Billy Noodle, subs. (American).—This combination stands in American
slang for a fellow whose self-conceit leads him to suppose himself
specially attractive to the other sex. [From Billy, a male name, +
noodle, a fool.]
Billy-Roller, subs. (common).—See quotations.
1840. Mrs. Trollope, Michael Armstrong, ch. xiv. ‘What is the
billy-roller?’... ‘It’s a long stout stick, ma’am, that’s used
often and often to beat the little ones employed in the mills when
their strength fails.’
1875. Ure, Dict. Arts, III., 1166. This is the billy-roller, so
much talked of in the controversies between the operatives and
masters in the cotton-factories, as an instrument of cruel
punishment to children, though no such machine has been used in
cotton-mills for half a century at least. [M.]
Bim, Bimshire, subs. (West Indian).—Nicknames for a Barbadian and the
island of Barbadoes. This place is also sometimes jeeringly called
Little England, and Barbadian is contracted into ’Badian.
1887. Paton, Down the Islands. Barbadoes is known all the world
over as the little island that pays her way; it has never been
conquered; its people are enterprising and energetic, go-ahead and
driving; in short, the business men of these islands (the
Caribbees). Barbadian may therefore be said to mean a man with ‘go
and grit, energy and vim.’
Bing.—See Bynge a waste.
Binge, subs. (Oxford Univ.)—A drinking bout.
Bingham’s Dandies, subs. (military).—The 17th Lancers. From its Colonel
(Lord Bingham) causing the men’s uniforms to fit so well. It is one of
the smartest regiments of the service. They were also at one time
christened the Horse Marines (q.v.). Two troops of this showy corps
were employed as marines on board the ‘Hermione’ frigate during some
severe fighting in the West Indies. Hence the sobriquet now almost
quite forgotten. But the 17th are still well-known as the Death or
Glory Boys, from their badge, which consists of a death’s head, with
the words, ‘or glory.’
Bingo, subs. (old cant).—Brandy, or other spirituous liquor. Thought by
Dr. Murray to be a humorous formation from B. for ‘brandy’ (Cf., ‘B.
and S.’) and stingo.
1785. Grose, Dictionary of Vulgar Tongue. Bingo, brandy.
1830. Bulwer Lytton, Paul Clifford, p. 41.