Regency Slang

From this site.

A

• abigail
  • A lady's maid.
• Ace of Spades
  • A widow.
• a fudge
  • A false rumor. Also referred to as a damned hum.
• all the crack
  • To be very fashionable.
• angelic
  • Simple young women.
• Apartments to Let
  • A widow on the catch. Also referred to as empty-headed and shallow cove.
• ape-drunk
  • To be very drunk. Also referred to as drunk as a wheelbarrow.
• ape-leader
  • An old maid or spinster. (Their punishment after death for failing to procreate, it was said, would be to lead the apes into hell.)
• a trifle disguised
  • To be slightly drunk. Also referred to as half-sprung.

B

• Babes in the Wood
  • People confined to the stocks, or the pillory. Also referred to as dice.
• bachelor fare
  • A woman of easy virtue. Also referred to as barque of frailty, Bird of Paradise, bit of muslin, convenient, Cyprian, Demi-rep, game pullet, lady-bird, light-skirt, Paphian, peculiar, prime article, trollop, and wanton.
• bacon-brained
  • A silly person; fool. Also referred to as beef witted, bird witted, caper witted, chucklehead, fatwit, goose, jingle-brained, nincompoop, rattleplate, slow top, and scatter witted.
• bag of moonshine
  • A lot of nonsense. Also referred to as fustian nonsense and slum.
• bamboozle
  • To trick. Also referred to as a gammon.
• Banbury stories
  • Falsehoods.
• bandy words
  • To talk.

bang up to the mark To be on time. banyan A loose-skirted coat worn by men as a dressing gown. barking irons Pistols. barque of frailty A woman of easy virtue. Also referred to as bachelor fare, Bird of Paradise, bit of muslin, convenient, Cyprian, Demi-rep, gamepullet, lady-bird, light-skirt, Paphian, peculiar, prime article, trollop, and wanton. batman An orderly assigned to a military officer. Beau Monde High society; the fashionable elite. Also known as the Bon Ton, the Haut Monde, High Society, the Quality, and the Ton. beautiful stepper A fine piece of horseflesh. Also referred to as prime bit of blood and sweet-goer. Beau Traps A loose stone that, when stood on, would squirt dirty on one's clean white stockings; a 'Sharper' who preyed on raw young country squires or ignorant fops. become a tenant for life To marry. beef witted silly person; fool. Also referred to as bacon-brained, bird witted, caper witted, chucklehead, fatwit, goose, jingle-brained, nincompoop, rattleplate, slow top, and scatter witted. befogged To be confused. behind the fair be in alt To be ecstatic. being cupped To have blood taken/let. be in your cups To be drunk. Also referred to as bosky, be with malt above water, castaway, disguised, eaten Hull cheese, foxed, jug-bitten, properly shot in the neck, tap-hackled, and top-heavy. bellows to mend with To have the wind knocked out of you. below hatches To be poor. beneath my touch To not be good enough. be with malt above water To be drunk. Also referred to as bosky, be in your cups, castaway, disguised, eaten Hull cheese, foxed, jug-bitten, properly shot in the neck, tap-hackled, and top-heavy. Billy Buzman Pickpockets who stole only silk handkerchiefs. Bird of Paradise A woman of easy virtue. Also referred to as bachelor fare, barque of frailty, bit of muslin, convenient, Cyprian, Demi-rep, game pullet, lady-bird, light-skirt, Paphian, peculiar, prime article, trollop, and wanton. bird witted A silly person; fool. Also referred to as bacon-brained, beef witted, caper witted, chucklehead, fatwit, goose, jingle-brained, nincompoop, rattleplate, slow top, and scatter witted. bit of muslin A woman of easy virtue. Also referred to as bachelor fare, barque of frailty, Bird of Paradise, convenient, Cyprian,Demi-rep, game pullet, lady-bird, light-skirt, Paphian, peculiar, prime article, trollop, and wanton. bleed very freely To give lots of money. blue devils The blues, depression. Also referred to as megrims. Blue Ruin Gin. Also referred to as Flash of Lightning, Old Tom, and Stark Naked. Blues, the Nickname for the Royal Horse Guards, one of the three cavalry regiments charged with guarding the Royal Household; the regiment received the epithet due to the color of their uniforms. bluestocking An academic female. blunt Money. Also referred to as dibs, gingerbread, and rhino. bolt to the Village To go to London. bone-setters A horse of poor quality. Also referred to as a screw. Bon Ton High society; the fashionable elite. Also known as the Beau Monde, the Haut Monde, High Society, the Quality, and the Ton. boot is quite on the other leg The situation is quite the reverse. bosky To be drunk. Also referred to be in your cups, be with malt above water, castaway, disguised, eaten Hull cheese, foxed, jug-bitten, properly shot in the neck, tap-hackled, and top-heavy. bouncer A lie. Also referred to as a Canterbury tale, cutting shams, faradiddle, pitching the gammon, plumper, and shamming it. bounder An ill-bred, unscrupulous man; a cad. Also referred to as a dirty-dish, loose screw, and rake. bowled out Cricket term; to get the better of. bread-basket Stomach. Also referred to as pudding-house. brought to Point Non Plus To be in a situation with no options. bulls-eye Crown (the coin, not coronet). Also referred to as coachwheel. bumble-broth To make a mull of things. by-blows Illegitimate children. Also referred to as side-slips.

C

calf-clingers Pantaloons. calf-love Immature love of a young man. canaray Sovereign (money, not ruler) - new in 1817. Also referred to as quid and yellow-boy. cant The generic term for the language used by beggars, gypsies, and thieves. Canterbury tales Lies. Also referred to as bouncers, cutting shams, faradiddles, pitching the gammon, plumper, and shamming it. caper merchant A dancing instructor. caper witted A silly person; fool. Also referred to as bacon-brained, beef witted, bird witted, chucklehead, fatwit, goose, jingle-brained, nincompoop, rattleplate, slow top, and scatter witted. Captain Sharp A cheater. Also referred to as an ivory tuner. carte-blanche An offer made by a gentleman that includes living under his protection, but not marriage. castaway To be drunk. Also referred to as bosky, be in your cups, be with malt above water, disguised, eaten Hull cheese, foxed, jug-bitten, properly shot in the neck, tap-hackled, and top-heavy. cast one's resources into a pool-dish To share the work. cast up your account To vomit. Also referred to as flash the hash. cat-lap Milk, or champagne if used as a joke. cattle Horses. Also referred to as prime-goers and tits. chemisette A short linen or muslin shirt, originally part of a riding costume, worn to fill in a wide-necked bodice for day wear - sometimes with a stand-up collar or ruff. Also referred to as a habit shirt. Children in the wood Dice. chit A young girl. chitterlings The inside parts of the pig. chucklehead A silly person; fool. Also referred to as bacon-brained, beef witted, bird witted, caper witted, fatwit, goose, jingle-brained, nincompoop, rattleplate, slow top, and scatter witted. cit A contemptuous term for a member of the merchant class. civil whiskers Polite small talk. cleaned out To have no money. Also referred to as cucumberish, damned low water with me, find oneself on the rocks, find self at a stand, haven't a sixpenceto scratch with, never a feather to fly with, pockets to let, punting on River Tick, rolled-up, and run quite off one's legs. clunch A rock-like material. To be used in association with a person, usually in the manner of an insult. coachwheel Crown (the coin, not coronet). Also referred to as a bulls-eye. cock-sure To be proud and confident. cock up one's toes To die. coiffure A hairstyle; to arrange or dress hair. color up To blush. Also referred to as flying one's colors. come up to scratch Make an offer of marriage. commonplace mind A dirty or vulgar mind. congé Formal permission to depart; an abrupt dismissal; a leave-taking; a formal bow. consumption Turberculosis. convenient A woman of easy virtue. Also referred to as bachelor fare, barque of frailty, Bird of Paradise, bit of muslin, Cyprian, Demi-rep, game pullet, lady-bird, light-skirt, Paphian, peculiar, prime article, trollop, and wanton. Corinthian Fashionable man about town, usually a sportsman. Corinthian Path Gentleman Jackson's boxing saloon. corky To be bright and lively. Cossacks Loose trousers. cow-handed Clumsy. Also referred to as ham-fisted. cow juice Milk. coxcomb A man who affects extreme elegance in clothes and manners. Also referred to as a dandy and fop. cross as crabs To be ill tempered and sour. cry rope on someone To give them away, tell secrets, etc. cucumberish To have no money. Also referred to as cleaned out, damned low water with me, find oneself on the rocks, find self at a stand, haven't a sixpenceto scratch with, never a feather to fly with, pockets to let, punting on River Tick, rolled-up, and run quite off one's legs. cuffin A man. curricle A fashionable open-air two-wheeled sporting vehicle designed for a pair of horses and seating for two. curtain lectures A private lecture given by a wife to her husband. cut a wheedle To ingratiate self with someone by lying. Also referred to as turn someone up sweet. cut direct A deliberate and public snub. cutting shams Lying. Also referred to as bouncer, Canterbury tales, faradiddles, pitching the gammon, plumper, and shamming it. cut up my peace To disturb me. Cyprian A woman of easy virtue. Also referred to as bachelor fare, barque of frailty, Bird of Paradise, bit of muslin, convenient,Demi-rep, game pullet, lady-bird, light-skirt, Paphian, peculiar, prime article, trollop, and wanton. Cythereans Mistresses. Also referred to as demimonde and light o' love.

D

damned hum A false rumor; a lie; a trick. Also referred to as a fudge; bouncer, Canterbury tale, cutting shams, and faradiddle; bamboozle and gammon. damned low water with me To have no money; be in debt. Also referred to as cucumberish, cleaned out, find oneself on the rocks, find self at a stand, hatches, haven't a sixpence to scratch with, never a feather to fly with, pockets to let, Punting on River Tick, rolled-up, and run quite off one's legs. dandiprat An insignificant or trifling fellow. dandy A man who affects extreme elegance in clothes and manners. Also referred to as a coxcomb and fop. dangling after Hanging about, enamoured of. darken one's daylights To give a black eye. décolletage The low neckline of a woman's dress. deedy Industrious; active. demimonde Mistress. Also referred to as Cytherean and light o' love. Demi-rep A woman of easy virtue. Also referred to as bachelor fare, barque of frailty, Bird of Paradise, bit of muslin, convenient, Cyprian, game pullet, lady-bird, light-skirt, Paphian, peculiar, prime article, trollop, and wanton. diamond of the first water A very beautiful young woman. dibs Money. Also referred to as blunt, gingerbread, and rhino. dibs not in tune To be in poor financial state. dice People confined to the stocks, or pillory. Also referred to as Babes in the Wood. dicked in the nob To be crazy. dipping rather deep To drink quite heavily. dirty-dish An ill-bred, unscrupulous man; a cad. Also referred to as a bounder, loose screw, and rake. disguised To be drunk. Also referred to as bosky, be in your cups, be with malt above water, castaway, eaten Hull cheese, foxed, jug-bitten, properly shot in the neck, tap-hackled, and top-heavy. dispatchers False dice. displays to advantage To fight well (boxing term). doing it much too brown Overdoing it so it is not credible. domino A short hooded cloak worn with a mask usually at masquerades. done to a cow's thumb Fatigued to the point of illness/fainting. done up To be ruined by gambling. drawing the bustle too freely To spend too much money. draw someone's cork To punch in the nose and cause bleeding. drive unicorn To drive a vehicle with 3 horses, 1 in front of 2 others. drunk as a wheelbarrow To be very drunk. Also referred to as ape-drunk. dudgeon A bad mood. Dun territory A debt.

E

eaten Hull cheese To be drunk. Also referred to as bosky, be in your cups, be with malt above water, castaway, disguised, foxed, jug-bitten, properly shot in the neck, tap-hackled, and top-heavy. elbow-crooker A drinker. elbow shaker A gamester casting dice. empty-headed A widow on the catch. Also referred to as Apartments to let and shallow cove.

F

fagged to death To be exhausted, tired. Also referred to as knocked-up. fair gutfounded To be very hungry. fairly flush in the pockets To be quite rich. Can also be referred to as flash the screens, full of juice, post the pony, stump the pewter, swimming in lard, tip the brads, and well-inlaid. faradiddles A lie. Also referred to as a bouncer, Canterbury tale, cutting shams, pitching the gammon, plumper, and shamming it. fatwit A silly person; fool. Also referred to as bacon-brained, beef witted, bird witted, caper witted, chucklehead, goose, jingle-brained, nincompoop, rattleplate, slow top, and scatter witted. fichu A thin fabric inserted scarf-like into the neckline of a woman's dress. fiend seize it Damn it. find oneself on the rocks To have no money; be in debt. Also referred to as cleaned out, cucumberish, damned low water with me, find self at a stand, haven't a sixpence to scratch with, never a feather to fly with, pockets to let, punting on River Tick, rolled-up, and run quite off one's legs. fit of the blue-devils To be depressed. five-bottle men Drunks with a remarkable ability to hold their drink. Similar terms include four and six-bottle men, but their ability to hold their drink slightly decreases (four) and increases (six) with each respective number. flash-house A pub frequented by criminals. flash mort An upper-class girl. Flash of Lightning Gin. Also referred to as Blue Ruin, Old Tom, and Stark Naked. flash the hash To vomit. Also referred to as cast up your account. flash the screens To be rich. Can also be referred to as fairly flush in the pockets, full of juice, post the pony, stump the pewter, swimming in lard,tip the brads, and well-inlaid. flat An honest person, foolish. Florizel Epithet for the Prince Regent. Also nicknamed Prinny. fly a kite To raise money. flying one's colors Blushing. Also referred to as coloring up. fly to the time of day Wise to the ways of the world. fob pocket A small pocket at the front waistline of a man's trousers used to hold a watch. fop A man who affects extreme elegance in clothes and manners. Also referred to as a coxcomb and dandy. four-bottle men Drunks with a remarkable ability to hold their drink. Similar terms include five and six-bottle men, but their ability to hold their drink was slightly increases with each number. foxed To be drunk. Also referred to as bosky, be in your cups, be with malt above water, castaway, disguised, eaten Hull cheese,jug-bitten, properly shot in the neck, tap-hackled, and top-heavy. free-traders Smugglers. Friday-faced Sad-looking. fulhams Loaded dice. full of juice To be very rich. Can also be referred to as fairly flush in the pockets, flash the screens, post the pony, stump the pewter, swimming in lard, tip the brads, and well-inlaid. fustian nonsense Rubbish. Also referred to as a bag of moonshine and slum.

G

gabster A person who talks a lot. game pullet A woman of easy virtue. Also referred to as bachelor fare, barque of frailty, Bird of Paradise, bit of muslin, convenient, Cyprian, Demi-rep, lady-bird, light-skirt, Paphian, peculiar, prime article, trollop, and wanton. gaming-hell A gambling den. gammon To trick. Also referred to as a bamboozle. gently born female of tender years Just out, usually ages 16-19. gingerbread Money. Also referred to as blunt, dibs, and rhino. give one snuff To rebuke or scold. give one the office Assigned a task to one. glumping Sulking. gobble-cock Turkey (less important than a Duke). goose A silly person; fool. Also referred to as bacon-brained, beef witted, bird witted, caper witted, chucklehead, fatwit, jingle-brained, nincompoop, rattleplate, slow top, and scatter witted. grease someone in the fist To bribe them. green girl A girl who has little experience. grubshite To make something dirty. gudgeon A fish. To be used in association with a person. gulled To be deceived or cheated. Primarily used with gambling. Gullgropers Money lenders. Gypsy hat A wide-brimmed straw hat with ribbons passing from the crown and tied in a bow under the chin.

H

habit shirt A short linen or muslin shirt, originally part of a riding costume, worn to fill in a wide-necked bodice for day wear - sometimes with a stand-up collar or ruff. Also referred to as a chemisette. hadn't an ounce of steel in him/her Not strong-willed. half-sprung Tipsy, not fully drunk. Also referred to as a trifle disguised. ham-fisted Clumsy. Also referred to as cow-handed. handkerchiefs thrown to him To attract; to aim to snare a man for marriage. Also referred to as set your cap at someone. hang on someone's sleeve To let self be supported financially. hatches To be in debt. Also referred to as damned low water with me, cucumberish, cleaned out, find oneself on the rocks, find self at a stand, haven't a sixpence to scratch with, never a feather to fly with, pockets to let, Punting on River Tick, rolled-up, and run quite off one's legs. hatchments Family shield shrouded in black crape. They were to be mounted over the windows of a great house to inform the public that the family was in mourning. haute couture High fashion; trend-setting fashions. Haut Monde High society; the fashionable elite. Also known as the Beau Monde, the Bon Ton, High Society, the Quality, and the Ton. haven't a sixpence to scratch with To have no money. Also referred to be cleaned out, cucumberish, damned low water with me, find oneself on the rocks, find self at a stand, never a feather to fly with, pockets to let, punting on River Tick, rolled-up, and run quite off one's legs. Havey-cavey Suspicious. havey-cavey business Suspicious goings-on. Haymarket ware Low class prostitutes. Hells Gambling houses. high fidgets high-flyers Gamblers for high stakes. high in the instep To be haughty, proud. hobble As in to be in a hobble or a predicament.

I

Incognitas Higher class prostitues. inexpressibles Breeches. in quite deep To be in debt. Also referred to as damned low water with me, Dun territory, and find oneself on the rocks. in the suds To be in trouble. ivory tuner A cheater. Also referred to as Captain Sharp.

J

Jarvey The driver of a hackney coach. jaw-me-dead A bore. Also referred to as a windsucker. Jerry Sneak A hen-pecked husband. jingle-brained A silly person; fool. Also referred to as bacon-brained, beef witted, bird witted, caper witted, chucklehead, fatwit, goose, nincompoop, rattleplate, slow top, and scatter witted. jobation A reproof or scolding. job-horses Rented horses. jointure A financial provision for a widow. Typically the amount is negotiated based on the portion she brought to the marriage, and is generally established as part of the marriage settlement. jordan A chamberpot. jug-bitten To be drunk. Also referred to as bosky, be in your cups, be with malt above water, castaway, disguised, eaten Hull cheese,foxed, properly shot in the neck, tap-hackled, and top-heavy.

K

kick up a lark To get into mischief. Also referred to as raising some kind of breeze. knocked-up To be exhausted, tired. Also referred to as fagged to death.

L

lady-bird A woman of easy virtue. Also referred to as bachelor fare, barque of frailty, Bird of Paradise, bit of muslin, convenient, Cyprian, Demi-rep, game pullet, light-skirt, Paphian, peculiar, prime article, trollop, and wanton. land a facer To punch in the face. Also referred to as plant a facer. lark Pranks. Also referred to as reveal-rout. Lawks A vulgar exclamation. leech A doctor. legs A bookmaker. Primarily used with gambling. leg-shackled To be married. Also referred to as parson's mousetrap and riveted. levanters light o' love Mistress. Also referred to as a Cytherean and demimonde. light-skirt A woman of easy virtue. Also referred to as bachelor fare, barque of frailty, Bird of Paradise, bit of muslin, convenient,Cyprian, Demi-rep, game pullet, lady-bird, Paphian, peculiar, prime article, trollop, and wanton. limbo A prison. loose screw An ill-bred, unscrupulous man; a cad. Also referred to as a bounder, dirty-dish, and rake. lucubrations Ponderous thought. Lud A polite exclamation. lump A workhouse. lush some slop To drink some tea.

M

make a cake of oneself Make a fool of oneself. make a May game of someone To fool someone. make a mull of something To make a mess of it. make an offer To propose marriage. making indentures Drinking. mantua-maker Georgian term for dressmaker; named after the mantua, a type of gown worn in the eighteenth century. Also referred to as modiste. mawkish To be sentimental. megrims The blues, depression. Also referred to as blue devils. miff To get into a bad mood. milkiness mill A boxing match. The term can also be used to refer to a less formal bout, ie a barroom brawl or fist-fight. mingle-mangle A mess. missish Squeamish, prim, prudish, ie behavior befitting a young miss. modiste French term for dressmaker. Also referred to as a mantua-maker. monkey A £500 bank note. mooncalves Twits. Also referred to as popinjays. moonling A simpleton; lunatic. moulder A lumbering boxer; one who fights as if he were moulding clay. mushroom A gate-crasher; a social climber; a brownnoser, a glad-hander; a name-dropper.

N

neck-or-nothing young blood of the Fancy A very sporty young nobleman. never a feather to fly with To have no money. Also referred to be cleaned out, cucumberish, damned low water with me, find oneself on the rocks, find self at a stand, haven't a sixpenceto scratch with, pockets to let, punting on River Tick, rolled-up, and run quite off one's legs. nick To win at dice or hit the mark just in the nick of time. nincompoop A silly person; fool. Also referred to as bacon-brained, beef witted, bird witted, caper witted, chucklehead, fatwit, goose, jingle-brained, rattleplate, slow top, and scatter witted. nit squeezer A barber. nonesuch A leader of fashion. Also referred to as a nonpareil. nonpareil A leader of fashion. Also referred to as nonesuch. not a mean bit yet To still be attractive. not give a tinker's damn To not care. notoriously picksome To be fussy.

O

ogles Eyes. Old Tom Gin. Also referred to as Blue Ruin, Flash of Lightning, and Stark Naked. on a repairing lease Returning to the country after your funds have run out. on-dit Gossip. on the cut On a drinking binge. on the shelf Beyond marriageable age; no longer wanted; a spinster. open the budget To speak freely.

P

Paphian A woman of easy virtue. Also referred to as bachelor fare, barque of frailty, Bird of Paradise, bit of muslin, convenient,Cyprian, Demi-rep, game pullet, lady-bird, light-skirt, peculiar, prime article, trollop, and wanton. parson's mousetrap To be married. Also referred to as leg-shackled and riveted. parting company To fall off of a horse. peagoose A silly person (usually a female). peahen A female peacock. To be used in association with a person. peculiar A woman of easy virtue. Also referred to as bachelor fare, barque of frailty, Bird of Paradise, bit of muslin, convenient,Cyprian, Demi-rep, game pullet, lady-bird, light-skirt, Paphian, prime article, trollop, and wanton. peep-of-day boy Someone always involved in mischief. pelisse An outdoor coat-like garment worn over a dress - ankle length or 3/4 length. pelter A state of worked up emotion. phaeton A fashionable open-air four-wheeled sporting vehicle with seating for two. pimple Head. Also referred to as pipkin. Pinkest of the Pinks A very fashionable man. Also referred to as swell of the first stare. pinks Young men. Also referred to as roses and tulips. pipkin Head. Also referred to as pimple. pitching the gammon Lying. Also referred to as bouncer, Canterbury tales, cutting shams, faradiddles, plumper, and shamming it. plant a facer To punch in the face. Also referred to as land a facer. pluck to the backbone To be brave. plum A £100,000 bank note. plume yourself on something To be proud of it. plumper A lie. Also referred to as a bouncer, Canterbury tale, cutting shams, faradiddle, pitching the gammon, and shamming it. pockets to let To have no money. Also referred to as cleaned out, cucumberish, damned low water with me, find oneself on the rocks, find self at a stand, haven't a sixpenceto scratch with, never a feather to fly with, rolled-up, and run quite off one's legs. 'pon rep A polite exclamation. pony A £25 bank note. popinjays Twits. Also referred to as mooncalves. post the pony To be rich. Can also be referred to as fairly flush in the pockets, flash the screens, full of juice, stump the pewter, swimmingin lard, tip the brads, and well-inlaid. prime article A woman of easy virtue. Also referred to as bachelor fare, barque of frailty, Bird of Paradise, bit of muslin, convenient,Cyprian, Demi-rep, game pullet, lady-bird, light-skirt, Paphian, peculiar, trollop, and wanton. prime bit of blood A fine piece of horseflesh. Also referred to as a beautiful stepper and sweet-goer. prime-goers Horses. Also referred to as cattle and tits. Prinny Epithet for the Prince Regent. Also nicknamed Florizel. properly shot in the neck To be drunk. Also referred to as bosky, be in your cups, be with malt above water, castaway, disguised, eaten Hull cheese, foxed, jug-bitten, tap-hackled, and top-heavy. pudding-house Stomach. Also referred to as bread-basket. punting on River Tick To be in debt. Also referred to as cucumberish, cleaned out, damned low water with me, find oneself on the rocks, find self at a stand, haven't a sixpence to scratch with, never a feather to fly with, pockets to let, rolled-up, and run quite off one's legs. purse-pinched To have little money.

Q

Quality, the High society; the fashionable elite. Also known as the Beau Monde, the Bon Ton, the Haut Monde, High Society, and the Ton. queer as Dick's hatband To be ill-looking, faint looking. quid Sovereign (money, not ruler) - new in 1817. Also referred to as canary and yellow-boy. quizzing glass A monocle dangling from a neck chain or ribbon, worn as a fashionable accessory by both men and women.

R

raise a breeze To make a fuss. raising some kind of breeze To be up to some mischief. Also referred to as kick up a lark. rake A man who has all the vices that has attracted and possibly ruined many women. ramshackle Irreverent of society's restrictions. rattleplate A silly person; fool. Also referred to as bacon-brained, beef witted, bird witted, caper witted, chucklehead, fatwit, goose, jingle-brained, nincompoop, slow top, and scatter witted. ready to sport one's canvas To be eager to fight. regular out and outer A person of high spirit; awake on every suit; with enviable abilities. repairing lease Rest and relaxation in a quiet place. reticule A woman's drawstring purse. reveal-rout Pranks. Also referred to as a lark. rhino Money. Also referred to as blunt, dibs, and gingerbread. ribbons The reins of a horse. ring a fine peal over someone To yell at someone; scold them. riveted To be married. Also referred to as leg-shackled and parson's mousetrap. rolled-up To have no money. Also referred to as cleaned out, cucumberish, damned low water with me, find oneself on the rocks, find self at a stand, haven't a sixpenceto scratch with, never a feather to fly with, pockets to let, punting on River Tick, and run quite off one's legs. rookeries Criminal districts. roses Young men. Also referred to as pinks and tulips. run quite off one's legs To have no money. Also referred to as cleaned out, cucumberish, damned low water with me, find oneself on the rocks, find self at a stand, haven't a sixpenceto scratch with, never a feather to fly with, pockets to let, punting on River Tick, and rolled-up.

S

scatter witted A silly person; fool. Also referred to as bacon-brained, beef witted, bird witted, caper witted, chucklehead, fatwit, goose, jingle-brained, nincompoop, rattleplate, and slow top. scrape A predicament. May appear as devil's own scrape. screw Not a very good horse. Also referred to as a bone-setter. set up someone's bristles To make someone angry. set your cap at someone To attract; to aim to snare someone for marriage. Also referred to as handkerchiefs thrown to him (used solely for women). shallow cove A widow on the catch. Also referred to as Apartments to Let and empty-headed. shamming it Lying. Also referred to as bouncer, Canterbury tales, cutting shams, faradiddles, pitching the gammon, and plumper. shine everyone else down To be the most attractive. shockingly loose in the haft To have many vices and little respect for propriety. shoot the crow To leave in a hurry without paying. sick as a cushion To be very ill. side-slips Illegitimate children. Also referred to as by-blows. six-bottle men Drunks with a remarkable ability to hold their drink. Similar terms include four and five-bottle men, but their ability to hold their drinkwas slightly decressed with each number. slow top A silly person; fool. Also referred to as bacon-brained, beef witted, bird witted, caper witted, chucklehead, fatwit, goose, jingle-brained, nincompoop, rattleplate, and scatter witted. slum Rubbish; nonsense. Also referred to as a bag of moonshine and fustian nonsense. snowball Nickname for a man of African descent or chimney-sweep. Spanish coin Untrue flattery. spencer A short, waist-length jacket, with or without sleeves. Generally an outdoor garment worn in the morning or the afternoon, but could also be partof an evening ensemble. spunk Prepared tinder. Stark Naked Gin. Also referred to as Blue Ruin, Flash of Lightning, and Old Tom. started in the petticoat line Associating with women of easy virtue. stays A corset. strait-laced Upholding propriety; prudish. stricken in years To be quite old. stump the pewter To be rich. Can also be referred to as fairly flush in the pockets, flash the screens, full of juice, post the pony, swimming inlard, tip the brads, and well-inlaid. swallow one's spleen To control one's anger. sweep/make a magnificent leg To bow deeply in a theatrical manner. sweet-goer A fine piece of horseflesh. Also referred to as a beautiful stepper and prime bit of blood. swell cove A fashionable man. swell of the first stare A very fashionable man. Also referred to as Pinkest of the Pinks. swimming in lard To be very rich. Can also be referred to as fairly flush in the pockets, flash the screens, full of juice, post the pony, stump the pewter, tip the brads, and well-inlaid.

T

tap-hackled To be drunk. Also referred to as bosky, be in your cups, be with malt above water, castaway, disguised, eaten Hull cheese, foxed, jug-bitten, properly shot in the neck, and top-heavy. Tare an' hounds An exclamation. tempting armful An attractive female. tendre Liking or affection. the devil to pay Trouble. the urinal of planets Ireland. throwing a rub in the way To spoil plans. Thunder an' Turf An exclamation. tie one's garter in public To do something extremely shocking. tiger A liveried groom, generally small and young. tip the brads To be quite rich. Can also be referred to as fairly flush in the pockets, flash the screens, full of juice, post the pony, stump the pewter, swimming in lard, and well-inlaid. tit Horse. Also referred to as cattle and prime-goers. toad-eaten To be flattered and made up to. to be in the basket To be in lots of trouble. toilette An outfit. Ton, the High society; the fashionable elite. Also known as the Beau Monde, the Bon Ton, the Haut Monde, High Society, and the Quality. too ripe and ready by half To always be up to something. too smoky by half Always suspicious. top-heavy To be drunk. Also referred to as bosky, be in your cups, be with malt above water, castaway, disguised, eaten Hull cheese,foxed, jug-bitten, properly shot in the neck, and tap-hackled. Top-of-the Trees Someone or something of high esteem. top-sawyer A person who handles horses superbly. Town Tabby An aristocratic dowager. trollop A woman of easy virtue. Also referred to as bachelor fare, barque of frailty, Bird of Paradise, bit of muslin, convenient,Cyprian, Demi-rep, game pullet, lady-bird, light-skirt, Paphian, peculiar, prime article, and wanton. trotting too hard Doing too much; exhausting oneself. true blue Faithful. Also referred to as will never stain. try to break someone's shins To borrow money. tulips Young men. Also referred to as pinks and roses. turn someone up sweet To ingratiate self with someone by lying. Also referred to as cutting a wheedle.

U

upon the strut

V

vapors Hysterics. vowels An IOU.

W

wanton A woman of easy virtue. Also referred to as bachelor fare, barque of frailty, Bird of Paradise, bit of muslin, convenient,Cyprian, Demi-rep, game pullet, lady-bird, light-skirt, Paphian, peculiar, prime article, and trollop. want to pull caps with someone To want to argue with someone. well-inlaid To be rich. Can also be referred to as fairly flush in the pockets, flash the screens, full of juice, post the pony, stump the pewter, swimming in lard, and tip the brads. whey-faced Unattractive. widgeon An unintelligent female. will never stain Faithful. Also referred to as true blue. windmill dwindled to a nutshell To lose one's money. windsucker A bore. Also referred to as a jaw-me-dead. winged To be injured in the arm, usually the shoulder. wish someone at Jericho To find them in the way. within ames-ace To be near. worldly trumpery Superficial things. World, the The select band of people that make up the Beau Monde, or whatever else you would call it. The term originates from the conviction that there is no other world, or none that matters. Members include only the great and the grand: both gentleman and ladies of note. However, since family, name, fortune, distinction, fashion, and figure are all taken into account, membership status can, at best, become a little unclear. Because of this, two points of controversy arise: 1) whether persons of no Breeding, who have achieved high fame and elevated station through their own merits can be considered members, and 2) whether members of the higher orders (i.e. the Gentry and the Peerage) who have failed to inherit any of the fortune, elegance or other distinguished qualities of their Ancestors should be considered to have forfeited their membership.

Y

yard of tin The horn, generally a yard or so long, used by the guard of a mail coach or stage coach to warn of approach and departure. yellow-boy Sovereign (money, not ruler) - new in 1817. Also referred to as a canary and quid.