Gyvel, subs. (Scots’ venery).—The female pudendum. For synonyms, see
Monosyllable.
d. 1796. Burns, The Merry Muses, ‘Nine Inches for a Lady,’ 33–4.
Come louse and lug your battering ram, An’ thrash him at my gyvel.
H
Haberdasher, subs. (old colloquial: now recognised).—1. A dealer in
small wares; specifically (1) a hatter, and (2, humorously) a publican
(i.e., a seller of tape [q.v.]). Now restricted to a retail draper.
1599. Minsheu, Dictionarie, s.v.
1632. Jonson, The Magnetic Lady, ‘Induction.’ Poetaccios,
poetasters, poetitos.... And all haberdashers of small wit.
d. 1680. Butler, Remains (1759), ii., 107. He set up haberdasher of
a small poetry.
1823. Moncrieff, Tom and Jerry, iii., 5. The haberdasher is the
whistler, otherwise the spirit-merchant, Jerry—and tape the
commodity he deals in.
Haberdasher of pronouns, subs. phr. (common).—A schoolmaster. For
synonyms, see Bumbrusher.
1690. B. E., Cant. Crew, s.v.
1725. New Cant. Dict., s.v.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
Habit, subs. (old University).—See quot.
1803. Gradus ad Cantabrigiam. Habit. College Habit, College dress,
called of old, Livery: the dress of the Master, Fellows, and
Scholars.
Hab-nab (or Hob-nob (q.v.)), adv. (old).—1. At random; promiscuously;
helter-skelter; ding-dong.
1602. Shakspeare, Twelfth Night, iii., 4. His incensement at this
moment is so great that satisfaction can be none but by pangs of
death and sepulchre. Hob-nob is his word; give’t, or take’t.
1664. Butler, Hudibras, ii., 3. Although set down hab-nab at
random.
1690. B. E., Cant. Crew, s.v. Hab-nab, at a Venture, Unsight,
Unseen, Hit or Miss.
1725. New Cant. Dict., s.v.