Roarer, a broken-winded horse; or, in the more polite speech of the stable, “a high blower.” Roaring, as applied to horses, is often termed “talking” by turf-men. It is often said delicately by sporting writers, when speaking of a broken-winded racehorse, that “he makes a noise.”
Roaring trade, a very successful business.—Shopkeepers’ Slang.
Roast, to expose a person to a running fire of jokes for the amusement and with the assistance of a whole company. A performance not indulged in by gentlemen. Quizzing is done by a single person only.
Robin redbreast, the ancient Bow Street runner. So called from the colour of his waistcoat.
Rock-a-low, an overcoat. Corruption of the French, ROQUELAURE.
Rocked, “he’s only HALF-ROCKED,” i.e., half-witted. See [HALF-ROCKED].
Rogue’s yarn, a thread of red or blue worsted, worked into the ropes manufactured in the Government dockyards, to identify them if stolen. Also a blue thread worked into canvas, for the same purpose.
Roll of snow, a piece of linen, or bundle of underclothing.
Romany, a gipsy, or the gipsy language; the speech of the Roma or Zincali.—Spanish Gipsy. “Can you patter ROMANY?” i.e., can you talk “black,” or gipsy lingo?