Lagging-gage, subs. (old).—A chamber-pot: for synonyms see It.
1891. Referee, 8 March. All this storm in a lagging-gage is very absurd.
Lagniappe (or Lagnappe), subs.
(American).—See quot.
1877. Clemens ('Mark Twain'), Life on the Mississippi, p. 404-5. We picked up one excellent word—lagniappe. . . . It is the equivalent of the thirteenth roll in a baker's dozen. It is something thrown in, gratis, for good measure. The custom originated in the Spanish quarter of the city. When a child or a servant buys something . . . he finishes the operation by saying, 'Give me something for lagniappe.' The shopman always responds . . . When you are invited to drink, and you say, I've had enough,' the other says, 'But just this one time more—this is for lagniappe.'
1884. G. W. Cable, Creoles of Louisiana, xvi. The pleasant institution of napa—the petty gratuity added by the retailer to anything bought—grew the pleasanter, drawn out into gallicized lagnappe.
Lagranged, adj. (American).—Vexed.
Lag-ship, subs. (old).—A convict
transport.
Laid. See Lavender and Shelf.
Laker-lady, subs. (old).—An actor's
harlot. [Saxon laker = an actor].
Lala, subs. (American).—A swell.
Lally, subs. (old).—Linen; lully
(q.v.).
1800. Parker, Life's Painter, p. 157. Dabble your lally, wash your shirt.
Lallycodler, subs. (American).—One
eminently successful in any
particular line.
Lam. See Lamb, verb.
Lamb, subs. (common).—1. A quiet
easy-going person; a simpleton;
a juggins (q.v.).
1669. The Nicker Nicked (Harl. Misc., ii. 109) [ed. 1808-12]. When a young gentleman or apprentice comes into this school of virtue unskilled in the quibbles and devices there practised, they call him a lamb; then a rook (who is properly the wolf) follows him close and . . . gets all his money, and then they smile and say, 'The lamb is bitten.'
1672. Lacy, Old Troop, i. Sisted. Why, then, it seems we religious lambs may play with one another without sinning.
1851-61. Mayhew, Lond. Lab., iii. 216. Made him come three times like a lamb.
2. (common).—Ironically used of a rough, cruel, or merciless person; specifically applied to Nottingham roughs, and hence to bludgeon men at elections. The 'head-money' given is called mint-sauce (q.v.).
English synonyms. Barker; basher; blood-tub; bouncer; bounder; boy of the Holy Ground; bruiser; dead duck; hoodlum; larrikin: mug; plug-ugly; rabbit (or dead rabbit); ramper; roarer (or roaring-boy); rough; roustabout; rouster; rowdy; rustler; short-ear. See also generally Furioso and Loafer.
French synonyms. Un kroumir (popular); un lascar (common); un mangeur de nez (thieves'); un matador; un ostrogoth.
German synonyms. Troll (or Tallerwatsch).
1849. Macaulay, Hist. of England, ch. v. 'As they had been levied for the purpose of waging war on an infidel nation, they bore on their flag a Christian
