1615. Adams, Spiritual Navigator. There be sirens in the sea of the world. Syrens? Hirens, as they are now called. What a number of these sirens [Hirens], cockatrices, courteghians, in plain English, harlots, swimme amongst us!
d. 1618. Sylvester, Trans. Du Bartas’ Week of Creation, ii., 2, pt. 3. Of charming sin the deep-inchaunting syrens, The snares of virtue, valour-softening hyrens.
2. (old).—A sword. Also a roaring bully; a fighting hector. [From Irene = the Goddess of Peace, a lucus a non lucendo.]
Hishee-hashee. See Soap-and-bullion.
His Nibs (or Nabs). See Nibs.
Hiss. The hiss, subs. phr. (Winchester College).—The signal of a master’s approach.
Historical- (Wrought, or Illustrated-) Shirt, subs. (old).—A shirt or shift worked or woven with pictures or texts.
1596. Ben Jonson, Every Man out of his Humour; iv., 6. I wonder he speaks not of his wrought-shirt.
1639. Mayne, City Match, ii., 2. My smock sleeves have such holy imbroideries, And are so learned that I fear in time, All my apparel will be quoted by Some pure instructor.
1647. Beaumont and Fletcher, Custom of the County, ii., 1. Having a mistress, sure you should not be Without a neat historical-shirt.