subs. (venery).—1. The penis: i.e., THE KEY that lets a man in and the maid out. For synonyms, see CREAMSTICK and PRICK.
1772. G. A. STEVENS, Songs, Comic and Satyrical [1788], ‘The Sentiment Song.’
| The lock of all locks, and unlocking the same…. | |
| That lock has the casket of Cupid within it, | |
| So—here’s to the KEY, lads,—the critical minute. |
2. (common).—A translation; a CRIB (q.v.).
TO HAVE THE KEY OF THE STREET, verb. phr. (common).—To be locked out of doors; to have no home.
1836. DICKENS, Pickwick Papers, xlvii. ‘There,’ said Lowten, ‘it’s too late now. You can’t get in to-night, you’ve got the KEY OF THE STREET, my friend.’ ‘Never mind me,’ replied Job. ‘I can sleep anywhere.’
1843. W. T. MONCRIEFF, The Scamps of London, i. 1. Char. Left your lodgings—and why, sir? Bob. Why?—why because the chimney smoked, my adorable; and then the paper of my rooms wasn’t fashionable enough—(aside)—and the landlady gave me the KEY OF THE STREET.
1888. Daily Telegraph, 28 Dec. Society would, perhaps, be startled and saddened to know how numerous those were upon the great holiday who had the KEY OF THE STREET for home, and a crust of bread by way of Christmas banquet.
