Da (popular), mon ——, my father, “my daddy.” Ma ——, my mother, “my mammy.”

Dab, dabe, m. (thieves’), father, or “dade;” master; a god.

Le —— de la cigogne, the procureur gÉnÉral, or public prosecutor. Grand ——, king.

Dabe, m. (popular), d’argent, speculum. (Prostitutes’) Cramper avec le —— d’argent, to be subjected to a compulsory medical examination of a peculiar nature.

DabÉrage, m. (popular), talking, “jawing.”

DabÉrer (popular), to talk, “to jaw.”

Dabesse, f. (thieves’), mother; queen.

Dabicule, m. (thieves’), the master’s son.

Dabot, dabmuche, m. (thieves’), the prefect of police, or head of the Paris police; a drudge. Formerly it signified an unlucky player who has to pay all his opponents.

Dabucal, adj. (thieves’), royal.

Dabuche, f. (thieves’), mother; grandmother, or “mami;” nurse.

Dabuchette, f. (thieves’), young mother; mother-in-law.

Dabuchon, m. (popular), father, “daddy.”

Dache, m. (thieves’), devil, “ruffin,” or “black spy;” (military) hairdresser to the Zouaves, a mythical individual. Allez donc raconter cela À ——, tell that to the “Marines“.

Dada, m. (military), aller À ——, to perform the act of coition, or “chivalry.” The old poet Villon termed this “chevaulcher.”

Dail, m. (thieves’), je n’entrave que le ——, I do not understand.

Daim, m. (popular), swell, or “gorger,” see Gommeux; fool, or “duffer;” gullible fellow, “gulpy;” —— huppÉ, rich man, one with plenty of “tin.”

Dale, dalle, f. (thieves’), money, “quids,” or “pieces,” see Quibus.

Five-franc piece; (popular) throat, or “red lane;” —— du cou, mouth, “rattle-trap.” Se rincer, or s’arroser la ——, to drink, “to have something damp.” See Rincer.

Dalzar, m. (popular), breeches, “kicks,” “sit-upons,” or “kicksies.”

Dame, f. (popular), blanche, bottle of white wine; —— du lac, woman of indifferent character who frequents the purlieus of the Grand Lac at the Bois de Boulogne.

Damer (popular), une fille, to seduce a girl, to make a woman of her.

DanaÏdes, f. (thieves’), faire jouer les ——, to thrash a girl.

Dandiller (thieves’), to ring; to chink. Le carme dandille dans sa fouillouse, the money chinks in his pocket.

Dandinage, m., dandinette, f. (popular), thrashing, “hiding.”

Dandine, f. (popular), blow, “wipe,” “clout,” “dig,” “bang,” or “cant.” Encaisser des dandines, to receive blows.

Dandiner (popular), to thrash, “to lick.” See Voie.

Dandinette. See Dandinage.

Dankier (Breton), prostitute.

Danse, f. (familiar), du panier, unlawful profits on purchases. Flanquer une —— À quelqu’un, to thrash or “lick” one. See Voie.

Danser (popular), to lose money; to pay, “to shell out.” Il l’a dansÉe de vingt balles, he had to pay twenty francs. Danser devant le buffet, to be fasting, “to cry cupboard;” —— tout seul, to have an offensive breath. Faire —— quelqu’un, to make one stand treat; to make one pay, or “fork out;” to thrash, “to wallop.” See Voie. La ——, to be thrashed; to be dismissed from one’s employment, “to get the sack.”

Danseur, m. (popular), turkey cock.

Dardant, m. (thieves’), love.

Dardelle, f. (urchins’), penny (gros sou).

Dariole, f. (popular), slap or blow in the face, “clout,” “bang,” or “wipe.” Properly a kind of pastry.

Darioleur, m. (popular), inferior sort of pastry cook.

Daron, m. (thieves’), father, “dade,” or “dadi;” gentleman, “nib cove;” —— de la raille, or de la rousse, prefect of police, head of the Paris police.

Daronne, f. (thieves’), mother; —— du dardant, Venus; —— du grand Aure, holy Virgin; —— du mec des mecs, mother of God.

Dattes, f. pl. (popular), des ——! contemptuous expression of refusal; might be rendered by “you be hanged!” See NÈfles.

Daube, f. (popular), cook, or “dripping.”

Daubeur, m. (popular), blacksmith.

Dauche (popular), mon ——, my father; ma ——, my mother; “my old man, my old woman.”

Dauffe, f., dauffin, dauphin, m. (thieves’), short crowbar. Termed also “l’enfant, Jacques, biribi, sucre de pommes, rigolo,” and in the language of English housebreakers, that is, the “busters and screwsmen,” “the stick, James, Jemmy.”

Dauphin, m. (popular), girl’s bully, “ponce,” see Poisson; (thieves’) short crowbar used by housebreakers, “jemmy.”

David, m. (popular), silk cap. From the maker’s name.

Davone, f. (thieves’), plum.

De (familiar), se pousser du ——, to place the word “de” before one’s name to make it appear a nobleman’s.

DÉ, m. (popular), or —— À boire, drinking glass. DÉ! yes. Properly thimble.

DÉbÂcle, f. (thieves’), accouchement. Properly breaking up, collapse.

DÉbÂcler (thieves’ and popular), to open; to force open; —— la lourde, open the door.

DÉbÂcleuse, f. (thieves’ and popular), midwife. Termed also “tÂte-minette, Madame Tire-monde.”

DÉbagouler (popular), to speak, “to jaw.”

DÉbalinchard, m. (popular), one who saunters lazily about.

DÉballage, m. (popular), undress; getting out of bed; dirty linen. Etre flouÉ or volÉ au ——, to be grievously disappointed with a woman’s figure when she divests herself of her garments. Gagner au ——, to appear to better advantage when undressed.

DÉballer (popular), to strip. Se ——, to undress oneself.

DÉbanquer (gamesters’), to ruin the gaming bank.

DÉbarbouiller (popular), À la potasse, to strike one in the face, “to give one a bang in the mug;” to clear up some matter.

DÉbardeur, m., dÉbardeuse, f. (familiar), dancers at fancy balls dressed as a dÉbardeur or lumper.

DÉbarquer (popular), se ——, to give up; to relinquish anything already undertaken, to “cave in.”

DÉbaucher (popular), to dismiss. Etre dÉbauchÉ, to get the sack. The reverse of embaucher, to engage.

DÉbecqueter (popular), to vomit, “to cast up accounts,” “to shoot the cat.”

DÉbectant (popular), annoying; tiresome; dirty; disgusting.

DÉbinage, m. (familiar), slandering; running down. From dÉbiner, to talk ill, to depreciate.

DÉbiner (popular), to depreciate; —— le truc, to disclose a secret; to explode a dodge, or fraud.

Parbleu! je n’ignore pas ce que peuvent dire les blagueurs pour dÉbiner le truc de ces fausses paysannes.—Richepin, Le PavÉ.

Se —— des fumerons, to run away, “to leg it.” Se ——, to abuse one another, “to slang one another;” to run away, “to brush,” see Patatrot; to grow weak.

DÉbineur, m., dÉbineuse, f. (popular), one who talks ill of people; one who depreciates people or things.

DÉblayer (theatrical), to curtail portions of a part; to hurry through a performance.

A l’OpÉra, ce soir ... on dÉblaye À bras raccourci: vous savez que dÉblayer signifie Écourter.—P. Mahalin.

DÉbloquer (military), to cancel an order of arrest.

DÉbonder (popular), to ease oneself; to go to “West Central,” or to the “crapping ken.” See Mouscailler.

DÉborder (popular), to vomit, “to cast up accounts,” or “to shoot the cat.”

DÉboucler (thieves’), to open; to set a prisoner at liberty.

DÉboucleur, m. (thieves’), de lourdes, a housebreaker, “buster,” or “screwsman.”

DÉbouler (popular), to be brought to childbed, “to be in the straw;” to arrive, or “to crop up.”

DÉboulonnÉ (popular), Être ——, to be dull-witted, or to be a “dead-alive.”

DÉboulonner (popular), la colonne À quelqu’un, to thrash one soundly, “to knock one into a cocked hat.” See Voie.

DÉbourrÉ (horse-dealers’), cheval ——, horse which suddenly loses its fleshy appearance artificially imparted by rascally horse-dealers.

DÉbourrer (popular), to educate one, “to put one up to;” —— sa pipe, to ease oneself, or “to go to the chapel of ease.” See Mouscailler. Se ——, to become knowing, “up to a dodge or two,” or a “leary bloke.”

DÉbouscailler (popular), to black one’s boots.

DÉbouscailleur (popular), shoeblack.

DÉbrider (thieves’), to open; —— les chasses, to open one’s eyes; (popular) —— la margoulette, to eat, “to grub.” See Mastiquer.

DÉbridoir, m. (thieves’), key; skeleton key, “screw,” or “twirl.”

DÉbrouillard, m. (popular), one who has a mind fertile in resource, in contrivances to get on in the world, or to extricate himself out of difficulties, a “rum mizzler.” Also used as an adjective. Literally one who gets out of the fog.

DÉbrouiller (theatrical), un rÔle, to make oneself thoroughly acquainted with the nature of one’s part before learning it, to realize fully the character one has to impersonate.

DÉcadener (thieves’), to unchain.

DÉcalitre, m. (popular), top hat, “stove-pipe.” See Tubard.

DÉcampiller (popular), to decamp, “to bunk.”

DÉcanailler (popular), se ——, to rise from a state of abjection and poverty.

DÉcanillage, m. (popular), departure; moving one’s furniture; —— À la manque, moving after midsummer term.

En juillet le dÉmÉnagement est une fÊte. Mais en octobre, n, i, ni, c’est fini de rire: le dÉmÉnagement est funÈbre et s’appelle le dÉcanillage À la manque.—Richepin, Le PavÉ.

DÉcarcassÉ, adj. (theatrical), is said of a bad play.

DÉcarcasser (popular), quelqu’un, to thrash one soundly, “to knock one into a cocked hat.” See Voie. Se ——, to give oneself much trouble; to move about actively, fussily. DÉcarcasse-toi donc, rossard! look alive, you lazy bones! Se —— le boisseau, to torture one’s brains; to fret grievously.

DÉcarrade, f. (thieves’), general scampering off; departure.

DÉcarre, f. (thieves’), release from prison.

DÉcarrement, m. (thieves’ and popular), escape.

DÉcarrer (thieves’), to leave prison; to run away, “to guy.” See Patatrot.

On les emmÈne tous et pendant ce temps-lÀ le gueusard dÉcarre avec son camarade.—Vidocq.

Also to come out.

Nous allons nous cacher dans l’allÉe en face, nous verrons dÉcarrer les messiÈres.—E. Sue.

DÉcarrer À la bate, to escape; —— cher, to be released after having done one’s “time;” —— de belle, to be released without trial; —— de la geÔle, to be released on the strength of an order of discharge.

DÉcartonner (popular), se ——, to grow old; to grow weak.

DÉcati, adj. (popular), no longer young or handsome; seedy, faded. Elle a l’air bien ——, she has a faded, worn appearance.

DÉcatir (popular), se ——, to get faded, worn, seedy.

DÉcavage, m. (familiar), circumstances of a gamester who has lost all his money, or who has “blewed” it. From dÉcavÉ, ruined gamester.

DÉcembraillard, m., opprobrious epithet applied to Bonapartists. An allusion to the coup d’État of the 2nd December, 1851, when Louis NapolÉon Bonaparte, then President of the Republic, threw into prison dissentient members of parliament and generals who refused to join in the conspiracy, shelled the boulevards, shot down hundreds of harmless loungers, and transported or exiled 50,000 republicans or monarchists.

DÉcembrisade, f., an act similar to the coup d’État of 2nd December, 1851. See DÉcembraillard.

DÉchanter (popular), to recover from an error; to be crestfallen after one’s illusions have been dispelled; to come down a peg or two.

DÉchard, m. (popular), needy; man who is “hard up.”

DÈche, f. (popular), neediness. Etre en ——, to be “hard up” for cash; “to be at low tide.”

DÉcheux, m. (popular), needy man, “quisby.”

DÉchirÉe, f. (popular), elle n’est pas trop ——, is said of a woman who is yet attractive in spite of years.

DÉchirer (military), de la toile, to perform platoon firing; —— la cartouche, to eat. See Mastiquer. (Popular) DÉchirer son faux-col, son habit, son tablier, to die. (Ironical) Ne pas se ——, to have a good opinion of oneself and to show it.

DÉclaquer (popular), to open one’s heart; to make a clean breast of.

DÉclouer (popular), to redeem objects from pawn, to get objects “out of lug.”

DÉcognoir, m. (popular), nose, “boko,” or “smeller.” See Morviau.

DÉcoller (popular), to leave a place; to leave one’s employment; —— son billard, to die. See Pipe. Se ——, to fail; to grow old, rickety; to die, “to kick the bucket.”

DÉcompte, m. (military), mortal wound. Recevoir son ——, to die; see Pipe; “to lose the number of one’s mess.”

DÉcors, m. pl. (freemasons’), ornaments, insignia.

DÉcoucheur (military), soldier who is in the habit of stopping away without leave.

DÉcoudre (familiar), en ——, to fight either in a duel or with the natural weapons.

DÉcouvrir (popular), la peau de quelqu’un, to make one say things which he would rather have left unsaid; “to pump one;” “to worm” secrets out of one.

DÉcramponner (familiar), se ——, to get rid of a troublesome person.

Pourquoi ai-je quittÉ Paris? Pour me dÉcramponner tout À fait de cet imbÉcile qui, pannÉ, dÉcavÉ, commenÇait À me porter la guigne.—Richepin, La Glu.

DÉcrasser (popular), quelqu’un, to corrupt one, “to put one up to snuff;” (prostitutes’) —— un homme, to clean a man out of his money, and in thieves’ language, to rob a man. See Grinchir.

DÉcravater (popular), ses propos, to use language of an objectionable character, or “blue talk.”

DÉcrocher (popular), to take articles out of pawn, or “out of lug;” (military) to shoot down; (thieves’) to steal handkerchiefs, “to haul stooks;” (popular) —— un enfant, to bring about a miscarriage; (familiar) —— la timballe, to be fortunate, or, as the Americans term it, “to get the cake,” or “to yank the bun.” An allusion to the practice of hanging a silver cup as a prize at the top of a greasy pole.

DÉcrochez-moi-Ça (popular), woman’s bonnet; old clothes dealer; shop where secondhand clothes, or “hand-me-downs,” are sold.

DÉcrotter (popular), un gigot, to leave nothing of a leg of mutton but the bare bone.

DÉculottÉ, m. (popular), bankrupt, “brosier.”

Dedans (familiar), fourrer or mettre quelqu’un ——, to lock one up; to impose upon one, “to bamboozle.” Se mettre ——, to make a mistake; to get tipsy. (Popular) Voir en ——, to be tipsy, applicable especially to those who hold soliloquies when in their cups. See Pompette.

DÉdÈle, f. (popular), mistress, “moll.”

DÉdire (thieves’), se —— cher, to be at death’s door. Properly to repent one’s crimes.

DÉdurailler (thieves’), to remove prisoners’ irons.

DÉfalquer (popular), to ease oneself; to go to the “crapping ken.” See Mouscailler.

DÉfarguer (thieves’), to grow pale; to be acquitted.

DÉfargueur, m. (thieves’), witness for the defence.

DÉfendre (popular), sa queue, to defend oneself.

DÉffardeur, m. (popular), thief, “cross cove.” See Grinche. From de and fardeau, literally one who eases you of your burden.

DÉfiger (popular), to warm. From de and figer, to coagulate.

DÉfiler (popular), aller voir —— les dragons, to go without a dinner. See Aller. (Military) DÉfiler la parade, to die, “to lose the number of one’s mess.” See Pipe. (Popular) Se ——, to run away, “to leg it.” See Patatrot.

DÉfleurir (thieves’), la picouse, to steal linen hung out to dry, “to smug snowy.”

DÉformer (popular), to break; to put out of gear. Je lui ai dÉformÉ une quille, I broke one of his legs.

DÉfouque. See Desfoux.

DÉfourailler (thieves’), to run, “to pad the hoof,” or “to guy;” see Patatrot; to fall; to be released from jail.

DÉfrimousser (popular), synonymous with dÉvisager, to peer into one’s face.

DÉfrusquer, dÉfrusquiner (popular), to strip one of his clothes. Se ——, to undress.

DÉgauchir (thieves’), to steal, “to nim,” “to claim.” See Grinchir.

DÉgazonner (familiar), se ——, to become bald. Il a le coco tout dÉgazonnÉ, he is quite bald. See Avoir.

DÉgel, m. (popular), death.

DÉgelÉ (popular), corpse, “cold meat.”

DÉgelÉe, f. (popular), thrashing, “walloping.”

DÉgeler (popular), se ——, to die, “to kick the bucket;” see Pipe; to become knowing. (Fencing) DÉgeler son jeu, to put spirit into one’s play.

DÉglinguer (popular), to damage.

DÉgobillade, f. (popular), vomit; very bad liquor, “swizzle.”

DÉgommade, f. (popular), old age; decrepit state.

DÉgommage, m. (popular), dismissal, “the sack;” ruin.

DÉgommer (popular), quelqu’un, to excel over one. Literally to dismiss one from a situation; to kill. Se ——, to grow old, faded.

DÉgorger (popular), to pay, “to fork out.”

DÉgottage, m. (popular), action of surpassing one; of finding or discovering something.

DÉgotter (military), to kill; (popular) to surpass one; to find; to discover.

DÉgouler (popular), to take away; to fall, “to come a cropper.”

DÉgoulinage, m. (popular), inferior drink, “swizzle.”

DÉgouliner (popular), to drip; —— ce qu’on a sur le coeur, to unbosom.

DÉgourdi, m. (popular), ironical, clumsy fellow, “stick in the mud.” Properly it has the opposite meaning.

DÉgoÛtation, f. (popular), expression of disgust. Une —— d’homme, a disgusting fellow. The expression is a favourite one of the street-walking tribe.

DÉgoÛtÉ, adj. (popular), ironical. N’Être pas ——, is said of one who expresses a desire of obtaining something considered by others to be too good for him; also of one who picks out for himself the most dainty bits.

DÉgraisser (popular), to steal, “to prig,” see Grinchir; —— quelqu’un, to fleece one. Se ——, to grow thin.

DÉgrimoner (popular), se ——, to bestir oneself; to struggle; to wriggle.

DÉgringiller (popular), to come out. DÉgringillons de la carrÉe, let us leave the room.

DÉgringolade, f. (thieves’), theft in a shop; —— À la flÛte, robbery committed by a street-walker.

DÉgringoler (thieves’), to steal, “to nim;” —— À la carre, to steal property from shops. This kind of robbery is practised principally by women, and the thief is called a “bouncer.”

DÉgrossir (freemasons’), to carve.

DÉgrouper (popular), se ——, to separate.

DÉgueularder (thieves’), to talk, to say, “to rap.” Ne dÉgueularde pas sur sa fiole, say nothing about him.

DÉgueulas, dÉgueulatif, adj. (popular), annoying; disgusting.

J’conobre l’truc; ’l est dÉgueulas.—Richepin. (I know the trade; it is disgusting.)

DÉgueulatoire, adj. (popular), disgusting; repulsive.

DÉgueulbite, dÉgueulboche, adj. (popular), disgusting.

DÉgueuler (popular), to sing, or “to lip.”

DÉgueulis, m. (popular), vomit.

DÉguis, m. (thieves’), disguise.

DÉguiser (popular), se —— en cerf, to make off, “to brush,” or “to leg it.” See Patatrot.

DÉjetÉ, adj. (popular), weakly; ugly. N’Être pas trop ——, to be still handsome.

DÉjeÛner, m. and verb (popular), de perroquet, biscuit dipped in wine; (military) —— À la fourchette, to fight a duel.

DÉjosÉphier (popular), to educate, not in the better sense of the word; “to put one up to snuff.” An allusion to Madame Potiphar’s attempts on Joseph’s virtue.

De la bourrache! (popular), expressive of refusal; might be rendered by “no go!” “you be blowed.” See NÈfles.

DÉlass. Com. (popular), theatre of the DÉlassements Comiques.

DÉlicat et blond (popular), is said ironically of a dandy or “Jemmy Jessamy;” also of an effeminate fellow who cannot bear pain or discomfort.

DÉlicoquentieusement (theatrical), marvellously.

DÉlige, f. (popular), for diligence, public coach.

DÉmancher (popular), se ——, to bestir oneself; to give oneself much trouble.

DÉmaquiller (thieves’), to undo.

DÉmarger (thieves’), to go away; to make off, “to crush,” “to guy.” See Patatrot.

DÉmarquer (literary), to pirate others’ productions, or to alter one’s own so as to pass them off as original.

DÉmarqueur, m. (literary), de linge, literary pirate.

DÉmÉnager (popular), to become mad, or “balmy;” to die, “to kick the bucket;” —— À la cloche de bois, de zinc, or À la sonnette de bois, to move one’s furniture secretly, the street door bell having been muffled so as to give no more sound than a wooden one, “to shoot the moon;” —— À la ficelle, to remove one’s furniture through a window by means of a rope; —— par la cheminÉe, to burn one’s furniture on receiving notice to quit, so as to cheat the landlord.

Demi-aune, f. (popular), arm, “bender.” Tendre la ——, to beg.

Demi-cachemire, f. (familiar), kept woman in a good position, but who has not yet reached the top of the ladder.

Demi-castor, f., woman of the demi-monde, a “pretty horse-breaker,” or “tartlet.” See Gadoue.

Demi-cercle, pincer au ——. See Cercle.

Demi-lune (popular), rump, “cheek.”

Demi-mondaine, f. (familiar), woman of the demi-monde. See Gadoue.

Demi-monde, m. (familiar), the world of the higher class of kept women, of “pretty horsebreakers.”

Demi-sel, demi-poil, demi-vertu, f. (popular), girl who has lost her maidenhead, her “ceincture,” as Villon termed it.

Demi-stroc, m. (thieves’), half a “setier,” that is, one-fourth of a litre.

DÉmoc-soc, m. (familiar), socialist. An abbreviation for dÉmocrate-socialiste.

Demoiselle, f. (popular), a certain measure for wine, half a “monsieur;” bottle of wine.

Demoiselles, f. (familiar), ces ——, euphemism for gay ladies; —— du bitume, du Pont Neuf, street-walkers.

DÉmolir (literary), to criticise with harshness, to run down literary productions; (popular) to thrash soundly, “to knock into a cocked hat,” see Voie; to kill.

DÉmolisseur, m. (literary), sharp and violent critic.

DÉmorfilage (card-sharpers’), setting right again cards which have been marked.

DÉmorfiler, action of doing dÉmorfilage (which see); also to have one’s wounds cured.

DÉmorganer (thieves’), to give in to one’s arguments.

DÉmurger (thieves’), to leave a place; to be set at liberty.

Denaille, m. (thieves’), Saint ——, Saint-Denis, an arrondissement of Paris.

DÉnicheur, m. (popular), de fauvettes, one fond of women, “mutton-monger.”

Dent, f. (popular), avoir de la ——, to have preserved one’s good looks; to be still young. Mal de dents, love. N’avoir plus mal aux dents, to be dead.

Dentelle, f. (thieves’), bank notes, “rags, flimsies, screenes, or long-tailed ones.”

DÉparler (popular), to cease talking; to talk nonsense.

DÉpartement, m. (popular), du bas rein, breech. See Vasistas. A play on the word Rhin.

DÉpendeur, m. (popular), d’andouilles. See Andouilles.

DÉpenser (popular), sa salive, to talk, or “to jaw away.”

DÉpiauter, dÉpioter (popular), to skin. Se ——, to break one’s skin; to undress, “to peel.”

DÉplanquer (thieves’), to remove stolen property out of hiding-place; —— son faux centre, to be convicted under an alias.

DÉplumer (popular), se ——, to get bald. Avoir le coco dÉplumÉ, to be bald, “to have a bladder of lard,” or “to be stag-faced.” See N’avoir plus.

DÉponer (popular), to ease oneself, “to go to the chapel of ease.” See Mouscailler.

DÉporter (popular), to discharge from a situation, “to give the sack.”

DÉpÔt, m. (popular), dÉpÔt de la PrÉfecture de Police. Caisse des dÉpÔts et consignations, place of ease, or “crapping ken.”

DÉpotoir, m. (thieves’), confessional; (popular) chamber pot, or “jerry;” strong box, or “peter;” house of ill-fame, or “nanny-shop.”

DÉpuceleur, m. (popular), de nourrices, or de femmes enceintes; ridiculous Lovelace.

DÉputÉ, m. (theatrical), free ticket.

De quoi (popular), wealth; what next? what do you mean?

DÉrager (popular), to get pacified. Generally used in the negative. Il n’a pas encore dÉragÉ, he is yet in a rage.

DÉraillÉ, m. (familiar), one who has lost caste.

DÉrailler (familiar), to talk nonsense, cock-and-bull-story fashion.

DÉralinguer (sailors’), to die. Properly to detach from the bolt rope. See Pipe.

DÉrondiner (popular), to pay, “to shell out.” Se ——, to spend or give away one’s money. Ronds, halfpence.

DÉrouler (thieves’), se ——, to spend a certain time, not specified, in prison, “to do time.”

DerriÈre, m. (popular), roue de ——, five-franc piece. Se lever le —— le premier, to get up in a bad humour. Used as a preposition: (Printers’) DerriÈre le poÊle chez Cosson, words used to evade replying to an inquiry.

DÉsargentÉ, adj. (thieves’), in want of money.

Quand on est dÉsargentÉ on se la brosse et l’on ne va pas se taper un souper À l’oeil.—Vidocq.

DÉsargotÉ, adj. (thieves’), Être ——, to be shrewd, to be a “file,” to be “fly,” or a “leary bloke.”

DÉsargoter (thieves’), to employ cunning.

DÉsarrer (thieves’), to flee, to “guy.” or “to make beef.” See Patatrot.

DÉsatiller (thieves’), to castrate. Horse-trainers term the operation “adding one to the list.”

D’esbrouffe, or d’esbrouf (thieves’), by force. Pesciller ——, to take by force. Estourbir ——, to knock over the head.

Descendre (popular), quelqu’un, to shoot one, “to pot;” to throw down; —— le crayon sur la colonne, to thrash, see Voie; —— la garde, to die, see Pipe. (Theatrical) Descendre, to approach the footlights. (Sporting) Un cheval qui descend, horse against which the odds are decreasing.

DÉsenbonnetdecotonner, to give elegance to. “De,” and “en bonnet de coton,” a nightcap.

DÉsenflaquer (popular), se ——, to amuse oneself. (Thieves’) Se ——, to get out of prison; to get out of trouble.

DÉsenfrusquiner (popular), se ——, to undress.

DÉsentiflage, m. (thieves’), separation; divorce.

DÉsentifler (thieves’), to separate; to divorce.

Desfouque. See Desfoux.

Desfoux, f. (popular), silk cap sported by women’s bullies. From the maker’s name.

Desgenais, a character of a comedy by Th. BarriÈre. Faire son —— en chambre, to play the moralist.

Desgrieux, associate of prostitutes and swindlers. A character from Manon Lescaut, by l’AbbÉ PrÉvost.

DÉshabillage, m. (literary), ill-natured criticism.

Si l’on veut passer un joli quart d’heure on n’a qu’À faire jaser un peintre connu sur un autre peintre Également connu. Quel dÉshabillage! mes amis.

DÉshabiller (popular), to thrash, “to wallop.” See Voie.

DÉsoler (thieves’), to throw.

DÉsosse, f. (popular), distress. Jouer la ——, to be ruined, “cracked up,” “gone to smash.”

DÉsossÉ, m. (popular), very thin man; ruined man, “brosier.”

DÉsosser (popular), quelqu’un, to pommel one. See Voie.

DessalÉe, f. (popular), prostitute, or “bed-fagot.” See Gadoue.

Dessaler (thieves’), to drown. (Popular) Se ——, to drink a morning glass of white wine; to drink, “to moisten one’s chaffer.”

Dessous, m. (theatrical), tomber dans le troisiÈme, or trente-sixiÈme ——, the expression is used to denote that a play has been a complete fiasco. (Familiar) Tomber dans le troisiÈme ——, to fall into utter discredit. (Thieves’) Dessous, man loved for “love,” not for money; a bully.

Dessus, m. (thieves’), man who keeps a woman, the dessous being the said woman’s lover.

Destuc (thieves’), Être d’——, to be partners in a robbery; to be in a “push.” “I’m in this push,” is the notice given by an English thief to another that he means to “stand in.”

DÉtachÉ, adj. (sporting), cheval ——, horse which keeps the lead.

DÉtacher (thieves’), le bouchon, to steal a watch, “to nick a jerry,” “to twist a thimble,” or “to get a red toy.”

DÉtaffer (thieves’), to grow bold. De and taf, fear.

DÉtailler (theatrical), le couplet, to sing with appropriate expression the different parts of a song; —— un rÔle, to bring out all the best points of a part.

DÉtaroquer (thieves’), to obliterate the marking of linen.

DÉteindre (popular), to die, “to kick the bucket,” or “to snuff it.” See Pipe.

DÉteler (popular), to renounce the pleasures of love.

DÉtoce, or dÉtosse, f. (thieves’), ill-luck; poverty.

DÉtourne, f. (thieves’), vol À la ——, robbery in a shop, or from the shop-window, generally committed by two confederates, the one engrossing the shopkeeper’s attention while the other takes possession of the property.

DÉtourneur, m., dÉtourneuse, f., thief who operates after the manner described under the heading of “Vol À la dÉtourne” (which see).

DÉtraquer (popular), se —— le trognon, to become crazy, to become “balmy.”

Dette (thieves’), payer une ——, to be in prison, to “do time.”

Deuil, m. (popular), demi ——, coffee without brandy. Grand ——, with brandy. (Familiar) Il y a du ——, things are going on badly. Porter le —— de sa blanchisseuse, to have dirty linen.

Deux (popular), les —— soeurs, the breech, or “cheeks.” See Vasistas. (Thieves’) Partir pour les ——, to set out for the convict settlement, “to lump the lighter.”

DÉvalidÉ, adj. (familiar), synonymous of invalidÉ, unreturned candidate for parliament.

Devant, m. (popular), de gilet, woman’s breasts, “Charlies.”

DÉveinard, m. (popular), unlucky.

Un de ces ouvriers dÉveinards, un de ces inventeurs en chambre, qui ont comptÉ sur le coup de fortune du nouvel an.—Richepin, Le PavÉ.

DÉveine, f. (popular), constant ill-luck.

DÉvidage, m. (thieves’), long speech, or yarn; walk in prison yard; —— À l’estorgue, lie, “gag;” accusation. Faire des dÉvidages, to make revelations.

DÉvider (thieves’), to talk, “to patter;” —— À l’estorgue, to lie; —— le jars, to speak the cant of thieves, “to patter flash;” —— une retentissante, to break a bell; (popular) —— son peloton, to talk a great deal; to make a confession.

DÉvideur, m., dÉvideuse, f. (thieves’), chatterer, “clack-box.”

DÉvierger (popular), to seduce a maiden.

DÉvirer (thieves’ and cads’), to turn round.

DÉvisser (popular), le coco, to strangle; —— le trognon À quelqu’un, to wring a person’s neck. Se ——, to go away. Se —— la pÉtronille, to break one’s head.

DÉvisseur, m. (popular), slanderer, backbiter.

Devoir (gay girls’), une dette, to have promised a rendez-vous.

DÉvoyÉ, adj. (thieves’), acquitted.

Diable, m. (thieves’), instigator in the employ of the police.

Diamant, m. (theatrical), voice of a fine quality, “like a bell;” (popular) paving stone.

Dibolata, dibuni (Breton cant), to fight, to thrash.

Dictionnaire Verdier, m. (printers’), imaginary dictionary of which the name is shouted loud whenever one speaks or spells incorrectly.

Dieu (popular), le —— terme, rent day. Il n’y a pas de bon ——, see Bon.

DifficultÉ, f. (sporting), Être en ——, is said of a horse which can just keep the start obtained at the cost of the greatest efforts.

Difoara (Breton cant), to pay.

Dig-dig, or digue-digue, m. (thieves’), epileptic fit. Batteur de ——, vagabond who pretends to be seized with a fit.

Digonneur, m. (popular), ill-tempered man, a “shirty” one.

Dijonnier (popular), mustard-pot. The best mustard is manufactured at Dijon.

Diligence, f. (popular), de Rome, tongue, or “velvet.”

Dimanche (popular), or —— aprÈs la grand’ messe, never, at Doomsday, or when the devil is blind.

Dindonner (popular), to deceive; to impose upon, “to bamboozle.” From dindon, a dupe, a fool.

Dindornier, m. (thieves’), hospital attendant.

DÎner (popular), en ville, to dine off a small roll in the street. A philosophical way of putting it.

Dinguer (theatrical), to be out of the perpendicular; (popular) to walk, to lounge. Envoyer ——, to send to the deuce.

Discussion, f. (popular), avoir une —— avec le pavÉ, to fall flat, “to come a cropper.”

Disque, m. (popular), breech, or “tochas,” see Vasistas; also coin.

DistinguÉ, m. (popular), glass of beer.

Dix-huit (popular), shoe made up of different parts of old ones. A play on the words “deux fois neuf,” twice new, or eighteen.

DixiÈme, m. (military), passer au —— rÉgiment, to die. See Pipe. A play on the word “dÉcimer,” to kill one in ten.

Doche, f. (thieves’), mother. BoÎte À ——, coffin.

Doigt, m. (familiar), se fourrer le —— dans l’oeil, or le —— dans l’oeil jusqu’au coude, to be grossly mistaken. Etre de la sociÉtÉ du —— dans l’oeil, to be one of those who form ambitious hopes not likely to be realized. Name given after the Commune of 1871 to a group of Communists in exile who had separated from the rest, and had divided among themselves all the future official posts of their future government—a case of selling chickens, &c., with a vengeance.

Domange (popular), marmite À ——, waggon which carries away the contents of cesspools. Marmiton de ——, scavenger employed at emptying the cesspools. Travailler pour M. ——, to eat. See Mastiquer. M. Domange is the name of a contractor who has, or had, charge of the cleaning of all Paris cesspools.

Dome, m. (thieves’), Saint ——, or saindomme, tobacco, or “fogus.”

Dominer (theatrical), is said of an actor standing behind another who is nearer to the footlights. It must be said, in explanation, that the stage-floor has an incline from the back to the front of the stage.

Domino-culotte, m., the last domino in a player’s hand.

Dominos, m. pl. (thieves’), jeu de ——, teeth. Avoir le jeu complet de ——, to possess one’s set of teeth complete. Jouer des ——, to eat. See Mastiquer.

Comme tu joues des dominos (des dents), À te voir, on croirait que tu morfiles (mords) dans de la crignole (viande).—Vidocq.

Donne, f. (gambling cheats’), la ——, the act of skilfully shuffling a pack so as to leave underneath certain cards which the cheat reserves for himself.

Donner (thieves’), to look; to see, “to pipe;” to peach, or “to blow the gaff;” —— À la Bourbonnaise, to scowl at one; —— du chasse À la rousse, to be on the look-out, “to nark,” or “to nose;” —— du flan, or de la galette, to play fairly; —— sur le buffeton, to read an indictment; —— un pont À faucher, to lay a trap; to prepare a snare for one; to deceive one, “to kid;” —— une affaire, to give the information required for the perpetration of a robbery. (Popular) Donner de la salade, to give one something more than a good shaking, see Voie; —— du cambouis À quelqu’un, to make fun of one; to play a trick; —— du dix-huit, see Donner cinq et quatre; —— du vague, to seek for one’s living; —— la savate, to give a box on the ear, or “buck-horse;” —— son bout, or son bout de ficelle, to dismiss; to give the “sack;” (ironical) —— des noms d’oiseaux, to be very loving; —— cinq et quatre, to slap one with the palm, then with the back of the hand; —— un coup de poing dont on ne voit que la fumÉe, to give a terrific blow in the face, “a thumper.” La ——, to sing, “to lip.” Se —— de l’air, to go out. Se la ——, to be off; to run away, “to slope,” see Patatrot; also to fight, “to pitch into one another.” (Familiar) Donner la migraine À une tÊte de bois, to be an insufferable bore; —— son dernier bon À tirer, to die; —— de la grosse caisse, to puff up a book or trade article; —— du balai, to dismiss; (Saint-Cyr cadets’) —— du vent, to bully.

Donneur, m., de bonjour. See Bonjour. (Thieves’) Donneur d’affaires, malefactor of an inventive genius who suggests to others plans of robberies or “plants.”

Donnez-la! (thieves’), look out! “shoe leather!” Synonymous of “chou!” “acresto!” “du pet!”

Dorancher (thieves’), to gild.

Dormir (popular), en chien de fusil, to double oneself up, when sleeping, into the shape of an S; —— en gendarme, to sleep with one eye open; to sleep a “fox’s sleep.”

Dorna (Breton), to get drunk.

Dorner (Breton), drunkard.

Dort dans l’auge, m. (popular), lazy individual, “lazy bones,” or “bummer.”

Dort-en-chiant (popular), extremely lazy man, with no energy whatever, with no heart for work, “a bummer.”

Dos, m. (general), woman’s bully, “Sunday man;” —— d’azur, vert, same meaning. For synonymous terms see Poisson. Scier le —— À quelqu’un, to importune; “to bore” one.

Dose, f. (popular), unpleasant thing.

DossiÈre, f. (thieves’), prostitute, “bunter,” see Gadoue; —— de satte, arm-chair.

Douanier, m. (popular), glass of absinthe. An allusion to the uniform of custom-house officers, which, like absinthe, is green. Termed also “un perroquet.”

Doublage, doublÉ, m. (popular), robbery.

Double, m. (military), sergeant-major; (popular) —— six, negro. Also the two upper front teeth. (Thieves’) Gras ——, sheet lead, or “flap.” Termed also “saucisson.”

Doubler (thieves’), to steal, “to claim,” or “to nick;” (familiar) —— un cap, to avoid passing before a creditor’s door; to be able to settle a debt or pay a bill when it falls due; —— le cap du terme, to be able to pay one’s rent when it becomes due, to be able to clear the dreaded reef of rent day.

Doubleur, doubleux, m., doubleuse, f. (thieves’), thief, “prig,” see Grinche; —— de sorgue, night thief.

Doublin, m. (thieves’), ten-centime piece.

Doublure, f. (theatrical), actor who at a moment’s notice is able to take the part of another; (popular) —— de la piÈce, breasts, “Charlies.”

Douce, f. (thieves’), silk or satin stuff, “squeeze.” (Popular) A la ——, gently; pretty well. Comment qu’Ça va aujourd’hui? mais, À la ——, how are you to-day? pretty bobbish. La couler, or la passer À la ——, to live an easy life, devoid of cares.

Doucette, f. (thieves’), a file. An endearing term for that very useful implement.

Douceur, f. (thieves’), faire en ——, to rob from the person without any violence, with suavity, so to speak. Le mettre en ——, to extort property by dint of wheedling.

Douillard, m. (thieves’ and popular), wealthy man, “rag-splawger,” “rhinoceral,” one “well-ballasted.”

Douillards, m. (thieves’ and popular), hair.

Douille, f. (thieves’ and popular), money, “pieces.” See Quibus. Aboule la ——, “dub the pieces.”

Douiller (thieves’), to pay, “to dub;” —— du carme, to give money, “to dub pieces.”

Douilles, f. (thieves’), hair, or “thatch;” —— savonnÉes, white hair. Termed also “tifs, douillards, plumes.”

Douillet, m., douillette, f. (thieves’), hair, “thatch;” mane.

Douillure, f. (thieves’), head of hair.

Douleur, f. (popular), avaler or Étrangler la ——, to drink a glass of brandy, the great comforter it would appear.

Douloureuse, f. (popular), reckoning at an eating-house. The term is expressive of one’s sorrow when comes the dreaded “quart d’heure de Rabelais.”

Dousse, f. (thieves’), fever.

Doussin, m. (thieves’), lead, “bluey.”

Doussiner (thieves’), to line with lead.

Doux, m. (popular), du ——, some sweet liquor such as Chartreuse, CuraÇao.

Dovergn (Breton), horse.

DragÉe, f. (military), bullet, “plum.” DragÉe, properly sweetmeat. Gober une ——, to receive a bullet.

Dragons. See Aller voir dÉfiler.

Drague, f. and m. (popular), une ——, table, implements or plant of a conjuror, of a mountebank. (Thieves’) Un ——, surgeon, “nim gimmer.”

Dragueur, m. (popular), quack, “crocus;” conjurer; mountebank.

Drap (popular), manger du ——, to play at billiards, to play “spoof.”

Drapeau, m. (freemasons’), serviette. Grand ——, table-cloth.

Drapeaux, m. (popular), swaddling clothes.

Dregneu, parler en ——, is to combine this word with other words. “Je suis pris,” becomes “Je dregue suidriguis pridriguis.”

Drille, or dringue, f. (popular), diarrhoea, “jerry-go-nimble;” (thieves’) five-franc piece.

Drive (sailors’), Être en ——, to be out on a spree, or “on the booze.”

Drogue, f. (popular), article of bad quality, “Brummagem article.” Mauvaise ——, ill-natured man or woman. Petite ——, wicked girl; disreputable girl, “strumpet.”

Droguer (popular), to wait a long time; (thieves’) to ask for. The term seems to imply that asking for is a tedious process, and that it is preferable to help oneself.

Droguerie, f. (thieves’), a request. That is, an unpleasant task.

Drogueur, m. (thieves’), de la haute, expert thief or swindler, “gonnof.”

Droguiste, m. (thieves’), swindler; sharper, “shark.” Termed also, in English slang, “hawk,” in opposition to the “pigeon” or victim. See Grinche.

Droitier, m. (familiar), member of the right, or monarchist party in parliament. See Centrier.

Dromadaire, m. (popular), prostitute, or “mot.” Formerly a veteran of the Egypt campaign.

Drouillasse, f. (popular), diarrhoea, “jerry-go-nimble.”

Dubuge, f. (thieves’), lady, “burerk.”

Duc, m. (familiar), large carriage which holds two people inside, and has room for two servants in front and two behind; —— de guiche, turnkey, “dubsman;” —— de la panne, needy man; —— d’en face (ironical), an allusion to an insignificant man who is seeking to make a show of undue importance or to give himself grand airs.

Duce, m. (thieves’), secret signal agreed upon among sharpers.

DuchÊne (popular), passer À ——, to get a tooth extracted. An allusion to the name of a famous dentist.

Duel, m. (popular), des yeux qui se battent en ——, squinting eyes, or “swivel eyes.”

Du gas, m. (sailors’), my lad.

Dumanet (familiar), appellation given to a private soldier, answers to the English “Thomas Atkins.” Dumanet is the name of one of the characters of a play.

Dun, parler en ——, art of disguising words by means of the syllable “dun.” The letter n is substituted for the first letter of the word when it is a consonant, added when a vowel. The last syllable is followed by du, which acts as a prefix to the first. Thus “maison” becomes “naisondumai,” “Paris” becomes “Narisdupa.”

Dunik (Breton), mass.

Dunon, parler en ——, process similar to the one called “parler en dun” (which see).

Dur, adj. and m. (popular), À la dÉtente, or À la desserre, stingy, close-fisted; man who is slow in paying his debts. Du ——, spirits. (Printers’) Etre dans son ——, to be working hard.

Duraille, f. (thieves’), stone; precious stone, “spark.”

Dure, f. (thieves’), stone; the central prison; —— À briquemon, À rifle, flint. Voler quelqu’un À la ——, to rob a man with violence, “to jump a cove.”

DurÊme, m. (thieves’), cheese.

Durillon, m. (popular), hump.

Durin, m. (thieves’), iron.

Duriner (thieves’), to tip with iron.

Dusse. See Duce.

Du vent (popular), or de la mousse, de l’anis, des dattes, des navets, des nÈfles, du flan, derisive expressions of refusal; might be rendered by, “you be blowed,” “don’t you wish you may get it,” “you’ll get it in a hurry,” &c.

Dynamitard, m. (familiar), dynamiter, one who aims at regenerating society by the free use of dynamite.