SPANK. (WHIP) To run neatly along, beteen a trot and gallop. The tits spanked it to town; the horses went merrily along all the way to town.
A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
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HUNT'S DOG. He is like Hunt's dog, will neither go to church nor stay at home. One Hunt kept a mastiff, who on being shut up on Sundays, howled, thus his master resolved to take him to church with him: but when he came to the church door, the dog refused to enter.
A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
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RIGHT. All right! A favourite expression among thieves, to signify that all is as they wish, or proper for their purpose. All right, hand down the jemmy; every thing is in proper order, give me the crow.
A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
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HOBBY HORSE. A man's favourite amusement, or study, is called his hobby horse. It also means a particular kind of small Irish horse: and also a wooden one, such as is given to children.
A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
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ANTHONY or TANTONY PIG. The favourite or smallest pig in the litter.--To follow like a tantony pig, i.e. St. Anthony's pig; to follow close at one's heels. St. Anthony the hermit was a swineherd, and is always represented with a swine's bell and a pig.
A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
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GANDER MONTH. That month in which a man's wife-lies in: wherefore, during that time, husbands plead a sort of indulgence in matters of gallantry.
A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
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KETCH. Jack Ketch; a general name for hangmen, ever since the year 1682, when the office was filled by a practitioner of that name, of whom his wife said, that any bungler might put a man to death, but only her husband knew how to make a gentleman die sweetly.
A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
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FRUITFUL VINE. A woman's private parts, i.e. that has FLOWERS every month, and bears fruit in nine months.
A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
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BILLINGSGATE LANGUAGE. Foul language, or abuse. Billingsgate is the market where the fishwomen assemble to purchase fish; and where, in their dealings and disputes, they are somewhat apt to leave decency and good manners a little on the left hand.
A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
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CAT CALL. A kind of whistle, chiefly used at theatres, to interrupt the actors, and damn a new piece. It derives its name from one of its sounds, which greatly resembles the modulation of an intriguing boar cat.
A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
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