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Expressions you’ll hear in Britain and Ireland — distinctly British usage first, then widespread staples.
According to Johnson from "bump," but probably from French BON PÈRE, the fixed toast in monastic life of old, now used for "full measure." A match at quoits, bowls, &c., may end in a "BUMPER game," if the play and score be all on one side. BUMPER is used in sporting and theatrical circles to denote a benefit which is one in reality as well as in name.
A ceremony performed on boys perambulating the bounds of the parish on Whit-monday, when they have their posteriors bumped against the stones marking the boundaries, in order to fix them in their memory.
Arrogant, self-sufficient. One on very good terms with himself is said to be BUMPTIOUS.
A common name for a rabbit, also for the monosyllable. To touch bun for luck; a practice observed among sailors going on a cruize.
Costermongers’ perquisites; the money obtained by giving light weight, &c.; costermongers’ goods sold by boys on commission. In fact anything which is clear profit or gain is said to be "all BUNCE." Probably a corruption of bonus; BONE, or BONER, being the slang for good. BUNCE, Grose gives as the cant word for money.
"to BUNDLE a person off," i.e., to pack him off, send him flying.
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,
Men and women sleeping together, where the divisions of the house will not permit of better or more decent accommodation, with all their clothes on. BUNDLING was originally courting done in bed, the lovers being tied or bundled up to prevent undue familiarities. The practice still obtains in some parts of Wales.
The landlord of a public-house. Much in use among sporting men.
Said of a person lying on his face.
Drink a dram; strictly speaking, to drink till one's eye is bunged up or closed.
To decamp. "BUNK it!" i.e., be off.
An American importation, denoting false sentiments in speaking, pretended enthusiasm, &c. The expression arose from a speech made by a North Carolina senator named Buncombe.
A low dirty prostitute, half whore and half beggar.
A prostitute, a street-walking female thief.
A lady, a showily-dressed woman.
A jocular name for a baker.
Strollers living in an alehouse without paying their quarters, are said to burn the ken. CANT.
A clap. The blowen tipped the swell a burner; the girl gave the gentleman a clap.
A lighted candle stuck into the parts of a woman, certainly not intended by nature for a candlestick.
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.
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.
Great; as BURRA SAIB, a great man; BURRA KHANAII, a great dinner.—Anglo-Indian.
To run away from a mistress.
Or BUSS, an abbreviation of "omnibus," a public carriage. Also, a kiss, abbreviation of Fr. BAISER. A Mr. Shillibeer started the first BUS in London. A shillibeer is now a hearse and mourning coach all in one, used by the very poorest mourners and shabbiest undertakers.
A full breasted woman.
The action which accompanies dialogue. "His BUSINESS was good." Generally applied to byplay.—Theatrical.
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.
To sell obscene songs and books at the bars and in the tap-rooms of public-houses. Sometimes it implies selling other articles. Also to "work" public-houses and certain spots as an itinerant musician or vocalist.
A man who sings or performs in a public-house; an itinerant.
An old superannuated fumbler, whom none but beggars will suffer to kiss them.
Or BURST, to tell tales, to SPLIT, to inform. BUSTING, informing against accomplices when in custody.
(BURSTER), a small new loaf; "twopenny BUSTER," a twopenny loaf. "A penn’orth o’ BEES-WAX (cheese) and a penny BUSTER," a common snack at beershops. A halfpenny loaf is called a "starver."
Money; "to draw the BUSTLE."
As busy is the devil in a high wind; as busy as a hen with one chick.
A Hindoo word in use among Englishmen for the young of any animal. In England we ask after the children; in India the health of the BUTCHAS is tenderly inquired for.
The king in playing-cards. When card-playing in public houses was common, the kings were called butchers, the queens bitches, and the knaves jacks. The latter term is now in general use.
To be like a butcher's dog, i.e. lie by the beef without touching it; a simile often applicable to married men.
That must have been a butcher's horse, by his carrying a calf so well; a vulgar joke on an awkward rider.
With Dr. Grey’s Annotations, 3 vols. 8vo. 1819.
A dependant, poor relation, or simpleton, on whom all kinds of practical jokes are played off; and who serves as a butt for all the shafts of wit and ridicule.
Or BATTER, praise or flattery. To BUTTER, to flatter, cajole. Same as "soft soap" and "soft sawder." Soft words generally. Maybe from the old proverb, "Fine words butter no parsneps."
A kind of short jogg trot, such as is used by women going to market, with butter and eggs.--he looks as if butter would not melt in her mouth, yet I warrant you cheese would not choak her; a saying of a demure looking woman, of suspected character. Don't make butter dear; a gird at the patient angler.
A Dutchman, from the great quantity of butter eaten by the people of that country.
A trap, a light cart.
Apt to let things fall; greasy or slippery-fingered.
One lying with a woman that has just lain with another man, is said to have a buttered bun.
A common whore and a pick-pocket. Cant.
The amorous congress. CANT.
A bawd, or match-maker. CANT.
A bad shilling, among coiners. His a-se makes buttons; he is ready to bewray himself through fear. CANT.
A decoy, sham purchaser, &c. At any mock or sham auction seedy specimens may be seen. Probably from the connexion of buttons with Brummagem, which is often used as a synonym for a sham.—See BONNET.
A man who entices another to play.
A page,—from the rows of gilt buttons which adorn his jacket.
A word used in the mining districts to denote a kind of overseer. Also used by the Royal Marines in the sense of comrade; a policeman’s assistant, one of the staff in a mêlée.
To share equally the last of a bottle of wine, when there is not enough for a full glass to each of the party.
A pickpocket who principally confines his attention to purses and loose cash. Grose gives BUZ-GLOAK, an ancient cant word. GLOAK was old cant for a man. BUZ-NAPPER, a young pickpocket.
An informer; from BUZ, to whisper, but more generally a thief.
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.
A simple fellow. A blind buzzard: a pur-blind man or woman.