Second. See Bow, Chop, Fiddle (adding quot. infra), and String.
1749. Smollett, Gil Blas [Routledge], 378. I am quite at your service to play second fiddle in all your laudable enterprises.
Second Peal. See Peal.
Second-timer, subs. phr. (prison).—A
prisoner twice convicted.
Secret, phr. (old).—Let into
the secret: 'When one is drawn
in at Horse-racing, Cock-fighting,
Bowling, and other Sports or
Games, and Bit.' (B. E. and
Grose.)
In the grand secret, phr. (colloquial).—Dead (Grose).
Sedgley-curse, subs. phr. (old).—See
quots.
1632. Massinger, City Madam, ii. 2. May the great fiend, booted and spurred, With a sithe at his girdle, as the Scotchman says, Ride headlong down her throat.
1633. Fletcher, Tamer Tamed, v. 2. A Sedgly curse light on him, which is, Pedro, The fiend ride through him booted and spurred With a sythe at his back.
1636. Suckling, Goblins, i. 1. Now the Sedgly curse upon thee, And the great fiend ride through thee Booted and spurr'd, with a scythe on his neck.
d. 1660. Howell [Ray, Proverbs, Staffordshire. The devil, &c. . . . This is Sedgely curse. Mr. Howel.]
See, subs. (common).—In pl. = the
eyes (Grose). Also Seer = the
eye.
1819. Moore, Tom Crib, 3 [Note]. To close up their eyes—alias, to sew up their sees.
1827. Lytton, Paul Clifford, lxxii. Strike me blind if my sees don't tout your bingo muns in spite of the darkmans.
2. (American).—A sight; a glance.
Verb. (colloquial).—1. To believe; to credit; to consent: e.g., 'I don't see that.'
1882. Anstey, Vice-Versa, iii. If I were to go back to my governor now, he wouldn't see it. It would put him in no end of a bait.
2. (prostitutes').—To copulate: also TO SEE STARS LYING ON one's back.
Phrases. To see it out = (1) to finish a matter, (2) to keep up a carouse, and (3) to come to an understanding, or know the reason why; TO see one through = to help to a finish; TO see A man = to have a drink; TO see the devil = to get tipsy: see Screwed; to see the back OF = to get rid of; to see one coming = to impose on; TO see double = (1) to be drunk (see Screwed), and (2) to squint; TO see one's aunt = to evacuate: see Bury A Quaker; to see as far into A MILLSTONE (or MILESTONE) AS . . . = to be as able or cute as . . .; TO SEE STARS (SPOTS Or CANDLES) = to be dazed: spec. from a blow. Also see Brickwall, Elephant, Show, &c.
1546. Heywood, Proverbs. She had SEENE FAR IN A MILSTONE.
1628. Earle, Micro-cosmog., ii. His eyes like a drunkard's see all double.
1692. Dryden, Juvenal, vi. When vapours to their swimming brains advance, And double tapers on their tables dance.
1710. Congreve, Art of Love. From all intemperance keep, Nor drink till you see double, lisp, or sleep.
1716. Addison, Freeholder, 22. I had a mind to see him out, and therefore did not care for contradicting him.
