man as aldermen are generally represented. The French have an equivalent phrase, pas d'abbé.
Aldgate. A draught on the pump
at Aldgate, subst.[**subs.?] phr. (commercial).--A
bad bill of exchange.
A play on the word 'draught.'
Alecampane.--See Allacompain.
Alecie, Alecy, subs. (old nonce
words) [from ale + suffix cie
or cy, as in 'lunacy'].--The
state of being under the influence
of ale; drunkenness; also
balmyness.
1594. J. Lyly, Mother Bombie, cc. 9. If he had arrested a mare instead of a horse, it had beene a slight oversight, but to arrest a man, that hath no likenesse of a horse, is flat lunasie, or alecie.
Ale-draper, subs. (old) [from ale
+ draper as in linen-draper].--A
humorous title for an alehouse
keeper; probably from the
ancient custom of measuring
ale by the yard. It long survived
dialectically, but is now
obsolete. Synonyms were rum-*cull,
and squirt-quester (q.v.)[**.]
1593. Henry Chettle, Kinde-Harts Dreame. Two milch maydens that had set up a shoppe of ale-drapery.
1747. In Parish Register of Scotter, Linc. [Buried], July 8th, Thomas Broughton, Farmer and Ale Draper.
Ale-Knight, subs. phr. (old) [from
ale + knight, used derisively].--A
tippler; a boon companion.
1575. Eccl. Proc., Chester. [The Vicar of Whalley, Lanc., is charged with being a common dronker and ale knight.]
1654. Witt's Recreations. Come all you brave wights, That are dubbed ale-knights Now set out youselves in fight: And let them that crack In the praises of sack, Know malt is of mickle might.
1863-64. Chambers' Bk. of Days, ii., 597. This man was a regularly dubbed ale-knight, loved barley wine to the full.
Ales, subs. (Stock Exchange).--The
shares in the brewery business
of S. Allsopp and Sons,
Limited, are thus known.
Ale Spinner, subs. phr. (old) [from
ale + spinner, a manufacturer
or producer].--A brewer or
publican.
Alexandra Limp, subs. (popular).--The
name given to an erstwhile
fit of semi-imbecility on the
part of 'Society.' The Princess
of Wales, through a slight infirmity,
walks with a suspicion
of lameness, and servile imitation
of everything pertaining to
royalty caused the sudden appearance
(circa 1860-70) of a
crowd of limping petticoated
toadies. The craze passed
away as suddenly as it came.
Cf., Grecian bend.
1876. Chambers' Journal, No. 629. Your own advocacy of the Grecian bend and the Alexandra limp--both positive and practical imitations of physical affliction. [H.]
Alfred David, subs. (common).--An
affidavit--obviously a humorous
corruption in pronunciation;
also affidavy; and, by
an extended process of curtailment,
davy. All are common
colloquialisms among the uneducated
classes. After-davy
is likewise occasionally heard,
generally in connection with a
person in extremis.
Algerine, subs. (theat.)--A member
of a company who, when 'the
ghost' cannot be induced to
walk, i.e., when the exchequer
is low, and salaries are not paid,
