"darbies" Definition

Definitions for the word "darbies" from multiple English dictionaries.

1. slang
handcuffs.—_Old Cant._—_See_ JOHNNY DARBIES. Sir Walter Scott mentions these, in the sense of fetters, in his _Peveril of the Peak_— “‘Hark ye! Jem Clink will fetch you the DARBIES.’ ‘Derby!’ interrupted Julian, ‘has the Earl or Countess’”---- Had Sir Walter known of any connexion between them and this family he would undoubtedly have mentioned it. The mistake of Julian is corrected in the next paragraph. It is said that handcuffs were, when used to keep two prisoners together, called DARBIES and JOANS—a term which would soon be shortened as a natural consequence.
Source: The Slang Dictionary, 1864

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