STAND, “to STAND treat,” to pay for a friend’s entertainment; to bear
expense; to put up with treatment, good or ill; “this house STOOD me in
£1,000,” _i.e._, cost that sum; “to STAND PAD,” to beg on the curb with
a small piece of paper pinned on the breast, inscribed “_I’m starving_.”
STANDING, the position at a street corner, or on the curb of a market
street, regularly occupied by a costermonger, or street seller.
STANDING PATTERERS, men who take a stand on the curb of a public
thoroughfare, and deliver prepared speeches to effect a sale of any
articles they have to vend.—_See_ PATTERER.
STANGEY, a tailor; a person under petticoat government,—derived from
the custom of “_riding the STANG_,” mentioned in Hudibras:—
“It is a custom used of course
Where the grey mare is the better horse.”
STARK-NAKED (originally STRIP-ME-NAKED, _vide Randall’s Diary_, 1820),
raw gin.—_Bulwer’s Paul Clifford._
STARCHY, stuck-up, high-notioned, showily dressed, disdainful, cross.
STAR IT, to perform as the centre of attraction, with inferior
subordinates to set off one’s abilities.—_Theatrical._
STAR THE GLAZE, to break the window or show glass of a jeweller
or other tradesman, and take any valuable articles, and run away.
Sometimes the glass is cut with a diamond, and a strip of leather
fastened to the piece of glass cut out to keep it from falling in and
making a noise. Another plan is to cut the sash.
START, “THE START,” London,—the great starting point for beggars and
tramps.
START, a proceeding of any kind; “a rum START,” an odd circumstance;
“to get the START of a person,” to anticipate him, overreach him.
STASH, to cease doing anything, to refrain, be quiet, leave off; “STASH
IT, there, you sir!” _i.e._, be quiet, sir; to give over a lewd or
intemperate course of life is termed STASHING IT.
STEEL, the house of correction in London, formerly named the _Bastile_,
but since shortened to STEEL.
STEEL BAR DRIVERS, or FLINGERS, journeymen tailors.
STEMS, the legs.
STEP IT, to run away, or make off.
STICK, a derogatory expression for a person; “a rum” or “odd STICK,” a
curious man. More generally a “poor STICK.”—_Provincial._
STICK, “cut your STICK,” be off, or go away; either simply equivalent
to a recommendation to prepare a walking staff in readiness for a
journey—in allusion to the Eastern custom of cutting a stick before
setting out—or from the ancient mode of reckoning by notches or tallies
on a stick. In Cornwall the peasantry tally sheaves of corn by cuts in
a stick, reckoning by the score. CUT YOUR STICK in this sense may mean
to make your mark and pass on—and so realise the meaning of the phrase
“IN THE NICK (or notch) OF TIME.” Sir J. Emerson Tennent, in _Notes and
Queries_ (December, 1859), considers the phrase equivalent to “cutting
the connection,” and suggests a possible origin in the prophets
breaking the staves of “Beauty” and “Bands,”—_vide_ Zech., xi., 10, 14.
STICK, to cheat; “he got STUCK,” he was taken in; STICK, to forget
one’s part in a performance—_Theatrical_; STICK ON, to overcharge or
defraud; STICK UP FOR, to defend a person, especially when slandered
in his absence; STICK UP TO, to persevere in courting or attacking,
whether in fisty-cuffs or argument; “to STICK in one’s gizzard,” to
rankle in one’s heart; “to STICK TO a person,” to adhere to one, be his
friend through adverse circumstances.
STICKS, furniture, or household chattels; “pick up your STICKS and
cut!” summary advice to a person to take himself and furniture
away.—_Cumberland._