1851. Mayhew, London Labour and London Poor, III., p. 117. And
there I did Jeremiah Stitchem to his Billy Button. Ibid, p. 142. A
laughable sketch entitled Billy Button’s ride to Brentford, and I
used to be Jeremiah Stitchem, a servant of Billy Button’s, that
comes for a ‘situation.’
Billy-Buzman, subs. (thieves’).—A thief whose speciality is silk pocket
and neckerchiefs. [From billy, slang for a pocket-handkerchief, +
buzman, slang for a thief.]
Billy-Cock, subs. (popular).—A round, low-crowned hat—generally of soft
felt, and with a broad brim. Speculation has been rife as to the
derivation of the term. Murray says ‘apparently the same as
“bully-cocked,” used 1721, probably meaning after the fashion of the
“bullies” or hectoring “blades” of the period’ (see quot.). A writer,
C. K. C. in Notes and Queries, however [6 S., ii., p. 355], points out
that ‘these hats were first made for “Billy Coke”—or to speak more
respectfully, Mr. William Coke—a gentleman well known at Melton Mowbray
a quarter of a century ago [circa 1853], and used by him at the great
shooting parties at Holkham. The old-established hatters in the
West-end still call them “Coke hats.”’ Of the reality of the
personality of William Coke of Melton fame there is, and can be no
doubt, and although the name of the hat may be derived from
‘bully-cock,’ yet the weight of evidence seems to be against it, unless
a slight transference of meaning, very common in slang, has taken
place.
1721. Amherst, Terræ Filius, No. 46, p. 246. [A description of an
Oxford ‘smart’ or dandy.] When he walks the street, he is easily
distinguish’d by a stiff silk gown, which rustles in the wind, as
he struts along; a flaxen tie-wig, or sometimes a long natural one,
which reaches down below his waist; a broad bully-cock’d hat, or a
square cap of above twice the usual size; white stockings, thin
Spanish leather shoes; his cloaths lined with tawdry silk, and his
shirt ruffled down the bosom as well as at the wrists. Besides all
which marks, he has a delicate jaunt in his gait, and smells very
philosophically of essence.
1862. Life Among Colliers, 35. I was told to take off my bonnet,
and tie a billy-cock [wide-awake] tight down.
1872. Farjeon, Griff, p. 14. With the men, mole-skin trousers,
pea-jackets, billy-cock hats, and dirty pipes predominated.
1884. Pall Mall G., March 28, p. 11, col. 1. He wore a plaited
blouse drawn in at the waist and a dilapidated billy-cock hat.
2. (Australian.)—The billy-cock of the Antipodean colonies differs from
the English head-gear known by the name in being made of hard instead
of soft felt, and in having a turned up brim.
For synonymous terms of head-gear, see Deerstalker.
Billy-Fencer, subs. (thieves’).—A marine store dealer.—See Fence.
Billy-Goat, subs. (common).—A tufted beard; similar to that of a goat.
1882. Standard, 11 Feb., p. 3, col. 2. Hair turning grey, hazel
eyes, billy-goat beard. [M.]
Billy-Hunting, subs. (thieves’).—1. Collecting and buying old
metal.—See Billy-fence.
1851–61. H. Mayhew, London Lab. and Lon. Poor, vol. I., p. 465. ‘He
goes tatling and billy-hunting in the country (gathering rags and
buying old metal).’