subs. (common).—SWAGGER (q.v.); conceit: thus, TO PUT ON SIDE = to ‘give oneself airs’: Fr. se hancher.
1878. J. HATTON, Cruel London, VIII. ii. Cool, downy cove, who PUTS SIDE ON.
1880. PAYN, A Confidential Agent, xi. The captain sauntered up the mews, with a good deal of SIDE ON, which became a positive swagger as he emerged into the more fashionable street.
1880. HAWLEY SMART, Social Sinners, xiii. He has proved a most apt pupil in the acquisition of what, in the slang of the day, is denominated ‘SIDE,’ which, translated into dictionary language, meaneth the conceit of the young.
1886–96. MARSHALL, Pomes [1897], 10. I’d no notion he be coming it with such a lot of SIDE.
1895. KATHLEEN M. CAFFYN, A Comedy in Spasms, i. The movelessness of all things and the silence were having their effects even on this Sixth Form Rugby boy lately back from a seven years’ residence in England, the possessor of unimpaired health, abounding ‘SIDE,’ but limited sentiment.
1901. The Sporting Times, 27 April, 1, 4. Her belief that she moves in a ‘classy’ set, And the SIDE … all are due to being badly bred.
Intj. (North Country).—Yes!
See BLANKET; BEST SIDE; BLIND SIDE; JACK; MOUTH; PULL; RIGHT SIDE; SEAMY; SET; SHADY; SHINNY; SPLIT; WRONG SIDE.
