Babes, the lowest order ofKNOCK-OUTS(whichsee), who are prevailed upon not to give opposing biddings at auctions, in consideration of their receiving a small sum (from one shilling to half-a-crown), and a certain quantity of beer. They can, however, even after this agreement, be secured on the other side for a little longer price. There is no honour among thieves—at all events not among auction thieves—nowadays.Back, to support by means of money, on the turf or otherwise.—SeeLAY.Back, “to get one’sBACK UP,” to annoy or enrage. Probably from the action of a cat when preparing to give battle to an enemy.Back-end, that portion of the year which commences with October. This phrase is peculiar to the turf, and has its origin in the fact that October was actually, and is now nearly, the finishing portion of the racing season. TowardsBACK-ENDthe punters and “little men” generally begin to look forward with anxiety to their winter prospects, and “going for the gloves” is not only a frequent phrase, but a frequently recurring practice.Back Out, to retreat from a difficulty; reverse ofGO AHEAD. Metaphor borrowed from the stables.Back Slang It, to go out the back way. Equivalent to “Sling your hook out of the back-door,”i.e., get away quickly.Backslums, the byeways and disreputable portions of a town.Back-Hander, a blow on the face with the back of the hand, a back-handed tip. Also a drink out of turn, as when a greedy person delays the decanter to get a second glass. Anything done slyly or secretly is said to be done in a back-handed manner.Backer, one who places his money on a particular man or animal; a supporter of one side in a contest. The great body of betting men is divided intoBOOKMAKERSandBACKERS.Back Jump, a back window.—Prison term.Bacon, the body, “to save one’sBACON,” to escape.Bad, “to go to the bad,” to deteriorate in character, to be ruined.Virgilhas an almost similar phrase,in pejus ruere, which means, by the way, to go to the worse.Bad, hard, difficult. Word in use among sporting men who say, “He will beBADto 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.Badmintonproper 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 termedHOWLING-BAGS, but only when the style has been very “loud.” The word is probably an abbreviation of bumbags. “To have theBAGSoff,” to be of age and one’s own master, to have plenty of money.Bags of mysteryis 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 onlyHALF-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 theinbread, being thrown in for fear of incurring a penalty for short weight. To “give a man aBAKER’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 termBALAAM-BOXhas 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 ofBALLAMBANGJANG, 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 theBALMY.”Bamboozle, to deceive, make fun of, or cheat a person; abbreviated toBAM, which is sometimes used also as a substantive—a deception, a sham, a “sell.”SwiftsaysBAMBOOZLEwas invented by a nobleman in the reign of Charles II.; but this is very likely an error. The probability is that a nobleman then firstusedit in polite society. The term is derived from theGipsies.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, orCRIPPLE, 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. “Bankthe rag,”i.e., secure the note. Also “to bank” is to go shares.Bank, the total amount possessed by any one, “How’s theBANK?” “Not very strong; about one and a buck.”Bantling, a child; stated inBacchus and Venus, 1737, and byGrose, 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 theBANIANS, a Hindoo caste, who abstain from animal food. Quite as probably from the sanitary arrangements which have in hot climates counselled the eating ofBANYANSand other fruits in preference to meat on certain days.—Sea.Bar, orBARRING, excepting; in common use in the betting-ring; “Two to one bar one,”i.e., two to one against any horse with the exception ofone. The Irish use ofBARRIN’is very similar, and the wordsBARandBARRINGmay 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, orBARKER, 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 wordBARNEYis 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 thatBARRIKIN,”i.e., we don’t understand what he says. “Cheese yourBARRIKIN,” shut up.Miegecalls it “a sort of stuff;”Old French,BARACAN.Bash, to beat, thrash; “BASHINGa 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 youBASH’em, the better they be.”The wordBASH, among thieves, signifies to flog with the cat or birch. The worst that can happen to a brutal ruffian is to receive “aBASHINGin, and aBASHINGout,”—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 theNorth. 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 ofBASTILE, familiar as they are with “steel.”Bat, “on his ownBAT,” on his own account. Evident modification of the cricket term, “off his own bat,” though not connected therewith.—SeeHOOK.Bat, to take an innings at cricket. To “carry out one’sBAT” is to be last in,i.e., to be “not out.” A man’s individual score is said to be made “off his ownBAT.”Bat, pace at walking or running. As, “He went off at a goodBAT.”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 theBATTER,”i.e., not equal to the task; “on theBATTER,” “on the streets,” “on the town,” or given up to roystering and debauchery.Batty, wages, perquisites. Derived fromBATTA, an extra pay given to soldiers while serving inIndia.Batty-Fang, to beat;BATTY-FANGING, a beating; alsoBATTER-FANG. Used metaphorically as early as 1630.“Sobatter-fangedand 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 theBEAK,” to get remanded.Ancient Cant,BECK.Saxon,BEAG, a necklace or gold collar—emblem of authority. Sir John Fielding was called theBLIND-BEAKin the last century. Maybe connected with the ItalianBECCO, which means a (bird’s)beak, and also ablockhead.—SeeWALKER.Beaker-Hunter, orBEAK-HUNTER, a stealer of poultry.Beans, money; “a haddock ofBEANS,” a purse of money; formerly,BEANmeant 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.—SeeBULL. 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 theBEAR. 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 aBEAR, in allusion to the proverb, andthe buyer aBULL, 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. CertainlyBULLINGandBEARINGare as productive of bankruptcy and misery as areBACKINGandLAYING.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-upandBearer-up.—SeeBONNET.Beat, the allotted range traversed by a policeman on duty.Beat, orBEAT-HOLLOW, to surpass or excel; also “BEATinto fits,” and “BEATbadly.”Beat, “DEAD-BEAT,” wholly worn out, done up.Beater-Cases, boots.Nearly obsolete.Trotter casesis the term nowadays.Beaver, old street term for a hat;GOSSis 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, “YouBE-BLOWED.” Used similarly to the old “Go to.”SeeBLOW ME.Bed-Fagot, a contemptuous term for a woman; generally applied to a prostitute.—SeeFAGOT.Bed-Post, “in the twinkling of aBED-POST,” in a moment, or very quickly. OriginallyBED-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 aBEEin 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 “BEEin 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 “veryBEEFY.”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 likeBEES’ WINGS. Hence the term.Beetle-Crusher, orSQUASHER, 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 calledSLUTS’-WOOL.Belcher, a blue bird’s-eye handkerchief.—SeeBILLY.Bell, a song. Tramps’ term. Simply diminutive ofBELLOW.Bellows, the lungs.Bellowser, a blow in the “wind,” or pit of the stomach, taking one’s breath away.Bellowsed, orLAGGED, 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, “BEMUSINGhimself 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 theBENDER,” synonymous with “over the left.”—SeeOVER.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;BENARwas the comparative.—SeeBONE.Latin.Benedick, a married man.Shakspeare.Benjamin, coat. Formerly termed aJOSEPH, in allusion, perhaps, to Joseph’s coat of many colours.—SeeUPPER-BENJAMIN.Ben Joltram, brown bread and skimmed milk; a Norfolk term for a ploughboy’s breakfast.Benjy, a waistcoat, diminutive ofBENJAMIN.Beong, a shilling.—SeeSALTEE.—Lingua Franca.Bess-o’-Bedlam, a lunatic vagrant.—Norfolk.Best, to get the better orBESTof 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.”—SaxonandOld 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.SeeBOOK, andBOOKMAKING.Betty, a skeleton key, or picklock.—Old Prison Cant.B Flats, bugs.—CompareF 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 lookBIG,” to assume an inflated air or manner; “to talkBIG,”i.e., boastingly.Big-Bird,TO GET THE,i.e., to be hissed, as actors occasionally are by the “gods.”Big-birdis simply a metaphor for goose.—Theat. Slang.Big House, orLARGE 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 “BILBAOblade.” 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; “toBILKthe 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.—SeeWIPE.⁂ 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. Thiswas 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 aBIRD’S-EYE WIPEhas 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-huntingis buying old metal. ABilly-fenceris a marine-store dealer.Billy-Barlow, a street clown; sometimes termed aJIM CROW, orSALTIMBANCO,—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 toVINNIED.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 12½ cent piece is called aBIT, and a defaced 20 cent piece is termed aLONG BIT. ABITis the smallest coin in Jamaica, equal to 6d.Bitusually 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 theBIT.”Bitch, tea; “aBITCHparty,” a tea-drinking. Probably because undergraduates consider tea only fit for old women.—Oxford.Bite, a cheat; “a YorkshireBITE,” a cheating fellow from that county. The termBITEis also applied to a hard bargainer.—North; alsoold slang—used byPope. Swift says it originated with a nobleman in his day.Bite, to cheat; “to beBITTEN,” 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 hasCROSS-BITE, a disappointment, probably the primary sense; andBITEis very probably a contraction of this.Bit-Faker, orTURNER 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 aBIT OF MUSLIN.Bitter, diminutive of bitter beer; “to do aBITTER,” to drink beer.—OriginallyOxford, 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 aBITTOCK.” The latter may be considered any distance from one hundred yards to ten miles.Bivvy, orGATTER, beer; “shant ofBIVVY,” a pot or quart of beer. In Suffolk the afternoon refreshment of reapers is calledBEVER. 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 theirBEVERS, drinkings, or suppers.”—Beaumont and Fletcher’s Woman Hater, i. 3.Both words are probably from theItalian,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 inmufti, when out on a spree, and not wishing their profession to be known, speak of their barracks as theB. K. S.Black and White, handwriting or print. “Let’s have it inBLACK 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:—Theblack-guardis 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 ofblack 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 blacktop-boots. HenceBLACKLEGcame 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 regardBLACKWORKas adernier 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; “knowingBLADE,” 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 fromBLADH, a blossom,i.e., the flowery or fertile demesne.Bladhis also flattery; hence the connexion. A more than ordinarily persuasive Irishman is said to have “kissed theBLARNEYstone.”Blast, to curse. Originally aMilitaryexpression.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. “LikeBLAZES” 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; “BLESTif I’ll do it,”i.e., I am determined not to do it; euphemism forCURST.Blether, to bother, to annoy, to pester. “ABLETHERINGold nuisance” is a common expression for a garrulous old person.Blew, orBLOW, to inform, or peach, to lose or spend money.Blewed, a man who has lost or spent all his money is said to haveBLEWEDit. Also used in cases of robbery from the person, as, “He’sBLEWEDhis 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 alsoWILFUL 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 theBLIND MONKEYSto 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.—SeeMILD.Blob(fromBLAB), to talk. Beggars are of two kinds—those whoSCREEVE(introducing themselves with aFAKEMENT, or false document) and those whoBLOB, or state their case in their own truly “unvarnished” language.Block, the head. “ToBLOCKa hat,” is to knock a man’s hat down over his eyes.—SeeBONNET. 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 poorneighbourhoods. 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; “theBLOKEwith the jasey,” the man with the wig,i.e., the Judge.GipsyandHindoo,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.—SeeBILLYandCOLOUR.Bloody, an expletive used, without reference to meaning, as an adjective and an adverb, simply for intensification.Bloody Jemmy, an uncooked sheep’s head.—SeeSANGUINARY JAMES. AlsoMOUNTAIN PECKER.
Babes, the lowest order ofKNOCK-OUTS(whichsee), who are prevailed upon not to give opposing biddings at auctions, in consideration of their receiving a small sum (from one shilling to half-a-crown), and a certain quantity of beer. They can, however, even after this agreement, be secured on the other side for a little longer price. There is no honour among thieves—at all events not among auction thieves—nowadays.
Back, to support by means of money, on the turf or otherwise.—SeeLAY.
Back, “to get one’sBACK UP,” to annoy or enrage. Probably from the action of a cat when preparing to give battle to an enemy.
Back-end, that portion of the year which commences with October. This phrase is peculiar to the turf, and has its origin in the fact that October was actually, and is now nearly, the finishing portion of the racing season. TowardsBACK-ENDthe punters and “little men” generally begin to look forward with anxiety to their winter prospects, and “going for the gloves” is not only a frequent phrase, but a frequently recurring practice.
Back Out, to retreat from a difficulty; reverse ofGO AHEAD. Metaphor borrowed from the stables.
Back Slang It, to go out the back way. Equivalent to “Sling your hook out of the back-door,”i.e., get away quickly.
Backslums, the byeways and disreputable portions of a town.
Back-Hander, a blow on the face with the back of the hand, a back-handed tip. Also a drink out of turn, as when a greedy person delays the decanter to get a second glass. Anything done slyly or secretly is said to be done in a back-handed manner.
Backer, one who places his money on a particular man or animal; a supporter of one side in a contest. The great body of betting men is divided intoBOOKMAKERSandBACKERS.
Back Jump, a back window.—Prison term.
Bacon, the body, “to save one’sBACON,” to escape.
Bad, “to go to the bad,” to deteriorate in character, to be ruined.Virgilhas an almost similar phrase,in pejus ruere, which means, by the way, to go to the worse.
Bad, hard, difficult. Word in use among sporting men who say, “He will beBADto 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.Badmintonproper 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 termedHOWLING-BAGS, but only when the style has been very “loud.” The word is probably an abbreviation of bumbags. “To have theBAGSoff,” to be of age and one’s own master, to have plenty of money.Bags of mysteryis 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 onlyHALF-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 theinbread, being thrown in for fear of incurring a penalty for short weight. To “give a man aBAKER’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 termBALAAM-BOXhas 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 ofBALLAMBANGJANG, 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 theBALMY.”
Bamboozle, to deceive, make fun of, or cheat a person; abbreviated toBAM, which is sometimes used also as a substantive—a deception, a sham, a “sell.”SwiftsaysBAMBOOZLEwas invented by a nobleman in the reign of Charles II.; but this is very likely an error. The probability is that a nobleman then firstusedit in polite society. The term is derived from theGipsies.
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, orCRIPPLE, 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. “Bankthe rag,”i.e., secure the note. Also “to bank” is to go shares.
Bank, the total amount possessed by any one, “How’s theBANK?” “Not very strong; about one and a buck.”
Bantling, a child; stated inBacchus and Venus, 1737, and byGrose, 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 theBANIANS, a Hindoo caste, who abstain from animal food. Quite as probably from the sanitary arrangements which have in hot climates counselled the eating ofBANYANSand other fruits in preference to meat on certain days.—Sea.
Bar, orBARRING, excepting; in common use in the betting-ring; “Two to one bar one,”i.e., two to one against any horse with the exception ofone. The Irish use ofBARRIN’is very similar, and the wordsBARandBARRINGmay 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, orBARKER, 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 wordBARNEYis 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 thatBARRIKIN,”i.e., we don’t understand what he says. “Cheese yourBARRIKIN,” shut up.Miegecalls it “a sort of stuff;”Old French,BARACAN.
Bash, to beat, thrash; “BASHINGa 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 youBASH’em, the better they be.”The wordBASH, among thieves, signifies to flog with the cat or birch. The worst that can happen to a brutal ruffian is to receive “aBASHINGin, and aBASHINGout,”—a flogging at the commencement and another at the close of his term of enforced virtue.
Bash, to beat, thrash; “BASHINGa 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 youBASH’em, the better they be.”
“A woman, a whelp, and a walnut tree,The more youBASH’em, the better they be.”
The wordBASH, among thieves, signifies to flog with the cat or birch. The worst that can happen to a brutal ruffian is to receive “aBASHINGin, and aBASHINGout,”—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 theNorth. 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 ofBASTILE, familiar as they are with “steel.”
Bat, “on his ownBAT,” on his own account. Evident modification of the cricket term, “off his own bat,” though not connected therewith.—SeeHOOK.
Bat, to take an innings at cricket. To “carry out one’sBAT” is to be last in,i.e., to be “not out.” A man’s individual score is said to be made “off his ownBAT.”
Bat, pace at walking or running. As, “He went off at a goodBAT.”
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 theBATTER,”i.e., not equal to the task; “on theBATTER,” “on the streets,” “on the town,” or given up to roystering and debauchery.
Batty, wages, perquisites. Derived fromBATTA, an extra pay given to soldiers while serving inIndia.
Batty-Fang, to beat;BATTY-FANGING, a beating; alsoBATTER-FANG. Used metaphorically as early as 1630.“Sobatter-fangedand belabour’d with tongue mettle, that he was weary of his life.”—Taylor’s Works.
Batty-Fang, to beat;BATTY-FANGING, a beating; alsoBATTER-FANG. Used metaphorically as early as 1630.
“Sobatter-fangedand belabour’d with tongue mettle, that he was weary of his life.”—Taylor’s Works.
“Sobatter-fangedand 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 theBEAK,” to get remanded.Ancient Cant,BECK.Saxon,BEAG, a necklace or gold collar—emblem of authority. Sir John Fielding was called theBLIND-BEAKin the last century. Maybe connected with the ItalianBECCO, which means a (bird’s)beak, and also ablockhead.—SeeWALKER.
Beaker-Hunter, orBEAK-HUNTER, a stealer of poultry.
Beans, money; “a haddock ofBEANS,” a purse of money; formerly,BEANmeant 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.—SeeBULL. 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 theBEAR. 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 aBEAR, in allusion to the proverb, andthe buyer aBULL, 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. CertainlyBULLINGandBEARINGare as productive of bankruptcy and misery as areBACKINGandLAYING.
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.—SeeBULL. 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 theBEAR. 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 aBEAR, in allusion to the proverb, andthe buyer aBULL, 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.
“He who sells that of which he is not possessed is proverbially said to sell the skin before he has caught theBEAR. 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 aBEAR, in allusion to the proverb, andthe buyer aBULL, 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. CertainlyBULLINGandBEARINGare as productive of bankruptcy and misery as areBACKINGandLAYING.
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-upandBearer-up.—SeeBONNET.
Beat, the allotted range traversed by a policeman on duty.
Beat, orBEAT-HOLLOW, to surpass or excel; also “BEATinto fits,” and “BEATbadly.”
Beat, “DEAD-BEAT,” wholly worn out, done up.
Beater-Cases, boots.Nearly obsolete.Trotter casesis the term nowadays.
Beaver, old street term for a hat;GOSSis 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, “YouBE-BLOWED.” Used similarly to the old “Go to.”SeeBLOW ME.
Bed-Fagot, a contemptuous term for a woman; generally applied to a prostitute.—SeeFAGOT.
Bed-Post, “in the twinkling of aBED-POST,” in a moment, or very quickly. OriginallyBED-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 aBEEin 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 “BEEin 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 “veryBEEFY.”
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 likeBEES’ WINGS. Hence the term.
Beetle-Crusher, orSQUASHER, 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 calledSLUTS’-WOOL.
Belcher, a blue bird’s-eye handkerchief.—SeeBILLY.
Bell, a song. Tramps’ term. Simply diminutive ofBELLOW.
Bellows, the lungs.Bellowser, a blow in the “wind,” or pit of the stomach, taking one’s breath away.
Bellowsed, orLAGGED, 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, “BEMUSINGhimself 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 theBENDER,” synonymous with “over the left.”—SeeOVER.
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;BENARwas the comparative.—SeeBONE.Latin.
Benedick, a married man.Shakspeare.
Benjamin, coat. Formerly termed aJOSEPH, in allusion, perhaps, to Joseph’s coat of many colours.—SeeUPPER-BENJAMIN.
Ben Joltram, brown bread and skimmed milk; a Norfolk term for a ploughboy’s breakfast.
Benjy, a waistcoat, diminutive ofBENJAMIN.
Beong, a shilling.—SeeSALTEE.—Lingua Franca.
Bess-o’-Bedlam, a lunatic vagrant.—Norfolk.
Best, to get the better orBESTof 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.”—SaxonandOld 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.SeeBOOK, andBOOKMAKING.
Betty, a skeleton key, or picklock.—Old Prison Cant.
B Flats, bugs.—CompareF 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 lookBIG,” to assume an inflated air or manner; “to talkBIG,”i.e., boastingly.
Big-Bird,TO GET THE,i.e., to be hissed, as actors occasionally are by the “gods.”Big-birdis simply a metaphor for goose.—Theat. Slang.
Big House, orLARGE 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 “BILBAOblade.” 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; “toBILKthe 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.—SeeWIPE.
⁂ 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. Thiswas 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 aBIRD’S-EYE WIPEhas 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.
⁂ 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. Thiswas 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 aBIRD’S-EYE WIPEhas 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.
Belcher, darkish blue ground, large round white spots, with a spot in the centre of darker blue than the ground. Thiswas 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 aBIRD’S-EYE WIPEhas 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-huntingis buying old metal. ABilly-fenceris a marine-store dealer.
Billy-Barlow, a street clown; sometimes termed aJIM CROW, orSALTIMBANCO,—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 toVINNIED.
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 12½ cent piece is called aBIT, and a defaced 20 cent piece is termed aLONG BIT. ABITis the smallest coin in Jamaica, equal to 6d.Bitusually 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 theBIT.”
Bitch, tea; “aBITCHparty,” a tea-drinking. Probably because undergraduates consider tea only fit for old women.—Oxford.
Bite, a cheat; “a YorkshireBITE,” a cheating fellow from that county. The termBITEis also applied to a hard bargainer.—North; alsoold slang—used byPope. Swift says it originated with a nobleman in his day.
Bite, to cheat; “to beBITTEN,” 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 hasCROSS-BITE, a disappointment, probably the primary sense; andBITEis very probably a contraction of this.
Bit-Faker, orTURNER 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 aBIT OF MUSLIN.
Bitter, diminutive of bitter beer; “to do aBITTER,” to drink beer.—OriginallyOxford, 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 aBITTOCK.” The latter may be considered any distance from one hundred yards to ten miles.
Bivvy, orGATTER, beer; “shant ofBIVVY,” a pot or quart of beer. In Suffolk the afternoon refreshment of reapers is calledBEVER. 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 theirBEVERS, drinkings, or suppers.”—Beaumont and Fletcher’s Woman Hater, i. 3.Both words are probably from theItalian,BEVERE, BERE.Latin,BIBERE.English,BEVERAGE.
Bivvy, orGATTER, beer; “shant ofBIVVY,” a pot or quart of beer. In Suffolk the afternoon refreshment of reapers is calledBEVER. 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 theirBEVERS, drinkings, or suppers.”—Beaumont and Fletcher’s Woman Hater, i. 3.
“He is none of those same ordinary eaters, that will devour three breakfasts, and as many dinners, without any prejudice to theirBEVERS, drinkings, or suppers.”—Beaumont and Fletcher’s Woman Hater, i. 3.
Both words are probably from theItalian,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 inmufti, when out on a spree, and not wishing their profession to be known, speak of their barracks as theB. K. S.
Black and White, handwriting or print. “Let’s have it inBLACK 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:—Theblack-guardis 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 ofblack guards; a term since become sufficiently familiar, and never properly explained.’”—Todd’s Johnson’s Dictionary.Blackguard as an adjective is very powerful.
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:—Theblack-guardis 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 ofblack guards; a term since become sufficiently familiar, and never properly explained.’”—Todd’s Johnson’s Dictionary.
“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:—Theblack-guardis 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 ofblack 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 blacktop-boots. HenceBLACKLEGcame 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 regardBLACKWORKas adernier 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; “knowingBLADE,” 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 fromBLADH, a blossom,i.e., the flowery or fertile demesne.Bladhis also flattery; hence the connexion. A more than ordinarily persuasive Irishman is said to have “kissed theBLARNEYstone.”
Blast, to curse. Originally aMilitaryexpression.
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. “LikeBLAZES” 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; “BLESTif I’ll do it,”i.e., I am determined not to do it; euphemism forCURST.
Blether, to bother, to annoy, to pester. “ABLETHERINGold nuisance” is a common expression for a garrulous old person.
Blew, orBLOW, to inform, or peach, to lose or spend money.
Blewed, a man who has lost or spent all his money is said to haveBLEWEDit. Also used in cases of robbery from the person, as, “He’sBLEWEDhis 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 alsoWILFUL 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 theBLIND MONKEYSto 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.—SeeMILD.
Blob(fromBLAB), to talk. Beggars are of two kinds—those whoSCREEVE(introducing themselves with aFAKEMENT, or false document) and those whoBLOB, or state their case in their own truly “unvarnished” language.
Block, the head. “ToBLOCKa hat,” is to knock a man’s hat down over his eyes.—SeeBONNET. 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 poorneighbourhoods. 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; “theBLOKEwith the jasey,” the man with the wig,i.e., the Judge.GipsyandHindoo,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.—SeeBILLYandCOLOUR.
Bloody, an expletive used, without reference to meaning, as an adjective and an adverb, simply for intensification.
Bloody Jemmy, an uncooked sheep’s head.—SeeSANGUINARY JAMES. AlsoMOUNTAIN PECKER.