swipes slang or colloq.
(swaɪps)
Also swypes.
[? f. swipe v. (sense 1).]
Poor weak beer; small beer; hence, beer in general.
| 1796 Grose's Dict. Vulgar T. (ed. 3), Swipes, purser's swipes; small beer; so termed on board the king's ships, where it is furnished by the purser. 1812 Murphy Delany's Feast 8 The Rattle-belly vengeance flew about, Swipes, 'tis call'd in common. 1821 Scott Fam. Lett. 6 Apr., I am bringing down with me a tankard for swipes. 1838 Dickens O. Twist xxxix, It's been as dull as swipes. a 1845 Hood Sniffing a Birthday x, To me it seems this is a day For bread and cheese and swipes. 1895 Meredith Amazing Marriage xv, You may get as royally intoxicated on swipes as on choice wine. |