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If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Argot and Slang - A New French and English Dictionary of the Cant Words, - Quaint Expressions, Slang Terms and Flash Phrases Used in - the High and Low Life of Old and New Paris - -Author: Albert Barrère - -Release Date: October 31, 2015 [EBook #50354] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ARGOT AND SLANG *** - - - - -Produced by Marcia Brooks, Hugo Voisard, Fay Dunn and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net -(This file was produced from images generously made -available by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - - -Transcriber’s Note - -In this text version of “Argot and Slang”: - words in italics are marked with _underscores_, - words in small capitals are shown in UPPER CASE. - -In the body of the dictionary, the words being defined, originally -printed in bold, are shown in UPPER CASE, and the authors of -quotations, originally printed in small capitals, are marked with -equals signs and shown in =UPPER CASE=. - -Footnotes have been moved to the end of the poem or extract in which -they occur. - -Variant spelling and use of accents, inconsistent hyphenation and -capitalization are retained, as are English words spelt in the French -manner. There are many words with irregular placing of the apostrophe -in possessive plurals (e.g. womens', Fishermens') these have not been -changed. - -The changes that have been made are listed at the end of the book. - - - - -[Illustration: ARGOT AND SLANG] - - - - - ARGOT AND SLANG - - A NEW - FRENCH AND ENGLISH DICTIONARY - - OF THE - - CANT WORDS, QUAINT EXPRESSIONS, SLANG - TERMS AND FLASH PHRASES - - USED IN THE HIGH AND LOW LIFE OF OLD - AND NEW PARIS - - BY - - ALBERT BARRÈRE - - OFFICIER DE L’INSTRUCTION PUBLIQUE - - _NEW AND REVISED EDITION_ - - LONDON - - WHITTAKER AND CO., WHITE HART STREET - PATERNOSTER SQUARE - 1889 - - - - -PREFACE. - - -The publication of a dictionary of French cant and slang demands some -explanation from the author. During a long course of philological -studies, extending over many years, I have been in the habit of putting -on record, for my own edification, a large number of those cant and -slang terms and quaint expressions of which the English and French -tongues furnish an abundant harvest. Whatever of this nature I heard -from the lips of persons to whom they are familiar, or gleaned from the -perusal of modern works and newspapers, I carefully noted down, until -my note-book had assumed such dimensions that the idea of completing -a collection already considerable was suggested. It was pointed out -to me, as an inducement to venture on so arduous an undertaking, that -it must prove, from its very nature, not only an object of curiosity -and interest to the lover of philological studies and the public at -large, but also one of utility to the English reader of modern French -works of fiction. The fact is not to be ignored that the chief works -of the so-called Naturalistic School do certainly find their way to -this country, where they command a large number of readers. These -productions of modern French fiction dwell with complaisance on -the vices of society, dissect them patiently, often with power and -talent, and too often exaggerate them. It is not within my province -to pass a judgment upon their analytical study of all that is gross -in human nature. But, from a philological point of view, the men and -women whom they place as actors on the stage of their human comedy -are interesting, whatever they may be in other respects. Some of them -belong to the very dregs of society, possessing a language of their -own, forcible, picturesque, and graphic. This language sometimes -embodies in a single word a whole train of philosophical ideas, and -is dashed with a grim humour, with a species of wit which not often -misses the mark. Moreover, these labourers, roughs, street arabs, -thieves, and worse than thieves--these Coupeaus, Bec-Salés, Mes-Bottes, -Lantiers--are not the sole possessors of a vernacular which, to a -certain extent, is the exponent of their idiosyncrasies. Slang has -invaded all classes of society, and is often used for want of terms -sufficiently strong or pointed to convey the speaker’s real feelings. -It seems to be resorted to in order to make up for the shortcomings -of a well-balanced and polished tongue, which will not lend itself -to exaggeration and violence of utterance. Journalists, artists, -politicians, men of fashion, soldiers, even women talk _argot_, -sometimes unawares, and these as well as the lower classes are depicted -in the Naturalistic novel. Now, although the study of French is daily -acquiring more and more importance in England, the professors of that -language do not as a rule initiate their pupils--and very naturally -so--into the mysteries of the vernacular of the highest and lowest -strata of society, into the cynical but pithy and humorous jargon of -the _voyou_ from the heights of Montmartre or Ménilmontant, nor even -into the lisping twaddle of the languid _gommeux_ who lolls on the -Boulevard des Italiens. Hence English readers of _L’Assommoir_ and -other similar works find themselves puzzled at every line, and turn in -vain for assistance to their dictionaries. The present volume aims at -filling the vacant space on the shelves of all who read for something -besides the passing of an idle hour. An _English slang equivalent_ of -the _English rendering_ has been inserted whenever that was possible, -and because the meaning of a term is better conveyed by examples, as -many quotations as the limits of the _Dictionary_ would admit have been -reproduced from different authors. - -A few words on the manner in which the work has been compiled are -due to the reader. In order to complete my own private information, -specially with reference to old cant, I have drawn as freely as seemed -to me legitimate on works of a similar character--Michel’s, Delvau’s, -Rigaud’s, Lorédan Larchey’s excellent _Dictionnaire Historique -d’Argot_, Vilatte’s _Parisismen_, a very complete work on French -_argot_ rendered into German. But by far the most important portion of -my collection has been gathered from Vidocq’s productions, Balzac’s -works, _The Memoirs of Monsieur Claude_, formerly superintendent of the -detective department in Paris, and from other works to be mentioned -hereafter. To an inspector of the detective force in Paris, Monsieur -Lagaillarde, I am indebted for many of the terms of the phraseology -used by the worthies with whom his functions have brought him in -contact. - -Again, newspapers of both countries have also brought in their -contingent, but the most interesting sources of information, as being -the most original, have been workpeople, soldiers, pickpockets, and -other malefactors having done their “time,” or likely to be “wanted” -at a short notice. The members of the light-fingered gentry were -not easily to be got at, as their natural suspicions precluded their -realizing at once my object, and it required some diplomacy and pains -to succeed in enlisting their services. In one particular instance -I was deprived of my informants in a rather summary manner. Two -brothers, members of a family which strongly reminded one of E. Sue’s -Martials, inasmuch as the father had mounted the scaffold, the mother -was in prison, and other members had met with similar accidents, had -volunteered to become my collaborators, and were willing to furnish -information the more valuable, it seemed to me, as coming from such -distinguished individuals. Unfortunately for the _Dictionary_ the -brothers were apprehended when coming to my rendez-vous, and are now, I -believe, far on their way to the penal settlement of New Caledonia. - -I have to thank numerous correspondents, French and English officers, -journalists, and artists, for coming to my assistance and furnishing me -with valuable information. My best thanks are due also to M. Godefroy -Durand for his admirable etching. - -As regards the English part, I am considerably indebted to the _Slang -Dictionary_ published by Messrs. Chatto and Windus, to the _History and -Curious Adventures of Bampfylde-Moore Carew, King of the Mendicants_, -as well as to the various journals of the day, and to verbal inquiries -among all classes of people. - -I have not attempted, except in a few cases, to trace the origin of -words, as an etymological history of cant would be the work of a -lifetime. - -It is somewhat difficult to know exactly where to draw the line, and to -decide whether a word belongs to slang or should be rejected. I have -been guided on this point by Littré, and any terms mentioned by him as -having passed into the language I have discarded. I have introduced -a small number of what might be termed eccentricities of language, -which, though not strictly slang, deserve recording on account of -their quaintness. To the English reader I need not, I trust, apologize -for not having recoiled, in my desire for completeness, before -certain unsavoury terms, and for having thus acted upon Victor Hugo’s -recommendation, “Quand la chose est, dites le mot.” - - - - -AUTHORITIES CONSULTED AND QUOTED. - - - _About_ (Edmond). Trente et Quarante. Paris. - - _Almanach Chantant_, 1869. - - _Amusemens à la Grecque_ ou les Soirées de la Halle par un ami de - feu Vadé. Paris, 1764. - - _Amusemens rapsodi-poétiques._ 1773. - - _Apothicaire (l’) empoisonné_, dans les Maistres d’Hostel aux - Halles. 1671. - - _Audebrand_ (Philibert). Petits Mémoires d’une Stalle d’Orchestre. - Paris, 1885. - - _Balzac_ (Honoré de). La Cousine Bette. - --La dernière Incarnation de Vautrin. - --La Physiologie du Mariage. - --Les Chouans. - --Le Père Goriot. Paris, 1884. - - _Banville_ (Théodore de). La Cuisinière poétique. - - _Bonnetain_ (Paul). L’Opium. Paris, 1886. - --Au Tonkin. Paris, 1885. - - _Boutmy_ (Eugène). Dictionnaire de l’Argot des Typographes. - Paris, 1883. - - _Brantome_ (Pierre de). Vie des Dames galantes. Paris, 1822. - - _Canler_. Mémoires. Paris. - - _Caylus_ (Comte de). Les Ecosseuses ou les Œufs de Pâques. 1739. - - _Champfleury_. La Mascarade de la Vie parisienne. - - _Chatillon_ (Auguste de). Poésies. Paris, 1866. - - _Cim_ (Albert). Institution de Demoiselles. Paris, 1887. - - _Citrons_ (les) de Javotte. Histoire de Carnaval. Amsterdam, 1756. - - _Claude_. Mémoires. Paris. - - _Courteline_ (Georges). Les Gaîtés de l’Escadron. Paris, N. D. - - _Daudet_ (Alphonse). Les Rois en Exil. Paris, 1886. - - _Debans_ (Camille). Histoire de tous les Diables. Paris, 1882. - - _Delcourt_ (Pierre). Paris Voleur. Paris, 1887. - - _Delvau_. La Langue Verte. Paris. - - _Drapeau (le) de la mère Duchesne_ contre les fâcheux et les - intrigants. Paris, 1792. - - _Dubut de Laforest_. Le Gaga. Paris, 1886. - - _France_ (Hector). Le Roman du Curé. Bruxelles, 1877. - --L’Homme qui tue. Bruxelles, 1878. - --_Préface_ de Par devant Notaire. Bruxelles, 1880. - --L’Amour au Pays Bleu. Londres, 1885. - --Le Péché de Sœur Cunégonde. Paris, N. D. - --Marie-Queue-de-Vache. Paris, N. D. - --Les Va-nu-pieds de Londres. Paris, 1885. - --La Pudique Albion. Paris, 1885. - --Les Nuits de Londres. Paris, 1885. - --Sous le Burnous. Paris, 1886. - --_Préface_ du Pays des Brouillards. Paris, 1886. - --Londres illustré. Paris, 1886. - --La Pucelle de Tebessa. Paris, 1887. - --L’Armée de John Bull. Paris, 1887. - --A Travers l’Espagne. Paris, 1887. - - _Frébault_ (Elie). La Vie de Paris: guide pittoresque et pratique du - visiteur. Paris, 1878. - - _Frison_ (Gustave). Aventures du Colonel Ronchonot. Paris, 1886. - - _Gaboriau_ (Emile). Monsieur Lecoq. Paris, 1885. - - _Gautier_ (Théophile). Les Jeune-France. Paris, 1885. - - _Gavarni_. Les Gens de Paris. Paris. - - _Génin_ (F.). Récréations philologiques. Paris, 1858. - - _Gennes_ (Charles Dubois de). Le Troupier tel qu’il est à cheval. - Paris, 1862. - - _Gill_ (André). La Muse à Bibi. Paris, N. D. - - _Goncourt_ (E. de). La Fille Elisa. Paris. - - _Grandval_. Le Vice puni ou Cartouche. - - _Gyp_. Le plus heureux de tous. Paris, 1886. - - _Hugo_ (Victor). Le dernier Jour d’un Condamné. - --Les Misérables. - --Claude Gueux. - - _Humbert_ (A.). Mon Bagne. - - _Huysmans_. Les Sœurs Vatard. Marthe. Paris. - - _Kapp_ (E.). La Joie des Pauvres. Paris, 1887. - - _Larchey_ (Lorédan). Dictionnaire Historique d’Argot. Paris, 1881. - - _Laurin_ (A.). Le Million de l’Ouvrière. Paris, 1887. - - _Le Jargon ou Langage de l’Argot réformé._ Epinal, N. D. - - _Le Roux_ (Philibert Joseph). Dictionnaire comique, satyrique, - critique, burlesque et proverbial. Lyon, 1735. - - _Leroy_ (Charles). Guibollard et Ramollot. Paris, N. D. - - _Les Premières Œuvres Poétiques du Capitaine Lasphrise._ 1599. - - _Macé_ (G.). Mon premier Crime. Paris, 1886. - - _Mahalin_ (Paul). Mesdames de Cœur-Volant. Paris, 1886. - - _Malot_ (Hector). Baccara. Paris, 1886. - - _Merlin_ (Léon). La Langue Verte du Troupier. Paris, 1886. - - _Michel_ (Francisque). Dict. d’Argot ou Etudes de Philologie - comparée sur l’Argot. Paris, 1856. - - _Michel_ (Louise). Les Microbes humains. Paris, 1886. - - _Molière_ (Jean Baptiste Poquelin). Œuvres. Paris. - - _Monnier_ (Henri). L’Exécution. - - _Montaigne_ (Michel de). Œuvres. 1825. - - _Monteil_ (Edgar). Cornebois. Paris, 1884. - - _Montluc_ (Adrien de). La Comédie des proverbes. 1633. - - _Mouillon_ (F.). Déclaration d’amour d’un imprimeur typographe à une - jeune brocheuse. Paris, 1886. - - _Nadaud_ (Gustave). Chansons populaires. Paris, 1876. - - _Nisard_ (Charles). De quelques Parisianismes populaires et autres - Locutions. Paris, 1876. - --Curiosités de l’Etymologie française. Paris, 1863. - - _Nodier_ (Charles). Œuvres. - - _Poissardiana (le)._ 1756. - - _Poulot_ (Denis). Le Sublime. - - _Quellien_ (N.). L’argot des Nomades de la Basse-Bretagne. - Paris, 1886. - - _Rabelais_ (François). Œuvres. Paris. - - _Raccoleurs (les)._ Paris, 1756. - - _Riche-en-gueule_ ou le nouveau Vadé. Paris, 1821. - - _Richepin_ (Jean). La Chanson des Gueux. Paris, N. D. - --Le Pavé. Paris, 1886. - --La Glu. Paris, N. D. - --La Mer. Paris, 1886. - --Les Morts bizarres. Paris, N. D. - --Braves Gens. Paris. - - _Rigaud_ (Lucien). Dictionnaire d’Argot moderne. Paris, 1881. - - _Rigolboche_. Mémoires. - - _Scarron_ (Paul). Gigantomachie. Paris, 1737. - - _Scholl_ (Aurélien). L’Esprit du Boulevard. Paris, 1887. - - _Sermet_ (Julien). Une Cabotine. Paris, 1886. - - _Sirven_ (Alfred). Au Pays des Roublards. Paris, 1886. - - _Sue_ (Eugène). Les Mystères de Paris. Paris, N. D. - - _Tallemant des Réaux_. Historiettes. Paris, 1835. - - _Tardieu_. Etude médico-légale sur les attentats aux mœurs. - - _Taxil_ (Léo). Histoire de la Prostitution. Paris, N. D. - - _Theo-Critt_. Nos Farces à Saumur. Paris, 1884. - - _Vidocq_. Mémoires. Paris, 1829. - --Les Voleurs. - --Les vrais Mystères de Paris. - - _Villon_ (François). Œuvres complètes. Paris, N. D. - - _Zola_ (Emile). Nana. - --L’Assommoir. - --Au Bonheur des Dames. Paris, 1885. - --La Terre. Paris, 1887. - - * * * * * - - _Ainsworth_ (W. Harrison). Rookwood. - --Jack Sheppard. - - _Bampfylde-Moore Carew_ (The History and Curious Adventures of). - London, N. D. - - _Brome_ (Richard). Joviall Crew; or, The Merry Beggars. 1652. - - _Chatto and Windus_. The Slang Dictionary. London, 1885. - - _Davies_ (T. Lewis O.). A Supplementary English Glossary. - London, 1881. - - _Dickens_ (Charles). Works. - - _Fielding_ (Henry). Amelia. - --The History of the Life of the late Mr. Jonathan Wild the - Great. 1886. - - _Greenwood_ (James). The Seven Curses of London. - --Dick Temple. - --Odd People. - - _Harman_ (Thomas). Caveat or Warening for Common Cursetors. - London, 1568. - - _Horsley_ (Rev. J. W.). Autobiography of a Thief, _Macmillan’s - Magazine_, 1879. - --Jottings from Jail. 1887. - - _Kingsley_ (Charles). Westward Ho! 1855. - --Two Years Ago. - - _Lytton_ (Henry Bulwer). Paul Clifford. - --Ernest Maltravers. - - _Pascoe_ (C. E.). Every-day Life in our Public Schools. London, N. D. - - _Sims_ (G. R.). Rogues and Vagabonds. - - * * * * * - - _La Marotte._ - _La Nation._ - _La Vie Parisienne._ - _La Vie Populaire._ - _Le Clairon._ - _Le Cri du Peuple._ - _L’Echo de Paris._ - _L’Evénement._ - _Le Figaro._ - _Le Gaulois._ - _Le Gil Blas._ - _L’Intermédiaire des Chercheurs et Curieux._ - _Le Journal Amusant._ - _Le Père Duchêne._ 1793. - _Le Petit Journal._ - _Le Petit Journal pour rire._ - _Le Radical._ - _Le Tam-Tam._ - _Le Voltaire._ - _Paris._ - _Paris Journal._ - - * * * * * - - _Punch._ - _Fun._ - _The Globe._ - _Funny Folks._ - _Judy._ - _The Bird o’ Freedom._ - _The Sporting Times._ - _Evening News._ - - * * * * * - -POPULAR SONGS AND PIECES OF POETRY. - - _Barrère_ (Pierre). Le Bœuf rouge et le Bœuf blanc. - - _Baumaine et Blondelet_. Les Locutions vicieuses. - - _Ben et d’Herville_. Ou’s qu’est ma Pip’lette. - - _Bois_ (E. du). C’est Pitanchard. - --De la Bastille à Montparnasse. - - _Burani et Buquet_. La Chanson du Gavroche. - - _Carré_. J’ai mon Coup d’feu. - - _Clément_. Chanson. - - _Dans la chambre de nos abbés_. - - _Denneville_. Une Tournée de Lurons. - - _Garnier_ (L.). Y a plus moyen d’rigoler. - - _La Chanson du Bataillon d’Afrique._ - - _Lamentations du portier d’en face._ - - _Maginn_ (Dr.). Vidocq’s Song. - - _Ouvrard_. J’suis Fantassin. - - _Queyriaux_. Va donc, eh, Fourneau! - - _The Leary Man._ - - _The Sandman’s Wedding._ - - - - -INTRODUCTION. - - -Argot pervades the whole of French society. It may be heard everywhere, -and it is now difficult to peruse a newspaper or open a new novel -without meeting with a sprinkling of some of the jargon dialects of -the day. These take their rise in the slums, on the boulevards, in -workshops, barracks, and studios, and even in the lobbies of the -Houses of Legislature. From the beggar to the diplomatist, every class -possesses its own vernacular, borrowed more or less from its special -avocations. The language of the dangerous classes, which so often -savours of evil or bloody deeds, of human suffering, and also of the -anguish and fears of the ever-tracked and ever-watchful criminal, -though often disguised under a would-be humorous garb, cannot but be -interesting to the philosopher. “Everybody,” says Charles Nodier, “must -feel that there is more ingenuity in argot than in algebra itself, -and that this quality is due to the power it possesses of making -language figurative and graphic. With algebra, only calculations can be -achieved; with argot, however ignoble and impure its source, a nation -and society might be renovated.... Argot is generally formed with -ability because it is the outcome of the urgent necessities of a class -of men not lacking in brains.... The jargon of the lower classes, which -is due to the inventive genius of thieves, is redundant with sparkling -wit, and gives evidence of wonderfully imaginative powers.” - -If criminals are odious, they are not always vulgar, and a study of -their mode of expression possesses certain features of interest. The -ordinary slang of the higher strata of French society, as compared -with that of the lower classes, being based often on mere distortion -of words or misappropriation of meaning, is in many cases vulgar and -silly; it casts a stain over a language which has already suffered -so much at the hands of the lesser stars of the Naturalistic School. -A coarse sentiment, a craving for more violent sensations, will find -expression in the jargon of the day. People are no longer content -with being astonished, they must be crushed or flattened (épatés), -or knocked over (renversés), and so forth; and the silly “on dirait -du veau,” repeated _ad nauseam_, seldom fails to raise a laugh. Our -English neighbours do not seem to be better off. “So universal,” says a -writer in _Household Words_, September 24, 1853, “has the use of slang -terms become, that in all societies they are substituted for, and have -almost usurped the place of wit. An audience will sit in a theatre and -listen to a string of brilliant witticisms with perfect immobility, -but let some fellow rush forward and roar out ‘It’s all serene,’ or -‘catch’em alive, oh!’ (this last is sure to take), pit, boxes, and -gallery roar with laughter.” It must be said, however, on the other -hand, that the slang term is often much more expressive than its -corresponding synonym in the ordinary language. Moreover, it is often -witty, and capable of suggesting a humorous idea with singular felicity. - -Argot is but a bastard tongue grafted on the mother stem, and though it -is no easy matter to coin a word that shall remain and take rank among -those of any language, yet the field of argot, already so extensive, -is ever pushing back its boundaries, the additions surging in together -with new ideas, novel fashions, but especially through the necessities -of that class of people whose primary interest it is to make themselves -unintelligible to their victims, the public, and their enemies, the -police. “Argot,” again quoting Nodier’s words, “is an artificial, -unsettled tongue, without a syntax properly so called, of which the -only object is to disguise under conventional metaphors ideas which are -intended to be conveyed to adepts. Consequently its vocabulary must -needs change whenever it has become familiar to outsiders, and we find -in _Le Jargon de l’Argot Réformé_ curious traces of a like revolution. -In every country the men who speak a cant language belong to the -lowest, most contemptible stratum of society, but its study, if looked -upon as an outcome of the intellect, presents important features, -and synoptic tables of its synonyms might prove interesting to the -linguist.” - -The use of argot in works of any literary pretensions is of modern -introduction. However, Villon, the famous poet of the fifteenth -century, a _vaurien_ whose misdeeds had wellnigh brought him to the -gallows, as he informs us:-- - - Je suis François, dont ce me poise, - Né de Paris emprès Ponthoise, - Or, d’une corde d’une toise, - Saura mon col que mon cul poise-- - -Villon himself has given, under the title of _Jargon ou Jobelin de -Maistre François Villon_, a series of short poems worded in the -jargon of the vagabonds and thieves his boon companions, now almost -unintelligible. - -In our days Eugène Sue, Balzac, and Victor Hugo have introduced argot -in some of their works, taking, no doubt, Vidocq as an authority on -the subject; while more recently M. Jean Richepin, in his _Chanson -des Gueux_, rhymes in the lingo of roughs, bullies, vagabonds, and -thieves; and many others have followed suit. Balzac thus expresses his -admiration for argot: “People will perhaps be astonished if we venture -to assert that no tongue is more energetic, more picturesque than the -tongue of that subterranean world which since the birth of capitals -grovels in cellars, in sinks of vice, in the lowest stage floors of -societies. For is not the world a theatre? The lowest stage floor -is the ground basement under the stage of the opera house where the -machinery, the phantoms, the devils, when not in use, are stowed away. -Each word of the language recalls a brutal image, either ingenious or -terrible. In the jargon one does not sleep, ‘on pionce.’ Notice with -what energy that word expresses the uneasy slumbers of the tracked, -tired, suspicious animal called thief, which, as soon as it is in -safety, sinks down and rolls into the abysses of deep and necessary -sleep, with the powerful wings of suspicion constantly spread over -it--an awful repose, comparable to that of the wild beast, which -sleeps and snores, but whose ears nevertheless remain ever watchful. -Everything is fierce in this idiom. The initial or final syllables of -words, the words themselves, are harsh and astounding. A woman is a -_largue_. And what poetry! Straw is ‘_la plume de Beauce_.’ The word -midnight is rendered by _douze plombes crossent_. Does not that make -one shudder?” - -Victor Hugo, after Balzac, has devoted a whole chapter to argot in -his _Misérables_, and both these great authors have left little to be -said on the subject. Victor Hugo, dealing with its Protean character, -writes: “Argot being the idiom of corruption, is quickly corrupted. -Besides, as it always seeks secrecy, so soon as it feels itself -understood it transforms itself.... For this reason argot is subject to -perpetual transformation--a secret and rapid work which ever goes on. -It makes more progress in ten years than the regular language in ten -centuries.” - -In spite of the successive revolutions referred to, a number of old -cant words are still used in their original form. Some have been, -besides, more or less distorted by different processes, the results of -these alterations being subjected in their turn to fresh disguises. As -for slang proper, it is mostly metaphoric. - -A large proportion of the vocabulary of argot is to be traced to the -early Romance idiom, or to some of our country patois, the offsprings -of the ancient Langue d’oc and Langue d’oil. Some of the terms draw -their origin from the Italian language and jargon, and were imported -by Italian quacks and sharpers. Such are lime (_shirt_), fourline -(_thief_), macaronner (_to inform against_), rabouin (_devil_), rif -(_fire_), escarpe (_thief_, _murderer_), respectively from lima, -forlano, macaronare, rabuino, ruffo, scarpa, some of which belong to -the Romany, as lima. The German schlafen has given schloffer, and the -Latin fur has provided us with the verb affurer. Several are of Greek -parentage: arton (_bread_), from the accusative αρτον; ornie (_fowl_), -from ορνις; pier (_to drink_), piolle (_tavern_), pion (_drunk_), from -πιεῖν. - -The word argot itself, formerly a cant word, but which has now -gained admittance into the _Dictionnaire de l’Académie_, is but -the corruption of jargon, called by the Italians “lingua gerga,” -abbreviated into “gergo,” from which the French word sprang,--gergo -itself being derived, according to Salvini, from the Greek ἱερός -(_sacred_). Hence lingua gerga, _sacred language_, only known to the -initiated. M. Génin thus traces the origin of argot: lingua hiera, -then lingua gerga, il gergo; hence jergon or jargon, finally argot. -Other philologists have suggested that it comes from the Greek ἀργός, -idler; and this learned derivation is not improbable, as, among the -members of the “argot”--originally the corporation of pedlars and -vagabonds--were scholars like Villon (though there exists no evidence -of the word having been used in his time), and runaway priests who had, -as the French say, “thrown the cassock to the nettles.” M. Nisard, -however, rejects these derivations, and believes that argot comes from -_argutus_, pointed, cunning. It seems, in any case, an indubitable fact -that the term argot at first was applied only to the confraternity of -vagabonds or “argotiers,” and there is no evidence of its having been -used before 1698 as an appellation for their language, which till then -had been known as “jargon du matois” or “jargon de l’argot.” Grandval, -in his _Vice puni ou Cartouche_, offers the following derivation, which -must be taken for what it is worth. - - Mais à propos d’argot, dit alors Limosin, - Ne m’apprendrez-vous pas, vous qui parlez latin, - D’où cette belle langue a pris son origine? - --De la ville d’Argos, et je l’ai lu dans Pline, - Répondit Balagny. Le grand Agamemnon - Fit fleurir dans Argos cet éloquent jargon. - . . . . . . . . . - --Tu dis vrai, Balagny, reprit alors Cartouche; - Mais cette langue sort d’une plus vieille souche, - Et j’ai lu quelque part, dans un certain bouquin - D’argot traduit en grec, de grec mis en latin, - Et depuis en françois, que Jason et Thésée, - Hercule, Philoctète, Admète, Hylas, Lyncée, - Castor, Pollux, Orphée et tant d’autres héros - Qui _trimèrent_ pincer la toison à Colchos, - Dans le navire _Argo_, pendant leur long voyage, - Inventèrent entre eux ce sublime langage - Afin de mieux tromper le roi Colchidien - Et que de leur projet il ne soupçonnât rien. - . . . . . . . . . - Enfin tous les doubleurs de la riche toison, - De leur navire Argo lui donnèrent le nom. - Amis, voici quelle est son étymologie. - -A certain number of slang terms proceed from uniform and systematic -alterations in the body of the French word, but these methods do not -seem to have produced many expressions holding a permanent place in -the dialect. Such is the “langage en lem,” much used by butchers some -forty years ago, but now only known to a few. But a very small number -of words thus coined have passed into the main body of the lingo, as -being too lengthy, and because argot has a general tendency to brevity. - -The more usual suffixes used are mar, anche, inche, in, ingue, o, -orgue, aille, ière, muche, mon, mont, oque, ègue, igue, which give such -terms as-- - - épicemar for épicier, - boutanche -- boutique, - aminceminche -- ami, - burlin } -- bureau, - burlingue } - camaro -- camarade, - bonorgue -- bon, - vouzaille -- vous, - mézière -- me, - petmuche -- pet, - cabermon -- cabaret, - gilmont -- gilet, - loufoque -- fou, - chamègue -- chameau, - mézigue -- me. - -The army has furnished a large contingent to slang, and has -provided us with such words as colon (_colonel_); petit colon -(_lieutenant-colonel_); la femme du régiment (_big drum_); la malle -(_prison_); un bleu (_recruit_); poulet d’Inde (_steed_), and the -humorous expression, sortir sur les jambes d’un autre (_to be confined -to barracks, or to the guard-room_). - -Much-maligned animals have been put into requisition, the fish tribe -serving to denominate the Paris bully, that plague of certain quarters. - -With the parts of the body might be formed a complete orchestra. Thus -“guitare” stands for the head; “flûtes” for legs; “grosse caisse” for -the body; “trompette” does duty for the face, “mirliton” for the nose, -and “sifflet” for the throat. - -The study of the slang jargon of a nation--a language which is not -the expression of conventional ideas, but the unvarnished and rude -expression of life in its true aspects--may give us an insight into the -foibles and predominant vices of those who use it. - -Now though the French as a nation are not hard drinkers, yet we must -come to the conclusion--in the face of the many synonyms of the single -word drunk, whilst there is not one for the word sober--that Parisian -workmen have either a lively imagination, or that they would scarcely -prove eligible for recruits in the Blue Ribbon Army. Intoxication--from -a state of gentle inebriation, when one is “allumé,” or “elevated,” to -the helpless state when the “poivrot,” or “lushington,” is “asphyxié,” -or “regularly scammered,” when he can’t “see a hole in a ladder,” or -when he “laps the gutter”--has no less than eighty synonyms. - -The French possess comparatively few terms for the word money; but, in -spite of the well-worn saying, “l’or est une chimère,” or the insincere -exclamation, “l’or, ce vil métal!” the argot vocabulary shows as many -as fifty-four synonyms for the “needful.” The English are still richer, -for Her Majesty’s coin is known by more than one hundred and thirty -slang words, from the humble “brown” (halfpenny) to the “long-tailed -one” (bank-note). - -Though there is no evidence that the social evil has a greater hold on -Paris than on London or Berlin, yet the Parisians have no less than one -hundred and fifty distinct slang synonyms to indicate the different -varieties of “unfortunates,” many being borrowed from the names of -animals, such as “vache,” “chameau,” “biche,” &c. Some of the other -terms are highly suggestive and appropriate. So we have “omnibus,” -“fleur de macadam,” “demoiselle du bitume,” “autel de besoin,” the -dismal “pompe funèbre,” the ignoble “paillasse de corps de garde,” and -the “grenier à coups de sabre,” which reflects on the brutality of -soldiers towards the fallen ones. - -For the _head_ the French jargon can boast of about fifty -representative slang terms, some of which have been borrowed from the -vegetable kingdom. Homage is rendered to its superior or governing -powers by such epithets as “boussole” and “Sorbonne,” and a compliment -is paid to its inventive genius by the term, “la boîte à surprises,” -which is, however, degraded into “la tronche” when it has rolled into -the executioner’s basket. But it is treated with still more irreverence -when deprived of its natural ornament,--so that a man with a bald pate -is described as having no more “paillasson à la porte,” or “mouron sur -la cage.” He is also said sometimes to sport a “tête de veau.” - -Grim humour is displayed in the long list of metaphors to describe -death, the promoters of the slang expressions having borrowed from -the technical vocabulary of their craft. Thus soldiers describe it -as “défiler la parade,” for which English military men have the -equivalent, “to lose the number of one’s mess;” “passer l’arme à -gauche;” “descendre la garde,” after which the soldier will never be -called again on sentry duty; “recevoir son décompte,” or deferred -pay. People who are habitual sufferers from toothache have no doubt -contributed the expression, “n’avoir plus mal aux dents;” sailors, -“casser son câble” and “déralinguer;” coachmen, “casser son fouet;” -drummers, “avaler ses baguettes,” their sticks being henceforth useless -to them; billiard-players are responsible for “dévisser son billard;” -servants for “déchirer son tablier.” Then what horrible philosophy in -the expression, “mettre la table pour les asticots!” - -A person of sound mind finds no place in the argot vocabulary; but -madness, from the mild state which scarcely goes beyond eccentricity -to the confirmed lunatic, has found many definitions, the single -expression “to be cracked” being represented by a number of comical -synonyms, many of them referring to the presence of some troublesome -animal in the brain, such as “un moustique dans la boîte au sel” or “un -hanneton dans le plafond.” - -Courage has but one or two equivalents, but the act of the coward who -vanishes, or the thief who seeks to escape the clutches of the police, -has received due attention from the promoters of argot. Thus we have -the highly picturesque expressions, “faire patatrot,” which gives an -impression of the patter of the runaway’s feet; “se faire une paire -de mains courantes,” literally to make for oneself a pair of running -hands; “se déguiser en cerf,” to imitate that swift animal the deer; -“fusilier le plancher,” which reminds one of the quick rat-tat of feet -on the boards. - -To show kindness to one, as far as I have been able to notice, is -not represented, but the act of doing bodily injury, or fighting, -has furnished the slang vocabulary with a rich contingent, the least -forcible of which is certainly not the amiable invitation expressed -in the words of the Paris rough, “viens que j’te mange le nez!” or -“numérote tes abattis que j’te démolisse!” - -What ingenuity and precision of simile some of these vagaries of -language offer! The man who is annoyed, badgered, is compared to an -elephant with a small tormentor in a part of his body by which he -can be effectually driven to despair, whilst deprived of all means -of retaliation--he is then said to have “un rat dans la trompe!” He -who gets drunk carves out for himself a wooden face, and “se sculpter -une gueule de bois” certainly evokes the sight of the stolid, stupid -features of the “lushington,” with half-open mouth and lack-lustre eyes. - -The career of an unlucky criminal may thus be described in his own -picturesque but awful language. The “pègre” (_thief_), or “escarpe” -(_murderer_), who has been imprudent enough to allow himself to be -“paumé marron” (_caught in the act_) whilst busy effecting a “choppin” -(_theft_), or committing the more serious offence of “faire un gas à -la dure” (_to rob with violence_), using the knife when “lavant son -linge dans la saignante” (_murdering_), or yet the summary process of -breaking into a house and killing all the inmates, “faire une maison -entière,” will probably be taken by “la rousse” (_police_), first of -all before the “quart d’œil” (_police magistrate_), from whose office -he will be conveyed to the dépôt in the “panier à salade” (_prison -van_), having perhaps in the meanwhile spent a night in the “violon” -(_cells at the police station_). In due time he will be brought into -the presence of a very inquisitive person, the “curieux,” who will -do his utmost to pump him, “entraver dans ses flanches,” or make him -reveal his accomplices, “manger le morceau,” or, again, to say all -he knows about the affair, “débiner le truc.” From two to six months -after this preliminary examination, he will be brought into the awful -presence of the “léon” (_president of assize court_), at the “carré -des gerbes,” where he sits in his red robes, administering justice. -Now, suffering from a violent attack of “fièvre” (_charge_), the -prisoner puts all his hopes in his “parrains d’altèque” (_witnesses -for the defence_), and in his “médecin” (_counsel_), who will try -whether a “purgation” (_speech for the defence_) will not cure him -of his ailment, especially should he have an attack of “redoublement -de fièvre” (_new charge_). Should the medicine be ineffectual, and -the “hésiteurs opinants” (_jurymen_) have pronounced against him, -he leaves the “planche au pain” (_bar_) to return whence he came, -to the “hôpital” (_prison_), which he will only leave when “guéri” -(_free_). But should he be “un cheval de retour” (_old offender_), he -will probably be given a free passage to go “se laver les pieds dans -le grand pré” (_be transported_) to “La Nouvelle” (_New Caledonia_), -or “Cayenne les Eaux;” or, worse still, he may be left for some time -in the “boîte au sel” (_condemned cell_) at La Roquette, attired in -a “ligotante de rifle” (_strait waistcoat_), attended by a “mouton” -(_spy_), who tries to get at his secrets, and now and then receiving -the exhortations of the “ratichon” (_priest_). At an early hour one -morning he is apprised by the “maugrée” (_director_) that he is to -suffer the penalty of the law. After “la toilette” by “Charlot” -(_cutting off the hair by the executioner_), he is assisted to the -“Abbaye de Monte-à-regret” (_guillotine_), where, after the “sanglier” -(_priest_) has given him a final embrace, the “soubrettes de Charlot” -(_executioner’s assistants_) seize him, and make him play “à la main -chaude” (_hot cockles_). Charlot pulls a string, when the criminal is -turned into “un bœuf” (_is executed_) by being made to “éternuer dans -le son” (_guillotined_). His “machabée” (_remains_) is then taken to -the “champ de navets” (_cemetery_). - -For the following I am indebted to the courtesy of the Rev. J. W. -Horsley, Chaplain to H. M. Prison, Clerkenwell, who, in his highly -interesting _Prison Notes_ makes the following remarks on thieves’ -slang: “It has its antiquity, as well as its vitality and power of -growth and development by constant accretion; in it are preserved -many words interesting to the student of language, and from it have -passed not a few words into the ordinary stock of the Queen’s English. -Of multifold origin, it is yet mainly derived from Romany or gipsy -talk, and thereby contains a large Eastern element, in which old -Sanscrit roots may readily be traced. Many of these words would be -unintelligible to ordinary folk, but some have passed into common -speech. For instance, the words bamboozle, daddy, pal (companion or -friend), mull (to make a mull or mess of a thing), bosh (from the -Persian), are pure gipsy words, but have found some lodging, if not -a home, in our vernacular. Then there are survivals (not always of -the fittest) from the tongue of our Teutonic ancestors, so that Dr. -Latham, the philologist, says: ‘The thieves of London’ (and he might -still more have said the professional tramps) ‘are the conservators of -Anglo-Saxonisms.’ Next, there are the cosmopolitan absorptions from -many a tongue. From the French _bouilli_ we probably get the prison -slang term ‘bull’ for a ration of meat. Chat, thieves’ slang for house, -is obviously _château_. Steel, the familiar name for Coldbath Fields -Prison, is an appropriation and abbreviation of Bastille; and he who -‘does a tray’ (serves three months’ imprisonment) therein, borrows -his word from our Gallican neighbours. So from the Italian we get -_casa_ for house, filly (_figlia_) for daughter, donny (_donna_) for -woman, and omee (_uomo_) for man. The Spanish gives us _don_, which -the universities have not despised as a useful term. From the German -we get durrynacker, for a female hawker, from _dorf_, ‘a village,’ -and _nachgehen_, ‘to run after.’ From Scotland we borrow _duds_, for -clothes, and from the Hebrew _shoful_, for base coin. - -“Considering that in the manufacture of the domestic and social slang -of nicknames or pet names not a little humour or wit is commonly -found, it might be imagined that thieves’ slang would be a great -treasure-house of humorous expression. That this is not the case arises -from the fact that there is very little glitter even in what they take -for gold, and that their life is mainly one of miserable anxiety, -suspicion, and fear; forced and gin-inspired is their merriment, and -dismal, for the most part, are their faces when not assuming an air -of bravado, which deceives not even their companions. Some traces of -humour are to be found in certain euphemisms, such as the delicate -expression ‘fingersmith’ as descriptive of a trade which a blunt world -might call that of a pickpocket. Or, again, to get three months’ hard -labour is more pleasantly described as getting thirteen clean shirts, -one being served out in prison each week. The tread-wheel, again, is -more politely called the everlasting staircase, or the wheel of life, -or the vertical case-grinder. Penal servitude is dignified with the -appellation of serving Her Majesty for nothing; and even an attempt -is made to lighten the horror of the climax of a criminal career by -speaking of dying in a horse’s nightcap, _i.e._, a halter.” - -The English public schools, but especially the military establishments, -seem to be not unimportant manufacturing centres for slang. Only a -small proportion, however, of the expressions coined there appear -to have been adopted by the general slang-talking public, as most -are local terms, and can only be used at their own birthplace. The -same expressions in some cases have a totally different signification -according to the places where they are in vogue. Thus gentlemen cadets -at the “Shop,” _i.e._, the Royal Military Academy, will talk of the -doctor as being the “skipper,” whereas elsewhere “skipper” has the -signification of master, head of an establishment. The expression -“tosh,” meaning bath, seems to have been imported by students from -Eton, Harrow, and Charterhouse, to the “Shop,” where “to tosh” means -to bathe, to wash, but also to toss an obnoxious individual into a -cold bath, advantage being taken of his being in full uniform. Another -expression connected with the forced application of cold water at the -above establishment is termed “chamber singing” at Eton, a penalty -enforced on the new boys of singing a song in public, with the -alternative (according to the _Everyday Life in our Public Schools_ -of C. E. Pascoe) of drinking a nauseous mixture of salt and beer; the -corresponding penalty on the occasion of the arrival of unfortunate -“snookers” at the R. M. Academy used to consist some few years ago of -splashing them with cold water and throwing wet sponges at their heads, -when they could not or would not contribute some ditty or other to the -musical entertainment. - -“Extra” at Harrow is a punishment which consists of writing out grammar -for two and a half hours under the supervision of a master. The word -extra at the “Shop” already mentioned is corrupted into “hoxter.” The -hoxter consists in the painful ordeal of being compelled to turn out of -bed at an early hour, and march up and down with full equipment under -the watchful eye of a corporal. Again, we have here the suggestive -terms: “greasers,” for fried potatoes; “squish,” for marmalade; -“whales,” for sardines; “vaseline,” for honey; “grass,” for vegetables; -and to be “roosted” is to be placed under arrest; whilst “to q.” means -to qualify at the term examination. Here a man who is vexed or angry -“loses his shirt” or his “hair;” at Shrewsbury he is “in a swot;” and -at Winchester “front.” At the latter school a clique or party they -term a “pitch up;” the word “Johnnies” (newly joined at Sandhurst, -termed also “Johns,”) being sometimes used with a like signification by -young officers, and the inquiry may occasionally be heard, “I say, old -fellow, any more Johnnies coming?” - - -FIFTEENTH CENTURY. - -LE JARGON OU JOBELIN DE MAISTRE FRANÇOIS VILLON. - -BALLADE III. - - Spélicans, - Qui, en tous temps, - Avancez dedans le pogois - Gourde piarde, - Et sur la tarde, - Desboursez les povres nyois, - Et pour soustenir vostre pois, - Les duppes sont privez de caire, - Sans faire haire, - Ne hault braiere, - Mais plantez ils sont comme joncz, - Pour les sires qui sont si longs. - - Souvent aux arques - A leurs marques, - Se laissent tous desbouser - Pour ruer, - Et enterver - Pour leur contre, que lors faisons - La fée aux arques respons. - Vous ruez deux coups, ou bien troys, - Aux gallois. - Deux, ou troys - Mineront trestout aux frontz, - Pour les sires qui sont si longs. - - Et pource, benars - Coquillars, - Rebecquez vous de la Montjoye - Qui desvoye - Votre proye, - Et vous fera de tout brouer, - Pour joncher et enterver, - Qui est aux pigeons bien cher; - Pour rifler - Et placquer - Les angels, de mal tous rondz - Pour les sires qui sont si longs. - - ENVOI. - - De paour des hurmes - Et des grumes, - Rassurez vous en droguerie - Et faerie, - Et ne soyez plus sur les joncz, - Pour les sires qui sont si longs. - -TRANSLATION. - - Police spies, who at all times drink good wine at the - tavern, and at night empty poor simpletons’ purses, and - to provide for your extortions silly thieves have to part - with their money, without complaining or clamouring, - yet they are planted in jail, like so many reeds, to be - plucked by the gaunt hangmen. - - Oftentimes at the cashboxes, at places marked out for - plunder, they allow themselves to be despoiled, when - righting and resisting to save their confederate, while - we are practising our arts on the hidden coffers. You - make two or three onsets on the boon companions. Two or - three will mark them all for the gallows. - - Hence, ye simple-minded vagabonds, turn away from the - gallows, which gives you the colic and will deprive you - of all, that you may deceive and steal what is of so much - value to the dupes, that you may outwit and thrash the - police, so eager to bring you to the scaffold. - - For fear of the gibbet and the beam, exert more cunning - and be more wily, and be no longer in prison, thence to - be brought to the scaffold. - - -SIXTEENTH CENTURY. - -SONNET EN AUTHENTIQUE LANGAGE SOUDARDANT.[1] - -(_Extrait des Premières Œuvres Poétiques du Capitaine Lasphrise._) - - Accipant[2] du marpaut[3] la galiere[4] pourrie, - Grivolant[5] porte-flambe[6] enfile le trimart.[7] - Mais en despit de Gille,[8] ô geux, ton Girouart,[9] - A la mette[10] on lura[11] ta biotte[12] conie.[13] - - Tu peux gourd pioller[14] me credant[15] et morfie[16] - De l’ornion,[17] du morne:[18] et de l’oygnan[19] criart, - De l’artois blanchemin.[20] Que ton riflant chouart[21] - Ne rive[22] du Courrier l’andrumelle gaudie.[23] - - Ne ronce point du sabre[24] au mion[25] du taudis, - Qui n’aille au Gaulfarault,[26] gergonant de tesis,[27] - Que son journal[28] o flus[29] n’empoupe ta fouillouse.[30] - - N’embiant[31] on rouillarde,[32] et de noir roupillant,[33] - Sur la gourde fretille,[34] et sur le gourd volant,[35] - Ainsi tu ne luras l’accolante tortouse.[36] - -[1] Langage soudardant, _soldiers’ lingo_. - -[2] Accipant, _for_ recevant. - -[3] Marpaut, _host_. - -[4] Galiere, _mare_. - -[5] Grivolant, _name for a soldier_. - -[6] Flambe, _sword_. - -[7] Trimart, _road_. - -[8] Gille, _name for a runaway_. - -[9] Girouart, _patron_. - -[10] Mette, _wine-shop_; _morning_; _thieves’ meeting-place_. - -[11] Lura, _will see_. - -[12] Biotte, _steed_. - -[13] Conie, _dead_. - -[14] Gourd pioller, _drink heavily_. - -[15] Me credant, _for_ me croyant. - -[16] Morfie, _eat_. - -[17] Ornion, _capon_. - -[18] Morne, _mutton_. - -[19] Oygnan, _for_ oignon. - -[20] Artois blanchemin, _white bread_. - -[21] Riflant chouart, _fiery penis_. - -[22] Rive, _refers to coition_. - -[23] Andrumelle gaudie, _jolly girl_. - -[24] Ne ronce point du sabre, _do not lay the stick on_. - -[25] Mion, _boy_, _waiter_. - -[26] Gaulfarault, _master of a bawdy house_. - -[27] Gergonant de tesis, _complaining of thee_. - -[28] Journal, _pocket-book_. - -[29] O flus, _or pack of cards_. - -[30] N’empoupe ta fouillouse, _fill thy pocket_. - -[31] N’embiant, _not travelling_. - -[32] Rouillarde, _drinks_. - -[33] De noir roupillant, _sleeping at night_. - -[34] Gourde fretille, _thick straw_. - -[35] Volant, _cloak_. - -[36] Tortouse, _rope_. - - -SIXTEENTH CENTURY. - -DIALOGUE BETWEEN A HEADMAN IN THE CANTING CREW AND A VAGABOND. - -(_From Thomas Harman’s Caveat or Warening for Common Cursetors, -vulgarly called Vagabones_, 1568.) - - _Upright Man._ Bene Lightmans[37] to thy quarromes,[38] in - what lipken[39] hast thou lypped[40] in this darkemans,[41] - whether in a lybbege[42] or in the strummel?[43] - - _Roge._ I couched a hogshead[44] in a Skypper[45] this - darkemans. - - _Man._ I towre[46] the strummel trine[47] upon thy - nachbet[48] and Togman.[49] - - _Roge._ I saye by the Salomon[50] I will lage it of[51] - with a gage of bene bouse;[52] then cut to my nose - watch.[53] - - _Man._ Why, hast thou any lowre[54] in thy bonge[55] to - bouse?[56] - - _Roge._ But a flagge,[57] a wyn,[58] and a make.[59] - - _Man._ Why, where is the kene[60] that hath the ben bouse? - - _Roge._ A bene mort[61] hereby at the signe of the - prauncer.[62] - - _Man._ I cutt it is quyer[63] bouse, I bousd a flagge the - last darkmans. - - _Roge._ But bouse there a bord,[64] and thou shalt haue - beneship.[65] Tower ye yander is the kene, dup the - gygger,[66] and maund[67] that is bene shyp. - - _Man._ This bouse is as benship as rome bouse.[68] Now I - tower that ben bouse makes nase nabes.[69] Maunde of this - morte what ben pecke[70] is in her ken. - - _Roge._ She has a Cacling chete,[71] a grunting chete,[72] - ruff Pecke,[73] Cassan,[74] and poplarr of yarum.[75] - - _Man._ That is benship to our watche.[76] Now we haue well - bousd, let vs strike some chete.[77] Yonder dwelleth a - quyer cuffen,[78] it were benship to myll[79] hym. - - _Roge._ Now bynge we a waste[80] to the hygh pad,[81] the - ruffmanes[82] is by. - - _Man._ So may we happen on the Harmanes,[83] and cly - the Tarke,[84] or to the quyerken[85] and skower quyaer - crampings,[86] and so to tryning on the chates.[87] Gerry - gan,[88] the ruffian[89] clye the.[90] - - _Roge._ What, stowe your bene,[91] cofe,[92] and sut - benat wydds,[93] and byng we to rome vyle,[94] to nyp a - bonge;[95] so shall we haue lowre for the bousing ken,[96] - and when we byng back to the deuseauyel,[97] we wyll fylche - some duddes[98] of the Ruffemans,[99] or myll the ken for a - lagge of dudes.[100] - -[37] Bene Lightmans, _good day_. - -[38] Quarromes, _body_. - -[39] Lipken, _house_. - -[40] Lypped, _slept_. - -[41] Darkemans, _night_. - -[42] Lybbege, _bed_. - -[43] Strummel, _straw_. - -[44] Couched a hogshead, _lay down to sleep_. - -[45] Skypper, _barn_. - -[46] I towre, _I see_. - -[47] Trine, _hang_. - -[48] Nachbet, _cap_. - -[49] Togman, _coat_. - -[50] Salomon, _mass_. - -[51] Lage it of, _wipe it off_. - -[52] Gage of bene bouse, _quart of good drink_. - -[53] Cut to my nose watch, _say what you will to me_. - -[54] Lowre, _money_. - -[55] Bonge, _purse_. - -[56] To bouse, _to drink_. - -[57] Flagge, _groat_. - -[58] Wyn, _penny_. - -[59] Make, _halfpenny_. - -[60] Kene, _house_. - -[61] Bene mort, _good woman_. - -[62] Prauncer, _horse_. - -[63] Quyer, _bad_. - -[64] Bord, _shilling_. - -[65] Beneship, _excellent_. - -[66] Dup the gygger, _open the door_. - -[67] Maund, _ask_. - -[68] Rome bouse, _wine_. - -[69] Nase nabes, _drunken head_. - -[70] Pecke, _meat_. - -[71] Cacling chete, _fowl_. - -[72] Grunting chete, _pig_. - -[73] Ruff pecke, _bacon_. - -[74] Cassan, _cheese_. - -[75] Poplarr of yarum, _milk porridge_. - -[76] To our watche, _for us_. - -[77] Strike some chete, _steal something_. - -[78] Quyer cuffen, _magistrate_. - -[79] Myll, _rob_. - -[80] Bynge we a waste, _let us away_. - -[81] Pad, _road_. - -[82] Ruffmanes, _wood_. - -[83] Harmanes, _stocks_. - -[84] Cly the Tarke, _be whipped_. - -[85] Quyerken, _prison_. - -[86] Skower quyaer crampings, _be shackled with bolts and fetters_. - -[87] Chates, _gallows_. - -[88] Gerry gan, _hold your tongue_. - -[89] Ruffian, _devil_. - -[90] Clye the, _take thee_. - -[91] Stowe your bene, _hold your peace_. - -[92] Cofe, _good fellow_. - -[93] Sut benat wydds, _speak better words_. - -[94] Rome vyle, _London_. - -[95] Nyp a bonge, _cut a purse_. - -[96] Bousing ken, _alehouse_. - -[97] Deuseauyel, _country_. - -[98] Duddes, _linen clothes_. - -[99] Ruffemans, _hedges_. - -[100] Lagge of dudes, _parcel of clothes_. - - -SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. - -DIALOGUE DE DEUX ARGOTIERS.[101] - -L’UN POLISSON[102] ET L’AUTRE MALINGREUX,[103] QUI SE RENCONTRENT JUSTE -À LA LOURDE[104] D’UNE VERGNE.[105] - -(_Extrait du Jargon de l’Argot._) - - _Le Malingreux._ La haute[106] t’aquige[107] en - chenastre[108] santé. - - _Le Polisson._ Et tézière[109] aussi, fanandel;[110] où - trimardes[111]-tu? - - _Le Malingreux._ En ce pasquelin[112] de Berry, on m’a - rouscaillé[113] que trucher[114] était chenastre; et en - cette vergne fiche-t-on la thune[115] gourdement?[116] - - _Le Polisson._ Quelque peu, pas guère. - - _Le Malingreux._ La rousse[117] y est-elle chenastre? - - _Le Polisson._ Nenni; c’est ce qui me fait ambier[118] hors - de cette vergne; car si je n’eusse eu du michon,[119] je - fusse cosni[120] de faim. - - _Le Malingreux._ Y a-t-il un castu[121] dans cette vergne. - - _Le Polisson._ Jaspin.[122] - - _Le Malingreux._ Est-il chenu?[123] - - _Le Polisson._ Pas guère; les pioles[124] ne sont que de - fretille.[125]... - - _Le Malingreux._ Veux-tu venir prendre de la morfe[126] et - piausser[127] avec mézière[128] en une des pioles que tu - m’as rouscaillées? - - _Le Polisson._ Il n’y a ni ronds,[129] ni herplis,[130] en - ma felouse;[131] je vais piausser en quelque grenasse.[132] - - _Le Malingreux._ Encore que n’y ayez du michon, ne laissez - pas de venir, car il y a deux menées[133] de ronds en ma - henne,[134] et deux ornies[135] en mon gueulard,[136] que - j’ai égraillées[137] sur le trimar;[138] bions[139] les - faire riffoder,[140] veux-tu? - - _Le Polisson._ Girole,[141] et béni soit le grand - havre,[142] qui m’a fait rencontrer si chenastre occasion; - je vais me réjouir et chanter une petite chanson.... - - _Le Malingreux._ Si tu veux trimer[143] de compagnie avec - mézière, nous aquigerons grande chère,[144] je sais bien - aquiger les luques,[145] engrailler l’ornie, casser la hane - aux frémions,[146] pour épouser la fourcandière,[147] si - quelques rovaux[148] me mouchaillent.[149] - - _Le Polisson._ Ah! le havre garde mézière, je ne fus jamais - ni fourgue[150] ni doubleux.[151] - - _Le Malingreux._ Ni mézière non plus, je rouscaille[152] - tous les luisans[153] au grand havre de l’oraison. - -[101] Argotiers, _members of the “canting crew.”_ - -[102] Polisson, _half-naked beggar_. - -[103] Malingreux, _maimed or sick beggar_. - -[104] Lourde, _gate_. - -[105] Vergne, _town_. - -[106] La haute, _the Almighty_. - -[107] Aquige, _keep_. - -[108] Chenastre, _good_. - -[109] Tézière, _thee_. - -[110] Fanandel, _comrade_. - -[111] Trimardes, _going_. - -[112] Pasquelin, _country_. - -[113] Rouscaillé, _told_. - -[114] Trucher, _to beg_. - -[115] Fiche-t-on la thune, _do they give alms_. - -[116] Gourdement, _much_. - -[117] La rousse, _the police_. - -[118] Ambier, _go_. - -[119] Michon, _money_. - -[120] Cosni, _died_. - -[121] Castu, _hospital_. - -[122] Jaspin, _yes_. - -[123] Chenu, _good_. - -[124] Pioles, _rooms_. - -[125] Fretille, _straw_. - -[126] Morfe, _food_. - -[127] Piausser, _to sleep_. - -[128] Mézière, _me_. - -[129] Ronds, _halfpence_. - -[130] Herplis, _farthings_. - -[131] Felouse, _pocket_. - -[132] Grenasse, _barn_. - -[133] Menées, _dozen_. - -[134] Henne, _purse_. - -[135] Ornies, _hens_. - -[136] Gueulard, _wallet_. - -[137] Egraillées, _hooked_. - -[138] Trimar, _road_. - -[139] Bions, _let us go_. - -[140] Riffoder, _cook_. - -[141] Girole, _so be it_. - -[142] Havre, _God_. - -[143] Trimer, _to walk_. - -[144] Aquigerons grande chère, _will live well_. - -[145] Aquiger les luques, _prepare pictures_. - -[146] Casser la hane aux frémions, _steal purses at fairs_. - -[147] Epouser la fourcandière, _to throw away the stolen property_. - -[148] Rovaux, _police_. - -[149] Mouchaillent, _see_. - -[150] Fourgue, _receiver of stolen property_. - -[151] Doubleux, _thief_. - -[152] Je rouscaille, _I pray_. - -[153] Tous les luisans, _every day_. - - -SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. - -ENGLISH GIPSIES’ OATH. - -(_Extract from Bampfylde-Moore Carew, King of the Mendicants._) - - When a fresh recruit is admitted into this fraternity, - he is to take the following oath, administered by the - principal maunder,[154] after going through the annexed - form:-- - - First a new name is given him, by which he is ever after - to be called; then, standing up in the middle of the - assembly, and directing his face to the dimber damber, or - principal man of the gang, he repeats the following oath, - which is dictated to him by some experienced member of the - fraternity:-- - - “I, Crank Cuffin, do swear to be a true brother, and that - I will in all things obey the commands of the great tawny - prince,[155] keep his counsel, and not divulge the secrets - of my brethren. - - “I will never leave or forsake the company, but observe - and keep all the times of appointment, either by day or by - night, in every place whatever. - - “I will not teach anyone to cant; nor will I disclose any - of our mysteries to them. - - “I will take my prince’s part against all that shall - oppose him, or any of us, according to the utmost of my - ability; nor will I suffer him, or anyone belonging to us, - to be abased by any strange abrams,[156] ruffies,[157] - hookers,[158] palliardes,[159] swaddlers,[160] Irish - toyles,[161] swigmen,[162] whip Jacks,[163] Jarkmen,[164] - bawdy baskets,[165] dommerars,[166] clapper dogeons,[167] - patricoes,[168] or curtails;[169] but I will defend - him, or them, as much as I can, against all other - outliers whatever. I will not conceal aught I win out of - libkins,[170] or from the ruffmans,[171] but will preserve - it for the use of the company. Lastly, I will cleave to my - doxy,[172] wap[173] stiffly, and will bring her duds,[174] - margery praters,[175] gobblers,[176] grunting cheats,[177] - or tibs of the buttery,[178] or anything else I can come - at, as winnings for her wappings.”[179] - -[154] Maunder, _beggar_. - -[155] Tawny prince, _Prince Prig, the head of the gipsies_. - -[156] Abrams, _half-naked beggars_. - -[157] Ruffies, _beggars who sham the old soldier_. - -[158] Hookers, _thieves who beg in the daytime and steal at night from -shops with a hook_. - -[159] Palliardes, _ragged beggars_. - -[160] Swaddlers, _Irish Roman Catholics who pretend conversion_. - -[161] Toyles, _beggars with pedlar’s pack_. - -[162] Swigmen, _beggars_. - -[163] Whip Jacks, _beggars who sham the shipwrecked sailor_. - -[164] Jarkmen, _learned beggars_, _begging-letter impostors_. - -[165] Bawdy baskets, _prostitutes_. - -[166] Dommerars, _dumb beggars_. - -[167] Clapper dogeons, _beggars by birth_. - -[168] Patricoes, _those who perform the marriage ceremony_. - -[169] Curtails, _second in command, with short cloak_. - -[170] Libkins, _lodgings_. - -[171] Ruffmans, _bushes or woods_. - -[172] Doxy, _mistress_. - -[173] Wap, _to lie with a woman_. - -[174] Duds, _clothes_. - -[175] Margery praters, _hens_. - -[176] Gobblers, _ducks_. - -[177] Grunting cheats, _pigs_. - -[178] Tibs of the buttery, _geese_. - -[179] Wappings, _coition_. - - -EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. - -JERRY JUNIPER’S CHANT. - -(_From Ainsworth’s Rookwood._) - - In a box[180] of the stone jug[181] I was born, - Of a hempen widow[182] the kid[183] forlorn, - Fake away! - And my father, as I’ve heard say, - Fake away! - Was a merchant of capers gay, - Who cut his last fling with great applause, - Nix my doll pals, fake away![184] - To the tune of hearty choke with caper sauce. - Fake away! - The knucks[185] in quod[186] did my schoolmen[187] play, - Fake away! - And put me up to the time of day,[188] - Until at last there was none so knowing, - No such sneaksman[189] or buzgloak[190] going, - Fake away! - Fogles[191] and fawnies[192] soon went their way, - Fake away! - To the spout[193] with the sneezers[194] in grand array, - No dummy hunter[195] had forks so fly,[196] - No knuckler so deftly could fake a cly,[197] - Fake away! - No slourd hoxter[198] my snipes[199] could stay, - Fake away! - None knap a reader[200] like me in the lay.[201] - Soon then I mounted in swell street-high, - Nix my doll pals, fake away! - Soon then I mounted in swell street-high, - And sported my flashest toggery,[202] - Fake away! - Fainly resolved I would make my hay, - Fake away! - While Mercury’s star shed a single ray; - And ne’er was there seen such a dashing prig,[203] - Nix my doll pals, fake away! - And ne’er was there seen such a dashing prig, - With my strummel faked[204] in the newest twig,[205] - Fake away! - With my fawnied famms[206] and my onions gay,[207] - Fake away! - My thimble of ridge,[208] and my driz kemesa,[209] - All my togs[210] were so niblike[211] and plash.[212] - Readily the queer screens[213] I then could smash.[214] - Fake away! - But my nuttiest blowen,[215] one fine day, - Fake away! - To the beaks[216] did her fancy man betray, - And thus was I bowled at last, - And into the jug for a lay was cast, - Fake away! - But I slipped my darbies[217] one morn in May, - And gave to the dubsman[218] a holiday. - And here I am, pals, merry and free, - A regular rollicking romany.[219] - -[180] Box, _cell_. - -[181] Stone jug, _Newgate_. - -[182] Hempen widow, _woman whose husband has been hanged_. - -[183] Kid, _child_. - -[184] Nix my doll pals, fake away! _never mind, friends, work away!_ - -[185] Knucks, _thieves_. - -[186] Quod, _prison_. - -[187] Schoolmen, _fellows of the gang_. - -[188] Put me up to the time of day, _made a knowing one of me_, _taught -me thieving_. - -[189] Sneaksman, _shoplifter_. - -[190] Buzgloak, _pickpocket_. - -[191] Fogles, _silk handkerchiefs_. - -[192] Fawnies, _rings_. - -[193] Spout, _pawnbroker’s_. - -[194] Sneezers, _snuff-boxes_. - -[195] Dummy hunter, _stealer of pocket books_. - -[196] Forks so fly, _such nimble fingers_. - -[197] No knuckler so deftly could fake a cly, _no pickpocket so -skilfully could pick a pocket_. - -[198] Slourd hoxter, _inside pocket buttoned up_. - -[199] Snipes, _scissors_. - -[200] Knap a reader, _steal a pocket book_. - -[201] Lay, _robbery_, _dodge_. - -[202] Flashest toggery, _best made clothes_. - -[203] Prig, _thief_. - -[204] Strummel faked, _hair dressed_. - -[205] Twig, _fashion_. - -[206] Fawnied famms, _hands bejewelled_. - -[207] Onions, _seals_. - -[208] Thimble of ridge, _gold watch_. - -[209] Driz kemesa, _shirt with lace frill_. - -[210] Togs, _clothes_. - -[211] Niblike, _fashionable_. - -[212] Plash, _fine_. - -[213] Queer screens, _forged notes_. - -[214] Smash, _pass_. - -[215] Nuttiest blowen, _favourite girl_. - -[216] Beaks, _magistrates_. - -[217] Darbies, _handcuffs_. - -[218] Dubsman, _turnkey_. - -[219] Romany, _gipsy_. - - -EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. - -CHANSON. - -(_Extrait du Vice Puni ou Cartouche, 1725._) - - Fanandels[220] en cette Piolle[221] - On vit chenument;[222] - Arton, Pivois et Criolle[223] - On a gourdement.[224] - Pitanchons, faisons riolle[225] - Jusqu’au Jugement. - - Icicaille[226] est le Théâtre - Du Petit Dardant;[227] - Fonçons à ce Mion[228] folâtre - Notre Palpitant.[229] - Pitanchons Pivois chenâtre[230] - Jusques au Luisant.[231] - -[220] Fanandels, _comrades_. - -[221] Piolle, _house_, _tavern_. - -[222] Chenument, _well_. - -[223] Arton, pivois et criolle, _bread, wine, and meat_. - -[224] Gourdement, _in plenty_. - -[225] Pitanchons, faisons riolle, _let us drink_, _amuse ourselves_. - -[226] Icicaille, _here_. - -[227] Petit Dardant, _Cupid_. - -[228] Fonçons à ce Mion, _let us give this boy_. - -[229] Palpitant, _heart_. - -[230] Chenâtre, _good_. - -[231] Luisant, _day_. - - -BEGINNING OF NINETEENTH CENTURY. - -VIDOCQ’S SLANG SONG. - - En roulant de vergne en vergne[232] - Pour apprendre à goupiner,[233] - J’ai rencontré la mercandière,[234] - Lonfa malura dondaine, - Qui du pivois solisait,[235] - Lonfa malura dondé. - - J’ai rencontré la mercandière - Qui du pivois solisait; - Je lui jaspine en bigorne;[236] - Lonfa malura dondaine, - Qu’as tu donc à morfiller?[237] - Lonfa malura dondé. - - Je lui jaspine en bigorne; - Qu’as tu donc à morfiller? - J’ai du chenu[238] pivois sans lance.[239] - Lonfa malura dondaine, - Et du larton savonné[240] - Lonfa malura dondé. - - J’ai du chenu pivois sans lance - Et du larton savonné, - Une lourde[241] et une tournante,[242] - Lonfa malura dondaine, - Et un pieu[243] pour roupiller[244] - Lonfa malura dondé. - - Une lourde, une tournante - Et un pieu pour roupiller. - J’enquille[245] dans sa cambriole,[246] - Lonfa malura dondaine, - Espérant de l’entifler,[247] - Lonfa malura dondé. - - J’enquille dans sa cambriole - Espérant de l’entifler; - Je rembroque[248] au coin du rifle,[249] - Lonfa malura dondaine, - Un messière[250] qui pionçait,[251] - Lonfa malura dondé. - - Je rembroque au coin du rifle - Un messière qui pionçait; - J’ai sondé dans ses vallades,[252] - Lonfa malura dondaine, - Son carle[253] j’ai pessigué,[254] - Lonfa malura dondé. - - J’ai sondé dans ses vallades, - Son carle j’ai pessigué, - Son carle et sa tocquante,[255] - Lonfa malura dondaine, - Et ses attaches de cé,[256] - Lonfa malura dondé. - - Son carle et sa tocquante, - Et ses attaches de cé, - Son coulant[257] et sa montante,[258] - Lonfa malura dondaine, - Et son combre galuché[259] - Lonfa malura dondé. - - Son coulant et sa montante - Et son combre galuché, - Son frusque,[260] aussi sa lisette,[261] - Lonfa malura dondaine, - Et ses tirants brodanchés,[262] - Lonfa malura dondé. - - Son frusque, aussi sa lisette - Et ses tirants brodanchés. - Crompe,[263] crompe, mercandière, - Lonfa malura dondaine, - Car nous serions béquillés,[264] - Lonfa malura dondé. - - Crompe, crompe, mercandière, - Car nous serions béquillés. - Sur la placarde de vergne,[265] - Lonfa malura dondaine, - Il nous faudrait gambiller,[266] - Lonfa malura dondé. - - Sur la placarde de vergne - Il nous faudrait gambiller, - Allumés[267] de toutes ces largues,[268] - Lonfa malura dondaine, - Et du trèpe[269] rassemblé, - Lonfa malura dondé. - - Allumés de toutes ces largues - Et du trèpe rassemblé; - Et de ces charlots bons drilles,[270] - Lonfa malura dondaine, - Tous aboulant[271] goupiner. - Lonfa malura dondé. - -[232] Vergne, _town_. - -[233] Goupiner, _to steal_. - -[234] Mercandière, _tradeswomen_. - -[235] Du pivois solisait, _sold wine_. - -[236] Jaspine en bigorne, _say in cant_. - -[237] Morfiller, _to eat and drink_. - -[238] Chenu, _good_. - -[239] Lance, _water_. - -[240] Larton savonné, _white bread_. - -[241] Lourde, _door_. - -[242] Tournante, _key_. - -[243] Pieu, _bed_. - -[244] Roupiller, _to sleep_. - -[245] J’enquille, _I enter_. - -[246] Cambriole, _room_. - -[247] Entifler, _to marry_. - -[248] Rembroque, _see_. - -[249] Rifle, _fire_. - -[250] Messière, _man_. - -[251] Pionçait, _was sleeping_. - -[252] Vallades, _pockets_. - -[253] Carle, _money_. - -[254] Pessigué, _taken_. - -[255] Tocquante, _watch_. - -[256] Attaches de cé, _silver buckles_. - -[257] Coulant, _chain_. - -[258] Montante, _breeches_. - -[259] Combre galuché, _laced hat_. - -[260] Frusque, _coat_. - -[261] Lisette, _waistcoat_. - -[262] Tirants brodanchés, _embroidered stockings_. - -[263] Crompe, _run away_. - -[264] Béquillés, _hanged_. - -[265] Placarde de vergne, _public place_. - -[266] Gambiller, _to dance_. - -[267] Allumés, _stared at_. - -[268] Largues, _women_. - -[269] Trèpe, _crowd_. - -[270] Charlots bons drilles, _jolly thieves_. - -[271] Aboulant, _coming_. - - -BEGINNING OF NINETEENTH CENTURY. - -THE SAME SONG VERSIFIED BY WILLIAM MAGINN. - - As from ken[272] to ken I was going, - Doing a bit on the prigging lay,[273] - Who should I meet but a jolly blowen,[274] - Tol lol, lol lol, tol derol ay; - Who should I meet but a jolly blowen, - Who was fly[275] to the time o’ day?[276] - - Who should I meet but a jolly blowen, - Who was fly to the time of day. - I pattered in flash,[277] like a covey[278] knowing, - Tol lol, &c., - “Ay, bub or grubby,[279] I say.” - - I pattered in flash like a covey knowing, - “Ay, bub or grubby, I say.” - “Lots of gatter,”[280] quo’ she, “are flowing, - Tol lol, &c., - Lend me a lift in the family way.[281] - - “Lots of gatter,” quo’ she, “are flowing, - Lend me a lift in the family way. - You may have a crib[282] to stow in, - Tol lol, &c., - Welcome, my pal,[283] as the flowers in May.” - - “You may have a crib to stow in, - Welcome, my pal, as the flowers in May.” - To her ken at once I go in, - Tol lol, &c., - Where in a corner out of the way; - - To her ken at once I go in, - Where in a corner out of the way, - With his smeller[284] a trumpet blowing, - Tol lol, &c., - A regular swell cove[285] lushy[286] lay. - - With his smeller a trumpet blowing, - A regular swell cove lushy lay. - To his clies[287] my hooks[288] I throw in, - Tol lol, &c., - And collar his dragons[289] clear away. - - To his clies my hooks I throw in, - And collar his dragons clear away. - Then his ticker[290] I set a-going, - Tol lol, &c., - And his onions,[291] chain and key. - - Then his ticker I set a-going, - With his onions, chain and key; - Next slipt off his bottom clo’ing, - Tol lol, &c., - And his ginger head topper gay. - - Next slipt off his bottom clo’ing, - And his ginger head topper gay. - Then his other toggery[292] stowing, - Tol lol, &c., - All with the swag[293] I sneak away. - - Then his other toggery stowing, - All with the swag I sneak away. - Tramp it, tramp it, my jolly blowen, - Tol lol, &c., - Or be grabbed[294] by the beaks[295] we may. - - Tramp it, tramp it, my jolly blowen, - Or be grabbed by the beaks we may. - And we shall caper a-heel-and-toeing, - Tol lol, &c., - A Newgate hornpipe some fine day. - - And we shall caper a-heel-and-toeing, - A Newgate hornpipe some fine day, - With the mots[296] their ogles[297] throwing, - Tol lol, &c., - And old Cotton[298] humming his pray.[299] - - With the mots their ogles throwing, - And old Cotton humming his pray, - And the fogle-hunters[300] doing, - Tol lol, &c., - Their morning fake[301] in the prigging lay. - -[272] Ken, _shop_, _house_. - -[273] Prigging lay, _thieving business_. - -[274] Blowen, _girl_, _strumpet_, _sweetheart_. - -[275] Fly (contraction of flash), _awake_, _up to_, _practised in_. - -[276] Time o’ day, _knowledge of business_, _thieving_ - -[277] Pattered in flash, _spoke in slang_. - -[278] Covey, _man_. - -[279] Bub and grub, _drink and food_. - -[280] Gatter, _porter_. - -[281] Family, _the thieves in general_; the family way, _the thieving -line_. - -[282] Crib, _bed_. - -[283] Pal, _friend_, _companion_, _paramour_. - -[284] Smeller, _nose_. - -[285] Swell cove, _gentleman_, _dandy_. - -[286] Lushy, _drunk_. - -[287] Clies, _pockets_. - -[288] Hooks, _fingers_. - -[289] Collar his dragons, _take his sovereigns_. - -[290] Ticker, _watch_. - -[291] Onions, _seals_. - -[292] Toggery, _clothes_. - -[293] Swag, _plunder_. - -[294] Grabbed, _taken_. - -[295] Beaks, _police officers_. - -[296] Mots, _girls_. - -[297] Ogles, _eyes_. - -[298] Old Cotton, _the ordinary of Newgate_. - -[299] Humming his pray, _saying prayers_. - -[300] Fogle-hunters, _pickpockets_. - -[301] Morning fake, _morning thieving_. - - -NINETEENTH CENTURY. - -AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A THIEF IN THIEVES’ LANGUAGE. - -By J. W. HORSLEY, - -_Chaplain of H. M. Prison, Clerkenwell._ - - TRANSLATED INTO THE LANGUAGE OF FRENCH THIEVES. - -I was born in 1853 at Stamford Hill, Middlesex. My parents removed from -there to Stoke Newington, when I was sent to an infant school. Some -time afterwards I was taken by two pals (companions) to an orchard to -cop (steal) some fruit, me being a mug (inexperienced) at the game. -This got to my father’s ears. When I went home he set about me with -a strap until he was tired. He thought that was not enough, but tied -me to a bedstead. You may be sure what followed. I got loose, tied a -blanket and a counterpane together, fastened it to the bedstead, and -let myself out of the window, and did not go home that night, but met -my two pals and dossed (slept) in a haystack. Early next morning my -pals said they knew where we could get some toke (food), and took me to -a terrace. We went down the dancers (steps) to a safe, and cleared it -out. Two or three days after I met my mother, who in tears begged of me -to go home; so I went home. My parents moved to Clapton, when they sent -me to school. My pals used to send stiffs (notes) to the schoolmaster, -saying that I was wanted at home; but instead of that we used to go -and smug snowy (steal linen) that was hung out to dry, or rob the -bakers’ barrows. Things went from bad to worse, so I was obliged to -leave home again. This time I palled in with some older hands at the -game, who used to take me a parlour-jumping (robbing rooms), putting -me in where the windows was open. I used to take anything there was to -steal, and at last they told me all about wedge (silver-plate), how I -should know it by the ramp (hall-mark--rampant lion?); we used to break -it up in small pieces and sell it to watchmakers, and afterwards to a -fence down the Lane (Petticoat Lane). Two or three times a week I used -to go to the Brit. (Britannia Theatre) in Hoxton, or the gaff (penny -music-room) in Shoreditch. I used to steal anything to make money to -go to these places. Some nights I used to sleep at my pals’ houses, -sometimes in a shed where there was a fire kept burning night and day. -All this time I had escaped the hands of the reelers (police), but one -day I was taken for robbing a baker’s cart, and got twenty-one days. -While there I made pals with another one who came from Shoreditch, and -promised to meet him when we got out, which I did, and we used to go -together, and left the other pals at Clapton. - - Je suis né en 1853 à Stamford Hill, Middlesex. Mes - parents, de _lago_, allèrent _se pioler_ à Stoke - Newington, et l’on m’envoya à une école maternelle. Peu - de temps après, deux de mes _fanandels_ me menèrent à - un verger pour _grinchir_ des fruits, mais je n’étais - qu’un _sinve_ à ce _flanche_. Mon _dab_ apprit la chose, - et quand je _rentolai à la caginotte_ il me _refila une - purge_ avec une courroie _jusqu’à plus soif_. Pensant - que ce n’était pas assez, il me _ligota_ au _pieu_. - Vous vous doutez de ce qui arriva. Je me débarrassai - des _ligotes_, attachai un _embarras_ à une couverture - que je fixai au _pieu_, et je me laissai glisser par - la _vanterne_. Je ne _rappliquai pas à la niche_ cette - _nogue-là_, mais j’allai retrouver mes deux _fanandes_ - et je _pionçai_ dans une meule de foin. Au _matois_ - mes _fanandels_ me _bonnirent_ qu’ils _conobraient_ - où nous pouvions _acquiger_ de la _tortillade_ et me - menèrent à une rangée de _pioles_. Nous dégringolons les - _grimpants_. Nous _embardons_ dans un garde-manger et - nous le _rinçons_. Deux ou trois _reluis_ après, je me - _casse le mufle_ sur ma _dabuche_, qui, en _chialant_, me - supplie de _rappliquer à la niche_, ce que j’ai fait. Mes - parents alors ont déménagé et sont allés à Clapton. Alors - on m’a envoyé à l’école. Mes _camerluches balançaient_ - des _lazagnes_ au maître d’école disant qu’on me - demandait à la _niche_, mais au lieu de cela nous allions - _déflorer la pictouse_ ou _rincer_ les _bagnoles_ des - _lartonniers_. Les choses allèrent de mal en pis et je - fus obligé de _redécarrer de la niche_. Cette fois je - me mis avec des _fanandes_ plus _affranchis_, qui me - menaient avec eux _rincer les cambriolles_, me faisant - _enquiller_ par les _vanternes_ ouvertes. Je _mettais - la pogne_ sur toute la _camelote_ bonne à _grinchir_, - et enfin ils me firent _entraver_ tout le _truc_ de la - _blanquette_, et comment je la _reconobrerais_ par la - marque; nous la _frangissions_ en petits morceaux et nous - la _fourgattions_ chez des _boguistes_ et ensuite chez - un _fourgue_ qui demeurait dans la Lane. Deux ou trois - fois par semaine je suis allé au Brit. de Hoxton ou au - _beuglant_ de Shoreditch. Je _grinchissais_ n’importe - quelle _camelote_ pour _affurer de la thune_ afin d’aller - à ces endroits. Des _sorgues_, je _pionçais_ dans _les - pioles_ de mes _fanandels_, quelquefois sous un hangar où - il y avait un _rif_ qui _riffodait jorne_ et _sorgue_. - Cependant, j’avais échappé aux _pinces_ de la _riflette_, - mais un _reluis_ j’ai été _pomaqué_ pour avoir _rincé_ - une _bagnole_ de _lartonnier_ et _enflacqué_ pendant - vingt et un _reluis_. _Lago_ j’ai eu pour _amarre_ un - autre qui venait de Shoreditch et je lui ai promis un - rendez-vous pour quand nous serions _défouraillés_; alors - nous sommes devenus _amarres d’attaques_ et nous avons - laissé les autres _zigues_ à Clapton. - -At last one day we was at St. John’s Wood. I went in after some wedge. -While picking some up off the table I frightened a cat, which upset a -lot of plates when jumping out of the window. So I was taken and tried -at Marylebone Police Court and sent to Feltham Industrial School. I had -not been there a month before I planned with another boy to guy (run -away), and so we did, but was stopped at Brentford and took back to the -school, for which we got twelve strokes with the birch. I thought when -I first went there that I knew a great deal about thieving, but I found -there was some there that knew more, and I used to pal in with those -that knew the most. One day, while talking with a boy, he told me he -was going home in a day or so. He said his friends was going to claim -him out because he was more than sixteen years old. When my friends -came to see me I told them that they could claim me out, and with a -good many fair promises that I would lead a new life if they did so. -They got me out of the school. When I got home I found a great change -in my father, who had taken to drink, and he did not take so much -notice of what I done as he used. I went on all straight the first few -moons at costering. One day there was a “fête” at Clapton, and I was -coming home with my kipsy (basket); I had just sold all my goods out. -I just stopped to pipe (see) what was going on, when a reeler came up -to me and rapped (said), “Now, ----, you had better go away, or else I -shall give you a drag (three months in prison).” So I said “all right;” -but he rapped, “It is not all right; I don’t want any sauce from you -or else I shall set about (beat) you myself.” So I said, “What for? -I have done nothing; do you want to get it up for me?” Then he began -to push me about, so I said I would not go at all if he put his dukes -(hands) on me. Then he rammed my nut (head) against the wall and shook -the very life out of me. This got a scuff (crowd) round us, and the -people ask him what he was knocking me about for, so he said, “This is -young ---- just come home from a schooling (a term in a reformatory).” -So he did not touch me again; so I went home, turned into kip (bed) and -could not get up for two or three days, because he had given me such a -shaking, him being a great powerful man, and me only a little fellow. -I still went on all straight until things got very dear at the market. -I had been down three or four days running, and could not buy anything -to earn a deaner (shilling) out of. So one morning I found I did not -have more than a caser (five shillings) for stock-pieces (stock-money). -So I thought to myself, “What shall I do?” I said, “I know what I will -do. I will go to London Bridge rattler (railway) and take a deaner ride -and go a wedge-hunting (stealing plate).” So I took a ducat (railway -ticket) for Sutton in Surrey, and went a wedge-hunting. I had not been -at Sutton very long before I piped a slavey (servant) come out of a -chat (house), so when she had got a little way up the double (turning), -I pratted (went) in the house. When inside I could not see any wedge -lying about the kitchen, so I screwed my nut in the washhouse and I -piped three or four pair of daisy roots (boots). So I claimed (stole) -them, and took off the lid of my kipsy and put them inside, put a cloth -over them, and then put the lid on again, put the kipsy on my back as -though it was empty, and guyed to the rattler and took a brief (ticket) -to London Bridge, and took the daisies to a Sheney (Jew) down the gaff, -and done (sold) them for thirty blow (shillings). - - Enfin, un jour nous nous trouvions à St. John’s Wood - et j’étais à _soulever de la blanquette_. Pendant que - je _mettais la pogne dessus_, _je coquai le taf_ à un - _greffier_ qui fit dégringoler un tas de _morfiantes_ - en sautant par la _vanterne_. De cette façon, je fus - _pomaqué_, mis en _gerbement_ au _carré des gerbes_ de - Marylebone et envoyé au pénitencier de Feltham. Y avait - pas une _marque_ que j’y étais que je me préparai avec - un autre à _faire la cavale_. Après avoir _décarré_, - nous fûmes _engraillés_ à Brentford et _renflacqués_ au - pénitencier où l’on nous donna douze coups de la verge. - Je croyais, quand j’y avais été _enfouraillé_ tout - d’abord, que j’étais un _pègre_ bien _affranchi_, mais je - trouvai là des _camerluches_ qui en _conobraient_ plus - que _mézigue_ et j’avais pour _amarres_ ceux qui étaient - les plus _mariolles_. Un _reluis_ en _jaspinant_ avec - un _gosselin_, il me _jacte_ que dans un _luisant_ ou - deux il allait _rappliquer à la niche_. Il me _bonnit_ - que ses parents allaient le réclamer parcequ’il avait - plus de seize _brisques_. Quand mes parents sont venus - me voir je leur _bonnis_ qu’ils pouvaient me faire - _défourailler_, et leur ayant fait de belles promesses - de _rengracier_ s’ils y consentaient ils m’ont fait - _défourailler_. Quand j’ai _aboulé_ à la _kasbah_, j’ai - trouvé du changement chez mon _dab_ qui s’était mis à - _se poivrer_, et il n’a pas fait autant d’attention que - _d’habitongue_ à mes _flanches_. _Rangé des voitures_ - pendant les premières _marques_ comme marchand des quatre - saisons. Un _reluis_ il y avait une fête à Clapton et je - _rappliquais_ avec mon panier. Je venais de _laver_ toute - ma _camelote_ et de m’arrêter pour _rechasser_ ce qui se - passait quand un _roussin aboule_ à moi et me _bonnit_, - “Allons, décampe d’ici, ou je te _mets à l’ombre_ pour - trois _marques_.” Je lui _bonnis_ “c’est bien;” mais il - me _jacte_, “C’est pas tout ça, tâche de filer doux, - autrement je te _passe à travers tocquardement_.” Que je - lui _bonnis_, “Pourquoi? Je n’ai rien fait; c’est une - querelle d’allemand que vous me cherchez là.” Alors il se - met à me _refiler des poussées_ et je lui dis que je ne - le suivrais pas s’il me _harponnait_. Alors il me _sonne_ - la _tronche_ contre le mur et me secoue _tocquardement_. - Le _trèpe_ s’assemble autour de _nouzailles_ et les - _gonces_ lui _demandent_ pourquoi il me bouscule. Alors, - qu’il dit, “C’est le jeune ---- qui vient de sortir du - pénitencier.” Puis, il me laisse tranquille, de sorte - que j’ai _rappliqué_ à la _niche_, et je me suis mis au - _pucier_ où je suis resté deux ou trois _reluis_, car - il m’avait _harponné tocquardement_, lui qui était un - grand _balouf_ et moi un pauvre petit _gosselin_. Tout - a marché _chouettement_ pendant quelque temps mais la - _camelote_ est devenue très chère au marché. Depuis trois - ou quatre _reluis_ je n’avais pas le moyen _d’abloquer_ - de quoi _affurer_ un shilling. Alors un _reluis_ je me - suis aperçu que je n’avais pas plus de cinq shillings - comme fonds de commerce et je me suis demandé: quel - _truc_ est-ce que je vais _maquiller_? Je me _bonnis_, - je connais bien mon _flanche_. _J’acquigerai le roulant - vif_ de London Bridge pour un shilling et je tâcherai - _de mettre la pogne_ sur de la _blanquette_. Alors je - prends une _brème_ pour Sutton en Surrey et je me mets en - chasse pour la _blanquette_. Y avait pas longtemps que - j’étais à Sutton quand j_’allume_ une _cambrousière_ qui - _décarrait_ d’une _piole_. Dès qu’elle a tourné le coin - de la rue, j’_embarde_ dans la _piole_. Une fois dedans - je n’ai pas _remouché_ de _blanquette_ dans la cuisine, - et, passant ma _sorbonne_ dans l’arrière-cuisine, j’ai - _mouchaillé_ trois ou quatre paires de _ripatons_. J’ai - _mis la pogne_ dessus, et ôtant le couvercle de mon - panier, je les y ai _plaqués_ avec une pièce d’étoffe par - dessus et j’ai remis le couvercle, puis j’ai _plaqué_ mon - panier sur mon _andosse_ comme s’il était vide, et je me - suis _cavalé_ jusqu’au _roulant vif_; _acquigé_ un billet - pour London Bridge, porté les _ripatons_ à un _youtre_ - près du _beuglant_ et _fourgué_ pour trente shillings. - -The next day I took the rattler to Forest Hill, and touched for -(succeeded in getting) some wedge and a kipsy full of clobber -(clothes). You may be sure this gave me a little pluck, so I kept on -at the old game, only with this difference, that I got more pieces -for the wedge. I got three and a sprat (3_s._ 6_d._) an ounce. But -afterwards I got 3_s._ 9_d._, and then four blow. I used to get a good -many pieces about this time, so I used to clobber myself up and go -to the concert. But though I used to go to these places I never used -to drink any beer for some time afterwards. It was while using one -of those places I first met a sparring bloke (pugilist), who taught -me how to spar and showed me the way to put my dukes up. But after a -time I gave him best (left him) because he used to want to bite my ear -(borrow) too often. It was while I was with him that I got in company -with some of the widest (cleverest) people in London. They used to -use at (frequent) a pub in Shoreditch. The following people used to -go in there--toy-getters (watch-stealers), magsmen (confidence-trick -men), men at the mace (sham loan offices), broadsmen (card-sharpers), -peter-claimers (box-stealers), busters and screwsmen (burglars), -snide-pitchers (utterers of false coin), men at the duff (passing false -jewellery), welshers (turf-swindlers), and skittle-sharps. Being with -this nice mob (gang) you may be sure what I learned. I went out at the -game three or four times a week, and used to touch almost every time. I -went on like this for very near a stretch (year) without being smugged -(apprehended). One night I was with the mob, I got canon (drunk), this -being the first time. After this, when I used to go to concert-rooms, -I used to drink beer. It was at one of these places down Whitechapel -I palled in with a trip and stayed with her until I got smugged. One -day I was at Blackheath, I got very near canon, and when I went into a -place I claimed two wedge spoons, and was just going up the dancers, -a slavey piped the spoons sticking out of my skyrocket (pocket), so I -got smugged. While at the station they asked me what my monarch (name) -was. A reeler came to the cell and cross-kidded (questioned) me, but I -was too wide for him. I was tried at Greenwich; they ask the reeler if -I was known, and he said no. So I was sent to Maidstone Stir (prison) -for two moon. When I came out, the trip I had been living with had sold -the home and guyed; that did not trouble me much. The only thing that -spurred (annoyed) me was me being such a flat to buy the home. The mob -got me up a break (collection), and I got between five or six foont -(sovereigns), so I did not go out at the game for about a moon. - - Le lendemain j’ai _acquigé_ le _roulant vif_ jusqu’à - Forest Hill, et j’ai _mis la pogne_ sur de la - _blanquette_ et un panier plein de _fringues_. Bien sûr, - cela m’a donné un peu de courage, alors j’ai continué - le même _flanche_ avec cette différence seulement, que - j’ai _affuré_ plus d’_auber_ pour la _blanquette_. On - m’en a _foncé_ trois shillings sixpence l’once. Mais - après j’en ai eu trois shillings neuf pence, et puis - quatre shillings. J’_affurais_ pas mal de _galtos_ à - cette époque, de sorte que je me _peaussais chouettement_ - pour aller au _beuglant_. Mais si j’allais à ces sortes - d’endroits, je ne _pictais_ jamais de _moussante_. C’est - à ce moment et dans un de ces endroits que j’ai fait - la connaissance d’un lutteur qui m’a appris la boxe et - à me servir de mes _louches_. Mais peu après, je l’ai - _lâché_ parcequ’il me _coquait_ trop souvent _des coups - de pied dans les jambes_. C’est en sa compagnie que - j’ai fait la connaissance de quelques-uns des _pègres_ - les plus _mariolles_ de Londres. Ils fréquentaient un - _cabermon_ de Shoreditch. Ceux qui y allaient étaient - des _grinchisseurs de bogues_, des _américains_, des - _guinals à la manque_, des _grecs_, des _valtreusiers_, - des _grinchisseurs au fric-frac_, des passeurs de - _galette à la manque_, des voleurs _à la broquille_, des - bookmakers _à la manque_, et des _grinches_ joueurs de - quilles. Etant avec cette _gironde gance_, vous pouvez - imaginer ce que j’ai appris. J’allais _turbiner_ trois - ou quatre fois par _quart de marque_, et je réussissais - presque toujours. J’ai continué ainsi pendant près d’une - _brisque_ sans être _enfilé_. Une _nogue_ que j’étais - avec les _fanandes_, j’ai été _poivre_ pour la première - fois. Et après ça, quand j’ai été au _beuglant_, j’ai - _pitanché_ de la _moussante_. C’est à un de ces endroits - dans Whitechapel que je me suis _collé_ avec une - _largue_, et je suis resté avec elle jusqu’à ce que j’ai - été _enfouraillé_. Un _reluis_, j’étais à Blackheath, - je me suis presque _poivrotté_, et _embardant_ dans une - _piole_, j’ai _grinchi_ deux _poches_ de _plâtre_. Je - grimpais le _lève-pieds_, quand une _cambrousière_ a - _remouché_ les cuillers qui sortaient de ma _profonde_, - c’est comme cela que j’ai été _pomaqué_. Au _bloc_, on - m’a demandé mon _centre_. Un _rousse_ est venu à la - _boîte_ et m’a fait la _jactance_, mais j’ai été trop - _mariolle_ pour _entraver_. J’ai été mis en _sapement_ à - Greenwich; on a demandé au _rousse_ s’il me _conobrait_ - et il a répondu _nibergue_. Alors on m’a envoyé à la - _motte_ de Maidstone pour deux _marques_. Quand j’ai été - _défouraillé_, la _largue_ avec qui je vivais avait tout - _lavé_ et _s’était fait la débinette_, mais cela m’était - égal. La seule chose qui m’a ennuyé, c’est que j’avais - été assez _sinve_ pour _abloquer_ le _fourbi_. La _gance_ - m’a fait une _manche_ et j’ai eu de cinq à six _sigues_, - de sorte que je n’ai pas _rappliqué_ au _turbin_ pour - près d’une _marque_. - -The first day that I went out I went to Slough and touched for a wedge -kipsy with 120 ounces of wedge in it, for which I got nineteen quid -(sovereigns). Then I carried on a nice game. I used to get canon every -night. I done things now what I should have been ashamed to do before I -took to that accursed drink. It was now that I got acquainted with the -use of twirls (skeleton-keys). - - Le premier _reluis_ de ma _guérison_ je suis allé à - Slough et j’ai _soulevé_ un panier, qui contenait 120 - onces de _blanquette_, pour lequel j’ai reçu dix-neuf - livres sterling. Alors j’étais bien _à la marre_. - J’étais _pion_ toutes les _sorgues_. J’ai _maquillé_ des - _flanches_ alors que j’aurais eu honte de faire si je ne - m’étais pas mis à _pitancher gourdement_. C’est alors que - j’ai appris le _truc_ des _caroubles_. - -A little time after this I fell (was taken up) again at St. Mary Cray -for being found at the back of a house, and got two moon at Bromley -Petty Sessions as a rogue and vagabond; and I was sent to Maidstone, -this being the second time within a stretch. When I fell this time I -had between four and five quid found on me, but they gave it me back, -so I was landed (was all right) this time without them getting me up a -lead (a collection). - - Peu après j’ai été _emballé_ de nouveau à St. Mary Cray - pour avoir été _pigé_ derrière une _piole_ et j’ai été - _gerbé_ à deux _marques_ au _juste_ de Bromley comme - _ferlampier_ et _purotin_, puis j’ai été envoyé à - Maidstone pour la seconde fois dans la _brisque_. Quand - j’ai été _emballé_, j’avais de quatre à cinq _signes_ sur - mon _gniasse_, mais on me les a rendus, de sorte que j’ai - pu cette fois me passer de la _manche_. - -I did not fall again for a stretch. This time I got two moon for -assaulting the reelers when canon. For this I went to the Steel -(Bastile--Coldbath Fields Prison), having a new suit of clobber on me -and about fifty blow in my brigh (pocket). When I came out I went at -the same old game. - - Je n’ai pas été _emballé_ pendant une _brisque_. Cette - fois, j’ai été _sapé_ à deux _marques_ pour avoir _refilé - une voie_ aux _rousses_ pendant que j’étais _pion_. On - m’a envoyé, pour ce _flanche_, à la Steel. J’avais des - _fringues d’altèque_ et environ cinquante shillings dans - ma _fouillouse_. Quand j’ai _décarré_ j’ai _rappliqué au - truc_. - -One day I went to Croydon and touched for a red toy (gold watch) and -red tackle (gold chain) with a large locket. So I took the rattler -home at once. When I got into Shoreditch I met one or two of the mob, -who said, “Hallo, been out to-day? Did you touch?” So I said, “Usher” -(yes). So I took them in, and we all got canon. When I went to the -fence he bested (cheated) me because I was drunk, and only gave me _£_8 -10_s._ for the lot. So the next day I went to him, and asked him if he -was not going to grease my duke (put money into my hand). So he said, -“No.” Then he said, “I will give you another half-a-quid;” and said, -“Do anybody, but mind they don’t do you.” So I thought to myself, “All -right, my lad; you will find me as good as my master,” and left him. - - Un _reluis_, je suis allé à Croydon et j’ai _fait_ un - _bogue de jonc_ et une _bride de jonc_ avec un gros - médaillon. Puis j’ai _acquigé_ dare-dare le _roulant - vif_. Quand j’ai _aboulé_ à Shoreditch, je suis _tombé - en frime_ avec deux _pègres_ de la _gance_ qui m’ont - _bonni_, “Eh bien, tu as _turbiné_ ce _luisant_, as-tu - _fait_ quelque chose?” Alors que je _jacte_, “_Gy_.” - Puis je les ai emmenés et nous nous sommes tous _piqué - le blaire_. Quand je suis allé chez le _fourgat_ il - m’a _refait_ parceque j’étais _poivre_ et m’a _aboulé_ - seulement _£_8 10_s._ pour le tout. Alors le lendemain, - je suis allé à lui et lui ai demandé s’il n’allait pas - me _foncer du michon_. Il répond, “_Nibergue_.” Puis il - ajoute, “Je vais te _foncer_ un autre demi-_sigue_,” et - aussi, “_Mène en bateau_ les _sinves_, mais ne te laisse - pas _mener en bateau_.” Je me suis dit, “_Chouette_, ma - _vieille branche_; tu me trouveras aussi _mariolle_ que - mon maître,” et je l’ai quitté. - -Some time after that affair with the fence, one of the mob said to -me, “I have got a place cut and dried; will you come and do it?” So I -said, “Yes; what tools will you want?” And he said, “We shall want some -twirls and the stick (crowbar), and bring a neddie (life preserver) -with you.” And he said, “Now don’t stick me up (disappoint); meet -me at six to-night.” At six I was in the meet (trysting-place), and -while waiting for my pal I had my daisies cleaned, and I piped the -fence that bested me go along with his old woman (wife) and his two -kids (children), so I thought of his own words, “Do anybody, but mind -they don’t do you.” He was going to the Surrey Theatre, so when my pal -came up I told him all about it. So we went and screwed (broke into) -his place, and got thirty-two quid, and a toy and tackle which he had -bought on the crook. We did not go and do the other place after that. -About two moon after this the same fence fell for buying two finns (_£_5 -notes), for which he got a stretch and a half. A little while after -this I fell at Isleworth for being found in a conservatory adjoining a -parlour, and got remanded at the Tench (House of Detention) for nine -days, but neither Snuffy (Reeves, the identifier) nor Mac (Macintyre) -knew me, so I got a drag, and was sent to the Steel. While I was in -there, I see the fence who we done, and he held his duke at me as much -as to say, “I would give you something, if I could;” but I only laughed -at him. I was out about seven moon, when one night a pal of mine was -half drunk, and said something to a copper (policeman) which he did not -like; so he hit my pal, and I hit him in return. So we both set about -him. He pulled out his staff, and hit me on the nut, and cut it open. -Then two or three more coppers came up, and we got smugged, and got a -sixer (six months) each. So I see the fence again in Stir. - - Quelque temps après ce _flanche_ avec le _fourgat_ - une des _poisses_ de la _gance_ me _bonnit_, “J’ai un - _poupard nourri_, veux-tu en être?” Que je lui _bonnis_, - “_Gy_, de quelles _alènes_ as-tu besoin?” Il me _jacte_, - “Il nous faut des _rossignols_ et le _sucre de pomme_; - tu apporteras un _tourne-clef_.” Il me _bonnit_, “Ne me - _lâche_ pas au bon moment, nous nous rencontrerons à - six _plombes_ cette _nogue_.” Six _plombes crossaient_ - quand j’ai _aboulé_ au rendez-vous, et en attendant mon - _fanande_ je faisais cirer mes _ripatons_, quand j’ai - _mouchaillé_ le _fourgue_ qui m’avait _refait_ qui se - _balladait_ avec sa _fesse_ et ses deux _mômes_. Alors - j’ai pensé à ce qu’il m’avait _bonni_, “_Mène_ les - _sinves en bateau_ mais ne laisse pas _gourer tézigue_.” - Il allait à la _misloque_ de Surrey, alors, quand mon - _poteau aboule_, je lui _dégueularde_ tout le _flanche_. - Puis nous _filons le luctrème_, nous _enquillons_ dans - la _piole_ et nous _mettons la pogne sur_ trente-deux - _sigues_, sur un _bogue_ et une _bride_ que le fourgue - avait _abloqués à la manque_. Nous ne sommes pas allés - aux autres endroits après cela. Deux _marques_ après, - ce même _fourgue_ a été _poissé_ pour avoir _abloqué_ - deux _fafiots_ de cinq livres sterling, et _sapé_ à une - _longe_ et six _marques_. Peu de temps après j’ai été - _emballé_ à Isleworth pour avoir été _pigé_ dans une - serre voisine d’un parloir et remis à la Tench pour neuf - _reluis_, mais ni Snuffy ni Mac ne me _conobraient_, de - sorte que j’ai été _sapé_ à trois _marques_ et _malade_ à - la _motte_. Pendant que j’y étais, j’ai vu le _fourgue_ - que nous avions _refait_, et il a tendu la _pince_ de mon - côté comme pour _bonnir_, “Je te _refilerais une purge_ - si je pouvais,” mais cela m’a fait _rigoler_. J’étais - _guéri_ depuis environ sept _marques_ quand une _sorgue_, - un de mes _fanandes_, qui était _poivre_, _jacte_ quelque - chose à un _roussin_ qui ne l’ayant pas à la _bonne_, l’a - _sonné_ et moi j’ai _sonné_ le _roussin_ à mon tour. Tous - deux alors nous lui avons _travaillé le cadavre_. Il a - tiré son bâton, m’a _sonné_ le _citron_ et me l’a fendu. - Alors deux ou trois _roussins_ sont arrivés, nous ont - _emballés_ et nous avons été _gerbés_ à six _marques_. De - sorte que j’ai revu le _fourgue_ au _château_. - -On the Boxing-day after I came out I got stabbed in the chest by a -pal of mine who had done a schooling. We was out with one another all -the day getting drunk, so he took a liberty with me, and I landed -him one on the conk (nose); so we had a fight, and he put the chive -(knive) into me. This made me sober, so I asked him what made him -such a coward. He said, “I meant to kill you; let me kiss my wife and -child, and then smug me.” But I did not do that. This made me a little -thoughtful of the sort of life I was carrying on. I thought, “What -if I should have been killed then!” But this, like other things, soon -passed away. - - Au Boxing-day après ma _guérison_, un de mes _fanandes_ - m’a _refilé_ un coup de _bince_ dans le _haricot_. - Il avait été déjà _enfouraillé_ au _collège_. Nous - nous étions _balladés_ tout le _luisant_ en nous - _poivrottant_, de sorte que m’ayant manqué de respect, - je lui ai _collé une châtaigne_ sur le _morviau_. Nous - nous sommes _empoignés_ et il a joué du _surin_. Cela m’a - dégrisé et je lui ai demandé pourquoi il s’était montré - aussi lâche. Il me _bonnit_, “Je voulais t’_estourbir_. - Laisse-moi aller _sucer la pomme_ à ma _largue_ et mon - _môme_ et fais-moi _emballer_.” Mais je n’ai pas voulu. - Cela m’a fait réfléchir un peu au genre de vie que je - menais et je me dis, “J’aurais bien pu être _refroidi_.” - Mais bientôt je n’y pensai plus. - -After the place got well where I was chived, me and another screwed a -place at Stoke Newington, and we got some squeeze (silk) dresses, and -two sealskin jackets, and some other things. We tied them in a bundle, -and got on a tram. It appears they knew my pal, and some reelers got up -too. So when I piped them pipe the bundle, I put my dukes on the rails -of the tram and dropped off, and guyed down a double before you could -say Jack Robinson. It was a good job I did, or else I should have got -lagged (sent to penal servitude), and my pal too, because I had the -James (crowbar) and screws (skeleton keys) on me. My pal got a stretch -and a half. A day or two after this I met the fence who I done; so he -said to me, “We have met at last.” So I said, “Well, what of that?” -So he said, “What did you want to do me for?” So I said, “You must -remember you done me; and when I spoke to you about it you said, ‘Do -anybody; mind they don’t do you.’” That shut him up. - - Une fois guéri du coup de _bince_, nous avons _refilé le - luctrème_ d’une _piole_ à Stoke Newington, et nous avons - _grinchi_ des robes de _lyonnaise_ et deux jaquettes de - peau de phoque et d’autre _camelote_. Nous en avons fait - un _pacsin_ et nous avons pris le tram. On _conobrait_ - mon _fanande_, paraît-il, et des _rousses_ y montent - avec _nouzailles_. Quand je vois qu’ils _remouchent_ le - _pacsin_, je mets mes _agrafes_ sur le _pieu_ d’appui du - tram, je saute, je _fais patatrot_ au coin de la rue - et je cours encore. C’est _bate_ pour moi d’avoir agi - ainsi autrement j’aurais été _gerbé à bachasse_ et mon - _fanande_ aussi parceque j’avais le _Jacques_ et les - _caroubles_ sur _mézigue_. Mon _fanande_ a été _sapé_ à - une _longe_ et demie. Un _reluis_ ou deux après, je me - _casse le mufle_ sur le _fourgat_ que j’avais _refait_, - et il me _jacte_, “Te voilà enfin!” Je lui réponds, - “Eh bien, et puis après?” “Pourquoi m’as-tu _refait_?” - dit-il. Et je lui réponds, “Rappelle-toi que tu as - _refait mon gniasse_, et quand je t’en ai _jacté_ tu m’as - _répondu_, ‘_Mène en bateau_ qui tu voudras, mais ne te - laisse pas _enfoncer_.’” Et cela a coupé la _chique_ à - _sézigue_. - -One day I went to Lewisham and touched for a lot of wedge. I tore up my -madam (handkerchief) and tied the wedge in small packets and put them -into my pockets. At Bishopsgate Street I left my kipsy at a barber’s -shop, where I always left it when not in use. I was going through -Shoreditch, when a reeler from Hackney, who knew me well, came up and -said, “I am going to run the rule over (search) you.” You could have -knocked me down with a feather, me knowing what I had about me. Then he -said, “It’s only my joke; are you going to treat me?” So I said “Yes,” -and began to be very saucy, saying to him, “What catch would it be if -you was to turn me over?” So I took him into a pub which had a back -way out, and called for a pint of stout, and told the reeler to wait a -minute. He did not know that there was an entrance at the back; so I -guyed up to Hoxton to the mob and told them all about it. Then I went -and done the wedge for five-and-twenty quid. - - Un jour je vais à Lewisham et je _grinchis_ un lot de - _blanquette_. Je déchire mon _blavin_, je fais des petits - _pacsins_ de la _blanquette_ et je les _plaque_ dans mes - _profondes_. A Bishopsgate St. je dépose mon panier dans - la _boutogue_ d’un _merlan_ où je le laissais toujours - quand je ne m’en servais pas. Je traversais Shoreditch, - quand un _rousse_ de Hackney, qui me _conobrait_ bien, - _aboule_ et _jacte_, “Je vais te _rapioter_.” J’avais la - _frousse_ en pensant à ce que j’avais sur mon _gniasse_. - Alors il me _bonnit_, “C’est une _batterie douce_; - est-ce que tu ne vas pas me _rincer les crochets_?” Je - lui _jacte_, “_Gy_,” et je me mets à _blaguer_ avec lui, - lui disant, “Quelle bonne prise, si vous me fouilliez?” - Je l’emmène alors dans un _cabermon_ qui avait une - sortie de derrière, je demande une pinte de stout, et - je dis au _rousse_ d’attendre une _broquille_. Il ne - _conobrait_ pas la _lourde_ de derrière; alors _je me la - tire_ jusqu’à Hoxton et j’apprends aux _fanandes_ ce qui - s’était passé. Puis je _fourgue_ la _blanquette_ pour - vingt-cinq livres. - -One or two days after this I met the reeler at Hackney, and he said, -“What made you guy?” So I said that I did not want my pals to see me -with him. So he said it was all right. Some of the mob knew him and had -greased his duke. - - Un ou deux _reluis_ après, je _tombe en frime_ avec la - _riflette_ à Hackney, et il me _jacte_, “Pourquoi t’es-tu - _débiné_?” Et je lui réponds que je ne voulais pas que - mes _fanandes_ me _remouchent_ en sa compagnie. Quelques - _pègres_ de la _gance_ le _conobraient_ et lui avaient - _foncé_ du _michon_. - -What I am about to relate now took place within the last four or five -moon before I fell for this stretch and a half. One day I went to -Surbiton. I see a reeler giving me a roasting (watching me), so I began -to count my pieces for a jolly (pretence), but he still followed me, so -at last I rang a bell, and waited till the slavey came, and the reeler -waited till I came out, and then said, “What are you hawking of?” So I -said, “I am not hawking anything; I am buying bottles.” So he said, “I -thought you were hawking without a licence.” As soon as he got round a -double, I guyed away to Malden and touched for two wedge teapots, and -took the rattler to Waterloo. - - Ce que je vais raconter maintenant a eu lieu dans le - courant des quatre ou cinq _marques_ avant mon _sapement_ - à une _longe_ et demie. Un _reluis_ je vais à Surbiton. - Je _remouche_ une _riflette_ qui me _poireautait_. Je - fais la _frime_ de compter mon _carle_, mais il me _prend - en filature_. A la fin je tire une _retentissante_, et - j’attends que la _larbine aboule_, le _rousse_ attend - que je _décarre_ et me _jacte_, “Qu’est-ce que vous - vendez donc?” Et je réponds, “Je ne vends rien; j’achète - des bouteilles.” Il me dit alors, “Je croyais que vous - faisiez le commerce sans patente.” Aussitôt qu’il a - tourné le coin, je vais à Malden et je _fais_ deux - théières de _plâtre_, puis j’_acquige le roulant_ pour - Waterloo. - -One day I took the rattler from Broad Street to Acton. I did not touch -there, but worked my way to Shepherd’s Bush; but when I got there I -found it so hot (dangerous), because there had been so many tykes -(dogs) poisoned, that there was a reeler at almost every double, and -bills posted up about it. So I went to the Uxbridge Road Station, and -while I was waiting for the rattler I took a religious tract, and on -it was written, “What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world -and lose his own soul?” So I thought to myself, What good has the money -done me what I have had? So instead of getting out at Brondesbury, I -rode on to Broad Street, and paid the difference, and went home, and -did not go out for about a week. - - Un jour j’_acquige le roulant_ de Broad Street à Acton. - _Lago_, je ne _fais_ rien, et je continue ma route - jusqu’à Shepherd’s Bush; mais quand j’y _dévale_ je - trouve qu’il y avait tant de _pet_ à cause de tous - les _tambours_ qu’on avait empoisonnés, qu’on avait - mis une _riflette_ presque à chaque coin de rue et - des _babilles_ partout. Alors je vais à la station - du _roulant_ de Uxbridge Road, et pendant que je - _poireautais_ pour le _roulant_ je prends une brochure - religieuse et il y avait _capi_ dessus, “A quoi bon - acquérir le monde entier si l’on doit perdre son âme?” - Et je me _jacte_, A quoi m’a servi le _carme_ que j’ai - _affuré_? Et alors au lieu de descendre à Brondesbury, - je continue jusqu’à Broad Street et j’_aboule_ la - différence. Je _rapplique_ à la _caginotte_ d’où je ne - _décarre_ pas d’un _quart de marque_. - -The Sunday following when I went to Uxbridge Road, I went down a lane -called Mount Pleasant, at Clapton; it was about six o’clock. Down -at the bottom of the lane you could get a fine view of Walthamstow; -so while I was leaning against the rails I felt very miserable. I -was thinking about when I was at Feltham. I thought I had threw away -the only chance I had of doing better; and as I stood thinking, the -bells of St. Matthew’s Church began to play a hymn-tune I had heard -at Feltham. This brought tears to my eyes: this was the first time -in my life that I thought what a wretch I was. I was going home very -downcast, when I met some pals, who said, “Why, what is the matter? -you look miserable.” So I said, “I don’t feel very well.” So they -said, “Are you coming to have something to drink?--that will liven you -up.” So I went in with them, and began to drink very hard to drown my -thoughts. - - Le dimanche d’après, en allant à Uxbridge Road, je - dégringole une ruelle appellée Mount Pleasant, à Clapton; - il était à peu près six _plombes_. Au fond de la ruelle - on avait une vue magnifique de Walthamstow; donc pendant - que je m’appuyais contre la palissade j’avais _des - papillons noirs dans la sorbonne_. Je pensais au temps - où j’étais à Feltham. Je voyais que j’avais perdu la - seule occasion que j’avais de _rengracier_ et étant là - à réfléchir, les _retentissantes_ de la _rampante_ de - Saint-Matthew se mirent à jouer un hymne que j’avais - entendu à Feltham. Ceci me fit _baver des clignots_: - pour la première fois de ma vie je _jacte_ à _mézigue_, - Quel misérable tu es! Je _rappliquais à la niche_, en - _paumant mes plumes_, quand je _tombe en frime_ de deux - _fanandes_ qui _bonnissent_, “Eh bien, qu’est-ce qu’il y - a; tu as une _sale bobinette_? “Alors je _jacte_, “Je - suis _tocquard_.” “Alors viens avec nous te _rincer la - dalle_, ça te ragaillardira.” Je suis allé avec eux, et - j’ai commencé à _picter d’attaque_ pour noyer le chagrin. - -Monday morning I felt just the same as I always did; I felt ready for -the old game again. So I went to Hoxton, and some of the mob said to -me, “Why, where have you been the last week or so--we thought you had -fell?” So I told them I had been ill. - - Le lundi matin d’après, je me suis senti comme - d’_habitongue_ et prêt à _rappliquer_ au _turbin_. Je - suis allé à Hoxton, et quelques-uns de la _gance_ m’ont - _fait la jactance_, “Eh bien, où as-tu été pendant - tous ces _reluis_--nous pensions que tu t’étais fait - _emballer_?” Je leur réponds que j’avais été _tocquard_. - -I went out the next day to Maidenhead, and touched for some wedge and a -poge (purse), with over five quid in it. - - Le lendemain je suis allé à Maidenhead. J’ai _fait_ de la - _blanquette_ et une _filoche_ qui contenait plus de cinq - _sigues_. - -A little while after this I went with two pals to the Palace at Muswell -Hill; the races were on. So when we got there, there was some reelers -there what knew me, and my pals said, “You had better get away from -here; if we touch you will take your whack (share) just the same.” So -I went and laid down on the grass. While laying there I piped a reeler -whom I knew; he had a nark (a policeman’s spy) with him. So I went and -looked about for my two pals and told them to look out for S. and his -nark. About an hour after this they came to me and woke me up, and -they said, “Come on, we have had a lucky touch for a half century in -pap” (_£_50 in paper, _i.e._ notes). I thought they was only kidding -(deceiving) at first, so they said, “Let us guy from here, and you will -see if we are kidding to you.” When we got into the rattler they showed -me the pap; yes, there it was, fifty quids in double finns (_£_10 -notes). We did them for _£_9 10_s._ each to a fence. - - Peu après, je suis allé avec deux _fanandels_ à Muswell - Hill où il y avait des courses. Quand _nouzailles_ - y avons _dévalé_, il y avait des _roussins_ qui me - _conobraient_ et mes _fanandes_ me _jactent_, “Tu ferais - mieux de te _cavaler_; si nous _rinçons_, tu auras - ton _fade_ tout de même.” Alors j’allai me _plaquer_ - sur l’herbe. Pendant que j’y étais, je _remouche_ un - _rousse_ que je _conobrais_. Il était accompagné d’une - _riflette_. Je cherche alors mes deux _fanandes_ et leur - dis, “_Acresto_, attention à S. et à sa _riflette_!” Une - _plombe_ après, environ, ils _aboulent_ vers _mézigue_, - m’éveillent, et me _jactent_, “_Aboule_, nous avons - _barboté schpille_, nous avons _acquigé_ cinquante livres - en _faffes_.” Je croyais qu’ils me _collaient des vannes_ - mais ils me _jactent_, “_Dévalons d’icigo_ et tu verras - si nous te _gourrons_.” Quand nous nous sommes _plaqués_ - dans le _roulant vif_ ils m’ont montré les _faffes_; - _gy_, il y avait bien cinquante _sigues_ en _faffes_ de - dix livres. Nous les avons _lavés_ pour _£_9 10_s._ à un - _fourgue_. - -I took the rattler one day to Reigate and worked my way to Red Hill. -So I went into a place and see some clobber hanging up, so I thought -to myself, I will have it and take the rattler home at once; it will -pay all expense. So while I was looking about I piped a little peter -(parcel). When I took it up it had an address on it, and the address -was to the vicarage; so I came out and asked a boy who lived there, -and he said “Yes,” but to make sure of it I went back again. This -time I looked to the clobber more closely, and I see it was the same -as clergymen wear, so I left it where it was. I always made it a rule -never to rob a clergyman’s house if I knew one to live there. I could -have robbed several in my time, but I would not. So I took the rattler -to Croydon and touched for some wedge, and come home. I used to go to -Henley most every year when the rowing matches was on which used to -represent Oxford and Cambridge, only it used to be boys instead of men. -The day the Prince of Wales arrived at Portsmouth when he came home -from India, me and two pals took the rattler from Waterloo at about -half-past six in the morning. When we got to Portsmouth we found it was -very hot, there was on every corner of a street bills stuck up, “Beware -of pickpockets, male and female,” and on the tramcars as well. So one -of my pals said, “There is a reeler over there who knows me, we had -better split out” (separate). Me and the other one went by ourselves; -he was very tricky (clever) at getting a poge or a toy, but he would -not touch toys because we was afraid of being turned over (searched). -We done very well at poges; we found after we knocked off we had -between sixty or seventy quid to cut up (share), but our other pal -had fell, and was kept at the station until the last rattler went to -London, and then they sent him home by it. One day after this I asked -a screwsman if he would lend me some screws, because I had a place cut -and dried. But he said, “If I lend you them I shall want to stand in” -(have a share); but I said, “I can’t stand you at that; I will grease -your duke, if you like.” But he said, “That would not do;” so I said, -“We will work together then;” and he said, “Yes.” So we went and done -the place for fifty-five quid. So I worked with him until I fell for -this stretch and a half. He was very tricky at making twirls, and used -to supply them all with tools. Me and the screwsman went to Gravesend -and I found a dead ’un (uninhabited house), and we both went and turned -it over and got things out of it which fetched us forty-three quid. We -went one day to Erith; I went in a place, and when I opened the door -there was a great tyke (dog), laying in front of the door, so I pulled -out a piece of pudding (liver prepared to silence dogs) and threw it -to him, but he did not move. So I threw a piece more, and it did not -take any notice; so I got close up to it, and found it was a dead dog, -being stuffed, so I done the place for some wedge and three overcoats; -one I put on, and the other two in my kipsy. We went to Harpenden Races -to see if we could find some dead ’uns; we went on the course. While we -was there we saw a scuff, it was a flat that had been welshed, so my -pal said, “Pipe his spark prop” (diamond pin). So my pal said, “Front -me (cover me), and I will do him for it.” So he pulled out his madam -and done him for it. After we left the course, we found a dead ’un and -got a peter (cashbox) with very near a century of quids in it. Then I -carried on a nice game, what with the trips and the drink I very near -went balmy (mad). It is no use of me telling you every place I done, or -else you will think I am telling you the same things over again. - - Je prends un _jorne_ le _roulant_ pour Reigate et je - _trimarde_ jusqu’à Red Hill. Puis j’_embarde_ en une - _piole_ et je _remouche_ des _harnais_ suspendus. Je me - _jacte_, je vais les _pégrer_ et _acquiger_ aussitôt - le _roulant_; cela couvrira toutes mes dépenses. Alors - en _gaffinant_ par ci par là je _remouche_ un petit - _pacsin_. Je _mets la pogne dessus_ et je _reluque_ - une adresse. Celle du curé. Alors je _décarre_ et je - demande à un _gosse_ si ce n’est pas un _ratichon_ qui - demeure _lago_? “_gy_,” qu’il dit. Mais pour qu’il n’y - ait pas d’erreur, je retourne. Cette fois, je _gaffine_ - de plus près le _harnais_, je vois que c’était celui - d’un prêtre, et alors je l’ai laissé où il était. J’ai - toujours eu soin de ne jamais _barboter une cambriolle_ - de prêtre quand je savais que c’en était une. J’aurais - pu en _barboter_ mais je n’ai pas voulu. Alors j’ai pris - le _roulant vif_ pour Croydon, j’ai _effarouché_ de la - _blanquette_ et _rappliqué à la kasbah_. J’allais à - Henley presque chaque _berge_ pendant les régattes qui - étaient comme celles entre Oxford et Cambridge, seulement - c’était des _gosses_ au lieu de _gonces_. Le _reluis_ où - le _linspré_ de Galles a _dévalé_ à Portsmouth quand il - a _renquillé_ des Indes, _mézigue_ et deux _fanandes_, - nous avons _acquigé_ le _roulant vif_ vers six _plombes_ - et trente _broquilles_ au _matois_. Quand nous avons - _dévalé_ à Portsmouth nous avons trouvé qu’il faisait - très chaud; il y avait aux coins des _trimes_ des - _babilles_, “Prenez garde aux filous, mâles et femelles,” - et aussi sur les _trains de vache_. De sorte qu’un de - mes _fanandes jacte_, “Il y a un _roussin labago_ qui - _conobre mon gniasse_, et il vaut mieux nous séparer.” - _Mézigue_ et l’autre nous nous _débinons_ de notre côté; - il n’était pas très _mariolle_ pour _faire_ une _filoche_ - ou un _bogue_, mais il ne voulait pas _grinchir_ de - _bogues_ parcequ’il avait le _taf_ d’être _rapioté_. - Nous avons eu de la _bate_ pour les _morningues_; nous - avons trouvé, après avoir _turbiné_, que nous avions - de soixante à soixante-dix _sigues_ à _fader_, mais - notre autre _fanande_ avait été _pigé_ et gardé au - _bloc_ jusqu’au dernier _roulant vif_ pour Londres, puis - renvoyé chez lui par ce _roulant_. Un _reluis_ après ce - _flanche_, je demande à un _caroubleur_ s’il voulait - me prêter des _caroubles_ parceque j’avais un _poupard - nourri_. Mais il _bonnit_, “Si je les prête, je veux - mon _fade_.” Que je réponds, “Ça fait _nib dans mes - blots_, mais je te _carmerai_ tout de même, si tu l’_as - à la bonne_.” Mais qu’il _bonnit_, “Ça fait _nib dans - mes blots_ aussi.” Alors je _jacte_, “Nous _turbinerons_ - ensemble,” et il me _rentasse_ “_gy_.” Alors nous avons - _rincé_ la _piole_ et _acquigé_ cinquante-cinq _sigues_. - J’ai _turbiné_ ensuite avec lui puis j’ai été _pigé_ et - _sapé_ à ces dix-huit _marques_. Il était très _mariolle_ - pour _maquiller_ les _caroubles_ et il fournissait des - _alènes_ à toute la _gance_. _Mézigue_ et le _caroubleur_ - nous sommes allés à Gravesend ou nous avons trouvé une - _piole_ vide. Nous avons _embardé_ dedans et l’avons - _rincée_ ce qui nous a _affuré_ quarante-trois _sigues_. - Nous sommes allés un _reluis_ à Erith. J’ai _enquillé_ - dans une _piole_, et quand j’ai _débâclé_ la _lourde_ il - y avait un gros _tambour_ couché devant, de sorte que - j’ai tiré de ma _profonde_ un morceau de _bidoche_ et je - la lui ai _balancée_, mais il n’a pas bougé. Je lui en - ai jeté un autre morceau mais il est resté tranquille. - Alors je m’approche et je vois que c’était un _cab_ - empaillé. J’ai _rincé_ la _piole_ pour la _blanquette_ - et trois _temples_, j’en ai _peaussé_ un et _plaqué_ les - deux autres dans mon panier. Nous sommes allés ensuite - aux courses de Harpenden pourvoir si nous pouvions - trouver des _pioles_ sans _lonsgué_; nous allons sur la - piste. Pendant que nous y sommes, nous _remouchons_ une - _tigne_, c’était un _gonsse_ qui venait d’être _refait_, - alors mon _fanande_ me _jacte_, “_Gaffine_ son épingle. - Couvre-moi, et je vais la lui _faire_.” Alors il _tire_ - son _blavin_ et la lui _poisse_. Après avoir quitté la - piste, nous trouvons une _piole_ vide et nous _faisons_ - un _enfant_ qui contenait une centaine de _sigues_. A - partir de ce jour je me suis mis à _la rigolade_ et à - force d’aller avec les _chamègues_ et de _pitancher_, - je suis presque devenu _louffoque_. Il est inutile de - vous raconter toutes les _pioles_ que j’ai _rincées_, ce - serait toujours la même histoire. - -I will now tell you what happened the day before I fell for this -stretch and a half. Me and the screwsman went to Charlton. From there -we worked our way to Blackheath. I went in a place and touched for some -wedge which we done for three pounds ten. I went home and wrung myself -(changed clothes), and met some of the mob and got very near drunk. -Next morning I got up about seven, and went home to change my clobber -and put on the old clobber to work with the kipsy. When I got home my -mother asked me if I was not a going to stop to have some breakfast? So -I said, “No, I was in a hurry.” I had promised to meet the screwsman -and did not want to stick him up. We went to Willesden and found a -dead ’un, so I came out and asked my pal to lend me the James and some -twirls, and I went and turned it over. I could not find any wedge. I -found a poge with nineteen shillings in it. I turned everything over, -but could not find anything worth having, so I came out and gave the -tools to my pal and told him. So he said, “Wasn’t there any clobber?” -So I said, “Yes, there’s a cartload.” So he said, “Go and get a kipsy -full of it, and we will guy home.” So I went back, and as I was going -down the garden, the gardener it appears had been put there to watch -the house, so he said, “What do you want here?” So I said, “Where do -you speak to the servants?” So he said, “There is not anyone at home, -they are all out.” So he said, “What do you want with them?” So I said, -“Do you know if they have any bottles to sell, because the servant told -me to call another day?” So he said, “I do not know, you had better -call another time.” So I said, “All right, and good day to him.” I had -hardly got outside when he came rushing out like a man balmy, and said -to me, “You must come back with me.” So I said, “All right. What is the -matter?” So when we got to the door he said, “How did you open this -door?” So I said, “My good fellow, you are mad! how could I open it?” -So he said, “It was not open half-an-hour ago because I tried it.” So I -said, “Is that any reason why I should have opened it?” So he said, “At -any rate you will have to come to the station with me.” - - Je vous raconterai maintenant ce qui est arrivé juste - la veille du _reluis_ où j’ai été _enfouraillé_ pour - dix-huit _marques_. _Mézigue_ et le _caroubleur_ nous - allons à Charlton. De _lago_ nous _trimardons_ jusqu’à - Blackheath. J’_enquille_ en une _piole_ et j’_effarouche_ - de la _blanquette_ que nous _fourguons_ pour trois - livres dix. Je _rapplique à la niche_ et je change de - _fringues_, je rencontre quelques _fanandes_ de la - _gance_ et je me _poivrotte_ presque. Le lendemain - matin je me lève vers sept _plombes_ pour changer de - _fringues_ et je me _peausse_ du vieux _harnais_ pour - aller _turbiner_ avec le panier. Quand je _rapplique - à la niche_ ma _dabuche_ me _jacte_ de rester pour la - _refaite_ du _matois_. Je _bonnis_, “Non, j’_ai à me - patiner_.” J’avais promis de rencontrer le _grinchisseur - au fric-frac_ et je ne voulais pas _flancher_. Nous - sommes allés à Willesden et j’ai trouvé une _piole_ - sans personne, de sorte que j’en suis _décarré_ et j’ai - demandé à mon _fanandel_ de me prêter le _Jacques_ et - des _caroubles_, j’ai _renquillé_ et j’ai cherché la - _camelote_. Je n’ai pas trouvé de _blanquette_. J’ai - trouvé une _filoche_ avec dix-neuf shillings. J’ai tout - retourné mais je n’ai trouvé rien de _schpille_ de sorte - que j’ai _décarré_. J’ai _refilé_ les _alènes_ à mon - _fanandel_ et je lui ai dit le _flanche_. Alors, qu’il - _jacte_, “N’y avait-il pas de _fringues_?” Et je lui - réponds, “_Gy_, il y en a une charretée.” Alors, qu’il - dit, “_Acquiges_-en plein un panier et _débinons_-nous.” - Je retourne, et comme je _dévalais_ le long du _jaffier_, - l’_arroseur de verdouze_ qui paraît-il, avait _été plaqué - lago_ pour faire le _gaffe_, me _bonnit_, “Qu’est-ce que - tu _maquilles icigo_?” Je réponds, “Où peut-on parler - aux _larbins_?” Et il dit, “Il n’y a personne à la - maison, ils sont tous sortis. Que leur voulez-vous?” et - je lui réponds, “Savez-vous s’ils ont des bouteilles à - vendre, parceque la servante m’a dit de revenir?” “Je - ne sais pas, revenez un autre jour.” “C’est bien,” que - je lui dis; “je vous souhaite le bonjour.” J’avais à - peine _décarré_ qu’il _aboule_ comme un _louffoque_ et - me _jacte_, “Vous allez revenir avec moi.” Je lui dis, - “C’est bien, mon brave; qu’est-ce qu’il y a?” Et quand - nous _aboulons juxte_ la _lourde_ il _jacte_, “Comment - avez-vous fait pour ouvrir cette porte?” “Mon brave - homme,” lui dis-je, “vous êtes fou, comment aurais-je - fait?” Alors il _jacte_, “Elle n’était pas ouverte il - y a une demi-heure, car je l’ai essayée pour voir.” - Alors je _bonnis_, “Est-ce une raison pour que je l’aie - ouverte?” Et il _jacte_, “Dans tous les cas, vous allez - m’accompagner au poste de police.” - -The station was not a stone’s throw from the place, so he caught hold -of me, so I gave a twist round and brought the kipsy in his face, and -gave him a push and guyed. He followed, giving me hot beef (calling -“Stop thief”). My pal came along, and I said to him, “Make this man -leave me alone, he is knocking me about,” and I put a half-James -(half-sovereign) in his hand, and said, “Guy.” As I was running round -a corner there was a reeler talking to a postman, and I rushed by him, -and a little while after the gardener came up and told him all about -it. So he set after me and the postman too, all the three giving me -hot beef. This set other people after me, and I got run out. So I got -run in, and was tried at Marylebone and remanded for a week, and then -fullied (fully committed for trial), and got this stretch and a half. -Marylebone is the court I got my schooling from.--_From Macmillan’s -Magazine, October, 1879._ - - Le _bloc_ était à deux pas, alors il me met la _louche_ - au _colas_ et je pirouette en lui _refilant_ un coup de - panier sur le _citron_; puis je lui _refile une pousse_ - et je _fais patatrot_. Il me suit en _gueulant à la - chienlit_. Mon _fanande_ me suivait et je lui _bonnis_, - “Défends-moi contre ce _pante_, il me _passe à travers_;” - je _refile_ à _son gniasse_ un demi-souverain dans sa - _louche_ et je lui _dis_, “_Crompe! crompe!_” Comme je - tournais le coin, il y avait un _flique_ qui _jactait_ - avec un facteur, je le dépasse en _faisant la paire_, et - peu après l’_arroseur de verdouze aboule_ et lui _débine - le truc_. Alors, il me _cavale_ avec le facteur, tous les - trois _gueulant à la chienlit_. De cette façon, d’autres - _pantes_ se mettent à me _refiler_ et je suis _pigé_. - On _m’emballe_, on me _met sur la planche au pain_ à - Marylebone et on me remet à huitaine, alors _gerbé_ à une - _longe_ et six _marques_. Marylebone est le _carré_ où - j’ai été _gerbé_ au _collège_. - - - - -A - - -ABADIE, ABADIS, _f._ (thieves’), _crowd_, “push.” According to Michel -this word is derived from the Italian abbadia, _abbey_. - - Pastiquant sur la placarde, j’ai rembroqué un abadis du - raboin.--=VIDOCQ.= (_When crossing the public square I saw - a devil of a crowd._) - -ABAJOUES, _f. pl._ (popular), _face_, “chops.” Properly _chaps_. - -ABALOBÉ (popular), _astounded_, _abashed_, or “flabbergasted.” - -ABASOURDIR (thieves’), _to kill_. Properly _to astound_. - -ABATI (obsolete), _killed_ (Michel). - - On a trouvé un homme horriblement mutilé... on avoit - attaché sur lui une carte portant ci-gît l’Abaty.--_Journal - historique et anecdotique du règne de Louis XV._ - -ABATIS, ABATTIS, _m. pl._ (popular), _hands and feet_. Proper sense, -_giblets_. - - A bas les pattes! Les as-tu propres, seulement, tes - abattis, pour lacer ce corsage rose?--=E. VILLARS.= - -Avoir les ---- canailles, _to have coarse, plebeian hands and feet_, -or “beetle crushers and mutton fists.” Numérote tes ----, _I’ll break -every bone in your body_. - -ABAT-JOUR, _m._ (popular), _peak of a cap_; ---- des quinquets, -_eyelid_. - -ABAT-RELUIT (thieves’), _shade for the eyes_. - -ABATTAGE, _m._ (popular), _much work done_; _work quickly done_; -_severe scolding_, or “bully-ragging;” _action of throwing down one’s -cards at baccarat when eight or nine are scored_. Vente à l’----, _sale -of wares spread out on the pavement_. - -ABATTOIR, _m._ (thieves’), _cell at the prison of La Roquette -occupied by prisoners under sentence of death_; corresponds to the -Newgate “salt-box.” It has also the meaning of _gaming-house_, or -“punting-shop.” Properly a _slaughter-house_. - -ABATTRE (familiar), en ----, _to do much work_, or to “sweat.” - -ABBAYE, _f._ (thieves’), _kiln in which thieves and vagrants seek a -refuge at night_; ---- ruffante, _warm kiln_; ---- de Monte-à-regret, -_the scaffold_. - - Mon père a épousé la veuve, moi je me retire à l’Abbaye - de Monte-à-regret.--=VICTOR HUGO=, _Le dernier Jour d’un - Condamné_. - -Termed formerly “l’abbaye de Monte-à-rebours;” (popular) ---- de -Saint-Pierre, _the scaffold_, a play on the words “cinq-pierres,” the -guillotine being erected on five flagstones in front of La Roquette; ----- de sots bougres (obsolete), _a prison_; ---- des s’offre à tous, -_house of ill-fame_, or “nanny-shop.” - -ABBESSE, _f._ (popular), _mistress of a house of ill-fame_, “abbess.” - -ABCÈS, _m._ (popular), _the possessor of a bloated face_. - -ABÉLARDISER, _to mutilate a man as Chanoine Fulbert mutilated Abélard, -the lover of his daughter or niece Héloïse_. The operation is termed by -horse-trainers “adding one to the list.” - -ABÉQUER (popular), _to feed_. Literally _to give a billful_. - -ABÉQUEUSE, _f._ (popular), _wet nurse_; _landlady of an hotel_. - -ABLOQUER, ABLOQUIR (thieves’), _to buy_; _to acquire_. - -ABONNÉ (familiar), être ---- au guignon, _to experience a run of -ill-luck_. Literally _to be a subscriber to ill-luck_. - -ABORGNER (popular), s’----, _to scrutinize_. Literally _to make oneself -blind of one eye by closing or_ “cocking” _it_. - -ABOTÉ (popular), _clumsily adjusted or fitted_, “wobbly.” - -ABOULAGE, ACRÉ, _m._ (popular), _plenty_. - -ABOULÉE (popular), _in childbed_, “in the straw.” - -ABOULEMENT, _m._ (popular), _accouchement_. - -ABOULER (popular), _to be in childbed_, “to be in the straw;” _to -give_, _to hand over_, to “dub.” - - Pègres et barbots aboulez des pépettes... - Aboulez tous des ronds ou des liquettes - Des vieux grimpants, bricheton ou arlequins. - - _Le Cri du Peuple_, Feb., 1886. - -_To come_, “to crop up.” - - Et si tézig tient à sa boule, - Fonce ta largue, et qu’elle aboule - Sans limace nous cambrouser. - - =RICHEPIN=, _La Chanson des Gueux_. - -ABOUR, _m._ (thieves’), _sieve_. - -ABOYEUR (popular), _crier or salesman at public or private sales_; _man -employed at the doors of puffing shops or theatrical booths to entice -people in_, “barker;” _man who is constantly clamouring in words or -writing against public men_; _man in a prison whose function it is to -call prisoners_. - -ABRACADABRANT, _adj._ (familiar), _marvellous_, or “stunning.” From -Abracadabra, a magic word used as a spell in the Middle Ages. - -ABRAQUÉ, _adj._ (sailors’), _tied_; _spliced_. - -ABREUVOIR, _m._ (popular), _drinking-shop_, or “lush-crib;” ---- à -mouches, _bleeding wound_. - -ABRUTI, _m._, _a plodding student at the Ecole Polytechnique_, termed a -“swat” at the R. M. Academy; _stolid and stupid man_; ---- de Chaillot, -_blockhead_, or “cabbage-head.” Chaillot, in the suburbs of Paris, has -repeatedly been made the butt for various uncomplimentary hits. - -ABRUTIR (familiar), s’----, _to plod at any kind of work_. Literally -_to make oneself silly_. - -ABS, abbreviation of _absinthe_. - -ABSINTHAGE, _m._ (familiar), _the drinking or mixing of absinthe_. - -ABSINTHE, _f._ (familiar), faire son ----, _to mix absinthe with -water_. Absinthe à la hussarde _is prepared by slowly pouring in the -water_; “l’amazone” _is mixed in like manner, but with an adjunction of -gum_; “la panachée” _is absinthe with a dash of gum or anisette_; “la -purée” _is prepared by quickly pouring in the water_. Faire son ---- en -parlant, _to spit when talking_. Heure de l’----, _the hour when that -beverage is discussed in the cafés, generally from four to six p.m._ -Avaler son ----, _see_ AVALER. - -ABSINTHÉ, _adj._ (familiar), _intoxicated on absinthe_. - -ABSINTHER (familiar), s’----, _to drink absinthe_; _to be a confirmed -tippler of absinthe_. - -ABSINTHEUR, _m._ (familiar), _a drinker of absinthe_; _one who makes it -a practice of getting drunk on absinthe_. - -ABSINTHIER, or ABSINTHEUR, _m._, _retailer of absinthe_. - -ABSINTHISME, _m._ (familiar), _state of body and mind resulting from -excessive drinking of absinthe_. - -ABSORBER (familiar), _to eat and drink a great deal_, to “guzzle.” - -ABSORPTION, _f._, _annual ceremony at the Ecole Polytechnique, at -the close of which the seniors, or “anciens,” are entertained by the -newly-joined, termed_ “melons” (“snookers” _at the Royal Military -Academy_). - -ACABIT, _m._ (popular), _the person_; _the body_; _health_; _temper_. -Etre de bon ----, _to enjoy sound health_. Un étrange ----, _an odd -humour_, or “strange kidney.” - -ACACIAS, _m._, faire ses ----, _to walk or drive, according to the -custom of fashionable Parisians, in the “Allée des Acacias” from the -Porte-Maillot to La Concorde_. - -ACALIFOURCHONNER (popular), s’----, _to get astride anything_. - -ACCAPARER (familiar), quelqu’un ----, _to monopolize a person_. - -ACCENT (thieves’), _signal given by spitting_. - -ACCENTUER (popular), ses gestes ----, _to give a box on the ear_; in -other terms, “to warm the wax of one’s ear;” _to give a blow_, or -“bang.” - -ACCESSOIRES, _m. pl._ (theatrical), _stage properties_, or “props.” -As a qualificative it is used disparagingly, thus, Viande d’----, vin -d’----, _are meat and wine of bad quality_. - -ACCOERER (thieves’), _to arrange_. - -ACCOLADE (popular), _smart box on the ear_, “buckhorse.” - -ACCOMMODER (familiar), quelqu’un à la sauce piquante, _to beat -severely_, “to double up;” _to make one smart under irony or -reproaches_. Might be rendered by, _to sit upon one with a vengeance_; ----- au beurre noir, _to beat black and blue_. - -ACCORDÉON, _m._ (popular), _opera-hat_. - -ACCOUFLER (popular), s’----, _to squat_. From the word couffles, -_cotton bales_, which may be conveniently used as seats. - -ACCROCHE-CŒURS (familiar). Properly _small curl twisted on the temple_, -or “kiss-curl.” Cads apply that name to short, crooked whiskers. - -ACCROCHER (popular), un paletot, _to tell a falsehood_, or “swack up;” ----- un soldat, _to confine a soldier to barracks_, “to roost.” S’----, -_to come to blows_, “to come to loggerheads.” (Familiar) Accrocher, -_to pawn_, “to pop, to lumber, to blue.” - - Etes-vous entré quelquefois dans un de ces nombreux bureaux - de prêt qu’on désigne aussi sous le nom de ma tante? Non. - Tant mieux pour vous. Cela prouve que vous n’avez jamais eu - besoin d’y accrocher vos bibelots et que votre montre n’a - jamais retardé de cinquante francs.--=FRÉBAULT=, _La Vie de - Paris_. - -ACCROUER. See ACCOUFLER. - -A CHAILLOT! (popular), _an energetic invitation to make oneself -scarce_; _an expression of strong disapproval coupled with a desire to -see one turned out of doors_. - -ACHAR (popular), d’----, abbreviation of acharnement, _with steadiness -of purpose, in an unrelenting manner_. - -ACHETER (popular), quelqu’un ----, _to turn one into ridicule_, _to -make a fool of one_. - -ACHETOIR, _m._, ACHETOIRES, _f. pl._ (popular), _money_, “loaver.” - -ACŒURER (popular), _to do anything with a will_, to “wire in.” - -ACOQUINER (popular), s’----, used disparagingly, _to keep company_, _to -live with one_. - -ACRÉ (thieves’), _strong_, “spry,” _violent_; _silence!_ “mum’s the -word!” _be careful!_ “shoe leather!” - -ACRÉE, ACRIE, _m._ (thieves’), _mistrust_; ---- donc! _hold your -tongue!_ “mum your dubber!” _be cautious_. From acrimonie. - -ACTEUR-GUITARE (theatrical and journalistic), _actor who has only one -string to his bow_; _actor who elicits applause in lachrymose scenes -only_. - -ACTIONNAIRE, _m._, (literary), _credulous man easily deceived_. Proper -sense, _shareholder_. - -ADJECTIVER (popular), _to abuse_, to “slang.” - -ADJOINT (thieves’), _executioner’s assistant_. - -ADJUDANT, _m._ (military), tremper un ----, _to dip a piece of bread in -the first, and consequently the more savoury broth yielded by the “pot -au feu,” a practice indulged in by cooks_. - -ADJUGER (gamesters’), une banque à un opérateur, _to cheat_, to “bite,” -_at cards_. - -ADROIT, _adj._ (popular), du coude, _fond of the bottle_, _or skilful -in_ “crooking the elbow.” - -AFF, AFFE, _f._ (popular), eau d’----, _brandy_, or “French cream.” -See TORD-BOYAUX. - - La v’là l’enflée, c’est de l’eau d’affe (eau-de-vie), elle - est toute mouchique celle-là.--=VIDOCQ.= - -AFFAIRE, _f._ (thieves’), _projected crime_; _projected theft or -swindle_, “plant;” ---- juteuse, _profitable transaction_; ---- mûre, -_preconcerted crime or theft about to be committed_. (Familiar) Avoir -son ----, _to have received a_ “settler;” _to be completely drunk_, or -“hoodman;” _to have received a mortal wound_, in other words, “_to have -one’s goose cooked_.” (Popular) Avoir une ---- cachée sous la peau, _to -be pregnant_, or “lumpy.” Faire l’---- à quelqu’un, _to kill_, “to do -for one.” - -AFFALER (popular), s’----, _to fall_, “to come a cropper.” - - T’es rien poivre, tu ne tiens plus sur tes fumerons.... tu - vas t’affaler.--=RICHEPIN=, _Le Pavé_. - -AFFE. See AFF. - -AFFISTOLER (familiar), _to arrange_, _to dress_. Mal affistolé, _badly -done_, _badly dressed_. - -AFFLUER (thieves’), _to deceive_, to “cram;” _to cheat_, to “stick;” -_to swindle_, to “fox.” From à flouer. - -AFFOURCHER (sailors’), sur ses ancres, _to retire from the service_. -Properly _to moor a ship each way_. - -AFFRANCHI (thieves’), _convict who has_ “done his time;” _one who has -ceased to be honest_; _one who has been induced to be an accomplice in -a crime_. - -AFFRANCHIR (gamesters’), _to save a certain card at the cost of -another_; _to initiate one into the tactics of card-sharpers_; -(thieves’) _to corrupt_; _to teach one dishonest practices_; ---- un -sinve avec de l’auber, _to corrupt a man by dint of money_; ---- un -sinve pour grinchir, _to put an honest man up to thieving_. - -AFFRES, _f. pl._ (popular), _upbraiding_, “blowing up.” Proper sense, -_agonies_. - -AFFUR, AFFURE, _m._ (thieves), _proceeds_, _profits_. Avoir de l’----, -_to have money_. - - Quand je vois mon affure - Je suis toujours paré, - Du plus grand cœur du monde - Je vais à la profonde - Pour vous donner du frais. - - =VIDOCQ.= - -AFFURAGE, _m._ (thieves’), _proceeds of theft_, “regulars,” or “swag.” - -AFFURER, AFFÛTER (thieves’), _to deceive_; _to make profits_; _to -procure_; ---- de l’auber, _to make money_. - - En goupinant comme ça on n’affure pas d’auber.--=VIDOCQ.= - -AFFÛT (thieves’ and popular), être d’----, _to be able, cunning_, or -“a downy cove;” _to be wide awake_, or “to be one who knows what’s -o’clock.” A l’----, _on the watch_. - -AFFÛTER (thieves’), _to deceive_, _to snatch_, “to click;” _to whip -up_, “to nip;” _to make unlawful profits_; ---- ses pincettes, _to -walk_, to “pad the hoof;” _to run_, to “leg it.” Proper sense, _to -sharpen_. S’---- le sifflet, _to drink_, to “whet one’s whistle.” - -AGACEUR (sporting), _one who sets a thing going_, “buttoner.” - -AGANTER (popular), _to take_, _to catch_, “to grab;” ---- une claque, -_to receive a box on the ear_, “to get one’s ear’s wax warmed.” - -AGATE, _f._ (thieves’), _crockery_. - -AGATER (popular), _to be thrashed_, “tanned;” _to be caught_, “nabbed.” - -AGENOUILLÉE, _f._ (journalists’), _prostitute whose spécialité is best -described by the appellation itself_. - -AGOBILLE (thieves’), _implements_, “jilts.” - -AGONIR (popular), _to abuse vehemently_, to “bully-rag,” or “to haul -over the coals. “ - -AGOUT, _m._ (thieves’), _drinking-water_. - -AGRAFE, _f._ (popular), _hand_, “picker,” “dooks,” or “dukes.” - -AGRAFER (thieves’ and cads’), _to seize_, to “grab;” _to arrest_, “to -pull up,” or “to smug.” - -AGRÉMENT, _m._ (theatrical), avoir de l’----, _to obtain applause_. -(Popular) Se pousser de l’----, _to amuse oneself_. - -AGRIPPER (popular), _to seize secretly_, _to steal quickly_, to “nip.” -S’----, _to come to blows_, “to slip into one another.” - -AGUICHER (popular), _to allure_, _decoy_, “to button;” _to quicken_, -_to excite_. - - Il fallait lui faire comprendre qu’elle aguiche la soif du - petit, en l’empêchant de boire.--=RICHEPIN=, _La Glu_. - -AGUIGNER (popular), _to teaze_, “to badger.” - -AHURI, _m._ (popular), de Chaillot, _block-head_, “cabbage-head.” See -ABRUTI. - -AIDE-CARGOT, _canteen servant_. - -AIDES. See ALLER. - -AÏE-AÏE, _m._ (popular), _omnibus_. - -AIGUILLE, _f._ (military), à tricoter les côtes, _sword_, -“toasting-fork;” (thieves’) _key_, or “screw;” _card made to protrude -from a pack for cheating_, “old gentleman.” - -AIGUILLER (card-sharpers’), la brème, _to make a mark or notch on a -card_. - -AILE, _f._, AILERON, _m._ (popular), _arm_, or “bender.” - -AILLE, IERGUE, ORGUE, UCHE, _suffixes used to disguise any word_. - -AILLE (familiar), fallait pas qu’y ----, _it is all his own fault_, _he -has nobody to thank for it but himself_. - -AIMANT, _m._ (popular), faire de l’----, _to make a fussy show of -affected friendliness through interested motives_. - -AIMER (popular), à crédit, _to enjoy the gratuitous good graces of a -kept woman_. Aimer comme ses petits boyaux, _to doat on one_, “to love -like the apple of one’s eye.” - -AIR, _m._ (popular), se donner de l’----, se pousser de l’----, jouer -la fille de l’----, _to run away_, to “cut and run.” See PATATROT. - -AIRS, _m. pl._ (popular), être à plusieurs ----, _to be a hypocrite, -double-faced person_, “mawworm.” - -A LA BALADE (popular), chanteurs ----, _itinerant singers_, “chaunters.” - -A LA BARQUE, _street cry of mussel costermongers_. - -A LA BONNE (popular), prendre quelquechose chose ----, _to take -anything good-humouredly_. Avoir ----, _to love, to like_. - - Je peste contre le quart d’œil de mon quartier qui ne m’a - pas à la bonne.--=VIDOCQ.= - -A LA CARRE (thieves’), dégringoler ----, _to steal from shops_; _kind -of theft committed principally by women who pretend to be shopping_; -“shoplifting.” - -A LA CLEF (familiar), _an expletive_. Trop de zèle ----, _too much zeal -by half_. From a musical term. The expression is used sometimes with no -particular meaning, thus, Il y aura du champagne ----, is equivalent -to, Il y aura du champagne. - -A LA CORDE (popular), logement ----, _low lodging-house, where the -lodgers sleep with their heads on a rope_, _which is let down early in -the morning_. In some of these the lodgers leave all their clothes with -the keeper, to ensure against their being stolen. - -A LA COULE (popular), être ----, _to be conversant with_. - - S’il avait été au courant, à la coule, il aurait su que le - premier truc du camelot, c’est de s’établir au cœur même de - la foule.--=RICHEPIN.= - -Etre ----, _to be happy; at one’s ease; comfortable_. Je n’étais pas -----, _I felt very uncomfortable_. - -A LA FLAN, À LA RENCONTRE, or À LA DURE (thieves’), fabriquer un gas -----, _to attack and rob a person at night_, “to jump a cove.” - -A LA GRIVE! (thieves’ and cads’), _take care!_ “shoe leather!” Cribler -----, _to call out “police!”_ to “give hot beef.” - - Par contretemps ma largue, - . . . . . . - Pour gonfler ses valades, - Encasque dans un rade, - Sert des sigues à foison; - On la crible à la grive, - Je m’la donne et m’esquive, - Elle est pommée maron. - - _Mémoires de Vidocq._ - -A LA MANQUE (thieves’), fafiots, or fafelards ----, _forged bank -notes_, “queer soft.” Avoir du pognon, or de la galette ----, _to be -penniless_. Etre ----, _not to be trustworthy_; _to betray_. - - Pas un de nous ne sera pour le dab à la manque.--=BALZAC.= - -A LA PAPA (popular), _quietly, slowly_. - -A LA PETITE BONNE FEMME (popular), glisser ----, _to slide squatting on -one’s heels_. - -ALARMISTE (thieves’), _watch-dog_, “tyke.” - -A-LA-SIX-QUATRE-DEUX (popular), _in disorder_, “all at sixes and -sevens;” _anyhow_, “helter-skelter.” - -A LA SONDE (cads’), être ----, _to be cunning, wide awake_, “fly.” - - Va, la môm’, truque et n’fais pas four. - Sois rien mariolle et à la sonde! - - =RICHEPIN=, _Chanson des Gueux_. - -A LA TIENNE ETIENNE! (popular), _your health!_ - -A LA VA-TE-FAIRE-FICHE, _anyhow_. - - Un béret nature, campé par une main paysanne, - à la va te-faire-fiche, sans arrière-pensée de - pittoresque.--=RICHEPIN=, _Le Pavé_. - -ALÈNES, _f. pl._ (thieves’), _tools_, _implements_, “jilts.” Properly -_shoemakers’ awls_. - -ALENTOIR, _m._, for alentour (thieves’), _neighbourhood_, _vicinity_. - -A L’ESBROUFFE (thieves’), faire un coup ---- sur un pantre, _to steal a -pocket-book from a person who has been seen to enter a bank, or other -financial establishment_. The thief watches his opportunity in the -neighbourhood of such establishments, and when operating keeps his hand -concealed under an overcoat which he bears on his arm. - -ALIGNER (freemasons’), _to lay the cloth_. S’----, in soldiers’ -language, _to fight a duel with swords_. The expression is used also by -civilians. - -ALINÉALISTE, _m._ (literary), _writer who is fond of short paragraphs_. - -ALLEMAND, _m._ (popular), peigne d’----, _the four fingers_. - -ALLER (familiar), à Bougival, in literary men’s parlance, _is to write -a newspaper article of no interest for the general public_; ---- à la -cour des aides _is said of a married woman who has one or more lovers_; ----- au pot, _to pick up dominoes from those which remain after the -proper number has been distributed to the players_; ---- au safran, -_to spend freely one’s capital_, an allusion to the colour of gold; ----- en Belgique _is said of a cashier who bolts with the cash-box, or -of a financier who makes off with the money of his clients_; ---- se -faire fiche, _to go to the deuce_; ---- se faire foutre _has the same -meaning, but refers to a rather more forcible invitation yet_; ---- -se faire lanlaire, _to go to the deuce_. Allez vous faire fiche, or -foutre! _go to the deuce_, or “you be hanged!” Je lui ai dit d’---- -se faire lanlaire, _I sent him about his business_. Aller son petit -bonhomme de chemin, _to do anything without any hurry, without heeding -interruptions or hindrances_. On avait beau lui crier d’arrêter, il -allait toujours son petit bonhomme de chemin. (Familiar and popular) Y -aller, _to begin anything_. Allons-y! _let us begin! let us open the -ball! now for business_. Y aller de quelque chose, _to contribute_; -_to pay_; _to furnish_. Y ---- de son argent, _to pay_, “to stump up.” -Y ---- d’une, de deux, _to pay for one or two bottles of liquor_. Y ----- de sa larme, _to shed a tear_, _to show emotion_. Y ---- gaiment, -_to do anything willingly, briskly_. Allons y gaiment! _let us look -alive!_ (Popular) Aller à la chasse avec un fusil de toile, _to go a -begging_, “to cadge.” An allusion to a beggar’s canvas wallet. Compare -this with the origin of the word “to beg,” which is derived from “bag;” ----- à l’arche, _to fetch money_; ---- à niort, _to deny_, a play on -the words “Niort,” name of a town, and “nier,” to deny; ---- à ses -affaires, _to ease oneself_, “to go to Mrs. Jones’;” ---- au persil _is -said of street-walkers who ply their trade_. This expression may have -its origin in the practice sometimes followed by this class of women of -carrying a small basket as if going to the fruiterer’s; ---- au trot -_is said of a prostitute walking the street in grand attire_, or “full -fig;” ---- au vice, _to make one’s resort of places where immorality -is rife_; ---- voir défiler les dragons, _to go without dinner_. The -English have the expressions, “to dine out,” used by the lower classes, -and “to dine with Duke Humphrey,” by the middle and upper. According to -the _Slang Dictionary_ the reason of the latter saying is as follows: -“Some visitors were inspecting the abbey where the remains of Humphrey, -Duke of Gloucester, lie, and one of them was unfortunately shut in, -and remained there _solus_ while his companions were feasting at a -neighbouring hostelry. He was afterwards said to have dined with Duke -Humphrey, and the saying eventually passed into a proverb.” Aller aux -pruneaux _is said of the victim of a practical joke played in hospitals -at the expense of a new patient, who, being sent at the conclusion of -a meal to request another patient to furnish him with the customary -dessert, gets bolstered for his pains_; ---- où le roi va à pied, _to -go to the latrines_, or “chapel of ease;” (printers’) ---- en galilée, -or ---- en germanie (a play on the words “Je remanie,” I overrun), -_to do some overrunning in a piece of composition_; (soldiers’) ---- -à l’astic, _to clean one’s equipment_; (sporting) ---- pour l’argent, -_to back one’s own horse_; (musicians’) ---- au carreau, _to seek an -engagement_. An allusion to “la Rue du Petit-Carreau,” a meeting-place -for musicians of the lowest class, and musical conductors. (Thieves’) -Aller à comberge, _to go to confession with a priest_; ---- à la -retape, _to waylay in order to murder_; ---- chez Fualdès, _to share -the booty_, “to nap the regulars.” Fualdès was a rich banker, who was -murdered in circumstances of peculiar atrocity. - -ALLEZ DONC (familiar), et ----, _a kind of flourish at the end of a -sentence to emphasize an assertion_. Allez donc vous laver (popular), -_be off_, go to “pot;” ---- vous asseoir, “shut up!” - -ALLIANCES, _f. pl._ (thieves’), _handcuffs_, “bracelets.” Properly -_wedding-rings_. - -ALLONGER (familiar), _to pay_, to “fork out;” ---- les radis, _to pay_, -“to shell out;” (military) ---- la ficelle or la courroie, _to make an -addition to a penalty_. S’----, _to fall_, to “come down a cropper.” - -ALLUME, _m._, _confederate who makes sham bids at auctions_, a -“button.” - -ALLUMÉ (thieves’), _stared at_. - - Sur la placarde de Vergne - Il nous faudrait gambiller, - Allumés de toutes ces largues - Et du trèpe rassemblé. - - _Mémoires de Vidocq._ - -ALLUMER (thieves’), _to look_, “to stag,” _to see_, or “to pipe;” _to -keep a sharp look-out_, _to watch_, “to nark.” - - Si le Squelette avait eu tantôt une largue comme moi pour - allumer, il n’aurait pas été mouché le surin dans l’avaloir - du grinche.--=E. SUE=, _Mystères de Paris_. - -Allumer le miston, _to scan one’s features_; ---- ses clairs, _to look -attentively_, “to stag;” (prostitutes’) ---- son pétrole, son gaz, -_to get highly excited_. (Theatrical) Allumer, _to awake interest or -enthusiasm among an audience_; (popular) _to allure purchasers at fair -stalls, or the public at theatrical booths or_ “gaffs” _by glowing -accounts_. In coachmens’ parlance, _to whip_, “to flush.” (Familiar) -S’----, _to be slightly intoxicated_, “fresh;” _excited by women’s -allurements_; _brought to the proper pitch of interest by card-sharpers -or salesmen_. - - Un autre compère gagne encore un coup de dix francs cette - fois. La galerie s’allume de plus en plus.--=RICHEPIN=, - _Le Pavé_. - -ALLUMETTE, f. (popular), avoir son ----, _to be tipsy_, “screwed.” The -successive stages of this degree of intoxication are expressed by the -qualifying terms, “ronde,” “de marchand de vin,” “de campagne.” - -ALLUMETTES, _f. pl._ (popular), _arms_, “benders.” - -ALLUMEUR, _m._, _confederate at auction rooms_ (see ALLUME); _thief who -gets workmen into a state of intoxication on pay day, after which they -are seen home, and robbed of their earnings by his confederates, the -“meneuses” and “travailleurs,”_ or “bug hunters;” _gambling cheat who -plays as if he were one of the general public, and who otherwise sets a -game going_, a “buttoner,” or “decoy-duck.” - -ALLUMEURS, _m. pl._ (military), de gaz, _lancers_. An allusion to their -weapon, which has some resemblance with a lamp-lighter’s rod. - -ALLUMEUSE, _f._, _woman who seeks to entice passers-by into patronizing -a house of ill fame_. - -ALMANACH, _m._ (popular), des vingt-cinq mille adresses, _girl or woman -of dissolute character_, “public ledger.” See GADOUE. - -ALPAGA, ALPAG, _m._ (popular), _coat_, “tog,” or “Benjamin.” - -ALPAGUE (popular), _clothing_, “toggery,” _coat_, “Benjamin.” - -ALPHONSE (familiar), _man who protects prostitutes, ill-treats them -often, and lives off their earnings_, “pensioner.” These worthies go -also by the names of “dos, barbeau, chevalier de la guiche, marlou,” -&c. See POISSON. - -ALPHONSISME (familiar), _the calling of an Alphonse_. - -ALPION (gamesters’), _man who cheats at cards_, _one who_ “bites.” - -ALTÈQUE (thieves’), _manly_, “spry,” _handsome_, _excellent_, “nobby.” -From altus. - -AMADOU, _m._, AMADOUE, _f._ (thieves’ and tramps’), _substance with -which vagabonds rub their faces to give themselves a sickly, wretched -appearance_. - - Les cagous emmènent avec sezières leurs apprentis pour - leur apprendre à exercer l’argot. Premièrement, leur - enseignent à acquiger de l’amadoue de plusieurs sortes, - l’une avec de l’herbe qu’on nomme éclaire, pour servir aux - francs-mijoux.--_Le Jargon de l’Argot._ - -(Popular) _man with an inflammable heart_. - -AMADOUAGE, _m._ (thieves’), _marriage_, “buckling.” - -AMADOUER, s’---- (thieves’ and tramps’), _to paint or otherwise make up -one’s face with a view to deceiving people_. - -AMANDES, _f. pl._ (popular), de pain d’épice, _black teeth_, _few and -far between_. - -AMANT (prostitutes’), de carton, _lover of no importance_, _a poor -lover in both senses_; ---- de cœur, _one who enjoys a kept woman’s -affections gratis_, _one who is loved for “love,” not money_. - -AMAR, AMARRE, _m._ (thieves’), _friend_, “pal,” or “Ben cull;” ---- -d’attaque, _staunch friend_. - -AMAR-LOER (Breton cant), _rope which has served to hang one_. - -AMARRER (thieves’), _to act in such a manner as to deceive_, _to lay a_ -“plant.” Properly _to moor_. - -AMATEUR (in literary men’s parlance), _writer who does not exact -payment for his productions_; (in officers’ slang) _a civilian_; _an -officer who gives himself little trouble in his profession, who takes -it easy_; (familiar) _man who makes a living by playing at cards with -people unable to leave their homes_. - -AMAZONE, _f._, (thieves’), _female card-sharper_. - -AMBASSADEUR, _m._ (popular), _shoemaker_, “snob;” (in gay girls’ slang) -_a bully_. See POISSON. - -AMBES, _f. pl._ (thieves’), _legs_, “gambs.” - -AMBIER (thieves’), _to flee_, “to pike.” See PATATROT. - - Et mezière de happer le taillis et ambier le plus - gourdement possible.--_Jargon de l’Argot._ (_I got off, and - ran away as fast as possible._) - -AMBRELLIN (Breton cant), _son_. - -AMBULANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _female who is at once a hawker_, _a -thief_, _and a prostitute_. - -AMENDIER, _m._ (theatrical), fleuri, _stage manager_, “daddy.” A play -on the word amende, _a fine_, the connection being obvious. - -AMENER (popular), s’----, _to come_, _to go to_. Le voilà qui s’amène, -_here he comes_. - -AMÉRICAIN (thieves’), _confederate of a thief, who goes by the name of -Jardinier_. The pair induce a simpleton to dig at the foot of a tree -for a buried treasure, when they rob him of his money; _a swindler who -pretends he has just returned from America_; (familiar) _a drink_, -_something between grog and punch_. Faire l’œil ----, _to scrutinize -with searching glance_. Oeil ----, _eye with purposely amorous_, -“killing,” _expression_; also _a very sharp eye_. - -AMÉRICAINE, vol à l’ (see CHARRIAGE). - -AMI (thieves’), _expert thief_, “gonnof;” ---- de collège, _prison -chum_. - -AMICABLEMENT (popular), _in a friendly manner_, _affectionately_. - -AMINCHE, AMINCHEMAR, AMINCHEMINCE, _m._ (thieves’), _friend_, “ben -cull;” ---- d’aff, _accomplice_, “stallsman.” - -AMIS, _m. pl._ (popular), comme cochons, “thick” _friends_. - -AMITEUX, _adj._ (popular), _friendly_, _amiable_, _gentle_. - -AMOCHER (popular), _to bruise_, _to ill-treat_, to “manhandle.” S’---- -la gueule, _to maul one another’s face_, to “mug” _one another_. - -AMORCÉ, _adj._ (popular), _furnished_, _garnished_. - - V’la qu’est richement amorcé, j’en suis moi-même - ébaubi.--=RICHEPIN.= - -AMOUREUX (popular), _hunchback_, or “lord;” ---- de carême, _a timid -lover_. Literally a “Lent lover.” (Printers’) Papier ----, _paper that -blots_. - -AMPAFLE, _m._ (thieves’), _cloth_. - -AMPHI, _m._ (students’), abbreviation of amphithéâtre, _lecture room_. - -AMPHIBIE (typographers’), _typographer who is at the same time a -printer and reader_, “donkey.” - -AMPREFAN (Breton cant), _a low_, _insulting expression_. - -AMUSATIF, _adj._ (popular), _amusing_, _funny_. - -AMUSER (popular), s’---- à la moutarde, _to neglect one’s duty or work -for trifles_, _tomfooleries_. - -AN, _m._ (thieves’), _litre_, _measure for wine_. - -ANARCHO, _m._, _anarchist_. - -ANASTASIE, _f._, _literary and theatrical official censorship_. - -ANCHOIS, _m._ (popular), yeux bordés d’----, _eyes with inflamed -eyelids_. - -ANCHTIBLER (thieves’), _to apprehend_, to “nab,” or “to smug.” - -ANCIEN, ANCIENNE (peasants’), _father_, _mother_. “Ancien” at the -military schools _is a student who has been through the two years’ -course_. In the army, _a soldier who has served one term of service at -least_. - -ANDERLIQUE, _m._ (popular), _a dirty or foul-mouthed man_. Properly _a -small tub used by scavengers_. - -ANDOSSE, _m._ (thieves’), _the back_. - - Alors le rupin en colère, jura que s’il attrapait jamais - des trucheurs dans son pipet qu’il leur ficherait cent - coups de sabre sur l’andosse.--_Jargon de l’Argot._ - -ANDOUILLE, _f._ (popular), _a man devoid of energy_, a “muff.” Properly -_chitterlings_. Faire l’----, _to play the fool_. Grand dépendeur -d’andouilles, _one who prefers good cheer to work_. - - Viennent aussi des bat-la-flemme, des sans-douilles, - Fainéants, suce-pots, grands dépendeurs d’andouilles, - Qui dans tous les cabarets ont tué leur je dois, - Et qui ne font jamais œuvre de leurs dix doigts. - - =RICHEPIN=, _La Mer_. - -(Cod-fishers’) Andouille, _wind blowing to sea-ward_. - -ANGAUCHE, or ANGLUCE, _f._ (thieves’), _goose_. Tortiller de l’----, -_to eat goose_. - -ANGE-GARDIEN, _m._ (popular), _man whose calling is to see drunkards -home; muslin inside a chemisette_. - -ANGLAIS, _m._ (familiar), _creditor_, “dun;” _man who keeps a mistress; -a carefully made up dummy parcel in shops_. Il a de l’----, _is said -of a horse which shows blood_. Anglais à prunes, voyageurs à prunes, -_prudent travellers, who, being aware of the long price asked for fruit -at restaurants, are satisfied with a few plums_; (cabmens’) ---- de -carton, _an expression of contempt applied to a stingy_ “fare.” - -ANGLAISE, _f._ (mountebanks’), _the share of each partner in the -business; the expenses of each guest at a meal_. (Popular) Danser à -l’----, _a practice followed by girls who pretend to go to the ball of -the opera, and stop at a restaurant where they await clients_. Faire -une ----, _to pay one’s share in the reckoning; also a favourite game -of loafers_. One of the players tosses all the pence of the party; -those which turn up heads, or tails as the case may be, are his; -another player adjudges to himself the tails, and so on with the rest. -Filer, or pisser à l’----, _to give the slip_, _to take_ “French leave.” - -ANGLUCE, or ANGAUCHE, _f._ (thieves’), _goose_. - -ANGOULÊME, _f._ (thieves’), _the mouth_, “muns.” From “engouler,” _to -swallow_. Se caresser l’----, _to eat and drink_, _to take_ “grub and -bub.” See MASTIQUER. - -ANGUILLE, _f._ (thieves’), _belt_. Properly _eel_; (familiar) ---- de -buisson, _snake_. - -ANIS, _m._ (popular), de l’----! _exclamation expressive of refusal_, -may be rendered by “you be hanged!” See NÈFLES. - -ANISETTE, _f._ (popular), de barbillon, _water_, or “Adam’s ale.” - -ANJEZ (Breton cant), _father_. - -ANN DOOUZEG ABOSTOL (Breton cant), _twelve o’clock_. Literally _the -twelve apostles_. - -ANNONCIER, _m._ (printers’), _compositor of advertisements_; also _man -who belongs to an advertising firm_. - -ANNUAIRE, _m._ (military), passer l’---- sous le bras, _to be promoted -according to seniority_. - -ANONCHALI (popular), _discouraged_, _cast down_, “down in the mouth.” - -ANQUILIEUSE, _f._ (thieves’), _female thief who conceals stolen -property between her legs_. From “quilles,” a slang term for legs. - -ANSE, _f._ (popular), _arm_, “bender.” Faire le panier à deux anses, -_to walk with a woman on each arm_, _to play the_ “sandwich.” - -ANTIF, _m._, ANTIFFE, _f._ (thieves’), _act of walking_. Battre l’----, -_to walk_, to “pad the hoof;” _to deceive_, “to kid;” _to dissemble; to -spy_, to “nark.” - -ANTIFFER (thieves’), _to enter_, _to walk in_; _to walk_, “to pad the -hoof.” - -ANTIFFLE (thieves’), _church_. Battre l’----, _to be a hypocrite_, -“mawworm.” - -ANTIFFLER (thieves’), _to be married in church_, “to be buckled.” - -ANTILLES, _f._ _pl._ (thieves’), _testicles_. - -ANTIPATHER (popular), _to abominate_. - -ANTIQUE, _student of the Ecole Polytechnique who has completed the -regular course of studies_. - -ANTONNE, ENTONNE, _f._ (thieves’), _church_. - - Au matin quand nous nous levons, - J’aime la croûte de parfond. - Dans les entonnes trimardons, - Ou aux creux de ces ratichons. - - _Chanson de l’Argot._ - -ANTROLER, ENTROLLER (thieves’), _to carry away_, “to chuff.” - - Un de ces luisans, un marcandier alla demander la thune - à un pipet, et le rupin ne lui ficha que floutière: il - mouchailla des ornies de balle qui morfiaient du grenu - en la cour; alors il ficha de son sabre sur la tronche - à une, il l’abasourdit la met dans son gueulard et - l’entrolle.--_Le Jargon de l’Argot._ - -APASCLINER (thieves’), s’----, _to get used to_, _acclimatized_. - -A PERPÈTE (thieves’), _for life_. Gerbé à ----, _to be sentenced to -penal servitude for life_, _to be a_ “lifer.” - -APIC (thieves’), _garlic_; _eye_, “daylight, “glazier,” or “ogle.” - -APLATIR (familiar), quelqu’un, _to thrash soundly_, “to lick;” _to -reduce one’s arguments to nought_, “to nonplus.” Properly _to flatten_. - -APLATISSEUR, _m._ (familiar), de pièces de six liards ----, _one who is -over particular; one who attaches undue importance to trifles_. - -APLOMB, _m._ (popular), être d’----, _to be strong_, _sound_, “game.” -Reluquer d’----, _to look straight in the face_. - -APLOMBER (thieves’), _to abash a person by one’s coolness_. - -APONICHÉ (popular), _seated_. - -APOPLEXIE, _f._ (popular), de templier, _a fit of apoplexy brought on -by excessive drinking_. From the saying, Boire comme un templier. - -APOTHICAIRE, _m._ (popular), sans sucre, _workman with but few tools; -tradesman with an insufficient stock in trade_. - -APÔTRES (thieves’), _fingers_, or “forks.” - -APPELER (theatrical), azor, _to hiss_, or “to goose.” Literally _to -whistle a dog_. Azor, a common name for a dog. - -APPUYER (theatrical), _to let scenes down_. - -AQUARIUM, _an assembly of prostitutes’ bullies_, or “ponces.” From -their being denominated maquereaux, _mackerels_. - -AQUICHER (thieves’), _to decoy_, _allure_. - -AQUIGER, QUIGER (thieves’ and cads’), _to steal_, “to lift;” _to wound; -to beat_, “to wallop;” _to make_, or “to fake;” ---- les brèmes, _to -mark cards for cheating_, or to “stock broads.” It means also _to -take_, _to procure_, _to find_. - - Dévalons donc dans cette piole - Où nous aquigerons riole, - Et sans débrider nos pouchons. - - =RICHEPIN=, _La Chanson des Gueux_. - -AQUILIN (popular), faire son ----, _to pout_, or “to hang one’s -latch-pan;” _to turn up one’s nose_. - -ARABE, _m._ (popular), _savage_, _unrelenting fellow_, or “tartar.” - -ARAIGNÉE, _f._ (popular), _bicycle with a large fly-wheel_; ---- de -bastringue, _female habituée of low dancing halls_; ---- de comptoir, -_counter jumper_, or “knight of the yard;” ---- de trottoir, _dealer at -a stall, or in the open air_. Avoir une ---- dans le plafond, _to be -cracked_, _to have_ “a bee in one’s bonnet.” See AVOIR. - -ARBALÈTE, _f._ (thieves’), _neck-cross_; ---- d’antonne, de chique, de -priante, _church-cross_. - -ARBI, ARBICO, _m._ (army), _Arab_. - -ARBIF, _m._ (thieves’), _violent man_. - -ARCASIEN, ARCASINEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _thief who employs the arcat_ -(which see); _a beggar who calls on people_; _cunning man_. - -ARCAT, _m._ (thieves’), monter un ----, _to write a letter from prison -to a person asking for an advance in cash on a supposed buried treasure -which, later on, is to be pointed out to the donor_. From arcane, -_mystery_, _hidden thing_. - -ARCAVOT, _m._ (Jew traders’), _falsehood_. - -ARCHE, _f._ (popular), aller à l’----, _to fetch money_. Fendre l’----, -_to weary_, “to bore.” - -ARCHICUBE, _m._, _student who has completed his three years’ course -of study at the Ecole Normale_, an institution where professors are -trained for university professorships, and which holds the first rank -among special schools in France. - -ARCHIPOINTU, _m._ (thieves’), _an archbishop_. - -ARCHISUPPÔT DE L’ARGOT (old cant), _learned thief_, _arch-thief_, -“gonnof.” - - Les archisuppôts de l’argot sont les plus savants, les plus - habiles marpeaux de toutime l’argot, qui sont des écoliers - débauchés, et quelques ratichons, de ces coureurs qui - enseignent le jargon à rouscailler bigorne.--_Le Jargon de - l’Argot._ - -ARCHITECTE DE L’UNIVERS (freemasons’), _the Deity_. - -ARÇON (thieves’), _sign of recognition made by passing the thumb down -the right cheek and spitting at the same time_. - - Si c’étaient des amis de Pantin, je pourrais me faire - reconnaître mais des pantres nouvellement affranchis (des - paysans qui font leurs premières armes), j’aurais beau - faire l’arçon.--=VIDOCQ.= - -ARÇONNER (thieves’), _to make one speak out_; _to speak_, or “to -patter.” - -ARCPINCER, ARQUEPINCER (thieves’ and popular), _to take_, or “to -collar;” _to seize_, or “to grab;” ---- l’omnibus, _to catch the ’bus_. -Veuillez ---- mon anse, _pray take my arm_. - - J’ai promis de reconobrer tous les grinchisseurs et de les - faire arquepincer.--=VIDOCQ.= - -ARDENT, _m._ (thieves’), _candle_, or “glim.” Fauche-ardents, -_snuffers_. - -ARDENTS, _m._ _pl._ (thieves’), _eyes_, or “glaziers.” See QUINQUETS. - -ARDOISE, _f._ (popular), _head_, or “tibby;” _hat_, or “tile.” Avoir -l’----, _to have credit_, or “jawbone.” An allusion to the slate used -for drawing up the reckoning. - -ARGA, _m._ (thieves’), _share of booty_, or “snaps.” - -ARGANEAU, _m._ (thieves’), _a link connecting two convicts’ irons_. - -ARGOT, _m._ (thieves’), _animal_; _fool_, or “go along;” _thieves’ -brotherhood_, or “family men.” - -ARGOTÉ (thieves’), _one who lays claim to being witty_. - -ARGOTIER, _m._ (thieves’), _one of the brotherhood of thieves_, or -“family man.” - -ARGOUSIN, _m._ (popular), _foreman_, or “boss.” - -ARGUCHE, _m._ (thieves’), _cant_, or “flash;” _a fool_, _dunce_, or -“go-along.” - -ARGUEMINE, _f._ (thieves’), _hand_, or “famm.” - -ARICOTEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _executioner_. - -ARISTO, _m._ for _aristocrat_ (popular), _a man in comfortable -circumstances_. - -ARISTOCRATE, _m._, _an appellation given by prisoners to one of their -number whose means allow him to obtain victuals from the canteen_. - -ARLEQUIN (popular), _broken victuals of every description mixed up and -retailed to poor people_. The word has passed into the language. - - Autrefois chez Paul Niquet - Fumait un vaste baquet - Sur la devanture. - Pour un ou deux sous, je crois, - On y plongeait les deux doigts - Deux, à l’aventure. - Les mets les plus différents - Etaient là, mêlés, errants, - Sans couleur, sans forme, - Et l’on pêchait sans fouiller, - Aussi bien un vieux soulier - Qu’une truffe énorme. - - =RICHEPIN=, _La Chanson des Gueux_. - -ARME, _f._ (military), passer l’---- à gauche, _to die_, “to lose the -number of one’s mess.” See PIPE. - -ARMÉE ROULANTE, _f._ (thieves’), formerly _gang of convicts chained -together which used to make its way by road to the hulks_. - -ARMOIRE, _f._ (popular), à glace, _the four of any card_; _head_; -(military) ---- à poils, _soldiers’ knapsack_, or “scran bag.” An -allusion to the hairy skin that covers or covered soldiers’ knapsacks. - -ARNAC, _m._ (thieves’), à l’----, _with premeditation_. - -ARNACHE, _f._ (popular), _deceit_; _treachery_. Etre à l’----, _to -be cunning_, _wide-awake_, a “deep one;” _to deceive, and not allow -oneself to be deceived_. - -ARNACQ, ARNACHE, _m._ (thieves’), _detective_, _informer_, “nark.” - -ARNAUD, _m._ (popular), avoir son ----, être ----, _to be in a bad -humour_, to be “nasty.” - -ARNAUDER (popular), _to grumble_. - -ARNELLE (thieves’), _the town of Rouen_. From La Renelle, a small river. - -ARNELLERIE, _f._ (thieves’), _rouennerie_, _printed cotton_. - -ARNIF, _m._ (thieves’), _policeman or detective_. Also denominated “bec -de gaz, bourrique, cierge, flique, laune, peste, vache.” In English -cant or slang “crusher, pig, copper, cossack, nark.” - -ARPAGAR, _m._ (thieves’), _the town of Arpagon, near Paris_. - -ARPETTE, _m._ (popular), _apprentice_. - -ARPION, _m._ (thieves’ and popular), _foot_, “trotter;” _toe_. - - Moi, d’marcher ça n’me fout pas l’trac. - J’ai l’arpion plus dur que des clous. - - =RICHEPIN=, _Chanson des Gueux_. - -ARPIONS, _m._ _pl._ (thieves’ and popular), _toes_. - -ARQUEPINCER. See ARCPINCER. - -ARQUER (popular), s’----, _to be bent down through age_. - -ARRACHER (thieves’), du chiendent, _to be on the look-out for a victim_ -(chiendent, _dogs’ grass_); (popular) ---- son copeau, _to work_, “to -grind” (copeau, _shaving_). - -ARRANGEMANER (thieves’), _to cheat_, or “to stick.” - -ARRANGER (swindlers’), les pantres, _to cheat the public by means of -the three-card trick or other swindling dodges_. - -ARRANGEUR, _m._ (gamesters’), _one who sets a game going_, or -“buttonner.” - -ARRÊTER (familiar), les frais, _to put a stop to any proceedings_. (Les -frais, _the fee for a game of billiards_.) - -ARRIÈRE-TRAIN, _m._ (familiar), _the behind_, or “tochas.” See VASISTAS. - -ARRIVER PREMIER (sporting), _to be the winner_. Used figuratively to -denote superiority of any kind over others. Arriver bon premier, “to -beat hollow.” - -ARRONDIR (popular), se faire ---- le globe, _to become pregnant_, or -“lumpy.” - - On s’a fait arrondir el’globe, - On a sa p’tit’ butte, à c’qué vois.... - Eh! ben, ça prouv’ qu’on n’est pas d’bois. - - =GILL=, _La Muse à Bibi_. - -ARRONDISSEMENT, _m._ (popular), chef-lieu d’----, _woman in an advanced -stage of pregnancy_, “lumpy,” _or with a_ “white swelling.” - -ARROSAGE, _m._ (popular), _action of drinking_, _of_ “having something -damp.” - -ARROSER (gamesters’), _to stake repeatedly on the same card_; _to make -repeated sacrifices in money_; (military) ---- ses galons, _treating -one’s comrades on being made a non-commissioned officer_, “paying for -one’s footing;” (familiar) ---- un créancier, _to settle small portion -of debt_. - -ARROSEUR, _m._ (thieves’), de verdouze, _gardener_, or “master of the -mint.” Verdouze, for verdure. - -ARROSOIR, _m._ (thieves’), coup d’----, _a glass of wine_; _a -watering-pot_. - -ARSENAL, _m._ (thieves’), _arsenic_. - -ARSONNER (thieves’), _to overhaul pockets_, to “frisk,” or “to rule -over.” - -ARSOUILLE, _m._ (familiar), _a man foul in language_, _a low cad_, a -“rank outsider.” The expression has passed into the language. Milor -l’----, _a rich man with eccentric, low tastes_. The appellation was -first given to Lord Seymour. - -ARSOUILLER (popular), synonymous of engueuler, to “jaw,” to “slang.” - -ARTHUR, _m._, _a would-be lady-killer_; also synonymous of AMANT DE -CŒUR, which see. - -ARTHURINE, _f._ (popular), _a girl of indifferent character_, _a_ -“Poll.” - -ARTICHAUT, _m._ (popular), cœur d’----, _fickle-hearted_. - - .... Cœur d’artichaut, - C’est mon genre: un’ feuille pour tout l’monde, - Au jour d’aujourd’hui, j’gobe la blonde; - Après-d’main, c’est la brun’, qu’i m’faut. - - =GILL.= - -ARTICHE, _m._ (thieves’), retirer l’----, _to pick the pockets of a -drunkard_. - -ARTICLE, _m._ (familiar), faire l’----, _to puff up_, “to crack up.” -(Printers’) Payer son ---- quatre, _to pay for one’s footing_. An -allusion to some item of a code of regulations. (Popular) Porté sur -l’----, _one of an amatory disposition_. - -ARTICLIER, _m._, _one whose spécialité is writing newspaper articles_. - -ARTIE, ARTIF, ARTIFFE, LARTIE, LARTON, _m._ (thieves’), _bread_; ---- -de Meulan, _white bread_; ---- du gros Guillaume, _brown bread_; ---- -de guinaut, _mouldy bread_. - - Ecoutez marques et mions, - J’aime la croûte de parfond, - J’aime l’artie, j’aime la crie, - J’aime la croûte de parfond. - - _Chanson de l’Argot_. - -ARTILLEUR (popular), _drunkard_; _one skilful in working the_ “canon,” -_or glass of wine at wine-shops_; ---- à genoux, or de la pièce humide, -_a military hospital orderly_; ---- à l’aiguille, _tailor_; ---- de -la pièce humide, _a fireman_; also, _one who is voiding urine_, or -“lagging.” - -ARTIS, _m._ (thieves’), langage de l’----, _cant_, or “flash.” - -ARTISTE, _m._ (popular), _veterinary surgeon_, “vet;” _spendthrift -leading a careless life_; _sweeper_; _comrade_, or “pal.” - -ARTON. See ARTIE. - -ARTOUPAN, _m._ (thieves’), _guard or warder at a penal servitude -depôt_, or “screw.” - -ART ROYAL (freemasons’), _freemasonry_. - -AS, _m._ (popular), être à l’----, _to be short of cash_, “hard up;” -_at a restaurant or café_, _to be at table, or in private room No. 1_. -Un ---- de carreau, _soldier’s knapsack_, thus called from its shape; -_a town adjutant_, an allusion to the red facings of his uniform. -(Thieves’) As de carreau, _the ribbon of the Legion of Honour, which -is red_. (Familiar) Fichu comme l’---- de pique, _with a clumsily -built form_, _badly dressed_. As de pique meant formerly a man of no -consequence, of no intellectual worth. - -ASINVER (thieves’), _to make stupid_. - -ASPERGE MONTÉE, _f._ (popular), _very tall_, _lanky person_; -“sky-scraper,” or “lamp-post.” - -ASPHALTE, _m._ (familiar), polir l’----, _to lounge on the Boulevards_. - -ASPHYXIÉ, _adj._ (popular), _dead-drunk_, or “sewed-up.” - -ASPHYXIER (popular), _to drink_; ---- le perroquet, _to drink a glass -of absinthe_, green, like a parrot; ---- un pierrot, _to drink a glass -of white wine_. Pierrot, a pantomimic character, with face painted -white, and costume to match. - -ASPIC, _m._ (popular), _a slanderer_, an allusion to “aspic,” a -_viper_; (thieves’) _a miser_, or “hunks.” - -ASPIQUERIE, _f._ (popular), _calumny_. - -ASSEOIR (popular), s’----, _to fall_. Envoyer quelqu’un s’----, _to -throw one down_, _to silence, get rid of one_. Allez vous ----, _shut -up_, _go to_ “pot” (an allusion to the customary intimation of the -judge to a witness whose examination is concluded). S’---- sur le -bouchon, _to sit on mother earth_. S’---- sur quelqu’un, _to silence -one_, _sit upon him_. S’---- sur quelquechose, _to attach but slight -importance to a thing_. - -ASSESSEUR (gamesters’), _player_. - -ASSEYEZ-VOUS DESSUS ET QU’ ÇA FINISSE! (familiar), _silence him! sit -upon him!_ - -ASSIETTE, _f._ (popular), avoir l’---- au beurre, _to be lucky_, -_fortunate in life_. - -ASSIS, _m._ (literary), _clerks_, or “quill drivers.” - - Oh! c’est alors qu’il faut plaindre... les malheureux - qu’un travail sédentaire courbe sur un bureau.... c’est - alors qu’il convient de se lamenter sur le sort des - assis.--=RICHEPIN=, _Le Pavé_. - -ASSISTER (thieves’), _to bring victuals to a prisoner from outside_. - -ASSOCIÉE, _f._ (printers’), mon ----, _my wife_, _my_ “old woman.” - -ASSOMMOIR, _m._ (familiar), _name of a wine-shop at Belleville, and -which is now common to all low drinking-shops_. From assommer, _to -knock over the head_. - -ASTEC, _m._ (familiar), _stunted and weakly person_, or “barber’s cat;” -(literary) _a weak, despicable adversary_. An allusion to the Mexican -dwarfs. - -ASTIC, _m._ (thieves’), _steel_, _sword_, or “poker” (from the German -stich); (soldiers’) _a mixture of pipe-clay for the furbishing of -the brass fixtures of equipment_. Aller à l’----, _to clean one’s -equipment_. - -ASTICOT, _m._ (popular), _vermicelli_; _mistress of a bully or thief_, -“mollisher;” ---- de cercueil, _glass of beer_ (a play on the words -“ver” and “bière,” asticot being a _flesh-worm_). - -ASTIQUAGE or ASTIQUE, _m._ (military), _cleaning the equipments_. - -ASTIQUER (popular), _to beat_, or “to towel;” _to tease_. Literally _to -clean_, _to furbish_. S’----, _to have angry words, as a prelude to a -set to_; _to fight_. Literally _to make oneself neat_, or “smug.” - -AS-TU FINI, or AS-TU FINI TES MANIÈRES! _words implying that a person’s -endeavours to convince or to deceive another have failed_. The -expression corresponds in some degree to “Walker!” “No go!” “What next?” - -A TABLE (thieves’), se mettre ----, or, casser du sucre, _to confess a -crime_. - -ATELIER (freemasons’), _place of meeting_. - -ATIGÉ, _adj._ (thieves’ and popular), _ill_, or “laid up;” _stricken_, -_ruined_, or “cracked up.” - -ATIGER (thieves’ and popular), _to wound, to strike_, “to clump.” - -ATÔMES CROCHUS, _m. pl._ (familiar), _mysterious elements of mutual -sympathy_. - -ATOUSER (convicts’), _to encourage_, _to urge_, “to kid on.” - -ATOUT, _m._ (thieves’ and popular), _courage_, or “wool;” -_self-possession_; _a blow_, or “wipe;” _stomach_; _money_, or “rhino;” -_ability_. Proper meaning _trumps_. Avoir de l’----, _to have pluck_, -or “spunk;” _to have a strong arm_. - - Tu m’as donné la bonne mesure, tu es un cadet qui a de - l’atout.--=E. SUE.= (_You gave me a good thrashing, you are - a strong chap._) - -Le plus d’----, _a kind of swindling game played at low cafés_. - -ATOUT! (popular), _exclamation to denote that a blow has taken effect_. - -ATTACHE, _f._, _love tie_. - -ATTACHER (thieves’), un bidon, _to inform against one_, “to blow the -gaff.” - -ATTACHES, _f. pl._, (thieves’), _buckles_; ---- brillantes, _diamond -buckles_; ---- de gratousse, _lace shirt-frill_; ---- de cés, _breeches -buckles_. - - J’ai fait suer un chêne, - Son auberg j’ai enganté. - Son auberg et sa toquante, - Et ses attach’s de cés. - - =V. HUGO=, _Le Dernier Jour - d’un Condamné_. - -ATTAQUE, d’----, _resolutely, smartly_. Un homme d’----, _a resolute -man_, _one who is game_. Etre d’----, _to show energy, resolution_. Y -aller d’----, _to set about anything with a will, smartly, as if one -meant business_. (Popular) D’attaque, _violent_, _severe_. - - V’lan! v’là l’vent qui m’fiche eun’claque. - Fait vraiment un froid d’attaque. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -ATTELAGE, _m._ (cavalry), un bon ----, _a couple of good friends_. - -ATTENDRIR (familiar), s’----, _to have reached that stage of -intoxication when one is_ “_maudlin_.” - -ATTIGER. See ATIGER. - -ATTIGNOLES, _f. pl._ (popular), _tripe à la mode de Caen_ (tripe stewed -with herbs and seasoning). - - N’importe où nous nous empâtons, - D’arlequins, d’briffe et d’rogatons, - Que’qu’fois d’saucisse et d’attignoles. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -ATTRAPAGE, _m._ (familiar and popular), _severe scolding_, _sharp -criticism_, _quarrel_, _fight_, “mill;” (military) ---- du premier -numéro, _serious duel_. - -ATTRAPE (popular), à te rappeler, _mind you remember!_ - -ATTRAPER (popular), _to scold_, “to jaw;” ---- l’oignon, _to receive -a blow intended for another_; _to have to pay for others’ reckoning_. -S’----, _to abuse_, _to_ “slang” _one another_. Se faire ----, _to get -scolded, abused_, “blown up.” Attraper le haricot, or la fève, _to -have to pay for others_. An allusion to one who finds a bean in his -share of the cake at the “fête des rois,” or Twelfth-night, and who, -being proclaimed king, has to treat the other guests. (Journalists’) -Attraper, _to sharply criticise or run down a person or literary -production_; (theatrical) _to hiss_, or “goose;” (actors’) ---- le -lustre, _to open wide one’s mouth_; _to make a fruitless attempt to -give emission to a note_. - -ATTRAPE-SCIENCE, _m._, _printer’s apprentice_, or “devil.” - -ATTRAPEUR, _m._ (literary), _a sharp or scurrilous critic_. - -ATTRIMER (thieves’), _to take_, to “nibble;” _to seize_, to “grab.” - -ATTRIQUER (thieves’), _to buy_; _to buy stolen clothes_. - -ATTRIQUEUR, _m._, ATTRIQUEUSE, _f._ (thieves’), _receiver of stolen -clothes_, “fence.” - -AUBER, _m._, _a sum of money_, “pile.” A play on the word “haubert,” -_coat of mail_, _an assemblage of_ “mailles,” _meaning_ “meshes” or -“small change.” Compare the expression, Sans sou ni maille. - -AUMÔNE, _f._ (thieves’), voler à l’----, _stealing from a jeweller, who -is requested to exhibit small trinkets, some of which, being purloined, -are transmitted to the hand of a confederate outside who pretends to -ask for alms_. - -AUMÔNIER, _m._ (thieves’), _a thief who operates as described above_. - -AU PRIX OÙ EST LE BEURRE (familiar), _at the present rate of prices of -things in general_. - -AURE, or HAURE (thieves’), le grand ----, _God_. - -AÜS, _m._ (shopmen’s), _perplexed purchaser who leaves without buying -anything_. - -AUSTO, _m._ (soldiers’), _guard-room_, _cells_, “Irish theatre,” -“mill,” or “jigger.” - -AUTAN, _m._ (thieves’), _loft_, _attics_ (old word hautain, high). - -AUTEL, (freemasons’), _table at which the master sits_; (popular) ---- -de besoin, _prostitute_, or “bed-fagot;” ---- de plume, _bed_, “doss.” - -AUTEUR, _m._ (familiar), _father or mother_, “governor,” or “mater;” ----- beurrier, _unsuccessful author whose works are sold as -wrapping-paper for tradesmen_. - -AUTOR (familiar and popular), jouer d’----, _to play cards without -proposing_. Travailler d’---- et d’achar, _to work with energy_. - -AUTOR, d’---- (thieves’), _in a peremptory manner_; _deliberately_. - - Dis donc, fourline, la première fois que nous trouverons la - Pégriotte, faut l’emmener d’autor.--=EUGÈNE SUE.= - -AUTRE, _adj._ (popular), cet ---- chien, _that chap_. Etre l’----, _to -be duped_, or “bamboozled;” _to be the lover_; _the mistress_. L’---- -côté, _appellation given by Paris students to that part of the city -situated on the right bank of the river_. Femme de l’---- côté, _woman -residing in that part of Paris_. - -AUVERGNAT, _m._ (popular), avaler l’----, _to take communion_. - -AUVERPIN, _m._ (popular), _native of Auvergne_. Appellation given to -commissionnaires, charcoal-dealers, water-carriers, &c., who generally -hail from Auvergne. - - Et là seulement vous trouverez les bals-musette, les - vrais, tenus par des Auverpins à la fois mastroquets et - charbonniers, hantés par des Auverpins aussi, porteurs - d’eau, commissionnaires, frotteurs, cochers.--=RICHEPIN=, - _Le Pavé_. - -AUVERPINCHES, _m. pl._ (popular), _clumsy shoes usually worn by -Auvergnats_. - -AUX (popular), petits oignons, _in first-rate style, excellently_. Etre ----- petits oiseaux, _to be comfortable, snug_. - -AUXILIAIRE (prisoners’), _prisoner acting as servant_, or “fag.” - -AVALÉ (popular), avoir ---- le pépin, _to be pregnant_, or “lumpy.” -An allusion to the apple. Avoir ---- une chaise percée, _to have -an offensive breath_. Avoir ---- un sabre, _to be stiff_, “to have -swallowed a poker.” Avoir ---- le bon Dieu en culotte de velours, _to -have swallowed some excellent food or drink_. - - Et toujours le patron doit terminer sa lampée par un hum - engageant et satisfait comme s’il avait avalé le bon Dieu - en culotte de velours.--=RICHEPIN=, _Le Pavé_. - -AVALER (thieves’), le luron, _to receive the Host at communion_. -(Popular) Avaler sa cuiller; sa fourchette; sa gaffe; sa langue; ses -baguettes; _to die_. In other words, “to lay down one’s knife and -fork;” “to kick the bucket;” “to croak;” “to stick one’s spoon in the -wall,” &c.; ---- son poussin, _to be dismissed_, “to get the sack;” ----- son absinthe, _to put a good face on some disagreeable matter_. -(Familiar) Avoir l’air de vouloir tout ----, _to look as though one -were going to do mighty things_; _to look savage and threatening_. - -AVALE-TOUT-CRU, _m._ (popular), _braggart_, or “swashbuckler;” -(thieves’) _thief who conceals jewels in his mouth_. - -AVALOIR, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _throat_, “peck alley,” or -“gutter lane.” - -AVANTAGES, _m. pl._, AVANT-CŒUR, _m._, AVANT-MAIN, _f._, AVANT-POSTES, -_m. pl._, AVANT-SCÈNES, _f. pl._ (popular and familiar), _bosoms_, -“Charlies,” “dairies,” or “bubbies.” - -AVANTAGEUX, _adj._ (popular), _convenient_, _roomy_. Des souliers ----, -_easy shoes_. - -AVANT-COURRIER, _m._ (thieves’), _auger_. - -AVARO, _m._ (popular), _damage_. From avarie. - -AVERGOT, _m._ (thieves’), _egg_. - -AVERTINEUX, _adj._ (popular), _of a suspicious, gruff disposition_; _of -a forbidding aspect_. - -AVOCAT BÊCHEUR, _m._ (printers’), _backbiter_; (thieves’) _public -prosecutor_. - -AVOINE, _f._ (military), _brandy_. (Popular) Avoir encore l’----, _to -have still one’s maidenhead_. (Coachmens’) Donner l’----, _to whip_; -_to thrash_, or “flush.” - -AVOIR (popular), à la bonne, _to like, to love_, “to be sweet upon;” ----- campo, _to have leave to go out_; ---- celui, for avoir l’honneur -de; ---- dans le nez, _to have a strong dislike for a person or thing_; -(familiar) ---- dans le ventre, ce que quelqu’un a dans le ventre, -_what stuff one is made of_; (popular) ---- de ce qui sonne, _to be -well off_; in other words, _to have plenty of beans, ballast, rhino, -the needful, blunt, bustle, dust, coal, oof, stumpy, brass, tin_; ----- de la chance au bâtonnet, _to be unlucky_. Le jeu de bâtonnet is -the game of nap the cat; ---- de la glu aux mains, _to steal_, “to -nibble;” ---- de la ligne, _to have a nice figure_; ---- de l’anis -dans une écope: tu auras ----, _don’t you wish you may get it_; ---- -de l’as de Carreau dans le dos, _to be humpbacked_; ---- des as dans -son jeu, _to have an advantage, to be lucky, to have_ “cocum;” ---- -des mots avec quelqu’un, _to fall out with one, to have a tiff with -one_; ---- des mots avec la justice, _to be prosecuted_; ---- des mots -avec les sergots, _to have some disagreement with the police_; ---- -des œufs sur le plat, _to have black eyes_, “to have one’s eyes in -mourning;” ---- des petits pois à écosser ensemble, _to have a bone to -pick with one_; ---- des planches, _to be an experienced actor_; ---- -du beurre sur la tête, _to have some misdeed on one’s conscience_; ----- du chien, _to possess dash_, “go;” ---- du chien dans le ventre, -_to have pluck, endurance_, or “stay;” ---- du pain sur la planche, -_to have a competency_; ---- du poil au cul, _to possess courage_, -or “hackle,” _energy_; ---- du plomb dans l’aile, _to be wounded_; ----- du sable dans les yeux, _to feel sleepy_; ---- du toupet, _to -have audacity, cool impudence_; ---- fumé dans une pipe neuve, _to -be tipsy_, or “obfuscated;” ---- la flemme, _to be afraid_; _to feel -lazy_, or “Mondayish;” ---- l’arche, _to have credit_, or “jawbone;” ----- l’assiette au beurre, _to be fortunate in life_; ---- la cuisse -gaie _is said of a female of lax morals_; ---- le pot de chambre dans -la commode, _to have an offensive breath_; ---- le caillou déplumé, -le coco déplumé, _to be bald_, _to have_ “a bladder of lard;” ---- le -casque, _to fancy a man_; ---- le compas dans l’œil, _to possess a -sharp eye_, with respect to judging of distance or quantity; ---- le -front dans le cou, _to be bald_, or “stag-faced;” ---- le nez creux, -_to be clever at foreseeing, guessing_; ---- le pouce long, _to be -skilful, to be_ a “dab” _at something_; ---- le trac, _to be afraid_, -“funky;” ---- les calots pochés, _to have black eyes_; ---- les côtes -en long, _to be lazy_, a “bummer;” ---- l’estomac dans les talons, dans -les mollets, _to be ravenous_, _very_ “peckish;” ---- l’étrenne, _to be -the first to do, or be done to, to have the_ “wipe of;” ---- le sac, -_to be wealthy_, or “well ballasted;” ---- mal au bréchet, _to have the -stomach-ache_, or “botts;” ---- mal aux cheveux, _to have a headache -caused from overnight potations_; ---- mangé de l’oseille, _to be -sour-tempered, peevish_, or “crusty;” ---- sa côtelette, in theatrical -language, _to obtain great applause_; (popular) ---- sa pointe, _to -be slightly tipsy_, “fresh;” ---- son caillou, _to be on the verge of -intoxication_, or “muddled;” ---- son coke, _to die_; ---- son cran, -_to be angry_, “to have one’s monkey up;” ---- son pain cuit. Properly -_to have an income, to be provided for_. The expression is old. - - Vente, gresle, gelle, j’ai mon pain cuit. - - =VILLON.= - -(Also) _to be sentenced to death_; ---- son sac de quelqu’un, _to be -tired of one_; ---- un coup de marteau, _to be cracked_, “queer;” ---- -un fédéré dans la casemate, or un polichinelle dans le tiroir, _to be -pregnant_, or “lumpy;” ---- un poil dans la main, _to feel lazy_; ---- -un pot de chambre sous le nez, _to have an offensive breath_; ---- un -rat dans la trompe, _to feel irritated_, _provoked_, _exasperated_, -“badgered;” ---- une chambre à louer, _to be eccentric, even to -insanity_; “to have apartments to let;” _to be minus one tooth_; ---- -une crampe au pylore, _to be blessed with a good appetite_, or “twist;” ----- une table d’hôte dans l’estomac, _to have an extraordinary -appetite_; ---- vu le loup _is said of a girl who has been seduced_. En ----- la farce, _to be able to procure a thing_. Pour deux sous on en a -la farce, _a penny will get it for you_. En ---- sa claque, _to have -eaten or drunk to excess_, _to have had a_ “tightener.” Avoir une belle -presse _is said of an actor or author who is lauded by the press_. - -AVOIR (popular and familiar), la boule détraquée; le coco fêlé; le -trognon détraqué; un asticot dans la noisette; un bœuf gras dans le -char; un cancrelat dans la boule; un hanneton dans le réservoir; -un hanneton dans le plafond; un moustique dans la boîte au sel; un -voyageur dans l’omnibus; une araignée dans le plafond; une écrevisse -dans la tourte; une écrevisse dans le vol-au-vent; une grenouille dans -l’aquarium; une hirondelle dans le soliveau; une Marseillaise dans -le kiosque; une punaise dans le soufflet; une sardine dans l’armoire -à glace; une trichine dans le jambonneau; une sauterelle dans la -guitare--Parisian expressions which may be rendered by _to be mad, or -cracked_, _crazy_, _touched_, _to have rats in the upper story_, _a bee -in one’s bonnet_, _a tile loose_, _to have apartments to let_, _to be -wrong in the upper storey_, _to be off one’s chump, &c., &c._ L’---- -encore, Rigaud says, “Avoir ce qu’une jeune fille doit perdre seulement -le jour de son mariage.” - -AVOIR, N’----, pas de toupet, _to show cool impudence_; (popular) ----- pas inventé le fil à couper le beurre _is said of a man of poor -ability, not likely_ “to set the Thames on fire;” ---- pas le cul dans -une jupe, _to be manly_, or “spry;” ---- pas sa langue dans sa poche, -_to have a ready tongue_; ---- rien du côté gauche, or sous le têton -gauche, _to be heartless_; ---- rien dans le ventre, _to be devoid of -ability_, _to be made of poor stuff_; ---- plus sa grille d’égoût, ----- plus sa pièce de dix ronds _is said of Sodomites_; ---- plus de -chapelure sur le jambonneau, ---- plus de crin sur la brosse, ---- plus -de fil sur la bobine, ---- plus de gazon sur le pré, ---- plus de -mousse sur le caillou, or sur la plate-bande, ---- plus de paillasson -à la porte, _to be bald_, or “to have a bladder of lard,” “to be -stag-faced,” &c.; (thieves’) ---- pas la trouille, le flubart, or le -trac, _to have no fear_. - -AZOR, _m._ (popular), _dog_; (military) _knapsack_, or “scran-bag” (an -allusion to the hairy covering of soldiers’ knapsacks). Etre à cheval -sur ----, _to shoulder the knapsack_. Tenir ---- en laisse _is said -of a discharged soldier who on leaving the barracks, with a view to -showing that “Azor” is no longer his master, drags him ignominiously -along the ground attached to a strap_. (Theatrical) Appeler, or siffler -----, _to hiss_, or “to goose.” - - Qu’est-ce que c’est? Est-ce qu’on appelle Azor?--_Musée - Philipon._ - - - - -B - - -BABA, _adj._ (popular), _dumb-founded_, _abashed_, “blue,” or -“flabbergasted.” From ébahi, _astounded_. - -BABILLARD, _m._ (thieves’), _confessor_; _book_; _newspaper_. -Griffonneur de ----, _journalist_. It also means _a petition_. - - Ma largue part pour Versailles, - Aux pieds d’sa Majesté, - Elle lui fonce un babillard - Pour m’faire défourailler. - - =V. HUGO=, _Dernier Jour d’un Condamné_. - -BABILLARDE, _f._ (thieves’), _watch_, or “jerry;” _letter_, “screeve,” -or “stiff.” - -BABILLAUDIER, _m._ (thieves’), _bookseller_. - -BABILLE, _f._ See BABILLARDE. - -BABILLER (thieves’), _to read_. Properly _to prattle_, _to chatter_. - -BABINES, _f. pl._ (popular), _mouth_, “muzzle.” S’en donner par les -----, _to eat voraciously_, “to scorf.” S’en lécher les ----, _to enjoy -in imagination any kind of pleasure, past or in store_. - -BABOUINE, _f._ (popular), _mouth_, “rattle-trap,” “kisser,” “dubber,” -or “maw.” See PLOMB. - -BABOUINER (popular), _to eat_. - -BAC, for baccarat or baccalauréat. - - Ce serait bien le diable s’il parvenait à organiser de - petits bacs à la raffinerie.--=VAST-RICOUARD=, _Le Tripot_. - -BACCHANTES (thieves’), _the beard_; but more especially _the whiskers_. -From a play on the word bâche, _an awning_, _covering_. - -BACCON, _m._ (thieves’), _pig_, or “sow’s baby;” _pork_, or “sawney.” - -BACHASSE, _f._ (thieves’), _hard labour_; _convict settlement_. - -BÂCHE, _f._ (thieves’ and cads’), _cap_, or “tile;” _stakes_; _bed_, or -“doss.” Se mettre dans la ----, _to go to bed_. Bâche, properly _a cart -tilt_ or _an awning_. - -BACHELIÈRE, _f._, _female associate of students at the Quartier Latin, -the headquarters of the University of France_. Herein are situated the -Sorbonne, Collège de France, Ecole de Médecine, Ecole de Droit, &c. - -BÂCHER, PAGNOTTER, or PERCHER (thieves’ and popular). Se ----, _to go -to bed_. - -BACHOT, _m._ (students’), _baccalauréat_, _or examination for the -degree of bachelor of arts or science conferred by the University of -France_. Etre ----, _to be a bachelor_. Faire son ----, _to read for -that examination_. - -BACHOTIER, _m._ (students’), _tutor who prepares candidates for the -baccalauréat_, a “coach,” or a “crammer.” - -BACHOTTER (sharpers’), _to swindle at billiards_. - -BACHOTTEUR, _m._ (sharpers’), _a confederate of blacklegs at a four -game of billiards_. The “bachotteur” arranges the game, holds the -stakes, &c., pretending meanwhile to be much interested in the victim, -or “pigeon.” His associates are “l’emporteur,” or “buttoner,” whose -functions consist in entering into conversation with the intended -victim and enticing him into playing, and “la bête,” who feigns to be a -loser at the outset, so as to encourage the pigeon. - -BÂCLER, BOUCLER (thieves’), _to shut_, _to arrest_. Bâclez la lourde! -_shut the door!_ “dub the jigger.” (Popular) Bâcler, _to put_, _to -place_. Bâclez-vous là! _place yourself there!_ - -BACREUSE, _f._ (popular), _pocket_. From creuse, _deep_. - -BADAUDIÈRE, _f._, _the tribe of badauds_, _people whose interest is -awakened by the most trifling events or things, and who stop to gape -wonderingly at such events or things_. - - Parmi tous les badauds de la grande badaudière parisienne, - qui est le pays du monde où l’on en trouve le plus, parmi - tous les flâneurs, gâcheurs de temps ... bayeurs aux - grues.--=RICHEPIN=, _Le Pavé_. - -BADIGEON, _m._ (popular), _painting of the face_; _paint for the face_, -“slap.” Se coller du ----, _to paint one’s face_, “to stick on slap.” - -BADIGEONNER, la femme au puits, _to lie_, “to cram.” An allusion to -Truth supposed to dwell in a well. Se ----, _to paint one’s face_. - -BADIGOINCES, _f._ _pl._ (popular), _lips_, _mouth_, “maw.” Jouer des -----, or se caler les ----, _to eat_, “to grub.” S’en coller par les -----, _to have a good fill_, “to stodge.” See MASTIQUER. - -BADINGUISTE, BADINGÂTEUX, BADINGOUIN, BADINGUEUSARD, BADINGOUINARD, -_terms of contempt applied to Bonapartists_. “Badinguet,” nickname of -Napoleon III., was the name of a mason who lent him his clothes, and -whose character he assumed to effect his escape from Fort Ham, in which -he was confined for conspiracy and rebellion against the government of -King Louis Philippe. - -BADOUILLARD, _m._, BADOUILLARDE, _f._ (popular), _male and female -habitués of low fancy balls_. - -BADOUILLE, _f._ (popular), _henpecked husband_, or “stangey;” _fool_, -or “duffer.” - -BADOUILLER (popular), _to frequent low public balls_; _to wander about -without a settled purpose_, “to scamander;” _to have drinking revels_, -“to go on the booze.” - -BADOUILLERIE, _f._ (popular), _dissipated mode of living_. - -BAFFRE, _f._ (popular), _a blow in the face with the fist_, a “bang in -the mug.” - -BAFOUILLER, (popular), _to jabber_; _to splutter_; _to sputter_. - -BAFOUILLEUR, BAFOUILLEUX, _m._, BAFOUILLEUSE, _f._, _one who sputters_. - -BAGNIOLE, _f._ (popular), _carriage_, “trap,” or “cask.” - -BAGNOLE, _f._ (popular), diminutive of bagne, _convict settlement, -hulks: wretched room or house_, or “crib;” _costermonger’s -hand-barrow_, “trolly,” or “shallow.” - - La maigre, salade ... que les bonnes femmes poussent devant - elles dans leur bagnole à bras.--=RICHEPIN=, _Le Pavé_. - -BAGOU, BAGOÛT, _m._ (familiar), (has passed into the language), -_facility of speech_ (used disparagingly). Quel ---- mes amis! _well, -he is the one to talk!_ Avoir un fier ----, _to have plenty of jaw_. - - On se laissa bientôt aller à la joie ravivée sans - cesse au bagout du vieux, qui n’avait jamais été aussi - bavard.--=RICHEPIN=, _La Glu_. - -(Thieves’) Bagou, _name_, “monniker,” “monarch.” - -BAGOULARD, _m._ (popular), _a very talkative man_, a “clack-box,” or -“mouth-all-mighty.” C’est un fameux ----, “He’s the bloke to slam.” - -BAGOULER (popular and thieves’), _to prattle_, to do the “Poll Parrot;” -_to give one’s name_, or “dub one’s monniker.” - -BAGUE, _f._ (thieves’), _name_, “monniker,” “monarch.” - -BAGUENAUDE (thieves’ and cads’), _pocket_, “cly,” “sky-rocket,” or -“brigh;” ---- à sec, _empty pocket_; ---- ronflante, _pocket full of -money_. Faire la retourne des baguenaudes, _to rob drunkards who go to -sleep on benches_. - - ... Une bande de filous, vauriens ayant travaillé les - baguenaudes dans la foule.--=RICHEPIN=, _Le Pavé_. - -BAGUENOTS, _m. pl._ (popular), faire les ----, _to pick pockets_, “to -fake a cly.” - -BAGUETTES, _f. pl._ Properly rods, _or drum-sticks_. (Military) Avaler -ses ----, _to die_. (Familiar) Baguettes de tambour, _thin legs_, -_spindle-shanks_; _lank hair_. - -BAHUT, _m._ (popular), _furniture_, “marbles.” Properly _large dresser, -or press_; (cadets’) ---- spécial, _the military school of Saint-Cyr_; -(students’) ---- paternel, _paternal house_. Bahut, _a crammer’s -establishment_; _college, or boarding-school_. - - Eux, les pauvres petits galériens, ils continuent à vivre - entre les murs lépreux du bahut.--=RICHEPIN=, _Le Pavé_. - -BAHUTÉ (Saint-Cyr cadets’), ceci est ----, _that is smart, -soldier-like_. Une tenue bahutée, _smart dress or appearance_. - -BAHUTER (Saint-Cyr cadets’), _to create a disturbance_, “to kick up -a row;” (schoolboys’) _to go from one educational establishment to -another_. - -BAHUTEUR, _m._, _one fond of a_ “row;” _unruly scholar_; _pupil who -patronizes, willingly or not, different educational establishments_. - -BAIGNE-DANS-LE-BEURRE (popular), _womens’ bully_, or “pensioner.” An -allusion to “maquereau,” or mackerel, a common appellation for such -creatures. See POISSON. - -BAIGNEUSE, _f._ (thieves’ and cads’), _head_, or “block,” “canister,” -“nut.” See TRONCHE. - -BAIGNOIRE À BON DIEU, _f._ (cads’), _chalice_. - -BAILLER AU TABLEAU (theatrical), _to have an insignificant part in a -new play_. - - Terme de coulisses qui s’applique à un acteur, qui voit au - tableau la mise en répétition d’une pièce dans laquelle - il n’a qu’un bout de rôle.--=A. BOUCHARD=, _La Langue - théâtrale_. - -BAIMBAIN (Breton cant), _potatoes_. - -BAIN DE PIED (familiar), _the overflow into the saucer from a cup of -coffee or glass of brandy_; _third help of brandy after coffee_, _those -preceding being_ “la rincette” _and_ “la surrincette.” - -BAIN-MARIE, _m._ (popular), _a person with a mild, namby-pamby -disposition allied to a weakly constitution_, _a_ “sappy” _fellow_. - -BAIN QUI CHAUFFE, _m._ (popular), _a rain cloud in hot weather_. - -BAISER (popular), la camarde, _to die_, “to kick the bucket,” “to snuff -it;” (gamesters’) ---- le cul de la vieille, _not to score_, _to remain -at_ “love.” - -BAISSIER, _m._, _man on ’Change who speculates for a fall in the -funds_, “bear.” See HAUSSIER. - -BAITE, _f._ (thieves’), _house_, “crib.” - -BAJAF, _m._ (popular), _a stout, plethoric man_. Gros ----, “forty -guts.” - -BAJOTER (popular), _to chatter_, “to gabble.” - -BAL, _m._ (military), _extra drill_ (called a “hoxter” at the Royal -Military Academy). - -BALADAGE, BALLADAGE, _m._ (popular), chanteur au ----, _street singer_, -“street pitcher.” - -BALADE, BALLADE, _f._ (popular and familiar), _walk_, _stroll_, -_lounge_, “miking.” Canot de ----, _pleasure boat_. Faire une ----, -se payer une ----, _to take a walk_. Chanteur à la ----, _itinerant -singer_, “chaunter.” (Thieves’) Balade, or ballade, _pocket_; also -called “fouillouse, profonde, valade,” and by English rogues, -“sky-rocket, cly, or brigh.” - -BALADER (thieves’), _to choose_; _to seek_. (Popular) Se ----, _to take -a walk_; _to stroll_; “to mike;” _to make off_; _to run away_, “to cut -one’s lucky.” See PATATROT. - -BALADEUR, _m._ (popular), _one who takes a walk_. - -BALADEUSE, _f._ (popular), _woman with no heart for work and who is -fond of idly strolling about_. - -BALAI, _m._ (hawkers’), _police officer, or gendarme_, “crusher;” -(military) ---- à plumes, _plumes of shako_. (Popular) Balai, _the last -’bus or tramcar at night_. Donner du ---- à quelqu’un, _to drive one -away_. - -BALANCEMENT, _m._ (clerks’), _dismissal_, “the sack.” - -BALANCER (popular), _to throw at a distance_; ---- quelqu’un, _to -dismiss from one’s employment_, “to give the sack;” _to get rid of -one_; _to make fun of one_; _to hoax_, “to bamboozle;” (thieves’) ---- -la rouscaillante, _to speak_, or “to rap;” ---- sa canne _is said of -a vagrant who takes to thieving, of a convict who makes his escape, -or of a ticket-of-leave man who breaks bounds_; ---- sa largue, _to -get rid of one’s mistress_, “to bury a Moll;” ---- ses alènes, _to -turn honest_; _to forsake the burglar’s implements for the murderer’s -knife_; ---- ses chasses, _to gaze about_, “to stag;” ---- son chiffon -rouge, _to talk_, “to wag one’s red rag;” ---- une lazagne, _to send a -letter_, “screeve,” or “stiff.” - -BALANCEUR, _m._ (thieves’), de braise, _money changer_. An allusion to -the practice of weighing money. - -BALANCIER, _m._ (popular), faire le ----, _to wait for one_. - -BALANÇOIR, BALANÇON, _m._ (thieves’), _window-bar_. - -BALANÇOIRE, _f._ (familiar), _fib_, “flam;” _nonsense_; _stupid joke_. -Envoyer à la ----, _to get rid of one, to invite one to make himself -scarce, or to send one to the deuce_. - -BALANÇON, _m._ (thieves’), _iron hammer_; _window-bar_. - -BALANDRIN, _m._ (popular), _parcel made up in canvas_; _a small -pedlar’s pack_. - -BALAUDER (tramps’), _to beg_, “to cadge.” - -BALAYAGE, _m._ Properly _sweeping_; used figuratively _wholesale -getting rid of_. On devrait faire un balayage dans cette -administration, _there ought to be a wholesale dismissal of officials_. - -BALAYER (theatrical), les planches, _to be the first to sing at a -concert_. - -BALAYEZ-MOI-ÇA, _m._ (popular), _woman’s dress_. Literally _you just -sweep that away_. - -BALCON, _m._ (popular), il y a du monde, or il y a quelqu’un au ----, -_an allusion to well-developed breasts_. - -BALCONNIER, _m._, _orator who makes a practice of addressing the crowd -from a balcony_. - -BALEINE, _f._ (popular), _disreputable woman_, “bed-fagot.” Rire comme -une ----, _to laugh in a silly manner with mouth wide open like a -whale’s_. - -BALIVERNEUR, _m._ (popular), _monger of_ “twaddle,” _of tomfooleries_, -_of_ “blarney.” - -BALLADE, _f._ (popular), aller faire une ---- à la lune, _to ease -oneself_. - -BALLE, _f._ (thieves’), _secret_; _affair_; _opportunity_. Ça fait -ma ----, _that just suits me_. Manquer sa ----, _to miss one’s -opportunity_. Faire ----, _to be fasting_. Faire la ----, _to act -according to instructions_. (Popular) Balle, _one-franc piece_; _face_, -“mug;” _head_, “block.” Il a une bonne ----, _he has a good-natured -looking face, or a grotesque face_. Rond comme ----, _is said of one -who has eaten or drunk to excess_; _of one who is drunk, or_ “tight.” -Un blafard de cinq balles, _a five-franc piece_. (Familiar) Enfant de -la ----, _actor’s child_; _actor_; _one who is of the same profession -as his father_. (Prostitutes’) Balle d’amour, _handsome face_. Rude -----, _energetic countenance, with harsh features_. Balle de coton, _a -blow with the fist_, a “bang,” “wipe,” “one on the mug,” or a “cant in -the gills.” - -BALLOMANIE, _f._, _mania for ballooning_. - -BALLON, _m._ (popular), _glass of beer_; _the behind_, or “tochas.” -Enlever le ---- à quelqu’un, _to kick one in the hinder part of the -body_, “to toe one’s bum,” “to root,” or “to land a kick.” En ----, _in -prison_, “in quod.” Se donner du ----, _to make a dress bulge out_. Se -lâcher du ----, _to make off rapidly_, “to brush.” - -BALLONNÉ, _adj._ (thieves’), _imprisoned_, “in limbo.” - -BALLOT, _m._ (tailors’), _stoppage of work_. - -BALLOTER (tailors’), _to be out of work_, “out of collar;” (thieves’) -_to throw_. - -BAL-MUSETTE, _m._, _dancing place for workpeople in the suburbs_. - - Les bals-musette au plancher de bois qui sonne comme - un tympanon sous les talons tambourinant la bourrée - montagnarde ... que la musette remplit de son chant - agreste.--=RICHEPIN=, _Le Pavé_. - -BALOCHARD, BALOCHEUR, _m._ (popular), _one who idles about town -carelessly and merrily_. - - Aussi j’laisse l’chic et les chars, - Aux feignants et aux galupiers, - Et j’suis l’roi des Balochards, - Des Balochards qui va-t-à pieds. - - =RICHPIN=, _Gueux de Paris_. - -BALOCHER, (popular), _to be an habitué of dancing halls_; _to bestir -oneself_; _to fish in troubled waters_; _to have on hand any unlawful -business_; _to move things_; _to hang them up_; _to idle about -carelessly and merrily_, or “to mike.” - -BALOTS, _m. pl._ (thieves’), _lips_. Se graisser les ----, _to eat_, -“to grub.” - -BALOUF (popular), _very strong_, “spry.” - -BALTHAZAR, _m._ (familiar), _a plentiful meal_, “a tightener.” - -BALUCHON, _m._ (popular), _parcel_, or “peter.” - -BAMBINO, BAMBOCHINO, _m._ (popular), _term of endearment for a child_. - -BAMBOCHE, _adj._ (popular), être ----, _to be tipsy_, or “to be -screwed.” - -BANBAN, _m._ and _f._ (popular), _lame person_, “dot and go one;” -_small stunted person_, “Jack Sprat.” - -BANC, _m._ (convicts’), _camp bed_; (Parisians’) ---- de Terre-Neuve, -_that part of the Boulevard between the Madeleine and Porte -Saint-Denis_. Probably an allusion to the ladies of fishy character, -termed “morues,” or _codfish_, who cruise about that part of Paris, and -a play on the word Terre-Neuve, _Newfoundland_, where the real article -is fished in large quantities. (Military) Pied de ----, _sergeant_. See -PIED. - -BANCAL, _m._ (soldiers’), _cavalry sword_. - - Et, je me sens fier, ingambe, - D’un plumet sur mon colbac, - D’un bancal, et du flic-flac - De ce machin sur ma jambe. - - =A. DE CHATILLON.= - -BANDE, _Properly cushion of billiard table_. Coller sous ----, _to get -one in a fix_, _in a_ “hole.” - -BANDE D’AIR, _f._ (theatrical), _frieze painted blue so as to represent -the sky_. - -BANDE NOIRE, _f._, _a gang of swindlers who procure goods on false -pretences and sell them below their value_, “long firm.” - -La Bande Noire comprises four categories of swindlers working -jointly: “le courtier à la mode,” who, by means of false references, -gets himself appointed as agent to important firms, generally wine -merchants, jewellers, provision dealers. He calls on some small -tradesmen on the verge of bankruptcy, denominated “petits faisans,” or -“frères de la côte,” and offers them at a very low price merchandise -which they are to dispose of, allowing him a share in the profits. The -next step to be taken is to bribe a clerk of some private information -office, who is thus induced to give a favourable answer to all -inquiries regarding the solvency of the “petit faisan.” The courtier à -la mode also bribes with a like object the doorkeeper of his clients. -At length the goods are delivered by the victimized firms; now steps -in the “fusilleur” or “gros faisan,” who obtains the merchandise at a -price much below value--a cask of wine worth 170 francs, for instance, -being transferred to him at less than half that sum--the sale often -taking place at the railway goods station, especially when the “petit -faisan” is an imaginary individual represented by a doorkeeper in -confederacy with the gang.--_Translated from the “République Française” -newspaper, February, 1886._ - -BANDER (popular), la caisse, _to abscond with the cash-box_. Properly -_to tighten the drum_; ---- l’ergot, _to run away_, “to crush.” - -BANNETTE (popular), _apron_. - -BANNIÈRE, _f._ (familiar), être en ----, _to be in one’s shirt_, _in -one’s_ “flesh bag.” - -BANQUE, _f._ (popular), _falsehood_, _imposition_, “plant.” (Hawkers’) -La ----, _the puffing up of goods to allure purchasers_; _the -confraternity of mountebanks_. (Showmens’) Truc de ----, _password -which obtains admission to booths or raree-shows_. (Printers’) Banque, -_pay_. La ---- a fouaillé _expresses that pay has been deferred_. Etre -bloqué à la ----, or faire ---- blèche, _to receive no pay_. - -BANQUET, _m._ (freemasons’), _dinner_. - -BANQUETTE, _f._ (popular), _chin_. - -BANQUEZINGUE, _m._ (thieves’), _banker_, “rag-shop cove.” - -BANQUISTE (thieves’), _one who prepares a swindling operation_. - -BAPTÊME, _m._ (popular), _head_, “nut.” - -BAQUET, _m._ (popular), _washerwoman_; ---- insolent, _same meaning_ -(an allusion to the impudence of Parisian washerwomen); ---- de -science, _cobbler’s tub_. - -BARANT, _m._ (thieves’), _gutter_, _brook_. From the Celtic baranton, -_fountain_. - -BARAQUE, _f._, _disparaging epithet for a house or establishment_; -(servants’) _a house where masters are strict and particular_; a -“shop;” _newspaper of which the editor is strict with respect to the -productions_; (schoolboys’) _cupboard_; (soldiers’) _a service stripe_; -(sharpers’) _a kind of swindling game of pool_. - -BARBAQUE, or BIDOCHE, _f._ (popular), _meat_, or “carnish.” - -BARBE, _f._ (students’), _private coaching_. (Popular) Avoir de la ----- _is said of anything old, stale_. (Theatrical) Faire sa ----, -_to make money_. (Familiar) Vieille ----, _old-fashioned politician_. -(Printers’) Barbe, _intoxication_, _the different stages of the happy -state being_ “le coup de feu,” “la barbe simple,” “la barbe indigne.” -Prendre une ----, _to get intoxicated_, or “screwed.” (Popular) Barbe, -_women’s bully_, or “pensioner.” - -BARBE À POUX, _m._, _an insulting expression especially used by -cabbies, means lousy beard_. Also a nickname given sometimes to the -pioneers in the French army on account of their long beards. - -BARBEAU, _m._ (popular), _prostitute’s bully_. Properly _a barbel_. - -BARBEAUDIER (thieves’), _doorkeeper_; _turnkey_, “dubsman,” or “jigger -dubber;” ---- de castu, _hospital overseer_. Concerning this expression -Michel says: Cette expression, qui nous est donnée par le Dictionnaire -Argotique du Jargon, a été formée par allusion à la tisane que l’on -boit dans les hôpitaux, tisane assimilée ici à la bière. En effet, -_barbaudier_ avait autrefois le sens de _brasseur_, si l’on peut du -moins s’en rapporter à Roquefort, qui ne cite pas d’exemple. En voici -un, malheureusement peu concluant. Tais-toi, putain de barbaudier: Le -coup d’œil purin. - -BARBEROT, _m._ (convicts’), _barber_, a “strap.” - -BARBET, _m._ (thieves’), _the devil_, “old scratch,” or “ruffin.” - -BARBICHON, _m._ (popular), _monk_. An allusion to the long beard -generally sported by the fraternity. - -BARBILLE, BARBILLON, _m._, _girl’s bully_, _young hand at the business_. - -BARBILLONS, _m. pl._ (popular), de Beauce, _vegetables_ (Beauce, -formerly a province); ---- de Varenne, _turnips_. - -BARBOT, _m._ (popular), _duck_; _girl’s bully_, “ponce.” See POISSON. -(Thieves’) Vol au ----, _pocket-picking_, or “buz-faking.” Faire le -----, _to pick pockets_, “to buz,” or “to fake a cly.” - -BARBOTAGE, _m._, _theft_, “push.” From barboter, _to dabble_. - -BARBOTE, _f._ (thieves’), _searching of prisoners on their arrival at -the prison_, “turning over.” - -BARBOTER (thieves’), _to search on the person_, “to turn over;” _to -steal_, “to clift;” _to purloin goods and sell them_; ---- les poches, -_to pick pockets_, “to buz;” (familiar) ---- la caisse, _to appropriate -the contents of a cashbox_. - -BARBOTEUR, _m._ (thieves’), de campagne, _night thief_. - -BARBOTIER, _m._, _searcher at prisons_. - -BARBOTIN, _m._ (thieves’), _theft_; _proceeds of sale of stolen goods_, -“swag.” - - Après mon dernier barbotin, - J’ai flasqué du poivre à la rousse. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -BARBUE, _f._ (thieves), _pen_. - -BAR-DE-TIRE, _m._ (thieves’), _hose_. - -BARIL DE MOUTARDE (cads’), _breech_. See VASISTAS. - -BARKA (military), _enough_ (from the Arabic). - -BARON, _m._ (popular), de la crasse, _man ill at ease in garments which -are not suited to his station in life, and which in consequence give -him an awkward appearance_. - -BARRE, _f._ (thieves’), _needle_; (popular) compter à la ----, -_primitive mode of reckoning by making dashes on a slate_. - -BARRÉ, _adj._ (popular), _dull-witted_, “cabbage-head.” - -BARRER (popular), _to leave off work_; _to relinquish an undertaking_; -_to scold_. Se ----, _to make off_, “to mizzle;” _to conceal oneself_. - -BARRES, _f. pl._ (popular), _jaws_. Se rafraîchir les ----, _to drink_, -“to wet or whet one’s whistle.” - -BARRIQUE, _f._ (freemasons’), _decanter or bottle_. - -BAS (popular), de buffet, _a person or thing of no consequence_; ---- -de plafond, ---- du cul, _short person_. Vieux ---- de buffet, _old -coquette_. - -BASANE, or BAZANE, _f._ (popular), _skin_, or “buff.” Tanner la ----, -_to thrash_, “to tan.” (Military) Tailler une ----, _is to make a -certain contemptuous gesture the nature of which may best be described -as follows_:-- - - Un tel, quatre jours de salle de police, ordre du - sous-officier X... a répondu à ce sous-officier en lui - taillant une bazane; la main appliquée sur la braguette du - pantalon, et lui faisant décrire une conversion à gauche, - avec le pouce pour pivot.--_Quoted by_ =L. MERLIN=, _La - Langue Verte du Troupier_. - -BAS-BLEUISME, _m._ (literary), _mania for writing_. Used in reference -to those of the fair sex. - -BASCULE, _f._ (popular), _guillotine_. - -BASCULER (popular), _to guillotine_. - -BAS-OFF, _m._ (Polytechnic School), _under-officer_. - -BASOURDIR (thieves’), _to knock down_; _to stun_; _to kill_, “to give -one his gruel.” See REFROIDIR. - -BASSE, _f._ (thieves’), _the earth_. - -BASSIN, _m._, BASSINOIRE, _f._ (familiar), _superlatively dull person_, -_a bore_. - -BASSINANT, _adj._ (familiar), _dull_, _annoying_, _boring_. - -BASSINER (familiar), _to annoy_, _to bore_. - -BASSINOIRE, _f._, _large watch_, “turnip.” See BASSIN. - -BASTA (popular), _enough_; _no more_. From the Spanish. - -BASTIMAGE (thieves’), _work_, “graft.” - -BASTRINGUE, _m._ (popular), _low dancing-hall_; _noise_, _disturbance_, -“rumpus;” (prisoners’) _a fine steel saw used by prisoners for cutting -through iron bars_. - -BASTRINGUEUSE, _f._ (popular), _female habituée of_ bastringues, _or -low dancing-saloons_. - -BATACLAN, _m._ (popular), _set of tools_; (thieves’) _house-breaking -implements_, or “jilts.” - - J’ai déjà préparé tout mon bataclan, les fausses clefs sont - essayées.--=VIDOCQ=, _Mémoires_. - -BATAILLE, _f._, (military), chapeau en ----, _cocked hat worn -crosswise_. Chapeau en colonne, _the opposite of_ “en bataille.” - -BÂTARD, _m._ (popular), _heap of anything_. - -BATE, _f._, (popular), être de la ----, _to be happy, fortunate_, _to -have_ “cocum.” - -BATEAU, _m._ (popular), mener en ----, _to swindle_, _to deceive_. -Monter un ----, _to impose upon_; _to attempt to deceive_. - -BATEAUX, _m. pl._ (popular), _shoes_, “carts;” _large shoes_; _shoes -that let in water_. - -BATEAUX-MOUCHES, _m. pl._ (popular), _large shoes_. - -BATELÉE, _f._ (popular), _concourse of people_. - -BATH, or BATE (popular), _fine_; _excellent_; _tip-top_; _very well_. -The origin of the expression is as follows:--Towards 1848 some Bath -note-paper of superior quality was hawked about in the streets of -Paris and sold at a low price. Thus “papier bath” became synonymous of -excellent paper. In a short time the qualifying term alone remained, -and received a general application. - - Un foulard tout neuf, ce qu’il y a de plus - bath!--=RICHEPIN.= - -C’est rien ----, _that is excellent_, “fizzing.” C’est ---- aux pommes, -_it is delightful_. (Thieves’) Du ----, _gold or silver_. Faire ----, -_to arrest_. - -BATIAU, _m._ (printers’), jour du ----, _day on which the compositor -makes out his account for the week_. Parler ----, _to talk shop_. - -BATIF, _m._ (thieves’), BATIVE, BATIFONNE _f._, _new_; _pretty_, or -“dimber.” La fée est bative, _the girl is pretty_, _she is a_ “dimber -mort.” - -BATIMANCHO (Breton), _wooden shoes_. - -BÂTIMENT (familiar), être du ----, _to be of a certain profession_. - -BÂTIR (popular), sur le devant, _to have a large stomach_; _to have -something like a_ “corporation” _growing upon one_. - -BÂTON, _m._ (thieves’), creux, _musket_, or “dag;” ---- de cire, _leg_; ----- de réglisse, _police officer_, “crusher,” “copper,” or “reeler;” -_priest_, or “devil dodger” (mountebanks’) ---- de tremplin, _leg_. -Properly tremplin, _a spring board_; (familiar) ---- merdeux, _man whom -it is not easy to deal with, who cannot be humoured_; (thieves’) ---- -rompu, _ticket-of-leave convict who has broken bounds_. Termed also -“canne, trique, tricard, fagot, cheval de retour.” - -BÂTONS DE CHAISE, _m. pl._ (popular), noce de ----, _grand -jollification_, “flare up,” or “break down.” - -BATOUSE, BATOUZE, _f._ (thieves’), _canvas_; ---- toute battante, _new -canvas_. - -BATOUSIER, _m._ (thieves’), _weaver_. - -BATTAGE (popular), _lie_, “gag;” _imposition_; _joke_; _humbug_; -_damage to any article_. - -BATTANT, _m._ (thieves’), _heart_, “panter;” _stomach_; _throat_, “red -lane;” _tongue_, “jibb.” Un bon ----, _a nimble tongue_. Se pousser -dans le ----, _to drink_, “to lush.” Faire trimer le ----, _to eat_. - -BATTANTE, _f._ (popular), _bell_, or “ringer.” - -BATTAQUA, _m._ (popular), _slatternly woman, dowdy_. - -BATTERIE, _f._ (popular), _action of lying, of deceiving_, “cram;” _the -teeth, throat, and tongue_; ---- douce, _joke_. (Freemasons’) Batterie, -_applause_. - -BATTEUR, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _liar, deceiver_; ---- d’antif, -_thief who informs another of a likely_ “job;” ---- de beurre, -_stockbroker_; ---- de dig dig, _thief who feigns to be seized with an -apoplectic fit in a shop so as to facilitate a confederate’s operations -by drawing the attention to himself_; (popular) ---- de flemme, _idler_. - -BATTOIR, _m._ (popular), _hand_, “flipper;” _large hand_, “mutton fist.” - -BATTRE (thieves’), _to dissemble_; _to deceive_; _to make believe_. - - Ne t inquiète pas, je battrai si bien que je défie le plus - malin de ne pas me croire emballé pour de bon.--=VIDOCQ.= - -Battre à la Parisienne, _to cheat_, “to do;” ---- à mort, _to deny_; ----- comtois, _to play the simpleton_; _to act in confederacy_; ---- -de l’œil, _to be dying_; ---- entifle, _to be a confederate_, or -“stallsman;” ---- Job, _to dissemble_; ---- l’antif, _to walk_, “to pad -the hoof;” _to play the spy_, “to nark;” ---- morasse, _to call out_ -“_Stop thief!_” “to give hot beef;” ---- en ruine, _to visit_. - - Drilles ou narquois sont des soldats qui ... battent en - ruine les entiffes et tous les creux des vergnes.--_Le - Jargon de l’Argot._ - -(Popular) Battre la muraille, _to be so drunk as_ “not to be able to -see a hole in a ladder,” _or not to be able_ “to lie down without -holding on;” ---- la semelle, _to play the vagrant_; ---- le beurre, -_to speculate on ’Change_; _to be_ “fast;” _to dissemble_; ---- le -briquet, _to be knock-kneed_; ---- sa flème, or flemme, _to be idle_, -_to be_ “niggling;” ---- son quart _is said of prostitutes who walk -the streets_. Des yeux qui se battent en duel, _squinting eyes_, or -“swivel-eyes.” S’en battre l’œil, la paupière, or les fesses, _not to -care a straw_. (Familiar) Battre son plein, _to be in all the bloom -of beauty or talent_, “in full blast;” (military) ---- la couverte, -_to sleep_; (sailors’) ---- un quart, _to invent some plausible -story_; (printers’) ---- le briquet, _to knock the type against the -composing-stick when in the act of placing it in_. - -BATTURE. See BATTERIE. - -BAUCE, BAUSSE, _m._ (popular), _master, employer_, “boss;” (thieves’) -_rich citizen_, “rag-splawger;” ---- fondu, _bankrupt employer_, -“brosier.” - -BAUCERESSE, _f._ (popular), _female employer_. - -BAUCHER (thieves’), se ----, _to deride; to make fun of_. - -BAUCOTER (thieves’), _to teaze_. - -BAUDE, _f._ (thieves’), _venereal disease_. - -BAUDROUILLARD, _m._ (thieves’), _fugitive_. - -BAUDROUILLER (thieves’), _to decamp_, “to make beef.” See PATATROT. - -BAUDROUILLER, or BAUDRU, _m._ (thieves’), _whip_. - -BAUGE, _f._ (thieves’), _box_, _chest_, or “peter;” _belly_, “tripes.” - -BAUME, _m._ (popular), d’acier, _surgeons’ and dentists’ instruments_; ----- de porte-en-terre, _poison_. - -BAUSSER (popular), _to work_, “to graft.” - -BAVARD, _m._ (popular), _barrister_, _lawyer_, “green bag;” (military) -_punishment leaf in a soldier’s book_. - -BAVARDE, _f._ (thieves’), _mouth_, “muns,” or “bone box.” - - Une main autour de son colas et l’autre dans sa bavarde - pour lui arquepincer le chiffon ronge.--=E. SUE.= - -BAVER (popular), _to talk_, “to jaw;” ---- des clignots, _to weep_, “to -nap a bib;” ---- sur quelqu’un, _to speak ill of one_, _to backbite_. -Baver, also _to chat_. The expression is old. - - Venez-y, varletz, chamberières, - Qui sçavez si bien les manières, - En disant mainte bonne bave. - - =VILLON=, 15th century. - -BAVEUX, _m._ (popular), _one who does not know what he is talking -about_. - -BAYAFE, _m._ (thieves’), _pistol_, “barking iron,” or “barker.” - -BAYAFER (thieves’), _to shoot_. - -BAZAR, _m._ (military), _house of ill-fame_, “flash drum;” (servants’) -_house where the master is particular_, “crib;” (popular) _any house_; -(prostitutes) _furniture_, “marbles;” (students) _college or school_, -“shop.” - -BAZARDER (popular), _to sell off anything, especially one’s furniture_; -_to barter_; (military) _to pillage a house; to wreck it_. - -BAZENNE, _f._ (thieves’), _tinder_. - -BÉ, _m._ (popular), _wicker-basket which rag-pickers sling to their -shoulders_. - -BÉAR, _adj._ (popular), laisser quelqu’un ----, _to leave one in the -lurch_. - -BEAU, _m._, _old term for swell_; ex-----, _superannuated swell_. - -BEAU BLOND (thieves’), _a poetical appellation for the sun_. - -BEAUCE, _f._ (thieves’), plume de ----, _straw_, or “strommel.” - -BEAUCE, _m._, BEAUCERESSE, _f._, _second-hand clothes-dealers of the -Quartier du Temple_. - -BEAUGE, _m._ (thieves’), _belly_, “guts.” - -BEAUSSE, _m._ (thieves’), _wealthy man_, “rag-splawger,” _or one who -is_ “well-breeched.” - -BÉBÉ, _m._ (popular), _stunted man_; _female dancer at fancy public -balls in the dress of an infant_; _the dress itself_; _term of -endearment_. Mon gros ----! _darling! ducky!_ - -BEC, _m._ (popular), _mouth_, “maw;” ---- salé, _a thirsty mortal_. -Claquer du ----, _to be fasting_, “to be bandied.” Rincer le ---- à -quelqu’un, _to treat one to some drink_. Se rincer le ----, _to wet -one’s whistle_. Tortiller du ----, _to eat_, “to peck.” Casser du ----, -_to have an offensive breath_. Avoir la rue du ---- mal pavée, _to have -an irregular set of teeth_. Ourler son ----, _to finish one’s work_. -(Sailors’) Se calfater le ----, _to eat or drink_, “to splice the -mainbrace.” (Thieves’) Bec de gaz, bourrique, flique, cierge, arnif, -peste, laune, vache, _police-officer or detective_, “pig,” “crusher,” -“copper,” “cossack,” “nark,” &c. - -BÉCANE, _f._ (popular), _steam engine_, “puffing billy;” _small -printing machine_. - -BÉCARRE _is the latest title for Parisian dandies_; and the term is -also used to replace the now well-worn expression “chic.” The “bécarre” -must be grave and sedate after the English model, with short hair, high -collar, small moustache and whiskers, but no beard. He must always -look thirty years of age; must neither dance nor affect the frivolity -of a floral button-hole nor any jewellery; must shake hands simply -with ladies and gravely bend his head to gentlemen. “Bécarre--being -translated--is ‘natural’ in a musical sense.”--_Graphic, Jan. 2, 1886_. -The French dandy goes also by the appellations of “cocodès, petit -crevé, pschutteux,” &c. See GOMMEUX. - -BÉCASSE, _f._ (popular), _female guy_. - - Eh! va donc, grande bécasse! - -BECFIGUE DE CORDONNIER, _m._ (popular), _goose_. - -BÊCHAGE, _m._ (familiar), _sharp criticism_. - -BÊCHER (familiar), _to criticize_, _to run down_; (popular) _to beat_, -“to bash.” Se ----, _to fight_, “to have a mill.” - -BÊCHEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _beggar_, “mumper;” _juge d’instruction_, -_a magistrate whose functions are to make out a case, and examine -a prisoner before he is sent up for trial_. Avocat ----, _public -prosecutor_. - -BÊCHEUSE, _f._ (thieves’), _female thief_. - -BÉCOT, _m._ (popular), _mouth_, “kisser;” _kiss_, “bus.” - -BÉCOTER (popular), _to kiss_; _to fondle_, “to firkytoodle.” - -BECQUANT, _m._ (thieves’), _chicken_, “cackling cheat,” or “beaker.” - -BECQUETANCE, _f._ (popular), _food_, “grub.” - -BECQUETER (popular), _to eat_, “to peck.” - - Dis-donc! viens-tu becqueter? Arrive clampin! Je paie un - canon de la bouteille.--=ZOLA.= - -BEDON, _m._ (popular), _belly_, “tripes,” or “the corporation.” - -BÉDOUIN, _m._ (popular), _harsh man_, or “Tartar;” _one of the -card-sharper tribe_. - -BEEK (Breton), _wolf_. Gwelet an euz ar beek _is equivalent to_ elle a -vu le loup, _that is, she has lost her maidenhead_. - -BEFFEUR, _m._, BEFFEUSE, _f._ (popular), _deceiver_, _one who_ “puts -on.” - -BÈGUE, _f._ (thieves’), _oats_; also abbreviation of bézigue, a certain -game of cards. - -BÉGUIN, _m._ (popular), _head_, “nut;” _a fancy_. Avoir un ---- pour -quelqu’un, “_to fancy someone_, “to cotton on to one.” - -BEIGNE, _f._ (popular), _cuff or blow_, “bang.” - -BÊLANT, _m._ (thieves’), _sheep_, “wool-bird.” - -BELÊT, _m._ (horse-dealers’), _sorry horse_, “screw.” - -BELETTE, _f._ (popular), _fifty-centime piece_. - -BELGE, _f._ (popular), _Belgian clay-pipe_. - -BELGIQUE (familiar), filer sur ----, _to abscond with contents of -cash-box_, _is said also of absconding fraudulent bankrupts, who -generally put the Belgian frontier between the police and their own -persons_. - -BÉLIER, _m._ (cads’), _cuckold_. - -BELLANDER (tramps’), _to beg_, “to cadge.” - -BELLE, _f._ (popular and familiar), attendre sa ----, _to wait one’s -opportunity_. Jouer la ----, _to play a third and decisive game_. La -perdre ----, _to lose a game which was considered as good as won_; _to -lose an opportunity_. (Thieves’) Etre servi de ----, _to be imprisoned -through mistaken identity_; _to be the victim of a false accusation_. -(Popular) Belle à la chandelle, _f._, _ugly_; ---- de nuit, _female -habituée of balls and cafés_; (familiar) ---- petite, _a young lady of -the demi-monde_, a “pretty horse-breaker.” - -BÉNARD, _m._ (popular), _breeches_, “kicks,” or “sit-upons.” - -BÉNEF, _m._, for bénéfice, _profit_. - -BÉNÉVOLE, _m._ (popular), _young doctor in hospitals_. - -BÉNI-COCO (military), être de la tribu des ----, _to be a fool_. - -BÉNI-MOUFFETARD (popular), _dweller of the Quartier Mouffetard_, _the -abode of rag-pickers_. - -BÉNIR (popular), bas, _to kick one in the lower part of the back_, “to -toe one’s bum,” “to root,” or “to land a kick;” (popular and thieves’) ----- des pieds, _to be hanged_, “to cut caper-sauce,” or “to be -scragged.” - -BÉNISSEUR, _m._ (familiar), _one who puts on a dignified and solemn -air, as if about to give his blessing, and who delivers platitudes -on virtue, &c._; _one who makes fine but empty promises_; _political -man who professes to believe, and seeks to make others believe, that -everything is for the best_. An historical illustration of this is -General Changarnier thus addressing the House on the very eve of -the Coup d’Etat which was to throw most of its members into prison, -“Représentants du peuple, délibérez en paix!” - -BENOÎT, _m._ (popular), _woman’s bully_, “ponce.” See POISSON. - - La vrai’ vérité, - C’est qu’ les Benoîts toujours lichent - Et s’graissent les balots. - Vive eul’ bataillon d’ la guiche, - C’est nous qu’est les dos. - - =RICHEPIN=, _Chanson des Gueux_. - -BENOÎTON, _m._, BENOÎTONNE, _f._, _people eccentric in their ways and -style of dress_. From a play of Sardou’s, _La Famille Benoîton_. - -BENOÎTONNER, _to live and dress after the style of the Benoîtons_ -(which see). - -BENOÎTONNERIE, _f._, _style and ways of the Benoîtons_. - -BEQ, _m._ (engravers’), _work_. - -BÉQUET, _m._ (shoemakers’), _patch of leather sewn on a boot_; (wood -engravers’) _small block_; (printers’) _a composition of a few lines_; -_paper prop placed under a forme_. - -BÉQUETER (popular), _to eat_, “to peck,” or “to grub.” - -BÉQUILLARD, _m._ (popular), _old man_, _old_ “codger;” (thieves’) -_executioner_. - -BÉQUILLARDE, _f._ (thieves’), _guillotine_. - -BÉQUILLE, _f._ (thieves’), _gallows_, “scrag.” Properly _crutch_. - -BÉQUILLÉ, _m._ (thieves’), _hanged person_, _one who has_ “cut caper -sauce.” - -BÉQUILLER (popular), _to hang_; _to eat_, “to grub.” - -BÉQUILLEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _executioner_; _man who eats_. - -BERCE. Cheval qui se ----, _horse which rocks from side to side when -trotting, which_ “wobbles.” - -BERDOUILLARD (popular), _man with a fat paunch_, “forty guts.” - -BERDOUILLE, _f._ (popular), _belly_, “tripes.” - - T’as bouffé des haricots que t’as la berdouille - gonfle.--=RICHEPIN=, _Le Pavé_. - -BERGE, _f._, or LONGE (thieves’), _year_; _one year’s imprisonment_, -“stretch.” - -BERGÈRE, _f._ (popular), _sweetheart_, “poll;” _last card in a pack_. - -BÉRIBONO, BÉRICAIN (thieves’), _silly fellow easily deceived_, a -“flat,” a “go along.” - -BERLAUDER (popular), _to lounge about_, “to mike;” _to go the round of -all the wine-shops in the neighbourhood_. - -BERLINE DE COMMERCE, _f._ (thieves’), _tradesman’s clerk_. - -BERLU, _m._ (thieves’), _blind_, or “hoodman.” From avoir la berlue, -_to see double_. - -BERLUE, _f._ (thieves’), _blanket_, “woolly.” - -BERNARD, _m._ (popular), aller voir ----, or aller voir comment se -porte madame ----, _to ease oneself_, “to go to Mrs. Jones.” - -BERNARDS, _m. pl._ (popular), _posteriors_, “cheeks.” - -BERNIQUER (popular), _to go away with the intention of not returning_. - -BERRI, _m._ (popular), _rag-picker’s basket_. - -BERRY, _m._ (Ecole Polytechnique), _fatigue tunic_. - -BERTELO, _m._ (thieves’), _one-franc piece_. - -BERTRAND, _m._ (familiar), _a swindler who is swindled by his -confederates, who acts as a cat’s-paw of other rogues_. - -BERZÉLIUS, _m._ (college), _watch_. - -BESOIN, _m._ (popular), autel de ----, _house of ill-fame_, or -“nanny-shop.” - -BESOUILLE, _f._ (thieves’), _belt_. From bezzi, Italian, _small coin -kept in a belt_. - -BESSONS, _m. pl._ (popular), _the breasts_, “dairies.” Properly _twins_. - -BESTIASSE, _f._ (popular), _arrant fool_; _dullard_, “buffle-head.” - -BÊTE, _f. and adj._ (thieves’), _confederate in a swindle at -billiards_. See BACHOTTER. (Popular) ---- à bon Dieu, _harmless person_ -(properly _lady-bird_); ---- à cornes, _fork_; _lithographic press_; ----- à deux fins, _walking-stick_; ---- à pain, _a man_; _also a man -who keeps a woman_; ---- comme ses pieds, _arrant fool_; ---- comme -chou, _extremely stupid_; _very easy_; ---- épaulée, _girl who has lost -her maidenhead_ (this expression has passed into the language). Une ----- rouge, _an advanced Republican, a Radical_. Thus termed by the -Conservatives. Called also “démoc-soc.” - -BÊTISES, _f. pl._ (popular), _questionable_, or “blue,” _talk_. - -BETTANDER (thieves’), _to beg_, “to mump,” or “cadge.” - -BETTERAVE, _f._ (popular), _drunkard’s nose_, _a nose with_ “grog -blossoms,” _or a_ “copper nose,” _such as is possessed by an_ “admiral -of the red.” - -BEUGLANT, _m._ (familiar), _low music hall_; _music hall_. - -BEUGLER (popular), _to weep_, “to nap one’s bib.” - -BEUGNE, _f._ (popular), _blow_, “clout,” “bang,” or “wipe.” - -BEURLOQUIN, _m._ (popular), _proprietor of boot warehouse of a very -inferior sort_. - -BEURLOT, _m._ (popular), _shoemaker in a small way_. - -BEURRE, _m._ (familiar), _coin_, “oof;” _more or less lawful gains_. -Faire son ----, _to make considerable profits_. Mettre du ---- dans -ses épinards, _to add to one’s means_. Y aller de son ----, _to make -a large outlay of money in some business_. C’est un ----, _it is -excellent_, “nobby.” Avoir l’assiette au Beurre. See AVOIR. Au prix où -est le ----. See AU. Avoir du ---- sur la tête. See AVOIR. - -BEURRE DEMI-SEL, _m._ (popular), _girl or woman already tainted_, _in a -fair way of becoming a prostitute_. - -BEURRIER, _m._ (thieves’), _banker_, “rag-shop cove.” - -BÉZEF (popular), _much_. From the Arabic. - -BIARD (thieves’), _side_. Probably from biais. - -BIBARD, _m._ (popular), _drunkard_, or “mop;” _debauchee_, or “sad dog.” - -BIBARDER (popular), _to grow old_. - -BIBARDERIE, _f._ (popular), _old age_. - -BIBASSE, BIRBASSE, _adj. and subst._, _f._ (popular), _old_; _old -woman_. - - Moi j’suis birbass’, j’ai b’soin d’larton. - - =RICHEPIN=, _Chanson des Gueux_. - -BIBASSERIE. See BIBARDERIE. - -BIBASSIER, _m._ (popular), _sulky grumbler_; _over-particular man_; -_drunkard_, “bubber,” or “lushington.” - -BIBELOT (familiar), _any object_; (soldiers’) _belongings_; _knapsack -or portmanteau_; (printers’) _sundry small jobs_. Properly _any small -articles of artistic workmanship_; _knick-knacks_. - -BIBELOTER (popular), _to sell one’s belongings_, _one’s_ “traps;” ---- -une affaire, _to do some piece of business_. Se ----, _to make oneself -comfortable_; _to do something to one’s best advantage_. - -BIBELOTEUR, _m._ (familiar), _a lover of knick-knacks_; _one who -collects knick-knacks_. - -BIBELOTIER, _m._, _printers’ man who works at sundry small jobs_. - -BIBI, _m._ (popular), _term of endearment generally addressed to young -boys_; _woman’s bonnet out of fashion_. C’est pour ----, _that’s for -me_, _for_ “number one.” La Muse à ----, _the title of a collection -of poems by Gill_, literally _my own muse_. A ----! (printers’) -_to Bedlam!_ abbreviation of Bicêtre, _Paris depôt for lunatics_. -(Thieves’) Bibi, _skeleton key_, or “betty;” (military) _infantry -soldier_, “mud-crusher,” “wobbler,” or “beetle-crusher.” - -BIBINE, _f._, _the name given by rag-pickers to a wine-shop_, or -“boozing-ken.” - -BIBOIRE, _f._, (schoolboys’), _small leather or india-rubber cup_. - -BIBON, _m._ (popular), _disreputable old man_. - -BICARRÉ, _m._ (college), _fourth year pupil in the class for higher -mathematics_. - -BICEPS, _m._ (familiar), avoir du ----, _to be strong_. Tâter le ----, -_to try and insinuate oneself into a person’s good graces_, “to suck -up.” - -BICH, KORNIK, or KUBIK (Breton), _devil_. - -BICHE, _f._ (familiar), _term of endearment_, “ducky!”; _girl leading a -gay life_, or “pretty horse-breaker.” - -BICHEGANEGO (Breton), _potatoes_. - -BICHER (popular), _to kiss_. (Rodfishers’) Ça biche, _there’s a bite_; -and in popular language, _all right_. - -BICHERIE, _f._ (familiar), _the world of_ “biches” or “cocottes.” Haute -----, _the world of fashionable prostitutes_. - - C’est là où ... on voit défiler avec un frou-frou de soie, - la haute et la basse bicherie en quête d’une proie, quærens - quem devoret.--=FRÉBAULT=, _La Vie à Paris_. - -BICHON, _m._, _term of endearment_. Mon ----! _darling_. (Popular) Un -----, _a Sodomist_. - -BICHONNER COCO (soldiers’), _to groom one’s horse_. - -BICHONS, _m. pl._ (popular), _shoes with bows_. - -BICHOT, _m._ (thieves’), _bishop_. Probably from the English. - -BIDACHE, _f._ See BIDOCHE. - -BIDARD, _m._ (popular), _lucky_. - -BIDET, _m._ (convicts’), _string which is contrived so as to enable -prisoners to send a letter, and receive the answer by the same means_. - -BIDOCHE, or BARBAQUE, _f._ (popular), _meat_, “bull;” (military) _piece -of meat_. - -BIDON DE ZINC, _m._ (military), _blockhead_. Properly _a can_, _flask_. - -BIDONNER (popular), _to drink freely_, “to swig;” (sailors’) ---- à la -cambuse, _to drink at the canteen_, “to splice the mainbrace.” - -BIE (Breton cant), _beer_; _water_. - -BIEN (popular), pansé, _intoxicated_, “screwed.” Mon ----, _my -husband_, or “old man;” _my wife_, or “old woman.” Etre du dernier ----- avec, _to be on the most intimate terms with_. Etre ----, _to -be tipsy_, “screwed.” Etre en train de ---- faire, _to be eating_. -Un homme ----, une femme ----, _means a person of the middle class_; -_well-dressed people_. - -BIENSÉANT, _m._ (popular), _the behind_, or “tochas.” See VASISTAS. - -BIER (thieves’), _to go_. - - Ils entrent dans le creux, doublent de la batouze, des - limes, de l’artie et puis doucement happent le taillis - et bient attendre ceux qui se portaient sur le grand - trimar.--_Le Jargon de l’Argot._ - -BIÈRE, _f._ (popular), _domino box_. - -BIFFE, _f._ (popular), _rag-pickers’ trade_. - -BIFFER (popular), _to ply the rag-pickers’ trade_; _to eat greedily_, -“to wolf.” - -BIFFETON, _m._ (thieves’), _letter_, “screeve,” or “stiff;” (popular) -_counter-mark at theatres_. Donner sur le ----, _to read an -indictment_; _to give information as to the prisoner’s character_. - -BIFFIN, or BIFIN, _m._ (popular), _rag-picker_, or “bone-grubber;” -_a foot soldier_, or “wobbler,” his knapsack being assimilated to a -rag-picker’s basket. - -BIFFRE, _m._ (popular), _food_, “grub.” Passer à ----, _to eat_. Passer -à ---- à train express, _to bolt down one’s food_, “to guzzle.” - -BIFTECK, _m._ (popular), à maquart, _filthy_, “chatty” _individual_ -(Maquart is the name of a knacker); ---- de chamareuse, _flat sausage_ -(chamareuse, _a working girl_); ---- de grisette, _flat sausage_. Faire -du ----, _to strike_, “to clump;” _to ride a hard trotting horse, which -sometimes makes one’s breech raw_. - -BIFTECKIFÈRE, _adj._, _that which procures one’s living_, _one’s_ -“bread and cheese.” - -BIFURQUÉ. At the colleges of the University students may, after the -course of “troisième,” take up science and mathematics instead of -continuing the classics. This is called bifurcation. - -BIGARD, _m._ (thieves’), _hole_. - -BIGARDÉ (thieves’), _pierced_. - -BIGE, BIGEOIS, BIGEOT, _m._ (thieves’), _blockhead_, “go along;” -_dupe_, or “gull.” - -BIGORNE, _m._ (thieves’), jaspiner or rouscailler ----, _to talk cant_, -“to patter flash.” - -BIGORNEAU, _m._ (popular), _police officer_, or “crusher;” _marine_, or -“jolly.” - -BIGORNIAU, _m._ (popular), _native of Auvergne_. - -BIGORNION, _m._ (popular), _falsehood_, “swack up.” - -BIGOTER (thieves’), _to play the religious hypocrite_. - -BIGOTEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _devout person_. - -BIGOTTER, (popular), _to pray_. - -BIGREMENT (familiar), a forcible expression, _extremely_, “awfully.” - -BIJOU, _m._ (popular), _broken victuals_, or “manablins;” (freemasons’) -_badge_; ---- de loge, _badge worn on the left side_; ---- de l’ordre, -_emblem_. - -BIJOUTER (thieves’), _to steal jewels_. - -BIJOUTERIE, _f._ (popular), _money advanced on wages_, “dead-horse.” - -BIJOUTIER, _m._, BIJOUTIÈRE, _f._ (popular), _retailer of_ “arlequins” -(which see); bijoutier sur le genou, en cuir, _shoemaker_, or “snob.” - -BILBOQUET, _m._ (popular), _person with a large head_; _man who is -made fun of_; _a laughing-stock_; _a litre bottle of wine_. Bilboquet, -properly _cup and ball_. (Printers’) _sundry small jobs_. - -BILLANCER (thieves’), _to serve one’s full term of imprisonment_. - -BILLANCHER (popular), _to pay_, “to fork out,” “to shell out.” - -BILLARD, _m._ (popular), dévisser son, _to die_, or “to kick the -bucket.” - -BILLE, _f._ (thieves), _money_, or “pieces” (from billon); (popular) -_head_, “tibby,” “block,” “nut,” “canister,” “chump,” “costard,” -“attic,” &c.; ---- à châtaigne, _grotesque head_ (it is the practice in -France to carve chestnuts into grotesque heads); ---- de billard, _bald -pate_, “bladder of lard;” ---- de bœuf, _chitterling_. - -BILLEMON, BILLEMONT, _m._ (thieves’), _bank-note_, “soft,” “rag,” or -“flimsy.” - -BILLEOZ (Breton), _money_. - -BILLEOZI (Breton), _to pay_. - -BILLER (thieves’), _to pay_, “to dub.” - -BILLET, _m._ (popular), direct pour Charenton, _absinthe taken neat_. -Prendre un ---- de parterre, _to fall_, “to come a cropper.” Je vous -en fous or fiche mon ----, _I assure you it is a fact_, “on my Davy,” -“’pon my sivvy,” or “no flies.” - -BILLEZ (Breton), _girl_; _peasant woman_. - -BINCE, _m._ (thieves’), _knife_, “chive.” - - Malheur aux pantres de province, - Souvent lardé d’un coup de bince, - Le micheton nu se sauvait. - - =RICHEPIN=, _Gueux de Paris_. - -BINELLE, _f._ (popular), _bankruptcy_. - -BINELLIER, _m._ (popular), _bankrupt_, “brosier.” - -BINELLOPHE, _f._ (popular), _fraudulent bankruptcy_. - -BINETTE, _f._ (familiar), _face_, “phiz;” ---- à la désastre, _gloomy -face_. Prendre la ---- à quelqu’un, _to take one’s portrait_. Quelle -sale ----, _what an ugly face!_ _a regular_ “knocker face.” Une drôle -de ----, _queer face_. - -BINÔMES, _chums working together at the Ecole Polytechnique_. It is -customary for students to pair off for work. - -BINWIO (Breton), _male organs of generation_. Literally _tools_. - -BIQUE, _f._ (popular), _old horse_; ---- et bouque, _hermaphrodite_ -(equivalent to “chèvre et bouc”). - -BIRBADE, BIRBASSE, BIRBE, BIRBETTE, BIRBON, _m. and adj._ (thieves’ and -popular), _old_; _old man_; _old woman_. - -BIRBASSIER. See BIBASSIER. - -BIRBE (popular), _old man_, _old_ “codger;” (thieves’) ---- dab, -_grandfather_. - -BIRBETTE, _m._ (popular), _a very old man_. - -BIRIBI, _m._ (thieves’), _short crowbar used by housebreakers_, -“James,” “the stick,” or “jemmy.” Termed also “pince monseigneur, -rigolo, l’enfant, Jacques, sucre de pomme, dauphin.” - -BIRLIBI, _m._ (thieves’), _game played by swindling gamblers with -walnut shells and dice_. - -BIRMINGHAM (familiar), rasoir de ---- (superlative of rasoir), _bore_. - -BISARD, _m._ (thieves’), _bellows_ (from bise, _wind_). - -BISCAYE (thieves’), _Bicêtre, a prison_. - -BISCAYEN (thieves’), _madman_, _one who is_ “balmy.” (Bicêtre has a -dépôt for lunatics.) - -BISCHOFF, _m._ _drink prepared with white wine, lemon, and sugar_. - -BISCOPE, or VISCOPE, _f._ (cads’), _cap_. - - La viscope en arrière et la trombine au vent, - L’œil marlou, il entra chez le zingue. - - =RICHEPIN=, _Gueux de Paris_. - -BISER (familiar), _to kiss_. - -BISMARCK, couleur ----, _brown colour_; ---- en colère, ---- malade, -_are various shades of brown_. - -BISMARCKER (gamesters’), _to mark twice_; _to appropriate by fair or -foul means_. It is to be presumed this is an allusion to Bismarck’s -alleged summary ways of getting possession of divers territories. - -BISQUANT, _adj._ (popular), _provoking_, _annoying_. - -BISSARD, _m._ (popular), _brown bread_. - -BISTOURNÉ, _m._ (popular), _hunting horn_. - -BISTRO, BISTROT, _m._ (popular), _landlord of wine-shop_. - -BITTE ET BOSSE (sailors’), _carousing exclamation_. - - Laisse arriver! voiles largues, et remplissez les - boujarons, vous autres! Tout à la noce! Bitte et - bosse!--=RICHEPIN=, _La Glu_. - -BITTER CUIRASSÉ, _m._ (familiar), _mixture of bitters and curaçoa_. - -BITUME, _m._ _foot-pavement_. Demoiselle du ----, _street-walker_. -Faire le ----, _to walk the street_. Fouler, or polir le ----, _to -saunter on the boulevard_. - -BITUMER _is said of women who walk the streets_. - -BITURE, _f._ (familiar), _excessive indulgence in food or drink_, -“scorf.” - -BITURER (popular), se ----, _to indulge in a_ “biture” (which see). - -BLACKBOULAGE, _m._ (familiar), _blackballing_. - -BLACKBOULER (familiar), _to blackball_. The expression has now a wider -range, and is used specially in reference to unreturned candidates -to Parliament. Un blackboulé du suffrage universel, _an unreturned -candidate_. - -BLAFARD (cads’), _silver coin_. - - Il avait vu sauter une pièce de cent sous, - Se cognant au trottoir dans un bruit de cymbales, - Un écu flambant neuf, un blafard de cinq balles. - - =RICHEPIN=, _Chanson des Gueux_. - -BLAFARDE (cads’), _death_. - -BLAGUE, _f._ Literally _facility of speech, not of a very high order_; -_talk_; _humbug_; _fib_; _chaff_; _joke_. Avoir de la ----, _to have -a ready tongue_. N’avoir que la ----, _to be a facile utterer of -empty words_. Avoir la ---- du métier, _to be an adept in showing off -knowledge of things relating to one’s profession_. Nous avons fait -deux heures de ----, _we talked together for two hours_. Pas de ----! -_none of your nonsense_; _let us be serious_. Pousser une ----, _to -cram up_; _to joke_. Sans ----, _I am not joking_. Une bonne ----, _a -good joke_; _a good story_. Une mauvaise ----, _a bad, ill-natured -joke_; _bad trick_. Quelle ----, _what humbug! what a story!_ Ne faire -que des blagues _is said of a literary man whose productions are of no -importance_. (Popular) Blague sous l’aisselle! _no more humbugging! I -am not joking!_ ---- dans le coin! _joking apart_; _seriously_. - -BLAGUER (familiar), _to chat_; _to talk_; _to joke_; _not to be in -earnest_; _to draw the long-bow_; _to quiz_, _to chaff_, _to humbug -one_, “to pull the leg;” _to make a jaunty show of courage_. Tu blagues -tout le temps, _you talk all the time_. Il avait l’air de blaguer mais -il n’était pas à la noce, _he made a show of bravery, but he was far -from being comfortable_. - -BLAGUES À TABAC, _f._ (popular), _withered bosoms_. - -BLAGUEUR, BLAGUEUSE (familiar), _humbug; story-teller; one who rails -at_, _scoffer_. - -BLAICHARD (popular), _clerk_, or “quill-driver.” - - Et les ouvriers en vidant à midi une bonne chopine, la - trogne allumée, les regards souriants, se moquent des - déjetés, des blaichards.--=RICHEPIN=, _Le Pavé_. - -BLAIR, BLAIRE, _m._ (popular), _nose_, “boko,” “smeller,” “snorter,” or -“conk.” Se piquer le ----, _to get tipsy_. See SE SCULPTER. - - Si les prop’ à rien... - Ont l’droit de s’piquer l’blaire, - Moi qu’ai toujours à faire... - J’peux boire un coup d’bleu. - - =RICHEPIN=, _Chanson des Gueux_. - -BLAIREAU, _m._ (military), _recruit_, or “Johnny raw;” _a broom_; -_foolish young man who aspires to literary honours and who squanders -his money in the company of journalistic Bohemians_. - -BLANC, _m._ (popular), _street-walker_; _white wine_; _white brandy_; -_one-franc piece_. (Printers’) Jeter du ----, _to interline_. -(Thieves’) N’être pas ----, _to have a misdeed on one’s conscience_; -_to be liable to be_ “wanted.” (Military) Faire faire ---- à quelqu’un -de sa bourse, _to draw freely on another’s purse_; _to live at -another’s expense in a mean and paltry manner_, “to spunge.” (Familiar) -Blanc, _one of the Legitimist party_. The appellation used to be given -in 1851 to Monarchists or Bonapartists. - - Enfin pour terminer l’histoire, - De mon bœuf blanc ne parlons plus. - Je veux le mener à la foire, - A qui le veut pour dix écus. - De quelque sot fait-il l’affaire, - Je le donne pour peu d’argent, - Car je sais qu’en France on préfère - Le rouge au blanc. - - =PIERRE BARRÈRE=, 1851. - -BLANCHEMONT, _m._ (thieves’), pivois de ----, _white wine_. - -BLANCHES, _f. pl._ (printers’). The different varieties of type are: -“blanches, grasses, maigres, allongées, noires, larges, ombrées, -perlées, l’Anglaise, l’Américaine, la grosse Normande.” - -BLANCHI, _adj._ (popular), mal ----, _negro_, or “darkey.” - -BLANCHIR (journalists’), _to make many breaks in one’s manuscript_, -_much fresh-a-lining_. - -BLANCHISSEUR, _m._ (popular), _barrister_; (literary) _one who revises -a manuscript_, _who gives it the proper literary form._ - -BLANCHISSEUSE DE TUYAUX DE PIPE (popular), _variety of prostitute_. See -GADOUE. - -BLANC-PARTOUT, _m._ (popular), _pastry-cook’s boy_. - - Plus généralement connu sous le nom de gâte-sauce, désigné - aussi sous le nom de blanc-partout, le patronnet est ce - petit bout d’homme que l’on rencontre environ tous les cinq - cents pas.--=RICHEPIN=, _Le Pavé_. - -BLANCS, _m. pl._ (familiar), d’Eu, _partisans of the D’Orléans family_; ----- d’Espagne, _Carlists_. - -BLANC-VILAIN, _m._ (popular), _man whose functions consist in throwing -poisoned meat to wandering dogs_. - -BLANQUETTE, _f._ (thieves’), _silver coin_; _silver plate_. - - Il tira de sa poche onze couverts d’argent et deux montres - d’or qu’il posa sur le guéridon. 400 balles tout cela, - ce n’est pas cher, les bogues d’Orient et la blanquette, - allons aboule du carle.--=VIDOCQ=, _Mémoires_. - -BLANQUETTER (thieves’), _to silver_. - -BLANQUETTIER (thieves’), _silverer_. - -BLARD, or BLAVARD, _m._ (thieves’), _shawl_. - -BLASÉ, E, _adj._ (thieves’), _swollen_. From the German blasen, _to -blow_. - -BLAVE, BLAVIN, _m._ (thieves’), _handkerchief_, “muckinger” (from the -old word blave, _blue_); _necktie_, “neckinger.” - -BLAVIN, _m._ (thieves’), _pocket-pistol_, “pops.” An allusion to -blavin, _pocket-handkerchief_. - -BLAVINISTE, _m._ (thieves’), _pickpocket who devotes his attention to -handkerchiefs_, “stook hauler.” - -BLÉ, BLÉ BATTU, _m._ (popular), _money_, “loaver.” - -BLÈCHE, _adj._, _middling_; _bad_; _ugly_. Faire banque ----, _not to -get any pay_. Faire ----, _to make a_ “bad” _at a game, such as the -game of fives for instance_. - -BLEU, _m._ (military), _recruit_, or “Johnny raw;” _new-comer at the -cavalry school of Saumur_; (thieves’) _cloak_; _also name given to -Republican soldiers by the Royalist rebels of Brittany in 1793_. After -1815 the Monarchists gave the appellation to Bonapartists. (Popular) -Petit ----, _red wine_. Avoir un coup d’----, _to be slightly tipsy_, -“elevated.” See POMPETTE. - - Quand j’siffle un canon... - C’est pas pour faire l’pantre. - C’est qu’ j’ai plus d’cœur au ventre... - Après un coup d’bleu. - - =RICHEPIN=, _Chanson des Gueux_. - -(Familiar) Bleu, _adj._ _astounding_; _incredible_; _hard to stomach_. -En être ----; en bailler tout ----; en rester tout ----, _to be -stupefied, much annoyed or disappointed_, “to look blue;” _to be -suddenly in a great rage_. (Theatrical) Etre ----, _to be utterly -worthless_. - -BLEUE (familiar), elle est ---- celle-là; en voilà une de ----; je la -trouve ----, _refers to anything incredible, disappointing, annoying, -hard to stomach_. Une colère ----, _violent rage_. - -BLÉZIMARDER (theatrical), _to interrupt an actor_. - -BLOC, _m._, _military cell_, _prison_, “mill,” “Irish theatre,” -“jigger.” - -BLOCKAUS, _m._ (military), _shako_. - -BLOND, _m._ (popular), beau ----, _man who is neither fair nor -handsome_; (thieves’) _the sun_. - -BLONDE, _f._ (popular), _bottle of white wine_; _sweetheart_, -or “jomer;” _glass of ale at certain cafés_, “brune” _being the -denomination for porter_. - -BLOQUÉ, _adj._ (printers’), être ---- à la banque, _to receive no pay_. - -BLOQUER (military), _to imprison_, _confine_; (popular) _to sell_, _to -forsake_; (printers’) _to replace temporarily one letter by another_, -_to use a_ “turned sort.” - -BLOQUIR (popular), _to sell_. - -BLOT, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _price_; _affair_; _concern in -anything_; _share_, or “_whack_.” Ça fait mon ----, _that suits me_. -Nib dans mes blots, _that is not my affair_; _that does not suit me_. - - L’turbin c’est bon pour qui qu’est mouche, - A moi, il fait nib dans mes blots. - - =RICHEPIN=, _Chanson des Gueux_. - -BLOUMARD, _m._, BLOUME, _f._ (popular), _hat_, “tile.” - -BLOUSE, _f._ (familiar), _the working classes_. Mettre quelqu’un dans -la ----, _to imprison, or cause one to fall into a snare_. Une blouse -is properly _a billiard pocket_. - -BLOUSIER, _m._ (familiar), _cad_, “rank outsider.” - -BOBE, _m._ (thieves’), _watch_, “tattler.” Faire le ----, _to ease a -drunkard of his watch_, “to claim a canon’s red toy.” - -BOBÊCHON, _m._ (popular), _head_, “nut.” Se monter le ----, _to be -enthusiastic_. - -BOBELINS, _m. pl._ (popular), _boots_, “hock-dockies,” or -“trotter-cases.” See RIPATONS. - -BOBINASSE, _f._ (popular), _head_, “block.” - -BOBINE, _f._ (popular), _face_, “mug,” (old word bobe, _grimace_). Une -sale ----, _ugly face_. Plus de fil sur la ----. See AVOIR. Se ficher -de la ---- à quelqu’un, _to laugh at one_. - - Un cocher passe, je l’appelle, - Et j’lui dis: dites donc l’ami; - V’là deux francs, j’prends vot’ berline - Conduisez-moi Parc Monceau. - Deux francs! tu t’fiches d’ma bobine, - Va donc, eh! fourneau! - - _Parisian Song_. - -BOBINO. See BOBE. - -BOBONNE, for bonne, _nursery-maid_; _servant girl_, or “slavey.” - -BOBOSSE, _f._ (popular), _humpback_, “lord.” - -BOBOTTIER, _m._ (popular), _one who complains apropos of nothing_. From -bobo, _a slight ailment_. - -BOC, _m._ (popular), _house of ill-fame_, “nanny-shop.” - -BOCAL, _m._ (popular), _lodgings_, “crib;” _stomach_, “bread basket.” -Se coller quelque chose dans le ----, _to eat_. Se rincer le ----, _to -drink_, “to wet one’s whistle.” (Thieves’) Bocal, _pane_, _glass_. - -BOCARD, _m._ (popular), _café_; _house of ill-fame_, “nanny-shop;” ---- -panné, _small coffee-shop_. - -BOCARI, _m._ (thieves’), _the town of Beaucaire_. - -BOCHE, _m._ (popular), _rake_, “rip,” “molrower,” or “beard splitter.” -Tête de ----, _an expression applied to a dull-witted person_. -Literally _wooden head_. Also _a German_. - -BOCKER (familiar), _to drink bocks_. - -BOCOTTER, _to grumble_; _to mutter_. Literally _to bleat like a_ -bocquotte, _goat_. - -BOCQUE, BOGUE, _m._ (thieves’), _watch_, “tattler.” - -BOCSON (common), _house of ill-fame_, “nanny-shop;” (thieves’) -_lodgings_, “dossing-ken.” - - Montron ouvre ta lourde, - Si tu veux que j’aboule - Et piausse en ton bocson. - - =VIDOCQ=, _Mémoires_. - -BŒUF, _m._ (popular), _king of playing cards_; _shoemaker’s workman, -or journeyman tailor, who does rough jobs_. Avoir son ----, _to get -angry_, “to nab the rust.” Etre le ----, _to work without profit_. Se -mettre dans le ----, _to be reduced in circumstances_, an allusion to -bœuf bouilli, very plain fare. (Printers’) Bœuf, _composition of a few -lines done for an absentee_. Bœuf, _adj._, _extraordinary_, “stunning;” -_enormous_; synonymous of “chic” at the Ecole Saint-Cyr; (cads’) -_pleasant_. - -BŒUFIER, _m._ (popular), _man of choleric disposition_, _one prone_ “to -nab his rust.” - -BOFFETE, _f._, _box on the ear_, “buck-horse.” From the old word buffet. - -BOG, or BOGUE, _f._ (thieves’), _watch_; ---- en jonc, ---- d’orient, -_gold watch_, “red ’un,” or “red toy;” ---- en plâtre, _silver watch_, -“white ’un.” - - J’enflaque sa limace. - Son bogue, ses frusques, ses passes. - - =VIDOCQ.= - -BOGUISTE (thieves’), _watch-maker_. - -BOIRE (printers’), de l’encre _is said of one who on joining a party -of boon companions finds all the liquor has been disposed of_. He will -then probably exclaim, - - Est-ce que vous croyez que je vais boire de - l’encre?--=BOUTMY.= - -(Familiar) ---- dans la grande tasse, _to be drowned_; (actors’) ---- -du lait, _to obtain applause_; ---- une goutte, _to be hissed_, “to be -goosed.” - -BOIS, _m._ (cads’), pourri, _tinder_; (thieves’) ---- tortu, _vine_. -(Theatrical) Avoir du ----, or mettre du ----, _to have friends -distributed here and there among the spectators, whose applause excites -the enthusiasm of the audience. Literally to put on fuel_. - -BOISSEAU, _m._ (popular), _shako_; _tall hat_, “chimney pot.” For -synonyms see TUBARD; _litre wine bottle_. - -BOISSONNER (popular), _to drink heavily_, “to swill.” - -BOISSONNEUR (popular), _assiduous frequenter of wine-shop_, a -“lushington.” - -BOISSONNIER (popular), _one who drinks heavily_, a “lushington.” - -BOÎTE, _f._ (familiar and popular), _mean house, lodging-house, or -restaurant_; _trading establishment managed in an unbusiness-like -manner_; _one’s employer’s establishment_; _workshop_; _crammer’s -establishment_; _disorderly household_; _carriage_, or “trap;” ---- à -cornes, _hat or cap_; ---- à dominos, _coffin_, “cold meat box;” ---- -à gaz, _stomach_; ---- à surprises, _the head of a learned man_; ---- -à violon, _coffin_; ---- au sel, _head_, “tibby;” ---- aux cailloux, -_prison_, “stone-jug;” ---- d’échantillons, _latrine tub_; (thieves’) ----- à Pandore, _box containing soft wax for taking imprints of -keyholes_; (military) _guard-room_, “jigger;” ---- aux réflexions, -_cells_. Boulotter de la ----, coucher à la ----, _to get frequently -locked up_. Grosse ----, _prison_. (Printers) Boîte, _printer’s shop, -and more particularly one of the inferior sort_. - - “C’est une boîte,” dit un vieux singe; “il y a toujours - mèche, mais hasard! au bout de la quinzaine, banque blèche.” - -Faire sa ----, _to distribute into one’s case_. Pilleur de ----, or -fricoteur, _one who takes on the sly type from fellow compositor’s -case_. - -BOITER (popular), des calots, _to squint_, _to be_ “boss-eyed;” -(thieves’) ---- des chasses, _to squint_, _to be_ “squinny-eyed.” - -BOLÉRO, _m._ (familiar), _a kind of lady’s hat, Spanish fashion_. - -BOLIVAR, _m._ (popular), _hat_, “tile.” - -BOMBE, _f._ (popular), _wine measure, about half a litre_; (military) ----- de vieux oint, _bladder of lard_. Gare la ----! _look out for -squalls!_ - -BOMBÉ, _m._ (popular), _hunchback_, “lord.” - -BON, _man to be relied on in any circumstance_; _one who is_ “game;” -_man wanted by the police_. Etre le ----, _to be arrested, or the -right man_. Vous êtes ---- vous! _you amuse me! well, that’s good!_ -(Printers’) Bon, _proof which bears the author’s intimation_, “bon -à tirer,” _for press_. Avoir du ----, _to have some composition not -entered in one’s account, and reserved for the next_. (Familiar) -Bon jeune homme, _candid young man_, in other terms _greenhorn_; -(popular) ---- pour cadet _is said of a dull paper, or of an unpleasant -letter_; ---- sang de bon sang, _mild oath elicited by astonishment or -indignation_. (Popular and familiar) Etre des bons, _to be all right, -safe_. Nous arrivons à temps, nous sommes des bons. Le ---- endroit, -_posteriors_. Donner un coup de pied juste au ---- endroit, _to kick -one’s behind_, to “hoof one’s bum.” Arriver ---- premier, _to surpass -all rivals_, “to beat hollow.” - -BONBON, _m._ (popular), _pimple_. - -BONBONNIÈRE, _f._ (popular), _latrine tub_; ---- à filous, _omnibus_. - -BONDE (thieves’), _central prison_. - -BON-DIEU (soldiers’), _sword_. (Popular) Il n’y a pas de ----, _that -is_, il n’y a pas de ---- qui puisse empêcher cela. (Convicts’) _Short -diary of fatigue parties at the hulks_. - -BONDIEUSARD, _m._ (familiar), _bigot_; _dealer in articles used for -worship in churches_. - -BONDIEUSARDISME, _f._, _bigotry_. - -BONDIEUSERIE, _f._, _article used for worship_; _dealing in such -articles_. - -BONHOMME, _m._ (thieves’), _saint_. (Familiar and popular) Un ----, -_an individual_, a “party.” Mon ----, _my good fellow_. Petit ---- de -chemin, see ALLER. - -BONICARD, _m._, BONICARDE, _f._ (thieves’), _old man, old woman_. - -BONIFACE, _m._ (popular), _simple-minded man_, “flat,” or “greenhorn.” - -BONIFACEMENT (popular), _with simplicity_. - -BONIMENT, _m._ (familiar), _puffing speech of quacks, of mountebanks, -of shopmen, of street vendors, of three-card-trick sharpers, and -generally clap-trap speech in recommendation or explanation of -anything_. Richepin, in his _Pavé_, gives a good specimen of the -“boniment” of a “maquilleur de brèmes,” or three-card-trick sharper. - - Accroupi, les doigts tripotant trois cartes au ras du sol, - le pif en l’air, les yeux dansants, un voyou en chapeau - melon glapit son boniment d’une voix à la fois traînante - et volubile:.... C’est moi qui perds. Tant pire, mon p’tit - père! Rasé, le banquier! Encore un tour, mon amour. V’là le - cœur, cochon de bonheur! C’est pour finir. Mon fond, qui - se fond. Trèfle qui gagne. Carreau, c’est le bagne. Cœur, - du beurre, pour le voyeur. Trèfle, c’est tabac! Tabac pour - papa. Qui qu’en veut? Un peu, mon neveu! La v’là. Le trèfle - gagne! Le cœur perd. Le carreau perd. Voyez la danse! Ca - recommence. Je le mets là. Il est ici, merci. Vous allez - bien? Moi aussi. Elle passe. Elle dépasse. C’est moi qui - trépasse, hélas!... Regardez bien! C’est le coup de chien. - Passé! C’est assez! Enfoncé! Il y a vingt-cinque francs au - jeu! &c. - -BONIQUE, _m._ (thieves’), _white-haired old man_. - -BONIR (thieves’), _to talk_; _to say_, “to patter;” ---- au ratichon, -_to confess to a priest_. - - Le dardant riffaudait ses lombes, - Lubre il bonissait aux palombes, - Vous grublez comme un guichemard. - - =RICHEPIN=, _Chanson des Gueux_. - -BONISSEUR, _m._, _one who makes a_ “boniment” (which see); (thieves’) -_barrister_; ---- de la bate, _witness for the defence_. - -BONJOUR, _m._ (thieves’), voleur au ----, bonjourier, or chevalier -grimpant, _thief who, at an early hour, enters a house or hotel, walks -into a room, and appropriates any suitable article_. If the person -in bed wakes up, the rogue politely apologises for his pretended -error. Other thieves of the same description commence operations at -dinner-time. They enter a dining-room, and seize the silver plate laid -out on the table. This is called “goupiner à la desserte.” - -BON MOTIF, _m._ (familiar). Faire la cour à une fille pour le ----, _to -make love to a girl with honourable intentions_. - -BONNE, _adj._ (familiar), _amusing, or the reverse_. Elle est bien -----, _what a good joke! what a joke!_ Elle est ----, celle-là! _well, -it is too bad! what next?_ (Popular) Etre à la ----, _to be loved_. -Etre de la ----, _to be lucky_. Avoir à la ----, _to like_. Bonne -fortanche, _female soothsayer_; ---- grâce, _cloth used by tailors as -wrappers_. - -BONNET, _m._, _secret covenant among printers_. - - Espèce de ligue offensive et défensive que forment quelques - compositeurs employés depuis longtemps dans une maison et - qui ont tous, pour ainsi dire la tête sous le même bonnet. - Rien de moins fraternel que le bonnet. Il fait la pluie - et le beau temps dans un atelier, distribue les mises en - page et les travaux les plus avantageux à ceux qui en font - partie.--=E. BOUTMY=, _Argot des Typographes_. - -(Thieves’) ---- carré, _judge_, or “cove with the jazey;” ---- vert -à perpète, _one sentenced to penal servitude for life_, or “lifer;” -(popular) ---- de coton, _lumbering, weak man_, or “sappy;” _mean -man_, or “scurf;” ---- de nuit sans coiffe, _man of a melancholy -disposition_, or “croaker;” ---- d’évêque, _rump of a fowl_, or -“parson’s nose.” (Familiar) Bonnet, _small box at theatres_; ---- -jaune, _twenty-franc coin_; (military) ---- de police, _recruit_, or -“Johnny raw.” - -BONNETEAU, _m._, jeu de ----, _card-sharping game_; _three-card trick_. - -BONNETEUR, _m._, _card-sharper_, or “broadsman.” - -BONNICHON, _m._ (popular), _working girl’s cap_. - -BONO (popular), _good_, _middling_. - -BONS, _m._ (military), la sonnerie des ---- de tabac, (ironical) -_trumpet call for those confined to barracks_. - -BORDÉ (cocottes’), être ----, _to have renounced the pleasures of -love_, “_sua sponte_,” _or otherwise_. Literally _to be lying in bed -with the bed-clothes tucked in_. - -BORDÉE, _f._ (familiar and popular), _unlawful absence_. Tirer -une ----, _to absent oneself for some amusement of a questionable -character_; _to go_ “on the booze.” - - La paie de grande quinzaine emplissait le trottoir d’une - bousculade de gouapeurs tirant une bordée.--=ZOLA.= - -Bordée de coups de poings, _rapid delivery of blows_, or “fibbing.” - -BORDEL, _m._ (popular), _small faggot_; _tools_; ---- ambulant, -_hackney coach_. - -BORDELIER (popular), _libertine_, “molrower,” or “mutton-monger.” - -BORGNE, _m._ (cads’), _breech_, or “blind cheek;” _ace of cards_; ---- -de cœur, _ace of hearts_, “pig’s eye.” - -BORGNER (cads’), _to look_. - -BORGNIAT (popular), _one-eyed man_, “boss-eyed.” - -BORNE DE VIEUX OINT, _f._ (popular), _bladder of lard_. - -BOS (Breton), _well_; _well done!_ - -BOSCO, BOSCOT, BOSCOTTE, _stunted man or woman_; _hunchback_. - -BOSSE, _f._ (familiar), _excessive eating and drinking_; _excess of -any kind_. Se donner, se flanquer une ----, _to get a good fill_, “a -tightener.” Se faire des bosses, _to amuse oneself amazingly_. Se -donner, se flanquer une ---- de rire, _to split with laughter_. Rouler -sa ----, _to go along_. Tomber sur la ----, _to attack_, to “pitch -into.” - -BOSSELARD, _m._ (familiar), _silk hat_, “tile.” - -BOSSER (popular), _to laugh_; _to amuse oneself_. - -BOSSMAR, _m._ (thieves’), _hunchback_, “lord.” - -BOSSOIRS, _m. pl._ (sailors’), _bosoms_. Gabarit sans ----, _thin -breasts_. - -BOTTE, _f._ (popular), de neuf jours, or en gaîté, _boot out at the -sole_. Jours, literally _days_, _chinks_. Du jus de ----, _kicks_. -(Sailors’) Jus de ---- premier brin, _rum of the first quality_. - -BOTTER (popular), _to suit_. Ça me botte, _that just suits me, just the -thing for me_. Botter, _to kick one’s breech_, or “to toe one’s bum,” -“to root,” or “to land a kick.” - -BOTTIER (popular), _one who is fond of kicking_. - -BOUANT, _m._ (cads’), _pig_, or “angel.” From boue, _mud_. - -BOUBANE, _f._ (thieves’), _wig_, “periwinkle.” - -BOUBOUAR (Breton), _ox_; _cattle in general_. - -BOUBOUERIEN (Breton), _threshing machine_. - -BOUBOUILLE (popular), _bad cookery_. - -BOUC, _m._ (popular), _husband whose wife is unfaithful to him_, a -“cuckold.” Properly _he-goat_; (familiar) _beard on chin_, “goatee.” - -BOUCAN, _m._, _great uproar_, “shindy.” - - J’ai ma troupe, je distribue les rôles, j’organise - la claque.... J’établis la contre-partie pour les - interruptions et le boucan.--=MACÉ.= - -(Popular) Donner un ---- à quelqu’un, _to give a blow or_ “clout” _to -one_. - -BOUCANADE, _f._ (thieves’), _bribing or_ “greasing” _a witness_. Coquer -la ----, _to bribe_. Literally _to treat to drink_. In Spain wine is -inclosed in goatskins, hence the expression. - -BOUCANER (popular), _to make a great uproar_; _to stink_. - -BOUCANEUR, _m._ (popular), _one fond of women, who goes_ “molrowing,” -or a “mutton-monger.” - -BOUCANIÈRE, _f._ (popular), _woman too fond of men_. - -BOUCARD, _m._ (thieves’), _shop_, “chovey.” - -BOUCARDIER, _m._ (thieves’), _thief who breaks into shops_. - -BOUCHE-L’ŒIL, _m._ (prostitutes’), _a five, ten, or twenty-franc piece_. - -BOUCHER (thieves’), _surgeon_, “nimgimmer;” (familiar) ---- un trou, -_to pay part of debt_; (popular) ---- la lumière, _to give a kick -in the breech_, “to hoof one’s bum,” or “to land a kick.” Lumière, -properly _touch-hole_. - -BOUCHE-TROU, _m._ The best scholars in all University colleges are -allowed to compete at a yearly examination called “grand concours.” -The “bouche-trou” is one who acts as a substitute for anyone who for -some reason or other finds himself prevented from competing. (Literary) -_Literary production used as a makeshift_; (theatrical) _actor whose -functions are to act as a substitute in a case of emergency_. - -BOUCHON, _m._ (thieves’), _purse_, “skin,” or “poge;” (popular) _a -younger brother_; _bottle of wine with a waxed cork_; _quality, kind_, -“kidney.” Etre d’un bon ----, _to be an amusing, good-humoured fellow_, -or a “brick.” S’asseoir sur le ----, _to sit on the bare ground_. - -BOUCLAGE, _m._ (thieves’), _handcuffs_, or “bracelets;” _bonds_; -_imprisonment_. - -BOUCLÉ (thieves’), _imprisoned_, or “slowed.” - -BOUCLER (thieves’), _to shut_, “to dub;” _to imprison_. Bouclez la -lourde! _shut the door!_ - -BOUCLE ZOZE, _m._ (thieves’), _brown bread_. - -BOUDER (literally _to be sulky_) _is said of a player who does not -call for fresh dominoes when he has the option of doing so_; (popular) ----- à l’ouvrage, _to be lazy_; ---- au feu, _to show fear_; ---- aux -dominos, _to be minus several teeth_. - -BOUDIN, _m._ (thieves’), _bolt_; _stomach_. - -BOUDINÉ, _m._ (familiar), _swell_, or “masher.” At the time the -expression came into use, dandies sported tight or horsey-looking -clothes, which imparted to the wearer some vague resemblance with a -boudin, or _large sausage_. For list of synonymous expressions, see -GOMMEUX. - -BOUDINS, _m. pl._ (popular), _fat fingers and hands_. - -BOUEUX, _m._ (popular), _scavenger_. - -BOUFFARD, _m._ (popular), _smoker_. - -BOUFFARDE, _f._ (popular), _pipe_, or “cutty.” - -BOUFFARDER (popular), _to smoke_, to “blow a cloud.” - -BOUFFARDIÈRE, _f._ (popular), _an estaminet, that is, a café where -smoking is allowed_; _chimney_. - -BOUFFE, _f._ (popular), _box on the ear_, “buckhorse.” - -BOUFFE-LA-BALLE, _m._, _gormandizer_, _or_ “stodger;” _man with a fat, -puffed-up, dumpling face_. - -BOUFFER (military), la botte, _to be bamboozled by a woman_, in what -circumstances it is needless to say. (Popular) Bouffer, _to eat_. Se ----- le nez, _to fight_. - -BOUFFETER (popular), _to chat_. - -BOUFFEUR, _m._ (popular), de blanc, _prostitute’s bully_, “pensioner;” ----- de kilomètres, _a nickname for the “Chasseurs de Vincennes,” a -picked body of rifles who do duty as skirmishers and scouts, and who -are noted for their agility_. - -BOUFFIASSE, _m._ (popular), _man with fat, puffed-up cheeks_. - -BOUGIE, _f._ (popular), _walking-stick_; _a blind man’s stick_; ---- -grasse, _candle_. - -BOUGRE, _m._ (popular), _stalwart and plucky man, one who is_ “spry;” ----- à poils, _dauntless, resolute man_. Bon ----, _a good fellow_, a -“brick.” Mauvais ----, _man of a snarling, evil-minded disposition_. -The word is used often with a disparaging sense, Bougre de cochon, -_you dirty pig_; ---- de serin, _you ass_. Littré derives the word -bougre from Bulgarus, _Bulgarian_. The heretic Albigeois, who shared -the religious ideas of some of the Bulgarians, received the name of -“bougres.” - -BOUGREMENT (popular), _extremely_. C’est ---- difficile, _it is awfully -hard_. - -BOUI, _m._ (popular), _house of ill-fame_, “nanny-shop.” - -BOUIBOUI, BOUISBOUIS, _m._ _puppet_; _small theatre_; _low music-hall_; -_gambling place_. - -BOUIF, _m._ (popular), _conceited_ “priggish” _person_; _bad workman_. - -BOUILLABAISSE (popular), _confused medley of things, people, or -ideas_. Properly _a Provençal dish made up of all kinds of fish boiled -together, with spicy seasoning, garlic, &c._ - -BOUILLANTE, _f._ (soldiers’), _soup_. - -BOUILLIE, _f._ (popular), pour les chats, _unsuccessful undertaking_. -Faire de la ---- pour les chats, _to do any useless thing_. - -BOUILLON, _m._ (familiar and popular), _rain_; _unsold numbers of a -book or newspaper_; _financial or business losses_; ---- aveugle, _thin -broth_; ---- de canard, _water_; ---- de veau, _mild literature_; ---- -d’onze heures, _poison_; _drowning_; ---- gras, _sulphuric acid_ (an -allusion to a case of vitriol-throwing by a woman named Gras); ---- -pointu, _bayonet thrust_; _clyster_; ---- qui chauffe, _rain-cloud_. -Boire le ----, _to die_. (Fishermens’) Bouillon de harengs, _shoal of -herrings_. - -BOUILLONNER (popular), _to suffer pecuniary losses consequent on the -failure of an undertaking_; _to have a bad sale_; _to eat at a bouillon -restaurant_. - -BOUILLONNEUSE, _f._, _female who prepares bouillon at restaurants_. - -BOUILLOTE, _f._ (popular), vieille ----, _old fool_, “doddering old -sheep’s head.” - -BOUIS, _m._ (thieves’), _whip_. - -BOUISER, _to whip_, “to flush.” - -BOULAGE, _m._ (popular), _refusal_; _snub_. - -BOULANGE, _f._, for boulangerie. - -BOULANGER, _m._ (thieves’), _charcoal dealer_; _the devil_, “old -scratch,” or “Ruffin.” Le ---- qui met les damnés au four, _the devil_. -Remercier son ----, _to die_. - -BOULANGERS, _m. pl._ (military), _formerly military convicts_ (an -allusion to their light-coloured vestments). - -BOULE, _f._ (popular), _head_, “block.” Avoir la ---- détraquée, à -l’envers, _to be crazy_, “wrong in the upper storey.” Boule de jardin, -_bald pate_, “bladder of lard;” ---- de Siam, _grotesque head_; ---- -de singe, _ugly face_. Bonne ----, _queer face_, “rum phiz.” Perdre la -----, _to lose one’s head_. Boule de neige, _negro_; ---- rouge, _gay -girl of the Quartier de la Boule Rouge, Faubourg Montmartre_. Yeux en ----- de loto, _goggle eyes_. (Military) Boule de son, _loaf, bread_. -(Thieves’) Boule, _a fair_; _prison loaf_; ---- de son étamé, _white -bread_; ---- jaune, _pumpkin_. - -BOULEAU, _m._ See BÛCHERIE. - -BOULE-MICHE, _m._, abbreviation of _Boulevard Saint-Michel_. - -BOULENDOS, _m._ (boule en dos), (popular), _humpback_, or “lord.” - -BOULER (popular), _to thrash_, “to whop;” _to beat at a game, to -deceive, to take in_. Envoyer ----, _to send to the deuce_ (old word -bouler, _to roll along_). - -BOULET, _m._ (popular), _bore_; ---- à côtes, à queue, _melon_; ---- -jaune, _pumpkin_. - -BOULETTE, _f._ (popular), de poivrot, _bunch of grapes_ (poivrot, slang -term for _drunkard_). - -BOULEUR, _m._, BOULEUSE, _f._ (theatrical), _actor or actress who takes -the part of absentees in the performance_. - -BOULEUX, _m._ (popular), _skittle player_. - -BOULEVARDER, _to be a frequenter of the Boulevards_. - -BOULEVARDIER, _m._, _one who frequents the Boulevards_; _journalist -who is a frequenter of the Boulevard cafés_. Esprit ----, _kind of wit -peculiar to the Boulevardiers_. - -BOULEVARDIÈRE, _f._ (familiar), _prostitute of a better class who walks -the Boulevards_. - - Depuis cinq heures du soir la Boulevardière va du grand - Hôtel à Brébant avec la régularité implacable d’un - balancier de pendule.--=PAUL MAHALIN.= - -BOULIN, _m._ (thieves’), _hole_. Caler des boulins aux lourdes, _to -bore holes in the doors_. - -BOULINE, _f._ (swindlers’), _collection of money_, “break,” or “lead.” - -BOULINER (thieves’), _to bore holes in a wall or shutters_; _to steal -by means of the above process_. - -BOULINGUER (thieves’), _to tear_; _to conduct an affair_; _to manage_. -Se ----, _to know how to conduct oneself_; _to behave_. - -BOULOIRE, _f._ (popular), _bowling-green_. - -BOULON, _m._ (thieves’), vol au ----, _theft by means of a rod and hook -passed through a hole in the shutters_. - -BOULONNAISE (popular), _girl of indifferent character who walks the -Bois de Boulogne_. - -BOULOTS, _m._ (popular), _round shaped beans_. - -BOULOTTER (thieves’), _to assist a comrade_; (popular) _to be in good -health_; _to be prosperous_; _to eat_, “to grub;” ---- de la galette, -_to spend money_. - - Et tout le monde se disperse, vivement, excepté les trois - compères et le môme, qui rentrent d’un pas tranquille dans - Paris, pour y fricoter l’argent des imbéciles, y boulotter - la galette des sinves.--RICHEPIN, _Le Pavé_. - -Eh! bien, ma vieille branche! comment va la place d’armes? Merci, ça -boulotte. _Well, old cock, how are you? Thanks, I am all right_. - -BOUM! _a high-sounding, ringing word bawled out in a grave key by café -waiters in order to emphasize their call for coffee to the attendant -whose special duty it is to pour it out_. Versez à l’as! Boum! This -peculiar call was brought into fashion by a waiter of the Café de la -Rotonde at the Palais Royal, whose stentorian voice made the fortune of -the establishment. - -BOUQUET, _m._ (cads’), _gift, present_. - -BOUQUINE, _f._, _beard grown on the chin_, or “goatee.” - -BOURBE, _f._ (popular), _the hospital of “la Maternité_.” - -BOURBON (popular), _nose_, “boko.” From nez à la Bourbon, the members -of that dynasty being distinguished by prominent thick noses verging on -the aquiline. - -BOURDON, _m._ (thieves’), _prostitute_, “bunter;” (printers’) _words -left out by mistake in composing_. - -BOURDONNISTE, _m._ (printers’), _one in the habit of making_ bourdons -(which see). - -BOURGEOIS, _m._ (thieves’), for bourg, _a large village_. Literally -_man of the middle class_. The peasants give this appellation to the -townspeople; a coachman to his “fare;” workmen and servants to their -employer; workpeople to the master of a house; soldiers to civilians; -artists and literary men use it contemptuously to denote a man with -matter-of-fact, unartistic tastes, also a man outside their profession; -the anarchists apply the epithet to one who does not share their views. -(Popular) Mon ----, _my husband_, “my old man.” Eh! dites donc, ----, -_I say, governor_. (Officers’) Se mettre en ----, _to dress in plain -clothes, in_ “mufti.” (Familiar) C’est bien ----, _it is vulgar, devoid -of taste_. - -BOURGEOISADE, _f._, _anything, whether it be deed or thought, which -savours of the bourgeois’ ways_; _a vulgar platitude_. The bourgeois, -in the disparaging sense of the term of course, is a man of a -singularly matter-of-fact, selfish disposition, and one incapable of -being moved by higher motives than those of personal interest. His -doings, his mode of life, all his surroundings bear the stamp of an -unrefined idiosyncrasy. Though a staunch Conservative at heart, he is -fond of indulging in a timid, mild opposition to Government, yet he -even goes so far sometimes as to send to Parliament men whose views -are at variance with his own, merely to give himself the pleasure -of “teaching a lesson” to the “powers that be.” A man of Voltairian -tendencies, yet he allows his wife and daughters to approach the -perilous secrecy and the allurements of the confessional. When he -happens to be a Republican, he rants furiously about equality, yet he -protests that it is a shocking state of affairs which permits of his -only son and spoilt child being made to serve in the ranks by the side -of the workman or clodhopper. By no means a fire-eater, he is withal a -bloodthirsty mortal and a loud-tongued Chauvinist, but as he has the -greatest respect for the integrity of his person, and entertains a -perfect horror of blows, he likes to see others carry out for him his -pugnacious aspirations in a practical way. - -BOURGEOISE, _f._ (popular), _the mistress of a house or establishment_. -Ma ----, _my wife_, “my old woman.” - -BOURGERON, _m._ (popular), _small glass of brandy_; (soldiers’) _a -civilian_. Properly _a kind of short smock-frock_. - -BOURGUIGNON (popular), _the sun_. - -BOURLINGUE, _m._ (popular), _dismissal_, “the sack.” - -BOURLINGUER, _to dismiss_; _to get on with difficulty in life_. From a -naval term. - -BOURLINGUEUR, _m._ (popular), _master_, “boss;” _foreman_. - -BOURRASQUE, _f._ (thieves’), _raid by the police_. - -BOURREAU DES CRÂNES, _m._ (military), _bully_, _fire-eater_. - -BOURRE-BOYAUX, _m._ (popular), _eating-house_, “grubbing crib.” - -BOURRE-COQUINS, _m. pl._ (popular), _beans_. Beans form the staple food -of convicts. - -BOURRE-DE-SOIE, _f._ (cads’), _kept girl_, “poll.” - -BOURRÉE, _f._ (popular), _hustling_, “hunch.” - -BOURRER (familiar), en ---- une, _to smoke a pipe_, “to blow a cloud.” - -BOURREUR, _m._ (thieves’), de pègres, _penal code_; (printers’) ---- -de lignes, _compositor of the body part of a composition_, a task -generally entrusted to unskilled compositors, unable to deal with more -intricate work. - -BOURRICHE, _f._ (popular), _blockhead_, “cabbage-head.” Properly -_hamper_. - -BOURRICHON, _m._ (popular), _head_. See TRONCHE. Se monter, or se -charpenter le ----, _to entertain strong illusions_, _to be too -sanguine_. - -BOURRICOT (popular), c’est ----, _that comes to the same thing_; _it is -all the same to me_. - -BOURRIER, _m._ (popular), _dirt_, _dung_. - -BOURRIQUE, _f._ (popular), tourner en ----, _to become stupid, or -crazy_. Faire tourner quelqu’un en ----, _to make one crazy by dint -of badgering or angering_. Cet enfant est toujours à me tourmenter, -il me fera tourner en ----, _this naughty child will drive me mad_. -(Thieves’) Bourrique, _informer_, “nark;” also _police officer_. - -BOURRIQUE À ROBESPIERRE (popular), comme la ----, corresponds to the -simile _like blazes_. Saoul comme la ----, _awfully drunk_. - -BOURSER (popular), se ----, _to go to bed_, _to get into the_ “doss.” - -BOURSICOTER (familiar), _to speculate in a small way on the stocks_. - -BOURSICOTEUR, _f._, BOURSICOTIER, _m._ (familiar), _speculator in a -small way_. - -BOURSICOTIÉRISME, _m._ (familiar), _occupation of those who speculate -on ’Change_. - -BOURSILLONNER (popular), _to_ “club” _for expenses by each contributing -a small sum_. - -BOUSCAILLE, _f._ (thieves’), _mud_. - -BOUSCAILLEUR, _street-sweeper_, _scavenger_. - -BOUSE, _f._ (popular), de vache, _spinach_. - -BOUSILLER (popular), _to work rapidly but carelessly and clumsily_. - -BOUSILLEUR (popular), _careless_, _clumsy workman_. - -BOUSILLEUSE (popular), _woman who is careless of her belongings_, _who -is the reverse of thrifty_. - -BOUSIN, _m._ (popular), _uproar_, _disturbance_, _row_, “shindy,” -_drinking-shop_, “lush-crib;” _house of ill-fame_, “flash drum.” - -BOUSINEUR (popular), _an adept at creating a disturbance_. - -BOUSINGOT, _m._ (popular) _wine-shop_, “lush-crib;” _Republican or -literary Bohemian in the earlier years of Louis Philippe_. - -BOUSSOLE, _f._ (familiar), _head_, _brains_. Perdre la ----, _to lose -one’s head_, “to be at sea;” _to become mad_. (Popular) Boussole de -refroidi, or de singe, _a Dutch cheese_. - -BOUSTIFAILLE, _f._ (familiar), _provisions_, _food_, “grub.” - -BOUSTIFAILLER, _to eat plentifully_. - -BOUT, _m._ (tailors’), flanquer son ----, _to dismiss from one’s -employment_. (Military) Bout de cigare, _short man_; (popular) ---- -de cul, _short person_, or “forty foot;” ---- d’homme, de femme, -_undersized person_, or “hop o’ my thumb;” ---- coupé, _kind of cheap -cigar with a clipped end_. - -BOUTANCHE, _f._ (thieves’), _shop_, “chovey.” Courtaud de ----, -_shopman_, a “knight of the yard.” - -BOUTEILLE, _f._ (popular), _nose_, “boko.” Avoir un coup de ----, -_to be tipsy_. C’est la ---- à l’encre _is said of any mysterious, -incomprehensible affair_. (Printers’) Une ---- à encre, _a printing -establishment, thus called on account of the difficulty of drawing up -accurate accounts of authors’ corrections_. - -BOUTERNE, _f._ (popular), _glazed case containing jewels exhibited as -prizes for the winners at a game of dice_. The game is played at fairs -with eight dice, loaded of course. - -BOUTERNIER, _m._, BOUTERNIÈRE, _f._, _proprietor of a_ bouterne (which -see). - -BOUTIQUE, _f._, _used disparagingly to denote one’s employer’s office_; -_newspaper offices_; _disorderly house of business_; _clique_. Esprit -de ----, _synonymous of esprit de corps, but used disparagingly_. -Etre de la ----, _to be one of, to belong to a political clique or -administration of any description_. Montrer toute sa ----, _is said -of a girl or woman who accidentally or otherwise exposes her person_. -Parler ----, _to talk shop_. - -BOUTIQUER (popular), _to do anything with reluctance_; _to do it badly_. - -BOUTIQUIER, _m._ (familiar), _narrow-minded or mean man_. Literally -_shopkeeper_. - -BOUTOGUE, _f._ (thieves’), _shop_, or “chovey.” - -BOUTON, _m._ (thieves’), _master key_; (popular) _twenty-franc piece_; ----- de guêtre, _five-franc gold-piece_; ---- de pieu, _bug_, or -“German duck.” - -BOUTONNER (familiar), _to touch with the foil_; _to annoy, to bore_. - -BOUTURE, _f._ (popular), de putain, low, insulting epithet, which may -be rendered by the equally low one, _son of a bitch_. Bouture, _slip of -a plant_. - -BOXON, _m._ (popular), _brothel_, or “nanny-shop.” - -BOYAU, _m._ (popular), rouge, _hard drinker_, or “rare lapper.” - -BOYE, _m._ (thieves’), _warder_, or “bloke;” _convict who performs the -functions of executioner at the convict settlements of Cayenne or New -Caledonia_. - -BRAC, _m._ (thieves’), _name_, “monniker,” or “monarch.” - -BRACONNER (gamesters’), _to cheat_, or “to bite.” Properly _to poach_. - -BRADER (popular), _to sell articles dirt cheap_. - -BRAILLANDE, BRAILLARDE, _f._ (thieves’), _drawers_. From the old word -braies, _breeches_. - -BRAILLARD, _m._ (popular), _street singer_, or “street pitcher.” -According to the _Slang Dictionary_, the latter term applies to negro -minstrels, ballad-singers, long-song men, men “working a board” on -which has been painted various exciting scenes in some terrible drama, -&c. - -BRAISE, _f._ (popular), _money_, “loaver.” See QUIBUS. - - J’ai pas d’braise pour me fend’ d’un litre, - Pas même d’un meulé cass’ à cinq. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -BRAISER (popular), _to pay_, “to dub.” - -BRAISEUR (popular), _man who is very free with his money_. - -BRANCARD (popular), _superannuated gay woman_. - -BRANCARDS, _m. pl._ (popular), _hands_, or “flappers;” _legs_, or -“pins;” ---- de laine, _weak or lame legs_. - - Un poseur qui veut me la faire à la redresse, que ces deux - flûtes repêchées par vous dans la lance du puits n’avaient - jamais porté une femme, je me connais en brancards de - dames, c’est pas ça du tout.--=MACÉ=, _Mon Premier Crime_. - -BRANCHE, _f._ (popular), _friend_, “mate.” Ma vieille ----, _old -fellow!_ “old cock!” (Familiar) Avoir de la ----, _to have elegance_, -“dash.” - -BRANCHER (thieves’ and cads’), _to lodge_, “to perch,” or “roost.” - -BRANDILLANTE, BRANDILLEUSE, _f._ (thieves’), _bell_, or “ringer.” - -BRANLANTE, _f._ (popular), _watch_, or “ticker.” - -BRANLANTES, _f. pl._ (popular), _old men’s teeth_. - -BRANQUE, _m._ (thieves’), _donkey_, “moke.” - -BRAS, BRASSE, _adj._ (thieves’), _large_. From brasse, _a fathom_. - -BRASER (thieves’), des faffes, _to forge documents_, to “screeve -fakements;” _to forge bank-notes_, or to “fake queer-soft.” - -BRASSET, _m._ (thieves’), _big, stout man_. - -BRAVE, _m._ (popular), _shoemaker_, or “snob.” - -BRÉCHET, _m._ (popular), _stomach_. - -BRÈCHETELLES, _f._, _a kind of German cakes eaten at beershops_. - -BREDA-STREET, _the quarter of Notre-Dame-de-Lorette patronized by women -of the demi-monde_ (the Paris Pimlico, or St. John’s Wood). - -BREDOCHE, _f._ (popular), _centime_. - -BREDOUILLE, _f._ (popular), chevalier de la ----, _one who goes out -shooting on Sundays in the purlieus of Paris_. From revenir bredouille, -_to return with an empty bag_. - -BRELOQUE, _f._ (popular), _a clock_. Properly _watch trinket_. - -BRÈME, _m. and f._ (popular), _vendor of countermarks at the door -of theatres_. Une ----, _f._ (thieves’), _playing card_, “flat,” or -“broad” (brème is a flat fish, _the bream_). Une ---- de pacquelins, -_geographical map_. Maquiller les brèmes, _to handle cards, to play at -cards_, “to fake broads;” _to mark cards in certain ways, to construct -them on a cheating principle_, “to stock briefs.” Maquilleur de brèmes, -_card-sharper_, or “broadsman,” _generally one whose spécialité is the -three-card trick_. - - Le perdant, blème, crispe ses poings. Les compères - s’approchent du maquilleur de brèmes (tripoteur de cartes), - qui s’est relevé, avec un éclair mauvais dans ses yeux - ternes ... il se recule et siffle. A ce signal arrive un - gosse, en courant, qui crie d’une voix aiguë: Pet! v’là la - rousse! Décanillons!--=RICHEPIN=, _Le Pavé_. - -(Prostitutes’) Une brème, _card delivered by the police to registered -prostitutes_. Fille en ----, _registered prostitute_. - -BRÊMEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _card player_, “broad faker.” - -BRÊMIER, _m._ (thieves’), _manufacturer of playing cards_. - -BRÉSILIEN, _m._ (popular), _wealthy, generous man_, “rag-splawger.” - -BRICABRACOLOGIE, _art of dealing in or collecting bric-à-brac or -knick-knacks_. - -BRICARD, _m._ (popular), _staircase_. - -BRICHETON, _m._ (popular), _bread_; ---- d’attaque, _four-pound loaf_. - -BRICOLE, _f._ (popular), _small, odd jobs that only procure scanty -profits_. Properly _a shoulder-strap used by costermongers to draw -their barrows_. - -BRICOLER (popular), _to make an effort_; _to give a good pull_; _to do -anything in a hurried and clumsy manner_; _to carry on some affair in a -not over straightforward way_. - -BRICOLEUR, _m._ (popular), _man who will undertake any kind of work, -any sundry jobs_. - -BRICUL, BRICULÉ, _m._ (thieves’), _police inspector_. - -BRIDAUKIL (thieves’), _gold watch chain_, “redge slang,” or “red -tackle.” - -BRIDE, _f._ (thieves’), _watch chain_, “slang;” _convict’s chain_. -(Popular) Vieille ----, _worthless, discarded object_; _term of -contempt for individuals_. - -BRIDÉ (thieves’), _shackled_. - -BRIDER (thieves’), _to shut_, “to dub;” _to fasten on a fetter_, or -“wife.” - -BRIF (Breton), _bread_. - -BRIFFE, _f._ (popular), _food_, “belly timber;” _bread_, “tommy.” -Passer à ----, _to eat_, “to grub.” - - N’importe où nous nous empatons - D’arlequins, d’briffe et d’rogatons. - - =RICHEPIN=, _Chanson des Gueux_. - -BRIFFER (popular), _to eat_, “to grub.” - -BRIGADIER, _m._ (popular), _baker’s foreman_. - -BRIGAND, _m._ (popular), _term of friendliness_. Vieux ----, _you old -scamp!_ - -BRIGANT, BRIGEANT, _m._ (thieves’), _hair_, or “strommel.” - -BRIGANTE or BRINGEANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _wig_, or “periwinkle.” - -BRIGEANTS or BRINGEANTS, _m. pl._ (thieves’), _hair_, “thatch.” Termed -also “tifs, douilles, douillards.” - -BRIGETON, BRICHETON (popular), _bread_, “tommy.” - -BRIG-FOURRE, _m._ (military), _brigadier fourrier_. - -BRIGNOLET, _m._ (popular), _bread_, “tommy.” - -BRILLER (thieves’), _to light_. - -BRIMADE, _f._ (military), _euphemism for bullying_; _practical and -often cruel jokes perpetrated at the military school of Saint-Cyr -at the expense of the newly joined_, termed “melons” (“snookers” at -the R. M. Academy), such as tossing one in a blanket, together with -boots, spurs, and brushes, or trying him by a mock court-martial -for some supposed offence. An illustration with a vengeance of such -practical joking occurred some years ago at an English garrison town. -Some young officers packed up a colleague’s traps, without leaving in -the rooms a particle of property, nailed the boxes to the floor, and -laid a he-goat in the bed. On the victim’s arrival they left him no -time to give vent to his indignant feelings, for they cast him into a -fisherman’s net and dragged him downstairs, with the result that the -unfortunate officer barely escaped with his life. - -BRIMER, _to indulge in_ brimades (which see). - -BRINDE, _f._ (popular), _tall, lanky woman_; _landlord of a wine shop_. - -BRINDEZINGUE, _m._ (thieves’), _tin case of very small diameter -containing implements, such as a fine steel saw or a watch-spring, -which they secrete in a peculiar manner_. Says Delvau:-- - - Comment arrivent-ils à soustraire cet instrument de - délivrance aux investigations les plus minutieuses des - geôliers? C’est ce qu’il faut demander à M. le docteur - Ambroise Tardieu qui a fait une étude spéciale des maladies - de la gaîne naturelle de cet étui. - -(Mountebanks’) Etre en ----, _to be ruined_, _a bankrupt_, “cracked -up,” or “gone to smash.” - -BRINDEZINGUES, _m. pl._ (popular), être dans les ----, _to be -intoxicated_. From an old word brinde, _toast_. - -BRINGUE, _m._ (popular), _bread_, or “soft tommy.” Mettre en ----, _to -smash up_. - -BRIO, _m._ (familiar). Properly a _musical term_. Figuratively, Parler, -écrire avec ----, _to speak or write with spirit, in dashing style_. - -BRIOCHES, _f._ _pl._ (popular). Literally _gross mistake_. -Figuratively, Faire des ----, _to lead a disorderly life_. - -BRIOLET, _m._ (popular), _thin, sour wine_, that is, “vin de Brie.” - -BRIQUEMANN, BRIQUEMON, _m._ (military), _cavalry sword_. - -BRIQUEMON, _m._ (thieves’), _tinder box_. - -BRISAC, _m._ (popular), _careless child who tears his clothes_. - -BRISACQUE, _m._ (popular), _noise_; _noisy man_. - -BRISANT, _m._ (thieves’), _the wind_. - -BRISCARD or BRISQUE, _m._ (military), _old soldier with long-service -stripes_. - -BRISE, _f._ (sailors’), à faire plier le pouce, _violent gale_; ---- à -grenouille, _west wind_. - -BRISER (printers’), _to cease working_. (Popular) Se la ----, _to go -away_, “to mizzle.” See PATATROT. - -BRISEUR, _m._ The “briseurs” (gens qui se la brisent), according to -Vidocq, are natives of Auvergne who pass themselves off for tradesmen. -They at first gain the confidence of manufacturers or wholesale -dealers by paying in cash for a few insignificant orders, and swindle -them afterwards on larger ones. The goods, denominated “brisées,” are -then sold much under value, and the unlawful proceeds are invested in -Auvergne. - -BRISQUE, _f._ (thieves’), _year_, or “stretch.” - -BRISQUES, _f. pl._ (gamblers’), _the ace and figures in a pack of -cards_. When a player possesses all these in his game he is said to -have “la triomphe;” (military) _stripes_. - -BRISURE, _f._ (thieves’), _swindle_, or “plant;” (printers’) _temporary -cessation of work_. Grande ----, _total stoppage of work_. - - Au Rappel, la pige dure six heures avec une brisure d’une - demi-heure à dix heures.--=BOUTMY.= - -BROBÈCHE, _m._ (popular), _centime_. - -BROBUANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _ring_, “fawney.” - -BROC, _m._ (thieves’), _farthing_, or “fadge.” - -BROCANTE, _m._ (popular), _old shoe_. - -BROCANTER (familiar), _to be pottering about_. - -BROCHE, _f._ (tradespeoples’), _note of hand_, or “stiff.” - -BROCHES, _f. pl._ (popular), _teeth_, or “head rails.” - -BROCHET, _m._ (popular), _pit of the stomach_, for bréchet; _women’s -bully_, or “ponce.” - -BROCHETON, _m._ (popular), _young bully_. - -BROCHURE, _f._ (theatrical), _printed play_. - -BRODAGE, _m._ (thieves’), _writing_. - -BRODANCHER (thieves’), _to write_; _to embroider_. Tirants brodanchés, -_embroidered stockings_. - -BRODANCHEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _writer_; ---- en cage, _scribe who -for a consideration will undertake to do an illiterate person’s -correspondence_ (termed écrivain public); ---- à la plaque, aux -macarons, or à la cymbale, _notary public_ (an allusion to the -escutcheon placed over a notary’s door). - -BRODÉ, _m._ (thieves’), _melon_. - -BRODER (thieves’), _to write_; ---- sur les prêts _is said of a -gamester who, having lent a colleague a small sum of money, claims a -larger amount than is due to him._ - -BRODERIE, _f._ (thieves’), _writing_. - - Pas de broderie, par exemple, tu connais le proverbe, - les écrits sont des mâles, et les paroles sont des - femelles.--=VIDOCQ=, _Mémoires_. - -BRODEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _writer_; also _a gamester who claims a -larger sum than is due to him._ - -BROQUE, _m._ (thieves’), _farthing_. Il n’y a ni ronds, ni herplis, -ni broque en ma felouse. _I haven’t got a sou, or a farthing, in my -pocket._ - -BROQUILLAGE, _m._ (thieves’), _theft which consists in substituting -paste diamonds for the genuine article which a jeweller displays for -the supposed purchaser’s inspection_. - -BROQUILLE, _f._ (theatrical), _nothing_. Used in the expression, Ne pas -dire une ----, _not to know a single word of one’s part_; (thieves’) _a -ring_, or “fawney;” _a minute_. - -BROQUILLEUR, _m._, BROQUILLEUSE, _f._ (thieves’), _thief who robs -jewellers by substituting paste diamonds for the genuine which are -shown to him as to a bonâ-fide purchaser_. - -BROSSE (popular), _no_; _nothing_; ---- pour lui! _he shan’t have any!_ - -BROSSER (familiar), se ---- le ventre, _to go without food, and, in a -figurative sense, to be compelled to do without something_. - -BROSSEUR, _m._ (artists’), _one who paints numerous pictures of very -large dimensions_. Rubens was a “brosseur;” (military) _flatterer_, -_one who_ “sucks up.” - -BROUCE, _f._ (popular), _thrashing_, “whopping.” - -BROUF, _m._ (codfishers’), _wind blowing from the main_. - -BROUILLARD, _m._ (popular), chasser le ----, _to have a morning drop of -spirits_, “dewdrop.” Etre dans le ----, _to be_ “fuddled,” _or tipsy_. -Faire du ----, _to smoke_, “to blow a cloud.” - -BROUILLE, _f._, _series of pettifogging contrivances which a lawyer -brings into play to squeeze as much profit as he can out of a law -affair_. - -BROUILLÉ, _adj._ (familiar), avec la monnaie, _penniless_, “hard up;” ----- avec sa blanchisseuse, _with linen not altogether of a snow-white -appearance_; ---- avec l’orthographe, _a bad speller_. - -BROUSSAILLES, _f. pl._ (popular), être dans les ----, _to be tipsy_, -“obfuscated.” See POMPETTE. - -BROUTA, _m._ (Saint-Cyr school), _speech_. From the name of a professor -who was a good elocutionist. - -BROUTE, _f._ (popular), _bread_, “tommy.” - -BROUTER (popular), _to eat_, “to grub.” The expression is used by -Villon, and is scarcely slang. - - Item, à Jean Raguyer, je donne ... - Tous les jours une talemouze (_cake_), - Pour brouter et fourrer sa mouse. - -BROUTEUR SOMBRE, _m._ (popular), _desponding, melancholy man_, -“croaker.” - -BROYEUR DE NOIR EN CHAMBRE (familiar), _literary man who writes on -melancholy themes_. - -BRUANT (Breton), _cock_; _egg_. - -BRUANTEZ (Breton), _hen_. - -BRUGE, _m._ (thieves’), _locksmith_. - -BRUGERIE, _f._, _locksmith’s shop_. - -BRÛLAGE, _m._ (familiar), _the act of being ruined_, “going to smash.” - -BRÛLANT, _m._ (thieves’), _fire_; _hearth_. - -BRÛLÉ, _m. and adj._ (popular), _failure of an undertaking_; (familiar) -Il doit de l’argent partout il est ---- dans le pays, _he owes money -to everybody, his credit is gone_. C’est un article ----, _an article -which will no longer sell_. L’épicier est ----, _the grocer refuses -any more credit_. Un politicien ----, _a politician whose influence is -gone_. Un auteur ----, _an author who has spent himself_, _no longer in -vogue_. Une fille brûlée, _a girl who in spite of assiduous attendance -at balls, &c., has failed to obtain a husband_. Une affaire brûlée, _an -unsuccessful undertaking, or spoilt by bad management_. Un acteur ----, -_an actor who for some reason or other can no longer find favour with -the public_. - -BRÛLÉE, _f._ (popular), _severe thrashing_; _defeat_; _hurried and -unlawful auction for contracts_. - -BRÛLER (theatrical), à la rampe _is said of an actor who performs as if -he were alone, and without regard to the common success of the play, or -his colleagues_; ---- du sucre, _to obtain applause_. (Popular) Brûler, -abbreviation of brûler la cervelle, _to blow one’s brains out_. Fais le -mort ou je te brûle, _don’t budge, or I blow your brains out_. En ---- -une, _to smoke_, “to blow a cloud.” (Thieves’) Brûler le pégriot, _to -obliterate all traces of a theft or crime_. Ne ---- rien, _to suspect -nothing_. - -BRÛLEUR, _m._ (theatrical), de planches, _spirited actor_. - -BRUSQUER (gamesters’), la marque, _to mark more points than have been -scored, when playing cards_. - -BRUTAL, _m._ (familiar), _cannon_. - -BRUTIFIER (popular), _to make one stupid by dint of upbraiding or -badgering him_. - -BRUTION, _m._ (students’), _cadet of the_ “_Prytanée Militaire de la -Flèche_,” a Government school for the sons of officers. - -BRUTIUM, _m._, “_Prytanée Militaire de la Flèche_.” From Brutus, -probably on account of the strict discipline in that establishment. - -BRUTUS, _m._ (thieves’), _Brittany_. - -Bruyances, _f. pl._ (familiar), _great puffing up in newspapers or -otherwise_. - -BU, _adj._ (popular), _in liquor_, “tight.” See POMPETTE. - - Eh ben! oui, j’suis bu. Et puis, quoi? - Qué qu’vous m’voulez, messieurs d’la rousse? - Est-c’que vous n’aimez pas comme moi - A vous rincer la gargarousse? - - =RICHEPIN=, _La Chanson des Gueux_. - -BÛCHE, _f._ Literally _log_; (tailors’) _article of clothing_. Coller -sa ---- au grêle, _to remit a piece of work to the master_. Temps de -----, _worktime_. (Popular) Bûche, _lucifer match_; (thieves’) ---- -flambante, or plombante, _lucifer match_. - -BÛCHER (familiar), _to work hard_, “to sweat;” _to belabour_, “to -lick.” (Popular) Se ----, _to fight_, “to slip into one another.” - -BÛCHERIE, _f._ (popular), _fight_, “mill.” - -BÛCHEUR, _m._ (familiar), _one who works hard_, “a swat.” - -BUEN-RETIRO, _m._ (familiar), _private place of retirement_; -(ironically) _latrines_, or “West Central.” - -BUFFET, _m._ (popular), avoir le ---- garni, _to have had a hearty -meal_; ---- vide, _to be fasting_, _to have nothing in the_ “locker.” -Bas de ----, see BAS. Remouleur de ----, _organ-grinder_. - -BUIF, _m._ (military), _shoemaker_. - -BULL-PARK, _m._ (students’), _Bullier’s dancing-rooms_, situated near -the Luxembourg, patronized by the students of the Quartier Latin, -but invaded, as most places of a similar description now are, by the -protectors of gay girls. - -BUQUER (thieves’), _to commit a robbery at a shop under pretence of -asking for change_; (popular) _to strike_, a corruption of the slang -term bûcher. - - Vous avez dit dans votre interrogatoire devant Monsieur le - Juge d’instruction: J’ai buqué avec mon marteau.--_Gazette - des Tribunaux._ - -BUREAU ARABE, _m._ (soldiers’ in Algeria), _absinthe mixed with_ -“orgeat,” _a kind of liquor made with almonds_. - -BURETTES, _f. pl._ (thieves’ and popular), _pistols_, “barking irons.” -Literally _phials_. - -BURLIN, BURLINGUE, _m._ (popular), _office_; _desk_. For bureau. - - Chez l’pèr’ Jacob pour le jour de sa fête, - A son burlingue il voulait l’envoyer. - - _La France._ - -BUSARD, _m._, BUSE, _f._, BUSON, _m._ (familiar and popular), _dull_, -_slow_, _thick-witted man_, “blockhead.” - -BUSTINGUE (thieves’), _lodging house_, “dossing ken.” - -BUTE, BUTTE, or BUTE À REGRET, _f._ (thieves’), _guillotine_. Monter à -la ----, _to be guillotined_. - -BUTÉ, _adj._ (thieves’), _guillotined_; _murdered_. See FAUCHÉ. - - Ils l’ont buté à coups de vingt-deux.--=E. SUE.= (_They - killed him by stabbing him._) - -BUTER (thieves’), _to kill_, _to guillotine_; _to execute_. - - On va le buter, il est depuis deux mois gerbé à la - passe.--=BALZAC.= (_He is going to be executed, he was - sentenced to death two months ago._) - -BUTEUR (thieves’), _murderer_; _executioner_. See TAULE. - -BUTIN, _m._ (soldiers’), _equipment_. - -BUTRE (thieves’), _dish_. - -BUVAILLER (popular), _to drink little or slowly_. - -BUVAILLEUR or BUVAILLON, _m._ (popular), _a man who cannot stand drink_. - -BUVERIE, _f._ (common), _a beerhouse_, termed _brasserie_. From the old -word _beuverie_. - -BUVEUR D’ENCRE, _m._ (soldiers’), _any military man connected with the -administration_; _clerk_, or “quill-driver.” - - L’expression de buveurs d’encre ne s’applique strictement - qu’aux engagés volontaires qu’on emploie dans les bureaux, - où ils échappent aux rigueurs du service, sous prétexte - qu’ils ont une main superbe.--=F. DE REIFFENBERG=, _La Vie - de Garnison_. - - - - -C - - -C, _m._ (popular), être un ----, _to be an arrant fool_. Euphemism for -a coarse word of three letters with which the walls are often adorned; ----- comme la lune, _extremely stupid_. - -ÇA (popular), être ----, _to be the right sort_. C’est un peu ----, -_that’s excellent_, “fizzing.” Avoir de ----, _to be wealthy_. -(Familiar) Ça manque de panache, _it lacks finish or dash_. Elle a de -----, _she has a full, well-developed figure_. - -CAB, _m._ (abbreviation of cabotin), _contemptuous expression applied -to actors_; _third-rate actor_, or “surf.” - -CAB, CABOU (thieves’ and popular), _dog_, “tyke.” Le ---- jaspine, _the -dog barks_. - -CABANDE, _f._ (popular), _candle_, or “glim.” Estourbir la ----, _to -blow the candle out_. - -CABAS, _m._ (popular), _old hat_. Une mère ----, _rapacious old woman_. -Properly, cabas, _a woman’s bag_. - -CABASSER (popular), _to chatter, to gabble; to delude_, or “bamboozle;” -_to steal_, “to prig.” - -CABASSEUR, _m._ (popular), _scandal-monger_; _thief_, “prig.” See -GRINCHE. - -CABE, _m._ (students’), _third year student at the Ecole Normale_, a -higher training school for professors, and one which holds the first -rank among Colleges of the University of France; (popular) _a dog_. See -CABO. - -CABERMON, _m._ (thieves’), _wine-shop_, “lush-crib.” A corruption of -cabaret. - -CABESTAN, _m._ (thieves’), _police inspector_; _police officer_, -“crusher,” “pig,” “copper,” or “reeler.” - -CABILLOT, _m._ (sailors’), _soldier_, “lobster.” - -CÂBLE À RIMOUQUE, _m._ (fishermens’), _tow-line_. - - Souque! attrape à carguer! Pare à l’amarre! Et souque! - C’est le coup des haleurs et du câble à rimouque. - La oula ouli oula oula tchalez! - Hardi! les haleurs, oh! les haleurs, halez! - - =RICHEPIN=, _La Mer_. - -CABO, _m._ (popular), _dog_, or “buffer.” Michel derives this from -clabaud, _a worthless dog_, and L. Larchey from qui aboie, pronounced -_qu’aboie_. Le ---- du commissaire, _the police magistrate’s -secretary_. See CHIEN. (Military) Elève ----, _one who is getting -qualified for the duties of a corporal_. - -CABOCHON, _m._ (popular), _blow_, “prop,” or “bang.” - -CABONTE, or CAMOUFLE, _f._ (military), _candle_. - -CABOT, _m._ (common), _third-rate actor_, or “surf;” _term of contempt -applied to an actor_. Abbreviation of cabotin. Also a _dog_. - -CABOTINAGE, _m._ (familiar), _life of hardships which most actors have -to live before they acquire any reputation_. - -CABOTINE (familiar), _bad actress_; _strolling actress, or one who -belongs to a troupe of_ “barn stormers.” - -CABOTINER (familiar), _to be a strolling actor_; _to mix with_ -cabotins; _to fall into their way of living_, which is not exactly a -“proper” one. - -CABOULOT, _m._ (familiar), _small café where customers are waited upon -by girls_; _small café where the spécialité is the retailing of cherry -brandy, absinthe, and sweet liquors_; _best sort of wine-shop_. - -CABRIOLET, _m._, _short rope or strap with a double loop affixed, -made fast to a criminals wrists, the extremity being held by a police -officer_; _small box for labels_; _woman’s bonnet_. - -CABRION, _m._ (artists’), _painter without talent_, or “dauber;” -_practical joker_. In the _Mystères de Paris_ of Eugène Sue, Cabrion, -a painter, nearly drives the doorkeeper Pipelet mad by his practical -jokes. - -CACHALOT, _m._ (sailors’), _old sailor, old_ “tar.” Properly -_spermaceti whale_. - -CACHE-FOLIE, _m._ (popular), _drawers_; _false hair_. - -CACHEMAR, CACHEMINCE, _m._ (thieves’), _cell_, “clinch.” From cachot, -_black hole_. - -CACHEMIRE, _m._ (popular), _clout_; ---- d’osier, _rag-picker’s wicker -basket_. - - Voici les biffins qui passent, le crochet au poing et - les pauvres lanternes sont recueillies dans le cachemire - d’osier.--=RICHEPIN=, _Le Pavé_. - -CACHE-MISÈRE (familiar), _coat buttoned up to the chin to conceal the -absence of linen_. - -CACHEMITTE, _f._ (thieves’), _cell_, “clinch.” - -CACHEMUCHE. See CACHEMAR. - -CACHER (popular), _to eat_, “to grub.” - -CACHET, _m._ (thieves’ and cads’), de la République, _the mark of -one’s heel on a person’s face_, a kind of farewell indulged in by -night ruffians, especially when the victim’s pockets do not yield a -satisfactory harvest. (Familiar) Le ----, _the fashion_, “quite the -thing.” - - Et ce n’est pas lui qui porterait des gants vert-pomme si - le cachet était de les porter sang de bœuf.-- =P. MAHALIN=, - _Mesdames de Cœur Volant_. - -CACIQUE, _m._, _head scholar in a division at the Ecole Normale_. - -CADAVRE, _m._ (familiar and popular), _body_; _a secret misdeed_, “a -skeleton in the locker;” _tangible proof of anything_. Grand ----, -_tall man_. Se mettre quelquechose dans le ----, _to eat_. See -MASTIQUER. - -CADENNE, _f._ (thieves’), _chain fastened round the neck_. La grande ----- _was formerly the name given to the gang of convicts which went -from Paris to the hulks at Toulon_. - -CADET, _m._ (thieves’), _crowbar_, or “Jemmy.” Termed also “l’enfant, -Jacques, sucre de pommes, biribi, rigolo;” (popular) _breech_. -Baiser ----, _to be guilty of contemptible mean actions_; _to be a -lickspittle_. Baise ----! _you be hanged!_ Bon pour ---- _is said of -any worthless object or unpleasant letter_. - -CADICHON, _m._ (thieves’), _watch_, “Jerry,” or “red toy.” - -CADOR (thieves’), _dog_, “tyke;” ---- du commissaire, _secretary to the -“commissaire de police,” a kind of police magistrate_. - -CADOUILLE, _f._ (sailors’), _rattan_. - - Effarés de ne pas recevoir de coups de cadouille, ils - s’éloignent à reculons, et leurs prosternations ne - s’arrêtent plus.--=BONNETAIN=, _Au Tonkin_. - -CADRAN, _m._ (popular), _breech_, or “bum;” ---- lunaire, _same -meaning_. See VASISTAS. - -CADRATIN, _m._ (printers’), _top hat_, or “stove pipe;” (police) _staff -of detectives_; (journalists’) _apocryphal letter_. - -CAFARD, _m._ (military), _officer who makes himself unpleasant_; _a -busybody_. - -CAFARDE, _f._ (thieves’), _moon_, “parish lantern;” _cup_. - -CAFARDER (popular), _to be a hypocrite_, a “mawworm.” - -CAFÉ, _m._ C’est un peu fort de ----, _it is really too bad, coming it -too strong_. Prendre son ----, _to laugh at_. - -CAFETIÈRE, _f._ (thieves’ and cads’), _head_, “canister.” See TRONCHE. - -CAFIOT, _m._, _weak coffee_. - -CAFOUILLADE (boatmens’), _bad rowing_. - -CAFOUILLEUX, _m._ (popular), espèce de ----! _blockhead!_ “bally -bounder!” - -CAGE, _f._ (popular), _workshop with glass roof_; _prison_, or “stone -jug;” ---- à chapons, _monastery_; ---- à jacasses, _nunnery_; ---- à -poulets, _dirty, narrow room_, “a hole;” (printers’) _workshop_. - -CAGETON, _m._ (thieves’), _may-bug_. - -CAGNE, _f._ (popular), _wretched horse_, or “screw;” _worthless dog_; -_lazy person_; _police officer_, or “bobby.” - -CAGNOTTE, _f._ (familiar), _money-box in which is deposited each -player’s contribution to the expenses of a game_. Faire une ----, _to -deposit in a money-box the winnings of players which are to be invested -to the common advantage of the whole party_. - -CAGOU, _m._ (thieves’), _rogue who operates single-handed_; _expert -thief_, or “gonnof,” _who takes charge of the education of the -uninitiated after the manner of the old Jew Fagin_ (see _Oliver -Twist_); _a tutor such as is to be met with in a_ “buz napper’s -academy,” _or training school for thieves_; _in olden times a -lieutenant of the_ “grand Coëre,” _or king of rogues_. The kingdom of -the “grand Coëre” was divided into as many districts as there were -“provinces” or counties in France, each superintended by a “cagou.” -Says _Le Jargon de l’Argot_:-- - - Le cagou du pasquelin d’Anjou résolut de se venger de lui - et de lui jouer quelque tour chenâtre. - -CAHUA, _m._ (French soldiers’ in Algeria), _coffee_. Pousse ----, -_brandy_. - -CAILLASSE, _f._ (popular), _stones_. - -CAILLÉ (thieves’), _fish_. - -CAILLOU, _m._ (popular), _grotesque face_; _head_, or “block;” _nose_, -or “boko;” ---- déplumé, _bald head_, or “bladder of lard.” N’avoir -plus de mousse sur le ----, _to be bald_, “to be stag-faced.” - -CAILLOUX, _m. pl._ (popular), petits ----, _diamonds_. - -CAÏMAN, _m._ (Ecole Normale school), _usher_. - -CAISSE, _f._ (popular), d’épargne, _mouth_, or “rattle-trap;” -(familiar) ---- des reptiles, _fund for the bribing of journalists_; ----- noire, _secret funds at the disposal of the Home Secretary and -Prefect of Police_. Battre la ----, _to puff up_. Sauver la ----, _to -appropriate or abscond with the contents of the cash-box_. - -CAISSON, _m._ (familiar), _head_, “nut.” Se faire sauter le ----, _to -blow one’s brains out_. - -CALABRE, _m._ (thieves’), _scurf_. - -CALAIN, _m._ (thieves’), _vine-dresser_. - -CALANCHER (vagrants’), _to die_, “to croak.” See PIPE. - -CALANDE (thieves’), _walk, lounge_. - -CALANDRINER (popular), le sable, _to live a wretched, poverty-stricken -life_. - -CALE, _f._ (sailors’), se lester la ----, _to eat and drink_. See -MASTIQUER. - -CALÉ, CALÉE, _adj._, properly _propped up_; (popular) _well off_, “with -plenty of the needful.” - -CALEBASSE, _f._ (popular), _head_, or “cocoa-nut.” Grande ----, _tall, -thin, badly attired woman_. Vendre la ----, _to reveal a secret_. - -CALEBASSES, _f._ (popular), _large soft breasts_. Literally _gourds_. - -CALÈGE, _f._ (thieves’), _kept woman_. - -CALENCE, _f._ (popular), _dearth of work_. - -CALER (popular), _to do_; _to do nothing_; _to be out of work_, or “out -of collar;” _to strike work_; ---- l’école, _to play the truant_. Se -----, _to eat_. Se ---- les amygdales, _to eat_, “to grub.” (Thieves’) -Caler des boulins aux lourdes, _to bore holes in doors_. - -CALETER (popular), _to decamp_, “to hook it.” See PATATROT. - -CALEUR (popular), _lazy workman_, or “shicer;” _man out of work_; -_butler_; _waiter_ (from the German kellner). - -CALFATER (sailors’), se ---- le bec, _to eat_. Literally _to caulk_. - -CALIBORGNE. See CALORGNE. - -CALICOT, _m._ (familiar), _draper’s assistant_, or “counter jumper.” - -CALICOTE, _sweetheart_, or “flame,” _of a_ “knight of the yard.” - -CALIFORNIEN (popular), _rich_, “worth a lot of tin.” See MONACOS. - -CÂLIN, _m._, _small tin fountain which the retailers of coco carry on -their backs_. Coco is a cooling draught made of liquorice, lemon, and -water. - -CALINO, _m._ (familiar), _ninny_; _one capable of the most enormous_ -“bulls.” - -CALINOTADE, _f._, _sayings of a_ calino (which see). - -CALINTTES, _f._ (popular), _breeches_, or “hams,” or “sit-upons.” - -CALLOT, _m._ (thieves’), _scurvy_. - -CALLOTS, _m. pl._ (old cant), _variety of tramps_. - - Les callots sont ceux qui sont teigneux véritables ou - contrefaits; les uns et les autres truchent tant aux - entiffes que dans les vergnes.--_Le Jargon de l’Argot._ - -CALME ET INODORE (familiar), être ----, _to assume a decorous -appearance_. Soyez ----, _behave yourself with decorum_; _do not be -flurried_. - -CALOMBE. See CABANDE. - -CALOQUET, _m._ (thieves’), _hat_; _crown_. See TUBARD. - -CALORGNE, _adj._ (popular), _one-eyed_, “boss-eyed,” or “seven-sided.” - -CALOT, _m._ (thieves’), _thimble_; _walnut shell_; _eye_. Properly -_large marble_. Boiter des calots, _to squint_. Reluquer des calots, -_to gaze_, “to stag.” - - J’ai un chouett’ moure, - La bouch’ plus p’tit’ que les calots. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -Calot, _clothier’s shopman_, or “counter-jumper;” _over-particular, -troublesome customer_. - -CALOTIN, _m._ (familiar), _priest_; _one of the Clerical party_. - -CALOTTE, _f._ (familiar), _clergy_. Le régiment de la ----, _the -company of the Jesuits_. - -CALOTTÉE, _f._ (rodfishers’), _worm-box_. - -CALVIGNE, or CLAVIGNE, _f._ (thieves’), _vine_. - -CALVIN, or CLAVIN, _m._ (thieves’), _grapes_. - -CALYPSO, _f._ (popular), faire sa ----, _to show off, to pose_. - -CAM, _f._ (thieves’), lampagne de ----, _country_, or “drum.” - -CAMARADE, _m._ (popular), de pionce, _bed-fellow_; (military) -_regimental hair-dresser_. (Familiar) Bon petit ---- _is said -ironically of a colleague who does one an ill turn, or slanders one_. - -CAMARDE, _f._ (thieves’), _death_. Baiser la ----, _to die_. See PIPE. - -CAMARDER (thieves’), _to die_. - -CAMARLUCHE, _m._ (popular), _comrade_, “mate.” - -CAMARO, _m._ (popular), _comrade_, or “mate.” - -CAMBOLER (popular), _to fall down_. - -CAMBOUIS, _m._ (military), _army service corps_. Properly _cart grease_. - -CAMBRIAU, CAMBRIEUX, _m._ (popular), _hat_, or “tile.” See TUBARD. - -CAMBRIOLE, _f._ (thieves’), _room_, or “crib;” _shop_, or “swag.” - - Gy, Marpaux, gy nous remouchons - Tes rouillardes et la criole - Qui parfume ta cambriole. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -Cambriole de milord, _sumptuous apartment_. Rincer une ----, _to -plunder a room or shop_. - -CAMBRIOLEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _thief who operates in apartments_; ---- -à la flan, _thief of that description who operates at random, or on_ -“spec.” - -CAMBRIOT, _m._ (popular), _hat_, “tile.” See TUBARD. - -CAMBRONISER, euphemism for emmerder (which see). - -CAMBRONNE! euphemism for a low but energetic expression of refusal or -contempt, which is said to have been the response of General Cambronne -at Waterloo when called upon to surrender (see _Les Misérables_, by V. -Hugo). Sterne says, in his _Sentimental Journey_, that “the French have -three words which express all that can be desired--‘diable!’ ‘peste!’” -The third he has not mentioned, but it seems pretty certain it must be -the one spoken of above. - -CAMBROUSE, _f._ (popular), _a tawdrily-dressed servant girl_; _a -semi-professional street-walker_, “dolly mop;” (thieves’) _country, -suburbs_. - -CAMBROUSER (servants’), _to get engaged as a maid-servant_. - -CAMBROUSIEN, _m._ (thieves’), _peasant_, or “joskin.” - -CAMBROUSIER, _m._ (thieves’), _country thief_. - -CAMBROUX, _m._ (thieves’), _servant_; _waiter_. - -CAMBUSE, _f._ (popular), _house_, or “crib;” _sailors’ canteen_; -_wine-shop_. - -CAMÉLIA, _m._, _kept woman_ (_La Dame aux Camélias_, by A. Dumas fils). - -CAMELOT, _m._ (popular), _tradesman; thief_; _hawker of any articles_. - - Le camelot, c’est le Parisien pur sang ... c’est lui qui - vend les questions, les jouets nouveaux, les drapeaux - aux jours de fête, les immortelles aux jours de deuil, - les verres noircis aux jours d’éclipse ... des cartes - transparentes sur le boulevard et des images pieuses sur la - place du Panthéon.--=RICHEPIN=, _Le Pavé_. - -CAMELOTE, _f._ (popular), _prostitute of the lowest class_, or -“draggle-tail;” (thieves’) ---- grinchie, _stolen property_. Etre pris -la ---- en pogne, or en pied, _to be caught, “flagrante delicto,” with -the stolen property in one’s possession_. Laver la ----, _to sell -stolen property_. Prendre la ---- en pogne, _to steal from a person’s -hand_. - -CAMELOTER (popular), _to sell_; _to cheapen_; _to beg_; _to tramp_. - -CAMERLUCHE or CAMARLUCHE, _m._ (popular), _comrade_, or “mate.” - -CAMIONNER (popular), _to conduct_; _to lead about_. - -CAMISARD, _m._ (military), _soldier of the “Bataillon d’Afrique,”_ -a corps composed of liberated military convicts, who, after having -undergone their sentence, are not sent back to their respective -regiments. They are incorporated in the Bataillon d’Afrique, a regiment -doing duty in Algeria or in the colonies, where they complete their -term of service; ---- en bordée, _same meaning_. - -CAMISOLE, _f._ (popular), _waistcoat_, or “benjy.” - -CAMOUFLE, _f._ (thieves’), _description of one’s personal appearance_; -_dress_; _light or candle_, “glim.” La ---- s’estourbe, _the light is -going out_. - -CAMOUFLEMENT, _m._ (thieves’), _disguise_. - -CAMOUFLER (thieves’), _to learn_; _to adulterate_. Se ----, _to -disguise oneself_. - - Je me camoufle en pélican, - J’ai du pellard à la tignasse. - Vive la lampagne du cam! - - =RICHEPIN.= - -CAMOUFLET, _m._ (thieves’), _candlestick_. - -CAMP, _m._ (popular), ficher le ----, _to decamp_. Lever le ----, _to -strike work_. Piquer une romance au ----, _to sleep_. - -CAMPAGNE, _f._ (prostitutes’), aller à la ----, _to be imprisoned in -Saint-Lazare, a dépôt for prostitutes found by the police without a -registration card, or sent there for sanitary motives_. (Thieves’) -Barboteur de ----, _night thief_. Garçons de ----, or escarpes, -_highwaymen or housebreakers who pretend to be pedlars_. - -CAMPE, _f._ (cads’), _flight_; _camping_. - -CAMPER (cads’), _to flee_, “to brush.” - -CAMPEROUX. See CAMBROUX. - -CAMPHRE, _m._ (popular), _brandy_. - -CAMPHRIER, _m._ (popular), _retailer of spirits_; _one who habitually -gets drunk on spirits_. - -CAMPI (cads’), _expletive_. Tant pis ----! _so much the worse!_ - -CAMPLOUSE, _f._ (thieves’), _country_. - -CAMUSE, _f._ (thieves’), _carp_; _death_; _flat-nosed_. - -CAN, _m._ (popular), abbreviation of canon, _glass of wine_. Prendre un ----- sur le comp, _to have a glass of wine at the bar_. - -CANAGE, _m._ (popular), _death-throes_. - -CANAILLADE, _f._ (popular), _offence against the law_. - - J’ai fait beaucoup de folies dans ma jeunesse; mais au - cours d’une existence accidentée et décousue, je n’ai pas à - me reprocher une seule canaillade.--=MACÉ.= - -CANAILLON, _m._ (popular), vieux ----, _old curmudgeon_. - -CANARD, _m._ (familiar), _newspaper_; _clarionet_; (tramcar drivers’) -_horse_. (Popular) Bouillon de ----, _water_. (Thieves’) Canard sans -plumes, _bull’s pizzle, or rattan used for convicts_. - -CANARDER (popular), _to take in_, “to bamboozle;” _to quiz_, “to carry -on.” - -CANARDIER, _m._ (popular), _journalist_; _vendor of newspapers_; -(journalists’) _one who concocts_ “canards,” _or false news_; -(printers’) _newspaper compositor_. - -CANARIE, _m._ (popular), _simpleton_, or “flat.” - -CANASSON, _m._ (popular), _horse_, or “gee;” _old-fashioned woman’s -bonnet_. Vieux ----! _old fellow!_ “old cock!” - -CANCRE, _m._ (fishermens’), jus de ----, _landsman_, or “land-lubber.” -Cancre, properly _poor devil_. - -CANCRELAT, _m._ (popular), avoir un ---- dans la boule, _to be -crazy_. For other kindred expressions, see AVOIR. Cancrelat, properly -_kakerlac_, or _American cockroach_. - -CANE, _f._ (thieves’), _death_. - -CANELLE, _f._ (thieves’), _the town of Caen_. - -CANER (thieves’), la pégrenne, _to starve_. Caner, properly _to shirk -danger_. - -CANESON. See CANASSON. - -CANETON, _m._ (familiar), _insignificant newspaper_. Termed also -“feuille de chou.” - -CANEUR, _m._ (popular), _poltroon_, or “cow babe.” - -CANICHE, _m._ (popular), _general term for a dog_. Properly _poodle_. -Termed also “cabgie, cabot.” It also has the signification of -_spectacles_, an allusion to the dog, generally a poodle, which acts -as the blind man’s guide. (Thieves’) Caniche, _a bale provided with -handles_, compared to a poodle’s ears. - -CANNE, _f._ (police and thieves’), _surveillance exercised by the -police on the movements of liberated convicts_. Also _a liberated -convict who has a certain town assigned him as a place of residence, -and which he is not at liberty to leave_. Casser sa ----, _to break -bounds_. Une vieille ----, or une ----, _an old offender_. (Literary) -Canne, _dismissal, the_ “sack.” Offrir une ----, _to dismiss from one’s -employment_, “to give the sack.” - -CANON, _m._ (popular), _glass of wine drunk at the bar of a wine-shop_. -Grand ----, _the fifth of a litre of wine_, and petit ----, _half that -quantity_. Viens prendre un ---- su’ l’ zinc, mon vieux zig, _I say, -old fellow, come and have a glass at the bar_. Se bourrer le ----, _to -eat to excess_, “to scorf.” - -CANONNER (popular), _to drink wine at a wine-shop_; _to be an habitual -tippler_. - -CANONNEUR, _m._ (popular), _tippler, a wine bibber_. - -CANONNIER DE LA PIÈCE HUMIDE, _m._ (military), _hospital orderly_. - -CANONNIÈRE, _f._ (popular), _the behind_, or “tochas.” See VASISTAS. -Charger la ----, _to eat_, “to grub.” Gargousses de la ----, -_vegetables_. - -CANT, _m._ (familiar), _show of false virtue_. From the English word. - -CANTALOUP, _m._ (popular), _fool_, “duffer,” or “cull.” Properly _a -kind of melon_. - - Ah çà! d’où sort-il donc ce cantaloup.--=RICARD.= - -CANTIQUE, _m._ (freemasons’), _bacchanalian song_. - -CANTON, _m._ (thieves’), _prison_, or “stir.” For synonyms see MOTTE. -Comte de ----, _jailer_, “dubsman,” or “jigger-dubber.” - -CANTONADE, _f._ (literary), écrire à la ----, _to write productions -which are_ _not read by the public_. From a theatrical expression, -Parler à la ----, _to speak to an invisible person behind the scenes_. - -CANTONNIER, _m._ (thieves’), _prisoner_, _one in_ “quod.” - -CANULANT, _adj._ (familiar), _tedious_, _tiresome_, “boring.” From -canule, _a clyster-pipe_. - -CANULARIUM, _m._ (Ecole Normale), _ordeal which new pupils have to go -through, such as passing a mock examination_. - -CANULE, _f._ (popular), _tedious man_, _bore_. Canule, properly -speaking, is _a clyster-pipe_. - -CANULER (popular), _to annoy_, _to bore_. - -CANULEUR. See CANULE. - -CAOUTCHOUC, _m._ (popular), _clown_. Properly _india-rubber_. - -CAP, _m._ (thieves’), _chief warder at the hulks_. (Familiar) Doubler -le ----, _to go a roundabout way in order to avoid meeting a creditor, -or passing before his door_. Doubler le ---- des tempêtes, _to clear -safely the 1st or 15th of the month, when certain payments are due_. -Doubler le ---- du terme, _to be able to pay one’s rent when due_. -Doubler un ----, _to be able to pay a note of hand when it falls due_. - -CAPAHUT, _f._ (thieves’), voler à la ----, _to murder an accomplice so -as to get possession of his share of the booty_. - -CAPAHUTER. See CAPAHUT. - -CAPE, _f._ (thieves’), _handwriting_. - -CAPET, _m._ (popular), _hat_, or “tile.” See TUBARD. - -CAPINE, _f._ (thieves’), _inkstand_. - -CAPIR (thieves’), _to write_, or “to screeve.” - -CAPISTON, _m._ (military), _captain_; ---- bêcheur, _an officer who -acts as public prosecutor at courts-martial_. Termed also “capitaine -bêcheur.” - -CAPITAINE (thieves’), _stock-jobber_; _financier_; (military) ---- -bêcheur, see CAPISTON; ---- de la soupe, _an officer who has never been -under fire_. - -CAPITAINER (thieves’), _to be a stock-jobber_. - -CAPITAL, _m._ (popular), _maidenhead_. Villon, fifteenth century, terms -it “ceincture.” - -CAPITOLE, _m._ (schoolboys’), formerly _the black hole_. - -CAPITONNÉE, _adj._ (popular), _is said of a stout woman_. - -CAPITONNER (popular), se ----, _to grow stout_. - -CAPITULARD, _m._ (familiar and popular), _term of contempt applied -during the war of 1870 to those who were in favour of surrender_. - -CAPORAL, _m._, _tobacco of French manufacture_. - -CAPORALISME, _m._ (familiar), _pipe-clayism_. - -CAPOU, _m._ (popular), _a scribe who writes letters for illiterate -persons in return for a fee_. - -CAPOUL (familiar), bandeaux à la ----, or des Capouls, _hair brushed -low on forehead_, _fringe_, or “toffs.” From the name of a celebrated -tenor who some twenty years ago was a great favourite of the public, -especially of the feminine portion of it. - -CAPRICE, _m._, _appellation given by ladies of the demi-monde to their -lovers_; ---- sérieux, _one who keeps a girl_. - -CAPSULE, _f._ (popular), _hat with narrow rim_; _infantry shako_. See -TUBARD. - -CAPTIF, _m._ (popular), abbreviation of ballon captif. Enlever le ----, -_to kick one in the hind quarters_, “to root.” - -CAPUCIN, _m._ (sportsmen’s), _hare_. - -CAPUCINE, _f._ (familiar and popular), jusqu’à la troisième ----, -_completely_, “awfully.” Etre paf jusqu’à la troisième ----, _to be -quite drunk_, or “ploughed.” See POMPETTE. S’ennuyer ----, &c., _to -feel_ “awfully” dull. - -CAQUER (popular), _to ease oneself_. See MOUSCAILLER. - -CARABINE, _f._ (popular), _sweetheart of a_ “carabin,” _or medical -student_; (military) _whip_. - -CARABINÉ, _adj._ (popular), _excessive, violent_. Un mal de tête ----, -_a violent headache_. Une plaisanterie carabinée, _a spicy joke_. - -CARABINER (military), les côtes, _to thrash_. See VOIE. - -CARABINIER, _m._ (popular), de la Faculté, _chemist_. - -CARAFE, _f._ (cads’), _throat_, or “gutter lane;” _mouth_, or “mug.” -Fouetter de la ----, _to have an offensive breath_. - -CARAMBOLAGE, _m._ (popular), _collision; general set-to; coition_, or -“chivalry.” Properly _cannoning at billiards_. - -CARAMBOLER (popular), _to come into collision with anything_; _to -strike two persons at one blow_; _to thrash a person or several -persons_. Also corresponds to the Latin _futuere_. The old poet Villon -termed this “chevaulcher,” or “faire le bas mestier,” and Rabelais -called it, “faire la bête à deux dos.” Properly “caramboler” signifies -_to make a cannon at billiards_. - -CARANT, _m._ (thieves’), _board_; _square piece of wood_. A corruption -of carré, _square_. - -CARANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _table_. - -CARAPATA, _m._ (popular), _pedestrian_; _bargee_; (cavalry) _recruit_, -or “Johnny raw.” - -CARAPATER (popular), _to run_, “to brush.” Se ----, _to run away_, or -“to slope.” Literally, courir à pattes. See PATATROT. - -CARAVANE, _f._ (popular), _travelling show_, or “slang.” Des caravanes, -_love adventures_. Termed also “cavalcades.” - -CARBELUCHE, _m._ (thieves’), galicé, _silk hat_. - -CARCAGNO, or CARCAGNE, _m._ (thieves’), _usurer_. - -CARCAGNOTTER (thieves’), _to be a usurer_. - -CARCAN, _m._ (popular), _worthless horse_, or “screw;” _opprobrious -epithet_; _gaunt woman_; ---- à crinoline, _street-walker_. See GADOUE. - -CARCASSE, _f._ (thieves’), états de ----, _loins_. Carcasse, in popular -language, _body_, or “bacon.” Je vais te désosser la ----, _I’ll break -every bone in your body_. - -CARCASSIER, _m._ (theatrical), _clever playwright_. - -CARDER (popular), _to claw one’s face_. Properly _to card_. - -CARDINALE, _f._ (thieves’), _moon_, or “parish lantern.” - -CARDINALES, _f. pl._ (popular), _menses_. - -CARDINALISER (familiar), se ---- la figure, _to blush, or to get -flushed through drinking_. - -CARE, _f._ (thieves’), _place of concealment_. Vol à la ----, see -CAREUR. - -CARÊME, _m._ (popular), amoureux de ----, _timid or platonic lover_. -Literally _a Lenten lover_, one who is afraid of touching flesh. - -CARER (thieves’), _to conceal, to steal_. See CAREUR. Se ----, _to seek -shelter_. - -CAREUR, or VOLEUR À LA CARE, _m._ (thieves’), _thief who robs a -money-changer under pretence of offering old coins for sale_, “pincher.” - -CARFOUILLER (popular), _to thrust deeply_. - - Il délibéra ... pour savoir s’il lui carfouillerait le - cœur avec son épée ou s’il se bornerait à lui crever les - yeux.--_Figaro._ - -CARGE (thieves’), _pack_. - -CARGOT, _m._ (military), _canteen man_. - -CARGUER (sailors’), ses voiles, _to retire from the service_. Properly -_to reef sails_. - -CARIBENER, or CARER, _to steal_ “à la care.” See CAREUR. - -CARISTADE, _f._ (printers’), _relief in money_; _charity_. - -CARLE, _m._ (thieves’), _money_, “lour,” or “pieces.” - -CARLINE, _f._ (thieves’), _death_. - -CARME, _m._ (popular), _large flat loaf_; (thieves’) _money_, “pieces.” -See QUIBUS. On lui a grinchi tout le ---- de son morlingue, _the -contents of his purse have been stolen_. Carme à l’estorgue, or à -l’estoque, _base coin_, or “sheen.” - -CARMER (thieves’), _to pay_, “to dub.” - -CARNAVAL, _m._ (popular), _ridiculously dressed person_, “guy.” - -CARNE, _f._ (popular), _worthless horse_, or “screw;” _opprobrious -epithet applied to a woman, strumpet_; _woman of disreputable -character_, “bed-fagot,” or “shake.” Etre ----, _to be lazy_. - -CAROTTAGE, _m._ (popular), _chouse_. - -CAROTTE, _f._ (military), _medical inspection_; ---- d’épaisseur, -_great chouse_. (Familiar) Tirer une ---- de longueur, _to concoct a -far-fetched story for the purpose of obtaining something from one, -as money, leave of absence, &c._ (Theatrical) Avoir une ---- dans le -plomb, _to sing out of tune, or with a cracked voice_; (popular) _to -have an offensive breath_. Avoir ses carottes cuites, _to be dead_. -(Thieves’) Tirer la ----, _to elicit secrets from one_, “to pump” one. - - Il s’agit de te faire arrêter pour être conduit au dépôt où - tu tireras la carotte à un grinche que nous allons emballer - ce soir.--=VIDOCQ.= - -CAROTTER (familiar), l’existence, _to live a wretched, poverty-stricken -life_; ---- à la Bourse, _to speculate in a small way at the Stock -Exchange_; (military) ---- le service, _to shirk one’s military duties_. - -CAROUBLAGE, _m._ (thieves’), _picking of a lock_. - -CAROUBLE, _f._ (thieves’), _skeleton key_, “betty,” or “twirl.” - -CAROUBLEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _thief who uses a picklock_, or -“screwsman;” ---- à la flan, _thief of this description who operates at -haphazard_; ---- au fric-frac, _housebreaker_, “panny-man,” “buster,” -or “cracksman.” - -CARQUOIS, _m._ (popular), d’osier, _rag-picker’s basket_. - -CARRE, _f._ (thieves’), du paquelin, _the Banque de France_. Mettre à -la ----, _to conceal_. - -CARRÉ, _m._ (students’), _second-year student in higher mathematics_; -(thieves’) _room, or lodgings_, “diggings;” ---- des petites gerbes, -_police court_; ---- du rebectage, _court of cassation_, a tribunal -which revises cases already tried, and which has power to quash a -judgment. - -CARREAU, _m._ (popular), de vitre, _monocular eyeglass_. Aller au ----, -see ALLER. (Thieves’ and cads’) Carreau, _eye_, or “glazier;” ---- -brouillé, _squinting eye_, or “boss-eye;” ---- à la manque, _blind -eye_. Affranchir le ----, _to open one’s eye_. - -CARREAUX BROUILLÉS, _m. pl._ (popular), _house of ill-fame_, or -“nanny-shop.” Such establishments which are under the surveillance of -the police authorities have whitewashed window-panes and a number of -vast dimensions over the street entrance. - -CARRÉE, _f._ (popular), _room_, “crib.” - -CARREFOUR, _m._ (popular), des écrasés, _a crossing of the Faubourg -Montmartre_, a dangerous one on account of the great traffic. - -CARRER (popular and thieves’), se ----, _to conceal oneself_; _to run -away_, “to brush;” ---- de la débine, to _improve one’s circumstances_. - -CARREUR, _m._ (thieves’), _receiver of stolen goods_, “fence.” Termed -also “fourgue.” - -CARTAUDE, _f._ (thieves’), _printer’s shop_. - -CARTAUDÉ (thieves’), _printed_. - -CARTAUDER (thieves’), _to print_. - -CARTAUDIER (thieves’), _printer_. - -CARTE, _f._ (popular), femme en ----, _street-walker whose name is down -in the books of the police as a registered prostitute_. Revoir la ----, -_to vomit_, or “to cascade,” “to cast up accounts,” “to shoot the cat.” -(Cardsharpers’) Maquiller la ----, _to handle cards_; _to tamper with -cards_, or “to stock broads.” - -CARTON, _m._ (gamesters’), _playing-card_, or “broad.” Manier, -tripoter, graisser, travailler, patiner le ----, _to play cards_. -Maquiller le ----, _to handle cards_, _to tamper with cards_, or “to -stock broads.” - -CARTONNEMENTS, _m. pl._ (literary), _manuscripts consigned to oblivion_. - -CARTONNER (gamesters’), _to play cards_. - -CARTONNEUR, _m._, _one fond of cards_. - -CARTONNIER, _m._ (popular), _clumsy worker_; _card-player_. - -CARTOUCHE, _f._ (military), avaler sa ----, _to die_, “to lose the -number of one’s mess.” Déchirer la ----, _to eat_. See MASTIQUER. - -CARTOUCHIÈRE À PORTÉES, _f._, _pack of prepared cards which swindlers -keep secreted under their waistcoat_, “books of briefs.” - -CARUCHE, _f._ (thieves’), _prison_, or “stir.” Comte de la ----, -_jailer_, or “dubsman.” See MOTTE. - -CARVEL, _m._ (thieves’), _boat_. From the Italian caravella. - -CAS, _m._ (popular), montrer son ----, _to make an indecent exhibition -of one’s person_. - -CASAQUIN, _m._ (popular), _human body_, or “apple cart.” Avoir -quelquechose dans le ----, _to be uneasy_; _ill at ease in body or -mind_. Tomber, sauter sur le ---- à quelqu’un, _to give one a beating_, -“to give one Jessie.” Grimper, tanner, travailler le ----, _to -belabour_, “to tan.” See VOIE. - -CASCADER (familiar), _interpolating by an actor of matter not in the -play_; _to lead a fast life_. - -CASCADES, _f. pl._ (theatrical), _fanciful improvisations_; (familiar) -_eccentric proceedings_; _jokes_. Faire des ----, _to live a fast life_. - -CASCADEUR (theatrical), _actor who interpolates in his part_; -(familiar) _man with no earnestness of purpose, and who consequently -cannot be trusted_; _fast man_. - -CASCADEUSE, _f._ (familiar), _fast girl or woman_. - -CASCARET, _m._ (thieves’), _two-franc coin_. - -CASE, CARRÉE, or PIOLE, _f._ (thieves’), _room_; _lodgings_, -“diggings,” or “hangs out;” (popular) _house_; _any kind of lodgings_, -“crib.” Le patron de la ----, _the head of any establishment_, _the -landlord_, _the occupier of a house or apartment_. (Familiar) N’avoir -pas de case judiciaire à son dossier _is said of one who has never -been convicted of any offence against the law_. The “dossier” is a -record of a man’s social standing, containing details concerning his -age, profession, morality, &c. Every Parisian, high and low, has his -“dossier” at the Préfecture de Police. - -CASIMIR, _m._ (popular), _waistcoat_, “benjy.” - -CASIN, _m._ (familiar), _pool at billiards_. - -CASINETTE, _f._ (popular), _habituée of the Casino Cadet_, a place -somewhat similar to the former Argyle Rooms. - -CASOAR, _m._, _plume of shako_, in the slang of the students of the -Saint-Cyr military school, the French Sandhurst. - -CASQUE, _m._ (popular), _hat_, “tile.” See TUBARD. Casque à auvent, -_cap with a peak_; ---- à mèche, _cotton nightcap_. Avoir du ----, -_to have a spirited, persuasive delivery_; _to speak with a quack’s -coolness and facility_. An allusion to Mangin, a celebrated quack in -warrior’s attire, with a large helmet and plumes. This man, who was -always attended by an assistant who went by the name of Vert-de-gris, -made a fortune by selling pencils. Avoir le ----, _to have a headache -caused by potations_; _to have a fancy for a man_. Avoir son ----, _to -be completely tipsy_. See POMPETTE. - -CASQUER (popular), _to pay_, or “to fork out;” _to fall blindly into a -snare_; _to mistake_. - -CASQUETTE, _f._ (familiar and popular), _money lost at some game at -a Café_. Une ---- à trois ponts, _a prostitute’s bully_, or “ponce,” -thus termed on account of the tall silk cap sported by that worthy. See -POISSON. Etre ----, _to be intoxicated_. See POMPETTE. (Familiar) Etre -----, _to have vulgar manners_, _to be a boor_, “roly-poly.” - -CASQUEUR, _m._ (theatrical), _spectator who is not on the free list_. - -CASSANT, _m._ (thieves’), _walnut tree_; (sailors’) _biscuit_. - -CASSANTES, _f. pl._ (thieves’), _teeth_, or “head-rails;” _nuts_; -_walnuts_. - -CASSE, _f._ (popular), _chippings of pastry sold cheap_. Je t’en ----, -_that’s not for you_. - -CASSE-GUEULE, _m._ (popular), _suburban dancing-hall; strong spirits_, -or “kill devil.” - -CASSEMENT, _m._ (thieves’), de porte, _housebreaking_, “cracking a -Crib.” - -CASSER, (thieves’), _to eat_, “to grub;” ---- du sucre, or se mettre à -table, _to confess_; ---- du sucre, or ---- du sucre à la rousse, _to -peach_, “to blow the gaff;” ---- la hane, _to steal a purse_, “to buz a -skin;” ---- sa canne, _to sleep_, or “to doss;” _to be very ill_; _as a -ticket-of-leave man, to break bounds_; _to die_; ---- sa ficelle, _to -escape from the convict settlement_; (popular) ---- un mot, _to talk_; ----- du bec, _to have an offensive breath_; ---- du grain, _to do -nothing of what is required_; ---- du sucre sur la tête de quelqu’un, -_to talk ill of one in his absence, to backbite_; ---- la croustille, -_to eat_, “to grub;” ---- la gueule à une négresse, _to drink a bottle -of wine_; ---- la gueule à un enfant de chœur, _to drink a bottle of -wine_ (red-capped like a chorister); ---- la marmite, _to quarrel with -one’s bread and cheese_; ---- le cou à un chat, _to eat a rabbit stew_; ----- le cou à une négresse, _to discuss a bottle of wine_; ---- sa -pipe, son câble, son crachoir, or son fouet, _to die_, “to kick the -bucket,” “to croak.” See PIPE. Casser son œuf, _to have a miscarriage_; ----- son pif, _to sleep_, “to have a dose of balmy;” ---- son lacet, -_to break off one’s connection with a mistress_, “to bury a moll;” ---- -une roue de derrière, _to spend part of a five-franc piece_. Se la -----, _to get away_, _to move off_, “to hook it.” See PATATROT. N’avoir -pas cassé la patte à coco, _to be dull-witted_, or “soft.” (Familiar) -A tout ----, _tremendous; awful_. Une noce à tout ----, _a rare -jollification_, “a flare-up,” or “break-down.” Un potin à tout ----, _a -tremendous row_, or “shindy.” - -CASSEROLAGE, _m._ (thieves’), _informing against an accomplice_. - -CASSEROLE, _f._ (thieves’), _informer_, or “buz-man;” _spy_, or -“nark;” _police officer_, or “copper.” See POT-À-TABAC. Casserole, -_prostitute_, or “bunter.” See GADOUE. Coup de ----, _denunciation_, -or “busting.” Passer à ----, _to be informed against_. (Popular) -Casserole, _name given to the Hôpital du Midi_. Passer à ----, see -PASSER. - -CASSEUR, _m._ (thieves’), de portes, _housebreaker_, “buster,” or -“screwsman;” ---- de sucre à quatre sous, _military convict of -the Algerian_ “_compagnies de discipline_,” _chiefly employed at -stone-breaking_. The “compagnies de discipline,” or punishment -companies, consist of all the riff-raff of the army. - -CASSINE, _f._ (popular), properly _small country-house_; _house where -the master is strict_; _workshop in which the work is severe_. - -CASSOLETTE, _f._ (popular), _chamber utensil_, or “jerry;” _scavenger’s -cart_; _mouth_, or “gob.” Plomber de la ----, _to have an offensive -breath_. - -CASSURE, _f._ (theatrical), jouer une ----, _to perform in the -character of a very old man_. - -CASTAGNETTES, _f. pl._ (military), _blows with the fist_. - -CASTE, _f._ (old cant), de charrue, _one-fourth of a crown_. - -CASTOR, or CASTORIN, _naval officer who shirks going out to sea, or one -in the army who is averse to leaving the garrison_. - -CASTORIN, _m._ (popular), _hat-maker_. - -CASTORISER _is said of an officer who shirks sea duty, or who likes to -make a long stay in some pleasant garrison town_. - -CASTROZ, _m._ (popular), _capon_. - -CASTU, _m._ (thieves’), _hospital_. Barbeaudier de ----, _hospital -director_. - -CASTUE, _m._ (thieves’), _prison_, or “stir.” See MOTTE. Comte de ----, -_jailer_, or “jigger-dubber.” - -CATAPLASME, _m._ (popular), au gras, _spinach_; ---- de Venise, _blow_, -“clout.” - -CATAPLASMIER, _m._ (popular), _hospital attendant_. - -CATAPULTEUX, CATAPULTEUSE, _adj._ (popular), _beautiful_; _marvellous_. -Une femme ----, _a magnificent woman_, a “blooming tart.” - -CATINISER (popular), se ----, _to be in a fair way of becoming a -street-walker_. - -CAUCHEMARDANT (popular), _tiresome_, _annoying_, “boring.” - -CAUCHEMARDER (popular), _to annoy_, _to bore_. Se ----, _to fret_. - -CAUSE, _f._ (familiar), grasse, _case in a court of justice offering -piquant details_. - -CAUSOTTER (familiar), _to chat familiarly in a small circle_. - -CAVALCADE, _f._ (popular), _love intrigue_. Avoir vu des cavalcades _is -said of a woman who has had many lovers_. - -CAVALE, _f._ (popular), _flight_. Se payer une ----, _to run away_, or -“to crush.” See PATATROT. (Thieves’) Tortiller une ----, _to form a -plan for escaping from prison_. - -CAVALER (thieves’ and cads’), quelqu’un, _to annoy one_, to “rile” -_him._ Se ----, _to make off_, “to guy.” For list of synonyms see -PATATROT. Se ---- au rebectage, _to pray for a new trial in the_ “_Cour -de Cassation_.” This court may quash a judgment for the slightest flaw -in the procedure, such as, for instance, the fact of a witness not -lifting his right hand when taking the oath. Se ---- cher au rebectage, -_to pray for a commutation of a sentence_. - -CAVALERIE, _f._ (popular), grosse ----, _man who works in the sewers_, -a “rake-kennel.” An allusion to his high boots. - -CAVÉ, _m._ (popular), _dupe_, or “gull;” _cat’s-paw_. - -CAVÉE, _f._ (thieves’), _church_. - -CAYENNE, _m._ (popular), _suburban cemetery_; _suburban factory_; -_workshop at a distance from Paris_. Gibier de ----, _scamp_, -_jail-bird_. - -CAYENNE-LES-EAUX, _m._ (thieves’), _the Cayenne dépôt for transported -convicts_. - -CÉ, _m._ (thieves’), _silver_. Attaches de ----, _silver buckles_. -Bogue de ----, _silver watch_, “white ’un.” Tout de ----, _very well_. - -CELA ME GÊNE (theatrical), _words used by actors to denote anything -which interferes with the impression they seek to produce by certain -tirades or by-play_. - -CELUI (popular), avoir ---- de ..., stands for avoir l’honneur de ..., -_to have the honour to ..._. - -CENSURE, _f._ (thieves’), passer la ----, _to repeat a crime_. - -CENTIBALLE, _m._ (popular), _centime_. Balle, _a franc_. - -CENTRAL, _m._ (familiar), _pupil of the_ “_Ecole Centrale_,” a public -engineering school; _telegraph office of the_ “_Place de la Bourse_.” - -CENTRE, _m._ (thieves’), _name_, “monarch or monniker.” Also _a -meeting-place for malefactors_. Un ---- à l’estorgue, _a false name_, -or “alias.” Un ---- d’altèque, _a real name_. Coquer son ----, _to give -one’s name_. (Familiar) Le ---- de gravité, _the behind_, or “seat of -honour.” See VASISTAS. Perdre son ----, _to be tipsy_, “fuddled.” - -CENTRÉ, _adj._ (popular), _is said of one who has failed in business_, -“gone to smash.” - -CENTRIER, or CENTRIPÈTE, _m._ (military), _foot soldier_, -“beetle-crusher or wobbler;” (familiar) _member of the_ “_Centre_” -_party_ (_Conservative_) _of the House, under Louis Philippe_. The -House is now divided into “extrême gauche” (rabid radicals); “gauche” -(advanced republicans); “centre-gauchers” (conservative republicans); -“centre” (wavering members); “centre droit” (moderate conservatives); -“droite” (monarchists and clericals); “extrême droite” (rabid -monarchists and ultramontane clericals). - -CENTRIOT, _m._ (thieves’), _nickname_. - -CERCLE, _m._ (thieves’), _silver coin_. (Familiar) Pincer or rattraper -au demi ----, _to come upon one unawares, to catch_, “to nab” _him_. -From an expression used in fencing. - -CERCUEIL, _m._ (students’), _glass of beer_. A dismal play on the word -“bière,” which has both significations of _beer and coffin_. - -CERF, _m._ (popular), _injured husband, or cuckold_. Se déguiser -en ----, _to decamp_; _to run away_; _to be off in a_ “jiffy.” See -PATATROT. - -CERF-VOLANT, _m._ (thieves’), _female thief who strips children at play -in the public gardens or parks_. A play on the words “cerf-volant,” -_kite_, and “voler,” _to steal_. - -CERISE, _f._ (popular), _mason of the suburbs_. - -CERISES, _f. pl._ (military), monter en marchand de ----, _to ride -badly, with toes and elbows out, and all of a heap, like a man with a -basket on his arm_. - -CERISIER, _m._ (popular), _sorry horse_. An allusion to the name given -to small horses which used to carry cherries to market. - -CERNEAU, _m._ (literary), _young girl_. Properly _fresh walnut_. - -CERTIFICATS, _m. pl._ (military), de bêtise, _long-service stripes_. - -C’EST (printers’), à cause des mouches, _sneering reply_. - - Eh! dis donc, compagnon, pourquoi n’es-tu pas venu à la - boîte ce matin? L’autre répond par ce coq-à-l’âne: C’est à - cause des mouches.--=BOUTMY.= - -CET (popular), aut’ chien, _that feller!_ - -CHABANNAIS, _m._ (popular), _noise_; _row_; _thrashing_. Ficher un -----, _to thrash_, “to wallop.” See VOIE. - -CHABROL, _m._ (popular), _mixture of broth and wine_. - -CHACAL, _m._ (military), _Zouave_. - -CHAFFOURER (popular), se ----, _to claw one another_. - -CHAFRIOLER (popular), se ---- à quelque chose, _to find pleasure in -something_. - -CHAHUT, _m._ (familiar and popular), _eccentric dance, not in favour -in respectable society, and in which the dancers’ toes are as often on -a level with the faces of their partners as on the ground_; _uproar_, -“shindy,” _general quarrel_. Faire du ----, _to make a noise, a -disturbance_. - -CHAHUTER (familiar and popular), _to dance the_ chahut (which see); _to -upset_; _to shake_; _to rock about_. Nous avons été rudement chahutés, -_we were dreadfully jolted_. Ne chahute donc pas comme ça, _keep still, -don’t fidget so_. - -CHAHUTEUR, _m._ (popular), _noisy, restless fellow_; _one who dances -the_ chahut (which see). - -CHAHUTEUSE, _f._ (popular), _habituée of low dancing-saloons_. Also _a -girl leading a noisy, fast life_. - -CHAILLOT (popular), à ----! _go to the deuce!_ à ---- les gêneurs! _to -the deuce with bores!_ Ahuri de ----, blockhead. Envoyer à ----, _to -get rid of one_; _to send one to the deuce_. - -CHAÎNE, _f._ (popular), d’oignons, _ten of cards_. - -CHAÎNISTE, _m._ (popular), _maker of gold chains_. - -CHAIR, _f._ (cads’), dure! _hit him hard! smash him!_ That is, Fais -lui la chair dure! (Popular) Marchand de ---- humaine, _keeper of a -brothel_. - -CHAISES, _f. pl._ (popular), manquer de ---- dans la salle à -manger, _to be minus several teeth_. Noce de bâtons de ----, _grand -jollification_, or “flare-up.” - -CHALEUR! (popular), _exclamation expressive of contempt, disbelief, -disappointment, mock admiration, &c._ - -CHALOUPE, _f._ (popular), _woman with dress bulging out_. (Students’) -La ---- orageuse, _a furious sort of cancan_. The cancan is an -eccentric dance, and one of rather questionable character. See CHAHUT. - -CHALOUPER (students’), _to dance the above_. - -CHAMAILLER (popular), des dents, _to eat_. - -CHAMBARD, _m._ (Ecole Polytechnique), _act of smashing the furniture -and destroying the effects of the newly-joined students_. - -CHAMBARDEMENT, _m._ (sailors’), _overthrown_; _destruction_. - -CHAMBARDER (sailors’), _to hustle_; _to smash_. At the Ecole -Polytechnique, _to smash, or create a disturbance_. - -CHAMBERLAN, _m._ (popular), _workman who works at home_. - -CHAMBERT, _m._ (thieves’), _one who talks too much_; _one who lets the -cat out of the bag_. - -CHAMBERTER (thieves’), _to talk in an indiscreet manner_. - -CHAMBRE, _f._ (thieves’), de sûreté, _the prison of La Conciergerie_. -La ---- des pairs, _that part of the dépôt reserved for convicts -sentenced to penal servitude for life_. - -CHAMBRER (swindlers’), _to lose_; _to steal_; _to_ “claim.” See -GRINCHIR. - -CHAMBRILLON, _m._, _small servant_; _young_ “slavey.” - -CHAMEAU, _m._ (popular), _cunning man who imposes on his friends_; -_girl of lax morals; prostitute_; ---- a deux bosses, _prostitute_. Ce ----- de ..., _insulting expression applied to either sex_. - - Coupeau apprit de la patronne que Nana était débauchée - par une autre ouvrière, ce petit chameau de Léonie, qui - venait de lâcher les fleurs pour faire la noce.--=ZOLA=, - _L’Assommoir_. - -CHAMELIERS, _m. pl._ (military), _name formerly given to the old_ -“_guides_.” - -CHAMP, _m._ (familiar), _champagne_, “fiz,” or “boy;” (popular) ---- -d’oignons, _cemetery_; ---- de navets, _cemetery where executed -criminals are interred_. - -CHAMPOREAU, _m._ (military), _beverage concocted with coffee, milk, -and some alcoholic liquor, but more generally a mixture of coffee and -spirits_. From the name of the inventor. - - Le douro, je le gardais précieusement, ayant grand soin - de ne pas l’entamer. J’eusse préféré jeûner un long mois - de champoreau et d’absinthe.--=HECTOR FRANCE=, _Sous le - Burnous_. - -CHANÇARD, _m._ (familiar), _lucky man_. - -CHANCELLERIE, _f._ (popular), mettre en ----, _to put one in_ -“chancery.” - -CHANCRE, _m._ (popular), _man with a large appetite_, a “grand paunch.” - -CHAND, CHANDE (popular), abbreviation of marchand. - -CHANDELIER, _m._ (popular), _nose_, “boko,” “snorter,” or “smeller.” -For synonyms see MORVIAU. - -CHANDELLE, _f._ (military), _infantry musket_; _sentry_. Etre conduit -entre quatre chandelles, _to be marched off to the guard-room by four -men and a corporal_. La ---- brûle, _it is time to go home_. Faire -fondre une ----, _to drink a bottle of wine_. Glisser en ----, _to -slide with both feet close together_. - - Mon galopin file comme une flèche. Quelle aisance! quelle - grâce même! Tantôt les pieds joints, en chandelle: tantôt - accroupi, faisant la petite bonne femme.--=RICHEPIN=, _Le - Pavé_. - -CHANGER (popular), son poisson d’eau, or ses olives d’eau, _to void -urine_, “to pump ship.” See LASCAILLER. - -CHANGEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _clothier who provides thieves with a -disguise_; _rogue who appropriates a new overcoat from the lobby of a -house or club, and leaves his old one in exchange_. Also _thief who -steals plate_. - -CHANOINE, _m._, CHANOINESSE, _f._ (thieves’), _person in good -circumstances, one worth robbing_; ---- de Monte-à-regret, _one -sentenced to death_; _old offender_. - -CHANTAGE, _m._ (familiar), _extorting money by threats of disclosures -concerning a guilty action real or supposed_, “jobbery.” - -CHANTER (familiar), _to pay money under threat of being exposed_. Faire ----- quelqu’un, _to extort money from one under threat of exposure_; -_to extort_ “socket money.” (Popular) Faire ---- une gamme, _to thrash -one_, “to lead a dance.” See VOIE. - -CHANTEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _juge d’instruction, a magistrate who -investigates a case before trial_; (familiar) _man who seeks to extort -money by threatening people with exposure_. There are different kinds -of chanteurs. Vidocq terms “chanteurs” the journalists who prey on -actors fearful of their criticism; those who demand enormous prices for -letters containing family secrets; the writers of biographical notices -who offer them at so much a line; those who entice people into immoral -places and who exact hush-money. The celebrated murderer Lacenaire was -one of this class. Chanteur de la Chapelle Sixtine, _eunuch_. Maître -----, _skilful_ chanteur (which see). - -CHANTIER, _m._ (popular), _embarrassment_, “fix.” - -CHAPARDER (military), _to loot_; _to steal_, “to prig.” - -CHAPELLE, _f._ (familiar), _clique_. Termed also “petite chapelle;” -(popular) _wine-shop_, or “lush-crib.” Faire ----, _is said of a -woman who lifts her dress to warm her limbs by the fire_. Fêter des -chapelles, _to go the round of several wine-shops, with what result it -is needless to say_. - -CHAPELURE, _f._ (popular), n’avoir plus de ---- sur le jambonneau, _to -be bald_, “to have a bladder of lard.” See AVOIR. - -CHAPI, _m._ (popular), _hat_, or “tile.” See TUBARD. - -CHAPITEAU, _m._ (popular), _head_, or “block.” See TRONCHE. - -CHAPON, _m._ (popular), _monk_. Cage à chapons, _monastery_. Des -chapons de Limousin, _chestnuts_. - -CHAPSKA, _m._ (popular), _hat_, or “tile.” See TUBARD. - -CHAR, _m._ (familiar), numéroté, _cab_. - -CHARCUTER (popular), _to amputate_. - -CHARCUTIER (popular), _clumsy workman_; _surgeon_, “sawbones.” - -CHARDONNERET, _m._ (thieves’), _gendarme_. An allusion to his red, -white, and yellow uniform. Properly _a goldfinch_. - -CHARENTON, _m._ (popular), _absinthe_. The dépôt for lunatics being at -Charenton, the allusion is obvious. - -CHARGÉ, _adj._ (popular), _tipsy_, “tight.” See POMPETTE. (Coachmen’s) -Etre ----, _to have a “fare_.” - -CHARGER (coachmen’s), _to take up a “fare;”_ (prostitutes’) _to find a -client_; (cavalry) ---- en ville, _to go to town_. - -CHARIER (thieves’), _to try to get information_, “to cross-kid.” - -CHARIEUR (thieves’), _he who seeks to worm out some information_. - -CHARLEMAGNE, _m._ (military), _sabre-bayonet_. - -CHARLOT, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _the executioner_. His official -title is “Monsieur de Paris.” Soubrettes de ----, _the executioner’s -assistants_, literally _his lady’s maids_. An allusion to “la -toilette,” or cropping the convict’s hair and cutting off his shirt -collar a few minutes before the execution. (Thieves’) Charlot, _thief_; ----- bon drille, _a good-natured thief_. See GRINCHE. - -CHARMANT, _adj._ (thieves’), _scabby_. - -CHARMANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _itch_. - -CHARMER (popular), les puces, _to get drunk_. See SCULPTER. - -CHAROGNEUX, _adj._ (familiar), roman ----, _filthy novel_. - -CHARON, CHARRON, _m._ (thieves’). See CHARRIEUR. - -CHARPENTER (playwrights’), _to write the scheme of a play_. - -CHARPENTIER, _m._ (playwrights’), _he who writes the scheme of a play_. - -CHARRETÉE, _f._ (popular), en avoir une ----, _to be quite drunk, to -be_ “slewed.” See POMPETTE. - -CHARRIAGE, _m._ (thieves’), _swindle_; ---- à l’Américaine _is a -kind of confidence trick swindle_. It requires two confederates, one -called “leveur” or “jardinier,” whose functions are to exercise his -allurements upon the intended victim without awakening his suspicions. -When the latter is fairly hooked, the pair meet--by chance of -course--with “l’Américain,” a confederate who passes himself off for a -native of America, and who offers to exchange a large sum of gold for -a smaller amount of money. The pigeon gleefully accepts the proffered -gift, and discovers later on that the alleged gold coins are nothing -but base metal. This kind of swindle goes also by the names of “vol -à l’Américaine,” “vol au change.” Charriage à la mécanique, or vol -au père François, takes place thus: a robber throws a handkerchief -round a person’s neck, and holds him fast half-strangled on his own -back while a confederate rifles the victim’s pockets. Charriage au -coffret: the thief, termed “Américain,” leaves in charge of a barmaid a -small box filled to all appearance with gold coin; he returns in the -course of the day, but suddenly finding that he has lost the key of -the box, he asks for a loan of money and disappears, leaving the box -as security. It goes without saying that the alleged gold coins are -nothing more than brand-new farthings. Charriage au pot, another kind -of the confidence trick dodge. One confederate forms an acquaintance -with a passer-by, and both meet with the other confederate styled -“l’Américain,” who offers to take them to a house of ill-fame and -defray all expenses, but who, being fearful of getting robbed, deposits -his money in a jug or other receptacle. On the way he suddenly alters -his mind, and sends the victim for the sum, not without having exacted -bail-money from him as a guarantee of his return, after which both -scamps make off with the fool’s money. Swindlers of this description -are termed “magsmen” in the English slang. - -CHARRIER (thieves’), _to swindle one out of his money by misleading -statements_. See CHARRIAGE. - -CHARRIEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _thief who employs the mode termed_ -charriage (which see); _confederate who provides cardsharpers with -pigeons_; ---- de ville, _a robber who first makes his victims -insensible by drugs, and then plunders them_, a “drummer;” ---- -cambrousier, _itinerant quack_; _clumsy thief_. - -CHARTREUSE, _f._ (popular), de vidangeur, _small measure of wine_. - -CHARTRON, _m._ (theatrical), faire le ----, _is said of actors who -place themselves in a row in front of the footlights_. - -CHASON, _m._ (thieves’), _ring_, “fawney.” - -CHASSE, _f._ (popular), aller à la ---- au barbillon, _to go -a-fishing_. Foutre une ----, _to scold vehemently_, “to haul over the -coals.” - -CHÂSSE, _f._ (thieves’), _eye_, “glazier.” Balancer, boiter des -châsses, _to be one-eyed_, “boss-eyed;” _to squint_. Se foutre l’apôtre -dans la ----, _to be mistaken_. - -CHASSE-BROUILLARD (popular), _a drop of spirits_; _a dram to keep the -damp out_, a “dewdrop.” - -CHASSE-COQUIN, _m._ (popular), _gendarme; beadle_, “bumble;” _bad wine_. - -CHASSELAS, _m._ (popular), _wine_. - -CHASSEMAR, _m._ (popular), for chasseur. - -CHASSE-MARÉE, _m._ (military), _chasseurs d’Afrique, a body of light -cavalry_. - -CHASSE-NOBLE, _m._ (thieves’), _gendarme_. - -CHASSER (popular), au plat, _to be a parasite_, a “quiller;” ---- des -reluits, _to weep_, “to nap a bib;” ---- le brouillard, _to have a -morning dram of spirits_, or a “dewdrop;” ---- les mouches, _to be -dying_. See PIPE. (Thieves’ and cads’) Chasser, _to flee_, “to guy.” -See PATATROT. - - Gn’a du pet, interrompt un second voyou qui survient, v’là - un sergot qui s’amène ... chassons!--=RICHEPIN.= - -D’occase, abbreviation of d’occasion, _secondhand_. - -CHÂSSIS, _m._ (popular), _eyes_, or “peepers.” Fermer les ----, _to -sleep_. - -CHASSUE, _f._ (thieves’), _needle_. Chas, _eye of a needle_. - -CHASSURE, _f._ (thieves’), _wine_. - -CHASUBLARD, _m._ (popular), _priest_, or “devil dodger.” - - Vit-on un seul royaliste, un seul cagot, un seul - chasublard, prendre les armes pour la défense du trône et - de l’autel?--=G. GUILLEMOT=, _Le Mot d’Ordre_, Sept. 6, - 1877. - -CHAT, _m._ (thieves’), _turnkey_, “dubsman;” (popular) _slater_, from -his spending half his life on roofs like cats. Avoir un ---- dans la -gouttière, _to be hoarse_. - -CHÂTAIGNE, _f._ (popular), _box on the ear_, or “buck-horse.” - -CHATAUD, CHATAUDE, _adj._ (popular), _greedy_. - -CHÂTEAU, _m._ (popular), branlant, _person or thing always in motion_. -(Thieves’) Château, _prison_; ---- de l’ombre, _convict settlement_. Un -élève du ----, _a prisoner_. - -CHÂTEAU-CAMPÊCHE (familiar and popular), _derisive appellation for -bad wine, of which the ruby colour is often due to an adjunction of -logwood_. - -CHATON, _m._ (popular), _nice fellow_; _Sodomist_. - -CHATOUILLAGE AU ROUPILLON, _m._ (thieves’). See VOL AU POIVRIER. - -CHATOUILLER (theatrical), le public, _to indulge in drolleries -calculated to excite mirth among an audience_; (familiar) ---- les -côtes, _to thrash_, “to lick.” - -CHATOUILLEUR (familiar), _man on ’Change who by divers contrivances -entices the public into buying shares_, a “buttoner;” (thieves’) _a -thief who tickles a person’s sides as if in play, and meanwhile picks -his pockets_. - -CHATTE, _f._ (popular), _five-franc piece_. - -CHAUD, _adj. and m._ (popular), _cunning_; _greedy_; _wide awake_, or -“fly;” _high-priced_. Il l’a ----, _he is wide awake about his own -interests_. Etre ----, _to look with watchful eye_. (Familiar) Un ----, -_an enthusiast_; _energetic man_. Il fera ----, _never_, “when the -devil is blind.” Quand vous me reverrez il fera ----, _you will never -see me again_. Etre ---- de la pince, _to be fond of women, to be a_ -“beard-splitter.” (Artists’) Faire ----, _to employ very warm tints -after the style of Rembrandt and all other colourists_. (Popular and -thieves’) Chaud! _quick! on!_ - - Chaud, chaud! pour le mangeur, il faut le désosser. - --=E. SUE.= - -CHAUDRON, _m._ (familiar), _bad piano_. Taper sur le ----, _to play on -the piano_. - -CHAUDRONNER (popular), _to buy secondhand articles and sell them as -new_. - -CHAUDRONNIER, _m._ (popular), _secondhand-clothes man_; (military) -_cuirassier_, an allusion to his breastplate. - -CHAUFAILLON (popular), _stoker_. - -CHAUFFE-LA-COUCHE (familiar), _man who loves well his comfort_; -_henpecked husband_, or “stangey.” - -CHAUFFER (popular), le four, _to drink heavily_, “to guzzle.” See -RINCER. (Familiar) Chauffer un artiste, une pièce, _to applaud so as -to excite the enthusiasm of an audience_; ---- une affaire, _to push -briskly an undertaking_; ---- une place, _to be canvassing for a post_. -Ça va chauffer, _there will be a hot fight_. Chauffer des enchères, _to -encourage bidding at an auction_. - -CHAUFFEUR, _m._ (popular), _man who instills life into conversation -or in a company_; _formerly, under the Directoire, one of a gang of -brigands who extorted money from people by burning the feet of the -victims_. - -CHAUMIR (thieves’), _to lose_. - -CHAUSSETTE (thieves’), _ring fastened as a distinctive badge to the leg -of a convict who has been chained up for any length of time to another -convict, a punishment termed_ “double chaîne.” - -CHAUSSETTES, _f. pl._ (military), _gloves_; ---- russes, _wrapper for -the feet made of pieces of cloth_; (popular) ---- de deux paroisses, -_odd socks_. - -CHAUSSON, _m._ (popular), _old prostitute_. Putain comme ----, _regular -whore_. (Ballet girls’) Faire son ----, _to put on and arrange one’s -pumps_. - - “Laissez-moi donc, je suis en retard. J’ai encore - mon mastic et mon chausson à faire.” Autrement, pour - ceux qui ne sont pas de la boutique, “il me reste - encore à m’habiller, à me chausser et à me faire ma - tête.”--=MAHALIN.= - -CHAUSSONNER (popular), _to kick_. - -CHAUVINISTE, _m._, synonymous of “chauvin,” _one with narrow-minded, -exaggerated sentiments of patriotism_, a “Jingo.” - -CHEF, _m._ (military), abbreviation of maréchal-des-logis chef, -_quartermaster-sergeant in the cavalry_. (Popular) Chef de cuisine, -_foreman in a brewery_; (thieves’) ---- d’attaque, _head of a gang_. - -CHELINGUER (popular), _to stink_. Termed also “plomber, trouilloter, -casser, danser, repousser, fouetter, vézouiller, véziner.” - -CHEMINÉE, _f._ (popular), _hat_, “chimney pot.” - -CHEMISE, _f._ (popular), être dans la ---- de quelqu’un, _to be -constantly with one_, _to be_ “thick as hops” _with one_. (Thieves’) -Chemise de conseiller, _stolen linen_. - -CHEMISES, _f. pl._ (popular), compter ses ----, _to vomit_, or “to -cascade.” An allusion to the bending posture of a man who is troubled -with the ailment. - -CHENÂTRE, _adj._ (thieves’), _good_, _excellent_, “nobby.” - - Ils ont de quoi faire un chenâtre banquet avec des - rouillardes pleines de pivois et du plus chenâtre qu’on - puisse trouver.--_Le Jargon de l’Argot._ - -CHÊNE, _m._ (thieves’), _man_, or “cove;” ---- affranchi, _thief_, or -“flash cove.” For synonyms see GRINCHE. Faire suer un ----, _to kill a -man_, “to give a cove his gruel.” - -CHENILLON, _m._ (popular), _ugly girl_. - -CHENIQUE, or CHNIC, _m._ (popular), _brandy_, “French cream.” - -CHENIQUEUR, _m._ (popular), _drinker of brandy_. - -CHENOC, _adj._ (thieves’), _bad_; _good-for-nothing old fellow_. - -CHENU, _adj._ (thieves’), _excellent_, “nobby.” Properly _old_, -_whitened by age_; ---- pivois, _excellent wine_; ---- reluit, _good -morning_; ---- sorgue, _good night_. - - Je lui jaspine en bigorne, - Qu’as-tu donc à morfiller? - J’ai du chenu pivois sans lance, - Et du larton savonné. - - =VIDOCQ.= - -CHENUMENT (popular), _very well_; _very good_. - -CHER (thieves’), se cavaler ----, _to decamp quickly_, _to_ “guy.” See -PATATROT. - -CHÉRANCE, _f._ (thieves’), être en ----, _to be intoxicated_, or -“canon.” - -CHERCHE (popular), _nothing_, or “love.” Etre dix à ----, _to be ten to -love at billiards_. - -CHERCHER (popular), la gueulée, _to be a parasite_, a “quiller.” -(Familiar and popular) Chercher des poux à la tête de quelqu’un, _to -find fault with one on futile pretexts_; _to try and fasten on a -quarrel_. - -CHÉREZ! (thieves’), _courage!_ _cheer up!_ _never say die!_ Villon, -15th century, has “chère lye,” _a joyous countenance_. - -CHETARD, _m._ (thieves’), _prison_, or “stir.” See MOTTE. - -CHÉTIF, _m._ (popular), _mason’s boy_. - -CHEULARD, _m._ (popular), _gormandizer_, “grand-paunch.” - -CHEVAL, _m._ (popular and thieves’), de retour, _old offender_; -_returned or escaped convict sent back to the convict settlement_. -Termed also “trique, canne.” - - Me voilà donc cheval de retour, on me remet à Toulon, cette - fois avec les bonnets verts.--=V. HUGO.= - -(Military) Cheval de l’adjudant, _camp bed of cell_; (familiar) ---- -qui la connaît dans les coins, _a clever horse_. Literally _skilful at -turning the corners_. (Popular) Faire son ---- de corbillard, _to put -on a jaunty look_; _to give oneself conceited airs_; _to bluster_, or, -as the Americans say, “to be on the tall grass.” - -CHEVALIER, _m._ (popular), de la courte lance, _hospital assistant_; ----- de la grippe, _thief_, or “prig.” See GRINCHE. Chevalier de -la manchette, _Sodomist_; ---- de la pédale, _one who works a -card-printing machine_; ---- de l’aune, _shopman_, or “knight of -the yard;” ---- de salon, de tapis vert, _gamester_; ---- du bidet, -_women’s bully_, or “pensioner.” See POISSON. Chevalier du crochet, -_rag-picker_, or “bone-grubber;” ---- du lansquenet, _gambling cheat -who has recourse to the card-sharping trick denominated_ “le pont” -(which see); ---- du lustre, “_claqueur_,” _that is, one who is paid -for applauding at theatres_; ---- du printemps, or de l’ordre du -printemps, _silly fellow who flowers his button-hole to make it appear -that he has the decoration of the “Légion d’Honneur;”_ ---- grimpant, -see VOLEUR AU BONJOUR. - -CHEVAU-LÉGER, _m._ (familiar), _ultra-Conservative of the Legitimist -and Clerical party_. The chevau-légers were formerly a corps of -household cavalry. - -CHEVAUX, _m. pl._ (popular), à doubles semelles, _legs_. Compare the -English expression, “to ride Shank’s mare, or pony.” - -CHEVELU, _adj._ (familiar), art ----, littérateur ----, poète ----, -_art, literary man, poet of the “école romantique,” of which the chief -in literature was Victor Hugo_. - -CHEVEU, _m._ (familiar), _difficulty_; _trouble_; _hindrance_; _hitch_. -Voilà le ----, _ay, there’s the rub_. J’ai un ----, _I have some -trouble on my mind, reason for uneasiness_. Il y a un ---- dans son -bonheur, _there is some trouble that mars his happiness_. (Popular) -Avoir un ---- pour un homme, _to fancy a man_. (Theatrical) Cheveu, -_unintentional jumbling of words by transposition of syllables_. This -kind of mistake when intentional Rabelais termed “équivoquer.” - - En l’aultre deux ou trois miroirs ardents dont il faisait - enrager aulcunes fois les hommes et les femmes et leur - faisait perdre contenance à l’ecclise. Car il disait qu’il - n’y avait qu’une antistrophe entre femme folle à la messe - et femme molle à la fesse.--=RABELAIS=, _Pantagruel_. - -See also _Œuvres de Rabelais_ (Garnier’s edition), _Pantagruel_, page -159. - -CHEVEUX, _m._ (familiar and popular), avoir mal aux ----, _to have -a headache caused by overnight potations_. Faire des ---- gris à -quelqu’un, _to trouble one_, _to give anxiety to one_. Se faire des ----- blancs, _to fret_; _to feel annoyed at being made to wait a long -time_. Trouver des ---- à tout, _to find fault with everything_. -(Military) Passer la main dans les ----, _to cut one’s hair_. - -CHEVILLARD, _m._ (popular), _butcher in a small way_. - -CHEVILLES, _f._ (popular), _fried potatoes_. Termed “greasers” at the -R. M. Academy. - -CHÉVINETTE, _f._ (popular), _darling_. - -CHÈVRE, _f._ (popular), gober sa ----, _to get angry_, _to bristle up_, -“to lose one’s shirt,” “to get one’s monkey up.” - -CHEVRON, _m._ (thieves’), _fresh offence against the law_. Properly -_military stripe_. - -CHEVRONNÉ, _m._ (thieves’), _old offender_, _an old_ “jail-bird.” - -CHEVROTIN, _adj._ (popular), _irritable_, “cranky,” “touchy.” - -CHIADE, _f._ (schoolboys’), _hustling_, _pushing_. - -CHIALLER (thieves’), _to squall_; _to weep_. - - Bon, tu chial’! ah! c’est pas palas.--=RICHEPIN.= - -CHIARDER (schoolboys’), _to work_, “to sweat.” - -CHIASSE, _f._ (popular), avoir la ----, _to suffer from diarrhœa_, or -“jerry-go-nimble.” - -CHIBIS, _m._ (thieves’), faire ----, _to escape from prison_; _to -decamp_, “to guy.” See PATATROT. - - J’ai fait chibis. J’avais la frousse - Des préfectanciers de Pantin. - A Pantin, mince de potin! - On y connaît ma gargarousse. - - =RICHEPIN=, _Chanson des Gueux_. - -CHIC, _m._ (English slang), “tzing tzing,” or “slap up.” The word has -almost ceased to be slang, but we thought it would not be out of place -in a work of this kind. (Familiar) Chic, _finish_; _elegance_; _dash_; -_spirit_. Une femme qui a du ----, une robe qui a du ----, _a stylish -woman or dress_. Cet acteur joue avec ----, _this actor plays in a -spirited manner_. Ça manque de ----, _it wants dash, is commonplace_. -Pourri de ----, _most elegant_, “nobby.” Chic, _knack_; _originality_; -_manner_. Il a le ----, _he has the knack_. Il a un ---- tout -particulier, _he has a manner quite his own_. Il a le ---- militaire, -_he has a soldier-like appearance_. Peindre de ----, faire de ----, -écrire de ----, _to paint or write with imaginative power, but without -much regard for accuracy_. - - Vous croyez peut-être que j’invente, que je brode - d’imagination et que je fais de chic cette seconde - vie.--=RICHEPIN.= - -CHIC, CHIQUE, _adj._, _excellent_, “fizzing;” _dashing_, _stylish_. -Un pékin ----, _well-dressed, rich man_. Un homme ----, _a man of -fashion_, _a well-dressed one_, _a well-to-do man_. Un ---- homme, _a -good, excellent man_. - -CHICAN, _m._ (thieves’), _hammer_. - -CHICANDARD. See CHICARD. - -CHICANDER (popular), _to dance the “Chicard step.”_ See CHICARD. - -CHICANE, _f._ (thieves’), grinchir à la ----, _stealing the purse or -watch of a person while standing in front of him, but with the back -turned towards him_--a feat which requires no ordinary dexterity. - -CHICARD, _m._ (popular), _buffoon character of the carnival, in fashion -from 1830 to 1850_. The first who impersonated it was a leather-seller, -who invented a new eccentric step, considered to be exceedingly “chic;” -hence probably his nickname of Chicard. His “get-up” consisted of a -helmet with high plume, jackboots, a flannel frock, and large cavalry -gloves. Pas ----, _step invented by M. Chicard_. - -CHICARD, CHICANCARDO, CHICANDARD, _adj._, _superlative of_ “chic,” -“tip-top,” “out and out,” “slap up,” “tzing tzing.” - -CHICARDER, _to dance the Chicard step_. See CHICARD. - -CHIC ET CONTRE, _warning which mountebanks address to one another_. - -CHICHE! (popular), _an exclamation expressive of defiance_. - -CHICKSTRAC, _m._ (military), _refuse_, _dung_, _excrement_. Corvée de -----, _fatigue duty for sweeping away the refuse, and especially for -emptying cesspools_. - -CHICMANN, _m._ (popular), _tailor_. A great many tailors in Paris bear -Germanic names; hence the termination of the word. - -CHICORÉE, _f._ (popular), c’est fort de ----, _it is really too bad!_ -Ficher de la ----, _to reprimand_, “to give a wigging.” Faire sa ----, -_is said of a person with affected or_ “high-falutin” _airs_. Ne fais -donc pas ta ----, _don’t give yourself such airs_, “come off the tall -grass,” as the Americans have it. - -CHIÉ, _adj._ (popular), tout ----, “as like as two peas.” - -CHIE-DANS-L’EAU, _m._ (military), _sailor_. - -CHIEN, _m. and adj._ (popular), noyé, _sugar soaked in coffee_. -(Journalists’) Un ---- perdu, _short newspaper paragraph_. -(Schoolboys’) Un ---- de cour, _school usher_, or “bum brusher.” -(Military) Un ---- de compagnie, _a sergeant major_. Un ---- de -régiment, _adjutant_. (Familiar and popular) Le ---- du commissaire, -_police magistrate’s secretary_. The commissaire is a police -functionary and petty magistrate. He examines privately cases brought -before him, sends prisoners for trial, or dismisses them at once, -settles then and there disputes between coachmen and their fares, -sometimes between husbands and wives, makes perquisitions. He possesses -to a certain extent discretionary powers. Avoir du ----, _to possess -dash, go_, “gameness.” Il faut avoir du ---- dans le ventre pour -résister, _one must have wonderful staying powers to resist_. Avoir un ----- pour un homme, _to be infatuated with a man_. Faire le ----, _is -said of a servant who follows with a basket in the wake of her mistress -going to market_. Rester en ---- de faience, _to remain immovable, -like a block_. Se regarder en ---- de faience, _to look at one another -without uttering a word_. Piquer un ----, _to take a nap_. Dormir en ----- de fusil, _to sleep with the body doubled up_. Une coiffure à la -----, _mode of wearing the hair loose on the forehead_. (Military) Un -officier ----, _a martinet_. - -CHIENDENT, _m._, arracher le ----. See ARRACHER. - -CHIER (popular), _coarse word_; ---- dans la vanette, _to be too free -and easy_; ---- de petites crottes, _to earn little money_; _to live -in poverty_; ---- des carottes, _to be costive_; ---- des chasses, -_to weep_, “to nap a bib;” ---- du poivre, _to fail in keeping one’s -promise_; _to abscond_; _to vanish when one’s services or help are most -needed_; ---- sur l’œil, _to laugh at one_; ---- sur, _to show great -contempt for_; _to abandon_. Ne pas ---- de grosses crottes, _to have -had a bad dinner, or no dinner at all_. Vous me faites ----, _you bore -me_. Un gueuleton à ---- partout, _a grand feast_. Une mine à ---- -dessus, _a repulsive countenance_. (Printers’) Chier dans le cassetin -aux apostrophes, _to cease to be a printer_. - -CHIEUR, _m._ (popular), d’encre, _clerk_, or “quill-driver.” - -CHIFFARDE, _f._ (thieves’), _summons_; _pipe_. - -CHIFFE, _f._ (popular), _rag-picking_; _tongue_, “red rag.” - -CHIFFERLINDE, _f._ (popular), boire une ----, _to drink a dram of -spirits_. - -CHIFFERTON, _m._ (popular), _rag-picker_, “bone-grubber,” or -“tot-picker.” - -CHIFFON, _m._ (popular), _handkerchief_, “snottinger;” ---- rouge, -_tongue_, “red rag.” Balancer le ---- rouge, _to talk_, “to wag the red -rag.” - -CHIFFONNAGE, _m._ (popular), _plunder of a rag-picker_. - -CHIFFONNIER, _m._ (thieves’), _pickpocket who devotes his attention to -handkerchiefs_, “stook-hauler;” _man of disorderly habits_. (Literary). -Chiffonnier de la double colline, _bad poet_. - -CHIFFORNION, _m._ (popular), _silk handkerchief, or silk_ “wipe.” - -CHIFFORTIN, _m._ (popular), _rag-picker_, “bone-grubber,” or -“tot-picker.” - -CHIGNARD, _m._ (popular), _inveterate grumbler_, “rusty guts.” - -CHIGNER (popular), _to weep_, “to nap a bib.” - -CHIMIQUE, _f._ (popular), _lucifer match_. - -CHINAGE. See CHINE. Vol au ----, _selling plated trinkets for the -genuine article_. - -CHINCILLA (popular), _grey_, or “pepper and salt” _hair_. - -CHINE. Aller à la ----, _to ply the trade of_ chineur (which see). - -CHINER (military), _to slander one_; _to ridicule one_; (popular) _to -work_; _to go in quest of good bargains_; _to buy furniture at sales -and resell it_; _to follow the pursuit of an old clothes man_; _to -hawk_; _to go about the country buying heads of hair from peasant -girls_. - -CHINEUR, or MARGOULIN, _m._ (thieves’), _one who goes about the -country buying heads of hair of peasant girls_. (Military) Chineur, -_slanderer_; (popular) _rabbit-skin man_; _marine store dealer_; -_worker_; _hawker of cheap stuffs or silk handkerchiefs_. - - En argot, chineur signifie travailleur, et vient du - verbe chiner.... Mais ce mot se spécialise pour désigner - particulièrement une race de travailleurs _sui generis_.... - - Elle campe en deux tribus à Paris. L’une habite le pâté de - maisons qui se hérisse entre la place Maubert et le petit - bras de la Seine, et notamment rue des Anglais. L’autre - niche en haut de Ménilmontant, et a donné autrefois son nom - à la rue de la Chine.... - - Les chineurs sont, d’ailleurs, des colons et non - des Parisiens de naissance. Chaque génération vient - ici chercher fortune, et s’en retourne ensuite au - pays.--=RICHEPIN=, _Le Pavé_. - -CHINOIS, _m._ (popular), _an individual_, a “bloke,” a “cove;” -_proprietor of coffee-house_; (familiar) _term of friendship_; -(military) _term of contempt applied to civilians_, hence probably the -expression “pékin,” _civilian_. - -CHINOISERIE, _f._ (familiar), _quaint joke_; _intricate and quaint -procedure or contrivance_. - -CHIPE, _f._ (popular), _prigging_. From chiper, _to purloin_. - -CHIPETTE, _f._ (popular), _trifle_; _nothing_; _Lesbian woman, that is, -one with unnatural passions_. - -CHIPIE, _f._ (familiar). Literally _girl or woman with a testy temper_, -a “brim.” Faire sa ----, _to put on an air of supreme disdain or -disgust_. - -CHIPOTEUSE, _f._ (popular), _capricious woman_. - -CHIQUANDAR. See CHICARD. - -CHIQUE. See CHIC. - -CHIQUE, _f._ Properly _quid of tobacco_. (Popular) Avoir sa ----, _to -be in a bad humour_, “to be crusty,” or “cranky.” Avoir une ----, _to -be drunk_, or “screwed.” See POMPETTE. Ça te coupe la ----, _that’s -disappointing for you, that_ “cuts you up.” Coller sa ----, _to bend -one’s head_. Couper la ---- à quinze pas, _to stink_. Poser sa ----, -_to die_; _to be still_. Pose ta ---- et fais le mort! _be still!_ -_shut up!_ _hold your row!_ (Thieves’) Chique, _church_. - -CHIQUÉ (artists’), _smartly executed_. Also _said of artistic work done -quickly without previously studying nature_. (Popular) Bien ----, _well -dressed_. - -CHIQUEMENT, _with_ chic (which see). - -CHIQUER (familiar), _to do anything in a superior manner_; _to do -artistic work with more brilliancy than accuracy_; (popular) _to -thrash_, “to wallop,” see VOIE; _to eat_, “to grub,” see MASTIQUER. Se -----, _to fight_, “to drop into one another.” - -CHIQUER CONTRE or BATTRE À NIORT (thieves’), _to deny one’s guilt_. - -CHIQUEUR, _m._ (popular), _glutton_, “stodger;” (artists’) _an artist -who paints with smartness, or one who draws or paints without studying -nature_. - -CHIRURGIEN, _m._ (popular), en vieux, _cobbler_. - -CHNIC. See CHENIQUE. - -CHOCAILLON, _m._ (popular), _female rag-picker_; _female drunkard_, or -“lushington.” - -CHOCNOSO, CHOCNOSOF, CHOCNOSOGUE, KOSCNOFF, _excellent_, _remarkable_, -_brilliant_, “crushing,” “nobby,” “tip-top,” “fizzing.” - -CHOCOTTE, _f._ (rag-pickers’), _marrow bone_; (thieves’) _tooth_. - -CHOLÉRA, _m._ (popular), _zinc or zinc-worker_; _bad meat_. - -CHOLET, _m._ (popular), _white bread of superior quality_. - -CHOLETTE, _f._ (thieves’), _half a litre_. Double ----, _a litre_. - -CHOPER (popular), _to steal_, “to prig.” See GRINCHIR. Old word choper, -_to touch anything_, _to make it fall_. Se laisser ----, _to allow -oneself to be caught_, _to be_ “nabbed.” - -CHOPIN, _m._ (thieves’), _theft_; _stolen object_; _blow_. Faire un -----, _to commit a theft_. - -CHOSE, _adj._ (familiar and popular), _ill at ease_; _sad_; -_embarrassed_. Il prit un air ----, _he looked sad or embarrassed_. Je -me sens tout ----, _I feel ill at ease_; _queer_. - -CHOU! (thieves’ and cads’), _a warning cry to intimate that the police -or people are coming up_. Termed also “Acresto!” - -CHOUCARDE, _f._ (military), _wheelbarrow_. - -CHOUCHOUTER (familiar), _to fondle_, “to firkytoodle;” _to spoil one_. -From chouchou, _darling_. - -CHOU COLOSSAL, _m._ (familiar), _a scheme for swindling the public by -fabulous accounts of future profits_. - -CHOUCROUTE, _f._ (popular), tête or mangeur de ----, _a German_. - -CHOUCROUTER (popular), _to eat sauerkraut_; _to speak German_. - -CHOUCROUTEUR, CHOUCROUTMANN, _m._, _German_. - -CHOUETTE, CHOUETTARD, CHOUETTAUD, _adj._, _good_; _fine_; _perfect_, -“chummy,” “real jam,” “true marmalade.” C’est rien ----, _that’s -first-class!_ Quel ---- temps, _what splendid weather!_ Un ---- -régiment, _a crack regiment_. (Disparagingly) Nous sommes ----, _we -are in a fine pickle_. - -CHOUETTE, _f. and adj._ (thieves’), être ----, _to be caught_. Faire -une ----, _to play at billiards against two other players_. - -CHOUETTEMENT (popular), _finely_; _perfectly_. - -CHOUEZ (Breton), _house_; ---- doue, _church_. - -CHOUFFLIC (popular), _bad workman_. In the German schuflick, _cobbler_. - -CHOUFFLIQUER (popular), _to work in a clumsy manner_. - -CHOUFFLIQUEUR, _m._ (popular), _bad workman_; (military) _shoemaker_, -“snob.” - -CHOUFRETEZ (Breton), _lucifer matches_. - -CHOUIA (military), _gently_. From the Arabic. - -CHOUIL (Breton), _work_; _insect_. - -CHOUILA (Breton cant), _to work_; _to beget many children_. - -CHOUISTA (Breton), _to work with a will_. - -CHOUMAQUE (popular), _shoemaker_. From the German. - -CHOURIN, for SURIN (thieves’), _knife_, “chive.” - - Si j’ai pas l’rond, mon surin bouge. - Moi, c’est dans le sang qu’ j’aurais truqué. - Mais quand on fait suer, pomaqué! - Mieux vaut bouffer du blanc qu’ du rouge. - - =RICHEPIN=, _Chanson des Gueux_. - -CHOURINER, for SURINER (thieves’), _to knife_, “to chive.” - -CHOURINEUR, _m._, for SURINEUR (thieves’), _one who uses the knife_; -_knacker_. “Le Chourineur” is one of the characters of Eugène Sue’s -_Mystères de Paris_. - -C’HOUSA (Breton), _to eat_. - -C’HOUSACH (Breton), _food_. - -CHRÉTIEN, _adj._ (popular), _mixed with water_, “baptized.” - -CHRÉTIEN, _m._ (popular), viande de ----, _human flesh_. - -CHRYSALIDE, _f._ (popular), _old coquette_. - -CHTIBES, _f. pl._ (popular), _boots_, “hock-dockies.” - -CHYBRE, _m._ (popular), see FLAGEOLET; (artists’) _member of the -Institut de France_. - -CHYLE, _m._ (familiar), se refaire le ----, _to have a good meal_, a -“tightener.” - -CIBICHE, _f._ (popular), _cigarette_. - -CIBLE, _f._ (popular), à coups de pieds, _breech_. See VASISTAS. - -CIBOULE, _f._ (popular), _head_, or “block.” See TRONCHE. - -CIDRE ÉLÉGANT, _m._ (familiar), _champagne_, “fiz,” or “boy.” - -CIEL, _m._ (fishermens’), le ---- plumant ses poules, _clouds_. - - Les nuages, c’était le ciel plumant ses poules, - Et la foudre en éclats, Michel cassant ses œufs. - Il appelait le vent du sud cornemuseux, - Celui du nord cornard, de l’ouest brise à grenouille, - Celui de suroit l’brouf, celui de terre andouille. - - =RICHEPIN=, _La Mer_. - -CIERGE, _m._ (thieves’), _police officer_, or “reeler.” For synonyms -see POT-À-TABAC. - -CIG, _m._, CIGALE, or SIGUE, _f._ (thieves’), _gold coin_, or “yellow -boy.” - -CIGALE, _f._ (popular), _female street singer_. Properly _grasshopper_; -also _cigar_. - -CIGOGNE, _f._ (thieves’), _the “Préfecture de Police” in Paris_; _the -Palais de Justice_; _court of justice_. Le dab de la ----, _the public -prosecutor_; _the prefect of police_. - - Je monte à la cigogne. - On me gerbe à la grotte, - Au tap, et pour douze ans. - - =VIDOCQ.= - -CIGUE, _f._ (thieves’), abbreviation of cigale, _twenty-franc piece_. - -CIMAISE (painters’), faire sa ---- sur quelqu’un, _to show up one’s own -good qualities, whether real or imaginary, at the expense of another’s -failings_, in other words, _to preach for one’s own chapel_. - -CIMENT, _m._ (freemasons’), _mustard_. - -CINGLER (thieves’), se ---- le blair, _to get drunk_, or “canon.” - -CINQ-À-SEPT, _m._, _a kind of tea party from five o’clock to seven in -the fashionable world_. - -CINQ-CENTIMADAS, _m._ (ironical), _one-sou cigar_. - -CINTIÈME, _m._ (popular), _high cap generally worn by women’s bullies_, -or “pensioners.” - -CINTRER (popular), _to hold_; (thieves’) ---- en pogne, _to seize hold -of_; _to apprehend_, or “to smug.” See PIPER. - -CIPAL, _m._ (popular), abbreviation of garde-municipal. The “garde -municipale” is a picked body of old soldiers who furnish guards and -perform police functions at theatres, official ceremonies, police -courts, &c. It consists of infantry and cavalry, and is in the pay -of the Paris municipal authorities, most of the men having been -non-commissioned officers in the army. - -CIRAGE, _m._ (popular), _praise_, “soft sawder,” “butter.” - -CIRE, _f._, voleur à la ----, _rogue who steals a silver fork or spoon -at a restaurant, and makes it adhere under the table by means of a -piece of soft wax_. When charged with the theft, he puts on an air of -injured innocence, and asks to be searched; then leaves with ample -apologies from the master of the restaurant. Soon after a confederate -enters, taking his friend’s former seat at the table, and pocketing the -booty. - -CIRÉ, _m._ (popular), _negro_. From cirer, _to black shoes_. Termed -also “boîte à cirage, bamboula, boule de neige, bille de pot au feu.” - -CIRER (popular), _to praise_; _to flatter_, “to butter.” - -CIREUX, _m._ (popular), _one with inflamed eyelids_. - -CISEAUX, _m. pl._ (literary), travailler à coups de ----, _to compile_. - -CITÉ, _f._ (popular), d’amour, _gay girl_, “bed-fagot.” - - Je l’ai traitée comme elle le méritait. Je l’ai - appelée feignante, cité d’amour, chenille, machine à - plaisir.--=MACÉ.= - -CITRON, _m._ (theatrical), _squeaky note_; (thieves’ and cads’) _the -head_, “nut,” or “chump.” Termed also “tronche, sorbonne, poire, -cafetière, trognon, citrouille.” - -CITROUILLE, _f._, CITROUILLARD, _m._ (military), _dragoon_; (thieves’) -_head_, “nut,” or “tibby.” - -CIVADE, _f._ (thieves’), _oats_. - -CIVARD, _m._ (popular), _pasture_. - -CIVE, _f._ (popular), _grass_. - -CLAIRS, _m. pl._ (thieves’), _eyes_, or “glaziers.” See MIRETTES. -Souffler ses ----, _to sleep_, to “doss,” or to have a “dose of the -balmy.” - -CLAIRTÉ, _f._ (popular), _light_; _beauty_. - -CLAMPINER (popular), _to idle about_; _to lounge about lazily_, “to -mike.” - -CLAPOTER (popular), _to eat_, “to grub.” See MASTIQUER. - -CLAQUÉ, _m. and adj._ (popular), _dead_, _dead man_. La boîte aux -claqués, _the Morgue, or Paris dead-house_. Le jardin des claqués, _the -cemetery_. - -CLAQUEBOSSE, _m._ (popular), _house of ill-fame_, or “nanny-shop.” - -CLAQUEDENTS, _m._ (popular), _house of ill-fame_, “nanny-shop;” -_gaming-house_, or “punting-shop;” _low eating-house_. - -CLAQUEFAIM, _m._ (popular), _starving man_. - -CLAQUEPATINS, _m._ (popular), _miserable slipshod person_. - - Venez à moi, claquepatins, - Loqueteux, joueurs de musette, - Clampins, loupeurs, voyous, catins. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -The early French poet Villon uses the word “cliquepatin” with the same -signification. - -CLAQUER (familiar), _to die_, “to croak;” _to eat_; _to sell_; ---- ses -meubles, _to sell one’s furniture_; ---- du bec, _to be very hungry -without any means of satisfying one’s craving for food_. - -CLAQUES, _f. pl._ (familiar and popular), une figure à ----, _face with -an impudent expression that invites punishment_. - -CLARINETTE, _f._ (military), de cinq pieds, _musket, formerly_ “Brown -Bess.” - -CLASSE, _f._ (popular), un ---- dirigeant, _said ironically of one of -the upper classes_. - -CLAVIN, _m._ (thieves’), _nail_; _grapes_. - -CLAVINE, _f._ (thieves’), _vine_. - -CLAVINER (thieves’), _to nail_; _to gather grapes_. - -CLAVINEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _vine-dresser_. - -CLAVINIER, _m._ (thieves’), _nail-maker_. - -CLEF, _f._ (familiar), à la ----. See A LA. Perdre sa ----, _to suffer -from colic_, or “botts.” (Military) La ---- du champ de manœuvre, -_imaginary object which recruits are requested by practical jokers to -go and ask of the sergeant_. - -CLIABEAU, _m._, expression used by the prisoners of Saint-Lazare, -_doctor_. - -CLICHE, _f._ (popular), _diarrhœa_, or “jerry-go-nimble.” - -CLICHÉ, _m._ (familiar), _commonplace sentence ready made_; -_commonplace metaphor_; _well-worn platitude_. (Printers’) Tirer son -----, _to be always repeating the same thing_. - -CLIENT, _m._ (thieves’), _victim, or intended victim_. - -CLIGNER (military), des œillets, _to squint_, _to be_ “boss-eyed.” - -CLIGNOTS, _m. pl._ (popular), _eyes_, “peepers.” Baver des ----, _to -weep_, “to nap a bib.” See MIRETTES. - -CLIPET, _m._ (thieves’), _voice_. - -CLIQUE, _f._ (popular), _scamp_, or “bad egg;” _diarrhœa_, or -“jerry-go-nimble.” (Military) La ----, _the squad of drummers and -buglers_. - - Exempts de service, ils exercent généralement une - profession quelconque (barbier, tailleur, ajusteur de - guêtres, etc.) qui leur rapporte quelques bénéfices. Ayant - ainsi plus de temps et plus d’argent à dépenser que leurs - camarades, ils ont une réputation, assez bien justifiée - d’ailleurs, de bambocheurs; de là, ce nom de clique qu’on - leur donne.--_La Langue Verte du Troupier._ - -CLIQUETTES, _f. pl._ (popular), _ears_, or “wattles.” - -CLODOCHE, _m._ (familiar), _description of professional comic dancer -with extraordinarily supple legs, such as the Girards brothers, of -Alhambra celebrity_. - -CLOPORTE, _m._ (familiar), _door-keeper_. Properly _woodlouse_. A pun -on the words clôt porte. - -CLOU, _m._ (military), _guard-room_; _cells_, “jigger;” _bayonet_. -Coller au ----, _to imprison_, “to roost.” (Popular) Clou, _bad -workman_; _pawnshop_. Mettre au ----, _to pawn_, _to put_ “in lug.” -Clou de girofle, _decayed black tooth_. (Theatrical and literary) Le ----- d’une pièce, d’un roman, _the chief point of interest in a play or -novel_, literally _a nail on which the whole fabric hangs_. - -CLOUER (popular), _to imprison_, “to run in;” _to pawn_, “to blue, to -spout, to lumber.” - -CLOUS, _m. pl._ (popular), _tools_. (Printers’) Petits ----, _type_. -Lever les petits ----, _to compose_. (Military) Clous, _foot-soldiers_, -or “mud-crushers.” - -COAGULER (familiar), se ----, _to get drunk_. See SCULPTER. - -CÔBIER, _m._, _heap of salt in salt-marshes_. - -COCANGES, _f. pl._ (thieves’), _walnut-shells_. Jeu de ----, _game of -swindlers at fairs_. - -COCANGEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _swindler_. See COCANGES. - -COCANTIN, _m._ (popular), _business agent acting as a medium between a -debtor and a creditor_. - -COCARDE, _f._ (popular), _head_. Avoir sa ----, _to be tipsy_. Taper -sur la ----, _is said of wine which gets into the head_. - - Ma joie et surtout l’petit bleu - Ça m’a tapé sur la cocarde! - - _Parisian Song._ - -COCARDER (popular), se ----, _to get tipsy_. See SCULPTER. - - Tout se passait très gentiment, on était gai, il ne fallait - pas maintenant se cocarder cochonnement, si l’on voulait - respecter les dames.--=ZOLA=, _L’Assommoir_. - -COCARDIER, _m._ (military), _military man passionately fond of his -profession_. - -COCASSERIE, _f._ (familiar), _strange or grotesque saying, writing, or -deed_. - -COCHE, _f._ (popular), _fat, red-faced woman_. - -COCHON, _m._ (popular), de bonheur! (ironical) _no luck!_ Ça n’est pas -trop ----, _that’s not so bad_. C’est pas ---- du tout, _that’s very -nice_. Mon pauvre ----, je ne te dis que ça! _my poor fellow, you are -in for it!_ Etre ----, _to be lewd_. Se conduire comme un ----, _to -behave in a mean, despicable way_. Soigner son ----, _is said of one -who lives too well_. Un costume ----, _a suggestive dress_. - -COCHONNE, _f._ (popular), _lewd girl_. (Ironically) Elle n’est pas -jolie, mais elle est si cochonne! - -COCHONNEMENT, _adv._ (popular), _in a disgusting manner_. - -COCHONNERIE, _f._ (popular), _any article of food having pork for a -basis_. - -COCHONNERIES, _f. pl._ (popular), _indecent talk or actions_. - -COCO, _m._ (military), _horse_. La botte à ----, _trumpet call for -stables_, (literally) La botte de foin à coco. (Popular) Coco, -_brandy_; _head_. See TRONCHE. Avoir le ---- déplumé, _to be bald, or -to have a_ “bladder of lard.” For synonymous expressions, see AVOIR. -Avoir le ---- fêlé, _to be cracked_, “to be a little bit balmy in -one’s crumpet.” For synonyms see AVOIR. Colle-toi ça dans le ----, or -passe-toi ça par le ----, _eat that or drink that_. Dévisser le ----, -_to strangle_. Monter le ----, _to excite_. Se monter le ----, _to -get excited_; _to be too sanguine_. Il a graissé la patte à ----, -_is said of a man who has bungled over some affair_. (Familiar) Coco -épileptique, _champagne wine_, “fiz,” or “boy.” - -COCODÈTE, _f._ (familiar), _stylish woman always dressed according to -the latest fashion_, a “dasher.” - -COCONS, _m. pl._, stands for co-conscrits, _first-term students at the -Ecole Polytechnique_. - -COCOTTE, _f._ (popular), _term of endearment to horses_. Allons, -hue ----! _pull up, my beauty!_ (Familiar and popular) Cocotte, _a -more than fast girl or woman_, a “pretty horse-breaker,” see GADOUE; -(theatrical) _addition made by singers to an original theme_. - -COCOTTERIE, _f._ (familiar), _the world of the cocottes_. See COCOTTE. - -COCOVIEILLES, _f. pl._, _name given by fashionable young ladies of the -aristocracy to their old-fashioned elders, who return the compliment by -dubbing them_ “cocosottes.” - -COCUFIEUR, _m._ (popular), _one who cuckoos, that is, one who lays -himself open to being called to account by an injured husband as the -co-respondent in the divorce court_. - -COENNE, or COUENNE, _f._ (thieves’), de lard, _brush_. (Familiar and -popular) Couenne, _stupid man_, _dunce_. - -COËRE, _m._ (thieves’), le grand ----, _formerly the king of rogues_. - -CŒUR, _m._ (popular), jeter du ---- sur le carreau, _to vomit_. A pun -on the words “hearts” and “diamonds” of cards on the one hand, avoir -mal au ----, _to feel sick_, and “carreau,” _flooring_, on the other. -Valet de ----, _lover_. - -CŒUR D’ARTICHAUT, _m._ (popular), _man or woman with an inflammable -heart_. - - Paillasson, quoi! cœur d’artichaut, - C’est mon genre; un’ feuille pour tout l’monde, - Au jour d’aujourd’hui j’gobe la blonde; - Après d’main, c’est la brun’ qu’i m’faut. - - =GILL=, _La Muse à Bibi_. - -COFFIER (thieves’), abbreviation of escoffier, _to kill_, “to cook -one’s gruel.” - -COFFIN, _m._, _peculiar kind of desk at the Ecole Polytechnique_. From -the inventor’s name, General Coffinières. - -COGNAC, _m._ (thieves’), _gendarme or police officer_, “crusher,” -“copper,” or “reeler.” See POT-À-TABAC. - -COGNADE, _f._, or COGNE (thieves’), _gendarmerie_. - -COGNARD, _m._, or COGNE, _gendarme and gendarmerie_; _police officer_, -“copper.” - -COGNE, _m. and f._ (thieves’), la ----, _the police_. Un ----, _a -police officer_, or “reeler.” See POT-À-TABAC. Also _brandy_. Un noir -de trois ronds sans ----, _a three-halfpenny cup of coffee without -brandy_. - -COIFFER (popular), _to slap_; _to deceive one’s husband_. Se ---- de -quelqu’un, _to take a fancy to one_. - -COIN, _m._ (popular), c’est un ---- sans i, _he is a fool_. - -COIRE (thieves’), _farm_; _chief_. - - Je rencontrai des camarades qui avaient aussi fait leur - temps ou cassé leur ficelle. Leur coire me proposa - d’être des leurs, on faisait la grande soulasse sur le - trimar.--=V. HUGO.= - -COL, _m._ (familiar), cassé, _dandy_, or “masher.” Se pousser du ----, -_to assume an air of self-importance or conceit_, “to look gumptious;” -_to praise oneself up_. An allusion to the motion of one’s hand under -the chin when about to make an important statement. - -COLAS, COLABRE, or COLIN, _m._ (thieves’), _neck_, or “scrag.” Faire -suer le ----, _to strangle_. Rafraîchir le ----, _to guillotine_. -Rafraîchir means _to trim_ in the expression, “Rafraîchir les cheveux.” - -COLBACK, _m._ (military), _raw recruit_, or “Johnny raw.” An allusion -to his unkempt hair, similar to a busby or bearskin cap. - -COLIN. See COLAS. - -COLLABO, _m._ (literary), abbreviation of collaborateur. - -COLLAGE, _m._ (familiar), _living as husband and wife in an unmarried -state_. - - L’une après l’autre--en camarade-- - C’est rupin, mais l’ collage, bon Dieu! - Toujours la mêm’ chauffeus’ de pieu! - M’en parlez pas! Ça m’rend malade. - - =GILL=, _La Muse à Bibi_. - -Un ---- d’argent, _the action of a woman who lives with a man as his -wife from mercenary motives_. - - C’était selon la manie de ce corrupteur de mineures, - le sceau avec lequel il cimentait ce que Madame - Cornette appelait, en terme du métier, ses collages - d’argent!--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -COLLANT, _m._ (familiar), _is said of one not easily got rid of_; -(military) _drawers_. - -COLLARDE, _m._ (thieves’), _prisoner_, _one_ “doing time.” - -COLLE, _f._ (students’), _weekly or other periodical oral examinations -to prepare for a final examination, or to make up the marks which pass -one at the end of the year_. - -COLLÈGE, _m._ (thieves’), _prison_, or “stir.” See MOTTE. Un ami de -----, _a prison chum_. Les collèges de Pantin, _the Paris prisons_. - -COLLÉGIEN, _m._ (thieves’), _prisoner_. - -COLLER (students’), _to stop one’s leave_; _to orally examine at -periodical examinations_. Se faire ----, _to get plucked or_ “ploughed” -_at an examination_. (Popular) Coller, _to place_; _to put_; _to -give_; _to throw_; ---- au bloc, _to imprison_, “to run in;” ---- des -châtaignes, _to thrash_, “to wallop.” See VOIE. Se ---- dans le pieu, -_to go to bed_. Se ---- une biture, _to get drunk_, or “screwed.” See -SCULPTER. Colle-toi là, _place yourself there_. Colle-toi ça dans le -fusil, _eat or drink that_. Colle-toi ça dans la coloquinte, _bear -that in mind_. (Military) Coller au bloc, _to send to the guard-room_. -Collez-moi ce clampin-là au bloc, _take that lazy bones to the -guard-room_. (Familiar and popular) Se ----, _to live as man and wife, -to live_ “a tally.” Se faire ----, _to be nonplussed_. S’en ---- par -le bec, _to eat to excess_, “to scorf.” S’en ---- pour, _to go to the -expense of_. Je m’en suis collé pour dix francs, _I spent ten francs -over it_. - -COLLETINER (thieves’), _to collar_, _to apprehend_, “to smug.” See -PIPER. - -COLLEUR, _m._ (students’), _professor whose functions are to -orally examine at certain periods students at private or public -establishments; man who gets quickly intimate_ or “thick” _with one, -who_ “cottons on to one.” - -COLLIER, or COULANT, _m._ (thieves’), _cravat_, or “neckinger.” - -COLLIGNON, _m._ (popular), _cabby_. An allusion to a coachman of that -name who murdered his fare. The cry, “Ohé, Collignon!” is about the -worst insult one can offer a Paris coachman, and he is not slow to -resent it. - -COLOMBE, _f._ (players’), _queen of cards_. - -COLOMBÉ, _adj._ (thieves’), _known_. - -COLON, _m._ (soldiers’), _colonel_. Petit ----, _lieutenant-colonel_. - -COLONNE, _f._ (military), chapeau en ----, see BATAILLE. (Popular) -N’avoir pas chié la ----, _to be devoid of any talent_, _not to be able -to set the Thames on fire_. Démolir la ----, _to void urine_, “to lag.” - -COLOQUINTE, _f._ (popular and thieves’), _head_. Avoir une araignée -dans la ----, _to be cracked_, or “to have a bee in one’s bonnet.” -Charlot va jouer à la boule avec ta ----, _Jack Ketch will play -skittles with your canister_. - -COLTIGER (thieves’), _to arrest_; _to seize_, to “smug.” - - C’est dans la rue du Mail - Où j’ai été coltigé - Par trois coquins de railles. - - =V. HUGO=, _Le Dernier Jour d’un Condamné_. - -COLTIN, _m._ (popular), _strength_. Properly _shoulder-strap_. - -COLTINER (popular), _to ply the trade of a porter_; _to draw a -hand-cart by means of a shoulder-strap_. - -COLTINEUR, _m._ (popular), _man who draws a hand-cart with a -shoulder-strap_. - -COLTINEUSE (popular), _female who does rough work_. - -COMBERGE, COMBERGEANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _confession_. - -COMBERGER (thieves’), _to reckon up_; _to confess_. - -COMBERGO (thieves’), _confessional_. - -COMBLANCE, _f._ (thieves’), par ----, _into the bargain_. - - J’ai fait par comblance - Gironde larguecapé. - - =VIDOCQ.= - -COMBLE, COMBRE, COMBRIAU, COMBRIEU, _m._ (thieves’), _hat_, “tile.” See -TUBARD. - -COMBRIE, _f._ (thieves’), _one-franc piece_. - -COMBRIER, _m._ (thieves’), _hat-maker_. - -COMBRIEU. See COMBLE. - -COMBROUSIER, _m._ (thieves’), _peasant_, or “clod.” - -COMBUSTIBLE, _m._ (popular), du ----! _exclamation used to urge one on, -On! go it!_ - -COME, _m._ (thieves’), _formerly a guard on board the galleys_. - -COMÉDIE, _f._ (popular), envoyer à la ----, _to dismiss a workman for -want of work to give him_. Etre à la ----, _to be out of work_, “out of -collar.” - -COMESTAUX, _m. pl._ (popular), for comestibles, _articles of food_, -“toke.” - -COMÈTE, _f._ (popular), _vagrant_, _tramp_. Filer la ----, or la -sorgue, _to sleep in the open air_, or “to skipper it.” - -COMIQUES, _m. pl._ (theatrical), jouer les ---- habillés, _to represent -a comic character in modern costume_. - -COMMANDER (thieves’), à cuire, _to send to the scaffold_. - -COMMANDITE, _f._ (printers’), _association of workmen who join together -for the performance of any work_. - -COMME IF (popular), ironical for comme il faut, _genteel._ T’as rien -l’air ----! _What a swell you look, oh crikey!_ - -COMMISSAIRE, _m._ (popular), _pint or pitcher of wine_. An allusion to -the black robe which police magistrates wore formerly. Le cabot du -----, _the police magistrate’s secretary_. See CHIEN. - -COMMODE, _f._ (thieves’), _chimney_. (Popular) Une ---- à deux -ressorts, _a vehicle_, or “trap.” - -COMMUNARD or COMMUNEUX, _m._, _one of the insurgents of 1871_. - -COMMUNIQUÉ, _m._ (familiar), _official communication to newspapers_. - -COMP. See CAN. - -COMPAS, _m._ (popular), ouvrir le ----, _to walk_. Allonger le ----, -_to walk briskly_. Fermer le ----, _to stop walking_. - -COMPLET, _adj._ (popular), être ----, _to be quite drunk_, or “slewed.” -(Familiar) Etre ----, _to be perfectly ridiculous_. - -COMPRENDRE (thieves’), la ----, _to steal_, “to claim.” See GRINCHIR. - -COMPTE (popular), avoir son ----, _to be tipsy_, or “screwed;” _to -die_, “to snuff it.” Son ---- est bon, _he is in for it_. - -COMPTER (musicians’), des payses, _to sleep_; (popular) ---- ses -chemises, _to vomit_, “to cast up accounts.” - -COMTE, _m._ (thieves’), de caruche, or de canton, _jailor_, or “jigger -dubber;” ---- de castu, _hospital superintendent_; ---- de gigot-fin, -_one who likes to live well_. - -COMTOIS, _adj._ (thieves’), battre ----, _to dissemble_; _to play the -fool_. - -CONASSE, or CONNASSE, _f._ (prostitutes’), _a stupid or modest woman_. - - Elles vantent leur savoir-faire, elles reprochent - à leurs camarades leur impéritie, - et leur donnent le nom de conasse, expression - par laquelle elles désignent ordinairement - une femme honnête.--=PARENT-DUCHATELET=, - _De la Prostitution_. - -CONDÉ, _m._ (thieves’), _mayor_; demi ----, _alderman_; grand ----, -_prefect_; ---- franc, _corrupt magistrate_. - -CONDICE, _f._ (thieves’), _cage in which convicts are confined on their -passage to the convict settlements_. - -CONDITION, _f._ (thieves’), _house_, “diggings,” or “hangs out.” Faire -une ----, _to break into a house_, “to crack a crib.” Filer une ----, -_to watch a house in view of an intended burglary_. (Popular) Acheter -une ----, _to lead a new mode of life_, _to turn over a new leaf_. - -CONDUITE, _f._ (popular), faire la ----, _to drive away and thrash_. -Faire la ---- de Grenoble, _to put one out of doors_. - -CONE, _f._ (thieves’), _death_. - -CONFIRMER (popular), _to box one’s ears_, “to warm the wax of one’s -ears.” - -CONFITURE, _f._ (popular), _excrement_. - -CONFITURIER, _m._ (popular), _scavenger_, “rake-kennel.” - -CONFORTABLE, _m._ (popular), _glass of beer_. - -CONFRÈRE, _m._ (popular), de la lune, _injured husband_. - -CONI, _adj._ (thieves’), _dead_. - -CONILLER (popular), _to seek to escape_. Conil, _rabbit_. - -CONIR (thieves’), _to conceal_; _to kill_; “to cook one’s gruel.” See -REFROIDIR. - -CONNAIS (popular), je la ----, _no news for me_; _do you see any green -in my eye?_ _you don’t take an old bird with chaff_. - -CONNAISSANCE, _f._ (popular), ma ----, _my mistress_, _or sweetheart_, -_my_ “young woman.” - -CONNAÎTRE (popular), le journal, _to be well informed_; _to know -beforehand the menu of a dinner_; ---- le numéro, _to possess -experience_; ---- le numéro de quelqu’un, _to be acquainted with one’s -secrets, one’s habits_. La ---- dans les coins, _to be knowing_, _to -know what’s o’clock_. An allusion to a horse clever at turning the -corners in the riding school. - - Regardez-le partir, le gavroche qui la - connaît dans les coins.--=RICHEPIN.= - -CONNERIE, _f._ (popular), _foolish action or thing_. From an obscene -word which has the slang signification of _fool_. - -CONOBLER (thieves’), _to recognize_. - -CONOBRER (thieves’), _to know_. - -CONSCIENCE, _f._ (printers’), homme de ----, _typographer paid by the -day or by the hour_. - -CONSCRAR, CONSCRIT, _m._, _first-term student at the “Ecole Normale,” a -higher training-school for university professors_. - -CONSERVATOIRE, _m._ (popular), _pawnshop_. Elève du ---- de la -Villette, _wretched singer_. La Villette is the reverse of a -fashionable quarter. - -CONSERVES, _f._ (theatrical), _old plays_. Also _fragments of human -flesh which have been thrown into the sewers or river by murderers, and -which, when found, are taken to the “Morgue,” or Paris dead-house_. - - Je viens de préparer pour lui les conserves - (les morceaux de chair humaine), - l’os de l’égout Jacob et la cuisse des Saints-Pères - (l’os retrouvé dans l’égout de la Rue - Jacob et la cuisse repêchée au pont des - Saints-Pères).--=MACÉ=, _Mon Premier - Crime_. - -CONSIGNE, _f._ (military), à gros grains, _imprisonment in the cells_. - -CONSOLATION, _f._ (popular), _brandy_; _swindling game played by -card-sharpers, by means of a green cloth chalked into small numbered -spaces, and dice_. - -CONSOLE, _f._ (thieves’), _game played by card-sharpers or_ “broadsmen” -_at races and fairs_. - -CONSOLER (popular), son café, _to add brandy to one’s coffee_. - -CONTER (military). Conte cela au perruquier des Zouaves, _I do not -believe you_, “tell that to the Marines.” Le perruquier des Zouaves is -an imaginary individual. - -CONTRE, _m._ (popular), _playing for drink at a café_. - -CONTRE-ALLUMEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _spy employed by thieves to baffle -the police spies_. - -CONTREBASSE, _f._ (popular), _breech_. Sauter sur la ----, _to kick -one’s behind_, “to toe one’s bum,” “to root,” or “to land a kick.” - -CONTRE-COUP, _m._ (popular), de la boîte, _foreman_, or “boss.” - -CONTREFICHER (popular), s’en ----, _to care not a straw, not a_ “hang.” - -CONTRE-MARQUE, _f._ (popular), du Père-Lachaise, _St. Helena medal_. -Those who wear the medal are old, and le Père-Lachaise is a cemetery in -Paris. - -CONTRÔLE, _m._ (thieves’), _formerly the mark on the shoulder of -convicts who had been branded_. - -CONTRÔLER (popular), _to kick one in the face_. - -CONVALESCENCE, _f._ (thieves’), _surveillance of the police on the -movements of ticket-of-leave men_. - -COP, _f._ (printers’), for “copie,” _manuscript_. - -COPAILLE, _f._ (cads’), _Sodomist_. Termed also “tante, coquine.” - -COPE, _f._ (popular), _overcharge for an article_; _action of_ “shaving -a customer.” The _Slang Dictionary_ says that in England, when the -master sees an opportunity of doing this, he strokes his chin as a -signal to his assistant who is serving the customer. - -COPEAU, _m._ (popular), _artisan in woodwork_ (properly copeaux, -_shavings_); _spittle_, or “gob.” Arracher son ----. See ARRACHER. -Lever son ----, _to talk_, “to jaw.” - -COPEAUX, _m. pl._ (thieves’), _housebreaking_, “screwing or cracking a -crib.” An allusion to the splinters resulting from breaking a door. - -COPIE, _f._ (printers’), de chapelle, _copy of a work given as a -present to the typographers_. (Figuratively) Faire de la ----, _to -backbite_. Pisser de la ----, _to be a prolific writer_. Pisseur de -----, _a prolific writer_; _one who writes lengthy, diffuse newspaper -articles_. - -COQUAGE, _m._ (thieves’), _informing against one_, or “blowing the -gaff.” - -COQUARD, _m._ (thieves’), _eye_, or “glazier.” S’en tamponner le ----, -_not to care a fig_. See MIRETTE. - -COQUARDEAU, _m._ (popular), _henpecked husband_, or “stangey;” _man -easily duped_, or “gulpy.” - -COQUER (thieves’), _to watch one’s movements_; _to inform against one_, -“to blow the gaff.” - - Quand on en aura refroidi quatre ou - cinq dans les préaux les autres tourneront - leur langue deux fois avant de coquer la - pègre.--=E. SUE.= - -Also _to give_; _to put_; ---- la camoufle, _to hand the candle_, “to -dub the glim;” ---- la loffitude, _to give absolution_; ---- le poivre, -_to poison_, “hocus;” ---- le taf, _to frighten_; ---- le rifle, _to -set fire to_. - -COQUEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _informer who warns the police of intended -thefts_. He may be at liberty or in prison; in the latter case he -goes by the appellation of “coqueur mouton” or “musicien.” The -“mouton” variety is an inmate of a prison and informs against his -fellow-prisoners; the “musicien” betrays his accomplices. Coqueur de -bille, _man who furnishes funds_. - -COQUEUSE, _female variety of the_ “coqueur.” - -COQUILLARD (popular), _eye_. S’en tamponner le ----, _not to care a -straw_, “not to care a hang.” - -COQUILLARDS, _m. pl._ (tramps’), _tramps who in olden times pretended -to be pilgrims_. - - Coquillards sont les pélerins de Saint-Jacques, - la plus grande partie sont véritables - et en viennent; mais il y en a aussi - qui truchent sur le coquillard.--_Le Jargon - de l’Argot._ - -COQUILLON, _m._ (popular), _louse_; _pilgrim_. - -COQUIN, _m._ (thieves’), _informer_, “nark,” or “nose.” - -COQUINE, _f._ (cads’), _Sodomist_. - -CORBEAU, _m._ (popular), _lay brother of_ “la doctrine chrétienne,” -_usually styled_ “frères ignorantins.” The brotherhood had formerly -charge of the ragged schools, and were conspicuous by their gross -ignorance; _priest_, or “devil dodger;” _undertaker’s man_. - -CORBEILLE, _f._ (familiar), _enclosure or ring at the Bourse where -official stockbrokers transact business_. - -CORBILLARD, _m._ (popular), à deux roues, _dismal man_, or “croaker;” ----- à nœuds, _dirty and dissolute woman_, or “draggle-tail;” ---- des -loucherbem, _cart which collects tainted meat at butcher’s stalls_. -Loucherbem is equivalent to boucher. - - Voici passer au galop le corbillard des - loucherbem, l’immonde voiture qui vient - ramasser dans les boucheries la viande - gâtée.--=RICHEPIN=, _Le Pavé_. - -CORBUCHE, _f._ (thieves’), _ulcer_; ---- lophe, _false ulcer_. - -CORDE, _f._ (literary), avoir la ----, _to find true expression for -accurately describing sentiments or passions_. (Popular) Dormir à la -----, _is said of poor people who sleep in certain lodgings with their -heads on an outstretched rope as a pillow_. This corresponds to the -English “twopenny rope.” - -CORDER (popular), _to agree_, _to get on_ “swimmingly” _together_. - -CORDON, _m._ (popular), s’il vous plaît! or donnez-vous la peine -d’entrer! _large knot worn in the rear of ladies’ dresses_. - -CORDONNIER, _m._ (popular), bec-figue de ----, _goose_. - -CORNAGE, _m._ (thieves’), _bad smell_. - -CORNANT, _m._, CORNANTE, _f._ (thieves’ and tramps’), _ox and cow_, or -“mooer.” - -CORNARD, _m._ (students’), faire ----, _to hold a council in a corner_. - -CORNE, _f._ (popular), _stomach_. - -CORNEMUSEUX, _m._ (codfishers’), _the south wind_. - -CORNER (thieves’), _to breathe heavily_; _to stink_. La crie corne, -_the meat smells_. - -CORNET, _m._ (popular), _throat_, “gutter-lane.” Colle-toi ça dans -l’----, _swallow that!_ N’avoir rien dans le ----, _to be fasting_, “to -be bandied,” “to cry cupboard.” Cornet d’épices, _Capuchin_. - - Il se voulut convertir; il bia trouver un - chenâtre cornet d’épice, et rouscailla à - sézière qu’il voulait quitter la religion prétendue - pour attrimer la catholique.--_Le - Jargon de l’Argot._ - -CORNICHE, _f._ (popular), _hat_, or “tile,” see TUBARD; (students’) -_the military school of Saint-Cyr_. - -CORNICHERIE, _f._ (popular), _nonsense_; _foolish action_. - -CORNICHON, _m._ (students’), _candidate preparing for the Ecole -Militaire de Saint-Cyr_. Literally _greenhorn_. - -CORNIÈRE, _f._ (thieves’), _cow-shed_. - -CORNIFICETUR, _m._ (popular), _injured husband_. - -CORPS DE POMPE, _m._, _staff of the Saint-Cyr school, and that of the -school of cavalry of Saumur_. Saint-Cyr is the French Sandhurst. Saumur -is a training-school where the best riders and most vicious horses in -the French army are sent. - -CORRECTEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _prisoner who plays the spy_, or “nark.” - -CORRESPONDANCE, _f._ (popular), _a snack taken at a wine-shop while -waiting for an omnibus “correspondance.”_ - -CORRIDOR, _m._ (familiar), _throat_. Se rincer le ----, _to drink_, “to -wet one’s whistle.” See RINCER. - -CORSÉ, _adj._ (common), properly _is said of wine with full body_. Un -repas ----, _a plentiful meal_, or a “tightener.” - -CORSERIE, _f._ (familiar), _a set of Corsican detectives in the service -of Napoleon III_. According to Monsieur Claude, formerly head of the -detective force under the Empire, the chief members of this secret -bodyguard were Alessandri and Griscelli. Claude mentions in his memoirs -the murder of a detective who had formed a plot for the assassination -of Napoleon in a mysterious house at Auteuil, where the emperor met -his mistresses, and to which he often used to repair disguised as a -lacquey, and riding behind his own carriage. Griscelli stabbed his -fellow-detective in the back on mere suspicion, and found on the body -of the dead man papers which gave evidence of the plot. In reference to -the mysterious house, Monsieur Claude says:-- - - L’empereur s’enflamma si bien pour cette - nouvelle Ninon que l’impératrice en prit - ombrage. La duchesse alors .... loua - ma petite maison d’Auteuil que le général - Fleury avait choisie pour servir de rendez-vous - clandestin aux amours de son maître.--_Mémoires - de Monsieur Claude._ - -CORSET, _m._ (popular), pas de ----! _sweet sixteen!_ - -CORVÉE, _f._ (prostitutes’), aller à la ----, _to walk the street_, une ----- being literally _an arduous, disagreeable work_. - -CORVETTE, _f._ (thieves’), _a kind of low, rascally Alexis_. - - Formosum pastor Corydon ardebat Alexin, - Delicias domini..... - -COSAQUE, _m._ (familiar), _stove_. - -COSSER (thieves’), _to take_; ---- la hane, _to take a purse_, “to buz -a skin.” - -COSTEL, _m._ (popular), _prostitute’s bully_, “ponce.” See POISSON. - -COSTUME, _m._ (theatrical), faire un ----, _to applaud an actor -directly he makes his appearance on the stage_. - -COTE, _f._ (lawyers’), _stolen goods or money_; (sporting) _the -betting_. Frère de la ----, _stockbroker’s clerk_. Play on CÔTE, which -see. La ---- G., _purloining of articles of small value by notaries’ -clerks when making an inventory_. Literally, la cote j’ai. - -CÔTE, _f._ (thieves’), de bœuf, _sword_. Frère de la ----, see BANDE -NOIRE. (Familiar) Etre à la ----, _to be in needy circumstances_, “hard -up.” (Sailors’) Vieux frère la ----, _old chum_, _mate_. - -CÔTÉ, _m._ (theatrical), cour, _right-hand side scenes_; ---- jardin, -_left-hand side scenes_. (Familiar) Côté des caissiers, _the station of -the_ “Chemin de fer du Nord,” _at which absconding cashiers sometimes -take train_. - -CÔTELARD, _m._ (popular), _melon_. - -CÔTELETTE, _f._ (popular), de menuisier, de perruquier, or de vache, -_piece of Brie cheese_. (Theatrical) Avoir sa ----, _to obtain -applause_. Emporteur à la ----, see EMPORTEUR. - -CÔTE-NATURE, _f._ (familiar), for côtelette au naturel, _grilled chop_. - -COTERIE, _f._ (popular), chum. Eh! dis donc, la ----! _I say, old -chum!_ Coterie, _association of workmen_; _company_. Vous savez, la -p’tite ----, _you know, chums!_ - -CÔTES, _f. pl._ (popular), avoir les ---- en long, _to be lazy_, _to be -a_ “bummer.” Literally _to have the ribs lengthwise, which would make -one lazy at turning about_. Travailler les ---- à quelqu’un, _to thrash -one_, _to give one a_ “hiding.” See VOIE. - -CÔTIER, _m._ (popular), _extra horse harnessed to an omnibus when going -up hill_; also _his driver_. - -CÔTIÈRE, _f._ (gambling cheats’), _a pocket wherein spare cards are -secreted_. - - Aussi se promit-il de faire agir avec plus d’adresse, plus - d’acharnement, les rois, les atouts et les as qu’il tenait - en réserve dans sa côtière.--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -COTILLON, _m._ (popular), crotté, _prostitute_, “draggle-tail.” - - Il était coureur ... il adorait le cotillon, et c’est pour - moi un cotillon crotté qui a causé sa perte.--=MACÉ=, _Mon - Premier Crime_. - -Faire danser le ----, _to thrash one’s wife_. - -COTON, _m._ (popular), _bread or food_ (allusion to the cotton-wick -of lamp); _quarrel_; _street-fight_; _difficulty_. Il y aura du ----, -_there will be a fight_; _there will be much difficulty_. Le courant -est rapide, il y aura du ----, _the stream is swift, we shall have to -pull with a will_. - -COTRET, _m._ (popular), jus de ----, _thrashing with a stick_, or -“larruping;” might be rendered by “stirrup oil.” Des cotrets, _legs_. -(Thieves’) Cotret, _convict at the hulks_; _returned transport_, or -“lag.” - -COTTE, _f._ (popular), _blue canvas working trousers_. - -COU, _m._ (popular), avoir le front dans le ----, _to be bald, or to -have_ “a bladder of lard.” See AVOIR. - -COUAC, _m._ (popular), _priest_, or “devil-dodger.” - -COUCHE (popular), à quelle heure qu’on te ----? _a hint to one to make -himself scarce_. - -COUCHER (popular), à la corde, _to sleep in certain low lodging-houses -with the head resting on a rope stretched across the room_, a “twopenny -rope;” ---- dans le lit aux pois verts, _to sleep in the fields_. Se ----- bredouille, _to go to bed without any supper_. Se ---- en chapon, -_to go to bed with a full belly_. - -COUCOU, _m._ (popular), _watch_. - -COUDE, _m._ (popular), lâcher le ----, _to leave one, generally when -requested to do so_. Lâche moi le ----, _be off_, _leave me alone_. -Prendre sa permission sous son ----, _to do without permission_. - -COUENNE, _f._ (popular), _skin_, or “buff;” _fool_, or “duffer;” ---- -de lard, _brush_. Gratter, râcler, or ratisser la ----, _to shave_. -Gratter la ---- à quelqu’un, _to flatter one_, _to give him_ “soft -sawder;” _to thrash one_. Est-il ----! _what an ass!_ - -COUENNES, _f. pl._ (popular), _flabby cheeks_. - -COUILLÉ, _m._ (popular), _fool_, _blockhead_, “cabbage-head.” - -COUILLES, _f. pl._ (popular), avoir des ---- au cul, _to be energetic, -manly_, “to have spunk.” - -COUILLON, _m._ (popular), _poltroon_; _foolish with the sense of -abashed, crestfallen_. Il resta tout ----, _he looked foolish_. The -word is used also in a friendly or jocular manner. - -COUILLONNADE, _f._ (popular), _ridiculous affair_; _nonsense_. - -COUILLONNER (popular), _to show cowardice_; _to shirk danger_. - -COUILLONNERIE, _f._ (popular), _cowardice_; _nonsensical affair_; _take -in_. - -COUINER (popular), _to whimper_; _to hesitate_. - -COULAGE, _m._, COULE, _f._ (familiar), _waste_; _small purloining by -servants, clerks, &c._ - -COULANT, _m._ (thieves’), _milk_. - -COULANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _lettuce_. (Cads’) LA ----, _the river -Seine_. - -COULE, _f._ (popular), être à la ----, _to have mastered the routine -of some business_, _to be acquainted with all the ins and outs_; -_to be comfortable_; _to be clever at evading difficulties_; _to be -insinuating_; _to connive at_. Mettre quelqu’un à la ----, _to instruct -one in_, _to make one master of the routine of some business_. - -COULER (popular), en ----, _to lie_, “to cram one up.” La ---- douce, -_to live comfortably_. Se la ---- douce, _to take it easy_. - -COULEUR, _f._ (popular), _lie_; _box on the ear_, or “buck-horse.” -Monter la ----, _to deceive_, “to bamboozle.” Etre à la ----, _to do -things well_. - -COULEUVRE, _f._ (popular), _pregnant or_ “lumpy” _woman_. - -COULISSE, _f._ (familiar), _the set of_ coulissiers. See this word. - -COULISSIER, _m._ (familiar), _unofficial jobber at the Bourse or Stock -Exchange_. As an adjective it has the meaning of _connected with the -back scenes_, as in the phrase, Des intrigues coulissières, _back-scene -intrigues_. - -COULOIR, _m._ (popular), _mouth_, or “rattle-trap;” _throat_, or “peck -alley.” - -COUP, _m._ (popular), _secret process_; _knack_; _dodge_. Il a le -----, _he has the knack_, _he is a dab at_. Il a un ----, _he has a -process of his own_. Un ---- d’arrosoir, _a drink_. Se flanquer un ----- d’arrosoir, _to get tipsy_, or “screwed.” Un ---- de bouteille, -_intoxication_. Avoir son ---- de bouteille, _to be intoxicated_, “to -be boozy.” See POMPETTE. Coup de chancellerie, _action of getting -a man’s head_ “into chancery,” that is, to get an opponent’s head -firmly under one’s arm, where it can be pommelled with immense power, -and without any possibility of immediate extrication. Un ---- de -chien, _a tussle_; _difficulty_. Un ---- d’encensoir, _a blow on the -nose_. Un ---- de feu, _a slight intoxication_. Un ---- de feu de -société, _complete intoxication_. Un ---- de figure, _hearty meal_, -or “tightener.” Un ---- de fourchette, _digging two fingers into -an opponent’s eyes_. Un ---- de gaz, _a glass of wine_. Un ---- de -gilquin, _a slap_. Un ---- de pied de jument or de Vénus, _a venereal -disease_. Un ---- de Raguse, _action of leaving one in the lurch_; an -allusion to Marshal Marmont, Duc de Raguse, who betrayed Napoleon. Un ----- de tampon, _a blow_, or “bang;” _hard shove_ (tampon, _buffer_). -Un ---- de temps, _an accident_; _hitch_. Un ---- de torchon, _a -fight_; _revolution_. Le ---- du lapin, _finishing blow or crowning -misfortune, the straw that breaks the camel’s back_; _treacherous way -of gripping in a fight_. - - Coup féroce que se donnent de temps en temps les ouvriers - dans leurs battures. Il consiste à saisir son adversaire, - d’une main par les testicules, de l’autre par la gorge, - et à tirer dans les deux sens: celui qui est saisi et - tiré ainsi n’a pas même le temps de recommander son âme à - Dieu.--=DELVAU.= - -Coup du médecin, _glass of wine drunk after one has taken soup_. Un ----- dur, _unpleasantness, unforeseen impediment_. Attraper un ---- de -sirop, _to get tipsy_. Avoir son ---- de chasselas, de feu, de picton, -or de soleil, _to be half drunk_, “elevated.” See POMPETTE. Avoir son ----- de rifle, _to be tipsy_, “screwed.” Donner le ---- de pouce, _to -give short weight_; _to strangle_. Faire le ----, or monter le ---- à -quelqu’un, _to deceive, to take in_, “to bamboozle” _one_. Se donner -un ---- de tampon, or de torchon, _to fight_. Se monter le ----, _to -be too sanguine, to form illusions_. Valoir le ----, _to be worth the -trouble of doing or robbing_. Voir le ----, _to foresee an event_; -_to see the dodge_. Le ---- de, _action of doing anything_. Le ---- -du canot, _going out rowing_. Coup de bleu, _draught of wine_. Avoir -son ---- de bleu, _to be intoxicated_, or “screwed.” Pomper un ---- de -bleu, _to drink_. - - Faut ben du charbon ... - Pour chauffer la machine, - Au va-nu-pieds qui chine ... - Faut son p’tit coup d’bleu. - - =RICHEPIN=, _Chanson des Gueux_. - -(Thieves’) Coup à l’esbrouffe sur un pantre. See FAIRE. Un ---- -d’acré, _extreme unction_. Le ---- d’Anatole, or du père François. -See CHARRIAGE À LA MÉCANIQUE. Un ---- de bas, _treacherous blow_. -Le ---- de bonnet, _the three-card trick dodge_. Coup de cachet, -_stabbing, then drawing the knife to and fro in the wound_. Un ---- -de casserole, _informing against one_, “blowing the gaff.” Le ---- -de manche, _calling at people’s houses in order to beg_. Un ---- de -radin, _purloining the contents of a shop-till, generally a wine-shop_, -“lob-sneaking.” Un ---- de roulotte, _robbery of luggage or other -property from vehicles_. Un ---- de vague, _a robbery_; _action of -robbing at random without any certainty as to the profits to be gained -thereby_. (Military) Coup de manchette, _certain dexterous cut of the -sword on the wrist which puts one hors de combat_. (Familiar) Un ---- -de pied, _borrowing money_, or “breaking shins.” English thieves call -it “biting the ear.” Un ---- de pistolet, _some noisy or scandalous -proceeding calculated to attract attention_. Le ---- de fion, -_finishing touch_. Se donner un ---- de fion, _to get oneself tidy, -ship-shape_. - - C’est là qu’on se donne le coup de fion. On ressangle - les chevaux, on arrange les paquetages et les turbans, - on époussette ses bottes, on retrousse ses moustaches et - on drape majestueusement les plis de son burnous. - --=H. FRANCE=, _L’Homme qui tue_. - -(Servants’) Le ---- du tablier, _giving notice_. - -COUPAILLON, _m._ (tailors’), _unskilful cutter_. - -COUP DE TRAVERSIN, _m._ (popular), se foutre un ----, _to sleep_. - - Trois heures qui sonn’nt. Faut que j’rapplique, - S’rait pas trop tôt que j’pionce un brin; - C’que j’vas m’fout’un coup d’traversin! - Bonsoir. - - =GILL=, _La Muse à Bibi_. - -COUP DE TROTTINET, _m._ (thieves’ and cads’), _kick_. Filer un ---- -dans l’oignon, _to kick one’s behind_, or “to toe one’s bum,” “to -root,” or “to land a kick.” - -COUPE, _f._ (thieves’), _poverty_. (Popular) Tirer sa ----, _to swim_. - -COUPÉ, _adj._ (printers’), _to be without money_. - -COUPE-FICELLE, _m._ (military), _artillery artificer_. - -COUPE-FILE, _m._, _card delivered to functionaries, which enables them -to cross a procession in a crowd_. - -COUPE-LARD, _m._ (popular), _knife_. - -COUPER (popular), _to fall into a snare_; _to accept as correct an -assertion which is not so_; _to believe the statement of more or less -likely facts_; ---- dans le pont, or ---- dans le ceinturon, _to -swallow a fib, to fall into a snare_. - - Vidocq dit comme ça qu’il vient du pré, qu’il voudrait - trouver des amis pour goupiner. Les autres coupent dans le - pont (donnent dans le panneau).--=VIDOCQ.= - -COUPER LA CHIQUE, _to disappoint_; _to abash_; ---- la gueule à -quinze pas, _to stink_; ---- la musette, or le sifflet, _to cut the -throat_; ---- le trottoir, _to place one in the necessity of leaving -the pavement by walking as if there were no one in the way, or when -walking behind a person to get suddenly in front of him_; (military) ----- l’alfa, or la verte, _to drink absinthe_. Ne pas y ----, _not to -escape_; _not to avoid_; _to disbelieve_. Vous n’y couperez pas, _you -will not escape punishment_. Je n’y coupe pas, _I don’t take that in_. -(Coachmens’) Couper sa mèche, _to die_. See PIPE. (Gambling cheats’) -Couper dans le pont, _to cut a pack of cards prepared in such a manner -as to turn up the card required by sharpers_. The cards are bent in a -peculiar way, and in such a manner that the hand of the player who cuts -must naturally follow the bend, and separate the pack at the desired -point. This cheating trick is used in England as well as France, and -is termed in English slang the “bridge.” - -COUPE-SIFFLET, _m._ (thieves’), _knife_, “chive.” Termed also “lingre, -vingt-deux, surin.” - -COURANT, _m._ (thieves’), _dodge_. Connaître le ----, _to be up to a -dodge_. - -COURASSON, _m._ (familiar), _one whose bump of amativeness is well -developed_, in other terms, _one too fond of the fair sex_. Vieux ----, -_old debauchee, old_ “rip.” - -COURBE, _f._ (thieves’), _shoulder_; ---- de marne, _shoulder of -mutton_. - - Les marquises des cagous ont soin d’allumer le riffe et - faire riffoder la criolle; les uns fichent une courbe de - morne, d’autres un morceau de cornant, d’autres une échine - de baccon, les autres des ornies et des ornichons.--_Le - Jargon de l’Argot._ - -COUREUR, _m._ (thieves’), d’aveugles, _a wretch who robs blind men of -the half-pence given them by charitable people_. - -COURIR (popular), quelqu’un, _to bore one_. Se la ----, _to run_, _to -run away_, “to slope.” For synonyms see PATATROT. - -COURRIER, _m._ (thieves’), de la préfecture, _prison van_, or “black -Maria.” - -COURT-À-PATTES, _m._ (military), _foot artilleryman_. - -COURTAUD, _m._ (thieves’), _shopman_, or “counter jumper.” - -COURT-BOUILLON, _m._ (thieves’), le grand ----, _the sea_, “briny,” -or “herring pond.” Termed by English sailors “Davy’s locker.” -Court-bouillon properly is _water with different kinds of herbs in -which fish is boiled_. - -COURTIER, _m._ (thieves’), à la mode. See BANDE NOIRE. (Familiar) -Courtier marron, _kind of unofficial stockjobber_, _an outsider_, or -“kerbstone broker.” - -COUSIN, _m._ (thieves’), _cardsharper_, or “broadsman;” ---- de Moïse, -_husband of a dissolute woman_. - -COUSINE, _f._ (popular), _Sodomist_; ---- de vendange, _dissolute girl -fond of the wine-shop_. - -COUSSE, _f._ (thieves’), de castu, _hospital attendant_. - -COUTEAU, _m._ (military), grand ----, _cavalry sword_. - -COÛTER (popular), cela coûte une peur et une envie de courir, _nothing_. - -COUTURASSE, _f._ (popular), _sempstress_; _pock-marked or_ -“cribbage-faced” _woman_. - -COUVENT, _m._ (popular), laïque, _brothel_, or “nanny-shop.” - - Le 49 est un lupanar. Ce couvent laïque est connu dans - le Quartier Latin sous la dénomination de: La Botte de - Paille.--=MACÉ=, _Mon Premier Crime_. - -COUVERCLE, _m._ (popular), _hat_, or “tile.” See TUBARD. - -COUVERT, _m._ (thieves’), _silver fork and spoon from which the -initials have been obliterated, or which have been_ “christened.” - -COUVERTE, _f._ (military), battre la ----, _to sleep_. Faire passer à -la ----, _to toss one in a blanket_. - -COUVERTURE, _f._ (theatrical), _noise made purposely at a theatre to -prevent the public from noticing something wrong in the delivery of -actors_. - - Nous appelons couverture le bruit que nous faisons dans la - salle pour couvrir un impair, un pataquès, une faute de - français.--=P. MAHALIN.= - -COUVRANTE, _f._ (popular), _cap_, or “tile.” See TUBARD. - -COUVRE-AMOUR, _m._ (military), _shako_. - -COUVREUR, _m._ (freemasons’), _doorkeeper_. - -COUVRIR (freemasons’), le temple, _to shut the door_. - -COUYON. See COUILLON. - -COUYONNADE, _f._ See COUILLONNADE. - -COUYONNERIE, _f._ See COUILLONNERIE. - -CRABOSSER (popular), _to crush in a hat_. - -CRAC. See CRIC. - -CRACHER (popular), _to speak out_; ---- des pièces de dix sous, _to be -dry, thirsty_; ---- dans le sac, _to be guillotined_, _to die_; ---- -ses doublures, _to be consumptive_. Ne pas ---- sur quelquechose, _not -to object to a thing_, _to value it_, “not to sneeze at.” (Musicians’) -Cracher son embouchure, _to die_. See PIPE. - -CRACHOIR, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _mouth_, or “bone-box.” See -PLOMB. (General) Jouer du ----, _to speak_, “to rap,” “to patter.” -Abuser du ----, _is said of a very talkative person who engrosses all -the conversation_. - -CRAMPE, _f._ (popular), tirer sa ----, _to flee_, “to crush.” See -PATATROT. Tirer sa ---- avec la veuve, _to be guillotined_. - -CRAMPER (popular), se ----, _to run away_. See PATATROT. - -CRAMPON, _m._ (familiar), _bore_; _one not easily got rid of_. - -CRAMPONNE TOI GUGUSSE! (popular, ironical), _prepare to be astounded_. - -CRAMPONNER (familiar), _to force one’s company on a person_; _to bore_. - -CRAMSER (popular), _to die_. - -CRAN, _m._ (popular), avoir son ----, _to be angry_. Faire un ----, _to -make a note of something_; an allusion to the custom which bakers have -of reckoning the number of loaves furnished by cutting notches in a -piece of wood. Lâcher d’un ----, _to leave one suddenly_. - -CRÂNE, _adj._ (popular), _fine_. - -CRÂNEMENT (popular), _superlatively_. Je suis ---- content, _I am -superlatively happy_. - -CRÂNER (popular), _to be impudent, threatening_. Si tu crânes, je te -ramasse, _none of your cheek, else I’ll give you a thrashing_. - -CRAPAUD, _m._ (thieves’), _padlock_; (military) _diminutive man_; -_purse in which soldiers store up their savings_; ---- serpenteux, -_spiral rocket_. (Popular) Crapaud, _child_, “kid.” - - Ben, moi, c’t’existence-là m’assomme! - J’voudrais posséder un chapeau. - L’est vraiment temps d’dev’nir un homme. - J’en ai plein l’dos d’être un crapaud. - - =RICHEPIN=, _Chanson des Gueux_. - -CRAPOUSSIN, _m._ (popular), _small man_; _child_, or “kid.” - -CRAPULOS, CRAPULADOS, _m._ (familiar and popular), _one-sou cigar_. - -CRAQUELIN, _m._ (popular), _liar_. From craque, _fib_. - -CRASSE, _f._ (familiar), _mean or stingy action_. Baron de la ----, see -BARON. - -CRAVACHE, _f._ (sporting), être à la ----, _to be at a whip’s distance_. - -CRAVATE, _f._ (popular), de chanvre, _noose_, or “hempen cravat;” ----- de couleur, _rainbow_; ---- verte, _women’s bully_, “ponce.” See -POISSON. - -CRAYON, _m._, _stockbroker’s clerk_. The allusion is obvious. - -CRÉATURE, _f._ (familiar), _strumpet_. - -CRÈCHE, _f._ (cads’), faire une tournée à la ----, or à la chapelle, -_is said of a meeting of Sodomists_. - -CREDO, _m._ (thieves’), _the gallows_. - -CRÊPAGE, _m._ (popular), _a fight_; _a tussle_. Un ---- de chignons, -_tussle between two females_, in which they seize one another by the -hair and freely use their nails. - -CRÊPER (popular), le chignon, or le toupet, _to thrash_, “to wallop.” -See VOIE. Se ---- le chignon, le toupet, _to have a set to_. - -CRÉPIN, _m._ (popular), _shoemaker_, or “snob.” - -CRÉPINE, _f._ (thieves’), _purse_, “skin,” or “poge.” - -CRÈS (thieves’), _quickly_. - -CRESPINIÈRE (old cant), _much_. - -CREUSE, _f._ (popular), _throat_, “gutter lane.” - -CREUX, _m._ (thieves’), _house_; _lodgings_, “diggings,” “ken,” or -“crib.” (Popular) Bon ----, _good voice_. Fichu ----, _weak voice_. - -CREVAISON, _f._ (popular), _death_. Faire sa ----, _to die_. Crever, -_to die_, is said of animals. See PIPE. - -CREVANT, _adj._ (swells’), _boring to death_; _very amusing_. - - Que si vous les interrogez sur le bal de la nuit, ils - vous répondront invariablement, C’était crevant, parole - d’honneur.--=MAHALIN.= - -CREVARD (popular), _stillborn child_. - -CREVÉ (popular), _dead_. (Familiar) Petit ----, _swell_, or “masher.” -See GOMMEUX. - -CRÈVE-FAIM, _m._ (popular), _man who volunteers as a soldier_. - -CREVER (popular), _to dismiss from one’s employment_; _to wound_; _to -kill_; ---- la sorbonne, _to break one’s head_. - - Mais c’ qu’est triste, hélas! - C’est qu’ pour crever à coups d’botte - Des gens pas palas. - On vous envoie en péniche - A Cayenne-les-eaux. - - =RICHEPIN=, _Chanson des Gueux_. - -Crever la pièce de dix sous _is said of the practices of Sodomists_; ----- la paillasse, _to kill_. - - Verger, il creva la paillasse - A Monseigneur l’Archevêque de Paris. - -The above quotation is from a “complainte” on the murder of -the Archbishop of Paris, Monseigneur Sibour, in the church -Sainte-Geneviève, by a priest named Verger. A complainte is a kind -of carol, or dirge, which has for a theme the account of a murder or -execution. (Familiar) Crever l’œil au diable, _to succeed in spite of -envious people_. Tu t’en ferais ----, _expressive of ironical refusal_. -It may be translated by, “don’t you wish you may get it?” Se ----, _to -eat to excess_, “to scorf.” - -CREVER À (printers’), _to stop composing at such and such a line_. - -CREVETTE, _f._ (popular), _prostitute_, “mot.” - -CRIBLAGE, CRIBLEMENT, _m._ (thieves’), _outcry, uproar_. - -CRIBLER (thieves’), _to cry out_; ---- à la grive, _to give a warning -call_; _to call out_ “shoe-leather!” _to call out “police! thieves!“_ -“to give hot beef.” - - On la crible à la grive, - Je m’ la donne et m’esquive, - Elle est pommée maron. - - =VIDOCQ.= - -CRIBLEUR, _m._ (thieves’), de frusques, _clothier_; ---- de lance, -_water-carrier_; ---- de malades, _man whose functions are to call -prisoners to a room where they may speak to visitors_; ---- de -verdouze, a _fruiterer_. - -CRIC, or CRICQUE, _m._ (popular), _brandy_, called “French cream” in -English slang. Faire ----, _to run away_, “to guy.” See PATATROT. - -CRIC! (military), _call given by a soldier about to spin a yarn to -an auditory, who reply by a_ “crac!” _thus showing they are still -awake_. After the preliminary cric! crac! has been bawled out, the -auditory repeat all together as an introduction to the yarn: Cuiller -à pot! Sous-pieds de guêtres! Pour l’enfant à naître! On pendra la -crémaillère! Chez la meilleure cantinière! &c., &c. - -CRIC-CROC! (thieves’), _your health!_ - -CRIE, or CRIGNE, _f._ (thieves’), _meat_, “carnish.” - -CRIN, _m._ (familiar), être comme un ----, _to be irritable or -irritated, to be_ “cranky,” or “chumpish.” - -CRINOLINE, _f._ (players’), _queen of cards_. - -CRIOLLE, _f._ (thieves’), _meat_, “carnish.” Morfiler de la ----, _to -eat meat_. - -CRIOLLIER, _m._ (thieves’), _butcher_. - -CRIQUE, _m. and f._ (popular), _brandy_; _an ejaculation_. Je veux bien -que la ---- me croque si je bois une goutte en plus de quatre litres -par jour! _may I be_ “jiggered” _if I drink more than four litres a -day!_ - -CRIQUER (popular), se ----, _to run away_, “to slope.” See PATATROT. - -CRIS DE MERLUCHE, _m. pl._ (popular), _frightful howling_; _loud -complaints_. - -CRISTALLISER (students’), _to idle about in a sunny place_. - -CROC, abbreviation of escroc, _swindler_. - -CROCHE, _f._ (thieves’), _hand_, “famble,” or “daddle.” - -CROCHER (thieves’), _to ring_; _to pick a lock_, “to screw.” (Popular) -Se ----, _to fight_. - -CROCODILE, _m._ (familiar), _creditor, or dun_; _usurer_; _foreign -student at the military school of Saint-Cyr_. - -CROCQUE, _m._ (popular), _sou_. - -CROCS, _m. pl._ (popular), _teeth_, “grinders.” - -CROIRE (familiar), que c’est arrivé, _to believe too implicitly that a -thing exists_; _to have too good an opinion of oneself_. - -CROISANT, _m._ (popular), _waistcoat_, or “benjy.” - -CROISSANT, _m._ (popular), loger rue du ----, _to be an injured -husband_. An allusion to the horns. - -CROIX, _f._ (popular), _six-franc piece_. An allusion to the cross -which certain coins formerly bore. According to Eugène Sue the old -clothes men in the Temple used the following denominations for coins: -pistoles, ten francs; croix, six francs; la demi-croix, three francs; -le point, one franc; le demi-point, half-a-franc; le rond, half-penny. -Croix de Dieu, _alphabet_, on account of the cross at the beginning. - -CRÔME, or CROUME, _m._ (thieves’ and tramps’), _credit_, “jawbone,” or -“day.” - -CROMPER (thieves’), _to save_; _to run away_, “to guy.” See PATATROT. -Cromper sa sorbonne, _to save one’s head_. - -CROMPIR, _potato_. From the German grundbirne. - -CRÔNE, _f._ (thieves’), _wooden platter_. - -CRÔNÉE, _f._ (thieves’), _platter full_. - -CROQUAILLON, _m._ (popular), _bad sketch_. - -CROQUE. See CRIQUE. - -CROQUEMITAINES, _m. pl._ (military), _soldiers who are sent to the -punishment companies in Africa for having wilfully maimed themselves in -order to escape military service_. - -CROQUENEAU, _m._ (popular), _new shoe_; ---- verneau, _patent leather -shoe_. - -CROQUET (popular), _irritable man_. - -CROSSE, _f._ (thieves’), _receiver of stolen goods_, or “fence;” -_public prosecutor_. - -CROSSER (thieves’), _to receive stolen goods_; _to strike the hour_. - - Quand douze plombes crossent, - Les pègres s’en retournent, - Au tapis de Montron. - - =VIDOCQ.= - -CROSSEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _bell-ringer_. - -CROSSIN. See CROSSE. - -CROTAL, _m._, _student of the Ecole Polytechnique holding the rank of -sergeant_. - -CROTTARD, _m._ (popular), _foot pavement_. - -CROTTE D’ERMITE, _f._ (thieves’), _baked pear_. - -CROTTIN, _m._ (military), sergent de ----, _non-commissioned officer at -the cavalry school of Saumur_. Thus termed because he is often in the -stables. - -CROUMIER (horse-dealers’), _broker or agent of questionable honesty, or -one who is_ “wanted” _by the police_. - -CROUPIONNER (popular), _to twist one’s loins about so as to cause one’s -dress to bulge out_. - -CROUPIR (popular), dans le battant _is said of undigested food, which -inconveniences one_. - -CROUSTILLE, _f._ (popular), casser un brin de ----, _to have a snack_. - -CROUSTILLER (popular), _to eat_, “to grub.” See MASTIQUER. - -CROÛTE, _f._ (popular), s’embêter comme une ---- de pain derrière une -malle, _to feel desperately dull_. - -CROÛTEUM, _m._ (familiar), _collection of_ “croûtes,” _or worthless -pictures_. - -CROÛTON, _m._ (artists’), _painter devoid of any talent_. - -CROÛTONNER (artists’), _to paint worthless pictures, daubs_. - -CROYEZ (popular), ça et buvez de l’eau, _expression used to deride -credulous people_. Literally _believe that and drink water_. - -CRU (artists’), faire ----, see FAIRE. - -CRUCIFIER (familiar), _to grant one the decoration of the Legion of -Honour_. The expression is meant to be jocular. - -CRUCIFIX, or CRUCIFIX À RESSORT, _m._ (thieves’), _pistol_, “barking -iron.” - -CUBE, _m._, _student of the third year in higher mathematics_ -(mathématiques spéciales); (familiar) _a regular idiot_. - -CUCURBITACÉ, _m._ (familiar), _a dunce_. - -CUEILLIR (popular), le persil _is said of a prostitute walking the -streets_. - -CUILLER, _f._ (popular), _hand_, or “daddle.” - -CUIR, _m._ (popular), de brouette, _wood_. Escarpin en ---- de -brouette, _wooden shoe_. Gants en ---- de poule, _ladies’ gloves made -of fine skin_. Tanner le ----, _to thrash_, “to tan one’s hide.” - -CUIRASSÉ, _m._ (popular), _urinals_. - -CUIRASSER (popular), _to make_ “cuirs,” that is, in conversation -carrying on the wrong letter, or one which does not form part of a -word, to the next word, as, for instance, Donnez moi z’en, je vais t’y -m’amuser. - -CUIRASSIER, _m._ (popular), _one who frequently indulges in_ “cuirs.” -See CUIRASSER. - -CUIRE (popular), se faire ----, _to be arrested._ See PIPER. - -CUISINE, _f._ (thieves’), _the Préfecture de Police_; (literary) ---- -de journal, _all that concerns the details and routine arrangement of -the matter for a newspaper_. (Popular) Faire sa ---- à l’alcool, _to -indulge often in brandy drinking_. - -CUISINER (literary), _to do, to concoct some inferior literary or -artistic work_. - -CUISINIER, _m._ (thieves’), _spy_, or “nark;” _detective_; _barrister_; -(literary) _newspaper secretary_. - -CUISSE, _f._ (familiar), avoir la ---- gaie _is said of a woman who is -too fond of men_. - -CUIT, _adj._ (thieves’), _sentenced, condemned_, or “booked;” _done -for_. - -CUITE, _f._ (popular), _intoxication_. Se flanquer une ----, _to get -drunk_, or “screwed.” - -CUL, _m._ (popular), _stupid fellow_, or “duffer;” ---- d’âne, -_blockhead_; ---- de plomb, _slow man_, or “bummer;” _clerk_, or -“quill-driver;” _woman who awaits clients at a café_; ---- goudronné, -_sailor_, or “tar;” ---- levé, _game of écarté at which two players are -in league to swindle the third_; ---- rouge, _soldier with red pants_, -or “cherry bum;” ---- terreux, _peasant, clodhopper_. Montrer son ----, -_to become a bankrupt_, or “brosier.” - -CULASSES, _f. pl._ (military), revue des ---- mobiles, _monthly medical -inspection_. Culasse, properly _the breech of a gun_. - -CULBUTANT, _m._, or CULBUTE, _f._ (thieves’), _breeches_, or “hams.” -Termed also “fusil à deux coups, grimpants.” Esbigner le chopin dans sa -culbute, _to conceal stolen property in one’s breeches_. - -CULBUTE, _f._ (thieves’), _breeches_. (Popular) La ----, _the circus_. - -CULERÉE, _f._ (printers’), _composing stick which is filled up_. - -CULOTTE, _m._ (popular and familiar), _money losses at cards_; _excess -in anything, especially in drink_. Grosse ----, _regular drunkard_. -Donner dans la ---- rouge _is said of a woman who is too fond of -soldiers’ attentions, of one who has an attack of_ “scarlet fever.” -Se flanquer une ----, _to sustain a loss at a game of cards_; _to get -intoxicated_. (Students’) Empoigner une ----, _to lose at a game, and -to have in consequence to stand all round_. (Artists’) Faire ----, -_exaggeration of_ FAIRE CHAUD (which see). - -CULOTTÉ, _adj._ (popular), _hardened_; _soiled_; _seedy_; _red_, &c. -Etre ----, _to have a seedy appearance_. Un nez ----, _a red nose_. - -CULOTTER (popular), se ----, _to get tipsy_; _to have a worn-out, seedy -appearance_. Se ---- de la tête aux pieds, _to get completely tipsy_. - -CUMULARD, _m._ (familiar), _official who holds several posts at the -same time_. - -CUPIDON, _m._ (thieves’), _rag-picker_, or “bone-grubber.” An ironical -allusion to his hook and basket. - -CURE-DENTS (familiar), venir en ----, _to come to an evening party -without having been invited to the dinner that precedes it_. Termed -also “venir en pastilles de Vichy.” - -CURETTE, _f._ (military), _cavalry sword_. Manier la ----, _to do sword -exercise_. - -CURIEUX, _m._ (thieves’), _magistrate_, “beak,” or “queer cuffin.” Also -_juge d’instruction_, a magistrate who investigates cases before they -are sent up for trial. Grand ----, _chief judge of the assize court_. - -CYCLOPE, _m._ (popular), _behind_, or “blind cheek.” - -CYLINDRE, _m._ (popular), _top hat_, or “stove-pipe;” see TUBARD; -_body_, or “apple cart.” Tu t’en ferais péter le ----, _is expressive -of ironical refusal_; “don’t you wish you may get it.” - -CYMBALE, _f._ (thieves’), _moon_, or “parish lantern;” (popular) -_escutcheon placed over the door of the house of a notary_. - - - - -D - - -DA (popular), mon ----, _my father_, “my daddy.” Ma ----, _my mother_, -“my mammy.” - -DAB, dabe, _m._ (thieves’), _father_, or “dade;” _master_; _a god_. - - Mercure seul tu adoreras, - Comme dabe de l’entrottement. - - =VIDOCQ.= - -Le ---- de la cigogne, _the procureur général_, or _public prosecutor_. -Grand ----, _king_. - - Ma largue part pour Versailles... - Pour m’faire défourailler. - Mais grand dab qui se fâche, - Dit par mon caloquet, - J’li ferai danser une danse - Où i n’y a pas d’plancher. - - =V. HUGO.= - -DABE, _m._ (popular), d’argent, _speculum_. (Prostitutes’) Cramper avec -le ---- d’argent, _to be subjected to a compulsory medical examination -of a peculiar nature_. - -DABÉRAGE, _m._ (popular), _talking_, “jawing.” - -DABÉRER (popular), _to talk_, “to jaw.” - -DABESSE, _f._ (thieves’), _mother_; _queen_. - -DABICULE, _m._ (thieves’), _the master’s son_. - -DABOT, DABMUCHE, _m._ (thieves’), _the prefect of police_, or _head of -the Paris police_; _a drudge_. Formerly it signified an unlucky player -_who has to pay all his opponents_. - -DABUCAL, _adj._ (thieves’), _royal_. - -DABUCHE, _f._ (thieves’), _mother_; _grandmother_, or “mami;” _nurse_. - -DABUCHETTE, _f._ (thieves’), _young mother_; _mother-in-law_. - -DABUCHON, _m._ (popular), _father_, “daddy.” - -DACHE, _m._ (thieves’), _devil_, “ruffin,” or “black spy;” (military) -_hairdresser to the Zouaves_, _a mythical individual_. Allez donc -raconter cela à ----, _tell that to the “Marines“_. - -DADA, _m._ (military), aller à ----, _to perform the act of coition_, -or “chivalry.” The old poet Villon termed this “chevaulcher.” - -DAIL, _m._ (thieves’), je n’entrave que le ----, _I do not understand_. - -DAIM, _m._ (popular), _swell_, or “gorger,” see GOMMEUX; _fool_, or -“duffer;” _gullible fellow_, “gulpy;” ---- huppé, _rich man_, _one -with plenty of_ “tin.” - -DALE, DALLE, _f._ (thieves’), _money_, “quids,” or “pieces,” see QUIBUS. - - Faut pas aller chez Paul Niquet, - Ça vous consomme tout vot’ pauv’ dale. - - =P. DURAND.= - -_Five-franc piece_; (popular) _throat_, or “red lane;” ---- du cou, -_mouth_, “rattle-trap.” Se rincer, or s’arroser la ----, _to drink_, -“to have something damp.” See RINCER. - - J’ai du sable à l’amygdale. - Ohé! ho! buvons un coup, - Une, deux, trois, longtemps, beaucoup! - Il faut s’arroser la dalle - Du cou. - - =RICHEPIN=, _Gueux de Paris_. - -DALZAR, _m._ (popular), _breeches_, “kicks,” “sit-upons,” or “kicksies.” - -DAME, _f._ (popular), blanche, _bottle of white wine_; ---- du lac, -_woman of indifferent character who frequents the purlieus of the Grand -Lac at the Bois de Boulogne_. - -DAMER (popular), une fille, _to seduce a girl, to make a woman of her_. - -DANAÏDES, _f._ (thieves’), faire jouer les ----, _to thrash a girl_. - -DANDILLER (thieves’), _to ring_; _to chink_. Le carme dandille dans sa -fouillouse, _the money chinks in his pocket_. - -DANDINAGE, _m._, DANDINETTE, _f._ (popular), _thrashing_, “hiding.” - -DANDINE, _f._ (popular), _blow_, “wipe,” “clout,” “dig,” “bang,” or -“cant.” Encaisser des dandines, _to receive blows_. - -DANDINER (popular), _to thrash_, “to lick.” See VOIE. - -DANDINETTE. See DANDINAGE. - -DANKIER (Breton), _prostitute_. - -DANSE, _f._ (familiar), du panier, _unlawful profits on purchases_. -Flanquer une ---- à quelqu’un, _to thrash or_ “lick” _one_. See VOIE. - -DANSER (popular), _to lose money_; _to pay_, “to shell out.” Il l’a -dansée de vingt balles, _he had to pay twenty francs_. Danser devant le -buffet, _to be fasting_, “to cry cupboard;” ---- tout seul, _to have -an offensive breath_. Faire ---- quelqu’un, _to make one stand treat_; -_to make one pay_, or “fork out;” _to thrash_, “to wallop.” See VOIE. -La ----, _to be thrashed_; _to be dismissed from one’s employment_, “to -get the sack.” - -DANSEUR, _m._ (popular), _turkey cock_. - -DARDANT, _m._ (thieves’), _love_. - - Luysard estampillait six plombes. - Mezigo roulait le trimard, - Et, jusqu’au fond du coquemart, - Le dardant riffaudait ses lombes. - - =RICHEPIN=, _Gueux de Paris_. - -DARDELLE, _f._ (urchins’), _penny_ (gros sou). - -DARIOLE, _f._ (popular), _slap or blow in the face_, “clout,” “bang,” -or “wipe.” Properly _a kind of pastry_. - -DARIOLEUR, _m._ (popular), _inferior sort of pastry cook_. - -DARON, _m._ (thieves’), _father_, “dade,” or “dadi;” _gentleman_, “nib -cove;” ---- de la raille, or de la rousse, _prefect of police, head of -the Paris police_. - -DARONNE, _f._ (thieves’), _mother_; ---- du dardant, _Venus_; ---- du -grand Aure, _holy Virgin_; ---- du mec des mecs, _mother of God_. - -DATTES, _f. pl._ (popular), des ----! _contemptuous expression of -refusal_; might be rendered by “you be hanged!” See NÈFLES. - - Elle se r’tourne, lui dit: des dattes! - Tu peux t’fouiller vieux pruneau! - Tu n’tiens plus sur tes deux pattes. - Va donc, eh! fourneau! - - _Parisian Song._ - -DAUBE, _f._ (popular), _cook_, or “dripping.” - -DAUBEUR, _m._ (popular), _blacksmith_. - -DAUCHE (popular), mon ----, _my father_; ma ----, _my mother_; “my old -man, my old woman.” - -DAUFFE, _f._, DAUFFIN, DAUPHIN, _m._ (thieves’), _short crowbar_. -Termed also “l’enfant, Jacques, biribi, sucre de pommes, rigolo,” and -in the language of English housebreakers, that is, the “busters and -screwsmen,” “the stick, James, Jemmy.” - -DAUPHIN, _m._ (popular), _girl’s bully_, “ponce,” see POISSON; -(thieves’) _short crowbar used by housebreakers_, “jemmy.” - -DAVID, _m._ (popular), _silk cap_. From the maker’s name. - -DAVONE, _f._ (thieves’), _plum_. - -DE (familiar), se pousser du ----, _to place the word “de” before one’s -name to make it appear a nobleman’s_. - -DÉ, _m._ (popular), or ---- à boire, _drinking glass_. Dé! _yes_. -Properly _thimble_. - -DÉBÂCLE, _f._ (thieves’), _accouchement_. Properly _breaking up_, -_collapse_. - -DÉBÂCLER (thieves’ and popular), _to open_; _to force open_; ---- la -lourde, _open the door_. - -DÉBÂCLEUSE, _f._ (thieves’ and popular), _midwife_. Termed also -“tâte-minette, Madame Tire-monde.” - -DÉBAGOULER (popular), _to speak_, “to jaw.” - -DÉBALINCHARD, _m._ (popular), _one who saunters lazily about_. - -DÉBALLAGE, _m._ (popular), _undress_; _getting out of bed_; _dirty -linen_. Etre floué or volé au ----, _to be grievously disappointed with -a woman’s figure when she divests herself of her garments_. Gagner au -----, _to appear to better advantage when undressed_. - -DÉBALLER (popular), _to strip_. Se ----, _to undress oneself_. - -DÉBANQUER (gamesters’), _to ruin the gaming bank_. - -DÉBARBOUILLER (popular), à la potasse, _to strike one in the face_, “to -give one a bang in the mug;” _to clear up some matter_. - -DÉBARDEUR, _m._, DÉBARDEUSE, _f._ (familiar), _dancers at fancy balls -dressed as a_ débardeur _or lumper_. - -DÉBARQUER (popular), se ----, _to give up_; _to relinquish anything -already undertaken_, to “cave in.” - -DÉBAUCHER (popular), _to dismiss_. Etre débauché, _to get the sack_. -The reverse of embaucher, _to engage_. - -DÉBECQUETER (popular), _to vomit_, “to cast up accounts,” “to shoot the -cat.” - -DÉBECTANT (popular), _annoying_; _tiresome_; _dirty_; _disgusting_. - -DÉBINAGE, _m._ (familiar), _slandering_; _running down_. From débiner, -_to talk ill_, _to depreciate_. - -DÉBINER (popular), _to depreciate_; ---- le truc, _to disclose a -secret_; _to explode a dodge, or fraud_. - - Parbleu! je n’ignore pas ce que peuvent dire les blagueurs - pour débiner le truc de ces fausses paysannes.--=RICHEPIN=, - _Le Pavé_. - -Se ---- des fumerons, _to run away_, “to leg it.” Se ----, _to abuse -one another_, “to slang one another;” _to run away_, “to brush,” see -PATATROT; _to grow weak_. - -DÉBINEUR, _m._, DÉBINEUSE, _f._ (popular), _one who talks ill of -people_; _one who depreciates people or things_. - -DÉBLAYER (theatrical), _to curtail portions of a part_; _to hurry -through a performance_. - - A l’Opéra, ce soir ... on déblaye à bras raccourci: vous - savez que déblayer signifie écourter.--=P. MAHALIN.= - -DÉBLOQUER (military), _to cancel an order of arrest_. - -DÉBONDER (popular), _to ease oneself_; _to go to_ “West Central,” _or -to the_ “crapping ken.” See MOUSCAILLER. - -DÉBORDER (popular), _to vomit_, “to cast up accounts,” or “to shoot the -cat.” - -DÉBOUCLER (thieves’), _to open_; _to set a prisoner at liberty_. - -DÉBOUCLEUR, _m._ (thieves’), de lourdes, _a housebreaker_, “buster,” or -“screwsman.” - -DÉBOULER (popular), _to be brought to childbed_, “to be in the straw;” -_to arrive_, or “to crop up.” - -DÉBOULONNÉ (popular), être ----, _to be dull-witted, or to be a_ -“dead-alive.” - -DÉBOULONNER (popular), la colonne à quelqu’un, _to thrash one soundly_, -“to knock one into a cocked hat.” See VOIE. - -DÉBOURRÉ (horse-dealers’), cheval ----, _horse which suddenly loses its -fleshy appearance artificially imparted by rascally horse-dealers_. - -DÉBOURRER (popular), _to educate one_, “to put one up to;” ---- -sa pipe, _to ease oneself_, or “to go to the chapel of ease.” See -MOUSCAILLER. Se ----, _to become knowing_, “up to a dodge or two,” or a -“leary bloke.” - -DÉBOUSCAILLER (popular), _to black one’s boots_. - -DÉBOUSCAILLEUR (popular), _shoeblack_. - -DÉBRIDER (thieves’), _to open_; ---- les chasses, _to open one’s eyes_; -(popular) ---- la margoulette, _to eat_, “to grub.” See MASTIQUER. - -DÉBRIDOIR, _m._ (thieves’), _key_; _skeleton key_, “screw,” or “twirl.” - -DÉBROUILLARD, _m._ (popular), _one who has a mind fertile in resource, -in contrivances to get on in the world, or to extricate himself out of -difficulties_, a “rum mizzler.” Also used as an adjective. Literally -_one who gets out of the fog_. - -DÉBROUILLER (theatrical), un rôle, _to make oneself thoroughly -acquainted with the nature of one’s part before learning it, to realize -fully the character one has to impersonate_. - -DÉCADENER (thieves’), _to unchain_. - -DÉCALITRE, _m._ (popular), _top hat_, “stove-pipe.” See TUBARD. - -DÉCAMPILLER (popular), _to decamp_, “to bunk.” - -DÉCANAILLER (popular), se ----, _to rise from a state of abjection and -poverty._ - -DÉCANILLAGE, _m._ (popular), _departure_; _moving one’s furniture_; ----- à la manque, _moving after midsummer term_. - - En juillet le déménagement est une fête. Mais en octobre, - n, i, ni, c’est fini de rire: le déménagement est funèbre - et s’appelle le décanillage à la manque.--=RICHEPIN=, _Le - Pavé_. - -DÉCARCASSÉ, _adj._ (theatrical), _is said of a bad play_. - -DÉCARCASSER (popular), quelqu’un, _to thrash one soundly_, “to knock -one into a cocked hat.” See VOIE. Se ----, _to give oneself much -trouble_; _to move about actively, fussily_. Décarcasse-toi donc, -rossard! _look alive, you lazy bones!_ Se ---- le boisseau, _to torture -one’s brains_; _to fret grievously_. - -DÉCARRADE, _f._ (thieves’), _general scampering off_; _departure_. - -DÉCARRE, _f._ (thieves’), _release from prison_. - -Décarrement, _m._ (thieves’ and popular), _escape_. - -DÉCARRER (thieves’), _to leave prison_; _to run away_, “to guy.” See -PATATROT. - - On les emmène tous et pendant ce temps-là le gueusard - décarre avec son camarade.--=VIDOCQ.= - -Also _to come out_. - - Nous allons nous cacher dans l’allée en face, nous verrons - décarrer les messières.--=E. SUE.= - -Décarrer à la bate, _to escape_; ---- cher, _to be released after -having done one’s_ “time;” ---- de belle, _to be released without -trial_; ---- de la geôle, _to be released on the strength of an order -of discharge_. - -DÉCARTONNER (popular), se ----, _to grow old_; _to grow weak_. - -DÉCATI, _adj._ (popular), _no longer young or handsome_; _seedy, -faded_. Elle a l’air bien ----, _she has a faded, worn appearance_. - -DÉCATIR (popular), se ----, _to get faded, worn, seedy_. - -DÉCAVAGE, _m._ (familiar), _circumstances of a gamester who has -lost all his money, or who has_ “blewed” _it_. From décavé, _ruined -gamester_. - -DÉCEMBRAILLARD, _m._, _opprobrious epithet applied to Bonapartists_. -An allusion to the coup d’état of the 2nd December, 1851, when Louis -Napoléon Bonaparte, then President of the Republic, threw into prison -dissentient members of parliament and generals who refused to join in -the conspiracy, shelled the boulevards, shot down hundreds of harmless -loungers, and transported or exiled 50,000 republicans or monarchists. - -DÉCEMBRISADE, _f._, _an act similar to the coup d’état of 2nd December, -1851_. See DÉCEMBRAILLARD. - -DÉCHANTER (popular), _to recover from an error_; _to be crestfallen -after one’s illusions have been dispelled_; _to come down a peg or two_. - -DÉCHARD, _m._ (popular), _needy_; _man who is_ “hard up.” - -DÈCHE, _f._ (popular), _neediness_. Etre en ----, _to be_ “hard up” -_for cash_; “to be at low tide.” - -DÉCHEUX, _m._ (popular), _needy man_, “quisby.” - -DÉCHIRÉE, _f._ (popular), elle n’est pas trop ----, _is said of a woman -who is yet attractive in spite of years_. - -DÉCHIRER (military), de la toile, _to perform platoon firing_; ---- la -cartouche, _to eat_. See MASTIQUER. (Popular) Déchirer son faux-col, -son habit, son tablier, _to die_. (Ironical) Ne pas se ----, _to have a -good opinion of oneself and to show it_. - -DÉCLAQUER (popular), _to open one’s heart_; _to make a clean breast of_. - -DÉCLOUER (popular), _to redeem objects from pawn_, _to get objects_ -“out of lug.” - -DÉCOGNOIR, _m._ (popular), _nose_, “boko,” or “smeller.” See MORVIAU. - -DÉCOLLER (popular), _to leave a place_; _to leave one’s employment_; ----- son billard, _to die_. See PIPE. Se ----, _to fail_; _to grow old, -rickety_; _to die_, “to kick the bucket.” - -DÉCOMPTE, _m._ (military), _mortal wound_. Recevoir son ----, _to die_; -see PIPE; “to lose the number of one’s mess.” - -DÉCORS, _m. pl._ (freemasons’), _ornaments_, _insignia_. - -DÉCOUCHEUR (military), _soldier who is in the habit of stopping away -without leave_. - -DÉCOUDRE (familiar), en ----, _to fight either in a duel or with the -natural weapons_. - -DÉCOUVRIR (popular), la peau de quelqu’un, _to make one say things -which he would rather have left unsaid_; “to pump one;” “to worm” -_secrets out of one_. - -DÉCRAMPONNER (familiar), se ----, _to get rid of a troublesome person_. - - Pourquoi ai-je quitté Paris? Pour me décramponner tout à - fait de cet imbécile qui, panné, décavé, commençait à me - porter la guigne.--=RICHEPIN=, _La Glu_. - -DÉCRASSER (popular), quelqu’un, _to corrupt one_, “to put one up to -snuff;” (prostitutes’) ---- un homme, _to clean a man out of his -money_, and in thieves’ language, _to rob a man_. See GRINCHIR. - -DÉCRAVATER (popular), ses propos, _to use language of an objectionable -character_, or “blue talk.” - -DÉCROCHER (popular), _to take articles out of pawn_, or “out of lug;” -(military) _to shoot down_; (thieves’) _to steal handkerchiefs_, “to -haul stooks;” (popular) ---- un enfant, _to bring about a miscarriage_; -(familiar) ---- la timballe, _to be fortunate_, or, as the Americans -term it, “to get the cake,” or “to yank the bun.” An allusion to the -practice of hanging a silver cup as a prize at the top of a greasy pole. - -DÉCROCHEZ-MOI-ÇA (popular), _woman’s bonnet_; _old clothes dealer_; -_shop where secondhand clothes, or_ “hand-me-downs,” _are sold_. - -DÉCROTTER (popular), un gigot, _to leave nothing of a leg of mutton but -the bare bone_. - -DÉCULOTTÉ, _m._ (popular), _bankrupt_, “brosier.” - -DEDANS (familiar), fourrer or mettre quelqu’un ----, _to lock one -up_; _to impose upon one_, “to bamboozle.” Se mettre ----, _to make -a mistake_; _to get tipsy_. (Popular) Voir en ----, _to be tipsy_, -applicable especially to those who hold soliloquies when in their cups. -See POMPETTE. - -DÉDÈLE, _f._ (popular), _mistress_, “moll.” - -DÉDIRE (thieves’), se ---- cher, _to be at death’s door_. Properly _to -repent one’s crimes_. - -DÉDURAILLER (thieves’), _to remove prisoners’ irons_. - -DÉFALQUER (popular), _to ease oneself_; _to go to the_ “crapping ken.” -See MOUSCAILLER. - -DÉFARGUER (thieves’), _to grow pale_; _to be acquitted_. - -DÉFARGUEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _witness for the defence_. - -DÉFENDRE (popular), sa queue, _to defend oneself_. - -DÉFFARDEUR, _m._ (popular), _thief_, “cross cove.” See GRINCHE. From de -and fardeau, literally _one who eases you of your burden_. - -DÉFIGER (popular), _to warm_. From de and figer, _to coagulate_. - -DÉFILER (popular), aller voir ---- les dragons, _to go without a -dinner_. See ALLER. (Military) Défiler la parade, _to die_, “to lose -the number of one’s mess.” See PIPE. (Popular) Se ----, _to run away_, -“to leg it.” See PATATROT. - -DÉFLEURIR (thieves’), la picouse, _to steal linen hung out to dry_, “to -smug snowy.” - -DÉFORMER (popular), _to break_; _to put out of gear_. Je lui ai déformé -une quille, _I broke one of his legs_. - -DÉFOUQUE. See DESFOUX. - -DÉFOURAILLER (thieves’), _to run_, “to pad the hoof,” or “to guy;” see -PATATROT; _to fall_; _to be released from jail_. - -DÉFRIMOUSSER (popular), synonymous with dévisager, _to peer into one’s -face_. - -DÉFRUSQUER, DÉFRUSQUINER (popular), _to strip one of his clothes_. Se -----, _to undress_. - -DÉGAUCHIR (thieves’), _to steal_, “to nim,” “to claim.” See GRINCHIR. - -DÉGAZONNER (familiar), se ----, _to become bald_. Il a le coco tout -dégazonné, _he is quite bald_. See AVOIR. - -DÉGEL, _m._ (popular), _death_. - -DÉGELÉ (popular), _corpse_, “cold meat.” - -DÉGELÉE, _f._ (popular), _thrashing_, “walloping.” - -DÉGELER (popular), se ----, _to die_, “to kick the bucket;” see PIPE; -_to become knowing_. (Fencing) Dégeler son jeu, _to put spirit into -one’s play_. - -DÉGLINGUER (popular), _to damage_. - -DÉGOBILLADE, _f._ (popular), _vomit_; _very bad liquor_, “swizzle.” - -DÉGOMMADE, _f._ (popular), _old age_; _decrepit state_. - -DÉGOMMAGE, _m._ (popular), _dismissal_, “the sack;” _ruin_. - -DÉGOMMER (popular), quelqu’un, _to excel over one_. Literally _to -dismiss one from a situation_; _to kill_. Se ----, _to grow old, faded_. - - Je me rouille, je me dégomme. - - =LABICHE.= - -DÉGORGER (popular), _to pay_, “to fork out.” - -DÉGOTTAGE, _m._ (popular), _action of surpassing one; of finding or -discovering something_. - -DÉGOTTER (military), _to kill_; (popular) _to surpass one_; _to find_; -_to discover_. - - Tiens! quoi donc que j’dégott’ dans l’noir, - Qu’est à g’noux, là-bas su’ l’trottoir? - Eh! ben, là-bas, eh! la gonzesse. - - =GILL=, _La Muse à Bibi_. - -DÉGOULER (popular), _to take away_; _to fall_, “to come a cropper.” - -DÉGOULINAGE, _m._ (popular), _inferior drink_, “swizzle.” - -DÉGOULINER (popular), _to drip_; ---- ce qu’on a sur le cœur, _to -unbosom_. - -DÉGOURDI, _m._ (popular), ironical, _clumsy fellow_, “stick in the -mud.” Properly it has the opposite meaning. - -DÉGOÛTATION, _f._ (popular), _expression of disgust_. Une ---- d’homme, -_a disgusting fellow_. The expression is a favourite one of the -street-walking tribe. - -DÉGOÛTÉ, _adj._ (popular), ironical. N’être pas ----, _is said of one -who expresses a desire of obtaining something considered by others to -be too good for him; also of one who picks out for himself the most -dainty bits_. - -DÉGRAISSER (popular), _to steal_, “to prig,” see GRINCHIR; ---- -quelqu’un, to _fleece one_. Se ----, _to grow thin_. - -DÉGRIMONER (popular), se ----, _to bestir oneself_; _to struggle_; _to -wriggle_. - -DÉGRINGILLER (popular), _to come out_. Dégringillons de la carrée, _let -us leave the room_. - -DÉGRINGOLADE, _f._ (thieves’), _theft in a shop_; ---- à la flûte, -_robbery committed by a street-walker_. - -DÉGRINGOLER (thieves’), _to steal_, “to nim;” ---- à la carre, -_to steal property from shops_. This kind of robbery is practised -principally by women, and the thief is called a “bouncer.” - -DÉGROSSIR (freemasons’), _to carve_. - -DÉGROUPER (popular), se ----, _to separate_. - -DÉGUEULARDER (thieves’), _to talk_, _to say_, “to rap.” Ne dégueularde -pas sur sa fiole, _say nothing about him_. - -DÉGUEULAS, DÉGUEULATIF, _adj._ (popular), _annoying_; _disgusting_. - - J’conobre l’truc; ’l est dégueulas.--=RICHEPIN.= (_I know - the trade; it is disgusting._) - -DÉGUEULATOIRE, _adj._ (popular), _disgusting_; _repulsive_. - -DÉGUEULBITE, DÉGUEULBOCHE, _adj._ (popular), _disgusting_. - -DÉGUEULER (popular), _to sing_, or “to lip.” - -DÉGUEULIS, _m._ (popular), _vomit_. - -DÉGUIS, _m._ (thieves’), _disguise_. - -DÉGUISER (popular), se ---- en cerf, _to make off_, “to brush,” or “to -leg it.” See PATATROT. - -DÉJETÉ, _adj._ (popular), _weakly_; _ugly_. N’être pas trop ----, _to -be still handsome_. - -DÉJEÛNER, _m. and verb_ (popular), de perroquet, _biscuit dipped in -wine_; (military) ---- à la fourchette, _to fight a duel_. - -DÉJOSÉPHIER (popular), _to educate_, not in the better sense of the -word; “to put one up to snuff.” An allusion to Madame Potiphar’s -attempts on Joseph’s virtue. - -DE LA BOURRACHE! (popular), _expressive of refusal_; might be rendered -by “no go!” “you be blowed.” See NÈFLES. - -DÉLASS. COM. (popular), _theatre of the Délassements Comiques_. - -DÉLICAT ET BLOND (popular), _is said ironically of a dandy_ or “Jemmy -Jessamy;” also _of an effeminate fellow who cannot bear pain or -discomfort_. - -DÉLICOQUENTIEUSEMENT (theatrical), _marvellously_. - -DÉLIGE, _f._ (popular), for diligence, _public coach_. - -DÉMANCHER (popular), se ----, _to bestir oneself_; _to give oneself -much trouble_. - -DÉMAQUILLER (thieves’), _to undo_. - -DÉMARGER (thieves’), _to go away_; _to make off_, “to crush,” “to guy.” -See PATATROT. - -DÉMARQUER (literary), _to pirate others’ productions, or to alter one’s -own so as to pass them off as original_. - -DÉMARQUEUR, _m._ (literary), de linge, _literary pirate_. - -DÉMÉNAGER (popular), _to become mad_, or “balmy;” _to die_, “to kick -the bucket;” ---- à la cloche de bois, de zinc, or à la sonnette de -bois, _to move one’s furniture secretly, the street door bell having -been muffled so as to give no more sound than a wooden one_, “to shoot -the moon;” ---- à la ficelle, _to remove one’s furniture through -a window by means of a rope_; ---- par la cheminée, _to burn one’s -furniture on receiving notice to quit, so as to cheat the landlord_. - -DEMI-AUNE, _f._ (popular), _arm_, “bender.” Tendre la ----, _to beg_. - -DEMI-CACHEMIRE, _f._ (familiar), _kept woman in a good position, but -who has not yet reached the top of the ladder_. - -DEMI-CASTOR, _f._, _woman of the demi-monde_, a “pretty horse-breaker,” -or “tartlet.” See GADOUE. - -DEMI-CERCLE, pincer au ----. See CERCLE. - -DEMI-LUNE (popular), _rump_, “cheek.” - -DEMI-MONDAINE, _f._ (familiar), _woman of the demi-monde_. See GADOUE. - -DEMI-MONDE, _m._ (familiar), _the world of the higher class of kept -women_, _of_ “pretty horsebreakers.” - -DEMI-SEL, DEMI-POIL, DEMI-VERTU, _f._ (popular), _girl who has lost her -maidenhead_, _her_ “ceincture,” as Villon termed it. - -DEMI-STROC, _m._ (thieves’), _half a_ “setier,” _that is, one-fourth of -a litre_. - -DÉMOC-SOC, _m._ (familiar), _socialist_. An abbreviation for -démocrate-socialiste. - -DEMOISELLE, _f._ (popular), _a certain measure for wine, half a_ -“monsieur;” _bottle of wine_. - -DEMOISELLES, _f._ (familiar), ces ----, _euphemism for gay ladies_; ----- du bitume, du Pont Neuf, _street-walkers_. - -DÉMOLIR (literary), _to criticise with harshness_, _to run down -literary productions_; (popular) _to thrash soundly_, “to knock into a -cocked hat,” see VOIE; _to kill_. - -DÉMOLISSEUR, _m._ (literary), _sharp and violent critic_. - -DÉMORFILAGE (card-sharpers’), _setting right again cards which have -been marked_. - -DÉMORFILER, _action of doing_ démorfilage (which see); also _to have -one’s wounds cured_. - -DÉMORGANER (thieves’), _to give in to one’s arguments_. - -DÉMURGER (thieves’), _to leave a place_; _to be set at liberty_. - -DENAILLE, _m._ (thieves’), Saint ----, _Saint-Denis, an arrondissement -of Paris_. - -DÉNICHEUR, _m._ (popular), de fauvettes, _one fond of women_, -“mutton-monger.” - -DENT, _f._ (popular), avoir de la ----, _to have preserved one’s good -looks_; _to be still young_. Mal de dents, _love_. N’avoir plus mal aux -dents, _to be dead_. - -DENTELLE, _f._ (thieves’), _bank notes_, “rags, flimsies, screenes, or -long-tailed ones.” - -DÉPARLER (popular), _to cease talking_; _to talk nonsense_. - -DÉPARTEMENT, _m._ (popular), du bas rein, _breech_. See VASISTAS. A -play on the word Rhin. - -DÉPENDEUR, _m._ (popular), d’andouilles. See ANDOUILLES. - -DÉPENSER (popular), sa salive, _to talk_, or “to jaw away.” - -DÉPIAUTER, DÉPIOTER (popular), _to skin_. Se ----, _to break one’s -skin_; _to undress_, “to peel.” - -DÉPLANQUER (thieves’), _to remove stolen property out of hiding-place_; ----- son faux centre, _to be convicted under an alias_. - -DÉPLUMER (popular), se ----, _to get bald_. Avoir le coco déplumé, -_to be bald_, “to have a bladder of lard,” or “to be stag-faced.” See -N’AVOIR PLUS. - -DÉPONER (popular), _to ease oneself_, “to go to the chapel of ease.” -See MOUSCAILLER. - -DÉPORTER (popular), _to discharge from a situation_, “to give the sack.” - -DÉPÔT, _m._ (popular), _dépôt de la Préfecture de Police_. Caisse des -dépôts et consignations, _place of ease_, or “crapping ken.” - -DÉPOTOIR, _m._ (thieves’), _confessional_; (popular) _chamber pot_, or -“jerry;” _strong box_, or “peter;” _house of ill-fame_, or “nanny-shop.” - -DÉPUCELEUR, _m._ (popular), de nourrices, or de femmes enceintes; -_ridiculous Lovelace_. - -DÉPUTÉ, _m._ (theatrical), _free ticket_. - -DE QUOI (popular), _wealth_; _what next? what do you mean?_ - -DÉRAGER (popular), _to get pacified_. Generally used in the negative. -Il n’a pas encore déragé, _he is yet in a rage_. - -DÉRAILLÉ, _m._ (familiar), _one who has lost caste_. - -DÉRAILLER (familiar), _to talk nonsense, cock-and-bull-story fashion_. - -DÉRALINGUER (sailors’), _to die_. Properly _to detach from the bolt -rope_. See PIPE. - -DÉRONDINER (popular), _to pay_, “to shell out.” Se ----, _to spend or -give away one’s money_. Ronds, _halfpence_. - -DÉROULER (thieves’), se ----, _to spend a certain time, not specified, -in prison_, “to do time.” - -DERRIÈRE, _m._ (popular), roue de ----, _five-franc piece_. Se lever le ----- le premier, _to get up in a bad humour_. Used as a preposition: -(Printers’) Derrière le poêle chez Cosson, _words used to evade -replying to an inquiry_. - -DÉSARGENTÉ, _adj._ (thieves’), _in want of money_. - - Quand on est désargenté on se la brosse et l’on ne va pas - se taper un souper à l’œil.--=VIDOCQ.= - -DÉSARGOTÉ, _adj._ (thieves’), être ----, _to be shrewd_, _to be a_ -“file,” to be “fly,” _or a_ “leary bloke.” - -DÉSARGOTER (thieves’), _to employ cunning_. - -DÉSARRER (thieves’), _to flee, to_ “guy.” or “to make beef.” See -PATATROT. - -DÉSATILLER (thieves’), _to castrate_. Horse-trainers term the operation -“adding one to the list.” - -D’ESBROUFFE, or D’ESBROUF (thieves’), _by force_. Pesciller ----, _to -take by force_. Estourbir ----, _to knock over the head_. - - Un grand messière franc ... - Le filant sur l’estrade - D’esbrouf je l’estourbis. - - =VIDOCQ.= - -DESCENDRE (popular), quelqu’un, _to shoot one_, “to pot;” _to throw -down_; ---- le crayon sur la colonne, _to thrash_, see VOIE; ---- la -garde, _to die_, see PIPE. (Theatrical) Descendre, _to approach the -footlights_. (Sporting) Un cheval qui descend, _horse against which the -odds are decreasing_. - -DÉSENBONNETDECOTONNER, _to give elegance to_. “De,” and “en bonnet de -coton,” _a nightcap_. - -DÉSENFLAQUER (popular), se ----, _to amuse oneself_. (Thieves’) Se -----, _to get out of prison_; _to get out of trouble_. - -DÉSENFRUSQUINER (popular), se ----, _to undress_. - -DÉSENTIFLAGE, _m._ (thieves’), _separation_; _divorce_. - -DÉSENTIFLER (thieves’), _to separate_; _to divorce_. - -DESFOUQUE. See DESFOUX. - -DESFOUX, _f._ (popular), _silk cap sported by women’s bullies_. From -the maker’s name. - -DESGENAIS, _a character of a comedy by Th. Barrière_. Faire son ---- en -chambre, _to play the moralist_. - -DESGRIEUX, _associate of prostitutes and swindlers_. A character from -_Manon Lescaut_, by l’Abbé Prévost. - -DÉSHABILLAGE, _m._ (literary), _ill-natured criticism_. - - Si l’on veut passer un joli quart d’heure on n’a qu’à faire - jaser un peintre connu sur un autre peintre également - connu. Quel déshabillage! mes amis. - -DÉSHABILLER (popular), _to thrash_, “to wallop.” See VOIE. - -DÉSOLER (thieves’), _to throw_. - -DÉSOSSE, _f._ (popular), _distress_. Jouer la ----, _to be ruined_, -“cracked up,” “gone to smash.” - -DÉSOSSÉ, _m._ (popular), _very thin man_; _ruined man_, “brosier.” - -DÉSOSSER (popular), quelqu’un, _to pommel one_. See VOIE. - -DESSALÉE, _f._ (popular), _prostitute_, or “bed-fagot.” See GADOUE. - -DESSALER (thieves’), _to drown_. (Popular) Se ----, _to drink a morning -glass of white wine_; _to drink_, “to moisten one’s chaffer.” - -DESSOUS, _m._ (theatrical), tomber dans le troisième, or trente-sixième -----, _the expression is used to denote that a play has been a complete -fiasco_. (Familiar) Tomber dans le troisième ----, _to fall into utter -discredit_. (Thieves’) Dessous, _man loved for_ “love,” _not for -money_; _a bully_. - -DESSUS, _m._ (thieves’), _man who keeps a woman_, the dessous being the -said woman’s lover. - -DESTUC (thieves’), être d’----, _to be partners in a robbery_; _to be -in a_ “push.” “I’m in this push,” is the notice given by an English -thief to another that he means to “stand in.” - -DÉTACHÉ, _adj._ (sporting), cheval ----, _horse which keeps the lead_. - -DÉTACHER (thieves’), le bouchon, _to steal a watch_, “to nick a jerry,” -“to twist a thimble,” or “to get a red toy.” - -DÉTAFFER (thieves’), _to grow bold_. De and taf, _fear_. - -DÉTAILLER (theatrical), le couplet, _to sing with appropriate -expression the different parts of a song_; ---- un rôle, _to bring out -all the best points of a part_. - -DÉTAROQUER (thieves’), _to obliterate the marking of linen_. - -DÉTEINDRE (popular), _to die_, “to kick the bucket,” or “to snuff it.” -See PIPE. - -DÉTELER (popular), _to renounce the pleasures of love_. - -DÉTOCE, or DÉTOSSE, _f._ (thieves’), _ill-luck_; _poverty_. - -DÉTOURNE, _f._ (thieves’), vol à la ----, _robbery in a shop, or from -the shop-window, generally committed by two confederates, the one -engrossing the shopkeeper’s attention while the other takes possession -of the property_. - -DÉTOURNEUR, _m._, DÉTOURNEUSE, _f._, _thief who operates after the -manner described under the heading of_ “VOL À LA DÉTOURNE” (which see). - -DÉTRAQUER (popular), se ---- le trognon, _to become crazy_, _to become_ -“balmy.” - -DETTE (thieves’), payer une ----, _to be in prison_, to “do time.” - -DEUIL, _m._ (popular), demi ----, _coffee without brandy_. Grand ----, -_with brandy_. (Familiar) Il y a du ----, _things are going on badly_. -Porter le ---- de sa blanchisseuse, _to have dirty linen_. - -DEUX (popular), les ---- sœurs, _the breech_, or “cheeks.” See -VASISTAS. (Thieves’) Partir pour les ----, _to set out for the convict -settlement_, “to lump the lighter.” - -DÉVALIDÉ, _adj._ (familiar), synonymous of invalidé, _unreturned -candidate for parliament_. - -DEVANT, _m._ (popular), de gilet, _woman’s breasts_, “Charlies.” - -DÉVEINARD, _m._ (popular), _unlucky_. - - Un de ces ouvriers déveinards, un de ces inventeurs en - chambre, qui ont compté sur le coup de fortune du nouvel - an.--=RICHEPIN=, _Le Pavé_. - -DÉVEINE, _f._ (popular), _constant ill-luck_. - -DÉVIDAGE, _m._ (thieves’), _long speech, or yarn_; _walk in prison -yard_; ---- à l’estorgue, _lie_, “gag;” _accusation_. Faire des -dévidages, _to make revelations_. - -DÉVIDER (thieves’), _to talk_, “to patter;” ---- à l’estorgue, _to -lie_; ---- le jars, _to speak the cant of thieves_, “to patter flash;” ----- une retentissante, _to break a bell_; (popular) ---- son peloton, -_to talk a great deal_; _to make a confession_. - -DÉVIDEUR, _m._, DÉVIDEUSE, _f._ (thieves’), _chatterer_, “clack-box.” - -DÉVIERGER (popular), _to seduce a maiden_. - -DÉVIRER (thieves’ and cads’), _to turn round_. - -DÉVISSER (popular), le coco, _to strangle_; ---- le trognon à -quelqu’un, _to wring a person’s neck_. Se ----, _to go away_. Se ---- -la pétronille, _to break one’s head_. - -DÉVISSEUR, _m._ (popular), _slanderer_, _backbiter_. - -DEVOIR (gay girls’), une dette, _to have promised a rendez-vous_. - -DÉVOYÉ, _adj._ (thieves’), _acquitted_. - -DIABLE, _m._ (thieves’), _instigator in the employ of the police_. - -DIAMANT, _m._ (theatrical), _voice of a fine quality_, “like a bell;” -(popular) _paving stone_. - -DIBOLATA, DIBUNI (Breton cant), _to fight_, _to thrash_. - -DICTIONNAIRE VERDIER, _m._ (printers’), _imaginary dictionary of which -the name is shouted loud whenever one speaks or spells incorrectly_. - -DIEU (popular), le ---- terme, _rent day_. Il n’y a pas de bon ----, -see BON. - -DIFFICULTÉ, _f._ (sporting), être en ----, _is said of a horse which -can just keep the start obtained at the cost of the greatest efforts_. - -DIFOARA (Breton cant), _to pay_. - -DIG-DIG, or DIGUE-DIGUE, _m._ (thieves’), _epileptic fit_. Batteur de -----, _vagabond who pretends to be seized with a fit_. - -DIGONNEUR, _m._ (popular), _ill-tempered man_, _a_ “shirty” _one_. - -DIJONNIER (popular), _mustard-pot_. The best mustard is manufactured at -Dijon. - -DILIGENCE, _f._ (popular), de Rome, _tongue_, or “velvet.” - -DIMANCHE (popular), or ---- après la grand’ messe, _never, at Doomsday, -or when the devil is blind_. - -DINDONNER (popular), _to deceive_; _to impose upon_, “to bamboozle.” -From dindon, _a dupe_, _a fool_. - -DINDORNIER, _m._ (thieves’), _hospital attendant_. - -DÎNER (popular), en ville, _to dine off a small roll in the street_. A -philosophical way of putting it. - -DINGUER (theatrical), _to be out of the perpendicular_; (popular) _to -walk_, _to lounge_. Envoyer ----, _to send to the deuce_. - -DISCUSSION, _f._ (popular), avoir une ---- avec le pavé, _to fall -flat_, “to come a cropper.” - -DISQUE, _m._ (popular), _breech_, or “tochas,” see VASISTAS; also -_coin_. - -DISTINGUÉ, _m._ (popular), _glass of beer_. - -DIX-HUIT (popular), _shoe made up of different parts of old ones_. A -play on the words “deux fois neuf,” _twice new_, or _eighteen_. - -DIXIÈME, _m._ (military), passer au ---- régiment, _to die_. See PIPE. -A play on the word “décimer,” _to kill one in ten_. - -DOCHE, _f._ (thieves’), _mother_. Boîte à ----, _coffin_. - -DOIGT, _m._ (familiar), se fourrer le ---- dans l’œil, or le ---- dans -l’œil jusqu’au coude, _to be grossly mistaken_. Etre de la société -du ---- dans l’œil, _to be one of those who form ambitious hopes not -likely to be realized_. Name given after the Commune of 1871 to a -group of Communists in exile who had separated from the rest, and had -divided among themselves all the future official posts of their future -government--a case of selling chickens, &c., with a vengeance. - -DOMANGE (popular), marmite à ----, _waggon which carries away the -contents of cesspools_. Marmiton de ----, _scavenger employed at -emptying the cesspools_. Travailler pour M. ----, _to eat_. See -MASTIQUER. M. Domange is the name of a contractor who has, or had, -charge of the cleaning of all Paris cesspools. - -DOME, _m._ (thieves’), Saint ----, or saindomme, _tobacco_, or “fogus.” - -DOMINER (theatrical), _is said of an actor standing behind another who -is nearer to the footlights_. It must be said, in explanation, that the -stage-floor has an incline from the back to the front of the stage. - -DOMINO-CULOTTE, _m._, _the last domino in a player’s hand_. - -DOMINOS, _m. pl._ (thieves’), jeu de ----, _teeth_. Avoir le jeu -complet de ----, _to possess one’s set of teeth complete_. Jouer des -----, _to eat_. See MASTIQUER. - - Comme tu joues des dominos (des dents), à te voir, on - croirait que tu morfiles (mords) dans de la crignole - (viande).--=VIDOCQ.= - -DONNE, _f._ (gambling cheats’), la ----, _the act of skilfully -shuffling a pack so as to leave underneath certain cards which the -cheat reserves for himself._ - -DONNER (thieves’), _to look_; _to see_, “to pipe;” _to peach_, or “to -blow the gaff;” ---- à la Bourbonnaise, _to scowl at one_; ---- du -chasse à la rousse, _to be on the look-out_, “to nark,” or “to nose;” ----- du flan, or de la galette, _to play fairly_; ---- sur le buffeton, -_to read an indictment_; ---- un pont à faucher, _to lay a trap_; -_to prepare a snare for one_; _to deceive one_, “to kid;” ---- une -affaire, _to give the information required for the perpetration of a -robbery_. (Popular) Donner de la salade, _to give one something more -than a good shaking_, see VOIE; ---- du cambouis à quelqu’un, _to make -fun of one_; _to play a trick_; ---- du dix-huit, see DONNER CINQ ET -QUATRE; ---- du vague, _to seek for one’s living_; ---- la savate, _to -give a box on the ear_, or “buck-horse;” ---- son bout, or son bout de -ficelle, _to dismiss_; _to give the_ “sack;” (ironical) ---- des noms -d’oiseaux, _to be very loving_; ---- cinq et quatre, _to slap one with -the palm, then with the back of the hand_; ---- un coup de poing dont -on ne voit que la fumée, _to give a terrific blow in the face_, “a -thumper.” La ----, _to sing_, “to lip.” Se ---- de l’air, _to go out_. -Se la ----, _to be off_; _to run away_, “to slope,” see PATATROT; also -_to fight_, “to pitch into one another.” (Familiar) Donner la migraine -à une tête de bois, _to be an insufferable bore_; ---- son dernier bon -à tirer, _to die_; ---- de la grosse caisse, _to puff up a book or -trade article_; ---- du balai, _to dismiss_; (Saint-Cyr cadets’) ---- -du vent, _to bully_. - -DONNEUR, _m._, de bonjour. See BONJOUR. (Thieves’) Donneur d’affaires, -_malefactor of an inventive genius who suggests to others plans of -robberies or_ “plants.” - -DONNEZ-LA! (thieves’), _look out!_ “shoe leather!” Synonymous of -“chou!” “acresto!” “du pet!” - -DORANCHER (thieves’), _to gild_. - -DORMIR (popular), en chien de fusil, _to double oneself up, when -sleeping, into the shape of an S_; ---- en gendarme, _to sleep with one -eye open_; _to sleep a_ “fox’s sleep.” - -DORNA (Breton), _to get drunk_. - -DORNER (Breton), _drunkard_. - -DORT DANS L’AUGE, _m._ (popular), _lazy individual_, “lazy bones,” or -“bummer.” - -DORT-EN-CHIANT (popular), _extremely lazy man, with no energy whatever, -with no heart for work_, “a bummer.” - -DOS, _m._ (general), _woman’s bully_, “Sunday man;” ---- d’azur, vert, -_same meaning_. For synonymous terms see POISSON. Scier le ---- à -quelqu’un, _to importune_; “to bore” _one_. - -DOSE, _f._ (popular), _unpleasant thing_. - -DOSSIÈRE, _f._ (thieves’), _prostitute_, “bunter,” see GADOUE; ---- de -satte, _arm-chair_. - -DOUANIER, _m._ (popular), _glass of absinthe_. An allusion to the -uniform of custom-house officers, which, like absinthe, is green. -Termed also “un perroquet.” - -DOUBLAGE, DOUBLÉ, _m._ (popular), _robbery_. - -DOUBLE, _m._ (military), _sergeant-major_; (popular) ---- six, _negro_. -Also _the two upper front teeth_. (Thieves’) Gras ----, _sheet lead_, -or “flap.” Termed also “saucisson.” - -DOUBLER (thieves’), _to steal_, “to claim,” or “to nick;” (familiar) ----- un cap, _to avoid passing before a creditor’s door_; _to be able -to settle a debt or pay a bill when it falls due_; ---- le cap du -terme, _to be able to pay one’s rent when it becomes due_, _to be able -to clear the dreaded reef of rent day_. - -DOUBLEUR, DOUBLEUX, _m._, DOUBLEUSE, _f._ (thieves’), _thief_, “prig,” -see GRINCHE; ---- de sorgue, _night thief_. - -DOUBLIN, _m._ (thieves’), _ten-centime piece_. - -DOUBLURE, _f._ (theatrical), _actor who at a moment’s notice is able -to take the part of another_; (popular) ---- de la pièce, _breasts_, -“Charlies.” - -DOUCE, _f._ (thieves’), _silk or satin stuff_, “squeeze.” (Popular) A -la ----, _gently_; _pretty well_. Comment qu’ça va aujourd’hui? mais, à -la ----, _how are you to-day? pretty bobbish_. La couler, or la passer -à la ----, _to live an easy life, devoid of cares_. - -DOUCETTE, _f._ (thieves’), _a file_. An endearing term for that very -useful implement. - -DOUCEUR, _f._ (thieves’), faire en ----, _to rob from the person -without any violence, with suavity, so to speak_. Le mettre en ----, -_to extort property by dint of wheedling_. - -DOUILLARD, _m._ (thieves’ and popular), _wealthy man_, “rag-splawger,” -“rhinoceral,” _one_ “well-ballasted.” - -DOUILLARDS, _m._ (thieves’ and popular), _hair_. - - Viv’ la gaîté! J’ai pas d’chaussettes; - Mes rigadins font des risettes; - Mes tas d’douillards m’servent d’chapeau. - - =RICHEPIN=, _Chanson des Gueux_. - -DOUILLE, _f._ (thieves’ and popular), _money_, “pieces.” See QUIBUS. -Aboule la ----, “dub the pieces.” - -DOUILLER (thieves’), _to pay_, “to dub;” ---- du carme, _to give -money_, “to dub pieces.” - -DOUILLES, _f._ (thieves’), _hair_, or “thatch;” ---- savonnées, _white -hair_. Termed also “tifs, douillards, plumes.” - -DOUILLET, _m._, DOUILLETTE, _f._ (thieves’), _hair_, “thatch;” _mane_. - -DOUILLURE, _f._ (thieves’), _head of hair_. - -DOULEUR, _f._ (popular), avaler or étrangler la ----, _to drink a glass -of brandy_, the great comforter it would appear. - -DOULOUREUSE, _f._ (popular), _reckoning at an eating-house_. The term -is expressive of one’s sorrow when comes the dreaded “quart d’heure de -Rabelais.” - -DOUSSE, _f._ (thieves’), _fever_. - -DOUSSIN, _m._ (thieves’), _lead_, “bluey.” - -DOUSSINER (thieves’), _to line with lead_. - -DOUX, _m._ (popular), du ----, _some sweet liquor such as Chartreuse, -Curaçao_. - -DOVERGN (Breton), _horse_. - -DRAGÉE, _f._ (military), _bullet_, “plum.” Dragée, properly -_sweetmeat_. Gober une ----, _to receive a bullet_. - -DRAGONS. See ALLER VOIR DÉFILER. - -DRAGUE, _f. and m._ (popular), une ----, _table, implements or plant -of a conjuror, of a mountebank_. (Thieves’) Un ----, _surgeon_, “nim -gimmer.” - -DRAGUEUR, _m._ (popular), _quack_, “crocus;” _conjurer_; _mountebank_. - -DRAP (popular), manger du ----, _to play at billiards_, _to play_ -“spoof.” - -DRAPEAU, _m._ (freemasons’), _serviette_. Grand ----, _table-cloth_. - -DRAPEAUX, _m._ (popular), _swaddling clothes_. - -DREGNEU, parler en ----, _is to combine this word with other words_. -“Je suis pris,” becomes “Je dregue suidriguis pridriguis.” - -DRILLE, or DRINGUE, _f._ (popular), _diarrhœa_, “jerry-go-nimble;” -(thieves’) _five-franc piece_. - -DRIVE (sailors’), être en ----, _to be out on a spree_, or “on the -booze.” - -DROGUE, _f._ (popular), _article of bad quality_, “Brummagem article.” -Mauvaise ----, _ill-natured man or woman_. Petite ----, _wicked girl_; -_disreputable girl_, “strumpet.” - -DROGUER (popular), _to wait a long time_; (thieves’) _to ask for_. The -term seems to imply that asking for is a tedious process, and that it -is preferable to help oneself. - -DROGUERIE, _f._ (thieves’), _a request_. That is, an unpleasant task. - -DROGUEUR, _m._ (thieves’), de la haute, _expert thief or swindler_, -“gonnof.” - -DROGUISTE, _m._ (thieves’), _swindler_; _sharper_, “shark.” Termed -also, in English slang, “hawk,” in opposition to the “pigeon” or -victim. See GRINCHE. - -DROITIER, _m._ (familiar), _member of the right, or monarchist party in -parliament_. See CENTRIER. - -DROMADAIRE, _m._ (popular), _prostitute_, or “mot.” Formerly _a veteran -of the Egypt campaign_. - -DROUILLASSE, _f._ (popular), _diarrhœa_, “jerry-go-nimble.” - -DUBUGE, _f._ (thieves’), _lady_, “burerk.” - -DUC, _m._ (familiar), _large carriage which holds two people inside, -and has room for two servants in front and two behind_; ---- de guiche, -_turnkey_, “dubsman;” ---- de la panne, _needy man_; ---- d’en face -(ironical), an allusion to an insignificant man who is seeking to make -a show of undue importance or to give himself grand airs. - -DUCE, _m._ (thieves’), _secret signal agreed upon among sharpers_. - -DUCHÊNE (popular), passer à ----, _to get a tooth extracted_. An -allusion to the name of a famous dentist. - -DUEL, _m._ (popular), des yeux qui se battent en ----, _squinting -eyes_, or “swivel eyes.” - -DU GAS, _m._ (sailors’), _my lad_. - - Va bien. On t’emplira, du gas, - Répond le capitaine. - J’y fournirai, t’y fourniras - Moi l’huile à ta lanterne, - Toi l’huil’ de bras. - - =RICHEPIN=, _La Mer_. - -DUMANET (familiar), _appellation given to a private soldier, answers -to the English_ “Thomas Atkins.” Dumanet is the name of one of the -characters of a play. - -DUN, parler en ----, _art of disguising words by means of the syllable_ -“dun.” The letter _n_ is substituted for the first letter of the word -when it is a consonant, added when a vowel. The last syllable is -followed by _du_, which acts as a prefix to the first. Thus “maison” -becomes “naisondumai,” “Paris” becomes “Narisdupa.” - -DUNIK (Breton), _mass_. - -DUNON, parler en ----, _process similar to the one called_ “parler en -dun” (which see). - -DUR, _adj. and m._ (popular), à la détente, or à la desserre, _stingy, -close-fisted_; _man who is slow in paying his debts_. Du ----, -_spirits_. (Printers’) Etre dans son ----, _to be working hard_. - -DURAILLE, _f._ (thieves’), _stone_; _precious stone_, “spark.” - -DURE, _f._ (thieves’), _stone_; _the central prison_; ---- à -briquemon, à rifle, _flint_. Voler quelqu’un à la ----, _to rob a man -with violence_, “to jump a cove.” - -DURÊME, _m._ (thieves’), _cheese_. - -DURILLON, _m._ (popular), _hump_. - -DURIN, _m._ (thieves’), _iron_. - -DURINER (thieves’), _to tip with iron_. - -DUSSE. See DUCE. - -DU VENT (popular), or de la mousse, de l’anis, des dattes, des navets, -des nèfles, du flan, _derisive expressions of refusal_; might be -rendered by, “you be blowed,” “don’t you wish you may get it,” “you’ll -get it in a hurry,” &c. - -DYNAMITARD, _m._ (familiar), _dynamiter_, one who aims at regenerating -society by the free use of dynamite. - - - - -E - - -EAU, _f._ (popular), de moule, _a mixture of a little absinthe and a -great deal of water_. Marchand d’---- chaude, or d’---- de javelle, -_landlord of a wine-shop_. - -EAU D’AF, EAU D’AFFE, _f._ (popular and thieves’), _brandy_, or “French -cream,” from af, _life_. - - As-tu bu l’eau d’af à c’matin? T’as l’air tout drôle, - est-ce que t’es malade, ma mère?--_Catéchisme Poissard._ - -EAUX, _f. pl._. (popular), être dans les ---- grasses, _to hold a high -official position_. Les ---- sont basses, _funds are low_, _funds are -at_ “low tide.” - -EBASIR (thieves’), _to knock down_; _to murder_, “to cook one’s goose.” - -EBATTRE (thieves’), s’---- dans la tigne, _to try and pick pockets in a -crowd_, “to fake a cly in the push.” - -EBÉNO, _m._ (popular), for ébéniste, _French polisher_. - -EBOURIFFANT, _adj._ (common), _excessive_, _astounding_. Vous êtes -ébouriffant, _you are_ “coming it rather too strong.” - -ECAFOUILLER (popular), _to squash_. - -ECAILLÉ, _m._ (popular), _prostitute’s bully_, or “Sunday man.” -Properly _one with scales like those of a fish_. An allusion to -maquereau. See POISSON. - -ECARBOUILLER (popular), s’----, _to run away_, “to bunk.” - -ECART, _m._ (gambling cheats’), _sleight of hand trick by which the -cheat conceals an ace under his wrist to use when convenient_. - -ECARTER (familiar), du fusil, or de la dragée, _to spit involuntarily -when talking_. - -ECHALAS, _m._ (popular), jus d’----, _wine_. (Thieves’) Echalas -d’omnicroche, _coachman of an omnibus_. - -ECHALAS, _m. pl._ (popular), _thin legs_, “spindle-shanks.” - - Joue des guibolles, prends tes échalas à ton cou. - --=X. MONTÉPIN.= - -ECHAPPÉ, _m._ (popular), de Charenton, _crazy fellow_ (Charenton is the -Paris dépôt for lunatics); ---- d’Hérode, _unsophisticated man_, or -“greenhorn.” - -ECHARPILLER (popular), se faire ----, _to get a terrible thrashing_, -“to get knocked into a cocked hat.” See VOIE. - -ECHASSES, _f. pl._ (popular), _thin legs_, “spindle-shanks.” - -ECHASSIER, _m._ (popular), _tall man with thin, long legs_, or -“spindle-shanks.” - -ECHAUDÉ (popular), être ----, _to be overcharged_; _to be fleeced_, “to -be shaved.” - -ECHAUDER (popular), _to charge more for an article than the real -price_, “to shave a customer.” Properly _to scald_. According to the -_Slang Dictionary_ (Chatto and Windus, 1885), when a London tradesman -sees an opportunity of doing this, he strokes his chin as a signal to -the assistant who is serving the customer. - -ECHELLE, _f._ (popular), monter à l’----, _to ascend the scaffold_. -Faire monter quelqu’un à l’----, _to get one into a rage by teazing or -badgering him_, “to rile one.” - -ECHINER (familiar), _to criticise sharply_, _to run down_. Properly _to -thrash to within an inch of one’s life_. - -ECHINEUR, _m._ (familiar), _sharp critic_. - -ECHO, _m._ (popular), _an encore at a place of entertainment_. - -ECHOPPE, _f._ (popular), _workshop_. - -ECHOS, _m. pl._ (journalists’), _reports on topics of the day_. - -ECHOTER, _to write_ “échos.” See that word. - -ECHOTIER, _m._ (familiar), _writer of_ “échos.” See that word. - - Indépendamment de la loge de Fauchery, il y a celle de la - rédaction, de la direction et de l’administration, une - baignoire pour son soiriste, une autre pour son échotier, - quatre fauteuils pour ses reporters.--=P. MAHALIN.= - -ECLAIRAGE, _m._ (general), _money laid down on a gaming table as -stakes_. - -ECLAIRER (general), _to pay_, “to dub;” _to exhibit money_; -(gamesters’) ---- le tapis, le velours, _to stake_; (prostitutes’) _to -look about in quest of a client_. - -ECLAIREUR, _m._ (gamesters’), _confederate of card-sharpers_. - -ECLAIREURS, _m. pl._ (popular), _large protruding breasts_. Properly -_scouts_. - -ECLUSER (popular), _to void urine_, “to lag.” - -ECLUSES, _f. pl._ (popular), lâcher les ----, _to weep_, “to nap a -bib;” _to void urine_, “to lag.” - -ECOLE PRÉPARATOIRE (thieves’), _prison_, “jug.” A kind of compulsory -“Buz-napper’s Academy,” or school in which young thieves are trained. - -ECOPAGE, _m._ (popular), _blow_, “prop,” “bang,” or “wipe;” -_collision_; _scolding_, “bully-ragging;” _the art of calling on one -just at dinner time, so as to get an invitation_. - -ECOPER (popular), _to drink_. See RINCER. Properly _to bale a boat_. -Ecoper, _to receive a thrashing_, “to get a walloping.” - -ECOPEUR, _m._ (popular), _artful man who manages to get some small -advantages out of people without appearing to ask for them_. - -ECORNAGE, _m._ (thieves’), vol à l’----, _mode of robbery which -consists in cutting out a small portion of a pane in a shop-window, and -drawing out articles through the aperture by means of a rod provided -with a hook at one of its extremities_. - -ECORNÉ, _m._ (thieves’), _prisoner under examination_, or “cross kid;” -_prisoner charged with an offence_, “in trouble.” - -ECORNER (popular), _to slander_; _to abuse_, “to bully rag; (thieves’), -_to break into_; ---- une boutanche, un boucard, _to break into a -shop_, “to crack a swag.” - - J’aimerais mieux faire suer le chêne sur le grand trimar, - que d’écorner les boucards.--=VIDOCQ.= - -ECORNEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _public prosecutor_. - -ECORNIFLER (thieves’), à la passe, _to shoot down_. - -ECOSSAIS (popular), en ----, _without breeches_. - -ECOSSEUR, _m._, _secretary_; _one whose functions are to peruse -letters_. Properly _sheller_. The Préfecture de Police employs -twelve “écosseurs,” whose duty it is to open the daily masses of -correspondence conveying real or supposed clues to crimes committed. -(_Globe Newspaper_, 1886.) - -ECOUTE, _f. and verb_ (thieves’), _ear_, “wattle,” or “hearing cheat.” -(Popular) Je t’----, je vous ----, _just so!_ _I should think so!_ - -ECOUTE S’IL PLEUT! (popular), _be quiet!_ _hold your_ “row!” - -ECOUTILLES, _f. pl._ (sailors’), _ears_. Ouvrir ses ----, _to listen_. -Properly _hatchway_. - - Y es-tu, ma petite pouliotte, y es-tu? As-tu bien ouvert - tes écoutilles? Te rappelles-tu tout ça et encore - ça?--=RICHEPIN=, _La Glu_. - -ECRACHE, _f._ (thieves’), _passport_; ---- tarte, or à l’estorgue, -_forged passport_. - -ECRACHER (thieves’), _to exhibit one’s passport_. - -ECRASEMENT, _m._ (thieves’), _crowd_, “push,” or “scuff.” - -ECRASER (popular), un grain, _to have a glass of wine at a wine-shop_; ----- une bouteille, _to drink a bottle of wine_. - - Je viens voir à présent si n’y aurait pas moyen - d’écraser un grain pendant qu’i sont tous en train de - folichonner.--=TRUBLOT.= - -ECREVISSE, _f._ (popular), de boulanger, _hypocrite_. Avoir une ---- -dans la tourte, or dans le vol-au-vent, _to be crazy_, “to have -apartments to let.” (Cavalry) Ecrevisse de rempart, _foot soldier_, or -“beetle-crusher.” (Theatrical) Quatorzième ----, _female supernumerary_. - -ECRIRE (popular), à un juif, _to ease oneself_, “to go to the crapping -ken.” See MOUSCAILLER. - -ECRIVASSER (literary), _to write in a desultory manner_. - -ECUELLE, _f._ (popular), _plate_. - -ECUME, _f._ (thieves’), de terre, _tin_. Properly _foam_. - -ECUMOIRE, _f._ (familiar), _pock-marked face_, “cribbage face.” -Properly _skimmer_. - -ECURER (popular), son chaudron, _to go to confession_. Literally _to -scour one’s stewpan_. - -ECUREUIL, _m._ (popular), _man or boy whose functions consist in -propelling the wheels of engineers or turners_. - -EDREDON, _m._ (popular), de trois pieds, _truss of straw_. -(Prostitutes’) Faire l’----, _to find a rich foreigner for a client_. - - Vous me demanderez peut-être ce que signifie, faire - l’édredon.... L’eider est un oiseau exotique au duvet - précieux.... Avec ce duvet on se fabrique des couches - chaudes et moelleuses.... Les étrangers de distinction, - qu’ils viennent du Nord ou du Midi, sont, eux aussi, des - oiseaux dont les plumes laissées entre des mains adroites - et caressantes n’ont pas moins de valeur que le duvet de - l’eider.--=P. MAHALIN.= - -EF, _m._ (prostitutes’), abbreviation of effet. Faire de l’----, _to -show oneself to advantage_. - -EFFACER (popular), _to eat or drink_, see MASTIQUER; ---- un plat, _to -polish off the contents of a dish_; ---- une bouteille, _to drink off a -bottle of liquor_. - -EFFAROUCHER (thieves’), _to steal_, “to ease,” or “to claim.” See -GRINCHIR. - -EFFET (theatrical), _by-play, or those parts of a play which are -intended to produce an impression on the audience_. Avoir un ----, -_to have to say or do something which will make an impression on the -spectators_. Couper un ----, _to spoil a fellow-actor’s_ “effet” _by -distracting the attention of the public from him to oneself_. - -EFFETS, _m. pl._ (familiar), faire des ---- de biceps, _to show off -one’s strength_. Faire des ---- de poche, _to make a show of possessing -much money_; _to pay_. Faire des ---- de manchette, _to exhibit one’s -cuffs in an affected manner by a movement of the arm_. - -EFFONDRER QUELQU’UN (popular), _to beat one to a jelly_, “to knock one -into a cocked hat.” See VOIE. - -EGAILLER LES BRÈMES (gamesters’), _to spread cards out_. - -EGARD, _m._ (thieves’), faire l’----, _to keep the proceeds of a theft -to oneself_. - -EGAYER (theatrical), _to hiss_, “to give the big bird;” ---- l’ours, -_to hiss a play_. Se faire ----, _to get hissed_, “to get the big bird.” - -EGLISIER, _m._ (popular), _bigot_, or “prayer monger.” - -EGNAFFER (popular), _to astound_. - -EGNOLANT (popular), _astounding_. - -EGNOLER (popular), _to astound_. - -EGOUT, _m._ (popular), prima donna d’----, _female singer at low -music-halls_, or “penny gaffs.” - -EGRAFFIGNER (popular), _to scratch_. - -EGRAILLER (popular), _to take_. - -EGRATIGNÉE. See DÉCHIRÉE. - -EGRENÉ, _m._ (journalists’), _a kind of newspaper fag_. - -EGRUGEOIR, _m._ (thieves’), _pulpit_, “hum-box.” - -EGRUGER (thieves’), _to plunder_, _to rifle_. - -EGYPTIEN, _m._ (theatrical), _bad actor_, _inferior sort of_ “cackling -cove.” - -ELBEUF, _m._ (familiar), _coat_, “tog.” - -ELECTEUR, _m._ (commercial travellers’), _client_. - -ELÉMENTS, _m. pl._ (card-sharpers’), _money_, or “pieces.” See QUIBUS. - -ELÈVE, _m._ (thieves’ and cads’), du Château, _prisoner_; _old -offender_. - -ELÈVE-MARTYR, _m._ (cavalry), _one who is training to be a corporal_, -and who in consequence has to go through a very painful ordeal, -considering that French non-commissioned officers have the iron hand -without the velvet glove. - -ELIXIR, _m._ (popular), de hussard, _brandy_. See TORD-BOYAUX. - -ELTRISA (Breton), _to seek for one’s livelihood_. - -ELTRIZ (Breton), _bread_. - -EMANCIPER (familiar), s’----, _to take undue familiarities with women_, -“to fiddle.” - -EMBALLER (thieves’ and popular), _to apprehend_, “to smug.” See PIPER. -S’----, _to get excited_. Properly _is said of a horse that runs away_. - -EMBALLES, _f. pl._ (prostitutes’), _fussy_, _showing off_. Faire des -----, _to make a fuss_. - -EMBALLEUR (thieves’), _police-officer_, “copper,” or “reeler.” See -POT-À-TABAC. Properly _packer_. Emballeur de refroidis, _undertaker’s -man_. - -EMBALUCHONNER (popular), _to make up a parcel_; _to wrap up_. - -EMBANDER (thieves’), _to take by force_. - -EMBARDER (popular), _to wander from one’s subject_; _to prevaricate_; -_to make a mistake_; _to enter_. J’ai embardé dans la carrée, _I -entered the room_. - -EMBARRAS, _m._ (thieves’), _bed sheet_. (Popular) Mettre une fille dans -l’----, _to seduce a girl, with the natural consequences_. - -EMBAUMÉ, _m._ (popular), vieil ----, _old fool_; _old curmudgeon_, -“doddering old sheep’s head.” - -EMBERLIFICOTEUR, _m._ (popular), _artful man, or an expert at -wheedling_, “sly blade.” - -EMBISTROUILLER (popular), _to embarrass_; _to perplex_, “to flummux.” - -EMBLÈME, _m._ (thieves’), _deceit_; _falsehood_, or “gag.” - -EMBLÉMER (thieves’), _to deceive_, “to stick.” - -EMBLÈMES, _m. pl._ (popular), des ----, _expression of disbelief_; -might be rendered by “all my eye!” See NÈFLES. - -EMBOÎTER (theatrical), _to abuse_. - -EMBOSSER (sailors’), s’----, _to place oneself_. Properly _to bring the -broadside to bear_. - -EMBOUCANER (popular), _to stink_. Termed also “casser, plomber, -chelinguer, trouilloter.” S’----, _to feel dull, out of sorts_, “to -have the blue devils.” - -EMBROUILLARDER (popular), s’----, _is said of a person in that state -of incipient intoxication that if he took more drink the effects would -become evident_. See SCULPTER. - -EMBROUSSAILLÉS, _adj._ (familiar), cheveux ----, _matted hair_. - -EMBUSQUÉ, _adj._ (military), _soldier who by reason of certain -functions is excused from military duties_. - -EMÉCHÉ, _adj._ (familiar), _slightly intoxicated_, or “elevated.” See -POMPETTE. - -EMÉCHER (familiar), s’----, _to be in a fair way of getting tipsy_. See -SCULPTER. - -EMÉRILLONNER (popular), s’----, _to become quite cheerful_, or “cock a -hoop,” _through repeated potations_. - -EMIGRÉ, _m._ (popular), de Gomorrhe, _Sodomite_. - -EMMAILLOTER (thieves’), _to dupe_, “to best;” ---- un môme, _to prepare -a theft or other crime_. Synonymous of “engraisser un poupart.” - -EMMAILLOTEUR, _m._ (popular), _tailor_, “snip,” “steel-bar driver,” -“cabbage contractor.” - -EMMANCHÉ, _m._ (popular), _slow, clumsy fellow_, “stick in the mud.” - -EMMARGOUILLIS, _m._ (popular), _obscene talk_, or “blue talk.” - -EMMASTOQUER (popular), s’----, _to live well_; _to eat to excess_, “to -stodge.” - -EMMERDEMENT, _m._ (familiar and popular), a coarse word; _great -annoyance_; _trouble_. - -EMMERDER (general), a coarse word; _to annoy_; _to bore_. Also -_extremely forcible expression of contempt_. Properly _to cover with -excrement_. The English have the word “to immerd,” _to cover with dung_. - - J’emmerde la cour, je respecte messieurs les jurés. - --=V. HUGO.= - -EMMIELLER, EMMOUTARDER (popular), _euphemism for_ EMMERDER (which see). - -EMMILLIARDER (popular), s’----, or s’emmillionner, _to become -prodigiously rich_. - -EMOS, _f._ (popular), abbreviation of émotion. - -EMOUVER (popular), s’----, _to shift noisily about_; _to hurry_, or “to -look alive.” - -EMPAFFER (popular), _to intoxicate_. From paf, _drunk_. See SCULPTER. - -EMPAFFES, _f. pl._ (thieves’), _bed-clothes_. - -EMPAILLÉ, _m._ (popular), _clumsy man_; _slow man, lacking energy_, -“stick in the mud.” - -EMPALER (popular), _to deceive one by false representations_, “to -bamboozle.” - -EMPAOUTER (popular), _to annoy_; _to bore_, “to spur.” - -EMPAUMÉ, _adj._ (popular), c’est ----, _it’s done_. - -EMPAUMER (popular and thieves’), _to apprehend_, “to smug.” See PIPER. - -EMPAVE, _f._ (thieves’), _crossway_. - -EMPÊCHEUR (familiar), de danser en rond, _dismal man, who plays the dog -in the manger_, “mar-joy.” - -EMPEREUR, _m._ (popular), _worn-out old shoe_. - -EMPIERGEONNER (popular), s’----, _to get entangled_. - - Margot dans sa cotte et ses bas - S’empiergeonna là-bas, là-bas. - - =RICHEPIN=, _Chanson des Gueux_. - -EMPIFFRAGE, _m._, EMPIFFRERIE, _f._ (popular), _gluttony_, “stodging.” - -EMPILAGE, _m._, or EMPIL (popular), _cheating_. - -EMPILER (popular), _to cheat at a game_. - -EMPIOLER (thieves’), _to lock up_, “to give the clinch.” - -EMPLANQUER (thieves’), _to come up_; _to turn up_, “to crop up.” - -EMPLÂTRE, _m._ (card-sharpers’), de Thapsia, _shirt front and collar_. -(Popular) Faire un ----, _to arrange one’s cards ready for playing_. -(Thieves’) Emplâtre, _wax imprint taken for housebreaking purposes_. - -EMPLÂTRER (popular), _to thrash_, “to wallop.” Si tu crânes, je vais -t’emplâtrer, _none of your cheek, else I’ll give you a beating_. See -VOIE. S’----, _to encumber oneself_. - -EMPLOYÉ, _adj._ (military), dans les eaux grasses, _clerk of the -victualling department_, “mucker.” - -EMPLÛCHER (thieves’), _to pillage_. - -EMPOIGNADE, _f._ (popular), _dispute_, “row.” - -EMPOIGNER (literary), _to criticise vigorously_; (theatrical) _to -hiss_, “to give the big bird.” - -EMPOISONNEUR, _m._ (popular), _the landlord of wine-shop_. Termed also -“mastroquet, troquet, bistrot.” - -EMPOIVRER (popular), s’----, _to get drunk_, “to get screwed.” See -SCULPTER. - -EMPORTER (thieves’), _to swindle_, “to stick;” (popular) ---- le -chat, _to meddle with what does not concern one, and to get abused -or thrashed for one’s pains_. To act as Monsieur Robert in Molière’s -_Le Médecin malgré Lui_, when he upbraids Sganarelle for beating his -spouse, and in return gets thrashed by both husband and wife. - -EMPORTEUR, _m._, _swindler who gets into conversation with a stranger, -gains his confidence, and takes him to a café where two confederates_, -“le bachotteur” _and_ “la bête,” _await him_ (see BACHOTTEUR); ---- à -la côtelette, _card-sharper who operates at restaurants_. - -EMPOSEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _Sodomite_. - -EMPOTÉ, _m._ (familiar), _slow, clumsy man_, “stick in the mud.” - -EMPOUSTEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _swindler who sells spurious goods to -tradesmen under false pretences_. - -EMPRUNTER (popular), un pain sur la fournée, _to beget a child before -marriage_; ---- un qui vaut dix, _to conceal one’s baldness by brushing -the hair forward_. - -EMU, _adj._ (popular), _slightly intoxicated_, “elevated.” See POMPETTE. - -EN (popular), avoir plein ses bottes, _to be tired, sick of a person or -thing_. - -ENBOHÉMER (familiar), s’----, _to get into low society_. - -ENBONNETDECOTONNER, s’----, _to become commonplace in manner or way of -thinking_. - -ENCAISSER (popular), un soufflet, _to receive a smack in the face_, or -“buck-horse.” - -ENCARRADE, _f._ (thieves’), _entrance_. Lourde d’----, _street door_. - -ENCARRER (thieves’), _to enter_, “to prat.” - -ENCASQUER (thieves’), to enter, or “to prat.” - - Pour gonfler ses valades - Encasque dans un rade, - Sert des sigues à foison. - - =VIDOCQ.= - -ENCEINTRER (popular), _to make a woman big with child_. Abbreviation of -enceinturer, an expression used in the eighteenth century. - -ENCHETIBER (thieves’), _to apprehend_, “to smug.” See PIPER. - -ENCIBLE (thieves’), _together_. For ensemble. - -ENCLOUÉ, _m._ (popular), _Sodomist_; _man without any energy_. A term -expressive of utter contempt, and an euphemism for a very coarse word. -The literal English rendering may be heard from the mouths of English -workmen at least a dozen times in a lapse of as many minutes. The -French expression might be rendered in less offensive language by “a -snide bally fool.” - - Qu’est-ce qu’il a à m’emmoutarder cet encloué de singe? - cria Bec-Salé.--=ZOLA=, _L’Assommoir_. - -ENCLOUER (popular), _to take some article to the pawnshop_, “to put in -lug,” “to blue,” or “to lumber.” - -ENCOLIFLUCHETER (popular), s’----, _to feel out of sorts_; _to have -the_ “blue devils.” - -ENCRE, _f._ (familiar), buveur d’----, _clerk_, or “quill-driver.” - -ENCROTTER (popular), _to bury_. Crotte, _mud_, _muck_. - -ENDÉCHER (popular), _to get one into debt_. S’----, _to run into debt_. - -ENDORMAGE, _m._ (thieves’), vol à l’----, _robbing a person who has -been made unconscious by means of a narcotic_. The rogue who has -recourse to this mode of despoiling his victim is termed in English -slang “a drummer.” - -ENDORMEUR, _m._, thief. See ENDORMAGE. - -ENDORMI, _m._ (popular), _judge_, or “beak.” - -ENDORMIR (thieves’), _to kill_, “to give one his gruel,” “to cook his -goose.” See REFROIDIR. - -ENDOS, _m._ (popular), _the back_. - -ENDOSSE, or ANDOSSE, _f._ (thieves’), _shoulder_; _back_. Raboter -l’----, _to beat black and blue_. See VOIE. Tapis d’----, _shawl_. - -ENDROGUER (thieves’), _is said of a rogue who goes about seeking for a_ -“job,” quærens quem devoret. - -ENFANT, _m._ (thieves’), _short crowbar used by housebreakers_. Termed -also “Jacques, sucre de pomme, rigolo, biribi, dauphin;” and by English -rogues, “the stick, James, jemmy;” _strong box_, or “peter;” ---- de -la matte, _one of the confraternity of thieves_, or “family-man.” -(Popular) Un ---- de chœur, _sugar loaf_. Un ---- de giberne, -_soldier’s child_. Un ---- de trente-six pères, _a prostitute’s -offspring_. (Familiar) Un ---- de la balle, _an actor’s child, or one -who follows the same calling as his father_. - -ENFIFRÉ, _m._ (popular), _Sodomist_, _slow man_, or “slow coach.” - -ENFIGNEUR, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _Sodomist_. See GOUSSE. - -ENFILAGE, _m._ (thieves’), _arrest_. - -ENFILER (popular), _to take red-handed_; _to have connection_; ---- -des briques, _to be fasting_, _to be_ “bandied;” ---- des perles. See -PERLES. Se faire ----, _to be caught in the act of stealing_. - -ENFLAMMÉS, _m. pl._ (military), _soldiers under arrest whose fondness -for the fair sex has caused them to delay their attendance at barracks -more than is consistent with their military duties, and has brought -them into trouble_. - -ENFLANELLER (popular), s’----, _to take a grog_, “a nightcap.” - -ENFLAQUER (thieves’), _to seize_; _to apprehend_, “to smug.” See PIPER. -J’ai enflaqué le bogue et le morningue du pante, _I laid hands on the_ -“cove’s” _watch and purse_. - - J’ai manqué d’être enflaqué sur le boulevard du - Temple.--=VIDOCQ.= - -S’----, _to be ruining oneself_. - -ENFLÉE, _f._ (thieves’), _bladder_; _skin which contains brandy or -wine_. - -ENFLER (popular), _to drink_, “to lush.” See RINCER. - -ENFONCÉ, _adj._ (familiar), _ruined_; _outwitted_, “done brown.” - -ENFONCER (familiar), _to outwit one_, “to do one.” - -ENFONCEUR, _m._ (familiar), _a business man or financier who makes -dupes_; _harsh critic_; (thieves’) _swindler_, or “shark;” ---- de -flancheurs de gadin, _rogue who robs of their halfpence players at the -game called_ “bouchon” (_played with a cork and halfpence_). He treads -on one of the coins, which, by a skilful motion of the foot, remains in -the interstices of his worn-out shoe. The “business” is, of course, not -a very profitable one. - -ENFOURAILLER (thieves’), _to apprehend_, “to smug;” _to imprison_, “to -give the clinch.” See PIPER. - -ENFOURNER (popular), _to imprison_, “to give the clinch.” See PIPER. - -ENFRIMER (thieves’), _to peer into one’s face_. - -ENGAGÉ, _adj._ (gamblers’), être ----, _to have lost heavily at some -game_. - -ENGAGER (sporting), _to enter a horse for a race_. - -ENGAMÉ, _adj._ (thieves’), _enraged_; _rabid_. - -ENGANTER (thieves’), _to seize_; _to steal_, “to nick.” En être -enganté, _to be in love with_. - - J’ai fait par comblance - Gironde larguecapé,... - Un jour à la Courtille, - J’m’en étais enganté. - - =VIDOCQ.= - -ENGERBER (thieves’), _to apprehend_, “to smug.” From gerbe, _a sheaf of -corn_. See PIPER. - -ENGLUER (thieves’), la chevêche, _to arrest a gang of rogues_. - -ENGOURDI, _m._ (thieves’), _corpse_, or “cold meat.” - -ENGRAILLER (thieves’), _to catch_, _to seize_; ---- l’ornie, _to catch -a fowl, generally by means of a baited hook_ (old cant). - - Je sais bien aquiger les luques, engrailler l’ornie.--_Le - Jargon de l’Argot._ (_I know how to prepare pictures, to - catch a fowl._) - -ENGRAINER (popular), _to arrive_, “to crop up.” - -ENGRAISSER (thieves’), un poupart, _to make preparations for a theft or -murder_. Literally _to fatten a child_. - -ENGROUILLER (popular), s’----, _to stick fast_; _to be inert, without -energy_. - -ENGUEULADE, ENGUEULAGE, synonymous of ENGUEULEMENT. - -ENGUEULEMENT, _m._ (popular), _abuse in any but choice language_. Also -_insults by an abusive and scurrilous journalist who runs down public -or literary men in expressions strongly savouring of the gutter_. Fair -specimens of this coarse kind of pen warfare may be found daily in at -least one notorious Radical print, which would be thought very tame -by its habitual readers if it had not a ready stock of abuse at its -disposal, the most ordinary being voleur, bandit, maquereau, scélérat, -porc, traître, vendu, ventru, ventripotent, jouisseur, idiot, crétin, -gâteux, &c., &c. - -ENGUIRLANDER (popular), _to circumvent_. - -ENLEVÉ, _adj._ (familiar), _spirited_. Un article ----, un discours -----, _spirited article or speech_. - -ENLEVER (theatrical), _to play with spirit_; (general) ---- le ballon -à quelqu’un, _to kick one_, “to root,” or “to land a kick.” (Thieves’) -S’----, _to be famished_. - -ENLEVEUR (theatrical), _actor who plays in dashing, spirited style_. - -ENLUMINER (popular), s’----, _to be in the first stage of -intoxication_, or “elevated.” See SCULPTER. - -ENLUMINURE, _f._ (popular), _state of slight intoxication_. See -POMPETTE. - -ENNUYER (popular), s’----, _to be on the point of death_. - -ENPLAQUE, _f._ (thieves’), _police_, “the reelers.” - -ENQUILLER (thieves’), _to conceal_; ---- une thune de camelotte, _to -secrete a piece of cloth under one’s dress, or between one’s thighs_. -Also _to enter_, “to prat.” - - J’enquille dans sa cambriole - Espérant de l’entifler. - - =VIDOCQ.= - -ENQUILLEUSE, _f._, _female thief who conceals stolen property under her -apron or between her legs_. From quille, _leg_. - -ENQUIQUINER (popular), _to annoy_, “to spur.” Is also expressive of -scornful feelings. Je vous enquiquine! _a hang for you!_ S’----, _to -feel dull_. - -ENRAYER (popular), _to renounce love and its pleasures_. - -ENRHUMER (popular), _to annoy one_, _to bore one_, “to spur.” Termed -also “courir quelqu’un.” - -ENROSSER (horse-dealers’), _to conceal the faults of a horse_. -(Popular) S’----, _to get lazy_, or “Mondayish.” - -ENSECRÉTER (showmens’), _to make a puppet ready for the show by -dressing it up, &c._ - -ENSEIGNE DE CIMETIÈRE, _f._ (thieves’), _priest_, or “devil dodger.” - -ENSEMBLE, _m._ (artists’), un modèle qui pose l’----, _a model who sits -for the whole figure, that is, who poses nude_. - -ENTABLEMENT, _m._ (popular), _shoulders_. - -ENTAILLER (thieves’), _to kill one_, “to give one his gruel.” See -REFROIDIR. - -ENTAME, _f._ (popular), à toi l’----! _you make the first move!_ - -ENTAMER (thieves’), _to make one speak_; _to worm out one’s secrets_. -Si le roué veut entamer tézigue, nib du truc, _if the magistrate tries -to pump you, hold your tongue_. - -ENTAULER (thieves’), _to enter_, “to prat.” - -ENTENDRE (popular), de corne, _to mistake a word for another_. N’---- -que du vent, _not to be able to make head or tail of what one hears_. - -ENTERREMENT, _m._ (popular), _a piece of meat placed in a lump of -bread, or an apology for a sandwich_; (familiar) ---- de première -classe, _grand, but dull ceremony_. Is said also of the total failure -of a literary or dramatic production. - -ENTERVER, or ENTRAVER (thieves’), _to listen_; _to hear_; _to -understand_. Que de baux la muraille enterve! _take care, the walls -have ears!_ (old) - - Le rupin sortant dehors vit cet écrit, il le lut, mais il - n’entervait que floutière; il demanda au ratichon de son - village ce que cela voulait dire mais il n’entervait pas - mieux que sezière.--_Le Jargon de l’Argot._ - -ENTIÈRES, _f. pl._ (thieves’), _lentils_. - -ENTIFFER (popular), _to enter_; (thieves’) _to wheedle_; _to adorn_. - - Ah! si j’en défouraille, - Ma largue j’entiferai. - J’li f’rai porter fontange, - Et souliers galuchés. - - =V. HUGO.= - -ENTIFFLE, _f._ See ANTIFFLE. - -ENTIFFLER (thieves’), _to wheedle_; _to walk_, or “to pad the hoof;” -_to steal_, “to nick,” or “to claim.” See GRINCHIR. - -ENTONNE, _f._ (thieves’), _church_. Termed also “chique.” - -ENTONNOIR, _m._ (popular), _throat_, or “peck-alley;” ---- à patte, -_drinking glass_; ---- de zinc, _a throat which is proof against the -strongest spirits_. - -ENTORTILLÉ, _adj._ (popular), _clumsy_, _awkward_, _gawky_. - -ENTRAVAGE, _m._ (thieves’), _hearing_; _understanding_, “twigging.” - -ENTRAVER (thieves’ and cads’), _to understand_, “to twig.” J’entrave -pas dans tes vannes, _I don’t take that nonsense in_, _I am not to -be humbugged_, “do you see any green in my eye?” J’entrave pas ton -flanche, _I can’t understand what you are at_. - -EN TRAVERSE, _f._ (thieves’), _at the hulks_. - -ENTRECÔTE, _f._ (popular), de brodeuse, _piece of Brie cheese_. -(Thieves’) Entrecôte, _sword_. - -ENTRÉE, _f._ (popular), de Portugal, _ridiculous rider_; ---- des -artistes, _anus_. - -ENTREFILET, _m._ (journalists’), _short newspaper paragraph_. - -ENTRELARDÉ, _m._ (popular), _a man who is neither fat nor thin_. - -ENTRER (popular), aux quinze-vingts, _to fall asleep_. Les -Quinze-vingts is a government hospital for the blind; ---- dans la -confrérie de Saint-Pris, _to get married_, or “spliced;” ---- dans -l’infanterie, _to be pregnant_; ---- en tempête, _to fly into a -passion_, “to lose one’s shirt.” - -ENTRIPAILLÉ, _adj._ (popular), _stout_, _with a_ “corporation” _in -front_. - -ENTRIPAILLER (popular), s’----, _to grow stout_. - -ENTROLER, ENTROLLER (thieves’), _to carry away_. - - Il mouchailla des ornies de balle qui morfilaient du grenu - en la cour; alors il ficha de son sabre sur la tronche - à une, il l’abasourdit, la met dans son gueulard et - l’entrolle.--_Le Jargon de l’Argot._ (_He saw some turkey - cocks which were pecking at some corn in the yard; he then - cut one over the head with his sword, killed it, put it in - his wallet, and carried it off._) - -ENVELOPPER (artists’), _to draw the sketch of a painting_. - -ENVOYÉ, _adj._ (familiar), bien ----, _a good hit! well said!_ - -ENVOYER (general), à la balançoire, à loustaud, à l’ours, dinguer, à -Chaillot, _to send to the deuce_, see CHAILLOT; ---- en paradis, _to -kill_, “to give one his gruel;” ---- quelqu’un aux pelotes, _to send -one to the deuce_. (Thieves’) Envoyer quelqu’un à Niort, _to say no to -one, to refuse_; ---- en parade, _to kill_. (Popular and thieves’) Se -l’----, _to eat_, “to grub.” See MASTIQUER. - -EPAIS, _m._ (players’), _five and six of dominoes_. - -EPARGNER (thieves’), n’---- le poitou, _to be careful_. - - N’épargnons le poitou, - Poissons avec adresse, - Messières et gonzesses, - Sans faire de regoût. - - =VIDOCQ.= - -EPATAGE, _m._ (popular). See EPATEMENT. - -EPATAMMENT (popular), _wonderfully_, “stunningly.” - -EPATANT, ÉPATAROUFLANT, _adj._ (general), _wonderful_; _wondrous_, -“stunning,” “crushing.” - -EPATE, _f._ (general), faire de l’----, _to show off_. - -EPATEMENT, _m._ (general), _astonishment_. - -EPATER, ÉPATAROUFLER (general), quelqu’un, _to astound one, to make him -wonder at something or other_. - -EPATEUR, _m._, ÉPATEUSE, _f._ (general), _one who shows off_; _one who -tries to astound people by showing off_. - -EPAULE, _f._ (general), changer son fusil d’----, _to alter one’s -opinion; to change one’s mind_. - -EPÉE, _f._ (popular), de Savoyard, _fisticuffs_. - -EPICÉ, _adj._ (general), _at an exaggerated price_. C’est diablement -----, _it is a long price_. - -EPICEMAR, _m._ (familiar), _grocer_. - -EPICÉPHALE, _m._ (students’), _hat_. See TUBARD. - -EPICER (popular), _to scoff at_; _to deride_. - -EPICERIE, _f._ (artists’), _the world of Philistines_, “non digni -intrare.” - -EPICE-VINETTE, _m._ (thieves’), _grocer_. - -EPICIER, M. (familiar), _man devoid of any artistic taste_; _mean, -vulgar man_; termed also “commerçant;” (students’) _one who does not -take up classics at college_. - -EPILER (popular), se faire ---- la pêche, _to get shaved_. - -EPINARDS (artists’), plat d’----, _painting where tones of crude green -predominate_. (Popular) Aller aux ----, _to receive money from a -prostitute_. - -EPINGLE, _f._ (popular), avoir une ---- à son col, _to have a glass of -wine waiting ready poured out for one at a neighbouring wine-shop, and -paid for by a friend_. - -EPIPLOON, _m._ (students’), _necktie_. - -EPITONNER (thieves’), s’----, _to grieve_. - -EPOINTER (popular), son foret, _to die_, “to kick the bucket,” or “to -snuff it.” See CASSER SA PIPE. - -EPONGE, _f._ (general), _paramour_; _drunkard_, or “lushington;” ---- -à sottises, _gullible man_, “gulpin;” ---- d’or, _attorney_, or “green -bag.” An allusion to the long bills of lawyers. - -EPOUFFER (thieves’), _to pounce on one_. - -EPOUSE, _f._ (familiar), édition belge, _mistress_, or “tartlet.” - -EPOUSER (thieves’), la camarde, _to die_, “to croak;” ---- la -fourcandière, or la fauconnière, _to throw away stolen property when -pursued_; ---- la veuve, _to be executed_. - -EPROUVÉ, _m._ (thieves’), _well-behaved convict who, after having_ -“done half his time,” _is recommended for a ticket-of-leave_. - -EQUERRE, _f._ (popular), fendre son ----, _to run away_, “to make -tracks.” See PATATROT. - -ERAILLER (thieves’), _to kill one_, “to cook his goose.” See REFROIDIR. - -EREINTEMENT, _m._ (familiar), _sharp, unfriendly criticism_. - -EREINTER (familiar), _to run down a literary work or a literary man_; -_to hiss an actor_, “to give the big bird.” - -EREINTEUR, _m._ (familiar), _scurrilous or sharp critic_. - -ERÉNÉ (popular), _exhausted_, _spent_, _done up_, “gruelled.” - -ERGOT, _m._ (popular), se fendre l’----, _to run away_, “to make -tracks.” See PATATROT. - -ERLEQUIN (Breton), _frying-pan for frying pancakes_. - -ERNEST, _m._ (journalists’), _official communication from official -quarters to the press_. - -ERREUR, _f._ Y a pas d’----! _a Parisian expression used in support of -an assertion_. - - Y a pas d’erreur, va; j’suis un homme, - Un chouett’, un zig, un rigolo. - - =GILL.= - -ERVOANIK PLOUILIO (Breton), _death_. - -ES, _m._ (popular), for escroc, _swindler_, or “shark.” - -ESBALLONNER (popular), _to slip away_, “to mizzle.” See PATATROT. - -ESBIGNER (popular), s’----, _to slip away_, “to mizzle.” See PATATROT. - -ESBLINDER (popular), _to astound_. - -ESBLOQUANT, _adj._ (popular), _astounding_. - -ESBLOQUER (popular), _to astound_. S’----, _to feel astonished_. Ne -vous esbloquez donc pas comme ça, _do not be so astonished_, _keep -cool_. - -ESBROUF (thieves’), d’----, _all at once_; _violently_; _by surprise_. - - D’esbrouf je l’estourbis.--=VIDOCQ.= (_I suddenly knocked - him over the head._) - -ESBROUFE, ESBROUFFE, coup à l’----. See A L’ESBROUFFE. - -ESBROUFFEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _thief who practises the kind of theft -called_ “VOL À L’ESBROUFFE” (which see). - -ESBROUFFEUSE, _f._, _flash girl who makes much fuss_. - -ESCAFF, _m._ (popular), _kick in the breech_. - -ESCAFFER (popular), _to give a kick in the breech_, “to root,” or “to -land a kick.” - -ESCANNE, _f._ (thieves’), à l’----, _away! and the devil take the -hindmost_. - -ESCANNER (thieves’), _to run away_, or “to make beef.” See PATATROT. - -ESCARCHER (thieves’), _to look on_, “to pipe.” - -ESCARE, _f._ (thieves’), _impediment_; _obstacle_; _disappointment_. - -ESCARER (thieves’), _to prevent_. - -ESCAREUR (thieves’), _one who prevents_. - -ESCARGOT, _m._ (popular), _slow, dull man_, or “stick in the mud;” -_vagrant_; ---- de trottoir, _police officer_, or “crusher.” See -POT-À-TABAC. (Military) Escargot, _man with his tent when campaigning_. - -ESCARPE, _m._ (thieves’), _thief and murderer_; ---- zézigue, _suicide_. - -ESCARPER (thieves’), _to kill_. See REFROIDIR. Escarper un zigue à la -capahut, _to kill a thief in order to rob him of his booty_. - -ESCARPIN, _m._ (popular), de Limousin, or en cuir de brouette, _wooden -shoe_; ---- renifleur, _leaky shoe_. - -ESCARPINER (popular), s’----, _to escape nimbly_; _to give the slip_. - -ESCARPOLETTE, _f._ (theatrical), _practical joke_; _an addition made to -a part_. - -ESCAVER (thieves’). See ESCARER. - -ESCLOT, _m._ (popular), _wooden shoe_. - -ESCOUADE, _f._ (military), envoyer chercher le parapluie de l’----, _to -get rid of a person whose presence is not desired by sending him on a -fool’s errand_. - -ESCOUTES, or ÉCOUTES, _f. pl._ (thieves’), _ears_, or “hearing cheats.” - -ESCRIME, _m._ (military), _clerk_, “quill-driver.” - -ESGANACER (thieves’), _to laugh_. - -ESGARD, or ÉGARD, _m._ (thieves’), faire l’----, _to rob an accomplice -of his share of the plunder_. The author of this kind of robbery goes -among his English brethren by the name of “Poll thief.” - -ESGOUR, _adj._ (thieves’), _lost_. - -ESGOURDE, ESGOUVERNE, ESGOURNE, _f._ (thieves’), _ear_, or “hearing -cheat.” Débrider l’----, _to listen_. - -ESPAGNOL, _m._ (popular), _louse_. - -ESPALIER, _m._ (theatrical), _a number of female supernumeraries drawn -up in line_. - -ESPÈCE, _f._ (familiar), _woman of questionable character_. - -ESPRIT, _m._ (familiar), des braves, _brandy_. - -ESQUE, _m._ See ESGARD. - -ESQUINTE, _m._ (thieves’), _abyss_. Vol à l’----, _burglary_, “panny,” -“screwing,” or “busting.” - -ESQUINTEMENT, _m._ (general), _excessive fatigue_; (thieves’) -_burglary_, or “busting.” - -ESQUINTER (familiar), _to damage_; _to fatigue_; (popular) _to thrash_; -see VOIE; (thieves’) _to kill_; see REFROIDIR; _to break_. La carouble -s’est esquintée dans la serrante, _the key has been broken in the -lock_. (Familiar) S’----, or s’---- le tempérament, _to tire oneself -out_. - -ESQUINTEUR (thieves’), _housebreaker_, “panny-man,” “screwsman,” or -“buster.” - -ESSAYER (theatrical), le tremplin, _to act in an unimportant play, -which is given as a preliminary to a more important one_; _to be the -first to sing at a concert_. (Soldiers’) Envoyer ---- une chemise de -sapin, _to kill_. - -ESSENCE, _f._ (general), de parapluie, _water_. - -ESSES (popular), faire des ----, _to reel about_. - -ESSUYER (familiar), les plâtres, _to kiss the face of a female whose -cheeks are painted_. - -ESSUYEUSE, _f._ (familiar), de plâtres, _street-walker_. See GADOUE. - -ESTABLE, _f._ (thieves’), _fowl_, “beaker.” - -ESTAFFIER, _m._ (familiar), _police officer_; (thieves’) _cat_. - -ESTAFFIN, _m._ (popular), _cat_. - -ESTAFFION, _m._ (popular), _blow on the head_, “bang on the nut;” -(thieves’) _cat_, “long-tailed beggar.” - -ESTAFILER (military), la frimousse, _to cut one’s face with a sword_. - -ESTAFON, _m._ (old cant), _capon_. - -ESTAMPILLER (thieves’), _to mark_; _to show_ (in reference to the -hour). Luysard estampillait six plombes, _it was six o’clock by the -sun_. - -ESTAPHE, _f._ (popular), _slap_. - -ESTAPHLE, _f._ (thieves’), _fowl_, “beaker,” or “cackling cheat.” - -ESTIME (familiar), succès d’----, _a doubtful success_. - -ESTIO, ESTOC, _m._ (thieves’), _intellect_, _wit_. Il a de l’----, _he -is clever_, or “wide.” - -ESTOMAC, _m._ (general), _courage_, _pluck_, “wool.” - -ESTOMAQUÉ, _adj._ (popular), _astounded_, “flabbergasted.” - -ESTORGUE, ESTOQUE, _f._ (thieves’), _falsehood_. Chasses à l’----, -_squinting eyes_. - -ESTOURBIR (thieves’), _to stun_; _to kill_. - -ESTOURBISSEUR, _m._ (popular), de clous de girofle, _dentist_. - -ESTRADE, _f._ (thieves’), _boulevard_. - - Le filant sur l’estrade - D’esbrouf je l’estourbis. - - =VIDOCQ.= - -ESTRANGOUILLADE, _f._ (popular), _the act of strangling or garrotting a -man_. - -ESTRANGOUILLER (popular), _to strangle_; ---- un litre, _to drink a -litre of wine_. - -ESTROPIER (popular), _to eat_, “to grub.” Properly _to maim_. - -ESTUQUE, _m._ (thieves’), _share of booty_, or “regulars.” - -ESTUQUER (popular), _to thrash_, “to wallop.” - -ETAGÈRE, _f._ (general), _female assistant at restaurants who has the -charge of the fruit, &c._; _bosom_. - -ETAL, _m._ (popular), _bosom_. - -ETALAGE, _m._ (general), vol à l’----, _shoplifting_. - -ETALER (familiar), sa marchandise, _to wear a very low dress, thus -showing what ought to remain covered_. - -ETAMÉ, _adj._ (thieves’), _old offender_. Boule de son ----, _white -bread_. - -ETANCHE, _f._ (popular), avoir le goulot en ----, _to be thirsty, or -dry_. - -ETEIGNOIR, _m._ (general), _large nose, or large_ “conk;” _dull -person_. Ordre de l’----, _the order of Jesuits_. (Thieves’) Eteignoir, -_préfecture de police, palais de justice, or law courts_. - -ETEINDRE (popular), son gaz, _to die_, “to snuff it.” - -ETERNUER (popular), sur une négresse, _to drink a bottle of wine_; -(thieves’) ---- dans le sac, or dans le son, _to be guillotined_. - - Pauvre petit Théodore ... il est bien gentil. C’est dommage - d’éternuer dans le son à son âge.--=BALZAC.= - -ETIER, _m._, _a kind of trench dug by the salt-marsh workers_. - -ET LE POUCE, ET MÈCHE (popular), _and the rest!_ Cette dame a quarante -ans. Oui, et le pouce! _This lady is forty years of age. Yes, and the -rest!_ - -ETOFFES, _f. pl._ (thieves’), _money_, “pieces.” - -ETOUFFAGE, _m._ (thieves’), _theft_, or “push;” (popular), _concealment -of money on one’s person_; _stealing part of the stakes by a player or -looker-on_. - -ETOUFFE, _m._ (thieves’), _clandestine gaming-house_. - -ETOUFFER (popular), _to secrete money about one’s person_; ---- un -enfant de chœur, une négresse, _to drink a bottle of wine_; ---- un -perroquet, _to drink a glass of absinthe_. - -ETOUFFOIR, _m._ See ETOUFFE. - -ETOURDIR (popular), _to solicit_; _to entreat_. Properly _to make -giddy_. - -ETOURDISSEMENT, _m._ (popular), _soliciting a service_. - -ETOURDISSEUR, _m._ (popular), _one who solicits, who asks for a -service_. - -ETRANGÈRE, _f._ (familiar), piquer l’----, _to allow one’s thoughts to -wander from a subject_, “to be wool gathering.” Noble ----, _silver -five-franc piece_. - -ETRANGLER (familiar), un perroquet, _to drink a glass of absinthe_; ----- une dette, _to pay off a debt_. - -ETRE (gay girls’), à la campagne, _to be confined at the prison of -Saint-Lazare_ (a prison for women, mostly street-walkers). (Popular) -Etre à la cascade, _to be joyous_; ---- à l’enterrement, _to feel -dull_; ---- à la manque, _to deceive_; _to betray_; ---- à la paille, -_to be half dead_; ---- à l’ombre, _to be dead_; _to be in prison_; ----- à pot et à feu avec quelqu’un, _to be on intimate terms with one_; ----- argenté, _to have funds_; ---- au sac, _to have plenty of money_; ----- bien, _to be tipsy_, or “to be hoodman;” ---- bref, _to be short -of cash_; ---- complet, see COMPLET; ---- crotté, _to be penniless_; -(familiar and popular) ---- dans le troisième dessous, see DESSOUS; ----- dans les papiers de quelqu’un, _to be in one’s confidence_; ---- -dans les vignes, or dans la vigne du Seigneur, _to be drunk_; ---- dans -ses petits souliers, _to be ill at ease_; ---- de la bonne, _to be -lucky_; ---- de la fête, _to be happy, lucky_; ---- de la haute, _to -belong to the aristocracy_; _to be a swell_; ---- de la paroisse de la -nigauderie, _to be simple-minded_; ---- de la paroisse de Saint-Jean le -Rond, _to be drunk_, or “screwed;” ---- de la procession, _to belong -to a trade or profession_; ---- de l’F, see F; ---- démâté, _to be -old_; ---- dessous, _to be drunk_; ---- du bâtiment, _to belong to a -profession mentioned_; ---- d’un bon suif, _to be ridiculous or badly -dressed_, _to be a_ “guy;” ---- du 14ᵉ bénédictins, _to be a fool_; ----- en train, _to be getting tipsy_, see SCULPTER; ---- exproprié, _to -die_, see CASSER SA PIPE; ---- fort au batonnet, see BATONNET; ---- -le bœuf, see BŒUF; ---- paf, _to be drunk_, see POMPETTE; ---- près -de ses pièces, _to be hard up for cash_; (sailors’) ---- pris dans la -balancine, _to be in a fix, in a_ “hole;” ---- vent dessus or vent -dedans, _to be drunk_, see POMPETTE; (thieves’) ---- sur la planche, -_to be had up before the magistrate_; ---- bien portant, _to be at -large_; ---- dans la purée, ---- fauché, ---- molle, _to be penniless_; -(bullies’) ---- sur le sable, _to be without means of existence, -that is, without a mistress_. (Familiar) En ----, _to be a spy or -detective_; _to be a Sodomist_. - -ETRENNER (general), _to receive a thrashing_, “to get a drubbing.” See -VOIE. - -ETRIERS, _m. pl._ (cavalry), avoir les ---- trop courts _is said of a -man with bandy legs_. - -ETRILLAGE, _m._ (popular), _loss of money_. - -ETRILLER (general), _to fleece_, “to shave.” - -ETROITE, _f._ (popular), faire l’----, _to be affected_, or “high -falutin;” _to play the prude_. - -ETRON DE MOUCHE, _m._ (thieves’), _wax_, conveniently used for taking -the impress of keyholes. - -ETRUSQUE, _adj._ (familiar), _old-fashioned_. - -ET TA SŒUR (popular), _expression of refusal, disbelief, or a -contemptuous reply to insulting words_. - - Une fille s’était empoignée avec son amant, à la porte d’un - bastringue, l’appelant sale mufe et cochon malade, tandis - que l’amant répétait, “et ta sœur?” sans trouver autre - chose.--=ZOLA.= - -ETUDIANT DE LA GRÈVE, _m._ (popular), _mason_. - -ETUDIANTE, _f._ (familiar), _student’s mistress_, _his_ “tartlet.” - -ETUI, _m._ (popular), _skin_, or “buff;” ---- à lorgnette, _coffin_. -(Soldiers’) Etuis de mains courantes, _boots_. - -EVANOUIR (popular), s’----, _to make off_, or “to bunk;” _to die_. See -PIPE. - -EVANOUISSEMENT, _m._ (popular), _flight_. - -EVAPORER (popular), _to steal adroitly_. S’----, _to vanish_, “to -mizzle.” - -EVENTAIL À BOURRIQUE, _m._ (popular), _stick_, or “toco.” - -EVENTRER UNE NÉGRESSE (popular), _to drink a bottle of wine_. - -EVÊQUE DE CAMPAGNE, _m._ (popular), _a hanged person_. From the -expression, Bénir des pieds, _to be hanged_, and properly _to bless -with one’s feet_. - -EVER GOAD HE VUGALE (Breton), _drunkard_. Literally _drinker of his -children’s blood_. - -EXBALANCER (thieves’), _to send one away; to dismiss him_. - -EXCELLENT BON, _m._ (familiar), _young dandy_. - -EXÉCUTER (familiar), s’----, _to comply with a request_; _to fulfil -one’s promise_; _to pay unwillingly rather than otherwise_. - -EXHIBER (cads’), _to look at_, “to pipe.” Nib de flanche, on t’exhibe, -_stop your game, they are looking at you_. Exhiber son prussien, _to -run away_. - -EXHUMÉ, _m._ (familiar), _swell_, “masher.” An allusion to the -cadaverous appearance of most French “mashers.” See GOMMEUX. - -EXPLIQUER (military and popular), s’----, _to fight a duel_; _to fight_. - - Sauf el’ bandeau - Qu’a s’coll’ chaqu’ fois su’ l’coin d’la hure, - Après qu’ nous nous somm’s expliqués, - C’est pas qu’ j’aim’ y taper dans l’nez; - J’haï ça; c’est cont’ ma nature. - - =GILL=, _La Muse à Bibi_. - -EXTRA, _m._ (popular), _good dinner_; _guest at a military mess_. - -EXTRAIT DE GARNI, _m._ (popular), _dirty servant_; _slattern_. - -EXTRAVAGANT, _m._ (popular), _glass of beer of unusual size_, “galopin” -being the appellation for a small one. The latter term is quite recent -as used with the above signification. According to the _Dict. Comique_ -it meant formerly _a small measure for wine_:-- - - Galopin, c’est une petite mesure de vin, ce qu’on appelle à - Paris un demi-setier.--=LE ROUX.= - - - - -F - - -F, être de l’---- (popular), that is, être fichu, flambé, foutu, -fricassé, frit, fumé, _to be lost, ruined_, “cracked up,” “gone to -smash.” - -FABRICANT, _m._ (popular), de culbutes, or de fourreaux, _tailor_, -“rag-stabber.” Je me suis carmé d’une bath pelure chez le ---- de -culbutes, _I have bought a fine coat at the tailor’s_. - -FABRICATION, _f._ (thieves’), passer à la ----, or être fabriqué, _to -be apprehended_. Faire passer à la ----, _to apprehend_. - -FABRIQUER (thieves’), _to apprehend_, “to smug;” _to steal_, “to -claim;” ---- un gas à la flan, à la rencontre, or à la dure, _to rob -from the person with violence_, “to jump;” ---- un poivrot, _to rob a -drunkard_. - -FAÇADE, _f._ (popular), _head_, or “nut;” _face_, or “mug.” (Cocottes’) -Se faire la ----, _to paint one’s face_, in other words, “to stick -slap” _on one’s face_. - -FACE, _f._ (popular and thieves’), _a sou_. - - Je ne donnerais pas une face de ta sorbonne si l’on tenait - l’argent.--=BALZAC.= - -Face du Grand Turc, _the behind_. - -FACE! _an exclamation used when a smash of glass or crockery is heard_, -the word being the French rendering for the exclamation “heads!” at -pitch and toss. - -FACILE À LA DÉTENTE (popular), _is said of one who readily settles a -debt, or opens the strings of his purse_. - -FACTIONNAIRE, _m._ (popular), poser un ----, _to ease oneself_. Relever -un ----, _to slip out of a workshop in order to go and drink a glass of -wine kept ready by a comrade at a neighbouring wine-shop_. - -FACTURIER, _m._ (theatrical), _one whose spécialité is to produce songs -termed_ “couplets de facture,” _for the stage or music halls_. - -FADAGE, _m._ (thieves’), _the act of sharing the plunder_, or “cutting -it up.” - -FADARD, _adj. and m._ (popular), _dandy_, or “gorger.” For synonyms see -GOMMEUX. - -FADE, _m._ (popular), _a fop or empty swell_, a “dundreary;” _one’s -share in the reckoning_, or “shot;” _a workman’s wages_. Toucher son -----, _to receive one’s wages_. (Thieves’) Fade, _a rogue’s share in -the proceeds of a robbery_, or “whack;” _money_, or “pieces.” - - Puisque je ne l’ai plus, elle, pas plus que je n’ai du - fade, Charlot peut aiguiser son couperet, je ne regrette - plus ma tête.--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -FADÉ, _adj._ (popular), _drunk_, or “screwed.” See POMPETTE. Etre -bien ----, _to be quite drunk_, or “scammered;” _to have received a -good share_; _to be well treated by fate_. Is used also ironically or -sorrowfully: Me voilà bien ----! _a bad job for me! Here I am in a -fine plight!_ (Thieves’) Etre ----, _to have received one’s share of -ill-gotten gains_; _to have had one’s_ “whack.” - -FADER (thieves’), _to divide the booty among the participators in a -robbery_, “to nap the regulars,” or “to cut up.” - -FADEURS, _f. pl._ (popular), des ----! _nonsense!_ “all my eye!” -Concerning this English rendering the supplementary _English Glossary_ -says: “All my eye, _nonsense, untrue_. Sometimes ‘All my eye and Betty -Martin.’ The explanation that it was the beginning of a prayer, ‘O -mihi beate Martine,’ will not hold water. Dr. Butler, when headmaster -of Shrewsbury, ... told his boys that it arose from a gipsy woman in -Shrewsbury named Betty Martin giving a black eye to a constable, who -was chaffed by the boys accordingly. The expression must have been -common in 1837, as Dickens gives one of the Brick Lane Temperance -testimonials as from ‘Betty Martin, widow, one child, and one -eye.’--_Pickwick_, ch. xxxiii.” - -FAFELARD, _m._ (thieves’), _passport_; _bank note_, or “soft;” ---- à -la manque, _forged note_, or “queer soft;” ---- d’emballage, _warrant -of arrest_. - -FAFFE, _m._ (thieves’), _paper_; ---- à roulotter, _cigarette paper_; -_bank note_, or “soft.” - -FAFIOT, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _document_, or “fakement;” _shoe_, -or “trotter case.” See RIPATON. Fafiot, _bank note_, or “soft.” - - Fafiot! n’entendez-vous pas le bruissement du papier de - soie?--=BALZAC.= - -Fafiot garaté, _banknote_, or “soft.” An allusion to the signature of -the cashier M. Garat, which notes of the Banque de France formerly -bore. - - On invente les billets de banque, le bagne les appelle - des fafiots garatés, du nom de Garat, le caissier qui les - signe.--=BALZAC.= - -Un ---- en bas âge, _a one hundred franc note_. Un ---- femelle, _a -five hundred franc note_. Un ---- lof, _a false begging petition; -forged certificate, or false passport_, “fakement.” Un ---- mâle, _a -one thousand franc note_. - - Le billet de mille francs est un fafiot mâle, le billet de - cinq cents francs un fafiot femelle.--=BALZAC.= - -Un ---- sec, _a genuine certificate or passport_. Fabriquer des -fafiots, or du fafelard à la manque, _to forge bank notes_, “to fake -queer soft.” - -FAFIOTEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _paper manufacturer or merchant_; _banker_, -“rag-shop boss;” _writer_; (popular) _cobbler_, or “snob.” - -FAFLARD. See FAFELARD. - -FAGAUT (thieves’), the word faut disguised. Il ne ---- dégueularder sur -sa fiole, _we must say nothing about him_. - -FAGOT, COTTERET, or FALOURDE, _m._ (thieves’), _convict_, probably from -his being tied up like a bundle of sticks. Un ---- à perte de vue, _one -sentenced to penal servitude for life_, or “lifer.” Un ---- affranchi, -_a liberated convict_, or “lag.” Un ---- en campe, _an escaped felon_. -(Familiar) Un ----, _a candidate for the Ecole des Eaux et Forêts, a -government training school for surveyors of State forests and canals_. - -FAGOTIN, _m._ (popular), _vagrant_, _tramp_, “abraham-man,” or “piky.” - -FAIBLARD, _m._ (popular), _sickly looking, weak person_. Called in -English slang “barber’s cat,” a term used in connection with an -expression too coarse to print, according to the _Slang Dictionary_. - -FAIGNANT, _m._ (popular), _coward_. A corruption of fainéant, _idle -fellow_. - -FAILLI CHIEN, _m._ (sailors’), _scamp_. Un ---- de terrien, _a lubberly -landsman_. - - Le bateau va comme en rivière une gabarre, - Sans personne au compas, et le mousse à la barre, - Il faudrait n’être qu’un failli chien de terrien, - Pour geindre en ce moment et se plaindre de rien. - - =RICHEPIN=, _La Mer_. - -FAÎNE, _f._ (popular), _a sou_. - -FAININ, _m._ (popular), _a centime_. - -FAIRE (general), _to steal_, “to prig.” See GRINCHIR. - - Non qu’ils déboursent rien pour entrer, car ils font - Leur contre-marque aux gens qui sortent.... - - =RICHEPIN=, _La Chanson des Gueux_. - -Faire son nez, _to look crestfallen_, _to look_ “glum;” ---- son -beurre, _to benefit by_; _to make profits_. - - Il m’a assuré que le général de Carpentras avait plus de - quatre millions de rente. Je gagne bien de l’argent, moi, - mais je ferais bien mon beurre avec ça.--=E. MONTEIL.= - -(Thieves’) Faire banque, _to kill_, see REFROIDIR; ---- un poivrot, _to -pick the pockets or steal the clothes of a drunken man_, “bug-hunting;” ----- des yeux de hareng, _to put a man’s eyes out_; ---- flotter -un pante, _to drown one_; ---- du ragoût or regoût, _to talk about -another’s actions, and thus to awaken the suspicions of the police_. - - Ne fais pas du ragoût sur ton dab! (n’éveille pas - les soupçons sur ton maître!) dit tout bas Jacques - Collin.--=BALZAC.= - -Faire la balle élastique, _to go with an empty belly_, “to be bandied.” -Literally _to be as light as an india-rubber ball_; ---- la console, -or consolation, _one of a series of card-sharping games, termed as -follows_, “arranger les pantres,” or “bonneteau,” “un coup de bonnet,” -or “parfaite,” “flambotté aux rotins,” or “anglaise;” ---- la bride, -_to steal watch-guards_, “to buz slangs;” ---- la fuite, la jat jat, -la paire, le patatrot, faire cric, faire vite, _to run away_, “to make -beef, or to guy.” See PATATROT. Faire la grande soulasse sur le trimar, -_to murder on the highway_; ---- la grèce, or plumer le pantre, _to -entice a traveller from a railway station into a café, where he is -robbed of his money at a swindling game of cards_; ---- la retourne -des baguenaudes, _to pick the pockets of a helpless man_, “to fake a -cly;” ---- la souris, _to rob stealthily_, “to nip;” ---- la tire, -_to pick pockets, generally by means of a pair of scissors delicately -inserted, or a double-bladed penknife_, “to fake a cly;” ---- la tire à -la chicane, explained by quotation:-- - - Ils font la tire à la chicane, en tournant le dos à celui - qu’ils dépouillent.--=DU CAMP.= - -Faire la tortue, _to go without any food_; ---- le barbot dans une -cambriolle, _to steal property from a room_, “to do a crib;” ---- le -bobe, _to steal watches_, “toy getting;” ---- l’égard, _to retain -for oneself the proceeds of a robbery_; ---- le gaf, _to watch_, -“to nark, to give a roasting, to nose, to lay, or to dick;” ---- le -lézard, _to decamp_, “to guy,” see PATATROT; ---- le morlingue, _to -steal a purse_, “to buz a skin or poge;” ---- le mouchoir, _to steal -pocket-handkerchiefs_, called “stook hauling, fogle hunting, or drawing -the wipe;” ---- le pantre, _to play the fool_; ---- le rendème or -rendémi, _to swindle a tradesman by picking up again from his counter -a gold coin tendered for payment, and making off with both coin and -change_; ---- nonne _is said of accomplices_, or “jollies,” _who form a -small crowd so as to facilitate a thief’s operations_; ---- la balle à -quelqu’un, _to carry out one’s instructions_. - - Fais sa balle! (suis ses instructions), dit - Fil-de-Soie.--=BALZAC=, _La Dernière Incarnation de - Vautrin_. - -Faire son temps, _to undergo a full term of imprisonment_; ---- -sauter la coupe, _to place, by dexterous manipulation, the cut card -on the top, instead of at the bottom of the pack_, termed by English -card-sharpers “slipping;” ---- suer un chêne, _to kill a man_, “to cook -his goose.” See REFROIDIR. Faire sur l’orgue, _to inform against_, -“to blow the gaff;” ---- un coup à l’esbrouffe, _to pick a person’s -pockets while hustling him_, “to flimp;” ---- un coup d’étal, _to steal -property from a shop_. A shoplifter is termed in English cant “buttock -and file;” ---- un coup de fourchette, _to pick a pocket by delicately -inserting two fingers only_; ---- coup de roulotte, _to steal property -from a vehicle_; ---- un rancart, _to procure information_; ---- -une maison entière, _to break into a house and to massacre all the -inmates_; (artists’) ---- chaud, _to use warm tints in a painting, -after the style of Rembrandt and other colourists_; ---- culotte, ---- -rôti, _comparative and superlative of_ faire chaud; ---- cru, _to use -crude tints in a picture_, for instance, to use blue or red without any -adjunction of another colour; ---- cuire sa toile, _to employ very -warm tints in the painting of a picture_; ---- transparent, _to paint -in clair obscur, or “chiaro oscuro;”_ ---- lanterne, _to exaggerate -the “chiaro oscuro;”_ ---- grenouillard or croustillant, _to paint -in masterly, bold, dashing style, with_ “brio.” The expression is -used also in reference to the statuary art. The works of the painter -Delacroix and those of the sculptor Préault are executed in that -style; ---- sa cimaise sur quelqu’un. See CIMAISE. Faire un pétard, -_to paint a sensational picture for the Salon_. The _Salomé_ of H. -Regnault, his masterpiece, may be termed a “pétard;” ---- des crêpes, -_to have a grand jollification_, or “flare up;” (freemasons’) ---- -feu, _to drink_; (theatrical) ---- feu, _to lay peculiar stress on -words_; (mountebanks’) ---- la manche, _to make a collection of money -among the public_, or “nobbing;” (popular) ---- à la redresse, _to -set one right_, _to correct one_; ---- danser un homme sur une pelle -à feu _is said of a woman who freely spends a man’s money_; (familiar -and popular) ---- brûler Moscou, _to mix a large bowl of punch_; ---- -cabriolet, _to drag oneself along on one’s behind_; ---- cascader, see -CASCADER; ---- de cent sous quatre francs, _to squander one’s money_; ----- de la musique, _to make audible remarks about a game which is -proceeding_; ---- de la poussière, _to make a great fuss_, _to show -off_; ---- de l’épate, _to show off_. - - Ces jeunes troupiers font de l’épate, des embarras si vous - aimez mieux.--=J. NORIAC.= - -Faire du lard, _to sleep_; _to stay in bed late in the morning_; ---- -du suif, _to make unlawful profits, such as those procured by trade -assistants who cheat their employers_; ---- faire à quelqu’un blanc -de sa bourse, _to draw freely on another’s purse_, _to live at his -expense_, “to sponge” _on him_; ---- flanelle, _to visit a brothel with -platonic intentions_; ---- godard, _to be starving_; ---- la place pour -les pavés à ressort, _to pretend to be looking for employment with a -secret hope of not finding any_; ---- la retape, or le trottoir, _to -be a street-walker_; ---- l’écureuil, _to give oneself much trouble -to little purpose_; ---- le plongeon, _to confess when on the point -of death_; _to be ruined_, “to be smashed up;” ---- mal, _to excite -contemptuous pity_. Tiens, tu me fais mal! _well, I pity you!_ _I am -sorry for you!_ Faire passer le goût du pain, _to kill_, “to give one -his gruel;” ---- patrouille, _to go on night revels with a number of -boon companions_, “to be on the tiles.” - - Quatre jours en patrouille, pour dire en folies - bachiques.--_Cabarets de Paris._ - -Faire peau neuve, _to get new clothes_; ---- petite chapelle _is -said of a woman who tucks up her clothes_; ---- pieds neufs, _to be -in childbed_, or “in the straw;” ---- pleurer son aveugle, _to void -urine_, “to pump ship.” See LASCAILLER. Faire saluer le polichinelle, -_to be more successful than others_. An allusion to certain games -at fairs, when a successful shy brings out a puppet-head like a -Jack-in-the-box; ---- sa Lucie, or sa Sophie, _to play the prude_, -_to give oneself conceited or disdainful airs_; ---- sa merde, or -sa poire, _to have self-satisfied, conceited airs_; _to take up an -arrogant position_; _assuming an air of superiority_; _to be on the_ -“high jinks;” ---- sa tata _is said of a talkative person, or of one -who assumes an air of importance; of a girl, for example, who plays -the little woman_; ---- ses petits paquets, _to be dying_; ---- son -Cambronne, _an euphemism for a coarse expression_, “faire sa merde” -(which see); ---- son lézard, _to be dozing during the daytime_, like -a lizard basking in the sun; ---- un bœuf, _to guillotine_; _to give -cards_; ---- suer, _to annoy_; _to disgust_. - - Ainsi, leur politique extérieure, vrai! ça fait suer depuis - quelque temps.--=ZOLA=, _L’Assommoir_. - -Faire un tassement, or un trou, _to drink spirits in the course of a -meal for the purpose of getting up a fresh appetite_, synonymous of -“faire le trou du Normand;” ---- une femme, _to succeed in finding a -woman willing to give her favours_; ---- son fendant, _to bluster_; _to -swagger_; _to look big_. Ne fais donc pas ton fendant, “come off the -tall grass!” (an Americanism). Faire une entrée de ballet, _to enter -a room without bowing to the company_. En ---- son beurre, _to put to -good use, to good profit_. - - Et, si ton monsieur est bien nippé, démande-lui un vieux - paletot, j’en ferai mon beurre.--=ZOLA=, _L’Assommoir_. - -La ---- à quelqu’un, _to deceive_, “to bamboozle” _one_. Faut pas m’la -faire! may be rendered by “I don’t take that in;” “no go;” “not for -Joe;” “do you see any green in my eye?” “Walker!” - - Vas-tu t’ taire, vas tu t’ taire, - Celle-là faudrait pas m’la faire, - As-tu fini tes façons? - Celle-là nous la connaissons! - - _Parisian Song_. - -La ---- à, _to seek to impose upon by an affected show of some feigned -sentiment_. La ---- à la pose, _to show off_; _to pose_. - - J’ pense malgré moi à la gueule dégoûtée que f’rait un - décadent, ou un pessimiste au milieu de ce méli-mêlo.... Y - nous la f’rait diantrement à la pose.--=TRUBLOT=, _Cri du - Peuple_, Sept., 1886. - -La ---- à la raideur, _to put on a distant manner_, _to look_ “uppish.” -La ---- à l’oseille, _to treat one in an off-hand manner_; _to annoy -one_, or “to huff;” _to play a scurvy trick_; _to exaggerate_, “to come -it too strong.” According to Delvan, the origin of the expression is -the following:--A certain restaurant keeper used to serve up to her -clients a mess of eggs and sorrel, in which the sorrel was out of all -proportion to the quantity of eggs. One day one of the guests exclaimed -in disgust, “Ah! cette fois, tu nous la fais trop à l’oseille!” -(Popular) Se ---- caramboler _is said of a woman who gives her favours_. - - Elle sentit très bien, malgré son avachissement, que la - culbute de sa petite, en train de se faire caramboler, - l’enfonçait davantage ... oui, ce chameau dénaturé lui - emportait le dernier morceau de son honnêteté.--=ZOLA=, - _L’Assommoir_. - -Se ---- relicher, _to get kissed_. - - Ah! bien! qu’elle se laissât surprendre à se faire relicher - dehors, elle était sûre de son affaire.... Dès qu’elle - rentrait, ... il la regardait bien en face, pour deviner - si elle ne rapportait pas une souris sur l’œil, un de ces - petits baisers.--=ZOLA=, _L’Assommoir_. - -S’en ---- éclater le péritoine, or péter la sous-ventrière, _to eat or -drink to excess_, “to scorf.” Tu t’en ferais péter la sous-ventrière, -or tu t’en ferais mourir, _expressive of ironical refusal_; _don’t you -wish you may get it?_ or, as the Americans have it, “Yes, in a horn.” -Se ---- baiser, or choper, _to get abused_; _to be apprehended_. See -PIPER. Se ---- la débinette, _to run away_, “to guy,” “to slope.” See -PATATROT. La ---- belle, _to be happy_; _to lead a happy life_. Faire -des petits pains, du plat, or du boniment, _to eulogize_; _to try and -persuade one into complying with one’s wishes_; (military) ---- suisse, -_to drink all by oneself at a café or wine-shop_. The cavalry maintain -that infantry soldiers alone are capable of so hideous an offence; -(printers’) ---- banque blèche, _to get no pay_; (Sodomists’) ---- de -la dentelle, the explanation is furnished by the following quotation:-- - - Tantôt se plaçant dans une foule, ... ils provoquent les - assistants derrière eux en faisant de la dentelle, c’est - à dire en agitant les doigts croisés derrière leur dos, - ou ceux qui sont devant à l’aide de la poussette, en leur - faisant sentir un corps dur, le plus souvent un long - bouchon qu’ils ont disposé dans leur pantalon, de manière a - simuler ce qu’on devine et à exciter ainsi les sens de ceux - qu’ils jugent capables de céder à leur appel.--=TARDIEU=, - _Etude Médico-légale sur les Attentats aux Mœurs_. - -(Card-sharpers’) Faire le Saint-Jean, _to cough and spit as a signal to -confederates_. - - L’invitation acceptée, l’amorceur fait le Saint-Jean, - c’est-à-dire qu’atteint d’une toux subite, il se détourne - pour expectorer bruyamment. A ce signal deux complices se - hâtent de se rendre à l’endroit convenu d’avance. - --=PIERRE DELCOURT=, _Paris Voleur_. - -Faire le saut de coupe, _by dexterous manipulation to place the cut -card on the top, instead of at the bottom of the pack_, “to slip” _a -card_; ---- la carte large, _to insert a card somewhat larger than the -rest, and easily recognizable for sharpers’ eyes_, this card being -called by English sharpers “old gentleman;” ---- le pont, _cheating -trick at cards, by which any particular card is cut by previously -curving it by the pressure of the hand_, “bridge;” ---- le filage, _to -substitute a card for another_, “to slip” _it_; ---- la carte à l’œil, -_to prepare a card in such a manner that it shall be easily recognized -by the sharper_. English card-sharpers arrange cards into “concaves and -convexes” and “longs and shorts.” By cutting in a peculiar manner, a -“concave” or “convex” is secured at will; (thieves’ and cads’) ---- la -jactance, _to talk_; _to question_, or “cross-kid;” ---- la bourrique, -_to inform against_, “to blow the gaff.” Le curieux lui a fait la -jactance, il a entravé et fait la bourrique, _the judge examined him; -he allowed himself to be outwitted, and peached_. Faire le saut, _to -leave without paying for one’s reckoning_. Se ---- enfiler, _to be -apprehended_, or “smugged.” See PIPER. Se ---- enturer, _to be robbed, -swindled_; _to lose one’s money at a game_, or “to blew it.” La ---- à -l’anguille, _to strike one with an eelskin or handkerchief filled with -sand_. - - Ah! gredins, dit-il, vous me l’avez faite à l’anguille.... - L’anguille ... est cette arme terrible des rôdeurs de - barrière qui ne fournit aucune pièce de conviction, une - fois qu’on s’en est servi. Elle consiste dans un mouchoir - qu’on roule après l’avoir rempli de terre. En tenant cette - sorte de fronde par un bout, tout le poids de la terre va - à l’autre extrémité et forme une masse redoutable. - --=A. LAURIN=, _Le Million de l’Ouvrière_. - -Rabelais has the expression “donner l’anguillade,” with the -signification of _to strike_. (Military schools’) Faire une brimade, -or brimer, _to ill-treat_, _to bully_, termed “to brock” at Winchester -School. - -FAIS (popular), j’y ----, _I am willing_; _I consent_. - -FAISAN, _m._ See BANDE NOIRE. - -FAISANDER (popular), se ----, of persons, _to grow old_, _to become -rickety_, of things, _to be decayed_, _worn out_, “seedy.” - -FAISANDERIE, _f._, or BANDE NOIRE, _swindling gang composed of the_ -“frères de la côte, or de la flotte,” _denominated respectively_ -“grands faisans,” “petits faisans,” “fusilleurs.” See BANDE NOIRE. - -FAISEUR D’ŒIL, _m._ (popular), _Lovelace_. - -FAISEUSE D’ANGES, _f._ (familiar), _woman who makes a living by -baby-farming, or one who procures a miscarriage by unlawful practices_. - -FAITRÉ, _adj._ (thieves’), _lost_; _safe for a conviction_, “booked,” -or “hobbled.” - -FALOT, _m._ (military), _military cap_. - -FALOURDE, _f._ (thieves’), _a returned transport_, a “lag;” (players’) -_double six of dominoes_; (popular) ---- engourdie, _corpse_, “cold -meat.” - -FALZAR, _m._ (popular), _trousers_, “kicks, sit-upons, hams, or -trucks.” Sans ---- autour des guibolles, _without any trousers, or with -trousers in tatters_. - -FAMILIÈRES, _f. pl._, _female prisoners employed as assistants at the -prison of Saint-Lazare, and who, in consequence, are allowed more -freedom than their fellow-convicts_. - -FANAL, _m._ (popular), _throat_, “gutter lane.” S’éclairer le ----, -_to drink_, or “to wet one’s whistle.” See RINCER. Colle-toi ça dans -l’----, _eat or drink that_. Altérer le ----, _to make one thirsty_. - - Ceux-ci insinuent que cette opération a pour but d’altérer - le fanal et de pousser simplement à la consommation. - --=P. MAHALIN.= - -FANANDE, _m._ (thieves’), abbreviation of fanandel, _m._, _comrade_, or -“pal.” - - V’là les fanand’s qui radinent, - Ohé! tas d’ pochetés. - - =J. RICHEPIN.= - -FANANDEL, _m._ (thieves’), _comrade_, _friend_, “pal.” - - Ce mot de fanandel veut dire à la fois: frères, amis, - camarades. Tous les voleurs, les forçats, les prisonniers - sont fanandels.--=BALZAC.= - -FANER (popular). Mon verre se fane, _my glass is empty_. (Thieves’) -Fourche à ----, _horseman_. - -FANFARE, _f._ (popular), sale truc pour la ----! exclamation of -disgust, _a bad look-out for us!_ - -FANFE, _f._ See FAUVE. - -FANFOUINER (thieves’), _to take snuff_. - -FANFOUINEUR, _m._, FANFOUINEUSE, _f._ (thieves’), _person who is in the -habit of taking snuff_. - -FANTABOSSE, or FANTASBOCHE, _m._ (military), _infantry soldier_, -“beetle-crusher,” or “grabby.” - -FANTASIA, _f._ (familiar), _noisy proceeding more brilliant than -useful_. An allusion to the fantasia of Arab horsemen. Donner dans -la ----, _to be fond of noisily showing off_. (Popular) Une ----, _a -whim_, or “fad.” - -FANTASSIN, _m._ (military), _bolster_. - -FAOEN (Breton), _riddle_. - -FARAUD, _m._ (thieves’), _gentleman_, “nib cove.” - -FARAUDE, _f._ (thieves’), _lady_, or “burerk.” - -FARAUDEC, FARAUDETTE, _f._ (thieves’), _young girl_, or “lunan.” - -FARCE, _f._ (general), en avoir la ----, _to be able to procure_. Pour -deux sous on en a la ----, _an expenditure of one penny will procure it -for you_. Une ---- de fumiste, _a practical joke_. - - Veut-on savoir d’où vient l’origine de cette locution: - une farce de fumiste? Elle provient de la manière - d’opérer d’une bande de voleurs fumistes de profession, - ... ils montaient dans les cheminées pour dévaliser les - appartements déserts et en faire sortir les objets les plus - précieux par les toits.--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -FARCEUR, _m._ (artists’), _human skeleton serving as a model at the -Ecole des Beaux Arts, or the Paris Art School_, thus called on -account of its being put to use for practical joking at the expense of -newcomers. - -FARCHER (thieves’), for faucher dans le pont, _to fall into a trap; to -allow oneself to be duped, or_ “bested.” - -FARD, _m._ (popular), _falsehood_, or “swack up.” Sans ----, _without -humbug_, “all square.” Avoir un coup de ----, _to be slightly -intoxicated_, or “elevated.” See POMPETTE. (Familiar and popular) -Piquer un ----, _to redden_, _to blush_. Fard, properly _rouge_. Termed -“to blow” at Winchester School. - -FARDACH (Breton), _worthless people_. - -FARDER (popular), se ----, _to get tipsy_, “to get screwed.” For -synonyms see SCULPTER. - -FARE, _f._, _heap of salt in salt-marshes_. - -FARFADET, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _horse_, or “prad.” - -FAR-FAR, FARRE (popular and thieves’), _quickly_, _in a_ “brace of -shakes.” - -FARFOUILLER (popular), le ---- dans le tympan, _to whisper in one’s -ear_. - -FARGUE, _m._ (thieves’), _load_. - -FARGUEMENT, _m._ (thieves’), _loading_; _deposition of a witness for -the prosecution_. - -FARGUER (thieves’), _to load_. - - Si vous êtes fargués de marchandises grinchies (si vous - êtes chargés de marchandises volées).--=VIDOCQ.= - -FARGUER À LA DURE, _to pounce upon a person and rob him_, “to jump” -_him_. Il fagaut farguer à la dure le gonsarès pour lui dégringolarer -son bobinarès, _we must attack the fellow to ease him of his watch_. - -FARGUEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _man who loads_; _witness for the -prosecution_. - -FARIDOLE, _f._ (prostitutes’), _female companion_. - -FARIDON, _f._ (popular), _poverty_. Etre à la ----, _to be penniless_, -or a “quisby.” - -FARINEUX, _adj._ (popular), _excellent_, _first class_, “tip top, out -and out, clipping, slap up, real jam, true marmalade, nap.” - -FARNANDEL, for FANANDEL (which see). - -FARRAGO, _m._ (literary), _manuscript with many alterations and -corrections_. - -FASSOLETTE, _f._ (thieves’), _handkerchief_, “stook,” or “madam.” - -FATIGUE, _f._ (thieves’), _certain amount of labour which convicts -have to do at the penal servitude settlement_. - -FAUBERT, _m._ (marines’), _epaulet_. Properly _a mop_. - -FAUBOURG, _m._ (popular), le ---- souffrant, _the Faubourg Saint -Marceau_, one of the poorer districts of Paris. Détruire le ---- à -quelqu’un, _to give one a kick in the breech_, “to root,” “to hoof -one’s bum,” or “to land a kick.” - -FAUCHANTS, FAUCHEUX, _m. pl._ (thieves’), _scissors_. - -FAUCHÉ, _adj._ (thieves’), être ----, être dans la purée, or -être molle, _to be penniless_, or a “quisby.” Etre ----, _to be -guillotined_. The synonyms are: “être raccourci, être buté, mettre la -tête à la fenêtre, éternuer dans le son, or dans le sac, épouser la -veuve, jouer à la main chaude, embrasser Charlot, moufionner son mufle -dans le son, tirer sa crampe avec la veuve, passer sa bille au glaive, -aller à l’Abbaye de Monte-à-regret, passer à la voyante, être mécanisé, -être glaivé.” - -FAUCHE-ARDENT, _m._ (thieves’), _snuffers_. - -FAUCHER (popular), le persil, _to be a street-walker_. (Thieves’) -Faucher, _to deceive_, “to best;” _to steal_, “to claim.” For synonyms -see GRINCHIR. Faucher, _to guillotine_. See FAUCHÉ. - - Aussitôt les forçats, les ex-galériens, examinent cette - mécanique ... ils l’appellent tout à coup l’Abbaye de - Monte-à-Regret! Ils étudient l’angle décrit par le couperet - d’acier et trouvent pour en peindre l’action, le verbe - faucher!--=BALZAC=, _La Dernière Incarnation de Vautrin_. - -Faucher dans le pont, _to fall into a trap_; ---- le colas, _to cut -one’s throat_; ---- le grand pré,_ to be undergoing a term of penal -servitude at a convict settlement_. The convicts formerly were made to -work on galleys, the long oar they plied being compared to a scythe -and the sea to a large meadow. Lesage, in his _Gil Blas_, terms this -“émoucher la mer avec un éventail de vingt pieds.” A more recent -expression describes it as “écrire ses mémoires avec une plume de -quinze pieds.” - -FAUCHETTES, _f. pl._ (popular and thieves’), _scissors_. - -FAUCHEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _thief who steals watch-chains_, “slang or -tackle-buzzer;” executioner. Properly _reaper_. Rabelais called him -“Rouart,” or _he who breaks on the wheel_; (journalists’) _dandy_. From -his peculiar gait. - -FAUCHEUX, _m._ (thieves’), _scissors_; (popular) _man with long thin -legs_, or “daddy long-legs.” Properly _a field spider_. - -FAUCHON, _m._ (popular), _sword_, “toasting-fork.” Un ---- de satou, _a -wooden sword_. - -FAUCHURE, _f._ (thieves’), _a cut inflicted by some sharp instrument or -weapon_. - -FAUCONNIER, _m._ (thieves’), _confederate of the proprietor of a -gaming-house_. - -FAUSSANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _false name_, _alias_. - -FAUSSE-COUCHE, _f._ (popular), _man without any energy_, _a_ “sappy” -_fellow_. Properly _a miscarriage_. - -FAUSSE-MANCHE, _f._, _fatigue jacket worn by the students of the -military school of Saint-Cyr_. - -FAUVE, _f._ (thieves’), _snuff-box_, or “sneezer.” - -FAUVETTE, _f._ (thieves’), à tête noire, _gendarme_. - -FAUX-COL, _m._ (familiar), _head of a glass of beer_. Garçon, trop -d’faux-col à la clef! _Waiter, too much head by half!_ - -FÉDÉRÉ, _m._ (popular), avoir un ---- dans la casemate, or un -polichinelle dans le tiroir, _to be pregnant_, or “lumpy.” - -FÉE, _f._ (popular and thieves’), _love_; _young girl_, or “titter.” La ----- n’est pas loffe, _the girl is no fool_. Gaffine la ----, _look at -the girl_, “nark the titter.” - -FÉESANT, _m._ (thieves’), _lover_. From fée, _love_. - -FÉESANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _sweetheart_, or “moll.” - -FÊLÉ, _adj._ (popular), avoir le coco ----, _to be crazy_, _to be_ “a -bit balmy in one’s crumpet.” - -FÊLER (popular), se ----, _to become crazy_. - -FELOUSE, or FENOUSE, _f._ (thieves’), _meadow_. - -FELOUSE, FELOUZE, or FOUILLOUSE, _f._ (thieves’), _pocket_, or “cly;” ----- à jeun, _empty pocket_. - - Il demanda à sezière s’il n’avait pas quelques luques de - son babillard; il répondit qu’oui, et mit la louche en sa - felouze et en tira une, et la ficha au cornet d’épices pour - la mouchailler.--_Le Jargon de l’Argot._ (_He asked him - whether he had any pictures from his book. He said yes, and - put his hand in his pocket, drew one out, and gave it to - the friar to look at._) - -FEMME, _f._ (familiar), de Breda, _gay girl_. Quartier Breda is the -Paris St. John’s Wood; (popular) ---- au petit pot, _rag-picker’s -consort_; ---- de terrain, _low prostitute_, or “draggle-tail.” See -GADOUE. (Thieves’ and cads’) Femme de cavoisi, _dressy prostitute -who frequents the Boulevard cafés_; (military) ---- de l’adjudant, -_lock-up_, “jigger,” or “Irish theatre;” ---- de régiment, _big -drum_; (familiar) ---- pur faubourg, _is said of a lady with highly -polished manner, or ironically of one whose manners are anything but -aristocratic_. - -FENASSE, _f._ (popular), _man without energy_, _a lazy man_. Old word -fen, _hay_. - -FENDANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _door_, “jigger.” Termed also “lourde.” - -FENDART, _m._ (popular), _braggart_, _swaggerer_, or “swashbuckler.” -Termed formerly “avaleur de charrettes ferrées.” Faire son ----, -_to brag_, _to swagger_, _to look big_, _to bluster_, “to bulldoze” -(American). Ne fais donc pas ton ----, “come off the tall grass,” as -the Americans say. - -FENDRE (thieves’), l’ergot, _to run away_. Literally _to split -the spur_. The toes being pressed to the ground in the act are -naturally parted. For synonyms, French and English, see PATATROT. -(Card-sharpers’) Fendre le cul à une carte, _to notch a card for -cheating purposes_; (military) ---- l’oreille, _to place on the retired -list_. An allusion to the practice of splitting the ears of cavalry -horses no longer fit for service and put up for auction, termed “cast” -horses. (Popular) Fendre l’arche à quelqu’un, _to bore one to death_. -Literally _to split one’s head_. (General) Se ----, _to give oneself or -others an unusual treat_. Je me fends d’une bouteille, _I treat myself -to (or I stand treat for) a bottle of wine_. - - Zut! je me fends d’un supplément!... Victor, une troisième - confiture!--=ZOLA=, _Au Bonheur des Dames_. - -Se ---- à s’écorcher, _to be very generous with one’s money_. - -FENÊTRE, _f._ (popular), boucher une ---- à quelqu’un, _to give one -a black eye_, “to put one’s eyes in half-mourning.” Faire la ----, -_is said of a prostitute who lies in wait at a window, and who by -sundry alluring signs seeks to entice passers-by into entering the -house_. Mettre la tête à la ----, _to be guillotined_. An allusion to -the passing the head through the lunette or circular aperture of the -guillotine. - -FENÊTRIÈRE, _f._ (popular), _prostitute who lies in wait at a window, -whence she invites passers-by to enter_. - -FENOUSE, or FELOUSE, _f._ (thieves’), _meadow_. - -FÉODEC, _adj._ (thieves’), _unjust_. - -FER À REPASSER, _m._ (popular), _shoe_, or “trotter-case.” See RIPATON. - -FER-BLANC, _m._ (familiar), de ----, _worthless_. Des rognures de ----, -_inferior theatrical company_. Un écrivain de ----, _author without any -ability_, “penny-a-liner.” - -FERBLANTERIE, _f._ (familiar), _decorations_. - -FERBLANTIER, _m._ (naval), _official_. - -FERLAMPIER, or FERLANDIER, _m._ (thieves’), bandit; sharper, or -“hawk;” _thief_, or “prig;” _lazy humbug_; _rogue_, or “bad egg.” -Ferlampié formerly had the signification of _dunce_. - -FERLINGANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _crockery_. - -FERLOQUES, _f. pl._ (popular), _rags_. - -FERMER (popular), maillard, _to sleep_, “to doss.” An allusion to M. -Maillard, the inventor of iron-plate shutters; ---- son compas, _to -stop walking_; ---- son parapluie, _to die_. See PIPE. Fermer son -plomb, son égout, or sa boîte, _to hold one’s tongue_. Ferme ta boîte, -“shut up!” “hold your jaw!” A synonymous but more polite expression, -“Tace is Latin for a candle,” is used by Fielding. - - “Tace, madam,” answered Murphy, “is Latin for a candle; I - commend your prudence.”--=FIELDING=, _Amelia_. - -FÉROCE, _m. and adj._ (familiar), être ---- sur l’article, _to be -strict_. Pas ----, _made of poor stuff_. Un ----, _one devoted to his -duty_. - -FERRÉ, _adj._ (thieves’), être ----, _to be locked up_, or “put away.” - -FERRER LE GOUJON (popular), _to make one swallow the bait_. - -FERTANGE, or FERTILLE, _f._ (thieves’), _straw_. - - Tu es un rude mion; le môme pantinois n’est pas maquillé de - fertille lansquinée.--=V. HUGO=, _Les Misérables_. (_You - are a stunner; a child of Paris is not made of wet straw._) - -FERTILLANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _feather_; _pen_; _tail_. - -FERTILLE, _f._ (thieves’), _face_, or “mug;” _straw_, or “strommel.” - -FERTILLIERS, _m. pl._ (thieves’), _wheat_. - -FESSE, _f._ (popular), _woman_, “laced mutton.” Ma ----, _my better -half_. Magasin de fesses, _brothel_, or “nanny-shop.” (Bullies’) Fesse, -_paramour_, “moll.” Ma ---- turbine, _my girl is at work_. - -FESSER (popular), _to do a thing quickly_; ---- le champagne, _to -partake freely of champagne_, “to swig sham or boy.” Rabelais has the -expression, “fouetter un verre,” _to toss off the contents of a glass -to the last drop_. - - Fouette-moi ce verre galentement.--=RABELAIS=, _Gargantua_. - -FESTON (popular), faire du ----, pincer un ----, _to reel about_; _to -make zigzags under the influence of drink_. - -FESTONNAGE, _m._ (popular), _reeling about under the influence of -drink_. - -FESTONNER DES GUIBOLLES (popular), _to reel about while in a state of -intoxication_. - -FÊTE, _f._ (popular), du boudin, _Christmas_. (Popular and thieves’) -Etre de la ----, _to be lucky_, “to have cocum;” _to have means, or to -be_ “well ballasted.” - - Moi je suis toujours de la fête, j’ai toujours bogue et bon - radin.--=VIDOCQ.= - -FÉTICHE, _m._ (gamesters’), _marker, or any object which temporarily -represents the sum of money which has been staked at some game_. - -FEU, _m._ (theatrical), faire ----, _to lay particular stress on -words_; (freemasons’) _to drink_. (Military) Ne pas s’embêter or -s’embrouiller dans les feux de file, _to be independent_; _not to stick -at trifles_. (Familiar) Allumer les feux, _to set a game going_. - - Il est tout et il n’est rien dans ce cercle pschutt. Sa - mission est d’allumer les feux, d’où son nom bien connu: - l’allumeur.--=A. SIRVEN.= - -FEUILLE, _f._ (popular), de chou, _ear_, or “wattle.” Une ---- de -platane, _a bad cigar_, or “cabbage leaf.” (Saumur school of cavalry) -Une ----, _a prostitute_. (Familiar) Une ---- de chou, _newspaper of -no importance_; _a worthless bond, not marketable_. Voir la ---- à -l’envers, _to have carnal intercourse, is said of a girl who gives her -favours_. (Military) Des feuilles de chou, _infantry gaiters_. - -FEUILLET, _m._ (roughs’), _leaf of cigarette paper_. Aboule-moi un ---- -et une brouettée d’allumettes, _give me some cigarette paper and a -match_. - -FEUILLETÉE, _adj._ (familiar), properly _flaky_. Semelle ----, -_worn-out sole_. Termed also “pompe aspirante.” - - Parfois aussi elle n’a que des bottines suspectes, à - semelles feuilletées qui sourient à l’asphalte avec une - gaieté intempestive.--=THÉOPHILE GAUTIER.= - -FÈVE, _f._, attraper la ----. See ATTRAPER. - -FIACRE, _m._ (popular), remiser son ----, _to become sedate, -well-behaved_. - -FIAT, _m._ (thieves’), _trust_; _confidence_. - - Il y a aujourd’hui tant de railles et de cuisiniers, qu’il - n’y a plus de fiat du tout.--=VIDOCQ.= - -FICARD, _m._ (thieves’ and cads’), _police officer_, “crusher,” “pig,” -“copper,” “reeler,” or “bulky.” See POT-À-TABAC. - -FICELER (familiar and popular), _to do_; _to dress_. Bien ficelé, -_carefully done_; _well dressed_. - - Voilà maman Vauquer belle comme un astre, ficelée comme une - carotte.--=BALZAC=, _Le Père Goriot_. - -FICELLE, _f._ (familiar and popular), _dodge_. Etre ----, _to be -tricky, a_ “dodger.” - - Cadet Roussel a trois garçons: - L’un est voleur, l’autre est fripon; - Le troisième est un peu ficelle. - - _Cadet Roussel_ (an old song). - -(Thieves’ and police) Ficelle, _chain or strap_. (Police) Pousser de -la ----, _to watch a thief_; _to give him a_ “roasting.” (Sporting) Un -cheval ----, _a horse of very slender build_. - -FICELLIER, _m._ (popular), _a tricky person who lives by his wits_, “an -artful dodger.” - -FICHAISE, _f._ (general), _a worthless thing_, “not worth a curse.” - -FICHANT, _adj._ (popular), _annoying_; _tiresome_; _disappointing_. - -FICHARD, _m._ (popular), va t’en au ----! _go to the deuce!_ - -FICHE (familiar), va te faire ----! _go to the deuce!_ Expressive also -of disappointment. Je croyais réussir, mais va te faire fiche! _I -thought I should succeed, but no such thing._ - - Du pain de son! des sous de cuivre! - C’est pour nous vivre, - Mais va-t’-fair’ fiche! - On nous prend pour des merlifiches. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -Je t’en ----! _nonsense! nothing of the kind!_ Il croit réussir je t’en -----! Vous croyez qu’il a tenu sa promesse? Je t’en ----! Fiche-moi le -camp et plus vite que ça, _be off in double quick time_, “sling your -hook.” - -FICHER (thieves’), _to yawn_; ---- la colle, _to tell plausible -falsehoods_; ---- la colle gourdement, _to be an artful beggar_; -(popular) ---- la misère par quartiers, _to live in poverty_; ---- la -paresse, _to be idle_. - - Je fiche la paresse, je me dorlote.--=ZOLA.= - -Se ---- un coup de tampon, _to fight_. Se ---- de la fiole, or de la -bobine de quelqu’un, _to laugh at one; to seek to make a fool of him_. -(Military) Se ---- un coup de latte, _to fight a duel with cavalry -swords_. - -FICHTREMENT (general), _very_; _awfully_. - -FICHU, _adj._ (general), _put_; _given_. Il l’a ---- à la porte, -_he turned him out of doors_; _he has given him the_ “sack.” Fichu -comme l’as de pique, comme un paquet de linge sale, _badly dressed_; -_clumsily built_. Fichu, _capable_. Il est ---- de ne pas venir, _he is -quite capable of not coming at all_. - -FICHUMACER (popular), for ficher, _to do_. Qu’est-ce que tu fichumaces? -_what are you up to?_ - -FIDIBUS, _m._ (familiar), _pipe-light_; _spill_. Lorédan Larchey says:-- - - Une communication de M. Fey assigne à ce mot une - origine allemande. Dans les universités de ce pays, les - admonestations officielles commencent par les mots: - _fidibus_ (pour _fidelibus_) _discipulis universitatis_, - &c. Les délinquants qui allument par forfanterie leurs - pipes avec le papier de l’admonestation, lui ont donné pour - nom le premier mot de sa première ligne.--_Dict. Hist. - d’Argot._ - -FIÉROT, _m._ (popular), _stuck-up_, “uppish.” - -FIÈVRE, _f._ (thieves’), accès de ---- cérébrale, _accusation on -the capital charge_; _sentence of death_. Redoublement de ----, -_aggravating circumstances or new charge made against a prisoner who is -already on his trial_. - - La Cigogne a la digestion difficile, surtout en fait de - redoublement de fièvre (révélation d’un nouveau fait à - charge).--=BALZAC.= - -FIFERLIN, _m._ (popular), _soldier_, “swaddy,” or “wobbler.” From -fifre, _fife_. - -FIFI, _m. and f._ (popular), un ----, _a scavenger employed at emptying -cesspools_, a “gold finder;” _scavenger’s cask in which the contents of -cesspools are carried away_. Une ----, _a thin, skinny girl_. - - Les plantureuses et les fifis, les grands carcans et les - bassets ... les rosières comme aussi les enragées qu’ont - donné des arrhes à son promis.--=TRUBLOT=, _Le Cri du - Peuple_, Sept., 1886. - -FIFI-LOLO, _m._ (popular), _one who plays the fool_. - -FIFLOCHE, _m._ (popular), _one more skilful than the rest, who leads -the quadrille at a dancing hall_. - -FIFLOT, _m._ (military), _infantry soldier_, “beetle-crusher,” “grabby.” - -FIGARISTE, _m._ (familiar). Properly _a contributor to the Figaro -newspaper_, and figuratively _term of contempt applied to unscrupulous -journalists_. - -FIGNARD, _m._, FIGNE, _f._ (popular), _the breech_, or “one-eyed -cheek.” See VASISTAS. - -FIGNOLADE, _f._ (theatrical), _prolonged trilling_. - -FIGNOLE, _f. adj._ (thieves’), _pretty_, “dimber.” - - Alors aboula du sabri, - Moure au brisant comme un cabri, - Une fignole gosseline. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -FIGURATION, _f._ (theatrical), _staff of supernumeraries_, or “sups.” - -FIGURE, _f._ (popular), _the breech_, see VASISTAS; _sheep’s head_. Ma -----, _myself_, “No. 1.” - -FIGURER (thieves’), _to be in irons_. - -FIL, _m._ (thieves’), de soie, _thief_, “prig.” See GRINCHE. (Popular) -Avoir le ----, or connaître le ----, _to know what one is about_, -“to be up to a dodge or two.” N’avoir pas inventé le ---- à couper -le beurre _is said of one who is not particularly bright, who is_ -“no conjurer.” N’avoir plus de ---- sur la bobine, _to be bald_, or -“stag-faced.” Prendre un ----, _to have a dram of spirits, a drop of_ -“something damp,” or a “drain.” Un verre de ----, _a glass of brandy_. -Une langue qui a le ----, _a sharp tongue_. - -FILAGE, _m._ (card-sharpers’), _handling cards in such a manner that -trumps will turn up_; _juggling away a card as in the three-card -trick_, “slipping;” (thieves’) _tracking one_. - -FILASSE, _f._ (popular), _mattress_, _bed_, “doss;” _a piece of roast -beef_. Se fourrer dans la ----, _to go to bed_, _to get into the_ “kip.” - -FILATURE, _f._ (thieves’), _following stealthily a person_. Faire -la ----, or lâcher de la ---- à quelqu’un, _to follow a person -stealthily_, _to track one_, “to nose.” Prendre en ---- un voleur, -_to follow and watch a thief_. (Familiar) Filature de poivrots, -_spirit-shop patronized by confirmed drunkards_. - -FILENDÈCHE, _m._ (thieves’), _one of the vagabond tribe_. - - Lorsque j’occupais mon poste de commissaire de police - dans ce dangereux quartier, les habitants sans patente - des carrières d’Amérique formaient quatre catégories - distinctes: les Hirondelles, les Romanichels, les - Filendèches et les Enfants de la loupe.--_Mémoires de - Monsieur Claude._ - -FIL-EN-DOUBLE, _m._ (popular), _wine_. - -FIL-EN-TROIS, FIL-EN-QUATRE, FIL-EN-SIX, _m._ (popular), _spirits_. - - Allons ... un petit verre de fil en quatre, histoire de se - velouter et de se rebomber le torse.--=TH. GAUTIER.= - -FILER (thieves’), _to steal_. See GRINCHIR. Filer la comète, or la -sorgue, _to sleep in the open air_; ---- le luctrème, _to open a door -by means of a picklock_, “to screw;” ---- une pelure, _to steal a -coat_; ---- un sinve, _to dog a man_, “to nose;” ---- une condition, -_to watch a house and get acquainted with the ins and outs in view of a -burglary_. - - La condition était filée d’avance. - Le rigolo eut bientôt cassé tout! - Du gai plaisir, ils avaient l’espérance, - Quand on est pègre on peut passer partout. - -From a song composed by Clément, a burglar (quoted by Pierre Delcourt, -_Paris Voleur_, 1886). This poet of the “family men” was indiscreet -enough, some days after the burglary described, to sing his production -at a wine-shop frequented by thieves, and, unfortunately, by detectives -also, with the result that he was sent over the water and given leisure -time to commune with the Muses. (Sailors’ and popular) Filer son nœud, -or son câble, _to go away_; _to run away_, “to cut the cable and run -before the wind.” See PATATROT. Filer un nœud, _to spin a yarn_. File -ton nœud, _go on with your story or your discourse_, “pay away.” With -regard to the latter expression the _Slang Dictionary_ says:-- - - Pay-away ... from the nautical phrase pay-away, meaning - to allow a rope to run out of a vessel. When the hearer - considers the story quite long enough, he, carrying out the - same metaphor, exclaims, “hold on!” - -(General) Filer quelqu’un, _to follow one stealthily so as to watch -his movements_; (popular) ---- la mousse, _to ease oneself_. See -MOUSCAILLER. Filer le Plato, _to love in a platonic manner_; ---- une -poussée, _to hustle_, “to ramp;” ---- des coups de tronche, _to butt -at one’s adversary with the head_; ---- une ratisse, _to thrash_, “to -tan.” See VOIE. (Theatrical) Filer une scène, _to skilfully bring a -scene to its climax_; (card-sharpers’) ---- la carte, _to dexterously -substitute a card for another, to_ “slip” _a card_. - - Une fois le saut de coupe fait, le grec a le soin d’y - glisser une carte large, point de repère marquant - l’endroit où il doit faire sauter la coupe au mieux de ses - intérêts... Il file la carte, c’est à dire il change une - carte pour une autre.--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -FILET DE VINAIGRE, _m._ (theatrical), _shrill voice, one that sets the -teeth on edge_. - -FILEUR, _m._ (police), _man who dogs one, a_ “nose;” (card-sharpers’) -_one who dexterously substitutes a card for another, who_ “slips” _a -card_; (thieves’) _confederate of the_ floueurs _and_ emporteurs (which -see), _who levies a percentage on the proceeds of a card-sharping -swindle_; _person who follows thieves and extorts money from them -by threats of disclosures_; _detective_; (familiar) ---- de Plato, -_platonic lover_. - -FILLAUDIER, _m._ (popular), _one who is fond of the fair sex_, -“molrower.” - -FILLE, _f._ (familiar and popular), de maison, or ---- de tourneur, -_prostitute in a brothel_; _harlot_; ---- en carte, _street-walker -whose name is in the police books as a registered prostitute_. See -GADOUE. Grande ----, _bottle of wine_. (Familiar) Fille de marbre, _a -cold-hearted courtesan_; ---- de plâtre, _harlot_, “mot.” For list of -over 140 synonyms see GADOUE. - -FILLETTE, _f._ (popular), _half a bottle of wine_. - -FILOCHE, _f._ (thieves’), _purse_, “skin,” or “poge.” Avoir sa ---- à -jeun, _to be penniless_, “hard up.” - -FILOU, _adj._ (popular), _wily_, “up to a dodge or two.” - -FILSANGE, _f._ (thieves’), _floss silk_. - -FIN, _f._ (thieves’), de la soupe, _guillotine_. See VOYANTE. -(Familiar) Faire une ----, _to get married_, “spliced,” or “hitched” -(Americanism). - -FINE, _f. and adj._ (popular), _excrement_, or “quaker,” abbreviation -of “fine moutarde;” (familiar) abbreviation of “fine champagne,” _best -quality of brandy_. (Thieves’) Etre en ---- pégrène, _to be in great -danger_; _to be in an_ “awful fix.” - - La raille (la police) est là.... Je joue la mislocq (la - comédie) pour un fanandel en fine pégrène (un camarade à - toute extrémité).--=BALZAC.= - -FINETTE, _f._ (card-sharpers’), _a pocket wherein are secreted certain -cards_. - - Il a sous son habit, au dos de son pantalon, une poche dite - finette, dans laquelle il place les cartes non biseautées - qu’il doit substituer aux siennes.--_Mémoires de Monsieur - Claude._ - -FIOLE, _f._ (familiar), _bottle of wine_; (popular) _head_, or “tibby;” -_face_, or “mug.” J’ai soupé de ta ----, _I have had enough of you_; -_I will have nothing more to do with you_. Se ficher de la ---- à -quelqu’un, _to laugh at one_. - - On y connaît ma gargarousse, - Ma fiole, mon pif qui retrousse, - Mes calots de mec au gratin. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -Pour la ---- à quelqu’un, _for one_. - - Songez qu’ ça s’ra l’plus beau jour d’la carrière d’Truiru, - toujours sur la brèche, qui s’donne tant d’mal pour vos - fioles.--=TRUBLOT=, _Le Cri du Peuple_, 1886. - -Sur la ---- à quelqu’un, _about one, concerning one_. Il fagaut ne pas -dégueularder sur leur ----, _we must say nothing about them_. - -FIOLER (familiar and popular), _to drink_; ---- le rogome, _to drink -brandy_. (Thieves’) Fioler, _to stare at one_. - -FIOLEUR, _m._ (familiar and popular), _one who is too fond of the -bottle_, “a lushington.” - -FION, COUP DE ----. See COUP. (Cads’ and thieves’) Dire ----, _to -apologize, to beg one’s pardon_. - -FIONNER (familiar and popular), _to play the dandy_. - -FIONNEUR, _m._ (familiar and popular), _one who plays the dandy_. - -FIQUER (thieves’), _to strike_; _to stab_, “to chive.” - -FIQUES, _f. pl._ (thieves’), _clothes_, or “clobber.” - -FISCAL, _adj._ (familiar), _elegant_. - -FISH, _m._ (familiar), _women’s bully_, or “ponce,” generally called -“maquereau,” _mackerel_. For list of synonyms see POISSON. - -FISSURE, _f._ (popular), avoir une ----, _to be slightly crazy_, “to be -a little bit balmy in one’s crumpet.” - -FISTON, _m._ (popular), _term of endearment_. Mon ----, _my son, -sonny_. Mon vieux ----, _old fellow_. - -FLAC, _m._ (thieves’), _sack_; ---- d’al, _money-bag_; _bed_, or “kip.” - -FLACHE, _f._ (popular). See FLANCHE. - -FLACONS, _m._ (popular), _shoes_, “trotter cases.” See RIPATONS. -Déboucher ses ----, _to take off one’s shoes_. - -FLACUL, _m._ (thieves’), _bed_, or “kip;” _money-bag_. - - Le vioque a des flaculs pleins de bille; s’il va à Niort, - il faut lui riffauder les paturons.--=VIDOCQ.= (_The old - man has bagfuls of money; if he denies it, we’ll burn his - feet._) - -FLAFLA, _m._ (familiar and popular), _great showing off_. Faire du -----, _to show off_; _to flaunt_. - -FLAGEOLET, _m._ (obsolete), called by Horace _cauda salax_. - -FLAGEOLETS, _m._ (popular), _legs_, “pegs.” Termed also “fumerons, -guibes, guibolles.” - -FLAMBANT, _m. and adj._ (military), _artillery man_, “son of a gun;” -(familiar and popular) _magnificent_, “slap up, clipping, nap.” - -FLAMBARD, _m._ (thieves’), _dagger_. Formerly termed “cheery;” -(familiar and popular) _one who has dash_; _one who shows off_. - - Tas d’flambards, tas d’chicards, - Les canotiers de la Seine, - Sont partout, bien reçus, - Et partout font du chahut. - - _Parisian Song._ - -FLAMBARDE, _f._ (popular), _pipe_. Termed “dudeen” by the Irish; -(thieves’) _candle_, or “glim.” - -FLAMBE, _f._ (thieves’), _sword_, or “poker.” Petite ----, _knife_, -or “chive.” From Flamberge, name given by Renaud de Montauban (one -of the four sons of Aymon who revolted against Charlemagne, and who -have been made, together with their one charger Bayard, the heroes of -chivalry legends), to his sword, and now used in the expression, Mettre -flamberge au vent, _to draw_. - -FLAMBER (mountebanks’), _to perform_; (familiar and popular) _to make a -show_; _to shine_. - - Ils voulaient flamber avec l’argent volé, ils achetaient - des défroques d’hasard.--=E. SUE.= - -FLAMBERT, _m._ (thieves’), _dagger_. Termed “cheery” in the old English -cant. - -FLAMBOTTER AUX ROTTINS (card-sharpers’), _kind of swindling game at -cards_. - -FLAMSICK, FLAMSIQUE, _m._ (thieves’), _Flemish_. - -FLAN, _m._ (thieves’), c’est du ----, _it is excellent_. Au ----, _it -is true_. A la ----, _at random_, _at_ “happy go lucky.” (Popular) Du -----! _an ejaculation expressive of refusal_. See NÈFLES. - -FLANCHARD, FLANCHEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _cunning player_; _one who -hesitates, who backs out_. - -FLANCHE, _m._ (thieves’), _game of cards_; _theft_; _plant_. Grande -----, _roulette or trente et un_. Un ---- mûr, _preconcerted robbery -or crime for the perpetration of which the time has come_. (Popular) -Flanche, _dodge_; _contrivance_; _affair_; _job_. Il connaît le ----, -_he knows the dodge_. Foutu ----! _a bad job!_ C’est ----! _it is all -right_. - - Toujours des injustices; mais attendons; c’est point fini - c’flanche là.--=TRUBLOT=, _Le Cri du Peuple_, March, 1886. - -(Thieves’ and cads’) Je n’entrave pas ton ----, _I don’t understand -your game_, “I do not twig,” or, as the Americans say, “I don’t catch -on.” Nib du ----, on t’exhibe! _stop your game, they are looking at -you!_ Si tu es enfilé et si le curieux veut t’entamer, n’entrave pas et -nib de tous les flanches, _if you are caught and the magistrate tries -to pump you, do not fall into the snare, and keep all the “jobs” dark_. - -FLANCHER (thieves’), _to play cards_; (popular) _to laugh at_; _to back -out_; _to hesitate_; _to dilly-dally_, “to make danger” (sixteenth -century). - -FLANCHET, _m._ (thieves’), _share_; _participation in a theft_. Foutu -----, _bad job_. - - C’est un foutu flanchet. - Douze longes de tirade, - Pour une rigolade. - - =VIDOCQ.= - -FLANCHEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _an informer_, a “nark;” _one who backs -out_; _a player_; (popular) ---- de gadin, _one who takes part in a -game played with a cork, topped by a pile of halfpence, which the -players try to knock off by aiming at it with a penny_. (Popular and -thieves’) Enfonceur de ---- de gadin, _poor wretch who makes a scanty -living by robbing of their halfpence the players at the game described -above_. He places his foot on the scattered coins, and works it about -in such a manner that they find a receptacle in the interstices of his -tattered soles. - -FLÂNE, _f._ (popular), _laziness_. - -FLANELLE, _f._ (prostitutes’), _one who does not pay_. (General) Faire -----, _to visit a house of ill-fame with platonic intentions_. - -FLANOCHER (popular), _to be lazy_; _to saunter lazily about_, “to -shool.” - -FLANQUAGE, _m._ (popular), à la porte, _dismissal_, “the sack.” - -FLANQUE. See FLANCHE. - -FLANQUER UNE TATOUILLE (general), _to thrash_, “to wallop.” See VOIE. - -FLAQUADIN, _m._ (popular), _poltroon_, or “cow’s babe.” - -FLAQUE, _f._ (cads’ and thieves’), _lady’s reticule_; _lump of -excrement_, or “quaker.” - -FLAQUER (popular), _to tell a falsehood_; _to ease oneself_, “to bury a -quaker.” See MOUSCAILLER. - - V’là vot’ fille que j’ vous ramène, - Elle est dans un chouet’ état, - Depuis la barrière du Maine - Elle n’a fait qu’flaquer dans ses bas. - - _Parisian Song._ - -FLAQUET, _m._ (thieves’), _fob_. Avoir de la dalle au ----, _to have -well-filled pockets_. - -FLAQUOT, _m._ (thieves’), _cash-box_, or “peter.” - -FLASQUER (thieves’), _to ease oneself_. See MOUSCAILLER. Flasquer du -poivre à quelqu’un, _to avoid one_; _to fly from one_. J’ai flasqué du -poivre à la rousse, _I fled from the police_. - -FLATAR, _m._ (thieves’), _four-wheeler_, or “growler.” - -FLAUPÉE, FLOPÉE, _f._ (popular), _mass of anything_; _crowd_. Une ---- -de, _much_, or “neddy.” - -FLAUPER (popular), _to thrash_, “to wallop.” See VOIE. - -FLÈCHE, ROTTIN, or PÉLOT, _m._ (thieves’ and cads’), _five-centime -coin, or sou_. - -FLÉMARD, _m._ (general), _lazy or_ “Mondayish” _individual_; -_poltroon_, or “cow’s babe.” - -FLÈME, or FLEMME (general), _fear_; _laziness_. Lorédan Larchey says: -“Flemme est une forme ancienne de notre _flegme_. Ce n’est pas douteux -quand on voit dire en Berri _flême_ pour manque d’énergie; en Normandie -et en Suisse _fleume_; en provençal et en italien, _flemma_. Sans -compter le Trésor de Brunetto Latini qui dit dès le xiiiᵉ siècle: -‘_Flemme est froide et moiste._’” Avoir la ----, _to be afraid_. - - Ça fiche joliment la flème de penser qu’il faut remonter - là-haut ... et jouer!--=E. MONTEIL.= - -Avoir la ----, _to be disinclined for work_. - - Aujourd’hui, c’est pas qu’j’ai la flemme. Je jure mes - grands dieux non qu’j’ai point c’maudit poil dans la main - qu’on m’accuse d’temps en temps d’avoir.--=TRUBLOT=, _Le - Cri du Peuple_, Sept., 1886. - -Battre sa ----, _to be idling_, or “shooling.” - -FLEUR, _f._ (popular), de macadam, _street-walker_. See GADOUE. Fleur -de mai, de mari, _virginity_. (Card-sharpers’) Verre en fleurs, _a -swindling dodge at cards_. See VERRE. - - Le coup de cartes par lequel ces messieurs se concilient la - fortune, est ce qu’on appelle le verre en fleurs.--=VIDOCQ.= - -FLEURANT, _m._ (thieves’), _nosegay_; (popular) _the behind_. See -VASISTAS. - -FLIBOCHEUSE, _f._ (popular), _fast or_ “gay” _girl_, “shoful pullet.” - -FLIC-FLAC, or FRIC-FRAC (thieves’), faire le ----, _to pick a lock_, -“to screw,” “to strike a jigger.” - -FLIGADIER, _m._ (thieves’), _sou_. - -FLINGOT, _m._ (general), _butcher’s steel_; _musket_. Termed formerly -“baston à feu.” - -FLINGUE, _f._ (nautical), _musket_. - -FLIPPE, _f._ (popular), _bad company_. - -FLIQUADARD, _m._ (popular), _police officer_, “bobby,” or -“blue-bottle.” Concerning the latter expression the _Slang Dictionary_ -says:--“This well-known slang term for a London constable is used by -Shakespeare. In Part II. of _King Henry IV._, act v., scene 4, Doll -Tearsheet calls the beadle who is dragging her in, a ‘thin man in a -censer, a blue-bottle rogue.’ This may at first seem singular, but the -reason is obvious. The beadles of Bridewell, whose duty it was to whip -the women prisoners, were clad in blue.” For synonyms of fliquadard see -POT-À-TABAC. - -FLIQUE, _m._ (popular), _commissaire de police, or petty police -magistrate_; _police officer_, or “bobby.” For synonyms see POT-À-TABAC. - -FLOPÉE. See FLAUPÉE. - -FLOQUOT, _m._ (thieves’), _drawer_. - -FLOTTANT, _m._ (thieves’), _fish_; (popular) _ball patronized by -women’s bullies_. Literally _a company of_ “poissons,” _or bullies_. - -FLOTTARD, _m._ (students’), _student preparing for the naval school_. - -FLOTTE, _f._ (students’), _monthly allowance_. A boy’s weekly allowance -is termed “allow” at Harrow School. (Popular) Etre de la ----, _to be -one of a company_. Des flottes, _many_; _much_, “neddy.” (Thieves’) La -----, _a gang of swindlers and murderers which existed towards 1825_. - - La Flotte était composée de membres fameux ... ces membres - de la haute pègre travaillaient par bandes séparées: - Tavacoli l’Italien était un tireur de première force - (voleur de poche).... Cancan, Requin et Pisse-Vinaigre - étaient des assassins, des surineurs d’élite.... Lacenaire - fréquentait la Flotte sans jamais dire son véritable nom - qu’il gardait, en public.--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -Vendre la ----, _to inform against accomplices_, “to turn snitch.” - -FLOTTER (popular), _to bathe_. Termed at the R. M. Academy “to tosh;” -_to swim_. (Popular and thieves’) Faire ----, _to drown_. - - Nous l’avons fait flotter après lui avoir grinchi la - négresse qu’elle portait sous le bras.--=E. SUE.= - -FLOTTEUR, _m._ (popular), _swimmer_. - -FLOU (thieves’), abbreviation of floutière, _nothing_. J’ai fait le -----, _I found nothing to steal_. - -FLOUANT, _m._ (thieves’), _game_ (flouer, _to swindle_). Grand ----, -_high play_. - -FLOUCHIPE, _m._ (popular), _swindler_, or “shark.” From flouer and -chiper, _to swindle and to prig_. - -FLOUE, _f._ (thieves’), _crowd_, “push or scuff.” The anagram of foule, -_crowd_, or else from flouer, _to swindle_, through an association of -ideas. - -FLOUÉ, _adj._ (general), _swindled_, _taken in_, “sold,” “done brown.” - - Alors, en deux mots, il leur raconte la scène, le traité - brûlé, l’affaire flambée ...--Ah! la drogue ... je suis - flouée ... dit Séphora.--=A. DAUDET.= - -FLOUER, _f._ (general), _to cheat_, “to do,” “to bilk;” (thieves’) _to -play cards_, playing being, with thieves, synonymous of cheating. - - S’il y avait des brèmes on pourrait flouer.--=VIDOCQ.= - -FLOUERIE, _f._ (general), _swindle_, “take in,” or “bilk.” - - La flouerie est au vol ce que la course est à la - marche: c’est le progrès, le perfectionnement - scientifique.--=PHILIPON.= - -FLOUEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _card-sharper who entices country folks or -strangers into a café where, aided by confederates, he robs them at a -swindling game of cards_. - -FLOUME, _f._ (thieves’), _woman_, “muslin,” or “hay bag.” - -FLOUTIÈRE (thieves’), _nothing_. - - C’est qu’un de ces luisans, un marcandier alla demander - la thune à un pipet et le rupin ne lui ficha que - floutière.--_Le Jargon de l’Argot._ (_One day a mendicant - went to ask for alms at a mansion, and the master gave him - nothing._) - -FLU (Breton), _thrashing_. - -FLUBART, _m._ (thieves’), _fear_, “funk.” N’avoir pas le ----, _to be -fearless_. - -FLUME, _adj. and m._ (popular), être ----, _to be phlegmatic_; _slow_. - -FLÛTE, _f._ (familiar and popular), _bottle of wine_; _glass of beer_; -_syringe_. Flûte! _go to the deuce!_ - - Ah! flûte!--Ah! tu vois bien que je t’embête!--Pourquoi? Tu - m’as dit “flûte!”--Oui, flûte! zut! tout ce que tu voudras; - mais fiche-moi la paix.--=E. MONTEIL=, _Cornebois_. - -Joueur de ----, _hospital assistant_. An allusion to his functions -concerning the administering of clysters. (Military) Flûte, _cannon_. -Termed also “brutal, sifflet.” - -FLÛTENCUL, _m._ (popular), _an apothecary_, or “clyster pipe.” Spelt -formerly flutencu. The _Dictionnaire Comique_ has the following:-- - - Peste soit du courteau de boutique et du flutencu.--_Pièces - Comiques._ - -FLÛTER (familiar and popular), _to drink_. See RINCER. Flûter, _to -give a clyster_. The _Dictionnaire Comique_ (1635) has the phrase, Se -faire ---- au derrière, “façon de parler burlesque, pour dire, se faire -donner un lavement.” Envoyer ----, _to send to the deuce_. C’est comme -si vous flûtiez, _it is no use talking_. - -FLÛTES, _f. pl._ (popular), _legs_, or “pegs.” Termed also flûtes à -café. - - Fort des flûtes et de la pince, - Il était respecté, Navet. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -Astiquer ses ----, _to dance_, “to shake a leg.” Jouer des ----, _to -run_, “to cut.” Se tirer les ----, _to run away_, “to hop the twig.” -See PATATROT. - -FLÛTISTE, _m._ (popular), _hospital attendant_. - -FLUX, _m._ (popular), avoir le ----, _to be afraid_. Literally _to be -suffering from diarrhœa_. - -FLUXION, _f._ (popular), avoir une ----, _to be afraid_, “to be funky.” - -FŒTUS, _m._, _first year student at the military school of surgery_. - -FOGNER (popular), _to ease oneself_, _to go to the_ “crapping ken.” See -MOUSCAILLER. - -FOIE, _m._ (popular), avoir du ----, _to be courageous_, _plucky_, _to -have_ “hackle.” Avoir les foies blancs, _to be a coward_, a “cow’s -babe.” - -FOIN, _m._ (popular), faire du ----, _to make a noise_, “to kick up a -row;” _to bustle about_; _to dance_. - -FOIRE, _f._ (popular and thieves’), acheter à la ---- d’empoigne, _to -steal_, “to claim.” See GRINCHIR. Foire, _fair_, and empoigner, _to -seize_. - -FOIRON, _m._ (popular), _behind_. From foire, _diarrhœa_. See VASISTAS. - -FONCÉ, _adj._ (popular), _well off_, “well ballasted.” See MONACOS. - -FONCER (familiar and popular), à l’appointement, _to furnish funds_ -(_Dictionnaire Comique_). (Thieves’) Foncer, _to give_, “to dub.” - - Et si tezig tient à sa boule, - Fonce ta largue et qu’elle aboule, - Sans limace nous cambrouser. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -Villon (fifteenth century) uses the word with the signification of _to -give money_:-- - - M. Servons marchans pour la pitance, - Pour _fructus ventris_, pour la pance. - B. On y gaigneroit ses despens. - M. Et de foncer? B. Bonne asseurance, - Petite foy, large conscience; - Tu n’y scez riens et y aprens. - - _Dialogue de Messieurs de Malepaye et de Baillevent._ - -(Popular) Se ----, _to be getting drunk_, or “muddled.” See SCULPTER. - -FOND (popular), d’estomac, _thick soup_. (General) Etre à ---- de cale, -_to be penniless_, “hard up.” Literally _to be down in the hold_. - -FONDANT, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _butter_, or “cow’s grease.” - -FONDANTE, _f._ (popular and thieves’), _slice of bread and butter_. - -FONDRE (popular), _to grow thin_; ---- la cloche, _to settle some piece -of business_. (Theatrical) Faire ---- la trappe, _to lower a trap door_. - -FONDRIÈRE, _f._ (thieves’), _pocket_, “cly,” “sky-rocket,” or “brigh.” -Termed also “profonde, fouillouse, fouille, four banal, baguenaude.” - -FONFE, _f._ (thieves’), _snuff-box_, or “sneezer.” - -FONTAINE, _f._ (popular), n’avoir plus de cresson sur la ----, _to be -bald_; _to have_ “a bladder of lard.” - -FONTS DE BAPTÊME, _m._ (popular), se mettre sur les ----, _to be -involved in business from which one would like to back out_. - -FORAGE, _m._ (thieves’), vol au ----, _robbery from a shop_. A piece of -the shutter being cut out, a rod with hook affixed is passed through -the aperture, and the property abstracted. - -FORESQUE, _m._ (thieves’), _tradesman at a fair_. - -FORET, _m._ (popular), épointer son ----, _to die_, “to kick the -bucket.” Foret, properly _drill_, _borer_. With respect to the English -slang expression, the _Slang Dictionary_ says the real signification of -this phrase is to commit suicide by hanging, from a method planned and -carried out by an ostler at an inn on the Great North Road. Standing on -a bucket, he tied himself up to a beam in the stable; he then kicked -the bucket away from under his feet, and in a few seconds was dead. -The natives of the West Indies have converted the expression into -“kickeraboo.” (Thieves’) Foret de Mont-rubin, _sewer_. - -FORÊT-NOIRE, _f._ (thieves’), _a church_, _a temple_. Termed also -“entonne, rampante.” - -FORFANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _bragging_, _big talk_. An abbreviation of -forfanterie. - -FORGERIE, _f._ (popular), _falsehood_, or “cram.” - -FORT, _adj._ (popular), en mie, _fat_, “crummy;” (familiar) ---- en -thème, _clever student_. The expression is sometimes applied ironically -to a man who is clever at nothing else than book-work. C’est ---- de -café, _it is hard to believe_, _it is_ “coming it too strong.” - - C’est un pauvre manchot qui s’est approché de la vierge.... - Et elle a éternué? Non, c’est le bras du manchot qui a - poussé--elle est fort de café, celle-là!--=E. MONTEIL.= - -FORTANCHE, _f._ (thieves’), _fortune_. - -FORTIFES, _f. pl._ (popular), _fortifications round Paris_. A favourite -resort for workmen who go for an outing, and a place which vagabonds -patronize at night. - - J’ couch’ que’qu’fois dans les fortifes; - Mais on s’enrhum’ du cerveau. - L’lend’main, on fait l’chat qui r’niffe, - Et l’blair coul’comme un nez d’veau. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -FORTIFICATION, _f._ (popular), _cushion of a billiard table_. Etre -protégé par les fortifications, _to have one’s ball under the cushion_. - -FORTIN, _m._ (thieves’), _pepper_. From fort, _strong_. - -FORTINIÈRE, _f.._ (thieves’), _pepper-box_. - -FOSSE AUX LIONS, _f._ (familiar), _box at the opera occupied by men of -fashion_. - -FOSSILE, _m._ (literary), _a disrespectful epithet for the learned -members of the Académie Française_. - -FOU, _adj._ (popular and thieves’), abbreviation of foutu, _lost_, -_done for_. - -FOUAILLER (familiar and popular), _to miss one’s effect_; _to be -lacking in energy_; _to back out_; _to fail in business_, “to go to -smash.” - -FOUAILLEUR, _m._ (popular), _milksop_, _a_ “sappy” _fellow_; _a -libertine_, or “rip.” - -FOUATAISON, _f._ (thieves’), _stick_; ---- lingrée, _sword-stick_; ---- -mastarée, _loaded stick_. - -FOUCADE, _f._ (popular), _sudden thought or action_; _whim_, or “fad.” -Travailler par foucades, _to work by fits and starts_. - -FOUCHTRA (familiar), _native of Auvergne, generally a coal retailer or -water carrier_. From their favourite oath. - -FOUETTE-CUL, _m._ (popular), _schoolmaster_, or “bum brusher.” - -FOUETTER (popular), _to emit a bad smell_; ---- de la carafe, _to have -an offensive breath_. - - Tout cela se fond dans une buée de pestilence ... et, - comme on dit dans ce monde-là, ça remue, ça danse, ça - fouette, ça trouillotte, ça chelipotte, en un mot ça pue - ferme.--=RICHEPIN=, _Le Pavé_. - -FOUETTEUX DE CHATS, _m._ (popular), _a poor simpleton with no heart for -work_, “a sap or sapscull.” - -FOUFIÈRE, _f._ (thieves’), _watch_, “tatler, toy, or thimble.” - -FOUILLE, _f._ (popular and thieves’), _pocket_, “sky-rocket, cly.” - -FOUILLE-AU-TAS, _m._ (popular), _rag-picker_, or “tot finder.” - -FOUILLE-MERDE, _m._ (popular), _scavenger employed in emptying -cesspools_, “gold finder;” also _a very inquisitive man_. - -FOUILLER (familiar and popular), pouvoir se ----, _to be compelled -to do without_; _to be certain of not getting_. Also expressive of -ironical refusal. Si vous croyez qu’il va vous prêter cette somme, vous -pouvez vous ----, _if you reckon on his lending you that sum, you will -have to do without it_. Tu peux te ----, _you shall not have it_; _you -be hanged!_ - - Madame, daignerez-vous accepter mon bras?--Tu peux te - fouiller, calicot!--=P. MAHALIN.= - -FOUILLES, _f. pl._ (popular), des ----! _is expressive of refusal_; may -be rendered by the American “yes, in a horn.” For synonyms see NÈFLES. - -FOUILLOUSE, _f._ (thieves’), _pocket_, or “cly.” The word is old. -Rabelais has “Plus d’aubert n’estoit en fouillouse.” - -FOUINARD, _m._ (popular), _cunning, sly man_; _a tricky_ “dodger;” -_coward_, or “cow’s babe.” Termed in old French tapineux. - -FOUINER (popular), _to play the spy, or Paul Pry_; _to escape_, “to -mizzle.” - -FOULAGE, _m._ (popular), _a great deal of work_, _much_ “graft or elbow -grease.” - -FOULARD ROUGE, _m._ (popular), _woman’s bully_, “pensioner.” For -synonymous expressions see POISSON. - -FOULER (familiar), se la ----, _to work hard_. Ne pas se ---- le -poignet, _to take it easy_. - - Du tonnerre si l’on me repince à l’enclume! voilà cinq - jours que je me la foule, je puis bien le balancer ... - s’il me fiche un abatage, je l’envoie à Chaillot.--=ZOLA=, - _L’Assommoir_. - -FOULTITUDE, _f._ (popular), _many_, _much_, “neddy” (Irish). - -FOUR, _m._ (familiar), _failure_. Faire ----, _to be unsuccessful_. Un ----- complet, _a dead failure_. (Theatrical) Four, _the upper part of -the house in a theatre_. An allusion to the heated atmosphere, like -that of an oven; (popular) _throat_, or “gutter lane.” Chauffer le -----, _to eat or drink_. (Thieves’) Un ---- banal, _an omnibus_, or -“chariot;” _a pocket_, or “cly.” - -FOURAILLER (thieves’), _to sell_; _to barter_, “to fence.” - -FOURAILLIS, _m._ (thieves’), _house of a receiver of stolen property, -of a_ “fence.” - -FOURBI, _m._ (thieves’), _the proceeds of stolen properly_; (popular -and military) _more or less unlawful profits on provisions and stores, -or other goods_; _dodge_; _routine of the details of some trade or -profession_. - - Puis il faisait sa tournée, ... rétablissait d’un coup de - poing ou d’une secousse la symétrie d’un pied de lit, en - vieux soldat sorti des rangs et qui connaît le fourbi du - métier.--=G. COURTELINE.= - -Connaître le ----, _to be wide-awake_, “to know what’s o’clock.” Du -----, _goods and chattels_, or “traps,” termed “swag” in Australia; -_furniture_, _movables_, or “marbles.” - - Voilà ce que c’est d’avoir tant de fourbi, dit un ouvrier - ... lui aussi, il a déménagé ... emportant toute sa smala - dans une charrette à bras.--=RICHEPIN=, _Le Pavé_. - -(Popular) Fourbi, _occupation_. A ce ---- là on ne s’enrichit pas, _one -does not get rich at that occupation, at that game_. - -FOURCANDIÈRE, _f._ (thieves’), épouser la ----, _to get rid of stolen -property by casting it away when pursued_. - -FOURCHE À FANER, _f._ (thieves’), _horseman_. - -FOURCHETTE, _f._ (military), _bayonet_. Travailler à la ----, _to fight -with cold steel_. (Popular) Marquer à la ----, _is said of a tradesman -who draws up an incorrect account, to his own advantage, of course_. -(Thieves’) Vol à la ----, _dexterous way of picking a pocket with two -fingers only_. - -FOURCHETTES, _f. pl._ (popular), _fingers_, “dooks;” _legs_, “pins;” ----- d’Adam, _fingers_. Jouer des ----, _to run away_, “to hop the -twig.” See PATATROT. - -FOURCHU, _m._ (thieves’), _ox_, or “mooer.” - -FOURGAT, or FOURGASSE, _m._ (thieves’), _receiver of stolen goods_, or -“fence.” - - Le père Vestiaire était ce qu’on appelle dans l’argot des - voleurs un fourgat (recéleur).--_Mémoires de Monsieur - Claude._ - -FOURGATTE, _f._ (thieves’), _female receiver of stolen goods_, “fence.” - - Viens avec moi chez ma fourgatte, je suis sûr qu’elle nous - prêtera quatre ou cinq tunes de cinq balles (pièces de cinq - francs).--=VIDOCQ.= - -FOURGATURE, _f._ (thieves’), _stock of stolen property for sale_. - -FOURGONNIER, _m._ (thieves’), _canteen man at the transport settlement_. - -FOURGUE, _m._ See FOURGAT. - -FOURGUER (thieves’), _to sell_, or “to do;” _to sell or buy stolen -property_, “to fence.” - - Elle ne fourgue que de la blanquette, des bogues et des - broquilles (elle n’achète que de l’argenterie, des montres - et des bijoux).--=VIDOCQ.= - -FOURGUEROLES, _f. pl._ (thieves’), _stolen property_, “swag.” Laver les -----, or la camelotte, _to sell stolen property_. - -FOURGUEUR, _m._ (thieves’ and cads’), _seller_, _hawker_; ---- de -flanches, _man who goes about offering for sale prohibited articles, -such as certain indecent cards called “cartes transparentes,” or -contraband lucifer matches, the right of manufacture and sale of which -is a monopoly granted by government to a single company_. - -FOURLINE, FOURLINEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _thief_, “prig.” For synonyms -see GRINCHE. - -FOURLINER (thieves’), _to steal_, “to nick;” _to pick pockets_, “to buz -a cly.” - -FOURLINEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _pickpocket_, or “buz-faker.” - -FOURLOURE, _m._ (thieves’), _sick man_. - -FOURLOURER (thieves’), _to murder_. See REFROIDIR. - -FOURLOUREUR, _m._ (thieves’), _murderer_. - -FOURMILLANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _crowd_, “push,” or “scuff.” - -FOURMILLER (thieves’), _to move about in a crowd for the purpose of -picking pockets_. Termed by English thieves “cross-fanning.” - -FOURMILLON, _m._ (thieves’), _market_; ---- à gayets, _horse fair_; ----- au beurre, _Stock Exchange_. Literally _money market_. - -FOURNEAU, _m._ (popular), _fool_, or “duffer;” _vagabond who sleeps in -the open air_; _term of contempt_. Va donc eh! ----! _go along, you_ -“bally fool.” - - J’lui dis: de t’voir j’suis aise, - Mais les feux d’l’amour; nisco. - Quoi, m’dit-ell’: t’as mêm’ plus d’braise! - Va donc, vieux fourneau! - - _Music-hall Song._ - -FOURNIER, _m._ (popular), _waiter whose functions are to pour out -coffee for the customers_. - -FOURNIL, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _bed_, “doss,” or “bug walk.” - -FOURNION, _m._ (popular), _insect_. - -FOURNIR MARTIN (popular), _to wear furs_. Martin is the French -equivalent for Bruin. - -FOUROBE, _f._ (thieves’), _overhauling of convict’s clothes_, “ruling -over.” - -FOUROBÉ (thieves’), _one who has been searched_, or “turned over.” - -FOUROBER (thieves’), _to search on one’s person_, “to frisk,” or “to -rule over.” - -FOURQUER. See FOURGUER. - -FOURREAU, _m._ (familiar), _lady’s dress which fits tightly and shows -the figure_; (popular and thieves’) _trousers_, “hams, sit-upons, or -kicks.” Je me suis carmé d’un bate ----, _I have bought for myself a -fine pair of trousers_. - -FOURRÉE, _adj._ (thieves’), pièce ----, _coin which has been gouged -out_. - -FOURRER (familiar and popular), se ---- le doigt dans l’œil, _to be -mistaken_; _to labour under a delusion_. - - A la fin c’est vexant, car je vois clair, ils ont l’air de - me croire mal élevée ... ah! bien! mon petit, en voilà qui - se fourrent le doigt dans l’œil.--=ZOLA=, _Nana_. - -Se ---- le doigt dans l’œil jusqu’au coude, _superlative of above_. -S’en ---- dans le gilet, _to drink heavily_, “to swill.” - -FOURRIER DE LA LOUPE, _m._ (popular), _lazy fellow_, or “bummer;” -_loafer_; _roysterer_, “merry pin.” - -FOURRURES, _f. pl._ (familiar), see PAYS; (fishermens’) _plug used for -stopping up holes in a boat_. - -FOUTAISE, _f._ (popular), _worthless thing_, or “not worth a curse;” -_nonsense_, or “fiddle faddle;” _humbug_. Tout ça c’est d’la ----, -_that’s all nonsense_, “rot.” - -FOUTERIE, _f._ (popular), _nonsense_, “rot.” C’est de la ---- de peau, -_that’s sheer nonsense_. - -FOUTIMACER, FOUTIMASSER (popular), _to do worthless work_; _to talk -nonsense_. - -FOUTIMACIER, FOUTIMACIÈRE (popular), _unskilled workman or workwoman_; -_silly person_, or “duffer.” - -FOUTIMASSEUR. See FOUTIMACIER. - -FOUTOIR (familiar and popular), _house of ill-fame_, “academy;” -_disreputable house_; ---- ambulant, _cab_. - -FOUTRE (general), a coarse expression which has many significations, -_to give_; _to do_; _to have connection with a woman_, _&c._; ---- du -tabac, _to thrash_. See VOIE. Foutre dedans, _to impose upon_; _to -imprison_. - - Et qu’à la fin, le chef voulait m’fout’ dedans, en disant - que je commençais à l’embêter.--=G. COURTELINE.= - -Foutre le camp, _to be off_; _to decamp_, “to hook it.” - - Chargez-vous ça sur les épaules et foutez le camp, qu’on ne - vous voie plus.--=G. COURTELINE.= - -Foutre, _to put_; _to send_. - - Pa’c’que j’aime le vin, - Nom d’un chien! - Va-t-on pas m’fout’ au bagne. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -Foutre la paix, _to leave one alone_. - - Vous refusez formellement, c’est bien - entendu?--Formellement! Foutez-nous la paix. - --=G. COURTELINE.= - -Foutre un coup de pied dans les jambes, _to borrow money_, “to break -shins;” ---- une pile, _to thrash_, “to wallop.” See VOIE. Foutre la -misère, _to live in poverty_. - - Il ajoutait ... que, sacrédié! la gamine était, aussi, - trop jolie pour foutre la misère à son âge.--=ZOLA=, - _L’Assommoir_. - -En ---- son billet, _to assure one of the certainty of a fact_. Je t’en -fous mon billet or mon petit turlututu, _I give you my word ’tis a -fact_, “my Davy” _on it_. Ne pas ---- un radis, _not to give a penny_. -N’ en pas ---- un clou, un coup, or une secousse, _to be superlatively -idle_. - - Ces bougres là sont épatants, ils n’en foutraient pas une - secousse si on avait le malheur de les laisser faire. - --=G. COURTELINE.= - -Se ---- de quelque chose, _not to care a straw_, “a hang,” _for_. Se ----- de quelqu’un, _not to care a straw for one_; _to laugh at one_; -_to make game of one_. - - Hein? Bosc n’est pas là? Est-ce qu’il se fout de moi, à la - fin!--=ZOLA=, _Nana_. - -Se ---- du peuple, du public, _to disregard_, _to set at defiance -people’s opinion_; _to make game of people_. Se ---- par terre, _to -fall_. Se ---- mal, _to dress badly_. Se ---- une partie de billard sur -le torse, _to play billiards_, or “spoof.” Se ---- un coup de tampon, -_to fight_. S’en ---- comme de Colin Tampon, _not to care a straw_. Se ----- une bosse, _to do anything, or indulge in anything to excess_. -(Military) Foutre au clou, _to imprison_, “to roost.” - - Comme ça on nous fout au clou?--C’est probable, dit le - brigadier.--=G. COURTELINE.= - -FOUTRE! _an ejaculation of anger, astonishment, or used as an -expletive_. - - Ah! ça, foutre! parlerez-vous? Etes-vous une brute, oui ou - non?--=G. COURTELINE.= - -FOUTREAU, _m._ (popular), _row_, or “shindy;” _fight_. - - Oh! il va y avoir du foutreau, le commandant s’est frotté - les mains.--=BALZAC.= - -FOUTRIQUET, _m._ (familiar and popular), expressive of contempt: -_diminutive man_; _despicable adversary_. The appellation was applied -as a nickname to M. Thiers by the insurgents of 1871. - -FOUTRO, _m._ (military), _a game played in military hospitals_. A -handkerchief twisted into hard knots, and termed M. Lefoutro, is laid -on a table, and taken up now and then to be used as an instrument of -punishment; any offence against M. Lefoutro being at once dealt with by -an application of his representative to the outstretched palm of the -culprit. - - Halte au jeu! par l’ordre du roi, je déconsigne M. - Lefoutro.... Votre main, coupable. L’interpellé tendit la - main dans laquelle Lagrappe lança à tour de bras trois - énormes coups de foutro, accompagnés de ces paroles - sacramentelles: faute faite, faute à payer, rien à - réclamer, réclamez-vous?... Oui, monsieur, je réclame. - Eh bien,... c’est parceque vous avez levé les yeux.... - C’était une impolitesse à l’égard de M. Lefoutro, et M. - Lefoutro ne veut pas que vous lui manquiez de respect. - --=G. COURTELINE=, _Les Gaietés de l’Escadron_. - -FOUTU, _adj._ (general), _put_; _made_; _bad_; _wretched_; -_unpleasant_; _ruined_; _lost_, _&c._ - - La police! dit-elle toute blanche. Ah! nom d’un chien! pas - de chance!... nous sommes foutues!--=ZOLA=, _Nana_. - -Foutu, _given_. - - Qu’est-ce qui m’a foutu un brigadier comme ça! Vous n’avez - pas de honte ... de laisser votre peloton dans un état - pareil.--=G. COURTELINE.= - -Il s’est ---- à rire, _he began to laugh_. On lui a ---- son paquet, -_he got reprimanded; dismissed from his employment_, or “got the sack.” -Un homme mal ---- or ---- comme quatre sous, _a badly dressed or -clumsily built man_. Un travail mal ----, _clumsy work_. C’est un homme -----, _he is a ruined man_, “on his beam ends.” Il est ----, _it is all -up with him_, “done for.” Un ---- cheval, _a sorry nag_, a “screw.” -Un ---- temps, _wretched weather_. Une foutue affaire, _a wretched -business_. Une foutue canaille, _a scamp_. (Thieves’) C’est un ---- -flanchet, _it is a bad job, an unlucky event_. - -FOUYOU (theatrical), _urchin_; (familiar) ----! _you cad!_ _you_ “snide -bally bounder.” - -FRACASSÉ, _adj._ (thieves’), _dressed in a coat_. From un frac, _a -frock-coat, dress coat_. - -FRACASSER (popular), quelqu’un, _to abuse one_, “to slang one;” _to -ill-use one_,”to man-handle.” Literally _to smash_. - -FRACTION, _f._ (thieves’), _burglary_, or “busting.” - - J’ai pris du poignon tant que j’ai pu, c’est vrai! Jamais - je n’ai commis de fraction!--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -FRACTURER (popular), se la ----, _to run away_, “to hop the twig.” See -PATATROT. - -FRAÎCHE, _f._ (thieves’), _cellar_. - -FRAIS, _adj. and m._ (familiar and popular), ironical, _good_; _fine_. -Vous voilà ----, _here you are in a sorry plight, in a fix, in a_ -“hole.” C’est là l’ouvrage? il est ----! _Is that the work? a fine -piece of work!_ Arrêter les ----, _to stop doing a thing_. From an -expression used at billiard rooms, to stop the expenses for the use of -the table. Mettre quelqu’un au ----, _to imprison_. Literally _to put -in a cool place_. - -FRALIN, _m._, FRALINE, _f._ (thieves’), _brother_; _sister_; _chum_, -“Ben cull.” - -FRANC, _adj. and m._ (thieves’), _accomplice_, or “stallsman;” _low_; -_frequented by thieves_; _faithful_. - - C’est Jean-Louis, un bon enfant; sois tranquille, il est - franc.--=VIDOCQ.= - -Un ---- de maison, _receiver of stolen property_, or “fence;” _landlord -of a thieves’ lodging-house_, or “flash ken.” Un ---- mijou, or mitou, -_a vagabond suffering, or pretending to suffer, from some ailment, -and who makes capital of such ailment_. Messière ----, _bourgeois or -citizen_. - - En faisant nos gambades, - Un grand messière franc - Voulant faire parade - Serre un bogue d’orient. - - =VIDOCQ.= - -(Military) C’est ----, _well and good_; _that’s all right_. - -FRANC-CARREAU, _m._ (prisoners’), _punishment which consists in being -compelled to sleep on the bare floor of the cell_. - -FRANCFILER (familiar and popular), _was said of those who left Paris -during the war, and sought a place of safety in foreign countries_. - - Il n’avait pas voulu francfiler pendant le siège. - --=E. MONTEIL=, _Cornebois_. - -FRANC-FILEUR, _m._ (familiar), _opprobrious epithet applied to those -who left France during the war_. - -FRANCHIR (thieves’), _to kiss_. - -FRANCILLON, _m._, FRANCILLONNE, _f._ (thieves’), _Frenchman_; -_Frenchwoman_; _friendly_. Le barbaudier de castu est-il francillon? -_Is the hospital director friendly?_ - -FRANC-MITOU, _m._ (thieves’). See FRANC. - -FRANCO (cads’ and thieves’), c’est ----, _it is all right_; _all safe_. -Gaffine lago, c’est ----, y a pas de trèpe, _look there, it is all -safe, there’s nobody_. - -FRANÇOIS (thieves’), la faire au père ----, _to rob a man by securing -a strap round his neck, and lifting him half-strangled on one’s -shoulders, while an accomplice rifles his pockets_. - -FRANGIN, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _brother_; _term of friendship_; ----- dab, _uncle_. Mon vieux ----, _old fellow!_ “old ribstone!” - -FRANGINE, _f._ (thieves’ and popular), _sister_; ---- dabuche, _aunt_. - - On la connaît, la vache qui nous a fait traire! C’est la - vierge de Saint-Lazare, la frangine du meg!... Il est - trop à la coule, le frangin! C’est au tour de la frangine - maintenant à avoir son atout.--_Mémoires de Monsieur - Claude._ - -FRANGIR (thieves’), _to break_. - -FRANGUETTIER, _m._ (thieves’), _card-sharper_, or “broadsman.” - -FRAONVAL (Breton), _to escape_. - -FRAPOUILLE. See FRIPOUILLE. - -FRAPPART, _m._ (thieves’), père ----, _a hammer_. - -FRAPPE, _f._ (popular), _a worthless fellow_; _a scamp_. - - Une frappe de Beauvais qui voudrait plumer tous les - rupins.--_Cri du Peuple_, Mars, 1886. - -FRAPPE-DEVANT, _m._ (popular), _sledge-hammer_. - -FRATERNELLADOS, or INSÉPARABLES, _m. pl._ (popular), _cigars sold at -two for three sous_. - -FRAUDEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _butcher_. - -FRAYAU (popular), il fait ----, _it is cold_. - -FREDAINES, _f. pl._ (thieves’), _stolen property_. - - Si tu veux marcher en éclaireur et venir avec nous jusque - dans la rue Saint-Sébastien, où nous allons déposer ces - fredaines, tu auras ton fade.--=VIDOCQ.= - -FRÉGATE, _f._ (popular), _Sodomist_. - -FRELAMPIER. See FERLAMPIER. - -FRÉMILLANTE. See FOURMILLANTE. - -FRÉMION, _m._ (thieves’), _violin_. - -FRÈRE (familiar), et ami, _demagogue_; (thieves’) ---- de la côte, -see BANDE NOIRE; ---- de la manicle, _convict_. (Military) Gros ----, -_cuirassier_. (Sailors’) Vieux ---- la côte, _old chum_. - - Je suis ton vieux frère la côte, moi, et je t’aime, voyons, - bon sang!--=RICHEPIN=, _La Glu_. - -(Roughs’) Les frères qui aggrichent, _the detectives_. Les frères qui -en grattent, _rope dancers_. Les frères qui en mouillent, _acrobats_; -“en mouiller” having the signification of performing some extraordinary -feat which causes one to sweat. - -FRÉROT DE LA CAGNE, _m._ (thieves’), _fellow-thief_, or “family man.” - -FRESCHTEAK, _m._ (military), _piece of meat_; _stew_. - - Eh! eh! on se nourrit bien ici:... d’où avez-vous tiré - ce freschteak? où diable a-t-il trouvé à chaparder de la - viande, ce rossard là?--=HECTOR FRANCE=, _Sous le Burnous_. - -FRESSURE, _f._ (popular), _heart_, or “panter.” Properly _pluck or fry_. - -FRÉTILLANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _pen_; _tail_; _dance_. - -FRÉTILLE, FERTILLANTE, FERTILLE, _f._ (thieves’), _straw_, or -“strommel.” - -FRÉTILLER (thieves’), _to dance_. - -FRETIN, m. See FORTIN. - -FRIAUCHE, _m._ (thieves’), _thief_, _prig_, or “crossman,” see GRINCHE; -_convict under a death-sentence who appeals_. - -FRICASSE (popular), on t’en ----, _expressive of ironical refusal_, or, -as the Americans say, “Yes, in a horn!” See NÈFLES. - -FRICASSÉE, _f._ (popular), _thrashing_, “wallopping.” See VOIE. - -FRICASSER SES MEUBLES (popular), _to sell one’s furniture_. - -FRICASSEUR, _m._ (popular), _spendthrift_; _libertine_, or “rip.” - -FRIC-FRAC, _m._ (thieves’), _breaking open_, or “busting.” Faire ----, -_to break into_, “to bust.” - -FRICHTI, _m._ (popular), _stew with potatoes_. - -FRICOT, _m._ (popular), s’endormir sur le ----, _to relax one’s -exertions_; _to allow an undertaking to flag_. - -FRICOTER (military), _to shirk one’s military duties_. - -FRICOTEUR (military), _marauder_; _one who shirks duty, who only cares -about good living_. - -FRIGOUSSE, _f._ (popular), _food_, or “prog;” _stew_. - - C’était trop réussi, ça prouvait où conduisait l’amour - de la frigousse. Au rencart les gourmandes!--=ZOLA=, - _L’Assommoir_. - -FRIGOUSSER (popular), _to cook_. - -FRILEUX, _m._ (popular), _poltroon_, “cow-babe.” - - Je suis un ferlampier qui n’est pas frileux.--=E. SUE.= - -FRIMAGE, _m._ (thieves’), _appearing before the magistrate, or in -presence of a prosecutor, for identification_. - -FRIME, _f._ (thieves’), _face_, or “mug.” - - Avec un’ frim’ comm’ j’en ai une, - Un mariol sait trouver d’la thune. - - =RICHEPIN=, _La Chanson des Gueux_. - -Molière uses the word with the signification of _grimace_:-- - - Pourquoi toutes ces frimes-là?--_Le Médecin malgré Lui._ - -Frime à la manque, _ugly face_; _face of a one-eyed person_, termed -“a seven-sided animal,” as, says the _Slang Dictionary_, he has an -inside, outside, left side, right side, foreside, backside, and blind -side. Tomber en ----, _to meet face to face_. (Popular) Une ----, -_falsehood_; _trick_. - - Quelque frime pour se faire donner du sucre! ah! il allait - se renseigner, et si elle mentait!--=ZOLA=, _L’Assommoir_. - -FRIMER (thieves’), _to peer into one’s face_. Faire ----, _to place a -prisoner in presence of a prosecutor for purpose of identification_. -(Popular) Frimer, _to make a good appearance_; _to look well_; _to -pretend_. Cet habit frime bien, _this coat looks well_. Ils friment de -s’en aller, _they pretend to go away_. - -FRIMOUSSE, _f._ (thieves’), _figure card_. (Popular) C’est pour ma -----, _that’s for me_. Literally _physiognomy_. - -FRIMOUSSER (card-sharpers’), _to swindle by contriving to turn up the -figure cards_. - -FRIMOUSSEUR (card-sharpers’), _card-sharper_, “broadsman.” - -FRINGUE, _f._ (thieves’), _article of clothing_, “clobber.” (Popular) -Les fringues, _players at a game called_ “l’ours.” These stand upright -in a knot at the centre of a circle, face to face, with heads bent and -arms passed over one another’s shoulders so as to steady themselves. -The business of other players outside the circle is to jump on the -backs of those in the knot without being caught by one called “le -chien” or “l’ours,” who keeps running about in the circle. - -FRINGUER (thieves’), se ----, _to dress oneself_, “to rig oneself out -in clobber.” - -FRIPE, _f._ (popular), _food_, “prog.” From the old word fripper, -_to eat_; _cooking of food_; _expense_; _share in the reckoning_, or -“shot;” ---- sauce, _cook_, or “dripping.” Faire la ----, _to cook_. - -FRIPIER, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _cook_, or “dripping;” _master of -an eating-house, of a_ “carnish ken.” - -FRIPOUILLE, _f._ (familiar), _rogue_; _scamp_. From fripe, _rag_. Tout -ce monde là c’est de la ----, _these people are a bad lot_. - -FRIQUES, _f. pl._ (thieves’), _rags_. - -FRIQUET, _m._ (thieves’), _spy in the employ of the police_, “nark,” or -“nose.” - -FRIRE UN RIGOLO (thieves’), _to pick the pockets of a person while -embracing him, under a pretence of mistaken identity_. - -FRISCHTI, _m._ (military), _dainty food; stew_. - -FRISÉ, _m._ (popular), _Jew_, “sheney,” or “mouchey.” Termed also -“youtre, pied-plat, guinal.” - -FRISQUE, _m._ (popular), _cold_. - - Le frisque du matin, qui ravigote le sang, qui cingle la - vie--=RICHEPIN=, _Le Pavé_. - -FRISSANTE, _f. adj._ (sailors’), _with gentle ripples_. - - La mé n’est pas toujours rêche comme une étrille. - Vois, elle est douce, un peu frissante, mais pas plus. - - =RICHEPIN=, _La Mer_. - -FRITES, _f. pl._ (popular), for pommes de terre frites, _fried -potatoes_. Termed “greasers” at the R. M. Academy. - -FRITURER (popular), _to cook_. - -FRIVOLISTE, _m._ (literary), _light writer_; _contributor, for -instance, to a journal of fashion_. - -FROISSEUX, _adj._ (popular), _traitor_, “cat-in-the-pan;” _slanderer_. -From froisser, _to hurt one’s feelings_. - -FROLLANT, _m._ (thieves’), _slanderer_; _traitor, one who_ “turns -snitch.” - -FROLLER (thieves’), sur la balle, _to slander one_. From the old word -frôler, _to thrash, to injure_. - -FROMGIBE, _m._ (popular), _cheese_. - -FRONT, _m._ (popular), avoir le ---- dans le cou, _to be bald, to be_ -“stag-faced.” - -FROTESKA, _f._ (popular), _thrashing_, “tanning,” or “hiding.” See VOIE. - -FROTIN, _m._ (popular), _billiards_, or “spoof.” Coup de ----, _game of -billiards_. Flancher au ----, _to play billiards_. - -FROTTE, _f._ (popular), _itch_. - -FROTTÉE, _f._ (familiar and popular), _thrashing_, or “licking.” See -VOIE. - - Cinq ou six matelots de l’Albatros furent attaqués par une - dizaine de marins du Mary-Ann et reçurent une des plus - vénérables frottées dont on eût ouï parler sur la côte du - Pacifique.--=J. CLARETIE.= - -FROTTER (gamesters’), se ---- au bonheur de quelqu’un. The expression -is explained by the following quotation:-- - - Le joueur est superstitieux, il croit au fétiche. Un - bossu gagne-t-il, on voit des pontes acharnés se grouper - autour de lui pour lui toucher sa bosse et se frotter à - son bonheur. A Vichy, les joueurs sont munis de pattes de - lapin pour toucher délicatement le dos des heureux du tapis - vert.--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -FROUFROU, _m._ (thieves’), _master-key_. - -FROUSSE, _f._ (popular and thieves’), _diarrhœa_; _fear_. - - J’ai fait chibis. J’avais la frousse - Des préfectanciers de Pantin. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -FRUCTIDORISER (familiar), _to suppress one’s political adversaries by -violent means, such as transportation wholesale_. An allusion to the -18th Fructidor or 4th September, 1797. - -FRUGES, _f. pl._ (popular), _more or less lawful profits on sales by -shopmen_. English railway ticket-clerks give the name of “fluff” to -profits accruing from short change given by them. - -FRUSQUE, _f._ (popular), _coat_, “Benjamin.” - -FRUSQUES, _f. pl._ (general), _clothing_, “toggery,” or “clobber;” ---- -boulinées, _clothes in tatters_. - - On allait ... choisir ses frusques chez Milon, qui avait - des costumes moins brillants.--=E. MONTEIL.= - -FRUSQUINER (popular), se ----, _to dress_, “to rig” _oneself out_. - -FRUSQUINEUR, _m._ (popular), _tailor_, “snip, steel-bar driver, cabbage -contractor, or button catcher.” - -FRUSQUINS, _m. pl._ (popular), _clothes_, or “toggery.” - -FUIR (popular), laisser ---- son tonneau, _to die_. For synonyms see -PIPE. - -FUMÉ, _adj._ (familiar and popular), _to be in an awful fix, past -praying for_, “a gone coon.” With regard to the English slang -equivalent, the _Slang Dictionary_ says: “This expression is said -to have originated in the first American War with a spy who dressed -himself in a racoon skin, and ensconced himself in a tree. An English -soldier, taking him for a veritable coon, levelled his piece at him, -upon which he exclaimed, ‘Don’t shoot, I’ll come down of myself; I know -I’m a gone coon.’ The Yankees say the Britisher was so ‘flummuxed’ -that he flung down his musket and ‘made tracks’ for home.” The phrase -is pretty general in England. (There is one difficulty about this -story--how big was the man who dressed himself in a racoon skin?) - -FUMER (popular), _to snore_, “to drive one’s pigs to market;” ---- sans -pipe et sans tabac, _to be_ “riled;” _to fume_. Avoir fumé dans une -pipe neuve, _to feel unwell in consequence of prolonged potations_. - -FUMERIE, _f._ (popular), _smoking_, “blowing a cloud.” - -FUMERON, _m._ (popular), _hypocrite_, “mawworm.” - -FUMERONS, _m. pl._ (popular), _legs_, “pegs.” - -FUMISTE, _m._ (familiar), _practical joker_; _humbug_. Farce de ----, -_practical joke_. For quotation see FARCE. (Polytechnic School) Etre en -----, _to be in civilian’s clothes_, “in mufti.” - -FUSEAUX, _m. pl._ (popular), _legs_, or “pins.” Jouer des ----, _to -run_, “to leg it.” See PATATROT. - - Il juge qu’il est temps de jouer des fuseaux, mais au - moment où il se dispose à gagner plus au pied qu’à la toise - ... le garçon le saisit à la gorge.--=VIDOCQ.= - -FUSÉE, _f._ (popular), lâcher une ----, _to be sick_, “to shoot the -cat.” - -FUSER (popular), _to ease oneself_ See MOUSCAILLER. - -FUSIL, _m._ (popular), _stomach_; ---- à deux coups, _trousers_; ---- -de toile, _wallet_. Aller à la chasse avec un ---- de toile, _to beg_. -Colle-toi ça dans le ----, _eat or drink that_; _put that in your_ -“bread-basket.” Ecarter du ----, _to spit involuntarily when talking_. -Se rincer, se gargariser le ----, _to drink_, “to swig.” See RINCER. -Changer son ---- d’épaule, _to change one’s political opinions_, _to -turn one’s coat_. Repousser du ----, _to have an offensive breath_. - -FUSILIER (military), _to spend money_. Literally faire partir ses -balles, the last word having the double signification of _bullets_, -_francs_; ---- ses invités, _to give one’s guests a bad dinner_; ---- -le pavé, _to use one’s fingers as a pocket-handkerchief_; ---- le -plancher, _to set off at a run_; ---- son pèse, _to spend one’s money_; -(thieves’) ---- le fade, _to give one’s share of booty_; _to make one_ -“stand in.” - -FUSILLEUR, _m._ See BANDE NOIRE. - -FUTAILLE, _f._ (thieves’), vieille ----, _old woman_. - - - - -G - - -GABARI, _m._ (popular), passer au ----, _to lose a game_. - -GABARIT, _m._ (sailors’), _body_; _breast_; ---- sans bossoirs, _breast -with thin bosoms_. - - J’aime pas bien son gabarit sans bossoirs. Elle a plutôt - l’air d’un moussaillon que d’autre chose.--=RICHEPIN=, _La - Glu_. - -GABELOU, _m._ (common), _a custom-house officer, or one of the -“octroi.”_ - - Bras Rouge est contrebandier ... il s’en vante au nez des - gabelous.--=E. SUE=, _Les Mystères de Paris_. - -GÂCHER (popular), serré, _to work hard_, “to sweat;” ---- du gros, _to -ease oneself_. - -GADIN, _m._ (popular), _cork_; _shabby hat_. Flancher au ----, _to play -a gambling kind of game with a cork and coins_. Some halfpence being -placed on the cork, the players aim in turns with a coin. A favourite -game of Paris cads. - -GADOUARD, _m._ (popular), _scavenger_, a “rake-kennel.” From gadoue, -_street refuse or mud_. - -GADOUE, _f._ (familiar and popular), _prostitute_. Properly _street mud -or refuse_. - - File, mon fiston, roule ta gadoue, mon homme, ça - pue.--_Catéchisme Poissard_. - -The slang terms for the different varieties of prostitutes are, in -familiar and popular language: “cocotte, demi-mondaine, horizontale, -verticale, agenouillée, déhanchée impure, petite dame, lorette, -camélia, boulevardière, pêche à quinze sous, belle petite, soupeuse, -grue, lolo, biche, vieille garde (_old prostitute_), fille de -trottoir, gueuse, maquillée, ningle, pélican, pailletée, laqueuse, -chameau, membre de la caravane, demi-castor, passe-lacet, demoiselle -du Pont-Neuf, matelas ambulant, boulonnaise (_one who plies her trade -in the Bois de Boulogne_), crevette, trumeau, traîneuse, fenêtrière, -trychine, cul crotté, omnibus, carcan à crinoline, pieuvre, pigeon -voyageur, piqueuse de trains, marcheuse, morue, fleur de macadam, -vache à lait, camelote, roulante, raccrocheuse, génisse, almanach -des trente-six mille adresses, chausson, hirondelle de goguenot, -moelonneuse, mal peignée, persilleuse, lard, blanchisseuse en chemises, -planche à boudin, galvaudeuse, poule, mouquette, poupée, fille de -tourneur, fille de maison or à numéro, boutonnière en pantalons, fille -en carte or en brème, lésébombe, baleine, traînée, demoiselle du -bitume, vessie, boule rouge (_one who walks the Faubourg Montmartre_), -voirie, rivette, fille à parties, terrière, terreuse, femme de terrain, -rempardeuse, grenier à coups de sabre, saucisse, peau, peau de chien, -vésuvienne, autel de besoin, cité d’amour, mangeuse de viande crue, -dessalée, punaise, polisseuse de mâts de cocagne en chambre, pompe -funèbre, polisseuse de tuyaux de pipe, pontonnière, pont d’Avignon, -veau, vache, blanc, feuille, lanterne, magneuse, lipète, chamègue, -bourdon, pierreuse, marneuse, paillasse de corps de garde, paillasse à -troufion, rouleuse, dossière, fille de barrière, roulure, andre (old -word), Jeanneton, taupe, limace, waggon, retapeuse, sommier de caserne, -femme de cavoisi, prat, sauterelle, tapeuse de tal, magnée, torchon.” -The bullies of unfortunates call them “marmite, fesse, ouvrière, -Louis, ponife, galupe, laisée.” Thieves give them the appellations of -“lutainpem, môme, ponante, calège, panuche, asticot, bourre de soie, -panturne, rutière, ronfle, goipeuse, casserole, magnuce, larguèpe, -larque, menesse, louille.” In the English slang they are termed: -“anonyma, pretty horse-breaker, demi-rep, tartlet, mot, common Jack, -bunter, trollop, bed-fagot, shake, poll, dollymop, blowen, bulker, gay -woman, unfortunate, barrack-hack, dress lodger, bawdy basket, mauks, -and quædam” (obsolete), &c. - -GAFFE, _m. and f._ (thieves’), _sentry_; _thief on the watch_, or -“crow;” _prison warder_, or “bloke.” - - Les gaffes (gardiens) ont la vie dure. Ils tiennent sur - leurs pattes comme des chats ... si je l’ai manqué, je - ne me suis pas manqué, moi, je suis sûr d’aller à la - butte.--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude_. - -Gaffe à gail, _mounted police_; ---- de sorgue, _night watchman_; ---- -des machabées, _cemetery watchman_. Etre en ----, faire ----, _to be on -the watch_, “to dick.” - - Riboulet et moi, nous étions restés en gaffe afin de donner - l’éveil en cas d’alerte.--=VIDOCQ.= - -Grivier de ----, _soldier of the watch_. (Popular) Gaffe, _f._, _joke_; -_deceit_; _tongue_, or “red rag.” Avaler sa ----, _to die_, “to snuff -it.” See PIPE. Coup de ----, _loud talking_, “jawing.” Monter une ----, -_to play a trick_; _to deceive_, “to bamboozle,” “to pull the leg.” -(Familiar) Faire une ----, _to take an inconsiderate step_; _to make an -awkward mistake_, “to put one’s foot in it.” - -GAFFER (thieves’), _to watch_, “to dick;” _to look_, “to pipe;” ---- la -mirette, _to keep a sharp look-out_. Gaffe les péniches du gonse, _look -at that man’s shoes_. Gaffer, _to cause to stand_; _to stop_. - - Il fallait faire gaffer un roulant pour y planquer les - paccins (il fallait faire stationner un fiacre pour y - placer les paquets).--=VIDOCQ.= - -GAFFEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _man on the watch_. - -GAFFIER, _m._ (thieves’), _pickpocket who operates at markets_; _warder -in a prison or convict settlement_, a “screw.” - -GAFFINER (thieves’ and cads’), _to look at_, “to pipe.” Gaffine lago, -la riflette t’exhibe, _look there, the policeman is watching you_, or, -in other words, “pipe there, the bulky is dicking.” - -GAFILER (thieves’), _to listen attentively_. - -GAGA, _m._ (familiar), _man who, through a life of debauchery, has -become almost an imbecile_. - -GAGNIE, _f._ (popular), _buxom lady_. - -GAHISTO, _m._ (thieves’), _the devil_, “ruffin,” or “darble.” From the -Basque giztoa, _bad_, _wicked_, according to V. Hugo. - -GAI, _adj._ (popular), être ----, _to be slightly tipsy_, or -“elevated.” See POMPETTE. Avoir la cuisse gaie _is said of a woman of -lax morality who is lavish of her favours_. - -GAIL, GALIER, _m._ (thieves’), _horse_, “prad.” Vol au ----, _horse -stealing_, or “prad napping.” GAILLARD À TROIS BRINS, _m._ (sailors’), -_able sailor_; _old tar_. - - J’ai travaillé, mangé, gagné mon pain - parmi - Des gaillards à trois brins qui me traitaient - en mousse. - =RICHEPIN=, _La Mer_. - -GAILLON, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _horse_, “prad, nag, or tit.” - -GAILLOTERIE, _f._ (popular), _stable_. - -GAIMAR (popular), _gaily_; _willingly_. Allons y ----, _let us look -alive_; _with a will!_ - -GALAPIAT, GALAPIAN, GALOPIAU, _m._ (popular), _lazy fellow_, or -“bummer;” _street boy_. - - Quelle rigolade pour les gamins! Et l’un de ces galapiats - qui a peut-être servi chez des saltimbanques, chipe un - clairon et souffle dedans un air de foire.--=RICHEPIN=, _Le - Pavé_. - -GALBE, _m._ (familiar), _elegance_, _dash_. Etre truffé de ----, _to -be extremely elegant, dashing_, or “tsing tsing.” Galbe, literally -_elegance in the curve of vases, pillars_. - -GALBEUX, _adj._ (familiar), _elegant_, _dashing_, “tsing tsing.” - -GALERIE, _f._ (familiar), faire ----, to _be one of a number of -lookers-on_. Parler pour la ----, _to address to a person words meant -in reality for the ears of others, or for the public_. - -GALETTE, _f._ (popular), _money_, “tin.” For synonyms see QUIBUS. -Boulotter de la ----, _to spend money_. (Military school of Saint-Cyr) -Promenade ----, _general marching out_. Sortie ----, _general holiday_. - -GALEUX, _m._ (popular), _the master_, or “boss.” Properly _one who has -the itch_. - -GALFÂTRE, _m._ (popular), _idiot_; _greedy fellow_. - - Certes il n’aimait pas les corbeaux, ça lui crevait le - cœur de porter ses six francs à ces galfâtres-là qui n’en - avaient pas besoin pour se tenir le gosier frais.--=ZOLA=, - _L’Assommoir_. - -GALIER, _m._ (thieves’), _horse_, or “prad.” - -GALIÈRE, _f._ (thieves’), _mare_. - -GALIFARD, _m._ (popular), _shoemaker_, or “snob;” _errand boy_; -(thieves’) _one who is not yet an adept in the art of thieving_. - -GALIFARDE, _f._ (popular), _shop-girl_. - -GALIMARD, _m._ (artists’), se touche! _The expression is used -in reference to a brother artist who extols his own self or own -productions._ For the following explanation I am indebted to Mr. G. D., -a French artist well known to the English public:--“Galimard se touche, -phrase que vous avez lue probablement dans tous les Rambuteau de -Paris, a pris origine dans notre atelier Cogniet. Galimard, un artiste -de quelque talent, mais qui se croyait un génie, trouvant qu’on ne -s’occupait pas assez de lui, écrivit sur le salon des articles fort -bien faits mais par trop sévères pour les confrères. Il avait mis au -bas un pseudonyme quelconque. Arrivé au tour de sa fameuse Léda, il ne -tarissait pas d’éloges sur cette peinture vraiment médiocre. Bertall, -que je connaissais fort bien, découvrit le pot aux roses. Galimard -était son propre panégyriste! J’arrive à l’atelier et je dis: ‘Galimard -se fait jouir lui-même, c’est lui l’auteur des articles en question.’ -De là, le fameux ‘Galimard se touche’ expression maintenant consacrée -lorsqu’un artiste parle trop de lui-même. Il faut ajouter que les mots -furent écrits dans tous les Rambuteau du Quartier du Temple puis, non -seulement à Paris, mais par toute la France. L’empereur acheta la Léda -après une tentative criminelle de la part d’un malfaiteur et sur la -toile et sur Galimard. On fit une enquête et l’on découvrit que le -malfaiteur n’était autre que ... Galimard. L’affaire en resta là. La -Léda fut placée au Musée du Luxembourg, après cicatrisation des coups -de poignard, bien entendu.” - -GALIOTE, _f._ (thieves’), _conspiracy of card-sharpers to swindle a -player_. - -GALIPOTER (sailors’), _to smear_. - -GALLI-BÂTON, _m._ (popular), _general fight_; _great row_, or “shindy.” - -GALLI-TRAC, _m._ (popular), _poltroon_, “cow’s babe.” - -GALOCHE, _f._ (thieves’), _chin_; (popular) _a game played with a cork -and halfpence_. - -GALONS, _m. pl._ (military), d’imbécile, _long-service stripes_. -Arroser ses ----, _to treat one’s comrades on being made a -non-commissioned officer_; _to pay for one’s footing_. - -GALOPANTE, _f._ (popular), _diarrhœa_, or “jerry-go-nimble.” - -GALOPÉ, _adj._ (popular), _done hurriedly_, _carelessly_. - -GALOPER (popular), _to annoy; to make unwell_. Ça me galope sur le -système, or sur le haricot, _it troubles me_; _it makes me ill_; ---- -une femme, _to make hot love to a woman_. - -GALOPIN, _m._ (familiar), _small glass of beer at cafés_. Had formerly -the signification of _small measure of wine_. - -GALOUBET, _m._ (theatrical), _voice_. Avoir du ----, _to possess a good -voice_. Donner du ----, _to sing_. - - En scène, les fées! Attaquons vivement le chœur d’entrée. - Du galoubet et de l’ensemble!--=P. MAHALIN.= - -GALOUSER (thieves’), _to sing_, “to lip.” - -GALTOS, _m._ (sailors’), _dish_. Passer à ----, _to eat_. (Popular) -Galtos, _money_, or “pieces.” See QUIBUS. - -GALTRON, _m._ (thieves’), _foal_. - -GALUCHE, _f._ (thieves’), _braid_; _lace_. - -GALUCHÉ, _adj._ (thieves’), _braided_; _laced_. Combriot ----, _laced -hat_. - -GALUCHET, _m._ (popular), _the knave at cards_. - -GALUPE, _f._ (thieves’ and popular), _street-walker_, “bunter.” See -GADOUE. - - Les galup’s qu’a des ducatons - Nous rincent la dent, nous les battons. - =RICHEPIN.= - -GALUPIER, _m._ (popular), _man who keeps a_ “galupe.” See this word. - -GALURE, GALURIN (popular), _hat_, or “tile.” See TUBARD. - -GALVAUDAGE, _m._ (popular), _squandering of one’s money_; _pilfering_. - -GALVAUDER (popular), _to squander one’s money_. Se ----, _to lead a -disorderly life_. - -GALVAUDEUSE, _f._ (popular), _lazy, disorderly woman_; _street-walker_. -See GADOUE. - -GALVAUDEUX, _m._ (popular), _lazy vagabond_, or “raff;” _disorderly -fellow_; _bad workman_. - -GAMBETTES, _f. pl._ (popular), _legs_. From the old word gambe, _leg_. -Jouer des ----, _to run_. See PATATROT. - -GAMBIER, _f._ (popular), _cutty pipe_. From the name of the -manufacturer. - -GAMBILLARD, _m._ (popular), _active_, _restless man_. - -GAMBILLER (popular), _to dance_, “to shake a leg.” Is used by Molière -with the signification of _to agitate the legs_:-- - - Oui de le voir gambiller les jambes en haut devant tout le - monde.--_Monsieur de Pourceaugnac._ - -GAMBILLES, _f. pl._ (popular), _legs_, or “pins.” - -GAMBILLEUR, _m._ (familiar), _political quack_; (thieves’) _dancer_; ----- de tourtouse, _rope-dancer_. - -GAMBILLEUSE, _f._ (popular), _girl who makes it a practice of attending -dancing halls_. - -GAMBRIADE, _f._ (thieves’), _dance_. - -GAME, _f._ (thieves’), _hydrophobia_. - -GAMELAD (Breton cant), _porringer_. - -GAMELER (thieves’), _to inform against one_, “to blow the gaff.” - -GAMELLE, _f._ (sailors’), aux amours, _mistress_. (Popular and -thieves’) Attacher une ----, _to decamp_, _to run away_. See PATATROT. - -GAMME, _f._ (popular), _thrashing_, or “wallopping.” Faire chanter une -----, or monter une ----, _to thrash_, “to lead a dance.” See VOIE. The -expression is used by Scarron:-- - - Avec Dame Junon sa femme, - Qui souvent lui chante la game. - -GANACHE, _f._ (theatrical), jouer les père ----, _to perform in the -character of a foolish old fellow_. Properly ganache, _an old fool_, “a -doddering old sheep’s head.” - -GANCE, _f._ (thieves’), _a gang_, or “mob.” The Slang Dictionary says -“mob” signifies _a thief’s immediate companions_, as “our own mob.” - -GANDILLE, _f._ (thieves’), _sword_, or “poker;” _dagger_, or “cheery;” -_knife_, or “chive.” - -GANDIN, _m._ (familiar), _dandy_, or “masher.” Literally a frequenter -of the “Boulevard de Gand,” now Boulevard des Italiens. For list -of synonymous expressions see GOMMEUX. (Second-hand clothes-men’s) -Gandin, _fine words to attract purchasers_. Monter un ----, _to entice -a purchaser in_; _to get a customer_. (Thieves’) Gandin, a “job” _in -preparation, or quite prepared_; ---- d’altèque, _the insignia of any -order_. Hisser un ----, _to deceive_, “to kid,” or “to best.” See -JOBARDER. - -GANDINERIE, _f._, GANDINISME, _m._ (familiar), _the world of gandins_, -or “swelldom.” - -GANDOUSE, _f._ (popular), _mud_, _dirt_. - -GANNALISER (familiar), _to embalm_. From Gannal, name of a -practitioner. The expression is little used. - -GANT, _m._ (popular), moule de ----, _box on the ear_. Properly _mould -for a glove_. - -GANTER (cocottes’), 5½, _to be close-fisted_; ---- 8½, _to be -open-handed_. - -GANTIÈRE, _f._ (familiar), _disreputable establishment where the female -assistants make a show of selling gloves or perfumery, but where they -retail anything but those articles_. - -GANTS DE PIED, _m. pl._ (military), _wooden shoes_. - -GARÇON, _m._ (popular), à deux mains, _slaughterer_; ---- de bidoche, -_butcher boy_. (Thieves’) Garçon, _thief_, “prig.” Un brave ----, _an -expert thief_. Un ---- de campagne, or de cambrouse, _highwayman_. -Termed formerly in the English cant “bridle-cull.” - - La cognade à gayet servait le trèpe pour laisser abouler - une roulotte farguée d’un ratichon, de Charlot et de son - larbin, et d’un garçon de cambrouse.--=VIDOCQ.= (_The - horse-police were keeping back the crowd in order to - open a passage for a cart which contained a priest, the - executioner, his assistant, and a highwayman._) - -GARDANNE, _f._ (familiar), _odd piece of silk_. - -GARDE, _m. and f._ (popular), national, _lot of bacon rind_. Gardes -nationaux, _beans_. (Familiar) Descendre la ----, _to die_, “to kick -the bucket.” See PIPE. Vieille ----, _superannuated cocotte_, or -“played out tart.” - - Il pouvait citer tel et tel, des noms, des gentilshommes de - sang plus bleu que le sien, aujourd’hui collés légitimement - et très satisfaits, et pas reniés du tout, avec de vraies - roulures, avec des vieilles-gardes!--=RICHEPIN=, _La Glu_. - -GARDE-MANGER, _m._ (popular), _the behind_. See VASISTAS. - -GARDE-PROYE (thieves’), _wardrobe_. - -GARDER (familiar), se ---- à carreau, _to take precautions in view of -future mishaps_. - -GARDIEN, _m._ (popular and thieves’), ange ----, _man who undertakes to -see drunkards home_; _rogue who offers to see a drunkard home, robs, -and sometimes murders him_. - -GARÉ, _adj._ (popular), des voitures _is said of a steady, prudent man, -or of one who has renounced a disreputable way of living_. - -GARE-L’EAU, m. (thieves’), _chamber-pot_, or “jerry.” - -GARGAGOITCHE, _f._ (thieves’ and cads’), _face_, or “mug.” - -GARGARISER (familiar and popular), se ----, _to drink_, “to wet one’s -whistle.” For synonyms see RINCER. The expression is old. - - Donnez ordre que buvons, je vous prie; et faictes tant - que nous ayons de l’eau fraische pour me gargariser le - palat.--=RABELAIS=, _Pantagruel_. - -Se ---- le rossignolet, _to drink_, “to have a quencher.” - -GARGARISME, _m._ (popular), _a drink_, a “drain,” or “quencher.” -(Familiar) Faire des gargarismes, _to trill when singing_. - -GARGAROUSSE, _f._ (popular and thieves’), _throat_, or “gutterlane;” -_face_, or “mug.” (Sailors’) Se suiver la ----, _to eat_; _to drink_, -or “to splice the mainbrace.” - -GARGOINE, _f._ (popular and thieves’), _throat_, formerly “gargamelle;” -_mouth_, or “potato-trap.” Termed formerly “potato-jaw,” according to a -speech of the Duke of Clarence’s to Mrs. Schwellenberg:-- - - “Hold you your potato-jaw, my dear,” cried the Duke, - patting her.--_Supplementary English Glossary._ - -Se rincer la ----, _to drink_, “to smile, to see a man” (American). - -GARGOT, _m._ (familiar and popular), _restaurant_; _cheap -eating-house_. Some of the restaurants in Paris have two departments, -the cheap one on the ground floor, and a more respectable one higher up. - -GARGOUENNE. See GARGOINE. - -GARGOUILLADE, _f._ (popular), _rumbling noise in the stomach_. - -GARGOUILLE; GARGOUINE; GARGUE, _f._ (popular), _face_; _mouth_. For -list of synonyms see PLOMB. - -GARGOUSSE, _f._ (sailors’), avec le cœur en ----, _with sinking heart_. - - Un’ brise à fair’ plier l’pouce, - Rigi, rigo, riguingo, - Avec le cœur en gargousse, - Rigi, rigo, riguingo, - Ah! riguinguette. - =J. RICHEPIN=, _La Mer_. - -GARGOUSSES DE LA CANONNIÈRE (popular), _turnips, cabbages, or beans_. - -GARIBALDI, _m._ (familiar), _red frock_; _sort of hat_. (Thieves’) Coup -de ----, _blow given by butting at one’s stomach_. - -GARNAFFE, _f._ (thieves’), _farm_. - -GARNAFFIER, _m._ (thieves’), _farmer_, or “joskin.” - -GARNIR (popular), se ---- le bocal, _to eat_, “to grub.” See MASTIQUER. - -GARNISON, _f._ (popular), _lice_, “grey-backed uns.” - -GARNO, _m._ (popular), _lodging-house_, “dossing crib.” - -GAS, _m._ (familiar and popular), for gars, _boy_; _fellow_. Grand -----, _tall chap_. Mauvais ----, _ill-tempered fellow_. (Roughs’) Gas -de la grinche, _thief_. Faut pas frayer avec ça, c’est un ---- de la -grinche, _you must not keep company with the fellow, he is a thief_. Un ----- qui flanche, _a hawker_. (Thieves’) Fabriquer un ---- à la flan, à -la rencontre, or à la dure, _to attack a man at night and rob him_, “to -jump a cove.” - -GASPARD, _m._ (popular), _cunning fellow_, or “sharp file;” _rat_; -_cat_, or “long-tailed beggar.” Concerning this expression there is a -tale that runs thus: A boy, during his first very short voyage to sea, -had become so entirely a seaman, that on his return he had forgotten -the name for a cat, and pointing to Puss, asked his mother “what she -called that ’ere long-tailed beggar?” Accordingly, sailors, when they -hear a freshwater tar discoursing too largely on nautical matters, are -very apt to say, “but how, mate, about that ’ere long-tailed beggar?” - -GÂTEAU, _m._ (popular), feuilleté, _shoe out at the sole_. (Thieves’) -Avoir du ----, _to get one’s share of booty_, “to stand in.” - -GÂTE-PÂTE, _m._ (popular), _redoubtable wrestler_. - -GÂTER (popular), de l’eau, _to void urine_, “to lag.” Se ---- la -taille, _to become pregnant_, or “lumpy.” - -GÂTEUSE, _f._ (familiar), _long garment worn over clothes to protect -them from the dust_. - -GÂTISME, _m._ (familiar), _stupidity_. Le ---- littéraire, _decaying -state of literature_. - -GAUCHER, GAUCHIER, _m._ (familiar), _member of the Left whether in the -Assemblée Nationale or Senate_. - -GAUDILLE, or GANDILLE, _f._ (thieves’), _sword_, or “poker.” - -GAUDINEUR, _m._ (popular), _house decorator_. Probably from gaudir, -_to be merry_, house decorators having the reputation of being -light-hearted. - -GAUDISSARD, _m._ (familiar), _commercial traveller_, from the name of a -character of Balzac’s; _practical joker_; _jovial man_. - -GAUDRIOLER (familiar), equivalent to “dire des gaudrioles,” _to make -jests of a slightly licentious character_. - -GAUDRIOLEUR, _m._ (familiar), _one fond of_ gaudrioler (which see). - -GAUFRES, _f. pl._ (popular), faire des ----, _is said of pock-marked -persons who kiss one another_. Moule à ----, _pock-marked face_, or -“cribbage-faced.” - -GAULE, _f._ (popular), d’omnicroche, _omnibus conductor_. Une gaule, -properly _a pole_. (Thieves’) Gaules de schtard, _bars of a cell -window_. - -GAULÉ, _m._ (popular), _cider_. - -GAUX, _m._ (thieves’), _lice_, “grey-backed uns;” ---- picantis, -_lice in clothing_. Basourdir les ----, _to kill lice_. - -GAVE, _adj. and f._ (popular and thieves’), _drunken man_, -“lushington;” _stomach_. - - Va encore à l’cave, - Du cidre il faut - Plein la gave, - Du cidre il faut - Plein l’gaviot. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -Etre ----, _to be intoxicated_. See POMPETTE. - -GAVÉ, _m._ (thieves’), _drunkard_. Faire les gavés, _to rob drunkards_; -_to go_ “bug-hunting.” (Popular) Gavé, _term of contempt applied to -rich people_. From gaver, _to glut_. - - Y a des gens qui va en sapins, - En omnibus et en tramways, - Tous ces gonc’s-là, c’est des clampins, - Des richards, des muf’s, des gavés. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -GAVEAU, _m._ (thieves’), tortiller le ----, _to kill one by -strangulation_. - -GAVIOLÉ. See GAVÉ. - -GAVIOT, _m._ (popular), _throat_; _mouth_. See PLOMB. Figuratively -_stomach_. - - Mais quoi! ces ventrus sur leurs pieds - N’peuvent plus supporter leur gaviot. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -GAVOT. See GAVÉ. - -GAVROCHE, _m._ (familiar), _Paris street boy_. Faire le ----, _to talk -or act as an impudent boy_. - -GAY, _adj._ (thieves’), _ugly_; _queer_, or “rum.” - -GAYE. See GALIOTE. - -GAYET, _m._ (thieves’), _horse_, or “prad.” Termed also “gail.” La -cognade à ----, _mounted police_. Des gayets, _rogues who prowl about -the suburbs just outside the gates of Paris_. - - C’étaient des rôdeurs de barrière ... c’étaient des - gayets.--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -GAZ, _m._ (popular), allumer son ----, _to look attentively_, “to -stag.” Eteindre son ----, _to sleep_, “to doss;” _to die_, “to snuff -it.” See PIPE. Prendre un coup de ----, _to have a dram of spirits_. - -GAZETTE, _f._ (familiar), lire la ----, _to eat nothing_. - -GAZIER, _m._ (popular), _humbug_. - -GAZON, _m._ (popular), _wig_, or “periwinkle;” _hair_, or “thatch.” -N’avoir plus de ---- sur la plate-bande, or sur le pré, _to be bald_. -See AVOIR. Se ratisser le ----, _to comb one’s hair_. - -GAZONNER (popular), se faire ---- la plate-bande, _to provide oneself -with a wig_. - -GAZOUILLER (popular), _to speak_; _to sing_; _to stink_. - - Oh! la la! ça gazouille, dit Clémence en se bouchant le - nez.--=ZOLA.= - -GÉANT, _m._ (thieves’), montagne de ----, _gallows_, “scrag,” “nobbing -cheat,” or the obsolete expression “government sign-post.” - -GEINDRE, _m._ (popular), _journeyman baker_. Properly _to groan -heavily_. - -GENDARME, _m._ (popular), _red herring_; _mixture of white wine, gum, -and water_; _one-sou cigar_; _pressing iron_. - -GÉNÉRAL, _m._ (popular), le ---- macadam, _the street_, or “drag.” - -GÊNEUR, _m._ (familiar), _bore_. - -GÉNISSE, _f._, _woman of bad character_. See GADOUE. - -GÉNITEUR, _m._ (popular), _father_. - -GENOU, _m._ (familiar), BALD PATE. - -GENRE, _m._ (familiar), grand ----, _pink of fashion_. C’est tout à -fait grand ----, _it is quite “the” thing_. Se donner du ----, _to -assume fashionable ways or manners in speech or dress_; _to look -affected, to have_ “highfalutin airs.” - -GENREUX, _adj. and m._ (familiar), _elegant_; _fashionable_, “dasher,” -“tsing tsing;” _one who gives himself airs_. - -GENS, _m. pl._ (popular), être de la société des ---- de lettres, -_to belong to a tribe of swindlers who extort money by threatening -letters_, “socketers.” - -GENTILHOMME SOUS-MARIN, _m._ (popular), _prostitute’s bully_, “ponce.” -For synonyms see POISSON. - -GEORGET, _m._ (popular), _waistcoat_, “benjy.” - - Les rupines et marquises leur fichent, les unes un georget, - les autres une lime ou haut-de-tire, qu’ils entrolent - au barbaudier de castu, ou à d’autres qui les veulent - abloquir.--_Le Jargon de l’Argot._ (_The ladies and wives - give them, some a waistcoat, others a shirt, or a pair of - breeches, which they take to the hospital overseer, or to - others who are willing to buy them._) - -GERBABLE, _m._ (thieves’), _prisoner who is sure to be convicted_, _who -is_ “booked.” - -GERBE, _m._ (thieves’), trial, or “patter;” _sentence_. Planque de -----, _assize court_. Le carré des petites gerbes, _the police court_. - -GERBÉ, _adj._ (thieves’), _sentenced_, or “booked.” - - On dit qu’il vient du bagne où il était gerbé à 24 longes - (condamné à 24 ans).--=VIDOCQ.= - -Etre ---- à viocque, _to be sentenced to penal servitude for life_, or -“settled.” - -GERBEMENT, _m._ (thieves’), _trial_; called also “sapement.” - - La conversation roulait sur les camarades qui - étaient au pré, sur ceux qui étaient en gerbement - (jugement).--=VIDOCQ.= - -GERBER (thieves’), _to sentence_. - - Te voilà pris par la Cigogne, avec cinq vols qualifiés, - trois assassinats, dont le plus récent concerne deux riches - bourgeois ... tu seras gerbé à la passe.--=BALZAC.= - -GERBERIE, _f._ (thieves’), _court of justice_. - -GERBIER, _m._ (thieves’), _judge_, or “beak;” _barrister_, or -“mouthpiece.” Mec des gerbiers, _executioner_. - -GERBIERRES, _f. pl._ (thieves’), _skeleton keys_, or “screws.” - -GERCE, _f._ (thieves’), _wife_, or “mollisher;” mattress; (popular) -_woman with unnatural passions_. Un qui s’est fait poisser la ----, _a -Sodomist_. - -GERMANIE, _f._, aller en ----. See ALLER. - -GERMINY, _m._ (familiar and popular), _Sodomist_. From the name of a -nobleman who a few years ago was tried for an unnatural offence. - -GERMINYSER (familiar and popular), se faire ----, _to be a Sodomist_. - -GERNAFLE, _f._ (thieves’), _farm_. - -GERNAFLIER, _m._ (thieves’), _farmer_, or “joskin.” - -GÉRONTOCRACIE, _f._ (familiar), _narrow-mindedness_. - -GÉSIER, _m._ (popular), _throat_. Se laver le ----, _to drink_. - -GESSEUR, _m._ (popular), _fussy man_; _eccentric man_, a “rum un’.” - -GESSEUSE, _f._ (popular), _prude_; _female who gives herself airs_. - -GESTES. See ACCENTUER. - -GET, GETI, _m._ (thieves’), _reed_, _cane_. - -G--G, _m._ (popular), avoir du ----, _to have good sense_, “to know -what’s o’clock,” “to be up to a trick or two.” - -GI, or GY (thieves’), _yes_, or “usher.” - -GIBASSES, _f. pl._ (popular), _large skinny breasts_. - -GIBELOTTE DE GOUTTIÈRE, _f._ (popular), _cat stew_. - -GIBERNE, _f._ (popular), _the behind_. See VASISTAS. - -GIBIER, _m._ (popular), à commissaire, _woman of disorderly or drunken -habits_; ---- de Cayenne, _incorrigible thief_, or “gallows’ bird.” - -GIBOYER, _m._ (literary), _journalist of the worst sort_. From a play -by Emile Augier. - -GIBUS, _m._ (familiar), _hat_, or “stove pipe.” See TUBARD. - -GIGOLETTE, _f._ (popular), _girl of the lower orders who leads a more -than fast life, and is an assiduous frequenter of low dancing-halls_. - - Si tu veux être ma gigolette, - Moi, je serai ton gigolo. - - _Parisian Song._ - -GIGOLO, _m._ (popular), _fast young man of the lower orders_, _a kind -of_ “’Arry,” _the associate of a_ GIGOLETTE (which see). - -GIGOT, _m._ (popular), _large thick hand_, “mutton fist.” - -GIGUE ET JON! _bacchanalian exclamation of sailors_. - - Largue l’écoute! Bitte et bosse! - Largue l’écoute! Gigue et jon! - Largue l’écoute! on s’y fout des bosses. - Chez la mère Barbe-en-jonc. - - =RICHEPIN=, _La Mer_. - -GILBOQUE, _m._ (thieves’ and cads’), _billiards_. Termed “spoof” in the -English slang. - -GILET, _m._ (popular), s’emplir le ----, _to eat or drink_. Avoir le ----- doublé de flanelle _is said of one who has comforted himself with -a plate of thick, hot soup_. The English use the term “flannel” or “hot -flannel” for a comforting drink of a hot mixture of gin and beer with -nutmeg, sugar, &c. According to the _Slang Dictionary_ there is an -anecdote told of Goldsmith helping to drink a quart of “flannel” in a -night-house, in company with George Parker, Ned Shuter, and a demure, -grave-looking gentleman, who continually introduced the words “crap,” -“stretch,” “scrag,” and “swing.” Upon the Doctor asking who this -strange person might be, and being told his profession, he rushed from -the place in a frenzy, exclaiming, “Good God! and have I been sitting -all this while with a hangman?” Un ---- à la mode, _opulent breasts_. -(Familiar) Un ---- en cœur, _a dandy_, or “masher.” - - Amantha, que Corbois avait complètement perdue de vue, - était aux Bouffes et faisait la joie des gilets en - cœur.--=E. MONTEIL.= - -GILLE, _m._ (popular), faire ----, _to run away_, “to slope,” “bolt.” -See PATATROT. The expression is old. - - Jupin leur fit prendre le saut. - Et contraignit de faire gille, - Le grand Typhon jusqu’en Sicile. - - =SCARRON.= - -Faire ---- déloge (obsolete), _to decamp_. - -GILMONT, _m._ (thieves’), _waistcoat_, or “benjy.” - -GILQUIN, _m._ (popular), coup de ----, _blow with the fist_, a “bang,” -or “biff” (Americanism). - -GIMBLER (sailors’), _to moan_. Le vent gimble, _the wind moans, roars_. - - Bon! qu’il gimble tant qu’il voudra dans les agrès! - Nous en avons troussé bien d’autres au plus près. - Ce n’est pas encore lui qui verra notre quille. - Souffle, souffle, mon vieux! souffle à goule écarquille! - - =RICHEPIN=, _La Mer_. - -GIN (thieves’), à son ----, _see! behold!_ This expression has been -reproduced in the spelling of my informant, an associate of thieves. - -GINGIN, _m._ (popular), _good sense_; _behind_. See VASISTAS. - -GINGINER (popular), _to make one’s dress bulge out_; _to ogle_; _to -flirt_. - -GINGLARD, GINGLET, or GINGUET, _m._ (popular), _thin sour wine_. - -GIRAFE, _f._ (popular), grande ----, petite ----, _spiral flights of -steps_, _in the Seine swimming baths, with a lower and upper landing -serving as diving platforms._ - -GIROFLE, _adj._ (thieves’), _pretty_, “dimber.” Largue ----, _pretty -girl_, or “dimbermort.” - -GIROFLERIE, _f._ (thieves’), _amiability_. - -GIROFLETER (popular), _to smack one’s face_, “to warm the wax of one’s -ear.” Synonymous of “donner du sucre de giroflée.” - -GIROLE (thieves’), expression of assent: _so be it_, “usher.” - - Il y a deux menées de ronds en ma henne et deux ornies en - mon gueulard, que j’ai égraillées sur le trimar; bions les - faire riffoder, veux-tu?--Girole, et béni soit le grand - havre qui m’a fait rencontrer si chenâtre occasion.--_Le - Jargon de l’Argot._ (_There are two dozen halfpence in my - purse and two hens in my wallet, which I have caught on - the road; we will cook them, if you like?--Certainly, and - blessed be the Almighty who made me fall in with such a - piece of good luck._) - -GIRONDE, _adj. and f._ (thieves’), _gentle_; _pretty_, “dimber;” -_pretty woman or girl_, “dimbermort.” Also _a girl of bad character_, -_a_ “bunter.” - -GIRONDIN, _m._ (thieves’), _simple-minded fellow_, “flat,” or “jay.” Le ----- a donné, “the jay has been flapped.” - -GIRONDINE, _f._ (thieves’), _handsome young girl_, or “dimbermort.” - -GÎTE, _m._ (popular), dans le ----, _something of the best_. An -allusion to gîte à la noix, _savoury morsel of beef._ - -GITRE (thieves’), _I have._ - - Gitre mouchaillé le babillard.--_Le Jargon de l’Argot._ (_I - have looked at the book._) - -GIVERNER (popular), _to prowl about at night_. - -GIVERNEUR, _m._ (popular), _one who prowls at night_; (thieves’) ---- -de refroidis, _one who drives a hearse_. - -GLACE, _f. and m._ (familiar and popular), passer devant la ----, _to -enjoy gratis the favours of a prostitute at a brothel_; _to pay for the -reckoning at a café_. An allusion to the large looking-glass behind the -counter. (Popular) Un ----, _glass of wine_. Sucer un ----, _to drink a -glass of wine_. - -GLACÉ, _adj._ (popular and thieves’), pendu, _street lamps used till -they were superseded by the present gas lamps_. A few are still to be -seen in some lanes of old Paris. - - Les pendus glacés, ce sont ces gros réverbères à quatre - faces de vitre verte carrées comme des glaces ... ce sont - ces réverbères abolis qui pendent au bout d’une corde - accrochée à un bras de potence.--=RICHEPIN=, _Le Pavé_. - -GLACIÈRE PENDUE, _f._ (thieves’). See GLACÉ. - -GLACIS, _m._ (popular), se passer un ----, _to drink_, “to take -something damp,” or “to moisten one’s chaffer.” See RINCER. - -GLADIATEUR, _m._ (military), _shoe_. An ironical allusion to the -fleetness of the celebrated racer Gladiateur. - -GLAIRE, _f._ (popular), pousser sa ----, _to talk_, “to jaw.” As-tu -fini de pousser ta ----, _don’t talk so much_, which may be rendered by -the Americanism, “don’t shoot off your mouth.” - -GLAIVE, _m._ (freemasons’), _carving-knife_; (thieves’) _guillotine_. -Passer sa bille au ----, _to be guillotined_. See FAUCHÉ. - -GLAIVER (thieves’), _to guillotine_. - -GLAO (Breton cant), _rain._. - -GLAOU (Breton cant), _firebrands_. - -GLAS, _m._ (popular), _dull man with a dismal sort of conversation_, -“croaker.” - -GLAVIOT, _m._ (popular), _expectoration_, or “gob.” - -GLAVIOTER (popular), _to expectorate_. - -GLAVIOTEUR, _m._ (popular), _man who expectorates_. - -GLIER, GLINET, _m._ (thieves’), _devil_, “ruffin.” From sanglier, _a -wild boar_. Le ---- t’entrolle en son pasclin, _the devil take you to -his abode!_ - -GLISSANT, _m._ (thieves’), _soap_. - -GLISSER (popular), _to die_, “to stick one’s spoon in the wall,” “to -kick the bucket,” or “to snuff it.” See PIPE. - -GLOBE, _m._ (popular), _head_, or “nut,” see TRONCHE; _stomach_. S’être -fait arrondir le ----, _to have become pregnant_, or “lumpy.” - -GLOUGLOUTER (popular), _to drink_, “to wet one’s whistle.” See RINCER. - -GLOUSSER (popular), _to talk_, “to jaw.” - -GLUANT, _m._ (cads’ and thieves’), _penis_; _baby_, “kinchin.” - - Paraît que j’suis dab’l ça m’esbloque. - Un p’tit salé, à moi l’salaud! - Ma rouchi’ doit batt’ la berloque. - Un gluant, ça n’f’rait pas mon blot. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -GLUAU, _m._ (popular), _expectoration_. (Thieves’) Poser un ----, _to -arrest_, “to smug.” See PIPER. Gluau, properly _a twig smeared over -with bird-lime_. - -GLUTOUSE, _f._ (thieves’), _face_, or “mug.” - -GNAC, _m._ (popular), _quarrel_. - -GNAFFÉ, _adj._ (popular), _clumsily done_. - -GNAFLE, _f._ (popular), _bad throw_. Après ---- raffle, _constant -ill-luck_. - -GNIAFF, _m._ (familiar), _bad workman_; _writer or journalist of the -worst description_; (shoemakers’) _working shoemaker_. - -GNIAFFER (popular), _to work clumsily_. - -GNIASSE (cads’ and thieves’), mon ----, _I, myself_, “No. 1.” Ton ----, -_thou, thee_. Son ----, _he, him_; _I, myself_. Un ----, _a fellow_, a -“cove.” Un bon ----, _a good fellow_, a “brick.” - -GNIFF, _adj._ (popular), ce vin est ----, _that wine is clear_. - -GNIOL, GNIOLE, GNOLLE, _adj._ (popular), _silly_; _dull-witted_. Es-tu -assez ----! _how silly_, or _what a_ “flat” _you are!_ - - On voulait nous mettre à la manque pour lui (nous le faire - livrer), nous ne sommes pas des gnioles!--=BALZAC.= - -GNOGNOTTE, _f._ (familiar and popular). The expression has passed into -the language; _thing of little worth_, “no great scratch.” - - Ce farceur de Mes-Bottes, vers la fin de l’été, avait eu le - truc d’épouser pour de vrai une dame, très décatie déjà, - mais qui possédait de beaux restes; oh! une dame de la rue - des Martyrs, pas de la gnognotte de barrière.--=ZOLA=, - _L’Assommoir_. - -GNOL-CHY (popular), abbreviation of Batignolles-Clichy. - -GNOLE, _f._ (popular), _slap_, “clout,” “wipe;” or, as the Americans -have it, “biff.” Abbreviation of torgnole. - -GNON, _m._ (popular), _blow_, “clout,” “bang,” or “wipe;” _bruise_, or -“mouse.” - -GNOUF-GNOUF, _m._ (theatrical), _monthly dinner of the actors of the -Palais Royal Theatre_. When ceremonious, the members are called, -“Gnouf-gnoufs d’Allemagne;” when bacchanalian, “Gnouf-gnoufs de -Pologne.” - -GO, parler en ----, _is to use that syllable to disguise words_. - -GOBAGE, _m._ (popular), _love_. - -GOBANTE, _f._ (popular), _attractive woman_. From gober, _to like_. - -GOBBE, GOBELOT, _m._ (thieves’), _chalice_. - -GOBELET, _m._ (thieves’), être sous le ----, _to be in prison_, or “put -away.” - -GOBELIN, _m._ (thieves’), _thimble_. - -GOBELOT. See GOBBE. - -GOBE-MOUCHES, _m._ (thieves’), _spy_, “nark,” or “nose.” - -GOBE-PRUNE, _m._ (thieves’), _tailor_. Termed also pique-poux, and in -the English slang a “cabbage contractor,” “steel-bar driver,” “button -catcher.” - -GOBER (familiar and popular), _to like_; _to love_; _to please_. Je te -gobe, _you please me_; _I like you_. Gober la chèvre, or ---- son bœuf, -_to get angry_, “to get one’s monkey up,” “to lose one’s shirt,” “to -get into a scot.” Termed “to be in a swot” at Shrewsbury School. Se -----, _to have a high opinion of oneself_; _to love oneself too much_. - - Non, non, pas de cabotins. Le vieux Bosc était toujours - gris; Prullières se gobait trop.--=ZOLA=, _Nana_. - -La ----, _to be the victim_; _to have to pay for others_; _to be -ruined_; _to believe a false assertion_. Synonymous, in the latter -sense, of the old expression, “gober le morceau.” - - Mais je ne suis pas homme à gober le morceau.--=MOLIÈRE=, - _Ecole des Femmes_. - - Cent pas plus loin, le camelot a recommencé son truc, - après avoir ri, avec son copain, des pantes qui la - gobent!--=RICHEPIN.= (_A hundred steps further the sharper - again tries his dodge, after laughing with his chum at the - flats who take it in._) - -Si nous échouons, c’est moi qui la gobe, _if we fail, I shall be made -responsible_. - -GOBESON, _m._ (thieves’), _drinking-glass_, or “flicker;” _cup_; -_chalice_. - -GOBET, _m._ (popular), _piece of beef_, “a bit o’ bull.” Had formerly -the signification of _dainty bit_. - - Laisse-moi faire, nous en mangerons de bons gobets - ensemble.--=HAUTEROCHE=, _Crispin Médecin_. - -Gobet, _disorderly workman_. Mauvais ----, _scamp_, or “bad egg.” - -GOBETTE, _f._ (thieves’), _drinking-glass_, or “flicker.” Payer la -----, _to stand treat_. - -GOBEUR, _m._ (familiar), _credulous man_, “flat.” - -GOBICHONNADE, _f._ (familiar and popular), _gormandizing_. - -GOBICHONNER (familiar and popular), se ----, _to regale oneself_. - - Il se sentit capable des plus grandes lâchetés pour - continuer à gobichonner.--=BALZAC.= - -GOBICHONNEUR, _m._, gobichonneuse, f. (familiar and popular), -_gormandizer_, “grand paunch.” - -GOBILLEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _juge d’instruction, a magistrate who -instructs cases, and privately examines prisoners before trial_. - -GOBSECK, _m._ (familiar), _miser_, “skinflint,” or “hunks.” One of the -characters of Balzac’s _Comédie Humaine_. - -GODAILLE, _f._ (popular), _amusement_; _indulgence in eating and -drinking_. - - On doit travailler, ça ne fait pas un doute: seulement - quand on se trouve avec des amis, la politesse passe avant - tout. Un désir de godaille les avait peu à peu chatouillés - et engourdis tous les quatre.--=ZOLA=, _L’Assommoir_. - -GODAN, _m._ (popular), _falsehood_. Connaître le ----, _to be -wide-awake_, _not easily duped_, “to know what’s o’clock.” Monter un ----- à quelqu’un, _to seek to deceive one, or_ “best” _one_. - -GODANCER (popular), _to allow oneself to be duped_, “to be done brown.” - -GODARD, _m._ (popular), _a husband who has just become a father_. - -GODDAM, or GODDEM, _m._ (popular), _Englishman_. - - (Entraînant l’Anglais.) Maintenant, allons jouer des - bibelots ... voilà un goddam qui va y aller d’autant. - --=P. MAHALIN.= - -GODET, _m._ (popular), _drinking glass_. A common expression among the -lower orders, and a very old one. - -GODICHE, _adj._ (familiar and popular), _simple-minded_, _foolish_. - - Que tu es donc godiche, Toinon, de venir tous les matins - comme ça.--=GAVARNI.= - -GODILLER (popular), _to be merry_; _to be carnally excited_. - -GODILLEUR, _m._ (popular), _man who is fond of the fair sex_, a -“molrower,” or “beard-splitter.” - -GODILLOT, _m._ (popular), _military shoe_. From the name of the maker; -(military) _recruit_, or “Johnny raw.” - -GODIVEAU RANCE, _m._ (popular), _stingy man_. - - Tu peux penser si je le traite de godiveau rance chaque - fois qu’il me refuse un petit cadeau.--=E. MONTEIL.= - -GOFFEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _locksmith_. From the Celtic goff, _a smith_. - -GOGAILLE, _f._ (popular), _banquet_. - -GOGO, _m._ (familiar), _simple-minded man who invests his capital in -swindling concerns_, “gull;” _man easily fleeced_. - - Quand les allumeurs de l’Hôtel des Ventes eurent jugé le - gogo en complet entraînement, il y eut un arrêt momentané - parmi les enchères intéressées.--=A. SIRVEN.= - -(Popular) Gogo, _greenhorn_, “flat.” The term, with this signification, -is hardly slang. Villon uses it in his _Ballade de Villon et de la -Grosse Margot_ (15th century). - - Riant, m’assiet le poing sur mon sommet, Gogo me dit, et me - fiert le jambot. - -GOGOTTE, _adj._ (popular), _spiritless; weak; bad_. From gogo. Avoir la -vue ----, _to have a weak sight_. A corruption of cocotte, _disease of -the eyes_. - -GOGUENAU, GOGUENO, GOGUENOT, _m._ (military), _tin can holding one -litre, used by soldiers to make coffee or soup_; also _howitzer_; -(military and popular) _privy_. Passer la jambe à Thomas ----, _to -empty the privy tub_. Hirondelle de ----, _low street-walker_, or -“draggle-tail.” See GADOUE. - -GOGUETTE, _f._ (popular), _vocal society_; _wine-shop_. Etre en ----, -_to be merrily inclined; to be enjoying oneself, the bottle being the -chief factor in the source of enjoyment_. - -GOGUETTER (popular), _to make merry_. From the old word goguette, -_amusement_. - -GOGUETTIER, _m._ (popular), _member of a vocal society_. - -GOINFRE, _m._ (thieves’), _precentor_. An allusion to his opening his -mouth like that of a glutton. - -GOIPER (thieves’), _to prowl at night for evil purposes_, “quærens quem -devoret.” - -GOIPEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _night thief_. - -GOIPEUSE, _f._ (thieves’), _prostitute who prowls about the country_. -See GADOUE. - -GOÎTREUX, _m._ (familiar), _silly fellow_; _man devoid of all -intellectual power_. Synonymous of crétin. - -GOJE (Breton cant), _well_; _yes_. - -GOLGOTHER (familiar), _to give oneself the airs of a martyr_. The -allusion is obvious. - -GOMBERGER (thieves’), _to reckon_. - -GOMBEUX, _adj._ (popular), _nasty_. - -GOMME, _f._ (familiar), _fashion_; _elegance_, “swelldom.” La haute -----, _the_ “pink” _of fashion_. Etre de la ----, _to be a dandy_, a -“masher.” See GOMMEUX. The term formerly signified excellence, and was -used specially in reference to wine. - - Mais non pas d’un pareil trésor, - Que cette souveraine gomme. - - _Parnasse des Muses._ - -GOMMEUSE, _f._ (familiar), _showily dressed girl or woman_, a “dasher.” - -GOMMEUX, _adj. and m._ (familiar), _pretty_; _dandy_. - - C’était elle qui, pour la première fois, recevant un de ses - amants astiqué des pieds à la tête, empesé, ciré, frotté, - tiré, semblant, en deux mots, trempé dans de la gomme - arabique en dissolution, avait dit de lui: un gommeux! Le - petit-crevé avait un successeur.--=E. MONTEIL=, _Cornebois_. - -The different appellations corresponding to various periods are -as follows:--Under Louis XIV., “mouchar, muguet, petit-maître, -talon-rouge.” After the revolution of 1793, “muscadin.” Under -the government of the Directoire from ’95 to ’99, “incroyable, -merveilleux.” Then from the Restoration come in succession, “mirliflor, -élégant, dandy, lion, fashionable, and gandin.” Under the Third Empire, -“cocodès, crevé, petit-crevé, col-cassé.” From 1870 to the present day, -“gommeux, luisant, poisseux, boudiné, pschutteux, exhumé, gratiné, -faucheur, and finally bécarre.” The English have the terms “swell, -gorger, masher,” and the old expression “flasher,” mentioned in the -following quotation from the _English Supplementary Glossary_:-- - - They are reckoned the flashers of the place, yet everybody - laughs at them for their airs, affectations, and tonish - graces and impertinences.--=MADAME D’ARBLAY=, _Diary_. - -The _Spectator_ termed a dandy a “Jack-pudding,” and Goldsmith calls -him a “macaroni,” “The Italians,” he says, “are extremely fond of a -dish they call macaroni, ... and as they consider this as the _summum -bonum_ of all good eating, so they figuratively call everything -they think elegant and uncommon macaroni. Our young travellers, who -generally catch the follies of the countries they visit, judged that -the title of _macaroni_ was very applicable to a _clever fellow_; and -accordingly, to distinguish themselves as such, they instituted a -club under this denomination, the members of which were supposed to -be the standards of _taste_. The infection at St. James’s was soon -caught in the City, and we have now macaronies of every denomination, -from the Colonel of the Train’d-Bands down to the printer’s devil or -errand-boy. They indeed make a most ridiculous figure, with hats of an -inch in the brim, that do not cover, but lie upon the head; with about -two pounds of fictitious hair, formed into what is called a _club_, -hanging down their shoulders, as white as a baker’s sack; the end -of the skirt of their coat reaching not down to the first button of -their breeches.... Such a figure, essenced and perfumed, with a bunch -of lace sticking out under _its_ chin, puzzles the common passenger -to determine the _thing’s_ sex; and many have said, _by your leave, -madam_, without intending to give offence.” - -The Americans give the name of “dude” to one who apes the manners of -swells. It may be this word originated from a comparison between the -tight and light-coloured trousers sported by swells, and the stem of -a pipe termed “dudeen” by the Irish. Compare the French expression -“boudiné,” literally _sausage-like_, for a swell in tight clothing. - -GOMORRHE, _m._ (familiar), un émigré de ----, _Sodomite_. - -GONCE, GONSE, GONZE, _m._ (thieves’), _man_, or “cove.” - -GONCESSE, GONZESSE, _f._ (thieves’), _woman_, “hay-bag, cooler, or -shakester.” - -GONCIER, or GONCE, _m._ (thieves’), man, or “cove.” - -GONDOLÉ, _adj._ (thieves’ and popular), avoir l’air ----, _to look -ill_. Un homme ----, _high-shouldered man_. - -GONFLE-BOUGRES, _m._ (thieves’), _beans_, the staple food of prisoners. - -GONFLER. See BALLON. (Popular) Se ----, _to be elated_. - - Mon vieux, c’que tu peux t’gonfler d’gagner des coupes - Renaissance!--_Le Cri du Peuple_, 17 Août, 1886. - -Se ---- le jabot, _to look conceited_. - - Tu es un bon artiste, c’est vrai, mais, vrai aussi, tu te - gonfles trop le jabot.--=E. MONTEIL.= - -GONSALÉ, _m._ (thieves’), _man_, or “cove.” Si le ---- fait de -l’harmonarés, il faut le balancarguer dans la vassarés, _if the man is -not quiet, we’ll throw him into the water_. - -GONSARÈS, _m._ (thieves’), _man_. A form of gonse. - -GONSE, _m._ (thieves’ and popular), _man_, or “cove.” - - Elle va ramasser dans les ruisseaux des halles - Les bons mots des courtauds les pointes triviales, - Dont au bout du Pont-Neuf au son du tambourin, - Monté sur deux tréteaux, l’illustre Tabarin - Amusoit autrefois et la nymphe et le gonze. - - =LA FONTAINE=, _Ragotin_. - -Gonse à écailles, _women’s bully_, “ponce.” See =POISSON=. - -GONSIER, or GADOUILLE, _m._ (popular), _an individual_, “cove.” - -GONSSE, _m._ (police and thieves’), _fool_, “flat.” - - Vous êtes un gonsse, monsieur, murmura le chef à l’agent - porteur du bijou, qu’il lui arracha aussitôt.--_Mémoires de - Monsieur Claude._ - -GONZESSE. See GONCESSE. - -GORGE, _f._ (thieves’), _a case for implements_. - -GORGNIAT, _m._ (popular), _dirty man_, _a_ “chatty” _fellow_. - -GOSE, _m._ (popular), _throat_, or “red lane.” Abbreviation of gosier. - -GOSSE, _m. and f._ (general), _child_, “kid.” Ah! l’affreux gosse! -pialle-t’y! Asseyez-vous dessus! et qu’ ça finisse! _The horrible -child! how he does squall! Sit upon him, and let there be an end of -it._ This seemingly uncharitable wish is often expressed in thought, -if not in speech, in France, where many children are petted and spoilt -into insufferable tyrants. - - Arrive l’enfant de la maison qui pleure. Au lieu de lui - dire: Ah! le joli enfant, même quand il pleure, on croirait - entendre la voix de la Patti.... Maintenant ce n’est plus - ça, l’on dit: Ah! l’affreux gosse! Pialles-t’y! ... en - v’là un qui crie! ... pour sûr il a avalé la pratique à - Thérésa!--_Les Locutions Vicieuses._ - -GOSSELIN, _m._ (popular), _a lad_; _a young man_, or “covey” in English -slang. - -GOSSELINE, _f._ (popular and thieves’), _young maiden_. Fignole ----, -_pretty lass_. - -GOSSEMAR, _m._ (popular), _child_, or “kid.” A form of gosse. - -GOSSIER, _m._ See GONCE. - -GOT, _m._, for gau (thieves’), _louse_, or “gold-backed un.” - -GOTEUR, _m._ (popular), _whore-monger_, “mutton-monger, molrower, -beard-splitter, or rip.” - -GOUACHE, _f._ (popular), _face_, _physiognomy_, or “mug.” See TRONCHE. - -GOUALANTE, GOUASANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _song_; _street hawker_. Les -goualantes avec leurs bagnioles, _the hawkers with their hand-barrows_. - -GOUALER (thieves’), _to sing_, “to “lip;” ---- à la chienlit, _to cry -out thieves!_ In the slang of English thieves, “to give hot beef.” - -GOUALEUR, _m._, GOUALEUSE, _f._ (thieves’), _singer_, “chanter.” - - Dis donc, la goualeuse, est-ce que tu ne vas pas nous - goualer une de tes goualantes?--=E. SUE=, _Les Mystères de - Paris_. - -GOUAPE, _f._ (popular), _laziness_; _drunken and disorderly state_; -_one who leads a lazy or dissolute life_; _a reprobate; thief_, or -“prig.” See GRINCHE. - -GOUAPER (popular), _to lead a disorderly life_; _to prowl about -lazily_, “to mike;” _to tramp_. - -GOUAPEUR, GOUÊPEUR (general), _lazy man_; _vagabond_; _debauchee_. - - Sans paffes, sans lime, plein de crotte, - Aussi rupin qu’un plongeur, - Un soir un gouêpeur en ribote - Tombe en frime avec un voleur. - - =VIDOCQ.= - -Michel says, “Je suis convaincu que la racine de ce mot est _guêpe_, -qui se dit _guape_ en patois normand, et qui vient de _wasp_: pareil à -l’insecte de ce nom, le gouêpeur erre çà et là, butinant pour vivre.” -Gouapeur, _ironical appellation given by lazy prisoners to those who -work_. - -GOUAPEUSE, _f._ (general), _dissolute woman fond of good cheer_. - -GOUÊPER (popular), _to lead the life of a_ gouapeur (which see); also -_to lead a vagrant life_. - - J’ai comme un brouillard de souvenir d’avoir gouêpé dans - mon enfance avec un vieux chiffonnier qui m’assommait de - coups de croc.--=E. SUE.= - -GOUÊPEUR. See GOUAPEUR. - -GOUFFIER (obsolete), _to eat_. - -GOUGNOTTAGE, _m._ (common). Rigaud says: “Honteuse cohabitation d’une -femme avec une autre femme.” - -GOUGNOTTE, _f._ (common). See GOUGNOTTAGE. - -GOUGNOTTER. See GOUGNOTTAGE. - -GOUILLE, _f._ (popular), envoyer à la ----, _to summarily get rid of a -bore_; _to send a bore to the deuce_. - -GOUILLON, _m._ (popular), _street boy_, _or street arab_. - -GOUJON, _m._ (general), _dupe_, or “gull;” _girl’s bully_, or “Sunday -man.” For synonyms see POISSON. Un ---- d’hôpital, _a leech_. Avaler le -----, _to die_, “to snuff it.” See PIPE. Ferrer le ----, _to cause one -to fall into a trap_, _to make one swallow the bait_. Lâcher son ----, -_to vomit_, “to cascade,” “to shoot the cat,” or “to cast up accounts.” - -GOUJONNER (popular), _to deceive_, “to best,” “to do.” Literally _to -make one swallow the bait like a gudgeon_. - -GOULE, _f._ (popular), _throat_, or “gutter lane;” _mouth_, or -“rattle-trap.” Old form of gueule used in the expression, now obsolete, -Faire péter la goule, _to speak_. - -GOULOT, _m._ (popular), _mouth_, or “rattle-trap;” _throat_, or “gutter -lane.” Jouer du ----, _to drink heavily_, “to swill.” Se rincer le -----, _to drink_, “to wet one’s whistle.” See RINCER. Trouilloter du -----, _to have an offensive breath_. - -GOULU, _m._ (thieves’), _a stove_; _a well_. Properly _greedy_, -_glutton_. - -GOUPINAGE, _m._ (thieves’), _work_, “graft;” _thieving_, “faking.” - -GOUPINE, _f._ (cads’ and thieves’), _head_, or “nut,” see TRONCHE; -(popular) _quaint dress_. - -GOUPINÉ, _adj._ (popular), mal ----, _badly dressed_. - -GOUPINER (thieves’), _to steal_, “to nick.” See GRINCHIR. - - En roulant de vergne en vergne - Pour apprendre à goupiner. - - =VIDOCQ.= - -Goupiner les poivriers, _to rob drunkards_; ---- à la desserte, _to -steal plate from a dining-room in the following manner_:-- - - D’autres bonjouriers ne se mettent en campagne qu’aux - approches du dîner: ceux-là saisissent le moment où - l’argenterie vient d’être posée sur la table. Ils entrent - et en un clin d’œil ils la font disparaître.--=VIDOCQ.= - -Goupiner, _to do_. - - La largue est fine ... et que goupine-t-elle? Elle est - établie ... elle gère une maison.--=BALZAC.= - -GOUPINEUR À LA DESSERTE, _m._ (thieves’). See GOUPINER. - -GOUPLINE, _f._ (thieves’), _pint_. - -GOUR, _m._ (thieves’), _jug_; ---- de pivois, _jugful of wine_. - -GOURD, _m._ (thieves’), _fraud_; _deceit_; _swindling_; (Breton cant) -_good_; _well_. - -GOURDAGO (Breton cant), _food_. - -GOURDE, _f._ (popular), _simpleton_, “flat.” - -GOURDÉ, _m._ (popular), _fool_, “flat,” or “duffer.” - -GOURDEMENT (popular and thieves’), _much_, or, as the Irish say, -“neddy;” _very_. - - Ils piaussent dans les pioles, morfient et pictent si - gourdement, que toutime en bourdonne.--_Le Jargon de - l’Argot._ (_They sleep in the taverns, eat and drink so - much that everything resounds with it._) - -GOURER, or GOURRER (popular and thieves’), _to deceive_, “to kid;” _to -swindle_, “to stick.” The word is old. - - Pour gourrer les pauvres gens, - Qui leur babil veulent croire. - - _Parnasse des Muses._ - -Se ----, _to be mistaken_; _to assume a jaunty, self-satisfied air_. - - C’est la raison pourquoi qu’ je m’ goure, - Mon gniasse est bath: j’ai un chouett’ - moure. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -GOUREUR, _m._ (thieves’), _deceiver_; _cheat_, or “cross-biter;” ---- -de la haute, _swell mobsmen_. Goureurs, _rogues who assume a disguise -to deceive the public, and who sell inferior articles at exorbitant -prices_. The sham sailor, with rings in his ears, who has just returned -from a long cruise, and offers parrots or smuggled havannahs for sale, -the false countryman, &c., are goureurs. - -GOUREUSE, _f._ (thieves’), _female deceiver or cheat_. - -GOURGANDIN, _m._ (familiar), _a man too fond of cocottes_. Vieux ----, -_old debauchee_, _old_ “rip.” - -GOURGANDINAGE, _m._ (popular), _disreputable way of living_. - -GOURGANDINER (popular), _to lead a dissolute life_. From gourgandine, -_a girl or woman of lax morals_. - -GOURGANER (popular), _to be in prison, eating_ “gourganes,” _or beans_. - -GOURGAUD, _m._ (military), _recruit_ or “Johnny raw.” - -GOURGOUSSAGE, _m._ (popular), _grumbling_. - -GOURGOUSSER (popular), _to grumble_. - -GOURGOUSSEUR, _m._ (popular), _grumbler_, or “crib biter.” - -GOURT (popular), à son ----, _pleased_. The word is old, Villon uses -it:-- - - L’hostesse fut bien à son gourt, - Car, quand vint à compter l’escot, - Le seigneur ne dist oncques mot. - -GOUSPIN, or GOUSSEPAIN, _m._ (popular), _malicious urchin_. - - Il en tira le corps d’un chat: “Tiens dit le gosse - Au troquet, tiens, voici de quoi faire un lapin.” - Puis il prit son petit couteau de goussepain, - Dépouilla le greffier, et lui fit sa toilette. - - =RICHEPIN=, _La Chanson des Gueux_. - -GOUSPINER (popular), _to wander lazily about_, “to mike.” From gouspin, -_a malicious urchin_. - -GOUSSE, _f._ (theatrical), la ----, _monthly banquet of the actors of -the Vaudeville Theatre_. See GOSSELIN. - -GOUSSER (popular), _to eat_, “to grub.” See MASTIQUER. - -GOUSSET, _m._ (popular), _armpit_. Properly _fob_. Avoir le ---- percé, -_to be penniless_, “to be a quisby.” Repousser du ----, _to emit a -disagreeable odour of humanity_. - -GOÛT, _m._ (popular), faire passer, or faire perdre à quelqu’un le ---- -du pain, _to kill one_, “to cook one’s goose.” - -GOUTTE, _f._ (popular), marchand de ----, _retailer of spirits_. -(Familiar and popular) Goutte militaire, _a certain disease termed in -the English slang_ “French gout,” or “ladies’ fever.” - -GOUTTIÈRE, _f._ (familiar), lapin de ----, _a cat_, “long-tailed -beggar.” - -GOUVERNEMENT, _m._ (popular), mon ----, _my wife_, “my old woman,” or -“my comfortable impudence.” - -GOYE, _m._ (popular), _fool_; _dupe_. - -GRAFFAGNADE, _f._ (familiar), _bad painting_. - -GRAFFIGNER (popular), _to take_; _to seize_, “to nab;” _to scratch_. - -GRAFFIN, _m._ (popular), _rag-picker_, “bone-grubber,” or “tot-picker.” - -GRAIGAILLE, _f._ (popular), _bread_, “soft tommy, or bran.” - -GRAILLON, _m._ (familiar), _dirty slatternly woman_. That is, one who -emits an odour of kitchen grease. - -GRAILLONNEUSE, _f._ (popular), _woman who not being a washerwoman -washes her linen at the public laundry_. - -GRAIN, _m._ (familiar and popular), avoir un ----, _to be slightly -crazy_, “to be a little bit balmy in one’s crumpet.” Avoir un petit -----, _to be slightly tipsy_, or “elevated.” See POMPETTE. (Popular) -Un ----, _fifty-centime coin_. Formerly _a silver crown_. Léger de -deux grains (obsolete), an expression applied formerly to eunuchs. Un -catholique à gros ---- (obsolete), the signification is given by the -quotation:-- - - On appelle catholique à gros grain, un libertin, un - homme peu dévot, qui ne va à l’église que par manière - d’acquit.--=LE ROUX=, _Dict. Comique_. - -GRAINE, _f._ (familiar and popular), de bagne, _thief’s offspring_; -(familiar) ---- de chou colossal, _grand promises made with the object -of swindling credulous persons_; ---- giberne, _soldier’s child_; ---- -d’épinards, _epaulets of field-officers_. Avoir la ---- d’épinards, _to -be a field-officer_. De la ---- d’andouilles _is said of a number of -small children in a group_. - -GRAISSAGE, _m._, or GRAISSE, _f._ (popular), _money_, “dust.” That -which serves “to grease the palm.” See QUIBUS. - -GRAISSE, _f._ (popular and thieves’), _money_, or “pieces.” See QUIBUS. -(Thieves’) Voler à la graisse (for grèce), _to cheat at a game_. Also -_to obtain a loan of money on_ “brummagem” _trinkets_, _or paste -diamonds represented as genuine_. - - Voler à la graisse: se faire prêter sur des lingots d’or - et sur des diamants qui ne sont que du cuivre et du - strass.--=VIDOCQ.= - -GRAISSER (military), la marmite, _as a new-comer_, _to treat one’s -comrades_, “to pay for one’s footing;” (general) ---- la peau, _to -thrash_, “to wallop.” See VOIE. Graisser le train de derrière, _to give -a kick in the behind_, “to toe one’s bum;” ---- les bottes à quelqu’un, -_to help one_; ---- les épaules à quelqu’un (obsolete), _to thrash one_. - - Graisser les épaules à quelqu’un, pour dire, le - bâtonner. Ce qui a fait dire aussi de l’huile de cotret, - c’est-à-dire, des coups de bâton.--=LE ROUX=, _Dict. - Comique_. - -Graisser les roues, _to drink_, “to have something damp.” See RINCER. -(Thieves’) Graisser, or gressier, _to steal_, “to nick.” See GRINCHIR. - -GRAISSEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _card-sharper_, or “magsman.” - -GRAND (police), chef, _the Préfet de Police_; (popular) ---- bonnet, _a -bishop_; ---- carcan, _tall, lanky girl_. Also an opprobrious epithet; ----- courbouillon, _sea_, or “briny;” ---- lumignon, _sun_; ---- singe, -_President of the Republic_; (thieves’) ---- coëre, _formerly the king -of mendicants_; ---- meudon, _spy_; _detective_, “nark;” ---- trimar, -_highway_, “high toby;” (military) ---- montant tropical, _riding -breeches_; (theatrical) ---- trottoir, _stock of classical plays_. - -GRANDE, _adj. and f._ (popular), boutique, _préfecture de police_; ---- -bleue, _the sea_, “briny,” or “herring pond;” ---- fille, _bottle_. -(Thieves’) Grande, _pocket_, or “cly,” “sky-rocket,” “brigh.” Termed -also “profonde, fouillouse, louche, gueularde.” - -GRAND’ LARGUE, _adv._ (sailors’), _excellent_; _incomparable_. - -GRANDS, _adj._ (theatrical), jouer les ---- coquets, _to perform in -the character of an accomplished, elegant man_. (Cavalry school of -Saumur) Les ---- hommes, _the corridors in the school buildings_. - -GRANIK (Breton cant), _hunger_. - -GRAOUDGEM, _m._ (thieves’), _pork butcher_, or “kiddier.” Faire un ---- -à la dure, _to steal sausages_. - -GRAPHIQUÉ, _adj._ (thieves’), _filthy_, or “chatty.” - -GRAPPIN, _m._ (popular), _hand_, or “flipper.” Mettre or poser le ---- -sur quelqu’un, _to apprehend one_, _or_ “to smug” _one_. See PIPER. - -GRAPPINER (popular), _to seize_; _to apprehend_, or “to smug.” See -PIPER. - -GRAS, _adj. and m._ (popular), il y a ----, _there is plenty of money -to be got_. Attraper un ----, _to get a scolding_, or “wigging.” -(Thieves’ and cads’) Gras, _privy_. - -GRAS-DOUBLE, or SAUCISSON, _m._ (thieves’), _sheet lead_, or “moss.” -Ratisser du ----, _to steal lead off the roofs_, termed by English -thieves “flying the blue pigeon.” Porter du ---- au moulin, _to take -stolen lead to a receiver’s_, or “fence.” - -GRAS-DOUBLIER, _m._ (thieves’), _plumber_. - -GRASSE, _f._ (thieves’), _strong box_, or “peter.” Thus called by -rogues because it contains “la graisse,” or _the cash_. - -GRATIN, _m._ (popular), _thrashing_. Refiler un ----, _to box one’s -ears_. (Familiar) Gratin, _tip-top of fashion_; _swelldom_. - - Le Paris extra-mondain ... le gratin, quoi!--=P. MAHALIN.= - -GRATINÉ, _m._ (familiar), _swell_, “masher.” For synonymous expressions -see GOMMEUX. - -GRATIS (popular), faire ----, _to borrow_, “to bite one’s ear,” or -“to break shins;” _to lend_. (Thieves’) Etre ---- malade, _to be in -prison_, _to be_ “put away.” - -GRATON, _m._ (popular), _razor_. From gratter, _to scratch_. - -GRATOUILLE, _f._ (popular), _itch_. From gratter, _to scratch_, _to -itch_. - -GRATOUSE, _f._ (thieves’), _lace_. - -GRATOUSÉ, adj. (thieves’), _adorned with lace_. - -GRATTE, _f._ (popular), _itch_; _unlawful profits of shopmen on the -sale of goods_, something like the “fluff” or profits on short change -by railway ticket-clerks; _bonus allowed to shopmen_; ---- couenne, -_barber_, “strap;” ---- pavé, _loiterer seeking for a living_, _one_ -“on the mouch.” - -GRATTÉE, _f._ (popular), _blows_, “props.” - -GRATTE-PAPIER, _m._ (familiar and popular), _clerk_, or “quill-driver;” -(military) _non-commissioned officer filling the functions of clerk_. - -GRATTER (popular), _to shave_; _to thrash_, “to wallop.” See VOIE. -Gratter, _to purloin portions of cloth, given for the making of -apparel_; _to apprehend_. See PIPER. Gratter le papier, _to write_; -_to be a clerk_, or “quill-driver;” ---- la couenne, _to shave_. En -----, _to perform on the dancing-rope_. Les frères qui en grattent, -_rope-dancers_. Gratter les pavés, _to lead a life of poverty_. - -GRATTOIR, GRATON, _m._ (popular), _razor_. Passer au ----, _to get -shaved_, or “scraped.” - -GRAVEUR SUR CUIR, _m._ (popular), _shoemaker_, “snob.” - -GRÈCE, _f._ (familiar), _the tribe of card-sharpers_. Tomber dans -la ----, _to become a card-sharper_. Vol à la ----, _card swindle_. -(Thieves’) Grèce, or soulasse, _swindler who offers one a high profit -on the change of gold coins, for which he substitutes base coin when -the bargain has been struck_. A variety of the confidence trick. Vidocq -thus describes the mode of operating of these gentry. A confederate -forms an acquaintance with a farmer or country tradesman on a visit to -town. While the new pair of friends are promenading, they are accosted -by another confederate, who pretends to be a foreigner, and who -exhibits gold coin which he wishes to exchange for silver. Subsequently -the three adjourn to a wine-shop, where the pigeon, being entrusted -with one of the coins, is requested to have it tested at a changer’s, -when he finds it to be genuine. A bargain is soon struck, and, when -the thieves have decamped, the victim finds that in exchange for sound -silver coin he has received a case full of coppers or gunshot. - -GRÉCER (thieves’), _to swindle at cards_. From “grec,” card-sharper. - -GRECQUERIE, _f._ (familiar), _tribe of card-sharpers_. - -GRÉER (naval), se ----, _to dress oneself_, “to rig oneself out.” - -GREFFER (popular), _to be hungry_, “to be bandied.” Je greffe, or je -déclare, _I am hungry_. (Thieves’) Greffer, _to steal an object by -skilfully whisking it up_, “to nip.” - -GREFFIER, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _cat_, or “long-tailed beggar.” -From griffe, _claw_. - - C’est la dabuche Michelon - Qu’a pomaqué son greffier, - Qui jacte par la venterne - Qui le lui refilera, - Le dab Lustucru - Lui dit: “Dabuch’ Mich’lon, - Allez! votre greffier n’est pas pomaqué; - Il est dans le roulon, - Qui fait la chasse aux tretons, - Avec un bagaffre de fertange - Et un fauchon de satou.” - -Popular song of _C’est la mère Michel qui a perdu son chat_, in -thieves’ cant, quoted by F. Michel. - -GREFFIQUE, _f._ (roughs’), _the magistracy and lawyers_. - -GREFIER (Breton cant), _cat_. - -GRÊLE, _m. and f._ (popular), _master_, or “boss;” _master tailor_. - - Ils ne nous exploiteront plus en maîtres, ces - grêles.--=MACÉ.= - -(Thieves’) Grêle, _row or fight_, “shindy.” - - Il va y avoir de la grêle, c’est un raille.--=E. SUE.= - -(Popular) Grêle, _pockmarks_. Ne pas s’être assuré contre la ----, _to -be pockmarked_, or “to be cribbage-faced.” - -GRÊLESSE, _f._ (popular), _mistress of an establishment_. - -GRELOT, _m._ (popular), _voice_. - - C’est bien le son du grelot, si ce n’est pas la - frimousse.--=BALZAC.= - -GRELOT, _tongue_, or “red rag.” Il en a un ----! _how he does jaw -away_. Faire péter son ----, _to talk_, “to wag the red rag.” Mettre -une sourdine à son ----, _to keep silent_, “to be mum.” Mets une -sourdine à ton ----, _don’t talk so much_, “don’t shoot off your mouth” -(Americanism). - -GRELU, or GRENU, _m._ (thieves’), _corn_. - -GRELUCHONNER (popular), _to be a_ “greluchon,” _that is, the lover of -a married woman, or of a girl kept by another; or one who lives at the -expense of a woman_. Voltaire has used the word greluchon with the -first meaning. - -GRENADIER, _m._ (popular), _louse_, “grey” or “grey-backed un.” - -GRENAFE, GRENASSE, _f._ (thieves’), _barn_. - -GRENIER, _m._ (popular), à coups de poing, _drunkard’s wife_; ---- à -coups de sabre, _soldier’s woman_; ---- à lentilles, _pockmarked face_, -or “cribbage face;” ---- à sel, _head_, “tibby,” or “canister.” See -TRONCHE. - -GRENOBLE. See CONDUITE. - -GRENOUILLARD, _m._ (popular), _one fond of the water for the inside or -outside_. (Artists’) Faire ----, _to paint in a bold, dashing style_, -after the manner of Delacroix. - -GRENOUILLE, _f._ (popular), _woman_. An insulting epithet; (military) -_cash-box_. (General) Emporter la ----, _to abscond with the cash-box_. -Manger la ----, _to spend for ones own purposes the contents of the -cash-box, or funds entrusted to one’s keeping_. (Popular) Sirop de -----, _water_, “Adam’s ale.” - -GRENOUILLER (popular), _to drink water_. Had formerly the signification -of _to frequent wine-shops_. - -GRENOUILLÈRE, _f._ (general), _swimming bath_. La Grenouillère is the -name of a well-known swimming establishment on the bank of the Seine at -Chatou, a place much patronized by “mashers” and more than fast ladies. - -GRENU, or GRELU, _m._ (thieves’), _corn_. - -GRENUCHE, _f._ (thieves’), _oats_. - -GRENUE, GRENUSE, _f._ (thieves’), _flour_. - -GRÈS, _m._ (thieves’), _horse_, or “prad.” Termed also “gail.” - -GRÉSILLONNER (popular), _to ask for credit_, “tick,” “jawbone,” or -“day.” - -GRESSIER (thieves’), _to steal_, “to nick.” See GRINCHIR. - -GRÈVE, _f._ (thieves’), hirondelle de ----, _gendarme_. Executions -formerly took place at the Place de Grève in front of the Hôtel de -Ville, hence the expression. Des anges de ---- (obsolete), _porters_. - -GRÉVISTE, _m._ (popular), _workman on strike_. From grève, _strike_. - - Du reste, la bande de grévistes ... ne viendrait plus à - cette heure; quelque obstacle avait dû l’arrêter, des - gendarmes peut être.--=ZOLA=, _Germinal_. - -GRÉZILLON, _m._ (popular), _pinch_. - -GRIBIS, GRIPIE, GRIPPIS, GRIPPE-FLEUR (thieves’), _miller_. - - Il y avait en un certain tourniquet un gribis qui ne - fichait rien que floutière aux bons pauvres.--_Le Jargon de - l’Argot._ (_There used to be in a certain mill a miller who - never gave anything to the worthy poor._) - -GRIBLAGE, CRIBLAGE, _m._ (thieves’), _shout_, _shouting_; (popular) -_complaint_, _grumbling_. - -GRIE, _m._, GRIELLE, _f. adj._ (thieves’), _cold_. - -GRIFFARD, GRIFFON, _m._ (popular), _cat_. Griffe, _claw_. - -GRIFFARDE, _f._ (thieves’), _pen_. - -GRIFFER (popular), _to seize_, “to collar;” _to take_; _to purloin_, -“to prig.” - -GRIFFETON, _m._ (popular), _soldier_, or “wobbler.” From grive, -grivier, _a soldier_. - -GRIFFLEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _chief warder in a prison_, “head screw.” - -GRIFFON, _m._ (thieves’), _writer_. - -GRIFFONNANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _pen_. Griffonner, _to write a scrawl_. - -GRIFFONNER (thieves’), _to swear_. - -GRIFFONNEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _one who swears_; (popular) ---- de -babillards, _journalist_. - -GRIFLER (thieves’), _to take_, “to grab.” - -GRIFON (Breton cant), _dog_. - -GRIGNOLET, _m._ (popular), _bread_, “soft tommy.” - -GRIGNON, _m._ (thieves’), _judge_, “beak.” Probably from “grigner les -dents,” _to show one’s teeth threateningly_, or from “grognon.” - -GRILLÉE, _adj._ (familiar), _absinthe_; _absinthe with sugar_. The -sugar is held over the glass on a small grating (grille), until -gradually melted by the liquid poured over it. - -GRILLER (popular), quelqu’un, _to lock up one_, “to run in;” _to -deceive one_ (_conjugally_). En ---- une, _to smoke a pipe or -cigarette_. En ---- une sèche, _to smoke a cigarette_. Griller une -bouffarde, _to smoke a pipe_. - - Au gardien de la paix ... sa consigne lui défend de boire - et de fumer. Ni boire un verre, ni griller une bouffarde! - Voilà la consigne.--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -GRILLEUSE DE BLANC, _f._ (popular), _ironer_. From griller, _to toast_, -_to singe_. - -GRIMER (popular), _to arrest_. See PIPER. Se ----, _to get drunk_, or -“screwed.” Properly _to paint one’s face_. For synonyms see SCULPTER. - -GRIMOIRE, _m._ (thieves’), _penal code_; ---- mouchique, _judicial -documents_; _act of indictment_. - -GRIMOIRIER, _m._ (thieves’), _clerk of arraigns_. - -GRIMPANT, _adj. and m._ (thieves’), chevalier ----, voleur au bonjour, -donneur de bonjour, or bonjourier, _thief who enters a house, -pretending to be mistaken when discovered, and steals any property -worth taking_. (Popular) Un grimpant, _trousers_, “sit-upons, or -kicks.” (Popular and thieves’) Les grimpants, _staircase_; _steps_, or -“dancers.” (Military) Grand ---- tropical, _riding breeches_. - -GRIMPE-CHATS, _m._ (popular), _roof_. - -GRINCHAGE (thieves’), for GRINCHISSAGE, which see. - - Un journal racontait hier que T’Kindt était, du reste, - un vrai artiste en matière de grinchage, appliqué au - _high-life_.--=PIERRE VÉRON=, _Evénement_ au 9 Novembre, - 1878. - -GRINCHE, _m. and f._ (thieves’), la ----, _dancing_. Un ----, _a -thief_, or “prig.” - - Le Grinche, terme d’argot signifiant voleur, a servi de - titre à un journal Montagnard qui a fait paraître deux - numéros au mois de juin, 1848.--=G. BRUNET=, _Dictionnaire - de la Conversation et de la Lecture_. - - Nous étions dix à douze, - Tous grinches de renom; - Nous attendions la sorgue, - Voulant poisser des bogues, - Pour faire du billon. - - =VIDOCQ.= - -Un ---- de cambrouse, a _highwayman_. In the old English cant, -“bridle-cull.” Other varieties of the tribe of malefactors go by -the appellations of “grinchisseur, pègre, chevalier de la grippe, -fourline, escarpe, poisse, limousineur, charron, truqueur, locandier, -vanternier, cambrioleur, caroubleur, solitaire, compagnon, deffardeur, -pogne, tireur, voleur à la tire, doubleur, fil de soie, mion de -boule, grinchisseur de bogues, friauche, tirebogue, Américain, -jardinier, ramastiqueur, enfant de minuit, philosophe, philibert, -voleur au bonjour, bonjourier, philantrope, frère de la manicle, -garçon de campagne, garçon de cambrouse, tiretaine, enfant de la -matte, careur, chêne affranchi, droguiste, &c.; the English brethren -being denominated “prig, cracksman, crossman, sneaksman, moucher, -hooker, flash cove, bug-hunter, cross-cove, buz-faker, stook-hauler, -toy-getter, tooler, prop-nailer, area-sneak, palmer, dragsman, -lob-sneak, bouncer, lully-prigger, thimble-twister, gun, conveyancer, -dancer, pudding-snammer, beak-hunter, ziff, drummer, buttock-and-file, -poll-thief, little snakesman, mill-ben, a cove on the cross, flashman, -finder, gleaner, picker, tax-collector,” and formerly “a good fellow, a -bridle-cull” (highwayman). - -GRINCHER (thieves’), _to rob_. See GRINCHIR. - - Quand ils vont décarrer nous les empaumerons. Je grincherai - le sinve. Il est avec une largue, il ne criblera pas. - --=E. SUE=. (_We’ll follow them when they come out. I’ll rob - the cove. He is with a woman, he will not cry out._) - -GRINCHEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _young thief_, or “ziff.” - -GRINCHIE, _adj._ (thieves’), camelotte ----, _stolen goods_, “swag.” - -GRINCHIR (thieves’), _to steal_. Rabelais in his _Pantagruel_ says of -Panurge:--“Toutesfois il avoit soixante et trois manières d’en trouver -toujours à son besoing (_de l’argent_), dont la plus honorable et la -plus commune estoit par façon de larrecin furtivement faict.” One may -judge from what follows, and by the numerous varieties of “larrecin -furtivement faict” described under the head of “grinchissage,” that -the imitators of Panurge have not remained far behind in the art of -filling their pockets at the expense of the public. Some of the many -expressions to describe robbery pure and simple, or the different -varieties, are:--“Mettre la pogne dessus, travailler, faire, décrasser, -rincer, entiffler, retirer l’artiche, savonner, doubler, barbotter, -graisser, dégauchir, dégraisser, effaroucher, évaporer, agripper, -soulever, fourmiller, filer, acheter à la foire d’empoigne, pégrer, -goupiner à la desserte, sauter, marner, cabasser, mettre de la -paille dans ses souliers, faire le saut, secouer, gressier, faire le -bobe, faire la bride, faire le morlingue, faire un poivrot, faire un -coup d’étal, faire un coup de radin, rincer une cambriolle, faire -la soulasse sur le grand trimar, ramastiquer, fourlourer, faire le -mouchoir, faire un coup de roulotte, faire grippe-cheville,” &c., &c. -The English synonyms are as follows:--“To cop, to touch, to claim, to -prig, to wolf, to snake, to pinch, to nibble, to clift, to collar, to -nail, to grab, to jump, to nab, to hook, to nim, to fake, to crib, to -ease, to convey, to buz, to be on the cross, to do the sneaking-budge, -to nick, to fang,” &c., &c. - -GRINCHISSAGE, _m._ (thieves’), _thieving_; _theft_, or -“sneaking-budge.” The latter expression is used by Fielding. - - Wild looked upon borrowing to be as good a way of taking - as any, and, as he called it, the genteelest kind of - sneaking-budge--=FIELDING=, _Jonathan Wild_. - -Le ---- à domicile is practised by rogues known under the following -denominations:--“Le bonjourier,” see this word; “le cambrioleur,” _who -operates in apartments_; “le caroubleur,” _who effects an entrance -by means of skeleton keys_; “le chevalier du pince-linge,” _one who -steals linen_, “snow-gatherer;” “le déménageur,” _who takes possession -of articles of furniture, descending the staircase backwards, so that -on an emergency he may at once make a show of ascending, as if he were -bringing in furniture_; “le grinchisseur à la desserte,” _thief who -enters a dining-room just after dinner-time, and lays hands on the -plate_; “le gras-doublier,” _who steals lead off the roofs_, _who_ -“flies the blue pigeon;” “le matelassier,” _a thief who pretends to -repair and clean mattresses_; “le vanternier,” _who effects an entrance -through a window_, “dancer;” “le voleur à la location,” _who pretends -to be in quest of apartments to let_; “le voleur au recensement,” _who -pretends to be an official employed in the census_. Le grinchissage à -la ballade, or à la trimballade, _the thief makes some purchases, and -finding he has not sufficient money, requests a clerk to accompany -him home, entrusting the parcel to a pretended commissionnaire, a -confederate. On the way the rogues suddenly vanish_. Le ---- à la -broquille _consists in substituting sham jewellery for the genuine -article when offered for inspection by the tradesman_. Le ---- à la -carre. See CARREUR. Le ---- à la cire, _purloining a silver fork or -spoon at a restaurant by making it adhere under the table by means of -a piece of soft wax. After this preliminary operation the rogue leaves -the place, generally after having been searched by the restaurant -keeper; then an accomplice enters, takes his confederate’s place at the -table, and obtains possession of the property_. Le ---- à la détourne, -_the thief secretes goods in a shop while a confederate distracts the -attention of the shopkeeper_. The rogue who thus operates is termed in -English cant a “palmer.” The thief is sometimes a female who has in her -arms an infant, whose swaddling-clothes serve as a receptacle for the -stolen property. Le ----, or vol à la glu, _takes place in churches -by means of a rod with birdlime at one end, plunged through the slit -in the alms-box, termed_ tronc; _the coins adhering to the extremity -of the rod are thus fished out._ Le ----, or vol à l’Américaine, -_confidence-trick robbery_. It is the old story of a traveller meeting -with a countryman and managing to exchange the latter’s well-filled -purse for a bag of leaden coins. Those who practise it are termed -“Américains,” or “magsmen.” - - Il est aussi vieux que le monde. Il a été raconté mille - fois!... Ce vol suranné réussit toujours! il réussira tant - qu’il y aura des simples, jusqu’à la consommation des - siècles.--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -Le ---- à la mélasse, _the rogue has a tall hat, with the inside of -the crown besmeared with treacle, which he suddenly places on the -head of the tradesman, pushing it far down over his eyes, and thus -making him temporarily helpless_ (Pierre Delcourt, _Paris Voleur_). -Le ---- à la quête, _stealing part of the proceeds of a collection in -a church when the plate is being passed round_. Le ----, or vol à la -reconnaissance, _consists in picking the pockets of a passer-by while -pretending to recognize him and greeting him as an old friend_. Le -----, or vol à la tire, _according to Monsieur Claude, formerly head of -the detective department, this species of theft is the classical one -in which the celebrated Cartouche, a kind of French Jack Sheppard, was -an adept. It consists in picking waistcoat pockets by means of a pair -of scissors or a double-bladed penknife._ Le ----, or vol à l’épate, -_is high-class swindling_. _It comprises_ “le brodage,” “le chantage,” -“le négoce,” _and_ “le vol au cautionnement.” _The first of these -consists in the setting-up of a financial establishment and opening an -account for unwary merchants, who are made to sign bills in exchange -for the swindlers’ paper endorsed by them. When these bills become due -they are returned dishonoured, so that the victimized merchants are -responsible for the payment not only of their own notes of hand but -those of the swindlers as well_. “Le chantage” _is extorting money -by threat of exposure_. The proceeds are termed in the English slang -“socket-money.” For full explanation see CHANTEUR. “Le négoce” _is -practised by English swindlers who represent themselves as being the -agents of some well-known firm, and thus obtain goods from continental -merchants in exchange for fictitious bills_. “Le vol au cautionnement,” -_the rogues set up a sham financial establishment and advertise for a -number of clerks to be employed by the firm on the condition of leaving -a deposit as a guarantee. When a large staff of officials, or rather -pigeons, have been found, the managers decamp with the deposit fund_. -Le ----, or vol à la roulotte or roulante, _the thief jumps on the box -of a vehicle temporarily left in the street by its owner and drives -off at a gallop. Sometimes the horse alone is disposed of, the vehicle -being left in some out-of-the-way place_. _The_ “roulottiers” _also -steal hawkers’ hand-barrows_, or “shallows.” One of these rogues, when -apprehended, confessed to having stolen thirty-three hand-barrows, -fifty-three vans or carts, and as many horses. Sometimes the -“roulottier” will rob property from cabs or carriages by climbing up -behind and cutting the straps that secure the luggage on the roof. His -English representative is termed a “dragsman,” according to Mr. James -Greenwood. See _The Seven Curses of London_, p. 87. Le ----, or vol à -l’esbrouffe, _picking the pockets of a passer-by while hustling him -as if by accident_, termed “ramping.” Le ----, or vol à l’étourneau, -_when a thief who has just stolen the contents of a till is making his -escape, an accomplice who is keeping watch outside scampers off in -the opposite direction, so as to baffle the puzzled tradesman, whose -hesitation allows of the rogues gaining ground_. Le ----, or vol à -l’opium, _robbery from a person who has been drugged. The scoundrels -who practise it are generally Jewish money-lenders of the lowest class, -who attract their victims to their abode under pretence of advancing -money_. A robber who first makes his victim insensible by drugs is -termed in the English cant a “drummer.” Le ---- au boulon, _stealing -from a shop by means of a rod or wire passed through a hole in the -shutter_, “hooking.” Le ----, or vol au cerf-volant, _is practised by -women, who strip little girls of their trinkets or ease them of their -money or parcels. The little victims sometimes get their hair shorn -off as well_. Le ----, or vol au chatouillage, _a couple of rogues -pretend to recognize a friend in a man easing himself. They begin to -tickle him in the ribs as if in play, meanwhile rifling the pockets of -the helpless victim_. Le ----, or vol au colis, _the thief leaves a -parcel in some coffee-house with the recommendation to the landlord not -to give it up except on payment of say twenty francs. He then seeks a -commissionnaire simple-minded enough to be willing to fetch the parcel -and to pay the necessary sum, after which the swindler returns to -the place and pockets the money left by the pigeon_. Le ----, or vol -au fric-frac, _housebreaking_, or “crib-cracking.” Le ----, or vol au -gail or gayet, _horse-stealing_, or “prad-napping.” Le ----, or vol au -grimpant, _a young thief_, or “little snakesman,” _climbs on to the -roof of a house and throws a rope-ladder to his accomplices below, who -thus effect an entrance. When detected they pass themselves off for -workmen engaged in some repairs_. Le ----, or vol au parapluie, _a -shoplifter_, or “sneaksman,” _drops the stolen property in a half-open -umbrella_. Le ----, or vol au poivrier, _consists in robbing drunkards -who have come to grief. Rogues who practise it are in most cases -apprehended, detectives being in the habit of impersonating drunkards -asleep on benches late at night_. Le ---- au prix courant, or en pleine -trèpe, _picking pockets or scarf-pins in a crowd_, “cross-fanning.” Le -----, or vol au radin, _the landlord of a wine-shop is requested to -fetch a bottle of his best wine; while he is busy in the cellar the -trap which gives access to it is closed by the rogues, and the counter, -or_ “radin,” _pushed on to it, thus imprisoning the victim, who -clamours in vain while his till is being emptied. It also takes place -in this way: the rogues pretend to quarrel, and one of them throws -the other’s cap into a shop, thus providing him with an excuse for -entering the place and robbing the till_, or “pinching the bob or lob.” -Le ----, or vol au raton, _a little boy, a_ “raton,” _or_ “anguille” -(termed “tool or little snakesman” in the English cant), _is employed -in this kind of robbery, by burglars, to enter small apertures and to -open doors for the others outside_ (Pierre Delcourt, _Paris Voleur_). -Le ----, or vol au rigolo, _appropriating the contents of a cash-box -opened by means of a skeleton key_. - - Le Pince-Monseigneur perfectionné, se porte aujourd’hui - dans un étui à cigares et dans un porte-monnaie ... - les voleurs au rigolo ouvrent aujourd’hui toutes les - caisses.--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -Le ----, or vol au suif, _variety of card-sharping swindle_. - - Il s’opère par un grec qui rôde chez les marchands de vin, - dans les cafés borgnes, pour dégotter, en bon suiffeur, - une frimousse de pante ou de daim.--_Mémoires de Monsieur - Claude._ - -Le ----, or vol au timbre, _a tobacconist is asked for a large number -of stamps, which the thief carefully encloses in an envelope. Suddenly, -when about to pay for them, he finds he has forgotten his purse, -returns the envelope containing the stamps to the tradesman and leaves -to fetch the necessary sum. Needless to say, the envelope is empty._ -Le ----, or vol au tiroir, _the thief enters a tobacconist’s or spirit -shop, and asks for a cigar or glass of spirits. When the tradesman -opens his till to give change, snuff is thrown into his eyes, thus -making him helpless_. This class of thieves is termed in the English -cant “sneeze-lurkers.” - -GRINCHISSEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _thief_, or “prig,” see GRINCHE; ---- -de bogues, _pickpocket who devotes his attention to watches_, a -“toy-getter,” or “tooler.” - -GRINGUE, _f._ (popular), _bread_, or “soft tommy;” _food_, or “prog.” - -GRIPIE, _m._ (thieves’), _miller_. See GRIBIS. - -GRIPPE, _f._ (thieves’), chevalier de la ----, _thief_, or “prig.” See -GRINCHE. - -GRIPPE-CHEVILLE (thieves’), faire ----, _to steal_, “to claim.” See -GRINCHIR. - -GRIPPE-FLEUR, GRIPIE, GRIPPIS, _m._ (thieves’), _miller_. Termed -“Grindoff” in English slang. - -GRIPPE-JÉSUS, _m._ (thieves’), _gendarme_. - - Parcequ’ils arrêtent les innocents et qu’ils n’ont pas même - épargné Jésus.--=NISARD.= - -GRIPPEMINI, _m._ (obsolete), _barrister_, or “mouthpiece;” _lawyer_, -“sublime rascal, or green bag;” _extortioner_. From grippeminaud, -_thief_. - -GRIPPER (thieves’), _to apprehend_, “to smug.” See PIPER. Rabelais uses -the term with the signification of _to seize_:-- - - Parmy eulx règne la sexte essence, moyennant laquelle ils - grippent tout, dévorent tout et conchient tout. - -GRIPPERIE, _f._ (popular), _theft_ (obsolete). - -GRIPPIS, GRIPIE, GRIPPE-FLEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _miller_. - -GRIS, _adj. and m._ (thieves’), _dear_; _wind_; (popular) ---- -d’officier, _slight intoxication_; ---- jusqu’à la troisième capucine, -_completely drunk_, or “slewed.” Capucine, _a musket band_. - -GRISAILLE, _f._ (popular), _sister of mercy_. An allusion to the grey -costume worn by sisters of mercy. - -GRISES, _f. pl._ (general), en faire voir de ----, _to lead one a hard -life_. - -GRISETTE. See BIFTECK. - -GRISOTTER (popular), se ----, _to get slightly drunk_, or “elevated.” -See SCULPTER. - -GRISPIN, _m._ (thieves’), _miller_. - -GRIVE, _f._ (thieves’), _army_; _military patrol_; _warder_. Cribler à -la ----, _to cry out thieves_, “to whiddle beef.” Synonymous of “crier -à la garde.” Harnais de ----, _uniform_. Tapis de ----, _canteen_. - -GRIVIER, _m._ (thieves’), _soldier_, “swaddy, lobster, or red herring.” -From “grivois,” formerly _a soldier of foreign troops in the service -of France_. The word “grivois” itself seems to be a corruption of -“gruyers,” used by Rabelais, and signifying Swiss soldiers, natives of -Gruyères, serving in the French army. Grivier de gaffe, _sentry_; ---- -de narquois, _deserter_. Literally _a bantering soldier_. - -GRIVOISE, _f._ (obsolete), _soldier’s wench_, _garrison town -prostitute_. Termed by the English military “barrack-hack.” - - Grivoise, c’est à dire coureuse, putain, débauchée, - aventurière, dame suivante de l’armée ou gibier de - corps-de-garde, une garce à soldats.--_Dictionnaire - Comique._ - -GROBIS, _m._ (familiar), faire du ----, _to look big_ (obsolete). - - Et en faisant du grobis leur donnait sa - bénédiction.--=RABELAIS.= - -GROG AU BŒUF, _m._ (popular), _broth_. - -GROGNE, _f._ (obsolete), faire la ----, _to grumble_, _to have_ “the -tantrums.” - - Faire la grogne, pour faire la moue, prendre la chèvre, - faire mauvais visage, bouder, gronder, être de mauvaise - humeur, dédaigner.--_Dictionnaire Comique._ - -GROGNON, _m._ (thieves’), _one about to be executed_. Properly _one -who grumbles_, and very naturally so, at the unpleasant prospect. The -English equivalent is “gallows-ripe.” - -GROLLER (popular), _to growl_, _to grumble_. Properly _to croak_. From -the word grolle, used by Rabelais with the signification of _crow_. - -GROMIAU, _m._ (popular), _child_, “kid.” Termed also “gosse, loupiau.” - -GRONDIN, _m._ (thieves’), _pig_, “sow’s baby,” or “grunting cheat.” - -GROS, _adv. and adj._ (popular), coucher ---- (obsolete), _to utter -some enormity_. Gâcher du ----, _to ease oneself_. See MOUSCAILLER. -Gros cul, _prosperous rag-picker_; ---- lot, _venereal disease_; -(familiar and popular) ---- bonnet, _influential man_; _high official_, -“big-wig;” ---- numéro, _brothel_, or “nanny-shop.” An establishment of -that description has a number of large dimensions placed over the front -door, and window panes whitewashed. (Thieves’) Artie de ---- Guillaume, -_brown bread_. The expression, “du gros Guillaume,” was formerly used -by the Parisians. - - On appelle du gros Guillaume, du pain destiné, dans les - maisons de campagne, pour la nourriture des valets de - cour.--Du gros Guillaume, mot Parisien, pour dire du - pain bis, du gros pain de ménage, tel que le mangent les - paysans.--=LE ROUX=, _Dict. Comique_. - -(Military) Gros bonnet, _officer of high rank_, “bloke;” ---- -frères, ---- lolos, or ---- talons, _the cuirassiers_; ---- légumes, -_field-officers_. A play on the words “épaulettes à graines -d’épinards,” _the insignia of such officers_. The word gros, considered -as the masculine of “grosse,” synonymous of “enceinte,” was formerly -used with the signification of _impatient_, _longing_, alluding to the -uncontrollable desires which are sometimes manifested by women in a -state of pregnancy. Thus people would express their eagerness by such -ridiculous phrases as, “Je suis gros de vous voir, de boire avec vous, -de le connaître.” - -GROSSE, _adj. f._ (popular), caisse, _the body_, or “apple cart;” ----- cavalerie, _staff of scavengers_, or “rake kennels,” an allusion -to their big boots; ---- culotte, _drunkard_. (Convicts’) Grosse -cavalerie, _scum of the hulks_, _desperate scoundrels_; and, in -theatrical language, _supernumeraries of the ballet_. (Tramcar -conductors’) Aller voir les grosses têtes, _to drive the first morning -car to Bineau_, this part of Paris being inhabited by substantial -people. - -GROSSIOT, _m._ (popular), _person of good standing_, a “swell.” - -GROTTE, _f._ (thieves’), _the hulks_. Gerbé à la ----, _sentenced to -transportation_, or “lagged.” Aller à la ----, _to be transported_, “to -lump the lighter.” - -GROUCHY, _m._ (printers’), petit ----, _one who is late_; _small job, -the composition of which has been delayed_. An allusion to the alleged -tardiness of General Grouchy at Waterloo. - -GROUILLER (sailors’), attrape à ne pas ----, _mind you do not move_. - - Attrape à ne pas grouiller, fit le vieux.... Tu perdrais - ton souffle à lui courir après.--=RICHEPIN=, _La Glu_. - -GROUILLIS-GROUILLOT, _m._ (popular), _swarm_, _crowd_, or “scuff.” - -GROUIN, _m._ (popular), _face_, or “mug.” Properly _snout_. Se lécher -le ----, _to kiss one another_. Donner un coup de ---- (obsolete), _to -kiss_. - -GROULE, GROULASSE, _f._ (popular), _female apprentice_; _small -servant_; _young_ “slavey,” or “marchioness.” - -GROUMER (popular), _to grumble_. - -GRUBLER (thieves’), _to grumble_; _to growl_. - - Vous grublez comme un guichemard.--=RICHEPIN.= (_You growl - like a jailer._) - -GRUE, _f._ (familiar), _more than fast girl_; _kept woman_, or -“demi-rep;” _foolish, empty-headed girl or woman_. - -GRUERIE, _f._ (familiar), _stupidity_. - -GRUN (Breton cant), _chin_. - -GRUYÈRE, _m._ (popular), morceau de ----, _pockmarked face_, or -“cribbage face.” - -GUADELOUPE, _f._ (popular), _mouth_, or “rattle-trap.” Charger pour la -----, _to eat_. See MASTIQUER. - -GUANO, _m._ (popular), _excrement_, or “quaker.” An allusion to the -guano of South America. - -GUÉDOUZE, or GUÉTOUSE, _f._ (thieves’), _death_. - -GUELDRE, _f._ (fishermens’), _bait prepared with shrimps for the -fishing of sardines_. - - La sardine est jolie en arrivant à l’air ... - Mais pour aller la prendre il faut avoir le nez - Bougrement plein de poils, et de poils goudronnés; - Car la gueldre et la rogue avec quoi l’on arrose - Les seines qu’on lui tend, ne fleurent point la rose. - Gueldre, lisez mortier de crevettes, pas frais. - - =RICHEPIN=, _La Mer_. - -GUELTE, _f._ (shopmens’), _percentage allowed on sales_. - -GUELTER (shopmens’), _to make a percentage on sales_; _to pay such -percentage_. - -GUÉNAUD, _m._ (thieves’), _wizard_. - -GUÉNAUDE, _f._ (thieves’), _witch_. - -GUENETTE, _f._ (thieves’), _fear_, “funk.” - -GUENILLES, _f. pl._ (familiar), trousser ses ----, _to run away_ -(obsolete), “to tip one’s rags a gallop.” - - Gentil ambassadeur de quilles, - Croyez-moi, troussez vos guenilles. - - =SCARRON=, _Gigantomachie_. - -GUENON, _f._ (popular), _mistress of an establishment_, _the master_ -being “le singe.” - -GUÉRI, _adj._ (thieves’), _set at liberty_; _free_; the prison being -termed “hôpital,” and imprisonment “maladie.” - - Hélas! il est malade à Canelle (il est arrêté à Caen) ... - il a une fièvre chaude (il est fortement compromis), et - vous, il paraît que vous êtes guéri (libre)?--=VIDOCQ.= - -GUÉRITE, _f._ (popular), à calotins, _confessional_. Guérite is -properly _a sentry-box_. Enfiler la ---- (obsolete), _to run away_. - -GUÊTRÉ, _m._ (military), _trooper who, for some reason or other, has to -make the day’s journey on foot_. - -GUEULARD, _m._ (thieves’), _bag_; _wallet_. - - Ils trollent ordinairement à leur côté un gueulard avec une - rouillarde pour mettre le pivois.--_Le Jargon de l’Argot._ - (_They generally carry by their side a wallet with a bottle - to keep the wine in._) - -(Popular) Un ----, _a stove_. Gueulard, properly a _gormandizer_. - -GUEULARDE, _f._ (thieves’), _pocket_, “cly,” “sky-rocket,” or “brigh.” -Termed also “fouillouse, louche, profonde, or grande.” - -GUEULARDISE, _f._ (popular), _dainty food_. - -GUEULE, _f._ (popular), d’empeigne, _palate which, by dint of constant -application to the bottle, has become proof against the strongest -liquors_; _loud voice_; ---- de raie, _ugly phiz_, or “knocker face;” ----- de tourte, _stupid-looking face_. Bonne ----, _grotesque face_. -Crever la ---- à quelqu’un, _to break one’s head_. - - Je te vas crever la gueule.--=ALPHONSE KARR.= - -Faire la ----, _to make a wry face_. Faire sa ----, _to give oneself -disdainful airs_; _to look disgusted_. - - Dis donc, Marie bon-bec, ne fais pas ta gueule.--=ZOLA.= - -Avoir de la ----, _to be loud-mouthed_. Il n’a que la ----, _he is a -humbug_. Se chiquer la ----, _to maul one another’s face_. (Military) -Roulement de la ----, _beating to dinner_. Se sculpter une ---- de -bois, _to get drunk_, or “screwed.” For synonyms see SCULPTER. - -GUEULÉE, _f._ (popular), _howling_; _meal_. Chercher la ----, _to be a -parasite_, or “quiller.” - -GUEULÉES, _f. pl._ (popular), _objectionable talk_, or “blue talk.” - -GUEULER (popular), comme un âne, _to be loud-tongued_; (thieves’) ---- -à la chienlit, _to cry out thieves! or police!_ “to whiddle beef.” - -GUEULETON, _m._ (familiar and popular), _a feast_, or “spread.” - - Et les artistes se levèrent pour serrer la main d’un frère - qui offrait un gueuleton général.--=E. MONTEIL.= - -GUEULETONNER (familiar and popular), _to feast_. - -GUEUSE, _f._ (popular), _mistress_; _prostitute_, or “mot.” See GADOUE. -Courir la ----, _to be a whore-monger_, or “molrower.” - -GUEUX, _m._ (popular), _small pan full of charcoal used as a -foot-warmer by market women, &c._ - - Une vieille femme ... est accroupie près d’un gueux sur les - cendres duquel une cafetière ronronne.--=P. MAHALIN.= - -GUEUX-GUEUX (obsolete), _rascal_; the expression being used in a -friendly manner. - -GUIBE (popular), _leg_; ---- à la manque, _lame leg_; ---- de satou, -_wooden leg_. Jouer des guibes, _to dance_; _to run away_, “to slope.” -See PATATROT. - -GUIBOLE, or GUIBOLLE, _f._ (popular and thieves’), _leg_, “pin.” - - Mais comment? Lui, si démoli, si mal gréé à c’t’heure, - avec sa guibole boiteuse, et ses bras rouillés, et toutes - les avaries de sa coque en retraite, comment pourrait-il - saborder ce gaillard-là, d’aplomb et trapu?--=RICHEPIN=, - _La Glu_. - -Jouer des guiboles, _to run_; _to dance_. - - Puis, le soir, on avait fichu un balthazar à tout casser, - et jusqu’au jour on avait joué des guiboles.--=ZOLA=, - _L’Assommoir_. - -GUIBON. See GUIBONNE. - -GUIBONNE, _f._ (popular and thieves’), _leg_; ---- carrée, _ham_. - - Mes jamb’s sont fait’s comm’ des trombones. - Oui, mais j’sais tirer--gar’ là-dessous!-- - La savate, avec mes guibonnes - Comm’ cell’s d’un canard eud’ quinze sous. - - =RICHEPIN=, _La Chanson des Gueux_. - -GUICHE, _m. and f._ (popular and thieves’), duc de ----, _jailer_, -or “jigger dubber.” From guichetier, _jailer_. Mec de la ----, -_prostitute’s bully_, or “Sunday man.” Thus termed on account of -his kiss-curls. For list of synonyms see POISSON. Des guiches, -_kiss-curls_. Termed in the English slang, “aggerawators,” or “Newgate -knockers.” Regarding the latter expression the _Slang Dictionary_ -says: “‘Newgate knocker,’ the term given to the lock of hair which -costermongers and thieves usually twist back towards the ear. The -shape is supposed to resemble the knocker on the prisoners’ door at -Newgate--a resemblance that carries a rather unpleasant suggestion -to the wearer. Sometimes termed a ‘cobbler’s knot,’ or ‘cow-lick.’” -Trifouiller les guiches, _to comb the hair_. (Familiar) Chevalier de -la ----, _prostitute’s bully_, or “pensioner.” For list of synonymous -expressions see POISSON. Le bataillon de la ----, _the world of -bullies_. - - Et si la p’tit’ ponif’triche - Su’ l’compt’ des rouleaux, - Gare au bataillon d’la guiche! - C’est nous qu’est les dos. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -Un ----, _a prostitute’s bully_. - - C’est ... un guiche, c’est-à-dire un jeune homme aux mains - blanches, à l’accroche-cœur, l’Adonis des nymphes des - musettes, quand ce n’est pas une tante!... La moitié des - crimes qui se commettent à Paris est conçue par le cerveau - des guiches, exécutée par les bras des chefs d’attaque - et finie par des assommeurs.--_Les Mémoires de Monsieur - Claude._ - -GUICHEMAR, GUICHEMARD, GUICHEMINCE, GUICHEMUCHE, _m._ (thieves’ and -popular), _jailer_, “jigger dubber.” For guichetier. - -GUIDE, _m._ (thieves’), _the prime-mover in a murder_. - - C’est toujours le pégriot, le guide ou le toucheur qui - devient à priori le chef d’attaque responsable d’une - affaire criminelle.--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -GUIGNARD, _m._ (popular), _ill luck_. - -GUIGNE-À-GAUCHE, _m._ (popular), _squinting man, or one with_ “swivel -eyes.” From guigner, _to scan_. - -GUIGNOL, _m._ (popular), _small theatre_. - -GUIGNOLANT, _adj._ (popular), _unlucky_; _annoying_. - -GUIGNONNÉ, _adj._ (popular), être ----, _to be unlucky at a game_. - -GUILLOTINE SÈCHE, _f._ (familiar), _transportation_. To be transported -is expressed in the language of English rogues by the term “lighting -the lumper.” - -GUIMBARD, _m._ (thieves’), _the van that conveys prisoners to gaol_. -Called by English rogues “Black Maria.” - -GUIMBARDE, _f._ (popular), _door_; _voice_; _head_; _carriage_; -_good-for-nothing woman_. Properly _Jew’s-harp_. - - Oui, une femme devait savoir se retourner, mais la - sienne avait toujours été une guimbarde, un tas. Ce - serait sa faute, s’ils crevaient sur la paille.--=ZOLA=, - _L’Assommoir_. - -Also _clock_. - - Au moment juste où douze plombes se sont décrochées à la - guimbarde de la tôle.--_Le Père Duchêne, 1879._ - -Couper la ---- à quelqu’un, _to cut one short_. - - Mon gesse et surtout mon n’harangue - Coupent la guimbarde aux plus forts. - - =L. TESTEAU=, _Le Tapageur_. - -GUINAL, _m._ (thieves’), _usurer_; _Jew_; “sheney, Ikey, or mouchey.” -Termed also “youtre, frisé, pied-plat.” Le grand ----, _Mont de Piété, -or government pawnbroking establishment_. (Rag-pickers’) Guinal, -_wholesale rag-dealer_. - -GUINALISER (thieves’), _to be a usurer_; _to pawn_. It had formerly the -signification of _to circumcise_. - -GUINCHE, _f._ (popular), _low dancing saloon in the suburbs, or low -wine-shop_. - - A la porte de cette guinche, un municipal se dressait sur - ses ergots de cuir.--=HUYSMANS=, _Les Sœurs Vatard_. - -GUINCHER (popular), _to dance_. Se ----, _to dress oneself hurriedly -and badly_. - -GUINCHEUR, _m._ (popular), _frequenter of dancing saloons called_ -“guinches.” - -GUINDAL, _m._ (popular), _glass_. Siffler le ----, _to drink_, “to wet -one’s whistle,” or “to moisten one’s chaffer.” See RINCER. - -GUINGUETTE, _f._ (obsolete), _fast girl_. - - Il faudra que je m’en retourne à pied comme une guinguette - qui vient de souper en ville.--_Le Ballet des XXIV. heures._ - -Also _low restaurant_. - - Ça doit s’manger, la levrette. - Si j’en pince une à huis clos ... - J’la f’rai cuire à ma guinguette. - J’t’en fich’rai, moi, des pal’tots! - - =DE CHATILLON=, _Poésies_. - -GUIRLANDE, _f._ (thieves’), _chain which secures two convicts together_. - - On appelle cette chaîne guirlande, parceque, remontant - du pied à la ceinture, où elle est fixée, elle retombe - en décrivant un demi-cercle, dont l’autre extrémité est - rattachée à la ceinture du camarade de chaîne. - --=M. CHRISTOPHE.= - -GUITARE, _f._ (familiar and popular), _head_, or “nut;” _monotonous -saying_; _well-worn platitude_. Jouer de la ----, _to be monotonous_. -Avoir une sauterelle dans la ----, _to be cracked_, “to have a tile -loose,” or “a bee in one’s bonnet.” For the list of synonymous -expressions see AVOIR. - -GWAMMEL (Breton cant), _woman_; _mother_. - -GWILLOIK (Breton cant), _wolf_. - -GY, or JASPIN (thieves’), _yes_, or “usher.” Michel says: “J’estime -que _gy_ n’est autre chose que le _j_, première lettre d’_ita_, qui -remplaçait ce mot latin dans certains actes de procédure.” - - Quoi, tu veux rentiffer? Gy?--=RICHEPIN.= (_What, you wish - to go home? Yes?_) - - - - -H - - -HABILLÉ DE SOIE, _m._ (popular), _an elegant term for a pig_, “sow’s -baby,” or, in the words of Irish peasants, “the gintleman that pays the -rint.” - -HABILLER (popular), quelqu’un de taffetas, _to say ill-natured things -of one_, _to_ “backbite” _him_, _to reprimand_, _to slander_, _to -scold_, or “bully-rag.” - - C’est moi qui vous l’a habillé de taffetas noir. - --=A. DALÈS=, _La Mère l’Anecdote, Chansonnette_. - -S’---- de sapin, _to die_. See PIPE. S’---- en sauvage, _to strip -oneself naked_, _to strip to the_ “buff,” so as to be “in one’s -birthday suit.” - -HABIN, HAPPIN, HUBIN, _m._ (old cant), _dog_, or “tyke;” ---- ergamé, -or engamé, _rabid dog_. - - Ils trollent cette graisse dans leur gueulard, en une - corne, et quand les hubins la sentent, ils ne leur - disent rien, au contraire, ils font fête à ceux qui la - trollent.--_Le Jargon de l’Argot._ - -A dog is now called by thieves “tambour, alarmiste.” - -HABINER (thieves’), _to bite_. - -HABIT, _m._ (popular), noir, _gentleman_, or “swell;” ---- rouge, _an -Englishman_. - - Les habits rouges voulaient danser, - Mais nous les avons fait sauter - Vivent les Sans-culottes. - - =MAURICAULT.= - -Etre ---- noir, _to be simple-minded_, _easily duped_, _to be a_ -“flat.” (Thieves’) Un ---- vert, _an official of the “octroi,” or -office at the gates of a town for the levying of dues on goods which -are brought in from the outside_. - - C’était de l’un de ces fossés,... que les contrebandiers, - au nez et à la barbe des habits verts, faisaient descendre - la nuit, dans les souterrains, leurs marchandises pour les - porter en ville et les affranchir de l’octroi.--_Mémoires - de Monsieur Claude._ - -HABITANTS, _m. pl._ (popular), _lice_, “grey-backed un’s.” - -HABITONGUE, _f._ (thieves’), for habitude, _habit_. - -HACHER DE LA PAILLE (popular), _to murder the French language_. The -English have the corresponding expression, “to murder the Queen’s -English.” Also _to talk in German_. - -HALEINE, _f._ (familiar), à la Domitien, cruelle, or homicide, -_offensive breath_. According to the _Dict. Comique_ it used to be -said of a man troubled with that incommodity: Il serait bon trompette, -parcequ’il a l’haleine forte. (Popular) Respirer l’---- de quelqu’un, -_to get at one’s secrets_, “to pump” _one_. - -HALÈNES, or ALÈNES, _f. pl._ (thieves’), _thieves’ implements_, or -“jilts.” Alène signifies properly _shoe-maker’s awl_. - -HALER SUR SA POCHE (sailors’), _to pay_, “to shell out.” Haler, -properly _to haul_, _to tow_. - -HALLE, _f._ (popular), aux croûtes, _stomach_, or “bread-basket.” Also -_baker’s shop_. La ---- aux draps, _the bed_, “doss, or bug-walk,” and -formerly “cloth-market,” an expression used by Swift in his _Polite -Conversation_:-- - - Miss, your slave; I hope your early rising will do you no - harm; I find you are but just out of the cloth-market. - -(Journalists’) La ---- au son, _the Paris Conservatoire de Musique, or -national music and dramatic academy_. (Bullies’) Un barbise de la ---- -aux copeaux, _a bully whose paramour brings him in but scanty profits, -whose “business” is slack_. - -HALLEBARDE, _f._ (popular), _tall, badly dressed woman_, a “gawky guy.” - -HALOT, _m._ (popular), _box on the ear_, “smack on the chops.” - -HALOTER QUELQU’UN (thieves’), _to box one’s ears_, “to smack one’s -chops;” _to ply the bellows_. - -HALOTEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _one who uses bellows_; _one who blows_. - -HALOTIN, _m._ (thieves’), _bellows_. From haleter, _to pant_. - -HANCHER (popular), se ----, _to put on a jaunty look_; _to take up an -arrogant position_, _to be_ “on the high jinks,” or to “look big.” - -HANE, _f._ (thieves’), _purse_, “skin,” or “poge.” Termed also “henne, -bouchon, morlingue, mornif.” - - Il va comme la tramontane, - Après avoir cassé la hanne - De ce grand né qui prend le soin - De lui donner chasse de loin. - - _L’Embarras de la foire de Beaucaire._ - -Casser la ---- à quelqu’un, _to steal someone’s purse_, “to buz a skin.” - -HANNETON, _m._ (familiar), _monomania_. Avoir un ---- dans le plafond, -_to be cracked_, or “to have a bee in one’s bonnet.” See AVOIR. Saoul -comme un ----, _completely drunk_, “as drunk as Davy’s sow.” - -“Davy’s sow.” The origin of this expression, according to Davies’ -_Supplementary English Glossary_, is the following:--“David Lloyd, a -Welshman, had a sow with six legs; on one occasion he brought some -friends and asked them whether they had ever seen a sow like that, not -knowing that in his absence his drunken wife had turned out the animal, -and gone to lie down in the sty. One of the party observed that it was -the drunkest sow he had ever beheld.” Other synonymous expressions are, -“drunk as a drum, to be a wheelbarrow, sow-drunk, drunk as a fish, as a -lord, as a piper, as a fiddler, as a rat.” - -HANNETONNER (familiar), _to have a hobby verging on monomania_. - -HAPPER LE TAILLIS (thieves’), _to flee_, “to guy.” See PATATROT. -Compare with the expression, now obsolete, gagner le taillis, which -has the same signification. - - Happons le taillis, on crie au vinaigre sur - nouzailles.--_Le Jargon de l’Argot._ (_They are_ “whiddling - beef,” _and we must_ “guy.”) - -HAPPIN. See HABIN. - -HAPPINER. See HABINER. - -HARAUDER (popular), quelqu’un (obsolete), _to cry out after one_; _to -pursue one with insults_. - -HARDI, _adj._ (popular), à la soupe _is said of one who is more ready -to eat than to fight_. Hardi! _courage!_ _with a will!_ _go it!_ - -HARENG, _m._ (thieves’), faire des yeux de ---- à quelqu’un, _to put -out one’s eyes_. (Printers’) Harengs, _name given by printers to -fellow-workers who do but little work_. - -HARENG-SAUR, _m._ (popular), _gendarme_; _a member of the Société de -Saint-Vincent de Paul, a religious association_. (Roughs’) Piquer son -pas de ----, _to dance_. - -HARIADAN BARBEROUSSE (thieves’), _Jesus Christ_. - - Il rigolait malgré le sanglier qui voulait lui faire - becqueter Hariadan Barberousse.--=VIDOCQ.= - -HARICANDER (popular), _to find fault with one about trifles_. - -HARICOT, _m._ (popular), _body_. Cavaler, or courir sur le ----, _to -annoy_, _to bore one_, “to spur” _one_. (Thieves’) Un ---- vert, _a -clumsy thief_, _or one_ “not up to slum.” Se laver les haricots, _to -be transported_, or “lagged.” (Familiar) Hôtel des haricots, _formerly -the prison for undisciplined national guards_, the staple food for -prisoners there being haricot beans. - -HARICOTEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _executioner_. Termed “Rouart” in the -sixteenth century, that is, _one who breaks criminals on the wheel_. - -HARMONARÈS, _m._ (thieves’), _noise_, or “row.” Si le gonsalès fait de -l’harmonarès il faut le balancarguer dans la vassarès, _if the fellow -makes any noise we’ll pitch him into the water_. - -HARMONIE, _f._ (popular), faire de l’----, _to make a noise_, “to kick -up a row.” - -HARNAIS, _m._ (thieves’), _cards that have been tampered with_, or -“stocked broads;” _clothes_, or “clobber;” ---- de grive, _military -uniform_. Laver les ----, _to sell stolen clothes_, “to do clobber at a -fence’s.” - -HARPE, _f._ (general), jouer de la ----, _to slily take liberties with -a woman by stroking her dress_, as Tartuffe did when pretending to -ascertain the softness of Elmire’s dress. The expression is old; it is -to be met with in the _Dict. Comique_. - - Jouer de la harpe signifie jouer des mains auprès d’une - femme, la patiner, lui toucher la nature, la farfouiller, - la clitoriser, la chatouiller avec les doigts. - --=J. LE ROUX=, _Dictionnaire Comique_. - -(Thieves’) Harpe, _prison-grated window_. Jouer de la ----, _to be in -prison_, or “in quod.” Pincer de la ----, _to put oneself at a window_. - -HARPER (popular), _to catch_, “to nab;” _to seize_, “to grab.” - -HARPIONS, _m. pl._ (popular and thieves’), _feet_, or “dew-beaters;” -_hands_, or “dukes.” From the old word harpier, concerning which the -_Dictionnaire Comique_ says:-- - - Harpier. Pour voler ou friponner impunément, prendre ou - enlever par force, comme les harpies. - -HARPONNER (popular), _to seize_, “to grab;” ---- tocquardement, _to lay -rough hands on_; _to give one a shaking_. - -HASARD! or H! (printers’), ironical exclamation meaning _that happens -by chance, of course!_ - -HAÜS, or AÜS, _m._ (shopmens’), _appellation applied by shopmen to a -person who, after much bargaining, leaves without purchasing anything_. - -HAUSSE-COL, _m._ (military), _cartridge-box_. The expression has become -obsolete. - -HAUSSIER, _m._ (familiar), a “bull,” that is, _one who agrees to -purchase stock at a future day, at a stated price, but who simply -speculates for a rise in public securities to render the transaction -a profitable one_. Should stocks fall, the “bull” is then called upon -to pay the difference. The “bear” is the opposite of the “bull,” the -former selling, the latter purchasing--the one operating for a _fall_, -the other for a _rise_. They are respectively called “liebhaler” in -Berlin, and “contremine” in Vienna. - -HAUSSMANNISATION, _f._ See below. - -HAUSSMANNISER (familiar), _to pull down houses wholesale_, after the -fashion of M. Haussmann, a Prefect of the Seine under the Third Empire, -who laid low many of the old houses of Paris, and opened some broad -passages in the city. Corresponds in some degree to “boycott.” - -HAUT-DE-TIRE, _m._ (thieves’), _breeches_, “hams, kicks, sit-upons.” - -HAUTE, _f. and adj._ (general), for haute société, _the higher class of -any social stratum_, “pink.” - - Il y a lorette et lorette. Mademoiselle de Saint-Pharamond - était de la haute.--=P. FÉVAL.= - -La ---- bicherie, _higher class of cocottes_, _the world of_ -“demi-reps.” Un escarpe de la ----, _a swindler moving in good -society_. La ---- pègre, _swell mob_, and, used ironically, _good -society_. Un restaurant de la ----, _a fashionable restaurant_, _a_ -“swell” _restaurant_. - - Si nous ne soupons pas dans la haute, je ne sais guère où - nous irons à cette heure-ci.--=G. DE NERVAL.= - -HAUTOCHER (thieves’), _to ascend_; _to rise_. - -HAUT-TEMPS, _m._ (thieves’), for autan, _loft_. - -HAVRE, or GRAND HAVRE, _m._ (thieves’), _God_. Literally _the harbour_, -_great harbour_. Le ---- garde mézière, _God protect me_. - -HEOL AR BLEI (Breton cant), _the moon_. - -HERBE, _f._ (popular), à grimper, _fine bosoms or shoulders_. This -phrase is obsolete; ---- à la vache, _clubs of cards_. - - Quinte mangeuse portant son point dans l’herbe à la - vache.--=ZOLA=, _L’Assommoir_. - -Herbe sainte, _absinthe_. To all appearance this is a corruption of -absinthe. - -HERPLIS, _m._ (thieves’), _farthing_. Sans un herplis dans ma -fouillouse, _without a farthing in my pocket_. - -HERR, _m._ (general), a man of importance, one of position or talent, a -“swell.” - -HERSE, _f._ (theatrical), _lighting apparatus on the sides of the -stage which illuminates those parts which receive no light from the -chandelier_. - -HERZ, or HERS, _m._ (thieves’), _master_, or “boss;” _gentleman_, or -“nib-cove.” From the German herr. - -HIGH-BICHERY, _f._ (familiar), _the world of fashionable cocottes_. - - Quelque superbe créature de la high-bichery qui traîne son - domino à queue avec les airs souverains d’une marquise - d’autrefois.--=P. MAHALIN.= - -HIRONDEAU, _m._ (tailors’), _journeyman tailor who shifts from one -employer to another_. An allusion to the swallow, a migratory bird. - -HIRONDELLE, _f._ (familiar), _penny boat plying on the Seine_; -(popular) _commercial traveller_; _journeyman tailor from the country -temporarily established in Paris_; _hackney coachman_; ---- d’hiver, -_retailer of roasted chestnuts_; ---- de pont, _vagrant who seeks a -shelter at night under the arches of bridges_; ---- du bâtiment, _mason -from the country who comes yearly to work in Paris_. (Thieves’) Une -----, _variety of vagabond_. - - Les Hirondelles, les Romanichels hantaient, comme les - taupes, l’intérieur de leurs souterrains insondables. - Romanichels et Hirondelles venaient y dormir, souper et - méditer leurs crimes.--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -Une ---- de potence, _a gendarme_ (obsolete). - -HISSER (popular), _to give a whistle call_; ---- un gandin. See GANDIN. - -HISTOIRES, _f. pl._ (general), _menses_. Termed also “affaires, -cardinales, anglais.” - -HOMARD, _m._ (popular), _doorkeeper, or servant in red livery_. -(Military) _spahis_. The spahis, called also cavaliers rouges, are a -crack corps of Arab cavalry commanded by French officers. There are now -four regiments of spahis doing duty in Algeria or in Tonkin. - -HOMICIDE, _m._ See HALEINE. - -HOMME, _m._ (familiar), au sac, _rich man_, _one who is_ “well -ballasted.” Un ---- affiche, _a_ “sandwich” _man_, that is, a man -bearing a back-and-front advertising board. Avoir son jeune ----, _to -be drunk_, or “tight.” See POMPETTE. (Thieves’) Un ---- de lettres, -_forger_: ---- de peine, _old offender_, “jail-bird.” (Printers’) Homme -de bois, _workman who repairs wooden fixtures of formes in a printing -shop_. - -HOMME DE LETTRES, or SINGE, _m._ (printers’), _compositor_. - - Le compositeur est un bipède auquel on donne la - dénomination de “singe.”... Pour vous éblouir il triture - une “matière pleine” de mots équivoques: “commandite, - bordereau, banque, impositions” et cela avec la gravité - d’une “Minerve.” Fier du rang qu’il occupe dans - l’imprimerie, ce chevalier du “composteur” s’intitule - “homme de lettres,” mais c’est un “faux titre” qu’il a - pris dans sa “galée,” car de tous les ouvrages auxquels il - a mis des “signatures” et qu’il prétend avoir “composés,” - il lui serait difficile de “justifier” une ligne, &c. - &c.--_Déclaration d’amour d’un imprimeur typographe à une - jeune brocheuse_, 1886. - -HOMMELETTE, _m._ (popular), _man devoid of energy_, “sappy.” - -HONNÊTE, _m._ (thieves’), _the spring_. - -HONTEUSE, _f._, être en ----. See LESBIEN. - -HÔPITAL, _m._ (thieves’), _prison_, or “stir.” See MOTTE. A thief in -prison is said to be “malade,” and when liberated he is, of course, -“guéri.” (Popular) Goujon d’----, _leech_. - -HORIZONTALE, _f._ (familiar), _prostitute_, or “mot;” ---- de grande -marque, _fashionable cocotte_, or “pretty horse-breaker.” For list of -over one hundred and thirty synonyms, see GADOUE. - -HORLOGER, _m._ (popular), avoir sa montre chez l’----, _to have one’s -watch at the pawnbroker’s_, “in lug,” or “up the spout.” - -HORREURS, _f. pl._ (popular), _broad talk_, or “blue talk.” Dire des -----, _to talk_ “smut.” Faire des ----, _to take liberties with women_, -“to fiddle,” or “to slewther,” as the Irish have it. - -HOSTO, or AUSTO (soldiers’ and thieves’), _prison_, or “stir,” see -MOTTE; (popular) _house_, or “crib.” - -HÔTEL, _m._ (popular), de la modestie, _poor lodgings_; ---- des -haricots, _prison_, or “jug.” See MOTTE. Coucher à l’---- de la belle -étoile, _to sleep in the open air, on mother Earth_, or “to skipper it.” - -HOTTERIAU, HOTTERIOT, _m._ (popular), _rag-picker_, or “tot-picker.” -From hotte, _wicker basket_. - -HOUBLON, _m._ (popular), _tea_. - -HOUPE DENTELÉE, _f._ (freemasons’), _ties of brotherhood_. - -HOUSETTE, _f._ (thieves’), _boot_, or “daisy root.” Traîne-cul-les -housettes, a _tatterdemalion_. - -HOUSSINE, _f._ (thieves’), Jean de l’----, _stick_; _bludgeon_. - -HOUSTE À LA PAILLE! (thieves’), _out with him!_ - -HUBIN, _m._ (thieves’), _dog_, or “tyke.” - - Après, ils leur enseignent à aquiger certaines graisses - pour empêcher que les hubins les grondent.--_Le Jargon de - l’Argot._ - -HUBINS, _m. pl._ (old cant), _tramps who pretend to have been bitten by -rabid dogs or wolves_. - - Les hubins triment ordinairement avec une luque comme ils - bient à Saint-Hubert.--_Le Jargon de l’Argot._ - -Saint Hubert was credited with the power of miraculously curing -hydrophobia. There is still a church in Belgium, not far from Arlon, -consecrated to Saint Hubert, to whose shrine rabid people (in more than -one sense) repair to be cured. - -HUGOLÂTRE, _m._ (familiar), _fanatical admirer of the works of V. Hugo_. - -HUGREMENT (thieves’), _much_, or “neddy” (Irish). - -HUILE, _f._ (general), _wine_; _suspicion_; ---- blonde, _beer_; ---- -de bras, de poignet, _physical strength_; _work_, or “elbow grease;” ----- de cotret, _blows administered with a stick_; might be rendered by -“stirrup-oil.” The _Dict. Comique_ has: “Huile de cotret, pour coups de -bâton, bastonnade.” - - Qu’ils vinssent vous frotter les épaules de l’huile de - cotret.--_Don Quichotte._ - -Huile de mains, _money_, or “oil of palm.” For synonyms see QUIBUS. -Pomper les huiles, _to drink wine to excess_, or “to swill.” - -HUIT (theatrical), battre un ----, _to cut a caper_. (Familiar) Un ---- -ressorts, _a handsome, well-appointed two-horse carriage_. (Military) -Flanquer ---- et sept, _to give a man a fortnight’s arrest_. - - Y m’a flanqué huit-et-sept à cause que j’avais égaré le - bouchon de mon mousqueton.--=G. COURTELINE.= - -HUÎTRES, _f. pl._ (popular), de gueux, _snails_; (thieves’) ---- de -Varennes, _beans_. - -HUÎTRIFIER (familiar), s’----, _to become commonplace and dull of -intellect_. From huître, figuratively _a fool_. - -HUMECTER (popular), s’---- les amygdales, la dalle du cou, or le -pavillon, _to drink_, “to wet one’s whistle.” For synonyms see RINCER. - -HUPPÉ, _adj._ (popular), daim ----, _rich person_, _one who is_ “well -ballasted.” - -HURE, _f._ (popular), _head_, or “tibby.” Properly _wild boar’s head_. -See TRONCHE. - -HURÉ, _adj._ (thieves’), _rich_, or “rag splawger.” - -HURF, URF, _adj._ (general), c’est ----, _that’s excellent_, “tip-top, -cheery, slap-up, first-chop, lummy, nap, jam, true marmalade, -tsing-tsing.” Le monde ----, _world of fashion_. - -HURLUBIER, _m._ (thieves’), _idiot_, or “go along;” _madman_, or “balmy -cove;” _tramp_, or “pikey.” - - Vous que le chaud soleil a teints, - Hurlubiers dont les peaux bisettes, - Ressemblent à l’or des gratins. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -HUSSARD, _m._ (popular), à quatre roues, _soldier of the train or -army service corps_. Elixir de ----, _brandy_. (Popular and thieves’) -Hussard de la guillotine, _gendarme on duty at executions_. - - Il est venu pour sauver Madeleine ... mais comment?... les - hussards de la guillotine sont là.--=BALZAC.= - -Hussard de la veuve, _gendarme on duty at executions_. - - Oui, c’est pour aujourd’hui, les hussards de la - veuve (autre nom, nom terrible de la mécanique) sont - commandés--=BALZAC.= - -HUST-MUST (thieves’), _thank you very much_. - - - - -I - - -ICICAILLE, ICIGO (thieves’), _here_. - -IENNA (Breton cant), _to deceive_, _impose upon_. - -IERCHEM (roughs’), _to ease oneself_. A coarse word disguised. It is of -“back slang” formation, with the termination em. - -IERGUE, parler en ----, _to use the word as a suffix to other words_. - -IGNORANTIN (common), _a “frère des Ecoles de la Doctrine chrétienne.”_ -Thus called on account of their ignorance. They are lay brothers, and -formerly had charge of what were termed in England ragged schools. - -IGO (thieves’), _here_. La chamègue est ----, _the woman is here_. - -IL (popular), y a de l’empile, or de l’empilage, _there is some -trickery, unfair play, cheating_; ---- y a de l’empile, la peau alors! -je me débine, _they are cheating, to the deuce then! I’ll go_; ---- -y a des arêtes dans ce corps-là, _an euphemism to denote that a man -makes his living off a prostitute’s earnings_, alluding to the epithet -“poisson” applied to such creatures; ---- a plu sur sa mercerie _is -said of a woman with thin skinny breasts_; ---- tombera une roue de -votre voiture _is said of a person in too high spirits, to express an -opinion that his mirth will soon receive a damper_. (Theatrical) Il -pleut! _is used to denote that a play is a failure, that it is being -hissed down_, or “damned.” - -IL EST MIDI! (popular), _an exclamation used to warn one who is talking -in the presence of strangers or others to be prudent and guarded in his -speech_. It also means _it’s of no use, it is all in vain_. - -ILLICO, _m._ (popular), _grog prepared on the sly by patients in -hospitals, an extemporized medicine made of sugar, spirits, and -tincture of cinnamon_. - -IMBÉCILE À DEUX ROUES, _m._ (popular), _bicyclist_. - -IMBIBER (popular), s’---- le jabot, _to drink_, “to wet one’s whistle.” - -IMMOBILITÉ, _f._ (painters’), mercenaire de l’----, _model who makes a -living by sitting to painters_. - -IMPAIR, _m._ (familiar), faire un ----, _to make a blunder_, “to put -one’s foot in it.” (Thieves’) Impair! _look out!_ ----, acré nous v’là -noblés, _look out, be on your guard, we are recognized_. - -IMPÉRATRICE, _f._, for impériale, _top of bus_. - -IMPÈRE (popular), abbreviation of impériale, _or top of bus_. - -IMPÉRIALE, _f._ (general), _tuft of hair on the chin_. Formerly termed -“royale.” The word has passed into the language. - -IMPORTANCE (general), d’----, _strongly_, _vigorously_. J’te vas le -moucher d’----, _I’ll let him know a piece of my mind_; _I’ll snub him_. - -IMPÔT, _m._ (thieves’), _autumn_. - -IMPRESSIONISME, _m._ (familiar), _school of artists who paint nature -according to the personal impression they receive_. Some carry the -process too far, perhaps, for if their retina conveys to them an -impression that a horse, for instance, is indigo or ultramarine, they -will reproduce the image in Oxford or Cambridge blue on the canvas. -Needless to say, the result is sometimes startling. - -IMPRESSIONISTE, _m._, _painter of the school called_ impressionisme -(which see). - -IMPURE, _f._ (familiar), _kept woman_, or “demi-rep.” For the list of -synonyms see GADOUE. - -INCOMMODE, _m._ (thieves’), _lantern_, _lamp-post_. Properly -_inconvenient_, thieves being lovers of darkness. - -INCOMMODÉ, _adj._ (thieves’), être ----, _to be taken red-handed_, _to -be_ “nabbed” _in the act_. - -INCONOBRÉ, _m. and adj._ (thieves’), _stranger_; _unknown_. - -INCROYABLE, _m._ (familiar), _dandy under the Directoire at the end -of the last century_. The appellation was given to swells of that -period on account of their favourite expression, “C’est incroyable!” -pronounced c’est incoyable, according to their custom of leaving out -the r, or giving it the sound of w. For synonyms see GOMMEUX. - -INDEX (popular), travailler à l’----, _to work at reduced wages_. - -INDICATEUR, _m._ (general), _spy in the pay of the police_, “nark.” -Generally a street hawker, sometimes a thief. - - Il y a deux genres d’indicateurs: les indicateurs sur - place, tels que les marchands de chaînes de sûreté et - les marchands d’aiguilles, bimbelotiers d’occasion, faux - aveugles, etc., et les indicateurs errants: marchands de - balais, faux infirmes, musiciens ambulants: ... Il y avait, - sous l’empire, des indicateurs jusque dans le haut commerce - parisien.--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -INDICATRICE, _f._ (familiar), _female spy in the employ of the police_. - -INDIGENT, _m._ (bus conductors’), _outside passenger on a bus_. Thus -termed on account of the outside fare being half that inside. Indigent, -properly _pauper_. - -INEXPRESSIBLES, _m. pl._ (familiar), from the English, _trousers_. - -INFANTERIE, _f._ (popular), entrer dans l’----, _to become pregnant_, -or “lumpy.” Compare with the English expression “infantry,” a nursery -term for _children_. - -INFECT, _adj._ (general), _utterly bad_. The expression is applied to -anything. Ce cigare est ----, _that cigar is rank_. Ce livre est ----, -_that book is worthless_. Un ---- individu, _a contemptible individual_. - -INFECTADOS, _m._ (familiar), _cheap cigar_, “cabbage leaf.” - -INFÉRIEUR, _adj._ (popular), cela m’est ----, _that is all the same to -me_. - -INFIRME, _m._ (popular), _clumsy fellow_. - - Ils sonnèrent tant bien que mal ces infirmes, et les gens - accoururent au tapage.--=L. CLADEL=, _Ompdraillés_. - -INGRAT, _m._ (thieves’), _clumsy thief_. - -INGURGITER SON BILAN (popular), _to die_, or “to snuff it.” See PIPE. - -INODORE, _adj._ (familiar), soyez calme et ----, _be cool_; _don’t get -excited_; _be calm_; _be decorous_, or, as the Americans say, “pull -your jacket down.” - -INOUISME, _m._ (familiar), ruisselant d’----, _extraordinarily fine_, -_good_, _dashing_, “slap up, or tzing tzing.” - -INSÉPARABLES, _m. pl._ (familiar), _cigars sold at fifteen centimes a -couple_. - -INSINUANT, _m._ (thieves’), _apothecary_; _one who performs, or used to -perform, the_ “clysterium donare” _of Molière_. - -INSINUANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _syringe_. - -INSINUATION, _f._ (thieves’), _clyster_. - -INSOLPÉ, _m. and adj._ (thieves’), _insolent_, “cheeky.” - -INSPECTEUR DES PAVÉS, _m._ (popular), _workman out of work_, or “out of -collar.” - -INSTITUTRICE, _f._ (popular), _female who keeps a brothel_; _the -mistress of an_ “academy.” - -INSTRUIT, _adj._ (thieves’), être ----, _to be a skilful thief_, a -“gonnof.” - -INSURGÉ DE ROMILLY, _m._ (popular), _lump of excrement_, or “quaker.” - -INTERLOQUER (soldiers’), _to talk_. Je vais aller en ---- avec le -marchichef, _I will talk about it to the quartermaster sergeant_. - -INTERVER, ENTRAVER (thieves’), _to understand_. Je n’entrave que le -dail, _I do not understand_, _I don’t_ “twig.” Interver dans les -vannes, _to allow oneself to be_ “stuffed up,” _to be_ “bamboozled.” - -INTIME, _m._ (theatrical), _man who is paid to applaud at a theatre_. -Termed also “romain.” - -INTRANSIGEANT, _m._ (familiar), _politician of extreme opinions -who will not sacrifice an iota of his programme_. The reverse of -opportuniste. - -INUTILE, _m._ (thieves’), _notary public_. - -INVALO, _m._ (popular), for invalide, _pensioner of the “Hôtel des -Invalides,” a home for old or disabled soldiers_. - -INVITE, _f._ (popular), faire une ---- à l’as _is said of a woman who -makes advances to a man_. - -INVITEUSE, _f._ (general), _waitress at certain cafés termed_ -“caboulots.” Her duties, besides serving the customers, consist in -getting herself treated by them to any amount of liquor; but, to -prevent accidents, the drinks intended for the inviteuse are generally -water or some mild alcoholic mixture. The inviteuse often plies also -another trade--that of a semi-prostitute. - -IOT FETIS (Breton cant), _porridge of buckwheat flour_. - -IOULC’H (Breton cant), _giddy girl_. - -IOULC’HA (Breton cant), _to play the giddy girl_. - -IPÉCA, _m._ (military), le père ----, _the regimental surgeon_. - -IRLANDE, _f._ (thieves’), envoyer en ----, _to send anything from -prison_. - -IRRÉCONCILIABLE, _m._ (familiar), _member of the opposition under -Napoleon III_. - -ISGOURDE, _f._ (popular), _ear_, “wattle,” or “lug.” - -ISOLAGE, _m._ (thieves’), _abandonment_; _leaving in the lurch_. - -ISOLER (thieves’), _to forsake_. - -ISOLOIR, _m._ (familiar), se mettre sur l’----, _to forsake one’s -friends_. - -ITALIAN (Breton cant), _rum_. - -ITALIQUE, _f._ (popular), avoir les jambes en ----, _to be -bandy-legged_. Pincer son ----, _to reel about_. - -ITOU, _adv._ (popular), _also_. Moi ----, _I too_. - -ITRER (thieves’), _to have_. - - J’itre mouchaillé le babillard.--_Le Jargon de l’Argot._ - (_I have looked at the book._) - -IVOIRES, _f._ (popular), _teeth_, “ivories.” Faire un effet d’----, _to -show one’s teeth_, “to flash one’s ivories.” - -IZABEL (Breton cant), _brandy_. - - - - -J - - -JABOT, _m._ (popular), _stomach_, or “bread-basket.” Meant formerly -_heart_, _breast_. Chouette ----, _fine breasts_. Faire son ----, _to -eat_. - -JACQUE, _m._ (thieves’), _a sou_. - -JACQUELINE, _f._ (soldiers’), _cavalry sword_. - -JACQUES, _m._ (thieves’), _crowbar_, “James, or the stick.” (Military) -Faire le ----, _to manœuvre_. - -JACTANCE, _f._ (thieves’ and cads’), _speech_, _talking_, “jaw.” -Properly _silly conceit_. Caleter la ----, _to stop talking_, “to put a -clapper to one’s jaw.” Quelle sale ---- il a! _how he does talk!_ Faire -la ----, _to talk_, “to jaw;” _to question_, or “cross-kid.” - -JACTER (popular and thieves’), _to speak_, “to rap;” _to cry out_; _to -slander_. Meant formerly _to boast_. - -JACTEUR, _m._ (popular), _speaker_. - -JAFFE, _f._ (popular), _soup_; _box on the ear_. Refiler une ----, _to -box one’s ears_. (Thieves’) Jaffes, _cheeks_, or “chops.” - -JAFFIER, _m._ (thieves’), _garden_, or “smelling cheat.” - -JAFFIN, _m._ (thieves’), _gardener_. Termed in English slang “master of -the mint.” - -JALUZOT, _m._ (general), _umbrella_, or “rain-napper, mush, or -gingham.” From the name of the proprietor of the “Printemps,” who, -being a wealthy man, said to his shopmen that he had not the means to -buy an umbrella. So goes an idiotic song:-- - - Il n’a pas de Jaluzot, - Ça va bien quand il fait beau, - Mais quand il tombe de l’eau, - Il est trempé jusqu’aux os. - -JAMBE, _f._ (popular), de vin, _intoxication_. S’en aller sur une -----, _to drink only a glass or a bottle of wine_. (Thieves’) Jambe en -l’air (obsolete), _the gallows_, “scrag, nobbing-cheat, or government -signpost.” (Familiar and popular) Lever la ----, _to dance the cancan_, -see CHAHUT; _is said also of a girl who leads a fast, disreputable sort -of life_. Faire ---- de vin had formerly the signification of _to drink -heavily_, “to swill.” - - Dès ce matin, messieurs, j’ai fait jambe de vin. - --=LA RAPINIÈRE.= - -Jambes de coq, _thin legs_, “spindle-shanks.” Jambes de coton, _weak -legs_. Jambes en manche de veste, _bandy legs_. (Military) Sortir -sur les jambes d’un autre, _to be confined to barracks or to the -guard-room_. - -JAMBINET, _m._ (railway porters’), _coffee with brandy_. - -JAMBON, _m._ (popular), _violin_. (Military) Faire un ----, _to break -one’s musket_, a crime sometimes punished by incorporation in the -compagnies de discipline in Africa. - -JAMBONNEAU, _m._ (popular), ne plus avoir de chapelure sur le ----, _to -be bald_. For synonymous terms see AVOIR. - -JAMBOT, _m._ (obsolete), _penis_. The term is used by Villon. - -JAPPE, _f._ (popular), _prattling_, “jaw.” Tais ta ----, _hold your_ -“jaw,” “put a clapper to your mug,” or “don’t shoot off your mouth” -(American). - -JAPPER (popular), _to scream_, _to squall_. - -JARDIN, _m._ (popular), faire du ----, _to quiz_, “to carry on.” - -JARDINAGE, _m._ (popular), _running down_, _slandering_. - -JARDINER (thieves’ and cads’), _to slander_; _to run down_; _to quiz_. - - Les gonciers qui nous jardinent, - I’ s’ront vraiment j’tés. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -Jardiner quelqu’un, _to make one talk so as to elicit his secrets from -him_, _to_ “pump” _one_. - -JARDINEUR, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _man who seeks to discover a -secret_; _inquisitive man, a kind of_ “Paul Pry.” - -JARDINIER, _m._ (thieves’), see JARDINEUR; _a thief who operates in the -manner described at the word_ “charriage.” - -JARGOLLE, or JERGOLE, _f._ (thieves’), _Normandy_. - -JARGOLLIER, _m._ (thieves’), _a native of Normandy_. - -JARGOUILLER (thieves’), _to talk incoherently_. - -JARGUER (thieves’). See JARS. - -JARNAFFE, _f._ (thieves’), _garter_. - -JARRETIÈRE, _f._ (thieves’), _watch chain_, or “slang.” - -JARS, _m._ (thieves’), _cant_, or “flash.” Dévider, jaspiner le ----, -or jarguer, _to talk cant_, “to patter flash.” Entraver or enterver -le ----, _to understand cant_. The language of thieves is also termed -“thieves’ Latin,” as appears from the following quotation:-- - - “Go away,” I heard her say, “there’s a dear man,” and then - something about a “queer cuffin,” that’s a justice in these - canters’ thieves’ Latin.--=KINGSLEY=, _Westward Ho_. - -Entendre le ---- had formerly the signification of _to be cunning_. - -JARVILLAGE, _m._ (thieves’), _conversation_; _dirt_. An illustrious -Englishman, whose name I forget, gave once the definition of dirt as -“matter in the wrong place.” - -JARVILLER (thieves’), _to converse_, “to rap;” _to dirty_. - -JASANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _prayer_. - -JASER (thieves’), _to pray_. - -JASPIN, or GY (thieves’), _yes_, or “usher.” - - Y a-t-il un castu dans cette vergne? Jaspin.--_Le Jargon de - l’Argot_. (_Is there an hospital in this country? Yes._) - -The word has also the meaning of _chat_, _language_, “jaw.” - - J’ai bien que’qu’ part un camerluche - Qu’est dab dans la magistrat’muche. - Son jaspin esbloque les badauds. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -JASPINEMENT, _m._ (thieves’), _barking of a dog_. - -JASPINER (thieves’), _to talk_, _to speak_, “to rap, to patter.” Termed -also “débagouler, dévider, gazouiller, jacter, jardiner, baver, tenir -le crachoir;” ---- bigorne, _to talk in slang_, “to patter flash.” -Le cabe jaspine, _the dog barks_. Jaspiner de l’orgue, _to inform -against_, “to blow the gaff.” - -JASPINEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _talker_; _orator_. - -JAUNE, _m._ (thieves’), _summer_; (popular) _brandy_. See TORD-BOYAUX. -Jaune, _gold_, or “redge.” Aimer avec un ---- d’œuf _is said of a -woman who deceives her husband or lover_. An allusion to the alleged -favourite colour of cuckolds. - -JAUNET, JAUNIAU, or SIGUE, _m._, _gold coin_, “canary, yellow-boy, -goldfinch, yellow-hammer, quid, shiner, gingle-boy.” - -JAUNIER, _m._ (popular), _retailer of spirits_. An allusion to the -colour of brandy. - -JAVANAIS (familiar), _kind of jargon formed by disguising words by -means of the letters of the syllable_ “av” _properly interpolated; -thus_ “je l’ai vu jeudi,” _becomes_ “javé lavai vavu javeudavi.” - - Argot de Breda où la syllabe av, jetée dans chaque syllabe, - hache pour les profanes le son et le sens des mots, idiome - hiéroglyphique du monde des filles qui lui permet de se - parler à l’oreille--tout haut.--=DE GONCOURT.= - -JAVARD, _m._ (thieves’), _hemp_; (popular) _tattle-box_. - -JAVOTER (popular), _to prattle_. - -JAVOTTE, _f._ (popular), _tattle-box_. - -JEAN, _m._ (popular), de la suie, _sweep_; ---- guêtré, _peasant_, or -“clod;” ---- houssine, _stick_, or “toco.” (Thieves’) Un ---- de la -vigne, _a crucifix_. - -JEAN-BÊTE, _m._ (general), _blockhead_, “cabbage-head.” - -JEAN-FESSE, or JEAN-FOUTRE (general), _scamp_. - -JEANJEAN, _m._ (familiar and popular), _simpleton_. - - La blanchisseuse était allée retrouver son ancien époux - aussitôt que ce jeanjean de Coupeau avait ronflé.--=ZOLA=, - _L’Assommoir_. - -(Soldiers’) Jeanjean, _recruit_, “Johnny raw.” - -JEANNETON, _f._ (popular), _servant wench at an inn_; _girl of doubtful -morals_, a “dolly mop.” - -JEM’ENFOUTISME, _m._ (familiar), _the philosophy of utter indifference_. - - Aussi, lui n’était-il ni orléaniste, ni républicain, ni - bonapartiste, il affichait le “jem’enfoutisme” qui mettait - tout le monde d’accord.--=J. SERMET.= - -JÉRÔME, _m._ (popular), _stick_, or “toco.” - -JÉRUSALEM (thieves’), lettre de ----, _letter written from prison to -make a request of money_. The Préfecture de police, and consequently -the lock-up, was formerly in the Rue de Jérusalem. - -JÉSUITE, _m._ (thieves’), _turkey-cock_. This species of _gallinacea_ -was introduced into France by the Jesuit missionaries. Termed by -English vagabonds “cobble colter.” Engrailler un ----, _to steal a -turkey_, “to be a Turkey merchant.” - -JÉSUS, _m._ (thieves’), _innocent man_, thieves considering themselves -as much-injured individuals. Grippe-Jésus, _gendarme_. (Popular) Petit -----, or à quatre sous, _newly-born infant_. (Sodomists’) Un ----, -_a Sodomist in confederacy with a rogue termed_ “chanteur,” _whose -spécialité is to extort money from rich people with unnatural passions_. - - Le persillard qui, une fois d’accord avec le chanteur - pour duper son douillard, devient alors son compère, - c’est-à-dire son Jésus! Tel est dénommé aujourd’hui le - persillard exploiteur.--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -JET, _m._ (thieves’), _musket_, or “dag.” - -JETAR, _m._ (military), _prison_, “Irish theatre, or mill.” - - J’ai ordre du sous-officier de semaine de te faire fourrer - au jetar sitôt rentré.--=G. COURTELINE.= - -JETÉ, _adj._ (popular), bien ----, or bien gratté, _well done_, _well -made_, _handsome_. Etre ----, _to be sent to the deuce_. - -JETER (thieves’ and cads’), _to send roughly away_; _to send to -the deuce_; ---- avec perte et fracas, _to bundle one out of doors -forcibly_; ---- un coup, _to look_, “to pipe.” Jettes-en un coup sur le -pante, _just look at that_ “cove.” Jeter de la grille, _to summons_, -_to request in the name of the law_; ---- une mandole, _to give one -a box on the ear_, “to smack one’s chops.” (Printers’) Jeter, _to -assure_. Je vous le jette, _I assure you it’s a fact_, “my Davy on it.” - -JETER DU CŒUR SUR CARREAU (general), or ---- son lest, _to vomit_, “to -cast up accounts, to shoot the cat, or to spew.” Literally _to throw -hearts on diamonds, or to throw one’s heart (which has here the meaning -of stomach) on the floor_. - -JETON, _m._ (popular), _coin_. - -JEU DE DOMINOS, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _set of teeth_. Montrer -son ----, _to show one’s teeth_, “to flash” _one’s_ “ivories.” - -JEUNE FRANCE (literary), _name given to young men of the “Ecole -romantique” in 1830--the “Byronian” school_. - - Ils ont fait de moi un Jeune France accompli ... j’ai une - raie dans les cheveux à la Raphaël ... j’appelle bourgeois - ceux qui ont un col de chemise.--=TH. GAUTIER.= - -JEUNE HOMME, _m._ (familiar and popular), _measure of wine of the -capacity of four litres_. Avoir son ----, _to be drunk_, “screwed.” For -synonyms see POMPETTE. - - Tiens ta langue, tu as ton jeune homme, roupille dans ton - coin.--=E. MONTEIL.= - -Suivez-moi ----, _ribbons worn in the rear of ladies’ dresses_, or -“follow me, lads.” - -JINGLARD. See GINGLARD. - -JIROBLE, _adj._ (thieves’), for girofle, _pretty_. - -JOB, _m. and adj._ (popular), _silly fellow_, or “flat.” Monter le -----, _to deceive_, “to bamboozle.” Se monter le ----, _to entertain -groundless hopes_. Job is an abbreviation of jobard. - -JOBARDER (general), _to deceive_, _to dupe_, _to fool one_, “to -bamboozle.” The equivalents for _to deceive_ are in the different -varieties of jargon: “mener en bateau, monter un bateau, donner un -pont à faucher, promener quelqu’un, compter des mistoufles, gourrer, -affluer, rouster, affûter, bouler, amarrer, battre l’antif, emblêmer, -mettre dedans, empaumer, enfoncer, allumer, hisser un gandin, -entortiller, faire voir le tour, la faire à l’oseille, refaire, refaire -au même, faire la barbe, faire la queue, flancher, pigeonner, juiffer,” -&c.; and in the English slang or cant, “to stick, to bilk, to do, to -best, to do brown, to bounce, to take in, to kid, to gammon,” &c. - -JOBELIN, _m._ (old word), jargon ----, _cant_. - - Sergens à pied et à cheval, - Venez-y d’amont et d’aval, - Les hoirs du deffunct Pathelin, - Qui scavez jargon jobelin. - - =VILLON=, _Les Repeues franches de - François Villon et de ses compagnons_, - 15th century. - -JOBERIE, _f._ (popular), _nonsense_, “tomfoolery.” - -JOBISME, _m._ (popular), _poverty_. - - Desroches a roulé comme nous sur les fumiers du - Jobisme.--=BALZAC.= - -Compare with the English expression, “as poor as Job’s turkey;” -“as thin and as badly fed,” says the _Slang Dictionary_, “as that -ill-conditioned and imaginary bird.” - -JOCKO, _m._ (familiar), pain ----, _loaf of an elongated shape_. - - Jocko, pain long à la mode depuis 1824, année où le singe - Jocko était à la mode.--=L. LARCHEY=, _Dict. Hist. d’Argot_. - -JOCRISSIADE, _f._ (familiar), _stupid action_. Jocrisse, _simpleton_. - -JOJO, _adj. and m._ (popular), _pretty_; _simpleton_. Faire son ----, -_to play the fool_. - -JONC, _m._ (thieves’), _gold_, or “redge.” Etre sur les joncs, _to be -in prison_, “in quod.” Un bobe, or un bobinot de ----, _a gold watch_, -a “red toy.” - -JONCHER (thieves’), _to gild_. - -JONCHERIE, _f._ (popular), _deceit_, _swindle_. The word is old. - - Adonc le Penancier vit bien - Qu’il y ent quelque tromperie; - Quand il entendit le moyen, - Il congnent bien la joncherie. - - _Poésies attribuées à Villon_, - 15th century. - -JONCHEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _gilder_. - -JONQUILLE, _adj._ (popular), mari ----, _injured husband_. An allusion -to the alleged favourite colour of cuckolds. - -JORNE, _m._ (thieves’), _day_ (Italian giorno). Refaite de ----, -_breakfast_. - -JOSE, _m._ (popular), _bank-note_. From papier Joseph, _tracing paper_. - -JOSEPH, _m._ (familiar), _over-virtuous man_. Faire le or son ----, -_to give oneself virtuous airs_. An allusion to the story of Madame -Potiphar and Joseph. - - Je me disais aussi: voilà un gaillard qui fait le Joseph. - Il doit y avoir une raison.--=A. DUMAS FILS.= - -JOSÉPHINE, _f._ (thieves’), _skeleton key_, or “betty.” - - Tel grinche s’arrêtera à faire le barbot dans une - cambriolle (à voler dans une chambre). S’il a oublié sa - joséphine (fausse clef), jamais il ne se servira de la - joséphine d’un autre de peur d’attraper des punaises, - c’est-à-dire de manquer son coup ou d’avoir affaire à un - mouchard.--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -(Popular) Faire sa ----, _is said of a woman who puts on virtuous airs, -indignantly tossing her head, or blushingly casting down her eyes, &c._ - -JOUASSER (familiar), _to play badly at a game or on an instrument_. - -JOUASSON (familiar), _poor player_. - -JOUER (popular), à la ronfle, or de l’orgue, _to snore_, “to drive -one’s pigs to market;” ---- des guibolles, _to run away_, “to leg it;” -see PATATROT; ---- du cœur, _to vomit_, “to shoot the cat;” (familiar -and popular) ---- de la harpe, _to stroke a woman’s dress as Tartuffe -with Elmire, or otherwise to take certain liberties with her_. See -HARPE. Jouer des mandibules, _to eat_, “to grub;” see MASTIQUER; ----- du Napoléon, _to be generous with one’s money_, “to come down -handsome;” an allusion to napoléon, _a twenty-franc coin_; ---- du -fifre, _to go without food_; ---- du piano _is said of a horse which -has a disunited trot, or of a man who is knock-kneed_; ---- du pouce, -_to give money_, “to fork out;” _to spend freely one’s money_. The -expression is old; Villon uses it in his dialogue of _Messieurs de -Mallepaye et de Baillevent_, 15th century:-- - - M. Sang bien, la mousse - M’a trop cousté. B. Et pourquoy? M. Pource. - B. Hay! hay! tout est mal compassé. - M. Comment? B. On ne joue plus du poulce. - -Jouer comme un fiacre, _to play badly_; ---- la fille de l’air, _to run -away_, “to slope.” See PATATROT. (Theatrical) Jouer à l’avant-scène, -_to stand close to the footlights when acting_; ---- devant les -banquettes, _to perform before an empty house_; (thieves’) ---- à la -main chaude, _to be guillotined_. Literally _to play hot cockles_. See -FAUCHÉ. Jouer de la harpe, _to be in prison_, or “in quod;” ---- du -linve, or du vingt-deux, _to knife_, or “to chive;” ---- du violon, _to -file iron bars or irons_. - -JOUJOUTER (popular), _to play_; _to frolic_. - -JOUR DE LA SAINT JEAN BAPTISTE, _m._ (thieves’), _execution day_, or -“wry-neck day.” - -JOURNÉE GOURD (Breton cant), _good day’s profits_. - -JOURNOYER (popular), _to do nothing at all_. - -JOUSTE, or _juste_ (thieves’), _near_. From the old word jouxte, Latin -juxta. Je trimardais jouste la lourde, _I was passing close to the -door_. - -JOYEUSE, _f._ (thieves’), _sword_, or “poker.” - -JOYEUX, _m. pl._ (military), _men of the “bataillon d’Afrique,”_ a -corps recruited with military convicts, who on being liberated serve -the remainder of their term of service in this corps. - -JUBILE, _f._ (glove-makers’), _pieces of glove skins_, _the perquisites -of glove-makers_. - - Jubile, peau économisée par l’ouvrier gantier sur celles - qu’on lui a confiées pour tailler une douzaine de paires de - gants.--=L. LARCHEY=, _Dict. Hist. d’Argot_. - -JUDAS, _m._ (popular), barbe de ----, _red beard_. Bran de ----, -_speckles_. Le point de ----, _thirteen_. - -JUDASSER (popular), _to betray_; _to act as a_ “cat in the pan,” or, in -thieves’ cant, “to turn snitch.” - -JUDASSERIE, _f._ (popular), _treacherous show of friendship_. - -JUDÉE, _f._ (thieves’), la petite ----, _Préfecture de police, -headquarters of the police_, situated formerly in the Rue de Jérusalem; -hence the expression. - -JUGÉ, _m._ (prisoners’), _young offender who has been sentenced to be -confined in a house of correction_. - -JUGE DE PAIX, _m._ (thieves’), _stick_; _a kind of roulette at -wine-shops_; (gamblers’) _pack of cards_, or “book of broads.” - -JUGEOTTE, _f._ (popular), _intellect_. - -JUGULANT, _adj._ (popular), _annoying_. - -JUGULER (popular), _to strangle_; _to bore_; _to cry out_. -Scrongnieugneu! que j’jugulais! _darn it, I cried!_ - -JULES, _m._ (popular), _chamber pot_, or “jerry.” Aller chez ----, _to -ease oneself_. (Military) Prendre, pincer, or tirer les oreilles à -----, _to carry away the privy tub_. Passer la jambe à ----, _to empty -the aforesaid tub_. Travailler pour ----, _to eat_. Des jules, _socks_. - -JUMELLES, _f. pl._ (popular), _breech_. - -JUPONNIER, _m._ (common), _one fond of the petticoat_. - -JUS, _m._ (familiar and popular), _wine_; ---- de bâton, _thrashing -with a stick_; ---- d’échalas, _wine_; ---- de réglisse, _negro_; ---- -de chapeau, _weak coffee_. Avoir du ----, _to be elegant, dashing_. -Avoir du ---- de navet dans les veines, _to be devoid of energy_. -(Popular) Jus, _profits in business_. Hardi! du ---- de bras, _now, -with a will, my lads!_ - - Encore un tour au treuil! Hardi! Du jus de bras! - - =RICHEPIN=, _La Mer_. - -Se coller un coup de ----, _to get drunk_. (Sailors’) Jus de cancre, -_landsman_, or “land-lubber.” Du ---- de botte premier brin, _rum of -the best quality_. - -JUSQU’À LA GAUCHE (military), _to a great extent_; _for a long time_. - - Vous serez consigné jusqu’à la gauche ... c’était son mot - ce “jusqu’à la gauche,” une expression de caserne ... - qui ne signifiait pas grand chose ... mais personnifiait - l’éternité.--=G. COURTELINE.= - -JUSQU’À PLUS SOIF (popular), _to excess_. - -JUSTE, _f._ (thieves’), _the assizes_. - -JUSTE-MILIEU, _m._ (familiar), _the behind_. See VASISTAS. - -JUTER DE L’ŒIL (popular), _to weep_. - - Spèce de tourte, n’jute donc pas d’ l’œil d’une façon aussi - incongrue.--=G. FRISON.= - -JUTEUX, _adj._ (dandies’), _elegant_; _dashing_. (Familiar) Affaire -juteuse, _profitable transaction_, a “fat job.” - - - - -K - - -KÉBIR, _m._ (military), _commander of a corps_. From the Arab. Also -_colonel_. - -KIF-KIF (popular), _all the same_. - - Expression qui vient des Arabes, importée assurément dans - l’atelier par quelque Zéphir ou quelque Zouave typographe. - Dans le patois algérien, kif-kif signifie, semblable - à.--=BOUTMY.= - -C’est ---- bourico or bourriquo, _it is all the same_; _it comes to the -same thing_. - - Que tu dises comme moi ou qu’ tu dises pas comme moi ça - fait jus’ kif-kif bourrique.--=G. COURTELINE.= - -KIL, _m._ (roughs’), _litre of wine_. Je me suis traversé d’un ----, _I -have drunk a litre of wine_. - -KILO, _m._ (popular), _litre of wine_; _false chignon_. Déposer un -----, _to ease oneself_. - -KLEBJER (popular), _to eat_. - -KOLBACK, _m._ (popular), _small glass of brandy_; _a large glass of -wine_. - -KOXNOFF, _adj._ (popular), _excellent_. - -KRAK, _m._ (familiar), _general collapse of financial firms in Austria -some years ago_. - -KROUMIR, _m._ (popular), _rough fellow_; _dirty or_ “chatty” _fellow_. - - - - -L - - -LA, _m._ (familiar), donner le ----, _to give the tone_. - -LABADENS (theatrical), _old school-fellow_. - - Depuis le vaudeville amusant de Labiche (l’affaire de - la Rue de Lourcine) qui a mis ce terme à la mode, il a - pris, avec le procès Bazaine, une valeur historique. - Quand Régnier voulut en effet être mis en la présence du - maréchal, il se fit annoncer ainsi: “Dites que c’est un - vieux Labadens.”--=LORÉDAN LARCHEY.= - -LABAGO (thieves’), _is equivalent to_ là-bas, _yonder_. Gaffine ----, -la riflette t’exhibe, _look yonder, the spy has his eye on you_. - -LÀ-BAS (prostitutes’), _the Saint-Lazare prison, a place of confinement -for prostitutes who offend against the law, or are detected plying -their trade without due authorization of the police_; (thieves’) _the -convict settlement in New Caledonia or at Cayenne_. - -LABORATOIRE, _m._ (eating-house keepers’), _the kitchen_, a place -where food is often prepared by truly chemical processes; hence the -appellation. - -L’ABSINTHE NE VAUT RIEN APRÈS DÎNER (printers’), _words used ruefully -by a typo to express his bitter disappointment at finding, on returning -from dinner, that he has corrections of his own to attend to_. - - Dans cette locution, on joue sur “l’absinthe,” considérée - comme breuvage et comme plante. La plante possède une - saveur “amère.” Avec quelle “amertume” le compagnon - restauré, bien dispos, se voit obligé de se “coller” sur le - marbre pour faire un travail non payé, au moment où il se - proposait de pomper avec acharnement. Déjà, comme Perrette, - il avait escompté cet après-dîner productif.--=BOUTMY.= - -LAC, _m._ (thieves’), être dans le ----, _to be very_ “hard up;” _to -be in a fix or in trouble, in a_ “hole.” Mettre dans le ----, _to -deceive_, _to make one fall into a trap_. (Gamesters’) Mettre dans le -----, _to lose all one’s money_, _to have_ “blewed” _it_. - - Au cercle, où la conversation vient de rouler sur la - mort tragique du roi de Bavière, un ponte perd un louis - au baccarat, en tirant à cinq:--allons, dit-il d’un air - résigné, encore un louis dans le lac!--_Le Voltaire_, Juin, - 1886. - -In the above quotation an allusion is made to Louis, King of Bavaria, -who committed suicide. - -LACETS, _m. pl._ (thieves’), _handcuffs_, or “bracelets.” Marchand or -solliceur de ----, _gendarme_. - -LÂCHAGE, _m._ (popular), _the act of forsaking one_. - -LÂCHE, _m._ (popular), Saint ----, _lazy workman_; _one who likes to -lounge about, who is_ “Mondayish.” Réciter la prière de Saint ----, _to -sleep_, or “to doss.” - -LÂCHER (popular), les écluses, son écureuil, or une naïade, _to void -urine_, or “to pump ship.” Termed also “changer ses olives d’eau, -lascailler, écluser, faire le petit, changer son poisson d’eau, -faire pleurer son aveugle, lancer, quimper la lance, gâter de l’eau, -arroser les pissenlits;” ---- une pastille, _to break wind_; (familiar -and popular) ---- d’un cran, _to leave one_; _to rid him of one’s -presence_; ---- la perche, _to die_; ---- les écluses, _to weep_, _to -blubber_, “to nap a bib;” ---- le coude, _to leave one alone_. - - Lâchez-nous donc le coude avec votre politique! - cria le zingueur. Lisez les assassinats, c’est plus - rigolo.--=ZOLA=, _L’Assommoir_. - -Lâcher le paquet, _to disclose_. - - Et Madame Lerat, effrayée, répétant qu’elle n’était même - plus tranquille pour elle, lâcha tout le paquet à son - frère.--=ZOLA=, _L’Assommoir_. - -Lâcher la mousseline, _to snow_. - - Le ciel restait d’une vilaine couleur de plomb, et la - neige, amassée là-haut, coiffait le quartier d’une calotte - de glace.... Gervaise levait le nez en priant le bon Dieu - de ne pas lâcher sa mousseline tout de suite.--=ZOLA=, - _L’Assommoir_. - -Lâcher une femme, _to break off one’s connection with a mistress_, “to -bury a moll;” ---- un cran, _to undo a button or two after dinner_. Se ----- d’une somme, _to spend reluctantly a sum of money_. (Theatrical) -Lâcher la rampe, _to die_, see PIPE; (thieves’) ---- un pain, _to -give a blow_, or “wipe.” (General) Se ----, Rigaud says: “Produire en -société un bruit trop personnel.” - -LACROMUCHE, _m._ (popular), _women’s bully_, or “Sunday man.” For -synonymous expressions see POISSON. - -LAFARGER (popular), _to poison_. An allusion to the celebrated Lafarge -poisoning case. - -LAFFE, _f._ (thieves’), _soup_. - -LAGAD-IJEN (Breton cant), _five-franc piece_. - -LAGO (thieves’), _there_. Gaffine ---- le pante se fait la débinette, -_look there, the_ “cove” _is running away_. - -LAGOUT, _m._ (thieves’), _water_ (“agout” with the article). - -LAIGRE, _f._ (thieves’), _fair_; _market_. Michel says this word is no -other than the adjective “alaigre,” of which the initial letter has -disappeared. - -LAINE, _f._ (tailors’), _work_, “graft.” Avoir de la ----, _to have -some work to do_. (Thieves’) Tirer la ----, _was formerly the term for -stealing cloaks from the person_; hence the old expression tire-laine, -_thief who stole cloaks_. - -LAINÉ, _m._ (thieves’), _sheep_, or “wool-bird.” - -LAISÉE, _f._ (thieves’ and roughs’), _prostitute_, or “bunter.” See -GADOUE. - -LAISSER (familiar and popular), aller le chat au fromage (obsolete), -_is said of a girl who allows herself to be seduced, who loses her -rose_; ---- tomber son pain dans la sauce (obsolete), _to manage -matters so as to get profit out of some transaction_; ---- ses bottes -quelque part, _to die_. The expression is found in Le Roux’s _Dict. -Comique_. Laisser fuir son tonneau, _to die_, “to kick the bucket.” -See PIPE. Laisser pisser le mérinos, _to wait for one’s opportunity_. -Synonymous of Laisser pisser le mouton, a proverbial saying. - -LAIT, _m._ (thieves’), à broder, _ink_. (Theatrical) Boire du ----, _to -be applauded_. - - A peine le couplet est-il chanté, au milieu des - applaudissements payés, que Biétry ... salue ... tous les - applaudisseurs ... il n’est pas le seul, ce soir-là, à - boire du lait, comme on dit en style de théâtre.--_Mémoires - de Monsieur Claude._ - -LAÏUS (familiar), _speech, or discourse_. Piquer un ----, _to make a -speech_. - -LAMBIASSE, _f._ (popular), _rags_. - -LAME, _f._ (military), vieille ----! _old chum!_ - -LAMINE (thieves’), _Le Mans_, a town. - -LAMPAGNE DU CAM, _f._ (thieves’), _country_, or “drum.” It is the word -“campagne” itself disguised in the following way. The first consonant -is replaced by the letter l, and the word is followed by its first -syllable preceded by “du” (Richepin). English thieves and gypsies have -a similar mode of distorting words, termed gibberish; called also -pedlar’s French, St. Giles’s Greek, and the Flash tongue. Gibberish -means a kind of disguised language formed by inserting any consonant -between each syllable of an English word, in which case it is called -the gibberish of the letter inserted; if F, it is the F gibberish; if -G, the G gibberish; as in the sentence, How do you do? Howg dog youg -dog? - -LAMPAS, _m._ (common), _throat_, or “red lane.” - - Pour l’histoire de s’assurer de la qualité du liquide et - s’arroser le lampas.--=LADIMIR.= - -LAMPE, _f._ (freemasons’), _drinking-glass_. - -LAMPIE, _f._ (thieves’), _meal_. From lamper, _to gulp down_. - -LAMPION, _m._ (thieves’), _hat_; _bottle_; ---- rouge, _police -officer_, “copper, or reeler.” For synonymous expressions see -POT-À-TABAC. - -LAMPIONS, _m. pl._ (thieves’), _eyes_, or “glaziers,” see MIRETTES; ----- fumeux, _inflamed eyes_. Des ----! Des ----! _a call expressive of -the impatience of a crowd, or rough elements of an audience, and made -more forcible by stamping of feet_. - -LANCE, _f._ (popular and thieves’), _water_, or “Adam’s ale;” _rain_, -or “parney.” - - C’est gagné! faites servir! six litres de vin! six litres - sans lance!--_Catéchisme Poissard._ - -This word is “ance” with the article. Michel says, “_ance_ vient -du terme de la vieille germania espagnole (Spanish cant) _ansia_, -qui lui-même est une apocope d’_angustia_; en effet l’eau était un -instrument de torture fort employé autrefois.” Il tombe de la ----, _it -rains_. Lance, _broom_; _shoemaker’s awl_. Chevalier de la courte ----, -or de Saint-Crépin, _shoemaker_, or “snob.” Du chenu pivois sans ----, -_good wine without water_. Lance had formerly the same signification as -FLAGEOLET, which see. - -LANCÉ, _m. and adj._ (popular), _agile play of dancers’ legs at dancing -halls_. - - Paul a un coup de pied si vainqueur et Rigolette un si - voluptueux saut de carpe! Les spectateurs s’intéressaient à - cet assaut de lancé vigoureux.--=VITU.= - -(Familiar) Lancé, _slightly intoxicated_, or “elevated.” See POMPETTE. - -LANCEQUINER (popular), _to rain_; _to weep_; _to void urine_. - -LANCER (thieves’), _to void urine_. See LÂCHER. (Popular) Lancer son -prospectus, _to ogle_. - -LANCEUR, _m._ (familiar), bon ----, _bookseller who is clever at -making known to the public a new publication_, “un étouffeur” _being -the reverse_. (Police) Lanceur allumeur, _a politician, generally -a journalist, in the employ of the police of the Third Empire_. -His functions consisted in exciting people to rebellion either by -inflammatory speeches at public meetings or by violent articles. - - On appelle allumeurs, en termes de police, les agents - provocateurs chargés de se mêler aux sociétés secrètes, - aux manifestations populaires.... Les allumeurs furent - créés sous l’empire; ils devinrent, sous la direction - de M. Lagrange, la fleur du panier de la préfecture. Ce - fonctionnaire fut lui-même ... avec un nommé P. le metteur - en œuvre du complot de l’Opéra-Comique ... qui aboutit à - cinquante-sept arrestations ... et finit par mettre sur la - défensive tous les républicains.--_Mémoires de Monsieur - Claude._ - -LANCEUSE, _f._ (familiar), _superannuated cocotte who acts as the -chaperone of a younger one_. - -LANCIER, _m._ (thieves’ and cads’), _individual_, or “cove.” - - Que’qu’ j’y foutrai dans la trompette, - A c’ lancier-là, s’il vient vivant? - - =RICHEPIN.= - -Lancier du préfet, _street-sweeper in the employ of the municipal -authorities_. - -LANCIERS, _m. pl._ (popular), oui, les ----! _nonsense!_ “tell that to -the marines!” “how’s your brother Job?” or “do you see any green in my -eye?” - -LANDAU À BALEINES, _m._ (popular), _umbrella_, “mush, or rain-napper.” - -LANDERNAU, _m._ (familiar), _name of a small town in Brittany_. Il -y aura du bruit dans ----, _is said of an insignificant event which -will set going the tongues of people who have nothing else to do_. The -expression has passed into the language. - -LANDIER, _m. and adj._ (thieves’), official of the octroi. The “octroi” -is the office established at the gates of a town for the collection of -a tax due for the introduction of certain articles of food or drink. -(Thieves’) Landier, _white_. - -LANDIÈRE, _f._ (old cant), _stall at a fair_. - - On sait que le Landit était une foire célèbre qui se tenait - à Saint-Denis.--MICHEL. - -LANDREUX, _adj._ (popular), _invalid_. - -LANGOUSTE, _f._ (popular), _simpleton_, _greenhorn_, “flat.” - -LANGUE, _f._ (familiar), verte, _slang of gamesters_. Also _slang_. The -expression is Delvau’s. (Popular) Avaler sa ----, _to die_, “to kick -the bucket.” See PIPE. Prendre sa ---- des dimanches, _to use choice -language_. (Familiar and popular) Une ---- fourrée, _lingua duplex, id -est quum basiis lingua linguæ promiscetur_ (=RIGAUD=). - -LANGUINEUR, _m._ (popular), _man whose functions are to examine the -tongues of pigs at the slaughter-house to ascertain that they are not -diseased_. - -LANSQUAILLER (thieves’). See LASCAILLER. - -LANSQUE (popular), abbreviation of lansquenet. - -LANSQUINAGE, _m._ (thieves’), _weeping_. - -LANSQUINE, _f._ (thieves’), _rain_, or “parny.” - - Aussi j’suis gai quand la lansquine, - M’a trempé l’cuir, j’ m’essuie l’échine - Dans l’vent qui passe et m’fait joli. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -Lansquiner (thieves’ and cads’), _to rain_; ---- des chasses, _to -weep_, “to nap a bib.” - -LANTEOZ (Breton cant), _butter_. - -LANTERNE, _f._ (popular), _window_, “jump.” Radouber la ----, _to -talk_, _to tattle_. The expression is old. Avoir la ----, or se taper -sur la ----, _to be hungry_, “to be bandied, or to cry cupboard.” -Vieille ----, _old prostitute_. See GADOUE. (Popular) Lanternes de -cabriolet, _large goggle eyes_. - - Oh! c’est vrai! t’as les yeux comme les lanternes de ton - cabriolet.--=GAVARNI.= - -LANTIMÈCHE, _m._ (popular), _lamp-lighter_; _also a word equivalent -to_ “thingumbob.” Il a filé avec ---- pour mener les poules pisser, _a -derisive reply to one inquiring about the whereabouts of a person_. - -LANTURLU, _m._ (popular), _madcap_. - -LAOU PHARAOU (Breton cant), _body lice_. - -LAPIN, _m._ (popular), _apprentice_. Des lapins, _shoes_, or -“trotter-cases.” (Familiar and popular) Lapin, _a clever or sturdy -fellow_. - - Ah! tu es un lapin! ... lui disaient tous ceux qu’il - abordait, il paraît que tu viens de faire une fameuse - découverte! on parle de toi pour la croix!--=E. GABORIAU=, - _M. Lecoq_. - -Etre en ----, _to ride by the side of the coachman_. Un ---- de -gouttière, _cat_, or “long-tailed beggar.” Coller or poser un ----, -_to deceive_, _to take in_, “to bilk.” It is said the expression -draws its origin from the practice of certain sportsmen who used to -invite themselves to dinner at some friend’s house in the country, and -repaid their host by leaving a rabbit as a compensation. The _Slang -Dictionary_ says that when a person gets the worst of a bargain he -is said “to have bought the rabbit,” from an old story about a man -selling a cat to a foreigner for a rabbit. With reference to deceiving -prostitutes the act is described in the English slang as “doing a bilk.” - - Je vous demande pardon, mais le vocable est consacré. - “Poser un lapin” fut longtemps une définition malséante, - bannie des salons où l’on cause. Maintenant, elle est - admise entre gens de bonne compagnie, et le lapin cesse, - dans les mots, de braver l’honnêteté.--=MAXIME BOUCHERON.= - -Un fameux, or rude ----, _a strong fearless man_, _one who is_ “spry.” - - L’homme qui me rendra rêveuse pourra se vanter d’être un - rude lapin.--=GAVARNI.= - -Also _a man who begets many children_. Voler au ----, or étouffer -un ----, _is said of a bus conductor who swindles his employers by -pocketing part of the fares_. Mon vieux ----! _old fellow!_ “old cock!” -(Thieves’) Lapin ferré, _mounted gendarme_. (Printers’) Manger un ----, -_to attend a comrade’s funeral_. - - Cette locution vient sans doute de ce que, à l’issue de - la cérémonie funèbre, les assistants se réunissaient - autrefois dans quelque restaurant avoisinant le cimetière - et, en guise de repas de funérailles, mangeaient un lapin - plus ou moins authentique.--=BOUTMY.= - -Concerning this expression, there is an anecdote of a typo who was -lying in hospital at the point of death, and who informed his sorrowing -friends that he would try and wait till the Friday morning, so that -they might have all the Saturday and Sunday for the funeral feast. - - Je tâcherai d’aller jusqu’à demain soir ... parceque les - amis auraient ainsi samedi et dimanche pour boulotter mon - “lapin.” Cela ne vaut-il pas le “plaudite!” de l’empereur - Auguste, ou le “Baissez le rideau, la farce est jouée!” de - notre vieux Rabelais?--=BOUTMY.= - -(Familiar and popular) C’est le ---- qui a commencé _is said ironically -in allusion to a difference or fight between a strong man and a weak -one, when the latter is worsted and blamed into the bargain_. A cartoon -of the late artist Gill, on the occasion of the assassination of Victor -Noir by Pierre Bonaparte in the last days of the Third Empire, depicted -the two principal actors in that mysterious affair under the features -of a fierce bull-dog and a rabbit, with the saying, “C’est le lapin qui -a commencé,” for a text line. - -LAPINER (general), _to cheat a prostitute by not paying her her dues_. - -LAQUEUSE, _f._ (familiar and popular), _cocotte who walks in the -vicinity of the lake at the Bois de Boulogne_. See GADOUE. - -LARANTQUÉ, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _two-franc coin_. - -LARBIN, _m._ (general), _man-servant_, _footman_, “flunkey,” or -“bone-picker.” - - Le savoureux Lebeau ... ancien valet de pied aux Tuileries, - laissait voir le hideux larbin qu’il était, âpre au gain et - à la curée.--=A. DAUDET=, _Les Rois en Exil_. - -(Popular) Larbin savonné, _knave of cards_. - -LARBINE, _f._ (popular), _maid-servant_, “slavey.” - -LARBINERIE, _f._ (familiar), _set of servants_, “flunkeydom, or -flunkeyism.” - -LARCOTTIER, _m._ (old cant), _one who yields too often to the -promptings of a well-developed bump of amativeness_, a “beard-splitter.” - -LARD, _m._ (popular), _disreputable woman_; _mistress_; _skin, or -body_. Sauver son ----, _to save one’s_ “bacon.” Perdre son ----, _to -become thin_. Faire son ----, _to put on a conceited look_. (General) -Faire du ----, _to lie in bed of a morning_. (Thieves’) Manger du ----, -_to inform against_, “to turn snitch.” - -LARDA (Breton cant), _to beat_. - -LARDÉ, _m._ (popular), un ---- aux pommes, _mess of potatoes and bacon_. - - Au prix où sont les lardés aux pommes aux trente-neuf - marmites.--_Tam-Tam_ du 6 Juin, 1880. - -LARDÉE, _f._ (printers’), _composition full of italics and roman_. - -LARDER (obsolete), explained by quotation:-- - - Terme libre, qui signifie, faire le déduit, se divertir - avec une femme.--=LE ROUX=, _Dict. Comique_. - -(Popular and military) _to pierce with a sword or knife_. Se faire -----, _to be stabbed or to receive a sword-thrust_. - -LARDIVES, _f. pl._ (prostitutes’), _female companions of prostitutes_. - - Après tout, mes lardives ne valent pas mieux que moi - et leurs megs valent le pante que j’ai lâché parcequ’il - m’embêtait.--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -LARDOIRE, _f._ (popular), _sword_, or “toasting fork.” - -LARGE, _adj. and m._ (popular), il est ----, mais c’est des épaules _is -said ironically of a close-fisted man_. N’en pas mener ----, _to be ill -at ease_; _crest-fallen_. Envoyer quelqu’un au ----, _to send one to -the deuce_. - -LARGONJI, _m._ (thieves’), _cant_, _slang_. Properly the word jargon -disguised by a process described under the heading LAMPAGNE (which see). - -LARGUE, _f._ (popular and thieves’), _woman_, “hay-bag, cooler, -shakester, or laced mutton.” Concerning the word Michel says: “Je -crains bien qu’une pensée obscène n’ait présidé à la création de ce -mot: ce qui me le fait soupçonner, c’est que je lis, p. 298 du livre -d’Antoine Oudin, ‘Loger au large, d’une femme qui a grand ... or, -large se prononçait largue à l’italienne et à l’espagnole dès le xivᵉ -siècle.’” - - Deux mots avaient suffi. Ces deux mots étaient: vos largues - et votre aubert, vos femmes et votre argent, le résumé de - toutes les affections vraies de l’homme.--=BALZAC.= - -Largue, _mistress_, or “poll;” ---- d’altèque, _handsome woman_, -or “dimbermort;” ---- en panne, _forsaken woman_, or a “moll that -has been buried;” ---- en vidange, _female in childbed_, or “in the -straw.” Balancer une ----, _to forsake a mistress_, “to bury a moll.” -(Sailors’) Grand’ ----, _excellent_, “out and out.” C’est grand’ ---- -et vrai marin, _it is_ “out and out,” _and quite sailor-like_. - -LARGUEPÉ, _f._ (thieves’), _prostitute, or thief’s wife_, “mollisher.” -See GADOUE. According to Michel this word is formed of largue, _woman_, -and putain, _whore_. - -LARME DU COMPOSITEUR, _f._ (printers’), _comma_. - -LARNAC, ARNAC, or ARNACHE, _m._ (thieves’), _police officer_, “copper,” -or “reeler.” Rousse à l’----, _detective_. For synonymous expressions -see VACHE. - -LARQUE, _f._ (roughs’), _woman_, or “cooler;” _registered prostitute_. -A corruption of largue. See GADOUE. - -LARRONS, _m. pl._ (printers’), _odd pieces of paper which adhere to -sheets in the press, producing_ “moines” _or blanks_. - -LARTIF, LARTIE, LARTON, _m._ (thieves’), _bread_, “pannum.” Termed also -“briffe, broute, pierre dure, artie, arton, brignolet, bringue, boule -de son, bricheton.” - -LARTILLE À PLAFOND, _f._ (thieves’), PASTRY. - -LARTIN, _m._ (old cant), _beggar_, “maunderer.” - -LARTON, _m._ (thieves’), _bread_, “pannum;” ---- brutal, _black bread_; ----- savonné, _white bread_. - -LARTONNIER, _m._ (thieves’), _baker_. From larton, _bread_. In the -English popular lingo a “dough-puncher.” - -LASCAILLER (thieves’), _to void urine_, “to pump ship.” For synonyms -see LÂCHER. - -LASCAR, _m._ (military), _bold, devil-may-care fellow_. Allons, mes -lascars! _now, boys!_ - - Alors il se frottait les mains, faisait des blagues, - ricanait: Eh! eh! mes lascars, il y a du bon pour le - “chose,” ce soir!--=G. COURTELINE.= - -The term is also used disparagingly with the signification of _bad -soldiers_. - - Là-dessus, en arrière, à droite, et à gauche ... marche! A - vos écuries, tas de lascars.--=G. COURTELINE.= - -(Thieves’) Lascar, _fellow_. - - Tous les lascars à l’atelier pouvaient turbiner à leur gré. - Moi, je n’avais pas plus tôt le dos tourné à mon ouvrage - pour grignoter mon lartif (pain) ou pour chiquer mon - Saint-père (tabac), que le louchon était sur mon dos pour - m’écoper.--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -LAS DE CHIER, _m._ (popular), grand ----, _big skulking fellow without -any energy_. - -LATEN (Breton slang), _tongue_. - -LATENNI (Breton slang), _to chatter_. - -LATIF, _m._ (thieves’), _white linen_, “lully,” or “snowy.” - -LATIN, _m._ (thieves’), _lingo_, _cant_, “flash, thieves’ Latin.” The -word meant formerly _language_. - -LATINE, _f._ (students’), _student’s mistress_. From “Quartier Latin,” -a part of Paris where students mostly dwell. - -LATTE, _f._ (military), _cavalry sword_. Se ficher un coup de ----, _to -fight a duel_. - -LAUMIR (old cant), _to lose_, “to blew.” - -LAUNE, _m._ (thieves’), _police officer_, or “copper.” For synonymous -expressions see POT-À-TABAC. - -LAURE, _f._ (thieves’), _brothel_, “nanny-shop, or academy.” Concerning -the inmates of a clandestine establishment of that description in -London, Mr. James Greenwood says:-- - - They belong utterly and entirely to the devil in human - shape who owns the den that the wretched harlot learns to - call her “home.” You would never dream of the deplorable - depth of her destitution if you met her in her gay attire - ... she is absolutely poorer than the meanest beggar that - ever whined for a crust. These women are known as “dress - lodgers.”--_The Seven Curses of London_. - -LAVABE, _m._ (popular), _note of hand_; _theatre ticket at reduced -price given to people who in return agree to applaud at a given signal_. - -LAVAGE, _m._, or LESSIVE, _f._ (general), _sale of one’s property_; -also _sale of property at considerable loss_. - - Barbet n’avait pas prévu ce lavage; il croyait au talent de - Lucien.--=BALZAC.= - -LAVARÈS (thieves’), for laver, _to sell stolen property_. Nous irons -à lavarès la camelote chez le fourgueur, _we will go and sell the -property at the receiver’s_. - -LAVASSE, _f._ (popular), _soup_; ---- sénatoriale, _rich soup_; ---- -présidentielle, _very rich soup_. - -LAVEMENT, _m._ (popular), au verre pilé, _glass of rank brandy_; -(familiar and popular), _troublesome man or bore_; (military) -_adjutant_. - -LAVER (general), _to spend_; _to sell_. - - Vous avez pour quarante francs de loges et de billets - à vendre, et pour soixante francs de livres à laver au - journal.--=BALZAC.= - -(Thieves’) Laver la camelote, or les fourgueroles, _to sell stolen -property_, “to do the swag;” ---- son linge, _to give oneself up -after sentence has been passed in contumaciam_; ---- le linge dans la -saignante, _to kill_. - - Voici le pante que j’ai allumé devant le ferlampier - (bandit) mis au poteau,--il faut laver son linge dans la - saignante. Vite; à vos surins, les autres! Une fuis qu’il - sera refroidi, qu’on le porte à la cave.--_Mémoires de - Monsieur Claude_. - -Se ---- les pieds, se ---- les pieds au dur, or au grand pré, _to be -transported_, “to be lagged,” or “to light the lumper.” (Popular) Se ----- les yeux, _to drink a glass of white wine in the morning_. Se ---- -le tuyau, _to drink_, “to wet one’s whistle.” Va te ----! _go to the -deuce_, _go to_ “pot!” Mon linge est lavé! _I am beaten_, _I own I -have the worst of it_. (General) Laver, _to sell_. - -LAVETTE, _f._ (popular), _tongue_, or “red rag.” - -LAVOIR, _m._ (cads’), _confessional_. A place where one’s conscience is -made snow-white. (Familiar) Lavoir public, _newspaper_. - -L’AVOIR ENCORE (popular). Elle l’a encore, _she has yet her -maidenhead_, _her rose has not yet been plucked_. - -LAZAGNE, or LAZAGEN, _f._ (thieves’), _letter_, “screeve, or stiff.” - - On appelle lasagna, en Italien, une espèce de mets de - pâte, et l’on dit proverbialement “come le lasagne,” comme - les lasagnes, ni endroit ni envers, pour dire, on ne - sait ce que c’est. On comprend que, ignorants comme ils - le sont pour la plupart, les gueux aient appliqué cette - expression aux lettres, qui, d’ailleurs, sont loin d’être - toujours lisibles. Il y a aussi des livres appelés “di - lasagne.”--=MICHEL.= - -Balancer une ----, _to write a letter_. - -LAZARO, _m._ (military), _prison_, “shop.” - - Il lui avait ouvert la porte du cachot ... au fond il se - moquait pas mal d’être flanqué au lazaro.--=G. COURTELINE.= - -LAZO-LIGOT, _m._ (police), _strap with a noose_. - - Et Col-de-zinc, à l’aspect si raide, avait l’agilité du - Mexicain pour jeter le lazo-ligot, pour entourer d’un seul - coup le corps et le poignet de son sujet de façon à ce que - la main restât attachée à sa hanche.--_Mémoires de Monsieur - Claude._ - -LAZZI-LOF, _m._ (thieves’), _venereal malady._ Termed “French gout,” or -“ladies’ fever,” in the English slang. - -LÈCHE-CURÉ, _m._ (popular), _bigot_, “prayer-monger.” - -LÉCHÉE, _f._ (artists’), _picture minutely painted_. - -LÉGITIME, _m. and f._ (familiar), _husband_, or “oboleklo;” _wife_, or -“tart.” Manger sa ----, _to squander one’s fortune_. - -LÉGUME, _m._ (military), gros ----, _field officer_, or “bloke.” An -allusion to his epaulets, termed “graine d’épinards.” - -LÉGUMISTE, _m._ (familiar), _vegetarian_. - -LEM, parler en ----, _mode of disguising words_ by prefixing the letter -“l,” and adding the syllabic “em” preceded by the first letter of the -word; thus “boucher” becomes “loucherbem.” This mode was first used by -butchers, and is now obsolete. See LAMPAGNE. - -LENQUETRÉ, _m._ (thieves’), _thirty sous_. The word “trente” disguised. - -LENTILLE, _f._ (thieves’), grosse ----, _moon_, “parish lantern.” - -LÉON, _m._ (thieves’), _the president of the assize court_. - -LERMON, _m._ (thieves’), _tin_. - -LERMONNER (thieves’), _to tin_. - -LESBIEN, _m._ (literary), formerly termed lesbin, explained by -quotation:-- - - Lesbin, pour dire un jeune homme ou garçon qui sert de - sucube à un autre et qui souffre qu’on commette la sodomie - sur lui.--=LE ROUX=, _Dict. Comique_. - -LESBIENNE, _f._ (common). Rigaud says: “Femme qui suit les errements de -Sapho; celle qui cultive le genre de dépravation attribué à Sapho la -Lesbienne.” - -LESCAILLER. See LASCAILLER. - -LÉSÉBOMBE, or LÉSÉE, _f._ (popular), _prostitute_, or “mot.” For -synonymous expressions see GADOUE. - -LESSIVAGE, _m._ (popular), _selling of property_; (thieves’) _pleading_. - -LESSIVANT, _m._ (thieves’), _counsel_, or “mouthpiece.” - -LESSIVE, _f._ (popular), de gascon, _doubtful cleanliness_. Faire la -----, _to turn one’s dirty shirt-collar or cuffs on the clean side_. -(Literary) Faire sa ----, _to sell books sent to one by authors_. -(Thieves’) Lessive, _speech for the defence_. The prisoner compares -himself to dirty linen, to be washed snow-white by the counsel. - -LESSIVER (thieves’), _is said of a barrister who pleads in behalf of a -prisoner_. Se faire ----, _to be cleaned out at some game_, “to have -blewed one’s tin,” or “to be a muck-snipe,” or in sporting slang a -“muggins.” - -LESSIVEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _counsel_, or “mouthpiece.” Literally _one -who washes_. - -LETERN (Breton cant), _eye_. - -LETEZ (Breton cant), _countryman_. - -LETEZEN (Breton cant), _pancake_. - -LETTRE, _f._ (thieves’), de Jérusalem, _letter written by a prisoner -to someone outside the prison, to request that some money may be sent -him_; ---- de couronne (obsolete), _cup_. - -LEVAGE, _m._ (popular), _swindle_; _successful gallantry_. - -LEVÉ, _adj._ (general), had formerly the signification of _to be -tracked by a bailiff who has found one’s whereabouts_. - -LEVÉE, _f._ (popular), _wholesale arrest of prostitutes_. - -LÈVE-PIEDS, _m._ (thieves’), _ladder_; _steps_, or “dancers.” Embarder -sur le ----, _to go down the steps_, “to lop down the dancers.” - -LEVER (printers’), la lettre, or les petits clous, _to compose_; -(popular) ---- boutique, _to set up as a tradesman_. - - Un Toulousain ... jeune perruquier dévoré d’ambition, - vint à Paris, et y leva boutique (je me sers de votre - argot).--=BALZAC.= - -Lever des chopins, _to find some profitable stroke of business_; ---- -la jambe, _to dance the cancan_; ---- le bras, _to be dissatisfied_; ----- le pied, _to abscond_; (familiar and popular) ---- une femme, _to -find a woman willing to accord her favours_; ---- quelquechose, _to -steal something_, “to wolf;” (military) ---- les baluchons, _to go -away_; (prostitutes’) ---- un miché, _to find a client_, “to pick up a -flat.” - -LEVEUR, _m._ (popular), _pickpocket_, “buzcove.” See GRINCHE. Leveur de -femmes, _a Don Giovanni in a small way_, or a “molrower.” (Printers’) -Bon ----, _skilled typographer_. - - Un bon leveur est un ouvrier qui compose bien et - vite.--=BOUTMY.= - -LEVEUSE, _f._ (familiar and popular), _a flash girl_. - -LEVURE, _f._ (popular), _flight_. Faire la ----, _to run away_; “to -skedaddle,” “to mizzle.” - -LÉZARD, _m._ (popular), _an untrustworthy friend_; _dog stealer_. - - Le lézard vole des chiens courants, des épagneuls et - surtout des levrettes. Il ne livre jamais sa proie sans - recevoir la somme déclarée.--_Almanach du Débiteur._ - -Faire son ----, _to doze in the daytime like a lizard basking in the -sun_. (Thieves’) Faire le ----, to take to flight, “to make beef.” See -PATATROT. Un ----, _a traitor_, a “snitcher.” - -LÉZARDES, _f. pl._ (printers’), _white spaces_. - - Raies blanches produites dans la composition par la - rencontre fortuite d’espaces placées les unes au-dessous - des autres.--=BOUTMY.= - -LÉZINE, _f._ (thieves’), _cheating at a game_. - -LÉZINER (thieves’), _to cheat_, “to bite;” _to hesitate_, “to funk.” - -LIBRETAILLEUR, _m._ (familiar), _a libretto writer of poor ability_. - -LICE, _f._ (popular), _lecherous girl_. Literally _bitch_. - -LICHADE, _f._ (popular), _embrace_. - -LICHANCE, _f._ (popular), _hearty meal_, “tightener.” From licher, -equivalent to lécher, _to lick_. - -LICHE, _f._ (popular), _excessive eating or drinking_. Etre en ----, -_to be_ “on the booze.” - -LICHER (familiar and popular), _to drink_, “to lush.” See RINCER. - - Il a liché tout’ la bouteille, - Rien n’est sacré pour un sapeur. - - _Parisian Song._ - -LICHEUR, _m._ (familiar and popular), _gormandizer_. The term is very -old. - -LICHOTER UN RIGOLBOCHE (popular), _to make a hearty meal_, or -“tightener.” - -LIE DE FROMENT, _f._ (popular), _excrement_, or “quaker.” - -LIÈGE, _m._ (thieves’), _gendarme_. - -LIERCHEM (cads’), _to ease oneself_. An obscene word disguised. See LEM. - -LIGNANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _life_. - - Ce mot ... vient de la ligne, dite de vie, que les - bohémiens consultaient sur la main de ceux auxquels ils - disaient la bonne aventure.--=MICHEL.= - -LIGNARD, _m._ (familiar and popular), _foot-soldier of the line_; -_journalist_; (printers’) _compositor who has to deal only with the -body part of a composition_; (artists’) _artist who devotes his -attention more to the perfection of the outline than to that of -colour_; (popular) _rodfisher_. - -LIGNE, _f._ (artists’), avoir la ----, _to have a fine profile_. -(Literary) Pêcher à la ----, or tirer à la ----, _is said of a -journalist who seeks to make an article as lengthy as possible_. -(Popular) Pêcher à la ---- d’argent _is said of an angler who catches -fish by means of a money bait, at the fishmonger’s_. (Printers’) Ligne -à voleur, _line containing only a syllable, or a very short word, which -might have been composed into the preceding line_. - - Les lignes à voleur sont faciles à reconnaître, et elles - n’échappent guère à l’œil d’un correcteur exercé, qui les - casse d’ordinaire impitoyablement.--=BOUTMY.= - -LIGORE, _f._ (thieves’), _assize court_. - -LIGORNIAU, _m._ (popular), _hodman_. - -LIGOT. See LIGOTANTE. - -LIGOTAGE, _m._ (police), _binding a prisoner’s hands by means of a rope -or strap_. - -LIGOTANTE, or LIGOTTE, _f._ (thieves’), _rope, or strap_; _bonds_; ---- -de rifle, or riflarde, _strait waistcoat_. - -LIGOTER (police and thieves’), _to bind a prisoner’s hands by means of -ropes or straps_. - - Nul mieux que lui ne savait prendre un malfaiteur sans - l’abîmer, ni lui mettre les poucettes sans douleur ou le - ligoter sans effort.--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -LIGOTTE, _f._ (thieves’), _rope_; _string_; _strap_. - -LILLANGE (thieves’), _town of Lille_. - -LILLOIS, _m._ (thieves’), _thread_. - -LIMACE, _f._ (popular), _low prostitute_, or “draggle-tail;” _soldier’s -wench_, or “barrack-hack,” see GADOUE; (thieves’) _shirt_, “flesh-bag, -or commission.” From the Romany “lima,” according to Michel. - -LIMACIER, _m._, LIMACIÈRE, _f._, (thieves’), _shirt-maker_. From -limace, _a shirt_. - -LIMANDE, _f._ (popular), _man made of poor stuff_; _one who fawns_. -From limande, _a kind of sole_ (fish). - -LIME, _f._ (thieves’), for limace, _shirt_, or “commission” in old -English cant; ---- sourde, _sly, underhand man_. The expression is old, -and is used by Rabelais:-- - - Mais, qui pis est, les oultragearent grandement, - les appellants trop-diteux, breschedents, plaidants - rousseaulx, galliers, chie-en-licts, averlans, limes - sourdes.--_Gargantua._ - -LIMER (familiar and popular), _to talk with difficulty_; _to do a thing -slowly_. Literally _to file_. - -LIMOGÈRE, _f._ (thieves’), _chambermaid_. - -LIMONADE, _f._ (popular), _water_, or “Adam’s ale;” _the trade of a_ -“limonadier,” _or proprietor of a small café_. Tomber, or se plaquer -dans la ----, _to fall into the water_; _to be ruined_, or “gone -a mucker.” (Thieves’) Limonade, _flannel vest_; ---- de linspré, -_champagne_. “Linspré” is the word “prince” disguised. - -LIMONADIER DE POSTÉRIEURS, _m._ (popular), _apothecary_. Formerly -apothecaries performed the “clysterium donare” of Molière’s _Malade -Imaginaire_. - -LIMOUSIN, or LIMOUSINANT, _m._ (popular), _mason_. It must be mentioned -that most of the Paris masons hail from Limousin. - -LIMOUSINE, _f._ (thieves’), _sheet lead on roofs_, or “flap.” Termed -also “saucisson, gras-double.” - -LIMOUSINEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _thief who steals sheet-lead roofing_. -Called also “voleur au gras-double,” a “bluey faker,” or one who “flies -the blue pigeon.” See GRINCHE. - -LINGE, _m._ (familiar and popular), faire des effets de ----, _to -display one’s body linen with affectation_. Un bock sans ----, or sans -faux-col, _a glass of beer without any head_. A request for such a -thing is often made in the Paris cafés, where the microscopic “bocks” -or “choppes” are topped by gigantic heads. Se payer un ---- convenable, -_to have a stylish mistress_, an “out-and-out tart.” (Popular) Un ---- -à règles, _a dirty, slatternly woman_. Resserrer son ----, _to die_. -(Thieves’) Avoir son ---- lavé, _to be caught_, _apprehended_, or -“smugged.” - -LINGÉ, _adj._ (popular), être ----, _to have plenty of fine linen_. - -LINGRE, or LINGUE, _m._ (thieves’), _knife_, or “chive.” From Langres, -a manufacturing town. The synonyms are “linve, trente-deux, vingt-deux, -chourin or surin, scion, coupe-sifflet, pliant.” Jouer du ----, _to -stab_, “to stick, or to chive.” - -LINGRER, or LINGUER (thieves’), _to stab_, “to stick, or to chive.” - -LINGRIOT, _m._ (thieves’), _penknife_. - -LINGUARDE, _f._ (popular), _woman with a soft tongue_. - -LINGUE, _m._ (thieves’), _knife_, or “chive.” - -LINSPRÉ, _m._ (thieves’), _prince_. See LIMONADE. - -LINVÉ, _m._ (popular), loussem, _twenty sous_. The words “vingt sous” -distorted. Un ----, _a franc_: “un lenquetré” _being one franc and -fifty centimes, or thirty sous_, and “un larantqué,” _two francs, or -forty sous_. These expressions are respectively the words un, trente, -quarante, disguised. - -LION, _m._ (familiar), _dandy of 1840_. Fosse aux lions, _box at the -opera occupied by men of fashion_. For synonymous terms see GOMMEUX. - -LIONNERIE, _f._ (familiar), _fashionable world_. - -LIPÈTE, _f._ (popular), _prostitute_, “mot,” or “common Jack.” See -GADOUE. - -LIPETTE, _f._ (popular), _mason_. Termed also ligorgniot. - -LIPPER (popular), _to visit several wine-shops in succession_. - -LIQUETTE, or LIMACE, _f._ (thieves’), _shirt_, in old English cant -“commission.” Décarrer le centre d’une ----, _to obliterate the marking -of a shirt_. - -LIQUEUR, _f._ (popular), cache-bonbon à ----, _dandy’s stick-up -collar_. A malevolent allusion to scrofula abcesses on the neck. - -LIRE (familiar), aux astres, _to muse_, “to go wool-gathering;” -(familiar and popular) ---- le journal, _to go without a dinner_; ---- -le Moniteur, _to wait patiently_. (Printers’) Lire, _to note proposed -alterations in a proof_; ---- en première, _to correct the first -proof_; ---- en seconde, or en bon, _to correct a second proof on which -the author has written “for press.”_ (Thieves’) Savoir ----, _to have -one’s wits about one_, “to know what’s o’clock.” - -LISETTE, _f._ (thieves’), _long waistcoat_; _sword_, or “poker.” - -LISSERPEM (roughs’), _to void urine_. The word “pisser” disguised by -prefixing the letter “l,” and adding the syllable “em” preceded by the -first letter of the word. - -LISTARD, _m._ (journalists’), _one in favour of “scrutin de liste,” or -mode of voting for the election wholesale of all the representatives in -parliament of a “département.”_ For instance, the Paris electors have -to vote for a list of over thirty members. - -LIT, _m._ (popular), être sous le ----, _to be mistaken_. - -LITHOGRAPHIER (popular), se ----, _to fall_, “to come a cropper.” - -LITRER, or ITRER (thieves’), _to have_. - -LITRONNER (popular), _to drink wine_. From litron, _a wine measure_. - -LITRONNEUR, _m._ (popular), _one who is too fond of the bottle_. - -LITTÉRATURE JAUNE (familiar), _the so-called Naturalist literature_. - -LITTÉRATURIER, _m._ (familiar), _a literary man after a fashion_. - -LIVRAISON, _f._ (popular), avoir une ---- de bois devant sa porte, _to -have well-developed breasts_, _to be possessed of fine_ “Charlies.” - -LIVRE, _m._ (popular), des quatre rois, _pack of cards_, “book of -briefs,” or “Devil’s books;” ---- rouge, _police registration book in -which the names of authorized prostitutes are inscribed_. Etre inscrite -dans le ---- rouge, _to be a registered prostitute_. (Freemasons’) -Livre d’architecture, _ledger of a lodge_. (Sharpers’) Livre, _one -hundred francs_. - -LOA VIHAN (Breton cant), _coffee_. - -LOCANDIER, _m._ (thieves’). Called also “voleur au bonjour,” _thief who -visits apartments in the morning, and who when caught pretends to have -entered the wrong rooms by mistake_. See GRINCHE. - -LOCHE, _f._ (popular), mou comme une ----, _slow_, _phlegmatic_, -“lazybones.” (Thieves’) Loche, _ear_, or “wattle.” Properly _loach or -groundling_. - -LOCHER (thieves’), _to listen_; (popular) _to totter_, “to be groggy.” - -LOCOMOTIVE, _f._ (popular), _great smoker_. - -LOF, LOFF, LOFFARD, LOFFE, _m._ (popular), _fool_, or “bounder.” “Lof” -is the anagram of “fol.” - - A lui le coq,... pour inventer des emblèmes ... quand j’y - pense, fallait-il que je fusse loff pour donner dans un - godan pareil!--_Mémoires de Vidocq._ - -LOFFAT, _m._ (popular), _apprentice_. - -LOFFIAT, _m._ (popular), _blockhead_, or “cabbage-head.” - -LOFFITUDE, _f._ (thieves’), _stupidity_; _nonsense_. Bonisseur de -loffitudes, _nonsense-monger_. Solliceur de loffitudes, _journalist_. - -LOGE INFERNALE, _f._ (theatrical), _box occupied by young men of -fashion_. - -LOGER RUE DU CROISSANT (familiar and popular), _is said of an injured -husband_, or “buckface.” An allusion to the horns of the moon. - -LOGIS DU MOUTROT, _m._ (thieves’), _police court_. - -LOIR, _m._ (thieves’), _prison_, “stir, or Bastile.” See MOTTE. - -LOKARD (Breton cant), _peasant_. - -LOKO (Breton cant), _brandy_. - -LOLO, _m._ (thieves’), _chief_, or “dimber damber;” (popular) -_cocotte_, or “mot.” See GADOUE. Fifi ----, _large iron cylinder in -which the contents of cesspools are carried away by the scavengers_. -(Military) Gros lolos, _cuirassiers_. - -LOMBARD, _m._ (popular), _commissionnaire of the “Mont de Piété,” or -government pawning establishment_. - -LONCEGUÉ, _m._ (thieves’ and cads’), _man_, “cove;” _master of a -house_, “boss.” The word gonce disguised. - -LONCEGUEM, _f._ (thieves’ and cads’), _woman_, or “hay-bag;” _mistress -of a house_. - -LONG, _m. and adj._ (popular), _simpleton_, _greenhorn_. Etes-vous logé -et nourri? Oui, le ---- du mur. _Do you get board and lodging? Yes, at -my own expense._ (Thieves’) Long, _stupid_; _blockhead_, or “go along.” -Abbreviation of long à comprendre. - -LONGCHAMPS, _m._, _a long corridor of w.c.’s at the Ecole -Polytechnique_; (popular) _a procession_. - -LONGE, _f._ (thieves’), _year_, or “stretch.” Tirer une ----, _to do -one_ “stretch” _in prison_. - -LONGÉ, _adj._ (popular), _old_. - -LONGIN, or SAINT-LONGIN, _m._ (popular), _sluggard_. - -LONGINE, or SAINTE-LONGINE, _f._ (popular), _sluggish woman_. - -LONGUETTE DE TRÈFLE, _f._ (thieves’), _roll of tobacco_, or “twist of -fogus.” - -LOPHE, _adj._ (thieves’), _false_; _counterfeit_, “flash.” Un fafiot -----, _a forged bank-note_, or “queer screen.” - -LOPIN, _m._ (popular), _spittle_, or “gob.” - -LOQUE, _m._ (thieves’), parler en ----, _mode of disguising words_. The -word is preceded by the letter “l,” and the syllable preceded by the -first letter of the word is added. Thus “fou” becomes “loufoque.” - -LOQUES, _f. pl._ (thieves’), _pieces of copper_. - -LORCEFÉ, _f._ (thieves’), _old prison of “La Force.”_ La ---- des -largues, _the prison of Saint-Lazare, where prostitutes and unfaithful -wives are confined_. - - Eh bien! si je te la fourrais à la lorcefé des - largues (Saint-Lazare) pour un an, le temps de ton - gerbement.--=BALZAC.= - -LORDANT. See LOURDIER. - -LORET, _m._ (popular), _lover of a_ lorette. - -LORETTE, _f._ (familiar), _more than fast girl_, or “mot,” _named after -the Quartier Notre Dame de Lorette, the Paris Pimlico_. See GADOUE. - -LORGNE, or LORGNE-BÉ, _m._ (thieves’), _one-eyed man_. In English slang -“a seven-sided animal;” _the ace of cards_, or “pig’s eye.” - -LORGNETTE, _f._ (thieves’), _keyhole_, this natural receptacle for -a key being considered by thieves as an aperture convenient only -for making investigations from the outside of a door. Etui à ----, -_coffin_, or “cold-meat box.” Eteindre ses deux lorgnettes, _to close -one’s eyes_. - -LORQUET, _m._ (popular), _sou_. - -LOT, _m._ (popular), _venereal disease_. - -LOU, or LOUP, _m._ (popular), faire un ----, _to spoil a piece of work_. - -LOUANEK (Breton cant), _brandy_. - -LOUAVE, _m._ (thieves’), _drunkard_. Être ----, _to be drunk_, “to be -canon.” Faire un ----, _to rob a drunkard_. Rogues who devote their -energies to this kind of thieving are termed “bug-hunters.” - -LOUBAC, _m._ (popular), _apprentice_. - -LOUBION, _m._ (thieves’), _bonnet or hat_. See TUBARD. - -LOUBIONNIER, _m._ (thieves’), _hat or bonnet maker_. - -LOUCHE, _f._ (thieves’), _hand_, or “duke.” La ----, _the police_, or -“reelers.” La ---- le renifle, _the police are tracing him_, _he is -getting a_ “roasting.” - -LOUCHÉE, _f._ (thieves’), _spoonful_. From louche, _a soup ladle_. - -LOUCHER (popular), de la bouche, _to have a constrained, insincere -smile_; ---- de l’épaule, _to be a humpback_, or a “lord;” ---- de la -jambe, _to be lame_. Faire ---- un homme, _to inspire a man with carnal -desire_. - -LOUCHERBEM, _m._ (popular and thieves’), the word boucher disguised, -see Lem; BUTCHER. Corbillard des ----, see CORBILLARD. - -LOUCHON, _m._, LOUCHONNE, _f._ (popular), _person who squints_, _one -with_ “swivel-eyes.” - -LOUFFER (popular and thieves’), _to foist_, “to fizzle.” Si tu louffes -encore sans dire fion je te passe à travers, _if you_ “fizzle” _again -without apologizing I’ll thrash you_. - -LOUFFIAT, _m._ (popular), _low cad_. Termed in the English slang a -“rank outsider.” - -LOUFOQUE, _adj. and m._ (popular and thieves’), _mad_, or “cracked, -balmy, or one off his chump.” The word fou disguised by means of the -syllable loque. See LOQUE. - - Si nos doch’ étaient moins vieilles, - On les ferait plaiser, - Mais les pauv’ loufoques balaient - Les gras d’nos laisées. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -LOUILLE, _f._ (thieves’), _prostitute_, or “bunter.” See GADOUE. - -LOUIS, _f. and m._ (bullies’), une ----, _a bully’s mistress_, _a -prostitute_. Abbreviation of Louis XV., women in brothels often -powdering and dressing their hair Louis XV. fashion. See GADOUE. - - J’couch’ que’qu’fois sous des voitures; - Mais on attrap’ du cambouis. - J’veux pas ch’linguer la peinture - Quand j’suc’ la pomme à ma Louis. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -(Popular) Un ---- d’or, _lump of excrement_, or “quaker.” - -LOUISETTE, _f._ _old appellation of the guillotine_. - -LOUIZA (Breton cant), WATER. - -LOUP, _m._ (popular), _mistake_; _debt_; _creditor_, or “dun;” _misfit, -or piece of work which has been spoilt_; (printers’) _lack of type_; -_debt_; _creditor_. Faire un ----, _is to buy on credit_. - - Le jour de la banque, le créancier ou “loup” vient - quelquefois guetter son débiteur (nous allions dire sa - proie) à la sortie de l’atelier pour réclamer ce qui lui - est dû. Quand la réclamation a lieu à l’atelier, ce qui est - devenu très rare, les compositeurs donnent à leur camarade - et au créancier une “roulance” accompagnée des cris: au - loup! au loup!--=BOUTMY.= - -LOUPATE, _m._ (popular), the word “pou” disguised, _a louse_, or -“grey-backed ’un.” - -LOUP-CERVIER, _m._ (familiar), _stockjobber_. - -LOUPE, _f._, _laziness_, “loafing.” Camp de la ----, _vagabonds’ -meeting-place_. Chevalier de la ----, _a lazy rambler or gad-about -who goes about pleasure seeking_. (Thieves’) Un enfant de la ----, _a -variety of the vagabond tribe_. - - Les Enfants de la loupe et les Filendèches habitaient de - préférence l’extérieur des carrières, leurs fours à briques - ou à plâtre.--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -LOUPER (popular), _to idle about pleasure seeking_. - -LOUPEUR (popular), _lazy workman_, _or one who is_ “Mondayish.” - -LOUPIAT, _m._ (popular), _lazy_, or “Mondayish,” _workman_; _vagrant_, -or “pikey.” - -LOUPIAU, or LOUPIOT, _m._ (popular), _child_, or “kid.” - -LOUPION, _m._ (popular), _hat_, “tile.” See TUBARD. - -LOURDE, or LOURDIÈRE, _f._ (thieves’), _door_, “jigger.” Bâcler la -----, _to shut the door_, “to dub the jigger.” - -LOURDEAU, _m._ (thieves’), _devil_, “ruffin,” or “darble.” - -LOURDIER, _m._ (popular), _door-keeper_. - -LOUSSE, _f._ (thieves’), _country gendarme or corps of gendarmerie_. - -LOUSSÉS, _m. pl._ (cads’), dix ----, _fifty centimes_. The word sous -disguised. - -LOUSTAUD, _m._ (thieves’), _prison_, or “stir.” See MOTTE. Envoyer à -----, _to send to the deuce_, “to pot.” - -LOUTER (popular). See FAIRE UN LOU. - -LOUVETEAU, _m._ (freemasons’), _son of a freemason_. - -LOUVETIER, _m._ (printers’), _man in debt_. - - Ce terme est pris en mauvaise part, car le typo auquel on - l’applique est considéré comme faisant trop bon marché de - sa dignité.--=BOUTMY.= - -LUBRE, _adj._ (thieves’), _dismal_. Lubre comme un guichemard, _as -dismal as a turnkey_. - -LUC, _m._ (popular), messire ----, _breech_, or “tochas.” “Luc” is the -anagram of “cul.” See VASISTAS. - -LUCARNE, _f._ (popular), _woman’s bonnet_. - - Autrefois on assimilait le capuchon des moines à une - fenêtre, d’où le proverbe: défiez-vous des gens qui ne - voient le jour que par une fenêtre de drap.--=MICHEL.= - -LUCARNE, _monocular eye-glass_. Crever sa ----, _to break one’s -eye-glass_. - -LUCQUES, _m. pl._ (thieves’), _documents_. Porte ----, _pocket-book_, -“dee,” or “dummy.” - -LUCRÈCE, _f._ (popular), faire sa ----, _to put on a virtuous look_. - -LUCTRÈME, _m._ (thieves’), _skeleton key_, “screw,” “Jack in the box,” -or “twirl.” Filer le ----, _to open a door by means of a skeleton-key_, -“to screw.” - -LUGNA (Breton cant), _to look_. - -LUIRE, _m._ (old cant), _brain_. - -LUIS, or LUISANT, _m._ (thieves’), _day_. - - Je rouscaille tous les luisans au grand haure de - l’oraison.--_Le Jargon de l’Argot._ (_I pray daily the - great God of prayer._) - -LUISANT, _m._, see LUIS; (familiar) _dandy_, “masher.” - - Voici d’abord le pschutt, le vlan, les luisants, comme nous - les nommons aujourd’hui.--=P. MAHALIN.= - -For synonymous terms see GOMMEUX. - -LUISANTE, or LUISARDE, _f._ (thieves’), _moon_, or “parish lantern;” -_window_, or “jump.” - -LUISARD, or LUYSARD, _m._ (thieves’), _sun_. Luysard estampille six -plombes, _it is six o’clock by the sun_. - -LUISARDE, _f._ (thieves’), _moon_, “parish lantern, or oliver.” - -LUMIGNON, _m._ (thieves’), le grand ----, _sun_. Properly lumignon is -_a lantern_. - -LUMINARISTE, _m._ (theatrical), _lamp-lighter_. - -LUNCHER (familiar), _to have lunch_. From the English. - -LUNE, _f._ (thieves’), one franc; ---- à douze quartiers, _the wheel -on which criminals were broken_. (Familiar and popular) Lune, _the -behind_. See VASISTAS. Lune, _large full face_. Amant de la ----, _man -with amatory intentions who frequently goes out on nocturnal, but -fruitless_ “caterwauling” _expeditions_. Voir la ----, _is said of a -maiden who is made a woman_. - - La petite a beau avoir de la dentelle, elle n’en verra pas - moins la lune par le même trou que les autres.--=ZOLA=, - _L’Assommoir_. - -LUNÉ, _adj._ (popular), bien ----, _in a good humour_, _well disposed_. - -LUNETTE, _f._ (popular), d’approche, _guillotine_. Passer en ----, -_to take in_, “to do;” _to harm_. Etre passé en ----, _to fail in -business_. Les lunettes, _posteriors_, or “cheeks.” (Popular) Lunettes, -_small fry_. Je vais à la chasse aux ----, _I am going to fish for -small fry_. - -LUQUE, _f._ (thieves’ and mendicants’), _certificate_; _false -certificate, or false begging petition_, “fakement;” _passport_; -_picture_. Je sais bien aquiger les luques, _I know well how to forge -a certificate, or to make up pictures_. Porte ----, _pocket-book_, or -“dummy.” It seems probable that the term “une luque,” a picture, is -derived from Saint-Luc, who formed the subject of the pictures used -formerly by mendicants to ingratiate themselves with monks and nuns, as -mentioned by _Le Jargon de l’Argot_. - -LUQUET, _m._ (thieves’ and mendicants’), _forged certificate_, _or -false begging petition_, “fakement.” - -LURON, _m._ (thieves’), avaler le ----, _to partake of communion_. The -term was probably, in the origin, “le rond,” corrupted into its present -form (Michel). - -LUSIGNANTE, _f._ (popular), _mistress_, or “moll.” - -LUSQUIN, _m._ (thieves’), _charcoal_. - -LUSQUINES, _f. pl._ (thieves’), _ashes_. - -LUSTRE, _m._ (thieves’), _judge_, or “beak.” (Theatrical) Chevaliers -du ----, _men who are paid to applaud at a theatre_. Termed also -“romains.” The staff of romains is termed “claque.” - -LUSTRER (thieves’), _to try a prisoner_, _to have him in for_ “patter.” - -LUTAINPEM, _f._ (thieves’ and cads’), _prostitute_, or “bunter.” See -GADOUE. The term is nothing more than the word “putain” distorted by -means of the syllable “lem.” See LEM. - -LYCÉE, _m._ (thieves’), _prison_, “stir, or Bastile.” For synonyms see -MOTTE. - -LYCÉEN, _m._ (thieves’), _prisoner_. Termed also “élève du château.” - -LYONNAISE, _f._ (popular), _silk_, “floss.” Etre à la ----, _to wear a -silk dress_. - - - - -M - - -MABILLARDE, _f._ (popular), _girl leading a dissolute life, an habituée -of the Bal Mabille_. Called also “grue mabillarde.” - -MABILLIEN, _m._, MABILLIENNE, _f._ (popular), _male and female habitués -of the Bal Mabille_, a place much frequented by pleasure-seeking -foreigners. - - Les mabilliennes de 1863 se subdivisent en plusieurs - catégories: la dinde, la solitaire, la grue.--_Les Mémoires - du Bal Mabille._ - -MABOUL, _adj._ (general), _one_ “cracked,” _or one with_ “a screw -loose.” From the Arab. - - C’est-y que t’es maboul? - dit l’chef.--J’suis pas maboul, que je réponds. - --=G. COURTELINE.= - -MAC, _m._ (popular), abbreviation of “maquereau,” _girl’s bully_, or -“Sunday man.” For synonyms see POISSON. The term also applies to any -man living at a woman’s expense. - -MACA, _f._ (popular), _mistress of a bawdy-house_. Termed also “Mère -Maca” or “macquecée.” Maca suiffée, _a rich proprietress of a house of -ill-fame_. Maca, _the Paris Morgue or dead-house_. From machabée. - -MACABÉE, _m._ (common). See MACHABÉE. - -MACACHE (military), _no_; ---- bono, _no good_. - - Allons, les deux rosses, debout!...--Pourquoi donc faire - faut-y qu’on se lève?--Pour aller, reprit l’adjudant, - casser la glace des abreuvoirs. Là dessus, assez - causé: debout!...--Debout à trois heures du matin? Ah! - macache.--=G. COURTELINE.= - -MACADAM, _m._ (familiar and popular), faire le ----, _to walk to and -fro on the pavement as a prostitute_. Fleur de ----, _street-walker_. -See GADOUE. Le général ----, _the public_. (Popular) Macadam, _sweet -white wine of inferior quality_. - - Chez nous c’est sous le noir et bas plafond d’un bouge - que les voyous blafards, couleur tête de veau, font la - vendange. Ils ont pour vin doux et nouveau le liquide - appelé macadam, une boue jaunâtre fade.--=RICHEPIN=, _Le - Pavé_. - -MACAIRE, _m._ (familiar and popular), un Robert ----, _a swindler_, -_one of_ the “swell mob.” Robert Macaire is a character in a play -called _L’Auberge des Adrets_. - -MACAIRISME, _m._ (familiar), _any act referring to swindling -operations_. - -MACARON, _m._ (popular), huissier, _kind of attorney_; (thieves’) -_informer, one who_ “blows the gaff,” a “snitcher.” - - Cet homme qui criait si fort contre ceux que les gens de - sa sorte nomment des macarons s’est un des premiers mis à - table.--=VIDOCQ.= (_That very man who complained so much of - those whom such people term traitors has been one of the - first to inform._) - -MACARONNAGE, _m._ (thieves’), _informing against_, “blowing the gaff.” - -MACARONNER (thieves’), _to inform against_, “to blow the gaff,” or “to -turn snitch.” Se ----, _to run away_, “to guy.” See PATATROT. - -MACCHOUX, _m._ (popular), _prostitute’s bully_, or “Sunday man.” See -POISSON. - -MACÉDOINE, _f._ (engine drivers’), _fuel_. - -MACHABÉ, _adj._ (popular), _drunk_. J’ai trop picté, je suis à moitié -----, _I have been drinking too much, I am half drunk_ - -MACHABÉE, _m._ (popular), _gay girls’ bully_, or “ponce”; see POISSON; -_Jew_, “mouchey, Ikey, or sheney;” _body of a drowned person_. - - Je ne vois d’autre origine à cette expression que la - lecture du chap. xii. du deuxième livre des Machabées, qui - a encore lieu aux messes des morts; ou plutôt c’est de là - que sera venue la danse macabre, dont l’argot a conservé le - souvenir.--=MICHEL.= - -Case des machabées, _cemetery_. Le clou des machabées, the “_Morgue” -or Paris dead-house_. Mannequin à machabées, _hearse_. (Thieves’) -Machabée, _traitor_, or “snitcher.” Literally _a corpse_, the informer -in a prison, when detected, being generally murdered by those he has -betrayed by means of the punishment termed “accolade,” which consists -in crushing him against a wall. - -MACHABER (popular), _to die_, “to kick the bucket.” See PIPE. Machaber -quelqu’un, _to drown one_. Se ----, _to drink_. Je me suis machabé d’un -litre, _I have treated myself to a litre bottle of wine_. - -MACHICOT, _m._ (popular), _bad, mean player, or one who plays -a_ “tinpot game.” In the _Contes d’Eutrapel_, a French officer -at the siege of Chatillon is ridiculously spoken of as Captain -Tin-pot--Capitaine du Pot d’Etain. Tin-pot as generally used means -worthless. - -MACHIN, _m._ (general), _expression used when one cannot recollect the -name of a person_, “thingumbob, or what’s name.” - -MACHINE, _f._ (literary, artists’, theatrical), _production_. - - Cela m’est bien égal! Il n’est pas le seul à me dévisager. - Je lui chanterai sa “machine” et il me laissera - tranquille.--=J. SERMET=, _Une Cabotine_. - -Grande ----, _drama_. Molière uses the word to describe an important -affair or undertaking:-- - - J’ai des ressors tout prêts pour diverses - machines.--_L’Etourdi._ - -(Popular) Machine à moulures, _breech_, or “bum,” see VASISTAS; ---- à -lisserpem, _urinal_; lisserpem being the word pisser disguised. - -MÂCHOIRE, _f._ (familiar and popular), _blockhead_. (Literary) Vieille -----, _dull, old-fashioned writer_; _ignorant man_. - - L’on arrivait par la filière d’épithètes qui suivent: - ci-devant, faux toupet, aile de pigeon, perruque, étrusque, - mâchoire, ganache, au dernier degré de décrépitude, à - l’épithète la plus infamante, académicien et membre de - l’Institut.--=TH. GAUTIER.= - -MACMAHON, _m._ (dragoons’), _head of a Medusa at top of helmet_. - -MACMAHONNAT, _m._, _period of Marshal MacMahon’s sway as President of -the Republic_. Everybody recollects the famous “J’y suis, j’y reste!” -of the Marshal, and Gambetta’s reply, “Il faut se soumettre ou se -démettre.” - -MAÇON, _m._ (popular), _four-pound loaf_; (freemasons’) ---- -de pratique, _mason_; ---- de théorie, _freemason_; (familiar) -_disparaging epithet applied to any clumsy worker_. - -MACQUE, MACQUET. See MAC. - -MACQUECÉE. See MACA. - -MACROTAGE, or MAQUEREAUTAGE, _m._ (familiar and popular), _living at a -woman’s expense_; used also figuratively to denote agency in some fishy -business. - -MACROTER (familiar and popular), _to live at a woman’s expense_, ---- -une affaire, _to be the agent in some fishy business_. - -MACROTIN, _m._ (familiar and popular), _one living at a woman’s -expense_, “pensioner” _with an unmentionable prefix_, _young bully_, -_young_ “ponce.” See POISSON. - -MACULATURE, _f._ (printers’), attraper une ----, _to get drunk_, _to -get_ “tight.” See SCULPTER. - -MADAME (popular), Milord quépète, _lazy woman, who likes to lie in -bed_; ---- Tiremonde (expression used by Rabelais), or Tire-pousse, -_midwife_; (shopmen’s) ---- Canivet, _a female customer who cannot make -up her mind, and leaves without purchasing anything, after having made -the unfortunate shopman display all his goods_. - -MADELEINE, _f._ (card-sharpers’), faire suer la ----, _to cheat_, or -“bite,” _with great difficulty_. - -MADELEN (Breton cant), _salt_. - -MADEMOISELLE MANETTE, _f._ (popular), _portmanteau_, or “peter.” - -MADRICE, _f._ (thieves’), _cunning_. Il a de la ----, _he is cunning_, -or “is fly to wot’s wot.” - -MADRIN, MADRINE, _adj._ (thieves’), _cunning_, “leary, or fly to wot’s -wot.” - -MADROUILLAGE, _m._ (thieves’), _bungle_. - -MA FIOLE (thieves’), _me_; _myself_, “my nibs.” Est-ce que tu te fiches -de ----? _are you laughing at me?_ - -MAGASIN, _m._ (military), _military school_, “shop” at the R. M. -Academy; (popular) ---- de blanc, or de fesses, _brothel_. - -MAGISTRAT’MUCHE, _f._ (thieves’), _magistracy_. Un pant’ de la ----, _a -magistrate_, a “beak.” Termed “queer cuffin” in old cant. - -MAGNANIÈRE, _f._ (thieves’), de ----, _in order that_. Il fagaut -dévider la retentissante de ---- à ne pas faire de l’harmonarès, _we -must break the bell so as not to make any noise_. - -MAGNÉE, _f._ (thieves’), _prostitute_, or “bunter.” See GADOUE. - -MAGNES, _f. pl._ (popular), _affectation_, “high-falutin” _airs_. Faire -des ----, _to make ceremonies_. As-tu fini tes ----? _none of your -airs!_ “stop bouncing!” _I don’t take that in!_ From manières. - -MAGNETTE, _f._ (thieves’), _name_, or “monarch;” ---- blague, _false -name_. Il fagaut la ---- blague de magnanière que tu ne sois paga, _you -must take a false name lest you should be caught_. - -MAGNEUSE, MAGNUCE, MANIEUSE, _f._ (popular). Michel says: “Fille de -joie, femme qui se déprave avec des individus de son sexe ... quelque -allusion malveillante, et sans doute calomnieuse, à une communauté -religieuse. Je veux parler des Magneuses, qui devaient ce nom à leur -fondatrice.” - -MAGUER (popular), se ----, _to hurry_. - -MAIGRE, m. (thieves’), du ----! _silence!_ “mum your dubber.” Also -_take care what you say_, or “plant the whids.” - - En vain se démanche-t-il à faire le signe qui - doit le sauver, du maigre! du maigre! crie-t-il à - tue-tête.--=VIDOCQ.= - -MAILLARD, _m._ (popular), fermer ----, _to sleep_, “to have a dose of -balmy.” Fermeture ----, _sleep_, “balmy.” Etre terrassé par ----, _to -be extremely sleepy_. In the above expressions an allusion is made to -Maillard, the inventor of a peculiar kind of shutters. - -MAILLOCHER (bullies’), _is said of a bully who watches a prostitute -to see she does not secrete any part of her earnings, which are the -aforesaid_ “pensioner’s” _perquisites_. - -MAIN, _f._ (thieves’), jouer à la ---- chaude, _to be guillotined_. -An allusion to the posture of one playing hot cockles. See FAUCHÉ. -(Popular) Acheter à la ----, _to buy for cash_. (Familiar) Une ---- -pleine pour un honnête homme, _a strong, fresh, comely country lass_. -(Players’) Une ----, _a set of tricks at baccarat or lansquenet_. - -MAINS COURANTES, _f. pl._ (popular), _feet_, or “everlasting shoes;” -_shoes_, or “trotter-cases.” Se faire une paire de ---- à la mode, _to -run swiftly_. See PATATROT. - -MAISON, _f._ (familiar and popular), à parties, _a gaming-house in -appearance, but in reality a brothel_. - - Un grand salon est ouvert à tous les amateurs; on risque - galamment quelques louis ... et entre deux parties on - passe à une autre variété d’exercice dans une chambre ad - hoc. Quelques-unes de ces maisons, connues sous le nom de - “maisons à parties,” sont le suprême du genre.--=LÉO TAXIL.= - -Maison de société, or à gros numéro, _brothel_, “flash-drum, academy, -buttocking-shop, or nanny-shop.” Fille de ----, _prostitute at a -brothel_. Maîtresse de ----, _mistress of a brothel_. Maison de passe, -_house of accommodation_. - - Un grand nombre de maisons de passe sont sous la - coupe de la police. Ce sont des maisons tolérées par - l’administration, à qui elles rendent de fréquents services - en dénonçant les prostituées inscrites qui viennent s’y - cacher.--=DOCTEUR JEANNEL.= - -(Military) Maison de campagne, _cells_, “mill, or Irish theatre.” Aller -à la ---- de campagne, _to be imprisoned_, or “shopped.” - -MAÎTRE D’ÉCOLE, _m._ (horsebreakers’), _well-trained horse harnessed -with a young horse which is being broken in_. - -MAÎTRESSE, _f._ (popular), de maison, _mistress of a brothel_; ---- de -piano, _old or ugly woman who acts as a kind of factotum to cocottes_. - -MAJOR, _m._ (familiar), de table d’hôte, _elderly man with a military -appearance, who acts as a protector to low gaming-house proprietors_; -(Ecole Polytechnique) _first on the list_; ---- de queue, _last on the -list_. - -MAL (popular), blanchi, _negro_, “darky, or snowball.” Un ---- à -gauche, _a clumsy fellow_. Une ---- peignée, _a dissolute girl_. -(Thieves’) Mal sucré, _perjured witness_. (Military) Avoir ---- aux -pieds, _to wear canvas gaiters_. (Familiar) Avoir ---- aux cheveux, _to -have a headache caused by prolonged potations_, especially when one is -“stale drunk,” which generally occurs after the “jolly dog” has taken -too many hairs of the other dog. (Theatrical) Avoir ---- au genou, _to -be pregnant_. - -MALADE, _m. and adj._ (thieves’), _in prison_, “put away.” When the -prisoner leaves the “hôpital,” or _prison_, he is pronounced “guéri,” -or _free_; (popular) ---- du pouce, _idle_, or “Mondayish;” _stingy_, -or “clunch fist.” With a bad thumb, of course, it is difficult to “fork -out, to down with the dust, to sport the rhino, to tip the brads, or -even to stump the pewter.” - -MALADIE, _f._ (familiar and popular), de neuf mois, _pregnancy_, or -“white swelling.” The allusion is obvious. (Popular) Maladie! _an -ejaculation of disgust which may be rendered by_ “rot!” (Thieves’) -Maladie, _imprisonment_, the convict being an inmate of “l’hôpital,” or -_prison_. - -MALADROITS, _m. pl._ (cavalry), sonnerie des ----, _trumpet call for -infantry drill_. - -MALAISÉE, _f._ (popular), faire danser la ---- à quelqu’un, _to thrash -one_, “to lead one a dance.” For synonyms see VOIE. - -MALANDREUX, _adj._ (popular), _ill_, “seedy, or hipped;” _ill at ease_. - -MALAPATTE, _m._ (popular), _clumsy man_, “cripple.” Literally mal à la -patte. - -MALASTIQUÉ, _m._ (military), _dirty_; _slovenly_. - -MALDINE, _f._ (popular), “_pension bourgeoise,” or boarding house_; -_boarding school_. Literally a place where one does not get a good -dinner. - -MALFRAT, _m._ (popular), _scamp_, “bad egg.” - -MALHEUR! (popular), _an ejaculation of disgust_, “rot!” “hang it all!” - - Malheur!... Tiens, vous prenez du vent’e - Ah! bon, chaleur! J’comprends l’tableau! - - =GILL.= - -MALINGRER (thieves’), _to suffer_. From malingre, which formerly had -the signification of _ill_, and now means _weakly_. - -MALINGREUX, _adj._ (popular), _weak_. In olden times _a variety of -mendicants_. - - Malingreux sont ceux qui ont des maux ou plaies, dont - la plupart ne sont qu’en apparence; ils truchent sur - l’entiffe.--_Le Jargon de l’Argot._ - -MALLE, _f._ (popular), faire sa ----, _to die_, “to kick the bucket, -to snuff it, to stick one’s spoon in the wall.” See PIPE. (Military) -Malle, _lock-up_, or “mill.” - - En voilà assez, faut en finir: tout le peloton couchera à - la malle ce soir.--=G. COURTELINE.= - -MALOUSE, _f._ (thieves’), _box_, or “peter.” - -MAL PENSANTS (clericals’), les journaux ----, _anti-clerical -newspapers_. - - Les journaux “mal pensants” ne manquent jamais de relater - ces esclandres. Aussi, pour que la quantité ne puisse en - être connue, l’archevêque a autorisé les prêtres du diocèse - à ne pas porter la tonsure.--=LÉO TAXIL.= - -MAL-RASÉS, _m. pl_. (military), _sappers_; thus called on account of -their long beards. - -MALTAIS, _m._ (popular), _low eating-house_, a “grub ken.” - -MALTAISE, or MALTÈSE, _f._ (old cant), _gold coin_. According to V. -Hugo, the coin was used on board the convict galleys of Malta. Hence -the expression. - -MALTOUSE, or MALTOUZE, _f._ (thieves’), _smuggling_. Pastiquer la -----, _to smuggle_. - -MALTOUSIER, _m._ (thieves’), _smuggler_. - -MALVAS, _m._ (popular), _scamp_. From the Provençal. - -MALZINGUE, _m._ (thieves’), _landlord of wine-shop_; _wine-shop_. - - Allons, venez casser un grain de raisin.--Nous entrâmes - chez le malzingue le plus voisin.--=VIDOCQ.= (_Come and - have a glass of wine.--We entered the first wine-shop we - came to._) - -MAN (Breton cant), _to kiss_. - -MANCHE, _m. and f._ (popular). Déposer ses bouts de ----, _to die_, “to -kick the bucket.” For synonyms see PIPE. (Mountebanks’) Faire la ----, -_to make a collection of money_, or “break.” - - La fille du barde fait la manche. Elle promène sa sébille - de fer-blanc devant les spectateurs.--=HENRI MONNIER.= - -From la buona mancia of the Italians, says Michel, which has the -signification of _a gratuity_ allowed a workman or guide, and “present” -asked by a prostitute. (Familiar and popular) Le ----, _the master_. -Jambes en manches de veste, _bandy legs_. (Thieves’) Faire la ----, _to -beg_. - - M’est avis que vous avez manqué le bon, l’autre sorgue. - Quoi, le birbe qui avait l’air de faire la manche dans les - garnaffes et les pipés.--=VIDOCQ.= (_My opinion is that you - missed the right man the other night. Why, the old fellow - who pretended to be begging in the farms and mansions_.) - -MANCHETTE, _f._ (military), coup de ----, _a certain clever sword cut -on the wrist_. - - Une ... deux ... parez celui-là, c’est le coup de flanc. - Ah! ah! pas assez malin. Voilà le coup de manchette! Pif! - paf! ça y est.--=H. FRANCE=, _L’Homme qui tue_. - -MANCHEUR, _m._ (popular), _street tumbler_; thus called on account of -his living on the proceeds of “la manche,” or collection. - -MANCHON, _m._ (popular), _large head of hair_. Avoir des vers dans son -----, _to have bald patches on one’s head_. - -MANDARIN, _m._ (literary), _imaginary person who serves as a butt for -attacks_. Tuer le ----, _to be guilty, by thought, of a bad action_. An -allusion to the joke about a question as to one’s willingness to kill -a wealthy man at a distance by merely pressing a knob, and afterwards -inheriting his money. - -MANDIBULES, _f. pl._ (popular), jouer des ----, _to eat_, “to grub.” -See MASTIQUER. - -MANDOLE, _f._ (popular), _smack in the face_. Jeter une ----, _to -give a smack in the face_, “to fetch a wipe in the mug,” or, as the -Americans have it, “to give a biff in the jaw.” - -MANDOLET, _m._ (thieves’), _pistol_, “barking-iron, or pop.” - -MANEGO (Breton cant), _handcuffs_, or “darbies.” - -MANETTE, _f._ (popular), Mademoiselle ----, _a portmanteau_, or “peter.” - -MANGEOIRE, _f._ (popular), _eating-house_, “grubbing-crib.” - -MANGER (theatrical), du sucre, _to be applauded_; (military) ---- le -mot d’ordre, or la consigne, _to forget the watchword_; (popular) ---- -de la misère, or du bœuf, _to be in poverty_, _to be a_ “quisby;” ---- -de la prison, _to be in prison_, _in_ “quod;” ---- du fromage, or du -bœuf, _to go to a comrade’s funeral_. An allusion to the repast, or -“wake,” as the Irish term it, after the funeral; ---- de la merde, _to -be in a state of abject poverty, entailing all kinds of humiliations_; ----- du drap, or du mérinos, _to play billiards_, or “spoof;” ---- le -bon Dieu, _to partake of communion_. - - Et c’est du propre d’aller manger le bon Dieu en guignant - les hommes.--=ZOLA.= - -Manger le pain hardi (obsolete), _to act as servant_; ---- le poulet, -_to share unlawful profits_; ---- le pissenlit par la racine, _to be -dead and buried_; ---- du pain rouge, _to make one’s living by murder -and robbery_; ---- la soupe avec un grand sabre, _to be the possessor -of a very large mouth_, like a slit made by a sword-cut; ---- le nez -à quelqu’un, _to thrash one terribly_, “to knock one into a cocked -hat.” Je vais te ---- le nez, _a cannibal-like offer often made by a -Paris rough to his adversary as a preliminary to a set-to_. Manger une -soupe aux herbes, _to sleep in the fields_. Se ---- le nez, _to fight_. -(Thieves’) Manger, _to inform against_, “to blow the gaff,” or “to turn -snitch.” - - Je vois bien qu’il y a parmi nous une canaille qui a mangé; - fais-moi conduire devant le quart d’œil, je mangerai - aussi.--=VIDOCQ.= - -Manger le morceau, _to inform against_, “to turn snitch.” - - Mais t’es avertie, ne mange pas le morceau, sinon gare à - toi!--=VIDOCQ.= - -Manger sur l’orgue, _to inform against_, “to blow the gaff.” Orgue has -here the signification of person, as in “mon orgue,” _I_, _myself_, -“son orgue,” _he_, _himself_; ---- sur quelqu’un, _to inform against_. - - Le coqueur libre est obligé de passer son existence dans - les orgies les plus ignobles; en relations constantes avec - les voleurs de profession, dont il est l’ami, il s’associe - à leurs projets. Pour lui tout est bon: vol, escroquerie, - incendie, assassinat même! Qu’est-ce que cela lui fait? - Pourvu qu’il puisse “manger” (dénoncer) sur quelqu’un et - qu’il en tire un bénéfice.--_Mémoires de Canler._ - -Manger sur son nière, _to inform against an accomplice_, “to turn -snitch against a pal;” ---- du collège, _to be in prison, to be_ “put -away;” (familiar and popular) ---- la grenouille, _to appropriate the -contents of a cash-box or funds entrusted to one’s care_. - -MANGEUR, _m._ (general), de blanc, _women’s bully_, “ponce, pensioner, -petticoat’s pensioner, Sunday-man.” See POISSON for synonyms. - - Le paillasson était il y a trente ans le “mangeur de - blanc;” on le désignait en 1788 sous le nom “d’homme - à qualité” et quelques années auparavant c’était un - “greluchon.”--=MICHEL.= - -Mangeur de bon Dieu, _bigot_, “prayer-monger;” ---- de choucroute, -_German_; ---- de nez, _quarrelsome, savage man_. Paris roughs, -before a set-to, generally inform their adversary of the necessity of -disfiguring him by the savage words, “Il faut que je te mange le nez.” -Mangeur de frimes, _humbug_, _impostor_; ---- de pommes, _a native of -Normandy, the great orchard of France_; ---- de prunes, _tailor_, or -“snip.” Termed also “pique-prunes, pique-poux.” (Thieves’) Mangeur, -_informer_; ---- de galette, _informer in the pay of the police_, -“nark;” (convicts’) ---- de fer, _convict_; (military) ---- d’avoine, -_thief_; _thievish fellow_. - -MANGEUSE DE VIANDE CRUE, _f._ (popular), _prostitute_. For synonyms see -GADOUE. - -MANICLE, _f._ (thieves’), frère de la ----, _thief_, or “prig.” See -GRINCHE. - -MANIÈRES, _f. pl._ (popular), as-tu fini tes ----? _don’t be so -stuck-up; none of your airs! don’t put it on so!_ “come off the tall -grass” (Americanism), or “stop bouncing.” - -MANIVAL, _m._ (thieves’), _charcoal dealer_. - -MANNEAU (thieves’), _I_, _me_ (obsolete), now termed “mézigue, mézigo, -mézière, mon gniasse.” - -MANNEQUIN, _m._ (popular), _insignificant, contemptible man_, or -“snot.” The term may also be applied to a woman; ---- à refroidis, or -de machabées, _hearse_. - -MANNEZINGUE, _m._ (popular), _landlord of wine-shop_. Termed also -“mastroc, mastroquet.” - - Pas seulement une goutte de cric à mettre dans ma demi-tasse. La - Martinet en a acheté, elle, pour quinze sous chez le mannezingue. - --=P. MAHALIN.= - -MANNEZINGUEUR, _m._ (popular), _habitué of wine-shops_. - -MANON, _f._ (popular), _mistress_; _sweetheart_, or “young woman.” - -MANQUANT-SORTI, _m._ (popular), _one who cannot understand a joke_. - -MANQUE, _f._ (popular and thieves’), _treachery_. - - Gaffré était comme la plupart des agents de police, sauf la - manque (perfidie), bon enfant, mais un peu licheur, c’est à - dire gourmand comme une chouette.--=VIDOCQ.= - -A la ----, _to the left_, from the Italian alla manca; _damaged_; -_ill_; _bad_. Etre à la ----, _to betray_; _to leave one in the lurch_; -_to be short of cash_; _to be absent_. Affaire à la ----, _bad piece of -business_. Gonse à la ----, _man not to be relied upon, who will leave -one in the lurch_; _traitor_, or “snitcher.” Fafiots, or fafelard à la -----, _forged bank-notes_, or “queer soft.” (Popular) Un canotier à la -----, _awkward rowing man_. Termed also “cafouilleux.” - - Ecumeurs de calicot!--Ohé! les canotiers à la - manque!--Viens que je te fasse avaler ta gaffe! - --=E. MONTEIL.= - -Une balle à la ----, _face of a one-eyed man_. - -MANQUER LE TRAIN, _to lose one’s opportunities in life, and -consequently to be the reverse of prosperous_. - - A débute par un beau livre; B à vingt-cinq ans, expose un - beau tableau.... Les mille obstacles de la bohème leur - barrent le chemin... Ils resteront intelligents, mais ... - ils ont manqué le train.--=TONY RÉVILLON.= - -MANQUESSE, _f._ (thieves’), _bad character given to a prisoner on -trial_. Raffiler la ----, _to give a bad character_. - -MANUSCRIT BELGE, _m._ (printers’), _printed copy to be composed_. -According to Eugène Boutmy the origin of the expression is to be -found in the practice which existed formerly of entrusting Belgian -compositors in Paris with printed copy only, and not manuscript, on -account of their ignorance of the language. - -MAPPEMONDE, _f._ (popular), _bosoms_, “Charlies, or dairies.” Termed -also “avant-scènes, œufs sur le plat, avant-postes,” &c. - -MAQUA, _f._ (familiar and popular), obsolete, _mistress of a brothel_. - -MAQUART, _m._ (popular), bidoche, or bifteck de ----, _horseflesh_. -From the name of a knacker. - -MAQUE. See MAC. - -MAQUECÉE, _f._ (popular), _mistress of a brothel_. Called also -“abbesse.” - -MAQUEREAUTAGE. See MACROTAGE. - -MAQUEREAUTIN. See MACROTIN. - -MAQUI, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _paint for the face, or complexion -powder_, “slap, or splash.” Mettre du ----, _to paint one’s face_. -(Card-sharpers’) Mettre du ----, _to prepare cards for cheating_, “to -stock broads.” - -MAQUIGNON, _m._ (popular), _kind of Jack of all trades, not honest -ones_. Properly _horse-dealer_; ---- à bidoche, _woman’s bully_, or -“pensioner.” See POISSON. - -MAQUIGNONNAGE, _m._ (familiar and popular), _cheating on the quality of -goods_; _making a living on the earnings of prostitutes_. - - Maquignonnage, pour maquerellage, métier des maquereaux - et des maquerelles, qui font négoce de filles de - débauche.--=CHOLIÈRES.= - -MAQUIGNONNAGE, _swindling operation_. Properly _horse-dealing_. - -MAQUILLAGE, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _work_, or “elbow-grease;” -_the act of doing anything_, “faking;” (card-sharpers’) _card playing_, -_tampering with cards_, or “stocking of broads;” (familiar) _the act of -painting one’s face_. - - Elles font une prodigieuse dépense de comestiques et - de parfumeries. Presque toutes se fardent les joues et - les lèvres avec une naïveté grossière. Quelques-unes se - noircissent les sourcils et le bord des paupières avec - le charbon d’une allumette à demi-brûlée. C’est ce qu’on - appelle le “maquillage.”--=LÉO TAXIL.= - -MAQUILLÉE, _f._ (familiar), _harlot_, or “mot.” _Literally one with -painted face_. - -MAQUILLER (thieves’), _to do_, “to fake;” ---- des caroubles, _to -manufacture false keys_; ---- les brèmes, _to tamper with cards_, “to -stock broads;” _to play cards_; _to cheat at cards_; ---- le papelard, -_to write_, “to screeve;” ---- son truc, _to prepare a dodge_; ---- -un suage, _to make preparations for a murder_. From faire suer, _to -murder_; ---- une cambriole, _to strip a room_, “to do a crib.” The -word “maquiller” has as many different meanings as the corresponding -term “to fake.” (Popular) Maquiller, _to do_; _to manage_; _to work_; ----- le vitriol, _to adulterate brandy_. - - Vieille drogue, tu as changé de litre!... Tu sais, ce n’est - pas avec moi qu’il faut maquiller ton vitriol.--=ZOLA=, - _L’Assommoir_. - -MAQUILLEUR, _m._, MAQUILLEUSE, _f._ (thieves’), _card-player_; -_card-sharper_, or “broadsman.” - -MARAILLE, _f._ (thieves’), _people_; _world_. - -MARANT, _adj._ (popular), _laughable_. Etre ----, _to be ridiculous_. - -MARAUDER (coachmen’s), _to take up fares when not allowed to do so by -the regulations_; _refers also to a_ “cabby” _who has no licence_. - -MARAUDEUR, _m._ (familiar), “cabby” _who plies his trade without a -licence_. - -MARBRE, _m._ (journalists’), _MS. about to be composed_. - -MARCANDIER, _m._, MARCANDIÈRE, _f._ (thieves’), _tradespeople_; also _a -variety of the mendicant tribe_, “cadger.” - - Marcandiers sont ceux qui bient avec une grande hane à leur - costé, avec un assez chenastre frusquin, et un rabas sur - les courbes, feignant d’avoir trouvé des sabrieux sur le - trimard qui leur ont osté leur michon toutime.--_Le Jargon - de l’Argot._ (_Marcandiers are those who journey with a - great purse by their side, with a pretty good coat, and a - cloak on their shoulders, pretending they have met with - robbers on the road who have stolen all their money._) - -MARCASSIN, _m._ (popular), _signboard painter’s assistant_. Properly _a -young wild boar_. - -MARCHAND, _m._ (familiar), de soupe, _head of a boarding-school_; -(popular) ---- de larton, _baker_, “crumb and crust man, master of the -rolls, or crummy.” Termed also “marchand de bricheton, or lartonnier;” ----- d’eau chaude, “limonadier,” _or proprietor of a café_; ---- d’eau -de javelle, _wine-shop landlord_; ---- de cerises, _clumsy horseman_, -one who rides as if he had a basket on his arm; ---- de morts subites, -_surgeon or quack_, “crocus;” ---- de sommeil, _lodging-house keeper_, -“boss of a dossing crib;” ---- de patience, _man who, having secured -a place in the long train of people waiting at the door of a theatre -before the doors are opened, and known as_ “la queue,” _allows another -to take it for a consideration_. - - Si l’attente est longue ... les places seront plus chères; - et comme je l’ai entendu dire un jour à l’un de ces curieux - gagne-petit: V’la le monde qui s’agace, chouette! Y aura - gras pour les marchands de patience!--=RICHEPIN=, _Le Pavé_. - -(Thieves’) Marchand de tirelaine, _night thief_; ---- de lacets, -formerly _a gendarme_. - - Le gendarme a différents noms en argot: quand il poursuit - le voleur, c’est un marchand de lacets; quand il l’escorte, - c’est une hirondelle de la Grève; quand il le mène à - l’échafaud, c’est le hussard de la guillotine.--=BALZAC.= - -Un ---- de babillards, _a bookseller, or an_ “et cetera.” (Military) -Marchand de morts subites, _professional duellist_, a “fire-eater;” ----- de puces, _official who has charge of the garrison bedding_. The -allusion is obvious; (convicts’) ---- de cirage, _captain of a ship_. - - Est-ce que le marchand de cirage (elles appelaient ainsi le - commandant), nous faisait peur?--=HUMBERT=, _Mon Bagne_. - -(Journalists’) Marchands de lignes, _authors who write for the sake of -gain more than to acquire literary reputation_. - - Je crois fermement que le jour où n’auraient plus accès à - l’Académie certains hommes éminents qui ne font point de - livres, elle tomberait, de bonne heure, au niveau de cette - corporation de “marchands de lignes” qu’on nomme la Société - des Gens de lettres.--=A. DUBRUJEAUD.= - -(Military) Un ---- de marrons, _officer who looks ill at ease in mufti_. - -MARCHANDE, _f._ (popular), aux gosses, _seller of toys_; ---- de chair -humaine, _mistress of a brothel_. - -MARCHE, _m._ (military), à terre, _foot-soldier_, “wobbler, -beetle-crusher, mud-crusher, or grabby;” ---- de flanc, _repose_; -_sleep_; ---- des zouaves, _soldiers who go to medical inspection are -said to execute the aforesaid march_; ---- oblique individuelle, _the -rallying of soldiers confined to barracks going up to roll call_. - -MARCHÉ DES PIEDS HUMIDES, _m._ (familiar), _la petite Bourse, or -meeting of speculators after the Exchange has been closed_. Takes place -on the Boulevards. - -MARCHEF, _m._ (military), abbreviation of maréchal-des-logis chef, -_quartermaster sergeant_. - -MARCHER (popular), dans les souliers d’un mort, _to inherit a man’s -property_; ---- plan plan, _to walk slowly_; ---- sur une affaire, _to -make a mull of some business_. (Printers’) Marcher, _to be of another’s -opinion_. Qu’en pensez-vous? Je marche. _What do you think of it? I am -of your opinion._ (Thieves’) Marcher dessus, _to prepare a robbery_, or -“lay a plant.” - -MARCHES DU PALAIS, _f. pl._ (popular), _wrinkles on forehead_. - -MARCHEUSE, _f._ (theatrical), _walking female supernumerary in a -ballet_. - - La marcheuse est ou un rat d’une grande beauté que sa - mère, fausse ou vraie, a vendue le jour où elle n’a pu - devenir ni premier, ni second, ni troisième sujet de la - danse.--=BALZAC.= - - L’emploi des “marcheuses” n’existe pas dans le ballet, en - Russie. Le personnel féminin est entièrement composé de - sujets qui dansent ou miment, selon les exigences de la - situation.--=A. BIGUET=, _Le Radical_, 18 Nov., 1886. - -(Popular) Marcheuse, _variety of prostitute_. See GADOUE. - - Leurs fonctions les plus ordinaires sont de rester à la - porte, d’indiquer la maison, d’accompagner, de surveiller - et de donner la main aux jeunes. On les désigne dans le - public sous le nom de marcheuses.--=LÉO TAXIL.= - -MARCHIS. See MARCHEF. - -MARDI S’IL FAIT CHAUD (popular), _never_ (obsolete), _at Doomsday_, -“when the devil is blind.” - -MARE, or MARIOLLE, _adj._ (popular and thieves’), _clever_, _sharp_, -_cunning_, “leary,” _or one who is_ “fly to wot’s wot.” - -MARÉCAGEUX, _adj._ (popular), œil ----, _eye with languid expression_, -_with a killing glance_. - -MARGAUDER (familiar), _to run down a person or thing_. - -MARGOULETTE, _f._ (popular), rincer la ---- à quelqu’un, _to treat -one to drink_. Débrider la ----, _to eat_, “to put one’s nose in the -manger.” See MASTIQUER. Déboîter la ---- à quelqu’un, _to damage one’s -countenance_. Mettre la ---- en compote, _superlative of above_. - -MARGOULIN, _m._ (commercial travellers’), _retailer_. - -Margoulinage (commercial travellers’), _retailing_. - -MARGOULINER (commercial travellers’), _to retail_. - -MARGOULIS, _m._ (popular), _scandal_. - -MARGUERITES, _f. pl._ (popular), or ---- de cimetière, _white hairs in -the beard_. - -MARGUILLIER DE BOURRACHE, _m._ (thieves’), _juryman_. This expression -is connected with “fièvre chaude,” or _accusation_, borage tea being -given to patients in cases of fever. - -MARGUINCHON, _f._ (popular), _dissolute girl_, a “regular bitch.” - -MARIAGE, _m._ (popular), à l’Anglaise, _marriage of a couple who, -directly after the ceremony, separate and live apart_; ---- d’Afrique, -or ---- à la détrempe, _cohabitation of a couple living as man and -wife_, _of a pair who live_ “tally.” From “peindre à la détrempe,” -_to paint in distemper_. Compare the English expression, “wife in -water-colours,” or mistress. - -MARIANNE, _f._ (popular), la ----, _the Republic_. (Thieves’) Marianne, -_guillotine_. See VOYANTE. - -MARIASSE, _m._ (popular), _scamp_, “bad egg.” - -MARIDA, _f._ (cads’ and thieves’), _married woman_. - -MARIE-JE-M’EMBÊTE (popular), faire sa ----, _to make many ceremonies_; -_to allow oneself to be begged repeatedly_. - -MARIE-MANGE-MON-PRÊT, _f._ (military), _mistress_. Literally _Mary -spends my pay_. - -MARIN, _m._ (popular), d’eau douce, _one who sports a river-boat_; ---- -de la Vierge Marie, _river or canal bargee_. - -MARINGOTTE, _f._ (popular), _mountebank’s show-waggon_, or “slang.” - -MARIOL, MARIOLLE, _adj. and m._ (popular and thieves’), _cunning_, -“downy, or fly to wot’s wot.” - -MARIOLISME, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _cunning_. - -MARIOLLE, _m. and adj._ (popular and thieves’), _cunning, knowing man_, -_a deep or artful one_, “one who has been put up to the hour of day, -who is fly to wot’s wot.” Termed also a “file,” originally a term for a -pickpocket, when _to file_ was to cheat and to rob. - - C’est d’nature, on a ça dans l’sang: - J’suis paillasson! c’est pas d’ma faute, - Je m’fais pas plus marioll’ qu’un aut’e: - Mon pèr’ l’était; l’Emp’reur autant! - - =GILL=, _La Muse à Bibi_. - -MARIONNETTE, _f._ (popular), _soldier_, or “grabby.” - -MARI ROBIN (Breton cant), _gendarmes_. - -MARLOU, _m. and adj._ (general), _prostitute’s bully_, “ponce, or -pensioner.” See POISSON. - - Les marlous qui soutiennent les filles en carte, les - insoumises du trottoir et les femmes des maisons de bas - étage, ne se contentent pas de rançonner ces malheureuses - qu’ils appellent leur marmite, leur dabe; ils détroussent - sans cesse les passants et assassinent pour s’entretenir la - main.--=LÉO TAXIL.= - -MARLOU, _cunning_, “downy.” - - La viscope en arrière et la trombine au vent - L’œil marlou, il entra chez le zingue. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -(Thieves’) Le -- de Charlotte, _the executioner_, nicknamed Charlot. - -MARLOUPATTE, or MARLOUPIN, _m._ (popular), _prostitute’s bully_, or -“petticoat’s pensioner.” - - Ce marloupatte pâle et mince - Se nommait simplement Navet; - Mais il vivait ainsi qu’un prince ... - Il aimait les femmes qu’on rince. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -MARLOUPIN, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _prostitute’s male associate_, -“pensioner, petticoat’s pensioner, Sunday man, prosser, or ponce.” See -POISSON. - - Quand on paie en monnai’ d’singe - Nous aut’ marloupins, - Les sal’s michetons qu’a pas d’linge, - On les pass’ chez paings. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -MARLOUSIER. See MARLOUPIN. - -MARMIER, _m._ (thieves’), _shepherd_. - -MARMITE, _f._ (bullies’), _mistress of a bully_. Literally _flesh-pot_. -The allusion is obvious, as the bully lives on the earnings of his -associate. - - Un souteneur sans sa marmite (sa maîtresse) est un - ouvrier sans travail, ... pour lui tout est là: fortune, - bonheur, amour, si ce n’est pas profaner ce dernier mot - que de lui donner une acception quelconque à l’égard du - souteneur.--_Mémoires de Canler._ - -Marmite de terre, _prostitute who does not pay her bully_; ---- de -cuivre, _one who brings in a good income_; ---- de fer, _one who only -brings in a moderate one_. (Military) La ---- est en deuil, _the fare -is scanty at present, that is, the flesh-pot is empty_. - -MARMITON DE DOMANGE, _m._ (popular), _scavenger employed in emptying -cesspools_, or “gold-finder.” Domange was a great contractor in the -employ of the city authorities. - -MARMOT, _m._ (thieves’), nourrir un ----, _to make preparations for a -robbery_, “to lay a plant.” Literally _to feed, to nurse a child_. - -MARMOTTIER, _m._ (popular), _a native of Savoy_. Literally _one who -goes about exhibiting a marmot_. - -MARMOUSE, _f._ (thieves’), _beard_. - -MARMOUSET, _m._ (thieves’), _flesh-pot_. Le ---- riffode, _the pot is -boiling_. - -MARMOUSIN, _m._ (popular), _child_, or “kid.” - -MARMYON, _m._ (thieves’), _flesh-pot_, and figuratively _purse_. - -MARNE, _f._ (popular), faire la ----, _is said of prostitutes who prowl -about the river-side_. - -MARNER (popular), _to steal_, or “to nick.” See GRINCHIR. Marner, _to -work hard_, “to sweat.” - -MARNEUR, _m._ (popular), _strong, active labourer_. - -MARNEUSE, _f._ (popular), _prostitute of the lowest class who plies her -trade by the river-side_. See GADOUE. - -MARON, or MARRON, _adj._ (thieves’), _caught in the act_. - - Non, il n’est pas possible, disait l’un; pour prendre - ainsi “marons” les voleurs, il faut qu’il s’entende avec - eux.--=VIDOCQ.= - -MARON, or MURON, _salt_. - -MARONNER (thieves’), _to fail_. Une affaire maronnée, _fruitless -attempt at robbery_. - - Il y a du renaud à l’affaire de la chique, elle est - maronnée, le dabe est revenu.--=VIDOCQ.= (_There is some - trouble about the job at the church, it has failed, father - is returned._) - -MAROT, _adj._ (popular), _cunning_; “up to snuff, one who knows wot’s -wot, one who has been put up to the hour of day, one who knows what’s -o’clock, leary.” - -MAROTTIER, _m._ (thieves’), _hawker_, or “barrow-man;” _pedlar -travelling about the country selling stuffs, neckerchiefs, &c., to -country people_. Termed, in the English cant, a “dudder” or “dudsman.” -“In selling a waistcoat-piece,” says the _Slang Dictionary_, “which -cost him perhaps five shillings, for thirty shillings or two pounds, he -would show great fear of the revenue officer, and beg the purchasing -clodhopper to kneel down in a puddle of water, crook his arm, and swear -that it might never become straight if he told an exciseman, or even -his own wife. The term and practice are nearly obsolete. In Liverpool, -however, and at the East-end of London, men dressed up as sailors, with -pretended silk handkerchiefs and cigars, ‘only just smuggled from the -Indies,’ are still to be plentifully found.” - -MARPAUT, or MARPEAU, _m._ (old cant), _man_; _master of a house_ -(obsolete). - - Pour n’offenser point le marpaut, - Afin qu’il ne face deffaut - De foncer à l’appointement. - - _Le Pasquil de la rencontre des Cocus._ - -The word was formerly used by the Parisians with the signification of -_fool_, _greenhorn_, _loafer_. - - Marpaud. Mot de Paris, pour sot, niais, nigaut, - badaud.--=LE ROUX=, _Dict. Comique_. - -Again, Cotgrave renders it as _an ill-favoured scrub, a little ugly, or -swarthy wretch_; _also a lickorous or saucy fellow_; _one that catches -at whatever dainties come in his way_. Michel makes the remark that -morpion (_crab-louse_, a popular injurious term) must be derived from -marpaut. - -MARQUANT, _m._ (thieves’), _man_; _master_; _chief of a gang_, or -“dimber damber;” _women’s bully_, or “Sunday man,” see POISSON; -_drunkard, or one who gets_ “canon.” - -MARQUE, _f._ (familiar), horizontale de grande ----, _very fashionable -cocotte_. Horizontale de petite ----, _the ordinary sort of cocottes_. - - Décidément je ne sais quelle ardeur guerrière a soufflé sur - nos horizontales de grande marque et de petite marque, mais - depuis un mois nous avons à enregistrer un nouveau combat - singulier dont elles sont les héroïnes.--_Le Figaro_, Oct., - 1886. - -(Thieves’) Marque, _girl_, or “titter;” _woman_, “laced mutton, -hay-bag, cooler, shakester;” _prostitute_, or “bunter;” _month_, or -“moon.” Il a été messiadien à six marques pour pégrasse, _he has been -sentenced to six months’ imprisonment for theft_. Six marques, _six -months_, or “half a stretch.” Une ---- de cé, _a thief’s wife_. Termed, -in old cant, “autem-mort;” autem, _a church_, and mort, _woman_. Marque -franche, or marquise, _a thief’s female associate_, or “mollisher.” -Concerning this expression, Michel says:-- - - On trouve dans l’ancienne germania espagnole “marca, - marquida et marquisa” avec le sens de “femme - publique.”--_Dict. d’Argot._ - -Quart de ----, _week_. Tirer six marques, _to be imprisoned for six -months_, “to do half a stretch, or a sixer.” - -MARQUÉ, _m. and adj._ (thieves’), _month_, “moon.” From the Italian -marchese. Concerning this word, Michel says:-- - - Il ne saurait être douteux que ce nom ne soit venu à cette - division de l’année, de l’infirmité périodique qu’ont les - “marques” ou femmes, “lors que la Lune, pour tenir sa - diette et vaquer à ses purifications menstruelles, fait - marquer les logis féminins par son fourrier, lequel pour - escusson n’a que son impression rouge.”--_Dict. d’Argot._ - -(Popular) Etre ----, _to have a black eye_, or “mouse.” (Printers’) -Marqué à la fesse, _tiresome, over-particular man_. - -MARQUE-MAL, _m._ (printers’), _one who receives the folios from the -printing machine_; (popular) _an ugly man_, _one with a_ “knocker face.” - -MARQUER (popular), à la fourchette _is said of a restaurant or -coffee-house keeper who adds imaginary items to a bill_; ---- le -coup, _to clink glasses when drinking_. Bien ----, _to show a good -appearance_, marquer mal being the reverse. Ne plus ----, _is said -of a woman who is past her prime_; that is, who no longer has her -menses. (Thieves’) Marquer, _to have the appearance of a man in good -circumstances_. - -MARQUIN, _m._ (thieves’), _hat or cap_, “tile.” See TUBARD. - -MARQUIS D’ARGENTCOURT, _m._ (popular), or de la Bourse Plate, _needy -and vain-glorious man_. - -MARQUISE, _f._ (familiar), _kind of mulled white claret_; (thieves’) -_wife_, or “raclan.” - - Nouzailles pairons notre proie, - A ta marquise d’un baiser, - A toi d’un coup d’arpion au proye. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -MARRAINE, _f._ (thieves’), _female witness_. - -MARRE, _f._ (popular), _amusement_. Etre à la ----, _to be joyously -inclined_; _to amuse oneself_. J’en ai pris une ----, _I have enjoyed -myself_. - -MARRER (popular), se ----, _to amuse oneself_; _to be amused_. Pensez -si je me marre? Mince! _Don’t I get amused, just!_ - -MARRON, or MARON, _adj._ (popular), sculpté, _grotesque, ugly face_, -or “knocker-head.” Cocher ----, “cabby” _without a licence_. Etre -----, _to be taken in_, “bamboozled.” (Military) Marron, _report of an -officer who goes the rounds_; (printers’) _clandestine print_; also -_compositor working on his own account at a printer’s, who furnishes -him with the necessary plant for a consideration_. (Thieves’) Paumer or -pommer ----, _to catch in the act_, _red-handed_. - - On la crible à la grive, - Je m’la donne et m’esquive, - Elle est pommée marron. - - =VIDOCQ.= - -(Thieves’) Etre servi ----, _to be caught in the act_. - - Que je sois servie marron au premier messière que - je grinchirai si je lui en ouvre simplement la - bouche.--=VIDOCQ.= - -MARRONNER, or MARONNER (thieves’), un grinchissage, _to make an -unsuccessful attempt at a robbery through lack of skill or due -precautions_. Maronner, _to suspect_. - - Je maronne que la roulotte de Pantin trime dans le - sabri.--=V. HUGO=, _Les Misérables_. (_I suspect that the - Paris mail-coach is going through the wood._) - -MARSEILLAISE, _f._ (popular), _short pipe_, or “cutty,” called “dudeen” -by the Irish. Avoir une ---- dans le kiosque, _to be_ “cracked.” For -synonyms see AVOIR. - - Enfin, pour sûr la politique lui aura tourné la tête! Il a - une Marseillaise dans le kiosque.--_Baumaine et Blondelet._ - -MARSOUIN, _m._ (popular), _smuggler_; (military) _marine_, or “jolly.” -Literally _porpoise_. - -MARTIN, _m._ (popular), fournir ----, _to wear furs_. “Martin” is -the equivalent of “Bruin.” Le mal Saint-Martin had formerly the -signification of _intoxication_. An allusion to the sale of wine at -fairs held on Saint Martin’s day. - -MARTINET, _m._ (thieves’), _punishment irons used at the penal -servitude settlements_. Properly _a cat-o’-nine tails_. - -MARTINGALIER, _m._ (gamblers’), _gamester who imagines he is master of -an infallible process for winning_. - - C’est un martingalier. C’est un des abstracteurs - de quintessence moderne, qui s’imaginent avoir - trouvé la marche infaillible pour faire sauter les - banques.--=RICHEPIN.= - -MARTYR, _m._ (military), _corporal_. Termed also “chien de l’escouade.” - -MASCOTTE, _f._, _gambler’s fetish_. - -MASQUER EN ALEZAN (horsedealers’), _to paint a horse so as to deceive -purchasers_. Termed also “maquiller un gayet.” Among other dishonest -practices, horsedealers play improper tricks with an animal to make -him look lively: they “fig” him, the “fig” being a piece of wet ginger -placed under a horse’s tail for the purpose of making him appear -lively, and enhance his price. - -MASSAGE, _m._ (popular), _work_, “graft,” or “elbow grease.” - -MASSE, _f._ (military), avoir la ---- complète, _to possess a -well-filled purse_. La ---- noire, _mysterious cash-box, supposed, by -suspicious soldiers, to enclose the proceeds of unlawful profits made -at the expense of the aforesaid by non-commissioned officers entrusted -with the victualling or clothing department_. (Thieves’ and cads’) -Masse, _work_, “graft,” or “elbow grease.” - -MASSER (popular and thieves’), _to work_, “to graft.” - - Tu sais, j’dis ça à ton copain, - Pa’c’que j’vois qu’ c’est un gonc’ qui boude, - Mais entre nous, mon vieux lapin, - J’ai jamais massé qu’à l’ver l’coude. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -MASSEUR, _m._ (popular), _active workman_. - -MASTAR AU GRAS-DOUBLE, _f._ (thieves’), faire la ----, or la faire au -mastar, _to steal lead off roofs_, “to fly the blue pigeon.” - -MASTARÉ, _adj._ (thieves’), _leaden_. - -MASTAROUFLEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _one who steals lead_, a “bluey -cracker.” - -MASTIC, _m._ (freemasons’), _bread or meat_; (popular) _deceit_. Péter -sur le ----, _to forsake work_. (Thieves’) Mastic, _man_, or “cove;” -(printers’) _long, entangled speech_; (theatrical) _painting and -otherwise making-up one’s face_. Faire son ----, _to paint one’s face_, -“to stick slap on.” - - C’est l’ensemble de ces travaux de badigeon qui constitue - le mastic. Un mastic consciencieux exige près d’une heure - de peine.--=P. MAHALIN.= - -MASTIQUER (popular), _to cobble_; (familiar and popular) _to eat_, -“to grub,” “to yam.” It seems this latter term is connected with the -word _yam_, the English name of the large edible tuber _Dioscorea_, -a corruption of the name used in the West Indies at the time of the -discovery, _iniama_ or _inhame_. With regard to the expression the -_Slang Dictionary_ says:--“This word is used by the lowest class all -over the world; by the Wapping sailor, West Indian negro, or Chinese -coolie. When the fort called the ‘Dutch Folly,’ near Canton, was in -course of erection by the Hollanders, under the pretence of being -intended for an hospital, the Chinese observed a box containing -muskets among the alleged hospital stores. ‘Hy-aw!’ exclaimed John -Chinaman, ‘how can sick man yam gun?’ The Dutch were surprised and -massacred the same night.” The synonyms for the term _to eat_, in -the various kinds of French slang, are the following: “Tortiller du -bec, becqueter, béquiller, chiquer, bouffer, boulotter, taper sur -les vivres, pitancher, passer à la tortore, tortorer, se l’envoyer, -casser la croustille, briffer, brouter, se caler, se calfater le bec, -mettre de l’huile dans la lampe, se coller quelque chose dans le -fanal, dans le fusil, or dans le tube, chamailler des dents, jouer des -badigoinces, jouer des dominos, déchirer la cartouche, gobichonner, -engouler, engueuler, friturer, gonfler, morfiaillier, cacher, se mettre -quelque chose dans le cadavre, se lester la cale, se graisser les -balots, se caresser l’Angoulême, friper, effacer, travailler pour M. -Domange, clapoter, débrider la margoulette, croustiller, charger pour -la Guadeloupe, travailler pour Jules, se faire le jabot, jouer des -osanores.” - -MASTIQUEUR, _m._ (popular), _cobbler_. - -MASTROC, MASTRO, or MASTROQUET, _m._ (popular), _landlord of -wine-shop_. Termed also “bistrot, troquet, mannezingue, empoisonneur.” - - Tout récemment, j’étais à la Bourbe, allé voir - Une fille, de qui chez un mastroc, un soir, - J’avais fait connaissance. - - =GILL.= - -MATA, _m._ (printers’), abbreviation of matador, _swaggerer_, one who -“bulldozes,” as the Americans say. - -MATADOR, _m._ (popular), faire son ----, _to give oneself airs_; _to -swagger_, _to look_ “botty.” From the Spanish matador, _bull-killer_. - -MATAGOT, _m._ (obsolete), _funny eccentric individual who amuses people -by his antics_. Rabelais used it with the signification of _monkey_, -_monk_:-- - - Ci n’entrez pas, hypocrites, bigots, - Vieux matagots, mariteux, boursoflé. - - _Gargantua._ - -MATATANE, _f._ (military), _guard-room_; _cells_, “mill, jigger, or -Irish theatre.” - -MATELAS, _m._ (popular), ambulant, _street-walker_, or “bed-fagot.” See -GADOUE. - -MATELASSER (popular), se ----, _is said of a woman who makes up for -nature’s niggardliness by padding her bodice_. - -MATELOT, _m._ (sailors’), _chum_, _mate_. - -MATELOTE, _f._ (sailors’), trimer à la ----, _to be a sailor_. - - Et de Nantes jusqu’à Bordeaux, - Trime à la matelote, - N’ayant qu’un tricot sur le dos, - Et pour fond de culotte - Le drap d’sa peau. - - =RICHEPIN=, _La Mer_. - -MATELUCHE, _m._ (sailors’), _bad sailor_. - -MATÉRIAUX, _m. pl._ (freemasons’), _food_. - -MATÉRIELLE, _f._ (gamesters’), _one’s bread and cheese_. - - Et alors, quelques malheureux pontes ... se sont livres - au terrible travail qui consiste à gagner avec des cartes - le pain quotidien, ce que les joueurs appellent la - matérielle.--=BELOT=, _La Bouche de Madame X_. - -MATERNELLE, _f._ (students’), _mother_, “mater.” - -MATHURIN, _m._ (sailors’), _sailor_, “salt, or Jack tar.” Termed also -“otter;” _wooden man-o’-war_. Parler ----, _to speak the slang of -sailors_. - - Je ne suis pas de ces vieux frères premier brin - Qui devant qu’être nés parlaient jà mathurin, - Au ventre de leur mère apprenant ce langage, - Roulant à son roulis, tanguant à son tangage. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -(Thieves’) Les mathurins, _dice_, or “ivories.” (Popular) Mathurins -plats, _dominoes_. - - Ces objets doivent leur nom d’argot à leur ressemblance - avec le costume des Trinitaires, vulgairement appelés - Mathurins, qui chez nous portaient une soutane de serge - blanche, sur laquelle, quand ils sortaient, ils jetaient un - manteau noir.--=MICHEL.= - -MATIGNON, _m._ (thieves’), _messenger_. - -MATOIS, or MATOUAS, _m._ (thieves’), _morning_. - - Le condé de Nanterre et un quart d’œil, suivis d’un trèpe - de cuisiniers sont aboulés ce matois à la taule.--=VIDOCQ.= - (_The mayor of Nanterre and a commissaire de police, - followed by a body of police, came this morning to the - house._) - -MATOU, _m._ (popular), _man who is fond of the petticoat_. Bon ----, -_libertine_, “rattle-cap,” or “molrower.” Literally _a good tomcat_. - -MATRAQUE, _m._ (soldiers’ in Africa), _bludgeon_. - - Nous avions brûlé le pays. Vous dire pourquoi, j’en serais - bien en peine: une poule volée à un colon influent, un - coup de matraque appliqué par un Bédouin ruiné sur la tête - d’un Juif voleur ... et pif, paf, boum, coups de fusils, - obus.--=HECTOR FRANCE=, _Sous le Burnous_. - -MATRICULER (military), _to steal_; said ironically, as “le numéro -matricule,” borne by a soldier’s effects, is the only proof of -ownership. Se faire ----, _to get punished_, “to be shopped.” - -MÂTS, _m. pl._ (thieves’), les deux ----, _the guillotine_. See VOYANTE. - -MATTE, _f._ (thieves’), enfant de la ----, _thief_, a “family-man.” For -synonyms see GRINCHE. Michel says matte is derived from the Italian -mattia, _folly_; so that “enfants de la matte” signifies literally -_children of folly_. - -MATURBES, _m. pl._ (thieves’), _dice_, or “ivories.” Jouer des ----, -_to eat_, “to grub.” - -MAUBE, _f._ (popular), Place ----, for _Place Maubert_, a low quarter -of Paris. - -MAUGRÉE, _m._ (thieves’), _governor of a prison_. From maugréer, _to -grumble_. - -MAURICAUD, _m._ (thieves’), _cash-box_, “peter.” - - Il faut tomber sur ce mauricaud, et selon moi ce n’est pas - la chose du monde la plus facile.--=VIDOCQ.= (_We must find - the cash-box, and in my opinion it is not the easiest thing - in the world._) - -MAUVAISE (general), elle est ----! _bad joke!_ _bad trick!_ “sawdust -and treacle!” _none of that!_ “draw it mild!” - -MAUVE, _f._ (popular), _umbrella of a reddish colour_, _a kind of_ -“gingham.” - -MAUVIETTE, _f._ (popular), _ribbon of a decoration in the button-hole_. - -MAYEUX, _m._ (popular), _humpback_, or “lord.” Name given to a -caricatured individual, a humpback, who appears in many of the coloured -caricatures of 1830. Mayeux is a form of the old name Mahieu (Mathieu). - -MAZAGRAN, _m._ (general), _coffee served up in a glass at cafés, or -mixture of coffee and water_. - -MAZARO, or LAZARO, _m._ (military), CELLS, “jigger,” Irish theatre, or -mill. - -MAZE, _f._ (thieves’), abbreviation of _Mazas, a central prison in -Paris_. Tirer un congé à la ----, _to serve a term of imprisonment in -Mazas_. - -MAZETTE, _f._ (military), _recruit_, or “Johnny raw;” _man_, or “cove.” - -MEC, or MEG, _m._ (thieves’), _master_; _chief_, “dimber damber.” - - Bravo, mec! faisons lui son affaire et renquillons à la - taule, je cane la pégrenne.--=VIDOCQ.= (_Bravo, chief, - let us do for him, and let us return home, I am dying of - hunger._) - -(Popular and thieves’) Mec, _women’s bully_, or “ponce.” See POISSON. -Un ---- à la redresse, _good, straightforward man_. Le ---- des mecs, -_the Almighty_. - - Voyons, daronne ... il ne faut pas jeter à ses paturons le - bien que le mec des mecs nous envoie.--=VIDOCQ.= (_Come, - mother, we must not throw at our feet the good things which - the Almighty sends us._) - -Mec à la colle forte, _desperate malefactor_; ---- à sonnettes, _rich -man_, “rag-splawger;” ---- de la guiche, _women’s bully_, or “ponce,” -see POISSON; ---- des gerbiers, _executioner_; ---- de la rousse, -_prefect of police_; (popular) ---- à la roue, _one who is conversant -with the routine of a trade_. - -MÉCANICIEN, _m._ (popular), _executioner’s assistant_. - -MÉCANIQUE, _f._ (popular), _guillotine_. Charrier à la ----, see -CHARRIER. - -MÉCANISER (thieves’), _to guillotine_; (popular) _to annoy_. - - Coupeau voulut le rattraper. Plus souvent qu’il se laissât - mécaniser par un paletot.--=ZOLA.= - -MÉCHANT, _adj._ (familiar and popular), n’être pas ----, _to be -inferior_, _of little value_, “tame, no great scratch.” Un livre pas -----, _a_ “tame” _book_. Une plaisanterie pas méchante, _a dull joke_. -Un caloquet pas ----, _a plain bonnet_. - -MÈCHE (popular), il y a ----, _it is possible_. Il n’y a pas----, _it -is impossible_. This expression has passed into the language. Et ----! -_and the rest!_ Combien avez-vous payé, dix francs?--Et mèche! _How -much did you pay, twenty francs?--Yes, and something over._ (Thieves’) -Etre de ----, _to go halves_. - - On vous obéira. J’ai trop envie d’être de mèche.--=VIDOCQ.= - (_You shall be obeyed. I have too great a desire to go - halves._) - -Also _to be in confederacy_. - - M’est avis que tu es de mèche avec les rupins pour nous - emblêmer.--=VIDOCQ.= (_My opinion is that you are in - confederacy with the swells to deceive us._) - -Six plombes et ----, _half-past six_. (Printers’) Mèche, _work_. -Chercher ----, _to seek for employment_. - -MÉCHI, _m._ (thieves’), _misfortune_. From the old French “meschief,” -_mischief_. - -MÉCHILLON, _m._ (thieves’), _quarter of an hour_. - -MECQ, _m._ (popular), _prostitute’s bully_. See POISSON. - -MECQUE, _f._ (thieves’), _man_, or “cove;” _victim_. - -MÉDAILLARD, _m._ (artists’), _artist who has obtained a medal at the -Exhibition_. - -MÉDAILLE, _f._ (popular), _silver five-franc coin_; also called ---- -de Saint-Hubert; ---- d’or, _twenty-franc piece_; ---- en chocolat, -_the Saint-Helena medal_. Called also “médaille de commissionnaire,” or -“contre-marque du Père-Lachaise.” - -MÉDAILLON, _m._ (popular), _breech_, see VASISTAS; ---- de flac, -_cul-de-sac, or blind alley_. - -MÉDECIN, _m._ (thieves’), _counsel_, or “mouth-piece.” It is natural -that thieves should follow the advice of a doctor when on the point of -entering the “hôpital,” or _prison_, where they will stay as “malades,” -or _prisoners_, and whence they will come out “guéris,” or _free_. - -MÉDECINE, _f._ (thieves’), _defence by a counsel_; _advice_. Une ---- -flambante, _a piece of good advice_. - - Collez-moi cinquante balles et je vous coque une médecine - flambante.--=VIDOCQ.= (_Tip me fifty francs, and I’ll give - you a piece of good advice._) - -(Popular) Médecine, _dull, tiresome person_. - -MÉFIANT, _m._ (military), _foot soldier_, “beetle-crusher, or grabby.” - -MEG, _m._ (thieves’), _chief_. Le ---- des megs, _God_. - - Il y a un mot qui reparaît dans toutes les langues du - continent avec une sorte de puissance et d’autorité - mystérieuse. C’est le mot _magnus_; l’Ecosse en fait son - _mac_ qui désigne le chef du clan ... l’argot en ait le - _meck_ et plus tard le _meg_, c’est à dire Dieu. - --=V. HUGO=, _Les Misérables_. - -MÉGARD, _m._ (thieves’), _head of a gang of thieves_, or “dimber -damber.” - -MÉGO, _m._ (popular), _balance in favour of credit_. - -MÉGOT, _m._ (popular), _end of cigarette_. - - Près des théâtres, dans les gares, - Entre les arpions des sergots, - C’est moi que j’cueille les bouts d’cigares, - Les culots d’pipe et les mégots. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -MÉGOTTIER, _m._ (popular), _one whose trade is to collect cigar or -cigarette ends_, a “hard up.” - -MÉLASSE, _f._ (popular), tomber dans la ----, _to be in great trouble_, -or “hobble;” _to be ruined_, or “to go a mucker.” - -MÉLASSON, _m._ (popular), _clumsy, awkward man_, “a cripple;” _dunce_, -or “flat.” - -MÊLÉ, _m._ (popular), _mixture of anisette, cassis, or absinthe, with -brandy_. - -MELET, _m._, MELETTE, _f._, _adj._, (thieves’), _small_. - -MÉLO, _m._ (familiar and popular), _abbreviation of mélodrame_. - - Le bon gros mélo a fait son temps.--_Paris Journal._ - -MELON, _m._ (cadets’ of the military school of Saint-Cyr), _a -first-term student_. Called “snooker” at the R. M. Academy, and “John” -at the R. M. College of Sandhurst. (General) Un ----, _a dunce_, or -“flat.” Termed “thick” at Winchester School. - -MEMBRE DE LA CARAVANE, _m._ (popular), _prostitute_, or “mot.” See -GADOUE. Euphemism for “chameau.” - -MEMBRER (military), _to drill_; _to work_. - - Poussant éternellement devant eux une brouette qu’ils - avaient soin de laisser éternellement vide, s’arrêtant - pour contempler ... les camarades qui membraient. - --=G. COURTELINE.= - -MÉNAGE À LA COLLE, _m._ (familiar), _cohabitation of an unmarried -couple_, the lady being termed “wife in water-colours.” - -MENDIANT, _m._ (familiar), à la carte, _a begging impostor who pretends -to have been sent by a person whose visiting card he exhibits_; ---- -à la lettre, _begging-letter impostor_; ---- au tabac, _beggar who -pretends to pick up cigar ends_. - -MENDIGOT, MENDIGO, or MENDIGOTEUR (popular), _a variety of the -brotherhood of beggars that visits country houses and collects at -the same time information for burglars_; a “putter up.” La faire au -mendigo, _to pretend to be begging_. - -MENDIGOTER (popular), _to beg_. - -MENÉE, _f._ (thieves’), _dozen_. Une ---- d’ornichons, _a dozen -chickens_. - -MENER (military), pisser quelqu’un, _to compel one to fight a duel_. -(Popular) On ne le mène pas pisser, _he has a will of his own_, _one -can’t do as one likes with him_. N’en pas ---- large, _to be ill at -ease, or crestfallen_, “glum.” - - Puis une fois la fumée dissipée, on verra une vingtaine - d’assistants sur l’flanc, foudrayés du coup en n’en m’nant - pas large.--=TRUBLOT=, _Cri du Peuple_. - -(Thieves’) Mener en bateau, _to deceive_, “to stick.” - - Ces patriarches, pères et fils de voleurs, ne restent pas - moins fidèles à leur abominable lignée. Ils n’instruisent - la préfecture que pour la mener en bateau.--_Mémoires de - Monsieur Claude._ - -Mener en bateau un pante pour le refaire, _to deceive a man in order to -rob him_, “to bamboozle a jay and flap him.” - -MENESSE, _f._ (thieves’ and cads’), _prostitute_, or “bunter,” see -GADOUE; _mistress_, or “doxy.” - -MENÊTRE, _f._ (thieves’), _soup_. - -MENEUSE, _f._ (popular), _woman who entices a passer-by to some back -alley, where he is robbed, and sometimes murdered, by accomplices_. -Also _woman whose calling is to take charge of babies, and take them to -some country place, where they are left to the care of a wet nurse_. - -MENGIN, or MANGIN, _m._ (familiar), _political or literary charlatan_. -From the name of a celebrated quack, a familiar figure of crossways -and squares in Paris under the Third Empire. He was attired in showy -costume of the Middle Ages, and sported a glistening helmet topped -by enormous plumes. He sold pencils, drew people’s caricatures at a -moment’s notice, and was attended by an assistant known under the name -of Vert-de-gris. - -MÉNILMONTE, or MÉNILMUCHE (popular), _Ménilmontant, formerly one of the -suburbs of Paris_. According to Zola, the word is curiously used in -connection with the so-called sign of the cross of drunkards:-- - - Coupeau se leva pour faire le signe de croix des pochards. - Sur la tête il prononça Montpernasse, à l’épaule droite - Ménilmonte, à l’épaule gauche la Courtille, au milieu du - ventre Bagnolet, et dans le creux de l’estomac trois fois - Lapin sauté.--_L’Assommoir._ - -MENOUILLE, _f._ (popular), _money, or change_. - -MENTEUSE, _f._ (thieves’), _tongue_, or “prating cheat.” Termed also -“le chiffon rouge, la battante, la diligence de Rome, rouscaillante.” - -MENU. See CONNAÎTRE. - -MENUISIER. See CÔTELETTE. - -MENUISIÈRE, _f._ (popular), _long coat_. - -MÉQUARD, or MÉGARD, _m._ (thieves’), _head of a gang_, or “dimber -damber.” From mec, _master_, _chief_. - -MÉQUER (thieves’), _to command_. From meq, meg, _chief_, _head of -gang_, or “dimber damber.” - -MERCADET, _m._ (familiar), _man who sets on foot bubble companies, -swindling agencies, and other fishy concerns_. A character of Balzac. - -MERCANDIER, _m._ (popular), _butcher who retails only meat of inferior -quality_. - -MERCANTI, _m._, _name given by the army in Africa to traders, generally -thievish Jews_. - - Cependant les mercantis, débitants d’absinthe empoisonnée - et de vins frelatés, escrocs, banqueroutiers, repris de - justice, marchands de tout acabit.--=HECTOR FRANCE=, _Sous - le Burnous_. - -MERDAILLON, _m._ (popular), _contemptible man_, or “snot.” - -MERDE, _f._ (thieves’), de pie, _fifty-centime piece_. (Popular) Faire -sa ----, _to give oneself airs_, _to look_ “botty.” Des écrase ----, -_fashionable boots, as now worn, with large low heels_. Termed also -“bottines à la mouget.” - -MERDEUX, _m._ (popular), _scavenger employed to empty cesspools_, -“gold-finder;” _despicable mean fellow_, “snot.” - -MÈRE, _f._ (popular), abbesse, _mistress of a brothel_; ---- de -petite fille, _bottle of wine_; ---- d’occase, _procuress who plays -the part of a young prostitute’s mother, or a beggar who goes about -with hired children_; ---- aux anges, _woman who gives shelter to -forsaken children, and hires them out to mendicants_; (thieves’) ---- -au bleu, _guillotine_. See VOYANTE. (Corporations’) Mère, _innkeeper, -where_ “compagnons,” _or skilled artisans of a corporation, hold their -meetings_. The compagnons used to individually visit all the towns of -France, working at each place, and the long journey was termed “tour de -France.” - -MÉRINOS, _m._ (popular), _man with an offensive breath_. Manger du -----, _to play billiards_, or “spoof.” - -MERLANDER (popular), _to dress the hair_. From merlan, popular -expression for _hairdresser_. - -MERLIFICHE, _m._ (thieves’), _mountebank_, _showman_. Probably from -“merlificque,” used by Villon with the signification of _marvellous_. - -MERLIN, _m._ (popular), _leg_, “pin.” Un coup de passif dans le ----, -_a kick on the shin_. - -MERLOU. See MARLOU. - -MERLOUSIER, MERLOUSIÈRE, _adj._ (thieves’), _cunning_. La dabuche est -merlousière, _the lady is cunning_. - -MERLUCHE, _f._ (popular), pousser des cris de ----, _to squall_; _to -scold vehemently_. - -MERRIFLAUTÉ, _adj._ (thieves’), _warmly clad_. - -MÉRUCHÉ, _f._, MÉRUCHON, _m._ (thieves’), _stove_, _frying-pan_. - -MÉRUCHÉE, _f._ (thieves’), _stoveful_. - -MERVEILLEUX, _m._ (familiar), _dandy of 1833_. See GOMMEUX. - - A l’avant-scène se prélassait un jeune merveilleux agitant - avec nonchalance un binocle d’or émaillé.--=TH. GAUTIER.= - -The _Slang Dictionary_ includes the word “dandy” among slang -expressions. It says: “Dandy, _a fop, or fashionable nondescript_. -This word, in the sense of a fop, is of modern origin. Egan says it -was first used in 1820, and Bee in 1816. Johnson does not mention it, -although it is to be found in all late dictionaries. Dandies wore -stays, studied a feminine style, and tried to undo their manhood by all -manner of affectations which were not actually immoral. Lord Petersham -headed them. At the present day dandies of this stamp have almost -entirely disappeared, but the new school of muscular Christians is not -altogether faultless. The feminine of dandy was dandizette, but the -term only lived for a short season.” - -MÉSIGO, MÉZIÈRE, MÉZIGUE, (thieves’), _I_, _me_, “dis child,” as the -negroes say; ---- roulait le trimard, _I was tramping along the road_. - -MESSE, _f._ (popular), être à la ----, _to be late_. Nous avons été à -la ---- de cinq minutes, _we were five minutes late_. (Thieves’) La ----- du diable, _examination of a prisoner by a magistrate, or trial_, -an ordeal the unpleasant nature of which is eloquently expressed by the -words. Termed by English rogues “cross kidment.” - -MESSIADIEN, _adj. and m._ (thieves’), _convicted_, _sentenced_, -“booked.” The epithet is applied to one who has been compelled to -attend “la messe du diable,” with unpleasant consequences to himself. -Il est ---- à six bergarès plombes, _he is in for six years’ prison_, -“put away” for “six stretches;” ---- pour pégrasse, _convicted for -stealing_, “in for a vamp.” Il fagaut ta magnette blague de maniagnère -que tu n’es paga les pindesse dans le dintesse pour pégrasse, autrement -tu es messiadien et tu laveragas tes pieds d’agnet dans le grand pré, -which signifies, in the thieves’ jargon of the day, _You must take an -alias, so that you may escape the clutches of the police; if not, you -will be convicted and transported_. - -MESSIER, or MESSIÈRE, _m._ (thieves’), _man_; _inhabitant_. A form of -mézière, _a fool_. Les messiers de cambrouse, _the country folk_, or -“clods.” - -MESSIÈRE, _m._ (thieves’), _man_; _victim_; ---- de la haute, -_well-to-do man_, “nib cove, or gentry cove;” ---- franc, _citizen_; -_individual_, or “cove.” - -MESSIRE LUC, _m._ (familiar), _breech_, or “Nancy.” See VASISTAS. - -MESURE, _f._ (popular), prendre la ---- des côtes, _to thrash_, “to -wollop.” - -MÉTHODE CHEVÉ, _f._ (familiar and popular), _playing billiards in an -out-of-the-way fashion--with two cues, for instance, or by pushing the -balls with the hand_. - -MÉTIER, _m._ (artists’), _skill in execution_; _clever touch_. Avoir un ----- d’enfer, _to paint with great manual skill_. - -MÈTRE, _m._ (familiar and popular), chevalier du ----, _shopman_, -“counter-jumper, or knight of the yard.” - -METTEUX, _m._ (printers’), _metteur en pages, or maker-up_. - -METTRE (general), au clou, _to pawn_, “to put in lug,” or “to pop up -the spout.” An allusion to the spout up which the brokers send the -ticketed articles until such time as they shall be redeemed. The spout -runs from the ground-floor to the wareroom at the top of the house. -English thieves term pawning one’s clothes, “to sweat one’s duds.” Le -----, is explained by the following:-- - - Mot libre, pour chevaucher, faire le déduit, se divertir - avec une femme. Ce mot est équivoque et malicieux, car une - personne laisse-t-elle tomber son busque ou son gant? On - dit, Mademoiselle, voulez-vous que je vous le mette? - --=LE ROUX=, _Dict. Comique_. - -Termed, in the language of the Paris roughs, “mettre en prison.” -Mets ça dans ta poche et ton mouchoir par dessus, _said of a blow or -repartee, and equivalent to, take that and think over it, or digest -it, or let it be a warning to you_, “put that in your pipe and smoke -it.” Mettre à l’ombre, or dedans, _to imprison_, “to give the clinch.” -See PIPER. Mettre à l’ombre signifies also _to kill_, “to cook one’s -goose;” ---- du pain dans le sac de quelqu’un, _to beat one, or to kill -him_; ---- dans le mille, _to be successful_, _to have a piece of good -luck_, or “regular crow;” _to hit the right nail on the head_. - - D’abord en passant, faut y’ régler son affaire à mon - aminche eul’ zig Gramont d’ l’Intransigeant, qu’a mis - dans l’mille en disant qu’ eul’ Théâtre de Paris sera - naturaliste ou qu’i ne sera pas.--=TRUBLOT=, _Cri du - Peuple_. - -Mettre quelqu’un dedans, _to deceive_, _to cheat one_, _to outwit_, “to -take a rise out of a person.” - - A metaphor from fly-fishing, the silly fish rising to be - caught by an artificial fly.--_Slang Dictionary._ - -Le ---- à quelqu’un, _to deceive one_, “to bamboozle” _one_. - - Du reste, c’est un flanche, vous voulez me le mettre ... je - la connais.--=V. HUGO.= - -(Popular) Mettre la tête à la fenêtre, _to be guillotined_. See FAUCHÉ. -Mettre une pousse, _to strike_, _to thrash_, “to wallop;” ---- à pied, -_to dismiss from one’s employment temporarily or permanently_; ---- -quelqu’un dans la pommade, _to beat one at a game_; ---- en bringue, -_to smash_; ---- des gants sur ses salsifis, _to put gloves on_; ---- -la table pour les asticots, _to become food for the worms_. See PIPE. -Mettre sous presse, _to pawn_, _to put_ “in lug.” Se ---- sur les fonts -de baptême, _to get involved in some difficulty_, _to be in a fix_, _in -a_ “hole.” (Theatrical) Se ---- en rang d’oignons _is said of actors -who place themselves in a line in front of the foot-lights_. Formerly -mettre en rang d’oignons meant _to admit one into a company on an equal -standing with the others_. (Thieves’) Mettre en dedans, _to break open -a door_, “to strike a jigger;” ---- la pogne dessus, _to steal_, “to -nim.” From the old English nim, _to take_, says the _Slang Dictionary_. -Motherwell, the Scotch poet, thought the old word nim (_to snatch or -pick up_) was derived from nam, nam, the tiny words or cries of an -infant when eating anything which pleases its little palate. A negro -proverb has the word:-- - - Buckra man nam crab, - Crab nam buckra man. - -Or, in the buckra man’s language, - - White man eat (for steal) the crab, - And then crab eat the white man. - -Shakespeare evidently had the word nim in his head when he portrayed -Nym. Mettre une gamelle, _to escape from prison_. Se ---- à table, _to -inform against one_, “to blow the gaff,” “to nick.” See GRINCHIR. - - En v’là un malheur si la daronne et les frangines allaient - se mettre à table.--=VIDOCQ.= (_That’s a misfortune if the - mother and the sisters inform._) - -(Popular and thieves’) Se ---- en bombe, _to escape from prison_. - - Mon magistrat, ... nous nous sommes tirés pour faire la - noce. Nous sommes en bombe! Nous n’avons plus de braise et - nous venons nous rendre.--_Un Flâneur._ - -Mettre sur la planche au pain, _to put a prisoner on his trial_, “in -for patter;” (military) ---- le chien au cran de repos, _to sleep_; ----- le moine, _to fasten a cord to a sleeping man’s big toe, and to -teaze him by occasionally jerking it_; ---- les tripes au soleil, _to -kill_. - - A force d’entendre des phrases comme celles-ci: crever - la paillasse, mettre les tripes au soleil, taillader - les côtes, brûler les gueules, ouvrir la panse, je m’y - étais habitué et j’avais fini par les trouver toutes - naturelles.--=H. FRANCE=, _L’Homme qui Tue_. - -(Bullies’) Mettre un chamègue à l’alignement, _to send a woman out to -walk the streets as a prostitute_. - -MEUBLE, _m._ (popular), _sorry-looking person_. - -MEUBLER (familiar), _to pad_. - -MEUDON, _m._ (thieves’), grand ----, _police_, _the_ “reelers.” - -MEULAN. See ARTIE. - -MEULARD, _m._ (thieves’), _calf_. In old English cant “lowing cheat.” - -MEULES DE MOULIN, _f. pl._ (popular), _teeth_, or “grinders.” - -MEUNIER, _m._ (thieves’), _receiver_, or “fence.” Porter au moulin _is -to take stolen property to the receiver_, “to fence the swag.” - -MEURT-DE-FAIM, _m._ (popular), _penny loaf_. - -MÉZIÈRE, _adj., pron., and m._ (thieves’), _simple-minded_, _gullible_. -Etre ----, _to be a_ “cull or flat.” The word, says Michel, derives its -origin from the confidence-trick swindle, when one of the confederates -who acts the part of a foreigner, and who pretends to speak bad French, -addresses the pigeon as “mézière” instead of “monsieur.” - - Moi vouloir te faire de la peine! plutôt être gerbé à - vioque (jugé à vie); faut être bien mézière (nigaud) pour - le supposer.--=VIDOCQ.= - -Mézière, _I_, _me_, _myself_. Le havre protège ----, _God protect me_. -Un ----, _a_ “flat,” _name given by thieves to their victims_. - - Depuis que nous nous sommes remis à escarper les mézières, - il ne nous en est pas tombé sous la poigne un aussi - chouette que celui-ci.--=VIDOCQ.= (_Since we began again to - kill the flats, we haven’t had in our claws a single one as - rich as that one._) - -MÉZIGUE, MÉZIGO (thieves’), _I_, _myself_. - - Auquel cas, c’ serait pas long; mézigue sait c’ qu’y lui - rest’rait à faire.--=TRUBLOT=, _Le Cri du Peuple_. - -MIB, or MIBRE, _m._ (street boys’), _thing in which one excels_; -_triumph_. C’est mon ----, _that’s just what I am a dab at_. C’est ton -----, _you’ll never do that_; _that beat’s you hollow_. - -MICHAUD, _m._ (thieves’), _head_, or “tibby, nob, or knowledge box.” -Faire son ----, _to sleep_, “to doss.” - -MICHE, _f._ (popular and thieves’), _lace_, or “driz.” An allusion to -the holes in a loaf of white bread. Miche, or ---- de profonde, _money_. -The term in this case exactly corresponds to the English “loaver.” - -MICHÉ, _m._ (general), _client of a prostitute_. Literally _one who -has_ “michon,” _or money_, _who_ “forks out.” - - Les filles isolées, soit en carte, soit insoumises ... - ont, par contre, le désagrément d’éprouver souvent - certains déboires. Le client n’est pas toujours un “miché” - consciencieux.--=LÉO TAXIL.= - -Faire un ----, _to find a client_, or “flat.” Un ---- de carton, -_client who does not pay well, or who does not pay at all_. Un ---- -sérieux, _one who pays_. - - Les femmes appellent “michés sérieux” les clients qui - “montent” et “flanelles” ceux qui se contentent de - “peloter” et de payer un petit verre.--=LÉO TAXIL.= - -Concerning the language of such women Léo Taxil says:--“On a prétendu -que toutes les prostituées de Paris avaient un argot ou un jargon -qui leur était particulier ... ceci n’est pas exact ... nous avons vu -qu’elles désignent le client sous le nom de ‘miché,’ le visiteur qui -ne monte pas sous celui de ‘flanelle.’ Pour elles, les inspecteurs des -mœurs sont des ‘rails,’ un commissaire de police un ‘flique,’ une jolie -fille une ‘gironde’ ou une ‘chouette,’ une fille laide un ‘roubiou,’ -etc. Ce sont là des expressions qui font partie du langage des -souteneurs qui, eux, possèdent un véritable argot; elles en retiennent -quelques mots et les mêlent à leur conversation. Quant aux prostituées -qui s’entendent avec les voleurs et qui n’ont recours au libertinage -que pour cacher leur réelle industrie, il n’est pas étonnant qu’elles -aient adopté le jargon de leurs suppôts; mais on ne peut pas dire que -ce langage soit celui des prostituées.” (Popular) Miché, _fool_. From -Michel. It is to be remarked, after Montaigne, that many names of -men have been taken to signify the word fool; such are Grand Colas, -Jean-Jean, and formerly Gautier, Blaise. (Photographers’) Miché, -_client_. (Familiar and popular) Un vieux ----, _an old beau_. - - Tel, au printemps, un vieux miché - Parade en galante toilette. - - =GILL.= - -MICHEL, _m._ (fishermen’s), cassant ses œufs, _thunder_. (Military) Ça -fait la rue ----, _it’s the same for everybody_. - - Eh bien, si j’y coups pas, v’là tout, j’coucherai à la - boîte comme les camarades, et ça fera la rue Michel. - --=G. COURTELINE.= - -MICHELET, _m._ (popular), faire le ----, _to feel about in a crowd of -women_, not exactly with righteous intentions. - -MICHET, MICHÉ, or MICHETON, _m._ (popular), _client of a prostitute_. - - Elles tournent la tête et jetant sur ce type, - Par dessus leur épaule, un regard curieux, - Songent: oh! si c’était un miché sérieux! - - =GILL.= - -MICHON, _m._ (thieves’), _money_ which procures a miche, or a _loaf_, -“loaver.” See QUIBUS. - - C’est ce qui me fait ambier hors de cette vergne; car si je - n’eusse eu du michon je fusse côni de faim.--_Le Jargon de - l’Argot._ - -Foncer du ----, _to give money_, “to grease the palm.” - -MIDI! (popular), _too late!_ Il est ----, _a warning to one to be on -his guard_; _I don’t take that in!_ “not for Joe!” Il est ---- sonné, -_it’s not for you_; _it is impossible_. - - Faut pas te figurer comme ça qu’ t’as l’droit de t’coller - un bouc ... quand tu seras de la classe, comme me v’là, ça - s’pourra; mais jusque-là c’est midi sonné.--=G. COURTELINE.= - -MIE, _f._ (popular), de pain, _louse_, or “grey-backed ’un;” -(printers’) _thing of little value_, or “not worth a curse.” -Compositeur ---- de pain, _an unskilled compositor_, _or clumsy_ -“donkey.” - -MIEL! (popular), _euphemism for a coarser word_, “go to pot!” “you be -hanged!” C’est un ----, _is expressive of satisfaction, or is used -ironically_. Of a good thing they say: “C’est un miel!” On entering -a close, stuffy place: “C’est un miel!” Of a desperate street fight: -“C’est un miel!” “a rare spree!” “what a lark!” (=DELVAU=). - -MIELLÉ! _adj._ (popular), du sort, _happy_; _fortunate in life_. - - Il n’était pas plus miellé du sort, il n’avait pas la vie - plus en belle.--=RICHEPIN=, _La Glu_. - -MIGNARD, _m._ (popular), _term of endearment_; _child_, or “kid.” - -MIGNON, _m._ (thieves’), _mistress_, or “mollisher.” - - J’avais bonheur, argent, amour tranquille, les jours se - suive mais ne se ressemble pas. Mon mignon connaissait - l’anglais, l’allemand, très bien le français, l’auvergna et - l’argot.--_From a thief’s letter, quoted by L. Larchey._ - -(Popular and thieves’) Mignon de port (obsolete), _porter_. Mignon had -formerly the signification of _foolish_, _ignorant_. - -MIGNOTER (popular), _to fondle_, “to forkytoodle.” - -MIKEL, _m._ (mountebanks’), _dupe_, or “gulpin.” - -MILIEU, _m._ (popular), _breech_, or “Nancy.” - -MILLARDS, _m. pl._ (old cant), _in olden times a variety of the cadger -tribe_. - - Millards sont ceux qui trollent sur leur andosse de gros - gueulards; ils truchent plus aux champs qu’aux vergnes, - et sont haïs des autres argotiers, parce qu’ils morfient - ce qu’ils ont tout seuls.--_Le Jargon de l’Argot._ (_The - “millards” are those who carry a large bag on their back; - they beg in the country in preference to the towns, and are - hated by their brethren because they eat all alone what - they get._) - -MILLE, _m. and f._ (familiar), mettre dans le ----, _to meet with a -piece of good luck_, or “regular crow;” _to_ _be successful_. One often -sees at fairs a kind of machine for testing physical strength. A pad -is struck with the fist, and a needle marks the extent of the effort, -“le mille” being the maximum. (Thieves’) Mille, _woman_, or “burrick” -(obsolete). - -MILLE-LANGUES, _m._ (popular), _talkative person_; _tatler_. - -MILLE-PERTUIS, _m._ (thieves’), _watering pot_ (obsolete). - -MILLERIE, _f._ (thieves’), _lottery_. Thus termed on account of the -thousands which every holder of a ticket hopes will be his. - -MILLET, MILLOT, _m._ (popular), _1,000 franc bank-note_. From mille. - -MILLIARDAIRE, _m._ (familiar), _very rich man_, _one who rolls on gold_. - - C’est de cette époque que date aujourd’hui sa fortune car - il est aujourd’hui milliardaire.--=A. SIRVEN.= - -MILLOUR, _m._ (thieves’), _rich man_, “rag splawger” (obsolete). From -the English _my lord_. - -MILORD, _m._ (familiar and popular), _rich man_; ---- l’Arsouille, -_nickname of Lord Seymour_. See ARSOUILLE. - - Les Folies-Belleville ... où Milord l’Arsouille - engueulait les malins, cassait la vaisselle et boxait les - garçons.--=P. MAHALIN.= - -MINCE, _m. and adv._ (thieves’), _note-paper_; _bank-note_, or “soft.” -(Popular) The word has many significations: it means, _of course_; -_certainly_; _much_. - - Dois-tu comme Walder, - Et comme la muscade, - Te donner mince d’air - Après ton escapade? - - =RAMINAGROBIS.= - -Mince! _no_; _certainly not_. It is sometimes expressive of -disappointment or contempt. Tu n’as plus d’argent? ah! ---- alors, _you -have no money? hang it all then!_ Il a ---- la barbe, _he is completely -drunk_. Pensez si je me marre, ah! ----! _don’t I get amused, just!_ -Aux plus rupins il disait ----, _even to the strongest he said_, “you -be hanged! “Mince de potin! _a fine row!_ ---- de crampon! _an awful -bore!_ ---- que j’en ai de l’argent! _haven’t I money? of course I -have!_ Ah! ---- alors! _to the deuce, then!_ Mince de chic, _glass of -beer_. The ejaculation mince! in some cases may find an equivalent in -the English word rather! an exclamation strongly affirmative. It is -also used as an euphemism for an obscene word. - - Et moi sauciss’, j’su quand j’turbine. - Mais, bon sang! la danse s’débine - Dans l’coulant d’air qui boit ma sueur. - Eux aut’s, c’est pompé par leur linge. - Minc’ qu’ils doiv’ emboucanner l’singe. - Vrai, c’est pas l’linge qui fait l’bonheur. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -MINE, _f._ (popular), à poivre, _low brandy shop_. - - Lui était un bon, un chouette, un d’attaque. Ah! zut! le - singe pouvait se fouiller, il ne retournait pas à la boîte, - il avait la flemme. Et il proposait aux deux camarades - d’aller au _Petit bonhomme qui tousse_, une mine à poivre - de la barrière Saint-Denis, où l’on buvait du chien tout - pur.--=ZOLA=, _L’Assommoir_. - -Une ---- à chier dessus, _ugly face_, “knocker face.” - - Qu’est-ce qu’il vient nous em ... ieller, celui-là, avec sa - mine à chier dessus.--=RIGAUD.= - -MINERVE, _f._ (printers’), _small printing machine worked with the -foot_. - -MINERVISTE, _m._ (printers’), _one who works the_ Minerve (which see). - -MINEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _Manceau, or native of Le Mans_. - -MINIK (Breton cant), _small_. - -MINISTRE (military), _sumpter mule_; (peasants’) _ass_, “moke,” _or -mule_. - -MINOIS, _m._ (thieves’), _nose_, or “conk” (obsolete). - -MINOTAURE, _m._ (familiar), _deceived husband_, “stag face.” The -expression is Balzac’s. - - Je serais le dernier de M. Paul de Kock; minotaure, comme - dit M. de Balzac.--=TH. GAUTIER.= - -MINOTAURISER QUELQU’UN (familiar), _to seduce one’s wife_. An allusion -to the horns of the Minotaur. - - Quand une femme est inconséquente, le mari, serait, selon - moi, minotaurisé--=BALZAC.= - -MINSON (Breton cant), _bad_; _badly_. - -MINSONER (Breton cant), _mean_. - -MINTZINGUE, _m._ (popular), _landlord of wine-shop_. - - Mais sapristi, jugez d’mon embargo, - Depuis ce temps elle est toujours pompette, - Et chez l’mintzingue ell’ croque le magot. - - _Almanach Chantant_, 1869. - -MINUIT, _m._ (thieves’), _negro_. Termed also, in different kinds of -slang, “Bamboula, boule de neige, boîte à cirage, bille de pot-au-feu, -mal blanchi,” and in the English slang, “snowball, Sambo, bit o’ ebony, -blacky.” Enfant de ---- meant formerly _thief_. Enfants de la messe de -minuit, says Cotgrave, “_quiresters of midnights masse; night-walking -rakehells, or such as haunt these nightly rites, not for any devotion, -but only to rob, abuse, or play the knaves with others_.” - -MINZINGUE, or MINZINGO, _m._ (popular), _landlord of tavern_. Termed -also manzinguin, mindzingue. - - La philosophie, vil mindzingue, quand ça ne servirait qu’à - trouver ton vin bon.--=GRÉVIN.= - -MION, _m._ (thieves’), child, or “kid;” ---- de gonesse, _stripling_; ----- de boule, _thief_, “prig.” See GRINCHE. - -MIPE, _m._ (thieves’), faire un ---- à quelqu’un, _to outdrink one_. - -MIRADOU, _m._ (thieves’), _mirror_. - -MIRANCU, _m._ (obsolete), _apothecary_. - - Respect au capitaine Mirancu! Qu’il aille se coucher - ailleurs, car s’il s’avisoit de jouer de la seringue, nous - n’avons pas de canesons pour l’en empêcher.--_L’Apothicaire - empoisonné_, 1671. - -Mirancu, a play on the words mire en cul, which may be better explained -in Béralde’s words, in Molière’s _Le Malade Imaginaire_:-- - - Allez, monsieur; on voit bien que vous n’avez pas accoutumé - de parler à des visages. - -MIRECOURT, _m._ (thieves’), _violin_. The town of Mirecourt is -celebrated for its manufactures of stringed instruments. Rigaud says -that it is thus termed from a play on the words mire court, _look on -from a short distance_, the head of the performer being bent over the -instrument, thus bringing his eyes close to it. - -MIRE-LAID, _m._ (popular), _mirror_. An expression which cannot be -gratifying to those too fond of admiring their own countenances in the -glass. - -MIRETTES, _f. pl._ (popular and thieves’), _eyes_, “peepers, ogles, -top-lights, or day-lights.” Fielding uses the latter slang term:-- - - Good woman! I do not use to be so treated. If the lady - says such another word to me, damn me, I will darken her - day-lights.--=FIELDING=, _Amelia_. - -In old cant eyes were termed “glaziers.” - - Toure out with your glaziers, I swear by the ruffin, - That we are assaulted by a queer cuffin. - - =BROOME=, _A Jovial Crew_. - -Which means _look out with all your eyes, I swear by the devil -a magistrate is coming_. Mirettes en caoutchouc, or en caouche, -_telescope_; ---- glacées, or en glacis, _spectacles_, or “gig-lamps.” -Sans ----, _blind_, or “hoodman.” - -MIREUR, _m._ (popular), _one who looks on intently_; _spy_; _person -employed in the immense underground store cellars of the Halles to -inspect provisions by candle-light_. - - Deux cents becs de gaz éclairent ces caves gigantesques, - où l’on rencontre diverses industries spéciales.... Les - “mireurs,” qui passent à la chandelle une délicate révision - des sujets. Les “préparateurs de fromages” qui font - “jaunir” le chester, “pleurer” le gruyère, “couler” le brie - ou “piquer” le roquefort.--=E. FRÉBAULT.= - -MIRLIFLORE, _m._ (familiar), _a dandy of the beginning of the present -century_. For synonyms see GOMMEUX. The term has now passed into the -language with the signification of _silly conceited dandy or fop_. - - Nos mirliflors - Vaudroient-ils cet homme à ressorts? - - _Chansons de Collé._ - -Concerning the derivation of this word Littré makes the following -remarks: “Il y avait dans l’ancien français _mirlifique_, altération -de _mirifique_; on peut penser que mirliflore est une altération -analogue où _flor_ ou _fleur_ remplace fique: qui est comme une -fleur merveilleuse. Francisque Michel y voit une altération de -_mille-fleurs_, dénomination prise des bouquets dont se paraient -les élégants du temps passé.” It is more probable, however, that -the term is connected with _eau de mille-fleurs_, an elixir of all -flowers, a mixed perfume, and this origin seems to be borne out by the -circumstance that after the Revolution of 1793 dandies received the -name of “muscadins,” from _musc_, or musk, their favourite perfume. -Workmen sometimes call a dandy “un puant.” See this word. - -MIRLITON, _m._ (popular), _nose_, or “smeller.” For synonyms see -MORVIAU. Also _voice_. Avoir le ---- bouché, _to have a bad cold in -the head_. Jouer du ----, _to talk_, “to jaw;” _to blow one’s nose_. -Mirliton properly signifies a kind of reed-pipe. - -MIROBOLAMMENT (familiar and popular), _marvellously_, “stunningly.” - -MIROBOLANT, _adj._ (familiar and popular), _excellent_, “slap-up, or -scrumptious;” _marvellous_, “crushing.” - - Eh! c’est la bande! c’est la fameuse, la superbe, - l’invincible, à jamais triomphante, séduisante et - mirobolante bande du Jura.--_Bande du Jura._ _Madame de - Gasparin._ - -“Mirobolant” is a corruption of admirable. Another instance of this -kind of slang formation is “abalobé,” from abalourdi. - -MIROIR, _m._ (card-sharpers’), _a rapid glance cast on the stock of a -game of piquet, or on the first cards dealt at the game of baccarat_. -A tricky “dodge” which enables the cheat to gain a knowledge of his -opponent’s hand. (Popular) Un ---- à putains, synonymous of bellâtre, -_a handsome but vulgar man_, one likely to find favour with the frail -sisterhood. Rigaud says: “Miroir à putains, joli visage d’homme à la -manière des têtes exposées à la vitrine des coiffeurs.” The phrase is -old. - - Dis-lui qu’un miroir à putain - Pour dompter le Pays Latin - Est un fort mauvais personnage. - - =SCARRON.= - -Fielding thus expatiates on the readiness of women to look with more -favour on a handsome face than on an intellectual one:-- - - How we must lament that disposition in these lovely - creatures which leads them to prefer in their favour those - individuals of the other sex who do not seem intended by - nature as so great a masterpiece!... If this be true, how - melancholy must be the consideration that any single beau, - especially if he have but half a yard of ribbon in his hat, - shall weigh heavier in the scale of female affection than - twenty Sir Isaac Newtons!--_Mr. Jonathan Wild the Great._ - -MIRQUIN, _m._ (thieves’), _woman’s cap_. - -MIRZALES, _f. pl._ (thieves’), _earrings_. - -MISE, _f._ (prostitutes’), faire sa ----, _to pay a prostitute her -fee_, or “present.” (Popular) Mise à pied, _temporary or permanent -dismissal from one’s employment, the_ “sack.” - -MISE-BAS, _f._ (popular) _strike of work_; (servants’) _cast-off -clothes which servants consider as their perquisites_. - -MISER (gamesters’), _to stake_. - - Et si je gagne ce soir cinq à six mille francs au - lansquenet, qu’est-ce que soixante-dix mille francs de - perte pour avoir de quoi miser?--=BALZAC.= - -MISÉRABLE, _m._ (popular), _one halfpenny glass of spirits_, “un -monsieur” being one that will cost four sous, and “un poisson” five -sous. - -MISLOQUE, or MISLOCQ, _f._ (thieves’), _theatre_; _play_. Flancher, or -jouer la ----, _to act_. - - Ah! ce que je veux faire, je veux jouer la - mislocq.--=VIDOCQ.= - -MISLOQUIER, _m._, MISLOQUIÈRE, _f._ (thieves’), _actor_, “cackling -cove,” or “mug faker,” and _actress_. - -MISSISSIPI, _m._ (popular), au ----, _very far away_. - -MISTENFLÛTE, _f._ (popular), _thingumbob_. - -MISTICHE (thieves’), un ----, _half a “setier,” or small measure of -wine_. Une ----, _half an hour_. - -MISTICK, _m._ (thieves’), _foreign thief_. - -MISTIGRIS, or MISTI, _m._ (popular), _knave of clubs_; _apprentice to a -house decorator_. - -MISTON (thieves’). See ALLUMER. (Popular) Mon ----, _my boy_, “my -bloater.” - -MISTOUF, or MISTOUFFLE, _f._ (popular), _practical joke_; _scurvy -trick_. Faire une ---- à quelqu’un, _to pain, to annoy one_. - - Vous lui aurez fait quelque mistouf, vous l’aurez menacée - de quelque punition, et alors.--=A. CIM=, _Institution de - Demoiselles_. - -Coup de ----, _scurvy trick brewing_. Faire des mistouffles, _to -teaze_, “to spur,” _to annoy one_. (Thieves’) Mistouffle à la -saignante, _trap laid for the purpose of murdering one_. - - Voilà trop longtemps ... que le vieux me la fait au - porte-monnaie. Il me faut son sac. Mais ... pas de - mistouffle à la saignante, je n’aime pas ça. Du barbotage - tant qu’on voudra.--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -MISTRON, _m._ (popular), _a game of cards called_ “trente et un.” - -MISTRONNEUR, _m._ (popular), _amateur of_ “mistron” (which see). - -MITAINE, _f._ (thieves’), grinchisseuse à la ----, _female thief who -causes some property, lace generally, to fall from a shop counter, and -by certain motions of her foot conveys it to her shoe, where it remains -secreted_. - -MITARD, _m._ (police), _unruly prisoner confined in a punishment cell_. - -MITE-AU-LOGIS, _f._ (popular), _disease of the eyes_. A play on the -words mite and mythologie. - -MITEUX, _adj._ (familiar and popular), _is said of one poorly clad, of -a wretched-looking person_. - - Quand nous arrivâmes à la posada, on ne voulut pas nous - recevoir, l’aubergiste nous trouvant, comme disait La - Martinière mon compagnon de route, trop “miteux.” - --=HECTOR FRANCE=, _A travers l’Espagne_. - -MITRAILLE, _f._ (general), _pence_, _coppers_. The expression is old. -This term seems to be derived from the word “mite,” copper coin worth -four “oboles,” used in Flanders. - -MITRAILLEUSE, _f._ (popular), étouffer une ----, _to drink a glass of -wine_. Synonymous of “boire un canon.” - -MITRE, _f._ (thieves’), _prison_, or “stir. See MOTTE. Meant formerly -_itch_, the word being derived from the name of a certain ointment -termed “mithridate.” - -MOBILIER, _m._ (thieves’), _teeth_, or “ivories.” Literally _furniture_. - -MOBLOT, _m._ (familiar), _used for Mobile in 1870_. “La garde mobile” -at the beginning of the war formed the reserve corps. - -MOCASSIN, _m._ (popular), _shoe_. See RIPATON. - -MOC-AUX-BEAUX (thieves’), _quarter of La Place Maubert_. - -MOCHE, or MOUCHE, _adj._ (popular and thieves’), _bad_. - -MODE, _f._ (swindlers’), concierge à la ----, _a doorkeeper who is an -accomplice of a gang of swindlers termed_ BANDE NOIRE (which see). - - La “bande noire” était--et est encore, car le dixième à - peine des membres sont arrêtés--une formidable association, - ayant pour spécialité d’exploiter le commerce des vins de - Paris, de la Bourgogne et du Bordelais.... Pour chaque - affaire, le courtier recevait dix francs. Le concierge, - désigné sous le nom bizarre de concierge à la mode, - n’était pas moins bien rétribué. Il touchait dix francs - également.--_Le Voltaire_, 6 Août, 1886. - -MODÈLE, _m._ (familiar), _grandfather or grandmother_. - -MODERNE, _m._ (familiar), _young man of the “period,”_ in opposition to -antique, _old-fashioned_. - -MODILLON, _f._ (modistes’), _a second year apprentice at a modiste’s_. - -MODISTE, _m._ (literary), formerly _a journalist who sought more -to pander to the tastes of the day than to acquire any literary -reputation_. - -MOELLEUX, _m._ (popular), _cotton_, which is soft. - -MOELONNEUSE, _f._ (popular), _prostitute who frequents builders’ -yards_. See GADOUE. - -MOIGNONS, _m. pl._ (popular), _thick clumsy ankles_. The _Slang -Dictionary_ says a girl with thick ankles is called a “Mullingar -heifer” by the Irish. A story goes that a traveller passing through -Mullingar was so struck with this local peculiarity in the women, that -he determined to accost the next one he met. “May I ask,” said he, -“if you wear hay in your shoes?” “Faith, an’ I do,” said the girl, -“and what then?” “Because,” said the traveller, “that accounts for the -calves of your legs coming down to feed on it.” - -MOINE, _m._ (familiar), _earthen jar filled with hot water, which does -duty for a warming pan_; (printers’) _spot on a forme which has not -been touched by the roller, and which in consequence forms a blank on -the printed leaf_. Termed “friar” by English printers. (Popular) Mettre -le ----, _to fasten a string to a sleeping man’s big toe_. By jerking -the string now and then the sleeper’s slumbers are disturbed and great -amusement afforded to the authors of the contrivance. This sort of -practical joking seems to be in favour in barrack-rooms. Donner, or -bailler le ----, was synonymous of mettre le ----, and, used as a -proverbial expression, meant _to bear ill luck_. - -MOINE-LAI, _m._ (popular), _old military pensioner who has become an -imbecile_. - -MOINETTE, _f._ (thieves’), _nun_, moine being a _monk_. - -MOÏSE, _m._ (familiar and popular), _man deceived by his wife_. The -term is old, for, says Le Roux, “Moïse, mot satirique, qui signifie -cocu, homme à qui on a planté des cornes.” - -MOITIÉ, _f._ (popular), tu n’es pas la ---- d’une bête, _you are no -fool_. - - Oui, t’es pas la moitié d’une bête. Là-dessus aboule tes - quatre ronds.--=G. COURTELINE.= - -MOLANCHE, _f._ (thieves’), _wool_. From mol, _soft_. - -MOLARD, _m._ (familiar and popular), _expectoration_, or “gob.” - -MOLARDER (familiar and popular), _to expectorate_. - -MOLIÈRE, _m._ (theatrical), _scenery which may be used for the -performance of any play of Molière_. - -MOLLE, _adj._ (popular and thieves’), être ----, _to be penniless_, -alluding to an empty pocket, which is flabby; “to be hard up.” - -MOLLET, _m._ (popular). M. Charles Nisard, in his _Parisianismes -Populaires_, says of the word, “Gras de la partie postérieure de la -jambe” (the proper meaning), and he adds, “Partie molle de diverses -autres choses.” - - Vous ne cachez pas tous vos mollets dans vos bas: c’est - comme la barque d’Anières, ça n’sart plus qu’à passer - l’iau.--_Le Déjeuner de la Rapée._ - -Following the adage, “Le latin dans les mots brave l’honnêteté,” -M. Nisard gives the following explanation of the above:--“Hæc sunt -verba cujusdam petulantis mulierculæ ad quemdam jam senescentem -virum, convalescentem e morbo, et carnale opus adhuc penes se esse -male jactantem. In eo enim Thrasone mulieroso pars ista corporis -quam proprie vocant ‘Mollet,’ non solum in tibialibus ejus inclusa -erat, sed et in bracis, ubi, mutata ex toto forma, nil valebat nisi, -scaphæ Asnieriæ instar, ‘à passer l’eau,’ id est, ad meiendum. Sed, -animadvertas, oro, sensum locutionis ‘passer l’eau’ æquivocum; hic enim -unda transitur, illic eadem transit.” - -MOLLUSQUE, _m._ (familiar), _narrow-minded man_; _routine-loving man_; -huître being a common term for a _fool_. - -MOMAQUE, _m._ (thieves’), _child_, or “kid.” - -MOMARD, or MOMIGNARD, _m._ (popular), _child_, or “kid.” - -MÔME, _m. and f._ (popular and thieves’), _child_, or “kid.” - - Ces mômes corrompus, ces avortons flétris, - Cette écume d’égoût c’est la levure immonde, - De ce grand pain vivant qui s’appelle Paris, - Et qui sert de brioche au monde. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -Môme noir, _student at a priest’s seminary_. Thus termed on account -of their clerical attire. Called also by thieves, “Canneur du mec des -mecs,” _afraid of God_. Une ----, _young woman_, “titter.” - - Va, la môme, et n’fais pas four. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -Une ----, or mômeresse, _mistress_, “blowen.” C’est ma ----, elle est -ronflante ce soir, _It is my girl, she has money to-night_. Un ---- -d’altèque, _handsome young man_. Taper un ----, _to commit a theft_; -_to commit infanticide_. - - Car elle est en prison pour un môme qu’elle a tapé.--_From - a thief’s letter, quoted by L. Larchey._ - -Madame Tire-mômes, _midwife_. Termed in the seventeenth century, -“madame du guichet, or portière du petit guichet.” (Convicts’) Môme -bastaud, _convict who is a Sodomist, a kind of male prostitute_. - -MÔMEUSE, _f._ See MÔMIÈRE. - -MOMICHARDE, _f._ (popular), _little girl_. - - Envoie les petites ... qu’elles aboulent, les - momichardes!--=LOUISE MICHEL.= - -MÔMIÈRE, _f._ (thieves’), _midwife_. Termed also “Madame Tire-mômes, -Madame Tire-monde, or tâte-minette.” - -MOMIGNARD, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _child_, or “kid;” _baby_; ---- -d’altèque, _a fine child_. - - Frangine d’altèque, je mets l’arguemine à la barbue, pour - te bonnir que ma largue aboule de mômir un momignard - d’altèque.--=VIDOCQ.= (_My good sister, I take the pen to - say that my wife has just given birth to a fine child._) - -MOMIGNARDAGE À L’ANGLAISE, _m._ (popular), _miscarriage_. - -MOMIGNARDE, _f._ (popular and thieves’), _little girl_; _young girl_, -“titter.” - - Mes momignardes ... allons, c’est dit, on rebâtira le - sinve. Il faut espérer que la daronne du grand Aure nous - protégera.--=VIDOCQ.= (_My little girls ... come, it’s - settled, the fool shall be killed. Let us hope the Holy - Virgin will protect us._) - -MÔMIR (popular and thieves’), _to be delivered of a child_, “to be in -the straw.” The _Slang Dictionary_ says: “Married ladies are said to be -in the straw at their accouchement.” The phrase is a coarse metaphor, -and has reference to farmyard animals in a similar condition. It may -have originally been suggested to the inquiring mind by the Nativity. -Mômir pour l’aff, _to have a miscarriage_. Termed also “casser son œuf, -décarrer de crac.” - -MONACOS, _m. pl._ (familiar and popular), _money_. See QUIBUS. - - Je vais te prouver à toi et à ta grue, ... que je suis - encore bonne pour gagner des monacos. Et allez-y! - --=HECTOR FRANCE=, _Marie Queue-de-Vache_. - -Avoir des ----, _to be wealthy_. Termed also “être foncé, être -sacquard, or douillard; avoir le sac, de l’os, des sous, du foin dans -ses bottes, de quoi, des pépettes, or de la thune; être californien.” -The English synonyms being “to be worth a plum, to be well ballasted, -to be a rag-splawger, to have lots of tin, to have feathered one’s -nest, to be warm, to be comfortable.” Abouler les ----, _to pay_, “to -fork out, to shell out, to down with the dust, to post the pony, to -stump the pewter, to tip the brads.” - -MONANT, _m._, MONANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _friend_. - -MONARQUE, _m._ (popular), _five-franc piece_. Termed also “roue de -derrière,” the nearly corresponding coin, a crown piece, being called -in English slang a “hind coach wheel.” (Prostitutes’) Monarque, -_money_. Faire son ----, _to have found clients_. - -MONDE, _m._ (popular), renversé, _guillotine_. See VOYANTE. Il y a du ----- au balcon _is said of a woman with large breasts_, _of one with -opulent_ “Charlies.” (Familiar) Demi ----, _world of cocottes_, _kept -women_. - - Dans ce qu’on appelle le demi-monde il y a nombre de filles - en carte, véritables chevaliers d’industrie de la jeunesse - et de l’amour qui, bien en règle avec la préfecture, mènent - joyeuse vie pendant quinze ans et éludent constamment la - police correctionnelle.--=LÉO TAXIL.= - -(Showmen’s) Du ----, _public who enter the show_. There may be a large -concourse of people outside, but no “monde.” - -MONFIER (thieves’), _to kiss_. - -MON GNIASSE (popular and thieves’), _me_, “my nibs.” - -MON LINGE EST LAVÉ (popular), _I give in_, “I throw up the sponge.” - -MONNAIE, _f._ (popular), plus que ça de ----! _what luck!_ - -MON ŒIL! (popular), _expressive of refusal or disbelief_, “don’t you -wish you may get it?” or “do you see any green in my eye?” See NÈFLES. - -MONÔME, _m._ (students’), _yearly procession in single file through -certain streets of Paris of candidates to the government schools_. - -MONORGUE (thieves’), _I_, _myself_. - -MONSEIGNEUR, _m._ (thieves’), or pince ----, _short crowbar with which -housebreakers force open doors or safes_. Termed “Jemmy, James, or the -stick.” - - Ils font sauter gâches et serrures ... avec une espèce de - pied de biche en fer qu’ils appellent cadet, monseigneur, - ou plume.--=CANLER.= - -MONSEIGNEURISER (thieves’), _to force open a door_, “to strike a -jigger.” - -MONSIEUR, _m._ (artists’), le ----, _the principal figure in a -picture_. (Popular) Un ----, _a twopenny glass of brandy_; _a five-sous -glass of wine from the bottle at a wine retailer’s_; ---- Vautour, or -Père Vautour, _the landlord_; also _an usurer_. - - Vous accorder un nouveau délai pour le capital? ... mais - depuis trois ans ... vous n’avez pas seulement pu rattraper - les intérêts.--Ah! père Vautour, ça court si vite vos - intérêts!--=GAVARNI.= - -Monsieur à tubard, _a well-dressed man_, _one who sports a silk hat_; ----- bambou, _a stick_, a gentleman whose services are sometimes put -in requisition by drunken workmen as an irresistible argument to meet -the remonstrances of an unfortunate better half, as in the case of -Martine and Sganarelle in Molière’s _Le Médecin malgré lui_; ---- -Lebon, _a good sort of man, that is, one who readily treats others to -drink_; ---- de Pètesec, _stuck-up man, with dry, sharp manner_; ---- -hardi, _the wind_; ---- Raidillon, or Pointu, _proud, stuck-up man_; -(thieves’) ---- de l’Affure, _one who wins money at a game honestly or -not_; ---- de la Paume, _he who loses_; (theatrical) ---- Dufour est -dans la salle, _expression used by an actor to warn another that he -is not acting up to the mark and that he will get himself hissed_, or -“get the big bird.” (Familiar and popular) Un ---- à rouflaquettes, -_prostitutes bully_, or “pensioner.” For list of synonyms see POISSON. -Monsieur de Paris, _the executioner_. Formerly each large town had its -own executioner: Monsieur de Rouen, Monsieur de Lyon, &c. Concerning -the office Balzac says:-- - - Les Sanson, bourreaux à Rouen pendant deux siècles, - avant d’être revêtus de la première charge du royaume, - exécutaient de père en fils les arrêts de la justice depuis - le treizième siècle. Il est peu de familles qui puissent - offrir l’exemple d’un office ou d’une noblesse conservée de - père en fils pendant six siècles. - -Monsieur personne, _a nobody_. (Brothels’) Monsieur, _husband of the -mistress of a brothel_. - - Monsieur, avec son épaisse barbiche aux poils tors et - gris.--=E. DE GONCOURT=, _La Fille Elisa_. - -(Cads’) Monsieur le carreau dans l’œil, _derisive epithet applied to a -man with an eye-glass_; ---- bas-du-cul, _man with short legs_. - -MONSTRE, _m._, _any words which a musician temporarily adapts to a -musical production composed by him_. - -MONSTRICO, _m._ (familiar), _ugly person_, _one with a_ “knocker face.” - -MONTAGE DE COUP, _m._ (popular), _the act of seeking to deceive by -misleading statements_. - - Mon vieux, entre nous, - Te n’coup’ pas du tout - Dans c’montage de coup; - Faut pas m’monter l’coup. - - =AUG. HARDY.= - -MONTAGNARD, _m._ (popular), _additional horse put on to an omnibus -going up hill_. - -MONTAGNE DU GÉANT, _f._ (obsolete), _gallows_, “scrag, nobbing cheat, -or government signpost.” - -MONTANT, _m. and adj._ (thieves’), _breeches_, “trucks, hams, -sit-upons, or kicks.” (Military) Grand ---- tropical, _riding -breeches_; petit ----, _drawers_. (Familiar) Montant, _term which is -used to denote anything which excites lust_. - -MONTANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _ladder_. Literally _a thing to climb up_. - -MONTE-À-REGRET (thieves’), abbaye de ----, _the guillotine_. Formerly -_the gallows_. This name was given the scaffold because criminals were -attended there by one or more priests, and on account of the natural -repugnance of a man for this mode of being put out of his misery. -Michel records the fact, that at Sens, one of the streets leading to -the market-place, where executions took place, still bore, a few years -ago, the name of Monte-à-regret. Chanoine de ----, _one sentenced to -death_. Termed also “grognon,” or _grumbler_. Monter à l’abbaye de -----, _to be guillotined_, meant formerly _to be hanged_, to suffer the -extreme penalty of the law on “wry-neck day,” when the criminal before -being compelled to put on the “hempen cravat,” would perhaps utter for -the edification of the crowd his “tops, or croaks,” that is, his last -dying speech. It is curious to note how people of all nations have -always striven to disguise the idea of death by the rope by means of -some picturesque or grimly comical circumlocution. The popular language -is rich in metaphors to describe the act. In the thirteenth century -people would express hanging by the term “mettre à la bise;” in the -fifteenth and sixteenth centuries an executed criminal was spoken of as -“vendangeant à l’eschelle, avoir collet rouge, croître d’un demi-pied, -faire la longue lettre, tomber du haut mal,” and later on: “Servir de -bouchon, faire le saut, faire un saut sur rien, donner un soufflet à -une potence, donner le moine par le cou, approcher du ciel à reculons, -danser un branle en l’air, avoir la chanterelle au cou, faire le guet à -Montfaucon, faire le guet au clair de la lune à la cour des monnoyes.” -Also, “monter à la jambe en l’air.” Then a hanged man was “un évêque -des champs” (on account of executions taking place in the open country) -“qui bénit des pieds,” and hanging itself, “une danse où il n’y a pas -de plancher,” which corresponds to the expression, “to dance upon -nothing.” The poor wretch was also said to be “branché,” a summary -proceeding performed on the nearest tree, and he was made to “tirer la -langue d’un demi-pied.” The poet François Villon being in the prison of -the Châtelet in 1457, under sentence of death for a robbery supposed to -have been committed at Rueil by himself and some companions, several of -whom were hanged, but whose fate he luckily did not share, thus alludes -with grim humour to his probable execution:-- - - Je suis François, dont ce me poise, - Né de Paris emprès Ponthoise, - Or, d’une corde d’une toise, - Saura mon col que mon cul poise. - -When Jonathan Wild the Great is about to expiate his numerous crimes, -and his career is soon to be terminated at Tyburn, Fielding makes him -say: “D--n me, it is only a dance without music; ... a man can die but -once.... Zounds! Who’s afraid?” Master Charley Bates, in common with -his “pals,” called hanging “scragging”:-- - - “He’ll come to be scragged, won’t he?” “I don’t know what - that means,” replied Oliver. “Something in this way, old - feller,” said Charley. As he said it, Master Bates caught - up an end of his neckerchief, and holding it erect in the - air, dropped his head on his shoulder, and jerked a curious - sound through his teeth; thereby intimating, by a lively - pantomimic representation, that “scragging” and hanging - were one and the same thing.--=DICKENS=, _Oliver Twist_. - -The expression is also to be met with in Lord Lytton’s _Paul -Clifford_:-- - - “Blow me tight, but that cove is a queer one! and if he - does not come to be scragged,” says I, “it will only be - because he’ll turn a rusty, and scrag one of his pals!” - -Again, the same author puts in the mouth of his hero, Paul Clifford, -the accomplished robber, the “Captain Crank,” or chief of a gang of -highwaymen, a poetical simile, “to leap from a leafless tree”:-- - - Oh! there never was life like the Robber’s--so - Jolly, and bold, and free; - And its end--why, a cheer from the crowd below - And a leap from a leafless tree! - -Penny-a-liners nowadays describe the executed felon as “taking a -leap into eternity;” facetious people say that he dies in a “horse’s -nightcap,” _i.e._, a halter, and the vulgar simply declare that he -is “stretched.” The dangerous classes, to express that one is being -operated upon by Jack Ketch, use the term “to be scragged,” already -mentioned, or “to be topped;” and “may I be topped!” is an ejaculation -often heard from the mouths of London roughs. Formerly, when the place -for execution was at Tyburn, near the N. E. corner of Hyde Park, at -the angle formed by the Edgware Road and the top of Oxford Street, the -criminal brought here was said to put on the “Tyburn tippet,” _i.e._, -Jack Ketch’s rope. The Latins used to describe one hanged as making the -letter I with his body, or the long letter. In Plautus old Staphyla -says: “The best thing for me to do, is with the help of a halter, to -make with my body the long letter.” Modern Italians say of a man about -to be executed, that he is sent to Picardy, “mandato in Picardia.” -They also use other circumlocutions, “andare a Longone,” “andare a -Fuligno,” “dar de’ calci al vento,” “ballar in campo azurro.” Again, -the Italian “truccante” (_thief_), in his “lingue furbesche” (_cant of -thieves_), says of a criminal who ascends the scaffold, the “sperlunga, -or faticosa” (_gallows_), with the “margherita, or signora” (_rope_) -adjusted on his “guindo” (_neck_) by the “cataron” (_executioner_), -that he may be considered as “aver la fune al guindo.” The Spanish -“azor” (_thief_, in _Germania_, or Spanish cant), under sentence of a -“tristeza” (_sentence of death_), when about to be executed left the -“angustia” (_prison_) to go to the gallows, or “balanza,” which is now -a thing of the past, having been superseded by the hideous “garote.” -The German “broschem-blatter” (_thief_, in “rothwelsch,” or German -cant), when sentenced to death was doomed to the “dolm,” or “nelle,” on -which he was ushered out of this world by the “caffler” (_German Jack -Ketch_). - -MONTER (popular), d’un cran, _to obtain an appointment superior to -that one possesses already_; _to be promoted_; ---- à l’arbre, or à -l’échelle, _to be fooled_. Alluding to a bear at the Zoological Gardens -being induced to climb the pole by the prospect of some dainty bit -which is not thrown to him after all. Also _to get angry_, “to get -one’s monkey up;” ---- en graine, _to grow old_. Literally _to run to -seed_; ---- des couleurs, le Job, or un schtosse, _to deceive one by -false representations_, “to bamboozle;” ---- une gamme, _to scold_, “to -bully-rag;” ---- un coup, _to find a pretext_; _to lay a trap for one_. - - C’est des daims huppés qui veulent monter un coup à un - ennemi.--=E. SUE.= - -Monter le coup, or un battage, _to deceive one by misleading -statements_. Ça ne prend pas, tu ne me monteras pas le coup, “No go,” -_I am aware of your practices and_ “twig” _your manœuvre_, or “don’t -come the old soldier over me.” Faire ---- à l’échelle, _to make one -angry_, “to make one lose his shirt.” Se ---- le bourrichon, or le -baluchon, _to fly into a passion about some alleged injustice_. Also -_to be too sanguine, to form illusions about one’s abilities, or about -the success of some project_. - - Oh! je ne me monte pas le bourrichon, je sais que je ne - ferai pas de vieux os.--=ZOLA=, _L’Assommoir_. - -Se ---- le coup, se ---- le verre en fleurs, _to form illusions_. -Essayer de ---- un bateau à quelqu’un, _to seek to deceive one_, “to -come the old soldier” _over one_. (Thieves’) Monter un arcat, _to -swindle_, “to bite;” ---- un gandin, _to deceive_, “to stick, or to -best;” ---- un chopin, _to make all necessary preparations for a -robbery_, “to lay a plant;” ---- à la butte, _to be guillotined_. - - Un jour, j’ai pris mon surin pour le refroidir. Après tout, - mon rêve c’est de monter à la butte.--_Mémoires de Monsieur - Claude._ - -Monter sur la table, _to make a clean breast of it_; _to inform against -one_, “to blow the gaff.” It also means _to tell a secret_, “to split.” - - While his man being caught in some fact - (The particular crime I’ve forgotten), - When he came to be hanged for the act, - Split, and told the whole story to Cotton. - - _Ingoldsby Legends._ - -(Theatrical) Monter une partie, _to get together a small number of -actors to give out of Paris one or two performances_; (military) ---- -en ballon, _practical joke at the expense of a new-comer_. During the -night, to both ends of the bed of the victim are fixed two running -nooses, the ropes being attached high up on a partition by the side -of the bed. At a given signal the ropes being pulled, the occupant of -the bed finds himself lifted in the air, with his couch upside down -occasionally. - -MONTEUR, _m._ (theatrical), de partie, _an actor whose spécialité is -to get together a few brother actors for the purpose of performing -out of town_; (popular) ---- de coups, or de godans, _swindler_; -_one who is fond of hoaxing people_; _one who imposes on others_, -“humbug.” Concerning the latter term the _Slang Dictionary_ says: “A -very expressive but slang word, synonymous at one time with hum and -haw. Lexicographers for a long time objected to the adoption of this -term. Richardson uses it frequently to express the meaning of other -words, but, strange to say, omits it in the alphabetical arrangement -as unworthy of recognition! In the first edition of this work, 1785 -was given as the earliest date at which the word could be found in -a printed book. Since then ‘humbug’ has been traced half a century -further back, on the title-page of a singular old jest-book, ‘_The -Universal Jester_, or a pocket companion for the Wits: being a choice -collection of merry conceits, facetious drolleries, &c., clenchers, -closers, closures, bon-mots, and humbugs, by Ferdinando Killigrew.’ -London, about 1735-40. The notorious orator Henley was known to the -mob as Orator Humbug. The fact may be learned from an illustration in -that exceedingly curious little collection of caricatures published in -1757, many of which were sketched by Lord Bolingbroke, Horace Walpole -filling in the names and explanations. Haliwell describes humbug as ‘a -person who hums,’ and cites Dean Milles’s MS., which was written about -1760. In the last century the game now known as double-dummy was termed -humbug. Lookup, a notorious gambler, was struck down by apoplexy when -playing at this game. On the circumstance being reported to Foote, the -wit said, ‘Ah, I always thought he would be humbugged out of the world -at last!’ It has been stated that the word is a corruption of Hamburg, -from which town so many false bulletins and reports came during the -war in the last century. ‘Oh, that is Hamburg (or Humbug),’ was the -answer to any fresh piece of news which smacked of improbability. Grose -mentions it in his _Dictionary_, 1785; and in a little printed squib, -published in 1808, entitled _Bath Characters_, by T. Goosequill, humbug -is thus mentioned in a comical couplet on the title-page:-- - - Wee Thre Bath Deities bee - Humbug, Follie, and Varietee. - -Gradually from this time the word began to assume a place in periodical -literature, and in novels written by not over-precise authors. In the -preface to a flat, and most likely unprofitable poem, entitled _The -Reign of Humbug, a Satire_, 8vo, 1836, the author thus apologizes for -the use of the word: ‘I have used the term _humbug_ to designate this -principle (wretched sophistry of life generally), considering that it -is now adopted into our language as much as the words dunce, jockey, -cheat, swindler, &c., which were formerly only colloquial terms.’ A -correspondent, who in a number of _Adversaria_ ingeniously traced -bombast to the inflated Doctor Paracelsus Bombast, considers that -humbug may, in like manner, be derived from Homberg, the distinguished -chemist of the Court of the Duke of Orleans, who, according to the -following passage from Bishop Berkeley’s _Siris_, was an ardent and -successful seeker after the philosopher’s stone:-- - - Of this there cannot be a better proof than the experiment - of Monsieur Homberg, who made gold of mercury by - introducing light into its pores, but at such trouble and - expense that, I suppose, nobody will try the experiment - for profit. By this injunction of light and mercury, - both bodies became finer, and produced a third different - to either, to wit, real gold. For the truth of which - fact I refer to the memoirs of the French Academy of - Sciences.--=BERKELEY=, _Works_.” - -_The Supplementary English Glossary_ gives the word “humbugs” as the -North-country term for certain lumps of toffy, well flavoured with -peppermint. (Roughs’) Monter à cheval, _to be suffering from a tumour -in the groin, a consequence of venereal disease, and termed_ poulain, -_foal_, hence the jeu de mots; (wine retailers’) ---- sur le tonneau, -_to add water to a cask of wine_, “to christen” _it_. Adding too much -water to an alcoholic liquor is termed by lovers of the “tipple” in its -pure state, “to drown the miller.” - -MONTEUR DE COUPS, _m._ (popular), _story-teller_; _cheat_. - -MONTEUSE DE COUPS, _f._ (popular), _deceitful woman_; _one who_ -“bamboozles” _her lover or lovers_. - -MONTPARNO (thieves’), _Montparnasse_. See MÉNILMONTE. - - J’ai flasqué du poivre à la rousse. - Elle ira de turne en garno, - De Ménilmuche à Montparno, - Sans pouvoir remoucher mon gniasse. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -MONTRER (theatrical), la couture de ses bas, _to break off a stage -engagement by the simple process of leaving the theatre_; (familiar and -popular) ---- toute sa boutique, _to expose one’s person_. - - Ah! non ... remettez votre camisole. Vous savez, je n’aime - pas les indécences. Pendant que vous y êtes, montrez toute - votre boutique.--=ZOLA.= - -MONTRE-TOUT, _m._ (popular), _short jacket_. Termed also “ne te -gêne pas dans le parc.” (Prostitutes’) Aller à ----, _to go to the -medical examination, a periodical and compulsory one, for registered -prostitutes, those who shirk it being sent to the prison of -Saint-Lazare_. - -MONU, _m._ (cads’), _one-sou cigar_. - -MONUMENT, _m._ (popular), _tall hat_, or “stove-pipe.” - -MONZU, or MOUZU, _m._ (old cant), _woman’s breasts_. Termed, in other -varieties of jargon, “avant-postes, avant-scènes, œufs sur le plat, -oranges sur l’étagère,” and in the English slang, “dairies, bubbies, or -Charlies.” - -MORASSE, _f._ (printers’), _proof taken before the forme is finally -arranged_; ---- _final proof of a newspaper article_. Also _workman who -remains to correct such a proof, or the time employed in the work_. -(Thieves’) Morasse, _uneasiness_; _remorse_. Battre ----, _to make a -hue and cry_, “to romboyle,” in old cant, or “to whiddle beef.” - -MORASSIER, _m._ (printers’), _one who prints off the last proof of a -newspaper article_. - -MORBAQUE, _m._ (popular), _disagreeable child_. See MORBEC. - -MORBEC, _m._ (popular), _a variety of vermin which clings tenaciously -to certain parts of the human body_. - -MORCEAU, _m._ (freemasons’), d’architecture, _speech_; (popular) ---- -de gruyère, _pockmarked face_, “cribbage-face;” ---- de salé, _fat -woman_. Un ----, _a slatternly girl_. (Thieves’) Manger le ----, _to -peach_, “to blow the gaff.” - - Le morceau tu ne mangeras - De crainte de tomber au plan. - - =VIDOCQ.= - -(Literary) Morceau de pâte ferme, _heavy, dull production_. (Artists’) -Faire le ----, _to paint details skilfully_. (Military) Le beau temps -tombe par morceaux, _it rains_. - -MORD (familiar and popular), ça ne ---- pas, _it’s no use_; _no go_. - -MORDANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _file_; _saw_. The allusion is obvious. - -MORDRE (popular), se faire ----, _to be reprimanded_, “to get a -wigging;” _to get thrashed_, or “wolloped.” - -MORESQUE, _f._ (thieves’), _danger_. - -MORFE, _f._ (thieves’), _meal_; _victuals_, or “toke.” - - Veux-tu venir prendre de la morfe et piausser avec mézière - en une des pioles que tu m’as rouscaillée?--_Le Jargon de - l’Argot._ - -MORFIANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _plate_. - -MORFIGNER, MORFILER (thieves’), _to do_; _to eat_. From the old word -morfier. Rabelais uses the word morfialler with the signification of -_to eat_, _to gorge oneself_. - - La, la, la, c’est morfiallé cela.--=RABELAIS=, _Gargantua_. - -MORFILER, or MORFILLER (thieves’), _to eat_, “to yam.” - - Un vieux fagot qui s’était fait raille pour - morfiller.--=VIDOCQ.= (_An old convict who had turned spy - to get a living._) - -Termed also morfier. Compare with morfire, or morfizzare, _to eat_, in -the lingue furbesche, or Italian cant. Se ---- le dardant, _to fret_. -Dardant, _heart_. - -MORGANE, _f._ (old cant), _salt_. - - C’est des oranges, si tu demandais du sel ... de la - morgane! mon fils, ça coûte pas cher.--=VIDOCQ.= (_Here are - some potatoes; just you ask for salt, my boy; it’s cheap - enough._) - -MORGANER (roughs’ and thieves’), _to bite_. Morgane le gonse et chair -dure! _Bite the cove! pitch into him!_ - -MORICAUD, _m._ (thieves’), _coal_; _wine-dealer’s wooden pitcher_. - -MORI-LARVE, _f._ (thieves’), _sunburnt face_. - -MORLINGUE, _m._ (thieves’), _money_; _purse_, “skin.” Faire le ----, -_to steal a purse_, “to fake a skin.” - -MORNANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _sheepfold_. From morne, _sheep_. - -MORNE, _f. and adj._ (thieves’), _sheep_, or “wool-bird.” Termed -“bleating cheat” by English vagabonds. Courbe de ----, _shoulder of -mutton_. Morne, _stupid_; _stupid man_, “go along.” - -MORNÉE, _f._ (thieves’), _mouthful_. - -MORNIER, MORNEUX, or MARMIER, _m._ (thieves’), _shepherd_. - -MORNIFFER (popular), _to slap one’s face_, “to fetch a bang,” or “to -give a biff,” as the Americans have it. Termed _to give a_ “clo,” at -Winchester School. - -MORNIFLE, _f._ (thieves’), _money_, or “blunt.” - - When the slow coach paused, and the gemmen storm’d, - I bore the brunt-- - And the only sound which my grave lips form’d - Was “blunt”--still “blunt!” - - =LORD LYTTON=, _Paul Clifford_. - -Mornifle tarte, _spurious coin_, or “queer bit.” Refiler de la ---- -tarte, _to pass off bad coin_; _to be a_ “snide pitcher, or smasher.” -Properly mornifle has the signification of _cuff on the face_. - -MORNIFLEUR TARTE, _m._ (thieves’), _coiner_, or “queer-bit faker.” - -MORNINGUE, or MORLINGUE, _m._ (thieves’), _money_, or “pieces;” -_purse_. Faire le ----, _to pick a pocket_. In the old English cant “to -fang” _a pocket_. - - O shame o’ justice! Wild is hang’d, - For thatten he a pocket fang’d, - While safe old Hubert, and his gang, - Doth pocket of the nation fang. - - =FIELDING=, _J. Wild._ - -Termed in modern English cant “to fake a cly,” a pickpocket being -called, according to Lord Lytton, a “buzz gloak”:-- - - The “eminent hand” ended with--“He who surreptitiously - accumulates bustle, is, in fact, nothing better than a buzz - gloak.--_Paul Clifford_. - -Porte ----, _purse_, “skin, or poge.” - -MORNOS, _m._ (thieves’), _mouth_, “bone-box, or muns.” Probably from -morne, _mutton_, the mouth’s most important function being to receive -food. - -MORPION, _m._ (popular), _strong expression of contempt_; _despicable -man_, or “snot.” Literally _crab-louse_. Also a _bore_, one who clings -to you as the vermin alluded to. - -MORPIONNER (popular), _is said of a bore that you cannot get rid of_. - -MORSE (Breton cant), _barley bread_. - -MORT, _f. and adj._ (popular), marchand de ---- subite, _physician_, -“pill.” - - C’est bien sûr le médecin en chef ... tous les marchands de - mort subite vous ont de ces regards-là.--=ZOLA.= - -Lampe à ----, _confirmed drunkard whose thirst cannot be slaked_. -(Familiar and popular) Un corps ----, _an empty bottle_. The English -say, when a bottle has been emptied, “Take away this bottle; it has -‘Moll Thompson’s’ mark on it,” that is, it is M. T. An empty bottle is -also termed a “marine, or marine recruit.” “This expression having once -been used in the presence of an officer of Marines,” says the _Slang -Dictionary_, “he was at first inclined to take it as an insult, until -someone adroitly appeased his wrath by remarking that no offence could -be meant, as all that it could possibly imply was: one who had done his -duty, and was ready to do it again.” (Popular) Eau de ----, _brandy_. -See TORD-BOYAUX. (Thieves’) Etre ----, _to be sentenced_, “booked.” -Hirondelle de la ----, _gendarme on duty at executions_. (Military -school of Saint-Cyr) Se faire porter élève-mort _is to get placed on -the sick list_. (Gamesters’) Mort, _stakes which have been increased by -a cheat, who slily lays additional money the moment the game is in his -favour_. - -MORTE PAYE SUR MER, _f._ (thieves’), _the hulks_ (obsolete). - -MORUE, _f._ (popular), _dirty, disgusting woman_. - - Vous voyez, Françoise, ce panier de fraises qu’on vous - fait trois francs; j’en offre un franc, moi, et la - marchande m’appelle ... Oui, madame, elle vous appelle ... - morue!--=GAVARNI.= - -Also _prostitute_. See GADOUE. Grande ---- dessalée, _expression of the -utmost contempt applied to a woman_. Pedlars formerly termed “morue,” -_manuscripts_, for the printing of which they formed an association, -“clubbed” together. - -MORVIAU, _m._ (popular), _nose_. Termed also “pif, bourbon, piton, -pivase, bouteille, caillou, trompe, truffe, tubercule, trompette, -nazareth;” and, in English slang, “conk, boko, nob, snorter, handle, -post-horn, and smeller.” Lécher le ----, _to kiss_. The expression is -old. - - Lécher le morveau, manière de parler ironique, qui signifie - caresser une femme, la courtiser, la servir, faire l’amour. - Dit de même que lécher le grouin, baiser, être assidu et - attaché à une personne.--=LE ROUX=, _Dict. Comique_. - -The term “snorter” of the English jargon has the corresponding -equivalent “soffiante” in Italian cant. - -MORVIOT, _m._ (popular), _secretion from the mucous membrane of the -nose_, “snot.” - - Dans les veines d’ces estropiés, - Au lieu d’sang il coul’ du morviot. - Ils ont des guiboll’s comm’ leur stick, - Trop d’bidoche autour des boyaux, - Et l’arpion plus mou qu’ du mastic. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -Morviot, _term of contempt_, not quite so forcible as the English -expression “snot,” which has the signification of _contemptible -individual_. Petit ----, _little scamp_. - -MOSCOU, _m._ (military), faire brûler ----, _to mix a vast bowl -of punch_. Alluding to the burning down of Moscow by the Russians -themselves in 1812. - -MOSSIEU À TUBARD, _m._ (popular), _well-dressed man_, a “swell cove.” -Tubard is a _silk hat_. - -MOT, _m._ (popular), casser un ----, _to have a chat_, or “chin music.” - -MOTTE, _f._ (general), _pudenda mulierum_. Termed also “chat,” and -formerly by the poets “le verger de Cypris.” Le Roux, concerning the -expression, says:-- - - La motte de la nature d’une femme, c’est proprement le - petit bois touffu qui garnit le penil d’une femme.--_Dict. - Comique._ - -Formerly the false hair for those parts was termed in English “merkin.” -(Thieves’) Motte, _central prison, or house of correction_. Dégringoler -de la ----, _to come from such a place of confinement_. The synonyms -of prison in different varieties of slang are: “castue, caruche, -hôpital, mitre, chetard or jetard, collège, grosse boîte, l’ours, le -violon, le bloc, boîte aux cailloux, tuneçon, austo, mazaro, lycée, -château, lazaro.” In the English lingo: “stir, clinch, bastile, steel, -sturrabin, jigger, Irish theatre, stone-jug, mill,” the last-named -being an abbreviation of treadmill, and signifying by analogy _prison_. -The word is mentioned by Dickens:-- - - “Was you never on the mill?” “What mill,” inquired Oliver. - “What mill? why the mill,--the mill as takes up so little - room that it’ll work inside a stone-jug.--_Oliver Twist._ - -In Yorkshire a prison goes by the appellation of “Toll-shop,” as shown -by this verse of a song popular at fairs in the East Riding:-- - - But if ivver he get out agean, - And can but raise a frind, - Oh! the divel may tak’ toll-shop, - At Beverley town end! - -This “toll-shop” is but a variation of the Scottish “tolbooth.” -The general term “quod” to denote a prison originates from the -universities. Quod is really a shortening of quadrangle; so to be -quodded is to be within four walls (_Slang Dict._). - -MOTUS DANS L’ENTREPONT! (sailors’), _silence!_ “put a clapper to your -mug,” or “mum’s the word.” - -MOU, _m._ (popular), avoir le ---- enflé, _to be pregnant_, or “lumpy.” - -MOUCHAILLER (popular and thieves’), _to scan_, “to stag;” _to look at_, -“to pipe;” _to see_. - - J’itre mouchaillé le babillard ... je n’y itre mouchaillé - floutière de vain.--_Le Jargon de l’Argot._ - -MOUCHARD, _m._ (popular), _portrait hung in a room_; (popular and -thieves’) ---- à becs, _lamp-post_, the inconvenient luminary being -compared to a spy. Mouchard, properly _spy_, one who goes busily about -like a fly. It formerly had the signification of _dandy_. - - A la fin du xviiᵉ siècle, on donnait encore ce nom aux - petits-maîtres qui fréquentaient les Tuileries pour voir - autant que pour être vus; C’est sur ce fameux théâtre des - Tuileries, dit un écrivain de l’époque, qu’une beauté - naissante fait sa première entrée au monde. Bientôt - les “mouchars” de la grande allée sont en campagne au - bruit d’un visage nouveau; chacun court en repaître ses - yeux.--=MICHEL.= - -MOUCHARDE, _f._ (thieves’), _moon_, “parish lantern, or Oliver.” - - Mais déjà la patrarque, - Au clair de la moucharde, - Nous reluque de loin. - - =VIDOCQ.= - -La ---- se débine, _the moon disappears_, “Oliver is sleepy.” - -MOUCHE, _f._, _adj., and verb_ (general), _police, or police officer_; -_detective_. Compare with the “mücke,” or spy, of German cant; -(thieves’) _muslin_; (students’) ---- à miel, _candidate to the Ecole -Centrale des Arts et Manufactures, a great engineering school_. -Alluding to the bee embroidered in gold on their caps. (Popular) -Mouche, _bad_, or “snide;” _ugly_; _stupid_. C’est bon pour qui qu’est -----, _it is only fit for_ “flats.” Mouche, _weak_. - - Il a reparu, l’ami soleil. Bravo! encore bien débile, bien - pâlot, bien “mouche,” dirait Gavroche.--=RICHEPIN.= - -Non, c’est q’ j’ me ----, _ironical negative expression meant to be -strongly affirmative_. Synonymous of “non, c’est q’ je tousse!” Vous -n’avez rien fait? Non, c’est q’ j’ me ----, _you did nothing? oh! -didn’t I, just!_ - -MOUCHER (popular), le quinquet, _to kill_, “to do” _for one_; _to -strike, to give a_ “wipe.” - - Allons, mouche-lui le quinquet, ça l’esbrouffera. - --=TH. GAUTIER.= - -Moucher la chandelle, _to give oneself up to solitary practices_; _to -act according to the principles of Malthus with a view of not begetting -children_. For further explanation the reader may be referred to a work -entitled _The Fruits of Philosophy_; ---- sa chandelle, _to die_, “to -snuff it.” For synonyms see PIPE. Se ---- dans ses doigts (obsolete), -_to be clever, resolute_. Se faire ---- le quinquet, _to get one’s -head punched_. (Gamesters’) Se ----, _is said of attendants who, while -pretending to make use of their handkerchiefs, purloin a coin or two -from the gaming-table_. It is said of such an attendant, who on the sly -abstracts a gold piece from the stakes laid out on the table, il s’est -“mouché” d’un louis. - -MOUCHERON, _m._ (popular), _waiter at a wine-shop_; _child_, or “kid.” - -MOUCHES, _f. pl._ (popular), d’hiver, _snow-flakes_. Tuer les ----, _to -emit a bad smell_, capable of killing even flies. Termed also tuer les ----- à quinze pas. (Theatrical) Envoyer des coups de pied aux ----, _to -lead a disorderly life_. - -MOUCHETTES, _f. pl._ (popular), _pocket-handkerchief_, “snottinger, -or wipe.” Termed “madam, or stook,” by English thieves. Des ----! -_equivalent to_ du flan! des navets! des nèfles, &c., forcible -expression of refusal; may be rendered by “Don’t you wish you may get -it!” or, as the Americans say, “Yes, in a horn.” - -MOUCHEUR DE CHANDELLES, _m._ (popular). See MOUCHER. - -MOUCHIQUE, _adj._ (popular and thieves’), _base_, _worthless_, _bad_, -“snide.” - - C’était un’ tonn’ pas mouchique, - C’était un girond tonneau, - L’anderlique, l’anderlique, - L’anderliqu’ de Landerneau! - - =GILL.= - -The English cant has the old word “queer,” signifying base, roguish, -or worthless--the opposite of “rum,” which signified good and genuine. -“Queer, in all probability,” says the _Slang Dictionary_, “is -immediately derived from the cant language. It has been mooted that it -came into use from a ‘quære’ (?) being set before a man’s name; but -it is more than probable that it was brought into this country by the -gipsies from Germany, where _quer_ signifies _cross_, or _crooked_.” -(Thieves’) Etre ---- à sa section, or à la sec, _to be noted as a -bad character at the police office of one’s district_. The word -“mouchique,” says Michel, is derived from “mujik,” _a Russian peasant_, -which must have become familiar in 1815 to the inhabitants of the parts -of the country invaded by the Russians. - -MOUCHOIR, _m._ (popular), d’Adam, _the fingers_, used by some people as -a natural handkerchief, “forks;” ---- de bœuf, _meadow_. Termed thus on -account of oxen having their noses in the grass when grazing; ---- de -poche, _pistol_, or “pops.” (Familiar and popular) Faire le ----, _to -steal pocket-handkerchiefs_, “to draw a wipe.” Coup de ---- (obsolete), -_a box on the ear_, a “wipe in the chaps.” - - Voyez le train qu’a m’ fait pour un coup de mouchoir que - j’lui ai donné.--=POMPIGNY=, 1783. - -(Theatrical) Faire le ----, _to pirate another author’s productions_. - -MOUCHOUAR-GODEL (Breton cant), _pistol_. - -MOUDRE (popular), or ---- un air, _to ply a street organ_. - -MOUF (popular), abbreviation of _Mouffetard_, the name of a street -almost wholly tenanted by rag-pickers, and situate in one of the lowest -quarters of Paris. Quartier ---- mouf, _the Quartier Mouffetard_. La -tribu des Beni Mouf-mouf, _inhabitants of the Quartier Mouffetard_. -Champagne ----, or Champagne Mouffetard, _a liquid manufactured by -rag-pickers with rotten oranges picked out of the refuse at the -Halles_. The fruit, after being washed, is thrown into a cask of water -and allowed to ferment for a few days, after which some brown sugar -being added, the liquid is bottled up, and does duty as champagne. It -is the Cliquot of poor people. - -MOUFFLANTÉ, _adj._ (popular), _comfortably, warmly clad_. - -MOUFFLET, _m._ (popular), _child_, or “kid;” _urchin_; _apprentice_. - -MOUFION, _m._ (popular), _pocket-handkerchief_, “snottinger, or wipe.” - -MOUFIONNER (popular), _to blow one’s nose_. (Thieves’) Se ---- dans le -son, _to be guillotined_. Literally _to blow one’s nose in the bran_. -An allusion to an executed convict’s head, which falls into a basket -full of sawdust. Termed also “éternuer dans le son, or le sac.” See -FAUCHÉ. - -MOUGET, _m._ (roughs’), _a swell_, or “gorger.” Des péniches à la ----, -_fashionable boots, as now worn, with pointed toes and large square -heels_. - -MOUILLANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _cod_; (popular) _soup_. - -MOUILLÉ, _adj._ (popular), être ----, _to be drunk_, or “tight.” See -POMPETTE. Etre ----, _to be known in one’s real character_. Alluding to -cloths which are soaked in water to ascertain their quality. (Thieves’) -Etre ----, _to be well known to the police_. - -MOUILLER (popular), se ----, _to drink_, “to have something damp,” or -as the Americans have it, “to smile, to see the man.” The term is old. - - Mouillez-vous pour seicher, ou seichez pour - mouiller.--=RABELAIS.= - -Also _to get slightly intoxicated_, or “elevated.” (Theatrical) -Mouiller à, or dans, _to receive a royalty for a play produced on -the stage_. Se ----, _to take pains in one’s acting_. (Thieves’) Se ----- les pieds, _to be transported_, “to lump the lighter, or to be -lagged.” (Roughs’) En ----, _to perform some extraordinary feat with -great expenditure of physical strength_. Les frères qui en mouillent, -_acrobats_. (Military) Mouiller, _to be punished_. - -MOUISE, _f._ (thieves’), _soup_. - - Vous qui n’avez probablement dans le bauge que la mouise de - Tunebée Bicêtre vous devez canner la pégrenne.--=VIDOCQ.= - -MOUKALA, _m._ (military), _rifle_. From the Arab. - -MOUKÈRE, or MOUCAIRE, _f._ (popular), _ugly woman_; _girl of -indifferent character_; (military) _mistress_. Ma ----, _my young_ -“’ooman.” Avoir sa ----, _to have won the good graces of a fair one_, -generally a cook in the case of an infantry soldier, the cavalry having -the monopoly of housemaids or ladies’ maids, and sappers showing a -great penchant for nursery-maids. - -MOULARD, _m._ (popular), superlative of moule, _dunce_, or “flat.” - -MOULE, _m. and f._ (popular), une ----, _face_, or “mug.” Also _a -dunce_, _simpleton_, or “muff.” - - Foutez-moi la paix! Vous êtes une couenne et une - moule!--=G. COURTELINE.= - -Le ---- à blagues, _mouth_, or “chaffer.” Literally _the humbug-box_. -Un ---- à boutons, _a twenty-franc piece_. Un ---- à claques, _face -with impertinent expression which invites punishment_. Termed also ----- à croquignoles. Un ---- à gaufres, or à pastilles, _a face pitted -with small-pox marks_, “crumpet-face, or cribbage-face.” Un moule à -gaufres is properly _a waffle-iron_. Un ---- à poupée (obsolete), _a -clumsily-built, awkward man_. - - Ah! ah! ah! C’grand benêt! a-t-il un air jaune ... dis - donc eh! c’moule à poupée, qu’ veux-tu faire de cette - pique?--_Riche-en-gueule._ - -Un ---- à merde, _behind_, “Nancy.” For synonyms see VASISTAS. Also -_a foul-mouthed person_. Un ---- de gant, _box on the ear_, or “bang -in the gills.” Un ---- de bonnet, head, or “canister.” Un ---- de -pipe à Gambier, _grotesque face_, or “knocker face.” Un ---- à melon, -_humpback_, or “lord.” (Military) Envoyer chercher le ---- aux -guillemets, _to send a recruit on a fool’s errand_, to send him to -ask the sergeant-major for _the mould for inverted commas_, the joke -being varied by requesting him to fetch the key of the drill-ground. -Corresponds somewhat to sending a greenhorn for pigeon’s milk, or a -pennyworth of stirrup-oil. - -MOULER (familiar and popular), un sénateur, _to ease oneself by -evacuation_, “to bury a quaker;” (artists’) ---- une Vénus, _same -meaning_. Artists term “gazonner,” _the act of easing oneself in the -fields_. See MOUSCAILLER. - -MOULIN, _m._ (popular), de la halle (obsolete), _the pillory_. - - Mais pour qu’à l’avenir tu fass’ mieux ton devoir, - Fais réguiser ta langu’ sur la pierre infernale, - Et puis j’te f’rons tourner au moulin de la halle. - - _Amusemens à la Grecque_, 1764. - -Moulin, _hairdresser’s shop_; ---- à café, _mitrailleuse_. Thus termed -on account of the revolving handle used in firing it off, like that of -a coffee-mill. Also _street organ_; ---- à merde, _slanderer_; ---- à -vent, _the behind_. See VASISTAS. Concerning the expression Le Roux -says:-- - - Moulin à vent, pour cul, derrière. Moulin à vent, - parcequ’on donne l’essor à ses vents par cette - ouverture-là.--_Dict. Comique._ - -(Thieves’) Moulin, _receiver’s_, or “fence’s,” _house_. Termed also -“maison du meunier.” Porter du gras-double au ----, _to steal lead and -take it to a receiver of stolen property_, “to do bluey at the fence.” -(Police) Passer au ---- à café, _to transport a prostitute to the -colonies_. - -MOULINAGE, _m._ (popular), _prattling_, “clack.” - -MOULINER (popular), _to talk nonsense_; _to prattle_. A term specially -used in reference to the fair sex, and an allusion to the rapid, -regular, and monotonous motion of a mill, or to the noise produced -by the paddles of a water-mill, a “tattle-box” being termed moulin à -paroles. - -MOULOIR, _m._ (thieves’), _mouth_, “bone-box, or muns;” _teeth_, -“ivories, or grinders.” - -MOULURE, _f._ (popular), _lump of excrement_, or “quaker.” Machine à -moulures, _breech_, or “Nancy.” See VASISTAS.” - -MOUNICHE, _f._ (thieves’), _woman’s privities_, “merkin,” according to -the _Slang Dictionary_. - -MOUNIN, _m._ (thieves’), _child_, or “kid;” _apprentice_. - -MOUNINE, _f._ (thieves’), _little girl_. - -MOUQUETTE, _f._ (popular), _cocotte_, or “poll.” See GADOUE. - - Assez! Taisez vos becs!... à la porte les mouquettes! - --=P. MAHALIN.= - -MOURE, _f._ (thieves’), _pretty face_, “dimber mug.” - -MOURIR (popular), tu t’en ferais ----! _is expressive of refusal_. -Literally _if I gave you what you want you would die for joy_. See -NÈFLES. - -MOURON, _m._ (popular), ne plus avoir de ---- sur la cage, _to be -bald_, _or to sport_ “a bladder of lard.” For synonymous expressions -see AVOIR. - -MOUSCAILLE, _f._ (thieves’), _excrement_, or, as the Irish say, -“quaker.” - -MOUSCAILLER (thieves’), _to ease oneself by evacuation_. The synonyms -are “mousser, enterrer son colonel, aller faire une ballade à la lune, -mouler un sénateur, mouler une Vénus, gazonner, aller au numéro cent, -déponer, fogner, flaquer, écrire à un Juif, déposer une pêche, poser -un pépin, un factionnaire, or une sentinelle; envoyer une dépêche à -Bismark, flasquer, touser, faire corps neuf, déposer une médaille de -papier volant, or des Pays-Bas (obsolete), faire des cordes, mettre une -lettre à la poste, faire le grand, faire une commission, débourrer sa -pipe, défalquer, tarter, faire une moulure, aller quelque part, aller -à ses affaires, aller où le roi va à pied, filer, aller chez Jules, -ierchem, aller où le roi n’envoie personne, flaquader, fuser, gâcher -du gros, galipoter, pousser son rond, filer le cable de proue, faire -un pruneau, aller au buen-retiro, aller voir Bernard, faire ronfler -le bourrelet, la chaise percée, or la chaire percée.” In the English -slang, “to go to the West Central, to go to Mrs. Jones, or to the -crapping-ken, to the bog-house, to the chapel of ease, to Sir Harry; to -crap, to go to the crapping-case, to the coffee-shop, to the crapping -castle,” and, as the Irish term it, “to bury a quaker.” - -MOUSCAILLEUR, _m._ (popular), _scavenger employed in emptying -cesspools_, or “gold-finder.” - -MOUSQUETAIRE GRIS, _m._ (popular), _louse_, or “grey-backed ’un.” - -MOUSSAILLON, _m._ (sailors’), _a ship-boy_, or “powder-monkey.” From -mousse, _ship-boy_. - -MOUSSANTE, _f._ (popular and thieves’), _beer_, or “gatter.” Un pot -de ----, a “shant of gatter.” A curious slang street melody, known -in Seven Dials as _Bet the Coaley’s Daughter_, mentions the word -“gatter”:-- - - But when I strove my flame to tell, - Says she, “Come, stow that patter, - If you’re a cove wot likes a gal, - Vy don’t you stand some gatter?” - In course I instantly complied, - Two brimming quarts of porter, - With sev’ral goes of gin beside, - Drain’d Bet the Coaley’s daughter. - -Moussante mouchique, _bad, flat beer_, “swipes, or belly vengeance.” - -MOUSSARD, _m._ (thieves’), _chestnut tree_. - -MOUSSE, _f._ (popular and thieves’), _excrement_; _wine_. The word is -old. Villon, a poet of the fifteenth century, uses it with the latter -signification. For quotation see JOUER DU POUCE. (Popular) De la ----! -_nonsense!_ “all my eye,” or “all my eye and Betty Martin.” Is also -expressive of ironical refusal; “yes, in a horn,” as the Americans say. - -MOUSSECAILLOUX, _m._ (popular), _infantry soldier_, “wobbler, or -beetle-crusher.” - -MOUSSELINE, _f._ (thieves’), _white bread_, or “pannum,” alluding to a -similarity of colour. Also _prisoner’s fetters_, “darbies.” - -MOUSSER (popular), _to ease oneself by evacuation_. See MOUSCAILLER. -Also _to be wroth_, “to have one’s monkey up.” Faire ---- quelqu’un, -_to make one angry by_ “riling” him. - -MOUSSERIE, _f._ (thieves’), _privy_, “crapping-ken.” - -MOUSSEUX, _adj._ (literary), _hyperbolic_. - -MOUSSUE, _f._ (thieves’), _chestnut_. - -MOUSTACHU, _m._ (familiar), _man with moustache_. - -MOUSTIQUE, _m._ (popular), avoir un ---- dans la boîte au sel, _to be_ -“cracked,” “to have a slate off.” For synonymous expressions see AVOIR. - -MOUT, _adj._ (popular), _pretty_, _handsome_. - -MOUTARDE, _f._ (popular), _excrement_. Baril à ----, _the behind_. For -synonyms see VASISTAS. The expression is old. - - En le lançant, il dit: prends garde, - Je vise au baril de moutarde. - - _La Suite du Virgile travesti._ - -MOUTARDIER, _m._ (popular), _breech_, or “tochas.” See VASISTAS. - - Et en face! Je n’ai pas besoin de renifler ton - moutardier.--=ZOLA.= - -MOUTON, _m._ (popular), _mattress_, or “mot cart;” (general) _prisoner -who is set to watch a fellow-prisoner, and, by winning his confidence, -seeks to extract information from him_, a “nark.” - - Comme tu seras au violon avant lui, il ne se doutera pas - que tu es un mouton.--=VIDOCQ.= - - Deux sortes de coqueurs sont à la dévotion de la police: - les coqueurs libres, et les coqueurs détenus autrement dit - moutons.--_Mémoires de Canler._ - -MOUTONNAILLE, _f._ (popular), _crowd_. Sheep will form a crowd. - -MOUTONNER (thieves’ and police), _to play the spy on fellow-prisoners_. - - Celui qui est mouton court risque d’être assassiné par les - compagnons ... aussi la police parvient-elle rarement à - décider les voleurs à moutonner leurs camarades.--=CANLER.= - -MOUTROT, _m._ (thieves’), _Prefect of police_. Le logis du ----, _the -Préfecture de Police_. - -MOUVANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _porridge_. - -MOUVEMENT, _m._ (swindlers’), concierge dans le ----, _doorkeeper in -league with a gang of swindlers_, for a description of which see BANDE -NOIRE. - -MOUZU, _m._ (thieves’), _woman’s breasts_, “Charlies, or dairies.” - -MUCHE, _adj. and m._ (prostitutes’), _polite, timid young man_; -(popular) _excellent_, _perfect_, “bully, or ripping.” - -MUETTE, _f._ (Saint-Cyr School), _drill exercise in which cadets -purposely do not make their muskets ring_. This is done to annoy any -unpopular instructor. (Thieves’) Muette, _conscience_. Avoir une puce à -la ----, _to feel a pang of remorse_. - -MUFE, or MUFFLE, _m. and adj._ (thieves’), _mason_; (familiar and -popular) _mean fellow_; _mean_. - - Son pâtissier s’était montré assez mufe pour menacer de la - vendre, lorsqu’elle l’avait quitté.--=ZOLA=, _Nana_. - -Mufe, _scamp_, _cad_, “bally bounder.” - - Elles restaient gaies, jetant simplement un “sale mufe!” - derrière le dos des maladroits dont le talon leur arrachait - un volant.--=ZOLA=, _Nana_. - -MUFFÉE, _f._ (popular), en avoir une vraie ----, _to be completely -intoxicated_. See POMPETTE. - -MUFFETON, MUFFLETON, _m._ (popular), _young scamp_; _mason’s -apprentice_. - -MUFFLEMAN (popular), _mean fellow_. - -MUFFLERIE, _f._ (popular), _contemptible action_; _behaviour like a -cad’s_. - -MUFLE, _m._ (thieves’), se casser le ----, _to meet with_. Termed also -“tomber en frime.” - - Tel escarpe ou assassin ne commettra pas un crime un - vendredi, ou s’il s’est cassé le mufle devant un ratichon - (prêtre).--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -MUFRERIE, _f._ (popular), _disparaging epithet_; ---- de sort! _curse -my luck!_ - -MUITAR, _f._ (thieves’), être dans la ----, _to be in prison_, or “in -quod.” - -MULET, _m._ (military), _marine artillery man_; (printers’) -_compositor_, or “donkey.” “In the days before steam machinery was -invented, the men who worked at press,” says the _Slang Dictionary_, -“the pressmen, were so dirty and drunken a body that they earned the -name of pigs. In revenge, and for no reason that can be discovered, -they christened the compositors “donkeys.’” (Thieves’) Mulet, _devil_. - - Les meusniers, aussi ont une mesme façon de parler que les - cousturiers, appelant leur asne le grand Diable, et leur - sac, Raison. Et rapportant leur farine à ceux ausquels elle - appartient, si on leur demande s’ils en ont point prins - plus qu’il ne leur en faut, respondent: Le grand Diable - m’emporte, si j’en ay prins que par raison. Mais pour tout - cela ils disent qu’ils ne desrobent rien, car on leur - donne.--=TABOUROT.= - -MURAILLE (familiar and popular), battre la ----, _to be drunk and to -reel about, now in the gutter, now against the wall_. - -MURER (popular), je te vas ----! _I’ll knock you down, or I’ll double -you up!_ See VOIE. - - Là il commença à m’embrasser. Ma foi, comme pour le verre - de vin, il n’y avait pas de refus. Il ne me déplaisait pas, - cet homme. Il voulut même m’habiller avec une chemise de - sa femme. Mais voici qu’il me propose des choses que je ne - pouvais accepter, et qu’il me menace de me murer si je dis - un mot.--_Echo de Paris._ - -MURON, _m._ (thieves’), _salt_. - -MURONNER (thieves’), _to salt_. - -MURONNIÈRE, _f._ (thieves’), _salt-cellar_. - -MUSARDINE, _f._ (familiar), _name given some forty years ago to a -more than fast girl, or to a girl of indifferent character_, termed -sometimes by English “mashers,” a “blooming tartlet.” - - On dit une musardine, comme jadis on disait une - lorette.--=ALBÉRIC SECOND.= - -The synonyms corresponding to various epochs are:--Under the -Restauration “femme aimable,” a term of little significance. In Louis -Philippe’s time, “lorette,” on account of the frail ones mostly -dwelling in the Quartier Notre Dame de Lorette. Under the Third Empire -“chignon doré” (it was then the fashion, as it still is, for such women -to dye their hair a bright gold or auburn tint), or “cocodette,” the -feminine of “cocodès,” _young dandy_. Now-a-days frequenters of the -Boulevards use the term “boudinée,” “boudiné, bécarre, or pschutteux,” -being the latest appellations for the Parisian “masher.” The term -“musardine” must first have been applied to fast girls frequenting the -Bals Musard, attended at the time by all the “dashing” elements of -Paris. “In English polite society, a fast young lady,” says the _Slang -Dictionary_, “is one who affects mannish habits, or makes herself -conspicuous by some unfeminine accomplishment, talks slang, drives -about in London, smokes cigarettes, is knowing in dogs and horses, &c.” - -MUSÉE, _m._ (popular), le ---- des claqués, _the Morgue_. - -MUSELÉ, _m._ (popular), _dunce_, or “flat;” _good-for-nothing man_. -Alluding to a muzzled dog who cannot use his teeth. - -MUSETTE, _f._ (popular), _voice_. Couper la ---- à quelqu’un, _to -silence one_, “to clap a stopper on one’s mug;” _to cut one’s throat_. - -MUSICIEN, _m._ (thieves’), _dictionary_; _variety of informer_, or -“snitcher;” (familiar) ---- par intimidation, _a street melodist who -obtains money from people desirous of getting rid of him_. - - J’y ai retrouvé aussi le “musicien par intimidation,” - l’homme à la clarinette, qui s’arrête devant les cafés du - boulevard en faisant mine de porter à ses lèvres le bec de - son instrument. Les consommateurs épouvantés se hâtent de - lui jeter quelque monnaie afin d’éviter l’harmonie. - --=ELIE FRÉBAULT=, _La Vie de Paris_. - -It, however, occurs occasionally that people annoyed by the harmonists -of the street have their revenge whilst getting rid of them without -having to pay toll, as in the case of the “musicien par intimidation.” -One day a French artist in London, who every day was almost driven mad -by the performances of a band of green-coated German musicians, hit -upon the following singular stratagem. Placing himself at the window, -and facing his tormentors, he applied a lemon to his lips. The effect -was instantaneous, as through an association of ideas the mouths of -the musicians began to water to such an extent that, unable to proceed -with their symphony, they surrendered the battlefield to the triumphant -artist. (Popular) Des musiciens, _beans_, alluding to the wind they -generate in the bowels. (Printers’) Des musiciens, _large number of -corrections made on the margin of pages_; _unskilled compositors who -are unable to proceed with their work_. - -MUSIQUE, _f._ (popular), _second-hand articles_; _odd pieces of cloth -sewn together_; _kind of penny loaf_. Termed also “flûte.” Also _what -remains in a glass_; (thieves’) _informing_; _informers_. - - La deuxième classe, que les voleurs désignent sous le nom - de musique, est composée de tous les malfaiteurs qui, après - leur arrestation, se mettent à table (dénoncent).--=CANLER.= - -Passer à la ----, _to be placed in the presence of informers for -identification_; (card-sharpers’) _swindling at cards_. - -MUSIQUER (card-sharpers’), _to mark a card with the nail_. - -MUSSER (popular), _to smell_. - -MUTILÉS, _m. pl._ (military), _soldiers of the punishment companies -in Africa, who are sent there as a penalty for purposely maiming -themselves in order to escape military service_. - -MYLORD, _m._ (popular), _hackney coach_, “growler.” - - - - -N - - -NAGEANT, or NAGEOIR, _m._ (thieves’), _fish_. - -NAGEOIRES, _f. pl._ (popular), _large whiskers in the shape of fins_; -_arms_, or “benders;” _hands_, or “fins.” Un monsieur à ----, _a -prostitute’s bully_, or “pensioner.” For list of synonyms see POISSON. - -NAÏF, _m._ (printers’), _employer_, or “boss.” The expression is -scarcely used nowadays. - - Le vieux pressier resta seul dans l’imprimerie - dont le maître, autrement dit le “naïf,” venait de - mourir.--=BALZAC.= - -NARQUOIS, or DRILLE, _m._ (old cant), formerly _a thievish or vagrant -old soldier_. - - Drilles ou narquois sont des soldats qui truchent la - flamme sous le bras, et battent en ruine les entiffes et - tous les creux des vergnes ... ils ont fait banqueroute - au grand coëre et ne veulent pas être ses sujets ni le - reconnaître.--_Le Jargon de l’Argot._ - -Parler ---- formerly had the signification of _to talk the jargon of -vagabonds_. - -NASE, _m._ (popular), _nose_. - -NASER QUELQU’UN (popular), is equivalent to “avoir quelqu’un dans le -nez,” _to have a strong dislike for one_, _to abominate one_. - -NAVARIN, _m._ (thieves’), _turnip_; (popular) _scraps of meat from -butchers’ stalls retailed at a low price to poor people_. - -NAVET, _m._ (familiar), _hypocrite with bland polished manners_, a kind -of Mr. Pecksniff; _fool_, _dunce_, or “flat.” Le champ de navets, _the -cemetery_. - - Je ne sais pas seulement à quel endroit du champ de navets - on a enterré le pauvre vieux, j’étais au dépôt. - --=LOUISE MICHEL.= - -(Familiar and popular) Avoir du jus de ---- dans les veines, _to be -lacking in energy_, _to be a_ “sappy.” Des navets! _an ejaculation of -refusal_. - - Ohé! les gendarmes, ohé! des navets!--=H. MONNIER.= - -Also _is expressive of incredulity, impossibility_. See NÈFLES. - - Il faut avoir fait trois ans de Conservatoire pour savoir - parler ... alors on sait donner aux mots leur valeur: mais - sans cela!...--Des navets!--=E. MONTEIL.= - -(Artists’) Navets, _rounded arms or legs showing no muscle_. - -NAVETTE, _f._ (thieves’), _pedlar_. - -NAZARET, _m._ (popular), _large nose_, or “conk.” See MORVIAU. - -NAZE, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _nose_, “smeller, or -smelling-cheat.” The word is borrowed from the Provençal. For synonyms -see MORVIAU. - -NAZI, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _venereal disease_, “Venus’ curse.” - -NAZIBOTER (popular), _to speak through the nose_. J’ai le mirliton -bouché, ça me fait ----, _I have a cold in the head, that makes me -speak through my nose_. - -NAZICOT, _m._ (popular), _small nose_. See MORVIAU. - -NAZONNANT, _m._ (popular), _big nose_, “conk.” See MORVIAU. - -NÈFLES, _f. pl._ (familiar and popular), des ----! _an expression of -refusal, or ejaculation of incredulity_. - - Il paraît que cette vierge est bonne, bonne!--à - quoi?--A tout. Elle fait des miracles superbes.--Des - nèfles!--=MONTEIL.= - -Kindred expressions are: “Des navets! De l’anis! Tu auras de l’anis -dans une écope! Du flan! Tu t’en ferais mourir! Tu t’en ferais péter -la sous-ventrière! Mon œil! Flûte! Zut! Et ta sœur? Des plis! La peau! -Peau de nœud! De la mousse! Du vent! Des emblèmes! Des vannes! Des -fouilles! On t’en fricasse!” which might be rendered by, “Walker! All -my eye! You be blowed! You be hanged! Not for Joe! How’s your brother -Job? Don’t you wish you may get it?” &c., and by the Americanism, “Yes, -in a horn.” - -NEG, _m._ (popular), au petit croche, _rag-dealer_. Neg, for négociant; ----- en viande chaude, _prostitute’s bully_, or “pensioner.” For the -list of synonyms see POISSON. - -NÉGOCIANTE, _f._ (familiar), _woman who keeps a small shop, and who -pretends to sell gentlemen’s gloves or perfumery_. When the purchaser -tenders a twenty-franc piece for payment, “Do you require change?” the -lady asks with an inviting smile, the required change being generally -returned “en nature.” - -NÉGRESSE, _f._ (popular), _bottle of red wine_. - - Allons, la mère, du piccolo! et deux négresses à la fois, - s’il vous plaît.--=CH. DUBOIS DE GENNES.= - -Une ---- morte, _an empty bottle_, one which has “M. T.” on it, _i.e._, -“Moll Thompson’s mark.” Termed also “marine.” - - Le tas de négresses mortes grandissait. Un cimetière de - bouteilles.--=ZOLA.= - -Etouffer, éreinter une ----, or éternuer sur une ----, _to drink a -bottle of red wine_, “to crack” it. Négresse, _flea_. - - Qu’il s’ra content le vieux propriétaire, - Quand il viendra pour toucher son loyer, - D’voir en entrant tout’ la paill’ par terre - Et les négress’s à ses jamb’s sautiller. - - _Parisian Song._ - -Négresse, _parcel made up in oilskin_; (sailors’) _belt_. - -NÉGRIOT, _m._ (thieves’), _strong box_, “peter;” _casket_. - - Vous avez entendu ma femme et mes deux momignardes (filles) - vous bonnir (dire) que le négriot (coffret) était gras et - qu’il plombait (pesait beaucoup).--=VIDOCQ.= - -NEIGE, _f._ (familiar and popular), boule de ----, _negro_. Termed also -“bamboula, boîte à cirage, bille de pot-au-feu, mal blanchi,” and in -the English cant or slang, “bit o’ ebony, snowball, lily-white, darky, -black cuss.” - -NÉNETS, or NÉNAIS, _m. pl._ (familiar), _woman’s breasts_, “Charlies, -dairies, or bubbies.” Termed also “avant-postes, avant-scènes, nichons, -deux œufs sur le plat;” (popular) ---- de veuve, _feeding bottle_. - -NEP, _m._ (thieves’), _rascally Jew dealing in counterfeit diamonds, -sham jewellery, or who seeks to sell at a high price the cross of an -order studded with glass pearls or paste diamonds_. - -NE-TE-GÊNE-PAS-DANS-LE-PARC, _m._ (familiar and popular), _short -jacket_. Termed also “saute-en-barque, pet-en-l’air, montretout.” - -NET, _adj._ (popular), un atelier ----, _a workshop tabooed by workmen, -who forbid any of their fellows to accept work there_. - -NETTOYAGE, _m._ (popular), _loss of all one’s money at a game_, or -“mucking-out;” _selling of property_; _robbing of property_. - -NETTOYÉ, _adj._ (familiar and popular), _given up for dead_, “done -for,” or, as the Americans say, a “gone coon;” _dead_, “settled;” -_robbed_. Etre ----, _to have lost all one’s money at some game_, “to -have blewed it, or to be a muck-snipe.” Also _to be exhausted_, _done -up_, or “gruelled.” La monnaie est nettoyée, _the money is gone, spent_. - - De la jolie fripouille, les ouvriers! Toujours en noce. - Se fichant de l’ouvrage, vous lâchant au beau milieu - d’une commande, reparaissant quand leur monnaie est - nettoyée.--=ZOLA.= - -NETTOYER (familiar and popular), _to sell_; _to rob_; _to clean out -at some game_, “to muck out;” _to kill_, “to do” _for one_. Se faire -----, _to be killed_. (Thieves’) Nettoyer un bocart, _to break into a -house and strip it of all its valuables_, “to do a crib,” _or to do a_ -“ken-crack-lay.” Nettoyer, _to apprehend_, “to smug.” - -NEZ, _m._ (familiar and popular), _disappointed look_. - - Plus de parts de gâteaux! Il fallait voir le nez de - Boche.--=ZOLA.= - -Prendre dans le ----, _to reprimand_, “to give a wigging.” Un ---- en -pied de marmite, _short nose with a thick end_. Un ---- où il pleut -dedans, _turned-up nose_, or “pug nose.” Nez passé à l’encaustique, -_nose which shows a partiality for potations on its owner’s part_, -or “copper nose.” Avoir le ---- sale, _to be drunk_, or “tight.” See -POMPETTE. Avoir quelqu’un dans le ----, _to entertain feelings of -dislike towards one_. Faire son ----, _to make a wry face_, _to look_ -“glum.” - - On se mouilla encore d’une tournée générale; puis on alla - à la _Puce qui renifle_, un petit bousingot où il y avait - un billard. Le chapelier fit un instant son nez, parce que - c’était une maison pas très propre. Le schnick y valait un - franc le litre.--=ZOLA=, _L’Assommoir_. - -Avoir le ---- creux, _to be cunning_, “to be fly to wot’s wot;” _to -possess perspicacity_. - - Oh! elle avait le nez creux, elle savait déjà comment cela - devait tourner.--=ZOLA.= - -Mettre son ---- dans le bleu, or se piquer le ----, _to get drunk_. See -POMPETTE. - - Lui se piquait le nez proprement, sans qu’on s’en - aperçût.... Le zingueur au contraire, devenait dégoûtant, - ne pouvait plus boire sans se mettre dans un état - ignoble.--=ZOLA=, _L’Assommoir_. - -Nez de pompettes formerly meant _drunkard’s nose_, like that of an -“Admiral of the Red,” with “grog blossoms.” - -NEZ-DE-CHIEN, _m._ (popular), _mixture of beer and brandy_. Avoir le -----, _to be drunk_. See POMPETTE. - -NIAIS, _m._ (thieves’), _thief who repents, or who has qualms of -conscience_. - -NIAS, _m._ (thieves’), _me_, “my nibs;” in Italian cant, “monarco, or -mia madre.” C’est pas pour mon ----, _that’s not for me_. - -NIB, NIBERGUE, NIBERTE (thieves’ and cads’), _no_; _not_; ---- de -braise, _no money_. Ça fait ---- dans mes blots, _that does not suit -me_, _that’s not my game_; ---- du flanche! _leave off!_ “stow faking!” -Nib du flanche, le gonse t’exhibe, _leave off, the man is looking at -you_. In other terms, “stow it, the gorger’s leary.” Nib de tous les -flanches! S’ils te font la jactance, n’entrave pas dans leurs vannes, -ne norgue pas. _Keep dark about all our jobs; if they try to pump you, -don’t allow yourself to be taken in, do not confess._ Nib au truc, or ----- du truc, _hold your tongue about any job_, “keep dark.” - -NIBÉ (thieves’), _hold your tongue_, “mum your dubber;” _enough_. - -NIBER (thieves’), _to see_, “to pipe;” _to look_, “to dick.” Nibe la -gonzesse, _look at the girl_, or “nark the titter.” Le rousse te nibe, -_the policeman is looking at you_, “the bulky is dicking.” - -NIBERGUE (thieves’), _nothing_, “nix.” - - Est-ce que tu coupes dans les rêves, toi? Quoiqu’ ça peut - faire des rêves? nibergue! (rien).--=VIDOCQ.= - -NIBERTE (thieves’), _nothing_, “nix.” - - J’avais balancé le bogue que j’avais fourliné et je ne - litrais que niberte en valades.--=VIDOCQ.= (_I had thrown - away the watch which I had stolen, and I had nothing in my - pockets._) - -NICDOUILLE, _m._ (popular), _dunce_, “dunderhead.” - -NICHE, _f._ (roughs’), _house_; _home_. Rappliquer à la ----, _to go -home_. - - Quand qu’ all’ rappliqu’ à la niche, - Et qu’ nous sommes poivrots, - Gare au bataillon d’la guiche, - C’est nous qu’est les dos. - - =RICHEPIN=, _Chanson des Gueux_. - -A c’te ----! _go home!_ - -NICHONS, _m. pl._ (familiar), _bosoms_, or “Charlies.” - - Nana ne fourrait plus de boules de papier dans son corsage. - Des nichons lui étaient venus.--=ZOLA.= - -NID, _m._ (popular), à poussière, _the navel_. Un pante sans ---- -à poussière, _Adam_. According to a quotation in Mr. O. Davies’ -_Supplementary English Glossary_, the navel being only of use to -attract the aliment _in utero materno_, and Adam having no mother, he -had no use of a navel, and therefore it is not to be conceived he had -any. Un ---- à punaises, _a room in a lodging-house_, where the bed is -generally a mere “bug-walk.” Un ---- de noirs, _priests’ seminary_, -alluding to their black vestments. - -NIÈRE, or NIERT, _m._ (thieves’), _individual_, “cove, bloke, or cull.” -The Americans say “cuss.” - - C’est le moment il n’y a pas un niert dans la - trime.--=VIDOCQ.= (_It’s just the time when there’s nobody - on the road._) - -Nière, _accomplice_, or “stallsman.” Manger son ----, _to inform -against an accomplice_, “to turn rusty and split,” or “to turn snitch.” -Cromper son ----, _to save one’s accomplice_. Un ---- à la manque, -_accomplice not to be trusted_. Un bon ----, _a good fellow_, or “ben -cove.” Mon ----, _I_, _me_, “my nibs.” Termed also mon ---- bobéchon. -Un ----, _a clumsy fellow_. - -NIF, or NIB (thieves’), _nothing_, “nix;” _no_. Termed “ack” at -Christ’s Hospital or Blue Coat School. - -NIFER (thieves’), _to cease_, “to stash, to stow, or to cheese.” - -NIGAUDINOS, _m._ (popular), _simple-minded fellow_, or “flat.” - -NIKOL (Breton cant), _meat_. - -NINGLE, _f._ (literary), _gay girl_, “mot.” See GADOUE. - -NIOLLE, or GNIOLE, _m. and adj._ (popular and thieves’), _dunce_, or -“flat;” _foolish_. - - Vous comprenez que je n’étais pas si niolle (bête) de - donner mon centre (nom) pour me faire nettoyer par vos - rousses (arrêter par vos agents).--=CANLER.= - -Niolle, _old hat_. - -NIOLLEUR, _m._ (popular), _dealer in old hats_. - -NIORT, _m._ (thieves’), _name of a town_. Aller, or battre à ----, _to -deny one’s guilt_. A play on the above name, and nier, _to deny_. - -NIORTE, _f._ (thieves’), _flesh_, or “carnish.” - -NIPPE-MAL, _m._ (popular), _badly-dressed man_. - -NIQUE, _f._ (thieves’), être ---- de mèche, _to have no share in some -evil deed_. - - Elle est nique de mèche (sans aucune complicité), répondit - l’amant de la Biffe.--=BALZAC.= - -NIQUEDOULE, _m._ (thieves’), _dunce_, or “go-along.” - - Ah! ah! dit l’Frisé, te v’là morte! - Et l’grand niqu’doul’ s’mit à pleurer. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -NISCO, or NIX (popular), _nothing_, “nix;” _no such thing_. - - Et moi! je m’en irais bredouille? Nisco! ma biche. - --=P. MAHALIN.= - -Nisco braisicoto, _no money_, _no_ “tin.” - -NISETTE, _f._ (thieves’), _olive_. - -NIVEAU, _m._ (popular), ne pas trouver son ----, _to be drunk_, or -“snuffy.” See POMPETTE. - -NIVET, _m._ (old cant), _hemp_. - -NIVETTE, _f._ (old cant), _hemp-field_. - -NIX. See NISCO. - -NOBLE ÉTRANGÈRE, _f._ (literary), _five-franc piece_. - -NOBRER, or NOBLER (thieves’), _to recognize_. Nous sommes noblés et -filés, _we are recognized and followed_. - -NOC, _m._ (popular), _blockhead_, “cabbage-head.” - -NOCE, _f._ (popular), de bâtons de chaise, _grand jollification_, or -“flare up.” Also _a fight between a married couple_. Faire la ----, _to -lead a gay life_; _to hold revels_. - -NOCER. See FAIRE LA NOCE; (popular) ---- en Père Peinard, _to indulge -in solitary revels_. - -NOCERIE, _f._ (popular), _revels_, “boozing.” - -NOCEUR, _m._ (popular), _one who leads a gay life_, _a sort of_ “jolly -dog.” - -NOCEUSE, _f._ (popular), _woman of questionable character who shows a -partiality for good cheer_. - -NOCHER (popular), _to ring_. Noche la retentissante, _ring the bell_, -or “jerk the tinkler.” - -NOCTAMBULE, _m._ (familiar), _one fond of roving about on the -Boulevards at night_. - -NOCTAMBULER (familiar), _to sit up, or rove about at night_, “to be on -the tiles.” - -NOCTAMBULISME, _m._ (familiar), _roving about at night_. - -NŒUD, _m._ (popular), see FLAGEOLET. Mon ----! _an ejaculation of -contempt or refusal_. Filer son ----, _to go away_, “to slope;” _to run -away_, “to cut the cable and run before the wind,” in the language of -English sailors. Peau de ----, see PEAU. - -NOGUE, _f._ (roughs’), _night_, or “darkmans.” - -NOIR, _m. and adj._ (popular), _coffee_; ---- de peau de nègre, -_miserable man_, _an assistant of rag-pickers_. Du ----, _lead_, or -“bluey.” Un ---- de trois ronds sans cogne, _a three-halfpenny cup of -coffee without brandy_. Pierre noire, _slate_. Un petit père ----, _a -tankard of wine_. (Familiar) Le cabinet ----, _an office in which the -letters of persons suspected of being hostile to the government were -opened previous to their being forwarded by the post office_. - - Le cabinet noir, supprimé en 1830, fut rétabli par le - ministre des affaires étrangères, le général Sébastiani.... - Le cabinet noir n’existait plus de nom sous l’Empire; il - existait de fait aux Tuileries.--_Mémoires de Monsieur - Claude._ - -La chambre noire, _a council-chamber where Napoleon III. received his -agents and formed secret plans_. - - Ce fut dans ce cabinet secret que furent résolus la mort de - Kelch et l’enlèvement secret des premiers fomentateurs du - complot de l’Opéra-Comique.--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -Bande noire, _a gang of swindlers_. See BANDE. The _Echo de Paris_, -August, 1886, mentions a gang of this description which formed a vast -association and victimized wine merchants in all parts of the country:-- - - Les associés se divisaient en quatre catégories: 1º “Les - Faisans;” 2º “Les Courtiers à la mode;” 3º “Les Concierges - dans le mouvement;” 4º “Les Fusilleurs.” Les “Courtiers - à la mode” étaient des individus qui avaient réussi à se - faire agréer comme représentants par des maisons de gros. - Les “Faisans,” par l’intermédiaire des “courtiers,” et avec - la complaisance des “concierges dans le mouvement,” se - faisaient faire des envois de pièces de vins soit en gare, - soit à domicile. Les “Fusilleurs” achetaient ces pièces de - vin à vil prix et les revendaient aussi cher que possible. - -(Saint-Cyr School) Une noire fontaine, _an inkstand_. - -NOISETTE, _f._ (popular), avoir un asticot dans la ----, _to be_ -“cracked.” For synonyms see AVOIR. - -NOIX, _f._ (popular), escailleux de ---- (obsolete), _slow man_, -“slow-coach.” - - Et Dieu, quelz escailleux de noix, - Qui venez cy de tous cottez, - Ou, par la foy que je vous doys, - D’une grosse pelle de boys - Vos trouz de cul seront sellez. - - _Farce nouvelle._ - -Une coquille de ----, _a very small glass_. (Military) Gauler des ----, -_to fence badly_. An allusion to a man knocking down walnuts from a -tree with a rod. - - A ce compte-là on ne doit pas faire de grands progrès en - escrime?--Eh! justement ... on a beau être cavalier et - avoir toujours le bancal au côté ... on barbotte ... on - gaule des noix.--=DUBOIS DE GENNES.= - -NOM, _m._ (theatrical), _actor of note_, “star.” - - Bourgoin prenait des élèves du Conservatoire pour - accompagner son “nom,” quelquefois aussi des cabotins de - province.--=E. MONTEIL.= - -(Popular) Un ---- de Dieu, _disparaging epithet_, the equivalent being, -in English slang, “bally fellow.” - - L’homme de chambre, au café! Dort-t’y assez ce nom de - Dieu-là!--=G. COURTELINE.= - -NOMBRIL (card-players’), de religieuse, _the ace of cards_, or “pig’s -eye.” (Thieves’) Nombril, _noon_. - -NONNANT, _m._, NONNANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _friend_. - -NONNE, _f._ (thieves’), _abettor of a pickpocket_. The accomplices -press round the victim during the thief’s operations. The proceeds of -the robbery pass at once into the hands of one of the “nonnes,” called -“coqueur,” or “bob,” in English cant. Faire ----, _to form a small -crowd in the street so as to attract idlers, and thus to facilitate a -pickpockets operations_. Those who thus aid a confederate are termed -“jollies” in the English slang. - -NONNEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _accomplice_. Termed by English thieves -“stallsman, or Philiper.” The “Philiper” stands by and looks out for -the police while the others commit a robbery, and calls out “Philip!” -when anyone approaches. According to Vidocq, there is a variety of -“nonneurs” who are merely in the service of other thieves. Their -functions are to watch, to hustle the intended victim, and to make off -with the valuables handed to them by their principal. The “nonneur” -is not always rewarded by a share in the proceeds of the robbery; he -generally receives wages for the day proportionate to the profits -obtained in the “business.” Manger sur ses nonneurs, _to inform against -one’s accomplices_, “to blow the gaff, or to turn snitch.” - - Le quart d’œil lui jabotte - Mange sur tes nonneurs, - Lui tire une carotte, - Lui montant la couleur. - - =VIDOCQ=, _Mémoires_. - -NORGUER (thieves’ and cads’), _to own to a crime_; _to confess_. Si le -curieux te fait la jactance n’entrave pas, ne norgue pas, _If the judge -examines you, do not fall into the snare, do not confess_. - -NOSIGUES, or NOUSAILLES (thieves’), _we_, _ourselves_. - -NOTAIRE, _m._ (popular), _bar of drinking-shop_; _landlord of -drinking-shop_, “boss of lushing-crib;” _tradesman who allows credit_. - -NOTE, _f._ (dandies’), être dans la ----, _to be well up in events of -the day_; _to be a man of the_ “period.” - -NOTER (Breton cadgers’), _night_. - -NOTRE, _m._ (thieves’), _accomplice_, or “stallsman;” “one of our mob.” - -NOUET (Breton cant), _dead drunk_. - -NOUEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _accomplice_, or “stallsman.” - -NOUJON, _m._ (thieves’), _fish_. - -NOUNE, or NONNE, _m._ (thieves’), _accomplice who follows in the wake -of a pickpocket and receives the stolen property_, “bob.” - -NOURRICE, _f._ (thieves’), _female who purchases stolen property_, or -“fence.” (Familiar and popular) Et les mois de ---- (ironical), _and -the rest_. Cette dame a trente ans. Et les mois de nourrice! _This lady -is thirty years old. And the rest!_ Un dépuceleur de nourrices, _a -simpleton_, a “duffer;” _a silly Lovelace_. - -NOURRIR (thieves’), une affaire, _to preconcert a scheme for a theft or -murder_. - - Nourrir une affaire, c’est l’avoir en perspective, en - attendant le moment propice pour l’exécution.--=VIDOCQ.= - -Nourrir un poupard, or un poupon, _synonymous of_ “nourrir une affaire.” - - Chacun donnait dix-huit ans à ce garçon qui devait avoir - nourri ce poupon (comploté, préparé ce crime) pendant un - mois.--=BALZAC.= - -NOURRISSEUR, _m._ (popular), _eating-house keeper_, or “boss of a -grubbing-crib;” (thieves’) _thief who a long time beforehand makes -every preparation with the view of committing a robbery or crime_. - - Les nourrisseurs préméditent leurs coups de longue main, et - ne se hasardent pas à cueillir la poire avant qu’elle ne - soit mûre.--=VIDOCQ.= - -Nourrisseur, _housebreaker who devotes his attentions to houses or -apartments whose tenants are away on a journey_, such houses being -termed “dead ’uns” by English “busters.” - -NOUSAILLES, or NOUZAILLES (thieves’), _we_, _ourselves_. - - Je crois que nous avons été donnés par le chêne qui s’est - esgaré de chez nouzailles avec mes frusquins.--=VIDOCQ.= - (_I think we have been informed against by the man who ran - away from our place with my clothes._) - -NOUVEAU JEU, _m._ (literary), _new model_; _new fashion_. - -NOUVEAUTÉ, _f._ (prostitutes’), faire sa ----, _is to take to a fresh_ -“beat.” - -NOUVELLE, _f. and adj._ (familiar), à la main, _short newspaper -paragraph containing some more or less witty aphorism or joke_, -“tit-bit;” ---- couche, _the_ “coming” _people_. La ----, _the penal -settlement of New Caledonia_. Passer à la ----, _to be transported_, -“to lump the lighter,” or “to serve Her Majesty for nothing.” -(Military) Faire une descente sur de nouvelles côtes, _a jeu de mots -which has reference to the searching by imprisoned soldiers on the -person of a comrade whose first visit it is to the cell, in order to -get possession of any money he may have secreted about him_. - - Il me semble que ça sent la chair fraîche par ici.--Moi - de même; et il m’est avis que nous allons avoir à faire - une “descente sur de nouvelles côtes.” - --=CHARLES DUBOIS DE GENNES=, _Le Troupier tel qu’il est à cheval_. - -NOVEMBRE 33, _m._ (military), _officer or non-commissioned officer who -strictly adheres to military regulations_; also _a stew which contains -all kinds of condiments_. - -NOYAU, _m._ (military), _recruit_, “Johnny raw.” In the slang of the -workshop or prison, _a new-comer_. (Popular) Avoir des noyaux, _to have -money_, or “tin.” - -NOZIGUE (thieves’), _us_. - - T’as donc taffe de nozigue?--=VIDOCQ.= (_Are you then - afraid of us?_) - -NUIT, _f._ (journalists’), bourgeois de ----, _police officers, or -detectives, in plain clothes_. - - Mon ami d’Hervilly appelle ces sergents de ville déguisés - des “bourgeois de nuit;” l’expression est juste et - comique.--=FRANCIS ENNE.= - -NUMÉRO, _m._ (familiar and popular), onze, _legs_, or “Shanks’s mare.” -Prendre la voiture, or le train onze, _to walk_; termed facetiously -“pedibus cum jambis.” Etre d’un bon ----, _to be grotesque or dull_. -Gros ----, _brothel_, “flash drum, academy, or nanny-shop.” Thus called -on account of the number of large dimensions placed over the front -door of such establishments; recognizable also by their whitewashed -window-panes. Le ---- cent, _the W.C._, or “Mrs. Jones.” A play on -the word sent. Numéro sept, _rag-picker’s hook_. Je connais ton ---- -(threateningly), _I know who you are!_ This latter ejaculation seems to -be an awful threat in the mouths of English cads. Je retiens ton ---- -(threateningly), _I’ll not forget you!_ Une fille à ----, explained by -quotation. - - Il y a trois classes de prostituées: 1º les filles à - numéro ou filles de bordel: 2º les filles en carte ou - filles isolées; 3º les filles insoumises ou filles - clandestines.--=LÉO TAXIL.= - -(Cocottes’) Le ---- un, _he who keeps a girl_. - - Ça l’amant d’Amanda!... Oui! Ah! mais, tu sais, chéri, - c’est pas son numéro un.--=GRÉVIN.= - -NUMÉROTÉ, _adj._ (familiar), char ----, _cab_, “shoful, rattler, or -growler.” - - Et sautant dans un char numéroté vous vous feriez conduire - chez elle.--=P. MAHALIN.= - -NUMÉROTE TES OS (popular), _get ready for a good thrashing_, or _I’ll -break every bone in your body_, words generally uttered previous to a -set to. Varied also by the amiable invitation, “Viens que je te mange -le nez!” - - La rigolade tournait aux querelles et aux coups. Un grand - diable dépenaillé gueulait: “Je vas te démolir, numérote - tes os!”--=ZOLA.= - -NYMPHE, _f._ (common), _girl of indifferent character_; ---- de Guinée, -_negress_, _a female_ “bit o’ ebony;” ---- verte, _absinthe_, the -beverage being green. - -N’Y PAS COUPER (military), _to be confined in the guard room or cells_, -“to be roosted.” Literally _to be prevented from shirking one’s duties, -or deceiving one’s superiors_. - - Ah! tu es garde de nuit, fit-il; eh bien, attends, mon - vieux, tu n’vas pas y couper! - - --Quoi, y couper? hurla le malheureux. - - Mais l’autre écumait de colère. Il beuglait:--... Laisse - faire, va, je vas l’dire au major, et tu n’y couperas pas - de tes quinze jours de boîte!--=G. COURTELINE.= - -Also _to be prevented from taking advantage of others_, _of_ “taking -a rise out of them.” Vous n’y couperez pas, _I’ll stop your_ “little -game.” - - Ah! hurla-t-il alors, vous faites de l’esprit! Eh bien, mon - petit ami, allez vous rhabiller, je vous fiche mon billet - que vous n’y couperez pas.--=G. COURTELINE.= - -N’y pas couper de cinq ans de biribi, _not to escape five years’ -service in the “Compagnies de discipline,” or punishment companies in -Africa_. - - Vous avez beau être de la classe, allez, vous n’y couperez - pas de cinq ans de biribi.--=G. COURTELINE.= - - - - -O - - -OBÉLISCAL, or OBÉLISQUAL, _adj._ (common), _splendid_; _wonderful_, -_marvellous_, “crushing.” - - Splendide, aveuglant, obélisqual! Un ban pour la - néophyte.--=P. MAHALIN.= - -OBSERVASSE, _f._ (popular), _remark_. For observation. - -OBUSIER, _m._ (military), _the behind_. - -OCCASE, _f._ (general), _opportunity_. - - En ce bas monde, il ne faut jamais perdre une occase de - s’amuser.--=E. MONTEIL.= - -Mère d’----, _pretended mother_. (Popular) Œil d’----, _glass eye_. -(Thieves’) Chasse d’----, _glass eye_. - -OCCASION, _f._ (thieves’), _candle-stick_. - -OCCIR (familiar), used jocularly, _to kill_, “to put one out of his -misery.” - -OCCUPER (thieves’), s’---- de politique, _to extort money from persons -by threats of disclosures_. - - Les hommes qui se livrent au genre d’escroquerie dit - chantage et qui dans leur argot, prétendent s’occuper - de politique ... spéculent sur les habitudes vicieuses - de certains individus, pour les attirer, par l’appât de - leurs passions secrètes, dans des pièges où ils rançonnent - sans peine leur honteuse faiblesse.--=TARDIEU=, _Etude - Médico-légale sur les attentats aux mœurs_. - -OCHES, or LOCHES, _f. pl._ (popular), _ears_, “wattles, or lugs.” - -OCRÉAS, _m. pl._ (Saint-Cyr cadets’), _shoes_. - -OCULAIRE ASTRONOMIQUE, _m._ (billiard players’), _two balls touching -one another_, or “kissing.” - -ODEUR DE GOUSSET, _f._ (obsolete), _money_. - - Ça fait d’bons lurons qui ont l’odeur du gousset chenument - forte. Falloit les gruger d’la bonne faiseuse.--_Amusemens - à la Grecque_, 1764. - -ŒIL, _m._ (familiar and popular), américain, _sharp eye_. - - Tu vois clair, ma vieille!--Oh! on a de l’œil.--L’œil - américain! Quand on a fait la campagne d’Afrique! - --=E. MONTEIL.= - -Taper dans l’----, _to take one’s fancy_. Œil bordé d’anchois, -_inflamed eye_; ---- de bœuf, _five-franc piece_; ---- de verre, -_eye-glass_; ---- d’occase. See OCCASE. Œil en dedans _is used to -express the dull, lack-lustre expression of a drunkard’s eye_. - - Pris d’absinthe--selon sa louable habitude--Hurluret - présidait la cérémonie en sa qualité de capitaine - commandant, les poignets enfouis dans les poches, l’œil en - dedans.--=G. COURTELINE.= - -Œil en tirelire, _eye with amorous expression_; ---- marécageux, _eye -with killing expression_; ---- qui dit zut, or merde, à l’autre, -_squinting eye_, “swivel-eye.” A l’----, _gratis_. - - L’abbé R.... qui s’y connaît, traite un peu les enfants - comme sa protégée Annette; il les exploite; ils travaillent - “à l’œil” pour un salaire au moins insignifiant et pour - une becquetée de fayots, accompagnés d’hosties de temps en - temps.--=FRANCIS ENNE=, _Le Radical_. - -Avoir l’----, _to have credit_, “tick, jawbone, or day.” Faire l’----, -_to allow credit_. Crever un ---- à quelqu’un, _to refuse one credit_, -_to refuse him_ “ready gilt tick;” _to give one a kick behind_, “to toe -one’s bum,” or “to land a kick.” L’---- est crevé, _no more credit_. -The following announcement is sometimes to be read on shop windows: -“Crédit est mort; les mauvais débiteurs lui ont crevé l’œil,” which -might be rendered by “touch pot, touch penny.” - - “We know the custom of such houses,” continues he, “’tis - touch pot, touch penny.”--=GRAVES=, _Spiritual Quixote_. - -Ouvrir l’---- de 20 francs, de 30 francs, &c., _to give credit for 20 -francs, &c._ Avoir de l’----, or du chien, _to have elegance_, _to be_ -“tsing-tsing.” Faire de l’---- à une femme, _to court a woman_. Mon -----! _is expressive of refusal_; may be rendered by “don’t you wish -you may get it!” or the Americanism, “yes, in a horn.” See NÈFLES. -Avoir de l’----, du cheveu, et de la dent _is said of a woman who has -preserved her good looks_. Se mettre le doigt dans l’----, _to be -mistaken_. S’en battre l’----, _not to care a straw_, a “hang.” Un tape -à l’----, _a one-eyed man_, or a “seven-sided animal,” as “he has an -inside, outside, left side, right side, foreside, backside, and blind -side.” Taper dans l’---- à quelqu’un, _to please one_, _to suit one_. -Taper de l’----, _to sleep_, “to have a dose of balmy.” Tortiller, or -tourner de l’----, _to die_, “to kick the bucket.” Avoir un ---- au -beurre noir, _to have a black eye, or eyes in_ “half-mourning.” - - Mais il aperçut Bibi-la-Grillade, qui lisait également - l’affiche. Bibi avait un œil au beurre noir, quelque coup - de poing attrapé la veille.--=ZOLA=, _L’Assommoir_. - -Des yeux au beurre noir, _black eyes_, “in mourning.” The possessor of -these is said in pugilistic slang to have his “peepers painted,” or to -have his “glaziers darkened.” - -ŒILLETS, _m. pl._ (popular), _eyes_, “top lights, or peepers.” Cligner -des ----, _to wink_. - -ŒUF, _m._ (popular), _head_, or “nut.” Casser son ----, _to have a -miscarriage_. Un ---- sur le plat, _twenty-five francs_ (_a silver -five-franc piece and a twenty-franc gold coin_). Des œufs sur le plat, -_black eyes_, or “eyes in mourning.” Also _small breasts_. - - N’allez pas m’dire qu’une femme qui n’a qu’deux œufs - sur le plat posés sur la place d’armes, peut avoir une - fluxion vraisemblable a une personne avantagée comme la - commandante?--=CHARLES LEROY=, _Le Colonel Ramollot_. - -OFFICIER, _m._ (popular), _working confectioner_; _assistant waiter -at a café_; (gamesters’) ---- de tango, or de topo, _cheat_, “tame -cheater, or hawk.” A play on the words “carte topographique;” -(thieves’) ---- de la manicle, _swindler_; (military) ---- de guérite, -_a private soldier_; ---- payeur, _comrade who treats the company to -drink_. - -OFFICIEUX, _m._ (familiar), _man-servant_. - -OGRE, _m._ (popular), _wholesale rag-dealer_. Formerly _one who kept -an office for providing substitutes for those who, having drawn a -bad number at the conscription, had to serve in the army_; _usurer_; -(thieves’) _receiver of stolen property_, or “fence;” _landlord of a -wine-shop frequented by thieves_, or “boss of cross-crib;” (printers’) -_compositor who works by the day_. - -OGRESSE, _f._ (thieves’), _proprietress of a wine-shop frequented by -thieves_, or “cross-crib;” _proprietress of a brothel_. - -OIE, _f._ (familiar), la petite ---- (obsolete), _preliminary -caresses_, better explained by quotation. - - Ce sont les petites faveurs qu’accordent les femmes à - leurs amants, comme petits baisers tendres, attouchements - et autres badineries, qui conduisent insensiblement plus - loin. La petite oie, c’est proprement les préludes de - l’amour.--=LE ROUX=, _Dict. Comique_. - -OIGNES, _m. pl._ (popular), aux petits ----, _excellently_, _in -first-rate style_. For aux petits oignons. - -OIGNON, _m._ (popular), _money_, or “blunt.” For synonyms see QUIBUS. -It has been said that the term “blunt” is from the French “blond,” -sandy or golden colour, and that a parallel may be found in brown or -browns, the slang for halfpence. This etymology, it has been said -again, may be correct, as it is borne out by the analogy of similar -expressions; blanquillo, for instance, is a word used in Morocco and -southern Spain for a small Moorish coin. The “asper” (ασπρὸν) of -Constantinople is called by the Turks akcheh, _i.e._, little white. -It seems to me more probable, however, that the word is derived from -blanc, an old French coin, or from the nature of the coin itself, -which has a blunt circular edge. Arranger aux petits oignons, _to -scold vehemently_, “to bully-rag.” Chaîne d’oignons, _ten of cards_. -Champ d’oignons, see CHAMP. Il y a de l’----, _there is much groaning -and gnashing of teeth_. An allusion to the tears brought to the eyes -by the proximity of onions. Peler des oignons, _to scold_, “to give -a wigging.” (Familiar and popular) Faire quelque chose aux petits -oignons, _to do something excellently, in first-rate style_. - - Vous savez, elle est cocasse votre chanson, et vous l’avez - détaillée ... aux petits oignons!--=E. MONTEIL.= - -Un ----, _a large watch_, “turnip.” - -OISEAU, _m._ (popular), faire l’----, _to play the fool_. Aux oiseaux, -_very fine, or very good_, _excellent_, _perfect_, “out-and-out, -first-class.” - - Ca m’ paroît bien tapé, “aux oiseaux,” mamzelle. Fourrez - un peu la main sous l’empeigne pour voir tout l’fini - d’l’ouvrage.--=SAINT-FIRMIN=, _Le Galant Savetier_. - -The origin of this expression comes, no doubt, from certain bindings -in fashion in the eighteenth century, which bore birds in the corners. -People would say then, une reliure aux oiseaux. Se donner des noms -d’----, _is said ironically of gushing lovers who give one another -fond appellations_. Oiseau de cage, _prisoner_, “canary;” ---- fatal, -_crow_. The expression reminds one of Virgil’s-- - - Sæpe sinistra cava prædixit ab ilice cornix, - -and of La Fontaine’s-- - - Un corbeau - Tout à l’heure annonçait malheur à quelque oiseau. - -OLIVE DE SAVETIER, _f._ (popular), _turnip_. See CHANGER. - -OMBRE, _f._ (general), _prison_, or “quod.” - - Elle sera condamnée dans le gerbement de la Pouraille, et - grâciée pour révélation après un an d’ombre!--=BALZAC.= - -A l’----, _in prison_, _in_ “quod.” Mettre quelqu’un à l’----, _to kill -one_, “to do for one.” See REFROIDIR. - -OMELETTE, _f._ (military), _practical joke which consists in turning -topsy-turvy the bed of a sleeping soldier_; ---- du sac, _similar -operation performed on the contents of a knapsack_. - -OMETTRE (thieves’), l’----, _to kill him_. - -OMNIBUS, _m._ (popular), _overflow of liquids on the counter of a -wine-shop collected in a tank and retailed at a low price_; _glass -holding a demi-setier of wine_. On some wine-shops in the suburbs may -yet be seen the inscription: “Ici on prend l’omnibus.” Un ----, _a -prostitute_, or “mot.” Literally _one who may be ridden by all_. For -synonyms see GADOUE. Omnibus, _extra waiter at a restaurant or café_; -also _one who loafs about the streets of Paris without any visible -means of livelihood_. - - Omnibus, batteur de pavé, c’est-à-dire des gens que l’on - rencontre sur tous les points de Paris comme les véhicules - dont ils portent le nom, mais qui diffèrent de ceux-ci en - ce qu’ils n’ont ni couleur, ni enseigne, ni lanterne pour - indiquer où ils vont et d’où ils viennent.--=PAUL MAHALIN.= - -Attendre l’----, _to wait for one’s glass to be filled_; (thieves’) ----- de coni, _hearse_; ---- à pègres, _prison van_, or “black Maria.” - -OMNIBUSARD, _m._ (popular), _beggar who plies his trade in omnibuses_. -He pretends not to have sufficient money wherewith to pay his fare, and -by a pitiful tale awakens the compassion of the passengers. - -OMNICOCHEMAR À LA COLLE, _m._ (thieves’), _bus driver_. Thus called -because he seems stuck to his box. - -OMNICROCHE, _f._ (thieves’), _omnibus_, “chariot.” Faire l’----, _to -pick pockets in an omnibus_, an operation which goes among English -thieves by the name of “chariot-buzzing.” Gaule d’----, _bus driver_. -Termed also échalas d’----. - -ON (thieves’), à sa gin, _here is_; ---- à lavarès, _drunken man_. -On à sa gin on à lavarès, _here is a drunken man_. I have given the -expression in my informant’s own spelling. (Popular) On pave! _words -which mean that a certain street is to be avoided for fear of meeting a -creditor_. - - Exclamation pittoresque qui exprime l’effroi d’un débiteur - amené par hasard à passer dans une rue où se trouve un - “loup.” Le “typo” débiteur fait alors un circuit plus ou - moins long pour éviter la rue où l’ “on pave.”--=BOUTMY.= - -(Familiar and popular) On dirait du veau, _ironical ejaculation of -eulogy_. - - Ici-bas, chacun sur terre - Cherche à faire du nouveau; - Soit un engin pour la guerre, - Soit à distiller de l’eau. - Ce que j’veux faire est pratique: - Changer: “On dirait du veau” - Par cette phrase plus énergique: - Va donc, eh! fourneau! - - =A. QUEYRIAUX.= - -ONCHETS, _m. pl._ (military), partie d’----, _a duel_. Onchets, -properly _spellicans_. - - C’est-à-dire que tu es dans l’intention d’entamer une - seconde partie d’onchets, conséquemment. - --=C. DUBOIS DE GENNES.= - -ONCLE, _m._ (popular), _usurer_. - - Ce mot symbolise l’usure, comme dans la langue populaire ma - tante signifie le prêt sur gage.--=BALZAC.= - -Mon ---- du prêt, _pawnbroker’s_, or “lug-shop.” (Thieves’) Oncle, -_jailer_, or “jigger-dubber.” - -ONCLESSE, _f._ (thieves’), _jailer’s wife_. - -ONDOYEUSE, _f._ (thieves’), _wash-hand basin_. - -ONGLE, _m._ (popular), croche, _miser_, or “hunks.” Avoir les ongles -croches, _to be deceitful_, _not over-scrupulous_. - -ONGUENT, _m._ (old cant), _money_, or “palm grease.” See QUIBUS. - -ONZE (familiar), du ---- gendarme, _extra large size for gloves_. - - Ses vastes mains aux doigts écartés, chaussées de gants - presque blancs, dont la pointure ne devait point être - inférieure à ce que l’on appelle familièrement du “onze - gendarme.”--_Le Mot d’Ordre._ - -OP’, _m._ (boulevards’), for Opéra. - - Le premier bal de l’Op’, ou, pour mieux parler, le premier - bal masqué de l’Opéra, est le commencement de l’ère des - plaisirs.--=MIRLITON=, _Gil Blas_. - -OPÉRATEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _executioner_. - -OPÉRER (thieves’), _to guillotine_. See FAUCHÉ. - -OPINEUR HÉSITANT, _m._ (popular), _juryman_. - -OPIUMISTE, _m._ (familiar), _one who smokes opium_. - -ORANGER, _m._ (popular), _woman’s breasts_, “Charlies, dairies, or -bubbies.” Termed also “œufs sur la place d’armes, avant-postes, -avant-scènes, nénais.” - -ORANGES, _f. pl._ (popular), à cochons, _potatoes_, “spuds, or bog -oranges.” - - La pomme de terre est aussitôt saluée par l’argot d’orange - à cochons.--=BALZAC.= - -Potatoes are also termed “murphies,” probably from the Irish national -liking for them. They are sometimes called “Donovans.” At the R. M. -Academy fried potatoes go by the name of “greasers.” Des ---- sur -l’étagère, _woman’s breasts_, “Charlies, bubbies, or dairies.” - - Les sœurs Souris, dont l’aînée avait été surnommée la Reine - des Amazones, eu égard à certaine opération chirurgicale - qui lui avait enlevé “une des oranges de son étagère.” - --=P. MAHALIN.= - -ORBITE, _m._ (popular), se calfeutrer l’----, _to close one’s eyes_. - -ORDINAIRE, _m._ (familiar and popular), _soup and boiled beef at a -small restaurant_. Les ordinaires, _menses_. - -ORDONNANCE, _f._ (military), papier qui n’est pas d’----, _bank-notes_. -D’ordonnance, properly _regulation_. The French soldier’s pay does not, -as a rule, enable him to have bank-notes in his possession; hence the -allusion. - -ORDONNE (popular), Madame J’----, _is said of a woman who likes to -order people about_, _of an imperious person_. - - Quand s’lève Madame J’ordonne, - Demand’ son chocolat. - Dépêchez-vous, la bonne, - Surtout n’en buvez pas. - - =RÉMY=, _Victoire la Cuisinière_. - -ORDRE, _m._ (military), copier l’----, _to do fatigue duty_. Military -wags when detailed for fatigue duty will sometimes say, pointing to -their brooms, that they are going to copy the order. (Familiar) Ordre -moralien, _ironical appellation applied to the Conservative party by -their opponents in 1879_. - -OR-DUR, _m._ (familiar and popular), _gold-plated brass_. A play on the -words or, _gold_, and ordure, _filth_. - -ORDURES, _f. pl._ (journalists’), boîte aux ----, _special column in -certain newspapers, reserved, of course, for quotations from hostile -contemporaries_. (Popular) Boîte aux ----, _the breech_. See VASISTAS. - -OREILLARD, _m._ (popular), _ass_, or “moke.” - -OREILLE À L’ENFANT, _f._ (familiar), avoir fait une ----, _is said of a -man who has done all that is necessary, in co-operation with others, to -be able to think that a child’s paternity may be traced to him_. - -ORFÈVRE, _m._ (familiar and popular), _facetiously used for_ Morphée. -Etre dans les bras de l’----, _to be asleep_, or “in Murphy’s arms.” - -ORGANE, _f._ (thieves’), _hunger_. - -ORGUE, _m._ (popular), jouer de l’----, _to snore_, “to drive one’s -pigs to market.” (Thieves’) Orgue, _man_, or “cove.” Manger sur l’----, -or jaspiner de l’----, _to peach_, _to inform_, “to blow the gaff, to -turn snitch.” Mon ----, ton ----, son ----, &c., _I_, _thou_, _he_, -_myself_, _&c._ Parler en ----, or en iergue, en aille, en muche, _to -disguise words by the use of these words as suffixes_. “Vouziergue -trouvaille bonorgue ce gigotmuche?” _Do you think this leg of mutton -good?_ A question put to a jailer by the celebrated rogue Cartouche--a -French Jack Sheppard and Dick Turpin put together--with a view to -ascertain whether his proferred bribe was deemed sufficient. - -ORIENT, _m._ (thieves’), _gold_, or “redge.” Une bogue d’----, _a gold -watch_, or “red ’un.” - - Rebouise donc ce niert, ses maltaises et son pèze sont en - salade dans la valade de son croisant; pécille l’orient - avec ta fourchette.--=CANLER.= (_Look at that man; his gold - coin and change are loose in his waistcoat pocket; take out - the gold with your fingers._) - -ORLÉÂNERIE, _f._ (journalists’), _series of disparaging anecdotes or -facts concerning the Orléans family, and published under the above head -in Radical papers_. - -ORLÉANS, _m._ (thieves’), _vinegar_. An allusion to the vinegar -manufactories at Orleans. - -ORNICHON, _m._ (thieves’), _chicken_, “cackling cheat.” - -ORNIE, _f._ (thieves’ and beggars’), _hen_, “margery prater;” ---- de -balle, _turkey-hen_, or “cobble colter.” Engrailler l’----, _to catch_ -_a fowl_, generally by angling with a hook and line, the bait being -a worm or snail. Termed “snaggling” in the English cant. Engrailler -l’---- de balle, _to steal turkeys_, _to be a_ “Turkey merchant.” - -ORNIÈRE, _f._ (thieves’), _hen-house_, “cackler’s ken.” - -ORNION, _m._ (thieves’), _capon_. - -ORPHELIN, _m._ (popular), _cigar end_; ---- de muraille, _lump of -excrement_, “quaker.” (Thieves’) Orphelin, _goldsmith_. Des orphelins, -_gang of thieves_, “mob.” - -ORPHELINE DE LACENAIRE (journalists’), _prostitute of the Boulevard_. - -ORPHIE, _m._ (thieves’), _bird_. - -OS (familiar and popular), _money_, “oof, or stumpy.” See QUIBUS. With -regard to the English slang expression, Mr. T. Lewis O. Davies, in his -_Supplementary English Glossary_, says: “Stumpy, _money_, _that which -is paid down on the nail or stump_.” - - Reduced to despair, they ransomed themselves by the payment - of sixpence a head, or, to adopt his own figurative - expression in all its native beauty: “till they was - reg’larly done over, and forked out the stumpy.”--_Sketches - by Boz._ - -Called also “pécune,” which corresponds to the Eton boys’ term “pec” -for money, from pecunia. Avoir de l’----, _to have money_, _to have -the_ “oof-bird.” (Popular) Os à moelle, _a repulsive term for nose_, -“conk, smeller, snorter, boko.” See MORVIAU. Faire juter l’---- à -moelle, _to use one’s fingers as a handkerchief_. Casser les ---- de la -tête, _to kiss one heartily_. - -OSANORES, _m. pl._ (thieves’), _teeth_, or “grinders.” Jouer des ----, -_to eat_, “to grub.” See MASTIQUER. - -OSEILLE, _f._ (popular), _money_, “stumpy, or oof.” See QUIBUS. Avoir -mangé de l’----, _to be in a bad humour_, _to be_ “snaggy.” (Thieves’) -La faire à l’----, _to do a good_ “job.” See FAIRE. (Theatrical) Scènes -de l’----, _scenes in which the female supernumeraries make their -appearance in very suggestive attire_. - -OSSELETS, _m. pl._ (thieves’), _teeth_, “ivories,” or “bones.” - -OSTANT (Breton cant), _individual_; _master of a house_. - -OSTROGOTH, _m._ (general), _dunce_. Also _rude, rough fellow_. - -OTAGE, _m._ (popular), _priest_. An allusion to the priests taken as -hostages by the insurgents of 1871, and shot by them. - -OTOLONDRER (thieves’), _to annoy_, _to bore_, “to spur.” - -OTOLONDREUR, _m._ (thieves’), _tiresome man_. - -OTRO (Breton cant), _pig_. - -OUATER (painters’), _to paint outlines with too much vagueness, -without vigour_. Properly _to pad_. - -OUI (printers’), en plume! _fiddle-faddle!_ (popular) ---- les -lanciers! _nonsense!_ “rot.” - -OUISTITI, _m._, envoyer un ----, _to break off one’s connection with a -mistress_, or, as the English slang has it, “to bury a moll.” - - Lorsqu’une liaison commence à le fatiguer, il envoie un de - ses ouistitis P. P. C. Une façon à lui de faire la grimace - à ce qu’il n’aime plus.... Au grand club on ne dit plus - lâcher une maîtresse, mais lui envoyer son ouistiti. - --=A. DAUDET.= - -OURLER. See BEQ. - -OURS, _m._ (theatrical), _play which a manager produces on the stage -only when he has nothing else at his disposal_; _a literary production -or article which has been refused by every editor_. Marchand, or meneur -d’----, _playwright or literary man whose spécialité is to produce_ -“ours,” _which he offers to every manager or editor_. (Printers’) Ours, -_idle talk_. Poser un ----, _to bore one by idle talk_. - - Se dit d’un compagnon, peu disposé au travail, qui vient - en déranger un autre sans que celui-ci puisse s’en - débarrasser.--=BOUTMY.= - -Ours, _pressman_, or “pig.” - - Le mouvement de va-et-vient qui ressemble assez à celui - de l’ours en cage, par lequel les pressiers se portent - de l’encrier à la presse, leur a valu sans doute ce - sobriquet.--=BALZAC.= - -(Familiar and popular) Ours, _prison_; _guard-room, or cells_, “Irish -theatre, or mill.” Flanquer à l’----, _to imprison_, “to put in limbo.” -The latter term, according to the _Slang Dictionary_, comes from -limbus, or limbus patrum, a mediæval theological term for purgatory. -The Catholic Church teaches that “limbo” was that part of hell where -holy people who died before the Redemption were kept. Envoyer à l’----, -_to send to the deuce_. A l’----! _to the deuce!_ - - Assez! assez! à l’ours!--Mes enfants je vous rappelle au - calme.--=E. MONTEIL=, _Cornebois_. - -(Popular) Ours, _goose_. - -OURSERIE, _f._ (popular), _living the life of a bear_. - -OURSIN, _m._ (thieves’), _young thief_, or “ziff.” - -OUS’ (popular), qu’est mon fusil? _is expressive of feigned anger at -some silly assertion or bad joke_; ---- que tu demeures? _is expressive -of a mock show of interest_; ---- que vous allez sans parapluie, _you -are a simpleton_, “how’s your brother Job?” - -OUTIL, _m._ (prostitutes’), de besoin, _good-for-nothing bully_. -(Thieves’) Des outils, _housebreaking implements_, “jilts, or twirls.” - -OUTRANCIER, _m._, _name given in 1870 to those who wished to continue -the war_. - -OUVRAGE, _m._ (popular), _excrement_, or “quaker;” (thieves’) -_robbery_, “push, or sneaking budge.” See GRINCHISSAGE. - -OUVRIER, _m._ (thieves’), _thief_, or “prig.” See GRINCHE. - - Il me dit qu’il venait de travailler en cambrouze avec des - ouvriers qui venaient de tomber malades.--=VIDOCQ.= (_He - told me he had done some job in the country with thieves - who had just been convicted._) - -OUVRIÈRE, _f._ (bullies’), _prostitute_; _mistress of a bully_. - -OUVRIR. See COMPAS. (Familiar) Ouvrir son robinet, _to begin talking_. - - Oh! bien! si Linois ouvre son robinet!... On va en entendre - de salées.--=E. MONTEIL.= - -Ouvrir l’œil et le bon, _to watch carefully_; _to seek to avoid being -deceived_. - -OVALE, _m._ (thieves’), _oil_. De l’---- et de l’acite, _oil and -vinegar_. - - - - -P - - -P (popular), faire le ----, _to look displeased_. - -PACANT, _m._ (thieves’), _peasant_, or “clod;” _clumsy fellow_; -_intruder_. - - Mais ce pacant-là va tout gâter.--=BALZAC=, _Pierre - Grassou_. - -PACCIN, or PACMON, _m._ (thieves’), _parcel_, or “peter.” From paquet, -_parcel_. - -PACQUELIN, _m._ (thieves’), _country_. - - Un suage est à maquiller la sorgue dans la toile du - ratichon du pacquelin.--=VIDOCQ.= (_A murder and robbery - will take place at night in the country priest’s house._) - -Brème de ----, _map_. Le ---- du raboin, _the infernal regions_. - -PACQUELINAGE, _m._ (thieves’), _journey_. - -PACQUELINER (thieves’), _to travel_. - -PACQUELINEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _traveller_. - -PACSIN, PACCIN, or PACMON, _m._ (thieves’), _parcel_, or “peter.” - -PAF, _adj._ (popular), _drunk_, or “tight.” See POMPETTE. - - Vous avez été joliment paf hier.--=BALZAC.= - -PAFF, _m._ (thieves’), _brandy_, or “bingo,” in old English cant. - - Quelques voleurs qui, dans un accès de cette bonhomie que - produisent deux ou trois coups de “paff” versés à propos, - se laisseraient “tirer la carotte” sur leurs affaires - passées.--=VIDOCQ.= - -PAFFE, _f._ (popular), donner une ----, _to thrash_, “to wallop.” See -VOIE. Paffe, _shoe_, “trotter-case.” - -PAFFER, or EMPAFFER (popular), se ----, _to get drunk_, “to get tight.” -See SCULPTER. - -PAGAIE, _f._ (military), mettre en ----, literally en pas gaie, _to -play on recruits a practical joke, which consists in arranging their -beds in such a way that everything will come to the ground directly -they get into them_. - -PAGE, _f. and m._ (printers’), blanche, _good workman_. Etre ---- -blanche en tout, _to be a good workman and good comrade_; _to be -innocent_. - - En cette affaire vous n’êtes pas page blanche.--=BOUTMY.= - -(Popular) Page d’Alphand, _scavenger in the employ of the city of -Paris_, M. Alphand being the chief engineer of the Board of Works of -that town. - -PAGNE, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _bed_, “doss, bug-walk, or kip;” -(thieves’) _provisions brought by friends to a prisoner_. - - J’ai un bon cœur; tu l’as vu lorsque je lui portais le - “pagne à la Lorcefé” (provision à la Force).--=VIDOCQ.= - -PAGNOTEN (Breton cant), _shrew_; _girl of indifferent character_. - -PAGNOTER (popular), _to go to bed_; ---- avec une grognasse, _to sleep -with a woman_. - -PAGNOTTE, _adj._ (popular), _cowardly_ (obsolete). - -PAGOURE (thieves’), _to take_; _to steal_. Ils l’ont fargué à la dure -pour pagoure son bobinarès, _they attacked him in order to steal his -watch_. - -PAIES (popular), c’est tout ce que tu ----? _have you nothing more -interesting to say? or, what next?_ - - Prenez garde, mon fils! la pente du vice est glissante; - tel qui commence par une peccadille peut finir sur - l’échafaud!--C’est tout ce que tu paies?--=RANDON.= - -PAILLASSE, _f._ (popular), _body_, or “apple-cart.” Termed also -“paillasse aux légumes.” Crever la ---- à quelqu’un, _to kill one_, “to -do for one.” - - En voilà assez avec “au chose,” il faut lui crever la - paillasse; qui est-ce qui en est?--=G. COURTELINE.= - -Manger sa ----, _to say one’s prayers by one’s bedside_, “to chop -the whines.” Bourrer la ----, _to eat_, “to peck.” Paillasse, _low -prostitute_, or “draggle-tail.” - - Du temps qu’elle faisait la noce, - Jamais on n’aurait pu rencontrer,--c’est certain-- - Paillasse plus cynique et plus rude catin. - - =GILL.= - -Paillasse à soldats, or de corps de garde, _soldier’s wench_, or -“barrack-hack.” Termed also ---- à troufion. (Prostitutes’) Brûler -----, _to make off without paying a prostitute_, termed, in the English -slang, “to do a bilk.” - - Le client n’est pas toujours un miché consciencieux. - Quelquefois elles ont affaire à de mauvais plaisants qui - ne se font aucun scrupule de ne pas les payer; en argot - de prostitution on appelle cela “brûler paillasse.” - --=LÉO TAXIL.= - -(Military) Traîne ----, _a fourrier, or non-commissioned officer who -has charge of the bedding and furniture department_. - -PAILLASSON, _m._ (theatrical), _short play acted before a more -important one is performed_. - - Le spectacle commença par une petite pièce, le lever de - rideau habituel que l’on a, depuis, appelé en argot de - coulisses le “paillasson,” parcequ’on la joue pendant que - les retardataires arrivent.--=A. SIRVEN=, _La Chasse aux - Vierges_. - -(Popular) N’avoir plus de ---- à la porte, _to be bald_, “to have a -bladder of lard.” For synonyms see AVOIR. - - Eh! ben! en v’là un vieux gâteux! avec son crâne à - l’encaustique. S’il avait des cheveux, il serait encore - assez réussi. Mais il n’a plus de fil sur la bobine, plus - de crin sur la brosse, plus de gazon sur le pré, il a - l’caillou déplumé, quoi? Enfin, n’y a plus de paillasson à - la porte.--=BAUMAINE ET BLONDELET.= - -PAILLASSON, _prostitute’s lover_. See POISSON. Un ----, _one who is too -fond of the petticoat_, a “molrower, or mutton-monger.” - - Paillasson, quoi! Cœur d’artichaut. - . . . . . . . . - A c’fourbis-là, mon vieux garçon, - --Qu’vous m’direz,--on n’fait pas fortune, - Faut un’ marmite,--et n’en faut qu’une; - Y a pas d’fix’ pour un paillasson. - - =GILL=, _La Muse à Bibi_. - -PAILLE, _f._ (thieves’), _lace_, or “driz.” (Popular) C’est une ----! -_only a trifle!_ The expression is ironical, and is meant to convey -just the opposite. Ne plus avoir de ---- sur le tabouret, _to be bald_. -(Military) Paille de fer, _bayonet_, “cold steel;” _sword_. Avoir la ----- au cul, _to be declared physically unfit for military service_. -(Card-sharpers’) Paille, _swindle at cards, which consists in bending a -certain card at the place where it is required to cut the pack_. Couper -dans la ----, _to cut a pack thus prepared_. Synonymous of “couper dans -le pont.” - -PAILLER (gambling cheats’), _to arrange cards, when shuffling them, for -cheating_, “to stock broads.” - -PAILLETÉE, _f._ (popular), _gay girl of the Boulevards_. For list of -synonyms see GADOUE. - -PAILLOT, _m._ (popular), _door-mat_. Plaquer la tournante sous le ----, -_to conceal the key under the door-mat_. - -PAIN, _m._ (popular), _blow_; ---- à cacheter, _consecrated wafer_. -Also _the moon_. Tortorer le ---- à cacheter, _to partake of -communion_. Du ----! _ironical expression of refusal_. Prête-moi dix -francs. Dix francs? et du ----? _Lend me ten francs? Ten francs? what -next?_ Manger du ---- rouge, _to live on the proceeds of thefts_. -(Military) Pain à trente-six sous, _soldier’s biscuit_. Ton ----, son -----, a reply which is equivalent to _nothing of the kind_, _not at -all_. Le brigadier a dit qu’il te ficherait au Mazarot. Il y foutra son -----. _The corporal said he would send you to the cells. He will do -nothing of the kind._ - -PAING, _m._ (popular), _blow_, “bang, clout, wipe,” or, as the -Americans say, “biff.” Passer chez ----, _to thrash_, “to wallop.” See -VOIE. - -PAIRE, _f._ (popular), de cymbales, _ten francs_. (Thieves’) Se faire -la ----, _to run away_, “to guy.” Se faire une ---- de mains courantes, -_to run away_, “to guy.” For synonyms see PATATROT. (Military) Une ---- -d’étuis de mains courantes, _a pair of boots_. - -PAIRS, _m. pl._ La chambre des ----, _was formerly, at the hulks, the -part assigned to convicts for life_. - -PAIX-LÀ, _m._ (popular), _usher in a court of justice_. I find in -Larchey’s _Dictionnaire d’Argot_ the following anecdote:-- - - Le parasite Montmaur fut un jour persifflé dans une maison. - Dès qu’il parut sur le seuil, un des convives se mit à - crier guerre! guerre! C’était un avocat dont le père avait - été huissier. Montmaur n’eut garde de l’oublier en lui - répondant: “Combien vous dégénérez, monsieur, car votre - père n’a jamais dit que paix! paix!” - -PALABRE, _f._ (popular), _tiresome discourse_. - -PALADIER, _m._ (thieves’), _meadow_. - -PALAIS, _m._ (thieves’), le courrier du ----, _the prison van_. Called -“Black Maria” at Newgate. Termed also “panier à salade.” - -PALAS, _adj._ (thieves’), _handsome_, _pretty_, _nice_, “dimber.” - -PÂLE, _m._ (domino players’), _the white at dominoes_. - -PALERON, _m._ (thieves’), _foot_, “dew-beater.” - -PALET, _m._ (popular), un ----, une thune, or une roue de derrière, _a -five-franc piece_. - -PALETOT, _m._ (popular), _coffin_, “cold meat box. (Familiar) Un ---- -court, _a dandy or_ “masher” _of the year 1882_. See GOMMEUX. - -PALETTE, _f._ (popular and thieves’), _guitar_; _tooth_, or “ivory;” -_hand_, “duke.” - - Le diable m’enlève si je me sauve! Les palettes - et les paturons ligotés (les mains et les pieds - attachés).--=VIDOCQ.= - -PÂLICHON, _m._ (domino players’), _double blank_. - -PALLAS, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _puffing speech of mountebanks_. - - Ah! c’était le bon temps du “boniment,” de l’ “invite,” du - “pallas”:--Prenez, prenez, prenez vos billets.--_Journal - Amusant._ - -Faire ----, _to make a great fuss_. Concerning this term Michel -says:--“Terme des camelots et des saltimbanques, emprunté à l’ancienne -germania espagnole ou ‘hacer pala’ se disait quand un voleur se plaçait -devant la personne qu’il s’agissait de voler, dans le but d’occuper -ses yeux.” (Printers’) Pallas, _emphatic speech_. Faire ----, _to -make a great fuss apropos of nothing_. Concerning the expression -Boutmy says:--“C’est sans doute par une reminiscence classique qu’on -a emprunté ironiquement, pour désigner ce genre de discours, l’un des -noms de la sage Minerve, déesse de l’éloquence.” - - Combien qui y en a, des pègres de la haute qui après avoir - roulé sur l’or et l’argent et avoir fait pallas sont allés - mourir là-bas.--=VIDOCQ.= - -PALLASSER (printers’) _to talk in an emphatic manner_. Probably for -parlasser. - -PALLASSEUR, _m._ (printers’) _one who makes diffuse incoherent speeches -while seeking to be emphatic_. - -PALMÉ, _m. and adj._ (popular), _stupid, foolish fellow_, a “flat.” -Literally _one with webbed feet like a goose’s_. - -PALMIPÈDE. See PALMÉ. - -PALOT, PALLOT, _m._ (thieves’), _countryman_, “clod”. From paille. - -PALOTE, _f._ (thieves’), _peasant woman_; _moon_, “parish lantern, or -Oliver.” - -PALPER (popular), de la galette, _to receive money_. Se ----, _to have -to do without_. - - Je dirai tout ce que tu voudras; seul’ment, tu sais, tu - peux t’ palper, c’est comme des dattes pour être reçu au - rapport.--=G. COURTELINE.= - -PALPITANT, _m._ (thieves’), _the heart_, or “panter.” - - Va, nous l’avons échappé belle, j’en ai encore le palpitant - (cœur) qui bat la générale; pose ta main là-dessus, sens-tu - comme il fait tic-tac?--=VIDOCQ.= - -PÂMEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _fish_. A fish gasps like one swooning. - -PAMPELUCHE, PANTIN, PANTRUCHE, _m._ (thieves’), _Paris_. - -PAMPEZ (Breton cant), _rustic_. - -PAMPINE, _f._ (thieves’), _ugly face_, “knocker-face;” _sister of -mercy_. Pampine (obsolete), _thick-lipped_, _coarse mouth_. - - Et toi, où qu’ t’iras, vilaine pampine, figure à chien, - tête de singe, matelas d’invalide?--_Riche-en-gueule._ - -PÂMURE, _f._ (popular), _smart box on the ear_, or “buck-horse.” - -PANA, _m._ (popular), vieux ----, _old miser_, _old_ “hunks.” - -PANACHE, _m._ (familiar), avoir du ----, _to be elegant_, _dashing_, -“to be tsing-tsing.” (Popular) Avoir le ----, _to be drunk_, or -“screwed.” See POMPETTE. Faire ----, _to take a flying leap over one’s -horse’s head_, an unwilling one, of course. - -PANADE, _f. and adj._ (popular), _ugly person_; _without energy_, -“sappy.” - -PANAILLEUX, _m._ (popular), _poor starving wretch_, or “quisby.” - -PANAIS, _m._ (popular), être en ----, _to be in one’s shirt_, _in -one’s_ “flesh bag.” - -PANAMA, _m._ (printers’), _gross error_, “mull.” - - Bévue énorme, dans la composition, l’imposition ou - le tirage, et qui nécessite un carton ou un nouveau - tirage.--=BOUTMY.= - -(Popular) Panama, _dandy_, or “gorger.” For synonyms see GOMMEUX. - -PANARIS, _m._ (popular), _mother-in-law_. An allusion to the irritating -pain caused by a white swelling on the finger. - -PANAS, _m. pl._ (popular), _dandy_, or “gorger,” see GOMMEUX; _rags_; -_glass splinters and ether refuse_. Un ----, _poor man out of work_, -_out of_ “collar.” - -PANCARTE, _f._ (military), se faire aligner sur la ----, _to get -punished_. - -PANDORE, _m._ (familiar and popular), _gendarme_. From a song by Nadaud. - -PANÉ, _adj. and m._ (general), _needy_, _hard up_, one “in Queer -street.” - - Tous des panés, mon cher! Pas un n’a coupé dans le pont. Me - mènes-tu boulotter au Bouillon Duval?--=P. MAHALIN.= - -PANIER À SALADE, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _prison van_, or “Black -Maria.” - - Puis il se détira et se secoua violemment pour rendre - l’élasticité à ses membres engourdis par l’exiguité du - compartiment du “panier à salade.”--=GABORIAU.= - -Panier au pain, _stomach_, or “bread-basket.” Avoir chié dans le ---- -de quelqu’un jusqu’à l’anse, _to have behaved very ill to one_. (Saint -Lazare prisoners’) Recevoir le ----, _to receive provisions brought -from the outside_. (Popular) Panier aux crottes, _behind_, or “Nancy.” - - Pas de clarinette pour secouer le panier aux crottes des - dames.--=ZOLA.= - -Remuer le ---- aux crottes, _to dance_, “to shake a leg.” Le ---- aux -ordures, _bed_, “doss, or bug-walk.” Panier à deux anses, _man walking -with a woman on each arm_. (Journalists’) Le ---- aux ordures, _that -part of the paper reserved for quotations from hostile journals_. -(Thieves’) Le ---- à Charlot, _the executioner’s basket_, _that which -receives the body of the executed criminal_. Charlot is the nickname of -the executioner. - - A l’autre extrémité de la salle, un groupe de détraqués - dévisagent une fille qui a été la maîtresse d’un guillotiné - ... ils aiment l’odeur du panier à Charlot.--=LOUISE MICHEL.= - -PANIOT. See REVIDAGE. - -PANIOTER. See PAGNOTER. - -PANIQUER (thieves), _to be afraid_, or “funky.” Se ----, _to be on -one’s guard_. Synonymous of “taffer, avoir le taf, le trac, or la -frousse.” - -PANNE, _f._ (general), _poverty_; _bad circumstances_, or “Queer -street.” - - Quand il n’y a plus de son, les ânes se battent, n’est-ce - pas? Lantier flairait la panne; ça l’exaspérait de sentir - la maison déjà mangée.--=ZOLA.= - -(Picture dealers’) Panne, _inferior picture sold above value_. - - Le brocanteur avait groupé un ramassis d’objets tarés, - invendables ... vous m’entendez, vieux ... pas de carottes, - pas de pannes... La dame s’y connaît.--=A. DAUDET=, _Les - Rois en Exil_. - -(Theatrical) Panne, _unimportant part, consisting of a few lines_, _or -part which does not show to advantage an actor’s powers_. - - Puis, cette saleté de Bordenave lui donnait encore une - panne, un rôle de cinquante lignes.--=ZOLA.= - -(Sailors’) Laisser quelqu’un en ----, _to forsake one in difficulties_; -_to leave one in the lurch_. Properly _to leave one lying to_. - - Amen! répondit le matelot, mais sans vouloir vous fâcher, - la mère, m’est avis que les saints, les anges, et le - bon Dieu nous laissent joliment en panne depuis quelque - temps.--=RICHEPIN=, _La Glu_. - -PANNÉ, _adj. and m._ (general), _needy_; _needy man_; ---- comme la -Hollande, _very needy_, _very_ “hard up.” Etre ----, _to be in bad -circumstances_. - - J’suis un homme propre, moi, et électeur ... et ouvrier ... - sans ouvrage depuis qu’ ma sœur est à Lazare. (La dame lui - donne dix sous.) Dix sous! Va donc eh! pannée! (La dame lui - dit zut!)--=MIRLITON=, _Gil Blas_, 1887. - - Ça ne serait pas sans faute, car je suis “panné,” dieu - merci, ni peu ni trop.--=VIDOCQ.= - -The English have the expression, “to be in Queer street.” - - I am very high in “Queer Street” just now, ma’am, having - paid your little bills before I left town.--=KINGSLEY=, - _Two Years Ago_. - -PANNER QUELQU’UN (popular), _to win one’s money at some game_, “to blew -one” _of his money_. - -PANOTEUR, _m._ (popular), _poacher_. - -PANOUFLE, _f._ (popular), _wig_, “periwinkle.” Old word panufle, -_list-shoe_. - -PANSER DE LA MAIN (popular), _to thrash_, “to wallop.” Panser, _to -groom_. - -PANTALON, _m._ (familiar and popular), donner dans le ---- rouge _is -said of a girl who keeps company with a soldier, who has_ “an attack of -scarlet fever.” In the slang of English officers, a girl fond of their -company, and who is passed on from one officer to another, is termed -“garrison-hack,” an officer who is very attentive to such being called -a “carpet tomcat.” Une boutonnière en ----, _a semi-prostitute_; _a -sempstress who walks the street at night for purposes of prostitution_. -See GADOUE. - -PANTALONNER UNE PIPE (popular), _to colour a pipe_. From the -expression, culotter une pipe. - -PANTALZAR, _m._ (popular), _trousers_, “sit-upons, hams, or kicks.” - -PANTE, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _man_, “cove.” From pantin, -_dancing puppet_. - - C’est lorsque la marmite n’a pas donné son fade au - barbillon, ou quand un pante refuse de payer l’heureux - moment qu’il doit à la dame de l’assommoir. Alors il y a - une bûchade générale.--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -(Thieves’) Dégringoler les pantes, _to rob fools_, that is, people, “to -do a cove.” - - Jusqu’à la hardie gonzesse qui a dégringolé les pantes et - vidé jusqu’au fond les finettes des ballonés. - --=LOUISE MICHEL.= (_Up to the bold woman who has “done the - flats” and emptied the pockets of rich people._) - -Faire le ---- au machabée, _to murder a man_. - - Ah! c’est ... la celle qui est au grand pré! Ça s’en - donnait, des airs de la madame bienfaisante! et ça faisait - le pante au machabée pendant ce temps-là.--=LOUISE MICHEL.= - (_Ah! it’s the woman who is at the convict settlement! She - gave herself the airs of a kind lady, and she all the while - was murdering men._) - -Pante argoté, _stupid fool_, or “go along;” ---- arnau, _man who is -alive to the fact that he has been robbed, and who objects_; ---- -désargoté, _wary man_, _not easily deceived_, a “wide one, one who is -up to the hour of day, or who is fly to wot’s wot.” Arranger le ----, -plumer le ----, _to swindle a man of his money at cards_. Un ---- en -robe, _a judge_, or “beak;” _priest_, “devil-dodger, or snub-devil.” - - J’ai pensé, pour me tirer d’peines, - A m’ fair’ frèr’ des écoles chrétiennes. - Ah! ouiche! Et l’taf des tribunaux? - Puis, j’suis pas pour les pant’ en robe, - Avoir l’air d’un mâl, v’là c’ que j’gobe. - J’aim’ mieux êt’ dos. - - =RICHEPIN=, _La Chanson des Gueux_. - -PANTHÈRE, or PANTHE, _f._ (popular), faire sa ----, or pousser sa ----, -_to walk up and down in a workshop_; _to go from one wine-shop to -another_. - -PANTIÈRE, _f._ (thieves’), _mouth_. From pannetière, _bread-basket_. So -it exactly corresponds to the English slang “bread-basket.” - -PANTIN, or PANTRUCHE, _m._ (popular), _Paris_. Properly _one of the -suburbs of Paris_. - - J’ai fait la connaissance d’une petite fille corse, que - j’ai rencontrée en arrivant à Pantin (Paris).--=BALZAC.= - -PANTINOIS, PANTRUCHOIS, _m. and adj._ (popular), _Parisian_. - -PANTOUFLARDS, _m. pl._ (familiar and popular), _name given during the -siege of 1871 to Parisians serving in the “Garde nationale sédentaire,” -whose duties were to keep guard in the interior of the city_. - -PANTOUFLE, _f._ (popular), et cetera ... ----! _words used jocularly -on completing some arduous, tiresome task_, meaning _nothing more, -and so on_. The expression is also used in lieu of an objectionable -word forming a climax in sequence to an enumeration, and which, -consequently, may easily be divined. In the phrase, C’est un sot, -un âne bâté, “et cætera pantoufle,” the quaint term acts as a -substitute for an obscene word of three letters, which, in the mouth -of a Frenchman, expresses the acme of his contempt for another’s -intellectual worth. The _Voltaire_ newspaper says concerning the -expression: “_Et cætera ... pantoufle!_ Que signifie cette expression, -employée dans le langage populaire? Lorédan Larchey, répond le -_Courrier de Vaugelas_, déclare cette locution peu traduisible -et dit que le peuple s’en sert comme d’un temps d’arrêt dans une -énumération qui menace de devenir malhonnête. Elle est même tout à fait -intraduisible si l’on ne considère que le mot français en lui-même -et sa signification vulgaire de chaussure de chambre. A ce point -de vue étroit, il est impossible de saisir la corrélation existant -entre cette pantoufle et un discours dont on veut taire la fin, ou -plutôt qu’on n’achève pas parce que la conclusion est trop connue. Le -français, qui souvent s’est taillé un vêtement dans la chlamyde des -Grecs, n’a pas dédaigné non plus de s’introduire dans leurs pantoufles. -Nous disons: _Et cætera pantoufle_. Les Grecs entendaient par là: -_Et les autres choses, toutes de même sorte_. Nous sommes en France -des traducteurs si serviles, nous avons serré le grec de si près que -nous nous sommes confondus avec lui, nous avons traduit le mot grec -par _pantoufle_! Mais d’où nous est venue cette bizarre expression? -Comment a-t-elle passé dans notre langue? M. Ch. Toubin pense qu’elle -nous est vraisemblablement arrivée par Marseille. C’est possible, mais -nous aimons mieux croire que les écoliers du moyen âge, élevés dans -le jardin des racines grecques, ont été frappés de la consonnance -de _pantoufle_ avec l’expression grecque et l’ont adoptée en la -francisant, à la façon plaisante des écoliers.” - -PANTOUFLÉ, _m._ (popular), _tailor’s assistant_. - -PANTRE, _m._ (thieves’), _fool_, “flat.” An appellation applied by -thieves to their victims. - - Eh oui, buvons! qui payera? ça sera les - “pantres.”--=VIDOCQ.= - -Faire un coup à l’esbrouffe sur un ----, see COUP À L’ESBROUFFE. -Arranger les pantres, see ARRANGER. - -PANTRIOT, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _employer_, or “boss;” _foolish -young fellow_. - -PANTRIOTE, _f._ (popular and thieves’), _foolish girl_. - - N’allez pas, dit la grasse boulotte, me vendre, pantriotes - que vous êtes.--=LOUISE MICHEL.= - -PANTROUILLARD, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _man_, the slang synonyms -being “pante, gonce, chêne, type, pékin,” and the English, “cove, chap, -cull, article, codger, buffer.” - -PANTRUCHE, (thieves’), _Paris_. Termed also “Pantin.” - -PANTURNE, _f._ (bullies’), _prostitute_, “doxie.” From the Italian cant. - - Les souteneurs, dans leur argot, disent: Gaupe, marmite, - dabe, largue, ouvrière, guénippe, ponante, ponisse, - panturne, panuche, bourre-de-soie.--=LÉO TAXIL.= - -PANUCHE, _f._ (thieves’), _showily dressed woman_, or “burerk;” -_prostitute who lives in a brothel_, a “dress-lodger.” See GADOUE. - -PAPA, _m._ (popular), à la ----, _in a quiet, sedate manner_; _in -negligent or slovenly style_. - - Deux infectes petites salles éclairées par une - demi-douzaine de quinquets, tenues à la papa.--=RICHEPIN=, - _Le Pavé_. - -PAPE, _m._ (popular), _stupid fellow_, a “flat.” (Students’) Un ----, -_a glass of bitters_. - - Au Quartier Latin, l’absinthe s’appelle une purée, - l’eau-de-vie un pétrole, le bock un cercueil, le bitter un - pape.--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -PAPELARD, _m._ (thieves’) _paper_. Maquiller le ----, _to write_, “to -screeve.” - -PAPIER, _m._ (familiar), à chandelle, _insignificant newspaper_; ---- -à douleur, _dishonoured bill_; ---- Joseph, or de soie, _bank-note_, -“rag, screene, soft, or long-tailed one.” Parler ----, _to write_, -“to screeve.” Une médaille de ---- volant, or médaille des Pays-Bas -(obsolete), _lump of excrement_. - - Oh! je vais te faire voir à qui tu parles, va, médaille - de papier volant vis-à-vis de l’hôtel des Ursins.--_Les - Raccoleurs_, 1756. - -“In explanation of the above quotation, it must be mentioned that a -piece of ground opposite the Hôtel des Ursins in the Cité (that is, -in one of the two islands which formed the nucleus of old Paris), was -frequented by people for whom _nécessité n’a pas de loi_.” Hence the -allusion. - -PAPILLON, _m._ (thieves’), _laundryman_; ---- d’auberge, _table-linen_; -_plate_. - - Bientôt à défaut de flamberges - Volent les papillons d’auberges; - On s’accueille à grands coups de poing - Sur le nez et sur le grouin. - - _Les Porcherons._ - -Avoir des papillons noirs (or bleus) dans la sorbonne, _to be -despondent_, _to have the_ “blue devils.” - - Elle soutient que Pavie avait en effet des papillons noirs - dans la sorbonne et qu’il n’était venu la trouver ... que - pour se périr.--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -PAPILLONNER (thieves’), _to steal linen_, “to smug snowy.” - -PAPILLONNEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _a rogue who steals wet clothes hung on -lines to dry_, “lully prigger,” _or who rifles washerwomen’s carts_. - -PAPILLOTES, _f. pl._ (familiar), _bank-notes_, “flimsies, or -long-tailed ones.” - -PAPOTAGE, _m._ (familiar), _chat_. - -PAPOTE, or POCHETÉ, _m._ (popular), _fool_, or “softy.” - -PAPOTER (familiar), _to chat_, “to gabble.” - -PAQUELIN, _m._ (thieves’), for patelin, _flatterer_. - -PAQUELINER (thieves’), _to flatter_. - -PAQUEMON, _m._ (thieves’), _parcel_, or “peter.” Paquet, with suffix -mon. - -PAQUET, _m._ (popular), _ridiculously dressed woman_, a “guy.” Avoir -son ----, _to be drunk_, “to be primed.” See POMPETTE. (Familiar and -popular) Risquer le ----, _to venture_. (Card-sharpers’) Faire le ----, -_to cheat by arranging cards in a peculiar manner when shuffling them_. - -PAQUETIER, _m._ (printers’), _compositor who has to deal only with the -composition of lines, without titles, &c._; ---- d’honneur, _head_ -“paquetier.” - -PARABOLE, _f._ (thieves’), _paradise_. - -PARADE, _f._ (military), défiler la ----, _to die_, “to lose the number -of one’s mess.” See PIPE. (Printers’) Parade, _any kind of joke, good -or bad_, a “wheeze.” (Popular) Bénédiction de ----, _kick on the -behind_; alluding to kicks clowns give one another in a preliminary -farcical performance outside a booth. - -PARADOUZE, or PART-À-DOUZE, _m._ (military), _paradise_. A play on the -word paradis. - -PARALANCE, _m._ (popular), _umbrella_, “mush, or rain-napper.” From -parer, _to ward off_, and lance, _water_. - -PARANGONNER (printers’), _to adjust properly type of different sizes -in the composing stick_. Se ----, _to steady oneself when one feels -groggy_. - -PARAPHE, _f._ (popular), _slap_, _blow_, “wipe,” or “bang.” Détacher -une ----, or parapher, _to slap one’s face_, “to fetch one a wipe in -the mug.” - -PARAPLUIE, _m._ (popular), essence de ----, _water_, “Adam’s ale.” -(Military) Envoyer chercher le ---- de l’escouade, _to send for the -squad’s umbrella_. A joke perpetrated at the expense of a recruit, -or “Johnny raw,” who gets crammed by the knowing ones, who make him -believe that each squad possesses a gigantic umbrella, entrusted to the -care of the latest joined recruits. - -PARC, _m._ (thieves’), _theatre_, “gaff.” (Popular) -Ne-te-gêne-pas-dans-le ----, _short jacket_. - -PARÉ, _adj._ (thieves’), être ----, _to be ready for execution_. The -convict’s hair is shorn close by the executioner a few minutes before -he is led to the terrible engine. The operation is termed “la toilette -du condamné.” Hence the expression. - -PAREIL, _adj._ (thieves’), être ----, _to act in concert_. - -PARENT, _m._ (thieves’), _parishioner_. - -PARER (popular), la coque, _to escape some deserved punishment by -taking to flight_; _to get out of some scrape_. (Thieves’) La ---- à -quelqu’un, _to assist one_, that is, to ward off a blow from fortune. -La rien ---- à un aminche, _to readily assist a friend_. (Cocottes’) -Parer sa côtelette, _to dress_, _to adorn oneself_. - - On n’a pas besoin de tant d’étoffe, d’abord. Et puis ces - demoiselles dégottent un boucher dans l’art de parer leurs - côtelettes.--=P. MAHALIN=, _Mesdames de Cœur-volant_. - -PARFAIT, _adj._ (popular), amour, or crème de cocu, _sweet liquor for -ladies_; ---- amour de chiffonnier, _coarse brandy_. Termed “bingo” in -old English cant. - -PARFOND, _m._ (thieves’), _pie_; _pastry_, “magpie.” - - J’aime la croûte de parfond, - Nos luques nous leur présentons, - Puis dans les boules et frémions, - J’aime la croûte de parfond. - - _Chanson de l’Argot._ - -PARFONDE, or PROFONDE, _f._ (thieves’), _pocket_, “cly, sky-rocket, or -brigh;” _cellar_. - - C’est lui qui a rincé la profonde (cave) de la fille, dit - Fil-de-soie à l’oreille du Biffon. On voulait nous coquer - le taffe (faire peur) pour nos thunes de balles (nos pièces - de cent sous).--=BALZAC=, _La dernière Incarnation de - Vautrin_. - -PARIGOT, _m._ (popular), _Parisian_. - -PARIS, _m._ (familiar), Monsieur de ----, _official title of the -executioner_. The office was held by the Samson family for a -considerable time. See MONSIEUR. - -PARISIEN, _m._ (military), _active, cheery, knowing soldier_; -(sailors’) _awkward man_, “a lubber;” (horse-dealers’) _worthless -horse which finds no purchaser_, “screw.” Probably an allusion to -Paris cab-horses, which are anything but high-mettled steeds. (Domino -players’) Parisien, _cheating at a game of dominoes_. - -PARLEMENT, or PARLEMENTAGE (popular), _language_, _discourse_. - - Un méchant bailli de malheur - S’avisi de rendre eun’ sentence ... - Mais si j’savions l’parlementage, - Tous ces Messieurs qui ont l’honneur, - Auriont réparé not’ malheur, - En empêchant tout’ leux malice - Par la bonté de leux justice. - - _Les Citrons de Javotte._ - -Ouvrir le ----, _to talk_, “to jaw.” - -PARLER (popular), chrétien, _to speak intelligibly_; (theatrical) ---- -du puits, _to waste one’s time in idle discourse_; ---- sur quelqu’un, -_to give the cue before a brother performer has concluded his tirade_, -“to corpse” _him_; (artists’) ---- en bas-relief, _to mutter_; -(popular) ---- landsman, _to speak German_; (military) ---- papier, _to -write_. - -PARLOIR DES SINGES, _m._ (prisoners’), _room where prisoners are -allowed to see their friends from behind a grating_. - - Le meurtrier ... dépassa la salle des gardiens, laissa - à droite le “parloir des singes” et entra dans le - greffe.--=GABORIAU=, _Monsieur Lecoq_. - -PARLOTTER (familiar), _to chat_. - -PARLOTTERIE, _f._, (familiar), _chat_. - -PARLOTTEUR, _m._ (familiar), _chatterbox_, “clack-box.” - -PARMESARD, _m._ (popular), _poor devil with threadbare clothes_. A play -on the word “râpé,” _rasped_, _threadbare_--râpé comme du Parmesan. - -PAROISSIEN, _m._ (familiar and popular), _individual_. Un drôle -de ----, _a queer fellow_, a “rum cove.” (Popular) Paroissien de -Saint-Pierre aux bœufs, _blockhead_, “cabbage-head.” - -PARON, _m._ (thieves’), _square_, pas rond. - -PAROUFLE, _f._ (thieves’), _parish_. - -PARQUET, _m._ (familiar), le ----, _is the company of official -stockbrokers, who transact business round_ “la corbeille,” _or circular -enclosure in the Stock Exchange_. “Les coulissiers” are the unofficial -jobbers, and “courtiers marrons,” the kerbstone brokers, many of whom -are swindlers. The offices of the Procureur de la République, or public -prosecutor, go also by the name of parquet. - -PARRAIN, _m._ (thieves’), _witness_. - - Des parrains aboulés dans le burlin du quart d’œil - ont bonni qu’ils reconnobraient ma frime pour l’avoir - allumée sur la placarde du fourmillon, au moment du - grinchissage.--=VIDOCQ.= (_Some witnesses who came to the - office of the “commissaire de police” said that they knew - my face because they had seen it in the market-place when - the theft took place._) - -Parrain, _barrister_, “mouthpiece;” _deputy judge_; ---- d’altèque, -_witness for the defence_; ---- bêcheur, _public prosecutor_; ---- -fargueur, _witness for the prosecution_. Faire suer un ----, _to kill a -witness_. Un ---- à la manque, _a false witness_, or “rapper.” - - It was his constant maxim that he was a pitiful - fellow who would stick at a little rapping for his - friend.--=FIELDING=, _J. Wild_. - -PARRAINAGE, _m._ (thieves’), _depositions_. - -PART, _f._ (obsolete), _kindness_. - - C’est-t’y parler ça? Monsieux, j’pense tout d’même que - comme vous.--Ma commère, c’est un effet de ... de votre - part.--=VADÉ.= - -PART-À-DOUZE, _m._ (military), _paradise_. - - Tas de “gourgauts,” vocifère-t-il, ce sont eux qui sont - cause de ça! ... ah! nom d’une soupe à l’oignon! Ils ne le - porteront pas en “part-à-douze.”--=C. DUBOIS DE GENNES.= - -PARTAGEUSE, _f._ (familiar), _kept woman_. - -PARTAGEUX, _m._ (peasants’), _republican_. - -PARTERRE, _m._ (popular), prendre un billet de ----, _to fall_, “to -come a cropper.” A pun: le parterre, _the pit in a theatre_; par terre, -_on the ground_. - -PARTI, _adj._ (familiar and popular), _drunk_; _asleep_. - - Allons, les voilà partis, dit Vautrin en remuant la tête du - père Goriot et celle d’Eugène.--=BALZAC.= - -Parti pour la gloire, _drunk_, or “screwed.” See POMPETTE. - -PARTICULIER, _m._ (military), _civilian_; (familiar) _individual_, -“party.” - - Vous protestez comme un beau diable, et, si l’ particulier - s’entête, vous allez sur lui, vous montrez qu’ vous n’avez - point froid aux yeux en lui disant: “Toi, j’ te vas - sortir!”--_Le Cri du Peuple_, Janvier, 1887. - -PARTICULIÈRE, _f._ (general), _mistress_. Ma ----, _my little girl_, -_my_ “lady-bird.” The word had formerly the meaning of _prostitute_. - -PARTIE, _f._ (popular), faire une ---- de traversin, _to sleep two -in a bed_, “to read a curtain lecture.” Fille à parties, _variety of -prostitute_. See GADOUE. - - En général, pour être admis chez elles, il faut y être - présenté par un habitué de leurs réunions; elles donnent - des dîners et des soirées.--=LÉO TAXIL.= - -PARTIR (military), la paille au cul, _to be discharged after having -been under arrest or in prison_. An allusion to the straw in the -cells; ---- du pied droit, _to act against regulations_; (familiar -and popular) ---- pour la gloire, _to get drunk_, or “screwed.” See -SCULPTER. - -PAS, _m._ (military), mettre au ----, _to reprimand_, _to punish_; -(thieves’) ---- si cher! _do not speak so loud! hold your tongue!_ “mum -your dubber!” (popular) ---- mal ... pour le canal _is said of an ugly -woman_. - -PASCAILLER (thieves’), _to supplant one_. - -PASCLIN, PASQUELIN, _m._ (thieves’), _country_. Le boulanger t’entrolle -en son ----, _may the devil take you to his abode_. - -PASSADE, _f._ (printers’), _pecuniary aid allowed to workmen for whom -work cannot be found_; (familiar) _temporary intercourse with a woman_. -Donner une ----, _to place one’s hands on a bather’s shoulders and pass -over him, meanwhile sending him below the surface_. - -PASSANT, _m._ (thieves’), _shoe_, or “trotter-case.” - -PASSANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _shuttle_. Pousser la ----, _to weave_. - - Elle pousse la passante, là-bas à Auberive pour du temps, - va! Elle aura de la neige sur la hurse (tête) quand tu la - reverras.--=LOUISE MICHEL.= - -PASSE, _f._ (thieves’), _guillotine_. Etre gerbé à la ----, _to be -sentenced to death_. Ecornifler à la ----, _to kill_. (Prostitutes’) -Faire une ----, _to meet a man in a house of accommodation_. - - En province ... les maisons de la plus haute classe sont - assez luxueuses sans atteindre au faste sardanapalesque - des lupanars aristocratiques de la capitale: le prix de la - passe y est de dix francs, cinq francs au minimum. - --=LÉO TAXIL.= - -(Familiar) Maison de ----, _house of accommodation_, “flash drum.” - -PASSÉ, _adj._ (popular) être ---- au bain de réglisse, _to belong -to the negro race_, _to be a_ “bit o’ ebony.” Negroes go by the -appellations of “boîte à cirage, bamboula, bille de pot au feu, boule -de neige.” - -PASSE-CRIC, _m._ (thieves’), _passport_. - -PASSE-DE-CAMBRE, _f._ (thieves’), _slipper_. - -PASSE-LACET, _m._ (familiar), _gay girl_, “mot.” For list of synonyms -see GADOUE. - -PASSE-LANCE, _m._ (thieves’), _boat_. From passer, and lance, _water_. - -PASSE-PASSE, _m._ (card-sharpers’), _swindling trick at cards, which -consists in passing a card over_. Joueur de ----, _swindler_. Rabelais -uses the term jouer de passe-passe with the signification of _to -steal_:-- - - Qui desrobe, ravist et joue de passe-passe.--_Pantagruel._ - -PASSER (popular), au bleu, _to disappear_; (military) ---- à la -casserole, _the operation consists in placing a man suffering from a -dangerous venereal disease in a vapour bath, and leaving him there till -he becomes unconscious_. It is for him a case of “kill or cure;” ---- -au dixième, _to become mad_; ---- des curettes, _to make a fool of -one_, “to bamboozle.” - - Mon lapin, faut pas qu’ çà te la coupe, mais j’suis trop - ancien au peloton pour qu’on essaye de me passer des - curettes.--=G. COURTELINE.= - -Passer la jambe à Thomas, or à Jules, _to empty the privy tub_. -(Familiar) Passer devant la glace, _to pay_, “to shell out.” An -allusion to the looking-glass behind the counter of cafés or -restaurants, and before which one must stand while paying for the -reckoning; _to obtain gratis the favours of a prostitute at a brothel_; ----- devant la mairie, _to get married without the assistance of the -registrar_, _to live_ “tally;” ---- la main dans les cheveux, _to -praise_, “to give soft sawder.” Termed “genuine” at Winchester School; -(general) ---- l’arme à gauche, _to die_, “to kick the bucket.” See -PIPE. Termed, in the English military slang, “to lose the number of -one’s mess.” - - Un criminel que la débauche - Avait conduit à l’échafaud, - Au moment d’passer l’arme à gauche - Dit à l’oreille du bourreau: - Y a plus moyen d’rigoler, - Plus d’cascades, d’rigolades, - C’est inutil’ d’essayer, - Y a plus moyen d’rigoler! - - =LÉON GARNIER.= - -Se ---- quelque chose sous le nez, _to drink_, “to liquor up.” See -RINCER. (Shopmen’s) Passer debout, _to be punctual at the shop_; -(thieves’) ---- à la plume, _to be ill-treated by a detective_, “to -be set about by a nark;” ---- à casserole, _to be informed against_; ----- à la fabrication, _to be robbed_; ---- à la sorgue, _to sleep_, -“to doss;” ---- chez paings, or au tabac, _to thrash_; ---- par les -piques, _to be in danger_. Se ---- de belle, _not to get one’s share of -booty_, or “regulars;” _to find nothing to rob_. (Theatrical) Ne pas ----- la rampe _is said of an actor or play that find no great favour -with the public_. (Familiar) Ne pas pouvoir, or ne plus pouvoir ---- -sous la porte Saint-Denis _is said of an unfortunate man whose wife -has one or more lovers_. (Roughs’) Passer à travers, _to thrash_, _to -be thrashed_. See VOIE. Se ---- le chiffon, _to wash one’s face_. -(Police) Passer au tabac, _to compel a prisoner to obey by ill-treating -him_; ---- la censure, _to inspect prisoners so as to pick out old -offenders_; (convicts’) ---- sur le banc, _to be flogged_. - -PASSÉ-SINGE, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _very cunning, knowing man_, -_an old bird not to be caught by chaff_. - - Pas d’ça Lisette, casquez d’abord. Je vous connais, vous - êtes marlou mais je suis passé-singe.--=VIDOCQ.= (_None - of your tricks; pay first of all. I know you; you are a - cunning fellow, but I am an old bird, not to be caught by - chaff._) - -PASSES, _m. pl._ (thieves’), _shoes_; ---- à la rousse, _elegant shoes_. - -PASSEZ-MOI LE FIL (military), ironical expression which may be rendered -by, _Well, what next I wonder!_ - -PASSIFLEUR, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _shoemaker_, or “snob.” - -PASSIFS, _m. pl._ (printers’ and thieves’), _shoes_. - - Et mes passifs, déjà veufs de semelle, - M’ont aujourd’ hui planté là tout à fait. - - _Chanson du Rouleur._ - -PASTILLE, _f._ (familiar), venir en pastilles de Vichy, _to go to -an evening party without having been invited to the dinner which -precedes it_. Vichy salts facilitate digestion. (Popular) Pastille, -_fifty-centime coin_. See MOULE. Détacher une ---- dans son culbutant, -_to ease oneself in a manner which may be better described by the Latin -word_ “crepitare.” - -PASTIQUER (thieves’), _to pass_; ---- la maltouze, _to smuggle_. From -passer. - -PASTOURELLE, _f._ (military), _trumpet call for extra drill_. - -PATAGUEULE, _adj. and m._ (popular), _one who gives himself airs_; _a -conceited ass_. Etre ----, _to show ridiculous affectation_. - - C’est lui qui trouvait ça patagueule, de jouer le drame - devant le monde! ... elle le prenait peut-être pour un - dépuceleur de nourrices, à venir l’intimider avec ses - histoires.--=ZOLA.= - -PATARASSES, _f. pl._ (thieves’), _small pads made of rags used by -convicts to avoid the painful friction of their fetters_. - - Il me semble encore le voir sur le banc treize faire des - patarasses (bourrelets pour garantir les jambes) pour les - fagots (forçats).--=VIDOCQ.= - -PATARD, _m._ (popular), _a two-sous coin_. Termed patac by Rabelais. - -PATATROT, _m._ (thieves’), faire le ----, _to decamp_, _to run away_. -The synonyms for various kinds of slang are: “Faire la fille de l’air, -le lézard, le jat jat, la paire, cric, gilles; jouer la fille de -l’air, se déguiser en cerf, s’évanouir, se cramper, tirer sa crampe, -se lâcher du ballon, se la couler, se donner de l’air, se pousser -du Zeph, se sylphider, se la trotter, se la courir, se faire la -débinette, jouer des fourchettes, se la donner, se la briser, ramasser -un bidon, se la casser, se la tirer, tirer ses grinches, valser, se -tirer les pincettes, se tirer des pieds, se tirer les baladoires, -les pattes, les trimoires, or les flûtes; jouer des guibes, or des -quilles, se carapater, se barrer, baudrouiller, se cavaler, faire une -cavale, jouer des paturons, happer le taillis, flasquer du poivre, -décaniller, décarer, exhiber son prussien, démurger, désarrer, gagner -les gigoteaux, se faire une paire de mains courantes à la mode, fendre -l’ergot, filer son nœud, se défiler, s’écarbouiller, esballonner, -filer son cable par le bout, faire chibis, déraper, fouiner, se la -fracturer, jouer des gambettes, s’esbigner, ramoner ses tuyaux, foutre -le camp, tirer le chausson, se vanner, ambier, chier du poivre, se -débiner, caleter, attacher une gamelle, camper.” In the English slang: -“To skedaddle, to cut one’s lucky, to sling one’s hook, to make beef, -to guy, to mizzle, to bolt, to cut and run, to slip one’s cable, to -step it, to leg it, to tip the double, to amputate one’s mahogany, to -make or to take tracks, to hook it, to absquatulate, to slope, to slip -it, to paddle, to evaporate, to vamose, to speel, to tip your rags a -gallop, to walk one’s chalks, to pike, to hop the twig, to turn it up, -to cut the cable and run before the wind.” - -PÂTE, _m. and f._ (artists’), _quality of the layer of colour in oil -paintings_, (popular) _employer_, or “boss.” (Thieves’) Une ----, or -patte, _a file_. (Printers’) Mettre en ----, _to allow a forme of -composition to fall, the letters getting mixed up_; _to make_ “pie.” -(Literary) Pâte ferme, _an article written throughout without any -blanks_. Se mettre en ----, _to fall_. Etre mis en ----, _to receive a -blow or a wound in a fight_. - -PÂTÉ, _m._ (printers’), _type of different kinds, which has got mixed -up_. Faire du ----, _to distribute such type_. Pâté de la veille, _meal -provided for the compositors who are about to do night work_. (Popular) -Pâté d’ermite, _walnut_. - - Il ne faisoit chez soi plus grand festin que de pastez - d’hermite.--Qu’est-ce que cette viande?--Noix, amandes, - noisettes.--_Le Moyen de Parvenir._ - -PÂTÉE, _f._ (popular), _thrashing_, “walloping.” See VOIE. - -PATENTE, _f._ (popular), _bully’s cap_. - -PATENTÉ, _m._ (popular), _woman’s bully_, “pensioner.” For synonyms see -POISSON. - -PATERNEL, _m._ (students’), _father_, “governor.” - -PATINAGE, _m._ (popular), _liberties taken with a woman_, -“slewthering,” as the Irish term it, or “fiddling.” - -PATINER (popular), _to handle_; _to take liberties with a woman_; ----- le trottoir, _to walk the street as a prostitute_; ---- la dame -de pique, or le carton, _to play cards_. Se ----, _to hurry_; _to run -away_, “to brush.” See PATATROT. Se ---- en double, _to hurry_. - - Donnez-moi votre bagage tout en bloc, que j’arrange tout ça - en deux temps et cinq mouvements; il s’agit de se patiner - en double.--=C. DUBOIS DE GENNES.= - -PÂTISSIER, _m._ (popular), sale ----, _dirty man_, “chatty;” _an -unscrupulous, heartless man_. - -PATOCHE, _f._ (school-boys’), _cut on the hand given by a schoolmaster -with a ruler_; (popular) _hand_, “daddle.” - - Retire tes patoches, colle-moi ça dans un tiroir.--=ZOLA.= - -PATOUILLER (popular), _to handle_. - -PATRAQUE, _f._ (thieves’), _patrol_. (Military) Perdre la ----, _to -become crazy_. - - Au colon? C’est-y que tu perds la patraque? Où c’est qu’ - t’as vu que les hommes punis de cellule peuvent causer au - colonel?--=G. COURTELINE.= - -PATRARQUE, or PATRAQUE, _f._ (thieves’), _police patrol_. - - Mais déjà la patrarque, - Au clair de la moucharde - Nous reluque de loin. - - =VIDOCQ.= - -PATRIE, _f._ (Bohemians’), _chest of drawers_. - -PATRON, _m._ (military), _colonel_. Termed also “colon.” - -PATRON-MINETTE, _m._ (popular), _dawn_; formerly _a gang of notorious -rogues_. - -PATROUILLE, _f._ (popular), être en ----, _to have drinking revels_, -“to be on the tiles.” - -PATTE, _f._ (artists’), avoir de la ----, _to have a skilful touch_. -Une ---- d’enfer, _a dashing style_. - - Je le transportai le plus fidèlement possible sur ma toile - ... il me dit d’un ton rogue: “Cela est plein de chic et - de ficelles; vous avez une patte d’enfer.”--=TH. GAUTIER=, - _Les Jeune-France_. - -(Popular) Un entonnoir à ----, _a wine-glass_. Fournir des pattes, _to -go away_, “to bunk.” Se payer une paire de pattes, or se tirer des -pattes, _to run away_, “to crush.” See PATATROT. - - Un fichu tour que m’a fait un voyageur, il s’est tiré - des pattes pendant que ma berline roulait.--_Mémoires de - Monsieur Claude._ - -(Military) Pattes de crapaud, _epaulets_. (Roughs’) Ramasser les pattes -à un gas, _to thrash one_, “to wallop” _one_. (Familiar and popular) -Pattes de lapin, _short whiskers_. Termed also “hauts de côtelettes.” -Aller à ----, _to go on foot_. - -PATTE-D’OIE, _f._ (popular), _crossways_. - -PATU, _m._ (popular), _flat cake_. - -PÂTURER (popular), _to eat_, “to grub.” See MASTIQUER. - -PATURONS, _m. pl._ (popular and thieves’), _feet_, “dew-beaters.” Jouer -des ----, se tirer les ----, _to run away_, “to brush, to guy.” See -PATATROT. - -PAUME, _f._ (popular), _loss_; _difficulty_; _fix_. Faire une ----, _to -fail_. - -PAUMER (thieves’), _to take_, “to collar;” _to apprehend_, “to smug.” -Etre paumé, _to be apprehended_, “to be smugged.” - - Tu n’as pas oublié c’t escarpe qui après avoir voulu buter - une largue sur le Pont au Change, se jeta à la lance pour - échapper à la poursuite de l’abadis et que tu fis enquiller - chez mézigue au moment où il allait être paumé.--=VIDOCQ.= - -Paumer la sorbonne, _to become mad_, or “balmy.” Se faire ---- marron, -_to be caught in the act, red-handed_. Paumé marron, _caught in the -act_. - - Les voilà, comme dans la chanson de Manon, “tretous paumés - marrons.”--=VIDOCQ.= - -(Thieves’ and cads’) Paumer, _to lose_, “to blew.” T’es à l’affure? -Non, j’ai paumé tout mon carme. _Have you made any profits? No, I have -lost all my money._ Paumer son fade, _to spend one’s money_; ---- -l’atout, _to lose heart_. - -PAUPIÈRE, _f._ (popular), s’en battre la ----, _not to care a straw_, -_not to care a_ “hang.” - -PAUSES, _f. pl._ (musicians’), compter des ----, _to take a nap_. - -PAVÉ, _m._ (familiar), réclame, _overdone puff which misses the mark_. -An allusion to the proverbial pavé de l’ours, or act of an ill-advised -friend who, thinking to render a service, does an ill turn. (Familiar -and popular) Des pavés, _creditors_. - - De là on communiquait avec les caves et la cour, ce qui - permettait à Tom d’entrer, de sortir, sans être vu, - d’éviter les fâcheux et les créanciers, ce qu’en argot - parisien on appelle les “pavés.”--=A. DAUDET.= - -A man who has several creditors living in a street which he deems -prudent to avoid, will say, “Il y a des barricades.” (Popular) Faire -la place pour les pavés à ressort, _to pretend to be looking for some -work to do_. Inspecteur des pavés, _idle fellow who prefers sauntering -about to working_. N’avoir plus de pavés dans la rue de la gueule, -_to be toothless_. (Freemasons’) Pavé mosaïque, _hall of meeting -of freemasons_. For other expressions connected with the word see -FUSILLER, GRATTER. - -PAVÉE, _f._ (popular), rue ----, _street where one may fall in with -one’s creditors, and which, in consequence, is to be avoided_. See -PAVER. - -PAVER (familiar). On pave! _exclamation which is meant to denote that a -certain street alluded to is to be avoided as being frequented by one’s -creditors_. - -PAVILLON, _m._ (popular), _madcap_; _throat_. S’humecter le ----, _to -drink_, “to wet, or whet one’s whistle.” See RINCER. - -PAVILLONNER (thieves’), _to drink_; _to make merry_. - - Ensuite on renquillera dans la taule à mézigue pour - refaiter gourdement et chenument pavillonner.--=VIDOCQ.= - -PAVOIS, _adj._ (popular), _intoxicated_, “screwed.” See POMPETTE. Etre -----, _to be intoxicated, or to talk nonsense, like one in his cups, -like one_ “cup shotten.” - -PAVOISER (sailors’), se ----, _to dress oneself in Sunday clothes_. -Etre pavoisé en noir, _to be in a towering rage_, _to look as black as -thunder_. - -PAYER (popular), se ---- une culotte, _to get drunk_, _to go on the_ -“booze.” - - J’ mets pas d’habit, mais sacrebleu! - Faudra que j’ me paie un’ culotte. - - =E. CARRÉ.= - -(Theatrical) Faire ---- la goutte, _to hiss_, “to goose.” (Printers’) -Payer son article sept, _to pay for one’s footing_. An allusion to some -regulation of printers’ by-laws. (Thieves’) Faire ----, _to get one -convicted_. - - Il complota de me faire payer (condamner).--=VIDOCQ.= - -PAYOT, _m._ (thieves’), _convict employed as accountant at a penal -settlement_--an office eagerly sought after. - -PAYS, _m._ (literary), Bréda, _the Quartier Bréda, one much patronized -by cocottes--a kind of Paris Pimlico_. (Popular) Le ---- des marmottes, -_mother earth_. S’en aller dans le ---- des marmottes, _to die_, “to -kick the bucket.” (Familiar) Le ---- des fourrures, _group of certain -speculators on ’Change_. - - Il (le Krach) a jeté l’alarme parmi les toquets de loutre - et dans le Pays des fourrures. On appelle ainsi: d’un côté - les femmes qui jouent, les timbalières, comme je les ai - appelées; de l’autre, des gens du monde qui se groupent, - couverts de paletots fourrés d’astrakan ou de loutre, dans - un coin de la Bourse.--=J. CLARETIE.= - -PAYS-BAS, _m. pl._ (popular), _the breech_, or “Nancy.” Properly _the -Netherlands_. - -PAYSE, _f._ (military), _sweetheart_. - -PCHUTT, PSCHUTT, GRATIN, VLAN, _m._ (familiar), _the pink of fashion_. - -PCHUTTEUX, _m. and adj._ (familiar), _dashing_, “tsing tsing;” _dandy_, -or “masher.” For synonymous expressions see GOMMEUX. - -PEAU, _f._ (popular), _woman of questionable character_; _prostitute_. - - Guy qui m’ préfère une Christiane Andermatt! ... parc’ - qu’elle a du linge, et de l’éducation, et des principes.... - A faute bien, parbleu! comm’ les autres, c’te peau-là, - mais y lui faut des accessoires: eul’ clair d’lune, des - ruines.--_Le Cri du Peuple_, 14 Janvier, 1887. - -Une ---- de chien, _same meaning_. For list of synonyms see GADOUE. -Une ---- de bouc, _skinny breasts_. Une ---- de lapin, _a vendor of -checks or countermarks at a theatre_. Faire la ---- de lapin, _to sell -countermarks_. La ----! _no! blow it all!_ Faire ronfler la ---- d’âne, -_to beat the drum_. Pour la ----, _for nothing_, _gratis_. Traîner sa -----, _to be idling_, _not knowing what to do_, “to loaf.” (Sailors’) -Peau de bitte et balai de crin, _nothing, not a farthing!_ (Soldiers’) -Peau de balle, de libi, or de nœud, _no, nothing_; ---- d’zèbe, ---- -d’balle et balai de crin, _nothing_. - - Ici, les hommes ed’ la classe, comme v’là moi, ont tout - juste peau d’zèbe, peau d’balle et balai de crin! - --=G. COURTELINE.= - -Il est poli ---- d’nœud, _he is polite, oh, just!_ (Printers’) La peau, -_nothing at all_. - - De quoi? on nous apprend la peau. Après le bourrage des - lignes, basta. Si on fait quelquechose en sortant de - là c’est pas la faute au type qui est censé nous faire - l’école.--_Journal des Imprimeurs._ - -PEAUFINER (popular), _to impart finish to some piece of work_. - -PEAUSSER (thieves’), se ----, _to dress oneself_; _to disguise oneself_. - - Bien, je vais me peausser en gendarme, j’y serai; je les - entendrai, je réponds de tout.--=BALZAC=, _Vautrin_. - -PECCAVI, _m._ (thieves’), _sin_. - -PÊCHE, _f._ (popular), _head_, or “tibby,” see TRONCHE; _countenance_, -or “phiz.” Déposer une ----, _to ease oneself_. Se faire épiler la -----, _to get oneself shaved at the barber’s_. Une canne à ----, _a -lanky individual_. (Literary) Une ---- à quinze sous, _cocotte of the -better sort_, a “pretty horse-breaker.” The expression belongs to A. -Dumas fils. - - N’étaient-elles pas plus sympathiques, ces filles de Paris, - que toutes ces drôlesses, pêches à quinze sous de Dumas - fils.--=MAXIME RUDE.= - -PÊCHER (familiar), à la ligne. See LIGNE. Pêcher une friture dans le -Styx, _to be dead_. Aller ---- une friture dans le Styx, _to die_. See -PIPE. - -PÊCHEUR. See LIGNE. - -PÉCHON, _m._ (old cant), _young scamp_; _child_, or “kid.” - -PÉCOREUR, _m._ (thieves’), _card-sharper_, or “magsman;” _street -thief_, or “gun.” The latter is a diminutive of gonnuf, or gunnof. A -“gun’s” practice is known as “gunoving.” - -PECTORAL, _m._ (familiar), s’humecter le ----, _to drink_, “to have a -drop of something damp, or to wet one’s whistle.” See RINCER. - -PÉCUNE, _f._ (popular), _money_, “needful, or loaver.” See QUIBUS. - - La lune au ras des flots étincelants - Casse en morceaux ses jolis écus blancs. - Bon sang! que de pécune! - Si ton argent, folle, t’embarrassait - Pourquoi ne pas le mettre en mon gousset, - Ohé, la Lune? - - =RICHEPIN=, _La Mer_. - -PÉDÉ, or PÉDÉRO, _m._ (popular). From pédéraste, _Sodomist_, or -“gentleman of the back door.” - -PEDZOUILLE, _m._ (familiar and popular), _peasant_, “clod, or -chaw-bacon;” _fellow without any energy_; _coward_. - -PÉGALE, or PÉGOLE, _f._ (popular), _pawnbroker’s shop_, or “lug chovey.” - -PÉGOCE, _m._ (thieves’), _louse_, “gold-backed ’un.” - -PÉGOCIER, _m._ (thieves’), _a lousy individual_, _a_ “chatty” _fellow_. - -PÉGRAGE, or PÉGRASSE, _m._ (thieves’), _theft_, “lay;” _thieving_, -“prigging.” See GRINCHISSAGE. - -PÈGRE, _m. and f._ (thieves’), un ----, _a thief_, or “prig.” From the -Italian pegro, _idle fellow_. See GRINCHE. - - Montron drogue à sa largue, - Bonnis-moi donc, girofle, - Qui sont ces pègres-là? - Des grinchisseurs de bogues, - Esquinteurs de boutogues, - Les conobres-tu pas? - - =VIDOCQ.= - -Fielding uses the term “prig” for a thief:-- - - He said he was sorry to see any of his gang guilty of a - breach of honour; that without honour “priggery” was at - an end; that if a “prig” had but honour he would overlook - every vice in the world.--_Mr. Jonathan Wild the Great._ - -Un ---- à marteau, _rogue who confines his attentions to property of -small value_. La pègre, _the confraternity of thieves, swindlers, -burglars, &c._, or “family-men.” La haute-pègre, _the swell-mob_. La -basse-pègre, _low thieves_. - - La Haute-Pègre comprend généralement tous les voleurs en - habit noir ... la haute-pègre s’affirme par une adresse - incomparable; la basse-pègre, par une férocité qui ne se - retrouve que dans le pays des cannibales.--_Mémoires de - Monsieur Claude._ - -Un ---- de la haute, _one of the swell-mob_. - - Il résultera la preuve que le susdit marquis est tout - simplement un pègre de la haute.--=VIDOCQ.= - -PÉGRENNE, _f._ (thieves’), _hunger_. “Pigritia,” says V. Hugo, “est -un mot terrible. Il engendre un monde, la pègre, lisez le vol, et un -enfer, la pégrenne, lisez la faim. Ainsi la paresse est mère. Elle a un -fils, le vol, et une fille, la faim.” Caner la ----, _to be starving_, -“to be bandied.” - - Si queuquefois la fourgate et Rupin ne lui collaient pas - quelques sigues dans l’arguemine, il serait forcé de caner - la pégrenne.--=VIDOCQ.= (_Should the receiver and Rupin not - put some money in his hand now and then he would starve._) - -PÉGRENNER (thieves’), _to have but scanty fare_; _to suffer from -hunger_. - -PÉGRER (thieves’), _to arrest_, “to smug;” _to steal_, “to claim.” See -GRINCHER. Pégrer, _to be destitute_, _to be_ “quisby.” Je me suis fait ----- toute ma galette, _I have been_ “done” _of all my_ “tin.” Je viens -de ---- l’artiche à son gniasse, je me suis fait cric et la riflette a -cavalé derrière moi pour me ----, _I have just eased him of his money -and the policeman ran after me to apprehend me_. - -PÉGRIOT, _m._, (thieves’), _young thief_, “ziff.” - - Le pégriot débute dans cette triste carrière à l’âge de - dix à douze ans: alors il vole aux étalages des épiciers, - fruitiers ou autres.--=CANLER.= - -Pégriot, _thief who steals only articles of small value_. - - Le pégriot occupe les derniers degrés de l’échelle - au sommet de laquelle sont placés les pègres de la - haute.--_Mémoires de Canler._ - -Brûler le ----, _to obliterate all traces of a robbery or crime_. - -PEIGNE, _m._ (thieves’), _key_, or “screw;” (popular) ---- d’allemand, -_the fingers_. The expression is old. Rabelais uses it:-- - - Après se peignoit du peigne de Almaing, c’estoit des quatre - doigts et le poulce.--_Gargantua._ - -PEIGNE-CUL, _m._ (popular), _coarse, rude fellow_; _contemptible -fellow_. - -PEIGNÉE, _f._ (popular), se repasser, or se foutre une ----, _to -fight_, “to have a mill.” - -PEIGNER (popular), avoir d’autres chiens à ----, _to have far more -important things to do_. - - Vous comprenez que j’ai d’autres chiens à peigner que de - m’en aller chercher des lits dans un endroit où il n’y en a - pas.--=G. COURTELINE.= - -Se ----, _to fight_. - -PEINTRE, _m._ (military), _sweeper_; the broom being assimilated to a -brush, and termed “pinceau.” - -PEINTURLURE, _f._ (familiar), _worthless picture_, a “daub.” - -PEINTURLURER (familiar), se ----, _to paint one’s face_, _to put_ -“slap” _on_. - -PEINTURLUREUR, _m._ (familiar), _artist devoid of any ability_, a -“dauber.” - -PEINTUROMANIE, _f._ (familiar), _mania for pictures_. - -PÉKIN, PECKIN, or PÉQUIN, _m._ (military), _civilian_. Michel traces it -to pequichinus, and Du Cange to piquechien, both meaning _low fellow_; -but more probably it is meant for habitant de Pékin, or it originated -from an allusion to the cloth called pékin, much worn under the First -Empire by civilians. - - Je suis fantassin, - Cet état j’l’aim’ bien - Et j’fais autant d’béguins, - Que si j’étais peckin. - - =E. OUVRARD.= - -The expression is used also by civilians with the signification of -_man_, “party.” The term “party” is said to have arisen in the old -English justice courts, where, to save “his worship” and the clerk of -the court any trouble in exercising their memories with the names of -the different plaintiffs, defendants, and witnesses, the word party -was generally employed. (Familiar and popular) Pékin chic, _swell_; -_generous or clever fellow_. S’habiller en ----, _to dress in mufti_. -(Popular) Bousculeur de ----, _workman who hates middle-class people, -and who seeks to annoy them_--a mason, for instance, who, going by a -well-dressed person, brushes with his sackful of plaster against the -person’s coat, &c. (Saint-Cyr cadets’) Pékin de bahut, _a cadet who has -finished his studies_. The word “pékin” is synonymous of “chinois,” a -term of contempt. - -PÉLAGO, or PÉLAGUE, _f._ (thieves’), _the prison of Sainte-Pélagie_, -where offenders against the press laws are confined. - - On l’a fourré dans la tirelire - Avec les pègres d’Pélago. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -PÉLARD, _m._ (thieves’), _hay_. From pelouse. - -PÉLARDE, _f._ (thieves’), _scythe_. - -PÉLAUD, PÉLO, or PÉLOT, _m._ (popular), _sou_. Corruption of palet. - - Si tu fais ce coup-là, j’arrose de deux litr’s de marc! Ça - y est, fais voir tes pélauds.--=G. COURTELINE.= - -PELÉ, _m._ (thieves’), _main road_, “high Toby.” - -PÉLICAN, _m._ (thieves’), _peasant_, or “clod.” (Popular) Se camoufler -en ----, _to assume the garb of a peasant_. (Popular and thieves’) Un -----, _a dressy prostitute of the Boulevards_. - -PELLE (gay girls’), faire danser un homme sur la ---- à feu, _to make -repeated calls on a man’s purse_. (Popular) Recevoir la ---- au cul, -_to be dismissed_, _to get_ “the sack.” - -PELLETAS, _m._ (popular), _poor devil_. - -PÉLO, _m._ (popular). See PÉLAUD. - -PELOCHON, or POLOCHON, _m._ (popular), _bolster_. Se flanquer un coup -de ----, _to sleep_, “to doss.” (Military) Mille pelochons! _a mild -oath_, “darn it.” - -PELOTAGE, _m._ (familiar), _flattery_, or “blarney;” _taking liberties -with a woman_, or “fiddling.” Il y a du ----, _is said of a woman with -fine, well-developed bosoms, and other charms to match_. - -PELOTER (familiar and popular), _to thrash_; _to flatter with a view to -obtaining some advantage from one_. - - Il ne blaguait plus le sergent de ville en l’appelant - Badingue, allait jusqu’à lui concéder que l’empereur était - un bon garçon, peut-être. Il paraissait surtout estimer - Virginie ... c’était visible; il les pelotait.--=ZOLA.= - -Peloter une femme, _to take liberties with a woman_, “to fiddle,” or, -as the Irish term it, “to slewther;” ---- la dame de pique, or le -carton, _to play cards_; (thieves’) ---- le carme, _to gaze with loving -and longing eyes at the gold and silver coins in a money-changer’s -window_; (fencing) ---- quelqu’un, _to worst one at a fencing bout_. - -PELOTEUR, _m._ (popular), _one who is soft-spoken_, _plausible_, -“mealy-mouthed.” Also _one fond of taking liberties with the fair sex_, -_fond of_ “fiddling,” or, as the Irish have it, of “slewthering.” - -PELOTON DE CHASSE, _m._ (military), _extra drill_. Termed “hoxter” at -the R. M. Academy. - - Ça vaut tout de même mieux qu’une heure de peloton de - chasse.--=G. COURTELINE.= - -PELOUET, _m._ (thieves’), _wolf_. - -PELURE, _f._ (general), _coat_, or “benjamin.” A parallel expression in -furbesche is “scorza,” _coat_, properly _bark_. - - Et, en un tour de main, vous auront forcé d’essayer un - habillement complet, du galurin (chapeau), aux ripatons - (souliers), en passant par le culbutant, qui est le - pantalon, et par la limace qui est la chemise. Puis - après que vous leur aurez payé quinze francs une pelure - (paletot), qu’elles vous faisaient cent cinquante. - --=P. MAHALIN.= - -PENDANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _earring_; _watch guard_, or “slang.” - -PENDU, _m._ (Saint-Cyr cadets’), _instructor at the military school -of Saint-Cyr_; (popular) ---- glacé, _street lamp of olden times_. -(Drapers’) Pendu, _piece of cloth stretched out and hung up_. - - Les pièces de drap sont étalées dans de vastes couloirs et - suspendues dans toute leur longueur. Ce sont ces pièces - de drap que l’on nomme des pendus.--=MACÉ=, _Mon Premier - Crime_. - -PENDULE, _f._ (popular), à plumes, _a cock_, or “rooster.” Remonter -sa ----, _to thrash one’s wife_, “to quilt one’s tart.” (Thieves’) -Faire le coup de la ----, _to hold a man with his head down and shake -him so that his money drops on the ground_. English thieves term this -“hoisting,” and hold it to be no robbery. - -PÉNICHES, _f. pl._ (popular), _shoes_, or “trotter-cases.” See RIPATONS. - -PÉNITENCE, _f._ (gamesters’), être en ----, _to be unable to play -through want of money_. - - Etre en pénitence à Monte-Carlo, ne pas jouer. Elles - sont en pénitence pour la journée, la semaine ou la fin - du mois, parcequ’elles ont perdu ce qu’elles avaient à - jouer.--_Revue Politique et Littéraire_. - -PÉNITENCIER, _m._ (prisoners’), _one who has been sentenced to be -imprisoned in a house of correction_. - -PENNE, _f._ (thieves’), _key_, or “screw,” “plume” being a _false key_. - -PENTE, _f._ (thieves’), _pear_. Probably from pendre. (Popular) Avoir -une ----, _to be the worse for liquor_, or “screwed.” For synonyms see -POMPETTE. - -PÉPETTE, _f._ (popular), _fifty-centime coin_. Des pépettes, _money_. - - Un retentissant succès à pépettes.--=TRUBLOT=, _Le Cri du - Peuple_. - -PÉPIN, _m._ (familiar), _umbrella_, “gingham, or mush.” (Popular) Avoir -un ---- pour une femme, _to fancy a woman_, “to be mashed on, or to -cotton on” _to a woman_. Déposer un ----, _to ease oneself_, “to go -to the chapel of ease.” See MOUSCAILLER. Avoir avalé un ----, _to be -pregnant_, “to have a white swelling.” - -PÉPITIER, _m._ (literary), _adventurer who seeks to make his fortune in -business in the colonies_. From pépite, _nugget_. - -PERCER (familiar), en ---- d’un autre (d’un autre tonneau), _to relate -another story_. - -PERCHE, _f._ (popular), être à la ----, _to starve_. - -PERCHE À HOUBLON, _f._ (military). Formerly, before the suppression -of the regiments of lancers, _a lance_. Also _very tall_, _thin man_, -“sky-scraper, or lamp-post.” - -PERCHER (thieves’ and popular), _to go to bed_. Termed also “pagnotter, -bâcher.” - -PERDRE (popular), le goût du pain, _to die_, “to snuff it.” See PIPE. -Faire ---- le goût du pain, _to kill_. See REFROIDIR. Perdre ses bas, -_not to know what one is about through absence of mind or otherwise_; ----- son bâton, _to die_, see PIPE. Perdre sa clef, _to suffer from -diarrhœa_; ---- un quart, _to attend a friend’s funeral_. - -PERDRIX HOLLANDAISE, _f._ (sportsmen’s), _pigeon_. - -PÈRE, _m._ (thieves’ and popular), caillou, _wary man_, or -“chick-a-leary bloke,” _not to be entrapped by gamblers_. Petit ---- -noir de quatre ans, _a wine tankard holding four litres_. (Thieves’) Le ----- la reniflette, or le ---- des renifleurs, _the prefect or head of -the police_. Petit ---- noir, _small wine tankard_. - - Bravo! s’écrièrent tous les bandits en empoignant les - petits pères noirs. A la santé du birbe.--=VIDOCQ.= - -Le ---- coupe-toujours, _the executioner_. (Artists’) Père éternel à -trois francs la séance, _a model who poses for holy subjects_; (gay -girls’) ---- douillard, _he who keeps a girl_, _who has_ “douille,” _or -money_. - -PÈRE-LACHAISE. See CONTRE-MARQUE. - -PÉRIR (popular), se ----, _to commit suicide_. - - J’avais l’intention de me périr soit avec du poison, soit - en me jetant à l’eau.--=CANLER.= - -PÉRITOINE, _m._ (popular) tu t’en ferais éclater le ----, _expressive -of refusal_, “don’t you wish you may get it?” or “yes, in a horn,” as -the Americans say. See NÈFLES. - -PÉRITORSE, _m._ (students’), _coat, or overcoat_. - -PERLOT, _m._ (popular), _tobacco_, “baccy.” From perle. - -PERLOTTE, _f._ (tailors’) _button-hole_. - -PERMANENCE, _f._ (gamesters’), _a series of numbers which turn up in -succession at roulette or trente et quarante_. - -PERMISSION, _f._ (familiar), de dix heures, _a kind of lady’s -overcoat_; _bludgeon_; _sword-stick_. (Military) Avoir une ---- de -vingt-quatre heures, _to be on guard duty_. La ---- trempe, _leave -which is expected, but not much hoped for_. Se faire signer une ----, -_to hand one a leaf of cigarette paper, and to obtain from him in -return the tobacco wherewith to roll a cigarette_. - -PERPENDICULAIRE, _f._ (thieves’ and cads’), _watch-guard_, or “slang.” -Secouer la ----, _to steal a watch-guard_, “to claim a slang.” - -PERPÈTE, _f._ (thieves’), à ----, _for life_. Etre gerbé à ----, _to be -sentenced to transportation for life_, _to be booked for a_ “lifer.” - -PERPIGNAN, _m._ (coachmen’s), _whip-handle_. It appears that the best -whip-handles come from Perpignan. - -PERROQUET, _m._ (familiar), _glass of absinthe_. Asphyxier, étouffer, -étrangler, plumer, or tortiller un ----, _to drink absinthe_. Perroquet -de savetier, _blackbird_. It is worthy of remark that blackbirds are -great favourites with cobblers in all countries. - -PERRUCHE, _f._ (popular), _glass of absinthe_. - -PERRUQUE, _adj. and f._ (familiar), _old-fashioned_. (Popular) Faire -en ----, _to procure anything by fraud_. Used especially by workmen -in reference to any of their own tools procured at the expense of the -master. - -PERRUQUEMAR, _m._ (popular), _hairdresser_. From perruquier. Termed -also “merlan.” - -PERRUQUIER, _m._ (military). Dache, ---- des zouaves, _an imaginary -character_. Allez donc raconter cela à Dache, _tell that to the -marines_. (Popular) Perruquier de la crotte, _shoeblack_. - -PERSIENNES, _f. pl._ (popular), _spectacles_, “barnacles, or gig-lamps.” - -PERSIGNER (thieves’), _to break open_; ---- une lourde, _to break open -a door_, “to strike a jigger;” ---- un client, _to cheat a man_, “to -stick a cove.” - -PERSIL, _m._ (familiar and popular), _the world of cocottes who -frequent places of entertainment_. - - L’excentrique aventure d’un de ses membres, héros du - “Persil” et de la “Gomme.”--=A. DAUDET.= - -Aller au ----, cueillir le ----, travailler dans le ----, faire son -----, _to walk the street as a prostitute, or to be seeking for clients -in public places_. - - La grande lorette qui a chevaux et voiture, et qui fait son - persil autour du lac, au bois de Boulogne.--=LÉO TAXIL.= - -Ces dames du ----, _prostitutes in general_. Le jour du ----, _day on -which a public entertainment is patronised by cocottes_. - - C’est le grand jour du Cirque, jour du persil et du gratin; - le jour des demoiselles qui se respectent et qui sont - seules, du reste, à remplir cette fonction et des messieurs - dont la boutonnière se fleurit d’un gardénia acheté un - louis à la bouquetière du cercle.--_P. Mahalin_, _Mesdames - de Cœur-Volant_. - -PERSILLARD, _m._ (familiar and popular), _Sodomite who lounges about_. - - Voici comment un douillard, celui qui cherche son - persillard ou sa persilleuse, se reconnaît.... Le - douillard porte une canne à bec recourbé. Il fait un léger - attouchement de sa canne, ou de l’épaule gauche à l’épaule - droite du persillard.--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -PERSILLEUSE, _f. and adj._ (familiar and popular), _street-walker_, or -“mot.” See GADOUE. - - La fille persilleuse attend son miché à la gare.--_Mémoires - de Monsieur Claude._ - -Also _a Sodomite_. - - La persilleuse est toujours cravatée (cravaté, voulais-je - dire) à la colin; sa coiffure est une casquette dont la - visière de cuir verni tombe sur les yeux et sert en quelque - sorte de voile; elle porte une redingote courte ou une - veste boutonnée de manière à dessiner fortement la taille - qui déjà est maintenue dans un corset.--=LÉO TAXIL.= - -PERSONNE, _f._ (familiar), la ----, _my mistress_, _my_ “little girl,” -or “tartlet.” (Popular) Aller où le roi n’envoie ----, _to go to the W. -C._, “to Mrs. Jones.” See MOUSCAILLER. - -PERTE, _f._ (thieves’), à ---- de vue, _for life_. Fagot à ---- de vue, -_one sentenced to penal servitude for life_, or “lifer.” - -PERTUIS, _m._ (popular), aux légumes, _the throat_, or “gutter-lane.” -Faire tour-mort et demi-clef sur le ---- aux légumes, _to throttle one_. - -PESCILLER, PESCIGUER (thieves’), _to seize_, _to lay hold of_, “to -collar;” ---- d’esbrouffe, _to take by force_. - - Quel mal qu’il y aurait à lui pesciller d’esbrouffe tout ce - qu’elle nous a esgaré, la vieille altriqueuse.--=VIDOCQ.= - (_What harm would there be in taking away from her by force - all that she has swindled us out of, the old receiver?_) - -Se ----, _to get angry_, “to lose one’s hair, to lose one’s shirt.” - -PÈSE, or PÈZE, _m._ (thieves’), _collection of money made among thieves -at large for the benefit of one who is locked up in jail_, “break, or -lead;” _money_, or “pieces.” See QUIBUS. Descendre, or fusiller son -----, _to spend one’s money_. - -PESSIGNER (thieves’), _to raise_. - - Es-tu sinve (simple!), tu seras roide gerbé à la passe - (condamné à mort). Ainsi, tu n’as pas d’autre lourde à - pessigner (porte à soulever) pour pouvoir rester sur tes - paturons (pieds), morfiler, te dessaler et goupiner encore - (manger, boire, et voler).--=BALZAC.= - -PESTE, _f._ (thieves’ and cads’), _police officer_, or “reeler.” See -POT-À-TABAC. - -PET, _m._ (popular), à vingt ongles, _baby_. Abouler un ---- à vingt -ongles, _to be in childbed_, “in the straw.” Faire du ----, _to kick -up a row_. Faire le ----, _to fail in business_, “to go to smash.” -Glorieux comme un ----, _insufferably conceited_. Curieux comme un -----, _extremely inquisitive_. Il y a du ----! _things look dangerous_; -_there is a row_. Il n’y a pas de ----, _there’s nothing to be done -there_; _all is quiet_, “all serene.” (Thieves’) Il y a du ----! _the -police are on the look-out!_ Pet! _a rogue’s warning cry when he hears -footsteps or the police_, “shoe-leather! Philip!” Termed also “chou!” - -PÉTAGE, _m._ (thieves’), _trial_, “patter.” - -PÉTARADE, _f._ (thieves’), la ----, _the hospital of La Salpétrière_. - -PÉTARD, _m._ (artists’), _sensational picture_. The _Salomé_ of Henri -Regnault, his masterpiece, belongs to that class of paintings. Rater -son ----, _is said of an artist whose success in producing a sensation -at the Exhibition has fallen short of his expectations_. (Literary) -Pétard, _sensational book which has a large sale_. - - Pourquoi ce qui n’avait pas réussi jusqu’alors a-t-il été, - cette fois, un événement de librairie? ce qu’on appelle, en - argot artistique, un pétard.--_Gazette des Tribunaux_, 1882. - -Also _a sensational play_. - - Si je fais du théâtre, ce sera pour être joué, et, tout en - le faisant comme je comprends qu’il doit être,--l’image - de la vie. Je ne casserai aucune vitre, ne lancerai aucun - pétard.--=ZOLA.= - -(Popular and thieves’) Pétard, _the behind_. It has also the -signification of _sou_. - - J’aimerais mieux encore turbiner d’achar du matois à la - sorgue pour affurer cinquante pétards par luisant que de - goupiner.--=VIDOCQ.= (_I had rather work hard from morning - till night to get fifty sous a day than to steal._) - -(Popular) Pétard, _a box on the ear_, or “bang in the gills;” -_disturbance_, _noise_, _quarrel_, _scandal_. Faire du ----, _to create -a disturbance_, “to kick up a row.” - - J’sais ben c’que vous m’dit’s: qu’il est tard, - Que j’baloche et que j’vagabonde. - Mais j’suis tranquill’, j’fais pas d’pétard, - Et j’crois qu’la rue est à tout l’monde. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -Des pétards, _haricot beans_. Faire du ----, _to make a fuss_. - - Inutile de faire tant de pétard ... l’homme de garde refuse - de se lever, c’est très bien, j’en rendrai compte au - major.--=G. COURTELINE.= - -PÉTARDER (popular), _to create a sensation_; _to cause scandal, or a -disturbance_, “to kick up a row.” - -PÉTARDIER, _m._ (popular), _one who causes scandal, or a disturbance_. - -PÉTÉE, _f._ (popular), se flanquer une fameuse ----, _to have a -regular_ “booze.” See SCULPTER. - -PET-EN-L’AIR, _m._ (popular), _short jacket_. - - Contre l’habit léger et clair - La loutre a perdu la bataille. - Nous arborons le pet-en-l’air, - Et les femmes ne vont qu’en taille. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -PÉTER (thieves’), _to make a complaint to the magistrates_; (popular) ----- dans la main à quelqu’un, _to be unduly familiar with one_; _to -fail in keeping one’s promise_; ---- dans le linge des autres, _to wear -borrowed clothes_; ---- dans la soie, _to wear a silk dress_; ---- sur -le mastic, _to forsake work_; _to send one to the deuce_. Faire ---- -la châtaigne, _to make a woman of a maiden_. Se faire ---- la panne, -_to eat to excess_, “to scorf.” S’en faire ---- la sous-ventrière. See -FAIRE. (Sailors’) Péter son lof, _to die_. See PIPE. (Military) Tu t’en -ferais ---- le compotier, _ironical expression of refusal_. - - Et pour porter mon sabre sous le bras, macache, c’est midi - sonné; tu t’en ferais péter l’compotier.--=G. COURTELINE.= - -PÈTE-SEC, _m._ (popular), _strict employer, who never trifles, and is -not to be trifled with_. - -PÉTEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _complainant_; _informer_, “nose.” - -PÉTEUX, _m._ (popular), _breech_. See VASISTAS. (Thieves’) Etre ----, -_to feel remorse_. - -PETIT, _adj._ (familiar and popular), bleu, _rough wine_, such as is -retailed at the Paris wine-shops; (popular) ---- homme noir, _tankard -of wine_; ---- noir, _coffee_; ---- père noir de quatre ans, _tankard -of wine holding four litres_; ---- pot, _paramour_. Lingère à ---- -crochet (obsolete), _female rag-picker_. - - Ma mère voyant qu’elle ne f’roit rien dans le méquier - d’actrice publique pour le chant voulut entrer dans - l’commerce et s’mit lingère à p’tit crochet.--_Amusemens à - la Grecque._ - -Petit salé, _baby_, “squeaker.” Termed also “gluant.” - - Avec mes ronds (sous) te voilà fadé (muni, qui a reçu - sa part). Tu pourras te payer ton petit salé (enfant) - de carton. Oui, répondit-il, merci. Mais tout de même - j’aimerais mieux en piger un d’occase, à la foire - d’empoigne. Ça serait plus mariolle (malin). Et avec la - galette (argent) j’achèterais à la daronne des oranges et - du trèfle à blaire (tabac à priser).--=RICHEPIN=, _Le Pavé_. - -(Prostitutes’) Le ----, _the behind_. (Roughs’) Un ----, _a cigarette -end long enough to be smoked_. (Thieves’) Du ---- monde, _lentils_. Un ----- faisan. See BANDE NOIRE. Des petits pois, _pimento_, _allspice_. -(Sodomites’) Petit Jésus, _a debased wretch, the abettor of another who -obtains money from persons by threats of exposure_. - - Le chanteur est un homme jeune encore ... toutefois, - seul, il ne peut “travailler;” il lui faut un compère, - ... puis un jeune et beau garçon qu’il appelle un petit - Jésus,” entièrement vendu à ses intérêts, ayant perdu tout - sentiment d’honnêteté, de pudeur.... Celui-ci doit servir - d’appeau.--=LÉO TAXIL.= - -(Familiar) Bon ---- camarade _is said ironically of an ill-disposed -malevolent colleague_. (Prostitutes’) Petit Jésus, _lover or associate -of a prostitute_, “Sunday-man.” (Printers’) Aligner les petits soldats -de plomb, _to compose_. - - Quand on sait bien aligner les petits soldats de plomb, on - vous colle devant une casse, et vous bourrez à quart de - pièces; un peu plus tard vous avez demi-pièces et ça vous - mène à la fin de l’apprentissage.--_From a Paris printers’ - newspaper._ - -(Tailors’) Petits bœufs, _apprentices_. - - Pourquoi des coupeurs, des culottiers, des giletiers - ... des pompiers, des tartares (apprentis) nommés aussi - petits-bœufs.--=MACÉ=, _Mon Premier Crime_. - -PETIT-BOCSON, _m._ (popular), _church_. Termed also rampante. - -PETIT-CREVÉ, _m._ (familiar), _dandy_, or “masher.” For synonyms -see GOMMEUX. A dandy in the seventeenth century went by the quaint -appellation of “quand pour Philis.” In explanation M. Génin, in his -_Récréations Philologiques_, says that all the fops of the period -thought themselves bound to be able to sing a certain ditty which was -then all the rage and began by the words, “Quand pour Philis.” Hence -the expression. Tallemant des Réaux, in his _Historiettes_, says of a -certain Turcan:-- - - Turcan ne saurait vivre - S’il ne fait le coquet; - A l’une il donne un livre - Et à l’autre un bouquet. - Il dit de belles choses, - Ne parle que de roses, - Que d’œillets et de lys: - C’est un quand-pour-Philis. - -Scarron also mentions the expression:-- - - A cette heure de tous costés, - Arrivent ici des beautés, - Qu’y n’y viennent qu’à la nuit sombre; - A cette heure quand-pour-Philis - Poudrez, frisez, luisans, polis, - Les appelans soleils à l’ombre, - Leur disent fleurettes sans nombre, - Sur leurs roses et sur leurs lys. - -PETITE, _adj._ (familiar), dame, an euphemism for “cocotte,” or “pretty -horse-breaker.” - - Il arrivera que les “petites dames,” bien conseillées - par les “petits messieurs,” comprendront qu’elles ont - infiniment plus d’avantages à nous poursuivre devant les - juges--qu’à se faire suivre sur les boulevards.--_Echo de - Paris_, Oct., 1886. - -Petite main, _girl apprenticed to a fleuriste_. - -PETIT-HÔTEL, _m._ (thieves’), _police station_. Faire une pose au ----, -_to be locked up in jail_, “to be in quod.” - -PETIT-QUE, _m._ (printers’), _semi-colon_. - - Il est ainsi nommé parceque le signe (;) remplaçait - autrefois le mot latin _que_ dans les manuscrits et les - premiers livres imprimés.--=BOUTMY.= - -PETITS, _adj._ (familiar), messieurs, _despicable young men who -live at the expense of prostitutes_--in fact, “pensioners” with an -obscene prefix. (Rag-pickers’) Charger des ---- produits, _to work at -rag-picking_. - -PETMUCHE, _m._ (thieves’ and cads’), _a signal that people are -approaching_, “Philip! or shoe-leather!” Acrémuche, il y a une -retentissante; y a du ---- voilà le lonsgué. _Look out, there’s a bell; -someone is coming; here’s the master of the house._ - -PÉTOCHE, _f._ (popular), être en ----, _to follow close in the rear_, -_at one’s heels_. - -PÉTOUZE, _f._ (old cant), pistole, _old coin_. - -PÉTRA, _m._ (popular), _clumsy man_, _awkward lout_. - -PÉTROLE, _m._ (popular), _brandy_, or “French cream.” - - Des bouges où se rassemble la racaille de l’égout, où les - faces blèmes sont souvent tatouées de pochons noirs, où - il coule parfois du sang dans les saladiers gluants de - vin bleu, où les pierreuses viennent se donner du cœur à - l’ouvrage en avalant un verre de pétrole qui leur flanque - un coup de fer rouge dans l’estomac.--=RICHEPIN=, _Le Pavé_. - -Allumer son ----. See ALLUMER. - -PÉTROLEUR, _m._ (familiar), _opprobrious name given to the insurgents -of 1870_. - -PÉTRONILLE, _f._ (popular), dévisser la ----, _to smash one’s head_. - -PÉTROUSKIN, _m._ (popular), _idle fellow_, or “bummer;” _breech_, or -“Nancy,” see VASISTAS; _peasant_, “clod.” - -PÉTUN, _m._ (obsolete), _tobacco_; _snuff_. From a Brazilian word. - -PÉTUNIÈRE, _f._ (popular), _snuff-box_, “sneezer.” - -PETZOUILLE, _m._ (popular), _the behind_, or “Nancy.” See VASISTAS. - -PEUPLE, _m._ (popular), faire un ----, _to be on the staff of -supernumeraries at a theatre_. Se foutre du ----, _to act as if one -cared for nobody’s opinion_. Est-ce que vous vous foutez du ----? _Do -you mean to laugh at me?_ - -PEUPLIER, _m._ (popular), _large twist of tobacco_. - -PÉVOUINE, _f._ (sailors’), _little girl_, _a wee lassie_. - -PÈZE, _m._ (thieves’), _money_, or “pieces.” See PÈSE. - - Je voudrais bien que tous les chouettes zigues qui m’ont - fait affurer du pèze puissent en dire autant.--=VIDOCQ.= - (_I wish all the jolly fellows who made me earn some money - could say as much._) - -PHALANGES, _f. pl._ (familiar), serrer les ----, _to shake hands_, “to -tip one’s daddle.” - -PHARAMINEUX, _adj._ (familiar), _astounding_, _marvellous_, “stunning.” - - Vous savez, Nana vient d’arriver ... oh! une entrée, mes - enfants! quelque chose de pharamineux!--=ZOLA.= - -PHARE, _m._ (printers’), _lamp_. Properly _lighthouse_. - -PHARMACOPE, _m._ (popular), _apothecary_, “pill-driver.” - -PHAROS, or PHARAUT, _m._ (old cant), _governor of a town_. Michel -thinks the word comes from the Spanish faraute, _head man_. - -PHILANTROPE, _m._ (pedlars’), _thief_, “prig.” For synonyms see GRINCHE. - -PHILIBERT, _m._ (thieves’), _thief_, “prig;” _swindler or sharper_, -“shark.” See GRINCHE. - -PHILIPPE, _m._ (popular), _silver or gold coin_. An allusion to the -effigy of Louis Philippe. - - On dit que tu as poissé nos philippes (filouté nos pièces - d’or).--=BALZAC.= - -PHILIPPINE, _f._ (familiar and popular). When a person cracks an almond -for another, should there be a double kernel, he who cries out first, -“Bonjour, Philippine!” can exact a present from the other. The word -seems to be a corruption of the German vielliebchen. - -PHILISTIN, _m._ (artists’), _a man who belongs to a different set_, _an -outsider_, _a bourgeois_, a “Philistine.” The _Slang Dictionary_ says: -“Society is supposed to regard all outside its bounds as belonging to -the Philistine world. Bohemians regard all cleanly, orderly people who -conform to conventionality as Philistines;” (medical) _medical man -who, not being on the staff of an hospital, visits the establishment, -generally prolonging his stay more than is pleasant or convenient for -the members of the staff_; (tailors’) _journeyman tailor_. In the -English slang a Philistine is a policeman. The German students call all -townspeople not of their body “Philister,” as English ones say “cads.” -The departing student says, mournfully, in one of the _Burschenlieder_: -“Muss selber nun Philister sein!” _i.e._ “I must now Philistine be!” - -PHILOSOPHE, _m._ (popular), _poverty-stricken_, or “quisby;” _old or -cheap shoe_. - - Plus d’une ci-devant beauté, aujourd’hui réduite à l’humble - caraco de drap, à la jupe de molleton et aux sabots, si - elle ne préfère les “philosophes” (souliers à quinze, vingt - et vingt-cinq sols).--=VIDOCQ.= - -Philosophe, _rag-picker_, or “bone-grubber.” Philosophes de neuf -jours, _shoes out at the sole_. (Thieves’) Un ----, _one of the -light-fingered gentry_, see GRINCHE; _card-sharper who dispenses with -the assistance of an accomplice_. - -PHILOSOPHIE, _f._ (popular), _poverty_, _neediness_. - -PHOTOGRAPHIER (popular), allez vous faire ----, _go to the deuce_, “go -to pot.” - -PI, parler en ----, _to add_ “pi” _to each syllable of a word_. Thus -couteau becomes coupiteaupi. - -PIAF, _m._ (thieves’), _pride_; _boasting_, “bouncing.” - -PIANISTE, _m._ (popular), _executioner’s assistant_. He is the -accompanyist to the executioner, the principal performer. - -PIANO, _m._ (horse-dealers’), jouer du ----, _is said of a horse which -has a disunited trot_. Maîtresse de ----. See MAÎTRESSE. - -PIANOTER (familiar), _to be a poor performer on the piano_. - - On ne devait pas pianoter pendant la nuit--=BALZAC.= - -PIAU, _m._ (printers’), _falsehood_, “cram.” From la peau! _nonsense!_ -(thieves’) _bed_. Pincer le ----, _to go to bed_, _to get into_ “kip.” -See PIEU. - -PIAULLE, PIOLE, or PIOLLE, _f._ (thieves’), _house_, “crib, hangs-out, -ken;” _tavern_. Same origin as picter. La ---- a l’air rupin, _there’s -plenty to steal in that house_. - -PIAUSSER (thieves’), _to sleep_, “to doss.” Se ----, _to dress_; _to go -to bed_. See PIEU. - - Ils sont allés se piausser (se coucher) chez - Bicêtre.--=VIDOCQ.= - -(Printers’) Piausser, _to lie_; _to humbug_. - -PIAUSSEUR, _m._ (printers’), _liar_; _humbug_. - -PICAILLONS, _m. pl._ (popular), _money_, “tin.” See QUIBUS. Avoir des -----, _to be well off_, or “well ballasted.” Picaillons is probably a -corruption of picarons, _Spanish coin_. - -PICANTI, _adj._ (thieves’), gau ----, _louse_, “gold-backed ’un.” See -BASOURDIR. - -PICCOLET, or PICOLO, _m._ (popular), _thin wine_. From picton, which -itself comes from the Greek πιεῖν, through picter. - - Le suave fromage à la pie ... et qu’ils mangeaient avec un - chanteau de pain bis, avant de boire un gobelet de picolo, - de ce vert petit reginglard qui leur piquait un cent - d’épingles dans la gorge.--=RICHEPIN=, _Le Pavé_. - -PICHE, _m._ (popular), for pique, _spades of cards_. - -PICHENET, _m._ (popular), _thin wine_. See PICTON. - - Le pichenet et le vitriol l’engraissaient - positivement.--=ZOLA.= - -PICKPOCKETER (familiar), _to pick pockets_. - -PICORAGE, _m._ (thieves’), _highway robbery_. - -PICOURE, _f._ (thieves’), _hedge_. Déflotter, or défleurir la ----, _to -steal linen laid out on a hedge to dry_, “lully prigging.” A thief who -steals linen is termed “snow-gatherer.” La ---- est fleurie, _there is -linen on the hedge_, “snowy on the ruffman.” - -PICTER (popular and thieves’), _to drink_, “to liquor up,” or, as the -Americans say, “to smile, or to see the man.” From the Greek πιεῖν. - - Laissez-le donc, nous le ferons picter à la refaite de - sorgue.--=VIDOCQ.= (_Leave him alone, we’ll make him drink - at dinner._) - -Picter des canons, _to drink glasses of wine_. - - Comme moi gagne de la pièce, - Tu pourras picter des canons. - Et sans aller trimer sans cesse. - Te lâcher le fin rigaudon. - Ne crains pas le pré que je brave, - Car de la bride je n’ai pas peur; - Dans une tôle enquille en brave, - Fais-toi voleur! - - =VIDOCQ.= - -Allons ---- un kil, _let us go and drink a litre of wine_. Picter -du pivois sans lance, _to drink wine without water_. Picter une -rouillarde, _to drink a bottle of wine_. La ---- à la douce, _to sit -over a bottle of wine_. - -PICTON, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _wine_. Termed also “picolo, -nectar, ginglet, ginglard, pichenet, briolet, pivois, bleu, petit bleu, -vinasse, blanc, huile,” &c. Picton sans lance, _wine without water_. Un -coup de ----, _a glass of wine_. - - Encore un coup d’picton, - La mère Bernard, il n’est pas tard, - Encore un coup d’picton - Pour nous mettre à la raison. - - _Old Song._ - -PICTONNER (popular), _to drink heavily_, “to swill.” See RINCER. - -PICTONNEUR, _m._ (popular), _drunkard_, “lushington.” See POIVROT. - -PIÈCE, _f._ (military), de quatre, _syringe_; ---- grasse, _cook_, or -“dripping;” ---- de sept, _stout man_, “forty guts;” (freemasons’) ---- -d’architecture, _speech_; (literary) ---- de bœuf, _gushing article on -the topics of the day_; (theatrical) ---- de bœuf, _a play in which one -obtains the most success_; ---- à tiroirs, _play with transformation -scenes_; ---- d’été, _bad play_; (prostitutes’) ---- d’estomac, -_lover_, “Sunday man.” (Thieves’) Vol à la ---- forcée. This kind of -theft requires two confederates, one of whom tenders in payment of a -purchase a marked coin. His friend then steps in, makes a purchase, -and maintains he has paid for it with a coin of which he gives a -description, and which of course is found in the till by the amazed -tradesman. (Popular) Une ---- du pape, or suisse, _an ugly woman_. La ----- de dix sous, or de dix ronds, _the anus_. N’avoir plus sa ---- de -dix ronds, _to be a Sodomite_. Cracher des pièces de dix sous, _to be -parched_, _dry_. - - Coupeau voyant le petit horloger cracher là-bas des pièces - de dix sous, lui montra de loin une bouteille; et, l’autre - ayant accepté de la tête, il lui porta la bouteille et un - verre.--=ZOLA.= - -The English have the expression, “to spit sixpences,” _to be thirsty_. - - He had thought it a rather dry discourse; and beginning to - spit sixpences (as his saying was), he gave hints to M. - Wildgoose to stop at the first public-house they should - come to--=GRAVES=, _Spiritual Quixote_. - -PIED, _m._ (popular), à dormir debout, _large flat foot_; ---- de -cochon, _pistol_, or “barking iron;” ---- de nez, _one sou_; ---- plat, -_a Jew_, or “mouchey, Ikey, or sheney.” Mettre à ----, _to dismiss_, -“to give the sack.” En avoir son ----, _to have had enough of it_. -(Thieves’) Pied de biche, _short crowbar_, or “jemmy.” Termed also -“Jacques, l’enfant, sucre de pomme, biribi.” Le ----, _the ground_; -termed also “la dure;” _share_, or “whack.” Mon ----, ou je casse! _my -share, or I peach_, or “my whack, or I blow the gaff.” (Military) Pied, -or ---- bleu, _recruit_, or “Johnny raw.” - - Je t’en fiche; y prend un air digne, toise l’infirmier - du haut en bas, et te l’engueule comme un pied. - --=G. COURTELINE.= - -Pied de banc, _sergeant_. There are just as many sergeants in a company -as there are feet to a bench. - - Les sous-officiers sont l’âme de l’armée si les officiers - en sont la tête ... les soldats le savent et le disent - bien, et se rendant compte de l’utilité de ces humbles - subalternes, ils les appellent les pieds de banc. Enlevez - un officier à la compagnie, nul ne s’apercevra du vide; - ôtez un sergent elle deviendra boiteuse.--=HECTOR FRANCE=, - _L’Homme qui Tue_. - -PIEDS, _m. pl._ (popular), avoir mangé ses ----, _to have an offensive -breath_. Se tirer des ----, _to go away_, _to run away_, “to hook it.” -See PATATROT. Où mets-tu tes pieds? _what are you meddling about?_ -(Military) Avoir les ---- de châlit, _to be particular_, _careful_. -Avoir les ---- nattés, _to feel a disinclination for going out, or not -to be able to go out_. (Printers’) Pieds de mouche, _notes in a book, -generally printed in small type_. (Thieves’) Avoir les ---- attachés -dans le dos, _to be dogged by the police_, “to get a roasting.” -(Popular and thieves’) Bénir des pieds, _to be hanged_, “to swing, -to be scragged.” Termed formerly “to fetch a Tyburn stretch,” or “to -preach at Tyburn Cross,” alluding to the penitential speeches made on -such occasions. In olden times a hanged person was termed in France -“évêque des champs,” alluding to the cap which was drawn over the face -of the convict, and which represented the mitre, also to the convulsive -movements of his legs. It was the custom to erect the gallows in the -open country. Hence the expression, “évêque des champs qui donne la -bénédiction avec les pieds.” - -PIER (thieves’), old word, _to drink_. In English slang, “to liquor -up,” and, as the Americans term the act, “to smile,” or “to see the -man.” See RINCER. - -PIERRE, _f._ (popular), à affûter, _bread_, or “soft tommy;” -(freemasons’) ---- brute, _bread_; (thieves’) ---- de touche, -_confrontation of a malefactor with his victim or with witnesses_. - -PIERREAU, _m._ (military), _recruit_, or “Johnny raw.” Also _soldier -who has been for one year in the corps_. - - Ils tranchaient les questions d’un mot, ... considéraient - du haut de leur importance les brigadiers qu’ils - qualifiaient de bleus et de pierreaux, comme s’ils fussent - arrivés de la veille.--=G. COURTELINE.= - -PIERREUSE, _f._ (popular), _prostitute of the lowest class, who -generally prowls near heaps of stones on the road, or in building -yards_, “draggle-tail.” See GADOUE. Concerning this class of -prostitutes Léo Taxil says: “Il est une classe absolument ignoble, -qui est la lie des filles en carte: les pierreuses. On donne ce nom -à un genre particulier de femmes qui ont vieilli dans l’exercice de -la prostitution du plus bas étage ... elles sortent la nuit ... elles -stationnent auprès des chantiers ou à proximité des terrains vagues.” - -PIERROT, _m._ (popular), _glass of white wine_. Asphyxier un ----, -_to drink a glass of white wine_. Pierrot, properly, is a pantomimic -character with face painted white and dressed in white attire. -(Hairdressers’) Pierrot, _application of lather on the face_; -(military) _recruit_, or “Johnny raw.” Termed also “bleu.” - - Les anciens commencèrent par faire la sourde oreille, - supportèrent avec patience les quolibets et les piqûres - d’aiguille jusqu’au jour où un “pierrot,” tout nouvellement - arrivé ... reçut une paire de calottes.--=G. COURTELINE.= - -Also _bad soldier who shirks his duty and incurs punishment_. - - De temps en temps, l’adjudant Flick, en cherchant ses deux - “pierrots,” constatait leur disparition. Les deux pierrots - ... s’étaient donné un peu d’air. Ces bordées duraient six - journées, au bout desquelles ils revenaient fiers comme - des paons, frisant la désertion de cinq minutes. - --=G. COURTELINE.= - -PIESTO, _m._ (popular), _money_, “the needful, gilt, or loaver.” See -QUIBUS. - -PIÈTRE, _m._ (thieves’), _rogue who plays the lame man so as to excite -the commiseration of the public_. - -PIEU, _m._ (thieves’), _crossbar_; ---- de la vanterne, _crossbar of a -window_; (popular and thieves’) bed. From old word piautre, _straw_, -_rags_. Hence the old peaultraille, _canaille_, _ragamuffins_. An -instance of the insertion of the _i_ is shown by pieu, _a stake_, from -pau. - - Les pant’s sont couchés dans leurs pieux, - Par conséquent je n’gên’ personne. - Laissez-moi donc! j’suis un pauv’ vieux. - Où qu’ vous m’emm’nez, messieurs d’la sonne? - - =RICHEPIN.= - -Spelt also pieux. - - Dès que le réveil entendras - Tes deux châssis épongeras; - La botte aux Cocos donneras, - Et leur crottin enlèveras, - A la chambre remonteras - Faire ton pieux. - - _Les Litanies du Cavalier._ - -Se coller dans le ----, _to go to bed_, _to get into the_ “kip.” Etre -en route pour le ----, _to feel sleepy_. Etre rivé au ----, _to be -passionately attached to a woman_. - -PIEUTÉ, _adj._ (popular), être ----, _to be in bed_. - - Il réfléchit, partage entre l’inquiétude de coucher le - soir à la boîte et le plaisir de rester “pieuté.” - --=G. COURTELINE=, _Les Gaietés de l’Escadron_. - -PIEUVRE, _f._ (familiar), _kept woman_. Properly _octopus_. See GADOUE. - -PIEUVRISME, _m._ (familiar), _prostitution_; _the world of prostitutes_. - -PIF, or PIFRE, _m._ (familiar and popular), _nose_, “handle, conk, -or snorter.” See MORVIAU. The word “pifre” is used by Rabelais with -the signification of _fife_. It is, therefore, not improbable that -the nasal organ received the appellation on account of its being -assimilated to that wind instrument, the more so as other parts of the -body bear the names of musical instruments, as trompette, or musette, -_face_; sifflet, _throat_; guitare, or guimbarde, _head_; grosse -caisse, _body_; flûtes, _legs_; mirliton, _nose_. - - Où que j’vas? ça vous r’garde pas. - J’vas où que j’veux, loin d’où que j’suis. - C’est à côté, tout près d’là-bas. - Mon pif marche d’vant, et je l’suis. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -C’est pas pour ton ----, _that’s not for you_. (Thieves’) Etre dans le ----- comme grinche, _to be noted as a swindler_. (Prostitutes’) Faire -un ---- d’ocas, _to find a client_, or “flat.” - - J’ai fait que poiroter sous les lansquines en battant mon - quart pour faire un pif d’ocas, qui me donne de quoi que - mon marlou ne m’éreinte pas de coups.--=LOUISE MICHEL.= - -PIFFARD, _m._ (popular), _the possessor of a nose remarkable on account -of its large proportions or vermilion hue_, like that of a drunkard, an -“Admiral of the Red,” whose nasal organ bears “grog blossoms.” - -PIFFE, _m._ (thieves’), _breech_, or “blind cheek.” See VASISTAS. - -PIFFER (popular), _to be discontented, or to look disappointed_, “down -in the mouth.” Synonymous of “faire son nez.” - -PIGE, _f._ (thieves’), _year_, or “stretch;” _hour_; _prison_, or -“stir.” See MOTTE. (Familiar) Faire la ----, _to race_. (Printers’) -Pige, _a certain number of lines to be composed in an hour_. Prendre sa -----, _to ascertain the length of a page or column_. - -PIGEON, _m._ (card-sharpers’). Elever des pigeons, _to entice dupes -into playing in order to fleece them of their money_. (General) Pigeon, -_a gullible or soft person_, a “pigeon.” The vagabonds and brigands of -Spain also used the word in their “germania,” or robber’s language, -“palomo,” _ignorant_, _simple_. In the sporting world “sharps and -flats” are often called “rooks and pigeons” respectively--sometimes -“spiders and flies.” When the “pigeon” has been done, he then is -entitled to the appellation of “muggins.” Pigeon voyageur, _a girl -of indifferent character who travels up and down a line seeking for -clients_. (Cocottes’) Avoir son ----, _to have found a client_, _to -have a_ “flat.” (Theatrical) Pigeon, _part payment of a fee due to -an author by the manager of a theatre_. (Familiar) Aile de ----, -_old-fashioned_. An allusion to the headdress preserved by émigrés on -their return to France. - -PIGEONNER (familiar and popular), _to dupe_, or “to do.” - - Dans celle-là, ce n’est plus moi qui pige, c’est moi qui - suis pigeonné.--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -PIGEONNIER, _m._ (familiar), _the boudoir of a cocotte_. - -PIGER (general), _to detect_; _to take_, “to collar;” _to apprehend_, -“to nab.” - - Eh! la Gribouille, comment que t’as été pigée, dit une - vagabonde à une autre.--=LOUISE MICHEL.= - -Piger, _to understand_, “to twig,” or, as the Americans say, “to catch -on.” - - Moi aussi ... mais piges-tu, pas de braise; ceux qu’ont - du poignon dans les finettes peuvent décaniller. - --=LOUISE MICHEL.= (_Oh, I also ... but do you understand, - no money; those who have money in their pockets can go._) - -Piger, _to race_; _to compete_. - - Et je vous jure bien que dans cette foule de fillettes de - magasin qui descendent en capeline, ... petites gueules - fraîches toussotant à la brume, toujours talonnées de - quelque galant, aucune n’aurait pu piger avec elle. - --=A. DAUDET.= - -Piger, _to find_. - - Tiens, v’là Casimir, c’est ta femme, cette colombe-là? où - as-tu pigé ce canasson-là, c’est bon pour le muséum, mon - cher.--=BAUMAINE ET BLONDELET=, _Les Locutions Vicieuses_. - -Piger la vignette, _to look attentively and with pleasure on some funny -person or amusing scene_, “to take it in.” Se faire ----, _to allow -oneself to be detected or apprehended_; _to allow oneself to be done_, -or “bested.” Piger, _to catch_, “to nab.” - - On grimp’ pas su’ les parapets! - Attends! attends! j’y vas ... cré garce, - Pigé, j’te tiens! Dit’s donc, c’est farce - Tout d’même. - - =GILL.= - -PIGET, or PIPET, _m._ (thieves’), _castle_. The root of this word is -pigeon, in the Low Latin pipio. - -PIGNARD, _m._ (thieves’), _breech_, or “blind cheek.” See VASISTAS. - -PIGNOCHER (popular). Means properly _to pick one’s food_. Se ----, _to -fight_, “to slip into one another;” (artists’) _to put too much finish -in a work_. - -PIGNOUF, _m._ (general), _one who behaves like a cad_; _coarse fellow_; -_mean, paltry fellow_. - - J’ai vu que tu avais par moments ennuyé les critiques. Tu - sais, il ne faut pas faire attention à eux, c’est des tas - de pignoufs.--=E. MONTEIL.= - -(Shoemakers’) Pignouf, _apprentice_, the master being denominated -“pontife,” and a workman “gniaf.” - -PIGNOUFLE, _m._ (general), _cad_. - - La faille rose braquant sa jumelle--“A qui en ont-ils ces - pignoufles?”--=P. MAHALIN.= - -PIGOCHE, _f._, _a game_. Some coins being placed inside a circumference -traced out on the ground, are to be knocked out of it by aiming with -another coin. - - Nous arrachions tout, les boutons - Des portes et des pantalons - Pour la pigoche. - - =DE CHATILLON.= - -The word has passed into the language. - -PILE! (popular), _exclamation uttered when one sees a person falling, -or hears a smash of crockery or other article_. Properly _tails!_ -at pitch and toss. Termed also d’autant! a favourite ejaculation of -waiters. - -PILER (popular), du poivre, _to walk on the tips of one’s toes on -account of blistered feet_; =TO WAIT=; _to slander_. Faire ---- du -poivre à quelqu’un, _to throw one down repeatedly_. Piler le bitume _is -said of a prostitute who walks the streets_; (military) ---- du poivre, -_to mark time_; _to be on sentry duty_; _to ride a hard trotting -horse_; ---- du poivre à quelqu’un, _to forsake one_; _to leave off -keeping company with one_. - - Ah! pompon du diable! il y a longtemps que j’avais envie de - lui piler du poivre.--=C. DUBOIS DE GENNES.= - -Piler le poivre, _to be on sentry duty_. - -PILIER, _m._ (familiar), de cabaret, _drunkard_, or “mop.” See POIVROT. -(Thieves’) Le ----, _the master_. Un ---- de boutanche, _a shopman_. Un -----, _the master of a brothel_. Un ---- de pacquelin, _a commercial -traveller_. - - Quel fichu temps! le pilier de pacquelin ne viendra - pas.--=VIDOCQ.= - -Le ---- du creux, _the master of the house_, the “omee of the carsey.” -From uomo della casa in lingua franca. - -PILLE, _f._ (thieves’), _one thousand francs_. - -PILLOIS VAIN, _m._ (thieves’), _village judge_, a kind of “beak, or -queer cuffin.” - -PILOCHES, _f. pl._ (thieves’), _teeth_, “bones, or ivories.” Termed -also “chocottes.” Montrer ses ----, “to flash one’s ivories.” - -PILOIRS, _m. pl._ (thieves’), _fingers_, “forks, stealers, or pickers.” - -PILON, _m._ (thieves’), _finger or thumb_; (popular) _maimed beggar_. - -PIMPELOTER (popular), se ----, _to eat and drink of the best_, _to take -care of number one in that respect_. - -PIMPIONS, _m. pl._ (thieves’), _coin_, “pieces.” See QUIBUS. - -PINÇANTS, _m. pl._ (old cant), _scissors_. Termed also “fauchants, -fauchettes.” - -PINÇARD, _m._ (cavalry), _horseman who possesses strong thighs, and -has, in consequence, a firm grip in the saddle_. From pince, _grip_. - -PINCE, _f._ (thieves’), _hand_, or “duke.” (Horsemen’s) Pince, _grip of -the thighs_. (Popular) Chaud de la ----, _fond of women_. La pince is -_the fork_. - - Puis, comme c’était un chaud de la pince qui faisait des - enfants à toutes les figurantes de l’Odéon.--=E. MONTEIL.= - -(Card-sharpers’) Pince, _a box constructed on cheating principles, and -used by sharpers at the game called consolation, a game played with -dice_. - -PINCEAU, _m._ (military), _broom_. - - Allons ... nous sommes de corvée de quartier, il va falloir - aller jouer du pinceau avant un quart d’heure. - --=DUBOIS DE GENNES.= - -(Freemasons’) Pinceau, _pen_; (popular) _hand, or foot_, “daddle, -or hoof.” Détacher un coup de ---- dans la giberne, _to kick one’s -behind_, “to toe one’s bum.” Détacher un coup de ---- sur la -frimousse, _to give a box on the ear_, “to give a bang in the mug, to -fetch a wipe in the gills, or mug,” or, as the Americans term it, “to -give a biff in the jaw.” - -PINCE-CUL, _m._ (popular), _low dancing-hall patronized by prostitutes -and roughs_. An allusion to the liberties which male dancers take with -their partners. - -PINCE-DUR, _m._ (military), _adjutant_. From pincer, _to nab_. - -PINCE-LOQUE, _m._ (thieves’), _needle_. - -PINCER (familiar and popular), le cancan, _to dance the_ “cancan.” -A kind of choregraphy which requires great agility, the toes of -the female performers being more often on a level with the faces -of their partners than on the floor. The cancan is in great favour -at Bullier and kindred dancing-halls, its devotees being generally -medical students and their female friends, the “étudiantes;” -also “horizontales” and their protectors, or “poissons;” ---- au -demi-cercle, _to catch unawares_, “to nab;” ---- quelqu’un, _to catch -one_, _to take one red-handed_. Se faire ----, _to be detected_; _to be -caught_, _to get_ “nabbed.” Pincer un coup de sirop, _to be slightly -the worse for liquor, or slightly_ “elevated.” See POMPETTE. En ---- -pour une femme, _to be smitten with a fair one’s charms_, “to be mashed -on, sweet on, keen on, or to be spooney.” (Thieves’) Pincer, _to -steal_, “to nick.” For synonyms see GRINCHIR. - - Cartouche.--Qu’avez-vous pincé? Harpin.--Six pièces de - toile et quatre de mousseline.--=LE GRAND=, _Les Fourberies - de Cartouche_. - -Pincer de la guitare, or de la harpe, _to be locked up in jail_, _to -be_ “in quod.” An allusion to the bars of the prison cell assimilated -to the strings of a guitar. - -PINCE-SANS-RIRE, _m._ (thieves’), _police officer_, “copper,” or -“reeler.” See POT-À-TABAC. - -PINCETTES, _f. pl._ (popular), affûter, or se tirer les ----, _to -decamp in a hurry_, “to guy.” See PATATROT. - -PINCHARD, _adj._ (literary), _vulgar_, _in bad taste_, “jimmy.” - -PINDARÈS (thieves’), _the gendarmes_; _city police, or rural police_. -Pindarès! _we wash our hands of it!_ an exclamation uttered by -malefactors after committing some crime. - -PINET, or PINO, _m._ (thieves’), _farthing_. Termed in English cant, -“fadge.” - -PINGOUIN, _m._ (popular), _fool_, or “flat;” _good-for-nothing man_. -(Mountebanks’) Le ----, _the public_. - - Vois-tu le pingouin comme il s’allume? ... ça n’est rien, à - la reprise je vas l’incendier.--=E. SUE.= - -Pingouin maigre, _small audience_; ---- gras, _large audience_. - -PINGRE, _adj._ (thieves’), _poor_, “quisby.” - -PIOCHE, _f._ (freemasons’), _fork_; (popular) _work_, or “graft.” Se -mettre à la ----, _to set oneself to work_. Tête de ----, _blockhead_, -“cabbage-head.” (Thieves’) Une ----, _a pickpocket_, or “finger-smith.” - -PIOCHER (barristers’), les larmes, _to prepare a pathetic oration -with a view to exciting the commiseration of the jury, and enlisting -their sympathy in favour of the accused_. There is an old joke about -a barrister who, having undertaken to defend a scoundrel accused of -murdering his own father and mother, wound up his speech by beseeching -the jury to be merciful unto his client, on the plea of his being a -“poor orphan left alone and unprotected in this wicked world.” The -celebrated and truthful author of a recent diatribe on the manners -and customs of the French, reproduces the story, presenting it to his -readers as a striking but “genuine” specimen of the forensic eloquence -in favour with John Bull’s neighbours! (Thieves’) Piocher, _to carry on -the business of a pickpocket_, “to be on the cross.” See GRINCHIR. - -PIOLE, or PIOLLE, _f._ (thieves’), _house_. The synonyms are, “cambuse, -cassine, boîte, niche, kasbah, barraque, creux, bahut, baite, case, -taule, taudion,” and, in the English slang, “diggings, ken, hangs-out, -chat, crib,” &c. Piole, _lodging-house_, or “dossing-ken.” - - Veux-tu venir prendre de la morfe et piausser avec mézière - en une des pioles que tu m’as rouscaillées?--_Le Jargon de - l’Argot._ (_Will you come eat and sleep_ _with me in one of - the cribs which you were talking about?_) - -Piole, _tavern_, or “lush-crib;” ---- blindée, _fortress_; ---- à -machabées, _cemetery_; ---- de lartonnier, _baker’s shop_, or “mungarly -casa.” The English cant term is a corruption of the Lingua Franca -phrase for an eating-house. Mangiare, _to eat_, in Italian. - -PIOLLER (popular and thieves’), _to pay frequent visits to the -wine-shop_; _to get the worse for liquor_, _to get_ “cut, or canon.” - -PIOLLIER, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _landlord of a drinking-shop_, -“the boss of a lush-crib.” - -PION, _m. and adj._ (familiar), un ----, _an usher at a school_, or -“bum-brusher.” Properly _a pawn_; (thieves’) _louse_, “grey-back, -or German duck.” The _Slang Dictionary_ says: “These pretty little -things are called by many names, among others by those of ‘grey-backs’ -and ‘gold-backed ’uns,’ which are popular among those who have most -interest in the matter.” Etre ----, _to be drunk_. From an old word -pier, _to drink_. Villon in his _Grand Testament_, fifteenth century, -has the word with the signification of _toper_, _drunkard_:-- - - Brief, on n’eust sçeu en ce monde chercher - Meilleur pion, pour boire tost et tard. - Faictes entrer quand vous orrez trucher - L’ame du bon feu maistre Jehan Cotard. - -Rabelais uses pion with the same signification:-- - - Ce feut ici que mirent à bas culs - Joyeusement quatre gaillards pions, - Pour banqueter à l’honneur de Bacchus, - Buvants à gré comme beaulx carpions. - - _Pantagruel_, chap. xxvii. - -PIONCE, _f._, or PIONÇAGE, _m._ (popular), _sleep_, or “balmy.” -Camarade de ----, _bedfellow_. - - Il avait couché dans un garno où l’on est deux par - paillasse. Son camarade de pionce était un gros père - à mine rouge qui avait une tête comme un bonnet - d’astrakan.--=RICHEPIN=, _Le Pavé_. - -PIONCER (familiar and popular), _to sleep_. From piausser. - - Quoi? vrai! vous allez m’ramasser? - Ah! c’est muf! Mais quoi qu’on y gagne! - J’m’en vas vous empêcher d’pioncer - J’ronfle comme un’ toupi’ d’All’magne. - - =RICHEPIN=, _La Chanson des Gueux_. - -The synonyms are: “casser une canne, piquer un chien, piquer une -romance, faire le lézard, faire son michaud, roupiller, se recueillir, -compter des pauses, taper de l’œil, mettre le chien au cran de repos.” - -PIONCEUR, _m._ (familiar and popular), _man who sleeps_. - -PIONNE, _f._ (scholars’), _governess at a school_. - -PIOTE, _f._ (cavalry), _insulting term applied by a cavalry man to a -foot-soldier_. - -PIOU, or PIOUPIOU, _m._ (familiar and popular), _infantry soldier_, -_the French_ “Tommy Atkins.” - -PIPE, _f._ (familiar and popular), _head_, _face_. Casser sa ----, -_to die_. The synonyms are: “dévisser, or décoller son billard, -graisser ses bottes, avaler sa langue, sa gaffe, sa cuiller, or ses -baguettes, cracher son âme, n’avoir plus mal aux dents, poser sa -chique, claquer, saluer le public, recevoir son décompte, ingurgiter -son bilan, cracher ses embouchures, déposer ses bouts de manche, -déteindre, donner son dernier bon à tirer, lâcher la perche, éteindre -son gaz, épointer son foret, être exproprié, péter son lof, fumer ses -terres, fermer son parapluie, perdre son bâton, descendre la garde, -passer l’arme à gauche, défiler la parade, tourner de l’œil, perdre le -goût du pain, lâcher la rampe, faire ses petits paquets, casser son -crachoir, remercier son boulanger, canner, dévider à l’estorgue, baiser -la camarde, camarder, fuir, casser son câble, son fouet; faire sa -crevaison, déralinguer, virer de bord, déchirer son faux-col, dégeler, -couper sa mèche, piquer sa plaque, mettre la table pour les asticots, -aller manger les pissenlits par la racine, laisser fuir son tonneau, -calancher, laisser ses bottes quelque part, déchirer son habit, or son -tablier, souffler sa veilleuse, pousser le boum du cygne, avoir son -coke, rendre sa secousse,” and, in the English slang, “to snuff it, -to lay down one’s knife and fork, to stick one’s spoon in the wall, -to kick the bucket, to give in, give up, to go to Davy Jones, to peg -out, to hop the twig, to slip one’s cable, to lose the number of one’s -mess, to turn one’s toes up.” The latter is to be met with in Reade’s -_Cloister and Hearth_:-- - - “Several arbalestriers turned their toes up, and I among - them.” “Killed, Denys? Come now!” “Dead as mutton.” - -PIPÉ, _adj._ (thieves’), être ---- sur le tas, _to be caught -red-handed_. - -PIPELET, _m._ (general), _doorkeeper_. A character in Eugène Sue’s _Les -Mystères de Paris_. - - Je les ai vus causer ensemble, - Mes deux Pip’lets. - Et j’ai dit dans ma peau qui tremble, - Dieu! qu’ils sont laids. - - =J. DE BLAINVILLE=, _Mes deux Pipelets_. - -The Pipelet of Eugène Sue was the victim of a ferocious practical -joker, a painter, Cabrion by name, who made his life a burden to him. -The doorkeepers have retaliated by calling “un Cabrion” a lodger who -does not pay his rent. - - Je sais aussi qu’on me traite d’ivrogne, - Si du raisin je rapporte le fard. - Que Cabrion aperçoive ma trogne - Il s’écriera: le Pip’let est pochard! - Mais ce matin, j’ai vu Anastasie, - Qui du cognac savourait les roideurs; - Je m’consol’rai dans les bras d’une amie. - Les m’lons sont verts, les chardons sont en fleurs. - - =DUBOIS=, _Rêves de Vieillesse ou le Départ de Pipelet_. - -PIPELETTE, _f._ (general), _the wife of a concierge or doorkeeper_. -Termed also Madame Pipelet. See PIPELET. - - Vous n’connaissez pas ma concierge, - La nommée Madam’ Benoiton, - Une grand’ sèch’ longu’ comm’ un cierge - Et sourd’ comm’ un bonnet d’coton. - Si malheureus’ment j’m’attarde, - C’est l’diable pour la réveiller. - Pendant deux heur’s je mont’ la garde, - D’vant la porte et j’ai beau crier: - Ous-qu’est ma pip’, ous-qu’est ma pip’, - ous-qu’est ma pip’lette? - - =A. BEN ET H. D’HERVILLE.= - -PIPER (familiar and popular), _to smoke_, or “to blow a cloud.” - - Il me semble qu’on a pipé ici.--=GAVARNI.= - -(Thieves’) Piper, _to catch_. - - Comprend-on après cela qu’un homme qui changeait si - fréquemment de nom ... ait été se loger ... sous le nom de - Mahossier qui lui avait servi à piper sa victime?--=CANLER.= - -Piper un pègre, _to apprehend a thief_, “to smug a prig.” The different -expressions signifying _to apprehend or to imprison_ are: “poisser, -grimer, coquer, enflacquer, enfourailler, mettre dedans, fourrer -dedans, mettre à l’ombre, mettre au violon, boucler, grappiner, poser -un gluau, empoigner, piger, emballer, gripper, empioler, encoffrer, -encager, accrocher, ramasser, souffler, faire tomber malade, agrafer, -mettre le grappin dessus, enchetiber, enfourner, coltiger, colletiner, -poser le grappin, faire passer à la fabrication, fabriquer,” and, in -the English slang, “to smug, to nab, to run in.” - -PIPET, _m._ (thieves’), _castle_, _mansion_, “chat, or hangings-out.” -See PIGET. - - Il arriva que je trimardais juste la lourde de ce pipet ... - une cambrouze du pipet me mouchaillait et en avertit le - rupin.--_Le Jargon de l’Argot._ (_It happened that I was - just going by the door of that mansion ... a servant girl - of the mansion perceived me and warned the master._) - -PIPO, or PIPOT, _m._, _the Ecole Polytechnique_; _student at that -school_. This establishment is the great training school for government -civil engineers, who are chosen, after a two years’ course, out of -those who come first on the competitive list, and for officers of the -engineers and artillery, the latter being sent for a three years’ -course to the “Ecole d’application” at Fontainebleau, with the rank of -sub-lieutenant. - -PIQUAGE, _m._ (military), de romance, _sleep_, “balmy;” _snoring_, or -“driving one’s pigs to market.” - - Les autres cavaliers ... continuaient, à poings fermés, le - piquage de leur romance.--=C. DUBOIS DE GENNES.= - -(Popular) Faire un ----, _to steal wine by boring a hole in a cask -which is being conveyed in a van to its destination_. Also _to abstract -wine or spirits from a cask by the insertion of a tube_, or “sucking -the monkey.” The English expression has also the meaning of drinking -generally, and originally, according to Marryat, to drink rum out of -cocoa-nuts, the milk having been poured out and the liquor substituted. - -PIQUANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _pin_. - -PIQUANTINE, _f._ (thieves’), _flea_. Called sometimes “F sharp,” bugs -being the “B flats.” - -PIQUÉ, _adj._ (popular), pas ---- des hannetons, _good_, or “bully;” -_excellent_. - -PIQUE-CHIEN, _m._, _doorkeeper at the Ecole Polytechnique_. Literally -_slumberer_. See PIPO. - -PIQUE-EN-TERRE, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _fowl_, “cackling cheat, -or margery prater.” - -PIQUELARD, _m._ (popular), _pork-butcher_, or “kiddier.” - -PIQUE-POUX, _m._ (popular), _a tailor_. Termed also pique-prunes, or -pique-puces. Called among English operatives a “steel-bar driver, -cabbage-contractor, or goose-persuader;” by the world, a “ninth part -of a man;” and by the “fast” man, a “sufferer.” Termed also “snip,” -from “snipes,” _a pair of scissors_, or from the snipping sound made by -scissors in cutting up anything. - -PIQUER (students’), _to do_; ---- l’étrangère, _to be absent or -distraught_, “to go moon-raking,” or “wool-gathering;” ---- un laïus, -_to make a speech_; ---- une muette, _to remain silent_, “to be mum.” -J’ai piqué 17 à la colle, _I obtained 17 marks at the examination_. See -COLLE. Piquer le bâton d’encouragement, _to obtain 1 mark, the maximum -being 20_; ---- une sèche, _to get no marks at all_, or a “duck’s egg;” -(familiar and popular) ---- un chien, _to sleep_, “to have a dose -of balmy;” ---- un fard, or un soleil, _to blush_; ---- un renard, -_to vomit_, “to shoot the cat, to cast up accounts, or to cascade.” -Rabelais termed the act “supergurgiter;” ---- une victime, _to dive -from a great height with arms uplifted and body perfectly rigid_; -(sailors’) ---- sa plaque, _to sleep_; _to die_. See PIPE. (Artists’) -Piquer un cinabre, _to blush_; (popular) ---- dans le tas, _to choose_. - - Nous v’là ... nous sont point pressées: piquez donc vite - dans eul’ tas, au p’tit bonheur.--=TRUBLOT.= - -Piquer une romance, _to sleep_, “to have a dose of balmy;” _to snore_, -“to drive one’s pigs to market.” - - Et puisqu’ils pioncent tous comme des marmottes.... A ton - tour, mon bon de piquer une romance.--=C. DUBOIS DE GENNES.= - -Se ---- le tasseau, _to get drunk_, or “tight.” For synonyms see -SCULPTER. Piquer un chahut, _to dance the cancan_. - - Revenant ensuite dans les environs de la Gare - Saint-Lazare, dansant à Buliier, piquant un “chahut” à - l’Elysée-Montmartre ou même à la Boule-Noire, aux heures de - dèche.--=DUBUT DE LAFOREST=, _Le Gaga_. - -PIQUET, _m._ (popular), _prayer-book_. Also _juge de paix_, a kind of -county court magistrate. - -PIQUETON, _m._ (popular), _thin wine_. - - Et les verres se vidaient d’une lampée.... Il pleuvait du - piqueton, quoi? un piqueton qui avait d’abord un goût de - vieux tonneau.--=ZOLA.= - -PIQUEUSE DE TRAINS, _f._ (popular), _prostitute who prowls about -railway stations_. See GADOUE. - -PISSAT, _m._ (popular), d’âne, _brandy_, or “French cream;” _beer_; ----- de vache, _sour or small beer_, “swipes.” - -PISSE-FROID DANS LA CANICULE, _m._ (popular), _man of an extremely -phlegmatic disposition, who on all occasions remains_ “as cool as a -cucumber.” Also “pisse-verglas.” - -PISSE-HUILE, _m._ (schoolboys’), _lamp-lighter_. - -PISSENLITS, _m. pl._ (popular), arroser les ----, _to void urine in the -open air_. Manger les ---- par la racine, _to be dead and buried_. - -PISSER (familiar and popular), à l’Anglaise, _to give the slip_, “to -take French leave.” From the act of a man who, wishing to get rid of -another, pretends to go to the “lavatory,” and disappears. Pisser au -cul de quelqu’un, _to entertain feelings of utter contempt for one_; ----- contre le soleil, _to strive in vain_, _to make useless efforts_; ----- dans un violon, _to waste one’s time in some fruitless attempt_; ----- des enfants, _to beget a large number of children_; ---- des yeux, -_to weep_, “to nap a bib;” ---- sa côtelette, _to be in child-bed_, or -“in the straw;” ---- sur quelqu’un, _to despise one_. Faire ---- des -lames de rasoir en travers, _to annoy one terribly_, _to_ “rile” _one_, -_ or to_ “spur” _him_. Mener les poules ----, _to leave off working -under false pretences_. Une histoire à faire ---- un cheval de bois, -_astounding story hard to swallow_, _story told by one who can_ “spin -a twister.” (Literary) Pisser de la copie, _to be a facile writer_, _to -write lengthy journalistic productions off-hand_. - -PISSE-TROIS-GOUTTES, _m._ (popular), _one who frequently stops on the -road in order to void urine_, _one who_ “lags;” ---- dans quatre pots -de chambre, _slow man who does little work_. - -PISSEUR DE COPIE, _m._ (literary), _facile writer_, _one who writes -lengthy journalistic productions off-hand_. - -PISSEUSE, _f._ (popular), _little girl_, _little chit_. - -PISSE-VERGLAS, _m._ (popular). See PISSE-FROID. - -PISSIN DE CHEVAL, _m._ (popular), _bad beer_, “swipes, or -belly-vengeance.” - -PISSOTE, _f._ (popular), _urinals_. Faire une ----, _to void urine_, -“to pump ship.” - -PISTACHE, _f._ (familiar), _mild stage of intoxication_. Pincer sa -----, _to be slightly the worse for liquor_, “to be elevated.” - -PISTAON, _m._ (Breton cant), _money_. - -PISTE, _f._ (military), suivez la ----, _go on talking_, _proceed_. - -PISTER (popular), _is said of hotel touts who follow and generally -bore travellers_; (thieves’) _to follow_. La riflette me pistait mais -je me suis fait une paire de mains courantes à la mode, _the spy was -following me, but I ran away_. - - Elle la piste, elle arrive essouflée au Bureau des mœurs - pour prévenir la police.--=DR. JEANNEL.= - -PISTEUR, _m._ (familiar), _an admirer of the fair sex, whose principal -occupation is to follow women in the streets_. Rigaud makes the -following remarks: “Il ne faut pas confondre le pisteur avec le -suiveur. Le suiveur est un fantaisiste qui opère à l’aventure. Il -emboîte le pas à toutes les femmes qui lui plaisent, ou, mieux, à -toutes les jolies jambes. Parmi cent autres, il reconnaîtra un mollet -qu’il aura déjà chassé. Il va, vient, s’arrête, tourne, retourne, -marche devant, derrière, croise, coupe l’objet de sa poursuite, -qu’il perd souvent au détour d’une rue. Plus méthodique, le pisteur -surveille d’un trottoir à l’autre son gibier. Il suit à une distance -respectueuse, pose devant les magasins, sous les fenêtres, se cache -derrière une porte, retient le numéro de la maison, fait sentinelle et -ne donne de la voix que lorsqu’il est sûr du succès. Le pisteur est, ou -un tout jeune homme timide, plein d’illusions, ou un homme mûr, plein -d’expérience. Le pisteur d’omnibus est un désœuvré qui suit les femmes -en omnibus, leur fait du pied, du genou, du coude, risque un bout de -conversation, et n’a d’autre sérieuse opération que celle de se faire -voiturer de la Bastille à la Madeleine et vice versa. Cet amateur du -beau sexe est ordinairement un quinquagénaire dont le ventre a, depuis -longtemps, tourné au majestueux. Il offre à tout hasard aux ouvrières -le classique mobilier en acajou; les plus entreprenants vont jusqu’au -palissandre. Les paroles s’envolent, et acajou et palissandre restent -... chez le marchand de meubles. Peut-être est-ce un pisteur qui a -trouvé le proverbe: promettre et tenir font deux.” - -PISTOLE, _f._ (popular). Grande ----, _ten-franc piece_. Petite ----, -_fifty-centime coin_. - -PISTOLET, _m._ (obsolete), de manœuvres, _stone_. - - Ils chassèrent le sergent et tous ceux qui étoient avec - lui, à grands coups de pierres que ces palots nommoient des - pistolets de manœuvres.--_L’Apothicaire empoisonné._ - -(Familiar) Pistolet, _a pint bottle of champagne_, _a pint of_ “boy, -or fiz.” Un drôle de ----, _a queer_ “fish.” (Popular) Pistolet à la -Saint-Dôme, _small hook used by cigar-end finders to whisk up bits -of cigars or cigarettes_. Ous qu’est mon ----? _expression of mock -indignation_. - - Faites donc attention, jeune homme. Vous allez chiffonner - ma robe, c’est du 60 francs le mètre ça, mon petit! Que - j’lui dis ... soixante francs le mètre, ous qu’est mon - pistolet? Je ne donnerais pas cent sous de l’enveloppe avec - la poupée qu’est d’dans.--_Les Locutions Vicieuses._ - -Pistolet, in the fifteenth century, _a dagger manufactured at Pistoie_. - -PISTOLIER, _m._ (prisoners’), _prisoner who lives at the_ “pistole,” _a -separate cell allowed to a prisoner for a consideration_. - -PISTON, _m._ (students’), _assistant to a lecturer on chemistry or -physics_; (popular) _man who is well recommended for a situation_. In -the slang of naval cadets, _a busybody_, _a bore_. - -PISTONNER (familiar and popular), quelqu’un, _to give one who is -seeking a post the support of one’s influence_; _to annoy_, “to rile;” -_to guide one_. - - Ayant rencontré un portefaix qu’il connaissait, il s’est - fait “pistonner” par lui, suivant son expression, à travers - la ville.--_Le Voltaire_, Nov., 1886. - -PITAINE-CRAYON, _m._ (Ecole Polytechnique), _orderly acting as servant -at the drawing classes_. - -PITANCHER (popular), _to drink_, “to liquor up.” Termed by the -Americans, “to smile, to see the man;” ---- de l’eau d’aff, _to drink -brandy_. - -PITON, _m._ (popular), _nose_, “handle, conk, boko, snorter, smeller.” -See MORVIAU. - - J’ai l’piton camard en trompette. - Aussi soyez pa’ étonnés - Si j’ai rien qu’ du vent dans la tête: - C’est pa’c’que j’ai pas d’poils dans l’nez. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -Un ---- passé à l’encaustique, _red nose_, “copper nose,” _or one with_ -“grog blossoms,” _such as is sported by an_ “Admiral of the Red.” - -PÎTRE DU COMME, _m._ (thieves’), _commercial traveller_. Pître, -properly _mountebank’s fool_, or “Billy Barlow,” and figuratively _a -literary or political quack_. - -PITROUX, PÉTOUZE, _m._ (thieves’), _gun_, or “dag;” _pistol_, “barking -iron,” or “barker.” - -PITUITER (popular), _to slander_; _to prattle_, _to gabble_, “to clack, -or to jaw.” - -PIVASE, _m._ (popular), _nose of large dimensions_, “conk.” See MORVIAU. - -PIVASTE, _m._ (thieves’), _child_, “kid, or kinchin.” Termed also -“miou, loupiau, môme.” - -PIVE, or PIVRE, _m._ (popular), _wine_. Marchand de ----, _landlord of -a wine-shop_. Rabelais called wine “purée septembrale,” or “eau beniste -de cave,” as appears from the following:-- - - Maistre Janotus, tondu à la césarine, vestu de son - liripipion à l’antique, et bien antidoté l’estomach de - cotignac de four et eau beniste de cave, se transporta au - logis de Gargantua.--_Gargantua._ - -PIVERT, _m._ (thieves’), _fine saw made out of a watch-spring_, used by -prisoners to file through the bars of a cell-window. An allusion to the -sharp beak of the woodpecker. - -PIVOINER (popular), _to redden_. From pivoine, _peony_. - -PIVOIS, PIVE, or PIE, _m._ (thieves’), _wine_. Charles Nodier says: “Un -certain vin se dit ‘pivois’ à cause de la ressemblance de son raisin -avec la pive, nom patois du fruit appelé improprement pomme de pin;” ----- à quatre nerfs, _small measure of wine costing four sous_; ---- -citron, _vinegar_; ---- vermoisé, _red wine_; ---- savonné, _white -wine_. - - Mais que ce soit le pétrole ou le pivois savonné, dans le - godet ou dans l’entonnoir à patte, toujours les buveurs ont - soin de dire: à la vôtre, patron!--=RICHEPIN.= - -The synonyms are the following: “picton, tortu, reginglard, picolo, -bleu, petit bleu, ginglet, briolet, huile, sirop, jus d’échalas.” - -PIVOT, _m._ (thieves’), _pen_. - - Frangin et frangine.--Je pésigue le pivot pour vous - bonnir que mézigue vient d’être servi maron à la lègre de - Canelle.--VIDOCQ. (_Brother and sister.--I take the pen - to tell you that I have just been caught in the act at the - fair of Caen._) - -(Military) Envoyer chercher le ---- de conversion, _to send one on -a fool’s errand, something like sending one for_ “pigeon’s milk.” -Envoyer chercher “la clef du champ de manœuvre, le moule à guillemets, -or le parapluie de l’escouade,” are kindred jokes perpetrated on -unsophisticated recruits. - -PIVOTER (military), _to work_; _to drill_; _to be on duty_. - - Tour à tour, c’était le brigadier de semaine qui pivotait, - les bleus qui en fichaient un coup.--=G. COURTELINE.= - -PLACARDE, _f._ (thieves’), _public square in a city, generally the -one where executions take place_. Before 1830 the death sentence was -carried out at the Place de Grève, later on at the Place St. Jacques, -and nowadays criminals are executed in front of the prison of La -Roquette; ---- au quart d’œil, _place of executions_. La ---- de -vergne, _the town public place_. - - Crompe, crompe, mercandière, - Car nous serions béquillés; - Sur la placarde de vergne, - Il nous faudrait gambiller. - - =VIDOCQ.= - -PLACE D’ARMES, _f._ (popular), _stomach_, “bread-basket;” _body_, -“apple-cart.” - - Vous êtes invité à passer la soirée chez des bourgeois.... - Vous entrez.... Au lieu de dire: bonjour, cher ami; madame - est bien? Allons tant mieux! enchanté de vous voir en bonne - santé, l’on dit carrément; bonjour, ma vieille branche, - comment va la place d’armes? Et le bourgeois pour se mettre - à la mode, répond; merci! mon vieux, ça boulotte, et ta - sœur?--_Les Locutions Vicieuses._ - -PLACEUR DE LAPINS, _m._ (familiar), _humbug who plays the moralist_. - - Desgenais n’est, malgré ses malédictions à fracas, qu’un - simple placeur de lapins.--=L. CHAPRON=, _Le Gaulois_. - -It also means _man who lives at the expense of others and introduces -his friends to women of the demi-monde_. - -PLAFOND, _m._ (familiar and popular), _head_, _skull_, “nut.” Avoir une -araignée dans le ----, _to be_ “cracked,” “to have a slate off.” See -AVOIR. - - --Voilà encore un de nos jolis “toqués,” disait l’un d’eux - à demi-voix. - - --Il a une belle “araignée dans le plafond,” murmurait un - autre.--=P. AUDEBRAND.= - -Avoir des trychines dans le ----, _same signification as above_. Se -défoncer, or se faire sauter le ----, _to blow one’s brains out_. -(Theatrical) Plafond d’air, _long strips of painted canvas stretched -across the upper part of the stage to represent the sky_. - -PLAIDER LA FICELLE (lawyers’), _is said of a counsel who has recourse -when pleading to some transparent ruse, such as diverting the attention -from the point at issue by treating of questions irrelevant to the -case_. - -PLAMOUSSE, _f._ (popular), _box on the ear_, “wipe in the gills.” - -PLAN, _m._ (familiar and popular), _pawnbroker’s establishment_, “lug -chovey.” Mettre au ----, or en ----, _to pawn_, “to put up the spout.” - - Le lendemain elle mit son châle “en plan” pour cinq - francs--=LÉO TAXIL.= - -Etre en ----, _to remain at a restaurant while a friend goes to fetch -wherewith to defray the common expenses for a meal_. Laisser en ----, -_to abandon_, _to leave one in the lurch_. Laisser tout en ----, _to -leave or_ “chuck up” _everything in hand_. (Popular) Il y a ----, _it -is possible_. (Military) Plan, _arrest_. Etre au ----, _to be under -arrest_, “to be roosted.” (Thieves’) Plan, _prison_, “stir.” See -MOTTE. Plan de couillé, _remand_. Etre mis au ---- de couillé, _to be -imprisoned for another_. Etre mis au ----, _to be imprisoned_, “to get -the clinch.” Tomber au ----, _to be apprehended_, or “smugged.” See -PIPER. (Theatrical) Laisser en plan _is said of the claque, or paid -applauders, when they do not applaud an actor_. - - Vous ferez Madame B. (faire ici veut dire applaudir ou - soigner) vous laisserez en plan Monsieur X. (cela signifie - vous ne l’applaudirez pas).--=BALZAC.= - -PLANCHE, _f._ (familiar and popular), _woman the reverse of buxom, -who is not_ “built that way;” (popular) ---- à boudin, _woman of -indifferent character_. Faire la ----, _to be a prostitute_, or -“mot.” Faire sa ----, _to give oneself airs_. Sans ----, _without any -ceremonies_, _frankly_. (Freemasons’) Planche à tracer, _table_; _sheet -of white paper_; _letter_. (Thieves’) Planche, _sword_, or “poker;” ----- à grimaces, _altar_; ---- à sapement, _police court_; ---- au -chiquage, or à lavement, _confessional_; ---- au pain, _tribunal_; -_bench occupied by prisoners in the dock_. Etre mis sur la ---- au -pain, _to be committed for trial_, “to be fullied.” - - On m’empoigne, on me met sur la planche au pain. J’ai une - fièvre cérébrale.--=VICTOR HUGO.= - -(Theatrical) Avoir des planches, _to be an experienced actor_. Brûler -les planches, _to play with spirit_. - - Ce n’était pas un mauvais acteur. Il avait de la chaleur, - il brûlait même un peu les planches.--=E. MONTEIL=, - _Cornebois_. - -(Military) Une ---- à pain, _a tall lanky man_. (Tailors’) Une ----, -a “goose.” Avoir fait les planches, _to have worked as a journeyman -tailor_. - -PLANCHÉ, _adj._ (thieves’), être ----, _to be convicted_, “to be -booked, or to be in for a vamp.” - -PLANCHER (military), _to be confined in the cells, or guard-room_; -(popular and thieves’) _to be afraid_; _to laugh at_; _to joke_. - - Tu planches, mon homme.--=VIDOCQ.= (_You are joking, my - good fellow._) - -PLANCHERIE, _f._ (popular and thieves’), _joke_, “wheeze,” _or -practical joke_. - -PLANCHEUR, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _joker_; _practical joker_. - -PLANQUE, _f._ (thieves’), en ----, _on the watch_. - - J’allai en compagnie de H. au Passage du Cheval Rouge, et, - le laissant en planque (en observation).--=CANLER.= - -Planque, _place of concealment_; _police station_. Le truc de la ----, -_the secret concerning a place of concealment_. - - Par une chouette sorgue, la rousse est aboulée à la taule - ... un macaron avait mangé le morceau sur nouzailles et - bonni le truc de la planque; tous les fanandels avaient - été servis.--=VIDOCQ.= (_One fine night the police came to - the house ... a traitor had peached on us, and revealed - the secret of the hiding place; all the comrades had been - apprehended._) - -Planque à corbeaux, _priest’s seminary_; ---- à larbins, _servants’ -registering office_; ---- des gouâpeurs, _dépôt of the Préfecture de -Police_; ---- à plombes, _clock_; ---- à sergots, _police station_; ----- à suif, _gaming-house_, or “punting-shop;” ---- à tortorer, -_eating-house_, “grubbing-ken, or spinikin.” Etre en ----, _to be -locked up_, or “put away.” See PIPER. - -PLANQUER (popular), _to pawn_, “to put in lug;” (thieves’) _to -imprison_, “to smug.” See PIPER. Planquer, _to conceal_. - - A c’te plombe j’suis si bien planquée que je ne crains - ni cognes, ni griviers, ni railles, ni quart d’œil, ni - gerbiers.--=VIDOCQ.= (_I am now so well concealed that I - fear no gendarmes, soldiers, detectives, police magistrate, - or judges._) - -Planquer le marmot, _to conceal the booty, to put away the_ “swag.” -It also means _to place_, _to put in_. Planquer les paccins dans un -roulant, _to put the parcels in a cab_. (Printers’) Planquer des -sortes, _to put by, for one’s personal use, and with much inconvenience -to fellow-compositors, some particular description of type required in -large quantities for a common piece of composition_. - -PLANTATION, _f._ (theatrical), _arrangement of scenic plant, such as -furniture, &c._ - - J’avais dit de poser là une chaise pour figurer la porte. - Tous les jours, il faut recommencer la plantation.--=ZOLA=, - _Nana_. - -PLANTER (theatrical), _refers to the effecting of all scenic -arrangements_; ---- un acte, _to settle all the scenic details of an -act_; ---- un comparse, _to give directions to a supernumerary as to -his make-up, position on the stage, movements, &c._; (sailors’) ---- -le harpon, _to express some idea, some proposal_. (Popular) Planter, -_to make a sacrifice to Venus_; ---- son poireau, _to be waiting for -someone who is not making his appearance_; ---- le drapeau, _to leave -without paying one’s reckoning_; _not to pay a debt_; (familiar) ---- -un chou, _to deceive_, “to bamboozle.” See JOBARDER. - -PLANTES, _f. pl._ (popular), _feet_, “everlasting shoes.” - - Eh! bien, vous êtes de la jolie fripouille, cria-t-il, - j’ai usé mes plantes pendant trois heures sur la route, - même qu’un gendarme m’a demandé mes papiers. Ah! non, vous - savez, blague dans le coin, je la trouve raide.--=ZOLA=, - _L’Assommoir_. (_Well, he cried, you are nice un’s, you - are; here I have been scraping the road with my everlasting - shoes these three hours. None of that you know, and no kid, - you come it rather too strong._) - -PLAQUE, _f._ (popular), avoir sa ---- d’égout défoncée, _to be -a Sodomite_. (Military) Des plaques de garde-champêtre, _an old -sergeant’s stripes_. - -PLAQUER (popular), _to put_, _to leave_, _to forsake_; ---- sa viande -sous l’édredon, _to go to bed_; ---- son nière, _to forsake one’s -friend_. Se ----, _to fall flat_; _to put oneself_; _to have one’s wet -clothes sticking to one’s body_. Se ---- dans la limonade, _to jump -into the water_. - - Vous comprenez la rigolade - Vous, la p’tit’ mèr’; vrai que’ potin! - C’est donc marioll’, c’est donc rupin - De s’plaquer dans la limonade? - Pourquoi? Peut-êt’ pour un salaud; - Pour un prop’ à rien, pour un pant’e, - Malheur!... Tiens, vous prenez du vent’e. - Ah! bon, chaleur! J’comprends l’tableau! - - =GILL.= - -PLASTRONNEUR, _m._ (popular), _swell_, “gorger.” From the stiff -plastron, or shirt-front, sported by dandies when in “full fig.” See -GOMMEUX. - -PLAT, _m._ (popular), deux œufs sur le ----, or deux œufs, _small -breasts_. - - C’ment ça! c’que vous m’f... là, cap’taine! n’allez pas - m’dire qu’une femme qui n’a qu’deux œufs posés sur la - place d’armes, peut avoir une fluxion vraisemblable à une - personne avantagée comme la commandante?--=CH. LEROY=, - _Ramollot_. - -Plat d’épinards, _painting_, or “daub.” (Popular) Faire du ----, _to -create a disturbance_; _to make a noise_, “to kick up a row.” Prendre -un ---- d’affiches, _to have no breakfast in consequence of absence of -means to pay for it_. Literally _to walk about with an empty stomach, -reading the bills posted up, to while away the time_. Plats à barbe, -_ears_, “wattles, lugs, hearing cheats.” - - Le nez s’appelle un “piton;” la bouche, un “four;” - l’oreille un “plat à barbe;” les dents des “dominos,” et - les yeux des “quinquets.”--_Les Locutions Vicieuses._ - -(Restaurants’) Plat du jour, _dish which is got ready specially for the -day, and which consequently is generally the most palatable in the bill -of fare_. - - Ce que le restaurateur appelle dans son argot un plat du - jour, c’est-à-dire un plat humain, possible, semblable à la - nourriture que les hommes mariés trouvent chez eux. - --=TH. DE BANVILLE=, _La Cuisinière Poétique_. - -(Military) Plat, _gorget formerly worn by officers_. - -PLATANE, _m._ (familiar), feuille de ----, _rank cigar_, “cabbage-leaf.” - -PLATEAU, _m._ (freemasons’), _a dish_. - -PLATO. See FILER. - -PLÂTRE, _m._ See ESSUYER. (Printers’) Plâtre, for emplâtre, _bad -compositor_. (Thieves’) Plâtre, _silver_; _silver coin_. Possibly an -allusion to the colour and shape of the face of a watch. Je viens -de dégringolarer un bobinot en plâtre, _I have just stolen a silver -watch_. Etre au ----, _to have money_. - -PLATUE, _f._ (thieves’), _a kind of flat cake_. - -PLEIN, _m. and adj._ (popular), avoir son ----, _to be intoxicated_, -“to be primed;” ---- comme un œuf, comme un sac, _drunk_, “drunk as -Davy’s sow.” See POMPETTE. Gros ---- de soupe, _a stout, clumsy man_. - -PLEINE, _adj._ (popular), lune, _breech_, or “Nancy.” See VASISTAS. -(Familiar) Faire une ---- eau, _to dive into a river or the sea from a -boat, and swim about in deep water_. - -PLETTE, _f._ (thieves’), _skin_, “buff.” - -PLEURANT, _m._ (thieves’), _onion_. From pleurer, _to weep_. The -allusion is obvious. Du cabot avec des pleurants, _a mess of dogfish -and onions_. - -PLEURER (popular), en filou, _to pretend to weep, crocodile fashion_. -Faire ---- son aveugle, _to void urine_, “to pump ship.” - -PLEUT (popular), il ----! _ejaculation of refusal_; _silence!_ _be -careful!_ The expression is used by printers as a warning to be silent -when the master or a stranger enters the workshop. - -PLEUVOIR (thieves’), des châsses, _to weep_, “to nap a bib.” Termed -also “baver des clignots.” (Military) Pleuvoir, _to void urine_. - -PLI, _m._ (familiar), avoir un ---- dans sa rose, _to have something -that mars one’s joy or disturbs one’s happiness_. - - La Martinière avait un “pli dans sa rose” comme il le - disait lui-même.--=H. FRANCE=, _A Travers l’Espagne_. - -PLIANT, _m._ (thieves’), _knife_, or “chive.” Termed also “vingt-deux, -surin, or lingre.” Jouer du ----, _to knife_, “to chive.” - -PLIER (popular), ses chemises, _to die_. “to snuff it.” See PIPE. Plier -son éventail, _to make signals to men in the orchestra stalls_. - -PLIS, _m. pl._ (popular), des ----, _derisive expression of refusal_; -might be rendered by, _Don’t you wish you may get it?_ or by the -Americanism, “Yes, in a horn!” See NÈFLES. - -PLOMB, _m._ (restaurants’), _entremets_. Probably from plum pudding; -(popular) _venereal disease_. Laver la tête avec du ----, _to shoot -one_. Manger du ----, _to be shot_. Le ----, _the throat_, or “red -lane;” _the mouth_. Termed also “l’avaloir, le bécot, la bavarde, la -gargoine, la boîte, l’égout, la babouine, la cassolette, l’entonnoir, -la gaffe, le mouloir, le gaviot.” In the English slang, “mug, -potato-trap, rattler, kisser, maw-dubber, rattle-trap, potato-jaw, -muns, bone-box.” Ferme ton ----, _hold your tongue_, “put a clapper to -your mug, mum your dubber, or hold your jaw.” - - --D’où sort-elle donc celle-là? Elle ferait bien mieux de - clouer son bec. - - --Celle-là ... celle-là vaut bien Madame de la - Queue-Rousse. Ferme ton plomb toi-même.--H. FRANCE, _Le - Péché de Sœur Cunégonde_. - -Jeter dans le ----, _to swallow_. - - Qui qu’a soif? qui qui veut boire à la fraîche? - Sur mon dos au soleil ma glace fond. - De crier, ça me fait la gorge rèche. - J’ai le plomb tout en plomb. Buvons mon fond! - - =RICHEPIN=, _La Chanson des Gueux_. - -PLOMBE, _f._ (thieves’), _hour_. An allusion to the weights of clocks, -formerly “plomées.” Six plombes se décrochent, _it is six o’clock_. -Luysard estampillait six plombes, _it was six o’clock by the sun_. - - Voilà six plombes et une mèche qui crossent ... tu pionces - encore.--Je crois bien, nous avons voulu maquiller à la - sorgue chez un orphelin, mais le pantre était chaud; j’ai - vu le moment où il faudrait jouer du vingt-deux et alors - il y aurait eu du raisinet.--=VIDOCQ.= (_It is half-past - six ... sleeping yet?--I should think so; we wanted to do a - night job at a goldsmith’s, but the cove was wide-awake. I - was very near doing for him with my knife._) - -PLOMBER (popular and thieves’), _to emit a bad smell_. From plomb, -_sink_. - - Birbe camard, - Comme un ord champignon tu plombes. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -Plomber de la gargoine, _to have an offensive breath_. Plomber, _to -strike the hour_. La guimbarde ne plombe pas, _the clock does not -strike the hour_. Etre plombé, _to be drunk_, or “lumpy,” see POMPETTE; -_to suffer from a venereal disease_. - -PLOMBES, _f. pl._ (thieves’), _money_, “pieces.” See QUIBUS. - - De vieux marmiteux de la haute lui ont offert de l’épouser. - Mais ils n’avaient que le titre (elle veut, dit-elle, le - titre avec les plombes).--=LOUISE MICHEL.= - -PLONGER (thieves’), les pognes dans la profonde, or fabriquer un -poivrot, _to pick the pockets of a drunken man who has come to grief on -a bench_. - -PLONGEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _poverty-stricken man_, or “quisby;” -_tatterdemalion_; (popular) _scullery man at a café or restaurant_. - -PLOTTE, _f._ (thieves’), _purse_, “skin, or poge.” Termed, in old -English cant, “bounge.” Faire une ----, “to fake a skin.” - -PLOUSE, _f._ (thieves’), _straw_, “strommel.” - -PLOYANT, or PLOYÉ, _m._ (thieves’), _pocket-book_, “dee,” or “dummy.” - - J’étais avec lui à la dinée au tapis, lorsque les cognes - sont venus lui demander ses escraches et j’ai remarqué que - son ployant était plein de tailbins d’altèque.--=VIDOCQ.= - (_I was with him at dinner in the inn when the gendarmes - came to ask him for his passport, and I noticed that his - pocket-book was full of bank-notes._) - -PLUC, _m._ (thieves’), _booty_, “regulars,” or “swag.” - -PLUMADE, _f._ (obsolete), _straw mattress_. - -PLUMARD, _m._ (popular), _bed_, “doss,” or “bug-walk.” Termed also -“panier, pagne, pucier.” - -PLUMARDER (military), se ----, _to go to bed_. - -PLUME, _f._ (thieves’), _false key_; _a short crowbar which generally -takes to pieces for the convenience of housebreakers_. Termed also, -“Jacques, sucre de pommes, l’enfant, biribi, rigolo.” Denominated by -English housebreakers, “the stick, Jemmy, or James.” Passer à la ----, -_to be ill-treated by the police_. Plume de Beauce (obsolete), _straw_, -or “strommel.” - - Quand on couche sur la plume de la Beauce (la paille), des - rideaux, c’est du luxe.--=VIDOCQ.= - -Piausser sur la ---- de Beauce, _to sleep in the straw_. (Popular) -Plumes, _hair_, or “thatch.” Termed also “tifs, douilles, douillards.” -Se faire des plumes, or paumer ses plumes, _to feel dull_, _to have -the_ “blues.” (Familiar) Ecrire ses mémoires avec une ---- de quinze -pieds _was said formerly of galley slaves_. An allusion to the -long oar which such convicts had to ply on board the old galleys. -(Military) Plume! _an ejaculation to denote that the soldier referred -to will spend the night at the guard-room or in prison_. An ironical -allusion to the expression “coucher dans la plume,” _to sleep in a -featherbed_, and to the hard planks which are to form the culprit’s -couch. (Journalists’) Gen de ----, _literary man_. The term is used -disparagingly. - - C’est comme ça! continue le gen de plume. X... a osé - m’envoyer son ouvrage en vers ... oh! la! la! quelle - guitare!--LOUISE MICHEL. - -PLUMEAU, _m._ (popular), va donc vieux ----! _get along, you old fool_, -or “doddering old sheep’s head.” - -PLUMEPATTE, _m._, synonymous of DACHE (which see). - -PLUMER (thieves’), le pantre, or faire la grèce, _is said of rogues -who, having formed an acquaintance with travellers whom they fall in -with in the vicinity of railway stations, take them to a neighbouring -café and induce them to play at some swindling game, with the result -that the pigeon’s money changes hands_. (Popular) Plumer, _to sleep_. -Se ----, _to go to bed_. - -PLUMET, _m._ (familiar and popular), avoir son ----, _to be drunk_, or -“tight.” Termed also “avoir son petit jeune homme, être paf, s’être -piqué le nez.” For other synonyms see POMPETTE. One day, in 1853, -Alfred de Musset, who then had become a confirmed tippler of absinthe, -called on M. Empis, the manager of the Théâtre Français, and asked one -of the officials of the theatre to introduce him into his presence. The -official entered the directorial office, says Philibert Audebrand, when -the following dialogue took place:-- - - --Monsieur le directeur ... - - --Quoi? qu’y a-t-il? - - --Eh bien, c’est M. Alfred de Musset. - - --Mais, monsieur le directeur.... - - --Quoi donc? - - --C’est qu’il a son “petit jeune homme.” - - --Qu’est-ce que ça fait, Lachaume? Faites entrer M. Alfred - de Musset avec son petit jeune homme. - -Le plus piquant de l’histoire, c’est que M. Empis ne savait -pas ce que voulaient dire ces mots: “avoir son petit jeune -homme.” - -The expression led to the following conversation between -two savants:-- - - _Un Grammairien._ Eh bien, “avoir son petit jeune homme,” - qu’est-ce que ça veut dire? - - _Un Philologue._ C’est “avoir son plumet.” - - _Le Grammairien._ Bon! me voilà bien avancé! Qu’est-ce - qu’avoir son plumet? - - _Le Philologue._ Monsieur, c’est “être paf.” - - _Le Grammairien._ De mieux en mieux. Qu’est-ce donc qu’ - “être paf”? - - _Le Philologue._ Selon le dictionnaire de la langue verte, - le mot se dit de ceux qui “se piquent le nez.” - - _Le Grammairien._ Je ne comprends toujours pas. - - _Le Philologue._ Eh bien, traduisez: ceux qui se saoulent. - - _Le Grammairien._ Pour le coup, j’y suis! - -Faux ----, _wig_, “flash, or periwinkle.” - -PLUMEUSE, _f._ (popular), _woman who draws so largely on a man’s purse -as not to leave him a sou_. - -PLUS (popular), n’avoir ---- de fil sur la bobine, ---- de crin sur -la brosse, ---- de gazon sur le pré, ---- de paillasson à la porte, -_to be bald_, “to be stag-faced, to have a bladder of lard,” &c. See -AVOIR. (Familiar and popular) Ne ---- pouvoir passer sous la Porte -Saint-Denis. See PASSER. Plus que ça de chic! _how elegant!_ ---- que -ça de toupet! _what_ “cheek!” N’avoir ---- de mousse sur le caillou, -_to be bald_. See AVOIR. - - Plus de mousse sur le caillou, quatre cheveux frisant à - plat dans le cou, si bien qu’elle était toujours tentée - de lui demander l’adresse du merlan qui lui faisait la - raie.--=ZOLA.= - -C’est ---- fort que de jouer au bouchon, _words meant to express the -speaker’s astonishment or indignation_, “it is coming it rather too -strong.” - - Moi? exclama le fourrier stupéfait, j’aurai huit jours de - salle de police? Eh ben, vrai, c’est plus fort que de jouer - au bouchon!--=G. COURTELINE.= - -PLUS SOUVENT (familiar and popular), _certainly not_; _never_. - - C’est moi qui me chargerai de toi.--Plus souvent, va! - c’est encore toi qui sera bien aise de revenir manger mon - pain.--=E. MONTEIL.= - -POCHARDER (general), se ----, _to get drunk_, “to get screwed.” See -SCULPTER. - -POCHARDERIE, _f._ (general), _drunkenness_. - -POCHARDS. Signe de la croix des ----. See MÉNILMUCHE. - -POCHE, _adj. and subst._ (popular), être ----, _to be drunk_, _to be_ -“screwed.” See POMPETTE. (Thieves’) Une ----, _a spoon_, or “feeder.” -Termed by Rabelais “happesoupe.” - -POCHE-ŒIL, _m._ (popular), _blow in the eye_. Donner un ----, _to give -a black eye_, “to put one’s eyes in half-mourning.” - -POCHER (printers’), better explained by quotation. - - Prendre trop d’encre avec le rouleau et la mettre sur la - forme sans l’avoir bien distribuée.--BOUTMY. - -POCHETÉ, _m._ (popular), _dunce_, or “flat.” Used sometimes as a -friendly appellation. - -POCHETÉE, _f._ (popular), en avoir une ----, _to be dull-witted_. - -POCHONNER (popular), _to give one a couple of black eyes_, “to put -one’s eyes in mourning.” - -POÈLE À CHÂTAIGNES, _f._ (popular), _pock-marked face_, “cribbage-face.” - -POÉTRAILLON, _m._ (familiar), _poet who writes lame verses_. - -POGNE, _f._ (thieves’), _thief_, “prig,” see GRINCHE; _hand_, or -“duke.” Plonger les pognes dans la profonde, or dans la valade, _to -pick a pocket_, “to fake a cly.” See GRINCHIR. - -POGNE-MAIN (popular), à ----, _heavily_, _roughly_. - -POGNON, or POIGNON, _m._ (popular), _money_, or “dimmock.” For synonyms -see QUIBUS. - - Elle dit: je te régale, - Et aussi tes compagnons, - Je vas vous lester la cale, - Mais gardez votre pognon. - - =RICHEPIN=, _La Mer_. - -POIGNARD, _m._ (tailors’), _the act of touching up some article of -clothing_. - -POIGNE, _f._ (popular), _hand_, “daddle.” - - J’ai la poigne solide ... je vous étrangle.--=E. LEMOINE.= - -Donne-moi ta ----, “tip us your daddle.” Ergot de la ----, -_fingernail_. Avoir de la ----, _to be strong_; _energetic_. - -POIGNÉE, _f._ (popular), foutre une ---- de viande par la figure à -quelqu’un, _to box one’s ears_, “to warm the wax of one’s ears.” - -POIGNEUX, _adj._ (popular), _strong_, _vigorous_, “spry.” - - De vieux pêcheurs venus à l’âge - Où la poigne n’est plus poigneuse aux avirons; - Mais, tout de même, encor larges des palerons, - Ayant toujours un peu de sève sous l’écorce, - Râblés, et, s’il le faut, bons pour un coup de force. - - =RICHEPIN=, _La Mer_. - -POIGNON, _m._ (popular), _money_, “tin.” - - Dis donc, l’enflé, si t’as du poignon, remuche-moi la môme. - Elle est rien gironde.--=RICHEPIN.= - -POIL, _m._ (popular), avoir un ---- dans la main, _to be lazy_; _to -feel disinclined for work_, or “Mondayish.” - - Gervaise s’amusa à suivre trois ouvriers, ... qui se - retournaient tous les dix pas ... ah! bien! murmura-t-elle, - en voilà trois qui ont un fameux poil dans la - main.--=ZOLA=, _L’Assommoir_. - -Avoir du ---- au cul, _to have courage_, “spunk.” Faire le ----, _to -surpass_. Flanquer un ----, _to reprimand_, _to give a_ “wigging.” -Tomber sur le ----, _to thrash_, “to wallop.” See VOIE. Un bougre à -poils, _a sturdy fellow_, _a_ “game” _one_. (Sailors’) Un cachalot bon -----, _a good sailor_. Un terrien à trois poils, _a swell landsman_. -(Picture dealers’) Cuir et poils, _at a high price_. - - Il vend son Corot très cher, “cuir et poils,” comme on dit - dans ce joli commerce; et c’est son droit; car ta valeur - d’un objet d’art est facultative.--=A. DAUDET.= - -(Familiar and popular) Prendre du ---- de la bête, _to take a_ “modest -quencher” _on the morning following a debauch_, “to take a hair of the -dog.” When a man has tried too many “hairs of the dog that bit him,” -he is said to be “stale drunk.” If this state of things is too long -continued, it is often called, “same old drunk,” from a well-known -nigger story. The nigger was cautioned by his master for being too -often drunk within a given period, when the “cullud pusson” replied, -“Same old drunk, massa, same old drunk.” (Students’) Le faste en ----, -_the garden of the Palace of Luxembourg_, by synonyms on the words luxe -en bourre. Faire son petit ourson au faste en ----, _to stroll in the -Luxembourg garden_. - -POINS (Breton cant), _theft_. - -POINSA (Breton cant), _to steal_. - -POINSER (Breton cant), _thief_. - -POINT, _m._ (popular), _one franc_; ---- de côté, _a nuisance_. -Properly _a stitch in the side_; _creditor_, or “dun;” _police-officer -whose functions are to watch prostitutes_. (Ecole Polytechnique) Point -gamma, _yearly examination_. See PIPO. Jusqu’au ---- M, _up to a -certain point_; _in a certain degree_. Le ---- Q, _breech_. Tangente au ----- Q, _sword_. - -POINTE, _f._ (familiar), avoir sa ----, _to be slightly in drink_, or -“elevated.” See POMPETTE. - -POINTEAU, _m._ (popular), _clerk who keeps a record of the working -hours in manufactories_. - -POINTER (popular), _to thrash_, “to give a walloping.” See VOIE. - - Si ta Dédèle est gironde, faut la gober, si elle est rosse, - faut la pointer ferme.--_Le Cri du Peuple_, Feb., 1886. - (_If your little woman is a nice one you must love her, if - she is a shrew you must thrash her well._) - -POINTU, _m._ (popular), or bouillon ----, _clyster_; _bishop_. -(Military) Un ---- carré, _a slow fellow_, “stick in the mud.” - - Eh bien! et les “bleus,” ils ne descendent pas? Ils - n’ont donc pas entendu sonner le demi-appel, ces - “pointus-carrés!” Tas de carapatas, va! - --=C. DUBOIS DE GENNES.= - -POINTUE, _f._ (thieves’), _the Préfecture de Police_. Ballonné à la -----, _imprisoned in the lock-up of the Préfecture_. - -POIRE, _f._ (cads’ and thieves’), _head_, or “tibby.” See TRONCHE. -Tambouriner la ---- à quelqu’un, _to slap one’s face_, “to fetch one -a wipe in the mug,” or “to give a biff in the jaw” (Americanism). -(Familiar and popular) Faire sa ----, _to give oneself airs_; _to have -an air of self-conceit_, _to look_ “gumptious.” Synonymous of “faire sa -tête,” and, in the elegant language of cads, “faire sa merde.” - -POIREAU, _m._ (popular). Properly _leek_. Faire le ----, _to be kept -waiting at an appointed time or place_, “to cool, or to kick one’s -heels.” Surtout ne me fais pas faire le ----, _mind you don’t_ “stick -me up.” - -Il est comme les poireaux, _he is ever young and_ “spry.” The -expression is old. - - Tu me reproches mon poil grisonnant et ne consydere point - comment il est de la nature des pourreaux esquels nous - voyons la teste blanche et la queue verte, droicte et - vigoureuse.--=RABELAIS.= - -(Familiar and popular) Un ----, _a rogue who extorts money from -Sodomites under threats of disclosures_. - - Par malheur le poireau, le chanteur, connaît aussi ce signe - de reconnaissance. Si ces deux antiphysiques ont derrière - eux cette araignée, toujours prête à tendre sa toile pour - les surprendre c’en est fait du douillard.--_Mémoires de - Monsieur Claude._ - -POIREAUTER (popular), _to wait a long while at an appointed place_, “to -cool, or to kick one’s heels.” Fielding uses the latter expression in -his _Amelia_:-- - - In this parlour Amelia cooled her heels, as the phrase is, - near a quarter of an hour. - -POIRETTE, _f._ (thieves’), _face_, or “mug.” Laver la ----, _to kiss_. - -POIRIER, _m._ (dancing halls’), _a variety of pas seul included in the -cancan_, a rather questionable sort of choregraphy. - - L’orchestre joue et l’on répète le “canard qui barbote,” - la “tulipe orageuse,” le “poirier” avec un ensemble - parfait.--_Gil Blas_, Janvier, 1887. - -POIROTÉ, _m._ (police and thieves’), _rogue who is being watched by the -police_. - -POIROTER (police and thieves’), _to watch_, “to give a roasting,” or -“to dick.” - -POIS, _f. pl._ (popular), coucher dans le lit aux ---- verts, _to sleep -in the fields_. - -POISON, _f._ (familiar and popular). _insulting epithet applied to a -woman_. - -POISSE, _f._ (popular and thieves’), _thief_, “prig.” For synonyms see -GRINCHE. - - Voilà comment on devient grinche, l’homme pauvre - devient gouêpeur, on l’envoie à la Lorcefé, il en sort - poisse.--=VIDOCQ.= (_That is how one takes to thieving; a - poor man becomes a vagrant, he is sent to La Force, when he - leaves he is a thief._) - -Une ---- à la détourne, _a shoplifter_, or “sneaksman,” termed formerly -“buttock-and-file.” “Robbing a shop by pairs is termed ‘palming’--one -thief bargaining with apparent intent to purchase,” says the _Slang -Dictionary_, “whilst the other watches his opportunity to steal. The -following anecdote will give an idea of their _modus operandi_. A man -once entered a ‘ready-made’ boot and shoe shop, and desired to be shown -a pair of boots, his companion staying outside and amusing himself by -looking in at the window. The one who required to be fresh shod was -apparently of a humble and deferential turn, for he placed his hat on -the floor directly he stepped into the shop. Boot after boot was tried -on until at last a fit was obtained, when in rushed a man, snatched -up the customer’s hat left near the door, and ran down the street as -fast as his legs could carry him. Away went the customer after his hat, -and Crispin, standing at the door, clapped his hands, and shouted, -‘Go it, you’ll catch him?’ little thinking that it was a concerted -trick, and that neither his boots nor the customer would ever return.” -Detectives occasionally learn something from thieves, as appears from -the stratagem resorted to by a French member of the _Sûreté_ some time -ago, who, himself a small man, and having a warrant for the arrest of -an herculean and desperate scoundrel, proceeded as follows. He dogged -his man, who pretended to hawk chains and watches, and, watching his -opportunity, when the man had laid down his merchandise on the table -of a wine-shop, he suddenly caught up one of the articles, and made -off in the direction of the police station, followed thither by his -quarry in hot pursuit, and crying out, “Stop thief!” Needless to say -that the result was quite the reverse of that anticipated by the -burly malefactor. (Dandies’) La ----, _the world of cads_, of “rank -outsiders.” - -POISSÉ, _adj._ (thieves’), _stolen_; _caught_. Au bout d’un an ---- -avec une pesée de gigot que j’allais fourguer. _After one year nabbed -with some leg of mutton which I was taking away to sell._ - -POISSER (popular and thieves’), _to catch_; _to steal_, “to cop, to -clift, or to claim;” ---- les philippes, or l’auber, _to steal money_. -See GRINCHIR. - - Il fait nuit, le ciel s’opaque. - Viens-tu? J’vas poisser l’auber... - Au bagn’ j’aurai eun’ casaque! - C’est pas rigolo, l’hiver. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -Se ----, _to get drunk_. See SCULPTER. Se faire ---- la gerce, _to be -guilty of unnatural offences_. - -POISSEUR, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _thief_, or “prig.” See GRINCHE. - -POISSEUSE, _f._ (familiar), _dressy, stylish woman_, a “blooming tart.” - -POISSEUX, _m._ (familiar), _dandy_, or “masher.” For list of synonyms -see GOMMEUX. - - Les petits jeunes gens, les poisseux, les boudinés ... - étaient à leur poste.--=A. SIRVEN=, _Au Pays des Roublards_. - -Dandies used to apply the epithet to a cad, a “rank outsider.” - -POISSON, _m._ (familiar and popular), _one who lives on the earnings -of a prostitute, whom he terms “sa marmite,” as providing him with his -daily bread_. - - Seulement ... tout souteneur qui ne venge pas sa largue est - considéré comme un fainéant. Il est condamné par la bande - des poissons.--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -Bullies frequent all parts of Paris, but principally the outer -Boulevards and Quartier Montmartre. Those of the lower sort are -recognizable by their vigorous appearance, kiss-curls, tight -light-coloured trousers, and tall silk cap. These degraded creatures, -who are the bane of the outer quarters, readily turn murderers when -“business” is slack. Léo Taxil says: “Every day the newspapers are -full of the exploits of these wretches, who ply the knife as jugglers -do their balls. The police are powerless against them.” In a curious -pamphlet, written in 1830, as a protest of the Paris bullies against a -police order, forbidding prostitutes from plying their trade in public -places, we have a marlou’s portrait painted by himself:-- - - Un marlou, monsieur le Préfet, c’est un beau jeune homme, - fort, solide, sachant tirer la savate, se mettant fort - bien, dansant le chahut et le cancan avec élégance, aimable - auprès des filles dévouées au culte de Vénus, les soutenant - dans les dangers éminents (_sic_), sachant les faire - respecter et les forcer à se conduire avec décence ... - vous voyez bien qu’un marlou est un être moral, utile à la - société.--_Le beau Théodore Cancan._ - -The synonyms of “poisson” are the following: “Alphonse, -baigne-dans-le-beurre, barbise, barbe, barbillon, barbeau, marlou, -benoît, brochet, dos, dos vert, casquette à trois ponts, chevalier -du bidet, chevalier de la guiche, chiqueur de blanc, bouffeur de -blanc, costel, cravate verte, guiche, dessous, écaillé, fish, foulard -rouge, gentilhomme sous-marin, ambassadeur, gonce à écailles, goujon, -lacromuche, retrousseur, dos d’azur, dauphin, macchoux, machabée, -macque, macquet, macrottin, maq, maquereau, poisson frayeur, releveur -de fumeuse, maquignon à bidoche, mangeur de blanc, tête de patère, -marloupatte, marloupin, marlousier, marquant, mec, mec de la guiche, -monsieur à nageoires, monsieur à rouflaquettes, nég en viande chaude, -patenté, porte-nageoires, roi de la mer, rouflaquette, roule-en-cul, -soixante-six, un qui va aux épinards, valet de cœur, visqueux, bibi, -and formerly bras de fer.” The English slang has “Sunday-man, petticoat -pensioner, pensioner with an obscene prefix, ponce, prosser,” &c. -(Popular) Poisson, _large glass of brandy_. - - Tous les matins, quand je m’lève, - J’ai l’cœur sens sus d’sous; - J’l’envoi’ chercher contr’ la Grève - Un poisson d’ quatr’ sous. - Il rest’ trois quarts d’heure en route, - Et puis en r’montant, - I’m’lich’ la moitié d’ma goutte - Qué cochon d’enfant! - - _Popular Song._ - -POITOU, _m._ (thieves’), _the public_. Epargner le ----, _to take one’s -precautions_. Poitou, or poiton, _no_; _nothing_. As-tu vingt ronds? Du -poiton. _Have you a franc? No._ - -POITRINAIRE, _f._ (popular), _woman with opulent breasts_. Properly -_consumptive person_. - -POITRINE, _f._ (military), d’acier, _cuirassier_; ---- de velours, -_officer of the engineers_, or “sapper.” An allusion to the velvet -front of his tunic. (Popular) Du casse ----, _brandy_. Un casse -----. The celebrated physician Tardieu, in his _Etude Médico-Légale -sur les Attentats aux Mœurs_, says: “Qui manu stupro dediti sunt, -casse-poitrine appellantur.” - -POITRINER (players’), _to hold cards close to one so as to conceal -one’s game_. - -POIVRADE, _f._ (popular), _syphilis, or other kind of venereal -disease_, one of which the English slang terms “French gout, or ladies’ -fever.” - -POIVRE, _m. and adj._ (thieves’), POISON. Flasquer du ---- à la rousse, -_to keep out of the way of the police_, _to be in_ “lavender.” (Popular -and thieves’) Poivre, _brandy_; _glass of brandy_. - - De la bière, deux poivres ou un saladier?--=P. MAHALIN.= - -Se flanquer une culotte de ----, _to get intoxicated on brandy_. Chier -du ----, _to abscond_. Une mine à ----, _a shop where alcoholic liquors -are retailed, a kind of low_ “gin palace.” - - Comment, une bride de son espèce se permettait de mauvaises - manières.... Tous les marchands de coco faisaient l’œil! - Il fallait venir dans les mines à poivre pour être - insulté!--=ZOLA.= - -Etre ----, _to be drunk_, or “tight.” See POMPETTE. - - Dans la langue imagée qui a cours du côté de Montparnasse, - on dit qu’un buveur est “poivre” quand il a laissé sa - raison au fond des pots.--=GABORIAU.= - -Canarder un ----, _to rob a drunkard_. - -POIVREAU, or POIVROT; _m._ (popular), _drunkard_, “lushington.” From -poivre, _rank brandy_. Boutmy says: “Un ‘poivreau’ que le culte de -Bacchus a plongé dans la plus grande débine, se fit renvoyer de son -atelier. Par pitié ... ses camarades font entre eux une collecte ... -notre poivreau revient une heure après complètement ivre. - -“--Vous n’êtes pas honteux, de vous mettre dans un état pareil avec -l’argent que l’on vous avait donné pour vous acheter un vêtement? - -“--Eh bien! répondit l’incorrigible ivrogne, j’ai pris une ‘culotte.’” - -POIVREMENT, _m._ (thieves’), _payment_. - -POIVRER (general), _to overcharge_, or “to shave;” _to give a venereal -disease_. - - Toi louve, toi guenon, qui m’as si bien poivré, - Que je ne crois jamais en être délivré. - - =ST. AMANT.= - -POIVREUR, _m._ (thieves’), _one who pays_; _one who_ “shells out the -shiners.” - -POIVRIER, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _drunkard_. See POIVROT. Faire -le ----, barboter le ----, _to rob a drunkard_. - - A nous trois, nous avons barboté pas mal de - poivriers.--_Le Petit Journal._ - -Poivrier, _spirit shop_; _thief who robs drunkards_, a “bug-hunter.” - -POIVRIÈRE, _f._ (popular), _woman suffering from a venereal disease_. -Vol à la ----, _robbing drunkards_. - - Le pillage d’un étalage par le jeune _Z._; enfin le - pillage “à la poivrière” d’un ivrogne, couché sur un - banc.--=GROSCLAUDE=, _Gil Blas_. - -POIVROT, _m._ (general), _drunkard, or habitual drunkard_, “mop.” To be -on the “mop” is to be on the drink from day to day, to be perpetually -“stale drunk.” The synonyms of poivrot are “polonais, poivrier, -pompier, éponge, mouillard, sac à vin,” &c., and in the English slang, -“lushington, bibber,” and the old word “swill-pot,” used by Urquhart in -his translation of Rabelais:-- - - What doth that part of our army in the meantime which - overthrows that unworthy swill-pot Grangousier? - -Une filature à poivrots, _an establishment where spirits are retailed_. -(Thieves’) Fabriquer un ----, cueillir un ----, _to pick the pockets -of a drunken man_, the thief being termed in the English slang a -“bug-hunter.” - -POIVROTTER (popular), se ----, _to get drunk_, or “tight.” For synonyms -see SCULPTER. - -POLICE, _f._ (military), bonnet de ----, _recruit_, or “Johnny raw.” - - Ah! mille milliards de trompettes à piston! S’être - laissé tarauder ainsi par un bleu ... par un blanc bec - ... un carapata ... un bonnet de police; un conscrit - enfin!--=DUBOIS DE GENNES.= - -Police (prostitutes’), se mettre à la ----, _to have one’s name taken -down in the police-books as a prostitute_. All such women have to -fulfil that formality, failing which they are liable to be summarily -locked up. - -POLICHINELLE (popular), avaler le ----, _to partake of communion_. -Avoir un ---- dans le tiroir, _to be pregnant_, or “lumpy.” Un ----, -_large glass of brandy_. - - Si mon auguste épouse ne reçoit pas sa trempée ce soir, je - veux que ce polichinelle-là me serve de poison.--=GAVARNI.= - -Agacer un ---- sur le zinc, _to have a glass of brandy at the bar_. - -POLIK (Breton cant), _cat_; _attorney_. - -POLIR. See ASPHALTE, BITUME. - -POLISSEUSE DE MÂTS DE COCAGNE EN CHAMBRE, _f._ (popular), _a variety of -the prostitute tribe, whose spécialité may more easily be guessed at -than described_. In Latin fellatrix. See GADOUE. - -POLISSON, _m._ (vagrants’). Formerly _one of the tribe of rogues and -mendicants, a miserably clad beggar_. - - Polissons sont ceux qui ont des frusquins qui ne valent que - floutière; en hiver quand sigris bouesse, c’est lorsque - leur état est plus chenastre.--_Le Jargon de l’Argot._ - (_“Polissons” are those who possess clothes in rags; - in winter, when it is cold, then is their trade more - profitable._) - -(Obsolete) Polisson, _pad worn under the dress to make up for the lack -of rotundity in a certain part of the body, bustle_, or “bird-cage.” - - Dames et demoiselles quelconques, qui, pour suppléer au - manque de rondeur de certaines parties, portent ce que - Madame de Genlis appelle, tout crûment, un polisson, et que - nous appelons une tournure.--=TH. GAUTIER.= - -POLISSONNER (theatrical), _to hiss_, “to give the big bird.” - - L’auteur est un client, sa dernière pièce a été un peu - polissonnée (sifflée). Il s’agit de lui donner une revanche - pour celle-ci!--=BALZAC.= - -POLITICULARD, _m._ (journalists’), _a contemptuous term for a worthless -politician_. - - Y a pas.... C’est un rude homme tout d’même, qu’eul’ - Bismarck qui vient d’gueuler comm’ un tonnerre au - Reichstag.... En v’là-z-un qui leur-z-y parle comm’ y - méritent, à c’troupeau d’politiculards allemands, presqu’ - aussi toc qu’ les nôtres, au fond, j’m’imagine.--_Le Cri du - Peuple_, 16 Janvier, 1887. - -POLKA, _f. and m._ (models’), _indecent photograph of nude figures_. -(Popular) Faire danser la ---- à quelqu’un, _to thrash one_, -“to wallop.” See VOIE. (Familiar) Polka, _silly young dandy, an -indefatigable dancer_. - - Les jolies femmes dédaignent les petits polkas.--_Figaro._ - -POLKISTE, _m._ (familiar), _in favour of the polka_. - -POLOCHON, _m._ (popular), _bolster_. (Military) Mille polochons! _a -mild oath._ - -POLONAIS, _m._ (popular), _drunken man_, see POIVROT; _man employed to -keep order in a brothel, and who is called upon to interfere when any -disturbance takes place among the clientèle and ladies of the place_. - - Quand la dame du lieu, à bout de prières, parle de faire - descendre le Polonais, le tapage s’apaise comme par - enchantement.--=DELVAU.= - -Polonais, _a small pressing iron_. - - Elle promenait doucement, dans le fond de la coiffe, le - polonais, un petit fer arrondi des deux bouts.--=ZOLA=, - _L’Assommoir_. - -POMAQUER (thieves’), _to lose_. Votre greffier n’est pas pomaqué, _your -cat is not lost_. Pomaquer, _to arrest_, “to smug.” See PIPER. Mon -poteau s’est fait ---- par la rousse, _my comrade has allowed himself -to be apprehended by the police, or my_ “pal” _got_ “smugged” _by the_ -“reelers.” Pomaquer, _to take_. - - Voilà! En rangeant les cambrioles (petites boutiques) on - a peut-être laissé se plaquer (tomber) un gluant (bébé) - de carton, et je voudrais le pomaquer (prendre) pour ma - daronne (mère).--=RICHEPIN.= - -POMMADE, _f._ (popular), _flattery_, “soft sawder.” Jeter de la ----, -_to flatter_, “to butter up.” Pommade, _ruin_; _misfortune_. Tomber -dans la ----, _to be ruined_, “to be chawed up,” or “smashed up.” - -POMMADER (popular), quelqu’un, _to thrash one_, or “to anoint,” see -VOIE; _to flatter_, “to butter up.” Se ----, _to get drunk_, or -“screwed.” See SCULPTER. - -POMMADEUR, _m._ (popular), _flatterer, one who gives_ “soft sawder;” -_man who buys damaged furniture and sells it again after having filled -up the cracks with putty_. - -POMMADIN, _m._ (popular), _assistant to a hair-dresser_; _swell_, or -“gorger.” See GOMMEUX. - -POMMARD, _m._ (old cant), _cider_. From pomme, _apple_. - -POMME, _f._ (popular and thieves’), _head_, or “tibby;” _face_, or -“mug.” See TRONCHE. - - Allons, ho! fais-moi voir ta pomme; - Rapplique un peu sous l’bec ed’gaz, - J’te gob’; faut profiter de l’occas’. - - =GILL.= - -(Popular) Pomme de rampe, _bald head_, “bladder of lard.” Sucer la -----, _to kiss_. Une ---- à vers, _Dutch cheese_. Une ---- de canne, -_grotesque face_, or “knocker face.” Avoir une ---- de canne fêlée, -_to be deranged_, “to have a slate off,” “to be balmy.” See AVOIR. -Aux pommes, or bate aux pommes, _excellent_, _first-rate_, “slap up.” -Concerning the expression Rigaud says: “Deux consommateurs, un habitué -et un étranger, demandent, dans un café, chacun un bifteck, le premier -aux pommes, le second naturel, nature, dans l’argot des restaurateurs. -Le garçon chargé des commandes vole vers les cuisines et s’écrie d’une -voix retentissante, ‘Deux biftecks, dont un aux pommes, soigné!’ Le mot -fit fortune. C’est depuis ce jour qu’on dit, Aux pommes, pour soigné.” -(Military) C’est comme des pommes, _it is useless_. - -POMMÉ, _adj._ (familiar and popular), _excessive_, “awful.” Bêtise -pommée, _great stupidity_. - -POMMER, or PAUMER (thieves’ and cads’), _to apprehend_, “to nail,” or -“to smug.” - - Enfin que’qu’fois quand on m’pomme, - J’couch’ au post’. C’est chouett’, c’est chaud, - Et c’est là qu’on trouve, en somme, - Les gens les plus comme il faut. - - =RICHEPIN=, _La Chanson des Gueux_. - -Paumer ses plumes, _to feel dull_. - -POMMIER, _m._ (popular), en fleurs, _breasts of a young maiden_; ---- -stérile, _skinny breasts_. - -POMPAGE, _m._ (popular), _libations_, “lushing.” - -POMPE, _f._ (tailors’), _touching up of ill-fitting garments_. Petite -----, grande ----, respectively, _touching up of waistcoats and coats_. -(Familiar and popular) Pompe funèbre, _a variety of prostitute_. In -Latin fellatrix. (Military schools’) Le corps de ----, _the staff of -instructors_. La ----, _work_. - - La pompe! à ce grand mot votre intellect se tend - Et cherche à deviner.... La pompe, c’est l’étude, - La pompe, c’est la longue et funeste habitude - De puiser chaque jour chez messieurs les auteurs - Le suc et l’élixir de leurs doctes labeurs ... - La pompe, c’est l’effroi du chasseur, du houzard, - Du spahi, du dragon, et, malgré sa cuirasse. - Du cuirassier.--Voilà la pompe. - - =THEO-CRITT=, _Nos Farces à Saumur_. - -(Military) La ---- du part-à-douze, _imaginary pump in the paradise -from which rain is supposed to spout_. - - Parfait, s’écrie Cousinet, il me paraît que le père - Eternel il a mis quatre hommes de renfort à la pompe du - part-à-douze!... Voilà ce qui peut s’appeler une averse de - bonheur!--=DUBOIS DE GENNES.= - -(Popular and thieves’) Pompe, _shoe_, “trotter case, or daisy root.” -See RIPATON. Refiler un coup de ---- dans l’oignon, _to kick one in the -behind_, “to root.” - -POMPER (popular), _to drink much_, “to guzzle,” see RINCER; _to work -hard_, “to sweat;” (shopmen’s) ---- le gaz, _to be the victim of a -practical joke, which consists in making a new-comer ply an imaginary -gas-pump_. Pomper meant formerly _to make a sacrifice to Venus_. Le -Roux gives the explanation in the following words: “Dans un sens -équivoque et malicieux, pour faire le déduit.” - -POMPETTE, _adj._ (general), être ----, _to be intoxicated_. - - Ce serait moule de ne pas rigoler parfois.... On se sépara - à trois heures, délicatement pompettes.--=EMILE KAPP=, _La - Joie des Pauvres_. - -Rabelais uses the word with the signification of “grog-blossoms.” The -terms graduating the scale of drunkenness, beginning with those which -denote mild intoxication, are: “Avoir sa pointe, son allumette, sa -pistache, un grain; être bien, monté, en train, lancé, parti, poussé, -en patrouille, émêché, ému, bamboche; voir en dedans, être dessous, -dans les brouillards, pavois, allumé, gai, dans un état voisin, -mouillé, humecté, casquette, bu, bien pansé, pochard, poche, gavé, -cinglé, plein, rond, complet, rond comme une balle, raide, raide comme -la justice, paf, slasse, poivre, riche, chargé, dans la paroisse de -Saint-Jean le Rond, dans les vignes du seigneur, vent dessus dessous, -fier, dans les broussailles, dans les brindezingues; avoir un coup de -bouteille, de sirop, de soleil, de gaz, de feu, sa chique, un sabre, -son paquet, son casque, une culotte, le nez sale, son plumet, son jeune -homme, son caillou, sa cocarde, une barbe, son pompon, son poteau, -son toquet, son sac, sa cuite, son affaire, son compte, son plein, -sa pente, en avoir une vraie mufée; être saoul comme un âne, comme -un hanneton, comme une grive, comme un Polonais; être pion, en avoir -jusqu’à la troisième capucine, saoul comme trente mille hommes, être -asphyxié.” According to the _Slang Dictionary_ the slang terms for mild -intoxication are certainly very choice; they are, “beery, bemused, -boozy, bosky, buffy, corned, foggy, fou, fresh, hazy, elevated, kisky, -lushy, moony, muggy, muzzy, on, screwed, slewed, tight, and winey.” -A higher or more intense state of beastliness is represented by the -expressions, “podgy, beargered, blued, cut, primed, lumpy, ploughed, -muddled, obfuscated, swipey, three sheets in the wind, and top-heavy.” -But the climax of fuddlement is only obtained when the “disguised” -individual “can’t see a hole in a ladder,” or when he is “all mops and -brooms,” or “off his nut,” or “with his mainbrace well spliced,” or -with “the sun in his eyes,” or when he has “lapped the gutter,” and -got the “gravel-rash,” or is on the “ran-tan,” or on the “ree-raw,” or -when “sewed up,” and regularly “scammered,”--then, and not till then, -is he entitled, in vulgar society, to the title of “lushington,” or -recommended to “put in the pin,” _i.e._, the linch-pin, to keep his -legs steady. We may add to this long list the expression which is to be -found in _A Supplementary English Glossary_, by T. Lewis O. Davies, “to -hunt a tavern fox,” or “to be foxed.” - - Else he had little leisure time to waste, - Or at the ale-house huff-cap ale to taste; - Nor did he ever hunt a tavern fox. - - =J. TAYLOR=, _Lift of Old Parr_, 1635. - -The same author gives “muckibus,” _tipsy_, to be found in Walpole’s -_Letters_. - -POMPIER, _m._ (popular), _drunken man, one who is_ “screwed;” -_drunkard_, or “lushington;” _a mixture of vermout and cassis_; -_pocket-handkerchief_, “snottinger;” ---- de nuit, _scavenger employed -in emptying the cesspools_, “gold-finder.” (Tailors’) Pompier, -_journeyman tailor whose functions are to touch up the ill-fitting -parts of garments_; (Ecole Polytechnique) _musical rigmarole which the -students sing on the occasion of certain holidays_; (military) _soldier -who is the reverse of smart_; (literary) _productions written in a -conventional, commonplace style_; (students’) _member of the Institut -de France_; _a student preparing for an examination_. (Artists’) Faire -son ----, _consisted in painting a large picture representing some -Roman or Greek hero in full armour, and armed with shield, lance, or -sword_. For the following explanation I am indebted to Mr. G. D., a -French artist well known to the English public:-- - - Du temps de David et plus tard on disait d’un artiste - qui n’avait pas eu le prix de Rome: bah! il fera son - pompier, il réussira tout de même. Or, faire son pompier, - c’était peindre un grand tableau représentant un Grec ou - un Romain célèbre avec casque, bouclier et lance; une - ville en flammes dans le fond; et si le nu,--car il n’y - avait d’autre costume que l’armure,--si le nu dis-je, - était bien, l’artiste obtenait un succès. Le pompier était - acheté généralement par le gouvernement pour être placé - dans un musée de province. Quand vous visiterez les musées - de France, vous n’aurez pas de chance si vous ne trouvez - pas au moins trois pompiers. Il paraît que les greniers du - Louvre en possèdent des quantités qui y restent faute de - place dans les musées. - -POMPON, _m._ (popular), _head_, “nut,” or “tibby.” See TRONCHE. -Dévisser le ---- à quelqu’un, _to break one’s head_. Un vieux ----, _an -old fool_, “doddering old sheep’s head.” Avoir son ----, _to be drunk_, -or “screwed.” See POMPETTE. - - J’avais mon pompon - En r’venant de Suresnes; - Tout le long de la Seine, - J’sentais qu’ j’étais rond. - - _Parisian Song._ - -(Military) Pompon, _drunkard_. - -PONANT, _m._ (popular), _the behind_. See VASISTAS. - -PONANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _prostitute of the lowest class_, -“draggle-tail.” The connection with “ponant” is obvious. See GADOUE. - -PONCE, _f._ (thieves’ and roughs’), refiler une ----, _to thrash_, “to -set about” _one_. See VOIE. - -PONDANT, _m._ (schools’), _guardian of a school-boy whose parents live -at a distance, who takes him out on holidays_. - -PONDRE (popular), _to work_, “to graft;” ---- sur ses œufs, _to keep on -increasing one’s wealth_; ---- un œuf, _to ease oneself_, “to go to the -chapel of ease.” See MOUSCAILLER. - -PONEY, _m._ (sporting), _five hundred francs_. Double ----, _carriage -and pair of ponies_. - - Son petit air fripon et la crânerie avec laquelle elle - conduit son double poney.--_Figaro_, Oct., 1886. - -PONIFFE, or PONIFFLE, _f._ (thieves’), _prostitute_, “bunter.” See -GADOUE. - - Et si la p’tit’ ponif’e triche - Su’ l’compt’ des rouleaux, - Gare au bataillon d’la guiche! - C’est nous qu’est les dos. - - =RICHEPIN=, _La Chanson des Gueux_. - -PONIFLER (thieves’), _to make love to a woman_. - -PONT, _m._ (popular), d’Avignon, _prostitute_, or “mot.” See GADOUE. -(Card-sharpers’) Faire le ---- sec, _to slightly bend a card at the -place at which it is desired the pack should be cut_. (Familiar and -popular) Couper dans le ----, _to believe a falsehood_; _to fall into -a snare_. (Thieves’) Donner un ---- à faucher, _to prepare a snare for -one_. (Officials’) Faire le ----, _is to keep away from one’s office on -a day preceded and followed by a holiday_. (Popular) Pont-levis de cul -(obsolete), _breeches_. - - Chausses à la martingale ce qui est un pont-levis de - cul.--=RABELAIS.= - -(Roughs’) Le ---- aux bergères, _the Halles, or Paris central market_. -Aller au ---- aux bergères, _to go to that place for the purpose of -meeting with a prostitute_. - -PONTANIOU, _m._ (sailors’), _prison_. - -PONTER (gamesters’), _to stake_; ---- dur, _to play high_; ---- sec, -_to stake large sums at intervals_. (Bohemians’) Ponter, _to pay_, “to -fork out.” - -PONTES POUR L’AF, _f. pl._ (thieves’), _a gathering of card-sharpers_. - -PONTEUR, _m._ (popular), _man who keeps a woman_; (familiar and -popular) _gamester_. - -PONTIFE, _m._ (popular), _shoemaker_. An allusion to the souliers à -pont in fashion at the beginning of the seventeenth century. Souverain -----, _master shoemaker_. - -PONTON, _m._ (popular), d’amarrage, _hulks_. (Sailors’) Devenir ----, -_to become old, worn out_. - - Jamais si longtemps qu’il vivra - Si ponton qu’il devienne, - Jamais ceux qui l’ont pris sous l’bras, - Jamais le capitaine, - Il n’oubliera! - - =RICHEPIN=, _La Mer_. - -PONTONNIÈRE, _f._ (popular), _prostitute who plies her trade under the -arches of bridges_. - - Les pontonnières fréquentent le dessous des ponts ... - toutes ces filles sont des voleuses. Le macque qui joue ici - un rôle plus actif que le barbillon ne quitte sa largue ni - jour ni nuit.--=CANLER.= - -POPOTTE, _f._ (familiar), _table d’hôte_. Faire la ----, _to cook_. -Etre ----, _is said of a very plain, homely woman_. (Military) Popotte, -_military mess in a small way_. - - L’unique cabaret de Hanoï le vit donc à l’heure de - l’absinthe, mêlé aux uniformes, et il connut les réunions - de table par “fractions de corps,” les popottes où les - officiers dévoraient joyeusement les vivres ferrugineux des - boîtes de conserves.--=P. BONNETAIN=, _L’Opium_. - -POPOTTER. See POPOTTE. - -POPULO, _m._ (familiar), _populace_, or “mob.” Swift informs us, in his -_Art of Polite Conversation_, that “mob” was, in his time, the slang -abbreviation of mobility, just as nob is of nobility at the present day. - - It is perhaps this humour of speaking no more words than we - need which has so miserably curtailed some of our words, - that in familiar writing and conversation they often lose - all but their first syllables, as in mob, red. pos. incog. - and the like.--=ADDISON’S= _Spectator_. - -Burke called the populace “the great unwashed.” - -PORC-ÉPIC, _m._ (thieves’), _the Holy Sacrament_. An allusion to the -metal beams which encircle the Host. - -PORTANCHE, _m._ (thieves’), _doorkeeper_. - -PORT D’ARMES, _m._ (military), laisser au ----, _to leave the service -before another_; _to leave one waiting_. - -PORTE, _f._ (familiar and popular), ne plus pouvoir passer sous la ---- -Saint-Denis, _to be an injured husband_. Alluding to the height of his -horns. Un clos ----, _a doorkeeper_. A play on the words clot porte and -cloporte, _woodlouse_. It must be said that in Paris the concierges are -generally much detested by lodgers, and deservedly so. - - Et quoique d’aucuns m’appell’t clos porte - J’n’ai pas fait l’vœu d’passer pour sot. - - _Lamentations du Portier d’en face._ - -PORTÉ, _adj._ (familiar and popular), sur l’article, _one with a -well-developed bump of amativeness_; (military schools’) ---- sur la -liste des élèves morts, _on the sick list_. - -PORTE-AUMUSSE, _m._ (popular), _master shoemaker_, or “snob.” - -PORTE-BALLE, _m._ (popular), _humpback_, or “lord.” - -PORTE-BONHEUR, _m._ (familiar and popular), _pig_. Termed in English -thieves’ cant, “grunting cheat, or patricoe’s kinchen.” An allusion to -certain trinkets which represent this animal and are said to bring luck -to the wearer. - -PORTE-BOTTES, _m._ (military), _trooper_, in opposition to “guêtré,” -_foot-soldier_. - - L’hiver c’est à l’écurie que le porte-bottes précède - de beaucoup le réveil de ses bons voisins les - guêtrés.--=DUBOIS DE GENNES.= - -PORTE-CHANCE, _m._ (popular), _lump of excrement_, or “quaker.” -Literally _luck-bearer_. Superstitious people in France believe that -treading by chance on the above-mentioned is an unfailing sign of a -forthcoming moneyed windfall. - -PORTE-CRÈME, _m._ (popular), _scavenger employed at emptying the -cesspools_, “gold-finder.” - -PORTE DE PRISON, _f._ (popular), _ill-natured, snarling person_; _one -who is constantly_ “nasty,” or “grumble guts;” one whose speeches jar -on the ear as unpleasantly as the grating of a prison door. - -PORTEFEUILLE, _m._ (familiar and popular), _bed_, “doss, bug-walk, -kip.” Se fourrer dans son ----, _to go to bed, to get into_ “kip.” -Mettre un lit en ----, _to make an_ “apple-pie” _bed_. - - De classe en classe les soldats se transmettent un - certain nombre de facéties ... mettre le lit du bleu en - portefeuille, de façon qu’il ne puisse entrer plus loin que - les chevilles.--=G. COURTELINE.= - -PORTEFEUILLISTE, _m._ (familiar), _minister of state_. - -PORTE-LUQUE, _m._ (thieves’), _pocket-book_, “dummy, or dee.” - -PORTE-MAILLOT, _m._ (theatrical), _ballet dancer_. Literally _one who -wears tights_. - -PORTE-MANTEAU, _m._ (popular), épaules en ----, _high and flat -shoulders_. - -PORTE-MINCE, _m._ (thieves’), _pocket-book_, “dee, or dummy.” - -PORTE-MORNINGUE, _m._ (thieves’), _purse_, “skin,” or “poge.” Termed -also “porte-mornif.” - -PORTE-NAGEOIRES, _m._ (familiar and popular), _man who lives on -prostitutes’ earnings_, “pensioner.” For synonyms see POISSON. - -PORTE-PIPE, _m._ (popular), _mouth_, “mug, rattle-trap, kisser, gob.” - -PORTE-POIGNE, _m._ (popular), _glove_. - -PORTER (familiar and popular), en faire ----, _to deceive conjugally_. -For faire porter des cornes. - - Avoir un gendre! Ah! c’est superbe! - Quand nous irons tous à Meudon - L’été prochain dîner su’ l’herbe, - Ça s’ra lui qui port’ra l’melon. - Ma femm’, qu’a d’ l’esprit quand a’cause, - Craint qu’ Véronique ait fait le vœu - D’y fair’ porter ... même autre chose! - - =E. CARRÉ.= - -En ----, _to be deceived conjugally_. Porter à la peau, _to inspire -with carnal desires_; ---- le deuil de sa blanchisseuse, _to have linen -the reverse of snow-white_. Literally _to be in mourning for one’s -washerwoman_; ---- sa malle, _to be a humpback_, or “lord;” (thieves’) ----- gaffe, _to be on sentry duty_. Un grivier qui porte gaffe, _a -soldier on sentry duty_. Porter du gras-double au moulin, _to sell -stolen lead to a receiver_, or “fence.” - -PORTE-TRÈFLE, _m._ (popular), _trousers_, “kicks.” See TRÈFLE. - -PORTEUR, _m._ (thieves’), de camoufle, _prostitute’s bully_, “ponce.” -See POISSON. “Camoufle” is equivalent to chandelle, and “tenir la -chandelle” is _to favour the intercourse of lovers_. (Popular) Avoir -cassé la gueule à son ---- d’eau, _to have one’s menses_. - -PORTEUSE, _f._ (thieves’) _hand_, “picker, famm, duke, or daddle.” - -PORTE-VEINE. See PORTE-BONHEUR. - -PORTEZ! REMETTEZ! (cavalry), _a mock command said when anyone has just -uttered something foolish, or a_ “bull.” - -PORTIER, _m._, PORTIÈRE, _f._ (familiar and popular), -_scandal-monger_. Alluding to the propensity of Paris doorkeepers for -scandal. - -PORTION, _f._ (military), _prostitute_, or “barrack-hack.” Demi ----, -_chum_. - - --Mon bon camarade Cousinet, hé donc! - - --Ah! tu es la demi-portion du Merlan? C’est un bon - zigue.--=DUBOIS DE GENNES.= - -PORTRAIT, _m._ (popular), _face_, “mug.” Dégrader le ---- à quelqu’un, -_to strike one in the face, to give one a_ “facer,” “to fetch one a -bang in the mug,” or “to give a biff in the jaw” (Americanism). - -PORTUGAL, _m._ (popular), une entrée de ----, _said of a bad, awkward -rider_. - -POSE, _f._ (familiar and popular), la faire à la ----, _to assume an -air of superiority_. Faut pas me la faire à la ----, “you mustn’t -come Shakespeare over me, you mustn’t come Rothschild over me,” &c. -(Popular) A moi la ----! _words used by a man who has just received -a blow, to express his intention of returning it with interest_. -Literally, expression used by domino players, _my turn to play!_ - -POSER (artists’), l’ensemble, _to pose nude_; (familiar and popular) ----- un factionnaire, or un pépin, _to ease oneself_, “to bury a -quaker,” see MOUSCAILLER; ---- un lapin, or lapiner, _to deceive_, _to -take one in_. More specially _to enjoy the good graces of a cocotte and -make off without giving her a fee_, “to do a bilk.” - - Si l’abbé Roussel a essayé de “poser un lapin” et s’il - laisse vraiment cette petite noceuse sous une prévention - de ce genre, voilà qui m’indigne.--=FRANCIS ENNE=, _Le - Radical_. - -For explanation see LAPIN. Faire ---- quelqu’un, _to make one wait a -long time_; _to fool one_, “to bamboozle.” Poser pour le torse, _to -bear oneself so as to show off one’s figure_; (popular) ---- sa chique, -_to hold one’s tongue_, “to be mum.” Pose ta chique, “hold your jaw, -or stubble your whids.” Poser et marcher dedans, _to get bewildered_; -_to betray oneself_; (thieves’) ---- un gluau, _to lay a trap, or -make preparations for the apprehension of a criminal_, of one who is -“wanted” by the police. Gluau, _bird-lime_. - -POSES, _f. pl._ (gamesters’), faire des ----, _to insert certain cards -prepared for cheating purposes in a pack_. - -POSEUR DE LAPINS, _m._ (familiar and popular), _artful fellow who fools -simple-minded folk_. - - _Le garçon._--Trente-sept francs soixante-quinze, messieurs. - - _Deuxième provincial, bondissant._--Trente-sept francs - soixante-quinze! Comment, nous n’avons que nos deux - “assinthes” et les deux bocks de ce monsieur! - - _Le garçon._--Oui, mais il y a l’addition de ce monsieur - qui a déjeûné avec une dame ... vous êtes du Midi, n’est-ce - pas, messieurs?... Eh bien, croyez-moi: à Paris, mieux vaut - encore parler tout seul que de lier conversation avec un - “poseur de lapins.”--=PAUL MAHALIN.= - -The epithet is also applied to a man who deceives a woman of -indifferent character by making promises of money or presents, one who -does a “bilk.” - - Eva sonne sa femme de chambre qui vient pendant qu’il - murmure: châmante, châmante! - - --Tu peux le prendre, s’il te convient, moi, je n aime pas - les poseurs de lapins.--=MATHURINE=, _La Marotte_. - -POSEUSE, _f._ (theatrical), _female singer whose business is to pose_. - - Là, il put à son aise imposer son répertoire aux chanteurs, - répertoire fort varié, du reste, car pour les “poseuses” on - fit murmurer le rossignol et le papillon se poser sur la - rose à peine éclose.--=J. SERMET.= - -POSITION, _f._ (thieves’), _trunk_, _portmanteau_, “peter.” Thieves -judge of a man’s standing by his “traps.” - -POSSÉDÉ, _m._ (thieves’), _brandy_, “bingo,” in old cant. - -POSSÉDER SON EMBOUCHURE (popular), _to have a natural talent for -speechifying_, “to have the gift of the gab.” - -POSTE, _m._ (sailors’), or ---- aux choux, _victualling boat_. - -POSTÉRIEURS, _m. pl._ (popular), limonadier des ----, _apothecary_, one -who used to perform the “clysterium donare” of Molière. Termed also -“flûtencul,” and formerly “mirancu.” - -POSTICHE, _f._ (printers’), _dull story_; _humbug_, “regular flam, or -gammon;” (thieves’) _gathering of people in the street, enabling rogues -to ease someone of his valuables_, “scuff.” - -POSTIÈRE, _f._ (popular), _female clerk employed at the post office_. - -POSTIGE, _f._ (mountebanks’), _preliminary performance of mountebanks_. - -POSTILLON, _m._ (thieves’), _pellet used as a mode of communication -between prisoners, or between a prisoner and outsiders_. - - Un postillon est tout simplement une boulette de mie de - pain pétrie entre les doigts et renfermant une lettre, un - avis.--_Mémoires de Canler._ - -Envoyer le ----, _to correspond thus_. (Popular) Postillon d’eau -chaude, _engine driver_, “puffing billy” _driver_; _hospital assistant -whose functions consist in administering clysters to patients_, an -operation described by Molière as “clysterium donare.” - -POSTILLONNER (thieves’), _to correspond by means of the_ “postillon” -(which see); (familiar and popular) _to spit involuntarily when -talking_. - -POSTURE, _f._ (popular), en ----, _apothecary_, or “pill-driver.” -Termed also “potard.” - -POT, _m._ (thieves’), _cabriolet_, _a kind of gig_. Termed also -“cuiller à pot, or potiron roulant.” - - Enlevez le gré, le pot et les frusquins du sinve qui s’est - esgaré avec les miens.--=VIDOCQ.= (_Take away the horse, - the gig, and the clothes of the fool who ran away with - mine._) - -Pot, _crucible used by coiners_. (Popular) Fouille au ----, _man who is -fond of taking liberties with women_. - - Il fallait le voir toujours en petoche autour d’elle. Un - vrai fouille-au-pot, qui tâtait sa jupe par derrière, dans - la foule, sans avoir l’air de rien.--=ZOLA.= - -POTACHE, _m._ (students’), _pupil at a lycée, a government school_. -Probably a corruption of “potasse,” from “potasser,” a slang term used -by students to signify _to work_. L. Larchey says the origin of the -word may be found in “pot-à-chien,” _college cap_. - -POTAGER, _m._ (popular), _brothel_, “nanny-shop, flash-drum, or, -academy.” - -POT-À-MINIUM, _m._ (popular), _painter or house decorator_. - -POT-À-MOINEAUX, _m._ (popular), _large hat_, “mushroom.” - -POTARD, _m._ (popular), _apothecary_, “pill-driver, gallipot, or -squirt.” - - C’t Arthur de Bretagne, n’fut même pas l’premier ouvrage - d’ Claude Bernard puisque ... l’élève pharmacien avait - fait représenter à Lyon une bluette pas méchante.... - Avec son manuscrit dans sa malle le jeune potard vint à - Paris.--=TRUBLOT=, _Le Cri du Peuple_. - -POTASSER (students’), _to work_. Termed “to sap” at Winchester and many -other schools. Also _to work hard_, “to mug.” - -POT-À-TABAC, _m._ (popular), _short and stout person_, “humpty -dumpty;” _dull, insignificant man_, “very small potatoes;” (thieves’) -_policeman_. Termed also “rousse, roussin, bâton de réglisse, baladin, -cagne, cogne, balai, serin, pousse, vache, arnif, peste, tronche à la -manque, flaquadard, cabestan, raille (_detective officer_), railleux, -sacre, grive, laune, flique, bec-de-gaz, estaffier, bourrique, -pousse-cul, lampion rouge, escargot de trottoir, cierge, sergo;” in -the English cant and slang, “crusher, worm, pig, bobby, blue-bottle, -reeler, copper, Johnny Darby (corruption of gendarme), philip, -philistine, peeler, raw lobster, slop;” and in ancient cant of beggars, -“harmanbek.” Whence “beak,” or _magistrate_. - -POT-AU-FEU, _m._ (popular), _behind_, see VASISTAS; (coiners’) -_crucible in which coiners melt the metal used in their nefarious -trade_. (Familiar) Etre ----, _to be commonplace_, _plain_. - - Ce n’est pas cet imbécile, qui m’aurait éclairée ... il est - d’ailleurs bien trop pot-au-feu.--=BALZAC.= - -POT AU VIN, _m._ (familiar and popular), obsolete, _the head_. - - Si Dieu me sauve le moule du bonnet, c’est le pot au vin, - disait ma mère-grand--=RABELAIS.= - -POT-BOUILLE, _f._ (familiar and popular), _kitchen and household duties -in a small way_. The term has passed into the language. - -POTEAU, _m._ (thieves’), un ----, _a friend_, or “ben cull;” _a top -man, or prince among the canting crew_. Also _the chief rogue of the -gang_, _or the completest cheat_, “dimber damber.” Termed “upright -man” in old English cant. Poteaux de bal, _prison chums_, “schoolmen.” -(Engine-drivers’) Avoir son ---- kilométrique _is said of a man who -is in a state of intoxication, but who can yet find his way_. Avoir -son ---- télégraphique, _to be completely drunk_, or “slewed.” See -POMPETTE. According to M. Denis Poulot the different stages are -“attraper une allumette ronde,” “avoir son allumette de marchand de -vin,” “prendre son allumette de campagne,” “avoir son poteau,” and as -above. - -POTÉE, _f._ (popular), enfiler sa ----, _to drink a litre measure of -wine_. - -POTENCE, _f._ (popular), _rascally person of either sex_; “bad egg,” in -the case of a man. - -POTET, _m._ (popular), _whimsical man_; _old fool_, or “doddering old -sheep’s head.” - -POTIN, _m._ (popular), _row_, _uproar_. Faire du ----, _to make loud -complaints_. - - I s’retourne, i fait du potin ... - Mais de la levrett’ le larbin - Le trait’ de p’tit’ gouape et d’fripouille! - - =GILL.= - -Faire du ----, _is said also of some event which causes great -excitement_. - - Avant-hier a été donné aux ambassadeurs un dîner de douze - couverts qui certainement fera du potin dans le monde qui - s’amuse.--_Figaro_, Oct., 1886. - -(Familiar and popular) Potin, _scandalous report_. Synonymous of -cancans. Concerning the latter expression Madame de Genlis quotes -the following conversation between General Decaen, who was at the -time aide-de-camp to his brother, and who had been arrested by the -gendarmerie on his way to the camp:-- - - Comment vous nommez-vous? lui demanda le brigadier. - - --Decaen. - - --D’où êtes-vous? - - --De Caen. - - --Qu’êtes-vous? - - --Aide de camp. - - --De qui? - - --Du général Decaen. - - --Où allez-vous? - - --Au camp. - - --Oh! oh! dit le brigadier, qui n’aimait pas les - calembourgs, il y a trop de cancans dans votre affaire; - vous allez passer la nuit au violon, sur un lit de - camp.--_Mémoires._ - -POTINER (familiar and popular), _to talk scandal_. - -POTINIER (familiar and popular), _scandal-monger_. - -POTIRON, _m._ (popular), _the behind_; (thieves’) ---- roulant, _gig_. - -POTOT, or POTEAU, _m._ (convicts’), _friend_, or “pal;” _Sodomist_. - -POTRED ANN TAOUEN (Breton cant), _cod-fishers_. - -POTRED ANN TOK-TOK (Breton cant), _slaters_. - -POU AFFAMÉ, _m._ (popular), _greedy man, a worshipper of money_. - -POUBELLES, _f. pl._ (familiar), _kind of dust-bins which the -inhabitants have to place at their doors every morning, in accordance -with a recent regulation promulgated by M. Poubelle, Prefect of the -Seine_. - -POUCE, _m._ (popular), avoir le ---- rond, _to be dexterous, skilful_. -Donner le coup de ----, _to give short weight_; _to strangle_. Et le -----! _and ever so many more!_ (Artists’) Avoir du ----, _is said of a -picture painted in bold, vigorous style_. - -POUCETTE, or POUSSETTE, _f._ (card-sharpers’), _act of adding to one’s -stakes laid on the table directly the game is favourable_. - -POUCHON, _m._ (thieves’), _purse_, “skin, or poge.” From pochon, _small -pocket_. - -POUDRE, _f._ (freemasons’), faible, WATER; ---- forte, _wine_; ---- -fulminante, _brandy_; ---- noire, _coffee_. - -POUFFIACE, or POUFFIASSE, _f._ (thieves’), _prostitute_; _low -prostitute_, “draggle-tail.” See GADOUE. - - Si j’ai pas l’rond, mon surin bouge. - Or, quand la pouffiace a truqué, - Chez moi son beurre est pomaqué. - Mieux vaut bouffer du blanc qu’du rouge. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -POUFFIASBOURG, _m._ (popular), _nickname for Asnières_, a locality in -the vicinity of Paris, where many ladies leading a gay life have their -abode; a kind of Parisian St. John’s Wood, in that respect. - -POUFIASSER (popular), _is said of persons of either sex whose fondness -for the opposite sex leads them into living a life of a questionable -description_. A man in that case is said to “go molrowing.” - -POUFS, _m. pl._ (familiar), faire des ----, _is said of a person who -runs into debt knowing he will be unable to meet his liabilities, and -then suddenly decamps_. - -POUIC (thieves’), _no_; _nothing_, “nix.” - -POUIFFE, _f._ (thieves’), _money_, “dinarly,” “pieces,” see QUIBUS; -_woman of questionable character_, _or prostitute_. Termed by English -rogues, “blowen, or bunter.” - -POUILLEUX, _m._ (familiar), _poor devil_, or “quisby;” _miser_, -_skinflint_, “hunks.” Properly _lousy man_. - -POULAILLER, _m._ (popular), _house of ill-fame_, or “nanny-shop.” -Properly _hen-house_; _upper gallery in a theatre_, “up among the gods.” - -POULAIN, _m._ (military), faire un ----, _to fall from one’s horse_, -“to come a cropper.” - -POULAINTE, _f._ (thieves’), _swindle on an exchange of goods_. - -POULARDE, _f._ (journalists’), _kept woman_. - -POULE, _f._ (popular), laitée, _man devoid of energy_, “sappy,” or -“henpecked fellow;” ---- d’eau, _washerwoman_. Termed also “baquet -insolent.” Des poules, _female inmates of a house of ill-fame_, “dress -lodgers.” - -POULET, _m._ (popular), manger le ----, _to be in confederacy with -a builder, so as to divide the proceeds of unlawful gains_. The -expression is used by masons, carpenters, and others employed in -house-building, in reference to architects and their accomplices. -Poulet de carême, _red herring_, or “Yarmouth capon;” _frog_. Frogs -not being considered as flesh. Poulet d’hospice, _lean, hungry-looking -fellow_, _one who looks like a half-drowned rat_; ---- d’Inde, _fool_, -or “flat;” and in military slang, _horse_, or “gee.” - - Oui, répondit-il en ramassant son cheval ... j’allais - vous proposer un tour de promenade. Si cela vous sourit, - en route! J’ai dit à Saïd de seller votre poulet - d’Inde.--=BONNETAIN=, _L’Opium_. - -POULOT, _m._ (popular), for poulailler, _the gallery in a theatre_, “up -amongst the gods.” - -POUPARD, _m._ (thieves’), _swindle, or crime_, “plant.” Nourrir un -----, _to make all necessary preparations in view of committing a -robbery or murder_. Goury de ----, _accomplice_, “stallsman.” - -POUPÉE, _f._ (popular), _paramour_, “moll;” (thieves’) _soldier_; -(sailors’) _figure-head_. Etre entre poupe et poupée, _to be out at -sea_. - -POUPON, _m._ (popular), _tool-bag_; (thieves’) _any kind of crime_, -“job.” - - Voici la balle! Dans le poupon, Ruffard était en tiers avec - moi et Godet.--=BALZAC.= - -POUR (cads’ and thieves’), _perhaps_; ---- chiquer, _nonsense_, -_gammon!_ (Familiar and popular) Ce n’est pas ---- enfiler des perles -_is expressive of doubt as to the innocence of purpose or harmlessness -of some action_. - - Et veux-tu savoir ce qui t’embête, chéri?... C’est que - toi-même tu trompes ta femme. Hein? tu ne découches pas - pour enfiler des perles.--=ZOLA.= - -(Popular) Pour la peau, _for nothing_. - - Alors c’est pour la peau que j’ai tiré cinquante-neuf mois - et quinze jours de service?--=G. COURTELINE.= - -(Printers’) Aller chou ---- chou, _to imitate closely a printed copy -when composing_. (Prostitutes’) C’est ---- les bas, _gratuity to -prostitutes in a brothel_. Alluding to their habit of using their -stockings as a receptacle for the money they receive. - -POUR-COMPTE, _m._ (tailors’), _misfit_. - -POURLÉCHER (popular), s’en ---- la face, _to be delighted with -something_, the result being that one is in “full feather, or -cock-a-hoop.” Tu t’en pourlécheras la face, _that will give you great -pleasure_, “that’ll rejoice the cockles of your heart.” - -POURRI, _adj._ (familiar), _full_; ---- de chic, _very elegant_, -_dashing_, “tsing tsing.” - -POUSSE, _f._ (thieves’), _police_, _gendarmerie_. (Popular) Ce qui se -----, _money_, “loaver.” See QUIBUS. (Roughs’) Filer, or refiler une ----- à quelqu’un, _to hustle_, “to flimp;” _to throw down_. Y veut m’ -coller un coup d’sorlot dans les accessoires; je l’y file une pousse et -j’te l’envoie dinguer sur le trime. _He tried to kick me in the privy -parts; I threw him down and sent him sprawling in the road._ - -POUSSÉ, _adj._ (thieves’), _drunk_, or “canon.” See POMPETTE. - -POUSSE-AU-VICE, _f._ (popular), _Spanish fly_. - -POUSSE-BATEAU, _m._ (popular), _water_. - -POUSSE-CAFÉ, _m._ (familiar), _a small glass of brandy or ligueur drunk -after taking coffee_, le repousse-café being a second glass. - -POUSSE-CAILLOUX, _m._ (popular), _infantry soldier_, “wobbler.” In the -slang of the cavalry, “mud-crusher, or beetle-crusher.” - -POUSSE-CUL, _m._ (familiar and popular), obsolete, “archer,” _or -soldier of the watch_. - - Pousse-cul, pour archer, ou ce qu’on appelle vulgairement - à Paris des sergens, ou des archers de l’écuelle, qui vont - d’un côté et d’autre pour prendre les gueux.--=LE ROUX.= - -Nisard, in his interesting work, _De quelques Parisianismes -populaires_, says that the foot-soldiers of the watch were termed -“pousse-culs,” whereas the mounted police went by the name of “lapins -ferrés,” lapin being the general term for a soldier, as shown by a -letter from a general of the army in Italy to Bonaparte, written in -true Spartan-like spirit:-- - - Citoyen général en chef--Les lapins mangent du pain; pas de - pain, pas de lapins; pas de lapins, pas de victoire: ainsi - ouvre l’œil n, i, ni, c’est fini. - -Pousse-cul (obsolete), _Lovelace_. It now has the signification of_ -police-officer_. - -POUSSÉE, _f._ (popular), _reprimand_, or “wigging;” _urgent work_. -Voilà une belle ---- de bateaux _is expressive of disappointment at -finding that something which has been praised falls short of one’s -expectations_. - -POUSSE-MOULIN, _m._ (popular), _water_, “Adam’s ale.” Termed “lage” in -old English cant. Evidently the old French word “aigue, aige,” preceded -by the article. “Lagout” in old French cant. - -POUSSER (popular), le boum du cygne, _to die_, “to kick the bucket.” -For synonyms see PIPE. Pousser son rond, _to ease oneself by -evacuation_. See MOUSCAILLER. Pousser un bateau, _to tell a falsehood_, -or “flam;” ---- son glaire, _to talk_, “to jaw.” Se ---- de l’air, _to -go away_, “to mizzle.” S’en ---- dans le battant, le cornet, or le -fusil, _to drink or eat heartily_. (Familiar and popular) Se ---- du -col, _to feel proud of one’s achievements_. - - Quand j’la descendis de voiture - J’me dis en me poussant du col, - Vieux veinard, c’est pas d’la p’tit’ bière, - J’vais r’cevoir dans mon entresol, - Je l’parierais, une rosière! - - =E. DU BOIS.= - -(Roughs’) Pousser son pas d’hareng saur, _to dance_; (thieves’) ---- la -goualante, _to sing_, “to lip a chant.” Se ---- un excellent, _to eat a -dish of the ordinary prison fare_. (Police) Pousser de la ficelle, _to -watch a thief_, “to give a roasting.” Termed also “poiroter, prendre en -filature.” (Ecole Polytechnique) Pousser une blague, _to smoke_, “to -blow a cloud.” (Bakers’) Pousser, _to rise_, is used in reference to -the dough. - -POUSSIER, _m._ (popular), _bed_, “doss;” ---- de motte, _snuff_. -(Thieves’) Poussier, _gunpowder_; _money_, or “pieces.” See QUIBUS. - -POUSSIÈRE, _f._ (popular), faire de la ----, _to make a great fuss or -show_. (Thieves’) Poussière, _spirits_. (Familiar) Couleur ---- des -routes, _a kind of greyish brown_. - - Elle était en toilette de voyage, la robe poussière des - routes retroussée sur un jupon écarlate.--=P. MAHALIN.= - -POUSSIN, _m._ (popular), avaler son ----, _to be dismissed from one’s -employ_, “to get the sack.” - -POUSSINIÈRE, _f._ (thieves’), _seminary_. - -POUTRONE, _f._ (popular), _prostitute_. - -POUVOIR SIFFLER (popular). Vous pouvez siffler, _you will have to do -without it_; _you will not get what you ask for_. - -PRANDION, _m._ (artists’), _hearty meal_, “tightener.” - -PRANDIONNER (artists’), _to make a hearty meal_. - -PRANTARSAC, _m._ (thieves’), _purse_, or “skin.” - -PRAT, _m._ (popular), _girl of indifferent character_, “mot.” - -PRATIQUE, _f._ (military), _worthless soldier_; _unscrupulous soldier -who is always seeking to shirk his duties, or to deceive others_. - - Du reste, il n’y a ici ni blanc-bec, ni carapatas, ni - moutard; vous êtes deux pratiques qui, en voyant des - conscrits vous êtes dit qu’il serait facile ... de leur - faire payer la consommation.--=C. DUBOIS DE GENNES.= - - Il ne faudrait pas cependant exagérer l’héroïsme des - “pratiques.” Si d’aucuns se battent bien, un plus grand - nombre ne sont que des maraudeurs et des pillards. - --=HECTOR FRANCE=, _L’Armée de John Bull_. - -PRAULE, _m._ (thieves’), _central prison_, “stir, or steel.” - - Elles en avaient pour dix ans de praule (centrale) comme - elles disaient et pourtant la môme (enfant) n’avait pas été - estourbie (tuée).--=LOUISE MICHEL.= - -PRÉ, _m._ (thieves’), _convict settlement_. Formerly _the galleys_. -Termed also “pré des fagots,” or “grand pré.” Acresto, gaffine -labago.--Tout est franco, y a pas d’trèpe. Quand le pante et la -gonzesse décarreront de la cassine, nous les farguerons à la dure pour -pagour leurs bobinarès, et leurs prantarsacs. Toi, tu babillonneras la -largue. S’ils font du renaud et de l’harmonarès, nous les emplâtrerons -et chair dure! Si tu veux nous les balancarguerons dans la vassarès; et -après, pindarès. Ne manquons pas le coup, autrement nous irions laver -nos pieds d’agnet dans le grand pré. Which signifies, in the jargon -of modern malefactors, _Be careful, look yonder.--All right, there’s -nobody. When the man and woman leave the house, we’ll attack them to -ease them of their watch and purse. You gag the female. Should they -resist and make a noise, we’ll knock them over and smash them. If you -wish it, we’ll pitch them into the water, after which we wash our hands -of the matter. Let us not make a mull of it, otherwise we can make sure -of being transported._ Faucher au grand ----, _to be a convict in a -penal servitude settlement_. Le ---- salé, _the sea_, or “briny.” Etre -au ---- à vioque, _to be at the penal servitude settlement for life_. - - Apprête-toi à retourner au pré à vioque.... Tu dois t’y - attendre.--=BALZAC.= - -Le ---- au dab court toujours, _the prison of Mazas_. Le ---- est en -taupé, _it is a bad job_. - - Voyons, c’est pas la peine de remonter dans vote guimbarde, - le pré est en taupé d’abord.--=LOUISE MICHEL.= - -PRÉFECTANCHE, _f._ (thieves’), _Préfecture de Police_, the headquarters -of the Paris police. - -PRÉFECTANCIER, _m._ (thieves’), _police-officer_. - -PREMIER, _m._, PREMIÈRE, _f._ (shopmen’s), _head assistant in a -linen-draper’s shop_. - -PREMIERO (military), _firstly_. - - Premiero: tu l’étrilleras, - Deuxo: tu le bouchonneras, - Et troisso: tu le brosseras. - De temps en temps tu jureras - Tourne carcan! - - _Litanies du Cavalier._ - -PREMIER-PARIS, _m._ (common), _leading article_. - -PRENDRE (thieves’), un rat par la queue, _to steal a purse_, “to fake -a poge;” (gamesters’) ---- la culotte, _to lose a large sum of money_, -“to win the shiny rag;” (theatrical) ---- au souffleur, _to perform -throughout with the aid of the prompter_; ---- des temps de Paris, _to -add to the effect of a tirade by preliminary by-play_. Also _to bring -in by-play when one has forgotten his part and wishes to gain time_; -(popular) ---- Jacques Déloge pour son procureur, _to run away_, _to -escape_, _to abscond_. - - Cette expression qui est encore usitée avec ces autres - “prendre de la poudre d’escampette, lever le paturon, dire - adieu tout bas” avait déjà cours au xviiᵉ siècle, où l’on - disait surtout, en plaisantant, “Faire Jacques desloges,” - pour s’enfuir.--=MICHEL.= - -Prendre de l’air, _to vanish_, “to bunk,” see PATATROT; ---- son café -aux dépens de quelqu’un, _to laugh at one_, _to quiz him_; ---- un -billet de parterre, _to fall_, “to come a cropper.” A play on the words -billet de parterre, _pit-ticket_, and par terre, _on the ground_. -(Saint-Cyr cadets’) Prendre ses draps, _to go to the guard-room under -arrest_, “to be roosted;” (police) ---- en filature, _to follow and -watch a thief_, _to give him a_ “roasting.” Synonymous of “poiroter, -pousser de la ficelle;” (roughs’) ---- d’autor une femme, _to ravish a -woman_; (printers’) ---- une barbe, _to get drunk_, or “tight.” - - La “barbe” a des degrés divers. “Le coup de feu” est la - “barbe” commençante. Quand l’état d’ivresse est complet, - la barbe est simple; elle est indigne quand le sujet tombe - sous la table, cas extrêmement rare. Il est certains - “poivreaux” qui commettent la grave imprudence de “promener - leur barbe” à l’atelier; presque tous deviennent alors - “pallasseurs,” surtout ceux qui sont taciturnes à l’état - sec.--=BOUTMY.= - -“Prendre une barbe” is “to quad out” in the slang of English printers. -Prendre la mesure du cul avec le pied (obsolete), _to bring one’s foot -in violent contact with another’s posteriors_. - - S’il me regarde de travers, je lui prends la mesure - de son cul avec mon pied, de son mufle avec mon - poing.--_Dialogue_, 1790. - -(Military) Prendre le train d’onze heures, _punishment inflicted on a -soldier by his comrades_, the culprit being dragged about in his bed by -means of ropes attached. - -PRENDS GARDE (popular), de t’enrhumer, _ironical words addressed to one -who is easing himself in the open air_; ---- de casser le verre de ta -montre, _recommendation shouted out to one who has just fallen_; ---- -de te décrocher la fressure, _ironical words addressed to one who is -slow in his movements_, “don’t lose your hair.” - -PRÉPARATEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _confederate of thieves who rob shops by -pairs_. Termed “palming;” one thief bargaining with apparent intent to -purchase, whilst the other watches his opportunity to steal. - - Ceux qui remplissent le rôle de préparateurs, disposent - à l’avance et mettent à part sur le comptoir les - articles qu’ils désirent s’approprier: dès que tout - est prêt ils font un signal à leurs affidés qui sont à - l’extérieur.--=VIDOCQ.= - -PRÉPARER SA PETITE CHAPELLE (military), _to pack up one’s effects in -the knapsack_. - -PREPONDERANCE À LA CULASSE, _f._ (military), _large breech_. - -PRESSE, _f._ (brothels’), la dame est sous ----, _the lady is engaged_. -(Popular) Mettre sous ----, _to pawn_, “to put in lug.” - -PRÊT, _m._ (cavalry), _soldiers’ pay_; (prostitutes’) _money allowed to -a bully by a prostitute out of her earnings_. - -PRÊTER (popular), cinq louis à quelqu’un, _to give one a box on the -ear_, “to warm the wax of one’s ear;” (thieves’) ---- loche, _to -listen_. Loche, _ear_, “lug.” - - Prêtez loche, j’entrave cribler. Tiens, c’est vrai, c’est - le clipet d’un homme.--=VIDOCQ.= (_Listen, I hear someone - crying out. Why, ’tis true, it’s a man’s voice._) - -PRÊTRE, _m._ (thieves’), _actor_, “cackling cove, or mug-faker.” - -PREU, _m._ (schools’), for premier, _first_; (popular) _first floor_. - - Tiens. v’là l’bijoutier du Nᵒ. 10 qui n’s’embête pas - lui: il vous a loué tout son preu?--=HENRI MONNIER=, - _L’Exécution_. - -PRÉVENCE, _f._ (thieves’ and cads’), _for “prévention,” or remand_. - - Le monde s’amasse ... et les sergos s’amènent.... Moi, - qui avais voulu seulement retenir Fluxion-de-Poitrine on - me ramasse comme lui. Total: huit jours de prévence pour - chacun.--=MACÉ=, _Mon Premier Crime_. - -PRÉVÔT (prisoners’), _head of a prison squad_; _prison scout_. - -PRIAT, _m._ (thieves’), _beads_, _rosary_. - -PRIAUTE, _f._ (thieves’), _church_. Termed also “rampante,” and in old -English cant, “autem.” - - On voit bien que vous venez de la priaute car vous - bigotez.--=VIDOCQ.= - -PRIE-DIEU, _m._ (thieves’), _penal code_. - -PRIMA DONA. See EGOUT. - -PRIN, _m._ (schools’), _head of a school_, the “gaffer.” Abbreviation -of principal. - -PRINCE, _m._ (popular), _one who suffers from the itch_. See -PRINCIPAUTÉ. Prince du sang, _murderer_; ---- russe, _man who keeps a -woman_. - -PRINCIPAUTÉ, _f._ (popular), _the itch_. A play on principauté de -Galles and gale, _itch_. Termed in English slang, “Scotch fiddle.” -“To play the Scotch fiddle,” says the _Slang Dictionary_, “is to work -the index finger of the right hand like a fiddlestick between the -index and middle fingers of the left. This provokes a Scotchman in the -highest degree, as it implies that he has the itch. It is supposed -that a continuous oatmeal diet is productive of cutaneous affection.” -In Scotland the ejaculation, “God bless the Duke of Argyle!” is an -insinuation made, when one shrugs his shoulders, of its being caused by -parasites, or cutaneous affection. It is said to have been originally -the thankful exclamation of the Glasgow folk at finding a certain row -of iron posts, erected by his Grace in that city to mark the division -of his property, very convenient to rub against. Some say the posts -were put up purposely for the benefit of the good folk of Glasgow, who -were at the time suffering from the “Scotch fiddle.” - -PRINE, _wife of the_ “prin” (which see). - -PRISON, _f._ (popular), être dans la ---- de Saint-Crépin, _to have -tight boots on_. Saint-Crépin is the patron saint of shoemakers. - -PROBITÉ, _f._ (thieves’), _kindness_. - - Si je ne suis pas si gironde (gentille) j’ai un bon cœur; - tu l’as vu lorsque je lui portais le pagne à la Lorcefé (la - provision à la Force); c’est là qu’il a pu juger si j’avais - de la probité (bonté).--=VIDOCQ.= - -PROBLÈME, _m._ (students’), _watch chain in the possession of the -owner_. The problem is, how comes it that such an ornament is not at -the pawnshop? - -PRODUISANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _the earth_. - -PROFONDE, or PARFONDE, _f._ (thieves’), _cellar_; _pocket_, “cly, -sky-rocket, or brigh.” - - Il rôde autour des beaux cafés - Où boivent les gommeux, ineptement coiffés, - A la porte des grands hôtels, autour des gares, - Il ramasse des bouts, mordillés, de cigares, - Les met dans sa profonde. - - =GILL=, _La Muse à Bibi_. - -Retirer l’artiche de la ----, _to pick a pocket_, “to fake a cly.” - -PROIE, _f._ (thieves’), _share_, or “whack;” _one’s share in the -reckoning_. - -PROLO, _m._ (popular), for prolétaire, _working man_. - -PROLONGE, _f._ (Polytechnic School), _leave up till midnight_. - -PROMENADE. See GALETTE. - -PROMENER QUELQU’UN (popular), _to make a fool of one_, “to bamboozle” -_one_. - -PROMONCERIE, _f._, or PROMONT, _m._ (thieves’), _trial_, “patter.” - -PROMPTO (military), _quickly_. - - A peine tes yeux fermeras - Demi-appel réentendras, - Prompto, tu te relèveras. - - _Litanies du Cavalier._ - -PRONIER, _m._, _pronière_, _f._ (thieves’), _father_, _mother_. Termed -also “dab, dabuche.” - -PROPRIO, _m._ (popular), for propriétaire, _landlord_. - -PROSE, _m._, or PROUAS, _m._ (popular), _the behind_. See VASISTAS. -Filer le prouas, _to ease oneself_. From filer le câble de proue. - -PROTE, _m._ (printers’), à manchettes, _principal foreman at printing -works_. - - C’est le véritable prote; il ne travaille pas manuellement; - son autorité est incontestée. Il représente le patron - vis-à-vis des clients tout aussi bien que vis-à-vis des - ouvriers.--=BOUTMY.= - -Prote à tablier, _workman who does duty as a foreman_; ---- aux gosses, -_senior apprentice_. - - Le prote à tablier est un ouvrier qui, en prenant les - fonctions de prote, ne cesse pas pour cela de travailler - manuellement. Le prote aux gosses est le plus grand des - apprentis.--=BOUTMY.= - -PROTENBARRE, or VINGT-DEUX, _m._ (printers’), _foreman_. - -PROUT, _m._ (popular), _wind_. Faire ----, _to break wind_. - -PROUTE, _f._ (thieves’), _complaint_. - -PROUTER (thieves’), _to complain_; (popular) _to call out_, _to holloa_. - -PROUTEUR, _m._, PROUTEUSE, _f._ (thieves’), _one who grumbles_, -_snarling person_. - -PROYE, _m._ (old cant), _the behind_, “one-eyed cheek.” See PROSE. - -PRUDHOMME, _m._ (familiar), _canting individual_, _man who is in the -habit of giving utterance to grandiloquent platitudes_. From the -character of Monnier’s Joseph Prudhomme. Monsieur Prudhomme, who has -also been portrayed by the caricaturist Cham, is the type of the -pompous, silly bourgeois. He is made to say on one occasion, “Ce sabre -est le plus beau jour de ma vie,” and on another, “Le char de l’état -navigue sur un volcan.” - -PRUDHOMMESQUE, _adj._ (familiar), _after the fashion of Monsieur -Prudhomme_ (which see). - -PRUNE, _f._ (popular), or PRUNEAU, _bullet, or shell_; ---- de Monsieur -Bishop. Literally _a large violet-coloured plum_. Prunes, _testicles_, -or “stones.” Gober la ----, _to receive a mortal wound_. Avoir sa -----, _to be intoxicated_, or “lushy.” Mangeur de prunes, _tailor_, -“goose-persuader, or button-catcher.” - -PRUNEAU, _m._ (popular), _bullet_; _lump of excrement_, or “quaker.” -Recevoir un ----, _to be shot_. Pruneau, _quid of tobacco_. Sucer -un ----, _to chew tobacco_. Les pruneaux, _the eyes_, or “peepers.” -Boucher ses pruneaux, _to sleep_, “to doss.” - -PRUNOT, _m._ (popular), _spirit and tobacco shop_. - -PRUSSE, _f._ (familiar and popular), travailler pour le roi de ----, -_to work to no purpose_, _gratis_. - -PRUSSIEN, _m._ (popular), _the behind_. Exhiber son ----, _to take to -one’s heels_, _to show the white feather_. See PATATROT. - -PSCHUTT, _adj. and m._ (familiar), un homme ----, _a dandy_, or -“masher.” See GOMMEUX. Le ----, _the height, or_ “pink” _of fashion_; -_swelldom_. - - Dans le palais de cette fée. On y donne des soupers où - l’extrême pschutt est seul admis.--=A. SIRVEN.= - -PSCHUTTEUX, _m._ (familiar), _dandy_, or “masher.” See GOMMEUX. - - Un tas de pschutteux, gratin verdegrisé de races - fainéantes, popotent dans les coins les plus chauds de - l’établissement.--=LOUISE MICHEL.= - -PUANT, _m._ (thieves’), _capuchin_; (popular) _swell_, or “masher.” See -GOMMEUX. Literally _stinker_. An allusion to the strong perfumes which -sometimes are wafted from a dandy’s person. - -PUBLIC, _m._ (officials’). Officials of an administration thus term any -person who comes to the offices on business matters; (theatrical) ---- -de bois, _ill-natured audience_. - -PUCE, _f._ (popular), à l’oreille, _creditor_, or “dun;” ---- -travailleuse, “celle qui cultive le genre de dépravation attribué à -Sapho la Lesbienne” (Rigaud). Secouer les puces à quelqu’un, _to scold -one_, “to haul one over the coals,” “to bully-rag” _him, or to thrash -him_. See VOIE. Boîte à puces, _bed_, or “bug-walk.” Charmer les puces, -_to sleep_. (Thieves’) Puce d’hôpital, _louse_, or “gold-backed ’un.” - -PUCEAU, _m._ (popular), _unsophisticated, soft fellow_, or “flat.” -Properly _one who has yet his virginity_. - -PUCELAGE, _m._ (popular), avoir encore son ----, _to be new at_, _not -to be acquainted with the routine of some business_; _to have sold -nothing_. Pucelage, _virginity_. - -PUCIER, _m._ (popular), _bed_, “bug walk.” From puce, _flea_. - - Ma rouchi’ doit batt’ la berloque. - Un gluant, ça n’f’rait pas mon blot. - . . . . . . . - Et puis, quoi, Fifine a trop d’masse - Pour s’coller au pucier. Mais non! - Pendant qu’elle y f’rait la grimace, - Quoi donc que j’bouff’rais, nom de nom? - - =RICHEPIN.= - -PUDIBARD, _m._ (popular), _one who affects virtuous airs_. - -PUFF, _m._ (familiar), _bankruptcy_. - - Il serait homme à décamper gratis. Ce serait un puff - abominable.--=BALZAC.= - -Also _noisy, impudent eulogy_. - -PUFFISME, _m._ (familiar), _puffing up_, _quackery_. - - Il est écrit que le général ... passera par tous les - échelons du puffisme ... le voilà qui fait crier sa - biographie avec ses faits d’armes, ses blessures et son - portrait pour 10 centimes.--_Le Figaro_, 14 Août, 1886. - -PUFFISTE, _m._ (familiar), _literary, political, or other kind of -quack_. - -PUITS, _m._ (theatrical), parler du ----, _to waste one’s time in -talking of useless things_. (Thieves’) Badigeonner la femme au ----, -_to tell fibs_. Alluding to Truth supposed to dwell in a well. - -PULOCH (Breton cant), _to fight_; _to work hard_. - -PUNAISE, _f._ (general), _disagreeable woman_; _prostitute_. See GADOUE. - - _Une femme._--Au Bois! Boire du lait! A la vacherie du - Pré-Catelan! - - _Toutes les autres._--Oui, le Bois! - - _Un chiffonnier._--Les punaises, faut toujours que ça se - fourre dans le bois.--=P. MAHALIN.= - -Encore une ---- dans le beurre! _one more boulevard girl making her -appearance on the stage!_ Une ---- de caserne, _soldier’s wench_. -(Popular) Avoir une ---- dans le soufflet, _to be crazy_, “to have a -tile off.” For synonyms see AVOIR. (Thieves’) Attraper des punaises, -_to fail in one’s undertaking, or to find that one is dealing with an -informer_. - -PUNAISIÈRE, _f._ (popular), _suspicious café frequented by habitués of -low dancing halls_. - -PUR, _m._ (familiar), _dandy_, “masher.” - - Vous ignorez complètement que de ne pas mettre de pardessus - constitue actuellement ce que nous appelons être pur, ou si - vous aimez mieux le chic anglais.--_Evénement_, 1882. - -PURÉE, _f._ (thieves’), _cider_; (popular) ---- de Corinthe, _wine_; ----- de pois, _absinthe_. Faire de la ---- de marrons, _to strike -one in the face so as to leave marks_. Tomber dans la ----, or être -molle, _to become poor_, or a “quisby.” Je déclare la ----, _I haven’t -a farthing, not a_ “rap.” (Familiar) La ----. See ABSINTHE. Purée -septembrale (obsolete), _wine_. - - L’indisposition qui lui étoit advenue par trop humer de - purée septembrale.--=RABELAIS.= - -(Students’) Une ----, _a glass of absinthe_, a glass of beer being -termed “un cercueil,” a glass of bitters “un pape,” and of brandy “un -pétrole.” (Prostitutes’) Une ----, _a man who does not show himself -sufficiently generous_. - -PUREUSE, _f._ (prisoners’) _female prisoner in the employ of the prison -authorities_. Such prisoners enjoy some degree of liberty and certain -privileges. - -PURGATION, _f._ (thieves’), _speech for the defence_. - -PURGE, _f._ (thieves’), refiler une ----, _to thrash_, “to set about -one.” See VOIE. - -PURGER LA VAISSELLE (popular), _to make very thin sauce_. - -PUROTIN, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _needy man_; _vagrant_, or “piky.” - -PUR-SANG, _f._ (familiar), _handsome, elegant kept woman_, a “blooming -tartlet.” - -PUTAIN, _f._ (familiar), avoir la main ----, _to shake hands with -anybody_. Bouture de ----, _child of unknown father_. Putain comme -chausson _is said of an extremely immoral woman_. - -PUTASSER (popular), _to be fond of prostitutes_, _to be a_ -“mutton-monger.” - -PUTASSERIE, _f._ (familiar and popular), _acts of immorality on the -part of a woman_; _the street-walking tribe_. - -PUTASSIER, _m._ (popular), _one fond of prostitutes_, “mutton-monger.” - -PUTINER. See PUTASSER. - -PUTIPHARISER (familiar), _is said of a woman who seeks to win a young -man’s affections, and gives practical evidence thereof_; _to violate_. - - - - -Q - - -QUAI JEMMAPES (popular), avoir l’air ----, _to look like a fool_, _like -a_ “flat.” Rigaud says, “C’est un synonyme décent d’un mot ordurier en -trois lettres dont la première est un C et la dernière n’est pas un L.” - -QUAILLER (obsolete), _to make a sacrifice to Venus_. Le Roux says, -“Pour faire l’acte.” - -QUAND, _m._ (printers’), payer son ---- est-ce (quand est-ce que tu -payes la bienvenue?), _to pay for one’s footing_. (Popular) Quand les -poules pisseront, _never_, “when the devil is blind.” - -QUANTÈS (printers’), for quand est-ce, _paying for one’s footing_. - - Lorsqu’un compositeur est nouvellement admis dans un - atelier, on lui rappelle par cette interrogation qu’il doit - payer son article 4; c’est pourquoi “Payer son quantès” est - devenu synonyme de payer son article 4. Cette locution est - usitée dans d’autres professions.--=BOUTMY.= - -QUANTUM (common), _funds_; _a sum of money_. - - Encore cent mille francs! il est allé faire une saignée - nouvelle à son quantum.--=RICARD.= - -QUARANTE-CINQ, _m._ (familiar), _dunce_; _dirty scamp_; (popular) ----! -or ---- à quinze! _words uttered sometimes when a smash of crockery is -heard_. - -QUART, _m._ (popular and thieves’), d’œil, _commissaire de police, or -petty magistrate_. - - Et de là vient le nom de quart-d’œil que les voleurs leur - ont donné dans leur argot puisqu’ils sont quatre par - arrondissement.--=BALZAC.= - -Also _police officer_, or “crusher.” (Popular) Battre son ----, _to go -backwards and forwards on the pavement for purposes of prostitution_. -The women from brothels thus ply their trade for a quarter of an hour -in turns before the establishment. - - Et comme le disait sa digne maîtresse: lorsque je bats mon - quart, mon macq boit ma recette au café.--_Mémoires de - Monsieur Claude._ - -(Thieves’) Quart de marque, _week_. Battre un ----, _to talk nonsense_. -(Roughs’) Avoir chié les trois quarts de sa merde, _to be old_, _worn -out_. - - Eh! dis donc, ma vieille, comme t’es décati! On dirait que - t’as chié les trois quarts de ta merde!--=RIGAUD.= - -(Familiar) Quart d’agent de change, _partner of a stockbroker_. Le ----- de monde, _the world of cocottes one grade lower than the_ -“demi-monde.” Quart d’auteur, _an author who cannot produce anything -without collaboration_. - -QUARTIER, _m._ (students’), _abbreviation of Quartier Latin_, where the -seat of the University and its different faculties are established; -(rag-pickers’) ---- gras, _a part of the town where rag-pickers reap a -good harvest_; ---- maigre, _the reverse_. (Military) Chien du ----, -_adjutant_. - - Trompette, sonne à l’adjudant ... le trompette Villerval, à - moitié ivre comme de coutume, tournait l’embouchure de son - cuivre aux quatre points cardinaux:-- - - Au chien du quartier! au chien du quartier! - Au chien du quartier! au chien du quartier! - - =HECTOR FRANCE=, _Sous le Burnous_. - -QUASI-MORT, _adj._ (prisoners’), être ----, _to be confined in a cell -without being allowed to see anybody_. - -QUATORZE, _m._ (popular), d’as, or de nombril, _piquet_, a kind of game -of cards. - -QUATORZIÈME ÉCREVISSE, _f._ (theatrical), _female supernumerary_. - -QUATRE (military), comptez-vous ----, _four of you get ready_, words -used especially in reference to preparations for tossing one in a -blanket. - - Comptez-vous quatre, en couverte! en couverte! - --=G. COURTELINE.= - -QUATRE À SIX, _m._ (familiar), _afternoon reception in fashionable -circles_. - -QUATRE-COINS, _m._ (thieves’), _pocket-handkerchief_, “stook, madam, -wipe, or snottinger.” - -QUATRE SOUS (familiar and popular), de ----, _inferior_, “no great -shakes, or not worth a curse.” - - En voilà des républicains de quatre sous, ces sacrés - fainéants de la gauche! Est-ce que le peuple les nomme pour - baver dans leur eau sucrée!--=ZOLA.= - -QUATRE-VINGT-DIX, _m._ (booth salesmen’s at fairs), _a lottery at a -fair_; _secret of a trade_; _dodge_. Vendre le ----, _to reveal the -secret_. - -QUATRIÈME CANTINE, _f._ (cavalry), _the lock-up_, there being three -canteens for cavalry regiments. - -QUATUOR, _m._ (domino players’). Rigaud says: “Quatre d’un jeu de -dominos. Les joueurs mélomanes ne manquent pas de dire: quatuor de -Beethoven.” - -QUELLE, _f._ (thieves’), ça m’ fiche une belle ---- à mézigue, _of no -advantage to me_; _what’s that to me?_ - -QUELPOIQUE (thieves’), _nothing_, or “nix;” _never_. Literally quel -poique, _how little_. Poique for pouic. - - On peut enquiller par la venterne de la cambriolle de la - larbine qui n’y pionce quelpoique, elle roupille dans le - pieu du raze.--=VIDOCQ.= (_One may effect an entrance by - the window of the servant’s room, where she never sleeps; - she sleeps in the parson’s bed._) - -QUELQUE PART (familiar and popular), _in the behind_. Donner un coup -de pied ----, _to kick one in the seat of honour_, “to toe one’s bum.” -Aller ----, _to go to the privy_, or “Mrs. Jones.” The secret memoirs -of Bachaumont mention this term in the repartee of the financier La -Popelinière, to a courtier who said disdainfully, “Il me semble, -monsieur, vous avoir vu quelque part.” A quoi le financier répondit, -“En effet, monsieur, j’y vais quelquefois.” Avoir quelqu’un, or quelque -chose ----, _to be superlatively bored by a person or thing_. - -QUELQU’UN, _m._ (familiar), faire son ----, _to give oneself airs_. - - Si madame fait un peu sa quelqu’une.--=BALZAC.= - -QUEM, _m._ (thieves’), faire son ----, _to give oneself airs_. - -QUENIENTE (thieves’), _not_; _not at all_. From the Italian. - -QUENOTTIER, _m._ (old cant), _dentist_. - -QUÉPETTE (roughs’), _an expression referring to the hour_. Il est deux -heures ----, _it is two o’clock_. Il est midi ----, _it is twelve -o’clock_. Madame milord quépette, _a lazy woman who gets up late in the -day_, a “lady-fender.” - -QUÉQUETTE, _f._ (general), _penis_. - -QUE T’ES (printers’), _derisive exclamation uttered by printers to -interrupt one who is making use of a word which gives them their cue -for the joke_. - - Riposte saugrenue que les compositeurs se renvoient à tour - de rôle, quand l’un d’eux, en lisant ou en discourant, se - sert d’un qualificatif prêtant au ridicule. Donnons un - exemple pour nous faire mieux comprendre. Supposons que - quelqu’un dans l’atelier lise cette phrase: “Sur la plage - nous rencontrâmes un sauvage ...” un plaisant interrompt et - s’écrie: “Que t’es!”--=BOUTMY.= - -QUEUE, _f._ (familiar and popular), faire une ----, _to be unfaithful -conjugally_. Also _to leave part of debt unpaid_. Faire la ---- à -quelqu’un, _to deceive one_, “to bamboozle” _him, or to take a_ “rise” -_out of him_. Habit en ---- de pie, _dress coat_. Termed also “sifflet -d’ébène.” - - Mon gendr’ pour la cérémonie, - A voulu s’ach’ter un chapeau, - Lâcher l’habit noir à queue d’pie, - La cravat’ blanche et les gants d peau. - - =E. CARRÉ=, _J’ai mon Coup d’Feu_. - -Habit en ---- de morue, _dress coat_. - - Il donna un coup de poing dans son tuyau de poèle, jeta - son habit à queue de morue et jura sur son âme qu’il ne le - remettrait de sa vie.--=TH. GAUTIER.= - -Une ---- de rat, _a snuff-box_, “sneezer.” - - Au dîner (c’que l’vin vous fait faire! - “Voyez un peu si j’suis distrait!) - Mathieu m’ demande la poivrière. - Au lieu d’y passer c’qu’i’ voulait, - J’y tends ma queu’ d’rat, qu’était pleine, - Aussi distrait qu’ moi, v’là Mathieu - Qui met l’tabac dans sa Julienne! - - =E. CARRÉ=, _J’ai mon Coup d’Feu_. - -Une ---- de renard, _vomit_. Piquer une ---- de renard, _to vomit_, “to -cast up accounts, or shoot the cat.” Des queues, _nonsensical phrases -tailed on to one another and uttered rapidly without taking breath_. -Çam’épatedemoucheartichautshuredesanglierarchiecoréemifasolau- -gratintamarre, that is, ça m’épate, patte de mouche, mouchard, -artichaut, chaussure, hure de sanglier, hiérarchie, chicorée, ré mi fa -sol, sole au gratin, tintamarre. (Thieves’) Faire la queue, _to pick -pockets in a crowd at the door of a theatre_. Couper une ---- de rat, -_to steal a purse_, “to fake a poge, or to nip a boung.” An allusion to -the strings of purses. (Journalists’) Queue, _newspaper which has the -same matter as another with a different title_. - - A Bruxelles, plus d’un journal quotidien compte de quatre à - cinq “queues,” c’est-à-dire qu’il transforme son titre en - conservant la même matière de texte ou à peu près, et sert - ainsi plusieurs catégories d’abonnés.--_Le Figaro._ - -QUEUISTE, _m._ (popular), _man who secures a place in the crowd, or_ -“queue,” _at the door of a theatre, and sells his chance to another_. - - Et puis surtout il y a les queuistes de profession pour qui - la place tenue est un gagne-pain ... choisir dans la queue - est encore une science difficile ... les toutes premières - places ne sont pas forcément les meilleures. Les plus - courues sont celles où l’on peut s’appuyer, s’asseoir, les - encoignures, les pas de portes, les bornes.... N’est pas - queuiste qui veut.--=RICHEPIN=, _Le Pavé_. - -QUI A DU ONZE CORPS-BEAU? (printers’), “qui a du onze” _is a call for -certain type_; “corps-beau” _stands for_ corbeau, _crow_; _phrase -used to warn one’s fellow-workers that a priest has just entered the -workshop_. - -QUIBUS, _m._ (familiar and popular), _money_, abbreviation of quibus -fiunt omnia. - - S’il vous vient des enfants, les voir, dès leur jeune âge,... - Se corrompre au contact du quibus paternel, - Sachant bien que quand vous passerez l’arme à gauche - Ils trouveront de quoi rigoler amplement. - - =GILL.= - -Termed also, in different kinds of slang: “De l’os, des monacos, du -nerf, des pépettes, des achetoires, de la galette, des picaillons, de -ce qui se pousse, de quoi, de l’oignon, de l’oseille, de la douille, -des jaunets, des sous, de la graisse, du piesto, du galtos, du pognon, -de l’artiche, du morningue, du foin, du plâtre, du poussier, des -soldats, de la mornifle, de la sauvette, de l’huile, du beurre, de la -braise, du bathe, du graissage, de la thune, de la miche de profonde, -de l’oignon pèse, du sable, des pimpions, des mouscaillons, des -rouscaillons, de l’affure, du métal, du zinc, du pèse, du pedzale, des -noyaux, des plombes, des sonnettes, du quantum, du gras, de l’atout, -de l’huile de mains, des patards, de la vaisselle de poche, du carme, -de la pécune, du pouiffe, des ronds, de la bille, du sine qua non, du -sit nomen.” An amusing remark of the journal _La France_ may not be -here out of place. “Though the word money,” it says, “be the object -of everybody’s preoccupation, it is mentioned as infrequently as -possible. The banker says, mes ‘fonds;’ the young girl, ma ‘dot,’ and -the young man, mes ‘espérances;’ the trooper, mon ‘prêt;’ the employé, -mes ‘appointements;’ the administrator, mes ‘jetons de présence;’ the -female attendant at a theatre, mes ‘petits bénéfices;’ the lawyer, -mes ‘honoraires;’ the editors of certain journals, ma ‘subvention;’ -the actor or singer, mes ‘feux;’ the servant, mes ‘gages;’ the heir, -mes ‘legs;’ the landlord, ma ‘fortune;’ the rough, mes ‘picaillons;’ -the monk, ma ‘prébende;’ the Pope, mon ‘denier de Saint-Pierre;’ the -prince, ma ‘dotation.’ Finally, from the ‘liste civile’ of our kings to -the ‘tirelire’ of our children, synonyms are in every case substituted -for the proper terms.” The English slang has the following: “Oof, -stumpy, muck, ballast, brass, loaver, blunt, needful, rhino, bustle, -gilt, dust, dimmock, coal, feathers, brads, chink, quids, pieces, -clinkers, stuff, dumps, chips, corks, dibbs, dinarly, gent, horse -nails, huckster, mopusses, palm oil, posh, ready, Spanish, rowdy,” &c. -Abouler du ----, or de la braise, _to pay_, “to shell out, to fork out, -to down with the dust, to stump the pewter, to flap the dimmock, to tip -the brads, to sport the rhino.” - -QUILLES, _f. pl._ (familiar and popular), _legs_. - - La madame du pavillon qui met ses bas?--Plus que ça de - quilles.--=GAVARNI.= - -The synonyms are, “flûtes, guibes, guibonnes, guibolles, trimoires, -gambettes, échalas, ambes, train numéro onze, bâtons de cire, bâtons -de tremplin,” and, in the English slang, “gambs, pins, spindle-shanks, -Shanks’ mare, stumps, pegs, timbers, stems,” &c. Jouer des ----, -_to bolt_, “to skedaddle.” For synonyms see PATATROT. (Popular and -thieves’) Quilles d’échasse, _long-legged man_, “daddy long-legs.” - - J’te connais, toi, l’gros, et toi aussi, les quilles - d’échasse.--=LOUISE MICHEL.= - -QUIMPER (thieves’), _to fall_; ---- la lance, _to void urine_. - -QUINQUETS, _m. pl._ (popular), _eyes_. Termed also “mirettes, -reluits, calots, chas, or châsses, châssis, falots, lampions, apics, -ardents;” in the English slang, “peepers, glaziers, ogles, daylights, -top-lights.” Allumer ses ----, _to gaze about attentively_, “to stag.” -Eteindre les ----, _to put out a person’s eyes_. (Roughs’) Remoucher -un pante avec des quinquets comme des roues de derrière, _to look at a -man with eyes like crown pieces_, “to pipe at a cove with glaziers like -hind coach-wheels.” Baisser les abat-jour de ses ----, _to shut ones -eyes_; _to go to sleep_. - - Il est temps de baisser les abat-jour de nos quinquets. - Bonsoir donc et bonne nuit.--=DUBOIS DE GENNES.= - -QUINTE, f. (popular), avoir ---- et quatorze, _to suffer from a -venereal disease_; _to be unlucky_, “down on one’s luck.” J’en ai-t’y -de la chance! En v’la une quinte et quatorze. _That’s just my cursed -ill-luck!_ (Popular and military) Avoir ----, quatorze, et le point, -_to be suffering from a complicated venereal disease_. - - Notre héros ... ne le porta pas cependant en paradis. Une - belle Italienne lui donna son compte. Quinte, quatorze et - le point. Jeu complet. Il est mort à l’hôpital. - --=HECTOR FRANCE=, _Le Roman du Curé_. - -English sailors use the term, “to take one’s coals in,” to express that -they have caught the venereal disease. “It means,” says the _Slang -Dictionary_, “that they have gotten that which will keep them hot for a -good many months.” Quinte mangeuse _is the quinte majeure at the game -of piquet_. - -QUINZE, _m._ (popular), vingts, _blind man_. Alluding to an inmate -of the Government home for the blind, known under the name of Les -Quinze-Vingts; ---- cents francs, _one-year volunteer in the army_. -He has to pay the State a sum of 1,500 francs for his outfit; ---- -broquilles, _a quarter of an hour_; (familiar and popular) ---- ans et -pas de corset! “sweet sixteen!” _is said of any female whose charms -have still a youthful appearance_. - - Oui, c’était ça! quinze ans, toutes ses dents et pas de - corset!--=ZOLA.= - -QUIQUI, _m._ (rag-pickers’), _fowl_; _scraps of food of all kind_, -“scran.” - -QUIRTOURNE, _f._ (popular), _window_. - - Au moment où j’avais fini d’allumer la quirtourne - (d’allumer la lumière derrière le rideau de la fenêtre). - Mes mirettes (mes yeux) l’avaient chauffé. Mais moi qui, - pourtant, faisait le crottard (trottoir) pour pêcher un - Philistin, je me défie du pante. Je ne l’ai pas plutôt - attiré dans ma turne que je le fais sortir du pieu, - prétextant que j’ai besoin, avant de batifoler avec le zig, - de fader (partager) avec lui, sur le comptoir du mastro, - un verre de verte. Nous redescendons et je lui rends sa - bougie (argent). Chance! car j’évitais le butteur qui, - quatre heures après, attirait chez la Blafarde (conduisait - à la mort) ma faridole (compagne) avec son gosse. Ah! le - gredin!... m’a-t-il fait baver des clignots (pleurer) - depuis qu’il a suriné ma vieille Mage et son gosse! Que je - serai heureuse le jour où je verrai son mufle moufionner - dans le son (quand je verrai sa tête tomber dans le panier - du bourreau).--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -QUI-VA-LÀ, _m._ (popular), donner le ----, _to ask for one’s passport_. - -QUI-VA-VITE, _f._ (popular), _diarrhœa_, or “Jerry go nimble.” - -QUOCQTER (thieves’), _to deceive_, “to do.” - -QUONIAM, _m._, or QUONIAM BONUS (obsolete). The signification is given -by the quotation:-- - - Mot inventé, pour signifier à mots couverts la nature d’une - femme, et est fort usité à Paris.--=LE ROUX.= - -QUOQUANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _cupboard_. - -QUOQUARD, _m._ (thieves’), _tree_. - -QUOQUERET, or QUQUERET, _m._ (old cant), _curtain_. - -QUOQUILLE, _m._ (thieves’), _arrant fool_, “go along.” - - - - -R - - -RABAT, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _cloak_, “ryder, or topper.” - -RABATEUX DE SORGUE, _m._ (old cant), _night thief_. Termed also -“doubleur de sorgue.” Michel says: “On donnait le nom de ‘rabats’ -aux lutins et c’est ainsi que le chartreux Jacques de Clusa, ou -Junterburck, qui a écrit un traité des Apparitions des âmes après la -mort et de leurs retraites, remarque qu’ils sont appelés. Rabelais, -qui écrivait postérieurement au crédule chartreux, place dans la -bibliothèque de Saint-Victor _la Mommerye des rabats et luitins_. -De rabat est venu rabater, lutiner, que Nicot, Pontus de Tyard et -Trippault dérivent de ραβáττειν, dont les Grecs se sont servis pour -dire se promener haut et bas, frapper, et faire du bruit.... En somme, -il n’est pas douteux que ‘rabateux’ ne vienne de ‘rabater,’ et ne -signifie étymologiquement rôdeur de nuit.” - -RABATTEUR DE PANTES, _m._ (thieves’), _detective_, “cop.” Termed also -“baladin.” Literally _a beater_, man being the quarry. - -RABATTEUSE, _f._ (popular), _procuress_; _small omnibus which plies -between Paris and the outlying districts_. - -RABATTRE (thieves’), _to return_. - - C’est égal, t’as beau en coquer, tu rabattras au - pré.--=VIDOCQ.= (_Never mind, in spite of all your - informing, you will one day return to the hulks._) - -RABIAGE, _m._ (thieves’), _income_; _profits_. - -RABIAU, RABIO, or RABIOT, _m._ (military), _what remains of provisions -or drink after all have had their share_; _profits on victuals or -forage_. The word has the general signification of _remainder_, -_over-plus_. - - --C’que c’est que c’ paquet-là? - - --Mon colonel, c’est ... du sel. - - --Du sel ... tant qu’ ça de sel! c’que vous f... d’tant qu’ - ça d’sel? - - --Mon colonel, c’est que ... c’est un peu de rabio. - - --Rabio! c’ment ça, rabio? Pour lors vous avez volé tout - c’sel-là aux hommes! S’crongnieugnieu!... allons f... - moi tout ça dans la soupe!--=CH. LEROY=, _Guibollard et - Ramollot_. - -Rabiot, _convalescent soldier_; _what remains of a term of service_; -_term of service in the compagnies de discipline, or punishment -companies, termed_ “biribi.” - - Il acheva la journée dans des transes indicibles, poursuivi - de l’atroce pensée qu’il allait faire du rabiot, se voyant - déjà à Biribi, en train de casser des cailloux sur les - routes.--=G. COURTELINE.= - -RABIAUTER, or RABIOTER (military), _to eat or drink what others have -left_. - -RABIBOCHAGE, _m._ (familiar and popular), _reconciliation_. - -RABIBOCHER (familiar), _to effect a reconciliation between people who -have quarrelled_. Se ----, _to forget one’s differences_, _to become -friends again_. - - Les moindres bisbilles maintenant, finissaient par des - attrapages, où l’on se jetait la débine de la maison - à la tête; et c’était le diable pour se rabibocher, - avant d’aller pioncer chacun dans son dodo.--=ZOLA=, - _L’Assommoir_. - -RABIOT. See RABIAU. - -RABIOTER. See RABIAUTER. - -RABOIN, _m._ (thieves’), _devil_, “ruffin, black spy, darble, old -hairy.” - - En v’là un de bigoteur qui a le taffetas d’aller - en glier où le Raboin le retournera pour le faire - riffauder.--=VIDOCQ.= - -Michel says: “Ce mot doit venir de l’espagnol ‘rabo,’ queue, le raboin -est donc le personnage à la queue. Je ne serais pas étonné que le nom -de rabbin, par lequel on désigne encore les docteurs juifs, ne fût -l’origine de la croyance qui régnait parmi le peuple, au moyen âge, que -les Israélites naissaient avec une queue.” Termed also “rabouin.” - - Il lansquine à éteindre le riffe du rabouin.--=VICTOR HUGO.= - -Compare the word with the Italian cant “rabuino,” which has a like -signification. - -RABOTER (popular), l’andosse, _to thrash one_, “to dust one’s jacket.” -Se ---- le sifflet, _to drink a glass of strong brandy_. A metaphor -which recalls the action of a plane on a piece of wood. - -RABOTEUX. See RABATEUX. - -RABOUILLÈRE, _f._ (familiar), _wretched looking house_, a “hole.” - -RABOULER (popular and thieves’), _to return_. American thieves term -this, “to hare it; “---- à la cassine, _to return home_, “to speel to -the crib.” - -RACCORD, _m._ (theatrical), _partial rehearsal of a play_. - -RACCOURCIR (familiar and popular), _to guillotine_. The expression -dates from 1793. We find the following synonyms in _Le Père Duchêne_ -of ’93, edited by Hébert: “cracher dans le sac,” an allusion to the -head falling into the basket and the blood spouting up; “mettre la tête -à la fenêtre,” shows the condemned one passing his head through the -aperture; “jouer à la main-chaude,” which alludes to his hands tied -behind his back, la main-chaude being literally _hot cockles_; “passer -sous le rasoir national,” which needs no explanation. After ’93 Louis -XVI. was called “Louis le raccourci.” - -RACCOURCISSEUR, _m._ (popular), _the executioner_. Called also -“Charlot.” See MONSIEUR DE PARIS. - -RACHEVAGE, _m._ (popular), _depraved individual_; _a foul-mouthed man_. - -RACINE DE BUIS, _f._ (popular), _epithet applied to a humpback, to a_ -“lord.” Also _long yellow tooth_. - -RÂCLER (thieves’), _to breathe_. Tortille la vis au pante; il râcle -encore, _throttle him, he breathes still_. (Popular) Râcler du fromage, -_to play the violin_. - -RÂCLETTE, _f._ (popular), _chimney-sweep_; (thieves’) _spy_, “nose;” -_detective_, “cop.” - -RÂCLURE D’AUBERGINE, _f._ (familiar), _the ribbon of the decoration of -officier d’Académie_, which is violet. - - Des hommes un peu plus âgés et portant à la boutonnière - la “râclure d’aubergine” (le ruban d’officier - d’Académie).--=DIDIER=, _Echo de Paris_, 1886. - -RADE, RADEAU, _m._ (thieves’), _till_, or “lob;” _shop_, “chovey.” -Encasquer dans un rade, _to enter a shop_. - -RADICAILLE, or RADICANAILLE, _f._ (familiar), _the Radical party_. - -RADICAILLON, _m._ (familiar), _contemptuous epithet applied to a -Radical_. - -RADICON, _m._ (thieves’), _priest_, “devil-dodger.” Termed also -“Bible-pounder, white choker.” - -RADIN, _m._ (thieves’), _fob_. Friser le ----, _to pick a fob_. Un ---- -fleuri, _a well-filled pocket_. Un ----, _a till_, or “lob.” Faire un -coup de ----, _to steal the contents of a till_. Termed by English -thieves, “lob sneaking,” or “to draw a damper.” Un ----, _a cap_, -or “tile.” Vol au ----, _robbery in a shop_. Two rogues pretend to -quarrel, and one of them, as if in anger, throws the other’s cap into -a shop, thus providing his accomplice with a pretext for entering the -place, and an excuse should he be detected. See VOL AU RADIN. - -RADINER (thieves’), _to return_, “to hare it;” _to arrive_, “to tumble -up.” Rigaud says, “Radiner est sans doute une déformation du verbe -rabziner qui, dans le patois picard, a la même signification.” - -RADIS (familiar and popular), _money_, “tin.” N’avoir pas un ----, _to -be penniless_, _to be_ “dead broke.” Ne pas foutre un ----, _not to -give a farthing_. - - Qu’a pleur’, qu’a rigol’; c’est tout comme; - Sûr! J’y foutrai pas un radis. - “T’as qu’à turbiner, comme j’y dis, - J’travaill’ ben, moi qui suis un homme!” - - GILL, _La Muse à Bibi_. - -Un ---- noir, _priest_, “white choker;” _police officer_, or “crusher.” - -RADOUBER (popular), se ----, or passer au grand radoub, _to eat_, “to -yam.” - -RADURER (thieves’), _to whet_. - -RADUREUR, _m._ (thieves’), _grinder_. - -RAFALE, _f._ (popular and thieves’), _poverty_. A poor man without a -farthing is said to be “dead broke, or a willow.” - - Cela est assez étonnant, dit la brune, tous les “nierts” - qui sont venus pioncer “icigo” étaient dans la “rafale;” - c’est un vrai guignon.--=VIDOCQ.= - -RAFALÉ, _m. and adj._ (popular and thieves’), _poor_, “willow;” _one -with squalid clothes_. (Familiar) Un visage ----, _face with worn -features_. - -RAFALEMENT, _m._ (popular), _humiliation_; _squalid poverty_. - -RAFALER (popular), _to humiliate_; _to make one wretched_. Se ----, _to -become poor or squalid_. - -RAFFE, _f._ (popular and thieves’), _booty_, _spoil_, “swag.” “He -cracked a case and fenced the swag,” _he broke into a house and took -the booty to a receiver’s_. - -RAFFILER LA MANQUESSE (thieves’), _to give one a bad character_. - -RAFFINÉ, _m._, _name given to court gallants and to duellists under -Charles IX_. - - Un raffiné est un ... homme qui se bat quand le manteau - d’un autre touche le sien, quand on crache à quatre pieds - de lui.--=P. MÉRIMÉE=, _Chronique du Règne de Charles IX_. - -RAFFURER (thieves’), _to recover_; _to recoup_. From re and affurer, -_to procure money_. From the Latin fur. - -RAFFUT, _m._ (popular), _uproar_; _row_, “shindy.” - -RAFIAU, _m._ (popular), _servant at an hospital_; _hospital attendant_. - -RAFIOT, _m._ (popular), _thing of small importance_, “no great shakes;” -_adulterated article of inferior quality_. Termed “surat” in the -English slang. This word affords a remarkable instance of the manner in -which slang phrases are coined. In the report of an action for libel -in the _Times_, some few years back, it was stated that since the -American Civil War it has been not unusual for manufacturers to mix -American cotton with Surat, and, the latter being an inferior article, -the people in Lancashire have begun to apply the term “surat” to any -article of inferior or adulterated quality. - -RAFRAÎCHIR (military), se ----, _to fight with swords_. From -rafraîchir, _to trim_, the swords being the trimming instruments. -(Popular) Se ---- les barbes, _to drink_, “to wet one’s whistle.” -American thieves term this, “to sluice one’s gob.” - -RAGE DE DENTS, _f._ (popular), _great hunger_. - -RAGOT, _m._ (thieves’), _quarter of a crown_; (popular) _short fat -person_, “humpty-dumpty.” The famous Ragotin of Scarron’s _Roman -Comique_ is short and fat. Faire du ----, _to talk ill of one_, _to -slander_. - -RAGOUGNASSE, _f._ (popular), _unsavoury stew_. - -RAGOÛT, _m._ (painters’), _vigorous style of painting_. - - Les mots dont ils se servaient pour apprécier le mérite de - certains tableaux étaient vraiment bizarres. Quelle superbe - chose!... comme c’est tripoté! comme c’est torché! Quel - ragoût!--=TH. GAUTIER.= - -(Popular) Ragoût de poitrine, _breasts_, or “Charlies.” - - T’as encore une belle nature pour parler d’z’autres! Est-ce - parceque j’nons pas d’ragoût d’poitrine sus l’estoma? J’ons - la place, plus blanche que la tienne, et j’n’y mettons pas - d’chiffons comme toi.--_Amusemens à la Grecque._ - -(Thieves’) Ragoût, _suspicion_. Faire du ----, _to awake suspicion_. - -RAGOÛTER (thieves’), _to awake suspicion_. - -RAGUSE. See COUP. - -RAIDE, _adj. and m._ (popular), _drunk_, “tight.” See POMPETTE. Raide -comme balle, _with the utmost rapidity_. Filer ---- comme balle, _to -disappear rapidly_, “like winkin’,” or, as American thieves say, -“to amputate like a go-away.” “This panny’s all on fire (_house is -dangerous_). I must amputate like a go-away, or the frogs (_police_) -will nail me.” La trouver ----, _to be dissatisfied or offended_. Je -la trouve raide, _it is coming it rather too strong_. Raide comme la -justice, _completely drunk_, or “drunk as a lord.” - - Ces noceurs-là étaient raides comme la justice et - tendres comme des agneaux. Le vin leur sortait par les - yeux.--=ZOLA=, _L’Assommoir_. - -Du ----, _brandy_, “French cream.” Termed “bingo” in old English cant. -Siffler un verre de ----, _to have a dram_, “a drop o’ summat’ short, -or a nail in one’s coffin.” The lower orders say to each other at the -moment of lifting a glass of spirits to their lips, “Well, good luck! -here’s another nail in my coffin.” Other phrases are “shedding a tear, -or wiping an eye.” - -RAIDEUR, _f._ (popular), la faire à la ----, _to give oneself -dignified, “noli me tangere” airs_. - -RAIDIR (popular), or ---- l’ergot, _to die_, “to snuff it.” See PIPE. -To express that one is dead English and American thieves say that he -has been “put to bed with a shovel.” - - Played out they lay, it will be said - A hundred stretches (years) hence; - With shovels they were put to bed - A hundred stretches hence! - - _Thieves’ Song._ - -RAIE. See GUEULE. - -RAILLE, _f. and m._ (thieves’), la ----, _the police_, the “reelers.” -Etre ----, _to be in the employ of the police_, a “nose.” - - C’est vrai, mais vous ne m’avez pas dit que vous étiez - raille (mouchard).--=VIDOCQ.= - -Un ----, or railleux, _police officer_, or “copper;” _a detective_, _or -police spy_. - - Ils parlaient aussi des railles (mouchards). A propos - de railles, vous n’êtes pas sans avoir entendu - parler d’un fameux coquin, qui s’est fait cuisinier - (mouchard).--=VIDOCQ.= - -Victor Hugo says the word comes from the English “rascal,” but Michel -derives it with more reason from “raillon,” a kind of javelin with -which the archers or police were armed formerly. - - Ci gist et dort en ce sollier, - Qu’Amour occist de son raillon, - Ung pouvre petit escollier - Jadis nommé François Villon. - - _Le Grand Testament de François Villon._ - -RAISINÉ, _m._ (thieves’), _blood_. Properly _jam made of grapes_. Faire -couler le ----, _to shed blood_. - - Je suis sûr que tu es marqué. Qu’avons-nous fait? - Avons-nous tué notre mère ou forcé la caisse à papa? - Avons-nous fait suer le chêne et couler le raisiné? - --=TH. GAUTIER.= - -(Popular) Faire du ----, _to bleed from one’s nose_. - -RAISINS, _m. pl._ (popular), huile de ----, _wine_; “red tape,” in the -jargon of English thieves. - - Auguste, un peintre en bâtiment, - Qui travaillait en face, - Entre, et nous dit comm’ ça m’z’enfans - J’ai l’gosier qui s’encrasse. - Faut y mettr’ de l’huil’ de raisin. - - =H. P. DENNEVILLE= - -RAISONS, _f. pl._ (familiar and popular), avoir des ---- avec -quelqu’un, _to have a quarrel with one_. - -RÂLER (popular), _to deceive_, “to best;” _to cheapen_. - -RÂLEUR, _m._ (second-hand booksellers’), _person who handles the books -without buying any_, and generally _one who bargains for a long time -and buys nothing_. Also _liar_. - -RÂLEUSE, _f._ (shop-keepers’), _female who cheapens many articles and -leaves without having made a purchase_. Also _liar_. - -RALLIE-PAPIER, _m._ (familiar), _paper chase on horseback_. - -RAMA, parler en ----, formerly _mode of using the word as a suffix to -other words_. The invention of the Diorama had brought in the fashion -of using the word rama as stated above. It was much in vogue in -Balzac’s time, and had been first used in the studios. - - “Eh bien, Monsieur Poiret,” dit l’employé, “comment va - cette petite santérama?”--=BALZAC.= - -(Convicts’) Mettre au ----, _to place in irons_. - - Le soir, après la soupe, on nous mit au rama; nous étions - étonnés. Ce n’était pas l’habitude de nous enchaîner - sitôt.--=HUMBERT=, _Mon Bagne_. - -RAMAMICHAGE, _m._ (familiar), _reconciliation_. - -RAMAMICHER (popular), _to bring about a reconciliation_. - -RAMASSER (military), de la boîte, _to be locked up_. - - J’ai mon truc à matriculer pour à c’soir; si c’est pas - fait, j’ ramasserai de la boîte.--=G. COURTELINE.= - -Ramasser les fourreaux de bayonnette, _to come up after the battle has -been fought_; (thieves’ and roughs’) ---- les pattes, or filer une -ratisse à un gas, _to thrash one_. See VOIE. Ramasser un bidon, _to -make off_, “to make beef.” See PATATROT. (Popular) Ramasser ses outils, -_to die_, “to snuff it;” ---- quelqu’un, _to apprehend_, “to nail” -_one_; _to thrash one_. Se faire ----, _to be locked up by the police_, -_to be_ “run in;” _to get a thrashing_. - - Si le patron m’embête, je te le ramasse et je te l’asseois - sur sa bourgeoise, tu sais, collés comme une paire de - soles!--=ZOLA=, _L’Assommoir_. - -RAMASSE-TOI (popular), _words addressed to a person who is talking -incoherently_. - -RAMASTIQUER (thieves’), _to pick up_; _to do the ring-dropping trick_, -or “fawney rig.” See RAMASTIQUEUR. - -RAMASTIQUEUR, or RAMASTIQUÉ, _variety of thief_, “money-dropper.” The -rogue scrapes up an acquaintance with a dupe by inquiring about a coin -or article of sham jewellery which he pretends to have just picked up -in the street, and offers for sale, or otherwise fleeces the pigeon. -Many of these rogues are rascally Jews. This kind of swindle is varied -by dropping a pocket-book, the accomplice being termed in this case -“heeler.” The heeler stoops behind the victim and strikes one of his -heels as if by mistake, so as to draw his attention to the pocket-book. -Also _beggar who picks up halfpence in courts thrown to him from -windows_. - - Les arcassineurs sont les mendiants à domicile. Les - ramastiqueurs les mendiants de cours qui ramassent les - sous. Les tendeurs de demi-aune, les mendiants des - rues.--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -(Popular) Ramastiqueur d’orphelins, _poor wretch who goes about picking -up cigar and cigarette ends_, a “hard up.” - -RAMBINER (popular), _to patch up old shoes_. - - Tout le monde sait que son père rambinait les - croknaux.--_Le Tam-Tam._ - -RAMBUTEAU, _m._ (familiar and popular), _urinals on the boulevards_. -From the name of a prefect of police who caused them to be set up. - -RAMENER (familiar), _to brush the hair forward to conceal one’s -baldness_. Il ramène, _he is getting bald_. Termed also “emprunter un -qui vaut dix.” - -RAMENEUR, _m._ (gamesters’), _man of gentlemanly appearance, whose -functions are to induce people to attend a gaming-house or gaming -club_. - - Un personnel de rameneurs qui, membres réguliers du cercle, - gentlemen en apparence ... ont pour mission de racoler - ... ceux qui bien nourris à la table d’hôte, seront une - heure après dévorés à celle du baccara.--=HECTOR MALOT=, - _Baccara_. - -The American “picker-up” somewhat corresponds to the “rameneur.” The -picker-up takes his man to a gambling saloon, and leaves him there -to be enticed into playing. The picker-up is always a gentleman in -manners, dress, and appearance. He first sees the man’s name on the -hotel register and where he is from. Many of the servants of hotels are -in the pay of pickers-up, and furnish them with information concerning -guests. (Familiar) Rameneur, _old beau who seeks to conceal his -baldness by brushing forward the scanty hair from the back of his head_. - -RAMENEUSE, _f._ (popular), _girl who makes it a practice to wait for -clients at the doors of cafés at closing time_. - -RAMICHER, or RAMAMICHER (popular), _to bring about a reconciliation_. -Se ----, _to be friends again_. - -RAMIJOTER (popular), _to effect a reconciliation_. Se ----, _to make it -up_. - - Ils se sont ramijotés (réconciliés); et d’après des mots de - leur conversation, je répondrais bien qu’il a couché avec - Félicité.--=VIDOCQ.= - -RAMOLLOT, _m._ (familiar and popular), _stupid old soldier_. From a -character delineated by Charles Leroy. - -RAMONAGE, _m._ (popular), _muttering nonsense_. - -RAMONER (popular), _to mutter_, _to mumble_. An allusion to the -rumbling noise produced by sweeping a chimney. Se faire ----, _to go to -confession_; _to take a purgative_. Also _to get thrashed or scolded_. -Ramoner ses tuyaux, _to run away_. For synonyms see PATATROT. - -RAMOR, _m._ (Jewish tradespeople’s), _fool_, “flat.” - -RAMPANT, _m._ (popular), _priest_, or “white choker;” _Jesuit_; -_steeple_. Probably from the old signification of ramper, _to climb_, -_to ascend_. - -RAMPANTE, _f._ (popular), _church_. - -RAMPE, _f._ (familiar), princesse de la ----, _actress_. Une pomme de -----, _a bald head_, or “bladder of lard.” (Theatrical) Se brûler à la -----, _to approach close to the footlights, and play as if no other -actors were present_. Lâcher la ----, _to die_. See PIPE. - -RAMPONNER (popular), _to drink_, “to lush;” _to get drunk_, or -“screwed.” - -RANCART, _m._ (familiar), _object of little value_, “no great shakes.” -(Thieves’) Faire un ----, _to procure information_. - -RANCKÉ, _m._ (thieves’), _two-franc coin_. - -RANGÉ DES VOITURES, _adj._ (thieves’), _is said of one who has become -honest_. - - A vingt et un ans rangé des voitures.--_From a thief’s - letter._ - -RANGER (popular), se ---- des voitures, _to become honest_. Is said -also of a man who, after having sown his wild oats, leads a quiet life. - -RAPAPIOTAGE, _m._ (popular), _reconciliation_. - -RAPAPIOTER (popular), _to effect a reconciliation_. - -RAPAPIOTEUR, _m._ (popular), _one by whose kind efforts a -reconciliation is effected_. - -RAPATU, _m._ (thieves’), _body-louse_. - -RÂPE, _f._ (thieves’), _back_. Used more in reference to a humpback. - -RÂPÉ, _m. and adj._ (military), _officer without any private means_; -(popular) ---- comme la Hollande, _very poor_, “quisby.” An allusion to -râper, _to rasp_, and Dutch cheese. - -RÂPER (popular), _to sing_, “to lip.” Also _to sing in a monotonous -fashion_. - -RAPIAT, _subst. and adj._ (familiar and popular), _stingy_, -“close-fisted, or near.” Termed “brum” at Winchester School. Une ----, -_a miserly woman_. - - C’est égal, t’es une jolie fille; ça faisait mal de te - voir chez cette mauvaise rapiat de bonapartiste de mère - Lefèvre.--=HECTOR FRANCE.= - -Un ----, _a native of Auvergne_. The natives of each province of France -are credited with some particular characteristics; thus, as seen above, -the Auvergnats are said to be thrifty, stingy, miserly; the Normans -thievish, fond of going to law; the Picards are hot-headed, of an irate -disposition; the Bretons have a reputation for being pig-headed; the -Gascons for possessing a mind fertile in resource, and for being great -story-tellers--also for bragging; the Champenois is supposed to be -stupid; the Parisians are “artful dodgers;” the Lorrains are, it is -alleged, treacherous; and the natives of Cambrai are all mad. Hence the -proverbial sayings: avare comme un Auvergnat; voleur comme un Normand; -entêté comme un Breton; 99 moutons et un Champenois font cent bêtes, -&c. Again, among soldiers “un Parisien” is synonymous with a soldier -who seeks to shirk his duty; sailors apply the epithet to a bad sailor, -horsedealers to a “screw,” &c., &c. - -RAPIOT, _m._ (popular), _patch on a coat or shoe_; (thieves’) -_searching on the person_, “frisking, or ruling over.” Formerly the -term referred to the searching of convicts about to be taken to the -hulks. Le grand ----, _was the general searching of convicts_. Michel -says, “Il est à croire que ce mot n’est autre chose que le substantif -_rappel_ qui faisait autrefois _rappiaus_ au singulier; mais le rapport -entre une visite et un rappel? C’est que sans doute cette opération -était annoncés par une batterie de tambour.” - -RAPIOTER (popular), _to patch up_. - - Monsieur, faites donc rapioter les trous de votre - habit.--=MORNAND.= - -(Thieves’) _To search_, “to frisk.” - - Butons les rupins d’abord, nous refroidirons après la - fourgate et nous rapioterons partout. Il y a gros dans la - taule.--=VIDOCQ.= - -RAPIOTEUR, _m._, RAPIOTEUSE, _f._ (popular), _one who patches up old -clothes_. - - Georges Cadoudal, avant son arrestation, avait trouvé asile - chez une jeune rapioteuse du Temple.--=F. MORNAND=, _La Vie - de Paris_. - -RAPOINTI, _m._ (popular), _clumsy, awkward workman_. - -RAPPLIQUER (popular and thieves’), _to return_, “to hare it;” ---- à la -niche, or à la taule, _to return home_. - - Tout est tranquille ... la sorgue est noire, les largues - ne sont pas rappliquées à la taule, la fourgate roupille - dans son rade.--=VIDOCQ.= (_All_ “serene” ... _the night is - dark, the women have not returned home, the receiver sleeps - inside his counter_.) - -RASÉ, or RAZI, _m._ (thieves’), _priest_. From his shaven crown. - -RASER (familiar), _to annoy_, _to bore one_. - - Nous avons été voir les Mauresques. Dieu! les avons-nous - rasées avec nos plaisanteries.--=LORIOT.= - -Also _to ruin one_. - - Elle s’est essayée sur le sieur Hulot qu’elle a plumé net, - oh! plumé, ce qui s’appelle rasé.--=BALZAC.= - -(Shopmen’s) Raser, _to swindle a fellow shop-assistant out of his -sale_; (sailors’) _to tell_ “fibs;” _to humbug_. - -RASE-TAPIS, _m._ (familiar), _a horse that trots or gallops without -lifting its feet much from the ground_, “daisy-cutter.” - -RASEUR, _m._ (familiar), _a bore_. - - Ce type est en même temps un “raseur” de l’espèce spéciale - dite “des déboutonneurs à histoires bien bonnes.” Vous - savez bien ces braves gens à qui vous ne pouvez pas - adresser la parole sans qu’ils vous répondent par: “Je vais - vous raconter une bien bonne histoire” et qui commencent - immédiatement par vous arracher, un à un, les boutons de - votre redingote.--_Gil Blas._ - -(Shopmen’s) Raseur, _one who swindles a fellow shop-assistant out of -his sale_. - -RASIBUS, _m._ (popular), le père ----, _the executioner_. A play on the -word raser, _to shave_. - - Et le coup de la bagnole au père Rasibus, quand il - fouette les cadors au galop et que les cognes font un - blaire.--=RICHEPIN.= - -RASOIR, _m. and adj._ (familiar and popular), _bore_; _boring_. - - On commence à nous embêter avec les bleus. Tout le temps - les bleus, ça devient rasoir à la fin; on nous prend trop - pour de bonnes têtes.--=G. COURTELINE.= - -Rasoir de Birmingham, _superlative of bore_. (Popular) Rasoir! -_expression of contemptuous refusal_; may be rendered by the -Americanism, “yes, in a horn.” Faire ----, _to be penniless_. -(Gamesters’) Banque ----, _gaming_ “banque” _which has a run of luck, -and in consequence leaves the players penniless_. Faire ----, _to lose -all one’s money_, “to blew” _it_. Ça fait ----, _nothing is left_. - - Mangeux de tout; excepté l’tien, - Car tu n’as rien; ça fait rasoir. - - _Riche-en-gueule._ - -(Thieves’) Rasoir à Roch, or ---- de la Cigogne, _guillotine_. M. Roch -was formerly the executioner, and la Cigogne is the epithet applied to -the Préfecture de Police. The knife of the guillotine was termed in -’93, “rasoir national.” - -RASPAIL, _m._ (popular), _brandy_, “French cream,” and “bingo” in -old English cant. Termed also “troix-six, fil-en-quatre, dur, raide, -chenique, rude, crik, eau d’aff, schnapps, camphre, sacré chien, -goutte, casse-poitrine, jaune, tord-boyaux, consolation, riquiqui, eau -de mort.” - -RASSEMBLER (military), se faire ----, _to get reprimanded or punished_. - -RASTACOUÈRE, or RASTAQUOUÈRE, _foreign adventurer or swindler, -generally hailing from the sunny south, or from South America, who -lives in high style, of course at somebody or other’s expense_. - - La petite Raymonde D..., sa chère adorée, qu’on avait - surnommée, je ne sais pourquoi, sa “chair à saucisses,” l’a - lâché comme un vulgaire rastaquouère, pour se mettre avec - un jockey.--_Gil Blas._ - -RAT, _m._ (thieves’), _young thief who is generally passed through -a small aperture to open a door and let in the rest of the gang, or -else conceals himself under the counter of a shop before the doors are -closed_, “little snakesman, or tool.” - - He kept him small on purpose, and let him out by the job. - But the father gets lagged.--=CH. DICKENS=, _Oliver Twist_. - -Also _thief who exercises his skill at inns or wine-shops_. Courir -le ----, _to steal at night in lodgings, or at lodging-houses_. Rat, -_thief who steals bread_; ---- de prison, _barrister_, or “mouthpiece.” -Prendre des rats par la queue meant formerly _to steal purses_, when -persons wore their purses at their girdles. A cut-purse was formerly -called a “nypper.” A man named Wotton, in 1585, kept in London an -academy for the education of pickpockets. Cutting them was a branch -of the light-fingered art. Instruction in the practice was given as -follows: a purse and a pocket were separately suspended, attached to -which, both around and above them, were small bells; each contained -counters, and he who could withdraw a counter without causing any of -the bells to ring was adjudged to be a “nypper.” The old English cant -termed cutting a purse, “to nyp a bunge.” Dickens, in _Oliver Twist_, -shows Fagin educating the Dodger and Charley Bates by impersonating -an old gentleman walking about the streets, the two boys following -him and seeking to pick his pockets. (Popular) Rat de cave, _excise -officer_, _gauger_; ---- d’égout, _scavenger_. (Ecole Polytechnique) -Rat, _student who is late_; ---- de pont, _student whose total of marks -at the final examination does not entitle him to an appointment in the -corps of government civil engineers of the Ponts et Chaussées_; ---- de -soupe, _one late for dinner_. From rater, _to miss_. (Familiar) Rat, -or ---- d’opéra, _young ballet dancer between the ages of seven and -fourteen_. (Sailors’) Rat de quai, _man who looks out for odd jobs in -harbours_. - - Le grand-père est un rat de quai, - Le petit-fils mousse embarqué. - La grand’ mère, aux jours les meilleurs, - Porte la hotte aux mareyeurs. - - =RICHEPIN=, _La Mer_. - -Etre ----, _to be stingy_, “close-fisted.” - -Ce jeune rat--moins “rat” que son adversaire.--_Gil Blas._ - -RATA, _m._ (general), _kind of stew_. - - Le rata diminutif de ratatouille ... se compose de pommes - de terre ... avec assaisonnement d’un morceau de lard ... - en société d’une botte d’oignons.--=DUBOIS DE GENNES.= - - La mère Nassau lui vociféra une longue kyrielle d’injures - dont une partie sans doute lui avait été adressée à - elle-même le jour où elle fut surprise crachant dans le - rata.--=H. FRANCE=, _La Pucelle de Tebessa_. - -Rata, used in a figurative sense, signifies _a coarse, unmeaning -article, or literary production_. - - Vous avez lu la lettre si digne de ----? Xau, poli, - comme un marbre, a dû faire un signe d’assentiment, mais - il est trop occupé pour absorber ce rata soi-disant - naturaliste.--_Gil Blas_, 1887. - -RATACONNICULER (obsolete), _to cobble_. Referred also to the carnal act. - -RATAFIA DE GRENOUILLE, _m._ (popular), _water_. Called, in the English -slang, “Adam’s ale,” and the old term “fish broth,” as appears from the -following:-- - - The churlish frampold waves gave him his belly-full of - fish-broath.--=NASHE=, _Lenten Stuff_. - -RATAPIAULE, _f._ (popular), _thrashing_, “walloping.” - -RATAPOIL, _m._ (familiar), _epithet applied to old soldiers of the -First Empire_, and generally _to Bonapartists_. Literally rat à poil. - -RATATOUILLE, _f._ (familiar and popular), flanquer une ----, _to -thrash_. See VOIE. - -RATEAU, _m._ (popular), _police officer_. (Military) Faire son ----, -_to remain some time with the corps, as a punishment, at the expiration -of the twenty-eight days’ yearly service as a réserviste_. - -RATIBOISÉ, _adj._ (general), _done for_; _ruined_, “gone to smash.” - - J’ai fait faillite comme un vrai commerçant; ratiboisé ma - chère.--=HUYSMANS.= - -RATIBOISER (general), _to take_; _to steal_, “to prig.” See GRINCHIR. -Termed in South Africa, “to jump.” An officer to whom a settler had -lent a candlestick was recommended not to allow it to be “jumped,” -mysterious words which at first were to him quite unintelligible. In -the English jargon, “to jump” a man is to rob him with violence. - -RATICHE, _f._ (popular and thieves’), _church_. Blaireau de ----, _holy -water brush or sprinkler_. - -RATICHON, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _priest_. Literally ratissé, -rasé, alluding to his shaven face and crown. In old English cant, “rat, -patrico.” Concerning the latter word see SANGLIER. Serpillière de ----, -_priest’s cassock_. - - J’avais de plus beaux sentiments sous mes guenilles qu’il - n’y en a sous une serpillière de ratichon.--=V. HUGO.= - -Un ---- de cambrouse, _a village priest_. - -J’ai moi-même une affaire avec deux amis de collège (prison) chez -un particulier qui va tous les dimanches passer la journée chez un -ratichon de cambrouse (curé de campagne).--=CANLER.= - -Un ----, _a comb_. - -RATICHONNER (popular), _to comb one’s hair_. - -RATICHONNIÈRE, _f._ (popular and thieves’), _cloister, or any religious -community_. - -RATIER, _m._ (tailors’), _journeyman tailor who does night-work at -home_. - -RATION DE LA RAMÉE, _f._ (thieves’), _prison food_. - -RATISSE, _f._ (thieves’ and roughs’), refiler une ----, _to thrash_. -See VOIE for synonyms. - -RATISSÉ, _adj._ (popular), _exhausted_, “gruelled.” - - R’tourner à pied, fallait pas y penser, j’étais ratissé et - courbaturé d’m’être balladé dans la foire.--=G. FRISON=, - _Les Aventures du Colonel Ronchonot_. - -RATISSER (popular), en ---- à quelqu’un, _to mock_, _to laugh at one_. -Je t’en ratisse! _a fig for you!_ Se faire ---- la couenne, _to get -thrashed_; _to get oneself shaved_. (Familiar) Se faire ----, _to lose -all one’s money at a game_, _to have_ “blewed it.” - - Vous lui avez même emprunté cinq louis ... quand vous avez - été ratissé au baccarat.--J’ai été ratissé?--Raiguisé si - vous voulez.--=P. MAHALIN.= - -RATISSEUSE DE COLABRES, _f._ (thieves’), _guillotine_. Colabre is the -cant for _neck_. - -RATON, _m._ (thieves’), _very young thief_, “little snakesman,” see -RAT; (Breton cant) _priest_. - -RATTRAPAGE, _m._ (printers’), _piece of composition which forms the -complement of another_. - -RAVAGE, _m._ (popular), _sundry pieces of metal found in the gutters or -on the banks of the river_. - -RAVAGER (thieves’), _to steal linen from a lavoir public_, _or -washerwoman’s punt_. - -RAVAGEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _thief who exercises his industry on -washerwomen’s punts established on the banks of the Seine_; (popular) -_man who drags the banks of the river, or the gutters, in the hope -of finding lumps of metal or other articles_, _a kind of_ “mudlark.” -Concerning the latter term, the _Slang Dictionary_ says a mudlark is a -man or woman who, with clothes tucked above the knee, grovels through -the mud on the banks of the Thames, when the tide is low, for silver -or pewter spoons, old bottles, pieces of iron, coal, or any article of -the least value, deposited by the retiring tide, either from passing -ships or the sewers. - -RAVAUDAGE, _m._ (popular), faire du ----, _to make love to several -girls at a time, so as not to remain_ “in the cold.” - -RAVERTA, _m._ (Jewish tradesmen’s), _servant_. - -RAVESCOT, _m._ (obsolete), _venereal act_. - -RAVIGNOLÉ, _m._ (thieves’), _new offence_. - -RAVINE, _f._ (popular), _wound_; _scar_. - -RAVINÉ, _adj._ (familiar), _the worse for wear_. Des dents ravinées, -_bad teeth_. - -RAYON, _m._ (popular), sur l’œil, _black eye_, “mouse.” (Thieves’) -Rayon de miel, _lace_, or “driz.” - -RAZE, or RAZI, _m._ (thieves’), _priest_, _parson_, “devil-dodger;” ----- pour l’af, _actor_, “cackling cove, or faker.” - -RÉAC, _m._ (familiar and popular), _Conservative_. - - C’était à la Salamandre ou au Sacré Bock que se tenaient - les inspecteurs masqués de la Commune ... Vermorel y était - traité de bourgeois, Rochefort, de réac.--_Mémoires de - Monsieur Claude._ - -RÉAFFURER (thieves’), _to win back_. - -REBÂTIR (thieves’), un pante, _to kill a man_, “to give one his gruel, -to quash.” Also “to hush.” You know, if I wished to nose (_to peach_), -I could have you twisted (_hanged_); not to mention anything about the -cull (_man_) that was hushed for his reader (_pocket-book_). - -RÉBECCA, _f._ (popular), _impudent girl with a saucy tongue_, a -“sauce-box, or imperence.” - -REBECQUAT, _m._ (thieves’ and roughs’), _insolence_; _resistance_. Pas -de ---- ou bien je t’encaisse, _don’t show your teeth, else I’ll give -you a thrashing_. - -REBECTAGE, _m._ (thieves’), _medicine_; _Cour de cassation_. Se cavaler -au ----, _to appeal for the quashing of a judgment_. - -REBECTER (popular), se ----, _to get reconciled_. - -REBECTEUR, _m._ (popular), _doctor_, “pill-box;” _surgeon_, “sawbones.” - -REBÉQUETER (popular), _to repeat_; _to ruminate_. - -REBIFFE, _f._ (thieves’), _revolt_; _revenge_; ---- au truc, _repeating -an offence_. Faire de la ----, _to oppose resistance_. - -REBIFFER (popular and thieves’), _to begin again_; ---- au truc, _to -return to one’s old ways_, _to be at the_ “old game” _again_; _to do -anything again_. - - “Tiens, mon petit, rebiffe au truc; c’est moi qui verse.” - Elle rapporte un nouveau rafraîchissement d’absinthe au - chanteur.--=LOUISE MICHEL.= - -REBOMBER (familiar), se ---- le torse, _to recover one’s spent energy -by taking refreshment_. - -REBONDIR (popular), _to turn out of doors_, _to expel_. Envoyer ----, -_to turn out_, _to send to the deuce_. - -REBONNETAGE, _m._ (popular), _reconciliation_; (thieves’) _flattery_, -“soft sawder.” - -REBONNETER (popular and thieves’), _to flatter_. The word bonneter was -formerly used with nearly the same signification, and the English had a -similar expression, “to bonnet,” used by Shakespeare:-- - - He hath deserved worthily of his country; and his ascent - is not by such easy degrees as those who having been - supple and courteous to the people, bonneted, without any - further deed to heave them at all into their estimation and - report.--_Coriolanus._ - -Rebonneter pour l’af, _to give ironical praise_. Se ----, _to console -oneself_. Also _to be of better behaviour_, _to turn over a new leaf_. - -REBONNETEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _confessor_. - - Si ce que dit le rebonneteur (confesseur) n’est pas de la - blague, un jour nous nous retrouverons là-bas.--=VIDOCQ.= - -REBONNIR (thieves’), _to say again_. - -REBOUCLER (thieves’), _to re-imprison_. - -REBOUIS, _adj. and m._ (thieves’), _dead_, said of one who has been -“put to bed with a shovel;” _corpse_, “cold meat, or pig;” _shoe_, -“trotter-case.” English thieves call cleaning their boots “japanning -their trotter-cases.” - -REBOUISER (thieves’), _to kill_, “to give one his gruel,” see -REFROIDIR; _to patch up a shoe_. Rabelais termed this “rataconniculer,” -and also uses the word with another signification, as appears from the -following:-- - - Et si personne les blasme de soi faire rataconniculer ainsi - sus leur grosse, vu que les bestes sus leurs ventrées - n’endurent jamais le masle masculant, elles respondront que - ce sont bestes, mais elles sont femmes.--_Gargantua._ - -Also _to notice_, _to gaze on_. - - Faut pas blaguer, le treppe est batte; - Dans c’taudion i’s’trouve des rupins. - Si queuq’s gonziers traînent la savate, - J’en ai r’bouisé qu’on d’s escarpins. - - _Chanson de l’Assommoir._ - -REBOUISEUR, _m._ (popular), _cobbler_, in old French “taconneur;” _old -clothes man who repairs second-hand clothes before selling them_. - -REBOURS, _m._ (roughs’), _moving of one’s furniture on the sly_, -“shooting the moon.” - -RECALER (artists’), _to correct_. (Popular) Se ----, _to recover one’s -strength_, and generally _to improve one’s outward appearance_. - - Dédèle s’r’cale les joues et Trutru r’prend des forces pour - masser d’plus belle.--_Le Cri du Peuple._ - -Also _to better one’s position_. - -RECARRELURE, _f._ (popular), _meal_. - -RECARRER (popular), se ----, _to strut_. - -RÉCENT, _adj._ (popular), avoir l’air ----, _to walk steadily though -drunk_. - -RECEVOIR (popular), la pelle au cul, _to be dismissed from one’s -employment_, “to get the sack;” (military) ---- son décompte, _to die_, -“to lose the number of one’s mess.” - -RECHÂSSER (popular), _to survey attentively_, “to stag;” _to see_. From -châsse, _eye_. - -RÉCHAUFFANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _wig_, “periwinkle;” (military) _great -coat_. - -RÉCHAUFFER (popular), _to annoy_, _to bore_. - -RÈCHE, _m._ (popular), _a sou_. - -RÉCIDIVISTE, _m._ (familiar), _old offender_. According to a new -law, repeating a certain specified offence makes one liable to be -transported for life. - -REÇOIT-TOUT, _m._ (popular), _chamber-pot_, or “jerry.” - -RECOLLARDÉ, _adj._ (thieves’), _caught again_. - -RECOLLER (popular), _to be convalescent_. Se ----, _to have a -reconciliation with a woman, and cohabit with her again_. - -RECONDUIRE (theatrical), _to hiss_, “to goose, or to give the big -bird;” (popular) ---- quelqu’un, or faire la conduite à quelqu’un, _to -thrash one_, “to wollop.” (Military) Se faire ----, _to be compelled to -retreat in hot haste_. - -RECONNAISSANCE, _f._ (printers’), _thin flat ruler of metal or wood -used by printers_. - -RECONNEBLER (thieves’), _to recognize_. - - C’est bon, je vois bien que je suis reconneblé (reconnu) et - qu’il n’y a pas moyen d’aller à Niort (de nier).--=CANLER.= - -RECONOBRER (thieves’), _to recognize_. Me reconobres-tu pas? _Don’t you -know me again?_ - - Il faut d’abord défrimousser ces gaillards-là de manière à - ce qu’ils ne soient pas reconobrés.--=VIDOCQ.= (_We must at - first disfigure these here fellows, so that they may not be - known._) - -RECOQUER (popular), se ----, _to recover one’s strength_; _to dress -oneself in new attire_. From coque, _hull_. - -RECORDÉ, _adj._ (thieves’), _killed_, “hushed.” - -RECORDER (thieves’), _to warn one of some impending danger_; _to kill -one_, “to quash, to hush.” Se ----, _to plot_, _to concert together_. - -RECOURIR À L’ÉMÉTIQUE (thieves’), _to get forged bills discounted_. - -RECUIT, _adj._ (popular), _ruined again_. - -RÉCURER (popular), la casserole, or se ----, _to take a purgative_. Se -faire ----, _to be under treatment for syphilis_. - -REDAM, _m._ (thieves’), _pardon_. From rédemption. - -REDIN, _m._ (thieves’), _purse_, “skin.” The word has the same -signification in the Italian jargon, and comes from retino, _small -net_. Hence reticule, a _lady’s bag_, corrupted into ridicule. - -REDOUBLEMENT, _m._ (thieves’), de fièvre, _fresh charge brought -against a prisoner who is being tried for an offence_; ---- de fièvre -cérébrale, _fresh charge against a prisoner who is being tried for -murder_. - - Pour peu que des parrains ne viennent pas leur coquer - un redoublement de fièvre cérébrale, ma largue et mes - gosselines se tireront de ce mauvais pas.--=VIDOCQ.= - -REDOUILLER (popular), _to push back_; _to repel_; _to ill-treat_, “to -manhandle.” - -REDRESSE, _f._ (thieves’), être à la ----, _to be cunning_, _knowing_, -“downy.” - - I am ... we all are, down to the dog. And he’s the downiest - one of the lot--=CH. DICKENS.= - -Mec à la ----. See MEC. Chevalier de la ----, _professional parasite_, -_spunger_, “quiller.” - -REDRESSEUR, _m._ (obsolete), _thief_, _pickpocket_, “fogle-hunter.” In -old English cant, “foyster.” - -REDRESSEUSE, _f._ (obsolete), _prostitute and thief_, “mollisher.” - -RÉDUIT, _m._ (thieves’), _purse_, “skin.” - -RÉEMBALLER (popular), _to imprison afresh_. - -REFAIRE (familiar and popular), _to dupe_, “to do.” - - Z... un autre journaliste, après avoir longtemps bohémisé, - carotté, refait tous ses camarades.--=A. SIRVEN.= - -Refaire au même, _to pay back in the same coin_, _to give a Roland for -an Oliver_. Se ----, _to recoup one’s losses at a game_. (Popular) -Refaire dans le dur, _to dupe_, “to bilk.” Se ---- le torse, _to have -refreshment_. (Thieves’) Se ---- de sorgue, _to have supper_. - -REFAIT, _adj._ (general), être ----, _to be duped_, or “done.” - - La voiture remonte péniblement la chaussée. Le cocher, - qu’on a pris le matin et qui a peur d’être refait, juronne - entre ses dents.--=P. MAHALIN.= - -(Thieves’) Etre ---- sans donjon, _to be apprehended again as a rogue -and vagabond_. - -REFAITE, _f._ (thieves’), _meal_; ---- du matois, _breakfast_; ---- de -jorne, _dinner_; ---- de côni, _last sacraments of the church_; ---- du -séchoir, _meal after a funeral_; ---- de sorgue, _supper_. - - Je vous dis que lorsque j’ai quitté le tapis, il allait - achever sa refaite de sorgue et qu’il venait de donner - l’ordre de seller son gaye.--=VIDOCQ.= - -REFAITER (thieves’), _to partake of a meal_. - -REFAITIER, _m._ (thieves’), _master of a victualling house_, “boss of a -grubbing ken.” - -REFFOLER (thieves’), _to steal by surprise_. - -REFILÉ, _m._ (popular), aller au ----, _to confess_. Ne pas aller au -----, _to deny_. - -REFILER (thieves’), _to restore_; _to give_, “donnez.” - - Au clair de la luisante, - Mon ami Pierrot, - Refile-moi ta griffonnante, - Pour broder un mot. - Ma camouche est chtourbe, - Je n’ai plus de rif; - Déboucle-moi ta lourde - Pour l’amour du Mec. - - _Au Clair de la Lune en Argot._ - -Refiler, _to pass from one person to another_, “to sling;” _to pass -on to a confederate by throwing_, “to ding;” ---- un pante, _to dog -a man_, “to pipe;” (popular) ---- des beignes, _to strike one on the -face_, “to fetch one a wipe in the mug;” ---- une ratisse, _to thrash_, -“to wallop;” ---- une poussée, _to hustle_, “to shove;” ---- la pâtée, -_to feed_. S’en ---- sous le tube, _to take a pinch of snuff_. - -REFONDANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _lucifer match_, “spunk.” - -REFOULER (popular), _to refuse_; _to hesitate_; ---- au travail, -_to leave off working_; ---- à Bondy, _to rudely send one about his -business_. It is to Bondy that the contents of cesspools are conveyed. - -RÉFRACTAIRE, _m._ (familiar), _more or less talented man who will not -bend to the fashion or ideas of the day_. - -REFROIDI, _m. and adj._ (thieves’), _corpse_, “cold meat;” _dead_, -“easy.” - -REFROIDIR (thieves’), _to kill_. - - Les chiens bourrés de boulettes, étaient morts. J’ai - refroidi les deux femmes.--=BALZAC.= - -Refroidir à la capahut, _to kill an accomplice for the purpose of -robbing him of his share of booty_. From the name of a celebrated -bandit, the head of a large gang of murderers named “chauffeurs,” who -spread terror towards the year III. of the Republic, in the vicinity -of Paris. The different modes of taking life are expressed thus: -“chouriner, or suriner, estourbir, scionner, buter, basourdir, faire -un machabée, faire flotter, crever la paillasse, laver son linge dans -la saignante, dévisser le trognon, faire suer un chêne, or faire suer -le chêne coupé, capahuter, décrocher, descendre, ébasir, endormir, -couper le sifflet, watriniser, entailler, entonner, estrangouiller, -tortiller la vis, tourlourer, terrer, cônir, expédier, faire, faire la -grande soulasse, rebâtir, sauter à la capahut, sonner, lingrer, envoyer -ad patres, démolir, moucher le quinquet, saigner, sabler, tortiller -le gaviot, faire banque, érailler, escarper, suager, faire le pante -au machabée;” in the English slang, “to settle his hash, to cook his -goose, to give one his gruel, to quash, to hush.” - -RÉGALER (popular), ses amis, _to take a purgative_; ---- son cochon, -_to treat oneself to a good dinner_, _to have a_ “tightener;” ---- son -suisse _is said of two playing for drink, who win an equal number of -games_; (thieves’) ---- la veuve, _to set up the guillotine_. - -REGARGARDE! (thieves’), _look!_ “nark!” - -RÉGATTE, _f._ (rag-pickers’), _meat_. - -REGATTER (rag-pickers’), _to eat_, “to grub.” - -RÉGIMENT, _m._ (popular), des boules de Siam, _Sodomites_. S’engager -dans le ---- des cocus, _to marry_, “to get spliced.” (Military) Le -chien du ----, _the adjutant_. - -REGINGLARD, _m._ (popular), _thin, sour wine_. - -REGISTRE, _m._ (printers’), faire le ----, _to pour out the contents of -a bottle so that each has an equal share_. - -RÉGLETTE, _f._ (printers’), arroser la ----, _to pay for one’s footing_. - -RÉGLISSE. See JUS. - -REGON, _m._ (thieves’), _debt_. - -REGONSER (thieves’), _to dog_, “to pipe.” - -REGOÛT, _m._ (thieves’), _unpleasantness_. - - Il faut espérer que l’ouvrage de la chique aura été - maquillé sans regoût.--=VIDOCQ.= - -Du ----, _uneasiness_; _remorse_; _fear_. Faire du ----, _to make -revelations_. - -REGUICHER (thieves’), _to attack_. - - V’là qu’on me tire par la jambe; j’me cavale, mais y - zétaient du monde, on me reguiche, je m’ai défendu et me - v’là.--=LOUISE MICHEL.= - -RÉGUISÉ, or RAIGUISÉ, _adj._ (popular), être ----, _to be thrashed_; -_swindled_; _ruined_, or “smashed;” _to be deceived_, or “done;” _to be -sentenced to death_. - -RÉGUISER, or RAIGUISER (popular), _to thrash_; _to ruin_. - -REJACTER (thieves’), _to say again_. - -RÉJOUISSANCE, _f._ (familiar), _bones placed into the scale by butchers -with the meat and charged as meat_. Une femme qui a plus de ---- que de -viande, _a bony, skinny woman_. - -RELANCEUR DE PLEINS, _m._ (thieves’), _variety of card-sharpers_. - -RELEVANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _mustard_. - -RELÈVE, _f._ (popular), être à la ----, _to be in better circumstances_. - -RELEVER (popular), la ----, or relever le chandelier, _to live on a -prostitute’s earnings_. From the practice of placing the fees of such -women under a candlestick. - -RELEVEUR, _m._ (popular), de fumeuse, _blackguard who lives on a -prostitute’s earnings_, “pensioner.” See POISSON. (Thieves’) Releveur -de pésoche, _money collector_. - -RELICHER (popular), _to toss down a glass of wine or liquor_; _to -kiss_. Se ----, or se ---- le morviau, _to kiss one another_. - -RELIÉ, _adj._ (popular), _dressed_. Etre élégamment ----, _to sport -fine clothes_. - -RELINGUE, _m._ (thieves’), _old offender_. - - Il y avait là des relingues (récidivistes), allant voir ce - qui leur arriverait un jour ou l’autre.--=LOUISE MICHEL.= - -RELINGUER (thieves’), _to stab repeatedly_. - -RELIQUER (thieves’), _to say_. - - Qu’as-tu reliqué?--Qu’il était venu seul.--=LOUISE MICHEL.= - -RELUIRE DANS LE VENTRE (popular), _to make one’s mouth water_. - -RELUIT, _m._ (thieves’), _day_, or “lightmans;” _eye_, or “ogle.” See -CHASSER. - -RELUQUER (popular and thieves’), _to gaze_, “to stag;” _to look -attentively_, “to dick.” Le sergo nous reluque, _the policeman has -his eye on us_, “the bulky is dicking.” Reluquer une affaire, _to -contemplate a theft_. - - Il y a deux ou trois affaires que je reluque, nous les - ferons ensemble.--=VIDOCQ.= - -Les jours où il lansquine, il y a un tas de pantes à reluquer les -flûtes des gonzesses qui carguent leurs ballons. _When it is raining, -there are a lot of fellows who look at the legs of the girls who tuck -up their clothes._ The old French had relouquer and reluquer with the -same signification. The Norman patois has “louquer,” which reminds one -of the English to look. - -RELUQUEUR, _m._ (popular), _one who plays the spy_, a “nose.” - -RELUQUEUSE, _f._ (popular), _opera glass_. - -REMAQUILLER (popular and thieves’), _to do again_. - -REMBALLÉ, RETOQUÉ, or REQUILLÉ (students’), être ----, _to be -disqualified at an examination_, “to be spun, or ploughed.” - -REMBARBE, or RANQUESSÉ, _m._ (thieves’), _rentier, that is, man of -independent means_. - -REMBOURRER (familiar), se ---- le ventre, _to make a good meal_, “to -have a tightener.” - -REMBROCABLE, _adj._ (thieves’), _perceptible_, _visible_. - -REMBROCAGE DE PARRAIN, _m._ (thieves’), _act of bringing one into the -presence of a witness_. - -REMBROCANT, _m._ (thieves’), _looking-glass_. - -REMBROQUER (thieves’), _to recognize_. - -RÊME, _m._ (thieves’), _one who scolds, who growls_, a “crib-biter.” - -REMÈDE D’AMOUR, _m._ (popular), _ugly face_, or “knocker-face.” - -REMERCIER SON BOULANGER (familiar and popular), _to die_, “to kick the -bucket.” For synonyms see PIPE. - - _Beauvallet_, d’une voix tonnante.--Le pauvre homme! - comment, il a “claqué?” - - _Arsène Houssaye._--Mon Dieu, oui, il a “dévissé son - billard,” comme on dit à la cour. - - _Mademoiselle Augustine Brohan._--Vous vous trompez, mon - cher directeur.... A la cour de Napoléon III., on dit - maintenant: il a “remercié son boulanger.”--=P. AUDEBRAND.= - -The above conversation, according to the author of _Petits Mémoires -d’une Stalle d’Orchestre_, took place at the Théâtre Français, of which -M. Arsène Houssaye was then the manager. To explain this invasion of -the Parisian jargon in the house of Molière, it must be said, that it -coincided with the publication of a decree by M. Achille Fould, then -Secretary of State. Being aware that the idiom of the hulks and gutter -was used to an alarming extent on the Parisian stage, his Excellency -had declared that the Government, declining to be an accomplice of -these literary misdemeanours, had prohibited the use of the degrading -lexicology, and had ordered a “commission de censure” (whose functions -are somewhat similar, in theatrical matters, to those of the Lord -Chamberlain in England) to taboo any play offering such enormities. -The injunction had been specially enforced with respect to the Théâtre -Français as being the official guardian of the purity of the French -language and the leading playhouse. But the offended comedians, in -retaliation, began to affect making use of the “langue verte.” - -REMETTEZ DONC LE COUVERCLE (roughs’), _a polite invitation to one who -has an offensive breath to cease talking_. - -REMISAGE, _m._ (thieves’), _place kept by a receiver of stolen -property, chiefly vehicles of every description_. - - Dans les remisages ... vont s’engouffrer tous les camions, - voitures, carrioles volés, pendant que les chevaux s’en - vont au marché, et que les victimes sont déjà au fond de - l’eau!--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -REMISER (popular), le fiacre à quelqu’un, _to shut one up_. - - Comme il a voulu faire du pétard, j’y ai salement remisé - son fiacre.--=G. COURTELINE.= - -Remiser son fiacre, _to hold one’s tongue_; _to die_. Se faire ----, -_to get sat upon_. - -REMISEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _a receiver of stolen property_, or “fence.” - -REMISIER, _m._ (familiar), _tout at the Stock Exchange_. - -RÉMONE, _f._ (popular), faire de la ----, _to bluster_. - -RÉMONENCQ, _m._ (literary), _old clothes man_; _marine store dealer_. A -character of Balzac’s _La Comédie Humaine_. - -REMONTÉE, _f._ (popular), _afternoon_. - -REMONTER (popular), sa pendule, _to occasionally chastise one’s better -half_; ---- le tournebroche, _to remind one of the non-observation of -some rule_. - -REMORQUE, _f._ (boulevardiers’), se laisser aller à la ----, _is said -of a man who allows himself to be enticed into inviting a girl to -dinner_. - -REMOUCHAGE, _m._ (thieves’), _revenge_. - -REMOUCHER (thieves’), _to revenge oneself_; _to kill_, “to hush;” -(popular and thieves’) _to look_, “to ogle.” - - R’mouchez-moi un peu c’larbin - Sous sa fourrure ed’cosaque. - Comme i’pu’ bon l’eau d’Lubin! - I’s’gour’ dans son col qui craque - Comme un’ areng dans sa caque. - Oh! la! la! c’t’habillé d’vert! - Oui, mais moi, v’là que j’me plaque. - C’est pas rigolo, l’hiver. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -Remouche le pante, “ogle the cove.” Remoucher, _to spy_, “to nose.” - - Tandis que je le remouchions à la Porte Saint-Denis, il est - sorti par la barrière des Gobelins.--=BIZET.= - -REMOUCHICOTER (popular), _to go about in quest of a love adventure, or -seeking to pick a quarrel with anyone_. - -REMPARDEUSE, _f._ (popular), _prostitute who frequents the ramparts_. - -REMPLIR LE BATTANT (popular), _to eat_, “to grub.” - -REMPLUMER (popular), se ----, _to grow fat_; _to grow rich_, _to -become_ “rhino fat.” - -REMPORTER UNE VESTE (popular), _to be unsuccessful_. - -REMUE-POUCE, _m._ (thieves’), _money_, “dinarly.” - -REMUER (thieves’), la casserole, _to be in the police force_, a -detective being termed “cuisinier.” (Popular) Remuer, _to stink_; ---- -la commode, _to sing_. - - En v’là un qui vous bassine, à remuer la commode ses dix - heures par jour!--=RIGAUD.= - -REMUEUR DE CASSEROLES, _m._ (thieves’), _spy_, _informer_, “nark.” - - Ce nouveau copain-là ne me dit rien de bon; je crois que - nous brûlons et que nous avons affaire à un remueur de - casseroles.--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -RENÂCHÉ, _m._ (thieves’), _cheese_, “casey.” - -RENÂCLANT, _m._ (thieves’), _nose_, “snorter.” See MORVIAU. - -RENÂCLE, _f._ (thieves’), _the police_. - - Ils nous regardèrent effrontément; ils dirent après avoir - vidé deux verres de mêlé-cassis: attention, la renâcle (la - police) est en chasse.--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -RENÂCLER (popular), _to scold_; _to grumble_; _to feel disinclined_. - - De temps en temps, quand les clients renâclent, il vide - lui-même sa coupe en levant les yeux au ciel avec tous les - signes de la béatitude.--=HECTOR FRANCE=, _Les Va-nu-pieds - de Londres_. - -The word has passed into the language. Also _to be afraid_. - - Quoi de plus propre en effet à faire renâcler les - poivrots.--_La petite Lune._ - -RENÂCLEUR, _m._ (popular), _grumbler_, “crib-biter;” (thieves) _police -officer_, or “reeler;” _detective_, “nark, or nose.” - - Et comme vous êtes des renâcleurs venus pour nous - boucler, vous allez aussi éternuer avec la largue et ses - jobards.--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -RENAISSANCE, _f._ (popular), _shoddy_. - -RENARD, _m._ (popular), _apprentice_; _mixture of broth and wine_. - - Il va prendre son renard: un bouillon et une chopine de vin - dedans.--_Le Sublime._ - -Also _vomit_. Piquer un ----, _to vomit_, “to shoot the cat.” Queue -de ----, _vomited matter_. (Thieves’) Renard, _spy at the hulks_. -(Booksellers’) Renard, _valuable work found by an amateur at a -bookstall among worthless books_. - -RENARDER (popular), _to vomit_, “to shoot the cat.” - - Vous me permettrez de renarder dans le Kiosque.--=BALZAC.= - -Termed formerly “chasser, or escorcher le regnard.” - - Et tous ces bonnes gens rendoyent là leurs gorges - devant tout le monde, comme s’ilz eussent escorché le - regnard.--=RABELAIS.= - -Cotgrave translates this expression by “_to spue, cast, vomit -(especially upon excessive drinking); either because in spuing one -makes a noise like a fox that barks_; _or_ (_as in_ escorcher) _because -the flaying of so unsavory a beast will make any man spue_.” - -RENARÉ, _m._ (popular), _crafty man_, “sly blade, or sharp file,” _one -who is_ “fly to wot’s wot.” - -RENAUD, _m._ (thieves’), _trouble_. - - La nuit dernière, j’ai rêvé de greffiers, c’est signe de - renaud.--=VIDOCQ.= (_Last night I dreamt of cats, that’s a - sign of trouble._) - -Renaud, _reproach_; _uproar_; _row_. Faire du ----, _to scold_; _to -cause a disturbance_. - - C’est ça! c’est pas bête; il faut être sûr avant de faire - du renaud (du tapage).--=VIDOCQ.= - -RENAUDER (popular and thieves’), _to be in a bad humour_, _to be_ -“shirty;” _to grumble_. - - Ne renaude pas, viens avec nousiergue. Allons picter une - rouillarde encible.--=V. HUGO=, _Les Misérables_. (_Do not - be angry, come with us. Let us go and have a bottle of wine - together._) - -Also _to be threatening, to show one’s teeth_. - - Ohé les aminches! c’est bientôt qu’on va casser la g... à - ces feignants de socialisses. C’qu’on leur z’y esquintera - les abatis, ah, malheur!... Et qu’ils n’renaudent pas, si y - voulaient fourrer leurs pattes sales su l’manteau impérial, - si y tâchaient d’embêter les abeilles, elles auraient bien - vite fait d’y répondre: miel!--_Gil Blas_, 1887. - -RENAUDEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _grumbler_, or “crib-biter.” - -RENCONTRE, _f._ (thieves’), faire à la ----, _to butt one in the -stomach_. Fabriquer un gas à la ----, à la flan, or à la dure, _to -attack and rob a man at night_, “to jump a cull.” - -RENDE, RENDÈME, RENDÉMI, _m._ (thieves’), vol au ----, _theft which -consists in requesting a tradesman to give change for a coin laid on -the counter and dexterously whisked up again together with the change_. - -RENDÈVE, _m._ (popular), _rendez-vous_. - -RENDEZ-MOI (thieves’), vol au ----, or faire le rendème. See RENDE. - -RENDOUBLÉ, _adj._ (thieves’), _full_; _said of one who has eaten a -hearty meal, who has had a_ “tightener.” Un roulant ---- de camelote, -_a cabful of goods_. - -RENDRE (tailors’), sa bûche, _to give up a piece of work to the master -tailor_; _to die_; (military) ---- sa canne au ministre, _to die_; -(bohemians’) ---- sa clef, _to die_; (popular) ---- son livret, _to -die_; ---- son permis de chasse, _to die_. See PIPE. Rendre le tablier -_is said of a servant who gives notice_; ---- visite à M. Du Bois, _to -ease oneself_, “to go to the chapel of ease;” ---- ses comptes, _to -vomit_, “to cast up accounts.” - -RÊNE, _f._ (familiar), prendre la cinquième ----, _to seize hold of the -mane of one’s mount to save oneself from a fall_. - -RENFONCEMENT, _m._ (popular), _blow with the fist_, “bang.” - -RENFRUSQUINER (popular), se ----, _to dress oneself in a new suit of -clothes_. - -RENG, _m._ (thieves’), _hundred_. - -RENGAINER SON COMPLIMENT (popular), _is said of one who stops short -when about to say or do something_. - -RENGOLER (roughs’), _to return_, _to re-enter_; ---- à la caginotte, -_to go home_. - -RENGRÂCIER (thieves’), _to repent and forsake evil ways_. - - Je suis lasse de manger du collège (de la prison), je - rengrâcie (je m’amende), veux-tu boire la goutte?--=VIDOCQ.= - -Rengrâcier, _to cease_. - - Rengrâciez alors, mauvais escarpes de grand trime, ma - filoche vous passera devant le naze.--=VIDOCQ.= - -Also _to hold one’s tongue_, “to mum one’s dubber.” - -RENIFLANT, _m._ (thieves’), _nose_, “snorter.” See MORVIAU. - -RENIFLANTE, _f._ (popular), _boot out at the sole and down at the -heel_. - -RENIFLER (popular), _to hesitate_; _to refuse_; _to drink_, “to sluice -one’s gob;” ---- la poussière du ruisseau, _to fall into the gutter_. -Bottines qui reniflent l’eau, _leaky boots_. La ---- mal, _to stink_. -Renifler sur le gigot, _to hesitate_; (billiards’) ---- sa bille, _to -screw back_. - -RENIFLETTE, _f._ (thieves’), _police_, the “frogs.” I must amputate -like a go-away (decamp in hot haste), or the frogs will nail -(apprehend) me, and if they do get their fams (hands) on me, I’ll be in -for a stretch of air and exercise (year’s hard labour). Le père ----, -_the head of the police_. - -RENIFLEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _police officer_, “crusher.” Le père des -renifleurs, _the prefect of police_. Renifleur de camelotte à la flan, -_rogue who steals articles from shop-windows_. - -RENIFLEURS, _m. pl._ (obscene). The celebrated physician Tardieu, in -his _Etude Médico-légale sur les Attentats à la Pudeur_, says:-- - - Renifleurs, qui in secretos locos, nimirum circa theatrorum - posticos, convenientes quo complures feminæ ad micturiendum - festinant, per nares urinali odore excitati, illico se - invicem polluunt. - -RENIQUER (popular), _to be in a rage_, “to have one’s monkey up.” - -RENQUILLER (thieves’), _to re-enter_, _to return home_. - - Tu as donc oublié que le dabe qui est allé ballader sur - la trime avec les fanandels ne renquillera pas cette - sorgue.--=VIDOCQ.= (_Then you forget that father, who is on - the road with the pals, will not return home to-night._) - -(Printers’) Renquiller, _to grow stout_; _to succeed_; _to get rich_. - -RENSEIGNEMENT, _m._ (boating men’s), prendre un ----, _to have a glass -of wine or liquor_, “to smile, or to see the man,” as the Americans say. - -RENTIER À LA SOUPE, _m._ (popular), _workman_. - -RENTIFFER (thieves’), _to enter_; _to return_, “to hare it.” - -RENTOILER (popular), se ----, _to recover one’s strength after having -suffered from illness_. - -RENTRÉ DANS SES BOIS, _adj._ (popular), être ----, _to wear wooden -shoes_. - -RENTRER (popular), bredouille, _to return home quite drunk_; ---- de la -toile, _to take rest on account of old age_. Literally _to take sail -in_. (Medical students’) Rentrer ses pouces, _to die_. (Gamesters’) -Rentrer, _to lose_. - - Un joueur qui perd, dit: je suis rentré! S’il est après - plusieurs parties, dans une déveine persistante, il dit: je - suis engagé!--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -RENVERSANT, _adj._ (familiar), c’est ----! _astounding!_ _wonderful!_ -“stunning!” - -RENVERSER (popular), _to vomit_, “to cast up accounts;” ---- son -casque, _to die_; (familiar) ---- la marmite, _to discontinue giving -dinners_. - -RÉPANDRE (popular), se ----, _to fall sprawling_; _to die_. - -RÉPARATION DE DESSOUS LE NEZ, _f._ (popular), _drinking and eating_. - - Il y aurait un roman en plusieurs volumes à écrire sur ce - bonhomme, qui a fait tous les métiers, et qui a, comme - Panurge, trente-trois façons de gagner son argent, et - soixante-six de le dépenser, sans compter la réparation de - dessous le nez.--=RICHEPIN=, _Le Pavé_. - -REPAS DE L’ÂNE, _m._ (popular), faire le ----, _to drink only at the -conclusion of a meal_. - -REPASSE, _f._ (popular), _bad coffee_. - -REPASSER (popular), _to give_; ---- la chemise de la bourgeoise, _to -chastise one’s better half_. - - Oh! ce n’est rien! je repasse la chemise de ma - femme.--=HUYSMANS.= - -Repasser le cuir à quelqu’un, _to thrash_, _or_ “tan” _one_; ---- une -taloche à quelqu’un, _to give one a slap in the face_, “to fetch one a -wipe in the mug.” - -REPAUMER (popular), _to apprehend anew_; _to take back_. - -REPÉRIR (popular), _to watch_, “to nark;” (thieves’) _to find again_. - -REPÉSIGNER (thieves’), _to re-catch_, _to re-apprehend_. - -RÉPÉTER (popular), or aller à la répétition, _to make a double -sacrifice to Venus_. (Theatrical) Répéter en robe de chambre, or dans -ses bottes, _to practise repeating one’s part only for the sake of -learning the words, without attempting the stage effects_. - -REPIC, _m._ (thieves’), _beginning again_, _relapse_. Le ---- de -relingue, _fresh offence_. - - Le machabée était resté au bord de l’eau. C’est sur moi - qu’on farfouille le repic de relingue.--=LOUISE MICHEL.= - -REPIGER (popular), _to catch again_. - -REPIOLER (thieves’), _to re-enter a house_; _to go home_, “to speel to -the crib.” - -REPIQUER (popular), _to retake courage_; _to get out of some scrape_; -_to go to sleep again_; ---- sur le rôti, _to have another drink_. - -REPLÂTRÉE, _f._ (popular), _woman with an outrageously painted face_. - -REPORTER, _verb and m._ (popular), son fusil à la mairie, _to be -getting old_. An allusion to the limit of age for obligatory service in -the old national guard. Reporter son ouvrage _is said of a doctor who -attends at a patient’s funeral_. (Familiar) Reporter à femmes, _one who -reports on the doings of cocottes_. - - Terminons cette variété ... par ce grand diable de - reporter à femmes, fournisseur breveté des feuilles - pornographiques.... Les drôlesses friandes de scandale le - tutoient et lui offrent à souper en échange de quelques - lignes ou d’une biographie.--=A. SIRVEN.= - -REPOSANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _chain_. Il y a une ---- à la lourde, -_there is a chain on the door_. - -REPOSOIR, _m._ (popular), _lodging-house_, or “dossing-crib.” Les -reposoirs, _feet_, or “dew-beaters.” - - Les pieds s’appellent des “reposoirs;” les mains, des - “battoirs;” la figure, une “binette;” les bras, des - “allumettes;” la tête, une “trompette;” les jambes, des - “flûtes à café; “et l’estomac, une “boîte à gaz.”--_Les - Locutions Vicieuses._ - -(Thieves’) Reposoir, _place tenanted by a receiver of stolen property_. - - Le reposoir, tenu par le fourgat, est un lieu de recel pour - le criminel qui ne travaille qu’en ville.--_Mémoires de - Monsieur Claude._ - -Also _a low eating-house, wine-shop, or lodging-house for prostitutes_. - - Paris, en dépit de ses démolitions ... renferme toujours - des Tapis francs comme au temps d’Eugène Sue; leurs noms - seuls ont changé; ce sont des Bibines, des Reposoirs, des - Assommoirs dont le Château-Rouge, rue de la Calandre, - possède en fait d’alphonses, d’escarpes ou de gonzesses, la - fleur du panier.--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -REPOUSSANT, _m._ (thieves’), _musket_, or “dag.” - -REPOUSSER (popular), du goulot, du tiroir, or du corridor, _to have an -offensive breath_. - -REPRENDRE DU POIL DE LA BÊTE (popular), _to continue the previous -evenings debauch_, “to have a hair of the dog that bit you.” - -REPTILE, _m._ (familiar), _journalist in the pay of the government_. - -RÉPUBLIQUE. See CACHET. - -REQUILLER. See RETOQUER. - -REQUIN, _m._ (thieves’), _custom-house officer_; (popular) ---- de -terre, _lawyer_, “land-shark, or puzzle-cove.” The _Slang Dictionary_ -also gives the expression “sublime rascal” for a “limb of the law.” - -REQUINQUER (popular), se ----, _to dress oneself in a new suit of -clothes_. - - Devine qui j’ai rencontré ... la petite modiste ... et - requinquée ... je ne te dis que ça.--=P. MAHALIN.= - -RÉSERVE, _f._ (theatrical), _free tickets kept in reserve_. - - C. est bon, ... il doit avoir une réserve sur laquelle - il consentira bien à me donner deux fauteuils.--_Echo de - Paris._ - -RÉSERVOIR, _m._ (popular), _réserviste, or soldier of the reserve_. - -RÉSINON, _m._ (popular), _midnight meal_. Probably an allusion to -torchlight. - -RESOLIR (thieves’), _to resell_. - -RESPECTER SES FLEURS (popular), _to defend one’s virginity against any -attempt_. - -RESPIRANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _mouth_. Bâcle ta ----, _shut your mouth_, -“button your bone-box.” - -RESSERRER SON LINGE (popular), _to die_, “to snuff it.” For synonyms -see PIPE. - -RESSORTS, _m. pl._ (popular), _woman’s privities_, (Delvau.) Une -commode à ----, _a carriage_, or “cask.” (Thieves’) Un crucifix à -ressorts, _a dagger_, “chive.” - -RESTAURANT À L’ENVERS, _m._ (popular), _privy_, “Mrs. Jones.” - -RESTER (popular), en ---- baba, _to be astounded_, or “flabbergasted.” -Rester en figure, _to be at a loss for words_. (Prostitutes’) Rester -dans la salle d’attente à reconnaître ses vieux bagages, _to return -home late at night without a client_. - -RESTITUER EN DOUBLURE (popular), _to die_, “to snuff it.” For synonyms -see PIPE. - -RESTITUTION, _f._ (obsolete), faire ----, _to vomit_, “to cast up -accounts.” - -RESUCÉE, _f._ (popular), _thing which has already been said or heard_. - -RÉSURRECTION, _f._ (popular and thieves’), la ----, _the prison -of Saint-Lazare, in which prostitutes and unfaithful wives are -incarcerated_. - -RETAPE, _f._ (general), _the act of a prostitute seeking clients_. - - C’était la grande retape, le persil au clair soleil, le - raccrochage des catins illustres.--=ZOLA.= - -Aller à la ----, or faire la ----, _to walk the streets or public -places for purposes of prostitution_. La ---- also refers to _the act -of men who are the protectors of abandoned women, and procure clients -for them in a manner described by the following_:-- - - Il faut, toutefois, classer à part une variété d’hommes - entretenus qui se livrent à une industrie qu’on nomme la - “retape” ... ils servent de chaperons. Tout chamarrés de - cordons et de croix, ils sont presque toujours âgés.... - Leur prétendue maîtresse ou leur soi-disant nièce est - censée tromper leur surveillance jalouse.--=LÉO TAXIL.= - -(Thieves’) Aller à la ----, _to lie in ambush for the purpose of -robbing or murdering wayfarers_. - -RETAPÉ, _adj._ (popular), _well-dressed_. - -RETAPER (popular), se faire ---- les dominos, _to have one’s teeth -looked to, and deficiencies made good_. - -RETAPEUSE, _f._ (popular), _street-walker_, “mot.” - -RETENIR (popular). Je te retiens pour la première contre-danse, _you -may be sure of a thrashing directly I get a chance_. - -RETENTISSANTE, _f._ (popular and thieves’), _bell_, “ringer, or -tinkler.” Acresto, il y a une ----, dévide-la. _Look out, there’s a -bell, break the hammer._ - -RETIRATION, _f._ (printers’), être en ----, _to be getting old_. - -RETIRER (thieves’), l’artiche, or le morlingue, _to pick the pockets of -a drunkard_, “to pinch an emperor of his blunt.” - -RETOQUER (students’), _to disqualify one at an examination_, “to spin.” -Etre retoqué, _to fail to pass an examination_, “to be ploughed.” -About twenty years ago “pluck,” the word then used, began to be -superseded by “plough.” It is said to have arisen from a man who could -not supply the examiner with any quotation from Scripture, until at -last he blurted out, “And the ploughers ploughed on my back, and made -long furrows.” “Etre retoqué” may also be rendered into English slang -by “to be plucked.” The supposed origin of “pluck” is that when, on -degree day, the proctor, after having read the name of a candidate for -a degree, walks down the hall and back, it is to give any creditor the -opportunity of plucking his sleeve, and informing him of the candidate -being in debt. Un retoqué du suffrage universel, _an unreturned -candidate for parliament_. - -RETOUR, _m._ (police and thieves’), cheval de ----, _old offender who -has been convicted afresh_, “jail-bird.” - - Un vieux repris de justice, un “cheval de retour,” comme on - dit rue de Jérusalem, n’eût pas fait mieux.--=GABORIAU.= - -Also _one who has been a convict at the penal servitude settlement_. - - Ce n’est pas non plus le bouge sinistre de Paul Niquet,... - dont ces mêmes tables et ce même comptoir voyaient les - mouches de la bande à Vidocq, en quête d’un grinche ou d’un - escarpe, trinquer avec les bifins ... les chevaux de retour - (forçats libérés).--=P. MAHALIN.= - -(Popular) L’aller et le ---- et train rapide, _the act of slapping -one’s face right and left, or kicking one on the behind_. - -RETOURNE, _f._ (gamesters’), _trumps_. Chevalier de la ----, -_card-sharper_, or “magsman.” - -RETOURNER (popular), sa veste, or son paletot, _to fail in business_, -“to be smashed up;” _to die_, “to snuff it.” S’en ----, _to be getting -old_. De quoi retourne-t-il? _What is the matter at issue?_ (Roughs’) -Retourner quelqu’un, _to thrash one_. See VOIE. (General) Retourner -sa veste (the expression has passed into the language), _to become a -turncoat_, or “rat.” The _Slang Dictionary_ says the late Sir Robert -Peel was called the Rat, or the Tamworth Rat-catcher, for altering his -views on the Roman Catholic question. From rats deserting vessels about -to sink. The term is often used amongst printers to denote one who -works under price. Old cant for a clergyman. - -RÉTRÉCI, _m._ (popular), _stingy man_, _one who is close-fisted_. - -RETROUSSEUR, _m._ (popular), _prostitute’s bully_, “ponce.” For the -list of synonyms see POISSON. - -RÉUSSI, _adj._ (familiar), _well done_; GROTESQUE. - -REVENDRE (thieves’), _to reveal a secret_, “to blow the gaff.” - -RÉVERBÈRE, _m._ (popular), _head_, or “tibby.” See TRONCHE. Etre au -----, _to be on the watch, on the look-out_. - - Moi aussi je suis au réverbère et mes mirettes ne - quitteront pas les siennes dès que le pante aura passé la - lourde du train.--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -REVERS, _m._ (card-sharpers’), faire un ----, _to lose purposely so as -to encourage a pigeon_. - -REVERSIS, _m._ (popular), jouer au ----, _formerly referred to the -carnal act_. - -REVIDAGE, _m._ (dealers in second-hand articles), faire le ----, _to -share among themselves after a sale goods which they have bought at -high prices to prevent others from purchasing them_. The share of each -is called “paniot.” - -REVIDER, _to perform the_ “revidage” (which see). - -REVIDEURS, _m. pl._, _marine store-dealers who employ the mode called_ -“revidage” (which see). - -RÉVISION. See REVIDAGE. - -REVOIR LA CARTE (popular), _to vomit_, “to cast up accounts.” - -RÉVOLUTION, _f._ (card-players’), _score of ninety-three points_. An -allusion to the revolution of ’93. - - Cependant, Mes-Bottes, qui regardait son jeu, donnait - un coup de poing triomphant sur la table. Il faisait - quatre-vingt-treize. J’ai la Révolution, cria-t-il.--=ZOLA.= - -REVOLVER À DEUX COUPS, _m._ (roughs’), see FLAGEOLET. - -REVOYURE, _f._ (military), jusqu’à la ----! _till we meet again!_ - - Voilà, les fantassins! jusqu’à la revoyure! et le chasseur - poussa son cheval.--=BONNETAIN=, _L’Opium_. - -REVUE, _f._ (military), de ferrure _refers to the action of a horse -which plunges and kicks out_; ---- de pistolets de poche, _a certain -sanitary inspection concerning contagious diseases_. - -REVUEUX, _m._ (journalists’), _a writer of_ “revues,” _or topical -farces_. - -REVURE, _f._ (popular), à la ----! _goodbye!_ _till we meet again!_ - -RIBLER (obsolete), _to steal_; _to swindle_; _to steal at night_. - - Item, je donne à frère Baulde, - Demourant à l’hostel des Carmes, - Portant chère hardie et baulde, - Une sallade et deux guysarmes, - Que de Tusca et ses gens d’armes - Ne luy riblent sa Caige-vert. - - =VILLON.= - -RIBLEUR, _m._ (obsolete), _pickpocket_; _night-thief_. From ribaldi, -_rogues_. - - A fillettes monstrans tetins, - Pour avoir plus largement hostes; - A ribleurs meneurs de hutins, - A basteleurs traynans marmottes, - A fol et folles, sotz et sottes, - Qui s’en vont sifflant cinq et six, - A veufves et à mariottes, - Je crye à toutes gens merciz. - - =VILLON.= - -RIBOUI, _m._ (popular), _second-hand clothes dealer_. - -RIBOUIT, _m._ (thieves’), _eye_, “ogle.” - -RIBOULER DES CALOTS (popular and thieves’), _to stare_, “to stag.” - -RICHE, _adj._ (popular), être ----, _to be drunk_, or “tight.” For -synonyms see POMPETTE. Etre ---- en ivoire, _to have a good set of -teeth_. Un homme ---- en peinture, _a man who passes himself off as a -rich man_. - -RICHOMMER, or RICHONNER (thieves’), _to laugh_. - -RIDEAU, _m._ (popular), rouge, _wine-shop_. An allusion to the red -curtains which formerly adorned the windows of such establishments. -Rideaux de Perse, _torn curtains_. A play on the word percé, _pierced_. -(Thieves’) Rideau, _long blouse_, a kind of smockfrock worn by workmen -and peasants. - - Nous somm’s dans c’goût-là toute eun’ troupe, - Des lapins, droits comme des bâtons, - Avec un rideau sur la croupe, - Un grimpant et des ripatons. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -(Theatrical) Lever le ----, _to be the first to appear on the stage at -a music-hall or concert_. - - Ses artistes sont les Sociétaires des cafés-concerts, car - l’artiste qui “lève le rideau” touche déjà 300 francs par - mois.--_Maître Jacques._ - -RIDICULE, _m._ (military), endosser le ----, _to put on civilians’ -clothes_. - -RIEN, _m. and adv._ (thieves’), un ----, _a police officer_. (Popular) -Rien, _very_, _extremely_. C’est ---- chic, _it is first-class_, “real -jam.” Il est ---- paf, _he is extremely drunk_. C’est ---- folichon! -_how funny!_ N’avoir ---- de déchiré, _to have yet one’s maidenhead_. - - Il fallait se presser joliment si l’on voulait la donner à - un mari sans rien de déchiré.--=ZOLA=, _L’Assommoir_. - -RIEN-DU-TOUT, _f._ (popular), _girl or woman of indifferent character_. - - Une boutique bleue à cette rien-du-tout, comme si ce - n’était pas fait pour casser les bras des honnêtes - gens!--=ZOLA.= - -RIF, or RIFFLE, _m._ (thieves’), _fire_. From the Italian jargon ruffo. -De ----, _without hesitation_. - -RIFFAUDANT, _m._ (thieves’), _cigar_. - -RIFFAUDANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _flame_. - -RIFFAUDATE, _m._ (thieves’), _conflagration_. - -RIFFAUDER (thieves’), _to warm; to blow one’s brains out_. - - A bas les lingres, tas de ferlampiers, ou je vous - riffaude.--=VIDOCQ.= (_Down with the knives, ruffians, else - I’ll blow your brains out._) - -Faire ----, _to cook_. Se ----, _to warm oneself_. Le marmouzet -riffaude, _the pot is boiling_. Riffauder, _to burn_. - - Ah! pilier, que gitre été affuré gourdement, car le cornet - d’épice a riffaudé ma luque où étaient les armoiries de la - vergne d’Amsterdam en Hollande; j’y perds cinquante grains - de rente.--_Le Jargon de l’Argot._ - -RIFFAUDEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _incendiary_. Les riffaudeurs, better -known under the name of “chauffeurs,” were brigands who, towards 1795, -overran the country in large gangs, and spread terror among the rural -population. They besmeared their faces with soot, or concealed them -under a mask. They burned the feet of their victims in order to compel -them to give up their hoardings. The government of the Directoire -was powerless against these organized bands, and it was only under -Bonaparte’s consulate in 1803 that they were hunted down and captured -by the military. Le ---- à perpète, _the devil_, or “Ruffin.” - -RIFFER. See RIFFAUDER. - -RIFLARD, _m._ (familiar and popular), _umbrella_, “mush.” From the -name of a character in a play by Picard. (Thieves’) Riflard, _rich -man_, or “ragsplawger;” _fire_. (Masons’) Compagnon du ----, _mason’s -assistant_. Le riflard signifies _a shovel_. (Popular) Des riflards, -_old leaky shoes_. - -RIFLARDISE, _f._ (popular), _stupidity_. - -RIFLART, _m._ (obsolete), _police officer_. From Rifler (which see). - -RIFLE, _m._ (thieves’), _fire_. - - Nous serions mieux je crois devant un chouette rifle que - dans ce sabri (bois) où il fait plus noir que dans la taule - du raboin (la maison du diable).--=VIDOCQ.= - -Coquer le ----, _to set afire_. Ligotte de ----, _strait-jacket_. See -COUP. - -RIFLER (thieves’), _to burn_; (popular) _to take_; _to steal_, “to -nick.” Compare with the English _to rifle_. The word is used by Villon -in his _Jargon Jobelin_. Rifler du gousset, _to emit a strong odour of -humanity_. - -RIFLÉS, or RIFFAUDÉS, _m. pl._ (old cant), _rogues who used to go -soliciting alms under pretence of having been ruined through the -destruction of their homes by fire_. - - Riflés ou riffaudés, sont ceux qui triment avec un - certificat qu’ils nomment leur bien: ces riflés toutimes - menant avec sezailles leurs marquises et mions, feignant - d’avoir eu de la peine à sauver leurs mions du rifle qui - riflait leur creux.--_Le Jargon de l’Argot._ - -RIFLETTE, _f._ (roughs’ and thieves’), _detective_, or “nose.” Acresto, -la riflette nous exhibe. _Look out, the detective is looking at us._ - -RIFOLARD, _adj._ (popular), _amusing_, _funny_. - -RIGADE, RIGADIN, or RIGODON, _m._ (popular), _shoe_, “trotter-case.” -See RIPATON. - - He applied himself to a process which Mr. Dawkins - designated as “japanning his trotter-cases.”--=CH. DICKENS.= - -RIGOLADE, _f._ (popular and thieves’), _amusement_. - - Ma largue n’sera plus gironde, - Te serai vioc aussi; - Faudra pour plaire au monde, - Clinquant, frusque, maquis, - Tout passe dans la tigne, - Et quoiqu’on en jaspine, - C’est un foutu flanchet. - Douze longes de tirade, - Pour une rigolade, - Pour un moment d’attrait. - - =VIDOCQ.= - -Etre à la ----, _to be amusing oneself_. Coup de ----, _lively song_. -Enfilé à la ----, _dissolute fellow_. Rigolage is used with the same -signification in _Le Roman de la Rose_, by Guillaume de Lorris and -Jehan de Meung. - -RIGOLBOCHADE, _f._ (popular), _droll action_; _amusement_, “spree;” -_much eating and drinking_. - -RIGOLBOCHE, _adj._ (popular), _amusing_; _funny_. - - Parfait!... Très rigolo!... rigolboche! répondait le petit - sénateur.--=DUBUT DE LAFOREST.= - -Une ----, _female habituée of public dancing-halls_. From the name of a -female who made herself celebrated at such places. - - Ainsi jadis ont cavalé, - Le tas défunt des Rigolboches, - Au bras vainqueur de Bec-Salé, - Faisant leurs premières brioches. - - =GILL.= - -Un ----, _a feast_, “a tightener.” - - On va trimbaler sa blonde, mon vieux; nous irons lichoter - un rigolboche à la Place Pinel.--=HUYSMANS.= - -RIGOLBOCHER (popular), _to have a feast, or drinking revels_. - - Tu seras de nos tournées, et après la représentation, nous - rigolbocherons.--=E. MONTEIL.= - -RIGOLBOCHEUR, _adj. and m._ (popular), _funny_; _licentious_. - - Les mots rigolbocheurs, épars - De tous côtés dans le langage, - Attrape-les pour ton usage, - Et crûment dévide le jars. - - =GILL.= - -Un ----, _one fond of fun_, _of amusement_, _of revelling_. - -RIGOLE, _f._ (thieves’), _good cheer_. - -RIGOLER (familiar and popular), _to amuse oneself_. From rigouller. - - Et là sus l’herbe drue dansarent au son des joyeux - flageolets, et doulces cornemuses, tant baudement - que c’estoit passetemps céleste les voir ainsi soi - rigouller.--=RABELAIS=, _Gargantua_. - - Quant au gamin, c’était l’gavroche - Qui parcourt Paris en tous sens, - Et qui sans peur et sans reproche - Flan’, rigole et blagu’ les passants. - - =GILL.= - -Also _to laugh_. - - J’peux m’parler tout ba’ à l’oreille - Sans qu’ personne entend’ rien du tout. - Quand j’rigol’, ma gueule est pareille - A cell’ d’un four ou d’un égout. - - =RICHEPIN=, _La Chanson des Gueux_. - -Rigoler comme une tourte, _to laugh like a fool_. - -RIGOLETTE, _f._ (popular), _female habituée of low dancing saloons_. - -RIGOLEUR, _m._ (popular), _one joyously disposed and fond of the -bottle_, a “jolly dog.” - -RIGOLO, _m. and adj._ (gamblers’), _a swindle_, explained by -quotation:-- - - Il n’avait plus qu’à surveiller les mains de cet - aimable banquier pour voir ... s’il ne ferait pas passer de - sa main droite dans sa main gauche une portée préparée à - l’avance--un “cataplasme,” si cette portée était épaisse; un - “rigolo” si elle était mince.--=HECTOR MALOT=, _Baccara_. - -An allusion to the mustard plasters of Rigolo. (Popular) Rigolo, -_amusing_, _funny_. - - Moi j’emmène mes deux exotiques chez Coquet, au cimetière - Montmartre. C’est rigolo en diable.--=P. MAHALIN.= - - Rien n’est plus rigolo que les petites filles, - A Paris. Observer leurs mines, c’est divin. - A dix, douze ans ce sont déjà de fort gentilles - Drôlesses, qui vous ont du vice comme à vingt. - - =GILL.= - -Il est rien ----! _he is so amusing!_ Rigolo pain de seigle, or pain de -sucre, _extremely amusing_. - - Retour des choses d’ici-bas.--Rigolo pain de sucre, ça par - exemple!--=E. MONTEIL.= - -Rigolo, _short crowbar used by housebreakers_. Termed also “biribi, -l’enfant, sucre de pommes, or Jacques,” and, in the English slang, -“James, Jemmy, the stick.” Also _a revolver_. Acresto, rigolo! _Be on -your guard! he’s got a revolver._ - -RIGOUILLARD, _m._ (printers’), _funny, amusing fellow_. - -RIGRI, _m._ (popular), _over-particular man_; _stingy man_, “hunks.” - -RIGUINGUETTE, _f._ (popular), _cigarette_. Griller une ----, _to smoke -a cigarette_. - -RINCE-CROCHETS, _m._ (military), _extra ration of coffee_. - -RINCÉE, _f._ (popular), _thrashing_, “walloping.” See VOIE. - -RINCER (popular), _to thrash_; _to worst one at a game_; ---- la poche, -_to ease one of his money_. - - Dans les cours il y en a qui achèvent de se griser, de - bons jeunes gens qu’elles lâchent après avoir rincé leurs - poches.--=P. MAHALIN.= - -Se ---- l’œil, _to look on with pleasure_. Se ---- l’avaloir, le bec, -le bocal, la gargoine, la corne, la cornemuse, le cornet, la dalle, la -dalle du cou, la dent, le fusil, le goulot, le gaviot, le sifflet, le -tube, la trente-deuxième, la gargarousse, _to drink_. The synonyms to -describe the act in various kinds of slang are: “se passer un glacis, -s’arroser le jabot, s’affûter le sifflet, se gargariser le rossignolet, -se laver le gésier, sabler, sucer, licher, se rafraîchir les barres, -se suiver, pitancher, picter, siffler le guindal, graisser les -roues, pier, fioler, écoper, enfler, se calfater le bec, se blinder, -s’humecter l’amygdale or le pavillon, siffler, flûter, renifler, -pomper, siroter, biturer, étouffer, asphyxier, se rafraîchir les -barbes, s’arroser le lampas, se pousser dans le battant, pictonner, -soiffer;” and in the English slang: “to wet one’s whistle, to have a -gargle, a quencher, a drain, something damp, to moisten one’s chaffer, -to sluice one’s gob, to swig, to guzzle, to tiff, to lush, to liquor -up.” The Americans to describe the act use the terms, “to see a man, -to smile.” Se faire rincer, _to lose all one’s money at a game_, _to_ -“blew” _it_. Se faire ---- la dalle, _to get oneself treated to drink_. -Rincer la dent, _to treat one to drink_. - - C’est nous qu’est les ch’valiers d’la loupe. - . . . . . . . . . - Les galup’s qu’a des ducatons - Nous rinc’nt la dent. Nous les battons - Qu’ les murs leur en rend’nt des torgnioles. - L’soir nous sommes soûls comm’ des hann’tons - Du cabochard aux trottignolles. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -RINCETTE, _f._ (familiar), _brandy taken after coffee_. - -RINCEUR DE CAMBRIOLE, _m._ (thieves’), _housebreaker_, or “buster.” - - Le voleur à la tire, le rinceur de cambriole, ceux qui - font la grande soulasse sur les trimards, mènent une vie - charmante en comparaison.--=TH. GAUTIER.= - -RINCLEUX, _m._ (popular), _miserly man_, “hunks.” - -RINGUER (sporting), _to be a bookmaker_. From the English word ring, -used by French bookmakers to denote their place of meeting. - -RINGUEUR, _m._ (sporting), _bookmaker_. - -RIOLE, or RIOLLE, _f._ (popular and thieves’), _river_; _brook_; -(popular) _joy_; _amusement_. Etre en ----, _to be out_ “on the spree.” - - Ouvriers en riolle, soldats en bordées, bourgeois en - goguette et journalistes en cours d’observations. - --=P. MAHALIN.= - -Etre un brin en ----, _to be slightly tipsy_, “elevated” - - Les braves gens semblaient être un brin en riole; - Mais l’ouvrier est bon même quand il rigole. - - =GILL.= - -(Thieves’) Aquiger ----, _to find amusement_. - -RIPA, or RIPEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _river-thief_. - -RIPATON, or RIPATIN, _m._ (popular), _foot_, “crab, dew-beater, or -everlasting shoe.” Also _shoe_. - - La pittoresque échoppe du savetier ... où l’on voit, - pêle-mêle entassés, le lourd ripaton du prolétaire, le - rigadin éculé du voyou, la bottine claquée de la petite - rentière.--=RICHEPIN=, _Le Pavé_. - -The synonyms are: “croqueneaux, bateaux, péniches, trottinets, -trottins, cocos, pompes, bateaux-mouches, rigadins, escafignons, -tartines, bichons, paffes, passants, paffiers, passes, bobelins, -flacons, sorlots, passifs;” and in the English slang: “trotter-cases, -hock-dockies, grabbers, daisy-roots, crab-shells, bowles.” Jouer des -ripatons, _to run_. See PATATROT. - -RIPATONNER (popular), _to patch up old shoes_. - -RIPER (popular), _to have connection_. - -RIPEUR, _m._ (popular), _libertine_, “rip.” - -RIPIOULEMENT, _m._ (thieves’), _bedroom_, “dossing-crib.” - -RIPIOULER (thieves’), _to sleep_, “to doss.” - -RIPOPÉE, or RIPOPETTE, _f._ (popular), _worthless article_; _mixture of -wine left in glasses, or which flows on the counter of a wine-retailer_. - - Dans la chambre de nos abbés, - L’on y boit, l’on y boit, - Du bon vin bien cacheté. - Mais nous autres, - Pauvres apôtres, - Pauvres moines, tripaillons de moines, - Ne buvons que d’la ripopée! - - _Song._ - -RIQUIQUI, _m._ (popular), _brandy of inferior quality_, see -TORD-BOYAUX; _thing badly done, or of inferior quality_. Avoir l’air -----, _is said of a woman attired in ridiculous style, who looks like -a_ “guy.” - -RIRE (popular), comme une baleine, _to open, when laughing, a mouth -like a whale’s_; ---- comme un cul, _to laugh with lips closed and -cheeks puffed out_; ---- comme une tourte, _to laugh like a fool_. -Entendre ---- de l’argenterie, _to ring a bell_. Faire ---- les -carafes, _to say such absurd things as to make the most sedate persons -laugh_. (Theatrical) Rire du ventre, _to shake one’s sides as if in the -act of laughing_. - -RISQUER UN VERJUS (popular), _to discuss a glass of wine or brandy at -the bar of a wine-shop_. - -RIVANCHER (thieves’), _to make a sacrifice to Venus_. - - Et mezig parmi le grenu - Ayant rivanché la frâline, - Dit: Volants, vous goualez chenu. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -Termed formerly “river.” - - Dans Paris la bonne ville - L’empereur est arrivé; - Il y a eu mainte fille - Qui a eu le cul rivé. - - _Recueil de Farces, Moralités et Sermons joyeux_, 1837. - -RIVE GAUCHE, _f._, (students’), _a part of Paris, on the left bank of -the Seine_, wherein are situated the University higher colleges and -schools, such as l’Ecole de Médecine, l’Ecole de Droit, la Sorbonne, le -Collège de France, &c. - - J’en viens de ce coin de Paris qu’on a appelé jadis le pays - latin puis le quartier latin et ensuite le quartier des - écoles et qui aujourd’hui s’intitule simplement la rive - gauche.--=DIDIER=, _Echo de Paris_, 1886. - -RIVER. See PIEU, RIVANCHER. - -RIVETTE, _f._ (popular and thieves’), _prostitute_, or “punk.” See -GADOUE. Also _name given by Sodomites to wretches whom they plunder -under threats of disclosures_. - - La rivette se récrie; le faux agent persiste, s’emporte, - jure ... il finit par obtenir une somme d’argent. - --=LÉO TAXIL.= - -RIZ-PAIN-SEL, _m._ (military), _anyone connected with the -commissariat_, a “mucker.” - - Les deux hommes tenaient conseil. T’as entendu ce qu’a dit - le colonel?--C’est pas un colonel, c’est un riz-pain-sel. - Ça y fait rien.... Faut en finir avec nos deux - particuliers. Nous allons leur brûler la gueule d’un coup - de flingot.--=BONNETAIN=, _L’Opium_. - -ROBAUX, or ROVEAUX, _m. pl._ (old cant), _gendarmes_. Attrimer les -----, _to run away from gendarmes, to show them sport_. The term seems -a corruption of royaux. - -ROBER (thieves’), _to steal_; _to steal a man’s clothes_. This is -the old form of dérober, which formerly signified _to disrobe_, and -nowadays _to purloin_. Provençal raubar. Compare with the English _to -rob_. See GRINCHIR. - -ROBIGNOL, _adj._ (thieves’), _extremely amusing_; _extremely good_. - -ROBINSON, or PÉPIN, _m._ (popular), _umbrella_, “mush.” - -ROCHET, _m._ (thieves’), _bishop_; _priest_, or “devil-dodger.” - -ROGNE, _adj. and f._ (familiar and popular), être ----, _to be in -a rage_, “to be shirty.” Avoir des rognes avec un gas, _to have a -quarrel_. Flanquer la ----, _to get one in a rage_. Properly rogne -signifies _itch_, _mange_, and it stands to reason that anyone -suffering from the ailment would naturally be in anything but a good -humour. - - Les hôtes de la posada, intimidés et méfiants, nous - prenant pour des bandits, “avaient la frousse” selon - l’expression pittoresque de L. M. qui, mourant de faim, - comme d’habitude, déclara furieux que cette réception lui - “flanquait la rogne,” surtout lorsqu’il vit la vieille - mégère, horrible compagnonne, faire signe à son mari - de charger le tromblon.--=HECTOR FRANCK=, _A Travers - l’Espagne_. - -Avoir la ----, _to be out of temper_, or “riled.” A person is then -said to have his “monkey up.” An allusion to the evil spirit which was -supposed to be always present with a man, but more probably to the -unenviable state of mind of a man who should have such a malevolent -animal firmly established on his shoulders, comparable only to the -maddening sensation expressed by “avoir un rat dans la trompe,” _i.e._, -“to be riled,” _to be badgered_. - -ROGNER (thieves’), _to guillotine_. Literally _to pare off_. (Popular) -Rogner, _to be in a rage_. - - L’infirmier se fout à rogner, naturellement.--Comment, qu’y - dit, vous osez dire ça.--=G. COURTELINE.= - -ROGNEUR, _m._ (military), _fourrier, or non-commissioned officer -employed in the victualling department_. Literally _one who gives short -commons, paring off part of the provisions_. - -ROGNON, _m._ (popular), un sale ----, _a lousy, or_ “chatty” _person_. -Applied especially to a low woman. (Familiar) Rognon, _facetious term -applied to a man with a big sword across his loins_. Literally un -rognon brochette, _broiled kidney_. - - La lame, sans fourreau, attachée dans le dos par une double - chaîne pouvant se croiser sur la poitrine... Il entre et - un spectateur l’assassine de ce mot: “Tiens, un rognon - brochette! “--=A. GERMAIN=, _Le Voltaire_. - -ROGNURES, _f. pl._ (theatrical), _inferior actors_. See FER-BLANC. - -ROGOMMIER, _m._ (popular), _a brandy-bibber_. - -ROGOMMISTE, _m._ (popular), _retailer of brandy_. - -ROI DE LA MER, _m._ (popular), _prostitute’s bully_, “ponce.” See -POISSON. - -ROMAGNOL, or ROMAGNON, _m._ (thieves’), _hidden treasure_. - -ROMAIN, _m._ (familiar), _“claqueur,” or man paid to applaud at a -theatre_. An allusion to the practice of certain Roman emperors who had -a kind of choir of official applauders. - - Les Romains de Paris n’ont rien de commun avec les - habitants de la ville aux sept collines.... Leur champ de - bataille, c’est le parterre du théâtre ... en un mot les - romains sont ces mêmes hommes que l’on nommait vulgairement - autrefois des claqueurs.--=BALZAC.= - -ROMAINE, _f._ (popular), _scolding_. Also _a mixture of rum and orgeat_. - -ROMAMITCHEL, ROMANITCHEL, or ROMANICHEL, _m._ (thieves’), _gipsy_. -Romnichal in England, Spain, and Bohemia has the signification of -_gipsy man_, and romne-chal, romaniche, is a _gipsy woman_. In England -Romany is a gipsy, or the gipsy language--the speech of the Roma or -Zincali Spanish gipsies, termed Gitanos. “Can you patter Romany?” -_i.e._, _Can you talk_ “black,” _or gipsy_ “lingo.” See FILENDÈCHE. - -ROMANCE. See CAMP. - -ROME, _f._ (thieves’), aller, or passer à ----, _to be reprimanded_. - -ROMILLY. See INSURGÉ. - -ROMTURE, or ROUSTURE, _f._ (thieves’), _man under police supervision_. - -RONCHONNER (popular), _to grumble_; _to mutter between one’s teeth_. - -RONCHONNEUR, _m._, RONCHONNEUSE, _f._ (popular), _grumbler_. - - Elle m’en veut donc toujours la vieille - ronchonneuse?--=ZOLA.= - -ROND, _m. and adj._ (popular), _a sou_. Termed also “rotin.” - - Deux ronds d’brich’ton dans l’estomac, - C’est pas ça qui m’pès’ sur les g’noux. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -Avoir le ----, _to have money_; _to be well off_, or “well ballasted.” -Pousser son ----, _to ease oneself by evacuation_. Rond, _drunk_, or -“tight;” ---- comme balle, comme une bourrique, or comme une boule, -_completely tipsy_, or “sewed up.” See POMPETTE. - - Au cidre! au cidre! il fait chaud. - Tant mieux si j’me soûle. - Au cidre! au cidre! il fait chaud. - J’sons plus rond qu’eun’ boule. - Du cidre il faut - Dans la goule. - Du cidre il faut - Dans l’goulot. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -(Familiar) Un ---- de cuir, _employé_; _clerk_, or “quill-driver.” - -RONDACHE, _f._ (thieves’), _ring_, “fawney.” - -RONDELETS, _m. pl._ (obsolete), _small breasts_. - -Rondement (obsolete), chier ----, _not to hesitate, to act with -resolution, without dilly-dallying_. - - Pardienne, mamselle, vous l’avez déjà fait. A quoi bon tant - tortiller.... Il faut chier rondement, et ne pas faire les - choses en rechignant.--_Isabelle Double_, 1756. - -RONDIER, _m._ (thieves’), _watchman, or overseer at the hulks_. From -faire une ronde, _to go one’s rounds_. - -RONDIN, _m._ (popular), _lump of excrement_, or “quaker;” (popular and -thieves’) _five-franc coin_. - - --Et combien qu’ça coûte, ste bête? - - --Un rondin, deux balles et dix Jacques. - - --N... de D...! Sept livres dix sous!--=VIDOCQ.= - -Rondin jaune, _gold coin_, “yellow boy;” ---- jaune servi, _gold coin -stolen and then stowed away_. - - Ah! s’il voulait cromper ma sorbonne (sauver ma tête), - quelle viocque (vie) je ferais avec mon fade de carle (ma - part de fortune), et mes rondins jaunes servis (et l’or que - je viens de cacher).--=BALZAC=, _La Dernière Incarnation de - Vautrin_. - -RONDINE, _f._ (thieves’), _ring_, or “fawney;” _walking-stick_; _ball_. - -RONDINER (thieves’), _to cudgel one_; (popular) _to spend money_. From -rond, _a sou_; ---- des yeux, _to stare_. - -RONDINET, _m._ (thieves’), _ring_, “fawney.” - -ROND-POINT-DES BERGÈRES, _m._ (roughs’), _the Halles, or Paris market_. - -RONDQUÉ, _m._ (popular), _one sou_. - -RONFLANT, _adj._ (thieves’), _well-dressed_. Is also said of one who -has a well-filled purse. - -RONFLE, _f._ (popular), jouer à la ----, _to sleep soundly and to -snore_. (Thieves’) Ronfle, _prostitute_, or “punk;” _woman_, or -“blowen;” ---- à grippart, _same meaning_. - -RONFLER (popular), faire ---- Thomas, _to ease oneself_. (Thieves’) Une -poche qui ronfle, _a well-filled pocket, one_ “chockful of pieces.” - - A cette époque, quand un voleur avait fait un coup, - quand la poche ronflait, toute sa bande se rendait au - Lapin Blanc, boire, manger, faire la noce aux frais du - meg.--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -Ronfler à cri, _to pretend to sleep_. - -RONGE-PATTES, _m._ (popular), _child_, or “squeaker.” - -RONGEUR, _m._ (familiar), or ver rongeur, _cab taken by the hour_. -Paris cabs generally go at a snail’s pace, with consequent increase of -fare. - -ROQUILLE, _f._ (popular), _one-fourth of a setier, or eighth part of a -litre_. - -ROSBIF DE RAT D’ÉGOUT! _m._ (roughs’), _insulting epithet_. Might be -rendered by “you skunk!” - - Hé! dis donc, éclanche de bouledogue, rosbif de rat - d’égout, tu vas te faire taper sur la réjouissance. - --=A. SCHOLL=, _L’Esprit du Boulevard_. - -ROSE DES VENTS, _f._ (popular), _breech_, “blind cheek” in the English -slang. - -ROSIÈRE DE SAINT-LAZE, _f._ (popular), for Saint-Lazare, _an inmate -of the prison of Saint-Lazare_, which serves for prostitutes and -unfaithful wives. Properly une “rosière,” or rose queen, is a virtuous, -well-behaved maiden. At Nanterre and other country places a maid is -proclaimed rosière at a yearly ceremony in which the authorities play -their part, the famous pompiers of the not less famous song being one -of the most important factors in the pageant. - -ROSSAILLE, _f._ (horse-dealers’), _worthless horse_, “screw.” - -ROSSARD, _m._ (familiar and popular), _man with no heart for work_, a -“bummer.” - - Trubl’ est un rossard, - Toujours en retard, - D’mandez à Massard... - Trubl’ est un flegmard - Qui se fait du lard! - - =TRUBLOT=, _Le Cri du Peuple_. - -ROSSE, _f._ (familiar and popular), _lazy fellow_. Etre ----, _to be -cantankerous, ill-natured_. - - Vanter la neig’, c’te bêt’ féroce! - Nous somm’s pas dans l’pays des ours! - C’est gentil, j’dis pas; mais c’est rosse; - Comm’ la femm’, ça fait patt’ de v’lours. - - =JULES JOUY=, _La Neige_. - -Une ----, _a peevish_, _stubborn_, _or lazy woman_. - -ROSSIGNANTE, _f._ (old cant), _flute_. - -ROSSIGNOL, _m._, or carouble, _f._ (thieves’), _picklock_, or “betty;” -(familiar) _any inferior article left unsold_. The expression specially -refers to books. - -ROSSIGNOLER (thieves’), _to sing_, “to lip.” - -ROSSIGNOLISER (familiar), _to sell articles without any value, or -soiled articles_. - -ROSTO, _m._ (Ecole Polytechnique), _gas-lamp_. From the name of General -Rostolan, who introduced the gas apparatus into the establishment. - -ROTER (popular), en ----, _to be astounded_. Literally _to belch for -astonishment_. - - En disant que ... les soldats n’étaient pas de la - charcuterie, qu’on traitait les chiens mieux que ça; - enfin, un boniment à ne pas s’y reconnaître. La sœur en - rotait!--=G. COURTELINE.= - -En ---- le fond de son caleçon, _superlative_ of “en roter,” _to be_ -“flabbergasted.” Je montrais à des touristes Américains toutes les -merveilles de la ville, ils en rotaient le fond de leur caleçon. _I -showed some American tourists all the curiosities of the town; they -were utterly astounded._ - -RÔTI, _m._, formerly _brand on convict’s shoulder_. - -ROTIN, _m._ (popular), _sou_. Termed also “flèche, pélot.” -(Card-sharpers’) Flamboter aux rotins, termed also “consolation -anglaise,” _variety of swindling card trick_. - -RÔTISSEUSE, _f._ (popular), _roast chicken_. Exhibe la ----, _look at -the chicken_. - -ROTOTO, _m._ (popular), coller du ----, _to cudgel_, “to larrup.” -Rototo! _expression of contempt or refusal_. - -ROUÂTRE, _m._ (thieves’), _bacon_, “sawney.” Jack speeled to the crib -(went home) when he found Johnny Doyle had been pulling down sawney -(bacon) for grub. - -ROUBIGNOLE, _f._ (card-sharpers’), _small ball made of cork and used at -a swindling game_. - -ROUBIGNOLEUR, _m._ (card-sharpers’), _swindler who plays at_ -“roubignole” (which see). - -ROUBLAGE, _m._ (thieves’), _deposition of a witness_. - -ROUBLARD, _adj. and m._ (thieves’), _ugly_; _inferior_, “rot;” “quyer,” -in old English cant; _police officer_, or “reeler.” Soufflé par les -roublards et ballonné à la pointue, _taken by the police and imprisoned -in the dépôt de la Préfecture_. Un ----, _a cunning fellow_, “an artful -dodger.” - - C’était un vieux roublard, un antique marlou. - Jadis on l’avait vu, denté blanc comme un loup, - Vivre pendant trente ans de marmite en marmite. - Plus d’un des jeunes dos, et des plus verts, l’imite. - - =RICHEPIN=, _La Chanson des Gueux_. - -(Prostitutes’) Roublard, _rich man, one who possesses roubles_, “rhino, -fat.” - -ROUBLARDISE, _f._ (familiar and popular), _cunning_; _trickery_. - - Les roublardises de la politique la laissaient - froide.--=HECTOR FRANCE=, _La Pudique Albion_. - -ROUBLER (thieves’), _to make a deposition_; ---- à la manque, _to make -a deposition against one, or a false one_. A false witness is called by -English thieves “a rapper.” - -ROUBLEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _witness_. - -ROUCHI, _m._ (familiar and popular), _man of repugnant manners or -morals_; _low cad_, “rank outsider.” - -ROUCHIE, _m._ (familiar and popular), _low, abandoned girl or woman_, -“draggle-tail;” _dirty, disgusting woman_. - -ROUE, _f._ (popular and thieves’), de derrière, thune, or palet, -_silver five-franc piece_. Le messière a dégaîné une roue de derrière, -_the gentleman has given a five-franc piece_. In the English slang -a crown is termed a “hind coach-wheel,” and half-a-crown a “fore -coach-wheel.” - - Ils ouvraient des quinquets grands comme des roues de - derrière en nous reluquant d’un air épaté.--=RICHEPIN.= - -Roue de devant, _two-franc piece_. - -ROUÉ, _m._ (thieves’), _juge d’instruction_; (card-sharpers’) _swindler -who handles the cards at the three-card game, his confederate being -termed_ “amorceur.” - -ROUEN, _m._ (obsolete), aller à ----, _to be ruined_, “to go a mucker.” -A play on the word ruiner. Envoyer à ----, _to ruin_. Michel records -the following expressions formed by a similar play on words: Aller -à “Dourdan,” _to be beaten_ (old word dourder, _to beat_); aller à -“Versailles,” _to be upset_ (from verser); aller en “Angoulême,” _to -eat_ (from en and gueule); aller à “Niort,” _to deny_ (from nier, _to -deny_); aller à “Patras,” _to die_ (from ad patres); aller à “Cachan,” -_to conceal oneself_ (from cacher). To kill was expressed by envoyer à -“Mortaigne.” It used to be said of a person conjugally deceived, that -he travelled in “Cornouaille,” alluding to the horns. An ignorant man -was said to have received his education at “Asnières” (âne). A threat -of dismissal was made in the words “envoyer à l’abbaye de Vatan.” A -madman was a native of “Lunel,” &c. (Theatrical) Aller à Rouen, _to be -hissed_, “to get the big bird.” - -ROUFFIER, _m._ (thieves’), _soldier_. The old English cant had the word -“ruffler” to designate beggars pretending to be old or maimed soldiers, -and who robbed or even murdered people. From the Italian ruffare, _to -seize_. - -ROUFFION, _m._ (shopmen’s), _shop-boy at a haberdasher’s_. -“Rouffionne,” _shop-girl_. - -ROUFFIONNER (popular), _to break wind_; ---- sans dire fion, _to do so -without apologizing_. - -ROUFFLE, _f._ (thieves’), _blow_, “wipe.” Also _a kick_. - -ROUFFLÉE, _f._ (military), _a terrible thrashing_, after which one is -“knocked into a cocked hat.” - -ROUFLAQUETTE, _f._ (familiar and popular), _lock of hair worn twisted -from the temple back towards the ear_, “aggerewaters, or Newgate -knockers.” - - Sous l’bord noir et gras d’ma casquette, - Avec mes doigts aux ongu’ en deuil, - J’sais rien m’coller eun’ rouflaquette - Tout l’long d’la temp’, là, jusqu’à l’œil. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -“When men,” says the _Slang Dictionary_, “twist the hair on each side -of their faces into ropes, they are sometimes called ‘bell-ropes,’ -as being wherewith to _draw the belles_. Whether ‘bell-ropes’ or -‘bow-catchers,’ it is singular they should form part of a prisoner’s -adornment.” These ornaments in France are sported only by prostitutes’ -bullies, who on that account are termed “rouflaquettes.” - -ROUGE, _adj. and m._ (obsolete), _cunning_, “downy.” The expression is -used as a cant word by Villon, 15th century. - - Je vis là tant de mirlificques, - Tant d’ameçons et tant d’afficques, - Pour attraper les plus huppez. - Les plus rouges y sont happez. - - _Poésies attribuées à Villon._ - -So the proverb, “il est méchant comme un âne rouge,” signifies _he is -as vicious as a cunning donkey_. The expression “les plus rouges y sont -pris,” _the most cunning are deceived_, is to be found in Cotgrave. -The Latins used the word ruber with the figurative signification -of _cunning_. Faire tomber le ----, _to have an offensive breath_. -Faire ----, _to have one’s menses_. (Thieves’), Lampion ----, _police -officer_, or “reeler.” See POT-À-TABAC. C’est ---- de boudin, _the -thing goes wrong_, _matters look bad_. (Military) Les culs rouges, -_the chasseurs and hussars, a corps of light cavalry with red pants_. -Similarly, the English hussars are termed “cherry-bums.” - -ROUGEMONT, _m._ (thieves’), pivois de ----, _red wine_, “red fustian.” - -ROUGET, _m._ (popular), _man with reddish hair_. Les rougets -(obsolete), better explained by the following:-- - - Pour les ordinaires des femmes, les mois, les menstrues, - les découlements lunaires des femmes.--=LE ROUX.= - -(Thieves’) Rouget, _copper_. - -ROUGISTE, _m._ (literary), _one fond of Stendhal’s style of writing_. -An allusion to his famous work, _Le Rouge et le Noir_. - -ROUGOULE. See RENDEZ-MOI. - -ROUILLARDE, or ROUILLE, _f._ (thieves’), _bottle_, “bouncing cheat;” -_bottle of old wine_. From rouler. - -ROULANCE, _f._ (printers’), _great noise made by stamping of feet or -rattling of hammers when a brother compositor enters the workshop_. -This ceremony is complimentary or the reverse, as the case may be. - -ROULANT, _m._ (popular), _pedlar who sells articles of clothing_; -(popular and thieves’) _hackney-coach_, “growler;” ---- vif, _railway -train_, or “rattler;” _pedlar_. Roulants, _peas_. - -ROULANTE, _f._ (popular), _prostitute_. See GADOUE. - -ROULEAU, _m._ (thieves’), _coin_. See QUIBUS. - -ROULE-EN-CUL, _m._ (bullies’), _an insulting term_. Might be rendered -by the word “pensioner” with an obscene prefix. See POISSON. - -ROULEMENT, _m._ (popular), _hard work_. Du ----! mes enfants! _with -a will, lads!_ (Military) Roulement de gueule, _beating to dinner_; -(thieves’) ---- de tambour, _barking of a dog_. - -ROULER (familiar and popular), quelqu’un, _to thrash one_, “to wallop” -_him_. See VOIE. Also _to swindle_, “to stick, to bilk.” - - Une grande compagnie d’assurance sur la vie vient d’être - dupée d’une jolie façon. Il n’y a pas grand mal, du reste, - les compagnies ne se faisant guère scrupule de rouler le - client.--=A. SIRVEN.= - -(Popular) Rouler dans la farine, _to play a trick_, _to deceive a -simpleton_, “to flap a jay.” Rouler sa bosse, _to go along_, _to go -away_. - - C’est pas tant le gendarm’ que je r’grette! - C’est pas ça! Naviguons, ma brunette! - Roul’ ta bosse, tout est payé. - - =RICHEPIN=, _La Glu_. - -Rouler sa viande dans le torchon, _to go to bed_. Comment vont les -affaires? Ça roule. _How is business? Not bad._ (Roughs’) Se rouler, -_to amuse oneself_; _to be much amused_. (Familiar) Rouler quelqu’un, -_to worst one_; _to beat another in argument or repartee_. Termed “to -snork” at Shrewsbury School. - -ROULETIER, _m._ (thieves’), _a thief who robs cabs or carriages by -climbing up behind and cutting the straps that secure the luggage on -the roof_, “dragsman.” - - Des classes entières de voleurs étaient aux abois, de - ce nombre était celle des rouletiers (qui dérobent les - chargements sur les voitures).--=VIDOCQ.= - -ROULEUR, _m._ (popular), _swindler_; _rag-picker_, or “tot-picker.” -The _Slang Dictionary_ says, “tot” is a bone, but chiffonniers and -cinder-hunters generally are called “tot-pickers” nowadays. Totting -has also its votaries on the banks of the Thames, where all kinds of -flotsam and jetsam are known as “tots.” Un ----, _a man whose functions -are to act as a medium between workmen and masters who wish to engage -them_. - -ROULEUSE, _f._ (familiar), _debauched woman_. - - Les rangs de l’armée du charlatan apostolique se - sont grossis de nombre de petites rouleuses sans - emploi.--=HECTOR FRANCE.= - -ROULIER, or ROULETIER, _m._ (thieves’), _thief who steals property off -vans_, “dragsman.” - - Les rouliers ou rouletiers s’attaquent aux camions des - entrepreneurs de roulage.--=CANLER.= - -ROULIS, _m._ (sailors’), avoir du ----, _to be drunk_, “to have one’s -mainbrace well spliced.” - -ROULON, _m._ (thieves’), _loft_, _attic_. - -ROULOTAGE, _m._ (thieves’), _theft of property from vehicles_, “heaving -from a drag.” - -ROULOTIN, _m._ (thieves’), _driver of a van_, “rattling-cove.” - -ROULOTTE, _f._ (thieves’), _vehicle_. - - Puis dans un’ roulotte, on n’voit rien; - Tout d’vant vous fil’ comme un rébus. - Pour louper, faut louper en chien - L’chien n’mont’ pas dans les omnibus. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -Roulotte à trèpe, _omnibus_; ---- du grand trimar, _mail coach_. Faire -un coup de ----, or grinchir une ---- en salade, _to steal property -from a vehicle_. - -ROULOTTIER, _m._ (general), _itinerant showman_. - - Allez à la Place du Trône, quand la foire au pain d’épice - est dans la fièvre des derniers préparatifs, avant le - dimanche qui est la grande première des saltimbanques. - Tous les roulottiers de France s’y donnent rendez-vous. - Et parmi eux l’on a chance encore de trouver quelques - Bohémiens.--=RICHEPIN.= - -Roulottier, _rogue who devotes his attention to vans, carts, or any -other kind of conveyance, stealing luggage, goods, or provisions_, -“dragsman.” - - Une bande importante de roulottiers, voleurs qui ont pour - spécialité de dérober sur les camions qui stationnent dans - les rues ... a été arrêtée hier.--_Le Radical_, Dec., 1886. - -ROULURE, _f._ (popular), _woman of the most abandoned description_. - - Si bien que, la croyant en bois, il est allé ailleurs, - avec des roulures qui l’ont régalé de toutes sortes - d’horreurs.--=ZOLA=, _Nana_. - -Also _despicable, degraded fellow_. - - Si c’est possible, une femme honnête tromper son mari, et - avec cette roulure de Fauchery!--=ZOLA.= - -ROUMARD, _m._ (thieves’), _malicious fellow_; (popular) _rake_, or -“beard-splitter.” - -ROUPIE, _f._ (popular), _bug_, or “heavy dragoon;” ---- de singe, -_nothing_; _weak coffee_; ---- de sansonnet, _bad coffee_. - - Le zingueur voulut verser le café lui-même. Il - sentait joliment fort, ce n’était pas de la roupie de - sansonnet.--=ZOLA.= - -ROUPILLER (general), _to sleep_, “to doss.” Chenue sorgue, roupille -sans taf, _good night, sleep without fear_. - - Tout est renversé, quoi!--Et du reste, voilà le bouquet, - écoutez-moi ça, on ne dit plus: je t’aime! on dit: j’te - gobe. On ne dit plus: laisse-moi tranquille! on dit: va - t’asseoir! On ne dit plus: tu m’ennuies! on dit: tu m’la - fais à l’oseille! On ne boit plus, on liche. On ne mange - plus, on béquille. On ne dort plus, on roupille! On ne se - promène plus, on se ballade! Pour dire: je sors, on dit: je - m’la casse!--_Les Locutions Vicieuses._ - -Roupiller dans le grand, _to be dead_. - -ROUPILLON, _m._ (thieves’), _man asleep_. Chatouiller un ----, _to pick -the pockets of a sleeping man_. - -ROUPIOU, _m._ (medical students’), _a student who practises in -hospitals without being on the regular staff, and who administers -purgatives, prepares blisters, &c._ - -ROUSCAILLANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _tongue_, “glib, or red rag.” Stubble -your red rag, _hold your tongue_. Balancer la rouscaillante, _to talk_, -“to patter.” - -ROUSCAILLER (popular), _to have connection_. Probably from roussecaigne -(rousse chienne, or _red bitch_), which formerly signified -_prostitute_. (Thieves’) Rouscailler, _to speak_, “to patter;” ---- -bigorne, _to talk the cant jargon_, “to patter flash.” Rouscailler had -the signification of _to mislead_, and bigorne was an epithet applied -to the police, so that “rouscailler bigorne” means literally _to -mislead the police_. - -ROUSCAILLEUR, _m._ (popular), _libertine_, or “mutton-monger;” -(thieves’) _speaker_. - -ROUSCAILLEUSE, _f._ (popular), _debauched woman_. - -ROUSPÉTANCE, _f._ (popular), _bad humour_; _resistance_. - - Voulez-vous me foutre la paix! vous êtes une forte tête à - ce que je vois; vous voulez faire de la rouspétance. - --=G. COURTELINE.= - -(Prostitutes’) Rouspétance, _a detective whose particular functions are -to watch prostitutes_. - -ROUSPÉTER (popular), _to be in a bad humour_; _to resist_. - -ROUSPETTAU, _m._ (thieves’), _noise_. - -ROUSPETTER (popular), used in a disparaging manner, _to talk_; _to -reply_. Qu’est-ce que vous me rouspettez-là? _What the deuce are you -talking about?_ - -ROUSSE, _m. and f._ (popular and thieves’), la ----, _the police_, -_the_ “reelers.” Un ----, _police officer_, or “crusher;” _detective_, -or “nark.” See POT-À-TABAC. - - Va, c’est pas moi qui ferais jamais un trait a un ami; - si je suis rousse (mouchard), il me reste encore des - sentiments.--=VIDOCQ.= - -La ---- à l’arnac, _the detective force_. Red-haired people are -supposed to be treacherous, hence the epithet “rousse” applied to the -police. According to an old proverb, - - Barbe rousse, noir de chevelure, - Est réputé faux de nature. - -Scarron expressed the following wish:-- - - Que le Seigneur en récompense - Veuille augmenter votre finance... - Qu’il vous garde de gens qui pipent... - D’hommes roux ayant les yeux verds. - -Judas was red-haired, as everyone knows. Shakespeare makes the -following allusion:-- - - _Rosalind._--His hair is of the dissembling colour. - - _Celia._--Something browner than Judas’s: marry, his kisses - are Judas’s own children. - - _As You Like It._ - -Un ---- à l’arnache, or harnache, _a detective_. - - Un jour, avec ma largue, je venais d’ballader, - J’vois la rousse à l’arnach’ qui voulait l’emballer. - Je m’dis pas de bêtises, en vrai barbillon, - Pour garer ma marquis’ j’ai décroché l’tampon. - - _Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -La ---- à la flan, _city police_. Flasquer du poivre à la ----, _to -keep out of the way of the police_, _to escape their clutches_. - -ROUSSELETTE, _f._ (popular and thieves’), _spy_, or “nark.” Termed also -une riflette, un baladin. - -ROUSSI, _m._ (thieves’), _prisoner who acts as a spy on -fellow-prisoners_. - - Ton orgue tapissier aura été fait marron.... Il faut être - arcasien. C’est un galifard. Il se sera laissé jouer - l’harnache par un roussin, peut-être même par un roussi, - qui lui aura battu comtois ... je n’ai pas taf, je ne - suis pas un taffeur, c’est colombé, mais il n’y a plus - qu’à faire les lézards, ou autrement on nous la fera - gambiller.--=V. HUGO=, _Les Misérables_. (_Your friend the - innkeeper must have been taken in the attempt. One ought to - be wide awake. He is a flat. He must have been bamboozled - by a detective, perhaps even by a prison spy, who played - the simpleton. I am not afraid, I am no coward, that’s well - known; the only thing to be done now is to run away, else - we are done for._) - -ROUSSIN, _m._ (thieves’), _police officer_, “crusher;” _detective_. - - Entre eux, ils sont un peu frères, un peu cousins; - Aussi dénichent-ils des gosses, des petites, - Qu’ils envoient mendier, en guettant les roussins, - Pour se payer deux ronds de frites. - - =RICHEPIN=, _Les Mômes_. - -ROUSSINER (popular), _to call the attention of the police to one_. - -ROUSTAMPONNE, _f._ (thieves’), _police_, “reelers, or frogs.” - -ROUSTI, _adj._ (popular and thieves’), _ruined_, “smashed;” -_apprehended_, “nailed, or nabbed.” - -ROUSTIR (popular and thieves’), _to cheat_, “to stick;” _to rob one of -all his valuables_. - - A l’heure qu’il est l’entonne est roustie.--=VIDOCQ.= (_And - now the church is stripped of all its valuables._) - - Neuf plombes. La fête bat son plein ... eul’ joueur - d’bonneteau m’a déjà rousti vingt ronds.--=TRUBLOT=, _Le - Cri du Peuple_, Sept., 1886. - -ROUSTISSEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _thief_, “prig.” - -ROUSTISSEUSE, _f._ (popular), _woman of lax morals_, “poll.” - -ROUSTISSURE, _f._ (theatrical), _insignificant part_; (popular) _bad -joke_; _swindle_; _worthless thing_. - -ROUSTONS, _m. pl._ (popular), _testiculæ_. - -ROUSTURE, _f._ (thieves’), _man under police surveillance_. - -ROUTE, _m._ (popular), mettre au ----, _to rout_; _to break_; _to -destroy_. - - Vous avez beau dire ... faut que tout ça soit foutu au - route, qu’i n’en reste pu miette.--_Le Drapeau Rouge de la - Mère Duchesne_, 1792. - -Old word roupte, from the Low Latin rupta, signifying _rout_. The word -is used by Villon:-- - - De maulx briguans puissent trouver tel route - Que tous leurs corps fussent mis par morceux. - - _Ballade Joyeuse des Taverniers._ - -ROUTIÈRE, _f._ (popular), _prostitute who plies her trade on the high -road_. See GADOUE. - -ROVEAU, or ROBAU, _m._ (old cant), _mounted police_. - -RU, _m._ (thieves’), _brook_ (old word). - - Je vais dans le ru pêcheur à la ligne. - Beaux poissons d’argent je vous ferai signe. - Voyez au soleil briller mon couteau, - Oh! oh! - Avec mon couteau - Je vous ferai signe - Dans l’eau. - - =RICHEPIN=, _La Chanson des Gueux_. - -RUB DE RIF, _m._ (thieves’), _railway train_, “rattler.” - -RUBAN DE QUEUE, _m._ (popular), _never-ending road_. - -RUBIS, _m._ (popular), sur pieu, _ready money_; ---- cabochon -(obsolete), see FLAGEOLET. - - Deux perles orientales - Et un rubis cabochon. - - _Parnasse des Muses._ - -RUBLIN, _m._ (thieves’), _ribbon_. - -RUDE, _m._ (popular), _brandy_. See TORD-BOYAUX. - -RUDEMENT, _adv._ (familiar and popular), _awfully_. - -RUE, _f._ (popular), au pain, _throat_, “gutter lane;” ---- barrée, or -où l’on pave, _street in which a creditor lives, and which is to be -avoided_; ---- du bec dépavée, _gap-toothed mouth_, _one with_ “snaggle -teeth.” (Rag-pickers’) Aller voir Madame la ----, _to go to work -picking rags, &c., in the street_. - -RUELLE, _f._ (popular), il ne tombera pas dans la ----, _is said of a -drunken man lying in the gutter, and who in consequence does not risk -falling from the wall side of his bed_. In English slang he is said, -when in that state, to “lap the gutter.” - -RUETTE, _f._ (popular), _mouth_, or “kisser.” - -RUF, _m._ (thieves’), _prison warder_. - -RUFAN, _m._ (Breton cant), _fire_. Italian cant ruffo. - -RUFFANTE. See ABBAYE. - -RUINÉ, _adj._ (horse-trainers’), un cheval ---- sur son devant, _a -horse with bent knees, inclined_ “to say his prayers.” - -RUISSELANT D’INOUISME, _adj._ (familiar), _superlatively fine_; -_marvellous_, “crushing.” - -RUMFORT (familiar), voyage à la ----, _is said of one who goes on a -pretended journey, so as to escape the toll of new year’s gratuities -and gifts_. - -RUP, or RUPIN, _adj. and m._ (popular), _excellent_; _fine_; _handsome_. - - Su’ le moment, ça vous a bonn’ mine; - C’est frais, c’est pimpant, c’est rupin; - Que’qu’ temps après, la blanche hermine - S’transforme en vulgaire peau d’lapin. - - =JULES JOUY=, _La Neige_. - -Avoir l’aspect ----, _to look rich_. - - Ils s’emparent des portières et les défendent contre les - gens qui n’ont pas l’aspect rupin. Ils ne les laissent - libres que pour les gens qui leur paraissent avoir de la - douille.--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -C’est un ----, _he is clever, understands thoroughly his business_, -“he is a regular tradesman.” No better compliment, says the _Slang -Dictionary_, can be passed on an individual, whether his profession be -house-breaking, prize-fighting, or that of a handicraftsman, than the -significant “He is a regular tradesman.” Le ---- des rupins, _the best -of the thing_. - - Et puis, l’plus bath! Le rupin des rupins, - C’est qu’on n’sait pus où nous parquer. - Parole! - Ainsi dans l’doute on nous laisse là. - - _Le Contentement du Récidiviste, à l’ancre._ - -(Thieves’) Rupin, _rich_, “well ballasted.” - - Les plus rupins, depuis qu’on a imprimé des dictionnaires - d’argot, entravent bigorne comme nouzailles.--=VIDOCQ.= - -Rupin, _gentleman_, or “nib cove.” - - Ils s’enquièrent où demeurent quelques marpeaux pieux, - rupins et marcandiers dévots, qu’ils bient trouver en leur - creux.--_Le Jargon de l’Argot._ - -The word rupin is derived from the Gypsy rup, Hindustani rupa, _money_. -In Breton cant rup has the meaning of _citizen or wealthy man_. - -RUPINE, _f._ (thieves’), _lady_. - -RUPINSKOFF, _adj._ (popular), _excellent_, “out and out;” _rich_. - -RURAL, _m._, _name given to the Conservative members of the Assemblée -Nationale in 1871_. - -RUSSES, _adj. and m._ (military), bas, or chaussettes ----, _strips -of linen wrapped round the feet at the time when soldiers were not -provided with regulation socks_. - - De bas russes tu garniras - Tes bottes où tu plongeras - Les dix arpions de tes pieds plats. - - =DUBOIS DE GENNES.= - -(Common) Des ----, _short whiskers_. - -RUSTAU, _m._ (thieves’), _variety of receiver of stolen property_, -“fence.” - - Le remisage, tenu par le rustau, est le fourgat des voleurs - ou assassins de grandes routes travaillant en province et - opérant jusqu’à l’étranger.--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - - - - -S - - -SABACHE, _adj. and m._ (popular), _foolish_; _dunce_, or “dunderhead.” -A corruption of “sabot,” a disparaging slangy epithet. - -SABLE, _m._ (thieves’), _sugar_; _stomach_, or “middle piece.” Les -sables, _the cells_. (Popular) Sable, _money_. An allusion to the -colour of gold. (Freemasons’) Sable blanc, _salt_; ---- jaune, _pepper_. - -SABLER (thieves’), _to kill one by striking him with an eel-skin bag -filled with sand_. - -SABOCHE, _f._ (popular), _awkward person_; _bad workman_. A corruption -of sabot. - -SABOCHER, SABOTER (popular), _to do bad work_. - -SABORD, _m._ (popular), jeter un coup de ----, _to examine the accuracy -of the work_; _to control_. - -SABORDER (sailors’), _to thrash_. - -SABOT, _m._ (popular), _nose_, or “boko;” _bad workman_; _carriage_, or -“rumbler;” (popular and familiar) _bad billiard table_; _bad musical -instrument_; _small boat_; (thieves’) _ship_. - -SABOTEUR, _m._ (popular), _slovenly workman_. - -SABOULER (popular), _to work carelessly_; _to clean boots_, “to japan -trotter-cases.” - -SABOULEUR, _m._ (popular), _shoe-black_. - -SABOULEUX, _m._ (old cant), _rogue who shams epilepsy_. Termed -now-a-days “batteur de dig-dig.” These impostors chew a piece of soap -to make it appear that they are frothing at the mouth. Now, _soap_ is -sabo in the old Provençal, so that “sabouleux” literally means _soapy_. - -SABRE, _m._ (old cant), _cudgel_, or “toko.” Also _wood_, from the -furbesche “sorbe,” which has the same signification. (Popular) Avoir -un ----, _to be drunk_, or “screwed.” Probably from the fact that a -drunkard stumbles about as if he were impeded by a sword beating about -his legs. See POMPETTE. Avoir un coup de ---- sur le ventre _is said of -a woman who has a military man for her lover, who has_ “an attack of -scarlet fever.” Un joli coup de ----, _a large mouth_, like a slit made -by a cut of a sword, a “sparrow mouth.” - -SABRÉE, _f._ (old cant), _a yard measure_. - -SABRENAS, _m._ (popular), _cobbler_, “snob.” An allusion to a maker -of wooden shoes, as “sabre” had the meaning of _wood_. Also _clumsy -workman_. - -SABRENASSER, or SABRENAUDER, _to work in a slovenly manner_. - -SABRENEUX, _m._ (popular), _good-for-nothing fellow_. Literally sale -breneux. - -SABRER (shopmen’s), _to measure cloth with a yard_; (popular) _to do a -thing hurriedly and badly_. - -SABRE-TOUT, _m._ (general), _fire-eater_. - -SABREUR, _m._ (popular), _slovenly workman_. - -SABRI, _m._ (thieves’), _wood_; _forest_. See SABRE. - -SABRIEU, _m._ (thieves’), _rogue who steals wood_. - -SAC, _m._ (thieves’), un ----, or un millet, _one hundred francs_. -(Familiar) N’avoir rien dans son ----, _to be devoid of ability_. -Donner le ----, _to dismiss from one’s employ_, “to give the sack.” Un ----- à vin, _drunkard_, or “lushington.” (Popular) Avoir le ---- plein, -_to be drunk_; _to be pregnant_, or “lumpy.” Cracher, or éternuer dans -le ----, _to be guillotined_. See FAUCHÉ. En avoir plein son ----, _to -be completely drunk_, or “obfuscated.” Le ---- de pommes de terre, -_protuberance of the muscles_. - - Un tout jeune homme ... frêle et charmant dans une veste de - chasse, dont le coutil laissait apercevoir aux biceps le - “sac de pommes de terre” du savetier.--=E. DE GONCOURT=, - _La Fille Elisa_. - -Sac à diables, _knowing, cunning person_, _a_ “downy, or leary” _one_. - - But stick to this while you can crawl, - To stand till you’re obliged to fall, - And when you’re wide awake to all, - You’ll be a leary man. - - _The Leary Man._ - -Un ---- à os, _a thin, skinny person_, a “bag o’ bones.” Un ---- au -lard, _a shirt_, or “flesh-bag.” Un ---- à puces, _a dog_, or “buffer.” -En avoir plein son ----, or son ----, _to have enough of_, _to be -disgusted with_. - - J’en ai mon sac, moi, d’mon épouse; - Mince d’crampon; j’y trouv’ des ch’veux, - C’est rien de l’dire. C’que j’me fais vieux! - Par là-d’sus madame est jalouse! - - =GILL.= - -(Military) Le ---- à malices, _a bag which contains a soldier’s -brushes, thread, needles, &c._ De mon ----, insulting expression, -signifying _worthless, good-for-nothing_. - - S’pèce de canaille! sale pâtissier de mon sac! bougre - d’escroc!--=CHARLES LEROY.= - -SACCADE, _f._ (obsolete), donner la ----, _to sacrifice to Venus_. - - Elle aura par Dieu la saccade, puisqu’il y a moines - autour.--=RABELAIS.= - -SACDOS, _m._ (popular), _thin, skinny person_, a “bag o’ bones.” - -SACDOSER (popular), _to become thin_. - -SACHETS, _m. pl._ (popular), _stockings or socks_. - -SACQUÉ, _adj._ (popular), être ----, _to be well off_, _to be_ “well -ballasted.” - -SACQUER (popular), _to throw_; _to dismiss one from one’s employ_, “to -give the sack.” - -SACRÉ-CHIEN, _m._ (familiar and popular), _coarse brandy_. - - Vous vous râperez le gosier avec du rhum et du rack, avec - le troix-six et le sacré-chien dans toute sa pureté, tandis - qu’ils se l’humecteront avec les onctueuses liqueurs des - îles.--=TH. GAUTIER.= - -SACRER (thieves’), _to affirm_. - -SACRISTAIN, _m._ (obsolete), formerly _husband of an_ “abbesse,” _the -mistress of a house of ill-fame_, “abbaye des s’offre à tous.” - -SACRISTIE, _f._ (popular), _privy_, “chapel of ease.” - -SAFFRE, _m._ (popular), _gormandizer_, “grand paunch.” Saffre is an -old French word to be found in _Le Roman de la Rose_, 13th and 14th -centuries. - -SAFRAN, _m._ (popular), accommoder au ----, _to be unfaithful to one’s -spouse_. Saffron is of the colour said to be the favourite one of -injured husbands. - - --Paraît que ce sera très gai chez Madame Brischkoff: rien - que des femmes mariées! - - --Un bal jaune, quoi!--_Journal Amusant._ - -SAIGNANTE, _f._ (thieves’). See LAVER. - -SAIGNEMENT DE NEZ, _m._ (thieves’), _examination of a prisoner_, -“cross-kidment.” - -SAIGNER (thieves’), faire ---- du nez, _to kill_, “to hush;” _to -cross-examine_, or “to cross-kid.” (Popular) Faire ---- du nez, _to -borrow money_, “to bite the ear,” or “to break shins.” - -SAINT-CIBOIRE, _m._ (popular), _heart_, “panter.” - -SAINT-CRÉPIN, _m._ (popular), _shoe-makers’ tools_. The brothers Crépin -and Crépinien, after preaching the Gospel in Gaul in the third century, -settled down at Soissons as shoemakers, and one of them is the patron -of shoemakers. Etre dans la prison de ----, _to have tight shoes on_. -Saint-Crépin, or Saint-Frusquin, _savings_; _property_. - -SAINT DE CARÊME, _m._ (popular), _hypocrite_, “mawworm.” - -SAINT-DÔME, _m._ (popular), _tobacco_. From Saint-Domingue, where -tobacco was grown in large quantities. - -SAINTE CHIETTE, _m._ (popular), _good-for-nothing fellow_. - -SAINTE-ESPÉRANCE, _f._ (popular), _the eve of the pay-day_. - -SAINTE-NITOUCHE, or SAINTE-SUCRÉE, _f._ (popular), _prude_. Faire sa -----, _to play the prude_. - -SAINTE-TOUCHE, _f._ (popular), _pay-day_. - -SAINT-FRUSQUIN, _m._ (familiar and popular), _one’s property_; -_effects_. Manger tout son ----, _to spend all one’s means_. An -imaginary saint, from “frusques,” _clothes_; “rusca,” in furbesche. - -SAINT-HUBERT, _m._ (popular), médaille de ----, _five-franc piece_. -Alluding to the medal of the knightly order of Saint-Hubert, founded by -a German duke in 1444. - -SAINT-JEAN, _m._ (printers’), _effects_. Probably from the expression, -être nu comme un petit Saint-Jean, the lack of effects being taken to -mean the effects themselves. Also _printers’ tools_. Prendre son ----, -_to leave the workshop for good_. (Popular) Faire son petit ----, _to -put on innocent airs_; _to play the fool_. Saint-Jean le rond, _the -behind_; ---- Baptiste, _landlord of a wine-shop_. An allusion to the -water he adds to his wine. - -SAINT-JEAN-PORTE-LATINE, _m._ (printers’), _the fête-day of printers_. - -SAINT-LÂCHE, _m._ (popular), _patron of lazy people_. - -SAINT-LAMBIN, _m._ (popular), _slow man_. - -SAINT-LAZ, _m._ (popular), abbreviation of Saint-Lazare, _a prison for -unfaithful wives and prostitutes_. La confrérie de ----, _the world of_ -“unfortunates.” Bijou de ----, _prostitute imprisoned in Saint-Lazare_. - -SAINT-LICHARD, _m._ (popular), _gormandizer_, “grand paunch.” - -SAINT-LONGIN, _m._ (popular). See LONGIN. - -SAINT-LUNDI, _f._ (popular), fêter la ----, _to get drunk_. See -SCULPTER. - -SAINT-PANSART, _m._ (popular), _man with a large paunch_, “forty guts.” - -SAINT-PRIS. See ENTRER. - -SAISISSEMENT, _m._ (thieves’), _straps which bind the arms and legs of -a convict who is being led to the guillotine_. - -SALADE, _f._ (thieves’), _answer_. A play on the word raiponce -(réponse), _a kind of salad called rampion_; (popular) _whip_. Salade -de Gascon (obsolete), _rope_, _string_. Salade de cotret, _cudgelling_. - - Je me souvien qu’i me menère chez trois ou quatre - capitaines qui leur dirent qu’ils leur ficheroient une - salade de coteret.--_Dialogue sur les Affaires du Temps._ - -SALADIER, _m._ (popular), _bowl of sweetened wine_, which is mixed in a -salad basin. - -SALAIRE, _m._ (thieves’), _shoe_, “daisy root.” Corruption of soulier. - -SALBIN, _m._ (thieves’), _oath_. - -SALBINER (thieves’), _to take the oath_. - -SALBRENAUD (thieves’), _shoemaker, or cobbler_, “snob.” - -SALE, _adj._ (popular), coup, or ---- truc pour la fanfare, _a bad -job for us_, _a sad look-out_. The expression is generally expressive -of disappointment, or when any disagreeable affair occurs which there -is no means of averting. “Here’s the devil to pay, and no pitch hot,” -English sailors will say. Avoir une ---- jactance, “to be the one to -jaw,” or “to be the one to palaver.” (Bullies’) Un ---- gibier, _a -prostitute who does not bring in much money_. - -SALÉ, _m._ (printers’), _wages paid in advance_, or “dead horse.” -Morceau de ----, _part payment of debt_. Demander du ---- à la banque, -_to ask for an advance on wages_. Le grand ----, _the sea_, or “briny.” - -SALER (popular), _to scold_, “to haul over the coals;” ---- quelqu’un, -_to charge too much_, _to make one_ “pay through the nose,” or “to -shave” _him_. C’est un peu salé _is said of an extravagant bill_. - -SALIÈRE, _f._ (popular), répandre la ---- dessus, _to charge too much_, -“to shave.” Montrer ses salières _is said of a woman with thin breasts -who wears low dresses_. Elle a deux salières et cinq plats _is said of -a woman with skinny breasts_. A play on the words “seins plats,” _flat -bosoms_. - -SALIN, _m._ (thieves’), _yellow_. - -SALIR, or SOLIR (thieves’), _to sell_. A corruption of saler, _to -charge too much_. (Popular) Se ---- le nez, _to get drunk_. See -SCULPTER. - -SALIVERNE, or SALIVERGNE (old cant), _cup_; _plate_; _platter_, or -“skew,” in English beggars’ and Scottish gipsies’ lingo. Rabelais uses -the word salverne with the signification of _cup_. When Pantagruel and -Panurge pay a visit to “l’oracle de la Bouteille,” they found:-- - - Le trophée d’un buveur bien mignonnement insculpé: sçavoir - est ... bourraches, bouteilles, fioles, ferrières, - barils, barreaulx, bomides, pots ... en aultre, cent - formes de verre à pied ... hanaps, breusses, jadeaulx, - salvernes.--_Pantagruel._ - -Salverne, from the Spanish salva. Saliverne nowadays signifies _salad_. - -SALLE, _f._ (theatrical), de papier, _a playhouse full of people with -free tickets_. (Saumur school of cavalry) La ---- Cambronne, _the -W.C._ Alluding to General Cambronne’s more than energetic alleged -reply at Waterloo when called upon to surrender. (Popular) Salle à -manger, _mouth_. N’avoir plus de chaises dans sa ---- à manger, _to -be toothless_. (Bullies’) Salle de danse, _the behind_. Thus termed -because they think it is the proper object on which to exercise one’s -feet. - -SALONNIER, _m._ (familiar), _art critic who reviews the art exhibition_. - -SALOPETTE, _f._ (popular), _pair of canvas trousers worn over another -pair_. - -SALOPIAT, or SALOPIAUD, _m._ (popular), _dirty or mean fellow_, “snot.” -A diminutive of salope, which itself comes from the English sloppy. - -SALSIFIS, _m._ (popular), _fingers_, “dooks, or dukes.” - -SALTIMBE, _m._ (popular), abbreviation of saltimbanque, _mountebank_. - -SALUER LE PUBLIC (theatrical), _to die_. See PIPE. - -SALUTATIONS À CUL OUVERT, _f. pl._ (popular), _much bowing and scraping -of feet_. - -SANCTUS, _m._ (obsolete), _mark_, _seal_. A play on the words saint and -seing. - - Ils sont sortis; le gendarme n’a plus été qu’un jean-f..., - l’officier l’y a foutu son sanctus, que le manche de son - épée l’y faisoit emplâtre.--_Journal de la Rapée._ - -SANG, _m._ (popular and thieves’), de poisson, _oil_. See PRINCE. Se -manger les sangs, _to fret_. - -SANG-DE-VERSAILLAIS, _adj._ (familiar), facetious term for _deep red_. -An allusion to the epithet of Versaillais given to the supporters of -the government during the insurrection of 1871. Journaliste ----, _a -journalist who is of rabid Republican opinions_. - - Le bel Antony, journaliste Sang-de-Versaillais et orateur - dynamitard.--=A. SIRVEN.= - -SANGLÉ, _adj._ (popular), _short of cash_, with one’s resources at “low -tide.” - -SANGLER (popular), se ----, _to stint oneself_. - -SANGLIER, _m._ (thieves’), _priest_. Literally _wild boar_. An allusion -to his black robe, or from the words sans, _without_, and glier, -_infernal regions_. The priest, or rather he who performed the marriage -ceremony, was termed in old English cant, “patrico.” Dekker says of the -“patrico” that he performs the marriage ceremony under a tree, in a -wood, or in the open fields. The bridegroom and bride place themselves -on each side of a dead horse or other animal. The “patrico” then bids -them live together until death do part them. Thereupon they shake -hands, and all adjourn to a neighbouring tavern. - -SANGSUE, _f._ (popular), _kept woman who ruins her lover_. (Printers’) -Poser une ----, _to correct a piece of composition for an absentee_. - -SANGSURER (popular), _to draw largely on one’s purse_. Se ----, _to -ruin oneself in favour of another_. - -SANS (thieves’), condé, _without permission or passport_. Condé -signified _mayor_, _authorities_, and the word was imported by Spanish -quacks. Sans dab, _orphan_. The word “dab” has the signification of -_father_, _chief_, _king_. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries -“dabo” meant _master of a house_, and probably was derived from dam, -damp (dominus), used by Rabelais with the signification of _lord_. -The English slang has “dab,” _expert_, which the _Slang Dictionary_ -believes comes from the Latin adeptus. It is more likely the origin is -the French dab, dabo. Etre ---- canne _is said of a convict under the -surveillance of the police who has broken bounds_. - -SANS-BEURRE, _m._ (popular), _rag-picker_, or “tot-picker.” - -SANS-BOUT, _m._ (popular), _hoop_. - -SANS-CAMELOTTE, _m._ (thieves’). Termed also solliceur de zif, -_swindler who gets money advanced on imaginary goods supposed to be in -his possession_. - -SANS-CHAGRIN, _m._ (thieves’), _thief_, “prig.” See GRINCHE. - -SANS-CHÂSSES, _m._ (thieves’), _blind man_, “groper, or puppy.” - -SANS-CŒUR, _m._ (popular), _usurer_. - -SANS-CULOTTE, _m._, _name given to the Republicans of 1793_, either -because they discarded the old-fashioned breeches for trousers, or as -an allusion to the scanty dress of the Republican soldiers. The word -has passed into the language. - -SANS-DOS, _m._ (popular), _stool_. - -SANS-FADE, _m._ (thieves’), être ----, _to be penniless_, or “dead -broke.” - -SANS-FEUILLE, _f._ (thieves’), _gallows_. This expression corresponds -to the “leafless tree” of Paul Clifford’s song. Hanging was termed -formerly, “être élevé sur une bûche de quinze pieds, épouser cette -veuve qui est à la Grève, danser sous la corde, danser une cabriole -en l’air sans toucher à terre, avoir le collet secoué, être tué de -la lance d’un puits, regarder par une fenêtre de chanvre, jouer du -hautbois.” For other synonyms see MONTE-À-REGRET. American thieves use -the expression “to twist,” _i.e._ _to hang_. - -SANS-LE-SOU, _m._ (popular), _needy man_, _one who is_ “hard up.” - -SANS-LOCHES, _adj._ (thieves’), être ----, _to be deaf_. - -SANS-MIRETTES, _adj. and m._ (thieves’), _blind_; _blind man_, “groper, -or puppy.” - -SANSONNET, _m._ (popular), _penis_. Properly _starling_. - -SANTACHE, _f._ (popular), _health_. - -SANTAILLE, _f._ (popular), _the prison of La Santé_. - -SANTARELLE, _f._ (card-sharpers’), faire une ----, _to give cards to -one’s partner in such a way as to be able to see them_. - -SANTU, _f._ (thieves’), _health_. - -SAOUL COMME UN ÂNE (familiar and popular), “drunk as a lord;” a -common saying, says the _Slang Dictionary_, probably referring to the -facilities a man of fortune has for such a gratification. The phrase -had its origin in the old hard-drinking days, when it was almost -compulsory on a man of fashion to get drunk regularly after dinner. - -SAOULLE, _f._ (thieves’), _blackguard_. - -SAP, _m._ (popular), _coffin_, “eternity box.” From sapin, _fir wood_. -Taper dans le ----, _to be dead_, “to have been put to bed with a -shovel.” - -SAPAJOU, _m._ (popular), vieux ----, _old debauchee_, _old_ “rip.” One -as lecherous as a monkey. - -SAPEMENT, _m._ (thieves’), or gerbement, _sentence_. - -SAPER (thieves’), _to sentence_; ---- au glaive, _to sentence to death_. - -SAPEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _judge_, or “beak;” (popular) _cigar partly -smoked_. - -SAPIN, _m._ (familiar and popular), _hackney coach_, or “shoful.” - - Elle causait de l’intérieur de son landau, égayée, le - trouvant cocasse, au milieu des embarras de voiture, quand - “il s’engueulait avec les sapins.”--=ZOLA.= - -(Popular) Redingote de ----, _coffin_, or “cold meat box.” Sentir, or -sonner le ----, _to look dangerously ill_. - - Elle avait un fichu rhume qui sonnait joliment le - sapin.--=ZOLA.= - -(Thieves’) Sapin, _floor_; _garret_; ---- de muron, _garret where salt -is stored away_; ---- des cornants (obsolete), _the earth_; _a field_. -Compare with the modern expression “plancher des vaches.” - -SAPINIÈRE, _f._ (popular), _common grave for poor people_. - -SAQUET, _m._ (popular), _shaking_. - -SARDINE, _f._ (popular). Serrer les cinq sardines, _to shake hands_. -Rabelais uses the verb fourcher with a like signification. (Military) -Sardines, _stripes on the sleeves of a tunic_. Sardines blanches, -_those worn by gendarmes_. - - Deux gendarmes un beau dimanche, - Chevauchaient le long d’un sentier. - L’un avait la sardine blanche, - L’autre le jaune baudrier. - - =G. NADAUD=, _Les Deux Gendarmes_. - -SARDINÉ, _m._ (military), _non-commissioned officer_. - -SARRASIN, _m._ (printers’), _workman who works at reduced wages, or -refuses to join in strikes_, a “knob-stick.” - -SARRASINAGE, SARRASINER. See SARRASIN. - -SATIN, _f._ (popular), _a “tribade.”_ Defined by Littré as “une femme -qui abuse de son sexe avec une autre femme.” From a character in Zola’s -_Nana_. - -SATONNADE, _f._ (convicts’), _bastinado_. La ---- roule à balouf igo, -_there is much giving of bastinado here_. - -SATOU, or SATTE, _m._ (thieves’), _wood_; _forest_; _stick_; _itinerant -mountebank’s plant_. - -SATOUSIER, _m._ (thieves’), _joiner_. - -SATTE. See SATOU. - -SAUCE, _f._ (popular), _reprimand_, “wigging.” Gare à la ----! _look -out for squalls!_ Gober la ----, _to be reprimanded or punished for -others_. Il va tomber de la ----, _it is going to rain_. Accommoder -à la ---- piquante. See ACCOMMODER. (Prostitutes’) Sauce tomate, -_menses_. Formerly donner la ----, had the signification given as -follows:-- - - Manière de parler libre, qui ... signifie donner du mal - vénérien.--=LE ROUX.= - -SAUCÉ, _adj._ (familiar), être ----, _to be wet to the skin_. - -SAUCIER, _m._ (restaurants’), _cook who has charge of the making of -sauces in good restaurants_. SAUCISSE, _f._ (popular), _prostitute_, or -“mot;” ---- plate, _thin prostitute_; ---- municipale, _poisoned meat -thrown to straying dogs_. Moi ----, _I also_. For moi aussi. - -SAUCISSON, _m._ (popular), à pattes, or de Bologne, _short and fat -person_, “humpty dumpty.” (Thieves’) Saucisson, _lead_, or “bluey.” -Termed also “gras-double.” - -SAUT, _m._ (familiar), faire le ----, explained by quotation:-- - - Obliger une femme à se rendre, la pousser à bout, profiter - de sa faiblesse, en jouir.--=LE ROUX.= - -Formerly faire le saut signified _to steal_. - -SAUTE-DESSUS, _m._ (thieves’), se prendre au ----, _to assume a -threatening tone_. - - Après avoir provoqué à la débauche celui qui a eu le - malheur de les aborder, ils changent tout à coup de ton, - le prennent, comme ils disent, au saute-dessus et se - donnant pour des agents de l’autorité les menacent d’une - arrestation.--=TARDIEU=, _Etude Médico-légale_. - -SAUTER (popular), _to stink_; ---- à la perche, _to be unable to -procure food_; ---- sur le poil à quelqu’un, _to attack one_. -(Thieves’) Sauter, _to steal_; _to conceal from one’s accomplices the -proceeds of a robbery_; ---- à la capahut, _to murder an accomplice -in order to rob him of his share of the booty_. (Familiar) Sauter le -pas, _to become a bankrupt_, “to go to smash.” Also _to die_. See PIPE. -Sauter le pas, _to lose one’s maidenhead_, “to have seen the elephant;” ----- une femme, _to have connection with a woman_. (Card-sharpers’) -Faire ---- la coupe, _to place the cut card on the top, by dexterous -manipulation, instead of at the bottom of the pack_, “to slip” _a -card_. (Cavalry) Sauter le bas-flanc, _to jump over the walls of the -barracks for the purpose of spending the night in town_. - -SAUTERELLE, _f._ (familiar), _prostitute_; see GADOUE; (thieves’) -_flea_, called sometimes “F sharp.” (Shopmen’s) Sauterelle, _woman who -examines a number of articles without purchasing any_. - - On appelle ainsi dans les magasins de nouveautés les femmes - qui font plier et déplier vingt ballots sans acheter. - --=L. NOIR.= - -Exécuter une ----, _to summarily get rid of such a troublesome person_. - -SAUTERIE, _f._ (familiar), _dance_, or “hop.” - -SAUTERON, or SAUTERONDOLLES, _m._ (thieves’), _banker_; _changer_. -Sauteron is only another name for thief. - -SAUTEUR, _m._ (familiar), _man not to be relied on_; _political -turn-coat_, “rat.” In military riding schools, _horse trained to buck -jump, and ridden without a saddle or bridle_. - -SAUTEUSE, _f._ (popular), _ballet-girl_; _girl of indifferent -character_, or “shake;” _flea_, or “F sharp.” - -SAUVAGE. See HABILLER. - -SAUVER LA MISE À QUELQU’UN (popular), _to help one out of a difficulty_. - -SAUVETTE, _f._ (popular), _money_, or “oof.” See QUIBUS. Sauvette, -_wicker basket used by rag-pickers_. - -SAVATE, _f._ (popular), _bad workman_, (Familiar and popular) Jouer -comme une ----, _to play badly_. (Military) Savate, _corporal -punishment inflicted by soldiers on a comrade_, “cobbing;” (sailors’) ----- premier brin, _rum of the first quality_. - - Et le tafia du coup de la fin, du jus de bottes, ne plus ne - moins, de la savate premier brin! Comme c’était bon, ohé, - les frères, de se suiver ainsi l’estomac.--=RICHEPIN.= - -SAVATER (popular), _to work carelessly_. - -SAVETIER, _m._ (popular), _clumsy workman_; (familiar) _man who does -anything carelessly, without taste_. - -SAVON, _m._ (familiar), _reprimand_. Donner un ----, synonymous of -laver la tête, _to reprimand_, _to scold_, “to haul over the coals.” - -SAVONNÉ, _adj._ (thieves’), _white_. - - Je vais alors chercher deux doubles cholettes de picton, du - larton savonné.--=VIDOCQ.= - -SAVONNER (popular), _to reprimand_, “to haul over the coals;” _to -chastise_, “to dust one’s jacket,” see VOIE; (thieves’) _to steal_, “to -claim;” ---- une cambuse, _to strip a house_, “to do a crib.” - -SAVOYARD, _m._ (familiar), _rough, ill-mannered man_, a “sweep.” Sweeps -hailed formerly from Savoy. - -SAVOYARDE, _f._ (thieves’), _portmanteau_, “peter, or rodger.” Faire la -----, _to steal a portmanteau_, “to heave a peter from a drag.” - -SCARABOMBE, _f._ (thieves’), _astonishment_. - -SCARABOMBER (thieves’), _to astonish_. - -SCÈNE, _f._ (theatrical), être en ----, _to give all one’s attention -to one’s part during the performance_. (Familiar and popular) -Avant-scènes. See AVANTAGES. - -SCHABRAQUE, _f._ (military), vieille ----, _old prostitute_. - -SCHAFFOUSE, _m._ (popular), _the behind_. A play on the town of that -name, chute du Rhin, and chute du rein, _lower part of back_. - -SCHAKO, _m._ (popular), _head_, “nut.” - -SCHELINGOPHONE, _m._ (popular), _the breech_. See VASISTAS. Enlever le ----- à quelqu’un, _to kick one’s behind_, “to hoof one’s bum.” - - C’est moi, si eune dame m’parlait ainsi, que j’aurais vite - fait d’i enlever le schelingophone.--=GRÉVIN.= - -SCHLAGUE, _f._ (popular), _thrashing with a stick_, “larruping.” From -the German. - -SCHLAGUER (popular), _to thrash_, “to larrup.” See VOIE. - -SCHLOFF, _m._ (popular), _sleep_, or “balmy.” Faire ----, _to sleep_, -“to have a dose of the balmy.” - -SCHLOFFER (popular), _to sleep_, “to have a dose of the balmy.” From -the German. - -SCHNAPS, _m._ (popular), _brandy_. See TORD-BOYAUX. - - Et surtout n’oubliez pas le café avec le - schnaps.--=MAHALIN.= - -SCHNESS, _m._ (thieves’), _physiognomy_. - -SCHNICK, _m._ (popular), _brandy_, “French cream.” See TORD-BOYAUX. - -SCHNIQUER (popular), _to get drunk on brandy_. - -SCHNIQUEUR (popular), _brandy-bibber_. - -SCHPILE, _adj._ (popular), _good_; _excellent_, or “clipping;” _fine_. -Synonymous of “becnerf.” Il n’est pas ---- à frayer, _he is not good -company_. - -SCHPILER (popular), _to do good work_. - -SCHPROUM, _m._ (thieves’), faire du ----, _to make a noise_, “to kick -up a row.” - -SCHTARD, m. (thieves’), _prison_, “stir.” See MOTTE. La ---- aux -frusques, _a pawnbroker’s shop_. La ---- des lascars, _the prison of La -Roquette_. - -SCHTARDIER, _m._ (thieves’), _prisoner_, “canary.” - -SCHTOSSE. See MONTER. - -SCHTOSSER (thieves’), se ----, _to get drunk_, or “canon.” See SCULPTER. - -SCIANT, _adj._ (familiar and popular), _tiresome_, _annoying_. - -SCIE, _f._ (familiar and popular), _annoyance_; _tiresome person_; -_exasperating rigmarole_. Monter une ---- à quelqu’un; _to annoy one by -the continual repetition of words or joke_. (Popular) Scie, _wife_, or -“comfortable impudence.” Porter sa ----, _to walk with one’s wife_. - -SCIER (familiar and popular), or ---- le dos, _to annoy_, “to bore.” - - Je m’en fiche pas mal de votre Alexandre! Voilà trop - longtemps que vous me sciez avec votre Alexandre! J’en ai - assez de votre Alexandre!--=P. MAHALIN.= - -Scier du bois, _to play on a stringed instrument_. - -SCIEUR DE BOIS, _m._ (familiar), _violinist_. - -SCION, _m._ (popular), _stick_. From scier; (thieves’) _knife_, “chive.” - -SCIONNER (popular), _to apply the stick to one’s shoulders_, “to -larrup,” see VOIE; (thieves’ and cads’) _to knife_. Scionne! morgane! -_stick him! bite him!_ - -SCIONNEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _murderer_. See SIONNEUR. - -SCRIBOUILLAGE, _m._ (literary), _bad style of writing_, -“penny-a-lining.” - -SCRUTIN, _m._ (familiar), assister au ---- de ballotage, _to be present -while a lady is undressing herself_. - -SCULPSIT, _m._ (artists’), _sculptor_. - -SCULPTER (popular), se ---- une gueule de bois, _to get drunk_, or -“screwed.” The synonyms are: “s’allumer, se flanquer une culotte, -se poivrotter, partir pour la gloire, se poisser, se schtosser, se -schniquer, se pocharder, se tuiler, prendre une barbe, se piquer le -nez, se cingler le blaire, s’empoivrer, s’empaffer, mettre son nez dans -le bleu, se piquer le tasseau, se coller une biture, faire cracher ses -soupapes, se cardinaliser, écraser un grain, se coaguler, se farder, se -foncer, s’émérillonner, s’émêcher, s’enluminer,” &c. For the English -slang terms see POMPETTE. - -SÉANCE, _f._ (thieves’ and roughs’), refiler une ----, _to thrash_. See -VOIE. - -SÉANT, _m._ (popular), _the breech_, “Nancy.” See VASISTAS. - -SEAU, _m._ (military), être dans le ----, _to be gone to the privy_. - -SEC, _m. and adj._ (players’), jouer en cinq ----, _to play one game -only in five points_. (Thieves’) Etre ----, _to be dead_. (Military) Il -fait ----, _we are thirsty_. - -SEC-AUX-OS, _m._ (popular), _bony, skinny fellow_. - - Ce grand dur-à-cuir, au cuir tanné, ce long sec-aux-os, tel - qu’un pantin en bois des îles, avec son corps sans fin et - noueux d’articulations.--=RICHEPIN.= - -SÈCHE, _f._ (popular), _cigarette_. (Thieves’) La ----, _death_. - -SÉCHÉ, _adj._ (students’), être ----, _to be disqualified at an -examination_, “to be spun, or ploughed.” (Popular) Etre ----, _to -become sober again_. (Military schools’) Etre ----, _to be punished_. - -SÉCHÉE, _f._ (military schools’), _punishment_; _arrest_. - -SÉCHER (schoolboys’), le lycée, _to play truant_; ---- un devoir, _not -to do one’s exercise_; ---- un candidat, _to disqualify a candidate_. -(Popular) Sécher, _to drink_, “to lush.” See RINCER. Sécher un litre, -une absinthe, un bock, _to drink a litre of wine, a glass of absinthe, -of beer_. - - C’était un singulier coco ... il séchait des bocks à faire - croire que son gosier était capable d’absorber le canal - Saint-Martin.--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -Sécher la tata, _to bore one_. - -SÉCHOIR, _m._ (popular), _cemetery_. - -SÉCOT, _m._ (popular), _thin boy or man_. - -SECOUER (popular), les bretelles à quelqu’un, _to give one a good -shaking_. Secouer, or ---- les puces, _to scold_, “to haul over the -coals;” _to thrash_. See VOIE. Secouer ses puces, _to dance_; ---- la -commode, _to grind the organ_; (thieves’) ---- l’artiche, _to steal a -purse_; ---- la perpendiculaire, _to steal a watch-chain_, “to claim a -slang;” ---- un chandelier, _to rob with violence at night_, “to jump.” - -SECOUSSE, _f._ (popular), prendre sa ----, _to die_. See PIPE. Un -contre-coup de la ----, _a foreman_. Termed thus on account of his -generally coming in for the greater share of a reprimand. (Military) -N’en pas foutre, or fiche une ----, _to do nothing_, _to be idling_. - - Eh ben, mon colon, faut croire que c’est l’monde ertourné, - pisque c’est les hommes ed’ la classe qui sont commandés - de fourrage durant que les bleus n’en fichent pas une - secousse.--=G. COURTELINE.= - -SECRETMUCHE, _m._ (popular), _secretary_. - -SEIGNEUR À MUSIQUE, _m._ (thieves’), _murderer_. From saigner, _to -bleed_, and alluding to the shrieks of the victim. - -SEIZE, _m._ (popular), souliers ----, _tight shoes_. A play on the -words “treize et trois,” that is, “très étroits.” - -SEIZE-MAYEUX, _m._ (familiar), _name given to the conspirators of 16th -May, 1877, who, being at the head of the government of the Republic, -were seeking to upset it_. - - Pour les partisans du ministère du 16 mai, on a trouvé le - nom de seize-mayeux.--_Gazette Anecdotique._ - -SELLETTE À CRIMINEL, _f._ (obsolete), _prostitute_, _an associate of -thieves_. - - Je veux te procurer un habit de vestale - Pour une année au moins au Temple de la gale. - Selette à criminel, matelas ambulant. - - _Amusemens à la Grecque._ - -SEMAINE, _f._ (familiar), des quatre jeudis, _never_, “when the devil -is blind.” (Military) N’être pas de ----, _to have nothing to do with -some business_. - -SEMELLE. See CHEVAUX, FEUILLETÉE. - -SEMER QUELQU’UN (popular), _to get rid of one_; _to knock one down_. -Semer des miettes, _to vomit_, “to cast up accounts.” - -SÉMINAIRE, _m._ (old cant), _the hulks_. - -SEMPER, _m._ (popular), _tobacco_, “fogus.” For superfin, distorted -into semperfinas, and finally semper. - -SENAQUI, _m._ (thieves’), _gold coin_, “yellow boy.” - -SÉNAT, _m._ (popular), _wine-shop frequented by a certain class of -workmen_. - - Depuis longtemps, les travailleurs appellent les - marchands de vin où ils se réunissent par spécialité, des - sénats.--_Le Sublime._ - -SÉNATEUR, _m._ (popular), _well-dressed man_, “gorger;” _workman who -frequents_ “sénats” (which see); (butchers’) _bull_. - -SENS DEVANT DIMANCHE (popular), _upside down_. - -SENTINELLE, _f._ (popular), _lump of excrement_, or “quaker;” -(printers’) _glass of wine awaiting one at the wine-shop_. Sentinelles, -_badly-adjusted letters_. - -SENTIR (popular), le bouquin, _to emit a strong odour of humanity_, -_to be a_ “medlar.” The expression reminds one of the “olet hircum” of -Horace, and of Terence’s “apage te a me, hircum oles.” (General) Sentir -le coude à gauche, _to feel certain of the support of friends_. Cela -sent mauvais, _there’s something wrong_, “I smell a rat.” - -S’ENTRAÎNER À LA BARRE (ballet dancers’), _mode of practising one’s -steps_. - -SEPT, _m._ (rag-pickers’), _hook used for picking up pieces of paper or -rags_. (Sporting) Sept-à-neuf, _morning riding-suit_. - - Quel joli sept-à-neuf cela ferait!--_Le Figaro._ - -SER, _m._ (thieves’), _signal_. Faire le ----, _to be on the watch_, -_on the_ “nose.” - -SERGE, or SERGOT, _m._ (popular), _police officer_, or “crusher.” See -POT-À-TABAC. - - Voyez-vous, frangins, eh! sergots, - Faut êt’ bon pour l’espèce humaine. - D’vant l’pivois les homm’s sont égaux. - D’ailleurs j’ai massé tout’ la s’maine. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -SERGENT, _m._ (military), de crottin, _non-commissioned officer at -the Cavalry School of Saumur_. The allusion is obvious; ---- d’hiver, -_soldier of the first class_. An allusion to his woollen stripes, which -are supposed to keep him warm in winter. (Popular) Sergent de vieux, -_nurse in hospitals_. - -SERGO or SERGOT, _m._ (popular), _police officer_. From sergent de -ville. See POT-À-TABAC. Avoir des mots avec les sergots, _to be -apprehended_. Literally _to quarrel with the police_. - - Et apprit que Joséphine, ayant eu des “mots avec les - sergots,” pour une vilaine affaire, avait été faire une - saison à Saint-Lazare.--=GYP.= - -SERGOLLE, _f._ (thieves’), _belt_. - -SÉRIE, _f._ (university), _the staff of examiners for the doctor’s -degree_. - -SÉRIEUX, _adj._ (cocottes’), homme ----, _one who has means_. - -SERIN, _m._ (popular), _gendarme of the suburbs_; (familiar) _foolish -fellow_, _greenhorn_. - -SERINER (familiar), quelque chose à quelqu’un, _to keep repeating -something to one, so that he may get it into his head_. (Thieves’) -Seriner, _to divulge_, “to blow the gaff.” - -SERINETTE, _f._ (thieves’), _man who swindles one under threat of -exposure_; ---- à caractères, _newspaper_. - - Qu’est-ce qu’il vient faire ici ce journaleux de - malheur?... Si nous le surinions!... Comme cela il - ne jaspinera plus de l’orgue dans sa serinette à - caractères.--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -Serinette, _Sodomite_. - - La tante est tantôt appelée tapette, tantôt - serinette.--=CANLER.= - -SERINGUE, _f._ (popular), _cracked voice_. Chanter comme une ----, _to -sing out of tune_. Seringue à rallonges, _telescope_. - - C’est Vénus que je veux voir ou je te démolis, toi et ta - seringue à rallonges.--=RANDON.= - -(Familiar and popular) Seringue, _dull, tiresome person_. - -SERINGUINOS, _m._ (familiar), _simple-minded fellow_, “flat.” - -SERPENT, _m._ (Ecole Polytechnique), _one of the fifteen first on the -list after the entrance examination_; (military) _leathern belt used as -a purse_; ---- des reins, _same meaning_. - - Que ze veux dire, mon ancien, que vous n’aurez pas la - peine de tâter mes côtes pour voir si ma ceinture elle est - rondement garnie de picaillons. Ze connais le truc! et z’ai - déposé mon serpent des reins en lieu sûr avant de venir - ici.--=DUBOIS DE GENNES.= - -SERPENTIN, _m._ (thieves’), _convict’s mattress_. - -SERPETTES, _f. pl._ (military), _short and bandy legs_. - - Ces pauvres tourlourous! ça vous a six pouces de serpettes - et le dos tout de suite.--=RANDON.= - -SERPILLIÈRE DE RATICHON, _f._ (thieves’), _priest’s cassock_. -Serpillière cornes, through the old French sarpillière, _cloth, or -robe_, from the Low Latin serpeilleria, _woollen stuff_. - - Evandre et son cher fils Pallas ... - Et son senat en serpillière ... - Entonnoient un beau vaudeville. - - _Le Virgile Travesti._ - -Grocers’ assistants give this name to their aprons. - -SERRANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _lock_; (popular) _belt_, _sash_. - - Il se dandine dans son large pantalon de velours à côtes, - la taille sanglée par sa serrante écarlate.--=RICHEPIN=, - _Le Pavé_. - -SERRÉ, _adj._ (familiar), _needy_; _close-fisted_, or “near.” - - Il paraît même qu’il est très serré.--=HENRI MONNIER.= - -(Thieves’) Etre ----, _to be locked up_. - - La plus cruelle injure qu’une fille puisse jeter au front - déshonoré d’une autre fille c’est de l’accuser d’infidélité - envers un amant serré (mis en prison).--=BALZAC.= - -SERREBOIS, _m._ (thieves’), _sergeant_. - -SERREPOGNE, _m._ (popular), _handcuffs_, “darbies, or hand gyves.” - -SERRER (popular), _to imprison_; ---- la vis, _to strangle_; ---- le -brancard, or la cuiller, _to shake hands_; ---- les fesses, _to be -afraid_, or “funky;” ---- le nœud, _to marry_, _to get_ “switched.” Se ----- le gaviot, _to go without food_. (Thieves’) Serrer la gargamelle, -or le quiqui, _to strangle_; (familiar) ---- la pince, _to shake -hands_; (military) ---- la croupière à quelqu’un, _to watch one -narrowly_; _to become strict to one_. - -SERRURE, _f._ (popular), avoir la ---- brouillée, _to have an -impediment in one’s speech_. Avoir laissé la clef à la ----, _to have -failed in one’s resolve of having no more children_. Avoir mis un -cadenas à la ----, _refers to the determination of a woman to live in a -state of chastity_. - -SERT, or SER, m. (thieves’), _signal_. - -SERVANTE, _f._ (theatrical), _lamp_. - - Ce fut Massourier, qui connaissait les détours, qui prit la - servante dans un coin derrière les décors, la vissa à la - rampe et l’alluma.--=E. MONTEIL.= - -SERVICE, _m._ (theatrical), _free season ticket_. - - Qu’est-ce que cela signifie? Voilà Fauchery, du Bartholo, - qui me renvoie son service. Il n’entend pas avoir une loge - de côté, quand le Druide a une loge de face.--=MAHALIN.= - -(Roughs’ and thieves’) Le ---- du Château, _prison van_, or “Black -Maria.” - -SERVIETTE, _f._ (thieves’), _stick_, _cudgel_, “toko.” - -SERVIR (thieves’), marron, _to arrest in the act_. Probably from -asservir. - - Le fait est, qu’avec son air effrayé et tremblant, il était - bien capable de me faire servir marron (arrêter en flagrant - délit).--=CANLER.= - -Servir, _to inform against one_, “to blow the gaff;” _to steal_, “to -nim;” _to apprehend_, “to smug.” See PIPER. Servir le trèpe, _to keep -back the crowd_; ---- de belle, _to inform falsely against one_. - - Maintenant il s’agit de servir de belle une largue (de - dénoncer à faux une femme).--=BALZAC.= - -SÉVÈRE, _f._ (familiar), en voilà une ----! _is said of incredible -news_. It also means _that is really too bad_, “coming it too strong.” - -SÈVRES, _m._ (popular), passer à ----, _to receive nothing_. From -sevrer, _to wean_. - -SÉZIÈRE, SÉZIGUE, or SÉZINGARD (thieves’), _he_; _him_; _she_; _her_. -Mézigo n’enterve pas mieux que sézière, _I do not understand better -than he does_. Rouscaillez à sézière, _speak to him_. - - Et les punit en la forme qui suit: premièrement on lui ôte - toutime son frusquin, puis on urine dans une saliverne de - sabri avec du pivois aigre, une poignée de marrons et un - torchon de frétille, et on frotte à sézière tant son proye, - qu’il ne démorfie d’un mois après.--_Le Jargon de l’Argot._ - -SGOFF, _adj._ (popular), _first-rate_. See RUP. - -SIAMOIS, _adj._ (thieves’), les frères ----, _the testicles_. An -allusion to the Siamese twins. - -SIANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _chair_. For séante. - -SIBÉRIE, _f._ (printers’), _back part of workshop, where apprentices -work in the cold_. - -SIBICHE, SIBIGEOISE, or SIBIJOITE, _f._ (popular), _cigarette_. - -SIÈCLE, _m._ (familiar), fin de ----, _dandy_, or “masher.” - - Un jeune “fin de siècle” est en train d’essayer un veston. - Le vêtement est ajusti comme un maillot. - - --Je voudrais, dit le jeune homme, que ça colle davantage. - - --Très bien, dit le coupeur, on mettra à monsieur des pains - à cacheter en guise de doublure.--_Le Voltaire._ - -SIFERNET (Breton cant), _drunk_. - -SIFFLE, _f._ (thieves’), _throat_, or “red lane;” _voice_, or “whistle.” - -SIFFLER (popular), _to spend money_; ---- la linotte, _to wait in the -street_. (General) Siffler au disque, _to wait for money_; _to wait_. -An allusion to a signal of engine-drivers. - - Rien à faire de cette femme-là.... J’ai sifflé au disque - assez longtemps.... Pas mèche.... La voie est barrée.... - Pardieu, nous savons votre façon de siffler au disque, dit - Christian, quand il eut compris cette expression passée de - l’argot des mécaniciens dans celui de la haute gomme. - --=A. DAUDET.= - -Avoir tout sifflé, _to be ruined_. Tu peux ----, _it is in vain, you’ll -not get it_. Siffler, _to drink_. - - Elle-même quand elle sifflait son verre de rogomme sur - le comptoir prenait des airs de drame, se jetait ça dans - le plomb en souhaitant que ça la fît crever.--=ZOLA=, - _L’Assommoir_. - -SIFFLER (popular), _to spend money_, ---- la linotte, _to wait in the -street_. (General) Siffler au disque, _to wait for money_; _to wait_. -An allusion to a signal of engine-drivers. - - Rien à faire de cette femme-là.... J’ai sifflé au disque - assez long temps.... Pas mèche.... La voie est barrée.... - Pardieu, nous savons votre façon de siffler au disque, dit - Christian, quand il eut compris cette expression passée de - l’argot des mécaniciens dans celui de la haute gomme. - --=A. DAUDET.= - -Avoir tout sifflé, _to be ruined_. Tu peux ----, _it is in vain, you’ll -not get it_; _you may whistle for it_. Siffler, _to drink_. - -(Military) Sifflet, _gun_. - -SIFFRAN, or SIX-FRANCS, _m._ (tailors’), _board used by tailors for -pressing clothes_. - - Il y avait en outre une planche en noyer, dite siffran, - dont les tailleurs se servent pour repasser les coutures et - presser les étoffes.--=MACÉ.= - -SIGISBÉISME, _m._ (familiar), _dancing attendance upon one_. - - Comme l’a fort bien dit Henri Murger, lorsque cette sorte - de sigisbéisme naît de la sympathie que l’on éprouve - pour les œuvres d’un écrivain et de l’attachement que - vous inspire sa personne, comme toute chose sincère, ce - sentiment est très honorable même dans ce que peut avoir - d’outré l’admiration caniche du “strapontiniste.” - --=A. DUBRUJEAUD=, _Echo de Paris_. - -SIGLE, SIGUE, SIGOLLE, or CIG, _f._ (thieves’), _twenty-franc coin_. -Double ----, _forty-franc coin_. Servir des sigues, _to steal gold -coin_. A sovereign is termed in the English slang or cant, “canary, -yellow boy, gingle boy, shiner, monarch, couter.” - -SIGNER (popular), se ---- des orteils, _to be hanged_, “to be -scragged.” See MONTE-À-REGRET. - -SIGRIS BOUESSE, or BOUZOLLE (old cant), _it freezes_; _it is cold_. -These words seem a compound of gris, cant term for _wind_, and boue, -_mud_. - -SIME, _m. and f._ (thieves’), un ----, _a townsman_. La ----, -_townspeople_. - - Passe devant et allume si tu remouches la sime ou la - patraque.--=VIDOCQ.= - -SIMON, _m._ (popular), aller chez ----, _to ease oneself_. See -MOUSCAILLER. (Scavengers’) Simon, _a man whose cesspool is being -emptied_. - -SIMONNER (thieves’), _to swindle_, “to best.” - -SIMONNEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _swindler_, or “mobsman.” - -SIMPLISTE (journalists’), _one who is in favour of a reform in -the spelling of words, who would have every word written as it is -pronounced_. - - Il y a longtemps que des “simplistes” ont préconisé - l’orthographe phonétique.--_Le Voltaire_, 7 Janvier, 1887. - -Here is a specimen of the mode recommended: Notre ortografe actuelle -est absurde, tou le monde e d’accor la-dessu. Elle fé le désespoar des -écolié, elle absorbe le melieur tan de leurs études &c. - -SINE QUA NON, _m._ (familiar), _money_. See QUIBUS. - -SINGE, _m._ (popular), _foreman_; _master_, or “boss;” _passenger on -top of bus_; (printers’) _compositor_, or “donkey.” Also _master_. -Un ---- botté, _a funny, amusing man_. (Thieves’) Singe à rabat, -_magistrate_, or “beak;” ---- de la rousse, _police officer_, or -“reeler.” See POT-À-TABAC. - -SINGERESSE, _f._ (popular and thieves’), _mistress, or landlady_. - -SINQUI (thieves’), _that_. - -SINVE, _m._ (thieves’), _simple-minded man_, “flat.” Faire le ----, or -sinvre, _to flinch_. - - L’ami, m’a-t-il dit, tu n’as pas l’air brave. Ne va pas - faire le sinvre devant la carline. Vois-tu, il y a un - mauvais moment à passer sur la placarde.--=V. HUGO.= - -SINVERIE, _f._ (thieves’), _foolery_. - -SIONNEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _murderer_. See SCIONNEUR. - - Les sionneurs sont ceux qui, après minuit, vous attendent - au coin d’une rue, vous abordent le poing sur la gorge - en vous demandant ... la bourse ou la vie.--_Mémoires de - Monsieur Claude._ - -SIRÈNES DE LA GARE SAINT-LAZARE, _f. pl._ (thieves’), _gang of -prostitutes who, in 1875, used to attract travellers to a cut-throat -place where male accomplices stripped them of their valuables_. - -SIROP, _m._ (popular), de l’aiguière, de baromètre, or de grenouille, -_water_, “Adam’s ale.” - - Cet animal de Mes-Bottes était allumé; il avait bien déjà - ses deux litres; histoire seulement de ne pas se laisser - embêter par tout ce sirop de grenouille que l’orage avait - craché sur ses abattis.--=ZOLA=, _L’Assommoir_. - -SIROTER (popular), _to drink_, “to lush.” See RINCER. Siroter le -bonheur, _to be spending one’s honeymoon_. (Hairdressers’) Siroter, _to -dress one’s hair carefully_. - -SIROTEUR, _m._ (popular), _drunkard_, or “lushington.” - -SITRIN, _adj._ (thieves’), _black_. - -SIVE, _f._ (thieves’), _hen_, “margery prater.” According to Michel, -from the Romany chi, chiveli. - -SIX, _m._ (popular), un ---- et trois font neuf, _a silly and cruel -expression applied by low people to a lame man_. In the English slang, -“dot and go one.” - -SIX BROQUE! (thieves’), _go away_. - -SIX-CLOUS, _m._ (popular), _roofer_. - -SKASA (Breton cant), _to steal_. - -SKASER (Breton cant), _cunning_; _swindler_; _thief_. - -SKRAP (Breton cant), _theft_. - -SKRAPA (Breton cant), _to steal_. - -SKRAPER (Breton cant), _thief_. - -SLASSE, or SLAZE, _adj._ (roughs’), être ----, _to be drunk_, or -“screwed.” See POMPETTE. - -SLASSER, or SLASSIQUER (popular), _to get drunk_, or “screwed.” See -POMPETTE. - -SMALA, _f._ (familiar), _family_; _household_. From the Arab. - -SNOBOYE, _adj._ (familiar and popular), _good_, _excellent_, “tip-top, -slap up, first-class.” The synonyms are: “rup, chic, chicard, -chicandard, chouette, bath, superlifico, chocnosof, enlevé, tapé, aux -pommes, bath aux pommes, aux petits oignons, numéro un.” - -SOC, _m._ (familiar), for “démoc-soc,” _name given to Socialists_. - -SOCIÉTÉ, _f._ (popular), la ---- du doigt dans le cul, _the Société -de Saint-Vincent de Paul, a religious association chiefly composed of -Jesuits_. An allusion to their duties as assistants at hospitals. See -DOIGT. (Theatrical) Société du faux-col, _agreement between comedians -to help one another in order to get rid of bores_. - -SŒUR, _f._ (thieves’), de charité, _a variety of female thief_. Les -sœurs blanches, _the teeth_, or “ivories.” - -SOIE, _f._ (popular), faire l’asticot dans la ----, _is said of a lazy -woman who likes dress and pleasure_. - - Fallait p’tê’te pas l’embocquer à faire l’asticot dans la - soie sans rien astiquer.--=LOUISE MICHEL.= - -Aller comme des bas de ---- à un cochon _is said of apparel or anything -else not suited to one’s appearance or station in life_. - - Le sifflet d’ébène, rien que ça d’chic! ça te va comme des - bas d’soie à un cochon.--=RIGAUD.= - -SOIFFARD, _m._ (familiar and popular), _one too fond of drink_, a -“lushington.” - -SOIFFER (familiar and popular), _to drink to excess_, “to swig.” - - Moi je trouve que c’est bon de soiffer! Qu’est-ce qu’elle - nous dévide de la mélancolie celle-là?--=LOUISE MICHEL.= - -SOIFFEUR, _m._ (familiar), _bibber_, or “lushington.” - - Quant au copain que voilà, c’est un bon garçon; - mais soiffeur endiablé, par exemple. Il est déjà - alcoolique.--=MACÉ.= - -SOIFFEUSE, _f._ (familiar), _woman who is fond of drink_. - - Une riche idée que j’ai eue d’envoyer la petite ... à la - place de cette soiffeuse d’Aphrodite qui est restée huit - jours à déjeûner chez Coquet.--=P. MAHALIN.= - -SOIGNÉ, _m._ (familiar), du ----, _something of the best quality_. - -SOIGNÉE, _f._ (popular), _sound thrashing_. - -SOIGNER (theatrical), ses entrées, _to get oneself applauded by paid -applauders when making one’s appearance on the stage_; (popular) ---- -quelqu’un, _to thrash soundly_, “to knock one into a cocked hat.” See -VOIE. - -SOIR, _m._ (familiar), un ----, _an evening paper_. - -SOIREUX, _m._ (journalists’), _dramatic critic_. - - Et, l’grand jour, avec tout’ la presse théâtrale, pontifes, - d’mi pontifes et soireux, M. Boscher, directeur du - Théâtre-Déjazet s’ra invité, parbleu!--_Le Cri du Peuple._ - -SOIRISTE, _m._ (journalists’), _a journalist whose functions are to -report on events of the evening_. - -SOISSONNAIS, _m._ (thieves’), _beans_. Termed also “musiciens.” - -SOIXANTE-SIX, _m._ (popular), _prostitute’s bully_, or “pensioner” with -an obscene prefix. See POISSON. - -SOLDAT, _m._ (popular), du pape, _bad soldier_. (Printers’) Les petits -soldats de plomb, _type_. Aligner les petits soldats de plomb, _to -compose_. (Thieves’) Des soldats, _money_, or “pieces.” See QUIBUS. -Probably from the expression, “money is the sinews of war.” - - Money is a good soldier, sir, and will on.--=SHAKESPEARE=, - _Merry Wives of Windsor_. - -SOLDE, _m._ (familiar), cigare de ----, _bad cigar_. Dîner de ----, -_bad dinner_. - -SOLEIL, _m._ (familiar), avoir un coup de ----, _to be the worse for -liquor_. See POMPETTE. Piquer un coup de ----, _to blush_. Recevoir un -coup de ----, _to be in love_, _to be_ “mashed on, or sweet on.” - -SOLIÇAGE, _m._ (thieves’), _sale_. - -SOLICER, or SOLLICER (thieves’), _to sell_, or “to do;” _to steal_, or -“to claim;” ---- sur le verbe, _to buy on credit_, “on tick.” - -SOLICEUR, or SOLLISSEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _tradesman_; ---- à la -gourre, _a swindler who sells to simple-minded persons worthless -articles_; ---- à la pogne, _pedlar_; ---- de lacets, _gendarme_; ---- -de zif, _rogue who sells imaginary goods and exhibits genuine samples -to entice the purchaser_. - -SOLIR, or SALIR (thieves’), _to sell_, “to do.” Le ----, _the belly_, -or “tripes.” From a similarity of sound between vendre, _to sell_, and -ventre, _belly_. - -SOLITAIRE, _m._ (thieves’), _one who operates single-handed_. - - Les tireurs se divisent en deux classes: le solitaire et le - compagnon. Le premier, son nom l’indique, opère toujours - seul; il constitue l’exception dans l’honorable confrérie - des tireurs.--=PIERRE DELCOURT.= - -(Theatrical) Solitaire, _man who only pays half-price on condition that -he shall applaud_. Etre en ----, _is said of members of the claque or -staff of paid applauders who are distributed among the audience_. - - Puis on envoie quelques romains en solitaire, c’est-à-dire - qu’on permet à ceux-là de se placer seuls au milieu des - payants.--=BALZAC.= - -SOLIVEAU, _m._ (popular), _head_, or “nut.” - -SOMBRE, _f._ (thieves’), _the Préfecture de Police_. - -SOMMIER DE CASERNE, _m._ (popular), _prostitute who prowls about -barracks_, “barrack hack.” - -SOMNO, _m._ (popular), _sleep_, or “balmy.” - -SON, _m. and adj._ (thieves’), _gold_, or “red;” ---- nière, or ---- -gniasse, _me_, _him_. - -SONDE, _f._ (popular and thieves’), _physician_, or “pill-box.” Etre à -la ----, _to be cunning_, _wary_, “downy.” - -SONDEUR, _m. and adj._ (popular), _official of the octroi_, thus termed -from his long probe. Aller en ----, _to act prudently_. Père ----, -_wily man_, “leary bloke.” Aller en père ----, _to seek adroitly for -information_. (Thieves’) Sondeur, _spy_, or “nark;” _barrister_, or -“mouthpiece.” Les sondeurs, _the police_, or “reelers.” (Familiar) -Un ----, _an amateur of the fair sex who at places of entertainment -casts a lecherous glance on the charms of ladies with low dresses, and -strives to see more than that which is exhibited_, one who would not -say like Tartufe-- - - Cachez, cachez ce sein que je ne saurais voir. - -SONNE, _f._ (thieves’), _the police_, “reelers.” - -SONNER (popular and thieves’), _to strike_; _to kill a man by knocking -his head on the pavement_. - - Route d’Allemagne. L’endroit où des coquins ... ont sonné - l’an dernier un inspecteur de police, mort le lendemain de - ses blessures.--=P. MAHALIN.= - -Se la ----, _to have a hearty meal_. - -SONNETTE, _f._ (popular), _silver coin_, or “gingle boy.” That which -rings, chinks. - - Sur les bords du canal, il est dangereux de courir passé - minuit, quand on a des sonnettes en poche.--_Paris à Vol de - Canard._ - - J’accours à l’Opéra et les sonnet’s en poche.--=DÉSAUGIERS.= - -Des sonnettes, _money_. Scottish gipsies call money “sonnachie.” The -French slang has “graisse,” _fat_, which reminds one of the proverbial -expression, “graisser le marteau.” - - On avait beau heurter et m’ôter son chapeau, - On n’entrait point chez nous sans graisser - le marteau - Point d’argent, point de suisse. - - =RACINE=, _Les Plaideurs_. - -Sonnette,--Rigaud says: “Petit émigré de Gomorrhe.” Déménager à la -“sonnette de bois.” See DÉMÉNAGER. - - Car il était réduit à déménager à la sonnette de - bois.--=CHENU.= - -Sonnettes,--the signification may be gathered from the following:-- - - Je ne voudrois pas être - La femme d’un châtré. - Ils ont le menton tout pelé - Et n’ont point de sonnettes. - - _Parnasse des Muses._ - -(Familiar) Une ---- de nuit, _silk tuft on a lady’s hood_. (Prisoners’) -Une ----, _woman employed on the staff of assistants at the prison of -Saint-Lazare_. (Printers’) Des sonnettes, _badly-adjusted type_. - -SOPHIE, _f._ (popular), de carton, _girl of indifferent character_. -Faire sa ----, _to put on prudish, disdainful, or_ “uppish” _airs_. - - Sans doute, il trouvait Lantier un peu fiérot, l’accusait - de faire sa Sophie devant le vitriol le blaguait parce - qu’il savait lire ... mais à part ça, il le déclarait un - bougre à poils.--=ZOLA=, _L’Assommoir_. - -Ne fais donc pas ta ----! _don’t put on such airs!_ or, as the -Americans say, “come off the tall grass!” - -SORBONNE, _f._ (thieves’), _head_. See TRONCHE. - - Je suis sûr de cromper sa Sorbonne des griffes de la - Cigogne.--=BALZAC.= - -The term must have been first used by students of the University. - -SORBONNER (thieves’), _to think_. - -SORGABON, _m._ (thieves’), _good night_, “bene darkmans” in old English -cant. An inversion of bonne sorgue. - -SORGUE, or SORNE, _f._ (thieves’), _night_. From the Spanish cant sorna. - - Belle fichue vie que d’avoir continuellement le taf des - griviers, des cognes, des rousses et des gerbiers, que de - n’pas savoir le matois si on pioncera la sorgue dans son - pieu, que de n’pas pouvoir entendre aquiger à sa lourde - sans que l’palpitant vous fasse tic-tac.--=VIDOCQ.= - -Faire dévaler la ---- à quelqu’un, _to make one reveal a secret_. - - Emmener la Maugrabine, la faire dévaler la sorgue des - autres! elle ne dit pas une parole de vrai. - --=LOUISE MICHEL.= - -Se refaire de ----, _to have supper_. - - Si au lieu de pitancher de l’eau d’aff nous allions nous - refaire de sorgue chez l’ogresse du Lapin Blanc?--=E. SUE.= - -SORGUER (thieves’), _to sleep_, “to doss.” - - Content de sorguer sur la dure, - Va, de la bride je n’ai pas peur. - Ta destinée est trop peu sûre, - Fais-toi gouêpeur. - - =VIDOCQ.= - -SORGUEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _night thief_. - - Les sorgueurs vont sollicer des gails à la lune.--=V. HUGO.= - -SORLOT, _m._ (thieves’), _shoe_, or “daisy root.” See RIPATON. - -SORNE, _adj._ (thieves’), _black_. - -SORT (popular), il me ----, an abbreviation of a filthy expression, _I -cannot bear the sight of him_. - -SORTE, _f._ (printers’), _fib_; _nonsense_, “gammon;” _practical joke_. -Conter une ----, _to tell a fib_. Faire une ----, _to play a practical -joke_. - -SORTIE D’HÔPITAL, _f._ (popular), _long overcoat_. - -SORTIR (popular), les pieds devant, _to be buried_. Avoir l’air de ---- -d’une boîte, _to be neatly dressed_, _to be spruce_. - -SOSIE-MANNEQUIN, _m._ (military), _bolster arranged so as to represent -a man in bed_. - - Il était impossible en effet que son sosie-mannequin ne fût - pas pris pour lui.--=DUBOIS DE GENNES.= - -SOUBISE. See ENFANT. - -SOUBRETTE DE CHARLOT, _f._ (popular), _executioner’s assistant_. - -SOUCHE, _f._ (popular), fumer une ----, _to be buried_, “to have been -put to bed with a shovel.” - -SOUDARDANT, _adj._ (old cant), _said of anything referring to soldiers_. - -SOUDRILLARD, _m._ (thieves’), _libertine_, “rip.” - -SOUFFLANT, _m._ (thieves’), _pistol_, or “barking iron;” (military) -_bugler_. Termed also “trompion.” - - L’appel aux trompettes vient éveiller les échos ... et - un quart d’heure ne s’était pas écoulé, que tous les - soufflants firent résonner en chœur la retentissante - fanfare du réveil.--=DUBOIS DE GENNES.= - -SOUFFLÉ, _adj._ (thieves’), _caught_; _apprehended by the police_, -“smugged.” See PIPER. - -SOUFFLER (popular), des pois, _to snore_, “to drive one’s pigs -to market;” ---- sa chandelle, _to use one’s fingers as a -pocket-handkerchief_; ---- sa veilleuse, _to die_, “to snuff it;” ---- -ses clairs, _to sleep_. (Thieves’) Souffler, _to apprehend_. - - Si dans l’intervalle il était soufflé jamais la bande ne - mangeait le morceau.--=CLAUDE.= - -Souffler la camoufle, _to kill_, “to hush.” - - C’est pour elle que son chevalier a soufflé la camoufle - d’une vieille rentière.--=LOUISE MICHEL.= - -La donne souffle mal, _the police are suspicious_. - -SOUFFLET, _m._ (popular), _head_, _breech_. Avoir donné un ---- à sa -pelure, _to wear a coat that has been turned_. Vol au ----, _consists -in boxing a lady’s ears while pretending to be an irate husband, and -leaving her minus her purse_. - -SOUFFLEUR, _m._ (popular), de boudin, _chubby-faced fellow_; ---- de -poireau, _flute player_. - -SOUFRANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _lucifer match_, “spunk.” - -SOUILLOT, _m._ (popular), _low debauchee_. - -SOULAGER (familiar), _to steal_, “to ease.” - -SOULASSE, _f._ (thieves’), _informer_, or “snitcher.” Faire la grande ----- sur le trimar, _to practise highway robbery and murder_, or “high -Toby consarn.” Also to be “on the snaffle-lay.” - - I thought by your look you had been a clever fellow, and - upon the snaffling-lay at least, but I find you are some - sneaking budge.--=FIELDING=, _Amelia_. - -SOULEVER (familiar), _to steal_. - -SOULIERS, _m. pl._ (familiar), à musique, _creaking shoes_; ---- seize, -_tight shoes_. See SEIZE. Souliers se livrant à la boisson, _leaky -shoes_. - -SOULOGRAPHE, _m._ (familiar), _confirmed drunkard_. - -SOULOGRAPHIE, _f._ (familiar), _intoxication_. - - Tiens, voilà dix francs. Si je les leur donne, - Monsieur, ils feront de la soulographie et adieu votre - typographie.--=BALZAC.= - -SOULOIR, _m._ (thieves’), _drinking glass_, or “flicker;” ---- des -ratichons, _the altar_. - -SOUPAPE, _f._ (popular), serrer la ----, _to strangle_. Faire cracher -ses soupapes, _to get drunk_. - -SOUPE, _f._ (familiar and popular), marchand de ----, _schoolmaster_, -“bum brusher.” - - Style de marchand de soupe ... une lettre de directeur - d’institution.... “Je suis très mécontent d’Armand qui - après avoir perdu sa grammaire, a trouvé le moyen d’égarer - son arithmétique.”--Si Armand a perdu sa grammaire, le - directeur nous semble l’avoir légèrement oubliée.--=ZADIG=, - _Le Voltaire_. - -Marchande de ----, _head of a ladies’ school_. - - Elle me bassine, la marchande de soupe! Dis-lui donc de me - flanquer la paix, hein, à cette vieille cramponne! - --=ALBERT CIM.= - -Une ---- au lait, _a man easily moved to anger_. Une ---- de perroquet, -_bread soaked in wine_. (Popular) Faire manger la ---- au poireau, _to -make one wait a long time_. - -SOUPENTE, _f._ (popular), _the belly or stomach_, “middle piece.” Je -t’vas défoncer la ---- à coups de sorlots, _I’ll kick the life out of -you_. Vieille ----! _old slut!_ - -SOUPER DE LA TRONCHE À QUELQU’UN (popular), _to be disgusted with one_. -See FIOLE. En ----, _to be sick of it_. - -SOUPESER (popular), se faire ----, _to be reprimanded_, “to get a -wigging.” - -SOUPE-TOUT-SEUL, _m._ (popular), _bearish fellow_. - - Je les entendois dire entre elles, parlant de moy: - c’est un ry-gris (rit-gris), un loup-garou, un - soupe-tout-seul.--_Les Maistres d’Hostel aux Halles._ - -SOUPEUSE, _f._ (familiar), _woman fond of “cabinets particuliers” at -restaurants_. - -SOUQUER (popular), _to scold, or to thrash_. - -SOURDE, _f._ (thieves’), _prison_, “stir.” - -SOURICIÈRE, _f._ (prisoners’), _dépôt at the Préfecture de Police_. - - La voiture, après avoir versé à la souricière son - chargement de coquins.--=GABORIAU.= - -(Police) Souricière, _trap laid by the police_. - - L’on a établi une souricière au tapis du Bien Venu. - Avez-vous envie d’aller vous fourrer dedans?--=VIDOCQ.= - -SOURIS, _f._ (popular), _a kiss on the eye_. Faire une ----, _to give a -kiss on the eye_. - - Ah! mon minet ... je te ferais plutôt une souris.--=VIDOCQ.= - -Faire la ----, _to tickle with the finger tips_. - -SOUS (military), être en ---- verge, _to be second in command_. - -SOUS-MAÎTRESSE, _f._ (brothels’), _kind of female overseer employed at -such establishments_. - -SOUS-MERDE, _f._ (popular), _man of utter insignificance_; _utterly -contemptible man_, “snot.” - -SOUS-OFF, _m._ (military), _non-commissioned officer_. - - --J’étais simple sous-off. - - --Sous-lieutenant? - - --Eh! non, sous-off. Nous disons sous-off, nous autres, - abréviation de sous-officier.--=HECTOR FRANCE.= - -SOUS-OUILLE, _m._ (popular), _shoe_, or “trotter-case.” - -SOUS-PIED, _m._ (military), _tough piece of meat_. Properly -_foot-strap_. Sous-pied de dragon, _infantry soldier_, “mud-crusher.” - -SOUSSOUILLE, _f._ (popular), _slatternly girl_. From souillon. - -SOUS-VENTRIÈRE, _f._ (popular), _sash of a mayor_, his insignia of -office. See FAIRE. - -SOUTADOS, _m._ (familiar), _one-sou cigar_. - -SOUTE AU PAIN, _f._ (popular), _stomach_, or “bread-basket.” - -SOUTELLAS, _m._ (popular), _one-sou cigar_. - -SOUTENANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _stick_, or “toko.” - -SOUTIRER AU CARAMEL (popular), _to wheedle one out of his money_. - -SOYEUX, _m._ (shopmen’s), _an assistant in the silk department_, the -lady assistant being termed “soyeuse.” - -SPADE, _f._ (old cant), _sword_, or “poker.” From spada. - -SPEC, _m._ (thieves’), _bacon_, or “sawney.” From the German. - -SPECTRE, _m._ (familiar), _old debt_; (gamesters’) ---- de banco, -_ruined gamester who moves round the tables without playing_. - -STAFER (thieves’), _to say_, “to rap.” - -STICK, _m._ (familiar), _small cane sported by dandies_, “swagger.” - - Ils brandissent d’un air vainqueur une cravache ou un stick - minuscule suivant qu’ils sont dans la garde à cheval ou à - pied.--=HECTOR FRANCE.= - -STORES, _m. pl._ (popular), _eyes_, or “peepers.” Baisser les ----, _to -close one’s eyes_. - -STOUBINEN (Breton cant), _woman of indifferent character_. - -STRAPONTIN, _m._ (journalists’), _pad worn under the dress_, _bustle_, -or “bird-cage.” - - Une vitrioleuse lâchée par son amant, alla tout - tranquillement trouver son voisin l’épicier, lui demanda - une petite fiole de la liqueur en question, la cacha avec - soin, peut-être sous son “strapontin.”--_Un Flâneur._ - -(Journalists’) En ----, explained by quotation:-- - - Lié à un grand nom, leur petit nom vivra; c’est ce que - j’appelle aller à la postérité en strapontin, c’est-à-dire - en lapin, par-dessus le marché, en compagnie d’un important - qui se carre à la bonne place et paie la course: Corbinelli - en strapontin avec la marquise de Sévigné; Brouette en - strapontin avec Boileau; d’Argental et autres en strapontin - avec Voltaire. Si la postérité, laissant passer Voltaire, - prétend barrer le tourniquet à d’Argental et demande: “Quel - est ce gentilhomme?” Voltaire se retourne pour dire: “C’est - quelqu’un de ma suite.”--=A. DUBRUJEAUD.= - -STROC, _m._ (thieves’), _a “setier,” small measure of wine_. - -STROPIAT, _m._ (thieves’), _lame beggar_. - - Mes braves bons messieurs et dames, - Par Sainte-Marie-Notre-Dame, - Voyez le pauvre vieux stropiat. - Pater noster! Ave Maria! - Ayez pitié. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -STUC, _m._ (thieves’), _share of booty_, “regulars.” - -STYLE, _m._ (popular), _money_. See QUIBUS. - -STYLÉ, _adj._ (popular), _well-dressed_; _rich_. - -SUAGE, _m._ (thieves’), _killing_; _murder_. From suer, _to sweat_. -Faire suer has the signification of _to kill_. - -SUAGEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _murderer_. - -SUBIR L’ÉCART (gamesters’), _to lose_. - - Un joueur n’avoue jamais qu’il perd, il a horreur du mot - perdre, il subit seulement un écart.--_Mémoires de Monsieur - Claude._ - -SUBLIME, _m._ (popular), _lazy, good-for-nothing workman_. - - Fils d’une poitrinaire et d’un sublime, il était à la fois - phtisique et rachitique.--=RICHEPIN.= - -Sublimer (students’), _to work hard, especially at night_. (Popular) Se -----, _to become debased_. - -SUBLIMEUR, _m._ (students’), _hard-working student_, a “swot.” - -SUBLIMISME, _m._ (popular), _idleness_; _degradation_. - -SUBTILISER (popular), _to steal_, “to ease.” See GRINCHIR. - -SUÇAGE DE POMME, _m._ (popular), _kissing_. - -SUCCÈS. See ESTIME. - -SUCCESSION, _f._ (familiar), côtelette à ----, _a very inferior chop_, -one which is indigestible enough to give one’s heirs a chance. - - Quand sous l’émail de leurs dents de crocodile, - elles ont dévoré ... le beefteack à la Borgia et la - “côtelette de succession” des alchimistes à prix fixe du - Palais-Royal.--=P. MAHALIN.= - -SUCE-LARBIN, _m._ (thieves’), _office for servants out of place_. -Larbin is a “flunkey.” - -SUCER (popular), _to drink_, “to liquor up;” ---- la fine côtelette, -_to have a “déjeuner à la fourchette_;” ---- le caillou, la pomme, or -le trognon, _to kiss_. Se ---- les pouces, _to have nothing to eat_. - - Elle mettrait la main sur la monnaie, elle achèterait - les provisions. Une petite heure d’attente au plus elle - avalerait bien encore ça, elle qui se suçait les pouces - depuis la veille.--=ZOLA.= - -SUCEUR, _m._ (theatrical), _parasite_, or “quiller;” (popular) ---- de -pomme, _one fond of kissing girls_. - -SUÇON, _m._ (familiar and popular), _stick of barley sugar_; _small -bruise produced by a kiss given in a peculiar way, by sucking the spot_. - - Un soir elle reçut encore une danse parcequ’elle lui avait - trouvé une tache noire au cou. La mâtine osait dire que ce - n’était pas un suçon!--=ZOLA.= - -SUCRE, _m._ (popular), à cochon, _salt_. C’est un ----! _that’s -excellent_, “real jam.” Sucre! _euphemism for a coarse word_, may be -rendered by “go to pot;” ---- de giroflées, _cuffs_. - - Et cependant, bien sûr une bonne roulée le remettrait au - Nord. Ah! c’est la vieille qui devrait se charger de ça, - lui tricoter les joues, lui flanquer une double ration de - sucre de giroflées.--=RICHEPIN.= - -Allez vous faire sucre! _go to the deuce!_ (Military) Casser du ---- à -deux sous le mètre cube, _to be in the punishment companies, breaking -stones_. (Thieves’) Sucre de pommes, _short crowbar_, “jemmy.” - -SUCRER (familiar), _to fondle_, _to spoil one_. - -SUCRIER, _m._ (familiar), _man suffering from diabetes_. Alluding to -the quantity of sugar generated by the kidneys. - - Malheureusement pour lui, il est diabétique au suprême - degré. Ce n’est pas un homme, c’est un sucrier. - --=A. SIRVEN.= - -SUÉE, _f._ (popular), _reprimand_, or “wigging;” _fear_, “funk;” ---- -de monde, _large crowd_. - -SUER (general), ça m’fait ----, _that_ “riles” _me_, _disgusts me_. - - Ça m’fait suer, quand j’ai l’onglée, - D’voir des chiens qu’ont un habit! - Quand, par les temps de gelée, - Moi j’n’ai rien, pas même un lit. - - =DE CHATILLON.= - -Faire ---- des lames de rasoir, _to bore_. - - Oh! assez, hein? Tu nous fais suer des lames de rasoir en - travers.--=E. MONTEIL.= - -Faire ---- son argent, _to be a usurer, or to invest one’s money at -a high percentage_. Faire ---- les cordes, _to play on a stringed -instrument_. Faire ---- le cuivre, _to play on a brass instrument_. -(Theatrical) Faire ---- le lustre, _to play in such a wretched manner -that even the claqueurs are disgusted_. (Thieves’) Faire suer, _to -kill_. See CHÊNE. - -SUEUR DE CANTONNIER, _f._ (popular), _a thing of rare occurrence_. A -cantonnier is a labourer employed in the repairing of roads, and is -supposed to be extremely lazy. - -SUFFICIT! (popular), _enough! I understand_, “I twig.” - -SUFFISANCE, _f._ (popular), avoir sa ----, _to have drunk as much -liquor as one can imbibe_. - -SUIF, _m._ (popular), _money_; _reprimand_, “wigging.” Flanquer un -----, _to give a_ “wigging.” Gober son ----, _to be reprimanded_. -(Sharpers’) Suif, _concourse of card-sharpers_. (Boulevards) Un ----, -_a dinner for which one has not to pay_. - - Il ... était heureux de trouver au cercle un bon dîner qui - ne lui coutât rien,--le “suif.”--=HECTOR MALOT.= - -SUIFFARD, _m. and adj._ (popular), _stylish man_; _rich_; _stylish_. - - Etait-il assez suiffard, l’animal! Un vrai propriétaire; du - linge blanc et des escarpins un peu chouettes!--=ZOLA.= - -SUIFFÉ, _adj. and f._ (popular), _fine_; _well-dressed_; _stylish_. Une -femme suiffée, _a stylish woman_. Une ----, _a thrashing_. - -SUIFFERIE, _f._ (popular), _gaming-house_, or “punting-shop.” A play on -the word grèce. - -SUISSE, _m._ (military), _guest_. See FAIRE. - -SUISSESSE, _f._ (popular), _glass of absinthe and orgeat_. From -absinthe suisse. - -SUIVER (sailors’), se ---- l’estomac, _to make a hearty meal_. - -SUIVEUR, _m._ (familiar), _man who makes a practice of following -women_; (prostitutes’) _man who follows a prostitute_. - - La grisette dévoyée qui se fait suivre et conduit le - suiveur dans un hôtel borgne.--=LÉO TAXIL.= - -SUIVEZ-MOI JEUNE HOMME, _m._ (familiar), _ribbons hanging from a lady’s -cloak_. - - Nous avons gardé nos suivez-moi jeune homme.--=GRÉVIN.= - -The English have a similar expression to designate curls hanging over a -lady’s shoulder, “follow-me-lads.” - -SULTAN, _m._ (theatrical), _the public_. - -SUNA (Breton cant), _to be a parasite_. - -SUNER (Breton cant), _parasite_. - -SUPERLIFICOQUENTIEUX, _adj._ (familiar), _marvellous_, “crushing.” - -SUPIN, _m._ (thieves’), _soldier_. Probably from soupe, the staple fare -of the soldier. - -SUR LE GRIL (thieves’), être ----, _to be awaiting judgment_. - -SURBIN, _m._ (thieves’), _overseer_; _spy_. - -SURBINE, _f._ (thieves’), _watching_, or “roasting;” _surveillance by -the police of a ticket-of-leave man_. - -SURBINER (thieves’), _to watch one_, “to give one a roasting.” - -SURCLOUER (popular), _to renew a loan at a pawnshop_. - -SURFINE, _f._ (thieves’), _a variety of female thief_. - -SURGERBEMENT, _m._ (thieves’), _fresh conviction in the Cour de -Cassation_. - -SURGERBER (thieves’), _to convict on appeal_. - -SURIE, _f._ (old cant), _killing_. Literally _sweating_. - -SURIN, or CHOURIN, _m._ (thieves’), _knife_, or “chive;” ---- muet, -_life-preserver_, “neddy.” Scottish gipsies call a knife or bayonet a -“chourie.” - -SURINER, or CHOURINER (thieves’), _to stab_, “to stick.” - - Les malfaiteurs lui prirent sa montre ... si tu cries, nous - te surinons.--_Le Radical_, 1887. - -SURINEUR, or CHOURINEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _murderer_. - -SURMOULEUR, _m._ (literary), _writer who imitates the defective -features of another’s style of writing_. - -SURPRENANTE, _f._ (gamesters’), _one of the modes employed in arranging -cards for cheating purposes_. - -SURRINCETTE, _f._ (familiar and popular), _second help of brandy after -coffee_. - -SURSE, _m._ (shopmen’s), faire le ----, _to be on the look-out for the -master_. From SUR-SEIZE (which see). - -SUR-SEIZE! (shopmen’s), _warning call when the master is approaching_. - -SURTAILLE, _f._ (thieves’), _detective force_. From sûreté. - -SYDONIE (hairdressers’), _dummy_. - -SYLPHIDER (popular), se ----, _to disappear_, “to mizzle.” - -SYMBOLE, _m._ (popular), _head_, or “nut;” _credit_, or “jawbone.” - -SYMPHONERIES, _f. pl._ (popular), _nonsense_, or “rot.” Lâcher des -----, _to talk nonsense_. - -SYNAGOGUE (popular), c’est ----, _it comes to the same thing_. - -SYSTÈME, _m._ (popular), _the body_. Taper sur le ----, _to annoy_; _to -exasperate_, “to rile.” Se faire sauter le ----, _to blow one’s brains -out_. Système ballon, _pregnancy_; ---- Jardinière, _complete suit of -clothes_. An allusion to La Belle Jardinière, a large outfitting firm; ----- Pinaud, _silk hat_. From the name of a celebrated hat-maker. -Rompre le ----, _to irritate_, “to rile.” S’en faire péter le ----, _to -undertake a task to which one is not equal_. Tu t’en ferais péter le -----, _is expressive of ironical refusal_. See NÈFLES. - - - - -T - - -TABAC, _m._ (students’), _old student_; (military) ---- à deux sous -la brouette, _canteen tobacco_; (popular) ---- de démoc, _cigar ends -chopped up_. Etre dans le ----, _to be in trouble_, _in difficulties_. -Foutre, or coller du ----, _to thrash_. This was termed formerly, -“coller une prune, une chasteloigne, une aumône de Bourgogne, un -oignement de Bretagne, de la monnaie de l’empire.” - -TABATIÈRE, _f._ (popular), _the behind_. - -TABERNACLE, _m._ (popular), _the behind_. Défoncer le ----, _to kick -one’s behind_. - -TABLE, _f._ (familiar), mettre les pieds sous la ----, _to eat_. Faire -le tour de la ----, _to eat of every dish_. - -TABLE D’HÔTE. See AVOIR. - -TABLEAU, _m._ (popular), je comprends le ----, _I see what it is_, I -“catch on,” as the Americans say. Tableau! _exclamation expressive -of comical surprise or malicious joy at the sight of some laughable -accident_. - - Tiens pig’s-tu la lun’ qui s’ballade? - Que’qu’a boit donc, c’te bourriqu’-là - Pour avoir la gueul’ blanch’ comme ça? - Y a pas d’bon sens. Vrai, que’ panade! - Si j’y payais un lit’?--Tableau! - - =GILL=, _La Muse à Bibi_. - -(Sportsmen’s) Tableau, _the_ “bag.” - - Madame d’---- qui est une sportswoman des plus intrépides - portait un superbe costume de chasse, c’est elle qui a eu - les honneurs de la journée en tuant 44 pièces. Le tableau - était superbe, il portait 204 pièces.--_Le Figaro_, Oct., - 1886. - -TABLEAU-RADIS, _m._ (artists’), _picture returned unsold from the Arts -Exhibition or from a picture-dealer’s_. - -TABLEAUTIN, _m._ (artists’), _worthless picture_, or “daub.” - -TABLIER, _m._ (popular), blanc, _nurserymaid_. Le ---- lève _is said -of a woman in a state of advanced pregnancy_. Faire lever le ---- à une -femme, _to get a woman with child_, _to give her a_ “white swelling.” - -TABOURET, _m._, figure à ---- (obsolete), _one who was put in the -pillory with an iron collar round his neck, or one likely to be put -there_. - - Va donc, figure à tabouret, - J’t’irons voir en face le Palais; - C’est là qu’t’auras l’air d’un butor. - Monsieur l’négociant z’en chiens morts. - - _Riche-en-gueule._ - -TAF, or TAFFE, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _fear_, “funk.” - - Je n’ai pas coqué mon centre, de taffe du ravignolé, ainsi - si vouzailles brodez à mérigue il faut balancer la lazagne - au centre de J. au castu de Canelle.--=VIDOCQ.= - -Avoir le ----, _to be afraid_, “to come it.” - - --Que veux-tu, Zénobie? chacun a sa misère. Le lièvre a le - taf, le chien les puces, le loup la faim ... l’homme a la - soif--Et la femme a l’ivrogne!--=GAVARNI.= - -Coquer le ----, _to frighten_. Etre pris de ----, _to be seized by -fear_. - - Seigneur! qu’est-ce qu’il a donc, répétait Gervaise prise - de taf.--=ZOLA.= - -Michel is inclined to believe that taf comes from a proverbial -locution, “les fesses lui font taf taf,” _he is quaking with terror_, -or “le cul lui fait tif taf.” According to L. Larchey the corresponding -verb “taffer” is derived from the German taffein. - -TAFFER, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _to be afraid_. See TAF. - -TAFFETAS, _m._ (thieves’), _fear_. From TAF (which see). - - Le taffetas les fera dévider et tortiller la planque où est - le carle.--=VIDOCQ.= - -TAFFEUR, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _poltroon_. - -TAFFOUILLEUX, _m._ (popular), explained by quotation:-- - - Chiffonnier de la Seine, écumant ses bords, ramassant les - épaves et volant au besoin.--=F. DU BOISGOBEY.= - -Literally un qui fouille dans le tas. - -TAFIA, _m._ (popular), _coffee_. Properly _sweet rum_. - -TAILBIN D’ALTÈQUE, _m._ (thieves’), _bank note_, or “long-tailed one.” - - S’ils ne vous coquaient pas dix tailbins d’altèque de mille - balles, vous mangeriez sur leur orgue.--=VIDOCQ.= - -Tailbin is derived from the old cant word talle, _tail_. - -TAILLER UNE BAZANE (popular), _to make a certain contemptuous gesture_. -See BAZANE. - - Et tandis que du revers de sa main il se caressait le - menton, de l’autre il se giffla la cuisse, taillant - une bazane gigantesque au nez du colonel absent. - --=G. COURTELINE.= - -(Cavalry) Tailler une croupière, _to surpass_; (schoolboys’) ---- -l’école, _to play truant_. - -TAIS-TOI MON CŒUR! (popular), _an ejaculation expressive of mock -emotion_. - -TAL, _m._ (popular), _the behind_, or “tochas.” Taper dans le ----, _to -be a Sodomist_. - -TALAR (Breton cant), _meal_. - -TALBIN, _m._ (thieves’), _attorney_; _note of hand_; ---- de la carre, -_bank note_, or “soft;” ---- d’encarrade, _theatre ticket_. Literally -_entrance ticket_. See TAILBIN. - -TALBINE, _f._ (thieves’), _market_. - -TALBINER (thieves’), _to summons_. - -TALBINIER, _m._ (thieves’), _dealer at a market_. - -TALENTUEUX, _adj._ (familiar), _talented_. - -TALERI (Breton cant), _to eat_. - -TALOCHON, _m._ (popular), _slight box on the ear_. - -TALON, _m._ (familiar), rouge, _aristocrat_. In the seventeenth century -courtiers wore red-heeled shoes. Etre ---- rouge jocularly means _to -have aristocratic manners_. Avoir les talons courts. Rigaud says:-- - - Se dit d’une femme que le moindre souffle de l’amour - renverse dans la position horizontale.--_Dict. d’Argot._ - -(Popular) Talon, _postscript_. Se donner du ---- dans le cul -(obsolete), _to strut_. - - Tout ça c’est bon pour s’aller donner du talon dans le c.. - à une parade, pour s’quarrer avec d’belles épaulettes.--_Le - Drapeau Rouge de la Mère Duchesne._ - -Faire tête du ---- (obsolete), _to flee_. - -TAMBOUILLE, _f._ (popular), _very plain stew_; _small kitchen_. Faire -sa ----, _to busy oneself with the cooking of food_. - -TAMBOUR, _m._ (cavalry), _élève brigadier fourrier, or one training to -be a kind of quartermaster_; (thieves’) _dog_, or “tyke.” - - Il n’avait pas déjà si tort de croire au mec des mecs ... - nous n’avons pas été jetés sur la terre pour vivre comme - des tambours.--=VIDOCQ.= - -Roulement de ----, _barking of a dog_. Formerly “tambour de nature” -signified _woman’s privities_. (Military) Foutre au clou comme un ----, -_to punish a soldier without the slightest compunction, in an off-hand -manner_. - -TAMPON, _m._ (popular), s’allonger un coup de ----, _to fight_. - - On s’est allongé un coup de tampon, en sortant de chez la - mère Baquet. Moi je n’aime pas les jeux de mains ... vous - savez, c’est avec le garçon de la mère Baquet qu’on a eu - des raisons.--=ZOLA=, _L’Assommoir_. - -TAMPONNE, _f._ (obsolete), faire la ----, _to regale oneself_. - -TAMPONNER (popular), _to knock one about_. Also _to annoy_; ---- de -l’œil, _to stare_, “to stag;” ---- l’auriculaire, _to tell_. - - Si j’allais trouver vos patrons dans leur boutique pour - leur tamponner l’auriculaire de c’lui-ci: Ronchonot, - col’nel, décoré, une fesse gelée au siège d’Sébastopol, - massacré d’blessures, sans compter les chevaux tués sous - lui.--=G. FRISON.= - -See COQUILLARD. - -TAM-TAM, _m._ (popular), _quarrel_; _great noise_. Faire du ----, “to -kick up a row.” - -TANGENTE, _f._ The students of the Ecole Polytechnique thus term their -swords. - -TANNANT, _adj._ (popular), _irksome_, _annoying_. - - Etes-vous tannante avec vos idées d’enterrement, - interrompit Madame Putois, qui n’aimait pas les - conversations tristes.--=ZOLA.= - -TANNER (popular), _to importune_, “to bore;” ---- le cuir, or le -casaquin, _to thrash_, “to hide.” See VOIE. - - De même qu’à Barochon on lui avait infligé: huit jours de - mazarot pour s’être fait tanner le cuir par un gars qu’il - ne voulait pas nommer.--=DUBOIS DE GENNES.= - -TANTE, _f._ (general), ma ----, _the pawnshop_, or “my uncle.” - - Demander ... à ce grand bohème qui connaissait tous les - monts-de-piété parisiens, s’en était servi depuis vingt - ans comme de réserves où il mettait l’hiver ses vêtements - d’été, l’été ses vêtements d’hiver! ... s’il connaissait le - clou! s’il connaissait ma tante!--=A. DAUDET.= - -Termed also ma ---- Dumont, _i.e._ du Mont de Piété, _pawnshop_. -Accrocher quelque chose chez sa ----, _to pawn an article_, “to spout, -to pop, to lumber, or to blue it.” (Thieves’) Une ----, _an informer_, -or “nose.” (Familiar and popular) Une ----, _a passive Sodomist_. - - Dans la société ordinaire où ce penchant contre nature - est en quelque sorte inné chez certains individus, ces - antiphysiques s’appellent tantes; chez les marins, - corvettes; dans l’armée, étendards.... Ces courtisanes, - hommes-femmes, sont plus nombreuses qu’on ne le pense - dans tous les rangs de la société. Elles forment une - franc-maçonnerie qui part du sommet de l’échelle sociale - pour se perdre jusque dans ses bas-fonds.--_Mémoires de - Monsieur Claude._ - -TAOUANEN (Breton cant), _beggar_. - -TAOUEN (Breton cant), _lice_. - -TAP, _m._ (thieves’), _mark with which thieves used to be branded_. -The practice was discontinued in 1830. Faire la parade au ---- meant -formerly _to be placed in the pillory_. Jardiner sur le ---- vert -(tapis vert), _to play cards_. - -TAPAGE, _m._ (popular). Rigaud says:-- - - Séduction exercée sur une femme. Est d’un degré plus relevé - que le “levage,” en ce sens que la femme “tapée” songe - moins à ses intérêts qu’au plaisir qu’elle aura.--_Dict. - d’Argot._ - -Tapage, _borrowing money_, “breaking shins.” - -TAPAMORT, _m._ (popular), _drummer_. - -TAPANCE, _f._ (popular), _mistress or wife_. Literally _a thing made to -be beaten_. Termed a “tart” in the English slang, as appears from the -following:-- - - Two bally black eyes! - Oh! what a surprise! - And that only for kissing another man’s tart. - Two bally black eyes. - - _Music-hall Song._ - -La ---- du meg, _the employer’s wife_. - -TAPÉ, _adj._ (general), _good_; _excellent_, or “nap;” _well got up_. - - Jupiter avait une bonne tête, Mars était tapé.--=ZOLA.= - -(Popular) Tapé à l’as, or dans le nœud, “first-class, or ripping;” ---- -aux pommes, _excellent_; _well-dressed_; _handsome_. - - Une particulière tapée aux pommes. Pas cocotte pour deux - liards. Jamais je n’en ai vu une pareille venir dans la - boîte à Monsieur.--=P. MAHALIN.= - -TAPE-CUL, _m._ (cavalry), aller à ----, _to ride without stirrups_. - -TAPE-DUR, _m._ (thieves’), _locksmith_. - -TAPÉE, _f._ (familiar), _a quantity_, a “lot.” - -TAPER (familiar and popular), _to borrow money_, “to bite one’s ear.” - - Il songea un instant à taper Théophile, mais il était déjà - son débiteur de dix louis.--=VAST RICOUARD=, _Le Tripot_. - -Du vin qui tape sur la boule, _wine that is heady_. Taper dans le tas, -_to strike at random_; ---- sur le ventre à quelqu’un, _to be familiar -or intimate with one_; ---- sur les vivres et sur la bitture, _to eat -and drink much_; (popular) ---- dans le tas, _to act in a straight -forward blunt manner_. Se ---- de quelquechose, _to do without or -deprive oneself of something_. S’en ----, _to drink to excess_, “to -swill.” (Roughs’) Taper sur la réjouissance, _to thrash_. Réjouissance -is bone added by butchers to meat retailed. - -TAPETTE, _f._ (common), _a young Sodomite_; _a chatterbox_. Avoir une -fière ----, _to be a great talker_. - -TAPEUR, _m._ (familiar), _needy man who lives on small loans which he -procures from acquaintances_. - - Il va, il revient, il arpente le trottoir. Il a la guigne - aujourd’hui ... celui-ci couperait peut-être dans le pont? - mais quoi! il a déjà casqué hier ... il désespère, car il - entend partir derrière lui, de toutes les tables, ce mot - cruel: attention! voilà le tapeur!--=RICHEPIN.= - -TAPEUSE DE TAL (popular), _prostitute_. See TAL. - -TAPIN, _m._ (popular), _drum_; _drummer_. Ficher un ----, _to give a -blow_. Ficher le ---- (obsolete), _to importune_. - -TAPIQUER (thieves’), _to inhabit_. - -TAPIS, _m._ (familiar), amuser le ----, _to divert the company by -pleasant conversation_. Cheval qui rase le ----. See RASE-TAPIS. -(Gamesters’) Le ---- brûle! _expression used to excite one into -playing_. Jardiner sur le ---- vert, _to gamble_. Etre au ----, _to -have lost all one’s money_. (Popular) Le ---- bleu, _the skies_. Tapis -de pied, _courtier_. (Thieves’) Tapis, _wine-shop_; _inn_; ---- de -dégelés, _the Morgue, or Paris dead-house_; ---- d’endosse, _shawl_; ----- de grives, _soldiers’ canteen_; ---- de malades, _prison canteen_; ----- de refaite, _eating-house_; ---- vert, _gaming-house_, or -“punting-shop;” _thieves’ coffee-house_; _meadow_. - -TAPISSERIE, _f._ (familiar), faire ----, _is said of ladies at a ball, -who, being neglected for some reason or other by gentlemen devoid of -gallantry, are compelled to sit and look on as mere spectators_. This -unpleasantness is termed “doing the wall-flower.” (Gamesters’) Avoir de -la ----, _to have several figure-cards in one’s game_. - -TAPISSIER, _m._ (thieves’), _inn-keeper, or landlord of a wine-shop_, -“boss of a lush-crib.” - - Nous ne voulons enquiller chez aucun tapissier.--=VIDOCQ.= - -(Gamblers’) Allumeur ----, _confederate who entices others into -playing, but who does not take an active part in the game_. - - Celle qui vit du jeu et des joueurs, depuis les gros - mangeurs ... jusqu’aux rameneurs, aux dîneurs, aux - allumeurs-tapissiers.--=HECTOR MALOT.= - -TAPON, _m._ (popular), _heap of rags_. Mettre sa cravate en ----, _to -tie one’s necktie in a slovenly manner_. - -TAPOTER (familiar), _to be an indifferent player on the piano_. - -TAPOTEUR, _m._ (familiar), _indifferent pianist_. - -TAPOTOIR, _m._ (cocottes’), _the piano_. - -TAQUETÉ (ballet dancers’), explained by quotation:-- - - C’est la vivacité, la rapidité, ce sont les petits temps - sur les pointes.--=CH. DE BOIGNE.= - -TAQUINER (popular), le dandillon, _to ring_, “to jerk the tinkler;” ----- les dents d’éléphant, _to play the piano_. - -TARAUDER (popular), _to make a disagreeable noise by shifting chairs -about_; _to thrash_. Se ----, _to quarrel_; _to fight_. - -TARD-À-LA-SOUPE, _m._ (popular), _guest who is late for dinner_. - -TARIEK (Breton cant), _tobacco_; _tip of money_. - -TAROQUE, _f._ (thieves’), _mark on linen_. - -TAROQUER (thieves’), _to mark linen_. - -TARRE, _f._ (thieves’), vol à la ----, _picking pocket-handkerchiefs_, -or “stook-hauling.” - -TARTARE, _m._ (tailors’), _apprentice_. - -TARTE, TARTELETTE, _adj._ (thieves’), _bad_, _spurious_, or “snide.” -The word snite is found in Urquhart’s _Rabelais_, with the modern -signification of “snot,” or base fellow:-- - - Here enter not vile bigots, hypocrites, - Externally devoted apes, base snites. - -Or in Rabelais’ words:-- - - Ci n’entrez pas hypocrites, bigots, - Vieux matagots, mariteux boursoflé. - -Tarte bourbonnaise (obsolete). See TARTER. - -TARTER, TARTIR (popular and thieves’). In Latin _alvum deponere_. In -furbesche “tartire” has the same signification, and also means _to ease -one’s conscience by confessing to a priest_. Ça m’fait ----, _that -bores me_. - - J’couch’ que’qu’fois sur un banc d’gare; - Mais l’ch’min d’fer à côté - Fait tout l’temps du tintamarre. - Les ronfleurs, ça m’fait tarter. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -TARTINE, _f._ (familiar), _dull, long speech, or writing_. (Popular) -Des tartines, _shoes, or boots_, “trotter-cases.” - - Fais donc au moins cirer tes tartines.... C’qu’elles sont - sales! Ah! j’avais pas pigé l’coup! C’est pas des pieds, - mon vieux, c’est des cercueils d’enfant! C’est-il vrai que - c’est là-dessus qu’on va bâtir la tour Eiffel? Ah! mince - alors.--_Gil Blas_, 1887. - -TARTINER (familiar), _to write articles_. - -TARTINIER, _m._ (familiar), _writer of newspaper articles_. - -TARTOUILLER (popular), _to scribble_. - -TARTOUVE, _f._ (thieves’), _handcuffs_, “bracelets.” - - Ils m’ont mis la tartouve, - Grand Meudon est aboulé, - Dans mon trimin rencontre, - Un pègre du quartier. - - =V. HUGO=, _Le Dernier Jour d’un Condamné_. - -TAS, _m._ (popular), _person devoid of energy_, “sappy.” Prendre sur le -----, _to take one red-handed_. Synonymous of “prendre la main dans le -sac.” Repiquer au ----, _to begin afresh_. (Bullies’) Faire le ----, -or le turbin, _to walk the streets as a prostitute_. (Popular and -thieves’) Le ---- de pierres, _the prison_, or “stone jug.” - - Tous ceux qui rigolent encore à Pantin viennent d’être - fourrés dans le tas de pierres.--=VIDOCQ.= - -TASSE, _f._ (popular), _nose_, or “boko.” See MORVIAU. (Familiar) -La grande ----, _the sea_. Called in the English slang, “briney,” -“herring-pond,” or, in the language of sailors, “Davy’s locker.” See -BOIRE. (Printers’) Buvons une ----, _let us have a glass of wine_. - -TASSEAU, _m._ (popular), _the nose_. See MORVIAU. Se sécher le ----, -_to sneeze_. - -TASSÉE, _adj._ (theatrical). A play is said to be “tassée” when it is -performed more rapidly in consequence of the actors knowing their parts -better after a few performances. - -TATA, _f._ See FAIRE, SÉCHER. - -TÂTE-MINETTE, _f._ (popular), _midwife_. Literally _feel pussy_. - -TÂTE-POULE, _m._ (popular), _simple-minded man_, a “duffer.” - -TÂTEUR, _m._ (popular), de femmes, _man fond of taking liberties with -women_. (Thieves’) Tâteur, _skeleton key_, or “betty.” - -TÂTEZ-Y, _m._ (popular), _trinket worn on the bosom_. - - Une bague de cornaline, une paire de manches avec une - petite dentelle, un de ces cœurs en doublé, des “tâtez-y” - que les filles se mettent entre les deux nénais.--=ZOLA=, - _L’Assommoir_. - -TATOUILLE, _f._ (popular), _sound thrashing_. - -TATOUILLER QUELQU’UN (popular), _to give a sound thrashing_, “to knock -into a cocked hat.” - -TAUDE, _f._, TAUDION, _m._ (popular), _small lodging-house_, _small_ -“crib.” From taudis, _wretched, disorderly room_. - -TAULE, _m. and f._ (old cant), _executioner_, “Jack Ketch.” The various -modern or old synonyms are: “Charlot, le père Rasibus, béquillard, -buteur, tolle, tollart, aricoteur, rouastre, Charlot casse-bras, -marieux, lamboureur.” (Thieves’) Une ----, _a house_. - - Etienne Lardenois avait été gerbé à cinq longes de - dur, pour un grinchissage au fric-frac dans une taule - habitée.--=VIDOCQ.= - -(Popular) La ----, _the head_, “tibby.” - - --A-t-il l’air féroce! - - --Il doit avoir tué bien du monde, O le gueux! ô le - scélérat! - - --C’te balle! oh, c’te taule!--=TH. GAUTIER.= - -TAUPAGE, _m._ (cads’ and thieves’), _selfishness_. - -TAUPE, _f._ (familiar), _girl of indifferent character_; (military) ----- de rempart, _soldier of the engineers_. - -TAUPER (popular), _to work_, “to graft;” ---- dessus, _to thrash_. - -TAUPIER, _m._ (thieves’), _selfish fellow_. - -TAUPIN, _m._ (students’), _student in the division of mathématiques -spéciales, or higher mathematics_. Name given specially to those who -prepare for the Ecole Polytechnique. - - Aussi le jeune Anglais a-t-il le mépris du cul-de-plomb - scientifique, du fort en thème, du “book-worm” comme il - l’appelle, s’il n’est rembourré de muscles solides; du - taupin, si le taupin est un faiblard.--=HECTOR FRANCE.= - -The “taupins” are divided into “taupin carré” and “taupin cube,” -respectively _second and third year student in the course of higher -mathematics_. (Military) Taupin, _soldier or officer of the engineers_. -From taupe, _a mole_. - -TAUPINER (thieves’), _to murder_. - -TAUPINIÈRE, _f._ (students’), _cramming establishment which prepares -candidates for the army_. - -TE DEUM, _m._ (popular), faire chanter un ---- raboteux, _to thrash_. - -TEIGNE, _f._ (popular), être ----, _to have a bad temper_. Mauvaise -----, _snarling, evilly-disposed person_. - -TEINTÉ, _adj._ (popular), être ----, _to be in a fair way of being -intoxicated_, _to be slightly_ “elevated.” - -TEINTURIER, _m._ (popular), _wine retailer_; (familiar) _literary man -who revises another’s writings_. - -TÉLÉGRAPHE, _m._ (familiar), sous-marin, _signals made by lovers by -pressure of the foot under a table_. (Gambling cheats’) Faire le ----, -_to stand behind a player and by sundry signals to give information to -an accomplice_. - -TEMPÉRAMENT, _m._ (familiar), acheter à ----, _to buy on the instalment -system_. - - Ce genre d’opération est très usité entre filles galantes - et marchandes à la toilette. Ces dames qui ont le petit mot - pour rire, appellent encore ce mode de payement “à tant par - amant.”--=RIGAUD.= - -TEMPÊTE. See CAP. - -TEMPLE, _m._ (freemasons’), _hall of meeting_; (thieves’) _cloak_. -Second-hand clothes are mostly sold in the Quartier du Temple. - -TEMPS, _m._ (popular), salé, _warm weather which makes one feel -dry_; ---- de demoiselle, _weather which is neither hot nor cold_; -(theatrical) ---- froid, _prolonged silence_, when, for instance, an -actor’s memory fails him. (Fencing) Voir le coup de ----, _to see the -feint_. - -TENANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _pint measure_. - -TENDEUR, _m._ (cads’), _man under the influence of a well-developed -bump of amativeness, “homo salax.”_ Vieux ----, _old debauchee_, _old_ -“rip.” (Popular) Tendeur de demi-aune, _beggar_. - -TEND-LA-MAIN (popular), _beggar_. - -TENDRESSE, _f._ (journalists’), _euphemism for prostitute_. Literally -vendeuse de tendresses. - -TENIR (familiar), la chandelle, _to favour, willingly or unwittingly, -the loves of a couple_; ---- la corde, _to surpass_; _to excel_. En -----, _to be in love with_, or “mashed on.” Il en tient, _his wife -deceives him_. (Popular) Se ---- à quarante sous avec son croque-mort, -_to die hard_. (Theatrical) Cet auteur tient l’affiche, _this author’s -play has a long run_. (Thieves’) Tenir quelqu’un sur les fonts, _to be -a witness for the prosecution_; (sailors’) ---- bien sur ses ancres, -_to enjoy good health_. - -TÉNOR, _m._ (journalists’), _writer of leading articles_. - -TENUE, _f._ (freemasons’), _meeting_. (Thieves’) En petite ---- de -dragon, _in one’s shirt_, _in one’s_ “mish.” - -TERREAU, _m._ (popular), _snuff_. Se flanquer du ---- par le tube, _to -take snuff_. - -TERRE-NEUVE. See BANC. - -TERRER (thieves’), _to murder_; _to guillotine_. - - On va terrer (guillotiner) Théodore ... oui Théodore Calvi - morfile (mange) sa dernière bouchée.--=BALZAC.= - -TERREUR, _f._ (thieves’), _desperate scoundrel of herculean strength -who lords it over his fellow-malefactors_. - - Chaque quartier, aux portes de Paris, possède sa terreur. - Le champs-clos des terreurs ... se tient aux voisinages - de la Roquette ou du Père Lachaise.... Là, celui qui - a tombé son adversaire a le droit de lui retirer son - titre de Terreur dès qu’il parvient à lui manger une - partie du nez, à lui supprimer un œil ou la moitié de la - mâchoire.--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -TERREUSE, _f._ (popular), _prostitute who prowls about deserted spots_. -See GADOUE. - -TERRIEN, _m._ (sailors’), _landsman_, or “land-lubber;” (familiar) -_peasant_, “clod-hopper.” - -TERRINE, _f._ être dans la ---- (obsolete), _to be drunk_. - -TERRINIÈRE, _f._ (popular), _lowest sort of prostitute_, or -“draggle-tail.” - -TESSON, _m._ (roughs’), _head_, or “tibby.” - -TÊTARD, _m._ (popular), _stubborn, or_ “pig-headed” _man_; _long-headed -man_. - - Bien sorbonné (raisonné), mon homme, tu es toujours le roi - des têtards (hommes de tête).--=E. SUE.= - -TÉTASSES, _f. pl._ (popular), _large, pendulous breasts_. Termed by -Voltaire, “grands pendards.” - -TÉTASSIÈRE, F. (popular), _woman with large, lank breasts_. - -TÊTE, _f._ (familiar and popular), de buis, _bald head_, “bladder of -lard;” ---- de canne, or de pipe, _ugly, grotesque head or face_, -“knocker-face;” ---- de choucroûte, or carrée, _German_. - - Une superbe paire de pantoufles de satin qu’il avait - dénichée, je ne sais où, dans une chambre abandonnée par - les “têtes carrées.”--_Almanach Illustré de la Petite - République Française, 1887._ - -Une bonne ----, _a simple-minded person_, _one easily imposed upon_. - - Je suis trop bon, on me prend pour une bonne tête. Zut! - à partir de ce matin, je fous tout le monde dedans et - voilà!-=G. COURTELINE.= - -Faire sa ----, _to give oneself airs_. - - Y’ a-t’y rien qui vous agace - Comme une levrette en pal’tot! - Quand y’a tant d’gens su’ la place - Qui n’ont rien à s’mett’ su’ l’dos? - - J’ai l’horreur de ces p’tit’s bêtes, - J’aim’ pas leux museaux pointus; - J’aim’ pas ceux qui font leux têtes - Pass’ qu’iz’ont des pardessus. - - =DE CHATILLON=, _La Levrette en Paletot_. - -Avoir une ---- qui dépasse les cheveux, _to be bald_, or “to have a -bladder of lard.” Avoir une bonne ----, _to have a grotesque face_. - - --Mon pauvre vieux, si je vous disais que vous avez une - bonne tête! - - --N’achève pas, ô ange! tu me la mettrais à - l’envers!--_Journal Amusant._ - -(Military) Tête mobile, _instructor in musketry_; ---- à corvées, -_blockhead_; (printers’) ---- de clous, _worn-out type_; (theatrical) ----- à l’huile, _director of the staff of supernumeraries_. Faire -sa ----, or se faire une ----, _refers to the_ “make-up” _of one’s -countenance_. (Familiar) Tête de Turc, _person taken as a butt for -ironical hits, jokes, or insults_. An allusion to the Turk’s head used -at fairs to be pummelled by persons desirous of testing their strength. - - Je savais que dans les réunions publiques, mes collègues et - moi étions la “tête de turc,” sur laquelle s’exerçaient à - plaisir et essayaient leurs forces les orateurs plébéiens - de l’époque.--=MACÉ.= - -Avoir une ----, better explained by the following:-- - - Que diable appelez-vous “avoir ou n’avoir pas une tête?” - ... Avoir une tête, c’est n’être pas guillotiné. Ne pas - avoir une tête, c’est être guillotiné. Cette explication - vous suffit-elle? Non? Eh bien! avoir une tête, c’est jouir - de la plénitude de sa beauté. C’est avoir ... un aspect, - un air, une physionomie qui ne soient pas ceux de tout le - monde.--=A. SCHOLL.= - -(Popular) Tête d’acajou, _negro_, or “bit o’ ebony;” ---- de boche, or -de pioche, _very stupid man_, “dunderhead.” See BOCHE. Tête de patère, -_prostitute’s bully_, or “ponce;” ---- de veau lavée, _white face_, or -“muffin-face.” - -TÉTER (popular), _to drink_, “to lush.” - -TÉTON, _m._ (popular), de satin blanc tout neuf, _virgin’s breasts_. -Tétons de Vénus, _well-shaped breasts_. - - Comme elle portait une robe légère malgré décembre, on - voyait sous son fichu pointer les tétons de Vénus que le - froid raidissait. Et pas de flic-flac ... non, c’était - planté solidement.--=RICHEPIN=, _Le Pavé_. - -TÉTONNIÈRE, _f._ (popular), _woman with well-developed breasts_, like -Juno’s. - -TÊTUE, _f._ (thieves’), _pin_. - -TÉZIÈRE, or TÉZIGO (thieves’), _thou_, _thee_. - -TÉZIGUE (thieves’), _thee_, _thou_. - - Le dardant a coqué le rifle dans mon palpitant qui n’aquige - plus que pour tézigue.--=VIDOCQ.= - -THÉÂTRE, _m._ (popular), le ---- rouge, _the guillotine_. - -THÊTA X., _m._, _second year student at the Ecole Polytechnique_. See -PIPO. - -THOMAIN, _m._ (theatrical), _insignificant part_. - -THOMAS, _m._ (familiar and popular), _a facetious synonym for pot -de chambre_. Thus termed in connection with the alleged inquisitive -disposition of the apostle of that name. The English have the -expression “looking-glass,” which probably originated from a malicious -pun not easy to explain in polite language. (Popular) La mère ----, or -la veuve ----, _night-stool_. Avoir avalé ----, _to have an offensive -breath_. (Thieves’) Pipe à ----, _a variety of cheating game_. - -THUNARD, _m._ (thieves’ and popular), _silver coin_. - -THUNE, or TUNE, _f._ (thieves’), _money_; _coin_. See TUNE. Thune de -camelotte, _spurious coin_; ---- de cinq balles, _five-franc coin_. - - Si tu veux qu’elle t’obéisse, montre-lui une thune de cinq - balles (pièce de cinq francs) et prononce ce mot-ci: - Tondif!--=BALZAC.= - -TIBI, _m._ (familiar), _stud for the shirt collar_. - -TICHE, _f._ (shopmen’s), _profits_. - -TICQUAGE, _m._ (card-sharpers’), _signal made to a confederate by -moving cards up and down_. - -TIERCE, _f._ (thieves’), _gang_; ---- de pègres, _gang of thieves_, -“mob.” Il y a de la ----, _the police are in full force_. (Popular) -Tierce à l’égout, _tierce of nine at the game of piquet_. - - J’ai une tierce à l’égout et trois colombes ... les - crinolines ne me quittent pas.--=ZOLA.= - -TIFFES, or TIFS, _m. pl._ (roughs’ and thieves’), _hair_, or “thatch.” - -TIGNE, _f._ (thieves’), _crowd_. - -TIGNER (thieves’), d’esbrouffe, _to pick pockets in a crowd_. - -TIGRE, _m._ (familiar), _small groom_, or “tiger;” (theatrical) _young -ballet dancer_; (popular) ---- à cinq griffes, _five-franc coin_. -(Military) Tigre, _urinals_. - -TIMBALIÈRE, _f._ (familiar), _woman who speculates on the Stock -Exchange_. - -TIMBRE-POSTE, _m._ (sportsmen’s), _cartridge_. - -TINETTE, _f._ (popular), _mouth_. Chevalier de la ----, _scavenger -employed in emptying privies_, “gold-finder.” Couvre ta ----, _hold -your tongue_. Plomber comme une ----, _to stink_. - - Ça me remettra un peu du sale mec qui vient de me r’faire, - y plombe comme une tinette.--=LOUISE MICHEL.= - -(Thieves’) Tinette, _boot_, or “daisy-root.” - -TINTEUR, _m._ (old cant), _Sodomist_. - -TINTOUINER (popular), se ----, _to fret_. - -TIPE, _m._ (sporting), _piece of information_, “tip.” - -TIQUE, _f._ (popular), saoul comme une ----, _completely drunk_, “sewed -up.” - -TIQUER, or TICQUER (card-sharpers’), _to signal by moving the cards up -and down_. - -TIRADES, _f. pl._ (thieves’), _convict’s fetters_, “wife.” - -TIRAGE, _m._ (familiar), _difficulty_. - -TIRAILLON, _m._ (thieves’), explained by quotation:-- - - Vêtus très mesquinement ... ils se bornent à fouiller - les poches des habits et des paletots, et exploitent - ordinairement les curieux qu’un événement fortuit rassemble - dans les rues ou qui forment cercle autour des chanteurs ou - des saltimbanques.--_Mémoires de Canler._ - -TIRANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _garter_; _bell-rope_. - -TIRANTS, _m. pl._ (thieves’), _stockings_. In furbesche “tiranti.” -Tirants de filsangue, _floss-silk stockings_; ---- radoucis, _silk -stockings_; ---- de trimilet, _thread stockings_. - -TIRE, _verb and f._ (military), jouer à ---- qui a peur, _duel in which -the adversaries fire at will_. - - Il faut que l’un de nous descende la garde ... mais comme - nous avons tous les deux la vie dure, et qu’avec nos - sabres nous aurions de la peine à en finir, nous nous - trouverons demain matin, hors du camp, avec nos deux pieds - de cochon, et alors ma vieille, nous jouerons à “tire qui a - peur.”--=DUBOIS DE GENNES.= - -La ----, _pocket-picking_. - -TIRE-AU-FLANC, _m._ (military), _one who shirks his duties_. - - Le chef et moi, nous rappliquons à l’hôpital. Y avait là - tous les tire-au-flanc de l’escadron.--=G. COURTELINE.= - -TIRE-BOGUE, _m._ (thieves’), _rogue whose spécialité is to steal -watches_, a “toy-getter.” - -TIRE-BRAISE, _m._ (popular), _infantry soldier_. - -TIRE-FIACRE, _m._ (popular), _tough meat_, like the flesh of a -cab-horse. - -TIRE-GOSSE, or TIRE-MÔMES, _f._ (popular), _midwife_. - -TIRE-JUS, _m._ (popular), _pocket-handkerchief_, or “muckinger.” - -TIRE-JUTER (popular), se ----, _to blow one’s nose_. - -TIRE-LIARDS, _m._ (popular), _miser_, “hunks.” - -TIRELIRE, _f._ (popular), _behind_. Rigaud says, “gagne-pain des filles -de joie.” Coller un atout dans la ----, _to kick one’s behind_. La -----, _the head_, or “nut.” See TRONCHE. Vieille ----, _old fool_, -“doddering old sheep’s head.” (Popular and thieves’) La ----, _the -prison_, or “stir.” - - On l’a fourré dans la tir’lire - Avec les pègres d’Pélago. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -TIRE-MOELLE, or TIRE-MOLARD, _m._ (popular), _pocket-handkerchief_, or -“muckinger.” - -TIRE-MÔME, _f._ (popular), _midwife_. - -TIRE-POINT, _m._ (thieves’), buter au ----, _to kill by stabbing in the -back with a saw-file_. - -TIRE-POIRE, _m._ (popular), _photographer_. Poire is _the head_. - -TIRER (familiar), à boulets rouges sur quelqu’un, _to sue one without -mercy_; ---- la corde, or la ficelle, _to be in bad circumstances_; ----- la langue d’un pied, or d’une aune, _to be very thirsty_, “to be -as dry as a lime-basket.” Also _to be in great distress_; ---- une -dent, _to obtain a loan of money under false pretences_. See LIGNE. -(Popular) Tirer le chausson, _to run away_. In the English slang, “to -pike it,” as appears from quotation:-- - - Joe quickly his sand had sold, sir, - And Bess got a basket of rags; - Then up to St. Giles’s they roll’d, sir; - To every bunter Bess brags. - Then unto the gin-shop they pike it, - And Bess was admitted, we hear; - For none of the crew dare but like it, - As Joey, her kiddy, was there. - - _The Sand-Man’s Wedding._ - -Tirer une râpée refers to coition, Se la ----, or se ---- les -balladoires, _to run away_. See PATATROT. Se ---- d’épaisseur, _to -extricate oneself from some difficulty_. En ---- une d’épaisseur. See -CAROTTE. Tirer la dig-dig, _to pull the bell_, “to jerk the tinkler;” -(police) ---- la droite, or de la droite, _to have a peculiar limp of -the right leg, caused by the weight of the fetters which a convict has -worn when at the penal servitude settlement_. - - Ce n’est pas un sanglier, ... c’est un cheval de retour. - Vois comme il tire la droite! Il est nécessaire d’expliquer - ici ... que chaque forçat est accouplé à un autre (toujours - un vieux et un jeune ensemble) par une chaîne. Le poids de - cette chaîne, rivée à un anneau au-dessus de la cheville, - est tel, qu’il donne, au bout d’une année, un vice de - marche éternel au forçat.... En termes de police, il tire - la droite.--=BALZAC.= - -(General) Tirer la carotte, _to take in_, “to bamboozle;” ---- une -carotte, _to obtain something from one under false pretences_; _to -deceive_, “to bilk.” - - Nul, d’ailleurs, n’entrait à la malle sans avoir passé par - ses mains, Flick tenant à bien se convaincre qu’aucun de - ses lascars ne lui tirait de carotte.--=G. COURTELINE.= - -The Italians have the corresponding expression, “piantar carota,” the -origin being that, in a soft soil, an appropriate image of credulity, -the carrot will thrive wonderfully. The wary Italian only plants the -aforesaid vegetable, biding his time and watching his opportunity, -whilst the impetuous Gaul at once plucks it by the roots. (Military) -Tirer de la cellule, _to be confined in a military cell_. - - Oui, c’est comme ça; je tire de la cellule avant que je me - tire moi-même.--=G. COURTELINE.= - -Tirer au cul, _to shirk one’s duties_. An allusion to unfair thrusts -not allowed in fencing. - - Tu vas me foutre le camp au pansage, tout de suite, et tu - coucheras à la boîte ce soir pour t’apprendre à tirer au - cul. Ah! carotier! ah! fricoteur!--=G. COURTELINE.= - -Termed also Tirer au grenadier, ---- au renard, ---- aux flancs. - - De tous les coins de l’infirmerie des cris de colère - montaient: Y tire aux flancs, ce cochon-là. - --=G. COURTELINE.= - -Tirer au cul, _to deceive one’s_ _superiors by feigning sickness, &c._ - - Eh bien oui, hurla-t-il, c’est vrai! C’est vrai que j’ai - tiré au cul ... mais si j’ai pas la diarrhée, comme j’ai - voulu le faire accroire, c’est pas faute que j’aye tout - fait pour l’attraper; je vous en fiche mon billet ... - j’m’ai flanqué douze paquets de bismuth dans l’estomac; - j’pouvais pourtant pas faire pluss!--=G. COURTELINE.= - -Ca se tire, _things are progressing favourably_. La chose se tire, _the -plan is being carried out_, _the thing is being done_. - - Il faut lui crever la paillasse; qui est-ce qui en est?... - Il n’y eut pas une désertion ... ni parmi ceux de la - classe, pour qui “ça se tirait.”--=G. COURTELINE.= - -(Thieves’) Tirer la longe, _to limp_; ---- sa crampe, _to escape from -prison_; ---- son plan, _to be in prison_; ---- un congé à la Maz, _to -be imprisoned in the prison of Mazas_. - - Moi, j’ai besoin qu’ma Louis turbine, - Sans ça, j’tire encore un congé - A la Maz! Gare à la surbine! - J’deviens grinch’ quand j’ai pas mangé. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -Tirer une coupe sur le grand flanche, _to be transported_, “to lump the -lighter.” - -TIRETAINE, _m._ (thieves’), _country thief_. - -TIRE-T’ARRIÈRE (sailors’), une dégelée de ----, _an awful thrashing_. - - Il se demandait s’il ne fallait point sauter sur le gas - ... le ramener de force à la maison, sous une dégelée de - tire-t’arrière.--=RICHEPIN=, _La Glu_. - -TIREUR, _m._ (thieves’), _pickpocket_, “cly-faker.” - -TIREUSE DE VINAIGRE, _f._ (obsolete), explained by quotation:-- - - Femme prostituée, coureuse, putain, garce, fille de joye, - de mauvaise vie.--=LE ROUX.= - -TIROIR, _m._ (card-sharpers’), _variety of swindling by abstracting one -or more cards from the game_; (popular) ---- de l’œil, _gains on odd -pieces of material_. - -TIROU, _m._ (thieves’), _by-road_. - -TISANIER, _m._ (popular), _hospital attendant_. - -TITI, _m._ (popular), _typographer_; _fowl_. The word is used also as a -name for a Paris street-boy. - -TOC, _m. and adj._ (familiar and popular), _gold or silver plated -metal_. - - Ça? c’est une boucle d’oreille en imitation.... Ah! de mon - temps, les femmes qui fréquentaient le Café de Paris se - respectaient trop pour porter du toc!--=P. MAHALIN.= - -Toc, _ridiculous_. - - Il est joliment toc, va! quand il la fait à la dignité et - qu’il est en chemise.--=E. MONTEIL.= - -Toc, _crazy_; _inferior_, _deteriorated_, “pinchbeck.” Une femme -----, _an ugly woman_. Il est un peu ----, _he is slightly crazy_, or -a “little bit balmy in his crumpet.” C’est ----, _it is inferior_, -or “jimmy.” (Thieves’) Le ----, _the executioner at the convict -settlement_. (Artists’) Un tableau ----, _a picture not painted in good -style_, _not up to the mark_. - -TOCANDINE, _f._ (popular), _kept woman_. - -TOCARD, _m. and adj._ (popular), _old beau_; _ugly_, _bad_, _ill_. -Diminutive of TOC (which see). C’est ----, _it is not right_. Etre ---- -pour le galtos, _to have but scanty means_. Also _to be stingy_. - -TOCARDE, _f._ (popular), _old coquette_. - -TOCASSE, _adj._ (thieves’), _wicked_; _malicious_. - -TOCASSERIE, _f._ (thieves’), _wickedness_; _malice_. - -TOCASSON, _m._ (popular), _ugly woman_. - -TOCQUARDEMENT (popular), _badly_; _roughly_. Harponner ----, _to lay -rough hands on_. - -TOC-TOC, _adj._ (popular), _cracked_. - -TOGUE, _adj._ (thieves’), _cunning_. - -TOILE, _f._ (popular), d’emballage, _shroud_. Les toiles se touchent, -_expression which denotes that one has no money in his pocket_. -(Tailors’) Faire de la ----, _not to have sufficient means to procure -food_. - -TOILETTE, f. (shoemakers’), _green canvas wrapper for boots_; (general) -_cutting the hair of convicts previous to execution_. La chambre de -----, _room at Mazas where that operation is performed_. - - C’est au dépôt que se fait la toilette sur un escabeau, - toujours le même depuis trente ans.... Dès que le condamné - est sorti de sa cellule pour entrer dans cette chambre de - toilette, il appartient au bourreau.--_Mémoires de Monsieur - Claude._ - -TOILIER, _m._ (shopmen’s), _an assistant in the linen department_. - - Vous savez que les bobinards ont leur club maintenant.... - Il parlait des vendeurs de la mercerie.... Est-ce qu’ils - ont un piano comme les toiliers?--=ZOLA.= - -TOISÉ, _adj._ (familiar), il est ----, used disparagingly, _we know his -worth, or what he is capable of_. - -TOITURE, _f._ (popular), _hat_, “tile.” - -TOK-TOK (Breton cant), _hammer_. - -TOLÈDE (familiar), de ---- (jocular), _of the best quality_. - -TOLLARD, _m._ (thieves’), _office_; _executioner_, see TAULE; -(convicts’) _camp bed_. - -TOMATE, _f._ (popular), rester comme une ----, _to be confused, to look -foolish_. - -TOMBAGE, _m._ (gambling cheats’), _extortion of money by gambling -cheats from their confrères, or loan made by a gamester and not likely -to be repaid_, “biting the ear.” - -TOMBEAU, _m._ (popular), _bed_, or “doss.” - -TOMBER (familiar), quelqu’un, _to nonplus one_. Si vous me tombez -jamais sous la coupe (threateningly), _if ever I have any power over -you_. (Popular) Tomber une femme, _to obtain a woman’s favours_; ----- dans la mélasse, _to become poor_, _to be ruined_; ---- dans la -limonade, _to fall in the water_; ---- dans le bœuf, _to become poor_; ----- en figure, _to fall in with a person whom one would rather avoid_; ----- pile, _to fall on one’s back_; ---- sur le dos et se casser le -nez, _to be constantly unsuccessful_; ---- sur le dos et se faire une -bosse au ventre, _words used to denote that a girl has been seduced, -with the natural consequences_; ---- sur un coup de poing, _to receive -a black eye, and to pretend that it is the result of a fall_; ---- -une bouteille, _to drink a bottle of wine_; (thieves’) ---- dans le -malheur (euphemism), _to be transported_, “to go over the water;” -_to be apprehended_; ---- en frime, _to meet with_; ---- en litharge -(léthargie), _to be in solitary confinement_; ---- malade, to _be -apprehended_, or “smugged.” - -TOMBEUR, _m._ (popular), _redoubtable wrestler_; _Lovelace_; -(theatrical) _bad actor_; (familiar) _slanderous journalist_. - -TOMPIN, _m._ (familiar), le genre ----, _something between vulgarism -and elegance_. - -TONDEUR, _m._ (popular), de nappes, _parasite_, or “quiller;” ---- -d’œufs, _over-particular man, one who sticks at trifles_; _a pedantic -person_; _a miser_, or “hunks.” - -TONNEAU, _m._ (popular), être d’un bon ----, _to be ridiculous_. Etre -d’un fort ----, _to be extremely stupid_, a “dunderhead.” (Roughs’) -Tonneau diviseur, _cab_. Properly _privy tub_. - -TONNERRE DE POCHE, _m._ (obsolete), _wind_. In Latin, crepitus ventris. - -TOPER (military), _to seize_; _to apprehend_. - -TOPISER (thieves’), _to recognize_; _to stare at_. - -TOPO, _m._ (military), _topographic survey_; _staff_; _staff officer_. - -TOQUADE, _f._ (familiar), _fancy for a girl or for a man_; _whim_. -Avoir une ----, _to be_ “spooney.” - - J’ai pour toi une toquade insensée depuis la première de - Marion Delorme.--=E. MONTEIL.= - -TOQUADEUSE, _f._ (familiar), _cocotte of a sentimental turn of mind, -capable of loving a man_ “for love.” - -TOQUANTE, _f._ (popular and thieves’), _watch_, or “tatler.” - - Son auber j’ai enganté, - Son auber et sa toquante, - Et ses attach’s de cé. - - =V. HUGO.= - -TOQUE, _f._ (thieves’), _watch_, or “tatler.” - -TOQUÉ, _m. and adj._ (familiar), _eccentric man_; _one who is cracked_, -or “queer.” Etre ---- de, _to be in love with_, “spooney on, mashed on, -sweet on, or keen on.” - - Et moi qui étais toqué de Blanche. Oh! mais toqué comme - une enclume depuis que je lui avais vu jouer la machine à - coudre dans la Revue.--=P. MAHALIN.= - -Toqué, from toquet, _cap_. Compare with the expressions, avoir la tête -près du bonnet, and to have a bee in one’s bonnet. - -TOQUEMANN, _m._ (cocottes’), _eccentric, extravagant man_. - -TOQUER (familiar), se ----, _to fancy_; _to fall, or to be in love_, -“to be spooney, or gone on.” (Popular) Toquer, _to ring_. - -TOQUET, _m._ (familiar), de loutre, _name given in 1881 to females who -speculated on the Stock Exchange_. (Popular) Avoir son ----, or en -avoir dans le ----, _to be drunk_, or “tight.” - -TORCHECUL, _m._ (popular), _disparaging epithet used in reference to a -newspaper or document_. - -TORCHECULATIF, _adj._ (familiar). Propos torcheculatifs, _dirty talk_. -See Rabelais’ _Gargantua_, chap. xiii.:-- - - Or poursui ce propos torcheculatif; je t’en prie. Et par ma - barbe, pour un bussart, tu auras soixante pipes. - -TORCHÉE, _f._ (popular), _blows_; _set to_. - -TORCHENEZ, _m._ (popular), mettez un ---- à votre langue, _hold your -tongue_, “put a clapper to your mug.” - -TORCHER (popular), _to do something hurriedly and carelessly_; ---- -de la toile, _to do anything hurriedly_; ---- les plats, _to have an -appetite_. Se ----, _to fight_. Se ---- le cul de quelquechose, _not to -care a straw for a thing_. S’en ---- le nez, _to have to do without_. -Se ---- la gueule, _to fight_. (Literary) Torcher, _to write a neat -article_. - -TORCHETTE, _f._ (popular), net comme ----, _very tidy_. - -TORCHON, _m._ (popular), _dirty prostitute_; (familiar and popular) -_slattern_. Le ---- brûle à la maison, _words used to denote that a -domestic quarrel is taking place_. (Military) Se flanquer un coup de -----, _to fight_. - -TORD-BOYAUX, _m._ (familiar and popular), _brandy, or strong brandy_, -“French cream,” and in old cant, “bingo.” - - Le tord-boyaux est versé à la ronde dans les lourds - godets de verre sale, et les nez enchifrenés le reniflent - bruyamment, avant qu’on ne l’envoie détruire ce fameux ver - qui a la vie si dure.--=RICHEPIN.= - -TORDRE (popular), le cou à une négresse, _to discuss a bottle of wine_. -(Familiar and popular) Se ----, _to laugh enough to split one’s sides_. - - Il disait comme un parfait gommeux: “Chic, très chic ... - c’est infect ... on se tord” ... mais il le disait moins - vulgairement, grâce à son accent étranger qui relevait - l’argot.--=A. DAUDET=, _Les Rois en Exil_. - -TORDU, _m._ (gambling cheats’), “pigeon” _who has been robbed by -card-sharpers_. Literally _pigeon whose neck has been twisted_. - -TORNIQUET, _m._ (popular), _mill_. - -TORPIAUDE, _f._ (peasants’), _woman of bad character_. - -TORPILLE, _f._ (familiar), _woman of lax morals_; ---- d’occasion, -_street-walker_. - -TORSE, _m._ (familiar), poser pour le ----, _to show off one’s figure_. -(Popular) Torse, _stomach_. Se velouter le ----, _to comfort oneself -with a glass of wine or brandy_. - -TORTA (Breton cant), _to sleep_; _to kill_. - -TORTILLADE, _f._ (thieves’), _food_, or “toke.” The other English -synonyms are: “mungarly, grub, prog, crug.” - -TORTILLANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _vine_. - -TORTILLARD, _m._ (popular), _lame man_; (thieves’) _wire_. - -TORTILLÉ, _adj._ (popular), être ----, _to be dead_. - - Bah!... un petit verre de cric, ce n’est pas mauvais. Moi, - ça me donne du chien.... Puis, vous savez, plus vite on est - tortillé, plus c’est drôle.--=ZOLA.= - -TORTILLER (popular), _to limp_; _to eat_; _to hesitate_. Il n’y a pas à -----, or à ---- des fesses, _there must be no hesitation_. - - Tonnerre de scrongnieugnieu, murmure Ronchonot en se - promenant d’un air grognon dans son cabinet; n’y a pas à - tortiller des fesses, c’est pour d’main matin à dix heures - et demie.--=G. FRISON.= - -Tortiller de l’œil, _to die_. See PIPE. (Thieves’) Tortiller, _to -confess_; _to inform against_, “to snitch;” ---- la vis, or le gaviau, -_to strangle_. - - Si vous me tortillez le gaviau, de la vie ni de vos jours, - vous ne verrez Microscopique.--=DE GENNES.= - -(Gamesters’) Tortiller le carton, _to play cards_. (Sailors’) Se ---- -du boyau, _to vomit_. - -TORTILLETTE, _f._ (popular), _girl who wriggles when dancing or -walking_. - -TORTILLON, _m._ (popular), _young girl_; _young servant maid_, or -“slavey;” _the behind_. See VASISTAS. - -TORTORAGE, _m._ (thieves’), _food_, or “mungarly.” - -TORTORE, _f._ (thieves’), _meal_. Passer à la ----, se l’envoyer, or -casser la croustille, _to eat_. - -TORTORER (thieves’), _to eat_, “to grub.” See MASTIQUER. Tortorer le -pain à cacheter, _to partake of the Lord’s Supper_. - -TORTOUSE, _f._ (thieves’), _rope_. Ligoter une ----, _to tie a rope_. - -TORTU, _m. and adj._ (thieves’), _wine_. Bois ----, _vine_. - -TORTUE, _f._ (popular), _mistress_; _wife_, “tart.” Faire la ----, _to -fast_. - - J’aime mieux faire la tortue et avoir des philosophes aux - arpions que d’être sans eau-d’aff dans l’avaloir et sans - tréfoin dans ma chiffarde.--=E. SUE.= - -TOTO (Breton cant), _beadle_. - -TOUCHE, _f._ (familiar and popular), _appearance_; _physiognomy_. Bonne -----, _grotesque face or appearance_. Une sacrée ----, _a wretched -appearance_. Touches de piano, _teeth_. - - Attention au mouvement ... ne craignez pas de casser vos - touches de piano sur les côtelettes des patates. - --=DUBOIS DE GENNES.= - -(Popular) Gare la ----! _look out or you will get a thrashing_. La -sainte ----, _pay-day_. - - On célébrait la sainte Touche, quoi! une sainte bien - aimable, qui doit tenir la caisse au paradis.--=ZOLA.= - -TOUCHÉ, adj. (familiar), c’est ----, _it is well done_. Un article -----, _article to the point_. - -TOUCHER (theatrical), les frises, _to obtain a great success_; -(prostitutes’ bullies’) ---- son prêt, _to share a prostitute’s -earnings_. - - Tous deux se ménagent des entrevues et des sorties où ils - règlent leurs comptes. Un marlou appelle cela “toucher son - prêt.”--=LÉO TAXIL.= - -TOUCHEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _murderer_; _the leading man in a gang of -murderers_. - - L’assommeur n’est ... que l’aide du pégriot. Son chef - d’attaque, c’est le toucheur. On qualifie de toucheur celui - qui, après avoir donné le premier coup à la victime, est - aussi le premier à faire sauter le tiroir et à toucher - la monnaie ... d’ordinaire le toucheur est un gamin de - dix-sept à dix-huit ans, aussi grêle, aussi chétif que son - assommeur est d’aspect redoutable.--_Mémoires de Monsieur - Claude._ - -TOUILLAUD, _m._ (popular), _sturdy fellow_; _one fond of the fair sex_, -or “molrower.” - -TOUL (Breton cant), _prison_. - -TOULABRE, or TOULMUCHE, _m._ (thieves’), _the town of Toulon_. - -TOUPET, _m._ (popular), _head_; _impudence_; _coolness_. Avoir un ---- -bœuf, _to show cool impudence_. Toupet de commissaire, _extraordinary -impudence_. Se mettre, or se foutre quelquechose dans le ----, _to get -something into one’s head_; _to remember_. - -TOUPIE, _f._ (popular), _head_; _woman of very lax morality_. Avoir du -vice dans la ----, _to be cunning_, “up to a dodge or two.” - -TOUR, _m._ (familiar), du bâton, _unlawful profits on some business -transaction_. (Popular) Faire voir le ----, _to deceive_, “to -bamboozle.” Connaître le ----, _to be cunning, wide awake_, “to be -up to a trick or two.” (Military) Passer à son ---- de bête, _to be -promoted according to seniority_. - - Il passa capitaine à l’ancienneté, à son tour de bête, - comme il disait en rechignant.--=E. ABOUT.= - -(Thieves’) Donner un ---- de cravate à quelqu’un, _to strangle one_. -La ----, or la ---- pointue, _the Préfecture de Police, or headquarters -of the police_. Se donner un ---- de clef, _to rest oneself_. - -TOURBE, _f._ (popular), être rien dans la ----, _to be in great -distress_. - -TOURLOUROU, or TOURLOURE, _m._ (general), _infantry soldier_. - -TOURMENTE, _f._ (thieves’), _colic_, or “botts.” - -TOURNANT, _m._ (thieves’), _mill_; _head_. Détacher une beigne sur le -----, _to hit one on the head_, “to fetch one a wipe in the gills.” - -TOURNANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _key_, or “screw.” - -TOURNE-À-GAUCHE, _m._ (popular), _man_. Alluding to a physical -peculiarity. - -TOURNE-AUTOUR, _m._ (popular), _cooper_. The allusion is obvious. - -TOURNE-CLEF, _m._ (roughs’), _life-preserver_, or “neddy.” - -TOURNÉE, _f._ (popular), offrir une ----, _to treat all round to -drink_. Payer une ---- à quelqu’un, _to thrash one_. Recevoir une ----, -_to get thrashed_. (Familiar) Faire une ---- pastorale, _to go with a -number of friends to a house of ill-fame with platonic intentions_. -(Thieves’) Faire une ---- rouge, _to murder_. - -TOURNER (popular), l’œil, _to be sleepy_; ---- de l’œil, _to die_. - - Deux étoiles.... L’une était brune et l’autre blonde.... Et - toutes deusses avaient du talent.... Et toutes deusses ont - tourné d’l’œil, avant l’âge.--_Le Cri du Peuple._ - -(Thieves’) Tourner la vis, _to strangle one_. - -TOURNEVIS, _m._ (roughs’), _infantry soldier_. Chapeau à ----, -_gendarme_. - -TOURNIQUET, _m._ (sailors’), _surgeon_, “sawbones;” (thieves’) _mill_. - -TOURTE, _f._ (popular), _head_, or “tibby;” _arrant fool_. - - J’vous dis qu’vous n’êtes qu’une tourte, tendez-vous c’que - j’vous parle, s’pèce de moule!--=CHARLES LEROY=, _Le - Colonel Ramollot_. - -Avoir une écrevisse dans la ----. See AVOIR. Rire comme une ----, _to -grin like an idiot_. - -TOURTOUSE, TORTOUSE, or TOURTOUSINE, _f._ (thieves’), _rope_. - -TOURTOUSER (thieves’), _to bind_. - -TOURTOUSIER, _m._ (thieves’), _rope-maker_. - -TOUSER (thieves’), _to ease oneself_. - -TOUSSE (popular), ce n’est pas cher ça, non! c’est que je ----, _that’s -not dear that, oh dear no!_ C’est de l’argent ça comme je ----, _that’s -no more silver than I am_. - -TOUSSER (popular), dessus, _to reject with disdain_. Faire ----, _to -make one pay_, or “fork out.” - -TOUT, _adj._ (familiar), le ---- Paris, _the select portion of the -pleasure-seeking society of Paris_. - - Son profil narquois et fin ... avait pris place désormais - dans les médaillons du “tout Paris” entre la chevelure - d’une actrice en vogue et la figure décomposée de ce prince - en disgrâce.--=A. DAUDET.= - -(Thieves’) Tout de cé, _very well_, “bene.” - -TOUT-À-L’ŒIL, _m._ (popular), _member of parliament_. Literally _one -who can procure everything gratis_. - -TOUTIME, _adj._ (old cant), _all_. - - A été aussi ordonné que les argotiers toutime qui bieront - demander la thune, soit aux lourdes ou dans les entiffes - ne se départiront qu’ils n’aient été refusés neuf mois, - sous peine d’être bouillis et plongés en lance jusqu’au - proye.--_Le Jargon de l’Argot._ - -TOUT-POTINS DES PREMIÈRES, _m._ (journalists’), _select set of -play-going Parisians_. - -TOXON, _m._ (obsolete), _ugly, grotesque-looking man_. - - Si tu n’tires pas tes guêtres d’ici, j’boxons, vilain - toxon, soldat de Satan.--_Riche-en-Gueule._ - -TRAC, or TRAK, _m._ (general), _fear_, “funk.” - - En vérité, sa voix devenait tout à fait agréable, - maintenant que le “trac” disparaissait.--=J. SERMET.= - -Flanquer le ----, _to frighten_. Avoir le ----, _to be afraid_, “funky.” - - Cornebois répéta. Il avait un trak épatant. Il avait - figuré, c’était facile; mais parler en public ... c’est une - autre paire de manches.--=E. MONTEIL.= - -Ficher le ----, _to frighten_. - - Tout ça, c’est des histoires pour nous ficher le trac, à - cause que nous ne sommes pas anciens à l’escadron. - --=G. COURTELINE.= - -TRACQUER (general), _to be afraid_, or “funky.” The word seems to be -derived from traquer, _to track_. He who is tracked has reasons for -being afraid, and both the cause and result are expressed by one and -the same word. - - Quoi! tu voudrais que je grinchisse - Sans tracquer de tomber au plan? - J’doute qu’à grinchir on s’enrichisse, - J’aime mieux gouêper, c’est du flan. - Viens donc remoucher nos domaines, - De nos fours goûter la chaleur. - Crois-moi, balance tes alènes: - Fais-toi gouêpeur. - - =VIDOCQ.= - -Spelt also “traker.” - - Tâche de ne pas traker.... Ce serait d’un sot. - --=E. MONTEIL.= - -TRACQUEUR, _m._ (general), _poltroon_. - -TRACTIS, _adj._ (thieves’), _tractable_; _soft_. Tractis is an old -French word. - - Qu’est devenu ce front poly, - Ces cheveulx blonds, sourcils voultyz, - Grand entr’œil, le regard joly, - Dont prenoye les plus subtilz; - Ce beau nez droit, grand ne petiz; - Ces petites joinctes oreilles, - Menton fourchu, cler vis traictis - Et ces belles lèvres vermeilles. - - =VILLON.= - -TRAIN, _m._ (popular), _noise_; _uproar_. Faire du ----, “to kick -up a row.” Du ----! _quick_. Donner un coup de pied dans le ---- à -quelqu’un, _to kick one’s behind_, “to land one a kick in his bum.” -Train des vaches, _tramcar_. Le ---- blanc, _a train which used to be -chartered by Madame Blanc of Monaco for the use of ruined gamesters_. -Le ---- jaune, _Saturday till Monday cheap train taken by husbands who -go to see their wives at the seaside_. A malicious allusion to the -alleged favourite colour of injured husbands. Un ---- de charcuterie, -_train with third class carriages_. Un ---- direct pour Charenton, _a -glass of absinthe_. Charenton is a Paris dépôt for lunatics, and many -cases of delirium tremens are due to excessive drinking of absinthe. Un ----- direct coupé, _litre of wine poured out into a couple of glasses_, -_a kind of_ “split.” Prends le ----, _run away_, “hook it.” Prendre le ----- d’onze heures, _to loiter_, _to stroll_. Manquer le ----, _to be -late_, _to lose a good opportunity_. - -TRAÎNEAU, _m._ (popular), faire ----, _to drag oneself on one’s behind_. - -TRAÎNE-CUL-LES-HOUSETTES, _m._ (familiar), _vagrant_, _tramp_. - -TRAÎNÉE, _f._ (familiar), _woman of indifferent character_. - - A son âge la petite Maria Blond avait un joli toupet. Avec - ça que de pareilles histoires arrivaient à des traînées de - son espèce!--=ZOLA.= - -TRAÎNE-GUÊTRES, _m._ (popular), _lazy fellow who strolls about_; -_vagrant_, “pikey.” - -TRAÎNE-PAILLASSE, _m._ (military), “fourrier,” _or commissariat -non-commissioned officer, who in this instance has charge of the -bedding_. - -TRAÎNER (popular), le cheval mort, or faire du chien, _to do work paid -for in advance_, “to work the dead horse;” ---- la savate quelque part, -_to go for a walk_; ---- ses guêtres, _to idle about_. - -TRAÎNEUR DE SABRE, _m._ (familiar), _uncomplimentary epithet applied to -a soldier_. - -TRAÎNEUSE, _f._ (familiar and popular), _prostitute who prowls about -railway stations_. See GADOUE. - -TRAIN-TRAIN, _m._ (general), aller son petit ----, _to live a quiet, -unobtrusive life, free from care_. - -TRAIT, _m._ (familiar). Faire des traits, _to be guilty of conjugal -unfaithfulness_. (Gay girls’) Avoir un ---- pour un miché, _to have a -tender feeling for a man_. - -TRAIT-CARRÉ, _m._ (obsolete), _the absolution given by a priest to a -repentant sinner by making the sign of the cross_. - -TRALALA, _m._ (popular), faire du ----, _to make a great fuss_, _a -great show_. Se mettre sur son grand ----, _to dress oneself in grand -attire_, “in full fig.” - -TRANCHANT, _m._ (thieves’), _paving stone_. - -TRANCHE, _f._ (military), j’ai soupé de ta ----, _I am tired of you_. -Se payer une ---- de, _to treat oneself to_. Refers to anything, from a -bottle of wine to a theatrical performance. - - C’qui m’fait rigoler, c’s’rin de poète, - Avec son bout d’alexandrin! - Vanter la neige! Faut-i’ êtr’ bête! - Pourquoi pas Cartouche et Mandrin? - - S’i’ la gob’, qu’i s’en paye un’ tranche! - Qu’i’ crach’ pas su’ les gazons verts! - Ça lui suffit pas qu’a soy’ blanche; - Faut encor’ qu’i’ la mette en vers! - - =J. JOUY=, _La Neige_. - -TRANCHE-ARDENT, _m._ (thieves’), _snuffers_. - -TRANCHE-FROMAGE, _m._ (military), _sword_. - -TRANCHER DE L’ÉLÉPHANT (obsolete), _to give oneself an air of -importance_. - - Il estoit encore jeune enfant - Qu’il tranchoit de son éléfant. - - _Paraphrase sur le Bref de sa Sainteté envoyé à la Reyne Régente_, - 1649. - -TRANQUILLE COMME BAPTISTE (popular), _as cool as a cucumber_. - -TRANSAILL (Breton cant), _small change_. - -TRAQUER, TRAQUEUR. See TRACQUER, TRACQUEUR. - -TRAV (thieves’), bonne à ----, _a likely place for a robbery_. - -TRAVAIL, _m._ (freemasons’), _eating_; (thieves’) _stealing_; -_cheating_. (Popular) Le ---- du casaquin, _act of thrashing soundly_. -(Prostitutes’) Le ----, _prostitution_. - -TRAVAILLER (theatrical), le succès, _to be head of the staff of paid -applauders at a theatre_. Se faire ----, _to be hissed_, “to get the -big bird.” (Popular) Travailler pour Jules, or ---- pour Monsieur -Domange, _to eat_. Alluding to the contractor for the emptying of -privies; ---- le cadavre, le casaquin, les côtes, _to thrash_, “to -wallop.” See VOIE. Se ---- le trognon, _to torture one’s brains_. -(Prostitutes’) Travailler, _to walk the streets_. The word has the -general meaning of _to ply_. - - Quelles sont donc vos sources principales de - renseignements? Les chiffonniers,... nous nous abouchons - avec les Diogènes qui travaillent cette rue et nous leur - achetons tous les papiers trouvés devant la porte de la - maison signalée.--=A. SIRVEN.= - -(Thieves’) Travailler, _to steal_; _to murder_; ---- à la tire, _to -pick pockets_; _to be a pickpocket_, or “buz-faker.” - - --Que faites-vous maintenant? - - --Je m’exerce à voler. - - --Diable! répondis-je avec un mouvement involontaire et en - portant la main sur ma poche. - - --Oh! je ne travaille pas à la tire, soyez tranquille, je - méprise les foulards ... je vole en l’air.--=TH. GAUTIER.= - -Travailler dans le rouge, _to murder_. - - Un meurtre! travailler dans le rouge! C’est grave! - --=P. MAHALIN.= - -Travailler dans le bât (bâtiment), _to break into houses_, “to crack -cribs.” - -TRAVAILLEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _gambling cheat_, or “shark;” _thief_, or -“prig;” (popular) ---- de nuit, _rag-picker_. - -TRAVAILLEUSE, _f._ (thieves’), _variety of Sodomite_. - - La troisième classe est entièrement formée d’individus - appartenant à la grande famille des ouvriers et ne vivant - que du produit de leur travail. De là est venu le nom de - “travailleuses.”--=LÉO TAXIL.= - -TRAVERS (roughs’), passer quelqu’un à ----, _to hustle_, _to thrash -one_, “to wallop.” See VOIE. Si tu ne dis pas fion je vais te passer à -----, _if you don’t apologize, I’ll thrash you_. - -TRAVERSE, _f._ (thieves), _penal servitude settlement_. From traversée, -_passage across the sea_. Etre en ---- à perpète, _to be a convict for -life_, _to be a_ “lifer.” - - They know what a clever lad he is; he’ll be a lifer. - They’ll make the Artful nothing less than a lifer. - --=CH. DICKENS.= - -Aller en ----, _to be transported_, “to lump the lighter,” or “to go -abroad.” - - The Artful Dodger going abroad for a common - twopenny-halfpenny sneeze-box!--=CH. DICKENS.= - -The corresponding expression in furbesche is “andar a traverso.” - -TRAVERSER UN LITRE (popular), _to drink a litre bottle of wine_. - -TRAVERSIN, _m._ (popular), _infantry soldier_. Alluding to the small -size of the infantry. Se foutre un coup de ----, _to sleep_, “to doss.” - -TRAVESTI, _m._ (theatrical), _part of a male character played by a -female_. - -TRAVIOLE, _f._ (popular and thieves’), _cross-road_; _ravine_. Avoir -des travioles, _to be uneasy_. De ---- (de travers), _crosswise_; -_awry_; _all wrong_. - - J’ons la chance d’traviole. - V’là les mendigots, les indigents. - Bon jour bon an, les bonn’s gens, - J’allons pas en carriole. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -TRÉBUCHET, _m._ (thieves’), _the guillotine_. - -TRÈFLE, or TREF, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _tobacco_, “fogus;” -(popular) _behind_. Vise au ----, _apothecary_, or “squirt.” (Familiar) -Roi de ----, _rival of a fast girl’s lover_, termed “roi de cœur.” -(Military) Boucillon de ----, _roll of tobacco_, “twist of fogus.” - - Tenez, mirez un peu, mes bons camarades ... voici d’abord - deux boucillons de trèfle qui ne seront pas mauvais à - fumer?--=DUBOIS DE GENNES.= - -TRÉFLIÈRE, or TRÉFOUINE, _f._ (popular and thieves’), _tobacco pouch_. - -TREIZIÈME, _adj._ (familiar), se marier au ---- arrondissement, _to -live as man and wife though not married_, _to live_ “tally.” The -expression has become obsolete, Paris being now divided into twenty -arrondissements instead of twelve. - -TREMBLANT, _m._ (popular), _bed_, “doss, or bug-walk.” - -TREMBLANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _fever_. - -TREMBLEMENT, _m._ (theatrical), _mixture of vermout, cassis, and -brandy_; (military) _fight_. (Popular) Et tout le ----, _all complete_; -_a grand show_. - - Et des chantres, et des enfants de chœur, et un - commissaire en habit et l’épée au côté; enfin, comme disait - Fumeron, tout le tremblement.--=HECTOR FRANCE.= - -TREMBLER (popular), faire ---- la volaille morte, _to utter -stupendously foolish things_. - -TREMBLEUSE, _f._ (popular), _electric bell_. - -TREMBLOTTE, _f._ (popular), _fear_. Termed also “trouille, flubart, -trac.” - -TRÉMOUSSER (familiar), faire ---- le baluchon _is said of wine which -gets into the head_. - - Pour du vin, dit la petite Linois tout-à-coup, si celui-là - ne vous fait pas trémousser le baluchon!--=E. MONTEIL.= - -TREMPAGE, _m._ (printers’), _intoxication_. - -TREMPE, or TREMPÉE, _f._ (popular), _thrashing_. - - Madame, si je ne me respectais pas, je vous ficherais une - drôle de trempée!--=GAVARNI.= - -TREMPER (popular), une soupe à quelqu’un, _to thrash one_. See VOIE. -(Military) Tremper son pied dans l’encre, _to be confined to barracks_, -“to be roosted.” - -TREMPETTE, _f._ (popular), _rain_. - -TREMPLIN, _m._ (theatrical), _the stage_. (Prostitutes’) Le ----, _the -particular street or boulevard where prostitutes ply their trade_. - -TRENTE-ET-UN, _m._ (familiar), être sur son ----, _to be dressed in -one’s best clothes_. - - Vous n’êtes pas habitués à me voir comme ça sur mon - trente-et-un, la pelure et le pantalon noirs avec un tuyau - de poêle et des souliers vernis.--_From a Parisian song._ - -From the game termed trente-et-un, that figure being the highest score. - -TRENTE-SIX, _m._ (popular), le ---- du mois, _never_, “when the devil -is blind.” - -TRENTE-SIXIÈME. See DESSOUS. - -TREO-TORRET (Breton cant), _pastry_. - -TRÈPE, _m._ (thieves’), _crowd_, or “push.” The word comes either -from the Italian cant treppo, which has a like signification, or from -the old French treper, _to press_, _to trample_. Roulotte à ----, -_omnibus_, or “chariot.” S’ébattre dans le ----, _to move about in a -crowd_. - -TREPELIGOUR, _m._ (old cant), _vagabond_. From treper, _to trample_, -and le gourd, _the high road_. - -TRÉPIGNARD, _m._ (thieves’), _thief who moves about in a crowd picking -pockets_. - -TRÉPIGNÉE, _f._ (popular), _thrashing_. Flanquer une ---- dans le gîte, -_to thrash soundly_. - -TRÉPIGNER (popular), _to give a sound thrashing_. See VOIE. - -TRESSER DES CHAUSSONS DE LISIÈRE (familiar), _to be in prison_. - -TRETON, _m._ (old cant), _rat_. Deformation of trottant. - -TRIANGLE, _m._ (freemasons’), _hat_; (artists’) _mouth_. Clapoter du -----, _to have an offensive breath_. - -TRIBU, _f._ (military), se mettre en ----, _to start a mess_. - -TRIBUNALIER, _m._ (journalists’), _reporters at courts of justice_. - - Un procès, dont les “tribunaliers” des journaux parisiens - ... n’ont pas soufflé mot.--_Gil Blas_, 1887. - -TRIC, _m._ (old cant), _meeting_. Faire le ----, _to leave the workshop -“en masse” to repair to the wine-shop_. - -TRICHER (familiar), _to act upon the suggestions of Malthus_. - -TRICHINE, _f._ (popular), _gay girl_. - -TRICHINER (popular), _to eat pork_. - -TRICORNE, _m._ (popular), _gendarme_. - -TRICOTER (popular), des flûtes, _to run away_; _to dance_; ---- les -côtes à quelqu’un, _to thrash one_; ---- les joues, _to slap one’s -face_. (Military) Aiguille à ---- les côtes, _sword_, “cheese-knife.” - - Comment se fait-il que tu sois si ferré à glace sur les - aiguilles à tricoter les côtes?--=DE GENNES.= - -TRIFFONNIÈRE, _f._ (popular), _tobacco pouch_. - -TRIFOIN, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _tobacco_, “fogus.” - -TRIFOUILLER (popular), _to search_; _to fumble_; ---- les guiches, _to -comb_. - -TRIMANCHER (thieves’), _to walk along the road_. - -TRIMAR, TRIMARD, _m._ (thieves’), _road_, or “Toby.” Trimar, from -trimer, _to run about on some unpleasant duty_. Aller au ----, _to be a -highwayman_. In English cant a highwayman was termed a “bridle-cull.” - - A booty of _£_10 looks as great in the eye of a - “bridle-cull,” and gives as much real happiness - to his fancy, as that of many thousands to the - statesman.--=FIELDING=, _Jonathan Wild_. - -(Prostitutes’) Faire son ----, _to walk the street_. Synonymous of -“faire le trottoir, faire son quart, aller au persil, aller au trot.” - -TRIMARDANT, _m._ (thieves’), _wayfarer_. - -TRIMARDE, _f._ (thieves’), _street_, or “drag.” - -TRIMARDER, or TRIMER (thieves’), _to walk along the road or street_. - - Il va passer tout à l’heure un pilier de paquelin qui - trimarde à gaye.--=VIDOCQ.= - -TRIMARDEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _highwayman_, a “High-Toby man.” - -TRIMBALER (familiar and popular), quelqu’un, _to take a person about_; ----- quelquechose, _to drag or carry a thing about_; ---- son cadavre, -_to take a walk_; ---- son crampon, _to take one’s wife or mistress for -a walk_. Se ----, _to walk about_. The corresponding expression for -trimbaler in the Berry patois is triquebaler. Rabelais uses the term -triquebalarideau with the signification of _fool_, that is, _one who -will allow himself to be ordered about_. - -TRIMBALEUR, _m._ (popular), _man not to be relied on_, _one who puts -you off with excuses_; ---- des cônis, or ---- de refroidis, _driver -of a hearse_. Termed also ---- de machabées; ---- de rouchies, or ----- de carne pour la sèche, _prostitute’s bully_, “Sunday-man;” ---- -d’indigents, _omnibus driver_. (Thieves’) Trimbaleur, _coachman_, -“rattling-cove;” ---- de piliers de boutanche, _rogue who having -purchased goods which he is to pay for at his residence, gets them -taken away by a shopman, and on the way manages to obtain possession of -the property_. - -TRIMBALLÉE, _f._ (popular), _a number_, _a quantity_. - -TRIME, _f._ (thieves’), _street_, or “donbite;” _way_; _road_, “Toby.” - - Nous ne rencontrerons pas seulement un ferlampier sur la - trime.--=VIDOCQ.= - -En ----, _let us go_, _away!_ - - Il y a gras (du butin), mes enfants; allons, en trime, - nous faderons (partagerons) au plus prochain tapis - (auberge).--=VIDOCQ.= - -TRIMER (familiar and popular), _to work hard_; _to be waiting_. Faire -----, _to make people wait_. Faire ---- les mathurins, _to eat_. -Literally _to make the teeth work_. (Thieves’) Trimer, _to walk along -the road_; (commercial travellers’) _to walk about in order to get -orders_. - -TRIMILET, _m._ (thieves’), _thread_. - -TRIMOIRES, _f. pl._ (thieves’), _legs_. - -TRINCKMAN, _m._ (popular), _wine retailer_. - -TRINGLE (popular), _nothing_; _no_; _naught_. - -TRINGLOT, _m._ (military), _soldier of the army service corps_. From -train and a suffix. - -TRINQUER (popular and thieves’), _to be compelled to pay for others, or -to have to make good any damage for which one is held responsible_; _to -lose at a game_. - - Le trèfle gagne. Trop petit, bibi, t’as mal maquillé ton - outil. V’là celle qui perd. J’ai trinqué (perdu), c’est - pas gai. V’là celle qui gagne. La v’là encore. Du carreau, - c’est pour ton veau. Du cœur, c’est pour ta sœur. Et v’là - la noire.--=RICHEPIN.= - -Faire ---- quelqu’un, _to thrash one_, “to wallop.” - -TRIOMPHE, _m._, explained by quotation:-- - - Le triomphe est une vieille coutume de Saint-Cyr, qui - consiste à promener sur une prolonge d’artillerie les - vainqueurs du jour (lors de l’inspection), tandis que - les élèves forment dans la cour une immense farandole et - chantent le chœur légendaire de la galette.--_Figaro._ - -TRIPAILLON DE SORT! (popular), _ejaculation expressive of intense -disappointment_. - -TRIPASSE, _f._ (popular), _ugly and fat woman_. - -TRIPER (popular), _to suckle an infant_. - -TRIPES, _f. pl._ (popular), _large, soft breasts_. Secouer les ---- -à quelqu’un, _to thrash one_. See VOIE. Porter son argent aux ---- -(obsolete), _to employ one’s money in the purchase of very cheap -articles_. Used to be said by fishwives to customers who cheapened too -much. - -TRIPIÈRE, _f._ (popular), _girl or woman with well-developed breasts_. -Forte ----, _one with enormous breasts_. - -TRIPOLI, _m._ (popular), _rank brandy_, “French cream” and “bingo” in -old English cant. Un coup de ----, _a glass of brandy_. - -TRIPOT, _m._ (popular and thieves’), _police officer_; _municipal -guard_. - -TRIPOTER (familiar), le carton, _to play cards_. - - Un braconnier, qui n’a pas employé sa journée à tripoter le - carton, sort d’un fourré avec son arme.--=P. MAHALIN.= - - Comme les héroïnes de Molière n’ont d’esprit que l’éventail - en main, d’Axel ne retrouvait un peu de vie qu’en tripotant - le “carton.”--=A. DAUDET.= - -(Artists’) Tripoter la couleur, _to paint_. Tripoté, _painted in -masterly style_. - - Comme c’est tripoté!... quel beurre! Il est impossible - d’être plus chaud et plus grouillant.--=TH. GAUTIER=, _Les - Jeune France_. - -TRIQUAGE, _m._ (rag-pickers’), _sorting of rags_. - -TRIQUART, _m._, or TRIQUE, _f._ (thieves’), _liberated convict under -the surveillance of the “haute police.”_ Similarly to ticket-of-leave -convicts in England, a man under the surveillance of the police is -obliged to report himself from time to time, and a place of residence -is assigned to him which he cannot leave without permission. - -TRIQUE, _f._ (thieves’), _tooth_, or “ivory;” _cab_, or “cask;” _a -convict returned from transportation before his time_, or “yoxter.” -Also _one under police supervision_. (Popular) Trique à larder, or ----- à picoter, _sword-stick_. Faire flamber la ---- à larder, _to -use a sword-stick_. Trique, properly _cudgel_, termed “trucco” in the -Italian cant. - -TRIQUEBILLE, _m._ (obsolete). See FLAGEOLET. - -TRIQUER (popular), _to sort rags_; _to cudgel_; (thieves’) _to be under -police surveillance as a ticket-of-leave_. - -TRIQUET, _m._ (thieves’), _police spy_, one who watches ticket-of-leave -men, termed “triques.” - -TRIQUEUR, _m._ (popular), _master rag-picker_, _one who sorts rags_. - -TROEZ (Breton cant), _porridge_. - -TROGNADE (schoolboys’), _dainties, such as sweets, fruit, cakes_. - -TROGNER (schoolboys’), _to eat dainties_. - -TROGNEUR, _m._ (schoolboys’), _one who eats dainty things_. - -TROGNON, _m._ (popular), _head_, or “nut.” - - Comment Scrongnieugnieu, faut donc que j’vous l’répète - cinquante fois, qu’ c’est à cause des sales idées qu’ vous - m’avez foutues dans l’trognon, vous et Kelsalbecq, que - d’puis huit jours j’suis dévasté d’un embêtement vraiment - consécutif.--=G. FRISON.= - -Dévisser le ----, _to kill_. (Familiar and popular) Mon petit ----, -_my sweet little one_, _my little_ “ducky.” Other fond expressions -are: “mon loup, mon chien, mon petit chou, mon chat, mon loulou, mon -gros minet, ma petite chatte, ma bichette, ma minette, ma poule, ma -poupoule, mon gros poulet, ma petite cocotte,” and others quite as -ridiculous. Our fathers used the endearing term, “mon petit bouchon,” -from bouchonner, _to fondle_. - - _Sganarelle_ (embrassant sa bouteille). Ah! petite - friponne. Que je t’aime, mon petit bouchon.--=MOLIÈRE=, _Le - Médecin malgré lui_. - -TROISIÈME. See DESSOUS. - -TROIS-MÂTS, _m._ (military), _veteran with three stripes_. - -TROIS-PONTS, _m._ (familiar), _high silk cap_. Casquette à ----, -_prostitute’s bully_. See POISSON. - -TRÔLEUR, _m._ (popular), _commissionnaire_; _vagrant_, “pikey;” -_rabbit-skin man_. - -TRÔLEUSE, _f._ (popular), _street-walker_. See GADOUE. From the verb -trôler, _to go about_, derived from the German trollen. In English, to -troll, hence trull. - -TROMBILLE, _f._ (thieves’), _beast_. - -TROMBINE, _f._ (popular), _head_, or “tibby;” _physiognomy_, or “phiz.” -See TRONCHE. Trombine en dèche, _ugly face_, “knocker-face.” Une rude -----, _a grotesque face_. - -TROMBLON, _m._ (familiar), _hat_, or “stove-pipe.” - -TROMBOLLER (roughs’), _to love_; ---- les gonzesses, _to be fond of -women_. - -TROMBONE, _m._ (military), faire ----, _to pretend to take money out of -one’s pocket to pay for the reckoning_. The movement to and fro of the -hand is likened to the action of playing the trombone. - -TROMPE, _f._ (popular), _nose_. - -TROMPE-CHASSES, _m._ (thieves’), _picture_. - -TROMPE-LA-MORT, _m._ (familiar), _swell_, “masher.” - -TROMPETTE, _f._ (popular), _face_, or “mug;” _mouth_, or “rattle-trap;” -_nose_, or “conk;” _cigar_. - -TROMPEUR, _m._ (obsolete), _melon_. Thus termed probably from its -yellow colour, which is supposed to be that in favour with deceived -husbands. - -TROMPION, _m._ (military), _bugler_. - -TRONCHE, _f._ (thieves’ and roughs’), _head_, or “tibby.” - - --J’espère bien qu’on lui coupera la tronche à celui-là. - - --Je parie que je l’attrape à la sorbonne avec un trognon - de chou.--=TH. GAUTIER.= - -The slang synonyms are: “le baldaquin, le coco, la boule, la balle, -la ciboule, la calebasse, la boussole, la pomme, la coloquinte, le -caillou, la cafetière, le caisson, le tesson, la cocarde, la bobine, -le citron, la poire, le grenier à sel, la boîte au sel, la boîte à -sardines, la boîte à surprises, la tire-lire, la hure, la gouache, -la noisette, le char, le réservoir, le chapiteau, le bourrichon, la -goupine, la tourte, le trognon, la guitare, la guimbarde, le soliveau, -le bobéchon, la bobinasse, le kiosque, le vol-au-vent, l’omnibus, -la sorbonne, la caboche, le ciboulot, l’ardoise, le soufflet, le -jambonneau, l’armoire à glace, la baigneuse, le schako;” and in the -English slang: “knowledge-box, tibby, costard, nut, chump, upper -storey, crumpet, and nab.” Tronche à la manque, _police officer_, or -“reeler.” See POT-À-TABAC. The proper signification of tronche is -_billet of wood_, _piece of wood which has been cut off the trunk_. - -TRONCHER (thieves’), _to kiss_. Termed also “sucer la pomme.” - -TRONCHINER (obsolete), used to signify _to take a morning walk_, -a “constitutional.” From the name of a celebrated doctor of the -eighteenth century, by name Tronchin, whom it was then the fashion to -consult. Tronchinade had the meaning of _walk_. - -TRONCHINETTE, _f._ (roughs’), _young girl’s head or face_. - -TRÔNE, _m._ (popular), _night-stool_. Etre sur le ----, _to be at the -W.C._ - -TROPLOC, _m._ (popular), _employer_, “boss.” - -TROQUET, _m._ (popular), abbreviation of mastroquet, _landlord of -wine-shop_. Called also “bistrot, empoisonneur, mannezingue.” - - Tout ce que je sais, c’est que je sortais du troquet - quand j’ai reçu mon atout par trois zigs qui ont pu - me déshabiller, après avoir eu des nouvelles de mon - biceps. S’ils m’ont donné des châtaignes, je les ai bien - arrangés.--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude_. - -TROT, _m._ (prostitutes’), aller au ----, _to walk the street as a -prostitute in full_ “fig.” (Military) Au ----! a favourite expression -in the cavalry, _look sharp!_ - - Allez mettre votre blouse, et au trot! qu’est-ce qui m’a - bâti un pierrot comme ça!--=G. COURTELINE.= - -TROTACH (Breton cant), _soup_. - -TROTTANT, _m._ (thieves’), _rat_. - -TROTTANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _mouse_. - -TROTTER (popular), se ----, or se la ----, _to go away_. - - Il m’a donné du poignon pour me trotter toute seule à - Paris. Je suis revenue, avec le sac de l’homme sauvage, à - la turne de l’ogresse.--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude_. - -TROTTE-SEC, _m._ (cavalry), _foot-soldier_, “mud-crusher.” - -TROTTEUSE, _f._ (popular), _railway engine_, “puffing, or whistling -Billy.” - -TROTTIGNOLE, _f._ (popular and thieves’), _foot_, “crab;” _shoe_, -“crab-shell.” Du cabochard aux trottignoles, _from head to foot_. - -TROTTIN, _m._ (popular), _errand boy or girl_. - - Les trottins se feront des révérences comme les marquises - de l’ancien temps.--_Le Voltaire_, Nov., 1886. - -Trottins, _feet_, or “everlasting shoes;” _shoes_, or “trotter-cases.” -Des trottins feuilletés, _worn-out, leaky shoes_. (Thieves’) Trottin, -_horse_, or “prad.” - -TROTTINARD, _m._ (popular), _child_, “kid.” - -TROTTINET, _m._ (popular), _lady’s shoe_. - -TROTTOIR, _m._ (familiar), femme de ----, _prostitute_, or “common -Jack.” Le grand ----, _fashionable cocottes_, _high-class_ “tarts” _of -that description_. Le petit ----, _the street-walking females_, or -“unfortunates.” (Theatrical) Le grand ----, _stock of classical plays_. -Le petit ----, _class of lighter productions_. - -TROU, _m._ (familiar), faire son ----, _to get on in the world_. -(Popular) Le ---- aux pommes de terre, _the mouth_, “potato-trap.” Le ----- de balle, de bise, or du souffleur, _anus_. Avoir un ---- sous le -nez, _to be a great bibber of wine_. Etre dans le ----, _to be dead and -buried_, “to have been put to bed with a shovel;” _to be in prison_, -_in_ “quod.” Un ---- du cul, _an arrant fool_, “bally flat;” _a mean -fellow_, or “skunk.” On lui boucherait le ---- du cul avec un grain de -sable--explained thus by Rigaud:-- - - Se dit en parlant de quelqu’un que la peur paralyse, - parceque, alors, selon l’expression vulgaire, il “serre les - fesses.”--_Dict. d’Argot Moderne._ - -Faire un ---- à la lune, _to fail in business_, _to be bankrupt_. It -formerly signified _to disappear_. Literally to _vanish behind the -moon_. (Thieves’) Trou, _prison_, or “quod.” - - Vive le vin! vive la bonne chère! - Vive la grinche! vive les margotons! - Vive les cigs! vive la bonne bière! - Amis, buvons à tous les vrais garçons! - Ce temps heureux a fini bien trop vite, - Car aujourd’hui nous v’là tous dans l’trou. - - _Song written by_ =CLÉMENT=, _a burglar._ - -TROUBADE, or TROUBADOUR, _m._ (popular), _infantry soldier_. - - Ta tournure guerrière, - Ta de rata, tata, ta de rata, ta taire, - Sait captiver la plus fière! - Et, pour le parfait amour, - En filant un doigt de cour, - Tu te montreras toujours - Plus fort que dix troubadours. - - =DUBOIS DE GENNES.= - -TROUÉE, _f._ (thieves’), _lace_, or “driz.” - -TROUFIGNARD, TROUFIGNON, _m._ (popular), _the behind_; _the anus_. - -TROUFION, _m._ (popular), _soldier_. - -TROUILLARDE, _f._ (popular), _prostitute_. From the verb trôler, _to -roam about_. - -TROUILLE, _f._ (popular), _dirty servant_; _slut_; _dissipated-looking -woman_; _trull_; (thieves’) _fear_. Avoir la ----, _to be afraid_. -Synonymous of “avoir le taf, le trac, le flubart, la frousse.” - -TROUILLOTER (popular), _to stink_. - -TROUPE, _f._ (theatrical), d’argent, _second-rate company_; ---- de -carton, _company composed of very inferior actors_; ---- de fer-blanc, -_one numbering actors of ordinary ability_. Termed also “troupe d’été,” -the Paris season taking place in winter; ---- d’or, or d’hiver, -_first-rate theatrical company_. In the language of journalists the -expressions, “troupe de fer-blanc,” “troupe d’or,” are used to denote -respectively _a middling or excellent staff of writers_. - -TROUSSE, _f._ (thieves’), _anus_. - -TROUSSEQUIN, _m._ (popular), _the behind_, or “Nancy.” See VASISTAS. - -TROUVÉ, _adj._ (artists’ and journalists’), _new_, _original_. - -TROUVER (familiar), la ---- mauvaise, _to be highly dissatisfied_. -Trouver des puces, _to have a quarrel, or to get a thrashing_. Se ---- -mal sur, _to appropriate another’s property_. - -TROYEN, _m._ (domino players’), _three of dominoes_. - -TRUC, _m._ (familiar and popular), _affair_; _mode_; _knack_; _dodge_. -Avoir le ----, _to have the knack_, _to have the secret_. - - Est-ce que je ne connais pas toutes les couleurs? J’ai le - truc de chaque commerce.--=BALZAC.= - -Avoir le ----, _to find a dodge_. - - Ce farceur de Mes-Bottes avait eu le truc d’épouser une - dame très décatie.--=E. ZOLA.= - -Truc, _any kind of small trade in the streets_. Avoir du ----, _to be -ingenious_; _to possess a mind fertile in resource_. Le ---- vert, -_billiards_, or “spoof.” (Popular and thieves’) Piger le ----, _to -discover the fraud_, _the dodge_. Le ---- de la morgane et de la lance, -_christening_. - - A la chique à six plombes et mèche pour que le ratichon - maquille son truc de la morgane et de la lance.--=VIDOCQ.= - -Le ----, _thieving_, “lay.” Le grand ----, _murder_. Des trucs, -_things_, _objects_. Donner le ----, _to give the watchword_. Boulotter -le ----, _to reveal the watchword_. (Theatrical) True, _engine -used to effect a transformation scene_. Pièce à trucs, _play with -transformation scenes_. (Prostitutes’) Faire le ----, _to walk the -streets_. (Military) Truc, _room_. - - Nous arrivons dans une espèce de sale truc, grand à peu - près comme v’là la chambre, seul’ment pas t’tafait aussi - haut.--=G. COURTELINE.= - -Also _military equipment_. Truc, from the Provençal tric, _deceit_. -Then we have the old-fashioned word “triche,” which corresponds to the -English trick at cards. A thief in Italian lingo is termed “truccante.” -Literally _trickster_. In old French “truc” meant _blow_, and in -the Italian jargon “trucco” is used to denominate a _stick_, from a -correlation between the effect and the cause. - -TRUCAGE, _m._, _selling new articles for antiquities_. - -TRUCAGEUR, _m._, _manufacturer of articles sold as genuine antiquities_. - -TRUCARD, _m._ (popular), _artful dodger_. - -TRUCHE, _f._ (thieves’ and tramps’), _begging_, “cadging.” - - Je suis ce fameux argotier, - Le grand Coesre de ces mions. - J’enterve truche et doubler - Dedans les boules et frémions. - - _La Chanson des Argotiers._ - -La faire à la ----, _to beg_, “to cadge.” - -TRUCHER (old cant), _to beg_, “to cadge;” ---- sur l’entiffe, _to beg -on the road_. From truc. - -TRUCHEUR, or TRUCHEUX, _m._ (old cant), beggar, or “cadger;” _tramp_, -or “pikey.” - - Qui veut rouscailler, - D’un appelé du grand Coesre, - Dabusche des argotiers, - Et des trucheurs le grand maître, - Et aussi de tous ses vassaux. - Vive les enfans de la truche, - Vive les enfans de l’argot. - - _La Chanson des Argotiers._ - -TRUCSIN, _m._ (thieves’), _house of ill-fame_, “flash-drum, nanny-shop, -or Academy.” In America certain establishments of this description are -termed “panel-cribs.” I find the following description in a book called -the _Slang Dictionary of New York, London, and Paris_ (the last-named -town might have been left out): Panel-crib, a place especially fitted -up for the robbery of gentlemen, who are enticed thereto by women who -make it their business to pick up strangers. Panel-cribs are sometimes -called badger-cribs, shake-downs, and touch-cribs, and are variously -fitted for the admission of those who are in the secret, but which defy -the scrutiny of the uninitiated. Sometimes the casing of the door is -made to swing on well-oiled hinges which are not discoverable in the -room, while the door itself appears to be hung in the usual manner, and -well secured by bolts and lock. At other times the entrance is effected -by means of what appears to be an ordinary wardrobe, the back of which -revolves like a turnstile on pivots. When the victim has got into bed -with the woman, the thief enters, and picking his pocket-book out of -his pocket, abstracts the money, and supplying its place with a small -roll of paper, returns the book to its place. He then withdraws, and -coming to the door raps and demands admission, calling the woman by the -name of wife. The frightened victim dresses himself in a hurry, feels -his pocket-book in its proper place, and escapes through another door, -congratulating himself on his happy deliverance. The panel-thief who -fits up a panel-crib tries always to pick up gentlemen that are on a -visit to the city on business or pleasure, who are not likely to remain -and prosecute the thieves. - -TRUELLE, _f._ (freemasons’), _spoon_. Termed also “pelle.” - -TRUFFARD, or TRUFFARDIN, _m._ (popular), _soldier_, “swaddy.” Truffard -also means _happy_, _lucky_. - -TRUFFE, _f._ (popular), _nose of considerable proportions_, or -“conk;” _potato_, “spud;” ---- de savetier, _chestnut_. Aux truffes, -_excellent_, “first-class, fizzing, out-and-out, nap.” Il a un nez à -chercher des truffes _is used to compare a man to a pig_, as a porcine -assistant is necessary for the finding and rooting up of truffles. - -TRUFFÉ, _adj. and m._ (familiar), _arrant_, _or_ “captious” _fool_; ----- de chic, _superlatively elegant or stylish_, “tsing tsing.” - -TRUFFER (popular), _to deceive_, “to cram up.” - -TRUFFERIE, _f._ (popular), _fib_, “cramming up.” - -TRUFFEUR, _m._ (popular), _one who tells fibs_, _who_ “throws the -hatchet,” or “draws the long-bow.” The English slang expressions come -from the wonderful stories which used to be told of the Norman archers, -and more subsequently of Indians’ skill with the tomahawk. - -TRUFFIER, _m._, TRUFFIÈRE, _f._ (popular), _fat person_. An allusion -to a pig used for finding truffles, and which is called truffier in -certain parts of France. It appears that peasants, in order to discover -an animal with a fine nose, go to the fair with a bit of truffle in -their shoe, and they know a good truffle-finder at once, as he never -fails to sniff at their heels. - -TRUMEAU, _m._ (popular), _woman of indifferent character_. See GADOUE. -Vieux ----! _old fool_, “doddering old sheep’s head.” - -TRUQUAGE, _m._ (artists’), _putting the name of an old master to a -modern picture_. - -TRUQUER, _m._ (popular), _to live by one’s wits_; (thieves’) _to -swindle_, “to bite;” _to give oneself up to prostitution_; ---- de la -pogne, _to beg_, “to cadge.” (Tradespeoples’) Truquer, _to manufacture -articles sold as genuine antiquities_. - -TRUQUEUR (popular), _one who lives by his wits_; _swindler_, _one of -the_ “swell-mob;” _card-sharper_, “rook;” _Sodomist_, “gentleman of the -back door;” _seller of theatre checks_; _one who does sundry odd jobs, -such as opening the doors of carriages_, _&c._, “one who lives on the -mooch,” _or who sells small articles in the streets_; _pedlar_. - - Je vous assure qu’il me répugne de verser le raisiné de ces - deux truqueurs.--=VIDOCQ.= - -TRUQUEUR DE CAMBROUSE, _tramp_, or “pikey.” - - Les deux truqueurs de cambrouse nous entendront si on - rebâtit le sinve.--=VIDOCQ.= - -TRUYE, _f._ fils de ---- (obsolete), _used to be said of a man who -vanishes_, alluding to La Truye qui file, the signboard of a celebrated -wine-shop of the seventeenth century. - -TUAL (Breton cant), _fox_. - -TUANT, _adj._ (familiar), _dull in the superlative degree_. - -TUBARD, _m._ (popular), _silk hat_. Various kinds of covering for the -head are termed: “capet, carbeluche, combre, combrieu, capsule, tuyau -de poêle, tromblon, tube, tube à haute pression, casque, viscope, -bolivar, couvre-amour, tuile, épicéphale, galurin, lampion, nid -d’hirondelle, caloquet, cadratin, ardoise, marquin, bâche, décalitre, -corniche, couvercle, couvrante, loupion, bosselard;” and in the -English slang: “tile, chimney-pot, stove-pipe, goss.” To complete this -_chapitre des chapeaux_, which has nothing in common with the one -said by Sganarelle to have been written by Aristotle, we may add that -Fielding calls hats “principles,” and in explanation of the term he -says:-- - - As these persons wore different “principles,” _i.e._ - hats, frequent dissensions grew among them. There were - particularly two parties, viz. those who wore hats fiercely - cocked, and those who preferred the “nab” or trencher hat, - with the brim flapping over their eyes. The former were - called “cavaliers” and “tory rory ranter boys,” &c. The - latter went by the several names of “wags, roundheads, - shakebags, oldnolls,” and several others. Between these - continual jars arose, insomuch that they grew in time to - think there was something essential in their differences, - and that their interests were incompatible with each other, - whereas, in truth, the difference lay only in the fashion - of their hats.--_Jonathan Wild._ - -TUBE, _m._ (familiar and popular), _silk hat_, “stove-pipe.” See TUBARD. - - Et ... le tube sur l’oreille ... suivi d’horizontales, de - verticales, de déhanchées et d’agenouillées, on le verra - s’en aller dans les rues.--_Le Voltaire._ - -(Popular) Le ----, _the throat_, “gutter-lane, or whistler;” _the -nose_, or “smeller.” See MORVIAU. Se coller quelquechose dans le ----, -_to eat_, “to grub.” Se piquer le ----, _to get drunk_, or “tight.” Se -flanquer du terreau dans le ----, _to take snuff_. Un ----, _a musket_, -or “dag.” Un ---- à haute pression, _silk hat_. - -TUBER (popular), _to smoke_. Tubons en une, _let’s_ “blow a cloud.” - -TUBERCULE, _m._ (familiar), _big nose_, “conk.” - -TUÉ, _adj._ (familiar), _astounded, aghast_, “flabbergasted.” - -TUER (thieves’), le ver, _to silence the calls of one’s conscience_, -a not unusual thing for thieves to do. (Popular) Tuer les mouches à -quinze pas, _to have an offensive breath_; ---- le colimaçon, _to have -a morning glass of white wine_; ---- le ver, _to have an early glass of -spirits_, a “dew-drink.” - - Ensuite on tue le ver abondamment: vin blanc, mêlé-cassis, - anisette de Bordeaux, d’aucunes grognardes, à la peau - couleur de tan ne crachent pas sur une couple de - perroquets, le demi-setier de casse-poitrine ou la chopine - d’eau-de-vie de marc.--=P. MAHALIN.= - -TUFFRE, _m._ (thieves’), _tobacco_, “stuff.” - -TUILE, _f._ (freemasons’), _plate_; (familiar) _disagreeable and -unforeseen event_; (roughs’) _hat_, or “tile.” - -TUILEAU, _m._ (roughs’), _cap_, “tile.” - - I’m a gent, I’m a gent, - In the Regent-Street style,-- - Examine my costume - And look at my tile. - - _Popular Song._ - -TUILER (popular), _to measure_, _to judge of one’s character or -abilities_; _to survey one with suspicious eye_. Se ----, _to reach the -stage of intoxication when the drunkard looks apoplectic, when he is -as_ “drunk as Davy’s sow.” - -TULIPE ORAGEUSE, _f._, _a step of the cancan_, a pas seul danced in -such places as Bullier or L’Elysée Montmartre by a young lady with -skirts and the rest tucked up so as to disclose enough of her person to -shock the sense of decorum of virtuous lookers-on, whose feelings must -be further hurt by the energetic and suggestive gyratory motions of the -performer’s body. This pas is varied by the “présentez armes!” when -the lady handles her leg as a soldier does his musket on parade. Other -choregraphic embellishments are, “le passage du guet, le coup du lapin, -la chaloupe en détresse, le pas du hareng saur,” &c. - -TUNE, or THUNE, _f._ (thieves’), _money_, or “pieces;” _five-franc -piece_. - - J’suis un grinche, un voleur, un escarpe; je buterais le - Père Eternel pour affurer une tune, mais ... trahir des - amis, jamais!--=VIDOCQ.= - -La ----, or tunebée (old cant), _the old prison of Bicêtre_. In the -fifteenth century the king of mendicants was called Roi de Thune, -or Tunis, as mentioned by V. Hugo in his description of La Cour des -Miracles under Louis XI. (see _Notre Dame de Paris_), in imitation of -the title of Roi d’Egypte, which the head of the gipsies bore at that -time. It is natural that rogues should have given the appellation to -the prison of Bicêtre, where so many of the members of the “canting -crew” were given free lodgings, and which was thus considered as a -natural place of meeting for the subjects of the King of Thune. - -TUNEÇON, _f._ (old cant), _prison_, or “stir.” - -TUNER (old cant), _to beg_, “to maunder.” The latter term seems to be -derived from mendier, _to beg_. - -TUNEUR, _m._ (old cant), _beggar_, “maunderer.” - -TUNNEL, _m._ (medical students’), _the anus_. - -TUNODI (Breton cant), _to talk cant_, “to patter flash.” - -TUNODO (Breton cant), _cant expressions_; ---- minson, _falsehoods_. - -TURBIN, _m._ (popular), _annoyance_. - - Bon sang d’bon Dieu! quel turbin! - J’viens d’mett’mon pied dan’ eun’ flaque: - C’est l’hasard qui m’offre un bain, - Vlan! v’là l’vent qui m’fiche eun’ claque. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -Turbin, _work_, “graft.” - - Après six jours entiers d’turbin - J’me sentais la gueule un peu sale. - Vrai, j’avais besoin d’prend’un bain; - Seul’ment j’l’ai pris par l’amygdale. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -(Thieves’) Le ----, _thieving_. (Prostitutes’) Le ----, -_prostitution_. Aller au ----, _to walk the streets as a -street-walker_. - -TURBINER (popular), _to work_, _to do_ “elbow grease.” - - Plus joyeux encore l’ouvrier qui turbine en plein air, - suspendu sur un échafaudage, plus près du bleu, éventé par - les souffles de l’horizon.--=RICHEPIN=, _Le Pavé_. - -Turbiner une verte, _to drink a glass of absinthe_. (Thieves’) -Turbiner, _to thieve_. - -TURBINEUR, _m._ (popular), _labourer_. - -TURC, _m._ (thieves’), _a native of Touraine_. See TÊTE, FACE. - -TURCAN, _m._ (thieves’), _the town of Tours_. - -TURIN, _m._ (thieves’), _earthenware pot_. This word is no doubt a -corruption of terrine. - -TURLURETTE, _f._ (popular), _fast girl_. - -TURLUTAINE, _f._ (popular), _caprice_, _whim_. - -TURLUTINE, _f._ (military), _campaigning ration consisting of pounded -biscuit, rice, and bacon_. - -TURNE, _f._ (familiar and popular), _ill-furnished, wretched room or -lodgings_. This word is derived from the Gipsy “turno,” _castle_. - - L’immeuble ... je me suis tout de suite - Souvenu de cette turne. - - =XAVIER MONTÉPIN.= - -TURQUIE, _f._ (thieves’), _Touraine_. - -TUTOYER (popular), une chose, _to take hold of a thing -unceremoniously_; _to purloin_; ---- un porte-morningue, _to steal a -purse_. - -TUTU, _m._ (familiar), _kind of short muslin drawers worn by ballet -girls_. Termed also “cousu.” - - Son maillot tendu sans un pli, avant d’enfiler cette sorte - de jupon-caleçon de mousseline, bouffant aux hanches, - fermé au-dessus du genou et qui répond au joli petit nom - harmonieux de tutu ou cousu.--=A. SIRVEN.= - -TUYAU, _m._ (popular), _ear_, or “wattle;” _throat_, or “red lane.” -Se jeter quelque chose dans le ----, _to eat or drink_. Avoir le ---- -bouché, _to have a cold in the head_. (Familiar and popular) Tuyau de -poêle, _silk hat_, “stove-pipe.” - - Ni blouses, ni vestes, ni casquettes: redingotes, paletots, - tuyaux de poêle.--=A. SIRVEN.= - -(Military) Tuyau de poêle, _regulation boots_. (Popular) Les tuyaux, -legs, “pins.” Ramoner ses tuyaux, _to run away_; _to wash one’s feet_. -See PATATROT. - -(Sporting) Tuyau, “tip,” that is, confidential information about a -horse that is likely to win. Given in le tuyau de l’oreille. - - Après mon opération, le cheval que j’ai pris devient - subitement le tuyau.--_Le Gil Blas._ - -Donner un ----, _to give such information_, “to give the office.” - -TUYAUX DE POÊLE, _m. pl._ (popular), _high boots_; _worn-out shoes_. - - Des tuyaux de poêle qui reniflent la poussière des - ruisseaux.--=E. DE LA BÉDOLLIÈRE.= - -TYPE, _m._ (familiar and popular), _individual_, “bloke, cove,” or -“cuss,” as the Americans say. - - Nous ne parlerons que pour mémoire du garçon de café - qui, dédaignant aujourd’hui le pourboire, ne rend jamais - exactement la monnaie, lorsqu’il a flairé un type à ne pas - compter.--=A. SIRVEN.= - -Type has also the signification of _odd fellow_, “queer fish.” The -term “type” was first used by cocottes as synonymous of _dupe_, or -“flat,” as appears from the following dialogue between two “soupeuses,” -frequenters of Brébant’s restaurant. - - --Avec qui as-tu passé ta soirée? - - --M’en parle pas: avec deux types qui m’ont embêtée à cent - francs par tête.--=P. AUDEBRAND=, _Petits Mémoires d’une - Stalle d’Orchestre_. - -TYPESSE, _f._ (familiar and popular), _woman_. - -TYPO, _m._ (popular), _compositor_. - -TYPOTE, _f._ (popular), _female compositor_. - - - - -U - - -ULCÈRE, _m._ (popular), faire dégorger son ----, _to make oneself -vomit_. - -UNCH’ (popular), the first words of a mild form of swearing, nom -d’un.... - - Bravo ... Nom d’unch! C’est presque aussi bien qu’à - l’Ambigu.--=VICTOR HUGO.= - -UN PEU DE COURAGE À LA POCHE (mountebanks’), _a phrase used as an -appeal to the generosity of the public when the sum required before -the performance of any feat is not forthcoming_. May be rendered by -“tuppence more and up goes the donkey,” a vulgar street phrase, says -the _Slang Dictionary_, for extracting as much money as possible before -performing any task. The phrase had its origin with a travelling -showman, the finale of whose performance was the hoisting of a donkey -on a pole or ladder. (Familiar) Un de plus _refers to an injured -husband_. - -UONIK (Breton cant), _the sun_. - -URF, _adj._ (popular), _excellent_, _first-class_. C’est rien ----! -_excellent_, “real jam.” Le monde ----, _fine people_. - -URGE, _m._ The word is used by the ladies or “tartlets” of the -Boulevards to qualify a man’s financial status. The scale ranges from -the humble “un urge,” denoting a poor or very stingy man, to the -superlative “dix urges.” A stingy man is also said to wear gloves of -the size 6½, whilst a generous One sports the 8½. - - Ainsi un gandin passe d’un air dégagé sur le boulevard, - lorgnant les femmes qui font espalier à la porte des cafés. - Trois urges! diront celles-ci en l’apercevant. Trois urges, - c’est-à-dire: ce monsieur n’est pas généreux, il gante - dans les numéros bas. Si, au contraire, elles disent: - Six urges! ou huit urges! oh! alors, c’est un banquier - mexicain qui passe là, elles le savent, il leur en a donné - des preuves la veille ou l’avant-veille. L’échelle n’a - que dix échelons; le premier urge s’emploie à propos des - pignoufs; le dixième urge seulement à propos des grands - seigneurs.--=DELVAU.= - -URINE DE LAPIN (popular), _bad and weak brandy_. - -URLE, _f._ (thieves’), _the room where prisoners have interviews with -visitors_. - -URNE, _f._ (popular), _head_, or “tibby.” Avoir un député dans l’----, -_to be enceinte_. - -URPINO, _adj._ (popular), _excellent_, “fizzing;” _elegant_. For -rupino, rupin. C’est ---- aux pommes, _it is the height of elegance_. - -URSULE, _f._ (familiar), _old maid_. - -USAGER (popular), _is said of a man with genteel manners_. - -USER (military), son matricule, _to serve in the army_. Le numéro -matricule is _the soldier’s number_. (Gamesters’) User le tapis, _to -play low_; (familiar) ---- sa salive, _to argue uselessly_. Ne pas -avoir usé ses culottes sur les bancs, _to be ignorant_. (Thieves’) User -la pierre ponce, _to be a convict at a penal servitude settlement_. -From a simile. Pumice stone takes a long time to wear away. - -USINE, _f._ (popular), _place where one works_. - -USINER (popular), _to work_, “to graft.” - -USTENSILE, _m._ (bullies’), _mistress_. - -USTENSILIER, _m._ (theatrical), _one who has charge of the minor -articles of the plant_. - -USTOCHES, _m. pl._ (popular), _scissors_. Deformation of eustache, -_knife_. - -UT! (printers’), _your health!_ First word of a sentence formerly used -by printers when drinking together, “Ut tibi prosit meri potio!” The -Germans use the expression, “prosit!” - -UTILITÉ, _f._ (theatrical), _useful actor_, _an_ “all round” _one_. - - - - -V - - -VACHARD, _m._ (popular), _man with no energy_; _lazy fellow_, “bummer.” - -VACHE, _f._ (popular), _woman of indifferent character_; ---- à lait, -_prostitute_. See GADOUE. Vache! _an insulting epithet applied to -either sex_. - - Ce fut, pendant une minute, une clameur - assourdissante.... - - --Cochon! - - --Salaud! - - --Bougre de vache!--=G. COURTELINE.= - -Etre ----, faire la ----, _to be lazy_. Prendre la ---- et le veau, _to -marry a girl who is pregnant_. Le train des vaches, _the tramcar_. A -play on the word tramway. (Thieves’) La ----, _the police_, “reelers.” -Une ----, _police spy_, _or policeman_. - - Elle avait été amenée là par deux horribles petits - drôles.... Ils étaient en train de dresser la “gonzesse” - avant de l’envoyer battre le trimar (le trottoir) lorsque - les roussins, les vaches, survinrent.--=ALBERT CIM=, - _Institution de Demoiselles_. - -Mort aux vaches! _is a motto often found tattooed on malefactors’ -bodies_. - -VACHER, _m._ (thieves’) _police officer_, or “reeler.” - -VACHERIE, _f._ (popular), _laziness_; _a place where drinks are served -by women_. - -VA-COMME-JE-TE POUSSE, _f._ (popular), à la ----, _at haphazard_. - -VACQUERIE, _f._ (thieves’), aller en ----, _to sally forth on a -thieving expedition_. - -VADE, _f._ (thieves’), _crowd_, or “push.” Termed also “tigne.” - -VA-DE-LA-GUEULE, _m._ (popular), _gormandizer_, or “grand paunch;” -_orator_. - -VA-DE-LA-LANCE, _m._ (popular), _boon companion_, _a kind of_ “jolly -dog.” - -VADOUX, _m._ (obsolete), _servant_. - -VADROUILLARD, VADROUILLEUR, _m._ (popular), _low fellow fond of holding -revels with prostitutes_. - -VADROUILLARDE, VADROUILLE, VADROUILLEUSE, _f._ (familiar and popular), -_low prostitute_, or “draggle-tail.” Vadrouille, _low graceless fellow_. - - Fais-toi connaître. Il faut - Que je saches où tu perches. - Je fais mille recherches, - O gibier d’échafaud. - Et je reviens bredouille!... - Ainsi chantait T--or, - Mais l’horrible vadrouille - Ricana: cherche encor. - - =RAMINAGROBIS.= - -Vadrouille is properly _a swab_. Aller en ----, or faire une ----, _to -go and amuse oneself with gay girls_. (Thieves’ and roughs’) En ----, -_wandering about_, “on the mooch.” - -VADROUILLER (popular), _to go with prostitutes_, _to be a_ “mutton -monger.” - -VAGUE, _m._ (thieves’), aller au ----, _to go about seeking for a_ -“job,” _quærens quem devoret_. Coup de ----, _theft_. Pousser un coup -de ----, _to commit a robbery_. - - Un certain soir étant dans la débine. - Un coup de vague il leur fallut pousser, - Car sans argent l’on fait bien triste mine. - - _Song written by_ =CLÉMENT=, _a burglar_. - -(Bullies’) Envoyer une femme au ----, _to send a woman out for purposes -of prostitution_. (Popular) Du ----! _an expression of refusal_, which -may be rendered by the Americanism, “yes, in a horn.” Se lâcher du -----, lancer une gousse au ----, _to send a woman out to walk the -streets_. - -VAGUER (prostitutes’), _to wander about_. - -VAIN, _adj._ (thieves’), _bad_. - -VAISSEAU DU DÉSERT, _m._ (popular), euphemism for chameau, _prostitute_. - -VAISSELLE, _f._ (popular), de poche, _money_, “needful.” (Military) -Vaisselle, _decorations_. Mettre sa ---- à l’air, _to put on one’s -decorations_. - -VALADE, _f._ (thieves’), _pocket_, or “cly.” - - J’ai toujours de l’auber dans mes valades, bogue d’orient, - cadenne, rondines et frusquins.--=VIDOCQ.= - -From avaler, _to swallow up_. Sonder les valades, _to feel pockets in a -crowd_. - -VALET DE CŒUR, _m._ (popular), _the lover of a prostitute_, or -“Sunday-man.” See POISSON. - -VALOIR (popular), ne pas ---- cher, _to have a disagreeable_, “nasty” -_temper_. Valoir son pesant de moutarde, _not worth much_; (thieves’) ----- le coup de fusil, _to be worth robbing_. - -VALSER (popular), _to go away_; _to run away_, “to hook it.” Balzare in -furbesche; ---- du bec, _to have an offensive breath_. - -VALTREUSE, _f._ (thieves’), _portmanteau_, or “peter.” - -VALTREUSIER, _m._ (thieves’), _rogue who devotes his attentions to -portmanteaus_, “dragsman.” - -VANDALE, _f._ (thieves’), _empty pocket_. - -VANNAGE, _m._ (gambling cheats’), faire un ----, _to allow a_ “pigeon” -_to win the first game_. Termed also maquiller un ----. - -VANNÉ, _adj._ (familiar and popular), _exhausted_, “gruelled.” - - C’est vrai que je suis un peu vanné ... dit Elysée en - souriant, et il montait ses cinq étages, le dos rond, - écrasé.--=A. DAUDET.= - -VANNER (thieves’), _to run away_, “to speel.” Alluding to the motions -of the body and arms of a winnower, or from the old French word -vanoyer, _to disappear_. - -VANNES, _f. pl._ (popular), _falsehood_; _humbug_, “flam.” - - Am I dreaming? or what? Pinch me, Jesse! I am quite awake, - am I not? And the thing is no “flam?”--_The Globe_, Dec., - 1886. - -Des ----! _ejaculation of disbelief_, “over, or over the shoulder.” -C’est des ----! _that’s all humbug_, “all my eye.” - -VANNEUR, _m._ (thieves’), _one who runs away_; _coward_. - -VANTERNE, or VENTERNE, _f._ (thieves’), _window_, or “jump.” From the -Spanish ventana, or more probably from vent, _wind_, so that venterne -literally signifies _which lets in the wind_. Ventosa in Spanish cant. -Vanterne (for lanterne), lantern; ---- sans loches, _dark lantern_, or -“darky.” - -VANTERNIER, _m._ (thieves’), _robber who effects an entrance through a -window_, “dancer, or garreter.” - -VAPEUR, _f._ (popular), une demi ----, _a glass of absinthe_. - -VAQUERIE, _f._ (old cant), bier en ----, _to sally forth on a thieving -expedition_. - -VASE, _m. and f._ (familiar), étrusque, _chamber-pot_, or “jerry.” -Concerning this utensil Viscount Basterot, in his work _De Québec à -Lima_, speaks of a curious custom of the Peruvians. He says: “On a su -de tout temps que les Espagnols ne se font pas prier pour annoncer -bruyamment qu’ils ont bien dîné; témoin une certaine histoire du -Maréchal Bassompierre. Mais il est une certaine habitude péruvienne -dont vraiment je n’avais jamais entendu parler. Il est un peu -embarrassant de la décrire, mais pourquoi la tairais-je? Ne faut-il pas -raconter, quels qu’ils soient, les usages et les mœurs? Quel serait -sans cela l’intérêt des voyages? Le fait est qu’au Pérou, le pot de -chambre est arrivé à la hauteur d’une institution nationale. On se -mettrait plutôt en route sans malle que sans cet ustensile précieux. -Les personnes riches les font faire en argent. Mais, hélas! la vieille -aristocratie est sur son déclin, et la faience domine aujourd’hui. -Les dames surtout les étalent avec une complaisance infinie; il est -vrai qu’ils servent aussi quelquefois de meuble de toilette. On voit -arriver une brillante senora; elle tient quelque chose à la main: -c’est sans doute un bouquet de fleurs, ou un mouchoir de dentelle? -Non, c’est son vase de nuit! Encore si elles se dispensaient de s’en -servir publiquement! Mais elles pensent probablement, avec quelques -cyniques, que les choses naturelles ne sont pas indécentes.” (Popular -and thieves’) De la ----, _rain_, or “parney.” Il tombe de la ----, or -de la flotte, _it rains_. - -VASER (popular and thieves’), _to rain_. Termed also “lansquiner, -tomber de la lance.” - -VASINETTE, _f._ (popular), _bath_. Aller à la ----, _to bathe_. Termed -“to tosh” by the gentlemen cadets of the R. M. Academy. - -VASISTAS, _m._ (popular), _monocular eye-glass_; _the behind_. The -synonyms are: “le piffe, le médaillon, l’arrière-train, le trèfle, -messire Luc, le moulin à vent, le ponant, la lune, le bienséant, le -pétard, le ballon, le moutardier, le baril de moutarde, l’obusier, la -tabatière, la tire-lire, la giberne, le proye, cadet, la figure, la -canonnière, l’oignon, la machine à moulures, la rose des vents, le -département du Bas-Rhin, le démoc, le schelingophone, le Prussien, le -panier aux crottes, le visage de campagne or sans nez, le fignard, -le pétrouskin, la face du Grand Turc, le tortillon, le fleurant, le -pedzouilie, le cadran, le foiron, le tal, le garde-manger, le naze, -le soufflet, le prouas, la contrebasse, le cyclope, le schaffouse, le -gingin.” - -VASSARÈS, _f._ (thieves’), _water_. - -VAS-Y-T’ASSIR, _m._ (roughs’), _chair_. - -VAS-Y-VAS-Y, _m._ (roughs’), _casement of a window_. Play on vasistas. - -VA-TE-FAIRE-SUER! (popular), _go to the deuce!_ - -VA-TE-LAVER, _m._ (popular), _box on the ear, right and left_. - - Et il regardait les gens, tout prêt à leur administrer - un va-te-laver s’ils s’étaient permis la moindre - rigolade.--=ZOLA.= - -VA-T’ FAIRE-PANSER, _m._ (popular), _box on the ear_; _blow_, or “wipe.” - - Je lui ai flanqué un va-t’ faire-panser sur - l’œil.--=RANDON.= - -VATICANAILLE, _f._ (familiar), _clericals_. - -VA-TROP, _m._ (thieves’ and roughs’), _servant_; ---- de charretier, -_carter’s man_. - - Ah! ah! personn’ ne sait c’qu’il fiche - Depuis qu’il roul’ par les grands ch’mins. - Oh! oh! p’t’êt’ qu’il est merlifiche, - Va-trop d’chartier, ou tend-la main. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -VAUDEVILLIÈRE (literary), _actress of no ability who is engaged only on -account of her personal attractions_. - -VAUTOUR, _m._ (popular), _hard-hearted landlord_; _gambling cheat_, or -“hawk.” - -VEAU, _m._ (military), _knapsack_, or “scran-bag;” (popular) _young -prostitute_. - - Un soir à la barrière - Un veau, un veau - Tortillait du derrière. - - _Song._ - -VEDETTE, _f._ (theatrical), avoir son nom en ----, or être en ----, _to -have one’s name in large type on a playbill_. - - --Laissez-moi, répondait-elle, vous me déchirez. - - --Tu seras en vedette. - - --Vous êtes insupportable. - - --En étoile! - - --Assez!--=J. SERMET.= - -VEILLEURS DE MORTS, _m. pl._ (brothels’), _young scamps who amuse -themselves by causing an uproar in brothels and putting everything -topsy-turvy_. - - En argot de lupanar, on appelle “veilleurs de morts” les - jeunes vauriens qui emploient leur soirée à mettre sens - dessus dessous les maisons de tolérance. Ils sont la - terreur des maquerelles, et les pertes qu’ils leur font - subir sont les revers de la médaille du proxénétisme. - --=LÉO TAXIL.= - -VEILLEUSE, _f._ (thieves’), _stomach_, “middle piece;” ---- à sec, -_empty stomach_. Une ----, _a franc_. Demi ----, _fifty centimes_. -(Familiar) Souffler sa ----, _to die_, “to kick the bucket, or to snuff -it.” - -VEINARD, _adj. and m._ (familiar and popular), _lucky_; _lucky fellow_. - - J’suis connu d’Charonne à Plaisance - Sous le nom d’Chançard dit l’veinard ... - V’là Chançard, un veinard - Qu’a d’la chance en abondance. - - =A. JAMBON=, _V’là Chançard_. - -VEINE, _f._ (familiar and popular), de cocu, _great luck_. Veine alors! -_what luck!_ - - Le colonel lui jeta un coup d’œil, rendit le salut et - passa. Laigrepin, stupéfait, se dit--Veine alors! Il est - myope comme une chaufferette.--=G. COURTELINE.= - -VÊLER (popular), _to be in childbed_, “in the straw.” - -VÉLIN, _m._ (printers’), _wife_. Arrangemaner, or secouer son ----, _to -chastise one’s better half_. - -VÉLO, _m._ (old cant), _postilion_. - -VÉLOCIPÈDE, _m._ (popular), casser son ----, _to die_. For synonyms see -PIPE. - - Ah! ben! en v’là un crevé, ça veut fumer, ça n’tient pas - sur ses pattes, s’il ne dégèle pas cet hiver, s’il ne - dévisse pas son billard au printemps, pour sûr à l’automne, - il va casser son vélocipède.--=BAUMAINE ET BLONDELET.= - -VELOURS, _m._ (gamesters’), _gaming-table_. Eclairer le ----, _to lay -one’s stakes on the green cloth_. Jouer sur le ----, _to stake one’s -winnings_. (Familiar) Faire un ----, or cuir, _to put in a consonant at -the end of a word and carry it on to the next, as_: Je suis venu z’à -Paris. (Popular) Un ----, _crepitus ventris_. Rigaud says: “Le velours -se produit dans le monde avec une certaine timidité mélancolique et -rappelle les sons filés de la flûte (ceci pour les gens qui aiment la -précision).” C’est un ----, _that is excellent_ (of drink). (Thieves’) -Un ----, _robbing without violence_. Faire du ----, _to play the good -fellow_; _to seek to wheedle one out of something_. - -VELOUTER (familiar), se ----, _to comfort oneself by a drink_. - -VELU, _adj._ (students’), synonymous of chic, _excellent_, -_first-rate_, “true marmalade.” - -VENDANGER (old cant), _to ill-treat_; _to execute_; ---- à l’échelle, -_to hang_. - -VENDANGEUSE D’AMOUR, _f._ (familiar), _gay girl_. The expression is -Delvau’s. - -VENDRE (thieves’), la calebasse, _to inform against_, “to blow the -gaff, or to turn snitch.” - - Toujours est-il, reprit le recéleur, que c’est lui qui a - vendu la calebasse, et que sans lui ...--=VIDOCQ.= - -(Popular) Vendre des guignes, _to squint_, “to have swivel eyes;” -(familiar and popular) ---- la mèche, _to reveal a secret_. - -VENDU, _m._ (popular and journalists’), _epithet expressive of a vague -accusation of extortion, but generally used with no particular meaning_. - - Oui, je lui en prêterai, hurla Mes-Bottes. Tiens! - Bibi, jette-lui sa monnaie à travers la gueule, à ce - vendu!--=ZOLA=, _L’Assommoir_. - -VÉNÉRABLE, _m._ (popular), _the behind_. - -VENT, _m._ (popular), du ----! _is expressive of derisive refusal_, -“go to pot.” (Hawkers’) Vent du nord, _fan_. (Students’) Donner du -----, _to bully_. (Sailors’) Avoir du ---- dans les voiles, être ---- -dessus, ---- dedans, _to be in a state of intoxication_, “to have one’s -mainbrace well spliced.” - -VENTE. See ABATTAGE. - -VENTRE, _m._ (popular), bénit, _beadle_; _verger_; _chorister_. An -allusion to “pain bénit,” supposed to be their staple food. C’est le ----- de ma mère, _I shall never return there, or I shall have nothing -more to do with this_. Un ---- d’osier, _a drunkard_, or “lushington.” -(Familiar) Nous allons voir ce qu’il a dans le ----, _we will see what -stuff he is made of_. Se brosser le ----, _to go without food_. - - J’aime mon art ... ma foi, dit un acteur, si je pouvais - passer mes jours à me brosser le ventre, le théâtre... - --=E. MONTEIL.= - -Avoir du chien dans le ----, _to have pluck, endurance_; _to be made of -good stuff_. - - Je suis sûr que ce nez l’aidera à faire son chemin. Il joue - ce soir. Jugez-le. Vous verrez qu’il a du chien dans le - ventre.--=P. AUDEBRAND.= - -VENTRÉE, _f._ (popular), _copious meal_, “buster.” Se foutre une ----, -_to make a hearty meal_, or “tightener.” - -VÉNUS, _f._ (artists’), mouler une ----, _to ease oneself by -evacuation_. - -VER, _m._ (familiar), rongeur, _cab taken by the hour_. Tuer le ----, -_to have an early glass of spirits_ “to keep the damp out.” - -VERBE, _m._ (thieves’), sur le ----, _on credit_. - -VERDET, _m._ (old cant), _wind_. - -VERDOUSE, or VERDOUZE, _f._ (thieves’), _apple_; _meadow_. In the -Italian cant verdume signifies grass. See ARROSEUR, CRIBLEUR. - -VERDOUSIER, _m._ (thieves’), _apple-tree_; _garden_; _fruiterer_. - -VERDOUSIÈRE, _f._ (thieves’), _fruiterer’s wife_. - -VERDS, _m. pl._ (thieves’), formerly _name given to the Paris police_. - - Oh! c’est que nous avons eu la moresque (la peur) d’une - fière force: je sais bien que quand je m’ai senti les verds - au dos le treffe (cœur) me faisait trente et un.--_Mémoires - de Vidocq._ - -VÉREUX, _m._ (thieves’), _ticket-of-leave man_. - -VERGNE, _f._ (thieves’), _town_. La grande ----, _Paris_. Une ---- -de miséricorde, literally une ville de misère et corde, _a town -where thieves have little chance of success_. Michel says vergne is -literally _winter quarters_, from the Italian verno, _winter_. More -probably, however, it comes from vergne, _alder plantation_. Every -small town has a square planted out with trees, used as a promenade, or -for the holding of fairs, &c., a meeting-place for pedlars (who have -contributed so many expressions to the jargon). Thus aller à la vergne -possibly signified _to go to the public square_, and, by an association -of ideas, _to go to the town_. It is to be noted, on the other hand, -that the Latin verna, vernaculus, respectively mean _slave born in -the house of his master, native_; so that the word vergne would be _a -native house_, _collection of native houses_--hence _town_. - -VERMEIL, _m._ (thieves’), _blood_, “claret.” - -VERMICELLES, _m. pl._ (popular), _hair_, “thatch.” - - Le Pierrot birbe, avec ses vermicelles autour du gniasse! - oh! esbloquant, ça!--=RICHEPIN.= - -(Thieves’) Vermicelles, or vermichels, _blood-vessels_. - - Par le meg des fanandels, tu es sans raisiné dans les - vermichels (sans sang dans les veines).--Balzac. - -VERMILLON, _m._ (thieves’), _an Englishman_, supposed to invariably -sport a red coat. - -VERMINARD, VERMINEUX, _m._ (students’), _contemptible man_, “skunk.” - -VERMINE, _f._ (thieves’), _lawyer_, “land-shark.” - -VERMOIS, _m._ (thieves’), _blood_, “claret.” - -VERMOISÉ, _adj._ (thieves’), _of a red colour_. - -VÉRONIQUE, _f._ (rag-pickers’), _lantern_. - -VERRE, _m._ (popular), de montre, _the behind_. Casser le ---- de -sa montre, _to fall on one’s behind_. (Gambling cheats’) Montrer le -verre, more correctly le vert (tapis vert), en fleurs, _one of two -confederates engaged in a game of cards shows such a good array of -trumps that lookers-on are induced to stake_. - -VERSEUSE, _f._ (familiar), _waitress at certain cafés_. - -VERSIGO, _m._ (thieves’), _the town of Versailles_. - -VERT, _m._ (popular), se mettre au ----, _to play_; _to gamble_. -Montrer le ---- en fleur. See VERRE. (Thieves’) Il fait ----, _it is -cold_. - -VERTE, _adj._ (familiar), la ----, _absinthe_. Garçon, une ----, -_waiter, a glass of absinthe_. L’heure de la ----, _the time of day -when absinthe is discussed in the cafes, generally from five o’clock to -seven_. - -VERTICALE, _f._ (familiar), _a variety of prostitute best described by -the appellation itself_. - -VERVER (thieves’), _to weep_, “to nap a bib.” A deformation of verser. - -VERVEUX, _adj._ (journalists’), _possessing verve or spirit_. - - Le plus verveux des journalistes--un Gascon devenu - parisien.--_La Vie Populaire, 1887._ - -VERVIGNOLER (obsolete), _to have connection_. - - Mais vervignolant, me faisait quelquefois de chaudes - caresses.--_Parnasse des Muses._ - -VESSARD, _m._ (popular), _poltroon_. - -VESSE, _f._ (popular), avoir la ----, _to be afraid_. (Schoolboys’) -Vesse! _cave!_ or “chucks!” - -VESSER DU BEC (popular), _to have an offensive breath_. - -VESSIE, _f._ (popular), _low prostitute_. See GADOUE. - -VESTE, _f._ (familiar), remporter une ----, _to meet with complete -failure_. - -VESTIAIRE, _m._ (familiar), laisser sa langue au ----, _to have lost -one’s tongue_. - -VESTIGE, _m._ (thieves’), coquer le ----, _to frighten_; _to be -afraid_. Des vestiges, or vestos, _haricot beans_, which generate wind -in the bowels. From vesse, _wind_. - -VESTO DE LA CUISINE, _m._ (thieves’), _detective officer_, “cop.” La -cuisine, vesto, respectively _detective force_, _haricot bean_. - -VÉSUVE, _m._ (familiar), faire son ----, _to make a fuss_; _to show -off_. - -VÉSUVER (popular), _to be very liberal with one’s money_. - -VÉSUVIENNE, _f._ (familiar), _gay girl_. For synonyms see GADOUE. - -VEUVE, _f._ (thieves’), formerly _the gallows_, “scrag:” nowadays _the -guillotine_. Crosser chez la ----, tirer sa crampe avec la ----, or -épouser la ----, _to be guillotined_. (Familiar) Veuves de colonel, -_female adventurers who attend gaming-tables, passing themselves off as -widows of military men_. Veuve d’un colonel mort ... d’un coup de pied -dans le cul, _woman who passes herself off as a colonel’s widow_. - -VEUX-TU-CACHER-ÇA, _m._ (familiar and popular), _short coat_. - - Maintenant on ne dit plus les paletots d’hommes, on dit des - veux-tu-cacher-ça.--=BAUMAINE ET BLONDELET.= - -(Auctioneers’) Veuve rentrée, _seller whose property has not been -knocked down at an auction-room_. Etre logé chez la ---- j’en tenons -(obsolete), _to be enceinte_. - -VÉZINER (thieves’), _to stink_. - - Je voudrais avoir un homme comme toi! Il me dégoûte.... - D’abord il vézine (il sent mauvais), puis il est marié! - Rien ne me dit qu’il ne me serrera pas un jour la vis pour - sa largue.--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -VEZOU, _f._ (popular), _prostitute_. See GADOUE. - - Quant aux filles publiques, les hommes les désignent par - un grand nombre d’appellations ... les autres termes - employés, avec le plus de grossièreté sont les suivants: - toupie, bagasse, calèche, grenouille, tortue, volaille, - rouscailleuse, couillère, vessie, vezou.--=LÉO TAXIL.= - -VEZOUILLER (popular), _to stink_. - -VIANDE, _f._ (popular), coller sa ---- dans le torchon, _to go to bed_, -“to get into kip.” Montrer sa ----, _to wear a low dress_. Ramasse ta -----, _pick yourself up_. Viande de Morgue, _insulting epithet applied -to a person who imprudently imperils his limbs or life_. Morgue, -_dead-house_. Basse ----, or viande de seconde catégorie, _woman with -flabby charms_. - -VIAUPER (popular), _to lead a dissolute life_, or “to go molrowing;” -_to weep_, or “to nap a bib.” - -VICE, _m._ (popular), avoir du ----, _to be cunning_, “to be fly.” - - La femme qui a un peu de vice, s’émancipe tôt ou tard de - la tutelle d’une maîtresse de maison et travaille pour son - compte.--=E. DE GONCOURT.= - -VICTOIRE, _f._ (rag-pickers’), _shirt_, “flesh-bag.” - -VIDANGE, _f._ (thieves’ and roughs’), largue en ----, _woman in -childbed_, “in the straw.” - -VIDÉE, _f._ (rag-pickers’), _basketful of a rag-picker’s findings_. - -VIDER (popular), le plancher, _to go away_, “to slope;” ---- ses -poches, _to play the piano_. (Familiar) Etre vidé, _to be spent in -point of intellectual productions_. (Prostitutes’) Vider un homme, _to -leave a man penniless_. - -VIE, _f._ (familiar), faire une ---- de Polichinelle, _to make a great -noise_; _to lead a dissolute life_. - -VIÉDASER (obsolete), _to work carelessly_. - -VIEILLE, _adj._ (familiar), un verre de ----, _a glass of old brandy_. -La ---- garde, _the set of superannuated cocottes_, of “played-out -tarts.” - - Tout ce qu’on appelait déjà, il y a quinze ans, la - vieille-garde, a passé par le Moulin-Rouge. C’étaient - Esther Guimond, dont un ministre de la guerre disait: “Elle - est de ma promotion.”--=MAHALIN.= - -(Familiar and popular) Ma ---- branche, _old fellow, my hearty_, “old -chump, my ribstone, or my bloater.” - - D’là-haut j’applaudis chaque acteur - Surtout si la pièce est bien franche. - J’cri’: chaud! chaud! vas-y, ma vieill’ branche. - - =BURANI ET BUGUET.= - -Vieille barbe, _old-fashioned politician who will not keep up with the -times_. - - Invitez là tous ces fossiles - Remis à neuf et rempaillés. - Les vieilles barbes indociles, - Fourbus, cassés, crevés, rouillés. - - _Le Triboulet_, 1880. - -The term is applied specially to the Republican politicians of 1848. - -VIEUX, _adj._ (familiar and popular), se faire ----, _to feel dull_; -_to be waiting for a long while_. Se faire de ---- os, _to wait for -a long while_. Un ---- cabas, _a stingy old woman_. (Popular) Vieux -meuble, _old man_; ---- comme Mathieu-salé, _very old_. (Literary) -Vieux jeu, _old-fashioned_; (familiar) ---- tison, _old_ “gallivant.” -Un ---- de la vieille, _old veteran_. (Military) C’est ----! _I am not -to be taken in_, “tell that to the marines.” - -VIEUX PLUMEAU, _m._ (popular), _old fool_, “doddering old sheep’s head.” - - Ell’ dit: Il ne sent pas bon! - --Pas bon?... Espèc’ de vieille cruche! - Dit la marchand’--Vieux plumeau! - T’en mang’rais plus que d’merluche!... - Va donc, eh! fourneau! - - =A. QUEYRIAUX.= - -VIF-ARGENT, _m._ (thieves’), _cash_. - -VIGNETTE, _f._ (printers’), _face_. - -VIGOUSSE, _f._ (popular), _energy_, _strength_. For vigueur. - -VILLOIS, _m._ (thieves’), _village_. An old French word from the Low -Latin villaticum. - - Si j’venais d’faire un gerbement et que j’en aye de la - surbine on m’enverrait dans un trou d’vergne ou dans un - villois de la Jargole.--VIDOCQ. - -VINAIGRE, _m._ (thieves’), _rum_. (Familiar) Du vinaigre! _faster!_ -Expression used by children who are rope-skipping. - -VINASSE, _f._ (popular), _wine_. - -VINGT-CINQ (popular), à ---- francs par tête, _superlatively_. Rigoler -à ---- francs par tête, _to amuse oneself enormously_. - -VINGT-DEUX, _m._ (thieves’), _knife_, or “chive.” - - Prends le vingt-deux en cas de malheur.--=VIDOCQ.= - -(Printers’) Le ----, _the master or chief overseer_. Vingt-deux! _is -used to notify that the master is approaching._ A signal of the same -description used by English schoolboys or workmen is “nix!” - -VINGT-HUIT-JOURS, _m._ (popular), _soldier of the reserve_. Thus termed -on account of his yearly twenty-eight days’ service. - -VIOCQUE, _adj. and f._ (thieves’) _old_; _life_. From the old word -viouche, pronounced viouque. - -VIOLON, _m._ (popular), boîte à ----, _lock-up at a police station_. - - J’suis connu d’tous les sergents d’ville, - J’connais tout’s les boît’s à violon, - C’est chez eux qu’ j’élis domicile, - J’pourrais pas vivr’ dans les salons! - - =E. DU BOIS=, _C’est Pitanchard_. - -The word violon itself signifies _lock-up_, on account of the -window-bars of a cell being compared to the strings of that instrument. -The lingo terms, “jouer de la harpe,” _to be in prison_, and “jouer -du violon,” _to file through the window-bars of a cell_, seem to bear -out this explanation. Some philologists, however, think that the -stocks being termed psaltérion, “mettre au psaltérion,” _to put in -the stocks_, became synonymous of _to imprison_, the expression being -superseded in time by “mettre au violon” when that instrument itself -superseded the psaltérion. - -VIOLONÉ, _adj._ (thieves’), _poor_. A man who comes out of prison is -generally “hard-up.” - -VIROLETS, _m._ (obsolete), explained by quotation:-- - - Pour les testicules, les génitoires, les marques de - virilité d’un homme.--=LE ROUX.= - -VIS, _f._ (familiar and popular), tortiller, or serrer la ----, _to -strangle_. See REFROIDIR. - -VISAGE, _m._ (popular), à culotte, ---- cousu, _thin, spare man_, “a -scare crow;” ---- de bois flotté, _haggard face_; ---- de constipé, -_sour countenance_; ---- de campagne, or sans nez, _the behind_; ---- à -culotte, _ugly face_. - -VISCOPE, _f._ (thieves’ and roughs’), _cap_, “tile.” - -VISE-AU-TRÈFLE, _m._ (popular), _apothecary_, “squirt.” - -VISQUEUX, _m._ (popular), _most degraded variety of prostitutes’ -bullies_. See POISSON. - -VISSER (thieves’), _to abash by a stern glance_. - -VISUEL, _m._ (popular), s’en injecter, or s’en humecter le ----, _to -look attentively_. - -VITAM (Breton cant), _brandy_. - -VITELOTTE, _f._ (popular), _red nose_, _one with_ “grog blossoms.” - -VITRES, _f. pl._ (popular), _eyes_, or “glaziers.” - -VITRIERS, _m. pl._ (military), _chasseurs à pied, or rifles_. Thus -nicknamed, either from their high knapsack compared to an itinerant -glazier’s plant, or from the expression, casser les vitres, _to be -reckless_. The appellation forms the theme of the following verse set -to one of their bugle marches:-- - - Encore un carreau d’cassé, - V’là l’vitrier qui passe, - Encore un carreau d’cassé, - V’là l’vitrier passé. - -(Popular) Les vitriers, _diamonds of cards_. - - Tierce major dans les vitriers, vingt-trois; trois bœufs, - vingt-six; trois larbins, vingt-neuf; trois borgnes, - quatre-vingt-douze.--=ZOLA.= - -VITRINE, _f._ (popular), _opera glass_; _spectacles_, or “barnacles.” -(Familiar) Etre dans la ----, _to be well-dressed_. - -VITRIOL, _m._ (popular), _brandy_. - -VITRIOLER (general), _to throw oil of vitriol at one’s face_. - - Je la vitriolerais!... je la tuerais plutôt, la vieille - gredine, à coups de revolver.--=D. DE LAFOREST.= - -VITRIOLEUSE, _f._ (general), _woman who out of revenge throws vitriol -at her lover or rival_. - - Les vitrioleuses font décidément fortune: les graves jurés - les acquittent avec une complaisance singulière ... place - aux récidivistes du vitriol.--_Un Flâneur._ - -VITRIOLISATEUR, _m._ (journalists’), _imaginary instrument recommended -for the use of those of the fair sex who throw oil of vitriol at their -lovers_. - - Cet instrument n’est autre que le vitriolisateur, qui, sur, - la table de toilette de ces dames, prendra place à côté du - vaporisateur.--_Un Flâneur._ - -VLAN, _adj. and m._ (familiar), _pink of fashion_; _the world of -dandies_, or “swelldom.” - - Voici, d’abord, les Trossuli, comme ils s’appelaient - autrefois: le “pschutt,” le “vlan,” les “luisants,” comme - nous les nommons aujourd’hui. Oh! ce n’est plus à des - “Troyens” qu’ils ont l’ambition de ressembler. - --=P. DE MAHALIN.= - -Vlan, or v’lan, _elegant_; _of the fashionable world_. - - La pauvre Mathilde C. est dans la désolation. Elle croyait - avoir mis la main sur un homme v’lan et voilà qu’elle - découvre que c’est rien du tout.--_Gil Blas._ - -VOIE, _f._ (popular), foutre une ---- de bois à quelqu’un, _to -thrash_, _to cudgel one_. Refiler une ----, _to thrash_. The synonyms -to describe the act in the various kinds of slang are: “donner une -tournée, graisser les bottes, reconduire, faire la conduite, donner -du tabac, passer chez paings, rouler, retourner, donner une roulée, -une frottée, une froteska de la salade; faire valser, déshabiller, -faire danser sans violons, faire chanter un Te Deum raboteux, chiquer, -refiler une purge, une séance, une ratisse, une pousse, estuquer, -bûcher, démolir, mettre en compote, flauper, manger le nez, aplatir, -astiquer, suifer, murer, donner une dandinette, caresser or tricoter -les côtes, pointer, schlaguer, savonner, faire danser la malaisée, -amocher, faire chanter une gamme, sabouler, saborder, donner une -râclée, une danse, une torchée, une brûlée; flanquer une tripotée, -une cuite, une dégelée, une peignée, une brossée, une tatouille, -une ratatouille, une trempe, une trempée, une rincée, une pile, une -trépignée, une grattée, de l’huile de cotterets; tremper une soupe, -descendre le crayon sur la colonne, raboter l’andosse, balayer, -dandiner, coller des châtaignes, accommoder au beurre noir, passer -quelqu’un à travers, foutre du tabac, faire trinquer, tomber sur -le casaquin, tamponner, tanner le cuir, travailler le cadavre, le -casaquin; ramasser les pattes, atiger, tomber sur le poil, trépigner, -pommader, cogner, faire étrenner, secouer les tripes, les puces; -ratisser la couenne, panser de la main, donner une pâtée, repasser -le bufle, emplâtrer, encaisser, flanquer une ratapiaule;” and in the -English slang: “to give a hiding, a walloping, to dust one’s jacket, -to set about, to tan, to walk into, to slip into, to quilt, to pay, to -manhandle, to give one Jessie, to give one gas, to dowse,” &c. - -VOILE, _m._ (freemasons’), _table-cloth_. Termed also “grand drapeau.” - -VOIR (familiar), _to have one’s menses_; (popular) ---- en dedans, _to -sleep_, “to doss.” Also _to be drunk_. See POMPETTE. Voir la lune, -_to lose one’s maidenhead_. A girl whose “rose has thus been plucked” -is said to have “vu le loup,” or, in the English slang, “to have seen -the elephant;” ---- à travers la verte, _to labour under a delusion -caused by overindulgence in absinthe drinking_. (Military) Ne pas ---- -quelqu’un blanc, _to entertain fears concerning one’s prospects or -one’s affairs_. (Thieves’) Voir, _to apprehend_, “to smug.” - -VOIRIE, _f._ (popular), _disreputable woman_; _vagabond_. - -VOITE, _f._ (popular and thieves’), _vehicle_, “drag.” Regarde donc ce -pante qui s’fait trimballer dans une voite, _look at that_ “cove” _who -sports a carriage_. - -VOITURE À TALONS, _f._ (popular), _the legs_, or “Shanks’s mare.” - -VOL, _m._ See AMÉRICAIN, BONJOUR, GRINCHISSAGE, RENDÈME. (Thieves’) Vol -à l’endormage, _robbery by hocussing the victim_. The thief is called -“drummer” in the English lingo. - - Une certaine quantité de pavots et de pommes épineuses - (datura stramonium) mise dans un litre d’eau ... produit un - narcotique très violent ... l’endormeur en emporte toujours - sur lui dans une petite fiole.--=CANLER.= - -Vol à la bousculade, _robbery by hustling the victim_; ---- au poupon, -_robbery from a shop by a woman with a baby in her arms_; ---- au -radin. See GRINCHISSAGE. Vol sous-comptoir, _robbing a tradesman of -articles taken away for another person to choose from_. - -VOLAILLER (familiar), _to make friends with the first comer_; (popular) -_to keep company with disreputable women_. - -VOLAILLON, _m._ (popular), _clumsy thief_. - -VOLANT, _m._ (old cant), _cloak_, or “ryder.” - -VOLANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _feather_; _pen_. - -VOLAPUK, _m._ (familiar), _bustle_, or “back-staircase.” Properly -“volapuk,” says the _Echo_, “is the artificial language, or gibberish, -which an industrious German savant has been inventing by eclectic -process from all languages of the world. It is intended by its -ingenious author to undo the mischief caused by the confusion of -tongues at Babel. But, judging by the published specimens of it, it is -horribly cacophonous.” A Volapuk grammar has already been published in -Paris. - -VOL-AU-VENT, _m._ (popular), _head_. See TRONCHE, AVOIR. (Thieves’) -Vol-au-vent, _kind of robbery from the person described as follows_:-- - - L’opérateur choisit son sujet parmi les passants qui n’ont - pas leur chapeau bien assujéti sur la tête. Il s’élance - alors vers lui, le heurte, reçoit son couvre-chef entre les - mains et le lui rend avec un gracieux sourire. Pendant que - le monsieur se confond en remerciements, l’escroc lui fait - son porte-monnaie avec une adresse exquise.--=E. FRÉBAULT.= - -VOLEUR, _m._ (printers’), _scrap of paper which gets stuck to -the composition in the press_; (military) ---- d’étiquettes, -_quartermaster_. He is supposed to steal the card (which is placed over -every soldier’s bed, and bears his name, number, and other particulars) -so as to be able to charge for a new one. - - Tour à tour, c’était ... le “voleur d’étiquettes” qui - n’y couperait pas à cause que depuis un quart d’heure le - trompette le sonnait au trot.--=G. COURTELINE.= - -VOLIGE, _f._ (popular), _thin person_. - -VOLTIGEANTE, _f._ (popular), _mud_. - -VOLTIGEUR, _m._ (popular), _hodman_. - -VOUSAILLE, VOUZAILLE, VOUZIGO, VOZIÈRES, VOZIGUE (thieves’), _you_. - -VOUSOYER (familiar), _to say “vous” to a person whom one is in the -habit of addressing as “tu.”_ - -VOYAGE, _m._ (common), faire un ---- au long cours, _to be transported_. - -VOYAGER (ballet-dancers’), _to whirl rapidly up and down the stage_. - -VOYAGEUR, _m._ (hotel-keepers’), sec, _traveller who spends little in -the hotel at which he puts up_. (Popular) Voyageurs à quinze francs le -cent, _passengers on top of bus_. - -VOYANTE, _f._ (thieves’), _the guillotine_. Termed also: “butte or -bute, le monde renversé, Marianne, la veuve, la passe, la mère au -bleu, la bute à regret, l’abbaye de Monte-à-regret, l’abbaye de -Monte-à-rebours, la bascule, la béquillarde, les deux mâts.” - - C’est le docteur Louis, secrétaire du Collège des - chirurgiens, qui fit, en 1792, le rapport pour l’adoption - de la première guillotine. Elle fut établie par un nommé - Tobias Schmitz, fabricant de pianos ... c’était à tort que - le nom du docteur Guillotin avait été donné à l’instrument - de supplice.--=G. FRISON.= - -VOYEUR, _m._ (brothels’), better explained by quotation:-- - - Je ne puis pourtant omettre une catégorie de sadistes - assez étonnants; ce sont ceux qu’on désigne sous le nom - de “voyeurs.” Ceux-ci cherchent une excitation dans les - spectacles impudiques.--=LÉO TAXIL.= - -VOYOUCRATADOS, _m._ (familiar), _one-sou cigar_. From voyou, _cad_. - - Qu’y voulez-vous faire? Il y aura toujours plus de - fumeurs de voyoucratados à un sou que d’aristocratès à un - franc.--=SCAPIN=, _Le Voltaire_. - -VOYOUCRATE, _m._ (familiar), _a politician whose sympathies, real or -pretended, are with the mob_. - -VOYOUCRATIE, _f._ (familiar), _mob government_, _mobocracy_. - -VOYOUTADOS, _m._ (familiar), _one-sou cigar_. - -VRIGNOLE, _f._ (thieves’), _meat_, or “carnish.” - - - - -W - - -WAGON, or WAGON À BESTIAUX, _m._ (popular), _dirty prostitute_, -“draggle-tail.” Wagon, _large glass of wine_. - -WALLACE, _m._ (popular), _water_. - - Et comme il faut boire en mangeant, - Comme ils adorent boire à la fraîche, à la glace, - Comme ils ne veulent pas dépenser leur argent, - Ils s’ingurgitent du Wallace. - - =RICHEPIN.= - -WALLACER (popular), _to drink water at a fountain_. Sir Richard Wallace -has endowed Paris with numerous drinking fountains. - -WATERI (Breton cant), _to rain_; _to void urine_. - -WATERLOO, _m._ (roughs’), _the behind_. - -WATRINISER (popular), _to lynch_. An allusion to the murder of the -engineer, M. Watrin, by the Decazeville miners in 1886. - -WIOU (Breton cant), _no_. - - - - -X - - -X, _m._ (students’), un ----, _a student at the Ecole Polytechnique_. -Aller à l’X, _to go to that school_. (Familiar) L’----, _mathematics_. -Termed the “swat” by gentlemen cadets of the Royal Military Academy. -Un ----, _a thorough mathematician, one who devotes himself entirely -to the study of mathematics_. There is a story about a mathematician -(some say he was no other than Arago) who used to work out problems -wherever he found himself at the time they occurred to him. One day -he was drawing figures with a piece of chalk on the back of a hackney -coach when it began to move, but so wrapped up was he in his favourite -occupation that he followed his extemporized blackboard at a walk at -first, then at a run, but never stopped till he had found a solution -of the problem. Un fort en ----, _one well up in mathematics, but who -knows little of other subjects_. Une tête à ----, _one who has a good -head for mathematics_. A pun on the formula θ χ, pronounced théta X. - - - - -Y - - -Y (military), a du bon, _good news_. - - Eh ben, mon vieux, y a du bon! les bleus ne vont pas y - couper!--=G. COURTELINE.= - -(Popular) Y a pas mèche, _it is impossible_. - - Mais y paraît qu’l’il’ des Pins, y a pas mèche. - Y a déjà quelqu’un c’est épatant. - L’gouvernement maronn’! Moi j’suis content. - J’suis en bateau et j’ai lâché la dèche. - - =GRINGOIRE=, _Le Contentement du Récidiviste, à l’ancre!_ - -YEUX, _m. pl._ (familiar), culottés, _eyes surrounded with a dark -circle_; ---- en trou de vrille, _small eyes with stupid expression_. - -YOUTE, or YOUTRE, _m._ (popular), _Jew_. From the German. Termed also -“frisé, pied plat, guinal,” and, in the English slang, “ikey, sheney, -mouchey.” Jardin des youtres, _Jewish cemetery_. - -YOUTRERIE, _f._ (popular), _gathering of Jews_; _avarice_. - -YOU-YOU, _m._ (convicts’), _warder at the penal servitude settlement_. - - - - -Z - - -ZÉPH, _m._ (popular), _wind_. Se pousser du ----, _to run away_. See -PATATROT. - -ZÉPHIR, _m._ (military), _soldier of the “bataillon d’Afrique,”_ a -corps serving in Africa only, composed of soldiers who have been in -prison for a common law offence, and who have not completed their term -of service. A pun on the words voler comme le zéphir. - - Dans la plaine tourbillonne - La nuée aux burnous blancs; - A la tête de la colonne - Allons rejoindre nos rangs. - Déjà le soleil levant - Nous jette un regard oblique! - Pan! du bataillon d’Afrique, - Pan! les zéphirs en avant. - - =H. FRANCE=, _Chanson du Bataillon d’Afrique_. - -ZER (Breton cant), _apples_. - -ZERASINED-DOUAR (Breton cant), _potatoes_. - -ZIF, _m._ See SOLLICEUR. - -ZIG, ZIGUE, ZIGORNEAU, or ZIGARD, _m._ (popular), _a jolly fellow_, a -“regular brick;” _a friend_. - - Polyte Chupin lui eût tendu la main comme à un ami ... à un - “zig.”--=GABORIAU.= - - Mince! s’écria l’autre, j’me fais rien de belles journées - depuis quelque temps. Vous êtes vraiment des zigues, les - artisses!--=J. RICHEPIN=, _Braves Gens_. - -Mon vieux ----, _old_ “cock,” _old fellow_, “my bloater, my ribstone.” -Mes bons zigues, _my good fellows, old fellows_. - - Mes bons zigues, dit le lutteur, inutile de crier ainsi - comme la truie de David.--=HECTOR FRANCE.= - -Bon ---- d’attaque, _a staunch friend_. Un ---- à la rebiffe, _old -offender_. Quel ----! _a splendid chap! a rare un’!_ - - Quel sacré zig, tout de même, ce Mes-Bottes. Est-ce - qu’un jour il n’avait pas mangé douze œufs durs et bu - douze verres de vin pendant que les douze coups de midi - sonnaient.--=ZOLA.= - -Un bon zig is synonymous of un bon bougre (whose origin is Bulgare), -and concerning the expression M. Génin says: “Un fait d’argot des plus -curieux, c’est le synonyme que donne aujourd’hui le peuple à un mot -(bougre) qui commence apparemment à lui sembler trop grossier: ‘c’est -un bon zigue!’ ‘tu es un bon zigue!’ Or il se trouve que les Zigues -figurent à côté des Bulgares dans une chronique grecque, en vers -politiques, des premières années du XIVᵉ siècle.--‘Théodore Lascaris, -dit l’auteur, approvisionna ses forteresses et prit à son service, -moyennant salaire, des Turcs, des Cumans, des Lains, des Zigues et des -Bulgares’ (Buchon, _Chronique de Roumanie_). Comment peut-être venue, à -des hommes du peuple, l’idée de cette maligne substitution des Zigues -aux Bulgares? C’est un trait d’érudition très raffinée! Je ne vois -d’autre explication sinon que ce mot et ce rapprochement s’étaient -conservés au fond de la tradition populaire depuis la conquête de -Constantinople et l’établissement des Français en Morée. Mais cette -explication même donne beaucoup à réfléchir, et montre combien le -langage du peuple mérite l’attention des philosophes.” - -ZINC, _m._ (popular), _money_; _venereal ailment_, “Venus’ curse;” -_elegance_, _dash_; _wine-shop bar_. Tomber un ----, _to have a glass -of liquor at the bar_. (Theatrical) Avoir du ----, or être zingué, _to -possess a clear, sonorous voice_; _to play in dashing style_. - - Je joue le rôle d’un pigeon du Jockey-Club qui se croit - aimé pour lui-même.... Il faut que j’y aie du zinc ce soir. - Sans ça, les vieux de l’orchestre regretteraient trop - Déjazet; et ils appelleraient Azor.--=P. AUDEBRAND.= - -ZINGO, _m._ (wine retailers’), _a good fellow_, “a brick.” - -ZINGUER (popular), _to drink at a bar_. Etre zingué, _to be well off_, -“well ballasted.” - -ZINGUEUR, _m._ (cocottes’), le ----, _he who furnishes the funds_, _who -keeps a woman_. - - Je t’engage donc à raconter tout ce que tu me racontes - là au zingueur! Il te croira parcequ’il t’aime! Et lui - du moins est assez riche pour se permettre le luxe de la - paternité.--_Mémoires de Monsieur Claude._ - -ZINGUOT, _m._, _shed in the courtyard at the Ecole de Saint-Cyr_. - -ZOUSILL (Breton cant), _drink_; _drunken man_. - -ZOUSILLA (Breton cant), _to get drunk_. - -ZOUSILLADEN (Breton cant), _drink_. - -ZOUSILLER (Breton cant), _drunkard_. - -ZOUSILL HIRR (Breton cant), _cider_. - -ZOUSILL-TAN (Breton cant), _brandy_. - -ZOUZOU, _m._ (familiar), _a Zouave_. - -ZOZOTTE, _f._, _appellation given by bullies to the money given them by -prostitutes_. - -ZUT! (familiar and popular), _exclamation expressive of refusal_, -_careless defiance_, _&c._ Je te dis zut! _you be hanged! go to the -deuce!_ Ah! zut alors! _confound it, then! I give it up_, “it’s no go.” -Je dis zut au service, _I say good-bye to the service_. - - Zut pour les aristos! Coupeau envoyait le monde à la - balançoire.--=ZOLA.= - - - - - Chiswick Press - - PRINTED BY CHARLES WHITTINGHAM AND CO. - TOOKS COURT, CHANCERY LANE, LONDON. E.C. - - - - -Transcriber’s Note - - -In page xlii “pioncai” has been changed to “pionçai” in “je pionçai -dans une meule de foin” to match the other instances of this word in -this dictionary. - -In footnote 52 “bene bouse” has been changed to “bone house” in “Gage -of bone bouse” to match the main text. - -“Batonnet” is referenced in the dictionary, but is not defined. It is -possible that this is a reference to the game of “bâtonnet” mentioned in -the definition of “Avoir”. - -A repetition of the first two lines of the definition of -“Château-Campêche” has been removed. - -The definition of “Dubuge” has been moved to its correct alphabetical -position. It was originally listed following “Dabuchon”. - -There are two similar entries for “Siffler”, both have been kept. - -A few changes have been made to standardize the formatting of -definitions. - -Other changes made in the definitions are: - - Definition From To In - ---------- ---- -- -- - - Antroler de l Argot de l’Argot Le Jargon de l’Argot - - Avoir off of what stuff one is made of - - Décrochez were where shop where secondhand - -moi-ca clothes ... are sold - - Enfoncer (familar) (familiar) - - Gibus (familar) (familiar) - - Guimbarde Duchène Duchêne Le Père Duchêne - - Lapin de se pourra se vanter d’être - un rude lapin - - Maboul C’est’ y C’est-y C’est-y que t’es maboul? - - Marmite s ice si ce si ce n’est pas profaner - ce dernier mot - - Menuisier Cotelette Côtelette See Côtelette. - - Petit-crevé ceste heure cette heure A cette heure - quand-pour-Philis - - Pierrot ou où jusqu’au jour où un - “pierrot,” - - Tapage interêts intérêts moins à ses intérêts - - Tirer j’age j’aye j’aye tout fait pour - l’attraper; - - Tracquer ou on J’doute qu’à grinchir on - s’enrichisse - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Argot and Slang, by Albert Barrère - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ARGOT AND SLANG *** - -***** This file should be named 50354-0.txt or 50354-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/0/3/5/50354/ - -Produced by Marcia Brooks, Hugo Voisard, Fay Dunn and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net -(This file was produced from images generously made -available by The Internet Archive) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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