Heading
Everlasting-Shoes, (also Everlastings), subs. (common).—The naked feet. For synonyms, see Creepers.
Everlasting-staircase, subs.
(thieves').—The treadmill. For
synonyms, see Wheel of Life.
1851-61. H. Mayhew, London Lab. and Lon. Poor, vol. i., p. 300. Why we should be very soon taking reg'lar exercise on Colonel Chesterton's everlasting staircase. We has a great respect for the law—O, certainly!
1874. H. Mayhew, London Characters, p. 349. I had 'done' my quarter of an hour on the everlasting staircase (treadmill).
Everton-toffee, subs. (rhyming
slang).—Coffee.
Everything is lovely and the
goose hangs high, phr. (American).—Everything
is going
swimmingly. [An allusion to the
'sport' of gander pulling. A
gander was plucked, thoroughly
greased, especially about the head
and neck, and tied tight by the
feet to the branch of a tree. The
game was then to ride furiously at
the mark, catch it by the head
or neck, and attempt to bear it
away. With every failure the fun
would get more uproarious].
1867. Round Table, 30 July. I am not aware that any one has asked you the meaning of the slang phrase, everything goes lovely and the goose hangs high; but doubtless . . . it is derived from the Southern sport(!) of 'Gander-pulling.'
Eve's Custom-House, subs. phr.
(venery).—The female pudendum.
Evif, adj. (back slang).—Five Evif-gen = A crown, or five shillings. Evif-yanneps = five pence.
Evil, subs. (old).—A wife. For
synonyms, see Dutch.
1859. Matsell, Vocabulum, or Rogue's Lexicon. Evil. A wife; a halter; matrimony.
Evlenet-gen, (back slang).—Twelve
shillings. Evlenet sith-*noms
= twelve months: generally
known as a 'stretch.'
Ewe.—See White Ewe and Old
Ewe.
Ewe-mutton, subs. (common).—An
elderly strumpet or 'piece.'
Exalted, ppl. adj. (old).—Hanged.
For synonyms, see Ladder. Cf.,
elevated = drunk.
1836. Michael Scott, Cruise of the Midge, p. 226. Your great-grandfather was exalted, was he?—that is hanged, I suppose?
Exam, subs. (school).—An abbreviation
of 'Examination.'
1883. James Payn, Thicker than Water, ch. xxi. It's a mere question of political economy; I read all about it for my exam.—the supply will exceed the demand.
Exasperate, verb (common).—To
over-aspirate the letter H.
1857. Cuthbert Bede, Verdant Green, pt. II., ch. ix. Mr. Bouncer replies, with a footman's bow, and a footman's hexasperation of his h's.
Excellers, subs. (military).—The
Fortieth Foot. [A pun upon its
number, xl + ers.]
Excruciators, subs. (common).—Tight
boots; especially with
pointed toes.
Execution-day, subs. (common).—Washing
day.
