subs. (old cant).—1. In pl. = the legs; (2) = shoes (HARMAN, B. E., GROSE, and VAUX); and (3) ‘carriers’ (B. E.). Also STAMPERS. Whence STAMP-DRAWERS = stockings.
1620. DEKKER, Lanthorne and Candlelight, sig. C, iii., s.v.
1641. R. BROME, A Joviall Crew, i.
| Strike up, Piper, a merry, merry dance, | |
| That we on our STAMPERS may foot it and prance. |
1828. P. EGAN, Finish in Tom and Jerry, 309. My padders, my STAMPERS, my buckets, otherwise my boots.
4. (old).—A coin of small value: spec. (HALLIWELL) a halfpenny. In pl. (American) = paper money; SHINPLASTERS (q.v.). Also generic for money.
1628. MIDDLETON, The Widow, ii. 1.
| Ric. Oh cruel, merciless woman, | |
| To talk of law, and know I have no money. | |
| Val. I will consume myself to the last STAMP, | |
| Before thou gett’st me. |
1877. Providence Journal, 5 Feb. The patience with which he waited in the box-office to rake in all the STAMPS led his audience to form a fair estimate of his appreciation of the almighty dollar.
1899. HYNE, Further Adventures of Captain Kettle, xi. He’s the flat. Cranze is the—er—his friend who stands to draw the STAMPS.
5. (printers’).—In pl. = type.
1563. FOXE, Acts and Monuments [T. L. KINGTON-OLIPHANT, The New English, i. 540. Among new substantives are STAMPS (types) … the bench (magistrates).
Verb. (old).—See quot.
1785. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v. STAMP. A particular manner of throwing the dice out of the box, by striking it with violence against the table.
