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U.P. . United Presbyterian Church of Scotland.
Ugly . wicked, malicious, resentful.—_American._
Ullages . the wine of all sorts left in the bottoms of glasses at a public dinner. This is emptied into a measure, and drunk behind the screen or in any convenient place by the waiters, which accounts for their stony glare and fishy appearance late in the evening. Maybe from _Lat._ ULLUS, any.
Unbleached American . Yankee term, since the war, for coloured natives of the United States.
Uncle . the pawnbroker. _See_ MY UNCLE.
Under a cloud . in difficulties. An evident reference to shady circumstances.
Under the rose. _See_ ROSE. .
Understandings . the feet or boots. Men who wear exceptionally large or thick boots, are said to possess good UNDERSTANDINGS.
Understudy . to STUDY a part for the stage, not with the view of playing it at once, but so as to be ready in the event of anything happening to its present representative. Some actors of position, who suffer from delicate health, or mental weakness, have always other and inferior, but more robust, artists UNDERSTUDYING their parts.
Unfortunate . a modern euphuism for a prostitute, derived from Thomas Hood’s beautiful poem of _The Bridge of Sighs_:—
Unicorn . a style of driving with two wheelers abreast and one leader—termed in the United States a “spike team.” “Tandem” is one wheeler and one leader. “Random,” three horses in line. “Manchester” means three horses abreast. _See_ HARUM-SCARUM.
Unlicked . ill-trained, uncouth, rude, and rough; an “UNLICKED cub” is a loutish youth who has never been taught manners; from the tradition that a bear’s cub, when brought into the world, has no shape or symmetry until its dam licks it into form with her tongue. Possibly said of a boy who has been petted, _i.e._, who has been insufficiently thrashed or licked. Case of spared rod and spoilt child.
Unparliamentary . or UNSCRIPTURAL, language, words unfit for use in ordinary conversation.
Unutterables . or UNWHISPERABLES, trousers. _See_ INEXPRESSIBLES.
Up . “to be UP to a thing or two,” to be knowing, or understanding; “to put a man UP to a move,” to teach him a trick; “it’s all UP with him,” _i.e._, it is all over with him; when pronounced U.P., naming the two letters separately, means settled, or done UP. “UP a tree,” _see_ TREE. “UP to snuff,” wide awake, acquainted with the last new move; “UP to one’s gossip,” to be a match for one who is trying to take you in; “UP to slum,” proficient in roguery, capable of committing a theft successfully; “what’s UP?” what is the matter? what is the news?
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