Page:Dictionary of Slang, Jargon & Cant (1889) by Barrere & Leland.djvu/131



The expression was first used in Punch, in one of Leech's caricatures. A man with "extrémités canailles," as the French have it, is said to be blessed with "beetle-crushers and mutton fists." (Army), an infantry soldier is derisively termed beetle-crusher by the cavalry, varied sometimes to "mud-crusher," a near equivalent of the French "pousse-caillou."

Before - tim (pidgin), formerly, once, previously, ere now, of old.

Beggarbolts (nautical), a term formerly applied to any missiles thrown from a galley-slaves' boat at an attacking force.

Beggars' velvet (common), particles of down shaken from a bed, and left to accumulate under furniture by the negligence of housemaids. A more befitting term is "sluts'-wool," as reflecting on the lazy habits of the maid.

Begum, a rich widow.

Beilby's ball (old), an old Bailey executioner. "You will dance at Beilby's ball, where the sheriff pays for the music," from the name of the executioner in the time of Jonathan Wild.

Be in it, to (common), like the American phrase "to be on it." But the English expression seems to denote being in trouble, "I'm always in it."

Bejant, new student at Aberdeen University. A corruption of the French béjaune (bee jaune), unsophisticated young man, compared to an unfledged blackbird. The term is applied to the first or lowest class, the second being the "semi-bejants," the third the "tertians," and the fourth the "magistrands."

Belay (nautical), stop. "Belay that yarn," cease talking, we have had enough of it.

Belch (old), beer.

Belcher (roughs), a blue bird's-eye handkerchief.

Belial (Oxford), Balliol College.