subs. (thieves’).—1. A crowbar. For synonyms, see JEMMY. Fr. un jacques.
1819. J. H. VAUX, Memoirs, s.v. JAMES.
1879. J. W. HORSLEY, ‘Autobiography of a Thief,’ in Macmillan’s Magazine, XL., 503. I had the JAMES and screws on me.
2. (thieves’).—A sovereign or twenty shillings.
1858. A. MAYHEW, Paved with Gold, III., xvii., 365. The firm that received most of his ‘favours’ was in the habit of pricing its ‘half-JAMES’ and JAMES (i.e., half and whole sovereigns) at 2/10 and 7/-.
1887. J. W. HORSLEY, Jottings from Jail. I put a half JAMES in the hand and said ‘Guy!’
1893. P. H. EMERSON, Signor Lippo, xxi. He gives him the half-JAMES, and told him never to bother him more.
3. (common).—A sheep’s head: more frequently, when uncooked, BLOODY JEMMY (q.v.).
1827. W. CLARKE, Every Night Book, p. 38, ‘An Envocatory Sonnet to a Sheep’s Head.’
| Hear us, great JAMES—thou poetry of mutton! | |
| Delicious profile of the beast that bleats. |
1870. London Figaro, 2 July. Club your pence, and you may attain to the glories of Osmazome and JAMES—that is, of baked sheep’s head.
