rat hunter
n.— «Rat hunter. Delirium tremens patient who imagines he sees hundreds of rats.» —“Hospital Workers’ Slang and Jargon” by Hospital Workers in New York City. Also, Virginia and Arkansas. in New York City Lexicon of Trade Jargon , 1938-39. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
In the 15th century, the word respair meant “to have hope again.” Although this word fell out of use, it’s among dozens collected in a new book of soothing vocabulary for troubled times. Plus, baseball slang: If a batter...
Sean in Oneonta, New York, says that when he was growing up in New Jersey, his family would pile in the car and set off on a surprise adventure, whether a short distance or long, and the kids would be told only that they were going on Buxtehude...