-
Door
·noun Passage; means of approach or access.
II. Door ·noun An entrance way, but taken in the sense ...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Nail
·noun To spike, as a cannon.
II. Nail ·noun To stud or boss with nails, or as with nails.
III. Nai...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Nail
For fastening.
1) Hebrew yathed, "piercing," a peg or nail of any material (Ezek. 15:3), more espec...
Easton's Bible Dictionary
-
to nail
To fasten; to 'bind a person to a bargain. Ex. 'He offered the a dollar for this book, and I nailed ...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
nail
a nail of beef, eight pounds. S.
...
A glossary of provincial and local words used in England by Francis Grose
-
Nail
Of finger. (a) A nail or claw of man or animal. (b) A point or style e.g. for writing; see (Jeremiah...
William Smith's Bible Dictionary
-
as
as, assis, m. (nom. assis, Don. ad Ter. Phorm. 43, and Schol. ad Pers. 2, 59; old form assārĭus, ii,...
A New Latin Dictionary by Charlton T. Lewis Ph.D. and Charles Short, LL. D.
-
as
ās assis, m 2 AC-, one, a whole, unity ; hence (late), ex asse heres, of the entire estate . — Es...
An Elementary Latin Dictionary
-
·AS
(abbreviation) Anglo-Saxon Origin
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
As
·noun An <<Ace>>.
II. As ·adv & ·conj As if; as though.
III. As ·adv & ·conj Expressing a wish.
I...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Dead
·adj Bringing death; deadly.
II. Dead ·adj Destitute of life; inanimate; as, dead matter.
III. Dea...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
dead
This word is vulgarly used in the sense of utter, complete. Ex. "A dead beat," i. e. a complete beat...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
sick as a horse
Horses are said to be extremely sick at their stomachs, from being unable to relieve themselves by v...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
sick as a dog
A common expression, meaning very sick at the stomach.
He that saieth he is dog sick, or sick as a ...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
hearty as a buck
A hunter's phrase, now in very common use.
Well, how d'ye do, any how?
So, so, middlin'. I'm heart...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
sick as a horse
'I'm as sick as a horse,' is a vulgar phrase which is used when a person is exceedingly sick. As a h...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
slick as a whistle
A proverbial simile, in common use throughout the United States. To do anything as slick as a whistl...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
sure as a gun
Absolutely certain. A common colloquial expression.--Brockett.
There's luck, says auld Lizzy, in fa...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
Back door
·- A door in the back part of a building; hence, an indirect way.
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Open door
·add. ·- Open or free admission to all; hospitable welcome; free opportunity.
II. Open door ·add. ·...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Without-door
·adj Outdoor; exterior.
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Door-keeper
This word is used in Ps. 84:10 (R.V. marg., "stand at the threshold of," etc.), but there it signifi...
Easton's Bible Dictionary
-
Door-posts
The Jews were commanded to write the divine name on the posts (mezuzoth') of their doors (Deut. 6:9)...
Easton's Bible Dictionary
-
back door
(usher, or gentleman of the)
A sodomite.
...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
fire-door
An access to the fire-place of an engine.
...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
Bullen-nail
·noun A nail with a round head and short shank, tinned and lacquered.
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Nail-headed
·adj Having a head like that of a nail; formed so as to resemble the head of a nail.
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
nang-nail
a piece of loose skin hanging from the top of the finger. North.
...
A glossary of provincial and local words used in England by Francis Grose
-
nail, to
Is colloquially used for binding a person to a bargain. In weighing articles of food, a nail is 8 lb...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
as good as go
In the phrase, I'd as good's go to New York, instead of "I might as well go to New York." "I'd as go...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
dead upon a wind
Braced sharp up and bowlines hauled.
...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
Ambes-as
·noun Ambs-ace.
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
A
A, a, indecl. n. (sometimes joined with littera), the first letter of the Latin alphabet, correspond...
A New Latin Dictionary by Charlton T. Lewis Ph.D. and Charles Short, LL. D.
-
a
a, prep.=ab, v. ab.
...
A New Latin Dictionary by Charlton T. Lewis Ph.D. and Charles Short, LL. D.
-
A
A. a. as an abbreviation, 1 for the praenomen Aulus.
2 for Absolvo, on the voting-tablet of a jud...
An Elementary Latin Dictionary
-
A
·- Of.
II. A ·prep In; on; at; by.
III. A ·- An expletive, void of sense, to fill up the meter.
I...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
A 1
·- A registry mark given by underwriters (as at Lloyd's) to ships in first-class condition. Inferior...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
A-
·- A, as a prefix to English words, is derived from various sources. (1) It frequently signifies on ...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
A
Alpha, the first letter of the Greek alphabet, as Omega is the last. These letters occur in the text...
Easton's Bible Dictionary
-
a
As for example the word alarm, alarum, a bell, from the German lärm; but the military alarm on a dru...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
William Smith's Bible Dictionary
-
as fat as a hen in the forehead
A saying of a meagre person.
...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
crooked as a virginia fence
A phrase applied to anything very crooked; and figuratively to persons of a stub-born temper, who ar...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
mad as a march hare
A common simile, used alike in England and America.
The whole's to be fourpence a quart--
'Odswing...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
savage as a meat axe
Exceedingly hungry. This vulgar simile is often used in the Northern and Western States.
"Why, you ...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
straight as a loon's leg
is a common simile in New England.
They were puzzled with the accounts; but I saw through it in a m...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
Dead beat
·- ·see <<Beat>>, ·noun, 7.
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Dead-eye
·noun A round, flattish, wooden block, encircled by a rope, or an iron band, and pierced with three ...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Dead-hearted
·adj Having a dull, faint heart; spiritless; listless.
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Dead-pay
·noun Pay drawn for soldiers, or others, really dead, whose names are kept on the rolls.
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Dead-reckoning
·noun ·see under Dead, a.
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Dead-stroke
·adj Making a stroke without recoil; deadbeat.
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Stone-dead
·adj As dead as a stone.
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Dead Sea
The name given by Greek writers of the second century to that inland sea called in Scripture the "sa...
Easton's Bible Dictionary
-
dead cargo
A term used by thieves, when they are disappointed in the value of their booty.
...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
dead horse
To work for the dead horse; to work for wages already paid.
...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
dead-louse
Vulgar pronunciation of the Dedalus ship of war.
...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
dead men
A cant word among journeymen bakers, for loaves falsely charged to their masters' customers; also em...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
dead-bird
n.
In Australia, a recent slangterm, meaning «a certainty.» The metaphor is frompigeon-shooting, wh...
Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris
-
dead-finish
n.
a rough scrubtree.
1) Albizzia basaltica, Benth., N.O. Leguminosae.
2) Acacia farnesiana, Will...
Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris
-
a dead set
A concerted scheme to defraud a person by gaming.--Grose, Slang Dict. This phrase seems to be taken ...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
dead-alive
Dull, inactive, moping.--Barnes's Dorset Glossary. We often hear the expression, "He is a dead-alive...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
dead heads
Persons who drink at a bar, ride in an omnibus, or railroad car, travel in steamboats, or visit the ...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
dead horse
Work for which one has been paid before it is performed. When a workman, on Saturday night, includes...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
dead letter
A writing or precept without any authority or force; a letter left in a post office and not called f...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
dead-angle
In fortification, is an angle receiving no defence, either by its own fire or that of any other work...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
dead-calm
A total cessation of wind; the same as flat-calm.
...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
dead-doors
Those fitted in a rabbet to the outside of the quarter-gallery doors, with the object of keeping out...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
dead-eye
, or dead man's eye.
A sort of round flattish wooden block, or oblate piece of elm, encircled, and...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
dead-flat
The timber or frame possessing the greatest breadth and capacity in the ship: where several timbers ...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
dead-freight
The sum to which a merchant is liable for goods which he has failed to ship.
...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
dead-head
A kind of dolphin (which see). Also, a rough block of wood used as an anchor-buoy.
...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
dead-headed
Timber trees which have ceased growing.
...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
dead-horse
A term applied by seamen to labour which has been paid for in advance. When they commence earning mo...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
dead-lift
The moving of a very inert body.
...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
dead-lights
Strong wooden shutters made exactly to fit the cabin windows externally; they are fixed on the appro...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
dead-lown
A completely still atmosphere.
...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
dead-men
The reef or gasket-ends carelessly left dangling under the yard when the sail is furled, instead of ...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
dead-months
A term for winter.
...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
dead-pay
That given formerly in shares, or for names borne, but for which no one appears, as was formerly pra...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
dead-reckoning
The estimation of the ship's place without any observation of the heavenly bodies; it is discovered ...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
dead-rising
In ship-building, is that part of a ship which lies aft between the keel and her floor-timbers towar...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
dead-ropes
Those which do not run in any block.
...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
dead-shares
An allowance formerly made to officers of the fleet, from fictitious numbers borne on the complement...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
dead-sheave
A scored aperture in the heel of a top-mast, through which a second top-tackle pendant can be rove. ...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
dead-ticket
Persons dying on board, those discharged from the service, and all officers promoted, are cleared fr...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
dead-water
The eddy-water under the counter of a ship under way; so called because passing away slower than the...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
dead weight
A vessel's lading when it consists of heavy goods, but particularly such as pay freight according to...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
dead wood
Certain blocks of timber, generally oak, fayed on the upper side of the keel, particularly at the ex...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
dead works
All that part of the ship which is above water when she is laden. The same as upper work, or superna...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
Dead Sea
This name nowhere occurs in the Bible, and appears not to have existed until the second century afte...
William Smith's Bible Dictionary
-
score of a dead eye
The groove round which the rope passes.
...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
Out-of-door
·adj Being out of the house; being, or done, in the open air; outdoor; as, out-of-door exercise. ·se...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
barn-door fowl
The common fowl; also so called in Scotland.--Jamieson.
Never had there been such slauthering of ca...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
make the door
, or WINDOWS
i. e. fasten them. North. Salop, Leic.
...
A glossary of provincial and local words used in England by Francis Grose
-
nail-tailed wallaby
n.
See onychogale.
...
Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris
-
tree-nail wedge
A cross is cut in the tree-nail end, and wedges driven in, caulked; or sometimes a wedge is driven i...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
as deaf as the main-mast
Said of one who does not readily catch an order given. Thus at sea the main-mast is synonymous with ...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
as good's go
In the phrase, I'd as good's go to New York, instead of "I might as well go to New York." "I'd as go...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
slick as grease
Another classical expression, conveying the same idea as the foregoing.
...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
unclaimed, as derelict
Vessels found at sea without a human being, or a domestic animal, on board are good prizes, if not c...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
turn in a dead-eye or heart, to
To seize the end of a shroud or stay, &c., securely round it.
...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
dead-wood fence
n.
The Australian fence, socalled, is very different from the fence of the same name inEngland. It ...
Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris
-
dead man's eye
See dead-eye
...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
dead-men's effects
When a seaman dies on board, or is drowned, his effects are sold at the mast by auction, and the pro...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
dead-on-end
The wind blowing directly adverse to the vessel's intended course.
...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
dead-wood knees
The upper foremost and aftermost pieces of dead wood; being crooked pieces of timber, the bolting of...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
A cappella
·- A time indication, equivalent to alla breve.
II. A cappella ·- In church or chapel style;
— sai...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
A cheval
·add. ·- Astride; with a part on each side;
— used specif. in designating the position of an army w...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
A fortiori
·- With stronger reason.
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
A posteriori
·- Applied to knowledge which is based upon or derived from facts through induction or experiment; i...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
A priori
·- Applied to knowledge and conceptions assumed, or presupposed, as prior to experience, in order to...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
A-mornings
·adv In the morning; every morning.
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
A-sea
·adv On the sea; at sea; toward the sea.
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
A-tiptoe
·adv On tiptoe; eagerly expecting.
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Due-a
·noun ·see Do-a.
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Pi-a
·add. ·noun The <<Pineapple>>.
II. Pi-a ·add. ·noun Pi-a cloth or the fiber of which it is made.
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Vicu-a
·noun ·Alt. of <<Vicugna>>.
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
a-many
a great number, pronounced Meyny. North.
...
A glossary of provincial and local words used in England by Francis Grose
-
A glossary of provincial and local words used in England by Francis Grose
-
a-scat
broken like an egg. Dev.
...
A glossary of provincial and local words used in England by Francis Grose
-
a-slat
crack'd like an earthen vessel. Dev.
...
A glossary of provincial and local words used in England by Francis Grose
-
A glossary of provincial and local words used in England by Francis Grose
-
a-burton
The situation of casks when they are stowed in the hold athwart ship, or in a line with the beam.
...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
a-cockbill
(see cock-bill). The anchor hangs by its ring at the cat-head, in a position for dropping.
...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
a-hull
A ship under bare poles and her helm a-lee, driving from wind and sea, stern foremost. Also a ship d...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
a-lee
The contrary of a-weather: the position of the helm when its tiller is borne over to the lee-side of...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
a-poise
Said of a vessel properly trimmed.
...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
a-starboard
The opposite to a-port.
...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
a-stay
Said of the anchor when, in heaving in, the cable forms such an angle with the surface as to appear ...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
a-trip
The anchor is a-trip, or a-weigh, when the purchase has just made it break ground, or raised it clea...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
a-wash
Reefs even with the surface. The anchor just rising to the water's edge, in heaving up.
...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
a-weather
The position of the helm when its tiller is moved to the windward side of the ship, in the direction...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
a-weigh
The anchor being a-trip, or after breaking out of the ground.
...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
queer as dick's hatband
Out of order, without knowing one's disease.
...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
cold as presbyterian charity
I know not the origin of this saying, and am not aware that there is less charity in this sect than ...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
poor as job's turkey
A common simile.
The professor is as poor as Job's turkey, if it wasn't for that powerful salary th...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
Baptism for the dead
Only mentioned in 1 Cor. 15:29. This expression as used by the apostle may be equivalent to saying, ...
Easton's Bible Dictionary
-
Resurrection of the dead
Will be simultaneous both of the just and the unjust (Dan. 12:2; John 5:28, 29; Rom. 2:6-16; 2 Thess...
Easton's Bible Dictionary
-
squaring the dead-eyes
Bringing them to a line parallel to the sheer of the ship.
...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
busy as the devil in a gale of wind
Fidgety restlessness, or double diligence in a bad cause; the imp being supposed to be mischievous i...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
mine a-se on a bandbox
An answer to the offer of any thing inadequate to the purpose for which it is wanted, just as a band...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
if so be as how
A vulgar expression used by uneducated people in the interior parts of this country and in England.
...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
A B C
·- The simplest rudiments of any subject; as, the A B C of finance.
II. A B C ·- A primer for teach...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
All-a-mort
·adj ·see <<Alamort>>.
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Black-a-vised
·adj Dark-visaged; swart.
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Bric-a brac
·noun Miscellaneous curiosities and works of decorative art, considered collectively.
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Char-a-bancs
·noun A long, light, open vehicle, with benches or seats running lengthwise.
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Chars-a-banc
·pl of Char-a-bancs.
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Cock-a-hoop
·adj Boastful; defiant; exulting. Also used adverbially.
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Cornet-a-piston
·noun A brass wind instrument, like the trumpet, furnished with valves moved by small pistons or sli...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Cornets-a-piston
·pl of Cornet-a-piston.
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Dos-a-dos
·add. ·noun A sofa, open carriage, or the like, so constructed that the occupants sit back to back.
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Flute a bec
·- A beak flute, an older form of the flute, played with a mouthpiece resembling a beak, and held li...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Jack-a-dandy
·noun A little dandy; a little, foppish, impertinent fellow.
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Jack-a-lent
·noun A small stuffed puppet to be pelted in Lent; hence, a simple fellow.
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Penny-a-liner
·noun One who furnishes matter to public journals at so much a line; a poor writer for hire; a hack ...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Pi-a cloth
·add. ·- A fine fabric for scarfs, handkerchiefs, embroidery, ·etc., woven from the fiber obtained f...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Tete-a-tete
·adj Private; confidential; familiar.
II. Tete-a-tete ·noun A short sofa intended to accomodate two...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Vis-a-vis
·adv Face to face.
II. Vis-a-vis ·noun One who, or that which, is face to face with another; ·esp.,...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Wait-a-bit
·add. ·noun The prickly ash.
II. Wait-a-bit ·add. ·noun The grapple plant.
III. Wait-a-bit ·add. ·...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Wait-a-while
·add. ·noun = Wait-a-bit.
II. Wait-a-while ·add. ·noun One of the Australian wattle trees (Acacia c...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Adam, a type
The apostle Paul speaks of Adam as "the figure of him who was to come." On this account our Lord is ...
Easton's Bible Dictionary
-
all-a-mort
Struck dumb, confounded. What, sweet one, all-a-mort? SHAKESPEARE.
...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
black a-se
A copper or kettle. The pot calls the kettle black a-se. Cant.
...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
to run a buck
To poll a bad vote at an election.--IRISH TERM.
...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
chick-a-biddy
A chicken, so called to and by little children.
...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
cock-a-whoop
Elevated, in high-spirits, transported with joy.
...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
to couch a hogshead
To lie down to sleep. CANT.
...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
to fight a crib
To make a sham fight. BEAR GARDEN TERM.
...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
cure a-se
A dyachilon plaister, applied to the parts galled by riding.
...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
dram-a-tick
A dram served upon credit.
...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
drop a cog
To let fall, with design, a piece of gold or silver, in order to draw in and cheat the person who se...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
firing a gun
Introducing a story by head and shoulders. A man wanting to tell a particular story, said to the com...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
to fire a slug
To drink a dram.
...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
foxing a boot
Mending the foot by capping it.
...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
mumble a sparrow
A cruel sport practised at wakes and fairs, in the following manner: A cock sparrow whose wings are ...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
pit-a-pat
The palpitation of the heart: as, my heart went pit-a-pat. Pintledy-pantledy; the same.
...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
to ring a peal
To scold; chiefly applied to women. His wife rung him a fine peal!
...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
slug-a-bed
A drone, one that cannot rise in the morning.
...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
squint-a-pipes
A squinting man or woman; said to be born in the middle of the week, and looking both ways for Sunda...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
bull-a-bull
or Bullybul
n.
a child'scorruption of the Maori word Poroporo (q.v.), aflowering shrub of New Zeal...
Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris
-
cock-a-bully
n. a popular name for the NewZealand fish Galaxias fasciatus, Gray, a corruption ofits Maori name Ko...
Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris
-
to bear a hand
A seaman's phrase. To be ready ; to go to work; to assist.
...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
to catch a tartar
To attack one of superior strength or abilities. This saying originated from the story of an Irish s...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
to cut a caper
(Italian, tagliar le capriole.) The act of dancing in a frolicksome manner.--Todd. We use it also in...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
to cut a dash
In modern colloquial speech, to make a great show; to make a figure.--Johnson. A fashionable or gail...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
to cut a figure
To make an appearance, either good or bad.
We are not as much surprised at the poor figure cut by t...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
to cut a swathe
The same as to cut a dash.
The expression is generally applied to a person walking who is gaily dre...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
to deacon a calf
is to knock it in the head as soon as it is born.--Connecticut.
...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
to drive a bargain
To make a bargain. A common colloquial expression, as old as the language.
This bargain is ful dr...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
to girdle a tree
In America, to make a circular incision, like a belt, through the bark and alburnum of a tree to kil...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
to have a say
To express an opinion. A phrase in vulgar use.
I picked out "Henry Clay" for my baby's name, but t...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
to make a raise
A vulgar expression, meaning to raise; procure; obtain.
I made a raise of a horse and saw, after be...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
to raise a bead
This expression is used at the West, and means to bring to a head, to make succeed. The figure is ta...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
to sky a copper
To toss up a cent.
Didge said he was like skying a copper--head or tail.--Crockett, Tour.
...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
to trig a wheel
To stop a wheel so as to prevent its going backwards or forwards.--Bailey. Still used in New England...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.