1860. Miss Wetherell, Say and Seal, ch. vii. She wants you to come. I’m free to confess she’s got the high-strikes wonderful.
High-tea, subs. (colloquial).—A tea with meat, etc. In Lancashire Bagging (q.v.).
1888. Sporting Life, 15 Dec. Following run there will be high tea and a grand smoking concert, to which visitors are cordially invited.
High-ti, subs. (American: Williams Coll.).—A showy recitation; at Harvard = a squirt (q.v.).
High-tide (or water) subs. (colloquial).—Rich for the moment; The state of being flush (q.v.). For synonyms, see Well Ballasted.
1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v. high tide when the Pocket is full of Money.
1725. New Cant. Dict.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1823. Bee, Dict. Turf, s.v. High-tide—plenty of the possibles; whilst ‘low-water’ implies empty clies.
Up to high-water mark, adv. phr. (colloquial).—In good condition; a general expression of approval.