subs. (old).—1. A woman. The term is now opprobrious; but in its primary and natural sense the usage is ancient. Howell [1659] says: ‘There are some proverbs that carry a kind of authority with them, as that which began in Henrie the Fourth’s time. “He that bulls the cow must keep the calf.”’ For synonyms, see PETTICOAT.
2. (general).—A prostitute. [By analogy from sense 1.] Fr., une vache. For synonyms, see BARRACK-HACK and TART.
3. (sporting).—A thousand pounds. Other slang terms for sums of money are:—
| PONY | = £25. | |
| CENTURY | = £100. | |
| MONKEY | = £500. | |
| PLUM | = £100,000. | |
| MARIGOLD | = £1,000,000. |
1870. Athenæum, 10 Sept. ‘Liverpool.’ All over Lancashire a horse is called a COW, which everywhere else where slang prevails is a cant term for a thousand pounds.
TO TALK THE HIND LEG OFF A COW or DOG.—See TALK.
TUNE THE COW DIED OF.—See TUNE.
