Addlepate, a foolish fellow, a dullard.
Admiral of the Red, a person whose very red face evinces a fondness for strong potations.
Affygraphy. “It fits to an AFFYGRAPHY,” i.e., to a nicety—to a T.
Afternoon Farmer, one who wastes his best opportunity, and drives off the large end of his work to the little end of his time.
Against the Grain, in opposition to the wish. “It went AGAINST THE GRAIN to do it, but I knew I must,” is a common expression.
Aggerawators (corruption of Aggravators), the greasy locks of hair in vogue among costermongers and other street folk, worn twisted from the temple back towards the ear. They are also, from a supposed resemblance in form, termed NEWGATE KNOCKERS, and sometimes NUMBER SIXES. This style of adorning the head is, however, fast dying out, and the everyday costermonger or street thief has his hair cut like any one else. The yearly militia drill may have had a good deal to do with this alteration.
Akeybo, a slang phrase used in the following manner:—“He beats AKEYBO, and AKEYBO beat the devil.”
Albertopolis, a facetious appellation given by the Londoners to the Kensington Gore district. Now obsolete.
Alderman, a half-crown—possibly from its rotundity. Also a long pipe.
Alderman, a turkey; “ALDERMAN IN CHAINS,” a turkey hung with sausages.