1886. D. News, 30 Sept., iii. 2. When paraded each man has the rule run over him, i.e., searched.
1886-96. Marshall, He Slumbered ['Pomes', 118]. A lady . . . ran the rule through all His pockets for her cheek was fairly tall.
Rule-of-three (The), subs. phr.
(venery).—1. The penis and testes;
and (2) copulation: cf. Addition,
Multiplication, and Subtraction.
c. 1720. Durfey, Pills, &c, vi. 329. This accountant will come without e'er a Fee, And warrants a Boy by his Rule of Three.
Rule of Thumb, subs. phr. (colloquial).—A
rough-and-ready
way: practical rather than exactly
scientific (Grose).
1809. Sydney Smith, To Francis Jeffrey, 3 Sep. We'll settle men and things by RULE OF THUMB.
1864. D. Review, 17 Oct. The result, we trust, will exemplify the value of Science versus Rule of Thumb in politics.
Rum (Rome, Roome, or Ram),
adj. (Old Cant).—1. A generic
appreciative; good; fine; clever;
excellent; strong, &c.: cf. sense
2 and Queer; rumly = bravely,
cleverly, delicately. Thus Rum-*beak
(or -beck) = a Justice of
the Peace; rum-bing (or -bung)
= a full purse; rum-bit (or
-bite) = (1) a clever rogue, and
(2) a smart trick; RUM BLEATING-CHEAT
= a fat wether; RUM-blowen
(or -blower) = a handsome
mistress; rum-bluffer =
a jolly host; rum-bob = (1) a
young apprentice, (2) a clever
trick, and (3) a smart wig; rum-booze
(-BOUSE, -BUSE, -BUZE, or
bouze) = (1) wine, or (2) good
liquor of divers kinds; rum-BOOZING-welt
= a bunch of
grapes; rum-bubber = a good
thief; rum-buffer (or -bugher)
= a valuable dog; rum-chant
a good song; rum-chub
(butchers') an ignorant buyer; rum-clank = a gold or silver cup; rum-clout (or wipe) = a silk handkerchief; rum-cod = (1) a full purse, and (2) a large sum of money; rum-cole = new money; rum-cove (or -cull) = (1) a clever rogue, (2) a rich man, (3) a lover, and (4) an intimate: also rum-cull (theatrical) = a manager, or boss; rum-DEGEN (-TOL, or -TILTER) = a splendid sword; rum-dell (-doxy or -mort) = a handsome whore; rum-diver = a clever pickpocket; rum-drawers = silk stockings; rum-dropper = a vintner; rum-duke = (1) a handsome man, (2) a jolly companion, and (3) see quot. 1696 and also sense 2; rum-duchess = a handsome woman; RUM-DUBBER (or -FILE) = an expert picklock; rum-fam (or fem) = a diamond ring; rum-fun = a clever fraud; rum-gelt (or -gilt) = new money; rum-gill = (1) a clever thief, and (2) a handsome man; rum-gagger = a whining beggar; rum-glymmer = a chief link-boy; rum-going = fast trotting; rum-gutlers = canary; rum-hopper = an innkeeper; rum-kicks = silver or gold-braided breeches; rum-ken = a popular inn or brothel; rum-kin = a large mug; rum-maunder = a clever beggar; rum-mizzler = a thief expert at clearing (q.v.); rum-mort = a lady; rum-one
a settling blow; rum-nab
a good hat; rum-Nantz = brandy; RUM Ned = a rich fool; RUM-PAD = the highway; RUM-PADDER = a highwayman; RUM-PEEPER = a silver looking-glass; rum-peck = good food; rum-
