Page:Farmer - Slang and its analogues past and present - Volume 1.pdf/408

 water-communication was the chief means of locomotion, and the rivers, streams, and creeks of densely wooded regions were alive with the advance guards of civilization, bushwhacking was the name given to the means by which lumbermen propelled their craft up and down stream. This was accomplished by pulling the bushes growing by the water side; or, on land, by the cutting away of a thicket in order to obtain a passage. The man who did this, and the instrument—a kind of scythe or cutlass with which, in the latter case, he thus forced his way—were alike called bushwhackers. The word has gone through yet another transition. Since the war it has also come to mean a 'country bumpkin,' a 'clod-pole,' or any other person of a 'verdant' character.

Bushy Park, subs. (rhyming slang).—A lark.

To be in Bushy Park, phr. (old).—To be poor.

Business, subs. (old).—1. Sexual intercourse. For synonyms, see Greens.

1630. Taylor, Workes. And Lais of Corinth, ask'd Demosthenes One hundred crownes for one night's businesse.

1654. Wits Recreations.

What Crispulus is that in a new gown, All trim'd with loops and buttons up and down, That learns there on his arm in private chat With thy young wife, what Crispulus is that? He's proctor of a court, thou say'st and does Some business of my wives: thou brainless goose, He does no business of thy wives, not he, He does thy business (Coracine) for thee.

2. (theatrical.)—Dramatic action; bye-play.

1753. The World, No. 26. We are too much enamoured with what is called intrigue, business, and bustle, in our plays.

1820. Scott, The Abbot, ch. xxvii. (III., p. 6). The went, came, and returned, mingling in every scene of the piece, and interrupting the business.

1860. Cornhill Magazine, Dec, p. 749. So well do performers understand this principle, that they give the literary composition the utmost contemptuous title of 'words,' while they dignify the movements of the characters with the name of business.

1876. C. Hindley, Life and Adventures of a Cheap Jack, p. 282. Tom observed, I never saw such business before; how do you do it with that board thing, for I can't manage it? I have knocked and bruised some of my people about so that they swear they would sooner leave than have such another day.

1880. Punch, Sept. 18, 130. 'Quite in his Line.' Stout Major (to Professional Actor, who has been asked down to coach the Garrison Amateurs): 'Aw—we played The Bells at our last Theatricals, of which I've the Management. I—aw—played Irving's part myself. Aw—immense Success!' Professional (drily): 'Of course you've seen him in it?' Major: 'Ya-as—but—aw—I didn't copy him in the least—aw—my own 'Business.' Aw—Entirely different reading. In fact, every one said it wasn't a bit like him!

1883. H. Irving, in Good Words, Jan., p. 34. Then consider what scope the 'business' of the scene gives to the actor's purpose.

To do one's business for one, phr. (common).—To kill; to cause one's death.

1880. Jas. Greenwood, Grandmother Cooper, in Odd People in Odd Places, p. 4. 'They said it was his hurts as killed him,' said the old lady, 'but it was no use 'em telling me that. It was the bricks and mortar that did his business, poor chap.'