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Green’s Dictionary of Slang

dick n.³

[abbr. SE declaration]

an oath, a statement, an affidavit; thus to take one’s dick, to take one’s declaration.

1861		D. Cook Paul Foster’s Daughter II 268: No. I’d take my dying dick he hasn’t got a writ in his pocket.
1904		‘G.B. Lancaster’ Sons O’ Men 237: There weren’t no old days; I’ll take my dick on that.

In phrases

up to dick

up to standard, as required, also attrib.; thus in negative, unwell, sick, wretched.

1879		‘’Arry on the Rail’ in Punch 13 Sept. 109/1: Our party was quite up-to-Dick, — you’re aweer as I never cuts low.
1884		Sporting Times 27 Dec. 1/2: And the apples was up to dick, / For he prigged ’em out of the Garden .
1885		Bulletin (Sydney) 21 Feb. 22/2: One day we remonstrated with her; when, rubbing her nose apologetically with a sauce-pan lid, she said she knew the ‘Saussingers wasn’t up to Dick,’ but thought there was something wrong with the range.
1894		Truth (Sydney) 9 Sept. 1/5: His Eggsellency sed it wasn’t fin-de-icicle or ‘hup to dick’ enuff for him.
1895		Mirror of Life 14 Dec. 3/4: [O]ne old lady paid in her checks, and, as there were no funds forthcoming to do the job ‘up to Dick,’ her younger neighbours [...] hunted the rogue from the village with sticks and curses .
1901		Sydney Sportsman (Surry Hills, NSW) 29 May 3/3: Your up-to-dick paper ought to have been brought out years ago.
1902		Riverina Recorder (Moulamein, NSW) 7 May 3/2: He did the honors of the press up to dick.
1905		‘Doss Chiderdoss’ ‘The “Tu-Tu”’ Sporting Times 3 June 1/4: There was shortly to be held / A most swagger entertainment, at which sundry magnates big, / With herself and May, as being ‘up to Dick,’ / Would be asked to dance a ballet in the regulation rig.
c.1910		[perf. Vesta Tilley] Seaside Walks 🎵 They both put on their Sunday best, they look dressed up to Dick.
1915		C.E.W. Bean Anzac Book 132: We keep their clothing up to dick, / Equip and arm ’em, too; / We rig out the returning sick / Almost as good as new.
2023		R. Milward Man-Eating Typewriter 4: I am a meese omi and a coddy auteur to boot. My achievements [...] have not been up to dick.