Driz, lace. In a low lodging-house this singular autograph inscription appeared over the mantelpiece. “Scotch Mary, with DRIZ [lace], bound to Dover and back, please God.” It is a common thing for ignorant or superstitious people to make some mark or sign before going on a journey, and then to wonder whether it will be there when they return.
Driz-fencer, a person who sells lace.
Drop, “to DROP an acquaintance,” to relinquish a connexion, is very polite slang. Dropping is distinguished from cutting by being done gradually and almost imperceptibly, whereas cutting has outward and visible signs which may be unpleasantly resented. To “DROP money” at any form of speculation or gambling, is to lose it.
Drop, to quit, go off, or turn aside; “DROP the main Toby,” go off the main road.
Drop, “to DROP a man,” to knock him down; “to DROP into a person,” to give him a thrashing. See [SLIP] and [WALK]. “To DROP on a man,” to accuse or rebuke him suddenly.
Drop it, synonymous with “cut it” or “cheese it.” Probably from the signal given in the good old hanging days by the culprit, who used generally to drop a handkerchief when he was ready for the cart to be moved from under him.
Drum, a house, a lodging, a street; HAZARD-DRUM, a gambling-house; FLASH-DRUM, a house of ill-fame.
Drum, the ear.—Pugilistic. An example of slang synecdoche.
Drum, as applied to the road, is doubtless from the Wallachian gipsy word “DRUMRI,” derived from the Greek, δρόμος.
Drum, old slang for a ball or rout; afterwards called a hop.