1873. Dr. Blackley, Hay Fever, p. 145. The first kite was six feet
in length by three feet in width, and was made of the usual form,
namely, with a central shaft or ‘standard,’ and a semi-circular top
or bender.
Over the bender, phr. (common).—A variant of ‘over the left shoulder’;
the connection between bender, a slang term for the arm, and the
shoulder is sufficiently apparent. There are many analogous
expressions, which see under Over the left.
Intj.—An exclamation of incredulity; also used as a kind of saving
clause to a promise which the speaker does not intend to carry into
effect. Probably an abbreviated form of over the bender.
Bendigo, subs. (common).—A rough fur cap named after a notorious
pugilist.
Bend Over, intj. (Winchester College).—A direction to put oneself into
position to receive a ‘spanking.’ This is done by bending over so that
the tips of the fingers extend towards the toes, thus presenting a
surface as tight as a drum on the part to be castigated.
Bene, Ben, adj. (old cant).—Good. This belongs to the most ancient
English cant, and is probably a corruption from the Latin. Benar and
benat appear to have been used as comparatives of bene.—(See quots.)
1567. Harman, Caveat (1869), p, 86. What, stowe your bene, cofe,
and sut benat whydds, and byng we to rome vyle to nyp a bong. [i.e.
What, hold your peace good fellow and speak better words, and let
us go to London to cut, or steal a purse.]
1610. Rowlands, Martin Mark-all, p. 37 (H. Club’s Repr., 1874).
Ben, good.
1611. Thomas Middleton and Thomas Dekker, The Roaring Girl or Moll
Cut Purse.
A gage of ben Rom-bouse,
In a bousing ken of Rom-vile
Is benar than a Caster, Peck, pennam, lay
Or popler.
i.e.,
A quart pot of good wine
In a drinking house of London
Is better than a cloak, meat, bread, butter milk (?) or
porridge.
1714. Memoirs of John Hall (4 ed.), p. 11, list of cant words in.
Bien, good.
1858. A. Mayhew, Paved with Gold, bk. III., ch. iii., p. 265. ‘I’ve
brought a couple of bene coves, with lots of the Queen’s pictures
in their sacks’ [pockets].
Subs. (old cant).—‘Stowe your bene,’ i.e., ‘hold your tongue.’ See
quotation above from Harman’s Caveat.
Bene-Bouze.—See Benbouse.
Bene-Cove.—See Ben-cull.
Bene Darkmans! intj. (old cant).—Good night! French thieves say
sorgabon, an inversion of bonne sorgue.
Benedick, subs. (familiar).—1. A sportive name for a newly-married man;
especially one who has long been a bachelor. Apparently, however, there
is some confusion in the usage (see sense 2). The name was derived from
Shakspeare’s character in Much Ado About Nothing.
1599. Shakspeare, Much Ado About Nothing, v., 4, 100. Don Pedro.
How dost thou, benedick, the married man?
1805. Rev. J. Marriott, in C. K. Sharpe’s Correspondence (1888),
I., 239. From what I have seen of his lordship, both as a bachelor
and as a benedick.