Page:Dictionary of Slang, Jargon & Cant (1889) by Barrere & Leland.djvu/149

 is probably a relic of the times of the Reformation, when in Scotland everything connected with prelacy was considered to be bad.

Bisser (gypsy), to forget.

Bit (American), correctly the old Spanish "real," equal to twelve and a half Cents, or about sixpence. In England the now seldom seen fourpenny-piece was called a fourpenny-bit, also a "joey," from the late Joseph Hume, M.P., who extolled its convenience in a speech which he made in Parliament. In Pennsylvania the "real" was called an elevenpenny-bit,—bit being a translation of the Spanish "peso," a piece or bit (as it was popularly understood), and signified any coin. Since this Spanish and Mexican money was withdrawn from circulation the term bit is applied to the "dime." The "medio" or "half-real" was in Philadelphia called a fippenny-bit (fivepenny), which was abbreviated to "fip," as "elevenpenny-bit" became contracted to "levy." This old Spanish currency became so worn that the "levy," which was legally worth twelve and a half cents, often weighed less than the ten-cent silver piece or "dime," and it was said that boys were in the habit of filing down and smoothing the latter so as to make them pass for the former.

(West Indian), a bit is a fourpenny piece. In Demerara the negroes make this one of their units of calculation. Thus a shilling is three bits, and so on.

(Popular), fourpence.

Bitch, to (old slang), to give way through fear. The primary meaning is to sport. (Common), "to be" or "to stand bitch," from the gypsy bitcher or bitch, to send away, let go, or yield.

To assume a woman's functions in making tea, presiding at the table, &c.

Bitchadey-pawdel (gypsy), transported.

Bitch booby (old military slang), a country girl.

Bitcher (gypsy), to send. Hence to order or command. Bitchering kérs, police or assize-courts. See.

Bitcherin mush (gypsy), a magistrate.

Bitcher-pawdel (gypsy), to transport.

Bitch party (university), tea party; only suitable for women in the