subs. (common).—A cavalry-man: cf., MUDCRUSHER. French lancers are allumeurs de gaz, their weapons being likened to a lamplighter’s rod.
1785. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v. FLY-SLICERS: Life-guardmen, from their sitting on horseback, under an arch, where they are frequently observed to drive away flies with their swords.
