ran-tan

“On the ran-tan, on the razzle, on a batter, on a skite.”

Simon & Schuster: At Swim, Two Boys

“Two men can't go on a complimentary ran-tan at the same table.”

The Man Between: An International Romance

“He gav a ran-tan at th 'back dur, wi' his whip-hondle; and when th 'little lass coom with a candle, he said,' Aw've getten a weshin'-machine for yo. ”

Th' Barrel Organ

“Prairial, 20th of May 1795, sound of the generale once more; beating sharp, ran-tan, To arms, To arms!”

The French Revolution

“Maillard, of his own motion, for Gouvion or the rest would not even sanction him, -- snatches a drum; descends the Porch-stairs, ran-tan, beating sharp, with loud rolls, his Rogues'-march: To Versailles!”

The French Revolution

“Maillard, beating rhythmic, with sharp ran-tan, all along the Quais, leads forward, with difficulty his Menadic host.”

The French Revolution

“Still more awkward was the accident which happened in consequence of clumsy Betty's haste to open the front door to a lofty footman's ran-tan, which caused her to set down the basket containing the dirty plates right in his mistress's way, as she stepped gingerly through the comparative darkness of the hall; and then the young men, leaving the dining-room quietly enough, but bursting with long-repressed giggle, or no longer restraining their tendency to practical joking, no matter who might be in the passage when they made their exit.”

Wives and Daughters

““The General’s on the ran-tan,” somebody called, and the phrase was taken up till Mr. Mack heard it on every mouth in every tone and minor variation.”

Simon & Schuster: At Swim, Two Boys