“Who in a row like Tom could lead the van,
Booze in the ken, or at the spellken hustle?
Who QUEER a flat,” &c.—Don Juan, xi. 19.
Queer bail, worthless persons who for a consideration formerly stood bail for any one in court. Insolvent Jews generally performed this office, which gave rise to the term Jew-bail, otherwise STRAW BAIL.
Queer-bit-makers, coiners.
Queer cuffen, a justice of the peace, or magistrate,—a very ancient term, mentioned in the earliest slang dictionary. In this sense, as well as in that of the verb just given, the term is evidently derived from quæro, to inquire, to question. Quiz and quis? have also an undoubted connexion.
Queer-soft, bad notes.
Queer-street, “in QUEER STREET,” in difficulty or in want.
Querier, a chimney-sweep who calls from house to house soliciting employment,—formerly termed [KNULLER], which see.
Qui-hi, an English resident at Calcutta.—Anglo-Indian.
Quick sticks, in a hurry, rapidly; “to cut QUICK STICKS,” to start off hurriedly, or without more ado. See [CUT ONE’S STICK].
Quid, or THICK UN, a sovereign; “half a QUID,” half a sovereign; QUIDS, money generally; “QUID for a QUOD,” one good turn for another. The word is used by old French writers:—