Chapter IV: Part 4

~Bad~, hard, difficult. Word in use among sporting men who say, “He will be BAD to beat,” when they mean that the man or horse to whom they refer will about win.

~Bad Egg~, a scoundrel or rascal.

~Badger~, to tease, to annoy by “chaffing.” Suggestive of drawing a badger.

~Bad Lot~, a term derived from auctioneering slang, and now generally used to describe a man or woman of indifferent morals.

~Badminton~, blood,—properly a peculiar kind of claret-cup invented at the Duke of Beaufort’s seat of that name. BADMINTON proper is made of claret, sugar, spice, cucumber peel, and ice, and was sometimes used by the patrons of the Prize Ring as a synonym for blood.

~Bad Words~, words not always bad of themselves but unpleasant to “ears polite,” from their vulgar associations.

~Baffaty~, calico. Term used in the drapery trade.

~Bag~, to seize or steal, equivalent to “collar.”

~Bagman~, a commercial traveller. This word is used more in reference to the old style of commercial travellers than to the present.

~Bags~, trousers. Trousers of an extensive pattern, or exaggerated fashion, have sometimes been termed HOWLING-BAGS, but only when the style has been very “loud.” The word is probably an abbreviation of bumbags. “To have the BAGS off,” to be of age and one’s own master, to have plenty of money. BAGS OF MYSTERY is another phrase in frequent use, and refers to sausages and saveloys. BAG OF TRICKS, refers to the whole of a means towards a result. “That’s the whole bag of tricks.”

~Baked~, seasoned, “he’s only HALF-BAKED,” _i.e._, soft, inexperienced.

~Baker’s Dozen~, thirteen. Originally the London bakers supplied the retailers, _i.e._, chandlers’ shopkeepers and itinerants, with thirteen loaves to the dozen, so as to make up what is known as the overweight, the surplus number, called the _inbread_, being thrown in for fear of incurring a penalty for short weight. To “give a man a BAKER’S DOZEN,” in a slang sense, sometimes means to give him an extra good beating or pummelling.

~Balaam~, printers’ slang for matter kept in type about monstrous productions of nature, &c., to fill up spaces in newspapers that would otherwise be vacant. The term BALAAM-BOX has often been used as the name of a depository for rejected articles. Evidently from Scripture, and referring to the “speech of an ass.”

~Bald-Faced Stag~, a term of derision applied to a person with a bald head. Also, still more coarsely, “BLADDER-OF-LARD.”

~Bale up~, an Australian term equivalent to our “Shell out.” A demand for instantaneous payment.

~Ballambangjang.~ The Straits of BALLAMBANGJANG, though unnoticed by geographers, are frequently mentioned in sailors’ yarns as being so narrow, and the rocks on each side so crowded with trees inhabited by monkeys, that the ship’s yards cannot be squared, on account of the monkey’s tails getting jammed into, and choking up, the brace blocks.—_Sea._

~Ballast~, money. A rich man is said to be well-ballasted. If not proud and over-bearing he is said to carry his ballast well.

~Balmy~, weak-minded or idiotic (not insane).

~Balmy~, sleep; “have a dose of the BALMY.”

~Bamboozle~, to deceive, make fun of, or cheat a person; abbreviated to BAM, which is sometimes used also as a substantive—a deception, a sham, a “sell.” _Swift_ says BAMBOOZLE was invented by a nobleman in the reign of Charles II.; but this is very likely an error. The probability is that a nobleman then first _used_ it in polite society. The term is derived from the _Gipsies_.

~Bandannah~, originally a peculiar kind of silk pocket-handkerchief, now slang used to denote all sorts of “stooks,” “wipes,” and “fogles,” and in fact the generic term for a kerchief, whether neck or pocket.

~Banded~, hungry. From the habit hungry folks have of tying themselves tight round the middle.

~Bandy~, or CRIPPLE, a sixpence, so called from this coin being generally bent or crooked; old term for flimsy or bad cloth, temp. Q. Elizabeth.

~Bang~, to excel or surpass; BANGING, great or thumping.

~Bang-up~, first-rate, in the best possible style.

~Bank~, to put in a place of safety. “BANK the rag,” _i.e._, secure the note. Also “to bank” is to go shares.

~Bank~, the total amount possessed by any one, “How’s the BANK?” “Not very strong; about one and a buck.”

~Bantling~, a child; stated in _Bacchus and Venus_, 1737, and by _Grose_, to be a cant term. This is hardly slang now-a-days, and modern etymologists give its origin as that of bands or swaddling clothes.

~Banyan-Day~, a day on which no meat is served out for rations; probably derived from the BANIANS, a Hindoo caste, who abstain from animal food. Quite as probably from the sanitary arrangements which have in hot climates counselled the eating of BANYANS and other fruits in preference to meat on certain days.—_Sea._

~Bar~, or BARRING, excepting; in common use in the betting-ring; “Two to one bar one,” _i.e._, two to one against any horse with the exception of one. The Irish use of BARRIN’ is very similar, and the words BAR and BARRING may now be regarded as general.

~Barber’s Cat~, a half-starved sickly-looking person. Term used in connexion with an expression too coarse to print.

~Barber’s Clerk~, an overdressed shopboy who apes the manners of, and tries to pass himself off as, a gentleman; a term of reproach applied not to an artisan but to one of those who, being below, assume airs of superiority over, handicraftsmen.

~Barge~, a term used among printers (compositors) to denote a case in which there is an undue proportion of some letters and a corresponding shortness of those which are most valuable.

~Bark~, an Irish person of either sex. From this term, much in use among the London lower orders, but for which no etymology can be found, Ireland is now and then playfully called Barkshire.

~Barker~, a man employed to cry at the doors of “gaffs,” shows, and puffing shops, to entice people inside. Among touting photographers he is called a doorsman.

~Barking-Iron~, or BARKER, a pistol. Term used by footpads and thieves generally.

~Barnacles~, spectacles; possibly a corruption of binoculi; but derived by some from the barnacle (_Lepas Anatifera_), a kind of conical shell adhering to ships’ bottoms. Hence a marine term for goggles, which they resemble in shape, and for which they are used by sailors in case of ophthalmic derangement.

~Barney~, an unfair race of any kind: a sell or cross. Also a lark, jollification, or outing. The word BARNEY is sometimes applied to a swindle unconnected with the sporting world.

~Barn Stormers~, theatrical performers who travel the country and act in barns, selecting short and tragic pieces to suit the rustic taste.

~Barrikin~, jargon, speech, or discourse; “We can’t tumble to that BARRIKIN,” _i.e._, we don’t understand what he says. “Cheese your BARRIKIN,” shut up. _Miege_ calls it “a sort of stuff;” _Old French_, BARACAN.

~Bash~, to beat, thrash; “BASHING a dona,” beating a woman; originally a provincial word, applied to the practice of beating walnut trees, when in bud, with long poles, to increase their productiveness. Hence the West country proverb—

“A woman, a whelp, and a walnut tree,
The more you BASH ’em, the better they be.”

The word BASH, among thieves, signifies to flog with the cat or birch. The worst that can happen to a brutal ruffian is to receive “a BASHING in, and a BASHING out,”—a flogging at the commencement and another at the close of his term of enforced virtue.

~Baste~, to beat, properly to pour gravy on roasting meat to keep it from burning, and add to its flavour. Also a sewing term.

~Bastile~, the workhouse. General name for “the Union” amongst the lower orders of the _North_. Formerly used to denote a prison, or “lock-up;” but its abbreviated form, STEEL, is now the favourite expression with the dangerous classes, some of whom have never heard of BASTILE, familiar as they are with “steel.”

~Bat~, “on his own BAT,” on his own account. Evident modification of the cricket term, “off his own bat,” though not connected therewith.—_See_ HOOK.

~Bat~, to take an innings at cricket. To “carry out one’s BAT” is to be last in, _i.e._, to be “not out.” A man’s individual score is said to be made “off his own BAT.”

~Bat~, pace at walking or running. As, “He went off at a good BAT.”

~Bats~, a pair of bad boots.

~Battells~, the weekly bills at Oxford. Probably originally wooden tallies, and so a diminutive of bâton.—_University._

~Batter~, wear and tear; “can’t stand the BATTER,” _i.e._, not equal to the task; “on the BATTER,” “on the streets,” “on the town,” or given up to roystering and debauchery.

~Batty~, wages, perquisites. Derived from BATTA, an extra pay given to soldiers while serving in _India_.

~Batty-Fang~, to beat; BATTY-FANGING, a beating; also BATTER-FANG. Used metaphorically as early as 1630.

“So _batter-fanged_ and belabour’d with tongue mettle, that he was
weary of his life.”—_Taylor’s Works._

~Beach-Comber~, a fellow who prowls about the sea-shore to plunder wrecks, and pick up waifs and strays of any kind.—_Sea._

~Beak~, originally a magistrate, judge, or policeman; now a magistrate only; “to baffle the BEAK,” to get remanded. _Ancient Cant_, BECK. _Saxon_, BEAG, a necklace or gold collar—emblem of authority. Sir John Fielding was called the BLIND-BEAK in the last century. Maybe connected with the Italian BECCO, which means a (bird’s) _beak_, and also a _blockhead_.—_See_ WALKER.

~Beaker-Hunter~, or BEAK-HUNTER, a stealer of poultry.

~Beans~, money; “a haddock of BEANS,” a purse of money; formerly, BEAN meant a guinea; _French_, BIENS, property.

~Bear~, one who contracts to deliver or sell a certain quantity of stock in the public funds on a forthcoming day at a stated place, but who does not possess it, trusting to a decline in public securities to enable him to fulfil the agreement and realize a profit.—_See_ BULL. Both words are slang terms on the Stock Exchange, and are frequently used in the business columns of newspapers.

“He who sells that of which he is not possessed is proverbially said
to sell the skin before he has caught the BEAR. It was the practice
of stock-jobbers, in the year 1720, to enter into a contract for
transferring South Sea stock at a future time for a certain price;
but he who contracted to sell had frequently no stock to transfer,
nor did he who bought intend to receive any in consequence of his
bargain; the seller was, therefore, called a BEAR, in allusion to
the proverb, and the buyer a BULL, perhaps only as a similar
distinction. The contract was merely a wager, to be determined by
the rise or fall of stock; if it rose, the seller paid the
difference to the buyer, proportioned to the sum determined by the
same computation to the seller.”—_Dr. Warton on Pope._

These arrangements are nowadays called “time bargains,” and are as fairly (or unfairly) gambling as any transactions at the Victoria Club or Tattersall’s, or any of the doings which call for the intervention of the police and the protestations of pompous City magistrates, who, during their terms of office, try to be virtuous and make their names immortal. Certainly BULLING and BEARING are as productive of bankruptcy and misery as are BACKING and LAYING.

~Be-argered~, drunk. (The word is divided here simply to convey the pronunciation.)

~Bear-Leader~, a tutor in a private family. In the old days of the “grand tour” the term was much more in use and of course more significant than it is now.

~Bear-up~ and ~Bearer-up~.—_See_ BONNET.

~Beat~, the allotted range traversed by a policeman on duty.

~Beat~, or BEAT-HOLLOW, to surpass or excel; also “BEAT into fits,” and “BEAT badly.”

~Beat~, “DEAD-BEAT,” wholly worn out, done up.

~Beater-Cases~, boots. _Nearly obsolete._ TROTTER CASES is the term nowadays.

~Beaver~, old street term for a hat; GOSS is the modern word, BEAVER, except in the country, having fallen into disuse.

~Bebee~, a lady.—_Anglo-Indian._

~Be-Blowed~, a derisive instruction never carried into effect, as, “You BE-BLOWED.” Used similarly to the old “Go to.” _See_ BLOW ME.

~Bed-Fagot~, a contemptuous term for a woman; generally applied to a prostitute.—_See_ FAGOT.

~Bed-Post~, “in the twinkling of a BED-POST,” in a moment, or very quickly. Originally BED-STAFF, a stick placed vertically in the frame of a bed to keep the bedding in its place, and used sometimes as a defensive weapon.

~Bee~, “to have a BEE in one’s bonnet,” _i.e._, to be not exactly sane; to have a craze in one particular direction. Several otherwise sensible and excellent M.P.’s are distinguished by the “BEE in his bonnet” each carries.

~Beef-Headed~, stupid, fat-headed, dull.

~Beefy~, unduly thick or fat, commonly said of women’s ankles; also rich, juicy, plenteous. To take the whole pool at loo, or to have any particular run of luck at cards generally is said by players to be “very BEEFY.”

~Beeline~, the straightest possible line of route to a given point. When a bee is well laden, it makes a straight flight for home. Originally an Americanism, but now general.

~Beery~, intoxicated, or fuddled with beer.

~Beeswax~, poor, soft cheese. Sometimes called “sweaty-toe cheese.”

~Beeswing~, the film which forms on the sides of bottles which contain good old port wine. This breaks up into small pieces in the process of decanting, and looks like BEES’ WINGS. Hence the term.

~Beetle-Crusher~, or SQUASHER, a large flat foot. The expression was made popular by being once used by Leech.

~Beetle-Sticker~, an entomologist.

~Beggars’ Velvet~, downy particles which accumulate under furniture from the negligence of housemaids. Otherwise called SLUTS’-WOOL.

~Belcher~, a blue bird’s-eye handkerchief.—_See_ BILLY.

~Bell~, a song. Tramps’ term. Simply diminutive of BELLOW.

~Bellows~, the lungs. BELLOWSER, a blow in the “wind,” or pit of the stomach, taking one’s breath away.

~Bellowsed~, or LAGGED, transported.

~Bellows to Mend~, a person out of breath; especially a pugilist is said to be “BELLOWS TO MEND” when winded. With the P.R., the word has fallen into desuetude.

~Belly-Timber~, food, or “grub.”

~Belly-Vengeance~, small sour beer, apt to cause gastralgia.

~Bemuse~, to fuddle one’s self with drink, “BEMUSING himself with beer,” &c.

~Ben~, a benefit.—_Theatrical._

~Ben Cull~, a friend, or “pal.” Expression used by thieves.

~Bend~, “that’s above my bend,” _i.e._, beyond my power, too expensive or too difficult for me to perform.

~Bender~, a sixpence. Probably from its liability to bend. In the days when the term was most in use sixpences were not kept in the excellent state of preservation peculiar to the currency of the present day.

~Bender~, the arm; “over the BENDER,” synonymous with “over the left.”—_See_ OVER.

~Bendigo~, a rough fur cap worn in the midland counties, called after a noted pugilist of that name. “Hard Punchers” are caps worn by London roughs and formerly by men in training. They are a modification of the common Scotch cap, and have peaks.

~Bene~, good.—_Ancient Cant_; BENAR was the comparative.—_See_ BONE. _Latin._

~Benedick~, a married man. _Shakspeare._

~Benjamin~, coat. Formerly termed a JOSEPH, in allusion, perhaps, to Joseph’s coat of many colours.—_See_ UPPER-BENJAMIN.

~Ben Joltram~, brown bread and skimmed milk; a Norfolk term for a ploughboy’s breakfast.

~Benjy~, a waistcoat, diminutive of BENJAMIN.

~Beong~, a shilling.—_See_ SALTEE.—_Lingua Franca._

~Bess-o’-Bedlam~, a lunatic vagrant.—_Norfolk._

~Best~, to get the better or BEST of a man in any way—not necessarily to cheat—to have the best of a bargain. BESTED, taken in, or defrauded, in reality worsted. BESTER, a low betting cheat, a fraudulent bookmaker.

~Better~, more; “how far is it to town?” “Oh, BETTER ’n a mile.”—_Saxon_ and _Old English_, now a vulgarism.

~Betting Round~, laying fairly and equally against nearly all the horses in a race so that no great risk can be run. Commonly called getting round. _See_ BOOK, and BOOKMAKING.

~Betty~, a skeleton key, or picklock.—_Old Prison Cant._

~B Flats~, bugs.—_Compare_ F SHARPS.

~Bible-Carrier~, a person who sells songs without singing them.—_Seven Dials._

~Biddy~, a general name applied to Irish stallwomen and milkmaids, in the same manner that Mike is given to the labouring men. A big red-faced Irish servant girl is known as a Bridget.

~Big~, “to look BIG,” to assume an inflated air or manner; “to talk BIG,” _i.e._, boastingly.

~Big-Bird~, TO GET THE, _i.e._, to be hissed, as actors occasionally are by the “gods.” BIG-BIRD is simply a metaphor for goose.—_Theat. Slang._

~Big House~, or LARGE HOUSE, the workhouse,—a phrase used by the very poor.

~Big-wig~, a person in authority or office. Exchangeable with “GREAT GUN.”

~Bilbo~, a sword; abbrev. of “BILBAO blade.” Spanish swords were anciently very celebrated, especially those of Toledo, Bilbao, &c.

~Bilk~, a cheat, or a swindler. Formerly in general use, now confined to the streets, where it is common, and mostly used in reference to prostitutes. _Gothic_, BILAICAN.

~Bilk~, to defraud, or obtain goods, &c., without paying for them; “to BILK the schoolmaster,” to get information or experience without paying for it.

~Billingsgate~ (when applied to speech), foul and coarse language. Many years since people used to visit Thames Street to hear the Billingsgate fishwomen abuse each other. The anecdote of Dr. Johnson and the Billingsgate virago is well known.

~Billingsgate Pheasant~, a red herring or bloater. This is also called a “two-eyed steak.”

~Billy~, a silk pocket-handkerchief.—_Scotch._—_See_ WIPE.

⁂ A list of slang terms descriptive of the various patterns of handkerchiefs, pocket and neck, is here subjoined:—

BELCHER, darkish blue ground, large round white spots, with a spot
in the centre of darker blue than the ground. This was adopted by
Jem Belcher, the pugilist, as his “colours,” and soon became popular
amongst “the fancy.”

BIRD’S-EYE WIPE, a handkerchief of any colour, containing white
spots. The blue bird’s-eye is similar to the Belcher except in the
centre. Sometimes a BIRD’S-EYE WIPE has a white ground and blue
spots.

BLOOD-RED FANCY, red.

BLUE BILLY, blue ground, generally with white figures.

CREAM FANCY, any pattern on a white ground.

KING’S MAN, yellow pattern on a green ground.

RANDAL’S MAN, green, with white spots; named after the favourite
colours of Jack Randal, pugilist.

WATER’S MAN, sky coloured.

YELLOW FANCY, yellow, with white spots.

YELLOW MAN, all yellow.

~Billy~, a policeman’s staff. Also stolen metal of any kind. BILLY-HUNTING is buying old metal. A BILLY-FENCER is a marine-store dealer.

~Billy-Barlow~, a street clown; sometimes termed a JIM CROW, or SALTIMBANCO,—so called from the hero of a slang song. Billy was a real person, semi-idiotic, and though in dirt and rags, fancied himself a swell of the first water. Occasionally he came out with real witticisms. He was a well-known street character about the East-end of London, and died in Whitechapel Workhouse.

~Billy-Cock~, a soft felt hat of the Jim Crow or “wide-awake” description.

~Bingo~, brandy.—_Old Cant._

~Bingy~, a term largely used in the butter trade to denote bad, ropy butter; nearly equivalent to VINNIED.

~Bird-Cage~, a four-wheeled cab.

~Birthday Suit~, the suit in which Adam and Eve first saw each other, and “were not ashamed.”

~Bishop~, a warm drink composed of materials similar to those used in the manufacture of “flip” and “purl.”

~Bit~, fourpence; in America a 12-1/2 cent piece is called a BIT, and a defaced 20 cent piece is termed a LONG BIT. A BIT is the smallest coin in Jamaica, equal to 6d. BIT usually means the smallest silver coin in circulation; also a piece of money of any kind. Charles Bannister, the witty singer and actor, one day meeting a Bow Street runner with a man in custody, asked what the prisoner had done; and being told that he had stolen a bridle, and had been detected in the act of selling it, said, “Ah, then, he wanted to touch the BIT.”

~Bitch~, tea; “a BITCH party,” a tea-drinking. Probably because undergraduates consider tea only fit for old women.—_Oxford._

~Bite~, a cheat; “a Yorkshire BITE,” a cheating fellow from that county. The term BITE is also applied to a hard bargainer.—_North_; also _old slang_—used by _Pope_. Swift says it originated with a nobleman in his day.

~Bite~, to cheat; “to be BITTEN,” to be taken in or imposed upon. Originally a Gipsy term. CROSS-BITER, for a cheat, continually occurs in writers of the sixteenth century. Bailey has CROSS-BITE, a disappointment, probably the primary sense; and BITE is very probably a contraction of this.

~Bit-Faker~, or TURNER OUT, a coiner of bad money.

~Bit-of-Stuff~, overdressed man; a man with full confidence in his appearance and abilities; a young woman, who is also called a BIT OF MUSLIN.

~Bitter~, diminutive of bitter beer; “to do a BITTER,” to drink beer.—Originally _Oxford_, but now general.

~Bittock~, a distance of very undecided length. If a North countryman be asked the distance to a place, he will most probably reply, “a mile and a BITTOCK.” The latter may be considered any distance from one hundred yards to ten miles.

~Bivvy~, or GATTER, beer; “shant of BIVVY,” a pot or quart of beer. In Suffolk the afternoon refreshment of reapers is called BEVER. It is also an old English term.

“He is none of those same ordinary eaters, that will devour three
breakfasts, and as many dinners, without any prejudice to their
BEVERS, drinkings, or suppers.”—_Beaumont and Fletcher’s Woman
Hater_, i. 3.

Both words are probably from the _Italian_, BEVERE, BERE. _Latin_, BIBERE. _English_, BEVERAGE.

~Biz~, contraction of the word business; a phrase much used in America in writing as well as in conversation.

~B. K. S.~ Military officers in _mufti_, when out on a spree, and not wishing their profession to be known, speak of their barracks as the B. K. S.

~Black and White~, handwriting or print. “Let’s have it in BLACK AND WHITE,” is often said with regard to an agreement when it is to the advantage of one or both that it should be written.

~Black-a-vised~, having a very dark complexion.

~Blackberry-Swagger~, a person who hawks tapes, boot-laces, &c.

~Blackbirding~, slave-catching. Term most applied nowadays to the Polynesian coolie traffic.

~Black Diamonds~, coals; talented persons of dingy or unpolished exterior; rough jewels.

~Blackguard~, a low or dirty fellow; a rough or a hulking fellow, capable of any meanness or cowardice.

“A cant word amongst the vulgar, by which is implied a dirty fellow
of the meanest kind, Dr. Johnson says, and he cites only the modern
authority of Swift. But the introduction of this word into our
language belongs not to the vulgar, and is more than a century prior
to the time of Swift. Mr. Malone agrees with me in exhibiting the
two first of the following examples:—The _black-guard_ is evidently
designed to imply a fit attendant on the devil. Mr. Gifford,
however, in his late edition of Ben Jonson’s works, assigns an
origin of the name different from what the old examples which I have
cited seem to countenance. It has been formed, he says, from those
‘mean and dirty dependants, in great houses, who were selected to
carry coals to the kitchen, halls, &c. To this smutty regiment, who
attended the progresses, and rode in the carts with the pots and
kettles, which, with every other article of furniture, were then
moved from palace to palace, the people, in derision, gave the name
of _black guards_; a term since become sufficiently familiar, and
never properly explained.’”—_Todd’s Johnson’s Dictionary._

Blackguard as an adjective is very powerful.

~Blackleg~, a rascal, swindler, or card cheat. The derivation of this term was solemnly argued before the full Court of Queen’s Bench upon a motion for a new trial for libel, but was not decided by the learned tribunal. Probably it is from the custom of sporting and turf men wearing black _top-boots_. Hence BLACKLEG came to be the phrase for a professional sporting man, and thence for a professional sporting cheat. The word is now in its worst sense diminished to “leg.”

~Black Maria~, the sombre van in which prisoners are conveyed from the police court to prison.

~Black Monday~, the Monday on which boys return to school after the holidays. Also a low term for the Monday on which an execution took place.

~Black Sheep~, a “bad lot,” “_mauvais sujet_;” sometimes “scabby sheep;” also a workman who refuses to join in a strike.

~Black Strap~, port wine; especially that which is thick and sweet.

~Blackwork~, undertaking. The waiters met at public dinners are often employed during the day as mutes, etc. Omnibus and cab drivers regard BLACKWORK as a _dernier ressort_.

~Bladder-of-Lard~, a coarse, satirical nickname for a bald-headed person. From similarity of appearance.

~Blade~, a man—in ancient times the term for a soldier; “knowing BLADE,” a wide-awake, sharp, or cunning man.

~Blarney~, flattery, powers of persuasion. A castle in the county of Cork. It is said that whoever kisses a certain stone in this castle will be able to persuade others of whatever he or she pleases. The name of the castle is derived from BLADH, a blossom, _i.e._, the flowery or fertile demesne. BLADH is also flattery; hence the connexion. A more than ordinarily persuasive Irishman is said to have “kissed the BLARNEY stone.”

~Blast~, to curse. Originally a _Military_ expression.

~Blaze~, to leave trace purposely of one’s way in a forest or unknown path by marking trees or other objects.

~Blazes~, a low synonym for the infernal regions, and now almost for anything. “Like BLAZES” is a phrase of intensification applied without any reference to the original meaning. Also applied to the brilliant habiliments of flunkeys, since the episode of Sam Weller and the “swarry.”

~Bleed~, to victimize, or extract money from a person, to sponge on, to make suffer vindictively.

~Blest~, a vow; “BLEST if I’ll do it,” _i.e._, I am determined not to do it; euphemism for CURST.

~Blether~, to bother, to annoy, to pester. “A BLETHERING old nuisance” is a common expression for a garrulous old person.

~Blew~, or BLOW, to inform, or peach, to lose or spend money.

~Blewed~, a man who has lost or spent all his money is said to have BLEWED it. Also used in cases of robbery from the person, as, “He’s BLEWED his red ’un,” _i.e._, he’s been eased of his watch.

~Blewed~, got rid of, disposed of, spent.

~Blind~, a pretence, or make-believe.

~Blind-Half-Hundred~, the Fiftieth Regiment of Foot; so called through their great sufferings from ophthalmia when serving in Egypt.

~Blind-Hookey~, a game at cards which has no recommendation beyond the rapidity with which money can be won and lost at it; called also WILFUL MURDER.

~Blind-Man’s-Holiday~, night, darkness. Sometimes applied to the period “between the lights.”

~Blind Monkeys~, an imaginary collection at the Zoological Gardens, which are supposed to receive care and attention from persons fitted by nature for such office and for little else. An idle and useless person is often told that he is only fit to lead the BLIND MONKEYS to evacuate. Another form this elegant conversation takes, is for one man to tell another that he knows of a suitable situation for him. “How much a week? and what to do?” are natural questions, and then comes the scathing and sarcastic reply, “Five bob a week at the doctor’s—you’re to stand behind the door and make the patients sick. They wont want no physic when they sees your mug.”

~Blinker~, a blackened eye.—_Norwich._ Also a hard blow in the eye. BLINKERS, spectacles.

~Blink-Fencer~, a person who sells spectacles.

~Bloated Aristocrat~, a street term for any decently dressed person. From the persistent abuse lavished on a “bloated and parasitical aristocracy” by Hyde Park demagogues and a certain unpleasant portion of the weekly press.

~Bloater.~—_See_ MILD.

~Blob~ (from BLAB), to talk. Beggars are of two kinds—those who SCREEVE (introducing themselves with a FAKEMENT, or false document) and those who BLOB, or state their case in their own truly “unvarnished” language.

~Block~, the head. “To BLOCK a hat,” is to knock a man’s hat down over his eyes.—_See_ BONNET. Also a street obstruction.

~Block Ornaments~, the small dark-coloured and sometimes stinking pieces of meat which used to be exposed on the cheap butchers’ blocks or counters; matters of interest to all the sharp-visaged women in poor neighbourhoods. Since the great rise in the price of meat there has been little necessity for butchers to make block ornaments of their odds and ends. They are bespoke beforehand.

~Bloke~, a man; “the BLOKE with the jasey,” the man with the wig, _i.e._, the Judge. _Gipsy_ and _Hindoo_, LOKE. _North_, BLOACHER, any large animal.

~Blood~, a fast or high-mettled man. Nearly obsolete, but much used in George the Fourth’s time.

~Blood-money~, the money that used to be paid to any one who by information or evidence led to a conviction for a capital offence. Nowadays applied to all sums received by informers.

~Blood-Red Fancy~, a particular kind of handkerchief sometimes worn by pugilists and frequenters of prize fights.—_See_ BILLY and COLOUR.

~Bloody~, an expletive used, without reference to meaning, as an adjective and an adverb, simply for intensification.

~Bloody Jemmy~, an uncooked sheep’s head.—_See_ SANGUINARY JAMES. Also MOUNTAIN PECKER.

~Blow~, to expose, or inform; “BLOW the gaff,” to inform against a person.

“‘As for that,’ says Will, ‘I could tell it well enough, if I had
it, but I must not be seen anywhere among my old acquaintances, for
I am BLOWN, and they will all betray me.’”—_History of Colonel
Jack_, 1723.

The expression would seem to have arisen from the belief that a flower might be blighted if “BLOWN upon” by a foul wind or a corrupted breath. See the condition of the flowers on a dinner-table by the time the company rise. In _America_, “to BLOW” is slang for to lie in a boasting manner, to brag or “gas” unduly.

~Blow a Cloud~, to smoke a cigar or pipe—a phrase used two centuries ago. Most likely in use as long as tobacco here—an almost evident conclusion.

~Blow Me~, or BLOW ME TIGHT, a vow, a ridiculous and unmeaning ejaculation, inferring an appeal to the ejaculator; “I’m BLOWED if you will” is a common expression among the lower orders; “BLOW ME UP” was the term a century ago.—_See Parker’s Adventures_, 1781.—The expression BE-BLOWED is now more general. Thomas Hood used to tell a story:—

“I was once asked to contribute to a new journal, not exactly
gratuitously, but at a very small advance upon nothing—and avowedly
because the work had been planned according to that estimate.
However, I accepted the terms conditionally—that is to say,
provided the principle could be properly carried out. Accordingly, I
wrote to my butcher, baker, and other tradesmen, informing them that
it was necessary, for the sake of cheap literature and the interest
of the reading public, that they should furnish me with their
several commodities at a very trifling per-centage above cost price.
It will be sufficient to quote the answer of the
butcher:—‘Sir,—Respectin’ your note, Cheap literater BE BLOWED!
Butchers must live as well as other pepel—and if so be you or the
readin’ publick wants to have meat at prime cost, you must buy your
own beastesses, and kill yourselves.—I remane, etc.

“‘JOHN STOKES.’”

~Blow Out~, or TUCK IN, a feast. Sometimes the expression is, “BLOW OUT your bags.” A BLOW OUT is often called a tightener.

~Blow Up~, to make a noise, or scold; formerly a cant expression used among thieves, now a recognised and respectable phrase. BLOWING UP, a jobation, a scolding.

~Blowen~, originally a showy or flaunting female, now a prostitute only. In _Wilts_, a BLOWEN is a blossom. _Germ._ BLÜHEN, to bloom. In _German_, also, BUHLEN is to court, and BUHLE, a sweetheart.

“O du _blühende_ Mädchen, viel schöne Willkomm!”—_German Song._

Possibly, however, the street term BLOWEN may mean one whose reputation has been BLOWN UPON or damaged.

~Blower~, a girl; a contemptuous name in opposition to JOMER.—_Gipsy._

~Blowsey~, a word applied to a rough wench, or coarse woman.

~Bludger~, a low thief, who does not hesitate to use violence, literally one who will use a bludgeon.

~Blue~, said of talk that is smutty or indecent. Probably from the French, “Bibliothèque Bleu.” When the conversation has assumed an entirely opposite character, it is then said to be BROWN or Quakerish.

~Blue~, a policeman; otherwise BLUE BOTTLE. From the colour of his uniform.

~Blue~, or BLEW, to pawn or pledge. Actually to get rid of.

~Blue~, confounded or surprised; “to look BLUE,” to look astonished, annoyed, or disappointed.

~Blue Bellies~, a term applied by the Confederate soldiers during the civil war in America to the Federals, the name being suggested by the skyblue gaberdines worn by the Northern soldiers. On the other hand, the “filthy BLUE BELLIES,” as the full title ran, dubbed the Confederates “Greybacks,” the epithet cutting both ways, as the Southern soldiers not only wore grey uniforms, but “greyback” is American as well as English for a louse.

~Blue Billy~, the handkerchief (blue ground with white spots) sometimes worn and used as a colour at prize-fights. Also, the refuse ammoniacal lime from gas factories.

~Blue Blanket~, a rough overcoat made of coarse pilot cloth.

~Blue Bottle~, a policeman. This well-known slang term for a London constable is used by _Shakspeare_. In Part ii. of _King Henry IV._, act v. scene 4, Doll Tearsheet calls the beadle, who is dragging her in, a “thin man in a censer, a BLUE-BOTTLE rogue.” This may at first seem singular, but the reason is obvious. The beadles of Bridewell whose duty it was to whip the women prisoners were clad in blue.

~Blue Butter~, mercurial ointment used for the destruction of parasites.

~Blued~, or BLEWED, tipsy, or drunk. Now given way to SLEWED.

~Blue Devils~, the apparitions supposed to be seen by habitual drunkards. Form of _del. trem._

~Blue Moon~, an unlimited period. “Once in a blue moon.”

~Blue Murders.~ Probably from desperate or alarming cries. A term used more to describe cries of terror or alarm than for any other purpose. As, “I heard her calling BLUE MURDERS.”—MORBLEU.

~Blue-Pigeon-Flyer~, sometimes a journeyman plumber, glazier, or other workman, who, when repairing houses, strips off the lead, and makes away with it. This performance is, though, by no means confined to workmen. An empty house is often entered and the whole of the roof in its vicinity stripped, the only notice given to the folks below being received by them on the occasion of a heavy downfall of rain. The term FLYER has, indeed, of late years been more peculiarly applied to the man who steals the lead in pursuance of his vocation as a thief, than to him who takes it because it comes in the way of his work.

~Blue Ruin~, gin.

~Blues~, a fit of despondency.—_See_ BLUE DEVILS.

~Blues~, the police. Sometimes called the Royal Regiment of Foot-guards BLUE.

~Bluey~, lead.—German, BLEI. Most likely, though, from the colour, as the term is of the very lowest slang.

~Bluff~, an excuse; also the game at cards known as euchre in America.

~Bluff~, to turn aside, stop, or excuse.

~Blunt~, money. It has been said that this term is from the _French_ BLOND, sandy or golden colour, and that a parallel may be found in BROWN or BROWNS, the slang for half-pence. Far-fetched as this etymology seems, it may be correct, as it is borne out by the analogy of similar expressions. Cf. BLANQUILLO, a word used in Morocco and Southern Spain for a small Moorish coin. The “asper” (ἄσπρον) of Constantinople is called by the Turks AKCHEH, _i.e._, “little white.”

~Blurt Out~, to speak from impulse, and without reflection, to let out suddenly.—_Shakspeare._

~B.N.C.~, for Brasenose, initials of Brazen Nose College. In spite of the nose over the gate the probability is the real name was Brasinium. It is still famous for its beer.—_University._

~Board-of-Green-Cloth~, a facetious synonym for a card or billiard table.

~Boat~, originally to transport; the term is now applied to penal servitude. To “get the BOAT,” or to “be BOATED,” is to be sentenced to a long term of imprisonment equivalent to transportation under the old system.

~Bob~, a shilling. Formerly BOBSTICK, which may have been the original. BOB-A-NOB, a shilling a-head.

~Bob~, “s’help me BOB,” a street oath, equivalent to “so help me God.” Other words are used in street language for a similarly evasive purpose, _i.e._, CAT, GREENS, TATUR, &c., all equally ridiculous. Ignorant people have a singular habit of saying “so help _my_,” instead of “_me_,” whatever the following words may be. This shows how little they think of the meanings of the phrases most in use among them. The words “so help” are almost invariably pronounced “swelp.”

~Bobbery~, a squabble, tumult.—_Anglo-Indian._

~Bobbish~, very well, clever, spruce. “How are you doing?” “Oh! pretty BOBBISH.”—_Old._

~Bobby~, a policeman: both BOBBY and PEELER were nicknames given to the new police, in allusion to the Christian name and surname of the late _Sir Robert Peel_, who was the prime mover in effecting their introduction and improvement. The term BOBBY is, however, older than the introduction of the new police. The official square-keeper, who is always armed with a cane to drive away idle and disorderly urchins, has, time out of mind, been called by the said urchins, “BOBBY the beadle.”

~Bodkin~, any one sitting between two others in a carriage, is said “to ride BODKIN.” Amongst sporting men, applied to a person who takes his turn between the sheets on alternate nights, when the hotel has twice as many visitors as it can comfortably lodge; as, for instance, during a race-week.

~Body-Snatcher~, a bailiff or runner: SNATCH, the trick by which the bailiff captures the delinquent. These terms are now almost obsolete, so far as the pursuits mentioned are concerned.

~Bog~, or BOG-HOUSE, a privy, as distinguished from a water-closet. Originally printers’ slang, but now very common, and not applied to any particular form of _cabinet d’aisance_. “To BOG” is to ease oneself by evacuation.

~Bog-Oranges~, potatoes. A phrase perhaps derived from the term “Irish fruit,” which, by some strange peculiarity has been applied to potatoes; for even the most ignorant Cockney could hardly believe that potatoes grow in a bog. As, however, the majority of the lower classes of London do believe that potatoes were indigenous to, and were first brought from the soil of Ireland, which is also in some parts supposed to be capable of growing nothing else, they may even believe that potatoes are actually BOG-ORANGES.

~Bog-Trotter~, satirical name for an Irishman.—_Miege._ _Camden_, however, speaking of the “debateable land” on the borders of England and Scotland, says, “both these dales breed notable BOG-TROTTERS.”

~Bogus~, an American term for anything pretending to be that which it is not—such as BOGUS degrees, BOGUS titles, &c.

~Boilers~, or BROMPTON BOILERS, a name originally given to the New Kensington Museum and School of Art, in allusion to the peculiar form of the buildings, and the fact of their being mainly composed of, and covered with, sheet iron. This has been changed since the extensive alterations in the building, or rather pile of buildings, and the words are now the property of the Bethnal Green Museum.—_See_ PEPPER-BOXES.

~Boko~, the nose. Originally pugilistic slang, but now general.

~Bolt~, to run away, decamp, or abscond. Also to swallow without chewing. To eat greedily.

~Bolus~, an apothecary. Origin evident.

~Bombay Ducks;~ in the East India Company’s army the Bombay regiments were so designated. The name is now given to a dried fish (_bummelow_), much eaten by natives and Europeans in Western India.—_Anglo-Indian._

~Bone~, to steal or appropriate what does not belong to you. BONED, seized, apprehended.—_Old._

~Bone~, good, excellent. ◇, the vagabonds’ hieroglyphic for BONE, or good, chalked by them on houses and street corners as a hint to succeeding beggars.—_French_, BON.

~Bone-Grubber~, a person who hunts dust-holes, gutters, and all likely spots for refuse bones, which he sells at the rag-shops, or to the bone-grinders. The term was also applied to a resurrectionist. Cobbett was therefore called “a BONE GRUBBER,” because he brought the remains of Tom Paine from America.

~Bone-Picker~, a footman.

~Bones~, to rattle the BONES, to play at dice: also called St. Hugh’s BONES.

~Bones~, “he made no BONES of it,” he did not hesitate, _i.e._, undertook and finished the work without difficulty, “found no BONES in the jelly.”—_Ancient, vide Cotgrave._

~Boniface~, landlord of a tavern or inn.

~Bonnet~, or BONNETER, a gambling cheat. Sometimes called a “bearer-up.” The BONNET plays as though he were a member of the general public, and by his good luck, or by the force of his example, induces others to venture their stakes. Bonneting is often done in much better society than that to be found in the ordinary gaming rooms. A man who persuades another to buy an article on which he receives commission or per-centage is said to BONNET or bear-up for the seller. Also, a pretence, or make-believe, a sham bidder at auctions, one who metaphorically blinds or BONNETS others.

~Bonnet~, to strike a man’s cap or hat over his eyes. Also to “bear-up” for another.

~Booby-Trap~, a favourite amusement of boys at school. It consists in placing a pitcher of water on the top of a door set ajar for the purpose; the person whom they wish to drench is then made to pass through the door, and receives the pitcher and its contents on his unlucky head. Books are sometimes used.

~Book~, an arrangement of bets against certain horses marked in a pocket-book made for that purpose. “Making a BOOK upon it,” is a common phrase to denote that a man is prepared to lay the odds against the horses in a race. “That does not suit my BOOK,” _i.e._, does not accord with my other arrangements. The principle of making a BOOK, or betting round, as it is sometimes termed, is to lay a previously-determined sum against every horse in the race, or as many horses as possible; and should the bookmaker “get round,” _i.e._, succeed in laying against as many horses as will more than balance the odds laid, he is certain to be a winner. The BOOKMAKER is distinguished from the backer by its being his particular business to bet against horses, or to lay, while the backer, who is also often a professional gambler, stands by the chance of a horse, or the chances of a set of horses about which he supposes himself to be possessed of special information. A bookmaker rarely backs horses for his own particular fancy—he may indeed put a sovereign or a fiver on an animal about which he has been told something, but as a rule if he specially fancies a horse, the bookmaker lets him “run for the BOOK,” _i.e._, does not lay against him. When a bookmaker backs a horse in the course of his regular business, it is because he has laid too much against him, and finds it convenient to share the danger with other bookmakers.

~Booked~, caught, fixed, disposed of.—Term in _Book-keeping_.

~Bookmaker’s Pocket~, a breast-pocket made inside the waistcoat, for notes of large amount.

~Books~, a pack of cards. Term used by professional card-players.—_See_ DEVIL’S BOOKS.

~Boom~, “to top one’s BOOM off,” to be off or start in a certain direction.—_Sea._

~Boom-Passenger~, a sailor’s slang term for a convict on board ship. Derived from the circumstance that prisoners on board convict ships were chained to, or were made to crawl along or stand on the booms for exercise or punishment.

~Boon-Companion~, a comrade in a drinking bout. BOON evidently corruption of BON.

~Booze~, drink. _Ancient Cant_, BOWSE. BOOZE, or SUCK-CASA, a public-house.

~Booze~, to drink, or more properly, to use another slang term, to “lush,” viz., to drink continually, until drunk, or nearly so. The term is an old one. _Harman_, in Queen Elizabeth’s days, speaks of “BOUSING (or boozing) and belly-cheere.” _Massinger_ also speaks of BOUSE. The term was good English in the fourteenth century, and came from the _Dutch_, BUYZEN, to tipple.

~Boozing-Ken~, a beer-shop, a low public-house.—_Ancient._

~Boozy~, intoxicated or fuddled.

~Bore~, a troublesome friend or acquaintance, perhaps so called from his unvaried and pertinacious pushing; a nuisance; anything which wearies or annoys. The _Gradus ad Cantabrigiam_ suggests the derivation of BORE from the _Greek_ Βάρος, a burden. _Shakspeare_ uses it, _King Henry VIII._, i. 1—

“----at this instant
He BORES me with some trick.”

_Grose_ speaks of this word as being much in fashion about the year 1780-81, and states that it vanished of a sudden without leaving a trace behind. That this was not so, the constant use of the word nowadays will prove. The late Prince Consort spoke as follows on the subject of BORES in his address to the British Association, at Aberdeen, September 14, 1859—

“I will not weary you by further examples, with which most of you
are better acquainted than I am myself, but merely express my
satisfaction that there should exist bodies of men who will bring
the well-considered and understood wants of science before the
public and the Government, who will even hand round the begging-box,
and expose themselves to refusals and rebuffs, to which all beggars
are liable, with the certainty besides of being considered great
BORES. Please to recollect that this species of BORE is a most
useful animal, well adapted for the ends for which nature intended
him. He alone, by constantly returning to the charge, and repeating
the same truths and the same requests, succeeds in awakening
attention to the cause which he advocates, and obtains that hearing
which is granted him at last for self-protection, as the minor evil
compared to his importunity, but which is requisite to make his
cause understood.”

~Bore~ (_Pugilistic_), to press a man to the ropes of the ring by superior weight. In the world of athletics to BORE is to push an opponent out of his course. This is a most heinous crime among rowers, as it very often prevents a man having the full use of the tide, or compels him to foul, in which case the decision of the race is left to individual judgment, at times, of necessity, erroneous.

~Bosh~, nonsense, stupidity.—_Gipsy_ and _Persian_. Also pure _Turkish_, BOSH LAKERDI, empty talk. The term was used in this country as early as 1760, and may be found in the _Student_, vol. ii. p. 217. It has been suggested, with what reason the reader must judge for himself, that this colloquial expression is from the _German_ BOSH, or BOSSCH, answering to our word “swipes.”

~Bosh~, a fiddle. This is a _Gipsy_ term, and so the exclamations “Bosh!” and “Fiddle-de-dee!” may have some remote connexion.

~Bosh-Faker~, a violin player. Term principally used by itinerants.

~Bos-Ken~, a farmhouse. _Ancient._—_See_ KEN.

~Bosky~, inebriated. Not much in use now.

~Bosman~, a farmer: “faking a BOSMAN on the main toby,” robbing a farmer on the highway. BOSS, a master.—_American._ Both terms from the _Dutch_, BOSCH-MAN, one who lives in the woods; otherwise _Boschjeman_, or _Bushman_.

~Boss-Eyed~, said of a person with one eye, or rather with one eye injured, a person with an obliquity of vision. In this sense sometimes varied by the term “swivel-eyed.”

~Bostruchyzer~, a small kind of comb for curling the whiskers.—_Oxford University._

~Botany Bay~, Worcester Coll. Oxon., so called from its remote situation.

~Bother~, trouble or annoyance. Any one oppressed with business cares is said to be BOTHERED. “Don’t BOTHER,” is a common expression. BLOTHER, an old word, signifying to chatter idly.

~Botheration!~ trouble, annoyance; “BOTHERATION to it!” “confound it!” or “deuce take it!”—an exclamation when irritated.

~Bottle-Holder~, originally a term in prize ring parlance for the second who took charge of the water-bottle, which was an essential feature in all pugilistic arrangements. This second used to hold the combatant on his knee between the rounds, while the other or principal second sponged, instructed, and advised; an abettor; also the bridegroom’s man at a wedding. Slang term for Lord Palmerston, derived from a speech he made some years ago when foreign secretary, in which he described himself as acting the part of a judicious BOTTLE-HOLDER among the foreign powers.

~Bottom~, stamina in a horse or man. Power to stand fatigue; endurance to receive a good beating and still fight on. “A fellow of pluck, sound wind, and good BOTTOM is fit to fight anything.” This was an old axiom among prize fighters. Pierce Egan was very fond of the word.

~Bottom~, spirit placed in a glass before aërated water is poured in. As, “a soda and a BOTTOM of brandy,” “soda and dark BOTTOM,” is American for soda and brown brandy.

“BOTTOMED well with brandy.”—_Bon Gaultier Ballads._

~Botts~, the colic or bellyache.—_Stable Slang._ _Burns_ uses it. _See Death and Dr. Hornbook._

~Botty~, conceited, swaggering.—_Stable._ An infant’s posteriors.—_Nursery._

~Bounce~, impudence, cheek. A showy swindler, a bully.

~Bounce~, to boast, cheat, or bully.—_Old Cant._ Also to lie.

~Bounceable~, prone to bouncing or boasting.

~Bouncer~, a person who steals whilst bargaining with a tradesman, a swindler, or a lie of more than ordinary dimensions.

~Bounder~, a four-wheeled cab. Because of its jumping motion over the stones. Also a University term for a TRAP, which generally has a very rough time of it on the country roads.

~Bow-Catcher~, or KISS-CURL, a small curl which a few years back used to be, and probably will be again some day, twisted on the cheeks or temples of young—and often old—girls, adhering to the face as if gummed or pasted. Evidently a corruption of BEAU-CATCHER. In old times this was called a lovelock, when it was the mark at which all the Puritan and ranting preachers levelled their pulpit pop-guns, loaded with sharp and virulent abuse. Hall and Prynne looked upon all women as strumpets who dared to let the hair depart from a straight line upon their cheeks. The French prettily termed these adornments _accroche-cœurs_, whilst in the United States they were plainly and unpleasantly called “spit-curls.” Bartlett says: “Spit-curl, a detached lock of hair curled upon the temple; probably from having been at first plastered into shape by the saliva.” It is now understood that the mucilage of quince seed is used by the ladies for this purpose. When men twist the hair on each side of their faces into ropes they are sometimes called “bell-ropes,” as being wherewith to _draw the belles_. Whether BELL-ROPES or BOW-CATCHERS, it is singular they should form part of a prisoner’s adornment, and that a jaunty little kiss-curl should, of all things in the world, ornament a jail dock; yet such was formerly the case. Hunt, “the accomplice after the fact and King’s evidence against” the murderer of Weare, on his trial appeared at the bar with a highly pomatumed love-lock sticking tight to his forehead. In the days of the Civil Wars, the very last thing a Cavalier would part with was his love-lock.

~Bowdlerization~, a term used in literary circles to signify undue strictness of treatment caused by over-modesty in editing a classic. To BOWDLERIZE is to emasculate through squeamishness. From the name (Bowdler) of one of Shakspeare’s “purifiers.”

~Bowlas~, round tarts made of sugar, apple, and bread, sold in the streets, especially at the East-end of London.

~Bowles~, shoes.

~Bowl Out~, to put out of the game, to remove out of one’s way, to detect.—Originally a _Cricketing term_, but now general.

~Box-Harry~, a term with bagmen or commercial travellers, implying dinner and tea at one meal; also dining with “Duke Humphrey,” _i.e._, going without—which _see_.

~Box the Compass~, to repeat the thirty-two points of the compass either in succession or irregularly. The method used at sea to teach boys the points of the mariner’s compass.—_Sea._

~Boy~, a hump on a man’s back. In low circles it is usual to speak of a humpbacked man as two persons—“him and his BOY,” and from this much coarse fun and personality are at times evolved.

~Bracelets~, handcuffs.

~Brace up~, to pawn stolen goods.

~Brads~, money. Properly a small kind of nails used by cobblers.—_Compare_ HORSE NAILS.

~Brain-Pan~, the skull, and BRAIN-CANISTER, the head. Both pugilistic and exchangeable terms.

~Bramble-Gelder~, a derisive appellation for an agriculturist.—_Suffolk._

~Brandy Pawnee~, brandy and water.—_Anglo-Indian._

~Brandy Smash~, one of the 365 American drinks, made of brandy and crushed ice.

~Bran-New~, quite new. Properly _Brent_, BRAND or _Fire new_, _i.e._, fresh from the anvil, or fresh with the manufacturer’s brand upon it.

~Brass~, money. “Tin” is also used, and so are most forms of metal.

~Brass~, impudence. In 1803 some artillerymen stationed at Norwich were directed to prove some brass ordnance belonging to the city. To the report delivered to the corporation was appended this note:—“_N.B._—It is customary for the corporal to have the old metal when any of the pieces burst.” _Answer._—“The corporation is of opinion that the corporal does not want BRASS.”

~Brass-Knocker~, broken victuals. Used by tramps and cadgers.

~Brat~, a child of either sex. Generally used in an offensive sense.

~Brazen-Faced~, impudent, shameless. From BRASS. Such a person is sometimes said “to have rubbed his face with a brass candlestick.”

~Brazil~, a hard red wood; “HARD AS BRAZIL,” a common expression. _Quarles_ in his _Emblems_ says—

“Thou know’st my brittle temper’s prone to break.
Are my bones BRAZIL or my flesh of oak?”

~Bread-Bags~, a nickname given in the army and navy to any one connected with the victualling department, as a purser or purveyor in the Commissariat.

~Bread Basket~, DUMPLING-DEPOT, VICTUALLING-OFFICE, &c., were terms which in the old pugilistic days were given by the “Fancy” to the digestive organs. Blows in this region were called “porridge disturbers,” and other fancy names, which were supposed to rob them of their hardness—to those who did not receive them.

~Break-Down~, a noisy dance, almost violent enough to break the floor down; a jovial, social gathering, a “flare up;” in Ireland, a wedding—_American_ so far as the dance is concerned.

~Break One’s Back~, a figurative expression, implying bankruptcy, or the crippling of a person’s means.