CRIB-BITER, an inveterate grumbler; properly said of a horse which has
this habit, a sign of its bad digestion.
CRIBBAGE-FACED, marked with the small pox, full of holes like a
cribbage board.
CRIKEY, profane exclamation of astonishment; “Oh, CRIKEY, you don’t say
so!” corruption of “_Oh, Christ_.”
CRIMPS, men who trepan others into the clutches of the recruiting
sergeant. They generally pretend to give employment in the colonies,
and in that manner cheat those mechanics who are half famished. _Nearly
obsolete._
CRIPPLE, a bent sixpence.
CROAK, to die—from the gurgling sound a person makes when the breath of
life is departing.—_Oxon._
CROAKER, one who takes a desponding view of everything; an alarmist.
_From the croaking of a raven._—_Ben Jonson._
CROAKER, a beggar.
CROAKER, a corpse, or dying person beyond hope.
CROAKS, last dying speeches, and murderers’ confessions.
CROCODILES’ TEARS, the tears of a hypocrite. An ancient phrase,
introduced into this country by Mandeville, or other early English
traveller.—_Othello_, iv., 1.
CROCUS, or CROAKUS, a quack or travelling doctor; CROCUS-CHOVEY, a
chemist’s shop.
CRONY, a termagant or malicious old woman; an intimate friend.
_Johnson_ calls it cant.
CROOKY, to hang on to, to lead, walk arm-in-arm; to court or pay
addresses to a girl.
CROPPIE, a person who has had his hair cut, or CROPPED, in prison.
CROPPED, hanged.
CROSS, a general term amongst thieves expressive of their plundering
profession, the opposite of SQUARE. “To get anything on the CROSS”
is to obtain it surreptitiously. “CROSS-FANNING in a crowd,” robbing
persons of their scarf pins.
CROSS COVE and MOLLISHER, a man and woman who live by thieving.
CROSS-CRIB, a house frequented by thieves.
CROW, one who watches whilst another commits a theft, a confederate
in a robbery. The CROW looks to see that the way is clear, whilst the
SNEAK, his partner, commits the depredation.
CROW, “a regular crow,” a success, a stroke of luck,—equivalent to a
FLUKE.
CROW, “I have a CROW to pick with you,” _i.e._, an explanation to
demand, a disagreeable matter to settle; “to COCK-CROW over a person,”
to exalt over his abasement or misfortune.
CRUG, food.—_Household Words_, No. 183.
CRUMBS, “to pick up one’s CRUMBS,” to begin to have an appetite after
an illness; to improve in health, circumstances, &c., after a loss
thereof.