ARK RUFFIANS. Rogues who, in conjunction with watermen, robbed, and sometimes murdered, on the water, by picking a quarrel with the passengers in a boat, boarding it, plundering, stripping, and throwing them overboard, &c. A species of badger. CANT. ARRAH NOW. An unmeaning expletive, frequently used by the vulgar Irish. ARS MUSICA. A bum fiddle. ARSE. To hang an arse; to hang back, to be afraid to advance. He would lend his a-e and sh-te through his ribs; a saying of any one who lends his money inconsiderately. He would lose his a-e if it was loose; said of a careless person. A-e about; turn round. ARSY YARSEY. To fall arsy varsey, i.e. head over heels. ARTHUR, KING ARTHUR, A game used at sea, when near the line, or in a hot latitude. It is performed thus: A man who is to represent king Arthur, ridiculously dressed, having a large wig made out of oakum, or some old swabs, is seated on the side, or over a large vessel of water. Every person in his turn is to be ceremoniously introduced to him, and to pour a bucket of water over him, crying, hail, king Arthur! if during this ceremony the person introduced laughs or smiles (to which his majesty endeavours to excite him, by all sorts of ridiculous gesticulations), he changes place with, and then becomes, king Arthur, till relieved by some brother tar, who has as little command over his muscles as himself. ARTICLES. Breeches; coat, waistcoat, and articles. ARTICLE. A wench. A prime article. A handsome girl. She's a prime article (WHIP SLANG), she's a devilish good piece, a hell of a GOER. ASK, or AX MY A-E. A common reply to any question; still deemed wit at sea, and formerly at court, under the denomination of selling bargains. See BARGAIN. ASSIG. An assignation. ATHANASIAN WENCH, or QUICUNQUE VULT. A forward girl, ready to oblige every man that shall ask her. AUNT. Mine aunt; a bawd or procuress: a title of eminence for the senior dells, who serve for instructresses, midwives, &c. for the dells. CANT. See DELLS. AVOIR DU POIS LAY. Stealing brass weights off the counters of shops. CANT. AUTEM. A church. AUTEM BAWLER. A parson. CANT. AUTEM CACKLERS, AUTEM PRICKEARS. Dissenters of every denomination. CANT. AUTEM CACKLETUB. A conventicle or meeting-house for dissenters. CANT. AUTEM DIPPERS. Anabaptists. CANT. AUTEM DIVERS. Pickpockets who practice in churches; also churchwardens and overseers of the poor. CANT. AUTEM GOGLERS. Pretended French prophets. CANT. AUTEM MORT. A married woman; also a female beggar with several children hired or borrowed to excite charity. CANT. AUTEM QUAVERS. Quakers. AUTEM QUAVER TUB. A Quakers' meeting-house. CANT. AWAKE. Acquainted with, knowing the business. Stow the books, the culls are awake; hide the cards, the fellows know what we intended to do. BABES IN THE WOOD. Criminals in the stocks, or pillory.