FAT. The last landed, inned, or stowed, of any sort of merchandise: so called by the water-side porters, carmen, &c. All the fat is in the fire; that is, it is all over with us: a saying used in case of any miscarriage or disappointment in an undertaking.
A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
LAND. How lies the land? How stands the reckoning? Who has any land in Appleby? a question asked the man at whose door the glass stands long, or who does not circulate it in due time.
A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
BATTLE-ROYAL. A battle or bout at cudgels or fisty-cuffs, wherein more than two persons are engaged: perhaps from its resemblance, in that particular, to more serious engagements fought to settle royal disputes.
A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
KIDNEY. Disposition, principles, humour. Of a strange kidney; of an odd or unaccountable humour. A man of a different kidney; a man of different principles.
A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
WHORE-MONGER. A man who keeps more than one mistress. A gentleman who kept a female friend, being styled a whore-monger by a parson, asked whether he had a cheese in his house; and being answered in the affirmative, said 'Pray, does that one cheese make you a cheese-monger?'
A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
BREAD AND BUTTER FASHION. One slice upon the other. John and his maid were caught lying bread and butter fashion. It is no bread and butter of mine; I have no business with it; or rather, I won't intermeddle, because I shall get nothing by it.
A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
JAPANNED. Ordained. To be japanned; to enter into holy orders, to become a clergyman, to put on the black cloth: from the colour of the japan ware, which is black.
A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
HEDGE WHORE. An itinerant harlot, who bilks the bagnios and bawdy-houses, by disposing of her favours on the wayside, under a hedge; a low beggarly prostitute.
A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
The first is a rather long post is on Rabindranath #Tagore’s deeply political novel, the Home and the World. It’s an effort read but an important book that reflects his political stances, differing ideologies, and people.
TOMMY. Soft Tommy, or white Tommy; bread is so called by sailors, to distinguish it from biscuit. Brown Tommy: ammunition bread for soldiers; or brown bread given to convicts at the hulks.
A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)