1753. The World, No. 26. We are too much enamoured with what is
called intrigue, business, and bustle, in our plays.
1820. Scott, The Abbot, ch. xxvii. (III., p. 6). The ... went,
came, and returned, mingling in every scene of the piece, and
interrupting the business.
1860. Cornhill Magazine, Dec., p. 749. So well do performers
understand this principle, that they give the literary composition
the utmost contemptuous title of ‘words,’ while they dignify the
movements of the characters with the name of business.
1876. C. Hindley, Life and Adventures of a Cheap Jack, p. 282. Tom
observed, I never saw such business before; how do you do it with
that board thing, for I can’t manage it? I have knocked and bruised
some of my people about so that they swear they would sooner leave
than have such another day.
1880. Punch, Sept. 18, 130. ‘Quite in his Line.’ Stout Major (to
Professional Actor, who has been asked down to coach the Garrison
Amateurs): ‘Aw—we played The Bells at our last Theatricals, of
which I’ve the Management. I—aw—played Irving’s part myself.
Aw—immense Success!’ Professional (drily): ‘Of course you’ve seen
him in it?’ Major: ‘Ya-as—but—aw—I didn’t copy him in the
least—aw—my own ‘Business.’ Aw—Entirely different reading. In fact,
every one said it wasn’t a bit like him!’
1883. H. Irving, in Good Words, Jan., p. 34. Then consider what
scope the ‘business’ of the scene gives to the actor’s purpose.
To do one’s business for one, phr. (common).—To kill; to cause one’s
death.
1880. Jas. Greenwood, Grandmother Cooper, in Odd People in Odd
Places, p. 4. ‘They said it was his hurts as killed him,’ said the
old lady, ‘but it was no use ’em telling me that. It was the bricks
and mortar that did his business, poor chap.’
Business End [of a thing], subs. (American).—The practical part.
Busk It, verb (vagrants’).—To sell obscene songs and books at the bars
and in the tap-rooms of public houses. Sometimes it implies selling
other articles. Also to ‘work’ public houses and certain spots as an
itinerant musician or vocalist. So also busking, verb subs. and ppl.
adj. and busker, a man who thus sings and performs in public houses: an
itinerant.
1851. Mayhew, London Labour and London Poor, III., p. 234. From a
furniture-carter of this description I received some most shocking
details of having to busk it, as this taking about goods for sale
is called by those in the trade. Ibid, I., p. 229. They obtained a
livelihood by busking, as it is termed, or in other words, by
offering their goods for sale only at the bars or in the tap-rooms
and parlours of taverns. Ibid, III., p. 216. Busking is going into
public houses and playing and singing and dancing. Ibid, p. 222. I
now thought I’d try what is termed busking, that is going into
public houses and cutting likenesses of the company.
1883. Advt. in Echo, May 10, p. 4, col. 6. Busking.—A player on the
harp and violin wants a mate.
1887. Referee, August 21, p. 3, col. 2. Mac himself ... will appear
in the Racecourse scene as a busker.
Busker.—See under Busk.
Busking.—See under Busk.
Busnapper.—See Buz-napper.
Busnapper’s Kinchin.—See Buz-napper’s Kinchin.
Buss.—See Bus.
Buss Beggar, subs. (old).—An old prostitute of the lowest type; a
beggar’s trull.
Bust, subs. (vulgar).—A corrupted form of burst. So also busting
(adj.); busted (ppl. adj.), etc., etc.
1837. Dickens, Oliver Twist, p. 219. A kind of busting noise.