Page:Dictionary of Slang, Jargon & Cant (1889) by Barrere & Leland.djvu/137

 Beshermengro (gypsy), one who sits, a magistrate.

Bespeak-night (common), a night in theatrical performance set apart for the special benefit of some actor or actress—a benefit in modern phraseology.

Best (common), to best a man, to have the better of one in any way.

To cheat.

(Thieves), to give in best, to affect repentance.

Bester (popular), one who gets the better. Also a low betting cheat, a blackleg.

Best girl (American), the preferred one; a sweetheart.

Besting (running), to get the better of any one by unfair means.

Besting the pistol (running), where a runner gets the best of the starter, and is away on his journey when the pistol goes off.

Bet a seed, to (American), to bet the smallest chip or counter, i.e., stake, in the game of poker.—MS. Collection of Americanisms, by C. Leland-Harrison.

Be there, to (common), to be in one's element, to be knowing at a thing.

Better than a dig in the eye with a blunt stick (common). The expression is used to denote a thing of little value.

Betting round (racing), laying fairly and equally against nearly all the horses in a race, so that no great risk can be run. Commonly called "getting round."

Betty (thieves), a skeleton key or picklock, termed also tivvil, twist, screw; all Betty, it is all up! past recovery.