subs. (old).—See quots.
1785. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v. MACE, the MACE is a rogue assuming the character of a gentleman, or opulent tradesman, who under that appearance defrauds workmen, by borrowing a watch or other piece of goods, till one he bespeaks is done.
1821. P. EGAN, Life in London, 287. MACE … which is a slang term for imposition or robbery.
1887. W. E. HENLEY, Villon’s Straight Tip to all Cross Coves, ii. Fiddle, or fence, or MACE, or mack.
Verb. (common).—To defraud. See quot. 1868. Also ON THE MACE, and TO STRIKE THE MACE. TO MACE THE RATTLER = to travel by rail without paying the fare.
1821. P. EGAN, Life in London, p. 320. He laughed heartily at their being MACED.
1827. BULWER-LYTTON, Pelham, lxxxiii. To swindle a gentleman did not sound a crime when it was called ‘MACING a swell.’
1830. W. T. MONCRIEFF, The Heart of London, ii. 1. He’s been working ON THE MACE.
1868. Temple Bar, XXIV. 535. MACING means taking an office, getting goods sent to it, and then bolting with them; or getting goods sent to your lodgings and then removing.
1885. Daily Telegraph, 18 Aug., p. 3, col. 2. Fancy him being so soft as to give that jay a quid back out of the ten he’d MACED him of!
ON THE MACE, adv. phr. (common).—1. See verb.; and (2) on credit; ON TICK (q.v.).
1893. P. H. EMERSON, Signor Lippo, 100. Letting ’em have the super and slang on MACE, for he gets to know their account, and he puts the pot on ’em settling day.
