Hic Jacet, subs. phr. (common).—A tombstone; also a memorial inscription. [From the opening words.]
1598. Shakspeare, All's Well, etc., iii., 6. The merit of service is seldom attributed to the true . . . performer. I would have that drum . . . or hic jacet.
1858-59. Tennyson, Idylls of the King ('Vivien'). Among the cold hic jacets of the dead.
Hick, subs. (Old Cant).—I. A man; specifically a countryman; a booby. Also (American thieves') Hickjop and Hicksam. For synonyms, see Joskin.
1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v. Hick, any Person of whom any Prey can be made, or Booty taken from; also a silly Country Fellow.
1720. Smith, Lives of Highwaymen and Pyrates, ii., 39. Among whom was a country farmer . . . which was not missed at all by the Country Hick.
1725. New Cant. Dict. Song 3. 'The Thief-catcher's Prophesy.' The Eighth is a Bulk, that can bulk any Hick.
1754. Scoundrel's Dict. The fourteenth, a gamester, if he sees the Hick sweet He presently drops down a cog in the street.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
Hickety-split, adj. (American).—With
all one's might; at top
speed; hammer and tongs
(q.v.); full chisel (q.v.).
Hickey, adj. (old).—See quot.
1859. Matsell, Vocabulum, s.v. Hickey, Tipsy; not quite drunk; elated.
Hickory-shirt, subs. (American).—A
checked shirt, cotton or
woollen.
Hide, subs. (common).—The human
skin. Once literary; now colloquial
and vulgar.
1568. Bannatyne, MSS., 'When Flora, etc.' (Hunterian Club, 1879-88). Sche is so brycht of hyd and hew, I lufe bot hir allane I wene.
1607. Marston, What You Will, ii., I. A skubbing railer, whose course harden'd fortune, Grating his hide, gauling his starued ribs, Sittes hauling at Deserts more battle fate.
1731. C. Coffey, The Devil to Pay, Sc. 5. Come, and spin, you drab, or I'll tan your hide for you.
1892. Kipling, Barrack-Room Ballads. 'Gunga-Din.' An' for all 'is dirty 'ide 'e was white, clear white, inside.
Verb (common).—To flog. For synonyms, see Tan.
1868. Cassell's Mag., May, p. 80. This was carried across the yard to Jacky as a regular challenge, and some said that Kavanagh and his friends were coming over to hide Jacky after dinner.
1885. Punch, 29 Aug. p. 98. And the silver-topped rattan with which the boys I used to hide.
Hidebound, adj. (old: now recognised).—Barren;
intractable;
niggardly; pedantic; utterly immovable.
1606. Return from Parnassus, ii., 4 (Dodsley, Old Plays, 4th ed., 1875, ix., 125). Any of the hidebound brethren of Oxford or Cambridge.
1672. Wycherley, Love in a Wood, i., 2. I am as barren and hidebound as one of your scribbling poets, who are sots in company for all their wit.
1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v. Hidebound Horse, whose Skin sticks very close, and tite like a Pudding Bag, usually when very Fat. Ibid. Hidebound Muse, Stiff, hard of Delivery, Sir J. Suckling call'd Ben Johnson's so.
1725. New Cant. Dict., s.v.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1893. Pall Mall Gaz., 24 Feb. 'High Time to Get Up.' The most dragging inertness and the most hide-bound celerity.
Hiding, subs. (common).—A thrashing.
For synonyms, see Tanning.
1853. Bradley, Verdant Green, ii., p. 23. May the Gown give the Town a jolly good hiding.
