an excuse for unbridled sexual license; indeed, it is inconceivable that it could be otherwise, except in a society of seraphs and archangels.
Afflicke, subs. (old).--See quotation.
1610. Rowland's Martin Mark-all, p. 38 (H. Chub's Repr., 1874). Afflicke, a theefe.
Afflictions, subs. (drapers').--Mourning goods, half-mourning being designated mitigated afflictions (q.v.).
Affygraphy, subs. (common).--'It fits to an affygraphy,' i.e., to a nicety--to a T; also of time--'in an affygraphy.'
Afloat, adv. (common).--On the move; en évidence. This term is of nautical origin.
To have one's back-teeth well afloat, is to be well-primed with liquor; in short, to be in one of the many degrees of intoxication.
1888. Missouri Republican, Jan. 25. When sober on the bench Judge Noonan is a model of all the virtues. On Friday night, however, in company with Dr. Munford, of Kansas City, ex-Speaker Wood, Mr. Charles Mead, and several other gentlemen, his honor once more drank until, as an onlooker put it, his back teeth were well afloat.
A-Fly, adv. (vulgar).--See Fly.
Afterclap, subs. (American).--An attempt to unjustly extort more in a bargain or agreement than at first settled upon. Derived from after + clap, a blow or shock.] Current in England since the beginning of the fifteenth century, signifying an unexpected subsequent event; something happening after an affair is supposed to be at an end.
After-Dinner Man; Afternoon's Man.-- Generally read to mean a tippler; one given to long potations after the mid-day meal, formerly the most substantial taken during the twenty-four hours. Smythe Palmer, however, appears to throw a different gloss upon the term, for he says [N. and Q., 5 S., viii., 112], Afternoones men--equivalent to after-dinner men. It was the custom, formerly, to dine in the halls of our Inns of Court about noon, and those who returned after dinner to work must have been much devoted to business, or obliged to work at unusual hours by an excess of it.'--See quot. from Earle.
1614. Overbury, A wife, etc. (1638), 196, Make him an afternoones man.
1621. BURTON, Anat. Mel. Democr. to Reader (1657), 44. Bervaldus will have drunkards, afternoon men, and such as more than ordinarily delight in drink, to be mad.
1628. Earle, Microcosmography (A Player). Your Innes of Court men were undone but for him, hee is their chiefe guest and employment, and the sole businesse that makes them afternoones men.
1830. Dublin Sketch Book. The good Baronet (Sir Francis Burdett) was not only a foxhunter, but a celebrated after-dinner man[**. P2] It must have been a good bout indeed in which he was worsted.
After Four, subs. phr. (Eton).--From 3 to 6 p.m. on half-holidays; 4 to 5 on whole schoolday.
Afternoon Farmer, subs. phr.(popular).--This expression for one who procrastinates, or who misses an opportunity is, in
