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 1785. Grose, Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue. Black art, the art of picking a lock.

1811. Lexicon Balatronicum. [The definition given is the same as that of Grose, as above-mentioned.]

2. (undertakers'.)—The business of an undertaker. Cf., Black work.

1861. Sala, Seven Sons of Mammon, i., p. 78. Rich men's funerals in the first style Of black art.

Black-ball, verb (common).—See Pill.

Blackballing, subs. (nautical).—Stealing or pilfering. A sailor's word. It originated amongst the employees of the old Black Ball line of steamers between New York and Liverpool. The cruelty and scandalous conduct of officers to men—and sailors to each other—were so proverbial, that the line of vessels in question became known all over the world for the cruelty of its officers, and the thieving propensities of its sailors.

Blackbeetles, subs. (old).—The lower strata of society. [Apparently a term of contempt derived from the cockroach, generally called a blackbeetle.] Obsolete.

1821. W. T. Moncrieff, Tom and Jerry, Act ii., Sc. 6. Jerry: Tom, here's a group of blackbeetles—do you see those lovely mendicants? Tom: Beauty in rags—I do—Cupid imploring charity. I'll relieve him, for I'll be after that match-girl directly. Jerry: And I'll chant a few words to that beautiful ballad-singer. Log: And I'll take pity on that charming beggar.

Blackberry Swagger, subs. (common).—A person who hawks tapes, boot-laces, etc.

Blackbird, subs. (popular).—Formerly an African captive on board a slaver; now generally understood as referring to a Polynesian indentured labourer, who, if not by name a slave, is often one to all intents and purposes. [Obviously derived from the black or dark-brown colour of these people.]

1881. Chequered Career, p. 180. The white men on board knew that if once the blackbirds burst the hatches they would soon master the ship. [m.]

Verb.—To capture negroes or Polynesians; to kidnap (see subs.). Hence the verbal substantive and ppl. adj. blackbirding, in the same sense.

1883. Graphic, April 21, p. 398, col. 1. The day is not far distant when, to avoid blackbirding, and the revengeful massacres which these kidnappers provoke, the whole of Oceania will have to be placed under civilised control.

1883. Academy, 8 Sep., p. 158. [He] slays Bishop Patteson by way of reprisal for the atrocities of some blackbirding crew. [m.]

1884. Pall Mall Gazette, 19 Aug. p. 2, col. 2. Years ago blackbirding scoundrels may have hailed from Fiji. [m.]

Blackbird-Catching.—See Blackbird.

Black-Birders, subs. (popular).—See quotation.

1883. All the Year Round, 22 Sep., p. 355. Blackbirders, the kidnappers for labour purposes on the islands of the Pacific.

Black Box, subs. (old).—A lawyer. So given in Grose [1785]; Lexicon Balatronicum [1811]; and in Duncombe's Sinks of London [1848]. [From the black tin boxes in which clients' papers are kept.]

Black-Boy, subs. (old).—See Blackcoat.