subs. (common).—The first stage of delirium tremens. For synonyms, see GALLON-DISTEMPER. Also low spirits, or THE BLUES (q.v.).
1848. RUXTON, Life in the Far West, p. 50. Paying the penalty in a fit of HORRORS.
1857. Philadelphia Evening Bulletin (quoted by BARTLETT). This poison (fusil oil), which acts with terrible results on the nerves; seeming like a diabolical inspiration, stirring up mania, convulsions, and the HORRORS in an incredibly short space of time.
1864. DICKENS, Our Mutual Friend, bk. iv., ch. viii. What are popularly called ‘the trembles’ being in full force upon him that evening, and likewise what are popularly called THE HORRORS, he had a very bud time of it; which was not made better by his being so remorseful as frequently to moan ‘Sixty threepennorths.’
1864. F. W. ROBINSON, Mr. Stewart’s Intentions, ch. i. ‘Well, sermons always gave me THE HORRORS, and engendered a hate of the sermonizer.
1883. R. L. STEVENSON, Treasure Island, ch. iii., p. 20 (1886). If I don’t have a drain o’ rum, Jim, I’ll have THE HORRORS.
1889. C. HADDON CHAMBERS, In Australian Wilds. He’s sober now, you see; but he managed to get blind drunk before eleven o’clock this morning, and last week he narrowly escaped an attack of THE HORRORS.
1892. W. E. HENLEY and R. L. STEVENSON, Admiral Guinea, iv., 3. It’s THE HORRORS come alive.
2. (common).—Sausages. See CHAMBER OF HORRORS and DOG’S-PASTE.
3. (thieves’).—Handcuffs. For synonyms, see DARBIES.
