2. (gaming).—Dice: also (cards') checks and counters.
English synonyms, (for both genuine and false pieces). Bones; cogs; fulhams; devil's teeth; devil's bones; gourds; rattlers; tats; high men; low men; uphills.
French synonyms. Les mathurins (thieves'); les maturbes (thieves').
Spanish synonym. Hormiga.
1830. Lytton, Paul Clifford, 23, (ed. 1854). Suppose we adjourn to Fish Lane, and Rattle the ivories. What say you, Mr. Lobkins?
1864. G. A. Sala, Quite Alone, vii. Yes, I will promise you I will keep my head cool, and won't touch ivory to-night.
3. (billiards').—The balls.
1888. Sporting Life, 28 Nov. On new premises . . . where erstwhile the click of ivories was heard.
To flash the ivories, verb. phr. (common).—1. To show the teeth.—Grose (1785).
2. (medical).—To be dissected or 'anatomised' after execution, the skeleton being taken to the College of Surgeons; hence, to be hanged.
1830. Lytton, Paul Clifford, ii. "I want to make him an honour to his country and an ixciption to my family" 'Who all flashed their Ivories at Surgeon's Hall', added the metaphorical Dummie.
To sluice (wash or rince) one's ivories, verb. phr. (common).—To drink.
1823. Moncrieff, Tom & Jerry, ii. 6. Mr. J. Sluice your dominos vill you? Green. Vot! I never plays at dominos—it's too wulgar. Mr. J. Vy then, vash your ivories? Green. I've got no hiveries to vash. Mr. J. Drink vill you? dont you understand Hinglish?
Ivory-box, subs. (pugilists').—The mouth. For synonyms see Potato-trap.
1888. Sportsman, 28 Nov. Harris countered heavily on Joseph's ivory box, a compliment which he at once returned, and with considerable interest.
Ivory-carpenter, subs. (common).—A dentist. For synonyms see Snag-catcher.
Ivory-gate, subs. (venery).—The female pudendum. For synonyms see Monosyllable.
Ivory-thumper, (or Spanker), subs. (common).—A pianist.
Ivy-bush, subs. (old).—See quot.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v. Ivy-Bush. Like an owl in an ivy bush, a simile for a meagre, or weazle-faced man, with a large wig, or very bushy hair.
