'remonstrates' with the manager. The term is also used to designate the hard-up borrower of petty sums.
Alive and Kicking, adv.phr. (popular).--An
intensive form of
'alive' in its most colloquial
sense of being alert and full of
action. In the days of Pierce
Egan's Tom and Jerry, alive partook
far more of the nature of
slang than now. Sometimes
all alive and kicking is varied
by all alivo; knowing; all
fly. The allusion is to a child
in the womb after quickening.
1889. Globe, Oct. 4, p. 1, col. 3. Next day there appeared a letter from a Mr. Basil Watts Phillips, who proclaimed himself as a son of the playwright, and stated, moreover, that his mother, the playwright's widow, as well as another son, named Gordon, were--to use a popular phrase--'alive and kicking.' Miss Emma, therefore, could hardly be recognised, with fairness, as the 'only living representative of the late Watts Phillips.'
Allacompain, subs.(rhyming slang).--Forms: alacompain, alicumpane, elecampain, etc. 1. In the so-called rhyming slang this is the equivalent of rain.
2. (common).--Candy supposed to be made from the root of inula helenium or bellwort; it contains, however, little else than colored sugar.
All A-Float -(rhyming slang).--A
coat.
All Alive, adv. and adj. (tailors').--Ill-made
garments, and 'misfits,'
are said to be all alive.
All Along of (vulgarism).--On account
of; by reason of, etc.
All-a-Mort.--See Amort.
All Around Sports, sub. (American).--Obviously
a corruption
Of 'all round sportsmen,' i.e.,
men whose interest in sport is
catholic, and all embracing.
All at Sea, adv. phr. (popular).--In
an uncertain, vague condition.
Of nautical origin, and
perhaps more colloquial than
slang; equivalent to all
abroad (q.v.).
All Brandy, adv. phr. (common).--When it is desired to commend or speak well of anything it is said to be all brandy. The use of such a term suggests curious reflections upon the drinking habits of those who employ it.
Synonyms. A1; the pure quill; about east; about right; at par; the cheese.
All Dickey.--See Dickey.
Alleviator, subs. (common).--A drink; refreshment.
1846. Mark Lemon, Golden Fetters. If any of you feel thirsty after this exciting interview, I shall be happy to stand an alleviator.
Synonyms. Gargle; smile; Alderman Lushington; long sleeved 'un (Australian, when taken from a long glass); shout; etc.--See Gargle.
Alley, Ally, Alay, subs. (schoolboys'
term).--A superior kind
of marble. Supposed to be
a corrupted and abbreviated
form of 'alabaster,' of which
these superior kind of marbles
are sometimes made. Alley
is the name given to the
medium sizes, smaller ones
