dead man

plural dead men

1. A dead man's switch.
2. slangA bottle of alcoholic drink that has been consumed.

   Synonyms: dead soldier, dead marine

3. UKobsoleteslangAn extra loaf stolen from a bakery by a servant who smuggles it into the customer's basket (and sometimes fraudulently charges it to the customer).

   A crusty loaf at your service — but master gets over-crusty, 'cause last week's bill ar'nt paid. I'm no "snatcher," altho' now and then I make "a dead man." […] We all admit the baker's skill, / To charge a dead man in his bill; […]

   1833, Francis West, Fun for winter evenings, page 27

4. alternativeAlternative form of deadman.