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 street) keeps a look-out for the 'enemy.' The hooker, having by careful manipulation got a hold of the desired prize, detaches it from the chain by breaking the ring and passes it to number two, who in turn passes it on to number three, from whom it is usually transferred to a receiver and melted down within a few hours of its being purloined.

2. (American).—A prostitute: i.e., a fisher, angler, or Hooker of men. For synonyms, see Barrack Hack and Tart.

Hookey. To play hookey, verb. phr. (American).—To play truant; to do Charley-wag (q.v.).

1876. Clemens [Mark Twain], Tom Sawyer, p. 100. Took his flogging for playing hookey the day before.

TO DO (or PLAY) HOOKEY (or hooky), verb. phr. (common).—To apply the thumb and fingers to the nose; to take a sight (q.v.); TO COFFEE-MILL (q.v.).

Hookey Walker! (or Walker!) intj. (common).—Be off! go away. Also implying doubt. Cf., with a hook. [Bee: From John Walker, a hook-nosed spy, whose reports were proved to be fabrications.]

1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v. Hookey Walker, An expression signifying that the story is not true, or that he thing will not occur.

1843. Dickens, Christmas Carol [1843], p. 169. 'Buy it,' said Scrooge. 'Walker!' said the boy.

1837. Barham, Ingoldsby Legends. 'Old Woman Clothed in Grey.' For mere unmeaning talk her Parch'd lips babbled now,—such as Hookey!—and Walker!—She expired, with her last breath expressing a doubt If 'his Mother were fully aware he was out?'

1840. 'Characters of Freshmen' (Whibley, Cap and Gown, p. 183). The pestilent freshman is very pugnacious, and walking in the streets suddenly turneth and asketh a huge snob 'what the deuce he meant by that?' Whereat the snob (having done nothing at all) coolly answereth (as the Pestilent Freshman intended he should) Hooky Walker, provocative of a combat.

Hooking-cow, subs. (Western American).—A cow that shows fight.

1887. Francis, Saddle and Mocassin. One was  a hooking-cow, and to escape her repeated charges tested all our ability.

Hook-pointed (or Hook-pintled), adj. (venery).—Imperfectly erected. Cf., Lob (q.v.).

Hook-pole Lay, subs. phr. (old).—Pulling a man off his horse by means of iron hooks at the end of a long pole, and plundering him. (Smith, Lives of Highwaymen, III., 192, 1720).

Hook-shop, subs. (American).—A brothel. [Hooker (q.v.) = prostitute.] For synonyms, see Nanny-shop.

Hoop, subs. (American).—1. A ring.

2. (Devon).—See Bullfinch.

3. (venery).—The female pudendum. For synonyms, see Monosyllable.

Verb (old).—To beat. To WELL HOOP ONE'S BARREL = to thrash soundly. For synonyms, see Tan.

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

TO HOOP IT (or GO THROUGH THE HOOP), verb. phr. (old).—1. To pass the Insolvent Debtor's Court; TO GET HOOPED UP = WHITEWASHED (q.v.). For synonyms, see Dead-broke.