Streak, to decamp, run away.—Saxon. In America the phrase is “to make STREAKS,” or “make [TRACKS].”
Streaky, irritated, ill-tempered. Said of a short-tempered man who has his good and bad times in STREAK.
Street-pitchers, negro minstrels, ballad-singers, long-song men, men “working a board” on which have been painted various exciting scenes in some terrible drama, the details of which the STREET PITCHER is bawling out, and selling in a little book or broadsheet (price one penny); or any persons who make a stand—i.e., a pitch—in the streets, and sell articles or contribute entertainments for a living.
Stretch, a walk.—University.
Stretch, abbreviation of “STRETCH one’s neck,” to hang, to be executed as a malefactor. As, “The night before Larry was STRETCHED.”
Stretch, twelve months,—generally used to intimate the time any one has been sentenced by the judge or magistrate. One STRETCH is twelve months’ imprisonment, two STRETCH is two years, three STRETCH is three years, and so on.
Stretcher, a falsehood; one that requires a STRETCH of imagination or comprehension.
Stretcher, a contrivance with handles, used by the police to carry off persons who are violent or drunk.
Stretcher-fencer, one who sells braces.
Stretching match, an execution. Often called a “hanging match.”