Abraham-man, a vagabond, such as were driven to beg about the country after the dissolution of the monasteries.—See BESS O’ BEDLAM, infra. They are well described under the title of Bedlam Beggars.—Shakspeare’s K. Lear, ii. 3.
Jarkman, or Patrico, Cranke, or Clapper-dudgeon,
Frater, or ABRAM-MAN; I speak to all
That stand in fair election for the title
Of king of beggars.”—Beaumont and Fletcher’s Begg. Bush. II. 1.
It appears to have been the practice in former days to allow certain inmates of Bethlehem Hospital to have fixed days “to go begging:” hence impostors were said to “SHAM ABRAHAM” (the Abraham Ward in Bedlam having for its inmates these mendicant lunatics) when they pretended they were licensed beggars in behalf of the hospital.
Abraham-sham, or SHAM ABRAHAM, to feign sickness or distress. From ABRAHAM-MAN, the ancient Cant term for a begging impostor, or one who pretended to have been mad.—Burton’s Anatomy of Melancholy, vol. i. p. 360. When Abraham Newland was Cashier to the Bank of England, and signed their notes, it was sung:—
That SHAM ABRAHAM you may,
But you mustn’t SHAM ABRAHAM Newland.”
Absquatulate, to run away, or abscond; a hybrid American expression, from the Latin ab, and “squat” to settle.
Acres, a coward. From Bob Acres, in Sheridan’s Rivals.
Adam’s Ale, water.—English. The Scotch term is ADAM’S WINE.
Added to the List, a euphuism current among sporting writers implying that a horse has been gelded. As, “Sabinus has been ADDED TO THE LIST.” Another form of expression in reference to this matter is that “the knife has been brought into requisition.” “ADDED TO THE LIST” is simply a contraction for “added to the list of geldings in training.”
Addlepate, a foolish fellow, a dullard.
Admiral of the Red, a person whose very red face evinces a fondness for strong potations.
Affygraphy. “It fits to an AFFYGRAPHY,” i.e., to a nicety—to a T.
Afternoon Farmer, one who wastes his best opportunity, and drives off the large end of his work to the little end of his time.
Against the Grain, in opposition to the wish. “It went AGAINST THE GRAIN to do it, but I knew I must,” is a common expression.
Aggerawators (corruption of Aggravators), the greasy locks of hair in vogue among costermongers and other street folk, worn twisted from the temple back towards the ear. They are also, from a supposed resemblance in form, termed NEWGATE KNOCKERS, and sometimes NUMBER SIXES. This style of adorning the head is, however, fast dying out, and the everyday costermonger or street thief has his hair cut like any one else. The yearly militia drill may have had a good deal to do with this alteration.
Akeybo, a slang phrase used in the following manner:—“He beats AKEYBO, and AKEYBO beat the devil.”
Albertopolis, a facetious appellation given by the Londoners to the Kensington Gore district. Now obsolete.
Alderman, a half-crown—possibly from its rotundity. Also a long pipe.
Alderman, a turkey; “ALDERMAN IN CHAINS,” a turkey hung with sausages.
All of a Hugh! all on one side; falling with a thump; the word HUGH being pronounced with a grunt.—Suffolk.
All my Eye, a remark of incredulity made in reference to an improbable story; condensation of “ALL MY EYE AND BETTY MARTIN,” a vulgar phrase constructed from the commencement of a Roman Catholic prayer to St. Martin, “Oh, mihi, beate Martine,” which in common with many another fell into discredit and ridicule after the Reformation.
All out, by far;—“he was ALL OUT the best of the lot.” Old—frequently used by Burton in his Anatomy of Melancholy.
All-overish, neither sick nor well; the premonitory symptoms of illness. Also the feeling which comes over a man at a critical moment, say just when he is about to “pop the question.” Sometimes this is called, “feeling all over alike, and touching nowhere.”
All-rounder, a shirt collar going all round the neck and meeting in front. Once fashionable, but little worn now.
All Serene, an ejaculation of acquiescence. Some years back a popular street cry. With or without application to actual fact, the words ALL SERENE were bawled from morning to night without any reference to the serenity of the unfortunate hearers.—See SERENE.
Alls, tap-droppings, refuse spirits sold at a cheap rate in gin-palaces.
All There, in strict fashion, first-rate, “up to the mark;” a vulgar person would speak of a handsome, well-dressed woman as being ALL THERE. An artisan would use the same phrase to express the capabilities of a skillful fellow-workman. Sometimes ALL THE WAY THERE. Always used as a term of encomium.
All to Pieces, utterly, excessively; “he beat him ALL TO PIECES,” i.e., excelled or surpassed him exceedingly. Also a term much in use among sporting men and expressing want of form, or decadence. A boat’s crew are said to “go ALL TO PIECES” when they through distress lose their regularity. A woman is vulgarly said to “fall to pieces,” or “tumble to pieces,” when she is confined.
All to Smash, or “GONE ALL TO PIECES,” bankrupt, ruined.
Almighty Dollar, an American expression representing the manner in which money is worshipped. Modernly introduced by Washington Irving in 1837. The idea of this phrase is, however, far older than the time of Irving. Ben Jonson’s Epistle to Elizabeth, Countess of Rutland, commences thus—
And almost every vice, almightie gold.”
It seems almost obvious that the term must have been applied, not to dollars certainly, but to money, long before the time of Irving.
American Tweezers, an instrument used by an hotel-sneak which nips the wards end of a key, and enables him to open a door from the opposite side to that on which it has been locked.
Andrew Millar, a ship of war.—Sea.
Ain’t, the vulgar abbreviation of “am not,” “are not,” or “is not.”
Anointed, i.e., eminent; used to express great rascality in any one; “an ANOINTED scoundrel,” king among scoundrels.—Irish.
Anointing, a good beating. A case for the application of salve.
Anonyma, a lady of the demi-monde, or worse; a “pretty horsebreaker.” Incognita was the term at first. Product of the squeamishness of the age which tries to thrust away fact by the use of fine words.
Antiscriptural, oaths, foul language. Anything unfit for ordinary society conversation.
Apartments to Let, a term used in reference to one who has a somewhat empty head. As, “He’s got APARTMENTS TO LET.”
Apostle’s Grove, the London district known as St. John’s Wood. Also called GROVE OF THE EVANGELIST.
Apostles, The Twelve, the last twelve names on the Poll, or “Ordinary Degree” List at the Cambridge Examinations, when it was arranged in order of merit, and not alphabetically, and in classes, as at present; so called from their being post alios, after the others.—See POLL. The last of all was called St. Paul (or Saint Poll), as being the least of the apostles, and “not meet to be called an apostle” (see 1 Cor. xv. 9). As in the “Honour” list (see Gulf), students who had failed only slightly in one or more subjects were occasionally allowed their degrees, and these were termed ELEGANT EXTRACTS.—Camb. Univ. Slang.
Apple-pie Bed, a trick played at schools on new comers, or on any boy disliked by the rest. One of the sheets is removed, and the other is doubled in the middle, so that both edges are brought to the top, and look as if both sheets were there; but the unhappy occupant is prevented getting more than half-way down, and he has to remake his bed as best he can. This trick is sometimes played by children of a larger growth.
Apple-Cart, the human structure, so far as the phrases with which it is connected are concerned. As “I’ll upset your APPLE-CART,” “down with his APPLE-CART.”
Apple-pie Order, in exact or very nice order.
Appro, contraction of approbation, a word much in use among jewellers. Most of the extensive show of chains, watches, and trinkets in a shop window is obtained “ON APPRO,” i.e., “on sale or return.”
Area Sneak, a thief who commits depredations upon kitchens and cellars.
Argol-bargol, to bandy words.—Scotch.
Article, derisive term for a weak or insignificant specimen of humanity.
Atomy, a diminutive or deformed person. From ANATOMY, or ATOM.
Attack, to carve, or commence operations; “ATTACK that beef, and oblige!”
Attic, the head; “queer in the ATTIC,” intoxicated or weak-minded. Sometimes ATTIC is varied by “upper story.”
Attic Salt, wit, humour, pleasantry. Partly a reference to a suggestive portion of Grecian literature, and partly a sly hit at the well-known poverty of many writers.
Auctioneer, to “tip him the AUCTIONEER,” is to knock a man down. Tom Sayers’s right hand was known to pugilistic fame as the AUCTIONEER.
Audit Ale, extra strong ale supposed to be drunk when the accounts are audited.—Camb. Univ.
Auld-Reekie, an affectionate term for the old town of Edinburgh. Derived from its dingy appearance.
Aunt Sally, a favourite figure on racecourses and at fairs, consisting of a wooden head mounted on a stick, firmly fixed in the ground; in the nose of which, or rather where the nose should be, a tobacco-pipe is inserted. The fun consists in standing at a distance and demolishing AUNT SALLY’S pipe-clay projection with short bludgeons, very similar to the halves of broom-handles. The Duke of Beaufort is a “crack hand” at smashing pipe noses; and his performances some years ago on Brighton racecourse, which brought the game into notoriety, are yet fresh in remembrance. Aunt Sally has, however, had her day, and once again the inevitable “three shies a penny!” is chief among our outdoor amusements.
Avast, a sailor’s phrase for stop, shut up, go away,—apparently connected with the old Cant, BYNGE A WASTE; or from the Italian, BASTA, hold! enough.
Awake, or FLY, knowing, thoroughly understanding. “I’m awake,” i.e., I know all. The phrase WIDE-AWAKE carries a similar meaning in ordinary conversation, but has a more general reference.
Awful, a senseless expletive, used to intensify a description of anything good or bad; “what an AWFUL fine woman!” “awfully jolly,” “awfully sorry,” &c. The phrase is not confined to any section of society.
Ax, to ask. Sometimes pronounced arks.