Arse (Grose 1811 Dictionary)

Arse

To hang an arse; to hang back, to be afraid to advance. He would lend his a—e and sh-te through his ribs; a saying of any one who lends his money inconsiderately. He would lose his a—e if it was loose; said of a careless person. A—e about; turn round.

Definition taken from The 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, originally by Francis Grose.

Ars Musica * Arsy varsey

Nearby

Nathan Bailey's 1736 Dictionary of canting and thieving slang

John S. Farmer's collection of canting songs and slang rhymes

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About

Francis Grose was independently wealthy, having inherited money from his father, a jeweller. Finding himself overspending, he published a number of books; his Provincial Glossary seems to have been the starting-point for the Vulgar Tongue reproduced here.