subs. (racing).—See verbal sense.
1856. T. HUGHES, Tom Brown’s School-days, pt. I. ch. viii. p. 200. Now listen, you young fool. You don’t know anything about it; the horse is no use to you. He won’t win, but I want him as a HEDGE.
1864. B. HEMYNG, Eton School Days, ch. vii. He took the precaution to take those odds five or six times by way of a HEDGE, in case anything should happen to Chorley.
Verb (racing).—1. To secure oneself against, or minimise the loss on a bet by reversing on advantageous terms; TO GET OUT (q.v.). [Thus if a man backs A to win him £100 at 5 to 1, he will if possible HEDGE by laying (say) 3 to 1 to the amount of (say) £60 against him. He will then stand thus: If A wins he gains on the first bet £100, and loses on the second £60, leaving a net gain of £40; if A loses he loses on the first bet £20, and wins on the second £20, thus clearing himself.] See STANDING ON VELVET and GO.
1616. JONSON, The Devil is an Ass, iii., 1.
| Welcome, good Gilthead, I must have you do | |
| A noble gentleman a courtesy here, | |
| In a mere toy, some pretty ring or jewel, | |
| Of fifty or threescore pound.—Make it a hundred, | |
| And HEDGE in the last forty that I owe you, | |
| And your own price for the ring. |
1671. BUCKINGHAM, The Rehearsal, Prol.
| Now, Criticks, do your worst, that here are met; | |
| For, like a Rook, I have HEDG’D in my bet. |
c. 1696. B. E., A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew, s.v. HEDGE, to secure a desperate Bet, Wager, or Debt.
1736. FIELDING, Pasquin, Act iii. Sneer. That’s laying against yourself, Mr. Trapwit. Trap. I love a HEDGE, sir.
1748. T. DYCHE, A New General English Dictionary (5 ed.). HEDGE (v.) … also to secure or re-insure a dangerous debt, voyage, wager, etc.
1751. SMOLLETT, Peregrine Pickle, ch. lxix. They changed their note, and attempted to HEDGE for their own indemnification, by proposing to lay the odds in favour of Gauntlet.
1754. The Connoisseur, No. 15. Whatever turn things take, he can never lose. This he has effected, by what he has taught the world to call, HEDGING a bet.
1785. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v.
1854. WHYTE-MELVILLE, General Bounce, ch. xii. If she says ‘Yes,’ sell out…. If she says ‘No’ get second leave.… So it’s HEDGED both ways.
1891. N. GOULD, The Double Event, p. 201. You’d better HEDGE some of your sweep money.
2. (common).—To elude a danger.
TO DIE BY THE HEDGE, verb. phr. (common).—To die in poverty.
TO HANG IN THE HEDGE, verb. phr. (old).—See quot.
c. 1696. B. E., A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew. IT HANGS IN THE HEDGE, of a Law-suit or anything else Depending, Undetermined.
AS COMMON AS THE HEDGE (or HIGHWAY), phr. (old).—Very common.
c. 1696. B. E., A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew, s.v. AS COMMON AS THE HEDGE OR HIGHWAY, said of a prostitute or Strumpet.
1725. A New Canting Dictionary, s.v.
BY HEDGE OR BY CROOK. See HOOK.
