Lock

subs. (old).—1.  See quot. 1696.

  c. 1696.  B. E., A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew, s.v. LOCK-ALL-FAST.… The LOCK, the magazine or Warehouse whither the thieves carry stolen goods to be secur’d.

  1727.  GAY, The Beggar’s Opera, iii. 3. Filch. At his LOCK, Sir, at the Crooked Billet.

  1785.  GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v.

  2.  (old).—See quots. 1696 and 1718; a FENCE (q.v.). Also LOCK-ALL-FAST.

  c. 1696.  B. E., A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew, s.v. LOCK-ALL-FAST, one that buys and conceals stolen goods.

  1714.  Memoirs of John Hall (4 ed.), p. 13, s.v.

  1718.  C. HIGGIN, True Discovery, p. 16. That woman they spoke to as they passed by is a LOCK, alias Receiver and Buyer of stolen goods.

  1859.  G. W. MATSELL, Vocabulum; or, The Rogue’s Lexicon, s.v.

  3.  (old).—A line of business or conduct. Cf. LURK.

  1663.  A. COWLEY, The Cutter of Coleman Street. Trum. sen. Why look you, Colonel, he’s at OLD LOCK, he’s at’s May-bees again.

  1800.  G. PARKER, Life’s Painter, p. 116. What LOCK do you cut now?

  1823.  GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v.

  4.  (old).—See quots.

  1725.  A New Canting Dictionary, s.v. LOCK, as He stood a queer LOCK; i.e., He stood an indifferent chance.

  1748.  T. DYCHE, A New General English Dictionary (5 ed.). LOCK (S.) … also a cant word…. He stood a queer LOCK or bad chance.

  1785.  GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v. LOCK, He stood a queer LOCK; i.e., he bore but an indifferent character.

  1859.  G. W. MATSELL, Vocabulum; or, The Rogue’s Lexicon, s.v.

  5.  (venery).—The female pudendum. For synonyms, see MONOSYLLABLE. Also LOCK OF ALL LOCKS: cf. KEY = penis.

  1772.  G. A. STEVENS, Songs, Comic and Satyrical [1788], ‘The Sentiment Song.’ The LOCK OF ALL LOCKS, and unlocking the same.

  6.  See LOVELOCK.