Darbies
(2 syl.). Handcuffs. This is derived from “Darby and Joan,”
because originally two prisoners were linked together as Darby and
Joan.
“Hark ye! Jem Clink will fetch you the darbies.” —Sir W. Scott:
Peveril of the Peak.
Johnny Darbies, policemen, is a perversion' of the French
gensdarmes, in conjunction with the above.
Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894 More on Darbies from Fact Monster:
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