UNTRUSS. To untruss a point; to let down one's breeches in order to ease one's self. Breeches were formerly tied with points; these tags were worsteds of different colours twisted up to a size somewhat thicker than packthread, and tagged at both ends with tin.
A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
HEEL TAP. A peg in the heel of a shoe, taken out when it is finished. A person leaving any liquor in his glass, is frequently called upon by the toast-master to take off his heel-tap.
A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
TAG-RAG AND BOBTAIL. An expression meaning an assemblage of low people, the mobility of all sorts. To tag after one like a tantony pig: to follow one wherever one goes, just as St. Anthony is followed by his pig.
A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
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)