SPOONS, “when I was SPOONS with you,” i.e., when young, and in our courting days before marriage.—Charles Mathews, in the farce of Everybody’s Friend.
SPORT, to exhibit, to wear, &c.,—a word which is made to do duty in a variety of senses, especially at the University. See the Gradus ad Cantabrigiam. “To SPORT a new tile;” “to SPORT an Ægrotat” (i.e., a permission from the “Dons” to abstain from lectures, &c., on account of illness); “to SPORT ONE’S OAK,” to shut the outer door and exclude the public,—especially duns, and boring acquaintances. Common also in the Inns of Court.—See Notes and Queries, 2nd series, vol. viii., p. 492, and Gentleman’s Magazine, December, 1794.
SPORTING DOOR, the outer door of chambers, also called the OAK.—See under [SPORT].—University.
SPOTTED, to be known or marked by the police.
SPOUT, “up the SPOUT,” at the pawnbroker’s; SPOUTING, pawning.—See [POP] for origin.
SPOUT, to preach, or make speeches; SPOUTER, a preacher or lecturer.
SPRAT, sixpence.
SPREAD, butter.
SPREAD, a lady’s shawl. Spread, at the East end of London, a feast, or a TIGHTENER; at the West end a fashionable reunion, an entertainment, display of good things.
SPREE, a boisterous piece of merriment; “going on the SPREE,” starting out with intent to have a frolic. French, ESPRIT. In the Dutch language, SPREEUW is a jester.