Cheese-Knife, subs. (military).—A sword. For synonyms, see
Cheese-toaster.
Cheesemongers.—A popular name for the First Lifeguards until the
Peninsular War. The term then fell into desuetude; but at Waterloo the
commanding officer of the regiment had not forgotten it, and when
leading to the charge, he called out, ‘Come on, you damned
Cheesemongers!’ an invitation accepted so heartily that the title was
restored, with the difference that it was no longer a word of reproach.
[Some say that the nickname came from their exclusive home service
until the time of the Peninsular War; others that it was bestowed on
account of the old gentlemen in the corps declining to serve when it
was remodelled in 1788, on the ground that the ranks were no longer
composed of gentlemen, but of cheesemongers.] Also called The cheeses.
Cheeser, subs. (old).—An eructation. The Spanish has una pluma (f.;
literally ‘a feather’); zullenco (a common colloquialism); soltar el
preso (soltar = ‘to unloose,’ or ‘to untie’; preso = ‘a prisoner’).
Cheeses.—See Cheesemongers.
Cheese-Toaster, subs. (military).—A sword.
English Synonyms. Toasting-fork; toasting iron; sharp; knitting-needle;
iron; cheese-knife; toll; poker.
French Synonyms. Un astic (thieves’: from the German Stich); l’aiguille
à tricoter les côtes (military: l’aiguille à tricoter =
knitting-needle, côtes = ribs); l’entrecôte (popular); un charlemagne
(military; a bayonet-sabre); un Bon-Dieu (military); une curette
(military: a cavalry sword, as also is un bancal); une côte de bœuf
(thieves’); un grand couteau (military: a cavalry sword. Literally ‘a
large knife’); un fauchon (popular); un fauchon de satou (a wooden
sword); une gaudille or gandille; Joyeuse (the name of the sword of
Charlemagne); une flambe or flamberge (the sword of Roland); une paille
de fer (= cold steel); une latte (a cavalry sword); une lardoire
(popular).
German Synonym. Michel (from the Hebrew michael, an executioner’s
sword; also Langmichel).
Italian Synonym. Martina.
Spanish Synonyms. Fisberta; centella (literally ‘spark,’ ‘thunder,’
‘lightning’); respeto (properly ‘respect’); garrancha; durindana.
1785. Grose, Dict. Vulg. Tongue, Cheese-toaster: a sword.
1857–59. Thackeray, Virginians, x. I’ll drive my cheese-toaster
through his body.
Cheesy, adj. (common).—Fine or showy. The opposite of ‘dusty.’ [From
cheese (q.v.) + y.] For synonyms, see Up to Dick.
1858. R. S. Surtees, Ask Mamma, xlviii., 211. To see him at
Tattersall’s sucking his cane, his cheesey hat well down on his
nose. [m.]
Chemiloon, subs.—Chemise and drawers in one; a combination (q.v.).
Chepemens, subs. (old).—See quot.
1610. Rowlands, Martin Mark-all, p. 37 (H. Club’s Repr., 1874).
Chepemans: Cheape-side Market.
Cheque. To have seen the cheque, phr. (common).—To know positively; to
be possessed of exact knowledge concerning a matter. For synonyms, see
Knowing.
Cherrilets, subs. (old).—The nipples.
1599. Sylvester, Miracle of the Peace. Then those twins, thy
strawberry teates, Curled, purled cherrilets?
1654. Witt’s Recreations. Then nature for a sweet allurement sets
Two smelling, swelling, bashful cherrylets.
Cherry, subs. (thieves’).—A young girl. Cf., Cherry-ripe and Rosebud.
Cherry-Breeches.—See Cherubims.
Cherry-Coloured, adj. (common).—Either red or black; a term used in a
cheating trick at cards. When the cards are being dealt, a ‘knowing’
one offers to bet that he will tell the colour of the turn-up card.
‘Done,’ says Mr. Green. The sum being named, Mr. Sharp affirms that it
will be cherry-colour; and as cherries are either black or red, he
wins. Grose [1785] has cherry-coloured cat for one either black or
white in colour.
1834. Harrison Ainsworth, Rookwood. And forth to the heath is the
scamps-man gone, His matchless cherry black prancer riding.
1886. Ill. London News, Jan. 23, p. 78, col. 2. A favourite hoax is
the great exhibition, wherein a cherry-coloured cat and a
rose-coloured pigeon (the meeting between Wellington and Blucher),
etc., are to be shown. The former consists of a black cat and a
white pigeon.
Cherry-Merry, adj. (old).—1. Convivial; slightly inebriated.