Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. a house.

1930		(con. 1914–18) Brophy & Partridge Songs and Sl. of the British Soldier.
1935		Thieves Slang ms list from District Police Training Centre, Ryton-on-Dunsmore, Warwicks 9: Rat: Home or furnished apartments. Rat and mouse: House.
1938		F.D. Sharpe Sharpe of the Flying Squad 332: rat (Rat and Mouse) : A house.
1949		Monteleone Criminal Sl. (rev. edn).
1953		Berrey & Van den Bark Amer. Thes. Sl. (2nd edn).
1960		J. Franklyn Dict. Rhy. Sl.
1972		Dodson & Saczek Dict. of Cockney Rhy. Sl.
1979		R. Barker Fletcher’s Book of Rhy. Sl. 39: Sitting in your own rat and mouse.
2002		B. Kirkpatrick Wicked Cockney Rhy. Sl.

2. fig. a louse, an unpleasant person.

1972		Dodson & Saczek Dict. of Cockney Rhy. Sl.
1981		J. Franklyn Dict. Rhy. Sl. (2nd edn).