Meanings of "sling inside", "raff round" and "a cat amongst the Blitz"?

Question

I'm reading *The Muse* by Jessie Burton. The following descriptions are about a woman who comes from the upper class of London in 1967:> "Wide black slacks that billowed like a sailor’s as she walked. A> pale-pink silk blouse with a grey satin necktie loosely **slung> inside** it. She looked like something out of Hollywood."> > "I imagined her in her twenties, **raffing round** London with a> glamorous set, **a cat amongst the Blitz**."Firstly, I'm having a hard time picturing the way she dressed. The dictionary says "to sling" means to drop carelessly. So I guess there's a casualness to her style. But then I can't imagine a woman wears her necktie "inside" her blouse. Is this the fashion in that era or have I misunderstood the sentence?Secondly, I did find the definition for "raff" in Wiktionary, which says it means "to sweep, snatch, draw, or huddle together". But then I don't understand what "raff round London" means. Is it the same idea as "wonder around"?Finally, I believe "Blitz" refers to the German bombing of London during World War II. But when the author describes this character as "a cat amongst the Blitz", what does it mean?Can anybody help me with those ideas?

Answer 1

I would say that "raff round" would mean hanging around. The word "raff" stemming from the phrase "riff-raf" which means disreputable persons.

I am thinking that "slung inside" means loosely hanging inside her blouse intentionally.

The phrase "a cat amongst the bliss" would mean she is slick and cunning under her glamour.

Answer 2

'A necktie slung inside of it' The key here is to remember that what we call English is not the Queen's English that the book was written in. Jessie Burton is English, which can affect her word choice. In this context, the necktie slung inside of it means a women's scarf tied 'round her neck, and the ends tucked into her shirt, probably like the picture at the link below.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/70861394106902948/

Your second question, what is meant 'raffing around London' is most likely to refer to how the British 'riff raff' acted, and has the connotation of partying around London irresponsibly, and acting beneath her class. (For some reason, the British are quite fond of their class distinctions.)

Your third question about 'A cat amongst the Blitz' does indeed refer to the German bombing, and it most likely is defining the young lady's character as someone who is somewhat reckless (like a cat), and yet somehow avoids the bombs (either of the Germans, or of life), much like cats are often able to do.