Unguentum-aurum, subs. phr. (old).—A bribe, palm-grease (q.v.).—Grose.
Unhintables. See Unmentionables.
Unicorn, subs. (orig. University).
—1. A team of horses: two
wheelers abreast with a leader in
front (Grose); and (2) such a
TURNOUT (q.v.), a SPIKE-TEAM
(American): cf. Four-in-hand,
Manchester, Sudden death,
Tandem, etc.
1803. Edgeworth, Belinda, xvii. 'Let me drive you out some day in my unicorn. . . . Bid my blockhead bring my unicorn.' She, her unicorn, and her blockhead were out of sight in a few minutes.
2. (old Scots).—A gold coin, value 23 shillings Scotch: temp. James III., IV. and V.: a unicorn figured on the obverse.
3. (thieves').—Two men and a woman (or vice versâ), working together.
Univ, subs. (Oxford University).—University
College.
Universal-staircase, subs. phr.
(thieves').—The treadmill,
WHEEL OF LIFE (q.v.): also
EVERLASTING-STAIRCASE (q.V.).
1851-61. Mayhew, Lond. Lab. Well, the beaks got up to the dodge, and all the Spanish lurksmen in their turns got to work the universal staircase.
Unlicked Cub (or Cub), subs.
phr. (common).—A raw, unmannerly
youth; an uncultivated
boor; also an awkward, sulky
girl (Grose). As adj.=ungainly,
rough, rude. [A popular notion
was that a bear gave birth to
shapeless lumps of flesh which
she licked into shape.] Also
Unlicked bear.
[1602. Shakspeare, Twelfth Night, v. 1. 167. O thou dissembling cub what wilt thou be When time has sow'd a grizzle on thy case.]
1626. Fletcher, Fair Maid of the Inn, iii. Thou unlickt bear, dar'st thou yet stand by my fury.
1693. Congreve, Old Bachelor, iv. 8. A country squire, with . . . a wife and two daughters . . . oh, Gad! two such UNLICKED CUBS.
1762. Foote, Liar, 11. ii. I don't reckon much upon him: for you know, my dear, what can I do with an awkward, raw, college cub?
1773. Goldsmith, She Stoops to Conquer, iv. i. 'A poor contemptible booby that would but disgrace correction.' . . . 'An insensible cub.'
1880. Trollope, Duke's Children, ix. And Tommy, you are an uncivil young,—young,—young,—I should say cub if I dared, to tell me that you don t like dining with me any day of the week.
1855. Thackeray, Newcomes, xxix. I don't see why that infernal young cub of a Clive is always meddling in our affairs.
Unload, verb. (American commercial).—To
sell stocks, shares,
goods, etc., that have been held
on speculation. Also to empty
one's pockets.
1888. D. Teleg., 6 Jan. There being some pressure to unload.
Unlock. Unlock the lands,
verb. phr. (Victorian).—A political
cry calling for the opening up
for free-selection of lands held by
squatters on lease.
1887. J. F. Hogan, The Irish in Australia, 290. The democratic party, that had for its watchword the expressive phrase, ' Unlock the lands.'
Unlocked. TO HAVE BEEN
SITTING IN THE GARDEN WITH
THE GATE UNLOCKED, verb. phr.
(venery).—1. To be got with
child: spec, of a bastard; and
(2) to have 'caught cold.'
