SPLIT, to inform against one’s companions, to tell tales. “To SPLIT
with a person,” to cease acquaintanceship, to quarrel.
SPLODGER, a lout, an awkward countryman.
SPOFFY, a bustling busy-body is said to be SPOFFY.
SPONGE, “to throw up the SPONGE,” to submit, give over the
struggle,—from the practice of throwing up the SPONGE used to cleanse
the combatants’ faces, at a prize fight, as a signal that the “mill” is
concluded.
SPOON, synonymous with SPOONEY. A SPOON has been defined to be “a thing
that touches a lady’s lips without kissing them.”
SPOONEY, a weak-minded and foolish person, effeminate or fond; “to be
SPOONEY on a girl,” to be foolishly attached to one.
SPOONS, “when I was SPOONS with you,” _i.e._, when young, and in our
courting days before marriage.—_Charles Mathews_, in the farce of
_Everybody’s Friend_.
SPORT, to exhibit, to wear, &c.,—a word which is made to do duty in a
variety of senses, especially at the University. _See the Gradus ad
Cantabrigiam._ “To SPORT a new tile;” “to SPORT an _Ægrotat_” (_i.e._,
a permission from the “Dons” to abstain from lectures, &c., on account
of illness); “to SPORT ONE’S OAK,” to shut the outer door and exclude
the public,—especially _duns_, and boring acquaintances. Common also in
the Inns of Court.—_See Notes and Queries_, 2nd series, vol. viii., p.
492, and _Gentleman’s Magazine_, December, 1794.
SPORTING DOOR, the outer door of chambers, also called the OAK.—_See_
under SPORT.—_University._
SPOTTED, to be known or marked by the police.
SPOUT, “up the SPOUT,” at the pawnbroker’s; SPOUTING, pawning.—_See_
POP for origin.
SPOUT, to preach, or make speeches; SPOUTER, a preacher or lecturer.
SPRAT, sixpence.
SPREAD, butter.
SPREAD, a lady’s shawl. SPREAD, at the _East_ end of London, a
feast, or a TIGHTENER; at the _West_ end a fashionable reunion, an
entertainment, display of good things.
SPREE, a boisterous piece of merriment; “going on the SPREE,” starting
out with intent to have a frolic. _French_, ESPRIT. In the _Dutch_
language, SPREEUW is a jester.
SPRINGER-UP, a tailor who sells low-priced ready made clothing, and
gives starvation wages to the poor men and women who “make up” for him.
The clothes are said to be SPRUNG-UP, or “blown together.”