Dust, to beat; “DUST one’s jacket,” i.e., give him a beating.
Dust-hole, Sidney Sussex College at Cambridge.—Univ. Slang.
Dust-hole, the Queen’s Theatre, Tottenham Court Road, was so called until comparatively recently, when it was entirely renovated and renamed, and now, as the Prince of Wales’s, it is one of the most fortunate and fashionable theatres in London.
Dustoorie, commission, douceur, bribe.—Anglo-Indian.
Dusty, a phrase used in answering a question where one expects approbation. “What do you think of this?” “Well, it’s not so DUSTY,” i.e., not so bad; sometimes varied to “none so DUSTY.”
Dutch, or Double Dutch, gibberish, or any foreign tongue. “To talk Double Dutch backwards on a Sunday” is a humorous locution for extraordinary linguistic facility.
Dutch auction, a method of selling goods, adopted by “CHEAP JOHNS,” to evade the penalties for selling without a licence. The article is offered all round at a high price, which is then dropped until it is taken. Dutch auctions need not be illegitimate transactions, and their economy (as likewise that of puffing) will be found minutely explained in Sugden (Lord St. Leonards) “On Vendors and Purchasers.”
Dutch concert, where each performer plays a different tune. Sometimes called a Dutch medley when vocal efforts only are used.
Dutch consolation, “thank God it is no worse.” “It might have been worse,” said a man whom the devil was carrying to hell. “How?” asked a neighbour. “Well, he’s carrying me—he might have made me carry him.”
Dutch courage, false courage, generally excited by drink—pot-valour.