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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: Barrère, Albert
Language: English
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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 this LibraryBlog Digital Book "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" ***
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