atrementous, black as ink
bait, to stop for rest and refreshment
boutade, a sudden motion, like a kick from a horse's hind legs
butter weight, good measure, 18 or more ounces to the pound
cockle, the weed corn cockle, whose seeds had to be sifted out of the seed corn; the task gave rise to several proverbs
cully, a simpleton, gull
ends, shoemakers' threads pointed with bristles
exploded, clapped or hissed off the stage
garnish, money extracted from a gaoler for better treatment, particularly allowing light manacles, or freedom of movement within the prison
gossips, the women friends invited to be present at a birth
hic multa desiderantur, a great deal is missing here
horsed for discipline, placed piggy-back to be flogged on the posteriors by a school master
jordan. chamber-pot
kennel, the open drain or gutter in a street, usually in the middle
mopus, a stupid or moping person
pinner, coif (q.v.) with two long hanging strips pinned on each side, worn by ladies of rank
pure bite, completely successful hoax
put, (country) bumpkin, 'buffer'
rubs, disagreeable experiences
sack-posset, a drink made of hot curdled milk, white wine, and perhaps spices
smock, fornicate
stews, brothels
tentiginous humour, an inclination to lust (from the L tentigo, an erection)
truckling, subservient, obsequious
vapours, hysterics
Selected from the glossary to
Jonathan Swift. Major Works,
ed. by Angus Ross and David Woolery
Oxford University Press
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