1897. Marshall, Pomes; 41. The merest fool could tell that the lady was a swell.
1900. Boothby, Maker of Nations, ix. I'm no end of a swell at politics.
2. (Winchester).—In pl. = Sunday Services; Saints' days, etc.: when surplices are worn.
Verb (Winchester).—To bathe; 'to swill.'
Swell-head, subs. phr. (common).—1.
A drunken man: see
Lushington.
2. See Swell and Swollen head.
Swell-mobsman, subs. phr.
(common).—A well-dressed pickpocket.
Hence swell-mob.
1843. Punch, iv. 129. Rich Charities the Chapel throng, The swell mob they are there, The Bishop's sermon is not long, The fogle-hunter ware!
1851-61. Mayhew, Lond. Lab., 11. 417. Swell-mobsmen, and thieves, and housebreakers, and the like o' that ere.
1856. Quarterly Rev., June, 182. The swell mobsman's eye is for ever wandering in search of his prey.
c.1860. Dickens, Three Detective Anecdotes, ii. Some of the swell mob . . . kidded us.
1866. Hotten, Slang Dict., s.v. Public patterers, swell mobsmen who pretend to be Dissenting preachers, and harangue in the open air to attract a crowd for their confederates to rob.
Swelled-nose, subs. phr. (old).—Ill
temper. 'Does your nose
swell (or itch) at that?' = 'Are
you riled?'
Swell-nose, subs. phr. (old).—Strong
ale; stingo (q.v.).
1515. De Generibus Ebriosorum, etc. [Hodgkin, Notes and Queries, 3 S. vii. 163. In this treatise occurs names of fancy drinks. . . . I select a few of the most presentable] slip-slop . . . raise-head . . . swell-nose.
S'welp, intj. (common).—'So
help': usually in the adjurations,
'S'welp me bob,' or 'S'welp
my taters' (bob, greens, etc.).
1837. Barham, Ingolds. Leg. (Dead Drummer). For his jaw-work would never, I'm sure, s'elp me bob, Have come for to go for to do sich a job!
c.1850. Old Rhyme. S'elp me bob, My mother's a snob, My father takes in washin'.
1851-61. Mayhew, Lond. Lab., iii. 144. They'll say, too, s'elp my greens! and 'Upon my word and say so.'
1880. Jas. Payn, Confid. Agent, xix. 'Not another word will I say, s'help me bob.'
1888. Runciman, Chequers, 86. I'll pay it back, s'elp me Gord.
1891. Lic. Vict. Gaz., 13 Jan. Well, s'elp me greens . . . if you ar'n't the greatest treat I ever did meet.
1891. Chevalier, Mrs 'Enery 'Awkins. Selp me Bob, I'm crazy, Liza, you're a daisy.
1893. Emerson, Signor Lippo, xiv. So help my blessed tater if this isn't our old Jose.
1897. Marshall, Pomes, 30. If I wasn't sich a lidy, s'elp me bob, I'd give the bloomin' magistrate a job.
1899. Whiteing, John St., vi. Swelp me lucky, I ain't tellin yer no lie.
Swift, subs. (printers').—A quick-working
compositor (Savage,
1841, Dict.).
Swig, subs. (colloquial).—A deep
draught: also as verb = to drink
heartily. (B. E. and Grose); to
pull hard (q.v.) Hence swiggled
= drunk: see Screwed.
1623. Mabbe, Spanish Rogue, (1630), ii. 208. [Oliphant, New Eng., ii. 82. Bale's swink (bibere) becomes swigge.]
1627. Middleton and Rowley, Changeling, iv. 2. But one swig more, sweet madam.
c.1650. Roxburgh Ballads [Brit. Mus., C. 20, f. 8. 236], 'Jolly Welsh Woman.' Now while she had gotten the jugg at her snout, . . . Hur gave it a tug, till hur swigg'd it half out.
