1755. Johnson, Dict., s.v. Longtail, a canting term for, one or
another.
Long-tailed, adj. (old).—Of gentle birth; of good standing.
1662. Rump Songs, i. 195. She blushing said, that long-tailed men
would tell, Quoth I, I’ll be as silent as the night.
Long-tailed beggar, subs. phr. (common).—A cat.
1834. Marryat, Peter Simple, ii. ‘You must larn to chaw baccy,
drink grog, and call the cat a beggar, and then you knows all a
midshipman’s expected to know nowadays.’
1874. Hotten, Slang Dict., s.v. Long-tailed beggar. ‘A boy, during
his first, and a very short voyage, to sea, had ... entirely
forgotten the name of the cat, and was obliged, pointing to puss,
to ask his mother what she called that ’ere long-tailed beggar?’
Sailors when they hear a freshwater tar discoursing largely are apt
to say, ‘But how mate about that long-tailed beggar?’
English synonyms. Baudrons (Scots’); gib; grimalkin; masheen; nimshod;
puss; Thomas; Tyb.
French synonyms. Un lapin de gouttière (familiar = rabbit of the
tiles); un greffier, griffard or griffon (griffe = claw); un gaspard
(popular).
Italian synonyms. Laffaro; gulfo.
Spanish synonyms. Estaffion, estaffin, or estaffier.
Long-tailed finnips (or long-tailed ’uns), subs. phr.
(thieves’).—Banknotes for high amounts.
1857. Snowden, Mag. Assist., 3rd ed., 144, s.v.
Long-tea, subs. (schoolboys’).—1. Tea poured from a pot held high; and
(2) lant (q.v.).
Long-tongue, subs. (old).—A talebearer; a chatterbox.
c. 1550. Inglelend, Disobedient Child [Dodsley, Old Plays (1874),
ii. 282]. What banging, what cursing. Long-tongue, is with thee.
1886. Barham, Ingoldsby Legends, ‘Grandmother’s Clock.’ Very short
legs and a very long tongue.
Long-tongued, adj. (old).—Talkative.
1593. Shakspeare, T. Andron., iv. 2. 150. ’Tis a deed of policy:
Shall she live to betray this guilt of ours, A long-tongued
babbling gossip?
1823. Grose, Vulg. Tongue [3rd ed.], s.v. Long-tongued. Loquacious,
not able to keep a secret, He is as long-tongued as Granny; Granny
was an idiot who could lick her own eye.
Long-togs, subs. (nautical).—Shore-going clothes in general, and
dress-clothes in particular.
1833. Marryat, Peter Simple, III. ii. May I be so bold as to ask,
Captain O’Brien, whether I must wear one of them long-tog,
swallow-tailed coats—because if so I prefer being a quarter-master.
1834. Marryat, Jack Faithful, xxix. I had fitted on what are called
at sea, and on the river, long togs; i.e., I was dressed as most
people are on shore.
1883. Clark Russell, Sailor’s Language, s.v.
Long-tot, subs. (common).—A long set of figures for addition: as in
examinations.
Longwinded, adj. (old: now recognised).—Diffuse; protracted;
loquacious. See quots. 1690 and 1796.
1592. Nashe, Pierce Penilesse [Grosart (1883–4), ii. 77]. It will
make them iolly long-winded.
1635. Davenant, News from Plymouth, ii. 1. I never read of such a
long-winded monster.
1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v. Long-winded Paymaster, one that
very slowly, heavily, or late Paies.
1725. New Cant. Dict., s.v.
1796. Grose, Vulg. Tongue (3rd ed.), s.v. Long-winded, A
long-winded parson, one who preached long, tedious sermons. A
long-winded paymaster, one who takes long credit.
1871. Clark Russell, Book of Authors. Sir Walter Scott said Lord
Clarendon’s style was a little longwinded.
Lonsdale’s Ninepins, subs. phr. (old Parliamentary).—The nine boroughs
for which Lord Lonsdale used to send up members to St. Stephens. A
repartee connected with them is attributed to Burke.—H. J. Byron (M.S.
note in Hotten).
Loo, subs. (old).—1. See quot.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v. Loo, for the good of the loo, for
the benefit of the Company or Community.