subs. (cabmen’s).—See quot.
1864. HOTTEN, The Slang Dictionary, s.v. … To express 9s. 9d. they say that ‘it is a quarter to ten’; if 3s. 6d., half-past three; if 11s. 9d., a quarter to twelve. Cab-drivers can hardly have originated a system which has been in existence as long as the adage, ‘Time is money.’ They have, however, the full use of the arrangement, which is perhaps the simplest on record.
THE TIME OF DAY, subs. phr. (common).—1. The immediate trick; the latest dodge; the absolute aspect of affairs. Thus, TO PUT UP TO THE TIME OF DAY = to initiate; TO KNOW THE TIME OF DAY = to be fully informed, ON THE SPOT (q.v.); TO KNOW WHAT’S O’CLOCK (q.v.); THAT’S THE TIME OF DAY = ‘That’s how we DOES it!’
1687. T. BROWN, The Saints in an Uproar, in Works, i. 85. Your Dragons and flying Monsters won’t go down at this TIME OF DAY.
1827. MAGINN, Vidocq’s Song.
| Who should I meet, but a jolly blowen, | |
| Who was FLY TO THE TIME O’DAY. |
1834. W. H. AINSWORTH, Rookwood, ‘Nix my Dolly.’ They PUT ME UP TO THE TIME OF DAY.
1838. DICKENS, Oliver Twist, xxv. Pop that shawl away in my castor, Dodger, so that I may know where to find it when I cut; THAT’S THE TIME OF DAY!
2. (pugilists’).—A knock-out blow.
3. (old).—See quot.
1823. BADCOCK (‘Jon Bee’), Dictionary of the Turf, etc., s.v. TIME OF DAY … In the island (Wight) every good joke is ‘THE TIME O’ DAY.’
4. (old colloquial).—A salutation; a greeting; ‘Good morning,’ etc.
1609. SHAKESPEARE, Pericles, iv. 3. 35. Not worth THE TIME OF DAY.
1851–6. H. MAYHEW, London Labour and the London Poor, II. 489. The police … are very friendly. They’ll pass THE TIME OF DAY with me.
1899. R. WHITEING, No. 5 John Street, v. ‘And the woman?’ ‘Back kitchen. PASS THE TIME O’ DAY with ’er sometimes. No bizness o’ mine.’
1900. G. R. SIMS, London’s Heart, 4. I thought it was only right to pass THE TIME O’ DAY to an old pal.
TO DO (or SERVE) TIME, verb. phr. (thieves’).—To go to prison. Hence TIMER = a convict: e.g., FIRST, SECOND, and THIRD TIMER = a prisoner serving for a first, second, or third stretch.
1898. N. GOULD, Landed at Last, vi. If it had not been for me, you would have been DOING TIME before this.
1899. H. WYNDHAM, The Queen’s Service, 242. I … endorse the … opinion of one who had DONE TIME regarding this … punishment.
TO KNOCK OUT OF TIME, verb. phr. (pugilists’).—To hit out; so to punish an opponent that he cannot come up to the call of time.
ON TIME, adv. phr. (colloquial).—(1) Punctual; and (2) abreast of things.
IN GOOD TIME, adv. phr. (old colloquial).—Just so! Well and good! Fr. à la bonne heure.
1603. SHAKESPEARE, Measure for Measure, v. 1. 182. Duke. Leave me awhile with the maid … no loss shall touch her with my company. Prov. IN GOOD TIME. [See also v. 1. 284–7.]
1650. FULLER, A Pisgah Sight of Palestine, II. vi. 27. There, saith he, even at this day are shewed the ruines of those three tabernacles built according to Peter’s desire. IN VERY GOOD TIME, no doubt!
d. 1663. SANDERSON, Works [Parker Society], i. 67. IN GOOD TIME! But I pray you then first to argue the cause a little … whether he deserve such honour?
See GOOD TIME; HIGH OLD TIME.
