| Domain | Definition | ||
| Literature | 1: "Hark ye! Jem Clink will fetch you the darbies." - Sir W. Scott: Peveril of the Peak. 2: Darbies (2 syl.). Handcuffs. This is derived from "Darby and Joan," because originally two prisoners were linked together as Darby and Joan. 3: Johnny Darbies, policemen, is a perversion' of the French gensdarmes, in conjunction with the above. Source: Brewer's Dictionary. | ||
| Slang in 1811 | DARBIES. Fetters. CANT. Source: 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue. | ||
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | Top | ||
