Dickens, in that marvellous little book, A Christmas Carol, says:—
“Old Marley was as dead as a DOOR-NAIL.
“Mind! I don’t mean to say that I know of my own knowledge what there is particularly dead about a DOOR-NAIL. I might have been inclined myself to regard a COFFIN-NAIL as the deadest piece of ironmongery in the trade. But the wisdom of our ancestors is in the simile: and my unhallowed hands shall not disturb it, or the country’s done for. You will, therefore, permit me to repeat, emphatically, that Marley was as dead as a DOOR-NAIL.”
Nail in one’s coffin, a dram, “a drop o’ summat’ short,” a jocular, but disrespectful phrase, used by the lower orders to each other at the moment of lifting a glass of spirits to their lips. “Well, good luck! here’s another NAIL IN MY COFFIN.” This is probably in ridicule of teetotal or temperance preachers, and the arguments adduced by them. Another phrase with old topers is “shedding a tear,” also “wiping an eye.”
Namby-pamby, particular, over-nice, effeminate. This was possibly of Pope’s invention, and first applied by him to the affected short-lined verses addressed by Ambrose Phillips to Lord Carteret’s infant children. See Johnson’s Life of Pope.
Nammus, or NAMOUS, to be off, to get away; “let’s NAMMUS, somebody’s coming.” See [VAMOS].
Nanny-shop, a disreputable house.
Nantee, not any, or “I have none.” Nantee also means “shut up!” or “leave off!” Italian, NIENTE, nothing. See [DINARLY].—Lingua Franca.
Nantee palaver, no conversation, i.e., hold your tongue. Very often in this sense also shortened to NANTEE only. Originally Lingua Franca, but now general.
Nap, or NAB, to take, steal, or receive; “you’ll NAP it,” i.e., you will catch a beating.—North; also Old Cant.