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

TYE, or TIE, a neckerchief. Proper hosier’s term now, but slang thirty years ago, and as early as 1718. Called also, SQUEEZE.

UNBETTY, to unlock.—See [BETTY].

UNCLE, the pawnbroker.—See [MY UNCLE].

UNDER THE ROSE.—See [ROSE].

UNICORN, a style of driving with two wheelers abreast, and one leader,—termed in the United States, a SPIKE TEAM. Tandem is one wheeler and one leader. Random, three horses in line.

UNUTTERABLES, trousers—See [INEXPRESSIBLES].

UNWHISPERABLES, trousers.

UP, “to be UP to a thing or two,” to be knowing, or understanding; “to put a man UP to a move,” to teach him a trick; “it’s all UP with him,” i.e., it is all over with him, often pronounced U.P., naming the two letters separately; “UP a tree,” see [TREE]; “UP to TRAP,” “UP to SNUFF,” wide awake, acquainted with the last new move; “UP to one’s GOSSIP,” to be a match for one who is trying to take you in;—“UP to SLUM,” proficient in roguery, capable of committing a theft successfully.

UPPER BENJAMIN, a great coat.

UPPER STOREY, or UPPER LOFT, a person’s head; “his UPPER STOREY is unfurnished,” i.e., he does not know very much.