subs. (common).—1. Drink; and (2) blood: i.e., CLARET (q.v.). Hence ROSY-DROP = a grog blossom. Also THE RUBY.
1840. DICKENS, The Old Curiosity Shop, vii. “Fred,” said Mr. Swiveller, “remember the once popular melody of ‘Begone dull care;’ … and pass the ROSY WINE!”… The ROSY WINE was in fact represented by one glass of cold gin-and-water…. Richard Swiveller finished THE ROSY and applied himself to the composition of another glassful. Ibid., lvi. “I shall wear this emblem of woman’s perfidy, in remembrance of her with whom I shall never again thread the windings of the mazy; whom I shall never more pledge in THE ROSY; who, during the short remainder of my existence, will murder the balmy. Ha, ha, ha!”
1854. MARTIN and AYTOUN, Bon Gualtier Ballads, ‘The Lay of the Lovelorn.’ Comrades, you may pass THE ROSY.
1891. Sporting Life, 25 March. Goddard was smothered in THE ROSY as he went to his chair.
ROSY ABOUT THE GILLS, phr. (old).—(1) ‘fresh-coloured’ (B. E., GROSE), (2) = sanguine: cf. WHITE ABOUT THE GILLS. Also ROSY = favourable, auspicious, healthy: whence THE ROSY = good fortune.
1885. The Field, 3 Oct. The future looks most ROSY.
1893. MILLIKEN, ’Arry Ballads, 69, ‘On a ’Ouse Boat.’ Wos a doin’ the rorty and ROSY as lively as ’Opkins’s lot. Ibid., 77, ‘On Marriage.’ Is not my idea of THE ROSY.
