Ullages, the wine of all sorts left in the bottoms of glasses at a public dinner. This is emptied into a measure, and drunk behind the screen or in any convenient place by the waiters, which accounts for their stony glare and fishy appearance late in the evening. Maybe from Lat. ULLUS, any.
Unbleached American, Yankee term, since the war, for coloured natives of the United States.
Uncle, the pawnbroker. See [MY UNCLE].
Under a cloud, in difficulties. An evident reference to shady circumstances.
Under the rose. See [ROSE].
Understandings, the feet or boots. Men who wear exceptionally large or thick boots, are said to possess good UNDERSTANDINGS.
Understudy, to STUDY a part for the stage, not with the view of playing it at once, but so as to be ready in the event of anything happening to its present representative. Some actors of position, who suffer from delicate health, or mental weakness, have always other and inferior, but more robust, artists UNDERSTUDYING their parts.
Unfortunate, a modern euphuism for a prostitute, derived from Thomas Hood’s beautiful poem of The Bridge of Sighs:—
“One more UNFORTUNATE,
Weary of breath,
Rashly importunate,
Gone to her death.”
It is almost needless to remark that the poet had no intention of using the word in any but its widest and most general sense.