Long firm, a gang of swindlers who obtain goods by false pretences. They generally advertise or answer advertisements. The word LONG is supposed to be from a playful allusion made by one of the firm to the length of their credit.
Long-ghost, a tall, thin, awkward person. Sometimes called “lamp-post.”
Long-headed, far-seeing, clever, calculating.
Long-hundred, a Billingsgate expression for 120 fresh herrings, or other small fish, the long-hundred being six score.
Long-odds, the odds which denote that the man or animal laid against has, or is supposed to have, little or no chance.
Long-shore butcher, a coast-guardsman.—Sea. All people who get their livings by the side of the Thames below bridge are called LONG-SHORE folk.
Long-tailed beggar, a cat. The tale that hangs thereby runs thus:—A boy, during his first very short voyage to sea, had become so entirely a seaman, that on his return he had forgotten the name of the cat, and was obliged, pointing to puss, to ask his mother “what she called that ’ere LONG-TAILED BEGGAR?” Accordingly, sailors, when they hear a freshwater tar discoursing too largely on nautical matters, are very apt to say, “But how, mate, about that ’ere LONG-TAILED BEGGAR?”
Long-tailed-one, a bank-note or “flimsy” for a large amount.
Long-tails, among shooters, are pheasants; among coursers and dog-fanciers they are greyhounds.