'Go to hell and pump thunder.'] For analagous phrases, see Oaths.
1836. Michael Scott, Cruise of the Midge, p. 72. So, good men, go to hell all of you—do—very mosh go to hell—do.
1889. Daily News, 21 Dec., p. 7, c. 1. He was asked to see somebody about his evidence, and told him to go to hell.
1892. Kipling, Barrack Room Ballads. 'Ford o' Kabul River.' Kabul town'll go to hell.
Hell and Scissors! intj. (American).—An ejaculation of surprise and ridicule. In England, Scissors!
Hell-bender, subs. (American).—A
drunken frolic; a tremendous
row. Also Hell-a-popping and
Hell's delight.
Hell-broth, subs. (common).—Bad
liquor. For synonyms, see
Drinks.
Hell-cat (-hag, -hound, -kite,
etc.), subs. (old: now recognised).—A
man or woman of hellish disposition;
a lewdster of either sex;
cf., Hallion.
1606. Shakspeare, Macbeth, v., 7. Macd. Turn, hell-hound, turn! Macb. Of all men else I have avoided thee.
1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v.
1725. New Cant. Dict., s.v.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
Hell-driver, subs. (old).—A
coachman.
1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v.
1725. New Cant. Dict., s.v.
Hellite, subs. (gaming).—A professional
gambler.—Ducange.
1838. Grant, Sketches in London. Prosecuting the hellites for assault.
Hellophone, subs. (American).—The
telephone. [From Halloo!
+ phone.]
Help, subs. (colloquial: once
literary).—A hired assistant.
Lady-help = a woman acting as
a companion, and undertaking the
lighter domestic duties with or
without wages.
1824. Peake, Americans Abroad, i., 1. Have you seen my help—my nigger.
1839. De Quincey, Murder as one of the Fine Arts, ii. For domestic helps are pretty generally in a state of transition.
1848. Burton, Waggeries, p. 77. A bevy of ready helps rushed upon him and tore him from the seat of honour.
1861. Hughes, Tom Brown at Oxford, ch. vi. 'Well, you've had a pretty good day of it,' said Tom, who had been hugely amused; 'but I should feel nervous about the help, if I were you.'
So help (or s'elp or s'welp) me God (Bob, never, or say-so, etc.), phr. (common).—An emphatic asseveration.
1888. J. Runciman, The Chequers, p. 86. I'll pay it back, s'elp me Gord.
1892. A. Chevalier, 'Mrs. 'Enery 'Awkins.' Selp me Bob I'm crazy, Liza, you're a daisy.
1892. Milliken, 'Arry Ballads, p. 62. 'Selp me never, old pal, it's a scorcher.
1893. Emerson, Signor Lippo, ch. xiv. Well, so help my blessed tater, if this isn't our old Jose turned up again.
Helpa, subs. (back).—An apple.
Helpless, adj. ( colloquial ).—Drunk.
For synonyms, see
Drinks and Screwed.
Hemispheres, subs. (venery).—The
paps. For synonyms, see
Dairy.
Hemp (or Hemp-seed, Stretch-Hemp,
Hemp-string, or Hempy),
subs. (old).—1. A rogue; a
candidate fit for the gallows.
Frequently used jocularly. A
crack-halter (q.v.). fr., une
graine de bagne.
