which is a distinct form of street robbery, and requires both courage
and dexterity; for it is done, as the thieves say, “right afore a
bloke’s face.”
~Jerry~, to jibe or chaff cruelly. Development of jeer.
~Jerry-go-nimble~, the diarrhœa. Derivation apparent.
~Jerry Lynch~, a pig’s head pickled. Term usually applied to the long
Irish heads which are sent over here for sale in the poorer districts of
London, and which are vastly different from the heads of “dairy-fed”
porkers.
~Jerry shop~, a beer-house. Contraction of “Tom and Jerry.”
~Jerry Sneak~, a hen-pecked husband,—a character in the _Mayor of
Garret_. Also, a stealer of watches.
~Jerusalem pony~, a donkey.
~Jessie~, “to give a person JESSIE,” to beat him soundly. _See_ GAS.
~Jew fencer~, a Jew street salesman.
~Jew’s eye~, a popular simile for anything valuable. Probably a
corruption of the _Italian_, GIOJE; _French_, JOAILLE, a jewel. In
ancient times, when a king was short of cash, he generally issued orders
for so many JEWS’ EYES, or equivalent sums of money. The Jews preferred
paying the ransom, although often very heavy. It is notorious that in
this country the order often went forth to draw Jews’ teeth in the
event of their refusing to contribute so much to the Exchequer. A
probable idea is, that as a Jew’s teeth brought in so much money, the
value of a JEW’S EYE must be something fabulous. Possibly, also, from
the _lex talionis_ so strongly believed in by Jews,—an eye for an eye,
and nothing less. The term is used by Shakspeare.
~Jezebel~, a showily-dressed woman of suspected character; derived, of
course, from 2 Kings ix. 30, but applied in this sense from the time of
the Puritans. Also, a hot-tempered female.
~Jib~, a first-year man.—_Dublin University._
~Jib~, or JIBBER, a horse that starts or shrinks. Shakspeare uses it in
the sense of a worn-out horse.
~Jib~, the face, or a person’s expression; “the cut of his JIB,” _i.e._,
his peculiar appearance. That sail of a ship, which in position and
shape, corresponds to the nose on a person’s face.—_Sea._ A vessel is
often known by the cut of the JIB sail; hence the popular phrase, “to
know a man by the cut of his JIB.”
~Jibb~, the tongue.—_Gipsy_ and _Hindoo_. (Tramps’ term.) Thence
extended to mean language.
~Jiffy~, “in a JIFFY,” in a moment.
~Jigger~, a door; “dub the JIGGER,” shut the door. _Ancient cant_,
GYGER. In billiards, the bridge or rest is often termed the JIGGER.
Also, the curtain of a theatre. JIGGER has many meanings, the word being
applied to any small mechanical contrivance. Printers use the word for a
little machine which guides the eye when copy is minute.
~Jigger~, a secret still for the manufacture of illicit spirits.
~Jigger~, “I’m JIGGERED if you will,” a common form of mild swearing.
_See_ SNIGGER.
~Jigger-dubber~, a term applied to a gaoler or turnkey.
~Jiggot o’ mutton~, a leg of mutton. From _Fr._ GIGOT.
~Jilt~, a crowbar or house-breaking implement.
~Jingo~, “by JINGO,” a common form of oath, said to be a corruption of
ST. GINGOULPH. _Vide_ Halliwell.
~Jo~, Scotticism for a man or lover. As “John Anderson, my JO, John.”
~Job~, “a JOB lot,” otherwise called a “sporting lot,” any miscellaneous
goods purchased at a cheap rate, or to be sold a bargain. Frequently
used to conceal the fact of their being stolen, or otherwise dishonestly
obtained.
~Job~, a short piece of work, a prospect of employment. Johnson
describes JOB as a low word, without etymology. It is, and was, however,
a cant word; and a JOB, two centuries ago, was an arranged robbery. Even
at the present day it is mainly confined to the streets, in the sense of
employment for a short time. Amongst undertakers a JOB signifies a
funeral; “to do a JOB,” conduct any one’s funeral; “by the JOB,” _i.e._,
piece-work, as opposed to time-work. A JOB in political phraseology is a
Government office or contract, obtained by secret influence or
favouritism. Any unfair arrangement is now called a JOB.
~Job~, a sudden blow, as “a JOB in the eye.” Also used as a verb, “I’ll
JOB this here knife in your ribs.”
~Jobation~, a chiding, a reprimand, a trial of the hearer’s patience.
~Jobbery~, the arrangement of jobs, or unfair business proceedings.
~Job’s comfort~, reproof instead of consolation.
~Job’s comforter~, one who brings news of additional misfortunes. Both
these words are of Biblical origin.
~Job’s turkey~, “as poor as JOB’S TURKEY,” as thin and as badly fed as
that ill-conditioned and imaginary bird.
~Jocteleg~, a shut-up knife. Corruption of Jacques de Liège, a famous
cutler.
~Joe~, a too marvellous tale, a lie, or a stale joke. Abbreviated from
JOE MILLER. The full name is occasionally used, as in the phrase “I
don’t see the JOE MILLER of it,” _i.e._, I don’t perceive the wit you
intend, or I don’t see the fun of doing it,—whatever may have been the
request.
~Joey~, a fourpenny piece. The term is derived (like BOBBY from Sir
Robert Peel) from Joseph Hume. The explanation is thus given in
Hawkins’s _History of the Silver Coinage of England_:—
“These pieces are said to have owed their existence to the pressing
instance of Mr. Hume, from whence they, for some time, bore the
nickname of JOEYS. As they were very convenient to pay short cab
fares, the hon. M.P. was extremely unpopular with the drivers, who
frequently received only a groat where otherwise they would have
received a sixpence without any demand for change.”
The term, therefore, was originated by the London cabmen, who have
invented many other popular phrases. Fancy offering a modern hansom
cabman a JOEY!
~Jog-trot~, a slow but regular trot, or pace.
~Jogul~, to play up, at cards or other game. _Spanish_, JUGAR.
~John Blunt~, a straightforward, honest, outspoken man.
~Johnny~, half-a-glass of whisky.—_Irish._
~Johnny Darbies~, a nickname for policemen, an evident corruption of the
_French_ GENSDARMES. Also, a term applied to handcuffs.—_See_ DARBIES.
~Johnny Raw~, a newly-enlisted soldier.
~John Orderly~, the signal to shorten the performance at a show.
Whenever the master, who remains on the platform outside to take the
money and regulate the performance, desires to refill the booth, he
pokes his head inside and shouts, “Is JOHN ORDERLY there?” The actors
instantly cut the piece short, the curtain falls, and the spectators are
bundled out at the back, to make room for the fresh audience. According
to tradition, JOHN ORDERLY was a noted showman, who taught this move to
the no less noted Richardson. This is like the old story of the publican
who used to call out to his waiter, “A pot of ale, Robert,” when he
wished his customers to be served with the best; but “A pot of ale,
Bob,” when they had been drinking long enough not to distinguish good
stuff from the bad the latter order meant. One day after calling for Bob
many times, he reluctantly, at the request of a visitor, tasted the ale,
and found it was the best. Rushing out immediately afterwards, and
calling for Bob with all his voice, he was answered by his wife, who
said, “Why, Bob’s been out these three hours.”
~John Thomas~, a generic for “flunkeys,”—more especially footmen with
large calves and fine bushy whiskers.
~Jolly~, a Royal Marine.—_See_ HORSE MARINE.
~Jolly~, a word of praise, or favourable notice; “chuck Harry a JOLLY,
Bill,” _i.e._, go and praise up his goods, or buy of him, and speak well
of the article, that the crowd standing around his stall may think it a
good opportunity for laying out their money. This is called JOLLYING.
“Chuck a JOLLY,” lit. translated, is, throw “a shout” or “good word.”
~Jolly~, to abuse or vituperate, sometimes to “bear up” or “bonnet.” To
JOLLY a man often means to give him a piece of one’s mind. To JOLLY
“for” any one is another phase of the business mentioned in the
foregoing paragraph.
~Jomer~, a sweetheart, or favourite girl. _See_ BLOWER.
~Jonnick~, right, correct, proper. Said of a person or thing.
~Jordan~, a chamberpot. To throw the contents of a chamberpot over any
one is to christen him.
~Jorum~, a capacious vessel from which food is eaten, as broth or stew.
~Joskin~, a countryman.
~Jossop~, the syrup or juice in a fruit pie or pudding. Also, sauce or
gravy.—_School._
~Jow~, be off, be gone immediately. If the word Jehanum be added, it
forms a peremptory order to go to a place unmentionable to ears
polite.—_Anglo-Indian._ Our phrase, “Go to Jericho,” is probably a
modification of the Jehanum business.
~Judas~, a deceitful person; JUDAS-HAIRED, red-haired, deceitful. It is
generally believed that JUDAS ISCARIOT was red-haired. Painters seem to
have accepted this idea, with modifications as to the exact amount of
colour.
~Jug~, a prison of any kind. Contraction of “stone jug.”
~Julep~, one of a set of drinks peculiar to America. Generally prepared
with mint, and called a MINT-JULEP. Originally JULEP was a pleasant
liquid, in which nauseous medicines were taken. Its literal meaning is
rosewater, and it is derived from the Arabic.
~Jump~, to seize, or rob; to “JUMP a man,” to pounce upon him, and
either rob or maltreat him; “to JUMP a house,” to rob it.
~Jumped-up~, conceited, arrogant, setting full value on oneself.
~Jump-up-behind~, to endorse an accommodation-bill.
~Juniper~, gin. Derivation obvious.
~Junk~, salt beef.—_See_ OLD HORSE.
~Juwaub~, literally, in Hindostanee, an answer; but in Anglo-Indian
slang signifying a refusal. If an officer asks for leave and is refused,
he is said to be JUWAUBED; if a gentleman unsuccessfully proposes for
the hand of a lady, he is said to have got the JUWAUB.—_Anglo-Indian._
~Karibat~, food, literally rice and curry; the staple dish of both
natives and Europeans in India.—_Anglo-Indian._
~Keel-hauling~, a good thrashing or mauling, rough treatment,—from the
old nautical custom of punishing offenders by throwing them overboard
with a rope attached, and hauling them up from under the ship’s keel.
See full description of this barbarous practice in Marryat’s
_Snarleyyow_.
~Keep a pig~, an Oxford University phrase, which means to have a lodger.
A man whose rooms contain two bedchambers has sometimes, when his
college is full, to allow the use of one of them to a Freshman, who is
called under these circumstances a PIG. The original occupier is then
said to KEEP A PIG.
~Keep it up~, to prolong a debauch, or the occasion of a rejoicing,—a
metaphor drawn from the game of shuttlecock. People suffering from the
effects of drink are said to have been KEEPING IT UP.—_Grose._
~Kelter~, coin, money. Probably from GELT.
~Ken~, a house.—_Ancient cant._ KHAN, _Gipsy_ and _Oriental_.
⁂ All slang and cant words which end in KEN, such as SPIELKEN, SPINIKEN,
or BOOZINGKEN, refer to houses, and are mainly of Gipsy origin.
~Kennedy~, a poker; to “give KENNEDY” is to strike or kill with a poker.
A St. Giles’s term, so given from a man of that name being killed by a
poker.
~Kent rag~, or CLOUT, a cotton handkerchief.
~Kervorten~, a Cockneyism for QUARTERN or quarter-pint measure.
“KERVORTEN and three houts,” a quartern of liquor and glasses, each
holding a third of the quantity.
~Ketch~, or JACK KETCH, the popular name for a public hangman; derived
from a person of that name who officiated in the reign of Charles
II.—_See Macaulay’s History of England._
~Kettle of fish~, a mess or muddle of any kind. As, “Here’s a pretty
KETTLE OF FISH!”
~Key of the street~, an imaginary instrument said to be possessed by any
one locked out of doors.
~Kibosh~, nonsense, stuff, humbug; “it’s all KIBOSH,” _i.e._, palaver or
nonsense; to “put on the KIBOSH,” to run down, slander, degrade, &c. To
put the KIBOSH on anything is, latterly, to put an effectual end or stop
to it.
~Kick~, a moment; “I’ll be there in a KICK,” _i.e._, in a moment.
~Kick~, a pocket; _Gaelic_, CUACH, a bowl, a nest; _Scotch_, QUAIGH.
~Kick~, a sixpence; “two and a KICK,” two shillings and sixpence.
~Kick the bucket~, to die.—_Norfolk._ According to Forby, a metaphor
taken from the descent of a well or mine, which is of course absurd. The
Rev. E. S. Taylor supplies the following note from his MS. additions to
the work of the East-Anglian lexicographer:—
“The allusion is to the way in which a slaughtered pig is hung
up—viz., by passing the ends of a bent piece of wood behind the
tendons of the hind legs, and so suspending it to a hook in a beam
above. This piece of wood is locally termed a BUCKET, and so by a
coarse metaphor the phrase came to signify to die.”
Another correspondent says the real signification of this phrase is to
commit suicide by hanging, from a method planned and carried out by an
ostler at an inn on the Great North Road. Standing on a bucket, he tied
himself up to a beam in the stable; he then KICKED THE BUCKET away from
under his feet, and in a few seconds was dead. The natives of the West
Indies have converted the expression into “kickeraboo.”
~Kick over the traces~, to be over-extravagant. Any one who has come to
grief by fast living is said to have KICKED OVER THE TRACES.
~Kick up~, a noise or disturbance.
~Kick up~, “to KICK UP a row,” to create a tumult.
~Kickeraboo~, dead. A West Indian negro’s phrase. _See_ KICK THE BUCKET,
of which phrase it is a corruption.
~Kickseys~, or KICKSIES, trousers.
~Kickshaws~, trifles; made, or French dishes—not English or
substantial. Anything of a fancy description now. Corruption of the
_French_ QUELQUES CHOSES.
~Kicksy~, troublesome, disagreeable. _German_, KECK, bold.
~Kid~, an infant, or child. From the German _kind_; or possibly from the
name for the young of a goat. Also, a shallow dish in which sailors
receive their portions of food.
~Kid~, to joke, to quiz, to hoax anybody. “No KID, now?” is a question
often asked by a man who thinks he is being hoaxed.
~Kidden~, or KIDKEN, a low lodging-house for boys.
~Kiddier~, a pork-butcher.
~Kiddily~, fashionably or showily; “KIDDILY togg’d,” showily dressed.
~Kiddleywink~, a small shop where are retailed the commodities of a
village store. Originally KIDDLE-A-WINK, from the offer made, with a
wink, to give you something out of the kettle or kiddle. In the west
country an alehouse. Also, a woman of unsteady habits.
~Kiddy~, a man, or boy. Formerly a low thief.
~Kiddyish~, frolicsome, jovial.
“Think, on the KIDDYISH spree we had on such a day.”
_Randall’s Diary, 1820._
~Kidment~, humbug, coarse chaff or jocularity.
~Kidnapper~, originally one who stole children. Now applied without
reference to the age or sex of those stolen. From “kid,” a child, and
“nab” (corrupted to “nap”), to steal, or seize.
~Kidney~, “of that KIDNEY,” of such a stamp; “strange KIDNEY,” odd
humour; “two of a KIDNEY,” two persons of a sort, or as like as two
peas, _i.e._, resembling each other like two kidneys in a bunch.—_Old._
“Attempt to put their hair out of KIDNEY.”—_Terræ Filius_, 1763.
~Kid-on~, to entice or incite a person to the perpetration of an act.
~Kidsman~, one who trains boys to thieve and pick pockets successfully.
~Kilkenny cat~, a popular simile for a voracious or desperate animal or
person, from the story of the two cats in that county, who are said to
have fought and bitten each other until a small portion of the tail of
one of them alone remained.
~Killing~, bewitching, fascinating. The term is akin to the phrase
“dressing to death.”
~Kilt~, an Irishism for badly beaten, but by no means equivalent with
killed.
~Kimbo~, or A-KIMBO, holding the arms in a bent position from the body,
and resting the hands upon the hips, in a bullying attitude. Said to be
from A SCHIMBO, bandy-legged, crooked, _Italian_; but more probably from
KIMBAW, the old cant for beating or bullying. _See Grose._ _Celtic_,
CAM, crooked.
~Kimmer~, a gossip, an acquaintance, same as CUMMER.—_Scotch._
“What’s a’ the steer, KIMMER?”
~Kinchin~, a child.—_Old Cant._ From the _German_ diminutive, KINDCHEN,
a baby.
~Kinchin cove~, a man who robs children; a little man.—Ancient Cant.
~Kincob~, uniform, fine clothes, richly embroidered dresses. Really,
cloth of gold or silver.—_Anglo-Indian._
~Kingsman~, a handkerchief with yellow patterns upon a green ground, the
favourite coloured neckerchief of the costermongers. The women sometimes
wear KINGSMAN kerchiefs thrown over their shoulders. A coster will often
imagine his caste, or position, is at stake, if his KINGSMAN is not of
the most approved pattern. When he fights, his KINGSMAN is tied around
his waist as a belt. This partiality for a peculiar-coloured neckcloth
is part of the fondness for gaudy colours which at all times and in all
countries has been shown by the uncultivated. A strange similarity of
taste for certain colours exists amongst the Hindoos, Gipsies, and
London lower classes. Red and yellow (or orange) are the great
favourites, and in these hues the Hindoo selects his turban and his
robe; the gipsy his breeches, and his wife her shawl or gown; and the
costermonger, his plush waistcoat and favourite KINGSMAN. Among either
class, when a fight takes place, the greatest regard is paid to the
favourite coloured article of dress. The Hindoo lays aside his turban,
the gipsy folds up his fancy breeches or coat, whilst the pugilistic
costermonger of Covent Garden or Billingsgate removes his favourite
neckerchief to a part of his body, by the rules of the “ring,”
comparatively out of danger.
~King’s pictures~ (now, of course, QUEEN’S PICTURES), money.
~Kisky~, drunk, fuddled.
~Kiss-curl~, a small curl twisted on the temple. _See_ BOWCATCHER.
~Kisser~, the mouth.—_Pugilistic term._
~Kissing-crust~, the soft crust which marks where one loaf has been
broken from another.
~Kiss-me-quick~, the name given to the very small bonnets which have of
late years become fashionable.
~Kit~, a person’s baggage. Also, a collection of anything, “the whole
KIT of ’em,” the entire lot. _Anglo-Saxon_, KYTH.—_North._
~Kite~,—_see_ FLY THE KITE.
~Kitmegur~, an under-butler, a footman.—_Anglo-Indian._
~Kitna~, how much?—_Anglo-Indian._
~Knacker~, an old horse; a horse-slaughterer. Originally
_Gloucestershire_, but now general.
~Knap~, _i.q._, NAP, to break.—_Old English_, but nearly obsolete. _See
Ps_. xlvi. 9 (Prayer-book version), “He breaketh the bow, and KNAPPETH
the spear in sunder;” probably sibilated into “snap.”
~Knap~, to receive, to take. Generally applied to the receipt of
punishments; “oh, my! wont he just KNAP it when he gets home!”
~Knap~, to steal.—_Prison Cant._
~Knapping-jigger~, a turnpike gate; “to dub at the KNAPPING-JIGGER,” to
pay money at the turnpike.
~Knark~, a hard-hearted or savage person. The word is now usually spelt
NARK, and is applied to the lowest class of informers.
~Knife~, “to KNIFE a person,” to stab; an un-English custom, but a very
common expression.
~Knife-board~, the seat running along the roof of an omnibus.
“On ’busses’ KNIFEBOARDS stretch’d,
The City clerks all tongue-protruded lay.”
_A Summer Idyll, by Arthur Smith._
~Knife it~, “cut it,” cease, stop, don’t proceed.
~Knight~, a common and ironical prefix to a man’s calling—thus, “KNIGHT
of the whip,” a coachman; “KNIGHT of the thimble,” a tailor.
~Knobstick~, a non-society workman. One who takes work under price.
~Knock about the bub~, to hand or pass about the drink. BUB is a very
old cant term for drink.
~Knock-down~, or KNOCK-ME-DOWN, strong ale.
~Knocked-up~, tired, jaded, used up, done for. In the United States,
amongst females, the phrase is equivalent to being _enceinte_, so that
Englishmen often unconsciously commit themselves when amongst our Yankee
cousins.
~Knock-’em-downs~, the game of skittles.
~Knocker~, “up to the KNOCKER,” means finely or showily dressed, in the
height of fashion; proficient, equal to the task.
~Knocker-face~, an ugly face, _i.e._, like an old-fashioned
door-knocker.
~Knock-in~, the game of loo.
~Knocking-in~, coming into college after time. A habit of KNOCKING-IN
late generally leads to some unpleasantness.—_Oxford University._
~Knocking-out.~ All visitors, on leaving a college after time, have to
state in whose rooms they have been, that his gate-bill may be scored up
for them. When a rackety party takes place, the visitors, or “out
college men,” are generally supplied with a list of the names of the
quietest men in college, so that the whereabouts of the party may not be
betrayed.—_Oxford University._
~Knock-it-down~, to show, in the “free and easy” style, approval of a
song or toast, by hammering with pot or glass on the table.
~Knock off~, to give over, or abandon. A saying used by workmen in
reference to dinner or other meal times, for upwards of two centuries.
~Knock out~, in racing parlance, to drive out of the quotations; as a
KNOCKED-OUT favourite. Also to make bankrupt; as a KNOCKED-OUT backer or
bookmaker. When a man cannot meet his engagements on the turf, he is
said to be KNOCKED OUT.
~Knock-outs~, or KNOCK-INS, disreputable persons who visit auction rooms
and unite to purchase the articles at their own prices. One of their
number is instructed to buy for the rest, and after a few small bids as
blinds to the auctioneer and bystanders, the lot is knocked down to the
KNOCK-OUT bidders, at a nominal price—the competition to result from an
auction being thus frustrated and set aside. At the conclusion of the
sale the goods are paid for, and carried to a neighbouring public-house,
where they are re-sold or KNOCKED-OUT among the confederates, and the
difference between the first purchase and the second—or tap-room
KNOCK-OUT—is divided amongst the gang. As generally happens with
ill-gotten gains, the money soon finds its way to the landlord’s pocket,
and the KNOCK-OUT is rewarded with a red nose and a bloated face.
Cunning tradesmen join the KNOCK-OUTS when an opportunity for
money-making presents itself. The lowest description of KNOCK-OUTS,
fellows with more tongue than capital, are termed BABES. Within the past
few years a few respectable auctioneers, assisted much by one or two
just and admirable magisterial decisions, have succeeded in considerably
limiting the efforts of the KNOCK-OUT fraternity.
~Knock-under~, to submit.
~Knowing~, sharp, shrewd, artful; “a KNOWING codger,” or “a KNOWING
blade,” one who can take you in, or cheat you, in any transaction you
may have with him. It implies also deep cunning and foresight, and
generally signifies dishonesty.
“Who, on a spree with black-eyed Sal, his blowen,
So swell, so prime, so nutty, and so KNOWING?”—_Don Juan._
KNOW, in this sense, enters into several slang phrases. “I KNOW
something,” expresses that I am not to be taken in by any shallow
device. “He KNOWS a thing or two,” _i.e._, he is a cunning fellow.
~Knowledge-box~, the head.—_Pugilistic._
~Knuckle~, to fight with fists, to pommel.
~Knuckle-duster~, a large, heavy, or over-gaudy ring; a ring which
attracts attention from its size.
~Knuckle-duster~, an iron or brass instrument which covers the knuckles
so as to protect them from injury when striking a blow, adding force to
it at the same time. Sometimes a KNUCKLE-DUSTER has knobs or points
projecting, so as to mutilate and disfigure the person struck. This
brutal invention is American, but has been made familiar here.
~Knuckle to~, or KNUCKLE UNDER, to yield or submit.
~Knuller~, old term for a chimney-sweep, who solicited jobs by ringing a
bell. From the _Saxon_, CNYLLAN, to knell, or sound a bell. _See_
QUERIER.
~Kootee~, a house.—_Anglo-Indian._
~Kotoo~, to bow down before, to cringe, to flatter. From a Chinese
ceremony.
~Kubber~, news.—_Anglo-Indian._
~Kudos~, praise; KUDIZED, praised. _Greek_, κύδος.—_University._
~Kye~, eighteenpence.
~Kypsey~, a basket. A term generally used by gipsies.
~La!~ a euphuistic rendering of LORD! common amongst females and very
precise persons; imagined by many to be a corruption of LOOK! but this
is a mistake. Sometimes pronounced LAW, or LAWKS.
~Lac~, one hundred thousand.—_Anglo-Indian._
~Laced~, strengthened with ardent spirits. Tea or coffee in which brandy
is poured is said to be LACED.