subs. (old).—1. A bully; a bravo: see FURIOSO (GROSE and MATSELL). Also (2) a pounding pugilist, a HITTITE (q.v.); and (3) see SLASH.
1593. G. HARVEY, Pierce’s Supererogation [GROSART, Works, ii. 57]. That most-threatning SLASSHER.
4. (old).—A sword.
1815. SCOTT, Guy Mannering, II. xii. ‘Had he no arms?’… ‘Aye, aye, they are never without barkers and SLASHERS.’
5. (colloquial).—Anything exceptional: see WHOPPER. Hence SLASHING = exceptionally brilliant, vigorous, successful, expert, &c. Also as adv., as a SLASHING fine woman; a SLASHING good race; and so forth.
1854. DICKENS, Hard Times, xxiii. Unless some fair creature with a SLASHING fortune at her own disposal would take a fancy to me.
THE SLASHERS, subs. phr. (military).—The 1st Batt. Gloucestershire Regiment, formerly The 28th Foot. Also “The Old Braggs” and “The Right-abouts.”
