(The) or ready-stuff, -John, -gilt, or ready-money, subs. (old).—1. Money: spec. money in hand (B. E. and GROSE). Hence READY THICK-’UN = a sovereign; 20/-: see RHINO.
c. 1618. WEBSTER and ROWLEY, A Cure for a Cuckold, ii. 2. READY MONEY is the prize I look for.
1688. SHADWELL, The Squire of Alsatia, i. 1. Take up on the Reversion, ’tis a lusty one; and Cheatly will help you to THE READY.
1712. ARBUTHNOT, The History of John Bull, I. iii. He was not flush in READY, either to go to law or to clear old debts.
1732. FIELDING, The Covent Garden Tragedy, ii. 1. Therefore come down THE READY, or I go. Ibid. (1743), Jonathan Wild (1893), 28. Mr. Wild immediately conveyed the larger share of THE READY into his pocket.
1821. P. EGAN, Life in London, I. v. The notoriety [Logic] had obtained … for the Waste of READY in Hoyle’s Dominions, was great indeed.
1840. R. H. BARHAM, The Ingoldsby Legends (The Merchant of Venice).
| While, as for THE ‘READY,’ I’m like a Church-mouse,— | |
| I really don’t think there ’s five pounds in the house. |
2. (colloquial).—Prepared. Hence, A GOOD READY = ON THE SPOT (q.v.).
1885. ROOSEVELT, Hunting Trips of a Ranchman, 119. Patiently and noiselessly from the leeward … his rifle at THE READY.
Verb. (racing).—To pull a horse.
1886–96. MARSHALL, Nobbled [‘Pomes,’ 114]. He made us all … believe he could READY his chance.
1889. The Sporting Times, 29 June. So as not to let the favourite be READIED.
