Vous croyez peut-être que j’invente, que je brode d’imagination et que je fais de chic cette seconde vie.—Richepin.
Chic, chique, adj., excellent, “fizzing;” dashing, stylish. Un pékin ——, well-dressed, rich man. Un homme ——, a man of fashion, a well-dressed one, a well-to-do man. Un —— homme, a good, excellent man.
Chican, m. (thieves’), hammer.
Chicandard. See [Chicard].
Chicander (popular), to dance the “Chicard step.” See [Chicard].
Chicane, f. (thieves’), grinchir à la ——, stealing the purse or watch of a person while standing in front of him, but with the back turned towards him—a feat which requires no ordinary dexterity.
[Chicard], m. (popular), buffoon character of the carnival, in fashion from 1830 to 1850. The first who impersonated it was a leather-seller, who invented a new eccentric step, considered to be exceedingly “chic;” hence probably his nickname of Chicard. His “get-up” consisted of a helmet with high plume, jackboots, a flannel frock, and large cavalry gloves. Pas ——, step invented by M. Chicard.
Chicard, chicancardo, chicandard, adj., superlative of “chic,” “tip-top,” “out and out,” “slap up,” “tzing tzing.”
Chicarder, to dance the Chicard step. See [Chicard].
Chic et contre, warning which mountebanks address to one another.