MACE, tomacea shopkeeper, orgive it tohimupon the mace, is to obtain goods on credit, which you never mean to pay for; to run up a score with the same intention, or to spunge upon your acquaintance, by continually begging or borrowing from them, is termedmaceing, orstriking the mace.
MACE-GLOAK, a man who livesupon the mace.
MAG, a halfpenny.
MANCHESTER, the tongue.
MANG, to speak or talk.
MAULEY, the hand.
MAX, gin or hollands.
MILESTONE, a country booby.
MILL, to fight. Tomilla person is to beat him.
MILL A GLAZE, to break a window.
MILL-DOLL, an obsolete name for Bridewell house of correction, in Bridge-street, Blackfriars, London.
MILLING-COVE, a pugilist.
MITTS, gloves.
MITTENS, the hands.
MIZZLE, to quit or go away from any place or company; to elope, or run away.
MOLLISHER, a woman.
MONKEY, a padlock.
MONKERY, the country parts of England are calledThe Monkery.
MONTRA, a watch.
MORNING-SNEAK, going out early to rob private houses or shops by slipping in at the door unperceived, while the servant or shopman is employed in cleaning the steps, windows,&c.
MOTT, ablowen, or woman of the town.
MOUNT, to swear, or give evidence falsely for the sake of a gratuity. Tomount fora person is also synonymous withbonnetting forhim.
MOUNTER, a man who lives bymounting, or perjury, who is always ready for a guinea or two to swear whatever is proposed to him.
MOUTH, a foolish silly person; a man who does a very imprudent act, is said to bea rank mouth.
MOVE, any action or operation in life; the secret spring by which any project is conducted, as, There ismovein that business which you are notdown to. To beflash to every move upon the board, is to have a general knowledge of the world, and all its numerous deceptions.
Mr.KNAP.SeeKnap.
Mr.NASH.SeeNash.
Mr.PALMER.SeePalm.
Mr.PULLEN.SeePullorPull up.
MUFF, an epithet synonymous withmouth.
MUG, the face; aqueer mugis an ugly face.
MURPHY’s COUNTENANCE, a pig’s face.
MYNABS, me, myself.
NAIL, tonaila person, is to over-reach, or take advantage of him in the course of trade or traffic; also, to rob, or steal; as, Inail’dhimfor(orof) hisreader, I robbed him of his pocket-book; Inail’d the swell’s montra in the push, I picked the gentleman’s pocket of his watch in the crowd,&c.A person of an over-reaching, imposing disposition, is called anail, adead nail, anailingrascal, arank needle, or aneedle pointer.
NANCY, the posteriors.
NAP the BIB, to cry; as, themollisher nap’dherbib, the woman fell a crying.
NASH, to go away from, or quit, any place or company; speaking of a person who is gone, they say, he isnash’d, orMr. Nash is concerned.
NE-DASH, nothing.
NEEDLE, (seeNail) toneedlea person, is to haggle with him in making a bargain, and, if possible, take advantage of him, though in the most trifling article.
NEEDLE-POINTER.SeeNail.
NEEDY-MIZZLER, a poor ragged object of either sex; a shabby-looking person.
NIB, a gentleman, or person of the higher order. People who affect gentility or consequence, without any real pretensions thereto, are from hence vulgarly calledHalf-nibsorHalf-swells; and, indeed, persons of low minds, who conceive money to be the only criterion of gentility, are too apt to stigmatize with the before-mentioned epithets any man, who, however well-bred and educated, may be reduced to a shabby external, but still preserves a sense of decorum in his manners, and avoids associating with the vagabonds among whom he may unfortunately be doomed to exist.
NIBB’D, taken in custody.
NIBBLE, to pilfer trifling articles, not having spirit to touch any thing of consequence.
NIBBLER, a pilferer or petty thief.
NIX, or NIX MY DOLL, nothing.
NOB IT, to act with such prudence and knowledge of the world, as to prosper and become independent without any labour or bodily exertion; this is termednobbing it,orfighting nob work. To effect any purpose, or obtain any thing, by means of good judgment and sagacity, is callednobbing it forsuch a thing.
NOB-PITCHERS, a general term for those sharpers who attend at fairs, races,&c., to take in theflatsat prick in the garter, cups and balls, and other similar artifices.
NO DOWN.SeeFake away,&c.
NOSE, a thief who becomes an evidence against his accomplices; also, a person who seeing one or more suspicious characters in the streets, makes a point of watching them in order to frustrate any attempt they may make, or to cause their apprehension; also, a spy or informer of any description.
NOSE, tonose, is to pry into any person’s proceedings in an impertinent manner. Tonose uponany one, is to tell of any thing he has said or done with a view to injure him, or to benefit yourself.
NULLING-COVE, a pugilist.
NUT, to please a person by any little act of assiduity, by a present, or by flattering words, is callednuttinghim; as the present,&c., by which you have gratified them, is termed anut.
NUTS UPON IT, to be very much pleased or gratified with any object, adventure, or overture; so a person who conceives a strong inclination for another of the opposite sex, is said to be quitenutty, ornuts uponhim or her.
NUTS UPON YOURSELF, a man who is much gratified with any bargain he has made, narrow escapehe has had, or other event in which he is interested, will express his self-satisfaction or gladness by declaring that he is, or was, quitenuts upon himself.
OFFICE, a hint, signal, or private intimation, from one person to another; this is termedofficeinghim, orgivinghimthe office; totake the office, is to understand and profit by the hint given.
OLD LAG, a man or woman who has been transported, is so called on returning home, by those who are acquainted with the secret.SeeLag.
OLIVER, the moon.
OLIVER IS IN TOWN, a phrase signifying that the nights are moonlight, and consequently unfavourable to depredation.
OLIVER’S UP, the moon has risen.
OLIVER WHIDDLES, the moon shines.
ONE UPON YOUR TAW, a person who takes offence at the conduct of another, or conceives himself injured by the latter, will say, never mind, I’ll beone upon your taw; or, I’ll bea marble on your taw; meaning, I’ll be even with you some time.
ONION, a watch-seal, abunch of onions, is several seals worn upon one ring.
ORDER-RACKET, obtaining goods from a shopkeeper, by means of a forged order or false pretence.
OUT-AND-OUT, quite; completely; effectually.SeeServeandFake.
OUT-AND-OUTER, a person of a resolute determined spirit, who pursues his object without regard todanger or difficulties; also an incorrigible depredator, who will rob friend or stranger indiscriminately, being possessed of neither honour nor principle.
OUT OF FLASH.SeeFlash.
OUT OF THE WAY, a thief who knows that he is sought after by thetrapson some information, and consequently goes out of town, or otherwise conceals himself, is said by hispallsto beout of the way forso and so, naming the particular offence he stands charged with.SeeWanted.
OUT OF TWIG, toputyourselfout of twig, is to disguise your dress and appearance, to avoid being recognised, on some particular account; a man reduced by poverty to wear a shabby dress is said by his acquaintance to beout of twig; toputany articleout of twig, as a stolen coat, cloak,&c., is to alter it in such a way that it cannot be identified.
PALL, a partner; companion; associate; or accomplice.
PALM, to bribe, or give money, for the attainment of any object or indulgence; and it is then said that the party who receives it ispalmed, or thatMr. Palmer is concerned.
PALMING-RACKET, secreting money in the palm of the hand, agameat which some are very expert.
PANNY, a house.
PANNUM, bread.
PARK.SeeBushy-Park.
PATTER, to talk; as,He patters good flash,&c.
PATTER’D, tried in a court of justice; a man who has undergone this ordeal, is said to havestood the patter.
PEAR-MAKING, inlisting in various regiments, taking the bounty, and then deserting.
PENSIONER, a mean-spirited fellow who lives with a woman of the town, and suffers her to maintain him in idleness in the character of herfancy-man.
PETER, a parcel or bundle, whether large or small; but most properly it signifies a trunk or box.
PETER-HUNTING, traversing the streets or roads for the purpose of cutting away trunks,&c., from travelling carriages; persons who follow thisgame, are from thence calledpeter-hunters, whereasthe dragmore properly applies to robbing carts or waggons.
PETER-HUNTING-JEMMY, a small iron crow, particularly adapted for breaking the patent chain, with which the luggage is of late years secured to gentlemen’s carriages; and which, being of steel, case-hardened, is fallaciously supposed to be proof against the attempts of thieves.
PETER-THAT, synonymous withStow-that.
PICK-UP, to accost, or enter into conversation with any person, for the purpose of executing some design upon his personal property; thus, among gamblers, it is calledpicking up a flat, ora mouth: sharpers, who are daily on the look-out for some unwary countryman or stranger, use the same phrase; and amongdrop-coves, and others who act in concert, this task is allotted to one of the gang, duly qualified, who is thence termedthepicker-up; and he having performed his part, his associates proceed systematically incleaning out the flat. Topick up a cull, is a term used byblowensin their vocation of street-walking. Topicka personup, in a general sense, is to impose upon, or take advantage of him, in a contract or bargain.
PIGS, or GRUNTERS, police runners.
PINS, the legs.
PINCH, to purloin small articles of value in the shops of jewellers,&c., while pretending to purchase or bespeak some trinket. Thisgameis calledthe pinch—Ipinch’dhimforafawney, signifies I purloined a ring from him; Did youpinchany thing in thatcrib? did you succeed in secreting any thing in that shop? Thisgameis a branch of shop-lifting; but whenthe hoistis spoken of, it commonly applies to stealing articles of a larger, though less valuable, kind, as pieces of muslin, or silk handkerchiefs, printed cotton,&c.SeeHoist.
PINCH-GLOAK, a man whoworks upon the pinch.
PIPES, boots.
PIT, the bosom pocket in a coat.
PIT-MAN, a pocket-book worn in the bosom-pocket.
PITCHER. Newgate in London is called by various names, asthe pitcher,the stone pitcher,the start, andthe stone jug, according to the humour of the speaker.
PLANT. To hide, or conceal any person or thing, is termedplantinghim, or it; and any thing hid is called,the plant, when alluded to in conversation; such article is said to bein plant; the place of concealment is sometimes calledthe plant, as, I know of a fineplant; that is, a secure hiding-place. Tospring a plant, is to find anything that has been concealed by another. Torise the plant, is to take up and remove any thing that has been hid, whether by yourself or another. A person’s money, or valuables, secreted about his house, or person, is called hisplant. Toplant upona man, is to set somebody to watch his motions; also to place any thing purposely in his way, that he may steal it and be immediately detected.
PLAY ACROSS. What is commonly termed playing booty, that is, purposely losing the game, or match, in order to take in theflatswho have backed you, (seeBridge) while thesharpsdivide the spoil, in which you have a share. This sort of treachery extends to boxing, racing, and every other species of sport, on which bets are laid; sometimes a sham match is made for the purpose of inducing strangers to bet, which is decided in such a manner that the latter will inevitably lose.Acrosssignifies generally any collusion or unfair dealing between several parties.
PLUMMY. Right; very good; as it should be; expressing your approbation of any act, or event, you will say,That’s plummy, orIt’s all plummy; meaning it is all right.
POGUE. A bag, (probably a corruption of poke.)
POPS. Pistols; an obsolete term.
POST, or POST THE PONEY. To stake, or lay down the money, as on laying a bet, or concluding a bargain.
POUNDABLE. Any event which is considered certain or inevitable, is declared to bepoundable, as the issue of a game, the success of a bet,&c.
POUND IT. To ensure or make a certainty of any thing; thus, a man will say, I’llpound itto be so; taken, probably from the custom of laying, or rather offering ten pounds to a crown at a cock-match, in which case, if no person takes this extravagant odds, the battle is at an end. This is termed pounding a cock.
PRAD. A horse.
PRADBACK. Horseback.
PRIG. A thief.
PRIG. To steal; togo out a-prigging, is to go a-thieving.
PRIME. In a general sense, synonymous withplummy; any thing very good of its kind, is calleda prime article. Any thing executed in a stylish or masterly manner, is said to be donein prime twig.SeeFakement, andGammon the twelve.
PULL. An important advantage possessed by one party over another; as in gaming, you may by some slight, unknown to your adversary, or by a knowledge of the cards,&c., have the odds of winning considerably on your side; you are then said to have a greatpull. To have the power of injuring a person, by the knowledge of any thing erroneous in his conduct, which leaves his character or personal safety at your mercy, is also termed havinga pull upon him, that is (to use a vulgar phrase) that you have him under your thumb. A person speaking of any intricate affair, or feat of ingenuity, which he cannot comprehend, will say, There is somepullat the bottom of it, that I’m notfly to.
PULL, or PULL UP, to accost; stop; apprehend; or take into custody; as to pull up aJack, is to stop a post-chaise on the highway. Topulla man, orhave himpulled, is to cause his apprehension for some offence; and it is then said, thatMr. Pullen is concerned.
PULLED, PULLED UP, or IN PULL. Taken in custody; in confinement.
PUSH, a crowd or concourse of people, either in the streets, or at any public place of amusement,&c., when any particular scene of crowding is alluded to, they say,the push, asthe push, at thespelldoors;the pushat thestooping-match,&c.
PUT DOWN.SeeDown.
PUT FLASH.SeeFlash.
PUT FLY.SeeFly.
PUT UP, to suggest to another, the means of committing a depredation, or effecting any other business, is termed,puttinghimup toit.
PUT UP AFFAIR, any preconcerted plan or scheme to effect a robbery,&c., undertaken at the suggestion of another person, who possessing a knowledge of the premises, is competent to advise the principal how best to proceed.
PUTTER UP, the projector or planner of aput-up affair, as a servant in a gentleman’s family, who proposes to a gang of housebreakers the robbery of his master’s house, and informs them where the plate,&c., is deposited, (instances of which are frequent in London) is termed theputter up, and usually shares equally in the booty with the parties executing, although the former may lie dormant, and take no part in the actual commission of the fact.
PUZZLING-STICKS, the triangles to which culprits are tied up, for the purpose of undergoing flagellation.
Q.SeeLetter Q.
QUEER, bad; counterfeit; false; unwell in health.
QUEER, or QUEER-BIT, base money.
QUEER SCREENS, forged Bank-notes.
QUEER IT, to spoil it, which see.
QUEER-BAIL, Persons of no repute, hired to bail a prisoner in any bailable case; these men are to be had in London for a trifling sum, and are calledBroomsticks.
QUID, a guinea.
QUOD, a gaol. Toquoda person is to send him to gaol.In quod, is in gaol.
QUOD-COVE, the keeper of a gaol.
QUODDING-DUES.SeeDues.
RACKET, some particular kinds of fraud and robbery are so termed, when called by theirflashtitles, and othersRig; as,the Letter-racket,the Order-racket;the Kid-rig;the Cat and Kitten-rig,&c., but all these terms depend upon the fancy of the speaker. In fact, anygamemay be termed arig,racket,suit,slum,&c., by prefixing thereto the particular branch of depredation or fraud in question, many examples of which occur in this work.
RAG, money.
RAG-GORGY, a rich or monied man, but generally used in conversation when a particular gentleman, or person high in office, is hinted at; instead of mentioning his name, they say,the Rag-gorgy, knowing themselvesto be understood by those they are addressing.SeeCove, andSwell.
RAMP, to rob any person or place by open violence or suddenly snatching at something and running off with it, as, Iramp’dhim of hismontra; why did you notramphiscastor?&c.A man convicted of this offence, is said to have beendonefor aramp. This audaciousgame, is called byprigs,the ramp, and is nearly similar to theRush, which see.
RANK, complete; absolute, downright, an emphatical manner of describing persons or characters, asa rank nose,a rank swell,&c.&c.
RATTLER, a coach.
READER, a pocket-book.
READER-HUNTERS.SeeDummy-hunters.
REGULARS, one’s due share of a booty,&c.on a division taking place. Give me myregulars, that is, give me my dividend.
REIGN, the length or continuance of a man’s career in a system of wickedness, which when he is ultimatelybowled out, is said to have been a long, or a shortreign, according to its duration.
RESURRECTION-COVE, a stealer of dead bodies.
RIBBAND, money in general.
RIDGE, gold, whether in coin or any other shape, as aridge-montra, a gold watch; acly-full ofridge, a pocket full of gold.
RIG.SeeRacket.
RINGING, or RINGING-IN, toringis to exchange;ringing the changes, is a fraud practised bysmashers, who when they receive good money in change of aguinea,&c.,ring-inone or more pieces of base with great dexterity, and then request the party to change them.
RINGING CASTORS, signifies frequenting churches and other public assemblies, for the purpose of changing hats, by taking away a good, and leaving a shabby one in its place; a pettygamenow seldom practised.
RISE THE PLANT.SeePlant.
ROCK’D, superannuated, forgetful, absent in mind;old lagsare commonly said to be thus affected, probably caused by the sufferings they have undergone.
ROLLERS, horse and foot patrole, who parade the roads round about London during the night, for the prevention of robberies.
ROMANY, a gypsy; topatter romany, is to talk the gypsyflash.
ROOK, a small iron crow.
ROUGH-FAM, or ROUGH-FAMMY, the waistcoat pocket.
ROW IN THE BOAT, to go snacks, or have a share in the benefit arising from any transaction to which you are privy. To let a personrowwith you, is to admit him to a share.
RUFFLES. Handcuffs.
RUGGINS’S, to go to bed, is called going to Ruggins’s.
RUM, good, in opposition toqueer.
RUMBLE-TUMBLE, a stage-coach.
RUMP’D, flogged or scourged.
RUMPUS, a masquerade.
RUSH,the rush, is nearly synonymous withthe ramp; but the latter often applies to snatching at a single article,as a silk cloak, for instance, from a milliner’s shop-door; whereasa rushmay signify a forcible entry by several men into a detached dwelling-house for the purpose of robbing its owners of their money,&c.A sudden and violent effort to get into any place, orvice versâto effect your exit, as from a place of confinement,&c., is calledrushing them, orgiving it to ’em upon the rush.
RUSSIAN COFFEE-HOUSE, a name given by some punster ofthe family, to the Brown Bear public-house in Bow-street, Covent-garden.
SACK, a pocket; tosackany thing is to pocket it.
SALT-BOXES, the condemned cells in Newgate are so called.
SALT-BOX-CLY, the outside coat-pocket, with a flap.
SAND, moist sugar.
SAWNEY, bacon.
SCAMP, thegameof highway robbery is calledthe scamp. Toscampa person is to rob him on the highway.Done for a scampsignifies convicted of a highway robbery.
SCAMP, or SCAMPSMAN, a highwayman.
SCHOOL, a party of persons met together for the purpose of gambling.
SCOT, a person of an irritable temper, who is easily put in a passion, which is often done by the company he is with, to create fun; such a one is declared to be a finescot. This diversion is calledgettinghimout, orgettinghimround the corner, from these terms being used bybull-hankers, with whom also ascotis a bullockof a particular breed, which affords superior diversion when hunted.
SCOTTISH, fiery, irritable, easily provoked.
SCOUT, a watchman.
SCOUT-KEN, a watch-house.
SCRAG’D, hang’d.
SCRAGGING-POST, the gallows.
SCREEN, a bank-note.
SCREEVE, a letter, or written paper.
SCREW, a skeleton or false key. Toscrewa place is to enter it by false keys; thisgameis calledthe screw. Any robbery effected by such means is termeda screw.
SCREWSMAN, a thief whogoes out a screwing.
SCURF’D, taken in custody.
SEEDY, poor, ragged in appearance, shabby.
SELL, tosella man is to betray him, by giving information against him, or otherwise to injure him clandestinely for the sake of interest, nearly the same asbridgeinghim. (SeeBridge.) A man who falls a victim to any treachery of this kind, is said to have beensold like a bullock in Smithfield.
SERVE, toservea person, or place, is to rob them; as, Iserv’dhimforhisthimble, I rob’d him of his watch; thatcribhas beenservedbefore, that shop has been already robbed,&c.To serve a man, also sometimes signifies to maim, wound, or do him some bodily hurt; and toservehimout and out, is to kill him.
SHAKE, to steal, or rob; as, Ishooka chest ofslop, I stole a chest of tea; I’ve beenshookof myskin, I have been robbed of my purse. A thief, whosepallhas been into any place for the purpose of robbery, willsay on his coming out, Well, is it all right, have youshook? meaning, did you succeed in getting any thing? When two persons rob in company, it is generally the province, or part, of one toshake, (that is, obtainthe swagg), and the other to carry, (that is, bear it to a place of safety).
SHALLOW, a hat.
SHAN, counterfeit money in general.
SHARP, a gambler, or person, professed in all the arts of play; a cheat, or swindler; anycross-cove, in general, is calleda sharp, in opposition toa flat, orsquare-cove; but this is only in a comparative sense in the course of conversation.
SHARPING, swindling and cheating in all their various forms, including the arts of fraud at play.
SHIFTER, an alarm, or intimation, given by a thief to hispall, signifying that there isa down, or that some one is approaching, and that he had, therefore, better desist from what he is about.
SHINER, a looking-glass.
SHOOK, synonymous withrock’d.
SHOVE-UP, nothing.
SHUTTER-RACKET, the practice of robbing houses, or shops, by boring a hole in the window shutter, and taking out a pane of glass.
SINGLE-HANDED, robbery by yourself, without apall.
SIR SYDNEY, a clasp knife.
SKIN, a purse, or money bag.
SKIN, to strip a man of all his money at play, is termedskinninghim.
SLANG, a watch chain, a chain of any kind; also a warrant, license to travel, or other official instrument.
SLANG, to defraud a person of any part of his due, is calledslanginghim; also to cheat by false weights or measures, or other unfair means.
SLANG WEIGHTS, or MEASURES, unjust, or defective ones.
SLANGING-DUES, when a man suspects that he has been curtailed, or cheated, of any portion of his just right, he will say, there has beenslanging-dues concerned.
SLANG’D, fettered.
SLANGS, fetters, or chains of any kind used about prisoners;body-slangsare body-irons used on some occasions.
SLAVEY, a servant of either sex.
SLIP, the slash pocket in the skirt of a coat behind.
SLOP, tea.
SLOP-FEEDER, a tea-spoon.
SLOUR, to lock, secure, or fasten; toslour upis also to button up; as one’s coat, pocket,&c.
SLOUR’D, or SLOUR’D UP, locked, fastened, buttoned,&c.
SLUM, a room.
SLUM.SeeRacketandLodging-slum.
SLY. Any business transacted, or intimation given, privately, or under the rose, is said to bedone upon the sly.
SMASHER, a man or woman who follows thegameofsmashing.
SMASHING, uttering counterfeit money;smashingofqueer screens, signifies uttering forged bank notes. Tosmasha guinea, note, or other money, is, in a common sense, to procure, or give, change for it.
SMISH, a shirt.
SMUT, a copper boiler, or furnace.
SNEAK.The sneakis the practice of robbing houses or shops, by slipping in unperceived, and taking whatever may lay most convenient; this is commonly the first branch of thieving, in which young boys are initiated, who, from their size and activity, appear well adapted for it. Tosneaka place, is to rob itupon the sneak. Asneakis a robbery effected in the above manner. One or more prisoners having escaped from their confinement by stealth, without using any violence, or alarming their keepers, are said to havesneak’d ’em, orgiven it to ’em upon the sneak.SeeRush.
SNEAKSMAN, a man or boywho goes upon the sneak.
SNEEZER, or SNEEZING-COFER, a snuff-box.
SNITCH; to impeach, or betray your accomplices, is termedsnitching uponthem. A person who becomes king’s evidence on such an occasion, is said to have turnedsnitch; an informer, or tale-bearer, in general, is called asnitch, or asnitchingrascal, in which sensesnitchingis synonymous withnosing, orcoming it.
SNIPES, scissors.
SNIV, an expression synonymous withbender, and used in the same manner.
SNOW, clean linen from the washerwoman’s hands, whether it be wet or dry, is termedsnow.
SNOOZE, to sleep;a snoozesometimes means alodging; as, Where can I get asnoozefor thisdarkyinstead of saying a bed.
SNUFFING, going into a shop on some pretence, watching an opportunity to throw a handful of snuff in the eyes of the shopkeeper, and then running off with any valuable article you can lay hands on; this is calledsnuffinghim, orgiving it to him upon the snuff racket.
SOLD.SeeSell.
SOUND, tosounda person, means generally to draw from him, in an artful manner, any particulars you want to be acquainted with; as, tosoundakid, porter,&c.is to pump out of him the purport of his errand, the contents of his bundle, or load,&c., that yourpallmay know how to accost him, in order todraw the swag.SeeDrawandKid-rig. Tosound a cly, is to touch a person’s pocket gently on the outside, in order to ascertain the nature of its contents.
SPANGLE, a seven-shilling piece.
SPANK, tospank a glaze, is to break a pane of glass in a shop window, and make a sudden snatch at some article of value within your reach, having previously tied the shop-door with a strong cord on the outside, so as to prevent the shopman from getting out, till you have had full time to escape with your booty; tospanka place, is to rob itupon the spank;a spankis a robbery effected by the above means.
SPEAK, committing any robbery, is calledmaking a speak; and if it has been productive, you are said to havemade a rum speak.
SPEAK TO, tospeak toa person or place is to rob them, and tospeak toany article, is to steal it; as, Ispoketo the cove for his montra; I robb’d the gentleman of his watch. Ispoke tothatcrib forall thewedge; I robb’d that house of all the plate. Ispoke toa chest ofslop; I stole a chest of tea. A thief will say to hispallwho has been attempting any robbery, “Well, did youspeak? or, have youspoke?” meaning, did you get any thing?
SPELL, the play-house.
SPICE,the spiceis thegameof footpad robbery; describing an exploit of this nature; a rogue will say, Ispicedaswell ofso much, naming the booty obtained.A spiceis a footpad robbery.
SPICE GLOAK, a footpad robber.
SPIN A YARN.SeeYarn.
SPLIT, tosplit upona person, orturn split, is synonymous withnosing,snitching, orturning nose. Tosplitsignifies generally to tell of any thing you hear, or see transacted.
SPOIL IT, to throw some obstacle in the way of any project or undertaking, so as to cause its failure, is termedspoiling it. In like manner, to prevent another person from succeeding in his object, either by a wilful obstruction, or by some act of imprudence on your part, subjects you to the charge of havingspoiled him. Speaking of some particular species of fraud or robbery, which after a long series of success, is now become stale or impracticable from the public being guarded against it,the familywill say, thatgameisspoiledat last. So having attempted the robbery of any particular house or shop, and by miscarrying caused such an alarm as to render a second attempt dangerous or impolitic, they will say, that place isspoil’d, it is useless totry it onany more.
SPOKE TO, alluding to any person or place that has been already robbed, they say, that place, or person, has beenspoke tobefore. Afamily manon discovering that he has been robbed, will exclaim, I have beenspoke to; and perhaps will add,forsuch a thing, naming what he has lost.Spoke to upon the screw,crack,sneak,hoist,buz,&c.&c., means robbeduponeither of those particularsuitsorgames. Upon any great misfortune befalling a man, as being apprehended on a very serious charge, receiving a wound supposed to be mortal,&c., his friends will say, Poor fellow, I believe he’sspoke to, meaning it is all over with him.
SPOONY, foolish, half-witted, nonsensical; a man who has been drinking till he becomes disgusting by his very ridiculous behaviour, is said to bespoonydrunk; and, from hence it is usual to call a very prating shallow fellow,a rank spoon.
SPOUT, to pledge any property at a pawnbroker’s is termedspoutingit, orshovingitup the spout.
SPREAD, butter.
SPRING THE PLANT.SeePlant.
SQUARE, all fair, upright, and honest practices, are calledthe square, in opposition tothe cross. Any thing you have bought, or acquired honestly, is termeda square article; and any transaction which is fairly and equitably conducted, is said to bea square concern. A tradesman or other person who is considered by the world to be an honest man, and who is unacquainted withfamily people, and their system of operations, is by the latter emphatically styleda square cove, whereas an oldthief who has acquired an independence, and now confines himself tosquarepractices, is still called by his oldpallsaflash cove, who hastyed up prigging.SeeCrossandFlat. In making a bargain or contract, any overture considered to be really fair and reasonable, is declared to bea square thing, or to beupon the square. To beupon the squarewith any person, is to have mutually settled all accompts between you both up to that moment. To threaten another that you will beupon the square with himsome time, signifies that you’ll be even with him for some supposed injury,&c.
SQUARE-COVE.SeeSquare.
SQUARE-CRIB, a respectable house, of good repute, whose inmates, their mode of life and connexions, are all perfectlyon the square.SeeCross-crib.
SQUEEZE, the neck.
STAG, toturn stagwas formerly synonymous withturning nose, orsnitching, but the phrase is now exploded.
STAG, tostagany object or person, is to look at, observe, or take notice of them.
STAINES, a man who is in pecuniary distress is said to beat Staines, orat the Bush, alluding to the Bush inn at that town.SeeBush’d.
STAKE, a booty acquired by robbery, or a sum of money won at play, is calleda stake, and if considerable,a prime stake, or aheavy stake. A person alluding to any thing difficult to be procured, or which he obtains as a great favour, and is therefore comparatively invaluable, would say, I consider ita staketo get it at all; avaluable or acceptable acquisition of any kind, is emphatically calleda stake, meaning a great prize.
STALL, a violent pressure in a crowd, made by pickpockets for the more easily effecting their depredatory purposes; this is calledmaking a rum stall in the push.
STALL OFF, a term variously applied; generally it means a pretence, excuse, or prevarication—as a person charged with any fault, entering into some plausible story, to excuse himself, his hearers or accusers would say, O yes, that’s a goodstall off, or, Aye, aye,stall it offthat way if you can. To extricate a person from any dilemma, or save him from disgrace, is calledstallinghimoff; as an accomplice of your’s being detected in a robbery,&c., and about to be given up to justice, you will step up as a stranger, interfere in his behalf, and either by vouching for his innocence, recommending lenity, or some other artifice, persuade his accusers to forego their intention, and let the prisoner escape; you will then boast of havingstalled him off in prime twig. To avoid or escape any impending evil or punishment by means of artifice, submission, bribe, or otherwise, is also calledstallingitoff. A man walking the streets, and passing a particular shop, or encountering a certain person, which or whom he has reasons for wishing to avoid, will say to any friend who may be with him, I wish you’dstallmeoff fromthatcrib, (orfromthatcove, as the case may be) meaning, walk in such a way as to cover or obscure me from notice, until we are past the shop or person in question.
STALL UP. Tostalla person up, (a term used bypickpockets,) is to surround him in a crowd, or violent pressure, and even sometimes in the open street, while walking along, and by violence force his arms up, and keep them in that position while others of the gang rifle his pockets at pleasure,the covebeing unable to help or defend himself; this is what the newspapers denominate hustling, and is universally practised at the doors of public theatres, at boxing matches, ship-launches, and other places where the general anxiety of all ranks, either to push forward, or to obtain a view of the scene before them, forms a pretext for jostling, and every other advantage which the strength or numbers of one party gives them over a weaker one, or a single person. It is not unusual for thebuz-coves, on particular occasions, to procure a formidable squad of stout fellows of the lower class, who, though not expert atknuckling, render essential service by violently pushing and squeezing in the crowd, and, in the confusion excited by this conduct, the unconcernedprigsreap a plentiful harvest, and thestallers upare gratified with such part of the gains acquired, as the liberality of theknucklinggentlemen may prompt them to bestow. Thiscoup de guêrreis termedmaking a regular stallat such a place, naming the scene of their operations.SeeStall.
STAMPS, shoes.
STAND THE PATTER.SeePatter’d.
STAR.The staris agamechiefly practised by young boys, often under ten years of age, although the offence is capital. It consists of cutting a pane of glass in a shop-window, by a peculiar operation calledstarring the glaze, which is performed very effectually by a commonpenknife; the depredators then take out such articles of value as lie within reach of their arm, which if they are not interrupted, sometimes includes half the contents of the window. A person convicted of this offence is said to have beendone for a star.
START.SeePitcher.
STASH. Tostashany practice, habit, or proceeding, signifies to put an end to, relinquish, or quash the same; thus, a thief determined to leave off his vicious courses will declare that he means tostash(orstow)prigging. A man in custody for felony, will endeavour, by offering money, or other means, to induce his prosecutor’s forbearance, and compromise the matter, so as to obtain his liberation; this is calledstashing the business. Tostashdrinking, card-playing, or any other employment you may be engaged in, for the time present, signifies tostowit,knifeit,cheeseit, orcutit, which are all synonymous, that is, to desist or leave off.SeeWanted.
STASH IT.SeeStow it, which has the same meaning.
STAUNCH, a resolute faithful associate, in whom one may place implicit confidence, is said by hispallsto be astaunchcove.
STEAMER, a tobacco-pipe.
STEVEN, money.
STICK, a pistol.
STICKS, household furniture.
STING, to rob or defraud a person or place is calledstingingthem, as, thatcoveis toofly; he has beenstungbefore; meaning that man is upon his guard; he has already been trick’d.
STINK. When any robbery of moment has been committed, which causes much alarm, or of which much is said in the daily papers, thefamily peoplewill say, there is a greatstinkabout it.SeeWanted.
STONE-JUG; STONE-PITCHER.SeePitcher.
STOOP, the pillory is calledthe stoop; to bestoop’d, is to be set on the pillory.
STOOPING-MATCH, the exhibition of one or more persons on the pillory.SeePush.
STOW, tostowany business, employment, or mode of life, is the same as tostashit,&c.SeeStash.
STOW, STOW IT; or STOW FAKING, an intimation from a thief to hispall, to desist from what he is about, on the occasion of some alarm,&c.SeeAwake.
STOW, or STOW-MANGING, an intimation from oneflash-coveto another in a mixed company to be silent, or drop the subject, he was upon.SeeMang.
STOW THAT. When a person advances any assertion which his auditor believes to be false, or spoken in jest, or wishes the former to recant, the latter will say,stow that, if you please, or,cheese that; meaning don’t say so, or that’s out of the question.
STRETCH. Five or tenstretch, signifies five or ten yards,&c.; so in dealing for any article, as linen,&c., I will give youthree hogastretch, means, I’ll give three shillings a yard.SeeHog.
STRING.SeeLine.
STRUMMEL, the hair of the head. To get yourstrummel faked in twig, is to have your hair dressed in style.
STUBBS, nothing.
SUIT, in general synonymous withgame; as, whatsuitdid yougive it to ’em upon? in what manner did you rob them, or upon what pretence,&c., did you defraud them? One species of imposition is said to bea prime suit, anothera queer suit: a man describing the pretext he used to obtain money from another, would say,I draw’dhimof a quid upon the suit ofso and so, naming the ground of his application.SeeDraw. A person having engaged with another on very advantageous terms to serve or work for him, will declare that he isupon a good suit. To use great submission and respect in asking any favour of another, is calledgiving it to him upon the humble suit.
SWAG, a bundle, parcel, or package; as aswagofsnow,&c.The swag, is a term used in speaking of any booty you have lately obtained, be it of what kind it may, except money, as Where did youlumber the swag? that is, where did you deposit the stolen property? To carrythe swagis to be the bearer of the stolen goods to a place of safety.A swagof any thing, signifies emphatically a great deal. To haveknap’da goodswag, is to have got a good booty.
SWAG. Wearing-apparel, linen, piece-goods,&c., are all comprehended under the name ofswag, when describing anyspeaklatelymade,&c., in order to distinguish them from plate, jewellery, or other more portable articles.
SWELL, a gentleman; but any well-dressed person is emphatically termeda swell, or arank swell. Afamily manwho appears to have plenty of money, and makes agenteel figure, is said by his associates to bein swell street. Any thing remarkable for its beauty or elegance, is calleda swell article; soa swell crib, is a genteel house;a swell mollisher, an elegantly-dressed woman,&c.Sometimes, in alluding to a particular gentleman, whose name is not requisite, he is styled,the swell, meaning the person who is the object of your discourse, or attention; and whether he is calledthe swell,the cove, orthe gory, is immaterial, as in the following (in addition to many other) examples:—I wasturned upatChina-street, becausethe swellwould not appear; meaning, of course, the prosecutor: again, speaking of a person whom you were on the point of robbing, but who has taken the alarm, and is therefore on his guard, you will say to yourpall, It’s of no use,the coveis asdown as a hammer; or, We may as wellstow it, the gory’s leary.SeeCoveandDown.
SWIMMER, a guard-ship, or tender; a thief who escapes prosecution, when before a magistrate, on condition of being sent on board the receiving-ship, to serve His Majesty, is said by hispallsto beswimmered.
SWISH’D, married.
SWODDY, or SWOD-GILL, a soldier.
TANNER, a sixpence.Three and a tanner, is three and sixpence,&c.
TAT, to flog or scourge.
TATTS, dice.
TATT-BOX, a dice-box.
TATS AND ALL, an expression usedout of flash, inthe same manner as the wordbender; and has a similar meaning.
TEAZE, to flog, or whip.
THIMBLE, a watch.
THIMBLED, having, or wearing a watch.
THRUMS, THRUMBUSKINS, or a THRUM-MOP, three pence.
THROUGH IT, or THROUGH THE PIECE, getting acquitted on an indictment, or surmounting any other trouble, or difficulty, is calledgetting through it, orthro’ the piece; so, togeta manthrough it,&c., is to extricate him by virtue of your counsel and friendly assistance; sometimes calledpullinghimthrough it.
THROW OFF, to talk in a sarcastical strain, so as to convey offensive allusions under the mask of pleasantry, or innocent freedom; but, perhaps, secretly venting that abuse which you would not dare to give in direct terms; this is calledthrowing off, a practice at which theflashladies are very expert, when any little jealousies arise among them. To begin to talkflash, and speak freely of robberies past, or in contemplation, when in company withfamily people, is also termedthrowing off; meaning to banish all reserve, none but friends being present; also, to sing when called on by the company present.SeeChaunt.
TILBURY, a sixpence.
TINNY, a fire; a conflagration.
TINNY-HUNTERS, persons whose practice it is to attend fires, for the purpose of plundering the unfortunate sufferers, under pretence of assisting them to remove their property.
TIP, to give, pay, or bribe. Totake the tip, is to receive a bribe in any shape; and they say of a person who is known to be corruptible, that he willstand the tip.The tipis a term frequently used to signify the money concerned in any dealings or contract existing between parties; synonymous withthe dues.SeeDues.
TITTER, a young woman or girl.
TOBY, totobya man, is to rob him on the highway; a person convicted of this offence, is said to bedonefora toby.The tobyapplies exclusively to robbing on horseback; the practice of footpad robbery being properly calledthe spice, though it is common to distinguish the former by the title ofhigh-toby, and the latter oflow-toby.
TOBY-GILL, or TOBY-MAN, properly signifies a highwayman.
TODDLE, to walk slowly, either from infirmity or choice. Come, let ustoddle, is a familiar phrase, signifying, let us be going.
TODDLER, an infirm elderly person, or a child not yet perfect in walking.
TOG, a coat; totog, is to dress or put on clothes; totoga person, is also to supply them with apparel, and they are said to be well orqueerly tog’d, according to their appearance.
TOG’D OUT TO THE NINES, a fanciful phrase, meaning simply, that a person is well or gaily dressed.
TOGS, or TOGGERY, wearing-apparel in general.
TOM BRAY’S BILK, laying out ace and deuce at cribbage.
TOM BROWN, twelve in hand, or crib.
TOOLS, implements for house-breaking, picklocks,pistols,&c., are indiscriminately calledthe tools. A thief, convicted on the police act, of having illegal instruments or weapons about him, is said to befined for the tools.
TOP, totopacloutor other article (among pickpockets) is to draw the corner or end of it to the top of a person’s pocket, in readiness forshakingordrawing, that is, taking out, when a favourable moment occurs, which latter operation is frequently done by a second person.
TOP’D, hanged.
TO THE NINES; or, TO THE RUFFIAN. These terms are synonymous, and imply an extreme of any kind, or the superlative degree.
TOUT, totouta person, is to watch his motions; to keeptout, is to look out, or watch, while yourpallis effecting any private purpose.A strong tout, is a strict observation, or eye, upon any proceedings, or person.
TOW; or, TOW-LINE.SeeLine. Totowa personout; that is, from his premises, or post: is to decoy him therefrom by some fictitious story, or other artifice, while yourpallseizes the opportunity of his absence, to rob the place he has imprudently quitted.
TRAPS, police officers, or runners, are properly so called; but it is common to include constables of any description under this title.
TRICK.SeeDo the Trick.
TRIG, a bit of stick, paper,&c., placed by thieves in the keyhole of, or elsewhere about, the door of a house, which they suspect to be uninhabited; if thetrigremains unmoved the following day, it is a proof that no person sleeps in the house, on which the gang enter it the ensuing nightupon the screw, and frequentlymeet with a good booty, such as beds, carpets,&c., the family being probably out of town. This operation is calledtrigging the jigger.
TRY IT ON, to make any attempt, or essay, where success is doubtful. So totry it on witha woman, signifies to attempt her chastity.
TURN UP, to desist from, or relinquish, any particular habit or mode of life, or the further pursuit of any object you had in view, is calledturning it up. Toturn upa mistress, or a male acquaintance, is to drop all intercourse, or correspondence, with them. Toturn upa particular house, or shop, you have been accustomed to use, or deal at, signifies to withdraw your patronage, or custom, and visit it no more. To quit a person suddenly in the street, whether secretly or openly, is calledturning him up. Toturna manup sweet, is to get rid of him effectually, but yet to leave him in perfect good humour, and free from any suspicion or discontent; this piece offinesseoften affords a field for the exercise of consummate address, as in the case ofturning up a flat, after having stript him of all his money at play, or a shopkeeper, whom you have just robbed before his face of something valuable,upon the pinch, orthe hoist.
TURNED UP, a person acquitted by a jury, or discharged by a magistrate for want of evidence,&c., is said to beturned up.SeeSwell.
TURNIPS, to give any bodyturnipssignifies toturnhim or herup, and the party soturned up, is said to haveknap’d turnips.
TURN UP A TRUMP, to be fortunate in getting agoodstake, or by any other means improving your finances.
TWIG, any thing accomplished cleverly, or as it should be, is said to be donein twig,in good twig, orin prime twig. A person well dress’d is said to bein twig.SeeDrop,Gammon the Twelve, andOut of Twig.
TWISTED, hanged.
TWO POLL ONE.SeeBridge.
TYE IT UP, totye upany particular custom, practice, or habit, is synonymous withknifeing,stowing,turning it up, orstashingit. Totye it upis a phrase, which, used emphatically, is generally understood to mean quitting a course of depredation and wickedness.SeeSquare, andDo the Trick.