round the twist
Mad.
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round un
An unblushingly given and well-proportioned lie. Sometimes known as a "whacker."
round up
to gather or collect people or things
round-tripper
Home run.
roundabout
A large swing with four compartments, each the size, and very much the shape, of the body of a cart, capable of seating six or eight boys and girls, erected in a high frame, and turned round by men at a windlass. Fairs and merry-makings generally abound with these swings. The frames take to pieces, and are carried in vans from fair to fair by miserable horses.
roundheads
A term of reproach to the puritans and partizans of Oliver Cromwell, and the Rump Parliament, who it is said made use of a bowl as a guide to trim their hair.
roust
To arrest.
rout
A modern card meeting at a private house; also an order from the Secretary at War, directing the march and quartering of soldiers.
roving eye
A tendency to be attracted to multiple people, often in a flirtatious manner
row
A disturbance; a term used by the students at Cambridge.
row
"the ROW," i.e., Paternoster Row. The notorious Holywell Street is now called by its denizens "Bookseller’s Row."
row back
to retract or reverse a previously stated position
row in the same boat
Share a common problem or situation
row of pins
A number of people or things that are similar or alike
rowdy
Money. In America, a ruffian, a brawler, a "rough." Rowdyism is the state of being of New York roughs and loafers.
rowdy-dow
Low, vulgar "not the CHEESE," or thing.
rowland
To give a Rowland for an Oliver; to give an equivalent. Rowland and Oliver were two knights famous in romance: the wonderful achievements of the one could only be equalled by those of the other.
Royal American Regiment
The original name of the King's Royal Rifle Corps, which was first raised under that title m Maryland and Pennsylvania, 1755.
Royal and Ancient
The name by which the game of golf has been known since early days. In 1834 the St. Andrews Golf Club (founded in 1754) took the name of Royal and Ancient Golf Club; except in U.S.A. this club is the recognized authority on golf throughout the world, governing the game, framing rules, and settling questions and disputes.
Royal Arms
On the accession of George I (1714) the White Horse of Hanover was borne in pretence (i.e.
royal bumps
a gesture of good luck
Royal Institution
An association founded in 1799 for the purpose of prosecuting scientific and literary research, to further experimental science, and give opportunities for the ex- change of views and experiences. Under the patronage of the sovereign, it consists of a president and a number of professors, among whom have been numbered Humphry Davy, Faraday, Tyndall, Rayleigh, Sir James Dewar.
Royal Merchants
The wealthy Venetian mer- chants of the 13th century, such as the Sanudos, the Justiniani, the Grimaldi, and others, who erected principalities in divers places of the
Royal Oak Day
See OAK-APPLE DAY. To s^ort one's oak. To be "not at home.*' At the Universities, chambers have two doors, the usual room-door and another, made of oak, outside it; when the "oak" is shut or "sported" It indicates either that the occupant of the room is out, or that he does not wish to be dis- turbed by visitors.
royal scamps
Highwaymen who never rob any but rich persons, and that without ill treating them. See SCAMP.
Royal Society
The premier scientific society in Britain. It originated in London in 1645 when a number of learned enquirers met to discuss and experiment in various branches of science. The society was organized in 1660, meeting at Gresham College until 1710, when a move was made to Crane Court, Fleet Street. In 1780 the Society moved again to Somerset House, finally settling in its present home at Burlington House in 1857. Its fellowship, the F.R.S.
royal stag society
Was held every Monday evening, at seven o'clock, at the Three tuns, near the Hospital Gate, Newgate-street.
Royal Titles
See RULERS, TITLES OF. Royston (Herts) means king's tov^n; so called in honour of King Stephen, who erected a cross there. (O.Fr.
royster
A rude boisterous fellow; also a hound that opens on a false scent.
rozz
The police.
rub
A quarrel or impediment; "there’s the RUB," i.e., that is the difficulty.—Shakspeare and L’Estrange.
rub down
to massage or rub someone's muscles
rub elbows
To associate or socialize with someone, often in a professional setting.
rub in
to emphasize or remind someone of a fault or mistake
rub it in
to emphasize someone's mistake or weakness
rub of the green
A golf term for any un- suspected misfortune to which the best played stroke may sometimes be subject.
rub off
to transfer or pass on a quality or habit
rub off on
to influence or affect someone's behavior or attitude
rub one's hands together
Express excitement or anticipation, often in a scheming way
rub salt in someone's wounds
to make someone's pain or sadness worse
rub salt in the wound
to make a painful situation worse
rub shoulders
To interact or associate with someone, often in a social or professional setting.
rub someone the wrong way
to annoy or irritate someone
rub the fear of God into
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
rub up the wrong way
to annoy or irritate someone
rubbed out
Dead,—a melancholy expression, of late frequently used in fashionable novels. RUBBED OUT is synonymous with WIPED OUT, which see.
rubber
A term at whist, &c., the best of three games.
rubber ducked
Fucked.
rubber hose
a person who can be persuaded to do something
rubber johnny
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
rubber room
A place for insane or unstable people
rubby
rubbing alcohol.
ruby slippers
something that provides a solution or escape
ruck
The undistinguished crowd; "to come in with the RUCK," to arrive at the winning-post among the thick of the unplaced horses.—Racing term.
ruck up
to prepare oneself mentally or physically for a challenging task
ruction
An Irish row. A faction fight.
rudderbutt
An otter.
rue the day
to regret or wish something had not happened
rufalin
Rohypnol.
ruff
An ornament formerly worn by men and women round their necks. Wooden ruff; the pillory.
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