Page:Farmer - Slang and its analogues past and present - Volume 1.pdf/47

 'remonstrates' with the manager. The term is also used to designate the hard-up borrower of petty sums.

Alive and Kicking, adv.phr. (popular).--An intensive form of 'alive' in its most colloquial sense of being alert and full of action. In the days of Pierce Egan's Tom and Jerry, alive partook far more of the nature of slang than now. Sometimes all alive and kicking is varied by all alivo; knowing; all fly. The allusion is to a child in the womb after quickening.

1889. Globe, Oct. 4, p. 1, col. 3. Next day there appeared a letter from a Mr. Basil Watts Phillips, who proclaimed himself as a son of the playwright, and stated, moreover, that his mother, the playwright's widow, as well as another son, named Gordon, were--to use a popular phrase--'alive and kicking.' Miss Emma, therefore, could hardly be recognised, with fairness, as the 'only living representative of the late Watts Phillips.'

Allacompain, subs.(rhyming slang).--Forms: alacompain, alicumpane, elecampain, etc. 1. In the so-called rhyming slang this is the equivalent of rain.

2. (common).--Candy supposed to be made from the root of inula helenium or bellwort; it contains, however, little else than colored sugar.

All A-Float -(rhyming slang).--A coat.

All Alive, adv. and adj. (tailors').--Ill-made garments, and 'misfits,' are said to be all alive.

All Along of (vulgarism).--On account of; by reason of, etc.

All-a-Mort.--See Amort.

All Around Sports, sub. (American).--Obviously a corruption Of 'all round sportsmen,' i.e., men whose interest in sport is catholic, and all embracing.

All at Sea, adv. phr. (popular).--In an uncertain, vague condition. Of nautical origin, and perhaps more colloquial than slang; equivalent to all abroad (q.v.).

All Brandy, adv. phr. (common).--When it is desired to commend or speak well of anything it is said to be all brandy. The use of such a term suggests curious reflections upon the drinking habits of those who employ it.

Synonyms. A1; the pure quill; about east; about right; at par; the cheese.

All Dickey.--See Dickey.

Alleviator, subs. (common).--A drink; refreshment.

1846. Mark Lemon, Golden Fetters. If any of you feel thirsty after this exciting interview, I shall be happy to stand an alleviator.

Synonyms. Gargle; smile; Alderman Lushington; long sleeved 'un (Australian, when taken from a long glass); shout; etc.--See Gargle.

Alley, Ally, Alay, subs. (schoolboys' term).--A superior kind of marble. Supposed to be a corrupted and abbreviated form of 'alabaster,' of which these superior kind of marbles are sometimes made. Alley is the name given to the medium sizes, smaller ones