Green’s Dictionary of Slang

see Scotch bait under Scotch adj.

see Welch comb n.

a louse.

1592

Greene Quip for Upstart Courtier F: Before he [the taylor] had no other cognizance but a plaine Spanish needle with a Welsh cricket at top.

removing the roof of a tenant’s house, with the purpose of making the house uninhabitable.

1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.

see Scotch fiddle under Scotch adj.

hemp, as used in the hangman’s rope.

1637		Fletcher Elder Brother I ii: In tough Welsh-parsly, which our vulgar Tongue Is strong hempen halters.
1651		T. Randolph Hey for Honesty IV i: This is a rascal deserves to ride up Holborn, And take a pilgrimage to the triple tree, To dance in hemp Derrick’s coranto: Let’s choke him with Welsh parsley.

(UK Und.) bread and toasted cheese sopped in small beer.

c.1850

Duncombe New and Improved Flash Dict.

(UK Und.) a leek.

c.1850

Duncombe New and Improved Flash Dict.