BLINK FENCER, a person who sells spectacles.
BLOAK, or BLOKE, a man; “the BLOAK with a jasey,” the man with a wig,
_i.e._, the Judge. _Gipsey_ and _Hindoo_, LOKE. _North_, BLOACHER, any
large animal.
BLOB (from BLAB), to talk. Beggars are of two kinds,—those who SCREEVE
(introduce themselves with a FAKEMENT, or false document), and those
who BLOB, or state their case in their own truly “unvarnished” language.
BLOCK, the head.
BLOCK ORNAMENTS, the small dark coloured pieces of meat exposed on the
cheap butchers’ blocks or counters,—debateable points to all the sharp
visaged argumentative old women in low neighbourhoods.
BLOOD, a fast or high-mettled man. Nearly obsolete in the sense in
which it was used in George the Fourth’s time.
BLOOD-RED FANCY, a kind of handkerchief worn by pugilists and
frequenters of prize fights.—_See_ BILLY.
BLOODY-JEMMY, a sheep’s head.—_See_ SANGUINARY JAMES.
BLOW, to expose, or inform; “BLOW the gaff,” to inform against a
person. In _America_, to BLOW is slang for to taunt.
BLOW A CLOUD, to smoke a cigar or pipe—a phrase in use two centuries
ago.
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.
BLOW OUT, or TUCK IN, a feast.
BLOW UP, to make a noise, or scold; formerly a cant expression used
amongst thieves, now a recognised and respectable phrase. BLOWING UP, a
jobation, a scolding.
BLOWEN, a showy or flaunting prostitute, a thief’s paramour. In
_Wilts_, a BLOWEN is a blossom. _Germ._ BLUHEN, to bloom.
“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.