or steven, subs. (old).—Money: generic. ‘STEPHEN’S at home’ = ‘He’s got ’em’ (GROSE and VAUX).
1834. W. H. AINSWORTH, Rookwood, ‘The Double Cross,’ i.
| I rather fancies that it ’s news, | |
| How in a mill both men should lose, | |
| For vere the odds are thus made even, | |
| It plays the dickens with the STEVEN. |
ST. STEPHEN’S LOAF, subs. phr. (old).—See quot.
1696. MOTTEUX, Rabelais, v. 42. Having said this, he took up one of ST. STEPHEN’S LOAVES, alias a stone, and was going to hit him with it about the middle.
