “a month inQUOD.”—SeeQUOD.FLUNKEY, a footman, servant.—Scotch.FLUSH, the opposite ofHARD UP, in possession of money, not poverty stricken.—Shakespere.FLY, to lift, toss, or raise; “FLYthemags,”i.e., toss up the halfpence; “toFLYa window,”i.e., to lift one for the purpose of stealing.FLY, knowing, wide awake, fully understanding another’s meaning.FLY THE KITE, orRAISE THE WIND, to obtain money on bills, whether good or bad, alluding to tossing paper about like children do a kite.FLY THE KITE, to evacuate from a window,—term used in padding kens, or low lodging houses.FLYING-MESS, “to be inFLYING MESS” is a soldier’s phrase for being hungry and having to mess where he can.—Military.FLYING STATIONERS, paper workers, hawkers of pennyballads; “Printed for the Flying Stationers” is theimprimaturon hundreds of penny histories and sheet songs of the last and present centuries.FLYMY, knowing, cunning, roguish.FOALED, “thrown from a horse.”—Hunting term.—SeePURLED, andSPILT.FOGEY, orOLD FOGEY, a dullard, an old-fashioned or singular person.Grosesays it is a nickname for an invalid soldier, from theFrench,FOURGEAUX, fierce or fiery, but it has lost this signification now.Fogger,old wordfor a huckster or servant.FOGGY, tipsy.FOGLE, a silk handkerchief—not aCLOUT, which is ofcotton. It has been hinted that this may have come from theGerman,VOGEL, a bird, from thebird’s eyespots on some handkerchiefs [seeBIRD’S-EYE-WIPE, underBILLY], but a more probable derivation is the Italian slang (Fourbesque)FOGLIA, a pocket, or purse; or from theFrench argot,FOUILLE, also a pocket.FOGUS, tobacco.—Old cant.Fogo,old word for stench.FOONT, a sovereign, or 20s.FOOTING, “to payFOOTING.”—SeeSHOE.FORAKERS, a water-closet, or house of office.—Term used by the boys atWinchester school.FORK OUT, to bring out one’s money, to pay the bill, toSTAND FORor treat a friend; to hand over what does not belong to you.—Old cant term for picking pockets, and very curious it is to trace its origin. In the early part of the last century, a little book on purloining was published, and of course it had to give the latest modes.Forkingwas the newest method, and it consisted in thrusting the fingers stiff and open into the pocket, and then quickly closing them and extracting any article.FORKS, orGRAPPLING IRONS, fingers.FORTY GUTS, vulgar term for a fat man.FOUR AND NINE, orFOUR AND NINEPENNY GOSS, a cheap hat, so called from 4s. 9d., the price at which a noted advertising hat maker sold his hats—
CUT, in theatrical language, means to strike out portions of a dramatic piece, so as to render it shorter for representation. A late treasurer of one of the so calledPatent Theatres, when asked his opinion of a new play, always gave utterance to the brief, but safe piece of criticism, “wantsCUTTING.”
CUT, tipsey.—Household Words, No. 183.
CUT, to compete in business.
CUT-THROAT, a butcher, a cattle slaughterer; a ruffian.
CUTE, sharp, cunning. Abbreviation ofACUTE.
CUTTER, a ruffian, a cut purse. OfRobin Hoodit was said—
“So being outlawed (as ’tis told),He with a crew went forthOf lustyCUTTERS, bold and strong,And robbed in the north.”
“So being outlawed (as ’tis told),He with a crew went forthOf lustyCUTTERS, bold and strong,And robbed in the north.”
“So being outlawed (as ’tis told),
He with a crew went forth
Of lustyCUTTERS, bold and strong,
And robbed in the north.”
This ancient cant word now survives in the phrase, “to swear like aCUTTER.”
CUTTY PIPE, a short clay pipe.Scotch,CUTTY, short.Cutty-sark, a scantily draped lady is so called byBurns.
DAB, orDABSTER, an expert person. Johnson says, “in low language, an artist.”
DAB, a bed.
DAB, street term for a flat fish of any kind.—Old.
DACHA-SALTEE, tenpence. Probably from theLingua Franca.Modern Greek, δεκα;Italian,DIECI SOLDI, tenpence;Gipsey,DIK, ten. So alsoDACHA-ONE,i.e.,dieci uno, elevenpence.—SeeSALTEE.
DADDLES, hands; “tip us yourDADDLES,”i.e., shake hands.
DADDY, the stage manager.—Theatrical.Also the person who gives away the bride at weddings.
DAGS, feat or performance; “I’ll do yourDAGS,”i.e., I will do something that you cannot do.
DAISY CUTTER, a horse which trots or gallops without lifting its feet much from the ground.
DAISY KICKERS, the name hostlers at large inns used to give each other, now nearly obsolete.Daisy-kicker, orGROGHAM, was likewise the cant term for a horse.
TheDAISY-KICKERSwere sad rogues in the old posting-days; frequently the landlords rented the stables to them, as the only plan to make them return a profit.
DAMPER, a shop till; toDRAW A DAMPER,i.e., rob a till.
DANCE UPON NOTHING, to be hanged.
DANCERS, stairs.—Old cant.
DANDER, passion, or temper; “to get one’sDANDERup,” to rouse his passion.—Old.
DANDY, a fop, or fashionable nondescript. This word, in the sense of a fop, is of modern origin.Egansays it was first used in 1820, andBeein 1816. Johnson does not mention it, although it is to be found in all late dictionaries.Dandieswore stays, studied feminity, and tried to undo their manhood. Lord Petersham headed them. At the present day dandies of this stamp are fast disappearing. The feminine ofDANDYwasDANDIZETTE, but the term only lived for a short season.
DANDYPRAT, a funny little fellow, a mannikin; originally a half-farthing.
DANNA, excrement;DANNA DRAG, a nightman’s or dustman’s cart.
DARBIES, handcuffs.—Old cant.
DARBLE, the devil.—French,DIABLE.
DARK, “keep itDARK,”i.e., secret.Dark horse, in racing phraseology a horse whose chance of success is unknown, and whose capabilities have not been made the subject of comment.
DARKEY, twilight.Darkmans, the night.
DARN, vulgar corruption of d——n.—American.
DASHING, showy, fast.
DAVID’S SOW, “as drunk asDAVID’S SOW,”i.e., beastly drunk.—See origin of the phrase inGrose’s Dictionary.
DAVY, “on myDAVY,” on my affidavit, of which it is a vulgar corruption. LatterlyDAVYhas become synonymous in street language with the name of the Deity; “so help meDAVY,” slang rendering of the conclusion of the oath usually exacted of witnesses.
DAVY’S LOCKER, orDAVY JONES’ LOCKER, the sea, the common receptacle for all things thrown overboard;—a nautical phrase for death, the other world.
DAWDLE, to loiter, or fritter away time.
DAYLIGHTS, eyes; “to darken hisDAYLIGHTS,” to give a person black eyes.
DEAD ALIVE, stupid, dull.
DEAD HORSE, “to draw theDEAD HORSE,”DEAD-HORSEwork,—working for wages already paid; also any thankless or unassisted service.
DEAD-LURK, entering a dwelling-house during divine service.
DEAD MEN, the term for wine bottles after they are emptied of their contents.—Old.—SeeMARINES.
DEAD-SET, a pointed attack on a person.
DEANER, a shilling.Provincial Gipsey,DEANEE, a pound.
DEATH, “to dress toDEATH,”i.e., to the very extreme of fashion, perhaps so as to beKILLING.
DEATH-HUNTERS, running patterers, who vend last dying speeches and confessions.
DECK, a pack of cards.—Old.Used by Bulwer as a cant term. General in theUnited States.
DEE, a pocket book, term used by tramps.—Gipsey.
DEMIREP (orRIP), a courtesan. Contraction ofDEMI-REPUTATION—Grose.
DESPATCHES, false “dice with two sides, double four, double five, and double six.”—Times, 27th November, 1856.
DEUCE, the devil.—Old.Stated byJuniusand others to be fromDEUS.
DEUCE, twopence;DEUCEat cards or dice, one with two pips or holes.
DEVIL, a printer’s youngest apprentice, an errand boy.
DEVIL-DODGERS, clergymen; also people who go sometimes to church and sometimes to meeting.
DEVIL’S-TEETH, dice.
DEVOTIONAL HABITS, horses weak in the knees and apt to stumble and fall are said to have these.—Stable.
DEWSKITCH, a good thrashing.
DIBBS, money; so called from the huckle bones of sheep, which have been used from the earliest times for gambling purposes, being thrown up five at a time and caught on the back of the hand like halfpence.
DICKEY, bad, sorry, or foolish; food or lodging is pronouncedDICKEYwhen of a poor description; “it’s allDICKEYwith him,”i.e., all over with him.
DICKEY, formerly the cant for a worn out shirt, but means now-a-days a front or half-shirt.Dickeywas originallyTOMMY(from the Greek, τομη, a section), a name which I understand was formerly used in Trinity College, Dublin. The students are said to have invented the term, and theGypschanged it toDICKEY, in which dress it is supposed to have been imported into England.
DICKEY, a donkey.
DICKENS, synonymous with devil; “what theDICKENSare you after?” what the d—l are you doing? Used byShakesperein theMerry Wives of Windsor.
DIDDLE, to cheat, or defraud.—Old.
DIDDLE, old cant word for geneva, or gin.
DIDDLER, orJEREMY DIDDLER, an artful swindler
DIDOES, pranks or capers; “to cut upDIDOES,” to make pranks.
DIES, last dying speeches, and criminal trials.
DIGS, hard blows.
DIGGERS, spurs; also the spades on cards.
DIGGINGS, lodgings, apartments, residence; an expression probably imported from California, or Australia, with reference tothe gold diggings.
DILLY DALLY, to trifle.
DIMBER, neat or pretty.—Worcestershire, but old cant.
DIMBER DAMBER, very pretty; a clever rogue who excels his fellows; chief of a gang.Old cantin the latter sense.—English Rogue..
DIMMOCK, money; “how are you off forDIMMOCK?” diminutive ofDIME, a small foreign silver coin.
DINARLY, money; “NANTEE DINARLY,” I have no money, corrupted from theLingua Franca, “NIENTE DINARO,” not a penny.Turkish,DINARI;Spanish,DINERO;Latin,DENARIUS.
DING, to strike; to throw away, or get rid of anything; to pass to a confederate.
DIPPED, mortgaged.—Household Words, No. 183.
DISGUISED, intoxicated.—Household Words, No. 183.
DISH, to stop, to do away with, to suppress;DISHED, done for, floored, beaten, or silenced. A correspondent suggests that meat is usuallyDONE BROWNbefore beingDISHED, and conceives that the latter term may have arisen as the natural sequence of the former.
DISHABBILLY, the ridiculous corruption of theFrench,DESHABILLE, amongst fashionably affected, but ignorant “stuck-up” people.
DITHERS, nervous or cold shiverings. “It gave me theDITHERS.”
DIVE, to pick pockets.
DIVERS, pickpockets.
DO, this useful and industrious verb has for many years done service as a slang term. ToDOa person is to cheat him. Sometimes another tense is employed, such as “IDONEhim,” meaning I cheated or “paid him out;”DONE BROWN, cheated thoroughly, befooled;DONE OVER, upset, cheated, knocked down, ruined;DONE UP, used up, finished, or quieted.Donealso means convicted, or sentenced; so doesDONE-FOR. ToDOa person in pugilism is to excel him in fisticuffs. Humphreys, who fought Mendoza, a Jew, wrote this laconic note to his supporter—“Sir,—I haveDONEthe Jew, and am in good health. Rich. Humphreys.” Tourists use the expression “I haveDONEFrance and Italy,” meaning I have completely explored those countries.
DOCTOR, to adulterate or drug liquor; also to falsify accounts.—SeeCOOK.
DODGE, a cunning trick. “Dodge, that homely but expressive phrase.”—Sir Hugh Cairns on the Reform Bill, 2nd March, 1859.Anglo Saxon,DEOGIAN, to colour, to conceal. TheTIDY DODGE, as it is called by street-folk, consists in dressing up a family clean andtidy, and parading the streets to excite compassion and obtain alms. A correspondent suggests that the verbDODGEmay have been formed (likewenchfromwink) fromDOG,i.e., to double quickly and unexpectedly, as in coursing.
DODGER, a tricky person, or one who, to use the popular phrase, “knows too much.”—SeeDEVIL-DODGER.
DODGER, a dram. InKent, aDODGERsignifies a nightcap; which name is often given to the last dram at night.
DOG, to follow in one’s footsteps on the sly, to track.
DOG-CHEAP, orDOG-FOOLISH, very, or singularly cheap, or foolish. Latham, in hisEnglish Language, says:—“This has nothing to do with dogs. The first syllable is god =goodtransposed, and the second, the ch—p, is chapman,merchant: compareEASTCHEAP.”—Old term.
DOG-LATIN, barbarous Latin, such as was formerly used by lawyers in their pleadings.
DOG-ON-IT, a form of mild swearing used by boys. It is just worthy of mention thatDOGONE, inAnglo-Norman, is equivalent to a term of contempt.Friesic,DOGENIET.
DOGSNOSE, gin and beer, so called from the mixture beingcold, like a dog’s nose.
DOLDRUMS, difficulties, low spirits, dumps.—Sea.
DOLLOP, a lump or portion.—Norfolk.Ang. Sax.DAEL,dole.
DOLLOP,to dole up, give up a share.—Ib.
DOLLYMOP, a tawdrily-dressed maid servant, a street walker.
DOLLY SHOP, an illegal pawnshop,—where goods, or stolen property, not good enough for the pawnbroker, are received, and charged at so much per day. If not redeemed the third day the goods are forfeited.Anglo Saxon,DAEL, a part,—to dole?—SeeNIX. A correspondent thinks it may have been derived from theblack doll, the usual sign of a rag shop.
DOMINE, a parson.
DOMINOS, the teeth.
DON, a clever fellow, the opposite of a muff; a person of distinction in his line or walk. At the Universities, the Masters and Fellows areTHE DONS.Donis also used as an adjective, “aDONhand at a knife and fork,”i.e., a first-rate feeder at a dinner table.—Spanish.
DONE FOR A RAMP, convicted for thieving.
DONKEY, “three more and up goes theDONKEY,” a vulgar street phrase for extracting as much money as possible before performing any task. The phrase had its origin with a travelling showman, thefinaleof whose performance was the hoisting of aDONKEYon a pole or ladder; but this consummation was never arrived at unless the required number of “browns” was first paid up, and “three more” was generally the unfortunate deficit.
DONNA AND FEELES, a woman and children.ItalianorLingua Franca,DONNE E FIGLIE.
DOOKIN, fortune telling.Gipsey,DUKKERIN.
DOSE, three months’ imprisonment as a known thief.—SeeBRAGGADOCIO.
DOSS, a bed.—North.Probably fromDOZE. Mayhew thinks it is from the Norman,DOSSEL, a hanging, or bed canopy.
DOSS, to sleep, formerly speltDORSE. Perhaps from the phrase to lie on one’sdorsum, back.
DOSS-KEN, a lodging house.
DOUBLE, “to tip (or give) theDOUBLE,” to run away from any person; to double back, turn short round upon one’s pursuers and so escape, as a hare does.—Sporting.
DOUBLE-UP, to pair off, or “chum,” with another man; to beat severely.
DOUBLE-SHUFFLE, a low, shuffling, noisy dance, common amongst costermongers.—SeeFLIP-FLAPS.
DOUSE, to put out; “DOUSEthat glim,” put out that candle.—Sea.
DOWD, a woman’s nightcap.—Devonshire; also anAmericanterm; possibly fromDOWDY, a slatternly woman.
DOWN, to be aware of, or awake to, any move—in this meaning, synonymous withUP; “DOWNupon one’s luck,” unfortunate; “DOWNin the mouth,” disconsolate; “to beDOWNon one,” to treat him harshly or suspiciously, to pounce upon him, or detect his tricks.
DOWN THE DOLLY, a favourite gambling contrivance, often seen in the tap rooms of public houses, at race-courses, and fairs, consisting of a round board and the figure of an old man or “doll,” down which is a spiral hole. A marble is dropped “down the dolly,” and stops in one of the small holes or pits (numbered) on the board. The bet is decided according as the marble stops on a high or low figure.
DOWN THE ROAD, stylish, showy, after the fashion.
DOWNER, a sixpence; apparently theGipseyword,TAWNO, “little one,” in course of metamorphosis into the more usual “tanner.”
DOWNS, Tothill Fields’ prison.
DOWNY, knowing or cunning; “aDOWNY COVE,” a knowing or experienced sharper.
DOWRY, a lot, a great deal; “DOWRYof parny,” lot of rain or water.—SeePARNY. Probably from theGipsey.
DOXY, the female companion of a thief or beggar. In the West of England, the women frequently call their little girlsDOXIES, in a familiar or endearing sense. A learned divine once describedorthodoxyas being a man’s ownDOXY, andheterodoxyanother man’sDOXY.—Ancient cant.
DRAB, a vulgar or low woman.—Shakespere.
DRAG, a cart of any kind, a coach; gentlemen drive to the races in drags.
DRAG, a street, or road;BACK-DRAG, back-street.
DRAG, orTHREE MOON, three months in prison.
DRAGGING, robbing carts, &c.
DRAGSMEN, fellows who cut trunks from the backs of carriages. They sometimes have a light cart, and “drop behind” the plundered vehicle, and then drive off in an opposite direction with the booty.
DRAIN, a drink; “to do aDRAIN,” to take a friendly drink—“do a wet;” sometimes called aCOMMON SEWER.
DRAW, “come,DRAWit mild!”i.e., don’t exaggerate; opposite of “come it strong.” From the phraseology of the bar (of aPUBLIC), where customers desire the beer to beDRAWNmild.
DRAWERS, formerly the ancient cant name for very long stockings, now a hosier’s term.
DRAWING TEETH, wrenching off knockers.
DRIVE-AT, to aim at; “what is heDRIVING AT?”“what does he intend to imply?” a phrase often used when a circuitous line of argument is adopted by a barrister, or a strange set of questions asked, the purpose of which is not very evident.
DRIVE, a term used by tradesmen in speaking of business; “he’sDRIVINGaroaringtrade,”i.e., a very good one; hence, to succeed in a bargain, “IDROVEa good bargain,”i.e., got the best end of it.
DRIZ, lace. In a low lodging house this singular autograph inscription appeared over the mantelpiece, “Scotch Mary, withDRIZ(lace), bound to Dover and back, please God.”
DRIZ FENCER, a person who sells lace.
DROP, to quit, go off, or turn aside; “DROPthe main Toby,” go off the main road.
DROP, “toDROP INTOa person,” to give him a thrashing.—SeeSLIPandWALK. “ToDROP ONto a man,” to accuse or rebuke him suddenly.
DRUM, a house, a lodging, a street;HAZARD-DRUM, a gambling house;FLASH-DRUM, a house of ill-fame.
DRUMMER, a robber who first makes his victims insensible by drugs or violence, and then plunders them.
DUB, to pay or give; “DUB UP,” pay up.
DUBBER, the mouth; “mum yourDUBBER,” hold your tongue.
DUBLIN PACKET, to turn a corner; to “take theDUBLIN PACKET,” viz., run round the corner.
DUBS, a bunch of keys.—Nearly obsolete.
DUBSMAN, orSCREW, a turnkey.
DUCKS AND DRAKES, “to makeDUCKS AND DRAKESof one’s money,” to throw it away childishly,—derived from children “shying” flat stones on the surface of a pool, which they callDUCKS AND DRAKES, according to the number of skips they make.
DUDDERS, orDUDSMEN, persons who formerly travelled the country as pedlars, selling gown-pieces, silk waistcoats, &c., to countrymen. In selling a waistcoat-piece for thirty shillings or two pounds, which cost them perhaps five shillings, they would show great fear of the revenue officer, and beg of the purchasing clodhopperto kneel down in a puddle of water, crook his arm, and swear that it might never become straight if he told an exciseman, or even his own wife. The term and practice are nearly obsolete. In Liverpool, however, and at the east end of London, men dressed up as sailors, with pretended silk handkerchiefs and cigars “only just smuggled from the Indies,” are still to be plentifully found.
DUDDS, clothes, or personal property.Gaelic,DUD;Ancient cant; alsoDutch.
DUFF, pudding; vulgar pronunciation ofDOUGH.—Sea.
DUFFER, a hawker of “Brummagem” or sham jewellery; a sham of any kind; a fool, or worthless person.DUFFERwas formerly synonymous withDUDDER, and was a general term given to pedlars. It is mentioned in theFrauds of London(1760), as a word in frequent use in the last century to express cheats of all kinds. From theGerman,DURFEN, to want?
DUFFING, false, counterfeit, worthless.
DUKE, gin.—Household Words, No. 183.
DUMB-FOUND, to perplex, to beat soundly till not able to speak. Originally a cant word.Johnsoncites theSpectatorfor the earliest use.Scotch,DUMFOUNDER.
DUMMACKER, a knowing or acute person.
DUMMIES, empty bottles and drawers in an apothecary’s shop, labelled so as to give an idea of an extensive stock.
DUMMY, in three-handed whist the person who holds two hands playsDUMMY.
DUMMY, a pocket book.
DUMP FENCER, a man who sells buttons.
DUMPY, short and stout.
DUMPISH, sullen, or glumpy.
DUN, to solicit payment.—Old cant, from the FrenchDONNEZ, give; or fromJOE DUN, the famous bailiff of Lincoln; or simply a corruption ofDIN, from theAnglo SaxonDUNAN, to clamour?
DUNAKER, a stealer of cows or calves.Nearly obsolete.
DUNDERHEAD, a blockhead.
DUNG, an operative who works for an employer who does not give full or “society” wages.
DUNNAGE, baggage, clothes. Also, aSeaterm for wood or loose faggots laid at the bottom of ships, upon which is placed the cargo.
DUNNY-KEN, a water-closet.—SeeKEN.
DURRYNACKING, offering lace or any other article as an introduction to fortune-telling; generally pursued by women.
DUST, money; “down with theDUST,” put down the money.—Ancient.Dean Swift once took for his text, “He who giveth to the poor lendeth to the Lord.” His sermon was short. “Now, my brethren,” said he, “if you are satisfied with the security, down with theDUST.”
DUST, a disturbance, or noise, “to raise aDUST,” to make a row.
DUTCH CONSOLATION, “thank God it is no worse.”
DUTCH CONCERT, where each performer plays a different tune.
DUTCH COURAGE, false courage, generally excited by drink,—pot-valour.
DUTCH FEAST, where the host gets drunk before his guest.
DUTCH UNCLE, a personage often introduced in conversation, but exceedingly difficult to describe; “I’ll talk to him like aDUTCH UNCLE!” conveys the notion of anything but a desirable relation.—Americanism.
DOUBLE DUTCH, gibberish, or any foreign tongue.
EARL OF CORK, the ace of diamonds.—Hibernicism.
“What do you mean by the Earl of Cork?” asked Mr. Squander. “The ace of diamonds, your honour. It’s the worst ace, and the poorest card in the pack, and is called the Earl of Cork, because he’s the poorest nobleman in Ireland.”—Carleton’s Traits and Stories of the Irish Peasantry.
“What do you mean by the Earl of Cork?” asked Mr. Squander. “The ace of diamonds, your honour. It’s the worst ace, and the poorest card in the pack, and is called the Earl of Cork, because he’s the poorest nobleman in Ireland.”—Carleton’s Traits and Stories of the Irish Peasantry.
EARWIG, a clergyman, also one who prompts another maliciously.
EARWIGGING, a rebuke in private; aWIGGINGis more public.
EASE, to rob; “EASINGa bloak,” robbing a man.
EGG, orEGGon, to excite, stimulate, or provoke one person to quarrel with another, &c.Cor. of edge, or edge on.—Ancient.
ELBOW, “to shake one’sELBOW,” to play at cards.
ELBOW GREASE, labour, or industry.
ELEPHANT, “to haveSEEN THE ELEPHANT,” to be “upto the latest move,” or “downto the last new trick;” to be knowing, and not “green,” &c. Possibly a metaphor taken from the travelling menageries, where theELEPHANTis thefinaleof the exhibition.—Originally anAmericanism.Bartlettgives conflicting examples.Generalnow, however.
EVAPORATE, to go, or run away.
EVERLASTING STAIRCASE, the treadmill. Sometimes called “Colonel Chesterton’s everlasting staircase,” from the gallant inventor or improver.
EXTENSIVE, frequently applied in a slang sense to a person’s appearance or talk; “ratherEXTENSIVEthat!” intimating that the person alluded to is showing off, or “cutting it fat.”
EYE WATER, gin.
FAD, a hobby, a favourite pursuit.
FADGE, a farthing.
FADGE, to suit or fit; “it won’tFADGE,” it will not do. Used byShakespere, but now heard only in the streets.
FAG, to beat, also one boy working for another at school.
FAG, a schoolboy who performs a servant’s offices to a superior school-mate.GrosethinksFAGGED OUTis derived from this.
FAGOT, a term of opprobrium used by low people to children; “you littleFAGOT, you!”Fagotwas originally a term of contempt for a dry, shrivelled old woman, whose bones were like a bundle of sticks, only fit to burn.—Compare the French expression for a heretic,sentir le fagot.
FAKE, to cheat, or swindle; to do anything; to go on, or continue; to make or construct; to steal, or rob,—a verb variously used.Faked, done, or done for; “FAKEaway, there’s no down,” go on, there is nobody looking.Mayhewsays it is from theLatin,FACIMENTUM.
FAKEMENT, a false begging petition, any act of robbery, swindling, or deception.
FAKEMENT CHARLEY, the owner’s private mark.
FAKER, one who makes orFAKESanything.
FAKING A CLY, picking a pocket.
FAMBLES, orFAMMS, the hands.—Ancient cant.German,FAUGEN.
FAMILY MEN, orPEOPLE, thieves, or burglars.
FAN, a waistcoat.
FANCY, the favourite sports, pets, or pastime of a person,the tan of low life. Pugilists are sometimes termedTHE FANCY.Shakespereuses the word in the sense of a favourite, or pet; and the paramour of a prostitute is still called herFANCY-MAN.
FANCY-BLOAK, a fancy or sporting man.
FAN-TAIL, a dustman’s hat.
FAST, gay, spreeish, unsteady, thoughtless,—an Americanism that has of late ascended from the streets to the drawing-room. The word has certainly now a distinct meaning, which it had not thirty years ago.Quickis the synonyme forFAST, but aQUICK MANwould not convey the meaning of aFAST MAN,—a person who by late hours, gaiety, and continual rounds of pleasure, lives too fast and wears himself out. In polite society aFASTyoung lady is one who affects mannish habits, or makes herself conspicuous by some unfeminine accomplishment,—talks slang, drives about in London, smokes cigarettes, is knowing in dogs, horses, &c. An amusing anecdote is told of aFASTyoung lady, the daughter of a right reverend prelate, who was an adept inhorseflesh. Being desirous of ascertaining the opinion of acandidate for ordination, who had the look of a bird of the same feather, as to the merits of some cattle just brought to her father’s palace for her to select from, she was assured by him they were utterly unfit for a lady’s use. With a knowing look at the horses’ points, she gave her decision in these choice words, “Well, I agree with you; theyarea rum lot, as the Devil said of the ten commandments.”
FAST, embarrassed, wanting money. Synonymous withHARD UP.—Yorkshire.
FAT, a printer’s term signifying the void spaces on a page, for which he is paid at the same rate as full or unbroken pages. This work afforded muchFATfor the printers.
FAT, rich, abundant, &c.; “aFATlot;” “to cut itFAT,” to exaggerate, to show off in an extensive or grand manner, to assume undue importance;“cut upFAT,” see underCUT. As aTheatricalterm, a part with plenty ofFATin it, is one which affords the actor an opportunity of effective display.
FATHER, orFENCE, a buyer of stolen property.
FAWNEY, a finger ring.
FAWNEY BOUNCING, selling rings for a wager. This practice is founded upon the old tale of a gentleman laying a wager that if he was to offer “real gold sovereigns” at a penny a piece at the foot of London Bridge, the English public would be too incredulous to buy. The story states that the gentleman stationed himself with sovereigns in a tea tray, and sold only two within the hour,—winning the bet. This tale theFAWNEY BOUNCERStell the public, only offering brass, double gilt rings, instead of sovereigns.
FAWNEY, orFAWNEY RIG, ring dropping. A few years ago, this practice, orRIG, was very common. A fellow purposely dropped a ring, or a pocket book with some little articles of jewellery, &c., in it, and when he saw any person pick it up, ran to claim half. The ring found, the question of how the booty was to be divided had then to be decided. TheFawneysays, “if you will give me eight or nine shillings for my share the things are yours.” This theFLATthinks very fair. The ring of course is valueless, and the swallower of the bait discovers the trick too late.
FEATHERS, money, wealth; “in fullFEATHER,” rich.
FEEDER, a spoon.—Old cant.
FEELE, a daughter, or child.—Corrupted French.
FELT, a hat.—Old term, in use in the sixteenth century.
FENCE, orFENCER, a purchaser or receiver of stolen goods;FENCE, the shop or warehouse of aFENCER.—Old cant.
FENCE, to sell or pawn stolen property to aFENCER.
FERRICADOUZER, a knock down below, a good thrashing. Probably derived through theLingua Francafrom theItalian,FAR’ CADER’ MORTO, to knock down dead.
FIB, to beat, or strike.—Old cant.
FIDDLE, a whip.
FIDDLE FADDLE, twaddle, or trifling discourse.—Old cant.
FIDDLE STICKS! nonsense.
FIDDLER, orFADGE, a farthing.
FIDDLER, a sixpence.—Household Words, No. 183.
FIDDLER, a sharper, a cheat; also one who dawdles over little matters, and neglects great ones.
FIDDLERS’ MONEY, a lot of sixpences;—6d. was the remuneration to fiddlers from each of the company in old times.
FIDDLING, doing any odd jobs in the streets, holding horses, carrying parcels, &c., for a living. Among the middle classes,FIDDLINGmeans idling away time, or trifling; and amongst sharpers, it means gambling.
FID FAD, a game similar to chequers, or drafts, played in the West of England.
FIDLUM BEN, thieves who take anything they can lay their hands upon.
FIELD-LANE-DUCK, a baked sheep’s head.Field-laneis a low London thoroughfare, leading from the foot of Holborn-hill to the purlieus of Clerkenwell. It was formerly the market for stolen pocket handkerchiefs.
FIG, “toFIGa horse,” to play improper tricks with one in order to make him lively.
FIG, “in fullFIG,”i.e., full dress costume, “extensively got up.”
FIGURE, “to cut a good or badFIGURE,” to make a good or indifferent appearance; “what’s theFIGURE?” how much is to pay?Figure-head, a person’s face.—Sea term.
FILCH, to steal, or purloin. Originally a cant word, derived from theFILCHES, or hooks, thieves used to carry, to hook clothes, or any portable articles from open windows.—Vide Decker.It was considered a cant or Gipsey term up to the beginning of the last century.Harmanhas “FYLCHE, to robbe.”
FILE, a deep, or artful man, a jocose name for a cunning person.Originally a term for a pickpocket, whenTO FILEwas to cheat or rob.File, an artful man, was used in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries.
FILLIBRUSH, to flatter, praise ironically.
FIMBLE-FAMBLE, a lame prevaricating excuse.—Scand.
FIN, a hand; “come, tip us yourFIN,” viz., let us shake hands.—Sea.
FINDER, one whoFINDSbacon and meat at the market before they are lost,i.e., steals them.
FINUF, a five-pound note.Double Finuf, a ten-pound note.—German,FUNF, five.
FISHY, doubtful, unsound, rotten—a term used to denote a suspicion of a “screw being loose,” or “something rotten in the state of Denmark,” in alluding to an unsafe speculation.
FISH, a person; “a queerFISH,” “a looseFISH,” &c.
FIX, a predicament, dilemma; “an awfulFIX,” a terrible position; “toFIXone’s flint for him,”i.e., to “settle hishash,” “put a spoke in his wheel.”
FIZZING, first-rate, very good, excellent; synonymous withSTUNNING.
FLABERGAST, orFLABBERGHAST, to astonish, or strike with wonder.—Old.
FLAG, a groat, or 4d.—Ancient cant.
FLAG, an apron.
FLAG OF DISTRESS, poverty—when the end of a person’s shirt protrudes through his trousers.
FLAM, nonsense, blarney, a lie.—Kentish;Anglo Saxon.
FLAME, a sweetheart.
FLANNEL, orHOT FLANNEL, the old term for gin and beer, drank hot, with nutmeg, sugar, &c. Also calledFLIP. There is an anecdote told of Goldsmith helping to drink a quart ofFLANNELin a night house, in company with George Parker, Ned Shuter, and a demure grave looking gentleman, who continually introduced the wordsCRAP,STRETCH,SCRAG, andSWING. Upon the Doctor’s asking who this strange person might be, and being told his profession, he rushed from the place in a frenzy, exclaiming, “Good God! and have I been sitting all this while with a hangman?”
FLARE UP, a jovial social gathering, a “break down,” a “row.”
FLASH, showy, smart, knowing; a word with various meanings.A person is said to be dressedFLASHwhen his garb is showy, and after a fashion, but without taste. A person is said to beFLASHwhen he apes the appearance or manners of his betters, or when he is trying to be superior to his friends and relations.Flashalso means “fast,” roguish, and sometimes infers counterfeit or deceptive,—and this, perhaps, is its general signification. “Flash, my young friend, or slang, as others call it, is the classical language of the Holy Land; in other words, St. Giles’ Greek.”—Tom and Jerry, by Moncreiff. Vulgar language was first termedFLASHin the year 1718, by Hitchin, author of “The Regulator of Thieves, &c., with account ofFLASHwords.”
FLASH IT, show it—said when any bargain is offered.
FLAT, a fool, a silly or “soft” person, the opposite ofSHARP. The term appears to be shortenings for “sharp-witted” and “flat-witted.” “Oh! Messrs. Tyler, Donelson, and the rest, whatFLATSyou are.”—Times, 5th September, 1847.
FLATTIES, rustic, or uninitiated people.
FLATTY-KEN, a public house, the landlord of which is ignorant of the practices of the thieves and tramps who frequent it.
FLESH AND BLOOD, brandy and port in equal quantities.
FLESH-BAG, a shirt.
FLICK, orOLD FLICK, an old chap or fellow.
FLICK, orFLIG, to whip by striking, and drawing the lash back at the same time, which causes a stinging blow.
FLIM FLAMS, idle stories.—Beaumont and Fletcher.
FLIMP, to hustle, or rob.
FLIMSIES, bank notes.
FLIMSY, the thin prepared copying paper used by newspaper reporters and “penny-a-liners” for making several copies at once, thus enabling them to supply different papers with the same article without loss of time.—Printers’ term.
FLINT, an operative who works for a “society” master,i.e., for full wages.
FLIP, corruption ofFILLIP, a light blow.
FLIP-FLAPS, a peculiar rollicking dance indulged in by costermongers when merry or excited—better described, perhaps, as theDOUBLE SHUFFLE, danced with an air of extremeabandon.
FLIPPER, the hand; “give us yourFLIPPER,” give me your hand.—Sea.Metaphor taken from the flipper or paddle of a turtle.
FLOG, to whip. Cited both byGroseand the author ofBacchus and Venusas a cant word. It would be curious to ascertain the earliest use;Richardsoncites Lord Chesterfield.—Latin.
FLOGGER, a whip.—Obsolete.
FLOOR, to knock down.—Pugilistic.
FLOORER, a blow sufficiently strong to knock a man down.
FLOWERY, lodging, or house entertainment; “square the omee for theFLOWERY,” pay the master for the lodging.
FLUE FAKERS, chimney sweeps; also low sporting characters, who are so termed from their chiefly betting on theGreat Sweeps.
FLUFF IT, a term of disapprobation, implying “take it away, I don’t want it.”
FLUKE, at billiards, playing for one thing and getting another. Hence, generally what one gets accidentally, an unexpected advantage, “more by luck than wit.”
FLUMMERY, flattery, gammon, genteel nonsense.
FLUMMUX, to perplex, hinder;FLUMMUXED, stopped, used up.
FLUMMUXED, done up, sure of a month inQUOD, or prison. In mendicant freemasonry, the sign chalked by rogues and tramps upon a gate-post or house corner, to express to succeeding vagabonds that it is unsafe for them to call there, is known as☉ [Circle with dot], orFLUMMUXED, which signifies that the only thing they would be likely to get upon applying for relief would be “a month inQUOD.”—SeeQUOD.
FLUNKEY, a footman, servant.—Scotch.
FLUSH, the opposite ofHARD UP, in possession of money, not poverty stricken.—Shakespere.
FLY, to lift, toss, or raise; “FLYthemags,”i.e., toss up the halfpence; “toFLYa window,”i.e., to lift one for the purpose of stealing.
FLY, knowing, wide awake, fully understanding another’s meaning.
FLY THE KITE, orRAISE THE WIND, to obtain money on bills, whether good or bad, alluding to tossing paper about like children do a kite.
FLY THE KITE, to evacuate from a window,—term used in padding kens, or low lodging houses.
FLYING-MESS, “to be inFLYING MESS” is a soldier’s phrase for being hungry and having to mess where he can.—Military.
FLYING STATIONERS, paper workers, hawkers of pennyballads; “Printed for the Flying Stationers” is theimprimaturon hundreds of penny histories and sheet songs of the last and present centuries.
FLYMY, knowing, cunning, roguish.
FOALED, “thrown from a horse.”—Hunting term.—SeePURLED, andSPILT.
FOGEY, orOLD FOGEY, a dullard, an old-fashioned or singular person.Grosesays it is a nickname for an invalid soldier, from theFrench,FOURGEAUX, fierce or fiery, but it has lost this signification now.Fogger,old wordfor a huckster or servant.
FOGGY, tipsy.
FOGLE, a silk handkerchief—not aCLOUT, which is ofcotton. It has been hinted that this may have come from theGerman,VOGEL, a bird, from thebird’s eyespots on some handkerchiefs [seeBIRD’S-EYE-WIPE, underBILLY], but a more probable derivation is the Italian slang (Fourbesque)FOGLIA, a pocket, or purse; or from theFrench argot,FOUILLE, also a pocket.
FOGUS, tobacco.—Old cant.Fogo,old word for stench.
FOONT, a sovereign, or 20s.
FOOTING, “to payFOOTING.”—SeeSHOE.
FORAKERS, a water-closet, or house of office.—Term used by the boys atWinchester school.
FORK OUT, to bring out one’s money, to pay the bill, toSTAND FORor treat a friend; to hand over what does not belong to you.—Old cant term for picking pockets, and very curious it is to trace its origin. In the early part of the last century, a little book on purloining was published, and of course it had to give the latest modes.Forkingwas the newest method, and it consisted in thrusting the fingers stiff and open into the pocket, and then quickly closing them and extracting any article.
FORKS, orGRAPPLING IRONS, fingers.
FORTY GUTS, vulgar term for a fat man.
FOUR AND NINE, orFOUR AND NINEPENNY GOSS, a cheap hat, so called from 4s. 9d., the price at which a noted advertising hat maker sold his hats—