Yid (or Yiddisher), subs. (common).—A Jew [Ger. Judischer]. Whence Yiddish = Jewish; and as subs. a dialect or jargon spoken by Jews mainly composed of corrupt Hebrew and German.
Yob, subs. (back slang).—Boy (q.v.).
1897. Marshall, Pomes, 76. And you bet that each gal, not to mention each YOB, Didn't care how much ooftish it cost 'em per nob.
Yokel, subs. (common).—A countryman, bumpkin, lout: in contempt. Hence as adj. (or YOKELISH) = rustic.
1838. Dickens, Oliver Twist, xxxi. 'This wasn't done by a YOKEL, eh, Duff?' 'Certainly not,' replied Duff. 'And translating the word YOKEL for the benefit of the ladies, I apprehend your meaning to be that this attempt was not made by a countryman?' said Mr. Losberne, with a smile. 'That's it, master,' replied Blathers.
18[?]. Hood, Row at the Oxford Arms. Lord knows their names, I'm sure I don't, no more than any YOKEL.
1847-8. Thackeray, Vanity Fair, Preface. Yokels looking up at the tinselled dancers and poor old rouged tumblers.
1869. Blackmore, Lorna Doone, xl. Thou art not altogether the clumsy YOKEL and the clod I took thee for.
Yokuff, subs. (back slang).—A large box, chest, 'coffer.'
Yolly, subs. (Winchester College).—A post-chaise. [Yellow was a favourite colour for these vehicles.]
YONKER. See Younker.
Yoôp, subs. (colloquial).—A word expressive of a hiccuping or sobbing sound: onomatopiœa [Thackeray].
York. As like as York is to foul Sutton, phr. (old).—As dissimilar as may be.
1544. Ascham, Toxophilus, 47. To tumble ouer and ouer, to toppe ouer tayle, . . . which exercises surelye muste nedes be naturall bycause they be so childisshe, and they may be also holesome for the body; but surely as for pleasure to the minde or honestie in the doinge of them, they be AS LYKE shotinge as Yorke is foule Sutton.
See Yorker.
Yorker, subs. (cricketers').—A ball finding pitch very close to the bat. Hence York, verb = to bowl YORKERS.
1885. D. Teleg., 1 July. [He] was clean bowled in playing late at a YORKER.
Yorkshire. It would appear that formerly (see quot. 1611) Yorkshire was more proverbial for dulness and clownishness than, as in modern phrase, for 'the boot to be on the other leg': e.g. to come (or put) Yorkshire over (or to Yorkshire one) = to cheat, take a person in, to prove too wide-awake for him. Also Yorkshire-bite = a specially 'cute piece of overreaching, entrapping one into a profitless bargain. The monkey who ate the oyster and returned a shell to each litigant affords a good example. Confident as a Yorkshire carrier = cocksure; Yorkshire compliment = a gift useless to the giver and not wanted by the receiver: also North-country compliment; a Yorkshire estate = money in prospect, a castle in the air (q.v.): e.g. 'When I come into my Yorkshire estates' = When I have the means; YORKSHIRE-RECKONING = a reckoning where each one pays his share; Yorkshire-tyke = 'a Yorkshire manner of Man' (B. E.); YORKSHIRE-HOG = a fat wether.
