Lighter. See Lump.
Light-fantastic, subs. (common).—Dancing; e.g., ‘To work the light
fantastic’. [Cf. Milton, l’Allegro: Come and trip it as you go On the
light fantastic toe]. Fr. la sauterie.
1843. Stirling Coyne, Binks the Bagman, i. 1. Then you’re fond of
sporting on the light fantastic.
1848. Ruxton, Life In The Far West, 47. Sport a figure on the light
fantastic toe.
1855. Strang, Glasgow and its Clubs, 150. In evening dress,
muslins, which were then expensive, were much patronised by those
who tripped on the light fantastic toe.
1892. Gunter, Miss Dividends, ix. ‘You dance very nicely;’ she
murmurs. ‘Yes, for a man who has not tripped the light fantastic
for years.’
Light-feeder, subs. (thieves’).—A silver spoon.
Light-fingered, adj. (colloquial).—Dextrous in stealing; given to
thieving.
1560. Nice Wanton [Dodsley, Old Plays (1874), ii. 167]. I must say
more, Your son is suspect light-fingered to be.
1592. Greene, Defence of Conny-catching [Grosart (1881–6), xi. 97].
A ... Taylor, famous for his art, but noted for his filchinge,
which although he was light-fingerd, yet ... he was much sought.
1607–9. Dampier, Voyages, ii. 1. 14. The Tonguinese being very
light-fingered.
1630. Thos. Adams, Workes, 170. ‘The Fatal Banket! Is any tradesman
light-fingered, and lighter conscienced? Here [Stolen waters are
sweet] is a whole feast of Fraudes, a table furnished with Trickes,
conveyances, glossings, perjuries, cheatinges.’
1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v. Light-fingered, thievish, apt to
pilfer.
c. 1868–9. W. S. Gilbert, Bohemian Girl. And yet I’ve heard you
called light-fingered gentry.
Light-frigate, subs. (old).—A woman of loose morals.—B. E. (1690); New
Cant. Dict. (1725).
Light-heeled, adj. (old).—1. Wanton.
c. 1633. Lady Alimony, ii. 6. Lose a light-heeled trull—That in my
judgment’s nothing.
1640. The Bride, Sig G. She is sure a light-heeld wench.
1661. Davenport, City Nightcap, ii. Who have heavier heads than
those whose wives have light heels.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v. Light-heeled ... a light-heeled
wench, one who is apt by the flying up of her heels, to fall flat
on her back—a willing wench.