Arch Duke.  A comical or eccentric fellow.

Arch rogue, dimber damber upright man.  The
  chief of a gang of thieves or gypsies.

Arch dell, or arch doxy, signifies the same in rank
  among the female canters or gypsies.

Ard.  Hot.  Cant.

Armour.  In his armour, pot valiant:  to fight in armour;
  to make use of Mrs. Philips’s ware.  See C—­D—­M.

Ark.  A boat or wherry.  Let us take an ark and winns, let
  us take a sculler.  Cant.

Ark ruffians.  Rogues who, in conjunction with watermen,
  robbed, and sometimes murdered, on the water, by
  picking a quarrel with the passengers in a boat, boarding
  it, plundering, stripping, and throwing them overboard, &c. 
  A species of badger.  Cant.

Arrah now.  An unmeaning expletive, frequently used by
  the vulgar Irish.

ARS MUSICA.  A bum fiddlle.

Arse.  To hang an arse; to hang back, to be afraid to
  advance.  He would lend his a-e and sh-te through his ribs;
  a saying of any one who lends his money inconsiderately. 
  He would lose his a-e if it was loose; said of a careless
  person.  A-e about; turn round.

ARSY YARSEY.  To fall arsy varsey, i.e. head over heels.

Arthur, king Arthur, A game used at sea, when near
  the line, or in a hot latitude.  It is performed thus:  A man
  who is to represent king Arthur, ridiculously dressed,
  having a large wig made out of oakum, or some old swabs, is
  seated on the side, or over a large vessel of water.  Every
  person in his turn is to be ceremoniously introduced to
  him, and to pour a bucket of water over him, crying,
  hail, king Arthur! if during this ceremony the person
  introduced laughs or smiles (to which his majesty endeavours
  to excite him, by all sorts of ridiculous gesticulations), he
  changes place with, and then becomes, king Arthur, till
  relieved by some brother tar, who has as little command
  over his muscles as himself.

Articles.  Breeches; coat, waistcoat, and articles.

Article.  A wench.  A prime article.  A handsome girl. 
  She’s a prime article (whip slang), she’s a devilish good
  piece, a hell of a goer.

Ask, or Ax my A-E.  A common reply to any question;
  still deemed wit at sea, and formerly at court, under the
  denomination of selling bargains.  See bargain.

ASSIG.  An assignation.

Athanasian wench, or QUICUNQUE VULT.  A forward
  girl, ready to oblige every man that shall ask her.

Aunt.  Mine aunt; a bawd or procuress:  a title of eminence
  for the senior dells, who serve for instructresses, midwives,
  &c. for the dells.  Cant.  See dells.