leaping over the sword

Fun Dictionary -> leaping over the sword

leaping over the sword - Vulgar Dictionary definition

An ancient ceremonial said to constitute a military marriage. A sword being laid down on the ground, the parties to be married joined hands, when the corporal or serjeant of the, company repeated these words: "Leap rogue, and jump whore, And then you are married for evermore." Whereupon the happy couple jumped hand in hand over the sword, the drum beating a ruffle; and the parties were ever after considered as man and wife.