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

SLOP, cheap, or ready made, as applied to clothing, is generally supposed to be a modern appropriation; but it was used in this sense in 1691, by Maydman, in his Naval Speculations; and by Chaucer two centuries before that. Slops properly signify sailors’ working clothes.

SLOP, a policeman. Probably at first back slang, but now general.

SLOPE, to decamp, to run, or rather slip away. Originally from LOPE, to make off; the s probably became affixed as a portion of the preceding word, as in the case of “let’s lope,” let us run.—Americanism.

SLOPS, chests or packages of tea; “he shook a slum of SLOPS,” i.e., stole a chest of tea.

SLOUR, to lock, or fasten.

SLOUR’D, buttoned up; SLOUR’D HOXTER, an inside pocket buttoned up.

SLOWED, to be locked up—in prison.

SLUICERY, a gin shop or public house.

SLUM, a letter.

SLUM, a chest, or package.—See [SLOPS].