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A 1 . first-rate, the very best; “she’s a prime girl, she is; she is A 1.”—_Sam Slick_. The highest classification of ships at Lloyd’s; common term in the United States; also at Liverpool and other English seaports. Another, even more intensitive form is “first-class, letter A, No. 1.” Some people choose to say A I, for no reason, however, beyond that of being different from others.
Abigail . a lady’s-maid; perhaps obtained from old comedies. Used in an uncomplimentary sense. Some think the term is derived from Abigail Hill (Mrs. Masham), lady-in-waiting to Queen Anne, and a typical ABIGAIL in the way of intrigue.
About Right . “to do the thing ABOUT RIGHT,” _i.e._, to do it properly, soundly, correctly; “he guv it ’im ABOUT RIGHT,” _i.e._, he beat him severely.
Abraham-man . a vagabond, such as were driven to beg about the country after the dissolution of the monasteries.—_See_ BESS O’ BEDLAM, _infra_. They are well described under the title of _Bedlam Beggars_.—_Shakspeare’s K. Lear_, ii. 3.
Abraham-sham . or SHAM ABRAHAM, to feign sickness or distress. From ABRAHAM-MAN, the _ancient Cant_ term for a begging impostor, or one who pretended to have been mad.—_Burton’s Anatomy of Melancholy_, vol. i. p. 360. When Abraham Newland was Cashier to the Bank of England, and signed their notes, it was sung:—
Absquatulate . to run away, or abscond; a hybrid _American_ expression, from the Latin _ab_, and “squat” to settle.
Acres . a coward. From Bob Acres, in Sheridan’s _Rivals_.
Adam’s Ale . water.—_English._ The _Scotch_ term is ADAM’S WINE.
Added to the List . a euphuism current among sporting writers implying that a horse has been gelded. As, “Sabinus has been ADDED TO THE LIST.” Another form of expression in reference to this matter is that “the knife has been brought into requisition.” “ADDED TO THE LIST” is simply a contraction for “added to the list of geldings in training.”
Addlepate . a foolish fellow, a dullard.
Admiral of the Red . a person whose very red face evinces a fondness for strong potations.
Affygraphy. “It fits to an AFFYGRAPHY,” _i.e._, to a nicety—to a _T_. .
Afternoon Farmer . one who wastes his best opportunity, and drives off the large end of his work to the little end of his time.
Against the Grain . in opposition to the wish. “It went AGAINST THE GRAIN to do it, but I knew I must,” is a common expression.
Aggerawators (corruption of _Aggravators_), the greasy locks of hair . in vogue among costermongers and other street folk, worn twisted from the temple back towards the ear. They are also, from a supposed resemblance in form, termed NEWGATE KNOCKERS, and sometimes NUMBER SIXES. This style of adorning the head is, however, fast dying out, and the everyday costermonger or street thief has his hair cut like any one else. The yearly militia drill may have had a good deal to do with this alteration.
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