or altumal, subs., adj., etc. (old cant).—See quots. Also as intj. (American thieves’) = ‘Cut it short,’ ‘STOW IT’ (q.v.), ‘STASH IT’ (q.v.). [O.E.D.: ‘Lat. altum, the deep, i.e., the sea + AL.’ DUTCH altermal.]
c. 1696. B. E., A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew, s.v. ALTEMALL, altogether.
1711. Medleys, 29 Jan. (1712), 186. His ALTUMAL cant, a mark of his poor Traffick and Tar-Education.
1753. CHAMBERS, Cyclopædia, Supplement. ALTUMAL, a term used to denote the mercantile style, or dialect. In this sense, we meet with ALTUMAL cant, to denote the language of petty traders and tars.
1823. GROSE, Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue [EGAN], s.v. ALTAMEL. A verbal or lump account, without particulars, such as is commonly produced at bawdy-houses, spunging-houses, &c. Ibid., s.v. DUTCH RECKONING or ALLE-MAL.
1897. BARRÈRE and LELAND, A Dictionary of Slang, Jargon & Cant, I., 32. ‘On the Trail.’ What was the ALTEMAL? It only raised fifteen cases. The dummy raked a case and a half, and the thimble was a foist, but the slang and onions were bene.
