Page:Dictionary of Slang, Jargon & Cant (1889) by Barrere & Leland.djvu/142



Big nuts to crack (American), a difficult or large undertaking.

Big pond (American), the Atlantic.

Big pot (common), a somebody, a person of consequence.

Big side runs (Rugby), the open paper chases.

Big sides (schools), a school term for the practice games at football, where all or nearly all the boys join in. It was originally used at Rugby.

Big take (American), anything very much affected or popular. A grand acquisition, a fashion, a success.

Big, to look (common), to assume an inflated air or manner. To "talk big," to talk in a boasting manner, from the propensity of very small men to assume "bumptious" or defiant ways. These expressions have almost ceased to be slang.

Big wig (common), a pompous, conceited individual. Also applied by the lower classes to those in a high station of life or office. Thus a judge or nobleman will be termed a big wig. The word is used in a good-humoured, familiar sense.

(Nautical), a high officer.

Bikin (gypsy), to sell; bikin engro, a merchant, or one who sells.

Bildar or beldars (Anglo-Indian), a term applied to diggers with the spade or mattock in the public works.