Kimmer, a gossip, an acquaintance, same as CUMMER.—Scotch.
“What’s a’ the steer, KIMMER?”
Kinchin, a child.—Old Cant. From the German diminutive, KINDCHEN, a baby.
Kinchin cove, a man who robs children; a little man.—Ancient Cant.
Kincob, uniform, fine clothes, richly embroidered dresses. Really, cloth of gold or silver.—Anglo-Indian.
Kingsman, a handkerchief with yellow patterns upon a green ground, the favourite coloured neckerchief of the costermongers. The women sometimes wear KINGSMAN kerchiefs thrown over their shoulders. A coster will often imagine his caste, or position, is at stake, if his KINGSMAN is not of the most approved pattern. When he fights, his KINGSMAN is tied around his waist as a belt. This partiality for a peculiar-coloured neckcloth is part of the fondness for gaudy colours which at all times and in all countries has been shown by the uncultivated. A strange similarity of taste for certain colours exists amongst the Hindoos, Gipsies, and London lower classes. Red and yellow (or orange) are the great favourites, and in these hues the Hindoo selects his turban and his robe; the gipsy his breeches, and his wife her shawl or gown; and the costermonger, his plush waistcoat and favourite KINGSMAN. Among either class, when a fight takes place, the greatest regard is paid to the favourite coloured article of dress. The Hindoo lays aside his turban, the gipsy folds up his fancy breeches or coat, whilst the pugilistic costermonger of Covent Garden or Billingsgate removes his favourite neckerchief to a part of his body, by the rules of the “ring,” comparatively out of danger.
King’s pictures (now, of course, QUEEN’S PICTURES), money.
Kisky, drunk, fuddled.
Kiss-curl, a small curl twisted on the temple. See [BOWCATCHER].
Kisser, the mouth.—Pugilistic term.