Quotes from Francis Grose

HUGOTONTHEONBIQUIFFINARIANS.

MARE'S NEST. He has found a mare's nest, and is laughing at the eggs; said of one who laughs without any apparent cause.

BORN UNDER A THREEPENNY HALFPENNY PLANET, NEVER TO BE WORTH A GROAT. Said of any person remarkably unsuccessful in his attempts or profession. BOTCH.

CATCH FART. A footboy; so called from such servants commonly following close behind their master or mistress. CATCH

BEARD SPLITTER. A man much given to wenching.

BEAST WITH TWO BACKS. A man and woman in the act of copulation. Shakespeare in Othello.

BED. Put to bed with a mattock, and tucked up with a spade; said of one that is dead and buried. You will go up a ladder to bed, i.e. you will be hanged.