Pouring out streames of poyson and of gall
’Gainst all that truth or vertue doe professe,
Whom she with leasings lewdly did miscall,
And wickedly backbite. Her name men “Slaunder” call.
Spenser, Faëry Queen, IV. viii. 24 (1596[1596]).
Slang, from Slangenberg, a Dutch general, noted for his abusive and exaggerated epithets when he reproved the men under his command. The etymon is suited to this dictionary, and the following are not without wit:--Italian, s-lingua, s negative and lingua = “bad language;” French, esclandre, “an event which gives rise to scandal,” hence, faire esclandre, “to expose one to scandal,” causer de l’escandre, “to give ground for scandal;” Greek, skandălon, “an offense, a scandal.” “Slangs,” fetters for malefactors.
Slango, a lad, servant of Gaylove, a young barrister. He dresses up as a woman, and when Squire Sapskull comes from Yorkshire for a wife, Slango passes himself off as Arbella. In the mean time, Gaylove assumes the airs and manners of a Yorkshire tike, and marries Arbella, with whom he is in love.--Carey, The Honest Yorkshireman (1736).
Slawken-Ber´gius Hafen, an imaginary author, distinguished for the great length of his nose. In the Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy (by Sterne), Slawken-Bergius is referred to as a great authority on all lore connected with noses, and a curious tale is introduced from his hypothetical works about a man with an enormously long nose.
No nose can be justly amputated by the public, not even the nose of Slawken-Bergius himself.--Carlyle.
Slaygood (Giant), master of a gang of thieves which infested the King’s highway. Mr. Greatheart slew him, and rescued Feeblemind from his grasp in a duel.--Bunyan, Pilgrim’s Progress, ii. (1684).