subs. (thieves’).—A watch. A RED CLOCK = a gold watch; a WHITE CLOCK = a silver watch. Generally modified into ‘red’un’ and ‘white’un,’ but for synonyms, see TICKER.
1886. Tit-Bits, 5 June, p. 121. Thus Fillied for a CLOCK and Slang, reveals the fact that the writer stole a watch and chain, was apprehended, and has been fully committed for trial.
TO KNOW WHAT’S O’CLOCK, phr. (common).—To be on the alert; in full possession of one’s senses; a DOWNEY COVE: generally knowing (q.v. for synonyms). A variant is to KNOW THE TIME O’DAY.
1835. DICKENS, Sketches by Boz, p. 451. Our governor ’s wide awake, he is. I ’ll never say nothin’ agin him, nor no man; but he knows WHAT ’S O’CLOCK, he does, uncommon.
1849–50. THACKERAY, Pendennis, I., p. 138. I’m not clever, p’raps, but I am rather downy, and partial friends say that I know WHAT’S O’CLOCK tolerably well.
CLOCK STOPPED.—See TICK.
