Skull, subs. (University).—1. The head of a college: see Golgotha; whence SKULL-RACE = a university examination. 2. (American) = any chief, as the President, the head of a business, the captain of a vessel, &c.
My skull's AFLY, phr. (old).—Awake (q.v.); fly (q.v.)
Skull and Crossbones (The), subs. phr. (military).—The 17th (The Duke of Cambridge's Own) Lancers. [The Regimental Badge.] Also "The Death or Glory Boys"; "Bingham's Dandies"; "The Gentlemen Dragoons"; and "The Horse Marines."
Skullduggery. See SCULLDUDDERY.
Skull-thatcher, subs. phr. (old).—1. A straw-bonnet maker; hence (2) a hatter; and (3) a wig-maker. Skull-thatch = a hat or wig.
1863. Braddon, Aurora Floyd, xxiv. 'I'll find my skull-thatcher if I can,' said Captain Prodder, groping for his hat amongst the brambles and the long grass.
Skungle, verb. (American).—A generic verb of action: to decamp, to steal a watch, to gobble up food, &c.: cf. Skyugle.
Skunk, subs. (American).—1. A mean, paltry wretch; a stinkard (q.v.).
1841. The Kinsmen, 1. 171. He's a skunk—a bad chap about the heart.
1876. Bret Harte, Gabriel Conroy, I. 1. i. 14. Ain't my husband dead, and isn't that skunk—an entire stranger—still livin'?
1884. Referee, 1 June, 7, 3. The bloodthirsty and cowardly skunks, who rob servant girls in America of their money in order to blow servant girls in London to pieces.
2. (American). Utter defeat: as verb.—to disgrace: cf. Slam.
1848. Durivage, Stray Subjects, 135. In the second hand of the third game, I made high, low, game, and skunked him, outright again.
Verb. 2. (American Univ.).—To neglect to pay.
Sky (or Ski), subs. (Westminster).—1. See quot. [An abbreviation or corruption of Volsci: the Westminster boys being Romans.]
1867. Stanley, Westminster Abbey, 453. Conflicts between Westminster scholars and the skys of London, as the outside world was called.
2. See Skyrocket.
Verb. (common).—1. To hang, throw, or hit high (e.g., a picture at the Royal Academy: whence the sky = the upper rows of exhibitors; a ball at cricket: hence skyer, or skyscraper = a high hit). Whence (2) to spend freely till all's BLUED (q.V.). To SKY A copper = to spin a coin.
1802. Edgeworth, Irish Bulls. 'Billy,' says I, 'will you sky a copper.'
18[?]. Reynolds, The Fancy, Glossary. Toss for sides—the seconds sky a copper, before every battle, to decide which man shall face the sun.
1874. Collins, Frances, xxvii. The ball had been struck high in air, and longfield had almost flown into air to meet it, catching it as it came down like a thunder-bolt with his left hand only, and skying it at once with triumphant delight.
1881. Jas. Payn, Grapes from a Thorn, ii. His pictures of the abbey having been skied in the Academy . . . made his humour a little tart that year.
1884. Sat. Rev.,31 May. The high wind made skyers difficult to judge.
1885. Smart, Post to Finish, 134. Two or three more slashing hits, and then the Rector skyed one which his opponents promptly secured.
1886-96. Marshall, Pomes, 40. With the takings safely skyed.
