Dick, a riding whip; gold-headed DICK, one so ornamented.
Dick, abbreviation of “Dictionary,” but often euphemistically rendered “Richard,”—fine language, long words. A man who uses fine words without much judgment is said to have “swallowed the DICK.”
Dickens, synonymous with devil; “what the DICKENS are you after?” what the devil are you doing? Used by Shakspeare in the Merry Wives of Windsor. In many old stories his Satanic Majesty is called the DICKENS, and by no other name, while in some others the word is spelt “diconce.”
Dickey, bad, sorry, or foolish; food or lodging is pronounced DICKEY when of a poor description; “very DICKEY”, very inferior; “it’s all DICKEY with him,” i.e., all over with him.
Dickey, formerly the cant for a worn-out shirt, but nowadays used for a front or half-shirt. Dickey was originally “tommy” (from the Greek, τομή, a section), a name which was formerly used in Trinity College, Dublin. The students are said to have invented the term, and love of change and circumlocution soon changed it to DICKEY, in which dress it is supposed to have been imported into England.
Dickey, a donkey.—Norfolk.
Dickey Sam, a native of Liverpool.
Dicking; “look! the bulky is DICKING,” i.e., the constable has his eye on you.—North Country Cant.
Diddle, old cant word for geneva, or gin.
Diddle, to cheat, or defraud.—Old. In German, DUDELN is to play on the bagpipe; and the ideas of piping and cheating seem to have been much connected. “Do you think I am easier played on than a pipe?” occurs in Hamlet.