reeb

UK 19th century. Back slang for beer.

• Rhymes: -iːb

reeb (countable and uncountable, plural reebs)

1. (obsolete, costermongers) Beer
   • 1851, Mayhew, Henry, “Habits and Amusements of Costermongers”, in London Labour and the London Poor‎, volume 1, page 11:

     Business topics are discussed in a most peculiar style. One man takes the pipe from his mouth and says, "Bill made a doogheno hit this morning." "Jem," says another, to a man just entering, "you'll stand a top o' reeb?" "On," answers Jem, "I've had a trosseno tol, and have been doing dab."

   • 1912 May 11, Heighway, A. J., “Whitechapel”, in The Evening Post (New Zealand)‎, volume LXXXIII, number 112, page 9:

     It is still in considerable vogue, and the enquirer will at times hear some good examples—though the chances are a hundred to one against his ever understanding them. A couple which were interpreted for my benefit were: "Hi, yob, kool that enif elrig with the nael ekom. Sap her a top of reeb and a tib of occobat," and "Islema, ogda the opperca." After the reader has sufficiently puzzled over these hieroglyphics he or she may be glad to learnt hat the quotations respectively mean: "Hi, boy, look at that fine girl with the lean moke. Pass her a pot of beer and a bit of tobacco," and "Misle, dog the copper!"

• See Thesaurus:beer

• Beer, Bree, Eber, be-er, beer, bere, bree, eber