Page:Dictionary of Slang, Jargon & Cant (1889) by Barrere & Leland.djvu/135

 which the other believes to be false or insincere, the latter expresses his incredulity by exclaiming bender! or if one asks another to do an act which the latter considers unreasonable or impracticable, he replies, 'Oh, yes; I'll do it—bender,' meaning by the addition of the last word that in fact he will do no such thing."

Bendigo (common), nearly obsolete. A fur cap named from a noted pugilist, who is said to have got his nickname from his skill at "ducking." This "muscular Christian," some fifteen years ago, became a convert and preacher.

Bendover (Winchester) is to place yourself in such a posture as to give one so disposed an opportunity of "spanking" you.

Bene, ben (old cant), good.

"Stowe your bene" is thus explained—

A bene mort, a pretty woman.

Bene darkmans (old cant), good night.

Bene flakes (old cant), bill-forgers.

Beneship (old cant), very well.

Ben-flake (thieves), a steak at a "slap-bang," i.e., a low cooking-shop or eating-house.

Beng (gypsy), devil, flame; bengalo, bengescro, devilish. Also bengis or bengus. Bengis his zē (zee), (May) the devil (be in) his heart. Paspati, also Pott. Thes. ii. 407, arguing from mere resemblance of sound, derives beng from benk, a frog, or beng, a frog, or benga, squint-eyed in Hindu. But as bengel in German and Dutch means a mischievous, evil fellow or scamp, there is probably some Aryan root which would furnish a more direct connection with the evil principle.

Perhaps it comes from bẹg, Hindu, but of Mongol origin, meaning lord or master. The Spanish gypsies call the devil by a similar term, el buen baron, the good baron or lord.

Bengi (mititary), an onion. Origin obscure, but it may be referred to the Hindustani beng or bhang, from its pungent taste; or again, it may be a