Central, m. (familiar), pupil of the “Ecole Centrale,” a public engineering school; telegraph office of the “Place de la Bourse.”
Centre, m. (thieves’), name, “monarch or monniker.” Also a meeting-place for malefactors. Un —— à l’estorgue, a false name, or “alias.” Un —— d’altèque, a real name. Coquer son ——, to give one’s name. (Familiar) Le —— de gravité, the behind, or “seat of honour.” See [Vasistas]. Perdre son ——, to be tipsy, “fuddled.”
Centré, adj. (popular), is said of one who has failed in business, “gone to smash.”
[Centrier], or centripète, m. (military), foot soldier, “beetle-crusher or wobbler;” (familiar) member of the “Centre” party (Conservative) of the House, under Louis Philippe. The House is now divided into “extrême gauche” (rabid radicals); “gauche” (advanced republicans); “centre-gauchers” (conservative republicans); “centre” (wavering members); “centre droit” (moderate conservatives); “droite” (monarchists and clericals); “extrême droite” (rabid monarchists and ultramontane clericals).
Centriot, m. (thieves’), nickname.
[Cercle], m. (thieves’), silver coin. (Familiar) Pincer or rattraper au demi ——, to come upon one unawares, to catch, “to nab” him. From an expression used in fencing.
Cercueil, m. (students’), glass of beer. A dismal play on the word “bière,” which has both significations of beer and coffin.
Cerf, m. (popular), injured husband, or cuckold. Se déguiser en ——, to decamp; to run away; to be off in a “jiffy.” See [Patatrot].
Cerf-volant, m. (thieves’), female thief who strips children at play in the public gardens or parks. A play on the words “cerf-volant,” kite, and “voler,” to steal.