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

TOUCHED, slightly intoxicated.

TOUCHER, “as near as a TOUCHER,” as near as possible without actually touching.—Coaching term. The old jarveys, to show their skill, used to drive against things so close as absolutely to touch, yet without injury. This they called a TOUCHER, or, TOUCH AND GO, which was hence applied to anything which was within an ace of ruin.

TOUCHY, peevish, irritable. Johnson terms it a low word.

TOUT, to look out, or watch.—Old cant.

TOUTER, a looker out, one who watches for customers, a hotel runner.

TOWEL, to beat or whip. In Warwickshire an oaken stick is termed a TOWEL—whence, perhaps, the vulgar verb.

TOWELLING, a rubbing down with an oaken TOWEL, a beating.

TRACKS, “to make TRACKS,” to run away.—See [STREAK].

TRANSLATOR, a man who deals in old shoes or clothes, and refits them for cheap wear.

TRANSLATORS, second-hand boots mended and polished, and sold at a low price. Monmouth-street, Seven Dials, is a great market for TRANSLATORS.