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 more than your merits. And now are you all bobbish, and how's sixpennorth of halfpence?' meaning me.

1881. W. D. Howells, Dr. Breen's Practice, ch. vii. 'I didn't know that I mustn't look downcast. I didn't suppose it would be very polite, under the circumstances, to go round looking as bobbish as I feel.'

Bobbles, subs. (common).—The testicles—a corrupted form of bawbells. For synonyms, see Cods.

Bobby, subs. (popular).—A policeman. This nickname, though possibly not derived from, was certainly popularised by the fact that the Metropolitan Police Act of 1828 was mainly the work of Mr., afterwards Sir Robert Peel. Long before that statesman remodelled the police, however, the term 'bobby the beadle' was in use to signify a guardian of a public square or other open space. There seems, however, a lack of evidence, and examples of its literary use prior to 1851 have not been discovered. For synonyms, see Beak, sense I.

At the Universities the Proctors are or used to be called bobbies.

1851. H. Mayhew, London Labour and London Poor, I., p. 16. It is often said in admiration of such a man that he could muzzle half a dozen bobbies before breakfast!

1880. Punch, No. 2038. Going round a corner and crying, Bobby! bobby! bobby! when he saw a Proctor.

1884. Punch, July 26, p. 41, col. 2. But oh, for the grip of the 'Bobby's' hand Upon his neck that day.

1889. The Mirror, Aug. 26, p. 7, col. 2. On the back seat was perched the perfidious Amelia Ann, the lust of conquest clearly written upon her sinful and perspiring face. She had put her cat in the birdcage, its former occupant being, I presume, inside the cat. In this order the ghastly procession moved off, to the evident amusement of a 'bobby,' whose beat seems to include nothing beyond the area-railings of the opposite house.

Bobby-Twister, subs. (thieves').—A burglar or thief, who, when resisting pursuit or capture, uses violence. Of obvious derivation.—See Thieves.

Bob-Cull, subs. (thieves').—A good fellow; a pleasant companion. [From bob (adj.) = nice, lively + cull, old cant for a man.]

Bob My Pal, subs. (rhyming slang).—A girl, i.e., 'gal.'

Bobstick, subs. (old).—A shilling's worth. Cf., Bob, sense I.

1789. Geo. Parker, Life's Painter, p. 162. Bobstick of rum slim. That is, a shilling's worth of punch.

1821. W. T. Moncrieff, Tom and Jerry, Act ii., Sc. 5. Tom. Allons donc—Waiter, bring some wine. Log. Hang cards! bring me a bobstick of rum slim, or a glass of Barsac—stay, on second thoughts, I'll have a sniker of green tea punch.

Bob Tail, subs. (old).—I. A lewd woman. For synonyms, see Barrack-hack.

2. An impotent man or eunuch.

Tag, rag, and bobtail; a mob of all sorts of low people; the common herd; the rabble.

1659-60. Pepys, Diary, Mar. 6. The dining-room was full of tag, rag, and bobtail, dancing, singing, and drinking, [m.]

1785. Wolcot ('P. Pindar'), Ode to R. A.'s, ii., wks. (1812) I., 80. Tag-rags and Bobtails of the sacred Brush. [m.]

1820. Byron, Blues, ii., 23. The rag, tag, and bobtail of those they call 'Blues.' [m.]