1892. Illustrated Bits, Oct. 22, p. 6. c. 2. When I get the hang of them I shall be a regular dab at theosophy.
2. (colloquial).—A little bit; a bit; a Damn. See Care. Fr., s'en contreficher or s'en tamponner le coquard (or coquillard).
1861. H. Kingsley, Ravenshoe, ch. xliii. She looks as well as you by candle-*light, but she can't ride a hang.
Verb (generally Hang it!).—An exclamation of vexation, disgust, or disappointment; also, more forcibly, a euphemism for Damn it! Fr., Ah! mince alors.
1598. Shakspeare, 2 Henry IV., ii., 4. He a good wit? hang him, baboon!
1609. Jonson, Epicœne, ii., 2. A mere talking mole, hang him.
1614. Jonson, Bartholomew Fair, v. 3. Ay, and be hanged.
1694. Dunton, Ladies' Dict., p. 229. Aristænetus telling a brisk buxom Lass of a proper fine Man that would make her a good Husband, Hang him [reply'd she] he has no Mony.
1772. Coles, Eng.-Lat. Dict., s.v. Hanged. Go and be hanged.
1780. Mrs. Cowley, Belle's Stratagem, iv., 1. Hang Harriet, and Charlotte, and Maria! the name your father gave ye?
1823. W. T. Moncrieff. Tom and Jerry, ii., 5. Hang cards! bring me a bobstick of rum slim.
1836. M. Scott, Cruise of the Midge, p. 169. 'You be hanged, Felix,' quoth his ally, with a most quizzical grin.
1863. Ch. Reade, Hard Cash, ii., 218. Hang the grub; it turns my stomach.
1883. R. L. Stevenson, Treasure Island, p. 161. You can go hang!
1889. Sporting Times, 6 July. Hebrew Scholar: Rub up your Hebrew. Or go and hang yourself.
1890. Grant Allen, Tents of Shem, ch. xvii. Hang it all, if that's English law, you know, I don't thing very much of the wisdom of our ancestors.
1891. N. Gould, Double Event, p. 164. Hang it all.
1892. Milliken, Arry Ballads, p. 7. But 'ang it, I can't stand the style of the silent and the stare-me-down sort.
1892. F. Anstey, Voces Populi, 'On the Ice,' p. 122. Stick by me, old fellow, till I begin to feel myOh, hang it all!
To hang an arse, verb. phr. (old).—To hang back; to hesitate.
1598. Marston, Satyres, 'Ad Rythmum.' But if you hang an arse like Tubered, When Chremes dragged him from his brothel bed.
1637. Massinger, Guardian, v, 5 Nay, no hanging an arse.
1639-61. Rump Songs, ii., 86. Nay, if it hang an arse; We'll pluck it from the stares, And roast it at hell for its grease.
1748. Smollett, Roderick Random, ch. lxv. My lads, I'm told you hang an arse.
1780. Tomlinson, Slang Pastoral, 2. My arse hangs behind me as heavy as lead.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
To hang in, verb. phr. (common).—To get to work; to do one's best; to wire in (q.v.).
To hang in the bellropes, verb. phr. (common).—To defer marriage after being 'asked' in church.
To hang on by one's eyelashes, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To persist at any cost, and in the teeth of any discouragement.
To hang on by the splash-board, verb. phr. (common).—To 'catch' a tram, omnibus, etc., when it is on the move; hence to succeed by the 'skin of one's teeth.' Fr., arcpincer l'omnibus.
To hang around (or about), verb. phr. (American).—To loiter; to loaf; to haunt.
