Kiddy.—A thief of the lower order, who, when he is well breeched by a course of successful depredations, dresses in the extreme of vulgar gentility, and effects a knowingness in his air and conversation, which renders him in reality an object of ridicule:—
Poor Tom was once aKiddyupon town,A thoroughvarmintand arealswell.Byron’sDon Juan.
Kiddy.—Tasty.Kiddy Artist, a tasty workman.
Kidney.—Men of the same thoughts and kind—kindred spirits, &c.Men of another Kidney.—The opposites.
Kinchin Cove.—A paltry thief who robs children—even of their bread and butter; or, a caged-bird of its lump sugar!
King of Bath.—Beau Nash, master of the ceremonies at that city for some fifteen years (1674-1761).
Kite Flying.—To fly a Kiteis to “raise the wind,” or obtain money on bills, whether good or bad. The phrase means as aKiteflutters in the air by reason of its lightness, and is a mere toy, so these bills fly about, but are light and worthless.
Knacker.—One who sings Psalms over a dead horse.
Knight of the Cleaver.—A butcher.
Knight of the Pestle and Mortar.—An apothecary.
Knight of the Post.—A man in the pillory, or that has been tied to a whipping-post.
Knight of the Rainbow.—A cant phrase for a footman in livery, in allusion to the various colours of his clothes—also said of a master tailor.SeeRainbow.
Knights of the Road.—Highwaymen.—Dick Turpins!!
Knights of the Whip.—Long stage coachmen.
Knowing.—Skilful, well-informed, sharp, shrewd, artful, or cunning.
Knowing one.—VideBob Logic.
Knowledge Box.—The head.
L.
Lace.—To beat.I’ll lace your jacket for you—I will beat you.
Laced Mutton.—SeeShakespeare’s: The Two Gentlemen of Verona,Acti.,Scene1.
Lady Birds.—Cyprians, female peripatetics. Light or lewd women.
The merchant’s daughter died soon after,Tears she shed, but spoke no words,So all young men a warning take,And don’t go with the naughtyLady Birds.
Lady in Mourning.—A negress, a black woman.
Lag.—A returned transport.Bill has been out of the country for some time past studying botany!—That is he has been to Botany Bay as a transport, but now returned.
Laid on the Shelf.—For further particulars consult any unmarried woman under the age of ——!!!—— If I know more of any man alive than that which maiden modesty doth warrant, let all my sins lack mercy.—Shakespeare.
Lamp.—The human eye!The cove has a queer Lamp, the man has a blind or squinting eye.
Lark.—A frolic, joke, spree.Cut your larks, leave off larking.
Lawful Blanket.—A wife.—’Till I have no wife, I’ll have nothing else.
Lay.—A scheme or trick.Shabby genteel lay, a scheme of beggars to excite compassion by dressing as decayed tradesmen.
Leading strings.—The restraint of friends.
Leery.—To look sharp and knowing—from the rolling of the eye.
Leg Bail.—Running away.—Your legs did better service than your hands.
Legs.—Men who live by cheating.Blacklegs, gamblers, &c.
Levanters.—Persons who run away to avoid paying their debts of honour.
Lifter.—A thief.—Is he so young a man, and so old a lifter?—Shakespeare.
Lighthouse.—The watch-house.
Lily.—A black.—To paint the lily is wasteful—and very silly.
Lilywhite.—A chimney sweeper or negro.
Limbo.—Prison.—As far from help aslimbois from bliss.—Shakespeare.
Line.—An awkward thing to get into.To give any one Line enough, to let him go his lengths.To keep the Line, to be correct.
Lion’s Share.—The larger part; all or nearly all. In “Æsop’s Fables,” several beasts joined the lion in a hunt, but when the spoil was divided, the lion claimed one quarter in right of his prerogative, one for his superior courage, one for his dam and cubs—“as for the other fourth, let who will dispute it with me.” Awed by his frown, the other beasts silently withdrew.
Listener.—The ear.—Give every man thine ear, but few thy voice.
Little Shilling.—Love money:—Just another little shillingducky!
Lob’s Pound.—A prison, the stocks, or any other place of confinement.
Lothario.—A gay libertine, a seducer of female modesty, a debauchee. The character is from “The Fair Penitent,” by Nicholas Rowe, 1673-1718.
Is this that haughty gallant, gay Lothario?Actv.,Sc.1.
Low Water Mark.—Without cash. “A most damnable condition.”
Lug.—The ear from its being very oftenlugged.
Lump.—The workhouse.
Lush.—Beer and other intoxicating drinks, so called from Lushington the brewer.Lush-crib, a public-house.
Lushy.—Drunk. Introduced by Leigh Hunt and Keats, and others of the Cockney School into the service of poetry—“Treeslushwith bliss,”i.e., Trees drunk with love, possibly of the succulent sort.
Lushington.—Intoxication—“the best of life is but intoxication,” so saidByronover his gin and water: “there is more truth in it than folks may generally imagine.” To joinCaptain Lushington, to get drunk—“See how snugley Captain Lushington’s getting aboard of Logic,” said Jerry to Corinthian Tom on the night of their visit to “All Max, in the East.”
M.
Mab.—A cabriolet, from the projector, Mr. Maberly.
Mace.—To cheat, impose, rob.
Mace Cove.—A swindler, a sharper, a cheat. A gentleman from the Spice Islands,i.e., a fellow living on his wits.On the mace, to live by swindling.
Mag.—A halfpenny.
Malty Coves.—Porter patrons, heavy wet encouragers, beer drinkers—andthinkers!
Maulagaram.—An awkward knock.
Max.—Gin.—Oh! for a glass ofMax. Byron’sDon Juan, Canto xi., Stanza 16. His Lordship added by way of a foot-note in explanation of the wordMax! The advance of science and of language has rendered it unnecessary to translate the above good and true English, spoken in its original purity by the select mobility and their patrons.
Master of the Mint.—A punning term for a gardener.
Master of the Rolls.—A baker. Jack Martin, the renowned pugilist, who was a baker by trade, was well known to theFancyasThe Master of the Rolls.
Masquerade.—Masquerades were in fashion in the time of Edward III., 1340, and in the reign of Charles, 1660. The Bishops preached against them, and made such representations as occasioned their suppression, 9 Geo. I., 1724. They were revived, and carried to shameful excess in violation of the laws, and tickets of admission to a masquerade at Ranelagh were on some occasions subscribed for at twenty-five guineas each. Now, if the reader wishes to take the mask off this scene, let him go and take a glass of champagne with Charles Wright of the Haymarket, and he will fully initiate him into all its merry mysteries, he is at liberty to make use of the Author’s name in his enquiries.
Mazzard.—Head.Rap on the Mazzard, a thump on the head.
Men are but Children of a Larger Growth.—FromDryden’s, “All for Love,”Activ.,Sc.1.
Mendicity Society.—Red Lion-square, London, was established in 1818, for the suppression of public begging, and other impositions.
Mill.—A fight.Millers, pugilists.Mill the Glaze, break a window.
Misfortunes.—If “misfortunes” as the saying has it, “attend the righteous,” the wicked as a matter of course cannot expect to gounpunished: although a man might have the “Old One’sluckand his own too!” “If,” saidLogictoJerry—after the latter hero had been complaining to him on getting up rather late one morning after a night’sspree, that he thought hisconstitutionhad got a littlescratchsince he had leftHawthorn Hall,—“people who are fond of alark; enjoy arow; love abit of fun; take a peep at afair; join in ahop; go to amill; play atrouge et noir; parade thelobby; stroll through theback slums; visit thecock and dog pits; spend a fewinterestingmoments atgaffing;blow a cloudat a free and easy; meet withMr. Lushington; drop in on the sly at acase;floorthecharleys, and, after all, nothing be thematter, why then it is a prime circumstance in the career of a man indeed. But it is five hundred to one, thatAllthe aboveeventsdo notcome off right, with the most experienced and skilful sportsman: that is to say, my dear friend, if you do not getpunishedin your person, yet you may be most preciouslyphysickedin yourcly; and, if you have even the good fortune to keep yourpeepersfrom being measured for asuit of mourning; yourcanisterfrom beingcracked; and your face from beingspoiledamong the lowcoveysofSt. Kitts; you are, perhaps, even in more real danger among the refined heroes of the creation, from paying too much “attention” to theirladieswhich has often occasioned more than oneJohn Bullsort ofill-natured unaccommodatinghusband to give such verypolitegallants a dose ofleadenpowder, that hascooledtheir courage, or, at least,checkedtheir importunities. In society wherepolitenessof that sort is measured out to the extreme nicety of splitting a hair as at theWest Endassemblies, it will at all times, be well to remember thatMisfortunesare inmorals, what bitters are in medicine: each is at first disagreeable; but as the bitters act as corroborants to the stomach, so Adversity chastens and ameliorates the disposition. Therefore it is much better to endeavour to forget one’sMisfortunes, than to speak of them, and ever to bear in mind that:—
“Misfortunes tell us what fortune is.”
Mizzle.—To disappear, to leave the company.
Mob.—A contraction of the Latinmobile—the fickle crowd. Query: AsMobis mobility, isNobnobility?
Moisten your Chaffers.—To drink.
Mollishers.—A slang term made use of by thieves and police officers for low prostitutes.
Moncrieff, W. G. T.—OtherwiseWilliam George Thomas, author of between two and three hundred dramas, &c., died in the Charter-house, December 8, 1857, aged 63.
Money-Lenders.—Bob Logic termed those personsBragsin consequence of their repeatingly advertising to render embarrassed individuals assistance, yet making thempaywell for it; something after the old adage, that “Brag’sa good dog; butHoldfastis a better!”
Mot.—A prostitute.A Leary Mot, a knowing one:—
Rum old Mog was alearyflashmot, and she was round and fat,Withtwangsin her shoes, a wheel-barrow too, and an oil skin round her hat;A blue birds-eye o’erdairiesfine, as shemizzledthrough Temple Bar—Of vich side of the vay, I cannot say, but shebonedit from a Tar.Singing Fol-lol-lol-lido.Now Mog’s flash com-pan-ion was a Chick-lane gill, and he garter’d below his knee,He had twice beenpull’d, and nearlylagg’d, but got off by going to sea;With his pipe and quid, andchauntingvoice, Potatoes he would cry;For he valued neithercovenorswell, for he hadwedgesnug in his cly.Singing Fol-lol-lol.One night they went to a Cock-and-Hen Club, at the sign of the Mare and Stallion,But such a sight was never seen as Mog and her flash com-pan-ion;Hercoveywas an am’rous blade, and he buss’d young Bet on the sly,When Mog up with herdaddlebang-up to the mark, and she black’d the Bunter’s eye.Singing Fol-lol-lol.Now this brought on a general fight, Lord, what a gallows row—With whacks and thumps throughout the night, till drunk as David’s sow—Milling up and down—with cut heads, and lots of broken ribs,But thelarkbeing over—theyginnedthemselves at jolly Tom Cribb’s.Singing Fol-lol-lol.
Mother Cummins.—In Dyott Street, St. Giles’s—now George Street, after George Prince of Wales—but called Dyott Street after Sir Thomas Dyott,temp.Charles II., lived that most notorious and world-renowned lodging-house keeper “Mother Cummins,” so well-known to all theBucksabout town, in their hot youth, when George the Third was King.
Oh, she lives snug in the Holy LandRight, tight, and merry in the Holy Land,Search the globe round, none can be foundSoaccommodating!as Old Mother CumminsOf the Holy Land.
It is related that Major Hanger accompanied George IV. to a beggar’s carnival in St. Giles’s. He had not been there long when the Chairman, Sir Jeffery Dunston, addressing the company, and pointing to the then Prince of Wales, said “I call upon that ’ere gemman with a shirt for a song.” The Prince, as well as he could, got excused upon his friend promising to sing for him, and he chaunted in a prime style a flash ballad full of “St. Giles’s Greek,” for which he received great applause. The Major’s health having been drunk with nine times nine, and responded to by him, wishing them “good luck till they were tired of it,” he departed with the Prince to afford the company time to fix their different routes for the ensuing day’s business.
Mother Emerson’s.—A night-house situate in the Haymarket, at one time called the Turk’s Head, but of later times named the Waterford Arms, out of compliment to the late generous-hearted and frolicsome Marquis of Waterford, who was a great patron and supporter of the house.
The late—self-styled—Lord Chief Baron Nicholson: who was intimately acquainted with “Mother Emerson,” wrote of her thus.—“In business Mrs. Emerson was a wonder. I cannot possibly do better than present a sketch of her in and out of her trade:—”
NIGHT-HOUSES AND THEIR KEEPERS.Mrs. Emerson.’Twas landlady Meg that made such rare flip;Pull away, pull away, my hearties;At Wapping she lived, at the sign of the Ship,Where tars met in such jolly parties.Dibdin.
The famous landlady, Meg of Wapping, might have been very celebrated, and a very great person, at the time she lived, and at the particular part of the town she resided in, namely, thatFashionable Watering-Place, Wapping; but all landladies of the present day are placed in the shade, totally eclipsed, by that all-accomplished and indefatigable woman of business, Mrs. Emerson, of the Waterford Arms, late the Turk’s Head, Haymarket.
Although she is not defunct, she may be properly termed thelateMrs. Emerson. Night after night she keeps her body up, and her appearance, every time we see her she seems to look younger and fresher. She is quite a character in her way, and the best flat-catcher in London. “How d’ye do, my dear?” is her general salutation to the swells who frequent her lush-crib. “Well, I thank you, mother,” is the reply. “What’ll you take?” For it is considered a great honour amongst the flats to get mother to drink with them. “Oh! Sherry, my son; Sherry for me,” says mother.
“A bottle of sherry here, waiter,” says the flat; and she makes the favoured few who have the right ofentréebehind her bar, pay for the distinguished indulgence.
The Irishmen say, “Who has e’er had the luck to see Donnybrook Fair?” We ask, “Who has e’er had the luck to see Mistress Emerson on a race-course? We have, and a greater out-and-outer we never met—“Rich and rare were the gems she wore:”—and there you may see the gay old gal togged to the extreme of fashion, with pink silk stockings todisplay her well-shaped understandings—for we must inform our readers that mother don’t stand upon trifles—generally a nice satin shoe and dress; also lots-and-lots of jewellery, stated to be worth, includingthimble,hoops, andchin-prop, something approaching a cool thousand. It is a great advantage to single gentlemenwotgo to the races to be acquainted with mother; she always takes a plentiful supply ofwittles, and an awful lot of the sparkling and still—not theprivate still; for amongst her friends and patrons she makes it as public as possible, and when she is really “standing sam,” as she facetiously calls it, you can’t make more free than welcome.
In conclusion, we must observe that we do justice to every one, and seek not to gain popularity by villifying those who are not in a situation to resent it. In many—very many instances the public little know—or care of whom they speak, and we are all too prone to come to hasty conclusions, and to speak with prejudice and without inquiry. Now be it known to all who care to know, that, Mrs. Emerson is really and truly a very kind-hearted and charitable person, in spite of the very disadvantageous position she stands in with the public by keeping a night-house. She strives as much as possible to prevent the ingress of improper characters, and so far she is successful, for no robbery has ever taken place in her house since she has been in business.
Mother H’s.—Was a notorious night-house opposite the front entrance of Drury Lane Theatre, and then the greatrendezvousfor the gay city birds, as well as the more fantastic dandies of the West-end. Mother H., or Mrs. Hoskins, was theremnantof Mr. Hoskins, who had, in the words of George Barrington, the pickpocket,par excellence!“Left his country for his country’s good.” Mother H. is described by a writer who knew her well as the “ugliest woman I ever beheld; but she dearly loved paint, dress, and decorations. Her attire was in the highest style of fashion, generally black velvet or satin, jewellery in profusion, silk stockings, and very neat kid shoes. She had rather a pretty ankle.” “Aproposof her shoes, I may remark that the old girl was artful, deceitful, and dishonest. I remember a half-drunken, foolish fellow dropping a handful of sovereigns in the large supper-room. A number of the fair and frail were present; Mother H. said, “Now girls, stand away, I’ll pick them up and see that the gentleman ain’t robbed;” she should have added, “By any one but myself,” for about every second sovereign she took from the floor she “welled” in her shoes. “Well,” said one of the girls; “I don’t blame you mother, but I should like to stand in your shoes.” Mother H. retired with an ample fortune. Turned—as a matter of course,very religious, married a highly respectable timber merchant at Brighton, who died and left her money. She again tried her luck in the matrimonial lottery, although nearly seventy years of age. Her third husband was a serious, calm, tall and respectable Dissenter, who outlived her.”
Mother’s Milk.—The liquor we like best.
Mouse.—Is a black—or perhaps, more correctly speaking, a swollen eye.
Move on the Board.—An action in life.
Mudlarks.—Men who rake about the mud on the banks of the Thames, when the tide is out, for what they can find.
Muff.—A soft article, a tool, a fool: a softthingthat holds a lady’s hand without squeezing it!
Munden, Joseph.—Comedian, died February 6, 1832, aged 74.
Mutton Walk.—The Saloons of Drury Lane and Covent Garden Theatres—“Upon the arrival ofTomandJerryat Drury Lane Theatre, the performances did not operate on their feelings as a source of attraction. It is true they took aglimpseat the play, but as they did not go for anything likecriticismon the abilities of the actors, or to descant upon the merits of the pieces, it was merely aglimpseindeed. Our heroes went upon another errand. Their eyes were directed to different parts of the house; andTomnot meeting with any of his acquaintances at ‘Old Drury,’ as he had anticipated, they immediately pushed off to take a peep at Covent Garden Theatre. Alookat the stage was quite sufficient for their purpose; and without any more delay, theCorinthianandJerrysoonbustledinto the Saloon.
“Tomand his Coz, had scarcely reached the place for refreshments, when thebuzbegan, and they were surrounded by numbers of the gayCyprianswho nightly visit this place. Some of thesedelicateheroines, soon began to jeer theCorinthianon thecauseof his absence; while others of theseLady Birdswere offering their congratulations to him on his restoration to Society.Jerrybeing in company with so distinguished a hero asTomwas of itself a sufficient source of attraction to theseFancy Piecesto pay their court toHawthorn; and, accordingly, their cards were presented toJerry, in order to grace their lists with the addition of anewand richFriend. These cards rather puzzledJerry, who appeared astonished that such dashing females should keepShops!!!?”
My Uncle.—The cant term for a pawnbroker:—
Who lives where hang those golden balls,Where Dick’s poor mother often calls,And leaves herdickey, gown, and shawls?—My Uncle.Who, when you’reshortof theshortstuff,Nose-Starvingfor an ounce of snuff,Will “raise the wind” without apuff?—My Uncle.
ApoorPunster, who was hurrying through the streets one evening, was met by a friend, who asked him where he was going in such great haste? Thehumouristbeing rathershyin stating his errand, as well as anxious to conceal thepovertyof his circumstances, and having only a few minutes left before his ticket orMortgage-deed!expired as todate, which not being renewed, his property must have been forfeited, turned off the question, with a smile, observing, “To a place ofamusement.” “What part of the house?” “To the private boxes.” “Is it a good piece?” “Excellent! It abounds with incidents; and you cannot depart without feeling aninterestin it.” “What’s the name of it?”—“Just in Time!” “So I’m off at once,” replied thePunster.
N.
Nab.—To catch or seize.Nabbed, caught.
Nabob.—Corruption of the Hindoo word Nawâb. An administrator, commander, and other high officers under the Mogul empire. These men acquired great wealth and lived in Eastern splendour, so that they gave rise to the phrase, “Rich as a Nawâb,” corrupted intoRich as a Nabob. In England we apply the phrase to a merchant who has obtained great wealth in the Indies, and has returned to live—and die in his native country.
Nail.—To prig, or to capture.I nailedhim on the spot.To pay down on the Nail, to pay ready money on the counter—which was often studded over with nails.
Naked Truth.—The fable says that Truth and Falsehood went bathing: Falsehood came first out of the water, and dressed herself in Truth’s garments, Truth, unwilling to take those of Falsehood, went naked.
Nap.—To catch, to grasp.
Napping.—To be taken in the act, especially in adultery. “To catch napping—Rem in re.”
Napping your Bib.—Crying, and wiping your eyes with an apron.
Nappy Ale.—Strong ale is so called either because it makes onenappy, or else because it contains a nap or frothy head.
Nash.—To throw away.Nash your leading strings, throw off all restraint.
Natty.—Tidy, methodical and neat.Natty Lads, young pickpockets.
Needful.—Money.To show the Needful, to produce the money.
Never-wag Man of War.—The Fleet Prison.
Nibble.—To steal.
Nob.—Head.Nobbed, thumped on the head.
Nob Thatchers.—Straw bonnet makers, also wig makers.
Nod.—He’s gone to the land of Nod,i.e., he’s gone to bed.
Noodle.—Anassof thehumanspecies.
Nose.—An informer.Out on the nose, a night search.
Nun.—A mealy mouthed prostitute.
Nurses.—Guardians, tutors, &c.
Nutty.—To benutsupon, is to be very much pleased or gratified with any thing: thus, a person who conceives a strong inclination for another of the opposite sex is said to be quitenuttyupon him or her.
Who on a lark, with black-eyed Sal (his blowing)So prime, so swell, sonutty, and so knowing.Byron’sDon Juan.
O.
Office.—Warning.To give the Office, make people aware.
Offley’s.—A sporting hotel, the resort of the Corinthians of the day was in Henrietta Street, Covent Garden. To the men about town the excellence of Offley’s catering was well known. In cooking a beefsteak, he was unrivalled; and many a gentleman who had a greatstakein the country would walk miles to have a smallsteakin London, cooked and dished up under the superintendence of “Old Offley” together with a nip of ale, the quality of which was on a par for excellence with the other good things of the house.
Mr. Offley lies buried in the churchyard of St Paul, Covent Garden, only a few feet from the back window of the room which was the scene of so many agreeable orgies. Shortly after his death a hearty toast to his memory was drunk in claret, over his grave, by a few of the jovial herd who loved him in life, and respected him in the tomb.
Ogles.—Eyes.Queer Ogles, bad eyes.
Olympic Theatre.—Was originally erected by Philip Astley, and opened with horsemanship, September 18, 1806. The theatre was leased in 1813 to the celebrated R. W. Elliston. On Monday, November 12, 1821, a dramatised version of “Tom and Jerry,” by Charles Dibdin, was produced: Tom, Mr. Blake; Jerry, Mr. Oxberry; Logic, Mr. Vale. Madame Vestris had the management to 1839, then followed Mr. George Wild, Miss Davenport, and Watts. The theatre was destroyed by fire March, 1849; re-built and opened by Mr. Watts, December 26, 1850.
Omnibuses.—The first pair of London omnibuses started from the Yorkshire Stingo, public-house, in the New Road, to the Bank of England and back, on Saturday, July 4th, 1829. They were constructed to carry twenty-two passengers, all inside, and were drawn by three horses abreast. The fare was one shilling, or sixpence for half the distance, together with the luxury of a newspaper. A Mr. J. Shillibeer was the owner of these carriages, and in order that the introduction might have every chance of success and the full prestige of respectibility, he brought over with him from Paris two youths, both the sons of British naval officers, and these young gentlemen were his “conductors.” They were smartly dressed in blue cloth, after the Parisian fashion. Their addressing any foreign passenger in French, and the French style of the affair, gave rise to an opinion that Mr. Shillibeer was a Frenchman, and that the English were indebted to a foreigner for the improvement of their vehicular transit, whereas Mr. Shillibeer had served in the British navy, and was born in Tottenham Court Road; yet he had afterwards carried on the business of a coach builder both in London and Paris. His speculation was particularly and at once successful, for he insured punctuality and civility; and the cheapness, cleanliness, and smartness of his omnibuses were in most advantageous contrast with the high charges, dirt, dinginess, and rudeness of the drivers of many of the “short stages” and Hackney coaches, who were loud in their railings against what they werepleased to describe as a French innovation, and many were the street-papers and ballads issued on the subject both for and against the “Shillibeer’s” and “French Hearses.”
The ’Buss, the ’Buss, the Omnibus!That welcomes all without a fuss;And wafts us on with joyous sound,Through crowded streets on our busy round,Reckless of cold and gloomy skies,Or the driving storm as it downward hies:Stow’d snug in thee! stow’d snug in thee!I am where I would wish to be,While the rain above and the mud belowAffects me not where’er I go——Though the sleet and the slush be ankle deep,What matters? while I can ride so cheap!What matters? &c.I love, oh how I love to rideIn cozy converse, side by side,With some sweet sly enchanting one,Who lets her little ’larum runTill scarcely can the listener knowIf that or Time more swiftly go!Henceforth I’ll know the terrible boreOf “padding the hoof” no more, no more;But back to his seat I so oft have press’dI’ll spring, to be wafted the while I rest:For thou, dear ’Bus! art a home to me,While I am snugly seated in thee.While I am, &c.
On the Town.—A man of the world: a person supposed to have a general knowledge of men and manners. In shortUpandDownto everything!
Operators.—Pickpockets.
O.P. and P.S.—The name given to a tavern in Russell Court, Drury Lane—SeeKean’s Head—This sign was construed several ways according as it suited the differenttastesof its visitors. The stage-players took it in its original sense, to denominate the tavern a theatrical house;—and the O.P. and P.S., according to its technicality upon the stage, thus—O.P.Opposite Prompter, and P.S. thePrompt Side. The men of the world placed it in another point of view, “Come and see me to-night,” said they to a friend, “at the O.P. and P.S., where you will be sure to meet someOldPals, and hearPrimeSinging.” And the Bacchanalians hailed the O.P. and P.S. as the harbour containing fineOldPortandPrimeSherry.
O.P. Riot.—When the new Covent Garden Theatre was opened in 1809, the charges of admission were increased; but night after night for three months a throng crowded the pit shouting O.P. (old prices), much damage was done, and the manager was obliged at last to give way.
Out-and-Outer.—A real good one.
Oxberry, William.—An actor of many parts: who held a very respectable position at various metropolitan theatres—and was a friend and contemporary with Pierce Egan, W. T. Moncrieff, Leman Rede, TomHudson and Beuler—the funny John Reeve—a greatbodyof talent on or off the boards. Bob Keeley—themultum in parvo, and other choice spirits of the day, who frequently paid a visit to the coffee-room at the Craven’s Head, Drury Lane, when “Billy” Oxberry—that comical wight, acted the part ofBoniface, to hear him tell his tales, and relate his theatrical and other adventures he had met with in playing “The Five P’s,” viz., the Printer, Poet, Publisher, Publican, and Player. (1784-1824.)
P.
Pad.—The highway, or a robber thereon; also a bed.Footpads, foot robbers.To go out upon the pad, to go out in order to commit a robbery.To pad the hoof, to walk.Padding-ken, a tramp’s lodging-house.
Paddington Fair Day.—An execution day; Tyburn being in the parish or neighbourhood of Paddington.To dance the Paddington frisk, to be hanged.
Pal.—A companion, one who generally accompanies another, or who commit robberies together.
Parker.—To part or pay money.
Patter.—To speak.Patterer, a noisy talkative street hawker of songs, last dying speeches, &c.
Patter-Flash.—To talk flash, or the language of thieves.
Paulo, Signor.—Comedian and Clown—the original Billy Waters in the Adelphi Version of “Tom and Jerry,” died July 27, 1835, aged 48.
Pavé.—The town.A nymph of the pavé, a prostitute.
Pea-Green Hayne—Mr.—He was nicknamed “Pea-green” from his folly in reference to Miss Maria Foote, afterwards the Countess of Harrington. It will be remembered that that beautiful and accomplished lady brought an action against Hayne for breach of promise of marriage, and recovered 3000l.damages; but Hayne was notgreenupon that account; it was an affair which the shrewdest man of fashion might have fallen into. Ifgreennessexisted at all in Hayne on that question, it laid in not marrying her. Fate, however, designed for the lady a better match. The eccentric Lord Harrington, though a wild, sporting, boxing spirit, as Lord Petersham, was, as the Earl, one of the most refined gentlemen that ever added grace to a coronet; and it might be fairly said that his Lordship did so. Mr Hayne was a man with a mind well stored; he had experience to aid him. In his association with Ned Baldwin,aliasWhite-headed Bob, the pugilist, whom he trained and backed, and other fast celebrities of the day, he learnt much, though he paid dearly for it.
Peck.—To eat.Peck and Booze, victuals and drink.Peckish, hungry.Peck-alley, the throat.
Peel.—To strip, to undress; allusion to the taking off of the coat or rind of an orange.
Peepers.—Eyes.Single peeper, a one eyed man.
Pewter.—Money, from the close alliance of much of our so-calledsilver.To stump the pewter, to pay money.
Pierce Egan.—Author of “Tom and Jerry,” died August 3, 1849, aged 77.
Pig and Tinder-box.—A jocular term for the sign of the Elephant and Castle.
Pigs.—Thief-takers, formerly applied to a Bow Street Officer.
Pigeons.—Young beginners, or novices, persons very necessary to beplucked. Also companions of the right sort—birds of a feather.
Pilot.—A watchman.
Pimple.—The head.
Pinks.—Dashing fellows.Pinksof the fashion.
Pipkin.—The head.To crack a pipkin, to break a head.
Pippen.—A good fellow.
Plum.—He is worth a plum—is said of a man possessed of £100,000, and of him who has only realized £50,000, he’s got but “half-a-plum.”
Pockets to Let.—When there’s no money in them—such are best let alone.
Point Nonplus.—Neither money nor credit.
Police.—The London police grew out of the London watch, instituted about 1253; the whole system was remodelled by Mr., afterwards Sir Robert Peel, by 10 Geo. IV., 19th June, and the New Police commenced duty 29th September, 1829. Sir Richard Mayne was appointed Chief Commissioner of the Metropolitan District. The new system was not popular with the people, nor with those who deemed they had “vested rights,” and the constables were considered as a target that every one might fire off their chaff and witticism at with impunity. The terms “Bobby and Peeler”—after Robert Peel, immediately became the cant words, together with “Blue Bottles,” “Blue Devils,” the “Royal Blues; or, the Cook’s Own,” and other opprobious terms. Within a month of the establishing of the New Police—viz., on the 14th of October, 1829, one of the members, named John Jones, was charged, at the Hatton Garden Police-station, with stealing a scrag of mutton, from the stall-board of a butcher, named Samuel, in Skinner Street, Somer’s Town. The circumstance having been witnessed by a neighbour, he pursued the policeman, and took him into custody. He had fifteen shillings and sixpence in his pocket. In his defence, he said he was going to take the mutton to show his wife. This was a circumstance that could not be lost sight of by the Seven Dials printers, and several street-papers and ballads were immediately issued on the subject, and continued to find a ready sale for some months; while “Who stole the mutton?” became the by-word. Following is one of the many ballads that appeared:—
The New Policeman,And the Somers Town Butcher.Air—“Bob and Joan.”Hollo! New Police,Who in blue coats, strut on,Your fame you wont increaseBy stealing joints of mutton,Who would e’er suppose,In such handsome rigging,Spick and span new clothes,Men would go a prigging?Hollo! New Police, &c., &c.At very little costJones wished to have a luncheon;But now the blade has lostHis uniform and truncheon.Alas! the worthy soul,While the victuals bagging,Tho’ ascraghe stoleNever dreamt ofscragging. Hollo! &c., &c.Off he made a move,And muttered in retreating,“D——, this will proveVery good eating!”With this bit of meat,Doubtless quite enraptur’d;But joy is very fleet,And Mr. Jones was captur’d. Hollo! &c., &c.“Oh!” cried Mr. Jones,“This is inconvenient!Curse the mutton bones—Gentlemen, be lenient.This joint you will remark(The truth I won’t conceal it),Iborrowedfor a lark—I never meant to steal it.” Hollo! &c., &c.Here’s a pretty prig,Thus went Somer’s Sam on,First my meat to prig,And then to pitch his gammon.Borrow’d! blow me tight,Seeing is believing;I loves the thing vot’s right,And always hated thieving. Hollo! &c., &c.Peel’s new plan, I say,Ought to be rejected,If this here’s the wayWe’re to be protected.These coves parade the streetIn dashing dark blue habit;But when they eye our meat,’Tis ten to one they grab it. Hollo! &c., &c.’Twas droll to hear the chaffWhen they were embodied;Now it makes me laughTo see so many quodded.Thieves may feel secure,Whate’er the hour or weather,For Sam is very sureThey are all rogues together. Hollo! &c., &c.
The City of London successfully rejected the introduction of the New Police within their territories. “They worn’t a going to hav’ no new French Police Spy system in their ancient and honourable City,” said Alderman Cute-Grub-Bub-Turtle-and-Soup, “not if ve knows it.” Therefore, no one will be surprised at frequently reading in the newspapers of the period paragraphs like the following:—