Part 22 (2/2)

DEAD-LOUSE. Vulgar p.r.o.nunciation of the Dedalus s.h.i.+p of war.

DEAD MEN. A cant word among journeymen bakers, for loaves falsely charged to their masters' customers; also empty bottles.

DEADLY NEVERGREEN, that bears fruit all the year round.

The gallows, or three-legged mare. See THREE-LEGGED MARE.

DEAR JOYS. Irishmen: from their frequently making use of that expression.

DEATH HUNTER. An undertaker, one who furnishes the necessary articles for funerals. See CARRION HUNTER.

DEATH'S HEAD UPON A MOP-STICK. A poor miserable, emaciated fellow; one quite an otomy. See OTOMY.--He looked as pleasant as the pains of death.

DEEP-ONE. A thorough-paced rogue, a sly designing fellow: in opposition to a shallow or foolish one.

DEFT FELLOW. A neat little man.

DEGEN, or DAGEN. A sword. Nim the degen; steal the sword. Dagen is Dutch for a sword. CANT.

DELLS. Young buxom wenches, ripe and p.r.o.ne to venery, but who have not lost their virginity, which the UPRIGHT MAN claims by virtue of his prerogative; after which they become free for any of the fraternity. Also a common strumpet. CANT.

DEMURE. As demure as an old wh.o.r.e at a christening.

DEMY-REP. An abbreviation of demy-reputation; a woman of doubtful character.

DERBY. To come down with the derbies; to pay the money.

DERRICK. The name of the finisher of the law, or hangman about the year 1608.--'For he rides his circuit with the Devil, and Derrick must be his host, and Tiburne the inne at which he will lighte.' Vide Bellman of London, in art. PRIGGIN LAW.--'At the gallows, where I leave them, as to the haven at which they must all cast anchor, if Derrick's cables do but hold.' Ibid.

DEVIL. A printer's errand-boy. Also a small thread in the king's ropes and cables, whereby they may be distinguished from all others. The Devil himself; a small streak of blue thread in the king's sails. The Devil may dance in his pocket; i.e. he has no money: the cross on our ancient coins being jocularly supposed to prevent him from visiting that place, for fear, as it is said, of breaking his s.h.i.+ns against it. To hold a candle to the Devil; to be civil to any one out of fear: in allusion to the story of the old woman, who set a wax taper before the image of St. Michael, and another before the Devil, whom that saint is commonly represented as trampling under his feet: being reproved for paying such honour to Satan, she answered, as it was uncertain which place she should go to, heaven or h.e.l.l, she chose to secure a friend in both places. That will be when the Devil is blind, and he has not got sore eyes yet; said of any thing unlikely to happen.

It rains whilst the sun s.h.i.+nes, the Devil is beating his wife with a shoulder of mutton: this phenomenon is also said to denote that cuckolds are going to heaven; on being informed of this, a loving wife cried out with great vehemence, 'Run, husband, run!'

The Devil was sick, the Devil a monk would be; The Devil was well, the Devil a monk was he.

a proverb signifying that we are apt to forget promises made in time of distress. To pull the Devil by the tail, to be reduced to one's s.h.i.+fts. The Devil go with you and sixpence, and then you will have both money and company.

DEVIL. The gizzard of a turkey or fowl, scored, peppered, salted and broiled: it derives its appellation from being hot in the mouth.

DEVIL'S BOOKS. Cards.

DEVIL CATCHER, or DEVIL DRIVER. A parson. See SNUB DEVIL.

DEVIL'S DAUGHTER. It is said of one who has a termagant for his wife, that he has married the Devil's daughter, and lives with the old folks.

DEVIL'S DAUGHTER'S PORTION:

Deal, Dover, and Harwich, The Devil gave with his daughter in marriage; And, by a codicil to his will, He added Helvoet and the Brill;

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