meet with altumal cant, to denote the language of petty traders and tars.
Altering the Jeff's Click.--See Jeff's click.
Altham, subs. (old cant).--A wife; mistress.--See quotation.
1560. John Awdeley, Fraternitye of Vacabondes (1869. English Dialect Society's Reprint), p. 4. A curtall is much like to the Vpright man, but hys authority is not fully so great. He vseth commonly to go with a short cloke, like to grey Friers, and his woman with him in like liuery, which he calleth his altham if she be hys.
Altitudes. In his altitudes, phr. (old).--In an elevated mood, chiefly from liquor; putting on airs and graces; using lofty phrases; in a state of excitement; and, in a special slang sense, drunk. The phrase has been incorrectly given as 'out of his altitudes.' The first trace of it is to be found in Beaumont and Fletcher's Laws of Candy, II. [1616].
1630. Jonson, New Inn, I. I have talked somewhat above my share, at large, and been in the altitudes, the extravagants.
1668. Dryden, An Evening's Love, Act iii. If we men could but learn to value ourselves, we should soon take down our mistresses from all their altitudes, and make them dance after our pipes.
1705. Vanbrugh, Confederacy, Act v. Clar. 'Who makes thee cry out thus, poor Brass?' Brass. 'Why, your husband, madam; he's in his altitudes here.[** ']
1785. Francis Grose, Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue. The man is in his altitudes, i.e., he is drunk.
Altocad, subs. (Win. Coll.).--A somewhat venerable paid member of the choir who takes ALTO.
Alybbeg.--See Lybbege.
Alycompaine.--See Allacompain.
Ambassador, subs. (nautical).--A sailor's practical joke upon 'green' hands, similar to the festivities formerly universally observed when 'crossing the line.' These tricks have been common to sailors of every nation. Ambassador was thus managed:--A large tub was filled with water, two stools being placed on either side of it; over the whole was thrown a tarpaulin or old sail, kept tight by two persons, who represented the king and queen of a foreign country, and who were seated on the stools. To the victim was allotted the part of ambassador, who, after repeating a ridiculous speech dictated to him, was led in great state up to the throne, and seated between the king and queen. They rising suddenly, as soon as the unsuspecting victim was seated, caused him to fall backward into the tub of water.
Ambassador of Commerce, subs. (familiar).--A commercial traveller; a bagman (q.v.).
Ambia, subs. (American).--A euphemism for the juice of tobacco, as expectorated after chewing. Most frequently heard in the Southern and Western States. Apparently a corruption of 'amber' (indeed it is commonly spelt and pronounced ambeer)--presumably from a similarity in colour between expectorated tobacco saliva and the mineralised resinous product.
AMBIDEXTER, also in 17th century, Ambodexter, subs. and adj. (old
