V (old).—1. A symbol of cuckoldry, the letter being occasionally printed in that connection. Hence to make v = to make horns (q.v.): the first and second fingers are derisively forked out: cf. Cunny-thumb.
1611. Chapman, May-day, iv. As often as he turns his back to me, I shall be here V with him.
2. (American).—A five-dollar note: v is marked prominently to indicate its value.
Vac, subs. (University and schools).—Vacation.
1891. Harry Fludyer at Cambridge, 2. The pater . . . told me every day last Vac he wouldn't have his house over-run with dogs.
1900. White, West End, 18. Fork out . . . I'll pay you back in the Vac.
Vag, subs. (American).—A vagabond.
Whence Vag-act (police)
= the Vagabond Act.
Vagaries, subs. (old—B. E.).—'Wild
rambles, extravagant
Frolicks' (1696); to gad, to
range; see Vagrant. Hence
vagarian = a crank (q.v.);
vagarious (or vagarist) =
whimsical, capricious, irregular.
1611. Cotgrave, Dict., s.v. Vaguer, to wander, vagarie, stray, gad, roame, raunge, flit, remoue from place to place.
d. 1622. Rich, Heroditus. The people called Phœnices gave themselves to long vagaries, and continual viages by sea.
1640. Brome, Sparagus Garden, ii. 2. You have not dealt well with me to put this fagary into her foolish fancy.
c. 1796. Wolcot, Peter Pindar, 305. His eyes are oft vagarish.
Vagrant, subs. (old: now recognised).—'A
wandering Rogue,
a strolling Vagabond' (B. E.,
c. 1696): also Vagant. [Century:
sometimes vagarant, apparently
simulating vagary.] Whence
vagrancy (or vagancy) = wandering,
strolling; also vagrant,
adj. = roving, erratic, vagabond.
1380. Wyclif, Bible, Gen. iv. 14. Fro thi face I shal be hid, and I shal be vagaunt.
1641. Brome, Jovial Crew, v. Fie! Canst not yet leave off those vagancies.
1685. Barron, Sermons, xxxvi. Therefore did he spend his days in continual labour, in restless travel, in endless vagrancy, going about doing good.
1770. Goldsmith, Deserted Village, 149. His house was known to all the vagrant train.
Vain. To take one's name in
vain, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To
name: a common dovetail on hearing
one's name mentioned; e.g.
'Who's taking my name in
vain?'
Vain-glorious Man, subs. phr.
(B. E.).—'One that Pisses more
than he drinks' (c. 1696).
Valley. See Cascade, 2.
