HOISTING. A ludicrous ceremony formerly performed on
every soldier, the first time he appeared in the field after
being married; it was thus managed: As soon as the
regiment, or company, had grounded their arms to rest a
while, three or four men of the same company to which
the bridegroom belonged, seized upon him, and putting a
couple of bayonets out of the two corners of his hat, to
represent horns, it was placed on his head, the back part
foremost. He was then hoisted on the shoulders of two
strong fellows, and carried round the arms, a drum and fife
beating and playing the pioneers call, named Round Heads
and Cuckolds, but on this occasion styled the Cuckold's
March; in passing the colours, he was to take off his hat:
this, in some regiments, was practised by the officers on
their brethren, Hoisting, among pickpockets, is, setting
a man on his head, that his money, watch, &c. may fall
out of his pockets; these they pick up, and hold to be
no robbery. See REVERSED.