(ribaudrous, or ribaudred) = whorish, whoreson, filthy and the like; ribble-row = (1) a list of the rabble: whence (2) an inventory.
1360. Chaucer, Rom. of Rose, 5673. Many a ribaude is mery and baude.
1362. Langland, Piers Plowman (C), vii. 435. On fasting-dais by-fore noon iche fedde me with ale, Out of reson, a-mong rybaudes here rybaudrye to huyre. Ibid. (A), vii. 66. Ionete of the stuyues, And Robert the ribaudour.
1376. [Ribton-Turner, Vagrants, &c., 52]. In the last year of this reign we find the Commons petitioning the King "that Ribalds . . . and Sturdy Beggars may be banished out of every town."
1491. Destr. of Troy [E. E. T. S.], 7651. Ephistafus hym presit with his proude wordes, As a ribold with reueray to his roide speche.
1573. Baret, Alvearie [Nares]. A ribaudrous and filthie tongue, os incestum, obscænum, impurum, et impudicum.
1599. Hall, Satires, ix. Rhymed in rules of stewish ribaldry.
1608. Shakspeare, Ant. & Cleop., iii. 8. Yon ribaudred nag of Egypt Whom leprosy o'ertake.
1611. Cotgrave, Dict., s.v. Ribauld. A rogue, ruffian, rascale, scoundrele, valet, filthie fellow; also a ribauld fornicator, whore-munger, bawdie-house haunter. s.v. Ribaulde. A whore, queane, punke, gill flurt, common hackney, doxie, mort. [See also, s.v. Ribaudaille, Ribaudine, Royaks, Ribaulds, Ribauldes, &c.]
1641. Milton, Def. of Humb. Remons. As for the proverb, the Bishop's foot hath been in it, it were more fit for a Scurra in Trivio, or som Ribald upon an Ale-bench.
1630. Taylor, Works [Nares], A ribble-rabble of gossips.
1670. Cotton [Works (1734), 119]. This witch a ribble-row rehearses, Of scurvy names in scurvy verses.
1705. Ward, Hud. Rediv., I. vii. 6. Such uncouth, wretched Ribble-Rabble.
1841-6. Browning, Bells and Pomegranates, 'Pied Piper.' Insulted by a lazy Ribald.
Ribbin (Ribbon or Ribband),
subs. (old).—1. Money: generic.
Hence, the ribbin runs thick
(or thin) = 'the breeches are
well lined' (or 'there's little cash
about').—B. E. (c. 1696); Grose
(1785); Vaux (1812).
2. (common).—In pl. = reins: whence to handle (or flutter) the ribbons = to drive. See Handle and add quots. infra.
1837. Dickens, Pickwick (1857), 36. Give the gen'l'man the ribbins.
1837. Barham, Ingoldsby Legends, 'St. Odille.'Tis the same with a lady, it once she contrives To get hold of the ribands.
See Blue Ribbon.
Rib-roast (-baste or -tickle),
verb. (old).—To thrash; to
punish (q.v.). Whence rib-roasting
(&c.: also rib-bending
or ribbing) = a pummelling;
rib-roaster (&c.: also rib-bender,
ribber, or a rib of
roast) = (pugilists') a blow on
the body, or in the ribs, which
brings down an opponent's guard
and opens up the head.—B. E.;
Martin (1754); Grose.
1576. Gascoigne, Steel Glass, Ess. Ded. [Arber]. Though the shorneful do mocke me for a time, yet in the ende I hope to giue them al a rybbe to roste for their paynes.
1595. Hall, Maroccus Extalicus. Such a piece of filching as is punishable with rib-roast.
1620. Rowlands, Night-raven [Nares]. Tom, take thou a cudgell and rib-roast him.
1663. Butler, Hudibras. And he departs, not meanly boasting Of his magnificent rib-roasting.
d. 1704. L'Estrange, Works [Ency. Dict.]. I have been . . . well ribroasted . . . but I'm in now for skin and all.
1762. Smollett, Sir L. Greaves, 1. v. In which he knew he should be rib-*roasted every day, and murdered at last.
