Page:Farmer - Slang and its analogues past and present - Volume 1.pdf/23

 hold up to admiration he says are about East, i.e., 'about right.' Indeed, it is surprising what a strong hold this idea has upon the minds of men. Many a familiar phrase recalls the old times and the old folks to memory, which, in this respect, is evergreen. They talk of going down East, that is, to New England, while the Down-Easter is neither more nor less than the pure and veritable Yankee.--Farmer's Americanisms, Old and New.

About Right, adv. phr. (vulgar).--Correctly; to the purpose; properly--general satisfaction on the part of the speaker concerning a given thing or action. 'Arry sometimes varies the locution by ter rights (q.v.).

1850. F. E. Smedley, Frank Fairleigh, ch. iv. 'You're about right, there, Mr. Lawless; you're down to every move, I see, as usual.'

1883. Hawley Smart, Hard Lines, ch. xxii. 'I am afraid your schemes went a little awry yesterday,' observed Mrs. Daventry ... 'You're about right; they did.'

About the Size of It, adv. phr. (American).--1. An expression covering a wide field--assent, general satisfaction, approval, etc. Synonymous with about RIGHT; O.K.; TER RIGHTS, etc.

2. Used also for 'how'; 'how much,' etc.--a measure of quantity or quality.

1876 (?). James Greenwood, New 'Roughs' Guide' in 'Odd People in Odd Places.' Got no home, no wittles, and never a 'a'penny to buy none with. That's about the size of how destitoot we are, sir.

1881. Punch, May 14, p. 228. Sir G[ORGIUS] M[IDAS] GOES IN FOR CULTURE. "Look 'ere, Clarke. 'Appy thought! I'll make this little room the libery, you know; 'ave a lot o' books. Mind you order me some.' 'Yes, Sir Gorgius. What sort of books shall I order?' 'Oh, the best, of course, with binding and all that to match!' 'Yes, Sir Gorgius, how many shall I order?' 'Well,--let me see,--suppose we say a couple o' 'undred yards of 'em, hay? That's about the size of it, I think.'

Above Board, adv. phr. (common).--Without disguise or concealment; with an absence of artifice. Jamieson refers this to the language of the gaming table, the players when changing cards putting their hands on, i.e., above the table or board to ensure fair dealing. It appears, however, even in its figurative sense to be a colloquialism of long standing.--See Murray's New English Dictionary.

Above One's Bend, adv. phr. (American).--See Bend.

Above Par, adv. phr. (familiar).--Used figuratively in a multitude of senses, e.g. (1) in reference to one's health or spirits, in good condition; (2) applied to a man in liquor it signifies a state of moderate drunkenness; or (3) used in regard to pecuniary matters it is synonymous with being 'flush,' having 'the needful'--'best bliss of earth,' as Duncombe puts it. Derived from the technical, commercial meaning. Stocks are said to be at par when purchasable at their 'face' value; when at a premium they are above par; and when selling at a decline in value, i.e., at a discount, they are said to be below par; hence the colloquial usage. See example in quotation. Synonyms, UP TO, Or ABOVE THE MARK.