Cask, fashionable slang for a brougham, or other private carriage. Not very general. “Pillbox” is the more usual term.
Cassam, cheese—not CAFFAN, which Egan, in his edition of Grose, has ridiculously inserted.—Ancient Cant. Latin, CASEUS. Gael. and Irish, CAISE.
Cast, to assist by lightening labour. Men in small boats who want to be towed behind steamers or sailing vessels, say “Give us a CAST.” Also used by waggoners and others, who sometimes vary the performance by asking, when stuck on a hill, for a pound, possibly a pound of flesh, horse or human.
Cast up Accounts, to vomit.—Old.
Castor, a hat. Mostly used in pugilistic circles. Indeed many hangers-on of the P.R. have considered that the term arose from the custom of casting the hat into the ring, before entering oneself. Castor was the Latin name for the animal now known as the BEAVER; and, strange to add, BEAVER was the slang for CASTOR, or hat, many years ago, before gossamer came into fashion.
Cat, a lady’s muff; “to free a CAT,” i.e., steal a muff.
Cat, to vomit like a cat. Perhaps from CATARACT; but see [SHOOT THE CAT].
Cat—CAT O’ NINE TAILS, a whip with that number of lashes used to punish refractory sailors.—Sea. The “cat” is now a recognised term for the punishmental whip.
Catamaran, a disagreeable old woman.—Thackeray.