(Ray) 'more apt to pull in and scrape up, than to give out and communicate: also vice versa'; lean as a rake = as lean as may be.
1383. Chaucer, Cant. Tales, Prol., 289. As lene was his hors as is a rake.
d.1529. Skelton, Phyllyp Sparowe, 913. His bones crake, Leane as a rake.
1582. Stanyhurst, Æneis [Arber], 89. A meigre leane rake with a long berd.
1611. Cotgrave, Dict., s.v. Maigre. Maigre comme pies, as leane as Rakes (we say).
1614. Terence in English [Nares]. C. Woe is me for you, carrie you such heavie rakes, I pray you? M. Such is my desert.
c.1732. Gay, Works (1784), 11. 115. Lean as a rake with sighs and care.
Raker (or Rake-kennel), subs.
(old).—A scavenger: also Jack
Raker.
1611. Tarleton, Jests. When the cart came, he asked the raker why he did his businesse so slacklye.
c.1704. Gentleman Instructed, 445. A club of rake-kennels.
To go a raker, verb phr. (racing).—To bet recklessly; to plunge (q.v.). Hence, raker = a heavy bet.
1884. Hawley Smart, Post to Finish, i. If Bill Greyson takes the Leger it will be with Caterham. I am standing him a raker, and I mean standing him out.
1891. Sportsman, 25 Mar. Jennings, whose usual betting limit is very moderate, indeed, stood to win a raker this time over Lord George.
Rally, subs. (theatrical).—The
rough-and-tumble work after the
transformation scene in a pantomime.
1880. Sims, Left, 168. Then, when the company found out the trick, the waiters, who were all supers, started a rally, and threw the things at each other.
1885. D. Telegraph, 16 Nov. Provide comic actors, pantomimes, rallies, and breakdowns.
Ralph, subs. (American).—1. A
fool: also Ralph Spooner.—B.
E. (c.1696); Grose (1785).
2. (printers').—A mischief-mongering deus ex machinâ: the supposed author of the tricks played on a recalcitrant member of a chapel (q.v.).
Ram, subs. (American University).—1.
A practical joke; a hoax.
2. (venery).—An act of coition: hence, as verb. = to possess a woman: cf. Ramrod and see Ride.
The rams, subs. phr. (American).—Delirium tremens: see Gallon-distemper.
To ram one's face in, verb. phr. (American).—To intrude; to meddle.
Ramagious, adj. (old).—'Untamed,
wild.'—Coles (1717).
Ram-booze (or -buze). See Rum.
Rambounge, subs. (Scots').—'A
severe brush of labour . . . most
probably a cant term.'—Jamieson.
Rambustious, Rambunctious,
Rambumptious, Ramgumption,
Ramfeezled, Ramshackle,
Ramstrugenous,
and similar words. See Rumgumption.
Ramcat (or ran-cat cove), subs.
phr. (thieves').—A man wearing
furs.
