subs. (thieves’).—A skeleton key: see JEMMY.
1887. J. W. HORSLEY, Jottings from Jail, i. He was very tricky at making TWIRLS, and used to supply them all with tools.
TO TWIRL ONE’S THUMBS, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To be idle: cf. ‘cool one’s heels’: cf. TWIDDLE.
1889. NORRIS, Miss Shafto, xxiv. Upon my word, Walter, you are pretty cool! Will it amuse me, pray, to TWIRL MY THUMBS in your studio?
