Black-legs
Posted by Bob Whitworth on August 22, 1998 at 14:04:35:
In response to Good info, but . . . , written by Woodhouse on August 22, 1998 at 10:35:14
] What the devil is a "set of black-legs?"
What one accidentally gets from stepping into a tar or coal pit. (see: Uncle Billy's Whiz-bang!", 1874)
Now for the real answer. This is from the "Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue",
Black Legs: A gambler or sharper on the turf or in the cock-pit: so called, perhaps from their appearing generally in boots; or else from game-cocks whose legs are always black.
~Bob Whitworth
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