MORGLAG. A brown bill, or kind of halbert, formerly carried by watchmen; corruption of MORE, great or broad, and GLAVE, blade.
A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
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DUCE. Two-pence.
A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
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AUNT. Mine aunt; a bawd or procuress: a title of eminence for the senior dells, who serve for instructresses, midwives, &c. for the dells. CANT. See DELLS.
A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
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HOB OR NOB. Will you hob or nob with me? a question formerly in fashion at polite tables, signifying a request or challenge to drink a glass of wine with the proposer: if the party challenged answered Nob, they were to chuse whether white or red.
A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
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ROUND ROBIN. A mode of signing remonstrances practised by sailors on board the king's ships, 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.
A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
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DELLS. Young buxom wenches, ripe and prone 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.
A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
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BLOODY BACK. A jeering appellation for a soldier, alluding to his scarlet coat.
A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
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KNOWLEDGE BOX. The head.
A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
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TANTWIVY. Away they went tantwivy; away they went full speed. Tantwivy was the sound of the hunting horn in full cry, or that of a post horn.
A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
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HELTER SKELTER. To run helter skelter, hand over head, in defiance of order.
A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
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The Vulgar Tongue