Page:Dictionary of Slang, Jargon & Cant (1889) by Barrere & Leland.djvu/136

 form of the Hindu bhindi (often pronounced like bengi), the okra of America, also called bendy and bámia. One variety of it is about the size of an onion.

Bengy, a waistcoat, is from the gypsy bangri.

Benighted, the (Anglo-Indian), a term applied in raillery to the inhabitants of Madras by their envious neighbours.

Benjamin or benjie (common), a waistcoat or coat, formerly a "Joseph." Possibly an allusion to Joseph's garment left in Madame Potiphar's grasp. Dr. C. Mackay says it was so named from a once celebrated advertising tailor in London. (Nautical), a low crowned straw hat, with a very broad brim.

Ben joltræm (old), poor and coarse food, such as agricultural men, navigators, and men working on roads, have to put up with.

Bens (American), tools, styled "alls" by English workmen.

Benvenue (printers), obsolete. This was a kind of entrance-fee paid by the workman to the "chapel" on entering a new office. Equivalent to "standing his footing." Derived from the French apparently, bienvenue, welcome, footing, used in the expression "payer la bienvenue."

Beong (costermongers), a shilling; in old cant a "borde" and now a "bob;" from the Italian bianco, white, also a silver coin. An equivalent for this is to be found in most slangs. For instance, in Dutch thieves' slang, witten; in German, blanker; Italian, biancon. Formerly French silver coins were termed blancs.

Beray (old cant), dung, dirty.

Berk, burk, pl. berkia (gypsy), breast, breasts.

Bero (gypsy), a ship or boat; beromengro, a sailor; beromescro, pertaining to a ship, naval. "Ghiom adré a béro"—"I went in a ship," in common jargon "mandy-jawed (or jassed), adré a bero."

Berthas (Stock Exchange), London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway Company, ordinary stock.

Besh (gypsy), a year. Continental gypsy, bersh. Dui besh, two years.

Beshāva (gypsy), I sit, common form besh; Besh tu alay, sit down; beshella, he sits. "Who besh in ye pus, around the yag"—"Who sit in the straw around the fire."—G. Borrow: Lavengro.