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of evil-wishers ran about chuckling, and rubbing their hands gleefully. 'I told you so,' cried Rubasore. Circumlocution Office again, sneered Crossgrain.

Circumslogdologize.—See Stockdollagize.

Circumstance. Not a circumstance, etc., phr. (American).—Not to be compared with; a trifle; of no account—unfavourable comparison.

18(?). J. H. Beadle, Western Wilds, p. 28. I took a broadhorn to Noo Orleens, and when I was paid off on the levee, I was the worst lost man you ever did see. In the middle of the thickest woods in the world wasn't a circumstance to it.

1848. J. R. Lowell, Biglow Papers. For Jacob warn't a suckemstance to Jeff at financierin'; He never'd thought of borryin' from Esau like all nater An' then cornfiscatin' all debts to sech a small pertater.

To whip [something] into a circumstance = to surpass. Thus a newspaper correspondent writes that 'the streets of Georgetown, Demerara, are broad, smooth, and well laid out. Georgetown could give points to New York in its roads, and whip it into a circumstance.'

Circus-Cuss, subs. (thieves').—A circus-rider.

Citizen, subs. (thieves').—A wedge for 'prizing open' safes, before the alderman (q.v.), and jemmy (q.v.).—See also Citizens' friend.

Citizens' Friend, subs. (thieves').—A smaller wedge than the citizen (q.v.), for 'prizing open' safes. The order in which the tools are used is (1) Citizens' Friend; (2) Citizen; (3) the Alderman (i.e., a Jemmy); and sometimes (4) a Lord Mayor. For synonyms, see Jemmy and Betty.

City College, subs. (thieves').—Newgate. In New York = 'The Tombs.' For synonyms, see Cage.

City Stage, subs. (old).—The gallows, formerly in front of Newgate. For synonyms, see Nubbing Cheat.

Civet, subs, (general).—The female pudendum. For synonyms, see Monosyllable.

Civil Reception.—See House of Civil Reception.

Civil-Rig, subs. (vagrants').—A trick to obtain alms by a profuse show of civility and obsequiousness.

Civvies, subs. (military).—Civilians' clothes, as opposed to regimentals. [A corruption of the legitimate word.]

Clack, subs. (colloquial).—1. Idle, loquacious talk; gossip; prattle—an exceedingly old usage. For synonyms, see Patter.

c. 1440. York, Myst. XXXIV., 211. Ther quenes vs comeres with her clakke. [m.]

1599. Nashe, Lenten Stuffe, in wks. V. 251. Their clacke or gabbling to this purport.

1678. Butler, Hudibras, pt. III., ch. ii. And, with his everlasting clack, Set all men's ears upon the rack.

1748. Smollett, Rod. Random, ch. liv. I dreaded her unruly tongue, and felt by anticipation the horrors of an eternal clack!

1812. H. and J. Smith, Rejected Addresses ('Punch's Apotheosis'). See she twists her mutton fists like Molyneux