Slang Dictionary: Etymological, Historical and Andecdotal

"All ridiculous words make their first entry into a language by familiar phrases; I dare not answer for these that they will not in time be looked upon as a part of our tongue."—SPECTATOR."Rabble-charming words, which carry so much wild fire wrapt up in them."—SOUTH."Slang derivations are generally indirect, turning upon metaphor and fanciful allusions, and other than direct etymological connexion...