subs. phr. (circus and showmen’s).—Faked up monstrosities; spurious curiosities: see SLANG, subs. 7.
1876. C. HINDLEY, ed. The Life and Adventures of a Cheap Jack, 205. The best showman of a ‘BAD SLANG’ that ever travelled. He would get hold of any black girl … dress her up, and then show her as one of the greatest novelties ever seen.
