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red handed

adj. Derived from the term "bloody-hand", which was one of four kinds of offences in the king's forest, by which the offender is supposed to have killed a deer. In Scotland, in such like crimes they say "Taken in the fact, or with the red hand".
- Thomas Blount's Law Dictionary and Glossary, 1717

In modern times, this term refers to catching someone in the act of doing something they aren't supposed to do.

Hah! I knew it was you stealing the cookies. I caught you red handed!

by Markus Melarkus September 30, 2005

210👍 38👎


all sorts

n. A slang term designating the drippings of glasses in saloons, collected and sold at half price to drinkers who are not overly particular.
- Sylva Clapin's "Dictionary of Americanisms, 1902"

Note: Liquorice allsorts derive their name from this custom.

"Barkeep! How 'bout some of them all sorts?"

by Markus Melarkus September 29, 2005

14👍 6👎


attercop

n. A spider's web; from 'atter' (poison) and 'coppe' (cup). Often used to refer to the spider itself (as from Norwegian "edderkopp", meaning spider).

Old fat spider spinning in a tree!
Old fat spider can't see me!
Attercop! Attercop!
Won't you stop,
Stop your spinning and look for me?
Old Tomnoddy, all big body,
Old Tomnoddy can't spy me!
Attercop! Attercop!
Down you drop!
You'll never catch me up your tree!

- J. R. Tolkein's "The Hobbit", Ch. VIII

by Markus Melarkus September 29, 2005

134👍 21👎