TO TAKE IN FANCY WORK, verb. phr. (popular).—To play the prostitute on the sly; in the language of venery, ‘to work for one’s living and do the naughty for one’s clothes.’ Said of women (as milliners, dressmakers, shop girls, and so forth) in receipt of low wages yet dressing well and having plenty of money. ‘How does she do it?’ ‘Oh! she TAKES IN FANCY-WORK!’ Cf., FANCY-HOUSE and RIDE.
