Sky-Lark, a lark with the “skies,” or ’scīs. The Westminster boys used to style themselves Romans, and the “town,” Volsci; the latter word was curtailed to ’sci [sky]. A row between the Westminsterians and the town roughs was called a ’sci-lark, or a lark with the Volsci.
Skyresh Bol´golam, the high admiral or galbert of the realm of Lilliput.--Swift, Gulliver’s[Gulliver’s] Travels (“Voyage to Lilliput,” iii., 1726).
Slackbridge, one of the “hands” in Bounderby’s mill at Coketown. Slackbridge is an ill-conditioned fellow, ill-made, with lowering eyebrows, and though inferior to many of the others, exercises over them a great influence. He is the orator, who stirs up his fellow-workmen to strike.--C. Dickens, Hard Times (1854).
Slammerkin (Mrs.). Captain Macheath says of her, “She is careless and genteel.” “All you fine ladies,” he adds, “who know your own beauty, affect an undress.”--Gay, The Beggar’s Opera, ii. 1 (1727).
Slander, an old hag, of “ragged, rude attyre, and filthy lockes,” who sucked venom out of her nails. It was her nature to abuse all goodness, to frame groundless charges, to “steale away the crowne of a good name,” and “never thing so well was doen, but she with blame would blot, and of due praise deprive.”
A foule and loathly creature sure in sight,
And in condition to be loathed no lesse:
For she was stuft with rancor and despight
Up to the throat, that oft with bitternesse
It forth would breake and gush in great excesse,