Chapter 23

Oaf, a lumbering, awkward fellow.A “Sporting Door,” or “Oak.”Oak, the outer door of college rooms; to “sport one’sOAK,” to be “not at home” to visitors.SeeSPORT.—University.Oar, “to put in anOAR,” to interfere.“I put myOARin no man’s boat.”—Thackeray.Oat, an atom. Probable corruption of iota, or perhaps from the small size of an oat. “I never got anOATof it,” I never received the smallest portion.Oat-stealer, an ostler.Obfuscated, intoxicated.Obliquitous, oblivious of distinction between right and wrong.—American.Obstropolous, Cockney corruption of obstreperous.Ochre, money, generally applied to gold, for a very obvious reason.O’clock, “likeONE O’CLOCK,” a favourite comparison with the lower orders, implying briskness; otherwise “like winkin’.” “To know what’sO’CLOCK” is to be wide-awake, sharp, and experienced.Odd man out, a street or public-house game at tossing. The number of players is three or more. Each tosses up a coin, and if two come down head, and one comes tail, orvice versâ, theODD MANloses or wins, as may have been agreed upon. Frequently used to victimize a “flat.” If all be alike, then the toss goes for nothing, and the coppers are again “skied.” It is easy for two men to arrange matters beforehand at this game, and so swindle a third.Odd man, a man who trains in company with a boat’s crew, so that in the event of any one falling ill the seat will be fairly occupied.Odds, a phrase equivalent to “consequence;” “what’s theODDS?”i.e., what is the expected result? “It’s noODDS,”i.e., of no consequence.ODDS, in sporting phraseology, refers to the proportions or differences of a bet. One bookmaker will layODDSof “six to one” against such a horse winning; whilst another, more speculative, or in the receipt of a first-rate “tip” (information about the horse in question) will lay “eight,” or even “ten to one.”Od rot it(Colman’s Broad Grins),DRAT IT, OD’S BLOOD, and all other exclamations commencing withOD, are nothing but softened or suppressed oaths.Odis a corruption ofGOD, andDRATofROT.Off and on, vacillating; “anOFF AND ONkind of a chap,” one who is always undecided.Off at the head, crazy.—Oxfordshire.Off one’s chump.To be crazy is to beOFF ONE’S CHUMP; this is varied by the wordCHUMPY. A mild kind of lunatic is also said to be “off his head,” which means of course exactly the same as the first phrase.Off one’s feed.To be unable to eat is to beOFF ONE’S FEED. Originally stable slang.Off the horn, a term used in reference to very hard steak, which is fancifully said to beOFF THE HORN.Office, “to give theOFFICE,” to give a hint dishonestly to a confederate, thereby enabling him to win a game or bet, the profits being shared. Also in sporting phraseology to give any information worth having.Offish, distant, not familiar. Corruption ofSTAND-OFFISH.Ogle, to look, or reconnoitre.Ogles, eyes.—Old Cant. French,ŒIL.Oil of palms, orPALM OIL, money.Ointment, medical student slang for butter.O. K., a matter to beO. K.(OLL KORRECT,i.e., all correct), must be on the “square,” and perfectly in order. This is an Americanism, and is derived from the initialsO. K., said to have been marked on a document by an official to signify that all was right and proper.Old boots, a simile as general in its application as it is irrelevant. “LikeOLD BOOTS” means like anything. “As cheeky asOLD BOOTS;” “As quick asOLD BOOTS,” seem a little more reasonable, new boots being somewhat unfavourable to speedy locomotion.Old dog, a knowing blade, an experienced person. Butler uses the phrase,Hudibras, part ii. canto iii. 208, where it was said of Sidrophel, “And wasOLD DOGat physiology.” An Irish proverb says, “OLD DOGfor hard road,” meaning that it requires an experienced person to execute a difficult undertaking.Old gentleman, the devil. Also a card almost imperceptibly longer than the rest of the pack, used by sharpers for the purpose of cheating.Old gooseberry(seeGOOSEBERRY),Old Harry(Old Hairy),Old Scratch, all synonyms for the devil.Old gown, smuggled tea.Old horse, salt junk, or beef.—Sea.Old hoss, a term of endearment, originally an Americanism, but now in common use here among friends.Old Lady in Threadneedle Street, the Bank of England.Old man, in American merchant ships, the master. The phrase is becoming common in English ships.Old salt, a thorough sailor.Old Tom, extra strong gin; sometimes termedCAT’S WATER. Various reasons are given for the use of the wordsOld Tom. The distillers have the sign of a tom cat on their illuminated placards. The origin of the phrase is, however, in the fact that the managing clerk of a once celebrated “gin-spinning” firm, who was known asOld Tom, used to keep a special bottle of extra good stuff with which to regale customers when they settled their accounts. To get a drink ofOld Tom’swas then a great favour. Gradually the title became popular as representing very good strong gin.Oliver, the moon; “OLIVERdon’t widdle,”i.e., the moon does not shine.Nearly obsolete.Ollapod, a country apothecary. From George Coleman’s comedy ofThe Poor Gentleman.Omee, a master or landlord; “theOMEEof the carsey’s a nark on the pitch,” the master of the house will not let us perform.Italian,UOMO, a man; “UOMO DELLA CASA,” the master of the house.Latin,HOMO.—Lingua Franca.Omnium gatherum, an indiscriminate collection of articles; a numerous and by no means select assemblage.On, “to beON,” in public-house or vulgar parlance, is synonymous with getting “tight” or tipsy; “it’s St. Monday with him, I see he’sONagain,”i.e., drunk as usual, or on the road to it. “I’mON” also expresses a person’s acceptance of an offered bet. ToGET ONa horse or a man is to make bets on it or him. “Try itON,” a defiant challenge to a person.On the fly, getting one’s living by thieving or other illegitimate means; the phrase is applied to men the same as “on the loose” is to women.On the flyalso means on the drink.On the loose, obtaining a living by prostitution; in reality, on the streets. The term is applied to females only, excepting in the case of “sprees,” when men carousing are sometimes said to beON THE LOOSE.On the nose, on the watch or look-out.SeeNOSE.On the shelf, transported. With old maids it has another and very different meaning.On the tiles, out all night “on the spree,” or carousing,—in allusion to the London cats on their amatory excursions.SeeCATERWAULING.One-er, that which stands forONE, a blow that requires no repeating. InThe Old Curiosity Shop, the “Marchioness” tells Dick Swiveller that “her missus is aONE-ER”—there a variation of “stunner.”One in ten, a parson. In allusion to the tithing system.Onion, a watch-seal.O. P.Publishers’ reply to an inquiry for a book or paper that isOUT OF PRINT.Open the ball, to commence anything.Oracle, “to work theORACLE,” to plan, manœuvre, to succeed by a wily stratagem.Orate, an Americanism, which means, to speak in public, or make an oration.Organ-grinder, an itinerant who is supposed to “GRIND” music out of a barrel-organ.Originator, an inventor of plans for the formation of joint-stock companies. The originator submits his schemes to the promoter, who accepts or rejects them.Otter, eightpence.Italian,OTTO, eight.—Lingua Franca.Ottomy, a thin man, a skeleton, a dwarf. Vulgar pronunciation ofANATOMY. Shakspeare hasATOMY.Out, a dram glass. These glasses are two-OUT(half-quartern), three-OUT, and four-OUT. Anhabituéof a gin-shop, desirous of treating a brace of friends, calls for “a quartern of gin and threeOUTS,” by which he means three glasses which will exactly contain the quartern. Really, the word glasses is understood. The man actually means, and one or more three-OUTglasses.Out, in round games, where several play, and there can be but one loser, the winners in successionSTAND OUT, while the othersPLAY OFF.Out and out, prime, excellent, of the first quality; beyond measure.Out-and-outer, one who is of anOUT-AND-OUTdescription, “up” to anything.An ancient MS. has this couplet, which shows the antiquity of the phrase:—“The Kyng was good alle aboute,And she was wyckedOUTE AND OUTE.”Outcry, an auction.—Anglo-Indian.Outing, a day’s holiday. The Oxford and Cambridge boatrace, the Derby, and other events of a like character, are each said to be simply excuses to the Cockneys for a day’sOUTING.Out of collar, out of place,—in allusion to servants. When in place, the term isIN COLLAR. Most likely from “head in theCOLLAR,” said of horses when hard at work.Out on the loose, “on the spree,” in search of adventures.SeeON THE LOOSE.Out on the pickaroon.Picaroneis Spanish for a thief, but this phrase does not necessarily mean anything dishonest, but is often used to mean readiness for anything in the way of excitement. It also means to be in search of anything profitable, without much care as to honesty or otherwise.Outsider, a person who does not habitually bet, or is not admitted to the “ring,” a duffer or good-for-nothing fellow. Also, a horse whose name does not appear among the “favourites.”—Sporting.Over!orOVER THE LEFT,i.e., the left shoulder—a common exclamation of disbelief in what is being narrated,—sometimes implying that the results of a proposed plan will beOVER THE LEFT,i.e., in the wrong direction, loss instead of gain.Over, generally used in connexion with come, as, “He came it rather strongOVERme,”i.e., tried to intimidate or compel me. The same phrase would also be used to imply that an excess of flattery or praise was being employed for a similar purpose, but that the adulation was being “laid on a little too thick” to be considered genuine. Also used thus sometimes: “You mustn’t come ShakspeareOVERme,”i.e., “you mustn’t assume an air of immeasurable literary superiorityOVERme.” “You mustn’t come RothschildOVERme,” &c.Over, in cricket, four balls delivered from one end to another. After anOVERhas been bowled, the fielders, wicket-keepers, &c., change ends, and the bowling goes on from the recent batting wicket. AMAIDEN-OVERis anOVERfrom which no runs are obtained. Four balls is the regulation number to anOVERin all important matches; but little clubs and practice elevens suit their own convenience.Overs, the odd money remaining after the daily accounts are made up at a banking-house,—usually divided amongst the clerks.SeeMENAVELINGSandSHORTS.Owned, a slang expression used by the ultra-Evangelicals when a popular preacher makes many converts. The converts themselves are called his “seals.”

Oaf, a lumbering, awkward fellow.A “Sporting Door,” or “Oak.”

Oaf, a lumbering, awkward fellow.

A “Sporting Door,” or “Oak.”

A “Sporting Door,” or “Oak.”

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

Oar, “to put in anOAR,” to interfere.“I put myOARin no man’s boat.”—Thackeray.

Oar, “to put in anOAR,” to interfere.

“I put myOARin no man’s boat.”—Thackeray.

“I put myOARin no man’s boat.”—Thackeray.

Oat, an atom. Probable corruption of iota, or perhaps from the small size of an oat. “I never got anOATof it,” I never received the smallest portion.

Oat-stealer, an ostler.

Obfuscated, intoxicated.

Obliquitous, oblivious of distinction between right and wrong.—American.

Obstropolous, Cockney corruption of obstreperous.

Ochre, money, generally applied to gold, for a very obvious reason.

O’clock, “likeONE O’CLOCK,” a favourite comparison with the lower orders, implying briskness; otherwise “like winkin’.” “To know what’sO’CLOCK” is to be wide-awake, sharp, and experienced.

Odd man out, a street or public-house game at tossing. The number of players is three or more. Each tosses up a coin, and if two come down head, and one comes tail, orvice versâ, theODD MANloses or wins, as may have been agreed upon. Frequently used to victimize a “flat.” If all be alike, then the toss goes for nothing, and the coppers are again “skied.” It is easy for two men to arrange matters beforehand at this game, and so swindle a third.

Odd man, a man who trains in company with a boat’s crew, so that in the event of any one falling ill the seat will be fairly occupied.

Odds, a phrase equivalent to “consequence;” “what’s theODDS?”i.e., what is the expected result? “It’s noODDS,”i.e., of no consequence.ODDS, in sporting phraseology, refers to the proportions or differences of a bet. One bookmaker will layODDSof “six to one” against such a horse winning; whilst another, more speculative, or in the receipt of a first-rate “tip” (information about the horse in question) will lay “eight,” or even “ten to one.”

Od rot it(Colman’s Broad Grins),DRAT IT, OD’S BLOOD, and all other exclamations commencing withOD, are nothing but softened or suppressed oaths.Odis a corruption ofGOD, andDRATofROT.

Off and on, vacillating; “anOFF AND ONkind of a chap,” one who is always undecided.

Off at the head, crazy.—Oxfordshire.

Off one’s chump.To be crazy is to beOFF ONE’S CHUMP; this is varied by the wordCHUMPY. A mild kind of lunatic is also said to be “off his head,” which means of course exactly the same as the first phrase.

Off one’s feed.To be unable to eat is to beOFF ONE’S FEED. Originally stable slang.

Off the horn, a term used in reference to very hard steak, which is fancifully said to beOFF THE HORN.

Office, “to give theOFFICE,” to give a hint dishonestly to a confederate, thereby enabling him to win a game or bet, the profits being shared. Also in sporting phraseology to give any information worth having.

Offish, distant, not familiar. Corruption ofSTAND-OFFISH.

Ogle, to look, or reconnoitre.

Ogles, eyes.—Old Cant. French,ŒIL.

Oil of palms, orPALM OIL, money.

Ointment, medical student slang for butter.

O. K., a matter to beO. K.(OLL KORRECT,i.e., all correct), must be on the “square,” and perfectly in order. This is an Americanism, and is derived from the initialsO. K., said to have been marked on a document by an official to signify that all was right and proper.

Old boots, a simile as general in its application as it is irrelevant. “LikeOLD BOOTS” means like anything. “As cheeky asOLD BOOTS;” “As quick asOLD BOOTS,” seem a little more reasonable, new boots being somewhat unfavourable to speedy locomotion.

Old dog, a knowing blade, an experienced person. Butler uses the phrase,Hudibras, part ii. canto iii. 208, where it was said of Sidrophel, “And wasOLD DOGat physiology.” An Irish proverb says, “OLD DOGfor hard road,” meaning that it requires an experienced person to execute a difficult undertaking.

Old gentleman, the devil. Also a card almost imperceptibly longer than the rest of the pack, used by sharpers for the purpose of cheating.

Old gooseberry(seeGOOSEBERRY),Old Harry(Old Hairy),Old Scratch, all synonyms for the devil.

Old gown, smuggled tea.

Old horse, salt junk, or beef.—Sea.

Old hoss, a term of endearment, originally an Americanism, but now in common use here among friends.

Old Lady in Threadneedle Street, the Bank of England.

Old man, in American merchant ships, the master. The phrase is becoming common in English ships.

Old salt, a thorough sailor.

Old Tom, extra strong gin; sometimes termedCAT’S WATER. Various reasons are given for the use of the wordsOld Tom. The distillers have the sign of a tom cat on their illuminated placards. The origin of the phrase is, however, in the fact that the managing clerk of a once celebrated “gin-spinning” firm, who was known asOld Tom, used to keep a special bottle of extra good stuff with which to regale customers when they settled their accounts. To get a drink ofOld Tom’swas then a great favour. Gradually the title became popular as representing very good strong gin.

Oliver, the moon; “OLIVERdon’t widdle,”i.e., the moon does not shine.Nearly obsolete.

Ollapod, a country apothecary. From George Coleman’s comedy ofThe Poor Gentleman.

Omee, a master or landlord; “theOMEEof the carsey’s a nark on the pitch,” the master of the house will not let us perform.Italian,UOMO, a man; “UOMO DELLA CASA,” the master of the house.Latin,HOMO.—Lingua Franca.

Omnium gatherum, an indiscriminate collection of articles; a numerous and by no means select assemblage.

On, “to beON,” in public-house or vulgar parlance, is synonymous with getting “tight” or tipsy; “it’s St. Monday with him, I see he’sONagain,”i.e., drunk as usual, or on the road to it. “I’mON” also expresses a person’s acceptance of an offered bet. ToGET ONa horse or a man is to make bets on it or him. “Try itON,” a defiant challenge to a person.

On the fly, getting one’s living by thieving or other illegitimate means; the phrase is applied to men the same as “on the loose” is to women.On the flyalso means on the drink.

On the loose, obtaining a living by prostitution; in reality, on the streets. The term is applied to females only, excepting in the case of “sprees,” when men carousing are sometimes said to beON THE LOOSE.

On the nose, on the watch or look-out.SeeNOSE.

On the shelf, transported. With old maids it has another and very different meaning.

On the tiles, out all night “on the spree,” or carousing,—in allusion to the London cats on their amatory excursions.SeeCATERWAULING.

One-er, that which stands forONE, a blow that requires no repeating. InThe Old Curiosity Shop, the “Marchioness” tells Dick Swiveller that “her missus is aONE-ER”—there a variation of “stunner.”

One in ten, a parson. In allusion to the tithing system.

Onion, a watch-seal.

O. P.Publishers’ reply to an inquiry for a book or paper that isOUT OF PRINT.

Open the ball, to commence anything.

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

Orate, an Americanism, which means, to speak in public, or make an oration.

Organ-grinder, an itinerant who is supposed to “GRIND” music out of a barrel-organ.

Originator, an inventor of plans for the formation of joint-stock companies. The originator submits his schemes to the promoter, who accepts or rejects them.

Otter, eightpence.Italian,OTTO, eight.—Lingua Franca.

Ottomy, a thin man, a skeleton, a dwarf. Vulgar pronunciation ofANATOMY. Shakspeare hasATOMY.

Out, a dram glass. These glasses are two-OUT(half-quartern), three-OUT, and four-OUT. Anhabituéof a gin-shop, desirous of treating a brace of friends, calls for “a quartern of gin and threeOUTS,” by which he means three glasses which will exactly contain the quartern. Really, the word glasses is understood. The man actually means, and one or more three-OUTglasses.

Out, in round games, where several play, and there can be but one loser, the winners in successionSTAND OUT, while the othersPLAY OFF.

Out and out, prime, excellent, of the first quality; beyond measure.Out-and-outer, one who is of anOUT-AND-OUTdescription, “up” to anything.

An ancient MS. has this couplet, which shows the antiquity of the phrase:—“The Kyng was good alle aboute,And she was wyckedOUTE AND OUTE.”

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

“The Kyng was good alle aboute,And she was wyckedOUTE AND OUTE.”

“The Kyng was good alle aboute,And she was wyckedOUTE AND OUTE.”

Outcry, an auction.—Anglo-Indian.

Outing, a day’s holiday. The Oxford and Cambridge boatrace, the Derby, and other events of a like character, are each said to be simply excuses to the Cockneys for a day’sOUTING.

Out of collar, out of place,—in allusion to servants. When in place, the term isIN COLLAR. Most likely from “head in theCOLLAR,” said of horses when hard at work.

Out on the loose, “on the spree,” in search of adventures.SeeON THE LOOSE.

Out on the pickaroon.Picaroneis Spanish for a thief, but this phrase does not necessarily mean anything dishonest, but is often used to mean readiness for anything in the way of excitement. It also means to be in search of anything profitable, without much care as to honesty or otherwise.

Outsider, a person who does not habitually bet, or is not admitted to the “ring,” a duffer or good-for-nothing fellow. Also, a horse whose name does not appear among the “favourites.”—Sporting.

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

Over, generally used in connexion with come, as, “He came it rather strongOVERme,”i.e., tried to intimidate or compel me. The same phrase would also be used to imply that an excess of flattery or praise was being employed for a similar purpose, but that the adulation was being “laid on a little too thick” to be considered genuine. Also used thus sometimes: “You mustn’t come ShakspeareOVERme,”i.e., “you mustn’t assume an air of immeasurable literary superiorityOVERme.” “You mustn’t come RothschildOVERme,” &c.

Over, in cricket, four balls delivered from one end to another. After anOVERhas been bowled, the fielders, wicket-keepers, &c., change ends, and the bowling goes on from the recent batting wicket. AMAIDEN-OVERis anOVERfrom which no runs are obtained. Four balls is the regulation number to anOVERin all important matches; but little clubs and practice elevens suit their own convenience.

Overs, the odd money remaining after the daily accounts are made up at a banking-house,—usually divided amongst the clerks.SeeMENAVELINGSandSHORTS.

Owned, a slang expression used by the ultra-Evangelicals when a popular preacher makes many converts. The converts themselves are called his “seals.”

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