Irish cockney
A person born of Irish parents in any part of the southern counties of England.
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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.
Isthmus of Suez
The covered bridge at St. John's College, Cambridge, that connects the college with its grounds on the other side of the river.
idea pot
The knowledge box, the head. See KNOWLEDGE BOX.
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, however, to have faded away with Greenwich, Bartlemy, and kindred fairs.
impost takers
Usurers who attend the gaming-tables, and lend money at great premiums.
improve the occasion
Take advantage of a situation to achieve something
impudent stealing
Cutting out the backs of coaches, and robbing the seats.
impure
A modern term for a lady of easy virtue.
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.
in for it
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
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 of which the prisoner sets down as "all so much PATTER."
in twig
Handsome; stilish. The cove is togged in twig; the fellow is dressed in the fashion.
india wipe
A silk handkerchief.
indies
Black Indies; Newcastle.
indorser
A sodomite. To indorse with a cudgel; to drub or beat a man over the back with a stick, to lay CANE upon Abel.
inexpressibles
UNUTTERABLES, UNMENTIONABLES, UNWHISPERABLES, 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.
inkle weavers
Supposed to be a very brotherly set of people; 'as great as two inkle weavers' being a proverbial saying.
inlaid
Well inlaid; in easy circumstances, rich or well to pass.
innings
Earnings, good fortune; "he’s had a long INNINGS," i.e., a good run of luck, with plenty of cash flowing in. From the distinction between INNINGS and outings at cricket and kindred games.
innocents
One of the innocents; a weak or simple person, man or woman.
inside and outside
The inside of a **** and the outside of a gaol.
interesting
"to be in an INTERESTING situation," applied to females when enceinte.
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 fount-spring as well as the maintaining power of all Fenianism.
irish apricots
Potatoes. It is a common joke against the Irish vessels, to say they are loaded with fruit and timber, that is, potatoes and broomsticks.
irish assurance
A bold forward behaviour: as being dipt in the river Styx was formerly supposed to render persons invulnerable, so it is said that a dipping in the river Shannon totally annihilates bashfulness; whence arises the saying of an impudent Irishman, that he has been dipt in the Shannon.
irish beauty
A woman with two black eyes.
irish legs
Thick legs, jocularly styled the Irish arms. It is said of the Irish women, that they have a dispensation from the pope to wear the thick end of their legs downwards.
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."
irish toyles
Thieves who carry about pins, laces, and other pedlars wares, and under the pretence of offering their goods to sale, rob houses, or pilfer any thing they can lay hold of.
iron
Money in general. To polish the king's iron with one's eyebrows; to look out of grated or prison windows, or, as the Irishman expresses them, the iron glass windows. Iron doublet; a prison. See STONE DOUBLET.
ironmonger's shop
To keep an ironmonger's shop by the side of a common, where the sheriff sets one up; to be hanged in chains. Iron-bound; laced. An iron-bound hat; a silver-laced hat.
irons in the fire
Having multiple projects or tasks underway at the same time
isabeller
(vulgar pronunciation of ISABELLA), an umbrella.
island
He drank out of the bottle till he saw the island; the island is the rising bottom of a wine bottle, which appears like an island in the centre, before the bottle is quite empty.
ivories
Teeth. How the swell flashed his ivories; how the gentleman shewed his teeth.
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.
ivy bush
Like an owl in an ivy bush; a simile for a meagre or weasel-faced man, with a large wig, or very bushy hair.
i’m afloat
A boat. This is also used for coat. See ante.
in a fog
In a state of perplexity.
in high dudgeon
In a state of deep resentment.
in hot water
In trouble; facing punishment or serious criticism.
in over one's head
Overwhelmed or exasperated, usually by excessive responsibilities.
in the altogether
Euphimism for naked.
in the black
Successful financially.
in the clear
Not in danger.
in the doghouse
In disgrace.
in the fast lane
Where life is exciting or highly pressured.
in the final analysis
When everything has been considered.
in the limelight
Under public attention.
in the nick of time
At the last moment.
in this day and age
In modern times.
inside out
Completely or thoroughly.
it is what it is
This challenging circumstance is simply a fact, to be accepted or dealt with.
it takes two to tango
Both share responsibility.
itchy feet
Restlessness.