Hoisting (or Hoist-lay), subs. (thieves’).—1. Shop-lifting. The hoist (q.v.). Also shaking a man head downwards, so that his money rolls out of his pockets.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
1821. D. Haggart, Life, glossary, p. 172. Hoys, shop-lifting.
1868. Temple Bar, xxiv., 534. She can secrete articles about her dress when in a shop looking at things, and that’s one way of hoisting.
2. (old).—See quot.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v. Hoisting, a ludicrous ceremony, formerly performed on every soldier, the first time he appeared in the field, after being married: as soon as the regiment, or company, had grounded their arms, to rest awhile; three or four men of the same company, to which the bridegroom belonged, seized upon him, and putting a couple of bayonets out of the two corners of his hat, to represent horns, it was placed on his head, the back part foremost, he was then hoisted on the shoulders of two strong fellows, and carried round the arms, a drum and fife beating and playing, the pioneers call, named Round-heads and Cuckolds, but on this occasion stiled the Cuckold’s March; in passing the colours, he was to take off his hat.… This in some regiments was practised by the officers on their brethren.
Hoit (or Hoyt), verb. (old).—To be noisily or riotously inclined.
1611. Beaumont and Fletcher, Knight of the Burning Pestle, iv., 1. He sings, and hoyts, and revels among his drunken companions.
Hoity-toity. See Highty-tighty.
Hokey-pokey, subs. (common).—1. A cheat; a swindle; nonsense. [From Hocus Pocus.]