Green’s Dictionary of Slang

the road.

1835		Worcester Herald 26 Dec. 4/3: Will you come on the topee this rantee, will you come on the road to-night.
1856		H. Mayhew Great World of London I 6: ‘Where do you stall to in the huey (where do you lodge in the town)?’ ‘Oh, I drop the main toper (get out of the high-road).’.
1861		(con. 1840s–50s) H. Mayhew London Labour and London Poor I 217/2: We drop the main toper (go off the main road).
1877		J. Diprose London Life 80: [as cit. 1856].