Part 64 (2/2)

ROGUES. The fourth order of canters. A rogue in grain; a great rogue, also a corn chandler. A rogue in spirit; a distiller or brandy merchant.

ROGUM POGUM, or DRAGRUM POGRAM. Goat's beard, eaten for asparagus; so called by the ladies who gather cresses, &c. who also deal in this plant.

ROMBOYLES. Watch and ward. Romboyled; sought after with a warrant.

ROME MORT. A queen.

ROMEVILLE. London. Cant.

ROMP. A forward wanton girl, a tomrig. Grey, in his notes to Shakespeare, derives it from arompo, an animal found in South Guinea, that is a man eater. See HOYDEN.

ROOK. A cheat: probably from the thievish disposition of the birds of that name. Also the cant name for a crow used in house-breaking. To rook; to cheat, particularly at play.

ROOM. She lets out her fore room and lies backwards: saying of a woman suspected of prost.i.tution.

ROOST LAY. Stealing poultry.

ROPES. Upon the high ropes; elated, in high spirits, c.o.c.k-a-hoop.

ROSE. Under the rose: privately or secretly. The rose was, it is said, sacred to Harpocrates, the G.o.d of silence, and therefore frequently placed in the ceilings of rooms destined for the receiving of guests; implying, that whatever was transacted there, should not be made public.

ROSY GILLS. One with a sanguine or fresh-coloured countenance.

ROTAN. A coach, cart, or other wheeled carriage.

ROT GUT. Small beer; called beer-a-b.u.mble--will burst one's guts before it will make one tumble.

ROVERS. Pirates, vagabonds.

ROUGH. To lie rough; to lie all night in one's clothes: called also roughing it. Likewise to sleep on the bare deck of a s.h.i.+p, when the person is commonly advised to chuse the softest plank.

ROUGH MUSIC. Saucepans, frying-paps, poker and tongs, marrow-bones and cleavers, bulls horns, &c. beaten upon and sounded in ludicrous processions.

ROULEAU. A number of guineas, from twenty to fifty or more, wrapped up in paper, for the more ready circulation at gaming-tables: sometimes they are inclosed in ivory boxes, made to hold exactly 20, 50, or 100 guineas.

ROUND DEALING. Plain, honest dealing.

ROUNDHEADS. A term of reproach to the puritans and partizans of Oliver Cromwell, and the Rump Parliament, who it is said made use of a bowl as a guide to trim their hair.

ROUND ROBIN. A mode of signing remonstrances practised by sailors on board the king's s.h.i.+ps, wherein their names are written in a circle, so that it cannot be discovered who first signed it, or was, in other words, the ringleader.

ROUND SUM. A considerable sum.

ROUND ABOUT. An instrument used in housebreaking.

This instrument has not been long in use. It will cut a round piece about five inches in diameter out of a shutter or door.

ROUND MOUTH. The fundament. Brother round mouth, speaks; he has let a fart.

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