AAbadie,abadis,f.(thieves’),crowd, “push.” According toMichelthis word is derived from the Italianabbadia,abbey.Pastiquant sur la placarde, j’ai rembroqué un abadis du raboin.—Vidocq.(When crossing the public square I saw a devil of a crowd.)Abajoues,f. pl.(popular),face, “chops.” Properlychaps.Abalobé(popular),astounded,abashed, or “flabbergasted.”Abasourdir(thieves’),to kill. Properlyto astound.Abati(obsolete),killed(Michel).On a trouvé un homme horriblement mutilé... on avoit attaché sur lui une carte portant ci-gît l’Abaty.—Journal historique et anecdotique du règne de Louis XV.Abatis,abattis,m. pl.(popular),hands and feet. Proper sense,giblets.A bas les pattes! Les as-tu propres, seulement, tes abattis, pour lacer ce corsage rose?—E. Villars.Avoir les —— canailles,to have coarse, plebeian hands and feet, or “beetle crushers and mutton fists.”Numérote tes ——,I’ll break every bone in your body.Abat-jour,m.(popular),peak of a cap;—— des quinquets,eyelid.Abat-reluit(thieves’),shade for the eyes.Abattage,m.(popular),much work done;work quickly done;severe scolding, or “bully-ragging;”action of throwing down one’s cards at baccarat when eight or nine are scored.Vente à l’——,sale of wares spread out on the pavement.Abattoir,m.(thieves’),cell at the prison ofLa Roquetteoccupied by prisoners under sentence of death; corresponds to the Newgate “salt-box.” It has also the meaning ofgaming-house, or “punting-shop.” Properly aslaughter-house.Abattre(familiar),en ——,to do much work, or to “sweat.”Abbaye,f.(thieves’),kiln in which thieves and vagrants seek a refuge at night;—— ruffante,warm kiln;—— de Monte-à-regret,the scaffold.Mon père a épousé la veuve, moi je me retire à l’Abbaye de Monte-à-regret.—Victor Hugo,Le dernier Jour d’un Condamné.Termed formerly “l’abbaye de Monte-à-rebours;” (popular)—— de Saint-Pierre,the scaffold, a play on the words “cinq-pierres,” the guillotine being erected on five flagstones in front ofLa Roquette;—— de sots bougres(obsolete),a prison;—— des s’offre à tous,house of ill-fame, or “nanny-shop.”Abbesse,f.(popular),mistress of a house of ill-fame, “abbess.”Abcès,m.(popular),the possessor of a bloated face.Abélardiser,to mutilate a man asChanoine FulbertmutilatedAbélard, the lover of his daughter or nieceHéloïse. The operation is termed by horse-trainers “adding one to the list.”Abéquer(popular),to feed. Literallyto give a billful.Abéqueuse,f.(popular),wet nurse;landlady of an hotel.Abloquer,abloquir(thieves’),to buy;to acquire.Abonné(familiar),être —— au guignon,to experience a run of ill-luck. Literallyto be a subscriber to ill-luck.Aborgner(popular),s’——,to scrutinize. Literallyto make oneself blind of one eye by closing or“cocking”it.Aboté(popular),clumsily adjusted or fitted, “wobbly.”Aboulage,acré,m.(popular),plenty.Aboulée(popular),in childbed, “in the straw.”Aboulement,m.(popular),accouchement.Abouler(popular),to be in childbed, “to be in the straw;”to give,to hand over, to “dub.”Pègres et barbots aboulez des pépettes...Aboulez tous des ronds ou des liquettesDes vieux grimpants, bricheton ou arlequins.Le Cri du Peuple, Feb., 1886.To come, “to crop up.”Et si tézig tient à sa boule,Fonce ta largue, et qu’elle abouleSans limace nous cambrouser.Richepin,La Chanson des Gueux.Abour,m.(thieves’),sieve.Aboyeur(popular),crier or salesman at public or private sales;man employed at the doors of puffing shops or theatrical booths to entice people in, “barker;”man who is constantly clamouring in words or writing against public men;man in a prison whose function it is to call prisoners.Abracadabrant,adj.(familiar),marvellous, or “stunning.” FromAbracadabra, a magic word used as a spell in the Middle Ages.Abraqué,adj.(sailors’),tied;spliced.Abreuvoir,m.(popular),drinking-shop, or “lush-crib;”—— à mouches,bleeding wound.Abruti,m.,a plodding student at theEcole Polytechnique, termed a “swat” at theR. M.Academy;stolid and stupid man;—— de Chaillot,blockhead, or “cabbage-head.”Chaillot, in the suburbs of Paris, has repeatedly been made the butt for various uncomplimentary hits.Abrutir(familiar),s’——,to plod at any kind of work. Literallyto make oneself silly.Abs, abbreviation ofabsinthe.Absinthage,m.(familiar),the drinking or mixing of absinthe.Absinthe,f.(familiar),faire son ——,to mix absinthe with water.Absinthe à la hussardeis prepared by slowly pouring in the water; “l’amazone”is mixed in like manner, but with an adjunction of gum; “la panachée”is absinthe with a dash of gum or anisette; “la purée”is prepared by quickly pouring in the water.Faire son —— en parlant,to spit when talking.Heure de l’——,the hour when that beverage is discussed in the cafés, generally from four to six p.m.Avaler son ——,seeAvaler.Absinthé,adj.(familiar),intoxicated on absinthe.Absinther(familiar),s’——,to drink absinthe;to be a confirmed tippler of absinthe.Absintheur,m.(familiar),a drinker of absinthe;one who makes it a practice of getting drunk on absinthe.Absinthier, orabsintheur,m.,retailer of absinthe.Absinthisme,m.(familiar),state of body and mind resulting from excessive drinking of absinthe.Absorber(familiar),to eat and drink a great deal, to “guzzle.”Absorption,f.,annual ceremony at theEcole Polytechnique, at the close of which the seniors, or “anciens,” are entertained by the newly-joined, termed“melons” (“snookers”at the Royal Military Academy).Acabit,m.(popular),the person;the body;health;temper.Etre de bon ——,to enjoy sound health.Un étrange ——,an odd humour, or “strange kidney.”Acacias,m.,faire ses ——,to walk or drive, according to the custom of fashionable Parisians, in the “Allée des Acacias” from thePorte-MaillottoLa Concorde.Acalifourchonner(popular),s’——,to get astride anything.Accaparer(familiar),quelqu’un ——,to monopolize a person.Accent(thieves’),signal given by spitting.Accentuer(popular),ses gestes ——,to give a box on the ear; in other terms, “to warm the wax of one’s ear;”to give a blow, or “bang.”Accessoires,m. pl.(theatrical),stage properties, or “props.” As a qualificative it is used disparagingly, thus,Viande d’——,vin d’——,are meat and wine of bad quality.Accoerer(thieves’),to arrange.Accolade(popular),smart box on the ear, “buckhorse.”Accommoder(familiar),quelqu’un à la sauce piquante,to beat severely, “to double up;”to make one smart under irony or reproaches. Might be rendered by,to sit upon one with a vengeance;—— au beurre noir,to beat black and blue.Accordéon,m.(popular),opera-hat.Accoufler(popular),s’——,to squat. From the wordcouffles,cotton bales, which may be conveniently used as seats.Accroche-cœurs(familiar). Properlysmall curl twisted on the temple, or “kiss-curl.” Cads apply that name to short, crooked whiskers.Accrocher(popular),un paletot,to tell a falsehood, or “swack up;”—— un soldat,to confine a soldier to barracks, “to roost.”S’——,to come to blows, “to come to loggerheads.” (Familiar)Accrocher,to pawn, “to pop, to lumber, to blue.”Etes-vous entré quelquefois dans un de ces nombreux bureaux de prêt qu’on désigne aussi sous le nom de ma tante? Non. Tant mieux pour vous. Cela prouve que vous n’avez jamais eu besoin d’y accrocher vos bibelots et que votre montre n’a jamais retardé de cinquante francs.—Frébault,La Vie de Paris.Accrouer. SeeAccoufler.A Chaillot!(popular),an energetic invitation to make oneself scarce;an expression of strong disapproval coupled with a desire to see one turned out of doors.Achar(popular),d’——, abbreviation ofacharnement,with steadiness of purpose, in an unrelenting manner.Acheter(popular),quelqu’un ——,to turn one into ridicule,to make a fool of one.Achetoir,m.,achetoires,f. pl.(popular),money, “loaver.”Acœurer(popular),to do anything with a will, to “wire in.”Acoquiner(popular),s’——, used disparagingly,to keep company,to live with one.Acré(thieves’),strong, “spry,”violent;silence!“mum’s the word!”be careful!“shoe leather!”Acrée,acrie,m.(thieves’),mistrust;—— donc!hold your tongue!“mum your dubber!”be cautious. Fromacrimonie.Acteur-guitare(theatrical and journalistic),actor who has only one string to his bow;actor who elicits applause in lachrymose scenes only.Actionnaire,m., (literary),credulous man easily deceived. Proper sense,shareholder.Adjectiver(popular),to abuse, to “slang.”Adjoint(thieves’),executioner’s assistant.Adjudant,m.(military),tremper un ——,to dip a piece of bread in the first, and consequently the more savoury broth yielded by the “pot au feu,” a practice indulged in by cooks.Adjuger(gamesters’),une banque à un opérateur,to cheat, to “bite,”at cards.Adroit,adj.(popular),du coude,fond of the bottle,or skilful in“crooking the elbow.”Aff,affe,f.(popular),eau d’——,brandy, or “French cream.” SeeTord-boyaux.La v’là l’enflée, c’est de l’eau d’affe (eau-de-vie), elle est toute mouchique celle-là.—Vidocq.Affaire,f.(thieves’),projected crime;projected theft or swindle, “plant;”—— juteuse,profitable transaction;—— mûre,preconcerted crime or theft about to be committed. (Familiar)Avoir son ——,to have received a“settler;”to be completely drunk, or “hoodman;”to have received a mortal wound, in other words, “to have one’s goose cooked.” (Popular)Avoir une —— cachée sous la peau,to be pregnant, or “lumpy.”Faire l’—— à quelqu’un,to kill, “to do for one.”Affaler(popular),s’——,to fall, “to come a cropper.”T’es rien poivre, tu ne tiens plus sur tes fumerons.... tu vas t’affaler.—Richepin,Le Pavé.Affe. SeeAff.Affistoler(familiar),to arrange,to dress.Mal affistolé,badly done,badly dressed.Affluer(thieves’),to deceive, to “cram;”to cheat, to “stick;”to swindle, to “fox.” Fromà flouer.Affourcher(sailors’),sur ses ancres,to retire from the service. Properlyto moor a ship each way.Affranchi(thieves’),convict who has“done his time;”one who has ceased to be honest;one who has been induced to be an accomplice in a crime.Affranchir(gamesters’),to save a certain card at the cost of another;to initiate one into the tactics of card-sharpers; (thieves’)to corrupt;to teach one dishonest practices;—— un sinve avec de l’auber,to corrupt a man by dint of money;—— un sinve pour grinchir,to put an honest man up to thieving.Affres,f. pl.(popular),upbraiding, “blowing up.” Proper sense,agonies.Affur,affure,m.(thieves),proceeds,profits.Avoir de l’——,to have money.Quand je vois mon affureJe suis toujours paré,Du plus grand cœur du mondeJe vais à la profondePour vous donner du frais.Vidocq.Affurage,m.(thieves’),proceeds of theft, “regulars,” or “swag.”Affurer,affûter(thieves’),to deceive;to make profits;to procure;—— de l’auber,to make money.En goupinant comme ça on n’affure pas d’auber.—Vidocq.Affût(thieves’ and popular),être d’——,to be able, cunning, or “a downy cove;”to be wide awake, or “to be one who knows what’s o’clock.”A l’——,on the watch.Affûter(thieves’),to deceive,to snatch, “to click;”to whip up, “to nip;”to make unlawful profits;—— ses pincettes,to walk, to “pad the hoof;”to run, to “leg it.” Proper sense,to sharpen.S’—— le sifflet,to drink, to “whet one’s whistle.”Agaceur(sporting),one who sets a thing going, “buttoner.”Aganter(popular),to take,to catch, “to grab;”—— une claque,to receive a box on the ear, “to get one’s ear’s wax warmed.”Agate,f.(thieves’),crockery.Agater(popular),to be thrashed, “tanned;”to be caught, “nabbed.”Agenouillée,f.(journalists’),prostitute whosespécialitéis best described by the appellation itself.Agobille(thieves’),implements, “jilts.”Agonir(popular),to abuse vehemently, to “bully-rag,” or “to haul over the coals. “Agout,m.(thieves’),drinking-water.Agrafe,f.(popular),hand, “picker,” “dooks,” or “dukes.”Agrafer(thieves’ and cads’),to seize, to “grab;”to arrest, “to pull up,” or “to smug.”Agrément,m.(theatrical),avoir de l’——,to obtain applause. (Popular)Se pousser de l’——,to amuse oneself.Agripper(popular),to seize secretly,to steal quickly, to “nip.”S’——,to come to blows, “to slip into one another.”Aguicher(popular),to allure,decoy, “to button;”to quicken,to excite.Il fallait lui faire comprendre qu’elle aguiche la soif du petit, en l’empêchant de boire.—Richepin,La Glu.Aguigner(popular),to teaze, “to badger.”Ahuri,m.(popular),de Chaillot,block-head, “cabbage-head.” SeeAbruti.Aide-cargot,canteen servant.Aides.SeeAller.Aïe-aïe,m.(popular),omnibus.Aiguille,f.(military),à tricoter les côtes,sword, “toasting-fork;” (thieves’)key, or “screw;”card made to protrude from a pack for cheating, “old gentleman.”Aiguiller(card-sharpers’),la brème,to make a mark or notch on a card.Aile,f.,aileron,m.(popular),arm, or “bender.”Aille,iergue,orgue,uche,suffixes used to disguise any word.Aille(familiar),fallait pas qu’y ——,it is all his own fault,he has nobody to thank for it but himself.Aimant,m.(popular),faire de l’——,to make a fussy show of affected friendliness through interested motives.Aimer(popular),à crédit,to enjoy the gratuitous good graces of a kept woman.Aimer comme ses petits boyaux,to doat on one, “to love like the apple of one’s eye.”Air,m.(popular),se donner de l’——,se pousser de l’——,jouer la fille de l’——,to run away, to “cut and run.” SeePatatrot.Airs,m. pl.(popular),être à plusieurs ——,to be a hypocrite, double-faced person, “mawworm.”A la balade(popular),chanteurs ——,itinerant singers, “chaunters.”A la barque,street cry of mussel costermongers.A la bonne(popular),prendre quelquechose chose ——,to take anything good-humouredly.Avoir ——,to love, to like.Je peste contre le quart d’œil de mon quartier qui ne m’a pas à la bonne.—Vidocq.A la carre(thieves’),dégringoler ——,to steal from shops;kind of theft committed principally by women who pretend to be shopping; “shoplifting.”A la clef(familiar),an expletive.Trop de zèle ——,too much zeal by half. From a musical term. The expression is used sometimes with no particular meaning, thus,Il y aura du champagne ——, is equivalent to,Il y aura du champagne.A la corde(popular),logement ——,low lodging-house, where the lodgers sleep with their heads on a rope,which is let down early in the morning. In some of these the lodgers leave all their clothes with the keeper, to ensure against their being stolen.A la coule(popular),être ——,to be conversant with.S’il avait été au courant, à la coule, il aurait su que le premier truc du camelot, c’est de s’établir au cœur même de la foule.—Richepin.Etre ——,to be happy; at one’s ease; comfortable.Je n’étais pas ——,I felt very uncomfortable.A la flan,à la rencontre, orà la dure(thieves’),fabriquer un gas ——,to attack and rob a person at night, “to jump a cove.”A la grive!(thieves’ and cads’),take care!“shoe leather!”Cribler ——,to call out “police!”to “give hot beef.”Par contretemps ma largue,......Pour gonfler ses valades,Encasque dans un rade,Sert des sigues à foison;On la crible à la grive,Je m’la donne et m’esquive,Elle est pommée maron.Mémoires de Vidocq.A la manque(thieves’),fafiots, orfafelards ——,forged bank notes, “queer soft.”Avoir du pognon, orde la galette ——,to be penniless.Etre ——,not to be trustworthy;to betray.Pas un de nous ne sera pour le dab à la manque.—Balzac.A la papa(popular),quietly, slowly.A la petite bonne femme(popular),glisser ——,to slide squatting on one’s heels.Alarmiste(thieves’),watch-dog, “tyke.”A-la-six-quatre-deux(popular),in disorder, “all at sixes and sevens;”anyhow, “helter-skelter.”A la sonde(cads’),être ——,to be cunning, wide awake, “fly.”Va, la môm’, truque et n’fais pas four.Sois rien mariolle et à la sonde!Richepin,Chanson des Gueux.A la tienne Etienne!(popular),your health!A la va-te-faire-fiche,anyhow.Un béret nature, campé par une main paysanne, à la va te-faire-fiche, sans arrière-pensée de pittoresque.—Richepin,Le Pavé.Alènes,f. pl.(thieves’),tools,implements, “jilts.” Properlyshoemakers’ awls.Alentoir,m., foralentour(thieves’),neighbourhood,vicinity.A l’esbrouffe(thieves’),faire un coup —— sur un pantre,to steal a pocket-book from a person who has been seen to enter a bank, or other financial establishment. The thief watches his opportunity in the neighbourhood of such establishments, and when operating keeps his hand concealed under an overcoat which he bears on his arm.Aligner(freemasons’),to lay the cloth.S’——, in soldiers’ language,to fight a duel with swords. The expression is used also by civilians.Alinéaliste,m.(literary),writer who is fond of short paragraphs.Allemand,m.(popular),peigne d’——,the four fingers.Aller(familiar),à Bougival, in literary men’s parlance,is to write a newspaper article of no interest for the general public;—— à la cour des aidesis said of a married woman who has one or more lovers;—— au pot,to pick up dominoes from those which remain after the proper number has been distributed to the players;—— au safran,to spend freely one’s capital, an allusion to the colour of gold;—— en Belgiqueis said of a cashier who bolts with the cash-box, or of a financier who makes off with the money of his clients;—— se faire fiche,to go to the deuce;—— se faire foutrehas the same meaning, but refers to a rather more forcible invitation yet;—— se faire lanlaire,to go to the deuce.Allez vous faire fiche, orfoutre!go to the deuce, or “you be hanged!”Je lui ai dit d’—— se faire lanlaire,I sent him about his business.Aller son petit bonhomme de chemin,to do anything without any hurry, without heeding interruptions or hindrances.On avait beau lui crier d’arrêter, il allait toujours son petit bonhomme de chemin.(Familiar and popular)Y aller,to begin anything.Allons-y!let us begin! let us open the ball! now for business.Y aller de quelque chose,to contribute;to pay;to furnish.Y —— de son argent,to pay, “to stump up.”Y —— d’une,de deux,to pay for one or two bottles of liquor.Y —— de sa larme,to shed a tear,to show emotion.Y —— gaiment,to do anything willingly, briskly.Allons y gaiment!let us look alive!(Popular)Aller à la chasse avec un fusil de toile,to go a begging, “to cadge.” An allusion to a beggar’s canvas wallet. Compare this with the origin of the word “to beg,” which is derived from “bag;”—— à l’arche,to fetch money;—— à niort,to deny, a play on the words “Niort,” name of a town, and “nier,” to deny;—— à ses affaires,to ease oneself, “to go to Mrs. Jones’;”—— au persilis said of street-walkers who ply their trade. This expression may have its origin in the practice sometimes followed by this class of women of carrying a small basket as if going to the fruiterer’s;—— au trotis said of a prostitute walking the street in grand attire, or “full fig;”—— au vice,to make one’s resort of places where immorality is rife;—— voir défiler les dragons,to go without dinner. The English have the expressions, “to dine out,” used by the lower classes, and “to dine with Duke Humphrey,” by the middle and upper. According to theSlang Dictionarythe reason of the latter saying is as follows: “Some visitors were inspecting the abbey where the remains of Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, lie, and one of them was unfortunately shut in, and remained theresoluswhile his companions were feasting at a neighbouring hostelry. He was afterwards said to have dined with Duke Humphrey, and the saying eventually passed into a proverb.”Aller aux pruneauxis said of the victim of a practical joke played in hospitals at the expense of a new patient, who, being sent at the conclusion of a meal to request another patient to furnish him with the customary dessert, gets bolstered for his pains;—— où le roi va à pied,to go to the latrines, or “chapel of ease;” (printers’)—— en galilée, or—— en germanie(a play on the words “Je remanie,” I overrun),to do some overrunning in a piece of composition; (soldiers’)—— à l’astic,to clean one’s equipment; (sporting)—— pour l’argent,to back one’s own horse; (musicians’)—— au carreau,to seek an engagement. An allusion to “la Rue du Petit-Carreau,” a meeting-place for musicians of the lowest class, and musical conductors. (Thieves’)Aller à comberge,to go to confession with a priest;—— à la retape,to waylay in order to murder;—— chez Fualdès,to share the booty, “to nap the regulars.”Fualdèswas a rich banker, who was murdered in circumstances of peculiar atrocity.Allez donc(familiar),et ——,a kind of flourish at the end of a sentence to emphasize an assertion.Allez donc vous laver(popular),be off, go to “pot;”—— vous asseoir, “shut up!”Alliances,f. pl.(thieves’),handcuffs, “bracelets.” Properlywedding-rings.Allonger(familiar),to pay, to “fork out;”—— les radis,to pay, “to shell out;” (military)—— la ficelleorla courroie,to make an addition to a penalty.S’——,to fall, to “come down a cropper.”Allume,m.,confederate who makes sham bids at auctions, a “button.”Allumé(thieves’),stared at.Sur la placarde de VergneIl nous faudrait gambiller,Allumés de toutes ces larguesEt du trèpe rassemblé.Mémoires de Vidocq.Allumer(thieves’),to look, “to stag,”to see, or “to pipe;”to keep a sharp look-out,to watch, “to nark.”Si le Squelette avait eu tantôt une largue comme moi pour allumer, il n’aurait pas été mouché le surin dans l’avaloir du grinche.—E.Sue,Mystères de Paris.Allumer le miston,to scan one’s features;—— ses clairs,to look attentively, “to stag;” (prostitutes’)—— son pétrole,son gaz,to get highly excited. (Theatrical)Allumer,to awake interest or enthusiasm among an audience; (popular)to allure purchasers at fair stalls, or the public at theatrical booths or“gaffs”by glowing accounts. In coachmens’ parlance,to whip, “to flush.” (Familiar)S’——,to be slightly intoxicated, “fresh;”excited by women’s allurements;brought to the proper pitch of interest by card-sharpers or salesmen.Un autre compère gagne encore un coup de dix francs cette fois. La galerie s’allume de plus en plus.—Richepin,Le Pavé.Allumette, f. (popular),avoir son ——,to be tipsy, “screwed.” The successive stages of this degree of intoxication are expressed by thequalifying terms, “ronde,” “de marchand de vin,” “de campagne.”Allumettes,f. pl.(popular),arms, “benders.”Allumeur,m.,confederate at auction rooms(seeAllume);thief who gets workmen into a state of intoxication on pay day, after which they are seen home, and robbed of their earnings by his confederates, the “meneuses” and “travailleurs,”or “bug hunters;”gambling cheat who plays as if he were one of the general public, and who otherwise sets a game going, a “buttoner,” or “decoy-duck.”Allumeurs,m. pl.(military),de gaz,lancers. An allusion to their weapon, which has some resemblance with a lamp-lighter’s rod.Allumeuse,f.,woman who seeks to entice passers-by into patronizing a house of ill fame.Almanach,m.(popular),des vingt-cinq mille adresses,girl or woman of dissolute character, “public ledger.” SeeGadoue.Alpaga,alpag,m.(popular),coat, “tog,” or “Benjamin.”Alpague(popular),clothing, “toggery,”coat, “Benjamin.”Alphonse(familiar),man who protects prostitutes, ill-treats them often, and lives off their earnings, “pensioner.” These worthies go also by the names of “dos, barbeau, chevalier de la guiche, marlou,”&c.SeePoisson.Alphonsisme(familiar),the calling of anAlphonse.Alpion(gamesters’),man who cheats at cards,one who“bites.”Altèque(thieves’),manly, “spry,”handsome,excellent, “nobby.” Fromaltus.Amadou,m.,amadoue,f.(thieves’ and tramps’),substance with which vagabonds rub their faces to give themselves a sickly, wretched appearance.Les cagous emmènent avec sezières leurs apprentis pour leur apprendre à exercer l’argot. Premièrement, leur enseignent à acquiger de l’amadoue de plusieurs sortes, l’une avec de l’herbe qu’on nomme éclaire, pour servir aux francs-mijoux.—Le Jargon de l’Argot.(Popular)man with an inflammable heart.Amadouage,m.(thieves’),marriage, “buckling.”Amadouer,s’——(thieves’ and tramps’),to paint or otherwise make up one’s face with a view to deceiving people.Amandes,f. pl.(popular),de pain d’épice,black teeth,few and far between.Amant(prostitutes’),de carton,lover of no importance,a poor lover in both senses;—— de cœur,one who enjoys a kept woman’s affections gratis,one who is loved for “love,” not money.Amar,amarre,m.(thieves’),friend, “pal,” or “Ben cull;”—— d’attaque,staunch friend.Amar-loer(Breton cant),rope which has served to hang one.Amarrer(thieves’),to act in such a manner as to deceive,to lay a“plant.” Properlyto moor.Amateur(in literary men’s parlance),writer who does not exact payment for his productions; (in officers’ slang)a civilian;an officer who gives himself little trouble in his profession, who takes it easy; (familiar)man who makes a living by playing at cards with people unable to leave their homes.Amazone,f., (thieves’),female card-sharper.Ambassadeur,m.(popular),shoemaker, “snob;” (in gay girls’ slang)a bully. SeePoisson.Ambes,f. pl.(thieves’),legs, “gambs.”Ambier(thieves’),to flee, “to pike.” SeePatatrot.Et mezière de happer le taillis et ambier le plus gourdement possible.—Jargon de l’Argot.(I got off, and ran away as fast as possible.)Ambrellin(Breton cant),son.Ambulante,f.(thieves’),female who is at once a hawker,a thief,and a prostitute.Amendier,m.(theatrical),fleuri,stage manager, “daddy.” A play on the wordamende,a fine, the connection being obvious.Amener(popular),s’——,to come,to go to.Le voilà qui s’amène,here he comes.Américain(thieves’),confederate of a thief, who goes by the name ofJardinier. The pair induce a simpleton to dig at the foot of a tree for a buried treasure, when they rob him of his money;a swindler who pretends he has just returned from America; (familiar)a drink,something between grog and punch.Faire l’œil ——,to scrutinize with searching glance.Oeil ——,eye with purposely amorous, “killing,”expression; alsoa very sharp eye.Américaine,vol à l’(seeCharriage).Ami(thieves’),expert thief, “gonnof;”—— de collège,prison chum.Amicablement(popular),in a friendly manner,affectionately.Aminche,aminchemar,aminchemince,m.(thieves’),friend, “ben cull;”—— d’aff,accomplice, “stallsman.”Amis,m. pl.(popular),comme cochons, “thick”friends.Amiteux,adj.(popular),friendly,amiable,gentle.Amocher(popular),to bruise,to ill-treat, to “manhandle.”S’—— la gueule,to maul one another’s face, to “mug”one another.Amorcé,adj.(popular),furnished,garnished.V’la qu’est richement amorcé, j’en suis moi-même ébaubi.—Richepin.Amoureux(popular),hunchback, or “lord;”—— de carême,a timid lover. Literally a “Lent lover.” (Printers’)Papier ——,paper that blots.Ampafle,m.(thieves’),cloth.Amphi,m.(students’), abbreviation ofamphithéâtre,lecture room.Amphibie(typographers’),typographer who is at the same time a printer and reader, “donkey.”Amprefan(Breton cant),a low,insulting expression.Amusatif,adj.(popular),amusing,funny.Amuser(popular),s’—— à la moutarde,to neglect one’s duty or work for trifles,tomfooleries.An,m.(thieves’),litre,measure for wine.Anarcho,m.,anarchist.Anastasie,f.,literary and theatrical official censorship.Anchois,m.(popular),yeux bordés d’——,eyes with inflamed eyelids.Anchtibler(thieves’),to apprehend, to “nab,” or “to smug.”Ancien,ancienne(peasants’),father,mother. “Ancien” at the military schoolsis a student who has been through the two years’ course. In the army,a soldier who has served one term of service at least.Anderlique,m.(popular),a dirty or foul-mouthed man. Properlya small tub used by scavengers.Andosse,m.(thieves’),the back.Alors le rupin en colère, jura que s’il attrapait jamais des trucheurs dans son pipet qu’il leur ficherait cent coups de sabre sur l’andosse.—Jargon de l’Argot.Andouille,f.(popular),a man devoid of energy, a “muff.” Properlychitterlings.Faire l’——,to play the fool.Grand dépendeur d’andouilles,one who prefers good cheer to work.
Abadie,abadis,f.(thieves’),crowd, “push.” According toMichelthis word is derived from the Italianabbadia,abbey.
Pastiquant sur la placarde, j’ai rembroqué un abadis du raboin.—Vidocq.(When crossing the public square I saw a devil of a crowd.)
Abajoues,f. pl.(popular),face, “chops.” Properlychaps.
Abalobé(popular),astounded,abashed, or “flabbergasted.”
Abasourdir(thieves’),to kill. Properlyto astound.
Abati(obsolete),killed(Michel).
On a trouvé un homme horriblement mutilé... on avoit attaché sur lui une carte portant ci-gît l’Abaty.—Journal historique et anecdotique du règne de Louis XV.
Abatis,abattis,m. pl.(popular),hands and feet. Proper sense,giblets.
A bas les pattes! Les as-tu propres, seulement, tes abattis, pour lacer ce corsage rose?—E. Villars.
Avoir les —— canailles,to have coarse, plebeian hands and feet, or “beetle crushers and mutton fists.”Numérote tes ——,I’ll break every bone in your body.
Abat-jour,m.(popular),peak of a cap;—— des quinquets,eyelid.
Abat-reluit(thieves’),shade for the eyes.
Abattage,m.(popular),much work done;work quickly done;severe scolding, or “bully-ragging;”action of throwing down one’s cards at baccarat when eight or nine are scored.Vente à l’——,sale of wares spread out on the pavement.
Abattoir,m.(thieves’),cell at the prison ofLa Roquetteoccupied by prisoners under sentence of death; corresponds to the Newgate “salt-box.” It has also the meaning ofgaming-house, or “punting-shop.” Properly aslaughter-house.
Abattre(familiar),en ——,to do much work, or to “sweat.”
Abbaye,f.(thieves’),kiln in which thieves and vagrants seek a refuge at night;—— ruffante,warm kiln;—— de Monte-à-regret,the scaffold.
Mon père a épousé la veuve, moi je me retire à l’Abbaye de Monte-à-regret.—Victor Hugo,Le dernier Jour d’un Condamné.
Termed formerly “l’abbaye de Monte-à-rebours;” (popular)—— de Saint-Pierre,the scaffold, a play on the words “cinq-pierres,” the guillotine being erected on five flagstones in front ofLa Roquette;—— de sots bougres(obsolete),a prison;—— des s’offre à tous,house of ill-fame, or “nanny-shop.”
Abbesse,f.(popular),mistress of a house of ill-fame, “abbess.”
Abcès,m.(popular),the possessor of a bloated face.
Abélardiser,to mutilate a man asChanoine FulbertmutilatedAbélard, the lover of his daughter or nieceHéloïse. The operation is termed by horse-trainers “adding one to the list.”
Abéquer(popular),to feed. Literallyto give a billful.
Abéqueuse,f.(popular),wet nurse;landlady of an hotel.
Abloquer,abloquir(thieves’),to buy;to acquire.
Abonné(familiar),être —— au guignon,to experience a run of ill-luck. Literallyto be a subscriber to ill-luck.
Aborgner(popular),s’——,to scrutinize. Literallyto make oneself blind of one eye by closing or“cocking”it.
Aboté(popular),clumsily adjusted or fitted, “wobbly.”
Aboulage,acré,m.(popular),plenty.
Aboulée(popular),in childbed, “in the straw.”
Aboulement,m.(popular),accouchement.
Abouler(popular),to be in childbed, “to be in the straw;”to give,to hand over, to “dub.”
Pègres et barbots aboulez des pépettes...Aboulez tous des ronds ou des liquettesDes vieux grimpants, bricheton ou arlequins.Le Cri du Peuple, Feb., 1886.
Pègres et barbots aboulez des pépettes...Aboulez tous des ronds ou des liquettesDes vieux grimpants, bricheton ou arlequins.Le Cri du Peuple, Feb., 1886.
Pègres et barbots aboulez des pépettes...Aboulez tous des ronds ou des liquettesDes vieux grimpants, bricheton ou arlequins.Le Cri du Peuple, Feb., 1886.
Pègres et barbots aboulez des pépettes...
Aboulez tous des ronds ou des liquettes
Des vieux grimpants, bricheton ou arlequins.
Le Cri du Peuple, Feb., 1886.
To come, “to crop up.”
Et si tézig tient à sa boule,Fonce ta largue, et qu’elle abouleSans limace nous cambrouser.Richepin,La Chanson des Gueux.
Et si tézig tient à sa boule,Fonce ta largue, et qu’elle abouleSans limace nous cambrouser.Richepin,La Chanson des Gueux.
Et si tézig tient à sa boule,Fonce ta largue, et qu’elle abouleSans limace nous cambrouser.Richepin,La Chanson des Gueux.
Et si tézig tient à sa boule,
Fonce ta largue, et qu’elle aboule
Sans limace nous cambrouser.
Richepin,La Chanson des Gueux.
Abour,m.(thieves’),sieve.
Aboyeur(popular),crier or salesman at public or private sales;man employed at the doors of puffing shops or theatrical booths to entice people in, “barker;”man who is constantly clamouring in words or writing against public men;man in a prison whose function it is to call prisoners.
Abracadabrant,adj.(familiar),marvellous, or “stunning.” FromAbracadabra, a magic word used as a spell in the Middle Ages.
Abraqué,adj.(sailors’),tied;spliced.
Abreuvoir,m.(popular),drinking-shop, or “lush-crib;”—— à mouches,bleeding wound.
Abruti,m.,a plodding student at theEcole Polytechnique, termed a “swat” at theR. M.Academy;stolid and stupid man;—— de Chaillot,blockhead, or “cabbage-head.”Chaillot, in the suburbs of Paris, has repeatedly been made the butt for various uncomplimentary hits.
Abrutir(familiar),s’——,to plod at any kind of work. Literallyto make oneself silly.
Abs, abbreviation ofabsinthe.
Absinthage,m.(familiar),the drinking or mixing of absinthe.
Absinthe,f.(familiar),faire son ——,to mix absinthe with water.Absinthe à la hussardeis prepared by slowly pouring in the water; “l’amazone”is mixed in like manner, but with an adjunction of gum; “la panachée”is absinthe with a dash of gum or anisette; “la purée”is prepared by quickly pouring in the water.Faire son —— en parlant,to spit when talking.Heure de l’——,the hour when that beverage is discussed in the cafés, generally from four to six p.m.Avaler son ——,seeAvaler.
Absinthé,adj.(familiar),intoxicated on absinthe.
Absinther(familiar),s’——,to drink absinthe;to be a confirmed tippler of absinthe.
Absintheur,m.(familiar),a drinker of absinthe;one who makes it a practice of getting drunk on absinthe.
Absinthier, orabsintheur,m.,retailer of absinthe.
Absinthisme,m.(familiar),state of body and mind resulting from excessive drinking of absinthe.
Absorber(familiar),to eat and drink a great deal, to “guzzle.”
Absorption,f.,annual ceremony at theEcole Polytechnique, at the close of which the seniors, or “anciens,” are entertained by the newly-joined, termed“melons” (“snookers”at the Royal Military Academy).
Acabit,m.(popular),the person;the body;health;temper.Etre de bon ——,to enjoy sound health.Un étrange ——,an odd humour, or “strange kidney.”
Acacias,m.,faire ses ——,to walk or drive, according to the custom of fashionable Parisians, in the “Allée des Acacias” from thePorte-MaillottoLa Concorde.
Acalifourchonner(popular),s’——,to get astride anything.
Accaparer(familiar),quelqu’un ——,to monopolize a person.
Accent(thieves’),signal given by spitting.
Accentuer(popular),ses gestes ——,to give a box on the ear; in other terms, “to warm the wax of one’s ear;”to give a blow, or “bang.”
Accessoires,m. pl.(theatrical),stage properties, or “props.” As a qualificative it is used disparagingly, thus,Viande d’——,vin d’——,are meat and wine of bad quality.
Accoerer(thieves’),to arrange.
Accolade(popular),smart box on the ear, “buckhorse.”
Accommoder(familiar),quelqu’un à la sauce piquante,to beat severely, “to double up;”to make one smart under irony or reproaches. Might be rendered by,to sit upon one with a vengeance;—— au beurre noir,to beat black and blue.
Accordéon,m.(popular),opera-hat.
Accoufler(popular),s’——,to squat. From the wordcouffles,cotton bales, which may be conveniently used as seats.
Accroche-cœurs(familiar). Properlysmall curl twisted on the temple, or “kiss-curl.” Cads apply that name to short, crooked whiskers.
Accrocher(popular),un paletot,to tell a falsehood, or “swack up;”—— un soldat,to confine a soldier to barracks, “to roost.”S’——,to come to blows, “to come to loggerheads.” (Familiar)Accrocher,to pawn, “to pop, to lumber, to blue.”
Etes-vous entré quelquefois dans un de ces nombreux bureaux de prêt qu’on désigne aussi sous le nom de ma tante? Non. Tant mieux pour vous. Cela prouve que vous n’avez jamais eu besoin d’y accrocher vos bibelots et que votre montre n’a jamais retardé de cinquante francs.—Frébault,La Vie de Paris.
Accrouer. SeeAccoufler.
A Chaillot!(popular),an energetic invitation to make oneself scarce;an expression of strong disapproval coupled with a desire to see one turned out of doors.
Achar(popular),d’——, abbreviation ofacharnement,with steadiness of purpose, in an unrelenting manner.
Acheter(popular),quelqu’un ——,to turn one into ridicule,to make a fool of one.
Achetoir,m.,achetoires,f. pl.(popular),money, “loaver.”
Acœurer(popular),to do anything with a will, to “wire in.”
Acoquiner(popular),s’——, used disparagingly,to keep company,to live with one.
Acré(thieves’),strong, “spry,”violent;silence!“mum’s the word!”be careful!“shoe leather!”
Acrée,acrie,m.(thieves’),mistrust;—— donc!hold your tongue!“mum your dubber!”be cautious. Fromacrimonie.
Acteur-guitare(theatrical and journalistic),actor who has only one string to his bow;actor who elicits applause in lachrymose scenes only.
Actionnaire,m., (literary),credulous man easily deceived. Proper sense,shareholder.
Adjectiver(popular),to abuse, to “slang.”
Adjoint(thieves’),executioner’s assistant.
Adjudant,m.(military),tremper un ——,to dip a piece of bread in the first, and consequently the more savoury broth yielded by the “pot au feu,” a practice indulged in by cooks.
Adjuger(gamesters’),une banque à un opérateur,to cheat, to “bite,”at cards.
Adroit,adj.(popular),du coude,fond of the bottle,or skilful in“crooking the elbow.”
Aff,affe,f.(popular),eau d’——,brandy, or “French cream.” SeeTord-boyaux.
La v’là l’enflée, c’est de l’eau d’affe (eau-de-vie), elle est toute mouchique celle-là.—Vidocq.
Affaire,f.(thieves’),projected crime;projected theft or swindle, “plant;”—— juteuse,profitable transaction;—— mûre,preconcerted crime or theft about to be committed. (Familiar)Avoir son ——,to have received a“settler;”to be completely drunk, or “hoodman;”to have received a mortal wound, in other words, “to have one’s goose cooked.” (Popular)Avoir une —— cachée sous la peau,to be pregnant, or “lumpy.”Faire l’—— à quelqu’un,to kill, “to do for one.”
Affaler(popular),s’——,to fall, “to come a cropper.”
T’es rien poivre, tu ne tiens plus sur tes fumerons.... tu vas t’affaler.—Richepin,Le Pavé.
Affe. SeeAff.
Affistoler(familiar),to arrange,to dress.Mal affistolé,badly done,badly dressed.
Affluer(thieves’),to deceive, to “cram;”to cheat, to “stick;”to swindle, to “fox.” Fromà flouer.
Affourcher(sailors’),sur ses ancres,to retire from the service. Properlyto moor a ship each way.
Affranchi(thieves’),convict who has“done his time;”one who has ceased to be honest;one who has been induced to be an accomplice in a crime.
Affranchir(gamesters’),to save a certain card at the cost of another;to initiate one into the tactics of card-sharpers; (thieves’)to corrupt;to teach one dishonest practices;—— un sinve avec de l’auber,to corrupt a man by dint of money;—— un sinve pour grinchir,to put an honest man up to thieving.
Affres,f. pl.(popular),upbraiding, “blowing up.” Proper sense,agonies.
Affur,affure,m.(thieves),proceeds,profits.Avoir de l’——,to have money.
Quand je vois mon affureJe suis toujours paré,Du plus grand cœur du mondeJe vais à la profondePour vous donner du frais.Vidocq.
Quand je vois mon affureJe suis toujours paré,Du plus grand cœur du mondeJe vais à la profondePour vous donner du frais.Vidocq.
Quand je vois mon affureJe suis toujours paré,Du plus grand cœur du mondeJe vais à la profondePour vous donner du frais.Vidocq.
Quand je vois mon affure
Je suis toujours paré,
Du plus grand cœur du monde
Je vais à la profonde
Pour vous donner du frais.
Vidocq.
Affurage,m.(thieves’),proceeds of theft, “regulars,” or “swag.”
Affurer,affûter(thieves’),to deceive;to make profits;to procure;—— de l’auber,to make money.
En goupinant comme ça on n’affure pas d’auber.—Vidocq.
Affût(thieves’ and popular),être d’——,to be able, cunning, or “a downy cove;”to be wide awake, or “to be one who knows what’s o’clock.”A l’——,on the watch.
Affûter(thieves’),to deceive,to snatch, “to click;”to whip up, “to nip;”to make unlawful profits;—— ses pincettes,to walk, to “pad the hoof;”to run, to “leg it.” Proper sense,to sharpen.S’—— le sifflet,to drink, to “whet one’s whistle.”
Agaceur(sporting),one who sets a thing going, “buttoner.”
Aganter(popular),to take,to catch, “to grab;”—— une claque,to receive a box on the ear, “to get one’s ear’s wax warmed.”
Agate,f.(thieves’),crockery.
Agater(popular),to be thrashed, “tanned;”to be caught, “nabbed.”
Agenouillée,f.(journalists’),prostitute whosespécialitéis best described by the appellation itself.
Agobille(thieves’),implements, “jilts.”
Agonir(popular),to abuse vehemently, to “bully-rag,” or “to haul over the coals. “
Agout,m.(thieves’),drinking-water.
Agrafe,f.(popular),hand, “picker,” “dooks,” or “dukes.”
Agrafer(thieves’ and cads’),to seize, to “grab;”to arrest, “to pull up,” or “to smug.”
Agrément,m.(theatrical),avoir de l’——,to obtain applause. (Popular)Se pousser de l’——,to amuse oneself.
Agripper(popular),to seize secretly,to steal quickly, to “nip.”S’——,to come to blows, “to slip into one another.”
Aguicher(popular),to allure,decoy, “to button;”to quicken,to excite.
Il fallait lui faire comprendre qu’elle aguiche la soif du petit, en l’empêchant de boire.—Richepin,La Glu.
Aguigner(popular),to teaze, “to badger.”
Ahuri,m.(popular),de Chaillot,block-head, “cabbage-head.” SeeAbruti.
Aide-cargot,canteen servant.
Aides.SeeAller.
Aïe-aïe,m.(popular),omnibus.
Aiguille,f.(military),à tricoter les côtes,sword, “toasting-fork;” (thieves’)key, or “screw;”card made to protrude from a pack for cheating, “old gentleman.”
Aiguiller(card-sharpers’),la brème,to make a mark or notch on a card.
Aile,f.,aileron,m.(popular),arm, or “bender.”
Aille,iergue,orgue,uche,suffixes used to disguise any word.
Aille(familiar),fallait pas qu’y ——,it is all his own fault,he has nobody to thank for it but himself.
Aimant,m.(popular),faire de l’——,to make a fussy show of affected friendliness through interested motives.
Aimer(popular),à crédit,to enjoy the gratuitous good graces of a kept woman.Aimer comme ses petits boyaux,to doat on one, “to love like the apple of one’s eye.”
Air,m.(popular),se donner de l’——,se pousser de l’——,jouer la fille de l’——,to run away, to “cut and run.” SeePatatrot.
Airs,m. pl.(popular),être à plusieurs ——,to be a hypocrite, double-faced person, “mawworm.”
A la balade(popular),chanteurs ——,itinerant singers, “chaunters.”
A la barque,street cry of mussel costermongers.
A la bonne(popular),prendre quelquechose chose ——,to take anything good-humouredly.Avoir ——,to love, to like.
Je peste contre le quart d’œil de mon quartier qui ne m’a pas à la bonne.—Vidocq.
A la carre(thieves’),dégringoler ——,to steal from shops;kind of theft committed principally by women who pretend to be shopping; “shoplifting.”
A la clef(familiar),an expletive.Trop de zèle ——,too much zeal by half. From a musical term. The expression is used sometimes with no particular meaning, thus,Il y aura du champagne ——, is equivalent to,Il y aura du champagne.
A la corde(popular),logement ——,low lodging-house, where the lodgers sleep with their heads on a rope,which is let down early in the morning. In some of these the lodgers leave all their clothes with the keeper, to ensure against their being stolen.
A la coule(popular),être ——,to be conversant with.
S’il avait été au courant, à la coule, il aurait su que le premier truc du camelot, c’est de s’établir au cœur même de la foule.—Richepin.
Etre ——,to be happy; at one’s ease; comfortable.Je n’étais pas ——,I felt very uncomfortable.
A la flan,à la rencontre, orà la dure(thieves’),fabriquer un gas ——,to attack and rob a person at night, “to jump a cove.”
A la grive!(thieves’ and cads’),take care!“shoe leather!”Cribler ——,to call out “police!”to “give hot beef.”
Par contretemps ma largue,......Pour gonfler ses valades,Encasque dans un rade,Sert des sigues à foison;On la crible à la grive,Je m’la donne et m’esquive,Elle est pommée maron.Mémoires de Vidocq.
Par contretemps ma largue,......Pour gonfler ses valades,Encasque dans un rade,Sert des sigues à foison;On la crible à la grive,Je m’la donne et m’esquive,Elle est pommée maron.Mémoires de Vidocq.
Par contretemps ma largue,......Pour gonfler ses valades,Encasque dans un rade,Sert des sigues à foison;On la crible à la grive,Je m’la donne et m’esquive,Elle est pommée maron.Mémoires de Vidocq.
Par contretemps ma largue,
......
Pour gonfler ses valades,
Encasque dans un rade,
Sert des sigues à foison;
On la crible à la grive,
Je m’la donne et m’esquive,
Elle est pommée maron.
Mémoires de Vidocq.
A la manque(thieves’),fafiots, orfafelards ——,forged bank notes, “queer soft.”Avoir du pognon, orde la galette ——,to be penniless.Etre ——,not to be trustworthy;to betray.
Pas un de nous ne sera pour le dab à la manque.—Balzac.
A la papa(popular),quietly, slowly.
A la petite bonne femme(popular),glisser ——,to slide squatting on one’s heels.
Alarmiste(thieves’),watch-dog, “tyke.”
A-la-six-quatre-deux(popular),in disorder, “all at sixes and sevens;”anyhow, “helter-skelter.”
A la sonde(cads’),être ——,to be cunning, wide awake, “fly.”
Va, la môm’, truque et n’fais pas four.Sois rien mariolle et à la sonde!Richepin,Chanson des Gueux.
Va, la môm’, truque et n’fais pas four.Sois rien mariolle et à la sonde!Richepin,Chanson des Gueux.
Va, la môm’, truque et n’fais pas four.Sois rien mariolle et à la sonde!Richepin,Chanson des Gueux.
Va, la môm’, truque et n’fais pas four.
Sois rien mariolle et à la sonde!
Richepin,Chanson des Gueux.
A la tienne Etienne!(popular),your health!
A la va-te-faire-fiche,anyhow.
Un béret nature, campé par une main paysanne, à la va te-faire-fiche, sans arrière-pensée de pittoresque.—Richepin,Le Pavé.
Alènes,f. pl.(thieves’),tools,implements, “jilts.” Properlyshoemakers’ awls.
Alentoir,m., foralentour(thieves’),neighbourhood,vicinity.
A l’esbrouffe(thieves’),faire un coup —— sur un pantre,to steal a pocket-book from a person who has been seen to enter a bank, or other financial establishment. The thief watches his opportunity in the neighbourhood of such establishments, and when operating keeps his hand concealed under an overcoat which he bears on his arm.
Aligner(freemasons’),to lay the cloth.S’——, in soldiers’ language,to fight a duel with swords. The expression is used also by civilians.
Alinéaliste,m.(literary),writer who is fond of short paragraphs.
Allemand,m.(popular),peigne d’——,the four fingers.
Aller(familiar),à Bougival, in literary men’s parlance,is to write a newspaper article of no interest for the general public;—— à la cour des aidesis said of a married woman who has one or more lovers;—— au pot,to pick up dominoes from those which remain after the proper number has been distributed to the players;—— au safran,to spend freely one’s capital, an allusion to the colour of gold;—— en Belgiqueis said of a cashier who bolts with the cash-box, or of a financier who makes off with the money of his clients;—— se faire fiche,to go to the deuce;—— se faire foutrehas the same meaning, but refers to a rather more forcible invitation yet;—— se faire lanlaire,to go to the deuce.Allez vous faire fiche, orfoutre!go to the deuce, or “you be hanged!”Je lui ai dit d’—— se faire lanlaire,I sent him about his business.Aller son petit bonhomme de chemin,to do anything without any hurry, without heeding interruptions or hindrances.On avait beau lui crier d’arrêter, il allait toujours son petit bonhomme de chemin.(Familiar and popular)Y aller,to begin anything.Allons-y!let us begin! let us open the ball! now for business.Y aller de quelque chose,to contribute;to pay;to furnish.Y —— de son argent,to pay, “to stump up.”Y —— d’une,de deux,to pay for one or two bottles of liquor.Y —— de sa larme,to shed a tear,to show emotion.Y —— gaiment,to do anything willingly, briskly.Allons y gaiment!let us look alive!(Popular)Aller à la chasse avec un fusil de toile,to go a begging, “to cadge.” An allusion to a beggar’s canvas wallet. Compare this with the origin of the word “to beg,” which is derived from “bag;”—— à l’arche,to fetch money;—— à niort,to deny, a play on the words “Niort,” name of a town, and “nier,” to deny;—— à ses affaires,to ease oneself, “to go to Mrs. Jones’;”—— au persilis said of street-walkers who ply their trade. This expression may have its origin in the practice sometimes followed by this class of women of carrying a small basket as if going to the fruiterer’s;—— au trotis said of a prostitute walking the street in grand attire, or “full fig;”—— au vice,to make one’s resort of places where immorality is rife;—— voir défiler les dragons,to go without dinner. The English have the expressions, “to dine out,” used by the lower classes, and “to dine with Duke Humphrey,” by the middle and upper. According to theSlang Dictionarythe reason of the latter saying is as follows: “Some visitors were inspecting the abbey where the remains of Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, lie, and one of them was unfortunately shut in, and remained theresoluswhile his companions were feasting at a neighbouring hostelry. He was afterwards said to have dined with Duke Humphrey, and the saying eventually passed into a proverb.”Aller aux pruneauxis said of the victim of a practical joke played in hospitals at the expense of a new patient, who, being sent at the conclusion of a meal to request another patient to furnish him with the customary dessert, gets bolstered for his pains;—— où le roi va à pied,to go to the latrines, or “chapel of ease;” (printers’)—— en galilée, or—— en germanie(a play on the words “Je remanie,” I overrun),to do some overrunning in a piece of composition; (soldiers’)—— à l’astic,to clean one’s equipment; (sporting)—— pour l’argent,to back one’s own horse; (musicians’)—— au carreau,to seek an engagement. An allusion to “la Rue du Petit-Carreau,” a meeting-place for musicians of the lowest class, and musical conductors. (Thieves’)Aller à comberge,to go to confession with a priest;—— à la retape,to waylay in order to murder;—— chez Fualdès,to share the booty, “to nap the regulars.”Fualdèswas a rich banker, who was murdered in circumstances of peculiar atrocity.
Allez donc(familiar),et ——,a kind of flourish at the end of a sentence to emphasize an assertion.Allez donc vous laver(popular),be off, go to “pot;”—— vous asseoir, “shut up!”
Alliances,f. pl.(thieves’),handcuffs, “bracelets.” Properlywedding-rings.
Allonger(familiar),to pay, to “fork out;”—— les radis,to pay, “to shell out;” (military)—— la ficelleorla courroie,to make an addition to a penalty.S’——,to fall, to “come down a cropper.”
Allume,m.,confederate who makes sham bids at auctions, a “button.”
Allumé(thieves’),stared at.
Sur la placarde de VergneIl nous faudrait gambiller,Allumés de toutes ces larguesEt du trèpe rassemblé.Mémoires de Vidocq.
Sur la placarde de VergneIl nous faudrait gambiller,Allumés de toutes ces larguesEt du trèpe rassemblé.Mémoires de Vidocq.
Sur la placarde de VergneIl nous faudrait gambiller,Allumés de toutes ces larguesEt du trèpe rassemblé.Mémoires de Vidocq.
Sur la placarde de Vergne
Il nous faudrait gambiller,
Allumés de toutes ces largues
Et du trèpe rassemblé.
Mémoires de Vidocq.
Allumer(thieves’),to look, “to stag,”to see, or “to pipe;”to keep a sharp look-out,to watch, “to nark.”
Si le Squelette avait eu tantôt une largue comme moi pour allumer, il n’aurait pas été mouché le surin dans l’avaloir du grinche.—E.Sue,Mystères de Paris.
Allumer le miston,to scan one’s features;—— ses clairs,to look attentively, “to stag;” (prostitutes’)—— son pétrole,son gaz,to get highly excited. (Theatrical)Allumer,to awake interest or enthusiasm among an audience; (popular)to allure purchasers at fair stalls, or the public at theatrical booths or“gaffs”by glowing accounts. In coachmens’ parlance,to whip, “to flush.” (Familiar)S’——,to be slightly intoxicated, “fresh;”excited by women’s allurements;brought to the proper pitch of interest by card-sharpers or salesmen.
Un autre compère gagne encore un coup de dix francs cette fois. La galerie s’allume de plus en plus.—Richepin,Le Pavé.
Allumette, f. (popular),avoir son ——,to be tipsy, “screwed.” The successive stages of this degree of intoxication are expressed by thequalifying terms, “ronde,” “de marchand de vin,” “de campagne.”
Allumettes,f. pl.(popular),arms, “benders.”
Allumeur,m.,confederate at auction rooms(seeAllume);thief who gets workmen into a state of intoxication on pay day, after which they are seen home, and robbed of their earnings by his confederates, the “meneuses” and “travailleurs,”or “bug hunters;”gambling cheat who plays as if he were one of the general public, and who otherwise sets a game going, a “buttoner,” or “decoy-duck.”
Allumeurs,m. pl.(military),de gaz,lancers. An allusion to their weapon, which has some resemblance with a lamp-lighter’s rod.
Allumeuse,f.,woman who seeks to entice passers-by into patronizing a house of ill fame.
Almanach,m.(popular),des vingt-cinq mille adresses,girl or woman of dissolute character, “public ledger.” SeeGadoue.
Alpaga,alpag,m.(popular),coat, “tog,” or “Benjamin.”
Alpague(popular),clothing, “toggery,”coat, “Benjamin.”
Alphonse(familiar),man who protects prostitutes, ill-treats them often, and lives off their earnings, “pensioner.” These worthies go also by the names of “dos, barbeau, chevalier de la guiche, marlou,”&c.SeePoisson.
Alphonsisme(familiar),the calling of anAlphonse.
Alpion(gamesters’),man who cheats at cards,one who“bites.”
Altèque(thieves’),manly, “spry,”handsome,excellent, “nobby.” Fromaltus.
Amadou,m.,amadoue,f.(thieves’ and tramps’),substance with which vagabonds rub their faces to give themselves a sickly, wretched appearance.
Les cagous emmènent avec sezières leurs apprentis pour leur apprendre à exercer l’argot. Premièrement, leur enseignent à acquiger de l’amadoue de plusieurs sortes, l’une avec de l’herbe qu’on nomme éclaire, pour servir aux francs-mijoux.—Le Jargon de l’Argot.
(Popular)man with an inflammable heart.
Amadouage,m.(thieves’),marriage, “buckling.”
Amadouer,s’——(thieves’ and tramps’),to paint or otherwise make up one’s face with a view to deceiving people.
Amandes,f. pl.(popular),de pain d’épice,black teeth,few and far between.
Amant(prostitutes’),de carton,lover of no importance,a poor lover in both senses;—— de cœur,one who enjoys a kept woman’s affections gratis,one who is loved for “love,” not money.
Amar,amarre,m.(thieves’),friend, “pal,” or “Ben cull;”—— d’attaque,staunch friend.
Amar-loer(Breton cant),rope which has served to hang one.
Amarrer(thieves’),to act in such a manner as to deceive,to lay a“plant.” Properlyto moor.
Amateur(in literary men’s parlance),writer who does not exact payment for his productions; (in officers’ slang)a civilian;an officer who gives himself little trouble in his profession, who takes it easy; (familiar)man who makes a living by playing at cards with people unable to leave their homes.
Amazone,f., (thieves’),female card-sharper.
Ambassadeur,m.(popular),shoemaker, “snob;” (in gay girls’ slang)a bully. SeePoisson.
Ambes,f. pl.(thieves’),legs, “gambs.”
Ambier(thieves’),to flee, “to pike.” SeePatatrot.
Et mezière de happer le taillis et ambier le plus gourdement possible.—Jargon de l’Argot.(I got off, and ran away as fast as possible.)
Ambrellin(Breton cant),son.
Ambulante,f.(thieves’),female who is at once a hawker,a thief,and a prostitute.
Amendier,m.(theatrical),fleuri,stage manager, “daddy.” A play on the wordamende,a fine, the connection being obvious.
Amener(popular),s’——,to come,to go to.Le voilà qui s’amène,here he comes.
Américain(thieves’),confederate of a thief, who goes by the name ofJardinier. The pair induce a simpleton to dig at the foot of a tree for a buried treasure, when they rob him of his money;a swindler who pretends he has just returned from America; (familiar)a drink,something between grog and punch.Faire l’œil ——,to scrutinize with searching glance.Oeil ——,eye with purposely amorous, “killing,”expression; alsoa very sharp eye.
Américaine,vol à l’(seeCharriage).
Ami(thieves’),expert thief, “gonnof;”—— de collège,prison chum.
Amicablement(popular),in a friendly manner,affectionately.
Aminche,aminchemar,aminchemince,m.(thieves’),friend, “ben cull;”—— d’aff,accomplice, “stallsman.”
Amis,m. pl.(popular),comme cochons, “thick”friends.
Amiteux,adj.(popular),friendly,amiable,gentle.
Amocher(popular),to bruise,to ill-treat, to “manhandle.”S’—— la gueule,to maul one another’s face, to “mug”one another.
Amorcé,adj.(popular),furnished,garnished.
V’la qu’est richement amorcé, j’en suis moi-même ébaubi.—Richepin.
Amoureux(popular),hunchback, or “lord;”—— de carême,a timid lover. Literally a “Lent lover.” (Printers’)Papier ——,paper that blots.
Ampafle,m.(thieves’),cloth.
Amphi,m.(students’), abbreviation ofamphithéâtre,lecture room.
Amphibie(typographers’),typographer who is at the same time a printer and reader, “donkey.”
Amprefan(Breton cant),a low,insulting expression.
Amusatif,adj.(popular),amusing,funny.
Amuser(popular),s’—— à la moutarde,to neglect one’s duty or work for trifles,tomfooleries.
An,m.(thieves’),litre,measure for wine.
Anarcho,m.,anarchist.
Anastasie,f.,literary and theatrical official censorship.
Anchois,m.(popular),yeux bordés d’——,eyes with inflamed eyelids.
Anchtibler(thieves’),to apprehend, to “nab,” or “to smug.”
Ancien,ancienne(peasants’),father,mother. “Ancien” at the military schoolsis a student who has been through the two years’ course. In the army,a soldier who has served one term of service at least.
Anderlique,m.(popular),a dirty or foul-mouthed man. Properlya small tub used by scavengers.
Andosse,m.(thieves’),the back.
Alors le rupin en colère, jura que s’il attrapait jamais des trucheurs dans son pipet qu’il leur ficherait cent coups de sabre sur l’andosse.—Jargon de l’Argot.
Andouille,f.(popular),a man devoid of energy, a “muff.” Properlychitterlings.Faire l’——,to play the fool.Grand dépendeur d’andouilles,one who prefers good cheer to work.