Athanasian Wench. Subs. (old).—A forward, abandoned woman, of obliging disposition—one who practises prostitution from libidinous desire rather than for gain. Also Quicunque vult. For synonyms, see Barrack hack.
Atlantic-Ranger, subs, (common).—A herring. The derivation is too obvious to need particularization.
1883. Good Words, p. 378. Peas-pudding, and hard-boiled eggs, rubbing shoulders, as it were, with Atlantic rangers (i.e., red herrings).
Among other curious synonyms for this fish may be mentioned Billingsgate pheasant; two-eyed steak; Yarmouth capon; sea rover; and Glasgow magistrate, all of which see. A very common request at Lockhart's coffee-houses in London is for 'a door step and a sea rover,' i.e., a halfpenny slice of bread and butter and a herring.
Atmosphere, subs. (American).—By the atmosphere of a thing, whether book, church, or individual, is meant its tone or influence. Atmosphere is one of the most recent introductions into the canting-slang phraseology of 'Culchaw, don't you know!' It belongs to the same category as that which employs awfully and dreadfully for 'very'; or lovely for anything pleasing, etc. The number of legitimate words perverted from their legitimate meanings and used in senses oftentimes ludicrous is much larger than most people would care to admit.
Atomy, subs. (familiar).—1. A diminutive, or deformed person. [From a jocular pronunciation of 'anatomy.'] As will be seen from the historical examples which follow, this expression has been in the mouths of the English people for at least 300 years.
1595. Shakspeare. Romeo and Juliet, iv., i., 57.
... I see. Queen Mab hath been with you. She is the fairies' midwife; and she comes In shape no bigger than an agate-stone On the forefinger of an alderman. Drawn with a team of little atomies. Athwart men's noses as they fall asleep.
1598. Shakspeare, 2 Henry IV., v., 4, 33. Host. Thou atomy, thou!
Dot. Come, you thin thing, come, you rascal.
1822. Scott. The Fortunes of Nigel, ch, iii. 'He was an atomy when he came up from the North, and I am sure he died .., at twenty stone weight.'
1866. Sala. Gaslight and Daylight, ch, ix. A miserable little atomy, more deformed, more diminutive, more mutilated than any beggar in a bowl.
1884. Cornhill Magazine. May, p. 478. 'And atomy scarecrow and atomy, what next will you call me? Yet you want to marry me!
1886. Miss Braddon. Mohawks, ch, xxii. 'How lovely his young wife looks to-night; lovely enough to keep that poor old atomy in perpetual torment.'
2. (American thieves').—Amongst the fraternity atomy has the special meaning of an empty-headed person, and not necessarily one deformed or of small, mean stature.
For synonyms, in first sense, see Sappy.
Attack, verb, (common).—A jocular rendering of the legitimate word; to commence operations, not necessarily, however, with the idea of force, which is always associated with the proper usage. Also as a subs.
