Sing Small. A corruption of “Sink Small,” meaning to be lowered in the estimation of those to whom one has made a vain boast.
Sinking Fund. One that provides for the annual reduction of a National Debt.
Sinner-saved Huntingdon. William Huntingdon, the theologian and preacher, who, having led a wild life in his youth, made amends for these delinquencies in the full vigour of manhood.
Sirree. A vulgar American corruption of “Sir,” corresponding to the old English “Sirrah.” Originating at New York, it is now quite a common thing for people in the States generally to answer: “Yes, sirree,” and “No, sirree.”
Sise Lane. A corruption of St Osyth’s Lane, after an ancient church in it, now removed.
Sixteen String Jack. Jack Rann, the highwayman, hanged in 1791, so called from the sixteen tags he wore on the knees of his breeches.
Six-shooter. An Americanism for a six-chambered revolver.
Skagerrack. Expresses the crooked strait between the Skagen, the plural of the Gothic skaga, a promontory, between Jutland and Norway.
Skald. An ancient northern bard or minstrel. The word is Scandinavian for “poet.”
Skied. An artists’ term for a picture hung on the highest row, just under the ceiling, at any exhibition, where no one can look at it closely.