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WABLER . Footwabler; a contemptuous term for a foot soldier, frequently used by those of the cavalry.
WAG . An arch-frolicsome fellow.
WAGGISH . Arch, gamesome, frolicsome.
WAGTAIL . A lewd woman.
WAITS . Musicians of the lower order, who in most towns play under the windows of the chief inhabitants at midnight, a short time before Christmas, for which they collect a christmas-box from house to house. They are said to derive their name of waits from being always in waiting to celebrate weddings and other joyous events happening within their district.
WAKE . A country feast, commonly on the anniversary of the tutelar saint of the village, that is, the saint to whom the parish church is dedicated. Also a custom of watching the dead, called Late Wake, in use both in Ireland and Wales, where the corpse being deposited under a table, with a plate of salt on its breast, the table is covered with liquor of all sorts; and the guests, particularly, the younger part of them, amuse themselves with all kinds of pastimes and recreations: the consequence is generally more than replacing the departed friend.
WALKING CORNET . An ensign of foot.
WALKING POULTERER . One who steals fowls, and hawks them from door to door.
WALKING STATIONER . A hawker of pamphlets, &c.
WALKING THE PLANK . A mode of destroying devoted persons or officers in a mutiny or ship-board, by blindfolding them, and obliging them to walk on a plank laid over the ship's side; by this means, as the mutineers suppose, avoiding the penalty of murder.
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