Vol. VII.
A Dictionary of Slang and its Analogues.
Strada Reale
Highlanders,
subs. phr. (military).—The
1st
Batt. Gordon
Highlanders, late
The 75th Foot
(King). [In 1812
the regiment was detailed for
Mediterranean service, and for
some time formed the Main Guard
of the Governor's residence in
the Strada Reale, Valetta.]
Straddle, subs. (Stock Exchange).—A
contract in which the holder
can call for (or the signatory can
deliver) stock at a fixed price: a
speculation covering both a put
and a call (q.v.): cf. Spread-eagle.
Also as verb.
Verb. (American political).—To adopt a non-committal attitude; to favour both sides; 'to sit on the fence' (q.v.): also as subs.
1884. Nation, 3 July, 4. The platform contains the well-known plank straddling the tariff question.
Straights (the), subs. (old
London).—See quot. 1816.
[Nares: 'formerly frequented by
profligates; a Cant name.] See
Bermudas.
1614. Jonson, Bartholomew Faire, ii. 6. Look into my angle o' the town (the streights, or the Bermudas) where the quarrelling lesson is read. Ibid. Turn pirates here at land, Ha' their Bermudas, and their straights i' th' Strand.
1816. Gifford, Jonson. Note to above. Cant names then given to the places frequented by bullies, knights of the post, and fencing masters. . . . These streights consisted of a nest of obscure courts, alleys, and avenues, running between the bottom of St Martin's Lane, Half Moon, and Chandos Street.
Adj. (colloquial).—Straight, generic for honesty, has, like round (q.v.), and square (q.v.), a large colloquial vogue. Thus a straight (= an exact) thinker; a straight (= a chaste) piece (q.v.); a straight (= an out-and-out) Tory: hence straight-out = thorough-going; straight (= neat: also duty-paid) whiskey; straight (= candid) speech; straight (= honest) people, living, etc.; straight (= honestly acquired) goods: also of persons = square (q.v.); a straight (=a trustworthy) tip, griffin, etc. (q.v.);
