PEAR MAKING. Taking bounties from several regiments and immediately deserting. The cove was fined in the steel for pear making; the fellow was imprisoned in the house of correction for taking bounties from different regiments.
A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
TRUNK. A nose. How fares your old trunk? does your nose still stand fast? an allusion to the proboscis or trunk of an elephant. To shove a trunk: to introduce one's self unasked into any place or company. Trunk-maker like; more noise than work.
A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
PIG. Sixpence, a sow's baby. Pig-widgeon; a simpleton. Cold pig; a jocular punishment inflicted by the maid seryants, or other females of the house, on persons lying over long in bed: it consists in pulling off all the bed clothes, and leaving them to pig or lie in the cold.
A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
ACT OF PARLIAMENT. A military term for small beer, five pints of which, by an act of parliament, a landlord was formerly obliged to give to each soldier gratis.
A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
BIBLE OATH. Supposed by the vulgar to be more binding than an oath taken on the Testament only, as being the bigger book, and generally containing both the Old and New Testament.
A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
GREENWICH BARBERS. Retailers of sand from the pits at and about Greenwich, in Kent: perhaps they are styled barbers, from their constant shaving the sandbanks.
A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
RIBALDRY. Vulgar abusive language, such as was spoken by ribalds. Ribalds were originally mercenary soldiers who travelled about, serving any master far pay, but afterwards degenerated into a mere banditti.
A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)