I Never Knew There Was a Word for It - Adam Jacot De Boinod [119]
to raddle someone’s toe (Australian late 19C) to request someone to buy a round of drinks
twizzling (Sussex) spinning a pointer on a pub ceiling to decide who should buy the next round
decorate the mahogany (Hobo slang) to buy the drinks; to line the bar with thirsty throats and brimming glasses
shot-clog (1599) an unwelcome drinking companion tolerated because he pays for the drinks
DRINK AND BE MERRY?
Soon, if you’re not exactly zig-zag – Tommies’ slang from the First World War for the state where it’s impossible to walk in a straight line – the booze will certainly be making itself felt:
hozzy nozzy (Rutland) not quite drunk
bleezed (Scotland 19C) the state of one on whom intoxicating liquor begins to operate: especially describing the change produced in one’s facial expression cherubimical (Benjamin Franklin 1737) benevolently drunk
tenant in tail (mid 17C) one whose drunkenness promotes indiscriminate displays of affection
whiffled (P. G.Wodehouse: Meet Mr Mulliner 1927) drunk
FROM SHEEP TO SOW
In Lincolnshire they marked out four distinct phases of intoxication. A man was sheep drunk when he was merry and easily handled; then lion drunk when he was brave and boastful; ape drunk when he got up to silly, irresponsible tricks; and finally sow drunk when he fell to the ground in an alcoholic stupor.
TWO TOO MANY
Sailors are legendary for their drinking prowess but watch out for these two:
admiral of the narrow seas (early 17C) a drunkard who vomits over his neighbour
vice admiral of the narrow seas (1811) a drunken man that pisses under the table into his companions’ shoes
THE MOURNING AFTER
Being drunk means never having to say you’re sorry, until the next morning of course when you forswear alcohol for tea again:
take a sheep-bed (Wiltshire) to lie down like a sheep to sleep in a grass-field, till one is sober
woofits (1918) a hangover; a vague unwell feeling; a headache; a moody depression
gunfire (Service slang) early morning tea (because it often has to be of considerable strength to counteract a bad head)
to feel as if a cat had kitten’d in one’s mouth (16C) to feel the nauseous after-effects of drinking
crambazzled (Yorkshire) prematurely aged through drink and a dissolute life
WORD JOURNEYS
bonkers (early 20C) slightly tipsy
tobacconist (16C) a tobacco smoker grape (11C from Old French) a hook for gathering fruit; then a cluster of fruit growing together
stale (13C) old and strong (applied to wine and ale having stood long enough to clear of sediment)
FOOTER-FOOTER
Taking off
A traveller must have the backe of an asse
to beare all, a tung like the taile of a dog to
flatter all, the mouth of a hogge to eate what
is set before him, the eare of a merchant
to heare all and say nothing
(1594)
Going for a walk is the quintessential English form of relaxation; but there are many varieties within the basic idea of putting one foot in front of another …
mantle (Lincolnshire) to walk aimlessly up and down with short steps
starp (North East) to walk with long strides
footer-footer (Scotland 1894) to walk in an affected mincing manner
nuddle (Suffolk) to walk alone with the head held low
slochet (Bedfordshire 1809) to walk with shoes nearly falling off the feet
festination (1878) walking faster and faster involuntarily
… and sometimes it can all seem a bit too much:
pouff (Banffshire) the act of walking with a heavy step, especially through weariness
plout (North East) to struggle to walk
surbater (1633) someone who tires another person out by walking
hox (Gloucestershire) to knock the feet together while walking
dot and go one (b.1811) to waddle: of people with one leg shorter than the other
darby-roll (19C) a style of walking that betrays an individual’s experience of fetters and thus time spent in prison
BONE-BREAKER
So why not take up that efficient, ecological and highly fashionable way of getting around – just be sure not to flirt with its dangers:
croggie (UK school slang) a ride on the crossbar or handlebars of another rider