De Quincey thus discourses upon the word :

"The word HUMBUG, for instance, rests upon a rich and comprehensive basis; it cannot be rendered adequately either by German or by Greek, the two richest of human languages; and without this expressive word we should all be disarmed for one great case, continually recurrent, of social enormity. A vast mass of villany, that cannot otherwise be reached by legal penalties, or brought within the rhetoric of scorn, would go at large with absolute impunity were it not through the stern Rhadamanthean aid of this virtuous and inexorable word."-Article on "Language."

The original collater of these notes purchased the collection of essays known as the Connoisseur at the sale of Thackeray's library. At the end of vol. i. he found a memorandum in the great humourist's handwriting-"p. 108, 'HUMBUG,' a new-coined expression." On referring to that page (in the 3rd edition, 1757) this paragraph was noted :"The same conduct of keeping close to their ranks was observed at table, where the ladies seated themselves together. Their conversation was here also confined wholly to themselves, and seemed like the mysteries of the Bona Dea, in which men were forbidden to have any share. It was a continued laugh and whisper from the beginning to the end of dinner. A whole sentence was scarce ever spoken aloud. Single words, indeed, now and then broke forth; such as, odious, horrible, detestable, shocking, HUMBUG. This last new-coined expression, which is only to be found in the nonsensical vocabulary, sounds absurd and disagreeable whenever it is pronounced; but from the mouth of a lady it is 'shocking,'' detestable,' 'horrible,' and 'odious.'"

The use of this term is almost universal; in California there is a town called Humbug Flat-a name which gives a significant hint of the acuteness of the first settler.

Humdrum, monotonous, tedious, tiresome, boring; "a society of gentlemen who used to meet near the Charter House, and at the King's Head, St. John's Street, Clerkenwell. They were characterized by less mystery and more pleasantry than the Freemasons."-Bacchus and Venus, 1737. In the West the term applies to a low cart. Humming, strong as applied to drink. Extra strong ale is often characterized as 66 HUMMING October." Maybe from its effect on heads not quite so strong.

Hump, low spirits. A costermonger who was annoyed or distressed about anything would describe himself as having "the HUMP." Hump, to botch, or spoil.

Hump up, "to have one's HUMP UP," to be cross or ill-temperedlike a cat with its back set up. See BACK and MONKEY.

Humpty-dumpty, short and thick; all of a heap; all together, like

Also a hunchback. HUMPTY is an abbreviated form of the expression. Hunch, to shove, or jostle.

Hunks, a miserly fellow, a curmudgeon.

Hunky, an American term which means good, jolly, &c. As, “a HUNKY boy," a good jovial fellow; and "everything went off HUNKY." Hunter pitching, the game of cockshies-three throws a penny.— See COCKSHY.

Hurdy-gurdy, a droning musical instrument shaped like a large fiddle, and turned by a crank, used by Savoyards and other itinerant foreign musicians in England, now nearly superseded by the hand-organ. From the peculiar noise made by the instrument, which in Italy is called "viola."

Hurkaru, a messenger.-Anglo-Indian.

the summer season.

Husbands' boat, the Saturday afternoon packet to Margate during So called for obvious reasons. The passengers by this boat come in for an unusual share of attention from the cads peculiar to this watering-place.

Husbands' tea, ery weak tea.

See WATER BEWITCHED.

Hush-money, a sum given to quash a prosecution or stay evidence. Money given to any one for the purpose of quieting him.

Hush-shop, or CRIB, a shop where beer and spirits are sold "

quiet"-
'-no licence being paid.

on the Huxter, money. Term much in use among costermongers and low sharpers. Probably from OXTER or HOXTER.

Hyps, or HYPO, the blue devils. From HYPOCHONDRIASIS.-Swift. Hy-yaw! an interjectional exclamation of astonishment.-Anglo-Chinese. Ikey, a Jew "fence." Corruption of Isaac, a common Hebrew name. Imperence, servant-girl currency for impudence or impertinence.

"Now, then, Mr. IMPERENCE, leave off now, do," seems, howev, to have faded away with Greenwich, Bartlemy, and kindred fairs. Improve the occasion, a slang term much in use among Chadbands and Stigginses, who never lose an opportunity of IMPROVING the condition of either pockets or stomachs at the expense of the credulous.

In,

"to be IN with a person," to be even with, or up to him; also, to be on intimate terms, or in partnership, with him.

Inexpressibles, UNUTTERABLES, UNMENTIONABLES,

UNWHISPER

ABLES, or SIT UPONS, trousers, the nether garments. All affected terms,
having their origin in a most unpleasant squeamishness.

Infantry, nursery term for children; LIGHT INFANTRY, fleas.
In for it, in trouble or difficulty of any kind. As, "You're IN For it,
I wouldn't stand in your shoes for a trifle."

In for patter, waiting for trial, referring to the speeches of counsel, the statements of witnesses, the summing up of the judge, &c.,-the fuss "all so much PATTER. of which the prisoner sets down as Innings, earnings, good fortune; "he's had a long INNINGS," ie., a good run of luck, with plenty of cash flowing in. From the distinction between INNINGS and outings at cricket and kindred games.

Inside lining, dinner, &c.

Interesting, "to be in an INTERESTING situation," applied to females

when enceinte.

Interview, to inspect privately with a which shall be afterwards published.

view to obtaining information Both the verb and its use have

P

their origin with our Transatlantic cousins, and "interviewing" by means of special reporters, who question most minutely, is of frequent occurrence, of occurrence whenever opportunity offers. Should a man be found guilty of murder, or start as a candidate for the Presidency, he will be INTERVIEWED by "our special correspondent," and there are already signs of this objectionable form of newspaper work finding its way here. Should a visitor of importance arrive in New York, the conversation which passes, or is supposed to pass, between him and the reporter will be found minutely described, with an elaborate introduction. It is but fair to Americans, however, to say that the gentleman to whom the credit, or discredit, of the invention of this system belongs was a native of Great Britain, who invented many other startling Americanisms during his residence in New York.

Into, "hold my hat, Jim, I'll be INTO him," i.e., I will fight him. In this sense equivalent to pitch INTO, or slip INTO.

Invite, an invitation-a corruption used by stuck-up people of mushroom origin. Often used, also, by people who know better, from their desire for slang of any kind.

Ipsal dixal, Cockney corruption of ipse dixit-said of one's simple uncorroborated assertion.

Irish American, an Irishman who has been for some time resident in the States; sometimes a man born in America of Irish parents. The Irish American body is a power in the United States, and is the fountspring as well as the maintaining power of all Fenianism.

Irish apricots, potatoes.

Irish Cockney, a child born of Irish parents in any part of the southern counties of England. It is a singular fact that Irishmen born profess great abhorrence of IRISH COCKNEYS, while the latter despise all Irish, and use the word as one of reproach. IRISH COCKNEYS were originally only Cockneys born of an Irish strain, but the term has proved very elastic, and threatens soon to mean any English-born person whose descent is Hibernian. Liverpool will, however, always prove an exception to the rule, as the name "Liverpool Irishmen" is given to those who would in any southern part be called Cockneys.

Irish theatre, the temporary prison, guard-room, or lock-up in a barracks. The fond fancy of the soldier supplies it with other figurative appellations, as "the mill," "the jigger, "" the house that Jack built." In Edinburgh Castle it is termed "the dryroom."

Irons in the fire, a man is said to have too many IRONS IN THE FIRE when he turns his attention to too many occupations or enterprises at

once.

Isthmus of Suez, the covered bridge at St. John's College, Cambridge, which connects the college with its grounds on the other side of the river.--See CRACKLE.

66

Ivories, teeth; a box of IVORIES," a set of teeth, the mouth; "wash your IVORIES," i.e., "drink." The word is also used to denote dice. Jabber, to talk, or chatter. A cant word in Swift's time. Probably from GIBBER.

Jack, the knave of trumps, at the game of all-fours.

Jack-at-a-pinch, one whose assistance is only sought on an emergency. Jack-in-the-water, an attendant at the watermen's stairs on the river and sea-port towns, who does not mind wetting his feet for a customer's convenience, in consideration of a douceur.

Jacked-up, ruined, done for. To JACK-UP is to leave off doing anything suddenly. See CHUCK-UP.

Jacket, the skin of a potato which has not been pared before cooking. In Ireland potatoes are generally served" with their JACKETS on. Jacketing, a thrashing. Similar term to leathering, cowhiding, &c. Jackey, gin. Seven Dials originally. Nearly general now.

Jack-in-the-box, a small but powerful kind of screw, used by burglars to break open safes.

Jack Ketch, the public hangman.-See KETCH.

Jack Nasty-face, a sailor. -Sea. NASTY-FACE is a term applied often in London streets to an ugly or unpleasant-looking person. Jacks, AND HALF-JACKS, card counters, resembling in size and appearance sovereigns and half-sovereigns, for which they are occasionally passed to simple persons. In large gambling establishments the "heaps of gold" are frequently composed of JACKS. JACKS are not, as they are sometimes supposed to be, counterfeit coins; they are simply little medals, and so magsmen" and "street muggers " carry them with less concern than they would feel were their pockets loaded with spurious money.

Jack Sprat, a diminutive boy or man.

Jack Tar, a sailor.

Jacob, a ladder.

Grose says, from Jacob's dream.-Old Cant. Jacob's ladder, a longitudinal flaw in the leg of a ballet-girl's tights. Jagger, a gentleman. German, JAGER, a sportsman.

Jail-bird, a prisoner, one who has been in jail.

James, a sovereign, or twenty shillings. From JACOBUS, the James II. guinea.

Jannock, sociable, fair dealing.-Norfolk. Generally now JONNICK, which see.

Japan, to ordain. Having evident reference to the black clothes which follow ordination.-University.

Jark, a "safe-conduct" pass.-Oxford. Old cant for a seal. Jarvey, the driver of a hackney-coach; "JARVEY'S upper Benjamin," a coachman's overcoat, with many capes. An ingenious etymology has been found for JARVEY, thus :-JARVEY, vernacular for Geoffrey, which was often written Geo. (gee-ho), hence JARVEY. This is open to considerable objection, as George is shortened in similar manner to that shown above. Still it is worthy of record, independently of its ingenuity, being as exact as many accepted derivations. Jaw, speech, or talk; "hold your JAW," don't speak any more; "what are you JAWING about ?" i.e., what are you making a noise about?

Jaw, to talk without cessation, to scold vehemently.

Jawbone, credit.

"We have a few persons whose pockets are to let-men who have more complaints than dollars-individuals who, in digger's parlance, live on JAWBONE (credit), and are always to be found at saloons; a class of men who, when they are here, wish themselves yonder, and when yonder, wish themselves back."-Times Correspondent, San Francisco, Oct. 21, 1862.

Jaw-breaker, a hard or excessively long word. Also, in pugilistic sense, a hard blow on the side of the face.

Jaw-twister, a hard or many-syllabled word. Elaboration of preceding. Jazey, a wig. A corruption of JERSEY, the name for flax prepared in a peculiar manner, of which common wigs were formerly made; "the cove with the JAZEY," i.e., the judge.

Jeames (a generic for "flunkeys"), the Morning Post newspaper-the organ of Belgravia and the "Haristocracy."

Jehu, old slang term for a coachman, or one fond of driving.—Billical. Jeminy O! a vulgar expression of surprise.

Jemmy, a sheep's-head.-See SANGUINARY JAMES.

Jemmy, a short crowbar, which generally takes to pieces, for the convenience of housebreakers.

Jemmy ducks, the man whose business it is to look after the poultry on board a ship.-Sea.

Jemmy Jessamy, a dandy.

Jemmy-john, a jar for holding liquor; probably a corruption of demigallon, by means of DEMI-JOHN.

Jeremiad, a lament; derived, of course, from the Book of Lamentations, written by the Prophet Jeremiah.

Jeremy Diddler, an adept at raising the wind, i.e., at borrowing, especially at borrowing with no intention of repaying. See the farce of Raising the Wind.

Jericho, an improper quarter of Oxford. A lady visitor once writing her name down in the visitors' book at the Bodleian or elsewhere, for a joke put down her residence as "Jericho," to the no small disgust of her undergraduate friend.-University.

Jerry, a chamber utensil; abbreviation of JEROBOAM.-Swift. Jerry, a watch. "JERRY nicking" or JERRY sneaking" is watchstealing, which is a distinct form of street robbery, and requires both courage and dexterity; for it is done, as the thieves say, "right afore a bloke's face."

Jerry, to jibe or chaff cruelly. Development of jeer.

Jerry-go-nimble, the diarrhoea. Derivation apparent.

Jerry Lynch, a pig's head pickled. Term usually applied to the long Irish heads which are sent over here for sale in the poorer districts of London, and which are vastly different from the heads of "dairy-fed" porkers.

Jerry shop, a beer-house. Contraction of "Tom and Jerry."