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 1888. Missouri Republican, 31 Mar. It is conceded by all that the HOODLUMS have nominated weak men, and the citizens will have easy sailing on Tuesday.

1890. Norton, Political Americanisms, s.v. HOODLUMS, A general name for roughs. It originated on the Pacific coast, as the designation of a company of young ruffians in San Francisco (about 1868). Subsequently it spread Eastward, and attained some political significance; as 'the HOODLUM element' in politics.

1892. Pall Mall Gaz., 29 Feb., p. 2, c. 2. A right of public meeting dependent on the good will of the HOODLUM is not worth having.

1893. National Observer, 4 Mar., ix., 398. In America, home of the HOODLUM, where they turn their murderers into mayors.

Hoodman, subs. (old).—A blind man; a groper (q.v.).

Adj. (old).—I. Blind. Also HOODMAN BLIND = blind drunk; cf., sense 2. Fr., berlu and sans mirettes.

2. (streets).—Drunk. For synonyms, see DRINKS and SCREWED.

Hoof, subs. (common).—A foot. For synonyms, see CREEPERS.

1836. M. Scott, Cruise of the Midge, p. 134. Contriving in their complex twirlifications not only to tread heavily on my toes with his own HOOFS, but to hop his partner repeatedly over the same unfortunate members.

1838. Grant, Sketches in London, p. 213. He again put both his ugly HOOFS on it.

1867. Browne ('Artemus Ward'), Among the Mormons [People's ed.], p. 193. Waving their lily-white HOOFS in the dazzling waltz.

1892. Sydney Watson, Wops the Waif, ch. iv., p. 5. Teddy, look out, yer've got yer HOOF on my trotters!'

Verb (common).—To kick; e.g., TO HOOF (or TOE) ONE'S BUM; to ROOT (q.v. for synonyms).

Hence to HOOF Out = to eject; to dismiss; to discharge; to decline to see.

To HOOF IT, (or TO PAD or BEAT THE HOOF), verb. phr. (common). To walk; to 'tramp it'; to run away. For synonyms, see AMPUTATE and SKEDADDLE. Hence HOOF-PADDING.

1596. SHAKSPEARE, Merry Wives, i., 3. Rogues, hence, avaunt, vanish like hailstones, go: Trudge, plod, AWAY O' THE HOOF.

d. 1687. COTTON, Poems, 'Epistles' (CHALMERS English Poets), vi., 736. Being then on foot away I go And BANG THE HOOF incognito.

1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew. s.v. HOOF it or BEAT IT ON THE HOOF, to walk on Foot.

1691-2. WOOD, Athenæ Oxonienses, ii., 560. Landing at Liverpool, in Lancashire, they all BEATED IT ON THE HOOF thence to London.

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

1772. CUMBERLAND, Fashionable Lover. Prologue. I am a devil, so please you, and must HOOF Up to the poet yonder with this proof.

1785. GROSE, Vulg. Tongue, s.v. HOOF. TO BEAT THE HOOF, to travel on foot; he HOOFED It, or BEAT THE HOOF, every step of the way from Chester to London.

1813. J. and H. SMITH, Horace in London, 'Hurly-Burly,' p. 24. When hostile squadrons BEAT THE HOOF.

1837. DICKENS, Oliver Twist, ch. ix. Charley Bates expressed his opinion that it was time TO PAD THE HOOF.

1885. Detroit Free Press, 5 Sept., p. 1, c. 1. These busted theatrical people who are HOOFING IT back to Detroit. They come along at all hours of the day and night.

1888. LYNCH, Mountain Mystery, ch. xviii. I s'posed he was tired out, and had got over watchin' for tricks. So I HOOFED IT in.

1892. MILLIKEN, 'Arry Ballads, p. 70. Scenery's all very proper, but where is the genuine pot who'd PAD THE 'OOF over the moors.