NE-DASH, nothing.
NEEDLE, (see [Nail]) to needle a person, is to haggle with him in making a bargain, and, if possible, take advantage of him, though in the most trifling article.
NEEDLE-POINTER. See [Nail].
NEEDY-MIZZLER, a poor ragged object of either sex; a shabby-looking person.
NIB, a gentleman, or person of the higher order. People who affect gentility or consequence, without any real pretensions thereto, are from hence vulgarly called Half-nibs or Half-swells; and, indeed, persons of low minds, who conceive money to be the only criterion of gentility, are too apt to stigmatize with the before-mentioned epithets any man, who, however well-bred and educated, may be reduced to a shabby external, but still preserves a sense of decorum in his manners, and avoids associating with the vagabonds among whom he may unfortunately be doomed to exist.
NIBB’D, taken in custody.
NIBBLE, to pilfer trifling articles, not having spirit to touch any thing of consequence.
NIBBLER, a pilferer or petty thief.
NIX, or NIX MY DOLL, nothing.
NOB IT, to act with such prudence and knowledge of the world, as to prosper and become independent without any labour or bodily exertion; this is termed nobbing it, or fighting nob work. To effect any purpose, or obtain any thing, by means of good judgment and sagacity, is called nobbing it for such a thing.