Page:Farmer - Slang and its analogues past and present - Volume 3.pdf/307

 'Go to hell and pump thunder.'] For analagous phrases, see Oaths.

1836. Michael Scott, Cruise of the Midge, p. 72. So, good men, go to hell all of you—do—very mosh go to hell—do.

1889. Daily News, 21 Dec., p. 7, c. 1. He was asked to see somebody about his evidence, and told him to go to hell.

1892. Kipling, Barrack Room Ballads. 'Ford o' Kabul River.' Kabul town'll go to hell.

Hell and Scissors! intj. (American).—An ejaculation of surprise and ridicule. In England, Scissors!

Hell-bender, subs. (American).—A drunken frolic; a tremendous row. Also Hell-a-popping and Hell's delight.

Hell-broth, subs. (common).—Bad liquor. For synonyms, see Drinks.

Hell-cat (-hag, -hound, -kite, etc.), subs. (old: now recognised).—A man or woman of hellish disposition; a lewdster of either sex; cf., Hallion.

1606. Shakspeare, Macbeth, v., 7. Macd. Turn, hell-hound, turn! Macb. Of all men else I have avoided thee.

1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v.

1725. New Cant. Dict., s.v.

1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.

Hell-driver, subs. (old).—A coachman.

1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v.

1725. New Cant. Dict., s.v.

Hellite, subs. (gaming).—A professional gambler.—Ducange.

1838. Grant, Sketches in London. Prosecuting the hellites for assault.

Hellophone, subs. (American).—The telephone. [From Halloo! + phone.]

Help, subs. (colloquial: once literary).—A hired assistant. Lady-help = a woman acting as a companion, and undertaking the lighter domestic duties with or without wages.

1824. Peake, Americans Abroad, i., 1. Have you seen my help—my nigger.

1839. De Quincey, Murder as one of the Fine Arts, ii. For domestic helps are pretty generally in a state of transition.

1848. Burton, Waggeries, p. 77. A bevy of ready helps rushed upon him and tore him from the seat of honour.

1861. Hughes, Tom Brown at Oxford, ch. vi. 'Well, you've had a pretty good day of it,' said Tom, who had been hugely amused; 'but I should feel nervous about the help, if I were you.'

So help (or s'elp or s'welp) me God (Bob, never, or say-so, etc.), phr. (common).—An emphatic asseveration.

1888. J. Runciman, The Chequers, p. 86. I'll pay it back, s'elp me Gord.

1892. A. Chevalier, 'Mrs. 'Enery 'Awkins.' Selp me Bob I'm crazy, Liza, you're a daisy.

1892. Milliken, 'Arry Ballads, p. 62. 'Selp me never, old pal, it's a scorcher.

1893. Emerson, Signor Lippo, ch. xiv. Well, so help my blessed tater, if this isn't our old Jose turned up again.

Helpa, subs. (back).—An apple.

Helpless, adj. ( colloquial ).—Drunk. For synonyms, see Drinks and Screwed.

Hemispheres, subs. (venery).—The paps. For synonyms, see Dairy.

Hemp (or Hemp-seed, Stretch-Hemp, Hemp-string, or Hempy), subs. (old).—1. A rogue; a candidate fit for the gallows. Frequently used jocularly. A crack-halter (q.v.). fr., une graine de bagne.