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of evil-wishers ran about chuckling, and rubbing their hands gleefully. 'I told you so,' cried Rubasore. Circumlocution Office again, sneered Crossgrain.
Circumslogdologize.—See
Stockdollagize.
Circumstance. Not a circumstance,
etc., phr. (American).—Not
to be compared with; a
trifle; of no account—unfavourable
comparison.
18(?). J. H. Beadle, Western Wilds, p. 28. I took a broadhorn to Noo Orleens, and when I was paid off on the levee, I was the worst lost man you ever did see. In the middle of the thickest woods in the world wasn't a circumstance to it.
1848. J. R. Lowell, Biglow Papers. For Jacob warn't a suckemstance to Jeff at financierin'; He never'd thought of borryin' from Esau like all nater An' then cornfiscatin' all debts to sech a small pertater.
To whip [something] into a circumstance = to surpass. Thus a newspaper correspondent writes that 'the streets of Georgetown, Demerara, are broad, smooth, and well laid out. Georgetown could give points to New York in its roads, and whip it into a circumstance.'
Circus-Cuss, subs. (thieves').—A
circus-rider.
Citizen, subs. (thieves').—A wedge
for 'prizing open' safes, before
the alderman (q.v.), and jemmy
(q.v.).—See also Citizens'
friend.
Citizens' Friend, subs. (thieves').—A
smaller wedge than the
citizen (q.v.), for 'prizing open'
safes. The order in which the
tools are used is (1) Citizens'
Friend; (2) Citizen; (3) the
Alderman (i.e., a Jemmy); and
sometimes (4) a Lord Mayor.
For synonyms, see Jemmy and
Betty.
City College, subs. (thieves').—Newgate.
In New York = 'The
Tombs.' For synonyms, see
Cage.
City Stage, subs. (old).—The
gallows, formerly in front of
Newgate. For synonyms, see
Nubbing Cheat.
Civet, subs, (general).—The female
pudendum. For synonyms, see
Monosyllable.
Civil Reception.—See House of
Civil Reception.
Civil-Rig, subs. (vagrants').—A
trick to obtain alms by a profuse
show of civility and obsequiousness.
Civvies, subs. (military).—Civilians'
clothes, as opposed to regimentals.
[A corruption of the legitimate
word.]
Clack, subs. (colloquial).—1. Idle,
loquacious talk; gossip; prattle—an
exceedingly old usage. For
synonyms, see Patter.
c. 1440. York, Myst. XXXIV., 211. Ther quenes vs comeres with her clakke. [m.]
1599. Nashe, Lenten Stuffe, in wks. V. 251. Their clacke or gabbling to this purport.
1678. Butler, Hudibras, pt. III., ch. ii. And, with his everlasting clack, Set all men's ears upon the rack.
1748. Smollett, Rod. Random, ch. liv. I dreaded her unruly tongue, and felt by anticipation the horrors of an eternal clack!
1812. H. and J. Smith, Rejected Addresses ('Punch's Apotheosis'). See she twists her mutton fists like Molyneux
