“I put my OAR in no man’s boat.”—Thackeray.
Oat, an atom. Probable corruption of iota, or perhaps from the small size of an oat. “I never got an OAT of it,” I never received the smallest portion.
Oat-stealer, an ostler.
Obfuscated, intoxicated.
Obliquitous, oblivious of distinction between right and wrong.—American.
Obstropolous, Cockney corruption of obstreperous.
Ochre, money, generally applied to gold, for a very obvious reason.
O’clock, “like ONE O’CLOCK,” a favourite comparison with the lower orders, implying briskness; otherwise “like winkin’.” “To know what’s O’CLOCK” is to be wide-awake, sharp, and experienced.
Odd man out, a street or public-house game at tossing. The number of players is three or more. Each tosses up a coin, and if two come down head, and one comes tail, or vice versâ, the ODD MAN loses or wins, as may have been agreed upon. Frequently used to victimize a “flat.” If all be alike, then the toss goes for nothing, and the coppers are again “skied.” It is easy for two men to arrange matters beforehand at this game, and so swindle a third.
Odd man, a man who trains in company with a boat’s crew, so that in the event of any one falling ill the seat will be fairly occupied.