ROWLAND. To give a Rowland for an Oliver; to give an equivalent. Rowland and Oliver were two knights famous in romance: the wonderful achievements of the one could only be equalled by those of the other.
ROYAL SCAMPS. Highwaymen who never rob any but
rich persons, and that without ill treating them. See
SCAMP.
ROYAL STAG SOCIETY. Was held every Monday evening,
at seven o'clock, at the Three tuns, near the Hospital
Gate, Newgate-street.
ROYSTER. A rude boisterous fellow; also a hound that
opens on a false scent.
TO RUB. To run away. Don't rub us to the whit; don't send us to Newgate. CANT.—To rub up; to refresh: to rub up one's memory. A rub: an impediment. A rubber; the best two out of three. To win a rubber: to win two games out of three.
RUBY FACED. Red-faced.
RUFF. An ornament formerly worn by men and women round their necks. Wooden ruff; the pillory.
RUFFIAN. The devil. CANT.—May the ruffian nab the cuffin queer, and let the harmanbeck trine with his kinchins about his colquarren; may the Devil take the justice, and let the constable be hanged with his children about his neck. The ruffian cly thee; the Devil take thee. Ruffian cook ruffian, who scalded the Devil in his feathers; a saying of a bad cook. Ruffian sometimes also means, a justice.
RUFFLES. Handcuffs. CANT.
RUFFLERS. The first rank of canters; also notorious rogues pretending to be maimed soldiers or sailors.