subs. (old colloquial).—1.  Generic for trifles and worthlessness (now recognised): spec. a harlot: whence, TRASHERY (or TRASHTRIE) = rubbish, odds and ends; TRASHILY (or TRASHY) = worthless, useless; TRASH-BAG = a good-for-nothing; TRASHMIRE = a slattern; and (American) TRASH = a negro term of contempt: see WHITE TRASH.

1

  1602.  SHAKESPEARE, Othello, ii. 1. 312.

        This poor TRASH of Venice.
    Ibid., v. 1. 85.
  Iago.  Gentlemen all, I do suspect this TRASH [a strumpet]
To be a party in this injury.

2

  c. 1622.  HEYWOOD, The Fair Maid of the West, iii. 1.

          Goodl.  I hear say, there’s a whore here that draws wine.
I am sharp set, and newly come from sea,
And I would see the TRASH.

3

  1753.  ARMSTRONG, Taste: An Epistle to a Young Critic.

        Who riots on Scotch collops scorns not any
Insipid, fulsome, TRASHY miscellany.

4

  1787.  BURNS, The Twa Dogs.

        Wi’ sauce, ragouts, and sic like TRASHTRIE,
That ’s little short o’ downright wastrie.

5

  1813.  SCOTT, The Bridal of Triermain, ii., 3.

          Who comes in foreign TRASHERY
    Of tinkling chain and spur.

6

  2.  (old cant).—Money: see RHINO.

7

  c. 1590.  GREENE, James the Fourth, iii. 1. Therefore must I bid him provide TRASH, for my master is no friend without money.

            Ibid. (c. 1589), Alphonsus, iii. 1.
  Beli.  Nor would Belinus, for King Crœsus’ TRASH,
Wish Amurack to displease the gods.

8

  1598.  FLORIO, A Worlde of Wordes, 93. Pelfe, TRASH, id est, mony.

9

  1607.  SHAKESPEARE, Julius Cæsar, iv. 3. 74.

        By heaven, I had rather coin my heart,
And drop my blood for drachmas, than to wring
From the hard hands of peasants their vile TRASH
By any indirection.

10

  1809.  MALKIN, Gil Blas [ROUTLEDGE], 17. Money! said he,… you have a poor opinion of Spanish charity, if you think that people of my stamp have any occasion for such TRASH upon their travels.

11