Chanoine, m., chanoinesse, f. (thieves’), person in good circumstances, one worth robbing; —— de Monte-à-regret, one sentenced to death; old offender.
Chantage, m. (familiar), extorting money by threats of disclosures concerning a guilty action real or supposed, “jobbery.”
Chanter (familiar), to pay money under threat of being exposed. Faire —— quelqu’un, to extort money from one under threat of exposure; to extort “socket money.” (Popular) Faire —— une gamme, to thrash one, “to lead a dance.” See [Voie].
[Chanteur], m. (thieves’), juge d’instruction, a magistrate who investigates a case before trial; (familiar) man who seeks to extort money by threatening people with exposure. There are different kinds of chanteurs. Vidocq terms “chanteurs” the journalists who prey on actors fearful of their criticism; those who demand enormous prices for letters containing family secrets; the writers of biographical notices who offer them at so much a line; those who entice people into immoral places and who exact hush-money. The celebrated murderer Lacenaire was one of this class. Chanteur de la Chapelle Sixtine, eunuch. Maître ——, skilful [chanteur] (which see).
Chantier, m. (popular), embarrassment, “fix.”
Chaparder (military), to loot; to steal, “to prig.”
Chapelle, f. (familiar), clique. Termed also “petite chapelle;” (popular) wine-shop, or “lush-crib.” Faire ——, is said of a woman who lifts her dress to warm her limbs by the fire. Fêter des chapelles, to go the round of several wine-shops, with what result it is needless to say.
Chapelure, f. (popular), n’avoir plus de —— sur le jambonneau, to be bald, “to have a bladder of lard.” See [Avoir].
Chapi, m. (popular), hat, or “tile.” See [Tubard].
Chapiteau, m. (popular), head, or “block.” See [Tronche].