subs. (workmen’s).—In pl. = belongings: spec. tools: also AWLS: see BENS. Hence TO PACK UP ONE’S ALLS = to begone; to desist.
[?]. Songs of the London Prentices, 62. I’ll pack up my AWLS and begone.
1674. COTTON, A Voyage to Ireland, III. 10.
| I then call to pay, | |
| And PACKING MY NAWLS, whipt to horse, and away. |
d. 1704. T. BROWN, Works, ii. 84. I put no confidence in the king … should he pack up his AWLS for the other world I would not trust him.
1728. BAILEY, Dictionarium Britannicum, s.v. PACK. TO PACK UP HIS AWLS … to march off, to go away in haste.
1809. MALKIN, Gil Blas [ROUTLEDGE], 70. The devil … whispered in my ear that I should be a great fool to PACK UP MY ALLS when the prize was falling into my hands.
d. 1859. DE QUINCEY, Herodotus, ii. Old Boreas … was required to PACK UP HIS ALLS and be off.
2. See ALL-NATIONS.
3. (old).—See quot.
1823. GROSE, Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue [EGAN], s.v. ALLS. The five ALLS is a country sign, representing five human figures, each having a motto under him. The first is a king in his regalia; his motto, I govern ALL: the second, a bishop in pontificals; motto, I pray for ALL: third, a lawyer in his gown; motto, I plead for ALL: fourth, a soldier in his regimentals, fully accoutred; motto, I fight for ALL: fifth, a poor countryman with his scythe and rake; motto, I pay for ALL.
AT ALL! intj. (old).—‘The cry of a gamester full of cash and spirit, meaning that he will play for any sums the company may choose to risk against him’ (HALLIWELL).
ALL’S QUIET ON THE POTOMAC, phr. (American).—A period of rest, enjoyment, peace. [The phrase dates from the Civil War; ils frequent repetition in the bulletins of the War Secretary made it ridiculous to the public.]
PHRASES AND COLLOQUIALISMS. ALL ABOUT IN ONE’S HEAD = light-headed; ALL ABOUT IT = the whole of the matter; ALL-AROUND (American)—thorough, ALL-ROUND (q.v.); ALL AT SEA = uncertain, vague; ALL FACE = naked; ON ALL FOURS = fairly, equally, exactly; ALL HOLIDAY AT PECKHAM (see quot. 1811 and PECKHAM); ALL IN (stock exchange) = slow, FLAT (q.v.): of a market when there is a disposition to sell: whence ALL OUT = improving; ALL OVER = thoroughly, entirely, exactly; ALL ROUND MY HAT = queer, ALL-OVERISH (q.v.): That’s ALL ROUND my hat = Bosh! SPICY AS ALL ROUND MY HAT = sensational; ALL SERENE = all’s well, O.K., ‘You know what I’m after’; ALL UP WITH = finished, done for; ALL T. H. = of the best, very good indeed (tailors’), ALL THERE (q.v.). See also ALIVE; ALL-NATIONS; ALONG; BEAT; BETTY MARTIN; BLUE; BANDY; BUM; CABOOSE; CHEEK; DICKEY; FLY; GAMMON; GAY; GO; HEAPM; HOLLOW; HOUGH; JAW; LOMBARD-STREET; MOPS-AND-BROOMS; MOUTH; OUT; PIECES; SHEEP; SHOP; SHOOT; SKITTLES; SMASH; SMOKE; THERE; UP; WAY; WAY-DOWN.
1633. MARMION, The Antiquary, i.
| You’ll hardly find | |
| Woman or beast that trots sound of ALL FOUR; | |
| There will be some defect. |
d. 1655. T. ADAMS, The Soul’s Sickness, in Works, i. 498. All similitudes run not like coaches ON FOUR wheels.
1704. W. DARREL, The Gentlemen Instructed, 387. I do not say this comparison runs on ALL FOUR, there may be found some disparity.
1710. ST. LEGER [SOMER, Tracts (1751), III. 248]. Tho’ the comparison should not exactly run UPON ALL FOUR when examined.
1811. GROSE and CLARKE, Lexicon Balatronicum. ALL HOLIDAY AT PECKHAM … signifying that it is all over with the business or person spoken of or alluded to.
1834. SOUTHEY, The Doctor, xciv. No prophecy can be expected to go UPON ALL FOURS.
1857. A. TROLLOPE, The Three Clerks, xiv. ‘You’re ALL SERENE, then, Mr. Snape,’ said Charley.
1874. BEETON, The Siliad, 130.
| To whom the emissary, ‘ALL SERENE,’ | |
| And took the sovereign with a relish keen. |
1877. Daily Telegraph, 15 March. It must stand on ALL FOURS with that stipulation.
1882. Punch, lxxxii. 177. 1. I am nuts upon Criminal Cases, Perlice News, you know … And, thinks I, this will be ‘tuppence coloured,’ and SPICY AS ALL ROUND MY HAT.
1883. Daily News, 8 Feb., 3. 7. The decision I have quoted is ON ALL FOURS with this case.
