1887. E. E. Money, Little Dutch Maiden, II., xi., 225. ‘Oh, please
don’t blush; it makes me feel all over the shop.’
Allow, subs. (Harrow School).—A boy’s weekly allowance.
Allowances, subs. (tailors’).—The extra measure in cutting cloth for a
garment to permit of turnings in for seams; also the trimmings, such as
wadding, buttons, braid, etc. Rather technical than slang.
All Round, adj. (popular).—1. Able in all departments; adaptable in
every respect to the purpose in view. Whether applied to sport,
business, or indeed any department of life or thought, within a given
circle, it carries with it, mutatis mutandis, the same meaning. Cf. All
around sports.
1881. James Payn, Grape from a Thorn, ch. xl. ‘He’s a bad one all
round.’
1883. Graphic, August 11, p. 138, col. 2. Foremost still as an
‘all-round’ cricketer among the gentlemen stands W. G. Grace.