NEDDY, a life preserver.—Contraction of KENNEDY, the name of the
first man, it is said in St. Giles’, who had his head broken by a
poker.—_Vide Mornings at Bow Street._
NEDDY, a donkey.
NEDS, guineas. HALF-NEDS, half-guineas.
NED STOKES, the four of spades.—_North Hants._—_See Gentleman’s
Magazine_ for 1791, p. 141.
NEEDFUL, money, cash.
NEEDY, a nightly lodger, or tramp.
NEEDY MIZZLER, a shabby person; a tramp who runs away without paying
for his lodging.
NESTS, varieties.—_Old_.
NEVER-TRUST-ME, an ordinary phrase with low Londoners, and common in
Shakespere’s time, _vide Twelfth Night_. It is generally used instead
of an oath, calling vengeance on the asseverator, if such and such does
not come to pass.
NEWGATE FRINGE, or FRILL, the collar of beard worn under the chin; so
called from its occupying the position of the rope when Jack Ketch
operates. Another name for it is a TYBURN COLLAR.
NEWGATE KNOCKER, the term given to the lock of hair which costermongers
and thieves usually twist back towards the ear. The shape is supposed
to resemble the knocker on the prisoners’ door at Newgate—a resemblance
that would appear to carry a rather unpleasant suggestion to the
wearer. Sometimes termed a COBBLER’S KNOT, or cow-lick, which see.
NEWMARKET, in tossing halfpence, when it is agreed that the first toss
shall be decisive, the play is said to be NEWMARKET.
NIBBLE, to take, or steal. NIBBLER, a petty thief.
NIBS, the master, or chief person; a man with no means but high
pretensions,—a “shabby genteel.”