The 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue
Thanks to Project Gutenburg, we have
this wonderful lexicon.
bq. CHIMPING MERRY. Exhilarated with liquor. Chirping glass, a cheerful glass, that makes the company chirp like birds in spring.
bq. PUFF, or PUFFER. One who bids at auctions, not with an intent to buy, but only to raise the price of the lot; for which purpose many are hired by the proprietor of the goods on sale.
bq. QUARREL-PICKER. A glazier: from the small squares in casements, called CARREUX, vulgarly quarrels.
bq. REGULARS. Share of the booty. The coves cracked the swell's crib, fenced the swag,and each cracksman napped his regular.
(some fellows broke open a gentleman's house, and after selling the property which they had stolen, they divided the money between them)
Posted by DaveH at June 2, 2004 12:21 PM