Page:Dictionary of Slang, Jargon & Cant (1889) by Barrere & Leland.djvu/42

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Accumulator (racing), a person who backs one horse, and then if it wins results (sometimes in cluding original stakes) goes on to some other horse.

Ace of spades (old slang), a widow, alluding to the hue of the card. This slang word is given in the " Lexicon Bala tronicum," London 1811.

Ack (Christ's Hospital). In the slang of Blue Coat boys this word is expressive of denial or refusal.

Ack men or ack pirates (nautical), fresh water thieves. Probably from a corruption of "ark," meaning boat, as the term "ark ruffs" has a like significa tion. Ack, however, seems to have some connection with the old term aker (apparently from the Anglo-Saxon egor, the flow ing of the sea), which is still applied on the Trent to a kind of eddying twirl which occurs on the river when it is flooded. In the dialect of Craven, ac cording to Mr. Thomas Wright (Dictionary of Obsolete and Provincial English), a ripple on the surface of the water is termed an acker.

Acknowledge the corn, to (Ame- rican). To admit that one has been got the better of, or is outdone.

It is said that an Illinois hoosier once came to New Orleans with two boats, one loaded with corn, the other with potatoes. He fell among gamblers, was made drunk and "anted off" or lost both his boats. During the night there came a storm and the boat full of corn was sunk. In the morning the gamblers came to claim their stakes. The hoosier with great firmness replied, "Gentlemen, I acknowledge the corn, but the potatoes you shan't have

— by thunder!"

— American Newspaper. (Given more fully in Bartlett's Dictionary.)

A-cock (popular), knocked over, defeated; suddenly surprised, astounded.

He made a rush at me and sent me and my barrow all a-cock.

— Thames Police Report, May 25, 1867.

Also, cocked up.

The small grey sprig on the crown of our pericranium and the thin grey tail acock behind.

— Recreations of Christopher North.

Acorn (old cant), the gallows tree.

The acorn is planted for thee, my bonny

boy.

— Wilson's Tales of the Border.

Acquisitive (American), booty, plunder.

The officers surprised them packing up the acquisitive.

— The Man in Possession, by Leman Rede : Sunday Times.

An acquisitive cove, a man given to picking and stealing.

Acreocracy (American), a coined word to signify the landlord interest.

The introduction of a plutocracy amongst the aristocracy and the acreocracy, though it has tended somewhat to vulgarise our social institutions, has not been without its good effect.

— Hallberger's Illustrated Magazine (1878).

Acres (theatrical), a coward, from the pusillanimous Bob Acres in Sheridan's play.