Raffurer (thieves’), to recover; to recoup. From re and affurer, to procure money. From the Latin fur.
Raffut, m. (popular), uproar; row, “shindy.”
Rafiau, m. (popular), servant at an hospital; hospital attendant.
Rafiot, m. (popular), thing of small importance, “no great shakes;” adulterated article of inferior quality. Termed “surat” in the English slang. This word affords a remarkable instance of the manner in which slang phrases are coined. In the report of an action for libel in the Times, some few years back, it was stated that since the American Civil War it has been not unusual for manufacturers to mix American cotton with Surat, and, the latter being an inferior article, the people in Lancashire have begun to apply the term “surat” to any article of inferior or adulterated quality.
Rafraîchir (military), se ——, to fight with swords. From rafraîchir, to trim, the swords being the trimming instruments. (Popular) Se —— les barbes, to drink, “to wet one’s whistle.” American thieves term this, “to sluice one’s gob.”
Rage de dents, f. (popular), great hunger.
Ragot, m. (thieves’), quarter of a crown; (popular) short fat person, “humpty-dumpty.” The famous Ragotin of Scarron’s Roman Comique is short and fat. Faire du ——, to talk ill of one, to slander.
Ragougnasse, f. (popular), unsavoury stew.
Ragoût, m. (painters’), vigorous style of painting.