WHIM-WAM, an alliterative term, synonymous with _fiddle-faddle_,
_riff-raff_, &c., denoting nonsense, rubbish, &c.
WHIP, to “WHIP anything _up_,” to take it up quickly; from the
method of hoisting heavy goods or horses on board ship by a WHIP, or
running tackle, from the yard-arm. Generally used to express anything
dishonestly taken.—_L’Estrange_ and _Johnson_.
WHIP JACK, a sham shipwrecked sailor, called also a TURNPIKE sailor.
WHIPPER-SNAPPER, a waspish, diminutive person.
WHIPPING THE CAT, when an operative works at a private house by the
day. Term used amongst tailors and carpenters.
WHISKER. There is a curious slang phrase connected with this word. When
an improbable story is told, the remark is, “the mother of that was a
WHISKER,” meaning it is a lie.
WHISTLE, “as clean as a WHISTLE,” neatly, or “SLICKLY done,” as an
American would say; “to WET ONE’S WHISTLE,” to take a drink. This is
a very old term. _Chaucer_ says of the Miller of Trumpington’s wife
(_Canterbury Tales_, 4153)—
“So was hir joly WHISTAL well Y-WET;”
“to WHISTLE FOR ANYTHING,” to stand small chance of getting it, from
the nautical custom of _whistling_ for a wind in a calm, which of
course comes none the sooner for it.
WHITE FEATHER, “to show the WHITE FEATHER,” to evince cowardice. In the
times when great attention was paid to the breeding of game-cocks, a
white feather in the tail was considered a proof of cross-breeding.
WHITE LIE, a harmless lie, one told to reconcile people at variance;
“mistress is not at home, sir,” is a WHITE LIE often told by servants.
WHITE LIVER’D, or LIVER FACED, cowardly, much afraid, very mean.
WHITE PROP, a diamond pin.
WHITE SATIN, gin,—term amongst women.
WHITE TAPE, gin,—term used principally by female servants.
WHITE WINE, the fashionable term for gin.
“Jack Randall then impatient rose,
And said, ‘Tom’s speech were just as fine
If he would call that first of GO’S
By that genteeler name—WHITE WINE.’”
_Randall’s Diary_, 1820.
WHITECHAPEL, or WESTMINSTER BROUGHAM, a costermonger’s donkey-barrow.