1851–61. H. Mayhew, London Lab. and Lon. Poor, vol. I., p. 232. He
‘patters’ very little in a main drag (public street).
4. (thieves’).—Three months’ imprisonment; also three moon. For
synonyms, see Dose.
1851–61. H. Mayhew, London Lab. and Lon. Poor, vol. I., p. 233.
Sometimes they are detected, and get a drag (three months in
prison).
1883. Horsley, Jottings from Jail. But neither Snuffy (Reeves, the
identifier), nor Mac (Macintyre) knew me, so I got a drag and was
sent to the Steel.
1884. Greenwood, Seven Years’ Penal Servitude. Well, sir, as I was
saying, I only got a drag for the last job. Oh, I beg pardon, a
drag means three months. Three weeks is called a drag, too—a
cadger’s drag.
5. (general).—Feminine attire worn by men. To go on, or flash the drag
= to wear women’s attire for immoral purposes.
1870. Reynold’s, 29 May, ‘Police Proceedings.’ He afterwards said,
that instead of having a musical party he thought he would make it
a little fancy dress affair, and said, We shall come in drag, which
means men wearing women’s costumes.
1870. London Figaro, 23 June. There is a good deal about Tom and
Jerry which our superior refinement might term low—not quite so low
though, as going about in drag or consorting with creatures who do.