1875. Echo, 29 Oct. Mr. S. started on his third day’s journey of
the 650 miles ride on his iron-horse.
Ironmonger’s-shop. To keep an ironmonger’s shop by the side of a
common, where the sheriff sets one up, verb. phr. (old).—To be hanged
in chains. For synonyms see Ladder.—Grose (1785).
Iron-rations, subs. (nautical).—Tinned meat: specifically boiled
salt-beef. See Bully-beef.
Iron-toothpick, subs. (military).—A sword. For synonyms see Poker.
Irrigate, verb. (common).—To take a drink; to liquor up. For synonyms
see Drinks. Also to irrigate one’s canal.
1708. Philips, Cyder, ii. Their frying blood compels to irrigate
their dry-furred tongues.
1892. John Hill, Treason Felony, ii. 106. They went into the Hotel
de Florence in Rupert Street and ate a seconda collazione or
déjeuner à la fourchette, irrigated with Barolo.
Isabella, subs. (rhyming).—An umbrella. For synonyms see Mushroom.
Island. To drink out of the island, subs. (old).—See quot.
1811. Lex. Bal., s.v. Island. He drank out of the bottle till he
saw the island: the island is the rising bottom of a wine bottle,
which appears like an island in the centre, before the bottle is
quite empty.
Island of Bermuda.—See Bermudas.
Isle-of-Fling, subs. (East End). A coat. For synonyms see Capella.
Issues. To pool one’s issues, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To work in
unison; to come to an understanding for mutual advantage.
Isthmus-of-Suez, subs. (Cambridge university).—The bridge at St. John’s
College Cambridge, leading from the grounds to one of the Courts,
familiarly known as the ‘Bridge of Sighs’. Also the bridge of grunts.
[From its slight similarity to the Venetian example Sues = swine, in
punning reference to the Johnian Hogs (q.v.). See Crackle and Hog.]
1857. Punch, June 20. A resident Fellowe he was, I wis, He had no
cure of Soules; And across ye bridge of sues he’d come From
playinge ye game of bowles.
1885. Cuthbert Bede, in N. & Q., 6, S. xi. 414. Another word is
Sues, for swine. This is applied to the bridge leading from the old
courts to the new, familiarly known as the bridge of sighs from its
slight similarity to the Venetian example, but also known as the
isthmus of suez. This word Suez was then transformed to Sues,
swine, to adapt it to its Johnian frequenters.
I subscribe, phr. (common).—A response to an invitation to drink. For
synonyms see Drinks.