Bummarees, a term given to a class of speculating salesmen at Billingsgate market, not recognised as such by the trade, but who get a living by buying large quantities of fish from the salesmen and re-selling them to smaller buyers. The word has been used in the statutes and bye-laws of the market for upwards of 200 years. It has been variously derived. Some persons think it may be from theFrenchBONNE MARÉE, good fresh fish! “Marée signifie toute sorte de poisson de mer qui n’est pas sale; bonne marée—marée fraîche, vendeur de marée.”—Dict. de l’Acad. Franc.TheBUMMAREESare accused of many trade tricks. One of them is to blow up codfish with a pipe until they look double their actual size. Of course when the fish come to table they are flabby, sunken, and half dwindled away. In Norwich, toBUMMAREEone is to run up a score at a public-house just open, and is equivalent to “running into debt with one.” One ofthe advertisements issued by Hy. Robinson’s “Office,” over against Threadneedle Street, was this:—“Touching Advice from theOFFICE, you are desired to give and take notice as followeth:—“OfMonies to be taken up, or delivered onBotto-maria, commonly calledBomarie.“Ofmoney to be put out or taken upon interest,” &c.—The Publick Intelligencer, numb. 17, 25th June, 1660.Bummer, literally one who sits or idles about; a loafer; one who sponges upon his acquaintances. In California, men who profess to be journalists, and so obtain free dinners and drinks, are called “literaryBUMMERS.” Although the term is not much in use in this country, the profession of bumming, both literary and otherwise, is freely practised.Bumper, according to Johnson from “bump,” but probably fromFrenchBON PÈRE, the fixed toast in monastic life of old, now used for “full measure.” A match at quoits, bowls, &c., may end in a “BUMPERgame,” if the play and score be all on one side.Bumperis used in sporting and theatrical circles to denote a benefit which is one in reality as well as in name.Bumptious, arrogant, self-sufficient. One on very good terms with himself is said to beBUMPTIOUS.Bunce, costermongers’ perquisites; the money obtained by giving light weight, &c.; costermongers’ goods sold by boys on commission. In fact anything which is clear profit or gain is said to be “allBUNCE.” Probably a corruption ofbonus;BONE, orBONER, being the slang for good.Bunce,Grosegives as the cant word for money.Bunch-of-Fives, the hand, or fist.Bundle, “toBUNDLEa person off,”i.e., to pack him off, send him flying.Bundling, men and women sleeping together, where the divisions of the house will not permit of better or more decent accommodation, with all their clothes on.Bundlingwas originally courting done in bed, the lovers being tied or bundled up to prevent undue familiarities. The practice still obtains in some parts of Wales.Bung, the landlord of a public-house. Much in use among sporting men.Bung, to give, pass, hand over, drink, or to perform almost any action.BUNGup, to close up, as the eyes.—Pugilistic.“BUNGover the rag,” hand over the money.—Old, used byBeaumontandFletcher, andShakspeare. Also, to deceive one by a lie, toCRAM, whichsee.Bunk, to decamp. “Bunkit!”i.e., be off.Bunker, beer.Bunkum, an American importation, denoting false sentiments in speaking, pretended enthusiasm, &c. The expression arose from a speech made by a North Carolina senator named Buncombe.Bunter, a prostitute, a street-walking female thief.Burdon’s Hotel, Whitecross Street Prison, of which the Governor was a Mr. Burdon. Almost every prison has a nickname of this kind, either from the name of the Governor, or from some local circumstance. The Queen’s Bench has also an immense number of names—SPIKE PARK, &c.; and every Chief-Justice stands godfather to it.Burerk, a lady, a showily-dressed woman.Burke, to kill, to murder, secretly and without noise, by means of strangulation. From Burke, the notorious Edinburgh murderer, who, with an accomplice named Hare, used to decoy people into the den he inhabited, kill them, and sell their bodies for dissection. The wretches having been apprehended and tried, Burke was executed, while Hare, having turned king’s evidence, was released. Bishop and Williams were their London imitators. The termBURKEis now usually applied to any project that is quietly stopped or stifled—as “the question has beenBURKED.” A book suppressed before publication is said to beBURKED.Burra, great; asBURRA SAIB, a great man;BURRA KHANAII, a great dinner.—Anglo-Indian.Bury a Moll, to run away from a mistress.Bus, orBUSS, an abbreviation of “omnibus,” a public carriage. Also, a kiss, abbreviation ofFr.BAISER. A Mr. Shillibeer started the firstBUSin London. A shillibeer is now a hearse and mourning coach all in one, used by the very poorest mourners and shabbiest undertakers.Why is Temple Bar like a lady’s veil? Because it wants to be removed to make way for theBUSSES.Bus, business (of which it is a contraction) or action on the stage, so written, but pronouncedBIZ.—Theatrical.SeeBIZ.Business, the action which accompanies dialogue. “HisBUSINESSwas good.” Generally applied to byplay.—Theatrical.Busk, to sell obscene songs and books at the bars and in the tap-rooms of public-houses. Sometimes it implies selling other articles. Also to “work” public-houses and certain spots as an itinerant musician or vocalist.Busker, a man who sings or performs in a public-house; an itinerant.Bust, orBURST, to tell tales, toSPLIT, to inform.Busting, informing against accomplices when in custody.Buster(BURSTER), a small new loaf; “twopennyBUSTER,” a twopenny loaf. “A penn’orth o’BEES-WAX(cheese) and a pennyBUSTER,” a common snack at beershops. A halfpenny loaf is called a “starver.”Buster, an extra size; “what aBUSTER,”i.e., what a large one; “in for aBUSTER,” determined on an extensive frolic or spree.Scotch,BUSTUOUS;Icelandic,BOSTRA.Bustle, money; “to draw theBUSTLE.”Busy-Sack, a carpet-bag.Butcha, a Hindoo word in use among Englishmen for the young of any animal. In England we ask after the children; in India the health of theBUTCHASis tenderly inquired for.Butcher, the king in playing-cards. When card-playing in public houses was common, the kings were called butchers, the queens bitches, and the knaves jacks. The latter term is now in general use.Butcher’s Mourning, a white hat with a black mourning hatband. Probably because, under any circumstances, a butcher would rather not wear a black hat. White hats and black bands have, however, become genteel ever since the late Prince Consort patronized them, though they retain a deal of the old sporting leaven.Butter, orBATTER, praise or flattery. ToBUTTER, to flatter, cajole. Same as “soft soap” and “soft sawder.” Soft words generally. Maybe from the old proverb, “Fine words butter no parsneps.”Butter-Fingered, apt to let things fall; greasy or slippery-fingered.Button, a decoy, sham purchaser, &c. At any mock or sham auction seedy specimens may be seen. Probably from the connexion of buttons with Brummagem, which is often used as a synonym for a sham.—SeeBONNET.Buttoner, a man who entices another to play.Buttons, a page,—from the rows of gilt buttons which adorn his jacket.Buttons, “not to have all one’sBUTTONS;” to be deficient in intellect. To “makeBUTTONS” means for some occult reason to look sorry and sad. “He was makingBUTTONS,”i.e., he was looking sorrowful. Perhaps because button-making is a sorry occupation.Butty, a word used in the mining districts to denote a kind of overseer. Also used by the Royal Marines in the sense of comrade; a policeman’s assistant, one of the staff in amêlée.Buz, to share equally the last of a bottle of wine, when there is not enough for a full glass to each of the party.Buz, a well-known public-house game, played as follows:—“The chairman commences saying “one,” the next on the left hand “two,” the next “three,” and so on toseven, when “BUZ” must be said. Every seven and multiple of 7, as 14, 17, 21, 27, 28, &c., must not be mentioned, but “BUZ” instead. Whoever breaks the rule pays a fine, which is thrown on the table, and the accumulation expended in drink for the company.See“SNOOKSandWALKER” for more complicated varieties of a similar game. These “parlour pastimes” are often not only funny, but positively ingenious. But the Licensing Act and a zealous police are fast clearing them all out.Buz, to pick pockets;BUZZINGorBUZ-FAKING, robbing.Buz-Bloke, a pickpocket who principally confines his attention to purses and loose cash.GrosegivesBUZ-GLOAK, an ancient cant word.Gloakwas old cant for a man.Buz-napper, a young pickpocket.Buz-man, an informer; fromBUZ, to whisper, but more generally a thief.Buz-napper’s Academy, a school in which young thieves were trained. Figures were dressed up, and experienced tutors stood in various difficult attitudes for the boys to practise upon. When cleverenough they were sent on the streets. Dickens gives full particulars of this old style of business inOliver Twist.Buzzer, a pickpocket.GrosegivesBUZ-COVEand, as above mentioned,BUZ-GLOAK.Byblow, an illegitimate child.By George, an exclamation similar toBY JOVE. The term is older than is frequently imagined—videBacchus and Venus(p. 117), 1737. “’Fore (or by)GEORGE, I’d knock him down.” Originally in reference to Saint George, the patron saint of England, or possibly to the House of Hanover.By Golly, an ejaculation, or oath; a compromise for “by God.”By gumis another oblique oath. In the United States, small boys are permitted by their guardians to sayGOL DARNanything, but they are on no account allowed to commit the profanity of G—d d——n anything. A manner of “sailing close to the wind” which is objectionable to the honest mind. A specimen ejaculation and moral waste-pipe for interior passion or wrath is seen in the exclamation—BY THE EVER-LIVING JUMPING-MOSES—a harmless and ridiculous phrase, that from its length is supposed to expend a considerable quantity of fiery anger.By Jingo, an oath or exclamation having no particular meaning, and no positive etymology, though it is believed by some thatJINGOis derived from the Basquejenco, the devil.
Bummarees, a term given to a class of speculating salesmen at Billingsgate market, not recognised as such by the trade, but who get a living by buying large quantities of fish from the salesmen and re-selling them to smaller buyers. The word has been used in the statutes and bye-laws of the market for upwards of 200 years. It has been variously derived. Some persons think it may be from theFrenchBONNE MARÉE, good fresh fish! “Marée signifie toute sorte de poisson de mer qui n’est pas sale; bonne marée—marée fraîche, vendeur de marée.”—Dict. de l’Acad. Franc.TheBUMMAREESare accused of many trade tricks. One of them is to blow up codfish with a pipe until they look double their actual size. Of course when the fish come to table they are flabby, sunken, and half dwindled away. In Norwich, toBUMMAREEone is to run up a score at a public-house just open, and is equivalent to “running into debt with one.” One ofthe advertisements issued by Hy. Robinson’s “Office,” over against Threadneedle Street, was this:—“Touching Advice from theOFFICE, you are desired to give and take notice as followeth:—“OfMonies to be taken up, or delivered onBotto-maria, commonly calledBomarie.“Ofmoney to be put out or taken upon interest,” &c.—The Publick Intelligencer, numb. 17, 25th June, 1660.
Bummarees, a term given to a class of speculating salesmen at Billingsgate market, not recognised as such by the trade, but who get a living by buying large quantities of fish from the salesmen and re-selling them to smaller buyers. The word has been used in the statutes and bye-laws of the market for upwards of 200 years. It has been variously derived. Some persons think it may be from theFrenchBONNE MARÉE, good fresh fish! “Marée signifie toute sorte de poisson de mer qui n’est pas sale; bonne marée—marée fraîche, vendeur de marée.”—Dict. de l’Acad. Franc.TheBUMMAREESare accused of many trade tricks. One of them is to blow up codfish with a pipe until they look double their actual size. Of course when the fish come to table they are flabby, sunken, and half dwindled away. In Norwich, toBUMMAREEone is to run up a score at a public-house just open, and is equivalent to “running into debt with one.” One ofthe advertisements issued by Hy. Robinson’s “Office,” over against Threadneedle Street, was this:—
“Touching Advice from theOFFICE, you are desired to give and take notice as followeth:—“OfMonies to be taken up, or delivered onBotto-maria, commonly calledBomarie.“Ofmoney to be put out or taken upon interest,” &c.—The Publick Intelligencer, numb. 17, 25th June, 1660.
“Touching Advice from theOFFICE, you are desired to give and take notice as followeth:—
“OfMonies to be taken up, or delivered onBotto-maria, commonly calledBomarie.
“Ofmoney to be put out or taken upon interest,” &c.
—The Publick Intelligencer, numb. 17, 25th June, 1660.
Bummer, literally one who sits or idles about; a loafer; one who sponges upon his acquaintances. In California, men who profess to be journalists, and so obtain free dinners and drinks, are called “literaryBUMMERS.” Although the term is not much in use in this country, the profession of bumming, both literary and otherwise, is freely practised.
Bumper, according to Johnson from “bump,” but probably fromFrenchBON PÈRE, the fixed toast in monastic life of old, now used for “full measure.” A match at quoits, bowls, &c., may end in a “BUMPERgame,” if the play and score be all on one side.Bumperis used in sporting and theatrical circles to denote a benefit which is one in reality as well as in name.
Bumptious, arrogant, self-sufficient. One on very good terms with himself is said to beBUMPTIOUS.
Bunce, costermongers’ perquisites; the money obtained by giving light weight, &c.; costermongers’ goods sold by boys on commission. In fact anything which is clear profit or gain is said to be “allBUNCE.” Probably a corruption ofbonus;BONE, orBONER, being the slang for good.Bunce,Grosegives as the cant word for money.
Bunch-of-Fives, the hand, or fist.
Bundle, “toBUNDLEa person off,”i.e., to pack him off, send him flying.
Bundling, men and women sleeping together, where the divisions of the house will not permit of better or more decent accommodation, with all their clothes on.Bundlingwas originally courting done in bed, the lovers being tied or bundled up to prevent undue familiarities. The practice still obtains in some parts of Wales.
Bung, the landlord of a public-house. Much in use among sporting men.
Bung, to give, pass, hand over, drink, or to perform almost any action.BUNGup, to close up, as the eyes.—Pugilistic.“BUNGover the rag,” hand over the money.—Old, used byBeaumontandFletcher, andShakspeare. Also, to deceive one by a lie, toCRAM, whichsee.
Bunk, to decamp. “Bunkit!”i.e., be off.
Bunker, beer.
Bunkum, an American importation, denoting false sentiments in speaking, pretended enthusiasm, &c. The expression arose from a speech made by a North Carolina senator named Buncombe.
Bunter, a prostitute, a street-walking female thief.
Burdon’s Hotel, Whitecross Street Prison, of which the Governor was a Mr. Burdon. Almost every prison has a nickname of this kind, either from the name of the Governor, or from some local circumstance. The Queen’s Bench has also an immense number of names—SPIKE PARK, &c.; and every Chief-Justice stands godfather to it.
Burerk, a lady, a showily-dressed woman.
Burke, to kill, to murder, secretly and without noise, by means of strangulation. From Burke, the notorious Edinburgh murderer, who, with an accomplice named Hare, used to decoy people into the den he inhabited, kill them, and sell their bodies for dissection. The wretches having been apprehended and tried, Burke was executed, while Hare, having turned king’s evidence, was released. Bishop and Williams were their London imitators. The termBURKEis now usually applied to any project that is quietly stopped or stifled—as “the question has beenBURKED.” A book suppressed before publication is said to beBURKED.
Burra, great; asBURRA SAIB, a great man;BURRA KHANAII, a great dinner.—Anglo-Indian.
Bury a Moll, to run away from a mistress.
Bus, orBUSS, an abbreviation of “omnibus,” a public carriage. Also, a kiss, abbreviation ofFr.BAISER. A Mr. Shillibeer started the firstBUSin London. A shillibeer is now a hearse and mourning coach all in one, used by the very poorest mourners and shabbiest undertakers.Why is Temple Bar like a lady’s veil? Because it wants to be removed to make way for theBUSSES.
Bus, orBUSS, an abbreviation of “omnibus,” a public carriage. Also, a kiss, abbreviation ofFr.BAISER. A Mr. Shillibeer started the firstBUSin London. A shillibeer is now a hearse and mourning coach all in one, used by the very poorest mourners and shabbiest undertakers.
Why is Temple Bar like a lady’s veil? Because it wants to be removed to make way for theBUSSES.
Why is Temple Bar like a lady’s veil? Because it wants to be removed to make way for theBUSSES.
Bus, business (of which it is a contraction) or action on the stage, so written, but pronouncedBIZ.—Theatrical.SeeBIZ.
Business, the action which accompanies dialogue. “HisBUSINESSwas good.” Generally applied to byplay.—Theatrical.
Busk, to sell obscene songs and books at the bars and in the tap-rooms of public-houses. Sometimes it implies selling other articles. Also to “work” public-houses and certain spots as an itinerant musician or vocalist.
Busker, a man who sings or performs in a public-house; an itinerant.
Bust, orBURST, to tell tales, toSPLIT, to inform.Busting, informing against accomplices when in custody.
Buster(BURSTER), a small new loaf; “twopennyBUSTER,” a twopenny loaf. “A penn’orth o’BEES-WAX(cheese) and a pennyBUSTER,” a common snack at beershops. A halfpenny loaf is called a “starver.”
Buster, an extra size; “what aBUSTER,”i.e., what a large one; “in for aBUSTER,” determined on an extensive frolic or spree.Scotch,BUSTUOUS;Icelandic,BOSTRA.
Bustle, money; “to draw theBUSTLE.”
Busy-Sack, a carpet-bag.
Butcha, a Hindoo word in use among Englishmen for the young of any animal. In England we ask after the children; in India the health of theBUTCHASis tenderly inquired for.
Butcher, the king in playing-cards. When card-playing in public houses was common, the kings were called butchers, the queens bitches, and the knaves jacks. The latter term is now in general use.
Butcher’s Mourning, a white hat with a black mourning hatband. Probably because, under any circumstances, a butcher would rather not wear a black hat. White hats and black bands have, however, become genteel ever since the late Prince Consort patronized them, though they retain a deal of the old sporting leaven.
Butter, orBATTER, praise or flattery. ToBUTTER, to flatter, cajole. Same as “soft soap” and “soft sawder.” Soft words generally. Maybe from the old proverb, “Fine words butter no parsneps.”
Butter-Fingered, apt to let things fall; greasy or slippery-fingered.
Button, a decoy, sham purchaser, &c. At any mock or sham auction seedy specimens may be seen. Probably from the connexion of buttons with Brummagem, which is often used as a synonym for a sham.—SeeBONNET.
Buttoner, a man who entices another to play.
Buttons, a page,—from the rows of gilt buttons which adorn his jacket.
Buttons, “not to have all one’sBUTTONS;” to be deficient in intellect. To “makeBUTTONS” means for some occult reason to look sorry and sad. “He was makingBUTTONS,”i.e., he was looking sorrowful. Perhaps because button-making is a sorry occupation.
Butty, a word used in the mining districts to denote a kind of overseer. Also used by the Royal Marines in the sense of comrade; a policeman’s assistant, one of the staff in amêlée.
Buz, to share equally the last of a bottle of wine, when there is not enough for a full glass to each of the party.
Buz, a well-known public-house game, played as follows:—“The chairman commences saying “one,” the next on the left hand “two,” the next “three,” and so on toseven, when “BUZ” must be said. Every seven and multiple of 7, as 14, 17, 21, 27, 28, &c., must not be mentioned, but “BUZ” instead. Whoever breaks the rule pays a fine, which is thrown on the table, and the accumulation expended in drink for the company.See“SNOOKSandWALKER” for more complicated varieties of a similar game. These “parlour pastimes” are often not only funny, but positively ingenious. But the Licensing Act and a zealous police are fast clearing them all out.
Buz, to pick pockets;BUZZINGorBUZ-FAKING, robbing.
Buz-Bloke, a pickpocket who principally confines his attention to purses and loose cash.GrosegivesBUZ-GLOAK, an ancient cant word.Gloakwas old cant for a man.Buz-napper, a young pickpocket.
Buz-man, an informer; fromBUZ, to whisper, but more generally a thief.
Buz-napper’s Academy, a school in which young thieves were trained. Figures were dressed up, and experienced tutors stood in various difficult attitudes for the boys to practise upon. When cleverenough they were sent on the streets. Dickens gives full particulars of this old style of business inOliver Twist.
Buzzer, a pickpocket.GrosegivesBUZ-COVEand, as above mentioned,BUZ-GLOAK.
Byblow, an illegitimate child.
By George, an exclamation similar toBY JOVE. The term is older than is frequently imagined—videBacchus and Venus(p. 117), 1737. “’Fore (or by)GEORGE, I’d knock him down.” Originally in reference to Saint George, the patron saint of England, or possibly to the House of Hanover.
By Golly, an ejaculation, or oath; a compromise for “by God.”By gumis another oblique oath. In the United States, small boys are permitted by their guardians to sayGOL DARNanything, but they are on no account allowed to commit the profanity of G—d d——n anything. A manner of “sailing close to the wind” which is objectionable to the honest mind. A specimen ejaculation and moral waste-pipe for interior passion or wrath is seen in the exclamation—BY THE EVER-LIVING JUMPING-MOSES—a harmless and ridiculous phrase, that from its length is supposed to expend a considerable quantity of fiery anger.
By Jingo, an oath or exclamation having no particular meaning, and no positive etymology, though it is believed by some thatJINGOis derived from the Basquejenco, the devil.