=Sky-Lark=, a lark with the “skies,” or ’scīs. The Westminster boys used to style themselves _Romans_, and the “town,” _Volsci_; the latter word was curtailed to _’sci_ [_sky_]. A row between the Westminsterians and the town roughs was called a _’sci-lark_, or a lark with the Volsci. =Skyresh Bol´golam=, the high admiral or galbert of the realm of Lilliput.--Swift, _Gulliver’s Travels_ (“Voyage to Lilliput,” iii., 1726). =Slackbridge=, one of the “hands” in Bounderby’s mill at Coketown. Slackbridge is an ill-conditioned fellow, ill-made, with lowering eyebrows, and though inferior to many of the others, exercises over them a great influence. He is the orator, who stirs up his fellow-workmen to strike.--C. Dickens, _Hard Times_ (1854). =Slammerkin= (_Mrs._). Captain Macheath says of her, “She is careless and genteel.” “All you fine ladies,” he adds, “who know your own beauty, affect an undress.”--Gay, _The Beggar’s Opera_, ii. 1 (1727). =Slander=, an old hag, of “ragged, rude attyre, and filthy lockes,” who sucked venom out of her nails. It was her nature to abuse all goodness, to frame groundless charges, to “steale away the crowne of a good name,” and “never thing so well was doen, but she with blame would blot, and of due praise deprive.” A foule and loathly creature sure in sight, And in condition to be loathed no lesse: For she was stuft with rancor and despight Up to the throat, that oft with bitternesse It forth would breake and gush in great excesse, Pouring out streames of poyson and of gall ’Gainst all that truth or vertue doe professe, Whom she with leasings lewdly did miscall, And wickedly backbite. Her name men “Slaunder” call. Spenser, _Faëry Queen_, IV. viii. 24 (1596). =Slang=, from Slangenberg, a Dutch general, noted for his abusive and exaggerated epithets when he reproved the men under his command. The etymon is suited to this dictionary, and the following are not without wit:--Italian, _s-lingua_, _s_ negative and _lingua_ = “bad language;” French, _esclandre_, “an event which gives rise to scandal,” hence, _faire esclandre_, “to expose one to scandal,” _causer de l’escandre_, “to give ground for scandal;” Greek, _skandălon_, “an offense, a scandal.” “Slangs,” fetters for malefactors. =Slango=, a lad, servant of Gaylove, a young barrister. He dresses up as a woman, and when Squire Sapskull comes from Yorkshire for a wife, Slango passes himself off as Arbella. In the mean time, Gaylove assumes the airs and manners of a Yorkshire tike, and marries Arbella, with whom he is in love.--Carey, _The Honest Yorkshireman_ (1736).