_Darn_ and, to a less extent, _bless_ are euphemisms in common use in polite circles. _Blow_ is a little coarser, but still usable by a lady in quite private life. _Blast_ (Cockney _brast_) is a distinctly profane word, generally implying ill-temper. _Drat_ is the usual word in the language of the domestic servant. _Blime_ or _blimey_ (= blind me!) as well as _blarmed_ (probably a corruption of _blamed_) is distinctly vulgar. _Dang_ (esp. dang it!) is a mild form of _damn_; might be used even by a clergyman. the dismals »I used to get _the fair dismals_ watching it.» (T. T. T. 129. 21.) _A waiter._ = _to feel wretched, dejected._ The phrase is doubly vulgar: »fair» to express »complete», as in »a fair (regular) swindle», »a fair old brute», »a fair knock out» (a fair fight); »dismals»—adjective turned into a plural noun to express a state of mind. Cf. _rheumatics_ (rheumatism); _to have (to get) the blues_ = to feel melancholy. doorstep »_Slices of bread and butter_—»_doorsteps_», as we used to call them.» (T. T. T. 126. 14.) _A waiter._ »_Door-steps_» at two a penny.» (Sketches 55. 5.) _The author._ = _a thick slice of bread and butter._ fair »I thought it only right to give it (the bicycle) a fair trial.»—»You gave your family a _fair trial_ also; if you will allow me the use of _slang_.» (Three Men On The Bummel. 47. 10.) _A cultivated young man._ = _regular_, _real_, _thorough-going_. Cf. a fair swindle, a fair old brute, a fair devil, etc. fake A ’alf-brother, who’s always got to be spry with some _fake_ about ’is lineage. (T. T. T. 138. 22.) _Uneducated Londoner._ »I ain’t the talent for the Don Juan _fake_.» (T. T. T. 143. 13.) _The same._ _Fake_ (originally thieves’ cant?) is a proceeding or an affair of any kind irrespective of morals or legality. In America: _a swindler_. As verb: to do anything, to fabricate, cheat, steal, forge, etc.—a general verb-of-all-work. _To fake up_: to paint one’s face, make up a character. The etymology is very doubtful. Some authors have associated the word with _feage_ (whiff away), derived perhaps from the German _fegen_. This seems, however, to be rather a questionable construction. fizzing »Go to your lamented master, the _fizzing_ count.» (Woodb. Farm 55. 9.) _A young farmer._ = _excellent_, _ripping_, _crack_. fly »I did help a chap to sell papers once: he said I was _fly_ at it.» (Tommy And Co. 36. 22.) _A London brat of the working class._ »I don’t take ’er on while I’m myself. I’m too jolly _fly_.» (Novel Notes 212. 20.) _Uneducated young man._ = _knowing_, _cute_. (Cf. DICKENS, _Bleak House_: »Do what I want, and I will pay you well»—»I’m _fly_».)