Leather-stretcher, subs.(venery).The penis. For synonyms see creamstick and prick. To go leather-stretching = to Copulate.
Leave, subs. (billiards').—A favorable
position for a stroke.
To take French leave. See French leave.
To leave in the air. See air.
To leave in the lurch. See lurch.
Leaving-shop, subs. (common).—1.
An unlicensed pawn-brokery; a
dolly-shop (q.v.). For synonyms
see uncle.
1857. Morning Chronicle, 21 Dec. Proprietress of one of those iniquitous establishments called leaving-shops.
1867. Jas. Greenwood, Unsentimental Journeys, II. 15. I no longer wondered to find my friend a pawnbroker! He had a hankering for it at the pig's head period, and kept, besides the sausage-shop, a leaving-shop, in Brick-lane, St. Luke's.
1871. Daily Telegraph, 10 Oct. A large "portion' or the least valuable was received in 'dolly' or leaving-shops. The parties carrying them on purchased goods from whoever brought them, upon an understanding that they might be repurchased within a week or a month.
1880. Jas. Greenwood, Odd People in Odd Place, p. 37. There's a little shop in the second-hand clothes line, a leaving-shop, I think they call it, in Street. There's a parcel there that belongs to me, and which it will cost one and eightpence to redeem; at least, the woman promised I might redeem it in a month if I paid double what she gave me for what's in it.
1893. Daily Chronicle, 9 Jan., p. 9, col. 1. Two pawnbrokers, who appeared to have acted in a most reckless manner, and to a Mrs. Waldey, who kept what was known as a leaving shop.
2. (venery).—The female pudendum. For synonyms see Monosyllable.
Lecher, verb. (venery).—To copulate.
For synonyms see greens
and ride.
1594. Nashe, Unf. Traveller [Grosart (1883-4), v. 29]. He must be familiar with all, and trust none, drink, carouse, and lecher with him.
1611. Cotgrave, Dictionarie, passim.
Led-captain, subs. (old).—A toady;
a sponge (q.v.); a pimp.
1672. Wycherley, Love in a Wood, i. 1. Wks. (1713), 349. For every wit has his culley, as every squire his led captain.
1749. Fielding, Tom Jones, Bk. xi. ch. ix. Two led captains, who had before rode with his lordship, and who . . . were ready at any time to have performed the office of a footman, or indeed would have condescended lower, for the honour of his lordship's company, and for the convenience of his table.
1816. Scott, Antiquary, ch. xxxix. Petrie . . . recommends, upon his own experience, as tutor in a family of distinction, this attitude to all led-captains, tutors, dependents and bottle-holders of every description.
led-friend, subs. (old).—A parasite.
1710. Steele, Tatler, No. 208. There is hardly a rich man in the world who has not such a led-friend.
Leeds, subs. (Stock Exchange).—Lincolnshire
and Yorkshire ordinary
stock.
Leek, subs. (common).—See quot.
1851-61. H. Mayhew, London Lab. & Lon. Poor, vol. ii. p. 425. The leeks are men who have not been brought up to the trade of chimney sweeping, but have adopted it as a speculation, and are so called from their entering green, or inexperienced into the business.
