Heading
To dive into the woods, verb. phr. (American).—To conceal oneself.
Diver, or Dive [see quot., 1608],
subs. (old).—A pickpocket (as
Jenny Diver in 'The Beggar's
Opera'); a dip (q.v.). For synonyms,
see Stook-Hauler.
1608. Dekker, Belman of London, in wks. (Grosart), III., 140. [One who steals from houses by putting a boy in through a window to hand out to him the plunder—is called a Diver.]
c. 1626. Dick of Devonshire, in Bullen's Old Plays, ii., 40. Your horse and weapons I will take, but no pilferage. I am no pocketeer, no diver into slopps.
1705. Ward, Hudibras Redivivus, vol. I., pt. i., p. 24 [2nd ed.). So expert divers call aloud, Pray mind your pockets, to the crowd.
1748. T. Dyche, Dictionary (5th ed.). Diver (s.) . . . also a cant name for a pick-pocket.
1828. Jon. Bee, Picture of London, p. 56. Thieves frequently go well-dressed, especially pickpockets; good toggery being considered a necessary qualification for his calling, without which the diver could not possibly mix in genteel company nor approach such in the streets.
1887. Baumann, Londismen, V. Smashers and divers and noble contrivers.
Divers, subs. (common).—The
fingers. For synonyms, see Forks.
Divide the House with One's
Wife, verb. phr. (old).—To turn
her out of doors.
Diving-bell, subs. (common).—A
cellar-tavern. Cf., Dive. For
synonyms, see Lush-crib.
Do, subs. (colloquial).—1. A fraud.
1812. Vaux, Memoirs, s.v.
1835. Dickens, Sketches by Boz, p. 17. I thought it was a do, to get me out of the house.
1837. R. H. Barham. Ingoldsby Legends. (ed. 1862.) p. 418. I should like to see you Try to sauter le coup With this chap at short whist or unlimited loo, By the Pope you'd soon find it a regular do.
1846. Punch, vol. XI., p. 114. What is the meaning of the rise? I'm sure I cannot tell—can you? Yes, fame with hundred tongues replies, 'Tis in one word A Do! a Do!
2. (colloquial).—One's duty; a success; performance what one has to do; once literary.
1663-78. Butler, Hudibras. No sooner does he peep into the world but he has done his doe.
1851. H. Mayhew, Lon. Lab. and Lon. Poor, vol. I., p. 162. Well, I heard how a man . . . was making a fortune at the hot-eel and pea-soup line. . . . So I thought I'd have a touch at the same thing. But you see I never could rise money enough to make a do of it.
Verb (colloquial).—1. To cheat. For synonyms, see Gammon.
1789. Geo. Parker, Life's Painter, p. 142. Who are continually looking out for flats, in order to do them upon the broads, that is, cards.
1803. Kenney, Raising the Wind, I., i. I wasn't born two hundred miles north of Lunnun, to be done by Mr. Diddler, I know.
1831. Disraeli, The Young Duke, bk. iv., ch. vi., p. 220 (ed. 1866). There was the juvenile Lord Dice, who boasted of having done his brothers out of their miserable £5,000.
1835. Dickens, Sketches by Boz, p. 265. I should have a much better opinion of an individual if he'd say at once, in an honourable and gentlemanly manner, as he'd done everybody he possibly could.
1843. Comic Almanack, p. 373. England expects every man to do his duty, a strong recommendation to every man 'to do' the authorities who collect the duty at the Custom-house.
1871. Public Opinion, 4 Feb. Do you suppose that you can do the landlord in the 'Lady of Lyons?' asked a theatrical manager of a seedy actor in quest of an engagement. If I can't do him, was the reply, he will be the first landlord I ever had anything to do with that wasn't done by me.
