Latchpan, the lower lip—properly a dripping-pan; “to hang one’s LATCHPAN,” to pout, be sulky.—Norfolk.
Lavender, “to be laid up in LAVENDER;” to be in pawn; to be out of the way for an especial purpose. From the practice among housewives of placing LAVENDER in drawers in which linen and clothes are to be kept for any period.
Law, “to give LAW to an animal” is a sporting term signifying to give the hare or stag a chance of escaping, by not setting on the hounds till the quarry has run some distance. Also, used for giving any one a chance of succeeding in a difficult undertaking by allowing him so much grace or preliminary notice.
Lay, a pursuit or practice, a dodge. Term in this sense much used by thieves.
Lay, in wagering, to bet against a man or animal. Betters are divided in racing slang into layers and takers; they are otherwise known as bookmakers and backers.
Lay, some, a piece. “Tip me a LAY of pannum,” i.e., give me a slice of bread.—North.
Lay, to watch; “on the LAY,” on the look-out.—Shakspeare.
Lay down the knife and fork, to die. Compare PEGGING-OUT, [HOPPING THE TWIG], and similar flippancies.
Lead, or FRIENDLY LEAD, a gathering at a low public-house, for the purpose of assisting some one who is “in trouble” (in these cases trouble always means imprisonment), who has just “come out of trouble,” or who is in want of a “mouthpiece.” A LEAD is different from a raffle, inasmuch as no article is put up or thrown for, but in the course of the evening some friend of the troubled one LEADS OFF by putting a certain sum in a plate, and the remainder of the party follow the LEAD with whatever they can spare. Sometimes people pay as they enter the room, but this does not alter the title or character of the meeting. In every other respect a LEAD is similar to a raffle; songs, dances, drinking, and a general desire to increase the bastardy averages being the most conspicuous features of the entertainment. Irish LEADS and raffles are characterized by less vice and more quarrelling than those of the lower orders of English people.
Leary, flash, knowing, artful, sly.