A Dictionary of Slang, Cant, and Vulgar Words / Used at the Present Day in the Streets of London; the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge; the Houses of Parliament; the Dens of St. Giles; and the Palaces of St. James.

by John Camden Hotten

RIBBONS, the reins.—Middlesex.

RIBROAST, to beat till the ribs are sore.

—Old; but still in use:—

“And he departs, not meanly boasting

Of his magnificent RIBROASTING.”—Hudibras.

RICH, spicy; also used in the sense of “too much of a good thing;” “a RICH idea,” one too absurd or unreasonable to be adopted.

RIDE, “to RIDE THE HIGH HORSE,” or RIDE ROUGH-SHOD over one, to be overbearing or oppressive; to RIDE THE BLACK DONKEY, to be in an ill humour.

RIDER, in a University examination, a problem or question appended to another, as directly arising from or dependent on it;—beginning to be generally used for any corollary or position which naturally arises from any previous statement or evidence.

RIG, a trick, “spree,” or performance; “run a RIG,” to play a trick—Gipsey; “RIG the market,” in reality to play tricks with it,—a mercantile slang phrase often used in the newspapers.

RIGGED, “well RIGGED,” well dressed.—Old slang, in use 1736.—See Bailey’s Dictionary.—Sea.