NOUSE, comprehension, perception.—_Old_, apparently from the _Greek_,
νοῦς.
NUB, a husband.
NUDDIKIN, the head.
_For Cant Numerals, see under_ SALTEE.
NURSE, a curious term lately applied to competition in omnibuses. Two
omnibuses are placed on the road to NURSE, or oppose, each opposition
“buss,” one before, the other behind. Of course the central or NURSED
buss has very little chance, unless it happens to be a favourite with
the public. NURSE, to cheat, or swindle; trustees are said to NURSE
property, _i.e._, gradually eat it up themselves.
NUT, to be “off one’s NUT,” to be in liquor, or “ALL MOPS AND BROOMS.”
NUTS, to be NUTS upon anything or person is to be pleased with or fond
of it; a self-satisfied man is said to be NUTS upon himself. NUTTED,
taken in by a man who professed to be NUTS upon you.
NUTTY, amorous.
NYMPH OF THE PAVE (_French_, PAVÉ), a street-walker, a girl of the town.
OAK, the outer door of college rooms; to “sport one’s OAK,” to be “not
at home” to visitors.—_See_ SPORT.—_University._
OBFUSCATED, intoxicated.
OBSTROPOLOUS, Cockney corruption of _obstreperous_.
OCHRE, money, generally applied to _gold_, for a very obvious reason.
O’CLOCK, or A’CLOCK, “like ONE O’CLOCK,” a favourite comparison with
the lower orders, implying briskness; “to know what O’CLOCK it is,” to
be wide awake, sharp, and experienced.
ODD MAN, a street or public-house game at tossing. The number of
players is three. Each tosses up a coin, and if two come down head, and
one tail, or _vice versâ_, the last is ODD MAN, and loses or wins as
may have been agreed upon. Frequently used to victimise a “flat.” If
all three be alike, then the toss goes for nothing, and the coppers are
again “_skied_.”
OD DRAT IT, OD RABBIT (_Colman’s Broad Grins_), OD’S BLOOD, and all
other exclamations commencing with OD, are nothing but softened
or suppressed oaths. OD is a corruption of GOD, and DRAT of
ROT.—_Shakespere._
OFF AND ON, vacillating; “an OFF AND ON kind of a chap,” one who is
always undecided.