1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue eBook

Francis Grose
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 343 pages of information about 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue.

1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue eBook

Francis Grose
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 343 pages of information about 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue.

Bundling.  A man and woman sleeping in the same bed, he
  with his small clothes, and she with her petticoats on; an
  expedient practised in America on a scarcity of beds, where,
  on such an occasion, husbands and parents frequently
  permitted travellers to bundle with their wives and daughters. 
  This custom is now abolished.  See Duke of Rochefoucalt’s
  Travels in America,

Bung upwards.  Said of a person lying on his face.

Bung your eye.  Drink a dram; strictly speaking, to
  drink till one’s eye is bunged up or closed.

Bunt.  An apron.

Bunter.  A low dirty prostitute, half whore and half beggar.

BUNTLINGS.  Petticoats.  Cant.

Burn crust. A jocular name for a baker.

Burn the ken.  Strollers living in an alehouse without paying
  their quarters, are said to burn the ken.  Cant.

Burning shame.  A lighted candle stuck into the parts of a
  woman, certainly not intended by nature for a candlestick.

Burner.  A clap.  The blowen tipped the swell a burner;
  the girl gave the gentleman a clap.

Burner.  He is no burner of navigable rivers; i.e. he is no
  conjuror, or man of extraordinary abilities; or rather,
  he is, but a simple fellow.  See Thames.

Burnt.  Poxed or clapped.  He was sent out a sacrifice, and
  came home a burnt offering; a saying of seamen who have
  caught the venereal disease abroad.  He has burnt his
  fingers; he has suffered by meddling.

Burr.  A hanger on, or dependant; an allusion to the field
  burrs, which are not easily got rid of.  Also the Northumbrian
  pronunciation:  the people of that country, but
  chiefly about Newcastle and Morpeth, are said to have a
  burr in their throats, particularly called the Newcastle
  burr.

Bushel bubby.  A full breasted woman.

Busk.  A piece of whalebone or ivory, formerly worn by
  women, to stiffen the forepart of their stays:  hence the
  toast—­Both ends of the busk.

Buss beggar.  An old superannuated fumbler, whom none
  but beggars will suffer to kiss them.

Bus-napper.  A constable.  Cant.

Bus-NAPPER’S kenchin.  A watchman.  Cant.

Busy.  As busy is the devil in a high wind; as busy as a hen
  with one chick.

Butcher’s dog.  To be like a butcher’s dog, i.e. lie by the
  beef without touching it; a simile often applicable to
  married men.

Butcher’s horse.  That must have been a butcher’s
  horse, by his carrying a calf so well; a vulgar joke on an
  awkward rider.

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1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.