Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(Aus.) an evangelist, a preacher.

1886

Bulletin (Sydney) 31 July 17/4: After reading these enthralling statements, we can only regret that this hallelujah ‘bloke’ did not adhere to Evening News, which is the recognised medium for such confessions as his.

(Aus.) a swallow-tailed morning coat (as typically worn by a preacher).

1885

Bulletin (Sydney) 2 May 23/1: The staff of the ‘leading’ paper of Adelaide […] have been ordered by the saintly proprietors to attire themselves in that description of long-tailed black coat commonly known as the ‘hallelujah garment.’.

(Aus.) working as a door-to-door evangelist, thus n. hallelejah-hawker.

1893		Ballarat Star (Vic.) 3 MAy 2/7: In connection with the rescue work of the Salvation Army, two ‘Hallelujah hawkers,’ repiesenting six different rescue homes in Victoria, are at present visiting Ballarat.
1893		: The Salvation Army has started a new ‘industry’ in Victoria — ‘Hallelujah hawking.’ Two ‘lieutenants,’ in a covered waggon, are travelling the country hawking the products of the various institutions established under the social wing of the Army.
1941		Baker Popular Dict. Aus. Sl.
1955		N. Pulliam I Travelled a Lonely Land (1957) 234/1: hallelujah hawking – holding a revival, doing a lot of religious haranguing.

a young female Salvationist.

1879		Edinburgh Eve. News 23 Apr. 3/4: Capatin Booth, with his hallelujah fiddle [...] and band of hallelujah lasses.
1882		Western Gaz. 7 Sept. 5/6: A ‘Hallelujah lass’ was so severely kicked that she was obliged to ‘fall out of the ranks’.
1885		Bulletin (Sydney) 7 Mar. 6/1: Capting Beningfield, who ran away from Dunedin to Melbourne with a hallelujah lass surnamed the ‘Little Wonder’, […] has turned up by last reports at San Jose, California, where he started a prayer meeting on the verandah of a whiskey saloon. [Ibid.] 18/4: Joined the Salvation Army, / ’Mong the hallelulia maids; / He’d better stuck to navvying – / Why, yes, I make it Spades.
1885		Bulletin (Sydney) 21 Mar. 12/4: Prop us your ears and listen, O ye unctious [sic] ones, whilst we give you another ‘Lulyah’ lasses, little experience.
1890		Dead Bird (Sydney) 16 Aug. 2/2: She was a Hallelujah lass and he a good Catholic.
1890		Leeds Mercury 25 Oct. 12/2: A Hallelujah lass with a banjo or a tambourine.
1896		Morpeth Herald 19 Sept. 6/2: A Hallelujah Lass, a tall, sallow-faced girl in a black poke bonnet.
1902		Eve. Teleg. (Dundee) 5 Nov. 3/3: This year also saw the first Hallelujah Lass sent to prison [...] for osbtructing the thoroughfare.
1909		J. Ware Passing Eng. of the Victorian Era.
1921		Western Dly Press 2 Feb. 6/4: Six Hallelujah lasses [...] assisted in creating a striking revival amongst the roughest elements in Newcastle.
1949		Monteleone Criminal Sl. (rev. edn).

a second-rate dandy.

1888

Sunderland Daily Echo 24 Dec. 3/3: The complainant [i.e. his wife] stated [...] He had invested in London, and purchased a horse and cart, and was now hawking. He had bought a gold watch and chain, and was a ‘Hallelujah masher,’ (Laughter).

(US) a Salvation Army or any other affiliation of preacher.

1927		‘Jargon of the Und.’ in DN V 449: Halleleujah peddler, A minister.
1931		Irwin Amer. Tramp and Und. Sl. 95: Hallelujah Peddler. – A minister; one who tries to ‘sell’ salvation.
1963		L.F. Freed Crime in S. Afr. 106: A ‘hallelujah pedlar’ is a minister of religion who preaches to ‘the boys’ in prison.

the stew served out at Salvation Army hostels.

1910		in D. Crane Vicarious Vagabond.
1984		Partridge DSUE (8th edn) 523: C.20.