(Stock Exchange).—A fractional part of a shilling. [A corruption of Cadney, the name of the first dealer known to deal under 1/32].
Kidney-hit, subs. (pugilistic).—A
punch in the short ribs.
Kid's-eye, subs. (old).—A fip-*penny
piece.
1821. Haggart, Life, p. 114. I got three jumpers and a kid's-eye.
Kidsman, subs. (thieves').—See quot.
1859.
1836. Brandon, Poverty, Mendacity and Crime, p. 149, s.v.
1859. Matsell, Vocabulum. A fellow that boards and lodges boys for the purpose of teaching them how to steal, putting them through a course of training, as a dog trainer will train dogs for the hunt. The kidsman accompanies the kid, and though committing no depredations himself, he controls and directs the motions of the others.
Kid-stretcher, subs. (venery).—A
man addicted to the use of
kid-leather (q.v.).
Kilkenny, subs. (old).—A frieze coat.—Grose
(1785).
Kill subs. (tailors').—A garment
utterly spoiled.
Dressed to kill. See Dressed and Death.
Kill-calf (or -cow), subs. (old).—A
butcher: also a murderous
ruffian. Also Kill-buck.
. . . Old Ballad [quoted by Nares]. Of all occupations that nowadays are used I would not be a butcher, for that's to be refused; For whatever is gotten, or whatever is gained, He shall be call'd kill-cow, and so shall be named.
1628. Clavell, Recantation of an Ill-bred Life [quoted by Nares]. But in the night, yet then take heed of those Base padding rascalls, for their kill-calfe law.
1630. Taylor, Wks. [Nares]. They make private shambles with kil-calfe cruelty, and sheepe-slaughtering murther, to the abuse of Lent, the deceiving of the informers, and the great griefe of every zealous fishmonger.
c.1636. London Chanticleers, Sc. iv. I know there's never a kill-cow i' th' city becomes a woollen apron better than I do.
Kill-devil, subs. (old and American).—Rum:
specifically new spirit.
1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v. Kill-devil, new still-burnt rum.
1859. Matsell, Vocabulum, s.v.
Killers, subs. (common).—The eyes.
For synonyms see Peepers.
1780. Marsell, in Whibley, Cap and Gown, p. 85. Oer the poor country curate that's near How their eyes (in fine language called killers).
Killing, adj. and adv. (common).—1.
Fascinating; bewitching; irresistible.
Also Killingly.
1619. Fletcher, Wild Goose Chase, iii. As killing eyes as yours, a wit as poignant.
1677. Wycherley, Plain Dealer, ii. Nov. Ay, ay, madam, with you ladies too, martial men must needs be very killing.
1700. Congreve, Way of the World, iv. 1. L. Wish. And—well—and how do I look, Foible? Foi. Most killing well, Madam.
1712. Pope, Rape of the Lock, v. 64. Those eyes were made so killing.
1751. Smollett, Peregrine Pickle, lxxx. The killing edge of her charms was a little blunted by the accidents of time and fortune.
1765. Goldsmith, Essays, v. Your modern Briton cuts his hair on the crown, and plasters it with hog's lard and flour; and this to make him look killing.
1828-45. T. Hood, Poems, i. 231 (ed. 1846). The crowd including two butchers in blue (The regular killing Whitechapel hue).
