The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-07-05

several pickpockets banded together
with sufficient money in their kitty or
treasury to hire high class lawyers in
the event Of an arrest
low class saloon where criminals
make their headquarters is known as a
"fusil foundry" link pot" or drum"
To sleep Is to kip" or "doss" and a
lodging house is a pay kip" or "doss
joint"
prisoner released on ball who skips
out and forfeits his bond Is a "lamaster,"
IA girl whose imam" receives prison
sentence Is said to be divorced" and
the burglar who breaks into your resi-
dence is second story worker" "a
houseman," porch climber" or fiat
cleaner"
American crooks do good deal of
business abroad. both in England and
on the Continent, and 1t follows that
they grow familiar with flash patter."
as the British thieves term their code
conversation. but slngularly enough.
few Of the English idioms take root
over here; nor do Uncle Sans law
breakers adopt John Bulls lingo. The
English thief slang abounds in twisted
pcculiarities of speech.
The word "prigging" in British I'M
derworld dialect covers all kinds of
stealing. "nibbling a dive" is picking
pocket the pickpocket himself is a
"fugle hunter" "snitch" is an in
former who turns Kings evidence, to
brush" is to make an escape and when
"A thief is arrested he is "nibbled" or
"nabbcd.'
Blunt is money, blue pigeon fly
ing" stealing lead pipe from houses;
-
horn is Johnny Raw" while a flash
covey" is a partner in crime. A con-
vncing talker is said to possess a piece
of velvet" (smooth tongue). a hat is a
canister" or castor" and mace" -
"A fellow who swlndles tradesmen.
When the cornerstone of "A new public
building was to be laid at Lambeth
recently, a ceremony at which royalty
was represented, three British crooks
met in public house in the north OF
London to discuss their plans The
conversation between the trlo-known
10 their associates as All, Nat and Bill
ran as follows:
Where's the best lay?" asked All
well, I've tapped the linen draper"
replied Bill, "and | think the right chat
will be down Lambeth. You know
what's on there, don't you? | think We
ought to get in some good work in an
hour. Shall We have a dabble dowl
there? What do you say, Alf?"
Wen find the right stuff there"
returned All, but you don't know what
1t Is when royalty are on the manor.
1t will be on fire. It's red kettle IL
half "A tosh bomper that there will l.
a ID and "A grass every few yards of tn
frog, And Nat is under the act"
"Oh, don't worry about me-" re-
marked Nat. II must have some he j
and honey to-day or else l shall have
to moak my groin. We had bett r
have IA dabble there. I've grown this
machnest while was away and it's
altered my boat race"
IAN right" said Ar. Lets hop In
the RATHER and get down to this lay"
mo, let's tub II down" suggested Nat
NO that's just where you get a tai"
interposed Bill. I'm tub il and you two
take the rattler. | don't like the look
OF that finger over the frog. He's been
winking us ever since We came H..
When We get outside break away aad
joint up down there"
Put into plain English the slang
terms used above are thus elucdated:
The best lay" is the most likely place
where there will be crowd. Tapping
the linen draper II reading the news
paper, right chat" IL the best place, to
"dabble" is to try right stun" denotes
gold watches and chains, the manor"
means the scene Of action, ION fire" da u
gerous for thieves. A red kettle" 81 -
miles a gold watch, the frog" the roa /.
Under the act" refers to the prevent, n
of crime act, by which a suspect can be
arrested for frequenting n place for the
possible purpose Of committing 4 l.
ony. Bees and honey" stands for a
fresh supply of cash to "moak a groia"
Is to pawn ring, "A "machnest" il a
mustache, boat race" the face, rather
IA train, tub a bus.
ITO get "A tail" is to be trailed by the
police, finger" is suspicious =
low. "Winking" is watching and to
Joint up" indicates the reassembllns
of the confederates.
The well known dislike Of the English
people to give up old customs is y
where better illustrated than by tls
manner in which modern British THEY !
make use of much of the flash patti e"
in vogue during the bygone days wi
highwaymen cantered gayly vi.
Hampstead Heath, Slang phrases in