Halloo. To halloo with the under dog, verb. phr. (American).—To take the losing side. Halo. To work the halo racket, verb. phr. (common).—To grumble; to be dissatisfied. [From the story of the Saint in Heaven who got dissatisfied with his nimbus.] Haltersack, subs. (old).—A gallows-bird; a general term of reproach and contempt. 1598. Florio, Worlde of Wordes, Bazaro, a shifter, a conicatcher ... a haltersacke. 1619. Beaumont and Fletcher, King and no King, ii., 2. Away, you haltersack, you. Halves, subs. (Winchester College).—(pro. Hāves.) Half-Wellington boots, which were strictly non licet (obs.).—Notions. To go (or cry) halves, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To take (or claim) a half share or chance. In America, at the halves. 1831. Neal, Down Easters, ch. iv., p. 45. ‘Lives by preachin’ at the halves a sabba’-days.’ ‘Preaching at the halves—how’s that?’ ‘Why don’t you know? in partnership for what’s taken arter the sarmon’s over.’ 1851–61. Mayhew, Lond. Lab. and Lond. Poor, III., 122. He’ll then again ask if anybody will go him halves. Ham, subs. (old).—1. (in. pl.) Trousers: also Ham-cases. For synonyms, see Kicks. 1725. New Cant. Dict., s.v. Hams, Breeches. 1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v. 1791. Bampfylde-Moore Carew, Life. Hams—breeches. 1859. Matsell, Vocabulum, s.v. Hams. Pants. 2. (American).—A loafer (q.v.). Also Ham-fatter. [The American Slang Dict. says ‘A tenth-rate actor or variety performer.’] 1888. Missouri Republican, 27 Mar. Connelly ... is a good fighter, but will allow the veriest ham to whip him, if there is any money to be made by it. 1888. New York Herald, 29 July. The ... more prosperous professional brother of the hamfatter. No ham and all hominy, phr. (American).—Of indifferent quality; ‘no great shakes’; ‘all work and no play’; ‘much cry and little wool.’ Hamlet, subs. (old and American). See quots. 1690. B. E., Cant. Crew, s.v. Hamlet ... a High Constable. 1725. New Cant. Dict., s.v. Hamlet, a High-Constable. 1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v. Hamlet, a high constable (cant). 1791. Bampfylde-Moore Carew. Hamlet, a high-constable. 1859. Matsell, Vocabulum, s.v. Hamlet. A captain of police. Ham-match, subs. (common).—A stand-up luncheon. 1890. Daily Telegraph, 4 Feb. At one o’clock they relieve their exhausted frames by taking perpendicular refreshment—vulgarly termed a ham match—at some City luncheon bar. Hammer, subs. (pugilistic).—1. A hard-hitter: especially with the right hand, like the illustrious Hammer Lane. Also Hammerer and Hammer-man. 1819. Moore, Tom Crib, p. 33. A letter written on the occasion by Henry Harmer, the hammerer.