1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar TongueGrose, Francis
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1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue
Grose, Francis
English language -- Slang -- Dictionaries
RIG. Fun, game, diversion, or trick. To run one's rig
upon any particular person; to make him a butt. I am
up to your rig; I am a match for your tricks.
RIGGING. Clothing. I'll unrig the bloss; I'll strip the
wench. Rum Rigging; fine clothes. The cull has rum
rigging, let's ding him and mill him, and pike; the
fellow has good clothes, let's knock him down, rob him,
and scour off, i.e. run away.
RIGHT. All right! A favourite expression among thieves,
to signify that all is as they wish, or proper for their
purpose. All right, hand down the jemmy; every thing is
in proper order, give me the crow.
RIGMAROLE. Roundabout, nonsensical. He told a long
rigmarole story.
RING. Money procured by begging: beggars so called it
from its ringing when thrown to them. Also a circle formed
for boxers, wrestlers, and cudgel-players, by a man
styled Vinegar; who, with his hat before his eyes, goes
round the circle, striking at random with his whip to
prevent the populace from crowding in.
TO RING A PEAL. To scold; chiefly applied to women.
His wife rung him a fine peal!
RING THE CHANGES. When a person receives silver in
change to shift some good shillings and put bad ones in
their place. The person who gave the change is then
requested to give good shillings for these bad ones.
RIP. A miserable rip; a poor, lean, worn-out horse. A
shabby mean fellow.
RIPPONS. Spurs: Rippon is famous for a manufactory of
spurs both for men and fighting cocks.
ROARATORIOS AND UPROARS. Oratorios and operas.
ROARING BOY. A noisy, riotous fellow.
ROARER. A broken-winded horse.
ROARING TRADE. A quick trade.
TO ROAST. To arrest. I'll roast the dab; I'll arrest the
rascal.--Also to jeer, ridicule, or banter. He stood the
roast; he was the butt.--Roast meat clothes; Sunday or
holiday-clothes. To cry roast meat; to boast of one's
situation. To rule the roast; to be master or paramount.
ROAST AND BOILED. A nick name for the Life Guards,
who are mostly substantial house-keepers; and eat daily
of roast and boiled.
ROBERT'S MEN. The third old rank of the canting crew,
mighty thieves, like Robin Hood.
ROBY DOUGLASS, with one eye and a stinking breath. The
breech.
ROCHESTER PORTION. Two torn smocks, and what nature gave.
ROCKED. He was rocked in a stone kitchen; a saying
meant to convey the idea that the person spoken of is a
fool, his brains having been disordered by the jumbling of
his cradle.
ROGER. A portmanteau; also a man's yard. Cant.
ROGER, or TIB OF THE BUTTERY. A goose. Cant. Jolly
Roger; a flag hoisted by pirates.
TO ROGER. To bull, or lie with a woman; from the name
of Roger being frequently given to a bull.
ROGUES. The fourth order of canters. A rogue in grain;
a great rogue, also a corn chandler. A rogue in spirit; a
distiller or brandy merchant.
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