across it at the national expense.
~Ponge~, or PONGELOW, beer, half-and-half; the term is also used as a
verb, as in the Cockney phrase, “let’s PONGELOW, shall we?”
~Pony~, twenty-five pounds.—_Sporting._
~Poona~, a sovereign. Corruption of “pound;” or from the _Lingua
Franca_.
~Pop~, to pawn or pledge; “to POP up the spout,” to pledge at the
pawnbroker’s,—an allusion to the spout up which the brokers send the
ticketed articles until such times as they shall be redeemed. The spout
runs from the ground-floor to the wareroom at the top of the house.
Ginger-beer is also known as POP.
~Pop the question~, to make an offer of marriage.
~Pope’s-eye~, a peculiar little part in a leg of mutton, much esteemed
by lovers of that joint.
~Pope’s nose~, the extremity of the rump of a roast fowl, sometimes
devilled as a dainty for epicures. Also known as “the parson’s NOSE.”
~Pops~, pocket-pistols.
~Porterhouse steak~, an American term for a steak which contains a small
bone. In the States, tender-loin steaks are much eaten. These are from
what we call the undercut of the sirloin.
~Portrait~, a sovereign. Modification of “Queen’s picture.”
~Posa~, a treasurer. A corruption of “purser,” the name given
to the treasurer in the large Anglo-Chinese mercantile
establishments.—_Anglo-Chinese._
~Posh~, a halfpenny, or trifling coin. Also a generic term for money.
~Post~, to pay down; “POST the pony” signifies to place the stakes
played for on the table.
~Post-horn~, the nose. _See_ PASTE-HORN.
~Post-mortem~, at Cambridge, the second examination which men who have
been “plucked” have to undergo.—_University._
~Posted up~, well acquainted with the subject in question, “up to the
mark,”—metaphor drawn from the counting-house.
~Pot~, a favourite in the betting for a race. Probably so called because
it is usual to say that a heavily-backed horse carries “a POT of money.”
When a favourite is beaten the POT is said to be upset.
~Pot~, a sixpence, _i.e._, the price of a POT or quart of half-and-half.
A half-crown, in medical student slang, is a FIVE-POT piece.
~Pot~, TO GO TO POT, to die; from the classic custom of putting the
ashes of the dead in an urn; also, to be ruined or broken up,—often
applied to tradesmen who fail in business. “Go to POT!” _i.e._, go and
hang yourself, shut up and be quiet.—_L’Estrange._ “To put the POT on,”
to overcharge or exaggerate. “To go to POT” most probably means to go
out of all shape, as metal in the melting-pot.
~Pot~, to finish; “don’t POT me,” term used at billiards, when a player
holes his adversary’s ball—generally considered shabby play. This word
was much used by our soldiers in the Crimea in reference to shots from a
hole or ambush. These were called POT-SHOTS. The term is still used to
denote a shot taken sitting or at ease.
~Pot-boiler~, a picture hurriedly painted for the purpose of “keeping
the POT BOILING.”—_Artistic slang._
~Pot-faker~, a hawker of crockery and general earthenware.
~Pot-hat~, a low-crowned hat, as distinguished from the soft wideawake
and the stove-pipe.
~Pot-hunter~, a sportsman who shoots anything he comes across, having
more regard to filling his bag than to the rules which regulate the
sport. A man who fires at anything, regardless of the rules which govern
true sportsmen.
~Pot-hunter~, a man who gives his time up to rowing or punting, or
any sort of match in order to win the “pewters” which are given as
prizes.—_University._ The term is now much used in aquatic and athletic
circles; and is applied, in a derogatory sense, to men of good quality
who enter themselves in small races they are almost sure to win, and
thus deprive the juniors of small trophies which should be above the
attention of champions, though valuable to beginners. Also an unwelcome
guest, who manages to be just in time for dinner.
~Pot-luck~, just as it comes; to take POT-LUCK, _i.e._, one’s chance of
a dinner, or of what there is for dinner. A hearty term, used to signify
that whatever the pot contains the visitor is welcome to.
~Pot-valiant~, courageous through application to the bottle. Possessed
of Dutch courage.
~Pot-walloper~, an elector in certain boroughs before the passing
of the first Reform Bill, whose qualification consisted in being a
housekeeper,—to establish which it was only necessary to boil a pot
within the limits of the borough, by the aid of any temporary erection.
This implied that he was able to provide for himself, and not
necessitated to apply for parochial relief. Honiton, Tregoney,
Ilchester, Old Sarum, &c., had this privilege before the passing of the
first Reform Bill. Also, a scullion.
~Potato-trap~, the mouth.—Originally a Hibernicism.
~Potheen~, whisky made in an illicit still, once a favourite drink in
Ireland, now almost unattainable. People resident in England who read of
the charms of POTHEEN would be rather astonished if they were to taste
it. It is real “fire-water” flavoured with peat-smoke.
~Potted~, or POTTED OUT, cabined, confined, figurative of crammed into a
garden-pot. Also applied to burial,—a horticultural allusion.
~Potter~, to meddle without much judgment. Application various. A
gentleman may describe himself as “POTTERING about in his garden,” and
think the phrase pleasant. The gardener, who has to do the work all over
again, may, however, use the word in quite a different sense.
~Power~, a large quantity; “a POWER of money.”—_Irish_ at first, but
now general.
~Pow-wow~, a conference. Originally an Indian term.
~Prad~, a horse. PRAD-NAPPING was horse-stealing. Both these terms are
old cant.
~Prancer~, a horse.—_Ancient Cant._ In modern slang an officer of
cavalry.
~Praties~, potatoes.—_Irish._
~Precious~, used, in a slang sense, like very or exceeding; “a PRECIOUS
little of that,” _i.e._, a very little indeed; a PRECIOUS humbug,
rascal, &c., _i.e._, an eminent one.
~Pretty horsebreakers~, a phrase adopted some years back, in deference
to common squeamishness, to denote the _demi-monde_, who dress so well
and ride so daintily. Really, pretty heartbreakers.
~Prial~, a corruption of PAIR-ROYAL, a term at the game of cribbage,
meaning three cards of a similar description. Often used metaphorically
for three persons or things of a kind. DOUBLE-PRIAL, a corruption of
DOUBLE PAIR-ROYAL, means four cards, persons, or things of a similar
description.
~Prick the garter~, or PITCH THE NOB, a gambling and cheating game
common at fairs, and generally practised by thimble-riggers. It consists
of a GARTER or a piece of list doubled, and then folded up tight. The
bet is made upon your asserting that you can, with a pin, PRICK the
point at which the garter is doubled. The garter is then unfolded, and
nine times out of ten you will find that you have been deceived, and
that one of the false folds has been pricked. The owner of the GARTER
holds the ends tightly with one hand, and there is little doubt that he
can make the “flat” lose and the “bonnet” win at pleasure. This was,
doubtless, originally a gipsy game, and we are informed by Brand that it
was much practised by the gipsies in the time of Shakspeare. In those
days it was termed PRICKING AT THE BELT, or FAST AND LOOSE.
~Prig~, a thief. Used by Addison in the sense of a coxcomb.—_Ancient
Cant_, probably from the _Saxon_, PRICC-AN, to filch, &c.—_Shakspeare._
PRIG, to steal or rob. PRIGGING, thieving. In Scotland the term PRIG is
used in a different sense from what it is in England. In Glasgow, or at
Aberdeen, “to PRIG a salmon” would be to cheapen it, or seek for an
abatement in the price. A story is told of two Scotchmen, visitors to
London, who got into sad trouble a few years ago by announcing their
intention of “PRIGGING a hat” which they had espied in a fashionable
manufacturer’s window, and which one of them thought he would like to
possess.
~Prig~, a conceited, stuck-up, over-knowing person; one who appropriates
or adopts a manner or costume not suited to him.
~Priggish~, conceited.
~Primed~, said of a person in that state of incipient intoxication that
if he took more drink it would become evident. Also, crammed for an
examination.
~Pro~, a professional.—_Theatrical._
~Pro~, the proproctor, or second in command in the proctorial police.
The two proctors generally appoint a certain number of proproctors
each.—_Oxford University._
~Proctorized~, TO BE, to be stopped by the Proctor, and told to call on
him.—_University._
~Prog~, meat, food, &c. Johnson calls it “a low word.” He was fond of
“prog,” however.
~Proof~, the best ale at Magdalen College, Oxford.
~Prop~, a blow. As, “a PROP on the nose,”—more street slang than
pugilistic.
~Prop~, a scarf pin.
~Prop-nailer~, a man who “sneaks,” or rather snatches, pins from
gentlemen’s scarves.
~Proper~, very, exceedingly, sometimes used ironically; “you are a
PROPER nice fellow,” meaning a great scamp. A “PROPER man” generally
means a perfect man, as far as can be known.
~Props~, crutches.
~Props~, stage properties.—_Theatrical._
~Pros~, a water-closet. Abbreviated form of πρὸς τινα τόπον. Some say,
πρὸς τον τόπον.—_Oxford University._
~Pross~, to break in or instruct a stage-infatuated youth. Also, to
spunge upon a comrade or stranger for drink. In this latter capacity the
word is in connexion with prostitute, a PROSSER being considered a most
degraded being, and the word being supposed by many to represent a man
who lives on a woman’s prostitution.
~Psalm-smiter~, a “Ranter,” one who sings at a conventicle. _See_
BRISKET-BEATER.
~Pub~, or PUBLIC, a public-house; “what PUB do you use?” _i.e._, which
inn or public-house do you frequent?
~Public patterers~, swell mobsmen who pretend to be Dissenting
preachers, and harangue in the open air to attract a crowd for their
confederates to rob.
~Pucker~, poor or bad temper, difficulty, _déshabillé_. PUCKER UP, to
get in a bad temper.
~Puckering~, talking privately.
~Puckerow~, to seize, to take hold of. From the _Hindostanee_,
PUCKERNA.—_Anglo-Indian._
~Pudding-snammer~, one who robs a cook-shop.
~Puff~, to blow up, or swell with praise; declared by a writer in the
_Weekly Register_, as far back as 1732, to be illegitimate.
“PUFF has become a cant word, signifying the applause set forth by
writers, &c. to increase the reputation and sale of a book, and is
an excellent stratagem to excite the curiosity of gentle readers.”
Lord Bacon, however, used the word in a similar sense a century before.
Sheridan also seems to have remembered the use of the word, _vide_ Mr.
PUFF.
~Pug~, a fighting man’s idea of the contracted word to be produced from
pugilist.
~Pull~, an advantage, or hold upon another; “I’ve the PULL over (or of)
you,” _i.e._, you are in my power—perhaps an oblique allusion to the
judicial sense. See the following.
~Pull~, to have one apprehended; “to be PULLED up,” or more recently “to
be PULLED” only, to be taken before a magistrate. The police are
constantly “pulling” loitering, furiously driving, or drunken cabmen.
~Pull~, to drink; “come, take a PULL at it,” _i.e._, drink up.
~Pull~, to prevent a horse from winning, that is, so far as the rider’s
action is concerned.
~Pullet~, a young girl. Filly is an exchangeable term.
~Pummel~, to thrash,—from POMMEL.
~Pump~, to extract information by roundabout questioning.
~Pundit~, a person who assumes to be very grave and
learned.—_Anglo-Indian._
~Punkah~, a fan, usually a fan of very large size, worked with a string,
and used to ventilate rooms.—_Anglo-Indian._
~Punt~, to gamble; PUNTING-SHOP, a gambling-house. Common in ancient
writers, but now disused. The word seems confined to playing for
“chicken stakes.” PUNT means now in the sporting world to back horses
for small stakes.
~Punter~, a small professional backer of horses.
~Pup and ringer~, _i.e._, the “Dog and Bell,” the sign of a flash
public-house.
~Purdah~, a curtain.—_Anglo-Indian._
~Pure finders~, street-collectors of dogs’ dung.—_Humorous._
~Purl~, to spill; PURLED is a hunting and steeplechasing term synonymous
with “foaled,” or “spilt” (thrown); “he’ll get PURLED at the rails.”
~Purl~, a mixture of hot ale and sugar, with wormwood infused in it, a
favourite morning drink to produce an appetite; sometimes with gin and
spice added:—
“Two penn’orth o’ PURL—
Good ‘early PURL,’
’Gin all the world
To put your hair into a curl,
When you feel yourself queer of a mornin’.”
~Purler~, a heavy fall from a horse in the hunting or steeplechasing
field.
~Push~, a robbery or swindle. “I’m in this PUSH,” the notice given by
one magsman to another that he means to “stand in.”
~Push~, a crowd.—_Old Cant._
~Pussey-cats~, corruption of Puseyites, a name constantly, but
improperly, given to the Tractarian party in the Church, from the Oxford
Regius Professor of Hebrew, who by no means approved of the Romanizing
tendencies of some of its leaders. The name still sticks, however, to
this day.
~Put~, a game at cards, once fashionable, but now played among thieves
and costermongers only.
~Put~, an obsolete slang term representing the modern “bloke” or “cove.”
It was generally applied to elderly persons.
~Put on~, to promise another money or valuables in the event of an
anticipated success. “You’re ON a quid if Kaiser wins,” might often have
been heard before last St. Leger. Many hangers-on of the turf live
almost entirely by what they are PUT ON, by bookmakers and backers for
whom they do odd work.
~Put that in your pipe and smoke it~, said of a blow or repartee, and
equivalent to take that and think over it, or digest it, or let it be a
warning to you.
~Put the pot on~, to put too much money upon one horse.—_Sporting._
~Put up~, to suggest, to incite, “he PUT me UP to it;” he prompted me to
do it. PUT UP, to stop at an hotel or a tavern for entertainment.
~Put up~, to inspect or plan out with a view of robbery. To obtain full
particulars with regard to a house and its occupants, so that danger
shall be reduced to a minimum, and the chances of success enlarged.
~Put upon~, cheated, victimized, oppressed.
~Putter up~, a man who travels about for the purpose of obtaining
information useful to professional burglars. A man of this description
will assume many characters, sometimes ingratiating himself with the
master of a house, sometimes with the servants, but all to one end, that
of robbery. He rarely or never joins in the actual burglary, his work
being simply to obtain full particulars as to how, when, and where, for
which he receives his full share of the “swag.”
~Puttun~, regiment.—_Anglo-Indian._
~Pyah~, weak, useless, paltry. This word, much in use among sailors, is
evidently derived from the Indian term PARIAH, signifying the lowest
caste of Hindoos. Thus the Pariah dogs in India are termed PYAH dogs;
and the Pariah descendants of the old Portuguese settlers are called
PYAH Portuguese. Sailors term the natives of St. Helena—a
wretched-looking set of individuals—PYAH Englishmen.
~Pygostole~, the least irreverent of names for the peculiar M. B. coats
worn by Tractarian curates:—
“It is true that the wicked make sport
Of our PYGOSTOLES, as we go by;
And one gownsman, in Trinity Court,
Went so far as to call me a ‘Guy.’”
_See_ M. B.
~Pyjands~, a kind of drawers or loose pantaloons.—_Anglo-Indian._
~Quad.~ _See_ QUOD.
~Quaker~, a lump of excrement.
~Quality~, gentry, the upper classes.
~Quandary~, described in the dictionaries as a “low word,” may fittingly
be given here. It illustrates, like “hocus-pocus,” and other compound
colloquialisms, the singular origin of slang expressions. QUANDARY, a
dilemma, a doubt, a difficulty, is from the French, QU’EN
DIRAI-JE?—_Skinner._
~Quartereen~, a farthing.—_Gibraltar term._ _Italian_, QUATTRINO.
~Quaver~, a musician.
~Quean~, a strumpet. In Scotland, a lower-class woman. _Saxon_, CWEAN, a
barren old cow.
~Queen Bess~, the Queen of Clubs,—perhaps because that queen, history
says, was of a swarthy complexion.—_North Hants._ _See Gentleman’s
Magazine for 1791_, p. 141.
~Queen’s tobacco-pipe~, the kiln in which all contraband tobacco seized
by the Custom-house officers is burned.
~Queer~, an old cant word, once in continual use as a prefix, signifying
base, roguish, or worthless,—the opposite of RUM, which signified good
and genuine. QUEER, in all probability, is immediately derived from the
cant language. It has been mooted that it came into use from a _quære_
(?) being set before a man’s name; but it is more than probable that it
was brought into this country, by the gipsies, from Germany, where QUER
signifies “cross” or “crooked.” At all events it is believed to have
been first used in England as a cant word.
~Queer~, “to QUEER a flat,” to puzzle or confound a “gull,” or silly
fellow.
“Who in a row like Tom could lead the van,
Booze in the ken, or at the spellken hustle?
Who QUEER a flat,” &c.—_Don Juan_, xi. 19.
~Queer bail~, worthless persons who for a consideration formerly stood
bail for any one in court. Insolvent Jews generally performed this
office, which gave rise to the term JEW-BAIL, otherwise STRAW BAIL.
~Queer-bit-makers~, coiners.
~Queer cuffen~, a justice of the peace, or magistrate,—a very ancient
term, mentioned in the earliest slang dictionary. In this sense, as well
as in that of the verb just given, the term is evidently derived from
_quæro_, to inquire, to question. Quiz and _quis?_ have also an
undoubted connexion.
~Queer-soft~, bad notes.
~Queer-street~, “in QUEER STREET,” in difficulty or in want.
~Querier~, a chimney-sweep who calls from house to house soliciting
employment,—formerly termed KNULLER, which _see_.
~Qui-hi~, an English resident at Calcutta.—_Anglo-Indian._
~Quick sticks~, in a hurry, rapidly; “to cut QUICK STICKS,” to start off
hurriedly, or without more ado. _See_ CUT ONE’S STICK.
~Quid~, or THICK UN, a sovereign; “half a QUID,” half a sovereign;
QUIDS, money generally; “QUID for a QUOD,” one good turn for another.
The word is used by old French writers:—
“Des testamens qu’on dit le maistre
De mon fait n’aura QUID ne QUOD.”
_Grand testament de Villon._
~Quid~, a small piece of tobacco—one mouthful. _Quid est hoc?_ asked
one, tapping the swelled cheek of another; _Hoc est quid_, promptly
replied the other, exhibiting at the same time a “chaw” of the weed. CUD
is probably a corruption. Derivation, _O. F._, or _Norman_, QUIDER, to
ruminate.
~Quid-nunc~, an inquisitive person, always seeking for news. The words
translated simply signify, “What now?”
~Quiet~, “on the QUIET,” clandestinely, so as to avoid observation,
“under the rose.”
~Quill-driver~, a scrivener, a clerk,—satirical phrase similar to
“steel bar driver,” a tailor.
~Quiller~, a parasite, a person who sucks neatly through a quill. _See_
SUCK UP.
~Quilt~, to thrash, or beat.
~Quisby~, bankrupt, poverty-stricken. Amplification of QUEER.
~Quisi~, roguish, low, obscene.—_Anglo-Chinese._
~Qui-tam~, a solicitor. _He who_, _i.e._, “he who, as much for himself
as for the King,” seeks a conviction, the penalty for which goes half to
the informer and half to the Crown. The term would, therefore, with
greater propriety, be applied to a spy than to a solicitor.
~Quiz~, a prying person, an odd fellow. Originally Oxford slang, but now
general, and lately admitted into some dictionaries. _See_ QUEER CUFFEN.
~Quiz~, to pry, or joke; to hoax.
~Quizzical~, jocose, humorous.
~Quizzing-glass~, an eyeglass. This was applied to the old single
eyeglass, which was not stuck in the eye, as now, but was held in the
hand.
~Quockerwodger~, a wooden toy figure which, when pulled by a string,
jerks its limbs about. The term is used in a slang sense, to signify a
pseudo-politician, one whose strings of action are pulled by somebody
else.
~Quod~, a prison, a lock-up; QUODDED, put in prison. QUOD is really a
shortening of quadrangle; so to be QUODDED is to be within four walls.
The expression is, however, seldom used now except to mean in prison. At
Oxford, where it is spelt QUAD, the word has its original signification.
~Quodger~, a contraction, or corruption rather, of the _Latin_ law
phrase, QUO JURE? by what law?—_Legal._
~R. M. D.~, cash down, immediate payment. The initial letters of READY
MONEY DOWN. Another version of this is P. Y. C. (pay your cash), often
seen in the market quotations,—as, “Meat fetched 6_s._ 4_d._ a stone,
P. Y. C., and 6_s._ 6_d._ for the account.”
~Rabbit~, when a person gets the worst of a bargain, he is said “to have
bought the RABBIT.” From an old story about a man selling a cat to a
foreigner for a rabbit.
~Racket~, a dodge, manœuvre, exhibition; a disturbance.
~Rackety~, wild or noisy.
~Racks~, the bones of a dead horse. Term used by horse-slaughterers.
~Raclan~, a married woman. Originally Gipsy, but now a term with English
tramps.
~Rafe~, or RALPH, a pawnbroker’s duplicate.—_Norwich._
~Raff~, a dirty, dissipated fellow; RAFFISH, looking like a RAFF.
~Rag~, to divide or share; “let’s RAG IT,” or “go RAGS,” _i.e._, share
it equally between us.—_Norwich._
~Rag~, a bank-note.
~Rag and Famish~, the Army and Navy Club. From Ensign RAG and Captain
FAMISH, imaginary characters, out of whom Leech some years back obtained
much amusement.
~Rag-shop~, a bank.
~Rag-splawger~, a rich man.
~Ragamuffin~, an ill-clad vagabond, a tatterdemalion.
~Rain napper~, an umbrella.
~Raise the wind~, to obtain credit, or money,—generally by pawning or
selling property, but not unusually by borrowing. Sometimes varied to
WHISTLE UP THE BREEZE.
~Raker~, TO GO A, is, in racing parlance, to put more money than usual
on a certain horse. “Going a RAKER” often leads to “coming a cropper.”
~Ramp~, to hustle, to rob with violence, to levy blackmail in a
ferocious manner; to extort by means of threats. RAMPING is generally
done in gangs.
~Rampage~, TO BE ON THE, on the drink, on the loose. Dickens, in _Great
Expectations_, refers to Mrs. Jo as being on the RAMPAGE when she is
worse tempered than usual.
~Ramper~, a ruffian of the most brutal description, who infests
racecourses and similar places on welching expeditions during summer,
and finds pleasure and profit in garrotte robberies during winter.
~Ramshackle~, queer, rickety, knocked about, as standing corn is after a
high wind. Corrupted from RAM-SHATTER, or possibly from RANSACK.
~Rancho~, originally a Spanish-American word, signifying a
hunting-lodge, or cattle-station, in a wood or desert far from the
haunts of men. A hunting or fishing station in the Highlands or
elsewhere. In Washington, with their accustomed ingenuity in corrupting
words and meanings, the Americans use the appellation for a place of
evil report. The word is generally pronounced RANCH now.
~Randals-man.~ _See_ BILLY.
~Randan~, a boat impelled by three rowers, the midship man sculling, and
the bowman and strokesman rowing with oars.
~Random~, three horses driven in line. _See_ TANDEM, SUDDEN DEATH,
HARUM-SCARUM.
~Randy~, rampant, violent, warm.—_North._ RANDY-BEGGAR, a gipsy tinker.
~Rank~, to cheat. Modification of RAMP.
~Ranker~, a commissioned officer in the army who has risen from the
ranks. Usually employed in a disparaging sense. Purely military. Also,
among street folk, a corruption of RANK DUFFER.
~Ran-tan~, “on the RAN-TAN,” drunk.
~Rantipoll~, a noisy rude girl, a madcap.
~Rap~, a halfpenny; frequently used generically for money, thus:—“I
haven’t a RAP,” _i.e._, I have no money whatever; “I don’t care a RAP,”
&c. Originally a species of counterfeit coin used for small change in
Ireland, against the use of which a proclamation was issued, 5th May,
1737. Small copper or base metal coins are still called RAPPEN in the
Swiss cantons. Irish robbers were formerly termed RAPPAREES.
~Rap~, to utter rapidly and vehemently; “he RAPPED out a volley of
oaths.”
~Rapping~, enormous; “a RAPPING big lie.”
~Rapscallion~, a low tattered wretch—not worth a RAP.
~Raree-show~, a collection of curiosities.