Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(US Und.) gold.

1841

Worcs. Chron. 11 Aug. 3/1: The two papers were produced. They were different dialects, or descriptions of slang language [...] In one of them the gold eye-glasses were called ‘norah owlers,’ the other ‘ridge quiz.’ ‘Ridge’ was stated to mean gold, and ‘norah’ also signified gold. ‘Wedge’ in one paper, and ‘plato’ in the other, were slated to signify silver. The telescopes were called ‘spicy minge.’ .