Kirk's Lambs, subs. phr. (military).—The Second Regiment of Foot. [From the name of its first colonel and the Paschal Lamb, the badge of Portugal, on its colours].
1891. Globe, 10 Mar. Kirke's Lambs were engaged at Sedgemoor.
Kisky, adj. (common).—Drunk; fuddled.
For synonyms see Drinks
and Screwed.
Kiss, subs. (venery).—1. The sexual
favor. For synonyms see Greens
and Ride.
2. (common).—See quot.
1856. Dickens, The Detective Police, in Reprinted Pieces, p. 242. [Qtly Review xcix. 177]. I observed that on the back of the letter there was what we call a kiss—a drop of wan by the side of the seal.
3. in pl. (Stock Exchange).—Hotchkiss Ordnance Co. shares.
Verb. (old colloquial).—To touch gently; to brush. In billiards and other games the balls are said to KISS when they barely touch.
1593. Shakspeare, Taming of the Shrew, i. 1. When with his knees he kissed the Cretan strand.
2. (venery).—See Kiss, subs. sense 1.
1730. Ramsay, Fables & Tales, in Wks. [1800], ii. 515. Ah me! your reverence's sister, Ten times I carnally have—kist her.
1786. Capt. Morris. 'The Plenipotentiary'. The next to be kissed on the Plenipo's list, was a delicate Maiden of Honor.
TO KISS THE CLAWS (or HANDS), verb. phr. (old).—To salute.
1630. Taylor, Wks. [quoted by Nares]. These men can kisse their claws, with, Jack, how is't? And take and shake me kindely by the fist, And put me off with dilatory cogges.
1630. Taylor, Wks. [quoted by Nares]. I'm glad to see thee well with all my heart. Long have I long'd to drinke with thee a quart, I have beleev'd this drosse had beene pure gold, When presently I have beene bought and sold Behind my backe (for no desert and cause), By those that kindly cap'd and KIST THEIR CLAWES.
1650. Howell, Familiar Letters [quoted by Nares]. This letter comes to kisse your hands from fair Florence, a citie so beutifull.
To kiss the Counter, verb. phr. (old).—To be confined in the Counter prison. Also Clink.
1618. Rowlands, Night Raven, p. 11. (Hunterian Club Repr. 1872). Constable:—Tell me of supper, tut a puddings end, You kisse the Counter, sirra, that is flat, Ile teach you know my place deserves a hat.
1626. Letter dated idem [quoted by Nares]. Some constables, for refusing to distrain, have kissed the Counter; and some have taken up their lodgings in Newgate, but have been since released.
To KISS THE DUST, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To die. For synonyms see Aloft.
To kiss the Hare's foot, verb. phr. (old).—To be too late for meals; to dine with Duke Humphrey (q.v.).
. . . Serving Man's Comfort, Sign. C. The hall summons this consort of companions (upon payne to dyne with duke Humphfrie, or to kisse the hare's foot) to appeare at the first call.
1616. Brown, Brit. Past, ii. 2, p. 67. 'Tis supper time with all, and we had need Make haste away, unless we meane to speed With those that kisse the hare's foot; rhumes are bred, Some say, by going supperlesse to bed.
1672. Ray, Proverbs, p. 195. To kiss the hare's foot, prov. Spoken to one that comes so late that he hath lost his dinner or supper.
1677. Cole, Dict. You must kiss the hare's foot, post festum venisti.
1851. Notes and Queries, 1 S. 4. p. 21. Kiss the Hare's Foot.—This locution is commonly used in some parts of the United Kingdom, to describe, what is expressed by the Latin proverb: 'Sero venientibus ossa.'
