Dubsman, or [SCREW], a turnkey.—Old Cant.
Ducats, money.—Theatrical Slang.
Duck, a bundle of bits of the “stickings” of beef sold for food to the London poor.—See [FAGGOT].
Ducket, a ticket of any kind. Generally applied to pawnbroker’s duplicates and raffle cards. Probably from DOCKET.
Ducks, trousers. Sea term. The expression most in use on land is “white DUCKS,” i.e., white pantaloons or trousers.
Ducks and Drakes, “to make DUCKS AND DRAKES of one’s money,” to throw it away childishly—derived from children “shying” flat stones on the surface of a pool, which they call DUCKS AND DRAKES, according to the number of skips they make.
Dudder, or DUDSMAN, a person who formerly travelled the country as a pedlar, selling gown-pieces, silk waistcoats, &c., to countrymen. In selling a waistcoat-piece, which cost him perhaps five shillings, for thirty shillings or two pounds, he would show great fear of the revenue officer, and beg the purchasing clodhopper to kneel down in a puddle of water, crook his arm, and swear that it might never become straight if he told an exciseman, or even his own wife. The term and practice are nearly obsolete. In Liverpool, however, and at the East-end of London, men dressed up as sailors, with pretended silk handkerchiefs and cigars “only just smuggled from the Indies,” are still to be plentifully found.
Dudeen, or DUDHEEN, a short tobacco-pipe. Common term in Ireland and the Irish quarters of London.
Duds, clothes, or personal property. Gaelic, DUD; Ancient Cant; also Dutch.
Duff, to cheat, to sell spurious goods, often under pretence of their being stolen or smuggled.