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.