KINGSMAN, the favourite coloured neckerchief of the costermongers. The
women wear them thrown over their shoulders. With both sexes they are
more valued than any other article of clothing. A coster’s _caste_,
or position, is at stake, he imagines, if his KINGSMAN is not of the
most approved pattern. When he fights, his KINGSMAN is tied either
around his waist as a belt, or as a garter around his leg. This very
singular partiality for a peculiar coloured neckcloth was doubtless
derived from the Gipseys, and probably refers to an Oriental taste
or custom long forgotten by these vagabonds. A singular similarity
of taste for certain colours exists amongst the Hindoos, Gipseys,
and London costermongers. Red and yellow (or orange) are the great
favourites, and in these hues the Hindoo selects his turban and his
robe; the Gipsey his breeches, and his wife her shawl or gown; and the
costermonger his plush waistcoat and favourite KINGSMAN. Amongst either
class, when a fight takes place, the greatest regard is paid to the
favourite coloured article of dress. The Hindoo lays aside his turban,
the Gipsey folds up his scarlet breeches or coat, whilst the pugilistic
costermonger of Covent Garden or Billingsgate, as we have just seen,
removes his favourite neckerchief to a part of his body, by the rules
of the “ring,” comparatively out of danger. Amongst the various
patterns of kerchiefs worn by the wandering tribes of London, red
and yellow are the oldest and most in fashion. Blue, intermixed with
spots, is a late importation, probably from the Navy, through sporting
characters.
KING’S PICTURES (now, of course, QUEEN’S PICTURES), money.
KISKY, drunk, fuddled.
KISS CURL, a small curl twisted on the temple.—_See_ BOW-CATCHER.
KISS-ME-QUICK, the name given to the very small bonnets worn by females
since 1850.
KITE, _see_ FLY THE KITE.