My tulip, a term of endearment used by the lower orders to persons and animals; “‘Kim up, MY TULIP,’ as the coster said to his donkey when thrashing him with an ash stick.”
My uncle, the pawnbroker,—generally used when any person questions the whereabouts of a domestic article. “Oh! only at MY UNCLE’S” is the reply. “Up the spout” has the same meaning. It is worthy of remark that the French call this useful relative “ma tante,” my aunt.
Nab, to catch, to seize; “NAB the rust,” to take offence.—Ancient, fourteenth century. See [NAP].
Nab the rust, to take offence.
Nabob, an Eastern prince, a retired Indian official,—hence a slang term for a capitalist. From Nawaub.
Nabs, self; my NABS, myself; his NABS, himself.—North Country Cant.
Nag, to persistently talk in a scolding manner, after the manner of Mrs. Caudle. Nagging is supposed to be persistent, persevering, passionless scolding.
Nail, to steal, or capture; “paid on the NAIL,” i.e., paid ready money; NAILED, taken up, or caught,—probably in allusion to the practice of NAILING bad money to the counter. We say, “as dead as a door-NAIL;” most possibly because of “apt alliteration.” Shakspeare has the expression in Henry IV.—
“Falstaff. What! is the old king dead?
Pistol. As NAIL in door.”