Part 11

~Bullet~, to discharge from a situation. To shake the BULLET at anyone, is to threaten him with “the sack,” but not to give him actual notice to leave. To get the BULLET is to get notice, while to get the instant BULLET is to be discharged upon the spot. The use of the term is most probably derived from a fancied connexion between it and the word discharge.

~Bullfinch~, a hunting term for a large, thick, quickset hedge, difficult alike to “top” or burst through. Probably a corruption of BULL-FENCE, a fence made to prevent cattle straying either in or out.

~Bull the Cask~, to pour hot water into an empty rum puncheon, and let it stand until it extracts the spirit from the wood. The mixture is drunk by sailors in default of something stronger.—_Sea._

~Bully~, a braggart; in the language of the streets, a man of the most degraded morals, who protects fallen females, and lives off their miserable earnings.—_Shakspeare_, in _A Midsummer Night’s Dream_, uses the word in its old form, as a term of endearment. This epithet is often applied in a commendable sense among the vulgar; thus—a good fellow or a good horse will be termed “a BULLY fellow,” “a BULLY horse;” and “a BULLY woman” signifies a right, good motherly old soul. Among Americans, “BULLY for you,” is a commendatory phrase, and “that’s BULLY” is a highly eulogistic term.

~Bullyrag~, to abuse or scold vehemently; to swindle one out of money by intimidation and sheer abuse.

~Bum~, the part on which we sit.—_Shakspeare._ BUMBAGS, trousers; _Gael._ BUN, a base or bottom; _Welsh_, BON, the lowest or worst part of anything.

~Bum-Bailiff~, a sheriff’s-officer—a term, some say, derived from the proximity which this gentleman generally maintains to his victims. Blackstone says it is a corruption of “bound bailiff.” A BUM-BAILIFF was generally called “bummy.”

~Bumble~, to muffle. BUMBLE-FOOTED, club-footed, or awkward in the gait.

~Bumble~, a beadle. Adopted from _Dickens’s_ character in _Oliver Twist_. This and “BUMBLEDOM” are now common.

~Bumble-Puppy~, a game played in public-houses on a large stone, placed in a slanting direction, on the lower end of which holes are excavated, and numbered like the holes in a bagatelle-table. The player rolls a stone ball, or marble, from the higher end, and according to the number of the hole it falls into the game is counted. It is undoubtedly the very ancient game of _Troule-in-madame_.

~Bumbles~, coverings for the eyes of horses that shy in harness.

~Bumbrusher~, an usher at a school.

~Bumclink~, in the Midland counties the inferior beer brewed for haymakers and harvest labourers. Derivation obvious.

~Bum-Curtain~, an old name for academical gowns when they were worn scant and short, especially those of the students of St. John’s College.—_Camb. Univ._ Any ragged or short academical gown.

~Bummarees~, a term given to a class of speculating salesmen at Billingsgate market, not recognised as such by the trade, but who get a living by buying large quantities of fish from the salesmen and re-selling them to smaller buyers. The word has been used in the statutes and bye-laws of the market for upwards of 200 years. It has been variously derived. Some persons think it may be from the _French_ BONNE MARÉE, good fresh fish! “Marée signifie toute sorte de poisson de mer qui n’est pas sale; bonne marée—_marée fraîche_, vendeur de marée.”—_Dict. de l’Acad. Franc._ The BUMMAREES are accused of many trade tricks. One of them is to blow up codfish with a pipe until they look double their actual size. Of course when the fish come to table they are flabby, sunken, and half dwindled away. In Norwich, to BUMMAREE one is to run up a score at a public-house just open, and is equivalent to “running into debt with one.” One of the advertisements issued by Hy. Robinson’s “Office,” over against Threadneedle Street, was this:—

“Touching Advice from the OFFICE, you are desired to give and take notice as followeth:—

“OF Monies to be taken up, or delivered on _Botto-maria_, commonly called _Bomarie_.

“OF money to be put out or taken upon interest,” &c.

—_The Publick Intelligencer_, numb. 17, 25th June, 1660.

~Bummer~, literally one who sits or idles about; a loafer; one who sponges upon his acquaintances. In California, men who profess to be journalists, and so obtain free dinners and drinks, are called “literary BUMMERS.” Although the term is not much in use in this country, the profession of bumming, both literary and otherwise, is freely practised.

~Bumper~, according to Johnson from “bump,” but probably from _French_ BON PÈRE, the fixed toast in monastic life of old, now used for “full measure.” A match at quoits, bowls, &c., may end in a “BUMPER game,” if the play and score be all on one side. BUMPER is used in sporting and theatrical circles to denote a benefit which is one in reality as well as in name.

~Bumptious~, arrogant, self-sufficient. One on very good terms with himself is said to be BUMPTIOUS.

~Bunce~, costermongers’ perquisites; the money obtained by giving light weight, &c.; costermongers’ goods sold by boys on commission. In fact anything which is clear profit or gain is said to be “all BUNCE.” Probably a corruption of _bonus_; BONE, or BONER, being the slang for good. BUNCE, _Grose_ gives as the cant word for money.

~Bunch-of-Fives~, the hand, or fist.

~Bundle~, “to BUNDLE a person off,” _i.e._, to pack him off, send him flying.

~Bundling~, men and women sleeping together, where the divisions of the house will not permit of better or more decent accommodation, with all their clothes on. BUNDLING was originally courting done in bed, the lovers being tied or bundled up to prevent undue familiarities. The practice still obtains in some parts of Wales.

~Bung~, the landlord of a public-house. Much in use among sporting men.

~Bung~, to give, pass, hand over, drink, or to perform almost any action. BUNG up, to close up, as the eyes.—_Pugilistic._ “BUNG over the rag,” hand over the money.—_Old_, used by _Beaumont_ and _Fletcher_, and _Shakspeare_. Also, to deceive one by a lie, to CRAM, which _see_.

~Bunk~, to decamp. “BUNK it!” _i.e._, be off.

~Bunker~, beer.

~Bunkum~, an American importation, denoting false sentiments in speaking, pretended enthusiasm, &c. The expression arose from a speech made by a North Carolina senator named Buncombe.

~Bunter~, a prostitute, a street-walking female thief.

~Burdon’s Hotel~, Whitecross Street Prison, of which the Governor was a Mr. Burdon. Almost every prison has a nickname of this kind, either from the name of the Governor, or from some local circumstance. The Queen’s Bench has also an immense number of names—SPIKE PARK, &c.; and every Chief-Justice stands godfather to it.

~Burerk~, a lady, a showily-dressed woman.

~Burke~, to kill, to murder, secretly and without noise, by means of strangulation. From Burke, the notorious Edinburgh murderer, who, with an accomplice named Hare, used to decoy people into the den he inhabited, kill them, and sell their bodies for dissection. The wretches having been apprehended and tried, Burke was executed, while Hare, having turned king’s evidence, was released. Bishop and Williams were their London imitators. The term BURKE is now usually applied to any project that is quietly stopped or stifled—as “the question has been BURKED.” A book suppressed before publication is said to be BURKED.

~Burra~, great; as BURRA SAIB, a great man; BURRA KHANAII, a great dinner.—_Anglo-Indian._

~Bury a Moll~, to run away from a mistress.

~Bus~, or BUSS, an abbreviation of “omnibus,” a public carriage. Also, a kiss, abbreviation of _Fr._ BAISER. A Mr. Shillibeer started the first BUS in London. A shillibeer is now a hearse and mourning coach all in one, used by the very poorest mourners and shabbiest undertakers.

Why is Temple Bar like a lady’s veil? Because it wants to be removed to make way for the BUSSES.

~Bus~, business (of which it is a contraction) or action on the stage, so written, but pronounced BIZ.—_Theatrical._ _See_ BIZ.

~Business~, the action which accompanies dialogue. “His BUSINESS was good.” Generally applied to byplay.—_Theatrical._

~Busk~, 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.

~Busker~, a man who sings or performs in a public-house; an itinerant.

~Bust~, or BURST, to tell tales, to SPLIT, to inform. BUSTING, informing against accomplices when in custody.

~Buster~ (BURSTER), a small new loaf; “twopenny BUSTER,” a twopenny loaf. “A penn’orth o’ BEES-WAX (cheese) and a penny BUSTER,” a common snack at beershops. A halfpenny loaf is called a “starver.”

~Buster~, an extra size; “what a BUSTER,” _i.e._, what a large one; “in for a BUSTER,” determined on an extensive frolic or spree. _Scotch_, BUSTUOUS; _Icelandic_, BOSTRA.

~Bustle~, money; “to draw the BUSTLE.”

~Busy-Sack~, a carpet-bag.

~Butcha~, a Hindoo word in use among Englishmen for the young of any animal. In England we ask after the children; in India the health of the BUTCHAS is tenderly inquired for.

~Butcher~, the king in playing-cards. When card-playing in public houses was common, the kings were called butchers, the queens bitches, and the knaves jacks. The latter term is now in general use.

~Butcher’s Mourning~, a white hat with a black mourning hatband. Probably because, under any circumstances, a butcher would rather not wear a black hat. White hats and black bands have, however, become genteel ever since the late Prince Consort patronized them, though they retain a deal of the old sporting leaven.

~Butter~, or BATTER, praise or flattery. To BUTTER, to flatter, cajole. Same as “soft soap” and “soft sawder.” Soft words generally. Maybe from the old proverb, “Fine words butter no parsneps.”

~Butter-Fingered~, apt to let things fall; greasy or slippery-fingered.

~Button~, a decoy, sham purchaser, &c. At any mock or sham auction seedy specimens may be seen. Probably from the connexion of buttons with Brummagem, which is often used as a synonym for a sham.—_See_ BONNET.

~Buttoner~, a man who entices another to play.

~Buttons~, a page,—from the rows of gilt buttons which adorn his jacket.

~Buttons~, “not to have all one’s BUTTONS;” to be deficient in intellect. To “make BUTTONS” means for some occult reason to look sorry and sad. “He was making BUTTONS,” _i.e._, he was looking sorrowful. Perhaps because button-making is a sorry occupation.

~Butty~, a word used in the mining districts to denote a kind of overseer. Also used by the Royal Marines in the sense of comrade; a policeman’s assistant, one of the staff in a _mêlée_.

~Buz~, to share equally the last of a bottle of wine, when there is not enough for a full glass to each of the party.

~Buz~, a well-known public-house game, played as follows:—“The chairman commences saying “one,” the next on the left hand “two,” the next “three,” and so on to _seven_, when “BUZ” must be said. Every seven and multiple of 7, as 14, 17, 21, 27, 28, &c., must not be mentioned, but “BUZ” instead. Whoever breaks the rule pays a fine, which is thrown on the table, and the accumulation expended in drink for the company. _See_ “SNOOKS and WALKER” for more complicated varieties of a similar game. These “parlour pastimes” are often not only funny, but positively ingenious. But the Licensing Act and a zealous police are fast clearing them all out.

~Buz~, to pick pockets; BUZZING or BUZ-FAKING, robbing.

~Buz-Bloke~, a pickpocket who principally confines his attention to purses and loose cash. _Grose_ gives BUZ-GLOAK, an ancient cant word. GLOAK was old cant for a man. BUZ-NAPPER, a young pickpocket.

~Buz-man~, an informer; from BUZ, to whisper, but more generally a thief.

~Buz-napper’s Academy~, a school in which young thieves were trained. Figures were dressed up, and experienced tutors stood in various difficult attitudes for the boys to practise upon. When clever enough they were sent on the streets. Dickens gives full particulars of this old style of business in _Oliver Twist_.

~Buzzer~, a pickpocket. _Grose_ gives BUZ-COVE and, as above mentioned, BUZ-GLOAK.

~Byblow~, an illegitimate child.

~By George~, an exclamation similar to BY JOVE. The term is older than is frequently imagined—vide _Bacchus and Venus_ (p. 117), 1737. “’Fore (or by) GEORGE, I’d knock him down.” Originally in reference to Saint George, the patron saint of England, or possibly to the House of Hanover.

~By Golly~, an ejaculation, or oath; a compromise for “by God.” BY GUM is another oblique oath. In the United States, small boys are permitted by their guardians to say GOL DARN anything, but they are on no account allowed to commit the profanity of G--d d----n anything. A manner of “sailing close to the wind” which is objectionable to the honest mind. A specimen ejaculation and moral waste-pipe for interior passion or wrath is seen in the exclamation—BY THE EVER-LIVING JUMPING-MOSES—a harmless and ridiculous phrase, that from its length is supposed to expend a considerable quantity of fiery anger.

~By Jingo~, an oath or exclamation having no particular meaning, and no positive etymology, though it is believed by some that JINGO is derived from the Basque _jenco_, the devil.

~Cab~, in statutory language, “a hackney carriage drawn by one horse.” Abbreviated from the _French_ CABRIOLET; originally meaning “a light low chaise.” The wags of Paris playing upon the word (quasi _cabri_ au lait) used to call a superior turn-out of the kind a _cabri au crême_. Our abbreviation, which certainly smacks of slang, has been stamped with the authority of the Legislature, and has been honoured by universal custom.

~Cab~, to stick together, to muck, or tumble up.—_Devonshire._

~Cabbage~, pieces of cloth said to be purloined by tailors. Any small profits in the way of material.

~Cabbage~, to pilfer or purloin. Termed by _Johnson_ a “cant word,” but adopted by later lexicographers as a respectable term. Said to have been first used in the above sense by _Arbuthnot_.

~Cabbage-Head~, a soft-headed person.

~Cabby~, popular name for the driver of a cab. This title has almost supplanted the more ancient one of jarvey.

~Caboose~, the galley or cook-house of a ship; a term used by tramps to indicate a kitchen.

~Cackle-Tub~, a pulpit.

~Cackling-Cove~, an actor. Also called a MUMMERY-COVE.—_Theatrical._

~Cad~, or CADGER (from which it is shortened), a mean or vulgar fellow; a beggar; one who would rather live on other people than work for himself; a man who tries to worm something out of another, either money or information. _Johnson_ uses the word, and gives _huckster_ as the meaning, in which sense it was originally used. Apparently from CAGER, or GAGER, the _old Cant_ term for a man. The exclusives at the English Universities apply the term CAD to all non-members. It has also been suggested that the word may be a contraction of the _French_ CADET.

~Cad~, an omnibus conductor. Of late years the term has been generically applied to the objectionable class immortalized by Thackeray under the title of snob. A great deal of caddism is, however, perpetrated by those who profess to have the greatest horror of it—the upper classes—a fact which goes far to prove that it is impossible to fairly ascribe a distinctive feature to any grade of society.

~Cadge~, to beg in an artful, wheedling manner.—_North._ In Scotland to CADGE is to wander, to go astray. _See_ under CODGER.

~Cadging~, begging, generally with an eye to pilfering when an opportunity occurs. To be “on the cadge” is almost synonymous with “on the make.”

~Cag~, to irritate, affront, anger. Schoolboy slang.

~Cage~, a minor kind of prison. A country lock-up which contained no offices.

~Cagmag~, bad food, scraps, odds and ends; or that which no one could relish. _Grose_ give CAGG MAGGS, old and tough Lincolnshire geese, sent to London to feast the poor cockneys. _Gael._, _French_, and _Welsh_, CAC, and MAGN. A correspondent at Trinity College, Dublin, considers this as originally a University slang term for a _bad cook_, κακὸς μάγειρος. There is also a _Latin_ word used by Pliny, MAGMA, denoting dregs or dross.

~Cake~, a “flat;” a soft or doughy person, a fool.

~Cakey-Pannum-Fencer~, or PANNUM-FENCER, a man who sells street pastry.

~Calaboose~, a prison.—_Sea_ slang, from the Spanish.

~Calculate~, a word much in use among the inhabitants of the Western States U.S., as “I CALCULATE you are a stranger here.” New Englanders use the word “guess” instead of CALCULATE, while the Virginians prefer to say “reckon.”

~Caleb Quotem~, a parish clerk; a jack of all trades. From a character in _The Wags of Windsor_.

~California~, or CALIFORNIANS, money. Term generally applied to gold only. Derivation very obvious.

~Call~, a notice of rehearsal, or any other occasion requiring the company’s presence, posted up in a theatre. “We’re CALLED for eleven to-morrow morning.”

~Call-a-Go~, in street “patter,” is to leave off trying to sell anything and to remove to another spot, to desist. Also to give in, yield, at any game or business. Probably from the “GO” call in cribbage.

~Cameronians~, THE, the Twenty-sixth Regiment of Foot in the British Army.

~Camesa~, shirt or chemise.—_Span._ _See_ its abbreviated form, MISH, from the _ancient Cant_, COMMISSION. Probably re-introduced by the remains of De Lacy Evans’s Spanish Legion on their return. _See_ Somerville’s account of the Span. Leg., for the curious facility with which the lower classes in England adopt foreign words as slang and cant terms. _Italian_, CAMICIA. This latter is the more likely etymology, as anyone who visits the various quarters where Irish, Italians, and a mongrel mixture of half-a-dozen races congregate and pig together, will admit.

~Camister~, a preacher, clergyman, or master.

~Canary~, a sovereign. From the colour. Very old slang indeed.

~Canister~, the head.—_Pugilistic._

~Canister-Cap~, a hat.

~Cannibals~, the training boats for the Cambridge freshmen, _i.e._, “CANNOT-PULLS.” The term is applied both to boats and rowers.—_See_ SLOGGERS. Torpids is the usual term for the races in which these men and machines figure.

~Cannikin~, a small can, similar to PANNIKIN. “And let the CANNIKIN clink.”

~Cant~, a blow or toss; “a CANT over the kisser,” a blow on the mouth; “a CANT over the buttock,” a throw or toss in wrestling.

~Cantab~, a student at Cambridge.

~Cantankerous~, litigious, bad-tempered. An American corruption probably of contentious. A reviewer of an early edition of this book derives it from the _Anglo-Norman_ CONTEK, litigation or strife. Others have suggested “cankerous” as the origin. _Bailey_ has CONTEKE, contention as a Spenserian word, and there is the _O.E._ CONTEKORS, quarrelsome persons.

~Cant of Togs~, a gift of clothes.

~Canvasseens~, sailors’ canvas trousers.

~Cap~, a false cover to a tossing coin. The term and the instrument are both nearly obsolete. _See_ COVER-DOWN.

~Cap~, “to set her CAP.” A woman is said to set her CAP at a man when she makes overt love to him.

~Cap~, to outdo or add to, as in capping jokes.

~Cape Cod Turkey~, salt fish.

~Caper-Merchant~, a dancing-master. Sometimes a hop-merchant.

~Capers~, dancing, frolicking; “to cut CAPER-SAUCE,” _i.e._, to dance upon nothing—be hanged. Old thieves’ talk.

~Capper-Clawing~, female encounter, where caps are torn and nails freely used. Sometimes it is pronounced CLAPPER-CLAW. The word occurs in _Shakspeare_, _Troilus and Cressida_, act v. sc. 4.

~Caravan~, a railway train, especially a train expressly chartered to convey people to a prize fight.

~Caravansera~, a railway station. In pugilistic phraseology a tip for the starting point might have been given thus. “The SCRATCH must be TOED at sharp five, so the CARAVAN will start at four from the CARAVANSERA.”

~Carboy~, a general term in most parts of the world for a very large glass or earthenware bottle.

~Card~, a character. “A queer CARD,” _i.e._, an odd fish.

~Cardinal~, a lady’s red cloak. A cloak with this name was in fashion in the year 1760. It received its title from its similarity in shape to one of the vestments of a cardinal. Also mulled red wine.

~Cardwell’s Men~, officers promoted in pursuance of the new system of non-purchase.

~Carney~, soft hypocritical language. Also, to flatter, wheedle, or insinuate oneself.—_Prov._

~Carnish~, meat, from the _Ital._ CARNE, flesh; a _Lingua Franca_ importation; CARNISH-KEN, a thieves’ eating-house; “cove of the CARNISH-KEN,” the keeper thereof.—_North Country Cant._

~Caroon~, five shillings. _French_, COURONNE; _Gipsy_, COURNA; _Spanish_, CORONA.

~Carpet~, “upon the CARPET,” any subject or matter that is uppermost for discussion or conversation. Frequently quoted as _sur le tapis_, or more generally “on the _tapis_,” but it does not seem to be at all known in France. Also servants’ slang. When a domestic is summoned by the master or mistress to receive a warning or reprimand, he or she is said to be CARPETED. The corresponding term in commercial establishments is a WIGGING.

~Carpet-Knight~, an habitué of drawing-rooms, a “ladies’ man.”

~Carrier-Pigeon~, a swindler, one who formerly used to cheat lottery-office keepers. Now used among betting men to describe one who runs from place to place with “commissions.”

~Carriwitchet~, a hoaxing, puzzling question, not admitting of a satisfactory answer, as—“How far is it from the first of July to London Bridge?” “If a bushel of apples cost ten shillings, how long will it take for an oyster to eat its way through a barrel of soap?”

~Carrot.~ “Take a CARROT!” a vulgar insulting phrase.

~Carrots~, the coarse and satirical term for red hair. An epigram gives an illustration of the use of this term:—

“Why scorn red hair? The Greeks, we know, (I note it here in charity) Had taste in beauty, and with them The graces were all Χάριται!”

Of late years CARROTY hair in all its shades has been voted beautiful, _i.e._, fashionable.

~Carry Corn~, to bear success well and equally. It is said of a man who breaks down under a sudden access of wealth—as successful horse-racing men and unexpected legatees often do—or who becomes affected and intolerant, that “he doesn’t CARRY CORN well.”

~Carry me Out!~ an exclamation of pretended astonishment on hearing news too good to be true, or a story too marvellous to be believed. Sometimes varied by “Let me die,” _i.e._, I can’t survive that. Profanely derived from the _Nunc dimittis_ (Luke xi. 29). The Irish say, “CARRY ME OUT, and bury me decently.”

~Carry-on~, to joke a person to excess, to CARRY ON a “spree” too far; “how we CARRIED ON, to be sure!” _i.e._, what fun we had. _Nautical term_—from carrying on sail.

~Carts~, a pair of shoes. In Norfolk the carapace of a crab is called a _crab cart_; hence CARTS would be synonymous with CRAB SHELLS, which _see_.

~Cart-wheel~, a five-shilling piece. Generally condensed to “WHEEL.”

~Ca-sa~, a writ of _capias ad satisfaciendam_.—_Legal slang._

~Casa~, or CASE, a house, respectable or otherwise. Probably from the Italian CASA.—_Old Cant._ The Dutch use the word KAST in a vulgar sense for a house, _i.e._, MOTTEKAST, a brothel. CASE sometimes means a water-closet, but is in general applied to a “house of accommodation.” CASA is generally pronounced _carzey_.

~Cascade~, to vomit.

~Case.~ Some years ago the term CASE was applied generally to persons or things; “what a CASE he is,” _i.e._, what a curious person; “a rum CASE that,” or “you are a CASE,” both synonymous with the phrase “odd fish,” common half a century ago. This would seem to have been originally a “case” for the police-court; drunkenness, &c. Among young ladies at boarding-schools a CASE means a love-affair. CASE now means any unfortunate matter. “I’m afraid it’s a CASE with him.”