Slang and its analogues past and present, volume 3 (of 7)

by John Stephen Farmer; William Ernest Henley

1837. Disraeli, Venetia, p. 71. The gentry cove will be ramboyled by his dam.

Gentry Cove’s Ken (or Gentry-Ken), subs. phr. (Old Cant).—A gentleman’s house.

1567. Harman, Caveat (1814), p. 65. A gentry cofe’s ken, a noble or gentleman’s house. A gentry cofe, a noble or gentle man.

1610. Rowlands, Martin Mark-all, p. 38 (H. Club’s Rept., 1874). Gentry cove’s ken, a gentleman’s house.

1690. B. E., Dict. of the Cant. Crew, s.v.

1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.

Gentry Mort, subs. phr. (old cant).—A lady.

1567. Harman, Caveat (1814), p. 65. A gentry mort, a noble or gentle woman.

1610. Rowlands, Martin Mark-all, p. 38 (H. Club’s Rept., 1874). Gentry mort, a gentlewoman.

1728. Bailey, Eng. Dict., s.v.