Creeps, subs. (common).—The peculiar thrill resulting from an
undefinable sense of dread. [Literally a ‘crawling’ of the flesh as
with fear.] Also known as goose-flesh, cold shivers, and cold water
down the back.
1836. Dickens, Pickwick Papers. I wants to make yer flesh creep.
1864. E. Yates, Broken to Harness, ch. xiii. [Late Autumn.] Dreary
down in the old country mansions ... where the servants, town-bred,
commence to be colded, sniffy, to have shivers and creeps.
1870. London Figaro, 27 June. ‘A River Romance.’ Talking about
bodies, I could give you the creeps with what I’ve seen.
1883. The Lute, 15 Jan., p. 18, col. 2. We see the great tragedian
holding on to a chair, and giving his audience creeps with the
‘Dream of Eugene Aram.’
1890. Globe, 22 May, p. 1, col. 4. Miss Gertrude is the sister of
Mrs. Chanler-Rives (better known as Amélie, or still better as the
writer of The Quick or the Dead, by which many ladylike persons
have been given ‘the creeps’).
Crevecœur.—See Heart-breaker.
Crevice, subs. (venery).—The female pudendum. For synonyms, see
Monosyllable.
Cri, subs. (popular).—The Criterion, theatre and restaurant, at
Piccadilly Circus.
c. 1886. Broadside Ballad, ‘Another Fellah’s.’ Round into the cri
ev’ry evening I slip, And deep in the pale sparkling bitter I dip.
Crib, subs. (old).—1. The stomach. Cf., Cribbing, sense 1. [A
transferred sense of crib = a manger, rack, or feeding place. Cf.,
Isaiah i., 3, ‘The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s
crib.’] For synonyms, see Bread-basket and Victualling office.
1656. Brome, Jovial Crew, Act. ii. Here’s pannum and lap, and good
poplars of Yarrum, To fill up the crib, and to comfort the quarron.
2. (colloquial).—A house; place of abode; apartments; lodgings; shop;
warehouse; ‘den,’ ‘diggings,’ or ‘snuggery.’ For synonyms, see
Diggings. [From A.S., crib, or cribb a small habitation.]
1598. Shakspeare, King Henry IV. Why, rather, sleep, liest thou in
smoky cribs, Than in the perfumed chambers of the great?
1830. Bulwer Lytton, Paul Clifford, p. 80 (ed. 1854). Now, now in
the crib, where a ruffler may lie, Without fear that the traps
should distress him.
1837. Dickens, Oliver Twist, ch. xix. The crib’s barred up at night
like a jail.
1847. Illus. London News, 22 May. The burglar has his crib in
Clerkenwell.
1860. Chambers’ Journal, vol. XIII., p. 212. He said he was awful
flattered like by the honour of seeing two such gents at his crib.
1882. Daily News, 5 Oct., p. 5, col. 2. To manage escapes from
prison successfully is only an application of the principles which
enable the burglar to crack the rural crib and appropriate the swag
of her Majesty’s peaceful subjects.
3. (popular).—A situation, ‘place,’ or ‘berth.’ [The transition from
subs., sense 2, is easy and natural.]
4. (school and University).—A literal translation surreptitiously used
by students; also a theft of any kind; specifically, anything copied
without acknowledgment.—[See verb., sense 2.] For synonyms, see Pony.
1841. Punch, vol. I., p. 185. He has with a prudent forethought
stuffed his cribs inside his double-breasted waistcoat.
1853. C. Bede, Verdant Green, pt. I., p. 64.
1855. Thackeray, Newcomes, ch. xxii. I wish I had read Greek a
little more at school ... when we return I think I shall try and
read it with cribs.
1856. T. Hughes, Tom Brown’s School-days, pt. II., ch. vi. Tom, I
want you to give up using vulgus books and cribs.
1889. Globe, 12 Oct., p. 1, col. 4. Always, it seems likely, there
will be men ‘going up’ for examinations; and every now and again,
no doubt, there will be among them a wily ‘Heathen Pass-ee’ like
him of whom Mr. Hilton speaks—who had cribs up his sleeve, and
notes on his cuff.