Roberd's-man (-knave, or Roberts'-man), subs. phr. (old).—'The third (old) Rank of the Canting Crew, mighty Thieves, like Robin-hood.'—B. E. (c. 1696); Grose (1785).
1362. Langland, Piers Plowman, 3. In glotonye . . . Go thei to bedde, And risen with ribaudie Tho Roberdes knaves.
1838. Tomlins, Law. Dict., s.v. Robbersmen, or Robberdsmen were a sort of great thieves mentioned in the statutes (5 Edw. 3, &c.] . . . of whom Coke says, that Robin Hood lived in the reign of King Richard I., on the borders of England and Scotland by robbery, burning of houses, rapine and spoil, &c., and that these Robberdsmen took name from him.
Robert (or Roberto), subs. (common).—A
policeman.
1870. Figaro, 18 Nov. That intolerable nuisance, the "British Peeler"—who is always poking his nose where he is not wanted, and is never to be found when he is—is, after all, a sensitive creature. The blood of the Roberts is at length aroused.
1880. Sims, An Awful Character. The guilt of one person is well to the fore, For our Roberts so terribly fly are.
Robin, subs. (common).—A penny:
see Rhino.
1894. Chatham and Rochester News, 20 Jan., 7, 5. Witness asked him how much he got, and he said "Seventeen and a robin."
2. (American).—'A flannel under-shirt.'—Bartlett.
See Round Robin.
Robin Hood. Many phrases trace
back to the legend of this heroic
thief. Thus Robin Hood, subs.
= a daring lie; Robin Hood's
pennyworth {see quots. 1662
and 1682); 'Good even, good
Robin Hood' (said of civility
extorted by fear); 'Many talk
of Robin Hood that never shot
in his bow' = Many speak of
things of which they have no
knowledge; 'Tales of Robin
Hood are good enough for fools.'
1509. Barclay, Ship of Fooles (1570), fol. 250. I write no ieste ne tale of Robin Hood.
d. 1529. Skelton, Why Come Ye, &c., 193. Is nat my reason good? Good euyn, good Robyn Hood! Some say yes, and some Syt styll as they were dom.
16[?]. Star Chamber Case [Camden Soc., 117]. "Walton the Bayliffe leavyed of the poore mans goods 77li att Robin-hood's peniworths."
1633. T. Newton, Lennie's Touch-*stone of Complexions, 129. Reporting a flim-flam tale of Robin Hood.
1652. Ashmole, Theat. Chem. Brit., 175. Many man spekyth wyth wondreng Of Robyn Hode, and of his bow, Whych never shot therin, I trow.
1662. Fuller, Worth. Eng., 315. To sell Robin Hoods pennyworths.—It is spoken of things sold under half their value; or if you will, half sold half given. Robin Hood came lightly by his ware, and lightly parted therewith; so that he could afford the length of his Bow for a yard of Velvet.
1682. Barnard, Life of Heylin, cxli. Soldiers seized on all . . . for the use of the Parliament (as they pretended) but sold as they passed along to any chapman, inconsiderable rates, Robin Hood's pennyworths.
1705. Ward, Hud. Rediv., I. viii. 8. Many Fools, their Parts to show Will talk of Robin and his Bow That never, by Enquiry, knew Whether 'twas made of Steel or Yew.
Robin Redbreast, subs. phr.
(old).—A Bow-street runner: also
robin and redbreast.
Robin's-eye, subs. phr. (common).—A
scab.
Robinson. See Jack Robinson.
Rob-pot, subs. phr. (old).—A
drunkard; a malt-worm (q.v.).
1622. Massinger, Virgin Martyr, ii. 1. Bacchus, the god of brew'd wine and sugar, grand patron of rob-pots.
