2. (common).—In pl. = trunk-hose: cf. SMALLS, TOPS, TIGHTS, etc. Also (modern) = (1) breeches: see Kicks, and (2) = bathing-drawers.
1613. Beaumont and Fletcher, Captain, iii. 3. He look'd, in his old velvet trunks And his slic'd Spanish jerkin, like Don John.
1851-61. Mayhew, Lond. Lab., iii. 120. Red striped cotton stockings, with full trunks dotted red and black.
3. (old).—A nose (B. E. and Grose). 'How's your old trunk?' = a jeer at a big-nosed man; to shove a trunk = to poke one's nose in, 'to introduce oneself unasked into any place or company' (Grose).
TRUNKMAKER-LIKE, adj. phr. (old).—More noise than work (Grose).
Trunk-work, subs. phr. (old).—Underhand (or secret) dealing: cf. Back-door work.
1604. Shakspeare, Winters Tale, iii. 3. This has been some stair-work, some trunk-work, some behind-door work.
Trusted alone, phr. (Grose).—This bit of flash is made use of in speaking of any knowing or experienced person, meaning that he is so deep as to the tricks of the town that he may be "trusted alone" in any company without danger to himself.'
Trusty, subs. (Irish).—i. An overcoat.
18[?]. Edgeworth, Limerick Gloves, ii. 'There was a sort of a frieze trusty.' 'A trusty!' said Mr Hill, 'what is that, pray?' 'A big coat, sure, plase your honour.'
2. (American).—A convict with special privileges, such as a ticket of leave.
1884. Century Mag., xxxviii. 448. By far the greater number of criminals confined in the jails of the Far West are there for a class of offences peculiar to the country. They are men dangerous in one direction, perhaps, but generally not depraved. The trusties are often domesticated upon ranches near the town, and apparently are unwatched, and on the best of terms with the ranchman's family.
See Trojan.
Trut, intj. (old).—An exclamation of contempt; Shit! (Manning (1337), 317; Prompt. Parv. (1440), 505).
Truth. Tell the truth and SHAME THE DEVIL, phr. (old).—To reveal all at any cost.
[1469. Cov. Myst. [Halliwell], 367. Trewth dyd nevyr his maystir shame.]
1548. Patten, March into Scotland [Arber, Garner, iii. 61]. Say truth AND SHAME THE DEVIL.
1632. Jonson, Magn. Lady, iv. i. Tell truth, And shame the she-man-devil in puffed sleeves; Run any hazard.
Try, subs. (old literary: now colloquial).—An attempt, endeavour (Grose), trial, experiment: espec. (modern) a try-on = an attempt at besting (q.v.). Hence TO try it ON = to seek to outwit, get the better of, fleece, cheat, etc.: see Gammon. To try it ON A dog = to experiment at another's expense or risk; TO TRY ON (thieves') = to live by thieving: coves who try it on = professed thieves (Grose); TO TRY IT ON WITH A WOMAN = to attempt the chastity (Bee).
1600. Shakspeare, Timon of Athens, v. i. This breaking of his has been but a try for his friends.
1848. Gaskell, Mary Barton, xxvii. Don't give it up yet. . . . Let's have a try for him.
