Page:Dictionary of Slang, Jargon & Cant (1889) by Barrere & Leland.djvu/241



Buz in thieves' slang was originally to whisper; it is now common in the sense of talking confidentially or earnestly to anybody.

(Popular), to talk, to make a speech.

Buz-bloke (thieves), a pickpocket.

Buz-cove (Australian convicts' slang), most likely taken out to Australia by the convicts transported thither.

Vaux, in his "Memoirs of Convict Life in Australia," says: "Buz-cove or 'buz-gloak,' a pickpocket; a person who is clever at this practice is said to be a 'good buz.' "

Buz-man (thieves), a thief; an informer.

Buznapper (old slang), a constable, one who "knaps" or takes "buzzers" or pickpocket. Also a young pickpocket.

Buznapper's academy, a school in which young thieves were trained. Figures were dressed up and experienced tutors stood in various difficult attitudes for the boys to practise upon. When clever enough they were sent on the streets. Dickens gives full particulars of this old style of business in "Oliver Twist" (Hotten).

Buznapper's kinchin (old cant), a watchman.

Buzzard (American), an oppressive, arrogant person, jealous of rivalry, and vindictive. The Wiggins alluded to in the following paragraph is a celebrated though not very successful American weather-prophet.

Buzzard dollar (American), so called from the eagle on it, which captious critics think looks like a turkey-buzzard.

Buzzer (thieves), a pickpocket.