SWAP, to exchange. _Grose_ says it is _Irish_ cant, but the term is now
included in most dictionaries as an allowed vulgarism.
SWEAT, to extract money from a person, to “bleed,” to squander
riches.—_Bulwer._
SWEATER, common term for a “cutting” or “grinding” employer.
SWEEP, a low or shabby man.
SWEET, loving or fond; “how SWEET he was upon the moll,” _i.e._, what
marked attention he paid the girl.
SWELL, a man of importance; a person with a showy, jaunty exterior; “a
rank SWELL,” a very “flashly” dressed person, a man who by excessive
dress apes a higher position than he actually occupies. Anything is
said to be SWELL or SWELLISH that looks showy, or is many coloured,
or is of a desirable quality. Dickens and Thackeray are termed great
SWELLS in literature; so indeed are the first persons in the learned
professions.
SWELL FENCER, a street salesman of needles.
SWELL HUNG IN CHAINS, said of a showy man in the habit of wearing much
jewellery.
SWIG, to drink. _Saxon_, SWIGAN.
SWIG, a hearty drink.
SWIM, “a good SWIM,” a good run of luck, a long time out of the
policeman’s clutches.—_Thieves’ term._
SWINDLER, although a recognised word in respectable dictionaries,
commenced service as a slang term. It was used as such by the poor
Londoners against the German Jews who set up in London about the
year 1762, also by our soldiers in the German War about that time.
SCHWINDEL, in _German_, signifies to cheat.
SWING, to be hanged.
SWINGING, large, huge.