Leg-business, subs. (common).—1. See Leg-shop.
2. (venery).—Copulation. For synonyms see Greens and Ride.
Leg-drama (or piece).—See Leg-shop.
Legem pone, subs. phr. (old).—Money:
generic. [Nares: The
origin of the phrase is doubtless
this: The first psalm for the twenty-fifth
day of the month has the
title Legem pone, being the first
words of the Latin version. This
psalm is the fifth portion of the
119th psalm, and, being constantly
used on the first great pay day of
the year, March 25, was easily connected
with the idea of payment,
while the laudable practice of daily
attendance on the public service
was continued].
1557. Tusser, Good Hus. Lessons, 29. Use legem pone to pay at thy day, But use not Oremus for often delay.
1611. Ruggle, Ignolamus, ii. 7. Hic est legem pone: hic sunt sexcentæ coronæ.
1618. G. Minshul, Essayes in Prison, p. 26. But in this, here is nothing to bee abated, all their speach is legem pone, or else with their ill custome they will detaine thee.
d.1662. Heylin, Voy., p. 292. In bestowing of their degrees here they are very liberal, and deny no man that is able to pay his fees. Legem ponere is with them more powerful than legem dicere.
1737. Ozell, Rabelais, iv. 12. They were all at our service for the legem pone.
Leger, subs. (Old London Cant).—See
quot. 1822. Also Legering
= the practice of cheating in the
sale of coals.
1591. Greene, Discovery of Coosnage [Grosart (1881-6), x. 51]. The law of legering, which is a deceit that colliers abuse the commonwelth withall, in having unlawfull sackes.
1591. Greene, Notable Discovery [Grosart (1881-6], x. 52]. The leger, the crafty collier I mean. Ibid. 51. There be . . . in and about London certaine caterpillars (colliers I should say) that terme themselves (among themselves) by the name of legers.
1822. Nares, Glossary, s.v. Leger. A cant term for a Londoner who formerly bought coals of the country colliers at so much a sack, and made his chief profit by using smaller sacks, making pretence he was a country collier. This was termed legering.
Legerdemain, subs. (old: now recognised).—Sleight
of hand.
d.1535. Sir T. More, Works, p. 813. Perceive theyr leygier demaine, wyth which they would ingle forth thir falshood and shift the trouth asyde.
1592. Nashe, Pierce Penilesse [Grosart (1883-4), ii. 108]. Making their eyes and eares vassailes to the leger-*demaine of these ingling mountebankes.
1596. Spenser, Faery Queene, v. ix. 13. He in slights and jugling feates did flow, And of legierdemayne the mysteries did know.
1653. Walton, Complete Angler, p. 112. All the money that had been got that week . . . by fortune telling or legerdemain.
1684. R. Head, Proteus Redivivus, 238. What trick they play, what leidger-de-main they use.
1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v.
1725. New Canting Dict., s.v.
Legged, adj. (old).—In irons.
1859. Matsell, Vocabulum, s.v.
Legger, subs. (old).—See quot.
1823. Grose, Vulg. Tongue (3rd ed.), s.v. Legger. Sham leggers, cheats who pretend to sell smuggled goods, but in reality only deal in shop-keepers old and damaged wares.
Leggings, subs. (common).—Stockings.
Leggism, subs. (common).—The
character, practices, or manners of a
leg (q.v.).
