1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue eBook

Francis Grose
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 343 pages of information about 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue.

1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue eBook

Francis Grose
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 343 pages of information about 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue.

Toad eater.  A poor female relation, and humble companion,
  or reduced gentlewoman, in a great family, the standing
  butt, on whom all kinds of practical jokes are played
  off, and all ill humours vented.  This appellation is derived
  from a mountebank’s servant, on whom all experiments
  used to be made in public by the doctor, his master; among
  which was the eating of toads, formerly supposed poisonous. 
  Swallowing toads is here figuratively meant for swallowing
  or putting up with insults, as disagreeable to a person
  of feeling as toads to the stomach.

Toad.  Toad in a hole; meat baked or boiled in pye-crust. 
  He or she sits like a toad on a chopping-block; a saying
  of any who sits ill on horseback.  As much need of it
  as a toad of a side-pocket; said of a person who desires
  any thing for which he has no real occasion.  As full of
  money as a toad is of feathers.

Toast. A health; also a beautiful woman whose health is
  often drank by men.  The origin of this term (as it is said)
  was this:  a beautiful lady bathing in a cold bath, one of
  her admirers out of gallantry drank some of the water: 
  whereupon another of her lovers observed, he never drank
  in the morning, but he would kiss the toast, and immediately
  saluted the lady.

Toasting iron, or cheese toaster.  A sword.

Toby lay.  The highway.  High toby man; a highway-man. 
  Low toby man; a footpad.

Tobacco.  A plant, once in great estimation as a medicine: 

       Tobacco hic
  Will make you well if you be sick. 
       Tobacco hic
  If you be well will make you sick.

Toddy.  Originally the juice of the cocoa tree, and afterwards
  rum, water, sugar, and nutmeg.

Toddle.  To walk away.  The cove was touting, but
  stagging the traps he toddled; be was looking out, and
  feeing the officers he walked away.

TODGE.  Beat all to a todge:  said of anything beat to mash.

TOGE.  A coat.  Cant.

TOGEMANS.  The same.  Cant.

Togs.  Clothes.  The swell is rum-togged.  The gentleman
  is handsomely dressed.

Token.  The plague:  also the venereal disease.  She tipped
  him the token; she gave him a clap or pox.

Tol, or Toledo.  A sword:  from Spanish swords made at
  Toledo, which place was famous for sword blades of an
  extraordinary temper.

TOLLIBAN rig.  A species of cheat carried on by a woman,
  assuming the character of a dumb and deaf conjuror.

Tom T—­DMAN.  A night man, one who empties necessary
  houses.

Tomboy.  A romping girl, who prefers the amusement used
  by boys to those of her own sex.

Copyrights
Project Gutenberg
1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.