Page:Farmer - Slang and its analogues past and present - Volume 7.pdf/7

 Vol. VII.

A Dictionary of Slang and its Analogues.

Strada Reale Highlanders, subs. phr. (military).—The 1st Batt. Gordon Highlanders, late The 75th Foot (King). [In 1812 the regiment was detailed for Mediterranean service, and for some time formed the Main Guard of the Governor's residence in the Strada Reale, Valetta.]

Straddle, subs. (Stock Exchange).—A contract in which the holder can call for (or the signatory can deliver) stock at a fixed price: a speculation covering both a put and a call (q.v.): cf. Spread-eagle. Also as verb.

Verb. (American political).—To adopt a non-committal attitude; to favour both sides; 'to sit on the fence' (q.v.): also as subs.

1884. Nation, 3 July, 4. The platform contains the well-known plank straddling the tariff question.

Straights (the), subs. (old London).—See quot. 1816. [Nares: 'formerly frequented by profligates; a Cant name.] See Bermudas.

1614. Jonson, Bartholomew Faire, ii. 6. Look into my angle o' the town (the streights, or the Bermudas) where the quarrelling lesson is read. Ibid. Turn pirates here at land, Ha' their Bermudas, and their straights i' th' Strand.

1816. Gifford, Jonson. Note to above. Cant names then given to the places frequented by bullies, knights of the post, and fencing masters These streights consisted of a nest of obscure courts, alleys, and avenues, running between the bottom of St Martin's Lane, Half Moon, and Chandos Street.

Adj. (colloquial).—Straight, generic for honesty, has, like round (q.v.), and square (q.v.), a large colloquial vogue. Thus a straight (= an exact) thinker; a straight (= a chaste) piece (q.v.); a straight (= an out-and-out) Tory: hence straight-out = thorough-going; straight (= neat: also duty-paid) whiskey; straight (= candid) speech; straight (= honest) people, living, etc.; straight (= honestly acquired) goods: also of persons = square (q.v.); a straight (=a trustworthy) tip, griffin, etc. (q.v.);