cully gorger
A companion, a brother actor.—Theatrical. See GORGER.
English · UK & Ireland 1488
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Where will you be? Anywhere UK & IrelandUnited StatesOnline slangBusiness jargon
Expressions you’ll hear in Britain and Ireland — distinctly British usage first, then widespread staples.
culp
A kick or blow: from the words mea culpa, being that part of the popish liturgy at which the people beat their breasts; or, as the vulgar term is, thump their craws.
cummer
A gossip or acquaintance.
cumshaw
A present or bribe.—Anglo-Chinese.
cunning man
A cheat, who pretends by his skill in astrology to assist persons in recovering stolen goods: and also to tell them their fortunes, and when, how often, and to whom they shall be married; likewise answers all lawful questions, both by sea and land. This profession is frequently occupied by ladies.
cunning shaver
A sharp fellow, one that trims close, i.e. cheats ingeniously.
cunningham
A punning appellation for a simple fellow.
cunny-thumbed
To double one's fist with the thumb inwards, like a woman.
cup of the creature
A cup of good liquor.
cup-tosser
A person who professes to tell fortunes by examining the grounds in tea or coffee cups. A cup or goblet, however, is the old mystic symbol of a juggler. French, JOUEUR DE GOBELET.
cupboard love
Pretended love to the cook, or any other person, for the sake of a meal. My guts cry cupboard; i.e. I am hungry
cupboard-headed
An expressive designation of one whose head is both wooden and hollow.—Norfolk.
cupboard-love
Affection arising from interested motives.
cupid, blind cupid
A jeering name for an ugly blind man: Cupid, the god of love, being frequently painted blind. See BLIND CUPID.
cur
A cut or curtailed dog. According to the forest laws, a man who had no right to the privilege of the chase, was obliged to cut or law his dog: among other modes of disabling him from disturbing the game, one was by depriving him of his tail: a dog so cut was called a cut or curtailed dog, and by contraction a cur. A cur is figuratively used to signify a surly fellow.
curbing law
The act of hooking goods out of windows: the curber is the thief, the curb the hook. CANT.
cure
An odd person; a contemptuous term, abridged from CURIOSITY, which was formerly the favourite expression. The word cure, as originally applied, was London street slang, and was, as just stated, an abbreviation of curiosity, or, more correctly, of curious or queer fellow. Of late years it has, however, been used to denote a funny, humorous person, who can give and receive chaff.
cure a-se
A dyachilon plaister, applied to the parts galled by riding.
curios
A corruption of "curiosities;" any articles of vertu brought from abroad. Used by naval and military travellers and others.
curle
Clippings of money, which curls up in the operation. CANT.
curmudgeon
A covetous old fellow, derived, according to some, from the French term coeur mechant.
currants and plums
Thrums,—slang for threepence.
currency
Persons born in Australia are there termed CURRENCY, while natives of England are termed STERLING. The allusion is to the difference between colonial and imperial moneys, which it may be as well to remark have no difference so far as actual value is concerned.
curry
To curry favour; to obtain the favour of a person be coaxing or servility. To curry any one's hide; to beat him.
curse
Anything worthless. Corruption of the Old English word KERSE, a small sour wild cherry; French, CERISE; German, KIRSCH. Vision of Piers Ploughman:—
cursitors
Broken petty-fogging attornies, or Newgate solicitors. CANT.
curtail
To cut off. Originally a Cant word—vide Hudibras, and Bacchus and Venus, 1737. Evidently derived from the French court tailler.
curtails
Thieves who cut off pieces of stuff hanging out of shop windows, the tails of women's gowns, &c.; also, thieves wearing short jackets.
curtain lecture
A woman who scolds her husband when in bed, is said to read him a curtain lecture.
cushion
He has deserved the cushion; a saying of one whose wife is brought to bed of a boy: implying, that having done his business effectually, he may now indulge or repose himself.
cushion-smiter
Polite rendering of tub-thumper, a clergyman, a preacher.
cushmawaunee
Never mind. Sailors and soldiers who have been in India frequently say—
custard cap
The cap worn by the sword-bearer of the city of London, made hollow at the top like a custard.
custom-house goods
The stock in trade of a prostitute, because fairly entered.
customer
Synonymous with CHAP, a fellow; "a rum CUSTOMER," i.e., a man likely to turn the tables on any one who attacked him, and therefore better be let alone, or very warily proceeded with; an "odd fish," or curious person.—Shakspeare.
cut
Drunk. A little cut over the head; slightly intoxicated. To cut; to leave a person or company. To cut up well; to die rich.
cut
To take cards from a pack, with a view to decide by comparison which persons shall be partners, or which players shall deal. Not less than four cards must be picked up by the cutter, and the bottom one is the CUT. When cutting for a "turn-up," the residuum is called the CUT.
cut-throat
A butcher, a cattle-slaughterer; a ruffian.
cute
Sharp, cunning. Abbreviation of ACUTE.
cutter
A ruffian, a cut-purse. Of Robin Hood it was said—
cutting-shop
A place where cheap rough goods are sold.
cutty-pipe
A short clay pipe. Scotch, CUTTY, short.
cutty-sark
A short chemise.—Scotch. A scantily-draped lady is so called by Burns.
call a spade a spade
To speak frankly.
call it a day
To declare the end of a task.
cap in hand
Humbly asking for a favour.
carrot and stick
Reward combined with punishment.
cast pearls before swine
To offer something valuable to people who cannot appreciate it.
catch a cold
Encounter trouble.
champ at the bit or chomp at the bit
To show impatience or frustration when delayed.
chapter and verse
Exact reference.
cheap and cheerful
Simple and inexpensive.
cheap as chips
Inexpensive; a good bargain.
chew the cud
To meditate or ponder before answering; to be deep in thought; to ruminate.
chew the fat
To chat idly or generally waste time talking.
chime in
Join in a conversation.
chinaman's chance
Little or no chance of success.
chink in one's armor
An area of vulnerability.
circle the wagons
To unite a group for a common purpose.
claim to fame
Reason for being regarded as noteworthy.