Heading
as dead on, a mark on, or some pumpkins on. Cf., nuts on. [Literally to prosecute or pursue any course of action to the death.]
To dress to death (colloquial).—To attire oneself in the very extreme of fashion. In America to dress within an inch of one's life; to dress up drunk and to dress to kill. An old Cornish proverb has dressed to death like sally hatch (N. and Q., 3 ser., vi., 6). [Apparently a pun on killing (q.v.).]
1869. Newfoundland Fisheries [quoted in De Vere]. The next day I met Davis and Nye, my two chums, on board the Little Rhody, dressed to death and trunk empty, as they said of themselves.
Death-Hunter, subs. (common).—1.
A vendor of the last dying
speeches, or confessions of criminals;
a running patterer or
stationer.
1738. [From J. W. Jarvis and Son: Cat. No. 40, p. 38]. Ramble through London, containing observations on Beggars, Pedlars, Petticoat Pensioners, death hunters, Humours of the Exchange, etc., by a True-born Englishman [Title].
1851-61. H. Mayhew, London Lab. and Lon. Poor, vol. I., 228. The latter include the 'running patterers,' or death-hunters; being men (no women) engaged in vending last dying speeches and confessions.
2. (popular).—An undertaker. For synonyms, see Cold cook.
? Old Song, 'Life's a Chase.' And e'en the death-hunter, in coffins who deals Is at last hunted into a coffin.
1785. Grose, Dict. Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
Death or Glory Boys.—See
Bingham's dandies.
Debblish, subs. (South African).—A
penny. For synonyms, see
Winn.
Decapitate.—See Cut off one's
head.
Decent, Decently, Decentish,
adj. and adv. (colloquial).—Moderate;
tolerable; passably;
fairly good.
Decoy-bird or Duck, subs. (colloquial).—One
employed to decoy
persons into a snare; a buttoner
or bug-hunter (q.v.). Fr., un
allumeur, un chatouilleur, or un
arrangeur.
Decus, subs. (old).—A crown piece.
[From the Latin, the motto decus
et tutamen on the rims of these
coins.] For synonyms, see
Caroon.
1688. T. Shadwell, Squire of Alsatia, ed. 1720, 2, vol. IV., p. 48. Madam Hackum, to testify my gratitude, I make bold to equip you with some Meggs, Decus's, and Georges.
1822. Scott, Fort. of Nigel, ch. xxiii. 'You see,' he said, pointing to the casket, 'that noble Master Grahame. whom you call Green, has got the decuses and the smelts.'
Dee, subs. (vagrants').—1. A pocket-book
or reader. For synonyms,
see Leather.
2. (common).—A detective; also 'tec, (q.v.). Cf., Deeker, and for synonyms, see Nark.
1886. Graphic, 30 Jan., p. 130, col. 1. A detective is known as a dee and a teck; the former is principally used by tramps and gipsies, and is properly D, the initial letter of the word.
3. (common).—See D, sense 2.
Deeker, subs. (old).—See quot.
1821. D. Haggart, Life, Glossary, p. 171. Deeker, a thief kept in pay by a constable.
Deep, adj. (colloquial).—Artful;
e.g., 'a deep one.' [An extension
