Uglyman, subs. phr. (thieves'). In garrotting the actual perpetrator of the outrage: his operations are covered in front by the forestall (q.v.), and in the rear by the backstall (q.v.): also nasty-man: see Stale.
Uhlan, subs. (tailors').—A tramp.
Ullage, subs. (common).—In pl.
= drainings, dregs of glasses or
casks. [Properly the wantage in
a cask of liquor.]
Ultimate Favour (The), subs.
phr. (venery).—The surrender,
by a woman, of her person; also
the last favour.
1694. Crowne, Married Beau, ii. I own common favours: that's no matter, But if she ever grants me the last favour,—I give her leave to cast me off for ever.
Ultramarine, adj. (common).—Blue
(q.v.).
Ultray, adv. (colloquial).—Very:
a corruption of 'ultra.'
Umpire. How's that, umpire?
phr. (common).—What do you
say to that? How's that for
high? What price? [An echo
of football and cricket.]
Umble-pie. See Humble-pie.
Un-, prefix (old). See Betty;
Dub; Pal; Slour; Thimble,
etc. [A negation.]
Unbaked, adj. (old).—Immature:
cf. Hard-baked.
1598. Shakspeare, All's Well, iv. 5. All the unbaked and doughy youth of a nation.
1625. Fletcher, Elder Brother, ii. 2. Songs she may have, And read a little unbak'd poetry.
Unbeknown (or Unbeknownst),
adj. (once literary: now colloquial
or vulgar).—Unknown.
d.1665. Godwin, Works, iii. 372. The same secret instinct . . . to sympathize . . . in praying for such a thing unbeknown to one another.
1800. Pegge, Anec. Eng. Lang. [Oliphant, New Eng., ii. 199. There are wrong forms in London use, as unbeknown . . . he knowed . . . they cotch].
1837. Dickens, Pickwick, xxxiv. I was there unbeknown to Mrs. Bardell.
1879. Phelps, Sealed Orders [Century]. So by and by I creep up softly to my own little room . . . unbeknownst to most.
Unbleached American, subs.
phr. (American).—A negro;
snowball (q.v.). [An echo of
mock Northern sentiment during
the War of the Secession.]
Uncertainty, subs. (printers').—A
girl baby: cf. certainty = a
boy.
Uncle, subs. (common).—1. A
pawnbroker (Grose): Fr. tante.
[Cf. uncle = a mythical rich
relative.]
[1607. Dekker, Northward Ho, i. 2. Fourscore pounds draws deep. . . . I'll step to my uncle not far off . . . and he shall bail me.]
1828. Hood, Miss Kilmansegg. Brothers, wardens of City Halls, And uncles, rich as three golden balls From taking pledges of nations.
1843. Dickens, Martin Chuzzlewit, i. We find him making constant reference to an uncle, in respect of whom he would seem to have entertained great expectations, as he was in the habit of seeking to propitiate his favour by presents of plate, jewels, books, watches, and other valuable articles.
1854-5. Thackeray, Newcomes, xii. 'Dine in your frock, my good friend, and welcome, if your dress-coat is in the country.' 'It is at present at an uncle's,' Mr. Bayham said with great gravity.
