Brushing up a flat, phr. (general).—Using mealy-mouthed words, or, to
employ other slang equivalents, ‘laying it on thick,’ ‘soft soaping
one.’
Brute, subs. (University).—See quot.
1868. Brewer, Phrase and Fable, s.v. Brute, in Cambridge University
slang, is a man who has not yet matriculated. The play is evident.
A ‘man,’ in college phrase, is a collegian; and as matriculation is
the sign and seal of acceptance, a scholar before that ceremony is
not a ‘man,’ and therefore only a ‘biped brute.’
Brydport Dagger.—See Bridport dagger.
B. T. I., phr. (American).—An abbreviation of a big thing on ice. These
curtailments of slang phrases are not infrequent in America, and among
others may be mentioned p.d.q.; o.k.; n.g. and q.k., etc. (q.v.).
Bub, subs. (old).—1. Strong drink of any kind, but usually applied to
malt liquor. [It is suggested that this term is onomatopoetic, an
imitation of the sound of drinking; others, however, incline to regard
the word as a derivative of the Latin bib-ĕre, to drink. Sometimes
spelt bubb.] A common expression for eating and drinking is ‘to take
bub and grub,’ a French equivalent for which is se caresser
l’Angoulême.
1671. R. Head, English Rogue, pt. I., ch. iv., p. 36 (1874). In a
short time these four return’d laden with bub and food.
1748. Dodsley, Collection of Poems, III., 262.
Tho’ beef twice boil’d his meal, with P—n’s bub,
And sixpence chang’d defrays the frugal club.
1839. H. Ainsworth, Jack Sheppard, ep. II., ch. xi. ‘Och! many a
mug o’ bubb have I drained wi’ the landlord.’
2. (common.)—A woman’s breast; generally used in the plural—bubbies
(q.v.).