Chalk Farm.—A well-known tavern and tea-garden, near Primrose-hill, alias Cockney-mount, between Hampstead and Highgate. This house is said to have taken its name from the farm being of a chalky soil, or, do they use double chalk! to their customers, who frequent this house either for amusement—or mischief! the “farm” is much resorted to by those persons who cannot settle a dispute without the use of powder and shot. Hence Jemmy Green says—“Vell, I’m glad its settled vithout bloodshed—Chalk Farm! pistols! half-past six!—Pooh!!!”
Chalk Up.—To have credit at a public-house, where they usually chalk up the amount behind the door, or on a large slate kept for that purpose.
Copy of Uneasiness.—A copy of a writ.
Corinthians.—Sporting men of rank and fashion:—I am no proud Jack, Like Falstaff, but a Corinthian, a lad of mettle.—Shakespeare.
Corinthian Kate—and her friend Sue.—In the original Life in London these ladies were meant as sketches in water colours of the notorious Mrs. Maples, alias Mrs. Bertram, alias Mother Bang; and the no less notorious Harriett Wilson, alias Mrs. Colonel Rochfort; heroines whose “birth, parentage, and education—life, character, and behaviour,” have been made execrable by that congenial pair of publishers in infamy Messrs. Stockdale and Duncombe:—The characters of Kate and Sue are in rather different keeping in the dramatic version, and are at the service of any couple of modest, harmless, though at the same time somewhat adventurous, love-sick, roving young ladies, that may choose to claim them.
Costermonger.—See my friend Hone’s Jewel of a Work, for Instruction and Amusement, the Every Day Book, Vol. I.
Cousin Betty.—A travelling prostitute, frequenting fairs, races, and country club feasts.—“Ah! could you but see Bet Bouucer of these parts, you might then talk of beauty. Ecod! she has two eyes as black as sloes, and cheeks as broad and red as a pulpit cushion.” Tony Lumpkin: She Stoops to Conquer.
Cove, or Covey.—A knowing fellow, covess feminine of cove. Covess of the Ken, the mistress of the house.
Cover me Decently.—A great coat with men, and a cloak with women.
Court Card.—A trump, or out and out good one. A spirited fellow.